A NEW mum educated at Berwickshire High School is fighting for her life in hospital following a crash which killed her boyfriend in Edinburgh.

Christina Vibert was the passenger in the car driven by 22-year-old partner Ross Graham which collided with a lorry on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Graham was killed but Ms Vibert, 26, was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where she is being treated for serious injuries.

Police closed the road for around five hours while they conducted their investigation and officers are keen to hear from anyone with information.

The couple, who live in Edinburgh, had celebrated the birth of daughter Cali last month.

Road policing sergeant Andy Gibb said: “We continue to investigate the full circumstances surrounding this collision, which, tragically, resulted in the death of a young man.

“Road users who were in the area of the Clovenstone Roundabout at around 1.30pm on Sunday are asked to come forward if they have information that can help us establish why this incident occurred.

“Similarly, anyone with any other information relevant to this investigation is also asked to contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers in complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

A ROAD in the Scottish Borders which was closed on Friday when a culvert collapsed could be re-opened by the weekend, writes Bob Burgess.

A new 900mm pipe to replace the failed culvert on the B6355 Ayton to Chirnside route will be put in place tomorrow (Wednesday).

Tarring work will also start tomorrow and is expected to be completed on Thursday.

A spokesman for the local council commented: “Weather permitting it is hoped the road will be re-opened for the weekend.

“Further works are expected to take place next week with traffic lights in place.”

A diversion is currently operating for all traffic along the A6105 Berwick road

ST BOSWELLS

AT St Boswells Mart on Monday John Swan Ltd sold 70 clean cattle, 97 OTM cattle, 2,297 old season lambs and 714 ewes.

Bullocks (29) averaged 217.7p per kg and sold to 236p (+3.4p on week), heifers (39) averaged 216.2p per kg and sold to 238p (+5.3p on week), two young bulls averaged 190.8p per kg and sold to 197p (n/c on week), 91 beef type OTM cattle averaged 133.2p per kg and sold to 209p (-1.5p on the week) and six dairy type OTM cattle averaged 92.3p per kg and sold to 113p (n/c on the week).

The 2,297 old season lambs averaged 152.4p per kg and sold to £89 and 714 ewes averaged £57.22 and sold to £115(+ £12.40 on week).

Principal prices per kg: Bee Edge 2.38(2) R Wilson Butcher Ltd, 2.36 M/s Moor, 2.32 W Taylor (Lockerbie), 2.31 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons, 2.29 Denholm Meat Supplies, 2.28 John Scott; Mosstower 2.38 M/s Moor, 2.36 M/s J Penny and Sons, 2.29 M/s TA Shaw; Humebyres 2.36 M/s J Penny and Sons; Saughland 2.34 M/s J Penny and Sons, 2.31 Malone of Edinburgh; Upper Hundalee 2.31 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons, 2.30 M/s Moor; Low Middleton 2.27 M/s Moor.

Principal prices per head: Low Middleton £1566.30; Shidlaw £1473.75; Bee Edge £1427.80, £1396.90, £1374.45; Traprain £1375.

Cows per head: Brothershiels £1595; Kersknowe £1593, £1228.30; Wolfstar £1500.75; Humebyres £1408.90; Hyndsidehill £1336; Traprain £1327.15; Thrunton £1308.15, £1267.50, £1193.40; Mosstower £1294.15; Wester Middleton £1271.60, £1159.10; Whitburgh £1217.20; Hexpath £1176.60; Corsbie £ 1169.65;

Cows per kg: Traprain 2.09; Humebyres 1.93; Wester Middleton 1.87, 1.73; Mosstower 1.81; Whitburgh 1.79; Kersknowe 1.77, 1.73; Thrunton 1.71, 1.69; Greenhead. S 1.67; Hyndsidehill 1.67; Stobswood 1.65; Hexpath 1.59; Hartside 1.57; Corsbie 1.57.

Principal prices, lambs per head: Bel;- £89, £85, £84 Crookston; £75.50 Wester Deans; Tex.x;- £85 Crookston, £84 Elmscleugh and The Lee, Suff.x;- £76 Crookston and Ormiston, £74.50 Hartside, CM;- £71.50 Linkshead, Char;- £70, £68 Ladyflat, GF;- £68 Crookston, £67.50 Hartside, Chev;- £67 Brockhouse, £66 Middlesknowes and Gilston.

Principal prices, lambs per kg: Tex.x;- 205 Treaty Park, 187.2 Wester Ulston, 186.1 Bow, Bel;- 194.6 Ashcraig, 192.1 Bedrule, Char;- 168.8 Ladyflat, Suff.x;- 165.1 Haltree, 161.3 Smailholm Mains, Chev;- 164.9, 157.1 Lylestane, CM;- 155.1 Wester Ulston.

Cast ewes: Tex;- £115 Roxburgh Mains, £101 Wanton Walls, £97 Greenend, Suff.x;- £93 Berrymoss, £91 Helmburn, HB;- £91, £87 Haltree, £79 Bonjedward Mill, Blackhill and Haltree, CM;- £85 Brunton (Hamilton), Suff;- £77, 75 Woodside, Bel;- £70 Berrymoss, £69 Borthwickshiels, Chev;- £73, £67 Haltree, £65 Whitehouse (Turnbull), GF;- £65 Linkshead, Greenend, Broomlands & Ecclaw, High;- £63, £59 Carterhaugh, BF;- £49 Linkshead.

Rams: Suff;- £111 Upper Bolton, £89 Hartside, Suff.x;- £93 Berrymoss, Bel;- £91, £89 Hartside.

WOOLER

AT their weekly Primestock Sale held at Wooler last Wednesday John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 959 lambs and 312 ewes.

Lamb numbers reasonable for first sale after New Year but again in spec types sort after, others treated with caution.

Leading prices per head:- Bel.x:- £76.50, £75 Ladykirk, £73, £71 Ewart, £72, £70 Ladykirk, £70 Ewart. Tex.x:- £75.20, £75, £74 (2), £71.50 Holy Island, £71 Todrig, £70.50 Holy Island. Suff.x:- £75.20 Holy Island, £70.50 Yetlington Lane. Ven.x:- £66.50 South Lyham. Chev:- £69.50 Humbleheugh.

Leading prices per kilo:- Bel.x:- 179.5p, 174.4p Ladykirk, 173.8p Ewart. Tex.x:- 161p Mindrum Farming Co, 158.5p Todrig, 157.1p Yetlington Lane, 157p Ewart. Suff.x:- 161p Biddlestone Home Farm.

Ewes a good show and dearer on the week.

Leading prices:- Tex.x:- £114 Wrangham East, £109 Bowsden Moor, £92 Wrangham East, £89 Bowsden Moor. Suff.x:- £89 Middle Ord, £88 Holy Island, £83.50 Holy Island, £82.50 Thornington. BFL:- £84 Clennell. Mule:- £59.50, £57.50, £57.20 Thornington. BF:- £49.50 Ladykirk.

Rams:- Tex:- £110 Bowsden Moor. BFL:- £90 Clennell.

LONGTOWN

THE Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart PLC had forward 42 prime cattle, 16 young bulls, 44 over 30 month cattle, 6,851 prime hoggs and 7,526 cast ewes and rams at their weekly sale at Longtown last Thursday.

More prime cattle forward and a ringside of 11 active buyers ensured a buoyant trade throughout. Top price of 227.5p twice, firstly for a Limousin heifer heifer shown by J. and N. Blaylock and Son, Hallburn, and then for Limousin bullock from J.C. and D. Nicholson and Son, The Gill.

Principal prices per kilo: Bullocks - Limousin 227.5p, 223.5p The Gill, 209.5p, 208.5p The Lake, 205.5p, 200.5p Newtown, 201.5p High Stenries, 199.5p Somerton House. Charolais 212.5p, 201.5p High Stenries. British Blue 203.5p Sandbed.

Heifers - Limousin 227.5p Hallburn, 225.5p Upper Tinwald and Hallburn, 220.5p Upper Tinwald, 218.5p Houghton House, 215.5p Hallburn, 207.5p Houghton House. Charolais 215.5p, 207.5p, 209.5p Sceughdyke. British Blue 205.5p Houghton House.

Principal prices per head: Bullocks - British Blue £1,638 Sandbed. Limousin £1,508 The Lake, £1,403 Newtown, £1,421, £1,419 The Gill. Charolais £1,466 High Stenries, £1,451 Sceughdyke.

Heifers - Charolais £1,328, £1,293 Sceughdyke, £1,290 Upper Tinwald, £1,282 Hallburn, £1,201 High Stenries. Limousin £1,240, £1,190 Upper Tinwald, £1,183, £1,161 Hallburn, £1,147, £1,130 Houghton House. British Blue £1,108 Sandbed.

Some good quality bulls on offer saw a sharp trade. Topping the sale at 232.5p was a Limousin and a British Blue both shown by J. and P. Routledge, Netherton. Messrs Routledge’s run of six bulls averaged 218.8p and top grossed at £1,606.50.

Principal prices per kilo: British Blue 232.5p, 229.5p, 228.5p Netherton, 199.5p Becton Hall. Limousin 232.5p, 209.5p Netherton, 183.5p Somerton House. Simmental 183.5p Somerton House.

Principal prices per head: British Blue £1,606, £1,462, £1,395 Netherton. Limousin £1,360 Netherton.

A larger show of cast cows met a fast trade selling to a top of 210.5p for a Limousin from L.E. Grice and Son, Newtown Farm, others to 187.5p from Mr J. Watret, Burnside.

Principal prices per kilo: Limousin 210.5p, 195.5p Newtown, 187.5p Burnside, 155.5p, 153.5p Nunscleugh, 149.5p Woodcroft, 145.5p Nunscleugh. Charolais 174.5p Burnside, 140.5p Moss Side and Woodcroft, 135.5p Woodcroft, 131.5p Moss Side. Shorthorn 164.5p, 130.5p Minsca, 127.5p The Side. Luing 155.5p Arkleton. Angus 140.5p Woodcroft. Hereford 139.5p, 129.5p, 122.5p Woodcroft, 121.5p Enzieholm. Friesian 111.5p Brisco Hill, 108.5p Newby Farm.

Principal prcies per head: Charolais £1,256 Burnside, £1,091, £1,081 Moss Side, £892 Woodcroft. Limousin £1,210, £1,133 Newtown, £1,142, £1,043 Nunscleugh, £1,106 Burnside, £880 Nunscleugh, £867 Woodcroft. Shorthorn £1,019, £887 Minsca, £835 The Side. Angus £976 Woodcroft, £805 Falnash. Luing £956 Arkleton. Hereford £815, £802 Woodcroft.

Another exceptional show of 6,851 hoggs were forward to the usual ring of buyers, with good export lambs and best quality lambs easily sold at high rates.

Heavyweight hoggs harder to cash with lightweight hoggs similar on the week. The sale average was 150.4p (SQQ 152.2p).

The sale topped at 206p per kilo for Texels from Messrs Nixon, Oakwood and to £96.80 per head for Texels from Messrs Hasting, Kilncroft, others £87.50 Mossband Hall, £85.50 Nether Brotherstone; Beltex £79.80 Gallowberry, £77.80 Nether Brotherstone and High Greenhill, £75.80 High Greenhill; Suffolk £73.80, £72.20 Sceughdyke, £72 Newbiggin; North Country Cheviot £70.80 Dalemakethar, £62.80 Crosscleugh, £59.80 Kirkland Green; Charollais £70 Leaona Villa, £66.20 Hallburn, £65.80 Barend; Half Bred £68.80 North House, £62.80 Dalemakethar; Hill Cheviot £68.20 Muirhill, £65.80 Grassfield, £63.80 Wicket Thorn; Cheviot Mule £64.80 North House, £55.80 Barnglies; Blackface £64.20 Silloans, £61.80 Kirkhouse, £56.80 Nilston Rigg; Greyface £62.80 The Haining House, £61.80 Mains of Larg, £60.80 Greenburn; Herdwick £56.80 Longrow, £50 Ashley Park; Swaledale £55 Westernhopeburn, £40 Greystoke Castle; Leicester £50 Silloans and Kelsocleugh.

The 1,734 lightweight hoggs sold to £65.80 for Beltex from Sorbie, £62.80 Waltonwoodhead; Texel £65.20 , £62.80 Muirhill; Hill Cheviot £55.80 High Barlay, £53.80 Bloch; Blackface £51.80, £50.80 Skelfhill; Charollais £50 Cardew Hall; Suffolk £50 High Floweryhirst, £44.80 Coshogle; Greyface £45.80 Bonshawside, Coshogle and Newington; Easycare £41.80 Mossfennan; Swaledale £36.80 Dallowie, £35.80 Pry Hill.

Another astonishing show of 7,526 cast ewes and rams were forward to a full ring of buyers with best selling ewes short of requirements and similar on the week. Blackface and Cheviot export ewes remained similar with plainer ewes harder to cash. Heavy ewes to £134.50 for Texels from The Laurels, £130.50 Kilncroft, £128.50 Townfoot; Charollais £110.50 Draperstown, £89.50 Baron Road, £85.50 Road Side; Beltex £104.50 Nether Brotherstone, £85.50 Draperstown; Suffolk £106.50 Draperstown, £100.50, £97.50 Road Side; North Country Cheviot £82.50 Marchbank, £80.50 Forget Me Not, £77.50 Courthill; Leicester £77.50, £75.50 Quarry House, £70.50 Stotsfold; Cheviot Mule £76.50, £68.50 Roseland, £66.50 Saxalbye; Greyface £74.50 Sceughdyke, £67.50 Redhouse, £66.50 Kennetsidehead.

Hill ewes to £59.50 for Blackfaces from Quarry House, £56.50 Edenhill, £52.50 Thornton Tower; Lonk £59.50 Greenhills; Hill Cheviot £57.50 Allfornaught, £55.50 High Stenries, £51.50 Allfornaught; Swaledale £46.50 Quarry House, £42.50 Westernhopeburn and Dykenook, £41.50 Denton Main; Kendal Rough £36.50 The Bungalow, £33.50 Gill Head; Easycare £36.50 Mossfennan; Herdwick £26.50 Kilncroft.

Rams to £122.50 for Texels from Middle Shipley, £116.50 Bascodyke Foot, £112.50 Ballimachiller; Suffolk £108.50 Roadside, £106.50 Severs, £90.50 Thornton Tower; Leicester £96.50 D’Mainholm, £94.50 Silloans, £88.50 Brampton Fell; Charollais £96.50 Draperstown, £92.50 Dallowie, £80.50 Geltsdale; Beltex £92.50 Newbigging, £64.50 Walton Woodhead; Blackface £88.50 Penpeugh, £78.50 Thornton Tower, £66.50 Brackenthwaite; Lleyn £78.50 South Bowerhouses, £50.50 Mossfennan; Hill Cheviot £74.50 Raeburnfoot; Swaledale £64.50 Stotsfold, £50.50 Merryknowe, £44.50 Dumblar Rigg; Easycare £42.50 Mossfennan.

BORDER LIVESTOCK

LAST week Border Livestock Exchange Ltd sold 114 prime cattle, 42 cast cows, 2,194 prime lambs, 487 cast ewes and 102 store and breeding cattle.

Prime cattle remain firm with exceptional demand for certified Aberdeen Angus and organic steers and heifers. Aberdeen Angus cross steers from West Kyloe, Belford, sold to £1,636.88 and 400p per kg. Eleven-month-old pure Limousin young bulls from Bowsden Moor, Berwick, sold to 350p per kg and £2,117 per head. Pure Belgian cows from the same farm sold to 335p per kg and £2,272 per head. Organic steers from Newlands Farm, Belford, sold to 440p per kg.

Lambs remain steady with trade looking slightly sharper as numbers tighten up ever so slightly. Top prices for Texel and Suffolk crosses to 360p per kg from Fawdon Farms, Alnwick; Embleton Steads, Alnwick and Redpath Farms, Longformacus, Duns. Cull ewes a similar price to last week with Suffolk crosses to £91.50; Mules to £66; Easy care £69.50 and Beulah crosses to £70.50.

Store cattle to 230p per kg for 10-month-old Limousin cross steer calves.

A drunken woman knocked items from a supermarket’s shelves and threw flowers around.

As Chelsea Yardley left Tesco’s 24-hour Galashiels store in the early hours of the morning, she struck a shopper several times on the head.

Yardley, 21, of Weensland Road, Hawick, admitted committing a breach of the peace at the store on February 17.

“The accused and some friends went to Tesco at about 3am on a Friday. They were clearly intoxicated, and she began knocking stock from shelves and throwing flowers around the shop,” said prosecutor Graham Fraser at Monday’s sitting of Selkirk Sheriff Court.

He added: “This wholly unacceptable behaviour was all seen on CCTV.”

A man struck by Yardley had been leaving the store by its travelator. “He came across the accused and there was a confrontation, and she struck him a number of times on the head with her hands,” said the prosecutor.

Others intervened and the police were called.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond deferred sentence until February 4 for reports.

And he warned Yardley: “People will not be treated in this sort of way.”

A PLUCKY pensioner chased a man in black she found in her home in Windyknowe Road, Galashiels, last Thursday afternoon.

The man in his 30s fled and the elderly woman alerted police. She told them the intruder was about six feet tall with short, black hair, and wearing a black jersey and black trousers.

The incident happened around 1.30pm and police have launched an appeal for information.

A BORDERS Girlguiding leader has backed a campaign by her organisation to recruit more adult volunteers.

Gail Fox, county commissioner for Girlguiding Tweed Valley, told TheSouthern: “Units do have waiting lists and some girls are unable to join Rainbows, Brownies or Guides as we simply do not have enough adult volunteers.

“Girlguiding Tweed Valley needs volunteers to support local groups to allow girls and young women to participate in a wide range of exciting activities, as well as acquire new skills and experiences.

“These opportunities are also available to volunteers, as we learn new skills and have the opportunity to take part in many exciting activities.

“Guiding is flexible and we can offer opportunities to get involved directly with units or in other roles such as treasury, public relations and occasional helpers.”

To find out more, contact Gail at gailmfox@hotmail.com or on 01896 753433.

This was the moment in March 1982 when Councillor Tom Hunter of Kelso officially opened the central Borders’ first agriculture college at Newtown St Boswells.

It was built at a cost of £174,000, with the assistance of a European Economic Community (EEC) grant of £51,000, and accommodated 65 students in its two classrooms. The complex also had a large work and storage area.

Councillor Hunter performed the opening ceremony in his capacity as chairman of the Borders Regional Council’s education committee. He was joined at the top table by committee member Major Neil Thomson, council convener John Askew, Borders area NFU president Logan Forrest and education director James McLean.

Councillor Hunter explained how a planning group was set up by the education committee in 1977, involving the NFU and various parties interested in agricultural training. Two projects were mooted – an agricultural workshop at Duns, which Mr Hunter said had just been completed at a cost of £60,000, and a training centre for the central Borders.

The Newtown St Boswells complex was completed in January of 1982 and the main contractors were R. and J. Grieve of Maxton. The site for the college had been bought from William Elder and Sons.

The opening came at a time when unemployment in the Borders was high – but many school leavers in the area were still entering the agricultural industry.

Times are tough – of that there’s no doubt. Families and companies are counting the pennies and making sometimes unsavoury but necessary savings. So at first sight, it might seem commendable that Scottish Borders Council is doing its bit to save some cash. But their latest venture to balance the books will create ill feeling amongst its frontline workforce.

A decision taken behind closed doors to reduce rates of pay and alter conditions of employment for new workers is a bit of nasty one. Any new worker being taken on by the council from now on will get less their pay packet than current employees. The new man pushing the broom, heaving the shovel, driving the snowplough in hellish weather, or trying to clear a desk heaped with paperwork will be receiving less cash than his workmate doing the same job.

The council is creating a two-tier pay system embracing around 4,000 workers.

Admittedly, as the council is unlikely to be taking on many new staff, the anomalies may initially be few. But the repercussions could cut deep.

Trades unions, angered at being kept in the dark, are threatening legal and possibly strike action. Whether the mood exists for strike or other industrial action is a moot point. But the war drums have started to rumble.

A collective style of bargaining has existed for years between unions and councils through the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. Councillors from the Borders have played a leading role in COSLA-union talks. Now it seems that same council is seeking to break the mould. They think its right – others don’t.

And surely SBC hasn’t helped itself by taking the decision in private, hiding behind some ill-gotten and outdated legislation from 1973. And why does the council hide behind “ a spokesman” – let’s have a name.

Oh, and the decision was unanimous. What’s happened to the opposition parties?

Last year was difficult for many Borders small businesses. They had to face declining footfall and investment and ever increasing overheads, and this is likely to continue into 2013.

Despite this, a range of recent surveys indicates that optimism is growing in the UK. Indeed the latest Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Small Business Index reveals that small businesses are more optimistic about their prospects now than at the same time last year or the year before. Worryingly however, optimism is lower in Scotland, and there is no doubt that our businesses need a confidence boost.

Here are five things that the FSB believes will nurture cautious Scottish optimism and help our smallest businesses drive us back to growth:

First, we know that we need more private sector jobs in the economy. We know that our smallest businesses have the potential to recruit more people than they currently do. And, we know that for small and micro businesses, taking on staff – particularly their first member of staff – is often a daunting milestone.

But expanding the workforce in businesses with a handful of staff can change the character of that business and dramatically increase capacity. The latest research from the FSB shows that Scotland’s smallest businesses could take on more staff with some practical support. So we need to see resources diverted from existing Scottish employment schemes towards projects better tailored to the business needs of the smallest employers.

Second, we need to get businesses out of the spare room and into our town and village centres – a key stage in the development of most businesses. Moves such as rates discount schemes will encourage more businesses to bring empty shops or offices back into use.

When the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Review Group reports in the spring, we must see a renewed focus on getting as broad a range of businesses as possible trading in our towns – and that means ensuring businesses have access to the sort and size of premises they really need. Unfortunately, current proposals to close the courts in Duns and Peebles town centres will have a detrimental effect on the footfall small businesses based there need.

Third comes action on overheads, such as fuel, finance and utilities. Asked about the cost of running their business, 73 per cent of Scottish FSB members said it rose during the final quarter of 2012 – with fuel and energy bills disproportionally hitting businesses in rural areas such as the Borders.

While the Chancellor’s decision to cancel the proposed fuel duty increase in January was welcome, more needs to be done in 2013 to give firms some certainty over costs.

Next we must get smart about regulation – the bane of FSB members’ lives. The Scottish Government’s Better Regulation Bill, set to be unveiled this year, is a good opportunity for Scotland to become a model of proportionality and consistency when it comes to regulation. Why should a business based in the Borders have to comply with regulation implemented differently in each local authority area? A consistent approach to regulation by all local authorities in Scotland will lower a significant barrier to trade for small businesses.

On the other hand, real time information, one of the biggest changes to the payroll system in the last 60 years, is due to come into force in April. Lots more work needs to be done to ensure that small businesses aren’t hit hard by this change.

Finally, we need the confidence to invest. Mirroring the lower level of confidence felt by Scottish businesses, our small businesses are investing less than in the UK as a whole. A loss of confidence led to capital investment intentions falling in the third quarter of 2012 and, although they rallied towards the end of the year, latest figures show that investment intentions among our members in Scotland remain lower than in the UK as a whole.

The Chancellor’s decision in the Autumn Statement to increase the annual investment allowance from £25,000 a year to £250,000 will allow businesses to write off much more investment against tax and could boost capital spending in 2013. As investment spending is often a key driver of economic recovery, our largest companies sitting on the largest cash reserves could boost confidence by investing now for the recovery tomorrow.

May you enjoy a happy and prosperous 2013!

Gordon Henderson

Federation of Small Businesses

Today

Jedforest Historical Society – Around the jed with John Rogerson: British Legion, Jedburgh. 7.30pm.

peebles folk club (live music): Neidpath Inn, Peebles. 8.45pm. Free. 01721 721697. www.peeblesfolkclub.moonfruit.com

Saturday

kieran halpin (live music): Eastgate Theatre, Peebles. 7.30pm. £10. 01721 725777.

Gala Clef Club (chamber music): The Lucy Sanderson Hall (off Tweed Crescent), Galashiels. 7.30pm. Contact Elizabeth Fraser on 01896 752375 or visit the website: www.onlineborders.org.uk/community/galaclefclub.

Blow Away The Winter Blues – tim wilcox, les morss & the carlops jazz band (live music): Carlops Village Hall. 8pm. www.carlops.net/lesmorss@carlops.net

Sunday

Kelso Music Society – Steven Osborne (piano): Kelso High School. 2.30pm. Tickets £12. Phone 01668 216550.

Tuesday

la boheme (opera): Eastgate Theatre, Peebles. 7.15pm. 01721 725777.

melrose historical society – the battle of flodden then & now (talk): Ormiston Lounge, Melrose. 7.30pm. £3 non-members. 01896 822339.

Friday, January 18

ideoms’ instant burns night – just add haggis: Eastgate Theatre, Peebles. 7.30pm. £19 (includes supper). 01721 725777. www.eastgatearts.com

Saturday, January 19

scottish Opera Highlights: Eastgate Theatre, Peebles. 7.30pm. £11 (under-26 £5). 01721 725777. www.eastgatearts.com

Saturday, January 26

Kelso Folk and Live Music Club – burns night supper: The Contented Vine, Kelso. 7.30pm. Tickets £14. Music with Donald Knox and Pat Douglas, and other performers are invited to join the line-up. Contact paulmcginley532@btinternet.com.

Saturday, February 2

Canary gold, by Théâtre Sans Frontières: The Wynd Theatre, Melrose. 7.30pm. £12 (£8 students). Contact 01896 820028 or go to www.thewynd.com.

Friday, February 1

ian Bruce and ian Walker (live folk music): Eckford Village Hall. 7pm.

A MOTORIST who found it difficult to operate a car wash was found to be more than double the legal alcohol limit.

James Rankin, 64, could not punch in the six-digit number properly and asked employees at Morrison’s in Hawick for assistance at lunchtime on November 18. But staff members detected a strong smell of alcohol and alerted police who stopped him nearby.

Prosecutor Graham Fraser told Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Friday: “He was found on the Appletreehall road not far from the police station and was twice the legal alcohol limit at the time.”

Rankin, of Northcote Street, Hawick, was found to have a breath/alcohol count of 81 micogrammes – the legal limit being 35.

Defending, Rory Bannerman said his client had been drinking into the small hours and thought he was okay to drive by the time lunchtime arrived. Rankin had been driving for 47 years and described the offence as “a gross error of judgement”.

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre told Rankin he must have consumed a huge amount of alcohol beforehand to have such a high reading at the time of the offence. He imposed a 12-month driving ban and fined him £400.

A 39-year-old Galashiels man was remanded in custody after being accused of being in possession of a knife in the town on Christmas Eve.

Michael David Rennie, of Woodstock Avenue, is also charged with committing a breach of the peace.

He made no plea or declaration during a brief private appearance and was fully committed for trial.

SHAUN Muir, 19, of Silverbuthall Road, Hawick, faces three charges of assault which were allegedly committed in the town’s High Street on September 16.

The case was continued without plea until January 18.

A 40-year-old who assaulted another woman to her severe injury at a flat in Hawick had sentence deferred for reports until February 4.

Deborah Higgins, of Noble Place, Hawick, appeared on indictment and admitted bending the woman’s thumb, causing it to break, at a flat in Trinity Street on April 3 last year.

A HAWICK man who admitted two drugs offences was jailed for four months.

Paul Richardson had previously been on a deferred sentence for good behaviour after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis and amphetamine at his Drumlanrig Place home in November 2011.

The value of the cannabis was £400, while 26 diazepam tablets valued at £1 each were also recovered.

But the court was told he committed another drugs offence during the period of deferred sentence.

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre told the 39-year-old he took a hard line on drugs and the fact he had breached the good behaviour order meant a prison sentence was inevitable.

A woman who started a fire at her Galashiels home had sentence deferred until February 4 for reports.

Ann Sutherland, 46, described as a prisoner at Cornton Vale, appeared on indictment and admitted willfully setting fire to various pieces of paper and the carpet of a house in Hawthorn Road on October 8, causing damage to internal walls and the floor.

A 22-year-old removed a pet fish from its tank, crushed it and threw it about a room.

Daniel Gillie, 22, of Howdenburn Court, Galashiels, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at a house at Catlegate, Jedburgh, on November 25.

Sentence was deferred until February 4 for reports.

A 30-year-old man appeared in private accused of cultivating cannabis at his home.

Mark John Donaldson is also charged with being concerned in the supply of the drug at the Minto property in November.

He made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination. Donaldson was released on bail by Sheriff Derrick McIntyre.

An employee caught driving a business vehicle when more than twice the alcohol limit is to lose his licence and job.

David Assing was stopped by police on his way home from work after drinking with a friend.

Forty-seven-year-old Assing will lose his employment with Waverley Housing Association as a result of the offence.

The first offender, of Orchard Park, St Boswells, admitted driving a car at Main Street, St Boswells, on December 13 with a breath/alcohol reading of 73 mcgs – the legal limit being 35.

Prosecutor Graham Fraser said: “He is employed by a local housing association and this happened about 8pm on a Thursday evening. Police were on duty on the south side of St Boswells and saw the vehicle, which belonged to the accused’s employers, travelling north.

“They had information and pulled the vehicle over, and were immediately aware of a smell of alcohol.

“The accused said he had been drinking in Denholm and was travelling home.”

Matt Patrick, defending, said his client had stopped to meet a friend on his way back from work. Over two-and-a-half hours, he consumed three pints of lager and thought he would be okay to drive.

The lawyer added: “He is employed by Waverley Housing Association and will lose his job as a result of this conviction.”

Sheriff Kevin Drummond, telling Assing: “This is a question of public safety”, fined him £300 and imposed a 12-month driving disqualification.

A TEENAGER fuelled by vodka assaulted two people after being ejected from a drinks party in Kelso.

Euan Williamson, 19, of Priors Road, Jedburgh, pleaded guilty to the offences which happened on September 29.

Graham Fraser, prosecuting, said Williamson had been causing concern by talking about suicide and then punched a male several times to the face.

He continued: “He was put out of the house and was seen nearby by a lady in a state of distress who was concerned for him and called the police. His behaviour was described as severe mood swings.”

Mr Fraser said officers witnessed Williamson pick up a boulder from a garden in the Mercer Court area of Kelso and attempt to throw it at another male.

He added: “He was heavily influenced by drink.”

Defence lawyer Rory Bannerman said Williamson was ashamed of his actions as the people involved were his friends.He added: “He lost control of his actions. He had been drinking vodka which had an effect on him.”

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre ordered Williamson to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work over a three-month period.