Hawick is in line to see a new pub open before Christmas now approval has been granted for the conversion of a former rugby club headquarters.

An application was submitted earlier this year to Scottish Borders Council for change of use of the ground floor at the old Hawick YM rugby club premises in Orrock Place into a pub.

That bid has now been accepted following a recommendation of approval from Julie Hayward, the council’s lead planning officer.

The move follows the club becoming surplus to requirements after Hawick YM merged with Hawick RFC last year.

The Redskins’ players, coaches, committee and members all crossed over to the Mansfield Park side in one of the biggest shake-ups of the structure of rugby in the town ever seen.

The conversion of the club premises into a pub is not without precedent, though.

The building was actually used as a pub until the rugby club took it over a decade ago.

In her report, Ms Hayward found that no alterations would be needed to change the building into a pub and that the conversion would benefit the town, thanks to the creation of several part-time jobs.

She added: “The premises was the Hawick YM RFC clubhouse, but is now vacant and is on the ground floor of a three-storey building situated within the Hawick conservation area. The proposal is to convert the ground floor of the property from a clubhouse to a public house. Although the property was a public house previously, the planning history for the site indicates that it has been used by the rugby club for over 10 years.”

The application was submitted by Mark Deans, of Weensland Road in Hawick.

In his application, he says: “I believe the building was used as a pub from when it was first built until the YM rugby club changed its usage.

“It was owned by my wife’s family, WBT Smith and Sons, from the 1950s for over 20 years.

“I don’t want to make any changes to the building other than decoration inside and painting the front grey, which is sympathetic to the surroundings and other buildings in the area. I would like to erect a new sign in the same position as the previous sign.

“By changing the use, part-time jobs will be created and the property will hopefully be attractive and a benefit to the town.”

The transfer of 10 pupils with special educational needs from Hawick’s Wilton Primary School to a new specialist facility in Earlston is now expected to take place within months.

A consultation process was carried out over the summer with staff and parents and other interested parties at the Wellfield Road school.

The proposal is to discontinue spectrum support provision at Wilton Primary and St Ronan’s Primary School at Innerleithen and move the pupils concerned to a new building in Earlston by next April.

The Wilton Primary children are currently taught in a portable cabin in the school’s grounds not designed to meet the needs of pupils with complex needs.

It is regarded as a “poor-quality learning environment” in “particularly poor” physical condition.

A consultancy paper on the proposed move says youngsters will “benefit from a significantly better-quality learning and teaching environment that meets the needs of learners in the 21st century”.

There is also a pledge to maintain current “door-to-door” transport provision for the pupils travelling to the new school despite it being a 48-mile round trip from Hawick.

Scottish Borders Council is now looking for feedback on its consultation report about the new additional support needs school in Earlston and the formal discontinuation of spectrum classes at Wilton Primary and St Ronan’s Primary.

A report responding to feedback received so far has already been prepared, and it is due to go before councillors on Thursday, December 15, with a recommendation that the proposals go ahead.

Galashiels councillor Sandy Aitchison, the authority’s executive member for education, said: “I would encourage anyone with an interest in the new additional needs provision in Earlston to take the time to look at the consultation report and provide any additional feedback before it goes before councillors in December.

“This applies not only to parents who already have children at the schools but also families with younger children who are likely to attend these schools in the future.

“The views of these parents are equally valid, and we are keen to hear from them as well.”

Reassurance has been given that existing staff in the Hawick and Innerleithen spectrum support provision teams will be offered jobs at the new complex.

A report to be presented to next month’s meeting says those staff are positive about the new school, with many having visiting the building site as part of the consultation process.

The report says: “The class teachers are looking forward to the opportunity of working with a bigger team.”

In advance of December’s council meeting, interested parties are being invited to consider the consultation report and provide any additional views they might have.

The consultation period will run until 5pm on Wednesday, December 14.

An electronic copy of the report is available at www.scotborders.gov.uk/asnschool.

Paper copies are available at Wilton Primary, St Ronan’s Primary, Earlston Primary and Earlston High School, as well as Hawick, Innerleithen and Earlston’s libraries.

Feedback can be given online at www.scotborders.gov.uk/ asnschool, by emailing schoolestates@scotborders.gov.uk or by calling 01835 825080.

A non-statutory consultation on the naming of the new provision in Earlston was also held. Suggestions made are currently being considered, and more details will be announced in due course.

Almost a dozen trees are being felled in a bid to help Hawick’s Wilton Lodge Park fulfil its potential as a tourist attraction, it has emerged.

The £3.64m regeneration of the park continues to progress, with improvements to its cycleways and work on its new café and bridge carrying on into the new year.

Landscaping around the Gilbert Davidson Fountain began this week, with P1 Contracts, of Linlithgow in West Lothian, previously responsible for carrying out improvements to the walled garden last year and doing work at the outdoor classroom, being awarded the contract.

Those works will be completed by the end of the year, weather permitting, and will be followed by restoration of the fountain. Contracts for the fountain’s restoration and the refurbishment of the park’s entrance gates will be announced early next year.

The project team recently met members of the Wilton Lodge Park stakeholder group to discuss visibility of the park from the A7 road.

It is deemed essential to attracting passing visitors to the park that the visibility of all its attractions is maintained.

With that in mind, it was decided to remove 10 trees, three of which were already showing signs of disease.

Another dead tree has been earmarked for removal for public safety and the lopping-off of lower branches from some trees is required to allow adequate illumination of a new footway and cycleway.

Selkirkshire councillor Gordon Edgar, Scottish Border Council’s executive member for roads and infrastructure, said: “While it is unfortunate that a small number of trees have to be removed, it is necessary in order for the park to fully meet its potential as a significant tourist attraction for Hawick and the Borders.”

Most of the work lined up for the park is due to be completed by April 2017, a year ahead of the overall project completion date of April 2018.

Mr Edgar added: “The regeneration project has already delivered a number of improvements to Wilton Lodge Park, including a new bandstand, walled garden, outdoor classroom, waterfall walk, improvements to Hawick Museum and full summer events programme.

“Despite now heading into winter, there is still plenty of activity in the park as we head towards completion of the regeneration project.

“The improved walled garden has been a major asset to the park, and I am pleased to hear the same company will be carrying out landscaping works at the fountain.”

A Scottish Government minister is being urged to sanction a road safety review after a young Hawick man became the third person from the town to die on the same 10-mile stretch of the A698 in just 18 months.

Former Hawick High School pupil Leon Ali, 24, of Laing Terrace, died after his car collided with a van near Knowesouth Steading on the Jedburgh-to-Denholm road last Saturday night.

That tragedy has sparked concerns over the safety of the A698 as that same stretch of road has claimed the lives of two other Hawick residents.

On April 6 last year, Dale Whillans, 18, died after suffering serious head injuries when a Seat Ibiza he was travelling in as a front-seat passenger in mounted a verge, hit a road sign and ended up in a field a mile west of Cleikemin, near Jedburgh.

And on February 11 of this year, Kirsty Parker, 34, of Denholm, died in a collision between her Vauxhall Zafira and a Peugeot 207 at the Ashbank junction.

The stretch of road that Leon died on also claimed the life of Sharon McIntyre, 35, of Leyden Bank, Hawick, after her Suzuki Vitara was involved in a collision with a school bus back in October 2010.

Hawick and Denholm councillor Watson McAteer believes answers need to be found in the hope of preventing any further tragedies.

He has written to transport minister Humza Yousaf expressing concern that Leon had become the third Hawick fatality in separate road accidents on a 10-mile stretch of the A698 Hawick-to-Cleikemin road in less than two years.

He said: “It is time this road was subjected to a road safety review to understand just why these accidents are happening and what direct action can be taken to improve overall safety.

“I have likewise contacted the local police commander and Scottish Borders Council to seek their involvement.

“We cannot simply wait until further tragedies happen and must act to reduce the obvious levels of risk associated with using this important cross-borders west-to-east link road.”

Leon, recently appointed as a department manager at Sainsbury’s in Kelso, finished third in the Jedforest Sprint earlier this year, as well as coming runner-up to his younger brother Dylan in the Selkirk Games’ 110m final.

A book of condolence has been opened at the Kelso store, on the Pinnaclehill Industrial Estate.

Leon’s silver Ford Focus collided with a black Renault Trafic van near Knowesouth Steading at 9.20pm on Saturday night as he was making his way home from the supermarket.

He sustained fatal injuries in the collision and died at the scene. ​

A 46-year-old man and nine-year-old girl in the van involved sustained minor injuries and were taken to the Borders General Hospital at Melrose for treatment, later being released.

The A698 was closed for around seven hours while investigations were carried out by police.

A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal, but inquiries into the accident are ongoing, with police urging anyone on the road around the time of the crash to come forward.

Sergeant Andy Gibb, of Police Scotland’s road policing unit in Dalkeith, said: “Sadly, this collision has resulted in a young man losing his life, and we would like to ascertain the full circumstances of the collision.

“This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with Leon’s family.

“We are still investigating this collision and wish to speak to anyone who may have information.

“I would urge anyone who may be able to help our inquiries to come forward and contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

HIV has NOT been cured so it’s important for people who think they may be at risk to get tested.

That’s the message HIV Scotland is keen to promote this HIV Testing Week and in the run up to World AIDS Day on December 1.

The HIV testing event, from November 18 to November 25, aims to ensure that everyone in Scotland knows their status.

Across Scotland, there are more than 6000 people living with HIV – one in six of whom don’t know they’re living with the condition.

And the majority of new infections are passed on unknowingly by someone who has never been diagnosed.

So the most responsible thing anyone who has sex or shares needles can do is to find out their status.

To ensure that message is getting out, NHS Borders is keen to promote the services it offers locally.

Dr Tim Patterson, joint director of public health in the Borders, said: “HIV Testing Week and World AIDS Day are great opportunities for everyone to think about testing.

“In Scotland, more than 4000 people are attending clinics for treatment of HIV and most of them are in excellent health, taking as little as one tablet a day to control the infection.

“Taking HIV therapy ensures long term health and almost eliminates the chance of passing on the infection.

“However, up to a quarter of people with HIV don’t know they have it.”

NHS Scotland uses testing week to to raise awareness of HIV, encouraging people to know their status, take control of their HIV and work together to help stop the virus in its tracks.

Dr Patterson said: “Although we encourage everyone to know their status, we make special efforts to encourage men who sleep with men to test regularly.

“Men who have sex with men account for 70 per cent of HIV transmissions in Scotland.”

The Resource Outreach Advice for Men service (ROAM) is an NHS Lothian outreach team that provides sexual health services to men having sex with men in Lothian and the Borders.

The service encourages men to test regularly. 
ROAM offers a dedicated testing service at Borders Sexual Health Clinic at Galashiels Health Centre in Currie Road on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm.

A 30 minute HIV and syphilis finger prick test is available, alongside tests for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, Hepatitis A & B vaccinations and support.

However, Dr Patterson added: “Anyone can get an HIV test at any Borders sexual health clinic or through their GP.”

Most HIV tests involve taking a small sample of blood – either from a finger prick or your arm – and some can return confidential results while you wait.

A test helps put you in control, even if the results are positive.

For HIV can now be managed well with treatment which reduces the likelihood of passing it on.

Perhaps most importantly though, being tested could help put an end to HIV once and for all.

An HIV Scotland spokeswoman explained: “The majority of new infections are passed on by people who unknowingly did so – because they didn’t know their status.

“By testing regularly, people can help to reduce the number of new infections recorded in Scotland.

“That’s why it’s so imporant for people to know their status and get tested.”

Remember, a positive test result is no longer the death sentence it once was.

In fact, the earlier anti-retrovirals are used to treat HIV, the better and a person living with HIV can expect to live a long, healthy life.

Taken as prescribed, the medication helps reduce the amount of HIV in your blood – viral load – to the point where it is undetectable and the risks of passing it on are dramatically reduced.

For more information on sexual health testing services in the Borders visit www.borderssexualhealth.org.uk

* If you believe you have been at riskof HIV in the last day or so, you can use PEP – Post-Exposure Prophylaxis.

The sooner you take PEP the more effective it is – preferably within the first 24 hours and no longer than 72 hours after exposure.

It is available from sexual health clinics and hospital emergency departments and must be taken for 28 days.

However, it does not have a 100 per cent success rate.

Condoms, lubricant and not sharing needles are still the best ways to protect yourself from HIV.

HIV: THE FACTS

The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested.

HIV can affect anyone who has unprotected sex or shares drug injecting equipment – so anyone who has been at risk should get tested.

But stigma and fear surrounding HIV can put people off getting a test 
which, in turn, can result in new infections.

There are a lot of myths surrounding HIV which only help to stigmatise the disease even further.

HIV cannot be passed on through kissing, hugging or shaking hands.

And HIV is no longer the death sentence it once was – with treatment, it can be managed and someone living with HIV can lead a healthy life.

As of June 30, 2016 there were 5151 people diagnosed with HIV living in Scotland.

A further 17 per cent of people living with HIV don’t know they have it.

So across Scotland, there are more than 6000 people living with HIV – around one in six of whom don’t know they are infected.

Every day in Scotland, someone learns they are living with HIV – the numbers of new diagnosed infections has remained around the same for the last ten years.

In 2015 there were 361 new diagnoses.

Some 93 per cent of people living with HIV are already on treatment and of those on treatment 94 per cent are undetectable – meaning they cannot pass the virus on.

In NHS Borders, which has a population of around 114,000, 47 people were living with HIV as of June 30 this year – 40 of whom were receiving treatment.

Of these cases, none were newly-diagnosed in 2016.

HIV tests are routinely available at GP surgeries and sexual health clinics.

Legislation which will give the Scottish Parliament further powers over income tax will be laid today (Wednesday).

The regulations will mean from 2017/18 the Scottish Parliament will be able to set the rates and bands thresholds for income tax, excluding personal allowance.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said: “We welcome these legislative steps which will increase the Scottish Parliament’s powers over income tax from next year. The new powers will allow us to design an approach to taxation which will suit Scotland’s needs, balancing the need to invest with the recognition that many households are facing difficult economic challenges.

“As we set out earlier this year, our income tax proposals for 2017/18 will aim to protect lower income taxpayers and generate extra revenue for us to invest in public services.

“We will set out further details of our proposals for income tax in next month’s Draft Budget.”

A pensioner has been banned from keeping pets for five years over what a Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals inspector described as one of the worst cases of neglect she’d ever seen.

James McLelland, 67, of Deanhead Drive, Eyemouth, allowed his dog Trixie to become covered in fleas, skin conditions, sores and suffer a loss of hair.

The SSPCA was tipped off after someone noticed Trixie was constantly scratching.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser, pictured above, told Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday that the dog “looked malnourished and got no exercise”.

He said a substantial quantity of fleas was found on all areas of the dog’s body, with hard boils and open wounds on his back and legs.

Mr Fraser said McLelland initially refused to relinquish ownership, but the animal was seized by welfare officers.

He added: “It was quite clear that unnecessary suffering had been caused to the dog as a result of this.”

The offence happened over a six-month period between February and August, and in September McLelland signed over the dog and admitted he had never taken it to a vet.

Mr Fraser added: “The inspector considers this as one of the worst cases she has seen, yet there were simple measures which would have prevented this, such as a clean living environment and proper veterinary care.

McLelland pleaded guilty to being responsible for a dog and causing it unnecessary suffering due to inadequate care.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said: “He did try to treat the dog with creams and sprays he bought in a local pet shop, but they did not work.

“He is sorry about this and he is not going to be taking up any animals in the future.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson also fined McLelland £300.

DRUG-DRIVER LOCKED UP

A 52-year-old man has been jailed for 30 days after admitting driving a van while under the influence of drugs.

Cedric Dove, of Station House, Greenlaw, pleaded guilty to committing that offence in Marigold Bank, Galashiels, last October.

Selkirk Sheriff Court heard that no alcohol was found in his system, but a half-empty packet of dihydrocodeine was discovered in the vehicle.

Dove told police he took the drug to treat leg pain.

In addition to the jail sentence, Dove was banned from the road for 18 months.

CARER NEARLY FOUR TIMES LIMIT

A carer who drove from his home in Cornhill to Coldstream to pick up medication was almost four times the legal alcohol limit, Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told.

Hylton Burdon, 62, pleaded guilty to driving a van with a breath-alcohol count of 87 microgrammes, the legal limit being 22, in Coldstream High Street on October 24.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the accused came to the attention of police at 9pm because one of his headlights was not working.

Ed Hulme, defending, said: “He has a friend who has terminal cancer. He had been drinking earlier in the day but ran out of medication. He drove the short distance to Coldstream to get medication from the Co-op when he came to the attention of the police.”

Burdon was fined £200 and banned from the road for 14 months.

NEIGHBOUR ADMITS STALKING

A stalker has been ordered to be of good behaviour for 12 months.

Paul Taylor, 52, of Castle Street, Duns, pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour involving a former neighbour he had befriended.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard that he had known the woman for about four years, but from April 2015 he showed signs of becoming more obsessive and controlling, and was sending abusive text messages.

He also became jealous if other neighbours visited her home and would go into her flat without invitation.

After being told the woman had since moved away, Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence for a year.

HAMMER ATTACK CHARGE DENIED

A Berwickshire man will face trial by jury at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on five charges.

Geoffrey Burge, 56, of Upper Burnmouth, is accused of assaulting a man and a woman with a knife, as well as striking the woman in the face with a hammer.

He is also alleged to have been in possession of a bladed article and a hammer.

Burge pleaded not guilty to all charges, and a trial date was set for February 27, with an intermediate hearing on February 6.

WOMEN

DENY ASSAULTS

Two women appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court accused of domestic assaults on men last weekend.

Rebecca Skene, 25, is accused of threatening or abusive behaviour at her home in Hall Street, Walkerburn, on Saturday and struggling with partner Mark Smith.

She also faces charges of possession of a knife and a craft knife, and shouting and swearing and repeatedly banging her head inside a police vehicle.

After pleading not guilty, Skene had a trial date fixed for February 16 at Selkirk Sheriff Court, with an intermediate hearing on January 16.

She was released on bail with the condition that she does not contact Mark Smith or enter Morebattle.

Ashley Gallagher, 27, also denied assaulting her former partner Derek Graham by striking him twice in the face at her home in Queens Drive, Hawick.

Trial was set for February 9 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, with an intermediate hearing on January 9.

DECORATOR STOLE JEWELLERY

A painter and decorator has admitted stealing £900 worth of jewellery while working in a house at Tofts in Kelso.

Terry West, of Mansefield Court, Kelso, pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to committing the offence on May 21.

The court was told that the jewellery, owned by an elderly woman, was recovered, but £20 in cash went missing.

Lawyer Ross Dow said his client had suffered shame and embarrassment because of the offence.

He said the 68-year-old had lost his job as a result of it.

Mr Dow said the offence came about because of the accused’s gambling addiction.

A 15-month community payback order with supervision was imposed.

Sheriff Peter Paterson also ordered West to pay £300 compensation to the house owner to “reflect the upset and trauma” she experienced.

RACE-DAY DRIVER FIVE TIMES LIMIT

A plumber who drove home from a day out at Kelso Races while almost five times the legal alcohol limit has been banned from the road for 15 months at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Mark Young, 28, crashed his vehicle into a road sign at the A698 roundabout at the town’s Sainsbury’s store shortly after 10pm on Saturday, October 22.

Police officers attended, and it became apparent that Young, of Minto Place, Hawick, had been drinking.

He admitted driving with a breath-alcohol count of 105 microgrammes, the legal limit being 22.

His solicitor, Ed Hulme, said: “He had been at the Kelso Races meeting with a friend and stupidly decided to drive home.”

In addition to the disqualification, Young was fined £350.

MAN ATTACKED IN OWN HOME

A Selkirk man who confronted three men who had been targeting a neighbour’s home ended up being assaulted in his own house in front of an 11-year-old boy.

Karl Brown, 39, admitted threatening or abusive behaviour, challenging others to fight and being in possession of metal poles during the incident in Bridge Street and Bannerfield Drive, both in Selkirk, on July 24.

He was ordered to carry out 70 hours’ unpaid work for the offence and another 70 hours for producing cannabis at his home in Buccleuch Road, Selkirk.

Prosecuting at the town’s sheriff court, Graham Fraser said the accused came to the Borders four years ago, having had an extensive criminal record in the south of England.

He explained: “He was at home on Sunday, July 24, and was aware of three people causing a disturbance in the street. He remonstrated with them and they ended up assaulting him in his house.

“A witness made a 999 call to say a male was making threats with poles from a bicycle seat.”

Mr Fraser said Brown kept shouting the name of a man who was well known to the courts.

When interviewed by police, Brown said: “I am not nice when I get angry. People get scared of me.”

Lawyer Mat Patrick said his client got involved when the three men threw a moped against his wall and started kicking it.

He added: “He found out they had a grievance against his upstairs neighbour. He challenged them, and one of them came through the window, followed by the other two, and assaulted him in his house. He suffered some severe injuries.

“An 11-year-old boy was in the house at the time. The accused did not phone the police and went outside to find these individuals. It was a fairly heated incident”

Brown also pleaded guilty to having a cannabis cultivation in his own home, with 10 plants valued at £1,200.

Mr Patrick said he grew the cannabis for his own medication, having suffered stab wounds to his neck and legs in the past.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said: “You should not take the law into your own hands, but I accept there was provocation.”

The unpaid work was imposed as an alternative to a fine.

ASSAULT ALLEGATION

A Peebles man appeared in private at Selkirk Sheriff Court accused of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Scott Hogarth, 27, made no plea or declaration.

The case was continued for further examination, and he was bailed.

DRIVER BANNED FOR 12 MONTHS

A woman has admitted driving on a Borders road while almost three times the legal alcohol limit.

Alison Mitchell, 55, of Muirdrum Avenue, Cardonald, Glasgow, initially denied the charge at Selkirk Sheriff Court, but shortly before the trial was due to take place, she changed her plea to guilty.

The offence happened on the A701 at Broughton on August 12.

Mitchell was fined £400 and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

DRUNK MAN HAD KNIFE IN BAG

Background reports have been ordered into a man who was found in possession of a lock knife at Galashiels transport interchange.

Colin McLean, 33, of Fairfield Drive, Selkirk, pleaded guilty to the offence, committed on September 6.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told police officers saw a clearly-intoxicated McLean in the building. He was carrying a plastic carrier bag, and a search revealed the knife.

McLean told police he had no idea there was a knife in the bag as he was so drunk.

Sentence was deferred until December 5, with a psychiatric report called for.

COMPENSATION ORDER FOR WAITER

A waiter has been ordered to pay £700 compensation for causing £3,500 worth of damage to two cars.

Ruttar Neeme, 32, pleaded guilty to wilfully and recklessly kicking the two vehicles, both parked in Highcroft, Kelso, on June 11.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told on Tuesday that the excess part of the insurance policy one of the car owners had to pay was £400 and the other had to pay £130.

Neeme of Sydenham Court, Kelso, told police he had a few drinks while watching rugby “and it was all a bit of a blur”.

His lawyer said: “He is extremely remorseful.

“He went after to the houses affected and apologised.”

WOMAN, 31, ADMONISHED

A Hawick woman who bit her partner on the arm during a domestic bust-up has been admonished after being of good behaviour for six months.

Kirsty Renwick, 31, of Scott Crescent, had previously pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to the offence, which happened on April 24.

EXTORTION BID ALLEGATION

A 64-year-old man faces trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court next week on an attempted extortion allegation.

Robert Munro is charged with threatening his brother that unless he responded to letters demanding £600, he would falsely expose him for being involved in criminal activity.

Munro, of Grosvenor Street, Edinburgh, has pleaded not guilty to attempting to extort money from his brother on various occasions in Selkirk between March 2014 and November 2014.

A trial date has been fixed for December 6.

MAN DENIES

BENEFITS FIDDLE

A Hawick man will stand trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on February 21 on charges of receiving benefits of more than £10,000 he was not entitled to.

Craig Kewin, 32, of Chay Blyth Place, denied failing to notify a change in his circumstances when claiming employment support allowance in that he was living with someone.

He also denies receiving £231.43 he was not entitled to in October 2011.

Kewin also pleaded not guilty to receiving £4,545.09 between November 2011 and November 2013 and another £6,301.39 in benefits between October 2011 and January 2014.

An intermediate hearing will take place at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, January 9.

DRUG DEALER’S HOME CURFEW

A 30-year-old woman who admitted her second drug-dealing offence has been given a restriction-of-liberty order, keeping her in her Hawick home between 7pm and 7am.

Maryanne Kellagher pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to being concerned in the supply of cannabis at her property in Burnhead Road on April 18.

Defending, Mat Patrick said there was a previous conviction for a similar matter “which puts her in the realms of custody being a consideration”, but he said medical conditions were behind the offence.

However, Sheriff Peter Paterson told her: “Whatever you think about the use of cannabis, society regards it as a crime, and it remains a crime.”

PENSIONER’S PAYBACK

A pensioner who admitted receiving almost £5,000 in benefits to which he was not entitled has been admonished after Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told he was paying back the money.

Roy Guthrie, 66, of Orchard Park, Kelso, admitted not informing the Department of Work and Pensions and Scottish Borders Council of a change in his circumstances when receiving pension payments and housing benefit.

Between August and November 2013, the seasonal farm worker received £1,637.16 he was not entitled to as he was working.

During the same period, he received £875.78 in housing benefit and £2,208.86 in pension credits he was also not entitled to.

Defence lawyer Maureen Sinclair said her client was paying the money back, with £2,444 outstanding.

She told a previous hearing: “He accepts he received funds he was not entitled to, but it was more in ignorance than anything else.”

MAN MUST BEHAVE HIMSELF

A Hawick man who brandished a knife during a disturbance has been ordered to be of good behaviour for the next four months.

Steven Gorman, 22, of Eildon Road, pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour at a house in Wilton Drive, Hawick, on Monday, October 3.

He also admitted obstructing two police officers who were trying to place handcuffs on him.

The case will recall on Monday, March 20.

DANGEROUS DRIVING DENIED

A 28-year-old man has been accused of dangerous driving in Galashiels and Gattonside.

Stuart McCutcheon, described as a prisoner, has denied failing to stop when requested to do by police, mounting a pavement, driving at speeds in excess of 80mph in a 60mph zone and overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic.

McCutcheon is due to face a jury on Tuesday at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

MOTORIST ON TRIAL

A Jedburgh motorist has been accused of careless driving following an accident in which a 76-year-old woman was injured.

Leslie Cramond, 43, of Bountrees, denies the offence, said to have happened on the A68 between St Boswells and Jedburgh on July 15.

A trial date has been set for Jedburgh Sheriff Court on January 26, with an intermediate hearing on January 9.

HEROIN ALLEGATION

Darren Johnstone, 33, of Mayfield Drive, Hawick, will stand trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, February 7, on a charge of being in possession of heroin in Hawick on Monday, August 29.

BUST-UP LEADS TO £200 FINE

A Galashiels man was fined £200 at Selkirk Sheriff Court over a bust-up with his partner.

Neil Jones, 51, of Gala Park Court, admitted acting in a threatening or abusive manner at a house in nearby Scott Street on April 8.

The court heard that during an argument, Jones shouted and swore at the woman and called her abusive names.

A 40mph speed limit is to be imposed at an accident blackspot near Innerleithen in the hope of helping avert further car crashes.

Scottish Borders Council’s Tweeddale area forum last unanimously agreed plans to impose a 40mph speed limit on the A72 at Caerlee Corner.

That thumbs-up followed a report by the council’s roads chief officer, Gary Haldane, being presented to the meeting in Peebles last Wednesday.

Tweeddale East councillor Stuart Bell, a member of the A7 Action Group and long-time campaigner for a lower speed limit at Caerlee Corner, said afterwards: “I am really pleased that, after months of lobbying by both councillors and the community, we now have a 40mph extension put in place.

“There have been far too many accidents on that section of road.

“If drivers obey this new speed limit, that corner will be much safer.”

Selkirkshire councillor Gordon Edgar, the authority’s executive member for roads and infrastructure, added: “This is very welcome.

“Anything that can help highlight the dangers to drivers can only be a good thing.

“All we are doing is saying to drivers to go slower”.

The corner was previously assessed last year for a suggested 30mph speed limit extension but did not meet the relevant criteria, the meeting heard.

Campaigners have continued to fight for a lower speed limit, however, and in September, council chiefs and police officers did a U-turn and agreed to rethink their previous opposition.

Despite not meeting the criteria of the 2015 review, the road has been an accident blackspot over recent years, triggering calls for action to be taken.

In 2013, one accident consisted of a motorcyclist skidding off the road and another two involved car drivers crossing the centre white line and colliding with oncoming vehicles.

A further four accidents resulting in injury were reported in 2014, and in 2015 another two followed, with one involving an 81-year-old man.

The proposal was advertised to the public for consideration between October 27 and November 25 and sparked no objections.

The expected cost of lowering the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph is £1,500 for advertising and £1,000 for signs, according to the report.

However, it notes that if the plans do not go ahead drivers will continue to be at risk of road accidents due to driving at inappropriate speeds.

Area forum secretary Kathleen Mason said: “Because of the continuing accident record and the high degree of local concern, members welcomed the report and were pleased to approve the recommendations contained therein.”

How long it will take to bring in the lower speed limit at Caerlee Corner is not yet known, and the move could be subject to ratification by the Scottish Government.

Anti-smoking campaigners in the Borders have been given a national award for their efforts to stub out the unhealthy habit.

Scottish Borders Community Planning Partnership was given the accolade as part of a charter drawn up by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) in a bid to cut the number of Scots smoking from 20% of the population to 5% by 2034.

The plaudit was handed over by South of Scotland Labour list MSP Colin Smyth at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh last Thursday.

Jedburgh councillor Jim Brown, chairman of the partnership’s strategic board, said: “By signing the charter, the partners have pledged to take action in a variety of ways, including raising awareness of the dangers of second-hand smoke, promoting smoke-free environments where children may be present and assisting young people to stop smoking.

“In addition to the well-known health impacts, smoking is the second highest cause of house fires, so any reduction in smoking is to be welcomed, and I am delighted that our partnership approach to this has been recognised.”

Dr Tim Patterson, joint director of public health in the Borders, said: “Smoking affects everyone. It causes harm to not only smokers but those around them through second and third-hand smoke.

“We have a duty of care to protect the health of people in the Borders and promote positive health behaviours.

“I am delighted that the Scottish Borders Community Planning Partnership has been rewarded for its efforts to try to tackle harm caused by tobacco.”

Sheila Duffy, chief executive of ASH in Scotland, said: “We launched Scotland’s charter for a tobacco-free generation to help raise awareness of the worthwhile vision of putting smoking out of fashion for the next generation.

“In its first year, the response to the charter has been excellent.

“We now have 100 organisations signed up, and it is proving an effective way to bring people together and motivate organisations in the fight against tobacco and the harmful effects it has on children and young people.”

“These awards celebrate some of the positive actions that charter signatories across the country are delivering to help to ensure that children who are in nursery now become the first generation to grow up in communities where tobacco is hardly noticed.”

For further details, visit www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/Quit4good.

The Borders partnership was the first organisation of its kind to sign up to the charter.

Plans to boost the capacity of busy services on the Borders Railway are nearing completion, according to Scottish Government transport minister Humza Yousaf.

In a statement to Parliament last week, Mr Yousaf confirmed that moves to provide additional carriages on peak-time services are on track.

Additional carriages are due to be in place from this month onwards as part of a plan to tackle overcrowding, delays and cancellations.

The statement came as part of the transport minister’s announcement of plans to improve ScotRail’s performance including a £5bn, five-year transformation programme.

Mr Yousaf said: “Overcrowding is frustrating. That is why, from mid-December, we will have introduced more services to and from Inverness and are finalising details to provide more carriages on peak-time services on the Borders Railway.

That pledge has been welcomed by rail campaigners.

Campaign for Borders Rail spokesman Atholl Innes said: “This is very welcome as too many trains are overcrowded as well as being cancelled, and that is very disappointing in trying to promote a new railway.

“The quicker we get more coaches and the more reliable the trains are the better. I hope these additional coaches will be put in place permanently.”

The group’s chairman, Allan McLean, added: “The Campaign for Borders Rail welcomes proposed improvements to performance and capacity on the Borders Railway as well as its extension to serve more communities directly”.

The ScotRail Alliance performance improvement plan lays out actions that will be taken to improve performance.

It promises that a review to improve the punctuality and reliability of the £350m Borders route that began in September will be completed by May next year.

The current ScotRail fleet will benefit from a £475m budget set aside for its modernisation and the addition of new trains.

Some £14m of that budget will be spent on improving the reliability and comfort of the class 158 diesel fleet serving much of rural Scotland, including the Borders.

The diesel fleet will see upgrades to its engine radiator system carried out by G&M Radiators in Glasgow.

The firm was visited by the transport minister last Friday, and he said: “These upgrades to the engine radiator system not only help lift the fleet performance, but the work also gives a welcome boost to a longstanding family company and local Scottish jobs.

“Everyone rightly expects a railway network that operates effectively, so when things go wrong, I fully understand the dissatisfaction of passengers and the inconvenience that is caused.

“Although there are no guarantees major failures won’t happen, I give my reassurance that ScotRail has learned lessons and is far better prepared for contingencies, including communication with passengers, when such incidents do take place.

“I have no intention of underplaying the effect of a slide in service quality.

“The actions we are taking and the long-term transformation we have planned underlines this Government’s commitment to improving the service received.

“That is why I instructed an improvement plan.

He added: “Our commitment to our railways is undeniable - we want to see a vibrant, growing industry with more seats and services than ever before. I remain focussed on ensuring the best outcome for passengers - a franchise which delivers for Scotland.”

A five-year housing plan set to see more than £160m invested in affordable housing was approved by Scottish Borders Council on Tuesday.

Members of the authority’s executive committee gave their backing to a strategic housing investment plan expected to lead to almost 1,200 affordable homes being built across the region before 2022.

Welcoming the report, Hawick and Hermitage councillor Ron Smith told members: “This is an ambitious plan in that it will deliver affordable, quality housing for our residents.

“Obviously, this will help stimulate the local economy through creating jobs and training opportunities, with an unparalleled, potential £163m worth of investment over the plan period.”

However, questions over whether the construction sector in the Borders is geared up for that amount of development were raised by Tweeddale East councillor and executive member for economic development, Stuart Bell.

He said: “I welcome the fact that we are trying really hard to dramatically move forward with the number of affordable houses in the Borders, but we are proposing such a significant increase that I am concerned we have not engaged with the construction sector enough.”

In his formal recommendation, later adopted by councillors, Mr Bell added: “I am not happy that adequate signals have been given to the construction sector in order for them to prepare for this.

“I am recommending officers to rapidly engage with the construction sector to inform them of these opportunities and get their feedback on the practicalities before submitting a short report back in six months.”

Further debate followed over the difference between housing need and demand, and questions were also asked about just how thorough the study into the proposed sites had been.

Selkirkshire councillor Vicky Davidson said: “Your assessment on where the need is is based on the demand, but if there are no houses somewhere, then there can be no demand. The housing needs assessments are not particularly accurate if they are based on the housing list.”

Cathy Fancy, group manager of the council’s housing strategy and services team, stressed that the plan is for up to 1,192 houses, but she added: “We will also seek to explore other opportunities along the way. We do have a fairly good picture of where there is not only the demand but the need for affordable housing.”

In the first two years of the new plan, a total of 449 affordable homes are earmarked for delivery across the Borders at locations including Kelso, Lilliesleaf, Duns, Eyemouth and Oxton.

Lowood Estate at Tweedbank accounts for almost a third of the potential housing allocation proposed, having been assessed as suitable to host 300 houses.

The next biggest sites suggested, both lined up to accommodate 100 homes, at Hillview North in Coldstream and Nethershot in Kelso.

Elsewhere in the Borders, Galashiels is in line for 50 new houses, eight at Lintburn Street, 12 at Rose Court and 30 at the former Castle Warehouse site in High Street; Selkirk for 105, 30 at Angles Field and 75 at Heather Mill; Kelso for 70 more, 20 at Tweed Court and 50 at the soon-to-be-vacant Kelso High School site; Hawick for 21, five at Leishman Place, six at Henderson Road and 10 at an old factory site in Fairhurst Drive; Newstead for six, at the Orchard; Peebles for 100, 30 at Rosetta Road and 70 at the March Street mill; Innerleithen for 35, at Caerlee Mill; Ayton for six, north of High Street; and Reston for 38, behind its parish church.

The list of proposed sites will now go to public consultation.

Plans for a £40m whisky distillery near Jedburgh are being recommended for approval in principle next week, paving the way for the creation of a tourist attraction expected to provide jobs for up to 50 people.

Three years since the ambitious proposal for the site around the former Jedforest Hotel at Camptown was first unveiled, Scottish Borders Council’s planning committee will decide on Monday if it should become a reality.

At the end of a 38-page evaluation of the bid for full planning consent submitted by Mossburn Distillers, planning officer Euan Calvert gives the project his endorsement, subject to compliance with a raft of conditions to address concerns over the environmental and ecological impact of the development.

“The proposed development represents a significant economic investment and has been revised and supplemented to demonstrate that any impacts on the natural and built environment can be satisfactorily mitigated,” concludes Mr Calvert.

His report to the committee reveals that the company, owned by Dutch drinks firm Marussia Beverages, wants to phase the development over the next five years.

If the application is approved, the first phase, to be carried out next year and into 2018, would see the creation of a small distillery on land to the east of the former hotel “to focus on small production and educating visitors in the craft of making spirit”, with guided tours provided.

There would also be a 36-seater café and a range of new office buildings.

The second phase, to be built between 2019 and 2021, would focus on land to the north of the site and will, states the report, be “significantly bigger and significantly more productive”.

It will involve the construction of the main Mossburn distillery, capable of producing 25 million litres of spirit a year and featuring four distinctive copper distillation vessels, as well as 21 fermentation tanks.

The manufacturing element of this building – 138m long and 12.5m high – would be combined with a visitor centre featuring a 260-cover ground-floor café, restaurant and entertainment area.

The facility will be serviced by an 81-space car park with access from a new bell-shaped junction on the A68.

On Monday, the committee will hear that the venture, expected to create between 40 and 50 jobs when up and running, has won the qualified support of three local community councils for its “employment tourism benefits”.

The report, however, reveals that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency has maintained its objection to the bid, claiming the raising of land on a greenfield site to accommodate the new buildings poses a flood risk.

Two members of the public have also submitted objections, including Julia Wallace who, with husband Alexander, owns two hotels in Jedburgh, the Glenbank House and the Royal.

Dr Wallace claims the distillery plans would result in an overprovision of café and restaurant facilities to the detriment of food providers and other small business in Jedburgh.

“Distilleries have the opportunity to benefit from a global market,” she writes.

“In contrast, existing food-related businesses in Jedburgh can only operate locally and are highly dependent on the summer tourist trade to support their sustainability.”

If approved, the Camptown distillery would potentially be the second to open in the Borders within months as work is already under way on a £10m rival in Hawick’s Commercial Road.

The Three Stills Company development, called the Borders Distillery, is believed to be the region’s first distillery for almost two centuries, the last having closed in 1837.

Tributes have been paid to a Selkirk teacher following her death during a charity fun run at the weekend.

Evelyn Rafferty, 59, was taking part in the annual Santa Jog at the town’s Bowhill House country park on Saturday when she collapsed.

Despite the best efforts of three fellow runners and paramedics, she could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A semi-retired primary school teacher, Ev, as she was known for short, taught generations of schoolchildren over more than 30 years at Selkirk’s Knowepark Primary School.

Ev’s passion for teaching remained undimmed throughout her life with her retirement from the profession only lasting a fortnight before she happily took up part-time supply duties at Yarrow Primary, St Margaret’s Primary in Galashiels and Kirkhope Primary in Ettrickbridge.

A devoted mother and grandmother, Ev met her husband Bennie while studing at Moray House in Edinburgh, where Bennie graduated the same year as Ev with a certificate in technical teaching.

The couple’s two daughters, Yvonne and Kirsten, were born in 1985 and 1987, and the birth earlier this year of Evelyn and Bennie’s first grandchild, Rosie, to Yvonne and her husband Neil, was a particularly proud moment for the family.

Tributes have poured in this week, with Ev’s employer, Scottish Borders Council, being one of the first to send its sympathies to Ev’s friends and family.

Donna Manson, its service director for children and young people, said: “We are deeply saddened and shocked by this tragic news.

“Ev was a dedicated and loyal teacher who will be sorely missed by her pupils and colleagues.

“We will be putting in place support for staff and pupils, and our condolences go to her husband and family during this difficult time.”

A spokesperson for Knowepark Primary said: “We were shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Ev Rafferty at the weekend.

“Ev was a teacher here for many years and touched the lives of the many children and families she worked with.

“She was also a well-respected colleague and friend to staff past and present.

“Our thoughts are with Ev’s family and friends.”

She was also well-known in Selkirk for her sporting abilities, in particular hockey and golfing.

A regular in Selkirk’s hockey team from an early age, she won district honours for the South at both schoolgirl and senior levels.

One of her proudest moments was playing for Selkirk alongside Yvonne and Kirsten during the three seasons leading up to her retiral. In recent years, she took up golf, captaining Selkirk Golf Club’s ladies section in 2004 and 2005.

Selkirk’s current ladies captain, Alison Rutherford said: “Ev always gave 100%, whether on the hockey pitch or golf course,” she said.

“Her commitment was an inspiration to others, and she was someone you could always rely on.

“Earlier this month she agreed to rejoin the ladies’ golf committee, which was typical of her can-do attitude. She is going to be a big miss.”

Other friends took to social media to share their shock and pay tribute, with one, Lianne Lyall, posting: “I still can’t believe it. It’s a huge loss for the Selkirk community.” Another, Sara Jamieson, said Ev’s death would be “a huge loss to Selkirk and beyond.”

A keen traveller, Evelyn enjoyed trips to such far-flung places as Vietnam and Sri Lanka, and on a recent holiday in America fulfilled long-held ambitions by running over New York’s Brooklyn Bridge and up Philadelphia’s ‘Rocky’ steps.

In July, she and Bennie combined family business with pleasure by attending daughter Kirsten’s wedding to Iain in Cyprus.

Ev’s other passions inculded gardening and walking and in 2012, she completed the Edinburgh MoonWalk and she had recently signed up for next year’s MoonWalk in London.

Ev joined more than 150 taking part in the annual charity fun run round Bowhill Estate, dressed in Santa suits to run or walk a three-mile route in aid of Cash For Kids.

Ed Morris, manager of the Bowhill Estate, said: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the family at this time.”

The Rafferty family expressed their gratitude to the three runners taking part in Saturday’s fun run, who did everything in their power to resuscitate Evelyn and also thanked the emergency services for their assistance and support.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police received a report of a woman who collapsed within the Bowhill Country Park in Selkirk on Saturday during a charity run.

“The 59-year-old was treated by ambulance staff but passed away at the scene.

“There appear to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding this death, and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.”

As a mark of respect, Selkirk Rugby Club, of which Bennie is senior vice-president, cancelled its 2016 sports dinner on Saturday night.

The Scottish Government is to introduce legisation raising the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland from eight to 12.

Scotland currently has the lowest minimum age of criminal responsibility in Europe and this move will bring the country into line with UN and international standards. The minimum age in England and Wales is 10.

The increase will include safeguards to allow the police to deal with and investigate the most serious and exceptional offences involving under 12s.

Earlier this year, a Scottish Government consultation found that 95 per cent of respondents supported an increase to 12 or above.

In a statement to Parliament today, childcare and early years minister Mark McDonald said the case for change is “clear and compelling.”

He said: “Having the lowest minimum age of criminal responsibility in Europe does not match with our progressive approach to youth justice and ambitions to give children the best start in life.

“In 2010 we raised the age of criminal prosecution to 12 – meaning no-one under the age of 12 will be prosecuted or sentenced in the criminal courts and are instead dealt with through the Children’s Hearing System.

“Raising the age of criminal responsibility will mean people no longer face potentially damaging and life-altering consequences, such as a criminal record, for events that took place when they were a young child.

“I recognise that in exceptional cases appropriate safeguards are needed. Therefore we will ensure police powers to investigate harmful behaviour by under 12s, while there will be risk management and monitoring measures for those who need it.”

Festive cheer was aplenty when crowds turned out to watch Hawick’s Christmas parade last night.

More than 350 teries of all ages turned out full of Christmas spirit in their fancy dress costumes.

Hawick Fire Brigade led the way as the parade marched through the town from Duke Street, through Trinity Gardens and up to High Street. Santa Claus followed in his sleigh while the Hawick Scout Pipe Band, dressed in Santa outfits, piped Christmas tunes.

The parade stopped at the Christmas tree where Santa received a big welcome as he kicked off the countdown to the Christmas lights switch-on.

Greg Mcleod, community councillor, said: “It’s been tremendous and it’s great for the kids. There has been a fantastic turn out and the schools have all put in a big effort.

“A big thank you to the parents for the great costumes and to all the volunteers and to everyone involved. It’s a great way to kick start the season.”

The parade was comprised of floats and fancy dress from Trinity Primary School, Burnfoot Community School, Drumranlig St Cuthbert’s and Hawick High School. The children lit-up the parade with coloured lights incorporated into wonderful costumes of Christmas presents, angels and penguins.

Beat Dance Pulse lit up the parade with fluorescent outfits and glow sticks while Hawick’s Young Farmers, dressed up as penguins, roared through on a decorated tractor.

The costumes were praised by onlookers. Hawick resident Suzanne Neilson said: “it wasn’t long enough! I loved it and the costumes were very good. The kids looked great”.

Marj Stokes who has recently taken up residence in Hawick said: “This is my first Christmas here as we have just moved to the area. It was a lovely show with all the kids. The effort the kids and the schools have gone to with the costumes is great”.

Representatives from the fire brigade also handed out sweets to all the children along the way. Fireman Derek Gordon of Hawick Fire Brigade said: “ It’s been an exceptional evening. We gave out sweets and its great to see the joy on the kids faces and the parents too. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about.

Look out for more photos in next weeks Hawick News and Southern Reporter.

Cases of meningitis and septicaemia are expected to rise over the winter and a leading charity is urging greater awareness of the symptoms.

The Meningitis Research Foundation has estimated that there have been on average around 3,200 cases of meningitis and septicaemia annually in the UK; one in 10 people affected will die and a third of survivors will be left with after-effects including serious as brain damage, amputations, blindness or hearing loss.

On average there are more than three times as many cases of the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in January compared with September.

Bacteria are most commonly found living harmlessly in the noses and throats of adolescents and young adults but can be passed on to others through social contact.

Recent research has shown that adolescents are morel likely to have more of these bacteria in winter.

Rapid identification and treatment is vital but early symptoms such as fever, vomiting, headache and feeling unwell can often be missed as they resemble many other less serious illnesses.

Around half of children with the most common cause of bacterial meningitis are turned away by their GP at first visit.

Limb pain, pale skin, and cold hands and feet often appear earlier than the rash, neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights and confusion and MRF is emphasising that it is important for parents to trust their instincts and return to a health professional quickly if their child’s symptoms progress.

Mary Millar, Scotland manager, said: “Vaccines are already proving their worth in controlling some forms of meningitis and septicaemia but they don’t protect against all strains. Over the festive period it’s more important than ever for families to be vigilant and know the symptoms.”

The charity is running a festive appeal to help combat the disease. Visit www.meningitis.org/tistheseason to download the mince pie morning pack to raise funds to fund research and support affected individuals and families. Further information about symptoms can be found at www.meningitis.org/symptoms or by calling the Freefone helpline on 080 8800 3344.

Selkirk’s Incorporation of Hammermen are putting their members’ skills to the test by transforming a derelict building into a museum.

The building, in the town’s West Port, has been donated by one of the casting associaion’s members, who wishes to remain anonymous.

And once the building – the entry to which is next door to Brown and Muir’s shop – is rebuilt from roof to floor, it will be used as a museum for the incorporation’s historic artefacts, as well as providing a meeting room for the entire community as and when required.

Kevin Fairbairn, deacon of the Incorporation of Hammermen, said: “This is a very exciting venture for us.

“There is a lot of work to be done – the roof will have to come off, and we are also looking at the possibility of putting in another access round the back to the car park – but we will be doing all the work ourselves.

“We have applied for funding from the Selkirk Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) project, and we are looking forward to possibly linking up with Halliwells’ House Museum close by.

“But it will be a great wee place for other community groups or casting associations to hold coffee mornings in, or perhaps put on a display of their own.

“As a meeting room, it will probably seat around 35 people.”

The group hosted a full launch of their plans for the building on Saturday, December 3, at the County Hotel, where interested parties were able to see what is being proposed.

Mr Fairbairn said: “It was a fantastic turnout – we were delighted to see so many townsfolk who were interested in our project, people who could make use of the facility when it opens.

“It was also good to welcome MSP Paul Wheelhouse and MP Calum Kerr, who both endorsed the project.

“We are now just waiting for paperwork to be finalised and the funding to come through.

“We have guys just itching to get started.”

Hawick youngsters are being offered hope of following in the footsteps of the likes of rugby union internationals Stuart Hogg and Jim Renwick and becoming sports stars of the future by the news that a £40,000 fund is to be retained despite the imminent demise of the body in charge of it.

Hawick Sports Initiative is to be wound up as it has decided it is no longer needed after playing a leading role in securing a series of improvements at the town’s Volunteer Park, including the creation of 2G and 3G sports pitches and new tennis courts.

The charity was given £40,000 by Scottish Borders Council as a sinking fund to cover maintenance of the 2G pitch, but thanks to staff at Hawick High School helping out, it did not need to dip into that cash.

Now it is shutting up shop, the initiative has secured the council’s agreement for that five-figure kitty to be transferred to Live Borders on condition that it is spent on improving the facilities in Volunteer Park.

The Volunteer Park Sports Club Group will continue to represent the clubs that use the park.

Initiative chairman David Davidson said: “I am delighted that we have been able to deliver sports facilities at Volunteer Park, and through this agreement, it is assured that any unused capital can be passed on for the next phase of maintaining the 2G pitch and to upgrade changing facilities at our new 3G pitch.

“It is important to note that all of our funding, not just the £40,000, will stay in Hawick at the Volunteer Park to support future development and help to fund a development officer to increase participation in sport by not only the public but especially the high school, which has no outdoor facilities of its own.”

Ewan Jackson, chief executive of Live Borders, added: “One of our priorities is to ensure that sports facilities in the region are of a high standard and widely available to all.

“We are delighted to be involved with the Volunteer Park project. It is a great example of how working together with local clubs and organisations can benefit the community as a whole.”

Hawick and Hermitage ward councillors Davie Paterson, Ron Smith and George Turnbull visited the finished 3G facility at Volunteer Park last week and were enthusiastic about the prospects it offers for sport in the town.

Mr Paterson said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted that after a lot of fighting for this at the council’s executive this has now come to fruition in Hawick.

“Hopefully, local youngsters can be encouraged to become fit and active and, in time, become the next generation of sports stars.”

Mr Turnbull said: “This has truly been a win-win situation, in a spirit of working in partnership.

“All of the groups involved have pulled together for the betterment of what could, and will, happen at the Volunteer Park, and here’s hoping that we can continue to improve the facilities for the benefit of all users.

“The Volunteer Park and Wilton Lodge Park complex will really put Hawick on the map as a place of excellence for sport and leisure pursuits.”

Mr Smith, alluding to the controversy that led to plans for a similar facility in Peebles being ditched, added: “Townsfolk in Hawick can take great satisfaction from the level of co-operation which has been seen.

“There have been no disputes over the preferred site, and no disagreements between clubs and organisations which have not been sorted out through amicable discussion.

“The result is a top-class facility for Hawick at least a year earlier than was expected.”

One year on from a devastating deluge that wreaked havoc in Hawick, the town remains at risk of a repeat performance, a flood response co-ordinator has admitted.

No fewer than 500 properties were evacuated as Storm Desmond unleashed floods on homes and businesses on December 5 last year.

The devastation was even worse than previous floods that caused large-scale destruction in 2005.

Scottish Water is only just reaching the end of sewer repair and flood defence works in Mansfield and Duke Street, the areas worst affected.

Some residents have still not returned to their homes, and many townsfolk are living in fear of the same thing happening again.

Stuart Marshall, chairman of Hawick Volunteer Flood Group, admitted there is no guarantee that it won’t, and there won’t be until a multi-million-pound flood defence scheme is up and running in a few years’ time, he conceded.

One year on, Mr Marshall still has serious concerns over the security of parts of the town, particularly the Mansfield and Duke Street areas.

He said: “There is no cast-iron guarantee until a flood protection scheme is in place and it’s fit for purpose, but there is one thing I can assure townsfolk – Hawick Volunteer Flood Group has never been better prepared.

“If the emergency planning division of Scottish Borders Council work to the way they did last year, then I think we are in good shape.

“They were magnificent in their response and had obviously learned lessons from the past.

“What last year reinforced for me is what a tremendous community spirit we have in Hawick.

“When I saw the hundreds of people wanting to help, that’s a memory that will stick with me forever. It brought the best out in Hawick.”

Looking back 12 months, Mr Marshall recalled a town “under siege” and fearful of what was coming next.

He added: “I remember the lump I had in my throat when I saw what was happening to our town.

“It was under siege, and you were at the mercy of nature. It was heart-rending.

“I remember touring the destruction. That will live with me forever, especially at the bottom of Duke Street when I saw the wall had collapsed.

“Do people still feel safe? It depends if you’re in Mansfield and Duke Street. We still have big issues there to resolve.

“There is still a third of the town’s sewage being pumped over land, and we need to get that infrastructure back in place as soon as possible.

“The winter is upon us now, and when river levels start to rise and flood alerts get issued, so people get nervous, and quite rightly so.

“Down Mansfield and Duke Street, I have huge concerns.

“We really do need to get this back to rights.”

Mr Marshall believes new extra-high kerbing in Mansfield and Duke Street will help bring some reassurance.

He added: “I’ll never forget that day. I went to bed at midnight and I wasn’t in bed 15 minutes when the council phoned.

“It was the emergency planning division, and they told me that with the rainfall expected for Hawick in the next 48 hours it was on a par with October 12, 2005, which saw this town devastated, and would you please make your way to the police station because we were going to have a conference call up there.

“I couldn’t believe it. I was up there within 20 minutes, and by the time I got there, the Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team was moving into the police station.

“We saw dinghies coming in, the fire and rescue service was there. All the emergency services were.”

Mr Marshall added: “You can never protect totally against nature, and as the provost, I shed a few tears last year over the shape Hawick was left in, but the town has responded magnificently.”

About this time last year, I was writing about how much of a nightmare it was just trying to get out of Selkirk for a walk, due to the ongoing flood protection works.

What with route closures, traffic lights, mud, noise etc it was all a bit trying to say the least. With most of the work now complete, I decided to have a walk down one side of the river and back the other, along the tarmac walkway on top of the new flood banks.

I joined the route on the north bank of the Ettrick just above Bannerfield and here I paused to study the shingle island in the middle of the river, where several birds had dropped in for a bath. It was mainly gulls, but not all the same species. They were mainly black-headed in their winter plumage without their usual black heads. I also picked out a couple of herring and common gulls amongst the group. Also present were some jackdaws, a heron, a dipper, a goosander and several mallard – a good start to the walk.

After ascending the rather grandiose steps onto the new footbridge, I crossed to the other side and set off down the south bank, on the new footpath between the flood wall and the river. From this new more elevated position and shielded from the road by the wall, it is a more pleasant walk than before, giving good views of the river and birdlife in the streamside trees. Here I spotted moorhen, another dipper and things like wren, chaffinch, blackbird etc. in the alders on the bank.

After crossing the footbridge by the call centre, I headed back upstream on the tarmac path, paid for several years ago by the Rotary Club. It was here I began to realise that the new footpath network provided a brilliant gateway for disabled people to access huge areas of the lovely countryside around Selkirk. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are now able to travel three or four miles virtually without following the same route. I hope those trying to encourage visitors to the town make the most of this unique feature.

Before reaching my starting point again, I was able to enjoy watching such things as bullfinches feeding on dock seeds and a charm of goldfinches high on an ash tree, extracting seeds from the ash keys. All in all I must have seen between 20 and 30 species.

The whole area is still a bit ‘new’, but once things settle down, the new grass grows, the newly planted trees come into leaf and the colour of the concrete walls weathers down a bit, I’m sure it will have been worth the inconvenience. People of Hawick bear with it because you are next!