Fire crews tackled a gorse fire in Innerleithen on Friday evening as ­temperatures soared over the weekend.

The blaze in the field near Horsbrugh Terrace ­measured 25 square ­metres and was ­extinguished by local firefighters.

An animal welfare charity say the lives of a number of dogs in the Borders have been put at risk by their owners during the heatwave.

The scorching weather has failed to stop some owners from leaving their pets inside their cars, with problem areas being Tesco and Asda’s car parks in Galashiels and Borders General Hospital’s parking facilities.

Scottish SPCA chief Inspector Paul Anderson said: “Every summer we run a campaign, but it’s clear some owners aren’t getting the message and we’re keen to remind people of the dangers.

“Owners need to understand that it’s completely unacceptable to leave a dog in a vehicle in these searing temperatures, even for a short period of time with the windows down. In this kind of heat, even five minutes could be deadly.”

Anyone who sees a distressed dog left in a car can phone 03000 999 999 or the police.

Representatives of gypsy families and St Boswells Community Council met on Saturday to discuss the future of the village’s traditional fair.

The fair, which dates back several hundred years on the village green alone, attracts gypsies from around the country, but numbers have dropped steadily in recent years.

In an attempt to halt its decline, and ensure the tradition lives on for many years to come, the community council instigated a meeting with representatives of the gypsy families in attendance this year.

Dougie Oliver, community council chairman, said: “This is the first time a meeting like this has happened, and I, and the gypsy representatives, agree it should have happened years ago.

“We are trying to keep the fair going. It has been dwindling and it would be a shame if it finished after more than 200 years. We want to try and promote it.”

Mr Oliver added: “We feel it is our fair as well as theirs.”

The community council will assist in putting on and promoting a special exhibition in the village next year around the fair date, July 18, in an attempt to educate those new to the village about the history of the fair, and also promote greater integration between villagers and the gypsies during fair week.

George Higgs, chairman of Borders Equality Forum, chaired Saturday’s meeting.

He welcomed the opening up of communication between the community and the gypsy families.

Mr Higgs said meetings of this sort were vital in Borders communities with gypsy links, to preserve the associated heritage and traditions.

“It is a must, and the only way to do it is to sit down together. It breaks down barriers and dispels stereotypes.

“People can work together and on the whole they all have the common aims,” he added.

Mr Higgs said: “I think the Borders should be proud of the historical connections it has with the traditional gypsy culture, and having an exhibition is an opportunity to show this, not only to the locals living around the area of the St Boswells Fair, but also newcomers to the Borders.

“I hope this will become a future part of the fair for many years to come.”

Mr Higgs added: “When speaking to the gypsy families, they all said that the St Boswells Fair is not a campsite but a fair, and they would welcome anyone onto the Green, not just for a day, but for the duration, to join in with the traditional aspects of it.”

This year, just a handful of caravans, both new and traditional, were parked up on St Boswells Green around fair week.

An early morning crash sparked a gas leak alert in Walkerburn after a vehicle smashed through a wall on the main route through the village.

The incident on Monday saw a Nissan car hit a gas pipe after leaving the A72 road near the former George Hotel, leading to engineers from Scotland Gas Networks being called to the scene by firefighters.

The vehicle was left perched over a garden as a result of the accident involving a Vauxhall Astra car at around 8.20am.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and while fire crews from Galashiels and Peebles believed the gas pipe was intact, they were forced to cut metal railings attached to the wall in order to get into the engine of the Nissan and isolate its battery.

The A72 was closed from 8.25am until midday as SGN staff confirmed the pipe had not been broken.

During that time, traffic was forced to use local diversions through the Tweeddale village, although the route was deemed unsuitable for HGVs.

Scottish Borders Council’s building control team were also called after firefighters decided the wall involved in the accident was in an unsafe condition.

Both the female motorist in the Astra and the male driver of the Nissan escaped with minor injuries.

A Police Scotland spokesman told The Southern: “The road was closed for approximately three-and-a-half hours after the incident.

“A 21-year-old man has since been charged with careless driving and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”

An SBC spokesman added: “The area has been made safe and both pedestrians and vehicles are able to pass through.”

Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham return to the Borders next weekend for another concert from the masters of Scottish traditional music.

The pair remain as popular as ever, having joined forces back in 1986 for TV series Aly Bain and Friends.

It was the start, not only of Phil’s television career, but also of their 27-year partnership.

Phil and Aly went on to record an album, The Pearl, featuring some of Phil’s compositions, and have recorded and toured tirelessly since then.

Phil’s appearance on Mark Knopfler’s CD last year follows a day spent with the former Dire Straits frontman for a BBC show in 2010 where they talked about their careers.

And Aly Bain has recently stepped into the independence debate, announcing his support for the Yes campaign ahead of next year’s referendum.

Tickets are priced at £17 (£10 concessions) for the pair’s Eastgate Theatre gig in Peebles on Thursday, August 1. The show starts at 7.30pm and briefs can be bought by phoning 01721 725777.

An energy-saving firm has upgraded dozens of Langlee homes via the UK Government’s Green Deal – without waiting for building warrants.

This has led to a “scaremongering” Scottish Borders Council (SBC) letter “panicking” Langlee residents into believing they now couldn’t sell their homes.

Competing companies recently bombarded the Galashiels estate door-to-door, offering homeowners and tenants “fully-funded” or “free-of-charge” external wall insulation under the Green Deal initiative aimed at reducing energy bills and waste.

Amid the claims, a council letter on Friday offered an upcoming package of free energy-efficiency upgrades, with free and impartial advice from Home Energy Scotland.

It read: “You may want to go ahead now, or you might prefer to wait for the council offer; the most important thing is you have all the information you need and feel comfortable with any decisions you make.”

But the next day another SBC letter made Langlee householders far from “comfortable”. It concerned residents of Marigold Drive, Aster Court, Primrose Bank, Heather Court and Hawthorn Road who took, or are taking, external wall insulation from Glasgow-based Home Energy & Lifestyle Management Systems (HELMS).

“Although building warrant applications have been received, no permission has been granted to date,” it said, “and under Section 27 of the Building (Scotland) Act 2003, it is an offence to undertake warrantable works without first obtaining a building warrant. Any ongoing, or planned, installation works should cease until the building warrants are issued. Should works continue the council may issue a formal ‘Stop Notice’. The lack of a Certificate of Acceptance of Completion may lead to problems should you decide to sell or remortgage your property.”

The news came two weeks too late for Jim and Janis Mitchell of Marigold Drive, who reported neighbours “panicking”. “I wouldn’t like to count the houses getting the same work as us,” Jim said, adding: “HELMS have done a super job, but reading that, it makes you think your house is valueless.”

Janis added: “People are worried they’ll have to rip off their wall again.”

Another resident described the letter as “traumatising” and “scaremongering”.

SBC said HELMS’ applicions “weren’t adequate”, but it met the firm yesterday (Wednesday) to try to resolve the issues. After the meeting, HELMS managing director Doug Wilkie said: “Every house should have planning permission by Friday.”

This year’s Morebattle Queen is Holly Wyatt of Crook Farm Cottage, Linton.

The P7 pupil, who goes to high school in the autumn, will be sashed during Sunday’s church service in the village parish church.

And villagers are gearing up for a fun-filled festival week starting with the girls’ and boys’ five-a-side football next Saturday in the school playing field. Creative residents, meanwhile, are already planning inspired scarecrows which go on display outside homes for the week.

Next Sunday, the festival family day – including races, team games, welly throwing, boules, tombola refreshments and more – takes place from 2pm on the school playing field.

A Galashiels knitwear ­company, popular around the world, now has its own space in Jenners, the famous Edinburgh department store.

Eribe’s products were hand-picked for the revamped Scottish Gifts Hall by Mary Contini, director of renowned delicatessen Valvona and Crolla.

It is the latest project involving Jenners and Mrs Contini, who took over the store’s food hall five years ago.

Rosemary Eribe, founder of the knitwear firm, said Mrs Contini approached her about having the products in the new gift hall, which was launched last week.

Rosemary said: “We are one of the key brands in there, and our space has quite a vintage feel.

“The new collection is inspired by Scottish explorers, so there are original trunks and old maps on the walls, which all tie in with the collection.”

Lochcarron and Hawick Cashmere also have areas within the gift hall.

Despite the economic difficulties around the world, Eribe has continued to grow.

“We’ve always been strong in export, and we have managed to spread ourselves across many markets,” Rosemary said.

“We are now in 16 countries, and while we have seen sales go down slightly in Japan, we have made up for that with new orders from places like Russia.

“We are also looking at Chinese and South Korean markets for next year.”

This strength abroad, with products in many prestigious boutiques and department stores, and the launch of Eribe’s own online shop, means up to four new members of staff will be taken on this year. And its ongoing success has also resulted in a nomination for a Scottish Fashion Award in the textile brand category.

Rosemary said: “We definitely want to be seen as one of the leading textile designer brands, if not the best, in Scotland.

“Certainly from a design point of view we are original and innovative, and a lot of time and effort has gone into each design and we are seeing the benefits of this through our sales results.”

With summer has come the traditional blooming of bright yellow fields of oilseed rape, brightening the borderland countryside, writes Jim Milnes.

Now the yellow squares in our countryside’s patchwork are proving themselves to be a cash crop as well as eyecatching.

Rapeseed oil is fast becoming the latest culinary must-have, knocking back sales of olive oil, which has been a staple for nearly half a century.

Supermarkets such as Tesco are even predicting that sales of British rapeseed oil could even surpass olive oil in sales during the coming decade.

The oil also is a great option for healthy eaters. It is rich in omega 3, 6, and 9 and is a good source of Vitamin E, while only having half the saturated fats of olive oil. It is also one of the few oils that can be heated to a high temperature without losing its colour, consistency or flavour.

Rapeseed oil is also versatile, able to be used in baking as well as roasting, frying and even in dressings.

All this is not bad for a crop that was originally grown for cattle feed, or to be ploughed into soil that needed fertilizing quickly.

It was even used on the railways as a lubricant on steam engines. Rapeseed oil originally had a bitter taste that humans –as opposed to cattle – found unappealing.

But in the 1970s, new strains were developed that ‘grew out’ the acids that gave it this bitterness. This, coupled with large subsidies offered to farmers through the 1980s, meant that it was poised for a commercial breakthrough.

In the last 30 years, British production of oilseed rape has boomed, going from a few thousand tonnes to the more than two million tonnes that are grown today.

And consumers have driven the boom, with demand growing by 11.5 per cent over the last year alone.

There are now more than 100 suppliers across the country, operating from farm shop level to supermarket chains.

And Mike Baess of Tesco has said that “This could be very good for our agriculture industry”.

One of the first set-ups to take a chance on oilseed was a group of farmers in Berwickshire and north Northumberland, who trade under the name Borderfields.

The co-operative, originally consisting of 12 growers, was the first to get rapeseed oil in supermarkets, and the Scottish seed grown outside Coldstream, in Berwickshire,now goes towards supplying Tesco, Aldi and Sainsburys.

The growing popularity of its product has allowed Borderfields to attract more shareholders, and increase production from 100 cases to a predicted 1.75 million litres this year.

Tilly Fuller, Borderfields’ sales and marketing manager, admits that the changes in the market over the last three years have been “phenomenal”.

She has overseen much of the growth, and the diversification of a simple oil – there are now various dressings and infusions of it on sale.

“People talk about it being the next olive oil, and the potential is there,” said Tilly.

“It is still regarded as something of a ‘break crop’ by many farmers, who don’t think they can make any money out of it, but in the coming years an awful lot of oil is going to be needed to meet demand.”

There was great excitement last month as an agreement was finally reached on CAP Reform between the EU Commission, Council and European Parliament.

From what has emerged so far there does appear to have been a consensus on important issues, but by no means all.

There are continuing negotiations on the 2014-2020 budget and these will include decisions on degressivity and capping, transfer of payments between Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 and a crisis reserve.

Nevertheless, those decisions which have been made are important and, for Scotland, the main issues are:

l The Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) will replace the Single Farm Payment Scheme (SFPS) with effect from the 2015 scheme year.

The current SFPS will be extended for 2014 which will provide a new reference year for land area under the BPS – as well as presumably providing the basis for an historic reference amount.

The BPS will account for 70 per cent of the direct funding available, 30 per cent having been allocated for greening, after deduction for national reserve, young farmers top up, any coupled payments, and so on.

l The BPS will be phased from an historic to a regional basis. That process does not have to be completed by 2019, but all recipients will have to receive at least 60 per cent of the regional payment by then.

There will be optional measures for member states to apply so that no-one suffers a deduction of more than 30 per cent from the initial payment level – but that may not work arithmetically or politically – high values having been particularly associated with slipper farmers and naked acres.

It is still unclear as to how a regional basis might work. In England there are three regions based on land quality and it seems likely that Scotland will follow a similar methodology although more regions (and more complications) may be necessary.

l Whilst a regional basis of payment is likely to remove much of the issues regarding slipper farmers, there is no clear active farmer test other than a mandatory negative list of ineligible uses such as airports and waterworks ! It is hoped that some form of minimum agricultural activity will be necessary.

l To be automatically eligible for allocation of entitlements under the BPS, claimants must have submitted an SFPS claim in 2013.

l Greening will be introduced as a compulsory requirement attracting 30 per cent of the regional direct payment, irrespective of individual Basic Payment entitlement values.

Measures

In order to receive the greening element of the payment, these measures have to be met:

l Individual holdings will have to satisfy a requirement for 5 per cent of arable land qualifying as ecological focus areas unless the holding is less than 15 ha or has at least 75 per cent grassland up to a maximum of 30 ha (it is not clear if temporary grassland will qualify in this respect). Equivalent measures under stewardship schemes may qualify but in that case payments will be restricted to avoid double funding.

The interaction between ecological focus areas and existing stewardship schemes may be complicated.

Furthermore, there is asuggestion that the EFA requirement may be part met at national level.

l Where there is more than 10 ha of arable land there must be at least two different crops to provide diversification. Over 30 ha there must be three different crops. The main crop may cover up to 75 per cent of arable land and the two main crops up to 95 per cent.

l A minimum of 95 per cent of permanent grassland must be retained – the retention ratio may be applied at national, regional or farm level. Under the existing scheme it has been applied at national level. Further details will emerge but permanent grassland is still to be properly defined.

l There is also a sting in that greening is mandatory and there will be a penalty if not adopted – claimants who have not met the greening requirement by 2017 will lose the equivalent of 125 per cent of the greening element of the Basic Payment – not simply the greening element itself.

COMPULSORY ISSUES

There must be a new entrant young farmer top up scheme.

l Coupled payments – optional but all regions allowed up to 8 per cent of funds as coupled payments.

l Rural Development Programme – Pillar 2. At least 30 per cent of the rural development funding budget must be spent on land management and climate change mitigation measures. New agri-environment – climate schemes to be distinct from “greening” to avoid double funding.

l Less Favoured Areas to become Areas of National Constraint but this change will be delayed until 2018.

l Member states must offer advice to farmers on cross compliance, greening payments, maintenance of land eligible for direct payments, the water frame work and sustainable use of pesticides directives, and some rural development measures, via a Farm Advisory Service.

l Small Farmers Scheme – optional.

WHAT NOT AGREED?

Degressivity and capping – possibly provision for a small deduction from larger payments – 5 per cent over €150,000? Capping appears to be optional at present.

l Modulation.

l Transfer of funding between Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 – direct payments to Rural Development.

l Establishment of a Crisis Reserve Fund.

These last issues will hopefully be decided by Autumn 2013 by which time more detail of what has been agreed will have emerged.

For the meantime, it appears certain that there will be less money available to farmers who should budget on a 5 per cent reduction in Single Farm Payment this year and, probably a further 5 per cent in 2014.

It is therefore important that individual businesses start to assess the likely effect of changes with assistance from their professional advisors.

Assistance with the cost of assessment can be obtained through the Whole Farm Review Scheme.

For more information contact Hugh Jones at the Galashiels office of Edwin Thompson LLP – 01896 751300 or email ha.jones@edwin-thompson.co.uk

The final preparations are under way for this year’s extra special Border Union Show which has been three years in the planning.

Entries are “tremendous” in the Border Union Agricultural Society’s 200th year and there’s an entertainment line-up to rival any big top.

Society secretary Ron Wilson said: “If ever there was a year to come to the Border Union Show it is this one.

“But we have been quite determined we will have our normal show and we wanted to continue to try and look after and help the people who support us wonderfully, whether it be livestock or trade stands or anything else, have a fantastic show.

“There is a tremendous entry of livestock, including ponies, horses, donkeys, cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, guinea pigs, there’s carriage driving and shepherds’ crooks and the ladies’ industrial section – in all, over 3,000 entries.”

More than 870 sheep are expected and the show will host the Border Leicester National Show on Saturday. “Sheep numbers are similar to last year, which is exceptional after the year we have had, and we’ve got a good entry of Border Leicesters, ” said Ron.

Cattle numbers are up by about 50 on last year.

And this year there is a special one-off interbreed team championship, with three cattle representing each breed in a continental and a native breeds competition.

There will be 10 teams and judge Fred Murray of East Horton, Wooler will be choosing the winners among the four teams in the continental section, while Finlay McGowan, Incheoch, Blairgowrie, is tasked with choosing the winning natives from six teams.

“We’re doing this because it will be a wonderful spectacle and we’ve got a very good commentator in Mike Keeble who is probably the top authority in the country on the history of all the breeds of cattle and sheep. He will explain the different breeds, their attributes and where they fit in in the system,” said Ron.

Beef interbreed judge is pedigree Charolais and Aberdeen Angus breeder Alasdair Houston, of Gretna House Farm, Gretna.

Making the call at the sheep pens will be former society chairman and past chairman of the society’s ram sales, Harry Dodds of Spotsmains, Kelso. Ron said: “Harry has been a fantastic servant to the Border Union for the last 21 years. It’s great that he has the honour of judging the sheep interbreed in the bicentenary year after the service he has given to the society.”

The overall pony judge is Sheila Brooks, Oaklands, Kelso, former Highland Pony Society president and a past chairman of the National Pony Society who has bred Highland ponies successfully for decades. Other entertainment includes the Locheil Marching Drill Team from New Zealand, on their way to the Tattoo in Edinburgh, the Lowland Band, Kelso Pipe Band and the Wooler Junior Steel Band.

The Sheep Show returns for its eighth consecutive year, a hurricane and a spitfire will do a flypast (weather permitting) on Saturday afternoon and the “wheely” feature in the main ring will be the Lings Bolddog Motorcycle stunt team, who return by popular request after their thrilling display three years ago.

There are five extra special events taking place to celebrate the 200th birthday: The History of the Horse pageant, the Story of Wool and the special foodie events are dealt with elsewhere in this review.

A fourth is the four working plots opposite the showground, now reached by a temporary footbridge.

Alongside the winter barley and oilseed rape, show-goers will also find crops such as maize, lupins, linseed, borage and evening primrose, and experts will be on hand at each to explain where they fit into the industry.

The fifth is a huge map of the Tweed, from source at Tweedswell to mouth at Berwick upon Tweed, in twelve panels, measuring five metres long in total with a depth of two and a half metres.

Ron said: “It is the intention to invite any school to use it to research the history of their own area, whether it be woollen mills, the Border Abbeys, the wonderful arable farms in Berwickshire, churches, castles – history, geography, orienteering or good old general knowledge, it covers all.

He added, that at the attraction, “Small ‘ponds’ in trays will be populated with every creepy crawly imaginable and the wonderful local charity Tweedstart has volunteered to explain all the creatures and fish from the pond”

When the 36 nobles and gentlemen sat down in the Cross Keys Hotel, Kelso, on January 22, 1813, to form the Border Agricultural Society, they had a very clear purpose in mind – agriculture in Roxburghshire was backward and needed to be modernised.

To drive up standards they held exhibitions (shows) for sheep, cattle, horses and implements, held ploughing matches, implement demonstrations and trials as well as seed competitions and shows.

Furthermore the society was active in encouraging the development of regular markets in the area and one outcome of this was the introduction of a sale of rams first held in the Knowes, Kelso, in 1838 – almost certainly the first public auction sale of rams in the world. As the society grew, its influence spread over a wider area of the Borders and the process of rapid agricultural improvement was stimulated and encouraged.

When the society directors sit down this year to consider the future of the society, as it moves into its third century, they will note some similarities and echoes of the early years.

However, while the show and Ram Sales remain as core activities, the introduction of a highly successful dog show and the use of the showground and Exhibition Hall for a host of events throughout the year put a different slant on the work of Border Uunion Agricultural Society.

More importantly, wider countryside activities play an ever more important role in the show and it can be argued that the key purpose of the society now, rather than stimulating agricultural improvement, is to act as a showcase for the countryside to an increasingly urban general public.

However ,as Timmy Douglas put it so well in his poem to mark the Bicentenary:

Two centuries’ seasons have vanished

And melted like snowdrifts in spring

But the auld song has never been banished

And the present’s a fine song to sing.

There’s a future that stretches before us

And we hope and we pray and we wish

That our grandchildren sing a new chorus

To keep our society fresh

For over 150 years, the Borders farming community has turned to The Southern for the best in coverage of all local agricultural matters.

This year’s successful relaunch of The Southern saw that boosted even further with the number of pages devoted to farming increased.

As well as reports by staff journalists and contributors, there is always still a place for a well-written weekly columnist feature.

For many years now The Southern’s regular farming columnist has been Halidon, who faithfully pens our ‘Landlines’ column – turn to p73.

One of the most famous encumbents, still remembered with great affection, was Walter Barrie, perhaps better known by readers of The Southern as ‘Hendry J. Clayboddie’.

The Clayboddie column was one of the most popular features of the newspaper during the early 20th century.

And it was not only local farmers and their families who eagerly anticipated his weekly column, but many much further afield as well. Born at Whitehillbrae in Allan Water in 1852, Walter moved with his family to Liddesdale as a young boy.

Growing up, he worked hard both at school and on the family farm until moving to Perth as a young man to work for a solicitors’ firm.

But he had to cut short his legal career after his father fell ill and so he returned to the Borders to take over the farm at Sundhope, later buying it in 1928.

On returning to Yarrow, Walter campaigned tirelessly for better conditions for the agriculture industry in Selkirkshire and encouraged others to work more closely together to that end.

One of the founding fathers of the Yarrow and Ettrick Pastoral Society in 1906 and serving as secretary until the Great War, he helped set up the Yarrow and Ettrick Show.

He was appointed first secretary of the Selkirkshire branch of the National Farmers’ Union and was honoured by the organisation in January 1926 when he and his wife were presented with portraits painted by Selkirk artist William Johnstone.

As well as being known as The Southern’s farming correspondent, Walter was equally renowned as a great local character with a wonderful sense of humour.

dry wit

He often included in his writings many local words and expressions, and he could find the funny side of even the dullest of happenings.

This dry wit allied to an incomparable knowledge of agricultural issues in the region won Walter high praise and local farmers would gather to await the arrival of the paper each week, just to hear what ‘Clayboddie’ had to say. During one speaking engagement in Selkirk’s Victoria Halls, he reflected on the increasing local popularity of the motor car.

“The first motor belonged to the late Mr Steel,” he said. “It was in the form of a dogcart – sat back to back.

“Mr Steel kindly took some members of the road board up to Tibbie’s in it on a tour of inspection.

“When we were coming back, it mounted the hog back of the old brig at Dryhope. The driver gave her just rather too much petrol and she went off with a bouff, when Mr Bartie and Muir of Dryhope, who were sitting behind, slippit off onto the road.

“When she got rid of their weight, she gaed spinning off at a great rate and we were nearly at The Gordon before we missed them.

“It wasna’ long till Mr Steel got a new car.”

Although Walter was best known for work in the agricultural community, as well as his writing, he was also actively and passionately involved in local government, education, parish life and even as a sportsman.

He travelled everywhere by bicycle or horse and rode the Selkirk marches for many years.

More than all this , however, he was, first and foremost, a family man whose priority was always his wife and nine children.

In 1937, Walter died at his farm at Sundhope. Paying tribute in an obituary, The Southern described him as “a leal Borderer”, “doughty champion of agric”ulture” and a “patriot with a gifted pen”.

Shortly before his death, Walter remarked: “I have had ups and downs, misfortunes and losses, but on the whole I have taken a lot of pleasure out of life.

“I have found how much can be done at odd times, which many folks fritter away, and I am sure I have taken more pleasure out of life than lots of folks that were not half so busy.”

And his passing advice to the young men of the day has stuck with generations of Borders farmers since.

“Plough deep, muck weel, work hard, stick in late and airly, and never miss a chance.”

The first mention of a show in Kelso, at what was then called Bridge-end Park, was in 1832, more than 20 years before the birth of The Southern.

The first edition of The Southern was published in 1855, but ever since then coverage of the show in Kelso has been a priority for the paper’s farming section.

At each ‘Kelsae Show’, you will find a reporter and photographer from The Southern on both the Friday and the Saturday.

As well as soaking up the atmosphere to make sure there is plenty of ‘colour’ in the following week’s coverage, results of the various trophy winners are painstakingly noted down once they are posted to the results board outside the secretary’s office.

This building is the hub of the Springwood Park showground. From here, Border Union Agricultural Society secretary Ron Wilson and his team have spent much of their time in the preceding months working towards these two days at the end of July.

And this year’s 200th anniversary of the society and the visit by the special royal bicentennial patron, HRH The Countess of Wessex, means there is even more pressure than normal to ensure everything goes as smoothly as usual.

In recent years, The Southern has had to restrict itself to only publishing the winners of the extensive list of trophies and cups up for grabs.

But for many decades, a reporter spent hours collating not just trophy winners’ names and details, but the first, second and third places in every single class!

And in the modern digital news age, The Southern’s annual show coverage can now be bolstered by video reports, Twitter and Facebook feeds, as well as reports specifically written for our websites.

Ron says the importance of press coverage in the build-up to the show and reports in the days and week afterwards, should not be underestimated. “I visit a quite a few events around the country, many down south, and you’d have to say a considerable number could now be more accurately described as agricultural fairs, given the variety of elements that they consist of.

“But the Border Union Show is still true to its roots and very much an agriculture show – an event still mainly aimed at showing the wider non-farming public what farmers do, and what goes on in the wider countryside,” he told us.

“And to help us show what farmers are doing, the support we get from the press, such as The Southern here in the Borders, is very important.”

This year is an incredible year for the Border Union Agricultural Show as it marks 200 years since the organisation was formed under the chairmanship of my ancestor, James, 5th Duke of Roxburghe.

Our aim for this year was not only to celebrate our rich history as an organisation, but also to demonstrate the important role that agriculture still plays in our region today and to establish some legacy projects for the future.

We have already held the Borders’ first ever Children’s Countryside Day, when we welcomed moe than 1,300 children to the showground for a unique insight into the countryside and agriculture.

We are now preparing to announce the winner of the inaugural Bicentenary Border Union Roux Apprentice Award, established to provide a Borders College student with a unique start to their catering career.

We are also honoured that HRH The Countess of Wessex agreed to be our patron for the year.

Having already welcomed HRH to the Borders in January, we are looking forward to seeing the Countess again at the Border Union Show on both July 26th and 27th. 
This year’s Borders Union Show marks the culmination of our celebrations and includes a host of special attractions.

My hope is that more people than ever before will choose to attend and will help us to mark this milestone in the history of our organisation.

One of the highlights marking the bicentenary of the BUAS will be a fabulous History of the Horse pageant showcasing the many roles the horse has played in work, leisure and war.

The first of its kind, the pageant will take place in the main ring on Saturday at 1pm and has been developed to appeal to both adults and children.

It will tell the story of the horse through the ages, starting with the Romans and their horse-drawn chariots, and including the Border Reiving days, the horse back hunters with birds of prey, the Lord and Lady of the Manor’s coach and horse, and the times of the notorious Highwaymen.

The pageant will also feature the horse’s important role in the Borders countryside from assisting the working shepherd to the part the heavy horses played in agriculture.

One topical element featured in the pageant will be the role horses played in the First World War, a subject highlighted through recent movies, including the epic War Horse. The display will culminate with a look at the varied present day roles of the horse.

Featuring thrilling stunt riding by Jedburgh-based Les Amis d’Onno, accompanied by music by The Lowland Band and narrated by ‘The Voice of the Tattoo’ Alasdair Hutton. the History of the Horse is set to be a visual and auditory spectacle not to be missed.

Ann Fraser, co-ordinator of the Pageant said: “The Borders is known as Scotland’s Horse Country due to its association with the horse and the part it has played in its history and culture over the centuries.

“It seems entirely appropriate that the role of the horse should be celebrated as part of the bicentennial celebrations of the Border Union Show.

“I hope that the pageant will be both memorable and enjoyable for show visitors of all ages”

FRIDAY PROGRAMME

The times below are correct at the time of printing but may be altered at the discretion of the directors and depending on the number of entries forward .

8am: M & M Novice Working Hunter Ponies. Roxburgh Ring.

8.30am: Riding Ponies In-Hand. Teviot Ring 1

Native Ponies under Saddle & Part Bred Ponies. Teviot Ring 2

Welsh Ponies. Teviot Ring 3

Native Ponies In-hand. Teviot Ring 4

Coloured Horses. West Ring

Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Qualifiers. Main Ring .

10am: M & M Working Hunter Ponies (approx time) Roxburgh Ring

11am: Highland Ponies In-Hand. (approx. time) Teviot Ring 1 .

11.30am: Highland Ponies Ridden. (approx. time) Teviot Ring 1.

Noon: WHP Ponies. (approx. time) Roxburgh Ring

1pm: M & M Novice Ridden. (approx. time) Teviot Ring 1

Veteran Horses. (approx. time) Teviot Ring 3

Hunter Pony Breeding. (approx. time) Teviot Ring 4

Pony Club Team Jumping. (approx. time) Main Ring.

1.30pm: Heavy Horse Turnout (approx. time) West Ring

Industrial Section Judging Commences .

2.30pm: Show Hunter Ponies. (approx. time) Roxburgh Ring .

3pm: GRAND CHILDREN’S PET SHOW .

4pm: Industrial Marquee open to public .

6pm: Evening Goat Milking.

SATURDAY PROGRAMME

The times below are correct at the time of printing but may be altered at the discretion of the directors and depending on the number of entries forward.

8am: Ridden Hunters. Main Ring .

8.30am: Hunters In-Hand. Teviot Ring.

Riding Horses. West Ring.

Horse Shoeing .

9am: Galloway followed by Continental Beef Breeds

9.30am:Aberdeen Angus followed by Native Breeds followed by Limousin.

Young Handlers judging will be at the completion of the Cattle Classes.

Sheep & Dairy Goats.

Carriage Driving. Roxburgh Ring

10am: Clydesdale Horses followed by Shires. Teviot Ring.

Poultry.

Rabbits.

Side Saddle. (approx. time) West Ring .

10.30am: Shepherds’ Crooks. Sheep Lines.

Noon Retraining of Racehorses. (approx. time) Teviot Ring.

Decorated Harness. Teviot Ring .

12.30pm: Hunter Championship. Main Ring .

12.45pm: The Lowland Band, the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

1pm: Sheep Interbreed Championship .

1pm: History of the Horse Pageant.

1.15pm: Beef Cattle interbreed championship. Cattle Rings

1.30pm: Donkeys. Teviot Ring.

Young Farmers’ Clubs Stock-Judging. (approx. time, immediately after the Sheep Inter-Breed)

1.40pm: The Locheil Marching Drill Team Main Ring.

2pm: Bolddogs “Lings” Freestyle Team Main Ring.

2.30pm: The Lowland Band, the Royal Regiment of Scotland Main Ring.

2.45pm: The Grand Parade of Livestock Main Ring.

3pm: Cattle Team Interbreed Main Ring .

3.25pm: Champion of Champions Main Ring.

3.45pm: Carriage Driving Championships Main Ring.

4.10pm: Memorial Flight Flypast ( Weather permitting )

4.15pm: The Locheil Marching Drill Team Main Ring.

4.35pm: Bolddogs “Lings” Freestyle Team Main Ring.

5.05pm: Retreat : The Lowland Band, the Royal Regiment of Scotland and Kelso Pipe Band. Main Ring.

Throughout both days

Food Fair – Exhibition Hall Sheep Show – Countryside Area

Story of Wool – Block 1weed from source to sea- Block 1

Laithe Turning Drystone Walling Kelso Pipe Band Wooler Junior Steel Band.

Children’s Entertainment – both days

Fun Fair, Face Painting, Crazy Bears and Climbing Wall

The Scottish Borders has a rich agricultural and textile industry and is home to more sheep than people.

For its bicentanary event, the Border Union Show will feature a special ‘Story of Wool Showcase’, demonstrating the major input made by the textiles industry to the economy of the Borders.

The showcase will take vistors through every step of the wool process from shearing to wearing.

Live shearing demonstrations will take place at the entrance to the display, there will then be exhibits of different fleeces by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and hands on demonstrations of spinning, dyeing, weaving and wool felting.

Accompanying displays by the Wool Marketing Board and companies including Johnstons of Elgin will showcase a range of finished wool products including rugs and scarves depicting Borders colours.

The grand finale will be two fashion shows (noon and mid afternoon on Saturday) presented by the Textiles Unit of Scottish Enterprise and featuring the work of designers including Belinda Robertson, Hawick Knitwear, Lochcarron, Johnstons of Elgin, Harris Tweed Hebrides, Di Gilpin and Eribe.

Amongst the participants in the showcase will be Ewa Kuniczak, owner of Felt Head to Toe.

One of Scotland’s leading felters, Ewa creates an array of products using 100 per cent Merino wool, including elaborate scarves, headwear, garments, jewellery, and panels for interiors using Native and Norwegian fleeces . 

Ewa commented: “Wool is an incredibly versatile product to work with.

“I discovered felting over 30 years ago and have travelled around the world learning both traditional and modern felting techniques. I am looking forward to introducing Border Union Show visitors to drawing and painting with fibres through felting, the opportunites it offers for being creative, and to the vast range of items it can be used to make.”

Peter Bowyer, Director of the BUAS and co-ordinator of the Story of Wool exhibition said: “We are confident that this will be an exciting exhibition which we hope will demonstrate the major input made by the textile industry to the economy of the Borders.”

The Flavour of the Borders food fair at the Border Union Show is regarded as one of the finest in Scotland.

This year’s Fair is set to feature an impressive line-up of around 50 artisan food producers from around the country and in honour of the BUAS bicentenary, will also host a series of live cookery demonstrations by internationally renowned chefs on both days this weekend.

Amongst those demonstrating their culinary skills live on Saturday will be world-leading chef and restaurateur Albert Roux accompanied by Professional Masterchef winner and head chef at Greywalls, Derek Johnstone .

Also taking centre stage in the demonstration kitchen will be Steven Doherty, former Head Chef in Le Gavroche, Andrew Fairlie of Gleneagles, who holds the honour of running Scotland’s only two Michelin starred restaurant and, from closer to home, Neville Merrin the head chef at the Roxburghe Hotel.

Other local Borders chefs who will also participate include Ross Horrocks from the Caddy Mann in Jedburgh, Alan Reid of Windlestraw, Walkerburn and Kenny Coltman from Coltman’s, Peebles.

Ron Wilson, Secretary of the BUAS commented: “We are delighted to have such an incredible line-up of chefs taking part in this year’s Flavour of the Borders Food Fair. This will be a rare opportunity to see some of the country’s finest cooks in action and I am sure it will be exceptionally popular with visitors.”

Those fortunate enough to have purchased a ticket for the Bicentenary Banquet at the Border Union Show, taking place tomorrow evening, will have the opportunity to experience first hand the culinary expertise of the participating chefs, as Andrew Fairlie, Steven Doherty and Derek Johnstone, alongside Albert Roux’s Chef Consultant, Glen Watson, will create one course each for the banquet menu.

Ron Wilson explained: “The Bicentenary Banquet will be a once in a lifetime culinary experience with leading chefs each preparing a course at the dinner. Andrew Fairlie will start by serving a Ballotine of Salmon with fresh herbs, Glen Watson will create a Wild Mushroom Risotto and Steven Doherty will prepare the main of Border Spring Lamb. Derek Johnstone will finish the dinner by offering a Raspberry Assiette for dessert. Each course will also be matched with a wine specially selected by Silvano Giraldin, the General Manager at La Gavroche for moe than 30 years. It should be a wonderful and memorable occasion and with a menu packed with local produce, a very fitting way to help to mark our bicentenary year.”

The winner of the Bicentenary Border Union Roux Apprentice Award, a Borders College student who will receive a £6,000 Bursary from the BUAS plus six-months of training with Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles, will also be announced at the end of the banquet.

CHIRNSIDE are leading the way for the Borders bowlers competing the National Finals at Ayr this week with their senior rink having made it through to today’s final.

Mick Morrison, Brydon Simpson, Dave Buglass and Dave Lugget began their quest at Northfield on Tuesday when they squeezed through against Dunfermline (13-11).

Yesterday wins against Castle Douglas (19-10) and Westermains (15-10) secured the Berwickshire outfit a place in today’s final which begins at 9.30am.

Chirnside are also though to the semi-final stages of the Women’s Fours which will be played tomorrow (4.30pm). The Borders team has reached the Ayr finals twice and won both times in 2006 and 2007.

Representing the club this time round are Helen Kenny, Veronica Cockburn, Kay Purvis and Shiela Douglas. Wins over Kirn & Hunters Quay (28-2) and Strathmiglo (16-13) earned them a match against Dunblane in the last four. Kenny competed in the Senior Singles also but was beaten (21-16) by Catherine Kinnear of Rattray in the opening round.

Also still progressing for the Borders clubs are the St Ronans Gents Rink of Jojo Dougall, Andrew Borthwick, Derick Pearce and Robert Crawford who beat Kelvinside 19-8 in the opening round. They play Bathgate in the next stage at 9.30pm this morning.

Elsewhere at Ayr Galashiels Ladies Senior Rink of Anne Forsyth, Naz Rutherford, Moira Blyth and Gail Lindores are on their way home. The Ladies won their first round match (15-12) before falling to Newburgh yesterday.

Also on their way back to the Borders are Anne Blacklock, Sandra Blacklock and Marie Todd of Newtown who were ousted in the second round of the Two Bowl Triples by Colville Park after beating Cambus in their opener.

Also put out in the second phase were Val and Ian Angus of Duns Park who beat Kinniel (20-5) in the first round before going out (16-13) to Kinnoull.

Berwick’s Gordon Case was put out in the opening round of the Senior Singles by Stewart Banks of Dumbarton (21-16).

Tomorrow sees the start of the Triples, Pairs and Singles competitions which all have Borders representation.

YOU can tell the summer is half-way through as it’s King George day at Ascot on

Saturday.

Sadly, an injury to St. Nicholas Abbey sees the ante-post favourite ruled out. Not that I fancied him for the Ascot show-piece as I have always like Trading Leather and have long since felt that he was a horse in need of a trip in excess of ten furlongs.

His Irish Derby victory was most pleasing as I had backed him for Epsom’s Blue Riband event at 33/1, only to see his stable companion Dawn Approach run instead!

Ektihaam is the Number 1 danger to Jim Bolger’s horse in my opinion, but at the weights I reckon the three year old might just win this particular battle.

In the International Handicap I am staying loyal to Mark Johnston’s Es Que Love. He travelled like the winner in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket the other week and I can see him at least placing at 16/1. I would also like Baccarat to win the Skybet Dash at York at 14/1 as he too is one I have followed.

Selections

Saturday 27th July

Ascot – King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes – TRADING LEATHER

Ascot – International Handicap – ES QUE LOVE

York – Skybet Dash – BACCARAT