It is indeed true that we occasionally admit dogs into our centre that have been physically abused or willfully neglected. Way more common by far, however, are the dogs that arrive with more subtle, yet equally damaging, psychological and behavioural issues.

We believe most of these are caused not by design but often through a worrying lack of understanding of a dog’s most basic needs and the damage caused if these are not met.

Separation anxiety, poor socialisation, lack of basic training, and poor fitness are the most common issues we see on a daily basis to varying degrees; with many dogs, far too often, exhibiting all four at once! Today we will cover the first two with the final ones next week.

Separation anxiety, caused mainly by being regularly left alone for long periods, can lead to an extremely stressed, depressed, unpredictable and unhappy dog. When Borders Pet Rescue look for potential new homes for a dog we look for households where the maximum time left alone would be around four hours. Indeed, for dogs with existing separation anxiety we would look for the dog to be very rarely left alone at all (certainly for a good while).

So if, as a household, your new dog would be left alone for say five hours or more on a regular basis please seriously consider the potential damage you could be doing to it.

Lack of socialisation, caused mainly by a dog’s lack of involvement, stimuli and experience of the real world, is seen in dogs that are either not sufficiently exercised or not exposed to a healthy variety of locations or situations.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has chosen “national treasure” Oor Wullie as the illustration for her official Christmas card this year.

In the snowy scene, Wullie is sitting in front of his shed with the First Minister peering round the side after leaving a present for him.

The original illustration by Peter Davidson and text by Morris Heggie will be auctioned next year and the proceeds will be shared between four charities - The Archie Foundation, SiMBA, Christine Witcutt Memorial Fund and The Dixon Community.

The comic character, along with The Broons, is celebrating his 80th anniversary this year.

Ms Sturgeon said: “Oor Wullie is a much-loved national treasure, adored by both children and adults across Scotland.

“His witty banter and mischievous character have been keeping people entertained for generations, and the marvellous artwork and timeless storylines mean that everyone recognises a little of themselves in these classic tales.

“I am delighted that on Wullie’s 80th anniversary, Peter and Morris have created a unique illustration for my 2016 Christmas card.

“Christmas is a time when we can all take a moment to slow down and spend time with our family and friends. However I also hope over the next few weeks people can take time to give comfort, companionship and support to those who need it. The charities chosen to benefit from this card are a reminder of the work done by others who do this valuable work all year round.”

Mr Davidson said: “I feel very honoured to have been asked to design this Christmas card. Oor Wullie has amused and delighted Scotland for over eighty years and hopefully this scene captures some of that joy.”

Morris Heggie added: “I am delighted that the First Minister wanted to include Oor Wullie on her Christmas card. I feel very fortunate to be the cog that currently takes this iconic strip forward and am delighted that the wee laddie from Auchenshoogle is getting such recognition in the year of his 80th anniversary.”

Two incidents of suspected hare coursing have been reported to Borders police.

Police revealed that on the morning of Thursday, December 1, a white Ford Transit van with the registration number BN07 HPZ and containing three males and dogs was seen on farmland between Birgham and Eccles.

A Mercedes Silver Estate with the registration number X46 DVV was also seen around Harcarse Farm near Swinton.

Poilice enquiries are ongoing, however, if members of the public see either vehicle (or other vehicles in similar circumstances) they are asked to please contact Police Scotland on telephone number 101 quoting incidents 0782 or 1147 of December 7, 2016.

Please note as much detail as possible, including the vehicle’s registration number, type, colour and direction of travel along with any descriptions of those involved.

Police Scotland’s detailed guide to rural crime prevention can be viewed at http://www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/home-and-personal-property/rural-crime

Poultry farmers in the Borders are being told to keep birds indoors as a precaution against a deadly bird flu strain recently found in Europe.

The Scottish Government has declared an avian influenza prevention zone, meaning that all poultry and captive birds should be kept separate from wild birds.

That move comes after a type of avian flu, H5N8, was found in dead wild birds in countries across Europe.

Although no cases have been reported in the UK, poultry farmers have been ordered to keep their birds inside and separate from wild birds.

It will be the first time that organic poultry farmer Anne Rae, of Ednam West Mains, near Kelso, has faced such an edict, and implementing it across her 4,000 hens, with a further 4,000 in rearing, will be a challenge, she said.

She has worked with poultry since 2004, but Anne and her team have never come been affected by a move such as this until now.

She said: “We have had warning before, but this has never happened before, but it’s just what we have to do.

“If it keeps my hens safe, then we’ll just get on with it.

“We are going to find it hard, but we will give them as much enlivening as we can and hope that it will go well.

“My older birds are very good rangers, so they are going to find it very hard. We are going to have to work with them more to provide them with another distraction.”

Anne supplies eggs to supermarket chain Waitrose via Stonegate, and while that is not affected for now, she is aware that should the virus reach Scotland, protection measures could tighten.

“It is a concern at the very edge of my mind,” she said. “I will worry when it comes to Britain.”

The UK Government’s chief vet professor, Nigel Gibbens, said: “While no cases have been found in the UK, and the Public Health Executive advises that the public health threat is low, we are closely monitoring the situation across Europe and have scaled up surveillance in response to the heightened risk.

“Even when birds are housed, a risk of infection remains, so this must be coupled with good biosecurity – for example, disinfecting clothing and equipment, reducing poultry movement and minimising contact between poultry and wild birds.”

Poultry keepers are being advised to be alert for signs of bird flu and to call a vet promptly if they are concerned.

A man who breached his home curfew then got into a struggle struggled with police officers will spend the festive period behind bars.

Jordan Cunningham, 21, appeared from custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to the offences, committed on Saturday night.

The court was told that police received a call around 8pm to say Cunningham was in the Bridge Inn in Galashiels, breaching his home curfew.

When two officers turned up, the accused tried to hide behind the bar, then struggled violently with them, kicking out with his legs.

Prosecutor Tony Bonnar said that during the course of the struggle, Cunningham managed to evade the police and ran off.

He added that the male and female officers sustained scratches and bruises during the incident, saying: “They gave chase, but were not able to catch him.” Cunningham handed himself in at midnight the next day.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said Cunningham suffered from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and had volunteered to work in the Bridge Inn collecting glasses.

He had lost the keys to his Church Square home in Galashiels and had been in the pub looking for them.

Mr Hulme added: “He panicked when the police arrived. He is sorry for what happened.”

Calling for background reports, Sheriff Derrick McIntyre told Cunningham he was on bail at the time of the offence and would be remanded in custody until Thursday, January 5.

Cunningham is also due to stand trial on that date on a charge of engaging in a course of conduct likely to cause a named female fear and alarm at a house in Wood Street and elsewhere in Galashiels between August 12 and October 1.

POLICE ASSAULT CHARGE DENIED

A man appeared from custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court accused of assaulting a police constable with his own incapacitant spray.

Ryan Williams, 22, is charged with grabbing the can from the officer during a struggle with him and then spraying the officer in his left eye at close range, to his injury.

That followed a disturbance in Lawfield Drive in Ayton, Berwickshire, on Saturday.

Williams, of Greenwood, Berwick, pleaded not guilty.

He also denies allegations of obstructing police and resisting arrest, driving with no insurance and possession of cannabis.

Williams was released on bail for his trial date on February 14 on condition that he does not enter the Scottish Borders unless on court business or meeting his lawyer.

MAN JAILED OVER THREAT TO HIS EX

A man has been jailed for 130 days at Selkirk Sheriff Court for threatening to smash his ex-partner’s face in shortly after being released from a previous prison senetence.

Michael Hawthorne, 34, was at the home of the mother of his former girlfriend in Talisman Avenue, Galashiels, during the early hours of Saturday when he made the threat.

The court heard he had only been let out of prison the previous day and had a 70-day unexpired sentence.

He met his ex’s mother, Donna Baxter, in Galashiels and after he told her he was going to be homeless, she allowed him to stay at her home.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said Hawthorne tried to clear the air, and it was decided to telephone his former partner, Jemma Baxter, at 2am after alcohol had been consumed.

The call was on loudspeaker when Hawthorne made the threat that “he was going to smash her face in”.

Mr Dow added that it was an empty threat.

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre told Hawthorne he would need to go back and serve the 70 days of unexpired sentence and also added another two months, rounding it up to 130 days.

BACKGROUND REPORTS SOUGHT

Background reports have been ordered on a 33-year-old man found in possession of a lock-knife at Galashiels Interchange. Colin McLean, of Forley’s Field, Selkirk, pleaded guilty to the offence, committed on September 6.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told that police officers saw McLean in the building and he was clearly intoxicated.

He was carrying a plastic carrier bag, and a search of it revealed the lock-knife.

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

A psychiatric assessment on McLean was ordered before he next appears appears in court on January 16.

A trial date on a charge of breaching his home curfew on August 31 has been set for February 14.

TEENAGER DENIES OFFENCE

Teenager Peter Morey, of Dalatho Crescent, Peebles, faces a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

Morey, 18, pleaded not guilty to repeatedly kicking and throwing glass bottles, breaking them, and repeatedly shouting and swearing, as well as throwing a park bench.

That offence is said to have taken place in Tweed Green, Peebles, on May 8.

The case was continued without plea at Selkirk Sheriff Court until December 19.

ARREST WARRANT FOR 35-YEAR-OLD

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a 35-year-old man who admitted withdrawing £250 from his mother’s bank account without permission.

Michael Dodds pleaded guilty to stealing a bank card from his mother’s home in Gorse Lane, Galashiels, last month.

He then went to the Spar shop in Langlee and withdrew sums of £40 and £50 from its cashpoint before heading to the Asda store in the town centre at 3am and withdrawing another £160.

Dodds, of Gun Road, Earlston, failed to appear at Selkirk Sheriff Court for sentence.

SENTENCE DEFERRED AGAIN

Sentence has been deferred on a 23-year-old man for a further month to allow him to recover from breaking both legs in a car accident and appear personally at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Ryan Brodie, of Corton House, Ayr, admitted acting in a racially-aggravated manner at Reivers Sports Bar in High Street, Galashiels, on September 8 last year.

He also pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman there.

Brodie admitted that a few hours later, he spat at a woman in Market Square, Galashiels, and acted in a racially-aggravated manner, intending to cause alarm to another woman.

He also pleaded guilty to a further complaint of assaulting an employee to his injury at Reivers Bar on September 13, 2015.

The case was deferred until January 16 for vouching on Brodie’s medical condition.

KNUCKLEDUSTER ALLEGATION

A Peebles man has been remanded in custody after being accused of being in possession of a knuckleduster in a Galashiels pub.

Raymond Thomson, 21,of Violet Bank, appeared from custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court charged with having the offensive weapon in the Bridge Inn on Sunday.

He pleaded not guilty and also denied behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in Kingsland Square, Peebles, in August and possessing an offensive weapon, namely a piece of wood.

A trial date was set for January 5, with an intermediate hearing on December 19, and Sheriff Derrick McIntyre remanded the accused in custody.

22-YEAR-OLD 
TO STAND TRIAL

Galashiels man Michael Brown will stand trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court on January 5 in connection with three alleged offences.

The 22-year-old is charged with assaulting a man at a house in Gala Park, Galashiels, on October 7, and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

He is also accused of failing to give police officers his name and address when requested to do so.

SENTENCING DUE IN JANUARY

Sentence has been deferred on a 30-year-old Hawick man until next year.

Jamie Cairney, of Sandbed, is due to be sentenced on a charge of engaging a course of conduct which caused a named female fear and alarm at a house in Wood Street, Galashiels, on May 13.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told that resident sheriff Peter Paterson had previous knowledge of the case, so sentence was deferred until January 16, when he will be sitting on the bench and can hear the case.

DRIVER DENIES CARELESSNESS

A motorist is due to stand trial accused of injuring an OAP cyclist at the entrance to Borders General Hospital in Melrose.

Ros Henderson, 50, of Lauder Road, Stow, denies a charge of careless driving on July 19.

It alleges that she failed to maintain a proper lookout and collided with the 65-year-old cyclist, causing him to fall from his bicycle and sustain an injury.

A trial date has been set for Selkirk Sheriff Court on January 5, with an intermediate hearing scheduled for December 19.

STRUGGLE CASE 
IS CONTINUED

An Innerleithen man has been charged with struggling violently with his father during an alleged disturbance at the town’s Waverley Mills.

Andrew Tidder, 26, of Plora Terrace, is alleged to have used threatening or abusive behaviour on October 15, wilfully and recklessly damaged property and struggled with two police constables.

Tidder’s case was continued without plea at Selkirk Sheriff Court until December 19.

BAIL CONDITION BREACH PLEA

Background reports have been ordered on a Walkerburn woman who pleaded guilty to breaching her bail conditions by telephoning her partner.

Rebecca Skene, 25, of Hall Street, appeared from custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court and admitted committing the offence over the weekend.

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre deferred sentence until January 16 for a criminal justice social work report to be prepared.

HOSPITAL ATTACK CASE CONTINUED

A Jedburgh woman faces three charges following an alleged disturbance at the Borders General Hospital in Melrose.

Stacey Tennant, 37, of Blair Avenue, is accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on July 25 and two counts of police assault.

Tennant’s case was continued without plea at Selkirk Sheriff Court until December 19.

The owner of a motorbike business in Hawick is appealing for the public’s help to track down the burglars responsible for stealing £2,000 worth of helmets and accessories from him.

The raiders targeted TWS Bikes, in Havelock Street, in the early hours of last Friday, December 2.

Initially, at 4.10am, a lone thief took two attempts to smash a pane of glass at the outlet’s showroom. He then made off with three helmets and various aerosol sprays.

Just over an hour later, the same man returned with an accomplice, and the pair grabbed further items from the window, including another four helmets.

The raids were captured by the shop’s closed-circuit TV cameras, and the owner of the business, Derek Lammie, has posted that footage on Facebook in a bid to identify the culprits.

That footage has been seen by more than 40,000 people already, and Mr Lammie is appealing to anyone who recognises the thieves or who is offered the helmets for sale to contact him.

He said: “We think they will be trying to sell the gear on, and we’ve had information that some of the items have appeared for sale on eBay and Gumtree.

“These people are just low-life.

“In the first raid, an unknown man smashed the window and then disappeared down the path by the leisure centre with three helmets.

“He then comes back with help and they took another four helmets and a bag filled with sprays and accessories before they ran away up Wilton Hill Terrace.

“There is over an hour between the first and second incident, so there is a good chance someone saw something that could help us and the police find them.”

Police Scotland’s area commander for the Borders, Chief Inspector Andy McLean, said: “The break-in involved the theft of a quantity of helmets.

“We have a lot of inquiries ongoing, and we are currently looking at CCTV images.

“The helmets are very distinctive-looking, so we are asking people to be aware of anyone trying to sell them or give them as gifts over the Christmas period. “We are asking anyone who thinks they might have any information to contact the police by calling 101.”

Mr Lammie is also asking potential witnesses to get in touch with him on 01450 370011.

To view the CCTV footage, go to www.facebook.com/twowheelsales

A new law banning Scots from smoking in cars with children in came into force this week, and that’s been welcomed by the ex-MSP who proposed it, former Borders councillor Jim Hume.

Anyone caught lighting up in a private vehicle with someone under 18 on board now faces an on-the-spot penalty of £100 or a fine of up to £1,000 if the case goes to court.

Smokers’ group Forest has branded the new law “patronising and unnecessary”, but ministers and health campaigners say it will protect children.

The bill now made law was introduced to the Scottish Parliament by Jim Hume, a Liberal Democrat list MSP for the south of Scotland from 2007 until March this year.

Mr Hume, also a Scottish Borders Council member for Galashiels from 2007 to 2012, said: “It fills me with great pride that, through hard work and cross-party consensus, we are now seeing the introduction of a law which can potentially save 60,000 children a year from the hazards of second-hand smoke.

“Thanks to all those in support of this measure, we have taken a huge step in the right direction to having a healthier Scotland for all.”

Mr Hume’s fight to see the new law passed was partly inspired by the death of his mother Joyce, a non-smoker, from lung cancer five years ago.

The former farmer’s smoking prohibition (children in motor vehicles) (Scotland) bill was passed unanimously by MSPs almost a year ago in a bid to protect young people from second-hand smoke and the health conditions it can cause, such as bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma.

The Scottish Government says the new law is part of its plans to create a tobacco-free generation by 2034, defined as cutting the percentage of Scots smoking from the current 20% to less than 5%.

Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell said: “Our target to reduce the proportion of children exposed in the home from 12% to 6% by 2020 has been met five years early.

“The ban on smoking in cars will help to build on that success by reinforcing the message that the toxic fumes from cigarette smoke are harmful, particularly to children.”

Steve Turner, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s officer for Scotland, said: “Today is a significant step forward in the protection of children against second-hand smoke.

“With the Scottish Government enacting this law, children are now better protected from the threat of asthma, ear infections and sudden infant death.”

Sheila Duffy, chief executive of anti-smoking charity Ash Scotland, said: “Similar laws are fast becoming the norm around the world, from Australia and Canada to the United States, France and Ireland. Scotland’s children deserve the same protection.”

Other campaigners have criticised the new law, though.

Simon Clark, director of the smokers’ group Forest, said: “The regulations are patronising and unnecessary.

“Very few adults smoke in cars with children.

“Smokers know it’s inconsiderate, and the overwhelming majority don’t do it.”

A law banning smoking in vehicles carrying children came into force in England and Wales in October last year.

Sheila Duffy, chief executive of anti-smoking charity Ash Scotland, said the move sends a clear message that children should grow up in a smoke-free environment.

She said: “The most recent data shows that about one in six 15-year-olds are sometimes or often exposed to second-hand smoke in the car.

“When we know that just one cigarette can quickly lead to harmful levels of smoke, we have to take action. This is about protecting children’s health.

“Similar laws are fast becoming the norm around the world, from Australia and Canada to the United States, France and Ireland. Scotland’s children deserve the same protection.”

“So few people smoke when there’s a child in the car it will be like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

He added: “The law is a classic example of virtue signalling. It’s utterly pointless and a complete waste of time and resources that could be better spent elsewhere.”

Moves are afoot to re-route heavy traffic currently damaging road surfaces and putting the safety of pedestrians in Hawick at risk.

Scottish Borders Timber Transport Group members councillors Ron Smith and George Turnbull are pressing for improvements to be made to the Hawthornside junction on the A6088.

They want to see the preferred route for lorries carrying timber from the forests around Langburnshiels being better used.

The agreed route is for hauliers to use the road across from Berryfell to Hawthornside, thus avoiding travelling through Hawick.

However, the junction at Hawthornside is difficult to negotiate, prompting many truckers to plump for the easier option.

Mr Turnbull and Mr Smith, along with fellow Hawick and Hermitage ward councillor Davie Paterson, recently visited the junction to assess the difficulties posed.

Mr Turnbull said: “We found a steep approach to the corner from the Earlside and Berryfell direction, with the angle of the junction more naturally pointing down towards Bonchester Bridge.

“I can fully understand why drivers have been reluctant to use this route to go northwards”.

For some months, the two councillors have been urging the timber transport group and Scottish Borders Council Roads officers to invest in changing the layout of the corner, and they have now been given a progress report by officials.

A request has been made to the Scottish Timber Transport Fund for £4,500 for design work, also toinclude consideration of the impact on public utilities, site visits and initial discussions with affected landowners,

It is estimated that this work could be completed by mid-February, and James England, timber transport officer for the south of Scotland, says he will support the bid.

Mr Paterson said: “For years, there have been complaints about timber wagons coming up past Stobs and Crowbyres before edging through the Backdamgate.

“Damage has been caused to the road and to river banks, and Backdamgate simply isn’t suitable for such heavy transport.

“I’m totally supportive of this project.”

Mr Smith said: “This has become a mission for George and myself. We realise this would put added pressure on the smaller C29 road, but we would want, as part of the project, to see additional passing places installed.

“We simply can’t continue to have such wagons continue to cause a threat to pedestrians, drivers and buildings at the eye-of-the-needle which is Backdamgate.”

The three councillors have also welcomed the improvements currently taking place along the Borthwick Valley road from Deanburnhaugh to Girnwood.

The road was severely damaged by timber wagons carrying felled timber from Lorna’s Wood forest, but a bid for funding from the Scottish Timber Transport Fund to repair it was turned down.

Scottish Borders Council workers are now rebuilding the road.

Mr Smith added: “This graphically highlights the problem of the public purse being required to pay for repairs where the damage has been caused by private operators in the pursuit of profit. Lessons need to be learned.”

Families are being urged to stay safe over the festive period by taking easy steps to avoid the risk of fire.

During the Christmas and New Year period last year, firefigthers across Scotland attended more than 500 accidental house fires, between December 11 and January 7, due to a variety of causes including an increased use of heating and electrical appliances plus higher alcohol consumption.

The colder weather, meahwhile can also see firefighters attend more traffic collisions caused by treacherous driving conditions during ice and flooding. There were 230 such incidents over the same period last year.

Assistant Chief Officer David McGown, director of revention and protection for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Sservice (SFRS) said that annually there is an increase in emergency calls due to the winter weather.

He continued: “This winter SFRS will work closely with local communities and partner agencies to keep Scotland safe from fire and other emergencies - but as always, we need the public’s help to reduce the amount of preventable fires we might see in the coming months.

“It is vital that your home has working smoke alarms, enough so that everyone in your home will be alerted in the event of fire. You should also consider fitting a heat alarm in your kitchen.

“Please also think about friends, relatives and neighbours. Particularly older people. Do you know someone who has no working smoke alarm in their home? Contact SFRS for a free Home Fire Safety Visit.

“Winter weather also brings unexpected and dangerous conditions to our roads. It’s important to ensure that your vehicle is serviced, well maintained and that drivers take the necessary precautions when driving in bad weather.”

The SFRS is recommending five easy steps to stay safe:-

Check smoke alarms weekly to ensure they are in working order. Clean them to remove dust when needed

Check vehicles’ tyre tread and ensure there is an emergency travel kit consisting of a first aid kit, blanket, ice scraper and shovel for snow.

Check that older relatives, neighbours or friends have working smoke alarms and have an escape plan in case of a fire? Free Home Fire Safety Visit can be arranged by calling 0800 0731 999.

Fit and test carbon monoxide alarms.

Check Christmas decorations and lights to ensure they are kept well away from paper or fabrics that can burn easily. Don’t attach decorations to radiators and make sure they are a safe distance from fireplaces or candles. Always switch lights off when you leave the house or go to bed at night.

A wide range of tips on staying are available on the SFRS website at www.firescotland.gov.uk/winter

A joint effort by health workers in Hawick has received national recognition for slashing admissions to hospital.

The Hawick Practitioner Team, a pilot initiative run by the Scottish Ambulance Service and Teviot Medical Practice, picked up a prize for patient care at last week’s Scottish Ambulance Service awards in Glasgow.

The scheme consists of paramedic practitioners being sent into patients’ homes to provide treatment and assessment of their conditions, helping reduce the pressure for appointments at the 11,000-patient Teviot Road medical practice, as well as cutting unnecessary admissions to hospital.

The team has improved patient care by working alongside GPs, undertaking house calls where appropriate to reduce workload and consolidate newly-gained clinical skills.

It has also reduced the need for patients being transferred under blue lights or the requirement for one-hour GP urgent requests.

And the GPs are now more aware of ambulance pressures and use the service provision more effectively.

Richard Panton, area service manager for the ambulance service, said: “It was hoped this model would improve efficiency during the working day, reduce GP workload pressures and impact positively on patient care.

“The two specialist paramedics involved were able to provide cover during practice opening hours, and house visits were triaged by the duty doctor and then discussed with the paramedics.

“The paramedics then had a direct line of communication with the duty doctor for input and advice if required.

“We were incredibly proud to win the award, especially given the other nominees and the magnitude of the award.

“Thanks to Neil McPhee and his team of partners at the Teviot surgery for their foresight, energy and willingness to collaborate, as well as the willingness of our own staff to ebrace change, particularly specialist paramedics Mark Borthwick and Suzanne Little, and also my own management team for their relentless support and risk-taking.”

Dr McPhee added: “We have been delighted with our collaboration with the Scottish Ambulance Service and the integration of the paramedic practitioners into the primary care team.

“We certainly feel that it has had a positive impact and that we have been able to enhance the care for our patients.

“We would like to thank the ambulance service for the opportunity to undertake this pilot and for the hard work of the paramedics involved.”

A pilot period was set from January to March this year, and over that time, 187 home visits were made.

Councillors are being advised to pick Galashiels to be home to the Great Tapestry of Scotland.

Members of Scottish Borders Council are due to make a long-awaited decision on where, if anywhere, a visitor centre housing the tapestry should be sited on Thursday, December 22, and they are being recommended by officers to opt for Galashiels rather than nearby Tweedbank.

The council has been in talks since February this year with the Scottish Government and other Borders Railway Blueprint programme partners about where the tapestry should go after having second thoughts about its decision to choose Tweedbank in December 2014.

A site in Galashiels said not to have been available when that original decision was made, in Channel Street and next-door High Street, emerged as the front-runner to host the tapestry earlier this year.

A due diligence process has now been completed by council officers, and they conclude that the old post office in Channel Street and the site of the former Poundstretcher store alongside it are a better bet than the Tweedbank location previously agreed.

A report to councillors says: “The Galashiels option has the potential to deliver a successful tourism and regeneration proposition in a way that the Tweedbank option does not.

“The Galashiels proposal provides the opportunity for additional education and community use that is not a feature of the Tweedbank proposal.

“Furthermore, the Galashiels site benefits from a significant degree of community support and is consistent with the Scottish Government’s town-centre-first principle in relation to place-making and regeneration.”

The Scottish Government has confirmed that its previous pledge of £2.5m towards the £7m cost of the project will be honoured if councillors plump for Galashiels, but that money might not be forthcoming were councillors to stick to their original decision to create a £6m purpose-built visitor centre at Tweedbank.

Council leader David Parker said: “The Great Tapestry of Scotland is of national and international importance, and siting it in the Scottish Borders will create a world-class tourist attraction.

“The Galashiels proposal now being recommended was not available for consideration when the tapestry project commenced, but earlier this year, due to the former Poundstretcher site becoming vacant and positive discussions with Royal Mail, an affordable and deliverable site in Galashiels has been identified.

“The site in Galashiels will benefit from enhanced support from a range of funders, and the site provides greater accommodation with more flexibility for the tapestry and other exhibits and facilities.

“The town centre site will have a significant regeneration impact on Galashiels and will bring many benefits to nearby businesses.

“Although both the Tweedbank and Galashiels sites have their advantages, there can be no doubt that, after careful consideration, Galashiels offers the greatest potential to provide a world-class attraction which will make a significant contribution to the Borders economy.”

The Leaderdale and Melrose councillor added: “Elected members will consider a very robust business case and due diligence report at the council meeting on December 22, when a final decision on the tapestry can be made.

“With tourism being a critical economic growth area for the Borders, and with the tapestry situated in the town centre, close to the new Borders Railway and benefiting from excellent road links, a really exciting and special tourist attraction can be delivered.”

Galashiels councillor Stuart Bell, the authority’s executive member for economic development, added: “If approved by councillors, the tapestry will help generate tourism and promote economic development in our area.

“While both sites have been thoroughly considered, Galashiels has been recommended because it offers the opportunity to develop a significant regeneration project for the centre of the town, with additional educational and community uses.

“The Galashiels proposal is in line with the Scottish Government’s town-centre-first principle, which encourages the public sector to continue to invest in town centres and help communities thrive, and also has significant support in the local community.”

Midlothian South Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP Christine Grahame, a long-time critic of the Tweedbank site, has welcomed the recommendation being made to councillors to reject it in favour of Galashiels.

It was Ms Grahame who referred the Tweedbank business case to the Scottish Government because of her concerns about that location, prompting the rethink expected to be confirmed later this month.

She said: “I now feel my opposition to Tweedbank and my support for Galashiels has been vindicated.

“My stance on this has not been without opposition, with one councillor resigning from the SNP because of it, but it’s important that we now move forward and make this a success for Galashiels.

“It will bring the town centre much-needed regeneration, build on the success of the railway and the transport hub, link in to the Heriot-Watt University campus with its textile and design focus and extend that regeneration as visitor follow the Borders Textile Trail through the wider area.”

Energise Galashiels chairman Mike Gray agrees, saying: “Galashiels as the home of the Great Tapestry of Scotland would be a game-changing boost to the town.

“This investment, if councillors decide to approve it, will provide a wonderful and unique attraction and will regenerate the old town centre, which is suffering from the impact of the massive changes in retailing.

“Energise Galashiels is delighted to see the town-centre-first principle in action and welcomes the support from the Scottish Government.

“It would create opportunities to expand existing attractions such as Old Gala House and establish the town as a visitor destination, building on our heritage of textiles and textile design.

“The tapestry would leverage investment already made in the Borders Railway and the infrastructure to transport visitors across the Scottish Borders, thus enhancing tourists’ experience of the region.

“Galashiels, as the home of the Great Tapestry of Scotland, has pan-Borders support from organisations such as Destination Scottish Borders and Scottish Borders Tourism Partnership, as well as Galashiels Community Council, Galashiels Chamber of Trade, the MacArts Centre and Galashiels Healthy High Streets.”

Tapestry trustees co-chairman Alistair Moffat added: “After more than 40 years in and around public life in Scotland, from running the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to being director of programmes at STV, I have been looking at audiences for a long time, but I have never seen anything like the reaction on the faces of the people who see the Great Tapestry of Scotland.

“Much more than a beautifully embroidered object, the power of this great work of art is immense, emotional, funny and quintessentially Scottish.

“People weep and laugh as they make their way around the story of our nation – and the story of themselves.

“It would be wonderful if the tapestry could tell the great sweep of the history of Scotland in Galashiels.”

The report to be considered by councillors will be available on the council website, www.scotborders.gov.uk, from Thursday, December 15.

If approved, the Galashiels proposal would see the town’s old post office building brought back into use and the former Poundstretcher unit demolished and a new building created in its place linked to the post office.

The 469ft-long tapestry, completed in 2013, is made up of 160 embroidered panels, a dozen of them stitched by volunteers in the Borders.

Both Tweedbank and Galashiels were among the locations at which panels for the tapestry, designed by Andrew Crummy, were created, along with Stow, Lauder, Hawick, St Boswells, Jedburgh, Melrose, Kelso, Coldstream, Tweedmouth, Ednam, Gordon, Duns, Smailholm, Gordon, Peebles, Selkirk and West Linton.

The future of a Hawick-based youth advice service has been secured for another two years by a £32,000 grant.

Roxburgh and Berwickshire Citizens’ Advice Bureau landed the funding from the Robertson Trust to run the award-winning Youth Info project, based at the bureau’s office at Towerdykeside.

Originally set up in Berwickshire in 2009, the project is aimed at youngsters in the Borders between the ages of 16 and 25 and offers them confidential advice and support.

Issues covered include debt, benefits, work, relationships and housing.

The project’s work involves visiting schools across the Borders to persuade young people to get involved in volunteering work to improve their chances in the jobs market.

Rhona Calder, manager of the bureau, welcomed the latest funding support, to be matched by Citizens’ Advice Scotland next year.

She said: “When the project started in 2009, we received funding from the Fairer Scotland Fund, originally for two years, and then that was extended for a further two and a half years.

“We then received funding from the Bank of Scotland and were able to roll out the project across Roxburgh.

“At the heart of what we do are the young people themselves. They help us progress our work through focus groups and through their work on social media. We act on the things they tell us.

“The sixth-formers we deliver presentations to in schools then go on to pass on advice to the fourth and fifth-formers in the school.

“In the presentations, we highlight the benefits of volunteering and give very basic budgeting advice, such as the difference between a credit card and a debit card.

“We appreciate the continued match funding from the Robertson Trust, enabling us to deliver an advice service to young people in the Borders in locations and mediums deemed accessible to them.

“We encourage young people to become volunteers to increase their employability.”

The project’s young persons’ adviser, Andrea Mee, a former volunteer herself, of Burnfoot, said: “It is very rewarding work, and it is really important to get across the message to the 16 to 25-year-olds that the service is available and make them aware of its confidentiality, that there is no third person involved, because trust is a big aspect for them. That is very important to them.”

Lesley Macdonald, head of giving at the Robertson Trust, said: “The aims of the Youth Info project are a natural fit with our Strengthening Communities funding strand, and we look forward to see how it progresses in the coming months.

“We believe it is vitally important that young people are given the practical advice they need to make strong financial decisions and improve their financial literacy, especially around consumer issues and money management.”

The trust was established in 1961 to help charities large and small.

To seek out advice, contact Youth Info@CAB

The Hawick office is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. For further information, call 01450 374266.

The bureau will be closed for Christmas from Friday, December 23, at 12.30pm and will reopen on Thursday, January 5, at 10am.

Scottish renewable energy businesses are working on projects worth more than £100 million in more than 40 countries around the world, new research has found.

Projects include advising the government of Japan, providing cranes to build wind farms in Morocco and South Africa and working with the World Bank in Chile.

The study, by industry body Scottish Renewables, has found that Scottish companies are behind schemes in countries as diverse as China, Russia, Taiwan and Cape Verde.

And their business has been worth £125.3 million across 43 countries in every continent, except Antarctica, with staff employed in 22 of those countries.

Orkney-based consultancy Aquatera has been involved in the creation of marine energy projects in the United States, Chile, Japan, Columbia, Peru and Indonesia while Windhoist, a crane company based in Irvine, has installed more than 4,800 wind turbines across the globe, from South Africa and Morocco to Australia and Belgium.

St Andrews-based SMRU Consulting is working in the Bay of Fundy, Canada, to monitor how porpoises and dolphins interact with tidal energy turbines and Glasgow’s Star Renewable Energy has installed a heat pump in Drammen, Norway, which now provides warmth for the city’s 63,000 residents and businesses.

Jenny Hogan, Scottish Renewables’ policy director, said: “This research clearly shows that Scotland’s expertise in renewable energy is in demand around the world.

“The stretching targets set in Scotland have meant our home-grown green energy industry has developed skills which are in demand on every inhabited continent, bringing investment and income to Scotland from across the world.

“Countries like Japan, Canada and Chile have seen the lead we’ve built up in wave and tidal energy and now employ Scottish organisations to advise them on developing their own marine energy resources.

“Scottish green energy engineering skills are in demand from South Africa to Norway while our environmental, planning and technical know-how is being used in Columbia, Canada, China and many other countries.”

Paul Wheelhouse, Business, Innovation and energy minister, said the survey shows the considerable global reach of renewable energy businesses in Scotland.

He continued: “Low-carbon industries and their supply chains generated almost £11 billion in 2014 and supported 43,500 jobs, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics published recently.

“Together with this new research from Scottish Renewables, the figures reinforce the growing importance of the low-carbon industries, including renewable energy businesses, to the Scottish economy and vindicates the Scottish Government’s support for the sector and the increasingly crucial role it plays within our energy mix and the wider economy.”

The Borders’ first distillery in almost 180 years will start production early in the new year – but you can prebook a bottle for Christmas.

While the two planned whisky distilleries in Hawick and Jedburgh were making headlines recently, Lilliard Gin has been working behind the scenes to put in place their plans.

And the new distillery, based in a cowshed at the Born in the Borders site near Lanton, has been granted approval by HM Revenue and Customs – and will begin producing Borders gin on a small scale.

Lead distiller Kate Macinnes is delighted to be part of the new generation of Borders distillers.

She said: “The potential development of the Borders as a region of distilling excellence is really exciting, and we are so happy to be a small part of that.

“Our gin production is on a completely different scale to the other distilleries in development.

“Our still is one of the smallest production stills in the UK, and our entire operation fits into a cowshed, but if people like our gin, that’s all that matters.

“We have a rich abundance of wild food on our doorstep in the Teviot valley, and Lilliard Gin aims to capture that and convey a true sense of the local flavour palette and our Borders ‘terroir’.”

Kate said that interest in the venture has been huge, and people have been queueing up to be one of the first to grab a bottle.

She said: “We want to be able to allow people to prebook the first bottles for Christmas presents.

“So we are launching a Crowdfunder page on Friday, December 16, in order that people can get the perfect present for their loved ones.

“This will also raise money for the foraging classes we have planned for next year.”

This is the first independent business to take up premises at Born in the Borders.

Owner John Henderson immediately saw the synergy between the Scottish Borders Brewery – which is also based at the Lanton visitor centre – and the new gin venture.

“To be able to play host to the first new distillery in the Borders in nearly 200 years is incredible. And the fact that Lilliard Gin are looking to use Borders botanicals means they are completely in tune with our own ethos of local sourcing.

“We just can’t wait for them to get started, and to taste their gin!”

The distillery will be open to visitors in the New Year, but as it is a full working distillery, hours will be restricted due to legal and health and safety requirements. The distillery will be happy to accommodate visits by prior arrangement – email enquiries@lilliardgin.co.uk

However, gin will always be available in the shop.

Borderers can expect a 3% hike in their council tax bills next year, following a nine-year freeze.

Scottish Borders Council’s administration will propose a 3% increase in February, which will raise £1.5million towards the cost of funding council services and would result in Band D council tax rising by £32.52 per year. There will also be a further hike, brought in by the Scottish Government, for homes in bands E to H, as well as a proposal involving a change to council tax charged on second homes.

Councillor John Mitchell, depute leader with responsibility for finance, said: “After nine years of maintaining council tax rates at 2007/2008 levels, the council is proposing to increase council tax by three per cent.

“The council anticipates a very challenging budget settlement and is proposing a 3% increase in council tax to offset the impact of funding reductions on the provision of services.

“By making this increase the council will raise an additional £1.5million a year, which is crucial to supporting our budget in these challenging times, especially as we expect a reduction in the funding we receive in the annual settlement from Holyrood.”

While the 3% increase across the board will be considered at the budget setting meeting on February 9, the Scottish Government is also making changes to council tax charges for more expensive properties, so that properties in Bands E to H will experience a further increase, in addition to the proposed 3% increase by SBC.

Councillor Mitchell added: “The changes proposed by the Scottish Government alone are expected to increase the monthly council tax for a Band E property by almost £8 a month, and by over £40 a month for Band H properties.”

The final distribution of resources will not be known until the local government settlement is published on December 15.

Following on from last week’s thoughts on separation anxiety and lack of socialisation we would now like to cover the other two main issues of basic training and lack of fitness.

Lack of even the most basic of training is a huge problem for our centre to have to deal with. Dogs that jump up, mouth, lunge, have no recall or will not sit or stay on command are potentially dangerous to themselves, humans and other animals alike. In reality a dog that has no recall or that will not ‘stay’ is a dog over which there is very little effective control. It should be in everyone’s interest to want to train their dog in these most basic but vital of commands.

Training classes are widely available and, in this age of the Internet and travel links, should be relatively easy to sign up to.

The final main common denominator we are seeing increasingly is a general lack of fitness and a corresponding number of obese dogs.

There is no formula for length of walks required as this will vary enormously from breed to breed and dog to dog. Clearly it would not be wise to own a Border Collie as a family pet if you only intended on walking it for half an hour a day and always around the same route. If you owned an elderly dog with a touch of arthritis this may be more than enough. A common misconception is that smaller breeds would not need as much exercise as larger ones. Again please research the type of dog you are looking to get.

In conclusion please think very carefully before taking on a new dog as a pet. Only you will know if you can offer what is required.

Scotland is facing a medical timebomb in general practice with more than a third of GPs saying they are planning to retire within the next five years.

A survey of Scottish GPs by the British Medical Association has revealed that 55 per cent of respondents said that workload had the most negative impact on their professional commitment, 21 per cent said that unresourced work being moved into general practice was the biggest negative and 13 per cent said that insufficient time with patients was the biggest negative.

More than two thirds of GPs stated that while manageable, they experience a significant amount of work-related stress although 15 per cent of participant said they feel their stress is significant and unmanageable.

One third of respondents said they are planning to retire from general practice in the next five years while 20 per cent said they are planning to move to part time.

Six per cent are planning to move abroad and six percent are planning to quit medicine altogether.

Dr Alan McDevitt, chairman of the BMA’s Scottish GP committee, said: “It’s deeply worrying that more than a third of GPs are planning on retiring in the next five years and a significant number are also planning to reduce their working hours.

“It is clear that increasing pressures on GP services are at the heart of this problem, with escalating demand having outstripped capacity. GPs are overworked and intensely frustrated that they do not have enough time to spend with their patients, especially the rising numbers of older people with multiple and complex problems who need specialised care.

“We need the government to focus on addressing the pressures facing GP services, so that we retain the current GP workforce and attract young doctors to become GPs.”

In the weird and wonderful world of local wildlife, I tend to think that at my advanced age I have seen most things and there is little else to arouse my curiosity and get me scratching my head in puzzlement.

Last week, I received an e-mail from fellow moth enthusiast R.S. from Peebles, who had come upon a strange phenomenon, on his travels. He enclosed some pictures and asked if I had seen the likes locally. I hadn’t, but I vaguely remembered seeing an article in one of the national papers recently, describing the exact same thing in the Highlands.

The phenomenon in question is a thing called hair ice and he said it was abundant on dead wood by the North Esk downstream of Carlops. It looks like white candy floss and is always found on dead wood.

Apparently it is an extremely rare occurrence in this country and it needs a specific combination of conditions to form. Hair ice forms on moist, rotting wood from broadleaf trees when temperatures are slightly under 0°C and the air is humid. Each of the smooth, silky hairs has a diameter of about 0.02 mm and a length of up to 20 centimetres. The hairs are brittle, but take the shape of curls and waves. They can maintain their shape for hours and sometimes days.

A piece of wood that produces hair ice once may continue to produce it over several years.

In 2015, German and Swiss scientists identified the fungus Exidiopsis effusa as key to the formation of hair ice. The fungus was found on every hair ice sample examined by the researchers, and disabling the fungus with fungicide or hot water prevented hair ice formation. The fungus shapes the ice into fine hairs through an uncertain mechanism and likely stabilizes it by providing a recrystallization inhibitor similar to antifreeze proteins.

So there we have it. Well done R.S. for spotting it!

Rail campaigners have welcomed the addition of more than 1,300 extra seats to peak-time services along the Borders Railway.

ScotRail announced last Friday that additional seats will be available from Monday and that all services departing from Tweedbank between 7am and 8am will be made up of at least three carriages.

The 7.58am train from Tweedbank to South Gyle and the 4.52pm service from Edinburgh Waverley to Tweedbank will see the number of carriages double to four to provide an additional 270 extra seats every day.

Four off-peak weekday services will also gain an extra two carriages, adding a further 2,700 extra seats a week.

Campaign for Borders Rail spokesman Atholl Innes said: “This is very welcome.

“Any increase in passenger space has to be welcomed as more and more people are using the service, and it is incredibly frustrating when you can’t get a seat.

“It indicates the success of the Borders Railway, and unless they do increase the train capacity, people will simply return to relying on their cars and other means of transport.”

Rail Action Group East Scotland vice-chairman Barrie Forrest added: “We are delighted as it is badly needed.

“A lot of lines across the country are suffering from the same problem, and I think that ScotRail completely misunderstood just how many people would be using this Borders service.

“It’s just going to take time, but hopefully they will get it right in the end. It has to be right for all these people relying on it, and hopefully this means that we will start to see improvements over these next few weeks.”

Transport minister Humza Yousaf said: “I am pleased that, working closely with ScotRail, extra capacity during the busy peak periods has been identified and secured for 2017.

“This is in addition to our commitment to provide more capacity from late 2018 onwards as a result of our investment in retaining 13 Class 170 trains.

“The arrival of our new electric fleet next autumn serving newly-electrified routes is the key to increasing seating capacity across our fleet by 23% by 2019, delivering 200 extra carriages to Scotland since the launch of the ScotRail franchise in April 2015.”

The off-peak services in line for extra carriages are the 6.51am train from Edinburgh to Tweedbank, the 5.59pm service from Tweedbank to Edinburgh, the 7.24pm Edinburgh service to Tweedbank and the 8.30pm train from Tweedbank to Edinburgh.

Phil Verster, managing director of the ScotRail Alliance, said: “The Borders Railway is now firmly established as an attractive and convenient public transport option, with strong demand, particularly at peak times.

“We have responded by making a number of changes to add capacity when it is most needed, providing our customers with more comfortable journeys to and from the capital.”

He added: “Projections are just that – assumptions made about how many people are likely to travel at different times of the year.

“We now have a much clearer picture of what to expect in future years and will incorporate these learnings into our business planning and marketing.”

A new locally-based charity is offering Borderers struggling to gain adequate nutrition the knowledge and the opportunity to grow and cook their own fresh produce.

Armed with the recognition that the provision of food banks shows that many families do not have access to fresh vegetables and fruit, Abundant Borders this week welcomed grant funding as part of the Scottish Government Good Food Nation Fund.

It is hoped to trial the project in Berwickshire before spreading throughout the Borders region.

Charity administrator Anne Casey said: “We are extremely grateful to the Scottish Government’s Good Food Fund for providing financial support for this project.

“Food Banks are generally only able to offer dried or tinned food as they do not have the resources to offer perishable goods.

“Our idea was that long-term solutions require much better engagement with people who find themselves in need of this support.

“Working over the last year, we have identified over a dozen sites across the Borders where people can be trained in the skills of growing and cookery, and land can be made available to them. Starting in Eastern Berwickshire, our first trial aims to spark a Borders wide movement to help individuals and groups set this imbalance to rights.”

The group has attracted support from private garden and estate owners who are willing to offer land for the project.

Larger organisations, including Berwickshire Housing Association and The Salvation Army are also supportive.

Berwickshire Housing Association chief executive Helen Forsyth said: “With Abundant Borders, we hope to see community orchards, allotments, joint projects between older tenants and younger volunteers and opportunities for many members of village communities to get involved in growing food, gardening and improving health and well-being.”

And local author and trainer Graham Bell, of Coldstream, said: “Anyone can end up on the wrong side of opportunity for a variety of reasons.

“Some fall into gaps in the benefits system, some have not yet found their way in the world of work or have had health or social challenges.

“We are offering folks the opportunity to take up funded places to train on a part-time basis, to build their own confidence and self-reliance.”

Graham, who runs courses on permaculture, forest gardening and food preservation, added: “You can’t get far in life without adequate good food, and we believe it is basic social justice to make sure it’s available to all.

“Community Allotments are one example of how we can get together and improve all our lives.

“Our small starting point is an open door for those who want to access the service, but also for volunteers who’d like to help out.

“We welcome contact from skilled people with a little time on their hands who’d enjoy mucking in alongside trainees to help the project forwards.”

Abundant Borders is hosting a public launch event in Eyemouth on Tuesday, January 10.