Two test runs for wind turbine deliveries to the Langhope Rig site near Alemoor Reservoir took place without incident through the tight streets of Denholm last week.

A spokeswoman for developers SSE said: “Everything went really well. There were no issues and the tests went as expected.

“There is likely to be one more trial run just before construction starts, which will be managed by GE, the turbine supplier.”

She added: “We would like to thank the communities impacted for their patience.”

Local resident and Minto Hills Conservation Group member Anna Dickson said: “A lot of people here are clearly concerned about these movements, not least because they may well be precursors to similar haulage of parts for proposed wind farms nearer the village at Birneyknowe and Highlee Hill.

“The vehicles are very long, so as to be able to carry the 40 metre lengths, but the turbines themselves at Langhope Rig will be almost three times that length and those planned for Birneyknowe and Highlee Hill appear to be even taller than that.”

Beauty therapist Misty Crew has proudly opened the doors to her own beauty salon in Galashiels thanks to support from RBS.

With support from RBS business specialist Craig Dickson, Misty has been able to get a small business loan as part of the bank’s involvement in the Government’s Funding for Lending scheme.

This has helped with refurbishing and fitting out the Channel Street premises.

Misty said: “I realised that I didn’t need to wait for my children to go to school before I could start the business – I saw the opportunity for a walk-in salon in Galashiels and knew that I needed to move quickly.

“I spoke to my husband and we figured out that between us it was completely possible for me to be a parent and run my own business.”

She added: “Craig was really good. I was a bit wary and thought he might question whether I could do this but he completely understood the opportunity and saw that it could work.”

Misty offers a range of walk-in services ranging from threading to mini-facials and file and polishing.

She has also decided to open the salon and take walk-in appointments until 6pm and then stays open until late with appointments for acrylic nails and eyelash extensions, fitting around her customers’ busy lifestyles.

Craig Dickson said: “It was a pleasure to help Misty realise her dream and start her business. RBS is proud to support businesses such as these that start small and work hard.”

A number of additional ‘treats’ are being planned for this month’s Jim Clark Rally which will be held over the weekend of the 30th May to 1st June in the Scottish Borders.

Ahead of the main rally event commencing at 7pm on Friday evening (30th May) in Duns Town Square, there will be a parade of veteran, vintage and classic cars running through the opening Special Stage.

These cars will follow the rally stage route from the Square, down North Street, on to South Street and back up to the Square before turning on to Murray Street and then on to Station Road. They won’t be travelling at ‘rally speed’ but they will still provide spectators with a visual, and an aural, treat while waiting for the rally cars.

The organisers are also hopeful of using a similar parade to fill in the gap between the first Special Stage and the fifth Special Stage, the second running of the Duns test, when the rally cars return at 9.20 pm. This however will be determined by the rally car schedule on the night.

And in a bid to welcome more folk to find out what goes on behind the scenes at a rally, the organisers are opening up the Springwood Park Showground in Kelso on Saturday (31st May) to spectators who will be welcome to visit the Rally Service Area.

This is where the competing cars return between stages for refettling and running repairs – and no doubt there will be some bent panels to straighten too! It’s an often overlooked fact, but behind every successful rally driver and co-driver is an equally dedicated and committed service back up team of mechanics, technicians - and panel beaters.

A number of additional displays are planned to make this more of a family day out with Pirelli Tyres bringing along its rally driving simulator experience. And if anyone in the family is tempted to take up the sport there will be a display by the Motor Sports Association’s ‘Go Motorsport’ campaign aimed squarely at providing information to those who might wish to find out more about what is involved in all forms of motor sport.

In a similar vein, Knockhill Motor racing Circuit will have a display promoting not just their wide range of driving experience days, but also their Scottish round of the British Touring Car Championship which will visit the Fife circuit on the 23/24 August. This will be a very special meeting, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Jim Clark winning the British Touring Car title way back in 1964, the first Scot to do so.

Speaking of the British Touring Car Championship, double BTCC winner John Cleland will be on hand to publicise his Institute of Advanced Motorists programme being run in conjunction with the Scottish Borders Council. This training programme for young drivers provides valuable advice and tuition to keep new and inexperienced drivers safe on British roads.

Other displays and attractions will include a variety of cars from the Vintage Sports Car Club and other organisations. Berwickshire’s most famous and successful rally driver and Rally Team Manager Andrew Cowan will also have his own original Hillman Imp rally car and a World Rally Championship title winning Mitsubishi Lancer on show.

Showground car parking will be £5 per car.

The above events are in addition to the main rally events (timetable published last week)

More detailed information on all of the above will be made available shortly.

Twenty-five Borders bus drivers have been recognised as some of the best on the road.

The drivers, who operate from First’s Galashiels depot, have been presented with the ‘GreenRoad Fleet Elite Award.’

The award is based on driver’s ‘DriveGreen’ performance and is designed to reward and recognise the safest and greenest drivers within the business.

First’s unique DriveGreen system, which was launched in First Borders in 2009, is designed to provide customers with a safer, smoother journey, whilst also reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

A DriveGreen ‘traffic light’ monitor is fitted to vehicle dashboards on every one of First’s buses, which helps show the driver how well he/she is driving. The monitor displays a static green light if the driver is driving at low risk, or flashes amber or red if a bus driver carries out an unwanted driving manoeuvre such as heavy braking or rapid acceleration.

Points are given for each event and the fewer points a driver has, the better their DriveGreen score is.

A new rail bridge that will connect Galashiels to the rest of the railway network was successfully installed above the town’s Wheatlands Road at the weekend.

The works, carried out across Saturday and Sunday, saw a 15-strong team work around the clock to lift the 90-tonne bridge into place with a massive crane.

While much of the construction of the new bridge had been done without impacting traffic movements, the lifting of the bridge deck required a four-day closure of Wheatlands Road.

The successful installation allows the project team to turn to the next major milestone, with a pre-assembled road bridge being installed over Gala Water to reconnect Plumtreehall Brae on Friday and Saturday (May 16 & 17).

The installation will require the closure of King Street over the two days, with traffic diversions in place.

Elsewhere in Galashiels, a bridge installation at Currie Road will require the road to close from May 19 to June 14. Vehicles will be able to use Glenfield Crescent and Melrose Road as a diversion and a temporary footpath will be available for pedestrians.

A ‘Meet the Buyer’ event is to be held in Galashiels next month by Community Windpower.

The event is for local businesses to find out about opportunities related to the developer’s wind farm schemes in Berwickshire and East Lothian.

Contractors and suppliers for a wide range of services are required.

The event is at the Volunteer Hall on June 18 from 7.30am to 12pm.

My first encounter with the legend that was Hugh McLeod came early in my journalistic career when reporting on a Hawick AGM in 2001 or there about.

He and two or three other elderly gentleman came in to the room and made there way purposefully down the hall to position themselves a couple of seats back from the top table.

Of course I knew who he was, everyone brought up in Hawick did. A true legend of rugby, having made his international debut in 1954 and won 40 consecutive caps for his country.

What I didn’t know, certain naivety on my part, was that even in his 70s the former Hawick, Scotland and Lions prop was as passionate about the game, and in particular his club, as ever.

I can’t remember who the official party at the top table were on that particular occasion, Messrs Barnes, Froud and Bell could have been in situ, but Hugh let them have it. On this occasion the issue was bringing ‘professional’ players into the team and, as I was to learn in the ensuing years, Hugh’s strong opinions were often vented in this manner. He was a man who was never afraid to say what he thought or who he said it to.

Bearing this in mind it was with some trepidation that I actually met the man in person for the first time. My fears were soon laid to rest however. Passionate and outspoken he way have been but Hugh was also a true gent with an underlying sense of humour and a great knowledge of the game of rugby.

I spoke to him on very few occasions after that, usually when I needed to pick his brains about past encounters, and he was always most helpful and genuine in his responses.

Despite his outbursts at the AGMs Hugh was on the whole a quite and modest man who kept up a great interest in the club and its players right to the end and was rewarded by the great respect given to him in return.

His death on Monday was received with great sadness in the Borderers rugby community and beyond and condolences go to his family from all here at the Southern Reporter.

First Borders has pledged its support to blind and partially sighted bus customers by becoming one of the first bus operators to sign a charter developed by the Royal National Institute of Blind People to make services more accessible.

The ‘Bus Charter’ encourages operators to provide services that are more accessible for customers with sight loss and follows the RNIB’s successful ‘Stop for me, Speak to me’ bus campaign which was designed to give bus drivers a better understanding of the challenges blind and partially sighted customers face when using the bus.

First Borders driving staff are currently undergoing extra training which has been specifically designed in partnership with the RNIB and other sight loss charities.

Paul McGowan, managing director of First Borders, said: “As part of our commitment to improve customer service and attract more people onto our buses, we are working with a number of disability groups to understand how the company can provide better services.

“I’m delighted that we’ve partnered with RNIB and signed its charter. All our drivers are receiving extra training so they are better aware of the issues that people with sight loss face.”

Fazilet Hadi, director of inclusive society at RNIB, said: “We are delighted at the positive and enthusiastic response from First to our charter.

“Local bus travel is a lifeline, providing an important means of transport and we want operators to ensure current and future services are accessible.”

Almost double the number of drivers and passengers were caught in the Borders for not wearing seatbelts in 2013/14 than the previous period.

The provisional police performance figures were presented to the council last week by area commander Chief Inspector Andy Clark.

Over 460 people were dealt with for such offences in 2013/14, which Chief Insp Clark said would hopefully have a “positive impact” on the number of people killed or seriously injured on local roads.

The provisional statistics show a 50 per cent fall in the number of people killed, down to four. There was also a fall in the number of people sustaining serious injuries in crashes.

Chief Insp Clark also reported that the detection rate locally, almost 58 per cent, is six per cent above the Police Scotland average.

He added that the detection rate for domestic abuse offences rose to 85 per cent last year, and for sexual offences climbed to 77 per cent.

The number of incidents of anti-social behaviour is expected to have fallen by 12 per cent when final figures are produced.

A 66 per cent fall in detections for supplying drugs has been attributed to the comparison with 2012/13, when a major operation led to a significant number of arrests.

Around 100 budding Borders judokas turned out for a Tri-Judo session led by London 2012 Paralympic silver medallist and Beijing Paralympic bronze medallist Sam Ingram earlier this month.

One of the most highly-regarded judoka in visually impaired judo Sam, in conjunction with JudoScotland appeared at the Queens Centre in Galashiels where he shared his experiences and techniques with an engrossed audience.

Read more in tomorrow’s Southern Reporter.

The number of Borderers claiming unemployment benefits fell by 113 last month and is 480 fewer than April last year.

The figures, released on Wednesday morning, have been welcomed by Michael Moore MP.

He said: “The drop in unemployment in the Borders is good news for those trying to find work in the local area, and shows that the job market is starting to return to pre-recession levels after some difficult years.

“The employment market has been supported by the Government’s campaign to increase job opportunities for young people by helping to create apprenticeships.”

Mr Moore added: “The hard work of local employers in the Borders is beginning to pay off, however, we must remember that both the local economy and job market are still fragile and there is still a lot more work to be done.”

In mid-April 1,647 people were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance locally, 2.4 per cent of those of working age in the Borders.

The council will install new electric car charging points in Hawick and Eyemouth after receiving £120,000 from Transport Scotland for the project.

The work will be completed by the end of June at the Haugh and Harbour Road car parks respectively.

A further grant will also enable the charging points at Peebles and Newtown St Boswells to be upgraded.

NHS Borders bosses have said new shuttle bus services to the hospital from nearby towns may help relieve ongoing parking pressures.

Three new services have been launched by First Borders which operate every 20 minutes and have been specifically designed to complement shift patterns and visiting times.

The buses run from 6.35am to 10.23pm and link the hospital with Galashiels, Melrose, Tweedbank and Langlee.

David McLuckie, director of estates and facilities for NHS Borders, said: “These additional services will improve access for patients, visitors and staff.

“A commitment to the use of public transport for those travelling a short distance to and from the hospital will reduce demand on our car parks, both short and long stay.”

He added: “We are delighted that First Borders has introduced these additional services. I hope this will encourage more people to consider public transport when accessing the hospital.”

Mr McLuckie added that the health board is concluding arrangements for a ‘trip share’ scheme.

Managing director of First Borders, Paul McGowan, said: “Our H1, H2 and H3 services have been operating for just over three weeks, but already we’re noticing an increase in passenger numbers.

“We’ve worked closely with NHS Borders so that our new timetable better reflects visiting hours and shift patterns and I’m delighted that our new services are off to a good start.”

BONCHESTER

Fete

A fete is being held on June 21 (11am-1pm) – National Care Home Open Day – at Bonchester Bridge Care Centre. It will give the public a chance to have a look round the home and meet residents.

Bowden

Coffee morning

A coffee morning with bric-a-brac and book stalls will be held in the village hall on May 17 (10am-noon), the profits going towards Edinburgh Global Partnership’s project to build an income-generating maize mill in the Masindi community in Uganda.

Cafe

The next Community Café will be held on Wednesday at 11am in the village hall.

AGM

There will be a joint AGM of the village hall and village committees on May 28 at 7pm in the hall. Details for nominations are on Bowden’s noticeboards.

earlston

Wednesday Club

Last week members enjoyed an amusing talk by Connie Seaton on her life in places she has lived all over Scotland before coming to Earlston. The club’summer trip is a visit to New Lanark on June 4. There will be some seats available for friends. Competition – salad servers – 1, Alison Stewart; 2, Cynthia Sinclair; 3, Marjorie Murray. The competition for next week’s meeting is for a powder compact.

Parish church

The Christian Aid collectors are around this week. The service on May 18 will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods. The Heart and Soul event in Princes Street Gardens takes place during the afternoon of May 18 as part of the start of the General Assembly.

Ettrick

Horse night

There will be a heavy horse open night at Gilmanscleuch Farm on May 24 (6.30-9pm). This year’s foals will be on view, as well as the show and driven horses. Barbecue and refreshments – proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support. Enquiries to 01750 62327.

AGM

Kirkhope Hall AGM is on May 26 (7.30pm) in the premises.

Music night

May 17 sees the first visit of “The Boyds” to Kirkhope Hall. Just back from touring abroad, the duo play music by The Beatles, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Simon and Garfunkel, and more. The evening kicks off at 7.30pm.

FOUNTAINHALL

WRI

The next meeting is in the village hall at 7.30pm on May 21. There will be a flower workshop – members should bring a small bunch of flowers and a flat dish, and other items needed will be provided. Competitions – tea loaf and a bud vase; April meeting results – three ginger snaps – 1, Dianne Wilson; 2, Christine Sinclair; button – 1, Dorothy Small; 2, Irene McLachlan.

galashiels

U3A

The next meeting of The Three Brethren (U3A) will take place on May 19 at 2pm in Lucy Sanderson Hall, Tweed Crescent. The first part of the afternoon will be given to the AGM, followed by Oliver Eade and “Children as writers”. Dr Eade took up book writing when he retired from his work as a hospital doctor and has written 10 novels – four of them for young adults and four for children.

Probus

Tom Burnham gave an illustrated talk entitled “Why I’m In Love With Iceland”. Tom, who has been involved with Scottish trade missions to that country, spoke about the geology and geography, the “Hidden People” (elves and trolls), independence from Denmark, the fact that a third of the 300,000 population visits the UK every year, the sheepdogs originate from Bonchester Bridge and a landowner reduces his tax burden by half if he builds a church. The next meeting is on May 22 at 10am and will be the last before the summer recess.

Quiz

A Galashiels Academy fundraising quiz night will be held at the school on May 30 at 7.30pm. There will also be a raffle and musical entertainment by pupils. Tickets are available from Fountain News and the Academy reception.

Glendouglas

WRI

Members enjoyed a demonstration of summer salads by Wendy Hickson, with Cathy Johnson and Cath Turner helping, after which everyone enjoyed tasting the results. Competition – 1, Sandra Jeffrey; 2, Cathy Johnson. The winner of the raffle was Marie Hogg.

HAWICK

Bridge club

May 6 – N/S – 1, J. and M. Miller; 2, J. Urquhart and S. White; E/W – 1, V. MacPherson and B. Francombe; 2, J. and S. Law.

Rotary

The official/ceremonial common riding may not start until 6pm on June 5, but Rotarians, plus wives and guests, were treated last Thursday evening to an account of how the principals are so deeply involved in preparation for, and participation in, the festivities.Instead of the usual mix of Hawick songs and poetry, the Rotary Hawick Night took the form of a question-and-answer forum with Ian Landles acting as questionmaster, eliciting thoughts and memories from Gordon Jackson, ex-Acting Father; Gail Nuttall, ex-Cornet’s Lass; John Hope, ex-Cornet, ex-Acting Father and Master of Ceremonies; and Ronnie Nichol, member of the Drums and Fifes Band for well over 25 years. Gordon Jackson told how his wife had given him riding lessons when he was 37 years old – and he got his Mosstrooper’s Badge that year. Gail said that in the days before her official duties, there was snow on the ground, but the colour bussing ceremony was blessed by perfect weather. John recalled his early horse-riding experiences and how he progressed from helping to round up sheep on a pony to proudly leading the magnificent following of horsemen and carrying the Banner Blue. Ronnie stressed that the band had far more than one or two tunes in their repertoire. President Scott Elliot extended a vote of thanks on behalf of all present, including ex-Cornet’s Lass Joyce Wilson(nee Robson), Lass to Cornet Drew Martin, who was visiting the club and is now a Rotarian in Workington. The evening, which ended with the traditional rendition of “Teribus”, was arranged by Past President Bobby Cairns.

Hownam

Towford WRI

Diana Cairns demonstrated how to make a rose corsage at last week’s meeting. Everyone was able to try out these new skills. She also brought along her Pampered Chef catalogues with items available to purchase. Competition – prettiest teapot – 1, Diana Tweedie; 2, Elizabeth Kellington. The annual fundraising whist drive is on May 27 in Hownam Hall at 7.30pm. The next meeting – June 3 – is the summer outing to Standhill Cheeses for 6pm, with supper at Minto Golf Club for 7pm.

Innerleithen

Church

The service on May 18 will be at 10.30am. There is also a service in St Ronan’s House at 4pm.

kelso

Christian Aid

This is Christian Aid Week, but fundraising efforts by Kelso Churches Together began on April 25 with a MusicAid concert, realising £400. The start of Christian Aid Week was marked on Sunday night with a service at the same venue – and the fundraising goes on at 7.30pm today (Thursday) in the Cross Keys Hotel with a QuizAid Night. Teams of four, entry by minimum donation of £2.50 per person. To find out more, phone Moira Walsh (01573 225500) or Ruth McGrath (01573 228346).

Bridge club

May 7 – match-pointed pairs – N/S – 1, Val Johnstone and Mary Millar; 2, Joyce Thomson and Helenor Pratt; 3, Bob Stevenson and Annie Mitchell; E/W – 1, John and Marian Miller; 2, Jean Henry and Myra Thomson; 3, Mary and Jim Stone.

Sale

Organisers of the Friends of Kelso Hospital table-top sale held last Saturday are grateful to all who turned out in dreadful weather, raising in excess of £700.

LANGHOLM

Cornet

The Langholm Cornet was appointed on Friday (see pages 6 and 7) at the annual public meeting. Common Riding committee chairman Roger Maxwell was accompanied onto the stage by secretary Kenneth Hill. They were joined by committee vice-chairman Tommy Morrison, who was to read the financial report for Paul Davidson who, due to health reasons, was retiring from the position after 14 years and praised for his work over that period. The chairman congratulated last year’s Cornet, Alasdair Cavers, and Ex-Cornets Andrew Elliot and Lee Earsmen. Mr Maxwell thanked the hard-working committee and praised numerous others who had helped make the Common Riding a success, including officiating magistrate David Stevenson, Fair Crier Rae Elliot and the bands, landowners, patrons, sponsors and donors. The nominations for the committee were announced, and at present is 30 strong. Secretary Hill spoke of the Common Riding 50 years ago when Irving Edgar, a 23-year-old builder, was elected Cornet with 440 votes when there were six candidates – David McVittie, Ronnie Hudson, Alistair Graham, John Ewart and Billy Laidlaw. A total vote of 1,053. It was in 1964 that passenger trains came to and end at Langholm and it was also the year that The Beatles stormed America. There was one candidate in 1989 and Andrew Johnstone, a textile worker at Bell’s mill, was duly elected. James Harkness was the officiating magistrate and it remained dry for most of the morning, with the odd shower in the afternoon. It was 25 years ago that the bridge at the park was judged unsafe; Finlay Calder was captain of the Lions rugby tourists and the poll tax was introduced in Scotland. It was also the year of the Hillsborough football disaster. Referring to the treasurer’s report, Mr Morrison revealed a healthy balance. He read a letter from Mr Davidson saying he had made many friends during his time as treasurer. Tributes were paid to the recent passing of ex- Cornet John Paterson and Jean Young, who had been great Common Riding enthusiast. The chairman put two proposals to the meeting. This was in regard to the committee forming a constitution so that it can claim directly, instead of through the community council, from Dumfries and Galloway Council for money charged for various services. The second proposal concerned forming the committee as a company limited by guarantee. This was to safeguard the personal liabilities of members if anyone made a claim for an accident. This will not effect the Common Riding and was given the backing of the meeting. Among the questions brought up that will be discussed by the committee was the re-introduction of the high jump, and increasing the concert admission. There was also some concern over a bottleneck by the crowd at the top of the Kirk Wynd and bringing back a mounted marshal was suggested. It was also felt that more loudspeakers were needed in certain areas.

Castle Craigs

The annual boys’ night, organised by the Castle Craigs Club, took place in the Crown Hotel. Club president Andrew Johnstone was in charge of proceedings and welcomed everyone, and the lads tucked into party food. Official bearer of the barley banna, Ian Borthwick, was on hand, along with Hector Barnfather, to demonstrate how to prepare the emblem. Stephen Tweddle organised the quiz, with questions of a Common Riding theme on his slide show. Cornet Alasdair Cavers and his Right and Left-Hand Men, Andrew Elliot and Lee Earsman, were present. They each sat at a table with a group of the young lads and there was a singing competition of Common Riding favourites which was judged by the president – and he decided they were all winners. There was a tie-design drawing competition for two age groups, a prize for best-dressed boy and a quiz, with the winner getting the R. E Borthwick shield. The prizes were presented by Cornet Cavers. Results – best-dressed boy, Ruairi Hotson; tie design (under 9), Eric Goodfellow; (under 7), Codey Foster;, Castle Craigs quiz, Christopher Tait.

Macmillan walk

The annual sponsored walk in aid of the local Macmillan Cancer Support group was held on a fine dry evening. It began from the community centre car park and went round the town, with several members of the group carrying collection boxes. The walkers enjoyed refreshments on their return to the community centre.

Play

An initial meeting about the local amateur operatic and dramatic society’s November play is being held in The Studio on May 18. “Albert Make Us Laugh” will be directed by Bob McLure and anybody interested in being on or off stage is welcome.

Exhibition

The local photographers’ association, an informal group of camera enthusiasts, is holding an exhibition of photographs in the gallery at the Town Hall during in the first two weeks of June. The association is keen to encourage other photographers to also show their work – the only condition is that exhibits must be mounted and framed.

Lauder

Fun day

The bowling club hosted a fun day on Saturday for those who appeared in the Ruby Anniversary 2014 Lauderdale Macmillan Group calendar. A total of 32 “players” turned up for an enjoyable afternoon, which was unfortunately cut short by the weather. The club is grateful to the local businesses who supplied raffle prizes for the event which raised £230 for the group.

Church

Holly Louise, infant daughter of John and Zoe Brown, was baptised on May 4 by the Reverend Jim Wallace.

Guild

On Saturday afternoon, guild members visited Rosslyn Chapel, followed by a meal in Carfraemill Hotel.

Flower show

The AGM is in the Church Centre on May 15 (7.30pm).

AGM

Lauderdale Historical Society’s annual meeting will be held on May 21 at 7.30pm in Lauder Youth Trust Hall.

Lilliesleaf

School fundraiser

The village primary school is having a fundraising afternoon on May 17 (2pm). Attractions include teas, stalls and a den building course.

maxton

Coffee morning

Maxton 21 coffee morning and plant sale is on May 24 in the village hall with a 10am start. Other attractions include hand-crafted cards and jewellery. The event is in aid of hall funds. Updates on Tom’s Walk to Santiago are posted on the Maxton website, along with details on how to donate to this fundraising effort for The Border Holiday Group, Maxton21’s 2014 charity.

melrose

Trimontium

A 45-strong party from Fettes school in Edinburgh visited last Thursday to tackle the Leaderfoot-Newstead Route March and then the Heritage Centre experience in the Market Square. They were older than the usual run of primary schoolchildren, but were just as willing to sing the song, join in the Latin salutations to the Tweed and “jannys” everywhere, and appreciate the finer points of the Roman miniature catapult. The Trimontium Thursday afternoon walk with guide and refreshments is still ongoing, and the Roman steering oar and Synton Hill silver denarii hoard are intriguing visitors.

Church

Activities – May 16, 7pm, Corn Exchange, festival supporters; May 17, Christian Aid Week door-to-door collection and coffee morning (stall donations welcome); May 18, services at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (10am and 11am).

Midlem

WRI

Members welcomed Lesley Rosher from Beadelicious in Kelso who has turned her hobby into a business. She makes jewellery to sell from her premises, and also takes craft and jewellery classes for children and adults. With her help, all the members created a lovely bracelet. Competitions – hand-made jewellery – 1, Margot Hastie; 2, Anne Craig; 3, Sheena Galloway; cherry scones – 1, Margot Hastie; 2, Ella Nairn; 3, Helen Pierce.

Morebattle

Coffee morning

The fishing club coffee morning will be held on May 31 at 10.30am in the institute.

newmill

WRI

At Newmill and Teviot

Turn to page 28

From page 27

head’s open night, members were joined by friends and other local rural groups. Also welcomed was Margaret Shea, spokesperson for the Smailholm Stitchers (and their supporters) who sewed two panels on the Great Tapestry of Scotland. Margaret discussed their contribution to the tapestry – “The Border Reivers” and “The Modern Kilt invented Lochaber 1723”. She inspired her audience to see the tapestry when it returns to Edinburgh (the tapestry website has details). Competitions – common riding rosette – 1, Trish Kirkpatrick; 2, Roberta McMillan; 3, Julia Templeman; five-line limerick – 1, Trish Kirkpatrick; 2, Jan Chetwynd; 3, Elsie Crouch. For the visitors, the five-line limerick results were – 1, Pat Jardine (Minto); 2, Joyce Tinlin (Wilton Dean). A supper followed. The spring rally for the Roxburghshire federation will be in Jedburgh Town Hall at 7.30pm on May 19. The rural has organised an outing on June 3 to the donkey sanctuary for 6.30pm with supper at Lilliardsedge. Anyone wishing to arrange transport or choose from menu should contact Gil Francombe or Trish Kirkpatrick.

oxnam

Owls

Oxnam Owls held its third charity concert on May 6 when Jamie McKenzie and the Oxnam Valley Voices entertained a capacity audience with music. This was followed by a supper prepared by Owls members and the first prize in the raffle was won by Ann Bell. The sum of £600 was raised for the Borders branches of the MS Society and RDA.

OXTON

WRI

The AGM is on May 21 when there will also be a Commonwealth-themed taste and try evening.


SELKIRK

Antiquarian society

On May 21 in the parish church hall, John Nichol, Hilary Bell and Jenni Borthwick present “A Windea on Hogg”. This will be preceded at 7.30pm by a short AGM.

AGM

The annual general meeting of local charity Fresh Start Borders will be held on May 27 at 7pm in The Rectory, Viewfield Park. Donations of household goods and cleaning materials are always appreciated. Details of all items regularly required are on the website www.freshstartborders.org.uk.

st boswells

Live!

St Boswells Live! both opens Village Week and celebrates the renovation of the village hall on May 31 (8pm). Starring Scottish folk legend Archie Fisher, he will be followed by a performance from Tommy Ashby and his band. Guitarist, singer and songwriter Fisher is probably best known for his 27-year stint as the host of BBC Radio Scotland’s award-winning “Travelling Folk” show. Hailing from Innerleithen, Ashby is continually gaining momentum as a songwriter and live performer, most recently demonstrated as lead guitarist and backing vocalist for Nina Nesbitt’s band. He is supported by a group of talented musicians, including singer/guitarist Adam Double. Tickets – www.stboswellslive.com or the village post office.

STICHILL

WRI

Kathy Wilkie welcomed members and visitors from Broomlands, Earlston, Eckford, Greenlaw. Heiton, Langshaw, Morebattle, Newtown, St Boswells and Yetholm to the May visitors’ evening. She then introduced Heiton and Morebattle Choir, led by Lesley Abernethy. A programme of musical items with a maritime theme entitled “All at Sea” was well received.Competitions – visitors – paperweight – 1, Joyce Eaves (Eckford); 2, Lorna Dickson (Newtown); 3, Elizabeth 
Leckie (Greenlaw). Members – paperweight – 1, Jean McDermid; 2, Meg Black; 3, Kathy Wilkie; fruit loaf – 1, June Brown; 2, Kathy Wilkie. The next meeting will be held on June 3 at the earlier time of 7pm.

Stobo

Plant sale

Friends of Dawyck Botanic Garden’s annual plant sale is on May 18 (11am-4pm). In addition to an array of plants from members’ own gardens, there will be stalls featuring the Peeblesshire Beekeepers’ Association and Waulkmill Cider of Langholm.

Traquair

Service

The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on May 25 at 10am.

Yetholm

WRI

Members gather on May 20 at 7.30pm in the Wauchope Hall for a guest night with the topic being Yetholm Village Choir.

Coffee morning

There will be a coffee morning run by Yetholm Guild in the Wauchope Hall on May 24.

Lambs service

On May 25 at 11.15am, the local kirk is holding the annual Service of the Lambs at Belford-on-Bowmont.

football

Wednesday, May 7

the King Cup Third Round

Edinburgh University 1 Hibernian 0

Whitehill Welfare 3 University of Stirling 2

FRIDAY, MAY 9

laidler/lancaster cup final

Shilbottle CW 4 Duns 2 (aet) 
(at Shielfield Park )

Saturday, May 10

Lowland League

Edinburgh City 7 Vale of Leithen 2

Gretna 2008 1 Preston Athletic 1

Selkirk 0 Gala Fairydean Rovers 3

Threave Rovers P Dalbeattie Star P

Univ of Stirling 3 Spartans 2

P W D L F A Pts

Spartans 20 15 3 2 54 12 48

Dalbeattie 20 10 6 4 54 32 36

Stirling University 19 11 3 5 38 21 36

Vale of Leithen 20 11 3 6 37 33 36

Whitehill Welfare 20 11 2 7 52 34 35

Edinburgh City 19 10 1 8 38 26 31

Gretna 2008 20 8 5 7 37 30 29

East Kilbride 22 8 4 10 28 31 28

Preston Athletic 20 7 1 12 37 50 22

Gala Fairydean Rov 21 6 2 13 43 63 20

Threave 20 4 4 12 19 47 16

Selkirk 20 1 2 17 19 79 5

East of Scotland League Cup final

Hibernian 4 Craigroyston 1
(at Civil Service Strollers)

East of Scotland first Division

Hawick Royal Albert 2 Ormiston 0

P W D L F A Pts

Hibernian 18 15 1 2 72 16 46

Easthouses Lily 18 13 3 2 56 21 42

Berwick Rangers 18 11 0 7 42 27 33

Peebles Rovers 18 7 4 7 37 39 25

Kelso United 18 6 4 8 28 38 22

Burntisland Ship 18 6 3 9 24 43 21

Hawick RA 18 6 1 11 29 44 19

Duns 18 5 3 10 29 46 18

Ormiston 18 6 0 12 27 48 18

Eyemouth United 18 4 3 11 31 53 15

Waddell Cup Final (at Greenlaw)

Greenlaw 4 Gordon 1

border amateur league division a

Leithen Rovers 2 Newtown 0

Hawick Waverley 3 West Barns Star 5

P W D L F A Pts

Chirnside Utd 20 12 5 3 62 40 41

Leithen Rovers 20 11 3 6 48 38 36

Stow 20 10 3 7 48 31 33

West Barns Star 20 10 2 8 68 60 32

Hawick Waverley 20 9 5 6 48 40 32

Greenlaw 20 9 3 8 45 50 30

Newtown 20 8 5 7 43 37 29

Ancrum 20 8 5 7 55 58 29

Gala Fairydean Rov 20 7 2 11 54 59 23

Tweeddale Rovers 20 6 3 11 37 44 21

*Hearts of L’dale 20 1 2 17 27 78 -1

*points deducted

border amateur league division b

Biggar 4 Gala Hotspur 3

P W D L F A Pts

Jed Legion 20 17 0 3 71 19 51

Gordon 19 16 1 2 97 17 49

Hawick Utd 20 12 2 6 64 62 38

Langholm Legion 20 10 3 7 64 44 33

Hawick Legion 20 9 4 7 69 48 31

Coldstream Ams 20 9 2 9 45 35 29

Eyemouth Ams 20 8 4 8 68 54 28

Gala Hotspur 20 7 3 10 54 53 24

Linton Hotspur 20 6 1 13 46 55 19

*Biggar 19 3 2 14 35 68 5

*Selkirk Victoria 20 1 0 19 10 168 -3

*points deducted

north northumberland league

division 1

Red Row Welfare 3 Tweedmouth Rangers 2

monday, may 12

north northumberland league

division 1

Tweedmouth Rangers 4 Bamburgh Castle 2

P W D L F A Pts

Shilbottle CW 14 13 1 0 83 22 40

Bamburgh Castle 16 10 2 4 55 40 32

Tweedmouth R 15 8 3 4 54 29 27

Red Row Welfare 15 8 3 4 50 34 27

N Sunderland 16 7 3 6 38 48 24

“Rothbury 15 5 1 9 37 54 13

Highfields United 16 4 0 12 31 70 12

Tweedmouth H 15 3 1 11 29 62 10

*Springhill 16 3 2 11 21 39 8

*points deducted

fixtures

friday, May 16

The Southern Counties Cup FINAL

Wigtown & Bladnoch v Dalbeattie Star

(at St Mary’s Park, Kirkcudbright, 7.30)

Beveridge Cup Final

Newtown v Gala Fairydean Rovers

(at Greenlaw, 6.45)

BILCLOUGH CUP FINAL

Amble St Cuthbert v Tweedmouth Rangers
(at Shielfield Park, 7pm)

Saturday, May 17

South Cup Final

Leithen Rovers v Carluke Baps 
(at Vale of Leithen, 2.30)

border amateur league division b (2.30)

Biggar v Gordon

north northumberland league

division 1 (2pm)

Tweedmouth Harrow v Rothbury

Sunday, May 18

The King Cup FINAL

Whitehill Welfare/Gretna 2008 v Edinburgh City/Edinburgh University

(at Pennypitt Park, Prestonpans)

cricket

Saturday, may 10

ESCL DIVISION ONE

Gala v Musselburgh, St Boswells v Heriots 2 matches off

Saturday’s fixtures: Heriots 2 v Edinburgh CC, Largo v Dunfermline, Musselburgh v Marchmont, St Boswells v Gala, Watsonians 2 v Edinburgh Accies.

ESCL DIVISION two

MDAFS 2 v Kelso match off

Saturday’s fixtures: Broomhall v Clackmannan Co, Dunnikier v MDAFS 2, Kelso v SMRH 2, Livingston v Leith, West Lothian 2 v Fauldhouse.

ESCL DIVISION four

Selkirk v Grange 3 match off

Saturday’s fixtures: Dunfermline Carnegie v Grange 3, Edinburgh South 2 v RHC 2, Holy Cross 2 v Watsonians 3, Selkirk v Preston Village, Stirling Co 3 v Largo 2.

ESCL DIVISION five

Peebles County v Drummond Trinity 2 match off

Saturday’s fixtures: Drummond Trinity 2 v Glenrothes 2, Falkland 3 v Boroughmuir 2, Marchmont 2 v Edinburgh Ac 2, Peebles County v MDAFS 3, Stuart&Stuart Penicuik 2 v Livingston 2.

ESCL DIVISION six

Tranent (20) beat Hawick & Wilton (4) by 185 runs. At Meadowmill.

Tranent

S. Russell, b B. Hartop8

A. Ali, b L. Stewart4

S. Fahim, not out135

O. Altaf, c Unknown, b N. Storey36

A. Hoenigmann, b L. Stewart8

A. N. Ali, c Unknown, b R. Alexander3

A. Shaikh, b R. Alexander4

W. Hassan, b. R Alexander0

M. Anderson, c S. Hair, b R. Alexander0

V. Paul, not out11

Extras6

Total for 8 (40 overs)215

Bowling: N. Storey 1-10, L. Stewart 2-28, B. Hartop 1-45, S. Hair 0-56, P. Solley 0-32, R. Alexander 4-37.

Hawick & Wilton

D. Solley, c S. Russell, b M. Anderson0

A. Moffat, lbw b F. Nadeem8

P. Solley, c A. Hoenigmann, b M. Anderson0

B. Hartop, lbw b F. Nadeem8

S. Hair, c O. Altaf, b F. Nadeem2

P. MacTaggart, b A. Ali 1

N. Storey, b F. Nadeem1

L. Stewart, b A. Ali0

E. Hair, not out6

R. Alexander, b A, Ali2

B. MacTaggart, b A. Ali0

Extras2

Total all out (22.4 overs) 30

Bowling: M. Anderson 2-3, W. Hassan 0-2, A. Ali 4-5, F. Nadeem 4-20.

Musselburgh 2 v Melrose match off

P W t L PTS %

Heriots 3 2 2 0 0 40100.00

OCCC 2 2 0 0 40 100.00

Tranent 2 2 0 0 40 100.00

Edinburgh CC 2 2 1 0 1 29 72.50

Musselburgh 2 2 1 0 1 26 65.00

Teuchters 2 1 0 1 26 65.00

Hawick & Wilton 3 1 0 2 29 48.34

Dunbar 2 0 0 2 13 32.50

Melrose 1 0 0 1 5 25.00

West Lothian 3 2 0 0 2 10 25.00

Saturday’s fixtures: Edinburgh CC 2 v Melrose, Heriots 3 v West Lothian 3, OCCC v Hawick & Wilton, Teuchters v Dunbar, Tranent v Musselburgh 2.

bowls

monday, may 5

border league DIVISION ONE

Hawick A 81 Melrose 71

tuesday, may 6

border senior league

Abbotsford 56 Newtown 52

Buccleuch 44 Kelso 53

Earlston/Melrose 59 Wilton 45

Hawick 47 Gala 71

Selkirk/Ettrick Forest v Peebles home walkover

wednesday, may 7

border league DIVISION ONE

Earlston 87 Wilton A 69

Jedburgh 67 Abbotsford A 71

Kelso A 88 Lauder 64

Waverley A 77 Ancrum 73

border league DIVISION two

Peebles 0 Gala A 10

Buccleuch 86 Stow 71

Selkirk P Newtown P

St Ronan’s P Ettrick Forest P

P W D L F A Pts

Buccleuch 1 1 0 0 86 71 2

Gala A 1 1 0 0 10 0 2

Peebles 1 0 0 1 0 10 0

Stow 1 0 0 1 71 86 0

Ettrick Forest 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Newtown 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Selkirk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

St Ronan’s 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

border B league

Abbotsford B 48 Kelso B 28

Wilton B P Hawick P

P W D L F A Pts

Abbotsford B 1 1 0 0 48 28 2

Kelso B 1 0 0 1 28 48 0

Gala B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Hawick B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Waverley B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Wilton B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

thursday, may 8

border senior league

Jedburgh 78 Abbotsford 43

Kelso 46 Hawick 57

Newtown 40 Earlston/Melrose 63

Peebles 48 Buccleuch 61

Wilton 56 Selkirk/Ettrick Forest 40

P W D L F A Pts

Wilton 4 3 0 1 239 164 6

Earlston/Melrose 4 3 0 1 227 170 6

Jedburgh 3 2 0 1 178 155 4

Kelso 3 2 0 1 149 148 4

Selkirk/Ettrick F 3 2 0 1 100 105 4

Abbotsford 4 2 0 2 212 236 4

Buccleuch 3 1 1 1 157 153 3

Hawick 3 1 1 1 156 169 3

Gala 2 1 0 1 120 97 2

Newtown 3 0 0 3 133 187 0

Peebles 4 0 0 4 122 209 0

friday, may 9

border league DIVISION ONE

Abbotsford A 72 Waverley A 81

Ancrum 73 Kelso A 71

Earlston 80 Jedburgh 65

Wilton A 80 Hawick A 89

P W D L F A Pts

Earlston 2 2 0 0 167 134 4

Hawick A 2 2 0 0 170 151 4

Waverley A 2 2 0 0 158 145 4

Kelso A 2 1 0 1 159 137 2

Ancrum 2 1 0 1 146 148 2

Abbotsford A 2 1 0 1 143 148 2

Melrose 1 0 0 1 71 81 0

Jedburgh 2 0 0 2 132 151 0

Lauder 1 0 0 1 64 88 0

Wilton A 2 0 0 2 149 176 0

fixtures

tuesday, may 20

border senior league (11am)

Abbotsford v Earlston/Melrose

Jedburgh v Selkirk/Ettrick Forest

Newtown v Buccleuch

Peebles v Gala

Wilton v Hawick

wednesday, may 21

border league DIVISION ONE (7pm)

Abbotsford A v Kelso A

Earlston v Ancrum

Hawick A v Waverley A

Jedburgh v Lauder

Wilton A v Melrose

border league DIVISION two (7pm)

Ettrick Forest v Newtown

Peebles v Stow

Selkirk v Buccleuch

St Ronans v Gala A

border B league (7pm)

Gala B v Abbotsford B

Kelso B v Wilton B

Waverley B v Hawick B

The world’s oldest junior sevens, The Crichton Cup, was held at the Greenyards on Saturday with more than 350 youngsters from the local area taking part.

A break with tradition saw the event being run as part of a Commonwealth Games initiative, with teams representing countries taking part in Glasgow later this year. New Zealand, Australia and Samoa were just some of those competing for the honours.

Borders wheelchair athlete Samantha Kinghorn was on hand to present the trophies and medals.

Sports digest

Archery

Ettrick Forest

Three hardy archers made the long trip to Inverness for the Highland Longbows Club’s double header at the weekend.

For once, on the Saturday clout, Elaine Pearson (45 hits, 117 score, 2 clouts) didn’t blow away the opposition, but still gained a bronze medal for the best first-round score, while Ev Craig held her own in fourth place with 40, 94, 1. Winning the ladies’ section by a hefty margin was the home club’s Barbara Campbell.

The Selkirk outfit’s sole male competitor, Mike Pearson, found the going tricky, but finished sixth with 13, 26, 0.

On the Sunday, however, Mike ruled the roost in the mixed Albion target round, coming out on top, winning the silver medal with 73 hits, 313 score, 5 golds – a fantastic effort.

Barbara won the ladies’ medal again, but Elaine grabbed another bronze with a 49, 177, 4; Ev coming in 18th overall with 22, 90, 1.

Bowling

Hawick

Hawick opened up their Border League campaign for 2014 with a game on Tuesday night, against last year’s champions Melrose, and enjoyed a really good victory, winning by 81 shots to 71. Top rink for Hawick was the Les Clarkson-skipped outfit.

On Thursday, the seniors travelled to Kelso, and came up against a strong side. However, careful selections resulted in a good win for the Teri seniors by 57-46. Hawick’s top rink was the G. Lyall-skipped one.

Friday night saw the A team make the short journey to their Wilton counterparts at the other end of Hawick, and again the away side triumphed with a good victory by 89-80. Top for the Hawick side was the Bill Anderson skipped-rink.

Lauder

The club would like to congratulate Amanda Ogilvie and Gwenda Ainslie, who have qualified for the District Pairs final to be held at Eyemouth BC at the end of June.

Last Thursday, the club was the scene for an initiative organised by Gemma Ross of Borders Sport and Leisure, schools and communities, whereby local primary children try a number of various sports that are included in the Commonwealth Games.

A total of 15 primary 4 and 5 youngsters from Lauder, Westruther and Channelkirk schools attended and a good afternoon was had by all. The same will happen today for those children in primaries 6 and 7.

Newtown

The annual playing of the Mac Robert Thistle Cup saw 12 hardy players turn out to contest the title.

The weather was kind in that it did not rain, however, the wind-chill factor had everyone in hats and coats.

The competition is run as a round-robin and there was some great bowling from all the players. There were some very close games, but the eventual winners with six points, three games won and no losses, were Drew Redburn, Sandra Thomson and Stuart Grange.

The runners-up, with two wins to one loss, were Gary Craig, Marie Todd and Winnie Milligan.

The cup was presented to the winners by club president Gary Craig.

Newtown Bowling Club is open to all ages of player, and there is always room for anyone to come and try out at the club.

Golf

Galashiels

Bert Ranking competition: 1, A. Simpson 89 (25) 64; 2, A. Temple 80 (15) 65; 3, S. Scott 78 (12) 66.

This was another good weekend for Alexander Simpson which has carried on his excellent form and saw him clinch another victory.

May Medal: 1, J. Gillie 80 (11) 69.

Baxter Cup: 1, K. W. Simpson 42 points; 2, W. Morrison 41; 3, S. Robertson 40.

John Scott (Plumbing & Heating) Seniors A. League Turner Cup Qualifier: Winner, W. Morrison nett 36 BIH; B. League Dickson Cup Qualifier: Winner, A. R. Gerrard 33.

Kelso

Thistle Cup: 1, J. Morton 75 (11) 64; 2, G. Sweenie 82 (16) 66; 3, R. Newton 72 (5) 67.

Ladies Spring Stroke: 1, L. Wilson 80 (9) 71; 2, P. Laing 90 (12) 78.

Kelso Ladies played a Texas scramble at Duns on Sunday, joining players from the host club and St Boswells for a team competition. A very enjoyable day and the winners were Anne Wood (Duns), Margaret Wilkinson (Kelso) and Norma Burnyeat (St Boswells) with 73.1.

Entries are now being taken for the Gents’ Open Texas Scramble (teams of four) on Saturday, May 24, and the Ladies’ Open Greensomes on Sunday, June 1. Please email secretary@kelsogolfclub.co.uk or telephone 01573 223009 to enter.

Lauder

The first 18-hole Stableford of the season took place last week with 11 members taking part, as well as two men playing for their handicaps.

Result: 1, M. Dunne (10) 39 points; 2, H. Moffat (18) 38; 3, Robert Anderson 35 pts (16).

On Sunday, a small but select field played in the second round of the Laidlaw Homes eclectic and although the scoring was generally high, Ian Scott produced a fine round of a net 68 to take the spoils.

Results: 1, I. Scott 80 (12) 68; 2, R. Dick 93 (20) 73; 3, D. Kellett 90 (17) 73.

Laidlaw Home Eclectic (after round 2): 1, B. Hunter 79 (9) 70; 2, T. Hogarth 81 (10) 71; 3, I. Scott 80 (8) 72.

This Sunday sees the Bells Scramble take place – entries close on Saturday. Book now on competitions@laudergolf
club.co.uk.

Melrose

SLGA Medal: V. Hogg 91 (21) 70. Scratch: J. Shirra-Gibb 93.

Minto

It has been a busy and very successful week for Minto golfers, both at home and away. Goswick was the scene of a major Minto triumph when club champion Peter Gibb won the scratch competition there with a score of 77, while two other Minto golfers finished in the top four in the handicap competition. David Howden won this with a net score of 70, with Tommy Mulvee in fourth place with net 72.

John Law, the club captain, won this week’s Seniors’ Summer League competition with 37 Stableford points. Tam Glendinning, David Howden and Iain Oliver retain the top three places in the league with 27.5, 23.5 and 16.5 points respectively.

Gents’ and Seniors’ Stableford competition: 1, T. Mulvee 39 points; 2, R. Gray 36; 3, B. Cureton 35.

Minto Seniors continued their winning ways in their second match of the season by beating Goswick decisively by 4.5 rubbers to 1.5. This followed a win against Rothbury by 3.5 rubbers to 2.5.

A strong Torwoodlee gents’ team brought Minto’s run of success to a close in their match played at Torwoodlee, winning by 4 rubbers to 2.

Minto ladies were determined not to let the Minto men take all the glory when they competed in the Borders Veteran Ladies’ Spring competition at the Hirsel. Flora Kerr was the overall winner with 34 Stableford points, whilst Cherry Thom won the Division 1 competition, also with 34 points. The Minto ladies’ captain, Gill Cartwright, came third in the Division Two competition with 28 points.

There was further success for Minto ladies when they visited St Boswells for an inter-club match and won.

Fourteen juniors took part in the annual junior captain’s v vice-captain’s Stableford team competition.

The vice-captain’s team, led by Angus Brown, won a very close contest, beating the captain’s team, led by Joseph Flynn, by 245 points to 234. Rhea Middlemass won the individual competition on countback from Frazer Towers with 40 Stableford points.

Fifteen juniors without handicaps played in their first competition of the season, a Texas scramble played over six holes. Lucy Nichol, Elle Forster and James Wieczysty won with a score of 35.

Gents’ and Seniors’ May Medal: 1, S. Taylor 84 (16) 66 BIH; 2, A. Johnston 79 (13) 66; 3, D. Miller 83 (16) 67 BIH.

Ladies’ May Medal: 1, C. Allott 84 (13) 71; 2, F. Kerr 93 (21) 72; 3, L. Bruce 100 (22) 78. Scratch: J. Beattie 97.

The coffee morning organised by the ladies’ committee, led by ladies’ captain Gill Cartwright, raised a fantastic sum of £1,100 for club funds. Thanks to all those who contributed to the tremendous success.

St Boswells

Ladies Club Trophy (2): 1, R. Macdonald 88 (21) 67 (lowest gross); 2, S. Barrie 96 (23) 73; 3, M. Allen 93 (20) 73.

Marjoribanks Mixed Open Greensomes: 1, C. & L. Ovens nett 66.4; 2, B. Marjoribanks & L. Ritchie 67; 3, M. Ovens & M. Callander 67.4. Scratch: I. Craigie & M. Nightingale 74.

Marjoribanks May Medal (Championship qualifier No. 1): 1, A. Whellans 73 (9) 64 (lowest gross); 2, D. Johnston 78 (12) 66; 3, W. Marjoribanks 75 (9) 66.

Torwoodlee

Tuesday Stroke (Order of Merit round 1): 1, R. Gladstone 76 (12) 64; 2, G. Fraser 93 (27) 66; 3, R. Hastings 76 (10) 66. Scratch: D. Gillie 66.

Spring & A. J. Thomson Cup - Dickson Cup (round one): 1, D. Catto 80 (16) 64; 2, C. Forsyth 76 (11) 65; 3, Mark McCall 76 (11) 65.

Homing

Earlston & District

Members sent 108 birds to Ripon, liberated at 10.45am into a west wind. Results: 1, 2, 3, W. Gray & Son 1438.25; 4, S. Martin 1393.69; 5, 6, 7, A. Simpson 1337.06; 8, 9, A. Bain 1328.70; 10, S. Hardie & Sons 1288.53.

Galashiels

Eleven members sent 228 pigeons to Ripon, a distance of 112 miles. Result: 1, 3, Douglas & Spearman 1316.160; 2, W. Hopewell 1301.259; 4, 9, J. Wyper 1279.557; 5, 7, 8, W. Henderson 1241.243; 6, B. Dixon 1237.599; 10, A. R. Lindores 1228.850.

Squash

Galashiels

Club night friendlies: R. Kohler 2 S. Walker 0; D. Sharratt 2 A. Rocha 0; A. Gill 1 I. Chalmers 1; R. Kohler 2 D. Burnie 0; S. Walker 2 A. Rocha 1; D. Sharratt 2 I. Chalmers 0; A. Gill 1 D. Burnie 1; D. Sharratt 2 S. Walker 0; I. Chalmers 2 A. Rocha 0; D. Burnie 2 D. Sharratt 0; A. Gill 2 S. Walker 0.

Gala ASC enjoyed a great weekend of swimming at the Mighty Marlins Meet at Eyemouth on Sunday, May 3.

Laura Frizzel competed in the 50m fly, swimming just outside her PB. She was also in the 100m breast for the first time, finishing in sixth with a great PB time.

Sophie Wilson competed in the 100m fly, again for the first time, and overcame pre-race nerves to finish sixth with a PB. Sophie also swam in the 100m breast – a four-second PB.

Aimee Goodship competed well in the 100m breast and also saved 2.5 seconds off her PB in the 100m freestyle.

Courtney Stewart knocked 2.5 secs of her PB in the 100m freestyle, and collected a silver medal.

William Taylor took two silvers – a five-second PB in the 100m breast and a 6.5-second PB in the 100 fly.

Andrew Watt took three golds in a superb display. In the 100m fly, a massive 12 seconds off his PB, in the 100m breast a five-second PB, and in the 100m freestyle, beat his best by four seconds.

At the Haddington Total Meet on Sunday,May 4, Bethany Hamilton competed in the 100m IM, taking a three-second PB. She also swam in the 50m fly, back, breast and freestyle, beating here best in three of them. She also managed to gain a place in the grand final of the 200 IM for the 14/15 girls and finished fourth, just outside her PB.

Hawick’s disappointing season with the bat continued as they were skittled out for just 30 against Division Six favourites Tranent.

The visitors got off to a great start, with opening bowlers Lee Stewart and Neil Storey bowling very tight opening spells, Stewart finding the breakthrough.

Benny Hartop was the next man to get his name in the scorebook after he dismissed the home side’s wicketkeeper Scott Russell, on his 100th game for Tranent. However, their next partnership proved pivotal, and started to take the game away from Hawick, as Altaf and Fahim put on 150 runs for the next wicket, with the latter reaching his century.

Storey came back on to repair the damage and Altaf was caught at mid-wicket for 36 and the runs started to dry up as Stewart picked up his second wicket of the match.

Ronan Alexander and Pierce Solley had the job of bowling at the death, and Alexander took four wickets, including his first ever hat-trick, to keep the Teries in contention.

The Edinburgh side posted a target of 216 to win and Hawick got off to the worst possible start, as both Solley brothers were dismissed in the first over.

Allan Moffatt and Hartop tried to steady the ship, but were both removed leg before for eight in quick succession. The Buccleuch Park men’s innings never got going and they were soon all out for 30, with no batsman reaching double figures.

Despite this hefty defeat, the Teries can be happy with the way they bowled at the start and end of the innings as they aim to bounce back with a victory this weekend away to Old Contemptibles CC.

Glasgow played host on Sunday to a pre-Commonwealth Games Urban Orienteering race, hosting a combined Scottish and UK League counter.

A large number of runners gathered at The People’s Palace for a fast and furious navigational challenge taking in the parkland, university grounds and city centre.

Several Roxburgh Reivers took podium places.

Faisal Khursheed won M16 with Patrick Heger – now fourth in the UK League – took second. Yousuf Khursheed finished third on M14.

The ladies also ran well with Eileen Maxwell and Lindsey Knox both finishing second in their age classes and both now head the UK league. Eileen lies second in the Scottish league. Kirstin Maxwell followed up her third place in the May Bank Holiday urban race in Kendal with second on the Women’s Elite to leave her second in the UK league and third in the Scottish league.

Next up for the local club are the Scottish Championships on May 24 in Perthshire and the British Championships in Northumberland on May 31.

London 2012 Paralympic silver medallist and Beijing Paralympic bronze medallist Sam Ingram is one of the most highly-regarded judoka in visually impaired judo.

So it was hardly surprising when around 100 budding Borders judo players turned out at the Queens Centre in Galashiels earlier this month to attend a Tri-Judo session led by the 28-year-old who lives and trains in Scotland.

“It’s pleasing to see that the Borders, in terms of population, has such a good number of good quality judo players,” he told The Southern.

Both local children and coaches turned out for the JudoScotland event, during which Ingram shared his experiences and techniques with his engrossed audience.

Originally from Coventry, Ingram and his brother Joe were both born with the genetic eye condition conal dystrophy, meaning they cannot see in colour and have no central vision. After leaving the school he attended University College Falmouth to study broadcasting.

It was here, at the age of 21, Ingram was inspired to take up judo by his brother, who competed in the martial art at university.

“I would have loved to have played football or something, but I just couldn’t because of my vision,” he told us.

“There is no point in dwelling on it, that’s just life and you have to get on with it.

“Judo is one of the most accepting and inclusive sports out there and that is one of the reasons I was attracted to it.

“You can have an Olympic medallist sitting on the mat along with a blue belt child and people with all different disabilities. There aren’t many sports in which you can do that and I think its fantastic.”

Since taking up the sport at a comparatively late stage in his life, Ingram has never looked back. He represented Great Britain at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, where he won a bronze medal. He also competed at the 2007 IBSA World Championships in Brazil, where he picked up a silver. He won a silver again in 2010, and competed in the European Championships in 2011, winning a gold on that occasion. He trains at JudoScotland in Edinburgh alongside leading fully-sighted judoka such as Euan Burton, James Austin and Matthew Purssey.

Among the many local judo clubs represented at the event were members of the Galashiels based Focus Judo, including Earlston’s Billy Walker who is also visually impaired.

“Watching Sam at the Paralympics in 2012 inspired me to take up judo again after a long break and it was just great to be able to meet him in person,” said Walker.