AFTER stinging criticism from government inspectors over the care given to dementia sufferers and the elderly at the region’s biggest hospital, Borders health chiefs say lessons will be learned and the issues raised dealt with.

The recent visit by an inspection team from Healthcare Improvement Scotland highlighted four areas of strength at Borders General Hospital, but called for a major shake-up of procedures after highlighting a further 13 areas of concern.

These included staff found discussing patients’ needs in ward corridors and displaying sensitive and personal information inappropriately.

Inspectors said such actions “compromised patients’ right to dignity and respect” and described the hospital as “not dementia friendly” as well as revealing that patients were moved around wards and even transferred to other hospitals late at night and when eating meals.

The report also said: “We noted occasions where the needs of patients were not put first.

“The needs of the service were put before the needs of the patient.”

The inspection of the BGH, which took place over three days in July, was one of a number being carried out across Scottish health board areas and focussed on the care of patients with dementia and cognitive impairment, and nutritional care and hydration.

Inspectors spoke with staff and observed them at work. They also interviewed and used questionnaires to gather the views of patients and their carers.

The report also highlighted a number of areas where NHS Borders is performing well, such as involving relatives and carers in patients’ care, the work of the Older People Psychiatric Liaison Team in providing the bridge between services, and the good working relationship between ward staff and catering services.

NHS Borders chairman, John Raine, said the inspection produced both positives and negatives.

“The inspection identified a number of weaknesses concerning relatively small issues and these will all be addressed,” he told us.

“But these did not amount to any systemic failure and we take some comfort that there was a big approval rating from patients.”

Mr Raine said any organisation undergoing an inspection was bound to have some shortcomings highlighted.

“That is the nature of an investigation. There are lessons for us, but there are also real positives and patients can have confidence in the service they receive at the BGH.”

NHS Borders chief executive, Calum Campbell, added: “We recognise there are some areas of improvement needed to create a more dementia-friendly environment and we are fully committed to making these changes.”

In the official response issued by NHS Borders last week, Mr Campbell had also said the organisation had taken a lot of positives from the inspection and that the subsequent report showed that real progress had been made and the processes, procedures and structures in place to provide appropriate care for older patients were in place.

However, one senior Borders councillor says what the inspectors’ findings really show is a need for more concentration on basic nursing skills.

Michelle Ballantyne, leader of the Conservative group on Scottish Borders Council, said the people who paid for and use services seemed to be getting the least consideration at times.

“For all our ‘consultations and public inclusion’ we still seem to struggle to get the basics right and provide respectful, caring facilities where we treat people as we would want to be treated,” Mrs Ballantyne told us.

“At the risk of sounding old-fashioned and boring, as an ‘old school nurse’, I think the march to ‘professionalise’ nursing has also brought detriment to the care of patients and we could do worse than to revisit some of the basic nursing skills.”

Local MSP Christine Grahame (SNP) is also not happy, calling on NHS Borders to deal with the inspectors’ concerns as a matter of urgency.

The Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP told us: “It must be a cause for concern that no fewer than 13 areas of concern have been identified and which need to be addressed so that the BGH can meet official NHS standards.

“I do accept that there are four areas of strength outlined in the document, not least the standard of the meals.

“But inevitably it is the negatives which make the headlines and there appears to be a need for radical changes to a number of procedures within the hospital.”

A SUSPECTED theatrical conman has duped Borders families after lying about his career.

Newcastleton-based Gary Adams earlier this year said he was looking for teenagers to stage a production of Les Misérables.

More than 30 children signed up and went to the show’s first rehearsal in Melrose on Sunday.

But there they were told he had lied to them and did not have a license to stage the production, nor would he be granted one.

The families had paid £100 each for the young thespians to take part.

And so convincing was the musician that many parents did not believe what they were being told on Sunday.

Mr Adams is the artistic director of the charity Music Theatre Scotland (MTS) he set up with his wife Angela and theatre director Mike Lyons in 2010.

In an interview with TheSouthern in April this year he claimed to have had a 20-year career in West End musicals and played the lead role in Les Misérables.

He said he was going to stage a schools edition of the musical next year and tour Scotland with it. He also said he’d starred in Phantom of the Opera and he told parents he had been in Miss Saigon.

He told us in April: “I have lined up a number of people who are working on West End shows to come up and give advice on everything from production to directing to backstage or costumes and set designs.”

But the company of world-renowned producer Cameron Mackintosh, which owns the rights to Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera and other productions, told us it has never heard of Mr Adams.

It has a worldwide database of every company licenced to perform any of their productions and a list of every cast member who has ever performed in them. And Mr Adams does not appear anywhere.

The news that there would be no licenced show was broken to parents in a dramatic episode at the start of Sunday’s rehearsal by Deborah Lyons, Borders representative of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA), a group that advises and helps amateur productions.

She said: “Some parents were absolutely flabbergasted because Gary is an accomplished musician, he’s a good singer and he definitely is a charismatic character.

“The children very much believed all that he has told them about the West End and that they were going to be mentored by the people from the cast of Les Misérables, and get backstage and go on tour. But he didn’t have the performing rights to do any of these things [tour or stage the show].

“He isn’t known to the people he says he is and that’s wrong, he shouldn’t be building kids’ hopes up, but he is a very plausible man. For the kids to be duped by someone like this – it shouldn’t be happening.”

She said Mr Adams produced documents at the rehearsal claiming they were performing rights certificates.

She continued: “MTS’s reaction was denial, absolute pure denial. Some of the mothers didn’t believe us or what was being read out to them and Gary asked us to leave the meeting.”

Mr Adams’ story started to unravel when a theatre-loving parent, one of a group of nearly 20 locals, went to see him perform in the Les Misérables lead role in London last month. He’d said he was covering for opera star Geronimo Rauch for two weeks and had left tickets for the group at the box office.

Closer to the time, the parent was told Mr Adams was in hospital with pneumonia. But since they were nearby they decided to go anyway and use the tickets. However, there were no tickets and the box office had never heard of Mr Adams.

“I was absolutely gobsmacked,” said the parent, whose two children were involved in the MTS production.

They added: “My children were supposed to be involved [with MTS’s Les Misérables], they were distraught in London after finding out this man had lied to them. They had never encountered anything like it before.”

Another parent said: “It’s a big deal for the kids. Many of them, even though they have been told, don’t believe it. This guy seemed so genuine.”

Cameron Mackintosh sent MTS a letter on August 22 asking the company to “cease and desist” work on Les Misérables .

The company also wrote to one of the parents saying: “We would not agree to license MTS to present Les Misérables schools edition at any time.”

It also said Mrs Adams, MTS’s administrative director, had written saying; “No final decision has been made on what musical we plan on doing in 2013” and going on: We would in no way consider proceeding with any production without first obtaining a license, nor will we advertise or suggest that we intend to mount a production without first obtaining the necessary license and authority.”

The parents who have asked for their money back have been promised it but it has not yet been returned.

Calls made by TheSouthern this week to speak to Mr Adams or anyone at Music Theatre Scotland were unreturned.

Johnston PRESS, the parent company of The Southern Reporter and Selkirk Weekend Advertiser, is now the biggest and fastest-growing regional online publisher, according to latest figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC).

Our websites attracted a total of 560,721 browsers on average every day during the first half of 2012 – an increase in our digital audience of 29.3 per cent year on year. Trinity Mirror recorded a 14.9 per cent increase (538,152 average daily unique browsers), Northcliffe 6.3 per cent (347,319) and Newsquest 9.4 per cent (499,292).

[Insert own website figures if available]

The ABC figures also show some of our websites for daily titles posted the biggest year-on-year increases in average daily unique users. The Portsmouth News website was up 48.4 per cent, the Yorkshire Evening Post 46.8 per cent, and the Yorkshire Post 38.7 per cent. The Sunderland Echo saw an increase of 35.9 per cent and all bar one of the 10 newspaper websites audited showed double digit growth.

The Scotsman remains the biggest regional newspaper title online with 105,959 average daily unique users.

Henry Faure Walker, digital & business development director, attributed the growth in digital audience to both the launch of mobile-specific versions of the company’s websites and a greater focus across the Group on the quantity and quality of digital content.

He said: “The strong increase in the number of people coming to and engaging with our local websites is very encouraging, and is an essential part of our strategy to provide advertisers with an unrivalled reach to this unique local audience. There is much more we can be doing in terms of digital content and improving the way our websites look and work, but we’re making good progress and the momentum is really starting to build.”    

Some 10 million visitors a month come to the Johnston Press network and audience on mobile has doubled from one million last December to more than two million by June.

A DECAPITATED cat has been found on a housing estate near Galashiels - prompting a probe by police and the Scottish SPCA, writes Bob Burgess.

The grim discovery was made on Friday, August 31 but details were only released by police today.

A dog-walker found the body with the head and collar lying alongside. The family pet was found at the rear of Tweedbank community centre.

Inspector Mike Wynne of Lothian and Borders Police commented: “This is a despicable act and is of considerable distress to the family who are devastated at the loss of their pet.”

The death has raised concerns amongst cat owners on the estate.. One, who asked not top be named, told TheSouthern: “I am a cat lover and have three. This is a terrible, terrible thing to happen.

“It was a friend of mine who has been looking after the cat since April when some people moved away.

“It happened at night because she let the cat out at night and normally let it back in in the morning. I just hope they catch whoever did it.”

Scottish SPCA Chief Inspector Paul Anderson commented: “This appears to have been a particularly horrific act of cruelty on a much loved pet and we would urge anyone with information to contact the police or ourselves as soon as possible.”

Information can be passed to the police on 0131 311 313; Crimestoppers with anonymity on 0800 555 11 or the SSPCA helpline on 03000 999 999

SATURDAY saw the community of Langlee come out in force on Saturday to enjoy the annual carnival, writes Kevin Janiak.

Proud Langlee Lad and Lass, Jay Fox and Mikaela Wright, cut the ribbon to open the proceedings.

Highlights included the first performance from the newly-established Langlee Community Choir, as well as a brilliant Irish dancing display, a fashion show by the kids and a zumba fitness session.

And outside, attractions included a chance to be photographed with birds of prey, a climbing wall, a bucking beer bottle and the obligatory bouncy castle and face painting.

See this week’s Southern Reporter and here on our website for a full report and more photographs.

Two war memorials in the Scottish Borders have won first prizes in the Royal British Legion’s Best Kept War Memorial Competition 2012.

The Chambers Institute War Memorial in Peebles won the Large Community With Gardens category, while the Foulden Green War Memorial received the award in the Satellite War Memorial Without Gardens class.

The overall Champion of Champions trophy was presented to the custodians of the Drumnadrochit War Memorial near Loch Ness, who were praised with all the other keepers for taking time and trouble to ensure the appearance of Scotland’s memorials are kept up to a standard befitting our remembrance of those who did not come back from conflict.

Other Border war memorials in Hawick (Wilton Lodge Park), Jedburgh (Abbey) and Kelso (Abbey) were also highly commended in the Champion of Champions category, missing out on Drumnadrochit’s winning score of 97.5 per cent by only a few points, with Hawick at 94.5 per cent, Jedburgh at 91.5per cent and Kelso at 90 per cent.

Duns was very highly commended in the Small Community With Gardens class, while Eyemouth received the same high praise in the War Memorials Without Gardens category. Bonchester also came very highly commended in the New Entry War Memorials bracket, with Coldingham winning the same accolade in Satellite War Memorials With Gardens.

The presentation of the BKWM Rose Bowl Trophies is scheduled to be held at a ceremony in the Royal British Legion’s Scottish HQ at New Haig House, Edinburgh on October 22.

The judges for the Royal British Legion’s 36th competition were Bill Tait, an advisor to Dobbies Garden Centres and retired specialist at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh; John Morton from Kelso, who is a retired member of the RBLS national council; and Ayr’s John Porter, a retired national chairman of the Royal British Legion Scotland.

Mr Tait, the chief judge, lauded Hawick’s monument: “Generally memorials were in good condition although points were deducted where moss or weeds were seen. It was good to see that Hawick had used a high-pressure water jet to clear algae from the stonework. Others take note.”

The cross-shaped, cream sandstone Foulden War Memorial is situated on the A6105 road on the village green, and is inscribed with the words: “Ye are bought with a price”. Standing proudly within the quadrangle of the Chambers Institution, the Peebles War Memorial is considered one of the finest in Scotland. The beautiful, contemplative shrine which uniquely combines graceful Renaissance architecture and vibrant Moorish art commemorates the 541 men and women of Peeblesshire who fell in the Great War 1914-18, and the 110 who died in the Second World War. The tradition continues to this day as local members of the armed forces who have recently fallen in combat are likewise honoured at the monument.

What is it used for?

It’s used to locate ground water, buried metals or ores, gemstones, oil, gravesites, and many other objects and materials, as well as so-called currents of earth radiation (Ley lines), without the use of scientific apparatus.

Dowsing is also known as divining, doodlebugging (particularly in the United States, in searching for petroleum) or (when searching specifically for water) water finding, water witching or water dowsing.

There is no accepted scientific rationale behind dowsing, and there is no scientific evidence that it is effective.

What do you use?

A Y- or L-shaped twig or rod, called a dowsing rod, divining rod or witching rod is sometimes used during dowsing, although some dowsers use other equipment or no equipment at all. Traditionally, the most common dowsing rod is a forked (Y-shaped) branch from a tree or bush. Some dowsers prefer branches from particular trees, and some prefer the branches to be freshly cut. Hazel twigs in Europe and witch-hazel in the United States are traditionally commonly chosen, as are branches from willow or peach trees. Many dowsers today use a pair of simple L-shaped metal rods.

What happens?

The two ends on the forked side are held, one in each hand, with the third (the stem of the Y) pointing straight ahead. Often the branches are grasped palms down. The dowser then walks slowly over the places where he suspects the target (for example, minerals or water) may be, and the dowsing rod supposedly dips, inclines or twitches when a discovery is made. This method is sometimes known as Willow Witching.

When using metal rods, one rod is held in each hand, with the short arm of the L held upright, and the long arm pointing forward. When something is found, the rods cross over one another making an X over the found object. If the object is long and straight, such as a water pipe, the rods will point in opposite directions, showing its orientation. The rods are sometimes fashioned from wire coat hangers, and glass or plastic rods have also been accepted.

What is responsible for the movement of the rod?

A 1948 study tested 58 dowsers’ ability to detect water. None of them were more reliable than chance. [15]. A 1979 review examined many controlled studies of dowsing for water, and found that none of them showed better than chance results.

For more information visit http://www.skepdic.com/dowsing.html

“I’ve been considered nuts, speaking to two bits of wire and expecting an answer from them,” admitted local historian Walter Elliot as he published his new book on dowsing, called Divining Archaeology, “but I do get an answer from them! I’ve found so much stuff now, they cannae say I’m nuts.”

The amateur archaeologist, who lives in Selkirk, has used divining rods to locate underground objects for more than 50 years, at first hunting for buried field drains and fence posts while working as a fencing contractor.

“If you were unlucky enough to burst a drain while digging a fencepost, water would flood up and you had to bail it,” he remembered. “There would be a lot of bad language, and you lost half a day’s hard work. The divining rods were practical tools, which were able to detect soil disturbances. I just used a couple o’ bits o’ L-shaped fencing wire.

“I’ve always known about divining,” he added. “I was brought up in Ettrick and all the farms up there used divining rods, usually Y-shaped hazel twigs. When you held them over a drain, they pointed back towards your chest. It was just accepted. They didnae ken how it worked: it just worked.

“My grandfather, he had the Y-shaped hazel twigs, which he held very gently in his pinkies, and he had a cushion on his chest, because it came back with such a force it could have broken his ribs. It was phenomenal how fast that thing whipped back, as soon as he went over a drain.”

While Walter was assisting the excavation of the Roman fort of Trimontium, it dawned on him that, “a Roman defensive ditch was only an over-sized drain,” and “a pattern of former postholes could indicate a house.”

“I began to find houses, people, everything more or less – like where there was a male or female in a grave. People think you can only look for water – but you can look for everything. Divining is like x-raying the ground.”

Demonstrating to TheSouthern how he uses his divining rods, Mr Elliot explained: “When I’m looking for things, I just say, for example: ‘Where is the nearest drain?’. And the rods point that way. I’ll go over there, and the rods will cross when I walk over it.

“I can tell what is under here, by asking: ‘Is it a water pipe?’. The wires cross, so yes it is. ‘Is it iron? Is it copper? Is it plastic? The wires crossed again, so it’s plastic.”

Seeing the reporter’s amazement, he added: “I’m no’ kidding. I’m no’ just pulling your leg. I’m holding the rods very lightly and carefully. I just go the way the rods are pointing, and there it is. It’s impressive.

“The difficulty is telling what the object is, and what year it belongs to. It’s a matter of persuading folk that this is one way you can find archaeological stuff, and pinpoint them, without great expense. But archaeologists, being scientists, just simply don’t want to know. I’ve found loads of archeology in the Borders, if only I can get somebody to come to dig it and prove it.” 
Asked how he convinces people to believe him, he responded: “I don’t bother. It’s no’ a case of belief. It’s a case of: it happens. As I fencer I couldnae have cared less, I just knew it happened. And everybody did. It was just something you did. There’s no scientific explanation that I’ve been able to find. And it’s no’ a case of me trying to twiddle anything. Archaeologists, being scientists, simply don’t want to believe something they can’t explain.”

Does he think he perhaps sees external signs, like humps and bumps, and he subconsciously moves the rods?

“Most of the finds in the book, there’s nothing you can see on the ground whatsoever,” he responds. “The only explanation I can give is that, when you have a drain or a post, water comes into it and gets held there because the soil is less dense than the surrounding soil. It’s a change in soil density. I’m finding things they can’t see with aerial photography or geophysics.”

Asked what motivated him to write such a controversial book, Mr Elliot replied: “I’m getting on – I’m 77, I’ll be 78 next month, and I dinnae have much time left. I want to get it all on paper, so that somebody else can run with it. I’ve got a lot of information in my head. If you’ve got information, you’ve got to spread it about, and let others get the benefit of it. I don’t mind being wrong. But I know I’m right.”

Scottish Borders Council’s archaeologist Dr Chris Bowles cautiously supported some of Walter’s claims.

He said: “We’re excavating a bishop’s palace near Ancrum in October, and the guy who told us it was there was a diviner. We tested his claims with geophysics, and it was broadely similar to the plans he got with divining rods. That’s why I say there could be something in it: I’m 50/50 on it. The jury’s definitely out.

“If it works, it detects differences of water retention in the soil. Anything buried in the soil is going to retain water differently, like walls or ditches. The biggest issue is how diviners interpret these findings, because there’s so much buried under the ground: geological features like natural fissures can retain water, and all of that can look like archaeology. It’s great diviners are finding this stuff, but we need to test their claims physically. The problem is archaeology is expensive, so you can’t test every single one.”

Walter Elliot is giving a talk about his new book at the Selkirkshire Antiquarian Society in Selkirk Parish Church Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday, September 19.

Businesses and other areas of the community in Hawick are set to be the next in line to benefit from a new, high speed communications network.

BT’s Ethernet network, aimed at medium-sized businesses, shops, schools and other organisations, is designed to save time and money.

Customers can choose ethernet speeds between one megabit per second (Mbps) and 10 Gigabits per second (Gbits), depending on their needs. At the top rate of 10Gbits the system is capable of transmitting an 10 billion bits of information per 
second.

Hawick will be joining Galashiels and Peebles, which have already been upgraded for ethernet.

Brendan Dick, BT Scotland director, said: “This is an important step forward for Hawick. Ethernet allows organisations to connect to their sites and customers locally, around the UK and internationally on an extremely secure and reliable 
network.

“It will also help public sector organisations run even more efficient networks, saving money and protecting public 
services.

“For any company considering investing locally, high-speed ethernet is attractive, while it can help existing businesses work and communicate more effectively.”

He claimed: “BT is the only company consistently investing in a mixture of faster next generation broadband and ethernet services in and outside Scotland’s major urban areas.”

This expansion of ethernet is in addition to the £2.5 billion BT roll-out of fibre broadband, expected to reach two-thirds of UK homes and businesses by the end of 2014.

Andrew May Duthie, Andy, passed away on Saturday, August 25.

Andy – originally from Fraserburgh – came with his wife Jean and their young daughter Ruth to Galashiels in 1958. Their family was complete when David was born in 1959 after they had moved to a house in Waverley Place.

His first career choice had been as a joiner and he served his time with Hall & Robertson in Fraserburgh. Subsequently, he pursued his passion to work with young people and attended a teacher training college in Aberdeen to become a teacher of technical subjects.

He taught PE at Cairnbulg Primary School for a short time and it was there that he was reaquainted with Jean Findlay and they married at Fraserburgh Baptist Church on July, 28, 1956.

Andy spent the rest of his teaching career at Galashiels Academy. He was promoted to principal guidance teacher, which allowed him to focus on helping pupils make career choices and work through challenging and sometimes difficult social situations.

Andy would often be seen with his briefcase in hand hurrying from one part of the school to another – this earned him the nickname Speedy. He continued to work as a technical teacher and was involved in setting up the ROSLA (raising the school leaving age) courses, an initiative to provide vocational input for pupils who were not attracted to academic subjects.

Andy, a Scout, set up a troop at the academy, giving his own time to get the 4th Gala Troop operational. Every year he organised a Scout camp at places such as Loch Goilhead, Loch Earn and Arran where Andy would supervise constructional projects such as raft and bridge building.

He was a key personality in Borders Scouting and was District Scout Master before retiring after many years of service.

Scouting principles and the Scout law were very important factors in Andy’s life and this, along with his Christian faith, did much to make the man he became.

Andy took his work as a Scouter very seriously and held to the view that the activities provided an environment that afforded those involved, opportunities for character building and being more effective team players.

Jean and Andy worshiped at the Victoria Street Baptist Church where he was a deacon for many years. He was involved in the merger of Stirling Street and Victoria Street Baptist churches. He gave his time to help maintain the church building.

Andy retired in 1994, four years after Jean. Their home, Craigpark House in Galashiels, where they lived for 35 years, was a setting for many church house group meetings and barbecues. The cellar was converted into a workshop where Andy did many projects. He also enjoyed playing the piano accordion and painting water colours.

In 2003 they decided to relocate to Bridge of Don, Aberdeen to be nearer their family, including four grandchildren. Their new home was within easy distance of the Bridge of Don Baptist Church which they attended, making a group of close friends with whom they enjoyed regular excursions.

Andy was a keen traveller and this resulted in many holidays including camping holidays in Europe, the US and Canada. On a back-packing trip across the USA by train and bus they made contact with family members and visited locations where Jean’s ancestors had settled in the early 1900s.

Travel inspired Andy to learn foreign languages, including French and German and later he attempted Polish.

Despite some health issues and his deteriorating hearing, Andy maintained a healthy interest in everything around him and was always happy in company, especially family gatherings.

Andy passed away suddenly and peacefully at home with Jean and members of his family close by.

He will be sorely missed by Jean, the immediate family and his many friends but his memory will remain a source of comfort for all who knew him.

a KELSO cyclist plans to cover 130 miles in a day to raise funds for the Parkinson’s UK charity.

Christopher Blunt, 44, will undertake the pedal challenge tomorrow for his dad, Simon, 78, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s – a progressive neurological condition – nine years ago.

Christopher said: “I wanted to take on a real challenge for Parkinson’s UK, to help people like my father. I find it really sad that the condition is not widely understood or spoken about. What’s worse is that Parkinson’s has no known cure.

“When the opportunity came to join 700 riders cycling from Hamilton to Fort William, I jumped at the chance. The ride is a part of a week-long event from Lands End to John O’Groats and I will be covering 130 miles of the route and climbing more than 2,000 metres, in one day.”

Cycling is a new sport for Christopher. Until very recently, he had not cycled more than a few miles.

He continued: “I am delighted to have raised over £8,000 so far. I also know that I have 140 supporters willing me on my way. That will definitely make me want to push to the finish.

“If my ride can achieve anything, I hope that it will make more people aware of Parkinson’s and maybe join the fight for a cure.

“I have come across over 15 other people with Parkinson’s since I started, but still it is not a widely know condition. I am very proud to be riding for Parkinsons UK.”

Paul Jackson-Clark, director of fundraising at Parkinson’s UK, said: “Cycling over 200km in one day is a huge undertaking, and when you factor in long, uphill stretches, the gravity of Christopher’s challenge becomes clear.

“As well as helping to raise vital funds, Christopher will also be helping to raise awareness of Parkinson’s. We wish Christopher the very best of luck for this epic ride.”

All funds raised will be spent on the charity’s vital research work to find a cure, and improving the lives of the 127,000 people in the UK who are living with Parkinson’s.

To sponsor Christopher, visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ChristopherBlunt

HUNDREDS of soldiers from the Royal Scots Borderers have started deploying for a six-month tour to Helmand Province in Afghanistan.

An emotional farewell parade was held at the end of last week for the 450 soldiers from 1 SCOTS – the 1st Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Scotland – who were led through the streets of Edinburgh by the pipes and drums from Dreghorn Barracks to Colinton Church where a service was held.

Members of the Military Wives Choir sang for the soldiers at the service as hundreds of well-wishers lined the streets.

And a new CD featuring the pipes and drums of 1 SCOTS, together with the Fijian choir, has been released to help raise funds towards battalion welfare projects.

Entitled When Duty Calls, it features 18 tracks, including traditional regimental marches, as well as other favourites such as Amazing Grace and Highland Cathedral.

There is plenty of Borders involvement in the project, with the battalion pipe major, Sergeant Michael Hogarth having grown up in Innerleithen and Corporal Kevin Turnbull, the band’s pipe sergeant, hailing from Selkirk.

The latter explained the inspiration behind the CD: “With the guys deploying to Afghanistan, it will help raise money for battalion welfare funds and it also gives the boys something to take with them out to theatre as a reminder of home.”

Asked how the tracks were selected, Corporal Turnbull says a mixture of old KOSB and Royal Scots tunes were picked, as well as some newer ones from the Royal Regiment of Scotland catalogue, to come up with some sets.

“Also the wife of one of the sergeants in the battalion wrote a song specially for it and this has been included as well,” he added.

“The CD’s already selling reasonably well and people can get it from a number of shops in the Borders.”

Outlets include the shop run by Kevin’s brother, Colin, in Selkirk’s High Street – Turnbull’s Shoe Repairs.

Corporal Turnbull, a veteran of numerous Edinburgh Military Tattoos and overseas trips with the band, says everyone is delighted with the finished product.

“Yes, we’re very pleased, given the short amount of time we had with the deployment to Afghanistan.”

The CD was put together over the summer and is the first official compilation from the battalion since the late 1990s, so will be a welcome addition to the CD racks of those with an interest in the Borders’ own infantry unit, as well as those fond of the skirl o’ the pipes and Scottish military music.

As well as the CD, wristbands will once again be sold while the battalion is on active service in Helmand.

TheSouthern will also be carrying regular reports and photographs during the tour, as a way of readers being able to keep up to date with the activities of the Borders’ own infantry unit.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS say the grounds of a Borders peel tower could be hiding some of the best preserved remains of what life was like in the early 1540s.

While the A-listed 16th century tower just outside Ettrickbridge has been extensively renovated by owner Peter Clarke since he moved in back in the 1990s, the structures that once existed around the tower have lain buried and undisturbed for centuries.

Built originally by the infamous Scotts of Harden, Kirkhope Tower was transformed from a virtual ruin by Mr Clarke and his late wife, Gillian.

An exciting early find during the revamp was a letter from a young soldier in the service of King Henry VIII.

Writing in 1547, the soldier explained he had “burned down the villainous tower of Kirkhopp” and that he had “killed all the Scottis, taken the kyn (cattle] and plenishings (furniture]”.

Kirkhope was burnt and its stock removed as part of what was known as the ‘Rough Wooing’ of Mary, Queen of Scots, by the English king.

The actual raiding itself is believed to have been carried out by Armstrongs. The tower is then thought to have been rebuilt by Wat of Harden around 1578.

But Mr Clarke and archaeologists hired to investigate believe surrounding buildings, possibly including domestic rooms, stables and bakehouse and brewery, were never rebuilt and have been left untouched by the passage of time under tons of earth and rubble.

Mr Clarke told TheSouthern: “Our assumption is that the ‘courtyard’ structures at Kirkhope are as largely left in August 1547 when Henry VIII´s lads burned it down.

“We assume the tower either survived or was rebuilt.”

Ross Cameron, one of the archaeologists working for Addyman Archaeology – a division of Edinburgh architects, Simpson & Brown – explained: “We are here basically because Mr Clarke had questions about his house which he wanted answered.

“As part of the so-called ‘Rough Wooing’ of the 1540s, there were numerous border raids. The Armstrongs who raided Kirkhope are believed to have been in the pay of the English at the time and probably looked at it as just the continuation of a local feud.

“But while the tower was rebuilt, there is no record of the courtyard structures ever having been rebuilt and Mr Clarke is hoping those structures could be a time capsule of 1540s Scotland.”

As well as research into the tower’s history and a topographic survey of the surrounding area, Mr Cameron and his team opened up seven trenches at various points in the tower’s grounds.

Obtaining permission from Historic Scotland to conduct the digs was not easy, as Kirkhope is a protected scheduled monument.

“But our argument to Historic aScotland was, because there is so little known about Kirkhope, Historic Scotland did not really know what it was protecting. So we got our permissions to dig some exploratory trenches.”

While the seven trenches failed to reveal any evidence of the destruction or uncover any noteworthy historical artefacts, they did reveal the remarkable depth involved and the substantial thickness of the walls involved in the courtyard’s buildings.

Expecting to find the floor level of the ruined buildings after digging down a few inches, Mr Cameron and his colleagues were staggered to discover what would once have been the top of the buildings located more than a metre below the surface.

But being on a very strict timetable meant digging time was limited and with Kirkhope classed as a site of national importance, it seems unlikely Historic Scotland will grant consent for a bigger archaeological investigation.

However, the plan is for two more trenches to be opened later this year and, being outwith the site’s boundaries, such restrictive permissions will not be required.

Mr Cameron says, staying in Selkirk during the last few weeks of the Kirkhope project has opened his eyes to the Borders.

“There is so much potential history here in the Borders waiting to be discovered,” he added.

Ettrick’s Macmillan raft race is go.

The first raft leaves Honey Cottage Caravan Park at 2pm on Sunday September 23 and the race ends at Tushielaw Bridge. Soup and refreshments will be available to crew members and spectators. Please come and lend your support

HEARTBREAK and humour from the dark years of World War II will be brought to Smailholm Village next Saturday, September 29, with a production of Keep Smiling Through.

The show started life as a Radio 4 series which told the story of the home front through previously unpublished diaries as well as newspapers and the songs of the time.

Former BBC producer Dave Batchelor believed it would work on stage and it enjoyed a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe as well as in theatres across Scotland.

The show features Scottish actors Crawford Logan, a stalwart of radio drama, and Helen McAlpine from the world of theatre and television.

They are joined by pianist Eric Rice from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music while Batchelor sings and plays the trombone.

The story begins just before the start of the war and for 90 minutes the audience shares the lives of people in Britain over the six years of the conflict – including rationing, the Land Girls, the blitz, the songs, the evacuation and George Formby’s handy hints on various uses of the gas mask.

Tickets available from Linda Kinsman Blake at The Gallery, Smailholm.

A would-be thief, caught in Tesco’s Galashiels store with a foil-lined shoulder bag, claimed he had been given the item by two fellow Romanians he met after sleeping rough in Glasgow.

But Sheriff Kevin Drummond said at Selkirk Sheriff Court that he did not accept Lucian Orasanu’s version of events, describing the accused as “an itinerant shoplifter”, and jailing him for 96 days.

Orasanu, 24, of no fixed abode, appeared from custody, and admitted attempting to steal 10 X-box games from the Galashiels store on July 27.

He also admitted being found with a foil-lined shoulder bag, where it may reasonably be inferred he intended to commit theft.

Defence solicitor Matt Patrick said his client had spent the night sleeping rough in Glasgow.

“He said two unknown Romanians gave him the 
foil-lined bag and he 
then got on a train and a bus, and ended up in 
Tesco in Galashiels,” said Mr Patrick.

“He has been in this country for three months, and already has three convictions for shoplifting,” said Sheriff Drummond.

“I do not accept the explanation that has been offered,” he told Orasanu. “I have formed the view that you are simply an itinerant shoplifter.”

The jail-term was back-dated to July 30.

KIRK YETHOLM youth hostel celebrated 70 years of offering hikers and others a bed for the night, on Sunday, writes Sally Gillespie.

Around 60 people attended the open day marking the anniversary and looking forward to the hostel’s future.

Hostel manager Simon Neal said: “The day went well with some 60 guests passing through during the afternoon, some from as far afield as Edinburgh. Sadly Michael Moore got called away to business in Edinburgh and had to send apologies via Scottish Borders Councillor Vicky Davidson who was involved in the negotiation attempts to save the three Borders hostels of Kirk Yetholm, Broadmeadows and Melrose.”

Local MP and Secretary of State Michael Moore was to have launched the day and the village’s community council chairman David Hutchinson opened the event instead.

He said: “As a village community we cannot express sufficiently our thanks to Simon for his immense belief in the youth hostel movement and the untiring effort that he has made to bring this hostel back to life.

“These days Yetholm has to look to its assets to survive and our best asset is our location amidst some of the finest hill scenery in Britain – not great mountains, but hills that are eminently walkable yet still challenging and with a solitude and beauty all of their own.

“Add to that, the fact that we are the terminus of that great national walk – the Pennine Way – we are the halfway point of the St Cuthbert’s Way, and from October 30 the starting point of a new national walk – the Gore-Tex National Trail – which ends at Cape Wrath. What a place this is to be! I am sure that all these walkers need us – and we, of course, need them: they are to a large extent our future.

“This is an inspirational day and on behalf of Yetholm Community Council and all the people of Yetholm we wish this hostel every success. We bestow on Simon our heartfelt gratitude for his energy, enthusiasm and foresight, and we look to the future with optimism, and indeed excitement, for what we can achieve together.”

The village was rocked by the Scottish Youth Hostel Association’s (SYHA) decision to close and sell the 22-bed hostel at the end of 
last year.

But the European non-governmental environmental organisation, Friends of Nature bought it, refurbishing and opening it as a Friends of Nature House in August, pictured right.

The hostel will maintain its links with the SYHA as it becomes an associate hostel which can be booked through the SYHA. And there are plans to install heating so it can remain open during winter months in the future.

Scottish Borders Council is hosting a national conference for school chaplains at Tweed Horizons on Tuesday.

Director of education Glenn Rodger will introduce a draft policy for consultation across Borders schools and churches.

This event, organised by the Church of Scotland’s education committee, will also explore chaplaincy support across the curriculum, Scottish qualifications and resources for religious and moral education.

This event will lead to a series of gatherings between churches and schools over the following months.

For further information and registration (places remain available) please contact Agnes Mullen amullen@cofscotland.org.uk; or Graeme Donald 01578 722422; graeme.donald@btopenworld.com

THE man known to the fastest drivers in the world as Professor Sid or even just Sid, died last week aged 84.

Sid Watkins, who retired to the Borders, served as a professor of neurosurgery at the University of Syracuse, New York, before returning to the UK and the University of London. He kept up his professorship there while at the same time pushing for extended safety measures in Formula 1, the sport that he loved.

Watkins took up the role of Formula 1 race doctor in 1978, after being offered it by Bernie Eccleston. He would serve as track doctor for the next 26 years.

Three years later he was appointed chairman of the FIA Expert Advisory Safety Committee.

He is held in great esteem by the Formula 1 community for his work in driver safety, in particular during the dark days of the mid-1990s, when a series of dangerous, sometimes fatal crashes brought the sport’s future into doubt.

Watkins’ actions helped save the lives of Northern Ireland’s Martin Donnelly, Finland’s double world champion Mika Hakkinen – who received an emergency trackside tracheotomy from Watkins – and Austrian Gerhard Berger, among others.

Watkins and his team pulled Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian driver hailed as one of the greatest drivers of all time, from his fatal crash at Imola in 1994.

Senna’s death marked a nadir in the sport’s history: at the same track Grand Prix rookie driver Roland Ratzenberger was also killed. In qualifying, Rubens Barrichello went into another dangerous collision.

Watkins had counselled Senna before the race, noting how upset the Brazilian was at the deaths of his colleagues.

“What else do you need to do?” Watkins asked: “You have been world champion three times, you are obviously the quickest driver. Give it up and let’s go fishing.”

Rubens Barrichello led the tributes to Watkins on Twitter, saying: “It was Sid Watkins that saved my life at Imola in 1994. Great guy to be with, always happy. Thanks for everything you have done for us drivers.”

Another Brazilian, Senna’s nephew Bruno, in his first senior F1 season, wrote: “RIP Prof. Sid Watkins. Bad news for us who stay behind.”

Thanks in no small part to Watkins’ efforts, Imola 94 saw the last driver fatality on a Formula 1 track.

McLaren Group chairman and Watkins’ close friend Ron Dennis paid tribute: “The world of motor racing lost one of its true greats.

“No, he wasn’t a driver. No, he wasn’t an engineer. No, he wasn’t a designer. He was a doctor and it’s probably fair to say he did more than anyone, over many years, to make Formula One as safe as it is today.

“Many drivers and ex-drivers owe their lives to his careful and expert work, which resulted in the massive advances in safety levels that today’s drivers possibly take for granted.”

In 2002, he stepped down from his position on the FIA, although he retatined an honorary role. That year also saw his services to sport safety and medicine – he was at the forefront of neurosurgery – rewarded with an OBE.

After stepping down from his Formula 1 duties, Watkins retired to the Borders, firstly at Lennel and then near Crookham, with his wife, Susan, where he enjoyed the fishing that he had urged Senna to take up.

RUSTLERS have snatched the only sheep that was grazing in a field Newcastleton.

The home-alone animal, pictured above, was taken during the early hours of Saturday morning.

Police say that a car and also a pick-up with a livestock trailer were spotted in the area and are trying to trace the vehicles, and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward. The theft is latest in a number over recent weeks.