Borderers wanting to improve their communities are being urged to bid for shares in a new £500,000 kitty.

The first phase of Scottish Borders Council’s new localities bid fund has now opened, with applications being sought for each of the region’s five localities, with the amounts allocated being based on population.

Berwickshire has been allotted £91,300, Cheviot £85,500, Eildon £153,600, Teviot and Liddesdale £78,000 and Tweeddale £91,400.

Once applications have been submitted, they will be reviewed by panels of councillors and council staff before going to public votes early next year.

The council set up the fund in response to the 2015 Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act, and applications are now open until Friday, December 1.

Selkirkshire councillor Gordon Edgar, chairman of the authority’s Eildon locality committee, the old area forum given the biggest budget, said: “We are wanting folk to come up with ideas, and it has to be community-based.

“We are looking for as many people as possible in our communities to send their ideas in to the council between now and December 1.

“Applications will be voted on by members of the public in the locality itself so they can have a real say on how that money is spent.”

Applicants must match their ideas to one of the themes in the council’s community plan, and they include economy and skills, children and young people and health and wellbeing.

Galashiels councillor Sandy Aitchison, also the council’s executive member for neighbourhoods and locality services, said: “We are urging people to come forward with ideas to improve community life in the Scottish Borders.

“This is an opportunity for them to have a real say on how money is spent in their area and what the priorities in their community should be.”

Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall, chairman of the Teviot and Liddesdale locality committee, says there has already been strong interest in the funding there.

He said: “I’m delighted that this fund is now open, and we are now seeking local people and groups to come forward with their ideas on improving our communities between now and the start of December.

“This new funding stream will give groups and individuals a real opportunity to support whatever projects that will make a difference to their communities.

“As chairman of the Teviot and Liddesdale locality committee, I know that there has already been great interest on accessing the £78,000 available, and I personally can’t wait to see this money spent on good causes.

“Projects can be as big or as small as they wish, and once approved by the assessment panel, it is then over to the public to have the final say by way of a voting procedure.

“I am also quite pleased that the application form is quite straightforward, and council officials will be on hand to give guidance and support through this particular process.”

The plans were approved for the council to create the fund at the start of the month.

Anyone aged 16 and over who lives, works, volunteers or studies in the Borders, as well as community groups, is eligible to apply.

To find out more visit www.scotborders.gov.uk/localitiesbidfund

Pressure is mounting for the English and Scottish governments to agree to have the Borders Railway extended into Cumbria.

It was agreed at the Campaign for Borders Rail’s 2017 annual meeting, held at the Heart of Hawick on Saturday, that calls for the extension of the Edinburgh-Tweedbank track to Carlisle should be kept up until they are heeded.

Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP Rachael Hamilton was among four panellists taking part in a question-and-answer session, along with ScotRail managing director Alex Hynes, Carlisle City Council leader Colin Glover and Hawick honorary provost Watson McAteer.

She said: “It was a real honour to be invited as a guest to the Campaign for Borders Rail’s AGM.

“It was a spirited and lively event, and we were all agreed that the Borders Railway must be extended to Hawick and then onto Carlisle.

“An extended rail line would play a crucial part in a creating an integrated transport network in the Borders. It will bring more visitors to the Borders and help grow our local economies.

“In the Scottish Borders, we’ve seen the Scottish Government drag out other rail projects with repeated studies and assessments. It’s now time it took action and agreed to extending the Borders Railway.

“This can be a real cross-border initiative that will benefit both sides of the border.

“It’s an exciting opportunity, and I think we should grab it with both hands.”

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont agreed, saying: “I have been lobbying the UK Government to take the next steps to facilitate the extension of the Borders Railway down to Carlisle.

“I am keen that the Borderlands growth deal includes some work on the costs and benefits of this investment. It is important that we get this right.

“Last week, I met the MP for Carlisle, John Stevenson, and he is very keen on a rail link between his constituency and the Borders.

“The extension of the Borders Railway will require co-operation between Scotland’s two governments, and I look forward to helping with that in any way I can.”

A unanimous vote by representatives of its 1,000-strong membership gave the campaign a mandate to continue pressing the case for extending the 30-mile Borders Railway through Hawick to Carlisle.

Mr McAteer said that a restored rail link would bring many benefits to the community in Hawick and provide a catalyst for economic growth.

Mr Glover reiterated the importance of improved communications between the Cumbrian city and the Borders.

Simon Walton was elected for a second stint as chair man of the campaign, and he said he believes the coming year will be a pivotal one for it.

He said that with a Scottish Government-backed transport study expected early in 2018, it is crucial that the campaign be ready with a response.

Its recommendations, he warned, are by no means assured to be positive towards further railway development.

Remaining focused, committed and confident would be the keys to seeing the campaign’s ultimate goal achieved, he added.

A former soldier was fined £300 at Selkirk Sheriff Court this week for directing homophobic abuse at a group of people leaving a Galashiels nightclub.

Paul Hobden, 34, of Gala Park Court, Galashiels, pleaded guilty to shouting and swearing and making homophobic comments in the town’s Overhaugh Street on September 24.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the incident started at around 2.30am as a group of people were leaving the club, and Hobden appeared to have deduced that they were all gay.

Hobden started shouting about how he hated gay people and that he had once been chatted up by a man of that persuasion.

He continued to be abusive, causing offence to the club-goers, and the police were eventually called.

Mr Fraser said Hobden continued to be offensive about gay people even after officers arrived.

Defence lawyer Mark Harrower said the argument could have started after comments were directed towards Hobden about the colour of his hair.

Mr Harrower added that the incident happened at a time when Hobden was at a low ebb.

The lawyer said Hobden had spent eight-and-a-half years in the British Army, including two tours of Iraq, and he also served in Bosnia.

He had only just moved to Galashiels for a fresh start when this incident occurred.

HAWICK OAP DENIES ASSAULT

A Hawick pensioner has been accused of assaulting a female social worker at the town’s secondary school.

Rose McHugh is charged with repeatedly striking the woman on the arm and throwing envelopes at her at Hawick High School on June 26.

The 68-year-old, of Ancrum Court, pleaded not guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

A trial date has been fixed for January 23, with an intermediate hearing on December 1.

MAN ‘A DANGER TO HIS PARTNER’

A man described as a danger to his most recent partner after he admitted his 11th domestic-related offence has been ordered to stay away from her for the next 10 months.

Keiran Davies, 21, pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour in Eyemouth last month, having made abusive comments and threatened to injure the woman.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told it was the third offence relating to the same victim, and background reports described Davies as a danger to her.

Davies’ lawyer, Mat Patrick, said his client has “significant shortcomings”.

In addition to a 10-month non-harassment order, Davies was given a four-month night-time curfew at a property in Kelso.

JED WOMEN ON THEFT CHARGE

A Jedburgh woman has been accused of stealing £450 worth of clothing from a shop.

Lisa Harper, 37, denies the offence, said to have happened at the David Thomson and Son shop in High Street on May 16.

A trial date has been set for January 23 for Harper, of Exchange Street, Jedburgh.

A warrant was granted for the arrest of Nicola Harper, 35, also of Exchange Street, after she failed to appear at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to answer a similar charge.

She is also alleged to have attempted to pervert the course of justice by giving police a false name and address.

MAN DENIES THEFT FROM HOTEL

A 31-year-old man has been accused of stealing five kegs of lager and various foodstuffs from a Kelso hotel.

Paul McLean, of Heiton, pleaded not guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to the theft, alleged to have been committed at the Ednam House Hotel on August 28. He also denied a second charge of struggling violently with police officers.

A trial date has been set for November 14, with a continued intermediate hearing due to take place on October 30.

Bail conditions include not entering the grounds of the Ednam House Hotel.

MAN STOLE BUS DRIVER’S TAKINGS

A Hawick man has been fined £225 for stealing a rucksack containing a bus driver’s takings in what was described at Jedburgh Sheriff Court as an “opportunistic theft”.

Dean Palmer, 44, of Earl Street, pleaded guilty to the offence, committed in Mart Street, Hawick.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley said the bus had broken down, and a number of people were outside the vehicle, when Palmer entered the cabin window and stole the rucksack, containing £32.15 in coins.

CCTV footage showed a man wearing the same clothing as Palmer enter the bus, and Ms Bradley said it was an “opportunistic theft”.

The rucksack was later recovered from a nearby wheelie bin, minus the coins.

When apprehended by police, Palmer told officers: “I suffer from schizophrenia. I hear voices, and they tell me to do stuff. I can’t remember what I did.”

Palmer, paid £250 a week in benefits, was also ordered to pay £32.15 to the bus company in compensation.

DRIVER SIX TIMES THE BOOZE LIMIT

A Peebleshire driver appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty to driving while six times the legal alcohol limit.

Graeme Haddon, 37, pleaded guilty to the offence, committed at his home at Lamancha, near West Linton, last weekend.

He recorded a breath-alcohol leading of 132 microgrammes – the limit being 22.

Haddon was fined £665 and banned from the road for two years.

MAN FINED OVER DISTURBANCE

A Hawick man involved in a town-centre disturbance has been fined £250 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Daniel Bouglas, 32, pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening and abusive behaviour.

He admitted striking a door, shouting and swearing, threatening to damage property and acting in an aggressive manner at a property in High Street on July 18.

However, Bouglas, of Cross Wynd, had his not-guilty plea to being concerned in the supply of cocaine in Laidlaw Terrace, Hawick, earlier that day accepted by the crown.

ASSAULT CASE DESERTED

Christopher Murray, 35, of Princes Street, Hawick, had his case deserted after originally being charged with assaulting his partner, Donna Baxter, by seizing her by the neck in Trinity Street, Hawick, on July 25.

He was also admonished at Jedburgh Sheriff Court after admitting breaching a bail condition by being in her company on August 8 when he was supposed to have no contact with her.

STRUGGLING ALLEGATION

A Hawick man has been accused of threatening or abusive behaviour by struggling violently with his wife.

Andrew Parr, 29, is also said to have thrown a shoe at her, poured beer over her and broken a mobile telephone.

That offence is alleged to have happened at a house in Borthwick Road, Hawick, on July 16.

Parr pleaded not guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, and a trial date was fixed for January 11, with an intermediate hearing on December 11.

MAN, 21, DENIES ABUSING HIS EX

A man will stand trial on a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour towards his ex-partner at Kelso Racecourse and Melrose Rugby Club.

Keiren Renton, 21, of Hawthorn Bank, Duns, denies shouting and swearing, and verbally abusing the woman.

The offence is alleged to have happened on various occasions between April 8 and May 28 at the two sporting venues and elsewhere in the Borders.

A trial date has been set for January 11 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, with an intermediate hearing on December 11.

TEENAGER HAD KNIFE ON HIM

A teenager has been ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for causing a disturbance and later being found in possession of a knife.

James Dawson, 18, of Ploughlands Farm Cottages, Crailing, pleaded guilty to threatening or abusive behaviour in Thornfield Avenue, Selkirk, during the early hours of January 8.

He was later found to be in possession of the offensive weapon in West Port, Selkirk.

The sentence, imposed at Selkirk Sheriff Court, was a direct alternative to custody, he was told.

TEEN DENIES SEXUAL ASSAULT

A Fountainhall teenager will stand trial on a charge of sexually assaulting a female in a static caravan on a farm.

Alasdair Saunders, 19, of Fleming Place, denies the offence, alleged to have happened on October 9 last year near Stow.

A trial date has been set for November 20 at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

OFFENDER OWNS UP TO DEALING

Background reports have been ordered on a Peebles man after he admitted drug-dealing.

Kevin Robertson, 29, was concerned in the supply of cannabis at his North Street home between August and October last year.

The court heard he was found to be in possession of around £450 worth of the class-B drug.

Sentence was deferred until November 20 at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

WOMAN DENIES POLICE STRUGGLE

Sarah Scott, 23, of Woodstock Avenue, Galashiels, will stand trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court on November 21 on a charge of struggling violently with police officers at the Borders General Hospital in Melrose on July 3.

£200 FINE FOR SHOPLIFTING

Stealing groceries worth £144 from Tesco in Galashiels cost Jonathan Streets a £200 fine at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

The 31-year-old, of Maxmill Park, Kelso, pleaded guilty to the offence, committed on April 7.

His co-accused – Shauna Young, 24, of the same address – was admonished after being of good behaviour during a period of deferred sentence.

MAN ORDERED TO STEER CLEAR OF EX

A Selkirk man has been given a two-year non-harassment order requiring him to stay away from a former partner.

Lee Dickson, 24, of Bannerfield Drive, admitted placing the female in a state of fear and alarm in Eyemouth on October 5.

TEEN DENIES STRUGGLE CHARGE

A Peebles teenager will stand trial on a charge of struggling violently with his father at a house in the town’s Ballantyne Street.

Glen Todd, 18, of Cuddysidem, denies the offence, said to have happened on August 30. He also pleaded not guilty to breaking a window at the property.

The trial is scheduled to take place at Selkirk Sheriff Court on November 9.

The teenager had his case continued without plea on a charge of stealing a bottle of wine at Sainsbury’s in Peebles on August 18.

Arrest warrant issued for teen

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a teenager who previously admitted assaulting his partner and then brandishing a knife at her and her friends the following day at a caravan park.

Aidan McCardle, 19, had pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to committing the offences at Angecroft caravan park in the Ettrick Valley over the course of a weekend in February.

The court heard that McCardle was with a group of friends who had hired out two lodges, but following a bust-up with the woman during which he pushed her against a wall, the partner and her friends moved into the other lodge, leaving McCardle on his own.

The following day, McCardle knocked on the door of the other lodge and was refused entry. He was seen brandishing a black-handled kitchen knife and was shouting and swearing and kicked the door, causing minor damage.

The partner and her friends were unable to call the police as there was no mobile phone reception in the area, but the incident was reported to a warden, who inspected the damage and called police.

McCardle, formerly of Dundee but now living in Gallowhill in Paisley, had sentence deferred until Monday for the production of background reports, including a psychiatric assessment, but following his non-appearance, an arrest warrant was issued.

BUS WINDOW ALLEGATION

A Hawick man has been accused of smashing the window of a X95 bus while he was on board by punching it.

James Jackson, 27, of Havelock Place, also pleaded not guilty to being in possession of a knife in Stirling Street, Galashiels, on February 3.

A trial date has been set for November 23 at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

GALA MAN FACES ASSAULT TRIAL

James Sutherland, 50, of Balmoral Road, Galashiels, denies assaulting a female by seizing her by the neck and repeatedly punching and kicking her and stamping on her body, causing her to have a seizure, on July 2 at his home address.

Trial has been set for November 21 at Selkirk Sheriff Court, with a further intermediate hearing on November 6.

PAIR CHARGED WITH DEALING

A Galashiels man and woman face trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court on a drug-dealing charge.

Tasha White, 25, of Torwoodlee Road, and Alan Bell, 32, of Glendinning Terrace, both deny being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

White is also charged with being in possession of diazepam in Torwoodlee Road.

Their trial date has been set for November 7.

MAN ON TRIAL IN NOVEMBER

Andrew Sneddon, 35, of Roxburgh Street, Galashiels, is accused of breaking a shop window at Macari’s cafe in the town’s High Street on May 23.

Trial has been set for November 21 at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

TEEN REFERRED TO HOSPITAL

A teenager has been referred to the Huntlyburn Ward at the Borders General Hospital for treatment after he admitted smashing windows at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Rene Miller, 19, of Bannerfield Drive, Selkirk, admitted three counts of smashing windows at the court between June and last week.

He also pleaded guilty to breaking a window at Melrose police station on July 14.

MAN FACES DRUG ASSESSMENT

A Galashiels man is to undergo a drug treatment and testing order assessment after pleading guilty to four charges.

Michael Dodds, of Hawthorn Road, admitted being found in houses in Langlee Road and Kingsknowe Gardens in Galashiels and Riverside Drive in Tweedbank earlier this month in circumstances where it could be reasonably inferred he intended to commit theft.

He also admitted stealing toiletries from Asda in Galashiels on October 5.

The case will recall at Selkirk Sheriff Court on December 5.

OAP PLEADS NOT GUILTY

A pensioner has been accused of three motoring offences.

Ray Haynes is accused of failing to co-operate with a breath test at Eildon Holiday Cottage, Dingleton Mains, Melrose, on August 27 and also failing to tell police who the driver of his vehicle was.

He also denies failing to give two specimens of breath at Galashiels police station.

The 65-year-old, of Betley Road, Reddish, Stockport, will stand trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court on November 21.

TRIAL DATE SET FOR PENSIONER

A Selkirk pensioner will face trial at the town’s sheriff court on three charges.

Nicholas Weeks, 65, of Newburgh Farm Estate, is accused of engaging in a course of conduct likely to cause fear and alarm towards his wife by texting her repeatedly and threatening to have her visa removed and benefits stopped.

He also denies threatening or abusive behaviour towards her and assaulting a young child.

The alleged offences date back to January and February 2016.

Trial is scheduled for November 23.

TEEN ACCUSED OF DAMAGE

David Bradley, 19, of no fixed abode, will stand trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court next month on charges of breaking a laminated door panel at the Borders General Hospital’s accident-and-emergency department and breaching the peace by butting a wall.

MAN FAILED TO APPEAR AT COURT

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Peter Sell, 23, of Buccleuch Street, Glasgow.

He failed to show at Selkirk Sheriff Court to answer charges of being in possession of class-A drugs cocaine and ecstasy at Nutwood, East Port, Melrose, on April 8.

Galashiels jobcentre is to stay put for at least another year, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed.

In a written response to a Parliamentary question from Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont, employment minister Damian Hinds confirmed that the department is still considering options for relocation but that staff and services will remain at New Reiver House, behind High Street, at least until this time next year.

Jobcentre bosses are looking to relocate, but Scottish Borders Council rejected a proposed move to the former Internacionale store in Douglas Bridge, despite it having been unoccupied for the past three years, arguing that the site should be retained for retail use.

The department has lodged an appeal against that decision.

Mr Hinds said: “We announced on July 5 that this jobcentre’s staff and services were to relocate to a new DWP office. This plan has now changed.

“We are still progressing the options to locate a new office, so our staff and services will be staying in the current location for a period of at least 12 months whilst we conclude this activity.”Mr Lamont has welcomed the news that the jobcentre is going nowhere for now and is calling on its bosses, the Scottish Government and the council to work together to secure the long-term future of the service in Galashiels.

He said: “Planning decisions are a matter for local councillors, who have their own valid reasons for blocking the move from New Reiver House.

“This news provides some welcome certainty to job centre users and staff. The DWP is sincere in its desire for a more accessible, more modern jobcentre for Galashiels.

“Over the coming months, I would urge the Scottish Government and Scottish Borders Council to work with the Department for Work and Pensions to find a solution satisfactory for all.

“Considering the amount of empty space in Galashiels, this is surely achievable.”

Galashiels councillor Euan Jardine added: “I am happy to hear that the DWP are remaining in their current building for at least 12 months.

“I hope that this will also encourage the DWP to work alongside the council to formulate a new approach in their quest to find suitable accommodation, one which will ensure the needs of the DWP are met while also factoring in the progressive and positive regeneration of Galashiels over the next few years.”

A video clip of a Hawick pub customer dropping and smashing his glass while making a bungled attempt to down a pint in one has become an internet sensation.

More than eight million people worldwide have tuned in to watch the booze-fuelled mishap, and more than 80,000 have left comments, most poking fun at his misfortune.

A regular at the Waverley Bar, identified as Colin Gallagher, was filmed by a pal on a mobile telephone while trying to finish off his pint in one go.

Unfortunately, his effort goes awry when the glass slips from his grasp, in the process pouring the contents over his face as it arcs into the air, then smashes on the floor.

For the next minute, he struggles to dry his eyes as hilarity breaks out all around the bar and staff go about clearing up the debris.

The video was uploaded to the popular LadBible social media site, which pays out £100 for every comic clip used, and, as of yesterday, it had notched up more than eight million views.

A spokesperson for the High Street bar said: “I wasn’t in the bar at the time, but it’s been a big talking point ever since among the customers.

“It seems to have put the pub on the map.”

The clip has prompted hundreds of reactions on social media sites, with many saying they’d watched Colin’s misadventure several times in a row.

Francine Mohan said: “It’s a step-by-step guide on how not to drink a pint.”

Maxine Davis responded: “I love the fact that the guy sitting next to him is oblivious to the fact that his mate is burning his eyes out and drowning in cheap lager.”

Andrew Crawford said: “I could literally watch this every day just to cheer myself up.”

Colin Irving added: “He had no control. His body literally overlooked his brain.”

To check the video clip out for yourself, go to www.facebook.com/LADbible/videos/3834030066644155

A long-established blacksmith’s business in Hawick has closed with the loss of nine jobs.

John Telfer, a blacksmith and metalwork company, carried out structural steelwork projects and provided metalwork, such as gates and railings, for homes and commercial buildings.

The announcement that the company, founded in 1872, is now in provisional liquidation has come as a surprise as expansion of its operations into the north of England was announced earlier this year.

At the time it was forging ahead with plans to move more into the construction sector after securing an invoice-factoring facility with the Bank of Scotland, with a company boss saying it offered a chance to “modernise and diversify the business during a period of turbulence in the steelwork industry”.

But it appears that despite having a bulging order book, cashflow problems have led to its closure.

No one at the company’s Mansfield Road base, its headquarters since 1991, was available for comment.

When William Telfer set up the business at the end of the 1800s, it was run from a small workshop in Crown Lane.

The firm continued through five generations from William to John Telfer, followed by another William and then the late Alan Telfer.

Speaking in March this year, its operations director, Gary Callachan, admitted the steelwork industry was “very turbulent”.

A recruitment day for staff needed at the new Aldi store about to open in Hawick is to be staged next week.

Building work on the £5m supermarket, in Commercial Road, is nearing completion, and it is expected to open early next year.

Now its bosses are on the lookout for staff, and a recuitment day has been organised for next Wednesday at Hawick Town Hall, from 10am to 5pm.

A spokesperson for the German-based chain said: “We are currently recruiting for a variety of roles at our Aldi store in Hawick.

“If you are looking for a fantastic salary, flexible contracts and the chance to be part of a close-knit team, come along to our recruitment event to meet our managers and find our more about the role. Don’t forget to bring your CV with full contact details.”

The majority of the external structural work at the former Wilton Mill site is now complete.

The store is one of eight new Aldi supermarkets being built in Scotland, bringing the total number nationwide up to 72.

The spokesperson added: “We are very excited about coming to Hawick. The Aldi brand is very popular with Borders customers already.

“There is no doubt that Aldi is growing in popularity across the UK, and Scotland is a significant success story in its own right.”

The new store will bring the number of supermarkets in Hawick up to four, alongside Morrisons, in Mart Street; Sainsbury’s, also in Commercial Road; and Lidl, at nearby Wilton Path.

A busy schedule of road-patching works is lined up for the A7 Edinburgh-Carlisle road over the coming weeks.

From this Sunday, October 29, to next Thursday, November 2, between 8pm and 6.30am, the A7 will be closed between Canonbie and Hawick. X95 buses will still be allowed through the works but they might face delays.

On the weekend of November 11 and 12, from 8am to 6pm, the A7 will be closed to allow works on both approaches to Skippers Bridge, south of Langholm, to be completed.

Border Buses will provide a shuttle bus from Langholm to Hawick and back again for the duration of the works.

A letter drop will be carried out before all works residents have been assured.

The closure of Meigle Printers in Tweedbank Industrial Estate last Friday has left its 15 staff looking for new jobs in the run-up to Christmas.

The Southern understands the company’s employees were asked to leave the premises after turning up for work as normal on October 20 as company boss Keith Johnston took the business into voluntary liquidation.

The company, which has printed leaflets, brochures and posters for local businesses and clubs for over 40 years, is now in the hands of administrators KPMG.

Meigle Printers managing director Mr Johnston and his wife Karen are listed as its sole directors.

Mr Johnston spoke this week of his “great sadness and regret” at the closure.

Scottish Borders Council convener and Leaderdale and Melrose councillor David Parker told the Southern: “I am extremely sorry to hear the sad news that this long-established and well-run Borders company has ceased trading.

“Meigle Printers was recognised Borders-wide and beyond for providing a very high quality of service, and the company worked hard to deliver first-class printing and graphics work.

“I know that Keith and the team took a great pride in their work and had an excellent relationship with many local clients, and there will be sadness in the Borders that the company has ceased trading.

“The print industry is one of the most challenging and difficult industries to be involved in now with the advent of electronic media and large-scale bulk printers.

“I have spoken with the economic development team at Scottish Borders Council, who will now liaise with the company to offer any support that the public sector can to try and find alternative employment for those affected by this announcement.”

Borders MP John Lamont said that he will be in touch with liquidator KPMG to ensure staff are being looked after as best they can.

He told us: “This is really disappointing news for the Borders and will be distressing for the 15 staff and their families, particularly in the run-up to Christmas.

“Details are still unclear, but I will be contacting the liquidators to check enough is being done to support the staff through this difficult time.”

It appears the company was still trying hard to stay open in the days leading up to the closure, with orders continuing to be taken.

The Southern also understands a new member of staff was taken on just three weeks before the closure.

One of the company’s customers, who wishes to remain anonymous, and is liaising with the liquidators for the return of their artwork said: “I have heard from other customers like myself that their original artwork was also taken in by the printers just days before it closed, and now they have no access to get it back.

“The staff only had 15 minutes’ notice to leave the printers, so they weren’t to know, but I’m sure the managing director would have known for much longer, and it was their choice not to tell staff or customers and carry on employing new staff, and taking orders right up until closure.”

A waiter was found to be in possession of cocaine while standing outside a Galashiels nightclub, a court heard.

Police spotted Karis Hislop acting suspiciously at a fire exit at the Indigo Rooms in the early hours of the morning.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told that when they approached the 19-year-old, he dropped a bag of white powder to the floor.

It was found to contain one gramme of cocaine, worth between £40 and £100.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client had been on a night out when he had been offered the class-A drug.

He stressed that Hislop had never taken it before.

Sheriff Peter Paterson imposed a fine of £200.

A man has been fined £200 at Selkirk Sheriff Court for assaulting a fellow bus passenger.

Grant Pindell, 38, of Allars Bank, Hawick, pleaded guilty to punching the man to his head to his injury on a bus at Galashiels transport interchange on Monday, May 1.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the victim was sitting on the bus when, without warning, he was punched in the face, leaving him with a cut lip.

He added that Pindell ran away after carrying out that assault.

When the police caught up with him, he said his assault was a stupid mistake and he should not have done it.

He explained that the man was said to have previously goaded his partner, and she had pointed him out on the bus, prompting him to hit out.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said it was a vigilante-type offence and his client now accepted that it had been wrong.

The lord-lieutenant of Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale, Richard Scott, the Duke of Buccleuch, presented Brian Evans with his British Empire Medal at Scottish Borders Council’s headquarters at Newtown last week.

Mr Evans received the award for his community, voluntary and local service, particularly for the work he has done for Citizens Advice, both locally and nationally in his role as treasurer, and the Roxburgh Landward Benevolent Trust, which he joined as treasurer and later became joint honorary secretary and treasurer of.

The Lord-Lieutenant said: “Mr Evans is a highly worthy recipient of the British Empire Medal.

“Not only has he achieved significant financial, legal and operational benefits for both the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Roxburgh Landward Benevolent Trust, his reputation as a calm, conscientious and determined professional has been hugely appreciated.

“His unstinting commitment to the roles he undertakes clearly goes above and beyond what might be expected of him, and the esteem in which he is held is transparently evident as are the results he has been able to achieve.

“I have no doubt that he is an equally-respected member of the St Boswells Parish and I congratulate him on his worthy achievement.”

The owner of a Galashiels-based printing company spoke this week of his “great sadness and regret” over the closure of his business, with 15 people losing their jobs.

Workers turned up as normal to Meigle Colour Printers in Tweedbank last Friday and were asked to leave as the company had been taken into voluntary administration.

Managing director and owner Keith Johnston told the Southern yesterday that it was one of the hardest things he had ever had to do, citing the “brutal” print market and a forced relocation last year for the difficult decision.

He said: “I have been a part of that company for more than 40 years, as apprentice, printer, and owner.

“Meigle Printers was a long-established company, and it has been going strong since the 1960s, but right now, the print market is absolutely brutal.

“The commercial side of it is seriously cut-throat, and I have really just had enough.

“I had to make the decision for me and my family.”

Mr Johnston added: “We moved the factory twice in the last few years.

“The first time it was fine, because it was to expand the business, but the last one last year was a forced move.

“When you have large printing machines such as ours, it becomes a very expensive thing to do, and so it proved in this case.

“I put my heart and soul into this company, and it is with great sadness and regret that we have had to close.”

● Reaction from local councillor and MP – page 5

It is 18 years since Selkirk race horse trainer Stuart Coltherd saddled his first National Hunt winner.

Those who know the 50-year-old won’t be surprised to learn the horse which brought Stuart that initial success back in 1999, Murder Moss, can still be found grazing contentedly in a field close by Coltherd Racing’s Clarilawmuir yard.

“He’s now 27-years-old,” says Stuart, “but is a real character and helps show the ropes to youngsters when they’re first brought into the yard.

“I bought him as a two-year-old at Doncaster for £700, expecting to sell him on after a couple of years or so.

“However, he turned out to be a real star, both on the point-to-point and National Hunt circuit, and it’s hard to imagine this place without him.”

Stuart took out a permit to train his own horses in 1999, and gained his full trainer’s licence five years later. He remembers that first victory with Murder Moss as if it was yesterday.

“I was 32 at the time, and as well as being Murder Moss’ trainer I was also his jockey. The win came at Hexham on May 1, 1999, in a race called the Heart of All England Maiden Hunters Steeplechase.

“There were 18 runners, and I was keen to make a fast start and stay out of trouble.

“Ex-Langholm Cornet Tommy Morrison and I set the pace for virtually the whole of the race, and Tommy’s horse jumped the last fence just in front.

“However, Murder Moss shifted up a gear and passed him on the run-in, and the exhilaration I felt going past the finishing post was unbelievable.”

After the race, Stuart was told by a Hexham official he could keep the winner’s trophy, but if he did then he would have £100 docked from his prize money.

“I had no hesitation in opting to hang on to the cup,” laughs Stuart. “It remains a special reminder of a brilliant day.”

Stuart recorded his 100th winner over fences when Ash Park won at Musselburgh in March, and the nine-year-old gelding will be one of three horses from the Coltherd Racing stable in action at Kelso’s Hallowe’en meeting this Saturday.

All three runners are likely to be piloted by Stuart’s 18-year-old son Sam, an up-and-coming conditional jockey who has recently joined Yorkshire trainer Sue Smith’s Craiglands Farm yard.

● Meanwhile, Coltherd Racing has just revealed the identity of its new yard sponsor – Terroir Wines.

The fledgling company has been launched by father and son George and Andrew Deans, of Lauder, who will be importing wines for the hospitality industry through the firm’s web site at www.terroirvines.com

Souter, and recent graduate of Stirling University, Alistair Penny, returned to Selkirk Rotary Club on Wednesday, October 18, to give a presentation on his latest adventure.

Alistair, who formerly took part in the Rotary Club of Selkirk’s Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) programme, when he worked for four months during the summer in Hohe Tauern Nation Park in the East Tyrol, Austria.

Alistair thanked Rotary for the earlier opportunity to attend the camp when he was a Selkirk pupil, saying: “I owe a lot to the Rotary as my participation in the RYLA programme highlighted what I can achieve and opened my eyes to sharing such experiences.

“Without that RYLA experience, I may not have even considered going to work for Collett’s Mountain Holidays in Austria for the summer and I would have missed out on so much.”

Ferdous Ahmed, president of Selkirk Rotary Club, said: “It is great to see that Rotary has had such an impact on this young man look forward to hearing more of his successes in the future.

“It was an excellent presentation, and we are very proud that Alistair wanted to share the adventure with our members, it made for a great evening.”

During his time in Austria, Alistair led walks with guests of all abilities and ages ranging from 30 to 80 years old.

He showed some amazing photography of his activities there when, in his free time, he took part in road cycling, mountain biking, ferrata climbing (using cables), and alpine mountaineering on three different mountains – Grossvenediger (3666m), Simonyspitze (3473m) and Grossglockner (3798m the highest mountain in Austria.

The Rotary Club of Selkirk supports the RYLA programme annually as part of its on-going programme world-wide to aid youth development.

Members of Hawick Congregational Church are feeling just grand after being given money earmarked to reduce health inequalities.

It is among 42 voluntary and community groups this week allocated funding by Community Food and Health Scotland (CFHS) to promote and deliver healthy eating initiatives.

CFHS, part of NHS Health Scotland, aims to ensure that everyone in Scotland has the opportunity, ability and confidence to access a healthy and acceptable diet.

Hawick Congregational Church, in Bourtree Place, has been awarded £1,000 for a scheme it runs encouraging people to try out different foods.

Bill Gray, lead officer at CFHS, said: “We know that health inequalities hold Scotland back.

“We also know that the people who live, work and play in a community are best placed to develop solutions that address them.

“That is why, alongside national actions to reduce health inequalities, we have funded community groups across Scotland to use the skills and knowledge of local people and work together to address barriers to accessing healthy food.”

Hard-up Teries have been seen raking through bins hunting for discarded takeaway food, it is claimed.

Hungry Hawick folk are said to been observed by residents of Howegate scouring bins there for leftovers of takeaways bought at the numerous fast-food outlets the street is home to.

The sightings have been brought to the attention of Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson by a concerned constituent.

Mr Paterson has speculated that, if true, the search for discarded food could be attributed to people struggling to make ends meet while waiting for universal credit payments to come through.

He said: “There are a lot of fast-food outlets in Howegate, and I have been informed by a constituent that there are people now having to take food out of the bins.

“I don’t know if this has anything to do with universal credit, but it is a sad state of affairs, whatever the reason behind it, if someone is having to do this to survive.

“I have been reading that there has been a climb-down by the Tory UK Government over universal credit, and not before time.

“We all realise that you shouldn’t be better off choosing not to work, but there are genuine people out there having to go to food banks to survive.

“I know we had it tough when we were growing up, but there wasn’t such a thing as a food bank.

“Surely in this day and age, no one should have to rake through a bin for food.”

The new universal credit benefit is currently being rolled out across the country, but there has been criticism that it can take as long as six weeks for payments to come through.

The UK Government is said to be looking at reducing the wait for payment to one month.

A spokeswoman said ministers are “determined to ensure that people joining the universal credit system don’t face hardship”, adding: “We have improved the advanced payment system.”

THe changes announced to the rollout of universal credit have been welcomed by Borders MP John Lamont.

Those changes include the introduction of a free helpline number and new guidance to ensure Department for Work and Pensions staff offer up-front advance payments to anyone needing them.

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP Mr Lamont said: “There has clearly been concern around the rollout of universal credit, and the steps announced by the UK Government are sensible.

“Anyone who is waiting for money under can receive help. Advance payments are available and paid within days, and if someone is in immediate need, payments can be fast-tracked to be received on the same day.

“These changes will mean greater support for anyone struggling as a result of the move to universal credit.

“Fewer than 10% of claimants have been moved over to the new system, and it is right that we are taking time to make this significant change.

“However, it’s important to remember that the policy aims behind universal credit have cross-party and third-sector support. That’s because universal credit will simplify six benefits with different eligibility and withdrawal criteria into one.

“It will also make work pay for people on lower incomes because their benefits are gradually reduced so that claimants will no longer lose all their support once in work.

“The latest data is clear that claimants receiving universal credit move into work quicker and in greater numbers than those on jobseeker’s allowance.”

Hawick has been announced as host of the 24th annual Borders Walking Festival.

Having last hosted the festival back in 2011, organisers are now calling on the town’s businesses to sponsor next year’s event.

The event will take place during the first week of September 2018, and three main routes are currently being established, all with varied distances and gradings, led by organiser French Wight.

Drew Dickson, of the Hawick Walking Festival Group, will lead routes closer to the town, such as in Wilton Lodge Park, around Williestruther Loch and at Martin’s Bridge.

The group is now working towards providing night-time entertainment throughout that week, with a welcome reception to be held on the Sunday.

Group chairwoman Marion Short said: “The group are currently approaching some businesses in the town seeking sponsorship for the event, and thereafter restaurants, cafes, hotels, guesthouses will be approached seeking advertising in the brochure and also there may be a chance for companies to sponsor a particular walk.

“However, even at this early stage if anyone wishes to contact me now for specific further information regarding advertising and sponsorship, I would be delighted to hear from them.”

She added: “The group at this stage fully recognise the importance of this event being in Hawick, therefore providing a boost to the local economy and attracting tourists from not just surrounding Scottish and English counties but more nationally, which hopefully will in turn provide revenue for the town through accommodation, cafes, restaurants and tourist shops.

Details of all the walks, once they are finalised, with all other details of the event will be posted on the website at www.borderswalking.com

Peebles hosted this year’s festival, and last year’s was at Coldstream.

Hawick has hosted it three times before – in 1996, the event’s second year, then in 2003, jointly with Jedburgh in 2009 and, most recently, in 2011.

Farmers throughout the Borders are staging a show of support for disease-stricken rugby legend Doddie Weir this weekend.

More than 100 tractors are expected to be driven through Lauder this coming Sunday, November 5, to help raise money for two charities set up by the former Scottish international following his diagnosis with motor neurone disease (MND).

The parade is being organised by farmers, other tractor drivers and vintage vehicle enthusiasts to raise money for the Doddie Weir’5 Trust to support the 47-year-old and his family and My Name’5 Doddie, a foundation he is setting up to fund research into MND.

Its organisers are encouraging Borderers to turn out to support the parade as it passes along Lauder High Street at around 11.15am and returns to nearby Thirlestane Castle at about 1pm.

One of its organisers, Ross Montague, of Blackburn Farm, Lauder, said: “2017 has been marred by the loss of Peter Fullerton, a retired local farmer to MND.

“We also learned earlier in the summer of the news that another local farmer, Doddie Weir, is suffering from MND.

“The grand parade of tractors is a way for the farming community and local people to show our support for those affected by MND, including their families, and hopefully also to raise funds to help combat this horrific disease.

“I am hugely encouraged by the number of tractors registered to take part, and I am sure there will be more turning up on the day.

“Edward and Sarah Maitland-Carew have been extremely supportive of the event and are very kindly allowing the tractors to meet at Thirlestane Castle, from which they will leave, in parade formation before travelling through Lauder and doing a scircuit of the area.

“This promises to be quite a spectacle for the public, so I hope we will see a good crowd on the street as the parade passes through the town.

“There will be tractors from vintage right through to brand new top-of-the-range giants paraded by the local agricultural machinery dealers.

“Afterwards, when the parade returns to Thirlestane Castle and the tractors are all safely parked up, there will be a chance for the public to see them and support our fundraising raffle.

“We were blown away last week by the generosity of a local farmer who has donated a vintage John Deere Model A, which will be auctioned after the parade and hopefully give a great boost to the fundraising.”

The event, being sponsored by rural insurance firm NFU Mutual, will see temporary diversions in place on the A68 from around 10.30am to noon on Sunday and then again around 1pm.

There might also be delays in and around Lauder, Langshaw and Blainslie from 9am until 4pm, with tractors arriving, the parade taking place and then tractors leaving from Thirlestane at the close of the event.

“I would like to thank Police Scotland, Scottish Borders Council and Amey Highways,” added Mr Montague.

“They are all working with us to make sure that we can stage this parade with minimum disruption to the public.

“I would also like to apologise in advance for any delays.

“However, we hope that the public will forgive us as our efforts are all for a very worthwhile cause.”

Father-of-three Weir, of Stow, revealed he had MND in June, and since then the former Melrose and Newcastle Falcons lock, capped 61 times for Scotland, has pledged to raise money for others affected by the disease.

The 50-year-old female pedestrian who was injured in a collision near Walkerburn two weeks ago sadly died from her injuries on Friday.

The woman, Sharon Wilson from Walkerburn, was involved in a collision with a black Mercedes A150 car at around 11am on Monday, October 16 – and police are appealing for anyone who witness the incident to get in touch.

After the incident, Sharon was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with serious injuries and later transfer to the Western General Hospital, where she sadly passed away on Friday, October 27.

In a statement released through Police Scotland, Sharon’s family said: “We are devastated at the loss of our beautiful, loving and caring Sharon.

“She will be sorely missed. We would ask for privacy to grieve at this difficult time.”

Inquiries into the full circumstances surrounding the collision are continuing and anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Constable Paul Aitchison of the Road Policing Unit said: “This is a very difficult time for Sharon’s family and our sincere condolences are with them.

“Our enquiries continue and I would ask anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or who was travelling on the A72 just south of Walkerburn shortly before the collision, to please get in touch.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1087 of October 16.