A disgruntled Royal Bank of Scotland customer threatened to shoot members of staff at its Kelso branch after claiming money had been taken out of his account in error.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard how the 56-year-old told a worker there: “If you touch a penny tomorrow when it goes into the bank, I will go down to the Kelso bank and I will shoot the lot of you.”

The startled employee alerted staff at the branch in Kelso’s square and also the police.

Borthwick pleaded guilty to making that threatening call from his home in Croft Road in Kelso on January 16.

He told police he was on medication for depression at the time of the offence.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client noticed £131 had been taken out of his account by a direct debit he had no knowledge of.

He added that Borthwick felt he was being fobbed off and made the threat in frustration.

Mr Hulme said that his client claimed he telephoned the bank afterwards to apologise but spoke to someone else and also contacted his doctor to change his medication.

Borthwick was fined £200.

Cash-strapped Scottish Borders Council’s plans to save £80,000 by making cuts to school warden patrols and other services could put children’s lives at risk, it has been warned.

The Conservative-led administration has announced that a review of both the patrols and council janitorial services is to be carried out to assess the potential for efficiency savings.

A council spokesperson insisted that no decisions will be taken until consultation has been carried out with parents, headteachers and pupils, though.

The Southern Reporter understands there would be cross-party resistance to any rationalisation of the service resulting in a reduction of the number of school patrol wardens on our streets.

The move has alarmed former teacher Clair Ramage, now a Hawick and Denholm councillor, and she raised her concerns at the last full council meeting.

She fears any such move could put at risk the safety of the region’s schoolchildren, and she also worries that the review is already having an effect after discovering that the lunchtime patrol at Hawick’s Wilton Primary School has been withdrawn.

Ms Ramage said: “For me, it is not good enough as the safety of our children should be a priority.

“There are some areas in which cuts should not be considered, and this is one of them.”

She has pressed the administration for details of which patrols could be cut and what potential implications there are for lollipop men and women’s jobs.

“Schools across the Borders have been recognised for their work to encourage parents to ditch the car and actively travel to work. Surely, removing crossing patrols flies in the face of this very successful initiative,” she added.

“To remove any crossing patrols begs the question why should parents allow their children to walk to school when we are actively creating a series of increasingly difficult situations as roads become busier.”

East Berwickshire councillor Carol Hamilton, the council’s executive member for children and young people, responded by saying that any efficiencies would not necessarily result in jobs being lost.

She said: “The review will look at the service as a whole rather than targeting any individual site.

“A key element of the service review, which is in its infancy and information-gathering stage, will be to identify and implement efficiencies without necessarily incurring job losses.

“The consultation will include a number of factors, such as crossing times, crossing numbers and crossing locations.”

A council spokesperson added: “A review of the school crossing patrol service will be taking place, but no decisions have yet been made.

“Extensive consultation will take place in advance of any changes being made.”

Also concerned at the potential move is Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson.

He said: “You can’t put children’s lives at risk to save money. I am almost certain there will be a backlash from parents that are encouraged by this council to let their children walk to school.”

Fellow ward councillor Watson McAteer added: “We are waiting to see what the review of school crossing patrols recommends. However, it is highly unlikely that I would support any measure that creates the slightest risk to our young people.”

Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall agreed, saying: “Be assured that if the outcome of this review is to recommend a reduction in the level of service that we currently provide then I, for one, will resist such measures.”

“All of us should be extremely grateful to these council employees who often go above and beyond the call of duty in order to ensure that our youngsters get to and from school in a very safe manner.”

A Borders police chief has spoken out to defend policing levels in Hawick amid claims that criminals are “rubbing their hands” over reported staff shortages.

Chief Inspector Andy McLean has responded to concerns raised by town councillor Davie Paterson that the custody suite at Hawick Police Station is now sometimes closed at weekends and that anyone arrested locally is being taken to Galashiels police station instead.

The local area commander for the Borders admitted that, due to staffing issues, the Wilton Hill station is not fully operational at weekends on some occasions.

However, he assured Teries there is no permanent weekend closure and that during any such periods, procedures are in place to ensure a sufficient level of policing locally.

He said: “I would like to assure the communities of Hawick that the local police station is not closed at weekends.

“On occasions, due to staffing issues or operational demand, the custody suite at Hawick police station is not in use, so anyone arrested in the town is taken to Galashiels police station.

“We have appropriate procedures in place to ensure that officers are not removed from duties for lengthy periods of time, with trained custody staff taking responsibility for processing an arrested person through the custody system.”

Mr Paterson, an independent for Hawick and Hermitage, said: “I am concerned about Hawick police station being closed at the weekend and anyone that is lifted by the police having to be taken to Gala or Edinburgh.

“If they are having to take someone to Gala or Edinburgh, that is two officers off the street. No wonder some criminals are rubbing their hands.

“It has been brought to my attention that recently there were no police officers on duty in Hawick because they had to take people that were charged to either Gala, with two cells, or to Edinburgh because the Hawick station was closed.

“If this has been happening, I find it absolutely disgraceful and a complete waste of money.”

Fellow Hawick and Hermitage councillor Watson McAteer, a retired divisional police commander and chair man of Scottish Borders Council’s police, fire and rescue and safer communities board, has repeatedly sought assurances over the future of the station.

He fears that any long-term reduction to services provided at the station casts doubt over its long-term viability.

Mr McAteer said: “I asked this question over the weekend and received an assurance from Inspector Keith Harris that Hawick police station was open for business.

“He further advised that for operational reasons the custody facilities were moved to Galashiels to support the Melrose sports.

“While I can accept this explanation, I would be alarmed if this was a regular occurrence.

“This is one of the reasons why I recently expressed my concerns that none of the Scottish Borders Council-funded community action team are being based at Hawick police station.

“I am concerned that any reduction in facilities or services at Hawick police station might call into question the long-term future of this former Borders police headquarters.”

The brand new Aldi store in Hawick’s Commercial Road opened today with bargains galore waiting for the first few customers.

Opening the 1,254 sqm store was Scotland rugby seven and GB Olympic silver medallist Mark Robertson, who hails from Melrose.

After cutting the obligatory red ribbon, held by a group of schoolchildren from Wilton Primary School, Robertson joked: “You’ll probably be disappointed in seeing a Melrose man coming to open your new store, but it’s great to see a new Aldi in Hawick.”

He said: “I have been taking a fair bit of grief from the Hawick boys I coach, but it’s nice to come down to do this, and hopefully they will appreciate a local boy doing this as well.

“For us Olympic athletes who went to Rio, Aldi did play a huge part in our preparation, through vouchers and from the sponsorship aspect of things, it allowed us to prepare so much better, so it’s nice to be able to do this for them.”

Welcoming the new shop was the town’s honorary provost, Watson McAteer.

He said: “This has been a long time in coming, but you know what? It’s great for Hawick and it’s great for the Borders.

“It’s great to see it add to the other things that are happening on Commercial Road. It’s been a bit of a fight, but it’s good that it’s here.”

The new Aldi sets the cat amongst the pigeons somewhat in the town, as it is placed within a half-mile radius of five other supermarkets, including Iceland, Lidl, Sainsbury’s and Morrison’s.

But with the new store comes 19 new jobs.

Mr McAteer said: “We’re trying to bring people into the town, increasing the footfall, and this can only help in that regard.

“It’s really good news for the town.”

Store manager Mark Nichol, who previously ran the very successful Aldi store in Galashiels, said he was delighted with his new place of work.

He told us: “It looks fantastic and there’s a massive crowd outside as well.

“The Galashiels shop has been very popular and people come to it from all over the Borders, so hopefully we can recreate that in Hawick as well.

“We can add something to Hawick and the competition can only be good for the people of Hawick.”

A limited number of opening day specials were on sale at the shop – including microwaves for £19.99 and large discounts on Dyson vacuums. The first 30 shoppers in the queue each received a complimentary bag full of fruit and vegetables from Aldi’s Super 6 range.

First in the queue was Newcastleton resident Ian McKay, who had turned up a whole hour early.

He said: “I normally shop in the Aldi in Carlisle, but this one is handier. It’s also on the main drag coming into Hawick, so I think it will be really popular.”

A conservation consultant and antiques dealer has been fined £1,000 for offering parts of endangered animals for sale over the internet.

Richard Wales tried to sell a tiger’s head, tiger claws and a leopard’s claw via adverts on the Gumtree and eBay websites.

The 49-year-old was told by a sheriff that his chances of ever getting another job in conservation are now non-existent.

Wales pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to four breaches of the 1997 control of trade in endangered species regulations.

The tiger’s head, valued at £3,200, was mounted on a wooden shield fixed to a wall at his home in Tweedside Road, Newtown.

It was seized by police during a raid of his home in September 2015, and sheriff Peter Paterson yesterday ordered that it be forfeited.

Depute fiscal Fiona Caldwell said the tiger’s head had been removed from a tiger rug dating back to the 1930s.

It was identified by experts from the Animal and Plant Health Agency as the same head seen in a Gumtree advert.

She also explained that the tiger and leopard claws could not be sold without a licence from the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs known as an article 10 certificate.

Wales had advertised three tiger claws for sale for £120, a large tiger claw from the 1930s at £55 and an Indian leopard claw from 1937 at £20, but they failed to find buyers.

Defence lawyer Robert More said his client currently works as an antiques dealer, mainly selling antique swords, and makes around £600 a month on average.

He explained that the animal parts came from rugs dating from the 19th century or early 20th century, adding: “It would be very easy to come to the conclusion that this involves someone involved in hunting or poaching, but nothing could be further from the truth.

“He is a conservation biologist and has spent his entire working life in that field.”

Sheriff Paterson imposed fines of £250 for each of the four charges.

He told Wales: “I don’t doubt that the effect of this prosecution means that gaining employment in the conservation field now are nil.”

After the case, assistant procurator fiscal Laura Buchan, of the Crown Office’s specialist wildlife crime unit, said: “This illegal trade has a harmful effect on the conservation status of tigers and contributes to their decline in the wild.

“Richard Wales has failed in his responsibilities and, as a result, stands convicted of a criminal offence.

“It is vitally important that those in the antiques trade fully understand the legislation, as well as taking seriously their obligations in respect of the trade in items from endangered species.”

Lou Hubble, head of Police Scotland’s national wildlife crime unit, added: “International legislation exists to protect animals in danger of extinction from trade.

“It is recognised that trading in such animal parts and derivatives can endanger the few remaining species left in the wild, and that has resulted in global preventative action.

“It is therefore incumbent on everyone, wherever they may live, to ensure they abide by the law in order to protect the dwindling stocks of rare animals left on the planet.”

After the hearing, Wales, a former red squirrel conservation officer for the south of Scotland, declined to comment on the case.

A benefit fraudster paid £24,000 she wasn’t entitled to has been spared a custodial sentence.

Danielle Johnstone, 23, of Cheviot Road, Hawick, was paid £8,000 in housing benefit between January 2015 and June 2017 because she failed to give prompt notice that her co-habiting partner had got a job.

She also claimed child tax and working tax credits to the value of £16,000 while they were living together as husband and wife over that same period.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told Jedburgh Sheriff Court it was accepted that the accused had a “fluctuating relationship” with her partner but it was clear that she had received benefits she was not entitled to.

He described the benefits paid to Johnstone as substantial amounts.

Johnstone was ordered to carry out 240 hours’ unpaid work over the next 18 months.

She was also given a 12-month restriction-of-liberty order keeping her at home between 7pm and 7am daily, and sheriff Peter Paterson told her that curfew was an alternative to a prison sentence.

Selkirk flood protection scheme project manager Conor Price has pledged that issues such as the crumbling wall in the town’s Corbylinn Road will be fixed this summer.

Mr Price also insisted that the issue, raised by Anthony Jackson at last week’s meeting of Selkirk’s community council, is nothing to worry about, saying: “Issues like this are to be expected on a £32m major and complex civil engineering project.

“We understand the local concerns, but we would like to highlight that there is no impact on the ability of the scheme’s new defences to provide its designed level of protection to property in Selkirk.

“This issue is with the natural stone cladding only. The reinforced concrete flood wall remains unaffected. The masonry at this location will be repointed this summer.

“The scheme has approximately 6.5 km of new flood walls and embankments, and this is just one of a number of minor issues that the project team is aiming to resolve at this time.”

Mr Price said that construction snagging and local reinstatement are yet to be completed.

Mr Jackson also told community councillors that the curves built into the banking of the Long Philip Burn are eroding.

However, Mr Price says that was always the plan.

He said: “Angles Field has been turned into a new park for the local area, but this space is foremost a part of the burn’s reinstated natural flood plain. It will hold flood waters in a controlled space during flood events and, furthermore, the burn was designed so that it would be capable of moving around within that space.

“This ensures that the field will absorb water during heavy rainfall and save neighbouring properties and roads from flooding.

“The restoration of the burn has also been commended by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency as an excellent design, and the scheme has been awarded a Saltire Award for its environmental engineering.

“The project team is delighted to see the constructed curves are breaking-up and that the burn is finding its own natural flow-paths through the space that was engineered.

“We hope this evolution from engineered restoration to natural river-burn corridor will continue over the coming years.”

Mr Price added: “It is worth noting that the scheme has already proven its worth by protecting various areas of Selkirk from flooding on a number of occasions since it was completed in December 2016, the latest being on January 24. Had the defences not been in place, areas of Bannerfield and Philiphaugh would have flooded.

“As well as protecting around 600 homes and businesses from major flood events, the Selkirk flood protection scheme has also provided various benefits for the local community, including the introduction of 6,000 metres of footpaths and parks and five footbridges which allow walkers and cyclists to explore Selkirkshire’s beautiful countryside.”

Tributes are being paid to former Scottish Borders councillor Bill Lamb following his death last week.

Mr Lamb, who looked after several areas of his home town of Galashiels over his 35 years of public service, died at the age of 81 at the Borders General Hospital in Melrose following a long illness.

As quick with a smile as he was with a retort, Bill was passionate about making improvements to his home town of Galashiels, even after he retired in 2007.

As well as being a councillor, Bill was Scottish correspondent for the World Fair magazine for 45 years, covering shows, circus and fairs, and was a proud defender of the annual funfair being situated in the town’s public park during the annual Galashiels Braw Lads’ Gathering.

He was also an advocate for premises in the centre of town to be occupied by retail businesses and hated it when any lay empty.

Once, when there were five empty shops on one side of Channel Street alone, he said: “This dereliction harms the public perception of a good shopping area.”

Bill held several portfolio posts during the time the Liberal Democrats were in power at the council, including leading its planning and licensing committees.

Melrose and Leaderdale councillor David Parker, convener of Scottish Borders Council, said: “Bill was an elected member for more than 30 years, representing a number of wards in the Galashiels area.

“Bill was a colourful character renowned for his brightly-coloured ties and suits, and at the final Christmas council meeting before he retired he even wore a light-up jacket.

“He was passionate about funfairs and the circus and held a number of roles within the council, including chairing the planning committee and looking after licensing.

“Bill retired in 2007 after a long career in local government.

“On behalf of the council, I would like to pass on my condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.”

Former council leader John Ross Scott told us: “Bill was a great guy and a stalwart member of the Liberal Democrats group on the council, and he was liked and respected by everyone.

“My lasting memory of Bill was getting a lift from him to Glasgow. He was a travelling salesman and the car was full of saddles and lampshades.”

And former Southern Reporter journalist Mark Entwistle told us: “By the time I joined the editorial staff of the Southern Reporter in 1987, Bill had already been a councillor for 15 years.

He had a vast knowledge of local government and was always passionate when it came to defending the interests of his home town of Galashiels and the wider Borderland.

“I always found Bill unfailingly helpful and never less than kind whenever I needed to speak to him for a story for the paper.

“He never dodged any of my questions over the years and always gave a comment – even when he knew it would draw flak from other political quarters.

“Galashiels and the Borders will be a poorer place with his passing.”

A memorial service will be held at noon tomorrow at Trinity Church in Galashiels, followed by interment at Eastlands Cemetery in Tweed Road.

There will be a break from tradition on Friday, April 27, as Selkirk’s Royal Burgh Standard Bearer will be revealed not from the town hall, but from the Victoria Halls.

The town’s main man is traditionally carried on a chair from the former courtroom to the cheers of Souters, but regeneration work in the Market Place and scaffolding around the town hall for restoration on the spire means it is not an option.

Clerk to the Selkirk Common Riding Trust, Johnnie Thomson, told the Wee Paper: “Trustees have made the decision, for this year, and for this year only, to hold the annual appointment night meeting within the lesser Victoria Hall.

“The Royal Burgh Standard Bearer and his attendants for 2018 will emerge from the front door of the Victoria Halls at 7pm.”

He added: “The trustees decided that, given the on-going construction works around Market Place and general public safety issues, the change of venue was the most appropriate avenue to take.”

The newly-appointed standard bearer will be carried up towards the Mungo Park statue, up Back Row and down Kirk Wynd, and along the Market Place and High Street, to finish up back at the Victoria Halls at around 7.30pm.

There, the public introduction of this year’s principals will be held as normal, before the annual appointment night concert and dance.

Johnnie added: “All expectations are that the procedures in future years will revert to the customary town hall venue, when hopefully, all the restoration work is completed around Scott’s courtroom and the town clock spire.

“Selkirk’s 2018 Royal Burgh Standard Bearer and his attendants will still be assured of a very warm reception as June days draw nigh.”

Police are appealing for witnesses after two motocross bikes were stolen from the Benchmark Motor Company in Selkirk this week.

A green and white Kawasaki KX 450S and a red and white Honda CR450 were stolen from the business’s unit in Dunsdale Road after it was broken into overnight on Monday.

Detective constable Callum Peoples, of Galashiels police station’s criminal investigation department, said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who comes across these bikes, either by seeing them out on the streets, or if you are approached by anyone looking to sell them on.

“If you believe you saw any suspicious activity around Dunsdale Road on Monday evening or early Tuesday morning, then please contact police immediately.

“Similarly, if you have any other information relevant to our investigation then please also get in touch.”

Anyone with information can contact Galashiels CID via 101, quoting incident number 595 of April 17, or telephone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Selkirk is to have another stab at putting together a resilient community group, following a stalled attempt the last time round.

At last Monday’s meeting of its community council, Kevin Sewell, one of three emergency planning officers at Scottish Borders Council, took members through what was required to run a resilient community – in which residents take charge and look out for vulnerable persons if they are cut off from help elsewhere.

He cited Eyemouth as a town where it works particularly well, thanks to the leadership of florist Gemma Landels, who self-activated the town’s flood team.

He also mentioned the resilient community in Fountainhall as one which recently organised an exercise, looking into the possible repercussions of a derailed train.

He said the first thing Selkirk needed to do was to identify a leader. A group of people could then be established, and a call tree system set up, so the group could be self-activated with no input from Newtown St Boswells.

Regular exercises would need to be organised and the members of the team would have to be prepared to mobilise at any point.

Members were told an earlier attempt in Selkirk failed to bear fruit, despite early enthusiasm.

Chairman Alastair Pattullo said: “The last time we got this far, everybody thought it was a good idea, but it didn’t go any further.”

Graham Easton reminded him: “At that time we were but six hardy souls. We now have a full compliment of community councillors who can help to bring this forward.”

While many members agreed that it would be a good thing, and moves were made to find leaders, not everyone around the table was sold.

Alasdair Lockhart said: “There are hardly any police, and the council budget is shrinking.

“You can’t tell me this isn’t anything other than the council passing the buck. It won’t wash.”

Susie Finlayson, vice-chair of the Roxburghshire federation, chair of the H&H commttee and member of Wiltondean WI, was the guest at the recent Midlem WI meeting.

Suzie’s main interest is embroidery and the task for Midlem members was to make a small floral picture.

As you will see from the photograph, loads of concentration was needed and all agreed it was a super night.

Susie is holding embroidery workshops throughout the year, which are all held at the Borders Textile Towerhouse in Hawick, though bespoke workshops can be arranged for groups of 4-8 people,

If you are interested, please contact her on 07878 290113.

Competitions: floral arrangement in a teacup – 1, Isobel Hogarth; 2, Gweyn Williamson. Rhubarb and ginger jam – 1, Sheena Galloway; 2, Mary Wales.

The next meeting will be on May 8, when members will hear about the Blood Bikers. Competitions are a spring scene photo and a health bar.

A woman has been given a one-year supervision order after admitting a benefit fraud totalling £10,000.

She received £6,640 in income support she was not entitled to between December 2014 and September 2016.

Morris was also paid around £3,400 in housing benefit, Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told her the supervision order was an alternative to a fine.

Braw Lads Gathering President Bill White, in his first year in office, was bathed in the last sunlight of a beautiful day as he stepped out onto the balcony of the Burgh Chambers and told the large crowd that Greg Kelly and Kimberley O'May would lead the town's festivities this year, as well as represent Galashiels in the wider Borders in other town's festivals.

Greg, a 21-year-old sales assistant at Booker Wholesale in Netherdale, says he was "ecstatic" at his appointment.

The former St Peter's and Galashiels Academy pupil said: "I'm glad the secret is out. It's been a hard one to keep, as we were told back in February.

"I'm really looking forward to the summer ahead. Me, my dad and my sister have followed the Gathering all our lives on horseback.

"I remember on school visits, when the Braw Lad came in, I remember thinking I wish that could be me, and here I am tonight.

"i'm just delighted."

Greg, who handily lists among his hobbies horse riding and socialising, said he was looking forward to representing his town alongside Kimberley.

The new Braw Lass, who is 25, is an administration assistant at Scottish Borders Council.

She said: "It's absolutely amazing. I'm so excited to be here.

"It's a huge honour and a privilege to be chosen. It's something I have always dreamed of doing.

"It's just so nice to be able to carry on the traditions that have been going for many years."

Those traditions may be given a little tweak this year, said new Gathering chairman Jody Millar, who told us he was "very proud" to take the reins.

He said: "Of course, we will never change the ceremonies as they are very dear to us, and they will remain the same for ever, hopefully,

"But what we will be looking to do is perhaps introduce more family-oriented things on the Saturday afternoon.

"So that could be something to look out for in Bank Street, so there are exciting times ahead."

While the new-look committee are looking to freshen up proceedings, they know how important the traditions are.

Jody said: "There are so many things changing in this world, and I think that if we don't hold onto the things that are dear to us, we will lose them.

"Gala comes to life at the Braw Lads Gathering and it really has a buzz about it, and it wouldn't be the same if we didn't have that.

"We are all volunteers, and we will all strive to make sure that these things stay with us for as long as possible."

The other attendants were also introduced to the crowd.

The bearers of the sod and red roses are last year's Braw Lad and Lass, Greg Robertson and Amy Thomson, while the bearers of the stone and white roses are Mark Hood and Alex Mundell, who were the leading principals in 2016.

The crowd were treated to a medley of tunes from both the Galashiels Ex-Service Pipe Band and the St Ronan's Silver Band, with the latter providing the uplifting music for the traditional reel with selected primary school pupils after the announcement.

If the excitement of the crowd at the picking night is anything to go by, this year's gathering could be something special.

The Braw Lads Gathering will take place from June 22 to July 1, with Braw Lads Day on Saturday, June 30.

The picking night was broadcast live on our Facebook page, allowing many "exiles" from all over the world to watch the proceedings.

See Thursday's Southern Reporter for more photographs of the evening.

Closing Hawick High Street to cars could put it on the road to a brighter future, a meeting in the town heard this week.

Kelso councillor Tom Weatherston suggested pedestrianising what is said to be the longest high street in the Borders during a discussion of Scottish Borders Council’s Hawick action plan at Tuesday’s meeting of the authority’s executive committee.

Mr Weatherston told fellow councillors: “We’ve heard how shops have suffered because folk can’t park at the shops.

“I was on my travels again a few weeks ago, at various places, and the busiest places I visited were those with no cars on the streets, and no streets, just pedestrian areas and shops.

“We need to get more cars off the High Street and open up the High Street for pedestrians.

“If that was a huge pedestrian area, I’m sure it would bring folk into the High Street to shop in the shops and only allow vehicles for public transport like taxis.

“It certainly works elsewhere.

“The walking part of the street, to me, attracts folk in, because they don’t have the risk of getting run over.”

The council’s executive member for business and economic development, Mid Berwickshire councillor Mark Rowley, agreed that Mr Weatherston’s suggestion might merit investigation, telling the meeting, held at Hawick Town Hall: “That’s very probably something that the Hawick working group might want to look at.” 

A spokesperson for the council confirmed that no viability surveys into pedestrianising Hawick town centre had been carried out in recent years.

TAXI firms in the Borders this week backed a campaign to encourage their drivers and passengers to report crime in confidence, with anonymity assured, writes Andrew Keddie.

With their drivers so often at the sharp end of drunken disorder and privy to conversations in which criminality may be discussed, the private hire operators signed up to the initiative at divisional police headquarters in Hawick on Monday.

From now on, cab drivers in the region will all have business cards, giving contact details for the independent charity Crimestoppers, displayed in their vehicles.

“It’s part of a joint project involving the police and Scottish Borders Council, which licenses all taxis, to improve our services at a local level,” explained senior licensing officer Inspector John Scott.

“We are all committed to tackling crime and antisocial behaviour and taxi drivers offer a vital service to our communities.

“It is also well recognised that they see and hear a vast range of conversations and activities within our communities, some of which will be criminal activity, whether this be the transportation of drugs and actual drug dealing, or information regarding motorists who are choosing to drive while drunk.

“We appreciate that people don’t always want to pass on their details to police, so by raising awareness of Crimestoppers, this will provide another avenue for suspected crime to be reported.”

Crimestoppers operates a telephone line 0800 555 111 which people can call to pass on information completely anonymously about crimes; alternatively people can send Crimestoppers information anonymously via their website, www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Callers don’t have to give their name or any personal information and calls cannot be traced or recorded. Crimestoppers can also pay rewards if information received leads to an arrest and charge.

Jack Craig, chairman of Lothian and Borders Crimestoppers, told us: “Calls to Crimestoppers are never traced or recorded and in the 24 years that the charity has been running, no-one has ever been identified.

“Sometimes fear is what prevents people speaking up and we provide a completely anonymous way for members of the public to give information about criminals knowing that they won’t have to go to court or give a statement to the police”.

Figures released by Audit Scotland reveal that Scottish Borders Council cut its workforce by more than a quarter between 2011 and last year – the biggest reduction made by any local authority in the country.

However, the council claims figures showing a 25.5% fall in headcount were skewed by hundreds of staff transferring to partner organisations and that, taking those switchovers into account, 7% would be nearer the mark.

In the first quarter of 2011, the Newtown-based authority employed 5,800 people, but by 2017 that payroll had shrunk to 4,400.

The figures also show that other councils have reduced their workforces by far less despite facing larger budget cuts.

Scottish Borders Council has trimmed its budget by 8.4% since 2010-11, but other local authorities have had theirs slashed by up to 18%.

The authorities with the second and third highest staff cuts, Highland and Glasgow City’s, kept their headcount reductions to 19% even though they faced greater cuts to their budgets.

A spokesperson for Audit Scotland said: “It is critical that councils carefully manage workforce reductions and that each council ensures it has people with the skills required to deliver its priorities now and in the future.

“Workforce planning is complex, and councils face a number of challenges.

“Strong leadership is essential for councils to effectively manage transformation and develop new ways of delivering services within reduced budgets.”

A large proportion of the reduction in workforce is due to the transfer of hundreds of staff to SB Cares and Live Borders.

More than 800 staff from the council’s care service were transferred to SB Cares, a council-owned company providing care homes, day care and independent living services.

A further 200-plus employees were transferred to Live Borders, a trust providing culture and leisure services on behalf of the council.

A council spokesperson said: “The figure quoted correctly draws attention to the transfer of staff to SB Cares and Live Borders.

“SB Cares and Live Borders had 800 and 209 staff transferred respectively, and these jobs have been retained and remain within the Scottish Borders.

“The headline figures reported by Audit Scotland are not, therefore, a true reflection of the actual reduction of staff numbers working for the council and its associated and subsidiary bodies

“Scottish Borders Council is committed to ensuring the council group is as efficient as possible while recognising the responsibility to  maintain local employment opportunities.

“The overall reduction in staff due to more efficient ways of working is 6.9%

“We are committed to minimising compulsory redundancies, and we operate an early retirement or voluntary severance programme to minimise any impact on staff.

“In addition, we have a robust redeployment process which ensures we minimise the number of compulsory redundancies across our workforce and only use these where absolutely necessary, having first considered redeployment and voluntary severance options.”

Union bosses are unconvinced, though.

Mark Lyon, regional officer for Unite Scotland, said: “Unite is conscious that all local authorities have been impacted on by the effect of austerity cuts.

“However, astonishingly, the research from Audit Scotland seems to show that Scottish Borders Council, which is at the bottom of the league for cuts made to its own budget, is top of the league for slashing jobs and services.

“These figures seem to show that services to our communities are more vulnerable at Scottish Borders Council than with any other local council in Scotland.”

“What an indictment.

“The outsourcing of jobs to organisations like Live Borders, SB Cares and, more recently, IT services causes us grave concern over the job security for those transferred.

“But the movement of these jobs does not tell the whole story in respect of actual posts lost.

“In due course, the job cuts will affect the local economy as local spending will be reduced by loss of earnings locally.”

Almost £9,000 has been raised for Borders rugby legend Doddie Weir’s motor neurone disease research charity by a fundraising match organised by former classmates of his at Edinburgh’s Scotland’s Rural College campus.

David Ireland, one of the Scotland international’s former classmates, was among the try-scorers in a 19-7 victory for the alumni over the current student team, Edinburgh Agrics.

Alumni captain Steven Mitchell, one of the stars of the second series of BBC Two’s This Farming Life last year, also got on the scoresheet.

The ex-students were coached by college business manager Gavin Hill and boosted by guest appearances by Doddie’s younger brother Chris, a veteran Gala player, and 17-year-old son Hamish.

The Edinburgh Agrics were captained by Ian Carlisle, a third-year student from Dumfries.

Last week’s game at the college’s Peffermill Playing Fields in Edinburgh, followed by an auction of rugby memorabilia, attracted a turnout of around 250.

Doddie gained the first of his 61 Scotland caps against Argentina in 1990 while studying for a higher national diploma in agriculture at the Edinburgh campus.

The 47-year-old, of Blainslie, also played in the 1991 Rugby World Cup, helping Scotland reach its semi-finals, while still a student, graduating the following summer.

Last year, he revealed that he had motor neurone disease, diagnosed at the end of 2016, and set up the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation to raise money for research into the incurable condition.

More than £1,600 was raised during a post-match auction overseen by student Tommy Fairbairn.

A top price of £400 was paid for a signed bottle of Glengoyne’s Doddie’s Dram whisky.

College principal Wayne Powell said: “I’d like to thank everyone who helped to organise this truly memorable match and those who gave so generously to such a worthy cause.

“This was a brilliant occasion for everyone connected with Scotland’s Rural College, and we were delighted to welcome Doddie along to Peffermill to cheer on his fellow alumni to a convincing win.

“Not only was the standard of rugby extremely high on both sides, but it was a great chance for people to catch up with a few familiar faces and reminisce about their time at here.”

Television bosses are heading to the Borders next month in a bid to find Britain’s next singing sensation.

A crew from the hit ITV show The Voice UK will be at 13 Brew, a new cafe and bar in Hawick, for an audition night on Friday, May 11.

The audition is a chance for budding vocalists to catch the eyes – and, more importantly, ears – of the judges and vie for places on the primetime show, regularly watched by more than five million viewers.

The winner of the next series, the eighth, will land a £100,000 prize and a record deal.

The event is a real coup for the Teviot Crescent bar, according to Steve Anderson, its co-owner, with partner Michelle Hogg.

The 33-year-old, of Hawick, said: “We’ve only been open seven weeks, so it’s great publicity for us.

“As far as I know, ours is the only audition in the Borders.

“I know there’s a lot of talent in the region, so I’d invite anyone who thinks they have what it takes to come along.

“We had a really successful open-mic night recently, and the place was packed out.

“I think The Voice representatives saw that mentioned on Facebook and called up to ask if they could use the venue.

“Three people from The Voice will be here on the night, and some of the acts will be video-taped.

“We’re asking people to register via my email, steve@thirteenbrew.co, to ensure they get to perform. They’ll need to bring along a backing track or an instrument to play.”

Steve, also a landscape gardener, has big plans for the venue, previously the Gretel Bar, including brewing his own craft beers on the premises.

The Voice UK – featuring a line-up of coaches including Tom Jones, Will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson and Olly Murs, began life on BBC One in 2012 before moving over to ITV last year.

Previous winners have included Ruti Olajugbagbe, Kevin Simm, Leanne Mitchell and Mo Jamil Adeniran.

The show’s Hawick audition night is one of only five in Scotland lined up at present, though further dates are yet to be announced, the others thus far being in Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and Stirling.

The Incorporation of Fleshers have named their man for 2018 ... Jackie Johnston of Lilliesleaf.

The 58-year-old self-employed agricultrual excavator was revealed as Standard Bearer at the incorporation’s agm on Friday, April 20.

And it’s something he’s been looking forward to for a while.

He said: “I’ve been a friend of the Fleshers for around 12 years, and became a member three years ago.

“It really gets you when you see someone cast the flag close up ... it is going to be the experience of a lifetime.”

Jackie was born in Galashiels, and went to Lauder Primary School and Eyemouth High School, before his family moved to the area and he spent his last year at Selkirk High School.

He has been married for 30 years to wife Elizabeth, who he says “is a leaf lass through and through”.

She will be his lady busser.

The couple have two children, Christopher, who is 27 and works in Edinburgh, and 25-year-old Kerrie, who is a nurse at the BGH.

Jackie is expecting a bit of banter when people see a Gala man on the platform, but extending the incorporation’s reach for possible standard bearers was the only was it could stay alive, said Robert Black, who is spending his first year as deacon.

He told us: “Given that there’s only one butcher left in town, it’s a good thing that we opened the position up to the friends of the Fleshers a few years ago ... it was the correct decision.

“Jackie has been a great supporter of the Fleshers ... he’s been with us for a long time.

“He started out a bit quiet, but when he saw his friend Keith Hermiston cast our flag three years ago, he thought he would go for it.

“I am absolutely sure he’ll do a fantastic job.”

Robert, who was a Fleshers standard bearer himself, said becoming deacon was just an extension of that.

He said: “In for a penny, in for a pound!

“I’m delighted to take on the role and I’m really looking forward to it.

“It also gives Moira, my wife, the excuse to go and buy some new clothes!”