More needs to be done to tackle Scotland’s “biggest health and social care challenge”, according to dementia campaigners.

The comments followed the publication this week of a new report assessing the number of dementia diagnoses in Scotland which found that 20,000 people will be diagnosed with the condition every year by 2020.

The study used a new model which could be implemented across Europe to gain a better estimate of those people newly diagnosed with the condition.

It will also be used to further the government’s understanding and help in the planning, provision and re-designing of dementia services.

Catherine Calderwood, Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, said: “This is the most accurate assessment ever of the situation in Scotland and is crucial as we look to meet the needs of people living with dementia, or are newly diagnosed with the condition.

“This will help us to plan for the future and ensure that anyone with dementia in Scotland receives the care they need.

“We are transforming the way we treat dementia so more people have their independence for longer and we will use these figures to continue our work towards greater supported self-management at home.”

The government has committed to publishing a new dementia strategy in the new year and Dr Calderwood added that this will continue the national focus on supporting better diagnosis rates, embedding post-diagnostic and integrated home-based services, and developing better palliative and end of life services for patients, families and carers.

Jim Pearson, Alzheimer Scotland’s policy and research director, said: “We welcome the publication of this report from the Scottish Government. This marks a clear recognition of the value of dementia research and of Scotland specific research data.

“There has been a lot of positive progress but these figures show there is a great deal still to do and we need to rise to what is Scotland’s biggest health and social care challenge. The research will enable us to better work together with our partners, to focus resources and to plan the right services and supports for people living with dementia, their carers and their families.”

Hundreds of men in Scotland are likely to fall victim to “sextortion” crimes online, Police Scotland has warned.

The force has said men aged between 18 and 44 are the most likely targets of organised criminal gangs, which are usually based overseas.

Victims are blackmailed after being duped into performing sexual acts in front of their webcams and threatened that if they do not pay hundreds of pounds through money service bureaus, the footage will be posted online and sent to friends and family.

Deputy Chief Constable Johnny Gwynne said the crime can have “catastrophic consequences” for some of the victims.

He continued “It is vital that victims are reassured that police will treat the report as serious and confidential, and that they will be supported as it is likely,given the nature of the crime, that they will be experiencing heightened feelings of shame, self-blame, fear and anxiety.

“The sharing of indecent images is very concerning and increasingly indecent images, sent in the belief they would remain private, are being shared online. People need to understand they should only share pictures that they are happy with their friends, family and others seeing. They also need to keep their personal information private and contact an adult if they feel threatened.

“Where a child or young person under 18 has been the victim of online child sexual abuse including ‘sextortion’, avenues to report concerns include parents and carers, guidance teachers, Police and social work. When online they can connect to CEOP where they can make a report and have contact with a child protection adviser who can talk them through what they have experienced/are experiencing and help them to make a plan around their safety.”

Incidents can be reported by calling 101 or contacting www.ceop.police.uk

The Kelso man who played a key role in sinking the Bismarck during the Second World War has died at his home in Perthshire, aged 97.

Lieutenant Commander John Moffat, known as Jock, fired the torpedo that effectively paralysed the German warship.

Biplanes from HMS Victorious and HMS Ark Royal carried out air strikes on the battleship on May 26, 1941, just two days after the Bismarck had destroyed HMS Hood during the Battle of Denmark Strait.

Born John William Charlton Moffat in Kelso in June 1919, Lt Cdr Moffat joined the Navy in 1938 – initially as a reservist – before being posted to HMS Ark Royal with the 759 Naval Air Squadron after qualifying as a pilot.

During May 1941, a 21-year-old Lt Cdr Moffat and his crew - Sub Lt J.D. ‘Dusty’ Miller and telegraphist and air gunner Albert Hayman - took off in a Swordfish L9726 aircraft from the deck of HMS Ark Royal, tasked with crippling the Bismarck.

Just after 9pm, he reportedly dropped the torpedo that damaged the Bismarck’s rudder, leaving it to sail in circles overnight.

Speaking earlier this year, Lt Cdr Moffat recalled: “When [Winston] Churchill gave the order to sink the Bismarck, we knew we just had to stop her trail of devastation at all costs.

“We dived in through the murk, into a lethal storm of shells and bullets.

“Bismarck’s guns erupted and in the hail of hot bullets and tracer, I couldn’t see any of the other Swordfish.

“I thought the closer we were to the water the better chance we had of surviving so we flew in bouncing off the tops of the waves – and it worked.

“The great thing about the Swordfish was that the bullets just went straight through. After all, it was only made of canvas. It was like David and Goliath.”

He served with four squadrons over eight years, and after the war entered the hospitality industry, becoming a hotel manager for several years.

He returned to flying in his 60s, and kept flying until he was well into his 90s.

His memoirs of his time in the Navy was brought to book by Mike Rossiter in ‘I Sunk the Bismark’, published in 2010.

An avid supporter of the Royal Navy Historic Flight, Lt Cdr Moffat raised £20,000 to keep one of the Swordfish aircraft airborne as a tribute to wartime airmen.

He continued to play an active role in politics, campaigning for a No vote alongside Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson in 2014, based on defence arguments.

He is survived by his two daughters, Pat and Jan.

The lease to run the Peel Café at mountain bike haven Glentress has been won by the nearby Peebles Hydro Hotel.

The café forms part of the popular Glentress forest and is owned by the Forest Enterprise Scotland, an agency of Forestry Commission Scotland.

With 300,000 people coming through Glentress each year – using the extensive mountain biking and walking routes, enjoying the thrill of adventure experience Go Ape, or visiting the Alpine Bikes shop – Peel Café is a favourite pitstop for meals and snacks, ice creams, or beverages.

The café, with its superb outlook, is open every day except Christmas Day.

Patrick Diack, general manager at Peebles Hydro said: “Peel Café was an important addition to our existing hotels in the town, as we know so many of our customers are coming to the area to explore the magnificent beauty of Peebles and the surrounding area.

“We are able to supply fresh cakes and snacks directly from our own bakery at The Park on the High Street.

“I am looking forward to being able to offer more than just a café, and we will be taking bookings for private events in the evening, as well as our own program of exciting activities, starting with our Santa’s Grotto this Christmas.”

A spokesperson for Forest Enterprise Scotland said: “Peebles Hydro won the lease for Peel Café after going through a competitive tendering process.

“We were attracted to their passion for the local area, and the synergy between the current businesses and Peel Café.

“We are looking forward to growing our links with Patrick and his team.”

A recovering alcoholic has been banned from the road for 42 months after admitting driving while almost five times the legal alcohol limit.

Sixty-year-old Paul Mather pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Monday to the offence which happened in Kelso Road and Abbey Road, Coldstream, on Friday, October 28.

He admitted driving with a breath/alcohol count of 100 microgrammes – the legal limit being 22.

Mather, of Abbey Road, Coldstream, who has a previous conviction for drink-driving, had gone to the town’s health centre around 5pm for treatment to a head injury.

A doctor who tended to Mather realised he was under the influence and took him to the reception area, advising him to call a taxi. But staff watched as Mather walked out the health centre, appearing unsteady on his feet, and then got into his car and drove off.

In addition to the disqualification of three-and-a-half years, Mather was fined £350.

BIT POLICE CONSTABLE

A Hawick woman who bit a police constable on the thigh and spat blood on another has been put on a 7pm-7am home curfew for 10 months at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Emma Stewart, 23, of Trinity Street, pleaded guilty to the offences which happened in North Bridge Street, Hawick, on April 20.

Police had been contacted as Stewart had threatened to harm herself, and officers found her hiding in a cupboard, but she reacted violently.

Sheriff Peter Paterson described it as “distressing conduct” and said police officers were entitled to receive the protection of the court in matters like this. He added she was fortunate there was an alternative to a custodial sentence.

DENIES BENEFITS FIDDLE

A Hawick woman will stand trial on January 10 accused of receiving more than £8,000 in benefits she was not entitled to.

Mandie Murray, 44, of Drumlanrig Court, pleaded not guilty to failing to notify officials about an increase in her earnings between September 9, 2013, and September 2015.

LOCKED UP FOR CHRISTMAS

A Kelso man has been locked up for Christmas after being accused of placing his ex-partner in a state of fear and alarm, and demanding money off her.

Robert Yule, 40, of Inchmead Drive, denies the offence which is said to have happened in Kelso on Friday.

A trial date was fixed for Jedburgh Sheriff Court on January 12, with an intermediate hearing on December 28.

Yule pleaded guilty to breaching a court order by contacting the woman and sentence was deferred until December 28.

He was remanded in custody.

JANUARY TRIAL DATE

A Hawick man has been accused of breaching the Sexual Offences Act 2003 by not notifying police within three days that he was in possession of credit cards.

Thomas Hoare, 49, of Princes Street, pleaded not guilty to the offences allegedly committed between September 19 and October 17.

The case will be heard on January 10.

DANGEROUS DRIVER JAILED

A 28-year-old man has been jailed for 350 days for driving dangerously in Galashiels and Gattonside.

Stuart McCutcheon, from Galashiels, pleaded guilty to failing to stop when requested to do by police, mounting a pavement, driving at excessive speed and overtaking in the face of oncoming traffic.

McCutcheon was due to face a jury at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, but pleaded guilty before the trial got under way.

In addition to the prison term, he was disqualified from driving for five years and ordered to re-sit his test.

TEENAGER’S PRIVATE HEARING

A teenager has appeared in private at Selkirk Sheriff Court accused of assaulting a male to his severe injury.

The 17-year-old from Galashiels – who cannot be named for legal reasons – is alleged to have committed the offence in Earlston in September.

The teeanger made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination.

CASE IS CONTINUED

A man has been accused of having a dog which was dangerously out of control.

Marius Tanasa, 22, of Boonraw Road, Hawick, is said to have been in charge of a Lakeland Patterdale Terrier which chased a 13-year-old boy and bit him on his body to his injury.

The offence is alleged to have been committed in Boonraw Road on August 23.

The case was continued without plea until January 9 to give the accused the services of an interpreter.

Accused of being abusive

A Hawick pair have been accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in the town on Friday.

Kieran Beck, 18, and Samantha Dahill, 19 – both of Silverbuthall Road – pleaded not guilty.

A trial date was fixed for March 9, with an intermediate hearing on January 23.

REPORTS ORDERED

Background reports have been ordered into a Greenlaw man who admitted driving while disqualified in the village on August 28.

Scott Cooper, 36, of Wester Row, pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Prosecutor Graham Fraser said Cooper had an extensive list of previous convictions.

Sheriff Peter Paterson called for a criminal justice social work report to see if there was an alternative to a custodial sentence and deferred sentence until January 9.

FEAR AND ALARM CLAIM

A man will stand trial on a charge of engaging in a course of conduct which caused a woman fear and alarm at various locations in Hawick, Selkirk and Jedburgh between October 19 and May 31.

Brian Wallace, 28, of Cheviot Road, Hawick, also denies threatening or abusive behaviour and forcing entry to a house in Buccleuch Street, Hawick, on October 31 last year, and assaulting another woman by pushing her on the body, pressing his body against hers, throwing her onto a bed and pinning her down on the bed.

Wallace also pleaded not guilty to kicking a door, along with others, and another charge of threatening or abusive behaviour towards a man and a woman between November 2015 and May 2016.

TRIAL SET FOR JANUARY 24

A Hawick man has been accused of being involved in a domestic bust-up during which he allegedly poured alcohol over his wife.

Paul Miller, 50, of Lanton Place, pleaded not guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, uttering threats of violence, pushing and struggle with his wife, pouring alcohol over her and butting her on the head on October 28.

A trial has been set for January 24.

CANNABIS CHARGE

A Hawick man will stand trial on six charges, including one of producing cannabis at his Cheviot Road home.

Mark Turnbull, 30, denies the offences which are alleged to have been committed on September 2, 2015.

Trial has been set for January 10.

MUSICIAN FACES FRAUD TRIAL

A musician has been accused of fraud involving more than £3,000 by allegedly taking money to provide a ceilidh band when he had no intention of doing so.

Gary Forrest, 30, denies seven offences involving sums between £200 and £830 – totalling £3,660 – which are alleged to have happened between November 2014 and October 2015 at his home at Rennieston, near Jedburgh.

A trial date has been set for February 21 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, with an intermediate hearing being held on January 23.

COMMUNITY PAYBACK ORDER

Steven Tennant, 30, pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at his home in Leet Street, Coldstream, on October 6.

He was told to attend the Caledonian Men’s Programme over the next two years and ordered to carry out 120 hours’ unpaid work as part of a community payback order.

COCAINE ALLEGATION

Lisa Sharkey, 32, will stand trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on January 10 on a charge of being in possession of cocaine at her Branxholme Road home in Hawick on July 22.

ACCUSED OF STALKING

An Eyemouth man is facing a stalking charge.

John Rutherford, 43, of Bennison Square, pleaded not guilty to sending a woman messages on social media and repeatedly turning up in the road where she lived and loitering there.

A trial date was set for January 12.

NOT-GUILTY PLEA TO DISTURBANCE

A 41-year-old Kelso woman will stand trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on January 24 accused of being involved in a disturbance at a house in Hawick.

Andrea Lyons, of The Linn, denies behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the property in Cheviot Road on July 25.

She is charged with repeatedly shouting, throwing a cup of hot liquid over fixtures and fittings, refusing to leave the premises when asked to do so, uttering offensive remarks, brandishing a pair of scissors and causing damage to a settee.

BICYCLE CHARGE

A Hawick man has been accused of assaulting his ex-partner by riding a bicycle at her which struck her on the body.

Danny Sharkey, 23, of Galalaw Road, also denies behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in O’Connell Street on March 1.

A trial date has been set for January 12.

AGGRESSIVE ALLEGATION

Edward Berry, 63, of Boonraw Road, Hawick, will stand trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on January 12 on a charge of acting in an aggressive manner towards his wife at her home in Home Place, Coldstream, on September 21.

OAP LOCKED UP FOR SEX ABUSE

A pensioner who sexually abused a young girl during a two-year period, starting when she was just eight, has been jailed for almost three years at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

John Swan, 78, also pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a woman in her mid-20s with learning difficulties two years ago.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said there were a number of incidents, starting when Swan was play fighting with the eight-year-old in the living room of his home in Jedburgh before suddenly laying on top of her and simulating sexual intercourse.

A year later they were on the sofa together and she was wearing a nightdress when he put his hand between her legs and penetrated her private parts. On another occasion they were watching television when he squeezed her breasts.

The court also heard that when the victim was 10, in 2000, Swan fondled her breasts and, on another occasion, he exposed himself in front of her when she was lying in bed. He got into bed and sexually abused her.

In 2014 Swan and his second wife were visited by a female with learning difficulties. She was sitting in the passenger seat of his car when he leaned over and squeezed her breasts, saying: “You have teased me long enough with these.” On another occasion she was sitting on the sofa and he pulled up her top, trying to expose her breasts. When she went home a relative asked what was wrong and she said Swan had touched her.

The court was told when Swan discovered police wanted to speak to him, he took an overdose and was in hospital for several days.

Swan pleaded guilty to lewd and libidinous practices towards the child from 1998 to 2000 and was jailed for 24 months. He also received another 10 months for sexually assaulting the woman with learning difficulties.

SOLDIER FACES ASSAULT CHARGE

A soldier has appeared in private at Selkirk Sheriff Court accused of assaulting a man to his severe injury.

This follows an incident outside the County Hotel, Peebles, in September when a 49-year-old man sustained facial injuries.

Thomas Colclough, who is 24 and from Derby, made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination. He was bailed.

Embezzlement allegation

A Hawick woman will stand trial next year on an embezzlement charge.

Catherine Knight, 23, of Scott Crescent, pleaded not guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to embezzling money and vouchers from clients to the value of £355 while working as an agent of Park Retail Ltd, Merseyside, between November 2014 and October 2015. A trial date has been fixed for January 24.

ON TRIAL AT JEDBURGH

Three Kelso men have been accused of threatening or abusive behaviour in their home street of Orchard Park on August 16.

Kevin Henderson, 35, Steven Hunter, 44, and Stuart McLarty, 46, will stand trial on January 10 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

SHEEP WORRYING CASE

A Newcastleton man has been accused of allowing his dogs to worry a sheep and a lamb.

Mark Ashe, 37, denies the offence which is said to have involved his lurcher-type dog and an Irish hound on land near his Whisgills home on June 18.

The charge, under the Dogs Protection of Livestock Act 1953, alleges that the lamb was killed.

A trial date has been set for Jedburgh Sheriff Court on January 24.

WOMAN, 60, PLEADS NOT GUILTY

Two days have been set aside for a trial involving a 60-year-old Hawick woman.

Marion McNaughton is accused of, on multiple occasions between August 2012 and August this year, in either her home street of Cheviot Road or on a bus between Hawick and Galashiels, engaged in a course of conduct towards two named women, causing them fear and alarm.

She is alleged to have shouted and swore, made offensive and abusive comments, played music at excessive volume, stared at them, photographed and filmed them, recorded their activities on CCTV equipment and behaved in an aggressive and intimidating manner.

McNaughton also pleads not guilty to breaching a court order on September 4 by approaching one of the women and calling her a slag.

The trial will take place on January 17 and 18.

EXTORTION BID TRIAL DATE

A 64-year-old man is set to face trial by jury at Selkirk Sheriff Court in the New Year on an attempted extortion allegation.

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

Munro, of Grosvenor Street, Edinburgh, denies attempting to extort money from his brother on various occasions in Selkirk between March 2014 and November 2014.

Trial has been set for January 23.

HOUSEBREAKING CHARGE

A Galashiels woman appeared in private at Selkirk Sheriff Court charged with theft by housebreaking.

Donna Marie Baxter, 43, of Talisman Avenue, made no plea or declaration, and her case was continued for further examination. She was granted bail.

The offence is alleged to have been committed in Galashiels in September.

REMANDED IN CUSTODY

A Kelso man has been remanded in custody after being accused of dangerous driving.

Kurt Muir, 31, pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared from custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

The offence is alleged to have taken place in various streets in Jedburgh last week.

A trial date has been fixed for January 10, with an intermediate hearing on December 28. A motion for bail was refused.

Muir admitted driving without insurance and a licence, and sentence was deferred until the outcome of the trial.

ACCUSED OF ASSAULT

A Hawick man has been accused of assaulting his partner in a local pub.

Ricky Lee, 38, of Beaconsfield Terrace, denies throwing the contents of a pint glass over her in Coopers Bar on October 18.

The trial will take place at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on January 12.

A 58-year-old man was found dead in Langlee, Galashiels, early this morning, following an extensive search which took in the woods on Langlee hill and the riverside at Galafoot.

The man, who has not yet been named, was found nearby the railway bridge at Winston Road.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Police in the Scottish Borders carried out search activity in the Winston Road area of Galashiels on Wednesday, December 14, as part of inquiries to trace a 58-year-old missing man.

“Sadly, the man’s body was found near to the railway bridge at around 2.30am on Thursday, December 15.

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

“Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this time.”

Primary school pupils in the Borders will have the opportunity to participate in an opera based on Robert Burns’ iconic poem Tam O’ Shanter.

Scottish Opera’s annual Primary Schools Tour hits the road in January 2017 with The Tale o’ Tam O’ Shanter, a show created to reintroduce young people to the works of the celebrated Scottish poet.

Written especially for children in primaries 5, 6 and 7, the fast-paced adventure features original lyrics by Ross Stenhouse and music by Karen MacIver, who also wrote the music for Scottish Opera’s popular family show, The Little White Town of Never Weary (2016), and The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (2016), a specially composed piece for Scottish Opera’s youth company, Connect.

The show follows a farmer named Tam O’ Shanter as he makes his way home from Market Day with his faithful horse Meg. As the night grows darker, the rain falls and the wind shrieks through the branches of the trees, he finds himself outside the church where he discovers a coven of witches dancing. Fascinated, Tam stops to watch, but suddenly one of them spots him, and he and Meg must run for their lives.

Scottish Opera’s director of outreach and education, Jane Davidson said: “Our children’s operas make learning both enjoyable and challenging, giving pupils the opportunity to participate in a high-quality, day-long music theatre workshop that ends with a performance for parents and guests.

“Originally commissioned in 2002, this vibrant interpretation of Burns’ iconic poem enables a new generation to explore the culture, identity and language that remain key to the enduring appeal of Scotland’s most famous poet.”

The tour will be at Coldstream Primary School on March 13, Halyrude Primary School, Peebles on March 15 and Burnfoot Primary School, Hawick on March 15. For more information visit www.scottishopera.org.uk

The Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) is warning shoppers to be on high alert following a spate of fake supermarket vouchers appearing on social media.

It follows a series of posts by Aldi earlier this week alerting shoppers to the scam, which offers £85 gift vouchers in return for personal details.

A similar hoax voucher surfaced at the same time last year, suggesting scammers are using the run-up to Christmas as an opportunity to target susceptible individuals.

Mandy Haeburn-Little, CEO of the SBRC, is warning shoppers not to register otherwise they risk leaving themselves open to identity theft by handing over sensitive personal information to criminals.

She said: “The public needs to be on guard against vouchers appearing on their social media newsfeeds claiming to offer incredible savings.

“Criminals are constantly devising more complex and devious methods to unlawfully take your information and your savings – which is why fraudulent offers can often appear official, however if an offer looks too good to be true, it more than likely is.

“Be cautious when online, at a time when savings are so often stretched it is especially important that we don’t fall victim and instead take what measures we can to limit risk.”

There are four things to look out for to keep personal and financial information safe while browsing online:-

·‘https://’ at the start of the address bar or a padlock icon. The ‘S’ indicates that it is a secure server and that information will be safe. Facebook uses this.

·‘Green Address Bar’ - another indicator that some secure websites use is to turn the address bar green.

·Users should also check the page that is sharing any vouchers to find out if it looks genuine. If it is not posting other content from that supermarket or business, such as Christmas recipes or discounts, then it may not be.

·Look out for the blue tick - Facebook and Twitter have a blue tick scheme for verified accounts.

Experts also warn never to use the same password for social media as you do for online banking. Social media passwords are more open to manipulation and could lead to criminals gaining access to other private information held by users.

About 400 people turned out on Sunday to see Innerleithen’s 30th Christmas lights switch-on.

Tweedvale Pipe Band got proceedings under way at the Innerleithen Civic Association-organised event, and members of St Ronan’s Silver Band accompanied the town’s amateur operatic society for a performance outside Scotlight.

The band later led the parade to the parish church for the lights switch-on.

Jean Wilson, chairwoman of the association, said: “This was the 30th year that this event has been running. Back when the Christmas lights started out, it was just a few lights put up along the street, and now it has built up into this big event. The day went very well, and the town really rallied round.

“The weather held out as it was a really nice day, unlike the last few years.

“Ours are probably the best lights in the Borders.”

St Ronan’s Hotel held performances into the evening by Unfinished Business, Sam Mundy and Spoonthrift and Friends.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Earlston following its festive lights procession and switch-on on Sunday.

Crowds gathered on Sunday, December 11, to watch the parade march from the east end along Main Street before reaching The Square.

The procession, now in it’s 16th year, kicked off at 5pm in the east end before the lights were switched-on at 5.45pm in The Square. Musical entertainment was provided by Jedburgh Silver Band.

Volunteers had been working hard over recent weeks to put up the lights which were provided by Earlston Christmas Lights Committee.

Harry Cummings, founding member of the Earlston Christmas Lights Committee said: “Earlston lights have now been running for 16 years and have become one of the best displays in the Borders.

“Our committee has been working since late October ensuring everything is ready for the switch-on.

“Our minister, Julie, gave her Christmas message and this was followed by the switch on with our mystery guest who, this year, was Mrs Agnes Penman, a stalwart of the community and a good friend to Earlston.”

A spokesperson for the lighting organisation commented: “As always the Earlston Christmas lights switch on Sunday night was a great family and happy occasion and that is down to the generosity and support of the businesses and community of Earlston”.

Ewan Thomson, lights coordinator, added: “The weather was at last kind to us this year and the community, as ever, showed wonderful support. We always welcome volunteers to help and remember that all the lights have to come back down in January!”

Robert Harvey has been a sportsman all his life, and is still performing archery, bowls and swimming at the age of 81.

Six years ago, however, as he was turning into his 61st lap of the pool at the Cardrona Hotel, his whole body stopped working.

He’d had a stroke and had to be pulled out of the pool and rushed to the Borders General Hospital at Melrose.

The stroke left him unable to walk, talk clearly or recognise people.

And to make matters worse, he began to lose the use of his right eye after losing his left when an earlier cataract operation went wrong.

Now registered blind, the former professional junior footballer at Manchester United still refused to take a back seat and worked his way back to fitness.

He has since also learned how to bake and regularly organises coffee mornings and bake sales. He has gone back to gardening and trained for and completed a 55-mile tandem ride in the Borders.

He said: “I’ve been active all my life, and if I can’t do something competitive, I would not be happy.”

A neighbour, Hilde Paxton nominated him for honours at awards held by the Stroke Association, and he won the adult courage category.

He said: “I was quite pleased to receive the award.

“It came as a complete surprise.”

Angela McLeod, of the stroke charity, said: “Robert has taken the positives in life to embrace a variety of new experiences and helping others in similar situations along the way.”

The “blight” of pay day lenders and betting operators on Scotland’s high streets will be tackled with stricter planning controls from now on.

The Scottish Parliament has passed new legislation following concerns raised in communities across the country regarding the negative impact such businesses have on town centres.

Anyone changing the use of a premises to a betting shop or providing pay day loan services is now likely to have to apply to their local council. Previously, some shops or services on the high street could easily be changed without any planning permission.

There are currently more than 1000 betting offices and pay day lending premises across Scotland.

Planning minister Kevin Stewart said the move is intended to tackle “a blight” on the country’s high streets and the exploitation of those who can least afford credit.

He added: “We have listened to communities and ultimately we want to avoid the negative impacts on town centre and shopping areas. Increased controls on lending businesses will help prevent more people being driven into poverty, and give planning authorities more control, ensuring that our town centres are attractive places for people to live, work and visit.”

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.”

Click here to visit crowdfunder page

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.

Bird keepers in Scotland have been reminded to keep their poultry and captive birds indoors after bird flu was confirmed at a farm in Lincolnshire.

More than 5,000 turkeys at the farm near Louth have been diagnosed with the H5N8 strain of avian flu.

Earlier this month, the Scottish Government declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone and put restrictions in place which will remain in force until January 6.

It was introduced in response to reports of the disease causing deaths among wild birds in Europe.

The Scottish government has urged Scottish keepers to be aware of the need for “excellent biosecurity”.

The restrictions in place mean that all bird keepers should keep their birds housed if possible or otherwise take steps to ensure they are separated from wild birds.

Fergus Ewing, Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary, for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, said: “I am aware of the case of Avian Influenza in Lincolnshire and we are working with Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to determine the cause and possible spread of the disease.

“The arrival of H5N8 in the UK highlights how essential it is that bird keepers comply with the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone, as well as maintaining excellent biosecurity on their premises.

“The Scottish government declared this zone as a precaution against disease, although we knew that there was always a risk of the virus arriving in the UK with migratory wild birds.”

Sheila Voas, Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer, added: “The fact that H5N8 has been detected in housed turkeys highlights the importance of biosecurity. We know that H5N8 is circulating in wild birds, and simply moving your birds indoors may not be enough to protect them if your biosecurity is not sufficient.

“Businesses should also review their contingency plans in case of an outbreak.”

Dr Jim McMenamin of Health Protection Scotland said: “Health Protection Scotland (HPS) has advised that the threat to public health from this strain of avian influenza H5N8 is very low.”

Wayne Gillam, a brickwork student at Borders College, has been cementing the foundations for his future career.

At the recent Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council (SBATC) awards ceremony at the Scottish Parliament, Wayne was awarded the runner-up prize in the Adult Apprentice of the Year category, receiving a trophy and prize of £200.

Wayne, from Hawick, is employed as an apprentice bricklayer with JMS Harkin of Jedburgh.

His lecturer Rob Borthwick said: “Wayne was a worthy recipient due to his application at college and in the workplace. He also won the Junior Entrant category at the National CITB SkillBuild competition held in May.”

Berwickshire Housing Association has come under fire from disgruntled Burnmouth residents who claim their newly fitted windows are not up to scratch.

Tennants have been left unable to open or close their new windows for almost an entire month while others have resorted to taping around them to keep out the draught.

Resident Ian Gillies, 54, who lives with his wife Sylvia in a two-bedroom upstairs maisonette on Upper Burnmouth, claims that a three-year-old could have done a better job of the window works. He says the windows were fitted swiftly in one day by Hawick-based construction company James Swinton and Co almost four weeks ago, but have caused nothing but problems since.

He explained: “They broke the plaster off when they were installing them, then the painters made a right mess afterwards. Only two of our windows have working vents on them, when you pull the final catch in you have to lift the wuindow to get it close and we can see the expanding foam from the inside. The cold air is blowing in all the time so we have the hearing turned up and it’s costing us a fortune.”

Mr Gillies, a BHA tenant for 12 years, also claims his neighbours have similar, if not worse, problems with their new windows resorting to taping around them to keep out the draught.

“Everybody is complaining about it,” he added. “We let them store the windows in our spare room ahead of them being fitted as it was postponed due to heavy rain. We haven’t been able to unpack our spare room since, because they will probably need back in to fix them. They did come back and did a bit of rendering work, but they never came and looked at the inside.”

However, BHA’s operations director Jean Gray claims those affected have been contacted directly. She explained: “Unfortunately, due to the size of certain windows within the Burnmouth properties, the factory fitted draught strips were not as effective as they should have been. We identified this early on in the contract and stopped the contractor from installing any further windows to properties until the manufacturer had come up with a solution.”

She says the contractor and manufacturer reached a solution following a site visit last month, with BHA approving this solution and giving the go ahead for works to start again from December 5.

She added: “The manufacturer will arrange to visit the properties with the underperforming draught strips to replace them and adjust the windows to compensate for this.”

Dancers from the Borders are celebrating the end of a triumphant year on the competition circuit, with success at a major championship last month.

Girls from the Galashiels-based Ward School of Irish Dance, returned from the European Irish Dance Championships held in London last month, where they brought home six top-10 places and two first-place European Champion titles.

Competitors Sinead McLaren, Jane Costello, Aimée Blair, Amelia Hockey, Molly Turnbull, Lauren Hume and Gemma Yoxall performed well, while Melody O’Brien,15, and Skye Crawford,16, were crowned European Champions in their grades.

Earlier competition success was celebrated in October when Aimée, Sinead, Ola Sobczak, Alekse Voroshilova, Cayla McArdle, Jenna McMillan, Rachel Brown and Erin Turnbull brought home 86 medals between them from the Yorkshire Rose championship.

Burgh Primary School pupil Aimée was crowned the 11 years and under Yorkshire Rose Trophy champion, while Jenna,from Galashiels Academy, won the 13 years and under Yorkshire Rose Reel championship. Away from the competition circuit, the girls recently performed alongside the cast of touring show Forty Shades of Green meets Country Roads at the Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh.

Dance instructor Joanne McGowan said: “The girls were all fantastic and received a great welcome and reception from the audience, cast and crew.

“The dancers are really brilliant and they all share such great experiences together, we are all very proud of everyone.”

The needs of Scottish schoolchildren who require additional educational support are being championed by a 12-year- old Jedburgh Grammar pupil.

Rory Brown, who has Tourette’s syndrome, has been nominated by Scottish Borders Council to represent the region on the Young Ambassadors for Inclusion Network which was set up last year by Education Scotland and the Scottish Government.

The initiative aims to ensure the views of young people who require additional support are heard by “all those involved in teaching and in planning inclusive services”.

One of eight ambassadors from across Scotland and the only one with the incurable neurological disorder, Rory gave his take on the ups and downs of school life for a Tourette’s sufferer at a special event organised by the network in Glasgow last week.

“Making the transition from primary to secondary school this summer proved difficult for Rory, but he has received a huge level of encouragement and support at Jedburgh Grammar,” said Rory’s mum Lisa.

“Dealing with someone with Tourette’s in a school setting is challenging for everyone, but it can have positive outcomes if the right support is put in place.”

In the spring Rory and the other ambassadors have been invited by the network to attend an event at which they will share their school experiences with a Scottish Government minister.

Before that, a BBC documentary charting Rory’s life, in and out of school, is due to be screened.

The film explores the blossoming relationship between Rory and his fellow sufferer and mentor John Davidson from Galashiels who has devoted most of his adult life to raising awareness of the condition.

Both share the most severe form of the condition – known as coprolalia – which manifests itself not only in involuntary movements or tics, but also in bursts of uncontrollable swearing.

The film, shot in Galashiels and Jedburgh, will be screened first on the online channel BBC3 at the end of February and will later be aired on BBC 1.

Scottish Borders Council, which has already spent over £520,000 on efforts to create a visitor centre for the Great Tapestry of Scotland, will today decide if it should be built in Galashiels at a cost of £6.7m.

It is two years since the council voted to allocate £3.5m in capital – repayable at £208,000 a year for 30 years – on a £6m permanent home for the 160-panel artwork at Tweedbank.

It was a decision informed by the “in principle” commitment of the Scottish Government, through its Borders Railway Blueprint Programme, to contribute the required balance of £2.5m.

But the business plan for Tweedbank failed to stack up with the Edinburgh mandarins and, in June this year, the Poundstretcher site in Galashiels, linked to the listed former Post Office building next door, emerged as an alternative location.

Earlier this month it was announced that the Scottish Government, having assessed the business plans for both sites, had agreed to back the Galashiels option.

At today’s full council meeting, a report by SBC’s corporate transformation director Rob Dickson will urge councillors to locate the new centre in Galashiels.

The project cost will be £6.7m, including £600,000 for site acquisition, compared to the £6m estimate for Tweedbank.

Councillors will be asked to confirm their £3.5m capital commitment, note the £2.5m from the Scottish Government and approve the submission of a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund and other funding sources not available to Tweedbank to bridge the funding shortfall of £700,000.

However, if these bids are unsuccessful, Mr Dickson avers: “The council will be required to underwrite any resultant funding shortfall.”

This, he suggests, would require the transfer of £345,000 already allocated to the Galashiels Inner Relief Road project and, as a last resort, the further borrowing of £355,000, repayable at £11,000 a year.

In terms of the revenue costs of the new centre and based on projected visitornumbers, the report estimates that, if the facility is managed by Live Borders, which runs the region’s sport, leisure and cultural services, it will record a deficit of £2,005 in its first year of operation.

But this will turn into surpluses of £23,755, £65,633, £59,027 and £56,160 over the next four years.

“This demonstrates the project has the potential to avoid any further financial burden to the council if the Live Borders operational model is implemented,” stated Mr Dickson.

However, he also notes that revenue costs are “best estimates” and he cautions:

“Failure to meet visitor related income targets or to manage costs within the parameters set out in the business case [for Galashiels] will result in an ongoing subsidy being required.”

One of the men jailed following a crash which claimed the life of a young Hawick rugby player in 2009, has been given the chance to get his driving licence back early.

Murray McAllan, from Bonchester Bridge, was jailed for four and a half years and banned from driving for 12 years in 2010, but on Monday successfully had his bid to get his driving license back early granted at the High Court in Edinburgh.

He, alongside, Sean Goodfellow from Hawick, both then 19, had pled guilty to causing the death of 17-year-old Richard Wilkinson on April 4, 2009, on the A698 Kelso to Jedburgh road near Heiton.

But on Monday, McAllan was granted an application which allows him to start the process of attempting to regain his licence again, by the same judge who imposed detention on him in 2010.

Kenneth Maciver QC told McAllan that he had had to pay a price following the offence and served a period in custody.

He said: “I take the view that having served about six and a half years of the disqualification period the public have been adequately and properly protected as a result of the original sentence.”

He said he would allow McAllan’s application which would entitle him to begin the process of regaining his licence after sitting an extended test.

Remembering the case very well, he added: “It was obviously a very significant and serious matter.

“A young man died. He died after a car chase, a very high speed car chase in which you played your part.

“As I recall you were in the first car in the chase and the young man died in the car which was following a high speed.

“I noted that it was rare for this court to have to sentence persons of such good character and that was a feature of the case, that you and the other young man had not displayed any anti-social behaviour nor had any convictions of any type when you came before me in 2010.”

Solicitor advocate Philip Templeton said that McAllan, a service engineer, had not committeed any further offences and was seen as reliable in his duties by his employer, but that his inability to drive did impact on his ability to carry out certain tasks.

Mr Wilkinson, who had been playing in a rugby sevens tournament, was the front seat passenger in a Peugeot GTI driven by Goodfellow. McAllan was driving a Mitsubishi Colt and overtook him and another car and Goodfellow responded by passing that vehicle.

Approaching a bend, McAllan braked heavily, but kept his car on the road, however, Goodfellow’s vehicle left the road.

Mr Maciver told the drivers at the time of sentencing: “To drive at speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour on such a road is complete folly.”

“To do so while engaging in a contest of speed, effectively a road race with another vehicle is indescribably stupid and dangerous,” he said.