Borders MP Calum Kerr has told the Westminster Government to help bring the most rural parts of the country into the 21st century.

The member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk and the SNP’s digital spokesperson at Westminster, called for more ambition to tackle the challenge of rural connectivity.

While leading his party’s contribution during last Tuesday’s debate on the second reading of the government’s Digital Economy Bill in the House of Commons, Mr Kerr said: “We want to see more ambition from the government on meeting the challenges of creating high quality rural coverage. The UK may have one of the most competitive digital communications markets out there, but for the final five per cent who struggle to access networks, this is irrelevant.

“Rural communities already have to deal with numerous challenges such as poorer access to transport infrastructure, so we must ensure that they are not excluded from the digital superhighways of the future.”

The Digital Economy Bill will include measures to institute a Universal Service Obligation for broadband providers – which will see a regulatory regime put in place similar to that which governs the utilities sector. Mr Kerr welcomed this development, while stressing that it had to be implemented in a way that addresses the concerns of consumers in remote areas.

He added: “It’s welcome that this Bill takes steps to positon broadband as the ‘fifth utility’, but with that new status comes a greater responsibility upon providers and regulators to provide equality of access wherever that’s feasible.

“As we talk increasingly of forms of ‘digital citizenship’ it is absolutely vital that large swathes of the country do not become second-class citizens by default or oversight.”

Mr Kerr contrasted the Conservative government’s proposed Universal Service Obligation of download speeds of 10 megabits per second, with the Scottish Government’s commitment to deliver superfast speeds (30 megabits per second) by 2021.

A Borders beauty spot has gained a new lifeline – with the delivery of a brand new defibrillator by two local charities.

Staff at the Glen Café on the shores of St Mary’s Loch in the Yarrow Valley were presented with the AED (automatic external defibrillator) device by Wilma Gunn, founder of Scottish HART, watched by Lorraine Tait, trust manager from The Weir Charitable Trust.

Kathy Stephenson and her staff in the popular tourist stop between Selkirk and Moffat on the A708 road will have the chance of saving a life at this beautiful but remote spot.

The Yarrow Valley now has five AEDs from Scottish HART, stretching from the lochs down through Cappercleuch Yarrow, Yarrowford and the Water Wheel at Philiphaugh, on a road which forms one of the very few east to west highways across Scotland and which is extremely popular at weekends especially by motorists and motor-cyclists.

There are also AEDs from Scottish HART in Kirkhope Hall, and Boston Hall in the neighbouring Ettrick Valley.

With the road full of bends and narrow stretches it is difficult to guarantee access to a possible cardiac arrest victim on much of the A708 and the installation of this latest defibrillator gives added time until the ambulance service can attend.

The Scottish Ambulance Service has co-operated fully and encouraged Scottish HART with all their PAD (public access defibrillator) schemes throughout the rural areas of the Borders and other parts of Scotland.

l Thanks to funding from the Selkirk Ex-Standard Bearers’ Association and builder Richard Young, a new defibrillator was also installed in Selkirk’s Town Arms pub by Scottish HART last week.

Plans to upgrade office space in Galashiels and temporarily accommodate a new CGI ICT service centre are to be discussed by councillors.

The upper floors of Scottish Borders Council’s Paton Street building will be modernised, if elected members agree a report at a full meeting of the council next Thursday, September 29.

A 13-year digital services contract worth £92million was awarded by SBC to CGI, a global IT and business process services provider, in March.

The contract will provide the council with state-of-the-art technology to deliver excellent customer services and streamlined systems.

As part of the deal, CGI is establishing a Scottish ICT Delivery Centre of Excellence in the Scottish Borders with up to 200 jobs to support its growing client base.

While CGI is confirming plans for a permanent base, it needs a temporary location to host its services in the Borders.

Councillor Michael Cook, SBC’s executive member for HR and corporate improvement, said: “The CGI deal brought with it probably the most significant inward investment proposal ever for the Borders with the potential to inject over £100m into our economy.

“It is important that the council does all it can to assist CGI in the relatively early days of this agreement, and to do so we’ll be providing temporary office accommodation in Galashiels.

“While CGI will occupy these premises initially, the council will retain ownership of them and receive longer-term benefit as the quality of its offices in the centre of Galashiels will be greatly improved.”

Maggie Morrison, vice-president, CGI Scotland, added: “We are very grateful to Scottish Borders Council for being so accommodating while we finalise our long-term property strategy in Borders. We see this temporary use of council offices as a win, win solution for both CGI and the council.”

While a deal has been done with Scottish Borders Council IT staff who are being outsourced to Canadian company CGI, it appears there is a vast swathe of them who say it is unfair.

While newer members of staff have secured a decent rise in pay, those who have years of experience are effectively taking a pay cut.

A source from the council’s ICT department, who did not want to be named, tod us: “CGI offered us all alternative terms and conditions. This was in your newspaper recently, and as an incentive they (SBC and CGI) said that everyone would be taken up to the top of their pay scale, which is normally based on length of service.

“This is grossly unfair as less than half are not on the top already.

“This means that most of us, who have served the longest, lose out, as we are actually having our hourly rate cut.”

Our source added: “People in post for only one or two years will be getting £2,000 or more on their salary, but most of us get zero, not counting the 2.5% increase in pay for working 7% more hours.

“Is this the way to recognise the experience of staff going over?”

In a joint statement from SBC and CGI, a spokesperson said: “CGI has consulted and agreed with employees transferring from SBC, and their representative unions, on changes to terms and conditions which contain a number of enhancements as well as protected terms as part of their transfer to CGI.”

A Peeblesshire man who wants to create a pagan shrine on his land has this week failed in his bid to get the required planning consent.

Drawings submitted to Scottish Borders Council by Andrew Cleghorn indicate he intends erecting a statue of the 14th century mythical deity Herne the Hunter on a plinth at his eight-acre smallholding at Kirkburn, Cardrona.

In April, the 52-year-old former bricklayer sought planning permission from the council for the erection of the plinth, along with “an altar and sacred well” as part of an application which included the erection of a two-storey building for the cold storage of rare-breed poultry.

But concerns over the visual impact of that building on a site – on the back road to Peebles and within the designated Tweed Valley Special Landscape Area – led local planning officer Craig Miller to refuse the entire application.

On Monday, Mr Cleghorn took his appeal against that decision to SBC’s nine-councillor local review body (LRB).

A submission on his behalf claimed he required the poultry building to “maximise the production” of the smallholding.

With regard to the proposed shrine, the submission stated: “Mr Cleghorn is guided by the pagan earth gods and wishes to create a special space for private worship.

“The low-impact sacred well and altar/statue stance will be sited at the source of a spring on the hill, with a view over the valley ... where private meditation and worship can be carried out without impact to others.”

The submission acknowledged that Mr Cleghorn has had several planning appeals rejected in the recent past, including unsuccessful bids for a mushroom growing shed and another building in which to rear rabbits.

“Each idea has been extinguished by the planning department [of SBC] without further consideration of the validity of the proposals,” claimed the submission.

“There is also a suggestion he is being persecuted to the point of not being allowed to follow his own religious leanings within his home and smallholding.”

Reporting to the LRB, Mr Miller said none of the previous reasons for refusal had been resolved and the proposals would have “a significant detrimental impact on the character and quality of the designated landscape”.

Mr Miller said the applicant had also failed to demonstrate any economic justification for the development or shown that it would not have an adverse impact on road safety and the amenity of neighbours.

The review body concurred and rejected Mr Cleghorn’s appeal as well as confirming the refusal of another of his recent planning applications – for a flotation pool for cattle “for the therapy and tonal improvement of the stock”.

Councillor Iain Gillespie, a former vet, observed: “In my experience, cows are not that keen on swimming”.

Mr Cleghorn declined to comment after the meeting.

Legend has it that Herne the Hunter was the antlered keeper of Windsor Forest which came under the control of the pagan Angles in the early Middle Ages.

Police returned to the scene of a week-old robbery in Galashiels on Saturday as they sought further help to trace the attacker and recover a stolen handbag.

An 85-year-old woman was pushed to the ground as she walked between Croft Street and Greenbank Street at midday on Saturday, September 10.

She suffered serious injuries and the man who assaulted her took her bag and ran off towards a parking area nearby.

The woman is now recovering at home.

On Saturday officers stopped and spoke to passers-by in the area.

A number of searches of the surrounding area, including gardens and bins, have been carried out, but the bag and its contents have not yet been recovered.

Officers are now also asking members of the public to check their gardens and communal areas for the items. The bag is unbranded, light beige in colour and has a wide shoulder strap.

The bag contained a brown umbrella, a Radley branded black purse with a small dog on the front and a small quantity of medication.

Detective Sergeant James Welsh carried out the anniversary checks.

He said: “We know the man, who was wearing a dark grey hooded top with the hood up, ran off along Greenbank Street towards the Croft Street flats.

“Extensive searches have been carried out here, but the bag has not yet been found, so I would urge everyone in the area that stretches from the Gala Water Retail Park up to Abbotsford Road to please check their gardens, communal areas, bins, anywhere where this bag or its contents might have been discarded.

“If you find any of the items, please leave them where they are and call police on 101. We will be able to come and recover them and further search that area.

“We have carried out house to house and CCTV enquiries and on Saturday we spoke to people visiting the town centre to see if they can recall anything from last week that may assist.”

Scottish Borders Local Area Commander, Chief Inspector Andy McLean, said: “Such a violent incident is extremely rare in Gala and the Borders as a whole, and the local community has been extremely shocked that something like this has happened.

“A number of people came to the lady’s aid last Saturday and I’d like to thank them for the assistance they gave.

“She was seriously injured in the robbery and required treatment in hospital.

“We are determined to bring the person responsible to justice.”

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

The Rotary Club of Kelso recently organised a sponsored walk which was open to all charities, sports clubs and organisations in the town.

The walk gave a variety of groups the chance to raise funds for their individual projects and causes.

Walkers and their canine companions took a gentle, sunny Saturday dander along the old railway route from Kelso to Sprouston. An easy walk, but one which suited all ages from toddlers to evergreens.

Participants had a refreshment stop in Sprouston Village Hall before rambling back.

This year, charities such as The Sugod School in the Philippines, Mary’s Meals and the Rotary Foundation, all benefitted from their supporters’ efforts.

Souters are being invited to share their family stories of the First World War at the latest event organised by the Saving and Sharing Scottish Borders Stories of WWI project.

The two-year scheme, run jointly by the Scottish Borders Museums, Archives and Library Services, under the auspices of local charity Live Borders, aims to provide a unique and lasting commemorative record of the First World War and its legacy in the Borders region.

Funded by £33,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £21,000 from the Armed Forces Covenant, the project will document the region’s social and family heritage of this period by recording material in various formats, including scans, photographs and sound recordings, so that it can be made widely available for future generations.

A free event will take place on Saturday, November 12, between 10am and 2.30pm at Selkirk Parish Church Hall and members of the community are invited to bring along their WWI letters, diaries, photographs and more and share their family’s story.

Councillor Vicky Davidson, SBC’s executive member for culture, sport, youth and communities, said: “This unique project will document the impact and significance of these turbulent years on our local and national heritage.

“The generation who have a direct link with those who participated is getting older and this may be our last chance to capture their recollections.” 

Support for the project has also been received from Councillor John Greenwell, SBC’s Armed Forces champion.

He said: “I am pleased that the Armed Forces Covenant funding scheme has helped this project come to fruition and am looking forward to visiting as many of the events being planned as possible. 

“I would encourage anyone that has an interest in WW1 activities to attend and be part of continuing the important legacy that this conflict has for us all, whatever our age or background.”

Ewan Jackson, chief executive of Live Borders, added: “This is an opportunity for us all to recognise the contribution to the war effort made by individuals and families across the Borders.”

As part of the Selkirk event, John Nichol and Hilary Bell will perform extracts from War and Glaur at 11.30am, and at 1.30pm, Alan Cumming will present his popular talk on Scottish Women’s Hospitals during the First World War.

There will also be a chance to step back in time with the Scots in the Great War Living History Society.

Refreshments will be available, with all proceeds going to Poppy Scotland and the Selkirk and Ettrick Forest branch of the Royal British Legion, as well as displays from Live Borders Museums and local schools.

More information about the project, including volunteer opportunities, is available from project officer, Morag Cockburn on 01450 360699 or by emailing archives@liveborders1.org.uk

Tempest Brewery’s first Oktoberfest was warmly received on Saturday as the Tweedbank company put its vast range of beers to the test. Festival-goers were able to taste the beers – from the refreshing 1.9%ABV Raspberry Radler to the mealy 11% Mexicake.

Tickets, limited to 500, had sold out quickly for the event – which merged superb local food, music from bands such as The Violet Kind from Edinburgh and Galashiels DJ Neil Rankin, and, of course, those beers – but those who lost out this time around will be delighted to hear another is planned early next year.

Tempest director, Annika Meiklejohn, told us: “This has been a very successful event, and I’m sure we can safely raise the number of available tickets for our next festival, which we hope to host in March or April 2017. Our beers and brewery tours have been very well received.”

An exciting new technology is cutting its teeth at Lilliesleaf – in the first project undertaken by a unique water engine.

Water Engine Technologies, based at the former Caddonfoot Primary School, is installing its innovative hydro electricity generator on land belonging to Newhall Farm Trust, near Selkirk.

Councillor Graham Garvie, the convener of Scottish Borders Council, went along last Wednesday to cut the first sod of the project.

Euan Robson, chairman of Water Engine Technologies, told The Southern: “We much appreciate Councillor Garvie’s personal interest in our unique device, the water engine, which can operate on a low and medium head of water.

“We are also grateful to Scottish Borders Council and SEPA for granting the necessary permissions.”

The company’s CEO, Stan Johnston, said: “Operating from our base at Caddonfoot, we aim to install a number of water engines in the Borders and further afield in Scotland in the next few months to deliver renewable electricity, both for our customers’ own use and to export to the grid.

“Beyond that, we see an export market for our machines.”

Mr Johnston added: “The water engine’s unique float and pressure technology means that it can operate efficiently in places where conventional water turbines and Archimedes screws cannot.

“Also, it can be adapted to pump and clean water, which will have major benefits in overseas markets.”

The company is working with several Borders communities with a view to making use of the watercourse infrastructure used so well by the mills 100 years ago.

The water engine is built next to the waterway, so no dam has to be built.

It also creates high-pressure fluid which can be used in a number of other applications, such as water irrigation, water treatment and desalination using reverse osmotic filters.

Borders Street Pastors are holding an information evening on Saturday, October 8, at 8pm, at The Well, 2 Bourtree Terrace, Hawick.

The meeting is part of the group’s drive to recruit enough volunteers from the Christian community to be able to provide a weekly patrol, such as the one now running successfully in Galashiels.

The group is also hoping to have a short patrol in the streets of Hawick at the end of the evening to give potential pastors a taster of what it’s like to be on the streets.

In Galashiels, the group has established a dialogue with regular revellers – and their gifts of flipflops (for ladies trying to teeter home on high heels), a listening ear and a helping hand have been reportedly well received.

It is hoped that a similar success story can be in place in Hawick soon.

A new pop-up exhibition of artworks created by young Borderers will be on show this weekend at Abbotsford House.

The King of the Clarty Hole: Sir Walter Scott Meets the Youth will be shown as part of the Creative Coathanger Festival.

The house, which contains Scott’s extraordinary collection of historical artefacts and curiosities, provided inspiration for a group of local young people, who worked with staff from the National Galleries of Scotland’s (NGS) community outreach team to explore the literary and historical heritage of their area.

The result is a spectacular site-specific installation, which will be on show in the grounds of Abbotsford House on October 1 and 2 ... the same weekend that Creative Coathanger will transform the town centre of Galashiels into a creative hub, with empty shops and outdoor spaces turned into exhibitions by artists, designers and makers, pop-up studios, art installations, makers demonstrations and markets

At Abbotsford, five giant silhouette figures, based on a set of characters created by the group, will rise up from the Haugh to form a dramatic tableau, reminiscent of a toy theatre set blown up to a large scale. They can be viewed from the battlements of the house itself, or discovered on walks through the grounds.

The characters belong to an invented narrative which draws upon the young people’s exploration of Abbotsford and other sites associated with the writer.

The same narrative is also woven into a fascinating film made by the youngsters, in which a fictional writer, a contemporary and friend of Scott called Bertimus Jerfordson, develops the story in which the silhouette characters appear, a tale concerning the site of Abbotsford – originally known to locals as ‘Clarty Hole’ – and its erstwhile mythic king. The film will be specially screened in the education centre in Abbotsford House and in the shop window of the Tomorrow’s People store in the centre of Galashiels.

The artists were part of a course led by Mark Timmins, project manager of Galashiels Works (Tomorrow’s People), who said: “The project has developed skills and confidence in the young people that could not have been developed in any other way.”

Robin Baillie, senior outreach officer at the NGS, commented on the importance of the project.

He said: “This has been a very exciting project to work on, and our aim has been to develop in the young people taking part an awareness of the local heritage of the Borders, as well as the Scottish national art collection.”

Giles Ingram, CEO of The Abbotsford Trust, said: “Working in partnership with the National Galleries of Scotland and the Tomorrows People Project has been exciting and illuminating. “

“We are sure that the art installation will add value to Abbotsford for the younger enthusiasts and will serve to encourage more visitors in the future.”

The exhibition is also part of Celebrating Scotland’s Art – The Scottish National Gallery Project.

No I’ve not gone mad. I do know November 5th is some way off but there are certain things that can help our pets deal with this highly stressful period that requires advice and treatment starting very soon.

From a purely animal welfare point of view, fireworks can be really bad news. In the run up to the night, and for a couple of weeks after, the noise from these can be heard at almost any time. The ‘surprise’ element is very difficult to cope with for humans let alone for the animals in our lives!

Firework displays are an important family event and no matter how much we would like it, they will not be banned any time soon.

For starters though we would like to see their use limited to November 5 only. At least in this way we could be better prepared and not constantly worrying that an explosion could go off outwith this time. At present, fireworks can be sold from October 21 right through to the middle of November.

There are products on the market from tablets, sprays, diffusers and even clothing that are designed to limit the considerable stress many animals suffer during this period in the social calendar. Many require treatment to begin well before the firework season and this is why we are highlighting the subject today.

As with most areas of pet ownership, our advice is always to speak to your vet to get help tailored to your individual animal or animals. Help isn’t just available for cats and dogs. Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small furries, birds and even livestock can all benefit from certain treatments or products.

BOWDEN

Coffee morning

There will be a coffee morning on Saturday, October 1, at the village hall from 10am-noon to raise funds for the new Bowden Table Tennis Club.

CADDONFOOT

Concert

Lovers of Scottish traditional music were treated to a concert by Robyn Stapleton and Aaron Jones in Caddonfoot Hall last Saturday. The pair played tracks from the newly-released album, ‘Fickle Fortune’, and entertained a full house with music from Scottish and Irish roots.

Play

Caddonfoot Hall hosts the play, ‘The Unknown Soldier’, on Wednesday, November 9. Tickets are available from 07527 800301 or jfoth@btinternet.com.

Parish church

Minister Elspeth Harley conducted the harvest thanksgiving service on Sunday at which the congregation donated to Mary’s Meals and the foodbank. The children of Caddonfoot Youth performed their own harvest presentation in words and music. At the end of the service, there was a Fair Trade sale of goods. The Bible reading was delivered by Joyce Brown and music played by Andy Bird, accompanied by Georgie Bird. Bible study again takes place this week in Caddonfoot Church. The kirk session met on Thursday. Shoe boxes were made available to be distributed by the Blythswood charity for needy people in Albania, Romania etc. Members are reminded of the concert and exhibition in sister church Trinity this weekend. Saturday sees an exhibition of art, crafts and hobbies (10am to 4pm), while on Sunday, there will be a concert at 7.30pm (‘Marvellous Music’). Both events are part of the Creative Coathangers Festival and admission is by donation.

DARNICK

Coffee morning

The Macmillan coffee morning held in the Smith Memorial Hall on Saturday, and organised by Jenny Anderson, raised £498 for the cancer charity. The event was well supported by the village and surrounding area, both by participation on the day and home-baking, plus raffle donations as well as monetary contributions from those unable to attend. The morning also involved local young people recruited by Jenny to assist with the many tasks needing done.

DENHOLM

Coffee morning

The 1st Denholm Boys’ Brigade is holding a coffee morning on Saturday, October 1, from 10am-noon in the church hall.

EARLSTON

Camera club

Members were given a presentation by underwater photographer Mike Clark. Mike, from East Lothian, showed images of his diving equipment and shots taken while diving on shipwrecks off the coast of the Borders, Northumberland and in the Firth of Forth. Following a range of questions from his audience, Mike judged the print and digital competitions, with the title ‘Wind, Water, Wet’: Print – 1, Jamie Babbington-Smith; 2 and 3, Adam Drummond; Digital – 1, Stephen Morris; 2 and 3, Adam Drummond. The next meeting takes place at 7.30pm on Wednesday, October 5, at Earlston Bowling Club when James Christie will give a talk on ‘A Photographic Tour’. Visitors (£2) and new members are welcome to attend.

Coffee morning

The annual Macmillan Cancer Support coffee morning will be held in the rugby club on Saturday, October 1, at 10am. Donations appreciated – financial or for the raffle and cake and candy stall.

Parish church

On Sunday, October 2, the service at 10.15am will be conducted by the Rev Julie Rennick. The autumn magazine will be delivered in the next few weeks. On Sunday, October 9, the harvest service will be at 10.15am, with the harvest lunch in the church hall at noon. Communion is on Sunday, October 16.

Women’s group

The next meeting is on Thursday, October 6, in the church hall at 8pm. The speaker will be Colin McIntish, the Bowhill House butler.

Rhymer ramble

Friends of Thomas the Rhymer have organised ‘Rhymer’s Ramble’, a 10-mile guided, circular walk from Earlston Square to Rhymer’s Stone, Melrose, at 10am on Sunday, October 2.

ETTRICK

Pop-up shop

There will be a pop-up shop running on Friday and Saturday, October 7 and 8, at Jenny Muir’s in Selkirk High Street, from 8.30am-4pm, for the Ettrick Valley committee of Macmillan Cancer Support, featuring home baking, crafts, gifts and Christmas cards, as well as a raffle. For any enquiries, contact Marjory Tennant on 01750 62327. On Friday, September 30, there will be two Macmillan coffee mornings – one at Doormouse Cottage at the top of Ettrickbridge, and the other at Yarrowford Hall.

GALASHIELS

Camera club

The club held a practical night, hosted by Alan Kennedy and Jim Paxton. Subjects covered included the exposure triangle and depth of field issues. Sample images provided by Don Lees and Paul Anderson helped demonstrate the points raised. Alan brought a range of vintage photographic equipment to show how things have moved on. To close, some members set up their cameras so one-to one instruction and sharing of information could be had. It was also an opportunity for some to show off new toys. Next week is members’ showcase night where they give a short presentation of their work on any photography-related subject. Also next week is the hand-in date for the club’s first monthly competition of the season. It is an ‘Open’ category, so any subject counts. The images, judged by Steve McGonnell, will be presented on Wednesday, October 19, at Langlee Community Centre. Members are also reminded that Wednesday, October 12, is the final hand-in date for the club’s annual agricultural photographic competition, the ‘Agri’. The event is open to all Borders clubs and comprises six digital and six printed image categories. The rules and an entry form can be found at www.galacameraclub.co.uk. Just follow the link at the top of the Agri page. All images will be exhibited on Wednesday, November 9, at Langlee Community Centre main hall.

Probus

President Hamish Reid welcomed Will Roberts as a new member at the latest meeting. When You Wish Upon A Star is a UK charity which has been operating in Scotland for 13 years and grants wishes to children aged 12-16 who have life-threatening illnesses. Margaret Rowarth, its fundraising manager north of the border, told members about its activities, including trips to Florida.One boy met the Pope, another football superstar Lionel Messi. In December, the Orient Express will be chartered to take children and their families to Glamis Castle. The next meeting, at the new venue of the Waverley Castle Hotel, is on Thursday, October 13 (10am for 10.30am) when the speaker is Jack Clark.

St Peter’s Church

Today at 10am sees holy communion, with, on Sunday, October 2, at 9.30am, Sunday Squad followed by juice and toast, then (10.30am) sung eucharist, and coffee and chat. Harvest services will be held on Monday, October 3, at Hazeldene and Wednesday, October 5, at Abbotsford Court.Both start at 2pm. Thursday, October 6 – 10am, holy communion; Sunday, October 9 – 10.30am, family harvest service.

Trinity church

Harvest thanksgiving was celebrated on Sunday. Minister Elspeth Harley conducted the service and Dorothy Howden was back to lead music. Joyce Lewis delivered the Bible reading. When members of the congregation arrived, they were given Christian Aid crisis appeal envelopes and asked to donate to help the people of Malawi. Also, many members brought along food items which were donated to the foodbank. The Sunday, October 2, morning service will be at the usual time of 11.15am, and there will be a short communion service at 3pm for those who have difficulty coming to church in the morning, but all are welcome. As part of the Creative Coathanger Festival being run by Scottish Borders Council, there is an exhibition of arts, crafts and hobbies in the church and halls on Saturday, October 1, between 10am-4pm. This will be followed on Sunday, October 2, with a ‘Marvellous Music’ concert which will be showcasing various musicians and the Trinity Church choir. Entry is by donation.

GLENDOUGLAS

Committee meeting

A Glendouglas Hall committee meeting will be held on Monday, October 3, at 7.30pm.

Dance class

The old-time ceildh and dance class restarts on Thursday, October 13, continuing to meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Live music and tutor – 8pm; reel half-hour – 7.30pm.

HAWICK

Young farmers

Teviotdale Young Farmers’ Club new members’ night will be held at Jedburgh Grammar School games hall tonight ( Thursday, September 29), at 8pm. This is a chance for all 4 to 30-year-olds in the Jedburgh, Hawick and Langholm areas to have some fun by taking part in various games while at the same time getting to know like-minded people who live, work or have an interest in the countryside.

Movielovers

An alternative choice of cinema is again available in Hawick with the start of a new winter season of movies, screened fortnightly and starting on Sunday, October 2, at 2pm. Presented by Hawick Movielovers, the season of 12 feature films will run until next March at their Croft Road cinema and with an “agreed voluntary donation”, is open to all interested in classic cinema. Details of programmes are available from Deans and Simpson, 9 Oliver Place, or by calling 01450 374110/371212.

INNERLEITHEN

Service

There is a special service in Innerleithen Church at 11.30am on Sunday, October 2, when long-service awards will be presented.

JEDBURGH

Young farmers

See Hawick district.

St John’s Church

After a colourful and well-attended harvest festival last Sunday, members are looking forward on to an autumn market on Saturday, October 1 (11am-1pm) in St John’s centre. Along with the stalls, teas, coffee, soup and rolls will be served. Any enquiries to Joan Bennett (01450 870069). An autumn concert by St John’s Choir and Friends takes place at 3pm on Sunday, October 16. On Sunday, November 13, there will be no 10.30am service at St John’s for Remembrance Sunday. Sunday, November 27, is the first Sunday of Advent when Advent carols and readings will take place at the 10.30am sung eucharist. Otherwise, all normal Sunday services are at 9am and 10.30am.

Bridge club

Results from last Thursday, September 19 – N/S – 1 (equal), M. Miller and V. Johnston, R.Oates and S. West; 3, J. Urquhart and S. Graham; E/W – 1, F. and M. Beaton; 2, M. Allen and T. Davidson; 3, R. Von Slicher and S. White.

Old and Trinity Church

The Reverend Graham Astles, minister of Old and Trinity for nearly 10 years, will be inducted to St Andrew’s Parish Church in Bo’ness on Thursday, October 20. His last Jedburgh service will be on Sunday, October 16.

KELSO

Broomlands SWI

The new session began with a quiz night, Peter Small as quizmaster. Competitions – book cover – 1, Jeanette Farquhar; 2, Val Douglas; 3, Elizabeth Drummond; fancy pen – 1, Nancy Jerdan; 2, Moira Coull.

Bridge club

Results from September 21: Charity Plate – 1, John and Marian Miller; 2, Val Fairbairn and Jean Bunyan; 3, Jean McLaren and Alison Ireland; 4, Brian Saywood and Ken Ross; 5, Val Johnstone and Mary Millar; 6, Rena Stewart and Beth Stark. September 22: Millennium Trophy 2 – N/S 1, Jean McLaren and Ken Ross; 2, John Urquhart and Tricia Reynolds; 3 (equal), Michael Horwood and Alison Ireland, Rena Stewart and Maureen Weightman; E/W 1, James Tweddle and Bill Elliot; 2, Paul Brooks and Eilean Hogarth; 3, Annie Mitchell and John Loudon.

LANGHOLM

Common riding

At the start of the latest common riding members’ meeting in the Crown Hotel, chairman Roger Maxwell praised this year’s Cornet, Simon Tweddle. The accounts had been drafted and with most of the invoices paid, the good news from treasurer John Elliot was that both the gate and bar receipts were up by £1,800 and £1,200 respectively. The attendance at the Games was 2,850, having been 2,500 last year. The income from the programmes was up by around £700 and sponsorship had increased by £2,500. This was mainly due to Ashleybank Investments and the Sons of Selkirk sponsorships. Money from the concert, dances, rosettes and ribbon sales were much the same as previous. The surplus was around £8,700 compared to £2,600 last year. It was agreed that bonuses to the bands should be made, with the town and pipe groups each receiving £400, and the flute band £200, which left a surplus of £7, 700 – a record. Given the successful financial year it was agreed some capital expenditure should be considered. The Castle Craigs Club will be refunded the cost of the last pair of walkie-talkies, which they had purchased, and another pair will also be purchased for both organisations to use. New bunting will be ordered and the dance platform is in need of replacing, and this will be looked into. Additional spurs are needed and this will be investigated, and more heras fencing would also be useful. The athletic games had went well, and after a slow start things had picked up at the beer tent. The Cumberland wrestling had been well organised, but there seemed to have been a delay in the starting of some of the horse races. It was suggested that the owners should be informed to get them to the paddock on time. It had been a great hound trail. David Pool stepped down as concert organiser and an advert will be placed in the local press for someone to fill the position. The Simmer Fair Night dance had been well attended. It had been a first year for Dennis Barker in charge of the children’s parade and he had reported that everything had gone well. He had been assisted by Duncan Johnstone. It was suggested that a steward be placed at the foot of Arkinholm Terrace to keep the procession moving along Drove Road. It was agreed that although there were still problems, putting up signs regarding horse boxes leaving the Castleholm had improved the situation, and would be repeated next year.

Coffee morning

The local Macmillan Cancer Support committee held a coffee morning in the Bucleuch Centre, realising £926. A raffle run throughout the summer brought in £1,160.

Plaque

A plaque was unveiled in memory of Arthur Bell at the golf club. Club captain Gary Porteous and a group of past and present members welcomed Doreen Bell, widow of Arthur, to unveil the plaque in appreciation of the work he had carried out for the club as a long-serving member and past captain.

Young farmers

See Hawick district.

LAUDER

Church

Channelkirk and Lauder Church Guild will hold its monthly coffee morning on Saturday, October 1, in the church centre from 10-11.30am. The following day sees the dedication of guild members in Channelkirk Church at 10am. On Wednesday, October 5, the opening guild meeting will take place in the church centre at 2.30pm. Speaker is Duncan Cameron, of Street Pastors. Everyone welcome. Worship will be celebrated at Channelkirk (10am) and Lauder (11.30) on Sunday, October 2, when the RevRae Clark will lead both services.

MELROSE

Border Flower Club

Sandra Halkett, from Elgin, was demonstrator for the start of the 2016/2017 year. Her title was ‘Autumn Joy’ and she chose a wide choice of designs, taking her audience from a woodland scene to a new design with wool and felt. Changes in designs over the 60 years of the National Association of Flower Arrangers were noted, as well as recognition that television brings all kinds of garden ideas for flowers and foliage. Her choice of flowers and foliage was from the garden to luscious orchids and roses. Next meeting is on Wednesday, October 5, in the Corn Exchange at 7.30pm when the demonstrator will be Margaret Campbell with ‘Surprise Surprise’.

Parish church

The church choir would welcome new members. Services on Sunday, October 2 – Bowden (9.30am), Melrose (10am and 11am).

Trimontium

From far, and not so far, they came to Trimontium last week. The dozen walkers on Thursday from north and south of the border, and France, brought a three-month old baby and two dogs. The two dozen archaeology students on Friday came from the Goethe University of Frankfurt, with their own coach and driver. After visiting the museum, they were driven through the closed Newstead-Leaderfoot road, stopping for one of the students to deliver a paper on the site from the second observation platform. Saturday saw the railway come into its own with a Wardie church group from Edinburgh following the Ian Brown template for visiting the museum, lunching in Melrose, doing the Trimontium Walk, and having Newstead Village Hall tea before bussing and training back to the capital.

MINTO

SWI

The first meeting of the season went well, even though several members were still on holiday. A minute’s silence in memory of Dot McLellan, who died during the summer, was observed before Brian McLeod, of Hawick British Legion, gave a talk on the history of the red poppy used to remember war fallen. Competition – prettiest tea plate – 1, Mary Beck; 2, Enid Cruickshank; 3, Gena Hughes; 4, Sheena Graham. The next meeting in Denholm Village Hall on October 12 will be the AGM, also featuring a taste and try session.

MOREBATTLE

Coffee morning

A Macmillan coffee morning was held on Saturday when about £400 was raised. Competition winners – plant, Linda Fox; guess how many sweets, Linda Fox; how many spots on the cake, Anne Redpath.

Guild

Morebattle Guild resumes on Thursday, October 6, at 7.30pm in the institute. The speaker for the evening will be Lucy Tile from Borders Children’s Charity.

NEWTOWN

Council

This month’s meeting of Newtown and Eildon Community Council heard, following a complaint that the path along the River Tweed from Sprouston Glen to Old Melrose is blocked, that a meeting has been held with Scottish Borders Council’s (SBC) access officer. The route forms part of SBC’s Core Footpaths network and it has been agreed to cut back grass and undergrowth three times annually. The village youth c lub recorded more than 500 attendances by youngsters between October and May. Councillors congratulated Newtown in Bloom for clinching second place in the Floral Gateway competition. Chair Elaine Thornton-Nicol said villagers greatly appreciated the difference made in Newtown by the group’s floral displays and hanging baskets. The village also gained certificates in the Quality of Life and Clean and Tidy categories. Prize winners in the annual garden competition will be announced at the grand opening of the newly-refurbished Community Wing on Friday, October 21. The meeting agreed to apply for a grant to add further displays to the festive lights. The switch-on event, arranged in conjunction with Milestone Garden and Leisure, will be on Sunday, November 27. Arrangements were discussed for the remembrance ceremony, to be held at the war memorial at 1.30pm on Sunday, November 13. Residents can now contact the community council by email using newtown.eildoncc@yahoo.com and a post box is to be fitted outside the Community Wing for written submissions. The next meeting of the community council will be October 25, at 7pm.

Seniors’ club

The next meeting of Newtown and Eildon Seniors’ Afternoon Club will be held on Tuesday, October 4, in the Community Wing starting at 2pm.

SWI

At the September meeting, president Elaine Thornton-Nicol welcomed John Henderson from Born in the Borders. He explained how he had started the business, expanding it into a restaurant and local brewery operation. Competition – banana loaf – 1, Lorna Dickson; 2, Mary Redburn. The next meeting will be a guest night on Thursday, October 6, at 7pm in the Community Wing.

SELKIRK

Monday Club

At 2pm on October 3 in St Joseph’s Hall, Morag Cockburn will talk about the First World War, using information from the archives kept in Hawick. All will be made welcome.

Coffee morning

A Macmillan cancer charity coffee morning will be held on Friday, September 30, in Connections.

STOW

Music night

Stow and Heriot Church is holding a fund-raising evening of music and song at 7.30pm in Stow Church on Friday, September 30. Taking part are Stow Pipe Band, The Galawater Singers and several talented local performers.

Exhibition

An exhibition of sculptures by Chris Hall will open at the Cloudhouse Gallery and Cafè on Saturday, October 1, at 3.30pm. The artist has exhibited widely, both nationally and internationally, and his works include Eye of the Beholder at Borders General Hospital and the gravestone of Labour party leader John Smith. The exhibition runs until Sunday, October 30.

TRAQUAIR

Service

The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on Sunday, October 9, at 10am.

WALKERBURN

Service

The next service in Walkerburn Public Hall will be on Sunday, October 16, at 10am.

YETHOLM

Shepherds’ show

Yetholm Shepherds’ Show will be held on Saturday, October 1, on Yetholm Haugh.

Principals’ Race

Bari Manushi Cassie Quashie will represent Yetholm in this year’s Principals’ Race at Kelso Races on Sunday, October 2.

Badminton

Badminton restarts in the Wauchope Hall on Tuesday, October 4, at 1.30pm. New members welcome.

History society

The history society meets at 7.30pm on Tuesday, October 4, in the Mission Hall when Richard Carlton gives a talk entitled ‘Exploring the Scottish army’s routes to and from Flodden’. New members welcome.

Quiz

A quiz night will be held at 8pm on Wednesday, October 5, in the Plough Hotel, with proceeds going to Yetholm Defibrillator Fund.

Dancing

Country dancing restarts in the Youth Hall at 2pm on Thursday, October 6.

Ceilidh

Yetholm and Morebattle schools hold a joint ceilidh on Thursday, October 6 (6.30-8.30pm). This is a family event – contact members of the parent teacher council for further information.

Film night

The next film night is on Saturday, October 8, at 7pm in the Wauchope Hall, featuring ‘Spotlight’ (15). Admission is £5 and doors open at 6.30pm.

A Berwickshire man who severely injured his brother by striking him on the head with a saw was this week ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Mathew Law, 26, of Station Drive, Duns, pleaded guilty to assault to permanent disfigurement following the incident at a house in the town’s Blinkbonny Gardens on September 19 last year.

He also admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Prosecutor Kirsty Lyons told Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday that the victim had turned up at the house uninvited at 2.40am and started arguing.

She continued: “He picked up a saw which was lying next to the property. He struck the complainer on the head with the saw. The complainer fell to the ground and was bleeding heavily from the injury. He was transferred to Borders General Hospital at 3am.”

Ms Lyons said Law contacted his partner to say he had acted in self-defence and asked her to say she was in the house with him at the time of the incident.

The victim’s injuries involved a cut above the eyebrow right down to the bone, a deep scar across his nose and the loss of feeling on the right-hand side of his head.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said Law’s brother was being beligerent and pointed out he and his friends had turned up at the house uninvited after being out drinking.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told the factory worker that the only reason he was not getting a custodial sentence was becasue the visit was unsolicited.

In addition to the unpaid work, Law was placed on supervision for 20 months.

TWEEDBANK THUG LOCKED UP

A Tweedbank man who was told he had tested the court’s patience has been sent to a young offenders’ institution for nine months.

Gavin Murray, 20, was given five months for a series of disorder and assault offences stretching back to 2014 and was sentenced to another four months for walking out of a store with a set of ready-made curtains without paying.

Murray, of Killiecroft, stole the curtains valued at £54 from B&Q in Galashiels 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 store.

He also admitted other shoplifting offences.

Murray was admonished on a charge of being found in possession of heroin at Galashiels Transport Interchange on May 9

His lawyer, Robert More, said his client was currently on remand at Polmont Young Offenders’ Institution and “hated the experience”.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said: “It has been made clear to you on three occasions that you were testing the patience of the court. Sadly, there’s no alternative to a custodial sentence.”

ASSAULTED PARTNER

A 32-year-old man found guilty of assaulting his partner at a house in Galashiels has been given a two-year community payback order with supervision.

Barry Chisholm, of Station Road in Gordon, had denied the offence which happened at a property in Magdala Terrace earlier this year.

He will also attend the Caledonian men’s programme.

PLEADED NOT GUILTY

A Galashiels man will stand trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court on October 27 on a domestic-related case.

Robert Thomson, 55, of Glenfield Road East, pleaded not guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and uttering threats towards his wife at a shop in St John Street, Galashiels, on August 18.

BOOZED-UP MAN WIELDED AXE

A 22-year-old man returned from an all-day drinking session and threatened to kill his partner while brandishing two knives and an axe.

Zeth Gardner returned to the house in Galashiels at about 9.30pm and drank all the remaining alcohol in the kitchen. He then began behaving irrationally on the night of May 8 and picked up a knife and said he was going to kill himself.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said: “He had two kitchen knives in one hand and then re-appeared with an axe.” He added that Garner threatened to kill his partner before going onto damage property in garages in Waitknowe Terrace and Tweed Crescent.

Gardner, of Mitchell Street, Edinburgh, was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work as part of a community payback order.

PEEBLES ACCUSED FACES TRIAL

A Peebles man has been accused of causing his ex-partner to look at a topless picture of herself in front of her son.

Gavin Murray, 54, of Dalatho Street, also faces a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour, shouting and swearing, making offensive comments, throwing a laptop computer and threatening to expose his former partner at a house in Peebles on August 23.

A trial date was set for October 27 at Selkirk Sheriff Court, with an intermediate hearing on October 10.

OFFENCES ARE DENIED

Scott Watson will stand trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court on October 27 on charges of assaulting his partner and drink-driving.

The 42-year-old, of Wandsworth Road, Clapham, London, denies the offences which are alleged to have been committed in High Street and Tweed Green, Peebles, on August 28.

He is said to have had a breath/alcohol reading of 77 microgrammes – the legal limit being 22.

MUST CARRY OUT UNPAID WORK

An Innerleithen man who committed three offences in the space of four months has been ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work.

Christopher Graham, 23, of Leithen Crescent, pleaded guilty to assaulting James Philip in Montgomery Street on March 19 by punching him on the head and struggling violently with him.

On May 22, in Ballantyne Street and Caddon Court, he made offensive racial comments and comments relating to disability, and challenged another person to fight.

On June 3, at Tweedside Caravan Site, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner and was shouting and swearing.

He was also given 16-month supervision under a community payback order.

ORDERED TO APPEAR

A man admitted engaging in a course of conduct which caused fear and alarm to a woman.

Forty-year-old Michael Oliver approached the woman in Gordon Bowling Club on June 12 and laid his head on her chest, seized her by the buttocks, followed her into the toilets and attempted to enter the cubicle where she was.

Oliver – who lives near Gordon – also admitted calling at the woman’s address and repeatedly attempting to gain entry while uninvited, and refusing to leave when requested to do so.

The first offender pleaded guilty by letter and sentence was deferred until October 3 for a personal appearance.

POOL CUE ATTACK ON ‘PAEDO’

A cruise liner worker who admitted a pool cue attack in a Peebles bar has been ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Thirty-one-year-old Callum MacMichael, of Govans Way, Cardrona, pleaded guilty to striking a man on the head with a pool cue to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement. The victim was left with a deep cut above his upper lip.

The incident happened in the Central Bar on August 29 last year.

Kirsty Lyons, prosecuting, said: “It was around midnight and the victim was playing pool when the accused made an approach. He was heard to say, ‘I am going to do him because he is a paedo’.

“The accused was seen to pick up the pool cue and swung it at him, hitting him on the head and breaking the cue.”

The victim was taken to Borders General Hospital for treatment to a wound on his upper lip.

Mat Patrick, defending, said it was a 3cm laceration to the upper lip.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said: “This is a serious assault and the court cannot ignore that, but I have taken into account your lack of record.”

DRIVER CRASHED INTO RAILINGS

A provisional licence holder drove in Galashiels while unfit through drink or drugs, with no insurance and no supervision.

Twenty-year-old Sean Gillan was banned from the road for 14 months and fined a total of £350 for the offences which happened in Melrose Road, Galashiels, on June 29.

Prosecutor Kirsty Lyons said: “At 10.30pm, the witness within the home address heard a loud crash and looked outside and saw a car against the railings with the lights aiming towards the house.

“The driver got the car off the railings and at this point the witness contacted the police. The vehicle was moved a short distance, but it was blocking the road.

“When police arrived on the scene, he said, ‘I am trying to move it’, and was unsteady on his feet and his speech slurred.”

Gillan’s lawyer said his client had been visiting his grandmother in Hawick and was on the way back home to Gilmerton in Edinburgh.

He added that Gillan had been smoking cannabis in the car, which he realised was a foolish thing to do.

Also, the vehicle had been impounded, and he was not getting it back.

ACCUSED OF NOT PAYING

A new trial date has been set for a 49-year-old man accused of obtaining more than £3,000 board without paying.

William Moffat, of Alice Hamilton Way in West Linton, is charged with obtaining £3,175 board and lodgings at The Lodge, Carfraemill, and also at an adjacent cottage between September 7 and October 22 in 2014 without paying or intending to pay.

He maintained his not-guilty plea at Selkirk Sheriff Court. A trial date was set for December 6, with an intermediate hearing on November 7.

HOME CURFEW FOR THIEF

A Yarrow Valley man who forced open a gun cabinet belonging to his parents and stole £2,800 has been given a seven-month restriction-of-liberty order.

David Stephenson, 34, of Birkhill Farm, falsely claimed to police that someone had broken into the house and stole the money.

He pleaded guilty to both offences which date back to November 2014.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told he was recompensing his parents.

The order keeps him in his home between the hours of 8pm and 7am.

SHOE-THROWING ACCUSATION

A Galashiels man has been accused of throwing shoes at his former partner, which struck her on the head, and spitting at her.

Twenty-six-year-old Daniel Stewart, of Halliburton Place, denies behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at a house in Gala Park, Galashiels, on June 22.

A trial date has been fixed at Selkirk Sheriff Court on October 27.

DRIVER ACCUSED OF USING MOBILE

A motorist has been accused of causing a road accident on the A7 in the Borders, in which a woman was seriously injured, while using a mobile phone.

Robbie Pringle, 20, of Mill Court, Stow, pleaded not guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday to a charge of dangerous driving near Bowland on April 29.

It is alleged he drove a vehicle while operating a mobile telephone, causing it to cross the centre line of the roadway, entering the opposite carriageway and colliding with a car driven by Iona Ivalo.

The charge states both cars were damaged and passenger Deborah Ivalo was seriously injured.

The driver and two others, including a 13-year-old boy, were also injured.

A trial date was fixed for December 6, with an intermediate hearing on November 7.

ASSAULT ALLEGATION

Thomas Garvock, 19, of Hawthorn Road, Galashiels, will stand trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court on December 6 on an assault charge.

He is alleged to have committed the offence at Bank Close in Galashiels on April 23.

An intermediate hearing has been set for April 23.

BLYTH BRIDGE WOMAN’S TRIAL

A Blyth Bridge teenager has been accused of attacking her partner with a knife on two occasions.

Jan Jeffrey, 19, denies offences which are said to have happened at a house in Kingsland Square, Peebles, on two occasions in November last year.

Her trial will take place at Selkirk Sheriff Court on October 27.

SHOPLIFTER SPAT ON WORKER

A 26-year-old woman who spat on a supermarket worker after being caught shoplifting has been remanded in custody for background reports.

Natasha Murray pleaded guilty to committing three offences in the Galashiels Tesco store on Sunday.

She appeared from custody at Selkirk on Monday and admitted stealing £94 worth of cosmetics from the store, spitting on the female employee and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, screaming, throwing items onto the floor and kicking a lift door.

The court was told Murray became aggressive after staff confronted her and eventually had to telephone 999 due to her conduct.

Her lawyer, Ed Hulme, said Murray, of Bright Street, Hawick, had consumed too much alcohol prior to entering the store.

A motion for bail was refused and Murray, who became abusive again as she was led downstairs to the cells, was remanded in custody until October 10.

40-MONTH DRIVE BAN

A banned motorist drove his partner’s car to rescue a female friend caught up in a disturbance at a party in Galashiels.

Scott Cooper – who received a 15-year ban from the road in 2003 – pleaded guilty to charges of driving while disqualified and with no insurance in Kenilworth Avenue, Galashiels, on July 23.

The 36-year-old lives at Wester Row in Greenlaw.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told a previous hearing: “At round 6.30pm, the police got a call about a disturbance in Kenilworth Avenue which included the registration details of a car.

“As they travelled en route the officers discovered it had no insurance. As they arrived in Kenilworth Avenue they saw it being driven away by the accused and two ladies.

“On stopping the car they found the driver was banned till December 2018 and the vehicle belonged to the partner of the accused.”

Cooper’s lawyer said: “A friend of his partner had been at a party where there had been a disturbance.

“She was frantic. She is disabled and was being picked upon by other people she thought were her friends.

“There was no bus available and she phoned her friends for help.”

The lawyer explained that the only reason Cooper drove was to get her away from the scene and pointed out he had not been in trouble for the past two years.

At Selkirk on Monday, Sheriff Peter Paterson imposed a 12-month restriction-of-liberty order, keeping him in his home between the hours of 7pm and 7am, as well as a 40-month disqualification from driving.

INSURANCE OFFENDER

A Hawick man found to be riding a motorcycle and driving a car, both without insurance, in the space of just over a month has been banned from the road at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Anthony Plaskett, 31, of Burnhead Road, pleaded guilty to the offences which were committed in Hawick on April 10 and May 21.

He also admitted additional charges of riding a motorcycle carelessly at excessive speed, and failing to stop and report an accident after colliding with another vehicle while driving the car.

Plaskett was fined a total of £400 and had 14 penalty points placed on his licence, which took him over the 12-point limit, resulting in a disqualification period of six months.

TEENAGERS ON TRIAL

Two Hawick teenagers are due to stand trial on charges of assault and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner during an incident in the town last month.

Nineteen-year-old Connor Jackson, who lives at Duke Street, and a 16-year-old – who cannot be named for legal reasons – both pleaded not guilty to the offences which are alleged to have been committed in Hawick’s Branxholm Road and Silverbuthall Road on August 14.

Jackson faces a third charge of brandishing a bottle at a police constable in Princes Street, Hawick.

A trial date was fixed at Jedburgh Sheriff Court for December 1, with an intermediate hearing on Monday, October 31.

DEFERRED SENTENCE

Sentence has been deferred on a Galashiels man who admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards his partner in the town’s St Andrew Street on July 27.

Frederick Jenkins, 46, of Laidlaw Court, will appear at Selkirk Sheriff Court on October 24 when a restriction of liberty order will be considered.

POLICE VEHICLE ALLEGATION

Fraser Brown, 21, of Dryden Terrace, Loanhead, will stand trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court on December 8 on a charge of wilfully and recklessly striking a police vehicle, and damaging it in Overhaugh Street, Galashiels, on March 6.

TEENAGE VOYEUR FILMED FRIEND IN SHOWER

A teenager has been put on the sex offenders’ register for filming a female friend while she was naked having a shower.

Robert Horne, 18, recorded the girl on his mobile phone through cracks in the door of the bathroom.

The video showed the girl naked from the neck down and did not show her face.

Horne was found out after another friend saw the voyeuristic photos on his phone and made the victim aware of them.

There were also pictures of her sleeping in her bra and of her bottom and underwear as she got out of Horne’s car.

Depute fiscal Kirsty Lyons told Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday that the couple had been close friends but Horne was not happy, when the teenage girl started a relationship with another young man.

Horne, of Causewayend, Ancrum, pleaded guilty to committing the offence at a house near Lauder, between September 1 last year and June 16.

His not-guilty plea to stealing items of women’s underwear from the house was accepted by the crown.

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence until Monday, November 7.

Three friends who joined forces to buy a bench in memory of a pal who died during the summer gathered on Sunday at a dedication service in Bonchester Bridge.

Willie Bell, who lived at Langraw, was 90 at the time of his death and was a lifelong friend of Henry Douglas, Timmy Douglas and Wullie Amos. And the trio of friends were joined by the Reverend Douglas Nicol, who conducted proceedings.

Trying out the bench are, from left, Henry Douglas, Douglas Nicol, Timmy Douglas and Wullie Amos.

PATCH (Palliation and the Caring Hospital) is the first charity established specifically to support specialist palliative care for patients in hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The recently-established Friends of PATCH in the Borders held an afternoon tea at Sorrowlessfield Farm, Earlston, earlier this month.

In addition to the impressive spread of cakes and scones, there was a ladies’ clothing sale by @Twelve in Melrose, with 50% of the profits donated to PATCH by proprietor Muriel Scotchmere.

The event raised more than £2,000 which will be used to support a joint project with Borders General Hospital to enhance the skills of nurses working in the general wards to deliver palliative and end-of life care.

The picture shows Denise Brebner (centre) who hosted the event, together with her two baking ‘champions’, Helen Legge (left) and Christine Salem.

Further information about the charity is available at www.patchscotland.com

All three MSPs with offices in the Borders claimed less in expenses last year than the year before.

According to the Scottish Parliament website, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP John Lamont, a Conservative living in Coldstream but with an office in Hawick, collected £33,896 on top of his salary of £59,089, down from £36,785 the year before.

His total includes 23 claims for overnight stays in Edinburgh adding up to £2,704, 131 claims for office costs totalling £16,858, 227 travel expense claims amounting to £7,789, £1,739 for surgery advertising and £2,600 for postage stamps.

Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale’s Christine Grahame, an SNP MSP based in Edinburgh but with an office in Galashiels, claimed £19,358 last year, down from £21,361 the previous year.

Her expenses included office costs of £14,655, £1,704 for travel and £1,739 for surgery advertising.

South of Scotland list MSP Paul Wheelhouse, an SNP minister living in Ayton, Berwickshire, and, like Mr Lamont, running an office in Hawick, was the cheapest of the three.

He claimed £13,332, down from £16,903 the previous year.

His claims included £5,052 for Edinburgh accommodation, office costs of £5,659, travel expenses of £651.50 and staff travel provision of £1,610.

A talented teenage rugby player killed in a car crash seven years ago is the inspiration behind a hard-hitting national road safety campaign being stepped up this week.

Richard Wilkinson, a player for Hawick Wanderers, died after a car being driven by one of his friends, Sean Goodfellow, failed to take a sharp bend on the A698 Kelso-to-Jedburgh road near Eckford on April 4, 2009.

Goodfellow was taking part in a 90mph race with another fellow player, Murray McAllan, at the time.

The 17-year-old, of Stobs, near Hawick, was a front-seat passenger, and sitting in the back was another team-mate, Stuart Hogg, now a Scottish international.

Hogg, a former pupil of Hawick High School and the town’s Trinity Primary School, now plays for Glasgow Warriors as a full-back, and he believes his late friend could have gone on to enjoy a successful sporting career too.

The Melrose-born 24-year-old pays tribute to Richard in a new road safety film aimed at persuading young male drivers to cut their speeds.

In the Government-backed film, put online this week, he also reveals that his wife Gillian is expecting a second child on April 4, the seventh anniversary of Richard’s death. The pair are already parents to a 10-month-old boy, Archie.

Hogg, capped 45 times for Scotland, said: “Losing him had a massive impact on my life. He’s missed out on so many things.

“I’m now a dad and play for Scotland, and I just can’t help wishing he was here to be part of that.

“He was a lively character and a talented rugby player.

“His memory will live on, and it will be lovely for my son Archie to have a little brother or sister.

“The loss of Richard is with me every day, and I don’t want to see anyone go through the heartache we have.

“I could have been killed and know I’m very lucky to still be here.

“Richard was taken away too soon.

“Too many people lose their lives to dangerous driving.

“We have seen a reduction in the number of deaths, and we are getting the message across, which is exactly what we hope to achieve.”

The new online interview follows the screening of an advert on TV, cinema screens and digital radio since earlier this month about a fictional character losing control of his car on a country road.

It targets male drivers aged 22 to 40, and its message is ‘don’t miss what’s round the corner. Watch your speed on country roads’.

Hogg’s participation in the road safety campaign is being supported by Richard’s parents, pig farmers Sandra and Tommy Wilkinson, as they hope their son’s death will be a warning to others.

Hogg now pays tribute to his pal on the pitch by making a W sign every time he scores.

“Richard lived for rugby and was one of the most talented youth players I’ve ever seen,” he said.

“We were friends since we were kids and bonded over our love of the sport.

“I’m sure he would have gone on to big things.

“Every time I go on the pitch, I play for the two of us. He’s always with me, on and off the field.”

Goodfellow and McAllan were jailed for four and a half years in 2010 after they admitted causing Richard’s death by dangerous driving.

The pair, both 19 at the time of the court hearing, were also banned from driving for 12 years.

Hogg’s interview can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXVapUI5myA&feature=youtu.be or via http://bit.ly/2d0ScLN

The junction between Selkirk’s Scott’s Place and Chapel Street – much maligned as being an eyesore – has been brightened up no end.

Although the future of the former Co-op building hangs by a thread, the exterior has been spruced up with newly commissioned artwork by Wasps artists and high school pupils.

The last attempt to cover the crumbling building took the form of boards with poems by local legends such as James Hogg, and gained the junction the nickname of Poets Corner. However, the boards soon deteriorated.

But this latest project, instigated by Colin Gilmour, project officer of the Selkirk Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) really does catch the eye.

It includes works by three of Wasps Studios artists – Liz Douglas’ beautiful rose: “People return to Selkirk when the roses bloom again”; Alex Hain’s incredibly colourful bus, complete with passenger on their phone in the window; and Joy Parker’s superb mosaic of cobbler Colin Turnbull.

And taking pride of place in the corner is the remarkably uplifting mural from Selkirk High School pupils Marnie Davidson, Dawn June McGlasson (both S3) and Caitlin Riddell (S4).

It shows the rolling hills of the Borders countryside, and the Victoria Halls flying above them, attached to balloons, alongside the words “Never Give Up”.

Marnie said: “We just wanted to do something pro Selkirk and came up with the idea of this mural.”

Mr Gilmour told us: “We got together with the Wasps artists to try to come up with ideas as to what to do with this building, and local councillor Gordon Edgar said some pupils from the high school were also looking to do some work here.

“So we brought everyone together and looked at how we could make it a real community project, and this is the result.”