Former St Boswells mart boss Jack Clark is calling for ‘bizarre’ rules branding Scottish meat as British to be changed.

A red meat levy – a fee paid per head of animal – goes to government bodies to promote the industry.

But the money is allocated according to where the animal is slaughtered.

Most Scottish lamb and pigs are now slaughtered in England with the levy going to UK government coffers.

And that means the Scottish Government’s promotional body, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), is losing out on some £1.4million.

A director with Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce (SBCC), Mr Clark is calling for the cash to come back north and be used to support QMS instead.

He said: “Frankly, the current situation is bizarre. It’s discriminating against Scottish – and in particular, Borders – producers.

“This is Scottish quality meat – born in Scotland, raised in Scotland and taken from Scotland only for slaughter.

“It’s only fair that the money should be used to promote our fantastic meat products throughout the UK.

Mr Clark said that the closure of Vion’s meat plant at Broxburn just outside Edinburgh last year exacerbated the problem of lack of slaughter and processing facilities in Scotland.

“This has been a problem for years, but it’s becoming more serious”, he added.

“The First Minister has recently written to the Prime Minister about the iniquities of the present levy system and that’s clearly helpful – it’s good to see he’s on our side.

“In addition, Richard Lochhead, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, is applying considerable pressure to Defra, the department responsible in Whitehall, over this.”

Mr Clark added: “In total, Scottish farmers are losing about £1.4 million a year.

“That money should be going to help promote our excellent Scottish meat – including, of course, that produced in the Borders, where agriculture is a vital industry.

“Changing the scheme wouldn’t be difficult with the traceability systems the livestock industry has in place – it would just involve tagging the levy on to the animals’ country of birth, rather than where they are slaughtered.”

He estimates only half of lamb born and raised in Scotland is going under a Scottish label, with the rest being marketed as British.

And he describes the Borders as “a very prominent supplier” of lamb, adding that there is huge demand for the local produce in England.

Mr Clark and SBCC are also pressing for a fresh look into the feasibility of opening and financing a small-scale abattoir in the Borders.

They said it could help boost the local rural economy.

The last Borders abattoir was in Galashiels and it closed in 2011.

Entries are strong for the Holm Show at Newcastleton next Saturday (August 31) following the cancellation of last year’s event.

Over 130 exhibitors are expected for the event at Harrison and Hetherington’s Newcastleton auction mart.

Secretary of organisers Liddesdale Agricultural Society, Sandra Hope said: “We’re hoping for a well-attended show with a happy, relaxed family atmosphere and a dry, sunny day. We will have good support from the villagers, as ever, and we are hoping, as it is the Elliot Clan gathering in the village this year, we will have the pleasure of entertaining them.”

There are 50 trophies on offer to competitors in the sheep, pony, walking sticks, poultry, dog, industrial, photography and other classes.

There will also be Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, a tug of war, fun fair, pet show, vintage machinery, terrier races, dog agility displays, music from Langholm Pipe Band, craft demonstrations and children’s sports.

The man tasked with the judging the overall sheep champion is Bluefaced Leicester and Swaledale breeder Harry Gass of Nunscleugh, Bewcastle, Carlisle. Gates open at 8.30am.

Meanwhile, Jacobs set a new record at the breed society’s Scottish sale at John Swan, St Boswells earlier this month when Helen Baillie from Carluke bought the champion ram lamb, Hope Top Notch, from Welsh breeders Wyn and Siwan Harries for 2,000 gns. Also at the show and sale, the under-15 young handlers class was won by nine-year-old Mollie Crozier from Denholm (pictured) showing a ewe lamb.

When you’re feeling a bit low and down in the dumps there’s nothing better than a good laugh, a joke or just a friendly smile to cheer you up.

Scotland’s Happiness Day takes place on Saturday, November 2, and to mark the occasion The Southern Reporter has joined with Stress the Positive for the 2013 Smile Awards.

The Smile Awards celebrate the unsung happy heroes that exist in our lives and communities.

Now’s your chance to nominate and thank the people who help make a difference to your life by helping you to smile.

But who helps you to smile and feel happy? That’s the question posed by Kim Macleod of Stress the Positive.

She said: “ We all need positive people in our lives, taking time to thank them for being there helps to boost your happiness and theirs.

“The Smile Awards celebrate the unsung happy heroes that exist in our lives and communities.

“They could be your friend, your neighbour, a friendly shop assistant, the jolly refuse collector, your teacher or a member of your family.

“They may have helped you through a difficult time or just add to your happiness by their everyday actions.

“They could be compassionate, kind, community- spirited, or full of fun and laughter.”

Kim, founder of Stress the Positive and the Happiness Club, teaches NLP and positive psychology techniques to handle difficult times and increase real life happiness.

She created Scotland’s Happiness Day in 2012 and was honoured for her work and presented with a Happy Hero medal at the House of Lords on the first United Nations International Day of Happiness in March this year.

Kim has first hand knowledge of how people can help you smile as kind family, friends and neighbours rallied round her family after her son Calum died from meningitis in 2007.

Their efforts made a real difference and inspired Kim to help others.

She said: “The people that you enjoy spending time with, the ones that leave you feeling upbeat and happy with a smile on your face make a difference to our lives.

“I was delighted to receive my Happy Hero medal and thought that it would be great to celebrate the happy people of Scotland, so the Smile Awards have been created to do exactly that.”

To mark this year’s Scotland’s Happiness Day, Kim is organising a special conference in Glasgow on Saturday, November 2.

She added: “Happiness Day is the positive event of the year promoting happiness and wellbeing in Scotland, with an emphasis on personal development, fun, compassion, kindness and community. I want to encourage people to get involved around the country by spending time with others, having fun and maybe 
even raising some money for charity.

“Our conference in Glasgow has a wide range of high quality speakers providing fun and laughter as well as practical tips on increasing happiness in life.

“We will be celebrating with our Smile Award winners and encouraging everyone to go out and spread their smiles and happiness.”

Now’s your chance to nominate someone in your life or community you think deserves a Smile Award.

Complete the form below and send it to: Smile Awards, The Southern Reporter, The Hermitage, High Street, Selkirk, TD7 4DA.

You can also nominate someone for a Smile Award online at www.scotlandshappinessday.com

When it comes to fashion, we tend to think of cities such as London, Milan and New York as the leading lights.

Yet the Borders is a fashion forward player, with strong design-led companies that make and export clothing, accessories and fabrics, for both their own labels and other major fashion brands, around the world.

Knitwear

When it comes to designer knitwear, Hawick is a centre of excellence.

Barrie knitwear was recently bought by Chanel, which should give you some indication of the company’s importance in the fashion world.

Hawick Cashmere, with its beautiful fully-fashioned knitwear and Peter Scott, with its heritage in sports knitwear, are established in their field.

Johnston’s of Elgin, produces its own fashion range of knitwear and knitted accessories, as well as commissioned production for some of the largest fashion brands in the world.

Shorts of Hawick also supplies commissioned production knitwear and its “love cashmere” retail space and fashion brand is very popular.

The House of Cheviot’s traditional socks or hose, and Scott and Charters beautiful men’s and women’s knitwear are both produced in Hawick, while the town’s William Lockies commissions knitters.

Over in Galashiels, Rosie Eribé produces and exports knitwear to the world. You will often find Eribé knitwear gracing the fashion pages of glossy magazines.

Studio Roam, also in Galashiels, is known for its beautiful knitted blankets, while Kearse and Boys, of Innerleithen, produce knitwear for some of the world’s leading brands.

Weaving

Weaving is another great tradition that has a strong foothold in the Borders.

Reid and Taylor, of Langholm produce beautiful men’s suiting, while Locharron of Scotland, in Selkirk, produces an amazing range of tartans and tweed fabrics for some of the world’s major brands.

Still in the town, Andrew Elliot produces design-led fabrics and accessories for private clients and films, including Harry Potter.

While DC Dalgleish create beautiful tartans that are sold the world over.

Lovatt mill, in Hawick, produces beautiful tweed fabrics, and Robert Noble, Peebles, has carved out a niche for itself, producing fashion fabrics for export to the leading fashion and clothing brands.

Still in Peebles, Holland and Sherry, which warehouses its beautiful men’s suiting fabrics in the region, are known for producing the world’s most expensive fabric – the 100 per cent Worsted Vicuna.

Over in Biggar, Calzeat weaves to commission and produces its own homeware ranges.

Fashion

Followers of fashion will be no stranger to Aero Leather, in Galashiels, which produces leather jackets for customers worldwide, including Japan, while Yvette Jelfs, produces beautiful millinery from her base in Hawick.

For fashion forward collections of clothing and accessories, look no further than these companies – Queene and Belle, of Hawick, for knitwear; Dunmore which produces bags; Lyle and Scott, of Selkirk, for knitwear and men’s wear; and Pringle of Scotland in Hawick.

Finally, underpinning all of this amazing fabric, knitwear, and design-led production and creativity are the finishers, dyers, and logistitics companies who bring the Borders textiles and fashion to the world.

For those who want to know more, the Textile Tower House in Hawick, helps to place the history of textiles and fashion in the Borders in context for locals and visitors alike, while Heriot-Watt University’s School of Textiles and Design in Galashiels supports this thriving industry with design, research and technical innovation.

This list is not exhaustive and I am sorry if I have missed out your favourite company, but hopefully what you have read demonstrates that we live in a very fashion-forward region that is the envy of the world.

Jan Beattie has been chair of The Lavender Touch charity for a decade. Here, she tells why its work is so important for people living with cancer.

“As many people are aware, The Lavender Touch celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. At a significant point in the charity’s development, it is hard not to reflect on things over the years.

“When we first started, we needed to raise £5,000 to meet the service demand. Since 2003, there has been increased recognition of the benefits of the support we provide for people living in the Borders who have cancer.

“We now need to raise around £35,000 every year to continue to help people living locally.

“Raising money does take time and hard work, and I am in the fortunate position to see at first hand the positive impact it can have for people with cancer and their families.

“Many people who raise funds do not; they do it simply to help others, often for people they don’t even know.

“There have been many fun events, like birthday parties where guests have been asked for donations rather than gifts, music nights in the local pub, even a lavender hen do!

“Some people donate money in memory of loved ones and these events often have a theme connected with the relationship; for example a golf competition, selling cross stitch patterns or pots of jam. So to all those who have raised money for The Lavender Touch, whether by having fun, learning in the process or in achieving a personal goal, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you on behalf of the committee and those with cancer who have benefitted from your generosity over the past 10 years.”

“If anyone would like to help, further details and ideas of the charity’s 10-year Challenge are at www.lavendertouch.co.uk

“The Lavender Touch is also appealing to anyone who might be interested in being added onto a database of volunteer helpers, which is currently being compiled.

“The charity only has a small committee, which at times is stretched to the limit with full-time jobs, whilst still trying desperately to fundraise.

“Committee members would love to attend every single event which takes place on the charity’s behalf, but this is physically impossible, as the workload just to run the charity and service is increasing all the time.

“If anyone would be interested in volunteering, offering services of any kind depending on their own particular interests, talents or personal reasons, The Lavender Touch would love to hear from you – email enquiries@lavendertouch.co.uk

“Include a rough idea how you could or would like to assist when needed. The committee consists of people from a variety of backgrounds, including NHS therapists, physiotherapists, a photographer, a printer, a business officer, and catering and sales people to name just a few.

“Many of these skills are given with no cost to the charity. This allows for financial savings, allowing most fundraising monies to go to patient care and this is why the charity wants to boost its volunteers database.”

A 41-year-old bus driver from Bonchester Bridge who rescued a couple from a crashed car has received his ­company’s top award.

This week Steven Godfrey was named by his bosses as ‘Superstar of the Year’, having received the monthly award in January, shortly after the dramatic rescue.

Steven was also shortlisted in the prestigious Scottish Transport Awards earlier this summer, in the ‘Frontline Employee of the Year’ category.

But for the bus driver of just four years, this last selection is his proudest moment.

“It has been a very exciting year,” said Steven. “Attending the Scottish Transport Awards and receiving special recognition was a highlight, but winning the Superstar of the Year award tops even that.

“I am delighted to have received the award, but the most important thing was that the couple were not seriously injured. I think, put in my position, anyone would have tried to assist.”

Steven, who works out of the Galashiels depot, was driving the number 68 service from Jedburgh to Galashiels when he came across a crashed BMW X5 at Ancrum, with a couple trapped inside.

He said: “The car was on its side and judging by how badly it was damaged, it had obviously been involved in a very nasty incident.

“As per my safety training at First Scotland East, I asked if the ignition was turned off, and then set about trying to get them free.

“I was very concerned the engine would go up in flames and so I knew that getting them free safely and quickly was critical.”

Steven continued: “By now another motorist had stopped to provide help and suggested we try to pull them through the window, but I was really concerned this would upset the balance of the car and cause further injury. I decided it was much safer to gain access via the boot. So we quickly removed the headrests to create enough space so that we could set them free.

“We successfully got them out via the boot and I immediately escorted them on board the bus, all the time reassuring them that the emergency services were on their way, and that everything would be fine.

“It looked as if they had a few nasty cuts and bruises and were obviously in shock. It was a miracle that they escaped from the wreckage without serious injury.”

Operations director for First Scotland East, John Gorman, said: “Steven has got a great rapport with customers, but his quick thinking and heroic actions could have saved the couple’s lives. He fully deserves his ‘Superstar of the Year’ title.”

Launching a dog grooming business was not in Brian Bishop’s retirement plans, but the former school teacher is relishing being his own boss.

The former Hawick High biology teacher spent two years as a ‘man of leisure’ before wife Janette decided both needed a new focus after she took early retirement from the Care Inspectorate.

Combining advice from Business Gateway with years of experience grooming and showing American cocker spaniels, including success at Crufts, the duo from Hawick set up Bubbles & Bones in May.

Providing a holistic approach to pet care, the business in Palma Place, Melrose, offers the full range of dog grooming services and sells a wide range of cat and dog food, including organic, hypoallergenic brands.

Brian, 60, said: “Although I was hoping to be a man of leisure when I retired, I realised quite quickly that I wasn’t ready to become a full-time pensioner. So when my wife got the opportunity to take early retirement, we decided to start the business together.

“My wife, who has trained with world champion groomer Colin Taylor in London and will complete her professional diploma shortly, uses the downstairs as a dedicated dog ‘parlour’, while I take care of the ‘housekeeping’ on the upper floor.

Brian added that moving from teacher to businessman had been a ‘huge change’, but said the workshops at Business Gateway helped greatly.

Sandra Campbell, an adviser for Business Gateway, said: “Retirement has provided Brian and Janette with an opportunity to turn their passion and hobby into a business that not only lets them spend time together, but also provides a much needed service to the local dog owning community.”

Having always owned dogs, the couple decided to breed and show dogs seven years ago.

Brian said: “American cockers are a challenging breed to groom and success in the ring can be influenced by presentation, which drove us to improve our grooming skills.”

The couple have won breed classes at Crufts on a number of occasions.

A new footpath following the route of the region’s former rail route and which cost over £1million, was opened this week.

Scottish Environment and Climate Change minister Paul Wheelhouse formally opened the new Tweed Valley Railway Path, running between Peebles and Innerleithen, on Tuesday.

The path, providing opportunities for walking, cycling and horse-riding, includes a new bridge over the River Tweed, where the opening took place.

Mr Wheelhouse said the country has to look at ways of reducing its carbon footprint and initiatives such as the Tweed Valley Railway Path will encourage active travel as a lower-carbon option.

“We need to give people the facilities to choose walking and cycling as part of the plan to fight climate change, as well as promoting healthier lifestyles,” he said. The path utilises an old railway tunnel that runs under the A72 Road at Eshiels as part of a six-mile route linking Peebles, Eshiels, Cardrona and Innerleithen.

It also provides excellent off-road links to the world-class mountain biking centres at Glentress and Innerleithen, and offers more opportunities for journeys by bike, he said.

Scottish Borders Council roads spokesman, Councillor Gordon Edgar, says the hope is that the path will also bring more people into the area and boost employment opportunities.

“We hope that the new route will also help further support the Borders’ position as a world-renowned cycling destination,” he added.

The path, which has been 10 years in the making, was completed earlier this year with cash from the government, Sustrans (sustainable transport charity) and the local authority. It links Peebles into the Sustrans National Cycle Network, which runs up the Tweed Valley to Innerleithen and Edinburgh.

Progress is being made on a project to replace the bends in a stretch of the Eddleston Water straightened out two centuries ago.

This week, Paul Wheelhouse, Scottish Minister for Environment and Climate Change, visited the scheme aimed at reducing flooding downstream.

The work has been funded by a number of bodies, including the Scottish Government and Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

The Eddleston Water, which joins the Tweed at Peebles, has been modified extensively over time.

Much of it was straightened in the 19th century resulting in the loss of many of the native habitats.

Together, these land-use changes have also seen increased run-off and risk of flooding to Eddleston and Peebles.

Hugh Chalmers, of the Tweed Forum which is co-ordinating the project, told us: “We have been working with local contractors to put the bends back into a section of river that has been flowing in a straight line for over two centuries.

“This will not only increase the river length but also the diversity of habitats, with knock-on benefits for the likes of salmon and otters.”

After the successful removal of a caravan and two trailers from Elm Row, the council has approved a procedure to get vehicles causing an obstruction, or which have been abandoned, moved or disposed of.

According to a report before the meeting of the environment and infrastructure committee, the first step of this now approved process was sufficient to get the owner of the vehicles left in Elm Row to remove them.

Councillor Gordon Edgar, committee chairman, welcomed the move.

He said: “The new procedure has been put in place, not only to address the number of complaints received from Borders residents about these nuisance vehicles, but also to ensure that the council can recover from owners the costs of removal and storage.

“The council’s new procedure is a reasonable one, but I would encourage anyone who owns a vehicle that may have been inappropriately parked for some time to move it to avoid having it uplifted and disposed of.”

The approved four-step process, which includes letters to the owner, legal notices and uplift and disposal of the vehicle, has been devised to provide sufficient notice to owners of nuisance vehicles of their need to remove them and find a more suitable location for storage.

Stow 2 Gala Fairydean Rovers Amateurs 3

BAL Division A

Stow suffered their first loss of the season to close rivals Gala Fairydean Rovers Amateurs last night.

Gala opened the scoring on the half hour when Ryan Clapperton was adjudged to have fouled Craig Gow in the penalty box, and former Stow player Jay Wilson found the net from the spot.

Seven minutes later, Stow had their own penalty when for a handball but Stevie King saved Jordan Steele’s attempt which was hit straight at him.

Stow had an appeal for a penalty on 51 minutes when Hagen Steele appeared to be fouled in the area, only for referee John Blaikie to wave away the claims.

But just a minute later, player/manager Paul Young send Clapperton through to score beyond King.

Gala restored their lead on 59 minutes when Shaun Quinn produced a superb turn to set up substitute Kerr Scott to tap into the net.

And with 25 minutes remaining, Liam Howel added a third.

The game sparked back into life on 68 minutes as Martin Gibson’s powerful header made it 3-2.

Stow piled on the pressure for an equaliser but Gala held firm for a hard fought three points.

Stow boss Young said: “We were shocking in the first half but I thought we deserved something from the game for our second half showing.”

Stow: T. Kerr, K. Rutherford, D. Paterson, R. Pritchard, G. Wood, D. Leckie (C. Wood 63), P. Young, R. Clapperton, J. Steele (B. Hunter 87), H. Steele (M. Gibson 65), J. Crawford.

Gala Fairydean Rovers: S. King, J. Harkness, L. Hardie, P. Hossack, S. MacKenzie, J. Wilson, W. Curran, J. Scott (K. Scott 55), L. Howel (J. Millar), S. Quinn (Blackwood 76), C. Gow.

Peebles showjumper Scott Brash has added a European gold to his Olympic gold he won in London last year.

Once again on board Hello Sanctos, Brash had the pressure role as the final competitor in the team competition last night, with Great Britain having only one fence in hand.

However, Brash saw Britain home in front of Germany and Sweden in the European Championships at Denmark.

Alongside Brash in the British team was Michael Whitaker, William Funnell and Ben Mather, the latter having lined up beside Brash in the Olympic gold-winning GB team of a year ago.

Sainsbury’s staff from the company’s Borders stores will be taking part in a major charity event next month.

Christened the Zone 5 Big Ride, the event takes place from September 4-8 and is to raise money for the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research Charity.

It involves staff members cycling from 10 different start points to Carlisle. They will cover 2,103miles over 10 routes, visiting 120 Sainsbury’s stores along the way.

There will also be accompanying events in Sainsbury’s stores in Hawick, Kelso, Peebles and Selkirk over the course of the five days.

Four households in Falahill are threatening to leave due to the Borders Railway’s latest infrastructure plans around the tiny community.

And resident Helen Foster says the new application by Network Rail to run the A7 on one side of their homes, and the railway on the other, goes against a promise made in 2002 that Falahill would not be sandwiched in-between.

Ms Foster refers to a meeting in 2002 with residents and then Scottish Borders Council leader John Scott and Nick Ball, a PR representative for the railway project at the time, who both agreed that having the railway and road on either side of homes north of Heriot would be unacceptable.

Ms Foster added: “That promise was endorsed by the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland, but now Network Rail have broken it 11 years on and that is the reason why four homes are looking to move out.”

She has also accused Network Rail of a lack of consultation over the new application, and told us: “This is the third proposal and this has been hanging over us for 13 years. It has proved very distressing and upsetting.”

The latest drawings, submitted this month, replace a scheme involving two roundabouts which were described as “frankly ridiculous” by local councillor Sandy Aitchison in 2012, but were supported by eight of the then 11 households at Falahill in 2011.

A Network Rail spokesman denied it had failed to consult with residents.

The spokesman said: “In recent months we have spoken to every householder in the Falahill area at least three times.

“We have made some adaptations to the proposed redesign to meet the needs of residents.

“Existing private access is maintained to the east of the properties and a separate access road has been created to the west.”

He admitted the new design will not suit everyone, but believed it would offer an “overall better solution”, with extensive road lighting being avoided and less traffic noise due to absence of roundabouts.

Mr Scott said the residents’ views at the 2002 meeting formed part of the consultation for the Waverley Railway Bill, which was lodged with the Scottish Parliament a year later.

He added: “It has always been my personal view 
that when it comes to Falahill the rail and road 
should not sandwich the 
community.”

The council has been forced to remove signs from Galashiels Academy which featured advertising for local firm Ostle’s Tyres.

The school was behind the move and an SBC spokeswoman said the signage needed “further consideration”, but added that a “more appropriate” way for the firm to support the school was being sought.

A SINGLE wind turbine, 45.5m high, has been approved by the council despite concerns about the cumulative noise of it and a neighbouring turbine.

The turbine, to be erected on land at Thirlestane Farm, close to the A697, was objected to by Lauder Community Council, who criticised the lack of information regarding noise and the cumulative impact of the Thirlestane Farm turbine with that approved at West Mains.

However, planning officers ruled that a condition could be implemented to mitigate against those concerns.

Despite the turbine’s siting within one kilometre of three scheduled ancient monuments, including one just 350m away, Historic Scotland and the council’s archaeology officer felt it would not have an unacceptable impact on the appearance or understanding of the sites.

The Borders Party’s Tweeddale West by-election candidate has put the ward’s roads network at the front of his grid of priorities if elected, writes Kenny Paterson.

David Pye said: “In Tweeddale West, I recognise that we are all reliant upon a robust road and bridge network to connect communities. I believe it is critical that more is done to maintain this basic infrastructure and the other essential services we all benefit from on a day-to-day basis.”

Mr Pye will contest the seat on October 10, having previously failed in last year’s election.

The former Peebles Community Council chairman said he would also back proposals to draw together a Town Plan to ensure “future success” for the community.

Frances Pringle, the Borders Party leader, said: “David and his family lives and works in Peebles, and knows the area well.

“He is well known, having chaired both the Eddleston and Peebles community councils, and involvement with many other community groups.

“His commitment and love of the area would make him an excellent councillor to represent the people of Tweeddale West.

“After the tremendous support we received when our candidate Iain Gillespie was elected in the Leader-dale and Melrose by-election, I look forward to working with David in Tweeddale West.”

The by-election follows the resignation of the region’s youngest councillor, Nathaniel Buckingham, last month due to work and family reasons.

Scottish Borders Council and neighbouring local authorities on both sides of the border are set to work more closely together.

SBC will join with Dumfries and Galloway, Northumberland, Cumbria and Carlisle City councils in meeting to forge new alliances to improve existing business, tourism and transport links and opportunities.

David Parker, leader of SBC, said: “We experience common challenges and opportunities arising from our rurality and relationships with cities that are in close proximity to us.”

The move follows a report which highlighted the benefits of co-operation.

Fire fighters with a pumping appliance remain at the scene of a straw bale fire near Kelso today.

Officers from 14 crews battled overnight to bring the blaze in 75 tonnes of straw at Cessford Farm, Morebattle, under control.

The service was called out to the fire by farmer David Thomson shortly before quarter to one this morning.

The fire and rescue services said the single storey building containing the bailed straw was already well alight when the first crews were mobilised.

Officers from Kelso, Galashiels, Livingston, Jedburgh, Lauder, Hawick and Coldstream fire stations attended when three pumping appliances were used.

Firefighters in breathing apparatus, supported by improvised ground monitors and by crews dedicated to providing a continuous water supply, worked in shifts throughout the night to bring the fire under control.

A spokesperson for the service said “It was quite a large fire. There were two high pressure hose reels and a hose reel jet used. There is one pumping appliance there now. The fire is still alight but it’s under control and we are watching it.”

The building’s asbestos roof meant crews had to take additional precautions, said the service.

There were no casualties.

Melrose player Sam Chalmers is to face allegations of doping at an IRB hearing this week.

The 19-year-old son of former Scotland stand-off Craig is alleged to have test positive for a banned substance while part of the Scotland under 20s squad.

A Scottish Rugby Union spokesman would not “confirm nor deny any reports naming any player with regards to a potential anti-doping adverse finding”.

He added: “Scottish Rugby takes a very clear stance on anti-doping and we have a zero-tolerance policy on doping offences in Scotland.

“We are committed to keeping the game in Scotland clean through a programme of robust drugs-testing coupled with education (both in person and online) on the dangers of illegal substances.

“Scottish Rugby, working in partnership with anti-doping agencies and other governing bodies, undertakes a programme of drugs-testing after-matches, after training, out of competition and at home.

“Testing can occur at any level of the game, anywhere and at any time.

“Players involved in representative rugby for Scotland receive a detailed briefing on anti-doping at the start of each season from team management and all players, clubs and schools are advised each season to ensure they are familiar with Scottish Rugby’s anti-doping policies and the latest information through our website.

“Since the 2009-2010 season there have been around 800 drugs tests in Scottish Rugby, at all levels of the game, conducted by UK Anti-Doping, the IRB, ERC and Six Nations and, in that period, there has been one adverse finding to date – an amateur club player in 2010 who was found to have taken a slimming product that contained an illegal substance.

“We are continuing to work diligently with all partners to ensure the importance of a drugs-free game is understood and advocated by all involved in the sport in Scotland.”

It would be the IRB rather than the SRU who would hand out any ban if Chalmers is found guilty.