Old Gala House’s exhibition of Robert Mapplethorpe’s work received a special visitor last weekend, one of Scotland’s most influential artists and promotors.
Richard Demarco, who has been to every Edinburgh Fringe since it started in 1947, spent the evening discussing a variety of subjects with the audience. Mapplethorpe’s work is on display until Sunday, August 11.
Two doctors have been advised to apologise for failing to recognise the symptoms of thyroid cancer in a patient, writes Kenny Paterson.
A report by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman upheld a complaint from the family of the woman – Mrs A – who was only diagnosed when she moved to another medical centre at the start of 2011.
The report does not name the practice involved.
Dr Sheena MacDonald, medical director with NHS Borders, said: “While complaints about the care received from independent contractors are usually managed by their practice, NHS Borders agreed to handle Mrs A’s complaint as the GP practice concerned had closed.
“We were happy to support the investigation into Mrs A’s complaint as we appreciated the stress the situation had caused her and her family. We will continue to liaise with the doctors concerned.”
A Scottish Government report has shown Borders primary schools are missing the goal for physical education targets.
But Scottish Borders Council officials say they are mystified by the findings and are challenging the Holyrood paper.
The document shows that while the number of pupils across the country receiving two hours’ weekly physical activity has increased to 88 per cent, in the Borders it has fallen by 10 per cent.
A total of 79 per cent of primary schools hit the Government target in 2013, compared to 89 per cent last year.
Borders MSP John Lamont said: “PE is an important part of the curriculum and it is disappointing that so many schools are not managing to meet the targets as set out by the Scottish Government.
“Not only can it encourage children to take up new sports and activities, it can also ensure that they remain fit and healthy in their formative years.
“With the SNP wanting every school in Scotland to hit these targets in time for the Commonwealth Games next year, it is a huge blow to see such a sharp drop.”
But SBC’s education executive member, councillor Sandy Aitchison, said: “We recognised in 2012 that 84 per cent of our primary schools were delivering 120 minutes of PE per week. As a result, we are currently engaged in a development programme to support schools to improve delivery and reach the 100 per cent target.
“I note that these figures were collated at school level through the health survey and not from the department.
“I can only surmise that the concept of 120 minutes of PE has been interpreted differently at school level.
“We feel we are on track and making progress against this key target.”
Selkirk 2 Falkirk XI 4
Selkirk put up a brave fight but fell to defeat tonight against a Falkirk side which included a number of youngsters making their senior debuts.
The Souters included former Berwick Rangers midfielder Phil Addison, Marc Berry - who featured for Gala Fairydean Rovers last Saturday - and Dean McColm in their starting line up as trialists.
The hosts opened the scoring on 15 minutes through Euan Pritchard but Kevin O’Hara equalised five minutes before the break.
Scott Shepherd’s fine finish made it 2-1 but Berry squeezed a shot beyond Falkirk keeper Gregor Amos - who is from Galashiels - to level the match on 55 minutes.
However, a minute later Shepherd headed Falkirk back in front and 14 minutes from full time Conor Hogg, son of former Manchester United defender Graeme - added the fourth.
Shepherd was pulled down in the penalty box on 87 minutes but saw his spot kick saved by Michael Fenton.
Falkirk director of football Alex Smith said: “For some of them it is their first game at this level, having just come out of the Academy.
“Most are 16 year old lads and only Ryan McGeever has played for the first team.
“We passed the ball about well and showed a lot of promise.
“Michael Martin was outstanding, as was Tyler Fulton, Conor Hogg and Conor Greene, as well as Scott Shepherd. Its just a shame Scott could not score the penalty at the end for his hat-trick.”
Selkirk: M. Fenton, L. Stephen, D. Battle, B. Milven, E. Pritchard, B. Gay, D. McColm, P. Addison, C. Peoples, D. Johnston, M. Berry. Subs: C. Scott, J. Watt, K. Barr, J. Crolla, D. Bolton.
Falkirk: G. Amos, M. Finlayson, C. Greene, C. Comrie, R. McGeever, T. Fulton, M. Martin, R. McNab, S. Shepherd, C. Hogg, K. O’Hara. Subs: G. Hamilton, M. Cather, C. Langton, P. Nash, L. McMinn.
Staff have been moved from part of the headquarters of NHS Borders at Newstead near Melrose over fears of a crumbling embankment on the River Tweed.
The local health authority says the five employees were moved on Friday and the area fenced-off as a precaution.
Director of estates and facilities David McLuckie said the condition of the banking was highlighted in an interim report from a survey.
He said: “This indicated that there has been significant deterioration over recent years.
“We took the measures as a precaution to protect our staff working in buildings near the river bank and anyone who comes on to the site.
“A further survey on the condition of the banking will be carried out. We will then be able to review the situation and consider any recommendations for monitoring or stabilising the site.”
Berwick’s speedway Bandits will have a familiar face on parade on Saturday evening, when popular ace Ricky Ashworth returns to the ranks.
The Manchester-based flier was sidelined by two April accidents – at Glasgow and, as he attempted a brief comeback, shortly afterwards at Edinburgh – which left him with the after-effects of severe concussions.
Several neurological scans, and even extraction of wisdom teeth, failed to bring a speedy return to full health, but time – the great healer - finally allowed the rider to resume practising at the end of last month, and after riding lap after lap around Stoke, and a further session at Sheffield, Ashworth has at last been passed as fit to return to Berwick’s colours.
“He returns to his role at No.1, allowing Edward Kennett to revert to a full-time role at Swindon, which is what that club most certainly wanted, even if Eddie didn’t,” said team manager Ian Rae.
“However, Kozza Smith will continue in his role as club captain, allowing Ricky to concentrate fully on getting himself back into the main business of scoring points for the New Holland Bandits.”
Points will be needed on Saturday, with Redcar Bears in town and in rampant form, currently second in the PL table – boosted by an extra point awarded after an SCB enquiry into their recent match at Edinburgh – but Berwick, who lost out to the Bears by the narrowest of margins in a tense KO Cup encounter earlier in the season, are anxious to gain revenge.
With Nicki Barrett still unfit, Bandits have invited 20-year-old Ashley Morris to act as their guest at reserve, while Redcar will employ Josh Bates as a replacement for Germany’s Max Dilger.
Saturday’s teams will line up:
Berwick: 1, Ricky Ashworth; 2, David Bellego; 3, Robin Aspegren; 4, Matty Wethers; 5, Kozza Smith (captain); 6, Ashley Morris (guest); 7, Paul Starke.
Redcar: 1, Ulrich Ostergaard; 2, Hugh Skidmore; 3, Matej Kus; 4, Micky Dyer; 5, Aaron Summers (Captain); 6, Josh Bates (Guest); 7, Carl Wilkinson.
At the same time as economists are tentatively predicting the economy has turned a corner, and that we are slowly climbing out of the recession, it is heartening to read a Federation of Small Businesses study, which shows that Scottish Borders Council is going the extra mile to help local businesses where it can.
The study shows that SBC is one of the best councils in the country at ensuring almost a third of the cash it spent on procurement in 2012/13 remained in the local economy.
That means that for every £1 the council spent, an estimated 43.4p –adding up to a grand total of more than £45million – remained in the Borders.
Great news for local businesses, many of whom have no doubt struggled over the last few years to keep their heads above water.
The fact that the council was willing to put it’s money where it’s mouth is, buying local, means that many firms benefitted from its tendering process.
SBC has worked hard to ensure local businesses have a fair chance of winning council contracts, splitting contracts into smaller chunks and running events to help potential suppliers understand what is required during the tendering process.
So hats off to SBC. And we look forward to reading that that figure has improved next year.
Tonight Yarrow Park will see Selkirk play Hibernian, the Souters second game in 24 hours.
James McDonaugh, head of academy coaching at Hibs, wants to give every player in his squad as much game time as possible before the start of the season.
“We beat Vale of Leithen at the training centre on Saturday and it was exactly what we needed. I was pleased with the collective work rate shown,” he said.
Unfortunately for Hibs their summer signing Taylor Hendry will be missing after breaking his toe and could miss the start of the U20 season.
Having suffered defeat against a strong Falkirk youth team last night Selkirk will be hoping to see a better score in the upcoming game.
The promise of some talented trialists could help spur on a victory, with Marc Berry, ex Hibee Phil Addison and Dean McColm expected to feature for Selkirk.
Last night’s game saw Selkirk unable to fight off Falkirk with a full time score of 4-2.
However the hosts definitely showed up and did not cave to the pressure of facing a bigger team.
Euan Pritchard scored the opening goal for Selkirk from Lee Stephen’s cross with fifteen minutes on the clock.
Soon Kevin O’Hara equalised, smashing the ball into the bottom corner beyond Michael Fenton.
Scott Shepherd pushed the score line up to 2-1 for Falkirk after a ten yard shot that rocketed into the net.
Marc Berry soon seized advantage of an error made by the Falkirk goalkeeper Gregor Amos, from Galashiels, to tie the scoreline once more.
A minute later Shepherd’s form continued as he sent a wonderful header into the goal.
The beaten Selkirk conceded once more to Conor Hogg, only narrowly avoiding a fifth after giving away a penalty which was saved by Fenton.
Falkirk director of football Alex Smith said after the game: “We passed the ball about well and showed a lot of promise “Michael Martin was outstanding, as was Tyler Fulton, Connor Hogg and Connor Greene, as well as Scott Shepherd. It’s just a shame Scott could not score the penalty at the end for his hat-trick.”
The promising Hogg is son of the well seasoned ex-footballer Graeme, who started his career at Manchester United playing a total of 83 league goals before signing for other clubs such as Portsmouth and Heart of Midlothian.
ANCRUM
Fun for the young
The village hall is to host three fun activity sessions for three to six-year-olds, each running from 10am-noon – August 2 – puppeteer and story-teller Poppy Browne; August 9 – Stephanie Knight (drama and theatre workshop); August 16 – disco. Tickets are available from the village shop, or by contacting Tara (07891 684457) or Nicola (07939 177511).
Bowden
Fete
A garden fete will be held in the village hall on August 3.
Earlston
Church
The July 14 service at 10.15am will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods, with help from the worship team. Refreshments will be served afterwards.
Teas
There will be a pop-up tea-room in Redpath Village Hall every Sunday in July, from 2-4pm. Donations will go towards hall funds.
ECKFORD
WRI
For their summer night out, members joined Heiton WRI for an evening at Teviot Smokery which involved a walk in the gardens, a meal and gift exchange.
Hawick
Rotary
The official handover night was held in the Buccleuch Hotel when Tommy Mulvee, outgoing club president, welcomed his successor, Scott Elliot, who assumes his second tenure of office. Tommy thanked members for their support during his year of office which he had enjoyed and presented Scott with the president’s chain. Scott thanked Tommy for his efforts in leading the club during the year and presented him with his past president’s badge. President Scott then presented vice-president Sandy Bannerman with his chain of office and congratulated Mairhi Tricket on becoming junior vice-president. Guest speaker was Nick Bannerman, managing director of Johnstons of Elgin. The company had been established in 1797 with eight employees – the current workforce comprised 260 employees in Hawick and 450 in Elgin. The firm had offices in Tokyo, Dusseldorf, London and New York, with Burberry the biggest customer. Johnstons also dealt with other high-quality customers. including Chanel, Nick related a number of his experiences on travelling around the world, saying that all travel was not glamorous – airport regulations and security could be tedious and frustrating. Nowadays there was much closer liason between local knitwear companies than in the early years, and this benefited the textile industry as a whole. Recently, Johnstons had been visited by Prince Charles and Camilla, and the firm honoured with a Royal Warrant which would be a great boost for future trading. Nick said Johnsons was promoting an apprenticeship scheme as it was important to ensure there was a younger workforce who could replace older employees when they left the industry. Past president Mulvee proposed the votes of thanks to Nick.
Innerleithen
Church
The 11.30am service on July 14 in Innerleithen Church will be the Games Week kirkin’ service.
JEDBURGH
Lunch club
Jedburgh Lunch Club for local pensioners meets on Thursday, July 18.
Concert
A concert featuring new music inspired by the 2009 discovery of the Hawick Missal Fragment will be taking place in Jedburgh on July 20. This is the first of a trilogy of unique and highly-distinctive events featuring new music by Sean Doherty, an award-winning young composer and lecturer at Trinity College, University of Dublin, alongside imagery, light, colour and sweeping soundscapes. The fragment would have been part of a missal – a book which contained the texts and chants for a mass. It was discovered in an uncatalogued collection of family and solicitors’ papers by Rachel Hosker and her staff at the Heritage Hub in Hawick. The event will begin in the Old and Trinity Church with a seated concert lasting approximately 40 minutes, after which the audience will be invited to explore Jedburgh Abbey in which there will be two installation art pieces created in response to the fragment. The event starts at 7pm and tickets are on sale from.historic-scotland.gov.uk/fragments.
KELSO
Bridge
July 3 – aggregate pairs – N/S – 1, Jim and Mary Stone; 2, Bob Stevenson and Annie Mitchell; 3, Val Johnstone and Mary Millar; E/W – 1, Stuart Graham and Ian Watson; 2, Archie Stewart and Billy Potts; 3, Jean Henry and Myra Thomson; July 4 – aggregate pairs – N/S – 1, Rena Stewart and Val Johnstone; 2, Brian Saywood and Evelyn Erskine; 3, Jim Stone and Annie Mitchell; E/W – 1, Archie Stewart and Billy Potts; 2, Helenor Pratt and Pauline Smart; 3, Lynda Douglas and Lesley Dick.
Farmers’ market
A farmers’ market will be held in Kelso Square on July 13.
Donations
There have been three donations towards Kelso mum Jo Ballantyne’s charity climb of Africa’s highest peak – Mount Kilimanjaro – taking place in September. Kelso Rugby Club raised £430 from a 200 evening, Borders fitness instructor and pilates teacher Laura Quilietti, plus her clients, realised more than £520 from sponsored walk and the Ex-Kelso Laddies’ Association donated £200 towards the £3,000 raised so far by Jo. The cash she raises will go to Marie Curie, Hospiscare and the Brain Tumour Charity. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/teams/jokilimanjaroclimb
Langholm
Kirk fete
The annual kirk fete for the parishes of Langholm, Eskdalemuir, Westerkirk and Ewes took place in the town’s parish church grounds and although it was wet for most of the time, there was good public support and £2,700 was raised. Baptise the Minister was a popular attraction, with the Reverend Scott McCarthy getting soaked with wet sponges – but he was the only one who did not looked bothered about getting wet. There was a barbecue in the grounds and cream teas were served in the church. The town band managed to play part of their programme before it got too wet to continue, and the pipe band, who had performed along the streets to the fete, went into the church to entertain.
Academy awards
The Academy held its annual awards ceremony, packing the school hall with parents and children. There was a change to the usual ceremony, with only S1-3 receiving their awards. The honours for the more senior pupils will take place in November. Acting head John McFadyen welcomed everyone to the event. Also at the top table were Robert Drennan, acting deputy head teacher, and English teacher Richard Stratton. As well as the award presentations, there was a piano solo from Leanne Donald and cornet duet by Rebecca Hall and Josh Calvert.
Presentation
Cornet Alasdair Cavers was presented with his spurs at Ewes Hall by his rugby team-mate at Milntown, Steven Nicol. Although not an official part of the Common Riding, the spurs presentation has now been carried out for a number of years – and it gave Cornet Cavers a chance to meet up with close friends and enjoy a social evening.
Retirement
Primary teachers Joan Cubbon and Ada Bell have retired after 75 years of service between them.
MELROSE
Church
July 14 – services at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (11am); July 24 – midweek service and lunch; August 4 – after church, strawberry tea in aid of breast cancer charity.
Trimontium
The arrival of the Ian Brown Sunday afternoon round-the-site Trimontium Walks at Newstead shows that the height of the walking season has begun. Ian Skinner’s first-Monday-in-the-month Monks’ Walks round Old Melrose still pull in the punters, a score of ‘pilgrims’ turning up last week for their passes, with more opportunities to come – in aid of the archaeology project – at the beginning of the months of August, September and October. The longer Trimontium Walks on Tuesdays and Thursdays benefited from the good weather – three new members joined the trust on a recent trip.
MOREBATTLE
Fishing
Results of the fishing competition held at Caverton Mill – 1, Stuart McNulty; 2, David Gray; 3, Jeannie McNulty.
Coffee morning
A Guide Dogs for the Blind coffee morning will be held in the village hall on July 20 from 10.30am.
oxnam
Walk
The next outing for Oxnam Walking Group is on July 14 and over Hownam Law, starting from Hownam village hall (10am for 10.30am start). This is a circular walk and quite strenuous. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leads at all times.
Traquair
Service
The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on July 21 at 10.30am.
Walkerburn
Service
The next service in Walkerburn Public Hall will be on July 28 at 10.30am.
Yetholm
WRI
President Netta Harvey welcomed members to the latest meeting when Annette Fraser, from Borderland Fabrics, spoke about modern quilting and demonstrated ready-to-sew fabrics. The next regular meeting will be on September 17 when the subject is Indian cooking. However, there are summer events to enjoy – a whist drive in the Youth Hall at 7.30pm on July 16 and a shopping trip to The Gyle and Dobbies on August 20.
Community council
Members of Yetholm Community Council are undertaking a household survey to ascertain local views on alternative uses for the Playing Field pavilion At the same time leaflets are being distributed explaining the Campaign against Cold Calling. Residents are urged to interest themselves in both matters
Bric-a-brac plea
As a fundraiser to form part of Yetholm Open Village Gardens event on July 14, there will be a bric-a-brac stall. Items for sale are needed and should be handed in to the village shop.Otherwise plans for the Open Gardens day are well in hand.
Lizard
Regulars and visitors to the Plough Hotel bar had a treat the other day. A person staying in the hotel showed off a pet lizard called Olaf – a bearded dragon which normally lives in a temperature-controlled tank, but was briefly allowed to meet those in the bar. Olaf lives off crickets and lettuce.
Kelso Laddie
The Kelso Laddie ride-out to Yetholm – one of the busiest days in the village calendar – is on July 20.
The Art House Gallery in Kelso hosted the first Scottish exhibition for artist Graham Short, famous for engraving The Lord’s Prayer on top of a gold pin head.
This was the first time that the piece has been seen by the public – and the 12 pieces available at the exhibition were sold within two minutes.
A delighted Graham commented: “I am blown away by the event, the stunning gallery and also the warm welcome from the people of Kelso. This exhibition is the best I have ever been involved in, even better than my exhibition in Mayfair’s Clarendon Gallery.
Art House owner Tony Huggins-Haig said Graham’s work is attracting interest from Russia, USA, the Middle East and India. Graham’s next exhibition is in Los Angeles towards the end of the year.
A Hawick man was jailed for five months after throwing prescription drugs from a car stopped by police.
Alexander Higgins, 42, a front-seat passenger in the vehicle, threw a package containing 120 tablets out of the window as police approached. The prescribed medication had earlier been reported missing from a Duns hotel.
Higgins, of Glebemill Street, appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court (pictured) last Friday and admitted intentionally obstructing police on the A698 Hawick-Denholm road on April 14 last year.
Prosecutor Tessa Bradley told how prescription medication was reported missing from the White Swan Hotel and Higgins named as the likely culprit.
Police switched on their vehicle’s blue flashing lights and stopped a car in which Higgins was travelling, but as the officers approached, the accused threw a package out of the window.
“It landed on the grass verge and there were 120 white prescription tablets in packaging,” added the prosecutor.
Defending, Rory Bannerman said the tablets were worth about £35 to £40.
The lawyer told the court his client was currently serving a four-year jail term for being concerned in the supply of heroin, adding that he was not due for release until early 2016.
“He was involved in the drug scene at the time and threw the package out of the window,” he explained.
HAWICK’S newest British & Irish Lion, Stuart Hogg arrived back on home soil this morning after a victorious tour of Australia.
Hogg, the squad’s youngest member, and Richie Gray, who won a test cap in the last 20 minutes of the deciding match v the Wallabies last Saturday in Melbourne, both landed back in Glasgow airport, along with tour mascot Billy, and were greeted by friends, family, fans and media.
Hogg will return to pre-season training with Glasgow Warriors in August but in the mean time will be catching up with the news in Hawick as well as helping out at Phil Leck’s One on One rugby camp from August 5-9. Go to the Hawick rfc
website or www.oneononecoaching.co.uk for more details.
Visit www.scottishrugby.org to watch a full video interview with Hogg at Glasgow Airport.
The Scottish SPCA today asked for information about three stray ferrets that were found near a school in Newtown St Boswells.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity was contacted after a lady spotted two ferrets while walking her dog near a school at around 4.30pm on Thursday, July 4.
She managed to catch one of the ferrets but the other one escaped.
The next night she returned to the same area and was able to catch the second ferret. Then following day she walked her dog in the same area again and was alerted by children to the presence of a third ferret that unfortunately was unwell and died shortly after being discovered.
But the other two females are now being cared for at the Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Re-homing Centre near Balerno.
In this facility the staff have made sure they have the utmost care, naming them Gemma and Jessie.
Senior Inspector Jenny Scott said: “Jessie and Gemma are both very friendly, lively little ferrets who are happy to be handled.
“We’re keen to speak to anyone who recognises the ferrets and knows how they came to be outdoors on their own.
“If no-one comes forward to claim the ferrets we’ll be looking to find them both good homes.”
Anyone with information can call the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
A drink-driver who lost control and crashed into a street lamp was banned for 20 months.
Potts was twice the alcohol limit when the incident happened on the A7 near Kingsknowes, Galashiels, on April 21.
Potts, 20, of Chay Blyth Place, Hawick, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving dangerously, without a licence and without insurance.
The court heard how Potts had borrowed the vehicle before going drinking. He picked up a friend, heading towards Galashiels, around 6.30am.
Another driver was aware of the accused travelling behind her at speed and he pulled out as if to pass, to be faced by an oncoming lorry.
“He stayed in the carriageway, as if playing chicken, and then pulled back in to avoid a collision,” explained depute procurator fiscal Tessa Bradley, adding: “He was travelling at considerable speed, swerving around the roadway, before he lost control and crashed into a lamp. A lady standing at the bus stop in Abbotsford Road had to run out of the path of the vehicle.”
Rory Bannerman, defending, said his client denied he had been “playing chicken”, but appreciated he had been driving too fast.
As well as the disqualification, which was backdated to June 3, Sheriff Brian Cameron, sitting at Selkirk on Monday, sentenced Potts to a three-month community payback order, with 100 hours of unpaid work. He also received fines totalling £800 and ordered to resit an extended driving test.
A drunken man missed his grandfather’s funeral after headbutting the inside of a police vehicle following his arrest.
Bleeding profusely, Adam Blyth was taken to Borders General Hospital where he obstructed two nurses, shouted and swore, and threw chairs.
Blyth was sentenced to a six-month community payback order and 180 hours of unpaid work, with a warning that any lapse could cost him his liberty.
The 22-year-old, of Orchard Park, Kelso, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at Rosewood Gardens in the town on June 9 and hindering staff at the hospital.
Tessa Bradley, prosecuting at Friday’s sitting of Jedburgh Sheriff Court, said Blyth became upset during the early hours of the morning through “a combination of alcohol and a recent death in the family”.
Police turned up after a report of two men shouting in the street and tried to speak to Blyth.
“Efforts to calm him down were unsuccessful and he struggled as officers tried to arrest him, and he had to be taken to the ground,” explained Ms Bradley.
Blyth was handcuffed and began headbutting the side of the police vehicle and banging his head on the road.
The prosecutor went on: “A caged vehicle was requested and he was transferred to that, but continued to bang his head on the cage on the way to Kelso police station. He was bleeding profusely, so an ambulance was called and he was released to medical staff and taken to BGH for treatment, as he had calmed down.”
As a nurse tried to treat him, Blyth became obstructive and started shouting and swearing. He then began throwing chairs about and police assistance was requested.
Blyth eventually received four staples to a cut.
The accused’s solicitor, describing his client as “a chastened young man”, said: “He should not have consumed the quantity of alcohol that he did. His grandfather had died and, as a direct result of this behaviour, he missed the funeral.”
A NEW patient who stole from a dental surgery was jailed for 108 days on Monday.
Christopher Griffin had just registered with Selkirk Dental Practice, having gone to the West Port surgery with his partner for treatment, when he stole a purse and its contents from a staff room.
Griffin, 28, of Raeburn Meadow, Selkirk, admitted committing the theft on June 5, while on bail.
At Selkirk Sheriff Court, prosecutor Tessa Bradley said the value of the theft was about £100, with no recovery.
She explained: “The main reception is on the first floor and there is another surgery and staff room on the second floor. At 2.40pm, the accused and his partner went to the practice and spoke to the receptionist about an emergency appointment, and were asked to complete registration forms.
“The accused asked if there was a toilet he could use and was directed to the second floor, next to the staff room.”
Another member of staff was suspicious of Griffin and went to check the staff room.
“There was clothing strewn about and it looked as if the room had been searched,” continued Ms Bradley.
The purse – which contained a passport, various cards and money – was reported missing. Griffin ran outside and two staff members went after him, but he made off.
“His partner appeared unaware of what the accused had done,” added Ms Bradley.
At 1.10pm the following day, police saw Griffin, who again ran off, but was caught by officers.
Griffin’s solicitor said the crime was “entirely opportunistic”. He added that Griffin’s partner had been “disgusted” and went with him to try to find the purse, which he said he had thrown away.
The solicitor said: “The majority of his offending is underpinned by a drug problem.”
The jail term was backdated to June 7.
KELSO swimmer Lucy Hope is doing the Borders proud at the European Junior Championships in Poznen, Poland.
Representing Great Britain Lucy raced the heat of the 200m backstroke this morning and is fifth fastest going into tonight’s semi-finals. The quickest 10 go through to the final tomorrow night so she’s looking pretty good for that.
Her 4x100m freestyle relay team were second quickest in the heats this morning and will contest the final tonight.
The A68 at Oxton was closed for five-and-a-half hours last Thursday following a three-vehicle collision at around 5.15pm.
The drivers of all three vehicles were taken to the BGH for assessment and observation.
Police enquiries into the circumstances of the collision are continuing.
The largest housing estate in the Borders, Burnfoot in Hawick, stages its carnival on Saturday. Festival Queen Dru Moscrop, 10, will be crowned at noon when Carnival Cornet Harri Cooper, 11, receives a riding crop. Bands include Ruff Cut, Darkhorse, Curly Turtles, This Wooden Idea and The Honey Badgers.
After a year-long journey, a local equine expert and her young protégé are competing in one of the country’s premier equestrian events.
Beth Patterson from Newstead arrived at Kate Paskins’ Earlston yard as a green 15-year-old, with a new young horse called Dylan, in April last year. Having wanted to try her hand at jumping, Beth took some persuading by Kate to steer a rather flighty Dylan towards a career in dressage.
Under Kate’s guidance, the pair entered, and came second, in their first dressage test last June. It was the beginning of a great team and since then teacher, student and horse have gone from strength to strength.
Beth went on to work hard under the guidance and watchful eye of her mentor. There were tears and hard times along the way.
Over the winter both Beth and Kate (on Wilbur and North by Northwest) worked hard on getting their horses to various qualifiers, often driving Kate’s 18-tonne Scania through horrendous weather conditions.
And, having achieved good results on all the three horses, the pair became the only Scottish qualifiers for the prestigious Hickstead Dressage Masters last month.
Beth and Dylan finished 14th in the Preliminary and 17th in the Novice Championships on North by Northwest, while Kate, on Rondo Capriole, was 16th in the Medium.
Competing alongside the likes of Olympic dressage gold medallist Laura Bechtolsheimer brought home just how far the girls had come.