Seven members of staff from the Boots store in Melrose reached the snowy summit of Ben Nevis after four hours of climbing to raise in excess of £1,000 for the Macmillan cancer charity.
The fundraisers are grateful to their friends and family, plus many customers at the Boots shop, for their generosity.
z Pictured before embarking on their Nevis ascent are, from left, Kay Darling, Moira Pflug, Lauren Brownlee, Emma Green, Michelle Brownlee, Tracy Anderson and Louise Taylor.
The Episcopalian Bishop of Edinburgh, the Rt Reverend John Armes, chalked up a first when he visited Kelso on Sunday.
He had never been asked to bless the loos anywhere before and admitted that, while there wasn’t an appropriate item in his book of blessings, that should be rectified in future as good toilet facilities were essential.
Fortunately he had also been asked to bless the new kitchen in St Andrew’s Episcopal Church and was able to adapt and extend his duties to cover the two new facilities which have been created at a cost of £60,000.
Ensuring that – as rector, the Reverend Bob King teased – the church “got its money’s worth” out of the bishop’s visit, he not only blessed a new carpet for the Lady Chapel, but also authorised new chalice bearers and licensed new intercessors.
Bishop John also appointed Alan Hall as Emeritus Lay Reader – one of only three in Scotland – in recognition of his long-standing work for the church in Kelso.
z The photograph shows Bishop John Armes with Rector Bob King and Rector’s Warden Keith Redpath, left.
A playgroup in Tweedbank and primary school in Stow are two of 22 organisations to benefit from the final round of funding from the Borders Railway Community Fund.
Tweedbank Playgroup’s ‘Choo-Choose to be safe’ project will educate the children that attend the playgroup, aged between two and five, on the importance of rail safety.
Involving a series of games and activities, the project will be delivered by playgroup staff and local secondary school staff and students to teach the young children about living near a railway.
Stow Primary School has used the funding to host an exhibition of its ‘Past, Present & Future’ project which celebrated the history of the railway in the Borders, the excitement of the new line and how to remain safe when living beside and using the railway.
The exhibition is expected to be held again in September when the opening celebrations peak.
The school is also planning to use some of the funds they received to install planting troughs, boxes and bedding in the school grounds. These will be developed and maintained by the pupils themselves.
The Borders Railway Community Fund was set-up in 2013 to support community engagement and safety has since distributed a total of £15k across 70 local groups.
Leanne McDowall, project manager at Tweedbank Playgroup, said: “The Borders Railway is a fantastic new development in the area and we believe strongly in the importance of educating the community and our next generation of rail users in using these services safely.”
Jacqui Doig, Scottish Community Safety Network Manager, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback and we are delighted that projects continue to receive well deserved support.”
Other projects which have benefited from the fund this year include:
○Stow Kids Club – Afterschool club, creating a project to look at railway safety through books and internet.
○Gala Cricket Club – Helping the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust U11 Cricket Tournament to support young cricket players throughout the Borders.
○Galadean Juniors Football Club – To purchase new training equipment (running ladders, mini-hurdles).
An 80-year-old woman was left terrified after a gun-toting raider carried out a robbery at her home in the Yarrow Valley and threatened to shoot her.
Sheila Turnbull now fears living alone at the house which she has called home for about 60 years, a judge has been told.
The High Court in Edinburgh (pictured) heard that the robber, Taylor Wright, 21, had spent part of his childhood living at a neighbouring farm.
Advocate depute Peter McCormack said Mrs Turnbull had suffered angina pain during the raid, but was not physically injured.
But he added: “The experience has had a profound psychological impact on her.”
Mrs Turnbull provided a victim impact statement for the court.
In it she said: “I am so frightened, I feel I cannot live here for another winter when the nights are long and dark.
“The crime is on my mind every day.”
Wright was armed with a spray-painted BB gun which his victim believed was real and robbed her of cash and a bank card after forcing her to reveal her PIN number with threats.
He also stole her car to make his getaway before using her bank card to steal cash from an ATM in Selkirk.
Unemployed Wright, of no fixed abode, admitted assaulting and robbing his victim at Ladhope Farm Cottage on March 18 this year while possessing an imitation firearm, and after being freed on bail in November last year.
He also admitted using the bank card to steal money from the cash machine on the same day and attempting to defeat the ends of justice by putting his victim’s mobile phone in water, disconnecting a landline phone and removing her care alarm from a wall.
Mr McCormack said that on the day of the crime the pensioner had collected her Ford Fusion car from a garage in Selkirk before returning to the cottage.
She was putting away shopping when she heard tapping at the living room window.
The prosecutor said: “She saw the accused pointing towards the front door.
“She did not recognise him, but assumed that he may have been from the garage and opened the door to him.
“When she opened the door the accused pointed an imitation firearm towards her chest and said words to the effect of ‘I won’t hurt you if you do what I tell you to do’.”
He added: “The weapon appeared real to Mrs Turnbull, who was terrified.”
She sat down in an armchair, shaking, crying and covering her face.
Wright continued to point the gun at her and repeatedly threatened to shoot her and demanded cash, claiming he needed £6,000 for a gambling debt.
Mrs Turnbull said she did not have that kind of money, but Wright claimed that he knew she was rich.
The victim got her handbag and gave him £60.
But he also took her purse, withdrew her bank card from it and demanded her PIN number, and she revealed the code.
Wright told her: “You’d better be telling me the truth or I’ll shoot you.”
He asked her to repeat the number, which she did.
The prosecutor continued: “As this was happening, Mrs Turnbull began to feel some angina pain in her chest.”
Wright found another bank card, but she told him it was for an account that she did not use and she did not know the security code.
He repeatedly threatened to shoot her again if she did not give him the number.
Mr McCormack said: “She was tearful and begged him not to shoot her.”
Wright took her car keys and some bottles of wine she had received as birthday presents and left.
But he found he could not start her car, which had an automatic transmission.
He went back into the cottage and asked her to show him how to start the vehicle, which she did.
Wright told his victim: “Don’t tell the police or I will come back and shoot you.”
The court heard that during the ordeal, Mrs Turnbull asked Wright if he was someone she may have known as a child, but no longer recognised.
Mr McCormack said: “One of the names she suggested to him was ‘Taylor’, the name of a youth who had lived at a neighbouring farm, whom she had not seen for about five years. He denied being that person.”
After the raider fled, his victim found her mobile in the kitchen sink and tried to dry it out, and after about 10 minutes was able to get in touch with relatives.
Wright later met up with others after taking money from a cash machine and told them he had robbed a woman near Selkirk.
He said he knew the woman when he was a young boy and that she lived near where he had stayed.
Police discovered that Wright had been at a house in Galashiels and detained him there.
They also discovered that he had stayed at a farmhouse near to Mrs Turnbull’s home from May 2007 to January 2008.
The car was found in Selkirk with the imitation handgun and Wright’s DNA was recovered from the weapon.
The judge, Lord Brailsford, remanded Wright in custody for pre-sentending reports.
caddonfoot
Church
It was presentation day in Caddonfoot Parish Church on Sunday when members of CY (Caddonfoot Youth) and leaders were presented with prizes. The presentation of books was made by the minister, Elspeth Harley, who thanked leader Claire Macfarlane for her work, as well as Alex Bird, Sharon Hume and Catriona Bird for their efforts. Earlier in the service, Gordon Hume and Aaron Decoteau took part in a “David and Goliath” presentation, while James Macfarlane told the story of Jesus calming the storm. Thanksgiving prayers were led by CY, music supplied by Andy and Catriona Bird, and daughters Georgie and Catherine jointly played the piano at the end following the benediction. Anyone who can help BGH patients attend chaplaincy centre services is asked to contact Jo Lawson. The service on July 5 (11.15am)will be a joint one in Trinity, where Amy Ward, from Selkirk, will speak on her work in Guatemala. There will be no service in Caddonfoot that day. On July 12, Margaret Blyth will speak about her late husband John’s project in Malawi.
earlston
Paths Group
The Paths Group AGM will be held on July 7 at 7pm in the small lounge at the Black Bull Inn.
Cafe
Earlston Community Cafe will be open for coffee, tea and biscuits every Wednesday (10.30am-noon) in the church hall. No charge, but donations accepted.
Parish church
The July 5 service will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods and refreshments served afterwards. On July 7, at a service in Hanover Close, holy communion will be celebrated at 3pm.
eckford
SWI
Members met at Jedburgh Jail for a visit which included the section where parties of ghost-watchers spend the night. This was followed by a meal at the Carters Rest. The next meeting is on September 16 – a visitors’ evening and a demonstration of flower arranging from Beverley Brown.
Ettrickbridge
Coffee morning
The next coffee morning and sale in aid of village hall funds takes place on July 4 (10am-noon). Anyone with anything to sell is invited to turn up, take a table and give a small donation to hall funds.
galashiels
Trinity church
Minister Elspeth Harley conducted Sunday’s service, with music provided by Andy Bird (piano) and his wife, Trina (flute). Jim Gilchrist delivered Bible readings. On July 5, there will be a joint service with Caddonfoot Church in Trinity at 11.15am when Amy Ward from Selkirk will speak about her work in Guatemala. The previous day, a coffee morning will be held in the church hall between 10am and noon.
glendouglas
Coffee evening
The SWI’s Callant’s Coffee Evening held last Wednesday was well attended, with Callant Grant Raeburn and his Henchmen helping to make the night go with a swing. Visitors enjoyed a supper and the sales table was busy.
Lunch club
The next lunch club gathering is on July 8 (11.30am-1.30pm).
hawick
Bridge club
June 16 – N/S – 1, Val MacPherson and Bob Francombe; 2, John and Susan Law; E/W – 1, Ken Auckland and Dave King; 2, Helen and Malcolm Ouldcott. June 23 – 1, Patsy Gilligan and Mary Millar; 2, John and Marian Miller; 3, John and Susan Law.
Rotary
Stuart Mactaggart, a director of Doncaster Bloodstock Sales (DBS), spoke about this Hawick-based business which had a strong Yorkshire connection. Stuart, after schooling, went south to Lambourne where he studied to become a trainer and got his jockey’s licence before being enticed back to his beloved Hawick by Harry Beeby, then MD of DBS. On the question of “ Why is DBS based in Hawick, when all the sales take place in Doncaster?”, Stuart explained that the late Willie Stevenson (a well respected trainer) was asked to try and resurrect thoroughbred horse sales in Doncaster, and as he was friendly with the late Kenneth Oliver, MD of Andrew Oliver and Sons of Hawick Auction Mart, together they launched DBS, with the administration carried out in Hawick and the sales in Doncaster. The club has organised a showing of the Oscar-winning film, The Theory Of Everything, at Heart of Hawick on July 11. The £8 ticket price includes a glass of wine from 7pm with the film starting at 7.30pm. The event is in aid of Borders Talking Newspapers.
Innerleithen
Service
July 5 – breakfast song and a story at 8.30am in the Hall of Friendship, with a short service starting at 9am, followed by the main service at 10.30am.
Youth races
Entries are being taken for the youths’ races at St Ronan’s Border Games on July 18. They are for runners aged nine to under-17 on the day. The New Zealand Trophy is 200 metres and the American Cup 800 metres. To enter, call 01896 833590.
Treasure hunt
The car treasure hunt organised by St Ronan’s Border Games is on July 13. Competitors should report to the entrance foyer of the Memorial Hall, Leithen Road, between 5.30pm and 6.30pm to collect their clue sheets. The entry is £5 per car. Afterwards, there will be a social gathering in the Memorial Hall when the answers are revealed and prizes presented. The hunt will be compiled by Adrian Keddie, with assistance from Sheila Keddie and Ted McKie.
Countdown Club
Members have a Games Week meeting on July 15 in Innerleithen Church Hall of Friendship at 10.30am.
Silver Band
June was extremely busy for St Ronan’s Silver Band. Members took part in the West Linton Whipman’s Installation Parade, then the next week travelled westwards to play at Strathaven Gala Day in South Lanarkshire. The band was also on parade for Red Letter Day at the Peebles Beltane, and official band to the Braw Lads’ Gathering on the Wednesday and Saturday. As well as all this, members turned up at Walkerburn Summer Festival parade. The band is currently rehearsing for St Ronan’s Games Week outings.
jedburgh
Youth project
Jedburgh Youth Project summer trips – ROCK UK, July 16 (£9); time capsule, July 24 (£9); and Coldingham Bay Beach Extravaganza (£5). More information via ianrendallreid@cheviotyouth.co.uk or ring 07958 277766.
Langholm
Common riding
The appeal for more committee helpers for the Common Riding has proved fruitful, and it was announced at the meeting in the Crown Hotel that Andrew Elliot and Robert Elliot had joined. A letter had also been received from Stuart Murray wishing to come into the ranks and this was accepted. G4S had offered to provide four members of staff at £12 per hour for a period of eight hours, and a further two staff members at £9.75 per hour for five hours. This was agreed. The number of ties ordered will remain the same as last year at 450 and will again be £8. The rosettes remain at £5 and the ribbon 65p per metre. Vice-chairman Tommy Morrison confirmed that the rosettes would be white for the outside ring, black for the centre and red for the inner. The plaque has been ordered for the memorial bench for Dick Hill, and Kevan Hotson will assist in its installation. The chairman confirmed that his daughter, Michaela, had accepted the invitation to be Lady Convener. John M. Little had quoted £810 for the public address system which was up £35 on last year, and was accepted. The Scottish Ambulance Service quote of £681.75, cheaper than last year, was accepted. There had been two quotes for the luncheons at The Castleholm by The Lost Chef and Food@Broadway, and after discussion the cost of £11 per head from The Lost Chef was accepted. Extra help for the children’s parade would be welcomed. David Bell is retiring as bar steward and Craig Henderson, who has assisted in previous years, will take over. Tommy Morrison raised the matter of cordoning off the athletic area and suggested that electric spike poles and white tape would be suitable, and it was agreed to buy 100 poles.
School fair
The primary parents’ partnership held a summer fair in the grounds of the school. Most of the games and competitions were held along the side of the school, with the odd event indoors. There was also football for the adults and children, along with a training session by Stewart Pool. The money raised will go towards improving the children’s playground.
Lauder
Historical society
Michael Middlemiss explained who was entitled to become a burgess and own a burgess acre. A person applies to the town council, but must be resident within the Royalty Boundary of Lauder. Very few Border towns now have burgess acres, but Lauder has the majority. Honorary burgesses can be appointed if the person gives a significant contribution to the life of the town. A burgess ticket is the official document given to a burgess as their proof and there is a clause obliging them to put the community of Lauder first. Their name is then recorded in the burgh register. Burgesses have the right to graze sheep on Lauder Common.
kelso
Bridge club
June 24 – match-pointed pairs – N/S – 1, Val Johnstone and Mary Millar; 2, Maureen Weightman and Helen Long; 3, Ian Watson and Stuart Graham; E/W – 1, Jean Henry and Myra Thomson; 2, Gerry Eglington and Jon Bridger; 3, Joyce Thomson and Helenor Pratt. June 25 – aggregate pairs – N/S – 1, Rena Stewart and Maureen Weightman; 2, Jean Henry and Myra Thomson; 3, Jean McLaren and Ken Ross; E/W – 1, Gerry Eglington and Jon Bridger; 2, Annie Mitchell and John Loudon; 3, Alison Ireland and Michael Horwood.
lilliesleaf
Garden opening
The Borders branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society is hosting a tour of Old Bewlie garden on July 5. Owners Linda and James Sugden are supporting this charity by opening their property to the public. There are hundreds of plants, shrubs and trees – many of which are lesser-known varieties. The herbaceous border alone is some 100 yards long. Among several ornamental features are two stone lions, originally stripped from China and brought to Old Bewlie when the Sugdens moved there from Elgin. The garden, situated between Lilliesleaf and Ancrum, will be open 1.30-5pm.
melrose
Border Flower Club
Demonstrator for the June meeting was Hetty Redwood from Linlithgow. This was her first visit to the club and she portrayed “Happiness In Flowers” with designs that were apt to the subject title. From holidays, educational days and her love of wood, friends and family were next, and anniversaries of all kinds. Her final design was for a wedding breakfast.Her choice of flowers, foliage and containers made her designs come to life. Vice-president Elizabeth Forster made presentations to five members who are retiring from the committee – Nancy Thomson, Edith Watson, Janice Fish, Margaret Marshall and Jacqui Cater – who have given many years of service to the club. The next meeting is the AGM – July 8 in the Corn Exchange at 7.30pm.
Parish church
Foodbank ongoing, with tinned goods for preference. July 5 services – Bowden, 9.30am; Melrose, 11am.
Walk
July 6 – 1.30pm, Old Melrose walk with Ian Skinner.
Trimontium
The National Museums of Scotland last week added to the 3rd-century, 78-denarii Kippilaw hoard, on loan to the Melrose museum for two years, with large pictures of the finding of the hoard as it emerged from the ground. July 2 –Trimontium walk from museum at 1.30pm.
Music society
Local international pianist John Bryden delivered an unusual talk with illustrations on the piano (plus excerpts from their letters) of the relationships between Clara Schumann, her husband Robert and their friends, Mendelssohn and Brahms, at a
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society fundraiser. Martin Neilson presided and refreshments and nibbles were provided by committee members.
morebattle
Poetry competition
The Robert Davidson Cup is given annually to the pupil who wins the prize for best poem written by a Morebattle School pupil. It is awarded by the Robert Davidson Committee in memory of the man commonly known as the Morebattle Poet. This year’s competition subject was “Farming in Scotland”. The cup and first prize went to Kym Cessford; 2, Minton Younger; 3, Frankie Home Mossop. There were book tokens for all three.
Coffee morning
A coffee morning in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind is being held in the village hall on July 18 at 10.30am.
Festival Week
A meeting to arrange Morebattle Festival Week, which begins on August 1, was held last week. A new event to be added to the programme is a car treasure hunt on the Saturday night after the football.
School
The school held a horticultural show – the result of pupils growing their own vegetables in boxes at school. There was also a photography competition and a teachers’ Great British Bake Off, with the winner being Mrs. B. Thomson. School sports results – senior girls’ champion, Amy Ralston; senior boys’ champion, William Tweedie; junior girls’ champion, Jessie Norris; junior boys’ champion, Archie Barbour.
Newtown
SWI
At the June meeting, there was a late change to the syllabus, Joyce Luby stepping in to give a talk and hands-on demonstration about paper crafting and gift-box making. A vote of thanks was given by secretary Elaine Thornton-Nicol. Competition (fresh flowers in cup) – 1, Janette Corcoran; 2, Mary Redburn; 3, Morag Sharp. The next meeting will be after the summer break on September 3.
Traquair
Service
The next Traquair Kirk service will be on July 26 (10.30am).
yarrowford
SWI
The May meeting was held in the hall when Sheila Clyne gave a demonstration of quick and easy meals. Competitions – three custard creams – 1, Margaret Robinson; egg timer – 1, Jean Scott; 2, Betty Fraser. The raffle was won by Betty Fraser. More recently, members enjoyed a trip to The Woll for supper.
yetholm
Gardens
Yetholm gardens open afternoon is on July 12 (2-5.30pm). Admission £4 – pay at Wauchope Hall.
Concert
Robyn Stapleton (BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician Winner 2014) will be performing in Wauchope Hall on July 25 at 7.30pm. Tickets on sale at the village shop or phone 01573 420231.
MP’s school visit
Borders MP Calum Kerr was at Yetholm Primary School last Friday to hear from pupils about what they would do to get the remaining 58 million children worldwide into school. Hundreds of MPs are expected to take part in the “Send My Friends to School” campaign which will involve thousands of young people across the UK. The campaign asks youngsters to “step into the shoes of world leaders” and tell their local MP how they would deliver a better future for the world’s children.
A scheme which has helped businesses create 158 job opportunities for young people in the Borders will continue until the end of September.
Scottish Borders Council has confirmed this week that it is committing £25,000 to extend the Youth Employment Scotland (YES) initiative.
Launched in September, 2013 for a period of 18 months with funding of £250,000 from the Scottish Government and the European Social Fund, the project has targeted young people aged 16-24 who have been unemployed for up to six months.
Employers are offered up to half the salary costs of a minimum 25-hour week for a six-month period.
The funding has been delivered locally by SBC with the contracts arranged by the charitable company Barnardo’s Works East.
According to the council, out of 158 contracts, 95 young people completed their six-month stints, with 86 of them being offered a continuation of their contracts.
More than 25% of those who did not complete six months moved onto other employment.
“The programme has been successful in its main objective of matching businesses with eligible young people to fill vacancies and a significant number of companies have recruited a young person for the first time,” said Councillor Stuart Bell, SBC’s executive member for economic development.
“Many, particularly small businesses, said they could only have done so with the help of the YES scheme.
“In addition to the number of opportunites, what has been really encouraging has been the quality and the range of posts created.
“There is certainly a demand from businesses across the region for a continuation of the scheme and I’m pleased the council has been able to commit £25,000 to cover an interim period while bids for further external funding are made.
“This will enable at least eight places to be created up until September with the focus of those businesses offering apprenticeship opportunities.
“If our external funding bids are successful, the scheme could potentially run until December 2016 or March 2017 and create more than 100 new placements.”
A sheriff has condemned the action of a woman whose lies saw her partner held in custody for 16 hours and then prosecuted.
Jailing Gayle Hunter for two months at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, Sheriff Kevin Drummond described her offending as “truly wicked”.
Hunter, 34, of Lammerview, and her 57-year-old mother, Elsie, of Croftsfield, both Chirnside, denied conspiring with each other to make a false domestic abuse complaint and attempting to pervert the course of justice on April 16 last year – but were both found guilty after trial.
Defence solicitor Rory Bannerman said the complainer had since sold his story to a tabloid newspaper.
He said both mother and daughter now appreciated what they did was entirely wrong, and had expressed remorse and regret, adding: “They now view him as the victim.”
Sheriff Drummond described Gayle Hunter as the “prime mover”.
He told her: “For anyone to make a deliberate false complaint of criminal conduct to police is a truly wicked thing to do.
“It is the public duty of the police to investigate complaints of criminal conduct, and if a prosecution follows it can result in loss of liberty.
“This deliberate attempt strikes at the system of justice itself.”
Sheriff Drummond said Gayle Hunter had lied to the police and had asked her mother to support that lie. The victim had been detained, charged, kept in custody for 16 hours and brought to court, where he pleaded not guilty.
Gayle was the “organiser of the lie” and “still attempts to mitigate her positions”, according to the sheriff, claiming a solicitor had told her to invent a story.
The sheriff went on: “Her entire evidence was populated by untruths and I was unable to accept anything she said. This was a personal vendetta against her former partner.”
He said it was to her mother’s credit that she had written to the procurator fiscal admitting she had lied.
Elsie Hunter, whose daughter hugged her in the dock, was sentenced to a 12-month community payback order with 200 hours of work.
Ian Maxwell, national manager of campaign group Familes Need Fathers Scotland, said on Tuesday: “This may be an extreme example of a fabricated allegation in order to discredit and criminalise a former partner and the father of their child, but, unfortunately, this kind of manipulation of the current public concern over domestic abuse is not rare.”
Newcastleton Traditional Music Festival will once again pull in the crowds this weekend, officially getting underway tomorrow and running until Sunday, but some enthusiasts have already arrived, booking their favourite camping spot.
There will be the usual competitions and the popular winners’ concert on Saturday night.
But most of the weekend is given over to sessions.
And Saturday incorporates the not-to-be missed Copshaw Common Riding.
At its head this year is Tub Jock Elliot II, elected in a public ballot in May,
Thousands of spectators attended a re-enactment of the Battle of Waterloo at Peniel Heugh near Jedburgh at the weekend.
It marked the two hundredth anniversary of one of the most famous British war victories, when an Anglo-allied army led by the Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon’s French army.
Organisers say the event was far more popular than they had expected, which contributed to long queues of traffic on minor approach roads.
That led to some criticism over the stewarding and car parking arrangements, and organisers were not helped later in the day by a heavy downpour right in the middle of the main event.
Overall, however, the afternoon was judged to be a great success. Organised by Lord Lothian’s steering group, the event was held at the only significant memorial to the battle in Scotland and northern England.
Lord Lothian’s ancestor, the 6th Marquis of Lothian, built the monument on the top of Peniel Heugh, 170 feet high.
The views from the hilltop are stunning, providing a natural amphitheatre for the large crowd to enjoy the action. The Duke of Wellington was played by Ashkirk’s equestrian Ian Stark, who won four Olympic medals in his prime.
The event featured a re-enactment by 94th of Foot, the narrative for which was done expertly by radio and television presenter Peter Snow.
The current Duke of Wellington, the Duke of Gloucester and Lord Lothian all made speeches to mark the occassion. Despite the rain, local silver bands and pipe bands, food stalls and children’s amusements entertained the crowds throughout the day.
As the fun of the fancy dress parade was being enjoyed on the Wednesday of the Braw Lads’ Gathering, a quiet but important ceremony was taking place on the edge of town.
A sod was cut from the grounds of Torwoodlee Estate and a stone secured from the ancient tower.
Both would feature prominently in the Ceremony of Sasine at the Old Town Cross on the Saturday.
Braw Lad Cameron Pate, Braw Lass Abbie Frankland; Bearers of the Sod and Red Roses, Gavin Young and Alice Mackay and Bearers of the Stone and White Roses Daniel Whitehead and Lucy Black, were welcomed by the Laird of Torwoodlee, James Pringle, after riding from the town.
The principals were introduced to the Laird by Gathering President David Romanis and permission to retrieve the sod and stone was readily granted.
They recall the marriage in 1503 of James IV of Scotland to Margaret Tudor of England – the marriage of Marriage of the Thistle and the Rose. Margaret’s dowry included Ettrick Forest – represented as Sasine, the transfer of earth and stone.
Braw Lad Cameron cut the sod from in front of the tower and Braw Lass Abbie retrieved a stone from within its ancient walls. They were placed safe in the hands of Gavin and Daniel to be taken to the Burgh Chambers to await Saturday’s ceremonies
This week a project began to maintain the existence of the crumbling tower.
The Laird described it as a long-awaited project.
He told the company: “Built in 1601 and abandoned in 1783 when the family moved to our current, modern house, it has deteriorated over the years and is now somewhat dangerous
“But with the financial help of the Fallago Environment Fund, Historic Scotland, members of the extended Pringle family and many donors from around the world, we can keep this stunning ruin as a backdrop to this rather wonderful ceremony during Braw Lads’ Week.”
He added: “As a family, we believe in multi-purpose management. Each endeavour isn’t taken purely for its own sake but is examined closely to ensure that the overall benefits to ourselves, to the environment and to the wider community are achieved and that the three-legged stool of economic, environmental and social outcomes remains standing.
“So I am very content that conserving this tower will bring benefits to all of us and will allow the good people of Galashiels to continue to send their representatives to collect these treasured symbols of our past in front of this romantic ruin and that we, the Pringle family, will continue to be delighted to welcome them.”
The ceremony over, it was time to ride back to the town and for the Torwoodlee cavalcade to join with the colourful fancy dress parade.
The overall fancy dress winner were the 101 Dalmatians. Sally Kemp, managing director of sponsors Murray and Burrell commented: “As a local employer we were really proud to be asked to support this year’s event.
“The amount of effort and imagination that has gone in to all the costumes and floats is quite incredible.”
On the balcony of the Burgh Chambers, before a large crowd, sod and stone were entrusted to the president – ready for Saturday.
A Borders man caught up in the horrific events in Tunisia last week has returned home safely, but not before ensuring many others were able to escape the mayhem.
Rob Chisholm, 36, from Tweedbank, was on holiday last Friday with his sister, Helen Dick from Galashiels, and parents Marjie and Alan Dick when a gunman, student Seifeddine Rezgui, opened fire on tourists at a beach close to his hotel.
Rob, who suffers from ADHD and was unable to take his Ritalin medication on holiday, said that his heightened perception of events allowed him to take in more details of events leading up to the massacre, and led to his subsequent debriefing by Special Branch police on his return home.
Shaken Rob said that just before the attack happened, the feeling in the resort was eerie.
He told us: “I had gone to the port to get exit stamps for several people at the resort. There were armed police officers at the private hotels, which was strange.
“It was a horrible, still atmosphere. The shopkeepers were not out – whereas they are always standing outside their shops, with a warm welcome and the usual craic.
“But there was none of that. My mum and Helen were out shopping in the morning and the shopkeepers were throwing fags at them, giving them stuff for free, saying ‘you go home now.’
“My mum and dad went off to the marina to get lunch and they were sat right at the point where the gunman alighted from his boat.
“I was sitting by the pool and had ordered a burger and chips and that was when the phones started to go.
“I looked round and there was a woman from Sheffield. She was in tears and she started screaming, ‘Rob, there’s something happened at the hotel, there’s been an attack’.
“The waiter told me it was at the marina and that I had to go.
“I went flying out of the resort to go and get them and luckily they were on their way back and had no idea what was going on.”
Rob said some of the travel companies caused mass hysteria with their handling of the situation.
He said: “I’ve been a rep before, and I know what to do, so I kind of kicked into autopilot.
“I logged their details and spent my time getting people on emergency flights out.
“I was speaking to everyone, in Dutch, German and Spanish, because nobody had told the foreign nationals what to do.
“I have had emails from the people I helped and their families, as well as a thank you from Thomas Cook for everything I did, but I don’t think it was anything special.
“The airport was absolute chaos. They were turning people away because they hadn’t bought visas, and they had turned off communication channels.”
Rob didn’t personally know anyone who died in Sousse.
But he said: “My mum knew two of the victims, Ann and Jim McQuire from Cumbernauld, but didn’t find out until she got back. She didn’t even know they were there.
“Mum has been treated for shock, it’s not been easy for her or dad.”
The family was finally able to fly home on Sunday, but on arrival at Newcastle, Rob was shepherded off the plane ahead of the other passengers.
He said: “I jokingly said I had too much duty free to make light of it, but I had no idea what this was about.
“It turns out it was the special branch of the police who found out what I had been doing, and wanted to talk to me about what I saw before the shooting.
“It was surreal.”
The weekend will get off to a potentially soggy start as the Met Office is warning of isolated heavy showers and possibly thunderstorms.
The rain and possibly severe storms are expected during Friday evening (July 3) across the Borders and Berwickshire.
The Yellow Warning, issued at 10.15am today (Thursday), is valid from 7pm on Friday until noon on Saturday.
These are likely to become more frequent later and spread northwards.
Some torrential downpours are possible with localised flooding, hail and frequent lightning also possible.
30mm of rain is possible within an hour, with as much as 50mm possible in three hours.
The Met Office warning continues: “The public should be aware that there is a chance of some very localised significant disruption.
“On Friday evening, another hot and increasingly humid airmass is expected to spread into the south from the Continent.
“This airmass looks conducive to the development of isolated thunderstorms during the evening across England and Wales which could become more frequent later in the night as they spread northwards towards Scotland.”
Check the {http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast|latest local forecast at the Met Office website|go to metoffice.gov.uk}.
Gayle Hunter has done women in the Borders and beyond a grave disservice.
Her accusations of domestic abuse against her former partner were – to paraphrase Sheriff Kevin Drummond – a pack of lies. Earlier this week he quite rightly sent her to prison – after all, Hunter’s lies had resulted in a man being held in custody for 16 hours.
Her mother, Elsie, escaped incarceration for her lesser role in the plot with a community payback order.
Let’s make one thing absolutely clear. The vast majority of allegations of domestic abuse, violence or even worse made by women against men are true. Indeed, studies show that many victims don’t report these crimes for fear of not being believed.
To be fair, the police have made strenuous efforts over the years to rectify the situation by adopting a more sympathetic attitude when female victims come forward.
But Gayle Hunter’s “truly wicked” actions could have an adverse effect.
Is it beyond the bounds of possibility that a lay juror – man or woman – might be swayed by this episode when trying a future case, allowing the guilty to go free, despite being urged by judge or sheriff to return verdicts purely on what they have heard in the courtroom?
Something for Hunter to ponder as she languishes in a prison cell.
Revised plans for a wind farm near historic Hermitage Castle in remote Liddesdale have been rejected.
The planning committee of Scottish Borders Council voted 6-2 on Monday to refuse a bid by Infinis for nine turbines on exposed upland known as Windy Edge, 10km from Newcastleton.
It is two years since the renewables firm sought consent for 17 turbines on the site, eliciting 262 letters of objection and 16 submissions of support.
In November last year, SBC planners allowed the scale of the application to be radically reduced – from 17 to nine turbines, each 125m tall from base to wing tip – producing a further 73 objections and just eight endorsements.
However, the tide of local public opinion appeared to be turning when, in April this year, Infinis again amended its proposal, reducing the height of three of the nine turbines to 110m.
Since then, the council had received a further 23 objections and 89 letters of support for an installation which would annually generate over 22MW of electricity. On Monday, the committee also heard that the Ministry of Defence, which had been concerned about the impact of the development on its radar station at RAF Spadeadam in Cumbria, had withdrawn its objection.
But SBC planning officer John Hiscox recommended refusal, claiming the wind farm, although medium in size, would have “overridingly adverse impacts … on a sensitive and distinct landscape with grandeur, historical, remoteness and wilderness qualities”.
Noting that, apart from four turbines at Craik 20km away, there was no other wind farm within 35km of Windy Edge, Mr Hiscox added: “The development would appear as an incongruous and anachronistic feature.”
After Monday’s meeting, Julie Aitken of Infinis told The Southern: “We are naturally disappointed, especially as we redesigned the scheme after listening to local concerns and came up with a proposal which we feel sits well with the existing landscape.
“If consented, the wind farm would have brought in around £2.8million to the area over the [25-year] lifetime of the scheme in community benefit as well as local business opportunities during the construction and operational phases.”
Asked if her firm would lodge an appeal against this week’s decision with the Scottish Government, she said: “We still believe Windy Edge is an excellent proposal and will consider our options over the coming weeks.”
A coroner has admitted that Andrew Watt, whose family lives at Ettrickbridge, may have died after being chased in a French country lane.
Mr Watt, 31, from Durham, was found dead about a mile from Vimarce, near Laval, in north-west France, in September 2010.
Coroner Andrew Tweddle found that medication Mr Watt was taking could have been a factor in his death.
And he admitted that the family’s belief that he may have died after being chased was one of several possible scenarios.
However, he concluded that the cause of death could not be ascertained and recorded an open verdict at Crook Coroner’s Court last Wednesday.
French doctors had previously decided that the former Durham Johnston School pupil, who was taking medication for mental health issues, died of heart failure.
But Mr Watt’s family, which has waged a bitter five-year campaign to get to the truth of the circumstances surrounding his death, claims the inquest verdict means someone could have got away with murder.
Consultant pathologist Dr Paul Barrett, who conducted a post-mortem examination on Mr Watt’s body, told the inquest that a number of prescription drugs were found in his system.
And he said that the medication could have prompted a heart attack, but that he was unable to provide a cause of death with any certainty.
Detective Inspector Mick Bird, who examined the case, said that he believed the French police had conducted a “reasonable” investigation into Mr Watt’s death.
However, he conceded that he would have pursued more lines of investigation, including conducting house-to-house enquiries.
Mr Tweddle told Mr Watt’s family: “A possible explanation is that Andrew’s death may be linked to the medication that he was prescribed and taking.
“Possibly Andrew could have been chased at the time and that may have had an impact, but there equally may be other explanations.”
Mr Tweddle said there was no evidence to suggest Mr Watt had taken his own life or had been assaulted, adding: “The medical cause of death is unascertained. That inevitably draws me to only one conclusion and that is an open verdict.”
Mr Watt’s family, including mother and step-father, Julie and Les Sheppard, has repeatedly highlighted inconsistencies and gaps in the evidence provided by French authorities in a campaign that has seen protest marches outside the Foreign office in London and, at one stage, even saw the involvement of then French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
After the hearing, Mrs Sheppard commented: “An open verdict means they haven’t got enough evidence to make a decision, but they’re not prepared to ask the French for more evidence.
“(Someone in France) could have got away with manslaughter, murder or whatever.”
The coroner said he could reopen the case if significant new evidence was found.
But Mr Watt’s family, which has campaigned tirelessly alongside other families whose loved ones have died abroad in mysterious circumstances, said it would continue its own quest for answers.
It has been a labour of love on most Monday afternoons for more than two years for Gala stalwarts Gordon Keddie and John Gray.
The pair spent hours ploughing through local newspaper files and other archive material in the local library.
And the result was a publication of 132 pages, entitled The History of the Braw Lads’ Gathering, which was appropriately launched in the grounds of Old Gala House just days before the start of the town’s great week.
Both men have strong connections with the Gathering. Gordon was Braw Lad in 1972 and president from 2006 to 2008, while John served as president between 1997 and 1999.
The book has been soundly researched, but has not fallen into the trap of being pedantic.
It carefully traces the history of the Gathering, the first of which was held on June 28, 1930. Its birth was prompted by the huge losses the town suffered in the Great War and a big decline in the tweed trade during the 1920s. Both shed despair and gloom.
Galashiels decided it needed a pick-me-up. Fairs had been held intermittently, but the time was now ready for an annual occasion.
The town council came on board; a special committee was formed; numerous suggestions mooted; a packed public meeting in the town council applauded the idea; the town council gave its blessing in November 1929; and just over six months later the first Gathering was held, with Henry Polson as Braw Lad and Hazel Gardiner as Braw Lass.
Gordon told us: “One of the main surprises during our research was just quickly everything moved after November 1929. That was a great credit to everyone involved.
“Strangely, there was no mention of a Braw Lass in the early discussions. The only templates the town really had was the common ridings of Hawick, Selkirk, Langhlom and Lauder, which didn’t have a lass.
“But Galashiels went ahead and put a Braw Lass in place, nominated, as was the Lad, from the five council wards.”
The book charts the changes that have taken place, but Gordon and John stress that the Gathering organisers have remained true to the original ceremonies put in place for 1930.
Much of the early material was gleamed from a meticulous scrapbook kept by Henry Polson, now in possession of the Old Gala Club. The book contains invaluable information on the Gathering, the fabric of the town and its people. The authors are to be commended.
Already 300 of the 1,000 copies printed have been sold. Profits will be ploughed back into the Gathering and organisations associated with it. Copies available from Fountain News, D.S. Dalgleish and the authors.
Despite concern over their cost and vulnerability to vandalism, three new flagpoles are to be installed outside
council headquarters.
It took a 16-9 vote of councillors to confirm the decision , which means the Saltire and the Union standard will be flown perpetually and simultaneously at the seat of local government.
The third structure will, on designated commemorative dates, display the flags of the Commonwealth, the European Union and Armed Forces Day outside the main entrance of Scottish Borders Council’s Newtown headquarters.
As expected, joining that “approved” list will be the Rainbow flag, symbolising lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride.
Other flags will also be considered for the third pole, but only at the “discretion” of council convener Graham Garvie, deputy Jim Brown, or chief executive Tracey Logan.
The need for a new flag flying protocol was an acknowledgement the existing policy “did little to further SBC’s equality duties”, according to a report by corporate equality and diversity officer Rosie Kennedy.
The adoption of the Rainbow flag brooked neither dissent nor, indeed, any discussion at the full council meeting. But Councillor Gordon Edgar, the executive member for roads, wanted no truck with any flags, but found no seconder.
“There is no tradition of flag flying in the Borders…yet it costs this council £10,000 a year,” said Mr Edgar. “That’s enough to buy five lorry loads of tar for our roads and I would much rather see the money spent on that.”
Councillor Willie Archibald led the call for no change to the number of flagpoles. “The current high flag at Newtown gives us great visibility and I’m sure the people of Peebles, Eyemouth and Hawick will take a dim view of us spending precious money on this,” he stated.
Council leader David Parker also baulked at spending £2,500 installing the three ground level poles which, he cautioned, would be easy to vandalise.
But support for the three-pole option – at the expense of the structure atop the high tower – came from several quarters, including from Councillor Simon Mountford, who said it was a “pragmatic recognition of the constitutional reality that we are both Scottish and British”.
Councillor Michael Cook agreed, adding: “This gives us the chance to remind ourselves of our commonality and our concentric loyalties and to really reflect the cosmopolitan nature of the Borders. It is a motif for a retreat from bitterness.”
A coroner has admitted that Andrew Watt, whose family lives at Ettrickbridge, may have died after being chased in a French country lane.
Mr Watt, 31, from Durham, was found dead about a mile from Vimarce, near Laval, in north-west France, in September 2010.
Coroner Andrew Tweddle found that medication Mr Watt was taking could have been a factor in his death.
And he admitted that the family’s belief that he may have died after being chased was one of several possible scenarios.
However, he concluded that the cause of death could not be ascertained and recorded an open verdict at Crook Coroner’s Court last Wednesday.
French doctors had previously decided that the former Durham Johnston School pupil, who was taking medication for mental health issues, died of heart failure.
But Mr Watt’s family, which has waged a bitter five-year campaign to get to the truth of the circumstances surrounding his death, claims the inquest verdict means someone could have got away with murder.
Consultant pathologist Dr Paul Barrett, who conducted a post-mortem examination on Mr Watt’s body, told the inquest that a number of prescription drugs were found in his system.
And he said that the medication could have prompted a heart attack, but that he was unable to provide a cause of death with any certainty.
Detective Inspector Mick Bird, who examined the case, said that he believed the French police had conducted a “reasonable” investigation into Mr Watt’s death.
However, he conceded that he would have pursued more lines of investigation, including conducting house-to-house enquiries.
Mr Tweddle told Mr Watt’s family: “A possible explanation is that Andrew’s death may be linked to the medication that he was prescribed and taking.
“Possibly Andrew could have been chased at the time and that may have had an impact, but there equally may be other explanations.”
Mr Tweddle said there was no evidence to suggest Mr Watt had taken his own life or had been assaulted, adding: “The medical cause of death is unascertained. That inevitably draws me to only one conclusion and that is an open verdict.”
Mr Watt’s family, including mother and step-father, Julie and Les Sheppard, has repeatedly highlighted inconsistencies and gaps in the evidence provided by French authorities in a campaign that has seen protest marches outside the Foreign office in London and, at one stage, even saw the involvement of then French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
After the hearing, Mrs Sheppard commented: “An open verdict means they haven’t got enough evidence to make a decision, but they’re not prepared to ask the French for more evidence.
“(Someone in France) could have got away with manslaughter, murder or whatever.”
The coroner said he could reopen the case if significant new evidence was found.
But Mr Watt’s family, which has campaigned tirelessly alongside other families whose loved ones have died abroad in mysterious circumstances, said it would continue its own quest for answers.
Borders Search and Rescue Unit are the north finalists in a national competition to find the UK’s rural community champions.
As finalists in the Agrii Rural Community Champions competition the Kelso based unit will get £500 in prize money towards funding the unit and its activities. Over the summer months Agrii customers who attend the agronomy company’s iFarm event will vote for their favourite from the three finalists, including BSRU, the winning bagging an additional £500.
Agrii are looking for individuals or groups who have made a difference to their community and their head of marketing, Mark Thomas, said: “This competition gave people the chance to show that this hard work isn’t going unnoticed in their local area. Our three shortlisted finalists are all very deserving, with the BSARU team being true champions of the rural community in the north region.”
Borders Search and Rescue unit cover the Eastern Borders, Lammermuir and Cheviot Hills and assist other teams in Scotland and the north of England. Police Scotland rely heavily on the team to help search for missing people in rural areas and in January they were called out on five occasions to help search for missing walkers.
Team leader Stuart Fuller-Shapcott, said: “We’re delighted with this award. We rely heavily on donations to keep our work going, so it’s great to be recognised by our local community.”
Instead of my usual riverside walking route, upstream from my house, I decided, for a change, last week to have a wander in the opposite direction and head downstream.
My route was decided for me by the ongoing flood prevention works, currently dominating Selkirk’s riverside at the moment. With one footbridge removed and the other closed, I was restricted to the north bank, but it is definitely the most interesting, from a wildlife perspective anyway.
After pausing to try and get some pictures of a buzzard sitting on a fence post near Linglie Farm, I had just passed the aforementioned closed footbridge when I almost walked into a football-sized yellow and orange mass, growing on a dead tree which as leaning across the footpath.
I had inadvertently discovered a beautiful example of “chicken of the woods” or “sulphur shelf”, a fungus which is easily identified and much sought-after by those who enjoy eating such things.
Laetiporus sulphureus is generally rated as a good edible fungus (unless growing on wood such as Yew, which itself contains dangerous toxins that could be taken up by the fungus), however, it is best picked when young and moist (which this one was).
A popular way of cooking this fungus is to cut it into slices, brush them with oil, and then fry them in breadcrumbs before serving with lemon juice.
The taste is quite like chicken, however, although most people find this a tasty species, a small minority find that it causes feelings of nausea. If frozen (uncooked), this fungus retains most of its flavour, and so it is a good species for storing.
I wasn’t tempted and after taking some pictures, I moved further downstream.
Shortly, I entered an area of riverside meadow which has been used for years as a motorcycle scrambling course, so there was a good network of paths to follow.
Thankfully, no bikes were about and all was quiet except for the distant noise of the flood prevention machinery. I noticed that bird song was beginning to diminish, as the breeding season concludes, but a few warblers such as chiffchaff and blackcap were still singing.
It was the wild summer flowers which took my attention, as they were at their stunning best amidst the yellow broom and hawthorn scrub.
Most obvious were the towering white and pink clumps of the blousy dame’s violet – a member of the mustard family, which gives off a wonderful scent in the evening and hails originally from the Mediterranean area.
Other tall flowers in bloom included comfrey, red campion, leopardsbane, melancholy thistle, valerian, Welsh poppy, meadow cranesbill and a great many more.
I also noticed that the dreaded Japanese knotweed was taking hold in some places, after several years of eradication efforts.
It had been a welcome diversion from more familiar haunts and one I’m sure I’ll repeat before the year is out.