Eleven weeks since an outbreak of fire damaged the company’s premises in Melrose, estate agent Macpherson Property is back in its home after a temporary relocation.

With everything a write-off, it has been a tricky couple of months for the firm, but it appears the problems did not prevent the company from having the best September and October in over seven years.

Owner Jamie Macpherson told us: “We have embraced technology from the outset

and this has put us in an excellent position to run the business from absolutely anywhere.

“As a result, operationally, nothing changed - and it has to be a lesson to anyone in this day and age. We continued to run with the ball and it worked.”

There has obviously been a much publicised marked improvement in the local housing

market - with various contributing factors - but three core questions can be answered, in

tandem with how Macpherson Property is run.

Mr Macpherson explained: “Has the arrival of the new Borders Railway helped? Certainly

Does the exposure we can offer through a range of media channels give sellers what is need

to sell? Most definitely

“Is it the use of special technology and different methods of communications that puts us

ahead of the field? Absolutely. And now we are back in situ, we are on the hunt for more stock to sell.”

Volunteer Centre Borders has appointed Gordon Brown as its new executive officer to replace outgoing chief Susan Swan from Chirnside, and a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Berwickshire.

VCB, based in Galashiels, promotes and develops volunteering across the area and Gordon said: “Having worked in the voluntary sector for over a decade I am well aware of the vital role volunteers play, not only in community development but also in addressing social isolation and health inequalities.

“It is already clear the Borders has a vibrant third sector and I look forward to building on Susan’s work in ensuring volunteering is at its heart.”

“I am particularly keen to hear from people whose lives have benefited from volunteering, either as the donor or the recipient and also to work with a wide range of organisations both to increase the range of volunteering opportunities and the pool of those who would be willing to fill them.”

There will be 5,300 children in the Borders hit by the government’s planned tax credit cuts according to The Children’s Society figures.

Borders MP Calum Kerr has described the cuts as a “shameful attack” on vulnerable local people already working hard to make ends meet.

Mr Kerr said: “These figures are truly shocking and show the real human cost of the current UK Government’s obsession with cutting benefits to some of the neediest people in our society.

“It’s appalling to think that literally thousands of families in this region are going to suffer because of the Chancellor’s obsession with austerity.

“This is the true price of Conservative government policies – real human hardship right in the heart of our Borders communities.”

Last week the introduction of the tax credit cuts was delayed by a vote in the House of Lords, but the Chancellor has insisted that he will retain them regardless.

SNP MP Mr Kerr continued: “I’m grateful to The Children’s Society for providing me with these figures, shocking though they are.

My colleagues and I have done everything possible to oppose these cuts, both inside and outside the House of Commons.

“The pressure that we applied helped to lead to the government’s defeat on this last week.”

“In the wake of the Lords vote, George Osborne is now being forced to revise the proposals – but he is still hell bent on cutting the cost of tax credits by billions of pounds.

“That is going to mean bringing real misery to low paid families, both here in the Borders and right across the UK.

“Amazingly, as if this isn’t bad enough, the UK Government plans to cover up the consequences of these cuts by re-defining what constitutes child poverty. That is also outrageous and unacceptable.

“I can give Borderers my personal assurance that SNP MPs will continue to oppose these measures.

“They are doing huge damage and putting an incredible strain on charities and local services which are ultimately having to step in and pick up the pieces.”

The region’s largest social landlord is commissioning a study of all 3,000 trees for which it is responsible.

The Selkirk-based Scottish Borders Housing Association is this week inviting tenders from contractors to carry out a quantified tree risk assessment (QTRA) survey.

Potential bidders have until November 20 to apply with the contract due to be awarded on December 14.

A spokesman for SBHA, which owns 5,663 homes, said the tendering did not imply that any of the trees are at risk.

“We are currently pulling together a five-year asset management plan taking account of our external responsibilities as well as maintaining the Scottish Housing Quality Standard in our homes.

“The specialist tree survey will feed into that overall plan as will an external stock condition survey of properties and estates.

“This overall plan will allow a planned programme of work to be formed on a risk basis.”

The spokesman also confirmed that technical director Alan Vass no longer worked for SBHA.

“He is taking up a role in another organisation and we wish him well for the future,” added the spokesman.

The second display of the 50th anniversary of the Borders by-election is to be opened in the Chambers Institute at Peebles on Saturday November 7 at 2.30pm. The official opening will be done by Magnus Grimond, younger son of Jo Grimond who was Liberal leader in 1965.

He is flying from London for the occasion.

To the delight of almost 900 children in the Scottish Borders, the Loch Ness monster paid a visit in November 1985. Fourteen different schools took part in a visit by the Opera for Youth workshop, and all were given a chance to put on their own show. Prior to the team’s tour, schools received a pack containing all the relevant music and ideas for appropriate artwork to go along with the performances.

Here, youngsters from Burnfoot are dressed up as press photographers on the lookout for a photo of Nessie.

Hopes have been expressed that Kelso might be able to agree a twinning arrangement with a namesake in the north-western United States.

Next week, local piper Sandy Devers and his son, Paul, will travel from the Borders to Seattle in Washington State and during the trip will spend time in Kelso.

The county seat of Cowlitz County in Washington State, Kelso, which lies 125 miles south of Seattle, is home to 12,000 residents and was founded in 1889 by Peter Crawford, a surveyor from Kelso here in the Borders.

A native of Glasgow, Sandy, who moved to the Borders just 18 months ago, is chief executive of the Hawick-based Streets Ahead charity.

A keen piper, he has visited Washington State previously, but this will be his first visit to the American version of Kelso - or at least one of them, as there is another ‘Kelso’ in California, albeit a deserted ghost town.

Sandy will meet with civic leaders when he and Paul reach Washington State and will hand over a greeting from Borders counterpart, Provost John Bassett.

“It came about because I wanted to take my son on his first visit to the US and we thought it would be nice to visit the American version of Kelso while over there,” Sandy told us.

Sandy added local community councillor, Colin McGrath, had been to Kelso in Washington State before and contacted them to say a fellow Borders resident would was heading their way.

“I am hoping to meet with the city mayor of Kelso and will be handing over a message from the provost of Kelso here in the Borders, plus a wee gift, with the idea being to start exploring the possibility of closer links.”

Provost Bassett confirmed: “Sandy will be carrying a letter of greetings from me, and a copy of Dave Robinson’s book on Kelso. The Kelso Community Council hopes to twin with them somewhere along the line. I think this would be a good idea for Kelso on both sides of the pond; I really hope we can get this off the ground.”

Citizens Advice Scotland has warned that scammers are actively targeting people with pension savings across Scotland, looking to con them out of their hard-earned savings.

Most commonly ‘cold-calling’ potential victims, the scammers offer free pension reviews, promises of better returns and early cash release from your pension as a hook.

Their main objective is to persuade savers to transfer their pension funds into unregulated investment schemes that often involve huge fees and tax penalties. In other cases they simply disappear with the cash leaving the victim with nothing.

In a recent example, one victim was pressured into signing documents to transfer his lifetime pension savings of over £100,000 from his company pension scheme into an unregulated, off-shore property development scheme. It was only the intervention of a local Pension Wise guidance specialist that halted the transfer after it was found that the scheme was part of a scam already under investigation by The Pensions Regulator.

Citizens Advice Scotland’s Pension Wise manager Angela Spalding says: “We have now had a number of instances of these scams reported to us, so it’s important to make people aware of the risk. Cold-callers are phoning individuals across Scotland, hoping to engage with pension savers. These callers are very persuasive, suggesting that they are experts doing you a ‘good turn’ and offering free reviews and early access to your pension cash. In fact, many of these people are not registered with the Financial Conduct Authority and they are often promoting the most high-risk, unregulated schemes on the market, often with overseas investments unsuitable for most savers.

“The best thing to do with cold-callers is to put the phone down.

“If you want to review your retirement plans or access your savings, why would you do it through someone you don’t know who has randomly called you? You can get expert, impartial guidance through the Pension Wise service at your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Like all CAB services, our pension guidance is free, confidential and independent. Face-to-face appointments are available to those approaching 50 or over.

“If you believe that you are a victim of a scammer or wish to report a potential scam, you can contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. It’s important to report these calls when they do happen because the authorities may be able to prevent them potentially conning someone else.”

Anyone aged close to 50 or over with a defined contribution pension scheme is eligible for a Pension Wise appointment. Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau to arrange a face-to-face appointment, or call our Pension Wise telephone line - 0300 330 1001, or visit www.pensionwise.gov.uk.

Alison Henry looks back fondly at her 34 years of being a voluntary adult in the Guiding movement, but knows she leaves the ship in good hands.

Her love of the organisation goes back to when her family lived in Stirling when she was 10, and continued when they moved to Galashiels two years later.

When she turned 16, she felt she wanted to give something back to the service that gave her so much joy, so stayed on to help.

She said: “It was so rewarding, seeing a 10-year-old girl flourish and blossom in the few years, to see them progress and become more confident.

“It’s a girl’s own thing – probably the only time of their lives they are not having to compete with boys.

“Maybe I’m still a big kid at heart, but I love to see them have fun.

“Over the last 10 years, technology has sort of taken over girls’ lives and it is great to see that they don’t have to be sitting with an ipad or smartphone to have fun.”

However, guiding has not stood still, with new activities and programmes such as GoForIt four-week challenges anad a Glamorama beauty and hair challenge.

At the end of the 2015 summer term, 1st Galashiels Guides, other Leaders & friends, gathered together as Alison completed her 34 years and announced her departure.

It was an evening that she knew was going to be an emotional rollercoaster, as she had loved working with the 300 plus girls that she had nurtured over these years, but also knew it was the right time to handover to someone else.

She said: “I have a horse, which I compete on, in a fairly low key fashion, but I enjoy it. However, it does take up a fair bit of my time.

“But I felt I wanted to make sure the unit would be in safe hands.”

Taking on the reins is Emma Rae, a former Caddonfoot guide who joined up in October 2010 when guiding was celebrating its centenary.

Alison said: “She, too, wanted to give something back to guiding as she had enjoyed her time as a youngster.

“Over these past five years, I have watched her develop her skills and gaining her adult leadership and camp licence.

“And I knew that there was someone who I felt could carry on helping young girls develop.”

Over the years, Alison has been the Borders region representative on the Guiding Junior Council (Scotland), Galashiels District Commissioner & Tweed Valley County Outdoor Adviser.

She was also one of the team of County Leaders, who took Guides away to Switzerland in 2009 & 2012.

She has taken her own unit camping, to Tartan Gig pop concerts and many other various activities.

She said: “The principles of guiding over these years have not changed, only the styles of uniform and uses of modern technology.

“Girls are still as keen now, as they were when I started.They can be just themselves without any pressure.”

There is growing anger and frustration over the continuing delay to the start of work on the replacement for Kelso High School.

The start of the project was delayed after a European ruling affected a number of new building projects across Scotland.

The law change affected schemes being processed under the Scottish Futures Trust scheme, which were previously being treated as private sector projects, but must now be considered as public sector.

Then, at the start of the summer, there was renewed confidence that construction work on the new £21.4million secondary at Angraflat Road would start soon.

However, much has hinged on the review by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route NPD contract and the implications for Kelso High School.

Scottish finance minister John Swinney told local MSP John Lamont last month that the issues are complex and discussions with the ONS and others are continuing as a priority.

But Kelso provost, John Bassett, says such responses are simply not good enough: “I like many others am getting upset over this; the Scottish Government needs to get its finger out.

“We were told at the last meeting, Scottish Borders Council was hoping to get a answer in January 2016 as to when it will go ahead.”

Police are appealing for witnesses in connection with an assault at a bar in Galashiels.

The incident happened at around 9pm on Saturday in the Glue Pot on Overhaugh Street.

Police said a 25-year-old man had gone to the toilet and upon entering noticed the male suspect who engaged him in conversation before attacking him. The man fell to the ground and members of the public then intervened in order to separate the pair.

The Scottish Ambulance Service was called and transferred the man to the Borders General Hospital where he received treatment to a head injury before being discharged.

The suspect left the premises after the attack and police are keen to speak with anyone who has information that can assist with their investigation.

Detective Constable Callum Peoples of Police Scotland said: “We are pursuing various lines of inquiry in relation to this incident.”

NHS Borders had plenty of reasons to celebrate at Wednesday night’s Scottish Health Awards in Edinburgh, with three category wins.

And winning not one, but two awards, was the 30-strong multi-disciplinary team from Melburn Lodge – the 14-bed inpatient unit for older adults with dementia at the Borders General Hospital, who won the Top Team and Care for Mental Health categories.

“We’re all absolutely thrilled and really humbled to learn that the care award nomination came from the family of one of our patients,” said Christine Proudfoot, the ward’s senior charge nurse.

“Our patients can no longer be in their communities, so our philosophy is to bring the communities to them,” she explained.

The ward thus welcomes families, carers and friends and actively engages with the wider community, including the primary six children of Melrose Primary who visited recently to present handmade art work for the 1960s-themed sitting room.

And also revealed as a winner on the glittering evening was superintendent radiographer at the BGH, Dr Fiona Hawke, who won the Therapist Award.

Hamilton-born Fiona, who lives near Bowden, is a specialist in gastro-intestinal imaging, and gives her staff the best possible opportunities for continuous professional development.

“I consider I have the best of all career worlds – meeting patients face to face and gaining great satisfaction from helping colleagues, particularly those graduates who are newly qualified and, hopefully, setting them on the right career path,” said Fiona.

Also short-listed on the night was the Earlston-based local area co-ordination team from the Scottish Borders Learning Disability Service.

A Borders estate is taking is helping the UK sheep industry to drive genetic improvement forward through the inclusion of commercial data in genetic evaluations.

Bowhill Estate, which primarily lies between the Yarrow and Ettrick Valleys, is comprised of 8804 acres and is one of six commercial farms around the UK taking part in the RamCompare project.

The two-year project, funded by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) along with other partners, got underway in May and will run over two breeding seasons until 2017. It involves artificial insemination (AI) and single-sire mating with rams from five pedigree breeds with known genetics and will work along the supply chain to get lamb performance data from farms and abattoirs included in genetic evaluation. Support for the project is also provided by the Sainsbury’s ‘Big Data’ Agriculture R&D Grant Scheme, Randall Parker Foods, Dunbia and Scotland’s Rural College.

Of the 4,500 breeding ewes at Bowhill, 200 Aberdale Blackface cross ewes have been put to a Texel, Suffolk, Meatlinc or Charollais ram supplied by the project, or to one of Bowhill’s own recorded Texel stock rams. A further 120 ewes from Bowhill will be artificially inseminated with semen from other rams within the project.

It is anticipated that a crop of over 500 lambs from these rams will be born in the middle of March next year. Data from the lambs will be collected through to slaughter and will be evaluated to see whether its inclusion in the rams’ genetic evaluations identifies differences between sires and improves their accuracy. A ranking of the tested rams, based on commercially important traits, will be produced at the end of 2017.

Sion Williams, farm manager at Bowhill, is very enthusiastic about being part of this project.

He said: “From a farming point of view, this project is really exciting and the information generated will undoubtedly improve the genetics of the Scottish sheep flock and the connection between the ram breeder and the commercial lamb on the market.

“We have been using EID since 2008 so have a keen interest in how genetics can influence performance. From a business perspective it will be good to see how these rams perform against our own, allowing us to make amendments to the breeding strategy and ram selection as a result.”

Michael Blanche, QMS Knowledge Transfer Specialist, said: “Central Progeny Tests have had a huge effect on genetic improvement in sheep elsewhere in the world and this is the first time one is being established in the UK. It means we can compare different rams against each other in real commercial situations. It is an important step in allowing us to compare animals purely on performance genetics irrespective of breed.”

Treasurer took £12,000 of fund

A treasurer embezzled over £12,000 of a town’s summer festival fund.

Alison McWilliam, 54, of The Glebe, Gavinton, Duns, admitted, while acting as treasurer of Duns Summer Festival committee, embezzling £12,375.98.

The offence happened at her home between February 2 and June 23.

Sentence was deferred until December 1 for reports.

The first offender was released on bail.

Over four times limit

A driver, whose car was on its side in a verge, was over four times the alcohol limit.

Jodie Bell, 34, of McCracken Drive, Wideopen, Newcastle, admitted driving a car on the A1107 Eyemouth to Burnmouth road on October 1, with a breath/alcohol reading of 102 mcgs – the legal limit being 22.

The accident happened around 4.30pm on a country road.

Another driver came across a Renault Clio on the verge, on its side.

“He realised the accident had just happened as one of the wheels was still spinning, and he went to the vehicle and assisted the accused,” explained prosecutor Tessa Bradley.

Police attended and noted she was “smelling strongly of alcohol” and Bell provided a positive roadside breath test.

“She was fully co-operative with police,” added Ms Bradley.

“Northumbria Police had been contacted by her family, who were concerned for her welfare,” explained Ms Bradley.

Solicitor Rory Bannerman, defending, said his client had been hospitalised through ill-health.

“She accepts she endangered others by her conduct,” he concluded.

Sheriff Peter Anderson told the first offender, “What you did was dangerous, and the alcohol level is high.”

Bell was fined £300 and banned from driving for 16 months.

First offender had a knife

Angered by things being thrown at his window, a teenager went outside with a knife.

Eighteen-year-old Joe Noble of Parkside, Coldstream, admitted having a knife in a public place, outside his home on April 17 last year.

“This happened on the roadway outside his house at about 2.30pm, when a number of boys had been walking past,” explained prosecutor Tessa Bradley.

“He thought they had been throwing things at the window and had been in the kitchen making a sandwich, and ran outside, still holding the knife,” she explained.

“There was a verbal set-to about his chipped window,” added Ms Bradley.

Solicitor Ross Dow, defending, said his client had heard stones being thrown at the window.

“Without thinking, he went outside with the knife,” said Mr Dow, “and as soon as he realised he threw it in the garden.”

Noble was sentenced to a Community Payback Order, with 50 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within three months.

“I recognise that this was a difficult situation, but society takes a strong view as knife crime is a real menace to us all, and people cannot have a blade in a public place,” Sheriff Peter Anderson told the accused.

Drunken street assault injury

A 24-year-old repeatedly punched a man in a drunken assault.

Callum Simpson, 24, of Haymons Cove, Eyemouth, admitted assaulting a man to his injury at High Street, Eyemouth, on March 1.

The accused, who had been drinking, was said to have little recollection of the offence.

The court heard how the victim had previously been assaulted by a number of unknown males.

“He suffered a broken nose, but had already been assaulted, before he was assaulted by the accused,” explained prosecutor Tessa Bradley.

Solicitor Rory Bannerman, defending, said his client had “absolutely no recollection of the offence.

“He know he was involved in a fight, but he can’t recall why the trouble began,” explained Mr Bannerman.

He said Simpson, who works in the Brussels sprout farming business, had acted out of character, but accepted his responsibility.

Sheriff Peter Anderson told him, “Drink can make a mockery of all of us, but you have allowed it to take you into territory where you would never normally have gone.

“You are very lucky that the consequences were not more serious,” he warned.

Simpson was fined £400 and ordered to pay £75 compensation.

Son had knife in argument

A mother was distressed when her son walked towards her with a knife in an argument.

Grant Pagan, 36, formerly of Waterloo Place, Spittal, Northumberland and now living in Ormiston, admitted threatening or abusive behaviour, presenting a knife at his mother, and struggling with police, at a house in Main Street, Chirnside, on July 28.

“He had been living with his parents and his sister at the time,” explained prosecutor Tessa Bradley.

“At 3.30pm, they were all standing in the porch area, when he lost his temper and rushed into the kitchen, got a knife, and walked towards his mother with the knife in his hand,” said Ms Bradley.

Solicitor Mat Patrick, defending, said his client had walked towards his mother with the knife in his hand.

“He accepts that this was disturbing and threatening for his mother,” said Mr Patrick.

Pagan was fined £300.

Cooker ripped from flat wall

A teenager caused over £2,000 damage to homeless accommodation.

Macrae Fairbairn, 19, of Florabank, Haddington, admitted, while acting with others, recklessly breaking a window, cooker, and ancillary fittings at a house at Inchmyre, Kelso, on August 9 last year.

Some £2,172 damage was caused to the property.

Fairbairn was fined £90 and ordered to pay £250 compensation.

He was fined a further £90 when he also admitted stealing two packs of lager from the Co-op in Kelso on July 1 this year.

Hawick cafe sweet thief

A sweet thief stole confectionery, juice, and food from a Hawick cafe.

Andrew Birney, 21, formerly of Sunnyhill Road, Hawick, and now living in Dumfries, admitted the theft after breaking into a cafe at Wilton Lodge Park between September 30 and October 1 last year.

He was sentenced to a Community Payback Order, with supervision, and 80 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within four months.

Co-accused Jordan Simpson, 18, of Minto Place, Hawick, also admitted the offence.

He had sentence deferred until November 16.

Both accused were on bail.

Benefit fraud pensioner

A pensioner falsely obtained over £4,500 benefits while doing seasonal farming work.

Roy Guthrie, 66, of Orchard Park, Kelso, admitted obtaining £1,637.16 pension credit to which he was not entitled, between August 25, 2012 and November 16, 2012.

He also admitted falsely obtaining £875.78 housing benefit between August 5, 2013 and November 10, 2013, and £2,208.06 pension credit between July 13, 2013 and November 15, 2013.

Sentence was deferred until December 1 for reports.

Hawick woman denies assault

A Hawick woman, charged with an alleged assault, will stand trial on November 17.

Marion Macnaughton, 59, of Cheviot Road, denies assaulting a woman by deliberately barging into her, at Cheviot Road, Hawick, on September 6.

Denies had baseball bat

A Kelso man has denied having an offensive weapon – a baseball bat – in the town.

Alan Brack, 40, of Abbey Row, Kelso, denies an alleged offence at Abbey Row, on August 29.

He will stand trial on December 3.

Crutch attack denied in Kelso

A 23-year-old has denied assaulting a man with a crutch in Kelso.

Jamie Hogarth of Rodger Fish Gardens, Kelso, denies an alleged assault at Horsemarket, Kelso, on June 7.

He will stand trial on November 17.

Man denies had illegal drug

A Galashiels man has denied possession of cocaine earlier this year.

Calum Jardine, 24, of Kingsknowe Place, denies having the illegal drug at Hawick Police Station.

He also denies threatening or abusive behaviour at Earlston Rugby Club, shouting and swearing, and uttering threatening remarks.

Jardine also denies obstructing two police officers on duty and struggling with them.

All three offences are alleged to have been committed on May 3. Jardine will stand trial on December 3.

For decades the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient Express has epitomised luxury travel and now Borderers have the chance to travel on its famous sister train.

The plan is for the Belmond Northern Belle to depart from Galashiels next July on a once-in-a-lifetime scenic evening excursion over the Forth Rail Bridge and back again.

Evoking the opulence of Edwardian rail travel, this luxurious yet intimate train will traverse the glorious countryside along Britain’s newest railway in the Borders.

Passengers will travel in one of seven beautifully detailed carriages, while being waited on by liveried stewards and enjoy the finest cuisine, wines and champagne.

Belmond Northern Belle entered service in 2000, and reflects the style of England’s ‘Belle’ trains and the Pullman carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

Plenty of seats are still available, which cost £250 per person and includes champagne, canapes and a sumptuous four-course dinner.

The ‘Spirit of Luxury Travel’ trip is being organised by Kath Lighbody, of Border Global Travel, to celebrate the Jedburgh-based agency’s 10th anniversary and raise money for local charity, Cash for Kids.

She told us: “This is a fabulous once-in-a-lifetime trip and what better way to celebrate a special event or anniversary, as well as raise money for charity and mark the return of the Borders Railway.”

Hawick’s 42-year town twinning relationship with Bailleul appears to be coming to an end after efforts failed to rekindle interest.

Hawick Community Council chair Marion Short said the town twinning group’s efforts have stalled and that “nothing is happening”.

Councillor Stuart Marshall says he is “at a loss” and admitted that the twinning group no longer exists.

Attempts were made last year to kick-start the relationship with the French town but the resignation of twinning chairman Alf Oliver once again brought things to a standstill.

Councillor Marshall, whose Provost Council was initially driving the new efforts, said: “The Provost Council met recently to address the ongoing problem of the formation of an effective town twinning committee and we seem to be at a loss as to how best to get this off the ground.

“While our current arrangements with Bailleul still exist, there is, however, no actual body or group to oversee exchange visits.”

Mr Marshall will now seek advice from other Borders town with twinning links.

He added: “It’s a real shame that while there is still a strong link with Bailleul, we in Hawick cannot get people to commit a small amount of time to this committee. I think one of the major reasons behind this is social media and more modern ways of people keeping in touch with friends overseas.”

Fellow Hawick and Denholm ward member Watson McAteer said: “We are currently in the process of gauging the interests of the primary schools where French language remains a curriculum activity.

“While there is some indication of wider support much more is needed if we are to secure this long-established relationship.”

A non-conformist Jedburgh teenager is beating the bullies by having his 16-inch-long hair cut off for charity – and then growing it back so that he can do the same again.

Charlie Marsden, 14, has been picked on, laughed at, ridiculed and called a girl by kids and adults alike.

But the brave youngster has recently raised over £3,000 for the Little Princess Trust and vows to do it again as soon as he can.

“I want to keep growing it and donating it until it stops growing,” said Charlie, a S3 pupil at Jedburgh Grammar School.

Charlie was quite calm during the cut, which was done at Jedburgh’s Silhouette Hair Salon, and admits he quite likes the new look but has decided to keep raising funds for the charity who provide real hair wigs for children suffering from hair loss.

“I would hate to have no hair myself so it just seemed the right thing to do,” he added.

“My friends and family were shocked when I told them what I was doing but everyone has been so supportive and encouraging.

“My BT mydonate page has been a huge success with support, lovely words and donations from strangers.”

The Little Princess Trust provides wigs free of charge. They work with suppliers and experienced hairdressers who are able to tailor wigs to the individual child’s needs, to give the most realistic look and feel possible.

Charlie’s page is open for another month at bt.com/charlieshair

Arthurshiel Rescue Centre has benefited by more than £750 after a fundraising three-day horse ride from Jedburgh to Ettrickbridge.

Adi Kay riding Fiadh, and Lynda Mays on Albus, set off on Tuesday, October 20, for the 40-mile journey, through Bedrule, Denholm, Cavers, Hawick racecourse, Drinkwater Hill, Ashkirk, the Dod and the Ettrick Valley.

Adi told us: “Fiadh and Albus are Highland ponies, which as a breed are good weight carriers and well suited to travelling many hours over rough countryside.

“Sourcing routes, places to stay and making sure that saddlebags contained necessary equipment meant preparation took several weeks.”

The ride raised £777 in total: £377 from sponsors and £400 from Adi’s proud husband Colin, who owns Cameron’s Bakery. Adi and Lynda thanked all who sponsored them, and all who helped to make their journey possible.

The Scottish Gamekeepers Association is following the recommendation of conservationists in asking for restraint to be shown in the shooting of woodcock this year.

The woodcock is a wading game bird of field and wood which, today, is shot in season at low densities in Scotland and is also prized as a culinary delicacy.

However, the secretive long billed birds, known for their mating or ‘roding’ displays, are in decline in the UK overall with the Scottish population faring better than other parts of Britain.

Mindful of the wider conservation picture, Scotland’s gamekeeping body is asking local shoots to show restraint and schedule any shooting for as late in November as possible.

This will allow the resident breeders, which are under pressure, to make their migration to more temperate parts, with the more plentiful numbers of wintering woodcock migrating here from the Baltics, Russia and Scandinavia.

The most recent science by Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and BTO stated there were 55,241 breeding males in the UK in 2013, a fall of 29 per cent from 2003.

Scottish Gamekeepers Association Chairman Alex Hogg said: “GWCT has done a lot of scientific work regarding these birds and we agree with their guidance that shoots should leave it as late as possible in November before shooting woodcock.

“While it is legal to shoot woodcock from September 1st, the majority of estates offering it don’t start this early in the season.

“However, it is sensible to minimise the pressure on the birds as much as possible to ensure the resident breeders get the best chance for future years and we will be encouraging our members to take these steps going forward.

“Shooters have always been receptive to conservation guidance, as was shown with black grouse, and those we have spoken to are happy to support the later start to help the resident woodcock.”

Although black grouse is still on the quarry list in Scotland, few are shot, with many shooters and estates actively involved in habitat and predator management for black game conservation.

A rural hotel, which employs 10 seasonal staff, has closed for good because of antisocial behaviour at a nearby picnic area.

Alistair Moody of Tibbie Shiels Inn at St Mary’s Loch said he made his decision following an incident last month when a firearm was allegedly discharged by people camping overnight at Oxcleuch Haugh – about 100 yards away on the banks of the smaller Loch of the Lowes and managed by Scottish Borders Council.

“On the same night my cat disappeared and has never been seen again, leaving me to contemplate the possibility it was shot,” said Mr Moody.

“Even it that was not the case, it’s the latest in a long line of unsavoury incidents which my staff and guests have had to endure.”

He claimed he had been involved in three “violent confrontations” with revellers from the Haugh this summer.

“There have been further incidents of people from the picnic area coming onto my licensed campsite through the night and frightening campers.

“The calm, peace and security of our legitimate business and the tourism experience of many visitors to this beautiful area are being ruined.

“I’ve now closed the bar and kitchen permanently and I’m advertising our ensuite rooms as holiday lets. I have pre-bookings for our campsite up until the New Year, but it, too, will close after that.”

Run as a picnic area by SBC’s ranger service under an agreement with Wemyss and March Estates, Oxcleuch Haugh has a large sign proclaiming “No Overnight Vehicular Parking”.

Mr Moody claims this ban is regularly ignored with people taking their vehicles onto the site, lighting camp fires and, on many weekends, indulging in noisy parties.

He said that when he raised his concerns at a meeting with council officers on May 1 this year, he had been assured SBC would consider installing CCTV, improving signage and raising verges to deter vehicle access.

A spokesperson for SBC said Oxcleuch Haugh was a popular site and that, under the Land Reform Act, the public had a right to camp there “responsibly”.

He said the council had agreed to investigate installing security cameras but had since been advised it could not do so on land it did not own.

He admitted the parking ban was “difficult to manage” but stressed that the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit within the Scottish Borders Safer Communities team had received no formal complaints about antisocial behaviour.

“The team says local police have not raised concerns about this area,” said the spokesman.

Mr Moody poured scorn on that response.

“All my complaints have been directed at SBC’s ranger service because they all relate to the area for which it is responsible,” he told us.

“Citing the Land Reform Act is a joke when the council knows full well it can prohibit camping on a designated picnic area, that campers are accessing the site by car and not by foot, horse or bicycle and when their behaviour is anything but responsible.”