ANCRUM
Children’s ceilidh
Ancrum Under-5s Group is holding a kids’ ceilidh tomorrow (Friday), 10-11.30am, in the village hall. Children aged 3-7 must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available from Ancrum Pantry. Call Nicola (07939 177511) for more details.
Caddonfoot
Church
Holy Week services are being held by the Galashiels Fellowship of Churches this week. The opening ecumenical service took place on Sunday in Caddonfoot Parish Church. It was conducted by the Reverend Elspeth Harley and the Reverend Mary Taylor, minister of the United Reformed Church. Various members of the congregation, and also from Trinity in Galashiels, took part as narrators. The services include an informal/supper communion for Caddonfoot and Trinity in Trinity on Maundy Thursday and communion in Caddonfoot on Friday. This Sunday there will be the usual family service with Easter fun at Caddonfoot Church – you should bring along your hard-boiled eggs for rolling.
Canonbie
Cheques
Jock Millar, who was in charge of the village football club before it was wound up about four years ago, made a presentation of two cheques from leftover funds. £500 was given to Macmillan Cancer Support, which was accepted by Avril Bannatyne, chairman of the Langholm branch. Another cheque for £280 was presented to the village junior football players and received by one of the volunteer coaches, Richard Farrer. Jock is grateful to the many people who have sponsored or helped the club over the years. He made special mention of Andrew Park, who was treasurer, Gaye and Raymond Tweddle, Bob Hetherington and Lynne Millar.
There is now a new football side in the village under the name of CFC Bowholm.
CRAILING
Church
The village kirk will host an Easter Songs of Praise with Jedforest Instrumental Band on April 20 at 6.30pm.
Denholm
Minto WRI
At the start of the meeting the group held a minute’s silence for a member, the late Eleanor Young. Then members welcomed Ann Nicol, wife of the Denholm and Minto minister, to reflect on her 40 years’ experience in education. Her first post after qualifying was in Airdrie, from there following her husband to Dumfries. For eight years she was a prison visitor to teenagers in the local prison. Kilmalcolm was her next stop where she became involved with a List D school for 10 to 14-year-old boys and the Children’s Panel. Next posting was Port Glasgow, then Harthill before Edinburgh’s Broomhouse and Wester Hailes schools. Her work resulted in her being invited to 10 Downing Street and later to join a delegation to Perth, Western Australia. The vote of thanks was given by Chris Nicol, followed by some lively discussion over the tea. Competition – hand-made Easter cards – 1, Pat Jardine; 2, Janice Palmer; 3, Dee Baxter.
EARLSTON
agm
Earlston Community Development Trust’s AGM is on April 29 at 7.30pm in the Red Lion Hotel.
Wednesday Club
Last week members enjoyed a slide show by Angela Jewell of her holiday to Laos and Cambodia. Competition – a small teapot – 1, Nancy Anderson; 2, Mary Scott; 3, Agnes Penman. The next meeting will be on April 23. Competition – a bird ornament.
eckford
Comedy
The village hall hosts “Good Times” on May 2 (7 for 7.30pm). Written by Liz Lochead and performed by Gala Dramateurs, this is a romantic comedy set in a charity shop. To reserve a seat, contact Sandra Kinnoch on (01835 850213) or Annette Fraser (01835 862228).
EDGERSTON
WRI
Yvonne Eade gave a demonstration of Chinese cooking last Wednesday. Members enjoyed tasting the various dishes, and Maggie Greenwood and Marion Miller were the winners of two of the dishes. The competitions were judged by Mrs Eade, helped by her husband, Oliver – Panda (any medium) – 1, Marion Anderson; 2, Joan Badger; 3, Rosemary Wilkes; handmade fan – 1, Rosemary Wilkes; 2, Marion Miller; 3, Evelyn Grierson. The raffle was won by Evelyn Grierson.
galashiels
Probus
Jake Harvey, retired professor of sculpture at Edinburgh College of Art, gave an illustrated talk entitled “Stone”, describing his recent work making maquettes (small stone sculptures) inspired by shapes observed from different cultures world wide,for exhibitions. One of his current projects involves a massive block of stone, weighing 19 tonnes, from India, placed in The Square in Kelso, which will have Border placenames inscribed on its four sides. The next meeting is on April 24 at 10am.
Rotary
Steven Paterson addressed members on the charity Get Connected, an organisation providing support for young people under 25 in any form of distress. Steven’s target this year is to raise £1,000 for Get Connected by walking 169 miles from Milngavie to Inverness and anyone can help by texting Text SLTN99 £2/£5/£10 to 70070. As part of his fundraising drive, Steven’s stepmum, Patricia, is helping him to organise a craft fair and coffee afternoon at St Peter’s Church, Galashiels, on April 26 (12.30-4.30pm). More information can be found on www.getconnected.org.uk and www.justgiving.com/169miletrek.
Camera club
Galashiels Camera Club annual club competition results – projected images in the landscape section – 1, Christine Swalwell; 2, John Peters; 3, Alan Kennedy; commended – John Peters, Janet Kennedy, Alistair Peacock, John Frater. Prints in the landscape section – 1, Alan Kennedy; 2, Jim Paxton; 3, Alan Kennedy; commended – Paul Anderson, Ron Bell, Jim Paxton. Projected images in the nature section – 1, John Peters; 2, Christine Swalwell; 3, John Peters; commended – Christine Swalwell, Gordon Swalwell, Alan Kennedy. Prints in the nature section – 1, John Peters; 2, Christine Swalwell; 3, Christine Swalwell; commended – Janet Kennedy. Projected images in the open section – 1, Neil McLean; 2, Katrina Slater; 3, Christine Swalwell; commended – Neil McLean, Richard Lillico, Neil McLean. Prints in the open section – 1, Alan Kennedy; 2, John Frater; 3, Christine Swalwell; commended – Paul Anderson. Projected images in the people section – 1, Katrina Slater; 2, Gordon Swalwell; 3, Katrina Slater; commended – Neil McLean, Janet Kennedy, Christine Swalwell. Prints in the people section– 1, John Peters; 2, Janet Kennedy; 3, Gordon Swalwell; commended – Christine Swalwell, Jim Paxton. Trophies – best landscape image – Alan Kennedy; best nature image – John Peters; best open image – Neil McLean; best people image – John Peters; best monochrome print – John Peters; best colour print – John Peters; best home-processed print – John Peters; best overall image – John Peters; best newcomer in annual competition – Paul Anderson; highest points in monthly competitions; projected images – John Peters; highest points in monthly competitions – prints – John Peters; highest points in monthly competitions, beginners’ section – David Usher.
Church
There was a good turnout of members and friends of Kelso North and Ednam last Friday night for a Seder Passover and ceilidh held at the town’s rugby club. Music was provided by Gordon Brown and a buffet served by members of the church’s social committee. The Kelso Bud Club held a coffee morning at Kelso North on Saturday and on Palm Sunday, in both churches, worshippers were presented with a palm cross. Today (Thursday) sees the final lunchtime service at St Andrew’s Church, organised by Kelso Churches Together (KCT). The 15-minute service begins at 12.45pm, and is followed by soup and rolls. On Easter morning the member churches of KCT meet for worship at Kelso Abbey at 7am, followed by breakfast in the Abbey Row Centre. Holy communion will be celebrated at Ednam at 9.30am, where there will be a retiring collection for Noah’s Ark Playgroup, and at Kelso North at 11am, the minister will baptise his great-nephew, Jack Matheson Heath.
Disco
An under-5s Easter disco is being held on April 19, from 1-3pm, in the Baptist Church hall, Victoria Street – includes face-painting, an Easter egg drawing competition and tombola. The event is to raise funds for Bright Stars Under-5s.
U3A
The next meeting of The Three Brethren (U3A) will take place on April 21 in Lucy Sanderson Hall, Tweed Crescent, at 2pm. The topic will be “The State of Scottish Rugby”, addressed by Nigel Brown, retired vet with a lifetime’s interest in the sport and father of internationalist Kelly Brown.
GORDON
AGM
Gordon Flower Show’s AGM will be held in the village hall on April 21 at 7 pm.
Hawick
Bridge club
April 8 – N/S – 1, P. Gilligan and M. Millar; 2 (equal), R. Francombe and V. Macpherson, D. Usher and V. Johnstone; 4, K. Auckland and D. King; E/W – 1, H. and M. Ouldcott; 2, S. White and J. Urquhart; 3, M. Tuson and R. Witherington; 4. J. and S. Law.
RNLI
At the AGM of Hawick and Denholm branch of the RNLI, it was reported that £1,796.12 had been raised for lifeboat funds. Officials re-elected – president, Lord Minto; patron, Sir Chay Blyth; chairman, Andrew Suddon; vice-chairman, Giles Passmore; secretary, Sheena Haire; treasurer, Roy Veitch. The branch needs new, younger members to survive and anyone interested in supporting the RNLI is asked to contact the chairman on 01450 376908 or any committee member.
Film and Video Group
The annual general meeting was chaired by club president Jean Tait when the following office bearers were elected – president and syllabus secretary, Jean Tait; vice-president, Scott Renwick; secretary, Bill Neil; treasurer, Peter Horne; committee – Jean Baillie, Henry Gray, Jim Law and Margaret Keogh. Jean Tait and Henry Gray were awarded the “Holiday” Silver Salver and “Five-minute” Gaylor Cup respectively for winning their competitions. There will be a meeting on May 27 at 7.30pm and a day-trip on June 29 – details of the destination are yet to be announced.
Rotary
A senior officer from the Salvation Army was introduced as speaker at last week’s meeting. Lt-Col. Carol Bailey, who has 35 years service and had formerly been captain of the corps at Hawick, made a return visit to the town to talk about the Edinburgh Prison Visitors’ Centre, which has been managed by the Army since 2004, along with The Onward Trust. The centre is responsible for booking in prisoners’ visiting family and friends, which totals about 50,000 a year. The centre has eight staff and are able to advise with housing, welfare, benefits and debt advice. They also run a cafe which specialises in healthy eating and low-cost nutritional food options. Many questions ensued and David Oliver, a Salvationist, thanked Carol for her address. The winner of the Easter hamper at last week’s free draw at the Rotary Awareness shop in the Crown Centre was Bill Pringle.
Organ recital
Michael Harris, organist at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, will play at Hawick Congregational Community Church on April 26 at 2.30pm.
HEITON
WRI
Guest speaker Marilyn McCall gave a demonstration and quiz on wartime cookery at last Wednesday’s meeting. Competition – three empire biscuits – 1, Brenda Wright; 2, Olenka Tomczyk; 3, Evelyn Gillespie. The next meeting – on May 14 – is group K rally with entertainment by accordionist Stuart Anderson. Competition – ornament with a Scottish connection.
Innerleithen
Church
There will be a service of reflection on Good Friday at 6.30pm and Easter Day morning service at 10.30am.
Jedburgh
Bridge club
April 7 – teams of four – 1, M. Purdie, O. Whillans, and D. and P. Palmer; 2, A. and R. Stewart, and R. Oates and S. West; 3, A. Ireland and M. Miller, and N. Porter and S. Graham.
Rotary
The club last Thursday welcomed two new members – Pamela Gordon and Martin Breach. Pamela is the club’s first lady member since its inception 39 years ago. The club plans to continue with its ambitious programme of activities, including a sponsored walk in June, participation in the Town Hall Project (in partnership with Jedburgh Leisure Trust) and the proposed Christmas Lights Parade on December 6. The annual coffee morning will be held on April 26 in the British Legion Club. Rotarians have provided £1,500 to install a stair lift for the Legion, which was fitted last Thursday. The club has, so far this year, given £8,296 for local projects to benefit the community. Rotarians welcomed local man Kenny Taylor who gave a talk about his two long-distance walks to Santiago de Compostella in northern Spain. The club is offering a free junior angling day at the Hass Loch on May 17 for boys and girls. Transport will be provided from The Glebe car park. See posters around the town for more information.
kelso
Library
Friends of Kelso Library are holding a fundraiser in the Cross Keys Hotel on April 24 at 7pm. Mark Douglas Home will be speaking about his novel, “The Woman Who Walked Into The Sea”. Tickets can be purchased at the library in Bowmont Street, or by calling Hazel Woodsell on 01573 224951.
MusicAid
On April 25 at 7.30pm in Kelso North Parish Church, a concert to raise money for the work of Christian Aid is being held.
Embroiders
The next meeting of Kelso Embroiderers’ Guild will take place on April 22 at 7pm in Abbey Row Centre. Sue Holmes will be leading a practical evening entitled “Miniatures”. For further information, contact Rineke Sangster 01573 229414.
Bridge club
April 9 – BGB sim. pairs – N/S – 1, Jim and Mary Stone; 2, Lesley Dick and Lynda Douglas; 3 (equal), Val Johnstone and Mary Millar, Jean McLaren and Alison Ireland; E/W – 1, Stuart Graham and Ian Watson; 2, Annie Mitchell and Bob Stevenson; 3, Dominic and Diana Alkin. April 10 – match-pointed pairs – N/S – 1, Dominic and Diana Alkin; 2, Lesley Dick and Colin McGrath; 3 (equal), Jean Henry and Myra Thomson, Alison Ireland and Marion Miller, Brian Saywood and Miles Browne; E/W – 1, Gerry Eglington and Jon Bridger; 2, Donald Swanson and Avril Ronald; 3, Lynda Douglas and Michael Horwood.
Kelso Laddie
The declaration of this year’s Kelso Laddie will be performed on April 18 (tomorrow, Friday) in The Square at 7.30pm when the Lady Bussers will also be announced. The town’s pipe band will play from 7pm.
Langholm
Spring clean
Organiser Margaret Pool handed out rubbish collection bags, protection gloves and rubbish pickers for the Bonnie Langholm annual spring clean. She had arranged, with a number of individuals, to cover certain areas, and clubs such as the bowling, golf, cricket and rugby are looking after their own surroundings. Some volunteers were joined by workers to clean up around the Co-op area, and the school is going to cover a number of places after the Easter holidays.
Open afternoon
There was an appreciative audience at the accordion and fiddle club open afternoon in the Royal British Legion clubrooms. Adam Grant was compere and introduced a large and talented group of musicians on accordions, fiddles and drums. They included Norman Swainston, Newby Park and Les Hurst, all from Carlisle; Ian Wood of Hexham; Stewart Anderson and Jock Thompson from Roberton; Tony Dalton of Lochmaben; Barbara Fisher from Castle Douglas; James Johnstone of Annan; Louise Cowie and Kieran Johnstone from Edinburgh; Derick Hamilton and Ron Easton from Ayr; Kenny Jackson from Stonehouse; Carol Dobson and Mark McDougal of Newcastleton. Robin and Deryn Waitt were also present from Claygate, along with local musicians Eric Goodfellow, Roger Dobson and Robert Willens.
Studio
Groups have been using The Studio arts and leisure centre in Maxwell Place since January, but the building was officially opened last week by Mike Tinker, chairman of the Buccleuch Centre board of trustees, who are managing the studio. There are two purpose-built rooms with sprung flooring, and one of the rooms has full-length mirrors. There is also a small meeting room.
MELROSE
Trimontium
Following the installation of
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From page 29
the Roman Tweed barge steering oar in the central case – a dark timber against a dark background – a piece of red cloth has been draped behind the oar to show more clearly its scars of service. The Synton Hill hoard of 228 denarii has returned from Tweeddale and been installed in the flat case which formerly housed the souvenirs. The walking season had an excellent start with a baker’s dozen of walkers on Thursday.
Melrose Opera
Following the performances of Patience at the end of March, thoughts are now moving on to casting The Mikado which is planned for March 2015. Auditions for principal roles will be held on June 9. Contact Melrose Opera via info@melroseopera.com, 01835 822425 or www.melroseopera.com for more information.
Parish church
April 17 – 7pm, Maundy Thursday communion; April 18 – 7pm, Good Friday worship; April 20 – 8am, Easter Sunday worship on the Saddle of the Eildons, followed by bacon rolls in the church hall; Bowden – 9.30am, communion; Melrose – 11am, morning worship. Food bank contributions.
MOREBATTLE
Coffee morning
The village hall coffee morning was held on April 12 when £320 was raised towards hall funds. Competition winners – basket of vegetables, Jenny Flannigan; guess the number of sweets, Robyn Gold; 50/50, Lizzie Thomson.
Village hall
The village hall committee has announced that the Big Lottery Fund Community Spaces application has been successful. A grant of £81,849 has been awarded for replacing the main roof, installation of sound and lighting equipment, purchase of sports equipment and tuition for a range of activities.
WRI
Two members gave a cookery demonstration entitled Simple Suppers, which everyone sampled. The vote of thanks was given by Catherine Mabon. A sales table followed when £67.90 was raised. Competitions – favourite apron – 1, Grace Cessford; 2, Nancy Anderson; 3, Lizzie Thomson; three custard creams – 1, Mary Pringle; 2, Marian Dumma; 3, Libby Thomson.
Newcastleton
Presentations
The Copshaw Common Riding held its honours night in the village hall when Tub Gillian McGimpsey handed out £2,000 to a number of organisations. Among those who received money were Polysport to help towards the upkeep of the all-weather pitch; Friends of the Park, who are renovating the public park, with a new playground for the children and landscaping the area; the golf club who have helped the Common Riding over the years; and the welfare committee, who, among other things, provide transport to hospital for the elderly.
newmill
WRI
The April meeting of Newmill and Teviothead WRI found members absorbed in the drawing and painting skills of Wendy Paterson, who works on all types of slates. She was approached to paint the wildlife at her home in the form of murals on the wall in schools and hospitals locally. Competitions – painted stone – 1, Jan Little; 2, Muriel Baptie; favourite apron – 1, Jan Little; 2, Caroline Tullie, 3, Sam Blythe. The June outing to the donkey sanctuary, followed by supper at Lilliardsedge, was discussed.
The open meeting is with Margaret Skea and friends from Smailholm, who made panel contributions to the Scottish Tapestry. This will be followed by supper. All friends and rurals are invited. Competitions – common riding rosette and a five-line limerick (see schedule).
Traquair
Church
There will be a communion service tonight (Maundy Thursday) at 7.30pm and an Easter Evening Songs of Praise on Sunday at 6.30pm.
Walkerburn
Service
There will be an Easter morning service in the public park at 8.30am, followed by breakfast in the Caberston Cafe.
YETHOLM
Community council
There are seven community council vacancies and nomination forms are available from the village shop and post office. They must be lodged with David Hutchinson at 3 Morebattle Road by April 22. More information regarding the council is available from the village noticeboard.
Easter
Tonight (Thursday) there is a Maunday communion service at Linton Church at 7pm. A Good Friday vigil from 2-5pm will take place at Hoselaw Chapel. Saturday sees the Retreat to Holy Island, leaving Yetholm at 9am and departing for home at 4pm. On Easter Day, there is an all-age service at Yetholm at 10am, followed by communion at Morebattle at 11.15am.
Coffee morning
The village festival week committee is running a coffee morning on April 19 in the Wauchope Hall from 10.30am. Principals for this summer’s festival have been selected and the installation takes place on May 2. Donations for the coffee morning, including tombola, welcome.
Darts
The village is hopeful of forming a darts team to play in the Coldstream league. Names are being sought and anyone interested should contact Jonathon Dixon at The Plough Hotel (01573 420215).