A pensioner has been jailed for 17 months at Selkirk Sheriff Court after he admitted downloading and possessing indecent images of children.

Peter Martin, 66, pleaded guilty to downloading indecent images of youngsters at his home in Cross Street in Peebles between August 5, 2018, and November 13, 2018.

He also admitted possession of indecent photos of children.

The court was told Martin, living at a temporary address in Peebles at the time, was visited by police as part of a general monitoring exercise.

They examined various devices and found various search terms relating to young boys on his laptop computer and mobile phone.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the laptop had 3,284 indecent images on it, 131 of them in the second most serious category and the rest in the next category down.

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said his client had been remanded in custody since July 3 and is not in good health.

He added that Martin had made no attempt to organise the images into files or share them with others.

Martin’s jail sentence was backdated to July 3 and his name was put on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

A 21-year-old man has admitted carrying out an armed robbery at a Galashiels post office.

Steven Douglas pleaded guilty on indictment to assault and robbery at Gala Park Post Office, in the town’s Balmoral Place, on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 1.

Douglas, of Galashiels, admitted, while masked, brandishing a knife at a post office employee and robbing him of £150.

Sentence was deferred until November 18 at Selkirk Sheriff Court for the production of a criminal justice social work report and a restriction-of-liberty order assessment.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said: “This is to see if there is any alternative to a custodial sentence.”

With the area already having already made the most of bike and walking trails, Tweed Valley tourism business improvement district (BID) now plans to use the river itself.

The exciting prospect of a Tweed Canoe Trail could see paddlers float through some of the most scenic navigable stretches of the Tweed, starting from Dawyck.

Emma Guy, project coordinator, said: “The Tweed has long been the lifeblood of the area, but we don’t make enough of it from an adventure travel point of view.

“Such a trail, like the river itself, will help tell the story of the landscape and communities through which it passes.”

And the timing couldn’t be better, with 2020 being VisitScotland’s themed Year of Scottish Waterways.

Emma added: “Together with plans for a variety of new routes that will encourage more visitors to explore the area in greater depth than ever before, this is a major project with potential to bring huge benefits to tourism businesses.”

For more information on the plans, visit www.GOtweedvalley.co.uk

In addition to the development of these new trails, the Tourism BID project team also plans to work with public bodies and other partners to ensure that the area has the kind of on-the- ground visitor services and infrastructure expected of a leading tourism destination.

This includes improvements in parking and toilet provision at visitor hotspots, better signage and visitor information at key entry locations, plus a renewed focus on investment in a rural road infrastructure that is in urgent need of attention in some places.

Currently being voted on by local tourism-related businesses, the Tourism BID has been developed with the aim of creating a world-class activity destination. Participating businesses have until November 14 to cast their votes on whether to support its creation.

If successful, the Tourism BID will begin in April 2020 and run for a period of five years.

England has been named one of the world's top countries for travellers in 2020 by leading travel authority Lonely Planet. The country was named in the Best in Travel 2020 guide this year - the annual collection of the best travel destinations, trends, journeys and experiences to have in the year ahead - and was second only to Bhutan in South Asia. Renowned for its wonderful coastline and natural beauty spots, England has plenty to offer for a memorable holiday. Here are the top 20 unmissable experiences in England, as recommended by Lonely Planet.

A rural Borders GP hailed as an unsung hero is in the running for a national award.

Howard Kennedy, a doctor at Newcastleton Health Centre for the last 25 years, has been named as one of the final four in his category at the 2019 Scottish Health Awards.

The winner will be revealed at Edinburgh Corn Exchange on Thursday, November 14.

The awards – run by the Daily Record, NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government – celebrate health workers willing to go above and beyond the call of duty for the benefit of their patients.

That’s a description that certainly applies to Dr Kennedy, according to Debbie Thomson, practice manager at the Moss Road centre.

She said: “He works all hours and is known to go in to see patients before work and wash and dress them so they feel dignified for people coming in. He sees patients after normal working hours rather than them worry until the next day.

“If a patient is palliative and wishes to die at home, he will work weekends and nights to look after them so they can have their wishes.

“We have a patient who is a recluse and he takes food bundles out to him so that he knows he is eating.

“I have never in all my career come across someone as dedicated to his patients.”

Dr Kennedy, 57, said: “Working in a small rural practice you do what you feel is needed and what is best for your patients, and if that means I go beyond what other people do, it is just doing what I think I have to do to get the best outcomes for everyone.”

Dr Kennedy, originally from Cumbria, studied medicine in Dundee, and Newcastleton was his first, and so far only, general practice post.

He added: “I always wanted to be a rural GP, and I came here, not expecting to be here for 25 years, to gain some experience and at some point I expected to move on, but Newcastleton kind of grows on you and I have been here ever since.”

He lives in the village with wife Libby and they have three children – Heather, a junior doctor in New Zealand; Morag, a dentist in Glasgow; and Ewan, an outdoor activities instructor.

Gaming championships are all the rage, after one UK lad managed to profit to the tune of almost £1m from countless hours of playing Fortnite by finishing second in the much-publicised world cup.

While it’s not expected to generate quite the same furore – or for that matter prize money – Live Borders is getting in on the act by hosting its first-ever eSports Football Knockout at the Heart of Hawick, and it’s free to participants and spectators.

The charity is looking for participants to show their football gaming talent to the Borders, and beyond.

Those who think they have what it takes can play in a ‘winner takes all’ tournament with a prize of a three-month OneClub membership to Live Borders sports facilities (excluding Trifitness) for participants over 16 and free cinema tickets for participants under 16.

Gamer spaces are limited to eight, and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Spectators of all ages are welcome, but again spaces are limited, so registration is recommended.

The Live Borders event is great practice for those who would like to compete at national and global levels.

With millions of viewers across the world and million-pound prize pools in the top tournaments, eSports is growing fast.

eSports (short for Electronic Sports) is the name given to professional competitive gaming. In a nutshell, competitors play video games, while being watched by a live audience.

Millions more watch the games online.

Jonathon Lourie at Live Borders said: “We’re delighted to be hosting Live Borders first-ever eSports Football Knockout at the Heart of Hawick. The event is a great practice opportunity for those who want to compete at national and global levels.

“Gamers and players are united by their passion for sports and competition.

“So, in addition to embracing the digital world, these tournaments are a great platform to showcase the importance of sports and physical exercise, as offered by our Live Borders leisure centres.”

‘eSports Football Knockout’ takes place from 12.30-5pm on Saturday, October 26, at the Heart of Hawick. Free admission for gamers and spectators, but registration required.

To register, please visit: www.liveborders.org.uk/book/whats-on/esports-football-knockout.

The future of yet another shop in Galashiels hangs in the balance after clothing retailer Bonmarché went into administration at the end of last week.

The store remains open while a buyer for the chain is sought.

Two other clothes shops in the town’s Channel Street – Burton’s and Dorothy Perkins – closed earlier this year.

Tony Wright of specialist advisory firm FRP, one of the joint administrators for the retailer, said: “Bonmarché has been a staple on the UK high street for nearly three decades, but the persistent challenges facing retail have taken their toll and led to the administration.

“There is every sign that we can continue trading while we market Bonmarché for sale and believe that there will be interest to take on the business.”

The administrators added that “all stores remain open and no redundancies have been made”.

The Galashiels store was last threatened with closure in 2012, with eight jobs in the balance, but strong customer feedback and the landlord agreeing to a reduced rent led to a U-turn.

Borders businesses are preparing to welcome a royal visitor next week as the His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales makes his first visit to the region in around six years.

The Duke of Rothesay, as he is known when in Scotland, will focus most of his visit on Friday, November 1, in and around Hawick before heading to Melrose and St Boswells.

Prince Charles will be given a tour of Scott and Charters Knitwear’s factory in Hawick, where he will see the mill in action and officially open the new factory, the first to be built in the town in 40 years.

A Scott and Charters spokesman said: “We are honoured that on his visit to the Borders next week Prince Charles the Duke of Rothesay will officially open our new Fairhurst Drive factory.

“We are excited to say the least.”

He’ll then attend a reception in the Duke Street workspace of family-owned knitwear firm Hawico, to celebrate the knitwear industry and meet business representatives from the Famously Hawick initiative.

His Royal Highness will be given a tour of Hawick town centre during which he will be shown various buildings, visit local shops and meet townsfolk.

From there it’s onwards to St Boswell’s for a visit to The Mainstreet Trading Company. He will be welcomed to the former auction house, now a bookshop, deli, cafe and home store, and greeted by staff and local youngsters.

Rosamund de la Hey, who owns Main Street Trading Company alongside husband Bill, said: “We are very excited for his visit and are honoured to be given the chance to welcome him to the area.

“We have got lots of our lovely deli supplies ordered and local author Margaret Skea coming in. We’ll also have nursery children from St Boswells Primary coming to show him around our book shop van. He will be meeting staff and customers too, so it’s very exciting.”

The Duke of Rothesay will then head to Old Melrose where he will open environmental charity Tweed Forum’s new office at the Dairy Steading.

He will meet farmers, representatives of the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution, and be given a tour of the area.

James Hepburne Scott, Tweed Forum chairman, said; “We are delighted that His Royal Highness will officially open Tweed Forum’s new offices and are greatly looking forward to telling him about our partnership approach to the management of the river, which is delivering significant environmental benefits.

“Together with all of our partners, we share a passion for this important river and it will be a privilege to tell His Royal Highness about the work we carry out to protect and conserve it.”

The Duke of Rothesay is no stranger to the Borders and his previous visits to the region include his 1980 visit to the old Exacta Circuits factory in Selkirk, a bottle bank in Galashiels, an animal breeding research centre at Blythbank and a knitwear factory in Innerleithen.

He visited Abbotsford House in October 2011, and the School of Textile and Design at Heriot Watt University, Galashiels, in 2013.

The UK isn't short of supposedly eerie locations, with numerous sightings of extraterrestrial life reported across the country over the years. A new report from Thortful.com has revealed the areas where you are most likely to experience an alien encounter, based on data from the National UFO Reporting Centre. Data was analysed from 1998 to 2019 to determine the most haunted areas of the UK, based on the number of UFO counters.

The entire team of four Galashiels workers left facing an uncertain future by the collapse of Thomas Cook last month is back in business.

The branch has been taken over by independent travel agent Hays Travel and, as of yesterday, the four women were fully trained and up and running on their new system.

And for manageress Amy Turner, it’s a new lease of life for the shop.

She told us: “When Thomas Cook folded, it was an awful time for us all.

“Our returning customers are our friends, and it was the hardest thing as we couldn’t help anyone who was stranded or lost their holidays.

“Of course, it was a very uncertain time for all of us in the shop as well.

“Now, the whole team has been taken on by Hays Travel, and it looks like there is a possibility of more jobs in the future.

“We are all back in a job we love, helping people book their holidays, but now on a fully independent basis.

“It’s so great that the Borders now has a fully-independent travel agent.

“We are now able to create a whole package for people, including making rail and coach bookings.

“It’s a whole different world, and we have all had to retrain on the new systems, but we are now fully up anr running.

“It’s hoped we will be able to offer currencies very soon as well.”

Hays Travel founder John Hays said earlier this month that he hoped to be able to take over all 555 Thomas Cook stores in the UK.

Newton Stewart.............28

Peebles...........................22

Peebles have had a strong start to the season and look in with a shout of promotion from National League Two, writes Jo Wallace.

Having lost their last three games back-to-back, the Reds of Newton Stewart were hoping for a strong performance in front of their home crowd.

They got off to a great start when flanker Calum seared over the line early on for the opening try. His brother Jack missed the conversion but slotted a penalty five minutes later to make it 8-0.

A long spell of Peebles attack followed. The Reds defended solidly, initially, but the visitors utilised the wind and their scrum dominance well, eventually bagging an unconverted try.

Ten minutes passed with more sustained Peebles pressure. Again, there was tireless defence from Newton Stewart. But Peebles’ persistence paid off and, with half an hour gone, they surged ahead 8-12.

Jack Gaw narrowed the gap to 11-12 after Peebles were penalised for not releasing.

Five minutes later, Newton Stewart burst through the Peebles defences once again with a full-stretch try from Calum Gaw, which went unconverted.

The rest of the half was played out on the Newton Stewart try line as Peebles looked for a retaliatory score.

Their scrum was dominating the Reds and they used this to their advantage, eventually being awarded a penalty try to finish the half at 16-19.

After the interval, Newton Stewart put themselves under unnecessary pressure right away with some poor kicking.

This was compounded five minutes later when prop Liam Brawls was shown a yellow card.

Under the cosh, the Reds lifted their game. After a successful penalty, some strong running set up a try for stand-off David Gaw to add to the family points tally. Jack’s conversion kick cruelly bounced off the post.

Newton Stewart had some sustained possession and pressure but struggled to find their way through the solid Peebles defence.

However, with Peebles back in possession and throwing a pass wide, Fraser Morton intercepted the ball and sped off down the pitch to score the bonus point try for the Reds under the posts.

The goal extras made it 28-22 with 10 minutes left.

There was a nervous finale for both sides, with Peebles gaining some possession but trying in vain to find their way through for a late upset.

Biggar 55

Melrose Rugby 12

League positions were swapped after this match as Melrose Rugby’s perfect winning start of six from six was brought to a screeching halt.

Biggar, following a number of faltering performances, chose the perfect day to put together an unrelenting 80 minutes of play which had the Borders team on the rack.

This included a blistering start which saw Biggar score four tries and collect the bonus point after just over half an hour of play.

Melrose may point to the fact they picked up a number of injuries and were forced to field a very young side.

Biggar’s cause was helped early when Melrose’s Thomas Brown was sin-binned after referee Sam O’Neill ruled the lock had illegally collapsed a Biggar driving maul. Biggar took immediate and full advantage of the extra man to score a pushover try, with number eight Ross Jackson credited with the touchdown.

Ex-Melrose player Andrew Jardine was wide with this conversion, and the next one, after Mulligan crashed over on the 10-minute mark.

Later, Jardine anticipated well to collect a Melrose pass and then show the cover defence a clean pair of heels to score under the posts. This he converted for 17-0.

Both sides employed the boot to put pressure on their opponents and, while this did not always work, it made for an intriguing contest.

There were some excellent scraps for possession, with both sides adept at tidying up ball to regain possession or to make turnovers.

Play was largely confined to the Melrose half, however, as Biggar continued to exert pressure on the visitors.

Melrose, still a man short, were shunted back on almost every scrum and, eventually, winger Rowan Stewart ran in untouched for the fourth Biggar try, which Jardine converted for 24-0.

Melrose attacked for much of what remained of the first half and Biggar conceded a handful of penalties. Right on half time, Melrose crossed for their first try. After several good attacks on both flanks, scrum half Douglas Crawford exploited a gap on the blindside of a ruck close to Biggar’s line to nip around the cover. This was converted by Donald Crawford for 24-7.

Biggar prepared for a Melrose onslaught in the second half and, while the visitors opened well and were given a boost when Hutton was shown a yellow card, there was not the required firepower or drive to upset the home side.

There were some more great skills on show nevertheless, with some great pick- ups and feeds under pressure maintaining the excitement.

Near the end of the third quarter, Biggar produced a hammer blow of two tries scored within two minutes of each other, by Borthwick and Rowan Stewart, with Jardine converting one, to put the match beyond any doubt.

Melrose were living off scraps of possession as they struggled to contain Biggar and maintain possession.

But further tries were scored by Ewan Stewart and Robbie Orr (2) for the home side.

There was time, however, for a second Melrose try.

A passage of play deep in the Biggar 22 was such that they were forced into defensive chores, with Peacock being yellow-carded for foul play at a ruck.

Melrose plugged away at the Biggar line until a gap was created on the blindside which centre Connor Spence was able to exploit for a deserved score.

Crawford’s conversion was pushed wide.

Gala Fairydean Rovers live to fight another day in the William Hill Scottish Cup, following a thrilling 2-2 draw in Aberdeenshire.

Hosts Formartine United were the strong favourites to progress into the third round but a draw was the fair outcome, with chances aplenty at both ends.

Torrential rain had put the tie in major doubt, with the pitch North Lodge Park in Pitmidden covered in water on Friday night.

Gala FR travelled north in the knowledge that the game could be postponed – however, the rain eased off overnight and the pitch was in immaculate condition for the game.

As expected, Formartine started strongly and pinned Gala back without creating any clear-cut chances.

Indeed, the best fell to Gala on the half-hour mark, when Marc Berry jinked past the full back and cut the ball back to Zander Murray, who was just inches wide with his effort.

But the visitors eventually took the lead in the 38th minute when Scott-Taylor MacKenzie burst through the middle and fired a 20-yard shot into the bottom corner.

It could easily have been 2-0 at the interval but Murray was unfortunate to see his pile driver cannon back off the inside of the post.

Shortly after the re-start, there was another glorious opportunity for a second goal when Murray’s fierce shot was parried by the keeper and skipper Danny Galbraith, following up, just failed to connect for the rebound.

Formartine got back on level terms in the 49th minute when Garry Wood shrugged off his markers and steered the ball into the far corner of the net.

The home side took a strong grip of the game and looked the more likely to score but they were caught on the break in the 68th minute.

Niall Kelly slipped a delightful pass into the path of the strong-running Jacob Campbell and he drilled a powerful shot into the roof of the net.

Gala looked comfortable at this stage and coped with anything the home side could throw at them.

But a momentarily lapse in concentration, after the home side had a half-hearted appeal for a penalty, allowed Daniel Park to pounce in the 78th minute and drill the ball into the net.

After that, there were chances at both ends for a winning goal. Formartine nearly snatched it late on but Park was foiled by a great save by Gala ‘keeper Fraser Morton.

And, right at the death, Gala could have won it when Murray’s head flick from a Galbraith corner clipped the crossbar.

With a home tie against East Kilbride awaiting the winners in the third round, the incentives are massive for both teams and an intriguing replay is at stake this Saturday at the Netherdale 3G Arena, kick off 3pm.

Two petitions signed by more than 1,000 Borderers calling for a U-turn on the closure of 20 playparks in Kelso and Hawick will be presented to council bosses tomorrow, October 24.

Campaigners oppose plans to shut 74 playparks across the region and have raised concerns about the impact that move would have on children’s health and wellbeing.

Two petitions have been lodged with the local authority objecting to the specific plans in Hawick and Kelso, and they will be handed to Scottish Borders Council’s audit and scrutiny committee.

The council unveiled plans earlier this year to invest £5m in its larger and better used parks, including Shedden Park in Kelso, but it also intends to remove equipment from 74 playparks deemed to be in the poorest condition.

Nine Kelso playparks are facing the axe – in High Croft, Meadow Court, Orchard Park, Rosewood Gardens, Springwood Rise, Spylaw Park, Sydenham Court and Woodside Gardens.

Kirsty Wichary, the principal petitioner for Kelso, helped collect 492 signatures, through online and paper petitions

She said: “The smaller, local parks in Kelso currently threatened with closure are well used by the under-12s.

“Although investment in Shedden Park is to be applauded, we still need access to local parks, especially for smaller children in Kelso.

“These parks should also attract investment to keep them smart and in full working order.”

Some 10 playparks in Hawick are facing the axe – at Bowden Road, Burnfoot School, Hawick Green, Hislop Gardens, Leaburn Drive, Mayfield, Millers Knowe, Waverley Walk, Wellington Court and Wilson Drive.

The playpark at Loaning in Denholm is also on the hitlist.

A petition backed by a further 660 names supporting retention of those playparks was submitted by Hawick principal petitioner Greg Dalgleish.

Mr Dalgleish, boss of the town’s Think Fitness 4 Less gym, said: “Scottish Borders Council are seeking to decommission 11 playparks in the Teviot and Liddesdale locality.

“With the UK Government constantly battling to get kids exercising, we feel this decision by the council is ludicrous and only makes the challenge tougher.

“We urge a totally different approach to invest in giving the playparks a much-needed revamp and with new and exciting equipment.”

A report to councillors says removal of play equipment does not preclude use of the spaces affected for recreation and that the council would consider how they are used in future.

Tomorrow’s audit and scrutiny committee meeting, to be held at the council’s Newtown headquarters, starts at 10am.

Dozens of jobs set to be created in Hawick by the opening of a 24-hour drive-through fast-food restaurant and relocation of a discount store are now hanging in the balance.

It emerged earlier this year that a fast-food retailer, believed to be McDonald’s, was eyeing up a new home in the town’s Commercial Road on the site of the former Bruce Motors car showroom.

Edinburgh-based developer Image Estates Queen Street also hopes the site, between the Sainsbury’s and Aldi supermarkets, could provide a new location for the town’s B&M Bargains store as the discount retailer is considering moving out of its current Croft Road home.

The project was envisaged as a potential catalyst for economic growth that, following on from the openings of Aldi in April 2018 and the Borders Distillery the month after, would ensure Commercial Road continues to live up to its name, creating up to 60 jobs.

Those plans hit a stumbling block in July as the result of an objection to the scheme being lodged by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) on the grounds of potential flood risk despite new river defences being on the way in Hawick as part of a £44m project due for completion in 2022.

If that objection stands, the application would then be referred to the Scottish Government, assuming it is approved first by Scottish Borders Council planners.

The developer is also believed to be frustrated about what are described as bureaucratic delays in its dealings with the council over the plans.

It is still hoped the project will go ahead but Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall says there are now real concerns in the town that a much-anticipated opportunity could be lost.

Sepa has been asked to reconsider its objection by the end of this week and work with the council and the developer to ensure the development stands a chance of proceeding.

A spokesperson for the agency told the Southern that it is still considering its stance on the proposed development, with no announcement expected until early next week.

Mr Marshall is called on all interested parties to get round a table for urgent talks to fend off any risk of the plug being pulled on the project.

He said: “I am extremely worried by the latest news circulating our town that proposals to bring a major fast-food outlet may now be in jeopardy, and after speaking with the developer earlier this week, he has assured me that he is doing everything he can in order to get this deal back on track.

“The plans and redevelopment of Commercial Road are massive and include the relocation of another major retailer in the town, but I believe these plans are now also facing uncertainty.”

Mr Marshall added: “I am not going to criticise Sepa because the developer also has a role to play and the council has a role to play as well, but to lose two major names in the town would be the loss of a golden opportunity.

“We really need to get our heads together and get around the table – the developer, Sepa, the council, everyone – because Hawick would be the loser here, and we can’t sit back and allow that to happen.

“People are dragging their feet. I have spoken to the developer, and he says he is keen to get this resolved. These are two seriously big retailers that we can’t allow to just walk away.”

Currently, the nearest McDonald’s to Hawick is one opened at Wilderhaugh in Galashiels in 2000.

Bruce Motors closed late last year with the loss of nine jobs.

A Hawick school is now set to be bulldozed just 18 months after closing its doors to pupils.

Scottish Borders Council planners have granted approval for the demolition of the old St Margaret’s RC Primary School in Buccleuch Terrace.

That move has been agreed amid fears that, if allowed to continue standing empty, the building might become an eyesore and a target for vandalism.

No decision on the future of the site has yet been made.

However, Maramar Holdings, the Halifax-based firm converting the former Peter Scott mill nearby into retirement apartments, is said to be interested in buying the site to create a new access to that development.

The council undertook a statutory consultation regarding the future of the school, opened in the 1950s, in November 2017. That was prompted by a rapid fall in the school roll, with its occupancy falling to just 14% of capacity.

As a result of that consultation process, plans to shut the school were agreed by the council. It formally closed in summer 2018 and has been vacant ever since.

The rapid decision to demolish the building has not received unanimous support, though.

Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson has questioned why no elected members were consulted over the demolition plans and why a community suggestion that the building be converted into an arts centre has not been acted upon,

He added: “How many incidents of vandalism have there been at St Margaret’s since it was closed? I have not heard of any.

“There have been several examples of vandalism at Burnfoot Community School and that is occupied. Does this mean we should close Burnfoot’s school?

“The vandalism claim is just being used as a red herring.

“The building is structurally sound, so why demolish it?”

However, Mr Paterson conceded that the demolition of the building is now being supported by neighbours of the site, adding: “The folk in the immediate area are quite happy with it being a car park.

“Several constituents have told me that they would be quite happy to have it pulled down.”

In his report recommending demolition of the old school, council planning officer Stuart Herkes, said the building was out of character with its surroundings and that its removal would benefit the town.

He said: “I am content that the removal of the school would have no unacceptable impacts upon the historic character and appearance of the conservation area.

“I would state that my advice in this respect is informed by the views of the cultural heritage consultees who reasonably advise that the removal of the school would have a neutral effect, given that its mid-20th century character is at odds within the predominantly 19th century streetscape within which it is accommodated.

“The building’s removal has potential to help unlock the redevelopment of the listed buildings on the Peter Scott site, which can be viewed positively in terms of its potential to support a wider and greater benefit to the public interest, albeit in the longer term.”

An earlier council report recommending demolition also suggested the land could be marketed for future residential development but noted that there was little demand for housing plots in Hawick.

It added: “It is considered that, given its location, the building is of little or no townscape value and there are concerns that if left unoccupied, there is potential for damage and vandalism.

“This council has, in the past, had to board up all the windows of redundant buildings in the town, and this is not only unsightly but also is an ongoing cost to continually maintain.”

Immediately before closure the school had capacity for 100 children, but its roll was just 14, with no pupils enrolled in primary one for the academic year ahead.

During consultation over closure, parents said they were happy with the learning provision at St Margaret’s but voiced concerns regarding the challenges their children faced with integration into the wider community.

After closure most pupils switched to other non-denominational schools nearby.

A woman found with £3,000 worth of heroin in her home has been ordered to be of good behaviour for the next 12 months.

Julie Wilson, 37, of Laidlaw Court in Galashiels, pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to a charge of being concerned in the supply of the class-A drug between August 2017 and May 2018.

Her lawyer, Ross Dow, claimed that she was only a custodian of the drugs rather than being more directly involved as her property was being used as a safe house but conceded that she was technically guilty of the offence.

A not-guilty plea from her 45-year-old brother, David Wilson, of Wood Street in Galashiels, was accepted by the crown.

Despite missing eight players for this Division 4 match un the U13s South East Region, the 12 Lauder players did the club proud against a good North Berwick team, whose 3G surface beat the weather.

North Berwick took an early lead but Lauder hit back immediately through Lewis Robertson.

Lauder then began to dominate and scored another quick goal, with Tom Hawkins hitting a 30-yarder into the top corner.

They scored another three before half time, with Aiden Bunton, Lewis Robertson and Neco Lennie making it 5-1.

North Berwick started the second half well and reduced the score to 5-2. Some great Lauder team play led to Neco Lennie scoring their sixth.

The game was well balanced at this stage before Tom Hawkins scored again with another great shot.

North Berwick kept battling and scored from a well-worked counter-attack before Neco grabbed his hat-trick to make it 3-8.

Selkirk U13s.......................3

Redhall Star YFC.................2

In Division 3B, Selkirk welcomed a very good Redhall side to Yarrow Park for which, in the early days of the season, could be labelled a top-of-the table clash.

Redhall were quick out the blocks with a goal in the opening minutes. Selkirk went through a very slow start as Redhall added a deserved second, with a great run down the wing, a pin-point cross and an easy tap in at the back post.

Selkirk were sparked into life before the end of the first half with a goal from Max Kellock. After a bit of a scramble in the box, the ball eventually fell to the feet of Max, who tucked it away nicely.

After a slow first half, the young Selkirk boys showed great attitude to get themselves back in the game. An equaliser came spectacularly from Ryan Cox from distance.

Selkirk ‘keeper Ben Garwood then produced an outstanding one-on-one save with a Redhall attacker.

Selkirk pushed for the winner while Redhall were always dangerous on the break.

However, the winning goal came from another strike from range through Ellis Brotherston.

As always, the tree-lined beauty of Brands Hatch in Kent provided the backdrop for the big end-of-season finale for the British Superbikes and support classes.

Going into the meeting, still

trailing leaders Todd Ellis/Chas Richardson by 30 points, were reigning sidecar champions from Lauder, Steve Kershaw and Stuart Clark.

But, with 100 points still up for grabs, they had a real chance of snatching the glory at the event.

As the only two crews who could possibly lift the trophy, the two teams only needed to worry about each other, although the other 20 crews entered had their own battles to fight and win.

Friday was a typically wet autumn day but, by the time qualifying came round, the track was dry enough for slick tyres, even though rain was still in the air. All the teams started slowly, building speed and confidence, and soon Ellis/Richardson jumped to the top.

Kershaw/Clark got as high as fourth fastest but slowed on lap four, pulling into pit lane. Frantic activity by the pit crew ensued, revealing a rear wheel puncture at the worst possible moment and, with the spare wheel having the wet tyre on, the boys were forced out.

As the clock ticked down and lap times improved, the Lauder duo tumbled down the order like leaves off the trees, eventually settling at 11th fastest and their worst qualifying place for over six years.

With rivals Ellis/Richardson on pole, only a superhuman effort could save their title aspirations.

For Saturday’s 10-lap race one, the sun was out but, under the trees, the track remained wet and greasy off the dry racing line. Off the line, Ellis/Richardson took the initiative and streaked off over a second a lap faster than chasers Holden/Cain and Walker/Hawes.

Kershaw/Clark had to thread their way through the traffic without risking sliding off on the wet patches, methodically picking off crews as the laps wore on. By lap four, they’d caught the back of the three-way pitched battle for second between Holden, Walker and Blackstock/Rosney.

Struggling to find gaps, it took until Druids Hairpin on lap seven before Steve and Stuart dived under Holden/Cain for second to keep their diminishing title hopes alive.

Ten seconds ahead, Ellis/Richardson cruised to their 11 th victory of the season and one hand on the trophy, with a 40-point cushion.

Again, Sunday morning’s race two was cold, dry and sunny, and the reverse grid saw the two rivals side by side on row five.

With only an eight-lap dash to decide the winners, Team Kershaw had only one objective – to win the race, whereas Ellis would have to suffer serious misfortune and finish lower than 12th to lose the title.

From the off, series rookies Philp/Bryant made a flying start but all eyes were further back as the two Santander Salt bikes carved through, almost glued together for two laps. Kershaw kept pushing on, passing Walker/Hawes for second at Paddock Bend on lap three and hunting down Philp ahead.

Ellis/Richardson visibly backed off, passing only when safe and riding within themselves.

Outbraking Philp/Bryant into Druids on lap four, the outgoing champions sped off to a clear win, only missing out on the lap record by 1/100 th of a second.

Ellis/Richardson breezed into second on lap five and, with the fast-learning Philp/Bryant in tow, majestically cruised to their first overall British title.

So in the final tally, the 30 point gap between the top two stubbornly remained in place, as it had since round seven, and the consistency of the winners in scoring points in every race was the difference. “We did what we could but the puncture on Friday really hurt us,” said Steve. “So glad we ended the season on a win, though, especially for Stuart.”

Stuart added: “I’ve decided to retire at the end of the season, as I can’t commit the time to do the World series next year.

“I’ve had a brilliant three seasons with Steve and the whole team, and achieved more than I ever expected.”

For 2020, Steve is teaming up with Jason Pitt from Southampton, who already has experience in the British and World Championships.

With both Ellis and Kershaw going full tilt into the world arena, again backed by Santander Salt, their rivalry will recommence, alongside new World Champion Tim Reeves and former champions the Birchall brothers, Pekka Paivarinta and Benny Streuer.

It promises to be a vintage year!

A distraught Hawick cat lover is calling for a change in the law after one of her beloved pets was hit and killed by a car and left dead in the road.

Roxanne Port is calling on the public to support a petition to be presented to the UK Government calling for it to be made law for motorists to stop if their vehicle hits a cat.

The petition has amassed more than 3,000 supporters but needs to 10,000 names on it before the government is obliged to give an official response.

Under current legislation, drivers are obliged to stop if they hit a dog, but not for a cat.

That’s an anomaly that Roxanne believes needs to be addressed.

The 22-year-old’s hopes of seeing a new law enacted gained added impetus on Tuesday of last week after her pet cat Willow was killed in Braid Road, near her home in Fisher Avenue.

Whoever was responsible didn’t stop to see if Willow, both insured and micro-chipped, was dead or alive.

Roxanne reckons it should be the responsibility of any motorists involved in such collisions to add a few minutes to their journeys to drive injured or dead cats to the nearest veterinary practice so that their owners can at least get to know the fate of their pets.

The death of Willow has hit Roxanne hard, she says.

Since the accident, she has created a memorial in her home made up of cherished photographs of her youngest cat.

She said: “I have three cats and Willow was the youngest, my baby, less than two years old.

“She was hit by a car last Tuesday and left on the road like a piece of roadkill, then picked up by someone and just dumped on the pavement.

“I let my cats out regularly, day and night, and I was getting ready for work on Tuesday morning, and Willow is normally the first through the door to be fed.

“The other two came back, and I was hanging about waiting for Willow to come in.

“My neighbour, who has his own taxi business, had noticed a cat in the middle of the road and then returned later to see it had been moved to the side of the road.

“As soon as he told me what he had seen, I knew it was Willow. If it wasn’t for him, I would have been unaware my baby was lying there.”

Since the accident, Roxanne, a business skills adviser at Borders College, has carried out research online and discovered that drivers have no current obligation to report such accidents.

She said: “I just want people to be more conscious of things like this.

Whether you hit a dog or a cat, please remember that it is someone’s beloved pet.

“All it takes is five minutes of your time to take the animal to the closest vet.

“The animal may be microchipped and the owner could be contacted, or the animal’s life could even be saved.

“Whether you are late for work or just don’t care, I hope it will always stay on your conscience that you have killed or hurt an innocent animal.”

Roxanne added: “Willow was so sweet and hadn’t even reached her second birthday.

“She was one of the sweetest, craziest, most adventurous cats ever and now she is gone, thanks to someone who quite clearly couldn’t care less.”

Roxanne has passed on her thanks to Hawick Veterinary Practice for its staff’s support since last week’s accident. “They have been amazing,” she said.

Her petition calling for a change in the law needs to reach its 10,000-signature minimum target by Saturday, December 7.

If it goes on to attract 100,000 signatures, it would then be considered for a debate in the Houses of Parliament.

To support her petition, sign up at petition.parliament.uk/petitions/260877