A SMALL school in the Borders can boast Scottish champions for the second year on the trot.

Lilliesleaf Primary School Equestrian Team travelled to Gleneagles to defend their Scottish Show Jumping and Dressage titles and met tough opposition from all over Scotland.

The team was Daisy Job (on Cloudy), Milly Coltherd (on Galaxy), Katie Lowthian (on Zena) and Mary Douglas (on Reuben). The girls put on some outstanding performances and came home crowned Scottish Schools Show Jumping Champions 2013 (regaining their 2012 title) and were narrowly pipped into second place in the dressage.

Over and above this the girls pulled off some very impressive individual results. Mary and Reuben were crowned overall individual show jumping champions with Daisy and Katie claiming the 3rd and 4th slots. In the dressage, Daisy was 2nd individually in her arena whilst Mary gained the 3rd position in hers.

Organisers of the Borders’ largest horse trials have raised the bar this year in a bid to put the Kelso event on the international map.

Celebrating their 21st birthday this weekend Floors Castle Horse Trials are introducing an array of new classes with local event rider Ian Stark as course designer for the higher level sections.

Stark represented Great Britain in five Olympics, was European Champion in 1991 and won Badminton Horse Trials three times. He is now a course designer at the top of his game – in demand across the world, he designs at Chatsworth International Horse Trials, Bramham International Three Day Event and Hopetoun International Horse Trials, to name but a few.

Rather than fall by the wayside like so many other Scottish events, Floors is pushing forward with new ventures – including a new BE90 class for grass roots competitors, a new CIC* class for mid-level competitors seeking International qualifications and a pioneering Targeted CN** class which will offer higher level combinations a chance to qualify for some high powered events across Europe later in the eventing calendar. In addition organisers have introduced a Burghley Young Event Horse Class as a showcase for young equine talent.

Organiser Jamie Innes told TheSouthern: “Eventing in Scotland has lost too many fixtures this year and 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 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.”

The Horse Trials, which run over the glorious parkland in front of Floors Castle, are on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors will not only be treated to an array of equestrian spectacles but they can also enjoy a walk around the parkland and browse the trade stand and refreshment area. Eventing fans might also enjoy a careful walk round the lorry park with their autograph book, as top riders such as Wills Oakden, Olivia Haddow, Nicola Wilson and Jedburgh rider Emily Galbraith are regular competitors at the event which is held by kind permission of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe.

Mr Innes credits the success and longevity of the event to the wonderful setting, the enthusiasm of the organising committee and the loyalty of the event sponsors.

“In the current economic climate it is becoming increasingly difficult to fund events such as Floors Castle Horse Trials. I’d like to thank each and every one of our sponsors and members for their continued support.”

Floors Castle Horse Trials will this year be running in support of the Great North Air Ambulance.

BREEDER Charles Scott from Hawick celebrated his first show of the season at Ayr by winning the Zwartbles breed championship on Saturday.

The 82-year-old of Viewfields, East Middle, took the top ticket with his homebred two crop ewe, East Middle Solerina.

He said: “She’s one of the best ewes for confirmation we’ve ever had. I’ve shown four different breeds of sheep and won championships at national shows with all of them, but this one is the most correct and nearest to perfection of any of them.“

Out of a homebred ewe which was a championship winner over four years, Solerina’s sire, also homebred, was a national show champion too.

Ayr was only the ewe’s sixth show. She was not shown as a lamb or last year, but as a shearling was reserve champion and homebred champion of the breed’s first national show at Malvern in 2011. She also took the reserve female ticket at the Great Yorkshire Show the same year.

Mr Scott picked up other tickets at Ayr including winning the group of three.

From the Borthwick Valley, the former jockey first farmed at home at Milsington, where the family produced South Country Cheviot winners.

He next enjoyed success with Scotch Halfbreds, once taking the interbreed ticket at the Highland Show in the 1950s. He moved to the 360-acre East Middle, his uncle’s farm, in 1962 and changed to Texels in the early 70s. He bought his first Zwartbles in 2002 and has 25 ewes on the 13 acres he retained when he retired. He plans to show Solerina next at the Northumberland County Show on May 27.

Secretary of State for Business Vince Cable was in the Borders at the weekend when farmers made clear their need for better support from banks.

Dr Cable and Borders MP Michael Moore visited sustainable arable farm Woodend, near Duns, on Saturday morning and later met local business people.

NFU Scotland vice president Rob Livesey said Dr Cable seemed to understand the issues farmers faced with banks and that he was keen to cut red tape.

He said: “A lot of the banking issues are not to do with mistakes or miscalculations on business performance, they’re weather-related which is completely outside the control of farmers.

He explained: “The additional costs of the last 12 months and lack of output are the problem. Prices have risen, but (because of the adverse effect of the weather) the amount of each item for selling – livestock, crops, milk – has not been sufficient and that’s made a huge difference to a lot of cash flow through businesses.

“I think he understood. He was encouraging us to look at some of the smaller banks because they can be less risk averse.”

The meeting came after NFU Scotland revealed the results of its weather aid survey last week which found 84 per cent of farmers who replied expected lower sales and output this year and almost half anticipated having to ask for additional finance as the year progresses.

More than 400 producers took part, with two thirds saying they had asked for extensions to their bank loans. One in 10 had been refused an extension on their overdraft.

Union president, Stow livestock farmer Nigel Miller said: “The level of pressure heaped on many farm businesses by the weather of 2012 and the spring of 2013 is extreme.

“It is clear the area of winter crop ploughed in is significant and much of the remaining oil seed rape acreage is compromised at best. Extra feed is still being required on livestock farms and costs will continue to mount over the May period.

“The response on some farms has been the forced sale of livestock earlier than planned to buffer cash flows with others postponing intended investments. That has implications for the industry beyond the farmgate.

“The banks have the ability to provide a bridge out of these difficult times. Without the option to extend credit, there is a danger that viable businesses will be damaged or lost.”

Other issues raised with Dr Cable were red tape and planning regulations.

Mr Moore said: “It was a good opportunity for Dr Cable to hear from successful local businessmen and women about their concerns on bank lending and red tape and the work they are doing to grow and develop their businesses.”

RETIRED scientist Tom Veitch will start to walk the Pennine Way for charity later this month.

The Duns-born 65-year-old, now living in Maxton, is walking for the village’s chosen charity this year, the special care baby unit at the Borders General Hospital.

The grandfather-of-two said: “I’ve had a hankering to do the Pennine Way for the last three years. I really enjoy the countryside and am very much looking forward to this challenge. I thought it would be good to fulfil one of my own ambitions and make a contribution to this well-deserving cause.”

The father-of-two, who is married to Isobel, walks six miles most days and has decided to tack on part of the St Cuthberts Way, from Kirk Yetholm to Maxton, to the end of his 268-mile fundraiser.

He told us: “My wife probably thinks that I’ve lost my marbles, but we have been married a long time and she knows me very well.

“The entire family are right behind me and my wife is one of those trying to raise money for the charity through this venture.”

He has increased his daily mileage to between 10 and 12 miles and twice a week does walks of around 20 miles and several climbs of the three Eildons.

“I’m hoping this prepares me for both the distance and the gradients,” said Tom who will be walking alone and unsupported, staying mostly in hostels and bunkhouses.

To donate online, visit www.justgiving.com/isobel-veitch

HOW do you measure the success of a smallholder? By how much they manage to produce to feed their family each year? By how many gallons of pea-pod burgundy they can make? By how many acres they have?

Nope, none of these. I reckon it’s by how many sheds they own.

Not acreage, sheddage. The number of sheds they can pack on to their patch.

Not so many that Matt Damon could recreate that Tangier rooftop chase from The Bourne Ultimatum, leaping from felted roof to felted roof, just enough that you can keep a good variety of stock and have space to spare for unexpected new arrivals.

I found the ‘spare shed’ was a great asset when I started keeping poultry.

There will always be those super-cheap pullets no-one was bidding on at the poultry auction that you couldn’t resist.

Or those hens ‘gifted’ to you by a friend who doesn’t want to keep them any more.

Or, as a pal discovered, the one that you find near a chicken farm cowering in the hedge, hiding out, having escaped Chicken Pie Day.

The one you race back home for, grab an box and dash back to scoop up (hen and new owner both doing fine, by the way).

As a woman, I have had to fight for my sheds.

Men naturally presume that they, based purely on their gender, are the automatic owners of any new sheds which arrive on the smallholding. They believe it is their genetic right and inheritance to be IC sheddage.

New sheds which suddenly arrive without their prior knowledge are regarded as fair prey. My husband ungraciously refers to my shed collection as ‘Soweto’, but that doesn’t stop him trying to take advantage.

If you don’t fill it immediately with turkeys/ferrets/rabbits/quail/hens etc you will open the door, a wildly struggling stag turkey under your arm, only to find it full of frippery. Man stuff. An old lawnmower, blunt shears, cardboard boxes full of empty beer bottles waiting to be recycled and a dozen half-empty paint tins.

As soon as the new shed arrives (whether it’s beautifully flat-packed on the B&Q lorry, or in bits ‘to be recycled’ in the back of a mate’s van), put it in place, stand it on blocks (there’s nothing our rodents friends like better than a shed on the ground to make a nice, big home under) and fill it with creatures of your choice.

If it needs creosoting/re-felting, do that later. The important thing is to fill it and claim it, pronto.

There’s nothing like a squawking chicken flying in your face when you open a door to put a man off trying to stash his old motorbike magazines.

Award-winning photographer Laurie Campbell holds a day-long outdoors photography workship near Jedburgh next Sunday.

The event, at Harestanes, is part of Scotland’s Nature Festival – formerly Biodiversity Week – organised by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), running from Saturday to next Sunday (May 26).

Other activities range from learning who’s who in the dawn chorus at Kailzie Gardens with RSPB officer Mike Fraser, to learning about moths and filming wildlife.

Festival organiser, Zeshan Akhter, said: “It’s a terrific way to take part of the Year of Natural Scotland and, with a number of events in the south of Scotland and more than 150 nationally, it’s easy to find something near you.”

Scotland’s Nature Festival started as a local celebration in Fife in 2001 and has been held annuually, growing into a national event.

A spokesperson for SNH said: “The festival is about celebrating Scotland’s precious wildlife and landscapes and offers the chance for everyone to get out and about and experience it for themselves.”

On Saturday, Woodland Adventures at Traquair House, Innerleithen, will see experts teach children survival skills. Mammal spotting takes place at the Devil’s Beef Tub, near Moffat on Saturday, and there’s a moth-trapping evening, which is free, at Plora Woods, near Walkerburn, for two to three hours on Saturday evening.

The dawn chorus walk with local RSPB officer Mike Fraser takes place at Kailzie Gardens, Peebles, on Sunday, with another next Sunday (May 26) .

Further east a council ranger will lead the eight-mile walk along the Berwickshire coast from Burnmouth to St Abbs on Sunday (May 19).

Rangers at Bowhill Country Park, near Selkirk will take people pond dipping on Sunday, where there will also be a ‘welly walk weekend’ next weekend.

There will be a survey for Butterfly Conservation taking place at Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre, near Jedburgh on Wednesday (May 22). And there will also be a two-mile circular walk of Birgham Haugh the same day.

Wildlife film-making for beginners takes place at Kailzie Gardens next Sunday (May 26).

There will be a free Murder Moss Mystery Tour, a walk around Lindean Reservoir, near Selkirk, to learn about the birds, insects and other wildlife there next Saturday (May 25). The reservoir is also the venue for free pond dipping the following day.

There’s also a birding morning for children aged five to nine years old at Kailzie Gardens next Saturday.

The wonderful world of ‘minibeasts’ is the subject of an exhibition at Hawick Museum on Saturday until late August

Meanwhile Dawick Botanic Gardens, near Stobo, is the venue for a festival exhibition of giclée prints made from dried flowers. And the free exhibition celebrating the life and work of wood sculptor and father of community woodlands, Tim Stead, at Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre, is also part of the festival.

For more information see www.list.co.uk.

Celebrations in Walkerburn reach a high this weekend as the school holds Founders Day for all interested to mark its 150th anniversary.

The project has brought history alive for the 45 schoolchildren said head teacher Shirley Bean.

She told us: “The children have been extremely excited and have really engaged with the celebrations. Walkerburn was a purpose-built mill village and, with the changing economic landscape, it’s important that current pupils and villagers celebrate and learn from the past.

“Like many small rural schools there is a great sense of family and community. There are a considerable number of families whose children have attended the school for four and five generations. This school gives pupils roots and wings – roots to keep them firmly grounded and wings to fly high and far in their chosen profession.”

She is not aware of anyone famous attending the primary but says there are three former pupils who each have an MBE and another with a CBE.

A small group of ex-pupils have organised and raised funds for the celebrations over the last two years.

Shirley added:“Being a former pupil and former teacher at the school myself, I’m thrilled to be headteacher of Walkerburn at this momentous time.”

St Ronan’s Silver Band will be playing at Founders Day on Saturday which runs from 1-4pm when there will be local groups running stalls, old photos and memorabilia, Healthy Living Network giveaways, a bouncy castle and playground games.

Grand National-winning jockey Ryan Mania will open the event.

I want to start this week by clearing up a mystery. The mystery of the ladder. I like to believe that you were all alert enough last week to be mystified why my humble ramblings about music were accompanied by a photograph of a ladder propped against a wall. The answer is me and modern technology.

I had begun to write my column when I had to stop and undertake a more important task – make coffee. I had already written about how I had been fortunate enough for my parents to pay for me to take piano lessons and how I had attended my first instruction at a house in Scott Crescent. There, seated at the ivories, my would-be instructor had pointed out of the window at a ladder leaning against the wall that at that time surrounded the grounds of Old Gala House. I was bemused. I was here to learn the scales. I already knew how to scale a ladder. But I was enlightened. I was told to count the rungs and the spaces in between. With me now? That ladder became my e..g..b..d..f as well as my g..b..d..f..a, and so on. I suspect that’s why I never became very good at the piano (although did pass one exam and manage to play Will Your Hold and Onward Christian Soldiers at the BB bible classes). No, that ladder confused me. Every time I looked at the keyboard after that, I saw a window cleaner or a painter or someone cleaning leaves from their rones.

So, I hope that clarifies the mysterious appearance of a ladder last week.

Last week I also made an appeal for a tea chest to be turned into a bass for the Bogie’s Close Stompers skiffle group in which I play the washboard and my pal Digger strums the bass. Thanks to the couple of readers who made offers – I’ll be in touch.

This weekend I hope to be under canvas at Newcastleton – better known as Copshaw. There’s a fantastic spot by the side of the Liddel Water that’s just made for camping. A surface free of bumps, a river for a chilly wash and a picnic table from which to eat. There are two – sometimes three – occasions when I venture into this wonderful village hovering on the Scotland-England border. There’s the Newcastleton Traditional Music Festival in July, the Holm Show (coos, sheep and walking sticks) in August and the Tub’s Ball. This Saturday is the Tub’s Ball. Let me explain. Intertwined with the musical festival is the Copshaw Common Riding where the principal is not a Cornet (think ice cream cornet), but The Tub (again, think ice cream). His Lass is obviously The Flake. But like all things associated with Copshaw it becomes confusing. Because sometimes The Tub is a woman and her Flake is ... well you get the idea. Their Common Riding is ridden on bikes and the colours are bright yellow (think Tour de France and the leader’s vest). They sing in The Shed and they Snog the Sod – and they do much more. Their motto is Pureous Bunkumos and I get to play the washboard with Jedburgh Pipe Band. Watch this space in July.

Like the Muckle Toon o’ Langholm, the Copshaw principal is elected by public vote. There are five candidates this year – four women and an unknown. Saturday promises to be interesting.

Selkirk’s Philip Hermiston has raised over £2,100 for the children’s charity, NSPCC.

The dad-of-two ran the London Marathon in four hours 37 minutes last month, and earlier in the year raised money at a charity race night.

The 32-year-old joiner said: “The marathon went really well. It was a great experience and the atmosphere was brilliant.

“I was very happy with my time. I got off to a good start and then hit the wall at 20 miles, so the last six were hard going.

“It was great having my family there to cheer me on and I was lucky enough to spot them at Tower Bridge.”

Philip works for PJ and PA Hermiston in the town and he and wife Hayley have three-year-old Arran and baby Phoebe.

He wanted to raise money for the NSPCC because he feels it is a “worthwhile” charity. Philip ran Glasgow Half Marathon four years ago, but London was his first 26-miler.

He said: “I enjoyed running the marathon, but it is safe to say I have not caught the marathon bug. I have officially retired from marathon running! “

The Duke of Gloucester officially opened the palliative Margaret Kerr Unit at the Borders General Hospital today.

He unveiled a plaque in the £4.1million specialist wing and met patients privately this afternoon.

And in the unit’s reception, he spoke to many of those involved in raising the money which added to nurse Margaret Kerr’s legacy of £720,000, those working there, people who knew and had worked with the nurse after whom the unit is named and others.

At the unveiling, he said: “Margaret Kerr knew what was needed and why and I hope the people who live in the Borders will feel reassured this exists. I wish the very best of luck to the people coming here, whether to work or as a patient, and hope they will feel this is exactly what they need.”

NHS Borders chairman John Raine said: “Today is significant not just for patients and their families and for the staff but also as a recognition for all the Borders people have done to raise such a tremendous amount of money. The Margaret Kerr Unit is a wonderful facility.”

James Marjoribanks, chairman of the Margaret Kerr Appeal told TheSouthern: “It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work by many people when the generosity of the Borders came to the fore.

“We are very fortunate and the Borders can be very proud of this magnificent unit. Margaret Kerr would be very proud and all credit to her.”

Also at the unveiling, Dr Jim Gray worked with Margaret Kerr when she was a ward sister at the City Hospital in Edinburgh.

He said: “I cannot speak highly enough of her. She was a strict disciplinarian, she had a huge sense of humour and she was so kind to the patients. She was just great.”

The unit was opened to patients in January.

ALBERT ROUX had a surprise for the six students competing for the grand prize of a six-month placement at one of his restaurants.

So impressed was he at the standard of their cooking, that he produced another two prizes out of his chef’s hat – two-week placements at La Gavroche in London (run by Albert’s son, Masterchef judge Michel Roux Jnr), and at Gullane.

Here, we chat to the six finalists, who will learn their fate ahead of the Border Union Agricultual Show in July,

WORK is set to take place on a slope adjacent to the A72 which suffered a landslip last month.

The council has been liaising with the landowner of the ground at Nutwood, Forestry Commission Scotland, to reduce the likelihood of future slips.

They have now agreed to trim or remove larger, potentially unstable trees from the slope.

However, as the area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the plan has to be approved by Scottish Natural Heritage.

It is anticipated that work on the trees will be carried out over the next few weeks.

Traffic lights will remain in place on the A72 at the scene until this is completed.

The landslip occurred on April 18.

A council spokesperson said: “Survey work suggests the likely cause of the slip was the effects of the weather as no physical work has been done in this area that could have caused the movement.”

Residents in the Borders facing a court battle to save their homes can now access free help from a housing law advisor.

The service is being provided by Shelter Scotland, and will mean a legal advisor will cover the local courts to help people facing eviction or repossession.

Stuart Gillies will work as a ‘lay rep’ alongside the charity’s team of solicitors to help struggling tenants and homeowners.

Eleanor Hamilton, principal solicitor at Shelter Scotland, said: “Being able to offer this new service is a huge boost to our legal team and significantly increases our capacity and capability to support and represent our clients in court.

“There is a shortage of lay reps across Scotland and so this is great news for struggling tenants and homeowners.

“Where people in the past may have had to appear in court without legal representation, there is now a much better chance of getting the vital support and advice they need.”

Mr Gillies previously volunteered with In-Court Advice Service in Aberdeen.

Gardener Lyle Caine is the young man with the honour of carrying the Blue Banner of St Ronan’s in Innerleithen this summer.

Chairman of St Ronan’s Border Games, Keith Belleville, introduced the 24-year-old as Standard Bearer-Elect to the townsfolk in a packed Memorial Hall on Friday .

Accepting his appointment, Lyle said: “It shall be my earnest endeavour to carry out the duties of the office of Standard Bearer to the satisfaction of my fellow townspeople.”

Lyle, an ex-pupil of St Ronan’s Primary and Peebles High School, is a keen sportsman and started his football career with Leithen Vale Sports Club, before playing for Leithen Rovers, Tweeddale Rovers and Linton Hotspur.

He now concentrates on golf as his main sport. Lyle’s brother, Gregor, was Standard Bearer in 2007. Lyle’s Lass is his fiance Zoe Taylor who works for Peebles’ chocolatier, Cocoa Black.

The pair are looking forward to Games Week and to representing the town around the Borders.

Other principals introduced on Friday were the Principal Guest and the Lady Busser.

The 2013 Principal Guest is Ex-Peebles Cornet Allan Beveridge. Mr Beveridge, joint secretary of the Beltane Society, will deliver the main speech during the Cleikum Ceremonies on Friday, July 19, and is well qualified for the role having taken a keen interest in Games Week, helping out on many occasions.

Hannah MacDonald, who was Dux Girl in 2008, will buss the colours at this year’s festival of the Cleikum. Hannah is a fifth year pupil at Peebles High School, currently undertaking her Highers.

Following the Introduction Ceremony, Innerleithen Pipe Band led the principals and townsfolk on a circular route back to the Memorial Hall where a large crowd watched the official party dance a lively Standard Bearers’ Reel. A reception followed, attended by visiting principals from Peebles, West Linton, Penicuik and Musselburgh and other invited guests.

Mr Belleville will introduce St Ronan, the Dux Girl, Monks, Sash Girls and Lantern Bearer on Friday, June 14, completing the line-up for this year’s celebrations.

The Forestry Commission Scotland is holding two drop-in sessions for the public to get views on how Glentress Forest and the Tweed Valley corridor could be developed for tourism and recreation.

All views will go towards shaping a ‘masterplan’ looking at the potential of Glentress as a major tourism destination.

The events will be held in Glentress Peel café on Friday and Saturday, May 24 and 25, 5-8.30pm and 9am-2pm respectively.

Police have issued a warning over a phone scam which has claimed nearly 2,300 victims across the UK.

Fraudsters have been using courier firms to help defraud vulnerable people of their life savings.

The majority of the 2,229 victims of courier fraud during the past two years have been elderly, with police estimating that consumers have been defrauded out of millions of pounds – one victim lost £155,000.

Tweeddale MP David Mundell said: “Scammers are using the economic climate to prey on people who are struggling to find work or battling with money problems. Opportunistic con artists are targeting people who have fallen on hard times with offers of fake jobs, training and debt scams.

“It is important that people, especially the elderly, are made aware of these scams. It is always the most vulnerable people in our society who fall victims to these schemes and I would ask everyone to be vigilant and follow some of the simple steps Ofcom have suggested and remember that help is available. I would strongly encourage anyone affected to seek help either from my office or Citizens’ Advice.”

Flower arranger Elizabeth Forster is one of only nine from Scotland to create a 17ft-high exhibit at Chelsea Flower Show.

The prize-winning floral designer from Yetholm left for London on Tuesday to join the Scottish Association of Flower Arranger Societies’ team to construct the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies’ (NAFAS) Grand Pavilion showpiece.

Elizabeth said: “I was extremely honoured to be picked from all the members in Scotland. It’s a great experience – it’s something all flower arrangers want to do. I’m very excited.”

Different regions take turns in creating the NAFAS exhibit for the prestigious flower show – and it is 21 years since the Scottish association last made the floral contribution.

Elizabeth said: “We are lucky to be doing this in Chelsea’s centenary year.”

The exhibit, Far Below the Sea Blooms, taken from Ode to the West Wind by Percy Shelley, will be 20ft by 20ft and 17ft high.

The focal areas will replicate underwater cathedrals and coral reefs, and the exhibit will be made of sustainable materials such as seaweed and bamboo, as well as plants from three of Scotland’s four botanic gardens.

Woodside Garden Centre near Jedburgh is also supplying plants, Hawick Upholstery made the canvas base for the exhibit and Dobbies chief executive James Barnes, who lives near Yetholm, has also sponsored the venture. BBC2 has filmed a trial run of the exhibit to be screened tomorrow.

In September 1988 an appeal was launched by the Saltire Society to raise £20,000 to restore the massive Wallace Monuement near Dryburgh.

The sandstone statue has stood above the abbey ruins since 1814 and was in need of urgent rapair .

The Saltire Society took up the challenge. One of the first donations was £500 from the Royal Bank of Scotland, which was spent on a leaflet promoting the appeal. The launch was addressed by Saltire Society president Geoffrey Barrow and a former chairman of St Boswells Community Council, William Brown, who had been pressing for a number of years for repairs. Also there was Lewis Smith, the great newphew of designer and sculptor, John Smith of Darnick. Photographed: Piper Alan McGill, Margaret Steel, Geofrrey Barrow, Lewis Smith, William Brown and Earl Haig of Bemersyde.

An application has been lodged by Infinis for a six-turbine extension to the Glenkerie wind farm near Tweedsmuir.

Eleven turbines were approved in 2008 and became operational in 2012.