A 23-year-old man convicted of struggling violently with his mother and then breaking the windows of his father’s car has been ordered to pay £200 compensation.

Gareth Murray pleaded guilty to that offence, committed at a house in High Street, Earlston, on the evening of April 1.

Depute fiscal Tessa Bradley said the incident started at around 9.30pm.

She told Selkirk Sheriff Court: “There was an altercation between the accused and his mother.

“She believed he was in possession of cannabis in a container and tried to get him to hand it over, and they were both pulling at it.

“The father returned home, and the accused did leave but came back again, but the door was locked.

“His parents ignored him, and they watched from the window as they saw him strike the father’s car several times.

“He hit the side windows, which broke them.

“He was also shouting and swearing, and it was at that point that the father phoned the police.”

Murray was arrested and taken to Hawick police station, where he admitted he had had punched the car three times, denting its bonnet and cracking its windscreen.

Ms Bradley said: “The accused’s parents seem to be at their wits’ end with his behaviour.”

Sheriff Andrew Webster noted that this was a first offence for Murray, of Rennie Court, Kelso, and ordered him to pay £200 compensation to his father for the damage to the car.

An accused has admitted threatening to kill another woman in a series of phone messages.

Nicola McWatters, 27, pleaded guilty to sending 10 threatening messages to the woman from her home in Galalaw Road home in Hawick on December 29.

At Jedburgh Sheriff Court, she also admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis at her home between April 1 and July 29.

The crown has applied to seize cash found in her property, but that is being opposed by McWatters.

A proof hearing will be held at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on July 10 to determine whether the money should be forfeited.

Sentence has been deferred on the threatening messages and drug dealing charges until May 14 for the production of background reports.

Scottish Borders Council has agreed to close St Margaret’s RC Primary School in Hawick.

At today’s full council meeting, councillors agreed to back a recommendation made by the authority’s service director for children and young people, Donna Manson, that the Buccleuch Terrace primary should be shut down.

The Roman Catholic school has seen a drop in pupil numbers over the last 20 years, from 56 in 1997 to just 14 in the current school year, despite having capacity for 100 children.

Council staff also noted that the majority of its pupils spoke English as a second language, raising concerns among parents and school staff about community inclusion and cohesion.

Speaking at the full council meeting, Ms Manson said: “It is always with sadness that we close a school. I’d like to thank the parents and members who’ve been very understanding throughout this process.

“This process will bring benefits to the community around Hawick and the make-up of education in the area.”

Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson led councillors in thanking the school community for their part in a consultation that preceded the closure recommendation.

He said: “I have to admit, my mother went to this school, and it is sad to see it close, but I’d like to thank the staff and parents of the school for their understanding.”

Galashiels councillor Sandy Aitchison said: “We went to some pretty controversial meetings about this, and it is always sad to see our schools close, but Borders schools are progressing.”

The Scottish Government will be informed of the authority’s decision, and it will now begin an eight-week period of further consideration.

Members of the public are also entitled to make written representations to the Scottish Government about the closure proposal.

Speaking after the meeting, East Berwickshire councillor Carol Hamilton, the council’s executive member for children and young people, said: “The decision to close a school is not one that is taken lightly.

“It only ever follows extensive consultation with pupils, families, staff and the wider community. In the case of St Margaret’s, engagement has also been carried out with the Roman Catholic church and its representatives.

“We would like to thank everyone who gave us their feedback, which was carefully considered both by ourselves and Education Scotland.

“However, agreement has now been given to the proposal to close St Margaret’s from the end of the summer term.

“We have been engaging with pupils and staff throughout the consultation process, appreciating that this has been an unsettling time and doing all we can to reassure and keep them informed as we have gone through each stage.

“A transition plan has been developed, and this will now be put in place to ensure that pupils can be supported with the transfer to their new primary from August. Any pupils who are due to move up to Hawick High will continue with the arrangements already in place.

“The small staff team affected by the change are being supported by our HR colleagues to ensure their future employment.

“We would like to thank them for their commitment to St Margaret’s over the years and particularly for their patience and support over the past few months.”

A former knitwear factory in Hawick is set to get a new lease of life as an apartment complex for older people.

The Peter Scott site in Buccleuch Street closed its doors for the final time in August 2016 after operating in the town for close on 150 years.

The building has stood empty since then and has become a target for vandals.

A planning application has now been submitted by Galashiels-based Aitken Turnbull Architects, on behalf of Pesco Developments, the West Yorkshire company that bought the factory site in July last year.

The bid is to convert and demolish parts of the former production area and yarn store for the development of 10 two-bedroom apartments for people over the age of 55.

It has also emerged that there has already been interest from ex-staff at the factory about moving into the flats.

The developer has pledged to retain the distinctive chimney at the heart of the site.

A spokesman for Aitken Turnbull Architects said: “Market research has indicated a strong demand for well-appointed, conveniently located apartments for residents aged over 55.

“Early interest has already been expressed by people who once worked at the factory.

“The retention of features such as the chimney help maintain the sense of place and local identity.”

Former Peter Scott employee Davie Paterson has welcomed the development.

The Hawick and Hermitage councillor said: “It brings yet another disused mill back into use. I’m glad also that it’s private money being invested into the town. That was the reason that I was jumping up and down because of some minor vandalism to this building that had just been purchased.

“The building is in such a prominent position that anyone coming into our town from the A7 sees it. I would hate to see it lying derelict, so I’m absolutely delighted that some private company is investing in the town.

“I spent 10 of the happiest working years of my life in that mill, so, on a personal level, I’m delighted as well.”

Members of Scottish Borders Council have agreed to plans that could see secondary schools in Galashiels, Hawick, Peebles and Selkirk replaced.

Those proposals come on the back of assessments of the four schools that found they all have what are described as major defects.

The facilities at each school were graded from A to D, with A signifying that the buildings are performing well and operating effectively and D indicating that the economic life of the facilities has expired and they are at risk of failure.

The overall conditions of Galashiels Academy, Hawick High School and Selkirk High School were given C ratings, while Peebles High School was deemed to have a B, or good, rating.

In her report to today’s full council meeting, Donna Manson, the authority’s director of children’s and young people’s services, said: “It is our ambition that all four of these secondary school learning environments are replaced or substantially improved at the earliest possible opportunity.

“Ideally this timeframe would not stretch beyond 15 years. This aim is to ensure that the secondary school provision across the region is not only graded A for condition and suitability but will also provide the learning opportunities and experience that young people require to reach their full potential in the Scottish Borders.”

Councillors concurred that the school buildings are in need of repair or replacement, but opposition councillors queried why the projects would need capital funding from the Scottish Government.

Former teacher and SNP councillor Clair Ramage said that she knew of temporary buildings at Hawick High School that had been designed to be used for 10 to 15 years, but they are still in use 40 years later.

However, she also queried why Scottish Borders Council must wait for Scottish Government capital funding, with some local authorities opting to finance school building projects themselves.

Speaking after the meeting, East Berwickshire councillor Carol Hamilton, the authority’s executive member for children and young people, said: “We would like to thank everyone from these four communities who contributed to the consultation process. There was significant engagement from each, and it was invaluable to have input at a local level to help us as we move to the next steps in the process.

“Overall, our ambition is that each of these four schools will be replaced within the next 10 to 15 years so that all our secondary school provision is graded highly for condition, suitability and can provide the quality learning opportunities and experiences that will enable our children and young people to achieve their potential.

“Creation of individualised strategic plans will enable us to develop the bespoke solutions that are required for each of these four schools and help us to maximise the funding opportunities potentially available to us through the Scottish Government’s investment programme.

“While these are being developed, I am pleased to note that improvement work will be carried out at the schools, with priority being given to the PE department at Galashiels, the overall condition and use of space at Hawick High, the creation of improved social spaces at Selkirk and accessibility at Peebles.”

A progress report will be brought back to the council’s executive committee in October.

Extending the Borders Railway east to Berwick as well as, or instead of, south west to Carlisle is among the ideas suggested for further consideration as part of plans to improve transport links in the region.

A draft version of the long-awaited Borders transport corridors study being produced by consultant Jacobs UK has now been published, and it outlines 21 options to be looked into further, including extending the £353m track one way or the other, or both.

Adding extra stations to the Edinburgh-Tweedbank track is also suggested.

Among the other suggestions to be discussed are dualling the remaining single-carriageway stretches of the A1 between Edinburgh and the English border and carrying out improvement works to the A7 Edinburgh-Carlisle road and A68 Edinburgh-Darlington route.

The report has been welcomed by Simon Walton, chairman of the Campaign for Borders Rail.

He said: “We have, of course, been awaiting this report, like everyone else in the Borders, and we’re glad it’s finally published and makes copious positive reference to extension of the Borders Railway.

“Of course, it was apparent, right from the initial stakeholder meetings, that there is widespread support for extending the Borders Railway to Hawick and Carlisle.

“I’m glad that the report reflects that groundswell, and makes many references to extending the railway as a means of promoting economic development right across the Borders. Those findings are in line with the aims of the campaign.

“We’ve always promoted railway infrastructure as the most tangible way to achieve the overarching desire for economic development, social inclusion and sustainable growth.

“The report confirms many of the campaign’s own findings, in that growth has been stimulated by the existing Borders Railway, and that further investment in the existing line is vital to meet the demand it generates.

“Furthermore, extension to Hawick and Carlisle would provide a catalyst for much-needed economic regeneration in the Borders, and a strategic cross-border link that will benefit the wider Scottish and UK economy.”

The draft report, commissioned by Transport Scotland, has also been welcomed by Borders MP and MSP John Lamont and Rachael Hamilton.

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP Mr Lamont said: “The Transport Scotland study highlights what many people in the Borders already know – that connectivity in the area needs to be much better.

“The study presents a range of options for improvements, including alternative proposals for the Borders Railway.

“ I hope the Scottish Government will listen to the strong public support and economic benefits and choose to extend the line.

“There is really no excuse for avoiding starting planning now for the Borders Railway’s extension.”

Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP Mrs Hamilton added: “This report says nothing that the Scottish Borders doesn’t already know.

“The region needs better transport and knows that better transport would improve its economy.

“In order to create jobs and growth and to improve opportunities for young people, the Scottish Government must make a long-term commitment to investing in improved transport links.”

Extending the line, opened in September 2015, south to Hawick, via Melrose, would add about 17 miles to its current 30-mile length, and continuing to Carlisle, via Langholm or Newcastleton, recreating the old Waverley Route closed in 1969, would add another 50-plus miles on top of that.

Extending it east would also more than double its length, requiring another 40 or so miles of track.

Both would be high-cost options, the report, written by Graham Bell and others, acknowledges, putting them at risk of failing to be deemed cost-effective, but it also says: “The Borders Railway has shown how investment in rail infrastructure can yield benefit for travellers, the environment, the economy and communities.”

The study, developed in partnership with Scottish Borders Council and the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership, will now be subject to further consultation.

A council spokesperson said: “We welcome the publication of the pre-appraisal report for the Borders transport corridors study.

“We will now consider its contents and will provide feedback to Transport Scotland as part of the consultation process.”

“We would also encourage local people and businesses to provide their views on the study’s findings to date as part of the public survey which will be available via www.transport.gov.scot

“We will continue to engage actively with Transport Scotland and partners on the transport opportunities identified in the pre-appraisal, which will now be considered as part of the national strategic transport projects review.”

The consultation period for comments on the draft study end on Friday 1 June.

Scottish Government Minister for Transport, Humza Yousaf, said: “In our programme for government a commitment was given to consider the future transport needs of the Scottish Borders including examining the case for extending the Borders railway along with potential improvements to the A1, A7 and A68.

“This was on top of the commitments already made, such as East Linton and Reston stations, as part of a programme of works aimed at improving capacity to the east of Edinburgh.

“This report is an important milestone in delivering that commitment. The Borders transport corridors study considered a number of issues including accessibility in the Borders and links between its communities and the key markets of Edinburgh, Carlisle and Newcastle.  

“The draft study has identified a range of options, including improved bus services, active travel, road and rail infrastructure in the region, which will be taken forward for more detailed appraisal in the second strategic transport projects review.

“This national review will ensure that we deliver transport improvements for all of Scotland which are fit for the 21st century.

“The study has been developed in partnership with Scottish Borders Council and SEStran and I was delighted to see the level of public interest.

“We will be continuing to engage, and there is now an opportunity for all to comment on these 21 options, and I would encourage anyone with an interest to have their say.”

Joseph Anderson , Local Democracy Reporting Service

Villagers in the south west of the Borders are calling for better co-ordination of roadworks within the region and in neighbouring council areas.

Residents of Newcastleton are calling on council chiefs to put their heads together to give them more warning of impending closures and avoid clashes causing double disruption.

Community councillor Barbara Elborn told last week’s meeting of Scottish Borders Council’s Teviot and Liddesdale area partnership: “Where we live, we’re at the point of four counties.

“If there’s a road closure to do a road upgrade, we get cut off from the rest of civilisation, and it has an immediate and dramatic effect on the community and businesses of our village.

“Nobody seems to give a damn until it’s too late, when the road is actually closed, and people can’t make alternative arrangements.

“That’s happened twice in the last six months, and it’ll happen again when Dumfries and Galloway Council does a road upgrade and the village will be cut off.

“There has to be joined-up thinking across the county line. Just because we live in some place called the Scottish Borders doesn’t mean it finishes at the border.

“We’re part of a landscape, and the road network goes through it, and there must be some joined-up policy across the network. It’s absolutely critical to our survival.”

As well as being next to the boundary between the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway, Newcastleton is also close to the English counties of Cumbria and Northumberland.

A spokesperson for Scottish Borders Council, however, confirmed that no cross-boundary authority exists that could co-ordinate roadworks to minimise disruption.

“Depending on the nature of roadworks, sometimes a full closure is required,” the spokesperson said.

“We recognise that this causes an inconvenience generally, and in isolated communities with sometimes limited or no other routes, it has an even greater impact.

“Where cross-border routes are undergoing works requiring closures, we discuss this with our neighbouring authorities and where the type of work or location allows, programme works to coincide, in order to keep disruption as low as possible.

“Closures are published by means of public notice and on the Scottish Road Works Commissioner’s website. They are also communicated in advance to ward councillors and the relevant community council.

“We have encouraged Dumfries and Galloway Council to develop a communication plan to ensure Newcastleton residents are fully informed of the planned works well in advance, by means of letter drop, advanced signing and social media, as well as utilising local networks.”   

Dumfries and Galloway Council was asked for a comment but did not respond.

A 28-year-old man has admitted causing thousands of pounds’ worth of damage by starting a fire at a Borders bowling club.

Sam Williams pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to culpably and recklessly setting fire to Walkerburn Bowling Club on December 19 last year, destroying the building.

The court was told Williams has mental health issues, and they are a cause for concern when combined with alcohol and cannabis consumption.

Defence lawyer Sophie Russell said her client had already been on remand for several months and applied for bail to his father’s address in Walkerburn.

Sheriff Gerry MacMillan said there is a public safety issue, however, and remanded him in custody until Tuesday, May 8, when background reports will be considered prior to sentencing.

A controversial suggestion that Hawick High Street should be made into a pedestrian-only zone is a “car crash of an idea”, a councillor for the town has warned.

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 last week’s meeting of the authority’s executive committee.

However, that proposal has been dismissed as impractical by Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson.

He said: “It’s a non-starter. Businesses on a lot of high streets in the UK are struggling at the moment because of a multitude of reasons, including internet shopping, out-of-town shopping and competition from supermarkets.

“I certainly don’t think that to pedestrianise our High Street is the answer.

“My argument is that it should be the businesses in the town and Hawick councillors that are elected to look after the town, not a councillor from Kelso, that decide what should be happening in our town.

“It’s one of the craziest ideas ever to come from the executive committee – a car crash of an idea.”

Hawick and Hermitage councillor Watson McAteer also believes removing all traffic from the street would be “short-sighted”.

He said: “Designating Hawick High Street a pedestrian-only zone would impact on many businesses and result in a significant number closing.

“While the Kelso councillor who suggested this did so in good faith, he failed to understand the wishes of the bulk of our High Street traders who would like to see more, rather than less, traffic.

“While the future of the High Street, like many others, is challenging, completely removing traffic at this time would be short-sighted and is practically unachievable.

“What would help would be the introduction of derestricted parking, and I hope this is recommended by the council working group tasked with examining this across the Borders”.

Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall is more open to at least consulting on the pedestrian-only suggestion, though.

He said: “If any proposals were to come forward to pedestrianise our town’s High Street, then I would like to think that the businesses are the most important people whose views should be sought.

“These are folk who have livelihoods, which in turn createsour economy.

“Just because such an initiative works in other towns it shouldn’t be seen as a catalyst for Hawick.

“A lot of consultation would be required by many interested parties, and the business sector must be at the heart of such discussions.”

Fellow Hawick and Denholm councillor Clair Ramage believes the biggest issue facing the High Street is inconsiderate parking.

“Loading bays are not respected, and cars park for days,” she said.

“I have had businesses complain to me about losing passing trade because people cannot park and then just drive on.

“I am on the short-term parking issues committee and have been receiving many complaints about this.

“Maybe before we consider such a drastic measure as pedestrianising our High Street, we should consider other options around parking. After all, we do have the largest free car park in the Borders.”

Raising the pedestrian-only zone suggestion, 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.”

However, Hawick and Hermitage councillor George Turnbull said the suggestion has been investigated over the years on several occasions and how to go about servicing shops and businesses in High Street had proved an insurmountable obstacle.

He added: “Unfortunately, there is not a service road to the rear of many of the properties and deliveries can only be made from the High Street.

“There could be restricted delivery times, but then we come back to enforcement issues yet again as we no longer have our traffic wardens.

“The High Street would benefit if the surface was at one level and with clearly marked parking spaces and some additional street furniture, along with some low-level shrubbery to enhance the look of our main shopping area.

“Anything that increases footfall on the High Street has to be given serious consideration to improve the experience of the shopper and encourage increased spending in our town centre shops and businesses.

“The increase in internet sales is a worry to many High Street operators as more and more shop from the comfort of their home but this reduces the level of footfall.

“Proposals are afoot to ease change of use of High Street premises and the usage of many of the premises will need to change to take account of the changing trends of shopping behaviour.

“We need to encourage more development of the properties above street level and create good-quality housing and get more people living in the town centre, which, in itself, will increase footfall and in turn the spending level to the local businesses.”

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

Spending on agency staff by NHS Borders more than trebled over the five years to 2017, figures reveal.

In 2011-12, the NHS spent £1.5m on agency staff in the region, but that figure has steadily increased, rising to £5.07m for 2016-17.

Those figures were revealed by Shona Robison, the Scottish Government’s health secretary, during a debate at Holyrood.

They also show that NHS Scotland spent £171m on agency staff nationally.

A spokesperson for NHS Borders said: “There is a requirement to fill rotas and make sure staffing levels are adequate to ensure the safe delivery of care. When we have vacancies, this creates locum or agency cost.

“Unplanned activity also plays a big part when having to use agency staff. Opening extra in-patient beds due to an increased demand for our services can lead to a requirement for additional staff.

“During 2017, we successfully recruited a number of consultants including anaesthetists, psychiatrists, a general surgeon, a radiologist and physicians in gastroenterology and stroke medicine.

“All of these vacancies are specialties for which there is a shortage of qualified consultants, and the services were previously sustained by a reliance on agency doctors.

“In addition, last year until August, we experienced a high number of gaps in training-grade doctor rotations recruited through the Scottish medical training system.

“The allocation of training doctor numbers to NHS Borders was much more favourable in the August 2017 rotation and, as result, there is no further long-term reliance on agency doctors to maintain junior doctor rotas.

“We project costs of agency junior doctors will also have reduced significantly from August 2017.”

Ms Robison said: “Spend on nursing agency staff is very low, representing just 0.4% of the overall nursing budget. The majority of temporary shifts are filled from the NHS staff bank.

“There are also more than 35,000 nurses registered on the staff bank who are NHS staff on NHS contracts working at NHS rates of pay.”

South Scotland Labour list MSP Colin Smyth is unconvinced, though, saying: “There are now shortages of staff in almost every area and, as a result, NHS Borders has to spend over £5m a year on agency staff, a rise of just under 400%.

“The private agencies that provide the staff will be taking their cut and profiteering from the workforce crisis in our NHS.

“This is money which should be going to pay NHS staff that work all year round to provide healthcare for us.”

Sixth form pupils leaving Berwickshire High School this week upped the ante when it comes to pranks by putting the school up for sale on ebay.

The £25m school built in 2009 appeared on the online marketplace site for the bargain price of £2,018.

The ebay advert read: “On behalf of the Berwickshire High School’s Class of 2018, we present the school building, its contents and full use of all staff for sale at a bargain price of £2,018.

“The building comprises over 50 rooms, five bathrooms, excellent sporting facilities, luxury kitchen and a host of other amenities.

“However what makes this a great buy is the staff on offer. This full package deal comes complete with an exclusive angry headmaster, who will probably murder us when he realises we created this listing.

“Also included are three decorative wall hangings depicting students just trying to go about their daily life (no-one asked for these), a duck pond which we’re sure is radioactive, and a number of other noteworthy teachers who will almost definitely explode after reading this.

“What makes this a unique purchase is the atmosphere of lost hopes and dreams filling the corridors, as pupils live dreaming of the day they can kiss the place goodbye.

“Interested parties in this property can expect full hospitality during their viewing – it’s the least we can do, considering the building is literally sinking into the ground.”

Taking the prank in their stride spokesperson for Scottish Borders Council said: “The listing of Berwickshire High School for sale by auction was carried out by pupils on their last day of school before entering their exam period.

“It was obviously done in a moment of high spirits and that is how it is being received by the school, with pupils keen to see just how much the school they actually hold in high affection could potentially be worth.”

Police are urging the public to be vigilant after a Peebles man lost more than £15,000 to fraudsters yesterday.

The man received a call from someone on Thursday, April 26, who claimed to be from the ‘Visa Fraud Squad’ stating that his bank account had been compromised.

He then received a second phone call a short time later, with the caller claiming to be an officer from Police Scotland’s fraud department.

The caller asked the man to make five bank transfers into one account, which would ensure that his money was then “safe”.

He transferred funds totalling over £15,000 into this account, set up by who he believed was a police officer.

However, after doing so, he became suspicious and contacted his bank and police.

The money was not returned and the caller was not a genuine police officer.

Detectives have now launched an investigation into the full circumstances.

Detective Sergeant Neil Drummond from Police Scotland’s financial investigation unit, said: “This has been a despicable act that has left the victim understandably distressed.

“I would like to remind the public that police officers have no involvement in someone’s bank accounts, and would never phone up to discuss money transactions.

“Police officers will likely only phone someone to arrange a suitable time to meet in person. If you do receive a phone call from a named officer, and want to be sure you are speaking to someone genuine, you can call us back on 101 and ask to be transferred to that named officer at their relevant department.

“If you receive a call out of the blue claiming you have been a victim of fraud, or that you bank account has been compromised, please take some time to ensure this is legitimate. Criminals can use software to manipulate the numbers they call from, so that they appear to be a reputable company.

“These criminals can be extremely manipulating and convincing, and if you are ever in any doubt, do not be afraid to hang up and check the legitimacy of the company before phoning them back.

“These types of crimes can affect anyone, however I’d ask that you make friends and relatives aware of these sorts of scams, and be wary that criminals often target the elderly and vulnerable.”

Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of fraud can report this to Police Scotland on 101.

Monday is E-Day for tens of thousands of Scottish school pupils – the start of their exams.

Over the next five weeks they will have their heads down, sitting a whole host of exams including National 1, National 2, National 3, National 4, Skills for Work Courses and other awards which are continually assessed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

Over 124,000 pupils will sit half a million individual exams, and then face the agonising wait until August 7 when results are revealed.

This is also the first year that students will be sitting the revised National 5 courses, following the removal of unit assessments.

Students’ final grade will be based on a combination of externally assessed course work and the exam.

Dr Janet Brown, SQA chief executive and Scotland’s chief examining officer, said: “I’d like to send my best wishes to everyone sitting examinations and taking qualifications at schools and colleges between now and the end of the term. After months of hard work and hours of study, many thousands of young people throughout Scotland are preparing to complete their qualifications and take the next step in their education or into work.”

Each year SQA’s in-house team of assessment experts is supported by some 15,000 ‘appointees’ who help to set, invigilate, and mark more than one million exam scripts, and quality assure the internal assessments.

Dr Brown added: “We very much value and rely on the expertise of our appointees – teachers and lecturers who bring with them a wealth of experience from the classroom. I want to thank them, and SQA’s own hard-working staff, for their continued support and commitment to maintaining the high standards of Scottish qualifications.”

“At all levels, our qualifications provide candidates with the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and understanding they’ve acquired and prepare them for further study, employment or training. Our qualifications are robust, relevant, and designed to equip young people with a wide range of skills.”

Candidates who have signed up and activated their personal MySQA accounts are reminded they can choose to receive their results by text and/or email from 8.00 am on Tuesday 7 August.

To register, candidates should log onto their mysqa.info account with their Scottish Candidate Number by 5.00 pm on Tuesday July 17 and activate their account by 5.00 pm on Wednesday 18th.

This year, over 48,000 candidates have already registered for the service.

In addition to electronic delivery, all candidates will continue to receive their results by post on Tuesday 7 August.

To register, visit HERE MySQA

A large crowd turned up to Selkirk’s Victoria Halls yesterday evening to see local joiner Peter Forrest carried shoulder high out of the front doors.

It heralded the start of his tenure as the town’s representative for the summer tour of Borders festivals, including, of course, Selkirk’s own, on June 15, when the 26-year old rugby player will ride the marches and cast the Burgh flag in the shadow of the Walter Scott statue in the Market Place.

It was also a moment the 6ft 3in second-row forward has been waiting for for a long time, after riding the marches on 11 occasion, four of them as an attendant.

He said: “It’s brilliant. My lifelong dream came true tonight.”

The venue for the reveal was a slight break from tradition, with the usual starting point, the town hall, being deemed a health and safety risk due to it undergoing a bit of a makeover.

Peter told us: “It is unique in that I’m the only standard bearer to come out of the Victoria Halls. And I’m the only member of my family to hold the position, so it’s firsts all round.”

He was carried, or bounced, on a chair by his attendants Craig Monks, 27, Robbie Reilly, 19, Thomas Willmott, 18 and Liam Cassidy, 18 – the latter serving his first term of duty. All will ride with Peter on his big day.

Also helping out on the carrying duties was last year’s standard bearer Kieran Riddell.

Kieran said: “I feel quite relaxed handing over the reins, probably for the first time in a year!

“But there’s nothing I did in my year that I regret and there’s nothing I didn’t do which I feel I should have, so I’m happy with that,”

Peter was carried up Back Row, down Kirk Wynd, and back along Market Place and High St, returning to the Victoria Halls for the Appointment Night Concert.

There, he was congratulated by his parents, Rob and Ann, and his partner Emma Pearce.

He was also welcomed into the fold by chairman of the Ex-Standard Bearers Association, Gary Guthrie, and Honorary Provost of the Selkirk Common Riding Trust, Jake Wheelans, who is on his third and last year of office.

Jake, who has known Peter for years, having come through the Youth Club rugby team.

Jake told us: “I don’t think we could have picked a better lad to be standard bearer.

“I’m absolutely sure he will be a superb representative of the Royal Burgh and his family.”

The Southern broadcast the proceedings on Facebook Live, and once again, Souters frae a’ the airts were watching.

See this Thursday’s Southern for more photos from the night.

Almost two-thirds of Borderers think we would be better off economically if we were to remain in the European Union, according to a new survey.

It also reveals that most of us want to stay in the European single market following our exit from the EU in 2020.

The survey shows that 64% of Southern Reporter readers believe Britain would be better off economically as part of the EU rather than going it alone.

On top of that, 68% think Britain should continue to be part of the common market.

The figures show a split between those who voted for Brexit and those who voted to remain in the EU at June 2016’s referendum.

Only 12% of the former think Britain would be better off economically in Europe, and just 29% of them reckon we should continue to be part of the single market.

Remain voters, unsurprisingly, are much more likely to think retaining close ties with Europe is a good idea, with 89% saying they believe Britain would be better off economically inside Europe and 86% arguing that we should stay in the single market.

Seven in ten of those surveyed on our website, www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk, say they are not happy with the Brexit negotiations at the moment, and only one in eight are.

Regardless of how those surveyed voted in the referendum, more are unhappy with the way the negotiations are going than are content.

Among those who voted to leave, 51% are unhappy with the status of negotiations compared and only 28% are happy.

More than three-quarters of those who voted to remain, some 79%, are unhappy and only 6% say they are happy.

However, most of those surveyed said they’d stick with how they voted two years ago, that figure being 79% for leave voters and 92% for remain voters.

Leave voters are more likely to say they wouldn’t vote the same way now, with one in 10 saying they’d rethink, compared to one in 29 remain voters.

The study, run in partnership with Google Surveys, was completed online by 800 visitors to our website.

More than 58% of the 64,953 Borderers who voted in 2016’s referendum, a 73.4% turnout, wanted to remain in the EU and almost 42% were in favour of us getting out.

An 87-year-old man has died following a crash on the A7 near Teviothead on Sunday morning.

A white Honda Civic left the road and hit a tree at around 7.50am.

Emergency service attended and the 87-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was closed for around four hours while investigations were conducted at the scene.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses.

Sergeant Andy Gibb from Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of this man who has tragically lost his life as a result of the collision.

“I would ask anyone who was driving on the A7 between Hawick and Langholm and who saw the collision to come forward.

“I would also ask anyone who may have seen the white Honda Civic immediately prior to the collision to get in touch.

“Similarly anyone with any information relevant to the inquiry is asked to contact us as soon as possible.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1169 of 29 April, or reports can be made anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Borders’ new community action policing team has issued 90 parking tickets in less than a month on the beat.

The team of six constables and a sergeant, which first reported for duty on April 1, has been tasked with tackling issues that matter to local communities.

Partly funded by Scottish Borders Council, which has pledged £282,000 to the project, the team will target issues such as anti-social behaviour and on-street parking.

Speaking at the official unveiling at council HQ on Monday, Chief Inspector Andy McLean, local area commander for the Borders, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity we have been given by the council to address quality of life issues that we may not normally be able to do.

“This team will not be used to attend routine calls and as such will be a dedicated community resource to address local issues, wherever they may occur across the Borders.

“They will have time to look at the issues, but more importantly, to look at the root cause of the issues, that the community wants us to address.

“Ninety parking tickets have been issued since the start and we have also taken out a quantity of drugs and a drug dealer, so the team is already making a positive impact.”

Addressing concerns previously raised in Hawick about the geographical spread of the officers, who clock in at stations in Duns, Selkirk and Galashiels, Chief Inspector McLean added: “The officers are there to police all of the Borders. At the moment they are based near main arterial routes, but it is flexible. If it doesn’t work then we’re more than happy to reassess that.”

Former Borders police chief Councillor Watson McAteer, chair of the police, fire and safer communities board, said the new initiative represented an investment in the Borders’ future.

“The council has made a very brave decision to try and fill a recognised gap,” he said.

“The important thing about this approach is that it will focus on community issues. We have got problems with anti-social behaviour, parking on the streets, dog fouling. We understand that these things are a challenge for Police Scotland to deal with, and we believe that this team creates a real opportunity to address community concerns.

“A visible police presence is always beneficial, and I think it will be very quickly noticeable on the streets. It’s an investment for the future that I would like to see grow.”

Councillor McAteer, who represents Hawick on the council, admitted he had initially been disappointed that none of the officers were to be based there.

“As a former policeman based in Hawick, Wilton Hill is close to my heart, so I welcome the flexible approach. Let’s see what happens.”

Commenting on the make-up of the team, Scottish Borders Council leader Shona Haslam said: “It’s great to see three women and three men involved. It’s really representative of our communities. These officers are living and working in the Borders. They know our concerns.”

Rachel Campbell, the team’s sergeant, added: “We are looking forward to providing a positive impact on the quality of life of those living, working and visiting the Scottish Borders.”

A large crowd turned up to Selkirk’s Victoria Halls yesterday evening to see local joiner Peter Forrest carried shoulder high out of the front doors.

It heralded the start of his tenure as the town’s representative for the summer tour of Borders festivals, including, of course, Selkirk’s own, on June 15, when the 26-year old rugby player will ride the marches and cast the Burgh flag in the shadow of the Walter Scott statue in the Market Place.

It was also a moment the 6ft 3in second-row forward has been waiting for for a long time, after riding the marches on 11 occasion, four of them as an attendant.

He said: “It’s brilliant. My lifelong dream came true tonight.”

The venue for the reveal was a slight break from tradition, with the usual starting point, the town hall, being deemed a health and safety risk due to it undergoing a bit of a makeover.

Peter told us: “It is unique in that I’m the only standard bearer to come out of the Victoria Halls. And I’m the only member of my family to hold the position, so it’s firsts all round.”

He was carried, or bounced, on a chair by his attendants Craig Monks, 27, Robbie Reilly, 19, Thomas Willmott, 18 and Liam Cassidy, 18 – the latter serving his first term of duty.

All will ride with Peter on his big day.

Also helping out on the carrying duties was last year’s standard bearer Kieran Riddell.

Kieran said: “I feel quite relaxed handing over the reins, probably for the first time in a year!

“But there’s nothing I did in my year that I regret and there’s nothing I didn’t do which I feel I should have, so I’m happy with that,”

Peter was carried up Back Row, down Kirk Wynd, and back along Market Place and High St, returning to the Victoria Halls for the Appointment Night Concert.

There, he was congratulated by his parents, Rob and Ann, and his fiancee Emma Pearce.

He was also welcomed into the fold by chairman of the Ex-Standard Bearers Association, Gary Guthrie, and Honorary Provost of the Selkirk Common Riding Trust, Jake Wheelans, who is on his third and last year of office.

Jake, who has known Peter for years, having come through the Youth Club rugby team.

Jake told us: “I don’t think we could have picked a better lad to be standard bearer.

“I’m absolutely sure he will be a superb representative of the Royal Burgh and his family.”

Also present at the concert was the silver jubilee standard bearer Stuart Coltherd, who has since gone on to train racehorses, with one entry – Captain Redbeard – in the Grand National this year.

The Southern broadcast the proceedings on Facebook Live, and once again, Souters frae a’ the airts were watching.

A little wonder of a pub is making a big impression on Borders beer buffs.

Rutherfords in Kelso has been named as the region’s pub of the year by the Campaign for Real Ale’s Edinburgh and south east Scotland branch.

Simon and Debbie Rutherford, co-owners of the bar, in the Square, were presented with a certificate marking that achievement on Sunday by branch chairman Pat Hanson.

Simon, 50, of Chirnside, was delighted by that accolade, saying: “It’s fantastic. We are really, really proud.

“We didn’t even know we were in the running to win this until relatively recently.

“It’s a fantastic feeling, and credit has to go to our staff here too, David Lowther and Rachael McIntosh, as they’ve put a lot of effort into getting us to where we are now.”

The bar, opened in a disused former knitwear shop unit in 2015, remains Scotland’s only micropub selling cask ales, and it has between four and eight, sourced from far and wide, on offer at any one time, all served from gravity stillage.

“We get beers from all over – Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, the Highlands and locally, and all points in between,” said Simon.

“We’re not the kind of place that always has the same four beers on, though we always try to have at least one darker one and two pale ones on at any one time so there’s something for everyone.”

It also serves its own DeliQuescent range of gins and spirits, as well as cocktails.

Runner-up for the title of pub of the year this time round was 2017’s winner, the Bridge Inn at Peebles, with the Plough Inn at Leitholm taking third place.

Rutherfords is one of two Kelso pubs to make it into the 2018 Camra Good Beer Guide, edited by Roger Protz, the other being the Cobbles.

Kelso is one of only three towns in the region to boast more than one entry in the latest guide, the others being Peebles, with the Bridge Inn and Cross Keys, and Coldstream, with the Besom and Castle Hotel.

Other pubs featured are the Craw Inn at Auchencrow, the First and Last at Burnmouth, the Clovenfords Hotel, the Black Bull Hotel at Duns, Earlston’s Red Lion, the Ladhope Inn at Galashiels, the Exchange Bar in Hawick, the Canon in Jedburgh, Leitholm’s Plough Inn, Melrose’s King’s Arms Hotel, Town Yetholm’s Plough Hotel and the Gordon Arms Hotel at West Linton.

A couple have denied a benefits fraud involving almost £10,000.

Erika Kilic, 34, and Rahmi Kilic, 40, both of Galalaw Road, Hawick, deny that allegation and will stand trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on May 29.

It is alleged both made false statements saying they only worked 16 hours a week at a rate of £6.50 a week to get housing benefit of £3,356 to which they were not entitled on February 2, 2015.

Erika Kilic is further alleged to have stated she had separated from her husband to claim £2,955 income support she was not entitled to and £3,087 in housing benefit.