BEDRULE
Whist
Whist and dominoes sessions will be held on August 12th at 7.30pm.
CADDONFOOT
Church
The Reverend Marion Dodd conducted the morning service on Sunday in Caddonfoot Church and the lessons were read by Jo Lawson. Members are expected to attend the Melrose and Peebles Presbytery Country Evening Worship in Mertoun Kirk this Sunday at 6.30pm. This is the second of four services to mark the anniversary of the Iona Community. Bible study resumes today (Thursday) in Trinity Church hall.
EARLSTON
Parish church
The August 11 service, which starts at 10.15am, will
be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods with help from the worship team. Refreshments will be served after the service.
Community council
Earlston Community Council will next meet on August 22 at 7pm in the primary school and not the 15th as advertised.
Edgerston
Team Martin
The team is holding a ladies’ lunch with guest speaker on August 24 in Edgerston Hall (12.30-1pm). Proceeds will go to the Teenage Cancer Trust. Contact Kath, Christine or Linda.
ETTRICKBRIDGE
Show
Kirkhope Horticultural Society will be holding its annual show on August 18 at 2.30pm in Ettrickbridge Village Hall. There are more than 80 classes this year, the 120th Anniversary of the society.
Galashiels
Rotary
As a finale to the school holidays, the Public Park will be bouncing with activity on Rotary’s Family Fun Day – August 18 (11am-4pm). The bouncing will come from two bouncy castles, and other attractions include a Gladiator stand, party slide castle, maze inflatable, 35ft inflatable obstacle course and an adult bungee run. A car boot sale will also be held – no need to book, just turn up (£7 – car, £10 – van or car/trailer). Rotary will have an awareness tent, tombolas, sideshows and princess ‘take a picture’. Inner Wheel will also be there, with chances to win a tombola prize. Local charities’ and crafters’ stalls, live music and emergency services displays are among the other features. For anyone who cannot make it, TD1 Radio are broadcasting live throughout the day with Steve Paterson.
Hawick
Rotary
Members have been outdoors the last two Thursdays for their annual sporting meetings. The first week there was a good turnout of members at the Buccleuch Bowling Club where, after a close contest, the winning rink was Ron Smith, Jock Thorburn and Robin Mason. Jack Swanston, Mairhi Trickett and George Rennie took the runners-up slot. The members then retired to the Buccleuch Hotel for a meal and dispatched of some business. Last Thursday evening, again in glorious summer weather, another good turnout of members descended on Minto Golf Club for the golf tourney. The victorious quartet was Bob Kellett, Tommy Mulvee, David Oliver and Jack Swanston. A dice golf game was then played when George Rennie won the trophy after defeating Iain Smith in the final. The evening was rounded off with a meal, after which Tommy Mulvee thanked the golf club for hosting the evening and providing the meal.
Innerleithen
Flower show
Innerleithen Flower Show will take place on September 1 in the Memorial Hall at 2pm. Items for the event should be handed in to the Memorial Hall on the Saturday evening or before 10am on the Sunday morning.
Community council
The next meeting of Innerleithen and District Community Council will take place on September 2 at 7.15pm in the council chamber, Memorial Hall, Leithen Road. Members of the public welcome.
Service
The service in Innerleithen Church on August 11 starts at 11.30am.
JEDBURGH
Lunch club
The club meets on August 15. It is for pensioners in and around the Jedburgh area. For more information, phone 01835 862565.
Kelso
Rangers fans
The bus for the Brechin game leaves The Square at 8.45am on Saturday. Tickets from Jim (01573 226240).
Bridge club
July 31 – aggregate pairs – N/S – 1, John and Marian Miller; 2, Alison Ireland and Elinor Green; 3, Alex Jeffrey and Jock Dun. E/W – 1, Dorothy Graham and Nancy Porter; 2 Myra Thomson and Jean Henry; 3, Stuart Graham and Ian Watson. August 1 – aggregate pairs – N/S – 1, Archie Stewart and Billy Potts; 2, Jim Stone and Annie Mitchell; 3, Ruth Mackay and Sheila Urquhart. E/W – 1, Jean McLaren and Ken Ross; 2, James Duncan and Ged McIvor; 3, Jean Henry and Myra Thomson.
Beach Madness
See Yetholm section.
Langholm
Concert
The annual concert on the Wednesday leading up to the Common Riding was again produced by Alex Pool, with his son, David, compere and mother Marion making the presentations. Margaret Howe was accompanist for the singers. It was a fine sunny evening when the pipe and town bands played through to the Buccleuch Centre for the concert. Common Riding committee chairman Roger Maxwell welcomed everyone, and during the concert the investiture of Cornet Alasdair Cavers was carried out by Marion Pool, who presented him with his sash and riding crop. She also presented an inscribed shepherd’s crook to Semi-Jubilee Cornet Andrew Jeffrey and a painting to Jubilee Cornet George Ellwood. On the Sunday previous the leading principals and some members of the Common Riding committee visited Burnfoot care home in Ecclefechan to make a presentation to Diamond Jubilee Cornet John Paterson. The town band led off the concert and their pipe counterparts took to the stage after the interval. There was music and song from the Borthwick family and Langholm Folk, and singers during the evening were Jackie Beckett, Jackie Henderson, Steven Milligan, David Pool and Walter Steele, with recitations from Bob McLure. The concert ended with a vote of thanks by the chairman and the company sang Bonnie Langholm, then Auld Lang Syne and God Save the Queen.
Coaching
Professional Lawn Tennis Association coach Mike McMillan is to provide coaching each Thursday in the town during the new school term, starting on August 29. He is working in association with charities – local Playcare and the new Gets Active group – to provide the lessons to youngsters from pre-school to P7. The Playcare is the venue for the pre-school/nursery age group from 3.30-4pm for seven weeks at £14, and P1-3 for the same number of weeks from 4-4.45pm at £17.50. The Eskdale Sports Centre will take the P4-P7 age group from 5.15-6pm over seven weeks at a cost of £17.50.
makerstoun
Gardens
Makerstoun Garden Competition was held on Sunday – Vegetables and Cup – 1, Ian the Postie; 2, Lord Biddulph; 3, Mrs Aberdein. Best Cottage Flowers Cup – 1, 2 Woodside; 2, 4 Westermuirdean; 3, Hollybank. Best All Year Round Cup – 1, Mr and Mrs Piercy, Park House; 2, Jane Cox, East Dalcove House; 3, Mrs King, Keeper’s Cottage. Junior Cup – 1, Cameron Pringle; 2, Jodie, 2 Manorhill. Commended – Inger for herbs, 4 Sucklawridge. Best improver – Jamie, 7 Greatridgehall Cottages. Tallest sunflower – Ian the Postie. Blue bowl community prize – Sucklawridge Cottages (for tubs). The presentation of cups and prizes will be made at social night in October.
melrose
Fete
Grange Hall Garden Fete, including its first pet show, is being held on August 17 (2-4pm) at Drygrange. Admission is £3 and entry to the pet show 50p. It will be judged by Iain Gillespie, local vet and councillor, assisted by matron Wendy Smith. The fete is in aid of the social fund which provides concerts and outings for residents.
Church
The fete raised £1,235. August 11 services at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (11am).
Trimontium
Almost three dozen Trimontium members and friends took part in the annual outing last Saturday under chairman Dr John Reid. First stop was a walk round the visible outline of the Roman cavalry fort of Risingham. Back at West Woodburn, the party paid a return visit to the Bay Horse Inn where members had sought shelter – and coffee – two years ago when the bus broke down. Then it was on to Hexham and its abbey (a Scots target over the centuries). The last port of call was Vindolanda, to which the trust owed so much at its beginning, with its variety of things to see, small museum – and cafe. Two people from Hexham joined Ian Brown’s Sunday site walk the following day. Today (Thursday) sees the regular Trimontium walk, starting at 1.30pm.
Morebattle
Games Queen
Holly Wyatt, this year’s Games Queen, was sashed at a church service by last year’s incumbent, Susie Thomson, who was presented with a goblet in appreciation for carrying out her duties last year. Holly was then presented with a Bible from the church. Light refreshments were served after the ceremony when photographs with her family and friends were taken.
Festival Week
John and Catherine Mabon, the Festival Week organisers, have been pleased with the turnouts for events and weather so far. Festival Week kicked off on Saturday with the boys’ and girls’ five-a-side football tournaments. There were four teams taking part, ranging in ages from six to over 21. Winners were Liam Burke, Alan Millar, Dale Adams, Simon Wyatt and Charlie Scott, with Richard Cook, Ryan Sudlow, Brad Adams, Michael Moffat and Andrew Wyatt bagging the runners-up slot. Games Queen Holly Wyatt presented the medals and it was a bit of a family affair for her – Holly’s dad was a member of the victorious side, while her brother was in the runners-up team. Family Day (Sunday) was blessed with good weather – a big change from the last two years when torrential rain forced the event’s cancellation. The school playing field hosted races, welly throwing, penalty kicks and boules. Results – penalty kicks – seniors – Liam Burke; juniors – Brad Adams. Welly throwing – gents – Stan Scott; ladies – Grace Cessford; boys – Neil Mallen; girls – Susie Thomson. Boules – Andrew Scott. Tamara Mallen won the number of sweets competition. Holly again presented the prizes. Monday’s coffee evening was held in the hall, raising £185 for Festival Week funds. Holly was on hand to draw the raffle. The quiz was held in the Templehall Lounge after the coffee evening, Grace Cessford, Pauline Watherhead, David Gray and Jim Burke having most of the right answers. Runners-up were Annie Smith, Moira Wight, Andrew Bryce, Ryan Sudlow and Ally Johnston. Prizes were presented by Games Queen Holly Wyatt. The camera club staged an exhibition in the institute on Tuesday, running from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Photographs of members’ work during the past year were on display. A raffle was drawn and teas served. The sum of £227 was raised during the day. Ben Stenhouse came out on top in the pool competition, with second place going to Jordan Chisholm.
Beach Madness
See Yetholm section.
Stichill
Hall committee
There will be a meeting of Stichill Village Hall committee immediately following the EGM at 7pm on August 20. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Whist
A whist evening will be held in Stichill Village Hall (7 for 7.30pm) on August 19.
Stow
Fitness
Galawater Health and Fitness Club classes for the over-50s restart on August 14 in Stow Town Hall (1-2pm).
Traquair
Service
The service in Traquair Kirk on August 11 starts at 10am.
Walkerburn
Rugby club
From 11am on August 10, all experienced and new players are welcome to join in an open training session of exercises and touch rugby at the local club. Young or old, all will receive a friendly welcome. Following the training session, there will be various sporting games in the clubhouse for all to enjoy. Weather permitting, there will also be a barbecue. The rugby club also opens it doors the following day (10am-4pm)to the local community, fans and players in an effort to get odd jobs done ahead of the new season.
Service
The next service in Walkerburn Public Hall will be on Sunday, August 18, starting at 10am.
Yetholm
Phone boxes
For more than two years, village residents have been trying to persuade BT to paint the red telephone boxes in Town and Kirk Yetholm. Community councillors were involved, as was the local Scottish Borders councillor and MSP. But on the day the royal baby arrived, so did the painters. The boxes are shining in their new livery, including golden crowns. One feature remains – like the leaning tower of Pisa, the box in Town Yetholm remains at a jaunty angle.
Flower festival
Yetholm is to remember the Battle of Flodden with a flower festival. The local kirk will be decorated with floral tributes from September 5-8. Opening times are 6-8pm on the first day and subsequently 10am-4pm. Apart from the flowers, there will be display boards and refreshments.
Shepherds’ show
Plans are under way for the 150th Border Shepherds’ Show on the first Saturday in October. As a fundraiser, there is to be a whist drive in the Youth Hall at 7.30pm on August 20.
High Street
There is some surprise in the village at the recent appearance on Town Yetholm Green of a new street sign with the words “High Street”. Most residents think of the road as Main Street, whereas Kirk Yetholm has a High Street. For some time Yetholm Community Council has been asking for signs for Bowmont Terrace and The Crescent – two roads leading from Main Street.
Garden fete
Yetholm manse will be hosting a garden fete on August 31 (11am-3pm).
Festivals
Yetholm is always pleased when principals from other Border towns lend their support. This, in turn, leads to invitations to the Yetholm principals. This year they will be taking part in Coldstream Civic Week and, for the first time, have ridden at Musselburgh. They are also attending a social function at Sanquhar.
Beach Madness
Yetholm Dry Bar has arranged a day of Beach Madness at Coldingham Bay tomorrow (August 9) – sea, surf and games. Phone Ian (01573 420703) to book a place and then turn up at Town Yetholm bus shelter at 8.45am with a packed lunch, swimwear, sun tan lotion and £4 towards transport costs.