Time for SBC to play ball with village
This week we highlight a problem when it comes to the provision of some affordable social housing.It appears developers of such schemes are not always obligated to contribute funds towards play parks,...
View ArticleBorders sees record high suicide rate in 2012
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of people committing suicide in the Borders, figures released this week revealed.In 2012, 17 men and six women took their own lives locally –five people...
View ArticleArticle 27
Missed visits, unchanged beds and concerns about the skill levels of staff feature in a damning Care Inspectorate report on a home care firm.Independent Living Services Borders (ILS), which has a...
View ArticleStichill villagers say they feel ‘duped’ over playpark
Months after a new housing development opened in Stichill and with still no sign of a new playpark, local villagers say they now feel duped.Earlier this summer, Scottish housing minister Margaret...
View ArticleMSP calls for tablet analysis
John Lamont has called for more analysis on the effectiveness of tablet computers in schools. The council have bought 38 since 2011, at the cost of £9,400. Headteachers are currently responsible for IT...
View ArticleNew tribunal fees will make things fairer for all, says business leader
A Borders employers’ organisation hopes controversial new employment tribunal fees introduced last month will make things ‘fairer’ for bosses and workers alike.Last week, retired local Unite union...
View ArticlePanel plan to help improve learning disability services
SPECIAL ‘Citizens Panels’ are being created in the Borders to allow those with a learning disability and their carers to have more of a say in the way services are planned and delivered locally.The...
View ArticleSwinney promises extra talks with Hawick mill bosses
Finance Minister John Swinney has agreed to return to Hawick for round-the-table talks with mill bosses later this year.The assurance was given during a textile summit held at Peter Scott & Co last...
View ArticleBusinesses to see benefit of ‘biking heaven’ tag
The promotion of the 7Stanes mountain biking locations as ‘Scotland’s Biking Heaven’ is set to provide a boost to local businesses.Almost £100,000 in total will be ploughed into the marketing campaign...
View ArticleInquest into death of Hawick soldier Jason Smith to reopen
An inquest into the death of Hawick soldier Jason Smith will be re-opened next month.Private Jason Smith, 32, died on August 13, 2003, after collapsing with heatstroke in Iraq.In 2006, an inquest by...
View ArticleRise in number of Borders babies
More babies were born in the Borders last year than in 2011, figures released on Tuesday revealed.A total of 1,140 births were recorded, up 32 on 2011. Despite the rise, the birth rate for the region...
View ArticleDrop in drug- related deaths
The number of drug-related deaths in the Borders fell last year, albeit by just one.Seven people died in the region in 2012 as a direct result of drugs, with diazepam recorded in three instances,...
View ArticleDeath rate above national average
A total of 1,282 deaths were recorded in the Borders in 2012, 48 more than the previous year. The National Records of Scotland figures showed that the death rate was above the national average.
View ArticleIsland’s stamps to mark battle
A private Scottish island is issuing two stamps to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden.The Island of Pabay stamps will be available from September 9 and can be ordered...
View ArticleElderly Duns man trampled by cows dies
The Duns pensioner who was severely injured when he was attacked by cows and calves near Greenlaw on August 25 has died.Police confirmed Richard Nicholson, 78, passed away at Borders General Hospital...
View ArticleKelso, Jedburgh and Gala firefighters battle gorse blaze
Four teams of firefighters are tackling a large gorse blaze at Sandyknowe Farm near Smailholm.The flames have spread over an area of approximately 100 metres by 50 metres but no buildings are affected....
View ArticleHolm Show prizewinners
Sunshine brought out the crowds for the Holm Show at Harrison and Hetherington’s auction mart in the village on Saturday.The prizewinners were as follows:The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Cup...
View ArticleScot Nats pin hopes on West Linton vet in Borders by-election
West Linton vet Dr Morag Kerr has been chosen by the SNP to fight the vacant Tweeddale West seat on Scottish Borders Council.The by-election was made necessary by the resignation in July of...
View ArticleKelso gorse fire under control but flames still being fought
Firefighters have won a two-hour battle to bring a large gorse fire under control in the Scottish Borders.But mid-afternoon crews from Kelso, Jedburgh and Galashiels, were still using high pressure...
View ArticleMissing Galashiels man found
A helicopter joined a search for a 47-year-old man who went missing from Galashiels on Tuesday. It used its searchlight to probe areas around the River Tweed between Gala Foot and Melrose. Police...
View Article