Scottish Borders Council has said, in response to criticism from local MSP John Lamont, that it has cut the number of staff on six-figure salaries since 2011.

Figures released by the TaxPayers’ Alliance revealed that in 2011-12 seven employees received £100,000-plus wages.

Mr Lamont, calling for a review of the salary structure, said: “Many people will look at these huge salaries and rightfully question whether they provide value for money. These wages represent a large amount in SBC’s budget and we cannot simply afford to let them continue unchecked.”

However, David Robertson, the council’s chief financial officer, said that as of March 2012 just four staff were earning over £100,000. He added that the salaries were set with reference to national agreements and reflected scale of responsibility.

SBC leader David Parker said: “It is unfair for figures published by the TaxPayers’ Alliance to be misinterpreted in this way, especially when we continue to put SBC in a good financial position despite the decrease in funding and ongoing challenges we are faced with. This includes reducing the number of senior staff in the council year-on-year.”

A crumbling castle perched high on a cliff edge overlooking Teviotdale has been saved – thanks to a major restoration project.

Work to repair Fatlips Castle on Minto Crags near Denholm has been described as challenging.

The £200,000 battle to preserve the structure has been overseen by Luke Comins, director of local conservation charity Tweed Forum.

He commented: “This is the culmination of many years of work to build a funding package and appoint a team to carry out the restoration.

“None of this would have been possible without the support of the Elliots of Minto, Historic Scotland, Scottish Borders Council and the Landfill Community Fund.

“Work on site commenced over a year ago and the contractor, John Munro, has done a fantastic job in very challenging conditions.”

Fatlips was built in its current form in 1857 by the Elliots of Minto and was modified in 1897 to the designs of Sir Robert Lorimer for the 4th Earl of Minto. It remained as a museum until the late 1960s when it was closed and locked.

It was built on the site of a peel tower constructed by the Turnbulls of Bedrule in the early 16th century and which was destroyed in 1545 by the Earl of Hertford.

The current Earl of Minto, Timothy Elliot, described the restoration as a significant moment in the castle’s history and something which secured the castle for people to enjoy.

He went on: “Our family has struggled with arresting the vandalism for years and I very much hope that people will appreciate the extraordinary effort and investment that has gone into making this structure stand proud in the landscape once again.

“Many of the original features have been restored, including the roof and parapets, and we are allowing limited access to the structure for those who are interested. The views from the top of the castle over Teviotdale are truly unspoilt and memorable.”

Mr Comins added: “We are delighted that the extensive consolidation and restoration work is now finished.

“The remote position, together with some appalling weather, has meant that the contractor did a superb job in completing the project on schedule.”

A bevy of foragers will ramble deep into the Teviot Valley on June 1-2, hunting for wild plants to flavour six new beers by the Scottish Borders Brewery.

Volunteer foragers on the Wild Harvests project will spend the weekend scouring the countryside for edible leaves, stems, roots, flowers, seeds and fruits, before home-brewers test the infusions for the best six flavours, to be sold as bottled and cask ales later in the year.

While to the modern eye Wild Harvests seems an experimental, innovative project, on the long view flavouring beer with wild herbs and berries is an ancient craft thousands of years old.

So we at The Southern, fond of the barley brew and without a hint of self-interest, would like to help the foragers on their quest for wild flavours by delving into beer’s history.

So beloved is beer, the world’s third most popular drink after water and tea, humankind has fermented it for millennia from any grain containing carbohydrates sugar and starch.

Though its origin is hidden in the mists of antiquity, ale’s evolution can be traced to around 4,000BC in ancient Mesopotamia, where bread, mashed with barley malt, was fermented and flavoured with cinnamon or dates and honey.

Writing in his now lost work On The Ocean in 325BC, the Greek explorer Pytheas observed Caledonians skilfully brewing barbarian beverages, but ale goes back at least 5,000 years in Scotland.

Archaeologists argue hunter-gatherers at the Neolithic site Skara Brae brewed an ancient ale from barley flavoured with meadowsweet, a fragrant wild perennial plant with creamy wild flowers and dark green leaves, common in meadows and damp areas in Europe.

At Kinloch, on the Isle of Rhum, south of the Isle of Skye, Neolithic pot shards from around 2000BC were found to contain the residue of mashed cereal straw, cereal-type pollen, meadowsweet, heather, and royal fern.

Across Doggerland, a birch bark bucket was discovered in a Bronze Age grave of a young woman in Egtved, southern Jutland, Denmark, containing traces of lime, meadowsweet and white clover pollen, wheat grains, sweet gale (or ‘bog myrtle’), cowberry and cranberry.

Bog myrtle is a true flavouring of peasant food, with its warm aroma of balsam, cloves and pine resin giving a retsina like tang when its sprigs are steeped.

In ancient times, the sweet, resinous aroma flavoured ale, and old Northumbrian cooks used the leaves and two-winged fruits in stews and soups.

Isolated patches still grow around monasteries.

In the Middle Ages before hops arrived in Britain, to offset the sweetness of the malted barley, a mix of bitter herbs and flowers called ‘gruit’ was infused in ale, including dandelion leaves and roots (hence dandelion and nettle, dandelion and burdock), marigold, yarrow, heather, wild rosemary and horehound (the German name for horehound means ‘mountain hops’).

Then, 500 years ago, the soldiery, returning from the Hundred Years’ War, brought back from Flanders and Northern France a beverage called ‘beere’, ‘bere’ or ‘biere’, differing from the old English ale in being bittered, and preserved, by hops – the female flowers, or seed cones, of the plant Humulus lupulus.

Between the 13th and 16th centuries, beer flavoured with gruit was known as ale, while beer bittered with hops was known as beer, but slowly beer supplanted ale, and the terms became interchangeable.

Throughout history, ale or beer was always safer to drink than water, thanks to the bactericidal effect of alcohol and hops, and brewers sought any plant – or animal – to flavour their everyday concoctions, from orange peel, birch bark (tasting like root beer, made from the sassafrass tree’s roots or bark), to a 17th century Scots ‘cock ale’ infused with “three goode parboyled cockerels”.

The recipe was discovered in an 18th century beer book in Traquair’s archives which also inspired the Innerleithen brewery’s Jacobite Ale spiced with coriander, which perhaps still grows wild in Scotland.

Today, other Scottish breweries are rediscovering wild flavours, like William Bros. in Dunbar, who make Fraoch Heather Ale; the Isle of Skye Brewery in Uig, who brew blaeberry beer; and bramble ale from Traditional Scottish Ales (TSA) in Stirling.

If you’re a keen forager and home-brewer, and want to join June’s Wild Harvest Foraging Camp, get in contact via their website www.wildharvestscotland.com.

HAVING invested £45,000 in three new bedrooms, securing 50 nights of bookings in May for these rooms has vindicated the decision of The County Hotel’s owners.

But Selkirk hoteliers Will Haegeland and Trond Dalby have said Business Gateway’s support has been vital.

Mr Haegeland said: “As well as putting us in touch with DSL Business Finance, an ethical lender, their tourism adviser has helped us look at, and evaluate, our business differently.

“Having his insight has been hugely beneficial. If it hadn’t been for Business Gateway’s help sourcing the funds to expand it would have been a more painful, and drawn out, process.”

Phil McCreadie, tourism advisor, added: “As well as helping Will and Trond with their application for a grant from the Scottish Borders Business Fund, we also helped them crystallise their plans for the future which will allow them to build on their current success.”

The singing of the Polish national anthem poignantly closed a special Kelso war tribute.

Led by Heiton and Morebattle SWRI Choir, it was the final act in a recent ceremony at the town’s war memorial to mark links with Polish troops stationed locally during the Second World War.

Earlier this year, the town’s community council sanctioned moving a plaque paying tribute to the men, who were from the Polish 1st Armoured Division – the famous Black Devils – from the town hall to a more prominent position at the war memorial.

The service was attended by Consul General of Poland, Dr Tomasz Trafas, together with Kelso provost Fiona Scott, local councillors, members of the local Polish community and other residents.

A duplicate plaque of the one at nearby ruined Roxburgh Castle honouring three Polish soldiers who died as a result of a wartime tank training exercise, was also unveiled.

After a welcome from Provost Scott, there was an address from Dr Trafas, who outlined the history of Polish forces during the war.

Deacon Duncan MacFarlane then led a prayer, after which Joe Rosiejak, now a councillor in Fife, but who hails from Kelso and whose father was a Polish veteran, gave a reading.

The new memorials were blessed and there followed a minute’s silence, laying of wreaths and a piper playing Floo’ers o’ the Forest.

The traditional Polish prayer to ‘Our Lady of Czestochowa’ was recited, followed by the singing of the Polish national anthem which the choir had specially learned.

Dr Trafas was clearly moved by the efforts to mark links with, and sacrifices made by, his countrymen.

He told TheSouthern:“I found it very touching that people were here today, who perhaps don’t speak Polish, but whose fathers, grandfathers or even great-grandfathers came from Poland, and who brought a Polish flag, tried to sing the Polish national anthem and, when I met with them, tried to say a few words in Polish.

“And the fact the people of Kelso feel it is important to mark these links is wonderful.”

The council is to consult Teviot and Liddesdale area forum on where £140,000 for road repairs should be spent. It is part of a £1.14million capital fund for resurfacing agreed by the local authority in March.

Three locations have been costed and proposed by the council, including Lower Mansfield Road and Braid Road in Hawick. Three other schemes have also be examined.

Selkirk residents have until 5pm on Thursday to put their name forward to become a community councillor.

At least six people are needed and if enough are received, the new council will be declared on May 30. Forms are available from Selkirk library, the council contact centre and online at www.scotborders.gov.uk/selkirkelection

IT WAS a cruel day weatherwise at the Mainetti Jed-Forest Sevens but action was red hot throughout.

Melrose secured the Kings of the 7s title after beating series rivals Gala 26-10 in the semi-finals but hosts Jed spoiled the party by beating the much fancied ...Greenyards outfit 27-7 in the last game of the day.

Before the tournament kicked off all the chat had been about Melrose and Watsonians, who sat first and second respectively on the Kings table. But, it was a quietly confident home outfit who ran out victorious.

Despite persistent rain throughout at Riverside Park a large enthusiastic crowd got behind the Jed men who’s hunger for a win was boosted by the desire to give retiring captain Ross Goodfellow the best send off possible.

Two contrasting semi’s led to some interesting debate among onlookers as to which team would win the tournament.

It was a hard slog for the hosts against Kings hopefuls Watsonians while the tie between Melrose and Gala was much more clear cut.

Jed-Forest had saved the best for last however and, in the last game of the afternoon, ran roughshod over a battle weary Melrose outfit.

Jed try scorers were Robert Hogg, Ross Goodfellow (playing his last game for Jed), Lewis Young and Glen Young. Ian Chisholm slotted two conversions and a penalty. Andrew Skeen touched down and converted for Rose.

Results

First Round: Jed-Forest 32 Heriots 19 Hawick 15; Hamilton 40 Langholm 5; Watsonians 22 Peebles 5; President’s Seven 7 Selkirk 41; Melrose 42 Hillhead Jordanhill 0; Kelso 22 Edinburgh University 15; Gala 31 Edinburgh Accies 7.

Second round: Jed-Forest 28 Heriots 12; Hamilton 7 Watsonians 12; Selkirk 7 Melrose 19; Kelso 12 Gala 24.

Semi-finals: Jed-Forest 5 Watsonians 0; Melrose 26 Gala 10.

Final: Jed-Forest Melrose

Jed-Forest: G. Young, M. Weekly, D. Grieve, D. Wallace, I. Chisholm, R. Hogg, L. Young, C. Gillan, D. Gobby, R. Goodfellow.

Melrose: G. Dodds, R. Hill, R. Ovens, B. Colvine, A. Skeen, A. Dodds, C. Anderson, A. Nagle, S. McCormick, J. Helps.

HAWICK Rugby Club are challenging supporters to pick their greatest ever Greens squad.

The competition will see a panel of selectors charged with choosing their best-ever side. And if their line-up matches one chosen by fans then there are two places at a special ‘best-ever’ team presentation dinner in September to be won.

Club president Rory Bannerman commented: “Whether you are aged 90 or nine you will have the same chance to show your skill in being the team manager who selects the 15 starters, four subs and coach to make up the greatest-ever Robbie Dyes.”

The panel of selectors are vice-president Sandy Bannerman, Scottish rugby legend Jack Hegarty, former international referee Kenny McCartney, ex-Hawick team manager Nick Bannerman and Alan McCredie.

They will be tasked, over the summer months, to pull together a greatest side.

Mr Bannerman (Rory) believes finding the best players for each position – as well as a coach to lead the side – could pose quite a considerable problem.

“Debates will go on all summer long – over the kitchen table, in the back room of the pub or on a beach in South Africa,” he added.

Nobody yet has the answer to who should be in and who should be out. One man’s freedom fighter, they say, is another man’s terrorist, in the same way as one man’s Shawn Muir is another man’s Hugh Mcleod.”

Entry forms, which cost £3 or two selections for £5, can be bought from the High Street outlets of Bannerman Burke and Brydon’s.

In the future they will also be able to be downloaded from the club website.

All entries should be sent to the president HRFC or lodged with Bannerman Burke by September 13.

“We are sure that you will have hours of fun working out your greatest ever team. Happy picking,” added Mr Bannerman.

There are no limits to the amount of entries submitted.

The celebratory dinner will be held on September 27 when the greatest team will be revealed.

Peebles Rovers 4 Hawick Royal Albert 2

EOS FIRST DIVISION

IT was cold, wet and windy at Kerfield Park on Saturday.

The pitch was heavy, had a glue pot and it was an end of the season encounter.

Despite not having much going for it however this game turned out to be a fast and furious affair.

Both sides saw to this by knuckling down to the job in hand and attempting to play good football in very trying conditions.

Giving his thoughts on the match, Peebles team boss Jason Girdwood told TheSouthern: “Although we made it a bit hard for ourselves in letting Hawick back in the game after we had been three goals up I was otherwise very happy with our performance.

“It ended up being a good win for us especially as we had five guys missing and had to field an under strength side.”

With heavy rain sweeping over the park, Peebles took the lead in the 16th minute. After latching onto a Jamie Adamson pass Peter Connaghan hit a cross over the face of the goalmouth and former Albert signing Andy Noble produced the scoring touch in driving the ball into the net.

Within three minutes Rovers scored again with an almost similar goal. Connaghan this time emerging the home side’s marksman in driving home a Craig Edgar cross at the back post.

After Hawick keeper Steven West had denied Peebles a third in tipping an Edgar drive round the post, Rovers number one Kris Lennie made a fine stop from Ronald Fleming.

Minutes into the second period Lennie pulled out the stops again in pushing a net bound Ronald Fleming shot over the bar.

A minute later the Albert fell into further arrears when Edgar took advantage of a defensive error and raced in to shot past West.

Hawick came rallying back and in the 56th minute reduced the leeway. Gordon Ramsay launched a long throw in high into the box which Peebles failed to clear and Greig Johnston touched the ball into the net from close range.

After there had been close calls at both ends, Hawick pulled another goal back in the 68th minute, Ramsay finding the net with a sweetly struck free kick.

The Albert were now back in the picture but it was not to be for long for in the 72nd minute, Edgar broke through the Hawick rearguard on his own to tuck away a fourth for Rovers.

Hawick continued to battle but Rovers were in the driving seat and motored on to gain full points.

Albert manager, Graeme Chadwick said of matters: “Once again we made stupid mistakes that cost us goals and it was another disappointing result for us.”

Peebles Rovers: K. Lennie, G. Manson (J. Girdwood), D. Linton, G. Shortreed, A. Williamson, J. Adamson, P. Connaghan, M. McKenzie (C. Forsyth), C. Edgar, J. Manson, A. Noble.

Hawick Royal Albert: S. West, K. Fettes, R. Shepherd, S. Loughlin, G. Johnston (D. Strathdee), Raymond Fleming, Ronald Fleming, K. Strathdee, A. Swailes (R. Scott), D. Hogg, G. Ramsay.

Gretna 2008 4 Vale of Leithen 1

EOS PREMIER DIVISION

VALE rounded off their season with a defeat at Raydale Park, which meant a ninth place finish in the Premier Division.

The Innerleithen side took the lead after 25 minutes when Jack Blaikie sent a free kick into the area and Scott Moffat headed home at the back post.

The goal saw Moffat edge ahead of Danny Noon as the club’s top scorer for the season, but Vale’s lead lasted just three minutes as Sergio Royo Okocha embarked on a fine solo run before firing home the equaliser.

The game turned the home side’s way as they firstly took the lead through Joe Slattery, before Vale were reduced to ten men for the second game in a row as Noon saw red for remarks to the referee.

It was thanks to Vale keeper Mark Wilson that Gretna weren’t able to add to their lead before half time, but in the first minute of the second half Slattery grabbed his second as he supplied the finish to an Alan Inglis free kick.

Gretna dominated the remainder of the game, but they could only manage to breach the Vale backline once more as Inglis found the net with a free kick from the edge of the area.

Vale of Leithen: M. Wilson; C. McAleavy, D. McAleavy, R. McKenzie, J. Blaikie, C. Inglis, S. Moffat, K. Dodds, D. Moon, J. R. Kerr, D. Thomson. Subs: F. Ogilvie, V. Young.

Easthouses Lily 5 Kelso United 3

EOS FIRST DIVISION

UNITED ended the season on a low, defeated by a strong and physical Easthouses team in terrible weather conditions at Newbattle.

The pouring rain and wind did not help either team and made for a game of mistakes rather than skill. Kelso seemed to be in control of the game at 2-1 up midway through the first half but lack of concentration at vital times proved to be the downfall of the visitor’s.

United got off to the worst possible start when the home team went in front after 35 seconds. A ball from midfield bounced up and hit the hand of Garry Mabon 30 yards from goal. From the resultant free kick man mountain John Hunter fired a powerful shot which United keeper Scott Treible did well to parry onto the post. However, Lily midfielder Jason Young was first to react to the ball and slotted into the net.

Kelso then went on the attack and a ball from left found Des Burnett at the edge of the box who squared for Calum McClure but the young winger’s shot was saved by Bryan Young in the home goal.

United were unlucky in the 15th minute when Des Burnett struck the post following some good work by Jordan Lauder, however the strikers luck was about to change a minute later when he got in front of the Lily defence and promptly dispatched the ball past Young.

Kelso were in the ascendency and went in front midway through the half. Burnett latched onto a ball from midfield and laid a pass to the right where McClure was running at pace, the wing man took a touch before firing past the advancing keeper.

McClure then had a shot saved at point blank range by the home keeper after Lauder had headed into his path from a Graeme Gillie cross.

Liam Hill was then United’s saviour when he headed off the line an in swinging corner from Jason Young.

Lily equalised after 37 minutes, a quick throw in from the right touchline found midfielder Scott Borthwick in space who shot from the edge of the box, this was blocked by Treible but once again it was a home forward who pounced this time Graeme Young to knock home.

Five minutes from the break and the home side went in front, using the wind to his advantage Jason Young swung in a corner from the left which sailed over everybody and into the top corner of the net.

Treible was called into action early in the second half making a good save from Rory McKinnon’s 30 yard shot.

Midway through the half Easthouses made it four when Hunter picked up the ball in midfield and drove to the edge of the box where he slotted a left foot shot past the diving keeper.

United almost pulled a goal back with six minutes to go when Burnett was through on goal but unfortunately the striker’s effort shaved the outside of the post.

Substitute James Currie got the home side’s fifth goal in the 86th minute when he was put through on goal from a good pass by fellow sub Craig Downie.

United reduced the deficit with two minutes left when some good battling by substitute Alan Tait at the edge of the box paid dividends, the big front man out muscled defender David Arthur before squaring the ball to Burnett who rattled a right foot shot into the top corner.

Kelso United: S. Treible, G. Mabon, G. Gillie, D. McNulty, D. Bowie, S. Tait, C. McClure, L. Hill (A. Tait 79), D. Burnett, C. Black, J. Lauder.

Borderers could face some disruption today (Monday 20 May), with heavy showers and thunderstorms expected to hit the area.

An Amber (be prepared) warning from the Met Office for heavy rain has been put in place for the north west of the region from 2pm until 8pm. Between 20mm and 30mm of rain is forecast to fall in just one hour, leading to the risk of localised flash flooding. The area could also see half of the usual monthly rainfall falling in just 2-3 hours. There is also a Yellow (be aware) warning for the whole of the region until 11pm.

Surface water on roads will make driving conditions difficult in places. Hail could also fall in some areas, possibly leaving roads slippery for a time and slowing the drainage of the surface water.

In line with Met Office guidance for Amber warnings, people should be prepared for some disruption to normal daily routines, including the possibility of flooding to homes, businesses and transport links.

Officers from Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and Police Scotland held a teleconference with the Met Office this morning and will also meet this afternoon to receive an update on the situation.

Rob Dickson, SBC’s Director of Environment and Infrastructure said: “The public should be prepared for the risk of localised flash flooding, particularly where these thunderstorms occur in urbanised areas. Motorists could also face problems due to the intensity of the rain and the risk of surface water on the roads. We would encourage them to think carefully about whether they need to travel when the weather is at its worst from mid afternoon, into the evening.

“We have already put plans in place to help the area cope and our services are ready for these Amber and Yellow weather warning periods. Staff will be checking grills on river culverts across the region to make sure there are no blockages, which would lead to a greater flood risk. We are also contacting areas with Resilient Communities plans in place to activate these where appropriate to help minimise the risk of the storms and heavy rain.”

All weather warnings issued are available at www.metoffice.gov.uk

General advice on flooding is available at www.scotborders.gov.uk/floodingadvice

Weather conditions are expected to ease going into tomorrow (Tuesday).

HAWICK international centre and SRU past president Robin Charters died today at the age of 82.

Robin won three caps out of the Hawick club against Wales, Ireland and England in 1955 but, many felt his greatest influence was extended beyond his own playing career.

He was widely regarded as the architect – working alongside Hugh McLeod, Derrick Grant and Jack Hegarty – of much of the Hawick club’s domination of the Scottish club scene in the 1970s.

He also served with distinction the South of Scotland in committee roles and was first elected to the Scottish Rugby Union general committee in 1977.

He served on the international selection panel, becoming convener of selectors in June 1984 and went on to become a British & Irish Lions selector. He was widely respected in that role and for his support of a coaching structure throughout Scotland.

Robin was a shrewd judge of a player’s ability but he was also a warm-hearted and jovial figure, popular with players.

Robin served as Scottish Rugby Union president in 1992-93, travelling with the Scotland squad on their tour of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, where even the intense South Pacific heat could not keep him from enjoying a game of lawn bowls when his presidential duties allowed.

In his working life, Robin was involved in a family knitwear business in his home town.

Scottish Rugby today sent its sincere condolences to all Robin’s family and friends.

FOR one night only, rally stars on stage ...

Organisers of this year’s Jim Clark Rally will host a Rally Forum in the Tait Hall in Kelso on the evening of Thursday May 30.

Amongst the guests appearing on stage at this rally chat show will be top seeds Jukka Korhonen, Jonny Greer, Tom Cave, John MacCrone, and others – plus top local drivers Euan Thorburn and Garry Pearson.

Hosted by motor sports journalist John Fife, the evening will get off to a flying start with an easy quiz with some unusual rules - and there will be prizes, just don’t let your expectations run wild!

So if you want to get the inside track on rallying and what makes rally drivers tick, this is the ideal opportunity for a night of sporting entertainment. The audience will also get the chance to ask their own questions.

Entrance to the show is FREE and all are welcome, and because it’s a school night, it will be all over shortly after 9pm.

Doors open 7pm for show starting at 7.30pm.

Human remains found in woodland near Gordon last month have been identified as those of a teenager who was last seen alive 14 years ago.

Colin Law was 19-year-old when he was reported missing on May 19,1999 – three days after a last sighting near his home village of Gordon.

In a brief statement issued through the police, his mother said today: “Colin, I will miss you every day for the rest of my life.”

Police Scotland confirmed : “There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and a report has been sent to the procurator fiscal.”

When Mr Law was last seen he was alone and foot. During a two-week search, 110 acres of marsh and dense woodland were combed.

On the second anniversary of his disappearance a team of detectives re-interviewed key people.

Primary five schoolchildren from across the region went to their own special Border Union show - the first event of its kind - in Kelso on Tuesday.

The Border Union Agricultural Society (BUAS) staged its Schools Countryside Day for the 1,300 children as one of the main elements of its Bicentenary celebrations.

Speaking after the event, BUAS secretary Ron Wilson said: “It’s been fantastic. Everyone worked very hard today. The exhibitors were stars and everybody was so enthusiastic.

“It’s extremely important to have a day like this so the countryside can engage with these youngsters as, in a few years, they will become the custodians of the land.”

“It’s been a very successful day for everyone, the BUAS, the people who kindly came and exhibited and most of all for the children.”

“We very much wish to look to the future and leave legacies from this fantastic year of 200 years in existence and one of the main legacies is to arrange a countryside day for primary five children on the third Tuesday of May each year.”

Over 50 exhibitors took part and the children saw sheepdogs, shearers, farriers and auctioneers at work, learned about making haggis and there were pheasant chicks, rabbits, bantams, ducks, goats, hens, turkeys, a Hereford cow, a pig and piglets and ewes and lambs at the showground. There was machinery also, including a 500 horse power tractor with a 12 furrow plough standing next to a 67-year-old T20 Massey with a single furrow plough: “The comparison was amazing,” said Ron.

The event was organised by the BUAS with assistance from Scottish Borders Council and with support from The Co-operative Farms.

It was also backed by Event Scotland, the Royal Highland Educational Trust, Charity Begins at Home and Greenvale AP as well as the Borders based businesses who took part in the show.

“The purpose of the day is to show everything that is rural - firstly agriculture and where our food comes from, how it’s processed and also all the other types of interests that we now have in the countryside, “ said Ron.

Sally Fleming, from The Co-operative Farms’ “From Farm to Fork” project at the Hirsel Estate, near Coldstream, said: “It was a great opportunity for us to engage with pupils and teachers and for them to hear about our award-winning outdoor learning experience, called “From Farm to Fork”, and learn about healthy eating, as well as food and farming in this part of Scotland.”

Langlee Primary School teacher James Douglas commented: “There has been really good engagement from the children and they have learned lots of new things about the farming and the countryside. It has been a really well organised and informative day.”

The council is going to send out evaluation forms about the day for schools to fill in, which will be forwarded to the BUAS.

HIGH fashion and quality racing combine for Kelso’s final meeting of the season on Sunday, when “Ladies Day” boasts an exciting seven-race card.

Gates open at 12 noon, with the first race at 2.10pm.

Prizes, sponsored by A Hume Country Clothing, will be awarded for the best dressed lady and best dressed couple, while the first 200 ladies through the gate receive a luxury goody bag.

The boutique shopping arcade features a range of stalls and after racing there’s live music from the “Taylor Brothers” in the Pavilion Marquee.

The Borders Barmy Army stage their pantomime horse race , sponsored by R P Adam Ltd, when a range of “animals” will contest a one-furlong dash along the final stretch of the track at 1.15pm.

Fund-raising will take place throughout the afternoon for The Fire Fighters Charity and Macmillan Cancer Research.

Feature race of the afternoon is the 4.25pm John Smiths handicap chase for the Wilfred and Patricia Crawford Memorial Trophy- a magnificent Philip Blacker bronze sculpture.

Entries include Bescot Springs from Lucinda Russell’s in-form yard, and Perth Festival victor Fiddlers Reel from Jane Clark’s Kelso stable.

Livestock auctioneer Jack Clark’s retirement from John Swan Ltd is marked by the ‘The Jack Clark Swansong Novices Hurdle Race’ which has attracted a good entry.

Musselburgh bumper winner Amisfield Lad is an interesting hurdles newcomer for in-form Northumberland trainer Michael Smith, while John Quinn has entered two including winning Flat performer Exning Halt.

The Kings Own Scottish Borders (KOSB ) and The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards have amalgamated into one regiment, but individually have been sponsoring at Kelso for many years.

The KOSB will present one of their highly sought after Regimental Spode Plates to winning connections of the novices handicap chase.

Top Hawick amateur Jamie Hamilton has already been booked again by Alnwick handler Victor Thomson for Gin Cobbler. Hattrick-seeking Apache Dawn should be followed closely, as his Worcestershire trainer Aytach Sadik has a 100 per cent record at the Borders venue.

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards sponsor a competitive hunter chase.

Leading hunter chaser Special Portrait represents Cumbrian trainer Mark Hughes, while Perth victor Back On The Road and runner-up Harry Flashman re-oppose.

Adam Pringle of Alnwick-based Border Facilities generously sponsors the novice handicap hurdle race at 2.40pm, which offers a £5,000 Sunday Bonus.

Donald McCain is a great supporter of Kelso and has entered winners Aazif and Heart And Soul. David Pipe’s Somerset raider Home Run is an interesting contender as he rattled up a mid-winter five-timer culminating with a victory at Musselburgh on New Year’s Day.

The final race of the season at the Border track is sponsored by Mercedes Benz of Coldstream, where a number of top bumper trainers are represented.

They include Alan Swinbank (Powderonthebonnet and Dubai Sonnet), Tony Martin (Lagan Canal), Stuart Crawford (Taylor) and Malcolm Jefferson (Magic Present).

For the third year running, Ladies Day will host an Injured Jockeys Fund, Ladies Only Charity Flat race- a fundraiser for the “House that Jack Built” – a project headed by Jack Berry, to raise money for a Northern based rehabilitation centre for injured jockeys.

It comes under offers at 5.50pm when the 12-strong line-up includes Kelso’s Clerk of the Course, Hazel Peplinski, and former leading Northern point-to-point jockey Pauline Robson.

Berwick New Holland Bandits 41 Newcastle Sapphire Engineering Diamonds 49

Premier League

IN FRONT of a massive local derby crowd - and the SKY TV live cameras - these two teams were determined to show up good and it was the away side that shone despite looking very much down on power.

Ludvig Lindgren was away in his native Sweden to race in a League meeting, but as the Premier match was a re-scheduled fixture Newcastle could only cover his absence with a National League guest with Adam McKinna answering the call.

Bandit’s David Bellego was also absent due to his French Authority banning him for three days due to missing a World Cup Qualification meeting, but in the rules Berwick could cover his rides with rider replacement, and that certainly looked to have give the Bandits the upper hand.

Stuart Robson shot away to take a solid Heat One win and Christian Henry battled well for second with Edward Kennett who just couldn’t get round the Newcastle man to record a surprise away 1-5.

Nicki Barrett and Paul Starke had to wind on the power to get the better of the fast gating Lewis Kerr and levelled the match with a spectacular Heat Two 5-1, but better was to come in the third race with Henry taking the early lead but Robin Aspegren made a serious challenge to soar round him off bend two only for the Bandit to almost come to grief on bend three, sending him back to third place.

Wethers wound on the power over the next lap and forced his way round Henry off bend two on the third lap to take the lead but Aspegren tried once more to get the points off Henry and going into a tight third bend on the last lap he took a hard dive under the Aussie, but drifted out into Henry who fell with the Bandit taking an exclusion for his efforts with the score now 9-9.

Kozza Smith made a spectacular pass round Richie Worrall on bend four of Heat Four in another 3-3, and following yet another share of the spoils in Heat Five the match was still level 15-all.

Kennett made amends for his sluggish Heat One by taking a solid lead off bend two in Heat Six, and with Barrett taking a good third to break the scoring in the Bandits’ favour, 4-2 taking the score to 19-17.

Another share in Heat Seven was followed by a cracking, if not unexpected win in the most determined of styles from young Kerr, but with Robson trailing at the back behind Wethers and Barrett it was another 3-3 into the record books with the score still tight at 25-23.

Kennett didn’t make the greatest gate in Heat 10, but found the grip and shot round the outside of the leading Henry off bend two to bring the house down and to the relief of the Bandits’ fans halved the race taking the score to 31-29.

Going into the first bend of the second lap in Heat 11 with Smith and Robson locked in battle Smith went off line and just avoided a fall but behind Starke went down, possibly as a result of what was going on ahead of him when Newcastle were on a 1-5, but in the re-run Smith made the perfect start to lead and win in another 3-3 taking the running total to 34-32.

In a stonking race in Heat 12 Henry was leading well but behind Steve Wiorrall rode a brilliant race to hold out everything Aspegren could hurl at him but the 1-5 put Newcastle into the lead 35-37.

Smith was involved in a mammoth chase in Heat 13 behind both Robson and Richie Worrall but losing his footing going in to the first bend on lap three and went too hard too tight ending up into the polyfoam fence with the referee awarding a Newcastle 5-1 pushing the Diamonds further into the lead 36-42.

Wether’s great win in Heat 14 with Kerr taking second after a fine battle with Starke gave the Bandits a 4-2 leaving the match on a knife edge with the Bandits needing a 5-1 to draw the match.

Richie Worrall and Robson made the better gate and hammered home the advantage leaving Smith and Kennett unable to rescue the situation with Newcastle taking the 5-1 and taking all four league points available.

Newcastle team boss George English was a very satisfied man after, saying: “We had a good team talk before this meeting and even without Ludvig we were convinced we could get something out of this meeting, but we reckoned on one league point and never believed we could get all four – which we did – and that was stunning as we really dug deep and showed how determined we were to get a result.”

The Bandits’ boss Ian Rae wasn’t quite as upbeat, saying: “We should have had the beating of this match in ourselves tonight but Newcastle – even without Lindgren – are a good side and there’s no doubt they know how to gate so once again we have to bounce back as this run can’t go one for long. The wins are well overdue.”

Individual Riders’ Score Chart:

Berwick “New Holland Bandits” 41

1, Edward Kennett 1,3,3,1,0 = 8

2, David Bellego – Rider replacement

3, Robin Aspegren Fx,1*,2,1 = 4+1

4, Matthew Wethers 3,2,2,1*,3 = 11+1

5, Kozza Smith © 3,2,3,Fx,1 = 9

6, Paul Starke ® 0,2*,1*,Fx,1 = 4+2

7, Nicki Barrett ® 3,0,1,1*,0,0 = 5

Newcastle “Sapphire Engineering Diamonds” 49

1, Stuart Robson © 3,3,0,1*,2*,2* = 11+3

2, Andrew Tully - Rider replacement

3, Christian Henry 2*,2,3,2,3 = 12+1

4, Adam McKinna (NL Guest) 1*,0,N,0 = 1+1

5, Richie Worrall 2,2,3,2,3,3 = 15

6, Steve Worrall ® F,0,0,N = 0

7, Lewis Kerr ® 1,1*,0,3,1*,2,2 = 10+3

RUGBY playing youngsters from Peebles have scooped a top award at a national training camp.

Inch Park in Perth was packed out with over 750 young rugby players, coaches and parents, representing 41 teams and 15 clubs, last Sunday for the first Positive Coaching Scotland Festival.

On the day three awards were up for grabs with Peebles earning the Best Team Effort accolade in the P4/5 category and Dunfermline in the older P6/7 age-group. The same award for S1/2 teams was shared between Ellon and Highland.

Alan and Linda Lawson were on hand, on behalf of the Bill McLaren Foundation, to present the awards.

Positive Coaching Scotland manager, Bosman Du Plessis, said: “The festival in Perth was excellent and the effort and sportsmanship shown by all the teams was a great advert of what we’re trying to achieve through the initiative; developing a positive ethos in young rugby players.

“One thing that stood out for me was the fact that all of the clubs involved, honour our great sport of rugby and its values which Bill McLaren held so dearly.

“Congratulations to Peebles, Dunfermline, Ellon and Highland for winning the “Best Team Effort” awards in the various categories and a big thank you to Scottish Rugby staff for their commitment in running this event.

“Special credit to James Wade, the Perthshire development officer who did an outstanding job, hosting the event.

“The commitment from our volunteers in developing our young players was first class. Mike Robins (Hillfoots), Stephen Running (Cartha QP), Andy Jackson (Bishopton) and Andy Morgan (Dunfermline), all programme leaders in accredited clubs and PCS ambassadors worked with referees and coaches to do the scoring.

“This festival was a celebration of the valuable partnership between sportscotland, The Winning Scotland Foundation, The Bill McLaren Foundation and Scottish Rugby.”

A special scoring mechanism was used at the festival that considered tries scored, individual skill, team ethic, respect for the referee and sportsmanship. Each individual section was scored out of four and a final score of up to 20 was awarded.