The new Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing, has admitted that late CAP payments to farmers have not been made quickly enough.

It comes ahead of the referendum on Britain’s future in the EU, and after the finance watchdog Audit Scotland described “serious cost and operational issues” in the payment system.

So far, only around 80% of Scottish farmers have received their Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments.

The Scottish government said that it was focused on paying crofters and farmers before the 30 June deadline.

And if the system does not meet European Commission regulations by that date, the Scottish government itself could face a penalty of between £40m and £125m.

Under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), about £4.6bn in European and Scottish government funding are expected to be paid out between 2015 and 2020.

Mr Ewing, in a ministerial statement on Tuesday, May 31, said that the government was “sorry” for the delays, and promised to make the delivery of 2015’s payments a priority.

Addressing his fellow MSPs at Holyrood, Mr Ewing stressed he is confident everything possible is being done to meet the June deadline

Caroline Gardner, Scotland’s Auditor General, said this week:“The CAP Futures programme has been beset with difficulties from the start. These problems, and the way they have been dealt with by the Scottish government, are a serious concern, particularly as the programme continues to face major obstacles and is unlikely to deliver value for money.”

Ms Gardener added it is vital the government ensures the IT system is fit for purpose

“The scale of the challenge ahead should not be underestimated,” she said. “It’s vital that the Scottish government take steps now to ensure the IT system is fit for purpose, and fully assess the potential financial impact if it’s unable to meet the Commission’s regulations within the programme’s remaining budget.”

A Berwickshire landowner also had his say on the issue in the House of Lords this week.

Speaking on May 25, Lord Palmer of Manderston, Scotland’s former representative to the European Landowners’ Organisation, described the situation as “unacceptable”.

He said: “The distribution of the single farm payment to farmers in England, Wales and Scotland is another unacceptable scandal. It is causing real hardship for those of us affected.

“We live in a crazy agricultural environment, with bottled water being more expensive than milk.”

The Brand family’s 45 ewe Eastfortune flock of Hampshire Downs has scored a hat-trick having secured the top Scottish accolade for the third consecutive year in the breed association’s annual awards and for first time ever in its 126 year history.

The East Lothian flock, which was judged on breed type and overall conformation took the top spot in three sections – for medium flock, breeding and shearling ewes - before being awarded the best Scottish flock and also pipped in to reserve position for the overall championship.

Judge Kevin McCarthy commented: “Eastfortune was established just five years ago, however the fact it has successfully developed so quickly and achieved such uniformity is testament to the stockmanship of Richard, Janey, their son, Grant and daughter-in-law, Jane. The breeding ewes are all of a type, strong bodied with good length and size, while the flock’s stock ram, Eastfortune Angus is exceptional with great length, size and muscling, and is one of the best rams I saw whilst judging the award which took in 42 UK flocks.”

Grant Brand said: “We are delighted Eastfortune is the first ever flock to win the top Scottish award and reserve overall UK champion flock for the third year in succession, a feat which has never before been achieved by any other breeder.

“We select only the best lengthy strong standing sheep true to type with good colour and only after that, the performance recording and CT scan data collected is used to help the final selection process. This process allows us to produce a great all round Hampshire fit for all roles.”

He added: “The Hampshire breed works well for us; the ewes lamb easily, make great mothers and produce very lively lambs which require little attention after birth and fit within a low input system.”

Scottish gamekeepers and estates believe controlled muirburn will become an essential management tool to limit future devastating wildfires in Scotland, as the UK climate warms.

While the public has enjoyed higher temperatures of late and predictions of a warm summer, dry weather increases the risk of wildfire with The Scottish Wildfire Forum issuing a warning for most of the country.

That warning came after firefighters and landowners worked to contain two fires in the north of Scotland last month which spread over seven square kilometres and left resources stretched.

Gamekeepers practice controlled rotational burning of strips of moorland, in set seasons, to rejuvenate heather as a protein source for red grouse and food for a range of moorland species.

This burning of the heather, informed by the Muirburn Code, removes old and dry surface vegetation, one of the principal elements causing accidental fire to intensify and spread.

Burning in strips or patches also creates vital fire breaks, preventing flames licking unchecked across vast areas and potentially destroying breeding habitats of conservation-listed birds.

Gamekeeper Ian Hepburn said: “Muirburn is a beneficial practice, for a variety of reasons.

“If the heather on the moors is not being managed by controlled burning and the creation of firebreaks, all it takes is a strong wind in the wrong direction and an accidental fire will just take off.

“It takes an awful lot to get it under control, when that happens, not to mention the strain on the resources of the fire service.

“There are some with agendas who are critical of muirburn but it will be increasingly important in controlling wildfires in future.”

I am sure we are not unique in regularly being completely full and also having an ever growing waiting list of pets, and their owners, in real need of help.

In most rescue centres I am sure they will feel just like us - sometimes it feels that we could do with a centre twice as big just to cope with the demand for spaces!

Building additional accommodation that is suitable for cats, dogs and rabbits costs a fortune. All pens and kennels need to be fully designed and built to meet the highest animal welfare standards and with this comes expense and time to put them together.

If people call to place their pet with us when we are full, and have long waiting lists, we sometimes suggest that we could put the details of the animal, along with photos, onto the Home from Home section on our Facebook site. The downside to this though is that we don’t have any control or responsibility over the rehoming process.

Far better is to have a network of foster families who could help out, either with new animals or with animals struggling to cope with centre life. We would come to do a quick home check, just to make sure that you have what we are looking for and to give you a rundown on how the process would work.

Basically, if it’s a new dog from our waiting list, for example, or a dog that was not coping at the centre, we would ensure that the pet was assessed to make sure it was not aggressive or suffering from severe behavioural or medical issues. Assuming that it was a nice friendly pet we would call you to see if you were in a position to look after it for a period until a space was available at the centre.

We would cover all costs, including food, cat litter, sawdust, hay etc as well as paying for any medical procedures whilst in your care. We believe that your help with fostering should be matched by ours in the form of covering all costs incurred. We would keep in touch for regular updates and would always be available should any problems arise.

This really is such an important option for us to have available.

We are desperately short of foster families, especially for dogs, so if you feel you could help in any way please do get in touch. Our contact details are listed on this page so give it a go and we can have a chat to go over the details.

Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE) has named Jim Pettigrew as its forthcoming chairman, replacing Sir Ewan Brown who is retiring from the role.

Pettigrew is currently chairman of Clydesdale Bank’s parent group CYBG, and recently came to the end of his 12 months as president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), handing the reins over to Ken McHattie, chair of onshore energy company Aurora Petroleum.

Edinburgh-based SFE said Pettigrew brings more than 30 years’ experience to his new position, including group finance director at electronic broker ICAP and chief executive of spread-betting firm CMC Markets.

Brown said: “Jim has worked across a range of financial services sectors and the expertise he brings with him will be tremendously valuable to the work of SFE.

“It is a time of fast-paced change in financial services and the landscape in which we are operating, both in Scotland and internationally, is constantly evolving. With this in mind, we have embarked on a number of new initiatives at SFE to bring together a shared strategic direction for the industry in Scotland and its part in society.

“It is, therefore, an excellent time for Jim to join and help shape this vision for the future. I wish him well and I am confident that under his leadership, the SFE board, together with chief executive Graeme Jones, will continue to successfully represent and support Scottish financial services.”

Pettigrew said financial services is a “hugely important” sector for Scotland, and he added: “I feel privileged to have this opportunity to play a part in supporting and promoting the industry.

“I look forward to working with Graeme and SFE members to develop a shared vision, which places the industry’s role in society and serving customers, firmly at its centre.”

Clydesdale is a member of SFE and launched on the stock market in February. Pettigrew takes up the post on 1 July.

ANCRUM

Heritage launch

Ancrum and District Heritage Society’s launch meeting – open to everyone – will be held in the village hall on Monday, June 6, at 7pm (£2 admission). It features a talk by Dr Chris Bowles (council archaeologist) entitled “The Mantle Walls – 2012 Big Dig and Finds”.

ASHKIRK

Village hall

Kelvin Beattie will be the afternoon’s guest speaker for a gathering in the village hall on Tuesday, June 7. His topic is “The Men’s Shed”. Promoted as “part of a new movement which is gaining momentum throughout the region”, this is a chance to learn more about this initiative, where activities include carpentry, repair, tool renovation, furniture making, model engineering and gardening.

bedrule

SWI

Members and guests enjoyed the May meeting when member Adele gave a slideshow and talk about her recent photographic trip to China. Competition – loveliest china tea cup and saucer – 1, Molly Marshall; 2, Margaret Taylor; 3, Liz Ramsay.

Whist

Thanks to all who attended the May charity whist in aid of the BGH Lung Fund in memory of Jocky Palmer, a regular domino player. £200 was raised.

BORDERS

Hillwalking Club

Seventeen members of the Scottish Borders Hill Walking Club met at Vindolanda on Hadrian’s Wall on Saturday, May 14, in warm sunshine and under azure skies. It was the Allendale weekend based in Hexham, with Sunday being the official club walk. Optional extra walks were offered on Saturday and Monday. The Roman Wall walk was a very enjoyable day of hiking from Housesteads Fort along the Wall Path, near the crest of the ancient structure. After following the rolling contours of the Whin Sill on which the Wall was built, members left the immediate environs of the Wall itself and continued through the adjacent countryside in all its May glory and varied scenery. The weather just seemed to get better and better and many fragments of the Wall were encountered, passing a Roman milestone near Vindolanda before climbing up to the venerable barrier again and completing the 12-mile hike back at Housesteads. A wonderful meal at the excellent Beaumont Hotel in Hexham rounded the day off nicely. Sunday, May 15, dawned fine and sunny for the official walk and members travelled through beautiful Allendale to the start point near High Sinderhope. A footbridge over the East Allen Water led to the Blackway, a road and track into the hills. Passing Knock Shield and High Knock Shield members headed south west to find the road was becoming a track, waymarked as ‘Isaacs Tea Trail.’ This is named after an itinerant peddler of teas who wandered the paths and byways of the district in Victorian times, when life was invariably tough for ordinary people. Penetrating ever further into the high moors many shooting butts were passed, this being primarily a grouse moor. The calling of lapwings and curlews was much in evidence, as well as the loud, startled cry of grouse disturbed from their hiding places in the heather. All around was the wide sweep of Allendale Common and Swinhope Moor, the vistas being breathtaking below drifting, white clouds. At Carrshield Moor and Scum Hill, the route turned south east to climb up to Shivery Hill and a narrow, little-used hill road. A convenient hollow proved to be a good place for lunch. Thereafter everyone descended to the road and turned down a track into the valley of the Swinhope Burn to reach an abandoned mine, complete with spoil heap. The whole area had once been the scene of extensive lead mining and the evidence of this is still apparent. Keeping to the left bank of the burn, members reached Hope Head, Blackcleugh and High Hayrake, all small farms or farm cottages clustered near each other. Leaving the road on a marked path, it was then over fields and by skillfully built dykes to Elpha Green near the hamlet of Spartylea. From there they followed the East Allen Water again by Swinhope Shield and up Shield Bank to a stretch of woodland. After walking over more fields the Blackway was reached and the walk was completed down to the start point on the opposite side of the river. Once more the dinner and social evening at the Beaumont, was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Next walk: The Hirsel, Coldstream. Parking at Dundock Wood. Grid Reference: OS Map 74 – 819397. For more information, contact the walk organiser, D. Spence on 01750 32733 or E. Horsburgh, club secretary on 01750 76214. On Monday, May 16, some club members met in the pretty, stone-built village of Blanchland on the boundary between Northumberland and Durham for a final walk to complete the three day programme. It was another fine day and the woods around the village were bursting with life. The small group which had lingered after the challenges of the weekend, enjoyed this gentle walk and returned home with good memories of a very successful weekend. Many thanks to Rodger and Mike for their excellent organisation of what was a superb event.

BOWDEN

Coffee morning

There will be a coffee morning this Saturday, June 4, in Bowden Village Hall from 10am to noon in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

Cogsmill

SWI

President Mary McTaggart welcomed members the introduced federation president Caroline Tullie, who demonstrated quick and simple cookery. The cream teas, in conjunction with the hall committee, is to be held on Sunday, July 10. The competition for open snack on biscuit or bread – Christine Laidlaw. Funny coaster – Chrissie Brain, Rae Wilkinson and Mary McTaggart. Next month’s outing is on Wednesday, June 15.

denholm

Queen’s birthday

Denholm’s contribution to the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations will be held on Sunday, June 5, from 1pm on the village green. A pipe band and Riddell Fiddles will make appearances at 2pm and 3pm respectively. Other attractions include five-a-side football (teams on the day), children’s games, races, rounders and a barbecue.

EARLSTON

Parish church

The service on Sunday, June 5, at 10.15am will be conducted by Rev Julie Woods. The next service in the lounge at Hanover Housing is Tuesday, June 7, at 3pm.

Paths Group

The Paths Group will hold its annual general meeting on Tuesday, June 14, at 7pm in the small lounge at the Black Bull Inn. The meeting open to anyone interested in the work of the group.

Lunch club

Earlston Lunch Club meets every Thursday at 10.45am in Hanover Close. On May 19, proceedings started with a game of dominoes, then lunch, followed by entertainment from Stuart Anderson on the accordion. The next gathering began with card bingo. After the meal, a quiz was held. A demonstration by hairdresser Morag from Aquarious is a feature of the next meeting on June 2.

edgerston

Callant’s visit

Jethart Callant Gary Hogg and his Henchmen will visit Edgerston Village Hall on Wednesday, June 8, 7pm for 7.30pm, for a buffet meal (£5), entertainment and a presentation. All welcome. Phone Christine on 01835 840246 for further information.

Charity shoot

Edgerston village hall held its second annual charity clay shoot on Sunday, May 22, at Edgerston Tofts by kind permission of the Anderson family. The committee is grateful to course designers Ian and Billy Braithwaite, and all volunteer helpers, including a contingent of 10 air cadets who were each given a free shooting lesson. Sponsors included Bisley at Braidwood, Cessford Motors and Roxburghe Shooting School. A cheque was presented to Help for Heroes and the village hall shared in the proceeds.

Ettrickbridge

Eco fun day

Kirkhope Primary School are having an eco fun day on Saturday, June 4, from 11am-4pm. Come along and enjoy eco-based activities for all the family. Entry is free. Refreshments are available all day.

Village Hall

The next monthly coffee morning and sale in aid of hall funds will be held in on Saturday, June 4, from 10am to 12 noon. Anyone with something to sell should turn up, take a table and give a small donation to hall funds.

galashiels

Probus

At the final meeting of the season last Thursday, members were addressed by Derek Phillips, in the guise of Captain William H. Wilcox of the Union army in the American Civil War. Captain Wilcox enlisted on December 1, 1861. He was a topographic officer and ranked as a second lieutenant. In April 1862, he arrived in Washington where he was part of the Washington Defences. The army received simple training which consisted mainly of drill. In the winter of 1862, Captain Wilcox was sent to Fredericksburg as a staff officer. The next Probus club meeting is on September 8 at the new venue of the Waverley Castle Hotel when Keith Robson will talk about walking in the Borders.

Trinity church

The Reverend Elspeth Harley led worship on Sunday, with Dorothy Howden leading praise. Ed Martin read the lesson. Session clerk Bill Cheyne announced that the joint guild

Turn to page 46

From page 45

coffee morning for Christian Aid had raised £336. There is to be a coffee morning in aid of church funds on Saturday, June 4, in the church hall. The following day sees a short communion at 3pm in Caddonfoot Church. Anyone who wishes to attend, but doesn’t have transport, should speak to Bill Cheyne or the minister. Bible study continues on Wednesday at 7.30pm in the church office.

St Peter’s Church

Communion will be held on Thursday, June 2, at 10am. The usual Thursday morning study group and soup lunch will not take place for a few weeks until the group finds a time and place that suits everyone. The Sunday, June 5, family service starts at 10.30am, followed by coffee. Thursday, June 9, at 10am sees communion, followed by study group and soup lunch. Saturday, June 11, 12.30pm, soup ‘n’ pud lunch; Sunday, June 12, 9.30am, Sunday Squad followed by juice and toast; 10.30am, sung eucharist followed by coffee; 6pm, healing and anointing service.

Glendouglas

Lunch club

The next lunch club gathering is on Wednesday, June 8, from 11.30am-1.30pm.

Callant

Jed Callant Gary Hogg will visit Glendouglas on June 22 with his Henchmen, Grant Raeburn and Jack Fraser. Christine Roger presented Gary with his Balmoral Hat and the new Herald, Brian Marshall, with his hat too.

Hawick

50+ group

The next walk will be held on June 5 in the Rothbury area with a 9am start.

Bridge club

May 31 – 1. George Graham and Bob Francombe; 2. (equal), Sam White and Richard von Slicher, Mary Millar and Patsy Gilligan.

iNNERLEITHEN

Church

There will a communion service on Sunday, June 5, at 10.30am in Innerleithen Church.

Public meeting

Local community group AimUp is holding a public meeting at 7pm on Tuesday, June 7, in the Memorial Hall to provide an update on the project. At the meeting, affirmation that the local and biking community continue to support the proposal to build a mechanical uplift will be sought. The gathering will also act as a call to action, seeking members of the community who want to get involved and help deliver a project that will have significant impact for the Borders. AimUp is currently part of a process together with Scottish Borders Council (SBC), Scottish Enterprise, Forestry Commission Scotland and other stakeholders to deliver a plan to develop the future of mountain biking in the Tweed Valley. AimUp recently suggested that SBC progress an application to fund the uplift project to the Edinburgh Region City Deal, where some £2billion is available for infrastructure projects in six council areas.

Games committee

The next meeting of St Ronan’s Border Games committee will take place on Wednesday, June 8, at 7pm in the council chamber, Memorial Hall, Leithen Road.

Football Fives

Entries for the Games Week Football Fives tournament (July 9) are now being accepted. To enter, contact Steven Notman on 07792 092118.

Overseas guests

Every year St Ronan’s Border Games committee tries to accommodate visitors from overseas who are staying in the town during Games Week as guests at the Cleikum Ceremonies. This year’s ceremonies will take place on Friday, July 15, and applications for overseas guest invitations are now being accepted by email – stronansgames@googlemail.com.

Patrons

Anyone who has not already done so and who wishes to contribute to the 2016 St Ronan’s Border Games and Cleikum Ceremonies Patrons’ Scheme should send donations (minimum £5 per person) to patrons’ secretary Ted McKie, 41 George Street, Innerleithen.

Jedburgh

Bridge club

May 23 – N/S – 1, J.Urquart and J. Kyle; 2, M. Weightman and H. Long; 3, V. Johnstone and M. Miller; E/W – 1, R. Oates and S. West; 2, K. Jackson and P. Nichol; 3, R. Stewart and S. Graham.

kelso

Anniversary event

May Well Road Productions delivered an interesting and informative presentation entitled ‘The History of Wool, the Sheep and the People in the Border Hills’ in the Cross Keys Hotel. This event, marking the 200th anniversary of the building of Kelso Town Hall, was illustrated with a series of images of the landscape and was accompanied by a lyrical soundtrack.

Bridge club

Match Pointed Pairs: N/S 1st Rena Stewart and Beth Stark: 2nd Dominic and Diana Alkin: 3rd Lesley Dick and Lynda Douglas. E/W 1st Miles Browne and John Urquhart: 2nd Brian Saywood and Ken Ross: 3rd Ian and Eliz Ross. Thursday May 26: Aggregate Pairs: N/S 1st Vanessa Wilson and Lynda Douglas: 2nd Bob Stevenson and Lee Leeson: 3rd Dominic and Diana Alkin. E/W 1st Annie Mitchell and John Loudon: 2nd Jean Henry and Myra Thomson: 3rd equal Michael Horwood and Alison Ireland and Margot McVie and Edith Hogg.

LANGHOLM

Probus club

President Harry Aitken welcomed 24 members and guest speaker John Gair to the Probus Club meeting in the Eskdale Hotel last Wednesday. John was a former history teacher at the Academy and he gave a presentation on the Quintinshill Rail Disaster which took place near Gretna on the May 22, 1915, with the loss of 214 lives of the Royal Scots Territorial Battalion on route to the front during WW1. Also killed were seven officers and 13 civilians, including a mother and child. John’s excellent narration of the events leading up to the disaster and the aftermath and consequences along with some black and white slides brought home the carnage and the mistakes that led to this happening. The presentation was engrossing to listen to and watch, thanks to the narrator. A vote of thanks was given to the speaker by the president and fully supported by the attending members.

Umbrella walk

The Rotary Club umbrella sponsored walk in the town and at Canonbie raised £20,000. The walkers raised £10,754 in the annual March event and this was generously topped up by £7,500 from the three trusts who again supported the event, the David Stevenson Trust, Arthur Bell Trust and John and Mary Elliot Memorial Trust. Another £1,750 was claimed on Gift Aid. The Rotary Club organises, promotes and administers the walk and deducts five per cent of the amount raised to cover costs. At a dinner in the Crown Hotel cheques were presented to 30 organisations who had took part in the walk. During the evening the Community Service Award was presented by president Jim Muir to David Gordon, who had been nominated by club treasurer John Elliot for his dedicated work to the Youth Rugby Trust. Being the driving force behind the youth rugby, Davie along with other volunteers had put in an amazing effort with the young people and along with help from the school had run teams from P2/3 up to the Colts. Davie received a framed certificate from the Rotary president and also £250 to go to a good cause of his choice, which of course went to the youth rugby trust.

LAUDER

Lauderdale News

A celebration to mark 20 years of the Lauderdale News will be held in the public hall on Friday, June 3, from 7pm- 9pm. All are welcome.

Initiative Group

Lauderdale Initiative Group has arranged a general meeting to discuss Lauder’s Christmas Light. It takes place at Lauder Town Hall on Thursday, June 16, at 7.30pm. .

Threepwood Night

A presentation was made by RWM Ian Brotherston of Lodge St Luke 132 to Cornet Greg Scott, Right-Hand Man Ex-Cornet Daniel Simpson and Left-Hand Man Ex-Cornet Craig Connel as sponsorship to the Ex-Cornets’ Association in respect of payment for their horses for the Threepwood Ride. This sponsorship has been in existence for 13 years and has totalled more than £4,000.

Church

Holy communion was celebrated by the Reverend Rae Clark at Lauder Church and South Gardens on Sunday, May 29, and at Channelkirk, the service was led by the worship team. A group of guild members travelled by minibus to the Assembly Hall, Edinburgh, for the “The Big Sing” on May 24 to enjoy, along with 1,200 others, an evening of hymn singing, readings and reflections. The guild coffee morning will be held on Saturday, June 4, at 10am in Lauder church centre.

melrose

Border Flower Club

‘Dance into Spring’ was the title chosen by John Dalton for the May demonstration. His first design was a trough for a mantle piece with mixed foliage, Texas red roses, purple statis and mixed mini gerberas. A wedding bouquet was next with palm leaves and fatsia leaves as the foliage, the flowers being vintage-coloured pink carnations and roses. The occasional table in the hall design was in an urn with ivy for the foliage and pink tulips were sprinkled throughout. The container for the all-green design was white wrought iron with an orchid and Anastasia green chrysanths. The final design was in two parts – the first in a small gold angel candlestick and the second candlestick was a double figurine, using mixed foliage and vintage-coloured Memory Lane red roses and pale pink gerberas. The next meeting is on Wednesday, June 8, in the Corn Exchange at 7.30pm when the demonstrator will be Mark Crawford. His title is ‘Every day’s a School Day’.

Trimontium

The title of Curle’s book, ‘A Roman Frontier Post and its People’, reflects his interest in the activities of the people of the past and not merely in the buildings in which they lived and worked. Visitors today are also varied and leave interesting comments in the Visitors’ Book. One recent continental couple’s entry was ‘Honeymooning with the Romans’. That is an advertising avenue which had certainly not been thought about. Running a museum is also a two-way process. A recent angler was keen to show on his mobile phone images of Humshaugh, the last fortlet, he said, to be built beside Hadrian’s Wall. Another visitor revealed in conversation that he had been involved in a dig at York of several young Roman soldiers. He didn’t think ‘gladiators’, but remembering that Caracalla, unpopular with the army, became emperor on the death of his father Septimius Severus in York, suggested that the group had made know their opposition to the succession – and had paid for it with their lives. A sprightly lady from a coach party the other day, having asked the elderly supervisor his age, was pleased to announce that she was beating him by quite a margin. ‘I’m 92’, she said, and to show she meant it, promptly bought a book and the pamphlet about the story of Pontius Pilate being born in Scotland. Well done, ma’am.

mINTO

SWI

The last meeting of the season was the guest gathering in Denholm. The president welcomed more than 20 SWI members from Teviothead and Burnfoot to Glendouglas, and several in between. They were entertained with a floral art display by Alison Cavers who showed some of the tricks of display, using tulips as her main flower. Her audience shared a tasty selection of goodies for supper and renewed friendships. Competition results were as follows: Floral arrangement in a tea cup for Minto members – 1, Pat Jardine; 2, Janice Palmer; 3, Mary Beck; 4, Dee Baxter; Best floral brooch for visitors – 1, Molly Marshall (Bedrule). The next meeting is on September 14.

morebattle

Fishing club

The annual fishing club coffee morning was held on Saturday when £250 was raised for funds. Competition winners were as follows: Lucky door number - Katy Milne; Plant - Linda Nairn; Sweets in jar - Lizzie Thomson; Basket of vegetables - Dorothy McNulty. The draw for the fishing club competition on Saturday, June 4, will be held on Thursday, June 2, in the Templehall. Names to David Gray.

SWI

Two teams from Morebattle took part in the SWI Olympics on Thursday night at Newtown. Although not medal winners, everyone enjoyed the evening. Morebattle SWI members are going to The Pirn at St Boswells for a meal for their annual outing on the evening of Wednesday, June 8.

Queen’s birthday

As part of the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations, villagers are holding a garden party in the Templehall on Sunday, June 12, from 1pm, featuring a hog roast, salads, tray bakes, birthday cake, bouncy castle, face-painting, games, live music and fancy dress.

Coffee morning

Morebattle Institute coffee morning will be held in the premises on June 11 starting at 10.30am.

Newtown

Seniors’ club

The next meeting of Newtown and Eildon Seniors’ Afternoon Club will be in Newtown Community Wing on Tuesday, June 7, from 2pm. This is the last meeting before the summer break.

SWI

Members enjoyed supper at the Buccleuch Arms Hotel in St Boswells on Thursday, May 5. During the month members also attended a fashion show presented by Liba Kelso and hosted by members of Stichill SWI. The next meeting of Newtown SWI will be held on Thursday, June 2, in the community wing when the guest will be Joyce Luby who will demonstrate fabric card making.

Oxnam

Library cafe

The next library cafe is on Wednesday, June 8, in the hall from 11am-noon.

Selkirk

Fair

The children, teachers and parent partnership of Philiphaugh Community School are grateful to everyone who helped to make their school fair, which was held on Saturday, May 14, such a big success.

st boswells

SWI

A whist, with 15 tables playing, resulted – 1st lady, Janet Rodger; 2, Joan Kyle; 3, Ann Reid; booby, Jean Rae; highest first half, Janette Fell; highest 2nd half, Pauline Looker; 1st gent, Annie Coltherd; 2, Alistair Patterson; 3, Lynn Nichol; booby, Jean Paterson; highest 1st half, Marion Thomson; highest 2nd half, Jean Scott; card bingo, Wilma Burns. There were five lucky sweep winners.

TRAQUAIR

Church

The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on June 12 at 10am.

A sex offender telephoned a 67-year-old stranger and made sexually explicit remarks to her, Jedburgh Sheriff Court has been told.

Forty-two-year-old Paul Devins, from Hawick, chose the pensioner’s number at random and after asking to a speak to a woman called Debbie to get the woman talking, he made inappropriate comments about his manhood.

The court heard that the OAP, who suffers from ill-health and lives 80 miles away from Devins in Glasgow city centre, told him he was disgusting and hung up. She reported the matter to her nephew who tracked Devins’ mobile phone number and warned him not to contact her again.

However, the following night Devins again contacted the woman, leaving six messages, although none were of a sexual nature.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said Devins sent messages asking if she was alone and would sign off with an “x”, which is a sign of affection.

The alarmed woman again told her nephew who contacted the police.

Devins – who is already subject to a two-year sexual offences order – pleaded guilty to a charge of sending text messages of a sexual nature and making inappropriate remarks from his home in Sandbed on April 17 and 18 last year.

When interviewed by police, he said: “I was phoning people when I was drunk and I phoned that number. I thought I was being funny.”

His solicitor, Mat Patrick, said Devins’ problem was with alcohol.

Sentence was deferred until until January 9 to monitor the progress of Devins’ existing community payback order which also has a supervision element.

His name has been placed on the sex offenders register for five years.

Driver banned for 66 months

A motorist has been banned from the road for five-and-a-half years after failing to give two samples of breath when suspected of drink-driving, Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard.

Thirty-eight-year-old Benjamin Renbuorn, a self-employed builder from Totnes in Devon, was in the Borders for his father’s funeral when his car broke down on the unclassified Roberton-Craik road on April 22.

A passer-by who had initially stopped to give help realised he had been drinking and alerted police.

Officers carried out a roadside test which found Renbuorn to be almost four times the legal limit.

But he later refused to give two breath samples while suspected of being in charge of a car under the influence of alcohol.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond noted Renbuorn had been disqualified from driving for a total of 10 years for previous offences, including drink-driving, and said he had seriously considered sending him to jail.

Instead, and as well as the disqualification, he imposed a 12-month community payback order with a supervision requirement for alcohol counselling, as well as 100 hours unpaid work.

Reports ordered

Background reports have been ordered into a Hawick woman who admitted separate offences in little over a week.

Lana Clarke, 25, of Scott Crescent, pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour involving her partner at a house in Fisher Avenue, Hawick, on March 11.

She also admitted charges of careless driving and driving with excess alcohol in Lilliesleaf Road, also Hawick, on March 19.

An interim driving ban has been imposed.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond called for a Criminal Justice Social Work Report to be prepared and deferred sentence until June 27.

Police have promised an increased presence during the Borders festival season after catching drink and drug drivers in the region.

The warning was issued after 10 people were reported to the procurator fiscal in May.

Police said they would monitor all routes through the region and offenders would be dealt with “robustly”.

They added that they would be stepping up operations during the common riding celebrations throughout the Borders.

Inspector John Scott said: “Ten people caught driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs is 10 too many and represents a complete disregard for the safety of other road users, as well as their own well-being.

“With the start of the summer and the Borders festival season upon us, we will have increased road policing patrols in place across the road network and our message is simple - do not drive if you have been drinking alcohol.”

The sun certainly shined on Hawick Cornet Euan Reilly on Tuesday as he led a large contingent of riders to Mosspaul in fine weather – just as he did three days previous in just as nice conditions on the Mosstroopers’ ride.

He told us: “It was really good to be leading all the other Borders principals as well as the other riders.

“They were both really fine days, and we were well looked after by the Mosstroopers Club.”

Euan’s big day comes up next Friday, but he has several events to attend before that, including the Thursday Night Chase, which takes place tonight.

He said: “I am really looking forward to that, but I can’t wait till next week, when it’s all go.

“I’m a wee bit nervous, but I’m sure everything will be fine.”

Claims that contracted additional needs assistants (ANAs) and classroom assistants in primary schools across the Borders are about to lose their jobs have been denied by Scottish Borders Council.

One ANA working in a Galashiels school, who has asked not to be named, informed us that they were expecting their hours to be cut, as has recently been the case on a yearly basis.

She said: “Every year, the ANA hours always get cut, and we were prepared for this to happen again, then all those with temporary contracts went in Easter this year.

“But even people like me, who have had contracts for 10 years plus, have all been told that basically all ANA hours are going and we would lose our jobs.

“It was just a complete and utter devastation.”

Our source also claimed that they were told that extra-curricular activities such as breakfast clubs were to be stopped.

She said: “I would like the parents to know.

“The breakfast clubs are so important, as are after-school clubs, to pupils who maybe need a little help with their maths or literacy.

“Unless they are privately run, they are no longer going to be subsidised by the council.

“We keep being told how important they are. It gives the poorer kids a breakfast and extra help and allows parents to go to work.”

Our source was not alone in her fears, as a packed meeting at Gala Fairydean Rovers clubrooms on Friday evening, organised by the Unison trade union, heard many similar stories from such employees in schools across the Borders.

However, a council spokesperson told the Southern yesterday: “There are no planned redundancies for staff on permanent contracts.

“Any reductions in permanent staffing are currently being managed through a voluntary early retirement severance programme.

“We had, however, anticipated that there would be some reduction in staffing required at some schools and increases in others. To minimise the impact of this on the service, there have been some staff employed on temporary contracts which have now come to an end.

“The council’s overall aim and commitment is to provide a flexible and responsive additional needs support service, designed to fully meet the needs of the children and young people across the Borders who required support.

“In line with national guidance, we believe the most effective way to do this is by utilising a cluster model which enables us to place staff in the settings which best meet the needs of the child or young person.”

The council spokesperson also dismissed the claim that breakfast clubs were to stop, saying: “There continues to be funding and staffing available for activities such as breakfast clubs and after-school clubs, with additional funds provided for children in areas of deprivation.”

The situation is strangely similar to our stories last month on the the special needs nursery unit at Langlee, when school staff were being told it was being closed and the official council line insisted the opposite.

What is clear is that the ANAs have no idea what card they will be dealt, as our source claims that their headteachers have now been stopped from telling them anything and that they themselves have been gagged.

She said: “It’s a mess. The headteachers had originally been told to speak to all their staff by last Friday, which would give them a month’s notice of a change of contract, but when the union found out what was going on, they said the council was acting illegally, breaking contract laws, no redundancy, the lot.

“The headteachers were then told not to talk to us about it.”

“Until this is sorted out, we don’t know what we are doing next year.

“We have been told to keep quiet, that we are not allowed to say anything.”

Saturday’s Hope for Life Zumbathon at Langlee Community Centre, Galashiels, surpassed the expectations of organiser Karen Baird.

The fledgling charity, based in Melrose, raised almost £3,000 of funds, which will be used to make available alternative therapies for cancer sufferers who would otherwise not be able to afford them.

Karen told us: “Fitborders owner Jocelyn Naylor led the event and also choreographed a special Hope for Life anthem dance to ‘Bring me Sunshine’, performed with her team of instructors which included myself.

“Ninety-six people of all ages came and participated in the event, embracing the theme of the day wearing purple and raising the roof for two hours of Zumba dance fitness, with loads of fun and laughter.”

The total was raised from ticket sales, donations, cake stall, a raffle and a quiz.

Karen added: “This is an amazing amount of money which allows me and the Hope for Life board of directors to start putting into work the vision and aims of this new charity to deliver exercise and alternative therapies to those post cancer diagnosis in the Borders.”

Council chiefs have been forced to go back to the drawing board in their bid to find a suitable site for a long-awaited 3G sports pitch in Peebles.

Scottish Borders Council’s executive committee has agreed to scrap a planning application lodged last year for a full-sized, all-weather pitch to be created at Victoria Park, on Common Good land to the south-east of the town.

The search for a site began in earnest three years ago and, in the interim, no fewer than 24 possible locations have been considered.

Victoria Park, off Kingsmeadows Road, was identified by the executive committee last year as its “least worse option”, and £1.7m was set aside in the authority’s capital plan for the project, with the bulk of that cash due to be spent in the current financial year.

However, that choice triggered a backlash of objections from townsfolk keen to preserve a treasured green amenity space.

An action group was formed, and a 1,700-signature petition was raised demanding that Victoria Park be spared from development.

In a report to last week’s meeting, Rob Dickson, the council’s corporate transformation and services director, said: “Since the inception, there have been significant issues in identifying a suitable site for a full-sized synthetic pitch in Peebles.

“There continues to be significant public interest, both positive and negative, in the planning application for the new pitch at Victoria Park and difficulties faced by the Tweeddale councillors in respect of this issue.

“These councillors have concluded that the planning application for the pitch at Victoria Park should be withdrawn in order to allow alternative sites to be further investigated and to provide adequate time for them to consult with the wider community of Peebles.”

Mr Dickson reminded the executive that delivering a full-sized 3G artificial pitch in Peebles within two years had been an explicit condition insisted on by the national agency Sportscotland when it awarded a £500,000 grant to improve sports facilities at Peebles High School in 2013.

“There is a risk that if a 3G pitch is not delivered in Peebles, this council will lose credibility with Sportscotland, and it may be less willing to fund future progammes,” said Mr Dickson.

“Our officers are continuing to seek to remove this risk in discussions with Sportscotland.”

The executive unanimously agreed to withdraw the Victoria Park planning bid and to instruct officers to submit a further report next month “setting out the way forward for the Peebles pitch”.

Previously, I always thought that Anna was simply a quite attractive female Christian name and nothing else, until last Saturday, while on a visit to Kelso.

Kelsonians too have an attractive Anna but nothing to do with the fair sex. The Anna is the name of the large area of land underneath the new road bridge over the Tweed and as I discovered, a fascinating place to have a wander.

Anna, or Annay, is the old word for a river island and although this particular area is now separated from the main bank only by the Wooden Burn, at one time it was a proper island which could only be accessed by a suspension bridge.

Now a low concrete structure takes you onto the vast area of lovely meadow, which is now the Anna.

The area is managed by the Kelso Community Woodland Group, who are striving to return the area to the type of woodland it would have been previously.

As I crossed the bridge, I met an elderly gentleman from the group carrying spraying equipment.

I enquired if he was dealing with the last of the giant hogweed, but he told me it was far worse than that.

Himalayan balsam was the new threat and this invasive plant had got a real hold on the Anna and he was trying to keep it at bay.

Once you can shut out the traffic noise from the busy road above, you can start to appreciate the bird song of the place. It is a great place for warblers and I heard willow warbler, blackcap, whitethroat and sedge warbler during my brief visit.

The hawthorn blossom was at its glorious best and the grassland flowers were stunning in their profusion.

Large clumps of comfrey were in full bloom, their flowers ranging from pale blue to deep purple.

Lower down, where colonies of shorter flowers intermingled, amazing colour combinations were created.

Pale yellow crosswort mingled with deep blue speedwell, while white stitchwort and red campion blended beautifully.

Butterflies too abounded, with mainly orange tip, green veined white and peacock on the wing.

I will certainly be back to visit Anna.

It is a hidden jewel in 
Kelso’s crown.

Two Borders businesses have been announced as winners at the prestigious Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards - including Product of the Year.

Cuddybridge Apple Juice andMacamoon, a Peebles macaroon business, were flying the flag for the region.

They were among twenty prizewinners to have been whittled down from 245 entries.

Cuddybridge Apple Juice won the non-alcoholic drink award, which the firm had previously won in 2014, while Macamoon took home the confectionery and snacking prize.

There was an extra surprise for Macamoon’s owner, Ailsa Corbishley, at the end of the night.

Ailsa was surprised to be called to the stage to receive the award for Product of the Year.

Ailsa, originally from Northampton, moved to Peebles with her husband and two (now three) children.

“We originally came for three years,” she said after the awards, “but now I think that we’re here for life.

“We just love the place, we love it as a place for our children to grow up, the quality of life, and as somewhere to start a business. We’ll be here for ever.”

That business, Macamoon, was set up by Ailsa just over a year ago.

“I’d always enjoyed baking before then,” she said.

“But mainly had just been experimenting and testing things out on my family and friends! I set up the business and it’s just run and run and proved a huge success although I certainly didn’t expect to be winning awards like this.

“I’m hoping for another boost to the business because this was such a high profile event, and now the name is out there, people will be getting interested.

“I was really surprised,” said Ailsa. “This was the first time that I had gone to an event like this, and so I was on my own and quite shy.

“It’s all very exciting.”

Ailsa’s winning product was her ‘Scottish Selection’ with flavours inspired by Scotland, and using local produce.

The macaroon flavoured with Peeblesshire heather honey and whiskey liqueur was the judges favourite of all the products they tasted.

In the course of their assessment, the judges sampled 165 Scottish products ranging from salmon and charcuterie, to lemonade and whisky.

The awards were announced by presenter of Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, Simon Rimmer, and were designed to highlight business excellence, innovation and best practice across the 
Scottish food and drink industry.

Recognised by both trade and consumers as an accolade of the highest quality, the awards were presented at a sell-out event at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on June 2, with 800 guests attending.

Scotland Food and Drink chief executive James Withers said: “Congratulations to all winners and finalists who have been selected from a record number of entries by our panel of more than 35 judges. They recognise the people, products and practices which make Scotland a land of food and drink and represent the wealth of our industry from artisan producers to established brands.

“Welcoming 800 people to the sold out awards ceremony is testament to the success of the sector. This event is a great opportunity to take stock of success and to look ahead to the future as we shape the industry’s strategy to 2030.

“There has been a revolution in food and drink and the awards show why that is. We have an amazing mix of established world-class business and a new generation of entrepreneurs coming through. Crucially, there is now a culture of collaboration in Scotland - industry bodies and companies working together to build our reputation and our sales. Challenges are never far away, but opportunities for growth and innovation over the next few years are hugely exciting.”

A Primary 7 pupil from Lauder Primary School will be ‘Queen for the Day’ when the Royal and Ancient Burgh of Lauder celebrates the Queen’s 90th birthday on Sunday, June 12.

Evie Archenhold will be met at the gates to Lauder Church by Gerald Maitland-Carew, HM The Queen’s Lord Lieutenant of Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale, before being led into the church by the Rev John Shields, MBE where a Service of Thanksgiving will begin the 10 hour programme.

A girls’ football tournament at the public park will follow, featuring Lauder and Melrose participants, alongside a senior football match involving representatives from the former Oxton Football Club and Lauder Amateurs.

After the presentation of medals to all participants, Evie will travel in a vintage Alvis Drophead car from the centre of Lauder to Thirlestane Castle where she will be met by young Emily Maitland-Carew and Cornet Greg Scott, as 16-year-old Jake Mirley pipes the arrival of the ‘Queen for the Day’ from the turret of the castle.

An array of activities, hosted by Gus and Sam, will keep residents and visitors alike entertained as they enjoy their picnic.

Horses and dogs may be the centre of attention, but also included are gladiators, sumo wrestlers, segways and a speedway cycle course among the 20 items of entertainment for the afternoon. The birthday cake will be cut and distributed by Evie.

The programme then moves to Lauder Public Hall where Ian Brotherston will compere a concert of local talent followed by a family ceilidh with local musician Mike Whellans and the Ardmore Ceilidh Band led by Tich Frier and Scottish Champion accordionist Leonard Brown.

Event organiser Graeme Donald said: “Lauder has earned a sound reputation for staging such celebratory events which strive to be inclusive for all residents.

“For example, entry to all activities in the programme is free but controlled on a first come, first served basis. A bus to the castle and back to the Public Hall is available for the elderly and infirm, again at no cost, leaving the town centre at 2pm for the castle, returning to the Public Hall at 4pm; all activities are family based”.

Programme details are available from Lauder’s Post Office, the grocer, the fruit shop, the pharmacy and the health centre.

Flower power will be on show in the Borders this weekend.

The garden of Laidlawstiel House will be a riot of rhododendrons and azaleas when it opens for charity on Sunday under Scotland’s Gardens initiative.

Dozens of owners of castles, stately homes and other properties with gardens of note are opening to the public, including Berersyde and Harmony House, both near Melrose, and Floors Castle, close to Kelso.

And all the proceeds raised will go to good causes, including the National Trust, Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres and the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland.

Near Clovenfords, the garden at Laidlawstiel House offers views down to the River Tweed.

Laidlawstiel’s current owners garden organically and grow a mixture of flowers, vegetables and fruit. It is just one of the gardens in Berwickshire, Ettrick & Lauderdale and Roxburghshire, that are opening their gates on specific dates over the summer.

The herbaceous borders in the walled garden will also be bursting into life alongside an orchard and vegetables in raised beds. Full details of all garden openings, including admission charges and opening hours are on Scotland’s Gardens’ website, www.scotlandsgardens.org

Pupils from Walkerburn Primary School are celebrating after making it through to the finals of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) School Gardening Team of the Year competition for 2016.

The school is one of just four finalists from 58 applicants in the UK and have impressed judges with the way in which their garden has made a difference to their school environment.

Rosie Callaghan, P6, said: “We were all so upset after the floods last winter when so much water from the river ruined our garden after all our hard work in the summer. I think we were chosen because we worked really hard to make it look beautiful again. When we heard we were in the final it felt great because it was a reason to keep the garden going and it was something we feel very proud of.”

The pupils were congratulated by Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Education, Councillor Sandy Aitchison.

He said: “Many congratulations to the green fingered pupils at Walkerburn Primary and their head teacher Miss Bean on this wonderful achievement.

“I understand that the ultimate winners will be the team that the judges feel demonstrates a real passion for gardening as well as excellent teamwork. It is clear to me that Walkerburn has these abilities in spades and I wish them every success in the next round and will look forward to hearing how they get on with great interest,”

Once making the final the pupils were then asked to make a short film describing their garden and the journey they have taken as a school to get it to the stage where it has been judged worthy of national recognition.

The film had to be submitted by Friday, June 3 with the final results due to be published Friday,June 17.

Scotland’s largest landowners, the Buccleuch family, have announced “ambitious” plans to register all of their 225,000 acres in the next five years.

However, they have been called on to reveal offshore holdings.

Buccleuch, one of Scotland’s major rural businesses, is taking part in an initiative to put all land in Scotland on a modern map-based land register. The scheme, led by Registers of Scotland, aims to move all land in Scotland from the historic deeds-based General Register of Sasines – the world’s oldest national land register – to the modern digital map-based public Land Register of Scotland.

Buccleuch – which encompasses all of the land interests of the Buccleuch family – has registered the 2,400 acre Eckford Estate, part of the larger 61,000 acre Bowhill Estate, on the Land Register.

John Glen, chief executive officer of Buccleuch, said: “We began this process two years ago – well before the latest round of land reform legislation – and we believe in the transparency of land ownership.”

But land reform campaigner Andy Wightman, recently elected for the Scottish Greens in the Lothians, said the plan does not go far enough and called on the family to reveal any landholdings held offshore.

Wightman pointed out that the family, headed by Richard Scott, the Duke of Buccleuch, uses a Cayman Islands tax haven firm to sell land.

This week Wightman said: “The time has come for Buccleuch and others to be fully transparent in relation to their landholdings held in offshore secrecy jurisdictions such as Grand Cayman.”

A teenager from Kelso has recently been taking part in a national competition for housing association apprentices.

Callie Sawday, 23, featured in the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations’ (SFHA) Apprentice Challenge at the SFHA’s annual conference on June 1 and 2.

This is the third year of the federation’s award-winning challenge which aims to consolidate the skills of the Modern Apprentices like Callie, and highlight the role that apprenticeships play as a vital first step on the career ladder as well the importance of nurturing young workers in the housing sector.

Callie is a health and social care apprentice at Eildon Housing Association, working on a service supporting adults with learning disabilities in Berwickshire.

She said last week: “I decided to do my apprenticeship because I wanted to gain more knowledge and experience.

“I have really enjoyed learning and this has helped me in my work support adults with learning disabilities. In the future, I plan to continue studying to further develop my career.”

Nile Istephan, chief executive of Eildon Housing Association, said: “It is great that Callie is participating in this challenge. We got terrific feedback from two other Eildon Modern Apprentices that participated in the challenge last year, and hopefully Callie will find this experience as rewarding as her colleagues did.

“Eildon are grateful to SFHA and Skills Development Scotland for making this opportunity available. This contributed to Eildon recently being awarded Silver status for Investors in Young People. We plan to do more work in supporting young people taking up high quality housing and care services careers.”

The conference also saw the launch of an ambitious national plan for apprenticeships by the SFHA and Skills Development Scotland (SDS).

The plan aims to increase the number of Modern Apprentices in housing associations and co-operatives. More young people in Scotland’s communities will be given the opportunity to gain vital skills and experience, which will, in turn, help to future-proof the social housing sector by training the housing professionals of the future.

bowden

Cafe

The next community cafe will be held in the village hall from 11am-noon on Wednesday, June 15.

caddonfoot

Parish church

The Reverend Elspeth Harley conducted the service on Sunday. The Bible reading was delivered by Bill Birch, and music played by Andy and Catriona Bird. Bible study during the summer months will be held in Caddonfoot Church. There is a trial opening of the church this week – volunteers should contact Irene Bruce. The gardens at Yair House were open under Scotland’s Gardens Scheme on Sunday, with part of the proceeds going to the church. A few members of the congregation added their support. This Sunday’s service will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods, from Earlston, following the Local Congregational Review, and members are asked to attend early (from 9am) to chat to the minister, who would like to talk to as many as possible.

cappercleuch

Fun day

The village hall and St Mary’s Sailing Club will join forces on Saturday, June 11, from 2pm with a fun day at the sailing club field, St Mary’s Loch. The event, open to all, includes stalls, barbecue and a bar, plus races games and challenges.

earlston

Lunch club

Proceedings began with a hairdressing demonstration by Morag from Aquarious Hairdressers and one of the club members had her hair done. After lunch there was a game of indoor golf and the winner was Mrs M. Greenshields. The club was saddened by the loss of one of its members, May Cessford, last month. It is grateful to her family for a donation of £407. The next club gathering is Thursday, June 9.

Parish church

The service at 10.15pm on Sunday, June 12, will be conducted by members of the worship team. Holy communion will be celebrated on Sunday, June 19, at 10.15am.

Wednesday Club

Hostess Mrs S. McKay opened the latest meeting, welcoming members before entertaining them with a slide show entitled “Auld Earlston Part Two”. It brought back lots of memories and laughs. Competition – evening bag – 1, Ms K. Brownlie; 2, Mrs W. Henderson; 3, Mrs A. Penman. The next meeting is the annual trip – this year to Barony Castle to see the Great Polish Map of Scotland made by Polish soldiers. The bus will leave The Square at 12.15pm.

Eckford

Path launch

Impressionist and comedian Rory Bremner will launch the newly-created Jubilee Path linking the three villages in the Crailing, Eckford and Nisbet Community Council area on Friday, June 17, at 10am in The Loaning, Eckford.

Strawberry fair

A strawberry fair will be held in the village hall on Sunday, June 12 (11am-3pm).

galashiels

St Peter’s Church

Thursday, June 9 – 10am, communion in church hall, followed by study group and soup lunch. Saturday, June 11 – 12.30pm, soup and pud lunch. Sunday, June 12 – 9.30am, Sunday Squad, followed by juice and toast; 10.30am, sung eucharist followed, by coffee and chat; 6pm, healing and anointing service. Monday, June 13 – 11am, communion at Oakwood Park. Thursday, June 16 – 10am, communion in church hall, followed by study group and soup lunch.

Trinity Church

Sunday’s service was conducted by the minister, Elspeth Harley, and the music led by Dorothy Howden. Bible lessons were read by Marette Hose. Bill Cheyne announced that the coffee morning which was held on Saturday morning had raised £200. A short communion service was held at Caddonfoot Church on Sunday afternoon. On Saturday, June 11, there will be a service in the church at 8pm. This is a commissioning service for the new street pastors who will go out for the first time that evening at 10pm. On Sunday, June 12, the Reverend Julie Woods will be taking the service which will be followed by a lunch and local review in the hall. The kirk session will meet on Tuesday, June 14, at 7pm in the small hall.

glendouglas

Whist

The monthly whist drive will be held on Monday, June 13, at 7.30pm. Entry, £2, includes supper.

jedburgh

Bridge club

May 30 – 1, J. and M. Miller; 2, J. Bridger and A. N. Other; 3, J. Urquhart and J. Kyle; 4, M. Weightman and H. Long.

kelso

Sinfonia

Yetholm Sinfonia Wind Soloists presented an evening of entertainment to mark the 200th anniversary of Kelso Town Hall on Sunday. The opportunity to see the council chamber in the setting where concerts were regularly held during the early 20th century was celebrated in style with a memorable performance. Proceeds for this event are being donated to the Yetholm Macmillan committee.

Roxburgh Singers

The Roxburgh Singers performed Haydn’s “Creation” to appreciative audiences in Melrose Parish Church and St Andrew’s in Kelso. Directed by Marion Dodd, with an orchestra led by Cath Cormie and three soloists – Aimee Toshney (soprano), John Findon (tenor) and James Letham (baritone) – the performance was acclaimed as “polished”, “magic” and “very professional”. There will be a donation to TD1 Radio from the charity performance at Kelso. The Roxburgh Singers are looking for others to join them. They rehearse in Hawick (Drumlanrig School) on Mondays at 7.30m. Anyone interested should contact Margaret Moyes on 01750 22418 for further information.

Bridge club

Wednesday, June 1 – match-pointed pairs – N/S – 1, Joyce Thomson and Helenor Pratt; 2 (equal), Dominic and Diana Alkin, Jean Henry and Myra Thomson; E/W – 1, Sheena McPherson and Sheila Urquhart; 2, Ian and Eliz Ross; 3, Brian

Turn to page 46

From page 45

Saywood and Ken Ross. June 2 – aggregate pairs – N/S – 1, Bob Stevenson and Lee Leeson; 2, Mary and Nigel Lindsay; 3, Stuart Graham and Jim Stone; E/W – 1, Brian Saywood and Sheila Urquhart; 2, Marion Miller and Chris Anthony; 3, James Tweddle and Bill Elliot.

LANGHOLM

Fun day

The local Co-op held a fun day, with entertainment lasting several hours. The proceeds were shared between the British Red Cross and several local charities, and the Co-op car park was a hive of activity in sunny weather. The pipe band was in attendance, and the police and fire brigade were also on hand with demonstrations. Other attractions included a bouncy castle, throwing the wet sponge, face-painting, baking stall, tombola and raffle.

Common riding

Simon Tweddle was welcomed to the common riding members’ meeting held in the Crown Hotel and was congratulated by chairman Roger Maxwell on being elected Cornet for 2016. The chairman said it was the fifth year that Simon had stood, and he had waited a long time, but maybe that would make it all the more enjoyable for him, and he could rely on the full support of members. It was agreed that the allowance for the Cornet would be increased from £850 to £900. The allowance for the Right and Left-Hand Men will also go up, from £425 to £450. The Flute Band would get £200, as they did last year, and the Town and Pipe Bands would both receive £500, with the matter of a bonus payment to be discussed at a later date. The report on the public meeting night revealed it had been reasonably well attended and there had been no complaints about the running of the Common Riding. Jimmy Hotson said it was a worrying time with the marshalling of horses at the handing in of the flag when the Cornet came into the Market Place at the end. He wondered if it was possible to have the officiating magistrate give most of his speech when the Cornet had gone to the Townfoot with the procession, so that all that would be left would be the address to the Cornet and his reply. The chairman confirmed that the matter had been discussed at length among the members. Among other things brought up by the public was the condition of the wall at the Kirk Wynd and Councillor Denis Male will be contacted about this. It was also said there were insufficient rubbish bins in the High Street as they were overflowing, and it was asked if they could be be emptied during the day. But it was agreed this was not a matter to concern members and they would write to the public houses and chip shop, asking them to consider the matter and perhaps contact the council for additional waste bins. Stephen Rae was instructed to order a new gazebo for the Highland dancing area. It was confirmed that there will be no championship at the Cumberland wrestling this year. Vice-chairman Tommy Morrison confirmed that the Castleholm was generally in good order and that fencing was being erected that week. He said the Wynd also seemed to be in reasonable condition. Only sponsors providing cash will be specifically named in the programme.

Band concert

The Town Band concert coincided with the Spring Fling when members held their event in Canonbie United Parish Church. On the Friday evening a large audience enjoyed a wide and varied selection of music. Under the baton of Chris Shanks, the band played former conductor Alan Fernie’s Paul Lovatt Cooper tribute, “Prismatic Light”, a fitting opening item. “Carindale”, a Salvation Army march from the Southern Hemisphere followed, before a complete change of tempo when principal cornet Nicole Weatherstone played “My Love is like a Red Red Rose”. The band then performed the test piece they had done in March at the Scottish championship, “A Cambrian Suite”, which has three Welsh hymns at its core. Christine Calvert entertained with the flugel solo, “Under the Boardwalk”, before the first half ended with Paul Lovatt Cooper’s “The Dark Side of the Moon”. Following the interval the Junior Band, under Christine Calvert, delighted the audience with a number of popular musical items. The youngsters rehearse every Tuesday evening and are continuing to improve, thanks to several members of the main band. Pharell Williams’ “Happy” provided a rousing start to the second half of the concert and “I Will Follow Him”, from the film Sister Act, continued the energetic theme. Jacqueline Elliot and Chris Shanks enthralled with the euphonium duet take on the classic Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli number, “ The Prayer”, “Gigue”, “Alleluia Amen”, “In God Presence” and the Jimmy Webb classic, “MacArthur Park”, brought the second half to a close. To round off the evening, a further treat for the audience was the Town Band being joined by the junior members to play The Proclaimers hit, “I’m Gonna Be ( 500 Miles)” and Alan Fernie’s “African Funk”.

lauder

Historical society

Isabel Gordon will give a presentation about “England’s Rough Wooing” on Wednesday, June 15, at 7.30pm in Lauder Youth Trust Hall. This is an open event and a non-member pays £2 at the door. Afterwards there will be tea/coffee and biscuits available for £1.

Church

There will be a joint service in Lauder Church on Sunday, June 12, from 11.30am, led by the Reverend John Shields. Within the service will be an acknowledgement of the Queen’s 90th birthday.

melrose

Parish church

Bowden and Melrose held a united service, after which a congregational meeting was held to select a nominating committee of 13 people which met the presbytery’s advisory committee on Wednesday, June 8, as the next step in the procedure for filling the vacancy. Sunday, June 12 – services at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (11am – kirk session after); 7.30pm, Abbey Consort at Holy Trinity, celebrating Shakespeare.

Trimontium

You wait for ages for a bus – and then two come together. Trimontium waited 25 years for national news coverage, and then on the same day Trimontium Trust chairman John Reid was interviewed on the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 (as well as Radio Wales and Radio Scotland), and he and Burnswark (site of last year’s trust dig) appeared on the front cover of the July issue of Current Archaeology magazine – with a seven-page article inside. The dig starts again this summer and BBC4 will be filming it for inclusion in the “Digging Britain” series to be shown this autumn. The trust has submitted a funding application for a museum/community extension at the Ormiston (for which an amount of match-funding will require to be raised). Thursday, June 9 – Trimontium Walk, 1.30-5.30pm.

Open day

National Care Home Open Day and June fair will be held at Grange Hall, Drygrange, on Saturday, June 18 (2-4pm). Everyone is welcome to visit the home, get a guided tour and to join in the fun of the fair. There will be afternoon tea, stalls and – hopefully – games outside, plus musical entertainment by Jackie Kerr.

morebattle

Fishing

Morebattle fishing competition took place on Saturday. Results – 1, Jim McNulty; 2, George Cessford; 3, Stuart McNulty. The Caverton Mill competition will be held on June 18. The draw takes place on June 16, in the Templehall – names to David Gray.

Blooming

Morebattle In Bloom committee members were at the Kelso-based Charity Begins At Home presentation in the Cross Keys Hotel on Sunday when they received a cheque for £500. The cash will go towards plants, tubs, etc.

Queen’s birthday

As part of the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations, villagers are holding a garden party in the Templehall on Sunday, June 12, from 1pm – hog roast, salads, tray bakes, birthday cake, bouncy castle, face-painting, games, live music and fancy dress.

Coffee morning

Morebattle Institute’s coffee morning will be held this Saturday, June 11, at 10.30am.

Festival Week

A Festival Week meeting will be held in the village hall on Tuesday, June 14, at 7.30pm – all people and ideas welcome.

newtown

Collection

This year’s house-to-house collection in Newtown and Eildon for Christian Aid raised £867.06.

oxton

swi

Fourteen members attended the Annual Generral Meeting held on Wednesday, May 18. The previous minutes were read by Agnes Bell, president, and approved. A new committee was voted for, with Agnes remaining in post as president, Sylvia Thomson (treasurer), Wendy Gilchrist, Jackie Pinkerton and Margaret Smith making up the committee. The secretaries duties will be shared. Following the AGM, everyone enjoyed a variety of food and home-made liqueurs brought along by members to the taste and try evening. The summer outing is to Woodside Gardens on Wednesday, June 15 – bus leaves Oxton at 5.30pm.

SOUTHDEAN

Open gardens

Sunday, June 26, from 2-6pm. Starting at Southdean Hall, this is a visit a collection of local gardens, returning to the hall for a cream tea, plant stall and sale of nearly-new gardening books.

stow

Fair

A summer fair with a soup ‘n’ pud lunch will be held on Saturday, June 18, at Stow Church. The event runs between 11am and 2pm.

YETHOLM

Theatre group

Isosceles Theatre Group return to Yetholm on Thursday, June 9, at 7.30pm for a concert entitled “Probably The Best Comedy Songs in the World Ever, Maybe!!”. Tickets are £8 and can be bought at the village shop or by contacting Susan Stewart.

Festival Week

Festival Week events start on Friday, June 10, with the principals visiting the primary school in the morning and men’s darts in The Plough at 7.30pm. Programmes are on sale in the shop and butchers, with details of all events throughout the week.