A driver lost control of his car and crashed into a fuel tanker on the A698 near Knowesouth.

Glen Miller 26, of Wilson Drive, Hawick, admitted driving dangerously on the Hawick-Kelso road on November 8, 2012, when both front tyres were so worn they failed to grip the road surface.

The tanker left the road and its tanks ruptured, while Miller’s vehicle was written off.

Explained defence solicitor Rory Bannerman at Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Friday: “He had taken the car to a local garage to have it checked and was told that the tyres needed replacing, but it was never suggested that he took it off the road.

“He had been driving it every day from Hawick to Berwickshire for his work. He had booked the car in to get the tyres changed and it was during the intervening period that the accident happened.

“The condition of the tyres played a significant part in this, and he lost control of the car on a corner.”

Miller was sentenced to a 12-month community payback order with 180 hours of unpaid work. He was also banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to resit an extended test.

CANNABIS CHARGE

A 20-year-old man appeared in private accused of cultivating cannabis in Hawick.

Michal Rakowski, of Wilson Drive, Hawick, is charged with producing the class-B drug at a house in the town, and culpably and recklessly damaging electrical fittings.

He made no plea or declaration and was bailed.

DRINK-DRIVER MISSED TURNING

A drink-driver who was almost four times the alcohol limit plans to quit motoring.

George Turnbull told the court he wouldn’t be re-applying for his driving licence and intended to sell his vehicle.

The first offender, of Oliver Park, Hawick, had drunk six Jack Daniels’ when he missed the turning to his home and ended up at Denholm.

Turnbull, 65, admitted driving a car on the A698 between Denholm and Hawick, and in Weensland Road and Oliver Park, Hawick, on January 22 with a breath/alcohol reading of 136 mcgs – the legal limit being 35.

He was fined £600 and banned from driving for two years.

A PRICEY PUNCH

A teenager who got involved in someone else’s argument was fined £300 after punching a man.

Liam Sharkey, 17, of McLagan Drive, Hawick, pleaded guilty to assaulting another 17-year-old at Wilton Path, Hawick, on June 16.

Prosecutor Graham Fraser told how the offence happened in the early hours of the morning following a group confrontation.

“The accused appeared on the scene and decided to punch the complainer on the face. It was completely pointless,” he added.

Sharkey’s lawyer, Rory Bannerman, described the offence as “a stupid act, fuelled by drink”, adding: “He became embroiled in someone else’s argument.”

BRANDISHED SNOOKER CUE

A drunken man brandished a snooker cue and case at police officers, threatening to hit them with it.

Police had been called to a house in Hawick’s Havelock Street when Graeme Cook began searching for a key to lock the door.

Graham Fraser, prosecuting, said: “He looked over the back of a sofa and police saw he had a case with a snooker cue, which he raised above his head.” Cook told police: “I’m going to hit you b*****ds with it.” Officers put him to the ground and subdued him.

“The police were in no doubt that he would have carried out his threat,” added Mr Fraser.

Defence solicitor Kenneth Woodburn said his client had been playing pool and his keys were at the bottom of the case.

Cook, 39, of Allars Bank, Hawick, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on November 21, 2012, and was fined £200.

SENTENCE DEFERRED

A Hawick teenager who made repeated calls to the emergency services has had sentence deferred until April 4 for reports.

Andrew Birney, 19, of Sunnyhill Road, pleaded guilty to persistently making calls to the emergency services at his home on October 19.

BIT PARTNER DURING STRUGGLE

A drunken Hawick man bit his partner during a struggle.

Allan Hutchinson, 50, of Fairhurst Drive, admitted assaulting her to her injury at a house in Dickson Street, Hawick, on December 30.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the couple were in a relationship at the time and described both as “alcohol dependent”.

Mr Fraser said the woman felt the relationship was “moving too fast” and there was an argument between them.

“He poured himself a halfpint of vodka and drank it in one go before resorting to violence towards her. There was a struggle and he bit her, leaving her with injuries,” he added.

The victim suffered tenderness to her body, a scratch to her forehead and cheek and a tender jaw.

Defence solicitor Rory Bannerman said both parties had “alcohol issues”, adding: “They have been dating for a few months and want to stay in the relationship.”

Sentence was deferred until March 21 for reports.

FORMER JOCKEY DENIES ASSAULT

Former National Hunt jockey Paul Robson will stand trial on March 20 after he denied assaulting a woman in the town.

Robson, 30, who lives at Burnflat Brae in Hawick, pleaded not guilty to seizing a woman by the wrists, forcibly removing a ring from her finger, throwing her onto the floor, seizing her by the body and throwing her across a room on March 9/10 last year at a house at Weensland Road in the town.

FAILED TO SHOW UP AT COURT

Failing to appear at court cost Stephen Wallace a £50 fine.

Wallace, 35, of Galabank Street, Galashiels, admitted failing to appear at Selkirk Sheriff Court on February 10.

GIRL, 14, WAS HOSPITALISED

A teenager bought vodka for a 14-year-old girl who drank it, lost consciousness and ended up in hospital.

Eighteen-year-old David Rae, 18, of High Street, Galashiels, admitted culpably and recklessly buying alcohol for the girl, to the danger of her health and life, at Overhaugh Street, Galashiels, on December 6. He also pleaded guilty to buying alcohol for a 15-year-old at Tesco in Galashiels on the same date.

Sentence was deferred until March 31 for reports and Rae bailed.

FINED FOR MEAT THEFT

A woman who stole meat from a shop in Lauder was fined £80 and ordered to pay £70 compensation.

Emma Lowe, 41, of Gala Park, Galashiels, admitted stealing meat from the Co-operative store on February 4 last year. She was admonished on a further charge after pleading guilty to shouting, swearing and brandishing a knife at her home on January 19 last year.

STOLE CASH FROM NEIGHBOUR, 87

A Melrose man who stole money from an elderly neighbour had sentence deferred until March 31 for reports and to appear personally.

John Harpur, 54, of St Dunstans Park, admitted stealing £460 by using a bank card at a Royal Bank of Scotland ATM in Melrose between February 23 and March 2 last year.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the self-employed plasterer had used the card while his 87-year-old neighbour was in hospital following a fall.

“He had a drug problem and succumbed to temptation,” added Mr Fraser, who confirmed the money had been repaid.

RUDE AWAKENING FOR PARTNER

WHEN Jamie Wilkinson woke to discover his partner was leaving him, he followed her out of the house, “ranting and raving”, and punched a car window before she was driven off.

Wilkinson, 35, of Thistle Street, Galashiels, admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on January 25.

At a previous hearing, prosecutor Tessa Bradley said there had been difficulties in the relationship and the woman had gone to stay with a relative. She returned to collect belongings and found Wilkinson asleep on a couch. The woman tried not to disturb him as she packed her things, and was about to take the final box to the car when he woke.

Ms Bradley explained: “She told him the relationship was over and she had left a letter for him, but he followed her out, ranting and raving. She hurriedly got into the car and he punched the window.”

Ross Dow, defending, said: “He wakes up to find her packing her stuff and leaving home, and his pleas for her not to leave him fell on deaf ears.”

Sentence was deferred until March 31 for a report to be prepared.

I wish to reply to David Spence’s letter which you published on February 13.

The reason I mentioned the English settlers in Malta who tried to block Maltese independence was to highlight those who have a vested interest in the status quo. So it is okay for Mr Spence to dismiss their actions because they were far enough away from Britain not to be reported in the British press?

He claims the 1707 Act of Union saw feudal, backward Scotland rescued by the enlightened English.

Yes, the Scottish economy was in trouble due to the disaster of trying to set up a trading colony in the Americas. But would it have failed had the English government not told their colonies not to come to the Scots’ aid, thus helping along the union of parliaments?

We were bailed out on condition of accepting a share of English debts, and some Scots who signed away our freedom were amply rewarded. Our national poet, Robert Burns, summed them up perfectly as “a parcel of rogues in a nation”. These people had to go into hiding in fear of their lives when the people of Edinburgh rioted in protest at their actions.

I’m glad Mr Spence quoted Scottish history as schools in the Borders during the 1940s and 1950s only taught British history. I had a good grounding of 1066, Drake, the Wars of the Roses etc., with only one chapter on the Scottish rebellion.

This was a time when the Labour Government tried to airbrush out the name of Scotland by referring to it as North Britain. The state-owned North British Railway was an example of this.

As for rescuing us from feudalism, is this the same country that still has the unelected House of Lords?

This is not anti-English, as Mr Spence implies, for there are many Scots unionist career politicians who have dreams of being elevated to that gold-plated retirement home. They have a lot to lose if we vote Yes.

If we are all so British, why does the Royal Navy fly the English flag with a small Union Jack in the corner? Why did Lord Nelson signal the British fleet, when going into action, “England expects every man to do his duty”? Why, when referring to the Queen, she is referred to as the Queen of England? Why, when the British Empire has been defunct since 1947, are we still handing out medals and honours in the name of that empire – i.e. MBE, BEM etc.?

I’m surprised that Yorkshireman Mr Spence can’t see that that county is as remote from London-based government as we are – the difference being that we are trying to change that.

I want Scotland to make a new start. Britain is a small island off the coast of Europe. The empire is gone. Let’s just live with that and try and be a peaceful nation and a power for good, and stop invading other countries on an almost annual basis.

Jim Calder

Aitken Bank

Innerleithen

Conservative MSP John Lamont has obviously not lost sight of his long-held dream to flee the Borders for London, with much fanfare in recent days confirming his intention to stand for Westminster.

His constituents will be left feeling short-changed that for the second time during his MSP tenure, Mr Lamont is happy to abandon the very communities he should be serving right across Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire at Holyrood.

If Mr Lamont is elected as an MP, constituents will be forgiven for pondering how Two-jobs John will be able to represent them in Westminster and Edinburgh.

After all, it’s a physical impossibility to be able to vote at the same time in two places so far apart.

John Lamont is using his well-paid, publicly- funded position as an MSP to promote his own personal agenda of becoming a London MP.

It is shocking that he spent his first three years as an MSP without taking any responsibilities on Holyrood committees in order to concentrate on Westminster electioneering – and now we will have him campaigning around the doors in Galashiels (which, of course, is outwith his MSP constituency boundary) when he should be representing Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire in Edinburgh.

It will be interesting to see what commitment he will now give to Holyrood in the run-up to the Westminster election next year.

Perhaps Two-jobs John should concentrate on the one job he was elected for and is paid to do.

John Paton Day

Darlingfield Farm Cottages

Gordon

People should be very afraid if Scotland votes Yes in September because the SNP’s economic policy is disastrous.

Mind you, the people who run the SNP have never been very good at economics.

In 1999 their manifesto included a rise in income tax. In 2007 they wanted to join the Euro because sterling was a “millstone round Scotland’s neck”. In May 2007 Alex Salmond wrote to RBS boss Fred Goodwin, later described as “the world’s worst banker”, in support of Goodwin’s disastrous takeover of ANB Ambro by RBS. “Dear Fred” he began and ended “Yours for Scotland, Alex.”

Salmond’s economic policy now, if there is a Yes vote, is to keep the pound, even though he has been told this is a non-starter.

What would happen to Scots’ personal finances in the event of such a scenario?

The UK Government and HM Opposition will not go back on their word. Scotland would have to find a new currency from scratch. That cannot be done. Currency preparation takes years. How would the international money markets react, especially if Scotland reneged on its debt?

There would be chaos and a flight of sterling from Scotland. The Scottish regime would immediately impose exchange controls. Anyone with a Scottish bank account would find their savings diminished or even inaccessible. Mortgage rates would soar because interest rates would too. House prices would collapse.

This isn’t a scare story. It is a plausible scenario which has been played out many times in various countries at times of crisis over the decades. But while Greece was bailed out by the European Central Bank, and RBS and HBOS were bailed out by the Bank of England just before they ran out of cash, there will be no one to back up a Scottish currency.

If the Yes vote continues to improve in the polls, it would be wise to ensure before the referendum that your bank account is headquartered in England where UK Government protection is £85,000 per account and not in Edinburgh where protection would be zero.

The reassurance of financial stability in Scotland can only come if a majority of Scots vote No in September. Scotland is a far better country right now than the SNP makes it out to be.

Bill Loneskie

Oxton

I have been conducting research on the first wars of Scottish independence and trying to obtain beer labels which have pictures of some of the participants in the conflicts.

One such label is called the Black Douglas, which was the nickname for Sir James Douglas who commanded the left wing of the Scottish army at Bannockburn in 1314.

I believe a brewery in Biggar printed the label and was wondering if it is possible for one of your readers to send me two copies of it.

R. A. Stewart

Coal Creek

Greymouth

New Zealand

(robertstewart400@hotmail.com)

A suspected drink-driver who failed to provide two breath specimens was this week warned that a similar offence could cost him his liberty.

Financial director William McConchie, of Stagehall Farm Cottages, Stow, was sentenced to an 18-month community payback order with 180 hours of unpaid work. The 42-year-old was also banned from driving for five years and ordered to resit an extended test. A Crown motion for forfeiture of the vehicle involved was granted by Sheriff Douglas Allan.

McConchie admitted failing to give police the name of the car driver, and failing to provide two breath specimens at Galashiels police station on December 27.

Prosecutor Graham Fraser told Selkirk Sheriff Court: “After some concern over the way the car had been driven, police went to his home address.

“They found him slumped over the kitchen table, with the car keys lying next to him. He refused to say who the driver had been, and it was noted his eyes were glazed and he was smelling strongly of alcohol.

“He was taken to the police station at Galashiels, but refused to provide a sample of breath. He told police, ‘I like a blood sample’.”

Mat Patrick, defending, described his client as “an intelligent man who realises the serious position he is in”.

The lawyer added: “He had been out socialising and had drunk whisky, and accepts that he was heavily under the influence of alcohol.

“It was a bizarre decision, as he took his car, realised that he shouldn’t be driving and returned home. He was roused by police at the kitchen table where he was asleep. He was un-co-operative and regrets that.”

Mr Patrick conceded: “This is his third conviction in seven years which elevates a serious matter to something more grave.”

Sentencing McConchie, the sheriff told him: “If this order is breached, you are likely to find yourself in custody.

“The astonishing thing about this case is that it is your third offence of this nature. My initial reaction was that a prison sentence was almost inevitable in the public interest, but by the slimmest of margins you have avoided a significant custodial sentence.”

bERWICK rANGERS a4

hAWICK ra2

Wind-assisted Hawick sailed ahead midway through the first half when Kevin Strathdee produced the scoring touch.

But within minutes Dean Carse put Berwick on level terms, taking advantage of a defensive misunderstanding, before Strathdee put Hawick ahead again.

With the elements in their favour in the second period, Berwick began to step up their game. Ryan Brady stuck away an equaliser, while Carse and Brady won it with a score each.

HaWICK wAVERLEY3

mAYFIELD eASTHOUSES1

Two first-half goals from midfield ace Peter Gellaitry helped guide Waverley into the semi-finals of the South of Scotland Cup.

Despite facing a strong, swirling wind, the Teries set the early pace and in the opening exchanges came close to breaking the deadlock.

Finding space down the left, Scott Craig whipped over a cross which found Neal McConnell, who rattled in a shot that Mayfield keeper Barry Lindley did well to block.

In the ninth minute, however, Waverley did find the net.

Craig once again did the spadework with a run down the flank and, with the Mayfield defence at sixes and sevens, cut the ball to Gellaitry, who finished well.

With a minute of the first period left, Waverley went further ahead. Latching onto the ball in midfield, Gellaitry unleashed a rasping drive that sailed high into the net.

Mayfield began the second half in sprightly fashion and in a matter of minutes Darren Mitchell, Mark Moncur and Martin Hughes all squandered chances.

In the 56th minute, however, the visitors fell into further arrears when Darren Munro got himself on the Waverley scoresheet, driving home a Taylor Hope pass.

Although three goals behind, Mayfield continued to battle and seven minutes from time got a reward for their efforts. Hughes emerged the Mayfield marksman in slotting away a Moncur cross.

In the closing stages Mayfield were reduced to 10 men due to the red-carding of Liam Hall.

Leithen Rovers5

Musselburgh Winds3

He is nicknamed Speedie, and Alan McMath is showing no signs of slowing down as he bagged another hat-trick to guide Leithen Rovers to the South Cup semi-finals.

McMath scored two goals in the final 10 minutes on Saturday to ensure extra time was not required after Lothian East League side Musselburgh Windsor pushed Rovers all the way.

McMath’s strikes mean Rovers are still on target for a third South Cup title in four seasons, and boss Paul Graham paid tribute to his hitman at full-time.

He said: “Alan’s workrate is unbelievable and he causes so many problems for opponents. His three goals were just reward for his efforts.

“At times I thought we did not want to get through the way we played and I think the Musselburgh goals gave our players the kick up the backside they needed.”

McMath may claim he bagged four in this cup tie, which was moved to Netherdale 3G Arena due to their soggy home pitch.

However, while he fired the 12th-minute shot at goal which found the net, it was mainly thanks to a massive deflection off Musselburgh midfielder David Wood.

Windsor always looked a threat going forward and it was no surprise to see them strike back on 23 minutes when a cracking run by Darren Gourlay ended with his cross being volleyed in by Paul Marshall.

Windsor’s woeful defending was evident on the half-hour as Peter Shearlaw’s corner somehow made it through the penalty box for McMath to head in from six yards. Rovers appeared to be comfortable at this stage, but three goals in eight frantic minutes sparked the cup tie into life.

Windsor’s Scott Gourlay was first up with a superb strike on the left touchline which flew over keeper Chris Watson in the 63rd minute.

Rovers struck back five minutes later when Colin Smith worked his way to the touchline and his low cross somehow made it all the way to Shearlaw to tap home from all of three yards.

But back came Musselburgh with another fine goal, as Scott Gourlay’s cracking pass was finished by a fine chip by Marshall.

It seemed extra time was on the cards, but up stepped McMath to seal the victory. He linked up with Hagen Steele to make it 4-3 10 minutes from time, and 60 seconds later McMath struck again.

Hawick Legion1

Linton Hotspur1

A DRAW was probably the most fitting result to this dourly-fought amateur league Division B game at Wilton Lodge Park which conjured up few scoring chances.

On a pitch which had a gluepot surface, neither side made much impact whatsoever.

The first half failed to bring about a goal, but midway through the second period Legion broke the deadlock when David Fraser netted following a corner kick.

With four minutes left, Hotspur snatched an equaliser through Mellor.

Stow2

Newtown2

STOW’S hopes of winning Division A are all but over after this hard-fought but poor-standard draw, writes Kenny Paterson.

Stow led twice, but failed to see off a spirited Newtown side, leaving Paul Young’s team with a mathematical but highly unlikely chance of claiming the title.

Played at the Netherdale 3G Arena, Stow dominated the first half and opened the scoring with Billy Miller’s fine 20th minute free kick.Newtown made the perfect reply eight minutes after half-time when Stephen Swanston’s cross was thumped in off the crossbar by Scott Leitch.

Stow brought on ex-Selkirk winger Ryan Clapperton and within minutes he set up James Runciman to bundle the ball over the line in the 68th minute.

But, two minutes later, Newtown equalised, again thanks to a fine Neil Macvicar header from a Scott Leitch free kick to tie the scores and ultimately the game.

Salmon catches on the Tweed rose by 40 per cent compared to 2012, the River Tweed Commission’s report on 2013 has revealed.

Despite the overall increase, the number of salmon caught by rod last year only went up by 12 per cent.

In his forward to the annual report, chairman Douglas Dobie said: “A long cold spring yielded a spring catch close to the long-term average, clearly showing that the early runs are still fragile and vulnerable at any stage of the cycle, both in river and at sea.

“A dry summer, at last, produced low rod catches but conversely the in-river nets did well and there is anecdotal evidence of high catches from the remaining North Sea drift nets.

“When proper rain did eventually arrive, the Tweed enjoyed a strong late run with exceptional catches in the upper river.”

He added: “A number of large fish were landed, including a cock fish estimated to be over 45lbs. It does add an edge if anglers feel there is a decent chance of hooking a fish of a lifetime.”

A total of 20,316 salmon were reported caught last year, up from 14,566 in 2012, with over 5,500 caught be nets on river’s lower reaches.

The commission’s annual report states that 75 per cent of the rod catch of 14,795 was returned to the river.

It added: “The rod catch was higher than that of 2012 and although slightly below the five year average, there are still only four years on record with a higher catch.”

The figures for sea trout catches were also higher than 2013, with 4,608 landed, up from 3,314.

The commission’s AGM, open to the public for the first time, will be held on Monday at 9.30am in the Cross Keys, Kelso.

Borderers are this week paying tribute to former Hawick Provost, Councillor Zandra Elliot, following her death on Saturday afternoon.

Flags have flown at half-mast at council headquarters in Newtown St Boswells and Hawick Town Hall since Monday as a mark of respect to the town’s ‘First Lady’.

Council convener Graham Garvie said: “Zandra’s sudden death is a great blow to many who had the privilege of knowing her. She was a kindly lady, much respected and liked by all, both in Hawick and on the council.

“She was a passionate promotor of her town and she was one of that rare breed of politician, in that she only spoke when she had something useful to say. She was elegant and stylish and she will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with her family at this very sad time.”

Mrs Elliot, 73, served three terms as Hawick Provost and was a Conservative councillor for the Hawick and Denholm ward for the last seven years.

She collapsed over a week ago whilst chairing a meeting of Hawick Common Good Fund. She was taken to Borders General Hospital and then to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she underwent major heart surgery to repair a leaking aorta.

She was in the hospital’s High Dependency Unit, but following a relapse she died on Saturday afternoon.

Independent councillor and current Provost Stuart Marshall said: “Zandra was an outstanding ambassador in her role as Honorary Provost. She was also a great servant to Hawick Common Riding Committee and thoroughly enjoyed her role. Her opinion was always valued.”

Friend and fellow Tory councillor George Turnbull said: “I knew Zandra for more than 50 years.

“She was as sharp as a tack, witty, compassionate, trustworthy and committed to what she believed in. She did her best for her constituents and she was an excellent ambassador for Hawick.”

Mrs Elliot, a former model and worker for Pringle, had also been a director for Hawick building firm J&R Elliot and had served on several council committees.

A funeral service takes place at Teviot Parish Church tomorrow (Friday) morning.

The Borders Karate Club recently held a karate dan grading ( black belt grading ) in which six students were successful.

Successful candidates and grades awarded were Alan Murray (3rd dan); Kenia Fowlis Brownlee (2nd dan); Christopher Minto (1st dan); Josh Moloney (1st dan); Michael Yule (1st dan); Lewis Watt (junior 1st dan).

The panel of examiners were Douglas Fowler (7th dan); Martin Brownlee (6th dan) and Malcolm Elliot (4th dan).

A judo player from the Borders has received his green belt despite being completely blind when his grading took place, writes Fiona Scott.

Now, with only very slight vision restored, Billy Walker from Earlston is hoping to make it through further gradings with a little help from his friends.

Focus Judo Club member Billy has suffered from degenerative myopia, a progressive eye disease that has led to his severe visual impairment, since birth.

Late last year things got a lot worse for the 41-year-old however when a freak accident at a Judo camp dislodged his corrective lens and left him completely blind.

Nevertheless Billy continued to play and managed to complete his green belt grading. Taking up the story he told TheSouthern: “The accident was just that, a total freak incident. It happened in the last four minutes of a judo camp I was taking part in. I was flipping somebody over and their elbow caught me in the eye and dislodged the lens. I knew straight away what had happened.”

Anxiety about going for an operation to replace the lens however was by far outweighed by the fear of not being able to play again.

“It was the first thing I asked the doctor when I came round,” continued Billy.

“When I was told that I should be able to start up again in six to eight weeks I was elated.”

A former pupil of the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh Billy dabbled in judo when he was younger, as well as trying out cycling (much against parental advice), football and latterly tandem riding. As his eye condition worsened however Billy’s sporting options were narrowed down and he decided to give judo another go, further inspired by partially sighted Olympic Silver medallist Sam Ingram. After getting in touch with Border Sport and Leisure’s Disability Sports Officer Alan Oliver who pointed him in the direction of the Galashiels-based Focus Judo Club. The rest, as they say, is history.

“When I first joined the club I didn’t even think I would make the red belt never mind anything else,” added Billy.

“I certainly didn’t set out looking for a black belt and if I couldn’t come back I would be more than happy with what I have achieved.

“Thankfully I am able to continue though so I will take each grading as it comes and just see how far I can get.”

One thing is for sure, Billy is adamant that he would not have got as far as he has without the help of all at Focus Judo.

“The coaches and students have been brilliant,” he said.

“Everyone just pulls together there. When the coaches are demonstrating moves someone is always on hand to tell me what is going on and I can usually pick it up from that.

“Some people do want to wrap me up in cotton wool a bit because of my disability but they shouldn’t. I’m not made of glass.”

Unbeknownst to unassuming Billy however the people at the club hold him in just as high regard. Focus coach Lee Allan told us: “I’ve been right up through the grading syllabus myself and I can’t imagine what it would be like to do it without any visual aid.

“Billy is a very humble and reserved individual, he is a massive inspiration to everyone at the club and we’re all delighted that he has made a return to the mat.”

Billy would like to thank Focus coaches Tom Hardy, Lee Allan, James Hunt and Stuart Gordon, his fellow students as well as his girlfriend and chauffeur Sandra McLeod, for their help throughout.

Name: Claire Hill

Age: 17

Home Town: Kelso

Sport: Hockey

Position/Discipline: Forward/Midfield

Club/Team(s): Watsonians, U18 Scotland and U21 training squad

Coach(es): Rhona McLennan, Janet Jack, Neil Menzies

Your own best moment in sport so far: Scoring a penalty stroke in the semi-final at the Europeans against Ukraine to make it 3-2, gaining promotion and a place in the final.

Aims for the next 12 months: Maintain the required fitness levels and make the selection in the National team.

Who in your sport has inspired you most and why: Kate Walsh- Captain of the GB team. After breaking her jaw in the 2012 London Olympics she continued to play with a head brace, leading her team to a bronze medal.

Favourite TV sporting moment of all time: Watching Andy Murray win his first Wimbledon against Djokovic. It made me even more proud to be Scottish.

Best thing about your sport: Being in a team, knowing you have another 10 players supporting you on the pitch. You get a good laugh off of the pitch as well.

Favourite piece of kit/equipment: My stick- I wouldn’t have anything other than Mercian.

If you had the chance to change one thing in your sport, what would it be: Have a water-based pitch in Kelso to reduce the amount of travelling I have to do.

Venue at which you most aspire to compete: See previous answer!

If not in this sport, would like to compete in: Tennis. I used to play competitively but gradually stopped due to hockey.

Current most played song or track on your iPod or MP3: I don’t have a particular song as I tend to listen to anything. You’ll always find me singing away to something.

……but can’t stand: Justin Beiber- but who can?

Competition superstition or “must do” personal routine: None really.

When not competing or training I like to: See my friends or catch up on Hollyoaks.

n The Borders Athlete Support Programme (ASP) is funded through Borders Sports and Leisure Trust and provides support services to promising athletes from the Borders who are recommended by their National Governing Body. For more information see www.sportborders.org.uk/asp

This week, rail bosses unveiled the timetable and ticket fares for the Borders railway.

The fare structure, coupled with the fact that there will be half-hourly trains during peak times and an hourly service on Sunday, is good news.

And while the price of a one-way ticket at £9.10 from Galashiels may seem a little steep when compared to the current £6.80 for a bus fare into Edinburgh, it does appear to be in line with fares elsewhere on the network.

There have been many doubters on this long journey to reinstate the railway, but it’s coming, so let’s work together to make the most of it – for our region and for all who live here.

Instead of moaning about the number of people who may or may not use it, or the fact passengers will use it to commute, let’s also look at the investment it may attract in terms of housebuilding and new business, and also for retailers here already who would benefit from families living and shopping in the central Borders.

And motorists will surely agree that taking the train could be cheaper and more relaxing than driving into the city, if not for all journeys, for some, what with the cost of petrol, wear and tear on your car, and the hassle of navigating the capital’s roads, only to pay a fortune for parking.

Reality is many things to many people, but let’s make the reality of the railway a positive one for the Borders.

wooler

Last Tuesday John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 135 head of store cattle, all cattle sold at extreme rates well above vendor’s expectations and other markets and with a ringside of buyers more cattle could easily have been sold.

A.A.x steers sold to £1340 from GW Green and Sons, Wandon while 10m Char.x heifers sold to £1120 from Fawdon Farms, Fawdon. Steers average 235.7p per kilo, heifers average 214.3p per kilo.

Leading prices per head - Steers:- A.A.x:- £1340 (16m) Wandon, £1060 Lowick Moorhouse and Wandon. Lim.x:- (10m) £1000, £980 Fawdon Farms, £980, £970 (2) Branton Eastside, £960 South Ord, £960 (2) Branton Eastside. Char.x:- 10m £1060, £1050, £1040 (2), £1020 Fawdon Farms.

Leading price per head – Heifers:- 10m Char.x:- £1120, £880, £860 (2) Fawdon Farms, £1110, £1000, £990 Goswick, £970 Brockley Hall.

Leading prices per kilo - Steers:- 10m Char.x:- 280.7p, 276.1p, 272.3p, 267.1p, 266.3p Fawdon Farms. A.A.x:- 247.7p Wandon, 235.6p Lowick Moorhouse. Lim.x:- 260.9p, 258.9p Fawdon Farms, 258.7p, 258p, 245.5p Branton Eastside.

Leading prices per kilo - Heifers:- Lim.x:- 247.2p, 236.6p, 232.8p Branton Eastside, 212.3p South Ord. Char.x:- 234.8p, 234.3p, 224.9p Fawdon Farms.

At their weekly primestock sale last Wednesday John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 716 hoggs and 247 ewes.

Hoggs generally a better show, more flesh about returning higher averages to vendors gain. Higher numbers could be easily handled.

Leading prices per head:- Chv:- £92.50, £88.50 Humbleheugh, £84 Shotton, £83, £81 Humbleheugh. Tex:- £92 North Sharperton, £84.50 Meikle Harelaw, £84 Kettleburn, £82 Yetlington Lane, Kettleburn, Mindrum Farming Co (2), Meikle Harelaw, £81.50p Newstead. Sfx:- £88 Brockley Hall, £87 Mindrum Farming Co, £85 Kettleburn, Meikle Harelaw. Bel:- £81, £79 Ladykirk. Mule:- £80 West Longridge. BF:- £70 West Longridge.

Leading prices per kilo:- Chv:- 205.3p Shotton, 202.7p, 200p South Ord. Tex:- 205p Yetlington Lane, 204p, 202.7p Cockhall, 200p Greystonnes. Mindrum Farming Co (2). Sfx:- 202.6p Cockhall, Greystonnes. Bel:- 200p Ladykirk. Mule:- 193.8p West Longridge.

Ewe numbers similar, with an increase in hill bred ewes entering the market. All classes achieving returns in line with the previous week.

Ewes:- BFL:- £90 Clennel. Tex:- £86 Southfield, £77 Barmoor Red House. Sfx:- £84 Southfield, £79 West Longridge, £78 Brandon. HB:- £80 Brandon. Chv:- £79, £65 Humbleheugh, £60 Biddlestone Home Farm. Mule:- £73, £71 Southfield, £68.50p Greystonnes, Barmoor Red House. BF:- £63 Clennel, £60 Alwinton.

Rams:- Tex:- £95 Kettleburn, £87 North Sharperton. Chv:- £77 Biddlestone Home Farm.

SWA:- £75 Low Bleakhope.

st boswells

At their weekly primestock sale on Monday John Swan Ltd sold 79 clean cattle, 43 OTM cattle, 1,732 old season lambs and 898 ewes

Bullocks (33) averaged 220p per kg and sold to 240p (+3p on week), heifers (43) averaged 214p per kg and sold to 257p (n/c on week), three young bulls averaged 123.7p per kg and sold to 130p (n/c on week) and 43 beef type OTM cattle averaged 127.6p per kg and sold to 197p (-3p on the week)

Old season SQQ lambs averaged 199.6 per kg (-4p on week) and sold to £107 and ewes averaged £63.78 and sold to £109. Heavy ewes £81.92, light ewes £56.34.

Principal prices per head: Saughland £1560; Bee Edge £1529.15, £1505.70; Crosshall £1509.30; Upper Nisbet £1469.40, £1439.60.

Principal prices per kg: Bee Edge 2.57 Robert Wilson Butcher Edinburgh, 2.48 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons, 2.39 M/s Cropper, 2.34 Malone of Edinburgh; Saughland 2.40 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons, 2.34 Denholm Meats; Wester Ulston 2.37 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons; Upper Nisbet 2.37 Malone of Edinburgh, 2.36 M/s Cropper; Lennoxlove 2.34 Malone of Edinburgh; Caverton Mill 2.34 M/s J Gilmour and Co Ltd; Crosshall 2.34 M/s Black and Sons.

Cows per head: Stoneypath £1388.85, £1174.50, £1071.60, £985.50; Upper Huntlywood £1343.30, £972.70; Kersknowe £1265.40, £1244.10, £1032.75; Grahamslaw £1195.40, £1065.35; Muircleugh £1110.05, £1057.35.35; Corsbie (Fullerton) £1110, £1029, £977.55.

Cows per kg: Stoneypath 1.97, 1.45, 1.41(2); Corsbie (Fullerton) 1.85, 1.47; Kersknowe 1.71, 1.53, 1.43; Muircleugh 1.59, 1.49; Shotton 1.59, 1.55, 1.49; Grahamslaw 1.43, 1.39.

The 1,720 old season lambs averaged 194.7 (SQQ 199.6).

Hoggs per head: Tex.x;- £107, £98 Crookston, £97.50 Gerrisford, Tex;- £101.50 Roxburgh Mains, Suff;- £100 Roxburgh Mains, Suff.x;- £99.50 Falside and Berryhill, £98.50 Bedrule, Bel.x;- £99 Berrymoss, £98 Crookston, £93 Hartside, Hamp;- £93 Saltoun Station, BF;- £92 Crookston, £91 Blackhouse, Chev;- £91 Traprain, £90, £87.50 Whitchesters, Mule;- £90.50 Bonjedward Mill, £85 Crookston.

Hoggs per kg: Bel.x;- 222.7, 220.5 Crookston, 221.6 Berrymoss, Tex.x;- 220.5 Traprain, 216.2 Stoneypath, 214.5 St Leonards, Chev;- 214.5 Traprain, 209.5 Bedrule, 206.9 Langhope, Suff.x;- 212.5 Blegbie, 212.2 Blackburn, 211.8 Stoneypath, EC;- 206.6 Girrick, Chev.x;- 205.4 Traprain, 204.3 Laggan of Clachaig, Mule;- 205.1 Stoneypath, bf;- 201.4 Hartside.

Ewes: Tex;- £109 Craig Douglas, £99, £91 Lochside, BFL;- £85 Edston, Suff;- £83 Roxburgh Mains, Chev;- £81 Seafield, £77 Attonburn, Suff.x;- £79 Primside, £77 Hermiston, CM;- £79 Whitehill, £76 Halidean Mill, GF;- £75, £73 Boon, £73 Trowknowes, £71 Hermiston, £70 St Leonards, Wen;- £75 Eckford House, HB;- £73 Haltree, Shet.x;- £69, £67 Seafield, BF;- £63 Threepwood, £61 Hartside and Tinnis, EC;- £63 Girrick.

Rams: Tex;- £91 Larriston and Borthwickshiels, £83 Saltoun House, Suff;- £89 Saughtree, Char;- £88 Borthwickshiels, BFL;- £71 Threepwood Cott (Sandilands), BF;- £65 Bowland, Chev;- £65 Bowland, Rye;- £61 Eckford.

longtown

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart PLC had forward 30 prime cattle, four young bulls, 24 over 30 month cattle, 4,609 prime hoggs and 5,083 cast ewes and rams at their weekly sale at Longtown last Thursday.

Prime cattle sold to recent rates and more quality sorts are needed. Top price to 233.5p for a Limousin heifer shown by Messrs A. and W.J. Taylor and Son, Dashwellgreen.

Bulls also sold to similar trade all dairy bred selling to 185.5p twice, firstly for a Simmental shown by J.A. and D. Forster, Gillalees, then for a Limousin from T. and M. Irving, Becton Hall.

All classes of cows saw a much improved trade up 8p on the week. Top price to 168.5p and 160.5p for Charolais from Messrs Baxter, Moss Side. Top price per head to £1,659.73 also Messrs Baxter, Moss Side.

Another excellent show of 4,609 prime hoggs (1,053 lightweights) were forward to the usual full ringside of buyers, with best quality export weights continuing to meet high demand, lightweight hoggs more numerous and dearer on the week. The overall sale average was 193.6p per kilo (SQQ 200p per kilo). Top was £117 per head for Texels from Sharplaw with a top per kilo of 278p for Beltex from Westerly.

A larger show of 5,083 cast ewes and rams were forward to a fuller ring of purchasers. All classes of ewes sharper on the week especially heavy ewes which would be £3 to £4 dearer on the week. More needed to fulfil buyers requirements. Lightweight ewes a better show for quality on the week.

P7 house captains at Tweedbank school organised a Tweedbank’s Got Talent show last Friday.

Pupils from nursery to P7 were involved, many showing their talent in singing, playing an instrument, performing magic and hula hooping.

Overall winner was Murray Colvin (P7) who wowed the judges by playing a Snow Patrol number on his guitar. Aimee Goodship (P7) was runner-up, performing on the violin, with The Frozen Girls – Charlie Burns, Kady McGlasson, Anne Spintge (all P2) and Kat Spintge (P4) – who were word-perfect singing a song from the film Frozen to clinch third place.

Pictured are The Frozen Girls, Aimee Goodship and Brandan Kirk singing What does the Fox Say?

Volunteers will don gloves, waders and wellies this weekend, for another crack at cleaning up Galashiels’ town centre waterways.

On Saturday, members of Gala Waterways Group, a sub-committee of Galashiels & Langlee Community Council, will tackle trees and bushes that are growing out from the walls of the town’s mill lade.

The work will start in the lade adjacent to McDonald’s restaurant, and then move further upstream to near Prostrakan.

As well as waders and wellies, volunteers should also bring, if they can, saws, loppers and secateurs and meet in the car park opposite McDonald’s (Cameron’s Architects at Wilderhaugh).

The clean-up follows one earlier this month which saw volunteers rake in a giant haul of everything from car seats to a tractor tyre from the Ladhope Burn.

That particular work party comprised eight volunteers, and as well as the aforementioned rubbish, they also raked out two lorry tyres, nine car tyres, a car battery, empty plastic and steel drums, a yellow parking cone, four concrete frames for inspection chambers, five metres of steel bar, two aggregate bags, roofing felt, polystyrene slabs, 10 litres of paint, a plastic bucket, a ceramic pedestal for a washhand basin, a CD cabinet, two Christmas trees and seven bags of general rubbish.

Community councillor Rick Kenney said afterwards: “It was great to see some new faces at the work party, and to have continuing support from Elders of the Church of Latter Day Saints.

“The community council is grateful to everyone who helped with the clean-up, and to Scottish Borders Council for disposing of the rubbish.”