A Peebles woman claimed she was attacked with a knife and suffered severe injury after confronting a woman about a debt, a trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court has been told.

Kendra Morris said she visited 24-year-old Zoe Owen at her home in Eastgate, Peebles, on April 19 in an attempt to get the money she says she was owed repaid.

However, she claimed Owen refused and then as she left the flat, brandished a knife, struggled with her, attempted to strike her on the neck with the weapon and then struck her on her hand with the knife to her severe injury.

Owen – now living at Restalrig Road, Edinburgh - has denied the charge.

The trial has been adjourned to allow more evidence to be heard on Thursday, September 1.

Background reports have been ordered into an Earlston woman who refused to give samples of breath when suspected of drinking and driving.

Julie Taylor, 49, pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to a charge of failing to co-operate with a preliminary breath test at her Haughhead home last Wednesday.

She also admitted failing to provide two samples of breath at Galashiels Police Station.

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence until September 20 for a Criminal Justice Social Work Report to be prepared.

He also imposed an interim driving ban.

A Hawick solicitors has taken the phrase family firm to the next level ... as the sixth generation of the Oliver family has joined Geo and Jas Oliver WS, Hawick, Solicitors and Estate Agents.

Before joining the firm – which was established in 1824 – Henry Oliver studied Law at the University of Aberdeen before undertaking a two-year traineeship with Stronach’s LLp, one of Scotland’s foremost independent law firms.

He gained extensive training in the areas of residential property, private clients, dispute resolution and agricultural law.

Henry, who will be based at 13 High Street, Hawick, said: “I am excited to be joining the family business and look forward to providing a first-class personal, friendly and efficient service to the firms clients, old and new.”

His father John, who is also director of the company, said: “I am delighted to have Henry joining the firm as sixth generation and continuing to serve our well established and loyal client base.

“He is eager to drive the business forward. I joined the firm in 1974 and the challenges ahead for Henry will be very different from the ones I have encountered.”

Henry said he welcomes any clients, old or new, requiring legal or estate agency services.

A week long tour of his Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk constituency has given MP Calum Kerr an insight into the issues he needs to prioritise over the coming months.

“It has been absolutely amazing,” said Calum, who has had a mix of formal meetings, chats with people on street corners and on their doorstep to get a flavour to what matters to the people he represents from Newcastleton to Cockburnspath.

Raising national and international awareness of what the Scottish Borders has to offer tourists and potential employers, and transport and broadband connectivity are clear front runners when it comes to priorities as far as Calum is concerned.

Over the course of two days he visited every corner of Berwickshire, and while in St Abbs took the opportunity to go and see the village’s new independent lifeboat.

“Euan and Paul appeared and showed me the boat,” said Calum.”The sun was shining but I think their smiles while showing me the boat were brighter than the sun.

“I think back to the time when they just got the news and Paul Wheelhouse and I met with the crew who were shell-shocked. It was done in such an officious way.”

And it turns out he had chosen the same day to visit St Abbs as Boyd Tunnock who was given a trip out on the lifeboat he contributed £260,000 to buy.

“The issues from Berwickshire have been very similar to elsewhere but when I have talked to people about the Borders it feels like a forgotten part of Scotland and you can multiply that in Berwickshire.”

Improving the region’s connectivity – both transport and broadband – is Calum’s number one goal for the Borders. Highlighting what it has to offer to both tourists and employers, then making it easy to get here to visit by improving transport links and upgrading broadband connections to convince employers 
that it is a good place to work.

“The fact is we dwell too much on the past and should seize the opportunity to build on what we have here for tourism and jobs which is why connectivity remains one of the biggest challenges we face.

“Nowadays you can work anywhere but that is predicated on connectivity.”

“I am doing a ton of work on broadband connectivity, I’m the digital spokesperson at Westminster and I’m so frustrated at the lack of progress and cohesion.

“I’m launching a Scottish Borders Digital Forum, Scottish Borders Council are on board, and there are a number of initiatives coming from Westminster.”

During his time at Eyemouth Calum caught up with the town’s enhancement group which has brought the community together to spruce up the town, creating floral displays around the centre. Earlier this year Calum ended up washing dishes at the enhancement group’s coffee morning and when he returned lat week he presented one of the organisers, James Anderson, with a cheque for £175 – money Calum earned by carrying out UK Government surveys.

Even here the importance of technology was clear – Facebook proving a game changer for the enhancement group as a way of getting in touch with people and asking for help.

Calum is the SNP’s DEFRA (Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs) spokesperson and inevitably he has had many conversations in recent weeks about the impact of the UK exiting the European Union.

“The general feeling I’m getting from people is that they are concerned that no one really knows what it means.

“At the independence referendum 58.5% of people in the Borders voted to remain part of the UK and they 
are now wondering what this means now. I am trying to understand what people’s concerns are about it and
 what areas I need to be aware of and campaign on – CAP payments being an obvious example.

“A significant amount of money comes into the Borders from CAP payments.”

“I was at the Royal Highland Show the day after the EU referendum and farmers were demanding that the Government honours the CAP system. They have announced that they will honour pillar one – money that goes to the farmers – but there is still no announcement about pillar two, which is where rural development money comes from for rural projects and that’s the next step for us.

“Speaking to the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses their main concerns about Brexit are access to markets and access to people as a number of our businesses rely on EU workers. Some even had EU workers coming in and asking if they have to go back home now. We are all calling for clarity.”

Gala Braw Lad Mark Hood managed to get a soaking, despite good weather for last Sunday’s Rotary Family Fun Day in the Public Park.

He gamely volunteered to sit on the dunking stool for about an hour while people tried to hit the target, dropping him into the tank of cold water.

Other attractions included bouncy castles, roundabouts, bucking bull, tombolas, Inner Wheel crepes, and entertainment by the ex-service pipe and town bands.

MSP John Lamont held his 1,000th advice surgery recently in Foulden, and he’s never short of constituents either needing help of wanting to disucss a varity of issues.

“When I first started doing surgeries in 2007 I did wonder how many people would come because people use email, the phone etc nowadays but actually the number of people has increased and more are coming,” said John.

“I don’t know whether it’s peculiar to the Borders that people like the physical presence.

“More often people come because they don’t know where else to turn. People have told others that I have been able to help them in the past and more and more people come to me because they have heard about my willingness to help.”

The variety of issues Berwickshire people want to talk to John about is “something quite remarkable”, and he acknowledges how important they are to his constituents.

John deals with whatever constituents bring to him, whether its a council matter, UK Government or Scottish Parliament issues.

“The view I take is that if someone is coming to me I’ll do my best for them.

Although a Member of the Scottish Parliament, when it comes to UK matters he has found that he gets the same level of response from UK Ministers “as if I was and MP”.

“We can help people exactly as a Member of Parliament.

“I can get extremely local issues such as pot holes to personal life issues where people need help or the chair of a community council asking for help on behalf of the community.

“Clearly you get more national issues and Acts of Parliament. The named person was a recent one. There was a lot of concern from parents about it and what effect it would have on their family life.

“In the Borders, given the type of area, the sense of community is so important and the strength of family is very important to many people and the thought of outside interference with that touched a nerve.

“Brexit has resulted in lots of people corresponding with me - people from both sides have come to be because of concerns. It isn’t just the result but the consequences of the position of Scotland within the UK and the possibility of a second independence referedum.”

However, John believes that Nicola Sturgeon is moving away from that, certainly in the near future, and now that the UK Government has steadied itself with Therese May as leader he believes that much of the uncertaintly that was concerning so many people as been resolved and they are beginning to feel more positive about how the UK’s exit from the European Union will be handled.

On a more local level a complaint John often hears is that Berwickshire feels neglected by the council compared to other parts of the Borders.

“I do get that general feeling, through the discussions I have, that things such as pot holes, investment in town centres and other initiatives need looked at in Berwickshire.

“Berwickshire is unique because of its strong ties to Berwick and East Lothian - it’s a unique part of the Borders.

“Cross border issues continue - health care for people living in Paxton and Hutton who have had difficulty using health services south of the border which are much nearer to them. Health boards need to make their books balance and having patients cared for over the border is something they try to avoid which means people travelling to the Borders General Hospital rather than just a few miles down the road to Berwick.

“The other issue coming up more and more is broadband connectivity.

“I see it as being the same as having mains gas, electricity and water - it’s an essential that people should expect to have.

“The pressure on the Government, council and BT is going to get greater becasue more people are opting to work from home or are moving to the Borders from other parts of the country which have good braodband speeds.

“Despite all the money being spent, the technology is advancing so quickly its only getting us up to where others were five years ago.

“The other issue in Berwickshire is new housing being built closer to the exchange which means it reduces service to people further away, the diminishing level of services for people further out is because of the way the service works. That’s going to continue to be one of the biggest issues that people bring to me.”

NHS Borders is running a series of weekly classes throughout September to give people practical advice on managing stress.

Coping with life’s everyday challenges can lead to stress in many different forms. To help cope with this, free classes are being run in Hawick throughout the month and will take the form of hour-long sessions, where you can learn about the common effects of stress, and get some practical advice.

The classes will be run by Sinead Murray, clinical associate in applied psychology within NHS Borders mental health service, and Vanessa Lindores, trainee clinical associate in applied psychology.

These classes are not group therapy and you will not be asked to talk about yourself or your personal circumstances.

If you feel that you need further one-to-one support then you will be encouraged to contact your GP for more appropriate support.

Support group contacts, self-help leaflets and DVDs will also be available.

Classes will take place at Galashiels Library on September 1, 8, 15 and 22, from 5.30-6.30pm. The classes are free to everyone, however, booking is required. Please contact Galashiels Library on 01896 664170.

Week one will look at understanding stress, week two is on improving sleep and relaxation, week three takes in managing thoughts that bother you, and it culminates in week 4’s lesson – feeling better about yourself.

Sinead Murray said: “Stress is a commonly experienced problem. Feeling under pressure whilst managing life’s everyday challenges can lead to problems such as disturbed sleep, an inability to relax, feeling tense, anxious or irritable, persistent worrying or loss of self-confidence.

“Our classes are open to everyone and they are free.

“You may want to come along for your own benefit, or to gain knowledge and skills to help you support a family member or friend overcome stress. In either case, you are sure to gain some value by taking part.”

Gay rights campaigners from the Borders were among around 60 people who took part in a peaceful protest in Dumfries on Monday evening.

They were there to voice their opposition against Angus Buchan, an evangelical preacher from South Africa known for his strident views on homosexuality.

As reported last week, Pastor Buchan had been due to address an audience in the Volunteer Hall, Galashiels, on the same evening as the guest of the Tweedbank-based Hope Church.

But after complaints from the Borders LGBT Forum, hall owners Live Borders cancelled the booking, claiming the event had “the potential to cause public offence”.

There had been speculation another Borders venue would be found by his hosts, but Pastor Michael McLeister of Hope Church ruled this out “for the sake of the gospel, peace and relationships in our community”.

At the weekend, however, another evangelical organisation, the Lighthouse Church in Dumfries, stepped into the breach and announced Pastor Buchan would preach in its Maxwell Street church instead.

Before embarking on his first visit to Scotland since 1991, Pastor Buchan, 69, whose late parents hailed from Aberdeenshire, spoke of his “great sadness” at the Galashiels snub.

“On the virtual eve of my departure ... I have come under the most severe attack and resistance I have ever experienced in my life since becoming a Christian in 1979,” he told his supporters.

“Effectively, the gay rights movement has banned me from preaching the Gospel in Galashiels.

“I am accused of being a homophobe, among other unsavoury things, but all I am doing is preaching the undiluted word of God, the Bible, in its entirety, not compromising one word.

“I love people and do not want them to perish and go to a lost eternity. I love homosexuals and I love lesbians, but I cannot condone their way of living, their lifestyle, because it is contrary to the teaching of God’s holy word.”

Around 130 people attended Monday’s event in a former Benedictine convent chapel in Dumfries as the protesters gathered in the street outside for what organisers described as “a celebration of love”.

Inside the chapel, Pastor Buchan referred to the demonstration.

“Those people at the end of the road, they are lost, they need love, they need Jesus,” he said, adding: “Galashiels chased me away – Dumfries has welcomed me”.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, BBC correspondent Lyse Doucet, and special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, will appear on a panel at Traquair House on Sunday, August 28, for the Beyond Borders International Festival of Literature and Thought.

The panel, which will take place at 1pm, will see Ms Doucet lead a discussion with the First Minister and Mr de Mistura on the diverse roles that women can play in the realms of politics and peace making.

This will be followed by a Q&A session.

Ms Sturgeon said of the upcoming 1325 Fellowship and her participation in the festival: “I am delighted to be returning to Traquair House this year and discussing the important role that women can play in the peace-making process. In any war there is a human cost, as we have seen all too often. It is more vital than ever that the international community tries to resolve conflict with peace settlements which have been shaped by women as well as men.”

Tickets (weekend pass £45, day pass £24, individual events £9, walks and cycle rides £6) are available online at www.beyondbordersscotland.com

For more information, email info@beyondbordersscotland.com or call 0131 557 7775.

A Galashiels man has been found guilty of carrying out a catalogue of sexual abuse and rape of girls.

Stephen Charters, 51, began molesting his victims as a boy and continued on into adulthood.

He had denied a string of offences during his trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, but was convicted of seven sex crimes, including two of rape.

Charters was charged with starting his sexual offending at the age of 12 – the youngest age for prosecution in Scotland.

A court heard he began by molesting a younger girl at a house in the Borders in 1977, and exposing himself and carrying out sex acts in her presence.

He later raped the girl when she was aged 11 and he was a teenager. He also targeted another girl from the age of four and carried out indecency offences against her in the Borders, at a house in Midlothian and at Edinburgh’s Royal Commonwealth Pool.

During the abuse he forced his victim to perform sex acts on him and raped her when she was aged between six and eight on an occasion between June 1984 and April 1987.

Charters also made sexual and inappropriate remarks to a girl aged between 10 and 11 between 1995 and 1997 in East Kilbride and during a car journey.

He had been on bail during his trial, but after he was found guilty of the offences he was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing next month.

A Peeblesshire businessman has poured scorn on an internal probe into how Scottish Borders Council came to a decision on the Great Tapestry of Scotland’s proposed home.

Brian McCrow – who petitioned against SBC spending £3.5m on a £6m visitor centre for the tapestry at Tweedbank – said this week he was “dumbfounded” at the findings of a working group of four councillors set up last year by the council’s scrutiny committee to review the decision-making process.

As reported last week, that investigation concluded that details given to elected members, based on information available at the time, were “sufficient” to allow them to make the decision.

However, it also stressed that councillors should be given better information by their officers.

There is no mention in the report of the 4,400-signature petition which Mr McCrow presented to SBC’s petitions committee in October last year. Nor is there any reference to the submissions of opponents of the Tweedbank project when a four-member SBC planning committee gave it the planning nod later the same month.

Instead, the working group focused on the full council meetings in May and December 2014 when, respectively, decisions were made to target Tweedbank to the exclusion of any other site and then allocate £3.5m in capital towards the construction of the new facility.

Mr McCrow, an Innerleithen community councillor, said it was “ludicrous” for the working group not to have taken account of either his petition or the dissenting views expressed at the planning meeting.

“I am dumbfounded that there is no recommendation from the working group that wider community engagement should be carried out in the future on major projects,” he told The Southern.

“It is one thing to make a decision and quite another to stick with it in the face of powerful evidence that the public you are paid to represent are clearly not on side as reflected in media stories, letters to the press and views expressed at community council meetings across the Borders.”

And he issued the following warning to those councillors who backed the project and intend seeking re-election next May: “The public have long memories, especially at the ballot box, on matters such as this when the views of the Borders public have been so patently ignored.”

Borders MSP Christine Grahame paid a visit to Sainsbury’s in Peebles this week to learn about the supermarket’s Local Charity of the Year.

Every year Sainsbury’s works with customers and staff to support a local cause at the heart of the community and Ms Grahame was delighted to hear that this year Peebles had chosen Guide Dogs for the Blind.

She said: “Shoppers in Peebles voted to support Guide Dogs for the Blind this year and I am particularly pleased about this as I sponsor Guide Dog puppies and have done for years.

“I understand that the partnership lasts for the whole year and includes a range of support, such as awareness raising and fundraising in store, volunteering and donations.”

The MSP met Margot Swanston, deputy store manager, and staff member Jenna Aitchison. She was given a tour of the store and chatted to shoppers and staff about the charity initiative.

Ms Grahame added: “Sainsbury’s have been nominating a Local Charity of the Year since 2009 and has now raised over £11million throughout the UK.”

The deadline is approaching for companies to enter this year’s Scottish Borders Business Excellence Awards.

The awards will be held at a lunch event at Springwood Park, Kelso, on Friday, November 11.

Run for the second year by the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce, the award ceremony, supported by SP Energy Networks, will once again be hosted by television journalist Fiona Armstrong.

And it has never been easier to submit nominations for one or more of the 10 award categories by the closing date of Friday, September 23.

“We’ve simplified matters this year with a single page application form on our website,” explained Bruce Simpson, the Chamber’s communications director.

“The aim is to encourage and make it easy for as many business people as possible to participate and thus showcase the quality and ambition of what they do. Every applicant will have the chance to make a presentation to the judging panel – and receive an automatic invitation to our lunch which serves as a fantastic networking opportunity.”

The award categories have also been amended this year in a bid to better represent the diversity of the modern Borders business community.

For instance, the majority of businesses in this region have less than five employees– a fact reflected in a new accolade for the Most Innovative Business with that workforce level in any sector.

Chamber convener Jack Clark wants the awards to reach out to all local businesses, regardless of size.

“I never cease to be amazed at the sheer breadth, depth and quality of the businesses we have in the Borders,” said Mr Clark. “They are the bedrock of the regional economy, but too often they are unsung and uncelebrated.

“As a Chamber we are committed to doing all we can to enable commerce to flourish and to celebrate its successes. That’s what the awards are all about and I thoroughly commend them.”

The Tweed Foundation is looking for help from anglers to measure recapture rates of fish on the river.

Each season the foundation tags a number of salmon and sea trout to monitor the recapture rate by rods (also known as the ‘exploitation’ rate), undertaking this work with the help of the netting station at Paxton House.

The first reported capture of a tagged fish this season was of a fish caught by an angler at Waltham and Dirtiness on the lower Tweed on August 17.

Records show this was a grilse, 455mm on length, which was tagged at Paxton on August 8.

What the foundation aims to establish from the tagging programme is what proportion of tagged fish are caught by anglers, as this gives an indication of the proportion of untagged fish that are caught.

Tagging results show just over half of the recaptures of tagged fish are made within one month of their tagging, and almost 90% within two months. This means that angling catches depend on regular runs of fresh fish coming in, as after just a couple of months in the river fish are unlikely to be caught.

This means, in turn, that it is of great importance to preserve the diversity of salmon in the Tweed catchment.

If you catch a tagged fish, you can note the tag number, place of capture and date. This data can be shared with the foundation by phoning 01896 848271 or emailing info@tweedfoundation.org.uk

As I open my eyes in the morning, I am greeted by the chattering of swallows on the wires outside my bedroom window, reminding me that summer is on the wane.

It is fascinating to watch them preening and limbering up for the long journey ahead and their excited chatter is like that of children before a long awaited holiday.

Before the weather broke at the weekend, late August had been quite dry and warm and eventually encouraged a few butterflies to visit my garden buddleia, but nothing like the numbers of previous years. Other than the usual whites, I did see small tortoiseshell, red admiral, peacock and a solitary comma.

On one of the lovely sunny days last week, a picnic was called for at one of our local beauty spots Cauldshiels Loch near Melrose. Unfortunately, on arriving at the track leading to the lochside car park, we were met by a padlocked gate. It was too far to carry all our picnic paraphernalia, so an alternative was sought. We ended up at Bowden Reservoir, dining with a view of the purple tinged Eildons to die for, from a seat provided by the owners. What a difference!

Last Wednesday, I was invited to help out on a moth trapping session at Ettrick Marshes. As the area is notorious for its midges, which can be on a scale equal to the Highlands, I went fully prepared with nets and repellent. As we set up the light traps around 9pm, they began their assault, but were easily thwarted, obviously not at their best. An hour later, the skies cleared, the temperature dropped dramatically and the mozzies disappeared – likewise the moths! After a lovely warm day, the cold clear conditions were not conducive to a bumper crop, so at midnight we called it a day with little to show for our efforts. Once the blinding lights were extinguished, we could really appreciate the total darkness of the area, with no street lights to detract from the wonder of the starry sky above. Tawny owls screeched and hooted from nearby woodland, adding to the special atmosphere of this unique wild spot.

Top Peebles chef Ally McGrath is looking to take on the best cooks in the country as he appears in the 11th series of the Great British Menu.

The programme kicks off this week with the Scottish heats – and Ally, who opened Osso in his native Peebles in 2007 after earning his stripes under the likes of Richard Corrigan – is the only chef in this year’s series currently plying his trade in Scotland.

While Ally could not say how things had gone ... and we would never print such a spoiler anyway ... he did say that he wholly enjoyed the heat.

He said: “The experience was absolutely superb. I was extremely stressed and it was a lot of hard work.

“I have never done anything like it before – and neither had the other two contestants.

“It’s something you get used to seeing your food heroes doing, and here you are doing it yourself.”

Ally and his wife Helen bought out their partner in 2014 and run Osso as a relaxed, welcoming, family-friendly venue serving up local produce in an unfussy, natural way.

Osso is the only Borders restaurant to hold a coveted Bib Gourmand Award in the 2016 Michelin Guide, for the 6th year in a row.

Osso will be offering diners the chance to sample Ally’s competition dishes in the restaurant from tomorrow (September 2).

He said: “We have already won awards, but the show should put us on a different level.

“It’s a difficult business, but when the show airs this week, I hope that our phone will barely be on the hook.”

In the show, Ally is up against fellow Scots Adam Handling, of The Frog in London, and Michael Bremner, who opened 64 Degrees in Brighton in 2013.

All three will have to impress judge Daniel Clifford, chef-patron of Midsummer House in Cambridge and The Flitch of Bacon, Essex.

This year’s brief is cooking British cuisine to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s ‘Great Britons’ and the chefs are competing to cook at the first ever televised banquet at the Palace of Westminster.

It’s set to be a dramatic series as past record scores are equalled then smashed. The regional heats also see one newcomer achieve the highest mark ever given in the competition’s history.

The series airs on BBC 2 at 7.30pm from Monday to Friday.

A combine harvester was set on fire near Ancrum last night between the hours of 8pm and 11pm, after a line of straw was set on fire.

Constable Kirsty Neish said: “We are asking our farming and rural community to remain vigilant and report anyone acting suspiciously at or near to a farm.

“Reports can be made via 101 or 999 in an emergency.

“If anyone has information regarding this incident, please call Police Scotland via 101 or if you would prefer to report the information anonymously please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

For information on how to keep your rural property safe please click here.

Two wardens working for the private firm hired by Scottish Borders Council to clamp down on dog fouling have handed out just one £80 fine for the offence since their patrols began in May.

However, the enforcing duo have issued 32 fixed-penalty notices for a variety of unspecified litter transgressions.

Those figures were revealed at last week’s full council meeting by Hawick and Hermitage councillor David Paterson, the authority’s executive member for environmental services.

He had been asked by Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall for a progress report on the council’s 12-month pilot arrangement with 3GS.

Under that deal, the Hampshire-based company is empowered to issue fines for dog fouling, littering and fly-tipping – and to keep the proceeds.

Mr Paterson said a “robust collection process” was in place and that around half of the 33 fines issued so far by wardens Tony Garrick and Paul Marenghi had now been paid.

“The two 3GS officers are working a very flexible shift pattern incorporating early starts and late finishes, depending on the nature of complaints received,” he said.

“They are also working at weekends, as well as attending community events to raise the profile of their work.

“All towns and most villages are subject to patrols.

“Resources are targeted using information obtained from the public.

“It’s important to recognise that this is only one aspect of the council’s approach to tackling dog fouling and irresponsible dog ownership.

“A number of other measures are being taken which include the use of stencils, a new anti-dog fouling campaign and the introduction of the new green dog walkers scheme.

“It is still very early days for this pilot, but the officers are being well received by our communities and, overall, I consider this to be a very positive start.”

In his one permitted follow-up question, Mr Marshall asked Mr Paterson if he genuinely believed that the pilot scheme was a success.

Mr Paterson replied: “The situation is improving in some areas and it’s a work in progress, but yes I do.”

After the meeting, Mr Marshall told the Southern: “I think the Borders public will be extremely disappointed at these figures.

“While I suppose two wardens are better than none, I can honestly say that, as far as my ward is concerned, there doesn’t seem to have been any improvement at all.

“Less than three tickets a week and only one for dog fouling in over three months across the entire region hardly makes impressive reading.

“Fining people for dropping cigarette ends is all well and good, and I certainly don’t condone it, but it does not address the main reason 3GS was brought in – to tackle dog fouling.”

In 2013, as a cost-saving measure, the council withdrew its nine-strong in-house community warden team issuing tickets for dog fouling offences.

In the year that followed, the number of incidents reported to the council hit 385 and in the one after, it rose 16% to 446.

Families looking for a fun day out at Floors Castle, near Kelso, on Sunday were not disappointed as pipe bands from all over the Borders and the Lothians gathered there to entertain.

To see so many pipes playing and marching together, keeping our traditional music alive, was a thing of beauty.

And it wasn’t all about the skirl – there was a plethora of other events and attractions, enough to keep all members of the family happy.

There were performers from the Lynella School of Highland Dancing, a ceilidh band, tractor tours, gardens tours with Floors’ head gardener, tomahawk-throwing, archery, dog agility, both on show and as an extra activity for the furry members of the family, the obligatory bouncy castle and face-painting.

Other attractions included the local producers’ 
food court and crafter’s courtyard.

Special guests were the Lochiel Marching Drill Team – 24 young women who are not only household names within New Zealand but are also celebrated and respected by many overseas audiences throughout the world who have had the opportunity to witness the team’s precision drill routines.

Go to www.thesouthern
reporter.co.uk to see a video of the day’s events made by our photographer Stuart Cobley.

ashkirk

Village hall events

Tuesday, September 6, 2pm – talk by Gordon Gilfether on Stobs Camp, near Hawick, which served as an army, internment and prisoner-of-war camp from the before the First World War until the late 1950s, when it closed. Friday, September 9, 7.30pm – Real Time, a Borders-based Scottish folk band with a repertoire that includes not only many songs and tunes, from both sides of the border, but also contemporary and self-penned material. Advance bookings from 01750 32396. Every Tuesday, 10am-2pm – library.

bowden

SWI

Members have been busy this summer. Nine went on the outing to Kirkharle Craft Centre and then Belsay Hall and Gardens. This was followed by a social evening, and then SWI neighbours were invited to a fun social and quiz night. The quiz was won by a joint team from Bowden and Langshaw, with the hosts runners-up. St Boswells landed the wooden spoon. Competition – a summer dessert – 1 (equal), Karen Fagan and Sue Dodds.

caddonfoot

Parish church

The church was almost packed again on Sunday as Malcolm and Mae Cardill reaffirmed their marriage vows. They were married 50 years ago, also in Caddonfoot, by the Rev Donald MacCuish. The service was conducted by minister Elspeth Harley. The Bible reading was performed by Fay Brydon, and music played by Andy Bird and Anne Grieve. Bible study resumed last week in Trinity Church office. Copies of the harvest newsletter are in the process of being delivered ahead of the Sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday.

earlston

Community Day

Earlston’s annual Community Day will be held on Sunday, September 4, at the rugby club, running from noon-4pm. The event showcases the variety of volunteer-led groups running in the village. They host activities, provide information about themselves and seek potential new members. This year’s theme is Borders historic buildings. Attractions include the annual community bike rideout, starting at 1pm, as well as Messy Church, tug of war, live music, raffles, tombola, inflatables and refreshments. New this year will be jousting on bikes and an opportunity to try archery. There will be a special Community Day service at the parish church at 10.15am.

Parish church

The wedding dress exhibition held last weekend raised £435. The service on Sunday, September 4, at 10.15am will be conducted by the Rev Julie Rennick. The congregational board meet on Monday, September 5, at 7.30pm in the church hall lounge. The next service in Hanover Lounge is on Tuesday, September 6, at 3pm.

Women’s Group

Tonight (Thursday) at 8pm sees the opening night in the church hall. There will be a talk on interior design by Geoff Williams, while Tania Helm has a stall with some gifts and items to buy from Bank House Living in Lauder.

galashiels

Dog MOTS

Vet charity PDSA is returning to Borders with its national pet wellbeing tour this month, offering free health MOTs for local dogs. The charity’s PetCheck vehicle visited a number of locations in the area earlier this year, and is now returning to offer further expert pet care advice, free health checks and reduced cost microchipping. Events will be held at a number of locations, from 9.30am-4.30pm, including: Thursday, September 8 – Public Park, Abbotsford Road, Galashiels. Appointments must be booked in advance by calling 0800 917 2509.

Diabetes group

People affected by diabetes are invited to join a new support group organised by Diabetes Scotland in the Borders. An information meeting has been arranged for 11am on Saturday, September 10. It will be held at the Brother of Charity Services Scotland, Trieste House, Bridge Street, Galashiels. The gathering is free to attend and refreshments will be available.

Coffee morning

M&S Galashiels and Macmillan Cancer Support are joining forces again in a bid to raise more money than ever before for the charity’s flagship fundraising event, World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. M&S has supported this since 2010 and during this time the retailer has netted more than £6million for Macmillan. On the day of the coffee morning – Friday, September 30 – every customer who has an M&S Sparks Loyalty Card and has selected Macmillan as their chosen charity will be granted a double donation – from 1p to 2p – on each transaction. And from today (Thursday), M&S shoppers will be able to enjoy a whole host of tasty treats in M&S Foodhalls, with 10% of each sale going to the cancer charity.

Club resumes

Galashiels Scottish Country Dance Club resumes on Tuesday, September 13, in Old Parish and St Paul’s Church Hall at 7pm. Potential new members welcome. For further information, contact Marion on 01578 730591.

Trinity church

Bill Cheyne welcomed the congregation to the Sunday morning service which minister Elspeth Harley conducted. Dorothy Howden led music. The Rev Harley referred to the church’s Gift Day on Saturday, September 3, and encouraged everyone to be generous. Nessie Amos read the Bible lessons. Choir rehearsals resume today (Thursday) at 7pm. New members welcome. On Saturday, September 3, there will be a coffee morning in the church hall between 10am and noon and those who have received Gift Day envelopes and letters can return them then. On Sunday, September 4, there will be a service at 11.15am.

glendouglas

Concert

A concert of fiddle playing, with piano and guitar, by Gordon Gunn, Brian McAlpine and Marc Clement will be held in Glendouglas Hall on Saturday, September 10, at 7.30pm. Booking essential via email – glendouglashall@btconnect.com.

SWI

Members meet again after the summer break on Wednesday, September 7, at 7.30pm when Ian Landles will give a talk (his choice of subject). Competition – a limerick.

gordon

Flower show

Gordon Flower Show takes place in the village hall on Saturday, September 3 (doors open 3pm).

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Bridge club

August 23 – 1. George Graham and Bob Francombe; 2. Valerie Johnstone and Marion Miller; 3. equal Sam White and Richard von Slicher, Lance and Tricia Witten.

Rotary

At last week’s meeting, president Jim Walker anounced the death of Harald Willner at his home in Effingham, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, during the night of August 21/22. Harald, a retired businessman, had a holiday flat in High Street and for the past 10 years had been a regular visitor at the club. He was a member of Kingston-upon-Thames Rotary Club and was last year made an honorary member of the Hawick club. The evening took the form of a business meeting. Linden Warburton, international convener, anounced that two schemes, one for £250 and the other for £200, were in place in Malawi for the finance scheme for two women’s businesses selling beads and groceries which helped them to support their families. Gus Neilson (foundation) reported that support was being given to a hospice, along with Grahamstown Rotary Club, South Africa.

Dog MOTS

Vet charity PDSA is returning to Borders with its national pet wellbeing tour this month, offering free health MOTs for local dogs. The charity’s PetCheck vehicle visited a number of locations in the area earlier this year, and is now returning to offer further expert pet care advice, free health checks and reduced cost microchipping. Events will be held at a number of locations, from 9.30am-4.30pm, including: Friday, September 9 – Wilton Lodge Park, Hawick. Appointments must be booked in advance by calling 0800 917 2509.

innerleithen

Flower show

Innerleithen Horticultural Society open show is on Sunday, September 4, in the Memorial Hall from 2pm. The hall will be open the previous day from 6.30-8pm and on show day, from 7-10am, for entries.

Community council

The next meeting of Innerleithen and District Community Council will take place on Monday, September 5, at 7.15pm in the council chamber, Memorial Hall, Leithen Road.

Jumble collection

St Ronan’s School is having a collection of unwanted clothing, shoes, soft toys and bedding. Items can be handed into the school in bin bags on or before Wednesday, September 7. The items will be transferred into cash for the parent-teacher association.

Coffee morning

Innerleithen Church of Scotland will hold a coffee morning in the church on Wednesday, September 14, from 10-11.30am in aid of the twinned congregation in Thondwe, Malawi.

Games committee

The next meeting of St Ronan’s Border Games committee will take place on Wednesday, September 14, in the Burgh Chambers, Memorial Hall, at 7pm.

School fundraiser

St Ronan’s School Parent-Teacher Association holds a coffee morning on Saturday, September 17, in the Vale Club from 10am to noon.

Fun run

St Ronan’s Border Games annual family 5k fun run takes place on Saturday, September 17, on the Tweed Valley Railway Path, commencing 2pm. This is a fundraiser for Games Week 2017. Sponsor forms are available from the Thrift Shop or St Ronan’s School. Please telephone 01896 490510 for more information.

Guys and Dolls

Innerleithen and District Amateur Operatic Society is presenting ‘Guys and Dolls’ from March 27-April 1. First rehearsal will be on Wednesday, September 21, in the Free Library Hall, Buccleuch Street, at 7.30pm. Contact 01896 830577 or secretary@idaos.org.uk for more information.

Concert

St Ronan’s Band presents a concert featuring the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland in the Memorial Hall on Saturday, September 24, at 7.30pm. Tickets are on sale from KJBelleville@aol.com, Thrift Shop, Adam’s Bakery and Robb’s KeyStore (Peebles).

Parish church

The services on Sunday, September 4, will be at 8.30am (breakfast, song and story) and 10.30am.

kelso

Broomlands SWI

The next session will start on Monday, September 19, at 7.30pm in the coffee room, Abbey Row Centre. It will feature a quiz night with Peter Small. Competition – decorated book cover; fun competition – fancy pen. Subscriptions are due that night, when the new syllabus will be given out.

Quilters

Abbey Quilters meet on Tuesday, September 13, at 7pm in Abbey Row Centre when Margaret Thompson is bringing some of her appliquéd quilt tops. Those attending should bring their new year’s membership forms and a mug. For further information, contact Rineke Sangster 01573229414.

Biking and fitness

Cheviot Youth, with the help of Kelso Wheelers and The Fitness Academy, are running two new, free courses. To book a place on either or both (introduction to mountain biking, starting on September 9, and Fitness Max, starting on September 5), email Ian on ianrendallreid@cheviotyouth.co.uk for a booking form.

Bridge club

Wednesday, August 24, results – match-pointed pairs – N/S – 1. Rena Stewart andBeth Stark; 2. Jean Henry and Myra Thomson; 3. Bob Stevenson and Annie Mitchell; E/W – 1. Mary and Jim Stone; 2. Christine and Ian McCreath; 3. Chris Anthony and Vanessa Wilson. August 25 – teams – 1. Val Johnstone and David Harris-Burland, Gerry Eglington and Jon Bridger; 2. Mary and Nigel Lindsay, Marion Miller and Chris Anthony; 3. Rena Stewart and Maureen Weightman, Shirley Armstrong and Moira Ayton.

langholm

Macmillan fundraiser

A charity ride-out took place in aid of the local branch of Macmillan Cancer Relief, and the amount raised was £6,100. The event was organised by Robert Rae and Kenneth Dickson, and 38 riders participated. The mounted group went over much of the route that would have been used by the reivers of old. They headed from the town by way of the Round House and Fairy Loup to Gilnockie Tower, and made their way back by Old Irvine over a total of 14 miles. Thanks go to Neil Stevenson and the Stoneypath Trust for its sponsorship, and to the public who made donations. Among the many others to be thanked by the organisers are the various farmers and Buccleuch Estates for use of their land, Castle Craigs Club for the use of equipment, marshals, both on foot and horseback, and back-up vehicles, and Ian Martin for access to Gilnockie Tower.

MP visits

Local MP David Mundell is currently on his annual surgery tour and tomorrow (Friday) will visit Eskdalemuir, Bentpath, Ewes, Gilnockie, Harelaw, Rowanburn, Canonbie and Evertown. He will be at Eskdale Agricultural Show in the town on Saturday, September 24, from 1-4pm.

Village show

Numerous townsfolk made their way to Canonbie for the annual village flower show which was in its 120th year. The weather was not very kind as it rained for much of the afternoon, which affected some of the events on the playing field. There was around 1,000 entries for the various class in the hall, with many familiar names among the winners. Langholm pipe band led the vintage parade and fancy dress floats from the Cross Keys to the field, and the also entertained later in the afternoon. On the Thursday prior to the show, the annual pet contest took place, judged by Charlie Foster of Border Vets, who gave advice to owners and everyone received a prize. There was – for the first time – a scarecrow competition, open to anyone within a five-mile radius of the village. It drew an entry of 26 which were in various locations and admired by many who passed by in cars and buses.

lauder

Historical society

Members last Wednesday heard Mary Sherrard give a fascinating, lively and stimulating talk about her wartime service in the WRNS at Bletchley Park, working at decoding the German Enigma secret signal machine. Not only did she tell of the importance of the work, but gave a detailed technical description of how British scientists and mathematicians managed to break German codes in what was one of the most important secret operations of the Second World War.

Church

Services will be held on Sunday, September 4, at Channelkirk (10am) and Lauder (11.30am), and led by the worship team. Later that day, a summer evening songs of praise will take place at Channelkirk at 6.30pm.

maxton

Maxton Meets

Maxton Meets is a series of talks, open to all, held in the village hall from September to April. The next gathering is on Monday, September 12, at 7.30pm when Gordon MacDonald will discuss the history of the Borders textile industry in an illustrated talk entitled ‘Tweed to Twinsets’.

melrose

Flower show

Melrose Flower Show takes place in the parish church

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hall, Weirhill, on Saturday, September 3, from 2-4.30pm. There are classes for flowers, fruit and vegetables, floral art, baking and craftwork, plus a children’s section. Telephone entries to Carolyn on 01835 823994, or email bowercarolyn@yahoo.co.uk.

Trimontium

With the coming of autumn, thoughts turn to the Trimontium Celebrity Lectures, all in the Corn Exchange on Thursdays at 7.30pm. On October 6, Stratford Halliday, prehistoric archaeologist and field researcher, will speak about the project that brought about the ‘Atlas of Hillforts in Britain and Ireland’. The speaker has promised to take in the Eildons. Dr John Reid, chairman of the Trust, is presently engaged on another summer’s dig at Burnswark in Dumfriesshire. After his recent trip to Germany, he will be visiting Israel where archaeologists will be helping him to compare the Burnswark set-up with that at the famous Masada hillfort. On October 13, he will be drawing his conclusions by presenting ‘From Burnswark to Masada, and Governor Lollius Urbicus’. On October 27, Professor Ian Armit, of Bradford, speaks on another hillfort, ‘An inherited place: 800 years of settlement at Broxmouth’. This East Lothian excavation was done in the 1970s and the report has only recently been published, thanks to the speaker’s determination, which saw the recruitment of three young archaeologists and fundraising which enabled them to write up this extraordinary site with its curious buildings.

Border Flower Club

The first meeting of the session is on Wednesday, September 7, in the Corn Exchange at 7.30pm when the demonstrator will be Sandra Halkett from Elgin, with ‘Autumn Joy’. Visitors welcome.

Exhibition

Tweedbank Art Club is holding its annual exhibition in the Ormiston Rooms, Melrose, from September 9-13 (10am-4pm daily).

morebattle

Sponsored walk

A sponsored walk from the Kelso Sainsbury’s store to the Templehall Hotel was held on Saturday when more than 60 people took part. This was followed by a meal, disco and raffle, held in the Templehall, in aid of Breast Cancer/BGH Macmillan Centre. Organiser Jean McNulty thanked everyone who walked, the hotel for the meal, Ryan Borthwick for the disco and everyone who donated raffle prizes. The event, to date, has raised about £5,700.

Fete

A Cheviot Churches fete will be held at Mainhouse on Sunday, September 4 (11am-4pm). Worship at 11am, with barbecue and teas to follow, and retirement presentation to the Reverend Robin McHaffie at 3pm.

Fishing

The fly-fishing competition was won by Drew Gibson.

newtown

Seniors’ club

Newtown and Eildon Seniors’ Afternoon Club restarts after the summer break on Tuesday, September 6, in Newtown Community Wing at 2pm.

Peebles

Dog MOTS

Vet charity PDSA is returning to Borders with its national pet wellbeing tour this month, offering free health MOTs for local dogs. The charity’s PetCheck vehicle visited a number of locations in the area earlier this year, and is now returning to offer further expert pet care advice, free health checks and reduced cost microchipping. Events will be held at a number of locations, from 9.30am-4.30pm, including: Wednesday, September 7 – Kingsmeadow Road car park, Peebles. Appointments must be booked in advance by calling 0800 917 2509.

Blood donors

At a blood-donor session held in Peebles on Sunday, August 21, a total of 191 volunteers offered to give blood and 196 donations were given. There were 12 new donors.

selkirk

Quilters

Souter Quilters begin their new session on Wednesday, September 14, meeting from 7-9pm in the Argus Centre. Members gather on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. The September 14 meeting will be a sewing and registration evening – the next sees guest speaker Joanna O’Neill on the topic of ‘Bite-Sized’. Future speakers/workshops include Susan Briscoe, Melanie Amos, Anne Donald, Ann Hill and Gail Lawther. New members welcome. For more information, contact Cathy Coutts on 01750 21632 or email cathycoutts@icloud.com.

sprouston

Organ

Sprouston Kirk has a new organ. It will be consecrated by interim moderator, the Reverend Douglas Nicol, in a joint service with Kelso Old Parish Church in Sprouston Kirk on Sunday, September 4, at 9.30am.

st boswells

AmDrams

Want to act, help backstage, or are just interested generally in plays, poetry or literature? If so, come to the Upper Room of the village hall from 7.30-9.30pm on Thursday, September 1, to discuss the winter programme.

stichill

SWI

The first meeting of the Stitchil SWI’s new session will be on Tuesday, September 6, at 7.30pm in the village hall when Margaret Riddle and friends from Charity Begins At Home (CBAH) will talk about their visit to London for the Queen’s 90th birthday party. Competitions – small vase of red, white and blue flowers; coronation mug.

traquair

Service

The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on Sunday, September 11, at 10am.

tweedbank

Exhibition

Tweedbank Art Club is holding its annual exhibition in the Ormiston Rooms, Melrose, from September 9-13 (10am-4pm daily).

Walkerburn

Panto auditions

Oyster Theatre is holding auditions for Peter Pan in the Public Hall on Sunday, September 11, at 2pm and Tuesday, September 13, at 6pm. Wanted by director Sue Tickner are actors, dancers and singers – of every age and experience. She is putting on the panto in late November. Any queries, contact 07766 910050 or oysterprod@aol.com.

Service

The next service in Walkerburn Public Hall will be on September 18, at 10am.

yetholm

Wauchope Hall

Celtic musicians Outside Track will perform in the Wauchope Hall on Friday, September 9, at 7.30pm. Tickets – the village shop or Susan Stewart (420231).

Fete

Cheviot Churches will hold a garden fete at Mainhouse, Morebattle, on Sunday, September 4, preceeded by a church service at 11am. There will be a presentation to the Rev Robin McHaffie at 3pm, marking his retirement.

Guild

There’s a live link to the annual guild gathering on Saturday, September 3, in Yetholm Church from 10.30am-3.30pm.

Festival

There will be a meeting of the festival committee in the Youth Hall at 7.30pm on Monday, September 5.

Quizzes

Quiz nights in The Plough begin again on Wednesday, September 7, at 8pm – proceeds to the Wauchope Hall.

Fun day

The pavilion fun day and fundraiser – despite afternoon rain – realised in excess of £3,000 which will be distributed between the pavilion refurbishment, Edinburgh University cancer research and the Great North Air Ambulance.