A Jedburgh businessman has vowed to carry on despite being left furious after burglars targeted his premises for the fifth time in the space of six years this week.

Intruders forced their way into the Border Meringues cafe and kitchens off Edinburgh Road on Saturday evening, breaking down a door and stealing a three-figure sum of money from its till.

The break-in happened between 9.10pm and 9.20pm on Saturday when two men used the dark-coloured motor scooter they arrived on to ram through the back door of the industrial unit.

Once inside, the men searched the building before making off with the three-figure contents of its till.

And owners Geoffrey and Sharon Banks admitted to wondering “if it was worth all the hassle” after seeing the damage on Sunday morning.

Mr Banks said: “This is the fifth time we’ve been hit by thieves, and you do tend to feel that you are begin targeted, but I am sure that’s not the case.

“But they were determined to break into the premises this time. We have got very good CCTV footage of them loitering and running into the back door of the building.

Mr Banks also got the impression from their actions and dress that the raiders were not just passing opportunist thieves.

“I think, in my own heart, I am pretty certain that these lads knew the layout and they knew what they were going for.

“I personally think that they knew the layout of the bit at the back of the industrial estate. By the way they drove in, you could tell they knew where they were going.

“When you see them on the CCTV, they park up close to the hedge, wait in the yard, try the doors and go round the back. They obviously had time to think about it.”

The business, expanded since it moved into the industrial estate seven years ago, was first broken into in 2011, when petty cash was stolen.

A year later, another break-in took place, although nothing was taken, and further attempted break-ins followed in 2014 and 2015.

Last weekend’s incident has shocked the couple the most, however.

“On Sunday, I was extremely angry and a little bit shocked,” Mr Banks added.

“Their determination and the fact that they obviously planned it made it worse. It’s very gruelling.

“It has shocked and worried me a little, just how determined they were.

“It’s going to cost us between £800 and £1,000 to sort it out. On top of that, we will add to the number of camera we have and to the outside lighting, just because of the 3% of society who don’t give a care.”

Despite his anger, Mr Banks still had high praise for the people of Jedburgh and the support they have given him since the raid.

He said: “The back door had been wide open since around 9.20pm on Saturday night until we got there on the Sunday morning, so that goes to show the honesty of the rest of the people in Jedburgh.

“People who come in on a regular basis are very supportive and understanding, as much as you can be.

“You just have to pick yourself up and carry on, but I have to admit that on Sunday we wondered if it was worth all the hassle.

“After five or six incidents in seven years, it gets to you a little bit, but the alternative is the closure of another business and Jed losing out again.

“It’s not fair on the staff that we have here and the young people who work at the weekends to make their money the right and honest way.”

He added: “My wife put a post up on Facebook letting our customers know what had happened and that we would be closed, and by the time she look again online that night, it had reached 34,000 people and had over 100 shares. That’s the power of social media.

“You just hope that somebody out there has read that and knows the circumstances. Somebody must know who these boys are.”

Police say inquiries are ongoing and are appealing for anyone with information about the break-in to come forward.

Detective constable Elizabeth Miller, of Galashiels CID, said: “This break-in has resulted in the business having to temporarily close due to the damage caused and the loss of goods.

“We are eager to trace those responsible and ask that anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time, or who has seen anyone matching the descriptions of the suspects, to contact police immediately.”

Jedburgh councillor Jim Brown sympathised with the owners this week, saying: “I attended the scene as soon as I heard the bad news, having suffered the indignity of a break-in myself a few years ago my heart goes out to the owners, Geoff and Sharron.

“Running a small business is tough enough without finding themselves victim to this small section of society that will neither work nor want.

“I will be keeping in touch with our local police inspector to ensure this crime is solved quickly and hope the perpetrators are dealt with appropriately by the sheriff.”

The first suspect is described as of medium build, wearing a light-coloured motorbike helmet with a black strip, light-coloured jumper and trousers.

The second suspect is described as of medium build, wearing a dark-coloured motorbike helmet with a light-coloured strip, dark raincoat over a light coloured T-shirt, and light coloured trousers.

Witnesses are asked to call 101, quoting incident number 1,611 of October 1.

A former soldier found in possession of £7,000 worth of items which had been stolen from a neighbour’s house has been jailed for 12 months.

Thirty-nine-year-old Gary Clark pleaded guilty to a charge of reset following a break-in at the property in Bountrees, Jedburgh, on June 14.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told that the neighbour was a collector of jewellery and had gone on holiday – and during that time the house was entered.

The police were informed about the break-in and a work colleague suspected Clark might have been involved, and challenged him to return the items. Around £6,000 worth of the jewellery and electrical equipment, such as Ipads, were recovered.

Clark – who, the court was told, served with the Royal Scots in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now said to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder – was initially charged with theft by housebreaking, but pleaded guilty to the lesser crime of reset.

The court heard he had gone to Paisley to try and sell the jewellery, but had been unable to and returned to the Borders.

His solicitor, Mark Harrower, said: “Someone else broke in, but he should not have got involved in it.”

Sheriff Raymond McMenaman said: “The crime of reset facilitates those who steal property. The court has to take this seriously. The crime is aggravated by your record.”

He reduced the prison sentence from 16 months to a year due to Clark’s early guilty plea.

BUST-UP LED TO ASSAULT ON EX

A Kelso man who admitted assaulting his former partner during a bust-up has been warned he was very close to being sent to jail.

Robert Yule, 40, also pleaded guilty to a charge of making threatening remarks and causing a disturbance at her home in Inchmyre, Kelso, on the evening of Wednesday, September 6.

But a not-guilty plea to assaulting a man during the same incident was accepted by the Crown.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said Yule was already serving a community payback order for a previous domestic-related matter.

He explained Yule and the woman had been together for around 13 years, and had a daughter who witnessed the incident.

Mr Fraser said both had been drinking during the afternoon and Yule turned up at her home about 9pm.

He added: “He started shouting at her and was abusive. The daughter phoned a friend of her mother’s who came to the house and took the girl away. She could see the accused was in an argumentative state.”

Mr Fraser said that Yule then pushed his ex-partner onto a sofa, causing her to fall and strike her head, resulting in a bump.”

Defence lawyer Robert More said his client released the severity of his situation, but asked the sheriff to follow the recommendation in the background reports and impose an alternative to custody.

Sheriff Andrew Webster told Yule, of Inchmead Drive: “The fact that you have a previous offence for a similar matter means the prospect of custody is very real. You must realise how close you have come to a custodial sentence.”

He imposed a community payback order with two years supervision and 60 hours of unpaid work.

TAKEAWAY ATTACK TRIAL

A 44-year-old man accused of assaulting a Hawick takeaway customer will stand trial later this month at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Akif Maybasilgan, of Fraser Avenue, Hawick, denies punching a teenager in the face to his injury. He has lodged a special defence of self-defence.

The offence is alleged to have been committed in the Caspian Takeaway, Howegate, on June 28.

A trial date was set for October 31.

BRANDISHED HAMMER

A 48-year-old man brandished a hammer and threatened to kill his former neighbours during a disturbance in an Eyemouth street.

Nigel Burgess used the offensive weapon to smash the window of a property in Bennison Square on the afternoon of June 2.

He pleaded guilty to three offences at Jedburgh Sheriff Court – possession of an offensive weapon, threatening and abusive behaviour, and vandalism.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said: “He was shouting and swearing at them, and said: “I am going to kill yous.”

After being cautioned and charged by police, Burgess replied: “I don’t understand the charge. I am criminally insane.”

Defence lawyer Ross Dow pointed out his client had never been in trouble before.

Sheriff Andrew Webster told Burgess: “Your behaviour is concerning to the community at large. We cannot accept individuals running around with hammers in their hands, whatever the circumstances.

“That is simply intolerable.”

Sentence was deferred on Burgess, now living in Tweedholm Avenue, Walkerburn, for 12 months for good behaviour.

BANNED FROM RUGBY CLUB

A 43-year-old man has been banned from entering Kelso Rugby Club until the outcome of his trial.

Thomas Orr, of Oakfield Court, Kelso, is alleged to have struck a man on the head to his severe injury inside the premises on June 2.

A trial date has been set for November 2 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

DENIES ATTACK ON EX-PARTNER

Daniel Gold, 18, of Grovehill, Kelso, will stand trial on December 14 accused of assaulting his former partner by spitting at her.

He also pleaded not guilty to shouting and swearing, and making abusive remarks.

The offences are alleged to have been committed in The Square, Kelso, on September 23. An intermediate hearing will take place at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on November 13.

DENIES SBHA STAFF ABUSE

A Hawick man has been accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards Scottish Borders Housing Association staff.

Laurence Harvey, 53, of Silverbuthall Road, denies causing fear and alarm by shouting and swearing, and acting in an aggressive manner.

The offence is alleged to have taken place at the association’s premises in West Port, Hawick, on July 18.

A trial date has been set for Jedburgh Sheriff Court on December 12, with an intermediate hearing on November 13.

AIR WEAPON ALLEGATION

Jonathan Streets, 31, will stand trial next month on a charge of possessing an air weapon without a certificate.

He denies committing the offence at his Maxmill Park home in Kelso on May 18.

A trial date has been set for November 2 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

DRUG-DEALING CHARGE

A Nisbet man has been accused of producing cannabis and drug dealing.

Andrew Robson, 40, is charged with committing the offences at his East Nisbet Farm Cottages home on September 6.

The case was continued without plea at Jedburgh Sheriff Court until October 16.

ACCUSED OF ORDER BREACH

A Clovenfords man will stand trial on a charge of breaching a court order by repeatedly contacting his estranged partner.

David Mitchell, 25, is also accused of shouting and swearing, and making abusive and offensive comments towards her in a telephone call.

The offences are alleged to have been committed at his Leyden Grove home on September 27.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges at Jedburgh Sheriff Court and a trial date was fixed for January 18. An intermediate hearing is due on December 18.

KNUCKLEDUSTER ALLEGATION

Stuart Cramond, 38, of Orchard Park, Kelso, pleaded not guilty to being in possession of a knuckleduster at the town’s Pinnaclehill industrial estate on June 26.

A trial has been fixed for Jedburgh Sheriff Court on December 12 with an intermediate hearing on November 13.

CAUGHT TRYING DOOR HANDLES

A man caught on CCTV trying car door handles early in the morning at Heriot Watt University in Galashiels has been jailed for 50 days at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Scott Morrison, 30, pleaded guilty to being found in the curtilage of the university in circumstances which inferred he intended to commit theft on August 29 at around 6am.

When he was searched at Galashiels police station he was found to be in possession of heroin and diazepam.

Morrison – currently serving a prison sentence, but his last address was in Peebles – had not-guilty pleas to three other charges accepted by the Crown.

The jail term is to run consecutively after his current 100-day sentence.

WASTED POLICE TIME

A Hawick man has admitted wasting police time by falsely claiming he was severely injured by unknown males.

The offence happened at a house in Beaconsfield Terrace, Hawick, on January 24.

Ricky Lee, 38, of Boonraw Road, pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to making the false representation to a detective constable.

Sentence was deferred until October 30 for the production of background reports.

TRIAL FOR LAUDER TEEN

A Lauder teenager will stand trial later this month accused of assaulting a male to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Tom McKinlay, 18, of Scott Road, denies the offence which is said to have happened at Nenthorn House, near Kelso, on December 17.

The trial date is set for October 31 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

MAN SAW RED OVER FLIRTING

An accused punched another man on the head after an argument broke out over flirting with his girlfriend.

Thomas Rousseau, 32, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened at a property in Scott Street, Galashiels, last month. He had originally been charged with attempting to strike the 21-year-old victim with a bottle, but that was deleted from the charge.

Rousseau, who now lives near Haddington, was given a community payback order at Jedburgh Sheriff Court involving 32 hours of unpaid work.

PEEBLES MAN DAMAGED DOORS

A Peebles man who admitted acting in a threatening and abusive manner towards his partner has been ordered to carry out 160 hours’ unpaid work at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

James Scott, 34, was shouting and swearing and also damaged doors during the bust-up at a house in Kittlegairy Road, Peebles, on June 17. He also pleaded guilty to struggling violently with police officers at his Glensax Road home on the same day.

The community payback order also includes 12 months’ supervision.

Selkirk is set to be transported back to the old days of the shirra tomorrow as it celebrates the life and times of Walter Scott.

Born in 1771, Sir Walter, author of the classic novels the Heart of Midlothian and Rob Roy, became the sheriff-depute of Selkirkshire during the early 18th century.

Now, played by Selkirk actor John Nichol, the novelist and businessman will return to the Market Place courthouse to preside over cases once again.

Meanwhile, suitably-attired vendors will be selling their wares from the many market stalls along High Street.

Following on from the success of last year’s partnership with the traditional music festival, the Selkirk Sessions, tomorrow’s events will be running side by side.

To make that transformation happen, around 15 volunteers are expected to turn out at Market Place at 6pm tonight, though anyone else interested in helping out is encouraged to attend.

Viv Ross, of Scott’s Selkirk, told the Wee Paper: “We are all looking forward to welcoming you to a very happy family day.

“If you haven’t already got your costume these will be on hire at our Market Place shop, where you can get information on all the events throughout the day.”

She added: “The long-awaited streetscape project is currently under way in the town centre, and our thanks must go to Scottish Borders Council’s David Johnstone and contracts manager Rodney Pow for ensuring that there is safe, ample space for us to use the Market Place as normal.

“It’s exciting to think that next year when we set up for Scott’s Selkirk, it will be in our wonderful new events space.”

For now, Meg Dods’ Kitchen will be held at the Hermitage, courtesy of Allied Surveyors, with the main stage, stage one, just outside it on the High Street.

There, visitors can meet some of the of animals from the Scottish Borders Donkey Sanctuary at St Boswells and Billy Bowler, the performing goat from Les Amis d’Ono at lanton Mill Farm, near Jedburgh.

Alongside that will be a range of traditional childern’s games including splat the rat and a coconut shy.

Stage two will be located in the Market Place, where there will be various craft stalls.

This year will also see the town decorated along an autumn theme and will include entries from children at the town’s primary schools to a scarecrow competition which will line the way to St Joseph’s Church Hall.

Throughout the day, there will be musical performances by Gael Force, Carlen Jig, the Bogie Close Stompers and Riddell Fiddles, plus buskers and open mic sessions on both stages.

The day will come to a close at 4.30pm, but the Selkirk Sessions, which start tonight, will continue until Sunday, at venues across the town. That will include a grand busking event complete with prizes.

Guests are also invited to gather on Sunday at 2pm at the gates of Philiphaugh Community Centre for a walk along the newly completed Black Bob stell and cairn.

That will be led by shepherdess Viv Billingham and her border collie Quest.

This is the first stage of one of the Selkirk flood protection scheme’s art projects, the Spirit of Black Bob Trail, devised by the Black Bob Heritage Group.

Once the stell has been reached, a new tune titled Black Bob will be performed by the Bannerfield Buskers.

This will be the 17th year of the celebrations, which began as a winter festival held during the run up to Christmas.

However, its date was moved to the first weekend in October in 2015 after a lack of volunteers put it under threat.

Selkirk Common Riding’s booklet committee has raised £1,000, following another successful event this year.

Committee member Grant Kinghorn told the Wee Paper: “The committee is grateful to everyone who contributed content or advertised and the public who purchased the booklet.

“Work will be beginning soon on the 2018 production.”

A cheque was handed over to Selkirk provost Jake Wheelans, on behalf of the Selkirk Common Riding Trust, by Sheila Lockie, of the booklet committee.

Sheila said: “We were very lucky this year, with nearly 50 adverts being purchased.

“Bryan Hoggan was responsible for the advertising and Grant Kinghorn for arranging the articles in the brochure, and without the public buying them, it would not have been possible to raise so much money.”

The booklet was on sale during the summer celebrations at shops and businesses throughout the town including Colin Turnbull Shoe Repair, the Spar and the Selkirk Deli.

In July, huge crowds turned out in the town to watch as a 27-year-old partner in his family stonemason’s business, Kieran Riddell, cast the colours in Market Place as this year’s Selkirk Royal Burgh Standard Bearer.

South Scotland Conservative list MSP Michelle Ballantyne, also a councillor for Selkirkshire, believes that a bill to criminalise psychological domestic abuse should be taken forward wholeheartedly.

In its first hurdle at Holyrood, the domestic abuse (Scotland) bill was debated last Thursday, with MSPs unanimously supporting its general principles.

Mrs Ballantyne told MSPs during the Holyrood debate that the bill does bridge gaps in current law relating to the prosecution of psychological abuse and controlling behaviour.

However, she added: “As my Conservative colleagues have highlighted, we have some significant reservations about the drafting of the bill.

“We are highlighting those reservations not because we do not want the bill to proceed through its stages, or to be passed, but because we think that it is vital to ensure that anything that we put into statute is enforceable.”

She added: “One of the things that we should look at is the provision of early intervention and prevention services for young people displaying any signs of problematic behaviour.”

She also raised concerns over wording within the bill which could lower the threshold of criminality through ambiguity and called for MSPs to ensure that it gives full protection to victims.

The bill will create a specific offence of abusive behaviour in relation to a partner or ex-partner including psychological abuse, covering controlling behaviour.

International Triathlon Union World Age Group Championships

Huge congratulations to our teacher, Mrs Fagan, principal teacher of the school’s pastoral team, on her success in the ITU World Age Group Championships held in Rotterdam last week. Mrs Fagan was 10th out of 79 women in her age group for the spring distance triathlon.

Councillors visit

Last month, S2 modern studies students were visited by Scottish Borders Council councillors Elaine Thornton-Nicol, a councillor for Selkirkshire, and Clair Ramage, a councillor for Hawick and Denholm.

As a class, we have been looking at who represents us and how we can get our opinions heard.

We all wrote letters to our councillors about changes that we wanted to take place in our local area.

We learnt a lot from them and found that planning permission applications are harder than we assumed, about all the different committees and the time-keeping of the councillors.

“I learnt that there are loads of different committees in the Scottish Borders,” said pupil Jessica Main.

Pupil Mikayla Stitt agreed, saying: “I enjoyed the visit because we got to learn that being a councillor is hard work”.

Maya Golden and Molly MacFarlane

Visit to Wasps studios

Senior students, S4 to S6, who are currently studying art and design were given the opportunity to visit the Wasps studios in Selkirk’s business area.

They were given a tour around the studios and heard all about life as an artist and were provided with valuable information on what steps are needed to be taken in order to kick-start a career in art and design.

The pupils also learned about the techniques and styles of art and ways to use them, as well as ways to experiment with different materials.

They met several artists who kindly showed them their work. All of the work was very different, and it was good to see a range of art work from city paintings, portraits and mosaic works of art.

It was really inspiring for us and some of us have taken inspiration from their work for our expressive units in art and design this year.

It was a great chance for us to see art outside of the classroom and we would really enjoy seeing more of these artists’ work in the future.

Demi Grahame and Dawn-June McGlasson

Selkirk artists are set to create something of a buzz this weekend as the town’s Wasps (Workshop and Artists’ Studio Provision Scotland) venue holds its annual open-door exhibition.

The St Mary’s Mill-based artists’ workspace will host a free exhibition for members of the public, showcasing a variety of artworks this Saturday and Sunday.

The family-friendly event will be open both days from 10am until 5pm and will include some live music performances, and home bakes will be on offer too.

Works will be displayed by 10 artists, using a variety of media types, including John Berry, Alex Hain, Fiona Millar and Mary Morrison.

The artists will deliver five-minute speeches on the hour, with Moy Mackay offering demonstrations of her signature felt-painting technique.

A former working textile mill, the space is a fitting location for Moy to exhibit.

She told the Wee Paper: “I, along with my fellow artists here at Wasps studios, really enjoy when our open studio weekend comes around.

“It generates a real buzz around the studio space where we all come together for a big, often much-needed clean-up.

“It’s actually one of the few times we get a chance to have a good look at each other’s work, which is always exciting and inspiring.

“Although we come together over lunch etc, we do all work away quietly in our own spaces the rest of the time, so it’s as interesting a time for us as well as for our visitors.

“The majority of the work I will be showing this year are the results from a recent working trip to Glenelg in the Scottish Highlands.

“As a landscape artist, the need to work in new environments is a must to introduce fresh new elements to my felted paintings.

“I shall be giving a short demonstration of part of the process of these paintings at 2.30 pm both days.”

Another artist on display is Joy Parker, who was shortlisted in the Selkirk flood protection scheme’s community art project with her piece titled Great Ettrick River Mosaic.

Joy added: “On show this weekend are a series of mosaics based on my life drawings done at Deryck Henley’s life drawing at the Haining.

“Also on show is Fry the friendly dragon made by local 13-year-old Justin Starkie with me over the summer.

“Fry is a mosaic dragon and it will go and live in Justin’s garden after the show.

“Wasps is a great place to work with lots of space and also the stimulation and encouragement from other artists working there.”

For more information on the weekend’s activities, visit www.selkirkwasps.com

A group of self-styled yarn-stormers have raised more than £3,070 for charity by holding an unannounced alfresco exhibition.

At the start of September, Selkirk’s townsfolk awoke to find colourful knitted decorations throughout the town’s High Street.

That surprise was the beginning of the Souter Stormers’ month-long Fully Woolly project, and it went on to be viewed by more than 1,000 people in the town and also in the villages of Ettrickbridge and Yarrowford.

There, works were on the themes of tea and cakes and rural scenes respectively.

Selkirk-based Fresh Start Borders and Kent-based social enterprise Knit Aid each received £1,345 of the money raised, and £380 was also donated to the town’s men’s shed group.

Kay Ross, convener of the knitting group, told the Wee Paper: “The members of Souter Stormers wish to thank all visitors who so generously gave, supported and enjoyed the exhibition – and who, most importantly, left the shop smiling.

“Cards showing highlights of the Souter Stormers’ efforts are available for sale in Scott’s Selkirk, and a calendar will be available shortly.

“Watch this space for the next surprise project, but for the meantime, the hard-working knitters and crocheters are resting their fingers and taking a well-earned break.”

Irene McFadzen, chairwoman of Fresh Start Borders, said: “We are obviously delighted to receive this wonderful donation. Not only have the Souter Stormers raised money for two very worthwhile charities, but they have cheered up the whole town with their project.

“We will use this donation to purchase household items to supplement our starter packs that go to people who are moving out of homelessness to a permanent tenancy.

“Most of those we help have few belongings, and to receive a pack of household goods gives them a chance to make a fresh start.”

This latest show also included a quiz for primary school pupils, and they were challenged to find woolly items displayed in the windows of shops and other businesses.

The winners of that quiz were Hannah Third and Ewan Packer.

Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP Christine Grahame has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of a nationwide ban on fracking.

The Borders was one of the local authority areas identified as potentially having significant shale oil and gas reserves or coal bed methane, so it could have been in line to be eyed up by developers had energy minister Paul Wheelhouse, a South Scotland list MSP for the Scottish National Party, not announced a ban this week.

The government previously announced a moratorium while it ran a public consultation and examined evidence relating to health and public safety concerns.

The consultation was the second largest ever run by the Holyrood government, receiving 60,535 valid responses, of which 99% were opposed to fracking.

Ms Grahame said: “People in the Borders and across Scotland had deep concerns about the development of fracking.

“The Scottish Government has now undertaken one of the most far reaching investigations into unconventional oil and gas of any government in the world.

“The judgement is now clear – we could not pursue fracking in confidence that it would not undermine public health or our climate change targets.”

“And, importantly, the public consent in the communities that would be affected simply isn’t there.

“I’m delighted that the Scottish Government is putting the interests of communities first and ensuring our environment is protected.”

Environmental groups have also welcomed the decision.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s head of campaigns, Mary Church, said: “This is a victory for the environment and for local communities fighting fracking.

“The Scottish Government’s decision to ban fracking will be warmly welcomed across the country and around the world.

“This is a huge win for the anti-fracking movement, particularly for those on the front line of this dirty industry here in Scotland, who have been working for a ban these last six years.

“Having put a moratorium in place more than two years ago, evaluated the evidence and consulted the people of Scotland, the Scottish Government has reached the right and sensible conclusion that the fracking industry must be banned to avoid potentially devastating impacts to people’s health, the climate and our natural environment.

“Over 60,000 people responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on fracking, the second largest number to engage in a consultation in the history of the devolved Parliament, with 99% calling for a ban. This shows the real strength of feeling against this dirty industry in Scotland.”

Elisabeth Whitebread, an energy campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said: “The Scottish Government ban on fracking is a huge win for thousands of people who have campaigned against fracking for six years.

“Unlike Westminster, Holyrood is listening to public opinion.

“We already have more gas than we can afford to burn, and as well as damaging the climate, fracking will cause local noise, air and light pollution.”

Sam Gardner, acting director of World Wildlife Fund Scotland, added: “It’s excellent news that the Scottish Government has listened to the thousands of people, campaigners, and politicians across the country who have been calling for a permanent ban to fracking.

“The climate science is clear. The vast majority of fossil fuel reserves need to be left in the ground. It’s fantastic Scottish ministers agree that we need to start placing them off limits.”

Announcing the ban, Mr Wheelhouse said: “The Scottish Government will not support the development of unconventional oil and gas in Scotland.

“Having taken account of the interests of the environment, our economy, public health and the overwhelming majority of public opinion, the decision I am announcing today means fracking cannot and will not take place in Scotland.

“We have undertaken one of the most far-reaching examinations of unconventional oil and gas ever carried out by any government anywhere.

“We have not taken the process or the decision lightly. At every stage we have created opportunities for discourse and debate.

“The views expressed through our consultation demonstrated that communities across Scotland, particularly in densely populated areas where developments could potentially take place, are not convinced there is a strong national economic argument when balanced against the risk and disruption they anticipate in areas such as transport, pollution and, crucially, their health and wellbeing.

“It is clear that people across Scotland remain firmly opposed to fracking – this government has listened and taken decisive action.

“Scotland’s chemicals industry has conveyed strong views on the potential impact of shale on the sector. I want to be clear that regardless of our position on unconventional oil and gas, our support for Scotland’s industrial base and manufacturing is unwavering.

“Manufacturing and the chemicals industry continue to play a crucial role in the Scottish economy.

“The Scottish Government understands that a supportive fiscal regime, affordable energy, access to the right skills and good infrastructure are all essential to future success. That is why this government will continue to support industry in a range of different ways in the months and years to come.”

Mental health is part of everyone’s day to day life, it affects all of us and we all need to talk about it – starting on World Mental Health Day.

See Me, the national programme to end mental health discrimination, has called on communities, workplaces, schools and care providers to lead the way in showing that we all have mental health and should all talk about it.

It has made the call around this year’s World Mental Health Day – which falls on Tuesday, October 10 – when people are being encouraged to speak more openly about mental health.

To make a real change See Me is also calling for people to join them in a movement to end mental health discrimination.

This could involve taking action, ranging from directly challenging someone they see discriminating, to supporting someone who is struggling due to a mental health problem.

Calum Irving, See Me director, said: “We all have mental health and it impacts on every aspect of our lives, including where we live, learn, work and receive care, but when we struggle with our mental health we often face stigma and discrimination.

“However we each have the power to make a positive difference in the lives of our families, friends and colleagues when they are affected by mental health problems.

“This World Mental Health Day we want people to join a social movement to end mental health stigma by taking action and pledging your support.”

Maureen Watt, the Scottish Government Minister for Mental Health, echoed the call, saying: “For all of us, positive attitudes to mental health can have a really helpful impact on the people around us.

“See Me has been vital in efforts over the last several years to promote improved attitudes to mental health and mental illness and, as we have said in our Mental Health Strategy, we will ensure its work continues and develops.”

You can find out more and join the movement at the See Me website

The gender gap in pay packets at Scottish Borders Council is narrowing, councillors have been told.

Following recent reports that the council has still to settle 46 historic equal pay claims, Kelso councillor Simon Mountford, the authority’s executive member for human resources, told last week’s full council meeting that the gap was 11.9% in April this year, down from 13% two years ago.

“We are committed to reducing this further,” said Mr Mountford. “I am sure the council has enshrined the principle of equal pay for equal work.”

Around 70% of the authority’s 4,600-strong workforce is female.

Mr Mountford explained that factors contributing to the disparity included a lack of flexible working opportunities disadvantaging women and what he described as “occupational segregation”.

“The council has a comprehensive flexible working policy which allows employees to request a range of flexible working practices,” he said.

“These applications are considered favourably, subject to service requirements.

“We are also addressing the issue of occupational segregation through mandatory equality and diversity training for all employees.

“I am pleased to report that 52.94% of the highest paid 2% and 45.14% of the highest paid 5% of employees are women.

“Both of these figures have seen a consistent increase over the last three years.”

Mr Mountford said the council had now made increased offers to settle 40 of its outstanding equal pay claims.

“The exceptions are six cases in which the particular circumstances of the claim mean it is inappropriate to make an offer,” he added.

Almost £5,000 has been raised for Borders rugby legend Doddie Weir’s motor neurone disease support appeal by a farm sale held at the weekend.

A sell-off of sheep and machinery held on Saturday by Harrison and Hetherington at Charles and Mary Symons’ Attonburn Farm, south of Yetholm, included the sale of a north country Cheviot gimmer in aid of the Doddie Weir 5 Trust.

An opening bid of £600 generated by offers on Facebook was the initial selling price, but purchaser Burns Haulage, of Morebattle, put the gimmer back up to be sold again.

That process was repeated several times until the gimmer was finally bought by Kelso’s Floors Farming, again for £600.

The total collected for the trust on the day from the gimmer auction, a bucket collection and the sale of a ticket for the following day’s Newcastle United v Liverpool football match donated by James Herdman, of Edlingham, near Alnwick, was £4,779, though money is still being collected.

Further funds will be raised at a testimonial dinner being held at Battersea Evolution in London on Monday, November 6, hosted by Gabby Logan and promising big-name comedians and rugby players past and present. Tickets cost from £295.

A dinner also in aid of the trust in February at Edinburgh’s Balmoral Hotel has already sold out.

Doddie, 47, of Stow, set up the trust earlier this year after revealing he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, an incurable degenerative condition.

“Since I made public my diagnosis, the response we have received from the rugby fraternity and the general public has been overwhelming,” said the former Melrose player, capped 61 times for Scotland.

For further details, go to www.doddieweir5trust.co.uk

Council chiefs are to revive a working group in a bid to solve the region’s parking problems.

However, Scottish Borders Council has stopped short of agreeing “to establish a cost-effective enforcement solution to act as a deterrent in towns blighted by anti-social on-street parking”.

That was the wording of a motion submitted to last week’s full council meeting by Galashiels councillor Andy Anderson on behalf of the authority’s Scottish national Party opposition group.

He wanted the commitment enshrined in Connected Borders 2017-22, the five-year vision document published by the new Conservative-independent administration at Newtown.

However, that call was rejected by 16 votes to 12, despite garnering support from two independents on the ruling coalition, fellow Galashiels councillor Harry Scott and Tweeddale East’s Robin Tatler.

Instead, council leader Shona Haslam, also a Tweeddale East councillor, announced that a working group of councillors and officers, set up in the summer of 2014 when traffic wardens were withdrawn from the region but no longer active, would be re-established “within the next three months”.

Mr Anderson claimed lack of enforcement had led to disregard for parking restrictions in Borders towns.

“This has led to an unwelcome proliferation of inconsiderate and illegal parking, where loading areas become clogged with long-term parked cars and waiting limits are ignored, resulting potentially in lost business for local traders,” said Mr Anderson.

“I believe a cost-effective enforcement solution would aid the regeneration of our towns.”

The council’s original working group was wound up in November last year after councillors voted 19-11 to reject its recommendation for the creation of a council-run decriminalised parking enforcement scheme.

Concluding that such a scheme, costing £220,000 to implement and £20,000 a year to run, was unrealistic, the council agreed that enforcement should be left to Police Scotland.

That decision came despite a £35,000 survey, commissioned by the council, identifying widespread flouting of parking restrictions, particularly by motorists in Galashiels, Kelso and Hawick.

At last week’s meeting, another Galashiels councillor, Sandy Aitchison, the authority’s executive member for neighbourhoods and localities, conceded the police had “real problems” in enforcing parking regulations.

He added: “We will look at any suggestions which come from the working group, but, at this stage, we should not commit ourselves to coming up with an enforcement solution.”

Outrage has been expressed by police and councillors after vandals set alight a wreath dedicated to Hawick’s war dead in the town’s Wilton Lodge Park.

The perpetrators of the act of desecration at the weekend are “beneath contempt”, said Watson McAteer, town provost and a councillor for Hawick and Hermitage.

Mr McAteer, an ex-police commander, called for a thorough investigation to ensure that the culprit or culprits are brought to justice.

That was a plea taken up by Inspector Carol Wood, of Hawick police station, who said: “We are continuing with our inquiries to trace those responsible for the disrespectful act of vandalism at the Wilton Park War Memorial and would urge anyone who saw anything suspicious between Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1 to contact us immediately.

“The local community can rest assured that appropriate resources are being utilised to trace those responsible and ensure they are brought to account for their actions.”

Hawick and Denholm councillor Clair Ramage added: “This wanton act of vandalism shows a total lack of respect and a disregard for those who made the ultimate sacrifice and their surviving family members.”

Fellow Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall believes this latest vandal attack is part of an alarming rise in anti-social behaviour in the town.

He said: “As a ward councillor, I am appalled to have learned of the recent act of vandalism at the Wilton Lodge Park war memorial.

“Wreaths have been burned that were laid in memory of the fallen at Gallipoli, and this is just a shocking act which will outrage the community.

“This latest act of vandalism within the town highlights how serious an issue we have within our community.

“Recently, our town has been subjected to several businesses being forcibly entered, including charity shops of all places. Vehicles have also been broken into, and now someone has stooped to an all-time low by targeting our cenotaph.

“Hawick is extremely precious about our war memorials and very proud indeed of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, so you can understand why our community is appalled and angered by this latest crime, and I appeal to anyone with information to come forward.

“Such information will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.”

Mr McAteer cited falling police numbers as a factor in the recent spate of crimes in the town.

The retired police commander added: “I suspect that the people of Hawick will be outraged by this.

“I believe there is a general feeling that the community is not receiving the level of policing they expect.

“It is important to emphasise that most I speak to don’t blame the officers on the street in Hawick, rather they point the finger at Police Scotland and the hierarchy who have allowed policing numbers to seriously decline in this area.

“Clearly, the incident at the war memorial is not necessarily something the police could prevent. However, I believe the community is looking for a thorough investigation that will result in the culprits being caught.

“What has happened this weekend has been a perfect disgrace, and an obviously small group of individuals who care nothing for our community should not be allowed to bring our town down.

“History and tradition play a strong role in just what makes Hawick, and desecrating a memorial to those Hawick men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice is beneath contempt.”

Typically, the act of wanton destruction brought out the best in townsfolk.

As news of the incident spread on Facebook and other social media forums, Teries arrived at the memorial to lay flowers to replace the wreath set alight.

And the town’s Sainsbury’s supermarket donated a new wreath to be laid at the scene.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a break-in at a Hawick business this week.

Thieves forced their way into the property, in High Street, through a rear window between 9.30pm on Tuesday and 8.50am on Wednesday.

They then entered the main restaurant area and stole a cash register containing a two-figure sum of money.

Inquiries are ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Detective constable Elizabeth Miller, of Galashiels CID, said: “The suspects have entered the property through a window that was open on a latch.

“Break-ins such as this put a huge amount of strain on business owners, and we are eager to trace those responsible.

“I would ask that all property owners are vigilant and maintain a high level of personal security, ensuring all doors and windows are closed and locked when the building is unoccupied and money is stored securely.”

The break-in is the latest in a series of similar offences at retail and other business outlets in the town centre over recent weeks.

Charity shops, including the recently-opened Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland one in High Street, were among those targeted.

Anyone with information on this week’s incident is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0729 of October 4, or make an anonymous report through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Hollywood legend Mel Gibson could be heading to Hawick if an audacious bid to stage the world premiere of a new blockbuster film in the town comes to fruition.

Gibson plays Denholm-born headteacher James Murray, one of the creators of the Oxford English Dictionary, in the forthcoming movie The Professor and the Madman.

The film, co-starring Sean Penn, is currently embroiled in a legal wrangle in the US threatening to delay its opening.

But Hawick councillors Stuart Marshall and Watson McAteer have written to the film’s producers to request that they consider the town as a location to stage its premiere.

Instead of London’s Leicester Square, often the scene of top movie premieres, they asked that, given the film’s local connection, they pick Mr Murray’s home town instead.

The elected members have received an acknowledgment of their request, and although they’ve been informed such an offer is “unlikely” to be taken up, they’ve been told that “other options may become available”.

Hawick and Hermitage councillor Mr McAteer said: “We have been in contact with the producers of The Professor and the Madman asking for a premiere in Hawick.

“At the moment, the legal wrangle has got in the way.

“There has been a response indicating that it would be unlikely that such a premiere could take place but that other options may become available.

“Whatever is ultimately decided, it would be a tremendous boost for the town if an internationally-renowned actor playing the part of a famous Hawick son was part of some acknowledgement at a local level.”

Hawick and Denholm councillor Mr Marshall added: “Earlier this year, both Watson McAteer and myself penned a letter to the director of the movie, inviting the cast to consider using our town to premiere or showcase what will, I’m sure, be a very interesting film.

“What a scoop for our town if it were possible for us to play host to such an array of stars, and I know that all of us in Hawick would certainly roll out the red carpet with great excitement.”

Murray was born in Denholm in 1837 and died in Oxfordshire in 1915 at the age of 78. He left the Borders in 1856 in search of milder weather and took charge of the dictionary project in 1879, overseeing it until his death.

The Hawick Grammar School teacher will be the second Scot to be played by US-born but Australian-raised Gibson, 61, following his portrayal of William Wallace in 1995’s Braveheart.

Staff and volunteers at a Borders school are celebrating after being recognised for their efforts to give youngsters a sporting chance.

Denholm Primary School has been given a prestigious national award for innovation and achievement in delivering physical education and extra-curricular sport.

It has been handed a Sportscotland silver school sport award for its commitment to engaging all pupils in sporting activity.

Funded by the National Lottery, the award is a nationwide initiative intended to encourage schools to continuously improve physical education and sport.

The award also encourages sporting links between schools and the communities around them.

Stewart Harris, chief executive of Sportscotland, said: “Congratulations to all the staff and pupils at Denholm Primary School.

“They should be extremely proud of this fantastic achievement.

“Not only have they put physical education and sport at the heart of their school and local community, but they have managed to do so in a way that encourages all pupils to engage in physical activity whilst having fun at the same time.

“Sportscotland is committed to building a world-class sporting system for everyone, and a crucial part of that is putting young people at the heart.

“Working with our partners in local authorities and governing bodies of sport, we are creating closer links between physical education, school sport and club sport, which benefits young people by providing more and better opportunities to take part in sport.” With more applications than ever before, there are currently 212 Sportscotland gold award schools, 336 silver ones and 84 given bronze.

Morag McCreadie, headteacher at Denholm Primary, said the award was an honour, adding: “Our staff work incredibly hard to deliver a variety of sports across the year and to all stages in the school. We believe that physical education, physical activity and sport are important factors in the school curriculum, and without our committed staff and volunteer coaches working alongside sports specialists, it would not be possible to achieve as we do.”

Total allowances of more than £80,000 were claimed last financial year by the four MSPs with offices in the Borders at that time, according to figures published by the Scottish Parliament.

At the top of the list is John Lamont, Conservative MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwick from 2007 until April this year, when he resigned that seat and went on to be elected as MP for Berwick, Roxburgh and Selkirk the following month.

In his last full year at Holyrood, Mr Lamont, based at an office in Hawick High Street, claimed total allowances of £34,217.

That was made up of 436 separate claims comprising 35 for stays in Edinburgh hotels, costing £4,111 altogether; 224 for travel, costing £6,845; 108 for office provision, worth £17,775; 37 for staff travel at £1,627; 14 for telecommunications at £1,337; and 16 for surgery advertising at £2,489.

Christine Grahame, Scottish National Party MSP for Midlothian South, Ettrick and Lauderdale since 2011 and based at an office in Bank Street in Galashiels, claimed total allowances of £19,249.

That consisted of 176 separate claims – 75 for travel at £972, 75 for office provision at £16,458, nine for staff travel at £220, 10 for telecommunications at £688 and three for surgery advertising at £813.

Paul Wheelhouse, a South Scotland list MSP for the SNP with an office in Hawick’s Sandbed, claimed allowances totalling £16,169.

The business, innovation and energy minister’s 96 claims comprised 30 for accommodation in Edinburgh at £5,933, 12 for travel at £375, 40 for office provision at £9,246 and 13 for telecommunications at £555.

Over the last five years, Mr Lamont claimed £168,844 in total, Ms Grahame £98,830 and Mr Wheelhouse £85,962.

The allowances paid to Rachael Hamilton, elected as a South Scotland list MSP for the Conservatives in May 2016 and then to the Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwick seat vacated by Mr Lamont a year later, only cover the 10 months to March 31, 2017.

During that period, Mrs Hamilton, now moving into an office of her own in Kelso after previously sharing with Mr Lamont, received £13,962 in allowances for 118 claims including 17, together worth £11,034, for Edinburgh hotels and other accommodation; 70, together costing £1,735, for travel; 13 for office costs for advertising, hall hire for surgeries, printing and photocopying at £761; and 12 for staff travel at £78.60.

Her list seat was taken over by Selkirkshire councillor Michelle Ballantyne in May.

The number of young people taking up modern apprenticeships in the Borders rose by 22% last financial year, the Scottish Parliament has been told.

That news was conveyed to Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP Rachael Hamilton by Jamie Hepburn, Scottish Government minister for training and employability.

In her Southern Reporter column last week, Mrs Hamilton, a Conservative, criticised the Scottish National Party government’s spending record on apprenticeships, claiming the less than 5% of spending devoted to its skills fund was “simply not enough”.

She also called on the Scottish Government to incentivise sectors of industry to offer more apprenticeships.

In a written parliamentary question, Mrs Hamilton wanted to know what action the Government is taking to increase the number of apprenticeships in the Borders.

Mr Hepburn told her there had been 472 modern apprenticeship starts in the Borders last year, up from 387 the year before, representing a rise of more than a fifth.

A further report by the national skills agency Skills Development Scotland revealed there had been 80 such starts in the first quarter of this financial year, compared to 65 in the corresponding quarter of last year, an increase of 23%.

The agency currently spends £2.58m a year on employment services in the Borders, including £1.59m on partnership projects.

These include the funding of training providers to work with local businesses taking on modern apprentices aged 16 to 24, offering them a sector-recognised qualification and on-the-job experience.

In his response to Mrs Hamilton, Mr Hepburn added: “The Borders regional group for Developing the Young Workforce has been working in partnership with Skills Development Scotland and Scottish Borders Council to promote apprenticeship opportunities, including at foundation, modern and graduate level, to employers, young people, parents and teachers.”

The Highland minister who married Madonna and Guy Ritchie and baptised their son Rocco will be the next Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Rev Susan Brown, minister of Dornoch Cathedral, will step into the 12-month role next May.

The 58-year-old says she is “deeply moved and honoured” to be chosen as the Church of Scotland’s ambassador for 2018-19.

Mrs Brown said: “Being Moderator will not be about what I can do, but about what God wants to do.

“I am conscious that it is both a great privilege and a great responsibility - one I can only undertake at God’s prompting.”

Rev Dr George Whyte, Principal Clerk of the Church of Scotland, welcomed Mrs Brown’s appointment.

He said: “I was delighted to hear of Susan’s nomination. She brings great personal qualities and a wide range of ministerial, community and family experience to the post. I look forward to working with her throughout the year.”

Mrs Brown brings 32 years of experience as a Highlands minister to the role. Her first parish as a fully-fledged minister was at Killearnan on the Black Isle.

She spent 13 years there before moving to Dornoch Cathedral.

Mrs Brown said: “Dornoch is a beautiful place to be and Dornoch people have a wonderful warmth and hospitality.

“When you’re in the far north you are much more likely to be at the heart of everything and that’s very important to me.

“In the Highlands you will find the church at the heart of the community and the community in the heart of the church.”

Until now Mrs Brown was probably best known as the minister who married Madonna and Guy Ritchie and baptised their son Rocco.

As minister in the beautiful and historic 13th century Dornoch Cathedral, she is asked to marry around 30-40 couples every year.

Mrs Brown will take up the role of Moderator 50 years after the first woman was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.

“I’m grateful to all those who paved the way for me and other women to follow a calling to ministry,” she said.

“In my mid-teens when I first felt God was asking me to serve him through parish ministry, I had never met or even heard of a minister who was a woman.

“My mother tried to discourage me at first, telling me I was too short to be a minister, (just under 5 feet) but today at 93, she is extremely proud.”

During Mrs Brown’s year as Moderator (2018-19) she will act as the Kirk’s ambassador, visiting four Church of Scotland presbyteries, preaching at special events and meeting faith leaders and dignitaries in Scotland and abroad.

She will also take part in the centenary commemorations for the First World War.

“In looking back on this milestone anniversary, we need to let the past remind us of the huge toll war exacts and we need to learn from the experience of those young men and women who paid a price beyond asking,” said Mrs Brown.

“The fact that 2018 has also been designated the Year of Young People provides a poignant reminder of the connection of the past, the present and the future.”