More than 1,000 primary school-aged children from across the Borders will participate in the 10th Festival of Football on Sunday.

The annual tournament is one of the biggest participation events in the region and the largest of its kind in the South East of Scotland. Over 100 teams will take part, with games being played on a round robin basis.

The festival also includes SBJFA cup finals for U13s (Gala Fairydean v Hawick 11am); U14s (Gala Fairydean v Eyemouth 12.20pm); U15s (Gala Fairydean v Selkirk 1.55pm); andU17s (Hawick v Duns 3.30pm).

The event is organised by Borders Sport and Leisure in conjunction with the SBJFA and honours the memory of Selkirk teenager, Cameron Gunn who died while playing football, aged 19, in 1991.

The show is about to start rolling and the sound of the starter’s gun will be heard at Earlston Games on Saturday.

Running right through to August, the Border Games circuit will no doubt produce some excellent running, drama, excitement, surprises and disappointments en route.

Talking of the forthcoming term, Allan Ferguson of Border Athletics told The Southern: “It has all the makings of being a very good season as there are two new meetings. One of them is being held in Edinburgh, but like the games that took place at Meadowmill last season, it goes under Border Athletics.

“The new games will be at Meggetland on Friday evening, July 5, and it has big prize money, as the sprint is worth £3,000 and the half-mile £700. There are also going to be games at Lauder, but no date has been set for this yet.

“Due to the track being replaced, there will be no games at Tweedbank and the classic meeting at the end of the season will take place at Earlston High School.”

The main event on a bumper Earlston card, which has attracted a record sprint entry, is the 90m handicap, which consists of nine heats.

Back marker for the event is Greg Turnbull of TLJT, who has been placed on a mark of 1m by handicapper Don Campbell.

Also gunning for glory from the back of the field for TLJT is Craig Grieve. The Jedburgh flyer, who won the Hawick Games 110m handicap last year, goes from 2m.

Other TLJT athletes in the Earlston sprint include Darrin Scott (5m), Graeme Scott (7.5m), Lee Goodfellow (8.5m) and Jenna Gillan (17.5m).

Bidding to retain the sprint title he won 12 months ago is Luke Lowther of Jed AC.

Coached by Brian ‘Chico’ Woods, Lowther competes from 13m. Also representing Jed AC are Holly Mackay (17m), Cameron Grieve (7m), Scott Richardson (4m) and Scott Elliot (11.5m).

A host of other Borderers are set to get down on their marks such as Selkirk’s Kerr Gerrard (7.5m) and Geoff Keen (10m); Leigh Marshall (2.5m) and James Parker (4.5m), all of Hawick; and Kelso brothers John Fleming (5.5m) and Matthew Fleming (12.5m).

Colin Welsh of Kelso (15m) runs from the back in the 800m handicap, while Dean Whiteford, Innerleithen (70m), Rowan Marr of Gala Harriers (50m) also go in this one.

Other senior races, as well as junior/youths events complete the programme.

Property of the week

What and where?

18 Kingsknowe Place, Galashiels

How much?

Guide Price £160,000

Who is selling?

Cullen Kilshaw

Anything else?

EPC Rating C, rent to buy option available

Located in a quiet residential cul-de-sac, within a sought after area of the town, this attractive semi-detached home is within the catchment area for St Peter’s Primary School.

The accommodation, comprising three bedrooms, a lounge, a well-appointed kitchen, and family bathroom, is well proportioned throughout, presented in very good decorative order, and is perfectly suited to those searching for an easily-managed family home.

The lounge is spacious and is suited to have a dining area at one end. The room is well lit by a bay-style window to the front and sliding patio doors to the rear which lead out to the garden.

There are two comfortably proportioned double bedrooms and one single, suitable for a child’s bedroom or study.

The main double bedroom includes a built-in wardrobe.

There is central heating and double glazing throughout.

Outside, there is a drive to the front providing parking for two to three cars, with private gardens to the rear, including a patio area.

There is also a gate from the back garden leading onto a road at the rear which is ideal for parking a caravan, motorhome or work vehicle. The property enjoys lovely views over the surrounding countryside.

St Boswells

On Monday John Swan Ltd sold 102 clean cattle, 65 OTM cattle, 785 old season lambs, 193 new season lambs and 331 ewes.

Bullocks (40) averaged 231.1p per kg and sold to 247p (-2.1p on week), heifers (61) averaged 227.8p per kg and sold to 249p (+0.5p on week), one young bull sold to 212 (n/c on week) and 65 beef type OTM cattle averaged 143.3p per kg and sold to 185p (n/c on the week).

Old season SQQ lambs averaged 191p per kg (-10.3p on week) and sold to £103, new season lambs averaged 238p per kg and sold to £120.

Ewes averaged £64.52, and sold to £105, heavy ewes £77.43, light ewes £43.98.

Principal prices per kg: Upper Nisbet 2.49 Denholm Meats, 2.45 M/s Moor; Mosstower 2.48 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons; Bee edge 2.47 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons, 2.46 Robert Wilson Butcher, 2.45 W Taylor (Lockerbie) Ltd; Upper Hundalee 2.47 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons; Ramrig 2.47M/s Moor; Gospel Hall 2.46 Charles Wilson; Smailholm Mains 2.45 W Taylor (Lockerbie), 2.44 Malone of Edinburgh; Lurdenlaw 2.45 M/s Moor; Cockburn 2.45 M/s TA Shaw; Jedderfield 2.44 (2) M/s Moor and W Taylor(Lockerbie); Corsbie 2.44 W Taylor (Lockerbie).

Principal prices per head: Lurdenlaw £1691.15, £1357.10, £1653.75, £1648.80; Upper Nisbet.

Cows per head: Mosstower £1303.20, £1115.40; Cortleferry £1270.90; Ramrig £1239.50; West Mains £1208.25; Skelfhill £1190; Meigle £1184.55; Thirlestane £1179.75, £1108.80; Corsbie £1128.90.

Cows per kg: Ramrig 1.85; Mosstower 1.81, 1.69; Cortleferry 1.79; West Mains 1.79; Skelfhill 1.75; West Newbiggin 1.69; Corsbie 1.69, 1.59; Thirlestane 1.65; Rumbleton 1.63 (2); Upper Huntlywood 1.62, 1.59; Meigle 1.59; Larriston 1.59.

Bulls: Wester Middleton £1905 (150); Upper Huntlywood £1587.30 (143); Hutlerburn £1470 (147); Caverton Mill £1459.50 (139); Crammond Hill £1420.40 (134), £1261.40 (119).

New season lambs per head: Char;- £120 Penston, Suff.x;- £119 Lochside and Smailholm Mains, Tex.x;- £113 Lochside.

New season lambs per kg: Suff.x;- 253.2 Lochside, 251.3 Edrom Mains, Tex.x;- 251.1 Lochside, 250 Sydenham, Char;- 241.5 Faughhill.

Old season lambs per head: Suff.x;- £103 Bonjedward Mill, £102 Belmont, Tex.x;- £98 Bedrule and The Whitehouse, Chev;- £95 The Whitehouse, £88 Southfield.

Old season lambs per kg: Suff.x;- 219.2 Bonjedward Mill, 216.7 Bedrule, Tex.x;- 223.3, 215 Bedrule, Chev;- 220.9 The Whitehouse, 202.6 Towford.

Cast ewes: Tex;- £105 Wanton Walls, £100 Muircleugh, Suff.x;- £89 Muircleugh, BF;- £63 Middle Monynut, £57 Kirktonhill, Chev;- £83 Provost Melrose Place, GF;- £77 Kirktonhill.

Rams sold to £103 for Suffolk, £97 for Cheviot.

Border Livestock

During last week Border Livestock Exchange Ltd sold 117 prime cattle including 39 cows, 148 store cattle and 714 prime sheep including 241 cast ewes.

Aberdeen Angus x heifers from Eastfield of Lempitlaw sold to 450p per kilo to Well Hung and Tender, Berwick.

Cull cows sold to 340p per kilo for a tremendous consignment from Tullochallum, Keith, which sold to £1,428 per head.

Continental steers sold to 412p per kilo and £1,811 per head.

New season lambs sold extremely well with Texel x reaching 560p per kilo and £117.60 per head from Lamberton Holdings.

Cull ewes were slightly firmer on the week Blackfaced ewes to £74.50.

Mules to £88 and Lleyn x ewes £77 per head.

Store cattle lifted in price with grazing types easier to sell. Strong forward stores for finishing mid-summer were also keenly sought after.

Wooler

At their weekly Primestock Sale John Swan Ltd had forward and sold eight spring lambs, 310 hoggs and 113 ewes.

First spring lambs of the season from South Falaknowe sold to £113.50, £104 and to 276.8p, 266.7p per kilo.

Hoggs the same old story, flesh sought after lean stock hard to sell.

Leading prices per head:- Tex.x:- £99 (2) Shotton, £97 Newstead, £90.50 Shotton. Suff.x:- £99, £97 Newstead. Bel.x:- £87.50 Ladykirk. Chev:- £91.50 Shotton. Mule:- £85.50 West Longridge.

Leading prices per kilo:- Chev:- 232.2p Shotton. Tex.x:- 220.7p Shotton, 216.3p Ladykirk, 214.1p West Longridge, 213.8p (2), 213.4p Ladykirk. Mule:- 208.8p Fawdon Farms. Suff.x:- 200p Newstead.

Ewes in shorter supply, all classes showing a decent rise on the week .

Leading prices:- Suff:- £109 Eildon Cottage. Tex.x:- £105 East Fleetham, £98 Marigold, £97 Linhope Farming (Roddam). BL:- £101 Eildon Cottage. BFL:- £101 D Donovan (Roddam). Suff.x:- £95 East Fleetham, £90 Marigold. Mule:- £79.50 Linhope Farming (Roddam). BF:- £60 Broadlaw.

Rams:- Suff.x:- £119 Eildon Cottage.

StepChange Debt says the number of Borderers 
using payday loans has more than doubled from 11 per cent in 2012 to 25 per cent in the first three months of 2013.

Sharon Bell, head of the charity, said the findings were alarming.

It is all change for this year’s St Boswells Village Week when the 2013 programme of activities kicks off on Saturday.

Running from Saturday until Sunday, June 9, the week is packed with all the usual activities from coffee mornings, tennis and golf club fun days, fancy dress and the always popular Boswells Got Talent right through to the hotly contested village race on the final day of fun.

This year there are some important changes. Firstly, Boswells Got Talent has been moved from the Thursday evening to Saturday, June 8, and is from 7pm in the village hall.

This popular competition has been moved to allow for ‘no school in the morning’. Charge for this event remains the same at £3/£2 with entries free of charge for performers and all monies raised will go to the St Boswells Pensioners’ Social Club.

The official village hall refurbishment project launch will be held on Thursday, June 6, with a cheese and wine event from 6.45-8.45pm.

Plans will be available to view and there will be a chance to hear how much has been raised so far and how to become involved. Local Atlantic rower, Leven Brown, will also be on hand to entertain with stories of his amazing experiences and challenges.

The Earlston High School Jazz Band will be providing the musical entertainment. Everyone, including children, is very welcome to come along. There is no charge for this event.

And, shock news!

The village ace route has changed. The new route can be viewed in the Post Office window and has been changed to avoid the dangerous Maxton Road section which was of concern last year.

Every year St Boswells Village Week events get bigger, better and enjoy more attendances no matter the weather.

It is a special week in the year – for fun and fancy dress but also to raise much needed money and awareness for the groups involved.

Village Week committee chair, Kate Warner, commented: “We hope everyone in the village – and beyond – will enjoy many of the events during the week.

“There really is something for everyone. With activities costing very little or completely free there can be no reason not to join in.

“This is a chance for organisations to raise money as costs are covered by the village events funding. The bunting is up and we are ready to go!”

St Boswells Village Week Timetable of Events

Saturday, June 1

9.30-11.30am – coffee morning in church hall

10am – cross country run from the bus stop (£4)

2pm-5pm – family tennis fun day and barbecue at Tennis Court (free)

7.30pm – St Boswells Live! In Village hall. £10/£5/£25 per family

Sunday, June 2

9am-1pm – car boot sale on the green

Monday, June 3

10.30-11.45am – Poppy’s Puppets in village hall (suitable for pre-school children £2 incl snack)

12pm – lunch in village hall (£2/£1.50/ £1 if at puppets)

2.30-5pm – golf fun day in golf club & food from 5pm (free; there will be a cost for food)

Tuesday, June 4

6.30pm – evening guided walk with John Wood, two hours moderate to Maxton by rail track and back along riverside, meet at bus stop (not suitable for push/wheelchairs) (free)

Wednesday, June 5

6pm – car treasure hunt starts & finishes at the village hall (followed by supper in hall and results, £5 per car)

Thursday, June 6

2.30-4pm – afternoon tea for all in church hall (£2/£1/under 5s free)

6.15pm – Beat the Retreat on the green (free) with pipe band, dancing/music from primary school children

7pm-9pm – cheese & wine refurbishment launch in village hall (free) guest speaker Leven Brown, Atlantic rower – everyone welcome including children

Friday, June 7

Noon-1.30pm – lunch club in church hall

6.30pm – fancy dress parade on the green (theme is ‘something beginning with b’) (free)

7.15pm – fancy dress results in village hall (free)

7.30pm – family disco & karaoke in village hall (donations please, no unaccompanied children please)

Saturday, June 8

10am – pet show & cream teas on the green

10.30am – climb on board a fire engine

2.30pm – family football at the rugby club (mixed teams, fun activities on side)

7pm – Boswells Got Talent in village hall (come and watch £3/£2; register to perform (free) before event

Sunday, June 9

10.30am – church service on the croft

11.30am – coffee after church in church hall

2pm – traditional potted sports on the croft (free) (egg & spoon, sack race, etc plus all the favourites like welly throwing)

4pm – the village race (with St Boswells Silver Band, medal presentation and raffle)

6pm – BBQ & game of rounders at cricket club (bar open afternoon-evening, come and have your tea at BBQ).

MEMBERS of the Duke of Buccleuch Pony Club enjoyed their annual show, held by kind permission of John Swan, at Newtown Auction Mart.

The results of the hotly contested categories are as follows:

Adult Dressage P4: 1, Katie Fainsworth (Gordon); 2, Victoria Walton (Luke); 3, Katie-Jo Nixon (Chile).

Adult Dressage P7: 1, Katie Dun (Toby); 2, Victoria Walton (Luke); 3, Katie-Jo Nixon (Chili).

Group A Dressage P4: 1, Joanna Mitchell (Boston); 2, Imogen Johnston-Jones (Kilkenny Mist).

Adult Showjumping

Novice: 1, Christine Gray (Ettrick Pure); 2, Amy Coltherd (Darkwood Peru); 3, Kirst Veitch (Jake).

Nursery: 1, Katie-Jo Nixon (Chile); 2, Clive Storey (Spof); 3, Niomi Patterson (Honey).

Group A: 1, Joanne Mitchell (Boston); 2, Louise Hebdon (Rock on Raffy); 3, Mel Foggan (Caramac).

Group B: 1, Georgie Buchan (Golden Hill Cherry); 2, Duncan McFadyen (Here Comes Molly); 3, Lucinda Crawford (Sum it Up).

Group C: 1, Alex Edgar (Sparky); 2, Katy McFadyen (Beauty); 3, Katy McFadyen (Cara).

Group D: 1, Daisy Scott-Watson (Iona); 2, Isobel Mactaggart (Harmony); 3, Amelie Johnston-Jones (Aero).

Lead Rein Showjumping: 1, Elliot Hedley (Fudge); 2, Zander Mactaggart (Norman); 3, Archie Anderson (Dondo).

Working Hunter

Novice: 1, Kirsty Brewis (Maddie); 2, Victoria Walton (Luke); 3, Libby Todd (Murphy).

Group A: 1, Joanne Mitchell (Boston); 2, Louise Hebson (Rock on Raffy); 3, Martha Todd (Humbug).

Group B: 1, Lucinda Crawford (The Raindancer); 2, Lucinda Crawford (Sum It Up); 3, Georgie Buchan (Golden Hill Cherry).

Group C: 1, Georgie Denne (Charlie); 2, Vicky Edgar (Another Adventure); 3, Emma Brown (Bert).

Championship winner: Lucinda Crawford (The Raindancer).

YOUNG badminton players from the Borders travelled to Largs for the Anglo-Scottish competition and just missed out on a fourth place.

Ten youngsters, three coaches and several parents accompanied the Borders team who won five out of the eight matches played. They were only beaten by Clyde (6-4), West (6-4) and Lothian (8-2). There were two close wins against Northumberland/Durham and Yorkshire, with five games going to points difference, and finally a 6-4 win against great rivals Cumbria.

The team did fantastic and enjoyed a great weekend of games and fun at the superb location of Sportscotland’s Inverclyde National Coaching Centre. Yorkshire managed to take the fourth slot on points difference leaving the battling Borderers in fifth overall.

They were second in the previous Anglo-Scottish tournament in Ashington and third at the Scottish Schools Inter-area.

The Border Badminton Group also thanked the Roxburgh and Berwickshire District Sports councils for supporting the squads financially.

Training resumes on August 3 at Kelso High School with the Border Badminton Academy taking place at Earlston High School from August 12-14.

Grand National winning jockey Ryan Mania concluded Kelso’s season with a popular success at his local track on Sunday.

Glorious sunshine attracted a bumper crowd for Ladies Day and the 23-year-old former Braw Lad rewarded his home crowd by riding Endeavor to a convincing nine-length victory in the KOSB novices’ handicap chase.

Penrith trainer Dianne Sayer, who trains the gelding for East Lothian owner Margaret Coppola, told TheSouthern: “He is a delinquent, but he really tried there. He liked the firm ground.”

Some Lad, who collected the best turned out prize for Hawick handler Alison Hamilton, ran a good race to take second in the colours of the trainer’s husband, Gavin.

Jason Maguire and Donald McCain completed a victorious double, landing the Jack Clark Swan Song novices’ hurdle race with Life and Soul, before adding the concluding division of the Mercedes Benz of Coldstream bumper with Mr Satco.

Life and Soul made all to hold Potomac, trained in Northumberland by Rose Dobbin and ridden by Hawick jockey Wilson Renwick, by three lengths.

“He likes that ground. The firmer the better for him,” said Renwick.

Irish point-to-point winner Mr Satco also made all to hold favourite Powderonthebonnet.

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.

Croco Bay won the opening Border Facilities novices handicap hurdle race, where favourite Abbey Garth slipped on the bend and never got back into the contest.

Multiple point-to-point victor Minstalad was never headed to record his first win under Rules in the Reece, Ben, Jessica, and Charlotte Coppola handicap chase.

Snuker, from James Ewart’s Langholm stable, presented a gallant challenge to finish just a length behind in second.

Drom landed the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards open hunter chase, coming home four-and-a-half lengths clear of Buckstruther, owned by Hawick farmer Alastair Bell and his wife Rachel, and ridden by Aintree winning jockey Jamie Hamilton.

Magic Present made all to take the opening division of the Mercedes Benz of Coldstream bumper for Malcolm Jefferson and Brian Hughes.

Racing was preceded by a 16-strong Borders Barmy Army Pantomine horse race, won by Don’t Push It, representing Chandler Sports.

Second was Arpal Magic from Selkirk-based R P Adam Ltd, and third Ballabrigs representing The Kilt Shop from Galashiels.

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.

They beat Joey Richards – daughter of Greystoke trainer Nicky – on That’ll Do Nicely, with Shelley Dwyer and Bajan Sunshine in third.

THE 2013 Scottish Orienteering Championships, hosted this year by South-West clubs, were blessed with glorious weather last weekend.

The event combined an individual race on Saturday at Loch Doon followed by the relays at Maxwellton near Moniaive.

Pride of place on Saturday went to John Tullie who retained his M55 trophy despite a recent ankle injury. Club mate Pauline McAdam led the W55 class for much of the day but was finally nudged into second place by a late starter.

Karen Maxwell made up the trio of Roxburgh Reivers on the podium with her third place on W18. The relays provided another enjoyable day in warm sunshine with magnificent views across the area.

John Tullie was first back out the forest and his team of Barry Veitch and Ian Maxwell managed to hang onto first place in their age class, winning the magnificent prize of a pack of teacakes. The remaining two club teams finished in fifth and sixth in their respective age classes.

The next local event is at Hawick on June 15, more details at www.roxburghreivers.org.uk

A DELIGHTED Dianne Lauder exceeded her own expectations at the weekend by winning the Edinburgh Half Marathon after overhauling long-time leader Jennifer McLean in the closing stages of a gruelling race.

On a day of highly competitive racing, the 33-year-old from Hawick smashed her personal best by seven minutes to win the event in 1.16.59.

“It was actually someone who was cheering on Jennifer who spurred me on in the closing stages,” said Lauder, who was still recovering from a stomach bug.

The Edinburgh Marathon weekend went down in athletics history as turning unseasonably scorching just at the wrong time.

Although Sunday wasn’t as hot as Saturday, the 26-mile route was very warm at times for the 10 Gala Harriers who had trained throughout the winter months for the gruelling distance and they all had targets they wanted to meet. Billy McCulloch was the pick of the bunch achieving 3 hours, 18 minutes and 10 seconds. Second home for the club was Euan Calvert in 3.23.34, with Keith King in 3.35.00 and not far behind was a delighted Nicola Porterfield in 3.41.46.

Breaking the four-hour barrier takes careful pacing and some fine examples of this were shown by Gina Allen (3.58.28), Anne Weir (3.58.50), Dawn Grant (3.59.08), Gerry Moss (3.59.54) and Pauline Ballantyne (3.59.55). Lee Myers finished his race in 4.24.01 and all should be proud of their inspirational runs.

Borders-based Alan Bertram MBE, coach to both of the 2002 Commonwealth Games hammer gold medallists, died last week at the age of 76.

The Northumberland-born coach had been involved in the event for more than 50 years and adopted a proactive approach that saw him work with numerous hammer champions.

A former chief inspector at the Metropolitan Police, Bertram established hammer schools in West London and in Scotland, which continue to produce top throwers.

In 2003 Bertram moved up to Newtown St Boswells and set up his Border Reivers Hammer Academy, which struggled to attract members over the four years it ran.

“All the athletes built for hammer throwing are netted by the rugby clubs here,” Bertram told The Southern at the time.

Hill runner Scout Adkin (Moorfoot) was in action in The Lake District on Saturday in the 2013 Senior Home International.

Running for Scotland against teams from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the 19-year-old from Peebles finished 10th from 21 top runners in the field.

The uphill race over 8.7km from Keswick took in 940m of climb to the summit of Skiddaw and doubled as the UK trial for the European Mountain Running Championships in Bulgaria in July with the cream of Britain’s mountain runners in action. In what was her longest race ascent, Adkin finished in 58 minutes, 46 seconds, and was second in the U23 category to Laura Riches (England) with whom she had yo-yoed until losing out in the final push to the summit.

Borders athletes secured a mammoth medal haul at the East of Scotland Athletics Championships held at Meadowbank at the weekend.

In total eight golds, four silver and six bronze medals were taken by athletes from the region, competing in track and field events over two days of competition.

First up at the East District Championships on Friday evening was the triple jump, with Peebles jumper Faye Nicholson, 19, setting the standard by taking the senior women’s triple jump title. Next came 13 year old Henry Clarkson from Selkirk, who produced a lifetime best of 11.45 metres, to take first place in the U16 boys section, and also a move up the UK rankings to sixth place for his age group.

Meanwhile, on the track 13-year-old Bryony Patterson from Innerleithen was also producing the goods, powering down against stiff opposition, but holding her form to snatch the U14 girls’ 200m title.

The second day of competition started well with another superb performance from Patterson. Having begun to show in long jump in the indoor meets, she improved on her previous best by over 40cm, winning her second gold of the championships in the U14 girls’ competition.

Following his success in the triple jump the evening before, Clarkson produced yet another personal best to take silver in the U16 boys long jump event missing the gold by a mere 3cm.

All the above named are coached by Linda Nicholson who’s final medal was added to the tally with another great track run from Patterson, who completed her busy weekend with a bronze in the U14 girls’ 100m.

Gala juniors were very much on or around the podium also. Thomas Otton took a bronze in the 1500m, matched by similar coloured medals for Katie Brown and Rowan Marr in the 800m and 1500m. Katie repeated her bronze-winning ways in the 100m, and, with an unprecedented result in a new discipline for the club, her sister Rosie Browne took a bronze in the javelin with some superb throwing. But the stand out performance from the young Harriers was a gold medal for Isaac Bacon in the 100m.

Also on Saturday 19-year old Sophie Elder from Jedburgh, who competes for Lasswade AC, won the gold medal in the U20 400m.

Moorfoot Runners Zaynah Aziz (U14 1500m) and Eve Huxley (U14 100m) made up the Borders gold rush. Aziz also notched a bronze in the U14 800m while club mate Fiona Grant took silver in the U14.

Tweed Leader Jed Track’s Matt Dougall took silver in the U14 800m while West Linton race ace Stacey Downie, running for Edinburgh AC, took silver in the senior 100m.

Many more Borders athletes acquitted themselves admirably at the event with some finding themselves at the younger end of their age groups and up against some older and more experienced runners.

Borders Sport and Leisure development officer (athletics) told TheSouthern: “The results from last weekend’s competition has shown how hard athletes from the Borders, along with support from their coaches, have worked over the Winter months.

“Performances at the recent Forth Valley League and The East District championships demonstrate that athletics in the region is improving quickly.

“The key partners in the delivery of the athletics, Scottish Athletics, Borders Sport & Leisure and The Scottish Borders Athletics Development Group have been working closely to ensure that development programmes, competition opportunities and facilities are made available to athletes throughout the region. With the refurbishment of the track at Tweedbank about to commence shortly, athletics is very much on the up.”

Ah well, back to the wee feud I’m having with the two Jays – Lamont and Hume.

Now, of course, I regret any cuts or possible closures of our courts, and in my patch it’s Peebles, though, as you know, I am digging my heels in to make sure we get that justice centre in Galashiels.

We have to ask, why is the Scottish Government stuck for cash? Could it possibly be that it has had its budget – fixed by Westminster – trashed?

That’s both revenue and capital, by the way.

And who could possibly be at the helm of the SS UK, but George Osborne (Tory) and his pal, Danny Alexander (Lib Dem).

And let’s not forget that the last time the Lib/Dens were in Coalition it was here in Scotland-for eight long years with Labour. What was threatened then? Why the closure of Peebles Sheriff Court.

Remember this was in the good times when the then Scottish Executive had money to play with.

Do I smell hypocrisy in the air? Just a whiff.

Rabbits have Rights

Now I know that some of you will find this amusing and even a bit off the wall. To be truthful, so did I, but not after my visit to Buddies Bunnies, a rescue centre for neglected and abandoned pet rabbits.

I am now truly smitten and learned loads about the right way to keep these characterful pets.

See those wee huts the pet shops flog? A form of caged cruelty. You think you have a big enough run for your rabbit? Probably not.

Carrots and iceberg lettuce anyone? Not for rabbits.

You see how much I learned? If you go onto my Facebook page you will see me cuddling and looking lovingly at a great big handsome ... ah well, have a look and finish the sentence.

To Bee or not to Bee

While I’m on the topic of creatures, furry and otherwise, let me mention the demise of the Scottish bee colonies which have been devastated by several harsh and wet seasons.

But fear not, I have a cunning plan.

Well, actually, it’s the cunning plan of the local secretary of a bee-keepers’ association. With just £5,000 the hives in this neck of the woods could be revitalised. I have asked the Scottish Government if it will consider funding our skilled, but non-commercial, bee-keepers to breed a much-needed input of queen bees.

How? Now forget the pandas and think artificial insemination of bees.

Yes, you learn something new every day.

A SHERIFF this week questioned a specialist report which stated that a man who poured petrol over himself and threatened to set a health centre on fire does not pose a risk to the safety of others.

John McCarry was furious when Job Centre officials declared him fit to work and he learned his benefits would be stopped.

The 50-year-old poured a litre of petrol over his head and held the rest of a half-full plastic bottle in one hand and a lighter in the other in a doctor’s consulting room at Galashiels Health Centre in Currie Road on February 28.

Around 30 staff and patients were evacuated from the building after the alarm was raised.

A three-hour stand-off then followed before specially-trained police negotiators finally convinced McCarry to give up the bottle containing petrol and throw the lighter to the ground.

Selkirk Sheriff Court heard on Monday that a psychiatric report said that McCarry had a borderline personality disorder, but the author added he did not believe McCarry to be a risk to the safety of others.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond said he found it “difficult” to come to terms with that assessment.

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said McCarry had been angry at being told his benefits were going to be stopped after being assessed as fit to work and did not know what he was going to do.

Sheriff Drummond retorted: “Getting a job comes to mind.”

Hearing McCarry, of Gorse Lane, Galashiels, had been in custody for the past 88 days, the sheriff decided to release him on bail after deferring sentence until June 24. He called for a Criminal Justice Social Work Report to be prepared, including what measures could be put in place to address McCarry’s behaviour.

McCarry pleaded guilty to committing a breach of the peace at the health centre at a previous hearing.

A TEENAGER ended up being arrested after being out celebrating his 18th birthday.

Daniel Moffat was found by police and paramedics lying motionless in the garden of a house in Magdala Terrace, Galashiels, shortly after midnight on October 14.

He then started acting in a threatening and abusive manner, struggled violently with police officers and attempted to strike a paramedic.

Moffat, of Birkenside, Gorebridge, also admitted kicking a cupboard door inside an ambulance at Borders General Hospital.

At Selkirk on Monday, Sheriff Kevin Drummond said: “Being drunk is no excuse.

“For the behaviour at the hospital, you should know this kind of behaviour is commonly dealt with by custody.

“The only reason that you are not going to jail is that you are a first offender.”

Moffat was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £420 compensation for the damage caused to the ambulance.

‘LESSONS NOT BEING LEARNED’

TWENTY-year-old Sean Lockhart was jailed for 144 days after admitting a number of complaints.

They included struggling violently with police officers at a house in Fisher Avenue, Hawick, on April 24, and assault in the town’s Victoria Road after a dispute about a Rottweiler dog.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond told Lockhart, of Castlemilk Drive, Glasgow, that he had 14 previous convictions by the age of 20.

He added: “You don’t seem to be learning any lessons and because of your behaviour you are going to jail.”

The prison sentence was backdated to April 20.

TRIAL DATE

IS SET

GRAEME Cook appeared from custody and denied behaving in a threatening and abusive manner at a house in Trinity Street, Hawick, on Friday. The accused pleaded not guilty to shouting, breaking an ornament and struggling violently with his partner, to her injury.

Trial was set for August 21, with an intermediate hearing on July 24.

DRUG-DEALING

ALLEGATION

A GALASHIELS man will go to trial on a drug-dealing charge.

Jai Sharkey, 34, denies being concerned in the supply of herbal cannabis at his Langlee Drive home on April 17. He also pleaded not guilty to possession of cannabis resin.

Trial was fixed for July 29.

ADMONISHED

FOR ASSAULT

A SELKIRK woman who admitted assaulting her partner has been admonished.

First offender Jane Douglas, of Thornfield Crescent, pleaded guilty to repeatedly punching Raymond Hislop on the body and striking him on the head.

The court heard she lashed out during an argument at a house in Thornfield Avenue, Selkirk, on April 6, as her partner is also in a relationship with another woman.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said: “The circumstances are that she is in a relationship with Mr Hislop.”

He added: “Fortunately no injury appears to have been sustained.

“The two of them have had an argument. She has medical problems and mood swings.

“He is in a relationship with her and another lady, and that has led to problems.”

Her lawyer pointed out the complainer is 6ft 3in and 19 stone.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond told Douglas: “You are 47 years old and a first offender. You got involved in a dispute. Get it fixed.”

CASE CONTINUED WITHOUT PLEA

A GALASHIELS man has been accused of brandishing a chair and staple gun at shop staff.

Sean Johnston, 20, of Church Square, is charged with stealing five make-up pencils from the Poundland shop in Channel Street, Galashiels, on March 15 and threatening and abusive behaviour. He also faces a third charge of struggling violently with police officers.

The case was continued without plea until June 17.

REMANDED

IN CUSTODY

JOHN Gallagher Davidson, 47, of Buccleuch Street, Hawick, has been remanded in custody until his trial on June 11 after being accused of shouting and swearing at his wife at a house in Langlee Road, Galashiels, on May 8.

ADMITTED THEFT ATTEMPTS

A man who admitted trying to carry out metal thefts at premises in Hawick was granted bail at Duns Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Twenty-nine-year-old Christopher Scott, of Orchard Terrace, Hawick, pleaded guilty to two charges of attempting to force a door with intent to steal at Stonefield Place, Hawick, on May 21.

Kate McGarvey, prosecuting, told the court that at around 4am a resident was wakened by a loud bang and then heard footsteps on a stairwell outside.

And just minutes later a neighbour also heard clattering and saw someone standing at their front door before running off.

A man in a red top was spotted looking up at the flats and police were contacted.

Scott was traced and found in possession of a screwdriver, bolt cutters, spanners, Stanley knife, hammers and pliers. When interviewed by police, Scott said the tools were for metal theft and his reply to being charged was: “Sorry, I regret it. It’s not something I’d usually do.”

Sentence was deferred for reports and he was bailed to appear on June 10.

BANNED FROM GALA STORE

A Galashiels man was told not to enter the town’s Asda store after denying threatening a member of staff on March 21.

Prosecutor Kate McGarvey opposed bail for Jamie Wilkinson, 35, of Thistle Street. However, after a plea from the accused’s solicitor, Ross Dow, Sheriff Kevin Drummond granted bail with the condition that he was excluded from Asda.

Wilkinson was also placed on a curfew dictating that he stays at his home address from 8pm-6am. He is due to stand trial at Selkirk on August 27.

APPEARED

IN PRIVATE

A JEDBURGH man appeared in private accused of assaulting a male to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

It follows an incident in the town on Saturday.

Robert Hyslop, 27, of Howden Road, made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination when he appeared on petition.

Bail was opposed by the Crown, but Sheriff Kevin Drummond decided to release Hyslop on bail.

By-laws preventing the consumption of alcohol in certain public places in the region are to be put forward by Scottish Borders Council.

Councillors meeting today (Thursday) will be told that the Borders is the only local authority area in Scotland without such legislation in place.

However, if they are introduced, it is suggested that exemptions exist for Borders festivals and Hogmanay.

The report to be discussed by members was compiled by Ian Wilkie, the council’s head of corporate governance.

He states: “It is anticipated that introducing these by-laws will improve public safety and the perception of public safety, and help to reduce antisocial behaviour, improving community quality of life, and will make town centres a more inviting and sustainable place to visit and do business.”

Mr Wilkie adds: “Alcohol problems are not only prevalent in the Scottish Borders, but are preventable.

“With nearly half the adult population drinking outwith the sensible drinking guidelines, the Scottish Borders population, alongside Scotland, needs to rebalance its relationship with alcohol.” 
Members are being recommended to approve a public consultation on the proposed by-laws, and also agree for the area forums and community councils to be engaged in the process.

Without the by-laws, the police are limited in relation to when they can confiscate alcohol from people in the street.

Councillor Donald Moffat, executive member for community safety and former viceconvenor of the Lothian and Borders Police Board, said: “Most people would think it is quite sensible, and I know the police would like it.”

He added: “The police view is that they have got one hand tied behind their back, and this just gives them the full range of powers.

“After all, we have got a national police force now and it would seem odd that we were in a different situation in the Borders to the rest of the country.”

Mr Moffat said it was important that exemptions were put in place for the local festivals.

He added that he hoped the by-laws could help improve town centres and villages in the Borders, with the legislation likely to help cut antisocial behaviour.

There were almost as many lions as horses on Hawick Common Riding’s Mosspaul rideout at the weekend.

It was thanks to a line-up of Scottish rugby legends who had agreed to accompany former Kelso international flanker, Eric Paxton, who is walking the main horse rides of the region’s common ridings and festivals in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

His first trek was on Saturday, to coincide with the Mosspaul rideout, when he was accompanied on the first leg of his 31-mile hike by former British Lions and Scotland players Jim Renwick, Roger Baird, Roy Laidlaw, John Rutherford, Rob Wainright, David Johnston, Jim and Finlay Calder, Iain Milne and David Lesley.

Ex-Kelso Laddie Paxton is hoping to cover 250 miles over the summer and from that first event has already raised £2,500.

“It went really well. The weather was fantastic and we got great support from people in Hawick,” Paxton told us.

“When we came back into Hawick on the Saturday evening, following the horses, we got an incredible welcome.

“The next event will be later this month with the Stobstanes rideout.”

Paxton intially had hoped his charity challenge would raise at least £3,000, but says after the fantastic amount of money raised from the Mosspaul event, he is now just trying to raise as much as possible.

A 48-year-old man has been charged with death by dangerous driving after a road accident that killed Kelso couple Derek and Avril Peoples last year.

The incident took place on the A697 Greenlaw to Carfraemill road on December 23.

Mr Peoples, 53, was a plasterer while his 51-year-old wife was a daycare assistant to elderly people.

The couple had two children and the family were described as “well respected and well known” by Kelso councillor Tom Weatherston following the accident.

The man, who is not from the Borders, will appear at Selkirk Sheriff Court next month.