South Scotland Conservative list MSP Michelle Ballantyne has been told the Scottish Government is committed to increasing maximum penalties for wildlife offences during the current parliament.

In a written question to environment minister Roseanna Cunningham last week, the MSP cited the recent shooting on the River Tweed of a goosander, a protected species of wildfowl, upstream of the Chain Bridge at Gattonside.

Mrs Ballantyne wanted to know what action the Scottish Government is taking to tackle wildlife crime in the Borders.

Ms Cunningham told her: “The Scottish Government is taking forward a number of new measures to tackle wildlife crime throughout Scotland.

“These include working with Police Scotland to implement additional resources for the detection and investigation of wildlife crime and a commitment to increase the maximum penalties during the current parliament.”

The current maximum penalty for killing a protected species in Scotland is a £5,000 fine or six months’ imprisonment.

Work on the region’s first private-sector specialist residential unit for severe dementia sufferers is set to get under way in November despite its projected cost having gone up by a sixth.

When planning consent for the 18-bedroom development next to the Queen’s House care home in Kelso was granted in March, its estimated cost was put at £3m, but that has now increased by £500,000.

“It’s true the cost at the planning stage was £3m, but since the tenders for construction have come in, the building costs have risen to £3.5m,” explained Ray Jones, chairman of the Queen’s House’s trustees leading the project.

“To this, we have to add around £1m for the legal, surveying, architecture and ground costs, bringing our total outlay to £4.5m. Buildings of this sort are never cheap.

“The upshot is that the project is £500,000 short of its target, but this balance has been underwritten by a private donor to enable work to start.

“We are confident we will achieve the final amount before completion of the unit in November 2018.”

Mr Jones said six different construction companies had submitted tenders for the work, and it has already obtained building warrants.

“The trustees are close to selecting the successful tenderer, and it is hoped the contractor will commence the preparation and building work in November this year,” he said.

The new unit will be known as Murray House at the request of a major donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

It will be built on ground alongside Queen’s House in Angraflat Road and consist of 18 large bedrooms, two common rooms, a reception, laundry, kitchen, offices, quiet room and beauty room.

Queen’s House was built as a 26-bed care home in 2000 and later extended to offer 32 beds, offering residential, nursing and dementia care to residents of both sexes.

“The home has too many people on the waiting list, and there is an urgent need to build a specialist unit for severe dementia residents, especially as the number of Borderers aged over 75 is set to double over the next 20 years,” said Mr Jones.

He confirmed that Queen’s House will require 30 additional staff to run the dementia facility, in addition to the 60 currently employed at the care home.

An elderly driver is in critical condition in hospital after crashing his car while trying to park it.

The 74-year-old crashed his Suzuki Splash car into a parked Renault Twingo at low speed while parking up at around 10.45am yesterday, September 28, in Venlaw View, Peebles, possibly after taking ill.

He was taken to the Borders General Hospital in Melrose for treatment but remains in critical condition.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to get in touch.

Sergeant Gary Taylor, of Police Scotland’s Lothians and Borders road policing unit said: “We believe the driver of the Suzuki may have taken unwell behind the wheel, resulting in the collision.

“However, as part of our ongoing inquiries, we are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area and witnessed what happened.

“If you believe you have information that can assist with our investigation, please contact police immediately.”

Witnesses are asked to call the unit via 101 and quote incident 1078 of September 28.

Frustration is being voiced at delays holding up long-overdue repairs to a footbridge on the outskirts of Hawick.

Langlands Bridge, linking the A7 Edinburgh-Carlisle road with Wilton Lodge Park and marking a former burgh boundary, was built in 1894 and is now showing its age.

Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson has been calling since last year for funds to be made available to resurface it, claiming it poses a risk to pedestrians in its current condition.

He has received accounts from constituents of youngsters falling over on the bridge over the Teviot because of the poor condition of its surface.

However, because of financial restraints facing Scottish Borders Council, repairs to the bridge are not high on the authority’s list of priorities.

And it is feared that no resurfacing work on the structure will be possible until a full inspection has been completed to highlight the works needing to be carried out.

Mr Paterson is particularly angered at that stalemate given the council’s willingness to pay for repairs to another historic crossing in the Borders.

The council has agreed to contribute almost £1m towards the restoration of the Union Chain Bridge between Fishwick in Berwickshire and Horncliffe in Northumberland.

Back in August, its executive agreed to add an extra £450,000 to the £500,00 already allocated for repairs to the 1820 crossing, the oldest suspension bridge in the world still carrying traffic.

Mr Paterson said: “I have been pushing for work to be done on Langlands Bridge since last year, and I am astonished that officers haven’t even got back to us yet explaining why they haven’t made any progress on bringing this forward.

“Is there a possibility that, with some councillors voting for the money to be spent on the Union Chain Bridge, the money just isn’t there for other bridges?

“I am regularly being informed of children falling on that bridge because it is so unsafe, and now I am told that it is unlikely that the council will be able to put a roller across it.

“I think some serious questions have to be asked on this.”

A council spokesman said: “Our bridges and structures section has advised against any resurfacing work on the bridge until a full condition and structural inspection has been completed and highlighted works from this inspection are carried out.

“This is something beyond the resources of the bridges team at the moment, which is already way overstretched trying to deliver our own service for our own bridge stock.”

The poor state of Langlands Bridge, named after the family that lived for 500 years in the eponymous tower once to be seen where Hawick Museum now stands, has been worrying community leaders for years.

Back in May 2015, Hawick Community Council vice-chairman Cameron Knox called for action to upgrade it after describing it as shabby.

At the time, Frank Scott, the council’s estate manager, said the work to repair it was “not a five-minute job”, adding: “You could be talking in the region of £20,000 as it would need to be sandblasted before it is repainted and then it would need to be scaffolded.”

Earlier this year, Amey, now responsible for pavements in Langlands Road, close to the bridge, carried out repairs to damaged footpaths there after receiving funding from Transport Scotland but stopped short of the crossing.

Former staff and pupils at a Galashiels school are being offered two chances to help it celebrate its 50th anniversary next month.

An invitation has been issued to alumni of St Margaret’s RC Primary School, in Livingstone Place, to help it mark the occasion.

“We’d also love to hear from anyone connected with our school who may have photographs, special memories or anecdotes about their time here,” said principal teacher Nicola McLeod.

At 1.30pm on Tuesday, October 17 – exactly 50 years to the day since the school was officially opened – a commemorative mass, led by parish priest Father Kevin Murray, will be celebrated.

A collection of memorabilia will then be the focus of an open afternoon planned for Saturday, October 21.

“We’re extending an invitation to the mass and our open afternoon to anyone who wishes to come along to mark our anniversary,” said Nicola.

“There is a great sense of community spirit and belonging at St Margaret’s, and that is what we want to celebrate.”

The current school replaced one in Stirling Street that had served the Catholic community of Galashiels since 1879.

Notable alumni of St Margaret’s include Hibernian, Celtic and Scotland football legend John Collins and, more recently, former Manchester United recruit and Scottish under-17 internationalist Danny Galbraith.

St Margaret’s currently has 64 pupils on its roll and shares a headteacher with St Joseph’s RC Primary in Selkirk and St Margaret’s RC Primary in Hawick, Moira Robertson.

Hawick’s Burnfoot Post Office looks set for a move.

Plans are being drawn up to shift the post office from 5 Kenilworth Avenue 30 metres along the road to McColl’s Retail Group premises, currently a Co-operative Food store, at Nos 19 to 21.

It is also proposed to increase its opening hours to seven days a week, from 6am to 10pm daily, almost twice the 59 hours a week currently offered.

The Post Office is now inviting customers and other interested parties to give their views on the proposed move during a six-week public consultation.

The proposed move is part of major modernisation programme across the Post Office network designed to “make it easier for customers to do business, through longer opening hours and modern open plan environments”.

Post Office network area manager Kenny Lamont said: “We are making it easier for customers to get their cash, send and collect their mail and do their banking because we know how important these services are to local residents.

“We are confident that this vibrant new-style post office at the heart of the local community will meet customer needs. This modernisation is part of a major investment programme.”

The consultation will close on Wednesday, November 8.

Submissions can be made by Freepost YOUR COMMENTS to Post Office Ltd, via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk or via the customer helpline on 03457 22 33 44 or textphone 03457 22 33 55.

The Borders Railway has got the write stuff, according to the judges of a national competition.

The Edinburgh-Tweedbank track has landed another tourism award to add to its growing collection, this latest one having been handed out by the British Guild of Travel Writers.

The guild is regarded as the leading organisation for travel media professionals in the UK, so this plaudit is a welcome second birthday present for the £353m track, opened in September 2015.

The railway was nominated as last year’s best tourism project in the UK or Ireland by travel writer Vivien Devlin and came out on top at a ceremony at the Savoy Hotel in London.

That award was presented to ScotRail Alliance Borders Railway programme executive Lindley Kirkpatrick at the 30-mile line’s Tweedbank terminus by Vivien, of Edinburgh, and she said: “The vision, development and construction of the Borders Railway is an extraordinary achievement – the revival of a sustainable transport service connecting people and places.

“Most importantly, this is a vital, accessible tourism destination initiative for visitors to explore this area of the country.”

Lindley said: “We’re delighted the Borders Railway has picked this prestigious award.

“The Borders Railway has been huge success, opening up a wealth of opportunities for the area.

“We look forward to continuing our close work with the local communities, businesses and stakeholders to support the vision of making the Borders region a great place to live, work, study and visit.”

Mid Berwickshire councillor Mark Rowley, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for business and economic development, said: “It is great to hear the Borders Railway has received the title of best UK and Ireland tourism project 2016, thanks to Vivien Devlin’s excellent nomination.

“The railway has certainly made significant changes to tourism in the Borders, making it easier than ever to access the wide variety of attractions the area has to offer and helping to create jobs.

“The Scarborough Tourism Economic Activity Monitor tourism figures issued earlier this year highlight the major boost the Borders Railway has provided, with visitor spending 16% up in the first six months of 2016 compared to the first half of 2015 before the railway opened.”

Riddell Graham, director of partnerships at VisitScotland, said: “We are delighted that the Borders Railway has received this prestigious award.

“From breathtaking historic attractions to unique shops, accommodation and eateries, visitors have been hopping on board in their thousands to experience all that Edinburgh, Midlothian and the Scottish Borders have to offer.

“The railway has been a phenomenal success, and this award recognises the attention it has captured around the world.

“Scotland’s reputation as a quality destination relies on continued investment and innovation to ensure the current provision meets future demand, and the success of the Borders Railway shows just how important this is.”

Four Borders girls have proved they were worthy winners of an award to encourage youngsters to support charities by promptly handing over their £3,000 prize money to just such a worthy cause.

Galashiels Academy third-year pupils Kacey Edmison, Ines Guthrie, Ellie Glendinning and Emma Brus were this year’s winners of the top prize handed out as part of the school’s annual youth and philanthropy initiative, a scheme to raise awareness of social issues and local charities.

Kacey, Ines, Ellie and Emma chose to represent the Borders Additional Needs Group, known as Bang for short, a group set up in Galashiels to support families of children with additional, complex or rare conditions, and went further by giving it all of their winnings.

Tweeddale West councillor Kris Chapman, Scottish Borders Council’s learning disabilities champion, said: “Huge congratulations to Kacey, Ines, Ellie and Emma on being declared winners of the youth and philanthropy initiative award and being able to make such a generous donation to Bang.

“Every day across the Borders, this worthy charity makes such a difference to the lives of families coping with the challenges of caring for a child with a disability, and these funds will be a significant help to them in their work.”

Pauline Charles, a co-founder of Bang, added: “We were delighted that the girls chose our charity as part of the initiative earlier this year.

“As well as meeting with us, they visited parents to give them a real insight into the valued work we do.

“All the girls demonstrated a genuine interest in the impact of our charity and had completed a significant amount of research prior to the visits.

“They also showed an interest in the third sector and in the work that happens within our communities.

“It was lovely to see their hard work and genuine empathy rewarded.

“They are a credit to Galashiels Academy and their parents and an inspiration to their generation.

“The £3,000 is a tremendous contribution to our families and will provide social opportunities and autism- friendly events to many of our families within the region.”

Further information about Bang is available at www.bordersadditionalneeds.org

Work costing £280,000 has been carried out on almost 40 houses in Peebles hit by flooding during 2015’s Storm Frank to help protect them against future floods.

Properties in the town’s Tweed Green, Tweed Avenue and Walkershaugh were left badly damaged by the December 2015 storm, and many residents were forced to leave their homes for up to six months while repairs were carried out.

That prompted the Scottish Government to hand over £2.4m to Scottish Borders Council to deal with the aftermath of the floods, and £280,000 of that has now been spent on a property-level protection scheme in Peebles.

Some 37 homes affected by Storm Frank have been fitted with flood doors or barriers, self-closing airbricks, sump pumps and non-return valves.

The scheme is an interim measure as the council is currently undertaking research in Peebles, Innerleithen and Broughton as part of its Tweed flood risk management plan.

That study will assess flood risks and come up with options to protect properties against adverse weather events.

Selkirkshire councillor Gordon Edgar, the authority’s executive member for roads and infrastructure, said: “Storm Frank was a traumatic experience for many residents in the Tweed Green, Tweed Avenue and Walkershaugh area of Peebles, with the flooding some of the worst ever seen in the town.

“Huge damage was caused, but the property-level protection scheme will increase the resilience of these properties, allowing them to recover more quickly from future flood events.

“A resilient communities group was recently formed in Peebles, and we have provided similar equipment to the group’s volunteers, so if a flooding emergency occurs again, the community can work together and help each other out.

“In addition, the council currently offers subsidised flood protection products to help homeowners across the Borders to protect their properties. Visit www.scotborders.gov.uk/flooding for more information.”

Scottish Government environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham added: “Storm Frank caused devastation across the country, so I am pleased that Scottish Government funding will help properties in the Borders recover from the impact of these floods and make them better prepared for the future.

“The Scottish Government is committed to working with partners to reduce flood risk across Scotland and has committed £420m over the next 10 years to protect communities and businesses in many of our most flood-prone areas.

“We are also providing £140,000 a year to the Scottish Flood Forum, which works directly with communities and individuals at risk of flooding to raise awareness and help them take action to protect their property.

“I would urge people to prepare for flooding and sign up to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s Floodline service to get the latest flood information direct to their mobile phone.”

Lanton Mill’s Born in the Borders Brewery is lining up a £250,000 expansion set to create three jobs.

The business, founded in 2011, is installing a new bottling plant to enable it to keep pace with demand from supermarkets and other off-licences .

The new plant, imported from Italy, will be capable of processing 1,000 bottles of various sizes an hour, vastly increasing productivity at the brewery and visitor centre near Jedburgh.

It is expected to be up and running by Christmas.

The award-winning brewery uses barley grown in the fields surrounding it on the 1,800-acre Chesters Estate to produce beers such as Foxy Blonde, Game Bird, Holy Cow, Dark Horse, Flower of Scotland and Gold Dust.

At the moment, though, it has to send its beer south of the border to Cockermouth in Cumbria for bottling, flying in the face of its commitment to use local ingredients and services as much as it can, what it bills as a plough-to-pint ethos.

“Up until now, we’ve had to outsource our bottling, which always went against our aim of keeping everything in-house,” said owner John Henderson.

“The arrival of the new bottling line signals a step-change in our ambitions and lets us keep every part of the process in the Teviot Valley, where we are based.”

With new whisky distilleries in Hawick and Camptown on the way, the first of any size here for almost 180 years, and the smaller-scale Lilliard Gin distillery already based at the Lanton Mill site, the south of the region is set to become a production hub for the alcoholic drink industry, and that will yield sizeable dividends for the Borders, believes John.

“It’s no great surprise really,” he said.

“We’ve got the most incredible cereals and the most amazing water, and it was only a matter of time before people worked that out.

“The economic benefits to the region will only increase as these new businesses come on-stream, and that should be a huge boon to the area.”

His company, originally known as the Scottish Borders Brewery but renamed in 2015 following the success of the £500,000 Born in the Borders visitor centre it opened the year before, employs 30 staff across its various sites, also including outlets in Tweedbank railway station and Galashiels transport interchange, plus the Ancrum Cross Keys pub.

Five of those are responsible for its beer output of between 10,000 and 15,000 pints a week, but that is about to go up to eight, taking its total workforce to 33.

About a fifth of its beer production goes into bottles at the moment, but John is hoping to more than double that to meet demand from retailers at home and abroad and increase its £1m annual turnover.

“About 20% goes into bottles, but we are looking to increase capacity and change that mix to 50-50,” he said.

The company has won numerous accolades over the course of its seven-year history, the most recent being two medals at the Society of Independent Brewers’ Scottish Awards last month.

Those latest prizes were a bronze for its Rebel Yell in the class for small-pack standard bitters and pale ales and another for Gold Dust in the cask best bitters and pale ales category.

THE number of students on the Gaelic pupil roll at the Capital’s dedicated high school for the language is expected to treble over the next seven years, latest figures reveal.

A draft plan – published by the council for public consultation – shows the projected Gaelic pupil roll at James Gillespie’s High School is set to jump from the 88 in 2016-17 to 271 in 2023-24.

Members of the public have until December 15 to have their say on the future of Gaelic in the Capital as city leaders unveiled their vision in the second ‘Draft Gaelic Language Plan’.

The document outlines six strategic themes and commitments across home and early years, education, community, workplace, culture/arts/heritage and economy.

Since opening the primary school’s numbers have increased every year, with 299 pupils on the roll for 2016-17.

Expansion of the school’s capacity is included in the draft plans, while the option of a dedicated Gaelic secondary school to complement it is also being considered.

Lewis Ritchie, the council’s Gaelic champion, said the language was a “unique and essential feature of Scotland’s rich cultural tapestry”.

He said: “I am incredibly proud of the commitment that the council continues to demonstrate towards Gaelic language and culture.

“We have made great strides since our last Gaelic Language Plan delivering a new GME [Gaelic Medium Education] primary school and expanding Gaelic learning across our schools.

“We have also worked hard to foster a stronger relationship with the Gaelic community, indeed, without the tireless efforts of the Gaelic Language Plan co-production group this plan would not have been possible.

“However, the position of Gaelic and everything we have achieved so far remains extremely fragile – we must redouble our efforts and continue our commitment if we are to build on the success we have enjoyed.”

The council’s previous language plan resulted in the construction of new GME primary school Taobh na Pàirce, which opened in Bonnington in 2013 and feeds into James Gillespie’s.

Mary Campbell, education spokesperson for the Edinburgh Greens, said she welcomed the draft plan and urged residents to have their say.

She said: “As Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh has a long connection to Gaelic going back at least to the sixteenth century.

“It’s a vital part of our heritage, and should be nurtured and developed, through expanding Gaelic education, but also by making the language more visible in the council’s communications.

“I encourage everyone to respond to the council’s draft Gaelic plan to help identify how best to support Scotland’s language in Scotland’s capital city.”

florence.snead@jpress.co.uk

A heartless attack on Selkirk War Memorial which saw graffiti sprayed across the names of men who died during World War Two has been condemned as ‘sheer cowardice’.

That comment comes from South Scotland Conservative list MSP, who is also a Selkirkshire councillor, Michelle Ballantyne after vandals sprayed yellow paint across a plaque on the memorial last weekend.

The Ettrick Terrace memorial was designed by renowned Scottish Architect Sir Robert Lorimer and unveiled in 1922.

It originally listed all of the 1292 men who took part in the World War One but more than two decades later, the names of the men who fought in World War Two were added to the site.

Mrs Ballantyne told the Wee Paper: “The names on the war memorial are those of young men who died for their country, young men not much older than individual who thought it appropriate to spray paint over their names.

“An individual whose sheer cowardice is demonstrated by doing such a thing and not having the guts to take responsibility - I am tired of young people who have no respect for anything or anybody but feel they are entitled to rights.

“I challenge them to step forward and tell me why they think spray painting a war memorial is acceptable.

“I challenge their friends to identify them if they haven’t got the guts to come forward, if you think what you did is okay then step forward as the young men on that memorial did, fight your corner and tell me why.”

This outrage was echoed by the chairman of the Selkirk and Ettrick Forest branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, David Deacon.

He said: “This incident is unwelcome, disrespectful and I am sure distressing for the families of the men named on this memorial and of course the veterans of World War Two, of which Selkirk has a number.

“I would like the person or persons responsible to have the courage to come forward and face the consequences of their actions.

“As you may be aware the War Memorial belongs to Scottish Borders Council and they have been informed and will act accordingly.

“Social media has been quick to blame young people in Selkirk for this incident, which it may well be, however I would like to make it clear that this vandalism has been conducted by a minority whose actions are not welcome in Selkirk nor the rest of the Scottish Borders.

“We have some fine young adults in Selkirk who will take this town forward with enthusiasm and respect for the town’s property and traditions and they should not be tarred with the same brush as these mindless individuals.

He added: “Selkirk is a fantastic place to live and improving all the time.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed that they are investigating the crime.

They said: “The graffiti has since been removed and there is no lasting damage to the plaque.

“Anyone who can help identify those responsible is asked to come forward.”

Police in the Borders have detained two men in connection with thefts from vehicles in the Kelso area.

Various items of stolen property have been recovered and officers are keen to trace the owners.

The incident took place between 6am and 7.25am on Tuesday, September 26, in the Inch Road and Roxburgh Street areas of Kelso.

Officers attended to reports of two males trying car doors with a number of stolen goods found in their possession.

Constable Gillian Oliver, of Kelso Police Station, said: “We are keen to trace anyone who may be missing property or believes that someone has attempted to break-in to their vehicle.

“I would ask that the public are vigilant and ensure that their vehicles are securely locked at all times.

“Any local residents who heard or saw anything suspicious in the area at the time, or suspects someone may have entered your vehicle and is missing property, is asked to contact police.”

Those with information or anyone who needs to report a theft is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0469 of 26 September.

The first huntsmen to be convicted under Scotland’s fox-hunting laws in the 15 years they have been in force have abandoned plans to appeal.

Father and son John Clive Richardson, 67, and Johnny Riley, 24, became the first members of a mounted hunt to be successfully prosecuted under the 2002 Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act earlier this year.

The pair, both members of the Jed Forest Hunt, based at Abbotrule, near Bonchester Bridge, were secretly filmed by investigators from the League Against Cruel Sports.

Following eight days of evidence, sheriff Peter Paterson ruled that in two incidents Richardson and Riley were in breach of the act and found them guilty of deliberately hunting a fox with dogs.

Riley, who was in charge of the hunt, was fined £400 at Selkirk Sheriff Court in July, and Richardson, described as having a lesser role, was fined £250.

Lawyers for both men said afterwards they would be appealing against their convictions.

An appeal was lodged, but court officials confirmed it has now been withdrawn.

Most the evidence during the trial focused on a video showing 34 hounds from the Jed Forest Hunt chasing a fox into a hole on farm land at Townfoothill, near Jedburgh, on February 16 last year.

After a terrier man spent 40 minutes digging at the hole, the fox then bolted and was again pursued by the dogs before disappearing out of sight of the footage into a gulley.

The defence claimed a waiting gunman shot and injured the fox after it had been flushed from cover by the hounds, that being permitted in law.

Witnesses for the crown said they saw no gunman and heard no shots when the fox was being pursued, though.

Sheriff Paterson accepted the evidence of the defence that there were two gunmen in place.

However, in a landmark ruling, he found that in two respects, the huntsmen, of Abbotrule, were still guilty of illegal hunting while carrying out pest control.

Youngsters in Melrose were put through their paces by the town’s rugby stars this week as part of a week-long relaunch celebration at their nursery.

Gibson Park Little Learners, formerly known as Gibson Park Playgroup, invited Scotland Sevens Cap and Melrose rugby stalwart Graeme Dodds, and current Melrose prop, Nick Beavon, to host a mini rugby class on Monday morning to celebrate the group’s new name, uniforms and members.

Gemma Cargill, manager at Gibson Park Little Learners, said: “We want people to take the stigma out of the playgroup name. We are not a mother and toddler group, we are an early learning centre and we are putting lots of different opportunities the children’s way.

“We are passionate about making every day different and this rename hopes to enforce that.”

Based at the Melrose Parish Church hall, Little Learners, run by Gemma and play leader Pauline Petrie, currently has 12 children, aged between two-and-a-half and five years, on the register with more set to start after the October and Christmas holidays.

“That’s what makes us different,” Gemma added. “Because we have smaller numbers, we can show the children more, We want to make every day different by giving the children real-life experiences such as going to the local shops on walkabout Wednesdays, having monthly day trips and taking part in the Forest Schools project which lets us take the children into Darnick Community Woods.

“It’s all about the kids for us so we wanted to make the relaunch just as exciting for the kids.”

Graeme, whose son Brodie attends Little Learners, added; “It’s great to be here and play some rugby with the children. They have been so enthusiastic, the atmosphere is great, and the fun that they have at Little Learners is very obvious.”

The relaunch week culminates with a meet and greet coffee morning, raising funds for IT equipment, this Saturday in the rugby club between 10am and 12pm.

Gibson Park Little Learners is now open for new enrolments, contact managergibsonparkplaygroup@gmail.com for full details.

Parents of two-five year olds are encouraged to join the fight against flu this winter, by ensuring their children get their flu vaccination.

GP practices across Scotland are providing the free nasal flu vaccine in a bid to ensure young children are protected. Primary school children will receive their vaccination at school.

By reducing transmission of the virus, particularly to at-risk groups like the elderly, the child flu vaccination programme is expected to eventually prevent an estimated additional 200 deaths per year, and 1,100 hospitalisations from flu.

Public Health Minister Aileen Campbell today joined four-year- old Lyle Findlay at his vaccination appointment at Govan Health Centre in Glasgow with mum Laura McCrone and Sarah Everett practice nurse.

She said: “We’re urging all parents across Scotland to join the fight against flu by getting their children vaccinated as early as possible this winter.

“The free nasal vaccine only takes a few minutes and can protect your child from flu for up to a year, so it really is the best defence against the virus which can be extremely infectious and serious. The nasal spray is painless, has an excellent safety record and it doesn’t cause flu.

“Even the healthiest of children can fall seriously ill from flu so it’s really important that they get their vaccine at their GP practice or at school. This will help prevent the spread of the virus to family, friends and others around them.”

Calls have been made for a greater police presence at drug hotspots across the town after Scottish Borders Council was called to remove 12 syringes from a close at Trinity Street.

Greg McLeod, a member of Hawick Community Council, told members that a Scottish Borders Council officer was called to collect 12 syringes from Trinity Street as well as some at two different addresses in the town.

Mr Mcleod also called for a greater communications link between Scottish Borders Council and the police.

He asked PC Stephen Gibson: “Is there a link up to the police so that officers can get down there to investigate who the drug users are and to go round all the doors in that area to say that the police are aware of what’s happened and explain to the people that you are going to be watching that area?”

He added: “I mean making people aware that this area is being watched and saying to them that if you see anything unusual then please report it to us.

“There needs to be something so that you are actually speaking to neighbours, neighbours who are maybe concerned or too scared to say anything.”

However, PC Gibson responded: “Littering is a council issue not a police issue.

“You can’t just go knocking on doors and start accusing people.”

A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson said: “Reports of needle finds that Scottish Borders Council is made aware of are highlighted to the Scottish Borders Safer Communities team situated at the council’s headquarters, which includes Police Scotland and Scottish Borders Council officers.

“The council has a policy on needle finds which our staff adhere to.”

They also said that there have been no increase in the number of syringes found in Hawick in the last year.

An appeal has been launched to raise £100,000 to replace the leaking roof of Jedburgh’s Royal British Legion Scotland club.

The 260-year-old building, in High Street, has been troubled by a leaking roof for over two years, causing damage to the building’s upstairs interior during bad weather.

And now the Jedburgh branch’s committee is calling on townsfolk to get behind a fundraising drive to cover the repair costs.

Branch chairman Shaun Carroll said: “The High Street side of the roof is leaking. All the slates need to come off, and the wood beneath needs sorting. It’s a big job.

“The roofing felt was taken off during weather damage in 2015, and although we got that repaired, the problems have been ongoing since then.”

The grade-II listed building, formerly Blackfriars Church, was built in 1757 and rebuilt in 1818.

The Royal British Legion took the building over from the Territorial Army in the early 1960s, later adding an upstairs floor and raising the ceiling.

The committee has begun applying for grant funding, and although the building falls outwith the priority zone for conservation area regeneration scheme funding announced this year, it is hopeful of securing a share of the cash on offer as part of that initiative.

“We are hopeful that we can secure a contribution from that of around £15,000,” Shaun added. “We’ll also be applying wherever we can for grant funding. We are hopeful but also need to actively fundraise ourselves.”

Its first fundraiser, a musical concert this Sunday, is promising to quite literally raise the roof.

Shaun said: “Two years ago, the band and corps of drums of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers from Lancashire performed a small concert for members and friends of Jedburgh Royal British Legion Scotland, but having heard our plight to fundraiser for a new roof, they are kindly helping by performing to a much bigger audience within the town hall.

“We are very grateful for their support, and it’s an honour to have them here again.”

The Jedburgh branch currently has 192 members and has long been the town’s hub for coffee mornings and functions, as well as more recently acting as a wedding venue.

“We really need the support of the town for this,” Shaun added. “We need new members and new blood to support the legion.”

Sunday’s concert, which also features performances from the town’s pipe band, is taking place at 2pm in the Town Hall. Tickets are £5 on the door.

One of the Borders’ oldest residents celebrated her 105th birthday this week, spending her milestone day in the company of family and friends.

Flora Allam, no stranger to royal congratulations since hitting her century in 2012, was treated to a celebratory tea party at Galashiels Nursing Home on Tuesday, complete with champagne and cake and a musical performance from Flora’s favourite singers, the Galashiels Golden Girls.

Born and brought up in Pollokshields, Glasgow, Flora married Dick, a professional photographer, and the couple moved to live near London for many years before returning to Glasgow.

It was in Glasgow that Flora saw out the Second World War working in a shop, while Dick served as a regimental sergeant major fighting at Dunkirk and later being held as a prisoner of war in Spandau Prison in Berlin.

When peace resumed, the couple were reunited, and Flora helped out in Dick’s photography studio.

After his death around 40 years ago, Flora moved in with her sister Ada Cowie in St Boswells, and the pair lived together as widows enjoying a quiet life in the village.

When Ada died 10 years ago, Flora remained in the village, living with her niece Sheila Lindores until last August, when she moved into the Kirk Brae nursing home.

And on Tuesday, the home’s conservatory resembled a flower shop as Flora received a steady stream of visitors, cards and gifts throughout the afternoon.

Among her visitors was the deputy lord-lieutenant of Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale, Anne Hogarth, of Galashiels, who presented Flora with her second card from Queen Elizabeth II and a telegram from UK Government Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke.

Mrs Hogarth said: “I have never met somebody who is 105 before.

“She is tremendous and looks remarkable. It certainly is a lovely occasion.”

Flora has lived through two world wars and witnessed countless historical events, huge advances in technology and dramatic changes across the world since she was born on October 3, 1912.

Still claiming to be 31 at heart, Flora said it had been “quite a day” and joked: “Somebody told me I was 105 earlier, so I never spoke to them again.”

Staff at the home suggested the secret to making 105 must be plenty of tea, adding that Flora never missed the tea trolley passing by.

Her surviving family includes her niece Sheila, one great-niece and great-nephew and a further three great-great-nephews and two great-great-nieces spread across Aberdeenshire and London.

A Borders soldier credited with potentially saving three colleagues’ lives is being awarded a Queen’s commendation for valuable service.

Corporal Kieran Haig, 25, of Galashiels, is a member of the Royal Highland Fusiliers, the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, known as 2 Scots for short.

The former Burgh Primary and Galashiels Academy pupil and piper with Galashiels Ex-Service Pipe Band is being recognised for “showing leadership above and beyond his rank” while serving in Afghanistan last year.

Kieran joined up at the age of 17 with the Royal Scots Borderers, alias 1 Scots, back in 2009.

Since then, he has seen service in Sierra Leone, Bosnia, Afghanistan twice and Northern Ireland.

Now based in Penicuik in Midlothian, Kieran is doing a two-year stint instructing at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

It was while serving with 1 Scots on a six-month deployment to Kabul last September that his resourcefulness gained him royal recognition.

“He was out on a normal, routine job, providing force protection to Nato trainers who were there training Afghan soldiers,” a British Army spokesperson explained.

“Everywhere they went was under the protection of 1 Scots.

“During an incident, he showed leadership above and beyond his rank. He stepped up to a position above his own, and he did it well, potentially saving three lives.”

Kieran’s routine day was turned upside down when a road traffic collision involving an Army vehicle left four of his colleagues injured.

“There was one casualty stuck in the wagon, and I had to free him from there,” Kieran explained. “I then had to prioritise who were the worst casualties and co-ordinate the casualty evacuation in the best manner possible.

“To be honest, it’s just in my nature to have that leadership and command, to get a bad situation and turn it into a good situation on a bad day.”

The Queen’s commendation for valuable service recognises meritorious actions during, or in support of, operations. Recipients are chosen by an independent rewards committee outwith the military.

Extremely proud to hear of his award, Kieran added: “There was talk about it after the situation, and I knew I was getting put forward for something. To be honoured with this is great.”

Equally delighted is his mum Emma Thomson, fiancee Kirsty Easson, both of Galashiels, and his brother Liam Haig who lives in Kelso.

They will be invited to see Kieran presented with his award, a small silver leaf to attach to his tour medal, by a member of the royal family or a senior officer in the near future.