Landlines
Good news, we’ve had the warmest spring on record in Scotland since at least 1910, and by implication that must also be true for much of the north of England.Bad news, the wet, mild winter, followed by...
View ArticleMums in short supply at Shoogly Towers
The ‘Are they? Aren’t they?’ broody hen saga (a farce in three acts) seems to be playing out to its conclusion. Hopefully, by the time this column comes out, we will have some chicks. Yes, real, live,...
View ArticleGreg and Fiona make history in Common Riding
Selkirk’s Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Greg MacDougall, and first woman Standard Bearer Fiona Deacon, secured their places in history at Friday’s Common Riding.As ever, the festival began on Thursday,...
View ArticleNote to self: check out transport first
We learned a valuable lesson on Saturday. By we, I mean Selkirk’s skiffling sensation the Bogie’s Close Stompers. Actually, we learned quite a few lessons. Just to make sure we are all singing off the...
View ArticleRobert Harris wins Scott Prize
Melrose’s Harmony Garden welcomed almost 17,000 visitors to this year’s 2014 Brewin Dolphin Borders Book Festival, say delighted organisers.Famous personalities like Absolutely Fabulous creator,...
View ArticleTime for tea – help Borders cancer carers
MARIE CURIE TEA PARTYI was delighted to be able to do my bit for Marie Curie Cancer Care by hosting my own Blooming Great Tea Party. The initiative is designed to raise money to help Marie Curie Nurses...
View ArticleVoter polls and buses in Alabama
It’s amazing, isn’t it. The Act of Union that joined Scotland and England was enacted in 1707.That’s 307 years ago. So you would think that every Scot who lived at some point in those intervening three...
View ArticleYour independence letters – June 19
Yes vote based on fantasy and magicI am not aquainted with the Potter books and films, but I understand that fantastic realities and magic supply their infrastructure. A bit like the Yes campaign,...
View ArticleCourt briefs
DeferredA St Boswells woman who falsely obtained £7,500 benefit, has had sentence deferred until July 23.First offender Tina Mackenzie, 48, of Jenny Moore’s Court, admitted obtaining income support,...
View ArticleCourt briefs June 19
Jailed for eight monthsA 25-year-old who breached a Sexual Offences Prevention Order by being drunk in the street, has been jailed for eight months.Dean Smith of Beech Avenue, Galashiels, appeared from...
View ArticleMan admits to having knife at club event
A Hawick man, seen with a knife at a rugby club function, claimed it was for his own protection.Andrew Birnie declared: “I need the knife as people will do worse to me than it will do to them,” adding...
View ArticleGala Academy teacher is struck off for three months for giving false extra marks
A Galashiels Academy teacher has been struck off the teaching register for three months after giving two pupils false extra marks to pass an assessment.Scott Shields, a business management teacher at...
View ArticleMoore backs joint call for greater Scots powers in UK
Borders MP Michael Moore backed a joint statement published this week by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, Scottish Labour Party leader Johann Lamont and Scottish Conservative leader Ruth...
View ArticleFresh call to put Hawick on track
Local MSP Jim Hume used Question Time at Holyrood to urge the government to launch a study into extending the Borders Railway from Tweedbank to Hawick.He said later: “The extension to Hawick has always...
View ArticleKelso Wheelers present cheque to Heroes
Fifty cyclists visited Kelso recently during the Tartan Express charity bike ride from Edinburgh to London for Help for Heroes. Kelso Wheelers youth club presented a £500 cheque
View ArticleQueen’s Baton heads through the Borders
Our photographer Stuart Cobley was out and about yesterday (Wednesday) following the Queen’s Baton as it was relayed throughout the region.Here’s a few of the photographs he took. If you have some...
View Article‘Tough’ CAP package a compromise say locals
Local reaction to the new CAP package for 2015-2020 announced last week is that it’s about as good as could be expected given the circumstances.New rules aim to ensure only active farmers will get...
View ArticleMarket Prices
woolerAt their weekly sale of primestock last Monday John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 865 new season lambs, 47 hoggs and young sheep and 195 ewes.More lambs about nationwide, trade slightly...
View ArticleMet a Pilgrim on the way round Lindean
One of the jewels in the Borders wildlife crown is, in my opinion, Lindean Reservoir near Selkirk. A gentle stroll round there on a nice June day is hard to beat.On a recent outing, I was immediately...
View ArticleBraw Lads’ Gathering brings pride and joy to Galaleans
Galashiels is going through a fair bit of upheaval at the moment, thanks to work on the new Borders railway and town centre improvements.But none of it will be allowed to detract from the fun and...
View Article