IN their iconic 1988 song Cap In Hand, Craig and Charlie Reid understood that Stranraer’s lowly league position was due to the absence of a Hibernian goalkeeper, but were unable to fathom why Scotland was still under London rule.

After 24 years, the Proclaimers’ long held belief in independence is being fiercely debated in the lead up to the referendum of 2014.

But while ex-chancellor Alistair Darling launched the pro-union Better Together campaign this week, alongside the Scottish Conservatives’ Selkirk-born leader Ruth Davidson, and argued the country would face an uncertain future if it stood on its own, the famous twins re-affirmed their belief in an independent Scotland.

Speaking to TheSouthern ahead of the Proclaimers’ gig in Hawick on Sunday, Charlie Reid said: “Alistair Darling is right to say Scotland is in a state of flux, but with things changing so rapidly, I think we should have the chance to rule over our own lives.

“I want Scotland to have as much control over its destiny as possible and, if required, will help out the ‘yes’ campaign.

“Britain is not the country it was, certainly compared with my father’s generation, and I believe it will get weaker still over the next 20 or 30 years.

“The unionist campaign will claim we shall have no voice in Europe. Although we won’t have the same power as France or Germany, I would still rather have a voice than not be heard at all.

“I think there will be holes knocked in the arguments of both sides in the next two years but we do need an honest debate about Scotland’s future.”

The Reids’ Hawick appearance is their first visit to the Teviotdale town in “15 or 20 years”, according to Charlie, and is the first time they have been on the road for two years.

The show marks the beginning of a hectic second half of 2012, their 25th year in the industry since breaking into the public’s consciousness with their album, This Is The Story.

Having released their ninth album, Like Comedy, earlier this year, the Fife brothers will perform at a number of summer festivals as well as at the Singapore Grand Prix alongside Katy Perry, Maroon 5 and Noel Gallagher.

But whether it is the Borders or the Far East, Charlie says he is happy to play The Proclaimers’ well known and popular live setlist in front of any audience, anywhere.

“It doesn’t matter where we will be playing or the size of the location, as long as our voices hold up and the atmosphere is good,” said the 50-year-old.

“When we started, people used to tell us certain places had quieter audiences than others but we have never found that. Wherever we have gone for a live gig, the reception has always been great. We don’t expect Hawick to be any different.”

Looking back to 1987, when the Proclaimers signed up with a major recording label a month after their memorable performance on Channel 4 pop show The Tube, Charlie refuses to take too much credit for the pair’s rapid emergence.

He told us: “There was a lot of good luck. Some people don’t get the breaks and others get the break but don’t use it.

“We were fortunate to meet Kenny McDonald, who became our manager, and then tour with the Housemartins - both were the pivotal moments for me.

“People have asked if we would have gone on talent shows if emerging today but I don’t think we would have lasted two minutes. We would not be what they are looking for.

“If we were trying to break into the industry now, we would do what we did 25 years ago, and that was play live gigs.

“If you look at successful acts now, they either have lots of hit records and are a good live band or have a couple of hit songs but are well regarded for their live act. I think we fall into the latter category.”

A quarter of a century after the Reids’ Letter From America TV performance captured the public’s attention – and created plenty of impersonations – the siblings remain as dedicated to their music as ever.

Charlie said: “There is the buzz of writing a really good song and knowing you have heard it before anyone else.

“Then there is the thrill of the live gig, where the audience can create an atmosphere and the band can feed off that.”

Doors open for the Proclaimers’ show in Hawick Town Hall at 7pm. Tickets can be bought from Spences Music Shop in Hawick, or phone 0844 844 0444 or visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk

CENTURIES of education have come to an end at Ettrick school.

The area’s smallest primary closed its doors for what could be the last time earlier this week.

No children are enrolled for next year, so the school will not reopen for the 2012-13 session and its future hangs in the balance.

Scottish Borders Council education director Glenn Rodger said: “At this stage no decisions have been made regarding the long-term future of the school. Any proposals put forward by the council would be subject to a full public consultation.”

The school roll has fallen from 12 to three in the last five years and two of this year’s three pupils leave to go to Selkirk High School next term, with the remaining child going to Kirkhope.

Staff on Tuesday were packing up materials before a presentation and cake with head teacher Mo Brown.

Ettrick and Yarrow Community Council only received a letter saying the school was not re-opening next year in the last few days. Parents were informed earlier this month.

Chairman of the school’s parent council John Davidson said: “It’s sad, but it’s inevitable unless somebody decides to build a village or three or four families move into the area. People are really quite accepting of it. The council has been very supportive. It hasn’t pushed for closure and it put in as much resources as we have needed. It’s a very good school. But you can’t have a school if there are no pupils.”

Teacher for the last five years, Anita Branston said: “It has been a vibrant little school. It’s a really special place for children to be. We are trying as a team to foresee not the closing of the school but its reopening.”

Administrator for more than 20 years, Daphne Jackson said: “It’s shocking. Generations of neighbours have been coming through the school.

“My sons were here and my grandson would have been coming here. The very sad thing is if there is no school here the young people will move on and won’t come back. It’s terribly sad, but it’s for the future of the community that I’m especially sad.”

The school gained an excellent rating in a recent HMI inspection, as well as prizes in Burns singing and art competitions, eco-schools, an M&S eco challenge and, most recently, Hamish Reid’s painting won his class’ (P3) category in the Common Riding painting competition

One resident, who did not want to be named, argued more could have been done to save it.

“No attempt has been made to breathe life into the school in relation to the three-school partnership (of Ettrick, Yarrow and Kirkhope primary in Ettrickbridge). There is already transport arranged that goes up the valley, pupils could have gone to Ettrick one or two days a week.

“Ettrick Primary School is a priority rural school and any request for closure has to go to the Scottish Parliament. There has been no consultation on this issue.”

Education has taken place at Ettrick since 1725, Tibbie Shiels (of the St Mary’s Loch hostelry fame) was born a few hundred yards away and the Ettrick Shepherd, poet James Hogg, learned to read and write as a child at the school.

Staff have been offered other jobs.

Borders business women presented The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow with a cheque for £3,400 which was raised at the British Blind and Shutter Association’s (BBSA) annual dinner.

The fundraising event was organised by current BBSA president Mike Falla, his wife Viv and daughter-in-law Jodie, who live in Eddleston.

Morag Cunningham, director of fundraising and communications for the hospice spoke at the event and said:“We’re very grateful to the BBSA for nominating us as beneficiaries of its annual ball and delighted that the night was such a success.

“Reaching this outstanding fundraising total for the hospice is both testament to the generosity of the guests and the importance of the services that the hospice provides to its patients and families.”

The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, situated on the river Clyde in Glasgow, exists to help patients with life-limiting and terminal illness achieve the best quality of life possible in whatever time remains for them. This is done by providing clinical, emotional, social and spiritual care and support for patients, their families, children and carers. All care is free of charge. Annual running costs for the hospice will reach £4 million this year of which £2.6 million must come from fundraising and voluntary donations.

Organiser Viv Falla, added: “We’re delighted to support this very worthy charity which is close to all of our hearts.”

SCOTTISH Borders Council has been praised after homelessness applications in the region fell by over a third, writes Kenny Paterson and Mark Entwistle.

However, Shelter Scotland has also warned the local authority that evidence is needed to show how it aims to help people find a home in the long term.

Local homelessness applications fell by 37 per cent from 2010/11 to 2011/12, the fourth largest drop out of Scotland’s 32 councils, following last year’s introduction of a new homeless prevention service.

Shelter’s Graeme Brown said SBC deserves praise for being one of the first local authorities to meet the 2012 commitment on homelessness and ensuring every unintentionally-homeless person has the right to a home.

But he added: “Coming over a relatively short period of time, this big reduction indicates a major shift in policies and procedures within the council.

“Changes on this scale must be matched with evidence to show how the lives of people in need of a home have been improved for the long term.”

Cathy Fancy, SBC’s group manager for housing strategy and services, added: “We will continue to work together with those individuals facing a housing crisis to enable them to secure the most appropriate, affordable and sustainable housing solution to meet their needs to enable them to live independently in the community.”

Also this week, SBC executive members discussed the new strategy aimed at dealing with the growing number of empty houses in the region.

Currently, almost 1,200 private dwellings in the Borders are classed as long-term empty – double the national average.

The areas with the highest levels are Galashiels and Hawick, which also equate to areas of high unmet housing need.

Councillors approved the Empty Homes Draft Strategy and associated action plan, which now goes out to consultation.

THE Ettrick Shepherd James Hogg learned to read and write there, with education at Ettrick School dating back to 1725.

But on Tuesday those who are likely to be the last children schooled there said goodbye.

No pupils are enrolled for August and the primary will not reopen for 2012-2013.

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) education director Glenn Rodger said: “At this stage no decisions have been made regarding the long-term future of the school. Any proposals put forward by the council would be subject to a full public consultation.”

But locals fear the worst and say that unless families with young children move into the area they cannot foresee the facility reopening.

One parent, who did not want to be named, fears closing the school will adversely affect the community.

The incentive is to save money, the parent said, and feared that once the school’s resources – staff and equipment – were redistributed that would mean the end anyway.

In the last five years the school role has dwindled from 12 to what would have been one child for next year, but that child is moving to Kirkhope primary.

The parent argued that more could have been done: “No attempt has been made to breathe life into the school in relation to the three-school partnership (of Ettrick, Yarrow and Kirkhope primary in Ettrickbridge). There is already transport arranged that goes up the valley, pupils could have gone to Ettrick one or two days a week.

“Any closure has to be done with the engagement of the community – I would be very surprised if the community even knows about this closure, it’s been done in an insidious way.”

Legally there has to be consultation before a rural school is shut for good and the Scottish Parliament has to sign any closure off, the parent added.

Ettrick and Yarrow Community Council only received a letter saying the school was not reopening next year in the last few days. Parents were informed earlier this month.

Chairman of the school’s parent council John Davidson said: “It’s sad but it’s inevitable unless somebody decides to build a village or three or four families move into the area. There is the cost element, but it’s more about the wellbeing of the children, they need peers and I don’t think it would be fair to send one child to a school.

“The council has been very supportive. They haven’t pushed for closure and they put in as much resources as we have needed. It’s a very good school. But you can’t have a school if there are no pupils.”

Teacher for the last five years, Anita Branston said: “It has been a vibrant little school. We are trying as a team to foresee not the closing of the school but its reopening.”

Administrator for more than 20 years, Daphne Jackson said: “It’s shocking. Generations of neighbours have come through the school. My sons were here and my grandson would have been. The very sad thing is if there is no school here the young people won’t come back. It’s terribly sad, but it’s for the future of the community that I’m especially sad.”

The school gained an excellent rating in a recent HMI inspection as well as gaining prizes in Burns singing and art competitions, eco-schools awards, success in the M&S eco challenge and most recently Hamish Reid’s painting won his class’s (P3) category in the Common Riding painting competition.

The council is offering other employment to Mrs Jackson, Mrs Branston, janitor Alan Carrie, part-time teacher Meriel Anderson, classroom assistant Carole Howden and cook Fiona Bryson. Hamish will go to Kirkhope, while P7 pupils Angus Reid and Andrew Davidson move on to Selkirk High School.

SBC education portfolio holder, Councillor Sandy Aitchison said: “It is always sad to see a school in the position of Ettrick School. SBC will be carrying out a study to see what options are available for the school in the future and we hope we can come up with something of benefit to the community over the coming years.”

THERE has been bewilderment over news that the much-touted phase six of refurbishment work planned for Jedburgh Grammar School does not exist.

At this week’s meeting of Scottish Borders Council executive, Councillor Jim Brown (SNP, Jedburgh & District) said he was pleased to hear news of the bid for government cash for a replacement Kelso High School. But when he asked when refurbishment work would finally be finished on Jedburgh Grammar, helping to stop the haemorraghing of local pupils preferring to attend the new secondary at Earlston, and possibly any new Kelso High School, he was stunned to learn the answer was “never”.

Council leader David Parker told him: “There are no plans to do anything as regards a phase six of work at Jedburgh Grammar. The next place after Kelso would be Galashiels.”

Councillor Parker said there was a priority ranking system for school projects and Jedburgh Grammar was not on it.

“I don’t think Jedburgh will be on there for decades, given the primary school issues we are facing elsewhere,” he said.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Brown said he was very disappointed: “It now appears phase six of the work at Jedburgh Grammar was just a figment of our imagination in that it was never going to happen at all.

“I will be calling for a review of the situation. People in Jedburgh will be shocked by this – it is the first time it’s been spelled out quite as clearly,” said Mr Brown who cited the lack of a big enough assembly hall and poor state of the dining area as two of the issues.

Fellow Jedburgh councillor Sandy Scott (Con) told TheSouthern the issue of phase six was an on-going saga.

“Phase six of the Jed Grammar School was apparently not completed because the education department felt it had more pressing priorities, i.e. other schools were deemed to be in a more desperate state of disrepair,” he told us.

“This was backed up by the capital management group on the council – mainly elected members. Looking at the 10- year capital programme, Jed Grammar School is still not included, which I find very frustrating, and, sadly, there is not a great deal one can do about it, short of the school falling down.

“I constantly remind the director of education about phase six of the Grammar School and hopefully this will bear fruit eventually.”

Jedburgh Community Council chairman Richard Gordon was also disappointed, but was not surprised.

“Phase six was dropped from the capital programme a long time ago. To be honest, I think many people in the town have probably forgotten there ever was a ‘phase six’ planned and the time to fight strongly for it was probably when dropping it was first mooted,” he told us.

“Getting something back in, once it is removed, is always more of a challenge. Of course, if the original plans for Jedburgh back in the ‘90s had gone ahead, we would have had a new secondary school on a greenfield site a long time ago.

“Instead we got a phased upgrade which, no matter how well done, is never as effective as a new-build project.”

If you are aged 12 to 21, a summer activity programme has been organised in consultation with Tweeddale Youth Action’s Young People’s Youth Management Group, which is held every Wednesday 1-1.45pm at Peebles Youth Club, School Brae.

As well as continuing the drop-in every Wednesday, 6-8pm and Friday, 7-10pm, we have of trips, activities, workshops and community projects organised young people to participate in and contribute to. Most are free but you may need a packed lunch.

July 5: Paintballing £10 pp, 9am-3.30pm lunch inc

July 10: Coffee, cake and soup lunch fundraiser for summer

July 12: Community Project

July 17: Beach/mystery tour, 11.30am- 5.30pm.

July 19: Community project

July 20: Bowhill, Selkirk 1-5.30pm

July 24: Olympic day!

July 26: Walk to Neidpath, 1-4.30pm (picnic lunch)

July 28: Bag-pack at Tesco, 10am-4pm: volunteers needed

July 31: North Berwick Beach 11.30am-5.30 pm

August 2: Community project

August 6: Rewards trip, 10am-6 pm

August 10: Coldingham Bay beach, 10am-5.30pm, picnic lunch

If you are interested, contact us on Tel: 01721 724779 or e-mail: Jan@ishuze.co.uk.

We are happy for interested young people or parents to come and have a look at our fantastic facilities and join in with Peebles Youth Club Summer 2012.

TROUBLE flared in Hawick during the early hours of Sunday. Police were alerted to an incident in Baker Street around 2am.

Officers have confirmed that two local men, aged 19 and 20, were involved in a disturbance and both were arrested.

A spokesman for the Lothian and Borders force said they were issued with antisocial behaviour fixed penalty fines and released.

ST BOSWELLS

John Swan Ltd sold 66 clean cattle, 54 OTM cattle, 1953 spring lambs, 838 ewes

Bullocks (23) averaged 211p per kg (+4.2p on the week); heifers (41) averaged 212.2p per kg, (+0.2p on the week); 2 young bulls averaged 212.5p per kg, (n/c on the week); 54 beef type OTM cattle averaged 137.3p per kg, -2.3p on the week); 1953 spring lambs averaged 197.1p per kg, (-5.4p on the week); 838 ewes averaged £65.92.

Principal Prices per kg: Bee Edge 2.31, 2.25 M/s WTS Forsyth & Sons, 2.23 Robert Wilson Butcher; Wester Ulston 2.28 M/s WTS Forsyth & Sons, 2.21 M/s TA Shaw; Lurdenlaw 2.26 M/s J Gilmour & Co Ltd, 2.23 Forth Meat Ltd, 2.21 M/s Moor; Caverton Mill 2.24, 2.23 Charles Wilson Ltd, 2.24 Ramsay Family Butchers; Redden 2.24 M/s Hutton; Wester Middleton 2.22 M/s J Gilmour & Co Ltd; Corsbie 2.21 Denholm Meats; Penston 2.21 M/s J Gilmour & Co Ltd, 2.20 M/s R Pringle.

Principal Prices per Head: Lurdenlaw £1693.20,£1583.40,£1569.10,£1558.75,£1503.80; Longnewton £1497.60; Lennoxlove £1455.20.

Cows per head: Kaeside £1336.60, £1070.70; Buskin £1279.55, £1075.20, £1044, £938.40; 
Cockhall £1240.30, £1021.20; East Loanend 
£1226.70; Roxburgh Mains £1162.80, £1029.50; Cammerlaws £1144.80; Middlesknowes £1022.25; Stoneypath £1020.50; Angelraw £965.85;Bridgemill £942.50.

Cows per kg: East Loanend 1.74; Buskin 1.68,1.57,1.50,1.45; Kaeside 1.66, 1.63; Cammerlaws 1.59, 1.55; Cockhall 1.58,1.48; Roxburgh Mains 1.52;Kirktonhill 1.51,1.45; Colmslie 1.49; Priesthaugh 1.45.

Spring Lambs per head: Avge £80.28 per head. Suff.x £98.50 Stoneypath, £97.50 Lochside, £95 Northhouse, Tex.x;- £98 Howford (McSporran), £94.50 Upper Tofts, £94 Crookston, Bel;- £96,£88 Redden, £84.50 Wester Deans(McCormack), Char;- £83 Borthwickshiels, GF;- £82.50 Burncastle, £82 Harehead.

Principal prices per kg: Bel;- 226.5 Wester Deans(Purves), 222.4 Wester Deans (McCormack) Suff.x;- 214.3,204.8 Huntington, Tex.x;- 210 Upper Tofts, 207 Huntington.

Cast Ewes: Tex;- £103 Greenend, £97 Craigsford Mains, £95 Saughland, £93 Mossburnford, Suff.x;- £90 Lochside, £89 Hermiston, CM;- £85 Ecclaw, £83 Torwoodlee, Lleyn;- £81 Ruletownhead, BFL;- £81 Kaeside, Bel;- £79 Wester Deans (McCormack), Chev;- £79 Mossburnford, GF;- £75 Saughland, Hermiston & Stoneypath.

Rams: Tex;- £147 Huntershall, £127 Berryhill, £125 Huntershall, £109 Lochside, Suff;- £145 Lylestane, £131 Trows Cottage(Nelson).

WOOLER

AT their weekly Primestock Sale held at Wooler last Wednesday John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 1,614 lambs and 357 hoggs, young sheep and ewes.

Brighter weather conditions curtailed

accurate numbers slightly, participating vendors receiving excellent returns leaving last years trade well behind to average 205p

Leading prices per head:- Tex.x:- £104 Wrangham East, £97.50 Ladykirk, £94.50 (2) Great Ryle, £94 Ladykirk and Fenham Hill, £93 South Lyham, £92.50 The Hagg, £92 Clarabad Mill, £91.50 Great Ryle and No 8 Mordington, £90 Crookham Dairy and Clarabad Mill. Suff.x:- £103 Branton Eastside, £100.50, £97 Great Ryle, £95 Shotton, £94.50 East Fleetham and Brandon, £93.50 South Bellshill, £90.50 Kinross, Bamburgh. Ven.x:- £92 (2) South Lyham. Bel.x:- £90 Clarabad Mill.

Leading Prices Per Kilo:- Bel.x:- 227p, 218.8p Henlaw, 210.5p High Learchild. Tex.x:- 220.3p Linbrig, 219.7p, 219.2p Village Farm, Seahouses, 217.1p Bewick Folly, 215.8p Marshall Meadows, 213.8p, 211.3p Black Heddon, 213.2p Linbrig and Henlaw, 212.8p Thornington, 212.5p Henlaw, 212.2p Marshall Meadows, 211.8p Henlaw, 211.3p Thornington and Crookham Dairy, 211p The Hagg. Suff.x:- 212.3p Old Cambus, 208.3p Milfield

Demesne, 207.5p Branton Eastside, 206.3p Great Ryle, 205.8p Fenham Hill, 205.7p Kinross, Bamburgh, 204.9p Shipley Lane and Brandon, 204.7p Chesterhill, 202.6p High Learchild. Ven.x:- 203.5p South Lyham. Chev:- 202.7p Bewick Folly, 200p Humbleheugh. Char:- 210p Craighouse. Mule:- 200p Henlaw.

Hoggs and young sheep sold to:- Suff.x:- £105, £90 East Fleetham, £80 West Moneylaws. Tex.x:- £94 Berryhill, £83 Ladykirk.

Ewes forward in similar numbers, trade a bit more buzz to make returns slightly dearer on the week.

Leading prices:- Tex.x:- £118 Wrangham East, £115 Broadmeadows, £98, £94 Berryhill, £90 Marshall Meadows. Suff.x:- £99 West Longridge and Berryhill. Oxf:- £93 East Fleetham. Chev:- £90 Hillcrest Farming. Mule:- £85 South Lyham, £80 Howtel, Berryhill, Chesterhill, Ladykirk and West Longridge. Milk:- £85, £83 Baldersbury Hill. BF:- £74 Ladykirk.

Rams:- Suff:- £120 Thornington, £115 West Moneylaws.

THE weather held out for the recent Heriot open sheepdog trial on the airstrip field at the village’s Macfie Hall.

Past Swedish champion Mosse Magnusson and his bitch Dam (93 points) won top honours at the Heriot open sheepdog trial on the airstrip field at the village’s Macfie Hall.

It was a closely fought contest judged by Ian Fleming, one of the organisers of this year’s Scottish National.

Mr Magnusson, a Perthshire farmer, has won the Swedish title seven times and has represented Scotland. His partner, Lotta came sixth with her bitch, Net (90 points).

Hosts and organisers Julie Hill and Bobby Henderson made the most of home advantage: Julie came second with Mac (91 points) and fourth with Bahn (90 points), the special prize for outrun, lift and fetch and the top local prize, while Bobby came third with Skid (91 points).

The novice winner was J. Foster with Rock, and the best drive was won by K. 
Preston.

A trial has been held at Heriot for around 60 years, though not always annually.

A spokesperson on a flat but testing course with kind permission of landowner Matthew Walgate. It was a good day out for competitors and spectators were blessed with generally fine weather and some great prizes and raffles supplied by sponsors Stobo Castle, Crusader Arts, Traquair House Brewery and Marianne’s Pottery in Stow.”

ORGANISERS are hoping for good weather in the run up to Peebles Show next weekend.

New free parking has been organised for the event in Hay Lodge Park, one of the largest one-day shows in Scotland.

Secretary Jacqui Campbell said: “We look forward to bumper crowds.”

About 1,000 cattle and sheep and 400 horses are expected along with a busy poultry tent in the showground next Saturday.

Previous competitors in the show’s horse classes have included local show jumper Scott Brash, aiming to beat the world’s best at the Olympics in London this month.

Ms Campbell commented: “In recent years, sheep prize winners at the show have gone on to be sold for five-figure sums in the October sales and exhibitors travel from all over Scotland and the north of England to pit their favourites against some of the very best in the business.”

Main ring entertainment includes a display by the Inch Perfect Trials team, pushing trail bikes to their limits. Lauderdale Hunt will entertain, showing their pack and offering children the chance to meet the hounds. And there will be the a vintage tractor pull too when local organisations will compete to see which is the strongest.

“We hope the crowds will get behind their personal favourites and encourage them all the way,” said Ms Campbell.

The local 7Stanes mountain bikers will stage their displays, the popular education tent will feature arable crops this year and have as usual hands-on activities for children. There also be a dairy cow and former Howgate cheesemaker Rosemary Marwick will talk about and demonstrate cheesemaking. There will also be Scottish cheeses on display, cheese recipes and cheese-making tools on display.

Ms Campbell said: “The SWRI competitions will, as ever, be hard fought and, for those who like a little retail, the craft tent has been booked solid, with a waiting list, since April. Whether your shopping choices run to tractors, compost, books, jewellery or even original artwork, the trade stands are as wide-ranging as we can remember.”

Ms Campbell went on: “You don’t even have to leave the family pet at home as man’s best friend can compete in the dog show at 11am with classes including the waggiest tail and most beautiful eyes as well as more traditional showing classes and children’s 
classes.

“We would love to see as wide a variety of pets as possible in the children’s pet competition (3pm) to give the judge a real challenge!”

The pet and dog shows can be entered on the day at the dog ring and there will be more than 70 trade stands.

Entry to the showfield is £8 for adults, £4 for children with a £20 family ticket (two adults, two children)

A few days with sunshine last week changed the look of winter barley crops, bringing the prospect of harvest a little closer. The weather also allowed a spurt of silage making and brought a sliver of hope to those still trying to make hay.

“Late” is the word for almost every crop, either to change colour as winter barley has eventually done to something resembling ripeness, or for spring barley grains to fill, or for potato shaws to meet across the drills; if potatoes don’t develop that far, prospects for a reasonable crop dwindle.

Lateness seems to have helped strawberry and rasp crops. Immature, if there at all, during the worst of the rain, in the past week or two the relatively small areas of strawberries and rasps in our area have been ripening and quality is generally good.

On a national scale, I noted that a large-scale soft fruit grower said that picking difficulties and lack of demand because of the bad weather meant he was facing a loss of up to 20 per cent and the Scottish soft fruit industry as a whole, a loss of about £10 million.

Most of that industry is in Fife and Angus, under an increasing area of polytunnels, though growers in the Lothians and north-east Scotland have a reasonable share of the market.

In the Borders and north Northumberland, with production on a smaller scale, though no less professional, the number of pick-your-own operations has fallen.

I’m not sure if that is because PYO is less profitable or because not enough of us are prepared to bend our backs when fruit can be bought at supermarkets or, that rarity in the Borders, a greengrocer.

If the weather is good, I enjoy an hour or two picking fruit, though I wouldn’t like to try to make a living at it at so many pence per pound picked. That’s a job for the young and keen.

Although grain crops are gradually ripening, quality and price prospects remain uncertain. Nationally, the area of grain and oilseed is back to the high of 2008 at just over 3.8 million hectares, with oilseed a record 712,000 hectares. Almost a million hectares of barley, spring and winter, are growing, but surprisingly – given the publicity porridge has had as the most healthy way to start the day, and apparent demand – only 110,000 hectares of oats.

How those areas will convert to yields is another matter because there has been so little sun, and the same applies to potato yields. Grain quality is also likely to be lower than average. In spite of the worst US drought since 1956, which has had a severe effect on potential quality and yield, and drought in parts of Europe, which suggests shortages on the world market, quoted futures prices for grain are fluctuating wildly.

That is because possible grain shortages expected to increase prices have been counteracted by the problems of the Eurozone and a fall in the value of the euro.

Grain prices have always been affected by the world market. But when a farmer took samples to his corn exchange and argued in a more or less friendly way with a merchant about sixpence or a shilling a quarter, or a company traveller inspected grain in the granary, we didn’t realise that.

Now with big business dominating the grain trade and instantaneous communication, prices can slump or rise £10 a tonne and more in a few hours.

NFU Mutual, the big rural insurance company, reports regularly on the problems of, and increase in, rural crime. For farmers that usually means losing tractors, quad bikes, tools and equipment, fuel and livestock.

The Mutual recently commissioned research try to find how thieves operate.

Posing as delivery drivers or mechanics is one way. Offering to do minor maintenance work or vermin control is another, as is crop picking – establishing familiarity and trust. The problem, of course, is that many honest individuals offer the same services. And small-scale opportunistic thefts don’t inflict the financial damage caused by organised criminals targeting fuel and machinery.

The better news, according to the Mutual, is that work by insurance companies and police is reducing rural crime in some parts of the country. But the message, as ever, is for farmers and the rural community to stay alert.

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

Andrew and Gillian McCowan; reserve: J. & C. Fletcher

CATTLE

BEEF CATTLE INTER-BREED CHAMPIONSHIP: Renton & Redden Partners, Clarence House, Shielfield, Berwick upon Tweed

Reserve champion: Jan Boomaars, Stickle Heaton Farm, Cornhill on Tweed

ABERDEEN ANGUS: Best exhibit: Whittaker & Co Farms, Stickle Heaton Farm, Cornhill on Tweed, reserve T H Brewis, Lempitlaw, Kelso

Best group of one male and two female animals: Firm of Thomas Hodge, Rulesmains Farm, Duns

ow class winner: Firm of Thomas Hodge

NATIVE BEEF BREEDS: Best exhibit: G.R. Brooke, Linton Wold Farm, Kirby, Malton, reserve J.R.B. Wilson & Sons, Cowbog, Kelso

Best Hereford: J.R.B. Wilson & Sons

Best Hereford of opposite sex to champion: J.R.B. Wilson & Sons

Best group of three Herefords: J.R.B. Wilson & Sons, Cowbog, Kelso

CONTINENTAL BEEF BREEDS: Champion: Jan Boomaars, reserve: J.H.C. Campbell & Sons (Thrunton), Chathill, Alnwick.

Best Limousin: Renton & Redden Partners, reserve: J Watson, Bowsden Moor, Bowsden, Berwick upon Tweed

Best Simmental: A. & K. Gamble, Palace Farm, Crailing, Jedburgh, reserve: A. & K. Gamble

Best Simmental opposite sex to champion: A. & K. Gamble, reserve: A. & K. Gamble

OPEN YOUNG HANDLER: 16-21: E Ponder, reserve: Dane Ivinson

15 and under: Katie Gamble, reserve: Andrew Cameron/Neill Cormack

Sheep

SHEEP INTER-BREED CHAMPIONSHIP: Champion: Roderick Runciman, Allanshaws, Galashiels; rreserve: Alan Cowens, Philiphaugh Old Mill, Philiphaugh, Selkirk

CHEVIOT: National Cheviot Show: Overall champion: Roderick Runciman; reserve Alan Cowens
Best exhibit: W.J.C. & S.J. Weir, Mainside, Hownam, Kelso; Reserve: W.N. Douglas, Catslackburn, Yarrow, Selkirk.

Best exhibit of opposite sex to champion: W. N. Douglas

Best group of ram, ewe, gimmer and ewe lamb: W.J.C. & S.J. Weir; reserve: W. N. Douglas

NORTH COUNTRY CHEVIOT: Best exhibit: Roderick Runciman; reserve: W. & J. Thomson, Hownam Grange, Kelso

Best group of ram, ewe, gimmer and ewe 
lamb: Roderick Runciman; Reserve: W. & J. 
Thomson

LAIRG-TYPE CHEVIOT: Champion: Alan Cowens, Philiphaugh Old Mill, Philiphaugh, Selkirk; reserve: Kelsocleugh Farming, Yetholm

BLACKFACE: Best exhibit: Burncastle Farming Co. Burncastle, Lauder; reserve: Tollishill Farming, Tollishill, Oxton

Best opposite sex to champion: S. McClymont and Son, Tinnis, Yarrow, Selkirk; reserve: Tollishill Farming

TEXEL: Trophy: K.A. & R. Campbell, Drimsynie Estate, Lochgoilhead, Argyll; reserve: Steven Renwick, Craig Douglas, Yarrow, Selkirk

SUFFOLK: Best exhibit: Scott & Gavin Brown, Woodhead Farm, Gorebridge; reserve: Roseden & Lilburn Flock, North Middleton House, Wooler

Hugh Fraser Silver Salver: Roseden & Lilburn Flock

BORDER LEICESTER: Best exhibit: Mr & Mrs K. Irving, Kingfisher Farm, Rigg, Gretna; reserve: James W. Brown & others, Eildon Cottage, Mindrum Mill, Mindrum, Cornhill on Tweed

Exhibitor gaining most points: Mr & Mrs K. Irving

SCOTCH HALF-BRED: Best exhibit: W. Pate & Partners, Marvingston, Gifford, East Lothian; reserve: G.D. Pate & Sons, Stobshiels Mains, Humbie, East Lothian

Best pen of ewe lambs: G. D. Pate & Sons; reserve W. Pate and Partners

BLUEFACED LEICESTER: Best exhibit: R. H. Bell & Co, Roxburgh Mill, Kelso; reserve: W. Hedley, Corsbie, Earlston

SCOTCH MULE: Dunn Silver Challenge Cup for best exhibit: James Herdman, Edlingham Newtown, Edlingham, Alnwick; reserve: J. W. Fullerton, Corsbie, Earlston

UNREGISTERED SUFFOLKS: Champion: A.W. & B.T. Taylor, Belmont Farm, Kelso; reserve: Stewart Shaw, Smailholm Mains, Kelso

LLEYN: Champion: John Kingan, Laneside, New Abbey Road, Dumfries; Reserve: Bryan Walling, Over Whitlaw, Selkirk

ZWARTBLE: Champion: A. J. Thorburn, Holmlea North Road, Eastriggs, Annan; reserve: Charles Scott, Viewfields, East Middle, Hawick

BELTEX: Champion: S. Wood, Skene, Westhill, Aberdeenshire; reserve John J Barclay, Mid Brockloch, Maybole, Ayrshire

JACOB: Best exhibit: Stephen Dodsworth, Station View, Nawton, York; reserve: Stephen Dodsworth

SHETLAND: Champion: Mr & Mrs A. Bain, Bogg Holdings, Pencaitland; reserve: Mr & Mrs A. Bain

Best coloured exhibit: Mr & Mrs A. Bain; reserve: G. E. & J. Meikle, St Baldreds, Tyninghame, Dunbar

Best white exhibit: Mr & Mrs A. Bain; reserve: Mr & Mrs A. Bain

HEBRIDEAN: Champion: David Braithwaite, Ronaldkirk, Teesdale; reserve: Jonathan James, Hillside Cottage, Hyndfordwell, West Linton

Diversity group: G. J. Tulip, East High House Farm, Blanchland, Consett

BEST YOUNG SHEEP HANDLER: Joshua Thorburn; reserve: Lewis Runciman

PRIME LAMBS: Best pen: Robert Rennie, Sydenham, Kelso; reserve: J. W. Fullerton, Corsbie, Earlston

Horses AND PONIES

Champion mountain and moorland pony in-hand: Gavin Reilly, Nether Currie Rd, Currie; reserve: Mrs G. McMurray, Bellstown, Eaglesfield, Lockerbie

Champion mountain and moorland ridden pony: Anne Mitchell, Backdales, Denny; reserve: Mrs G. Whetter, New Shoreston Farm Cottage, Bamburgh

Riding pony youngstock champion: Mrs J. Cousens, Cromlix Stables, Dunblane, Perthshire; reserve: Mrs C. M. Duke, Little Hutton, Caldwell, Richmond

Champion brood mare: Rosslayne Stud, Raeburnhead, Kirkpatrick Fleming, Lockerbie; reserve: Miss L. D. Henderson, Hill View Farm, Longhorsley

Champion foal: Miss L. D. Henderson; reserve: Rosslayne Stud

Hunter pony breeding champion: Mrs G. Compton, Borrowby, Thirsk, reserve Mr & Mrs C. J. Anderson, Neither Stenries, Carrutherstown, Dumfries

Champion Welsh Section A: Gartconnel Stud, Killearn, Glasgow; reserve Mrs J. Cousens

Champion Welsh section B: Mrs A Bell, Moorland Close, Cockermouth; reserve: Miss S. Robson, Mosshouses, Howgate, Penicuik

Champion Welsh Section C & D: Mr & Mrs C. J. Anderson; reserve: Mrs J. Cousens

Lead rein and first ridden champion: Mrs K. Stewart, Fans, Earlston

In-hand Highland pony champion: Mrs G. McMurray; reserve: Anne Mitchell

Trophy for ridden Highland pony: Anne Mitchell, reserve Mrs J. Grant, Birks Cottage, East Heddon on the Wall, Northumberland

Highest placed registered Fell pony: not awarded

Best part-bred pony: Mrs C. M. Duke, Stable Cottage, Caldwell, Richmond

Best Shetland pony: Mrs Anne Roberts de Fernandez, The Secret House, Duns

Best Exmoor pony in-hand: Mr & Mrs I. M. Graham, Cleughside, Bailey, Newcastleton

Best Dartmoor pony: Mr & Mrs P. D. Tyler, Middle Park Farm, Pickhill, Thirsk

Champion in-hand Dartmoor pony: Mr & Mrs P. D. Tyler

Champion Connemara pony: Mr & Mrs F. P. Cowan, Scots Gap, Morpeth; reserve Mrs V. Williams, Coldside Farm, Stamfordham, Newcastle

Best Fell pony: Gavin Reilly, Nether Currie Road, Currie

Champion mountain and moorland working hunter pony: Mrs Laura de Wesselow, Swanstead, Belsay

Reserve champion mountain and moorland working hunter pony: Miss C. Young, Stables Cottage, Carberry, Musselburgh

Best working hunter pony: Mr & Mrs D. Mundell, Meigle Farm, Clovenfords

Best Borders working hunter pony: Grant Todd, Greenend, St Boswells

Pony Club inter-branch team jumping: Best senior team: Morpeth Pony Club, reserve: North Northumberland Hunt Pony Club

Best junior team: Tynedale Pony Club, reserve: Berwickshire Hunt Pony Club

Best overall exhibit, in-hand and ridden hunter classes: Andrew & Gillian McCowan, Horncliffe Mains, Berwick-upon-Tweed; reserve: Joanne & William Moran, Homer Hill Farm, Rainton Gate, Houghton-le-Spring

Best in-hand hunter: Joanne & William Moran

Best brood mare: Joanne & William Moran

Overall in-hand hunter: Joanne & William Moran

Best Borders-bred in-hand hunter: Bordergrove Stud, Yard Cottage, Mindrum, Coldstream

Best ridden hunter: Andrew & Gillian McCowan, reserve: Mr C. Storey, Halterburnhead, Yetholm

Best Borders-bred ridden hunter: Miss Fiona Hutcheson, Phantasy, Bonchester Bridge

Best ridden hunter over four years old: Mr C. Storey

Best ridden four-year-old hunter: Mr C. Storey

Best ridden small hunter: Mr & Mrs D. H. Burns, St Leonards, Hawick

Best Clydesdale: T. Tennant, Gilmanscleuch, Ettrick, Selkirk; reserve T. Tennant

Best Cydesdale, opposite sex to champion: Mr R. Morton, Stobilee, Cleghorn, Lanark

Best Clydesdale youngstock: T. Tenant

Best shire: John Fairbairn, Marshall Meadows, Berwick upon Tweed, reserve Gawin Ian Holmes, Park Nook Farm, Beamish, Stanley

Champion heavy horse turnout: Gawin Ian Holmes, reserve: John Fairbairn

Champion donkey: Mrs Lorraine Rae, Dukesfield Manor; reserve: Ms C. Armet, Old Coach House, Borthwick Hall, Heriot.

goats

Champion: Mrs E. Woodmass, Heugh Brae, Brampton, Carlisle; reserve: Mrs N. C. Brodie, Allfornought Farm, Waterbeck, Lockerbie

Best Toggenburg or British Toggenburg: Mrs E. Woodmass

Best Anglo-Nubian: Dr R. Torrance, Foxton Cottage, Thropton, Morpeth

Best British Saanen: Mrs V. Wood & Mr T. Maddison, Loud Farm, Stanley

Best goatling: Mrs E. Woodmass; reserve: Mrs E. Woodmass

Best kid: Mrs E. Woodmass; reserve best kid: Mrs V. Wood & Mr T. Maddison

Best milker: Mrs E. Woodmass

oTHER CLASSES

SHEPHERDS’ CROOKS: Best exhibit: Oliver Simpson, Williams Court, Jedburgh; reserve: Oliver Simpson

HORSE SHOEING: Cup: Devin Crerar; reserve: Brian Alexander

Best pair of shoes: Greg Crawford; reserve: Andrew Tennant

YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS: Team with highest number of points: Ednam and Teviotdale; reserve: Ednam

Member of Border Federation of Junior Agricultural Clubs with highest number of points: Ednam and Teviotdale; reserve: Ednam

POULTRY: Champion and reserve champion: David Taylor, Hurlford, East Ayrshire

Best hard feather: J. Rodgers, Tow Law

Best soft feather or true bantan: David Taylor

Best exhibit bred in current year: David Taylor

Best exhibit in waterfowl section: A. & J. Robertson, Kelso

Best exhibit in egg section: Louise Rennie, Sydenham, Kelso

Best junior: Monty Heseltine, Edinburgh

RABBITS: Champion: J. & C. Fletcher; junior champion: Josh Laidlaw

INDUSTRIAL SECTION: Most points: Jane 
Bell, Roxburgh Mill, Kelso; reserve: Jane 
Brydon

Baking winner: Elizabeth Kowbel; reserve: Rosemary Damerell

Floral art winner: Jeanette Wichary; reserve: Marion Hamilton

Best floral art arrangement: Marion Hamilton

Cup for preserves and produce: Jane Brydon; reserve: Jane Bell

Handicrafts winner: Katy Telford; reserve: Joan Duncan

Most points 9-14 years: Jamie Damerell; reserve: Carly Patterson

Most points 5-8 years: Jessica Damerell; reserve: Thomas Young

Most points under 5s: Ross Dagg; reserve: Jack Dagg & Ewan Peters

PET SHOW: Champion: Sam Bushnell with Maisie (medium dog x-breed); reserve: Ava Bremner with Joey (barn yard paraquet)

THE Border Union Show was blessed with sunshine on Friday and Saturday, much to the relief of competitors, show-goers and organisers.

The show went ahead after the layout was changed slightly because of the wet summer. The parade of champions did not take place because, with the changes, the cattle would have had to walk through the crowds to reach the main ring.

Berwickshire couple Andrew and Gillian McCowan’s stunning hunter Fusilier took the champion of champions while the reserve went to a rabbit owned by John and Carole Fletcher from Woolsingham, County Durham.

Kelso judge Jim Jeffrey explained: “The hunter was absolutely outstanding and a clear winner – the movement, style, it was so graceful it would have been very difficult to go past. And the rabbit was a most beautiful beast – you couldn’t help but look at it, it was beautifully presented, alert and with those ears.

“I thoroughly enjoyed judging the champion of champions.”

The McCowans, of Horncliffe Mains, had a good day. Not only did 13-year-old Fusilier take the hunter champion’s ticket after winning it at the Border Union last year, but their thoroughbred cross bay riding horse, Third Time Lucky, took the riding horse championship.

Sheep interbreed judge and former show committee member, Andrew Walton, was choosing a champion for a trophy given in memory of his grandfather, Joe.

He gave Roderick Runciman’s North Country Cheviot the nod, saying: “She handled tremendously well and when I let them go, she’s the one that went round the ring and said ‘I’m the champion’. She had that bit edge on anything else – she’s sharp and alert, extremely good on her legs and she went around that ring as if she owned it.”

Mr Runciman, of Allanshaws, Galashiels was winning both the breed championship and the interbreed title for the second year in a row. It was again with a gimmer, bred the same way, out of a homebred ewe and sired by Synton Bullseye.

Mr Runciman said: “She’s as correct a sheep as I could find at home. Winning today compares with winning the Highland [he took the breed championship earlier this year with Synton Bullseye]: this is our local show and it’s really good. There is a very good show of sheep here today.”

Mr Runciman bought Synton Bullseye, bred by Selkirk farmers Jock and Scott Davies of North Synton and sired by the homebred Allanshaws Doubletop, at Lockerbie for £2,200 as a one-shear.

Saturday’s winning gimmer was first in her class at the Highland Show in June.

Reserve went to Alan Cowens of Philiphaugh Old Mill, Selkirk with a three crop Lairg-type Cheviot ewe being shown for the first time.

The Berwick mother-and-son team of Helen Redden and Anthony Renton, of Clarence House, Shielfield won the cattle interbreed ticket with their prize-winning Limousin cow, Lodge Blush, with calf at foot

Mr Redden said: “We are absolutely delighted. It’s quite an honour to win an interbreed, particularly at Kelso where the standard of the native breeds is very, very high.”

Judge John McIntosh said: “She is a lovely cow and she has a beautiful calf. It was impossible to go by her.”

The reserve went to Jan Boomaars of Stickle Heaton Farm, Cornhill with his Charolais heifer, Vexour Flirt.

Commenting on the two-day event, show secretary Ron Wilson said: “We were delighted with the way the show went and delighted with the support of the exhibitors and the public. Once again the comments from many people were ‘what a friendly show’ and ‘what a lovely atmosphere’. The stewards, conveners and everyone involved in putting on the show did a fantastic job in difficult circumstances.

“Provisional indications suggest that numbers are very similar to last year, which is fantastic.

“We never had any doubt the show would go ahead but we moved things around and the only thing out of the norm was that we didn’t have the grand parade for the health and safety reason that we couldn’t walk the cattle through the crowds.”

POLICE are probing a forced entry at Scottish Power’s depot in Melrose Road, Galashiels.

Thieves escaped with various pieces of equipment and a number of high-visibility jackets. The raiders struck around 1.30am on Saturday. A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: “We are appealing for anyone with information about this crime to contact us.”

To qualify for entry you must be working or have access to a professional kitchen and commercial dining room and/or be a chef, apprentice, student or trainee in professional cookery with no more than four years of professional cookery experience.

You need to submit a two-course menu and detailed costed recipes for a main course and a starter or a dessert.

The main ingredients need to be based on Borders local, seasonal produce.

Your menu should be written up in the way you would present it to potential guests. You therefore need to consider how to communicate to guests in a way that makes them want to buy your dishes.

Your whole menu cannot exceed £4.50 in total cost. You need to calculate a price for each of your dishes that give you a 70 per cent gross profit.

Your dishes should be put on the menu at your place of work and be sold to real customers. Your line manager can set a sales price for the dishes that they find suitable. The customers will be part of voting for your dish. You will be issued with a voting form.

The voting will take place over a set period of time. You will be informed about this period by the judges.

The first step is an interview, where you will be able to meet all the other contestants. This will take place in a central location in the Borders.

Throughout the eliminations you will be asked to come up with new dishes, make changes to your initial menu and also to take part in a team cook-off session and participation in the Selkirk “Plant to Plate” food festival on September 2. The teams will be judged by a visiting celebrity chef.

The final winner will be announced through a final cook-off by the finalists at the Peebles Food Festival on October 28. Visiting Michelin star celebrity chefs will take part in judging the finals.

Good luck!

Johnny Streets, above, was 25 and a commis chef at the County Hotel, Selkirk, when he was unanimously judged the winner of last year’s competition. He started there as a kitchen porter and has been studying for a catering SVQ.

“I do everything from cleaning to preparation to services and sending out the food to customers.”

Johnny recently moved to Burt’s in his home town, Melrose.

In the concluding cook-off, very few points divided the dishes of the three finalists, Johnny plus Shaun Fagan of Marmion’s Brasserie in Melrose, and Susan Kay of Carfraemill near Lauder, the survivors from the eight young people who entered the competition.

“I would have been happy for any of the three chefs to win, they were all so excellently skilled and every dish was truly a pleasure to eat,” said judge Sandy Neil.

“What impressed me most about Johnny were his ingenious technical skills, and ability to nail flavour bang on the head. His velvety pear and onion veloute, and tomato consommé, I could have eaten for forever and a day. His stunning pudding kept me interested in every forkful, and left me puzzling: how did he do that?”

Photograph: Stuart Cobley

The killing times – this phrase as it reads could refer to many things. Although I have seen this leaflet many times, something about those words particularly struck me today. I stopped and just looked at those words and pondered why they were so pertinent to me at that moment.

Initially, the way I felt inside was that something I had kindled some hope for had been slain in my mind. Of course, like the phoenix rising from the fire, I know a new situation will emerge. However, a few layers into the box of leaflets that had been stored in a stone outhouse, I found a small dead tortoiseshell butterfly.

I picked it up and could barely feel the fragile wings. They had lost some of the scales that create their pattern. The touch, barely perceptible, was a metaphor for the aspirations that had filled my mind then scattered like ashes. The butterfly in Christian symbolism is a sign of resurrection. Therefore, a butterfly fluttering about in church is considered to be the spirit of one who has passed – the killing times.

When I parked up the ranger vehicle in the afternoon I saw a dead female greenfinch lying on the ground. I assumed she had flown into a window due to her position by an office building. I seemed to stand there for an inordinate amount of time looking at her wee body – the killing times.

Another thought that drifted through my mind as I looked at the leaflet was people’s fear of the death card in tarot cards literally foretelling a death. However, it more commonly refers to the death of a situation. Seeing the butterfly and the bird, their images still mixed in with my emotions, there were strange uncomfortable poignant signs of the delicacy of some situations in life.

What are the killing times as discussed in the leaflet? They are the violent clash between Charles II’s troops and the covenanters. The covenanters were Scottish Presbyterians who objected to English Episcopalian interference in their form of worship. Their name was given because they were supporters of the National Covenant of 1638, which asked followers to oppose English bishops.

When Charles II was restored in1660 many ministers left their parishes and began holding open-air services. The legendary sites where these clandestine meetings were held are celebrated in history. Though many of the stories associated with the sites tell of execution. A series of interpretative leaflets for the Southern Upland Way includes the killing times.

Along the way there are 17 places of interest linked with covenanting history – 15 are on the western section, only two on the eastern section. In 1645 the Marquis of Montrose knocked on the door of Traquair House, but was not admitted. He had fled a Covenanting Army at Philiphaugh who had routed his Royalist troops. He followed the high Minchmoor Road.

In between Melrose and Lauder is the Covenanter’s Well. The structure of the well is no longer there, but the spring that fed it still issues forth. There is something symbolic about the water continuing to flow and the kirk in Scotland surviving despite pressures from other denominations. Nowadays, the churches of Selkirk support each other rather than working against their historical differences.

One of the most emotive stories about the execution of covenanters is marked by the Martyr’s Tomb at the Caldons in the west. The memorial in the woods commemorates six covenanters who were shot as they prayed.

So even before I had looked more closely at the history behind the phrase I had conjured up some deeply set personal meaning.

The killing times had linked what seemed like inconsequential tiny happenings during my day.

The evocative nature of the words combined with my tender emotions, imprinted on my thoughts. The phrase the killing times conjured up anger, hate, desire to find peace, the abrupt end of something, and at the same time made every small experience seem huge.

Wind and drizzle were the order of the day as I set out with the forlorn hope of seeing something interesting to write about.

Cauldshiels Loch near Melrose is usually a good bet at this time of year, so the venue was decided.

When I arrived, I was struck by the lack of bird song in the woodland, due no doubt to the weather and the fact that most birds are into their annual moult now and are keeping a low profile.

On the water were a few motley-looking mallards, also in mid plumage change, and a pair of mute swans with one surviving cygnet from what would have been a much bigger brood.

I heard the whinnying call of a little grebe but it was hidden in the reed bed.

With little of interest in the woodland on the northern shore I walked round to the south side which is more open.

The unimproved grassy banks were peppered with the tiny four-petalled flower called tormentil.

It is one of our commonest grassland flowers. The name tormentil is said to be derived from the Latin tormentum, from its herbal use as a remedy for the relief of stomach cramps and diarrhoea which were enough to torment anyone.

The almost permanently high level of the loch means that access is extremely difficult on the south side, with the lochside track being submerged for most of its length.

It is unfortunate because this area is the most interesting from a wildlife point of view.

On the water are rafts of the lovely pink-flowered amphibious bistort and hundreds of orchids grow in the wet margins along the water’s edge. As I walked through the long grass, I disturbed several ringlet butterflies and common blue damselflies, which were sheltering from the elements.

By the time I regained the welcome shelter of the car, I was quite surprised at how much I had seen despite the unpromising conditions.

It just illustrated that no matter how bad it looks outside, dress up appropriately and get out into the countryside.

There’s always something interesting to look at and new things to discover.

Langholm celebrated its age-old traditions and customs on Friday as hundreds of exiles and visitors joined the townsfolk for the annual Common Riding.

It remained dry, and at times very warm and sunny, with only a short shower at the games in the afternoon, and the entire festivities were enjoyed enthusiastically.

For those who could not make it back for the Common Riding, the following verse sums up their thoughts:

Were God to grant one wish, I’d choose,

To walk by Wauchope, Esk or Ewes,

And be where heather blends with sky,

On that last Friday in July.

Rain early on the Simmer Fair Night, Thursday, eased off in time for a good crowd to be entertained by the Langholm Town Band in the Market Place, and they were later joined by Langholm Pipe Band.

Cornet Andrew Elliot and his right and left-hand men, ex-cornets Lee Earsman and Graeme Murray, were joined early on Thursday evening by the Common Riding committee to inspect the crown made by Les Murray, and look at the gigantic thistle.

As is tradition the Flute 
Band and Pipe Band went to 
the Townfoot to meet the last train at 9pm. The railway closed in 1964, but before that large numbers arrived by 
rail and were led to town by 
the bands. The bands played up the High Street and perambulated the town followed by several rows of enthusiastic followers.

Townsfolk were roused from their beds at 5am on Friday by the Flute Band in preparation for the hound trail, and the hills were shrouded in a thick mist. Things had cleared a bit for the trail, which was narrowly won by Text, owned by Ian and Barbara Telford, at odds of 3-1. There was disappointment for the local dogs trained by Marti Borthwick, with Castle Cairn and Castle Corrie second and third. Castle Cairn was awarded the prize for first maiden home.

Barbara Telford was later presented with the Arkleton Trophy and Holmwood Cup by Kevin Knott at the Town Hall and the hound certainly seemed to enjoy the occasion as it looked over the front of the stage to accept the applause.

Cornet Elliot, 30, who farms in the Ewes valley, and his right- and left-hand men made their way along a sunny High Street, to the platform slightly ahead of the official time and officiating magistrate David Stevenson went down for a short chat before proceeding with his duties proper.

Mr Stevenson mentioned the semi-jubilee cornet, Robert Rae, who was on horseback with his son Ross and daughter Lyndsey, and his wife Judith who was following on foot. He also said that jubilee cornet Bill Harkness, who now lives in Ayrshire, was on the platform with his wife Alexa.

Presenting Cornet Elliot with the town standard, Mr Stevenson said it showed the high regard he was held in when the public elected him on the first time of standing. He was following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, John Young, cornet in 1950, and uncle Billy Young, who carried out the duty in 1984.

He urged him to carry the flag with honour and dignity.

The cornet’s mother Ann and grandmother Jean and other family members watched from the platform as the procession, led by the Barley Banna emblem, carried by Hector Barnfather standing in for Ian Borthwick, followed by the Town Band, set off up the High Street.

It was then over the bridge which joins the Old Town to the New Town and was build by Robin Hotson in 1778, and which the famous Thomas Telford worked on as a young man. The procession went up Thomas Telford Road and round the Square Pump, then back through the packed High Street and down to the Townfoot.

On the return to the Market Place, Rae Elliot cried the Langholm Fair, having taken over the duty in 2003, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He climbed on to the back of the horse ridden by Iain Little, which proved a bit frisky at times, but was held secure by some of his friends.

Large numbers of people lined the steep slopes of the Kirk Wynd and Mount Hooley to witness the spectacular gallop of about 180 riders up to the hill.

After inspecting the ancient boundaries in fine conditions, and hearing Billy Young cry the fair at the Castle Craigs, the horses circled the monument built to Sir John Malcolm in 1835. Semi-jubilee Cornet Robert Rae was given the honour of carrying the flag for a while on the hill. The riders made their way to Whita Well then to Mount Hooley, where they were met by the bearer of the thistle, James Johnstone, and the floral crown held aloft by Kevin Irving, and hundreds of children with heather besoms.

The procession, complete with the bands, emblems, children and riders, was led off by the Pipe Band down the Kirk Wynd to parade the main street. Rae Elliot cried the second part of the Langholm Fair, again in excellent fashion, which ended in loud cheers. The band played Auld Lang Syne then the procession headed along Drove Road and the Bar Brae.

At the Kilngreen, the boundary sod was cut by spade-bearer Gordon Reid and circled by Cornet Elliot and his mounted supporters.

After fording the River Ewes, and rounding the sod that was cut on the Castleholm, Cornet Elliot was given a rousing cheer as he galloped past the grandstand in the cornet’s chase with a large cavalcade of riders in pursuit.

This was followed by the morning horse racing, mainly for riders who had followed the cornet round the marches. There was a sports programme in the afternoon of horse racing, athletics and Cumberland wrestling, along with Highland dancing, which took place in fine weather.

The dance in the evening went ahead in fine, dry and mild conditions at the Castleholm with music from the Langholm Town Band under conductor David Calvert, and the cornet led off the traditional polka.

At 8.45pm the procession gathered at the Lodge Gates for the closing ceremonies, and when Cornet Elliot and ex-Cornets Earsman and Murray joined them on horseback, the Town Band led off towards the town. There were the usual stops at the Kilngreen, Crown Hotel and Townfoot for the polka before the huge procession arrived back in the ancient Market Place, which was packed with people.

David Stevenson received the flag back from Cornet Elliot and congratulated him on a job well done and said his late father would have been a proud man. There was an anxious moment as the horse seemed to suddenly rear up, but the cornet soon had things under control. Cornet Elliot thanked his family, Common Riding committee and all concerned for a great day.

After three cheers for the Cornet another truly memorable Langholm Common Riding came to an end with Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem.

Cornet Elliot certainly enjoyed himself as he had a constant smile, and he carried out his duties from the day he was elected with great enthusiasm.

z Common Riding extra: Page 33