ANCRUM
WRI
Nancy McNichol gave a talk entitled “Danish Connections” at the latest meeting. Competition – Danish pastry – 1, J. Butler; 2, J. Macdonald; 3, R. Sinton. “Love to Bake” (cupcakes) with Gillian Haldane is the talk at the May 8 gathering. Competitions – three Gypsy creams (Fete Cup) and flower arrangement in an egg cup.
Bedrule
Whist
Military whist and dominoes will take place in the village hall on May 6 at 7.30pm. The event is in aid of Cancer Research.
Carfraemill
Blythswood Care
The lorry will be at Carfraemill on May 7 (12.30-12.45pm) to collect shoes, clothing, books and small items of furniture.
Earlston
Wednesday Club
Members were entertained by the Reverend John Sheilds of Kelso, previously minister in Lauder, who gave a talk about the history of the Kirk. Competition – wartime souvenir – 1, Sheila McKay; 2, Margaret Chisholm; 3, Alice Gilchrist. The competition for next week’s is a small piece of crystal. The annual outing is on May 22 and there will be seats available for non-members. Anyone who wishes to come should get in touch with any committee member. An invitation has been received from Mrs Foyle for the annual visit to Carolside on June 27.
Blood donors
At a blood-donor session, 118 volunteers offered to give blood and 108 donations were given. There were 10 new donors.
Church
The May 5 service at 10.15am will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods. The Spring Fling on May 11 runs from 10am-2pm in the church hall. New or nearly-new clothes, household goods and toys (no electrical goods or heavy furniture) wanted. Call Ruth Scoular (01896 849539).
Ettrickbridge
Coffee morning
The monthly coffee morning and sale in aid of hall funds takes place in the village hall on May 4 (10am-noon). Anyone with items to sell should turn up, take a table and give a small donation to the hall.
WRI
Linda Riddell had members creating small flower arrangements – 1, Nancy Hamilton; 2, Isla Guthrie; 3, Sandra Moffat. Marjory Tennant won the Gypsy Cream competition (and the Miss McGowan trophy) and goes on to federation leve. Demonstrator for the May 8 gathering will be Cathy Meldrum from Granny’s Den and members will be using beads to create jewellery.
GALASHIELS
Church
Old Parish and St Paul’s Church will, on May 18, host a talk by Alex McLellan who previously lived in Selkirk and worshipped at the church before moving to the USA in order to advance his ministry. In recent months he has been working in New Zealand, Malaysia and Finland. Now also an author with his book, “A Jigsaw Guide to Making Sense of the World”, Alex’s talk runs from 7-9pm in the hall. The theme for the evening will be “How to Share the Ultimate Truth with Ordinary People”.
HAWICK
Bridge club
April 22 – 1, V. Johnstone and M. Miller; 2, S. White and J. Urquhart; 3 (equal), P. Gilligan and M. Millar, K. Auckland and I. Wyze; April 24 – 1, J. Urquhart and M. Tyson; 2, H. and M. Ouldcott; 3, D. Usher and I. Wyze.
Innerleithen
Church
The service in Innerleithen Church on May 5 will be at 10.30am.
Kelso
Roxburgh Singers
Sights and Sounds of Africa – a one-off performance combining African rhythms with the Latin of a mass, plus photographs taken by the composer on his journey through parts of Africa – will be held on May 18 at 7.30pm in Kelso Old Parish Church. Tickets at the door or from Hector Innes.
Bridge club
April 24 – match-pointed pairs – N/S – 1, Val Fairbairn and J. McLaren; 2, Lesley Dick and Linda Douglas ; 3, Joyce Thomson and Helenor Pratt; E/W – 1, Ernie Hopkins and Jeanette Chalmers; 2, Ian and Eliz Ross; 3, Jean Henry and Myra Thomson. April 25 – aggregate pairs – N/S – 1, Jock Dun and Nancy Porter; 2, Dominic Alkin and Diana Alkin; 3, Sheena McPherson and Ken Ross. E/W – 1, Alison Darling and Mary Logan; 2, Shirley Armstrong and Moira Ayton; 3, Miles Browne and Richard Oates.
Advice surgery
Councillor Simon Mountford will hold an advice surgery in the Abbey Row Centre on May 11 at 11.15 am.
Rangers fans
The bus for the Berwick game leaves The Square at 8.45am on Saturday. Tickets from Jim Vass (01573 226240).
Thursday Group
Denise Playfair of the Vennel Gallery talked about painting animal portraits as she worked in pastel. Malcolm Ross spoke about working as a volunteer dentist in Israel 30 years ago and Elise brought
the story up to date with a holiday to the same region last year. The autumn syllabus is available – phone Isabel (01573 224753).
Fashion show
A fashion show in aid of Cancer Research UK will be held on May 2 at 6.30pm at M&Co, 16 Horsemarket.
Nominations
Kelso Community Events committee, busy organising St James’ Fair to be held on September 7 and 8, is seeking nominations from Primary 3 youngsters for the positions of king, queen, standard bearer and cushion bearer. Information and nomination forms are available from the six feeder primary schools and the deadline for entries is May 25, after which all the nomination forms will be put into a hat and the names of the four lucky principals drawn out.
Lilliesleaf
Market
A village hall market will be held on May 4 (10am-12.30pm), featuring a cookery demonstration and raffle for a hamper of goodies.
SPROUSTON
Advice surgery
Councillor Simon Mountford will hold an advice surgery in the Coronation Hall on May 11 at 10am.
Traquair
Service
The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on May 12 at 10am.
Walkerburn
Service
The next service in Walkerburn Public Hall will be on May 19 at 10 am.
yarrowford
WRI
Members were treated to a talk on cheese-making by Annie Shanks of Standhill Cheesery. Competitions – Gypsy Creams – 1, Annie Coltherd; 2, Jean Scott; bookmark – 1, Margaret Robinson; 2, Hannah Young. Winner of the raffle was Margaret Watson. The next meeting is on May 7 and features a floral art demonstration. Competitions – cream jug and small flower arrangement.
YETHOLM
Chairs
The new chairs for the Wauchope Hall have arrived – thanks to a donation from the Sainsbury’s grant scheme. The hall trustees are also grateful to Kelso community councillors who helped with the application procedure.
Speeding
For many months Yetholm Community Council has been concerned about vehicles speeding in Morebattle Road at the entrance to the village.Representations have been made to the police and Scottish Borders Council. Now a flashing electronic sign has been erected advising drivers of their speed and urging them to slow down.
Butchers
The community was dismayed when the village butchers closed – but it is reopening under new ownership and trading under the name of Valley Meats.
Romany marsh
As part of the village millennium celebrations, Yetholm created a walk around the bird sanctuary at Romany Marsh – and grants were received to make this possible. But now it needs upgrading, including replacement of the information board.
Music
News that The Plough Hotel is to continue with music sessions has been warmly greeted. Posters are on display in the village and these include photographs of participants at the first meeting. They will now be held on the first Saturday of the month at 7.30pm.
St Cuthbert’s Way
Members of Yetholm Kirk have been walking St Cuthbert’s Way on Fridays as a pilgrimage. The kirk’s annual retreat day to Holy Island coincides with the final walk which will be on May 3. The Holy Island Centre is booked from 1pm.Those wishing to join in the fellowship should contact Linda Fleming (01573 440396).