Euan Briggs, of Kelso, is heading for Malawi next month to do charity work, including helping out in a leprosy colony through the Borders Exploration Group.
In order to go he had to raise money. Bryan Dickman, above right, did a sponsored slim through Simply Slimming 4 U, losing six stones and raising £715.50 for Euan.
Borders farmers and other producers will be among those putting the finishing touches to livestock and other exhibits for the Highland Show later this month.
Livestock numbers are up for the 174th show with almost 7,000 animals expected and there are increased entries across the dairy cattle, sheep, dairy goats and horse sections.
Berwick’s Brian Redhead and Jonathan Watson of Bowsden Moor are taking Charolais cattle to the Highland for the first time.
Jonathan explained: “This is the first crop of calves that are entirely our own breeding and it’s to start advertising them.
“Selling pedigree cattle is the main part of our business and the show is a good shop window.
“We established the Charolais herd two years ago: I thought there was an opening and the breed was an obvious choice because Charolais bulls are becoming more popular again.”
The successful uncle and nephew team hope to take eight cattle - Limousin, British Blues as well as Charolais - to Ingliston, including the Limousin Tweeddale Hawkeye, last year’s Great Yorkshire’s reserve junior champion - and another Limousin, the now 19-month-old senior female champion of the Stars of the Future calf show at Stirling in November.
Among the sheep exhibitors, Roderick ‘Rocket’ Runciman of Allanshaws, Galashiels, who took the North Country Cheviot breed title for the third time on the trot last year, is taking up “seven or eight” he said. Up the valleys, last year’s breed championship winners Jimmy and George Irving, of Mountbenger, are putting forward four South Country Cheviots while Steven Renwick of Craigdouglas is taking Texels.
Up the Kale Valley, Will Thomson of Hownam Grange will attend with North Country Cheviots and, close to Kelso, last year’s breed championship winners, Patrick and Denise Playfair return with Shetlands. And other ‘regulars’ from the region are expected.
The Highland Hall will be temporary home to almost 1,000 beef and dairy cattle and some 1,900 sheep are expected to fill five marquees.
Sheep entry numbers are up by 100 to reach an eight-year high, with notably Beltex on 231 entries, up by 21 and Hebridean with 77 entries up by 38.
Horse entries have again increased on last year in both the heavy and light horse sections, up by 102 entries to 1,713, with the Mounted and Moorland Ridden classes dominating with 212 entries and Coloured Horse entries up by 33 to 178.
Limousins will dominate the cattle hall with 123 entries, up by 21 on 2013. Scottish breed entries have also seen a rise, with both Belted Galloway and Highland entries up to 28 and 95 respectively.
Organisers, the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland’s chief executive Stephen Hutt: “The numbers speak for themselves and reflect the widely held view that the Highland is the place to exhibit, and hopefully, win. And winning is no mean feat, with the very best calibre of livestock on show.”
Judging at the four-day event starts at 8am on the first day, Thursday June 19.
Lauder WRI life member Kathleen Thomson presented life membership certificates and badges to Irene Turnbull, of Factor’s Park, who has been with the rural since 1946; Elizabeth Wood, of Scott Road, a member of Lauder and other Border rurals since 1954; and Joanne Watson, of Factor’s Park, a long-standing committee member, past secretary, vice-president and president since joining the rural in 1968.
Each was also presented with a floral arrangement created by Senga Towers.
Photograph, from left, Irene Turnbull, Joanne Watson and Elizabeth Wood.
Early in 2013, author Tan Twan Eng agreed to travel from his Cape Town home to the Borders Book Festival before knowing where Melrose was.
He came for the announcement of last year’s Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction – and as it turned out, was not disappointed, either by his win or the warmth of the welcome he found in the Borders.
This week he sent comments specially penned for The Southern on what the win and its £25,000 cash prize meant.
Tan Twan Eng writes: “I had never been to Scotland, and when I arrived in the Borders region, its beauty took my breath away. I’d love to stay there for a few months, just to write and explore the area.
“I suspect, like the other three writers on the shortlist – Pat Barker, Anthony Quinn and Thomas Keneally – we all expected Hilary Mantel to win, and I would have been absolutely delighted if she had.
“We had already met during the month of the Booker Prize shortlisting in 2012, and I found her to be a lovely person – warm and generous-hearted. When my name was announced as the winner, she reached across from her seat, squeezed my hand and gave me a huge, delighted smile.
“To be the first writer from the Commonwealth to win the Walter Scott Prize was a tremendous honour.
“It made me feel connected to a long tradition and to a part of a world I had never been to, but which made me feel immediately at home when I arrived there.
“Because of the prize, The Garden of Evening Mists has now been read by countless people who would never have picked it up before; it has made more readers aware of the novel, and of Cameron Highlands, and Malaysia.
“What made the Walter Scott Prize so special for me were the people behind it: the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, who made us writers feel so at home, the panel of talented and discerning judges, the organisers of the event and the volunteers, and all the many, many warm and friendly people I was privileged to meet in Melrose.
“With all these elements in place, the Walter Scott Prize will only go from strength to strength and take its place as one of the premier literary prizes in the world.”
A report on the standard of Borders care homes has said there are fears within the council about the quality of care for older people.
The study, due to go before SBC’s social work and housing committee today (Thursday), follows a review of care homes by the council’s community care reviewing team.
It states: “We continue to monitor the quality of care and support within the care homes, and there remains some concern that 42 per cent of grades obtained by the care homes remain in the “unsatisfactory” to “adequate” range, as highlighted in an analysis of the Care Inspectorate quality gradings for the last two inspections for all of the 22 care homes.”
The report also raises the ongoing concern that many of the Borders’ private-sector care homes are former country homes which are difficult to adapt to accommodate single rooms with en-suite facilities.
It adds: “They are often not particularly suited for older people with physical disabilities, or who may have some significant degree of dementia.”
Members of the committee are being recommended to call for the council’s chief social work officer to provide an update on the situation in six months.
The report also reveals that tenders for three dementia units, each for eight residents, will go out in September.
Musician Lori Watson’s latest composition celebrates the beauty of the area and has been commissioned for the opening of the Born in the Borders Visitor Centre.
The £500,000 business venture at Lanton Mill Farm, near Denholm, is the latest initiative from the Scottish Borders Brewery, and is designed to be a one-stop-shop for the best Borders produce.
John Henderson, owner of Scottish Borders Brewery, said: “The rich, fertile lands of the Borders and its proud, creative and exceptionally talented people are at the heart of Born in the Borders – an exciting new destination that showcases some of the region’s finest products.
“We therefore thought it fitting to commission Lori, a leading musician who was brought up here and who understands the pride and the passion of the region, to encapsulate this in a beautiful new song.”
The visitor centre showcases products from over 70 local suppliers in its food and drink shop, goods and gift shop and 40 seater cafe, which have been created by sympathetically restoring and renovating an old farm steading and dairy buildings.
Lori’s new song, called Born in the Borders, will be available to download free from the Born in the Borders Facebook page from July 1.
The visitor centre will hold a special opening celebration event on Saturday, June 21 from 11am-3pm featuring a farmers’ market and local musicians.
Bus operator First Borders has announced improvements to its services which link the Borders with Edinburgh.
All buses on the X62 route will have free wi-fi for passengers and buses on both it and the X95 route between Edinburgh and Carlisle have been given a facelift.
The X95 service has been rebranded ‘X95 The Ridings’ and all ten buses operating on it have been given one of three new liveries, representing the Common Ridings in Galashiels, Hawick and Selkirk.
The six double-decker buses operating on the X62 service have been given a new tartan livery.
Managing director of First Borders, Paul McGowan, said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to introduce a new look and feel to the buses that I’m confident will be welcomed by customers.
“I’m pleased too that passengers will benefit from free wi-fi on Service X62. Having seen the success and popularity of the free wi-fi on our X95 services over the last 12 months, it was an easy decision to give X62 customers the same benefits.”
Mr McGowan added: “We want more people to travel by bus, and to travel by bus more often. At First Borders, we are working hard to improve our services so that we can attract more customers and we’re confident that these improvements to X62 and X95 services will prove popular with customers and help attract more people out of their cars and onto the bus.”
First has distributed bus discount vouchers totalling more than £185,000 to more than 15,000 households on the routes.
Two young Borderers will have an integral role to play in the opening ceremony of next month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Kirsty Lennon (16), from Tweedbank, who is a pupil at Earlston High School, and former pupil Fraser Wardhaugh (17) from Melrose, successfully auditioned for a part in the ceremony cast.
Each Scottish local authority was invited to identify young people to submit audition videos for a part in the opening ceremony.
Kirsty and Fraser are both members of Scottish Borders Youth Voice and were asked to audition in recognition of their commitment to their community, enthusiasm for sport and the Commonwealth Games, and their positive attitude.
They were chosen by the Glasgow 2014 organising committee to represent the Scottish Borders from their great audition videos, where they talked about their contribution to volunteering and their passion for celebrating the values of the Commonwealth.
Kirsty told us: “I was surprised to be successful in my audition for the role but I am honoured to represent the Scottish Borders at Glasgow 2014. I am very excited to take part and intrigued to find out the details of what my role will be.”
Michelle Strong, Headteacher at Earlston High School, added: “We are delighted for Fraser and Kirsty. It is a fabulous opportunity to be part of a national event. We are confident that they will represent the school and the Borders well, and hopefully encourage younger students to be involved in similar events in the future”
The pair will attend a workshop on the June 21 in Glasgow, where they will find out more about their role in the opening ceremony, which is currently being kept under wraps.
The opening ceremony includes the reading of the Queen’s message which is contained within the Queen’s Baton - which has travelled the Commonwealth and arrives in Scotland at Coldstream on June 14.
The Borders will host the Queen’s Baton Relay on June 18 and full details can be found at www.scotborders.gov.uk/QBR
Jedburgh-based Mainetti has been chosen as one of six of Scotland’s most environmentally friendly firms to go forward to compete for a prestigious Europe-wide prize after winning a Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Award last year.
The firm is one of 12 UK firms that will compete against companies from 23 other countries for the European Business Award for the Environment.
Organisers described this year’s Children’s Countryside Day at Glendale showground, near Wooler, last week as ‘fantastic’.
The award-winning event was attended by 40 schools, 65 exhibitors and 250 volunteers and a new key feature this 10th anniversary year was the dairy area teaching children where their milk, cheese and ice cream comes from and how to make butter.
Speaking after the event, Glendale Agricultural Society Children’s Countryside Day chairman Johnny Renner said: “We have had another fantastic day. The overall aim of the Glendale Agricultural Society is for the Children’s Countryside Day to continue to educate and to evolve, and to highlight the existing changing face of farming, and the countryside. The day is a very important platform for the society’s overall objective of maintaining a high profile for rural life, food production and the countryside.
“We are absolutely delighted that since its inception ten years ago, not only has the Children’s Countryside Day educated thousands of children; but that so many of the schools now incorporate it into their curriculum. Already we have schools signed up for the 2015 event.
“This really is a community event at all levels and for all ages, with one key focus – rural education. On behalf of the Society I would also like to thank everyone who attended, exhibited, sponsored and supported today.
TV favourite John Grundy was tasked with choosing a winner from inspired environmentally-friendly scarecrows including a Cruella De Vil, a sheep, a farmer, nurse Edith Cowell, a footballer, a crow and a tin man. He gave first prize to Stobhillgate First School, with their Pink Lady, second prize went to Coquet Park First School and third to Tweedmouth West First School.
Funders in the past decade have included Defra, private trusts and Leader with large single donations from Cheviot Futures, the Environment Agency, the Northumberland National Park’s Sustainable Development Fund and the Community Foundation.
The newly refurbished Cornmill Square in Galashiels was officially unveiled by Braw Lass Alice Mackay and last year’s Braw Lad Daniel Whitehead on Sunday.
Langlee Community Choir performed in the square, which it is hoped will become a well-used civic space in the town.
Work started on the square in January.
Two teenagers are preparing to join in the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, performing before a potential worldwide TV audience of a billion people.
Kirsty Lennon, 16, from Tweedbank and 17-year-old Fraser Wardhaugh from Melrose were nominated by the council and successfully auditioned for the cast.
The pair are both members of Scottish Borders Youth Voice and were asked to audition in recognition of their commitment to their community, enthusiasm for sport and their positive attitude.
Kirsty said: “I was surprised to be successful in my audition for the role but I am honoured to represent the Scottish Borders at Glasgow 2014.
“I am very excited to take part and intrigued to find out the details of what my role will be.”
Kirsty and Fraser will attend a workshop on June 21 in Glasgow where they will find out more about their role in the opening ceremony, which will be held at Celtic Park on July 23.
The opening ceremony will have a live audience of 40,000 and will be broadcast across the Commonwealth.
John Lamont MSP has said he is ‘disappointed’ that fewer Borders school pupils are walking to school.
A survey carried out by cycling charity Sustrans and local authorities across Scotland has shown that six per cent fewer school pupils walked to school in 2013 than in 2008.
The survey results show that in the Borders only 44.4 per cent of pupils walked to school in 2013. The number cycling increased, but so to did the number of students being driven to school by parents.
Mr Lamont said: “It is disappointing to see that fewer pupils in the Borders are walking to school.
“While I appreciate that walking is not an option for many youngsters due to the distance between home and their school, it is important that those who are within walking distance do so.
“Not only is it healthier to do so, but it can also help to reduce the carbon footprint of households across the Borders.”
Mr Lamont added: “It is important that we teach our children the importance of a healthy lifestyle at a young age, and encouraging them to walk more is an easy way to do this.
“With national statistics suggesting that obesity is becoming more and more prevalent in Scotland, we must do all we can to tackle it.”
Scotland’s national biennial sheep event, Scotsheep held the event’s first sale of ewe hoggs at Quixwood, near Grantshouse, last Wednesday.
Aberdeenshire pedigree sheep breeder, Robbie Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff, received the top price of 1800 guineas each for a pair of Texel ewe hoggs at the select sale of breeding sheep at Scotsheep on Wednesday.
A complete clearance of the 27 lots on offer of various breeds and crosses was achieved.
Mr Wilson’s pair by Teiglum Tornado were purchased by Mrs Helen Hunter, Braehead, Bainshole, Huntly.
This was followed at 1200gns each for a pair of North Country Cheviot park hoggs by Synton Bullseye from Roderick Runciman, Allanshaws, Galashiels, to K Earle, Carmarthen, and 1100gns each for a pair of New Zealand Suffolk hoggs from Derek Steen, Whitecastles, Corrie, Lockerbie, to Robin Hulme, Ellesmere, Shropshire.
Suffolks sold to 900gns each for a pair by Glenhead Golden Phoenix and Cairnton Cracker from Caroline Nelson, Trows Cottage, Kelso, to Tim Robinson, Grimsby, and Bluefaced Leicester to 850gns each for a pair by Hewgill E43 and Cottage D13 from J and W Bell, Whelphill, Crawford, to J H C Campbell and Sons, Thrunton, Alnwick, Northumberland.
Auctioneers - Unite Auctions, Stirling
Police Scotland has urged people living on farms and other residents in rural parts of the Borders to be extra vigilant following a series of thefts at the weekend.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, a Land Rover Discovery was stolen from a farm outside Innerleithen before being driven towards the village along with a small hatchback.
This was followed by the theft of a red Mitsubishi, which was taken from Muircleuch Farm, Lauder at around midnight on Saturday night.
Local officers are also investigating a number of diesel thefts in the Innerleithen, Stow and Heriot areas, which were also reported over the weekend.
Community Inspector Tony Hodges said: “I would ask that those living in rural areas of Tweeddale, Lauderdale and the A7 corridor north of Galashiels take extra steps to secure vehicles, outbuildings and outside diesel tanks.”
Glendale Agricultural Society (GAS) is looking for a young farmer or someone involved in farming to attend an international conference in Australia in October.
The Wooler-based society is looking for someone under 40 years old who “has the potential to contribute to the long term face of agriculture in the region, the country and the Commonwealth” to represent it at the 26th Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth’s (RASC) Common Agricultural
Conference in Brisbane from 21 to 24 October.
The successful candidate “will get an in depth look at the issues facing primary production in South-East Queensland in the farming and agricultural industry, and the challenges and opportunities for agricultural shows, with seminars from expert speakers” says the society.
Also attending will be President of the RASC Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
In 2012 Matthew Frater of Boulmer Hall Farm attended the biennial conference in Zambia for GAS.
He said:“It truly was a fantastic networking opportunity and it demonstrated to me the diversity of the agricultural industry, and the opportunities it has for young people.
“I would urge any young person involved in the agriculture industry in the area to seize this opportunity from the GAS with both hands. It is with thanks to them that I was able to witness and take part in the conference, and what turned out to be an experience of a lifetime.”
A scholarship available from the GAS is available to provide a £500 contribution towards the chosen
delegate, with the best candidate for the conference supported through the process of obtaining
any necessary further funding.
Anyone interested should contact GAS at info@glendaleshow.com. Nominations close on June 20.
Newtown Amateur Football Club are looking for a new manager following the departure of Gary Hastie who has left the club to take over the managerial reigns at Leithen Rovers.
Everyone at Newtown would like to thank Gary and his coaches for their hard work last season which resulted in Newtown winning the Beveridge Cup.
As a result Newtown, who play in Division A of the Border Amateur League, are now looking for a new manager for season 2014/15 and anyone interested should contact Gordon Scott on 07900 337 373.
Police in the Borders have arrested and charged four men following enquiries into thefts of quad bikes and motor vehicles, as investigated under Operation RAC.
The spate of thefts took place around Stow, Lauder, Galashiels and Innerleithen over the last week.
The men were arrested and charged following extensive enquiries and several motor vehicles and quad bikes were also recovered by the investigation team.
A 36-year-old man, a 30-year-old man, a 27-year-old man and a 17-year-old man were due to appear at Selkirk Sheriff Court today.
Operation RAC officers are also appealing for any witnesses following the theft of 900 litres of diesel from the Forestry commission in Wauchope Forest between June 6 and 9.
Detective Sergeant Gordon Millar, who is leading the Operation RAC enquiry, said: “This is a great success for Operation RAC and demonstrates that we will actively pursue those who continue to blight our communities in such a way.
“Quad bikes and motor vehicles are vital for living and working in the Scottish Borders and these arrests send the message that theft and housebreaking will not be tolerated.”
Police are still appealing for information after two quad bikes were taken from an outbuilding at a farm in Newcastleton between 4pm on June 8 and 8am on June 9. They were later recovered in Roughope Forest.
Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Three local bus company employees are limbering up to take on a strenuous 24-hour trek in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Derek Gray, Gary Muir and Paul Croker work for First Borders, based at the Galashiels depot, and will take on the Three Peaks Challenge this weekend.
The trio has 24 hours to complete the walk, scaling the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon respectively.
The death of Gary’s mother Mary last year, after a three-year battle with lung cancer, is one of the main motivations for the three taking on the challenge.
Gary, 47, has already lost more than a stone in weight during his training.
He said: “We chose this challenge because it will be a proper test, both physically and mentally.
“The fact that we’ve got such a short time to do it has given us real motivation to train and make sure that we get through it for all those who have kindly donated so far.”
Gary, who lives in Galashiels, added: “Unfortunately, given the death of my mother from lung cancer, I am very much aware of the pain and suffering cancer causes.
“There aren’t many people who can say that they’ve not been close to someone who has suffered from cancer. So we hope by taking on the Three Peaks Challenge we can raise some cash and help make a small difference.”
Bus driver Paul Croker, also from Galashiels, said: “Training has been intense - indeed I’ve never felt fitter after running up and down the Pentlands for the last couple of months.
“We’re really looking forward to the challenge and I’m proud to be taking on the three peaks with a great bunch of guys.”
First Borders colleagues, Ian McCutcheon and Jose Hoyes, will be driving the trio between locations, providing much needed food and, should the worst happen, step in if anyone cannot continue.
Lee Young, operations manager at the Galashiels depot, said: “It’s a really great cause and the commitment that the guys have shown already to prepare for the trek is fantastic.”
The group hopes to raise more than £2,000 in total. More than £1,000 has been donated already, including some support from FirstGroup, parent company to First Borders.
To make a donation, visit: www.justgiving.com/lee-young1.
Kelso couple Lorna and David Aylward and Hawick rider Hilary Mactaggart proved in unbeatable form at Saturday’s Central and West Fife Show, near Kelty, returning to the Borders with a clutch of silverware and rosettes.
David showed home-bred three-year-old Bordergrove Honolulu to take supreme hunter honours, after standing champion in-hand sports horse, champion in-hand horse, and champion in-hand hunter.
The couple also celebrated success with Bordergrove Helsinki, shown by Zoe Thomson, to finish reserve in-hand horse and reserve in-hand hunter.
Hilary took the ridden hunter championship with her lightweight winner Windsor Wood, and then stood reserve supreme.
She also headed the small hunter class riding former Horse of the Year Show victor Harley Street, who was reserve ridden hunter to his stablemate.