When pupils from Burgh Primary School in Galashiels went down to the woods over several days, they were sure to win a big prize.

It was no surprise – as the hard work and enthusiasm they had put in ensured their school was the only primary in the Borders to be awarded the Access to Education grant from Education Scotland.

The grant specifically focuses on using innovative techniques to enhance the curriculum, one such technique being Outdoor Learning.

This technique at the Burgh school has been delivered through the John Muir Award, using a ‘Forest School’ approach.

Helping them on the woodland paths of nearby Gala Policies was Pete Carthy, founding director of Instinctively Wild.

Mr Carthy said: “A woodland is a multi-sensory learning environment, which lends itself very well to active learning across the curriculum.

“Children don’t realise they are learning, as they are having such fun.”

The project ran from February until the end of September – culminating with them receiving the John Muir Award on October 9.

Martin Wilson, depute headteacher at Burgh Primary, said: “To be the only primary school selected for this grant demonstrates our commitment in the school to teaching and learning, and using innovative ways to deliver a rich, in depth and high quality curriculum.

“We are really proud of the children who have taken part and achieved the award.

“Some staff are being trained in John Muir Award delivery by Instinctively Wild so we can continue the project next year”.

Borders MP Calum Kerr has challenged UK government ministers over the current refugee crisis by demanding that they do more to help vulnerable children arriving on the shores of Europe.

He told a Commons hearing that lone youngsters faced the very serious risk of falling prey to traffickers or being forced into child labour or prostitution.

Mr Kerr - a member of Westminster’s European Scrutiny Committee - asked immigration minister James Brokenshire: “If the government really wants to show leadership and has compassion at its core, doesn’t it need to look at some of the most vulnerable people at are arriving on EU shores?”

Mr Kerr said more than 13,000 children arrived alone in Italy last year, and that of these, more than 3,700 had then disappeared. The figure, he added, was expected to be higher this year.

The Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP continued: “Why doesn’t the government take its fair share of these vulnerable children?”

The minister told him that the UK met its “profound responsibilities” in a “different way” from other EU member states.

But Mr Kerr responded that he believed the Home Office was “turning a blind eye” when it should be focusing on those who were most vulnerable.

After the hearing, the Borders MP said: “These answers from James Brokenshire weren’t anything like good enough - David Cameron and his Tory colleagues are simply failing to take responsibility for these at-risk children and others.

Mr Kerr - who worked with Save the Children on the figures - said the numbers of lone youngsters disappearing was a real worry.

“I know from the sheer number of my constituents who have contacted me that this is a matter of huge concern to people right here in this part of Scotland.”

A new book launched this week anthologises the stories and wisdom of people who worked the Tweed over more than half a century.

For author Bill Quarry, the stimulus was one of those nights with a friend spent spinning yarns about spinning flies.

“And I wish he’d never suggested it,” he laughs, “because it’s taken me eight years to get it done!”

Bill was first taken out onto the River Tweed by his father, taking in his first salmon at the age of “seven or eight”, which he concedes now was “not exactly bad going, I suppose”.

Bill continued to fish all the tributaries and main beats of the Tweed for more than 50 years, bringing him into contact with the ghillies and river workers.

“It is really about their stories, their anecdotes, and those memories they have of the river,” said Bill this week.

He went on to joke: “And of course, their expertise and a vast amount of knowledge is gathered in there as well.

“If you are lucky, reading the book might help you double your catch!”

The book is an elegant reminder to anglers that many of the pleasures and much of the enjoyment found in the art of fishing are not all about catching fish and it urges them to appreciate and understand the nature of the riverbank and the conviviality and fraternity to be found in days by the water.

Bill’s story has been lavishly produced by The Medlar Press, in a 432 page full colour hardback with dust jacket.

A limited edition leatherbound copy is also available).

Salmon Fishing and the story of the River Tweed is available now, £55 plus p&p.

Funding has been made available to allow free licensed access to the Scottish Borders Community E-learning Portal for up to 180 users.

NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council are meeting shortly to agree criteria for prioritising access to this funding.

The intention is to offer it to voluntary organisations and individual volunteers, who would otherwise struggle to pay the £27 per year price for each user.

Kath Liddington, knowledge management coordinator at NHS Borders, is keen to find out which third sector organisations may be interested in applying for access.

There is no guarantee that everyone can get free access to the training in the first year, but it would be helpful for organisers to get an idea of the number of people who might be interested.

More information on the e-learning courses available can be found at http://www.borderscarevoice.org.uk/want-free-access-to-e-learning-courses/#sthash.HG9jOMSW.dpuf.

Examples of e-learning courses on offer through the portal range from promoting hand hygiene to the prevention and management of pressure ulcers, as well as food safety, fire safety, time management and managing effective meetings.

An opticians in Galashiels raised £600 during a fundraising event to raise awareness of Guide Dogs Week 2015.

The Specsavers team in Douglas Bridge organised the event which saw local puppy walkers bring along their guide dogs to spread the word about the charity’s work.

Prizes donated by the store and other local businesses, including a pair of £99 designer glasses, were raffled to raise funds, while children were treated to face painting, balloons and cakes.

Stuart Forrester, store director of Specsavers, Galashiels, said: “With the overwhelming support of our customers, we have raised a nationwide total of £270,000 in the past four years, which has funded 25 guide dog puppies.

‘We’d like to thank our customers for their support and donations during this year’s fundraiser. They made the day enjoyable and highly successful.”

Local author Aileen Orr returned from Poland this week, where she had been speaking about Wojtek, the soldier bear who followed Polish soldiers through World War Two, at an event at Poznan University.

Having read a story in our sister paper The Southern Reporter about the finding of a bible in Poznan belonging to a Mrs Martha Miller of Galashiels, and dating from the 1920’s, Aileen had been intrigued.

“Having read your article about the bible found in Poznan by Dorota Maik and her fiancé,” she said, “I Facebooked her and we got in contact.

“They both attended the meeting, and brought the Bible with them.”

Aileen went on: “It is fascinating. I took lots of photos of things they found inside it.

“But I think they are a bit astounded by whole story.”

Dorota has said that,although the Miller name is a common one, she is curious to find any living relations of Martha Miller, and how the book made it to Poland.

From hoverboards to smart-glasses, what was accurately predicted when Back to the Future’s Marty McFly famously landed his time machine in 2015?

21 October 2015 marks ‘Back to the Future Day’, the date Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) and Doctor ‘Doc’ Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) landed in the future from the 1980s time-travel film sequel.

In 1989’s Back to the Future Part II sequel to the original 1985 sci-fi comedy classic, time travellers Marty and Doc go forward from to a futuristic 2015.

The exact time that Marty travels in Doc’s flying DeLorean into the future is 4.29pm on 21 October 2015.

Film fans around the world will mark the event which has become known as Back to the Future Day.

And did you know, Elijah Wood made his film debut in “Back to the Future Part II?

Sadly, hoverboards, as much as we might want them, haven’t ‘taken off’, yet.

In the film, Marty steals a hoverboard from a small girl on the street. It works everywhere except on water.

In the real 2015, hoverboards have yet to properly appear and the “real” ones only work on magnetic surfaces.

Also, although smart glasses have been invented, they’ve largely been sideswerved as being rather silly.

And don’t mention fax machines being the preferred form of communication, flying cars or double ties.

But possibly the strangest prediction made by the film? It turns out that the Cubs baseball team could well win this year’s World Series.

The winner of this year’s Alastair Watson Memorial Award is Jack Nichol, Manse Street, Galashiels.

He picks up a £50 cash prize and keeps the award shield for a year.

The competition, recognising young photographers, was launched in memory of photographer Alastair Watson, who died two years ago. He worked for the Tweeddale Press Group for almost four decades.

Borders common ridings and festivals were a major part of Alastair’s work and his colleagues felt that this topic should be the subject of the award.

Jack’s entry, Fletcher Remembers, was taken at this year’s Selkirk Common Riding and shows the procession passing the Fletcher statute on the way to the Casting of the Colours ceremony in the town’s Market Place.

NHS Borders staff have been selected as finalists at the 2015 Scottish Health Awards.

The Melburn Lodge Team is shortlisted for both the Top Team Award and the Care for Mental Health Award. Melburn Lodge provides specialist continuing care for dementia patients who have complex physical and psychological needs.

In addition, Dr Fiona Hawke, superintendent radiographer, has been named as a finalist in the Therapist Award category, and the Scottish Borders Learning Disability Service has been shortlisted for the Healthier Lifestyle Award.

All nominees fought off stiff competition from across the country to secure their place at this year’s glittering award ceremony in November.

John Raine, chairman of NHS Borders said: “I am delighted to congratulate our finalists on reaching the last stage of the Scottish Health Awards. Their hard work and dedication in enhancing patient care sets an example to all our staff who are committed to providing the best possible care for our patients.

“To have finalists from NHS Borders in four award categories this year is outstanding and I wish them all the best of luck at the awards ceremony.”

Every year, the Scottish Health Awards recognise and reward the NHS staff, support workers, volunteers and specialist teams who go the extra mile to provide outstanding patient care.

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The father of World’s End murder victim Helen Scott has died – a year after his daughter’s killer was brought to justice.

Morain Scott, a great servant to local football in the Borders for decades, passed away on Friday, aged 85.

He suffered nearly four decades of torment after Helen’s death in 1977.

Killer Angus Sinclair was last year convicted of murdering Helen and her friend, Christine Eadie. He was sentenced to a minimum of 37 years.

Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland QC said: “Morain was a lovely man who bore his daughter’s murder with great dignity and forbearance.

“He never gave up hope that one day Helen’s murderer would be brought to justice. I was pleased to play a part in this and that this happened during Morain’s lifetime.

“I know that he promised his late wife that he would do everything in his power to achieve this.”

Tom Wood, former deputy chief constable with Lothian and Borders Police who worked on the World’s End case, also paid tribute, saying: “I had such admiration for the way he conducted himself over all those years.

“I’m very sorry he’s gone, but I’m so pleased he saw justice done for his daughter.”

A retired British Telecom sales representative, Morain and his family lived in Coldstream when Helen was born in 1960, before moving to Penicuik and on to Edinburgh.

Morain was honorary president of Coldstream Football Club for 35 years and fulfilled the same the role for the East of Scotland Football Association. He served in all of the office bearer roles for the East of Scotland Football Association and represented it on the Council of the Scottish Football Association.

An association spokesman said: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce our honorary president, Morain Scott, passed away on Friday evening.

“Morain was a very longstanding servant of east of Scotland football and will be sorely missed in our association and league.”

Last year the Royal Mail recorded 2,960 mail-carriers having been bitten by dogs. That’s eight postal workers a day!

Clearly this is a huge problem, but one that can be avoided.

Dogs are territorial so it’s no surprise that they want to defend their homes, but as dog owners it’s our responsibility to ensure the safety of the people who deliver our mail.

You could also be fined or go to jail if your dog bites someone. All dogs are a potential threat. Even a little dog is capable of biting off the end of a finger, but there are things we can do to prevent our dogs attacking the post-person.

It’s very easy to teach a puppy to like the postie and here’s how.

When you get your puppy, ask the person who delivers the mail to assist you.

I think you’ll find they’ll be happy to help. Put some treats by the door and ask the postie to knock on the door when they arrive.

Have your puppy on the lead and ask the postie to give it a treat.

Do this for a week (then randomly) and your puppy will look forward to the mail arriving instead of wanting to bite the deliverer.

The younger the puppy, the easier this will be, but it can also work with some older dogs.

However, if your dog already attacks the mail-carrier, prevention may be the only route.

In the home, keep the dog under control and teach it not to charge the door. Place it in a room where it can’t reach the letterbox and don’t let it out until it is calm.

Something to chew on can help to occupy the dog as well.

Consider attaching a letter-catcher to your door or a letterbox at the gate. This way your dog can’t reach fingers and you will have the extra bonus of your mail being intact.

Don’t forget to always reinforce your dog’s good behaviour with lots of praise.

Posties are more likely to be attacked during nice weather because of dogs being outside and unattended. A simple solution is not to let your dog out until the mail has been delivered.

Please think about how you can prevent your dog attacking the postie. These people provide us with a valuable service and they need our support and protection.

CRACKED AFTER LEARNING OF WIFE’S AFFAIR

A sales manager jumped on the bonnet of his wife’s car, cracking the windscreen, after discovering she was having an affair with a woman from work.

Thirty-year-old Neil Gartside, of Eyemouth Holiday Park, admitted recklessly damaging the vehicle at the holiday park on September 13.

The other woman has since been relocated, with the chances of saving the couple’s 18-month marriage said to be 50-50.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the offence had a domestic background, adding: “He suspected his wife was cheating on him and she admitted that. They have been married for 18 months, although the relationship has been for much longer.”

He said Gartside, who is a sales manager at the holiday park, jumped on to the bonnet of his wife’s car and kicked the windscreen, causing it to crack.

Defence solicitor Robert More said: “The person with whom she admitted having an affair was a woman employed by the holiday park. She has since been relocated to another place of work.

“The admission of infidelity was made that day, and his emotions were running very high indeed. He accepts it was very foolish to have done what he did, and he apologised. He has paid the excess insurance cost of the repair to the windscreen.”

The lawyer went on: “He says that the long-term prospects of saving his marriage are 50-50.”

Gartside was fined £500.

SHOUTED AT HIS FORMER PARTNER

A drunken man who shouted and swore at his former partner was sentenced to a community payback order with 60 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within six months.

Michael Wardle, 24, of Torwoodlee Road, Galashiels, appeared from custody and admitted threatening or abusive behaviour at Roxburgh Street, The Square, Abbey Row and Rodger Fish Gardens, all in Kelso, last Friday.

“She was approached by the accused, who was intoxicated. He accused her of sleeping with another man,” explained procurator fiscal Graham Fraser.

Wardle was described as being “in her face” and the police were called.

Ross Dow, defending, said his client claimed “she was giving as good as she got”, adding: “He is regretful and keen to reconcile.”

ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR

When the door was closed on her, Nyesha Mercer began throwing stones at the house.

Mercer, 20, of McLagan Drive, Hawick, appeared from custody and admitted threatening or abusive behaviour at a house at Hillend Drive, Hawick, on October 17.

Sentence was deferred until November 16 for reports. Mercer was released on bail, with a condition not to contact a named person, or to approach the house at Hillend Drive.

COMMUNITY PAYBACK ORDER

A feuding husband who prevented his wife from leaving the house was sentenced to a community payback order, with 150 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months.

Jaroslaw Jereczek was warned by Sheriff Peter Paterson that the sentence was a direct alternative to custody.

The 44-year-old, of Howden Road, Jedburgh, admitted threatening or abusive behaviour, arguing with his wife and preventing her from leaving the house at Priors Meadow, Jedburgh, on April 19.

Defence solicitor Susan Gibson said the couple had reconciled.

VICTIM LEFT UNCONSCIOUS

A debt left a woman without a tooth and a man unconscious.

Darren Jones, 36, of Browns Cottage, Jedburgh, admitted assaulting a man, punching him on the head and causing him to fall to the ground, rendering him unconscious, at a house at Williams Close in the town on March 27 last year.

The accused also pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman, punching her on the head to her injury.

“He went to the house over a debt,” explained procurator fiscal Graham Fraser.

“The lady lost a front tooth and the man suffered a fractured right eye socket,” he added.

Defence lawyer Rory Bannerman said his client had acted completely out of character, adding: “One injury was intentional and the other unintentional, as the lady tried to intervene.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson told Jones: “I take into account your previous good character in imposing a community payback order.

“If you had had any sign of a record, I may have been looking at something different,” he warned.

The order was for 80 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within six months.

HUSBAND GOT THE BOOT

A wife who assaulted her husband with a boot was fined £150.

Alison Hume, 38, of Rachel Drive, Berrywell, Duns, admitted punching her husband and striking him on the head with a boot at their home on August 2.

Her lawyer, Ross Dow, said: “This was borne out of a strained relationship, which is now at an end.”

INTERMEDIATE HEARING

A 59-year-old who denies assaulting another woman has had a further intermediate hearing set for November 2.

Marion MacNaughton, 59, of Cheviot Road, Hawick, denies deliberately barging into a woman at Cheviot Road, Hawick, on September 6.

She is due to stand trial on November 17.

ASSAULT ALLEGATION

Two Hawick women who deny an assault allegation had a further intermediate hearing set for November 2.

Ashley Gallagher, 26, of Queens Drive, and 31-year-old Lisa Sharkey, of Branxholme Road, plead not guilty to assaulting a woman at a house at Noble Place, Hawick, on August 16.

They are due to stand trial on November 17.

CONTINUED WITHOUT PLEA

A Hawick man, accused of stealing £100, has had his case continued without plea until November 2.

Michael Hill, 26, of Loan, is charged with stealing money at Howdenbank, Hawick, between January 26 and January 29.

SENTENCE DEFERRED

Sentence was deferred until November 16 for reports on Scott Grant.

The 21-year-old, of Queens Drive, Hawick, admitted committing a breach of the peace at Baker Street, Hawick, on November 2 last year. He also pleaded guilty to behaving in an aggressive manner at Sandbed, Hawick, on November 16 last year.

CANNABIS CRIME

A Hawick man was found in possession of cannabis.

Craig Robson, 22, of Wellfield Road, admitted having the illegal drug at a house at Silverbuthall Road, Hawick, and at the town’s police station on September 4.

The accused also pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a bail condition on September 3.

Sentence was deferred until November 16 for reports.

TON-UP ACCUSED

A driver accused of speeding at 100mph has had his case continued without plea until November 16.

Artur Wonsik, 37, of Colonsay Close, Edinburgh, is charged with driving a car at 100mph in a 60mph speed limit at Tower Farm, Berwickshire, on August 7.

JANUARY

TRIAL DATE

A Hawick man who denies assaulting the proprietor of an Indian restaurant will stand trial on January 12, with an intermediate hearing on November 16.

Alan King, 53, of Teviotside Terrace, is alleged to have punched the man repeatedly to the head in a racially-aggravated offence at Khans Indian, Teviot Crescent, Hawick, on September 13. He also denied racially-abusive behaviour and threatening to burn down the premises.

TOILETRIES

THIEF

A thief had sentence deferred until December 1.

Lee Wightman, 31, of Mansfield Crescent, Hawick, admitted stealing toiletries at Sainsbury’s, Commercial Road, Hawick, on July 20.

SEX

OFFENDER

Police recovered 38 movies from a laptop, showing young boys in states of undress, and young males having sex with each other.

First offender Mark Ross, 49, of Fell Court, Gateshead, appeared on indictment and admitted possession of indecent pseudo photos of children at Creel Court, St Abbs, between November 2010 and December 2013.

The court heard how police received information that someone had been accessing images of child abuse through the internet.

Hearing a previously-ordered report was not available, Sheriff Peter Paterson further deferred sentence until December 1.

Ross remains on the Sex Offenders Register.

REPORTS ORDERED

A woman who assaulted a man in Hawick had sentence deferred until December 1 for reports.

Kirsty Neilson, 31, of Hassendean Court, Hawick, admitted assaulting a man to his injury at a house at Mansfield Park on March 30.

She also pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman at Hassendean Court, Hawick, on the same date.

ASHKIRK

Parish church

The church will host a soup and pudding lunch on October 24 (noon-2pm) in the village hall. Cost – £5 adults, £2.50 children. The harvest thanksgiving will be held in the church on October 25 at noon. Canned and dried food, and money for the foodbank welcome.

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Parish church

The Reverend Duncan McCosh, retired minister of St Peter’s Episcopal Church in Galashiels, conducted the morning service on Sunday. Mr McCosh was standing in for the Reverend Elspeth Harley who is recovering after breaking her hip while on holiday in Germany. It was a pleasure to see Mrs Harley and her husband, Ewen, attending the service. The Bible reading was delivered by Fay Brydon and Dorothy Howden played the organ. In the World Council of Churches’ Prayer Cycle, prayers were said for the people of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as well as those at home. There is a hamper in the vestibule for gifts for the annual sale of work in the Volunteer Hall, Galashiels, on Saturday, October 31. This hamper will be removed next Sunday. There will be a choir social in Trinity on Friday, October 30, at 7 pm. It is hoped Caddonfoot members will attend. Tickets, priced £4, are available from choir members. The next meeting of the congregational board, due to be held today (Thursday), has been postponed.

EARLSTON

Parish church

The October 25 service is at 10.15am and will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods. November 1 is the last day to hand in filled shoeboxes for Blythswood into the church. The congregational board meet on November 2 at 7.30pm in the church hall lounge. Services on November 3 at Grangehall (2pm) and Hanover (3pm, communion). The traditional praise service will be on November 22 – pass any favourite hymn requests to Julie.

Women’s group

The next meeting is on November 5 at 8pm in the church hall and the speaker is from Border Blooms in Kelso. The menu for the Christmas meal at Rhymers Tower on December 4 will be available to choose from.

Wednesday club

The latest meeting was opened by hostess Mrs C. Seaton who gave a special welcome to some of the original members from the first meeting in 1970. She then introduced Stuart Anderson who entertained his audience with music and stories. The cake was cut by Mrs D. Kilmartin, an original member who has just celebrated her 90th birthday. She was ably supported by six other ladies who are also all over 90. Competition – Border photograph – 1, Mrs G. Forsyth; 2, Mrs S. Donaldson; 3, Mrs W. Henderson. The next meeting is on October 28. Competition – preserves jar/jam pot or dish.

Ettrickbridge

Interest Talk

Kirkhope parish hall will host an Interest Talk on October 29 at 7.30pm when Philip Grant speaks about his RAF experience and flying with British Airways.

SWI

At the AGM the following office bearers were elected: President - Isla Young, Vice-president - Marion McNeill, Secretary - Joyce Black, Treasurer - Jean Guthrie. Isla reported on the year’s activities, including the recent 90th birthday. She thanked the previous office bearers and wished the new ones well. The cup for most points went to Alison Blackadder; 2 (equal), Isla Young and Celia Wilson. Competitions – autumn photo – 1, Rosalin Scott; 2, Ruth Scott; 3, Alison Blackadder; flask of soup – 1, Ruth Scott; 2, Rosalin Scott; 3, Isla Young. The next meeting is a cookery demonstration on November 11 with Caroline Tullie. Visitors welcome.

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Studio Club

October 29 – afternoon session with Marion Neilson on “Create a clay candle holder” in St Paul’s Church hall, Scott Street, from 2.15 pm until about 4pm. New members always welcome. Enquiries – 01896 820023.

Trinity church

Sunday’s service was taken by the Reverend Duncan McCosh, with Dorothy Howden leading the music and Marette Hose reading the lessons. The service was followed by a soup lunch in the church hall which was attended by about 30 people and which raised £126 for church funds. The choir are having a social on Friday, October 30, starting at 7pm. Tickets, priced £4m can be bought from choir members. Blythswood shoeboxes must be returned by Sunday, October 25.

Table tennis

See Kelso district.

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Whist

Whist drive results – ladies – 1, Maureen Gibson; 2, Hannah Wilson; 3, Greta Middlemas; booby – Evelyn Taylor; gents – 1, Christine Ballantine; 2, Peter Hedley; 3, Ray Buccanan; booby – Marion Thompson.

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Rotary

Callants’ Club member Derrick Tait gave a video presentation on an emotive trip to Gallipoli on the centenary of that fateful campaign. Several members of the party were direct descendants of the men who succumbed in the battle. About 200,000 from both sides were killed, reported missing or injured, of which 132 were Teris. Due respects were paid at the 11 known graves of Hawick men as the rest were lost without trace. Many questions ensued, after which president Mairhi Trickett gave the vote of thanks.

Table tennis

See Kelso district.

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Towford SWI

Yvonne Eade demonstrated some simple, but delicious, Chinese recipes. She was assisted by her husband, Oliver. A tasting session followed each recipe. Yvonne and Oliver fundraise for the Sick Children’s Hospital in Edinburgh and all donations for their cookery demonstrations go to this cause. Competition – flower arrangement in a wine glass – 1, Mary Towers; 2, Jean Douglas. The next gathering is the annual business meeting on November 3 at 7.30pm. Speaker is Margaret Rustad.

Innerleithen

Church

There will be a communion service in Innerleithen Church on Sunday, October 25, at 11.30 am.

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Table tennis

See Kelso district.

Churches Together

On October 25 at 12.30pm in the Church of Kenmore Halls is the culmination of One World Week, with a soup and roll lunch to mark One World Sunday and also the opportunity to support Mary’s Meals, a Scottish-based charity in Dalmally help to feed up to a million children in Africa. Speaker is John Helliwell from Linlithgow who will give a visual presentation of the work of the charity.

St John’s Church

The church held a well-attended autumn concert last Sunday when two guest artistes, Anna Solth (organ) and Joanna Nicholson (clarinet), joined the choir in a programme of musical treats, from the classical to Gershwin and Scott Joplin, concluding with a selection of Scottish songs. Following refreshments, donations were received towards choir expenses. October 25 is Bible Sunday, and will be led by the Reverend John Evans at 9am and 10.30am. The next vestry meeting is on October 25 at 7pm.

kelso

Table tennis

Kelso youth project’s Borders Table Tennis Challenge Cup tournament is on November 7 at the town’s high school games hall, with registration from 12.30 pm. To obtain a registration form, email ian at ianrendallreid@cheviotyouth.co.uk. For further information, ring Ian on 07958 277766.

kelso

Bridge club

October 14 – Abbey Salver – N/S – 1, Joyce Thomson & Helenor Pratt; 2, Jean McLaren & Alison Ireland; 3, Dominic & Diana Alkin; E/W – 1, Chris Anthony & Mary Stone; 2, Lynda Douglas & Lesley Dick; 3, Jean Henry & Myra Thomson. October 15 – Calchou Cup – 1, Bob Stevenson & Lee Leeson; 2, Keith Ackerman & Jim Stone; 3, Dominic & Diana Alkin; 4, John Urquhart & Nancy Porter; 5, Maureen Weightman & Lesley Dick; 6, Alison Darling & Mary Logan.

Concert

A concert with the Oxnam Valley Voices, conducted by Jamie McKenzie, will be held in Kelso North Church on Friday, October 23, at 7.30 pm to raise funds for Marie Curie.

Sale

Plexus Social Club is running a table-top sale for the charities the firm is supporting this year (Noah’s Ark at BGH, and Connor’s Journey – Stand Tall) at the Tait Hall on October 24. Set-up for sellers from 9am. Tables cost £10 each – double tables available. Open to the public from 10am-2pm. For more information, contact Nicki Humphreys (Nicki.Humphreys@plexus.com or 07884 397 546).

Farmers’ market

A farmers’ market will take place in The Square on October 24 (9.30am-1.30pm), featuring food demonstrations by two local chefs.

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Community centre

Due to generosity and hard work of local groups, customers and the Weir Trust, particulary a sponsored spinathon in April which raised £2,000 and a grant from trust, Lauder Community and Leisure Centre has just taken delivery of a new treadmill, free weights, two bars and a bench, all for the gym.

As a thank you for their spinathon support, participating charities were handed back 50% of their sponsorship earnings. A quiz night at the beginning of October realised just under £500. The centre will be closed for the festive season from December 18-January 4. It will start 2016 with an offer for new members – six weeks membership for the price of four. This will run until February 29. Apart from the gym, the centre hosts a range of classes and Careen Paterson, in-house trainer, offers a range of services, from fitness assessments to diet and exercise plans, and personal goal settings. Contact the centre for further information.

AGM

New members will welcome at the AGM of the Lauderdale News to be held in the Town Hall on Monday, October 26, at 7pm.

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Winter Talks

The first of a new series of Greener Borders Winter Talks will take place on October 22 (7.30pm) in the Ormiston Rooms. Speaker is Michael van Beinum, of Borders Organic Gardeners, on “Environmental Ethics and Climate Change: different ways to think about the good life”.

Border Flower Club

Members were once more in the awards lists at the Scottish Association of Flower Arrangers’ Show which was held at Stirling. Marion Hamilton won first in the class “In and Out”. She also won the Flower Arrangers’ Award for this class. Julia Loudon was commended for the “Bonnie Wee Thing” class. The October meeting had a most interesting title, “Designs by Nature”, when Elizabeth Paterson took members through topics of nature, starting with stone and the part it plays in our world. The farm was next, using a milk churn as her container, and golden beech and a variety of white flowers denoting the sheep. The hedgerow then brought many different textures with berries in a woven basket with sunflowers and Achillea. A huge glass bowl filled with shells and stones took us to the beach, the white chrysanths and white larkspur representing the surf. Her final design was with exotic flowers, showing the fantastic colours and foliage from other countries. Next meeting is on November 4 in the Corn Exchange, Melrose, at 7.30pm. There is a change of demonstrator due to Gill Garrow being unable to come due to an accident. But Linda Souter has come to the rescue.

Literary society

At its next meeting on October 27, Melrose Literary Society will be addressed by Robert Leach on the theatre and the Scottish Enlightenment. He has written books, poems and plays and worked as a theatre director, as well as having been a senior lecturer at the University of Edinburgh. He lives in Selkirk. The meeting will be in the Ormiston Lounge at 7.30pm.

Parish church

Autumnal sunshine greeted worshippers at Bowden and Melrose. October 25 services at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (11am) with, at noon, Macmillan coffee morning after church. Shoebox appeal deadline November 1, Poppy collectors phone 822349, foodbank ongoing, November 8, Holy Trinity, 7.30pm, Abbey Consort, Remembrance.

Trimontium

October brings holidaymakers from school – usually in different weeks – as well as visitors taking a late autumn holiday. This may mean extended business for visitor attractions, but also people just “down for the day” and happy to wander the streets and window shop. Visitors who live near a Roman or native site themselves often come in to see what the Trimontium presentation looks like, compare notes with what they know already and leave a greeting in the visitors’ book. Some years ago a couple from Italy left their mark with “I Romani sono ritornati” – the Romans have returned. Recently there was a couple from Viroconium (Wroxeter), proud of the high-standing wall at their site in the Midlands; a girl and her mum from Aachen, near the Dutch/German border (she translated for her mother) who left us a message from Varnenum, the Roman site there; and a couple from Forres, who had taken part in the Birnie (two hoards) dig near Elgin and were worried about the future of their local museum which had had its annual cash grant withdrawn. Trimontium has never been involved in such dependence. Colchester lecture – Thursday, October 22, 7.30pm.

Rotary

Speaker at last week’s meeting of the Rotary Club of Melrose was Simon Wallace, newly-appointed fundraiser for Borders Pet Rescue Centre. The members were impressed with the work which the small, but vital, animal charity manages to carry out with relatively meagre resources. Stories such as Mitzi the Dog and Petal the Kitten brought home the need for such charities and how neglected animals can be happily restored to good health and found loving owners. On Saturday some of the members were active in Melrose selling tickets for the Christmas raffle which, among other charities, will help to fund the Melrose Christmas parade on Saturday, December 12. Rotarians are grateful to all who supported them by buying tickets and to Rhymers Fayre for the welcome cups of coffee.

Morebattle

Badminton

The badminton season will get under way on October 26 at 7pm in the village hall. New members welcome.

Turn to page 38

From page 37

Indoor bowls

Indoor bowls start on October 30 at 7pm in the village hall.

SWI

A talk on Breadshare Bakery took place when members enjoyed tasting different loaves of bread. The vote of thanks was given by Janette Stenhouse. Competitions – two cheese scones – 1, Linda Nairn; 2, Margaret Blackmore; 3, Helen Cessford. Rolling pin – 1, Mary Pringle; 2, Grace Cessford; 3, Margaret Blackmore. Arrangements were made for all entries, sales table items, scones and tray bakes for teas to be with Mary Pringle and Helen Cessford by October 29 in connection with the forthcoming SWI show to be held on October 30 and 31 at Springwood Park, Kelso.

peebles

Table tennis

See Kelso district.

ROXBURGH

Sale

A table-top sale of crafts, home baking, used toys, second-hand and vintage items will be held in Roxburgh village hall on October 25 (noon-3pm).

selkirk

Pop-up shop

Ettrick Valley committee of Macmillan Cancer Support will have a pop-up shop at Jenny Muir’s in High Street on October 24 (9am-4pm). There will be Christmas cards and gifts, as well as home baking for sale.

SWI

On November 6 and 7, Selkirkshire SWI is hosting the national drama competition in the Victoria Halls. The Anstruther Gray Trophy for this competition was donated many years ago by a former chairman and is competed for annually by institutes from across the country. There will be three short plays on the Friday evening, starting at 7pm, and five on the Saturday, beginning at 2pm. Tickets are available in advance from 01750 62219 or can be purchased at the door – £9 for both days or £6.50 for a single day. On November 21, also at the Victoria Halls, the federation show opens at 2.30pm. All six institutes will compete for trophies and there will be afternoon teas, sales table and raffle.

Table tennis

See Kelso district.

ST BOSWELLS

Exhibition

St Boswells Parish Community Council will be hosting a small exhibition of local memorabilia from the First and Second World Wars in the village hall after the Armistice Day Parade on November 8. It also provides an opportunity for local residents to view and comment on plans for the proposed relocation of the village war memorial. This is something that has been discussed for over 20 years and, after considerable consultation, planning permission has been approved by Scottish Borders Council to move it to a more central and safely accessible location within the village. However, the community council does not wish to proceed until villagers have had the opportunity to see artist’s impressions of the memorial on its new site and provide their feedback. Specific funding sources for projects such as this are available and will be approached to cover the cost of dismantling, rebuilding and landscaping, so that money is not being diverted from core Scottish Borders Council provision, such as social care or education. An additional advantage of the proposed new site is that it would enable local schoolchildren to once again be involved in caring for the memorial, as was originally intended when it was first erected in 1920. This lapsed many years ago and the school has expressed interest in reinstating the arrangement, being of both educational and social value, but it is not safe to do so in its present location. Refreshments will be available in aid of village hall funds.

stow

AGM

The arrival of the railway from Edinburgh to Tweedbank has added impetus to the Campaign for Border Rail’s drive to extend the former Waverley line to Hawick and beyond. For the first time, members will be able to travel by train to the AGM which will be held in Stow Town Hall on Saturday, October 24, at 6 pm. Among the speakers will be Hugh Wark, who was project manager for the new railway. Simon Walton is standing down as chairman due to work commitments south of the border, while other positions also have to be filled. There will be a raffle and doors open at 5pm.

Traquair

Service

There will be a communion service in Traquair Kirk on Sunday, October 25, at 10am.

Walkerburn

Service

The next service in Walkerburn Public Hall will be on Sunday, November 8, at 10am.

yarrow

Whist

The annual church whist drive will be held in Yarrowfeus Hall on Monday, October 26, at 7pm. The event is in aid of the church fabric fund.

yetholm

Morgan and West

Due to a boiler breakdown in the Wauchope Hall, this event, which was to have been held on October 31, has been postponed.

Surgery

Local councillor Simon Mountford will be in the Youth Hall on October 24 (10-11am) to meet with local constituents.

Guild

Yetholm Guild opens the new season on October 27 at 2.30pm in Yetholm Church when the speaker will be the Reverend Robin McHaffie. New members welcome.

Community council

Members meet on October 27 at 7pm in the Youth Hall. This meeting will also include a festival meeting at 7.30pm.

Quiz night

A quiz will be held on October 28 at 8pm in the Plough. Proceeds to the Bonfire night.

Dog fouling

Dog fouling continues to be an issue. Residents are urged to port any incidents witnessed to Scottish Borders Council or the police.

Most of us accept – albeit sometimes grudgingly – that we have to cough up for council tax.

It helps pay for services such as roads, street lighting, education, social care etc. etc.

The councillors we elect are charged with administering this hard-earned cash – and when citizens fail to pay their council tax, for whatever reason, it makes life tougher for Scottish Borders Council.

Therefore, we suspect that some Borderers will be more than a tad annoyed when they read on page 3 of today’s Southern that 13 reminder letters for non-payment of this tax were sent out to local councillors in the five years from 2010 to 2014.

And it doesn’t look like we’ll discover who the culprits are. In a response to a Freedom of Information request, a spokesperson at council HQ in Newtown says because this information is “of a personal nature”, the tardy ones won’t be named.

This is certainly not the example to set for voters – including those struggling to pay their council tax.

Or is it more of a case of do as I say, not as I do?

Police Scotland’s outgoing chief constable has criticised Scottish Borders Licensing Board for breaching its own policies when granting extensions to permitted drinking hours.

In his annual report to tomorrow’s board meeting, Sir Stephen House notes: “In recent months, Police Scotland has submitted objections to the board in relation to a variety of applications, often citing the board’s policy as a reason for the representation.

“Unfortunately, the board has decided to grant a number of these licences which are clearly in breach of its policy.

“This has been disappointing as it provides a precedent for other applicants to submit applications outwith the policy.”

Sir Stephen’s rebuke will doubtless resonate with the 10-member board tomorrow when it convenes at Newtown and considers a bid from a Hawick licensee for a 3am extension on Friday and Saturday, October 30 and 31.

Neil Gillies of Base Nightclub in Baker Street says he needs the extra hour to cater for a Halloween party, with live music, DJs and special events.

In his application, he explains that outwith the town’s common riding, and Christmas and New Year, Halloween has grown into his busiest entertainment weekend.

Mr Gillies will be looking for consistency among the councillors who granted him a 3am extension during the common riding weekend in June.

But the police have again objected, citing the board’s policy which states that, with the exception of the university town of Galashiels, drinking hours beyond 2am will only be granted “in exceptional circumstances”.

“Furthermore, given the town centre location of the premises [Base] and the increased consumption of alcohol, there is potential for disturbance to residents nearby with alcohol-fuelled violence, noise and antisocial behaviour while the premises are open and during dispersal,” writes Chief Inspector Andrew McLean.

In his report for 2014/15, Sir Stephen says his force is “committed to reasonable and safe drinking”.

He reveals that in the year to March 31, 2015, there had been 85 incidents in the Borders involving violence in or near licensed premises, including three serious assaults and two incidents involving offensive weapons.

Over the year, officers had received 28 reports from the public of excessive noise at licensed premises.

On a positive note, only two people were charged over the year with buying alcohol for minors and, of 26 test purchasing “sting” operations, there had been no failures.

“On every occasion when premises successfully pass this test, a letter is sent congratulating licensees and their staff,” states the report.

In the five years from 2010 to 2014 inclusive, Scottish Borders Council sent out 13 reminder letters for non-payment of Council Tax – to its own elected members.

A Freedom of Information response from Newtown declines to name the councillors who were in arrears, claiming this is information “of a personal nature”.

It does, however, confirm the political affiliations of the tardy payers.

In 2010, one Independent councillor received a reminder; in 2011, two Conservatives and a Lib Dem got letters; in 2012, two Conservatives, one Lib Dem and one Independent were in arrears; in 2013, it was two Conservatives and one Lib Dem; and in 2014, the sole recipient was a Conservative councillor.

So far this year, no reminder letters have been sent to elected members.

The council says that all Council Tax due by councillors has been fully collected and no councillor has been banned from attending meetings for being more that two months in arrears.

This week’s DVD release is Jurassic World, the long-awaited fourth instalment in the series of modern-day dinosaur movies which started with Jurassic Park some 22 years ago.

Although the newest episode suffers by comparison to that original Spielberg classic, it still provides plenty of brainless fun.

The film is set many years after the disastrous events of Jurassic Park. Undaunted by that early tragedy, the money men have decided that creating a dinosaur-based theme park still makes good business sense and in Jurassic World they’ve gone large, creating a spectacular tropical island packed with prehistoric attractions.

In addition to free-roaming dinosaurs, they’ve got shark-munching super fish, flocks of flying lizards and a group of raptors being trained by Hollywood’s hottest action hero, Chris Pratt. He plays Owen Grady, a wise-talking wildlife expert who has a strained relationship with park operations manager Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard).

As if normal dinosaurs aren’t dangerous enough, boffins have created a super-creature capable of slaughtering with even more efficiency, as it proves when it gets its claws on some humans. Cue mayhem in the park as things get messy and our heroes fight for survival.

Director Colin Trevorrow hasn’t moved too far from the formula which made Jurassic Park such a success and although that makes for a predictable film, it is entertaining.

The film lacks inventiveness but somewhat makes up for it in scale, offering big action set pieces which leave very few dull moments.

The characters battling for survival are pretty flimsy, but there are some strong central performances, not least from Pratt, who continues to thrive as a likeable lead. He is just about charismatic enough to carry the movie.

Jurassic World doesn’t offer viewers anything new, and lacks a lot of the charm which made the first film such a classic. However, as far as blockbusters go it’s an entertaining enough trip into a world of terrible lizards.

The Scottish Borders Health and Social Care partnership has today published the second draft of the Strategic Plan for a further round of engagement and consultation.

The plan sets out how Scottish Borders Council (SBC), NHS Borders and partners including third and independent sector organisations, plan to work better together to deliver more personalised care in order to achieve ‘Best Health, Best Care, Best Value’ for communities in the Borders.

This second draft, called ‘changing health & social care for you - a further conversation’, is based on what the partnership learned from listening to local people; service users, carers, members of the public, staff and partners, including third and independent organisations, during consultation in May/June this year.

Objective 9, ‘We want to improve support for unpaid carers to keep them healthy and able to continue in their caring role’, has been added as a new Strategic Objective following the last round of consultation in May and June of this year. This reflects the way in which engagement with the people who use and provide services is central to the development of the Strategic plan.

Members of the public are being asked for their views on this document by 11 December 2015 to help develop the final draft of the Strategic Plan which will be finalised early next year. The partnership will be present as a number of local events in the Borders to give members of the public the opportunity to have a chat about their views on health and social care. More information on the events, where and when will be advertised.

Susan Manion, Chief Officer for Health and Social Care in the Borders explained: “I am proud to present this second draft of the Strategic Plan for consultation. This builds on the progress that has already been made by NHS Borders, Scottish Borders Council and our partners to improve the services for all people in the Borders.

“This plan is based on what we learned from listening to local people; service users, carers, members of the public, staff and partners, including third sector and independent organisations.

“In the plan, nine objectives are listed that reflect what we heard you say is important to you. For each objective, we have set out what we intend to do to meet the objective and the changes that you can expect to see. We know that the different localities have different needs, and we have also addressed this issue in this version of the plan.

“We hope that you will now take the opportunity to comment on this second draft. Your opinion is important to us. We have added a ninth local objective ‘to improve support for unpaid Carers to keep them healthy and able to continue in their caring role’ because of what you told us.

“It is crucial that we get the views of as many people as possible to help develop the final draft of our Strategic Plan which will be finalised early next year. Once the plan is finalised, it will be reviewed and renewed on a three-year basis and once again, this process will be supported by a programme of public engagement on an ongoing basis.”

NHS Borders, SBC and voluntary and independent care partners are working together to put in place joint working arrangements with the aim of planning, commissioning and delivering services in a way that puts people at the heart of decision-making.

Integration of Health and Social Care is the Scottish Government’s legislation-led initiative to have a health and social care partnership for each of the 32 Council areas in Scotland by April 2016.

To download a copy of the strategic plan and/or to submit your views, please visit www.scotborders.gov.uk/integration

Fears have been raised over the impact on Borders families of prospective cuts to working tax credits.

The Conservative government has put forward proposals to abolish working tax credits, which would affect thousands of families in the Borders.

Local Labour Party spokesperson Barrie Cunning said this week: “The Tories talk about reforming the welfare system.

“In actual fact, what they mean is the eradication of the welfare state, which will hit working families in the Borders the hardest and will directly result in families 
being dependent on food banks just to make ends meet.

“The idea that getting rid of working tax credits will in some way help working people and their families is frankly insane.”

He went on: “A family in the Borders earning in the region of £20,000 with three children will be £2,184.20 worse off under these new proposals. This is no laughing matter and yet the Tories speak lightly of a policy that will put families into further hardship and suffering.

“We must do everything we can to ensure that working families are protected and given the help they need to sustain them in employment not put them in a situation that could potentially see them not able to work.”