Ashkirk
Church
There will be a service on Sunday, from noon to 1pm.
Caddonfoot
Church
A packed congregation at Caddonfoot Parish Church, decorated beautifully for the special occasion, gave a ‘Braw’ start to another Gathering Week on Sunday at the annual kirkin’ service. Braw Lad Gavin Young and Braw Lass Alice Mackay, whose sister Nicola was Braw Lass two years ago, were joined by fellow principals Daniel Whitehead, Ryan Mania, Lucy Black and Nicola. They were led into the church by the Reverend Elspeth Harley, making her debut at the service after taking over the charge, linked with Trinity, in January. The congregation sang “Braw Braw Lads” and were joined by, among others, president Andrew Johnston, chairman David Houston, vice-chairman Jodie Millar, clerk Hazel Newlands, members of the Gathering executive council, parents of the principals, life members and friends. Past President Gordon Keddie recited “The Braw Lads’ Day”, while another past president, Johnny Gray, recited “Ganderscleuch Gathering”, by George Hope Tait – Ganderscleuch being another name for Galashiels. Mr Johnston read the Bible from Mark’s Gospel, while church members Julie Decoteau (Peter) and Bill Birch (Jesus) had a chat on the theme “Of Mouths and Money”. At the end of the service, at which the music was played by Derek Calder, the Braw Lad and Lass were presented with Bibles and a scroll each, from the church, to mark the occasion.
Denholm
Open gardens
An Open Gardens event will be held in the village on June 29 (2-4.30pm) in aid of Ruberslaw Church. Entry is by ticket in the form of a map showing the location of the gardens. Tickets are available from Denholm Post Office prior to the event and from the door of Denholm Church on the day.
EARLSTON
Parish church
The Sunday (June 29) service at 10.15am will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods and held in the marquee to mark the start of Civic Week. Refreshments will be served after the service. There will be a service at 6.30pm in the church.
Eckford
WRI
Members travelled to the garden centre at Woodside, Monteviot, where a demonstration and advice on potting up large plant pots with summer bedding. This was followed by supper in the restaurant.
ETTRICK
Gardens
There will be an Open Gardens Weekend on June 28/29 in Ettrick, plus a floral festival in Ettrick Church, plant stalls, craft stalls as well as a “Find the Gnomes” activity for children. There will be afternoon teas on Saturday from 2.30-5.30pm, and lunches and teas on Sunday (12.30-5.30pm) in Boston Hall. Tickets for the gardens are available from Ann Blundell (01750 62267) or at Boston Hall on the day. Proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support and Ettrick and Yarrow Parish Fabric Fund.
galashiels
Open again
The public path over Redbridge viaduct, which sits to the east of Galashiels, has been reopened following repair works to the Victorian era structure. The viaduct, which will carry the footpath and railway over the River Tweed between Galashiels and Tweedbank, has been closed since February for restoration works. Additional work on the viaduct will continue over the coming months, with short-term closures of the path required. Notices will be posted in advance of these works.
Hawick
Bridge club
June 17 –N/S – 1, John and Marian Miller; 2, Bob Francombe and Valerie MacPherson; E/W – 1, John Urquhart and Sam White; 2,Kenneth Auckland and David King.
Rotary
President Scott Elliot welcomed members and their ladies to last week’s meeting. They heard an illustrated presentation by Margaret Skee on the creation of The Great Tapestry of Scotland in which she was partly involved. From an original idea by Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith, assisted by author Alistair Moffat and artist Andrew Crummy, the tapestry was three years in the making. It involved 1,000 stitchers, many of whom were amateurs and in the age range of three to 94. The tapestry is made up of 160 panels and, in total, is 140-plus metres long and depicts 12,000 years of Scottish history. Three hundred miles of yarn were used and it is estimated more than 55,000 hours were spent on the work. It was on display for the first time in the Scottish Parliament last year. It is hoped to have it housed in a permanent building at Tweedbank. Many questions evolved, after which Jim Walker gave the vote of thanks.
Hownam
Coffee morning
The church coffee morning will be held in Hownam Hall on Saturday, July 5, from 10.30am.
Innerleithen
Services
On Sunday there are two services – 8.30am, breakfast, a song and a story; and morning service at 10.30am.
KELSO
Thursday Group
Members are sponsoring a Palm Court Afternoon Tea on July 3 in aid of Scottish Borders Africa Aids Group in Abbey Row Centre (2.45-4.15pm). Music will be provided by Robert Fraser (violin) and Margaret Dick (piano).
Farmers’ market
There will be some new stalls at Kelso farmers’ market on June 28 (9.30am-1.30pm).
Volunteers appeal
Contact the Elderly, which offers people aged 75 and over a social lifeline, is looking to increase its number of volunteers in Kelso. Drivers collect the older person and join them at a tea party in a volunteer host’s home. The parties tend to welcome around 10 people, made up of around six older guests and four drivers, and take place monthly on a Sunday. To find out more, contact morna.o’may@contact-the-elderly.org.uk or 01786 871264.
Langholm
Common Riding
At the Common Riding committee meeting in the Crown Hotel, chairman Roger Maxwell informed members he had met with council officials and Councillor Denis Male with regard to road closures for the Common Riding day and had been assured that costs for this year’s event would be covered by the council. In regard to a suggestion at the previous meeting about having a seat in memory of former secretary Dick Hill in Rosevale Gardens, it was said that the council would possibly have to be involved, so Lynn Everett will be contacted. Jamie Fletcher had been in touch with the company that had provided the Cornet’s spurs in the past, but there were none in stock. He will see if they can make them and get a price. The high jump has been re-instated with prizes similar to when it last took place. In addition to the Borders High Jump for seniors, there will be a competition for boys and girls, and games secretary Iain Park will get a medal for the winner of the main competition. North Lakes Marquee Hire will charge £778, which was accepted, and was £10 up on last year. The public address system from John Little will cost £775, which is £40 more than in 2013. The Scottish Ambulance Service charge of £692.39p is £95 cheaper than last year. The times of attendance will be checked to make sure they are there from 11.30am to 5.30pm. Two quotes had been received for the luncheons, with The Lost Chef giving £12 per head, and Food@Broadway £10.75p per head, with the cheaper being accepted. These establishments will be contacted by secretary Kenneth Hill. There will be a check to see how many Common Riding ties had been left over from the 450 purchased last year, and if necessary the order will be reduced by 50. The cost of the ties will remain at £8, with a rosette £6.50 and the ribbon 65p a metre. An additional 50 guest ribbons will be printed this year and delivered to Graeme Murray, vice-chairman of the Ex-Cornets’ Society, for handing out on the Simmer Fair Night. Arrangements have been made for the manning of the bridge from the school area across to the Castleholm, and also the crossing at that part of the race course.
Golden wedding
Langholm couple Derik and Anne Nordon were married on June 24, 1964 – but in order that all the family could be present, they celebrated their golden wedding slightly ahead of the date in the Eskdale Hotel. Derik and Anne (Proudfoot) were married in the parish church in Newcastleton where Anne lived, and held a reception at her parents’ house in Henry Street in the village. The bridesmaid was Margaret Gordon and best man Robbie Graham. At the time Derik worked at the Ford Mill and the couple set up home in Rosevale Street. They first met at a dance in Newcastleton and have three children – Derik, Louise and Brian – and eight grandchildren – Darren, Jamie, Kayleigh, Daniel, Kieran, Josh, Kian and Kiera, along with two great- grandchildren, Tori and Riley.
LAUDER
Church
On June 29 at 11am, there will be a baptism in Lauder Church – Michaella Burne, infant daughter of Travis and Lisa Burne.
melrose
Church
June 29 – services at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (11am); July 2 – church hall (7 for 7.30pm), Dinner with Mozart, fundraiser by John Brydon in aid of Holy Trinity Organ Appeal; July 6 – strawberry tea fundraiser after church instead of coffee/tea (for special projects fund); tinned goods are requested for the foodbank.
Trimontium
The Trimontium Walk’s last June event is today (Thursday) from 1.30pm. In July and August it doubles each week, being available on Tuesdays as well as Thursdays. July 6 sees the first shorter Sunday afternoon walk, under Ian Brown, from Newstead Milestone at 2pm (bring own refreshments). They go on till the end of August. On July 7 Ian Skinner takes the latest Old Melrose Walk from the tearoom at 1.30pm. That same day, the Royal Archaeological Institute party of 40, on its one-week visit to the Tweed Valley, calls in at the Trimontium Museum to see the £10,000 coin hoard and the Roman steering oar before driving from Newstead through the site to Leaderfoot and then on to Smailholm Tower.
Nursery
Old Station Nursery is investing in its outdoor learning space, following a successful grant application to Scottish Borders Business Fund. This follows the most recent Care Inspectorate inspection which graded the nursery as very good in two of four assessment areas, demonstrating continual improvement in the service it provides. The grant cash is going towards creating a “learning garden”, providing children opportunities for sustained periods of learning through outdoor play in a safe and stimulating outdoor environment.
Morebattle
Trysting Tree
There was a large attendance of riders and followers at Sunday’s meeting of the Kelso Laddie and Jethart Callant at the Trysting Tree in brilliant weather. The four dancers from Morebattle School were Emma and Lucy Thomson, Kym Cessford and Emily Letts. Simon Mountford chaired the platform party and David Welsh gave the address.
Fishing
Caverton Mill fishing competition will be held on June 28, with the draw being made today (Thursday) at 9pm. The winners of the pairs competition on Saturday were Stuart McNulty and David Gray with a combined weight of 3lb 12.5oz. Jim McNulty and Nigel Walters were runners-up.
Coffee morning
A Help for Heroes coffee morning will be held in the institute on June 28 from 10.30am.
Games Queen
This year’s Morebattle Games Queen, chosen by the school from the P7 girls, is Emma Thomson. The sashing will take place on July 27 at Morebattle Church at 11.15am. The programme of events for Festival Week is still being finalised.
Newcastleton
Fundraiser
Liddesdale Ladies’ Amenities Group (LLAGs) raised £228 with a nearly-new and jumble sale in the village hall. The LLAGs raise money for a number of local causes, but several members of the group were away on holiday, so they could not hold the full coffee morning and just had tea or coffee and biscuits on sale for £1, and the entry to the sale was free.
OXTON
WRI
Members enjoyed their evening meal at Clovenfords Country Inn last Wednesday. That was the last meeting for the season, although the rural will be having a sales table at Oxton Games on July 26.
Peebles
Something fishy
Peebles Creative Place 2014 celebrates visual arts this month. When the call went out for artists to submit competition entries around the theme of fish, dozens of them, professional and amateur, took up the challenge. Before long, shoals of drawn, painted,
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From page 27
carved, collaged and photographed fish were heading for the Anne Younger Studio at the Eastgate Theatre where they will hang until July 7. First, second and third-place prize winners were – Borders-based artist Liz Douglas; Toby Watts, commended framer and member of the Fine Art Trade Guild; and Peter Reith, secretary and treasurer of Peeblesshire Trout Fishing Association.
Traquair
Service
The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on July 6 at 10.30am.
Walkerburn
Service
The next service in Walkerburn Public Hall will be on July 20 at 10.30am.
Yetholm
Romany Ramblers
June 28 – meet 9am at Wauchope Hall for car sharing. Route – 10 miles – Craster, Low Newton, Beadnell, Seahouses.