A Galashiels man has been remanded in custody for background reports after admitting three offences including assaulting a policewoman.

William Devlin, 28, of Gala Park Court, appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty to possession of heroin at the Iceland car park in High Street in Galashiels last Friday.

He also admitted attempting to obstruct police officers by trying to swallow drugs in his possession and assaulting a female police constable by kicking one of her legs.

All those offences were committed while Devlin was on bail.

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence until November 18 for a criminal justice social work report and a restriction-of-liberty order assessment.

A bail application was refused, and Devlin was remanded in custody.

A 36-year old man found unconscious at Galashiels transport interchange at 3pm was in possession of heroin, Selkirk Sheriff Court has been told.

Michael Ledgerwood, of Priory Hill in Coldstream, was found to have two wraps of the class-A drug, valued at £20, on him after being treated by the emergency services on May 18.

He also pleaded guilty to stealing two bottles of wine together valued at £10 from the Co-op store in Coldstream on July 7.

Ledgerwood was ordered to carry out 70 hours’ unpaid work as an alternative to custody.

A 26-year-old man has been warned he faces the prospect of a jail sentence after admitting threatening a bus driver with violence.

Joshua Watson, of Orchard Park in Kelso, pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to a breach of the peace at the bus station in St Boswells on March 30.

Sheriff Peter Paterson called for background reports to be prepared and warned Watson that a custodial sentence was uppermost in his mind due to his criminal record.

Sentence was deferred until November 25 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

A heartbroken Borders family have pledged to continue their near year-long search to bring home two beloved dogs now new evidence has revealed at least one of them is still alive.

The lives of the Bell family changed forever on December 28 last year after their treasured Border terriers Ruby and Beetle were snatched.

The frantic search that followed failed to find the dogs, but the family’s campaign gained national attention, with a Facebook page attracting 11,000 members and a £10,000 reward raised.

Sadly, the trail seemed to be going cold and Edward and Georgie Bell and their children Tom, Felicity and Francesca, of the Lothian Estate at Jedburgh, were starting to lose hope.

That changed recently, though, when they learned that Beetle’s microchip number had been inputted in a checker tool on a website.

That apparent breakthrough offered fresh hope, but the family’s joy soon turned to despair when told that data protection rules meant they could not access the information.

In the meanwhile, the couple used £5,000 of the money raised to hire a pet detective for what was, ultimately, an unsuccessful bid to find the dogs.

An anonymous benefactor then came forward with a £5,000 donation to reinstate the original reward, however.

Georgie, 46, says she is determined not to give up on the search and has been buoyed after the police agreed to launch a data protection probe.

She said: “We can’t give up. How can we? They are members of our family.

“It’s just so frustrating that we know Beetle is alive but we just can’t access the information which would bring her back home.

“We just want our two beautiful dogs returned safely so that our family can be complete again in time for Christmas.”

To help or to share a potential sighting, visit www.findrubyandbeetle.com or call 07885 712165.

Plans to expand a Borders museum have been boosted by a near-£400,000 handout.

Melrose’s Trimontium Museum Trust is to be given a grant of just short of £395,000 by the Scottish Government via the South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SoSEP).

That grant, announced yesterday by Scottish Government rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing during a visit to the Borders, follows one of £571,400 handed over by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in June.

It will enable preparations to get under way ready for capital work to start on refurbishing and expanding the specialist Roman museum, in the Ormiston Institute in Melrose High Street, early next year, doubling the amount of floorspace available to display its exhibits in the hope of attracting thousands more visitors a year.

That expansion, costing £1.25m, is the first phase of a two-part project, the other being the provision of a two-storey educational block at a later date, also costing £1.25m and again doubling the museum’s floorspace.

It was orginally envisaged as a single project, but had to be split into two due to funding constraints.

Work on the revamp of the existing museum is scheduled for completion in spring or early summer of 2021.

The trust also raised £400,000 itself, partly via a crowdfunding campaign, to help pay for its expansion plans.

Funding will be used to develop a learning programme which will enable visitors to contribute to archaeological research.

Mr Ewing, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, said: “This funding will allow the Trimontium Trust to expand on the great work it is already doing to promote the rich Roman and Iron Age history of the Scottish Borders.

“The refurbishment of the museum will allow the trust to display more artefacts from the local area and improve the visitor experience.

“Our tourism industry plays a vital part in the Scottish economy. People choose to visit Scotland for our culture, heritage and scenery.

“This SoSEP funding in the south of Scotland will help support and maximise the economic potential of the region.”

John Reid, chairman of the Trimontium Trust, added: “The trust is grateful to SoSEP and the Scottish Government and our other partners for supporting our vision to develop this to a scale and quality which complements the other excellent attractions in Melrose and the wider Borders.

“Newstead Roman Fort lies in an area incredibly rich in historical heritage.

“The Trimontium Trust has been proud to share its story for over 25 years from our small museum in Melrose overlooked by the ancient hillfort on Eildon Hill.”

This week’s funding was vital to get the project, in the planning stages for over three years, up and running at last, according to Dr Reid.

“It was absolutely crucial as we had taken our own fundraising as far as we could. It was crucial for matching the funding we’d already been granted,” he said.

Mr Ewing also visited Eshiels Community Woodland, sold by Forestry and Land Scotland to Peebles Community Trust earlier this year, while in the region.

“The case that the trust put forward for community ownership very clearly indicated a high level of focus and commitment within the community and a robust plan for the future management of the site,” he said.

A concerned dad who walks his five-year-old daughter to and from school says he is now considering driving her in instead because he’s so fed up about the amount of dog dirt they encounter en route.

Calum Ross accompanies daughter Ella to Trinity Primary School in Hawick’s Arthur Street in the morning and picks her up in the afternoon.

It’s only a 10-minute walk but they often come across at five or more piles of dog dirt, he says.

Due to health concerns, Calum, 52, a self-employed copy editor and proofreader, says he is now pondering whether it would be safer to make the short journeys in his car.

Calum, of Dalkeith Place in Hawick, said: “I’m seriously considering using the car from now on as I’m fed up playing avoid the dog mess.

“It seems to me the problem is getting worse. Why are there so many lazy dog owners?”

Areas of particular concern to him are Arthur Street, Trinity Street and Duke Street.

Calum added: “It’s less than 10 minutes to the school, but we come across five or six piles of dog mess on every journey.

“When we get to the big roundabout at Morrisons and turn right past Beattie’s funeral director’s, there’s quite often a problem there and also by the old Buccleuch Hotel.

“It’s bad enough for me walking a five-year-old child and trying to avoid the dog dirt, but it’s even worse for those walking and pushing buggies to get to the school.

“I go jogging and so does my wife with her pals, and now it’s getting dark you don’t know what you are stepping in when you are running across leaves.”

Since posting his concerns on Facebook, Calum has received dozens of supportive messages.

Rosalyn Walker criticised Scottish Borders Council for not tackling the problem, saying: “The council are neglecting their public duty to maintain cleansing in streets and open areas.

“In other places, a brushing vehicle simply runs along pavements early every day.”

A spokesperson for the council said: “While dog fouling is an issue for the whole community, the council has been working with a number of schools in the Borders around the importance of responsible dog ownership.

“Among the activities has been a dog poo survey, which sees pupils work with the dog education officer to survey a problem area near their school, which is then cleaned by our neighbourhoods team.

“Anti-dog fouling signage and stencils are then put in place, following discussions with the children, to encourage owners to pick up after their pets, with a further survey carried out to see if there has been an improvement.

“Our dog education officer would be happy to work with the school in this area.”

Members of the public can report an issue with dog fouling at www.scotborders.gov.uk/dogs or call 0300 100 1800.

Seeing red has put a Melrose youngster in the frame for a national award.

Sholto Key, a pupil at the town’s St Mary’s School, has won a special merit prize in this year’s National Galleries of Scotland art competition for schools.

The five-year-old’s picture of a red dragon was among more than 8,600 entries for the contest, now in its 16th year.

“We loved seeing all the children’s artwork and especially enjoyed seeing Sholto’s painting on display,” said his mum Viv.

“We had a memorable day and, at the tender age of five, Sholto has no idea how special it will be in adulthood to say he has exhibited at the National Galleries of Scotland.”

Sholto’s painting and other winning entries were on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh from June to September this year, are currently on show at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, until January 2, and can be seen at the Borders General Hospital at Melrose from January 8 to April 30.

Sholto was presented with his prize by Suzie Huggins, director of science at Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden.

Debbie Wood, head of art at the Abbey Park school, added: “As a teacher, I always enjoy this competition.

“The themes are always stimulating and allow for lots of creative thinking from the children.”

Assurances over the safety of youngsters at the region’s first intergenerational campus, due to open next year, are being offered.

That pledge comes after some concerns were voiced over exactly how much freedom adults and children will be given to mix at the forthcoming Jedburgh Grammar Campus when it opens next March.

Though the £32m facility has been widely welcomed by townsfolk, there have been some grumblings over how the open-plan shared space layout of the building at Hartrigge Park will operate.

The facility will serve infants as young as two and teenagers up to the age of 18, as well as providing further education and community facilities including a library and sports facilities for adults.

Overseeing the campus come March will be the secondary school’s current headteacher, Susan Oliver.

“It’s quite an open area already,” Mrs Oliver told the town’s community council at its latest meeting.

“We are not envisaging that being an issue, but we know this is something that parents have said is a concern for them from day one.

“There are areas that are open to the public, and we’re hugely excited by that.

“We want to see different age groups coming in and working together and hopefully breaking down barriers.

“However, I think what’s really important to stress is that there are areas that are sectioned off and that the community won’t have access to.”

The main campus includes an open plaza entrance with access to community facilities such as a library, café and drop-in area.

The 2G and 3G sports pitches, rural skills area, multi-use games area, 100m running track and external changing pavilion will all also be available for community use.

It is yet to be confirmed, but indications so far are that charity Live Borders, currently responsible for running most of the region’s libraries, museums and sporting facilities, will operate the parts of the campus open for community use.

Mrs Oliver added: “There will be a management of how folk can use the facilities and there will need to be a booking system in terms of the likes of sporting facilities and access to meeting areas, but the idea that people will be able to come in and just look around is a really exciting one for us.

“Of course, there will be certain areas that will not be open to the public.”

The campus will include some open-plan class rooms, a general reception which will direct people to individual entrances to nursery, primary and secondary areas, and, potentially, unisex toilets.

This week, a local authority spokesman assured us accessibility and privacy is something being taken into account.

He said: “While the arrangements for the toilets are still being finalised, privacy for pupils will be maintained.

“Arrangements will be in place at the new campus to ensure educational facilities are not accessible for members of the public during school hours.”

The school, given its name in July after a public vote, is the first of its kind in the region, and the local authority, funding the facility with help from the Scottish Government, believes the new-style of learning there will provide a “brilliant environment” for students and adults alike.

“To see this project coming on so quickly is incredibly exciting,” council leader Shona Haslam said. “The school is full of light and large classrooms with amazing views.

“It will be a brilliant environment not only to learn but for the whole community to enjoy.”

The campus will replace the existing Jedburgh Grammar School as well as Howdenburn and Parkside primary schools and nurseries, the latter of which was demolished in the summer.

All roads led to Jedburgh last weekend for the annual running festival.

More than 1,200 entrants took part in the cani-cross, 10k, half marathon, ultra marathon and wheelchair races...all caught on camera by our photographer Bill McBurnie.

The prospect of boozing in public in the Borders being outlawed appears to be looming closer now councillors have voted to carry out further consultation on plans for a trial ban in the region’s biggest towns.

A trial ban in Galashiels, Hawick, Peebles and Eyemouth, if approved, would be used as a pilot project to assess the effectiveness of making public drinking illegal.

If deemed a success, such a ban would then be extended to the rest of the Borders. 

By-laws banning public boozing were first tabled in November last year, with council officers suggesting fines of up to £500 for those defying them in designated areas. 

NHS Borders and Police Scotland are in favour of such by-laws, but at a full meeting of Scottish Borders Council in December, it was agreed that public consultation be carried out before proceeding any further.

That consultation yielded mixed results, however, with no majority emerging either in favour of or against a ban.

Of the 392 respondents to express a view, 217 say there isn’t a problem with public drinking in the Borders, but 175 reckon there is, with 99 being undecided.

The results of that first consultation were presented to councillors at a full meeting of the local authority at its Newtown headquarters today, October 31, and they were asked to decide what to do next.

They were given the choice of binning the plans for a public drinking ban or to move to the second stage of a consultation focusing on bringing by-laws in as pilot project in bigger towns. 

Speaking in favour of continuing the consultation, Mid Berwickshire councillor John Greenwell, chairman of the council’s licensing board, said: “With just under 500 responses, I think the consultation has proved to be a success. 

“I would just like to emphasise that I do support our professionals in the police and the NHS in their concerns over drinking in public. It does cause them problems, and I think that’s something we should be very aware of.

“The licensing board is visited by a member of the national health team, and we do hear what she says, on a regular basis, about the damaging health effects of alcohol.

“Consultees were asked about our licensing objectives and whether a by-law would have an effect on those, and they are in agreement that a by-law would help to achieve those objectives.

“We should never lose sight of the fact that alcohol is a drug and it causes damage to people and their families and anyone else who is involved with that.

“I support 100% what the NHS and the police are saying.”

Galashiels councillor Euan Jardine, once a supporter of a public booze ban, said he has since changed his mind and spoke out strongly against such by-laws, saying: “I cannot see why this would benefit the Borders. 

“The report highlights that the highest instances of alcohol-related antisocial behaviour happen on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 

“The weekend is when people like to relax, unwind and sometimes have an alcoholic beverage to help with this. 

“Unfortunately, we know that sometimes a small minority of people like to go a bit off the rails after a few alcoholic beverages. 

“However, because a few people do something, do we really need to cut the enjoyment for everyone? 

“Do we not trust people anymore to act sensibly?

“I am very sure that most of these cases of alcohol-related offences are not because someone is drinking on the street but because they have been drinking in someone’s home, in a club or in a pub.” 

Fellow Galashiels councillor Andy Anderson told the chamber: “50% of people in the Borders said they have been negatively affected by other people drinking in public spaces and streets. 

“I experienced first hand last year the impact of having to deal with 150 youths, in a local park, drinking and causing other issues. 

“In this case, Police Scotland used their power to take the alcohol from them, but there was nothing to stop them from coming back or going to another park and doing the same thing. 

“In the UK, about 30% of children live with an adult binge drinker, so it’s important to understand how children are impacted on by adult drinking and reduce that impact outside of the home.”

Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton added: “The solution, I believe, does not lie in overlegislating and increasing the role of government but allowing communities, people, etc the freedom to determine their own future. 

“We, as councillors, are part of the solution but it comes from the bottom up.

“We must encourage education, friendly communities and a free society. 

“That is where the answer lies, and that is where we will find a better solution. 

“We are not unique in our stance against big government.

“I often enjoy mimicking US presidents but every once in a while, one of them comes out with something golden. I shall quote Ronald Reagan when he said the nine most terrifying words you can hear in the English language are ‘I am from the government and I am here to help’.”

Councillors Jardine and Hamilton put forward a motion to reject the notion of introducing by-laws banning boozing in public, but it was outvoted by 19 to 13, with the majority of councillors moving to begin consultation on a drinking ban pilot scheme.

Fans of Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets fear being left cheesed off and with plenty to beef about now cold water is being poured on long-harboured hopes of a McDonald’s burger bar opening in Hawick.

Hawick provost Watson McAteer has hit out at environmental officials for risking plans for a fast-food restaurant being taken off the menu, claiming it is holding the town’s economic future to ransom by refusing to endorse a scheme set to create up to 60 jobs.

The Hawick and Hermitage councillor is questioning the logic behind the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) maintaining its objection to plans to open a 24-hour drive-through fast-food restaurant, tipped to be a McDonald’s, in Commercial Road and relocate a discount store there too.

Those plans hit a stumbling block in July as the result of an objection to the scheme being lodged by the agency 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.

It had been hoped fresh three-way talks between the agency, Scottish Borders Council planners and the developer involved, Edinburgh-based Image Estates Queen Street, allied to appeals from town councillors, would prompt a rethink.

However, in a statement issued to the Southern this week, an agency spokesperson reiterated its earlier objection “on the grounds that it may place buildings and persons at flood risk”.

That means the application must now be referred to the Scottish Government, assuming it is approved first by council planners.

Mr McAteer says he is perplexed by the agency’s stance and intends to call on Hawick-based Scottish National Party list MSP Paul Wheelhouse to intervene.

He said: “Hawick’s economic future is being held to ransom by SEPA, a Scottish Government non-departmental public body with a responsibility to contribute to sustainable economic growth, following their refusal to support new businesses in Commercial Road.

“We have the prospect of a new B&M store and a McDonald’s fast-food outlet on a site soon to be fully protected by a £50m flood scheme, but SEPA have the blinkers well and truly in place by refusing to approve the development plans for fear of flooding.

“These new businesses are to be placed alongside new builds that have previously been required to receive Scottish Government approval.

“I am totally mystified with the stance being taken by SEPA that appears at odds with Scottish Borders Council’s supportive position and will take this matter up directly with SEPA and Paul Wheelhouse, who is also a Scottish Government minister.”

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

The town’s B&M Bargains store is also considering moving out of its current Croft Road home to the proposed development site, located between the Sainsbury’s and Aldi supermarkets.

An agency spokesperson said: “SEPA plays an important role in helping Scotland prepare more powerfully for future increased flooding.

“We have provided a response to Scottish Borders Council regarding a proposed fast-food development in Hawick. As a statutory consultee under planning regulations, SEPA has maintained its objection in principle to the proposed development at this location on the grounds that it may place buildings and persons at flood risk.”

Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall added: “Both Councillor McAteer and I are now seeking urgent meetings with SEPA and council officials in order to try and break this deadlock.

“I think it is also important that our parliamentarians now step up to the plate and intervene in order to get this issue sorted before we in Hawick lose a golden opportunity.”

Four council-run care homes in the Borders are to be given revamps together costing £1.5m. 

That investment package – agreed at a full meeting of Scottish Borders Council yesterday, October 31 – follows inspections of all five of the authority’s care homes in response to concerns beingraised about the state of one of them, Deanfield Care Home in Hawick.

The Hawick home, at Roadhead, was found to be in urgent need of upgrading, so a £2.8m emergency improvement programme was agreed in September. 

Though not in as poor condition as Deanfield or as much in need of urgent attention, the council’s other care homes were also found to be in need of major investment over the next five years. 

Martin Joyce, the authority’s director of assets and infrastructure, yesterday told councillors that though Saltgreens Care Home in Eyemouth, Waverley Residential Home in Galashiels and St Ronan’s House in Innerleithen were all rated as being in satisfactory condition, Grove House Care Home in Kelso was deemed to be in poor condition and showing major defects. 

Kelso councillor Tom Weatherston said: “Over a great number of years, we’ve allowed more cosmetic things to go to waste to keep our care homes in an acceptable and safe manner, but, let me be clear, they have never not been at an acceptable standard.

“It’s important to remember that this is a five-year plan. It’s not going to happen over six months.

“However, we need to improve the fabric of the buildings and improve the standard of the homes.

“I know it’s not always popular to spend money on the fabric of our property estate, but we have now reached a point where we can’t ignore it any longer.”

Council leader Shona Haslam added: “These homes are in good condition, and this is work that will make them even better, and it’s very important that we strive for absolute excellence.

“These are places that we should be happy to live in and for our relatives to live in.”

Fellow Tweeddale East councillor Stuart Bell said: “One of the disadvantages of getting older is that I spend more and more time going in and out of care homes visiting friends and relatives.

“I’m of the view that care homes in the Borders are in good condition and also, in the scheme of things, that £1.5m over the next five years is not an unreasonable amount of money in terms of the upkeep and maintenance of buildings that get older and change over time.”

Although Grove House is assessed as being in poorer condition, Saltgreens is in line for the biggest share of the investment, with works costing £617,500 having been authorised by councillors. 

Officers report that the exterior of the property is in need of redecoration, as well as groundworks, drainage maintenance and replacement of windows and doors being required. 

Other major works scheduled for the Chapel Street property include replacement of its kitchen, upgrading of its lighting and heating system and renewal of all its sanitary fittings and fixtures.

Kelso’s Grove House, in Edenside Road, is in line for a revamp costing £397,000.

Landscaping, drainage and structural works are to be carried out, as well as upgrades to windows and doors.

St Ronan’s House, in Innerleithen Maxwell Street, is to have £363,000 spent on it.

Officers report that it is also in need of a full heating system upgrade, as well as having its kitchens replaced and en-suite shower rooms refurbished. 

Waverley Residential Home, in Elm Row in Galashiels, is to have £137,000 spent on renewing its heating and lighting systems, plus redecoration throughout.

Council chiefs are being urged to help Borders businesses cope with the impact of US president Donald Trump’s latest round of trade tariff hikes on the region’s textile and whisky industries. 

Mr Trump has increased tariffs on specified goods from European Union countries in retaliation for subsidies given to Netherland-based aerospace manufacturer Airbus that the US administration claims give it an unfair advantage over American rival Boeing.

Tariffs of 25% were brought in on Friday, October 18, on products such as Scotch whisky, Savile Row suits, Spanish olives, Italian Parmesan cheese and French wine – and because Britain did not exit the union as planned yesterday, October 31, and will remain a member of it into next year, that will hit businesses here as well as abroad. 

At a full meeting of Scottish Borders Council yesterday, its ruling executive was called on to explain what measures it is taking to protect textile businesses in Hawick and the rest of the region. 

Hawick and Hermitage councillor David Paterson asked: “What steps are the council taking to ensure businesses in the Borders do not get unduly penalised in the latest round of trade wars, with the American Republican administration imposing tariffs on cashmere and other luxury goods exported from Scotland to America. 

“This action could well have far-reaching effects on the textiles industry and other industries like single malt whisky.”

Mid Berwickshire councillor Mark Rowley, the council’s executive member for economic development, answered: “I share your concerns, and in fact, ahead of the question coming in, I’d already met with some of the people who will be affected by these tariffs to offer what support I could.

“It remains the case that the council shares these concerns about the tariffs on goods and the export of certain cashflows and on their impact on Borders manufacturers. 

“However, this is a matter for the UK Government as it’s a reserved matter and neither the Scottish Government nor the council has any control over it.

“I believe that industry as a whole has made its concerns known to the UK Government, and the government are working closely with the US government and the European Union and other partners to agree a negotiated settlement.

“I would further add that I have spoken to our MP, John Lamont, and he has made direct representations and has been pushing this.

“I do understand his concerns, and it’s something we’re following closely.”

Representatives of the UK Fashion and Textile Association have met Westminster’s international trade secretary, Liz Truss, to discuss how best to deal with the increased tariffs. 

Following that meeting, association chief executive officer Adam Mansell said: “Waiting for the outcome of a potential free trade agreement with the US isn’t enough.

“We need the government to take direct action now to support our manufacturing industry.

“Some companies will be facing tariffs of more than 40% on some products.

“At a time when the industry is facing huge uncertainty over the impact of Brexit, this is devastating.”

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP Mr Lamont shares Mr Paterson’s concerns, having previously told us: “It is completely unfair for businesses in the Borders to be caught in the middle of what is essentially a disagreement between the EU and the US about aircraft.

“Unfortunately, what has happened is that the EU was found to have broken the law in 2004 and the US has been allowed to impose these tariffs in response.

“For both whisky and textiles to be hit with a 25% tariff for one of our largest markets could be crippling, will inevitably harm economic growth and could cost jobs.

“Like a number of other colleagues, I’ve strongly urged ministers to do all they can to protect Scottish businesses and will continue to raise this issue.

“The UK Government needs to use every available avenue to broker an agreement between the US and the EU to try to bring an end to this dispute.”

A number of Borders schools recently made the successful trip to the National Schools Equestrian Association Championships at Addington Manor in Buckinghamshire.

The area’s riders have been attending a selection of qualifiers from Carlisle to Fife over the last year, with the aim of qualifying for the Championships in showjumping, dressage and jumping with style.

The Championships are a prestigious event, with over 1000 horses and riders taking part over four days.

The riders from Jedburgh Grammar School – Felicity Cromarty, Holly Kirk, Frankie Cromarty and Jackie Hartley – were delighted to achieve eighth in 90cm Jumping With Style and second in 80cm JwS.

This is an interesting competition, as it is not only judged on jumping ability but also time and style of the rider.

Earlston High School riders Eilidh Marr, Matilda Aplin, Lexie Marshall, Monty Aplin and Sylvie Young were also successful in JwS, gaining sixth place in 80cm class.

Peebles High School had four qualified riders who took part in all three disciplines – Natasha Thorpe, Marcel Bony, Libby Davidson and Alice Bryce.

Marcel had clear rounds in the Pumpkin Speed Challenge but was just outside the pacings.

The three girls were part of the Scottish Nations Cup dressage team, along with Shannon Jardine from Langholm Academy and Hannah Carruthers from Sedbergh, who came third.

The young team of Sam Herdman, Poppy Dodds, Ellie Gray and Frankie Herdman, from Whittingham Church of England, just over the border, did some fantastic rounds in the 70cm JwS to gain third place in a class of 24 teams.

They were also fourth in 70cm showjumping.

Longridge Towers School had two qualified riders – Lotty Byass and Grace Manners – who competed as individuals for their school, gaining first for Lotty and second for Grace in the Pumpkin Speed Challenge class.

Rory McFadyen, from Kelso High School, was fourth in this class and Holly Kirk, from Jedburgh Grammar, was seventh.

This was one of the biggest classes at the Championships, with 110 riders competing – and it was fantastic to see so many local riders doing well.

Lotty was also eighth in 70 JwS and seventh in 80cm showjumping.

Kelso High School had a squad of eight riders – Daisy Buckley, Ellie Abrams, Rory McFadyen, Zoe Cowe, Katie Edgar, Katy McFadyen, Vicky Edgar and Alex Edgar. They had a very successful few days.

The very experienced team of Vicky, Alex, Katie and Katy were incredibly consistent with their two sets of team horses, with results including third and sixth in 1m showjumping, and a win and third in 90cm jws.

There were also individual placings for Vicky and Katy in the 90 Jws.

The four girls also competed in an 1m10 team showjumping event for the first time and got eighth place.

Kelso High School had previously won the Scottish Area Regional Points League.

At the Championships, all eight team members went up against the top three teams from the other eight areas and were thrilled to end up in second place, helped along by two very fast rounds from Ellie Abrams and Rory McFadyen.

Rory, Katy, Katie, Alex and Vicky joined with Lexie and Matilda, from Earlston High, and Lotty from Longridge, to form the Scottish Nations Cup Team for showjumping.

They jumped to a packed and noisy audience in the Olympic Size Arena and were absolutely thrilled to win a very fast and close competition.

They received a selection of prizes, including rosettes, bags and rugs.

Three games in a day is a tough ask – but the Fjordhus Reivers U18 girls were well prepared and ready for action.

The occasion was the group stages of the Scottish Hockey U18 Girls Club Cup 2019.

The Borders girls suffered a disappointing result against Watsonians but absolutely pulled it out of the bag in the other two games to finish second in the group and make it through to the semi-finals, which will be held at Peffermill this Sunday.

First opponents last weekend, Watsonians, current holders of the trophy, were always going to be tough opposition. However, the Reivers girls put the pressure on right from the off and made it very difficult for Watsonians to get out of their 22.

The pressure was intense on the Edinburgh girls and, eventually, the deadlock was broken when Meghan Campbell turned the ball over and passed to Hannah McNair, who slotted it home.

The girls continued to press high up the pitch throughout and, although they had the majority of possession – six short corners to Watsonians’ none – two breakaway goals ended the game 2-1 in the city girls’ favour, against the run of play.

Next up were Granite City Wanderers, a big, strong and physical team.

The first half saw lots of missed opportunities from the Borders girls.

However, Molly Turnbull turned the ball over high up the pitch and slipped it through to Chloe Aitchison, who calmly rounded the GK and slotted it home.

The second goal was scored by Hannah McNair, after a good period of sustained possession play. The first shot was saved by the GK, who was kept busy throughout, and Hannah was on hand to squeeze it in at the corner for a 2-0 win.

In the final game against Western Wildcats, the Reivers went out all guns blazing.

The Western girls didn’t know what had hit them as they found themselves on the wrong end of three goals from Molly Turnbull, Sophie Younger and Hannah Miller after only five minutes.

This really inspired the Reviers, who played some real champagne hockey. After 20 minutes, they came in for half time 5-0 up, with further goals from Molly Turnbull and  Livvy Hogg .

The second half saw much of the same, with great transition from side to side, frustrating the opposition, who found themselves chasing the ball for a further 20 minutes.

Composure at the back over the three games, in particular from Emily Irving in goal, who was focused and confident, along with a back six of Molly Byers,  Caoimhe Minnikin, Erin Lawrence, Charlotte Fairburn, Imogen Dawson and Emma Jamieson, allowed the midfield of Hannah Miller,  Kady Hulme and Lucy Bell to pass and go.

This gave the forwards freedom to interchange up front and a further two goals from Hannah McNair and Molly Turnbull resulted in a very confident, composed and controlled Reivers performance – and a 7-0 win.

The lights are burning brightly in garages, lock-ups and sheds as Borders rally crews compete their final car maintenance overhauls, rally paperwork and route planning for the Jim Clark Rally on November 8-9.

The organising team is equally busy, finalising its plans for the closed road rally, with everything now in place and just the final checks to be re-checked and confirmed.

For instance, the premises at St Boswells Mowers are often transformed at nights.

Instead of lawn mowers and excavators being worked on in the evenings, Ross Hunter’s rally car takes pride of place.

Ross financed his early days of rallying by offering a lawn mowing service at nights and weekends while at college, which then expanded into a virtually full time job along with servicing mowers for customers.

Since then, he and his father Iain have expanded the St Boswells Mowers business, which meant Ross’ rallying had to take a back seat.

But not the Jim Clark Rally. This is his local event and he is determined to be part of it.

“Over the past couple of years, I’ve been competing on a few closed road rallies in Belgium,” said Ross. “Such events are huge over there and the atmosphere is electric, with thousands of fans watching the cars.”

Ross contested the recent Beatson’s Mull Rally but didn’t fare so well: “We knocked a wheel off the car in the middle of one of the stages so we didn’t finish,” he said. “But Mull is a fantastic event. Just like the Jim Clark, it is run over sections of closed public roads. These two are the only closed road rallies in Scotland at present.”

Ross has yet to win a major rally outright but is realistic about his chances of local success: “I’m praying for rain,” he said. “I’m not kidding myself. My 2 litre Peugeot 205 can’t compete with the more modern all-wheel drive machinery but, in wet conditions, I can get closer to them!”

Another driver burning the midnight oil is Max Redpath. He runs the Kelso depot of Redpath Tyres, a family firm founded in Duns by his grandad in 1974. It supplies and fits tyres for a huge range of vehicles.

“I suppose I caught the rallying bug from my dad Graham,” said Max.

“He used to rally a Mk1 Escort, then a Mk2, before he got a Subaru.

“He competed regularly on Scottish rallies and was a regular on the Jim Clark Rally. I was still at school but went with the service crew who drove an American ambulance as support vehicle!”

“Ever since then, I’ve been desperate to do the Jim Clark Rally. I got my driving licence when I turned 17 and, straight away, applied for my Competition Licence. My first event was the Jack Frost Stages just over the Border and I finished 43rd overall and 10th in class in a Peugeot 205. I did two and half seasons with that car before buying a Subaru like my dad’s.”

Since then, Max has gone from success to success. He recently won the 2019 KNC Groundworks Scottish Rally Championship ‘Star Driver Award’, which includes a day’s tuition with Finnish rally star Tapio Laukkanen.

Keeping it in the family is Max’s cousin, Callum Redpath, who also works for the family firm and co-drives for Max.

“I think Callum might be interested in having a shot at rallying,” said Max. “Although he enjoys co-driving, he is more involved in 4x4 events. He went to college and trained as a mechanic, so he’s the ideal co-driver – if we break down in a stage, he can get out and fix it!”

But, next weekend, rally fever will strike the Mower Man and the Tyre Fitter. Both drivers have noticed an increased interest and awareness among their customers and neighbours of the rally’s return. Both reckon it will be good for business and good for the people of the Scottish Borders.

Typical of their participation, this is very much a family affair, with parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins all getting involved in the lead up to and during the event.

Borders junior tennis players have been competing in contests across the UK – and even in Spain – in what have so far been a very successful few months

Despite the region still not having any indoor facility for players to train regularly – making it only one of three districts in Scotland not to have indoor tennis courts – Border juniors have once again been doing well across a range of age groups.

A couple of Earlston TC players garnered plaudits for some of the most notable individual achievements.

Ailsa Clark won a Tennis Scotland 300 Tour event, while Felicity Walls was among the County Tour event winners in her age group.

Louis Kirkpatrick (Peebles) won the U12 Linlithgow Junior Open, while Lara Abdrabbo (Gala) and Ivan Burt-Smith (Selkirk) were also County Tour event winners in their respective age brackets.

As well as individual success, Border juniors have also taken part in team events in Inverness, Gleneagles and also in Santa Ponsa, Majorca.

District coach, Jonny Adamson, said: “Congratulations to all the players on a hugely impressive couple of months.

“This time of year is never easy for our programmes, with the weather becoming more challenging.

“But the players are never put off by it and always work hard every week.

“I’m really pleased that many players are now seeing their efforts pay off.

“Tennis Borders has to keep improving its structure and organisation, though, and continue to offer more opportunities for players of all abilities at every age group to play the game at clubs across the district.

“In time, by creating that tennis culture, it will lead to even more success in the long term and, hopefully, an indoor facility to match it.”

Questions are continuing to be asked about the planned demolition of a Jedburgh town centre building shrouded in scaffolding for the last four years.

Misgivings have been expressed over how the decision to pull down the building, at the corner of Exchange Street and High Street, was reached, and calls are being made for greater transparency and accountability.

Councillors have been told their hands are tied and there’s nothing they can do to influence what happens next, however.

Scottish Borders Council announced plans to demolish the scaffolding-clad building in August after four years of work to try and salvage it. 

A new building will be constructed by the council to replace it, with funding from Historic Environment Scotland, but the demolition plans are being met with mounting opposition among Jedburgh residents.

At a full meeting of the council yesterday, October 31, Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton flagged up the disquiet being voiced about the plans and asked Tom Miers, the authority’s executive member for planning, for a progress report.

“The executive member for planning and environment is no doubt aware of the current level of disruption caused by the large amount of scaffolding being used to support the dangerous building on the corner of High Street and Exchange Street,” Mr Hamilton told him.

“On behalf of residents and businesses being affected by this, could he please give us an update on the current position and brief outline on the next steps?”

Melrose and Leaderdale councillor Mr Miers replied: “This is a very vexatious and complicated project that has aroused considerable public concern, not just in Jedburgh but all over the Borders. 

“Officers have given me a summary of what they’re doing to undertake this project, but before I read it out, I think it’s worth pointing out that it’s a complicated situation, not just in terms of the technical aspects of the project, but in terms of the accountability of the council in its activities. 

“Specifically, I know a lot of public concern is to do with the way in which the council has enacted its obligation to ensure the safety of the building and to go down the route of destroying it. 

“I want to emphasise that the council and its senior officers are performing this under their legal obligation set out in legislation and there’s nothing that we, as elected members, can do. 

“In other words, the council is not accountable to its elected members in so far as it is fulfilling its legal obligations in terms of ensuring the safety of the building.

“What I think needs to be made clear is for the council to explain how it makes decisions about how it should fulfil its legal obligations as regards the safety of the building. 

“I know there is public concern about whether those decisions have been made correctly, and we need to get clarity as to how those decisions can be carried forward.

“For me, there is a lack of clarity around to whom the council is accountable in that respect. It’s certainly not accountable to me. It’s something I don’t have control over and nor do elected members.”

The category-C listed building was constructed in 1866, but in 2015 issues such as falling masonry became apparent and scaffolding had to be put up around it. 

It later emerged that its stonework was in a much worse condition than previously thought, and additional scaffolding necessitated the introduction of a one-way system in the town centre.

Carrying on, Mr Miers said: “Officers are continuing to negotiate with the owners to achieve a negotiated purchase of the property.

“They have the agreement of two of the owners, and talks are ongoing with the other four.

“At the same time, officers are taking forward a compulsory purchase order in case it is necessary.

“Officers have also been acquiring the necessary statutory approvals for the demolition of the existing building and preparing the final documentation. 

“This will enable demolition to start as soon as ownership is secured.

“Architects have been appointed to develop a design for a replacement building.

“In the meantime, officers will continue to monitor the building to ensure public safety is maintained.”

In response, Mr Hamilton said: “Myself and the other Jedburgh councillors all attend various community meetings, and we sometimes have a lack of knowledge and understanding, and that is perhaps our responsibility but also the responsibility of the corporate side of things.

“Could I ask that the frequency of reporting is increased, to perhaps a monthly report, so that local members can disseminate the information out into the local community and they have assurances that we are going in the right direction with this building?”

Mr Miers agreed, saying he would pass that suggestion on to officers.

The talent, dedication and commitment of sporting clubs and individuals in the Borders was acknowledged on Friday night with the first of the region’s four annual local award ceremonies.

ClubSport Ettrick and Lauderdale kicked off the geographical celebration of sporting accomplishments in south-east Scotland with its presentations at Gala RFC’s Netherdale setting.

The local sports council, supported by Live Borders, said the accolades “recognise and celebrate the achievements of the most inspirational people within our community – from the elite proudly taking medals to our passionate workforce and volunteers who work tirelessly in the area.”

The group’s chairman, Trevor Jack, said that, despite financial challenges this year. ClubSport Ettrick and Lauderdale had, in the last 12 months, been able to award grants to a “wonderfully diverse range” of sporting groups and individual athletes.

It had assisted various clubs who had realised they needed to widen their grass-roots base programmes to attract more young people into their sports, plus some who may want to engage in physical activity later on in life, and others who were returning to sport, or doing it for the first time.

“At the other end of the sporting spectrum, we continue to support our elite athletes, taking their next and often very costly steps on to the international arena and, through the ClubSport Borders sports scholarship programme, we ensure our next generation of coaches is also in place to facilitate the very developments just mentioned of the athletes.”

Mr Bryant added that ClubSport Ettrick and Lauderdale had also made a donation to ClubSport Borders, an umbrella organisation which supported Borders initiatives and representation from the four ClubSport committees. Help for Borders-wide projects included a donation towards a tennis development apprentice to assist with youth tennis.

“Tonight’s awards reflect the diversity of sporting participation and achievement that continues to blossom in this relatively sparsely populated but beautiful part of the Scottish Borders, as we celebrate the effort of volunteers, clubs and athletes who continue to hit consistently above their weight on the national and international stage,” said Mr Bryant.

“Some of my best personal memories of the year are of visits to present cheques to recipients of development funding and seeing first hand the activity, engagement and enthusiasm of our next generation of young sports people, in gymnastics, bowling and football clubs, to name a few, and the voluntary efforts of so many coaches.”

The award winners were:

Coach of the Year – Linda Seggie, Team of the Year – Gala Cricket Club 1st XI, Club of the Year – Selkirk Golf Club, SALSC Service to Sport Award - Christine Lawrie, Disability Award – Daniel Porter, Junior Sports Personality – Blake Hedley, Sports Personality – Sarah Robertson.

Award sponsors included Gail Robertson, Fjordhus Ltd, Rowan Boland Memorial Trust, The Trophy Guy and Skyes.

There’ll be more on the awards in this week’s edition of the Southern Reporter newspaper.

A day of sporting activity provided the perfect complement to the official opening of the new 3G playing surface at The Greenyards, home of Melrose Rugby FC.

With Melrose’s squad, the Southern Knights, embarking this coming Saturday on their opening quest in the brand-new FOSROC Super 6s semi-pro tournament, with a home game against Watsonians, the pitch was officially declared open by the much-loved and respected ex-Melrose and Scotland rugby star, Doddie Weir.

A variety of football and rugby teams of assorted ages, featuring boys and girls, enjoyed some action on the surface over the course of the day, while the Southern Knights held an open training session and Melrose Rugby also played their Tennent’s National League One game against Stirling Wolves, which the home side won 31-19.

The new facility will provide an all-year-round playing surface, which is expected to provide a range of community benefits to local sports clubs and schools and to increase participation.

The project was carried forward by Melrose Rugby and Scottish Borders Council, with support from Scottish Rugby and the charity Live Borders.

Thanking all the partners involved, Melrose Rugby’s president, Douglas Brown, said it was “wonderful” that Doddie Weir was in attendance and said he was a “very appropriate and very obvious choice” to perform for the ceremony of dedication.

After the formalities, Doddie said it was “truly fantastic” to have such a facility on the club’s doorstep.

“Sometimes, you have to got to embrace change, maybe a change which people don’t like, but having an all-weather pitch in the Borders is truly amazing,” he added. “An example would be – my boy played on Tuesday night against Peebles. That would not be possible before, even if there were floodlights.

Now to have kids playing football on a Saturday morning and other sporting activities is truly fantastic.”

Doddie added that the advent of Super 6 represented an exciting time for his former club.

“There was a big gulf between club and professional – now the Super 6 can make that gulf a bit smaller,” he said. “It can give people an opportunity to be semi-pro rugby players and allow more people into the game and be paid for what they enjoy. More people playing is good for the game of rugby.”

Doddie continued: “Here at Melrose, I have a lot to be thankful for. It’s been fantastic to be invited here, and what they did for myself when I played here has been truly amazing.

“Going back over the memories I have, I’m pretty certain there will be a lot more, with the youth of today here in front of us, the Super 6 and all the kids laying here. There are exciting times ahead.”

Doddie was also deeply grateful to Melrose Rugby for a new on-jersey endorsement of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, the charity co-founded by Doddie to help with research, awareness and funding treatment after he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.