Plans for a multi-million-pound hotel, petrol station and drive-through coffee shop in Tweedbank are being recommended for approval by council planners. 

If given the thumbs-up, the £12m Borders Gateway development would be made up of a 70-bed Premier Inn, BP petrol station, Marks and Spencer food kiosk and drive-through Costa cafe.

Developer New Land Assets’ original plans for the site included a larger discount food retail unit, but due to concerns over the impact it might have on town centres nearby, that part of the proposals was scrapped, leading to the number of jobs expected to be created being revised down from 100 to 80. 

The Edinburgh-based developer also predicts that 95 jobs will be created during the development’s construction phase. 

Now, Scottish Borders Council planners have published a 30-page report advising the local authority’s planning and building standards committee to approve the proposals, subject to various conditions, possibly as soon as its meeting on Monday September 2. 

The report, written by the council’s chief planning officer, Craig Miller, says: “The development is considered acceptable when assessed against the local development plan and supplementary guidance. 

“The reduced scheme represents a mix of uses which have largely been identified as being required in the area, maximising on the prominent and gateway position between the A6091 roundabout and the railway terminus. 

“Impacts resulting from the uses are considered to be outweighed by the benefits anticipated from the development, including impacts on the woodland boundaries to the site.”

Councillors sitting on the planning committee will have to weigh up objections to the development from residents and businesses alongside that recommendation for approval, however. 

Chief among their concerns is the potential impact on traders in Melrose, particularly hoteliers. 

Bosses at Burt’s Hotel, the Townhouse Hotel, the Station Hotel, King’s Arms and George and Abbotsford Hotel have submitted a joint objection to the plans. 

Their objection, lodged on their behalf by Edinburgh-based consultant Felsham Planning and Development, reads: “Town centres are under threat, and their vitality and viability needs to be protected.

“The nature of Melrose town centre is a material consideration in assessing this proposal.

“The vitality and viability of Melrose depends on wider considerations than retail.

“That vitality and viability will be undermined by a larger hotel than envisaged, accompanied by ancillary development.

“Melrose sets a standard of how town centres should develop, and we would urge your council not to grant consent for a development that could undermine the vitality and viability of the town centre by having a significant impact on the hotel sector.”

Burt’s Hotel boss Nick Henderson is especially fearful of the threat posed by the proposed hotel, warning in a separate objection: “A 70-bedroom hotel on the outskirts of Melrose would be a huge mistake.

“It would be massive overprovision which would jeopardise jobs within long-standing, high-rate-paying businesses in Melrose.

“This is an existential threat which will lead to hotels closing.”

Addressing those fears, Mr Miller writes: “They consider that the size of the hotel will harm existing tourist accommodation providers in the area and that this, in turn, will harm the vitality of Melrose town centre in particular.

“Some objectors envisage a price war and others believe that, with other impacts already occurring such as Airbnb, the market is not there for a hotel of this size in the area.

“Should it be developed, then closures and harm to the local tourist industry are envisaged, especially in the Melrose area.”

However, Mr Miller adds “That this budget hotel offer does not yet exist in the central Borders area – or more widely, for that matter – means that there is a qualitative difference in the provision of hotel bed spaces from those already being provided, with the nature and length of stays offered by traditional town centre hotels being quite different from that offered by this proposal.

“The effect is that the proposed provision should complement, rather than draw from, the accommodation being provided by existing hoteliers locally.

“It is considered that there is insufficient evidence or justification to oppose the proposed hotel on the basis of town centre or economic impact.

“Whilst there will be likely to be some impact on competitors, the planning system is designed not to specifically protect individual operators or inhibit private market competition.

“There are economic benefits which have been identified as a result of the proposals and there is no firm contrary evidence to suggest there would be any particular detrimental effects on town centres such as Melrose or Galashiels.

“Indeed, nearly half of the bedrooms in existing hotel accommodation in Melrose already lie outwith the town centre.”

Melrose Community Council has also objected to the proposals, citing the potential impact on the town’s high street.

Tweedbank Community Council is supporting the development, though, pointing out the economic benefits the site could have for the Borders. 

The plans have sparked 177 supporting comments and 15 objections in total.

Jedburgh residents are being warned that they must make use of a mobile recycling unit on its way to the town if they are to have any hope of getting a permanent such facility in future.

A monthly mobile recycling service pilot scheme is being launched in the town next month as part of a region-wide consultation, and townsfolk are being told they need to take part in it to help make a case for a proper centre.

Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton told last week’s meeting of the town’s community council: “It’s a pilot to assess the need for recycling in Jedburgh.

“It’s a major issue and a long-standing gripe of mine.

“It’s something I feel passionately about, and I know others do as well.

“Going forward, we need people to use it and to give their views through the survey.”

Scottish Borders Council waste bosses are also planning to try out mobile recycling services in Coldstream, Lauder, Newcastleton and West Linton.

The pilot service in Jedburgh will be in operation from Sunday, September 8, to Sunday, December 22, with an online survey running alongside it to gauge public use.

The unit will be sited in the Glebe car park at Lothian Park on Sundays between 10am and 3pm, taking waste including wood, electrical items, TVs and monitors, domestic batteries, cooking oil and garden tools.

The local authority says three bin bags of such materials will be accepted per vehicle making only one trip per day in a bid to ensure that as many people as possible can use the facility.

For the first two months of the pilot, three bags of grass cuttings or hedge clippings will be also be accepted.

No general or trade waste will be accepted, however, and no items should be left in the car park before or after the service has arrived or left.

Council bosses are warning that misuse such as fly-tipping, queue-jumping or abuse of staff will lead to the pilot service being withdrawn.

Once recycling vehicles are full, they will leave and will not be able to return until the following Sunday.

Mr Hamilton added: “It’s a limited service. Without building a facility, you have got to have a limit to it. But what I would say is that I hope the people of Jed will support it.

“If people fly-tip, it will send a negative signal and will harm our chances in the end.

“In a way, the best thing that can happen is that it has to leave early every Sunday because it’s full. That would show it really is needed.”

The popularity of the pilot project and results of the online survey will be analysed and presented to councillors next year.

Selkirkshire councillor Gordon Edgar, the regional council’s executive member for roads and infrastructure, said: “Borderers have helped save £2m a year on landfill tax, thanks to their efforts in recycling.

“However, we still have around 70% of waste in our general bins which could have been recycled. Not only does this have an impact on the local environment but it costs taxpayers over £1m a year which could be spent elsewhere.

“It is important to emphasise this is a pilot scheme, with the results of the pilot and survey to be considered fully before a final decision is made.

“As a result, it is also important that as many people as possible take part in the survey to give us their views.”

The survey can be found online at www.scotborders.citizenspace.com

Borders politicans are warning rail bosses that disruption on the Borders Railway must stop or they risk losing passengers for good.

The region’s MPs and MSPs have appealed to ScotRail chiefs to “stop letting Borderers down” before passengers “desert the train for good”.

It comes after widespread cancellations and disruption across Scotland’s rail network left hundreds of passengers on the Edinburgh to Tweedbank line experiencing delays, cancellations and overcrowded carriages on Saturday.

More on that here: https://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/people/borders-railway-passengers-share-anger-after-train-chaos-at-waverley-station-1-4991134

Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP Christine Grahame said: “I’m not happy to hear of the disruption at Waverley on Saturday and the subsequent knock on effects on the Borders Railway, it must have been utterly frustrating for passengers caught up in it.

“I understand the chaos was a chain reaction from a trespasser on the line and a broken down train at Linlithgow.

“I accept certain issues may be unavoidable given how many trains run on the system, although it’s not clear yet whether this train was one of those still under warranty from the manufacturer for maintenance or whether ScotRail was responsible for its upkeep.

“Having said that, the last weekend of the Fringe and the rugby international are both events that ScotRail knew about well in advance so I’d have expected a more resilient performance following any issues and much better communication with passengers, the whole system grinding to a halt is simply not acceptable as ScotRail have now acknowledged.

“I understand ScotRail are now conducting an investigation into what happened and I await the outcome of that.

“I’d be happy to hear from any constituents about their experiences if they wished to get in touch with me. In the meantime I have written to Alex Hynes CE of ScotRail to ask if he can provide me with more details.”

Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP, Rachael Hamilton, meanwhile, has written to the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Mrs Hamilton said: “Constituents get in touch with me time and time again about poor service on the Borders Railway when there is big event like the rugby on in Edinburgh and unfortunately this past weekend was no different.

“People use the train in good faith because they know the roads in Edinburgh will be busy at these times. However, the expectations of ordinary people looking to enjoy a jaunt in the big lights of the city are falling flat by overcrowded trains and cancellations.

“I have heard that some people have had to pay for eye watering taxi fares out of their own pocket to get home to the Borders from the capital as they had no other option.

“ScotRail and the Scottish Government must get on top of this situation before Borderers desert the train for good.”

John Lamont MP added: “Passengers on the Borders Railway were promised a better service but the chaos at the weekend seems to be a return to what passengers have become used too: cancellations and over crowding.

“This is all the more disappointing because at the meeting I arranged in Galashiels, senior Scotrail managers looked their customers in the eyes and promised improvements would be made.

“ScotRail need to sort these issues out once and for all, otherwise people are going to stop relying on the Borders Railway and switch to their cars or simply cancel trips to the Borders.

“In order to get the railway extended we need the line to be a success but at the moment ScotRail are letting passengers down.”

A masked man responsible for a machete attack in Selkirk town centre has been sentenced to over 20 months in jail.

Harrison Long was unable to evade justice despite refusing to leave the prison van transporting him to Selkirk Sheriff Court after its arrival there.

His behaviour was so disruptive that the rare decision was taken for a sheriff, depute fiscal, sheriff clerk and defence lawyer to conduct his case in the van in the Ettrick Terrace court’s car park.

During a three-minute hearing, Long banged on the walls of the van and swore continually, saying he wanted to sack his lawyer.

The 28-year-old was jailed for a total of 640 days after previously being found guilty, following a three-day jury trial, of causing severe injury and permanent disfigurement to his victim, Colin Hendrie.

Mr Hendrie, 42, suffered a five-inch cut to his arm and a fractured elbow during the attack in Selkirk’s Market Place at around 11am on Sunday, February 3.

Long was also convicted of being in possession of an offensive weapon.

The trial heard evidence that Long’s dog had been involved in a fight with a Staffordshire bull terrier belonging to Karen Valentine the previous day and there was a confrontation about it.

Long was found guilty of repeatedly striking Valentine’s friend Mr Hendrie with the machete to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Despite wearing a balaclava, Long was identified as being the culprit by Valentine and an off-duty policeman.

After sentencing Long to 640 days’ imprisonment in the back of the van, sheriff Peter Paterson returned to the bench and repeated the sentence in open court.

He explained it had not been possible to deal with Long in court “due to the conduct of the accused”.

Long was given 400 days for the machete attack and possession of an offensive weapon.

Before the jury’s verdict was returned earlier this month, Long, of Bemersyde Crescent in Selkirk, had already pleaded guilty to defecating in a cell at Hawick police station on February 4 and smearing his faeces on a camera, walls and a door as what is known as a dirty protest.

He also admitted struggling violently with four police officers and biting a constable’s hand and arm to his injury.

He was sentenced to another 100 days behind bars for those two offences.

On a separate complaint, Long pleaded guilty to being in possession of a metal baton during an incident in Gala Park in Galashiels on December 23, 2017, and was jailed for 140 days for that.

His sentences were back-dated to August 7, that being when Long, originally from York, was first remanded in custody.

Jed-Forest 29, Melrose 22

The opening Booker Border League game on Saturday at Riverside Park set the yardstick for the new, all-change season which kicks off next month.

Jed-Forest, who play in the Premiership, and Melrose (National League 1), many of whose squad will play in the Super Six, provided a match of seven tries as the clubs experimented with new faces, many from the junior ranks.

Jed felt they just deserved it; Melrose were equally adamant they could have won the contest, coming from 0-15 down to lead 22-15. But, overall, it was about players fitting into the new regime.

Kevin Barrie, the Jed coach, said after the final whistle: “We started well and finished well and tried to save ourselves in the middle.

“We gave young boys the opportunity and we have a bit of confidence from the

sevens side (Jed won at Peebles and Hawick), and the forwards played well.

“Twelve of the players only got home from abroad on Thursday. We try to give everyone an opportunity. They showed a bit of urgency at the end and it paid off. It is a win but we have a long way to go.”

“There were a lot of positives to take out of that,” added new Melrose coach, Stuart Johnson, who has been joined by former Gala coach, Chris Dalgleish.

“The only negative thing was the result. We stepped up and fielded five boys from the under-18s last season.

“There is work to be done, and there always is after the first game. That was a massive step-up against a Premiership side. To be fair, we could have been on the other end of the result.”

Gary Munro gave Jed the winning start with a try in five minutes from a surging break by Othello Heka and he converted for a 7-0 lead, while later kicking a penalty.

Gregor Law added try number two before Melrose rallied. Referee David Young awarded a penalty try after a drive to the line and a Donald Crawford touch down from Fin Broomfield’s pass, converted by David Colvine, cut the deficit to 15-14 at the break.

Just on half-time, Jed were short-handed when Elliot Lauder was shown a yellow card but Colvine could not convert the penalty.

Melrose went ahead with a Chris Raymond try in 47 minutes, then there was a Colvine penalty. But two tries from Lewis Young and Gregor Young, both converted by Munro, squeezed Jed into the lead for the final time.

Jed-Forest: L. Young; R. Marshall, Gregor Young, M. Mitchell, R. Shirra-Gibb; R. Yourston, G. Munro; G. Paxton, K. Lamont, H. Meadows, Gary Young, G. Law, D. Wardrop, J. Howe, O. Heka. Subs: C. Lothian, F. Campbell, A. Keeler, E. Lauder, N. Stingl, C. Young, J. Laing.

Melrose: K. Clarke; L. Mallin, D. Colvine, G. McWilliam, J. Brown; D. Crawford; F. Broomfield; M. Wilson, B. McLean, C. Crookshank, T. Brown, G. Lindsey, C. Raymond, H. Morris, G. Runciman. Subs: R. Ferguson, S. Fisher, C. Fairbairn, T. Andrews, C. Wilde, T. Klein, C. Meager.

Sir Jackie Stewart OBE will be joined by three-time Le Mans winner Allan McNish and a display of Lotus cars for the official opening of the new Jim Clark Motorsport Museum in Duns on Thursday.

The event will start at noon, with Sir Jackie privately touring the museum before unveiling a plaque outside at around 1.45pm.

A publicly broadcast Q&A session with Sir Jackie and Allan McNish will take place outside the museum.

To allow for the official opening, the museum will not open to the public until 3pm but will remain open into the early evening.

Newtown Street in Duns will closed between the New Road/Langtongate junction and Duns Library Contact Centre for the official opening.

This will accommodate a static display of vehicles owned by Club Lotus members and provide an area for the public to gather to watch and listen to the Q&A session.

Ben Smith, secretary of the Jim Clark Trust, said: “We are delighted that Allan, a fellow trust patron, is joining Sir Jackie this week for the official opening of the museum.

“Jim Clark was an inspiration to a generation of Scottish motorsport stars including Allan McNish, David Coulthard and Dario Franchitti all of whom are patrons of the Jim Clark Trust and we are extremely grateful for their support. As the current team principal of the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler Formula E team and a three time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Allan is an excellent addition to the Q&A session, which will also feature family, friends and sporting contemporaries of Jim.”

Councillor Euan Jardine, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for culture and sport, added: “The official opening of the new Jim Clark Motorsport Museum will be a fantastic occasion and the closure of a small section of the street will not only enable a display of Lotus cars but also the public to gather to hear Sir Jackie talk about his friendship with Jim Clark and their time racing together, as well as his thoughts about the new museum.

“I’m sure this will attract a large crowd from far and wide and it is great that charity Live Borders has made arrangements to open the museum to the public from 3pm to give visitors the chance to see inside once the official opening event concludes.”

The new museum has been developed through a £1.6million partnership project, involving Scottish Borders Council, charity Live Borders and The Jim Clark Trust, with funding also coming from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Museums Galleries Scotland, Fallago Environment Fund and individual donations from around the world.

The official opening date of August 29 has also been announced by the Jim Clark Trust as the closing date for the Jim Clark Lotus Evora charity competition.

The 100,000th Lotus ever built, signed by all 20 current Formula One drivers at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, is available to win for £20, helping to raise funds for the Trust and new museum www.jimclarklotus.com

Adult admission to the museum costs just £5, with visitors able to return as often as they like for free for the following 12 months. There is a small additional cost for the simulator. For more information, visit www.jcmm.org.uk

Follow the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum on social media #JimClarkMotorsportMuseum @liveborders @JimClarkTrust @scotborders

The Jim Clark Motorsport Museum is open Monday to Saturday (closed Wednesday) 10am-4.30pm and Sunday 1pm-4.30pm.

Langholm 1st XI welcomed touring side Gregson CC to the Castleholm on Saturday.

Langholm were winners by 99 runs after making 235 for 5 in the allocated overs, with Tony Steele hitting an unbeaten 50.

Gregson, from Lancashire, were never up with the required run rate as Langholm bowled them out for 136, with Jay Gordon taking 3 for 24.

Langholm were sent in to bat and soon found themselves 16 for 2 after 8 overs, as Stuart Duggan was caught behind for a duck and John Bell was caught and bowled for 4.

Tony Steele joined Graham Park and the pair looked to repair the early damage. They gradually increased the scoring rate and had taken the score to 70 before Park fell for 38 off Pye’s bowling.

Steele was now joined by Nicky Piszczykiewicz and the pair took the score to 130 before Tony Steele retired not out on 50. This looked to be over-generous as Piszczykiewicz fell lbw next ball for 22.

With Duncan Elliott and Jaimie Ashton-Smith now at the crease, the tempo began to increase, with some big shots and some quickish running between the wickets. With the score over 200, Elliott retired after hitting consecutive sixes for 42.

Ashton-Smith fell soon after with the score on 221 for an impressive 45. Jay Gordon and Hughie Donaldson added 15 before the innings came to an end with Jay 8 not out and Donaldson 6 not out, as Langholm finished on 235 for 5.

The visitors made a reasonable start, adding 40 , before Jay Gordon had Lee caught at first slip by Elliott for 16.

Next to go was Sutton, who was clean-bowled by Ashton-Smith for 6 with the score 50 for 2 after 12 overs. Drinks were taken after 20 overs, with Gregson on 81 for 2.

Soon after, Elliot struck, with Tony Steele taking a good catch to dismiss Sumison for 21 with the score on 87. Some good work in the field by Corey Park saw Murphy run out for 4 and Gregson now 109 for 4.

Elliott claimed his second wicket, with John Bell taking the catch to dismiss Pye for 2 with Gregson 117 for 5.

Maclister had opened the batting and he retired after making a solid 50. Wickets now began to tumble as first Piszczykiewicz clean-bowled Rullier for 0 and Kaighan was run out for a duck by Jay Gordon, with the score 128 for 7.

Gordon came back into the attack and he picked up the final two wickets. First, Waddell was caught by Piszczykiewicz, then he clean-bowled Hughes for 7, leaving Gregson all out for 136.

In the bowling for Langholm, Gordon had figures of 3 for 24, Elliott 2 for 21, Piszczykiewicz 1 for 20 and Ashton-Smith 1 for 30.

The tourists awarded Langholm Man of the Match to Duncan Elliott (senior) and Corey Park (junior).

Gala claimed the Division One title despite losing a thrilling match against Royal High Corstorphine 2nds at Meigle Park.

RHC captain Rob Clarkson smashed a huge six off the third last ball of the game to claim the win, but as Gala had scored 196 and taken nine wickets, they secured enough bonus losing points to take the league title.

The finale did not overshadow a brilliant second 100 of the season by stand-in skipper Duncan Millar, who came to the crease after just one ball when in-form Sid Siddhu was caught off the first ball of the match.,

Millar and Finlay Rutherford patiently rebuilt the innings, with Millar then going on to be the dominant player in a number of partnerships.

Jamie Crooks (26) and Rory Hancock (10) added vital runs as Gala produced a decent total to defend.

The hosts got off to the perfect start as Dean Moir claimed Michael Grant for a duck.

Millar uncharacteristically dropped Hassan soon after, who proceeded to make a quickfire 35 before Kenny Paterson took a good diving catch to dismiss the number three.

But there was better to come as Rory Hancock claimed the best catch of the season from his own bowling to claim James Carr (23).

Arnie Sathiy (68) took the game to Gala with a number of aggressive shots as RHC appeared to be heading for a fairly comfortable win.

However, when Sathiy was bowled by Dean Moir, the visitors still need 16 to win from 6 overs and only two wickets remaining.

Scott Paterson then bowled Callum Dowie to set up a final over where RHC needed six runs to win.

Two runs and a dot ball meant four was needed from four balls, but Clarkson needed just one to smash a six and claim victory.

Paterson (3 for 34) and Moir (3 for 45) were the leading wicket takers for Gala.

Gala

S. Siddhu ct I. Farooq b W. Bradley 0

F. Rutherford ct A. Sathiy b R. Clarkson 9

D. Millar not out 104

S. Evans b W. Bradley 7

R. Paterson ct & b W. Bradley 2

J. Crooks ct & b W. Bradley 26

D. Moir b C. Dowie 0

M. Hastings b R. Clarkson 2

R. Hancock ct R. Hassan b R. Clarkson 10

K. Paterson not out 3

Extras – 33

Total – 196 for 8 wickets

W. Bradley 9-0-38-3; R. Clarkson 3-1-30-3; A. Anwar 9-1-43-0; J. Carr 9-2-34-0; C. Dowie 9-0-45-2.

RHC 2nds

J. Carr ct & b R. Hancock 23

M. Grant ct D. Millar b D. Moir 0

R. Hassan ct K. Paterson b S. Evans 35

A. Sathiy b D. Moir 68

A. Anwar lbw S. Paterson 9

M. Fotheringham ct D. Millar b S. Paterson 17

I. Farooq lbw D. Moir 1

W. Bradley ct S. Siddhu b R. Patterson 7

C. Dowie b S. Paterson 3

R. Clarkson not out 12

A. Lawrie not out 2

Extras – 18

Total – 199 for 9 wickets

D. Moir 9-0-45-3; S. Evans 9-2-36-1; J. Crooks 6-0-25-0; R. Hancock 9-0-42-1; S. Paterson 7.3-0-34-3; R. Patterson 4-0-8-1.

Gala/Hawick Development team secured only their second win of the season in the final match of 2019.

The development team won by 38 runs against Musselburgh 3rds at Hawick, with Craig Thomson top scoring with 41 as the home side made 155 for 5 from their 40 overs.

In reply, Thomson and Liam Skeldon kept things tight early on to put pressure on Musselburgh, and they were never up with the scoring rate as they finished 117 for seven.

Seb Loumeau (2 for 13) was leading wicket taker, with Thomson, Liam Skeldon, Maisie Maciera, Robbie Paterson and Fergus Hastings all claiming a wicket each.

Gala/Hawick Development team

J. Boyle run out 18

J. Purves retired hurt 10

C. Thomson b V. Mahesh 41

S. Loumeau b C. Miller 0

R. Paterson b C. Miller 0

J. Sax-Simpson b C. Miller 0

L. Skeldon not out 14

S. Skeldon not out 22

Extras – 49

Total – 155 for five wickets

T. Chakrabaty 7-0-32-0; D. Dey 8-0-29-0; C. Miller 8-2-13-3; J. Slaven 8-1-23-0; V. Mahesh 6-0-38-0; R. Chambers 2-1-6-0; J. Surtees 1-0-9-0.

Musselburgh 3rds

J. Surtees ct J. Sax-Simpson b C. Thomson 13

T. Chakrabaty b S. Loumeau 1

R. McKenzie b S. Loumeau 7

M. Purves ct J. Sax-Simpson b F. Hastings 1

R. Chambers b M. Maciera 32

C. Turnbull not out 31

D. Dey ct & b R. Paterson 1

J. Slaven b L. Skeldon 8

V. Mahesh not out 5

Extras – 18

Total – 117 for seven wickets

C. Thomson 8-1-16-1; L. Skeldon 6-2-15-1; S. Loumeau 8-5-13-2; M. Maciera 7-0-27-1; R. Paterson 8-1-29-1; F. Hastings 3-0-14-1.

Settle reclaimed the Davidson-Paterson Memorial Trophy with an 81 run win over Gala at a sun-kissed Meigle Park.

The Yorkshire side posted 198 with Simon Tarbox and Will Davidson both retiring with 50s.

In reply, Gala were never at the races as they finished on 112, with Sid Siddhu (20) top scoring, while youngsters Liam Skeldon and Jamie Bell both scored 10 not out at the end of the innings.

A new trophy for player of the match – dedicated to Settle’s Paul Strickland who sadly passed away in July – was presented to Will Davidson.

Alongside the memorial match was a Lavender Touch Family Day which saw a variety of entertainment, at the same time as welcoming home the Over the Hill riders who have raised thousands of pounds for the charity through their 250 Borders Cycle.

Settle

J. Pickles b C. Ormiston 4

R. Sumner ct R. Hancock b C. Ormiston 14

S. Tarbox retired 50

J. Davidson ct J. Bell b S. Evans 36

B. Hulse ct & b A. Rhode 1

W. Davidson retired 51

A. Silva not out 30

J. Ether b S. Evans 0

T. Davidson b D. Tharanga 0

P. Husbands ct M. Hastings b A. Rhode 1

Extras – 8

Total – 198 for 7 wickets

C. Ormiston 3-0-19-2; R. Hancock 3-0-8-0; L. Skeldon 3-0-18-0; R. Paterson 3-0-24-0; A. Rhode 4-0-22-2; J. Crooks 3-0-26-0; D. Tharanga 4-0-33-1; F. Rutherford 3-0-29-0.

Gala

S. Siddhu ct S. Tarbox b A. Silva 20

R. Hancock run out 13

F. Rutherford ct R. Sumner b A. Silva 10

A. Rhode ct W. Davidson b A. Silva 0

D. Tharanga ct J. Davidson b A. Silva 15

S. Evans b W. Davidson 2

J. Crooks ct R. Davidson b J. Pickles 5

R. Paterson b J. Davidson 0

M. Hastings ct & b J. Davidson 6

C. Ormiston ct T. Harris b J. Etner 0

J. Bell not out 10

L. Skeldon not out 10

Extras – 9

Total – 112 for nine wickets

J. Etner 4-0-15-1; T. Harris 2-0-15-0; R. Sumner 1-0-12-0; W. Davidson 3-0-7-1; A. Silva 3-0-10-4; J. Pickles 3-0-10-1; J. Davidson 4-0-18-2; R. Davidson 1-1-0-0.

Selkirk secured another year in Division 3 on Saturday despite a 60 run loss to Grange 3rds, who were happy to avenge a home defeat earlier in the season.

It was a strange day at Philiphaugh on Saturday, with the hosts knowing two points from a convoluted scoring system would assure them of safety.

This meant they needed to either take three wickets or score 75 runs, so when three wickets were eventually taken in the 27th over of the Grange innings, the job was somewhat done.

The rest of the match was largely dominated by the Grange youth contingent, with A. Docherty (25) and A. Aniruddhan (20) both adding valuable runs at the end of the innings to enable the visitors to post a modest 135 which is a challenging total at Philiphaugh.

J. Metcalfe top-scored with a patient 63 before lobbing a catch to Fenton at mid on. In a makeshift team, Henderson was instructed to take the wicket keeper’s gloves and took three catches behind the stumps.

A a low catch down the leg side off an inside edge to remove Hancock was the pick of these.

Selkirk opened with Fenton and Paterson, who was celebrating his last day in the forties. There was a friendly birthday interruption to his innings – but, alas, he was out to Aniruddhan in the second over without scoring.

Paterson’s contribution to the fixture didn’t end there as he returned in the umpiring role to give out a furious Fenton when he was on 41, adjudged to have edged behind, thus denying him the chance to finish with the highest Division 3 average.

At drinks, Selkirk were 65 for 6, grateful they had taken four wickets and reaching 75 wasn’t completely necessary.

Aniruddhan (2-24) and Hussey (2-6) will both be happy with their figures from Saturday but the most impressive performance of the match came from D. Davidson, who came on first change and took five wickets, including the dubious removal of Fenton, conceding only 19 runs.

In the end, Selkirk achieved both their bowling and batting targets for the day.

The final report for the season would probably be ‘could have done better’ and they will be hopeful of more consistency (and less rain) next year.

Preston Athletic 6, Hawick Royal Albert United 1

The Albert Park men had lost 2-0 in midweek to Edinburgh United – but the understrength Hawick line-up suffered on their visit to East Lothian and were well beaten, despite battling hard.

Preston got off to a flying start by taking the lead in the fifth minute through a Jonny Grotin strike.

Just past the half hour mark, Grotin notched a second.

After home ‘keeper Jack Findlay had pulled off a magnificent save from a Kevin Strathdee free kick, Hawick RAU reduced the leeway in the 37th minute.

A Strathdee free kick took a deflection and broke to the feet of Danny Bolton, who shot home.

With a minute of the second period gone, Donnie Ndiewen netted for the hosts.

Hawick hopes faded further when, in the 60th minute, former Selkirk player Lewis Turkington put away a penalty.

Late goals from Jack Jardine and Ben Bathgate completed the scoring.

Hawick are on the road again this Saturday with a visit to Easthouses Lily MW, who finally came out on top on Saturday after a marathon South Challenge Cup tie at Oakley United.

Selkirk got their XV-a-side rugby season off to a confident start by winning both of Saturday’s friendly matches against Hamilton’s 1st and 2nd XVs.

What made the results especially memorable was the fact both games finished with the same 47-22 scoreline.

Another notable feature of Selkirk 1st XV’s victory was the appearance of a trio of debutants in the home line-up – Italian threequarters Luca Berte and Luca Merolle, plus dual-registered wing Jacob Henry.

Head coach Scott Wight said the two friendlies had let the coaching team see exactly where the club was going into the new campaign.

“The first half of the 1st XV game went according to plan and we played the way we wanted to play with structures we’d put in place,” he said.

“The second half saw the heat produce a bit of fatigue and we also made multiple changes to the team. We took a few leaders out in the second period, to see who would step up and take a lead.

“We’ve already picked the squads for the games at Kelso and the players are aware of the coaches’ rotational plans, so there were some people out on the back pitch on Saturday who’ll be in the first squad at Kelso. It allows us to be fair to everybody and give everyone an equal opportunity.”

Ahead 28-7 at halftime, Selkirk’s try scorers in the first period were Jacob Henry, Callum Anderson, James Bett and Jack Houston, with Aaron McColm adding each conversion.

After the break, further tries came from Andrew McColm, Aaron McColm and Robert Cook, with Anderson and McColm landing conversions.

Hamilton’s try scorers were Craig Skilling (2), Robbie MacDonald and Andrew Wilson. Owen McLeish kicked two conversions.

Meanwhile, try scorers for Selkirk ‘A’ were David Cassidy (3), Ross Purves, Kieran Monks, Grant Forrest, Josh Bain and Peter Forrest. Scott Clark added four conversions.

Selkirk – L. Merolla, L. Berte, J. Welsh, R. Nixon, J. Henry, C. Anderson, Aaron McColm, L. Pettie, J. Bett, B. Riddell, J. Houston, D. Nichol, Andrew McColm, S. McClymont, E. MacDougall (c). Replacements – M. Francis, G. Robertson, R. Cook, H. McDonnell, M. Brass.

Selkirk ‘A’ – M. Rutter, K. Monks, J. Griffin, G. Nichol, N. Armstrong, D. Cassidy, S. Clark, l. Blain, R. Purves, G. Forrest, P. Forrest, L. Cassidy, A. Cairney, A. Davidson, M. Waldron. Replacements – M. Aziz, J. Bain.

A 10-strong team of cyclists overcame hills, potholes and record temperatures to raise more than £8,500 for a Borders charity.

They rode more than 250 miles through 100 Borders villages and towns in just three days in a bid to raise awareness of the Lavender Touch.

The Tweedbank-based charity supports Borderers fighting cancer by providing complementary therapies and other services.

Aged from 24 to 70-plus, the cyclists – from Hawick, Galashiels and Selkirk – were followed by a support bus and volunteers promoting the charity and its work.

The team consisted of Keith Irvine, Stevie Halls, Sinclair Paterson, Ronnie Murray, Josh Irvine, Kevin Mania, Alan Brown, Gareth Brown, Doug Welsh and Chris Lightfoot.

Sheila Scott, a spokesperson for the Lavender Touch, said despite the extremely hot weather, the whole team completed the challenging ride.

“Borderers have been great in their support,” she said.

“We had to appeal for water and food at one point, and offers came in from various sources.

“Milkshakes and ice creams were also donated along the way, and our therapists were on hand at various stops to offer remedial massage, manipulation and first aid where required – or just something as basic as throwing water over the men to cool them down.”

The team were followed the entire way by charity trustees carrying extra water, gels, bike spares and sun cream, while a custom-fitted tour bus went on ahead to main stopping points to welcome visitors and collect donations.

Sheila added: “The very noticeable tour bus, which had been sponsored by Borders businesses, was driven all around the area by Steven Lightfoot, brother of Chris, one of the cyclists.

“Kids around the Borders were fascinated by the bus itself and got shown around the inside, which had been transformed to include tables, seats, bunk beds, a kitchen and a toilet by Chris, who owns the bus.”

The team rode from Galashiels to Duns, Eyemouth and Coldstream on Friday before taking in Kelso, Jedburgh, Hawick and Selkirk the following day.

And on Sunday, the cyclists took in the sights of Peebles, Lauder, Earlston and Melrose before arriving back to a rapturous welcome at Galashiels Cricket Club, where a family fun day was held.

“At the end of each day, the guys were keen to get a cool soak,” Sheila added.

“The North Sea at Eyemouth was one place they used, and in Coldstream they managed a dip in the Tweed.”

Southern readers can still donate by texting ‘overthehill’ to 70085 or via the website www.lavendertouch.co.uk

Scottish Borders Council is being warned not to cut its nose off to spite its face as it scales back yet more services.

Grassy areas are now being cut once a month rather than every fortnight as the cash-strapped council attempts to make savings. The authority is also no longer providing bedding plants and flowers.

However, speaking at a meeting of Melrose Community Council last week, its vice-chairwoman, Valerie Miller, said tourists would not return if the region looked drab.

Addressing Leaderdale and Melrose councillors David Parker, Tom Miers and Kevin Drum, she warned: “You have to be very careful where you are going with this.

“This is a small tourist town. Other towns in the Borders also rely on tourists.

“If people come and do not find it attractive, they will not come back.”

A long-standing member of Melrose in Bloom, Mrs Miller questioned the longevity of volunteers keeping the town looking nice.

“Maybe in Melrose we can cope because we have got a very strong group and we have terrific support from the community and businesses in the town, but even we are thinking this is going to be tricky,” she said.

“We are all getting older, and if we do not attract new, young members and if Melrose in Bloom were to fade, I don’t know what will happen.

“We have rough grass where we did not have it before, but we have also got ragwort on the roundabouts towards Galashiels. That’s not good. The consequences of this can increase tremendously.

“This is the first bit of Scotland visitors see, and things are looking a bit drab. It’s not good housekeeping to cut back, cut back, cut back.”

Referring to the council’s £16m investment in iPads for schoolchildren announced earlier this year, Mrs Miller said that large amounts of money are being spent on projects “that a lot of people don’t agree with”.

“We’re saying what we are seeing,” she said. “Things are not being monitored, they are not being repaired, they are not being replaced.

“The day before the Beautiful Scotland judges came, I was up to my knuckles in the drains in Abbey Street pulling out the weeds. It is bad housekeeping. We need the basics done before we do these extra things.”

Explaining that the council has two separate budgets, Mr Miers said it is the revenue budget, which includes grass-cutting, that had been cut.

Agnes Waldie said: “The general public see cuts here and cuts there, then they see in the newspaper that all kids are going to be given an iPad, then the iPads need covers. People automatically connect that.

“I know what you are saying, that it’s different budgets, but people just see that as the council. That’s what folk are saying on the street.”

Mr Miers replied: “I totally take your point, but it is a point of fact that the iPads are a capital item, not a revenue item.

“It is not that money has been taken away from grass-cutting and put into iPads. The revenue side has got less money and has to find cuts.

“I think the council could be doing things better, but the fundamental problem is that it has less money. It’s not an easy situation.”

A man has been fined £400 at Selkirk Sheriff Court for knocking out a fellow pub-goer and assaulting him to his severe injury.

Francis Boyle, 37, of Albert Place in Galashiels, pleaded guilty to hitting the man to the head in Bank Street, Galashiels, on July 24, causing him to fall to the ground and rendering him unconscious.

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick claimed Boyle’s victim, described as being no stranger to court himself, had been causing trouble in a bar, prompting his client to take matters into his own hands to deal with the situation.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said he accepted that there were exceptional circumstance but warned Boyle that the outcome of his actions could easily have been very different and more serious.

Comedian Eddie Izzard was pounding the roads and pavements of the Borders this week in 2009 as part of his massive marathon challenge in aid of Sport Relief.

After leaving Edinburgh, he was welcomed by children from Lauder nursery who joined him for an ice cream from the comedian’s very own “Eddie’s Ices” van, which is following him along the route. After a visit to Thirlestane Castle, he made his way along the A68 and ended that day’s run in Jedburgh. The following day he posted a photograph on Twitter of him crossing the border at the Carter Bar.

Send us your old photographs to: southern-newsdesk@jpimedia.co.uk

Plans to close Jedburgh’s current library have run into opposition amid fears the service is being moved too far away from the town centre.

Scottish Borders Council says it will close the Canongate facility, also a contact centre, once the town’s £32m community campus opens in March.

That news is proving unpopular, however, and a protest petition drawn up last week has already gained around 40 signatures in a single day.

Community councillor Georgiana Craster is backing that petition, and she said: “My personal view is that it’s a shame that a building like that which was designed as a library should become something else.

“We are an ageing population, and you can’t expect everybody to go up that hill.

“People still need to come down to the town centre to access shops. The library should remain in the centre of Jedburgh.

“By closing these places they are making the town empty and are forgetting about the importance of social interaction.

“All of the town’s care homes and sheltered housing are down this end of town. How are people there going to get to the library? It’s part of their life and I think it’s just very sad that they could think about closing it.

“It’s a library, why should it be anything else?”

The local authority says the building will not be required once the public library and contact centre open at the Hartrigge Park campus, though.

Discussing the plans at last week’s community council meeting, George Hayward said: “Obviously the fact that we have got the Jedburgh Grammar Campus is fantastic, but I was not aware that when we were told we were getting a new school, we would potentially be losing some buildings in the town.”

Fellow councillor Harvey Oliver added: “If the new one at the school is also going to be the contact centre, then it’s the worst possible place for it.”

The category-B listed building was gifted to the town by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1900. It replaced a smaller one previously gifted to the town in High Street.

Scottish Borders Council says the closure is part of its ongoing facilities review.

A spokesperson for the authority said: “An engagement event in Jedburgh took place at the end of June to start the conversation with the community about potential future uses of this property, with interest from a number of groups already expressed.

“As part of a review of the council’s estate, we are also exploring the future of the town hall and Jedburgh Grammar School properties, considering how they are used and where these uses could be accommodated within other facilities.

“This too formed part of the recent engagement event, and further community engagement will be sought when feasibility studies are being undertaken looking at these specific sites.”

Signatures for the petition against the closure are being collected in shops around the town including McColls on Exchange Street and the Antiques Vault on High Street.

Views can also be emailed to Scottish Borders Council via the consultation email: communityengagement@scotborders.gov.uk

Striking road workers staged a demonstration outside Scottish Borders Council’s Newtown headquarters this morning, August 29, to protest about what they claim are changes to their terms of employment.

Members of the union Unite gathered outside the local authority’s offices to get their message across to councillors arriving for a full council meeting by waving flags, shouting slogans and playing the 1976 Abba single Money, Money, Money over a public-address system.

Speaking at the demonstration, Willie Thomson, a regional industrial organiser for Unite, said the dispute has the potential to impact on the region’s winter maintenance programme.

He said: “The reason why the men are taking action is basically a refusal by Scottish Borders Council to respect the terms and conditions of their employment. 

“They have had changes imposed on them that will cost them £1000s, and they are not willing to have that done to them.

“The reason they are striking is to send a strong message that the council needs to get back round the table and reach an agreement with the workers. 

“The people of the Scottish Borders need to be aware that the council is risking their winter maintenance service.

“During the winter maintenance service, members do a lot of extra hours to keep up with extra demand. 

“We’re now in a position where members will be withdrawing that programme. 

“That work is done on a voluntary basis, and the goodwill that is required to do that is in short supply.”

Currently, summer standby shifts for road workers are voluntary, but council chiefs are trying to make it mandatory in line with other staff at the council.

Earlier this year, the council notified the unions that not enforcing the same terms and conditions across the whole council could leave it open to gender pay discrimination claims as the mainly male roads section of the council is not required to be on standby over the summer whereas its mainly female care home staff are.

Summer standby payments per shift for road workers are currently £85.31, albeit it on a voluntary basis, and the council is offering to up that to £101 as long as it becomes mandatory.

The two main unions representing road workers at the council, Unite and Unison, have been in discussion with the authority ever since it informed employees that their terms and conditions would change.

However, talks with Unite broke down, and 86.4% of the union’s members voted for strike action in a ballot held this summer. The turnout was 78%.

Council’s chief executive Tracey Logan disputes the claims being made by the union, however, saying: “The council has not changed terms and conditions for this staff group, nor have we failed to consult the trade unions or the staff affected.

“In fact, we discovered some months ago that a small number of staff in this section had been claiming a higher rate of overtime than they were entitled to under the agreed terms and conditions.

“They were also claiming for time to travel to work when working weekend overtime, which again is not in line with the agreement in place.

“Given that Unite agreed to these terms and conditions, I am surprised and disappointed that they now want some of their members to be given more favourable pay rates than others and for this small group be able to claim additional allowances that their other members cannot.

“It is a principle of fairness and equality for staff across the whole workforce and one which I would expect Unite as representatives of staff to uphold and commit to.”

Thieves responsible for an overnight raid on a Lauder convenience store are believed to have first stolen a vehicle from Longniddry.

The break-in to a convenience store on Lauder’s Edinburgh Road happened at around 1.30am yesterday.

Entry was forced to the shop and a quantity of alcohol was stolen from within.

The suspects arrived and then made off in a green Land Rover Defender with registration number G965 LRM.

This vehicle was stolen from outside an address in Links Road, Longniddry a few hours earlier at around 11.55pm and officers believe the same individuals are responsible.

Police are appealing for information.

Detective Constable Bruce Dodds from Galashiels CID said: “Given the times both of these incidents occurred, it appears the suspects stole the vehicle in Longniddry and then travelled to Lauder where they targeted the store.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the Links Road area of Longniddry during the late evening of Tuesday, or in the Edinburgh Road area of Lauder during the early hours of Wednesday, should contact police immediately.

“Similarly, if you believe you can help us identify those responsible, then please also get in touch.”

Those with information can contact Galashiels CID via 101 and quote incident number 238 of August 28 for the Lauder break-in, or incident number 494 of the same date for the Land Rover theft.

Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police say they are following a positive line of inquiry after a man claimed he was threatened with a hammer during an alleged break-in at a farm near Jedburgh last week.

Farmer Neil Gibson, of Willowford Farm, near Camptown, confronted a man and woman he found looking around its yard at around 8.45pm on Tuesday, August 22.

The couple took off after being questioned as to what they were doing, but Mr Gibson says they also threatened him with a hammer.

He caught part of the confrontation on camera and later shared that footage on Facebook, urging people to be aware and to keep an eye out for the car or couple, last seen heading off south on the A68 towards Carter Bar.

The film shows the couple exchanging words with Mr Gibson before speeding off.

Mr Gibson wrote: “Keep a lookout for this bloke and car. Just caught him breaking into a caravan up at farm. When I cornered him, he came at me with an axe-type hammer.

“He’s got a blonde girl with him and a King Charles cavalier dog. He’s armed with an axe, so be careful.

“Hopefully, there will be a positive outcome and charges made.”

The social media post showing the videos and pictures has been shared more than 1,100 times, and police are appealing for information to help trace the couple.

Mr Gibson said he believed the man involved in the confrontation later dumped his clothes and trainers in a grass verge near Chesters, around five miles away.

Police say they are investigating and have established a positive line of inquiry.

A spokesman said: “Officers were called to Willowford Farm in Jedburgh around 8.45pm on July 22 following reports of a break-in.

“After threatening a man with a weapon, two suspects – a man and a woman – left the scene in a blue Renault Clio.

“We have a positive line of inquiry, but nobody has been arrested or charged at present.”

Any witnesses are asked to call 101, quoting incident number 3,894 of August 22.

Borders MP John Lamont has told of his sadness over Ruth Davidson’s decision to stand down as leader of the Scottish Conservative party.

Ms Davidson, MSP for Edinburgh Central, today announced that she is quitting as leader of Scotland’s Tories after almost eight years so she can spend more time with her family.

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP Mr Lamont, campaign manager for the 40-year-old during her 2011 leadership bid, said: “Ruth has been a friend and a colleague of mine for many years, and, on a personal level, I am saddened by this news.

“Ruth’s contribution to Scottish politics over the past few years cannot be overstated.

“She has been a force of nature during the past eight years and has been responsible for bringing the Scottish Conservatives to become the only serious challenger to the SNP.

“Like all Scottish Conservative politicians in the UK, I owe much to Ruth and her straight-talking and moderate approach.

“Ruth leaves the Scottish Conservatives as the only party completely opposed to Nicola Sturgeon’s plans to break up Britain.

“I am sure that, by coming together, we can build on that success and offer Scotland a real and positive alternative to the SNP.

“Unusually in political careers, Ruth is standing down as one of the most popular politicians in the country.

“She will leave behind a formidable legacy, but I have no doubt that her contribution to public life has not ended.

“This is a very personal decision for Ruth, and I completely respect the fact that she is prioritising her family.

“However, we all should reflect on the fact that for a new mother, high-profile politics in the UK has become a near impossible task.

“Something needs to change to ensure that people from all walks of life, at all stages in their lives, are able to serve their country at the highest level.”