Family Festival programme
Saturday, June 1610.45am – Sir Charlie Stinky Socks with Kristina Stevenson, age 4-8, £5, SBBM.11am – Write On! Writing competition awards, age 9 plus, free, LM12noon – Dr Death and the Evil Medicine...
View ArticleHorrid Henry and Dr Death to join stars at the Family Book Festival
THE 2012 Brewin Dolphin Borders Book Festival is being touted as the biggest and best literary event ever to be staged in the region with Sir David Frost, John Sessions, Ian Rankin, William Boyd and...
View ArticlePublic loo provision panned
PUBLIC loo provision in Galashiels has been panned – by the British Toilet Association, writes Kenny Paterson. A female committee member of the national organisation, which campaigns for better public...
View ArticleJail term likely for Gala youth who sexually assaulted children
A GALASHIELS teenager is facing a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl and a 15-year-old boy.Jordan Pearson, 17, was found guilty of attacking the pair over...
View ArticleJob loss fears quashed as toilets get electronic makeover
Concerns were raised this week that the fitting of automatic opening and locking devices on the region’s public conveniences will lead to job losses, writes Andrew Keddie.But Scottish Borders Council,...
View ArticleBooze moderation plea as rugby fans head for Melrose
TWO years ago, Melrose Sevens hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons when an alcohol-fuelled gang fight involving youths from Galashiels and Kelso terrified townsfolk and visitors.The violent...
View ArticleMeet the candidate sessions
NEWTOWN St Boswells residents have the chance to meet candidates standing for election to Scottish Border Council next month.The six local hopefuls will be talking about what they stand for and what...
View ArticleMedical director retiring
ONE of NHS Borders’ most senior board members is to retire, writes Kenny Paterson.Dr Ross Cameron steps down in June from his role as medical director, after nine years in the post.The Glasgow...
View ArticleCouncil fits ‘spy’ cameras to beat insurance claims
ALL new vehicles in Scottish Borders Council’s extensive fleet are to be fitted with black box video recorders, writes Andrew Keddie.TheSouthern can reveal that the devices, which contain a 1.3 mega...
View ArticleKelso author hopes to turn tide with debut novel to win publishing deal
FORMER Kelso lecturer Margaret Skea is hoping that an ancient Ayrshire vendetta could prove the catalyst for a new career as a full-time novelist.Last year, her debut novel, The Turn of the Tide – set...
View ArticleRecycling complaint thrown out
A REQUEST to move recycling facilities at a Galashiels landfill site has been thrown out, writes Kenny Paterson.Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Jim Martin refused to uphold the complaint that...
View ArticleSewage in graveyard row rumbles on as green expert denies re-routed waste claim
A CLIMATE change officer has denied connecting his home into a disused pipe under an historic Peeblesshire churchyard, amid claims sewage has been discovered in the cemetery.Gareth Phillips, who lives...
View ArticleSacked officer claims SBC is in grip of work-related stress
A FORMER well-being officer at Scottish Borders Council claims work-related stress is at “pandemic proportions” within the Newtown-based local authority.And Gordon Branston, from Ettrickbridge, claims...
View ArticleBikers’ annual fundraiser revvs up
YETHOLM bikers are raising money for the multiple sclerosis society on Sunday.Yetholm and District Motorcycle Club is holding its annual motorbike jumble sale in the village’s Youth Hall.Organiser...
View ArticleQuestionmark still hangs over former Haldanes store
FURTHER speculation that the Co-op would reopen the former Haldanes store in Kelso was quashed again last week.The issue came up at a meeting of Kelso Community Council when councillor Colin McGrath...
View ArticleCommunity celebrates as primary school opens in Clovenfords
THE new £6million primary school in Clovenfords opened for business on Monday.Celebrating his 12th birthday, pupil Liam Davison, head teacher Alison Sutherland and Scottish Borders Council (SBC)...
View ArticleKelso squares up to a pantwell and a cross
KELSO Square it seems is an atmospheric expanse of Georgian space just begging to be filled.A mooted market cross and now a pantwell could soon be features in the cobbled vacuum, which has stood...
View ArticleCan you offer a cuppa and some time to cheer up lonely pensioners?
A SHORTAGE of volunteers means many elderly residents of Kelso face losing out on the chance of alleviating their loneliness.Contact the Elderly, the charity solely dedicated to tackling loneliness and...
View ArticleBody identified
POLICE have named the man whose body was recovered from the River Tweed near St Boswells last Thursday.He is 46-year-old Ian Kyle from Newtown St Boswells.Police say there are no suspicious...
View ArticleHigh hope of Glentress treetop adventure
A HIGH ROPES adventure trail could be up and running at Glentress by summer.Developer Go Ape says it will take six weeks to set up the course, which involves scrambling on nets and ropes high above the...
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