TWENTY-SIX S1 pupils turned out to showcase their skills in an attempt to gain selection for the Earlston High 2013 Scottish FA School of Football.

The pupils, 20 boys and four girls, undertook a number of challenges under the watchful eyes of Drew Kelly (Scottish Football Association development officer) and the Borders Sport and Leisure football development coaches.

Kelly told The Southern: “I’m delighted that such a high number of pupils at Earlston High School attended the trial to be part of this new football initiative.

“The standard of play has been really high and hasn’t made the selection process easy. There is real talent here for us to work with.”

The 2013 Borders Sport and Leisure Scottish FA School of Football is a partnerships project between Borders Sport and Leisure, Scottish Borders Council, Scottish FA and Cashback for Communities. The initiative will provide the selected Earlston High School pupils with daily football tuition from a qualified Scottish coach in addition to a featuring an educational aspect.

Ewan Jackson, chief executive of Borders Sport and Leisure, said: “The School of Football is not just about providing the players with great coaching.

“It is also about helping them to develop life skills including gaining knowledge about sports nutrition, health and fitness.

“We are aiming to deliver a top-quality package of training and education to those selected to be involved.”

The final squad selection will be announced soon and organisers would like to thank all who took part.

Kelso U-15s 2

Hawick U-15s 1

Kelso entertained Hawick Youth at Woodside Park and the hosts got off to the perfect start, writes Ronan Alexander.

The Tweedsiders were ahead after just five minutes and held onto their lead at the end of the first 25 minutes.

During the second 25, Hawick equalised after Sam Finn set up Ryan Spratt at the back post, whose shot rebounded for Jack Linton to tap into an empty net.

But the Woodside Park men regained the lead in the final 25 and held on for all three points.

Hawick Legion2

Coldstream Ams2

BAL DIVISION B

WITH a swirling wind at their backs, Coldstream broke the deadlock in the 12th minute with Darren Simpson slotting a shot into the net.

The Streamers kept their foot on the gas and with 27 minutes gone stretched their lead, Steven Waugh producing a spot-on finish after being fed by Michael Evans’ pass.

Coldstream were well in control, but in the second period the pattern of the game began to change completely.

Legion received another blow in having Richard Snowdon sent off for a second bookable offence.

Aided by the breeze, Legion began to make their mark and in the 62nd minute reduced the leeway when Scott Duncan tucked a shot out of the reach of Coldstream keeper Ricky Fletcher. In the 86th minute Chris Brown put Legion in the right direction by heading home a Liam Gellaitry cross for the equaliser.

Selkirk vice-chairman Ross Anderson has called for a pyramid system to still be introduced, despite the SPL rejecting league reconstruction, writes Kenny Paterson.

Scottish football was thrown into chaos after St Mirren and Ross County opposed the 12-12-18 plans last week.

The new structure included proposals to start a Lowland League from next season, which would have been used as a feeder into the Scottish Football League.

Selkirk have been working hard for two years to meet the ground requirements for the Lowland League, including the construction of a 100-seater stand, and Anderson believes it has to go ahead.

Anderson told The Southern: “The aim of our improvements were primarily to gain a licence to allow us to continue to compete in the Scottish Cup. However, the licence would also allow us to play in the Lowland League.

“I think it has to be introduced. Clubs like East Stirlingshire have been bottom of the league for a number of years, yet they know they cannot be relegated, so it doesn’t matter.

“And clubs like Spartans have far superior facilities to many senior clubs.

“Maybe with the threat of relegation they would improve their grounds and it would give them some more motivation.”

Anderson thinks the plans for league reconstruction proved controversial due to the proposal to split the top two divisions into three sections mid-season.

“People would be buying season tickets and not knowing who they were going to see,” he added. “It was too complicated.”

Last weekend, the Souters managed to grab a vital point in the East of Scotland First Division when drawing 1-1 with fellow stragglers Burntisland Shipyard.

Selkirk took the lead in the 40th minute when Michael Holness ran through and scored, but the Fifers equalised four minutes later through a Brendan Napier penalty.

Selkirk: J. Dodds, L. Stephen, K. Munro, B. Milven, E. Pritchard, J. Inglis, D. Johnson, J. Watt, R. Gay, M. Holness. Subs: C. Peoples, A. Butters, R. McManus, D. Battle, M. Bolton.

z Yarrow Park’s new stand will be named after former Selkirk and Hearts player Bob Mercer, with a glamour friendly between the sides planned on Saturday, July 6.

The Jambos are promising to send down a strong side for the match, which will remember the life of Mercer, who survived the First World War before dying during a match against Selkirk in 1926.

Berwick Rangers Rsv 4

Hawick Royal Albert 1

EOS FIRST DIVISION

ALTHOUGH holding their own in the first half, Hawick Royal Albert ended up falling to their 16th league defeat of the season, writes John Slorance.

Hawick got off to the worst possible start, having a man sent off in the 12th minute. Gordon Ramsay spoke out of turn towards the referee and was shown a red card for his actions.

Berwick then went on to break the deadlock, but 10-man Albert were very much in the game and Greig Johnson put the ball in the net when connecting with a well-flighted free kick. It was ruled out, though, due to a foul on the Rangers keeper.

With a minute of the first half remaining, Martin King put Hawick on level pegging, heading home a cross.

In the second half, Hawick continued to battle, but Berwick scored again. The Black and Golds then stretched their lead with a penalty after having had an attacker brought down by Johnson, and in the latter stages the hosts grabbed a fourth.

Albert player Steven Drummond told The Southern: “Due to having a man sent off early on we were going to be up against it. However, we played very well and although we lost, it was much closer than the scoreline suggests.”

Hawick Royal Albert: G. Mclean, A. Whitson, G. Johnson, R. Fleming, K. Fettes, I. Zenati, D. Hogg, B. Mathews, M. King, G. Ramsay, Trialist. Subs: D. Heaver, S. Drummond, P. Keenan, Trialist.

Hawick Waverley2

Pencaitland2

BAL DIVISION A

Waverley got off to a flying start, scoring twice during the first quarter-hour.

Neal McConnell notched both, finding the net with a well-struck drive and then heading home a Taylor Hope corner.

Waverley were robbed of a third when a Ross McLeod shot cannoned off the upright.

Pencaitland pulled a goal back and in the 89th minute equalised.

Liam Lavery had a great chance to put victory Waverley’s way, but it blazed over the bar.

Gala Hotspur 2

Hawick United 2

BAL DIVISION B

Gala Hotspur will play Division B football again next season after a spirited show against Hawick United last Thursday.

Michael Blackwood missed a first-half penalty as the Teries went into the break 1-0 up. An own goal levelled the match before Lee Brown put the hosts in front. However, Hawick equalised late on.

Spurs went on to lose 1-0 to Jed Legion in their final league match on Saturday, ahead of their Walls Cup final against Ancrum this weekend.

Vale of Leithen0

Edinburgh City3

EOS PREMIER DIVISION

The situation at the bottom end of the Premier Division is ­ridiculously tight as we head into the final month of the season, writes Dave Ryce.

And Vale’s second defeat in a row on Saturday saw them dragged back into the relegation mire.

The points all but ensured Edinburgh City’s place in the top flight for next season, but any one of the five sides occupying the five places at the foot of the table still have it all to do to avoid the trapdoor.

There wasn’t much in the way of cheer for the Innerleithen side at the weekend, with only 10 fit players available and Berwick Rangers goalkeeper Youseff Bejaoui was drafted in. Co-manager Fraser Ogilvie was once again forced to play the entire 90 minutes and is hoping the situation does not go on much longer.

He told The Southern: “I have definitely got the bug back, but know myself I’m nowhere near fit enough.

“I would much rather have a fully-fit squad and we are working hard towards that. I will not compromise on the players we are bringing in, though, and want to make sure that those that do come are totally committed to Vale of Leithen.

“I have 100 per cent confidence in the players we do have at the moment and I am sure they can see to it that we are playing Premier Division football next season.

It was tough going as the capital side swarmed over Vale in the first half and after only seven minutes play, Paul Devlin knocked a Sam Torrance cross into the net.

Good saves from Bejaoui prevented Andy Howat and Torrance extending the lead, but midway through the first half, Dougie Gair headed home.

The Citizens made sure of the win in the second half as a ferocious strike from Ian McFarland bulged the net in the 65th minute.

Late chances fell to Scott Moffat and Steven Rixon, but there was to be no consolation goal for the home side.

Vale of Leithen: Y. Bejaoui, J. Young, J. Blaikie, R. McKenzie, C. McAleavy, S. Moffat, E. Mearns, F. Ogilvie, S. Rixon, C. Brigain, D. McAleavy.

z In their previous midweek game, Vale were eventually outwitted by Tynecastle’s young side in a game played in windy conditions at Fernieside.

Vale were awarded a penalty in the 10th minute and although Jack Blaikie’s attempt was saved, James Young netted the rebound. Tynecastle levelled, before two goals in the space of five minutes late on made sure of the points for the capital side.

Eyemouth 3

Kelso United 3

EOS FIRST DIVISION

OVERALL, the Tweedsiders were the better team throughout, but the home side managed to claw back from being 3-1 down, writes George Riley.

The away side showed their intent early and were rewarded after 17 minutes. Eyemouth full back Alan Spiers fouled Liam Wallace on the edge of the box and from the resultant free kick Jordan Lauder swung the ball into a crowded penalty area where Gary McNulty headed into the net.

The hosts got on equal terms just before the half-hour mark with a Connor Lough goal.

Just after the break, a Des Burnett shot hit the post and Lauder followed up to sweep the ball into the net and put Kelso ahead. The lead was ­increased in the 68th minute when Burnett finished off a great move.

The two-goal advantage only lasted a minute, however. A speculative shot from Steven Shennan looped over Johnny Cowe and into the net.

Eyemouth got their equaliser with three minutes remaining through a Spiers header.

Kelso manager Prof Blaikie said: “We had most of the game and should have finished it off. Eyemouth seemed to get the break of the ball. It is disappointing as this was two points lost.”

Kelso United: J. Cowe, J. McCutcheon, G. Mabon, D. McNulty, G. McNulty, S. Tait, C. McClure (G. Porter), G. Gillie ( Bowie), D. Burnett, L. Wallace, J. Lauder.

Selkirk High School 32 Buckhaven High School 10

Brewin Dolphin Under 16 Bowl Final

Selkirk High School provided the Borders with their first outright win in national schools rugby this season by lifting the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Schools under 16 Bowl.

The young Souters ran in a 32-10 victory over Buckhaven High School on the back pitch at Murrayfield.

The Selkirk boys had to overcome a physical Buckhaven side but in the end their skill and discipline were key factors in securing victory. “They were a big side but our guys have worked hard over the past few weeks and were able to cope with them” said Selkirk High’s coach, Iain Paxton.

Outstanding for Selkirk High School was man of the match, Aaron McColm, the talented stand-off running in three of Selkirk’s six tries. Selkirk’s other touchdowns came from flanker Harry Borthwick, second row Liam Blair and captain and number 8 Mishim Oziz. Full back Ker Gerrard, whose father played for Kelso, kicked one conversion goal. Read more in Friday’s Wee Paper.

Melrose25

Ayr28

Craig Chalmers bade an emotional farewell to his home club on Saturday after seeing a third RBS Cup title torn from their grasp.

Watching his team play in their seventh cup final Chalmers cut a lonely figure throughout the game, standing in the empty Murrayfield south stand. And speaking afterwards the 44-year-old former internationalist fought back the tears as he fulfilled his final official duties on behalf of his team.

“It’s tough,” he said. “These things happen, it’s sport. We’ve had a few more highs than lows at Melrose over the years, but three times (cup final defeats against Ayr).

“The players were outstanding and the effort both sides put in was phenomenal. It is a testament to the fitness and quality in club rugby.”

The Greenyards men had battled hard to keep in touch with the Scottish league champions throughout the 80 minutes of real time and were rewarded when a Richard Mill penalty brought the scores to 18 all.

But, in a cruel twist of fate, in the 19th minute of extra time, when Melrose were leading 25-23, Ayr substitute Cameron Taylor managed to slip up the touchline in the far corner to touch down a winning try. Many thought the Ayr scorer had put a foot in touch on his way but, after consulting with his assistant, referee Lloyd Linton raised his arm to signal the score that put an end to the dreams of the Melrose outfit and their large group of supporters.

“I feel that in the past we have been done up here by different decisions by different people and I feel that has happened today again as well,” added Chalmers.

“We didn’t have the best of the ball and it was disappointing. What can you do though. You just have to accept things and get on with it.”

Chalmers, who is moving to new club Chinnor in Oxfordshire this week, saved his last words however to praise the tremendous support he and the club have received over the years.

“The crowd were fantastic and they have always been fantastic,” he said.

“They are knowledgeable and passionate and like to win, as do the players. Everyone is disappointed but they will be back at the club to cheer us on and that means a great deal.”

It was Ayr, who complete the double after being crowned Premiership Champions earlier this month, however who had everything to celebrate on the day.

The Millbrae outfit won the try count 4-1 with Fraser Thomson scoring for Melrose, but the boots of Joe Helps (5 penalties), Mill (1 penalty) and Andrew Skeen (1 conversion) kept the black and yellows in touch. In stoppage time after two periods of extra time Taylor snatched the winning try.

VALE OF LEITHEN square up to Heriot Watt University on Saturday and after a dismal few weeks Fraser Ogilvie believes fortunes can turn.

To help him the Vale co manager has brought in former Hibs man Mickey Weir and former Lothian Thistle boss Chic McAleavy.

“I have worked with both men when I was at Lothian Thistle and asked them if they would join us when they became available,” said Ogilvie.

“Mickey wasn’t going to be with us until next season, but he turned up at training last Tuesday and was on board by the game on Saturday.

“They both have a wealth of experience behind them, so if anyone can get us back on track they can.”

Gala Fairydean return to action this weekend, travelling to face Leith athletic at Meadowbank.

Gala are without the suspended Grant Gass, but Jack Hay returns from his ban.

Elsewhere, Selkirk take on Easthouses at Yarrow Park, Hawick Royal Albert host Ormiston at Albert Park, Peebles Rovers travel to Duns and Kelso United tangle with Burntisland Shipyard in Fife.

Go to www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk for more on this weekend’s fixtures.

Grand National hero Ryan Mania is all set to make a return to his home ground on Monday, riding at Kelso’s end of the month meeting.

It will mark the 23- year-old’s first appearance at his local track since his epic Aintree win on Auroras Encore.

Ryan was devastated when he couldn’t make the last meet at Kelso, due to his accident at Hexham the day after his National win, and looks forward to a good book of rides at another competitive day’s racing at the popular Borders venue, when the first race comes under orders at 2.10pm.

“I was really hoping to be out of hospital on the Monday and, although I knew I wouldn’t be able to ride, I had planned to pop in,” he told The Southern.

“Going back there is going to be great. There is something special about the Borders and the people who live here and hopefully I can reward them with a good performance on Monday.”

Racing starts with the Lyntoun Private Hire maiden hurdle when Greystoke trainer Nicky Richards plans to enter Bishops Gate, who should appreciate the better ground after his promising debut at Ayr in February. Scotland’s leading flat trainer Jim Goldie is pencilling in Plus Jamai.

Feature race of the afternoon is the Jedforest Deer Park novice handicap chase. Itzacliche, the winner of a Kelso hunter chase last May, has been off since the autumn and is likely to make his comeback in this for owner/rider Joey Richards.

In the two-and-three-quarter mile handicap hurdle race at 3.10pm, Hawick handler Alison Hamilton could be tempted to run Bow School after a promising recent comeback. Two opponents he could face are Nicky Richards pair Merrydown and Mallin Bay.

Galashiels-based Katie Scott could bid for a further Kelso success in the novice hunter chase with Buccleuch Cup victor Moscow Menace. Opposition could include Iain Jardine’s Hawick raider Buywise, who was travelling strongly when falling three out.

A competitive two-mile handicap hurdle race is also on the cards. Hawick handler Alistair Whillans, who won the bumper at Ayr on Scottish Grand National day, could saddle Funky Munky.

More on Monday’s meeting at www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk

Hawick created history on Saturday as they claimed their sixth home sevens success on the spin.

The Mansfield roar reverberated throughout the town as the Greens fought off the challenge of Gala to lift the RBC Capital Markets Sevens title.

It was sweet revenge for Hawick, who had suffered at the hands of the Maroons in the final of the Netherdale tournament earlier this month.

Led by captain Greg Cottrell in the tougher half of the draw, the Greens defeated Peebles, Watsonians and Heriot’s to set up a mouth-watering final showdown with Gala.

Former Scotland Sevens star Rory Hutton was at his inspirational best, while player-of-the-tournament Neil Renwick was busy going through the gears and racking up the tries.

And with John Coutts, Rory Scott, Keith Davies and Scott McLeod adding to the mix, it was no wonder Hawick were being installed as 6/4 favourites with local bookmakers.

The entire squad played their part, however, and that included Stuart Graham, Graham Hogg and Greg Anderson.

If they were sublime in attack, then the Greens were absolutely rock solid in defence.

Coach Rocky Johnstone said: “It was very difficult. It was a tough draw, but the boys worked hard. I think the defence was absolutely brilliant. We can score tries, that’s not a problem. But we worked hard on our defence this week and it really showed.”

The Maroons coasted past Edinburgh University in the first round before seeing off the challenge of Border rivals Kelso and Jed on their way to the final.

Prior to kick-off Hawick were shown the way by the young Albion Under-13 side who won their tournament, beating Jed 15-8.

And they flew out of the traps in the final with Hutton’s deft kick forward gathered by Coutts, and passed to Renwick to open the scoring.

Hutton added the conversion, but Gala hit back with two minutes of the half remaining when Lee Millar scored and converted to level things up.

That’s the way it stayed until the interval, but Hawick surged ahead at the start of the second half. Almost straight from kick-off Hutton darted forward. Gala were penalised, Cottrell took the ball on and Coutts completed the move.

Renwick added the extras, but Grant Somerville scorched down the left wing to touch down at the corner.

The conversion was missed, so Hawick maintained the slightest of leads.

It was a tense affair until a piece of absolute genius from Coutts had the support in raptures. A cute chip over the head of two Gala defenders was collected and the ball was spun wide, where Davies galloped over.

That move was worth the entry fee alone.

The see-saw nature of the match resulted in Gala pulling a try back when Millar spotted a gap and sprinted over.

But that was to be the end of their scoring as Hawick stepped up a gear and ensured the silverware would be staying at Mansfield.

Cottrell set up Renwick to fly down the pitch and score – and the same man sealed a hat-trick of tries just moments later.

It meant that the hundreds nervously watching could really start to believe. And it prompted wild celebrations as Gala referee Ian Heard blew the full-time whistle.

Johnstone added: “The pleasing thing for me was we were much more physical this time than the last time we played Gala.

“Then, we let Gala dominate the physicality, but this time we took charge in that area and I think that was a huge difference.”

Turn to page 86 for the Berwick Sevens report.

BERWICK BANDITS (sponsored by New Holland Agriculture) will start the 2013 Premier League campaign without Ricky Ashworth.

The Berwick skipper is still suffering the after-effects of a high-speed crash at Edinburgh last weekend.

“We will not ask Ricky to rush back onto the bikes,” said club director George Hepburn.

“He has had a couple of bouts of concussion in short order recently and needs a bit of rest to recuperate.

“He has been to see a specialist near his Manchester home this week and we’ll listen to the medical report, as well as making sure he is ready, before any plans are made to bring him back on board.”

To replace Ashworth in the Berwick squad, at Shielfield Park this Saturday (7pm), a former favourite will be their guest at No 1 in the line-up. 32-year-old Kevin Doolan has been a popular and effective visitor at the Borders circuit several times since a spell with the Bandits in 2002.

“Having lost our last two home two matches – one away at Redcar too - in the very last race has been disappointing, to say the least,” said Berwick team boss Ian Rae. “But these were in other competitions. The Premier League is our major campaign, and PL racing only starts on Saturday night!”

The visitors are Sheffield Tigers, a club which has made a bright start to the season with a young, new-look squad.

Saturday’s teams:

Berwick ‘New Holland Bandits’: 1. Kevin Doolan (guest) 2. David Bellego, 3. Kozza Smith (captain), 4. Matty Wethers, 5. Robin Aspegren, 6. Alex Edberg, 7. Nicki Barrett

Sheffield Tigers: 1. Simon Stead (if fit), 2 Facundo Albin, 3 Joe Haines, 4. Richard Hall, 5. Ricky Wells, 6. Damian Koppe, 7. Jake Knight.

THE Langholm Girls U15 rugby team travelled to Stewartry last Sunday to compete in the Girls sevens tournament and were worthy winners.

The tournament was played under the new Bill McLaren Positive Coaching Scotland scoring system which awards points, for each game played, that are added together to give a final score. Points are given for the result, fair play, sportsmanship, attitude to referees and officials and for the coaches and management.

Langholm opened against the hosts and stormed to a 35-0 win with tries from Lisa Thomson (4), Caitlin Cottrell, Shonagh Murray and Nicole Beattie. There were no conversions at the tournament.

Next up was Dumfries and this was to be more of the same, with a solid forward display providing good possession for the strong running backs, who ran in seven tries. Emily Beattie and Cottrell added to the five from Thomson who was running with great determination. Rachael Young, having a very good day at hooker, proved the forwards could also run well, and romped in from half way for a lovely solo effort to make it 40-0.

They played Biggar next and this was a really good team performance against formidable opponents. The girls put together some good passing play to work into scoring positions. Four tries, all from Thomson, brought a 20-0 win.

The final match of the day was against Cockermouth and Langholm cut loose to run in nine tries for a 45-0 victory. Tries came from Cottrell (4), Thomson (2), Beattie, Lauren Meager and Adele Wyllie.

The girls finished undefeated on the day with a total of 28 tries for, and none against. At the medal presentations it was announced that as well as being the only unbeaten side they had also registered full marks on the PCS scoring system which is a real credit and a reflection of the way they play and approach their rugby, and a great example to the other teams in the youth section.

The girls travel to Keswick sevens next week before then going to the IRB Glasgow Sevens Festival of Rugby.

Team: Shonagh Murray, Rachael Young, Lauren Meager, Caitlin Cottrell, Lisa Thomson, Emily Beattie and Nicole Beattie. Replacement Adele Wyllie was used in all four games.

South of Scotland MSP Jim Hume has written to Scottish Power urging the company to resolve ongoing power supply problems in the Ettrick Valley.

Earlier this month, we reported on farmer Richard Scott’s power being cut off four times in a week during the lambing season, putting the newborn livestock at risk.

Mr Scott, of Cacrabank Farm, and 13 neighbouring households had previously suffered 14 blackouts in just over a month between December 2011 and January 2012.

Mr Hume said: “Residents on the Redford Green spur line have suffered tremendous power interruptions in the recent past and although tree cutting work was carried out at this location back at the end of 2011, power cuts have continued in the last few weeks.

“Residents on this rural line are now feeling understandably quite beleaguered after such a prolonged period of repeated and severe interruptions. They have no faith in their security of supply and they believe that consideration should now be given to upgrading work.

“This is a fairly reasonable expectation given all the circumstances. Dealing with the problem in the long terms seems to be a sensible approach rather than simply fixing repeated faults with all associated inconvenience for residents.”

Mr Hume is awaiting a response from Guy Jefferson, Scottish Power’s network operations director.

HAWICK WANDERERS are within touching distance of the Border’s Semi-Junior Sevens title with two rounds still to play.

Playing at the midweek Melrose Wasps tournament the Hawick outfit beat Selkirk Youth Club in the final of the evening event that consisted of 12 teams doing a straight knock-out. Jed Thistle and Melrose Wasps were the beaten finalists.

Neither Gala Wanderers or Peebles Colts fielded teams as their schools were playing in Brewin Dolphin finals at Murrayfield.

Selkirk Youth Club are this weekend’s hosts at Philiphaugh with Jed Thistle holding the last round at Riverside the following week.

Current standings: 1, Hawick Wanderers 48 points; 2, Gala Wanderers 28; 3, Jed Thistle 25; 4, Melrose Wasps 23; 5, Selkirk Youth Club 18; 6, Hawick PSA 15; 7, Berwick Colts 10; 8, Morpeth Colts 10; 9, Duns Colts 9; 10, Kelso Quins 8; 11, Tynedale Colts 6; 12, Hawick Wanderers B 5; 13, Peebles Colts 5; 14, Biggar Colts 3; 15, Edinburgh BATs 3; 16, Haddington Colts 3; 17, Langholm Colts 3; 18, Lasswade Colts 3.

Win = 10; Runner-up = 7; SF = 5; QF = 3

Because something has been expected doesn’t make it 
welcome. That applies to last week when the inevitable happened and the first confirmed case of Schmallenberg disease in Scotland was reported in a beef calf in Dumfries-shire.

The disease, named after the area where it was first found, is spread by midges and can cause abortions and foetal abnormalities in sheep and cattle.

More than 1,500 cases have been reported in the UK since the disease was first confirmed more than a year ago, with many more in the south of England where the particular midges that spread the disease are more active in weather that is generally – with this spring an exception – warmer.

One case was reported in Northumberland by the end of February – and infection was expected to reach Scotland because of midge activity last autum. Now it has.

A surveillance scheme is in operation and the search for a vaccine continues. The disease is not notifiable and there are no livestock movement restrictions but it makes sense not to bring stock in from areas of the UK with a known high incidence of Schmallenberg.

Three weeks ago I wrote about genetically modified crops and food, concluding that I was generally in favour and that decisions on their use should be on scientific grounds.

My reading of it is that most science of the past 20 years backs GM as a useful plant, and animal, breeding technique and that there have been no harmful effects on consumers. I don’t say that growers of more than 100million hectares of GM crops world-wide can’t be wrong, but it is an indication that outside the UK and European Union, GM is in demand.

Ross Boston, of the Green Shop in Berwick, disagrees. He argues, that “every independent study ever done on GM foods has shown severe damage to fertility, internal organs and immune systems of animals fed on GM.” Over the years, I can only surmise we must have been reading different scientific reports.

The long-time owner of a successful organic business, he also castigates “industrial” agriculture for looking for ever-greater profits from ever-more resources using fewer workers on lower wages. What is stopping organic from feeding the world, he suggests, is poverty. Nor does he think much of my idea that the important thing is to eat home produced foods whether or not they are organic.

In short, Mr Boston and I are unconvinced by each other’s argument.True believers refuse to be swayed and the arguments about GM, organic and wind farms will run and run.

The same might be said of arguments about Europe’s common agricultural policy. On one level, governments argue about whether paying multi-billions of euros in farming support each year is sustainable, at another, they argue about how those multi-billions should be distributed.

What is certain is that where the argument starts has little relation to final decisions. Could the same be true of GM crops?

It took years to get planning permission, but a windfarm of 13 turbines is on hold until the lambing on the Berwickshire site is over.

Wind energy company Banks Renewables gained permission to put up the turbines on Quixwood Moor earlier this month but is postponing its planned community meetings.

Company director Phil Dyke said: “It’s natural that, after the years of hard work into getting the wind farm approved, our team is enthusiastic to start the next phase. But we’re happy to put that on hold so the lambing season can pass smoothly.” Meetings have been rescheduled to the end of May.