Kelso Racecourse stages its first fixture of 2014 on Sunday, when the feature event of another exciting card is the £5,000 Royal Caledonian handicap chase.

Fledgling trainer Rebecca Menzies enjoyed a winner at Kelso’s last meeting and will be hopeful of a big run from recent Newcastle runner-up Samson Collonges, while Ann Hamilton is just starting to hit form and the Northumberland trainer could saddle her pre-Christmas Newcastle scorer.

The first race – the EBF Stallion Studs Novice Hurdle, sponsored by the Trustees of the European Breeders Fund – is off at 12.50pm, with gates open at 10.50am.

A competitive field includes last month’s 66-1 winner Seeyouatmidnight from Sandy Thomson’s Greenlaw stable, while George Bewley reports possible contender Cumbrian Farmer in good health after his early unseat at Newcastle on Saturday.

Aidan Gunning, one of the Borders’ great entrepreneurs in the electricity world and responsible for supplying infrastructure across the UK, has agreed to sponsor under the name of his new company Electricity Plant Solutions. No problem is too great for Aidan and his team, who will be on hand in strength to support the race, judge the best turned out and make the presentations to the winning connections.

John Ferguson – also Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock adviser – bids for his first Kelso winner with the choice of impressive Catterick scorer Aalim, Certification – a son of Derby hero Authorized– or New Year’s Eve.

The Tweedside track hosts the first Hunter Chase of the season, again sponsored by the CGA, which supports the feature Hunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

A cracking entry includes Stuart Coltherd’s 100-1 Aintree Foxhunters hero Tartan Snow, James Ewart’s winning Kelso hurdler Captain Americo and John Wade’s four-time course winner Always Right.

Racecourse farrier David Merry sponsors the three-mile handicap hurdle race, in which Jane Walton has already booked Alistair Findlay for course winner Heez A Steel, while Rose Dobbin’s Caerlaverock steps up to this marathon trip after a good course third last month.

Racing returns to Kelso for Timeform Morebattle Hurdle Day on Thursday, February 13.

z Gala’s Grand National hero Ryan Mania took Musselburgh by storm last week when booting home a 111-1 New Year’s Day treble on Mr Moonshine, Swing Hard and Any Given Moment.

At the Scottish Inter-League pool finals at Aberdeen, the Borders played well before eventually going down in the quarter-finals.

In the group stages they started well, beating East Neuk 15-9 in impressive fashion before crashing to eventual winners Dundee 20-4.

Under pressure to qualify, they then won a tight match against a decent Oban A side 13-11 to keep in the hunt for a good seeding in the knock-out stages, but luck deserted them in their final match, losing 14-10 to Elgin B.

In the quarters they held a top-class Elgin A team for most of the match before their opponents took the last five frames to win 15-9.

Overall, the Borderers played some cracking pool, but succumbed to better class teams, in David and Goliath terms, with some excellent performances from rookies Jason Bowers and Les Hunter, ably assisted by the nucleus of the local players for the last few years – Scott Bowers, Scott Simpson, Craig Reid and Stan Thomson, who all returned good stats with some brilliant finishes thrown in. Ally Mooney and Clive Marsh also held their own in an excellent Borders team. Captain Bowers added: “It was a great team performance with everyone over 50 per cent in stats and the new boys coped extremely well with the pressure.

“The future looks rosy with youngsters now breaking through at regional level, so onwards and upwards.”

Pictured from left (back): Scott Bowers and Stan Thomson; (front): Les Hunter, Craig Reid, Scott Simpson, Ally Mooney and Jason Bowers.

Sporting digest

Bowling

Langholm

The annual New Year’s Day pairs bowling tournament took place in the Royal British Legion clubrooms at Langholm with an entry of 40.

The winners were the Lockerbie pair of Eric Turnbull and John Aitken, who beat Graham Denby and Richard Fox from Stappleton in a tightly-fought final.

Paul Warwick and Neil Campbell, who organised the tournament, were knocked out in the semi-finals by the eventual winners. Ian Hall and Jock Fawkes were the other beaten semi-finalists.

Paul Warwick thanked the five anonymous local carpet bowlers who donated the prizes and also praised the bar staff for their hard work throughout the day. He then called on his mother, Carolle Warwick, to present the Matt and Dorothy Potts Challenge Cup to the winners.

Curling

Borders Curling Development Group

The Border Ice Rink at Kelso, through the auspices of the Borders Curling Development Group, have been fortunate in securing generous funding for curling for children between the ages of eight and 16 from Weir Charitable Trust, Edinburgh.

The funding of £3,000 will also support wheelchair curlers.

The opportunity to learn a great, friendly, team-building sport is for all juniors in this age group. The Monday Club welcomes juniors from 4pm to 5.30pm every Monday, while Saturday coaching will always welcome children, and their parents too, between 9.30am and 11am most Saturdays.

The sessions are organised and run by qualified coaches. No equipment is required, but please wear layers of loose clothing for warmth. Due to this funding, the cost to the children will only be £3 per session. Please phone Border Ice Rink on 01573 224774 to check availability.

The rink is proud of its successes of both juniors and seniors. They include world championship holders and Scottish schools winners among their membership, who are willing to pass on their skills and are amazing role models for all aspiring champions.

Please come along and enjoy a game.

Darts

Inter District

Border Area Darts pool of players to play West Lothian at home on Sunday, January 19 – Men: Graeme Bell, Norrie Forsyth, Kevin Green, Paul Hannaway, Robert Hay, Ewan Hyslop, Ryan Hogarth, Kevin Inglis, Kenny Lattimer, Craig Martin, Jimmy McGuigan, Steven J. Patterson, Gordon Peters, Kevin Richardson, Callum Stewart, Mike Vietch, Chris Waddell, Kevin Wright. Reserves: Michael Sharp, Adam Ballantyne, Peter Craig.

Women: Alison Burnett, Karen Darling, Irene Hogarth, Nicola Hogarth, Helen Knight, Alison Mitchell, Janice Mitchell, Jackie Robertson, Lyn Scott, Laura Virtue. Reserve: Moira Middlemas.

Women to be at Kelso Royal British Legion for 10.30am, men at 11.30am.

Golf

Lauder

A welcome window in the weather greeted 10 players who wished to blow away the festive cobwebs with a round of Winter League golf to end the year.

The course was wet underfoot, but the winter sunshine kept everyone cheerful even if, for the majority, the golf didn’t. Christmas festivities are not the ideal preparation for a game of golf.

Par golf was good enough on the day, however, with Ivor Aitchison topping the list with an excellent 70.

Dougie Bain came a close second, closely followed by Ron Dick, who claimed the last podium position. There were no twos, so next week is a rollover.

Results: 1, I. Aitchison 85 (15) 70; 2, D. Bain 87 (16) 71; 3, R. Dick 91 (19) 72.

Following the unfortunate cancellation of the Christmas and New Year Texas Scrambles, an enthusiastic group of golfers turned up for the first Winter League of the new year.

Unfortunately, the enthusiasm quickly dissipated as the cold January winds cut in. Par was once again good enough and it was a past winner Sandy Thomson who came top of the pile, closely followed by Mr Consistency Harry Moffat, who pushed the previous week’s winner Louis Scott into third with a better inward half.

Results: 1, S. Thomson 91 (21) 70; 2, H. Moffat 88 (17) 71 bih; 3, L. Scott 90 (19) 71.

Louis still leads the winter league aggregate score, with Sandy and Harry two and three shots behind Robin Runciman and Lewis Keddie, who were the only golfers who managed to improve their eclectic score this month. The table is still led by Tom Hogarth, closely followed by Dougie Bain and Ron Dick.

There were no twos this week, so next week is a triple rollover.

Melrose

Belhaven Winter League (week 8): 1, W. Wallace 1 up; 2, D. Grant 1 down.

Belhaven Winter League (Week 9): 1, R. Falconer level; 2, M. W. Gillie 1 down.

Selkirk

Winter Woolies Competition: 1=, P. Henderson and T. Welsh nett 27; 3=, G. Easson and L. McAllister 28.

Twos: L. McAllister, G. Easson and C. Neilson (2 each); T. Welsh, J. S. Kemp, L. Rutherford, H.MacDonald.

Torwoodlee

Midweek Eight Hole Stableford: 1, M. Brydon 18 points; 2, B. Aitchison 17.

Saturday/Sunday Winter Greensomes: 1, B. Aitchison & J. Berry 61.4.

This weekend is a singles competition – £2 entry for members – £10 for visitors. Rules on noticeboard.

Midweek Eight-hole Stableford: 1, K. Turner 20 points.

This week’s holes will be the bottom eight due to weather conditions. Play on Thursday and Friday, January 9 and 10.

Squash

Galashiels

Club Night Friendlies: I. Chalmers 2 D Sharratt 0; D. Burnie 2 D Sharratt 1; D. Burnie 2 I. Chalmers 1, M. Sharratt 2 D. Sharratt 0; G. Laing 2 D. Burnie 1; D. Sharratt 2 R. Kohler 0; G. Laing 2 A. Gill 0, A. Gill 2 D. Burnie 0, G. Laing 2 D. Sharratt 0, D. Sharratt 2 D. Burnie 1.

3/4 Court Threesomes: M. Sharratt 15, D. Burnie 10, D. Sharratt 4; M. Sharratt 15, D. Sharratt 14, D. Burnie 13.

Snooker

Borders

J J Express Borders Singles first round ties will be played on Sunday at the following venues: Kelso Legion, Selkirk Conservative Club, Jedburgh Legion, Hawick Conservative Club, all noon for 12.30pm.

WOOLER

At their weekly Primestock sale on Friday, January 3, John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 991 hoggs and 169 ewes.

With the festive season coming to a close all classes were keenly sort after, selling vendors receiving greater returns and lifting averages substantially.

Leading prices per head:- Suff.x:- £105 Edlingham Newtown, £86.50 Craigshouse, £84 Ladykirk, £83.50, £83 West Longridge. Tex.x:- £96, £92 Ewart, £90, £89 Ladykirk, £89 Edlingham Newtown, £88 Lickar Moor, £86.50 Ewart, £85.50 Kettleburn and Black Heddon, £85 Newstead, Ewart, Kettleburn, Lickar Moor, Black Heddon and West Longridge. Bel:- £86.50 Ewart, £85 Ladykirk (2). Chev:- £84, £81.50 Humbleheugh. Char:- £82.50 Wandon. Mule:- £80 Ewart.

Leading prices per kilo:- Bel:- 223.7p, 207.9p Ladykirk. Tex.x:- 213.8p Black Heddon, 211.3p Cockhall and Lickar Moor, 209.2p Greystonnes, Warenford, 203.7p Lorbottle, 202.4p Lickar Moor and Ladykirk. Chev:- 202.6p Humbleheugh. BFL:- 202.6p Broadlaw. Suff.x:- 196.3p Kettleburn. Mule:- 196.3p Broadlaw.

A strong show of ewes, with an increase in returns,

Leading prices:- Tex.x:- £97 Middle Ord, £89 Ford Dairy, £83 Berryhill. Suff.x:- £89 Berryhill, £86 Middle Ord. Chev:- £73 Humbleheugh. Mule:- £66 Middle Ord, £58 Berryhill, £57 Brandon White House. BF:- £41 (2) Linhope Farming (Hartside).

Rams:- Tex.x:- £127 Edlingham Newtown, £127 Ewart, £113 Ford Dairy. Suff.x:- £93 Edlingham Newtown. BF:- £81 Edlingham Newtown.

ST BOSWELLS

At their weekly Primestock sale on Monday John Swan Ltd sold 71 clean cattle, 75 OTM cattle, 3,479 prime and cast sheep, 2,671 old season SQQ lambs and 808 ewes.

Bullocks (31) averaged 231.7p per kg and sold to 260p (-3.5p on week), heifers (38) averaged 229.3p per kg and sold to 257p (-10.3p on week), two young bulls averaged 202.4p per kg and sold to 205p (n/c on week) and 75 beef type OTM cattle averaged 126.7p per kg and sold to 185p (+2.1p on the week).

Old season SQQ lambs averaged 193.3p per kg (+1.1p on week) and sold to £104. Ewes averaged £56.49, and sold to £115 and £123 for tups. Heavy ewes £72.68. Light ewes £42.70.

Principal prices per kg: Bee Edge 2.60(2) M/s Cropper and W Taylor (Lockerbie), 2.57 W Taylor(Lockerbie), 2.46 M/s Cropper, 2.50 Hugh Black and Sons Ltd; Shidlaw 2.49 M/s J Gilmour and Co Ltd; Upper Nisbet 2.47 Denholm Meats, 2.45, 2.44 M/s TA Shaw; Lurdenlaw 2.46 M/s JP Mason and Son, 2.42 W Taylor (Lockerbie), 2.41 M/s JA Waters and Sons; Longnewton 2.41 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons.

Principal prices per head: Lurdenlaw £1773.10, £1635.90, £1605.45; Bee Edge £1586, £1560.

Cows per head: Kersknowe £1507.75, £1477.95, £1234.80; Mosstower £1302.60; Corsbie £1115.40; Phantassie £1278.90, £1112, £1098.10; Thrunton £1251.60, £1223.60; Wester Middleton £1207.50, £1128; Muircleugh £1160, £1129.70.

Cows per kg: Kersknowe 1.85, 1.77, 1.47; Newstead 1.83, 1.71; Mosstower 1.67; Queenscairn 1.67; Wester Middleton 1.61, 1.57, 1.53; Thrunton 1.61, 1.49; Wolfstar 1.47, 1.45; Phantassie 1.47.

Cows: Corsbie £1299.30 (1.22).

Lambs per head: Tex.x;- £104 Elmscleugh, £94 Outer Huntly, BFL;- £95 Tinnis, Suff.x;- £89.50 Corsbie, £89 Newton, Ber;- £89, £88 Springwood (Powell), Suff;- £87 Belmont, Bel;- £86.50, £86, £83 Hartside, Chev;- £83 Saughtree, GF;- £81 Hundalee (Wade), £80 Hartside, CM;- £76.50 Ashcraig, BF;- £76 Elmscleugh, £75 Hartside, Peel and Outer Huntly.

Lambs per kg: Tex.x;- 215 Torsonce, 210.3 Dunslaw, 209 Huntington, Suff.x;- 205.1, 202.5 Dunslaw, 200 Stoneypath and Blackhill, Chev;- 202.6 Thornington, Bel;- 202.6 Lylestane, Suff;- 202.6 Belmont, CM;- 196.2 Ashcraig, GF;- 192.3 Ashcraig, 191 Dunslaw, BF;- 190.8 Skelfhill.

Cast ewes: Tex;- £115 Wedderlie, £111 Springwood, Suff;- £95 Springwood, £91 Spotsmains, Suff.x;- £85 Rumbletonrig, Bel;- £73 Justice Park, CM;- £70 Thirlestane, HB;- £67 Upper Bolton, £65 Blackhill, Chev;- £65 Ecclaw, Ham;- £65 Ecclaw, GF;- £63 Thirlestane, £61 Birkenside, Ber;- £63 Springwood, BL;- £60 Spotsmains, Lly;- £60 Whitriggs, BF;- £43 Mid Harrietsfield, Bowland and Upper Chatto.

Rams: Tex;- £123 Elmscleugh, £119 Thirlestane, £115 Craigsford Mains and Ruchlaw Mains, Char;- £107 Ruchlaw Mains, Suff;- £103 Buxley.

LONGTOWN

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart PLC had forward 12 prime cattle, three young bulls, three over 30 month cattle, 4,202 prime hoggs and 4,317 cast ewes and rams at their weekly sale at Longtown last Thursday.

Prime cattle again in short supply and many more could have been sold to advantage with plenty of keen bidders insuring averages were 20p up on the week. Top price to 231.5p on three occasions, first for a Limousin bullock from J.F. and I. Armstrong, Nether Onsett, then Limousin heifers from T. Armstrong and Son, Sceughdyke and W. and W. Faulder, Houghton House respectfully.

Bulls short of requirements and trade took a big jump. Top price of 198.5p for a Limousin x Friesian from Messrs T.B. Imrie, Harelawhole. Black and Whites over 16 months sold to 165.5p also from Messrs Imrie.

Cows scarce with no meat on offer selling to 91.5p from J.G. Vevers, Peterscrook.

A smaller show of 4,202 prime hoggs were forward to the usual full ring of buyers. A lot more heavy hoggs forward which sold to recent high rates, export hoggs slightly easier apart from the best kinds with small hoggs up to 35 kilos in strong demand, averaging £2. For all those that made the effort to get hoggs here they were rewarded with a sound trade throughout, the overall sale average of 188.6p per kilo (SQQ 194.2p per kilo). Top was £116 per head for Texels from Snowsgreen with a top per kilo of 259p for Texels from Low Lonning.

The 788 lightweight hoggs forward were a good show for quality and easily sold at high rates, more could be sold to vendors advantage. Top of £90 for Texels from Copperthorns, £80.50 Copperthorns.

A smaller show of 4,317 cast ewes and rams were forward to the usual ring of buyers who were all keen for sheep with ewes being £2 to £3 dearer on the week, plain ewes slightly easier. More large lean ewes could be sold to vendors advantage but most noticeable was the rise in the trade of Greyface ewes.

With the festive season over and all your decorations taken down, this is the time to give those empty feeling rooms a lift.

You can add warmth and character to your home using a variety of methods.

Let’s start with your front door. This is where everybody forms their impression of what lies beyond.

By adding a heavy-weight lined or interlined curtain, fitted to a pole or track of which various designs and colours, which you can tie back through the day, you can create a look of elegance. And draped closed in the evening this will add warmth to any doorway.

Moving through to the main rooms, you can enhance the look of these by moving pieces of furniture from one room to the other. Why not swap and add various cushions in different colours, textures and designs from room to room. Throws are an excellent way to lift a tired sofa or chair. There are many excellent choices available on the market in all textures and designs.

By adding soft lights, traditional candles with in a lantern – of which there are many designs and colours – or by using the very popular LED candles that smell and give the effect of a burning candle, you can add warmth and tranquillity to any room.

Why not try adding photo frames, whether it be a free standing or wall mounted frame, or create a friendly family feeling using a selection of frames in various colours and designs.

Flowers, vases, twigs and trees all add character to bathrooms and kitchens, as does the ever popular ducks and animals.

Children’s toy boxes can easily be transformed by adding a covered seat pad in contrasting fabric and used for additional seating.

For advice about decor and creating the right mood for a room, pop in to our shop for a chat, or call us on the number in our advert opposite and we’d be happy to help.

It’s always good to start a new year with a challenge and this year looks like being more challenging than most in the Corbie household.

After losing our old Border collie “Tibbie” in the autumn last year, we decided to go “dogless” for a time to see how it went, as we are a dozen or so years older now than when we first took her on.

But coming down the stairs in the morning to an empty kitchen, coming home from work with no rapturous welcome and walking in the countryside with nothing to share your sandwiches with, were all too much to bear, so a decision was made.

A new dog it would be, but as it would probably be our last, we decided to downsize.

It all happened sooner than expected. After seeing an advert in The Southern for cockapoo puppies, just before Christmas, we went for a look – absolutely fatal!

For the uninitiated, a cockapoo is the modern version of a mongrel (a cocker spaniel crossed with a poodle), but more trendy.

The idea is that it combines the best bits of both breeds – cocker’s good nature and poodle’s intelligence and coat that doesn’t cast.

One look at the wee mite and we were smitten. She was all black with floppy lugs, a wavy coat and completely irresistible. We had to wait until after Christmas before she could leave her mum, so that gave us time to come up with a suitable name.

It had to be appropriate for an all-black, female and be a bit different. We compiled a list. “Sweep” – too male, “Golly” too racist, “Bramble” – good, but we used to have a cat called that.

Eventually, the name “Treacle” came up and it ticked all the boxes – black, runs a lot and sticks to your feet when you walk.

As I write we have had her home a week and I’m exhausted.

I’d forgotten how such a wee thing can be so demanding.

I think she is going to be quite bright as she is already partly toilet trained, knows her name and sleeps all night without any disturbance.

When she’s in full flight, however, it’s a case of all hands on deck.

She’s not old enough yet to join me on my forages into the Borders countryside, but I’m sure that before the year is out she will be featuring regularly in this column.

I can hardly wait.

CHARITY bike ride organisers are urging locals with ‘get fit’ New Year resolutions to cycle the Borderlands and raise money for disadvantaged children at the same time.

The Wooler Wheel Borderlands 170 on May 17 is the first British Cycling-affiliated sportive to cross a national border, and all profits will go to Radio Borders’ Cash for Kids charity.

In addition to the full 170km ride, two shorter routes of 100km and 60km are available, as well as the UK’s first dedicated junior sportive, which covers 30km.

Organiser, Wooler Cycle Hub’s Beth Mills, said: “What better way to drive yourself on to get fit than signing up for the Borderlands and getting sponsorship to help disadvantaged children in your area?

“The training will help get you fit and the event itself takes in the region’s best scenery and cycling routes.”

The 170km route will see riders leave Wooler, heading east towards the coast and then north to Cornhill, crossing the River Tweed and the border at Coldstream. From there they will head west, through Smailholm and over Scott’s View, before riding to the Cheviots and on to the border at Yetholm, finishing in Wooler.

The sportives have the backing of ITV sports presenter Ned Boulting, Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative, Northumberland National Park and Scottish Borders and Northumberland councils.

To register and to build a sponsorship page visit http://woolerwheel.com

KELSO cyclists and hikers received an early Christmas present when work on the flooded core path on the town’s outskirts was finished in time for the festive season.

The council’s contractors Glendinning resurfaced the waterlogged track at Wallaceneuk and put in safety fencing.

The council’s senior ranger Keith Robeson said: “It’s brilliant, the contractors have done a tremendous job and it’s completed a fantastic circular walk to and from Roxburgh.”

Council funds and a planning gain contribution of £10,000 from the Duke of Roxburgh for development at Sunlaws paid for the £17,000 work which started in November.

Mr Robeson said the route was originally for horse riders, but became a core path a few years ago: “Since it was established as a core path, improving for other users is something we wanted to do.”

But the then landowner was reluctant to agree to repairs to the deeply-rutted track, fearing fly-tippers. However, a change of ownership in the last year resulted in the work being given the go-ahead.

Earlier the council spent about £3,000 draining other boggy sections of the former railway track between Heiton Mill and Roxburgh.

Meanwhile, Kelso Paths Group is calling for more volunteers to help fundraise and create and maintain paths.

Anyone interested should contact Mr Robeson on 01835 826750 or 07768 987949 or at krobeson@scotborders.gov.uk

Lasswade12

Jed-Forest69

WITH only four games left to play in the RBS Championship B league, Jed-Forest have taken their place at the top of the table, one point ahead of nearest challengers Musselburgh.

Playing a rescheduled fixture on Saturday, Jed travelled to Lasswade desperate to avoid a potential post-Christmas slip-up.

The cobwebs were soon blown away, however when Monty Mitchell crossed for two early tries shortly after the kick-off. Robert Hogg scored a third to put the Riverside men 19-0 up after 10 minutes.

Lasswade managed to secure some possession, but it wasn’t long before Mark Burke finished well to secure the bonus point. John Szkudro barged over for a fifth to put the visitors 33-0 ahead at half-time, Chris Laidlaw having kicked four conversions.

Jed kept the momentum flowing after the restart with Steven Bouglas scoring and Laidlaw converting. Lasswade got on the scoreboard with a try, but the Borderers got back to work and Donald Grieve emerged with the ball after a good line-out drive.

Jed had the luxury of taking off key players Chris Laidlaw and Michael Weekley, but powered on with sub Chris Gillon touching down and Mitchell completing his hat-trick. Liam Lawrence converted both. Lasswade crossed for a second try, but Burke and Gillon completed Jed’s scoring for a fine win.

The Royal Blues are away in the cup at Kelso and Peebles next, but return to league action at Riverside against Kirkcaldy on January 25.

COLDSTREAM are on the hunt for a new management team after Andrew Gibson and his assistant Stevie Roughead resigned their posts.

The pair led Coldstream to promotion to the Premier Division last season with 59 points, and just three defeats in 26 matches, putting them in second place behind Craigroyston.

This season, injuries and suspensions have taken their toll and Gibson, who ends a two-year stint at the club due to changes in work commitments with the armed forces, leaves Coldstream sitting mid-table.

Anyone wishing to apply for the posts should contact Coldstream secretary Allan Easton on 07801 332650.

Gala FDR3

Selkirk1

Selkirk boss Stevie Forrest has bemoaned the lack of training facilities for his side over the festive break as the Souters succumbed to another derby defeat.

The visiting side were off the pace as Stuart Noble bagged a double in a 3-1 Lowland League Cup group win for Gala Fairydean Rovers, their third in a row over the Yarrow Park men.

Forrest, who is still looking to add to his squad, told TheSouthern: “We have struggled to find facilities over the holiday as we normally train at high schools and indoor pitches.

“We don’t yet have the wonderful facilities that Gala have and it has been difficult for us to work on our fitness.”

Recruiting players also seems to be an ongoing problem for the Selkirk club.

“I am always looking to add new players, but the budget was spent before I got here,” added Forrest.

“Clubs are looking for £200 or £300 for a player, and it has almost got to the stage where we are swapping our washing machine for a player.”

If the Selkirk washing machine is to be swapped for a new recruit, they maybe wish to play at Netherdale’s artificial surface more often, until they remember they have lost all three games at the venue this season, conceding 14 goals.

To credit the visitors, they were organised and stuffy during the first half, until two strikes deflated them.

After Gregor Amos made two outstanding saves to deny Callum Jardine and Jason Inglis, the Selkirk stopper was finally beaten by a turn and shot on 42 minutes by Stuart Noble, followed by the striker slamming the ball into the corner of the net seconds before half-time.

The in-form forward then produced a fine cross on 74 minutes to set up substitute Jamie Gibson to volley home.

Gibson then missed an open goal from eight yards after rounding Amos, before a foul by Danny Bonnar on Phil Addison saw the latter pull a goal back for Selkirk from the penalty spot with five minutes left.

Gala manager Steven Noble believes his squad is now capable of winning a cup competition.

“We have six points from six in the group, so it is up to the other sides to catch us,” he said.

“Players like Callum Jardine, Allan Nicol and Dean McColm have come up from the Amateur League and now look confident at this level.”

IN the only East of Scotland encounter last weekend, Duns climbed off the bottom of the First Division by netting their first league win at Eyemouth in 55 years.

James Brydon opened the scoring at Warner Park when he put Duns ahead, but Scott Adamson’s strike at the other end ensured the Fishermen were level by the break.

Goals by Sean Philips and Kieran Bullen put the hosts 3-1 up, but counters from Martyn Tait and trialist Des Chisholm levelled the match. Tait’s second goal of the game proved crucial and Duns began the new year by taking the three points.

AFTER six years of covering rugby in the region, the internet-based Borders Rugby Television (BRTV) will stop at the end of the season.

“It’s been a roller-coaster of a journey since 2007,” said BRTV founder Stuart Cameron.

“In the six years since our launch, BRTV has covered an unprecedented number of games in the Borders and the extensive archive will always be there for people to look back on. There have been wonderful highlights, including covering ‘that’ Stuart Hogg try for Scotland A when they thrashed England Saxons 35-0.”

Despite the popularity of the site locally, BRTV has not been able to attract support from key areas or the sponsorship needed to sustain the service.

Stuart continued: “I’d like to thank the Fraser James Partnership and BASE Rugby for their support, to all local clubs and my colleagues at Radio Borders for their invaluable contributions.

“I look forward to seeing the season out, but the time has unfortunately come to bring the curtain down.”

If teacher numbers are cut, a move to a four-and-a-half day school week will help, the council’s director of education has revealed.

Announcing a consultation on the proposed move to an asymmetric week in all Borders schools from August, Glenn Rodger said: “As teachers’ salaries make up the majority of the schools’ budgets, a managed reduction in teacher numbers is the most viable route to achieving savings targets.

“A move to an asymmetric week will assist schools to plan and deliver teaching and learning in the most efficient way and potentially in future with fewer teachers.

“However, there are a number of other benefits to the change. There is already a consensus amongst our primary and secondary head teachers that an asymmetric week would allow for greater collaboration between all teachers and enhance joint planning around key aspects of Curriculum for Excellence.”

A series of public meetings will be held across the area to discuss the proposal, with the consultation closing on February 28.

Pupils, parents, staff and stakeholders are being encouraged to make their views known, with an online survey set up on the SBC website.

Under the system, both primary and secondary pupils would spend four-and-a-half days in school each week, but with no reduction in the total classroom time for pupils.

For full details of the public meetings, see the SBC website.

John Lamont MSP has called for pupils to hand in mobile phones at the start of classes after 233 were confiscated in a high school in three years.

Mr Lamont said: “The classroom is supposed to be a place for learning, but these statistics show that more and more lessons are being disrupted by those with mobile phones.

“Teachers have had to stop their lesson hundreds of times over the past few years just to deal with those playing on their phones.

“It is now all too easy for a pupil to have access to their phones in class, and to distract themselves and others around them. This is not only adversely affecting their education, but the education of everyone else in the class who has to put up with the disruption.”

He added: “We need to start clamping down on their use in classrooms, and the common sense thing to do would be to have all pupils hand their phones in at the beginning of the lesson.

“This would allow the teacher to get on with their job of teaching our youngsters, rather than have to deal with constant disruptions.”

The statistics were revealed through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the council, but only one high school had recorded data on disciplinary action on mobile phone use since 2010.

The Borders MSP has also urged parents of schoolchildren to be wary of cyber-bullying after the council revealed that 16 cases have been reported in schools since 2010.

In response to another FOI request, SBC revealed that four incidents were uncovered in primary schools and the rest in local high schools.

According to the response, in each case the parents of the children were informed and the police were involved in at least two instances. A case in 2013 led to a pupil’s exclusion.

Mr Lamont said: “Technology, the internet and social media can be great tools to connect people and improve the ways in which youngsters learn. However, as these statistics show, they can also be used as another medium in which to bully others.

He added that he was pleased that the cases had been ‘dealt with in a strict manner’ and said a zero tolerance, as adopted in the region would discourage others.

But Mr Lamont added: “Many cases of cyber-bullying go unreported and we must be vigilant against it.”

It wasn’t good enough for Jeremy Paxman – but it’s good enough for me.

I confess my ignorance and admit I did not know the meaning of the word pogonophobic. Apparently it means a fear of beards and I’ll take Paxman’s word for it. Because he knows about words.

If you haven’t followed me so far, I’ll explain. My face is covered in hair. It’s called a beard and it keeps me warm in the winter when it becomes extremely bushy and sometimes a bit untidy. But I like it.

Jeremy, if I may call him by his given name without incurring his wrath, took a liking to having a beard while on holiday in August. Like mine, it was grey. It wasn’t as bushy or as sprawling as mine – and because of the 63-year-old’s TV presence, it was exposed to wider audience.

My facial hair doesn’t raise much controversy – but Jeremy’s did. It became headline news. A lot of folk didn’t like it.

The veteran broadcaster bounced back and branded the BBC – yes, here’s that word again – pogonophobic. A fear of beards. And I liked his reasoning.

He declared in his usual forthright manner: “I have grown a beard for the last few summers, and suddenly wondered whether I really needed to shave it off to present Newsnight. Unless you’re lucky enough to be Uncle Albert on Only Fools and Horses, Dennis Roussos or Abu Hamza, the BBC is generally as pogonophobic as the late-lamented Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha.

“I may keep it or I may shave it off, but I think I’ll make my own decision.”

Well said, Jeremy. Beards are us, I say. Or they were. I’ve still got mine, but now you are clean shaven. You have become – dare I say it – a member of the pogonophobic regime.

Shave on you. And shave on you for your pathetic excuse for this festive trimming. A man of words such as your good self could surely have produced a better soundbite than: “If a chap can’t shave on holiday, what can he do? Beards are so 2013.”

I’ll never measure Paxman [he’s no longer a Jeremy to me now] in the same light again.

I ask you the question. What man of even meagre intelligence grows a beard at the height of blistering summer and then puts it under the razor in dismal, dank December? Not I, Mr Paxman, not I.

We both grew our beards working with the same organisation – the BBC. It was 1983 and I had some late finishes and early starts. Shaving gave way to an extra 10 minutes of kip.

In the intervening years I have had it off thrice. But I returned to being a non-pogonophobic.

I have resisted and consistently refused requests to shave for charity. I have stumped up the cash, but kept the razor at bay.

I like my beard for various reasons. I save money by not buying razor blades and reduced toilet-roll usage by not having to patch the bleeding. It keeps me warm without recourse to a balaclava.

When I play Santa Claus I don’t have to pull on a saliva-soaked chuck of cotton wool. And if I’m hungry in the middle of the night, there’s usually a morsel of mince lurking somewhere.

Kyser Summers admitted obstructing a nurse, shouting and swearing, uttering threats of violence and acting in an aggressive manner towards her on August 30.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told a previous hearing 16-year-old Summers, of Caddon Court, Innerleithen, had been taken to Borders General Hospital at 6.30am by ambulance after he had “overdosed on some sort of medication”.

He continued: “This clearly affected his behaviour. He was shouting and swearing at a nurse. His behaviour was distressing, not only to her, but to a five-year-old boy in the next cubicle who was struggling to breathe properly.

“His behaviour was causing distress to the boy’s family, but his response when this was pointed out was, ‘f**k off’. He kept saying, ‘I do not give a f**k, I will kick his head in and all’.”

The nurse warned him several times that she would call the police and when the behaviour persisted she did that.

Mr Fraser added: “He approached another member of staff and said, ‘What the f**k are you looking at’. He continued to be aggressive and abusive. It was very distressing for the staff and anyone else seeking treatment at that time.”

Sentence was deferred until February 3 for reports, including a restriction-of-liberty assessment.

‘FORGOT’ TO TURN UP FOR INTERVIEW

A GALASHIELS teenager who “forgot” to turn up for an interview with a social worker to get background reports prepared has been remanded in custody.

Ryan Scott had already been warned he would be kept behind bars if he did not co-operate.

But defence lawyer Ross Dow said the 18-year-old had been pre-occupied with organising his brother’s birthday party and had missed the appointment, despite adhering to another court order of reporting to Galashiels police station daily from Monday to Friday.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said he was remanding him in custody until January 20 to ensure the reports were available.

A previous hearing was told how Scott – involved in a violent confrontation with a 16-year-old – carried out the attack because his victim had punched a fence and lamp post.

Scott and the other male were among a group of youths who had earlier been warned by police in the Wood Street area of Galashiels on the night of July 21. When the group moved onto Penman Place, Scott lost his temper when the 16-year-old started punching the fence and a lamp post.

Tessa Bradley, prosecuting, said there was a “violent” exchange, with Scott repeatedly punching the teenager to the head and face, and continuing to do so when falling to the ground.

The victim was treated at Borders General Hospital the following day for extensive swelling and bruising to the face.

Ms Bradley said: “When interviewed by the police, the accused admitted striking him a number of times. He accepted his behaviour was excessive and he had lost his temper.”

VEHICLE VANDAL

A TWEEDBANK man caused £2,000 worth of damage to vehicles he forcibly opened and maliciously damaged after a night out drinking.

Robert McMillan, 54, of Hareshaw Bank, pleaded guilty to three charges – offences which happened in Rogers Road and Weavers Court in Selkirk on June 15.

The vehicles belonged to a tree surgery firm and the Forestry Commission.

Defence lawyer Rory Bannerman said: “He had been out drinking and did not think of the consequences. He did not appreciate how much damage he had caused.”

McMillan was ordered to pay £500 compensation and carry out 150 hours of unpaid work as part of an 18-month community payback order.

GALASHIELS DRUGS RAID

A 50-year-old man appeared in private following a drugs raid on a property in Galashiels last weekend.

Ian McKechnie is accused of producing a controlled drug and also faces two charges of drugs possession. In addition, he is alleged to have obstructed police with a warrant.

McKechnie made no plea or declaration and his case was continued for further examination. He was bailed.

KNIFE CHARGE

A HAWICK man appeared in private accused of a number of offences during a disturbance at the weekend.

James Matthew Calder – formerly of Galashiels – is charged on petition with carrying a knife, assault, assault by threats, intended theft and threatening and abusive behaviour.

The 36-year-old made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination.

Calder was released on bail by Sheriff Peter Paterson until the next court hearing on a date to be determined.

ACCUSED IS BAILED

A MAN has been bailed following a private court appearance.

Robert Leslie Knight, 27, of Edinburgh, faces charges of theft by housebreaking, threatening and abusive behaviour, and two counts of possession of controlled drugs. The offences are alleged to have been committed in the Borders.

He made no plea and the case was continued for further examination until a court date yet to be determined.

Budding entrepreneurs considering starting their own business in 2014 can access a series of free workshops in January and February at Business Gateway, Selkirk.

Business start-up workshops include: Business Planning - Monday, January 13, 9.30am to 12.30pm; Finance - Tuesday, January 21, 9.30am to 12.30pm; Marketing - Tuesday, February 4, 9.30am to 12.30pm.

To book a place at a workshop call 01835 825600.

BOWDEN

Cafe

The next community cafe will be held in the village hall at 11am on January 15.

CADDONFOOT

Church

New Year greetings were exchanged on Sunday at the morning service conducted by the Reverend Marion Dodds. The lessons were read by Christine Dorward. CY (Caddonfoot Youth) resumes next Sunday after the festive holidays. The induction of the new minister, Elspeth Harley, is on January 31 at 7pm in the linked church of Trinity in Galashiels. Anyone who wants to donate food for the induction social should contact Christine Riddell (01896 752609). Thanks go to everyone from Caddonfoot and Trinity who donated £400 to the Lavender Touch charity following the watchnight service.

Denholm

Quiz

A quiz in aid of Ruberslaw Church raised £115. The winner was Joan Hedley, Rochester, Northumberland.

earlston

Parish church

The January 12 service at 10.15am will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods. There is a trustees’ meeting on January 14 at 7.30pm in the church hall.

Women’s group

Tonight (Thursday) at 8pm in the church hall, the speaker will be Donald McPhillamy from Earlston Orchard Town Project.

eckford

Hall show

The village hall is staging Men With Hats, a group of retired professional musicians, on February 15 at 7.30pm. Tickets from Sandra Kinnoch (01835 850324) or Annette Fraser (01835 862228).

edgerston

Games night

A family games night will be held in the village hall on January 10 (7pm) – bring and share supper. Clare (01835 840355) has more information.

Coffee mornings

Coffee mornings continue on the first Monday of each month at 10.30am.

No supper

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the village hall committee has decided that no Burns supper will be held this year, but will return in 2015.

ettrickbridge

Carpet bowls

The New Year’s Day carpet bowling tournament in Kirkhope Hall raised £143 for Radio Borders’ Cash for Kids charity.

Burns supper

The Macmillan Cancer Support Burns supper will be held on January 25 in Kirkhope Village Hall. Tickets are available from Marjory Tennant (01750 62327) or any committee member.

Lunch

On January 12 (noon-2pm), a soup and pudding lunch will be held in aid of village hall funds.

FOUNTAINHALL

WRI

Members meet in the village hall at 7.30pm on January 15 for a craft night. Competitions – knitted or sewn finger puppet and winter scene photograph. Competition results from the November meeting – small autumn arrangement – 1, I. Scott; 2, D. Wilson; teapot – 1, A. Mathison; 2, I. Scott. Last month members enjoyed a meal at the Kingsknowes Hotel and everyone received a gift from Santa’s sack. 2013 competition results – Dianne Wilson received the winner’s cup and runner-up was Agnes Mathison.

hownAM

Bingo

The village hall will host bingo and a raffle on January 17 at 6.30pm. Bring your own refreshments/nibbles.

Innerleithen

Service

The service on January 12 will be at 11.30am, followed by a light lunch in the hall.

AGM

St Ronan’s Piping Society will hold its annual general meeting on January 19 in the Vale Club at 1pm.

Race night

St Ronan’s Silver Band and Innerleithen Opera host a joint race night on February 1 in the Union Club – first race 7pm. Horses are on sale from band and opera members.

South Pacific

There will be a chance to buy tickets for Innerleithen Opera’s production of South Pacific (March 31-April 5) on February 19 in the Library Hall, Buccleuch Street, from 6.30-7.15pm, and at the society’s annual coffee morning in the Vale Club on February 22 (10am-noon). Anyone would like to become an honorary member and take advantage of preferential booking with tickets delivered to their door, contact the secretary on 01896 830577 or at secretary@idaos.org.uk.

Jedburgh

Bridge club

December 23 – 1, V. Fairbairn and M. Miller; 2, A. and R. Stewart; 3, P. Harris and M. Forsythe; 4,B. and I. Middleton.

Historical society

Chris Veitch took members on a virtual trip round 17th-century Jedburgh. Using computer technology, he followed a tour of the town conducted by Robert Waldie, of The Ramblers’ Club, in 1912 who described places of interest. The next meeting of the society takes place tonight (Thursday) at 7.30pm in the British Legion when Nancy McNicholl will give a talk entitled “Between the Walls”.

Kelso

AGM

Kelso Horticultural Society’s annual general meeting is on January 15 in the Tait Hall at 7pm.

Cricket club

The Kelso Cricket Club annual general meeting will take place on January 23 (7.30pm) in the club pavilion.

U3A

The next open meeting of the Four Border Abbeys U3A group is on January 13 at 2pm in Kelso Rugby Club. It will feature a talk from Clare Oliver on Borders General Hospital’s Margaret Kerr Unit.

Quilters

Abbey Quilters meet in Abbey Row Centre on January 14 at 7pm when Sandra Kinnoch will lead a workshop on making name badges. Members should remember their mugs. For further information, contact Sandra Kinnoch (01835 850324) or Rineke Sangster (01573 229414).

Thursday Group

Members meet today at 2pm in the Abbey Row Centre for a selection of film clips chosen by Stan Yates. Next week Duncan McCosh speaks about the Jaipur Limb charity.

Parish churches

There was a good attendance at Ednam Church last Sunday for the joint morning service. Ednam and Kelso North were busy over the Christmas period when the special collections raised £1,630 for the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), based at Borders General Hospital. Kelso North was packed to the rafters with worshippers of all ages for the christingle service on Christmas Eve. Taking part in the proceedings were comedian and impersonator Rory Bremner, along with the head teacher of Broomlands Primary School, Michelle Matthews, and Gregor Forbes, a P7 pupil at Broomlands and member of Kelso North’s junior church. The church was also well filled for the watchnight service, and at Ednam on Christmas Day only a couple of pews went unoccupied for a family service. Some 60 folk descended on the Forestfield manse on January 2, following the now-annual “New Year Stagger”, to enjoy soup, crusty bread and a festive drink after a brisk walk around the town. The Men’s Group – men@kne – will be holding its Burns supper at the Forestfield manse on January 29 at 7pm – enquiries to Robert Pratt (01573 223080). The group had a curling evening at the Borders Ice Rink. The Friday film nights resume on February 7 at 7pm with a showing of “Seven Years in Tibet”, starring Brad Pitt. Others lined up include “Sunshine on Leith” and “Philomena”. This Sunday’s service at Ednam begins at 9.30am, with the Kelso North one starting at 11am. Later, at Kelso North at 7pm, Abbey Consort will give a performance of G .F. Handel’s “Messiah”.

LAUDER

Church

The kirk session is hosting a congregational consultation evening, “Time for Reflection”, in the Carfraemill Hotel on January 15 (7-9pm). The purpose of the event is to listen to the views of the congregation on a direction for the life and work of the church in Lauderdale and, in so doing, inform the nominating committee of the views of members of the church as they seek a new minister to fill the current vacancy. This is not a ticket event, but it would be helpful for catering purposes to have an indication of numbers (phone 01578 722422).

Historical society

There is an evening for members to bring and give a short talk about their memorabilia on January 15 at 7.30pm in Lauder Youth Trust Hall. Further details from Joan Stevens (01578 722559).

Melrose

AGM

Melrose in Bloom’s annual meeting is in the Lower Ormiston Room at 7.30pm on January 14.

Trimontium

Members and friends are responding to the request that they go online at www.archaeology.co.uk/vote to cast their vote for “Newstead:1911-2011”, the book published in January 2013 to celebrate the centenary of James Curle’s report of the 1905-10 excavation at Newstead. Copies are available and enquiries, without commitment, are invited at the museum or to the secretary on 01896 822651. The favourite nomination will probably be Charlotte Higgins’ “Under Another Sky” in which she went round what was Roman Britain. Arts editor for a national newspaper, she has promised to speak in Melrose.

Parish church

Amaya Elizabeth Murray and Georgia Beth O’Donnell were christened amid family and friends during the festive period. The Historical Jesus – January 9 (10am) and January 13 (7.30pm). Food bank donations welcome. The church magazine is accessible at www.bowdenandmelroseparish.org. The sum of £1,780 was raised at the Christmas Eve services for projects in Bethlehem, Malawi and under Aberlour. January 12 – services at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (11am); 2.30pm, Melrose Music Society, a piano trio, including J. Bryden; January 16 – guild at 2.30pm with Dr M. Collin on “Old Melrose”; 7.30pm, “The Visit to Malawi”.

Midlem

WRI

Members enjoyed a Christmas dinner at the Glen Hotel, followed by a quiz. Competition – hand-made Christmas card – 1, Helen Pierce; 2, Edith Scott; 3, Ella Nairn. The next meeting is in the village hall on January 14 when a beetle drive will be held.

Morebattle

Play

Morebattle school put on a nativity play performed by P1 and P2 pupils in the village church in front of a large turnout of family and friends.

Cool Club

The Cool Club staged its own interpretation of the nativity play entitled Angels Int. at the church service on December 22. A large congregation also sang carols.

Quiz

A quiz night was held in the Templehall Hotel on December 28 when £244 was raised for the Morebattle Community Defibrillator Fund. The winning team was Gail Gibson, Helen Fletcher, David Lang and Jamie Wilson. Runners-up and third were Nicky Stevens, Catherine Mabon, Jock Cessford and Steven Fox, and Annie Smith, Jennifer O’Mara, Jock Minto and Michael Gallico. Booby entry – Margaret Blackmore, Fiona Black, Stuart McNulty and Jack Sibbald.

WRI

Members met last night (Wednesday) in the institute for musical entertainment with Sally-Anne Scott and Family.

Guild

The guild gathers in the institute tonight (Thursday) at 7.30pm when the DVD of the 2013 annual guild meeting will be viewed.

Oxton

WRI

The first meeting in 2014 will be held on January 15 when Marion Gilchrist gives a demonstration on tray bakes. The competition is for a savoury scone.

Services

Channelkirk 10am church services will take place in the War Memorial Hall until the end of March.

Turn to page 28

From page 27

Church

See Lauder section.

Selkirk

Antiquarian society

The society’s January 15 meeting will be held at 7.30pm in St Joseph’s Church Hall when Katy Firth presents a talk entitled “Selkirk Castle Community Archaeology Project”. Details of the society’s syllabus are available on www.selkirkshireantiquariansociety.co.uk.

Burns supper

The Incorporation of Hammermen holds its Burns supper on January 24 in the Lesser Victoria Hall. The Immortal Memory will be proposed by Alan Bryden, with Alistair Craig toasting The Lasses. John Tullie will recite Tam o’ Shanter. Tickets are available from committee members.

st boswells

WRI

At the December meeting members enjoyed a Christmas night of games and supper. Competition – Jean Blackwood and Marlyn McCall finished equal first for their Christmas hats. The next gathering is in the British Legion on January 14 (7.30pm), featuring a speaker from the Vine Trust.

STOW

On song

A series of six song-writing workshops hosted by Sound Out for 10 to 18-year-olds starts on January 12 in Stow Town Hall, from 2-3pm. For more information or to book, call 01578730749 or email info@soundout.org.uk.

Traquair

Service

The service on January 12 in Traquair Kirk will start at 10am.

yetholm

Celebration

Yetholm residents have been congratulating Tom Tokely on his BEM in the New Year Honours. There was another surprise for Tom as his family organised a surprise party for him, also attended by villagers.

New elder

The local church has a new elder – kirk treasurer Brian Kelly, of The Haven, Morebattle Road. He was ordained at a service in Linton Kirk. The congregation came from all the villages in the parish. Hospitality followed the service.

Romany Ramblers

The local walking group began the New Year with a medium outing, starting and finishing in the village. Still in a festive mood, the walkers concluded the day with a soup and sandwich lunch at the Plough Hotel.

New Year

This was brought in via the traditional manner with various parties. The Border Hotel provided musical entertainment on Hogmanay and New Year’s Day, as well as running a quiz. The College Valley Hunt met on The Green during the morning.

SENTENCE has been deferred on a Hawick man found guilty after trial of causing a disturbance at a supermarket in the town.

David Weatherhead, 36, of Queens Drive, broke a glass panel at Morrisons in December 2012 by pushing the wrong way through the automatic doors and assaulted a man by spitting on him, as well as making racist remarks to police officers.

The case recalls on January 24 when a Criminal Justice Social Work Report will be available.

BOMB THREAT ALLEGATION

A SELKIRK man has been accused of threatening to petrol bomb a neighbour’s house on New Year’s Day.

Grant Pindel denied making threats of violence as well as assaulting a male neighbour by punching him on the head.

The 34-year-old, of Bannerfield Drive, was remanded in custody until his trial date.

His co-accused – Kyle Gillie, 26, of Shawburn Road, Selkirk – pleaded not guilty to striking the man to the arm with a baton and possessing an offensive weapon. He was bailed.

Trial was fixed for February 4, with an intermediate hearing on January 20.

PLEADED NOT GUILTY

Cameron Torrie, 31, of Howgate, Hawick, has been accused of acting in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing, and repeatedly stabbing a door with a knife or similar implement and threatening to harm himself.

The offence is alleged to have happened at a house in Hamilton Road, Hawick, on December 2.

He pleaded not guilty and trial was fixed for March 13, with an intermediate hearing on February 14.

SOLDIER FACES TRIAL

A SOLDIER will stand trial accused of indecently exposing himself to four women in Hawick.

Hamish Sutherland, 21, denies exposing his genitals in a sexual manner to the women with the intention that they would see them in the town’s O’Connell Street on October 6.

Sutherland – based at Cottesmore in the English Midlands – will stand trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on May 1.

GALASHIELS MAN ACCUSED

A GALASHIELS man will stand trial in April on two charges.

John Kevan, 47, of Balmoral Place, is accused of entering the roadway at Bongate, Jedburgh, on October 22, causing traffic to take evasive action, and committing a breach of the peace. He also denies struggling violently with two police officers.

Trial was set for April 10, with an intermediate hearing on March 14.

CANNABIS TRIAL DATE

TWO women have denied drug dealing at a house in Horsemarket, Kelso.

Elisha McEwan, 19, of Horsemarket, Kelso, and 23-year-old Katie Fleming, of Oxenrig Farm Cottages, Coldstream, pleaded not guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Trial was fixed for March 13, with an intermediate hearing on February 14.

CARELESS DRIVING

A HAWICK pensioner who lost control of her vehicle and caused a head-on crash has admitted careless driving.

Christina McMaster, 78, of Linden Park, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened on the A698 Hawick-Denholm road on September 20.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said: “She was returning to her home address and on a sharp bend lost control of the vehicle and went onto the opposite carriageway.

“There was extensive damage to the vehicle. Everyone seems to have suffered a degree of whiplash.”

Her lawyer, Rory Bannerman, said: “It is a particularly poor corner.”

Sheriff Janyss Scott imposed a £300 fine as well as ordering that seven penalty points are put on McMaster’s licence.

ASSAULT CHARGE

A TV engineer has been accused of assaulting his partner at a house in Peebles on New Year’s Day.

Alexander Boydenovic, 39, appeared from custody and pleaded not guilty to seizing Rebecca Lindsay by the throat and arm, and slapping her to the face at the property in Ballantyne Place. He also denies breaking a mobile phone.

He was released to an address in Edina Place, Edinburgh, and trial was set for June 25, with an intermediate hearing at Selkirk Sheriff Court on May 18.

BACKGROUND REPORTS

A PEEBLES man who admitted striking a 13-year-old girl on the back with a backscratcher, leaving red marks, had sentence deferred for background reports.

Christopher Mulhally, 45, of George Terrace, pleaded guilty to the assault which happened on August 31. He also admitted shouting and swearing and abusive behaviour in Dalatho Crescent, Peebles, on September 2, and possession of £5 worth of cannabis in the town’s police station.

The case will recall on February 3.

TOLD TO BEHAVE HERSELF

ELIZABETH McLEAN, 33, of Cairnmount, Jedburgh, has had sentence deferred for six months for good behaviour.

She pleaded guilty to stealing make-up from Lloyds the chemist in Channel Street, Galashiels, on October 15 and later that day toiletries, household items, confectionery and perfume from nearby Home Bargains.

The items stolen totalled £41 and there was a full recovery.

The case will recall on June 23.

INTERMEDIATE HEARING

IAN COUPER, 42, of East Gordon Farm Cottage, Gordon, will stand trial on April 1 on a charge of assaulting a woman in Bridge Street, Galashiels, on December 5.

An intermediate hearing will take place on March 3.

APPEARED IN PRIVATE

A HAWICK man appeared in private on a charge of theft.

William Lauder, 47, made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further exmaination.

He was granted bail by Sheriff Peter Paterson.

DENIES BENEFITS FRAUD

A GALASHIELS woman is to stand trial on an alleged benefits fraud involving more than £25,000.

Mhairi Dobson, 41, of Broom Drive, is accused of receiving income support of £2,460.45 between November 2010 and May 24, 2011, to which she was not entitled as her husband was in employment.

She also denies receiving £20,985.30 in housing benefit and £3,065 in council tax benefit over a four-year period to which she was not entitled by failing to inform benefit officials she was married.

Trial was fixed for January 21.

STEERING CLEAR OF BAN

A TEENAGER who drove at twice the speed limit has avoided a driving ban.

Sam Anderson pleaded guilty to travelling at 62mph on October 26 in Melrose Road, Galashiels, where the speed limit is 30mph.

The 19-year-old from Stow was fined £150 and had his licence endorsed with five penalty points.

COMMUNITY PAYBACK

A teenager who admitted three offences over the space of 18 days has been given an 18-month community payback order with supervision.

Mark McCarry, 18, of Croft Street, Galashiels, pleaded guilty to stealing £150 of computer games and DVDs from Asda on September 7, challenging others to fight and uttering threats of violence in Channel Street on September 15 and stealing groceries from B&M Bargains in Stirling Street on September 25, all in Galashiels.

DANGEROUS DRIVING

A 16-year-old youth has admitted a dangerous driving charge which involved a collision with a police vehicle.

Philip McMillan, of Hareshaw Bank, Tweedbank, also pleaded guilty to having no licence and taking a vehicle away without the consent of the owner in Linglie Road, Selkirk, on August 9.

Sentence was deferred until February 3 to obtain a report from the Children’s Panel and an interim driving disqualification imposed.

FINED FOR PUNCH

A GALASHIELS man was fined £300 and ordered to pay his vicitm £100.

Anthony Edwards, 22, of Church Square, punched Ryan Thomson on the head and attempted to kick him in Channel Street, Galashiels, on October 4.

Rory Bannerman, defending, said: “He mistook something that was said by the complainer.”

THE council has responded to claims from John Lamont that it paid almost £33,000 in compensation to motorists in 2012/13 by stating it was in fact less than £7,000.

While the MSP said a Freedom of Information response revealed that £32,949 was paid to motorists, SBC said the request was for all compensation payments in the last financial year.

A council spokesman confirmed that compensation payments due to potholes and other road defects totalled £6,968.

He added: “The council takes this matter very seriously and will continue to invest in our roads network and other areas where litigation is a risk, to mitigate against claims.

“Like Mr Lamont, Scottish Borders Council would far rather that these sums of money are spent on local services but we also have to comply with legal obligations in the same way any large organisation or government is required to do.”

Mr Lamont said: “With council budgets already being stretched this is money we simply cannot afford to be giving out. Something needs to be done urgently to stop these claims from coming in. The only way we can do this is by making sure that our road network is properly supported.”

Mr Lamont added that improvements would make roads safer and also save money in the long term.