Hawick continue to find it tough in the new-look all-amateur Premiership as they battle to get their side back on track.

Injuries and an influx of young and new players has added to

the pressure on the Greens but, on a wet Saturday at Mansfield Park, they struggled to achieve a victory which they deserved on second-half pressure alone.

The points were there for the taking but the Greens passed up so many opportunities to score by their lack of control and shortage of consistency – not helped by missing number eight and former skipper Bruce McNeil, who was at a wedding, as well as a rock-steady Hawks defence.

Head coach George Graham acknowledged that times were hard.

“I thought Hawks were very average and we were even worse,” he said.

“We have a lot of young boys we need to work with and get the up to skill as much as we can.

“We don’t have anyone else and, unfortunately, that is where we are. It was a very bitter pill to swallow.”

He added: “It is one of these things – where do we go from here?

“We lacked the basic skills and we cannot blame the weather, as it was the same for Hawks.

“We could not convert possession and territory into points in the second half and could not hold on to the ball for long enough periods. We just need to be patient.”

Hawick supporters, of course, need to be patient, too.

“I am very frustrated, very frustrated,” said Graham.

Hawks coach Steven Finlay added: “The players put in a strong performance and they (Hawick) never got a score in the terms of a try and that was a testament to the boys.

“We kept a clean sheet and I am not sure the last time we did that.”

Hawks led 10-3 at half-time with a penalty try and Liam Brims penalty to an Ali Weir penalty.

The change around was remarkable after the interval. Weir added penalty number two with 25 minutes left for play but Hawick were unable to add to the scoreboard.

Hawick: A. Weir; K. Ford, A. Mitchell, Glen Welsh, L. Gordon-Wooley; B. Donaldson, Gareth Welsh; M. Carryer, C. Renwick, C. Greer, D. Suddon, K. McNeil, S. Graham, Billy McNeil, S. Fairbairn. Replacements: R. Macleod, M. Renwick, J. Rowley, J. Linton, M. Bannerman.

Queensferry 26, Gala YM 49

Following last weeks six-try win, Gala YM went one better on Saturday with seven sparkling tries on the all-weather pitch at Queensferry.

The game started with a great break down the middle from newcomer Steward Walker, sending Adam Williams racing to the line for a try which Billy Brownlee converted.

Queensferry threw everything at YM for the next 10 minutes but they could not break through.

A long penalty into the corner set up six phases before Adrian Donoghue crashed over for an unconverted try.

A penalty from Billy Brownlee increased the lead before Queensferry got on the scoreboard with a converted try.

Billy Brownlee kicked a second penalty goal before strong work by the YM on the home line gave Adrian Donoghue his second try, which was unconverted.

Right on half time , Queensferry got a second converted try and the teams turned with the score at 14-23.

Queensferry started the second half by pressing in the YM 22 and were rewarded with a third converted try.

YM went for their bonus point score – and it was a beauty.

Prop Jack Williamson burst free from a ruck to race 45 metres down the wing for a great score.

Queensferry were not finished and they scored their own fourth and bonus point try to close the gap again to two points.

YM, as they did the previous week, turned up the heat in the last 15 minutes and rattled in 21 points to stretch away, with all three tries converted by Adam Williams.

Scott Chapman burst over from a ruck on the line and then Declan Broatch scored a fine solo try with a burst to the line.

Finally, the pack, which had dominated throughout, scored from a great drive to the line, with Neale Lees getting the touchdown.

Ben Reid was man of the match for YM, who have a free Saturday this weekend.

Selkirk ‘A’ 35, Musselburgh 2nds 19

It took a gutsy second-half fightback by Selkirk ‘A’ to maintain this season’s unbeaten home record and maintain their top spot in Tennent’s East Reserve League Division 1.

Because Philiphaugh’s back pitch was waterlogged, the game was moved to the Burnmill field across the road – and it was the Musselburgh 2nds players who appeared far less concerned by the late switch of venue.

Tries by Ruairidh Young and the visitors’ giant centre, Ronan Stott, both converted by Brian Walls, saw an uncharacteristically jaded home team deservedly fall behind 14-0 after barely 12 minutes.

Just before the interval, a quick tap penalty saw home fly-half David Cassidy – who was rock-solid throughout – float a hanging pass out to full-back Mark Rutter, who raced over for Selkirk’s first try.

Scott Clark’s conversion cut the deficit to 14-7, which was the score at half time.

A no-holds-barred team talk by home coach Darren Hoggan at the interval left the Selkirk players in no doubt what was expected of them in the second period, and it wasn’t long before the ex-club captain’s admonition had the desired effect.

Well worked tries by Michael Waldron and Kieran Monks, augmented by two conversions and two penalties from the unerring boot of Scott Clark, put Selkirk back in the driving seat at 27-14.

Despite a try by the visitors’ left wing, Jonathan Cooke, Selkirk wrapped up a bonus-point victory thanks to a late try by Nathaniel Armstrong and a third Scott Clark penalty.

The ball carrying of Derry Alexander and effective work in the loose by flanker Andrew McColm and hooker Matty Francis – later named the Four Seasons Forestry ‘Selkirk Man of the Match’ – contributed to a vastly improved showing by the home team after the break.

With the home pack in the ascendancy, the visitors’ strong-running threequarters had precious little ball with which to work, allowing the Souter players to increasing call the shots.

Selkirk ‘A’ – M. Rutter, N. Armstrong, M. Brass, S. Cockburn, K. Monks, D. Cassidy, M. Waldron, M. Francis, K. Thomson, D. Alexander, L. Cassidy, J. Turnbull, A. McColm, R. Cook. Replacements: A. Davidson, M. Haldane, M. Mackay, P. Smail, H. McDonnell.

Referee – Darren Fisher (Hawick Harlequins).

Bosses at Scottish Borders Council are being urged to raise their game after being given a mixed review by the Scottish Government’s local authority watchdog. 

Audit Scotland’s accounts commission has been checking out the region’s council, and a report on its findings, published this week, says that although the Newtown-based authority has been making strides in improving education and economic development, many of its services are lagging behind the national average and in need of improvement. 

Councils in Scotland are ranked against key performance indicators, such as the quality of early-learning providers, the number of unemployed people assisted and the amount of available retail space in their regions. 

Audit Scotland reviewed Scottish Borders Council’s performance against 44 of those performance indicators and found that the majority are below the national average. 

Its report reads: “Performance is good or improving in the key service areas of education and social work. 

“The council is below average on many other national indicators and reports that its performance is improving on around half of its own performance indicators. 

“Residents are more satisfied with their council’s services than national data suggest.

“Performance reporting to members and the public should be more comprehensive and clearer about why performance has deteriorated and what action is being taken.

“From 2013-14 to 2017-18, the council’s performance declined for 14 indicators and declined by a margin of 10% or over on the following four indicators – quality ratings for children’s early-years service providers, the proportion of invoices sampled that were paid within 30 days, the proportion of procurement spent on local small or medium enterprises and the proportion of internal floor area of operational buildings in satisfactory condition.”

The report further highlights that some performance indicators are in excess of 10% below the Scottish average.

For example, the proportion of unemployed people assisted into work by council-funded or operated employability programmes in the Borders is just 4.2%, well below the Scottish average of 14.4%, and the amount of investment in economic development and tourism per 1,000 people is just £43,132 compared to the national average of £91,779. 

Audit Scotland has also provided the council with a series of recommendations to help it improve. 

It’s been told to:

 “Embed a culture of continuous improvement by implementing a corporate approach to self-evaluation and benchmarking.

 “Seek to improve partnership working with NHS Borders in order to support the strategic objectives of the Scottish Borders health and social care integration joint board. 

 “Improve how the Scottish Borders community planning partnership involves communities and the third sector, through greater involvement in local decision-making and by accelerating implementation of the 2015 Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act. 

 “Establish a structured programme of ongoing staff consultation and engagement. 

 “Update its people plan for 2017-21 and ensure longer-term workforce plans are reflected in service and financial plans.

 “Support members’ continuing professional development by tailoring training to meet their individual needs, and use technology to make training more accessible. 

“Ensure performance reports to members and the public are more comprehensive and balanced and that they cover service performance and delivery of the Fit for 2024 programme.”

Graham Sharp, chairman of Audit Scotland’s accounts commission, said: “The continued progress Scottish Borders Council has made to transform services is encouraging. 

“Now it must focus on several critical areas including tackling underperforming services, ensuring councillors have the right training to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities and getting to grips with both staff and community engagement.”

Council chief executive Tracey Logan said: “Looking after our most vulnerable people and giving our children the best start in life are key priorities for the council, and we are justifiably proud of our track record across these areas.

“However, the report recognises that, as a small rural authority covering a huge geographical area, we face many challenges in order to improve and sustain high performance across all our service areas.

“We will take on board Audit Scotland’s feedback and recommendations, many of which we had already identified ourselves and are taking action on, and continue to drive forward transformational change across all our services through our Fit for 2024 programme.

“For example, we are already actively working with NHS Borders to improve joint working, and we also recognise that we need to do more to respond to the Community Empowerment Act in order to encourage and enable people to play their part more easily in their communities.

“A key priority for us going forward will be to improve our performance monitoring and measurement to demonstrate on a regular basis that the council’s services are continuing to meet best value and identify quickly areas where further improvements are needed.”

Reports have been ordered on a woman found in possession of heroin.

Barbara Hudson, 49, of Leithen Road in Innerleithen, pleaded guilty to committing that offence at Ushers Wynd in Peebles on August 8.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told she was found lying on the roadway near the town’s Sainsbury’s store with two silver wraps of heroin valued at £20 on her.

Sentence was deferred until November 18.

A man has been given a two-year supervision order after admitting causing a disturbance at the Borders General Hospital.

Scott Gibson, 28, of Northgate in Peebles, pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing in the Melrose hospital’s accident-and-emergency department on February 9.

He also admitted stealing bottles of wine from two shops in Peebles – McColl’s in the Old Town on July 3 and Sainsbury’s in Northgate on May 7 – and was fined a total of £300.

South Scotland Conservative list MSP Michelle Ballantyne has been slammed by a political rival for sharing a Facebook post questioning why wealthy people should pay for the poor and unemployed.

The social media message shared by the Tories’ Holyrood welfare spokesperson on her old Scottish Borders Councillor page was initially posted by another user, outlining what it called the “five best sentences”.

They include statements such as ‘what one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving’ and ‘The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else’.

The post asks: “Can you think of a reason for not sharing this? Neither could I.”

Mrs Ballantyne, a list MSP since 2017, replacing Rachael Hamilton after she resigned to contest the Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire by-election, has been tipped as a possible future contender to lead the Scottish Conservatives.

She has been picked by her party to contest the Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale constituency, held by Scottish National Party MSP Christine Grahame since 2011, at the next Scottish Parliament election.

Ms Grahame said: “Michelle Ballantyne has a long track record of outrageous comments.

“She is completely out of touch with the real lives of people on low incomes.

“This latest outburst shows a callous indifference to the very real suffering inflicted on people by her own party.

“That Michelle Ballantyne is in the running to lead the Tories speaks volumes.

“The mask has well and truly slipped, and the party has a duty to address these completely heartless comments.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: “Michelle believes any welfare system has to help those who need it most and be fair and affordable.”

Background reports have been ordered on a 28-year-old man after he admitted driving while disqualified, unfit through drink or drugs and without insurance.

William Devlin pleaded guilty to committing those offences in Overhaugh Street and various other streets in Galashiels on November 30 last year.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told Selkirk Sheriff Court that calls were made to the police by witnesses concerned about Devlin’s driving and they caught up with him near the McDonald’s fast-food restaurant at Wilderhaugh and later pulled him over.

He explained: “The vehicle was stopped in Gala Park.

“He was in the driving seat, his eyes were glazed and he was completely intoxicated.

“He did not have the handbrake on properly and the vehicle started rolling.

“He was completely unfit to drive.

“A police force medical examiner saw him four hours later and said he was unfit to remain in custody due to the level of his intoxication and he was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

“It was not possible to say what was in his system.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence on Devlin, of Gala Park Court in Galashiels, until next month for a criminal justice social work report and a restriction-of-liberty order assessment and told him: “Be under no illusions about the seriousness of these matters.”

A Melrose community councillor is calling for an extended 30mph limit for the town all the way to the roundabout on the A6091.

At the council’s meeting last week, Andrew Panter raised the issue of drivers exceeding the speed limit in Darnick and along Waverley Road.

He asked: “Why don’t we have a 30mph limit from the roundabout which would take in Darnick as well?”

Chairman William Windram told him: “We only got the 40mph stretch 10-15 years ago when lots of new driveways appeared.

“I think there would have to be evidence of danger before an extended 30mph zone would be looked at. The bureaucracy involved in trying to get a change of speed limit is huge.”

Also at the meeting, a member of the public asked if a pedestrian crossing could be installed in the centre of the town.

Stan Fairbairn said: “It’s time a crossing was put in place at the Abbey or the post office. When the roads are busy, no one can cross, and it’s terrible that Melrose has no crossing.”

Leaderdale and Melrose councillor Kevin Drum agreed to take that matter up with council officers.

the local authority.

Kelso Racecourse’s Paxtons Exclusively Kverneland Handicap Steeplechase, this Saturday, provides an early chance for racegoers to see several of the top contenders for this season’s Grand National Steeplechase.

One For Arthur, owned by Borders ladies Belinda McClung and Debs Thomson, won this race en route to his famous victory in the 2017 Grand National.

While Lucinda Russell bids to repeat the feat on October 26, the Fife trainer has also given an entry to Big River, who could be Aintree-bound following his placed effort at the Cheltenham Festival last season and a fine fifth in the Scottish Grand National.

Vintage Clouds, who was placed in both the Scottish and the Welsh Grand Nationals before falling at the first at Aintree last season, is one of two entries for Sue Smith – the other being Sharp Response, last seen winning the North Yorkshire National at Catterick.

Sharing top weight with One For Arthur is the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Blue Flight.

Carrying the colours of Dundee United director Jimmy Fyffe, the immense gelding won twice and was runner-up on his previous visits to Kelso in the spring.

Add in Stuart Coltherd’s stable star Captain Redbeard from Selkirk, the J. P. McManus-owned Irish raider Drumcliff, last year’s winner Dandy Dan, Michael Scudamore’s Mysteree (twice a runner-up in the Eider Chase) and the promising Jonniesofa, among 13 entries, and a mouth-watering race is in prospect.

The eight-race programme of national hunt races, starting at 1.20pm, will be preceded by two pony races for aspiring young jockeys.

The first jump race is a maiden hurdle, which has attracted a huge entry of 38 horses.

Brian Hughes has ridden the winner in three out of the last five years and whichever mount he chooses should be watched.

Dianne Sayer has trained the winner of the two-mile handicap hurdle on this programme in two of the last three years.

The Cumbrian trainer will be represented by Oceanus, who is making his first appearance at Kelso.

Last year’s winner Middlebrow, trained by Donald McCain, is among 10 entries for the Royal Caledonian Hunt Handicap Steeplechase, as is Nick Alexander’s Benny’s Secret – a four-time course-winner over hurdles.

Selkirk-based Katie Scott’s Chain Of Beacons was a close third to Middlebrow 12 months ago and looks likely to re-oppose.

Gates open at 11.30am for the eight-race programme.

The final race, at 5.15pm, will be followed by musical entertainment in the Pavilion Marquee.

The Borders U17 netball squad travelled last Saturday to Strathclyde Sports, to compete in day one of the National U17 Performance League.

They played two matches, in which they defeated Inverclyde 68-41 and Shetland 60-22.

Lead Borders coach, Shona Brett, said the girls had given “incredible performances” and were “a real joy to work with”.

The girls, pictured above, are (back from left) Imogen Lewis, Eleanor Smith, Abbie Sorrell (captain), Jess Mitchell (vice-captain), Lucy Smith,

Hannah McLean-Foremen. Front, Ruby Finn, Nairne Wells and Arabella Brett.

Witnesses are being sought to a dangerous undertaking manoeuvre on the A7 Edinburgh-Carlisle road earlier this month.

Police are investigating after a driver made that dangerous manoeuvre at the A7’s junction with the B6360 Abbotsford Road near Boleside on Thursday, October 10.

A police spokeswoman said: “At around 4pm, a silver Corsa car has undertaken a white van which was waiting to turn right onto the B6360.

“If you saw anything or know anything about this incident, please contact us on 101 and quote incident number 3,435 of October 10.”

Alternatively, anyone with information on the incident can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org

A Jedburgh building vacant for over a decade looks set for a new lease of life, thanks to a £187,000 grant.

The Port House, in Exchange Street, is on the verge of a major makeover turning into a resource hub for local businesses and community groups.

Jedburgh Community Trust, the charity that bought the three-storey building for £150,000 in 2010, has secured money from the town’s £1m conservation area regeneration scheme to restore and develop the A-listed building.

Alongside that cash, it has secured development funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund, allowing it to appoint a conservation-accredited design team to help develop proposals for the former department store.

The £187,500 coming from the regeneration scheme will be used to restore the external fabric of the building using traditional methods and materials, while other sources of funding are being sought to make the 8,000sq ft interior fit for use.

Trust chairman Len Wyse said “The key aims for the trust are to ensure that the Port House is restored appropriately, brought back into use to benefit the community and generates sufficient income to ensure its long-term sustainability.

“The development funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund has allowed us to progress our plans for this fantastic building, and we are working hard to secure the necessary funding to keep the project moving forward.

“Our recent community consultation has been very positive and shows great support to both save and bring this significant building back into use.”

The Port House, one of the town’s 130-plus listed buildings, was designed for the Jedburgh Co-operative Store Company in 1899 by Hawick architect James Pearson Alison.

Its metal-framed structure, large windows and “curtain walls” were unusual then, making it one of the most innovative buildings of its time and type in Scotland.

Regeneration scheme project officer Colin Gilmour has welcomed the plans for the complex, originally made up of two three-storey buildings, now merged into one, and three adjacent garages.

“It is great news that the Jedburgh Community Trust is progressing with plans for the restoration of this building,” he said.

“The design, particularly of the facade to Exchange Street, would certainly have been a leap of faith by the Co-operative Society at the time, and it will be great to see the building restored and brought back into use.”

The trust, formed in 2002, has been working Historic Environment Scotland, the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust and Scottish Borders Council as well as the regeneration scheme, community council and tourism and marketing group on the restoration project.

A professional options appraisal has been carried out by the historic buildings trust and conservation architect’s Adam Dudley Associates, £50,000 has been spent making it wind and watertight, and community consultations have also been carried out.

Jedburgh Community Council chairman Rory Stewart added: “It is excellent news that the project is making progress.

“It is a fine building that has been empty for too long.

“The community council is pleased with the way that regeneration scheme funding has supported improvements in the town, and the contribution to the Port House restoration is most welcome.

“We need to preserve our historic environment for the benefit of residents and visitors, and the restoration of this A-listed building is a positive move forward.”

Applications for planning and listed building consent will be submitted to planners this week.

A donation of more than £26,000 has been served up to the children and baby wards at the Borders General Hospital in Melrose.

The annual Borders Change Foundation charity dinner, held at the Lodge at Carfraemill, and attended by nearly 200 people, this year raised more than £26,500 for the special care baby unit and paediatrics ward at the hospital.

Now in its 21st year, the annual fundraiser, organised by Melrose couple James and Elaine Marjoribanks, has amassed more than £465,000 in total for deserving causes throughout the region.

And thanks to this year’s effort, a new SimBaby, a tetherless simulator manikin of a nine-month-old child, can be bought for training uses in the baby and children’s wards.

James said: “The continued generosity of those at the dinner and the support from those who, once more, bought tables to attend is fantastic.

“We make sure we give everyone a night they really enjoy and, at the same time, raise a lot of money for such a wonderful piece of equipment for the Borders General Hospital.”

James, a former chairman of the Margaret Kerr Unit appeal, also helped fundraise for the dialysis unit at the hospital.

He said he started the dinners with the aim of donating to healthcare causes on an annual basis.

“I have a lot to be grateful to the NHS for and I wanted to try put something back,” he added. “The best part is giving people the cheques and knowing the difference it will make.

“The hospital has a SimBaby but it is about 12 years old and can now be replaced. The consultants and nurses use it for training purposes and it’s even been used to help with diagnosing rare conditions.”

Advanced paediatric nurses Karen Williamson and Emma Allan represented the children and baby wards at the dinner, at which after-dinner speaker Bill Copeland gave the address and Jack Clark led the charity auction.

James added: “Elaine and I would like to thank all those who generously donated auction and raffle prizes and all those that attended the dinner to make it the success that it really is.

“At the end of the night, to be able to say to Karen and Emma that they can now get the new SimBaby for the special care baby unit is special and makes it all worthwhile.”

Andrew Duncan, a doctor in baby care and paediatrics at the hospital, added: “This new SimBaby will allow us to give more realism to the training of staff in maternity, paediatric and emergency departments.

“This training has already proved invaluable in enhancing the care of babies and children locally and enables us to provide the safest possible care for such vulnerable patients.”

“Many thanks to James and Elaine for all their efforts in raising more than our target for the SimBaby and we’re delighted that we can think about how best to use the excess for the benefit of paediatrics.”

Previous dinners have funded donations to the likes of the stroke unit and Macmillan centre at the Borders General Hospital and Doddie Weir’s motor neurone disease research charity, My Name’5 Doddie.

Calls are being made for greater transparency over Scottish Borders Council’s planned closure of Jedburgh’s town centre library.

Live Borders, the trust responsible for running the Castlegate facility, plans to relocate the library to within the town’s new intergenerational school campus when it opens in March.

However, town councillor Scott Hamilton claims townsfolk are being left in the dark about that move and ought to be kept in the loop.

“Residents have been asking me about service provision in our town centre, and I will be raising their concerns with Live Borders at a meeting soon, and call on them to have transparency in their decision-making process,” he said.

“Clearly, the town is changing, and with the new campus nearing completion, there will be implications for some of our other community assets.

“The campus will be a great local asset, and we are all excited to see it finished.

“My role as a councillor is to ensure that the whole town is being consulted, that the process is joined up and everyone’s views are being taken into account when these key decisions are made.

“We have to make sure that all of our public agencies are working hand in hand with each other to ensure that, as a town, we have the best possible assets that are fit for the future of our town.

“I would invite anyone with concerns to get in touch with me.”

A petition to retain the library and council contact centre in its current location is gathering support from residents worried that the new one would be both too small and too far away for elderly residents.

It has attracted almost 200 signatures so far and will be considered by councillors next month.

A Galashiels pub has helped ensure playing football in the damp, wet months of autumn – and at other times – will be a litle more endurable for a local team.

The Auld Mill Inn has sponsored a set of rain jackets for Gala Fairydean Rovers’ amateur squad.

Pictured is John Robertson, from the pub, handing the garments over to players Derek Foley, left, and Josh Lamb.

Saturday, November 2 will mark one year of Haylodge Parkrun in the Borders.

As usual, there will be an opportunity for anyone to run, walk, jog, volunteer or spectate around the measured 5k course at Haylodge Park, Peebles.

The event starts at 9.30am, with a first timers’ brief at 9.20am.

There will be treats at the finish and then on to Peebles Golf Club for coffee and snacks.

Haylodge was the 43rd parkrun in Scotland – there are now over 50, while there are also over 1400 parkrun events in 22 countries across the world.

Martin Kelso, event director at Haylodge, said: “Every weekend, over 250,000 people run, walk, jog or volunteer at a parkrun. It’s community-based, supportive and free. It’s open to children (with an adult) and you can bring a dog (on a short lead). You register once, print out your barcode and you’re good to go.”

To date, over 1300 individuals have taken part at Haylodge and over half the registered adults are women.

In addition to the parkrunners, over 120 individuals have volunteered.

Everyone is welcome to come and see what it’s all about on November 2, or any Saturday morning, at this free, welcoming, volunteer-run community event.

For more details, contact haylodge@parkrun.com or www.parkrun.org.uk/haylodge.

Works in Hawick to improve safety on a footpath linking Wilton Park Road with the park have been hailed a success.

Scottish Borders Council workers completed the improvements this month, and Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall has welcomed them, saying: “I asked the council to secure funding for this project from the small schemes budget as I was receiving reports of people tripping or slipping on the steep steps.

“The area now look great, and non-slip wire has also been added to the stairs to make people feel safer when accessing this beautiful part of our town.

“I think people who use this area on a regular basis will be thrilled.”

by these works.”

Enthusiastic athletes from Gala Harriers were among those who visited Livingston to mark the start of the cross-country season.

In the first race of the day, the Gala Harriers trio of Erin Gray, Isla Paterson and Anna Fairclough competed in the Young Females race with each runner completing a 2.5 Km lap. The Gala team did exceptionally well in a strong race to finish 10th team.

In the women’s race, featuring three laps of a 4km course, the Gala team of Julia Johnstone, Lindsay Dun and Eileen Maxwell competed fiercely to earn a placing of 28th overall and fifth in the Masters team placings.

Sara Green and Kirstin Maxwell had both run strongly, with individual lap times in the top 30 of the race, but, unfortunately, lacked a third team member to ensure a placing.

Three Gala teams featured in the men’s race consisting of four laps of four kms each.

The ‘A’ team of Darrell Hastie, Lewis Tharme, Ian Maxwell and Fergus Johnston battled hard all the way for 29th overall.

Likewise, the ‘C’ team of Graeme Hendry, David Nightingale, Billy McCulloch and Tim Brus showed good early-season form for a team placing of 60th.

However, on the day, it was the B team who travelled back to Gala with some hard-earned medals.

The quartet of Brian Aitchison, Tim Darlow, Jamie McGowan and Gary Trewartha ran to a team placing of 30th overall, which was enough for a third place in the Masters competition, behind teams from Corstorphine and Metro Aberdeen.

Aviemore 10K – Anne Purves was the sole Gala Harriers representative for this race. In a large field of over 600 runners, on a perfect day for racing, Anne ran well to finish in a time of 58:44.

Great South Run – Keeping the racing momentum going, Anne was back in action at the Great South Run, a 10-mile race centred on Portsmouth. Anne stormed to a new PB at the distance of 1:49:55.

Manor Water Hill Race – Featuring an out and back route of approximately 10 miles and 670 metres of climbing to the summit of The Scrape, above the tranquil Manor Valley, the Manor Water Hill Race is traditionally the first of a two-race series paired with Pentland Skyline.

James Purves continued an intensive season of racing, coming home in 1:50:14 for 36th overall.

Pentland Skyline – In a route covering 16 miles and 6200 feet of total, climbing the Pentland Skyline Hill Race is a highlight of the hill running calendar. Well done to Rory Campbell for 78th place overall from 248 runners in a time of 3:29:10.

East District XC League 1 (senior races) – The grounds of Stirling University were the venue for the opening match of the three-race East District XC league series, this year featuring matches in Stirling, Broxburn and Livingston.

The Gala Harriers Women’s team ran superbly well, with excellent individual and team placings the well-deserved outcome.

Sara Green was the stand-out performer, with a fourth-place finish overall, but was very well supported by Julia Johnstone (22nd), Eileen Maxwell (60th), Angela Jewitt (68th) and Jan Brown (78th).

It was a super effort, which gave Gala fifth place in both the main competition and the Masters competition.

In the men’s race, the Gala team fought hard for each place.

In his first race of this distance at senior level, Lewis Tharme ran impressively and was first Harrier over the line in 58th, followed by Gary Trewartha (69th), Fergus Johnston (155th), Magnus Inglis (168th), Ian Maxwell (169th), Neil Christie (181st), Bob Johnson (205th) and Sam McKinnon (212th).

This solid team effort resulted in 16th place for Gala in the main competition and a top 10 placing in the Masters competition.

Yetholm Border Sheperds Hill Race – Darrell Hastie was the clear race winner of the recent Yetholm Border Sheperds Hill Race with a finishing time of 33:57. James Purves also ran strongly to finish as 3rd MV60 and 15th overall in 47:41.

Masters XC International – Congratulations to Sara Louise Christie Green and Darrell Hastie on another selection to the Scotland team for the British & Irish Masters XC International. The Gala Harriers will represent their country in the race taking place in Southport on November 16.

Amsterdam Marathon – Well done to Grant Dilasser, who ran strongly at the Amsterdam marathon to register a sub-four-hour marathon time, crossing the line in 3:58:45.

The remarkable life of a war hero and motorcycling champion from Hawick is commemorated in a new book, more than 80 years after his dramatic death.

Jimmie Guthrie, known as ‘Jimmie G.’, was born in 1897 and became a major star in European motorcycle road racing in the 1930s.

Previously, he had returned from the First World War as a genuine hero after nearly four continuous years away from home. He had gone to fight in the conflict soon after turning 18.

On August 8, 1937 – aged 40 and set to retire from the sport – Jimmie died after a crash while leading on the final lap of the German Motorcycle Grand Prix. But the circumstances of the incident, and its aftermath, have been steeped in mystery ever since.

The cause was not officially reported and rumours began to circulate in Britain and Germany. Jimmie’s crash – amid claims of Nazi involvement – became a geo-political incident which could have harmed UK-German diplomatic relations when the threat of the Second World War was looming inexorably closer.

Germany-based chartered engineer and motorcyling devotee Paul W. Guthrie has written the 344-page book.

The shared surname and love of motorcycling were the principal reasons – but Paul also wanted to solve the mystery of what happened and end the speculation.

The circumstances of the crash are explained from both the British and German perspectives. For the first time, German archive material exposes many previously unknown facts.

“Motorsport was very important to both Britain and Germany to showcase their technological and sporting abilities,” explained Paul.

“I hoped to provide an idea of what that really meant during that period. Knowing the context, events can be viewed as they were back then, and not through a modern awareness.

“There was Nazi involvement in the crash – but not for the reason that might spring to most minds. Furthermore, the discovery of British intelligence involvement created another dimension.”

During his career, Jimmie won 28 Grand Prix and Tourist Trophy races during his career. He was 500cc European Champion in 1935-36 and dual 350cc and 500cc European Champion in 1937. He set several world land speed records between 1934-36.

Paul added: “Jimmie’s early life and First World War service is fascinating and he was a genuine war hero. His war experience affected him and explains in part why motorcycle racing, for him, was never about the glory or recognition – rather the thrill. He was a modest gentleman who rarely spoke publicly, which made him enigmatic. However, he was admired and loved by his fans because of his success and his personal qualities.

“I think it is a great story of a man and the extraordinary times in which he lived.”