BORDERS nurse Sandra Robertson is a finalist in prestigious national health awards, writes Sally Gillespie.

The diabetes-specialist nurse is one of three in the nurses’ category of the Scottish Health Awards for people working in the NHS.

Cabinet secretary for health and wellbeing, Alex Neil, said: “Our ambition is to deliver the highest quality of healthcare to the people of Scotland, and these awards give us the opportunity to recognise those individuals and teams who are making an outstanding contribution to that ambition. All those nominated have gone that extra mile to deliver consistent, reliable and responsive healthcare for everyone.”

Ms Robertson was nominated by a grateful mum for the care the dedicated nurse gave her son and other local families.

The Borders General Hospital nurse helps more than 65 children with Type 1 diabetes in the region and works closely with school nurses, teachers and families.

The middle son of the woman who nominated Ms Robertson was diagnosed with the condition in August 2011

A spokesperson for the awards said: “Sandra proved to be an invaluable source of support during this time. She has also helped the family to set up a support network with help from Juvenile Diabetes Research Scotland.”

In February this year the nurse met with the charity, the parent and another mum to set up a support and fundraising group. Since then, events have been held at Selkirk and Kelso rugby clubs for children with Type 1 diabetes and their families.

The spokesperson continued: “Sandra has helped to take this idea forward and to make the events a success by prompting the families in her care to attend the family days. From this opportunity, a small support group has been formed in the Borders, making a big difference to local families coping with diabetes.”

More than 250 nominations were received across the 16 award categories.

The awards ceremony for all the finalists is in Edinburgh next Thursday (November 8).

This week we have Pebbles and Misty who have been with us for far too long and are desperate for a new home.

They can go together or separately.

Misty is a black and white, eight-year-old female who is very affectionate and likes the quiet life.

Misty is a long haired tortoiseshell and white, 10-year-old female who likes to talk! She is also affectionate and likes a quiet home.

HE became known in Scottish rugby circles as Back-door Stevie because of the number of times he was sidestepped by the national selectors only to receive a late call into the Scottish team.

At 6’2” he was a giant to be playing in the back division during the 1950s and 60s.

George Drummond Stevenson, who died on Tuesday at the age of 79, was a product of Hawick and a man who brought flair and fun to the game he loved.

He was a key component of the Green Machine from 1951 to 1967 and was capped 24 times between 1956 and 1965.

The late Walter Thomson from Selkirk was Fly Half – the Sunday Post’s rugby writer for than half a century.

In his book Rummle Them Up!, he wrote: “‘Stevie’ had the happy knack of making his most guileless afterthoughts seem like a preconceived plan.

“Most people of his generation will have seen him try a dropped goal – he was an inveterate optimist – from some unlikely location around midfield.

“The ball, often as not, would fly off the side of his foot and find a priceless touch right in the corner. If ‘Stevie’ had been trying for that touch he would probably have dropped a goal.”

Fly Half says he was an unlikely club captain, with discipline and predictability never his strongest suits – but he had a way of getting results.

Recalling watching him in a captain’s role on a dense January day in the ‘60s at Inverleith, he wrote: “The fog lay so thick that from the midfield tunnel one could vaguely discern goalposts at one end of the ground and nothing at the other. ‘Stevie’ held up a finger to test the imaginary wind ‘Demm, it’s blawing in circles’, he said. Finally, after long deliberation and soul searching, he bamboozled the opposing captain and referee alike by declaring: ‘We’ll juist play wi’ the fog’.”

Fellow Hawick cap Jim Renwick has fond memories as a youngster of watching Stevenson in action.

He told rugby writer Neil Drysdale for his book Southern Comfort: “In the early days I looked up to George Stevenson because he was so unpredictable – he could be making an arse of it one minute and then suddenly produce a piece of magic, which took your breath away in the next.”

Hugh McLeod – Stevenson’s Hawick and Scottish team-mate – once reflected: “He was raw-boned and tough. He was always a match-winner. He was never happy touching the ball down in the corner. He would always want to touch down under the posts. He was such a character.”

Stevenson gained his first cap courtesy of a late call-up for the Calcutta Cup match at Murrayfield in 1956 – he hadn’t even played in a Scottish trial, but responded with a debut try, the only one Scotland scored in the 6-11 defeat to the English.

He wasn’t always a first choice for the selectors and his late entry into the national XV earned him the nickname of ‘Back-door Stevie’.

After that Calcutta Cup cap, he was asked if he would be looking for more to which he jokingly replied : “What’s the point? They tell me they’re a’ the same”.

Fly Half wrote: “Same or not, Stevenson was to collect 24, sometimes by direct entry, sometimes via the back door, but he always gave abundant value in entertainment and very often in classy rugby, too.”

A product of semi-junior Hawick PSA and junior Linden, he followed his international debut touchdown with tries in victories against France and Australia in his third and fifth caps. Another highlight was his thrilling solo try for the Scottish Districts when they defeated South Africa 16-8 at his beloved Mansfield Park in the 1960s.

Everyone in Hawick that day knew that ‘Stevie’ would sidestep because that was his routine in club colours. The only exception was the poor Springbok defender who was completely bamboozled.

Fly Half maintained that the interception was Stevenson’s speciality: “fine when it worked, disastrous when it didn’t.”

Raised in Hawick, Stevenson served his apprenticeship as an engineer and did two years’ National Service. He worked for farm suppliers Bibby’s, and became a whisky representative for Ballantine’s Whisky, even though he was a teetotaller. His whisky job based him in Glasgow and he moved house to Currie.

He is survived by his wife Jessie, daughter Fiona and son Mark. His funeral is at Mortonhall Crematorium today at 1pm.

BB

ONE of the region’s most experienced children and young people’s services workers has been passed over for the prestigious post of Children and Young People’s Champion at Scottish Borders Council.

At the October sitting of their full session last week, SBC councillors voted 18-11 in favour of installing council convener, Graham Garvie (Tweeddale East, LD) in the role.

In doing so, they rejected the chance to appoint opposition Conservative group leader, Councillor Michelle Ballantyne (Selkirkshire), who has spent most of her adult life involved with children’s services and youth groups of one kind or another.

And for the past eight years, Mrs Ballantyne has also been head of service at Face to Face, the drugs and alcohol service supporting youngsters aged from 11 to 18.

The holder of the children’s champion position has a key role to play in promoting the rights of children and young people across the Borders, especially those who are most vulnerable, including looked-after children and young people, young carers, and children and young people with disability.

However, this time round, the council had also approved a new role profile, based on the results of a working group set up in partnership with local youngsters.

The working group came about after several young people wrote to Council Leader David Parker (Leaderdale & Melrose, Ind) last year, requesting a review of the role, so as to increase accountability and make it more meaningful.

All three children’s champions appointed so far, since the role was first created in 2008, have been Lib Dem councillors, with Mr Garvie following Frances Renton and John Paton-Day.

Nominating Mr Garvie, who was previously the executive member for culture, sport and community learning, and is a member of Borders Sport & Leisure Trust, his fellow Lib Dem councillor Vicky Davidson (Selkirkshire) said the high-profile position needed someone with an equally high public profile.

Arguing her case to be awarded the role, Mrs Ballantyne, a mother of six, said the job was not about being a parent or a grandparent, but about being someone with an understanding of young people of the Borders, their concerns and the issues they faced.

“It needs to be someone who wants and knows how to really engage with young people and children, and bring that information back to this chamber, and then help match that to policies and decisions we are making.

“I don’t always feel they [children and young people] get that and I’m speaking as someone who has worked for the past eight years in children’s services.

“It’s about knowing and understanding all the issues and I already have good engagement with young people.”

However, executive member for education, Councillor Sandy Aitchison (Galashiels & District, BP), who said he did not doubt Mrs Ballantyne’s qualifications for the post, felt Mr Garvie would bring something extra to the job.

“I feel we should be looking towards somebody as an ‘additional champion’, a person at the top who all children can go to, and for that reason I think Councillor Garvie would admirably fill the role,” he said.

A secret ballot was then held, which saw Mr Garvie elected to the post with an 18-11 vote in his favour.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Parker welcomed the appointment: “I am delighted that changes to the role and remit, which came from the young people themselves, have been agreed for the Children and Young People’s Champion and that Councillor Garvie has been appointed to this role.

“These changes and Councillor Garvie’s lead will truly make a difference,” he said.

For his part, Councillor Garvie, said he was delighted to be the new Children’s and Young People’s Champion.

“I am looking forward to working in the newly-revised role to support the rights of our children and young people in the Borders, ensuring that their voice is heard so that we can make a genuine difference in their lives,” he said.

Local MP Michael Moore took a break from the political game last Friday to join Langlee Primary School children at the Galashiels housing estate’s new playpark.

The Langlee Jubilee Play Park, which opened in June, was built to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and took residents more than two years of planning and fundraising.

The £100,000 park features a giant seesaw, swings, a slide, monkey bars and a climbing wall.

After having fun on his visit, Mr Moore said: “This play park is a fantastic addition to the local area and I want to congratulate residents – particularly Judith Cleghorn – and local councillors for all their hard work to make this happen. I am sure it will continue to provide great fun for local children for many years to come.”

BORDERS car dealers and garage operators Adam Purves raised £800 on Friday when staff dressed in pink.

The 100 employees were raising money for Breast Cancer Care, and 16-year-old Ryan Garrie went a step further when fellow employee Lina Sidlauskiene, a recently qualified beauty therapist, waxed his legs. Organiser forecourts manager Richard Garrie said: “Overall the event was really good and we raised around £800 on the day. But the cash is still coming in so it will be a few days before we have a grand total.”

Pictured are staff from the company’s Melrose head quarters.

AN abseil from Penielheugh in aid of charity raised about £1,500 last month.

Around 20 people from across the Borders undertook the 150-foot jump from the Waterloo Monument near Jedburgh after it was postponed from May because of high winds.

The fundraisers included three generations of the Fletcher family from Melrose - grandfather Robbie, father Jonathon and son Jamie - and Miss Galashiels Kristiana Le Mar who were all raising money for Deafblind Scotland.

The charity’s initiatives officer Drena O’Malley said: “It’s the first time at Penielheugh for Deafblind Scotland. We got a beautiful day and the views were stunning.”

One abseiler, Niall Armstrong, who has a relative who is a member of Deafblind Scotland raised more than £700 for the charity, which Ms O’Malley described as “a wonderful achievement”.

BORDERS Children’s Charity (BCC) raised £500 through painted nails in a straw bale at Kelso Farmer’s Market on Saturday.

Local shops donated prizes and for £1 a shot people pulled nails from the bale with the coloured nails proving winners. Stallholders also donated boosting the total raised.

BCC chairperson Bronwyn Coggan said: “The people and businesses in and around Kelso have been exceptionally supportive this weekend. Lidl, The Factory Shop, the Co-op and Sainsbury’s all donated super prizes for our bale nail raffle and the Kelso Farmers Market stallholders have been very generous too. Special thanks must go to Robin Tuke, chairman of the market for the opportunity to hold this fundraiser within the market, Peter Rae, the market manager who set everything up for us and particularly local farmers Jamie and Fiona Tweedie who supplied the straw bale.

“In the last year we have paid out an average of more than £500 per week in response to requests to help local children and with the arrival of the first flurries of snow the night before the farmers market, it was a timely reminder that too many children who live close to us all are going to need basics like winter coats and boots that their families cannot afford. Thanks to the help from everyone this weekend, the BCC can continue to help such children.”

Volunteers run the charity, which has no overheads or administration costs, so all the money raised goes to buying beds, clothes, shoes and other basics for local children as well as helping with school trips, activities, life skills and specialist equipment.

Donations to the Borders Children’s Charity can now be done by text. For example, to donate £5, text BCCT03 £5 to 70070. Visit www.borderschildrens charity.org.uk

Earlston High School teenager Ryan Snook’s head literally can be found in the clouds these days thanks to his love of glider flying, writes Mark Entwistle.

Ryan, 13, has just been awarded £250 towards the cost of further flight training at the Borders Gliding Club, by the Caroline Trust – a charity which raises funds to help young people to learn to glide.

Ryan and his family live near St Boswells and it was a few months ago that he and his dad, Steve, joined the club. Both have since impressed their instructors with their dedication to training as glider pilots.

Ryan’s application to the Caroline Trust had to be approved by the club’s chief flying instructor – Keith Latty – and the club had to commit £250 of matching funds in the event of an award being granted.

It means Ryan now has a total of £500 to put towards gaining his solo license as a glider pilot.

And although the youngster only has nine training flights under his belt, veteran gliding instructor Alastair Fish, of Kelso, was very impressed on their flight together last week.

Alastair reported that Ryan completed the entire 30-minute flight, including take-off, aerotow, circuit and landing, with barely any instruction or control-inputs from himself.

And if Ryan continues to make progress at this rate, he may well be allowed to fly solo as a glider pilot on his 14th birthday, next spring.

Steve told TheSouthern his son has always dreamed of becoming a professional pilot: “Every spare moment Ryan has is spent learning about aircraft, flying his flight-simulator or reading flying books and he hopes to eventually become a gliding instructor, so that he can give something back to the sport.

“He also plans to start training for his power-pilot’s licence as soon as he is 16, with a view to gaining his licence at 17. He doesn’t yet know which career in flying he wants to try for - Royal Air Force or airline – but he is certain the sport of gliding will always be in his life.”

In addition to being a student pilot at Milfield airfield where the club has its base, Ryan is also a keen and active member of the Air Training Corps’ 1716 squadron (Roxburgh), where he is working towards passing his leading cadet qualification.

Ryan told TheSouthern this week that the cash award from the Caroline Trust was a tremendous opportunity.

“I am so grateful to the trust and to our chief flying instructor, Keith Latty, and all at the Borders Gliding Club for their support,” he said.

“Flying is a huge part of my life and when I’m not flying, I love building models, flying my remote-controlled plane, flying my simulator or reading more about flying.

“This grant has come just in the nick of time. We’re very lucky to enjoy exceptional gliding conditions at our club and every year we host other clubs for a week at a time.

“I participated in one of the weeks during the half-term break and spent all my savings and birthday money flying, so was just coming to terms with the idea of having to fly infrequently for a while until I was able to save enough money again to continue.

“Then news of this grant came through and it means the world to me as it means I can continue progressing with my syllabus at a steady rate.

“I also need to say a very big thank you to my regular instructor, Richard Abercrombie, as he really has looked out for me.

“I love being at the club. We’re very lucky to have such an experienced and wise bunch of members who are always happy to share their knowledge.”

After losing his job, Brian Little took his aunt’s bank card and used it to steal more than £1,600.

Little, 54, a first offender, of Eildon Road, Hawick, admitted stealing a bank card and PIN number at a house in Muir of Ord, Ross-shire, between January 2 and 12.

He also admitted using the card on six occasions at ATMs in Hawick to steal a total of £1,650 between January 29 and March 5.

On March 8, Little admitted attempting to steal money at an ATM at Morrisons, Mart Street, Hawick.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said Little had access to his aunt’s bank card and PIN number as he was helping her while his uncle – who has since died – was ill.

“He lost his job and, instead of simply withdrawing money for his aunt, he started withdrawing money for his own benefit,” explained Mr Fraser.

The fiscal explained that on March 8, when Little went to make a further withdrawal at the ATM at Morrisons, a “stop” had been placed on the card.

Defence solicitor Rory Bannerman said his client had legitimately used the card on a number of occasions on his aunt’s behalf.

“He helped her to move to the Borders, and then used the card to obtain money himself,” he explained.

“This is not a man who is heartless, but he lost sight of his responsibilities, and an element of greed crept in when he lost his job.

“The fact that this involved a member of the family, has left a bitter taste,” added Mr Bannerman.

“He has already sent her £80, and has given a further £50 to my office to pay to her.”

Mr Bannerman said Little, who is looking for work, knew he had “let the family down”.

“He is deeply ashamed of his conduct, and wants to repay his aunt and the community for his crime,” he concluded.

Sheriff Donald Corke, who described the offence as “a very serious breach of trust” deferred sentence for six months, until April 3 next year.

“During that time, I expect you to make genuine attempts to repay the money,” he told Little.

THERE are now hopes that Barrie Knitwear might soon be able to look at expanding the size of the workforce at its Hawick mill, following its takeover by luxury French fashion label, Chanel, writes Mark Entwistle.

Two weeks have now passed since news of the famous Paris firm’s acquisiton of the Barrie mill in the town’s Burnfoot Industrial Estate.

Last week, TheSouthern reported the relief felt the town that a deal had finally been signed, securing the jobs of 176 workers and the future of a 140-year-old local business.

There had been months of worry for employees, after parent firm, Dawson International, went into administration in August because of pension problems.

But this week, Barrie managing director, Jim Carrie, told TheSouthern there had been a “return of very positive feelings” in the factory, now that the uncertainty about the future has been removed.

“Employees have gone through a difficult period in their lives, but their continued commitment to Barrie has been a major feature during that period,” Mr Carrie told us. “Relationships between Chanel and Barrie have always been very strong and there has been a great deal of trust and confidence between us. The day-to-day working relationship with Chanel could not really be much stronger, but strategic plans will be developed to look at how the Barrie business can grow with the help of Chanel.”

Asked if there was any chance of worker numbers being increased, Mr Carrie told TheSouthern: “The numbers employed might hopefully increase at some point as strategic plans are developed and implemented, and we will start our initial discussions regarding the future over the next few weeks.

“The main thing to remember at this early stage is that the events of the last two weeks have been fantastic news for Chanel, Barrie and, crucially, for the employees.”

Speaking to TheSouthern from his Paris office, Chanel’s president of fashion, Bruno Pavlovsky, pictured above, said the acquisiton reflected the high regard in which Chanel held Barrie’s craftsmanship and skills and was a testament to the importance of knitwear in the French firm’s collections.

Mr Pavlovsky has now twice visited Hawick and the Barrie factory -– once for negotiations and on a second occasion last week to meet the employees.

And on the question of Chanel’s famously flamboyant creative director, legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld, visiting Hawick anytime soon, a Chanel spokesperson told us: “It is not on his agenda, but we will keep you informed if he decides to visit it.”

THE opening day of a complimentary health centre in Kelso earlier this autumn raised more than £500 for charity.

A champagne reception at Health for Life Spinal Wellness Centre in the town’s Bridge Street included viola music from local musician Stephen Tees and an art exhibition.

The event raised £540 for an Ecuadorian charity, Cenit, which supports disadvantaged young mothers and working children, and provides health care, education and skills training.

The centre has six treatment rooms including a central community education room, set aside for public health and wellness talks and workshops. Therapies available so far include chiropractic, sports therapy, massage, personal and career coaching, physiotherapy, nutrition, and yoga.

NEWS that US-based high-tech manufacturer Plexus has been bucking the economic doom and gloom and managed to create more than 50 new jobs at its plant in Kelso in the last few months, has been welcomed in the town.

The company, which has its global headquarters in the American state of Wisconsin, confirmed to TheSouthern this week that a total of 57 new staff had been hired for its factory at the Pinnaclehill Industrial Estate in Kelso in the three months up until October.

The company told us: “Recruitment has been across numerous disciplines of the company’s business in Kelso, including manufacturing, warehousing, engineering, quality and purchasing.

“Driven by increasing demand from our UK customers, we are delighted to be expanding our team in Kelso,” stated Frank Zycinski, general manager of Plexus Manufacturing Solutions Kelso.

“Our people are our key differentiators. This facility continues to be an important part of Plexus’ strategy in Scotland and the growth demonstrates our continued commitment to developing engineering and manufacturing opportunities in the region.”

Plexus Manufacturing Solutions Kelso currently has 350 employees and has been offering what it terms ‘product realisation solutions’ since 2000.

Plexus manufactures complex, high-tech products and operates in a variety of markets, including those in the wireless infrastructure, medical, industrial, commercial, defence, security and aerospace sectors.

The company currently has 13 plants on three continents, with a total workforce of almost 8,000. Company headquarters are in Neenah, Wisconsin, with manufacturing plants in half-a-dozen US states, as well as in China, Malaysia and here in Scotland.

There is also a design facility at the Alba Campus in Livingston.

Local Scottish Borders councillor Simon Mountford (Con) said the recruitment figures from Plexus were excellent news and showed a vote of confidence in the quality of the Kelso workforce.

“Plexus has a well-earned reputation in its field and it is encouraging that a company of this calibre continues to invest in the Borders,” added Mr Mountford.

His fellow local Conservative, Councillor Tom Weatherston, commented: “This is very good news for the town, as a lot of businesses are facing difficult times just now and are having to let people go, so to hear of a locally-based company employing more staff at this time is very encouraging.”

And a spokesman for the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce added: “To see a global company like Plexus having the confidence to expand like this, is in itself, a pointer to perhaps green shoots appearing on the economic horizon. It is especially good for us in the Borders with so many new jobs being created. This news, plus the decision a fortnight ago by Chanel to take over the Barrie’s business in Hawick, indicates that major manufacturing business has confidence in the Borders. Long may this trend continue.”

Parent company Plexus Corp has this month reported its fourth quarter adjusted earnings, which surged 26.9 per cent year on year, primarily due to higher sales and modest margin expansions.

Total revenue increased 10.5 per cent on a year-over-year basis to $594.8million, primarily driven by strong performance from all its business segments.

Gross profit increased 11.8 per cent from the year-ago quarter to $56.2million.

WIND farm developers could soon be forced to argue why their applications should be the exception to a general rule that the Borders now has enough such schemes, if a new regulatory policy is eventually adopted by the region’s planners.

Currently the planning system treats every wind turbine application on its merits, but that could soon change due to a possible new set of criteria which applications would have to meet in order to justify being an exception to the general proposition that the Borders is ‘full up already’ when it comes to turbines.

Planning officials at Scottish Borders Council are now proceeding with investigations into the possibility of adopting such a ‘by exception’ policy after consultation responses on the main issues for the next proposed Local Development Plan (LDP) flagged up high levels of public concern on wind farms.

The issue of the consultation responses to the main issues report was discussed at last week’s meeting of the full council.

Councillors heard there was “a strong body of opinion” that now considers the Borders to have reached saturation point when it comes to turbines and would prefer that such a ‘by exception’ policy is taken forward by the council.

In order to test this issue further, councillors endorsed the commissioning of a consultancy study, to report by the end of the year, that will set out what it calls a robust assessment in terms of economic benefit, landscape impact and community perception of current and future potential wind farm proposals.

Councillors agreed that finalising the wind farm element of the LDP should be delayed until the further studies were completed.

The council’s deliberations coincided with Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond announcing a new target to generate the equivalent of half of Scotland’s electricity needs from renewable energy by 2015.

Mr Salmond revealed the target at the RenewableUK conference in Glasgow this week, but it comes, ironically, at the same time as controversy erupts over claims by Westminster, energy minister, John Hayes, that the UK had enough onshore wind farms.

And SBC planning committee vice-chair, Councillor Nicholas Watson (Leaderdale & Melrose, BP), thinks an ‘exception only’ policy is now the best way forward for this region to deal with turbine applications.

“So many wind farms have now been built that we have to be extra careful about future development. And I feel an ‘exception’ basis would be the best way as part of a new policy in the Local Development Plan.”

But Mr Watson admits there are serious risks that such a policy faces being challenged by Scottish Government ministers.

He said: “That’s why have to tread carefully. Any policy has to be well backed up with information and turbine studies.

“I don’t know of any other local authority in Scotland which operates such a policy, but the Borders has now reached tipping point when it comes to turbines.”

Planning chief Brian Frater told councillors last week that any new policy would have to be “robust and based on best evidence”.

Councillor Michael Cook (East Berwickshire, Ind), executive member for HR and Corporate Improvement, told the meeting that wind farms were the cause of more polarised opinion than anything else when it came to planning issues.

“There is a general perception in East Berwickshire, when it comes to wind farms, that the area is under seige by developers, he said.

Mr Cook said in strategic [government] terms, the policy on wind farms was “misconstrued and anti-democratic” in terms of council policy.

Mr Frater added that such a policy would need to be supported by the government, so decisions were not overturned by reporters.

Leading Borders anti-wind farm campaigner, Professor Jack Ponton, who chairs the Save Lauderdale campaign, said it would be “wonderful news” if SBC was to adopt an exception-based policy on turbines.

“But it comes at a time when Alex Salmond is calling for even more turbines to cover the Scottish countryside, so SBC would be up against people [government ministers] who want more wind farms but don’t have to live near them in the Borders,” commented Professor Ponton.

“But I think this shows that Borders councillors are listening and responding to the opinions of the local communities they serve.”

BROKEN springs are the main cause of vehicles failing MOT tests in the Borders, it has been revealed.

It was East Berwickshire councillor Jim Fullerton who raised the issue, lodging a question for last week’s October meeting of the full Scottish Borders Council.

Mr Fullerton said the high incidence of broken springs would indicate that potholes on local Borders roads were to blame and asked the local authority’s Executive Member for Roads and Infrastructure, Gordon Edgar (Selkirkshire, Ind), what he intended doing about the situation.

It was an inspection of local MOT centres in the region by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency which revealed the large number of broken springs – the highest in Scotland, according to Mr Fullerton, who was the elected member holding the roads portfolio under the previous administration.

Replying, Mr Edgar said it would indeed be worrying if the Borders figure for failed MOT tests due to broken springs was the highest across all of Scotland’s regions.

“The council, as the roads authority under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, manages and maintains all such roads in their area as entered onto the list of public roads,” explained Mr Edgar.

“Roads are the subject of regular inspection and defects are noted. If a defect is considered of significance, termed a Category 1 Defect, it is reported and the defect rectification process enabled.

“In the case of a significant pothole this could involve the filling with temporary repair material until a full, longer life solution can be implemented. I am sure that Councillor Fullarton will be aware that the Executive on November 20 2011, approved an additional £650,000 spend on roads and street lighting, with £300,000 allocated to road patching and overlays.”

And to laughs from the assembled councillors in the chamber, Mr Edgar quipped: “The portfolio holder therefore intends to continue with the fine work his predecessor did.”

However, Mr Fullerton warned that the local authority faced inflation of 20 per cent in the costs of roads materials in the near future: “This means we are facing a halving of our roads budget in four years’ time if something is not done about it,” he commented.

Responding, Mr Edgar said that during the budget process, the Environment and Infrastructure Department was always pressing to ensure there were adequate funds made available to maintain roads in the Borders.

Back in January, it was reported that damage caused to vehicles by potholes on Borders roads had resulted in compensation payouts totalling more than £14,000 since 2007.

Across Scotland, payouts to drivers for vehicle damage caused by potholes have cost local authorities more than £1.7 million over the last five years.

And following the 2010-11 winter, SBC estimated that the repair bill to the region’s roads would be £8million, despite them spending £275,000 on temporary repairs during the winter.

Kelso Rotarians, planted 11,000 crocus bulbs last Saturday in just over an hour.

It was done in record time thanks to the help of members of the Spirals Youth Group, and their youth leaders, plus the kind loan of a turf lifter from Lloyds Tractors, Kelso. The first stage of this project in October 2011 began with the planting with 6,000 crocuses on the grass verge on the A698 between the roundabout at Station RoadPlans are underway for a third stage in 2013.

Ghouls, witches and wizards appeared at Makerstoun Village Hall on Saturday to partake in a halloween party.

Afterwards, they went guising to raise money for the Makerstoun Firework Night.

THE new John Buchan Museum opens in Peebles next week.

The exhibition, which pays tribute to the famous writer, will be officially launched by Canada’s High Commissioner Gordon Campbell at the Chambers Institution next Saturday.

But museum trustees have to raise a further £75,000 to secure the collection’s future.

Chairman of the museum trustees John Scott Moncrieff said: “My fellow-trustees and I are most grateful to the charitable trusts and members of both the John Buchan Society and the Buchan family, along with many well-wishers, both local and as far afield as Australia and North America for their efforts in raising £225,000 in order to be part of a celebration of the life, work and enduring legacy of this most remarkable of Border Scots.”

The museum commemorating the writer of The Thirty Nine Steps, was in the former free church in Broughton for 28 years.

But it closed in 2011 and fundraisers have spent the last three years trying to rise the £300,000 needed.

Described as one of Scotland’s greatest writers, Buchan was a novelist, biographer, poet, historian, journalist, critic and publisher, as well as a Colonial officer, intelligence officer, propagandist, MP and, finally, Governor-General of Canada.

The writer had strong connections with Peebles – his parents, brother and sister lived at in the town’s Bank House (demolished in the 1970s). Brother Walter served as Town Clerk and Procurator Fiscal from 1906 to 1948, sister Anna wrote about Peebles under her pen name of O. Douglas till her death in 1947, and brother Alastair is commemorated on the war memorial in the quadrangle.

Museum president, Lord Tweedsmuir said: “I well remember my father, William Tweedsmuir, saying that my grandfather, JB, would have been amazed and delighted that 70 years after his death, his books are so widely read and enjoyed by so many people. The idea of a museum to commemorate him would have astonished him.

“This has been a complex project to bring to fruition and I hope I will have a chance to thank many supporters at the opening.”

Initially the museum will only be open from November 3 to December 6, before opening permanently at Easter 2013 by which time the museum hopes to have raised the final £75,000.

Chairman of the museum’s local committee, Ian Buckingham said: “We are delighted to secure the new home for the museum in such wonderful premises as the Chambers Institution. Its central location in Peebles, as well as its association with the Buchan family, will deliver an interesting new attraction in the town, for tourists, as well as local people.”

He also appealed for volunteers to assist in the running of the ‘John Buchan Story’, and anyone interested in being involved can pick up an information pack from the museum.

The opening ceremony will be carried out at 11.30am by the High Commissioner on behalf of the museum’s patron, H.E. David Johnston, the Governor General of Canada.

ST BOSWELLS

AT St Boswells Mart on Monday John Swan Ltd sold 86 clean cattle, 116 OTM cattle, 2,356 new season lambs and 1,498 ewes.

Bullocks (40) averaged 208.2p per kg and sold to 241p (-7.8p on week) while heifers (43) averaged 208.6p per kg and sold to 240p (-6.0p on week). Three young bulls averaged 182p per kg and sold to 194p (n/c on week) and 116 beef type OTM cattle averaged 123.4p per kg and sold to192p (-10.3p on the week).

The 2,356 new season lambs averaged 150.6p per kg and sold to £97(-3.4p on week) and 1,498 ewes averaged £46.64 (£81 for ewes and £89 for tups).

Principal prices per kg: Bee Edge 2.41, 2.30 M/s J Penny and Sons, 2.27 Robert Wilson Butcher; Longnewton 2.40 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons; Humebyres 2.35 M/s J Penny and Sons; Lennoxlove 2.33 M/s TA Shaw, 2.30 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons, 2.26 Denholm Meats; Upper Nisbet 2.32 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons; Ramrig 2.30 M/s R Pringle; Traprain 2.30 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons; Low Middleton 2.29 M/s J Gilmour and Co Ltd; Greenknowe 2.29 Gosford Bothy Shop, 2.26 Malone of Edinburgh, 2.25 M/s TA Shaw; Woodhead. A 2.25 M/s J Penny and Sons.

Principal prices per head: Humebyres £1492.25; Ramrig £1462; Bee Edge £1409.85, £1384.70, £1380; Low Middleton £1377.95.

Cows per head: Kersknowe £1438.10, £1355.20, £1320; Philiphaugh £1315.20; Smailholm Mains £1277.50; Ramrig £1276.80, £1269.20; Cortleferry £1260.85; Humebyres £1244.10, £1161.30; Birkenside £1156.20; Eden Lodge £1146.75; Legerwood £1123.75; Crossflat £1082.95.

Cows per kg: Ramrig 1.92, 1.67; Crossflat 1.79, 1.41; Humebyres 1.74, 1.58; Cortleferry 1.55, 1.51; Kersknowe 1.54, 1.50, 1.46; Birkenside 1.49; Smailholm Mains 1.46, 1.42;Legerwood 1.45; Wester Middleton 1.43.

Bulls: New Blainslie £1277.25 (1.31); Earlston Mains £1180 (1.18).

Principal prices, lambs per head: Bel:- £97, £95 Crookston. Tex.x;- £95, £93, £92 Crookston, £84 Huntington, Suff.x;- £84 Huntington, £83 Hartside, Beu;- £71.50 Craighouse, CM;- £73 Gospelhall, GF;- £69 Saughtree, Chev;- £66 Gospelhall, £64.50 Blackcastle, BF;- £56 Burnhouse Mains and Roxburgh Mill.

Principal prices, lambs per kg: Bel;- 193.9 Crookston, 182.6 Sydenham, Tex.x;- 189.8 Crookston, 177.4 Howden, Suff.x;- 173.4, 168 Huntington, Chev;- 155 Saughtree.

Cast ewes: Tex;- £81 Mossburnford, £73 Buckholm, Suff.x;- £79 Linkshead and Smailholm Mains, £77 Craigsford Mains, BFL;- £69 Linkshead, Chev;- £67 Gospelhall, £63 Torwoodlee Mains, Lle;- £67 Hillhouse, GF;- £63 Craigend, £61 Linkshead and Mossburnford, BF;- £47 Lauderhill, £43 Linkshead, Falside and Hillhouse.

Rams: Tex;- £89 Thistle Doo, BFL;- £67 Lee, Chev;- £65 Hindhope.

WOOLER

AT their fortnightly Store Sale held at Wooler Livestock Centre last Tuesday John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 37 head.

A small show forward but still in demand with good returns.

Leading prices per head:- A.A.x:- Strs. £1120, £1065, £1050 (2), £1030, Hfrs:- £980, £940 South Lyham. Lim:- Strs:- £975 Barmoor Red House, £900 South Lyham, Hfrs:- £895, £840 Barmoor Red House, £720 Barmoor South Moor. BRB Hfrs:- £750, £700 Chillingham Home Farm.

Last Wednesday at their weekly Primestock Sale John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 1,579 lambs and 579 ewes.

Lamb numbers slightly larger, trade in keeping with national trends. Fleshy types still at a premium.

Leading prices per head:- Bel:- £85 The Loan, £83, £74.50, £72.50 Ladykirk, £66 Roddam, £65 Chillingham Newtown. Tex:- £77 South Ditchburn, £76, £73 Greenhead.R, £72 East Fleetham, Whitsome West Newton, Greenhead.R, West Longridge, £71 South Ditchburn, Black Heddon, £70 Lorbottle, Mordington, £69.50 Shotton, £68.50 Lilburn Estates, £68 Black Heddon. Suff.x:- £74 East Fleetham, £72 Chesterhill (2), Shotton, £71.50 East Fleetham, £69 Chesterhill. Chv:- £72 Humbleheugh.

Leading prices per kilo:- Bel:- 202.4p The Loan, 176.8p, 165.6p Ladykirk, 165p Roddam. Tex:- 171.8p Lilburn Estates, 171.4p Greenhead.R, 169.1p Black Heddon, 168p Lilburn Estates, 166.7p Conundrum Farm, 162.8p Mordington, 161.9p, 161p, 160.7p Lilburn Estates, 160p Cockhall, 157.3p Yetlington Lane, 155.8p Whitsome West Newton, Biddlestone Home Farm, Kettleburn, Roddam. Suff.x:- 157.1p Titlington Mount, 154.9p Roddam, 153.7p, 152.3p, 152.2p, 151.3p Lilburn Estates, 151.2p Shipley Lane, Lilburn Estates. CM:- 142.5p Bewick Folly.

Larger number of ewes forward with prices again in keeping with national trends. Cheaper on the week.

Leading prices:- Suff.x:- £72 Lilburn Estates, £71 Newton Farm, £69 Berryhill, Shipley Lane, £67 East Port, Edlingham Newtown, £65 Titlington Mount, Lintlaw, £63 Lorbottle, £61 Cresswell Farms, North Sharperton. Tex: -£69 Black Heddon, £65 Cresswell Farms, Titlington Mount, £61 Lorbottle, Ladykirk. BF:- £43 Blackmountain Farms. Mule:- £57 Cresswell Farms, Lilburn Estates, £55 Newton Farm, Berryhill, Lintlaw, Mordington, Brockley Hall, £53 Edlingham Newtown, Lilburn Estates, Greystonnes, Shipley Lane, West Longridge, Cockhall. Chv:- £55, £51 Branton Eastside. CM:- £53 Biddlestone Town Foot. Bel:- £71 The Loan.

LONGTOWN

THE Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart PLC had forward 44 prime cattle, six young bulls, 47 over 30 month cattle, 6,956 prime lambs and 10,814 cast ewes and rams at their weekly sale at Longtown last Thursday.

A much plainer show of prime cattle saw trade in line with recent rates. Top price of 210.5p for a Limousin heifer from I. and H. Douglas, Cambeck Hill.

Principal prices per kilo: Bullocks, Limousin – 203.5p, 196.5p Sceughdyke. Heifers, Limousin – 210.5p Cambeck Hill, 193.5p, 192.5p Houghton House, 191.5p Bleatarn.

Principal prcies per head: Bullocks, Limousin – £1,343 Sceughdyke, £1,342, £1,340 Sandbed. Heifers, British Blue – £1,265 Sandbed. Limousin – £1,231 Cambeck Hill, £1,174 Smallholms, £1,113 Sandbed. Charolais – £1,162 Sceughdyke, £1,107 Cambeck Hill.

A small show of bulls topped at 199.5p for a British Blue from J. and P. Routledge and Son, Netherton.

Principal prices per kilo: Limousin – 192.5p Yett Farm, 191.5p Netherton. British Blue – 199.5p Netherton.

Principal prices per head: British Blue - £1,316 Netherton. Limousin - £1,311 Netherton.

A larger show of cast cows on offer and a lot of weathered hill cows forward saw trade similar on the week. The top price of the sale was 147.5p for a Limousin from Greystoke Castle Farms. Limousin stock bulls sold to 145.5p from Messrs T.B. Imrie, Harelawhole.

Principal prices per kilo: Limousin – 147.5p Greystoke Castle, 143.5p Swaites, 135.5p Greystoke Castle, 129.5p (x2) Bleatarn, 121.5p Shankbridge End. Friesian – 113.5p Harelawhole. Galloway – 112.5p Old Irvine. Blue Grey – 108.5p, 107.5p Potholm. Limousin Bull – 145.5p Harelawhole.

Principal prices per head: Limousin – £995, £880 Greystoke Castle, £868 Swaites, £809 Bleatarn. Limousin Bull - £1,309 Harelawhole.

The company had forward a colossal show of 6,956 lambs and 10,814 ewes being the largest show this century.

The large show of lambs had an overall average of 155p. Well fleshed handy weight lambs still sold regularly at 165-175p, with smaller lambs lacking flesh little more than store price. Top price per kilo was 217.3p for Beltex lambs from Messrs Park, Harleyrigg.

Prime lambs sold to a top of £102 for Charollais from Messrs A. Hoggan, Maryholm, others to £80.80 The Chestnuts, £80.20 Becton Hall; Suffolk x £90 High Barlcray, £87.80 Becton Hall, £86.80 Slealands; Cheviot £73.80 Granton, £70.20, £69.80 Gospel Hall; Texels £100 Catslackburn, £97.80 Overwhitlaw, £95.50 Catslackburn; Bleu de Maine £82.80, £81.80 Braithwaite Hall; Halfbred £70.80 High Moat, £63 Earlside; Greyface £72.80 Brampton Fell and Nunscleugh, £68.80 Brampton Fell and Woodhouse; Cheviot Mules £72.80 Springwells, £66.80 Killeonan, £66.80 Tarrasfoot; Blackface £64.80 Crindledykes, £62.80 Winterhopeburn & Cramlat, £61.80 Riskinhope; North Country Cheviot £74.80 Sebay, £69.80 Sibmister, £62.80 Earlside; Herdwicks £50 Shortrigg; Beltex £97.80 Harleyrigg, £89.80 Hightown, £79.80 Windyhill; Lleyn £66.80 Whitcastles, £65.80 Kersheugh; Romney Marsh £61.80 Swaites.

Lightweight lambs to £68.80 for Texels from Upper Dounreay, £67 Temon, £59.80 Hillfield; Rouge £54.20 Killinochnoch Cottage; Greyface £54.80 Arnicle and Cooperhouse; £43.80 Redgatehead; Blackface £56.80 Upperburnmouth, £55.80 Riskinhope, £55 Cooperhouse; North Country Cheviot £48.80 Upper Dounreay; Swaledale £42.80 High Dunashrey, £36.80 Bateyshield; Herdwicks £42, £40 Shortrigg. Beltex £60.80 Hilltop.

The 10,814 ewes and rams saw big heavy ewes and good selling ewes sharper on the week, with smaller and plainer ewes easier due to the sheer amount of weathered ewes forward.

Cast rams to £125 for Charollais from Thackwood, £108.50 Mosshead, £100 Thackwood; Suffolks £89.50 High Balcray, £86.50 Eastside, £85.50 Spittal; Texels £118 Cottage, £116.50 Brantwood, £113.50 Sibmister; Rouge £78.50 Harperhill; Leicester £86.50 Brantwood, £85.50 Eastside, £75.50 Softley; Blackface £75.50 Eastside, £69.50 Kilfillan, £68.50 Hott; North Country Cheviot £79.50 Seavers; Beltex £102.50 Sibmister, £89.50 Draperstown; Lleyn £69.50 Overwhitlaw; Zwartbles £69.50 Achaurole Mains; Romney Marsh £59.50 Copperthorns; Easycare £69.50 Eastside.

Heavy ewes to £106.50 for Texels from roadside, £102.50 Sibmister, £100.50 Mains of Machermore and Severs Road; Suffolk £95.50 Old Portgleone, £92.50 Roadside, £91.50 Severs Road; Charollais £92.50 Thackwood and Severs Road, £86.50 Severs Road, £85.50 Roadside; Halfbred £85.50 Cowcorse, £74.50 Broadhaugh; Greyface £80.50, £77.50 Maryfield, £76.50 Fallowfield; Cheviot Mule £77.50 Ardlamy, £76.50 Severs Road, £74.50 North House; Leicesters £86.50 Larel, £85.50 Roadside, £79.50 Old Police House aqnd Cowcorse; North Country Cheviot £88.50 Broomhillbank and Severs Road, £84.50 Sornfallow; Beltex £102.50, £86.50 Mains of Machermore, £82.50 Keld Farm; Zwartbles £56.60 Low Lonning; Oxford £78.50 Seavers Road; Romney Marsh £59.50 Higher Bughill.

Lightweight ewes to £82.50 for Cheviots from Westlinton, £74.50 Westgate, £68.50 Westlinton; Blackface £64.50 Old Police House, £63.50 Brownleazes.

BORDER LIVESTOCK

LAST week Border Livestock Exchange Ltd sold 173 prime cattle including 41 cows and bulls, 3,071 prime lambs, 491 cast ewes, 971 store sheep and 111 store cattle.

Aberdeen Angus cross steers from Eastfield of Lempitlaw, Kelso, sold to 397p per kg and £1,472. Continental cross heifers from Cairndinnis, Haddington, sold to 370p per kg. Heavy Continental cross steers from Easington Grange, Belford, peaked at 351p per kg and £1,449.98. Young bulls to £1,434 from Blackadder Mains, Duns. Cull cows continue to sell extremely well with more being offered. Top price Blackadder Mains, Duns, £1,374. Saler cross cows to £1,148 from Cliftoncote, Yetholm.

Lambs remained steady with some tremendous consignments on offer. Organics from Tullochallum, Keith, topped the section at 380p per kg with conventional Texel crosses from Scotstounbank, Peebles, selling to 375p per kg and £78.75. Suffolk’s from Sweethope Farm, Kirkwhelpington, also sold to 375p per kg. Other Continental crosses to 365p per kg Edlingham Demense, Alnwick, 360p per kg Carlopshill, Penicuik; Howden, Jedburgh; Redpath Farm, Duns; Shipley Lane, Alnwick and Threeburnford, Lauder.

Store lambs continue to move steadily with the majority heading South. Suffolk crosses to £55.50, Texel crosses to £54 and Hill Cheviots to £52. Running on mule ewe lambs to £90. Cull ewes were dearer with mules selling to £80.50 Duncrahill, Pencaitland.

A CALL for council officials to undertake a study into what consideration is given to Borders roads damaged by timber extraction and haulage operations, when it comes to local authority spending plans, has failed to gain support.

The request came from Councillor Gavin Logan (Tweeddale East, Con), who was speaking at last week’s October meeting of the full Scottish Borders Council.

Mr Logan asked Councillor Gordon Edgar (Selkirkshire, Ind), Executive Member for Environment and Infrastructure, exactly what consideration was given to routes, including undesignated routes, which are damaged by timber extraction and haulage operations with regards to the local authority’s capital expenditure programme, and if he agreed that a specific study into this problem should be considered.

In reply, Mr Edgar explained: “Forests cover approximately 18 per cent of the Scottish Borders.

“The harvesting of timber in the area has intensified in the last decade or so as the forests have reached maturity.

“The impact on roads within the Scottish Borders through timber extraction is acknowledged as an issue.

“Support funding is available from Central Government through the Strategic Timber Transport Fund, but this involves the council match funding at least 50 per cent of the total cost of any scheme.

“The process is also a competitive one and bids normally outweigh available funding by a considerable factor.

“Scottish Borders Council has been successful in the past in gaining access to this fund, most recently for work in the Ettrick Valley. Capital schemes to improve roads damaged by forestry extraction compete with other priorities in the Capital Financial Plan.

“The current Roads Block allocation of £1.7million is prioritised on several factors including damage, safety, hierarchy, usage, connectivity and other factors.

“Unless there is support from council for a significant investment in forestry roads, I do not believe that a study would prove to be value for money.”

Commenting that it was “a pity” that his call for a study did not gain support from Mr Edgar, Mr Logan said that the Scottish Government allocates a grant for roads based on the length of the roads in the Borders and he pressed for more of this cash to actually be spent on these issues, since it was not ring-fenced for this purpose.

He commented: “This grant is not ring fenced and unfortunately SBC in the past has only allocated 80 per cent of the grant for roads,” Mr Logan said. “Recently SBC has had to allocate £0.63million from the unallocated emergency and unfunded schemes budget to basically play catch up on our roads.

“In the run up to the budget setting for 2013/14, will you push as hard as you can to have the whole of the funds allocated for roads used for the purpose for which it is intended and so keep our roads from deteriorating any further?”

Mr Edgar said he agreed much more money should be spent on roads. “But, unfortunately, money has to be spent subject to the parameters of other spending requirements in the Borders,” he added.