Nine towns and villages in the Borders will be visited by the Queen’s Baton in the build-up to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The baton will be taken on a 40-day relay of Scotland beginning on June 14 and the Borders gets a visit on Day 5 – Wednesday, June 18.

Three of the four Border counties are included – but the baton won’t visit Peeblesshire.

It will be carried through Duns, Greenlaw, Earlston, Melrose, Tweedbank, Selkirk, Kelso, Jedburgh and Hawick. It will also visit Langholm as it heads for the south west.

Approximately 100 people will carry the baton each day, most of then being recognised for their contribution to sport, the community and youth,

Later this month there will be a touch of the exotic in the air at Innerleithen, when the local opera company tackles South Pacific.

The Memorial Hall will be the venue for Innerleithen & District Amateur Operatic Society’s week-long run of the Rogers and Hammerstein classic.

Innerleithen Opera has staged the show twice before, first in 1962 and then in 1991.

Set on a South Pacific island during the Second World War, the story centres on the troubled relationship between a young American nurse Nellie Forbush and a middle-aged French planter Emile de Becque ;the comedic money-making exploits of a local Tonkinese woman, Bloody Mary, and American sailor Luther Billis and the doomed romance between US Marine Joseph Cable and Bloody Mary’s daughter Liat.

The show runs from March 31 to April 5, with tickets available at Graham McGrath’s in Peebles until 29th March 29 and Tweeddale Thrift Shop, Innerleithen, until April 4 or call 0845 224 1908.

Police have issued a warning about rogue traders and bogus workmen after a pensioner was swindled out of a five-figure sum of money.

Officers say the 83-year-old from Foulden was the victim of cold callers who spent three days at the man’s home but never returned to complete the work after they were paid in cash.

The victim told police that the men had Irish accents and drove a white Mercedes van.

Detective Inspector Dave Pinkney said: “This elderly man has been left upset at being charged for work which was not completed.

“We are continuing with our investigations and would urge anyone who was in the Foulden area between March 6 and 8 and recalls seeing a white Mercedes van, or workmen acting suspiciously, to contact us.”

And he urged people to be vigilant for rogue traders and bogus workmen.

He said ; “Householders should take action if approached by anyone offering to carry out work on their property.

“Anyone requiring maintenance or repairs on their home should always use a reputable company and never allow a cold caller into their home.”

Information can be passed to Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0845 555 111.

Scottish Borders Council has revealed it is holding an open day at Eyemouth cemetery between 10am and 2pm on Friday, March 28.

An extension has been completed at the Coldingham Road burial ground and there will be a short dedication service at 10.30am.

The community centre in Albert Road will be open from 11am to 2pm when visitors can chat with staff and view historical cemetery records.

Councillor David Paterson from Hawick, who is responsible for environmental services, said: “This has ben set up to allow visitors to find out about the history of the burial ground and its future.

“I encourage people to go along and speak to staff about any concerns, improvements or suggestions for the future that they have about the cemetery.”

A roadshow offering advice on what people can do with their garden waste following the controversial decision by councillors to end green bin collections across the Borders gets underway this weekend.

Scottish Borders Council decided in December to end garden waste collections on March 31 and staff will now tour 16 venues over eight days with the council’s composting partners, Ask Organic.

Councillor David Paterson, who has responsibility for environmental services, commented: “The decision to remove the service was a difficult one and made due to financial pressures. But the council will do all it can to help people put their garden waste to good use.

“With spring underway, the roadshow will prove valuable for anyone seeking information on what to do with their garden waste.

“Along with orders being taken for free home composters, advice on how to reduce, reuse, or recycle garden waste, will also be offered.”

The full roadshow details are :

• Hawick Town Hall - Saturday 22 March, 10am to 12noon

• Selkirk, Victoria Halls - Saturday 22 March, 2pm to 4pm

• Galashiels, Tesco - Saturday 29 March, 10am to 12noon

• Tweedbank Community Centre, Saturday 29 March, 2pm to 4pm

• West Linton, Grahame Institute - Saturday 5 April, 10am to 12noon

• Peebles Community Centre - Saturday 5 April, 2pm to 4pm

• Kelso, Tait Hall - Saturday 12 April, 10am to 12noon

• Jedburgh, Town Hall - Saturday 12 April, 2pm to 4pm

• Eyemouth Community Centre - Saturday 26 April, 10am to 12noon

• Duns, Southfield Community Centre - Saturday 26 April, 2pm to 4pm

• Innerleithen Memorial Hall - Saturday 3 May, 10am to 12noon

• Melrose, Ormiston Institute - Saturday 3 May, 2pm to 4pm

• Coldstream, Rodger Hall - Saturday 10 May, 10am to 12noon

• Newtown St Boswells, SBC Headquarters - Saturday 10 May, 2pm to 4pm

• Lauder Public Hall - Saturday 17 May, 10am to 12noon

• Earlston Parish Church - Saturday 17 May, 2pm to 4pm

Police Scotland has launched a new Stay Safe Online campaign to help children, parents, teachers and carers improve their knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe while they are online.

Stay Safe Online will provide children with the information they need.

Digi Dan’s Top Tips will be available on the website digidan.co.uk, which includes a quiz for youngsters and there is a Digi Dan’s ibook to download and keep his online safety tips.

The campaign targets two age groups:

The younger group, from nine to 12 years old will receive 10 top tips from a cartoon character, Digi Dan, who is an internet explorer and knows everything about staying safe online.

Older children will receive advice about keeping safe online including tips on password security, social media posting, sexting, how to deal with inappropriate pictures and who to contact for help.

Any child who feels at risk or is worried should speak to a parent, guardian or teacher or can phone Police Scotland on 101 
or Childline on 0800 
1111.

A FINAL call has been issued for Borders firms to enter the Scottish Borders Business Excellence Awards 2013-14.

Sponsored by Scottish Borders Living, the awards, run by the council, cover nine categories, ranging from start-up business of the year to best international business.

Applications to the awards close at 5pm on Monday.

Three businesses in each category will be shortlisted as finalists and representatives of each will be invited to an awards lunch on April 25 at Scottish Borders Campus, Galashiels, when the winners will be announced.

Councillor Stuart Bell, executive member for economic development at Scottish Borders Council, said: “The Business Excellence Awards are a great opportunity for Borders businesses from all sectors to receive the recognition they deserve.

“The awards will showcase entrepreneurism, innovation and creativity, and I encourage all businesses to enter.”

The awards are being backed by a number of local sponsors, including The Southern Reporter as media sponsor.

Application forms can be downloaded from.ourscottishborders.com or by emailing business@scotborders.gov.uk

For more information on the awards, contact Stuart Kinross on 01835 826505.

The nine business of the year awards categories are as follows: New/Start-up; Innovation and Technology; Employer; International; Tourism; Retail and Town Centre; Marketing; Environmental; and Rural.

Two leading motorcycle accident law firms have joined forces to provide specialist cross-border legal expertise to bikers injured in collisions in Scotland and the north of England.

The alliance between Motorcycle Law Scotland, founded by Peebles-based Brenda Mitchell, and Hipkin & Co Solicitors will see each firm refer clients when an accident happens in the other’s jurisdiction and where a different legal system exists.

A sheriff has placed a man on the Sex Offenders Register after more than 1,000 indecent images of children were found on his computer.

Mark Hendron of Kittlegairy Road in Peebles admitted possessing the images between June 2007 and June last year when he appeared on indictment at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday,

Social workers will now prepare background reports and the 37-year-old is due to be sentenced on April 14.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley told the court: “Intelligence was received by police in June 2013 that someone accessing the internet through a connection at the address had been accessing indecent images of child abuse.”

A search warrant was issued and police attended at his home at 8.50am on June 11 and a laptop and external harddrive were seized.

Ms Bradley went on: “In excess of 1,000 images of children were recovered, and also search terms indicative of actually looking for images of children.

“A number of images were found in the recycle bin, indicating he had tried to delete them.

“He confirmed he owned the laptop and said he came across these images while searching the internet for adult pornography.”

The majority of the images, the court heard, depicted pornographic posing with no sexual activity.

Hendron is on bail and his solicitor will make his plea in mitigation at next month’s sentencing hearing.

The Borders is set to play a major part in the countdown to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this year, writes Jim Milnes.

The Queen’s Relay baton, the Commonwealth equivalent of the Olympic Torch, will pass through the region on June 18 on its way around Scotland, having already been carried through the rest of the Commonwealth countries.

Starting in Duns, it will pass through Greenlaw, Earlston, Melrose, Tweedbank, Selkirk, Kelso, Jedburgh and Hawick.

All in all the baton will have visited 400 Scottish communities by the time it reaches the end of its journey in Glasgow on July 23, in time for the opening ceremony. Announcing the full list of communities on the baton’s journey, Commonwealth Games Scotland Chairman, Michael Cavanagh said:“The Queen’s Baton Relay is the ultimate symbol of the Commonwealth Games and its arrival in Scotland will be an important signal to both the athletes and the public that the Games are just around the corner.

“The baton’s journey through the country is the ideal opportunity for people to celebrate community sport and show support for their local athletes selected to represent Team Scotland at Glasgow 2014.”

Work to deliver one of the most challenging sections of the Borders Railway at Falahill will get under way next week as the project continues its focus on the development of key railway structures.

The design, approved by Scottish Borders Council in November, moves the A7 slightly to the west of its current alignment, giving more room between the road and the Falahill cottages.

It also sees a new bridge built to the south of the properties, carrying the road over the railway. The bridge is the third and final A7 crossing to start work and will take the Borders Railway one step closer to bringing train services back to the Borders for the first time in more than 40 years.

In order to build the new road bridge, a temporary two- lane diversion is currently being built to the east of the A7. Using two lanes will reduce the impact of traffic flow at this location. Traffic lights will be required during later phases of the work.

Hugh Wark, Network Rail project director said: “We’re pleased to finally be progressing with the construction work at Falahill. There’s been a huge amount of work behind the scenes to get the design right and we believe that we now have the best solution for the location.

“Our delivery strategy for the A7 bridge over the railway in this location mirrors our approach to delivering the City Bypass bridge, only on a smaller scale.”

The work will be delivered by SBC Contracts, on behalf of main contractors BAM, after a competitive tender process.

The Falahill rock removal and recycling work is entering the final phase and the infill and landscaping is now under way. Work to widen the A7 adjacent to new access roads in Heriot and Fountainhall is continuing, with traffic management required until summer 2014.

Scottish small business confidence has risen to match the UK average, the Federation of Small Businesses’ latest quarterly report shows.

The FSB’s Voice of Small Business Index shows business confidence rising in the first quarter of 2014 to its highest level since the data series began at the start of 2010.

The study also found that more than half of all Scottish small firms now plan to grow over the next year.

A “radical and innovative” approach has been set out by NHS Borders bosses in a consultation paper on the future of healthcare services in the region.

The health board, which is facing up to having to make savings of £25m between 2015 and 2020 while also dealing with an ageing population and workforce, has set out its clinical strategy, which is out for public consultation until June 6.

The strategy outlines a number of key principles that will allow NHS Borders to tackle future challenges and continue to provide excellent patient care over the next five years.

Calum Campbell, chief executive said “To accommodate the increasing demand across all of our services we require a radical and innovative approach to how they are provided.

“This presents an opportunity to explore new models of care, with a focus on integration of services where possible.”

The consultation document is available at www.nhsborders.org.uk and in various public services around the area.

To obtain a hard copy email public.involvement@borders.scot.nhs.uk or call 0800 7314052.

A series of roadshows will be held over the consultation period.

Prominent Scottish sheep farmer Jim Sharp has been killed while operating a grain auger on his farm in the Borders.

Police were alerted to the incident near Lauder shortly before 1.45pm on Monday. The Health and Safety Executive is investigating.

Mr Sharp, 66, is a former livestock board convener with the National Farmers Union Scotland. Police haven’t released details of what happened.

Tributes have been led by union president Nigel Miller who farms near Stow.

In a statement, he said: ““Jim has left his mark on Borders farming through his skill energy and attention to detail. His stockmanship amongst his hill sheep and husbandry on low ground demonstrate Scottish farming at his best.

“As a man he had a sharp intellect and a level of experience which was of real value in serious conversation but also a generosity and love of life which made him great company.

“Often soft spoken he contributed to debate in a positive way – his thoughts were of real value at both local and national level where he gave his time to the union and the community.

“Jim was an ambassador for all that as good in farming. He gave a lot to our industry the Borders community and the union.

“Most importantly he was a great friend that so many of us will miss. Our sympathy must be with his family.”

Firefighters rescued a man from his burning flat in Coldstream early this morning and gave him oxygen for the effects of smoke.

Neighbours in Abbey Road raised the alarm around twenty minutes to one and crews from Coldstream and Kelso were turned out.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus forced their way into the ground floor flat to carry out the rescue and extinguish the blaze.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is bringing the referendum debate to Galashiels.

The event is being held in the Volunteer Hall on May 19.

Ms Sturgeon will be joined by local MSP Christine Grahame and will address 600 Borderers who may be undecided about which way they will vote on September 18.

Following her speech, there will be the chance for members of the public to ask questions.

Entry is free although a donation of £5 is suggested.

Tickets are available from.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nicola-sturgeon-speaks-to-the-scottish-borders-tickets-10756405699

FIVE Borders groups have received lottery grant of up to almost £10,000 to run events based around the Commonwealth Games.

The grant, from the Big Lottery Fund’s Celebrate and 2014 Communities funds, were announced on Tuesday.

Borders Voluntary Older People’s Service has been awarded £9,950 to run ‘Big Celebration Gathering 2014’ for older residents which will be a Commonwealth Games-themed event, including a pantomime, meal, quiz and fireworks.

Melrose Rugby Club has also been successful in getting funding to build the Commonwealth Games into the annual Crichton Cup tournament.

A grant of £7,000 will be used to bring together 400 children aged between five and 17 for the event, with local schools provided with teaching resource packs to enable classes to adopt a commonwealth country, run projects about their country and also make flags and banners to support their team at the tournament.

In addition, Innerleithen MTB Racing have been awarded £1,877 to provide great opportunities for children in their kids club, including providing specialist leader training for four volunteers.

Just over £9,000 has been granted to Play Borders to put on a full day of activities promoting sport and physical activity in the Borders, using the Glasgow games to inspire people to play sport and also volunteer at their local clubs.

Finally, almost £10,000 has been given to Scottish Borders Youth Voice to enable young people to develop their understanding of other young people and democracy in commonwealth countries.

The year-long project will also include photography workshops a Borders-wide exhibition of images and a book.

They are now looking for 15 young people to take part in the project.

Applications are welcomed from young people who are interested in or wish to learn about photography and develop their skills. They must also want to work within their local community as well as building connections and learning about young people in other countries.

The closing date for applications is April 25, and application forms and more information can be found at www.scotborders.gov.uk/ctc

A TEXTILES student at Heriot-Watt University in Galashiels has won the chance to represent the UK in an international competition that will see her design sold worldwide.

Nilufar Islam, a final year student at the university’s School of Textiles and Design, won the public vote in a challenge run by Bemz, a Swedish company known for its range of coverings for IKEA furniture.

Almost 6,000 people voted for her A Bird’s Tail design, inspired by the arts and crafts movement.

Nilufar, 23, said: “I’m excited to have my design developed, put into production and sold worldwide by Bemz.

“I’m extremely passionate about my work and spend most days in the studio working on my hand-drawn designs.

Nilufar, from Edinburgh, now goes forward to the international final in Sweden in April.

The winner, chosen from the finalists from the UK, Germany, France and Sweden, will have three designs sold in the Bemz Design Collection rather than just one.

Mark Parker, the university’s director of studies for textiles, said: “Nilufar is a rising star in the fashion and interior design business and deserves this level of recognition.”

This Saturday, the RBS Premiership will come to an exciting conclusion with one of two Border rugby teams set to capture the silverware.

It will either be current league leaders, Gala, who’ll lift the trophy on Saturday afternoon at Netherdale or some three miles down the road at The Greenyards, Melrose will be celebrating.

For the Maroons, they simply need a win over last season’s champions, Ayr to pick up the title for the first time in 31 years.

Both matches on Saturday will kick off at 3pm.

The RBS Premiership permutations if Gala do not win on Saturday:

•If Melrose get three or more league points from their match against Currie, than Gala get against Ayr, then Melrose win the league.

•If Melrose get two more league points from their match against Currie, than Gala get against Ayr, they will be level on league points and points difference will determine the league winners.

•The below details what these scenarios may look like:

•If Gala lose with no bonus point and Melrose record a win, Melrose win the league

•If Gala lose with two bonus points and Melrose record a win with no bonus point, the title will go down to points difference

•If Gala lose with two bonus points and Melrose record a bonus point win, Melrose will win the title

•If Gala lose with no bonus point and Melrose lose with two, points difference will determine the title

•If Gala are to draw with no bonus point and Melrose win with no bonus point the league will be determined by points difference

•If Gala are to draw with no bonus point and Melrose win with a bonus point, Melrose will win the league

•If Gala are to draw with a bonus point and Melrose win with a bonus point the league will be determined by points difference

•If Gala are to draw with a bonus point and Melrose win with no bonus point, Gala will win the league

•If Gala are to draw with a bonus point and Melrose win with a bonus point, the title will be determined by points difference

•If Gala are to lose with no bonus points and Melrose draw with no bonus point, the title will go down to points difference

•If Gala are to lose with no bonus point and Melrose draw with a bonus point, Melrose will win the title

•The current points difference between the two teams is Gala +167 and Melrose +166.

Should the title come down to points difference and the teams have an identical points difference then the next determining factor would be the results in their head-to-head matches this season.

Given that Melrose won both the league games then Melrose would be champions.

There was a lot riding on the opening night of this first shot at the much-loved Wizard of Oz by the cast and crew of KAOS Musical Theatre Company.

Its status as a big-screen landmark containing iconic cultural characters means “Wizard” is a step up for any amateur outfit.

So it was a brave choice by debut director Pooee Pitman and the company – but after watching Tuesday’s opening night in Kelso’s Tait Hall, it can safely be said this is a truly magical production, which sets a new benchmark for years to come.

From the youngest performer on stage to leading lady, Rhianne Miller, 17, from Jedburgh, as Dorothy, the performances quite simply shine.

All who have had a role to play in bringing this show to life deserve praise, but the lead actors especially so.

Speaking after the opening night, Pooee said it had been an absolute joy and pleasure to direct and produce for the very first time with KAOS.

“It’s been 75 years since The Wizard of Oz was first screened, and we really hope we have done it justice,” she told us.

A full review and six pages of photographs is published in this week’s edition of The Southern Reporter.