ASHKIRK
Church
There will be a service on Sunday, from noon-1pm.
Bowden
Coffee morning
A coffee morning in aid of hall funds is being held on Saturday (10am-noon) in the village hall.
caddonfoot
Church
The Reverend Elspeth Harley conducted morning service on Sunday, with readings by Atholl Innes. The foodbank team is still looking for volunteers – contact Margaret Blyth on by phone on 01896 850314. The service on August 10 is at 6.30pm to avoid clashing with a cycle event when the road past the church will be partly closed.
EARLSTON
Parish church
The July 6 service at 10.15am will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods. During the summer weeks, various people will be taking part and
helping her with the services.
AGM
The Paths Group AGM, open to anyone with an interest in the local footpath network, will be held on July 8 (7pm) in the small lounge of the Black Bull Inn.
EDNAM
Triathlon
P3/4 pupils at Ednam primary school took part in a sponsored triathlon for Borders Pet Rescue. Simon Cullum, centre manager and “Murphy” visited the school to be presented with a cheque. The youngsters also designed their own T-shirts for the triathlon Final total was £361.
Ettrickbridge
Coffee morning
The monthly coffee morning and sale in aid of hall funds will be held in the village hall on Saturday (10am-noon). Anyone with anything to sell should simply turn up, take a table and give a small donation to hall funds.
Galashiels
Race night
Bright Stars Under-5s playgroup is holding a fundraising race night on Saturday, July 19, from 7pm in H20. A disco and karaoke will be held after the races. Tickets are available from any committee member or Scott Street Late Shop.
HAWICK
Bridge club
June 24 – 1, John and Marian Miller; 2, Valerie MacPherson and Bob Francome; 3, Mary Millar and Patsy Gilligan.
Rotary
At the meeting last week, retiring president Scott Elliot handed over the chain of office to Sandy Bannerman for his second term in the post – his previous stint was in 2000/01. Sandy presented Mairhi Trickett with her vice-president’s insignia and also introduced Jim Walker as junior vice-president, before welcoming regular visitor Harold Wilner, of the Kingston-upon-Thames club, and Jo Pawley, assistant district governor at Eyemouth. The conveners gave reports of projects lined up for the coming year. Sandy was present at the high school prizegiving the previous night – the recipient of the Rotary award was Daniel Nixon. Jo then gave a short address on Rotary’s “Promitto Project”, which helps men and women leaving the armed forces to adjust into civvy life, especially gaining employment. She introduced a local soldier who has been assigned to the Hawick club and explained the different avenues which could be explored to help him in his quest as he had recently left the Army after serving in Afghanistan.
Innerleithen
Church
The next service in Innerleithen Church will be the Games Week one on July 13 at 11.30am.
Community council
Innerleithen and District Community Council will hold its monthly meeting on July 7 in the council chamber, Leithen Road, at 7.15pm.
Social evening
A senior citizens’ social evening will be held in the Memorial Hall on July 10, with doors opening at 7pm. Tickets are available at the post office free of charge.
Games committee
The final Games committee meeting will take place on July 9 in the council chamber, Memorial Hall, at 7pm.
Torch-bearers
The Games committee is looking for Torch-bearers for the Friday and Saturday processions during Games Week. They must be over the age of 12 years, or be accompanied by a responsible adult. Meet at Hall Street (10pm) and Leithen Crescent (9.45pm) on the Friday and Saturday respectively.
Silver band
June was extremely busy for St Ronan’s Silver Band. At the start of the month, members took part in the West Linton Whipman’s installation parade, then the next week travelled to play at Strathaven Gala Day in South Lanarkshire. Then the band was on parade for Red Letter Day at the Peebles Beltane, followed by being the official band to the Braw Lads’ Gathering last Wednesday and Saturday. As well as all this, members also participated in the Walkerburn Summer Festival parade. Next on the schedule is St Ronan’s Games Week.
Car treasure hunt
For the 22nd time, the team led by master planner Adrian Keddie has plotted a mysterious route through the local landscape for folk with the spirit of adventure (and a car) to explore. St Ronan’s Border Games Week Car Treasure Hunt will take place on July 14. Aspiring treasure seekers should report to the entrance foyer of the Memorial Hall, Leithen Road, between 5.30pm and 6.30pm to collect their clue sheets. Entry is £5 per car. Completed sheets should be handed in at the desk in the hall foyer by 9.30pm. Time penalties are imposed on teams handing in their sheets for checking after that time and any produced after 10pm will not be checked at all. The winner will receive the Cissie Barnett Trophy and a cash prize. Second and third will also collect cash awards. The trophy and prizes will be presented by Standard Bearer Elect Robbie Scott and his Lass, Rachel Lauder.
kelso
Bridge club
June 25 – match-pointed pairs – N/S – 1, Caroline Sutherland and Elinor Green; 2 (equal), Val Johnstone and Mary Millar, Val Fairbairn and Jean Bunyan; E/W – 1, John and Marian Miller; 2, Georgina Hall and Ian Watson; 3 (equal), Miles Browne and John Urquhart, Annie Mitchell and Bob Stevenson. June 26 – aggregate pairs – N/S – 1, Brian Saywood and Russell Watt; 2, Kitty Home-Robertson and Christine McCreath; 3, Nancy Porter and Jock Dun; E/W – 1, Lynda Douglas and Michael Horwood; 2, Annie Mitchell and Sheila Urquhart; 3, Gerry Eglington and Jon Bridger.
Farmers’ market
A farmers’ market will be held in Kelso Square on July 12 (9.30am-1.30pm).
Blood donors
Blood-donor sessions held in the Tait Hall on June 22 and 23 resulted in 298 volunteers offering to give blood – 266 donations were made and there were five new donors.
Langholm
Young riders
It was a special night for the young riders’ club when a one-off event took place to mark its first member being elected Cornet – a dinner in honour of Cornet Dale Irving in the Masonic clubrooms. The Town Band played a musical welcome for around 80 young riders, members and guests, and Cornet Irving, plus his Right and Left-hand Men, Alasdair Cavers and Andrew Elliot, were cheered into the hall. The meal was served up by Crazy Gang caterers Kate Richardson, Angela Foster and Sheena Reid, followed by speeches and songs. The chairman was ex-Cornet David Pool and the toast to the Common Riding was proposed by Michaela Maxwell, with Jamie Fletcher replying. Frankie Steele delivered the toast to the young riders, Ross Mabon replying. The toast to Cornet Irving was proposed by his brother, Gareth, to which the Cornet responded. The singers were Shonagh Murray and Nicky Henderson, and Colin Little played a selection on the bagpipes. During the evening a presentation was made on behalf of the young riders of a bowler hat to Cornet Irving by Kelsey Brannan. Presentations were also made of personalised whisky by the Cornet to Semi-Jubilee Cornet Andrew Johnstone and Jubilee Cornet Irving Edgar. The Crazy Gang caterers arranged for much of the food to be sponsored – potatoes, King; ice-cream, Pelosis; flakes and wavers, Co-op. Pioneer of Carlisle gave a discount on the mince, which was sponsored by Les and Simon Richardson, John Henderson, Chris Robb and Kenny Tweddle. Colin Barnfather, Tommy Morrison, Ramsay Johnstone and John Murray, who formed and run the young riders’ club, were appreciative of the help given to what was a memorable night and thank Lodge Eskdale Kilwinning for the use of the social club.
Exhibition
The district art club summer exhibition is on show in the Town Hall Gallery until July 16. The event was officially opened by Hilary Jack and can be seen weekdays and Saturdays (10am-noon and 2-4pm), and Sundays (2-4pm).
Bowling
Shortly after the Queen’s baton relay had left the town, a number of events took place for Academy pupils – and these included several attending New Town Bowling Club. It had recently been gifted money from the Lottery 2014 Communities fund to purchase six sets of bowls specially designed to be suitable for young learners. The pupils and several teachers were given tuition by club members.
School concert
The Common Riding concert for the local primary school, along with its Canonbie counterpart, and prizegiving was held in the parish church. The Reverend Scott McCarthy was chairman for the occasion and Cornet Dale Irving and his Right and Left-Hand Men, Alasdair Cavers and Andrew Elliot, were in attendance. A large number of parents and friends listened to various classes singing a number of Common Riding favourites. Presentations were made to pupils from both schools. Winners of the art competition with a Common Riding theme were on display in the front of the church, and overall winner Ellie Scott received the Hawick 1514 Club trophy. The remainder of the prizes, sponsored by the local art club, were being presented later in the week at the school.
A vote of thanks was given by Justin Sinclair, cluster head teacher, and the event ended with everyone singing Auld Lang Syne.
Fun day
It was fine weather for the rugby club family fun day at Milntown. A car boot sale got things under way in the morning and then, later in the day, the main event was a touch rugby tournament. This fundraiser was organised by Alison Nicol and her women’s committee friends, with all money going to the club. There was plenty for the children, with a bouncy castle and soft play area, along with face-painting and an obstacle course. There was a barbecue. Ten teams, involving about 100 players of all ages, took part in the touch rugby, and each side had to include an under-16 player and a female. The cricket club, which won all six matches, emerged victorious after beating Cubbon’s Crusaders. Rachel Davidson played in every match for the cricket club, while under-16s Bailey Donaldson and Jay Gordon performed well. But it was Jay’s father, Davie, who was chosen as player of the tournament. Alison Nicol and Aileen Grant played for Cubbon’s Crusaders, and there was a father and son, Mick and Ryan Smith. In the semi-finals, the overall winners knocked out Buccleuch Estates and The Rebels also went out at that stage. Cricket club: Graham Park, Davie Gordon, Jay Gordon, Bailey Donaldson, Jamie Paisley, Gregor Masterton, Jack Pool, Rachel Davidson and Chris Stewart. Cubbon’s Crusaders: Niall Cubbon, Steven Nicol, Colin Jardine, Craig Hislop, Aileen Grant, Alison Nicol, Michael Waitt, Ryan Smith and Mick Smith.
Lauder
Church
A songs of praise, “My Favourite Hymns”, by Christine Brotherston, will be held in Channelkirk Church on July 13 at 7pm. Tea will be served in Oxton Memorial Hall afterwards.
melrose
Border Flower Club
June saw the last demonstration of the season when Marie Rutherford, from Polmont, brought her travel memories. First was her childhood thoughts of Crail beach with three-tier placements featuring driftwood, greenery and flowers – carnations, liatrus and tulips. The Far East was depicted with luscious jungle greenery – green chrysanthemums and a green orchid, with fuchsia-coloured carnations. Kuwait was next in a brown wicker container with hot orange gerberas and palm leaves for the greenery. Italy was recreated via the Italians’ love for urns and tubs. The tall, angular tub had a base of hebe and leather leaf fern, with agapanthus for height and a selection of pink carnations and red roses for the
corners. Finally, Chicago, depicted by tower blocks with a large and smaller tower, featuring aspidistra leaves, orange-red lilies in a central line, with red carnations and yellow roses either side. The next meeting is the AGM on July 9 in Melrose Corn Exchange at 7.30pm. Club secretary Marion Hamilton clinched a second place at the World Show in Dublin in the Delight in Detail class.
morebattle
Poetry
The Robert Davidson Cup is given annually to the village pupil who wins the prize for best poem. It is awarded by the Robert Davidson Committee in memory of the man commonly known as the Morebattle Poet. This year the region’s resident poet, Tom Murray, took Morebattle School P6 and 7s pupils to Kelso. As a result of his encouragement, the children wrote poems about the town. The judges decided that the winner was Grace Anderson (P6) whose poem was entitled “Kelso Today”. Runner-up and third place went to Emma Thomson and Jack Innes respectively.
Coffee morning
The coffee morning for Help for Heroes and 1 Scots soldiers raised £373. Competition winners – plant pots, Janette Stenhouse; whisky, Jenny Flannigan; basket of fruit, Linda Fox; sweets, Dawn Chisholm.
Fishing
The Caverton Mill fishing competition took place on Saturday. Result – 1, Stuart McNulty; 2, Gilbert Elliot; 3, George Cessford.
Senior citizens
The senior citizens’ outing to Seahouses on July 10 leaves the village at 1.30pm. Names should be put on the list at the village shop as soon as possible.
Oxton
Blythswood
The Blythswood Care lorry will be at Carfraemill on July 8 (12.30-12.45pm) to collect clothes, books, shoes,toys and bric-a-brac.
Church
See Lauder section.
Peebles
Climbing
Keira Farmer, of Peebles, along with Calum Cunningham (Ullapool) and Rhys Langlands (Inverness), finished fifth when more than 300 young climbers from across Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland took part in the 2014 final of the Youth Climbing Series, held at the world’s largest indoor climbing wall, the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho, on Saturday.
Selkirk
Blood donors
The blood transfusion service will be holding donor sessions in the Victoria Halls on Sunday, July 13, from 10.15am-12.30pm and 2-4pm.