Cadets from 2180 (Galashiels) Squadron Air training Corps looked after a precious object recently – the ATC 75 torch.

The torch is being carried on a relay to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the cadet organisation.

Travelling through each of the six regions of the Air Training Corps, the torch began its six-week journey at John O’Groats on the northeastern tip of Scotland and will end at 626 VGS Preddanack in Cornwall.

And, on its last day in Scotland, it was down to the cadets from the Galashiels squadron to hand it over to fellow cadets and staff from the 2344 (Longbenton) Sqn at the Carter Bar border.

Squadron Leader Frank Wielbo, o/c 2180 Sqn, said: “The squadron was honoured to host the ATC75 Torch and hand it over to 2344 (Longbenton) Sqn.

“First, it was at 2180 HQ for 0615 hrs to see off cadet and staff heading to East Fortune Airshow.

“Then, at 0815 the cadets involved in the tour of the Borders and the handover took it to the Greenyards and Melrose Abbey in Melrose, as well as Scott’s View, Thirlestane Castle, the Rhymers Stone where Thomas the Rhymer met the Queen of the Faeries and on to Jedburgh Abbey before it was piped over the border.”

It seems like a long time ago now, as we reach the last of this summer’s common ridings and festivals, since Lauder Common Riding committee chairman Ian Middlemiss introduced Greg Scott as the royal burgh’s cornet and standard bearer for 2016.

The long wait for common riding week is nearly over for the guid folk of Lauder, however, with the fun finally kicking off this Sunday.

Ian Middlemiss, an ex-cornet himself, says preparations for the week are now complete.

“We’re all set and ready to go, and everything should go according to plan hopefully for another great week,” he said.

“The programme is pretty much the same as usual, although one new addition is the bike ride we’ve added to the programme for the Tuesday night, which should be a lot of fun.”

And with Lauder Cornet Greg having already represented his home town at other common ridings and festivals across the region since the beginning of June, Ian says he will be well experienced to do the honours when it comes to Lauder’s big day.

“Now all we want is to see plenty of people out to support the cornet and some nice dry weather, and we wouldn’t say no to a little sunshine either.”

The Scottish Countryside Alliance has challenged proposals to support ‘transition away’ from ‘traditional deer stalking’ and ‘driven grouse moors’ as unscientific and irresponsible.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) has published controversial new policies which call for the licensing of ‘driven grouse shooting’ and propose offering ‘support and training’ to landowners who reject current sporting land use, in the misplaced belief that these will be of benefit to our uplands.

Scottish Countryside director Jamie Stewart said: “We welcome any organisation who can share a vision and passion for Scotland’s uplands in all its diversity and beauty. However, the SWT’s new report displays a lack of understanding of how the uplands work. The SWT’s belief that the transition to ‘walked up’ grouse shooting will be of benefit to the uplands is both unscientific and irresponsible. Walked up grouse is a fine part of our shooting tradition, but it cannot replace driven grouse shooting in terms of the investment in conservation and rural economies.”

“Numerous studies, including the Langholm Moor Demonstration Project, have shown the benefits of driven grouse shooting and its associated integrated moorland management to conservation, and the detrimental effects when that management ceases. The losses to the rural economy and local businesses, for whom driven grouse shooting can be the main economic driver, would be enormous, and something that has clearly been overlooked by the Trust.”

“High quality gamekeeping, and the sympathetic management of our increasingly rare heather moorland habitat delivers multiple benefits, and is probably one of our best conservation success stories - something that should be applauded by the SWT.”

caddonfoot

Parish church

Morning service on Sunday was again led by the Reverend John Smith, former minister at Morningside in Edinburgh and now living in Peebles. The Bible reading was delivered by elder Roddy Beatson. Music was played by Margaret Blyth and Anne Grieve, accompanied by Hannah Birch. A church community event is being held at Glenkinnon on Sunday, August 14, from 1pm to 4pm – Gordon Hume has details. Bible study has been suspended until August, but the church is open on certain days – contact John or Irene Bruce for details.

earlston

Parish church

The service on Sunday, July 31, will be conducted by members of the worship team. A wedding dress exhibition is to be held in the church on August 27 and 28.

Thursday lunch club

The 96th birthday of member Nancy Anderson was celebrated last week. After lunch, everyone had a piece of her birthday cake with a cup of tea. The gathering was then entertained by the Reverend and Mrs John Shields. He sang and read Scottish songs and poetry, with his wife accompanying him on the piano. Members meet every Thursday in Hanover Close – anyone interested is welcome to turn up.

Galashiels

St Peter’s Church

On Sunday, July 24, the congregation welcomed visiting organist Francis Bostrom. Thursday, July 28 – 10am, holy communion; 11am, study group, followed by lunch; 7pm, ACAT letter-writing in hall; Friday, July 29 – 5pm, choir practice; Sunday, July 31 – 9.30am, Sunday Squad, followed by juice and toast; 10.30am, sung eucharist, followed by coffee and a chat.

HAWICK

Bridge club

July 19 – 1, George Graham & Bob Francombe; 2, Mary Millar & Patsy Gilligan; 3, Inez Wyse & Bob Witherington.

Rotary

President Jim Walker, in the chair at last week’s meeting, welcomed district governor Olive Geddes, of Edinburgh Rotary Club, who congratulated the Hawick club on celebrating its 80th anniversary this month. This year’s Rotary motto is “Rotary Serving Humanity” and she explained what it meant to different people and how it has evolved through the years, now incorporating ‘E’ clubs who operate through digital media. Rotarians are deeply involved in the “End Polio Now” campaign and this year, to herald this, purple crocuses are being planted in towns and villages all over the UK. Past president Robin Mason gave an account of Borders Talking Newspapers and Hawick’s involvement through the Talking Hawick News for blind and partially-sighted people. There are more than 200 listeners in the Borders, 50 of whom are in Hawick, and he thanked the members and friends who are involved weekly as readers and recorders.

Innerleithen

Service

On Sunday, July 31 – breakfast a story and a song, starting at 8.30am.

Jedburgh

Bridge club

July 18 – N/S – 1, M. Weightman & H. Long; 2, V. Johnstone & M. Miller; 3, S. Mclachan & J. Portch. E/W – 1, D. & P. Palmer; 2, J. Louden & S. Graham; 3, R. Oates & S. West.

kelso

Gardens competition

Kelso Horticultural Society is holding the town’s front and patio gardens competitions again this summer. Judging will be carried out during the first week of August, with results announced and prizes awarded at the summer exhibition in the Tait Hall on Sunday, August 28.

Bridge club

July 20 – match-pointed pairs – N/S – 1, Maureen Weightman & Helen Long; 2, Dominic & Diana Alkin; 3, Mary & Nigel Lindsay; E/W – 1, Ian & Eliz Ross; 2, Aziza Taylor & Alison Ireland; 3, Vanessa Wilson & Alex Jeffrey. July 21 – aggregate pairs – N/S – 1, John and Marian Miller; 2, Jean Henry & Myra Thomson; 3, Dominic & Diana Alkin; E/W – 1, Gerry Eglington & Jon Bridger; 2, Lynda Douglas & Vanessa Wilson; 3, Annie Mitchell & John Loudon.

Mountain biking

Cheviot Youth is running a free introduction to mountain biking course at the Angraflat Road Bike Trail, starting on Friday, July 29, at 6.30pm. To get one of the remaining places, email ianrendallreid@cheviotyouth.co.uk and get a registration/consent form to bring with on the night. For any more information, ring 07958 277766.

Langholm

Members’ meeting

At the Common Riding members’ meeting in the Crown Hotel, it was agreed that the 90 metres sprint handicap at the athletic games will be sponsored by Ashleybank Investments and called the Ashleybank Thousand Guinea’s Handicap Sprint. This was recently arranged between Common Riding chairman Roger Maxwell and David Stevenson, and approved by members. The donation will be £1,050. Dennis Barker had agreed to act as Children’s Marshall and Becky Devlin will be available to work as cashier on Common Riding day. The chairman had managed to arrange for an ebony cane for Jubilee Cornet Ronnie Hudson. It was agreed that 20 new plastic tables would be ordered at a total of £737.76, and there would be a delivery cost. The chairman had contacted G4S for a quote on personnel, and with shortage of time, if it was a similar rate as last year, he would go ahead and instruct them. The quote for ambulance hire was £692.39 – the same as last year – and was accepted. The Castle Craigs Club are ordering more walkie-talkies and the meeting agreed they should offer a contribution towards the cost if they were intending to borrow them, and this will be discussed at the next meeting when the cost is obtained. The chairman and vice-chairman Tommy Morrison had met with the police and gone over details for the roads closures. They had expressed the requirement to have the road closed until all the horses had returned from the Castleholm following the crossing of the water.

Rideouts

It was fine and dry as Cornet Simon Tweddle and his right and left-hand men, ex-Cornets Jamie Fletcher and Dale Irving, headed out of the town and over the hills to Bentpath, followed by more than 60 horsemen, which included semi-jubilee Cornet Alan Donaldson, on the latest Castle Craigs Club rideout. Large crowds turned up at the village to welcome them, and Westerkirk SWI members treated the riders to tea in the hall. Prior to leaving the Kilngreen on the outward journey, Stewart and Sarah Pool judged the ponies, and later in the afternoon the Cornet presented the W. H. Harkness jubilee shield to Thomas Coates. The company enjoyed various toasts and songs in the hall, including the toast to the Cornet by Stephen Devlin, and prior to leaving Bentpath the leading principals received a dram. It was still dry for the return journey and riders headed back through Westerhall Estate – home of Mary Buckley – and returned to the town by way of the Castle Hill. They were greeted by crowds at the Lodge Walks and Kilngreen. The Cornet and his right and left-hand men had 41 mounted followers for the rideout to the Craig. The weather was dry as they headed up Jimmy’s Brae. Before leaving the Kilngreen, the ponies were judged by the Cornet’s parents, Stephen and Maureen Tweddle. At the Craig the James Harkness trophy for best turned out pony ridden by a girl studying at the Academy went to Nicole Beattie, while the Craig Quaich for best turned out pony went to Cree McGarva. The riders returned to town by the Galaside to the Kilgreen.

Rotary

The Rotary Club held its Cornet’s night in the Crown Hotel. Main guests were Cornet Simon Tweddle, right and left-hand men Jamie Fletcher and Dale Irving, semi-jubilee Cornet Alan Donaldson, jubilee Cornet Ronnie Hudson and diamond jubilee Cornet Joe Donaldson, along with Castle Craigs Club president Lee Earsman. Guest speaker was Kenny McCartney, a former acting father at Hawick Common Riding.

lauder

Church

Worship will be celebrated at Channelkirk on Sunday, July 31, at 10am when the Reverend Rae Clark will lead the service.

The kirkin’ of Cornet Greg Scott will take place at Lauder Church at 11.30am on Sunday, July 31. The service will be led by the Reverend Rae Clark. Channelkirk and Lauder Church’s summer barbecue raised £2,547 for church funds. Organisers are grateful to all who came or helped in any way, and in particular to Mr and Mrs D. Waldie who welcomed all to Newmills.

Melrose

Parish church

Sunday, July 31 – services at 9.30am (Bowden) and 11am (Melrose). Saturday, August 13 – fete, Bowden Hall. 2pm. August 26/27 – community council bookshop, Val Miller (822758).

Trimontium

Trimontium guided walks have coped with all sorts of weather over the last 25 years, and the torrid conditions of Tuesday last week – involving moving from shade to shade (95 degrees in one Newstead garden) – were just one more problem to solve. Of the half-dozen walkers, four had experience of living and working in Libya and South Africa, while the two Scots ‘stuck’ to their task. The temperature on the Thursday was fresher and life much easier, but teatime was much appreciated on both occasions. The Sunday walkers ‘enjoyed’ a little rain (sometimes a lot), but had the satisfaction of completing the course. The museum was busy, and organisers are still trying to work out how/why a photoprint of the reconstructed fort disappeared from the front door.

Music society

Handel’s Water Music wasn’t played at Gattonside Village Hall for the (indoor) garden party on Sunday, but an entertaining time was had by all, with drinks, nibbles and a Borders buildings quiz to stir the little grey cells. Details of the coming 2016-2017 concerts were available (2017-2018 coming up too), and committee members were warmly thanked for their hard work and in anticipation of the delights to come.

morebattle

Cheviot Churches

A joint service with all parishes was held on Sunday when the children of the holiday club took part. With songs, drama etc., along with hymns, the children depicted their theme of “Guardians of Ancora”. Helpers throughout the week were presented with books entitled “The Servant Queen” (tribute book published for the Queen’s 90th birthday). During the service Morebattle Games Queen Lucy Thomson was sashed by last year’s incumbent, Kym Cessford, and then Lucy presented Kym with a goblet in appreciation of her work last year.

Festival week

Morebattle Festival Week begins on Friday, August 5, with a Kurling competition in the village hall – this is a new venture and is open to all children and adults, starting at 7pm – free entry. The draw will be made on the night and there is a cup for the winner. Saturday, August 6 – car treasure hunt, starting from the Templehall, register in the shop. Sunday, August 7 – family day with picnic and five-a-side football on the school playfield at 1pm. Monday, August 8 – coffee evening in village hall at 7pm, bingo to follow in the Templehall at 8.30pm. Tuesday, August 9 – camera club exhibition in the institute, 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Pool competition in the village hall at 7.30pm. Wednesday, August 10 – whist and dominoes in the village hall at 7.30pm. Thursday, August 11 – children’s egg hunt and teddy bears’ picnic at the school playfield for under-sixes at 2.30pm. Treasure hunt for six-12s, also 2.30pm. Pet show at the school playfield at 6.30pm. Friday, August 12 – fancy dress with judging to be held at the school at 6.30pm. Parade to follow at 7pm, over to the Templehall for disco and presentation of all cups etc. Saturday, August 13 – Morebattle Games at Morebattle Tofts, 1.30pm.

Floral Gateway

Judging for the Scottish Borders Floral Gateway competition will take place in Morebattle on Tuesday, August 2. The clean-up will be ongoing throughout the week from Wednesday, July 27 – any help will be gratefully received.

selkirk

Blood donors

At a blood donor session which was held in Selkirk on Sunday, July 17, a total 143 volunteers offered to give blood and 128 donations were given. There were of six new donors.

Traquair

Service

There will be a service on Sunday, July 31, at 10.30am.

Walkerburn

Service

The next service in Walkerburn Public Hall will be on Sunday, August 21, at 10am.

yetholm

SWI

Members are organising a trip to the Falkirk Wheel and Kelpies on September 7.

Fun day

Community councillors are organising a family fun day, with a car boot sale and five-a-side football on Saturday, August 20, from 10am on the playing field. Contact Sahne Black for further information.

A Galashiels man who harassed a woman with learning difficulties for money has been jailed for 180 days at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

William Kennedy approached the vulnerable victim, who is a former friend, at Galashiels Transport Interchange, the town’s ASDA store and at a house in Tweedbank between March 9 and 11. As well as demanding money, he refused to leave her home.

At the Interchange he asked for £8 for his train fare and would not leave her alone till he got the cash.

At ASDA he followed her to a cash machine where she gave him £10 so that he would go away.

Kennedy pleaded guilty to threatening or abusive behaviour.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the 31-year-old, of Gala Park, regarded the woman as an easy source of finance and took advantage of her.

Defence lawyer Stephanie Clinkscale said Kennedy accepted he went too far.

She added: “He started off taking his chances to see if he could obtain money. He can appreciate how this can make her feel.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson told Kennedy: “This offence says it all about you. About your selfish self-nature and your callousness.

“There is no alternative to a custodial sentence.”

The 180-day prison term was backdated to June 20.

ROAD RED CARD FOR FOOTBALL FAN

A football fan watched his team win the league in the pub and then drove home while more than four times the legal alcohol limit, Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told.

Jordi Piferrer, 57, had just watched Barcelona beat Granada 3-0 on television when he got into his Peugeot 308 and was stopped during a police vehicle check in Commercial Road, Hawick, around 11pm on May 14.

He claimed to officers he had only consumed two pints of lager. But the housing association painter and decorator gave a breath/alcohol reading of 96 microgrammes – the legal limit being 22.

Piferrer, who lives in Burns Road, Hawick, said in a police interview: “I am very careful. You have stopped me for nothing.”

Ed Hulme, defending, said: “He accepts now he may have had more than two pints. He was driving the short distance home from the pub to his house in Hawick and made an error of judgement.”

Piferrer was banned for 18 months and fined £400.

SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATION

A Kelso man appeared in private at Selkirk Sheriff Court accused of sexual assault.

William Sutherland, 23, also faces a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour.

He made no plea or declaration and his case was continued for further examination.

Sheriff Peter Paterson granted bail and the next court appearance date has yet to be confirmed.

MECHANIC WAS DOING 103MPH

A mechanic who was clocked driving at 103mph on the A697 at Greenlaw has avoided a driving ban.

Steven Hall, 30, from Morpeth in Northumberland, pleaded guilty to committing the offence in the 60mph limit on May 8.

His lawyer told Jedburgh Sheriff Court Hall had been heading home from Edinburgh where he had been looking at a car.

He said: “He was in no particular rush, but when he went past the police he allowed his speed to rise. He is the sole proprietor of a garage and his business would suffer significantly if he could not drive.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson said he was going to take the “exceptional” step of not disqualifying Hall. Instead he ordered that six penalty points be placed on his licence and imposed a fine of £400.

PENSIONER IN CROWBAR ATTACK

A Melrose pensioner attacked a neighbour’s door with a crowbar after being rebuked for playing music too loud.

Leonard Holobyn, 65, who had been drinking at the time of the incident, took offence at being told to turn the volume down.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said after words were exchanged, the neighbour telephoned police to complain. But shortly afterwards, at around 10pm on April 28, Holobyn went upstairs in the block of flats in Eildon Crescent and attacked the neighbour’s door with a crowbar, making a large gouge in the wooden panel and dents in the aluminium letter box.

During a police interview Holobyn said: “I went a little crazy. I used a crowbar against his door.”

His solicitor, Mat Patrick, said Holobyn regretted the incident and added: “In his own words, he says he is getting too old for this sort of thing now.”

Holobyn was fined £200 and ordered to pay £100 compensation to his upstairs neighbour.

SPITTING YOUTH IS LOCKED UP

A Galashiels youth has been sent to a young offenders’ institution after using threatening behaviour towards police officers and spitting at them.

Jonathan Barnes pleaded guilty to the offence which happened after he was detained at his home in Woodstock Avenue on April 16 in connection with another matter.

Selkirk Sheriff Court heard he was continually verbally abusive towards officers in a police vehicle on a journey between Galashiels and Hawick.

Sheriff Peter Paterson imposed a 124-day sentence, backdated to June 22 when Barnes was taken into custody. Barnes, 20, was also given 170 days for breaching a previous community payback order which will run concurrent with the other custodial term.

TWEEDBANK CURTAINS THIEF

A Tweedbank youth walked out of a Galashiels store with a set of curtains without paying.

Gavin Murray, 20, of Killiecroft, stole the curtains, valued at £54, from B&Q on June 15, and they were not recovered. Staff checked CCTV and Murray was observed placing the curtains in a brown bag and heading out the premises. He was apprehended by police two days later.

Murray will be sentenced on August 29.

DISTURBANCE ON THE BUS

A Hawick teenager who struggled with police on a public service bus has been fined £225 at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Nineteen-year-old Connor Jackson pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on the X95 bus between Selkirk and Hawick at around 12.45am on January 16.

The court heard how police officers boarded the vehicle after being flagged down by the driver because there had been an incident involving two groups on the bus.

Jackson was shouting and swearing, and was warned to calm down, but then rushed towards a male passenger sitting at the front and was arrested.

Defending, Mat Patrick said the apprentice carpet fitter had been upset about the earlier incident and wanted officers to check the CCTV, but felt they were not listening to him.

BAN BREACH MAN SPARED JAIL

A man who married his partner, despite not being allowed to have any contact with her by a Jedburgh Sheriff Court order, has been spared a jail sentence.

Colin Newport – who was on bail for smashing up mum-of-two Linda Cormack’s house with an axe – was told he had shown contempt to the court by getting hitched to her when he was banned from seeing her.

Despite incurring the wrath of Sheriff Peter Paterson, the 50-year-old was given a two-year community payback order with supervision as an alternative to imprisonment.

Sheriff Paterson said: “I have made my views known of my displeasure at the contempt you have shown by marrying your partner while on bail with conditions not to contact her, but I will say no more about it.”

Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard how Newport was told to stay away from Ms Cormack, 48, after being accused of smashing up her home near Lauder last August with an axe.

He initially denied behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and was released on bail on the condition he had no contact with his long-term partner.

But when the case eventually called again in court and Newport pleaded guilty to the charge, it emerged the couple had got married last December.

However, defence lawyer Ed Hulme said that despite marrying, the couple continue to live apart, with Newport in full-time employment in Telford, Shropshire.

He said: “There was a great deal of stress within the household at the time of the incident and things have moved on.”

A previous court hearing was told how the couple had been in a relationship for three years, but shortly before the bust-up she had told him it was over.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser described Newport as a jealous man who relied on his partner for money and at one staged owed her £11,000.

Mr Fraser said the argument started when Newport accused Miss Cormack of being in love with her former partner and that night they went to sleep in separate bedrooms at her home at Thirlestane Farm Cottages.

The following day she went to work and his car was not there when she came home, so she decided to spend the rest of the day in Edinburgh with a female friend.

Mr Fraser said: “While she was in Edinburgh he phoned, asking who she was with. He said he would find her and during the next three hours he called her 39 times and sent 200 text messages and voicemails.”

Mr Fraser said Miss Cormack returned home at about 10.30pm with the house in darkness, but as she went into the hallway he suddenly appeared and pushed past her to lock the door.

Newport was abusive towards her, asking where she had been and calling her a liar.

Mr Fraser said Miss Telford took out a phone to seek help, but he grabbed it off her and threw it to the ground, causing it to break, and also threw her laptop across the room.

The prosecutor said he accused her of contacting other boyfriends on Facebook, which appeared to be the reason why he had taken his anger out on the laptop.

At this point Newport said he had taken an overdose and drank a glass of Zambuca, and he appeared to pass out. Miss Cormack thought he was asleep, but Newport followed her and then went through to the kitchen to pick up an axe which was lying on the top of the fridge.

Mr Fraser continued: “She told him to put it down. But he chopped the axe down on the kitchen worktop, damaging it, and then brandished it in the air.

“He started to smash up the kitchen table and took the axe to the phone landline, making it unusable.

“She described herself as petrified as he struck a number of items, including the television.”

Mr Fraser said that during the row he started to cry and told her he loved her. But he drank another glass of Zambuca and again she thought he had fallen asleep.

But when she went through to the bedroom to make a call, he kicked the door open, shouting more abuse at her.

Mr Fraser said Miss Cormack managed to leave the house and travelled to nearby Lauder where she told a friend what had happened and the police were contacted.

He said: “She was shaking and clearly frightened.”

When police officers arrived at Thirlestane Farm Cottages they found the broken television with two holes in it.

Newport told police he had taken a paracetamol overdose.

Entries for the 2016 Alastair Watson Memorial Award are being sought.

The trophy, for a photograph by a primary school pupil, was launched in his memory by National Union of Journalists colleagues.

Alastair, who was 60 and lived in Coldstream, died in 2013. He worked as a photographer for the Berwickshire News and Southern Reporter for almost four decades. Covering Borders common ridings and festivals was a major part of his work and colleagues felt this topic should be the subject of the award. It is open to anyone who was at primary school by the end of summer term this year and lives in the Borders. Entries (one photograph per entrant), including caption, should be of a 2016 common riding or festival activity and emailed, in Jpeg format, to watsonaward@jpress.co.uk no later than September 1. The entrant’s name, full address, contact phone number and date of birth must also be submitted. Entries will be judged by a panel of Borders-based union members.

As well as the award trophy to keep for a year, there will be a £50 cash prize for the winner.

Souters have been flocking to the pop-up shop at 1 Tower Street to give an overwhelming nod of approval to a possible Selkirk bypass.

Dr Lindsay Neil, of the Selkirk Regeneration Company – which has arranged for the shop to be open to gauge opinion on the issue – said: “We have been inundated. Between 9am and noon, we have spoken to 122 people, 120 of whom are for a bypass, while two were against.

“Some people had slight misgivings about diminishing footfall in the town, but other towns, such as Melrose, have found their footfall increasing after a bypass was built.

“Part of the plan of the Selkirk Regeneration Company is to develop the Market Place,

put in more car parking spaces, and basically make Selkirk more shopper-friendly.

“That will be far more easily done if there was less through traffic.”

The issue gained new impetus following the A7 Action Group’s visit to Holyrood last month to meet with Humza Yousaf, the minister for transport.

Mr Yousaf does appear to be more ready to listen to pleas for a bypass than any other recent incumbent, but he has said that before committing the Government to a bypass, he wants to know how many people – from Selkirk and beyond – are actually for it.

So, yesterday and today saw Souters having their say, and the volunteers have been doing their level best to answer any questions people have on the subject.

Dr Neil added: “Selkirk first planned a bypass in 1936, but wars and other events kept interfering.

“Now that we have our own government, and ministers we can speak to, we at last have a chance to get it.

“The big advantages would be public safety, public health, less through traffic and congestion for commuters and locals alike. Most importantly, it would greatly improve the quality of life in the town.

“We want to encourage as many people as possible to express their approval as they did, almost unanimously, at the general election hustings meeting, and in the small surveys we have already done.

“Please pop in – we will be there till Friday at 4pm – say you want a bypass (or not), give your name and post code, and we will do the hammering for Selkirk on the doors of Holyrood.

“This is something you can do for the benefit of all Selkirk, but residents of Hawick and Galashiels may also want to give their opinion.

“Anyone willing to help us do this will be most welcome, just front up ... we will need extra hands.”

And if yesterday morning is anything to go by, he may have a point. If you can help out, just turn up at the pop-up shop from 9am today.

As the new Scottish football season kicks off, TV Licensing has launched a campaign with the Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) to ensure pubs and clubs across Berwickshire are correctly covered by a licence to show live coverage of matches.

Pubs, clubs or sporting venues which show live television must have a valid TV licence. Pubs without a valid licence are breaking the law and run the risk of a court prosecution and fine of up to £1,000 per offence plus costs.

Fergus Reid, TV Licensing spokesman for Scotland, said: “Many fans will be looking to watch live matches in their local pub and soak up the atmosphere with friends. Ahead of the start of the season, we want managers and publicans of pubs and clubs to make sure they’re on the right side of the law, so their customers can enjoy watching the action without worrying about whether they’re correctly licensed.”

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the SBPA, added: “Offering live coverage of televised sport is a great way for licensed outlets to encourage footfall and boost trade, so obtaining a TV licence can be an essential part of supporting the business.”

Borders police have issued CCTV footage which has been confirmed as the last sighting of missing Hawick man Robert Cantle.

Robert is pictured getting into his silver/grey Fiat Punto, registration ST54 HCH, in the Howgate, Hawick, at 6.08am on Sunday, July 24.

Officers have been carrying out extensive enquiries over the past week to try to locate Robert, including searches in Hawick and Jedburgh, searches of properties linked to Robert, telephony work and use of the force helicopter.

It is now believed that Robert may have travelled in his car to the Jedburgh area on Sunday morning.

Robert has Type 1 diabetes and officers believe he may not be in possession of his medication.

He is described as white, 5 foot 7 inches tall, shaven head, of stocky build with a red beard. He is known to wear glasses and was last seen wearing a black zipped fleece-type jacket and a blue t-shirt with a large ‘Everest’ logo on the front.

Inspector Tony Hodges said: “We are issuing the CCTV images in the hope that they will jog someone’s memory, having seen Robert or his car in the past week.

“Our enquiries lead us to believe that he has left Hawick and travelled to the Jedburgh area, but so far we have not located Robert or his vehicle.

“We are extremely concerned for his welfare, due to the length of time he has now been missing for without any sightings, his apparent lack of medication, and not having made any known contact with friends and family. Anyone with any information is asked to contact police immediately.”

Contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Selkirk Regeneration Company (SRC) conducted a poll of local people last Thursday and Friday at the pop-up shop in Tower Street, asking whether or not they wanted a bypass.

The poll was in reply to Scotland’s transport minister Humza Yousaf, who said he wants to know how many people are actually for the bypass, before committing any government funds to the project.

From the 582 people who responded (over 10% of the town’s population), 563 (96.7% of those polled) were in favour of a bypass, 19 were not, while one was undecided and one form was spoiled.

The SRC’s Dr Lindsay Neil sent these figures to the minister, saying: “The result was emphatic support for a bypass.

“There can be no doubt of what Selkirk wants.”

Borders police have arrested and charged a 29-year-old man after supply amounts of heroin and diazepam were discovered at an address in Galashiels.

The drugs, with a potential street value of £1,950, were found following a search of the address in Glendinning Terrace on Saturday, July 30.

He will appear in court at a later date.

A Borders band helped celebrate the rebirth of the world’s most famous train by rocking the National Railway Museum last month.

Wedding and function five-piece outfit Pulse were tasked with providing entertainment worthy of the Flying Scotsman, for the final day of its stay at the museum, in County Durham.

The ‘Shildon Shed Bash’ closed a week of celebration, with enthusiasts travelling from across the country to see the historic locomotive – providing the band with once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities with the renowned train engine.

Drummer Duncan Neilson, from Selkirk, said: “It’s been a great year for us so far and we’ve had some great home gigs, including the Selkirk Appointment Dance and the Duns Reivers Ball.

“So to add to that this amazing gig to celebrate the Flying Scotsman is a real honour and privilege.

“We learned quite a number of early 60’s songs specifically for the big night and we simply had to play Locomotion!

“But it wasn’t just a day to celebrate old music and historic trains – the new renovation of the Flying Scotsman meant we also had license to play some up to date tunes too.”

Duncan added: “It was a great night and the guys loved the opportunity to climb aboard the beautiful engine and get some unique photographs that we’ll all treasure and look back fondly on.”

Willy Christison, lead vocalist, said: “To play a party in the presence of the Flying Scotsman was something I and the rest of the band will never forget.

“Our stage for the evening was flanked by stunning trains from throughout the ages – making for a dramatic backdrop quite unlike anything we have ever played.”

For more information on the band, visit www.pulsefunctionband.com

Scotrail says it is continuing its efforts to improve on its service to customers after its own figures showed a very poor percentage of on-time trains coming into Tweedbank in June.

In the four-weeks to June 25, only 42.2% of trains made it on time, while the Scotrail target is 64.8%.

Scotrail uses two measurements to detect late trains. The “on-time” measurement defaults if a train is more than 59 seconds late, while the “public performance” measurement kicks in when a train is more than five minutes late, or is cancelled.

In this latter category – the industry standard measurement, the stats do make better reading, with 86.1% of trains into Tweedbank complying, with the target being 93%.

The train company says that for the four weeks in question, it experienced two points failures, plus one instance where a train had to be removed from service due to a fault with one of the doors.

On another occasion, a train was cancelled due to a driver being unavailable at short notice due to illness.

These four incidents generated the most delays in that period.

A ScotRail spokesman said: “We believe customers should have access to on-time stats as well as the industry standard figures, so we publish both on our website and at stations.

“We do our utmost to keep passengers moving and only cancel trains when we have exhausted every alternative.

“On this occasion, we did not meet our targets, but will continue our efforts to improve.”

Rachael Hamilton, South of Scotland MSP said: “Clearly, a journey as important as this needs to run on time and provide a consistent and reliable service.

“Unfortunately the only thing that customers know is that it is more likely they will arrive late than on time.

“Action needs to be taken to get this journey to meet the 93% target before customers stop using it.”

It has been a tough couple of months for the service – as members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union fought plans to have drivers instead of guards operate the doors, and went on strike on named days, which severely condensed the timetable.

However, further action has been suspended as union leaders have restarted talks with Scotrail bosses.

Local MSP John Lamont will this week hold his 1,000th advice surgery.

On Friday 12th August, Mr Lamont will host his 999th surgery at Glen Douglas Community Hall near Jedburgh, before travelling to Foulden in Berwickshire for his 1,000th.

He said this week: “It’s really important for me to make myself available to everyone I represent and make it as easy as I can for people to ask for help. Particularly for elderly residents who might find it difficult to travel to Edinburgh or Hawick I like to make the effort to visit them in their own communities. I also think it’s really important to do this all year round and not just as one-offs.”

A St Boswells campaigner has been recognised for a lifetime raising awareness of MS with a British Empire Medal (BEM).

Anne Elizabeth Campbell received the BEM from the Lord-Lieutenant of Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale, Captain Gerald Maitland-Carew, for services to the Multiple Sclerosis Society in the region at a ceremony held in Scottish Borders Council’s headquarters on Friday.

Mrs Campbell has worked for the MS Society for over 60 years, first in Northern Ireland and then in the Borders, as a committee member, chair and now president.

Under her leadership, the Borders branch has become one of the strongest and most effective in Scotland and is held up as a model to follow.

She said: “Borderers are very good at rallying around for people, and I think that the thing they like about the MS Society is that all of the funds we raise are spent in the area.”

Mrs Campbell is the leading branch fundraiser, raising of thousands of pounds by making and selling tablet to an old family recipe.

The Lord Lieutenant said: “Mrs Campbell richly deserves the British Empire Medal, not only for her important work with the local Multiple Sclerosis Society in raising substantial sums of money but also for the way in which her commitment, hard work and dedication has been an inspiration to everyone with whom she has come into contact. She leads by example and has inspired those with and without MS to be the best they can.”

bonchester

Speed shear

The Horse and Hound Inn welcomed a huge crowd last Saturday night for the annual speed-shear competition. Organised by Geordie Bayne,the event provided both entertainment and excitement. The first final saw two Englishmen and two Scots compete for the senior trophy – the Howahill Shield – and when the favourite, local lad Neil Sandilands, who was the fastest qualifier in 34.85sec., was red-flagged, Yorkshire’s Jonathon Easton posted a time of 34.20 to win the title. Runner-up was David Gray (Selkirk) and third was David Corbett (Rochester). Although Willie Dixon’s record time of 21.83 was never threatened, the open final once again proved to be as exciting as ever. When last year’s winner, Una Cameron, and Jedburgh man Alex Riding were both red-flagged, the crowd were on their feet for local boy Glen Wilson as he took on Wilson Wylie, a Scot now living in Norway, for the coveted John Falla Trophy. Glen made a valiant effort, but his time of 31.29 only secured him the runner-up spot when Wilson fleeced his Texel cross lamb in 30.26. The event raised in the region of £420 which went to Cancer Research UK.

An Innerleithen electrician has been fined and ordered to pay compensation to a customer after a bust-up over an unpaid bill.

Ex-police officer Gill Durrington, 54, claimed Nick Silk booted her West Highland terrier Duncan up in the air, causing the dog to run off and threw an ornamental stone at her before assaulting her.

Silk, 35, denied any of that happened and alleged Mrs Durrington threw the stone at his van, causing dents to the bonnet. He said he only seized her by the body in self-defence to prevent her from throwing another stone at the vehicle.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told that Silk turned up at Mrs Durrington’s home in Buccleuch Street, Innerleithen, on April 24 to ask why a £1,500 bill for work to her house had not been paid.

Mrs Durrington said she would not be paying as she had to get other tradesmen in to finish the work, and he would need to speak to her estranged husband.

Silk said he would take the matter to a small claims court.

That is where the accounts given by the pair at trial vastly differed.

In a statement to police, Mrs Durrington said: “Nick kicked him (Duncan) so fiercely he was catapulted down the grass. It was horrible.”

And in her evidence at the trial, she said: “I just heard the sound of a thud, and the dog gave a loud yelp. I saw the dog flying across the front grass.”

She then said she picked up an ornamental stone to protect herself and Silk lunged at her, placing both hands round her neck and pushed her over.

Mrs Durrington said Silk then threw a stone which she was worried would hit her other West Highland terrier, Charley, who had been barking at him and it missed her by a couple of feet.

She added: “He was shouting and swearing. He said, ‘You are a f*****g hoor’. He then drove off in his van. I noted the registration and telephoned the police.”

Mrs Durrington told the court she called her neighbour, Susan McAusland, round who took photographs of red marks on her shoulders and neck.

Mrs McAusland’s husband retrieved Duncan from a stranger’s house near a caravan park about half a mile away.

Silk’s lawyer, Ed Hulme, described Mrs Durrington’s evidence as exaggerated and doubted her credibility and reliability in this case.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said there was no corroboration for kicking the dog, throwing the stone and shouting and swearing, and found Silk not guilty of that charge.

But he convicted the electrician of assaulting Mrs Durrington by seizing her by the body and placing his hands around her neck to her injury.

Silk was fined £300 and ordered to pay Mrs Durrington £100 compensation.

JAILED FOR DISTURBANCE

A Hawick man involved in a disturbance near his home has been jailed for five months at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Craig Robson, 23, of Hillend Drive, pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by banging on a door and shouting and swearing.

The offence happened in Silverbuthall Road, Hawick, on May 8.

CRASH DRIVER LOCKED UP

A 23-year-old man has been jailed for eight months at Selkirk Sheriff Court after crashing a car into a Berwickshire cottage, causing serious injury to his passenger.

Conor McCallum pleaded guilty to driving the BMW away from an address in Bonnyrigg without permission and then driving dangerously on the A1107 Coldingham to Eyemouth road on the evening of September 22 last year.

He collided with a Mini car and the BMW struck a house. McCallum’s passenger was taken to hospital with serious, leg and head injuries after fire fighters had to cut the roof off the BMW to free him.

McCallum, of Straiton, Edinburgh, is currently serving a three-year prison sentence for other offences.

He also admitted having no insurance and failing to give a specimen of blood at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after being suspected of being under the influence.

The eight-month jail term will run concurrently with the three-year sentence.

OBSTRUCTED POLICE OFFICERS

A Kelso woman refused to leave a car which was being seized by police as her partner had allegedly been driving it with no insurance.

Unemployed Donna Lauder, 39, admitted obstructing two police officers, refusing to exit a vehicle and shouting and swearing outside her Orchard Park home on July 7.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told that Lauder had only recently bought the car for £250 and she was upset that it was being seized. After the police managed to convince Lauder out of the driving seat where she had refused to budge, despite numerous requests, the argument continued and she was arrested.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said: “The incident happened at around 11.45am when police saw the accused’s partner driving without a licence and insurance, and the vehicle was seized.

“The accused was also present and would not allow the vehicle to be taken away. Due to the hostility she was showing, extra help was required.

“She sat in the driver’s seat and refused to get out despite repeated requests. She swore at them and indicated they would have to drag her out. She was arrested for obstructing the police.”

Mr Fraser went on: “Once outside the vehicle she was shouting and swearing at them and it was not helped by her partner’s conduct throughout this.”

The court heard that the car remains seized as she does not have the money to get it back.

Her lawyer told the hearing that Lauder was originally told that if she organised a trailer she could take the vehicle away, but police changed their mind and informed her the vehicle would be seized.

He said: “She accepts tempers were running high.”

She was fined £150.

GALASHIELS LAGER LOUT

A Galashiels teenager caused £500 worth of damage to a police vehicle after being arrested during the early hours of last Thursday, Selkirk Sheriff Court was told.

Liam Scott, 18, of Kenilworth Avenue, was found in the Gala Park area of the town and at the time it was thought he was breaching his bail conditions.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said Scott became violent and damaged the perspex screen in the van and because of the sharp edges left, the vehicle was out of commission.

Scott also told police he had consumed 14 pints of Carlsberg lager and a number of ecstasy tablets.

He appeared from custody and pleaded guilty to the vandalism offence, but a not-guilty plea to breaching his bail was accepted by the crown as it was found that he was just outwith the area he was banned from.

The court heard he was on bail with a condition to stay out of Gala Park Court due to an allegation of a domestic nature.

Defence lawyer Fiona Hamilton said her client had reacted badly as he believed he had not breached his bail and was being unlawfully arrested.

She added he had been drinking, which contributed to the way behaved.

Sheriff Peter Paterson enquired how someone who received around £60 a week in benefits could spend around £50 on 14 pints of lager.

He ordered Scott to pay £200 compensation to Police Scotland for the damage to the vehicle and fined him £100.

OFFENSIVE POPE COMMENTS

A drunken Hawick man who repeatedly telephoned 999 when there was no emergency and shouted sectarian remarks at the operator has avoided a jail sentence at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Jamie Gent, 27, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened at his home in Fairhurst Drive on December 19.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the accused had been out on the night of December 18 – known as Black Friday – and the emergency services were at breaking point answering calls.

Police officers spotted Gent at around 1am “being a bit of a nuisance” and he was asked to calm down.

From 1.25am, the emergency services received three calls from his mobile phone.

Mr Fraser said: “He was chanting and singing and making offensive comments about the Pope and the police, and repeatedly used the word ‘Fenian’.”

Gent was later traced and was apologetic, saying he was drunk and accepted that his behaviour was unacceptable.”

Mat Patrick, defending, said: “We went through the recordings and he was pretty disgusted at what he heard.

“He has been consistent in his position that these are not beliefs he holds and I would describe his behaviour as moronic.”

Mr Patrick said his previous conviction of a similar nature coincided with him attending Rangers football matches when he was heavily intoxicated and getting completely carried away, adding: “The real concern is the alcohol abuse.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson told the accused: “One of the benefits of the Scottish Borders is that this sort of sectarian nonsense is very uncommon.

“If it happens again, you will end up in jail.”

He imposed a 12-month community payback order with supervision as an alternative to imprisonment.

HARE GANG MEMBER

A third member of a hare-coursing gang will be sentenced at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on August 22.

Anthony Bassford, 31, from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, admitted hunting a brown hare and a mountain hare with three dogs, along with two others, at Killpallethill, Mayshiel Estate, near Longformacus, Berwickshire, on April 6.

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence for Bassford to provide evidence that the two dogs he owns – a lurcher and a spaniel – were now microchipped.

He said he would consider banning him from owning any other animals on August 22.

Sheriff Paterson said that wildlife offences were a serious matter and warned him of the consequences if he offended again.

At previous hearings, Jason Ellis, 27, from Stoke-on Trent, was fined £300 and John Wilson, 23, of Bedlington, Northumberland, was given a six-month community pay backorder involving 70 hours’ unpaid work.

ATTACK VICTIM KNOCKED OUT

A Selkirk man who knocked a man unconcious in a local pub has been ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work at the town’s sheriff court.

Michael Young, 33, of Forest Road, pleaded guilty to repeatedly punching Allan Beattie on the head and knocking him to the ground.

The victim was rendered unconcious during the attack.

The incident happened in O’Malley’s Sports Bar on May 30 last year.

Young was ordered to carry out the unpaid work over the next 18 months as an alternative to a custodial sentence.

MOTORING ALLEGATIONS

A Hawick man has been charged with driving while disqualified and with no insurance in various streets in the town.

Darrell Potts, 24, of Chay Blyth Place, is alleged to have committed the offences on August 29 last year.

His first hearing was continued until August 15 at Selkirk Sheriff Court for more in ormation to be provided to the court.

Raider chased by victim

A Hawick woman who staged a break-in at a house in the town was pursued by the householder through gardens after he disturbed her.

Claire Condie, 27, pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to a housebreaking charge and was given a 10- month restriction-of-liberty order keeping her in her home at the Loan between the hours of 7pm and 7am.

Graham Fraser, prosecuting, said the property was left unoccupied by the householder at 7.10pm past last July with the lights out.

He said: “About half an hour later, neighbours were moving around in the area and noticed suspicious activity in the area, including the accused.

“At about 8.20pm, the householder came back and went round to the back of the house and saw the accused and another person.

“They were carrying large and bulky bags, and the householder immediately became aware the house was broken into, and it was raining torrentially at the time.

“The householder fell after slipping and other neighbours joined in after seeing him giving chase as he was distressed.

“Food items were dropped as she ran ran through the gardens. Eventually, they dropped the bags at his feet, and the accused said, ‘You have got your stuff back. Lleave me alone’.”

Mr Fraser said police later traced Condie.

The prosecutor added that the householder had since passed away from a terminal illness. He pointed out that the incident had not played any part in his death but added: “It made his life more unhappy than it already was.”

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said: “She feels awful about this. There was a full recovery of the items from the house.”

He explained that at the time, Condie was experiencing a chaotic drug-misuse lifestyle but was in a more stable position now.

BAIL BID IS REJECTED

A 31-year-old man has been locked up after being accused of 10 counts of contacting witnesses in a forthcoming court case on social media and sending abusive and threatening messages.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told the alleged recipients of the messages included his former partner and an 11-year-old child.

Jamie West denies sending the messages on the Facebook and Plenty of Fish social media sites from his home in Beech Avenue, Galashiels.

He is also charged with breaching a bail order by repeatedly approaching his former partner between June 28 and August 3.

West also pleaded not guilty to throwing paint over a car parked in Tweed Terrace, Galashiels, on July 14 and breaking a double-glazed window in Croft Road, Kelso, last Wednesday.

A trial date was fixed for September 6, with an intermediate hearing on August 22.

Sheriff Peter Paterson refused a motion for bail and West was remanded in custody.

ORDERED TO STAY AT HOME

A financial agent who fraudulently obtained more than £3,900 never carried out the unpaid work she was sentenced to for committing the crime.

Lorna Waddell, 39, of Orchard Park, Kelso, claimed she was suffering from depression, anxiety, back pain and an ankle injury, and was unable to complete the work.

Instead, Sheriff Peter Paterson imposed a restriction-of-liberty order, keeping her in her home between 9pm and 5am for the next eight months as an alternative to imprisonment
at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Waddell was working as an agent for Provident Financial Management Services Ltd when she obtained £3,936.82 by fraud between February 1, 2012, and February 20, 2013. She also admitted embezzling £697.75 from the company between November 1, 2012, and March 12, 2013.

Sheriff Paterson described the crime as a “substantial breach of trust”.

TRIAL DATE FOR MOTORIST

The trial of a Jedburgh motorist accused of endangering the safety of emergency services personnel by ignoring road-closure signs during heavy flooding will take place on September 8.

Jane Brewis, 50, is accused of committing the offence during a period of severe flooding in the Borders.

She maintained her not-guilty plea to a charge of culpable and reckless conduct on December 6 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

It is alleged she ignored road-closure signs as she headed towards Kelso and she had to be rescued from the River Teviot after her vehicle was washed into the water before becoming wedged between two trees.

DISQUALIFIED DRIVER JAILED

A motorist from Hawick has been jailed for four months at Jedburgh Sheriff Court after driving while banned and with no insurance.

Steven Gorman pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified on the A68 and with no insurance on July 16. He also admitted driving dangerously at excessive speeds in a car he had just bought for £300.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said police received a report expressing concern about the way a car was being driven from Hawick to Jedburgh.

Police pursued the car, but Gorman accelerated away and at one stage was driving at 60mph in a 30mph limit in Jedburgh. The pursuit ended when Gorman lost control and hit a farm building .

Mr Fraser said: “He ran away but was quickly caught by the police.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said Gorman, 22, of Wilson Drive, bought cars and after repairing them sold them. He added: “He knows it was a massive risk he took.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson told Gorman he had a “flagrant disregard” for court orders and said there was no alternative to a custodial sentence.

The jail term was backdated to July 17, when Gorman was remanded in custody.

Pupils across the Borders received the brown envelopes containing their exam results this week – and while they may have opened them gingerly, many were left smiling.

Scottish Borders Council reported that the results were its best ever, showing continued improvement in relation to previous years.

There has been a strong performance by S4 pupils, with 42% gaining five or more National 5 qualifications – a 4% increase from last year, with a total of 505 students from across the Borders achieving this measure of success, compared to 455 last year.

The number of S5 pupils attaining five highers has increased by 2% from 15% to 17%, with 197 attaining this standard compared to 183 last year.

This is well above the national average in recent years and represents the best-ever performance from Borders pupils at this level.

The record performance of 34% of young people leaving school with five or more highers at the end of S6 has been maintained for a second year.

And 21% of the departing sixth years achieved a qualification at advanced higher level, the highest available qualification possible from a secondary school, representing a 3% increase over the last two years.

In addition, there is evidence of continuing strong literacy and numeracy performance, with 93% of S4 students attaining a national qualification in English.

This is an increase of 1% on last year, with 1,103 young people being successful compared to 1,086 last year.

There is a similar picture for mathematics, with 82% of S4 students gaining a national qualification, up 0.2% on last year with 978 young people compared to 913 doing well.

Both these figures represent a record performance for pupils since the new qualifications came in three years ago.

Galashiels councillor Sandy Aitchison, the council’s executive member for education, said: “Once again, I am delighted to be able to congratulate the young people of the Scottish Borders and their teachers on the results they have achieved today. They clearly show that Borders pupils are working hard, performing well and being well prepared to leave our schools and take their place in the world.

“These results paint a highly positive picture of the educational experience we provide for our children and young people with an ever-increasing number of them being able to leave education with higher levels of qualifications and attainment and move on to positive and sustained destinations.

“They also provide strong evidence that the implementation of the Curriculum for Excellence in Scottish Borders Schools is beginning to pay off in terms of giving our pupils every opportunity to achieve their highest potential.

“It is also encouraging to see that the rigour of fourth-year qualifications is proving to be highly effective in preparing students for achievement at higher level.

“There has, of course, been a great deal of hard work and dedication to get to this point – not only by the pupils themselves, but also by the teachers, parents and carers who have taught, encouraged and supported them to strive to achieve their personal best – and they are all to be commended for their commitment.”

Speaking on behalf of the headteachers at Galashiels, Earlston, Kelso and Jedburgh high schools, chief officer education Michelle Strong said: “I am delighted with the overall performance of our pupils this year. Many of our young people have done very well and are to be congratulated on their success.

“The increased performance at all levels is testament to the hard work of students, commitment of teachers, and the support of parents and carers.

“The significant increase in attainment in fourth year will form a firm foundation for future performance.”

Mrr Aitchison added: “If a pupil or parent has any queries about their results, there are a number of places offering advice.

“They should phone their school in the first instance and staff will be on hand to help.”

Support is also available through the Skills Development Scotland helpline on 0808 100 8000. This is open from 9am-5pm until August 12. Advisers can provide access to information on UCAS course vacancies at college and universities across the UK, Confirmation and Clearing, advice about Modern Apprenticeships and employment and training opportunities.

Additional information is available on the SQA website, www.sqa.org.uk

What the pupils say: 
Pages 20-21.