It has been a 25-year wait for Martin Rodgerson but his time as Standard Bearer past as quickly as the wind through Selkirk on Friday morning.

From a family steeped in the Common Riding tradition, Martin was destined for Selkirk’s highest honour since he started riding at the age of three.

This year was his 22nd, and most important, ride of the Marches, and with such experience some would have taken the route for granted.

Not Martin. He savoured every moment, from receiving the Royal and Ancient Burgh flag at 6.45am from Provost David Anderson until it was handed back unsullied and untarnished in front of a packed Market Place.

The emotions appeared close to overcoming him on a number of occasions, including The Toll when he hugged girlfriend Jayne Andrew, to the Casting in the Market Place, where he held off from heaving the banner until completely ready.

But the 28-year-old wore a smile as wide as the River Ettrick afterwards.

He told the Wee Paper: “I got a brilliant crowd and brilliant attendants to support me.

“The highlight was the Casting. I decided to take my time going up there as you only get one chance to do it and I wanted to do it right.

“It was very windy when you got on the stage but to see everyone up there supporting me was amazing.

“The wind also made it hard when we were up the hill.

“There was a lot of pressure on me to live up to the standards of previous Standard Bearers, but hopefully I lived up to it.

“I think it will be a few days until I realise what I have done.”

Following behind grandfather George (1950), dad Brian (1980) and uncle Ian (1986), Martin’s Hail Smilin’ Morn began with the sound of the Flute Band awakening him at 4am.

Sun welcomed Common Riding Day 2013, a welcome sight after last year’s drenching, widely thought of as the wettest for 65 years.

The Act of Remembrance at the town’s War Memorial followed before the Silver Band’s first drum and the sound of the Exiles singing Her Bright Smile rang out.

Upon picking up the Burgh flag, Martin led his attendants Adam Nichol, Greg MacDougall, Thomas Bell, Menzies Haining and Chris Sanders, and the remaining members of the 337 mounted followers, to check the boundaries of the town – 900 years since King David granted Selkirk large amounts of its current land.

Doon the Green they went to the sound of O’ a’ the Airts, and through the low lying River Ettrick which glistened in the early morning sun.

The riders made the steep climb to the Three Brethern, where Martin enjoyed a stunning view across his homeland, just as his dad Brian had done 33 years previous.

Then the trek back into Selkirk, where Standard Bearer Rodgerson led the procession back to huge roars from the awaiting crowd at The Toll.

Spectators quickly filed up to the Market Place and an hour later, Standard Bearer Rodgerson emerged, Burgh flag still proudly held in his right hand while on board Rogan.

He waited, and waited.

But finally he stepped onto the Casting stage, and once there, performed his role with aplomb in the windy conditions.

It was fitting tribute by the newsagent, exactly 500 years after Fletcher’s poignant act brought back news of the Souter slaughter on Flodden’s fields.

A video of Martin Rodgerson’s Casting can be viewed at selkirkweekendadvertiser.co.uk

IT’S HERE! Welcome to the longest day of the year, the summer Solstice, and we want you to mark it by sending us in your videos.

Our digital content manager Kevin Janiak has set the ball rolling with a glimpse into the start of his day,

Show everyone what a glorious place the Scottish Borders is to live, especially on this longest day, by sending your mp4 video (15 seconds maximum) to kevin.janiak@jpress.co.uk and we’ll show a compilation of the videos, hopefully by sundown.

So come on, get your smartphones out and let your inner Speilberg free for the day.

The first responder who saw one of his employees saved by a cardiac machine being piloted in the Borders has backed it being rolled out nationally.

Neil Redpath saw first hand how the mobile analyser, which has been trialled by paramedics in the region, detected that 50-year-old Martin Hall of Duns was having a heart attack rather than angina after he collapsed last month.

And he says it meant Mr Hall was off work for only two weeks – and, more importantly, survived.

Mr Redpath, a manager at Redpath Tyres in Duns, said: “I kept him going until the ambulance arrived and the paramedics were able to take a blood sample and analyse it in 20 minutes. In that time, it showed he was having a heart attack and was taken to the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh straight away.

“The last time he had a heart attack in 2011, Martin was taken to the Borders General Hospital and had to be analysed there before being rushed to Edinburgh. On that occasion, Martin was off work for two months.

“It takes approximately 20 minutes for the machine to come up with its results, and that is why it has not been used in the cities yet, as in that time the ambulance will be at the hospital.

“But for a rural location such as the Borders it is perfect.”

The initiative is a partnership between Scottish Ambulance Service, the Scottish Centre for Telehealth and Telecare (SCTT), NHS Borders and Samsung.

SAS medical director, Professor George Crooks, says the scheme is currently in the evaluation stage, but added that initial results were very encouraging and “demonstrate that such tests can be successfully undertaken by paramedics in ambulances”.

The pilot started in November last year with 10 ambulances in the Borders equipped with the analysers and so far more than 100 patients presenting with cardiac chest pain have been tested.

“Lazy” picnickers are blighting a Galashiels beauty spot by leaving their rubbish behind, it has been claimed.

Fed-up Boleside resident John McDevitt wrote to The Southern about constantly picking up picnic refuse on a stretch of the Tweed called ‘Boleside Beat’.

The former picnic area’s bins, benches and grass were maintained by Scottish Borders Council (SBC) until two years ago, after a dispute with owners Laggan Estates.

“Every time the sun comes out, the picnic brigade comes out,” Mr McDevitt said. “Once they get to Boleside they plonk their lazy backsides down to scoff the food, and drink as much as possible, and leave all the plastic, glass, dog poo, carrier bags, disposable barbecue, etc. behind in the grass.

“The council does not keep the grass short any more, and it will have good reason for this, but why did it have to remove the bins?”

The council responded: “As Boleside is private land, it is not SBC’s responsibility to pick up litter in that area.”

Next week, the Braw Lad and Lass cross the Tweed at Boleside from Abbotsford House, which reopens in July.

Ten years old this September, Borders Sport and Leisure Trust has grown year-on-year, but the current economy is putting that at risk.

As a social enterprise, all profits are ploughed back into the trust’s facilities and programmes, but a cut in the management fee it receives from Scottish Borders Council has brought new challenges.

However, Ewan Jackson, chief executive, is confident the organisation, which operates independently of the council, can continue to develop.

He said: “There are pressures on key partners, other companies and individuals in our communities, and that impacts on us. There is no getting away from that.”

Mr Jackson added that the 10 per cent cut in the management fee from SBC would affect services.

“The board do have decisions to make, and are in the process of investigating all options which we think are right and proper,” Mr Jackson said.

“It could be that at the end of the day opening hours may need to be cut.”

He went on: “There is an expectation on facilities that may not be sustainable in the longer term, but we, as stewards of those facilities, will do our upmost to develop and grow instead of cutting back.”

Mr Jackson also described how operating on a commercial basis helped the trust fund other parts of its work, and also subsidise some activities.

He added: “Commercially attractive and fairly priced activities help, and they can generate small operating profit margins which can be reinvested into sustaining our current workforce and facilities.” Despite the challenging economic climate, the trust has employed more staff this year, and is continuing to look at cutting its costs in other ways.

“Energy costs have more than doubled in the past 10 years, and swimming pools in particular are energy hungry,” Mr Jackson said. “We are looking at energy-saving methods in facilities, but there is still more that we can do and we are continuing to explore not only energy efficient ways of working but also environmentally friendly ones too.”

Patients undergoing hip and knee operations at Borders General Hospital have been back on their feet in no time, thanks to a new project.

The Enhanced Recovery Programme, the first of its kind in a general hospital in Scotland, has seen recovery time at the BGH slashed, and patients up and walking on the same day as their operation.

The new process has also helped patients’ recoveries by reducing pain and the need for procedures such as blood transfusion.

The project team, which includes nurses, doctors, managers and other healthcare workers, has been supported by the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank.

Dr Ali Mehdi, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the BGH, said: “The enhanced recovery process demonstrates that a focused team approach, involving NHS Borders in embracing shared objectives, improved patient experience.

“Apart from benefitting individual patients, the project has benefited patients as a group in the local area by creating the ability to deliver quicker local care in a safe environment.”

This reduction in overall recovery time has been cut for most patients from six days to just three, with some even able to go home the day after their operation.

A lot of this is down to the new way in which patients receive anaesthetics, with special pumps infusing the area with local anaesthetic.

A special ‘hip and knee school’ delivered to patients two weeks before their operation by physiotherapists and occupational therapists has also helped prepare patients better. The success of the programme is being confirmed in positive feedback from patients.

Damon Sommerville, senior charge nurse on the 
orthopaedic ward, added: “The whole process demonstrated, and continues to demonstrate, that all staff working together to a common goal has real benefits for patients.”

Petitions committee chairman Alex Nicol is to write to the Galashiels landowner of a Mossilee Road site requesting a 15-metre section of pavement be built alongside it.

Petitioner Ian Stephen argues the lack of walkway is dangerous.

Peeblesshire’s Cuddybridge Apple Juice is the only Border food producer shortlisted for this year’s Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.

Graham Stoddart was nominated for his apple and Scottish sea buckthorn juice.

Whitmuir Organics near Lamancha is hosting an Italian Winemakers Dinner tonight at 7pm.

Silvano Brescianni of environmental vintners Barone Pizzini guides £35/£40 ticket holders through a six-course meal, matched with six organic wines. Call 01968 661147 to book.

As pubs close across the country, Ancrum’s thriving Cross Keys is bucking the trend with a new menu devised by Michelin chef David Malcolm.

The owner of the pub (and Scottish Borders Brewery), John Henderson, told TheSouthern: “We’re trying to realise people’s idea of a perfect, dream pub. Whether for beer or food, we want it to be everybody’s ideal of a good pub.”

While John’s in charge of the real ale, the pub grub is the domain of David Malcolm, a former chef at Michelin-starred London restaurants The Greenhouse in Mayfair, and Gordon Ramsay’s La Noisette on Sloane Street, where he was head chef.

The Australian, who most recently cooked in Aberdeen’s Fusion restaurant to be near his wife Nadine, described his new Ancrum menu as “a fusion of two worlds”, featuring dishes “grounded in pub style”, but created using his experience in Michelin-starred restaurants, and their emphasis on presentation and sourcing local – even foraged – produce.

The “approachable” lunch menu of classics featured a lemon sole fish finger sandwich: a breadcrumbed fresh fillet of lemon sole between toasted sourdough bread (sourced from the Great Northumberland Bread Company), garnished with a punchy gerkin and caper tartare sauce.

The “more adventurous” dinner menu, David said, “uses local food that doesn’t feature on menus elsewhere”, such as a starter of local pheasant eggs with Peelham air-dried ham, and picked pea flowers, or larch-cured salmon, beetroot, apple and thyme.

Mains range from smoked duck yolk, cheese, rye risotto and mushrooms, to Tamworth pork belly, kohlrabi, onion and black pudding crumble – and even the Scotch broth has a fresh twist.

“We’re taking something with history, and giving a modern edge to it,” David said.

“It’s got the usual really great lamb and barley, but we include ox tongue, lamb shanks and chicken for a really balanced stock. We serve the broth in a cafetiere with herbs, which introduces a theatre element.

“It’s been going really well, considering it’s early days,” he added, “we’ve had great feedback” – which makes the story of Ancrum’s trend-setting and trend-bucking pub all the more remarkable.

Research by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) published in May suggested six bars closed in Scotland each week in the previous six months as pubs struggled against the recession, cheap supermarket prices and the smoking ban. The figures showed 147 Scottish pubs calling time during that period.

The Ancrum pub, one of the region’s oldest, built up a reputation for good food and conviviality under its previous owners, Mike and Michelle Ludgate, but it closed for business in June 2010 after the couple struggled to keep it afloat for several months.

Two years later, in July 2012, Scottish Borders Brewery owner John added the pub to his growing portfolio of businesses (including a range of foraged flavour beers, as we reported last month), with plans to turn the establishment into a mecca for real ale enthusiasts.

“The pub is a key feature of the village and I want to build the Cross Keys into a real community hub – a place you can go to enjoy good company and great beer,” he said.

His ‘plough-to-pint’ microbrewery, based nearby at his 1,800-acre Chesters Estate, was set up in January 2011, where it brews cask and bottled ales such as Game Bird, Foxy Blond, Dark Horse, Holy Cow and Wee Beastie, created using the brewery’s own home-grown barley and artesian spring water (which the Cross Keys pub also serves and sells as bottled ‘Ale Water’).

While canny Mr Henderson’s first focus was on “growing the Cross Keys’ reputation as a relaxed, friendly pub that serves an excellent pint where locals can expect to see familiar, friendly faces behind the bar”, his long-term plans are to introduce food and accommodation to the historic, traditional country inn.

The old village pub, which he says still boasts “character and characters”, now has a bistro and courtyard furnished with reclaimed furniture “to make it feel like it’s always been”, with more plans over the summer to create a new terrace at the front overlooking Ancrum’s village green, and a beer garden running down to the Ale Water behind.

“Pubs have fallen on hard times. They’ve sat on their laurels too long,” he told us, “but we’re raising the game for pubs in Scotland.

“We don’t want to throw out the rule book, but just reinvent it.”

Lara Gueldner, Cara Smith, Isabella Timmins, Gemma Stoddart and Lauren Thomson – members of the 1st Galashiels Guide Unit – have been presented with their Baden-Powell Challenge Award by Gail Fox, county commissioner for Tweed Valley.

The ceremony took place at an evening barbecue held at Wooplaw Woods, near Galashiels, attended by their family, friends and the rest of the unit.

The five girls have gained the highest award a Guide can achieve by completing 10 different challenges. Some of these were organising a mini-Olympics, fundraising for the Guide Friendship Fund, celebrating a festival from another culture, a disability awareness evening and using their IT skills to make a new resource for the unit. They also gained several badges, including Healthy Lifestyles, Independent Living, Cook, Culture and Water Safety.

Pictured, back row, from left, Emma Rae (assistant Guide leader), Gail Fox, Alison Henry (Guide leader); front, Isabella Timmins, Lauren Thomson, Cara Smith, Lara Gueldner and Gemma Stoddart.

STUART MILES has carved out a career for himself as a stonemason and has joined Historic Scotland on a four-year training programme for traditional skills apprentices.

The 23-year-old from Stow is one of 18 new apprentices with the organisation, the largest intake in its history, and will be based at Melrose Abbey.

Stuart responded to a call from Historic Scotland earlier this year for a new batch of recruits to ensure the ongoing demand for traditional and essential skills across the historic environment is met.

He told The Southern: “I was so excited to hear that I had been chosen for one of these apprenticeships.

“I love working with my hands and being out in the fresh air, so stonemasonry is ideal for me.”

He added: “Being from the Borders, it’s a dream come true to be able to work at Melrose Abbey, and I’m grateful to Historic Scotland for this incredible opportunity.”

The trainee positions focus on learning the traditional craft skills required in their chosen discipline, with a focus on conservation.

At the end of the apprenticeship, participants will gain an industry-recognised qualification.

Borderers are being urged to help a campaign to improve mobile phone coverage in the region.

They are asked to download the RootMetrics app onto their smartphone and use it to report what the signal strength is like in an area.

WITH three Borders sides in the Premier Division this coming season local rugby followers have a great deal to look forward to come August 24.

But it’s September they will have to clear their diaries for when a trio of derby duals come one week after another on the 14th (Hawick v Melrose), 21st (Gala v Hawick) and 28th (Melrose v Gala) of the month.

The 2013/14 season itself kicks off on August 24 with Gala, Melrose and Hawick all playing home ties against Currie, Heriot’s and Aberdeen respectively.

In the National Leagues a derby clash between Kelso and Selkirk at Poynder Park should get the season off with a bang while newly promoted Peebles travel to play Watsonians.

With the prospect of all this local action in mind the leagues promise to be just as exciting as last year, where they were described by many as being the most competitive ever, if not better, with the same pyramid structure in place for a second season.

Regional leagues kick off on Saturday August 31, one week after the RBS Premier Division, National League and Championship A and B.

Fixtures for the RBS East leagues and RBS Caledonia North leagues will be published later this week due to confirmation of restructures and completion of appeal hearings, which are still to be finalised.

To view the 2013/14 fixtures visit www.scottishrugby.org/clubs-schools/forms-downloads.

Scottish Borders Council is currently having problems with its phone lines and is unable to accept calls to its Newtown St Boswells headquarters.

A statement on its website said: “Due to a technical issue we are currently unable to receive calls at Council HQ.

“The fault has been reported and is being investigated. Our 0300 100 1800 Customer Services number is not affected.”

Police are today appealing for witnesses following a metal theft in Tweedbank.

The incident happened around 9.45pm on Saturday at a Scottish Power electricity pylon compound on Essenside Drive.

Several lengths of copper taping, which acts as a safety measure to earth the pylons, was stolen and police are keen to speak with anyone who can assist with their enquiries.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Not only has this theft resulted in damage to the pylons, it could also have put those responsible in danger of electrocution.

“Anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious in or around the pylon compound on Saturday evening is asked to contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Braw Lads’ Lindean Rideout will cross the River Tweed as expected tonight, provided there is no more rain.

With no rain forecast this afternoon, hundreds of riders are predicted to head across the river at Abbotsford on their way to the Auld Kirk at Lindean.

Behind Braw Lad Daniel Whitehead and Braw Lass Lucy Black, the cavalcade will return to Galashiels and head to Hollybush for the coveted Lindean Chase Races at around 8pm.

Torrential rain saw yesterday’s children’s sports day abandoned after the primary one races, and it is not expected to be rescheduled.

Tomorrow sees the Swimming Gala and Ex-Braw Lads’ and Lassies’ Association Dinner, while Wednesday is the rideout to Torwoodlee and fancy dress parade.

The civic reception is held on Thursday, while the investiture concert takes place on Friday ahead of Braw Lads Day.

A total of 120 sheep have been stolen from a farm at Cockburnspath.

The incident took place sometime between 9am on Friday and 8am on Saturday at a field beside Kinegar Quarry.

In total, 40 ewes and 80 lambs were taken.

The animals were all Suffolk/Charlois cross breeds and anyone who can assist police trace those responsible for their theft is asked to come forward immediately.

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

SCOTLAND forward Johnnie Beattie insists blooding fresh talent was more important than two defeats suffered in the team’s summer tour of South Africa.

Scott Johnson’s men suffered their first ever defeat by Samoa in the Quad Series opener in Durban before putting on a brave show as they lost to the hosts in Nelspruit.

A whitewash was avoided in the third-place play-off with Italy as Alasdair Strokosch darted over for a last-ditch try to secure a narrow 30-29 win at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

But on the positive side, ten uncapped players were given their first taste of international action. And Montpellier No 8 Beattie believes that will prove priceless as the squad gears up for the World Cup in two years’ time.

The 24-time capped forward said: “The main thing was to try and win the three games we had but we were also there to broaden our base of players and introduce some young kids into the squad. Individually, it was important to see how those boys got on.

“As Johnno [Scott Johnson] said, we were happier with our performance against South Africa but lost the game. We won against Italy but were disappointed with our performance. We got one victory in the end but it was more important to see how those guys got on. That was where the value of the tour was.”

Edinburgh full-back Greig Tonks and the Glasgow Warriors duo of centre Alex Dunbar and hooker Pat MacArthur earned their first Scotland honours by starting against the Samoans, while Tonks’ Edinburgh team-mate Steven Lawrie, Warriors’ Peter Horne and Duncan Taylor of Saracens made their international bows from the bench.

The Glasgow trio of full-back Peter Murchie, wing Tommy Seymour and lock Tim Swinson then started against South Africa.

And their Scotstoun colleague Fraser Brown rounded off the list of ten new caps when he replaced Scott Lawson at hooker in the final game against the Azzurri.

A total of 138 horses made the trip to Lindean last night as Braw Lads’ Week got fully underway.

The cavalcade crossed the River Tweed despite Sunday’s downpour and service was held at Lindean Kirk by the Reverend Duncan McCosh in dry conditions.

After a wreath was placed on the Preachers Cross by Braw Lads Daniel Whitehead, the horses returned to Galashiels, via Hollybush for the annual Chase Races.

Predictably, Grand National winner Ryan Mania won the Prinicipals’ Race, with Braw Lads Executive Council chairman David Houston joking that the odds were 1-7.

Other results: Ex-Principals - Chris Mackenzie; Pony - Aidan McDonald; Ladies - Becky Johnston; Over 45s - Nick Mills; Gents - Mikey Turnbull.

Today sees the Swimming Gala and Ex-Braw Lads’ and Lassies’ Association Dinner, while Wednesday is the rideout to Torwoodlee and fancy dress parade.

The civic reception is held on Thursday, while the investiture concert takes place on Friday ahead of Braw Lads Day.