Up to 30 full-time jobs could be created at a pasteurised liquid egg processing plant near West Linton.

Glenrath Farms Ltd is seeking permission to create the facility on land close to its Millennium Farm site.

The company is the second largest supplier of shell eggs to the UK market, but hopes this move into the liquid egg market will “add value to its product range”.

HAVING successfully presented Tuesday’s night’s first-ever live televised speedway from Shielfield Park, Berwick’s ‘New Holland’ Bandits promotion and management have placed a fulsome ‘thank-you’ to all concerned on the club’s website.

“Although the match result didn’t go as we might have wished, there is no doubt that a feeling of pride and honour had swept through the stadium, enveloping everyone.” said commercial manager Phil Newton.

“That was in the main down to our tremendous supporters, who not only attended in great numbers but also in great spirits.”

There was a party atmosphere throughout the stadium and this was picked up on by Sky Sports broadcasters, who delighted in their welcome.

“We thank everyone for their continued support, but it doesn’t stop there” said Newton.

“As a group, the management of the Bandits have been re-energised and focused by the superb response to this event. It is our hope this can be a platform to push on with making the reputation of Berwick Speedway – worldwide – synonymous with a slick, professional and entertaining speedway show.”

He invited regular fans to encourage ‘speedway virgins’ or lapsed followers to come along to the club’s next event – on Saturday, June 8th at 7pm – at to let the management know in advance by calling 01289 307707, to allow their first visit to be truly memorable.

“Fans can also sign up to our e-newsletter which is packed with the latest news and views from Shielfield Park. This is totally free and will be delivered regularly, direct to their inboxes. It will carry exclusive offers relating to the Bandits.

The subscription form is on our home page at www.berwickbandits.co”.

In addition to his paying customers, Newton also publicly thanked everyone who contributed in so many small ways to such a successful meeting in front of the Sky Sports HD cameras.

“Newcastle, of course, for being part of the show, and we congratulate them on a great win against our battling Bandits.

“The Sky team whom were a pleasure to work alongside. They let us get on with putting ‘our show’ on, and caused no disruption or interruption to our presentation, merely saying: ‘you do your show, and we’ll film it’ - So easy!

“Our own track staff, and Berwick Rangers’ guys too – the sun shone on Shielfield Park, and it looked just great in HD! Our main sponsors, New Holland Agriculture helped turn the stadium into the ‘New Holland Arena’ for the night, and their tractors and promotional items enhanced our setting as they boosted the profile of New Holland with images shown around the world.

“Simply, we say thanks – and are already planning for the Ipswich visit on June 8th.”

GRAND NATIONAL winning jockey Ryan Mania was a very welcome celebrity visitor to Shielfield on Tuesday night for Berwick Bandits televised match against Newcastle Diamonds.

The personable young Scot, from Galashiels, was impressed by the bikes – although he declined a ride on club captain Kozza Smith’s machine – and very kindly tweeted his many thousands of followers about how much he had enjoyed his evening “at the skids”.

Interviewed by Bandits’ host Dick Barrie before racing, Ryan agreed that, as a borders boy he grew up hearing about rugby, horses – and speedway – as the main attractions in and around the area.

When introduced, Ryan received a big ovation – possibly from those who were “on” his 66-1 long-shot winner Auroras Encore, back in April.

The emergence of some rare butterflies is late because the cold spring say local volunteers with the charity Butterfly Conservation.

And they blame the chilliest start to spring for 50 years for delaying some butterflies by up to six weeks.

The charity’s east Scotland branch organiser, Eyemouth-based Barry Prater said: “March, the second coldest since records began, followed a chillier than average winter, with snow on the ground in places well into April, and the weather has failed to improve much so far in May.”

The Comma, Green-veined White and Orange Tip butterflies were about the month late, emerging at the end of April. The appearance of the Green Hairstreak was delayed by only a couple of weeks but the Speckled Wood’s first appearance at the end of the first week of May was six or so weeks later than usual.

But Mr Prater said: “This year’s late spring is not necessarily a bad thing for our butterflies as the emergence of the host plants their caterpillars depend upon will also have been delayed.”

The cold start to 2013 follows the worst year on record for UK butterflies with most species suffering declines last year.

Butterfly Conservation’s surveys manager, Richard Fox, said: “The key factor is what the weather is like over the coming weeks while these butterflies are flying, mating and laying eggs.

“They really need some fine spring weather and a successful breeding season to start rebuilding their populations.”

Meanwhile Butterfly Conservation and the Scottish Wildlife Trust are holding a ‘Murder Moss Mystery Tour’ at Lindean Reservoir, near Selkirk, on Saturday when Scottish Natural Heritage officer Sarah Eno will lead a walk around the reserve looking at the area’s plants, birds and insects from 11am. For more information contact Malcolm Lindsay on 01896 753425 or 07563 515854.

THE second match in this year’s JSB Plumbing Forth Valley Athletics League Division One took place at Grangemouth last week.

Torrential rain caused the high jump and the javelin to be staged indoors. Yes, you did read that correctly! Due to a flooded run-up, the javelin was held in the indoor training area using plastic training javelins.

Top marks to all the athletes, coaches and officials who braved the sometimes monsoon-like conditions for all the other events.

Wetness aside the relatively mild and calm conditions helped a good number of Team Borders’ young athletes record personal bests on the track. Although there were no individual A string winners on the day there was a host of seconds and thirds and the Under 15 Girls relay team of Emily Dagg, Beth Wardhaugh, Bryony Patterson and Katie Browne combined well to take the honours in the 4x100m. Borders’ overall strength in depth on the track saw four of their B string runners win their events as did Rhiannon Fagan, normally a middle-distance runner, in the aforementioned indoor javelin.

As in the first match, Team Borders finished fourth team of nine, this time with a total of 452 event points despite absentees, meaning the double points on offer for two of the six relays were missed. The 12 match points amassed so far should consolidate the team’s eighth place in Division One with the one remaining match due on August 3.

Full results can be found at http://www.jsbplumbing-forthvalley.fsnet.co.uk.

AT A warm and sunny Saturday night at the Cowdenbeath Racewall, and on a dry track surface, there was some close and fast racing.

Ian McGuigan (Jedburgh) was the local driver in the hot rods where they were participating in a World Championship qualifying round.

Billy Bonnar was using his spare car after his other was badly damaged in the European Championship whilst Graeme Callender was back after missing a couple of World Championship qualifying rounds

In the heats McGuigan picked up fourth places in both and when the final started quickly moved into third spot. At the end of the final McGuigan was still in third places but was under pressure from the fourth placed driver, Billy Bonnar.

There were double winner in each formula with Steven Burgoyne winning two in the lightning rods. However James Cochrane outdid the lot of them by winning all four saloon races.

Ally Strachan had a big rollover during the saloon final whilst Alan Ainslie had a troublesome night in the saloons only managing a couple of laps in the white/yellow challenge heat but thereafter he couldn’t get the car to run properly and failed to reappear.

The ministox drivers were again in good form which included Craig Murray (Moffat).

However Murray had an off night and failed to get into the results in any of his races.

This Saturday the formula IIs are back along with the saloons whilst the stock rods are contesting the M. Hastie memorial trophy whilst the bangers are contesting a World Championship qualifying round. As usual the meeting starts at 6.00pm.

GRAND National winning jockey Ryan Mania concluded Kelso’s season with a popular success at his local track on Sunday, when glorious sunshine attracted a bumper crowd for Ladies Day.

The 23-year-old former Braw Lad rode Endeavor to a convincing nine-length victory in the KOSB novices’ handicap chase – his first success over fences.

Sam Twiston-Davies who rode the runner-up, had earlier accounted for the feature John Smith’s handicap chase with Royale Knight – a first Kelso victor for Worcester trainer Dr Richard Newland.

After racing, a well-supported Injured Jockeys Fund “House that Jack Built” fine fillies charity race was won by Catterick clerk of the course Fiona Needham riding Amtired.

Read Hilary’s full report in this week’s Southern Sport.

RESULTS

2.10 - CROCO BAY (T Kelly) 2-1; 2, Groovy Dancer 7-1; 3, Born to Shine 25-1.Seven ran. P Atkinson, Yafforth.

2.40 – MINSTALAD (B Toomey) 100-30 fav; 2, Snuker 9-2; 3, Borolee 7-1. Eight ran. K Tutty, Northallerton.

3.15 – ENDEAVOR (R Mania) 5-1; 2, Some Lad 12-1; 3, Beidh Tine Anseo 12-1. Nine ran. D Sayer, Penrith.

3.50 – LIFE AND SOUL (J Maguire) 8- 13 fav; 2, Potomac 7-2; 3, Lone Foot Laddie 6-1. Eight ran. D McCain, Cholmondeley.

4.25 – ROYALE KNIGHT (S Twiston-Davies) 5-2 fav; 2, Carrigdhoun 7-1; 3, Solway Bay 25-1. Seven ran. Dr R Newland, Worcester.

5.00 – DROM (Mr W Kitchman) 9-2; Buckstruther 7-2; 3, Back on the Road 15-2. 11 ran. Mrs C Drury, Middleton.

5.30 – MAGIC PRESENT (B Hughes) 11-4 fav; 2, Biggar 7-2; 3, Proud Jack 8-1. Seven ran. M Jefferson, Malton.

6.00 – MR SATCO (J Maguire) 6-1; 2, Powederonthebonnet 13-8 fav; 3, Lagan Canal 11-4. Eight ran. D McCain.

A young Ednam entrepreneur has praised the Prince’s Trust and Business Gateway for their assistance in helping him establish his own company.

Sean Robson set up SR Mobile Tyre Fitting six weeks ago, having worked in the industry for almost seven years, starting when he was just 16.

Sean said: “I used to be a tyre fitter, but I wanted to start up on my own, so I left to distance myself from it for a while before setting up my own business.” After a short time away, Sean sought advice from Youth Business Scotland (part of the Prince’s Trust) and Business Gateway.

“I always wanted to be my own boss and get out there and try new things, and I knew there was a market for this.

“You can get your shopping delivered to your house, or your car sprayed at home, so why not get your tyres fitted at home or at your work,” he added.

“I heard about the Prince’s Trust from various people, so I contacted Tara Bolland (regional manager) and she asked me to go in and discuss my ideas, and then they wanted me to go before a panel to see if I was able to get funding.”

He added: “Scott McLean has been a great help, he’s my advisor and he knows exactly what I’m about. Everything he has said I have taken on board.

“I also got help from Business Gateway, going on a book-keeping course through them.

“It is great to have that help available and I would recommend anyone looking to set up on their own to get in touch with them,” Sean said.

As well as working on cars, he is aiming to service the tyre needs of the local farming community. “Farmers need their machinery going 24/7, so they need someone available to go and do the work any time.”

Sean has also invested in a mobile card payment terminal, to make things even easier for customers.

Mr McLean, who was on the panel which agreed a loan for Sean before becoming his volunteer advisor, said: “Sean made a great case and it is clear he knows what hard work is needed, and we were very pleased to support him.”

Scott Wight has agreed a new one-year contract with Glasgow Warriors.

The 27-year-old stand-off joined Glasgow from Melrose in 2011 and this new deal means he’ll be at Scotstoun until at least May 2014.

Wight has made 22 appearances for the Warriors and has scored 69 points.

Wight said: “I’ve only ever wanted to stay in Glasgow and I’m very happy to have signed this new deal for next season.

“There is a lot of competition for places at the club, but that is healthy as it pushes you on and makes you a better player.

“I’ve really enjoyed the last couple of years in Glasgow and I believe we can only get better next season.”

Glasgow Warriors head coach, Gregor Townsend said: “We’re delighted to keep Scott here next season, which reinforces the competition within our squad for the number 10 jersey.

“Scott is one of our most consistent performers in training and has an excellent understanding of the game.

“I’m sure he will be doing all he can to stake a claim throughout the season and seize any opportunity that comes his way.”

Scottish Rugby has appointed New Zealand born Vern Cotter as future head coach of the national team.

Currently with top French side Clermont Auvergne Cotter, 51, has enjoyed extensive success in both the northern and southern hemisphere, he will take over from Scott Johnson in June next year.

He has been with Clermont since 2006, directing them to the French championship in 2010. Prior to his post in France, Cotter was part of the coaching set-up that steered Canterbury Crusaders to successive Super rugby titles in 2005 and 2006.

Scottish Rugby’s chief executive, Mark Dodson, said: “We are delighted to have secured the services of a coach of Vern’s pedigree for the Scotland team.

“Vern is rightly regarded as one of the top coaches in the world and to have secured someone of his calibre is a coup for Scotland. He was our first choice as head coach and we are pleased to have secured him on a two-year contract taking us up to and beyond the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Cotter will step into his post in June 2014, until then, he will be on hand to assist Scott Johnson and the Scotland coaching team with advice during the Autumn Tests in November and the 2014 RBS Six Nations Championship before joining full-time as head coach ahead of the summer tour.”

Cotter said: “I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured to have been appointed to the role of Scotland head coach.

“I look forward to the Scotland team growing in competitiveness and stature. We will build a winning team together.

“I have been in regular contact with Mark and Scott Johnson in recent weeks and I’m delighted that Jonathan Humphreys has joined the coaching team.”

The appointment was made following an international search led by Mark Dodson. The appointment panel comprised of Alan Lawson (SRU President), Sir Moir Lockhead (SRU Chairman), Ian McLauchlan, John Jeffrey and Mark Dodson.

A consultation is to be launched today by a Borders MSP with a proposal to ban smoking in vehicles while children are present.

Speaking ahead of the launch at Holyrood, Jim Hume said: “Passive smoking is entirely avoidable and a private vehicle is one of the few places a child can still be legally exposed to tobacco smoke.

“I want to change this so that we can better safeguard the rights of children in Scotland and give them the healthiest start in life.

“I’ll be making that case to MSP’s today when I launch the consultation, but I hope that people and organisations from across Scotland will have their say.

“Countries such as Canada, Australia and some states in the USA have already taken this step. I know that attitudes to smoking have changed dramatically even over the past ten years, but if this can improve a single child’s health I think it is a step we need to take.

“A host of supportive organisations such as Children in Scotland, the British Lung Foundation, ASH Scotland and the British Heart Foundation will attend the launch today.

“I hope that MSPs of all parties will attend and put their questions to myself and to the experts who are supporting these proposals.”

A POLICE sergeant has appeared in private at Selkirk Sheriff Court, accused of a number of sexual offences including rape.

Kevin Storey, 46, from Melrose, faces a total of 10 charges which include assault and rape, attempted rape, indecent assault and assault to injury.

The Galashiels-based police officer made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond released Storey on bail.

The next court appearance has yet to be confirmed.

THE second match in this year’s JSB Plumbing Forth Valley Athletics League Division One took place at Grangemouth last week.

Torrential rain caused the high jump and the javelin to be staged indoors. Yes, you did read that correctly. Due to a flooded run-up, the javelin was held in the indoor training area using plastic training javelins.

Top marks to all the athletes, coaches and officials who braved the sometimes monsoon-like conditions for all the other events.

Wetness aside the relatively mild and calm conditions helped a good number of Team Borders’ young athletes record personal bests on the track. Although there were no individual A string winners on the day there was a host of seconds and thirds and the Under 15 Girls relay team of Emily Dagg, Beth Wardhaugh, Bryony Patterson and Katie Browne combined well to take the honours in the 4x100m. Borders’ overall strength in depth on the track saw four of their B string runners win their events as did Rhiannon Fagan, normally a middle-distance runner, in the aforementioned indoor javelin.

As in the first match, Team Borders finished fourth team of nine, this time with a total of 452 event points despite absentees, meaning the double points on offer for two of the six relays were missed. The 12 match points amassed so far should consolidate the team’s eighth place in Division One with the one remaining match due on August 3.

Full results can be found at http://www.jsbplumbing-forthvalley.fsnet.co.uk.

A BRAND new trail race around the picturesque estate near Falkland Palace on Saturday brought success for the Gala Harriers seniors who found the course and the weather much to their liking.

In a field of 53 runners across 10 kilometres Captain Rachel Fagan, in 10th place, led the Gala women home in a time of 44 minutes 56 seconds, followed by Joeleen McKean (17th in 46.59) Fiona Dalgleish (22nd in 48.35) Eileen Nicol (36th in 51.36) and Andrea Pogson (40th in 52.44). This ensured that they secured second overall team position beaten only by Edinburgh Athletic Club.

Not to be outdone the men had to cover 15k and in a big field of 81 starters, put themselves in third place overall, again a well-deserved result. 16th placed Fergus Johnston led the team home in 55 minutes, with his eight team mates putting in some spirited performances to capture that bronze medal position: Graeme Murdoch (57.07) Colin McCall (58.56) Mark Bryson (59.33) Dave Nightingale (1.03.58) Derrick Brydon (1.06.12) Steve Martin (1.08.53) Tommy Knox (1.12.21) and Graham Pogson (1.13.34).

A 31-year-old man was cut from a vehicle after a head-on crash in St Boswells this afternoon.

The passenger was removed by fire crews from a Vauxhall Corsa car which hit a Volkswagen Scirocco at 2.05pm outside the Border Toyota garage.

He was taken to Borders General Hospital on a spinal board with suspected back injuries. The two drivers of the cars are not believed to have been injured in the incident which was attended by police, two fire appliances from Galashiels and Jedburgh and paramedics.

The accident resulted in the closure of the A68 for an hour, causing considerable delays in both directions, but has now reopened.

A total of 97 per cent of patients admitted to A & E departments in the Borders in March were seen within the four hour target.

Although below the 98 per cent national compliance target, the figure is the third month in a row that an improvement has been seen.

And the number is well above NHS Borders six year low of 93 per cent in April 2012.

The five A & E hospital departments include Borders General, The Knoll, Kelso, Hay Lodge and Hawick Cottage.

Borders MSP John Lamont said: “Despite having a higher number of admissions to Accident and Emergency departments in March it is encouraging to see that more patients are being seen within four hours.

“This is the highest percentage of patients being seen within the target time since October last year and means that NHS Borders is performing well above other health regions in Scotland.

“I know that many patients get extremely frustrated at having to wait long periods of time to be seen by a doctor, especially if their problem is deemed as urgent. It is great to see A & E waiting times being minimised and ensures that patients in the Borders receive the best care possible.”

A charity has claimed the number of clients in the Borders using payday loans has more than doubled.

Only 11 per cent of Borderers approaching StepChange Debt charity in 2012 had the loans compared to 25 per cent in the first three months of 2013.

Between 2011 and 2012 the average amount owed increased by £842 to reach £1,501, although fell to £1,235 by March this year.

Across Scotland as a whole the average payday loan debt of those seeking help from StepChange Debt was £1,665 in 2012, up from £1,199 in the previous year.

The data shows that in 2012 the average monthly income of a StepChange client in Scotland with payday loans was £1,268 per month, but the average payday loan debt was £1,665.

Sharon Bell, head of StepChange Debt Scotland said: “The dramatic rise in problem payday loan debt in Scotland is alarming as this type of debt is expensive and can quickly spiral out of control.

“Regulators are taking some action but there are still widespread problems across the payday loan sector.

“It is crucial that anyone struggling to repay what they owe at the end of the month doesn’t just roll their loan over and rack up very high charges, but takes control and seeks advice from a debt charity instead.”

In March, The Office of Fair Trading gave the 50 biggest payday lenders a 12-week deadline to prove they practiced good behaviour after a series of complaints.

Stow2

Leithen Rovers5

There were more sub-plots than a Shakespeare play, but ultimately Leithen Rovers proved too strong for a depleted Stow side, writes Kenny Paterson.

Two brothers (Hagen and Jordan Steele) going head to head, the final game of Craig Lowrie’s career in amateur football and an attempt by Stow player/manager Paul Young to win his first cup, made for an intriguing match-up.

But Paul Graham’s men were deserving winners of the Forsyth Cup, despite Young scoring surely the goal of the season from inside his own half.

Manager Graham said: “It has been a long, hard season so it is great to round it off with some silverware.

“I have spoken to five or six players for next season and most of the existing squad are staying, apart from Lowrie. Credit to Craig, he has been a real servant to Leithen Rovers among other clubs. He is a real class Border Amateur player.

“We want to build for next year, and get back among the silverware again.”

For Young, there was frustration but also pride at his side’s showing.

He told us: “It definitely wasn’t a 5-2 game. There is still a lot for us to be proud of and we achieved our main objective, which was to get promoted to Division A.”

With five players suspended, Stow struggled from the off. However, Leithen needed a favourable decision from referee Bruce Crockatt to open the scoring, as the whistler ruled Kevin Rutherford had brought down Hagen Steele in the penalty area. Steele despatched the spot kick and on 32 minutes Alan McMath proved he is still a clinical striker as he capitalised on a James Kerr error.

But Stow showed plenty spirit to fight back, firstly through Martin Gibson’s coolly taken goal and then, on the stroke of half time, Young volleyed home from just inside his own half.

Yet, Stow were only on level terms for 10 minutes before Ross Forrest, headed in Hagen Steele’s corner. Ten minutes from time McMath headed beyond goalkeeper Tom Kerr. And a minute from the end, sub Mark Hanratty was sent clean through to make it five.

Leithen Rovers: C. Watson, D. Paterson (R. Bailie), G. Rathie, C. Lowrie (R. Forrest), C. Borthwick, D. Stewart, T. Fleming (S. Quinn), A. Brunton, H. Steele, A. McMath (M. Hanratty), D. Thomson.

Stow: T. Kerr, K. Rutherford (G. Cleghorn), J. Kerr, D. Henry, D. Leckie, J. Wilson, P. Young, J. Runciman, J. Steele, M. Gibson (G. Smith), J. Crawford (G. Thomson).

MORE than 400 riders travelled to a sunny Peebles to take part in the TweedLove POC King and Queen of the Hill enduro at TweedLove at the weekend.

But it was local talent that reigned supreme.

Gary Forrest took the men’s title, winning all five stages and with an obvious point to prove after a disappointing debut in the Enduro World Series in Italy the week before. So it was probably pretty satisfying for the Ibis UK rider to take nearly a minute out of EWS Director Chris Ball, who had to settle for second place. And Crawford Carrick Anderson celebrated his 43rd birthday with third place.

In the women’s race Emma Guy took the honours, with just three seconds separating her and last year’s Queen Katy Winton. Third place went to Lesley Ingram, who was pleased to podium after puncturing early in the day.

The route featured 1350 metres of climbing and some of the best downhill sections ever created in the valley. Although it made for some tough riding conditions and a few mechanicals, the general consensus amongst the riders was the level was just right, with most making it home within the five hour time limit.

After the race Gary said: “This race meant more to me than the Enduro World Series, even when I was in Italy last week I was thinking about King of the Hill. I’m really happy to have won on my home trails, it means a lot. And what about Crawfy and Chris - not bad for old boys eh?”

Gala Rovers thumped Pencaitland 8-1 in the Border Amateur League Division A last night.

Des Sutherland scored another hat-trick to take his total to 71 for the season, with goalkeeper turned goal machine Michael Fenton grabbing a double.

Other goals came from Andy Hardie, Allan Nicol and Callum Jardine.

The match is the last played by Pencaitland in the BAL, as the East Lothian club moves to the Lothian and Edinburgh League next season.

Rovers have already won the league but could yet meet Pencaitland again in the final of the Waddell Cup.