Rugby internationalist and Ex-Kelso Laddie Eric Paxton, 56, has raised £8,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and Marie Curie Cancer Care by walking this summer’s common riding and festival rides.

He rode the Yetholm ride-out on Saturday, so hiked the 26 miles return with Ex-Kelso Laddies Scott Forbes, Douglas Harvey, Darren Paxton and Colin Dumma, also Simon Hogg, former Scotland captain Gary Armstrong, David Welsh, Gwen Harvey, Mandy Hutchison, Jim Currie, Michael Tweedie, Diane McKay and Derek Horsburgh on Friday. Lauder is next on August 3.

A Galashiels grandad has raised thousands of pounds for charity, completing a 600-mile walk and bike ride in the footsteps of his own grandfather.

Alistair McIntyre, 53, hiked and cycled from Fife to Kent last month for his six-year-old granddaughter, Belle, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer, when she was four.

He said: “It was a great experience and something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I feel lucky and privileged to have been able to do it.”

He set up In Jimmy’s Footsteps appeal to raise funds for Cancer Research UK through the walk and bike ride and other events. And so far he has raised more than £30,000, over three times his initial target of £10,000.

“I’m flabbergasted. The support we have had from friends and family and for the events is amazing,” he said.

That sum is set to be boosted as Alistair – head of catering for Scottish Borders Council, and supporters – hope to sell 3,000 cup cakes at ‘Jimmy’s Cup Cake Stall’ at this weekend’s Border Union Show in Kelso.

Alistair followed the route from Lochore to Deal taken by his grandfather Jimmy McIntyre, a miner, who left his pregnant wife and son at home in Fife, to set off on foot and bicycle in search of work in Kent in 1933.

Highlights of Alistair’s efforts were, he said:“Seeing so much of the country, all the people I met along the way, supporters, my family and, especially, having Belle walk the last half-mile with me through Deal.”

The ancient craft of weaving was among a series of new skills which could be learned at Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles and Design this month, with the organiser hoping the summer classes can encourage more people to the Borders, writes Kenny Paterson.

Weaving students have been learning the trade in Europe’s largest studio of its kind at the School’s High Mill in Galashiels.

And other subjects included the use of the school’s archive by those on the printed textile design course.

There was also a chance for summer students to learn about fashion construction as well as machine knitting.

Jane Robertson, technical support manager at the Netherdale higher education campus, said: “We have had 22 people attending the summer schools, some staying in our new halls of residence, ranging from 15 years to more than 60 years of age.

“This is only the second year we have been running the suite of courses and I am hoping that this is going to grow into a much bigger profile year on year that will bring visitors into the Borders every summer.”

The participants came together last Friday for a show and tell event to display all their work from the week.

The Treorchy Male Choir has played in front of one of the wealthiest princes in the world, and been on the same bill as the Prince of Darkness.

But next month the Welsh ensemble head to the Borders for a special concert in aid of Galashiels-based charity the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust.

The Volunteer Hall performance on Saturday, August 10 comes five months after the choir’s most prestigious engagement yet, when they received a standing ovation at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo before Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, along with special guest Dame Shirley Bassey.

The family of Prince Albert II, the son of American actress Grace Kelly, is reputed to be worth more than £650million.

But at the other end of the establishment, the 67-year-old choir from the Rhondda Valley has previously performed alongside heavy metal veteran Ozzy Osbourne.

Trust committee member Bill Turner helped to organise the Galashiels concert, as well as two others at Murrayfield and Berwick-Upon-Tweed after hearing the choir while in the village for a Wales-Scotland rugby international.

He said: “This is probably the best male choir in the world which has made 12 Royal Command performances.

“Their recent tour of Australia culminated with three full houses at the Sydney Opera House. During my visit to Treorchy I mentioned to one of the lads in the choir that it would be a dream come true if somehow this choir could come to Galashiels, to help in fundraising for our charity, and I am delighted it is happening.”

Tickets for the Galashiels show, which starts at 7pm, can be bought from Mr Turner on 07766 378879.

The Imperial Bar in Hawick is set to be transformed into a retail premises.

A change-of-use application for the Oliver Place property, which has been empty for a number of years, was approved by the council last week.

Applicant David Cross plans to convert the former pub into a shop selling antique and garden furniture, and collectables.

The property dates back to 1875.

OVER the next few weeks you will see an advert for ‘Business Brain’. In addition to our regular column, we will be answering your questions and advising you on making sure your plans are tax efficient.

To get things started, I have an example below:

Q: Can you give me a couple of examples that I can use to avoid my children paying substantial inheritance tax (IHT) on my estate?

A: There are several ways of mitigating IHT, but this is a complex area of financial planning, requiring ongoing and regular review due to ever-changing legislation in this area.

However, everyone is entitled to certain IHT exemptions which, if not utilised, are lost.

The most commonly known exemption is the £3,000 ‘gift’ per tax year, an entitlement that if not used in one tax year can be carried forward for one year only. So use it, or lose it!

A lesser known – but incredibly useful – exemption is ‘gifting’ as part of your normal expenditure from your income.

There is no financial limit on this exemption; however, you must ensure that the gifts form a regular pattern and are from your income and not capital.

In addition, your standard of living must not be impacted as a result of making the gifts.

This allowance can be used to help with education costs, to make contributions to pensions on behalf of grandchildren (up to a maximum of £3,600 a year) or to fund a ‘whole of life’ policy, which will pay any IHT liability on your death.

These options allow you to potentially mitigate or lower any IHT liability without relinquishing control of your capital.

This is just one of the questions we are commonly asked at Rennie Welch, but do get in touch with us by email on thebusinessbrain@renniewelch.co.uk if you have any queries about IHT or other tax matters.

WHAT would you do if your main supplier went out of business, or how would you be affected if illegal behaviour were discovered in your supply chain? Do contingency plans exist to cover such real possibilities?

The horsemeat scandal highlighted the damage that can be done, not just to revenue streams, but also to corporate reputations.

A post-scandal survey by Ernst & Young found that just 48 per cent of British companies undertake any due diligence on supply chains.

The survey also found that 14 per cent of respondents did not know what third party due diligence meant.

Victoria Spencer of Ernst & Young said: “The issues around contamination of products have highlighted the importance of ensuring the integrity of a supply chain. Companies are, in most cases, responsible for the actions of third parties acting in their name; however, our research reveals that firms, across a range of sectors, are not carrying out basic checks.”

James Aitken, convener of Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce, added: “It’s pretty alarming that less than half of companies carry out sufficient due diligence. Businesses really need to ensure that their links with supply partners are robust and viable.

“In many sectors, suppliers need to be trusted and fully integrated into the production process. Their role is vital and often long-term, so it only makes sense to ensure they’re sound and stable.”

Mr Aitken added that suppliers to Borders firms may be some distance away, making it even more important that adequate systems are in place to highlight problems early, and to deal with them if the worst happens.

The lessons are clear – disruption of the supply chain can seriously harm not just a company’s viability, but also the trust and loyalty of its customers.

Contact me on simon@
simon-mountford.co.uk

The number of people in the Borders claiming unemployment benefit has fallen to under 2,000 for the first time this year.

The latest figures show that in mid-June 1,987 people were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, the fourth consecutive fall. However, almost half of claimants have been out of work for more than six months.

Nearly half of all claimants in the region are aged 25 to 49.

Melrose Pipe Band Championships was held in glorious sunshine on Saturday at St Mary’s School.

Winners: Drum Major (adult) – Graham Wilson, Newtongrange PB; Drum Major (junior) – Gibb Fraser, Upper Nithsdale PB; Grade 4 – Newtongrange PB; Grade 3 – Scottish Borders PB; Grade 2 – Scottish Borders PB; Novice/Junior Band – Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia PB

LOCAL athletes have been enjoying a bumper weekend on the Border Games circuit with Langholm and Oxton being the hosts on Friday and Saturday respectively.

At the Castleholm on Friday Jedburgh’s Martha Douglas became the first female sprint winner on the 2013 circuit when she edged a victory in a blanket finish in the showcase 90m event.

And yesterday, at Juticehall Haugh, it was the turn of St Boswells sprinter James Park to shine when taking the 110m event in another photo finish.

RESIDENTS across the Borders have benefited from a huge investment by Scottish Water, which has been welcomed by the Scottish Government.

The recently completed multi-million pound projects have seen new pipes installed as well as connections with upgraded treatment plants and sources created.

A £1.5million scheme has provided villagers in Heriot with access to high quality water from Scottish Water’s treatment works at Rosebery, thanks to around five miles of new pipes.

A similar investment has resulted in the completion of a five-mile ‘gravity main’ running from Selkirk to Yarrowford.

This means water in the area no longer needs to be supplied from an old borehole, but from the treatment works at Howden, which itself has already benefited from a recent £10million investment.

Scottish Water’s regional community manager, Bill Elliot, said: “The creation of new pipes and mains will ensure more of our customers in the Borders have access to high-quality drinking water, which has been treated to the highest standard in refurbished treatment works.

“Scottish Water continually invests in enhancing Scotland’s water infrastructure and completion of this latest project is a real boost for the Borders.”

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Our vision of Scotland as a hydro nation will play a key part in our plans to develop a low carbon economy, boost growth and create jobs.

“This major infrastructure investment by Scottish Water in the Borders is good news for domestic and business customers in the area.

“It illustrates how Scottish Water is delivering essential services to our communities across Scotland.”

Customers in the Bonchester area have also been connected to a new supply, thanks to a new gravity main from the Roberton water treatment works and a new pumping station. This work has been carried out at a cost of around £3million.

Completion of this project means Scottish Water will be able to provide water for new customers in the area, as well as providing existing customers with water which has been subject to the very best treatment processes at Rosebery and Roberton, where a £14.7million refurbishment was completed in 2011.

In addition to improving the water supply to residents, the projects have also enhanced the security of supply and reduced energy consumption.

Local veterans of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers will join more than 600 colleagues to march behind their Colours on Thursday before they are laid up at the regimental museum in Berwick Barracks.

The KOSB, founded in 1689, has now merged with the Royal Scots to become the Royal Scots Borderers, the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Thursday’s historic proceedings will be watched by the Princess Royal who is patron of the KOSB Association.

The Colours will be laid up as part of the annual Minden Day celebrations.

It was on August 1, 1759, that the Borderers – in an earlier guise – were one of six British infantry battalions, wearing red roses, that sent 70 squadrons of French cavalry fleeing.

At Minden Day commemorations, veterans and serving soldiers wear roses.

The KOSB association has stressed that tickets – free – are essential for Thursday’s events at Berwick Barracks.They can be booked by emailing secretary@kosb.co.uk or phoning 01289 331811.

The KOSB office will be open from Monday to Wednesday and from 8.30am on Thursday.

All seating has now been booked with spaces left only for those marching.

The parade forms up between 9am and 10.30am and marches on at 10.50am.

At midday it sets off with a salute at the Town Hall at around 12.10pm. The laying-up takes place on the return to the barracks at around 12.20pm.

Photographic ID, such as a driving licence, will be required on Thursday as part of the security arrangements surrounding the royal presence.

Berwick New Holland Bandits 53 Glasgow Western Commercial Tigers 42

Premier League

Berwick were desperately keen to bounce back after the disappointing night at Edinburgh the night before but Ricky Ashworth, mounted on a sick machine, soon retired from Heat One and although David Bellego battled well with Joe Screen up front the Tiger got the three points in a visitors’ 2-4.

Guest reserve man Adam Ellis, in for the injured Nicki Barrett, took Heat Two as if he’d ridden Berwick for years but with Paul Starke at the rear the 3-3 made no difference to the deficit.

A rolling start for Henning Bager gave him the impetus to roar round Matthew Wethers but the Bandit powered back and soared round the Glasgow man but at the back Robin Aspegren slid off with another 3-3 going into he book and the score now 8-10.

Following another 3-3 in the fourth, Aspegren and Wethers made a blistering gate over Screen and the comeback kid Andre Compton, who failed to get back on terms with the Bandits, hit home a solid 5-1 to go into the lead 16-14.

Bellego powered round James Grieves with Ashworth finding his feet once more to force his way under Joey Ringwood off bend four to take a Bandits ‘ 4-2 and increase their lead to four points.

Ellis again stunned the crowd by taking the win in Heat Seven with ease over Smith in the fastest time of the night as part of a home 5-1 before the shared 3-3s returned in Heat Eight with the score now 28-20.

Wethers took second place in Heat Nine’s 5-1 despite losing his steel shoe on the second lap which allowed Bager to come out in the 10th as a tactical rider for double points, and after again moving at the gate, took a brief lead before Bellego took a brave lunge round the outside off bend two through a nonexistent gap to restrict the heat score to a 4-4 taking the score to 37-25.

Screen came out as a second tactical in Heat 11 and took an early lead with Smith on his tail and despite a fine effort behind by the Berwick skipper the six points belonged to the Tigers in the 3-6 result to reduce the Berwick lead to 40-31.

Ashworth shot dramatically round Screen in Heat 13 off bend two as Smith weaved his way through to join Ashworth up front. But, coming off the fourth bend of the third lap, Ashworth seemed to lose power and he slid at speed into the fence with the referee awarding the race a 3-3 after the exclusion of the former but the match had been won by Berwick with two races remaining.

Team manager Ian Rae said: “Again the lads - after a sluggish start - really started to bang the points in and took Glasgow for everything they could.

“It was a good determined performance and we took all three Premier League points - not a bad night’s work.”

In Division One St Boswells were defeated by five wickets against Musselburgh.

Gala are still top of the table after defeating Leith FAB by 10 wickets, Kris Mein and Scott Paterson taking four wickets each.

Kelso lost against Westquarter and Redding by four wickets in Division Three.

Greg Fenton claimed seven victims as Selkirk remain top of Division Five.

There were mixed fortunes in Division Seven, with Hawick losing against Tranent, and Melrose narrowly beating RHC 3rds with Barry Scott taking five for 11.

A good crowd enjoyed a high standard of entrants at The Newtown St Boswells and District Farmers Show took place at St Boswells Auction Mart on Saturday July 20.

The full results as followed:

Supreme Champion (Judge: Mr & Mrs Sandy Scott, Dolphinston, Jedburgh ) Lunesdale Limelight, Mr M Rawlinson, Reserve Supreme, Knockavalley Paddy, Eleanor Fairey

In Hand Hunters (Judge: Mrs E C York, Hutton Wandeseley Hall , York) Champion - Tanganyika Mrs J Agnew Reserve - Ugola B Bordergrove Stud Brood Mare - 1 Ugola B 2 The Worst Witch Miss J Luton 3 Something Similar Mr E Jamieson Foal - 1 Bordergrove Houston Bordergrove Stud 2 Rowena Miss J Luton 3 Inter Alia Mr E Jamieson Yearling - 1 Bordergrove Monterey Bordergrove Stud 2 Bordergrove Havana Miss L Combe Two year old - 1 Tanganyika 2 Bordergrove Honolulu Bordergrove Stud 3 monsoon Melody Miss K Brownlie

Ridden Hunters (Judge: Mrs J Banks, Rowton Farmhouse, Hull) Champion - Masquerade Mr C Storey - Reserve - Sir William John Mr D Mactaggart

Novice Working Hunter - 1 Mr Chatterbox Miss A Brown 2 Paddy Slacks Mrs G R Dun 3 Arctic Skippy Mrs T Edgar

BHS Scotland Working Hunter Qualifier - 1 Masquerade 2 Kasilia Miss A Brown 3 Luke Lively Miss V Walton Four or Five Year Old - 1 Mr Chatterbox 2 Crown Imperial Mrs C Jeffrey 3 Tango In Paris Mrs L Sanderson Ridden Hunter - 1 Silver Dream Mr J Wilson 2 Sir William John 3 Willow Park Miss R Robson Overall Hunter - Masquerade Reserve Overall Hunter - Sir William John

Dressage with Show Jumping P4 (2002) (Judge: Mr F Peto, Earlston) 1 What I Have Dun Miss D Page 2 Baro Castlecoole Miss S Finlayson 3 Cowdenknowes Tikka Miss N Cessford P12 (2005) (Judge: Mrs C Payne, Selkirk) 1 Mr P Miss H Cooper 2 Like A Feather Mr I Clark 3 Borthwickshiels Floyd Mrs T Harrison

Ridden Pony Classes (Judge: Mr W Bowie, Dunfermline) Champion - Dukeshill Marietta Lucy Goldie Reserve - Roseisle Tudyr Storm Mrs M Foran

Not exceeding 128 cms 1 Damian Katy McFadyen 2 I’m Just Geoffrey Ellie Melfrum 3 Lucky April Alexandra Edgar

Not exceeding 138 cms 1 Lindisfarne T’Ambassador Amy Campbell 2 Waxwing Rosary Lucy Brown 3 Old Court Amadeus Lila Bremner

Not exceeding 148 cms 1 The Raindancer Lucinda Crawford 2 Penny’s Phantom Lucy Brown 3 Keldspring Mistral Ava Bremner

Leading Rein 1 Dukeshill Marietta Lucy Goldie 2 Roseisle Tudyr Storm 3 Cayberry Mickey Mouse Emma Neill

In Hand Ponies, (Judge: Mr W Bowie, Dunfermline ) Champion - Bunbury Suarez Mrs L Gregg Reserve Royalviews Sophista-Cat

Show Hunter Pony Yearling, Two Year Old & Three Year Old 1 Bunbury Suarez 2 Stichill Sapphire Mrs A Bergmann 3 Popcorn Mrs A Finch Show Hunter Pony Four Year Old & Over 1 Royalviews Sophista-Cat 2 Cayberry Mickey Mouse

Mountain & Moorland (Judge: Mrs C Nelson, Kelso )

Champion - Lunesdale Limeligh Reserve - Knockavalley Paddy

Four Years Old & Over 1 Lunesdale Limelight 2 Dukeshill Marietta 3 Cayberry Mickey Mouse Yearling, Two Year Old & Three Year Old 1 Towford Orla Mr A Anderson 2 Bunbury Suarez 3 Townford Orianna Mr A Anderson Large Ridden M & M 1 Knockavalley Paddy 2 Fidelywood Feisty Mrs W Meldrum 3 Stroma of Muck Miss C Walton Small Ridden 1 Bracken Mrs G Brown 2 Waxwing Rosary Mrs N Brown 3 I’m Just Geoffrey

Overall Champion - Lunesdale Limelight Reserve Overall Champion - Knockavalley Paddy

Coloured Classes, (Judge: Mr W Bowie, Dunfermline ) Champion - Masquerade Reserve - Waxwing Rosary

Coloured Horse or Pony In Hand Four year old and over 1 Little Mohawk Miss M Childs 2 Chingachgook Miss S Liptrott 3 Magic Merlin Miss G Robson Coloured Horse or Pony In Hand Yearling, Two Year Old & Three Year Old 1 Freddie Star Miss K Bryson 2 Ev Amore Mia Mrs L Moffat 3 Jerry Mrs E Renton

Under SaddleColoured Pony Under Saddle - 1 Waxwing Rosary 2 Outrageous Graffit Mr D Mactaggart 3 Tomahawk Flyer Miss E Stenhouse

Coloured Horse Under Saddle - 1 Masquerade 2 Otis Miss C Mooney 3 The Full Monty Miss L Soeder

Working Hunter Ponies (Judges: Mrs L Addis & Mrs C Finlayson, Musselburgh ) Champion - Elcon Mr Chatterbox Mary Douglas Reserve - The Full Monty

Exceeding 153 cms - 1 The Full Monty 2 Killingford Benny Jessica Friell 3 Mr P Henrietta Cooper

Not exceeding 153 cms - 1 Murphy Libby Todd 2 What I Have Dun Miss D Page 3 Harbour Lad Jessica Friell

Not exceeding 143 cms - 1 Joyton Gingernut Eryn Douglas 2 Glenford Little Jack Katie Edgar 3 Teasal Dove Martha Todd

Not exceeding 133 cms - 1 Elcon Mr Chatterbox 2 Archie Eleanor Fairey 3 Old Court Amadeus Lila Bremner

Cradle Stakes - 1 Jess Katy McFadyen 2 Dukeshill Milky Way Katy McFadyen 3 Wendy Rory McFadyen

Show Jumping 12.2 & under 1 Another Adventure Vicky Edgar 2 Jess Katy McFadyen 3 Lucky April Alexandra Edgar

13.2 & under 1 Clonross Zinfandel Amy Ralston 2 Noodles Miss J Fairbarin 3 Sir Perciville Ruth Farnsworth

14.2 & under 1 Humbug Martha Todd 2 Joyton Gingernut Eryn Douglas 3 Harbour Lad Jessica Friell

Over 14.2 1 Killingford Benny Jessica Friell 2 Chuck Beth Hancock 3 Tomahawk Flyer Emma Stonehouse

Novice 1 Bell Katie Stephens 2 Berry Anna Galbraith

Pony Club Pony 12.2 and under 1 Lucky April Alexandra Edgar 2 CJ Becky Forster 3 Crunchie Fozzy Flora Vestey 13.2 and under 1 Chianti Katy Lowthian 2 Misty Nicola Beattie 3 Old Court Amadeus Lila Bremner 14.2 and under 1 Archie Eleanor Fairey 2 Harbour Lad Jessica Friell 3 Keldspring Mistral Ava Bremner Champion - Chianti Katy Lowthian Reserve - Lucky April Alexandra Edgar

Fancy Dress 1 Lucy & James Goldie 2 Louisa, Sophie & Iona Gully 3 Freddie & Alfie Robson

Gymkhana Games Leading Rein - Bending - 1 Elliot Hedley 2 Mrs M Foran 3 Flag - 1 Mrs M Foran 2 Elliot Hedley Mug - 1 Elliot Hedley 2 Mrs M Foran

10 & under - Bending - 1 Alexandra Edgar 2 Katy McFadyen 3 Sarah Farnsworth Flag - 1 Alexandra Edgar 2 Ruth Farnsworth 3 Blake Hedley Mug - 1 Katy McFadyen 2 Alex Turnbull 3 Jenni Fairbairn

11 to 14 years old - Bending - 1 Emily Edgar 2 Jenni Fairbairn 3 Martha Todd Flag - 1 Emily Edgar 2 Martha Todd 3 Ellie Meldrum Mug - 1 Emily Edgar 2 Jenni Fairbairn 3 Ellie Meldrum

Retraining of Racehorses

Ridden Show Class ( Judges: Mrs E C York & Mr S Runciman, Lauder) 1 Harrys Double Miss R Robson 2 Kasilia Miss A Brown 3 Kintyre Bay Mrs V Renson

Retrained Racehorse Challenge

Ridden Show Class ( Judges: Mr & Mrs T Reed, Hexham) 1 Presenting Edward Miss J Luton 2 Kasilia Miss A Brown 3 whistling Willo Mrs A Goldie

Investigations are continuing into the cause of a fire at a caravan in Melrose, which claimed the life of a man on Saturday night.

Fire crews from Galashiels and Selkirk were called to the incident, which took place around 9.50pm on Tweedmount Road.

A fire service spokesperson said: “Firefighters in breathing apparatus extinguished the flames with a single high pressure water jet, but sadly a man died as a result of this fire.

“A specialist team from the fire investigation unit in Edinburgh attended this incident and will work closely with our colleagues in the police to establish what happened.”

A Police Scotland spokesman added: “Enquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this fire are ongoing and anyone who can assist police with their investigation is asked to come forward immediately.”

Organisers have hailed 2013 Kelso Civic Week a huge success after bumper crowds enjoyed eight fun-filled days of celebrations in the sun.

A cavalcade of 184 left the Square in fair weather at 8.30am on Saturday for the ride to Yetholm. Crowds five deep in places cheered in the evening sunlight as they enjoyed the moving installation ceremony in Kelso’s majestic Square on Wednesday night. And family day the previous weekend was one of the best ever as young and old enjoyed the occasion in Shedden Park, again in the sunshine.

Kelso Laddie Calum Thomson said: “The week was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. The weather was perfect, the bussing went very well: the whole week was a highlight, I wouldn’t change it for the world – and I want to be Kelso Laddie next year!

“Shouting ‘fear nocht’ with the flag in the Square on Wednesday was a highlight for me and so was carrying the flag and cantering up the Haugh at Yetholm on Saturday.

“There was a great turnout of over 600 people for the ball and it was a really good night.

“I also really enjoyed all the kids events. They were good fun. I can remember when I was a little kid and the Kelso Laddie used to come and see us and I used to love it.”

Dad David, Kelso Laddie himself in 1984, had proudly ridden with his son to Yetholm.

Calum admitted the emotion of the week hit them both. He said: “On the Saturday when I got presented with my blue bonnet (on his return from Yetholm), I looked at my dad and he was upset.”

Calum’s moment came after everyone had been presented with their prizes on Saturday evening: “It was during my speech thanking everybody that was hard, and singing Kelsae Bonnie Kelsae for the last time as Kelso Laddie.”

He also thanked his Right and Left-Hand Men, Callum Vickers and Phil Hume, adding: “We had a lot of laughs.”

The Reverend Robin McHaffie welcomed Calum and his henchmen to the war memorial at Yetholm.

Calum laid a wreath before riding on to Kirk Yetholm where he was officially welcomed by Yetholm community council chairman David Hutchinson on the Green and Bari Gadgi Anders Cameron presented the Kelso principal with a Yetholm Jagger. Picnickers enjoyed lunch in the sun before the cavalcade rode back to Kelso where Caerwys Male Voice Choir sang for an hour in the Square on Saturday afternoon.

Right-Hand Man Callum’s mum Wilma Vickers presented Laddie Calum with his blue bonnet. And the platform party acknowledged and cheered the cavalcade as they rode past.

The Kelso Laddie presented the cup for the youngest rider to six-year-old Jake Dickson, son of Silver Jubilee Laddie Steven Dickson, who’d ridden to Yetholm with his dad. Jake was following in Steven’s footsteps for the latter had won the youngest rider’s cup in 1972 when he completed the route as a five-year-old. Calum also presented the trophy for the oldest rider to Burnett Smith, 63.

Kelso Laddies’ Association secretary Richie Allan said: “It was a very good week and I think everybody thoroughly enjoyed it. The weather brought the crowds out and all the events went like clockwork. The Welsh choir on Saturday afternoon really went down well.”

Chief steward Douglas Veitch said: “It’s been tremendous. We couldn’t have asked for a better week. There were horse welfare issues (to watch for) with the hot weather and the ground was very hard, but we accommodated that and some of the rides were changed slightly.”

The Square was at perhaps its most attractive for the solemn installation of Kelso Laddie Calum Thomson on Wednesday night.

Crowds lined the cobbled town centre as they watched the event unfold in the evening sunlight.

Master of Ceremonies, ex-Kelso Laddie Colin Henderson, celebrating 25 years as MC and who rode the Yetholm ride-out later that week, introduced the visiting principals, the platform party, the young lady colour bussers and the ex-Kelso Laddies.

The Kelso Laddie Calum Thomson, his Right and Left-Hand Men, Callum Vickers and Phil Hume, were sashed before Provost John Bassett entrusted the Kelso Standard to Laddie Calum and urged him to “dae richt, fear nocht”.

The young principal descended from the platform and slowly made his way to the centre of the Square where lady bussers Carly Thom, Fiona Lessenger, Holly Hay and Ellie Scott bussed the flag with ribbons on which are written “freedom, honour, valour and wisdom”.

Back on the platform Calum told the assembled crowds the pride he felt at receiving the Kelso Standard was “incredible” and that he hoped to return the flag “unsullied and untarnished” on Saturday night.

Kelso Laddies’ Association chairman Neil Hastie’s wife, Gillian, presented Silver Jubilee Laddie Steven Dickson with his 25-year medal. He said becoming Kelso Laddie was the best thing that had happened in his life then. He and others regretted that the late Kenneth Ballantyne, the Ex-Kelso Laddie who was the Yetholm ride-out’s youngest rider, aged six, in 1949 was not present to celebrate his Golden Jubilee year.

On Friday crowds in the Square learned about the Whipman’s Society and rideout, revived in 1961.

And they saw President of the Ex-Kelso Laddies Eric Paxton present Laddie Calum with the Whipman’s Flag which was bussed by Lynda Ballantyne, wife of the late Kenneth.

The oration was given by John Lamont MSP who talked about the importance of tradition, Kelso Civic Week and the Whipmen’s Society.

He continued: “Whilst in centuries gone by horses rode out of Kelso around, to and over the border to raid, today they do so as part of the Kelso Civic Week tradition to remember historic rivalries long since forgotten and to celebrate modern friendships long since forged.”

But Borderers did not see the border as a barrier, he said, and he argued the concept of a border was artificial.

He said: “The border that lies just five miles from here as the crow flies is the product of a Renaissance compromise negotiated by a French ambassador to resolve the wild “debatable lands” that lay between Scotland and England in 1552.”

Before that another English-Scottish border was Hadrian’s Wall and before that the Anglo-Saxon border in 927 was at Eamont Bridge.

“One of the wonders of Kelso and the people who live within and around it, is its ability to transcend boundaries: be they historical, cultural, or geographical.

“We are proud Brits, and even prouder Scots, and this complex, deep and flexible identity is true to our natures as Scots as well as Kelsonians, and true to a modern world without borders. To try to reduce our identities to one facet, and to erect barriers where none previously existed, is to fundamentally reduce ourselves,” he said.

Friday evening’s historic Whipman’s Ride saw a cavalcade of 55 make their way to Friars Haugh to watch Laddie Calum cut his initials in the sod at the trysting tree.

Over the weekend of August 11 & 12 the top saloon drivers in the land will be heading north to the Cowdenbeath Racewall where the World Championship will be decided.

It is 30 years since the first time Cowdenbeath staged the World Final where, that year, Gordon Brown delighted the home fans by winning the title. Since then Bob Jones, Ernie Burgoyne and Harry Burgoyne have become the World Champion on home soil but we have to go back to 1998 to see a Scottish driver’s name on the trophy.

The championship has been staged three times since then at the Racewall without success and the fans are hungry for a home win.

Will it be this year?

Stuart Shevill Jnr starts from pole position and whilst he was second last year he has a lot to do if he is to get the gold roof. Shevill has gone through a lean spell recently but there are signs over the past week that things are beginning to come together. However he will need to be at his best if he is going to win and could have to withstand a lot of pushing and shoving if he is to do so.

Starting alongside is the defending Champion Eddie Darby who is determined that he will become ‘the first driver to win three titles in succession’. Darby has won quite a few titles in Scotland and without a doubt will be the pre-race favourite.

David Aldous and Willie Skoyles Jnr start from row two with Aldous more than familiar with getting a car around the Racewall quickly whilst right behind is Darren Goudy and Shane Brown. Aldous and Brown have both won World titles at the Racewall and know their way around the oval and must present a major threat to the front row pairing.

Gordon Alexander will start from row five which he shares with fellow Scot Aaryn Triggs and they cannot be ruled out whilst from row nine the inform Stevie Honeyman will start.

Honeyman has been the driver to beat there over the past month and given any sort of a break then he will without take it, using the bumper with good effect to improve his lot.

Ian McLaughlin starts from row 11, Ally Strachan from row 12, Stuart Drobinski from row 13 whilst on the back row of the seeded drivers are Barry Russell and Ross Watters. Even with a back row start the title can be won – Darby did it a couple of years ago at Skegness.

There are six places to be filled by International drivers who will either have a heat to decide their grid position or have to run in time trials.

The last six places on the grid are to be filled by drivers who will contest a last chance qualifying race and that heat will be pretty action packed to say the least.

The formula II drivers are also racing on Saturday night with the hot rod drivers contesting one of their World Championship qualifying rounds.

On Sunday afternoon the saloons will be racing for the Gordon Barclay Memorial trophy and they will be joined in the action with the stock and lightning rods.

It is going to be a superb weekend’s racing – one not to be missed and who knows we might be cheering a Scottish World saloon Champion.

The Championship will be sponsored by Barclay Bros Ltd of Methil and by Western Toyota of Newbridge.

Stevie Scott has been appointed as assistant to new Edinburgh Rugby head coach Alan Solomons.

Educated at Earlston High School, before learning his trade at both Melrose and Gala rugby clubs, Scott has been interim head coach for the capital outfit since the end of the Six Nations campaign this year and has now been rewarded with a full-time assistant (forwards) role. He said: “I’m delighted to extend my term with the Edinburgh Rugby, a team which I have a long association with and a huge amount of passion for.

“I’m looking forward to building on the work done since the tail end of last season with a highly experienced coach.

“We’ll put everything into getting this club back into a position we can all be proud of.”

Edinburgh Rugby managing director, David Davies, said: “I’m very pleased to retain the services of Stevie Scott, whose work on and off the field in pre-season has been exceptional.”

New head coach Solomon, a former South Africa assistant coach, who has steered the Barbarians to wins over five top tier nations (England, Scotland, Wales, South Africa and New Zealand) and led clubs to silverware in both the northern and southern hemisphere, will check into Murrayfield on Friday, August 9.

“I’m very much looking forward to arriving in Edinburgh, teaming up with Stevie [Scott] and meeting the challenges head on,” he said.