An email campaign by community councillors in Kelso has resulted in temporary toilets being set up in the town centre this summer. Councillors were concerned visitors were going to have to cross their legs to Shedden Park before being able to spend a penny. For the central Woodmarket loos have closed for demolition this summer, to be replaced later in what will become a business hub.

But last Monday at a FutureKelso and Sports Kelso meeting attendees learned there would be no replacement loos and that tourists were expected to trek to Shedden Park conveniences, or might be able to use facilities in the Abbey Row Centre.

Councillor Harry Tomczyk emailed colleagues saying: “We cannot be... The only town of our size in the Borders and probably Scotland which does not have adequate toilet facilities and Shedden Park could not be described as adequate as they are too small and too remote.”

Talk of a pub lending its loos met with resistance because of concerns over disabled access and baby changing facilities.

The local pressure has led to Scottish Borders Council organising temporary loos, likely to be in the car park near The Cobbles because it is close to the town centre. Community councillor Colin McGrath said: “I’m pleased. Visitors do need to have public facilities.”

There were goals galore in the East of Scotland League today, with mixed fortunes for Borders sides involved in the promotion race.

Coldstream lost top spot in the First Division to Craigroyston who defeated the Home Park side 2-1, Martyn Tait scoring the Streamers goal.

Eyemouth United were beaten 5-3 by Gala Fairydean, teenager Marc Berry grabbing a double for the Dean, to leave the Gulls ten points adrift of the promotion places.

But other title hopefuls Leith Athletic lost 4-1 at Berwick Rangers Reserves, which leaves the Shielfield Park club in third place, seven points behind Coldstream with a game in hand.

Elsewhere, Kelso United defeated Peebles Rovers 5-3 at Netherdale 3G Arena, and struggling Selkirk failed to celebrate the opening of their new 100 seater stand with victory, as they threw away a two goal lead to draw 3-3 with Burntisland Shipyard. Callum Peoples, Jamie Gibson and Jason Inglis scoring for the Souters.

And in the other First Division basement battle, Hawick Royal Albert drew 2-2 with Duns.

Vale of Leithen’s Premier Division match at Edinburgh University was called off after the students could not provide a pitch at their Peffermill ground.

A consultation on the relocation of Kelso High School has revealed ‘overwhelming’ support for the plans.

Presenting a report on the consultation to the council, Glenn Rodger, director of education, said: “The community have been overwhelmingly positive about the move.”

The council has committed to ongoing talks with staff, parents, pupils and the community as more detailed plans are developed for the new school at Angraflat Road.

On average, women working for the council earn just over £1 per hour less than men, rising to £1.70 per hour for those working in education.

That is the finding of an equality report put before councillors last week, which said the differences were due to more women working at lower pay grades than men.

The council is inviting communities, large and small, to enter the 2013 Floral Gateway Competition, which it runs in association with Beautiful Scotland.

For an entry form, call 0300 100 1800. The closing date is Friday, May 31.

PLANS for a memorial garden to mark the 500th anniversary of the Battle of Flodden have been approved by thecouncil.

Although given the green light, detailed plans of interpretation boards and seating need to be signed off by the council before work can commence on the Selkirk site.

However, the chairman of the town’s Flodden 500 committee, who raised a significant five-figure sum to fund the creation of the garden, said he is looking forward to work starting.

Jake Wheelans said: “It is all in hand, and we are looking to get started as soon as possible.”

He confirmed that details of the materials to be used were submitted last week, and added that all funds are in place for work to start.

Grants from Selkirk Common Good fund and the Landfill Communities Fund were secured by the committee.

The official opening of the garden, in the grounds of the Victoria Halls, will take place on September 7.

An Army Cadet from Oxton is set for a 22-day Ultimate Adventure course, thanks to a national bursary award.

Corporal Katherine Caswell, 16, is one of only four cadets in the UK to receive the Matthew Bacon Bursary this year, which is designed to allow cadets to take part in Outward Bound courses and expeditions.

Over 100 of the region’s most promising young athletes will this week receive the honour of an invitation to attend this summer’s Scottish Borders Sports Academy.

Organised by Borders Sport and Leisure Trust, the four-day academy provides a taster of the type of intensive training camps utilised by top professional athletes.

Individuals are selected to participate based upon their sporting promise and will receive tuition from top national coaches including hockey’s Vicky Bunce, current GB player and club coach and Neil Harden, who has several years’ experience in coaching young and developing tennis players throughout the east of Scotland.

Ewan Jackson, chief executive of BSLT, said: “The Borders Sports Academy is now in its 12th year.

“It is an exceptional event which allows our most promising young sports people to receive expert tuition from some of the country’s most experienced coaches.

“Being selected to attend is an honour in itself and indicates that a child’s coach believes them to have exceptional sporting potential.”

The 2013 Academy will feature hockey, tennis, badminton, athletics, cycling, football, rugby and swimming with an expert coach allocated for each sport.

Previous Borders pupils who have undergone Sports Academy training and then enjoyed success include teenage hockey player Sarah Robertson from Selkirk who was recently selected for Team GB and has received 12 caps for Scotland in the last 12 months.

Sarah said: “I was selected for the Sports Academy four times, twice for football, once for tennis and once for hockey.

“The Academy was my first taste of a multisports training camp and was an amazing experience. It provides young athletes with an idea of what a real selection camp is like.”

The 2013 Scottish Borders Sports Academy will take place at Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels from Sunday, August 4 to 7.

Selkirk hockey player Emily Newlands turned out for Scotland under 21s last weekend in two games against India.

The 16-year-old turned out in two games on Friday and Sunday in Glasgow.

Newlands, along with Claire Hill of Kelso High, have both been selected for the European Under 18 Championships in Santander, Spain, in July.

Borders hockey development officer Janet Jack said: “Their success is a reflection of all the hard work they put in on the pitch and in their training.”

An incredible finale last night saw three Hawick Royal Albert players sent off in six minutes, before Leith Athletic scored a last minute winning goal for a 3-2 win.

The Albert put in their best performance of the season to lead 2-0 through Gordon Ramsay and a Peter Keenan penalty against promotion chasing Leith in Hawick.

Craig Hume pulled back a goal with his own spot kick on 74 minutes before Liam Jack made it 2-2 in the 83rd minute.

And Hawick then hit the self destruct button, losing Ramsay, Ronald Fleming and Graham Clee, all to second yellow cards.

A dispute on the touchline then ensued, with Albert coach Owen Murphy sent to the stand.

The dramatic ending was complete when Hume bagged his second in the 90th minute to seal

Former Selkirk centre Alex Dunbar has been included in the Scotland squad for this first time.

The Glasgow Warrior will travel as part of the national team which heads to South Africa to play against the Springboks and Samoa in a four-team tournament which also involves Italy.

The only other Borderers involved are Greig Laidlaw, Kelly Brown, Geoff Cross and Ross Ford, with Hawick’s Stuart Hogg picked for the British Lions last week.

Scotland head coach Scott Johnson said: “First up, it’s a strong squad designed to win test matches against quality opposition.

“We’ve continued to monitor the players’ form closely and we’ve been pleased that Glasgow have reached the knockout stages of the Rabo.

“We are taking the opportunity to have a look at some players and want to assess what they’re like at this level. We need to be able to find out whether players who’ve done the business for their clubs can replicate that form in international footy.

“We also want to enable certain players who are known to us – for example Nick De Luca and Max Evans – to have the sort of off-season physical preparation that they’ve not had for a few years because of the demands of touring schedules.”

Dates

Saturday, June 8 v Samoa, King’s Park, Durban; Saturday, June 15 v South Africa, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit; Saturday, June 22 match to determine final placings, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria.

Scotland squad: Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Tom Heathcote (Bath Rugby), Peter Horne, Ruaridh Jackson (both Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Lamont, Peter Murchie, Henry Pyrgos (all Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Greig Tonks* and Tim Visser (both Edinburgh Rugby).

John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton (both Edinburgh Rugby), Alasdair Dickinson (Sale Sharks), Ross Ford, Grant Gilchrist (both Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester Rugby), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Steven Lawrie (Edinburgh Rugby), Moray Low, Pat MacArthur (both Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson (both Glasgow Warriors).

Floors Castle Horse Trials will celebrate its 21st birthday on May 18 and 19 with the introduction of an array of new classes and Olympic rider Ian Stark as course designer for the higher level sections.

Stark represented Great Britain in five Olympic Games, was European Champion in 1991 and won Badminton Horse Trials three times.

Now a course designer, he has put together courses at Chatsworth International Horse Trials, Bramham International Three Day Event and Hopetoun International Horse Trials, to name but a few.

Organiser Jamie Innes said: “Eventing in Scotland has lost too many fixtures this year – we want Floors Castle Horse Trials to be a shining light for eventing in the north.

“We may have been running for 21 years, but we will keep trying new things to keep the event fresh and moving forward. £The introduction of Ian Stark as designer of our new international classes this year is a massive coup.

“This really puts Floors on the map and we hope to attract more well-known riders from across the UK as a result.

“Our competitor numbers should exceed 500 for the first time this year, and with the plans we have in place for 2014 and beyond this is just the beginning.

“The end of Thirlestane Horse Trials four years ago left a huge gap in the Borders sporting calendar – Floors Horse Trials is on the way to stepping into those big shoes, and it is a very exciting time for everyone involved.”

For information about Floors Castle Horse Trials, or to become a member or sponsor, contact Jamie Innes at james.innes2@virgin.net. Entry is payable at the gate on both days (£10 per car) and you can follow Floors Castle Horse Trials on twitter @FloorsCastleHT and on Facebook.

Hawick’s motorcycle racer Stuart Easton had another successful weekend with his Mar Train Yamaha team in the British Supersport 600cc Championship over the May Day Bank Holiday at the 2.6 mile Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire.

In front of a large crowd, Stuart qualified on pole position in front of Gearlink Kawaski’s championship leader Alistair Seeley by only a tenth of a second.

In the first 12 lap spirit race it was a see-saw battle with the lead changing hands on numerous times but Easton held firm and won by less than a second.

In the longer 16 lap second race, Easton tried to take the lead on the last bend but Seeley survived by six-tenths of a second.

The result now mean that Easton leads the championship by three points going into the next round at his home circuit at Knockhill in Fife. Judging by the first three rounds the battle with Seeley will go right down to the wire.

Selkirk 3 Burntisland Shipyard 3

EoS First Division

It took just 24 hours for Selkirk’s new 100-seater stand to be build but on the pitch they failed to show the same efficiency, writes Kenny Paterson.

The concession of two sloppy goals in the final 15 minutes mean the Souters remain in lowly 12th place.

The side was tipped to be among the promotion candidates of an incredibly competitive First Division, but instead have left manager Mike McKinnon a frustrated figure on the sidelines all season.

He was no different last Saturday as Burntisland Shipyard went home with a point. McKinnon told us: “We were 3-1 up and cruising but we are not ruthless enough.

“We didn’t keep the ball and allowed them back into it. We don’t have any resilience and the equalising goal was poor defending.”

Despite what the scoreline suggests, this was far from a thriller in the First Division.

The first half in particular was poor fare, although the gusty wind made playing conditions difficult.

Selkirk should have gone ahead when Jason Inglis almost accepted the invite from Lee Stephen’s tempting cross, only to agonisingly miss the ball six yards out.

There was little else to shout about until 44 minutes and it resulted in Burntisland taking the lead as Blair Grubb drilled a low shot across John Dodds into the bottom corner.

But the Shipyard’s defence proved leaky 60 seconds later as Callum Peoples was given plenty time to fire a shot past Mikey Couser.

The Souters went ahead for the first time three minutes after the break when Jason Inglis saw his shot saved by Couser, only for Jamie Gibson to smash home the rebound.

And Yarrow Park looked certain to welcome only its third home league win of the season when Inglis powerfully headed in a Bobby Gay curling free kick for a goal of real quality in the 63rd minute.

However, Burntisland came more into the game through substitute Alex Peoples, who showed there is still room in Scottish football for a pint-sized skilful winger.

He kickstarted the comeback, helping Kevin Masson fire a low shot beyond Dodds with 15 minutes to go and in the 90th minute a long throw by Stephen Connor was flicked into the top corner by Masson.

Selkirk: J. Dodds, L. Stephen, K. Munro, B. Milven, E. Pritchard, D. Johnston, M. Holness, J. Inglis, J. Gibson, B. Gay, C. Peoples (D. Bolton 90).

A HAWICK man who died following a shooting incident has been named locally as Adam Hepburn.

The 22-year-old was rushed to hospital on Tuesday night, but died during the early hours of Wednesday morning.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police are investigating the death of a 22-year-old man who died from wounds sustained as a result of a firearms discharge.

“The incident happened around 11.45pm last night (Tuesday), in a rural location on the outskirts of Hawick.

“He was taken to the Borders General Hospital, however, he passed away in the early hours of this morning.”

The spokesman added: “Enquiries are currently at an early stage.”

Mr Hepburn’s death is not being treated as suspicious.

An area of Hawick Community Hospital car park was cordoned off on Wednesday morning, with forensic investigators examining a four-wheel drive vehicle parked there.

It is understood that this was linked to Mr Hepburn’s death, although the police said they were unable to discuss details of their investigation.

A spokeswoman for NHS Borders said the cordon had not affected work in the hospital.

It is believed that Mr Hepburn’s family farm at Northhouse, Teviothead, part of Buccleuch Estate.

Parents Ian and Katherine have two other sons, John and Gregor. It is understood that Mr Hepburn has a young son of his own, who is a year-and-a-half old.

The family hosted the Scotsheep 2008 event, which attracted more than 8,000 people.

It has been announced that the Duke of Gloucester will officially open the new student residences at Heriot-Watt University’s Galashiels campus during his visit to the region next Thursday.

The Duke, a grandson of George V and the 7th Duke of Buccleuch, is also opening the Margaret Kerr Unit.

athletics

GALA HARRIERS 3K AND 10K FUN RUN: Sunday, May 12 – at Tweedbank. 3k starts at 10am; 10k at 11am.

bowls

ANDREW HAMILTON TROPHY: Saturday, May 11 – Borders v West Lothian (at Newbridge BC).

UNDER 25-MATCH: Sunday, May 12 – Borders v Midlothian (at Abbotsford BC, Galashiels).

cricket

EAST LEAGUE: Saturday, May 11, Division One – St Boswells v Watsonians 2s; Division Two – Clackmannan County v Gala; Division Three – Boroughmuir v Kelso; Division Five – Selkirk v Boroughmuir 2s; Division Seven – Hawick v Clackmannan County 2s; Murrayfield DAFS 4s v Melrose (1pm).

BORDER SUNDAY LEAGUE: Sunday, May 12 – Gala v Selkirk; Manderston v St Boswells; Penicuik v Hawick (1.30pm).

BORDER U13 LEAGUE: Wednesday, May 15 – Melrose v Hawick; Selkirk v Gala; Kelso v Manderston (6pm).

football

EOS PREMIER DIVISION: Saturday, May 11 – Heriot Watt University v Vale of Leithen (2.30pm); Wednesday, May 15 – Vale of Leithen v Tynecastle (7.30pm).

EOS FIRST DIVISION: Saturday, May 11 – Easthouses Lily v Selkirk; Gala Fairydean v Leith Athletic; Hawick Royal Albert v Burntisland Shipyard; Kelso United v Ormiston; Peebles Rovers v Duns (2.30pm). Monday, May 13 – Peebles Rovers v Eyemouth United (7.30pm). Tuesday, May 14 – Berwick Rangers Reserves v Selkirk (7.45pm). Wednesday, May 15 – Easthouses Lily v Hawick Royal Albert; Ormiston v Gala Fairydean; Peebles Rovers v Coldstream (7.30pm).

SANDERSON CUP FINAL: Friday, May 10 – At Yarrow Park, Selkirk. Hawick Legion Rovers v Gordon (6.15pm).

SOUTH CUP SEMI-FINAL: Friday, May 10 – At Victoria Park, Innerleithen. Gala Rovers v Ancrum (6.45pm).

FORYSTH CUP QUARTER-FINAL: Saturday, May 11 – Tweedmouth Amateur Colts v Peebles Amateurs (2pm).

FORSYTH CUP SEMI-FINAL: Saturday, May 11 – Earlston Rhymers v Leithen Rovers (2pm).

BAL DIVISION A: Saturday, May 11 – Langholm Legion v Chirnside United; Pencaitland v Hearts of Liddesdale (2.30pm).

BAL DIVISION B: Saturday, May 11 – CFC Bowholm v Jed Legion; Coldstream Amateurs v Hawick Legion (2.30pm). Tuesday, May 14 - Stow v Ancrum (6.15pm).

BAL DIVISION C: Thursday, May 9 – Biggar v Kelso Thistle (6.15pm). Saturday, May 11 –Biggar v Abbotsford Albion (2.30pm).

rugby

SELKIRK SEVENS: Saturday, May 11 – At Philiphaugh (first tie 2pm). Full preview on page 78.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a crash on the A72 on Sunday afternoon which left a 52-year-old man critically injured.

The incident happened at 1pm on the A72 between Peebles and Blyth Bridge, when a Ducati motorcycle crashed.

The man was flown to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and later transferred to the Western General Hospital.

Vince Cable, secretary of state for business, will meet with a small group of Borders businessmen and women this weekend to discuss the challenges and opportunities that diversified farm businesses are currently facing.

Mr Cable will also be addressing local Liberal Democrats at their annual dinner, also to be held this weekend.

The Borders was well represented at this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, in the presence of Olympic gold medallist Michael Jung.

The top riders in the world battled it out over three gruelling phases of dressage, cross country and show jumping.

Among the 70-strong field was Jedburgh’s Emily Galbraith on Timing, and Olympic bronze medallist Caroline Powell, who has recently moved from Kelso, riding Onwards and Upwards, owned by Melrose business couple Cameron and Mary Crawford.

Also, Charlotte Agnew, whose family live at Hendersyde, was competing on her home-bred horse Out of Africa Two.

Powell finished 21st, Agnew was 46th and Galbraith took 54th place.

The overall winner was New Zealander Jonathan Paget on Clifton Promise.

z Meanwhile, Ettrick Forest Riders enjoyed a successful weekend at Hunwick Farm, Durham, last month, running two teams and two individuals at the Area Horse Trials qualifier.

The BRC 100 team of Cindy Fisher (Hookys Dash), Carolyn Gospel (Willamy Twinkle), Carly Scott (Zelena) and Delia Job (Player) led by five marks after dressage, and kept up their lead in the showjumping and cross-country to finish five marks ahead of South Lammermuir, and 10 in front of Peebles.

Gospel was second individual, Fisher fifth and Job seventh, while in the 90 class Sarah Thomson (Mickey Bow) was a good second and Shelley Johnston (Soneva Gill) eighth.

Louise Clark (Coco), Lindsay Dun (Rubin Aotea), Gospel (Gowler Topper) and late substitute Laura Sanderson (Tamarosa) came up trumps in the 80 class and managed to beat North Lammermuir.

Clark was second individual and Dun third.

The teams have qualified for the British Championships near Banbury, Oxfordshire, at the beginning of August.