FIREFIGHTERS are tackling a major blaze at a large countryside house in the Borders, writes Bob Burgess.

Crews were alerted shortly before 12.20pm to the fire at Fairnielee House near Clovenfords about six miles from Galashiels.

Teams of firefighters from the Borders have been joined by specialised units from Edinburgh.

The first crew on scene immediately called for more appliances and the fire has broken through a roof on the second floor of the detached building.

In addition to the specialised teams, five pumping appliances are being used.

Police have confirmed that there are no reports of anyone being injured.

A SECOND-timer is taking part in perhaps the world’s most famous marathon in New York next month.

Scottish Borders Council IT official Keith King is running for his mum Muriel, of Russell Place, Selkirk, who has had Parkinson’s disease for more than 25 years.

Between them, Keith and his brother Struan have raised thousands of pounds for the research and support charity Parkinson’s UK.

Keith said: “I’m really excited about the start. When you look online and see the pictures, it looks fantastic and I’m looking forward to running down past Central Park. It’s one of the most iconic races and it’s the biggest mass participation marathon - they’re talking about 50-60,000 people doing it this year.”

What will spur him on is running for Parkinson’s UK. “It doesn’t help my mum in particular, but it goes into a big pot and will help others in the UK, which is good.”

The 42-year-old, who lives in Galashiels, continued: “The fact that I can run and do these things and that Mum can’t: to be running for somebody who can’t is quite touching, if that’s the right word.”

Proud dad, community councillor Ian, said: “The more awareness we can raise the more people chip in and help make the effects of this devastating disease easier.”

Keith’s first marathon was last year in Edinburgh when he vowed “Never again”! He and his midwife wife Becca fly out to New York in about a week for the race on Sunday, November 4. To donate, go to www.virginmoneygiving.com and type in Keith King in the ‘what’s your friend’s name’ box to get to Keith’s ‘Keith versus the 2012 New York Marathon’ fundraising page.

Galashiels Academy’s junior rugby teams recorded two wins out of three when they travelled to take on their counterparts from Berwickshire High School on Saturday.

The first year team chalked up ten tries in their match, four of which were scored by centre Douglas Henderson.

The squad showed excellent handling skills and defence to deny a determined Berwickshire side.

However, the Academy’s second year team went down 19-16 despite a gritty fightback.

Berwickshire were already three tries up when good handling along the back line sent Gala’s Steven Paterson over in the corner.

Powerful running from the forwards then set up two well taken tries for Nicky Molfino, and one for Kris Weir.

Some good defensive displays from Lawson Marr and Alistair Crooks saw off menacing attacks from the big Berwickshire team, while Struan Mitchell added to Gala’s points with another touchdown and two well executed conversions.

However, the spirited Gala team left it too late. Special mention was also made to Rory Shephard who put in an excellent effort in both attack and defence for Gala.

Lastly, the third year team recorded a fine 33-7 victory thanks to five well worked tries. Winger Nathan McEwan and prop Sean Howitt showed up particularly well and were ever present in the build up to all Gala’s scores, while Aidan Turner notched a hat-trick.

Jamie Allan scored a brace, while Berwickshire chalked up a converted try as consolation.

THERE was little joy in the second round of the South Challenge Cup for Borders sides.

Hawick Royal Albert were the biggest victims, losing by a record scoreline of 13-1 at Stirling University. Youngster Declan Hogg got the Royalists’ consolation goal.

Selkirk were also hammered, going down 7-0 at Lothian Thistle HV, with Stephen Anderson scoring a brace at Saughton Enclosure.

Also in Edinburgh, Gala Fairydean lost 2-1 at Craigroyston with Jay Wilson grabbing the Fairies’ solitary goal.

Kelso United led 2-0 at home to Eyemouth United thanks to goals from Gary McNulty and Des Burnett, but James Wilson, Shaun Phillips and Leigh Walker all replied meant it was the Fishermen who advance to round three.

Ahead of their huge Scottish Cup third round tie at Cowdenbeath this Saturday, Vale of Leithen exited the South Challenge Cup, losing out 2-1 at home to Edinburgh City. Scott Devlin got the Vale’s goal.

And there was further misery for Borders clubs in the First Division, as Peebles Rovers let slip a two goal lead to lose 3-2 at home to Burntisland Shipyard. Greig Shortreed and player/manager Jason Girdwood were both sent off.

Read full match reports in this week’s Southern.

MELROSE hopes of retaining their RBS Premiership crown took a huge blow when they were beaten 35-29 by Stirling County at The Greenyards.

Craig Robertson grabbed a double as Gala’s powerful second half showing secured victory at Heriots 34-19.

In the National League, Selkirk and Hawick just about kept in touch with runaway leaders Watsonians. The Souters defeated Kelso 15-11 thanks to tries by Darren Clapperton and Neil Darling, while the Teries thumped Stewart’s Meville 55-21, with Rory Hutton on top form.

A hat-trick by Gregor Young was not enough for Jed-Forest, whose 39-22 defeat at Hillhead Jordanhill means they remain rooted to the bottom of the National League.

In the Championship League B, Peebles pulled off a superb win at home to Musselburgh, with Greg Raeburn’s kicking vital in the 23-15 triumph, and Hawick YM drew 13-all at Kirkcaldy.

Elsewhere, Langholm lost to Berwick, Hawick Quins defeated Gala YM, and Hawick Wanderers maintained their 100 per cent record in the Semi-Junior League with a comfortable win against Peebles Colts.

Read full match reports in this week’s Southern.

Bedrule

WHIST: There is a whist and dominoes on November 5 at 7.30pm in Bedrule Hall.

Christmas Market: Local food can be ordered at the village Hall on Sunday (November 4), 2-5pm for collection form the hall just before christmas! Proceeds to hall funds. For more information, contact Gill 01450 870506.

Blainslie

AGM: Blainslie Village Hall, November 8, 7.30pm.

Bowden

Christmas Fayre: The fayre will be held in Bowden Village Hall on Saturday, 10am-12.30pm. Stalls will include charities, toys and fancy goods, woodcarving, jewellery, bakehouse, homemade cards, photographs and handmade cushions.

Broomlands

SWRI: The Group K Rally was on October 16. All eight Rural’s in the group were represented. The evening took the form of a team Call My Bluff led by Robert Pratt and members from Kelso North Church. The winners, table 5, donated their prize of £25.00 to the Margaret Kerr Appeal and a further £25.00 was donated to the panel for Kelso North Funds. Supper was provided by the members of Broomlands Rural.

Earlston

WRI: Witches and ghosts were the theme for the October meeting. A murder story, narrated by Trish Grierson, and dooking for apples caused much laughter. Winners of the competition were: pumpkin lantern – 1 Edith Cockburn, 2 Alex Grierson; treacle scones – 1 Heather Smith, 2 Rachel McKenzie. The next meeting is in Hanover and it will be hands on with Christmas in mind. All welcome.

Craft Night: Takes place in the former police station post tonight (November 1), 7-9pm. Bring unfinished craft projects or start something new. All welcome.

WEDNESDAY CLUB: The hostess, Agnes Penman, introduced a film of Scottish views with songs by Smailholm singer, Andrew Fairley. Members of the Women’s Guild and WRI joined us for our 42nd birthday party. A collection was made for Border Cancer Care. Competitions, gents – tie pin Jim Scott; ladies – Scottish brooch, members: 1 Ena Scott, 2 M. Campbell, 3 I. Keddie; guests: Ruth Scoular. The birthday cake was cut by a long-standing members, Alice Gilchrist.Our annual coffee morning is on Saturday (November 3) 10am in Hanover Close, Earlston. Donations of baking for sale and raffle prizes welcome. There will be no meeting on November 7 as the shopping trip is that day. The next meeting in the hall is on November 21 when the competitions will be: ladies: pretty earrings, gents: cuff links “

PARISH CHURCH: Sunday service at 10.15am will be led by John Burns. The Remembrance Day service on November 11 will be at 9.30am followed by an act of Remembrance in the square at 11am. The session meeting is at 7pm on November 13.

SHOEBOX APPEAL: Please return filled Blythswood Care Shoebox Appeal boxes by Sunday.

WOMEN’S GROUP: Today (November 1) at 8pm in the church hall the speaker will be Katriona Goode on A Garland of Poems, poems written by her late mother Kristin MacEwan put into a book and sold to raise funds for polycystic kidney disease.

Camera Club: John Peters spoke on enhancing images for oneself or competition. He judged the competition “Contre-jour”, results: projected images: 1 Curtis Welsh, 2 Helen Pugh-Cook, 3 Adam Drummond; prints 1 and 2 Adam Drummond, 3 Curtis Welsh. At the next meeting, on October 31, the speaker Glyn Sattersley – 7.30pm, Earlston Primary School.

Ettrickbridge

Bonfire and fireworks: Torchlight procession leaves Kirkhope Primary School at 6pm on Saturday (November 3). Tickets £2.00 per person, available from Kirkhope Primary School in advance or at the event. Homemade soup, hot dogs, crisps juice and glow-sticks for sale. Please do not bring sparklers because of choking hazard for cattle in the field after the event.

Galashiels

ROTARY: The club ran a charity shop in Galashiels town centre for three days recently. Rotary and Inner Wheel members, selling bric-a-brac and collectibles, and raising more than £800 for community projects including youth activities. Rotarians are grateful to those who donated to and bought from the shop and specially grateful to Phil Macari for allowing use of the premises.

Camera Club: After an introduction to the basics of night photography by Ian Oliver, members set off to downtown Gala to try out their technique, assembling later at a pub to compare notes. Next week we will show the SPF portfolio instead of the proposed quiz night.

PROBUS: The Galashiels Probus Club sent 21 members to a joint meeting at the Hawick club. Members heard a talk by Juline Baird, assistant archivist, on the work and facilities of Hawick Heritage Hub, the Scottish Borders Archive and Local History Centre. The next meeting is on November 8 at the Kingsknowes Hotel at 10am.

Hawick

Rotary Club: The vice-President Scott Elliot welcomed visitors from Selkirk Rotary Club, president Douglas Forsyth and Herbert and Joy Chatters. The speaker was Hawick High School S1 pupil David Chipakupaku, 12, who has been involved in choral singing for five years and spoke of his involvement in the Scottish Youth Choir.David thanked the club for the help they gave him to attend the course. Grocery draw: 1 (£100) J Brown; 2 (£50) V Suddon; 3 (£25) Cameron Stitt.

Camera Club: Mike Reynolds of Galashiels gave an illustrated talk, “A small camera is better than a long memory”. He showed the versatility and picture quality available with compact cameras. The second monthly competition Landscape/Seascape will be on November 8 with Stephen Scott as judge.

Bridge Club: October 22 – 1 J. & M. Miller, 2 P. Gilligan & M. Millar, 3 S. White & J. Urquhart, 4= M. Tuson & R. Witherington; J. Henderson & M. Bowie. October 24 – SBU simultaneous pairs: 1 K. Auckland & R. Witherington, 2= P. Gilligan & M. Millar; V. Johnstone & P. Learmonth, 4 A. Trueman & P. Simpson.

Heiton

flower show AGM: Heiton Village Hall, November 12, at 6pm. New committee members welcome.

Innerleithen

Coffee Morning: The civic association will hold a coffee morning in the Vale Club on November 10, 10am-noon. Money raised will go to the Christmas Lights fund.

SENIOR CITIZENS’ COFFEE MORNING: The coffee morning will be on Saturday (November 3) in the Vale Club, 10am-noon. Stalls, including cake and candy and a raffle. Any donations would be gratefully received.

St Ronan’s Future Band: The band thanks everyone who contributed at the recent coffee morning. About £480 was raised for the development of the young musicians.

COUNTDOWN CLUB: The club will meet on November 14 and 28 in Innerleithen Church Hall at 10.30am.

MUSIC FESTIVAL: There is an open invitation to the AGM is on November 20 at 7:30pm in thefunction Room at the Vale ClubThe main business of previous minutes, reports and election of committee members will be complete by about 8pm and discussions for next year’s event will follow. Contact Pam Fraser, Chair of Innerleithen Music Festival organising committee, for more information 830146

Switched On Sunday: Plans for the December 9 event are taking shape – let us know if you plan to open your shop, put on an event or have other idea. The Cubs, Tweedvale Pipe Band, St. Ronan’s Silver Band, the Opera, St. Ronan’s School Choir, Bill & Stewart and Tweeddale Folk Group will be performing. There will be a Fancy Dress competition, Christmas Shop Window competition, the Town Treasure Trail, Kick Common Ridings, Pump Track, Pony Rides, Get Crafty, Bookbug Rhymetime and much more. The next Switched On meeting is at the Union Club on November 15 at 7.30pm.

Jedburgh

PROBUS: Local author Doug Jackson was the speaker at the recent meeting. Doug spoke about his five books with a Roman theme and his two thrillers under the penname James Douglas.

Churches Together: One World Week was celebrated with a Sunday lunch in the Kenmore Halls where the speaker was Dr Dorothy Logie, who spoke on her work and that of health professionals from the Borders General Hospital at the St Francis Hospital in Zambia. A retiring collection raised £160 for the work in Zambia.

Christmas Fayre: Howdenburn Primary School is holding a fayre on November 9, 7- 9pm – start your Christmas shopping. Fruit punch and mince pies, £1 entry, children free.

Elvis tribute: Girl Guides will be holding an Elvis tribute night with Robbie West in the Royal British Legion on Saturday (November 3) at7.30pm. Tickets £7.00 available from all Guiders and many shops.

ROTARY CLUB: Following the refurbishment of the Laidlaw Memorial swimming pool in Jedburgh the club has donated a chair to lift disabled people in and out of the pool. The money was raised from club funds and with car-boot sales by the club members’ wives. The speaker at the meeting was Agnes Ritchie, district chair of the international committee who told of the many ways Rotary responds to disasters. The club discussed the proposed changes to the organisation of Rotary districts in Scotland.

Kelso

Kelso Museum: AGM and talk by Dr Chris Bowles on Coldingham Priory, Wednesday, November 7, 7.30pm, in the Abbey Row Community Centre.

Horticultural Society: Annual autumn exhibition, Tait Hall, on Saturday (November 3). Doors open 1pm; presentation of prizes 4pm. Admission: adults £1.50, children 50p. Teas, sales table and raffle, with entries including chrysanthemums, pot plants, vegetables, fruit, floral art, honey, industrial and junior sections.

Bridge club: October 24, SBU simultaneous pairs – N/S: 1= David Harris-Burland & Ruth MacKay and Alex Jeffrey & Joc Dun, 3 Joyce Thomson & Helenor Pratt; E/W: 1 Lee Leeson & John Hayton, 2 Bob Stevenson & Annie Mitchell, 3 John & Marian Miller. October, 25 Calchou Cup 3 – N/S: 1 Bob Stevenson & Lee Leeson, 2 Rena Stewart & Val Johnstone, 3 Brian Saywood & Evelyn Erskine; E/W: 1 Annie Mitchell & Pat Sloan, 2 Alison Darling & Mary Logan, 3 John & Marian Miller.

Friends of Kelso Museum: The annual meeting is on November 7 at 7.30 in the Abbey Row Community Centre. Dr. Chris Bowles will speak on Coldingham Priory.

Rotary Club: Millie Hunter recounted her recent stay in Cuba, organised by the Borders Exploration Group supported by a contribution from Rotary Club of Kelso. The exploration group aims to raise awareness of environmental concerns and to educate young people in understanding other cultures.

Dry Bar: See Yetholm

Table Tennis: See Yetholm

Langholm

Accordion club: Compere Adam Grant welcomed a good turnout to the accordion and fiddle club in the Royal British Legion clubrooms.The guests were the well-known duo, Duncan Black, accordion, and Marie Fielding, fiddle. There were fewer musicians than usual as a number had headed to the Shetland accordion and fiddle club weekend. On accordion were Newbie Park and Les Hurst from Carlisle, James Lawrie from Gilsland and local player Roger Dobson. Ian Wood from Northumberland played the fiddle, and local Robert Willans was on the drums.

Probus club: Vice-president Jack Rae welcomed 24 members to the meeting in the Eskdale Hotel. He outlined a suggestion to celebrate the Club’s 30th anniversary in July with a lunch with invited speakers, and he asked for suggestions from the members.

Lauder

Sinatra tribute: Frank Sinatra tribute evening, Lauder Public Hall, November 10. Crooning for your delight will be Michael Hunter, who will also talk about Old Blue Eyes. There will be an auction. BYOB. Tickets from Lauder Trading Post (shop in public hall), or Carol Bachelor (01578 722291), Dave Budd (01578 722704) or John Mackay (01578 722703). The ticket includes interval refreshments and nibbles. The concert starts at 7.30pm prompt.

Gift Fair: A gift fair for the Marie Curie Charity is being held on Saturday (November 3) 10am-4pm at the Lodge at Carfraemill. A wide selection of gifts and crafts to get the Christmas shopping started! Admission £3, children free, refreshments.

shoeboxes: All shoeboxes for Blythswood Care must be handed in to Carfraemill by Tuesday (November 6) 11am for collection.

Maxton

Gaelic in the Borders: Fiddle-player and Gaelic singer Rona Wilkie, BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, is playing at the first meeting of the new session on Friday (November 2) in Maxton Village Hall. The event starts at 7.45pm. Fàilte oirbh uile - everyone welcome!.

Melrose

Literary society: Guest speaker Marjorie Gavin examined the life and literary achievements of her ancestor, Denholm-born John Leyden. Precociously intelligent, he moved to Edinburgh, contributing to leading literary periodicals and publications, including Scott’s Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. At the next meeting, on November 6, Dr Sarah Carpenter of the department of English at the University of Edinburgh will discuss the works of Sir David Lyndsay, the 16th century Scottish courtier, poet and satirist. On November 13, the Society joins with Melrose Historical Association to hear about Walter Scott from Dr Sandra McNeil, head of learning and development at Abbotsford. Visitors are welcome at both meetings.

Parish chuRch: Activities: November deadline for Blythswood Shoe Boxes fast approaching; MS and Arthritis Research would each receive £578.90 from the recent concert – thanks all round; Sunday services: Bowden 9.30am, Melrose 10am family service, 11am morning worship; November 9 and 10, Traidcraft Christmas Sale; church office open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-1pm.

Trimontium lecture: Colin Wallace, research fellow at Liverpool University, focused, in the last autumnTrimontium Lecture on what early collectors made of ancient finds. People in collector Sir Walter Scott’s time had difficulty in identifying objects and more in dating them. In the library at Abbotsford was one of the best-known items of Iron Age metalwork (in bronze) – the pony-cap from a moss at Torrs, Kirkcudbrightshire. One study suggests it is a modern fabrication from separate (ancient) parts.

Morebattle:

Coffee Morning: The Guide Dogs for Blind coffee morning in the Village Hall on Saturday raised £260. Competition winners: jar of sweets, Finn McEwan, plant,Annie Smith, box of biscuits, , lucky number, John Mabon.

Guild: The next meeting takes the from of a members’ formal evening in the institute this evening (November 1) at 7.30pm. Arrangements for the 125th anniversary of the Guild and other items of business will be discussed.

Fishing Social: The annual fishing club social was held in the Templehall on Saturday night when a lovely meal was enjoyed by about 40 people attended and Mary Pringle presented the cups, Music was supplied by Vic James.

WRI: PC Ruaridh Hamilton gave a talk on wildlife crime in Border area. Competition winners – tea light holder: 1 Marie France Taylor, 2 Mary Pringle, 3 Brenda Dickson; best piece of advice received: 1 Catherine Mabon, 2 Marie France Taylor, 3 June Bell.

Reading Competition: The heat for the reading aloud competition was held in the institute when 6 teams took part: 1 Yetholm, 2 Heiton, 3 Morebattle (2) team which consisted of Margaret Blackmore, Margaret Pederson and Brenda Dickson. The three teams go through to the final in Denholm on November 19.

Dry Bar: See Yetholm

Table Tennis: See Yetholm

Newcastleton

Coffee morning: A well attended coffee morning in the village hall in aid of the church fabric fund and raised £541, with some expenses still to be deducted.

Oxton

Gift Fair: A gift fair for the Marie Curie Charity is being held on Saturday (November 3) 10am-4pm at the Lodge at Carfraemill. A wide selection of gifts and crafts to get the Christmas shopping started! Admission £3, children free, refreshments.

shoeboxes: Blythswood Care shoeboxes must be handed in to Carfraemill by Tuesday (November 6) 11am for collection.

Selkirk

CAMERA CLUB: Last week the second club competition, on action and movement, was judged by Grant Kinghorn. Results – colour prints:1 J. Fair, 2 M. McKinney, 3 W. McCulloch; B&W prints: 1 H. Gray, 2 TBA, 3 B. Johnstone; projected images: 1 M.Reynolds, 2 B. Johnstone, 3 B. Johnstone. Next week there will be a presentation on black and white photography by Pat Rafferty. Members should bring entries for the next club competition, theme “Close Up”. There will be no meeting on the November 14, the evening of the annual agricultural competition at Galashiels.

St Boswells

coffee morning: St Boswells Guides are holding a coffee morning on Saturday from 10am in the village hall, with cake and candy, raffle, bottle, and Christmas crafts stalls. The Brownies will have a stall.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING NIGHT: In St Boswells Village Hall, Friday, November 9, from 7-9.30pm. Stalls run by local businesses will offer gifts including beauty products, cards, books, stocking fillers, clothing, jewellery etc. £2 entry includes a glass of mulled wine and mince pie. In aid of the nursery, playgroup and toddler group.

Yarrow

WHIST: There will be a whist drive in Yarrowfeus Hall on November 7 at 7.30pm in aid of Ettrick and Yarrow Kirk fabric fund. All welcome

Yarrowford

WHIST DRIVE: Yarrowford Hall was the venue for a fundraising whist drive last week in aid of Fresh Start Borders. Winners: ladies – 1 Marion Finlay, 2 Jean Turner, 3 Greta Middlemass; gents – 1 Richard Scott, 2 Bruce Lawrie, 3 Dan Young. Consolation prizes: Frances Scott and Drew Hogg. Thanks to all who donated items for the teas and raffle prizes. £145 was raised to support Fresh Start, who provide starter packs for families moving into permanent tenancies after homelessness.

THANK YOU: Yarrowford Village Hall would like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported the Macmillan Cancer Care’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning – £941.26 was raised. Also a big thank you to everyone who helped on the day.

SWRI: The AGM committee was elected as follows: president Margaret Robinson, vice-president Margaret Watson, secretary Evelyn Horsburgh, treasurer Hannah Young, Committee, Linda Bradshaw, Annie Coltherd, Betty Fraser, Margaret Glendinning, Gill Kerr, Jean Scott. The trophy for the previous season’s competitions was won by Hannah Young with Jean Scott and Annie Coltherd joint runners up. The cup for most entries was won jointly by Linda Bradshaw and Pauline Birse. The next meeting is the November 13when Hannah Young will give a spinning demonstration. Competition is two pieces of traybake.

Yetholm

Yetholm and Linton Churches: On Sunday, the nearest to All Saints Day, the names of those who have died over the past year will be read out at both churches as an act of remembrance. In future years invitations will be made to the 
next of kin to attend these 
services but this year as notice is short invitations are by press or poster.

IAN HARDIE: Many Yetholm residents were saddened to hear of the death of Ian Hardie who lived for a number of years in Kirk Yetholm when he practised law in Kelso. He was very much involved in community life in Yetholm.His great love was folk music. – he played the fiddle and wrote tunes many of which bore local names.Ian later moved to Nairn.

BUSINESS FORUM: Yetholm Community Council held a meeting was held in the village to discuss the possibilty of forming a Yetholm business forum.All local businesses were invited and there was a good turn out. Further meetings are planned.

BOTTLE BANK: People continue to use the ground surrounding the bottle bank as a general rubbish dump. A plea goes out from all those concerned for the village to use the area as a bottle bank and nothing else.

FIREWORKS NIGHT: The building of the bonfire is already underway. The event kicks off from Town Yetholm Green with a torchlight procession at 6pm on Sunday (November 4).

SHEEPDOG TRIAL HONOUR: Bill Elliot of Yetholm‘s skills were recently recognised when he was invited to judge national trials in Italy. Bill much enjoyed the experience.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: Poppies are on sale at various outlets and door-to-door collections taking place .There will be a short service at the village war memorial at 9.45am on November 11 to be followed by a service in the parish kirk at 10am.

Dry Bar: The bar open night is this Thursday – the usual fun plus registration and preliminary rounds of the Champions League Pool Cup competition with great trophies, medals and £60 of prize money. Open to all under 18. The film season continues on November 5 with Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows. Doors open 6.15. Film starts 6.30. Free. Further information: Ian on 01573 420703

Table tennis: On Sunday (November 4) Table Tennis Scotland is again holding a coaching session, 2-4pm in the Yetholm Youth Hall. All under 18s very welcome as are parents. Tea, coffee and the papers provided. Cost £2. Further information, email Ian on ireid@yetholmtown.plus.com or ring 01573 420703.

A PROBE is underway to trace a woman who was spotted selling puppies from the boot of a car outside a supermarket in the Scottish Borders, writes Bob Burgess.

Officers from the animal welfare charity the Scottish SPCA say the pups were probably bred for profit at a puppy farm Ireland.

They have studied footage from closed circuit television cameras provided by bosses at Asda in Galashiels.

The cameras picked out the woman selling German Shepherd pups between 12.30 and 1pm on Saturday, October 20.

Members of the public alerted the animal charity when she was spotted with the dogs in a silver Ford Ka.

She’s described as white, aged between 25 and 35 with an Eastern European accent. Selling animals in a public place and without a license are criminal offences.

Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said: “We believe that at least one puppy was sold and we are very keen to speak to the person who purchased it – this is only to help us with our enquiries, they have not committed an offence by buying the dog.

“The vehicle appears to be from Southern Ireland. It’s possible these dogs have been bred in a puppy farm in Ireland. We would have serious concerns for their health and welfare.”

Inspector Flynn said it was not known if the pubs have been checked by a vet and vaccinated.

He went on: “Anyone who would sell a puppy out of a car boot to a complete stranger has no concern for their well-being and doesn’t care whether they are going to responsible owners. They are only interested in making a profit.

“It’s possible this woman also tried to sell these puppies in other car parks and public places over that weekend, so we are asking people to think back and call us if they remember anything. People who witnesses such activity should contact us or the police immediately.

Contact the Scottish SPCA helpline on 03000 999 999.

Kelly Brown has replaced his fellow Borderer Ross Ford as the new Scotland rugby captain.

The 30-year-old Melrose man will lead the Scots out at Murrayfield next Sunday as they try to defeat New Zealand for the first ever time.

Head coach Andy Robinson announced Brown’s election today at the national squad’s training camp at St Andrew’s.

However, the decision will be a blow to Kelso’s Ford, who led Scotland to a memorable win over Australia in the summer.

Robinson said: “Kelly Brown is an inspirational person. He has an aura, confidence and belief about him and a firm understanding of the game.

“He has been a very consistent performer for Scotland. It’s because of these qualities that he has been appointed Scotland captain.

“I would like to congratulate Ross Ford in the way he has handled himself as captain of the side but also in respect of Kelly taking over,” Robinson added.

Saracens’ Brown told www.scottishrugby.org: “It’s obviously a huge honour and though I haven’t played for Scotland for a while I’m really looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Included in the training camp was Kelso prop Grant Shiells, currently playing at Newcastle Falcons.

The 23-year-old was called up due to injuries to a number of front row forwards, including Geoff Cross of Galashiels, who is suffering from concussion.

Scotland follow up the game against the All Blacks with tests against South Africa and Tonga.

ST BOSWELLS

AT St Boswells Mart on Monday John Swan Ltd sold 86 clean cattle, 116 OTM cattle, 2,356 new season lambs and 1,498 ewes.

Bullocks (40) averaged 208.2p per kg and sold to 241p (-7.8p on week) while heifers (43) averaged 208.6p per kg and sold to 240p (-6.0p on week). Three young bulls averaged 182p per kg and sold to 194p (n/c on week) and 116 beef type OTM cattle averaged 123.4p per kg and sold to192p (-10.3p on the week).

The 2,356 new season lambs averaged 150.6p per kg and sold to £97(-3.4p on week) and 1,498 ewes averaged £46.64 (£81 for ewes and £89 for tups).

Principal prices per kg: Bee Edge 2.41, 2.30 M/s J Penny and Sons, 2.27 Robert Wilson Butcher; Longnewton 2.40 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons; Humebyres 2.35 M/s J Penny and Sons; Lennoxlove 2.33 M/s TA Shaw, 2.30 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons, 2.26 Denholm Meats; Upper Nisbet 2.32 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons; Ramrig 2.30 M/s R Pringle; Traprain 2.30 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons; Low Middleton 2.29 M/s J Gilmour and Co Ltd; Greenknowe 2.29 Gosford Bothy Shop, 2.26 Malone of Edinburgh, 2.25 M/s TA Shaw; Woodhead. A 2.25 M/s J Penny and Sons.

Principal prices per head: Humebyres £1492.25; Ramrig £1462; Bee Edge £1409.85, £1384.70, £1380; Low Middleton £1377.95.

Cows per head: Kersknowe £1438.10, £1355.20, £1320; Philiphaugh £1315.20; Smailholm Mains £1277.50; Ramrig £1276.80, £1269.20; Cortleferry £1260.85; Humebyres £1244.10, £1161.30; Birkenside £1156.20; Eden Lodge £1146.75; Legerwood £1123.75; Crossflat £1082.95.

Cows per kg: Ramrig 1.92, 1.67; Crossflat 1.79, 1.41; Humebyres 1.74, 1.58; Cortleferry 1.55, 1.51; Kersknowe 1.54, 1.50, 1.46; Birkenside 1.49; Smailholm Mains 1.46, 1.42;Legerwood 1.45; Wester Middleton 1.43.

Bulls: New Blainslie £1277.25 (1.31); Earlston Mains £1180 (1.18).

Principal prices, lambs per head: Bel:- £97, £95 Crookston. Tex.x;- £95, £93, £92 Crookston, £84 Huntington, Suff.x;- £84 Huntington, £83 Hartside, Beu;- £71.50 Craighouse, CM;- £73 Gospelhall, GF;- £69 Saughtree, Chev;- £66 Gospelhall, £64.50 Blackcastle, BF;- £56 Burnhouse Mains and Roxburgh Mill.

Principal prices, lambs per kg: Bel;- 193.9 Crookston, 182.6 Sydenham, Tex.x;- 189.8 Crookston, 177.4 Howden, Suff.x;- 173.4, 168 Huntington, Chev;- 155 Saughtree.

Cast ewes: Tex;- £81 Mossburnford, £73 Buckholm, Suff.x;- £79 Linkshead and Smailholm Mains, £77 Craigsford Mains, BFL;- £69 Linkshead, Chev;- £67 Gospelhall, £63 Torwoodlee Mains, Lle;- £67 Hillhouse, GF;- £63 Craigend, £61 Linkshead and Mossburnford, BF;- £47 Lauderhill, £43 Linkshead, Falside and Hillhouse.

Rams: Tex;- £89 Thistle Doo, BFL;- £67 Lee, Chev;- £65 Hindhope.

BORDER LIVESTOCK

LAST week Border Livestock Exchange Ltd sold 173 prime cattle including 41 cows and bulls, 3,071 prime lambs, 491 cast ewes, 971 store sheep and 111 store cattle.

Aberdeen Angus cross steers from Eastfield of Lempitlaw, Kelso, sold to 397p per kg and £1,472. Continental cross heifers from Cairndinnis, Haddington, sold to 370p per kg. Heavy Continental cross steers from Easington Grange, Belford, peaked at 351p per kg and £1,449.98. Young bulls to £1,434 from Blackadder Mains, Duns. Cull cows continue to sell extremely well with more being offered. Top price Blackadder Mains, Duns, £1,374. Saler cross cows to £1,148 from Cliftoncote, Yetholm.

Lambs remained steady with some tremendous consignments on offer. Organics from Tullochallum, Keith, topped the section at 380p per kg with conventional Texel crosses from Scotstounbank, Peebles, selling to 375p per kg and £78.75. Suffolk’s from Sweethope Farm, Kirkwhelpington, also sold to 375p per kg. Other Continental crosses to 365p per kg Edlingham Demense, Alnwick, 360p per kg Carlopshill, Penicuik; Howden, Jedburgh; Redpath Farm, Duns; Shipley Lane, Alnwick and Threeburnford, Lauder.

Store lambs continue to move steadily with the majority heading South. Suffolk crosses to £55.50, Texel crosses to £54 and Hill Cheviots to £52. Running on mule ewe lambs to £90. Cull ewes were dearer with mules selling to £80.50 Duncrahill, Pencaitland.

Full list of market prices at www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk

BEEF farmer Robert Neill is hosting an on-farm meeting about winter feeding on November 6.

A past Farmers Weekly Beef Farmer of the Year, Mr Neill is holding the event at Upper Nisbet, near Jedburgh with mixer wagons company Keenan.

Keenan nutritionist Robert Gilchrist will advise beef producers on how best to feed cattle this winter.

Mr Neill finishes 260 Limousin cross Friesian suckler cows, which are put to Limousin and British Blue bulls, and feeds his finished cattle a total mixed ration to improve feed conversion efficiency and reduce reliance on cereals. He has also added pot ale and molasses and says since feeding the specialist ration, he has seen a £33/head improvement.

For more information on the day contact Mr Neill on 07967 756651.

WIND turbine company Scaled Energy is holding an open day on November 5. The company supplied artisan bakers Bread Matters’ turbine at Mackbiehill Farmhouse near Lamancha where owners Andrew Whitely and Veronica Burke have a five-acre smallholding.

The sessions are at 10.30am and 12.30pm. Anyone interested should contact Scaled Energy on 0131 510 1408 or info@scaledenergy.co.uk to book.

DURING a recent conversation with a neighbour, as we tried to avoid talking about bad weather, a bad harvest, bad sowing conditions, slug damage, soil damage and other gloomy matters, we chanced on the number of successful farmers who started young.

The downside of that topic is that several of those we could think of started farming in their own right in their teens or early twenties because their fathers died young.

That is not always a launch pad for a successful career. Both of us could also think of cases where a father’s early death had seen their successors and family lose a tenancy. For a minute or two, the conversation was more miserable than the weather.

Then we got back on track with the success stories, young men, still almost boys in some cases, who had to take responsibility and grow up fast.

It could be argued that farming more than most jobs – with the possible exceptions of royalty and estate owners – is geared to that assumption of responsibility and decision-making. Most farmers’ sons, and daughters when given the chance, learn about what their father and family do from the time they’re aware of anything.

Farming is an all-enveloping part of their life. It’s what is talked about at mealtimes and at night, fathers and often mothers live on the job, children do farm chores from the time they can toddle. Most of us felt by the time we were late-teens we could do a better job than father.

Realisation dawns later, summed up by Mark Twain’s comment: “When I was 15 I was amazed at how stupid my father was. When I was 25 I was amazed at how much the old man had learned in 10 years.”

But the successful farmers my neighbour and I were discussing hadn’t had that chance to reappraise a father’s efforts. Sudden death left them on their own. Some were lucky with helpful, knowledgeable, hard-working mothers. Others weren’t. Most of us can think of examples of both.

The real point we discussed was whether these men would have been as successful if their fathers had lived longer and seen them into their late 20s, early 30s or even 40s before stepping aside.

I believe the ones I have in mind would have been as successful, quite probably in partnership – not necessarily formal – with their parent. In spite of the well-documented pitfalls that lie in wait for family farming partnerships, there are many successful examples of generations working together and the business making steady, sometimes spectacular, progress.

Others might have found playing second fiddle on a family farm too restrictive and left to become successful in another line of business. There are many examples of that too, particularly in the past 30 years when following father is not necessarily the ambition it once was.

We’ll never know what might have happened, and neither will they. As Winston Churchill said, the deficiency of hindsight is that while we know the consequences of what has been done, we don’t know what the consequences would have been of some other course.

What might be more relevant is knowing how many of those who had to start young themselves have given their children opportunity and responsibility at an early age – and if so, whether has it worked.

That thought was triggered by a recent article about the children of some of the world’s tycoons, such as Richard Branson, Rupert Murdoch and Donald Trump. Are their children as hungry for success as their famous fathers?

Some are. Donald Trump, junior, said their childhood holidays were spent working on Trump senior’s building projects and, in his case, touring job sites with his father or listening to him in board meetings. For that, read feeding stock, driving tractors, marts, farm sales and agricultural shows in any number of farming dynasties.

By coincidence I also saw a quote from Helen Browning, a tenant farmer and chief executive of the Soil Association. She told a recent conference organised by the Family Farmers’ Association: “I’m grateful that my father gave me the reins of the farm at age 24 and told me to get on with it. It was an extraordinarily bold thing to do and I’m sure he knew I would make loads of mistakes.

“But in the next 10 years I did a huge amount, set up several businesses and went for it in a way I don’t think I would have done if I hadn’t had the opportunity until my 40s.”

A thought there for some older farmers who are reluctant to give up the reins Helen referred to.

Another thought for older farmers: accident and fatality rates on farms are much higher for children and over-60s. No one likes to think that their reactions slow down, but they do when working with machinery and livestock – latest reminder, a 76-year-old dying in a livestock-feeding accident.

The message, as always, is to think, think and think again while doing a job, always planning to avoid the need for swift reactions or being pinned by large animals.

And know when to quit.

PEEBLESSHIRE’S first monitor farmers, Kate and Ed Rowell ,will host their first meeting at Hundleshope Farm next week.

A qualified vet, Mrs Rowell said she and her husband were inspired to get involved with the monitor farm programme when they heard former monitor farmer, Lilliesleaf’s Rob Livesey, speaking at a Peeblesshire Discussion Society meeting.

“It sounded a really positive opportunity. As a vet you have to do continuous professional development but in farming that doesn’t exist. Getting involved in the monitor farm project is a step in that direction, though, and hopefully it will give us an opportunity to run our business better. We would like to make the farm as profitable as we can,” said Mrs Rowell.

Those interested will meet at 10.30am when the Rowells will show their farm and talk about what they do before going to Manor Hall to discuss what the group will do next.

“We are quite happy to be as open as possible and hopefully that will inspire others to share hints and tips about how they do things. I really feel, as an industry, we have to stick together, rather than have farmers fighting amongst themselves, in the face of the big supermarkets, “ said Mrs Rowell.

Haystoun Estate tenants, she and Ed run 75 suckler cows and 750 ewes in partnership with Mrs Rowell’s parents, Ann and John Brown, on the 1,800-acre property, which extends to 2,200 feet above sea level, three miles south of Peebles. Mrs Rowell is the fifth generation to have farmed on the estate where her family have been tenants for almost 150 years.

The partnership’s spring-calving suckler herd of Limousin, British Blue and Simmental cross cows are put to a Charolais bull, producing calves that are sold as stores through Lawrie & Symington at Lanark.

Their 400 Scotch Mule and Texel cross ewes produce fat lambs and 350 Blackface ewes breed replacement ewe lambs and wethers. The Rowells also grow around 60 acres of spring barley to feed stock.

The couple hopes to improve the performance of their hill sheep flock during their three years as monitor farmers.

“We have a very poor hill and we’d be open to any ideas to increase the productivity of sheep. Ed’s also keen to look at improving the soil structure of the grassland,” said Mrs Rowell.

The Rowells are open to new ideas and have tried growing chicory. “We don’t have figures to prove it yet but it definitely appears to be helping reduce the worm burden,” said Mrs Rowell.

“We also enjoy comparing the performance of tups I’ve chosen using EBV (estimated breeding value) figures with those Ed has selected by eye!”

Technical projects manager with Quality Meat Scotland, which supports the monitor farm programme, Ian MacDougall said: “Kate and Ed’s enthusiasm and commitment make them a very welcome addition to the excellent network of monitor farms around Scotland. The opportunities to improve the efficiency and performance of their farm business uncovered over the next three years will be shared, not only with the community group of farmers who attend meetings at Hundleshope, but with farmers throughout Scotland.”

Facilitators Chris McDonald and Jennifer Brown of SAC Consulting, a division of SRUC, Scotland’s Rural College, have been appointed to support the Peeblesshire monitor farm.

Anyone wanting to attend the first meeting on Thursday (November 7) should contact Chris McDonald, 0131 535 3430, chris.mcdonald@sac.co.uk or Jennifer Brown on 01835 823322 at jennifer.brown@sac.co.uk

THE Borders rolled out the red carpet for the 50th Scottish Ploughing Championships at Coldstream last weekend, writes Peter Small.

McGregor Farms and Lennel Estates and all their staff put in a lot of effort to provide a fantastic venue. Competitors and spectators turned up from far and wide – one ploughman drove his tractor from Ayrshire to take part.

After a very wet summer it was no surprise that conditions were tough for organisers and ploughmen, with difficult rigs, access routes and car parks.

It all started on a cool Friday morning with a covering of snow on the distant Cheviots. Those braving the conditions were from all over the British Isles, competing in the Six Nations Vintage Championships. Primary children from Coldstream, Swinton and Chirnside came on a Royal Highland Education Trust visit, and were shown all aspects of the fine art of ploughing by Willie Dunlop, Sandy Stevenson, Willie Grieve and former world champion Dave Carnegie. Host farmer Colin McGregor explained the reasons for ploughing before showing them his range of modern machinery.

On Saturday, the championships proper started with the completion of the Six Nations contest – England’s David Greenwood was overall winner.

Horse ploughing had only two pairs and the eventual winner, George Robertson, had to borrow a horse as one of his became unwell.

Difficult conditions in the classic class forced the withdrawal of several competitors but Jock Sivewright ploughed on to win overall with Berwick’s Stuart Forsyth reserve.

The general purpose class saw Andrew Mitchell take top honours, while the Borders had a class winner – George Riddell won the inaugural Friend of Ferguson T20 Class

Reversible ploughing saw Dave Carnegie win the Butts Class, multi-furrow winner was George McLachlan, and non-hydraulic winner was Raymond Middleton, with Kelso’s Bruce Richardson second. Sunday started wet but ploughing continued, with Davie Duncan on his own in the horse class, while John Milne was top in the high cut section. Best junior was Mathew Whitehead, while Allen McAnally and Peter Alderslade were top visitors in the conventional and reversible sections respectively.

In the vintage mounted classes, Colin Hewetson beat Stuart Bathgate of Dunbar in section A, while Dunbar’s Robin Forsyth won section B and overall awards. James Macpherson took the Trailing title.

In the plough-offs to determine the Scottish champions for the 2013 World Contest in Canada, Andrew Mitchell Jnr won his straight eighth Scottish title, while popular seasoned campaigner Dave Carnegie took the reversible crown.

Next year Caithness hosts the event for the first time.

I’LL never look at Gary Barlow in the same way again.

Where once I scowled at his put-on X-Factor arguments, I will now rise to my feet and clap my hands like a member of an American evangelist’s congregation.

The reason for my love of the Barlow? He saved my fledging – and possibly one-off – ultra marathon career.

Having completed 32 of 38 miles of Sunday’s Three Peaks Ultra, I hit the hardest of brick walls.

The mud on the way to Maxton and alongside the River Tweed, the horrendous ascent of the Eildon Hills and the tarmaced roads in between it all had left me in tatters as I tried to negotiate the old Roman route of Dere Street.

It certainly felt like I was carrying the metal armour of a centurion as I stumbled towards Jedburgh, switching between walking and a very slow jog.

I needed some inspiration, so reached for my portable media player – also known as an iPod – and pressed play.

And there it was. Never Forget, the 1995 farewell track by the Manchester boy band. How it got on my iPod I have no idea, and the chances of me listening to it again are as likely as Lance Armstrong admitting he is a drugs cheat.

But the cheesy pop tune worked a treat. I fought off the pain and made it back to the finish line in seven hours, 44 minutes and 53 seconds to claim 34th place. With my target being eight hours, I was delighted with my effort.

As I hobbled the last few miles, I vowed I would never do an ultra marathon again. But in the days since, and despite the whole body pain I have endured in the aftermath, I can see myself taking on another of these ultimate endurance tests.

The support of spectators clapping and cheering you around the course was genuinely heartwarming.

My fellow endurance runners were good fun as well, whether discussing if we were lost or if the mud we were caked in would make us look younger.

And I have also raised hundreds of pounds for the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust, which will hopefully help a young Borderer climb the ladder in their chosen sport.

So watch this space for my next ultra marathon challenge. I’ll certainly Never Forget my first.

TWEED Leader Jed Track reflected on another successful season with its annual presentation night, which saw Hawick’s Dylan Ali named athlete of the year.

The winning youth athlete was Earlston’s Grant Goodfellow, while the junior title went to Hugh Robinson of Oxton.

In total, the club achieved 56 victories over the season.

TLJT chairman Bruce Scott and secretary Tom Finkle were commended for their administrative roles with the club and for their expertise in the Forth Valley Athletic League, with TLJT runners playing a major role in winning the second division at the first attempt.

Finkle was also the winner of the President’s Trophy for his performances during the season, which included three titles.

Three members also took part as torchbearers in the London 2012 Olympic relay – Bruce Scott in Eddleston, John Steede in Selkirk and Lee Goodfellow in Cupar.

Scott has since picked up the veteran athlete of the year title from the Scottish Games Association and Steede was the recipient of a Roxburgh Sports Council award for his many years’ service to the sport.

Club champions: Girls, 8 and under – Kady Hume; 10 and under – Beth Johnston; 13 and under – Philippa Robertson; 16 and under – Jenna Gillan.

Boys, 8 and under – Kerr Johnston; 10 and under – Angus Bryce; 13 and under – Grant Goodfellow; Seniors – Craig Grieve.

A FORMER Barcelona player is set to make his Scottish Cup debut against Vale of Leithen this Saturday, writes John Slorance and Kenny Paterson.

The Innerleithen side travel to Cowdenbeath in the third round of the cup, with the Blue Brazil hoping to include new Spanish midfielder Albert Puigdollers Saperas, who played in a reserve match on Tuesday night.

After featuring for the Nou Camp club’s B and C teams, Saperas played more than 300 games for lower league clubs in Spain, before leaving Second Division side CE Sabadell this year. The inclusion of Saperas would add to the excitement already surrounding the tie for the Tweeddale club and its supporters.

Vale co-manager Fraser Ogilvie told TheSouthern: “It’s a big occasion for the Vale to be playing in the third round and the players and everyone involved with the club are looking forward to it.

“Cowdenbeath are a First Division side and nobody really expects us to win, so there is no pressure on us.

“However, we could surprise a few people and that’s what the Scottish Cup is all about.

“It will be our aim to keep it steady at the back and hold Cowdenbeath.

“We will not give them time, and will try and unsettle them from the start. Hopefully, we will create our own chances as well.

“I have 18 guys all wanting to play and we will be certainly up for the game.”

Elsewhere, Hawick Royal Albert square up against Easthouses Lily in the East of Scotland First Division.

The two sides met in the Image Printers’ Cup two weeks back with Easthouses emerging the victors on penalties in a bruising encounter that produced four red cards and several yellows.

Hawick manager Graeme Chadwick, who saw his side thrashed 13-1 by Stirling University last weekend, said: “We were short of 10 players against Stirling, and ended up getting destroyed.

“Due to getting beaten by such a big score, we have been criticised a lot and hit hard on various websites. However, we fulfilled the fixture and that was the important thing.

“The Easthouses game is an ideal opportunity for us to respond to the Stirling defeat.”

Hawick are without banned Ross Brand, but Graham Clee, Ronald Fleming and Jay Paterek return from suspension. Paul Power and Raymond Fleming are also back in the Albert squad.

In a game that has all the makings of producing some fireworks, Kelso United take on Gala Fairydean at Woodside Park.

Peebles Rovers are minus banned pair Greig Shortreed and Jason Girdwood for their home tussle against Duns.

And struggling Selkirk are involved in Image Printers Cup action in hosting Heriot-Watt University at Yarrow Park.

Meanwhile, Gala Fairydean have pulled out of the East of Scotland Under-19s League, with Selkirk taking their place.

The Fairies, who lost 14-0 to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Youth Cup last month, have been struggling to find a permanent qualified coaching team since the departure of Ally McCulloch.

A spokesman for The Dean said: “The club have tried as hard as they could to get the positions covered but to no avail.”

SATURDAY could be a season-defining day for Selkirk and Hawick, writes Kenny Paterson.

Both clubs sit behind National League leaders Watsonians and Glasgow Hawks, and a defeat for either at Philiphaugh could spell the end of their promotion dreams.

Free-scoring Hawick start as slight favourites on account of their six-game unbeaten run, and coach Phil Leck, who expects to have a full squad to chose from, told TheSouthern: “The guys are working hard and we are now a little bit more professional, which is showing in our results.

“We train Wednesdays and Thursdays, but we are now also getting around 15 or so guys coming in on a Tuesday to analyse their game or do extra skills sessions.

“Although a defeat wouldn’t scupper our promotion chances, it would leave us relying on other results. However, losing is not in our psyche at the moment.

“With Watsonians and Glasgow Hawks to come to Hawick, a win would really set up us well.”

Selkirk coach Ewan Robbie is hopeful prop Gordon Patterson recovers from a finger injury he picked up in the victory at Kelso.

He told us: “Hawick like to throw the ball around and we will pay attention to them this week ahead of the game.

“However, we also have to concentrate on ourselves and be disciplined.

“We didn’t really set ourselves a target at the start of the season, but from this moment we have to say that we are now pushing for promotion.”

Also in the National League, bottom of the table Jed-Forest host top side Watsonians, while Kelso travel to Hamilton.

Craig Borthwick is back in contention for Gala this weekend for their home Premiership clash with Edinburgh Accies, after scoring on his debut for the Scotland rugby league team against England Knights last Sunday. Melrose, with Fraser Thomson and Bruce Dick back, hope to avoid three defeats on the row when they travel to Currie.

NEWCASTLETON’s Libby Clegg capped a fine year by being named Scottish Para athlete of 2012.

The 22-year-old visually-impaired sprinter, who won silver at the Paralympics in September, was presented with her title at the scottishathletics awards by British wheelchair athlete David Weir, who won four golds at London.

Clegg said: “I have the World Championships in mind for next summer, but Glasgow 2014 is a really big part of my plans at the moment too.”

RICK Kenney is best known in this area for his five-and-a-half-year stint in coaching development and sports recreation positions with Scottish Borders Council.

Yet, beyond the suit and meetings is a man with a passion for the martial art of judo which has lasted 49 years.

Rick’s commitment as a player, coach and administrator earned him a lifetime membership of Judo Scotland last month, but he now has eyes on becoming the joint second highest-ranked player in the UK.

Speaking from his Galashiels home, the 60-year-old told TheSouthern: “I am hoping to become an eighth dan in 2014.

“There is currently only one in Scotland (Colin McIver) and five in the whole of the UK. “The UK’s only 10th dan is George Kerr from Edinburgh.

“I got my seventh dan in 2001 but you have to wait a long time because of the criteria, which is based on how much you have put into the sport.

“You have to wait that long just to be considered by the International Judo Federation, but I think I tick all the boxes.”

It all started in his hometown of Motherwell at the age of 11, when Rick stumbled upon the sport which would dominate his life for the next five decades.

“I played football at Dalziel High and was a reasonable all-round sportsman,” said Rick.

“But I went into Motherwell YMCA after a football tournament and saw a notice about a judo club. I just decided to go along and try it out and I caught the bug.”

It was obvious the Lanarkshire lad had a talent for the Japanese art turned Olympic sport, and Rick picked up his black belt at the age of 16, unheard of in the 1950s and 60s.

He would progress to British level, and in one year had the honour of grabbing the Scottish junior and senior, and UK closed championships all at once.

But Rick, studying to be a PE teacher in Glasgow, began to struggle against players from London who were training full time with the help of sponsors. His playing highlight would end up being two World University Championship appearances, the latter in 1974 in Brussels which saw Rick finish in fifth place.

What followed was a move into coaching and Rick helped the Meadowbank club in Edinburgh become the most successful team in Scotland during the 1970s and early 80s.

His greatest coaching achievement stands out as leading the Scottish Commonwealth Games squad to seven medals in 1990 in Auckland, New Zealand, including a gold for Loretta Cusack.

Rick said: “For the size of the team, we brought back the most medals for Scotland. We were second in the judo medal table behind England, which has 10 times as many players.”

Rick then turned to the administrative side of judo, including a spell as chairman of Scotland’s governing body.

He was also vice chairman of Scotland’s Commonwealth Games Council for nine years, and in total has been involved in five Games.

“I was there in Sri Lanka in 2007 when Glasgow won the 2014 Games, and it was a fabulous atmosphere. I am sure people will flock to Scotland in two years’ time,” Rick enthused.

Despite being part of the British delegation in 2000, Rick has more disappointing memories of the Olympics, following his experience of Athens in 2004.

He said: “I was selected as GB Olympic team manager in 2002 and took the judo team for two-and-a-half years to ranking events across the world.

“However, we didn’t have enough players for a full team for Athens. so we didn’t get enough accreditations for the back room staff.

“I still went to Athens. but not as part of the team.

“I understood the decision, but it was still tough as I had been with the team for so long.”

It was nine years ago that Rick moved to the Borders to retire, but his appetite for sport in general meant he snapped up the chance to work with SBC before retiring for a second time.

However, his passion for the martial art shows no signs of abating as Rick approaches a half-century since he first stepped onto a judo mat in Motherwell.