Hawick United 4, Jed Legion 3

Rain fell and the goals poured in during this fast-flowing Beveridge Cup quarter-final clash at Albert Park.

At the end of it all, although doing it the hard way in coming from two goals behind, Hawick United progressed into the semi-finals of the competition and a meeting with local rivals Hawick Waverley.

A minute’s silence was given before the game in respect of the recent passing of Jed Legion stalwart Jack Wiffin.

United were first to look like scoring when Aaron Swailes shot wide after Jed ‘keeper Sean Jack had punched out a Sean Clarke cross.

With a swirling wind at their backs, Jed then showed what they had to offer.

Ashley Longford put Hawick number one Dean Fry to the test with an angled drive.

Minutes later, Ryan Shepherd denied the Legion an opener in clearing a Kyle Finlayson header off the goal line, following a Jamie Milner corner kick.

In the 24 th minute, Jed took the lead when Connor Dickson fired in a shot that Fry failed to hold and Finlayson was on hand to tuck away the spinning loose ball.

Minutes later, the visitors went further ahead. A Colin Turnbull pass back was intercepted by Cameron Grieve, who whipped a cross over the face of the goalmouth which was steered home by Longford.

With 31 minutes gone, United reduced the leeway when Michael Moir cashed in on some slipshod defending.

Chances fell at both ends before the interval but none were taken.

Aided by the wind, Hawick began the second half strongly and, following a spell of pressure, got on a level terms in the 56 th minute.

Clarke did the business with a sweetly-struck shot on the volley when connecting with a chipped Kevin Strathdee cross on the drop.

United kept their foot on the gas and, after a Kevin Strathdee free kick had been well saved by Jack. Ross Scott was just off target with a powerful header.

Jed had their backs to the wall but were dangerous on the break and, in a sweeping raid, substitute Terry Marshall came near to netting.

In the 72 nd minute, however Legion fell behind. Kevin Strathdee found Clark with a long spot-on pass, which was drilled away by the

striker.

Jed came rallying back and David Strathdee came to United’s rescue in kicking away a netbound Steven Drummond header.

The visitors followed this up by equalising in the 79 th minute. In attempting to clear the danger after a Milner free kick, David Strathdee turned the ball into his own net.

Five minutes later, Hawick restored their lead with what was to be a winning goal.

Young substitute Matthew Roberts emerged as their hero by driving in a shot after Jack had pushed away a Ross Scott effort.

Summing up his side’s win, United defender David Strathdee said: “We didn’t play that well in the first half and struggled a bit. We were a different team in the second half, though, and performed well, with everybody giving one hundred percent. It ended up being a good win for us.”

Bosses at a Kelso hotel have applied to Scottish Borders Council planners for consent for proposals to boost its appeal as a wedding venue.

Ednam House Hotel, a grade-A listed building run as a hotel for almost a century, has had plans drawn up to reinstate a roof terrace and extend its bar and kitchen.

The Robert Parker Collection group, its owner since 2014, wants to continue to invest in it to boost its appeal, particularly for weddings.

Galashiels-based architect Aitken Turnbull explored various options for re-instatement of the first-floor terrace in order to increase the capacity of the Bridge Street hotel, and its initial plans included a modern glass enclosure of the terrace.

However, after meetings with council planners, heritage officers and Historic Environment Scotland, it was decided that was not appropriate.

A design and access statement says: “It was, however, accepted that the hotel needed to invest and develop and that a scaled-back, more temporary solution might be more sympathetic to the original building.

“A new stretch canopy is proposed to cover the terrace. This would be formed in an elastic fabric and supported on posts and held on anchor points that would be attached to the extension.

“It is anticipated the structure would be in place during April to October and would be removed during the winter months.

“The dramatic outlook over the Tweed from this new facility will attract more business for the hotel. “

“It will contribute to securing its future as a high-quality luxury hotel destination and venue and enhance the economic vibrancy of Kelso.”

Ednam House, designed by James Nisbet, was originally built as a private mansion, called Havana House, in 1761.

Extensions to form a hotel were added in 1932 in the shape of a south wing, with a north wing following in 1937 and a single-storey dining room to the west in 1955.

An argument with his girlfriend in his car has led to a man being banned from the road for 12 months at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

That’s because Alan Lambert was more than three times the legal alcohol limit while in charge of the vehicle, parked in Gala Park in Galashiels, during the early hours of November 18.

The 23-year-old, of Balnagowan Road in Selkirk, was fined £250 for drink-driving and another £100 for having no insurance.

He pleaded guilty to having a breath-alcohol count of 70 microgrammes, the legal limit being 22.

The court was told that at around 7.20am the police received a report about a vehicle with a man in it.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said that officers came across the car in Gala Park and noted that it was parked at an angle, Lambert was in the driver’s seat and the engine was running.

Defence lawyer Colin Severin said his client had been at a house party with friends and was having an argument with his partner and had then got into the vehicle with her to continue that row.

Causing a disturbance outside a house party in Peebles cost a 20-year-old man a fine of £130.

Cameron Duncan, of Eliot’s Park in Peebles, pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing.

That offence was committed in Gibson’s Place in Peebles on June 23.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told Duncan’s girlfriend had become very intoxicated and the pair had been locked out of a property, prompting him to start shouting and swearing, much to the alarm of neighbours.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client believed his partner’s drink had been spiked and he was concerned about her condition, and that was what had led to his foul-mouthed outburst.

A controversial housing development in Peebles has been given the go-ahead despite vociferous opposition from neighbours of the site.

West Lothian-based Persimmon Homes East Scotland is set to build a 71-home housing development next to the South Parks industrial estate after being given the thumbs-up by Scottish Borders Council’s planning and building standards committee today, March 4.

The estate will be made up of a mixture of detached, semi-detached and terraced houses offering two to five bedrooms, including 18 affordable homes.

Those plans came in for criticism from residents, triggering objections from 112 different households and the town’s community council.

Concerns were voiced about the capacity of the site, increased pressure on local amenities and congestion in nearby Caledonian Road.

Appearing before the committee on behalf of local objectors and fellow Tweeddale East councillors Shona Haslam and Stuart Bell, Robin Tatler said: “While the local development plan sets out that the site’s indicative capacity should be for 50 houses, this application drives a coach and horses through that by proposing 71 houses.

“Town and country planning laws require an applicant to justify why they wish to exceed the indicative capacity. This application has not done so, and to grant such an application would create a precedent that would be difficult to challenge in the future.

“At best, the design and layout of the development could be said to be compact. At worst, it is crowded and soulless and certainly not matching the scenic nature of the site.

“Then there is the objection on the grounds of the effect that these 71 houses will have on the single vehicular access route, Caledonian Road.

“This road has a number of features which could cause any increase in traffic on it to potentially increase the danger of accidents for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

“I would ask that the development be rejected. I would also suggest that before considering any future development that uses Caledonian Road as its main access that planning officers and developers carry out much more detailed research on the traffic impact and improvement options on the road.”

Persimmon’s’ head of land, Gordon Johnson, told councillors: “It is, of course, an argument that if we had submitted an application for a development of 50 houses, then we could have avoided many of the objections.

“However, for commercial reasons, this would have meant the development would be based solely on larger, four and five-bed homes, which would be more expensive and thus more exclusive.

“Eighteen of the houses will be built in partnership with Eildon Housing Association and will be social rent.

“By approving 71 units, an extra five affordable homes will be secured than if it was restricted to the initial capacity of 50.

“Affordable housing is a priority for Scottish Borders Council, with over 1,000 affordable houses required over the next five years in the region.

“There is capacity for the local road network to safely accommodate traffic associated with this development.

“Furthermore, there is also the fact that the difference in traffic variation between 71 houses and 50 houses would be negligible.”

Derek Inglis, the authority’s roads planning officer, accepted that most of the objections stemmed from concerns over Caledonian Road but said they could be mitigated by imposing conditions on the developer.

Those conditions includes increasing the existing pavement width by 20cm in certain places; creating two pedestrian crossings, one in Caledonian Road and one in South Parks; providing extra parking spaces on a current bit of green space alongside the road; and reintroducing vehicular access for one of the property with a drive currently blocked by a lamppost.

Galashiels councillor Sandy Aitchison said he was sympathetic towards the objectors, explaining: “I just wonder, when the developers sat down and looked at this, how often they said the word ‘squeezed’, as in how much more can we squeeze into there?

“How can you push up 50 by 40% and still be in the spirit of the local development plan? Why do we say it if it means nothing but a number and we can just ignore it?”

East Berwickshire councillor Jim Fullarton said: “As a farmer who has used that road, it is a wide road, and I think officers have done a great job of mitigating some of the concerns. For example, I think widening the pavement is great idea.

“I think Caledonian Road can handle it. It’s a wide road and virtually straight.

“I think it’s a bit harsh to say that the affordable housing is crammed in at one end. When you look at affordable housing, you have to look at terraced housing.

“We all want affordable housing, and the developers have worked hard to make sure this is attractive.

“The development itself is going to have a bit of a feature. It will be somewhere people want to live.

“I support the development and commend the officers for the work they have done to fit this into Peebles because Peebles needs more housing and to not just be against everything.”

Councillors voted to accept the recommendations of their officers and gave the development the go-ahead.

Abusing two ex-colleagues in a Kelso supermarket resulted in a fine of £150 fine for a former factory worker.

Andrew Golightley, 44, pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in the Co-operative Store in the town’s Roxburgh Street on September 11.

Golightley, of Abbotsford Grove, Darnick, admitted shouting and swearing and making abusive remarks.

Tessa Bradley, prosecuting, explained that two women employed at the Plexus electronic products factory in Kelso were shopping in the store at the same time as the accused, formerly a cleaner there.

The depute fiscal said: “It appears that some ill feeling arising from that is behind this incident.”

She said that Golightley pointed to a Plexus logo on one of the women’s jackets and shouted ‘cross-contamination’, then proceeded to make abusive comments to her.

The woman’s colleague noticed what was going on and confronted the accused, telling him to stop it.

Ms Bradley said that Golightley then went through the checkouts but again became abusive towards the woman.

That prompted the woman to shout for help from shop staff and her colleague, and the police were called.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client had been doing agency work to make ends meet.

He added: “The background to this is that he used to live in Kelso for a number of months, but he experienced a lot of difficulty because of a false rumour which was going round about him in the town and at his workplace.

“At the time of the incident, he was still adjusting to his medication.

“He saw someone from the Plexus workplace he believed was responsible for spreading the rumour and the red mist came down.

“He made the unpleasant remarks, and he moved out of Kelso that week.

“It was out of character for him.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson said he acknowledged the damage that false rumours can do and the effect they can have but added: “That does not justify your conduct, but I am prepared to place it in that context and for that reason will impose a fine of £150.”

A Kelso pensioner has become the second victim of telephone fraud in the Borders in three weeks.

The 72-7ear-old woman was conned out of £12,000 by a telephone fraudster last Saturday, March 2, after receiving a call from a woman with an Indian or Pakistani accent claiming to be from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The female told the victim that an audit had been carried out and they had defrauded the HMRC by £5,000 for the tax year of 2016/17 and that the informant would be arrested and taken to court unless they could pay the money over the phone.

Around £12,000 was subsequently transferred by the victim.

Police constable Nick Walker said: “Please be extremely wary of unsolicited calls of this nature claiming to be from organisations such as HMRC or your bank and never agree to transfer money between accounts based on a phone call such as this.

“HMRC and banks will never contact you in this way and police advice is never to engage with this type of caller. Terminate the call and contact the organisation using the number you would normally contact them on, not the number given by the caller.”

Last month an 80-year-old man from Kelso was conned out of £80,000 by a telephone scam after a male caller claimed to be from the Bank of Scotland fraud team.

A man has been ordered to carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work at Jedburgh Sheriff Court for brandishing a knife during a disturbance at Kirk Yetholm’s Border Hotel.

Kenneth McLaren, 49, pleaded guilty to a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on February 1.

He admitted shouting and swearing, threatening others with violence, threatening to damage property, making abusive remarks, sending threatening text messages and brandishing a knife.

McLaren, of High Street, Kirk Yetholm, also admitted possessing a bladed article.

Depute fiscal Tessa Bradley said McLaren’s partner used to be the licensee of the hotel but they had split up two years previously.

His alcohol consumption had increased since then, and he had been in the bar trying to pick arguments with other customers, she said.

He was asked to calm down but that prompted him to become abusive towards his former partner’s daughter, an employee at the bar.

Ms Bradley said that the woman informed her supervisor about what was going on and asked him to eject McLaren.

He was then asked to leave, but during the evening he sent messages threatening to slash the tyres of another bar staff member’s car and also made threats to kill a male member of staff.

The fiscal said that later in the evening McLaren reappeared at the entrance to the bar holding a knife.

She said: “He appeared quite aggressive and was holding a knife which had a green handle and a cutting blade of about eight to 10 inches.

“An unknown male removed the knife from him, and the accused kept going in and out of his nearby house but then appearing again and staring at the pub premises.”

The court was told that shortly before midnight, the police were alerted.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said matters had been on a downward spiral for his client since the break-up of his relationship in 2017.

He continued: “The shock of appearing in court in connection with this had had an effect on him, especially when he went through the summary of evidence. He is taking this matter extremely seriously.

“He has references from his local church, and these actions are out of character for him.”

Mr Hulme recommended a community payback order as an alternative to custody.

McLaren was ordered to carry out 70 hours’ unpaid work for the threatening behaviour and 100 hours, to run concurrently, for the knife offence.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told him: “I don’t need to emphasise to you the dangers of carrying knives.”

Dunbar 25, Hawick Linden 35

A Graham Colville hat-trick of touch downs, and tries from Matthew Mallin and Kris Rowley – together with eight points from the boot of Kieran Murphy – maintained Linden’s winning ways in a tough assignment at Dunbar.

Playing into the breeze in this Tennent’s East Region League 2 match, the Royal Blues got off to the worst possible start, dropping the kick-off to surrender possession and field position.

It didn’t take long for Dunbar to take advantage as they created an overlap on the right and raced over at the corner, with the conversion majestically put over from the touchline.

When the Linden then put the kick-off straight into touch, it was beginning to look like one of those days.

They then did well to repost home pressure by holding up Dunbar when over the line, before eventually relieving the danger.

They got themselves into the game on nine minutes with a lovely try. Craig Glendinning ran back a kick and then Colville went on the charge, linked with Lewis Stormont, who passed back inside to the supporting Mallin, who finished off. Murphy converted to tie the score.

Alas, it was the last action for Stormont, who was injured in the tackle when getting his pass away and replaced by Macaulay Parker.

Dunbar retook the lead with a well-struck penalty goal. The Linden then went back in front on 22 minutes when they opted for a scrum at a penalty. Colville picked, went on the blind side and travelled all the way to the line.

The home team immediately edged back ahead 13-12 when the Linden were penalised at the kick-off and the award sailed between the sticks.

Murphy replied in kind from in front of the posts after 31 minutes and, with no further scoring, the visitors were delighted to be ahead again at the break 15-13, with the elements in their

favour for the second period.

Things didn’t go to plan, though, and three consecutive penalties against the Linden ended with the Hallhill side going wide and their full back crossed at the corner.

The Royal Blue forwards then did the spadework before good hands found Jack Wilson, who fed out to Parker, and the flanker gave the scoring pass to Kris Rowley. The match was now tied at 20-20 after 47 minutes.

The Linden then looked sure to score, following a line out steal, as Colville and Liam Sharkey combined to send Shane Donnelly charging to the line. But, as he was tackled, the prop lost control of the ball.

The game started to turn towards the Linden as their scrummage gained the edge and became a more than useful attacking weapon.

When awarded a penalty five metres out, the visitors opted for a scrum and drove their opponents back for Colville to touch down.

They couldn’t consolidate the lead, as Dunbar attacked from the kick off, and some poor tackling ended with Dunbar’s outside centre scoring out wide to square the match once more at 25-25. Murphy then raced out to charge down the conversion.

Two minutes later, he was in action at the other end, landing a penalty goal to squeeze the Royal Blues ahead.

From this point, the Linden scrum came into its own but, somehow, the dominance couldn’t be turned into points.

It took until injury time until Colville picked from the base and had the power to twist in the tackle to complete his hat-trick and 24th try of the season. Murphy’s kick completed the scoring and a great game of rugby, which had ebbed and flowed either way.

It was a fantastic victory for the Linden, as Hallhill is never an easy place to win and, indeed, was Dunbar’s first home defeat of the season.

Now sitting on 17 wins from 17 games, the Royal Blues have one remaining game against Corstorphine at the Volunteer on March 16, as they home in on completing their league campaign with a 100 per cent record.

Hawick Linden: K. Rowley, C. Glendinning, M. Mallin, G. Anderson, K. Murphy, R. Graham, E. Wood; J. White, P. Drysdale, S. Donnelly, E. Hair, J. Wilson, L. Sharkey, L. Stormont, G. Colville; Subs: M. Boyle, S. Spalding, S. Hair, A. Hume, M. Parker, S. Walker.

Planning consent being granted for an apartment block at an old knitwear factory in Hawick doesn’t necessarily pave the way for the whole site to be converted into housing, a developer has been warned.

Approval has been granted for part of the old Peter Scott plant in Buccleuch Street to be converted into 10 apartments for older people.

The factory, closed in August 2016 after operating for nearly 150 years, has stood empty since then and has become a regular target for vandals.

The application was submitted by Galashiels-based Aitken Turnbull Architects on behalf of Pesco Developments, an offshoot of Maramar Holdings, the West Yorkshire company that bought the site in July 2017.

The plan is to demolish part of the factory’s production area and yarn store to make way for two-bedroom apartments for people over the age of 55.

The landmark chimney at the site is to be retained, as are many internal features and fittings.

Approving the conversion bid, submitted in April last year, council planning officer Stuart Herkes said the proposals “address a long-standing eyesore while conserving an important historic building within Hawick’s townscape”.

However, Mr Herkes emphasised that that approval does not automatically guarantee that consent will be forthcoming for the rest of the former factory site will be converted for residential use.

He added: “While it is understood that the applicant envisages the current proposal as stage one within a wider residential development of the Peter Scott factory site, this is not reasonably understood to be the context in which the current proposal would be brought forward.

“The proposal before the planning authority relates to only one building within the factory site.

“As such, no assumption can be made with respect to the conversion or redevelopment of the factory site for residential use.

“This would only reasonably be taken forward with a subsequent planning application, which would need to be determined on its own planning merits at the time.

“As such, and in advance of the submission and approval of any such application, there remains the potential for the remainder of the site to remain vacant, or to be reactivated in an employment use.

“The proposed residential flats might ultimately coexist on the factory site alongside employment, even industrial, operations or perhaps, as at present, still-vacant buildings if no new use can be found for these surrounding structures.

“Ultimately, something needs to be done to bring the site, or as much of the site as possible, back into a productive use, and the current proposal is a credible way to advance this, notwithstanding that it would have been more comfortably advanced within the context of a wider redevelopment proposal for the entire former factory site.”

The forthcoming conversion has been welcomed by Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson, a former Peter Scott employee.

He said: “It brings yet another disused mill into use.

“I would hate to have seen it lying derelict.”

Council officers have agreed to waive the affordable housing contributions usually charged for such developments, previously a bone of contention for Maramar Holdings, after taking into account the expense involved in converting a listed building sited within a conservation area.

Councillors have been taken to task by a business boss after rejecting his bid to expand his concrete firm despite there being no alternative sites.

Alastair Brown, owner of Border Mix, applied to Scottish Borders Council planners for permission to expand his business by moving it from Heywood, near Dolphinton, to a more secluded site north west of the village alongside the A702.

That application was rejected by the council’s planning and building standards committee yesterday, March 5, despite it accepting there are no alternative sites available and receiving 20 letters in support of the plans, including one from West Linton Community Council.

Leaving the council chamber, Mr Brown turned to councillors and told them: “Can I just say something – what chance has any business got in our area if there’s no land?

“There’s no chances. There’s umpteen businesses looking for land, and there’s land there, and you won’t let us use it. What chance has anybody got?”

Prior to that, the 57-year-old had appeared before the committee to plead with it to allow the business to develop a greenfield site to the north of the Old Creamery, near Dolphinton.

He told councillors: “The next phase of our expansion requires a larger site, close to the existing one, to serve our established customer base.

“My deep personal commitment to this area, as man and boy, and as a responsible employer, means that I have a genuine interest in developing the proposed site, sympathetic to local values and alongside the needs of the business.

“There are no feasible alternative sites. Had there been any available within the development, we would have preferred this.

“An extensive review confirms this, and at a meeting, planning officials Ian Aikman and John Hayward accepted the fact that a greenfield site is the only option remaining.

“They had in principle supported a similar greenfield site closer to the Pentland Hills special landscape area and a larger number of residential neighbours.

“This site was not supported by Transport Scotland and is no longer available.”

Mr Brown also told councillors that he would plan to plant a substantial number of trees to shield the site from the road and to improve the biodiversity of what is currently an empty field.

However, in a submission to the committee, planning officers advised councillors to reject the application, saying that Mr Brown had not shown enough justification for the development.

In the report, planning officer Ranald Dods writes: “The proposed business premises for a mixed class-five and class-six business operation does not comply in principle with council planning policies, in that the applicant has not demonstrated any overriding economic or operational need for it to be located in this particular countryside location.

“The proposal relates to a site that lies outwith a development boundary defined in the local development plan, and no overriding reasons have been advanced to substantiate that it is a job-generating development in the countryside that has an economic justification under council policy, or that it is a development that would offer significant community benefits that would outweigh the need to protect the defined development boundary.

“Notwithstanding the potential to realise benefits both to the applicant’s businesses and wider local economy and indirectly to the amenity of residential properties around the applicant’s existing premises in Dolphinton, there are no other material considerations that would justify a departure from the provisions of the local development plan.”

Planning officers also highlighted that the application has triggered 13 objections, with the majority concerned about the loss of green space.

East Berwickshire councillor Jim Fullarton was one of two councillors backing the application. He told the committee: “I think there has been an incredible amount of talking between officers and the developers to try and find another site. A total of 49 sites have been looked at.

“The business is well established and has been for a long time in this area, and we’ve previously approved a car repair business in West Linton because of the difficulty of finding a site.

“Our policies are quite specific around agricultural land, but I think we can rely on this being a business that has been well established in West Linton and for many years.

“There will also be a benefit to the people who live near the other site when it moves to here.”

Fellow East Berwickshire councillor Helen Laing disagreed with her colleague, however, saying: “I have sympathy for the developer about this but this does not take away the fact that this site is not suitable for an industrial business.

“I think this is the wrong place for it. I get that the current site is no longer fit for purpose, but that doesn’t mean this site is suitable.”

Mr Fullarton’s motion to overturn the recommendation of the council’s planners and approve the application was seconded by Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton but was defeated by five votes to two.

Galashiels Amateur Operatic Society takes on another new musical this week in Sweet Charity.

It’s a foot-stomping celebration of just what you can do with a few well-known tunes, a talented cast and a superb orchestra.

Like Selkirk’s offering last week, this has a fairly uncomfortable premise. It’s set in pre-feminist 1960s America and is fairly short of moral values.

The eponymous lead character herself, dance hall hostess Charity Hope Valentine, is not entirely likeable at first glance. She’s gloriously gullible, a bit pathetic in her quest for love and quite morally bankrupt, as she is quite happy to split up a marriage in that quest.

Therefore, Carla McColgan, who plays her, has her work cut out to charm the audience, but she does this with some ease.

The sheer energy she displays in everything Charity does is stunning, and every line, every movement is cast with a tentative mix of devil-may-care and pure sweetness, and she, like the rest of the performers, is polished to perfection.

It is mostly the performances of Carla and Clark Eaton Turner, who plays her main love interest Oscar, that stop the whole thing from being too sleazy. It’s a story that is carried greatly by its songs, and it’s how they are sung that tell the tragedy of the back story, leaving Charity to keep the rest of it mostly light and airy.

When Shirley Bassey belts out Big Spender, it’s taken to be the words of a woman looking for a male provider on a primal level, and is sure of success.

But here, when the girls at the Fandango club are on the lookout for clients, it’s an incredibly sad song, sung by desperate women on the dark fringes of society.

And Charity’s version of If My Friends Could See Me Now, belted out before and during her night spent in Italian movie actor Vittorio Vidal’s closet, also has double meanings.

But the biggest number, for me, has to be Rhythm of Life, sung by William Pearson as the Rev. Daddy Brubeck and the entire ensemble as his congregation. Here, it’s a showstopping blast, sung to perfection by all, especially the staccato-style ending. Other notable performances come from Jack McAulay and Lynsey Cullen as Vittorio and his crazy partner Ursula March with Too Many Tomorrows; and the brassy pairing of Charity’s pals Nickie and Helene, played by the wonderfully audacious Ruth Davidson and Jan Baird, with Baby Dream Your Dream.

But there’s a good deal of laughs, too, such as Oscar and Charity in the broken-down lift, singing Bravest Individual, and the fairly unsavoury club boss Herman, played by Daniel Wilson, kicking off I Love To Cry At Weddings.

The show runs nightly at 7.30pm until Saturday ... so don’t ask Where Am I Going? Just head on over to the Volunteer Hall ... you won’t regret it!

Proposals to extend the Borders Railway east or south-west – or both – are among 21 options now being considered by ministers.

Both potential extensions into England, to Berwick and Carlisle, remain on the table following the publication today, March 5, by consultant Jacobs UK of its final Borders transport corridors study pre-appraisal report.

The study, a follow-up to a draft version publishedin April last year and subsequently put out for consultation, also suggests that better bus services to nearby cities and hospitals, enhanced park-and-ride facilities and more active travel options are worth looking into in greater detail.

Further consideration will also be given to improving the Borders’ rail and road infrastructure as part of a wider strategic transport projects review by Transport Scotland.

That will include assessing the potential benefits of dualling sections of the A1 between Dunbar and the English border and improvements, such as partial dualling and adding overtaking lanes, to the A7 Edinburgh-Carlisle road and A68 Edinburgh-Darlington route.

Proposals for extending the 30-mile Borders Railway from Tweedbank both southwest into Cumbria and east into Northumberland have not been ruled out, but Jacobs warns that both are expensive options that might not be deemed cost-effective, as well as potentially facing opposition due to their impacts on the natural environment.

Settling for double-tracking the existing £353m Edinburgh-Tweedbank line is another option underconsideration.

Scottish Government transport secretary Michael Matheson said: “The Borders transport corridors study fulfils our commitment to consider the future transport needs of the area.

“We have already committed to rail stations at East Linton and Reston, and these will be delivered as part of work to improve capacity to Edinburgh.

“We will now go on to consider a further 21 options as part of the strategic transport projects review being taken forward during the lifetime of this parliament.

“The projects review is a nationwide appraisal to identify where improvements are needed and guide investment in Scotland’s transport infrastructure over the next two decades.

“The recommendations made in this study, underpinned by detailed evidence on problems and opportunities, will help ensure the case is made for improvements in the Borders.

“We look forward to building on the successful partnerships that we have developed as part of the study as we move forward with the next stage of this important work.”

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont has denounced the report as a disappointment, however, saying it falls a long way short of the full feasibility study for extension of the Borders Railway to Hawick promised by Holyrood first minister Nicola Sturgeon in March 2016.

“Many Borderers will look a this report and conclude it is a complete flop,” he said.

“This is classic SNP – promise the world just before an election then kick the issue into the long grass.

“It has taken three years to produce the report, yet all we have to show for it is a wish list of projects which the Scottish Government may or may not consider at a unspecified date.

“The Borders is crying out for investment and for action to be taken.

“For years, we’ve been promised a feasibility study for the Borders Railway, a new station in Reston and decent investment in our major roads, but nothing has happened.

“The Scottish Government needs to stop writing reports and instead get on with the vital projects we need in the Borders like bringing the Borders Railway to Hawick, Newcastleton and Carlisle, dualling the A1 and delivering Reston station.”

Kelso Racecourse sparkled like a diamond last Saturday, with a programme of small but exceptionally valuable races.

While the quantity of runners was on the slim side, the quality was top notch.

Principal among the jewels on show was Blue Flight, owned by Dundee United director Jimmy Fyffe, who caused an upset when turning over 3/100 favourite Black Corton in the Listed Belhaven Brewery Premier Chase.

Sent off at 7/1, the 18 hands-high gelding is trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and Fyffe said: “He is a lovely big chaser and he might end up being a horse for the Scottish National next month.

“That was only his fourth race over fences and he’s hopefully got a big future.”

Captain Redbeard, from Selkirk, a winner at the previous Kelso meeting, finished third.

Beaten just two lengths, the Stuart Coltherd chaser was disadvantaged by the weights in this Listed Race and ran another fine trial for the Grand National in a month’s time.

Borders-owned One For Arthur, the Grand National hero of 2017, looks likely to go directly to the Aintree without a run, having been withdrawn from the Premier Chase at a late stage.

Trainer Lucinda Russell, who enjoyed a double on the card with Alizee De Janeiro and Bialco, said: “It’s lovely ground and it suited Alizee De Janeiro, but we know Arthur needs it softer. It was a difficult decision to make.”

Alizee De Janeiro gained her fifth course win when grinding out a gutsy victory in the Cyril Alexander Memorial Novices Chase.

Russell added: “She will be retired as a broodmare soon but we’re looking at another race for her here, before that happens.”

Rouge Vif was an all-the-way winner of the Grade 2 Edinburgh Gin Premier Novices’ Hurdle. The first winner at the Borders track for Oxfordshire trainer Harry Whittington, the 7/2 chance saw off Windsor Avenue by four lengths.

Whittington said: “We were going to run in the big race at Kempton last weekend but he trod on a stone. We spotted this nice prize and the owners agreed to go for it. It’s my first visit to the track and everyone’s been very friendly. It reminds me of racing in Australia – we’ll be back.”

Rouge Vif has an entry in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham this month but looks more likely to go to Aintree, where he’ll enjoy the tighter track and fewer undulations.

Black Corton’s trainer, Paul Nicholls, sent three runners to Kelso from his Ditcheat base in the south-west of England. On a day when there was not one winning favourite, two of the Nicholls’ runners were beaten at odds-on.

It was therefore down to Oleg to justify the journey with victory in the opening race on the programme, the Terry Frame Joiners Novices Hurdle.

The next race meeting at Kelso will be broadcast live by ITV on Saturday, March 23. Gates will open at noon.

The only way is down for an eyesore town centre building now facing demolition after years of uncertainty.

The derelict building at the corner of Exchange Street and High Street in Jedburgh has been shrouded by scaffolding for the last four years pending a decision on its future, but council officers have now decided there is no option other than to demolish it.

That impasse has been replaced by further uncertainty over what happens to the site next, but Leaderdale and Melrose councillor Tom Miers, chairman of Scottish Borders Council’s planning and building standards committee, has come up with a possible way forward, suggesting that a competition be run to design a replacement building.

That suggestion coincides with the publication by the council of a development guidance report on the property outlining what it would like to see from would-be developers.

The options outlined in the report, intended purely as suggestions, include a traditional tenement corner building as seen in Edinburgh, a contemporary approach to such a building, leaving the site empty following demolition and an architecturally-innovative design like the Dancing House in Prague in the Czech Republic.

Mr Miers said: “This is a very important site. We’ve got to make sure we get a really good building there, and I was thinking about the design statement. I just think we should have the word ‘exceptional’ in there.

“I think it might be interesting to have some kind of architectural competition for this site which would engage the public, and we might get a really positive response.”

Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton said that getting the right design is paramount, adding: “This cannot be left as a gap site in such a prominent place and considering the historical character of the town centre.

“In terms of picking the right design, and getting one that is of good standards, that’s what we should be seeking to do here.

“How it plays out I don’t know, but I would certainly support healthy competition.”

The building has been encased in scaffolding since June 2015 and a crash deck was erected to protect passers-by from falling debris.

The scaffolding was extended in December 2017, to facilitate the removal of a corner chimney deemed to be in danger of collapse, and in June 2018 the scaffolding was once against extended.

That latest extension necessitated the introduction of a one-way system in Jedburgh likely to remain in place until the fate of the site is decided.

A report has been produced by the council’s regulatory services director, Brian Frater, advising that demolition is the only answer and setting out development guidance for any potential developers.

It reads: “A number of options have been explored to secure a future for the building, including potential grant aid for repairs, but the condition of the building is such that the only economically viable option is to demolish the building and redevelop the site.

“The removal of the building would address the significant adverse impact currently created by the substantial scaffolding required to keep the building structurally sound.

“The removal of the building would result in a gap site being created in the short term. However, to ensure an appropriate replacement building is provided in this prominent location, this guidance has been prepared to provide a framework for redevelopment of the site.

“In order to maintain the overall character and appearance of the conservation area, as well as the setting for the neighbouring listed buildings, it is intended that a replacement building should be erected on the cleared site which will turn the corner in an architectural manner.

“The demolition of the building at 2 High Street/12 Market Place grants an opportunity for a high-quality redevelopment of a prominent site at the heart of the Jedburgh conservation area and town centre, reintroducing housing to the upper floors, with commercial or retail provision on the ground floor.

“This is a unique opportunity to increase and enhance the vibrancy and vitality of High Street.”

Mr Hamilton told Monday’s meeting of the committee: “It’s very complicated, and if only the three local members from the town owned the building, the work would have been done promptly and we wouldn’t have got into this situation.

“This report isn’t a design feature, but I’m glad we’re moving forward.”

Plans to demolish garages in Oxton to make way for four homes in Oxton have been approved despite objections from neighbours of the site.

Scottish Borders Housing Association is planning on building two pairs of semi-detached houses at Heriotfield, Oxton, but it has faced opposition from residents of nearby Justice Park fearful that the new development will overlook their homes.

Its application has sparked nine objections, citing loss of privacy and impact on local amenities, and a meeting of Scottish Borders Council’s planning and building standards committee on Monday heard representations from the objectors.

Ben Redman, of Justice Park, spoke on behalf of the neighbours, saying: “The Oxton community does not support this proposal.

“The community council has voted unanimously to reject the proposal, and many residents who weren’t consulted by Scottish Borders Council have also told us they object.

“The developers are attempting to make space for the development rather than make the development fit the space.

“The site itself is at least one metre higher than the properties in Justice Park.

“The development will tower over the bungalows in Justice Park, resulting in considerable overlooking of properties both at Justice Park and Heriotfield and loss of light to our properties, including several homes with solar panels.

“Residents are angry at the proposal, which involves both loss of green space and loss of amenities due to the demolition of the garages.”

Association chief executive Julia Mulloy also appeared before the committee, and she told councillors that Oxton is crying out for affordable housing, explaining: “We own one unit of affordable housing in Oxton that was last let in 2009, and this application is about creating four more homes.

“We currently have over 4,000 people applying for our housing, and, in terms of local information, in Lauder, on average we receive around 35 bids per home.

“We believe that this will be higher for three-bedroom family homes as they are at a premium.

“The housing need in the Borders is challenging, and at the extreme we had 700 households last year that were homeless. This is one of many projects that ourselves and other housing associations are undertaking to improve the abundance of affordable homes in the Borders.”

In response to early criticism of the proposals, the housing association’s architect, London-based ECD Architects, moved the positions of the planned houses three metres away from Justice Park.

Taking that into account, planning officer Scott Shearer urged councillors to approve the development.

His report states: “The revised siting and design of the proposed development is considered to respect the character of the surrounding area and the amenity of neighbouring properties.”

Galashiels councillor Sandy Aitchison agreed, saying: “Taking everything into consideration, I’m reasonably happy with this and I’d move to accept the officer’s recommendation and approve.”

Councillors were in broad agreement and voted unanimously to approve the application.

The region hit the small screen last week as Channel 5 show Secret Scotland paid a visit to attractions and busineses across the Borders.

Heriot, Abbotsford, Bemersyde, Melrose and Selkirk all featured in the fourth episode of the new series, aired last Friday evening.

Glasgow-born comedian and programme host Susan Calman turned tourist on her first visit to the region for the five-part series.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star opened the show saying: “Like a lot of people, I have travelled through the Borders by train or by car, but I am really excited to stop and finally have a good look around.

“It’s a historic region bursting with all sorts of surprises and hiding mysterious secrets.

“The history of the Borders is littered with bloody battles and conflict, but driving through the rolling hills and listening to the sound of the River Tweed it’s far more calm and tranquil than you might imagine.”

Susan first visits Bemersyde, near Melrose, to try her hand at fly-fishing and have lunch on the River Tweed with ghillie Ian Farr and local anglers.

She then heads to Selkirk for a tour of DC Dalgleish’s tartan mill with weaver Crena Bell and managing director Nick Fiddes.

“It may be a thriving business today, but it’s also a bit like seeing living history,” Susan comments before admiring her own clan tartan.

In Melrose, she visits the abbey and meets rugby players and staunch supporter Jack Dunn at the Greenyards to learn about the game and try her hand at a drop-kick.

At Abbotsford, near Tweedbank, formerly home to Walter Scott, Susan learns about the novelist’s life before making quick stop at Scott’s View near St Boswell’s to admire the “absolutely gorgeous” scenery.

In Heriot, Susan meets Julie Hill, a Border collie breeder and trainer, at her home at Neth Hill Farm to try her hand at sheep-herding.

Exposure on the programme, filmed last year, is expected to have a positive impact on tourism.

Giles Ingram, chief executive of Abbotsford, said: “Our website visits spiked on the evening of the broadcast, and we were delighted that Susan’s visit sparked such an interest in Scott and Abbotsford.

“It was great timing for us because we opened for the new season on the day of broadcast, and we have already seen a positive impact on visitor numbers.

“A number of people came in over the weekend because they had seen the programme.”

The programme can be viewed online here: https://www.channel5.com/show/secret-scotland/

A first visit to Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium on an international game day is a special occasion for any Scotland rugby supporter, but for one young Souter it promises to be even more special.

Selkirk’s Lewis Wilson, eight, will not only get to see his first Scotland game but will also run out in front of a sellout crowd of more than 67,000 this Saturday, March 9, as a mascot for Gregor Townsend’s men.

The Knowepark Primary School pupil has been chosen to represent the Borders as a mascot as Scotland take on grand slam hopefuls Wales in this year’s Six Nations tournament.

That opportunity came his way after the Selkirk Rhinos mini-rugby club was approached by the Scottish Rugby Union to provide a mascot for the game.

Youngsters’ names were put in a hat at the club’s Christmas party and Lewis, a member of the club for the past two years, had his picked out

Selkirk Rugby Club development officer Ewen Robbie said: “We wish him well. I am sure he will have a great day.

“It’s a good thing for the young players to get an experience like this. It’s even better that Lewis has never been to Murrayfield before so he will be in for a right good day.”

Lewis, of Hillside Terrace, will be cheered on from the sidelines as he walks out at the national stadium by mum Rachel and dad Darren.

“Lewis is very excited about it,” said Rachel. “He was hoping to see Lee Jones but he is injured, but he is just as excited to see the captain and the others players.

“Lewis will hold the hand of one of the players and get to meet them afterwards for autographs. He’ll enjoy the whole experience of it.

“He has been practising his national anthem and can’t wait to sing it on the pitch.”

Former Selkirk and current Glasgow Warriors winger Jones has been capped 10 times and made a return to the Six Nations squad last year.

He was ruled out of this year’s tournament ahead of the first fixture after suffering a knee injury, but Lewis will still line up alongside fellow Borderer Greig Laidlaw, from Jedburgh, captain again for Saturday’s game.

It’s Scotland’s penultimate fixture of this year’s tournament and it kicks off at 2.15pm.

Plans to transform Newtown’s auction mart into a rural hub were submitted to Scottish Borders Council planning bosses this week.

The expansion, expected to cost between £5m and £15m, is being proposed by current mart operator Harrison and Hetherington (H&H).

It’s proposing a mixed-use development including buildings for retail, housing and leisure use.

The Cumbrian-based firm hopes to completely revamp the mart, just off the A68, as well as building a new development on adjacent land.

The firm’s agent, Galashiels-based Ferguson Planning, said: “The current mart is no longer fit for purpose. Without investment, the auction mart will not survive in the long term.

“Through the proposed plans, H&H Group believes that it can revitalise the mart, the town and provide a significant boost to the agricultural industry in the Borders.”

The plans going before planning chiefs have split the site into four development areas.

The north-east one contains units that will host a mix of rural business uses; the south-east section hosts proposed agricultural education facilities and land; the north-west part is proposed to contain 100-plus residential units along with a hotel and shops; and the south-west section includes the existing auction mart and residential, retail, agriculture and transport facilities.

Read more about the plans here: https://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/plans-go-in-for-newtown-mart-redevelopment-which-could-cost-up-to-15m-1-4873132

A Selkirk youth group has been named secondary film club of the year at this year’s Into Film Awards.

Rowland’s film club picked up the national accolade at the annual celebration of the best young filmmakers, reviewers and film clubs in the country, hosted by education charity Into Film in London on Monday.

The West Port club gives young people from across the Borders a safe space to discuss often-difficult issues and topics raised in its films after watching them together.

Club leader Charlie Dawson has been running the club for four years, using films to encourage young people to socialise and discuss topical issues.

Collecting the award, she said: “We didn’t think we would win this award after seeing the calibre of the other two schools – their videos were fantastic. We are just a wee youth club, and this award, honestly, means so much to us.

“This award is for all our film club members past, present and future.

“Today is a great achievement for Rowland’s.”

Rowland’s has recently screened films on the themes of LGBT History Month, Safer Internet Day and International Women’s Day.

Rowland’s was up against Bucksburn Academy in Aberdeen and Sawston Cinema Club in Cambridge.

Borders actor Jack Lowden, from Oxton, handed out the awards, and he said: “I am very proud to present this award in particular as I grew up in an area where there were a lot of youth group and youth theatres.

“It didn’t have a film club, though, and I know how amazing they are and how much insight they give into our wonderful industry, the spark they can give us to show what’s possible and helps us from kicking about the streets doing nothing, like me and my mates used to. We would’ve been better off in a film club.”

Now in their ninth year, the awards, hosted by children’s TV presenter Radzi Chinyanganya, took place at London’s Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square.