BONCHESTER
Fete
A fete is being held on June 21 (11am-1pm) – National Care Home Open Day – at Bonchester Bridge Care Centre. It will give the public a chance to have a look round the home and meet residents.
Bowden
Coffee morning
A coffee morning with bric-a-brac and book stalls will be held in the village hall on May 17 (10am-noon), the profits going towards Edinburgh Global Partnership’s project to build an income-generating maize mill in the Masindi community in Uganda.
Cafe
The next Community Café will be held on Wednesday at 11am in the village hall.
AGM
There will be a joint AGM of the village hall and village committees on May 28 at 7pm in the hall. Details for nominations are on Bowden’s noticeboards.
earlston
Wednesday Club
Last week members enjoyed an amusing talk by Connie Seaton on her life in places she has lived all over Scotland before coming to Earlston. The club’summer trip is a visit to New Lanark on June 4. There will be some seats available for friends. Competition – salad servers – 1, Alison Stewart; 2, Cynthia Sinclair; 3, Marjorie Murray. The competition for next week’s meeting is for a powder compact.
Parish church
The Christian Aid collectors are around this week. The service on May 18 will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods. The Heart and Soul event in Princes Street Gardens takes place during the afternoon of May 18 as part of the start of the General Assembly.
Ettrick
Horse night
There will be a heavy horse open night at Gilmanscleuch Farm on May 24 (6.30-9pm). This year’s foals will be on view, as well as the show and driven horses. Barbecue and refreshments – proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support. Enquiries to 01750 62327.
AGM
Kirkhope Hall AGM is on May 26 (7.30pm) in the premises.
Music night
May 17 sees the first visit of “The Boyds” to Kirkhope Hall. Just back from touring abroad, the duo play music by The Beatles, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Simon and Garfunkel, and more. The evening kicks off at 7.30pm.
FOUNTAINHALL
WRI
The next meeting is in the village hall at 7.30pm on May 21. There will be a flower workshop – members should bring a small bunch of flowers and a flat dish, and other items needed will be provided. Competitions – tea loaf and a bud vase; April meeting results – three ginger snaps – 1, Dianne Wilson; 2, Christine Sinclair; button – 1, Dorothy Small; 2, Irene McLachlan.
galashiels
U3A
The next meeting of The Three Brethren (U3A) will take place on May 19 at 2pm in Lucy Sanderson Hall, Tweed Crescent. The first part of the afternoon will be given to the AGM, followed by Oliver Eade and “Children as writers”. Dr Eade took up book writing when he retired from his work as a hospital doctor and has written 10 novels – four of them for young adults and four for children.
Probus
Tom Burnham gave an illustrated talk entitled “Why I’m In Love With Iceland”. Tom, who has been involved with Scottish trade missions to that country, spoke about the geology and geography, the “Hidden People” (elves and trolls), independence from Denmark, the fact that a third of the 300,000 population visits the UK every year, the sheepdogs originate from Bonchester Bridge and a landowner reduces his tax burden by half if he builds a church. The next meeting is on May 22 at 10am and will be the last before the summer recess.
Quiz
A Galashiels Academy fundraising quiz night will be held at the school on May 30 at 7.30pm. There will also be a raffle and musical entertainment by pupils. Tickets are available from Fountain News and the Academy reception.
Glendouglas
WRI
Members enjoyed a demonstration of summer salads by Wendy Hickson, with Cathy Johnson and Cath Turner helping, after which everyone enjoyed tasting the results. Competition – 1, Sandra Jeffrey; 2, Cathy Johnson. The winner of the raffle was Marie Hogg.
HAWICK
Bridge club
May 6 – N/S – 1, J. and M. Miller; 2, J. Urquhart and S. White; E/W – 1, V. MacPherson and B. Francombe; 2, J. and S. Law.
Rotary
The official/ceremonial common riding may not start until 6pm on June 5, but Rotarians, plus wives and guests, were treated last Thursday evening to an account of how the principals are so deeply involved in preparation for, and participation in, the festivities.Instead of the usual mix of Hawick songs and poetry, the Rotary Hawick Night took the form of a question-and-answer forum with Ian Landles acting as questionmaster, eliciting thoughts and memories from Gordon Jackson, ex-Acting Father; Gail Nuttall, ex-Cornet’s Lass; John Hope, ex-Cornet, ex-Acting Father and Master of Ceremonies; and Ronnie Nichol, member of the Drums and Fifes Band for well over 25 years. Gordon Jackson told how his wife had given him riding lessons when he was 37 years old – and he got his Mosstrooper’s Badge that year. Gail said that in the days before her official duties, there was snow on the ground, but the colour bussing ceremony was blessed by perfect weather. John recalled his early horse-riding experiences and how he progressed from helping to round up sheep on a pony to proudly leading the magnificent following of horsemen and carrying the Banner Blue. Ronnie stressed that the band had far more than one or two tunes in their repertoire. President Scott Elliot extended a vote of thanks on behalf of all present, including ex-Cornet’s Lass Joyce Wilson(nee Robson), Lass to Cornet Drew Martin, who was visiting the club and is now a Rotarian in Workington. The evening, which ended with the traditional rendition of “Teribus”, was arranged by Past President Bobby Cairns.
Hownam
Towford WRI
Diana Cairns demonstrated how to make a rose corsage at last week’s meeting. Everyone was able to try out these new skills. She also brought along her Pampered Chef catalogues with items available to purchase. Competition – prettiest teapot – 1, Diana Tweedie; 2, Elizabeth Kellington. The annual fundraising whist drive is on May 27 in Hownam Hall at 7.30pm. The next meeting – June 3 – is the summer outing to Standhill Cheeses for 6pm, with supper at Minto Golf Club for 7pm.
Innerleithen
Church
The service on May 18 will be at 10.30am. There is also a service in St Ronan’s House at 4pm.
kelso
Christian Aid
This is Christian Aid Week, but fundraising efforts by Kelso Churches Together began on April 25 with a MusicAid concert, realising £400. The start of Christian Aid Week was marked on Sunday night with a service at the same venue – and the fundraising goes on at 7.30pm today (Thursday) in the Cross Keys Hotel with a QuizAid Night. Teams of four, entry by minimum donation of £2.50 per person. To find out more, phone Moira Walsh (01573 225500) or Ruth McGrath (01573 228346).
Bridge club
May 7 – match-pointed pairs – N/S – 1, Val Johnstone and Mary Millar; 2, Joyce Thomson and Helenor Pratt; 3, Bob Stevenson and Annie Mitchell; E/W – 1, John and Marian Miller; 2, Jean Henry and Myra Thomson; 3, Mary and Jim Stone.
Sale
Organisers of the Friends of Kelso Hospital table-top sale held last Saturday are grateful to all who turned out in dreadful weather, raising in excess of £700.
LANGHOLM
Cornet
The Langholm Cornet was appointed on Friday (see pages 6 and 7) at the annual public meeting. Common Riding committee chairman Roger Maxwell was accompanied onto the stage by secretary Kenneth Hill. They were joined by committee vice-chairman Tommy Morrison, who was to read the financial report for Paul Davidson who, due to health reasons, was retiring from the position after 14 years and praised for his work over that period. The chairman congratulated last year’s Cornet, Alasdair Cavers, and Ex-Cornets Andrew Elliot and Lee Earsmen. Mr Maxwell thanked the hard-working committee and praised numerous others who had helped make the Common Riding a success, including officiating magistrate David Stevenson, Fair Crier Rae Elliot and the bands, landowners, patrons, sponsors and donors. The nominations for the committee were announced, and at present is 30 strong. Secretary Hill spoke of the Common Riding 50 years ago when Irving Edgar, a 23-year-old builder, was elected Cornet with 440 votes when there were six candidates – David McVittie, Ronnie Hudson, Alistair Graham, John Ewart and Billy Laidlaw. A total vote of 1,053. It was in 1964 that passenger trains came to and end at Langholm and it was also the year that The Beatles stormed America. There was one candidate in 1989 and Andrew Johnstone, a textile worker at Bell’s mill, was duly elected. James Harkness was the officiating magistrate and it remained dry for most of the morning, with the odd shower in the afternoon. It was 25 years ago that the bridge at the park was judged unsafe; Finlay Calder was captain of the Lions rugby tourists and the poll tax was introduced in Scotland. It was also the year of the Hillsborough football disaster. Referring to the treasurer’s report, Mr Morrison revealed a healthy balance. He read a letter from Mr Davidson saying he had made many friends during his time as treasurer. Tributes were paid to the recent passing of ex- Cornet John Paterson and Jean Young, who had been great Common Riding enthusiast. The chairman put two proposals to the meeting. This was in regard to the committee forming a constitution so that it can claim directly, instead of through the community council, from Dumfries and Galloway Council for money charged for various services. The second proposal concerned forming the committee as a company limited by guarantee. This was to safeguard the personal liabilities of members if anyone made a claim for an accident. This will not effect the Common Riding and was given the backing of the meeting. Among the questions brought up that will be discussed by the committee was the re-introduction of the high jump, and increasing the concert admission. There was also some concern over a bottleneck by the crowd at the top of the Kirk Wynd and bringing back a mounted marshal was suggested. It was also felt that more loudspeakers were needed in certain areas.
Castle Craigs
The annual boys’ night, organised by the Castle Craigs Club, took place in the Crown Hotel. Club president Andrew Johnstone was in charge of proceedings and welcomed everyone, and the lads tucked into party food. Official bearer of the barley banna, Ian Borthwick, was on hand, along with Hector Barnfather, to demonstrate how to prepare the emblem. Stephen Tweddle organised the quiz, with questions of a Common Riding theme on his slide show. Cornet Alasdair Cavers and his Right and Left-Hand Men, Andrew Elliot and Lee Earsman, were present. They each sat at a table with a group of the young lads and there was a singing competition of Common Riding favourites which was judged by the president – and he decided they were all winners. There was a tie-design drawing competition for two age groups, a prize for best-dressed boy and a quiz, with the winner getting the R. E Borthwick shield. The prizes were presented by Cornet Cavers. Results – best-dressed boy, Ruairi Hotson; tie design (under 9), Eric Goodfellow; (under 7), Codey Foster;, Castle Craigs quiz, Christopher Tait.
Macmillan walk
The annual sponsored walk in aid of the local Macmillan Cancer Support group was held on a fine dry evening. It began from the community centre car park and went round the town, with several members of the group carrying collection boxes. The walkers enjoyed refreshments on their return to the community centre.
Play
An initial meeting about the local amateur operatic and dramatic society’s November play is being held in The Studio on May 18. “Albert Make Us Laugh” will be directed by Bob McLure and anybody interested in being on or off stage is welcome.
Exhibition
The local photographers’ association, an informal group of camera enthusiasts, is holding an exhibition of photographs in the gallery at the Town Hall during in the first two weeks of June. The association is keen to encourage other photographers to also show their work – the only condition is that exhibits must be mounted and framed.
Lauder
Fun day
The bowling club hosted a fun day on Saturday for those who appeared in the Ruby Anniversary 2014 Lauderdale Macmillan Group calendar. A total of 32 “players” turned up for an enjoyable afternoon, which was unfortunately cut short by the weather. The club is grateful to the local businesses who supplied raffle prizes for the event which raised £230 for the group.
Church
Holly Louise, infant daughter of John and Zoe Brown, was baptised on May 4 by the Reverend Jim Wallace.
Guild
On Saturday afternoon, guild members visited Rosslyn Chapel, followed by a meal in Carfraemill Hotel.
Flower show
The AGM is in the Church Centre on May 15 (7.30pm).
AGM
Lauderdale Historical Society’s annual meeting will be held on May 21 at 7.30pm in Lauder Youth Trust Hall.
Lilliesleaf
School fundraiser
The village primary school is having a fundraising afternoon on May 17 (2pm). Attractions include teas, stalls and a den building course.
maxton
Coffee morning
Maxton 21 coffee morning and plant sale is on May 24 in the village hall with a 10am start. Other attractions include hand-crafted cards and jewellery. The event is in aid of hall funds. Updates on Tom’s Walk to Santiago are posted on the Maxton website, along with details on how to donate to this fundraising effort for The Border Holiday Group, Maxton21’s 2014 charity.
melrose
Trimontium
A 45-strong party from Fettes school in Edinburgh visited last Thursday to tackle the Leaderfoot-Newstead Route March and then the Heritage Centre experience in the Market Square. They were older than the usual run of primary schoolchildren, but were just as willing to sing the song, join in the Latin salutations to the Tweed and “jannys” everywhere, and appreciate the finer points of the Roman miniature catapult. The Trimontium Thursday afternoon walk with guide and refreshments is still ongoing, and the Roman steering oar and Synton Hill silver denarii hoard are intriguing visitors.
Church
Activities – May 16, 7pm, Corn Exchange, festival supporters; May 17, Christian Aid Week door-to-door collection and coffee morning (stall donations welcome); May 18, services at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (10am and 11am).
Midlem
WRI
Members welcomed Lesley Rosher from Beadelicious in Kelso who has turned her hobby into a business. She makes jewellery to sell from her premises, and also takes craft and jewellery classes for children and adults. With her help, all the members created a lovely bracelet. Competitions – hand-made jewellery – 1, Margot Hastie; 2, Anne Craig; 3, Sheena Galloway; cherry scones – 1, Margot Hastie; 2, Ella Nairn; 3, Helen Pierce.
Morebattle
Coffee morning
The fishing club coffee morning will be held on May 31 at 10.30am in the institute.
newmill
WRI
At Newmill and Teviot
Turn to page 28
From page 27
head’s open night, members were joined by friends and other local rural groups. Also welcomed was Margaret Shea, spokesperson for the Smailholm Stitchers (and their supporters) who sewed two panels on the Great Tapestry of Scotland. Margaret discussed their contribution to the tapestry – “The Border Reivers” and “The Modern Kilt invented Lochaber 1723”. She inspired her audience to see the tapestry when it returns to Edinburgh (the tapestry website has details). Competitions – common riding rosette – 1, Trish Kirkpatrick; 2, Roberta McMillan; 3, Julia Templeman; five-line limerick – 1, Trish Kirkpatrick; 2, Jan Chetwynd; 3, Elsie Crouch. For the visitors, the five-line limerick results were – 1, Pat Jardine (Minto); 2, Joyce Tinlin (Wilton Dean). A supper followed. The spring rally for the Roxburghshire federation will be in Jedburgh Town Hall at 7.30pm on May 19. The rural has organised an outing on June 3 to the donkey sanctuary for 6.30pm with supper at Lilliardsedge. Anyone wishing to arrange transport or choose from menu should contact Gil Francombe or Trish Kirkpatrick.
oxnam
Owls
Oxnam Owls held its third charity concert on May 6 when Jamie McKenzie and the Oxnam Valley Voices entertained a capacity audience with music. This was followed by a supper prepared by Owls members and the first prize in the raffle was won by Ann Bell. The sum of £600 was raised for the Borders branches of the MS Society and RDA.
OXTON
WRI
The AGM is on May 21 when there will also be a Commonwealth-themed taste and try evening.
SELKIRK
Antiquarian society
On May 21 in the parish church hall, John Nichol, Hilary Bell and Jenni Borthwick present “A Windea on Hogg”. This will be preceded at 7.30pm by a short AGM.
AGM
The annual general meeting of local charity Fresh Start Borders will be held on May 27 at 7pm in The Rectory, Viewfield Park. Donations of household goods and cleaning materials are always appreciated. Details of all items regularly required are on the website www.freshstartborders.org.uk.
st boswells
Live!
St Boswells Live! both opens Village Week and celebrates the renovation of the village hall on May 31 (8pm). Starring Scottish folk legend Archie Fisher, he will be followed by a performance from Tommy Ashby and his band. Guitarist, singer and songwriter Fisher is probably best known for his 27-year stint as the host of BBC Radio Scotland’s award-winning “Travelling Folk” show. Hailing from Innerleithen, Ashby is continually gaining momentum as a songwriter and live performer, most recently demonstrated as lead guitarist and backing vocalist for Nina Nesbitt’s band. He is supported by a group of talented musicians, including singer/guitarist Adam Double. Tickets – www.stboswellslive.com or the village post office.
STICHILL
WRI
Kathy Wilkie welcomed members and visitors from Broomlands, Earlston, Eckford, Greenlaw. Heiton, Langshaw, Morebattle, Newtown, St Boswells and Yetholm to the May visitors’ evening. She then introduced Heiton and Morebattle Choir, led by Lesley Abernethy. A programme of musical items with a maritime theme entitled “All at Sea” was well received.Competitions – visitors – paperweight – 1, Joyce Eaves (Eckford); 2, Lorna Dickson (Newtown); 3, Elizabeth Leckie (Greenlaw). Members – paperweight – 1, Jean McDermid; 2, Meg Black; 3, Kathy Wilkie; fruit loaf – 1, June Brown; 2, Kathy Wilkie. The next meeting will be held on June 3 at the earlier time of 7pm.
Stobo
Plant sale
Friends of Dawyck Botanic Garden’s annual plant sale is on May 18 (11am-4pm). In addition to an array of plants from members’ own gardens, there will be stalls featuring the Peeblesshire Beekeepers’ Association and Waulkmill Cider of Langholm.
Traquair
Service
The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on May 25 at 10am.
Yetholm
WRI
Members gather on May 20 at 7.30pm in the Wauchope Hall for a guest night with the topic being Yetholm Village Choir.
Coffee morning
There will be a coffee morning run by Yetholm Guild in the Wauchope Hall on May 24.
Lambs service
On May 25 at 11.15am, the local kirk is holding the annual Service of the Lambs at Belford-on-Bowmont.