This Saturday, September 8, the community of Langlee in Galashiels goes into carnival mode at the community centre in Marigold Drive.

The fun starts with a fancy dress at the primary school in Langlee Drive, the judging for which begins at 10.15am, with classes for all ages. At 10.30am, the Langlee Lad and Lass for 2018, Sean Millar and Faye Kennedy, lead the fancy dressers to the centre, where the duo will officially open the carnival, held in the grounds surrounding the centre and the main hall – where several arts and crafts stalls will be set up, as well as entertainment throughout from town bands and Langlee’s own community choir, as well as Irish and tap dancing displays, and there will be plenty of family-focused activities in the grounds.

Background reports have been ordered on a Hawick woman after she admitted causing a third disturbance in the accident-and-emergency department at the Borders General Hospital in Melrose.

Nikitta James, 30, pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to shouting and swearing, making threatening and abusive comments, obstructing others by sitting in the middle of the floor and taking photographs of staff on June 21.

She also admitted struggling violently with two police officers.

The court was told that after James was admitted to the hospital following a suspected overdose at around 4pm, a nurse made herself scarce, having had untoward dealings with her before.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said: “She was put in a cubicle opposite the nurses’ station, but she refused to stay in there and was aggressive to all the staff in a verbal fashion.

“Eventually a doctor persuaded her to return to the cubicle, but she continued shouting and swearing.

“When the member of staff she previously encountered returned to the area, the accused said ‘there is the c***’.

“She took out her mobile phone and took photographs of the nurse who had problems with her before.

“She sat in the middle of the floor getting in the way of everyone else in the department and was shouting and swearing at the nurses.

“The staff were highly concerned and alarmed by her behaviour, and the police were phoned.

“On seeing the police officers arrive, she returned to the cubicle but continued to be aggressive and was shouting and swearing at them as well.

“She was eventually put in handcuffs as she struggled with them.”

James continued to struggle on being taken to a police van and also refused to sign a self-discharge form, instead ripping it up.

Defence lawyer Sophie Russell said her client’s mental health had deteriorated since moving to Galashiels and she now intends to move back to Hawick and stay in the town’s Drumlanrig Square.

She urged the sheriff to impose an alternative to custody, saying: “She appreciates any repeat of this behaviour at Borders General Hospital will result in her losing her liberty.

“She has spent time on remand and does not want to go back.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence until September 24 for reports.

He explained that although James was being granted bail while those reports were being compiled, a prison sentence was still being considered and all options were on the table.

Sheriff Paterson said: “This is a serious matter. It is the third time you have been before the court for offences in the accident-and-emergency department, and that conduct will not be tolerated.”

James has been ordered to sign on at Hawick police station three times a week.

A lorry driver has been spared jail for breaking into three houses to steal women’s underwear.

Craig Brydon, 38, was instead given a 16-month prison sentence suspended for a year and a half.

He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours’ unpaid work.

Brydon, of Atkinson Road in Hawick, pleaded guilty to three charges of burglary at Berwick Magistrates’ Court back in February, but the case was then committed to Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing.

That switch of court was made because it was felt that Brydon’s crimes might merit a tougher sentence than the magistrates were empowered to hand out.

Brydon’s break-ins, carried out while he was on the road for his job as a heavy goods vehicle driver, were prompted by his fetish for wearing ladies’ knickers, both courts were told.

All three burglaries were carried out in Wooler, one in the town’s South Road and two in Fenton Grange, in August and September 2016 and on an unspecified date between 2015 and 2017.

Brydon was caught after abandoning a pair of women’s high-heeled shoes with his DNA on near the South Road address.

A subsequent search of his home brought to light property including women’s lingerie and a wig taken from the Wooler homes.

Brydon initially denied carrying out the break-ins, claiming to have acquired the items in question from skips or charity shops, but his work records placed him in Wooler on the nights of two of the burglaries, prompting him to change tack and own up.

According to reports ordered by the magistrates, Brydon has been suffering from a paraphilic disorder and depression, the former being responsible for his underwear fetish.

A man has been jailed for 180 days at Selkirk Sheriff Court for stamping on his partner’s head during an argument.

Jonathan Barnes, 22, of Croft Street, Galashiels, also punched her in the face four or five times and tried to stuff a piece of clothing in her mouth.

That offence was committed at a house in Carlin Court, Tweedbank, on Tuesday, August 7, after the pair had been out socialising.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said: “When they got home, an argument started between the accused and his partner.

“Things calmed down, but shortly afterwards he pushed her and then punched her in the face four or five times.

“He took off his shirt and tried to force it into her mouth.

“She managed to take it out of her mouth and shouted at her friends for help.

“When they came into the room, they saw the accused stamping on her head.”

Mr Fraser said they asked Barnes what was going on and he then left, adding: “She was hysterical.”

The woman suffered bruising and swelling to both eyes and cheeks but discharged herself from hospital.

Barnes’ jail sentence was backdated to August 16, that being when he was first remanded in custody in connection with the offence.

A serial shoplifter has been jailed for 160 days at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Emma Elliot, 30, pleaded guilty to stealing a coat and two handbags from TK Maxx in Galashiels in May.

The court was told one of the handbags was valued at £300.

The court heard Elliot had several previous convictions for shoplifting and had stolen items to make money to pay off debts she owed to a drug-dealer.

Elliot, of Forest Avenue, Galashiels, also admitted various breaches of bail.

Her jail sentence was backdated to August 20.

A man has been given a community payback order involving drug treatment for stealing an ornament from a Galashiels gift shop.

William Kennedy, 33, of Church Square, Galashiels, pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to a charge of theft by shoplifting at the Channel Street store on November 22.

Graham Fraser, prosecuting, said staff watching Kennedy coming into the shop at around 3pm noticed that he appeared intoxicated and unsteady on his feet.

He added: “He picked up one ornament and asked how much it was but said he did not have enough money for it.

“He then took a wolf ornament worth £45 and left the shop.”

Mr Fraser said that Kennedy, who had initially denied the theft, claiming someone was impersonating him by wearing his jacket, now admitted his guilt.

The ornament was not recovered, the court heard.

A teenager has admitted dialling 999 28 times in the space of two hours without a valid reason.

Sentence was deferred at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Glenn Todd, 18, of Cuddyside, Peebles, until September 10 for the production of a psychiatric report.

That offence was committed on June 20.

Todd also admitted dialling 999 on three occasions on April 22 and making a false claim that his mother was dead or injured and requesting that an ambulance be sent out.

A man has been placed on a night-time home curfew for the next 11 months for spitting in the face of an off-duty police officer during a bust-up in the street.

Dean Brown, 23, pleaded guilty to carrying out that assault in a residential area of Galashiels last month.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told that an off-duty female police officer was trying to fit a car seat at the back of her vehicle and had left the rear door open onto a pavement.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the accused was heading along the street and walked into the open door, causing him to start swearing.

The woman then got out of the car and Brown made a comment to her.

Mr Fraser said that the incident was witnessed by the woman’s husband, also a police officer, and he came out of his home to intervene.

He said: “Brown was complaining about the door being open and then said to the police officer ‘I know your face. You’re a f****** copper. Give me your badge number’.

“He then grabbed him by the throat and spat directly into his face.

“A struggle then ensued between the two of them on the ground, and the wife telephoned 999.”

The police officer held onto Brown until assistance arrived.

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said his client suffered significant injuries during the incident and had come off worst.

He added that Brown had been making efforts to turn his life around after getting into trouble in his early days and was now holding down a full-time job.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told him: “An offence of this kind amply justifies a prison sentence.” However, he told Brown he was willing to give him a last chance and put him on curfew at his Galashiels home between 7pm and 7am for the next 11 months, with the start time put back to 10pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

A 38-year-old has been fined £300 for punching another man in the face at a Borders beer festival.

Richard Fowle, of Hallidays Park in Selkirk, pleaded guilty to carrying out that assault during a spring festival at Tempest Brewing Co in Tweedbank on May 12.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told Selkirk Sheriff Court: “There appears to be be some background between their families.”

The fiscal described how Fowle punched his victim in the face with his right fist, causing blood to pour from his nose.

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said his client had reacted after being pushed off a bench and lashed out.

Sheriff Peter Paterson, besides imposing a £300 fine, ordered Fowle to pay £100 compensation to his victim.

A 27-year-old man has been accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl at a house in Galashiels.

Willum Webster, giving an Edinburgh address, is charged with repeatedly touching and squeezing the girl’s buttocks on August 12.

He pleaded not guilty to that accusation at Selkirk Sheriff Court, and a trial date was fixed for November 8, with an intermediate hearing on October 8.

Webster was granted bail with a condition not to enter the Borders unless on court business.

Innerleithen’s post office is back in business, having opened within its new home at The Allotment fruit and vegetable shop on High Street, last week.

That opening brings an end to a long-running push to reinstate a full-time service in the town following the resignation of the postmaster at the MayMart store in February last year.

Susan Meikle and Helen Millen, business partners at the Allotment, have been welcoming customers to the new local-style branch since last Wednesday, August 29.

They are offering Post Office products and services from an new open-plan counter running side by side with the existing one. It operates during the store’s usual opening hours, from 10am to 5pm during the week and from 9.30am to 1pm on Saturdays. The town has been served by a mobile outreach van every Friday morning for the past 15 months.

Steven Simpson, Post Office area network change manager said: “We are confident that this vibrant new-style Post Office at the heart of the local community will meet customer needs.”

Local residents and small business customers are able to access the wide range of Post Office and mails services, including Special Delivery, Local Collect, home shopping returns, send funds abroad using Moneygram, pay bills, pre-order travel money, apply for travel insurance, top mobile phones and take advantage of a wide range of banking services including cash withdrawals, deposits and balance enquiries for customers of all the main UK banks.

The 98th staging of the Ettrick and Yarrow Show takes place this coming Saturday, September 8 at Carterhaugh at Bowhill, near Selkirk.

Organised by the Yarrow and Ettrick pastoral Society since 1906, this year’s event includes a variety of different classes. They including those for horses, cows, sheep, tractors and baking and crafts in the industrial tent. There will also be a dog and pet show, food and drinks stalls and musical entertainment.

Gates to the showground, around three miles from Selkirk, off the B7009 Selkirk to Ettrickbridge road, open at 8.30am with the day set to close around 4.30pm.

Admission is £8 for adults, £2 for school children and £5 for concessions.

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Numbers to be collected on show day from secretary.

For more information visit the show website: www.yarrowshow.co.uk

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed a house break-in and car theft in Peebles in the early hours of Saturday morning in Peebles.

The incident happened at around 2.40am on Saturday, September 1, in the Jubilee Park area of the town when car keys were stolen and used to take a blue Honda Civic Type R, registration BR04 HON.

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Inspector Tony Hodges, deputy local area commander, told us: “This vehicle was seen being driven away a high speed and may have been going towards Edinburgh.

“As part of our inquiries, we are asking anyone who may have seen the car in the early hours of Saturday morning, or since then, to get in touch.

“Those with information should contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0614 of September 1, or call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.”

This year’s Selkirk Ex-Standard Bearers’ Charities and Good Causes Rideout, held on Sunday, September 2, passed a quite remarkable milestone.

The ride, which took in the South marches for the first time since 2013 – when the 500th anniversary of the battle of Flodden was marked, raised cash for the Selkirk Common Riding Trust, the Edinburgh Souters Society, Dr Jeff Cullen’s first aid courses and Marie Curie.

While the sponsor money and donations are still being counted, it’s clear that the group has now broken the £20,000 mark over the six years the rideout has been running.

Organiser Scott Tomlinson told us: “I’d like to thank everybody involved in making this event so successful, with the 72 participants, helpers, nurses and marshals all coming together to raise so much money for good causes.

“The ride on Sunday took place in far better conditions than the last time we did that route, with just a wee bit drizzle rather than heavy rain.

“The route itself is fantastic, taking in Lindean marshes, Over Whitlaw, Midlem and Lilliesleaf, before coming back to town through the Riddell Estate and the gallop at the Rig.

“It’s a challenging route for the riders, but it was great to see that no-one fell on the day.

“It also offers some outstanding views of the beautiful countryside that surrounds the Royal Burgh.”

Charities helped by the organisation in previous years include Scottish HART, Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, Stable Life, Rowlands, Selkirk Illuminations and the Argus Playgroup.

A riders’ social event took place following the rideout in the Selkirk Conservative Club.

A presentation night will be held around the end of December when the cheques will be handed over to this year’s recipients.

An investigation is under way into the theft of two caravans from a Greenlaw storage yard.

Police are appealing for information on the thefts, which were discovered on Friday, August 31.

One caravan, a white, six-berth Magnum Classic 540 worth £6,000, was discovered missing by its owner at around 8.40am on Friday, while the other, a white Swift Challenger 635 worth £25,000, was confirmed missing by its owner at around 11.15am on the same day.

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Inspector Tony Hodges, deputy local area commander, said: “These caravans had been stored in a yard and were discovered missing by their owners on Friday, August 31, but they could have been taken anytime in the days or weeks before.

“We would like to appeal to anyone who may have seen the caravans being moved or who may be offered these models to buy.

“If you have any information please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0699 of August 31. Alternatively, call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Plans for an £8m wind farm at Barrel Law, north west of Roberton, have been rejected by councillors.

The proposals would have seen seven turbines up to 132m in height erected on land next to the existing Langhope Rig wind farm.

The company behind the plans, ABO Wind UK, has faced opposition from residents, community councils and Scottish Borders councillors ever since it first announced its intention to develop the site in 2012.

The council’s initial rejection of those plans in 2013 was prompted by concerns voiced by the Ministry of Defence over possible interference with its radar systems at the Spadeadam Royal Air Force base, near Brampton in Cumbria.

The firm’s plans were subsequently revised and reduced from eight turbines to seven, prompting the MoD to withdraw its objections and officers in Scottish Borders Council’s planning department to recommend approval.

The council’s planning and building standards committee took a different view at its meeting today, however.

Speaking in favour of rejecting the plans again, Kelso councillor Simon Mountford said: “I think what it really boils down to is whether the impacts are adverse, significant and unacceptable.

“Scottish Natural Heritage talks about the impacts at the nearby reservoir as being significant and adverse.

“The environmental assessment talks about the impact at the William Ogilvie cairn, near Borthwickshiels, as being significant and adverse, so it really comes down to if these significant and adverse impacts are also unacceptable, although what I find unacceptable may differ to what someone else may find unacceptable. It’s subjective.

“The officers and the consultees have expressed reservations, even though they might not have objected.

“I think when you join together all these different aspects – of the reservoir, of the William Ogilvie cairn, the cumulative and residential impacts – in my view, that makes this application unacceptable.”

A report put to the committee revealed that 75 comments had been submitted to the council about the project, all but one of them objections.

The council also received objections from six community councils responsible for land that would have been within sight of the wind farm, and Hawick and Hermitage councillors Davie Paterson and Watson McAteer also registered their opposition.

The latter wrote to fellow councillors imploring them to reject the bid, saying: “This application is a test, and should this authority grant the application, it is in danger of sending a signal to all developers that rejection is simply a temporary setback and that after some fine-tuning, re-application is likely to be successful.

“This approach is debilitating for fragile communities being worn down by commercial enterprises that bring financial muscle to a process destined to create overproliferation, landscape desecration and wind turbine blight in a naturally beautiful area of the Borders.

“Those I represent can see no valid reason why the previous rejection is not equally valid today, and it is your responsibility to ensure that this community is listened to.

“It is quite ridiculous that those who live and nurture this area are once again being called to fight to protect a precious environment that includes a perilous roads network from a profit-centred business with no interest in the effect their development will have on such a historic rural community.”

Not all councillors opposed the development, however, with East Berwickshire councillor Helen Laing proposing a motion to support the officers’ recommendations and approve the application, andTweeddale East councillor Eric Small seconded it.

Ms Laing said the revised plans were a big improvement on the 2012 application, adding: “I think there has been a significant change to what they have proposed.

“I do have my concerns, particularly around the impact on nearby properties, but, on balance, I am supportive of the officers’ recommendations. There are lots of advantages to this.”

The other five members of the committee voted to reject the proposals, however.

Speaking after the meeting, ABO Wind UK’s head of development, Clark Crosbie, said: “We are extremely disappointed by the decision of the council’s planning committee.

“We were especially disappointed with the decision given that the application was presented at the planning committee with no objections from any of the statutory consultees and was recommended for approval.

“We will now review the decision in detail before considering our next steps.”

“We have worked very closely and collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders over the past few years to develop this project, and we believe very strongly that it complied with all relevant technical and planning requirements.

“The site is located well outside the area being discussed for a proposed Borders national park, has good wind resource, a readily available electricity grid connection, proven turbine delivery route and is relatively isolated.

“It is also located in an area identified in the council’s finalised renewable energy supplementary guidance, dated March 2018, as having the highest capacity for wind turbine development.”

Royal Bank of Scotland customers left disgruntled by the closure of its Selkirk branch in May are now missing out on the mobile service drafted in to replace it too.

Inconsiderate drivers hogging the few parking spaces available in the town centre have led to the replacement service having to venture further afield during its weekly visits, made from 2.45pm to 3.15pm on Mondays, leaving some Souters in the dark as to its whereabouts.

That problem has arisen due to the town becoming a victim of its own success, more businesses opening having led to an increase in irresponsible parking, particularly in disabled and loading bays, by their customers, according to Selkirkshire councillor Caroline Penman.

One of the worst affected parts of town is Market Place, and twice in the last month, the Royal Bank of Scotland’s mobile banking unit has been unable to park up at its designated spot there and has had to look for a space elsewhere.

As the unit only stays in town for half an hour, that has led to some customers missing out on accessing their bank accounts and using other services.

That has prompted Mrs Penman to appeal to motorists to be more considerate, saying: “With more businesses opening up in the town, parking is becoming a real issue.

“We particularly have an issue with drivers abusing the loading and disabled parking bays.

“Twice in the last month when the RBS mobile branch has visited the town it has been unable to use the Market Place for the allotted time period of half an hour, therefore the branch has had to move up to the top car park, where customers have been unable to find it. Drivers need to be more considerate and park more responsibly.

“Parking up on the new pedestrian areas in the Market Place is also an issue. If this continues, long-term damage will be caused.

“Saying ‘I will just be a few minutes’ is simply no longer good enough.”

Motorists have no excuse for flouting the rules as there is sufficient signage in the centre of town, she says.

“The police community action team have been in the town a couple of times and booked or just moved the motorists on, but as soon as they leave, motorists go back to their bad habits,” she added.

“The team need to visit the town on a regular basis or we need to campaign further to bring back traffic wardens.

“Parking is an issue all over the Borders because no one is there to monitor it.”

“Many motorists have just become lazy and inconsiderate.”

A surge in first-time showers and dry weather helped ensure this year’s Roberton Show was another roaring success.

Hundreds of visitors and exhibitors enjoyed an afternoon of competition and entertainment at the annual event, held in the Snoot Field on Saturday.

Show secretary Alan Bone said: “The Hawick Scout Pipe band were in attendance and provided two heart thumping sessions for the crowd. A display and parade of vintage tractors was highlight following completion of the sheep judging, bringing nostalgic memories for many.

“As ever the children’s games section was very popular, a balloon-twister was on hand to fashion fantasy creations on demand and it wasn’t too long before all the under twelves were well equipped with inflated amusements.

“The tea tent with it’s traditional homemade cakes, shortbread, scones and bacon sandwiches had a most exceptional day, testament to the expertise and dedication of our volunteers. Lunches for the judges and attending members were kindly sponsored and provided by Mr and Mrs D Knox.”

Glen Wilson from Hawthornside Farm, Bonchester Bridge, picked up the top title of best breeding sheep in show with his supreme champion Texel ewe, ahead of a Blackfaced ewe from John Anderson of Penchrise.

His Texel fought off competition from Cheviot section winners shown by Ogg Jackson of Cossarshill and Ross Anderson from Easter Alemoor and a Cheviot Mule from Scott Anderson, Parkhill.

The Anderson brothers had a very successful day with Ross also collecting the cup for Cheviot female group and the trophy for most points in the sheep section, while Scott won the trophy for prime lambs.

Other trophy winners included Stuart and Katherine McIntosh in the Blackfaced section, Kevin Duncan in the untouched Cheviot class, William Fleming for best wooled sheep and Eileen Randall from Drychleuchlea in the Cheviot section.

Robbie Oliver from Highchesters won the young handler competition and the trophy for most points in the junior section.

Away from the show ring, the weather impacted on entries in the vegetable classes but cut flower entries were up by 20%. Hand-crafted textile entries were up almost 25%, baking classes held their own against last year, the preserves section was up and the stick classes saw the largest entries in six years.

The children’s section was down on last year’s record turnout, but still very well supported, although organisers were disappointed by the number of SWI exhibits.

Wilton Dean SWI came top from the SWI entries, and the Drumlanrig Primary School’s show poster competition was won by eight-year-old Antonia Astelian.

Alan added: “With some very positive feedback and a great number of entries we will be continuing to take this family friendly Show forward with confidence. Of course it wouldn’t be taking place without the support of exhibitors, visitors, attending members and volunteers whose contributions make this such a wonderful day out in the country.

“During the course of the last few months we sadly lost two great local supporters of the show. Needless to say Ian Dodds and Dave Sharkey’s personalities and contribution to show day are greatly missed.”

Leftover flowers were donated, once again, to Deanfield Care Home after the show.

A beauty therapist will be flying the flag for glamour in the Borders when she represents the region at a national competition later this month.

Alice MacKay’s Beau Boutique, which she runs from a log cabin in the garden of her home in Valley View, Clovenfords, is the only Borders beauty therapist to have made it to the final of The Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards (SHABA).

The 24-year-old will be travelling to the finals at Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel with high hopes of success on Sunday, September 16, after she was nominated in three categories - best beauty therapist, best beauty salon and best brow artist.

Alice launched her business at the tender age of 17, but her ambitions for a career in the beauty field began much earlier.

She explained: “My mother tells me that I said I wanted to be a beauty therapist when I was just five years old, so it goes back a long way.

“My business is by appointment only and it’s grown through word of mouth. It was one of my clients who put me forward for the competition and then I was asked to submit my business information. It followed that there was a voting process in May and my clients voted for me.

“I was overwhelmed when I made the shortlist in three of the five categories. It’s a great honour because I will be up against some of the biggest salons in the country.

“I started the business when I was just 17 in the summer of 2012, working out of the house, and then had the log cabin built in the garden in the winter of 2013.

“I have recently taken on someone to help me with the business and I am ambitious for the future. This is such a huge honour and I’m hoping that I can impress the judges. I believe they will be assessing my social media and there could even be a ‘mystery shopper’ come to my premises.”

The former Braw Lass, named course Student of the Year in 2012 and 2013, while studying at Borders College, remains modest about her success.

She said: “I am extremely grateful to all my clients, family and friends for voting for me, and I am overwhelmed to have got through to the finals.

“To have made it to the top eight beauty therapists in Scotland is in itself such an achievement and one that I am very proud of. It’s amazing to have been recognised for doing a job I love and take great pride in. I look forward to what the future holds for Beau Boutique.”

Alice was awarded a scholarship at the Spa at La Manga Club, a 5-start resort in La Manga, Spain in 2013, before returning home to build her own business.

Since then, Beau Boutique has successfully been offering beauty therapies for hundreds of clients from the Scottish Borders and beyond, offering services such as eyelash extensions, LVL lashes, HD brows and eyebrow threading.

The Scottish Hair & Beauty Awards (SHABA) is Scotland’s largest and most successful independent hair and beauty awards.

The annual competition, now in its eighth year, has been growing steadily each year and attracts hundreds of entries from salons and individuals across Scotland.

Entries are judged by a panel of industry professionals, each of whom brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the judging process.

A plea for a change of tack to ensure lawnmowers are deployed more often in the Borders’ cemeteries has been kicked into the long grass, but council chiefs have pledged to do their best to keep graveyards as tidy as they can.

At last Thursday’s full meeting of Scottish Borders Council, administration leaders were again taken to task by opposition councillors relaying the complaints they’ve had since the authority moved its grass-cutting regime from a 10-day cutting cycle to a 20-day one.

Despite vehement criticism, the council has repeatedly refused to backtrack on that change, saying that a consultation carried out in December 2017 was supportive of the cutbacks and that the budget had been agreed by the full council in February.

Now, opposition councillors are suggesting that areas such as cemeteries and village greens be designated as high-amenity sites, putting them in the same category as playing fields and entitling them to more frequent grass-cutting.

Tweeddale West councillor Heather Anderson told executive member for neighbourhoods and locality services Sandy Aitchison: “In July this year, I wrote to our chief executive asking if cemeteries could be redesignated as high-amenity sites and thereby benefit from a more frequent grass-cutting regime, without having to overturn a budget decision.

“I had hoped this would give the council the opportunity to respond appropriately to the distress caused to individuals and families deeply offended by the lack of maintenance in cemeteries across the Borders.

“I was advised by the chief executive that this would not be possible as it would require additional manpower resources.

“Can I ask councillor Aitchison if he agrees that cemeteries are no less important than football pitches and agrees that they should be redesignated as high-amenity sites in time for next year’s maintenance programme?”

Galashiels councillor Mr Aitchison replied: “In managing our budget situation, this administration agreed changes to grass maintenance, which included cemeteries.

“This administration has listened, and continues to listen, to feedback from communities around these changes.

“The importance of our 154 cemeteries and burial grounds to the community is well established. Officers understand that an acceptable level of service is to be provided in cemeteries, given our financial constraints as a council.

“We are happy to discuss future service arrangements, and we’d encourage people to continue to engage with council officers, who will offer advice and guidance in helping communities to achieve their aspirations.”

The issue of cutting grass on embankments also arose, with Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall asking for an update on what he described as “untidy and out-of-control areas”.

Mr Aitchison replied: “The issue of working on steep embankments as part of delivering grass maintenance operations has been reviewed in light of our approach to health and safety in neighbourhood services, the outcome of which has meant alternative approaches to grass maintenance.

“Specifically in the Hawick area, I’m advised that 15 separate sites have yet to be maintained this year.

“Plans are already in place for nine of those sites, which we’re expecting to deliver by October of this year.”

“Of the remaining six, officers continue to consider options for maintenance, which may include not undertaking grass-cutting.”

“Members will be aware of the duty to promote and enhance biodiversity in the Borders.

“Officers will continue to engage with communities on potential changes to maintenance.

“I encourage members to come forward with their suggestions of areas where less intensive management regimes can be supported.”