The long wait is almost over for younsters in Selkirk, with the opening of the new Pringle Park playpark set for Sunday, June 22 – just in time for the school summer holidays.

Souters are being invited to celebrate the fantastic community effort at a Big Picnic on the day, from noon, with Selkirk Silver Band providing music on the day.

More than £330,000 has been raised since a group was formed in 2008 to encourage the community effort needed to raise the cash for the improvements to the play facilities.

Margaret Sweetnam, a member of the fundraising group said: “We hope that as many of these supporters as possible will bring a picnic along to the park on Sunday 22 June from 12 noon, and try out all the fantastic new equipment, or just admire the setting. One of our aspirations from the start was to enhance the natural beauty of the Pringle Park, which I think everyone will agree has been achieved in spades.

“Catherine Andrews, SBC Landscape Architect, has worked with us from the beginning to take our ideas and the ideas we generated through community consultation and translate them into this fantastic design. We particularly want to thank her, also Anthony Morris of SBC, who has worked tirelessly on site to make sure the work is completed to the highest standards. We also would like to thanks the residents in the streets adjacent to the Pringle Park for their patience as the work has continued.”

Ms Sweetnam added that the improvements would not have been possible without (£250K) from the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Spaces Scotland Fund, The Robertson Trust (£10K), Scottish Borders Council’s Community Grants Scheme (£5K) and Landfill Communities Fund (£35K). The group also received countless donations of money and precious time over the years from businesess, groups and individuals, helping to raise over £15,500.

Ms Sweetnam continued: “The work doesn’t stop here though. There’s more to be done, including planting and more fundraising for ongoing costs such as insurance and maintenance.

“We’re holding our AGM in the County Hotel at 7pm on June, 24, so we’d encourage anyone who’s interested in getting involved to come along and join us.”

On Monday, Michael Moore MP returned to his old school, Jedburgh Grammar, to take part in a debate on Scottish independence. Six panellists debated the issues and answered questions from the pupils for 90 minutes.

Mr Moore said: “I could not have asked for a better audience than the current pupils of my old school.”

Police are investigating the theft of 900 litres of Forestry Commission diesel in Wauchope Forest between June 6 and 9.

Officers have also issued an appeal after two quad bikes were taken from a Newcastleton farm between 4pm on June 8 and 8am the next day, before being found in Roughope Forest.

Reviews of Walter Scott Prize contenders In our final two reviews of contenders for this year’s Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, Texas and New Zealand are the backdrops.

The Promise by Ann Weisgarber: Review by Bridget McCann

Every so often a novel comes along that quietly gets under your skin from first word to last. This is one such gem, so that, even months on, I feel a loss that these characters and their world are no longer in my life.

The setting is Galveston Island, Texas in 1900, against the backdrop of the worst storm in American history. But we cannot ignore the impact on young pianist Catherine Wainwright of being a woman living at the turn of the century, without position or power, and driven from society. It is her ensuing desperation that drives this unfolding love story.

The characters are beautifully and honestly drawn, their flaws and failings only making them more vulnerable and human. But this “narrow bar of dirt and sand, water on all sides,” is as vital to the feel of this novel as the people, the salty air, the heavy Texan heat and the sounds of this weathered landscape. Weisgarber paints such a vivid description of the storm water which steals over this flat land that I was left wanting to shout out “Run for your lives!”

You will not be able to put this book down and will be moved by this story of redemption and of promises kept.

The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton: Review by Sally Gillespie, The Southern Reporter

What more can be said about the Man Booker prize-winning The Luminaries from the competition’s youngest winner, Eleanor Catton? It’s a stunning book, Catton’s second, and deserving of the many plaudits it has garnered. The Observer describes it as ‘a dazzling feat’, the Independent praises its ‘sheer rip-roaring readability’ but not all have enjoyed, with the Standard’s David Sexton describing the prose style as ‘annoying’ and writing: “Catton never shows, she tells.”

The action is set in the 28-year-old author’s native New Zealand, in the South Island west coast town of Hokitika during the 1860s gold rush, and starts with unsupecting prospector Walter Moody arriving at his hotel where the book’s characters are seated.

Written in the style of a 19th-century novel, The Luminaries deals in secrets, sex, opium and murder, all manner of nefarious goings on really. It’s complex – at the least, characters are associated with the astrological zodiac – but it’s hugely readable and Catton at all times remains in command of the exquisitely crafted work, which at 832 pages achieves another Man Booker first by being the longest to win the prestigious prize.

Prior to Selkirk Games commencing on Saturday, the name of Tom Holligan was an unknown one on the open athletic scene.

At the end of the Philiphaugh track meeting however, it was a name that was known to one and all.

The 20-year-old from Edinburgh saw to this by winning the showpiece 110 metres handicap.

Running from a back mark spot of one metre, Holligan firstly exploded to a heat win in 12.17 seconds.

An established performer in top amateur circles, Holligan who is studying in Aberdeen then showed he had a real case to offer when soaring to victory in his cross tie in an improved time of 11.92.

This victory earning him a final place along with Darren Tomlinson of TLJT (12.5m), Leigh Marshall of Hawick (4m), Ryan Charters of Lasswade (8m), Jack Beattie of Rosyth (15.5m) and Edinburgh’s Kieran Reilly (6.5m).

Coached by Innerleithen man, the Reverend Ed McKenna, who has a parish in Aberdeen as well as being an athletic coach, Holligan was to get even better though.

For in the final, the strong running Edinburgh sprinter gave a capital show in romping home in 11.80 seconds.

Reilly gained second place and Tomlinson third.

Read the full event report and reaction in this week’s Southern Reporter.

Results

YOUTHS 800M: 1, O. Rodden (Jed AC) 285m; 2, S. Yates (Jed AC) 230m; 3, T. Otton (Gala Harriers 75m. Winning time: 1 minute 53.81 seconds.

800M OPEN: 1, 1, C. Turton (EAC) 65m; 2, K. Potts (TLJT) 80m; 3, A. Thompson (Jed AC) 65m. 1 minute 55.95m.

90M CONFINED: 1, E. Lowther (Jed AC) 8.5m; 2, L. Lowther (Jed AC) 15m; 3, M. Fleming (Kelso) 13m. 10.01 seconds.

YOUTHS’ B 90M: 1, D. Lockie (TLJT) 23m; 2, K. Womack (Lilliesleaf) 24m; 3, M. Hope (Hawick) 27m. 10.10 seconds.

YOUTHS A 90M: 1, C. McNaughton (Annan) 13m; 2, N. Campbell (Hawick) 17m; 3, S. Turnbull (Peebles) 20m. 9.96 seconds.

110M OPEN: 1, T. Holligan (Edinburgh) 1m; 2, K. Reilly (EAC) 6.5m; 3, D. Tomlinson (TLJT) 12.5m. 11.80 seconds.

YOUTHS B 200M: 1, L. Ainslie (TLJT) 50m; 2, T. Fowler (Hawick) 39m; 3, S. Davenport (TLJT) 50m. 23.41 seconds.

YOUTHS A 200M: 1, E. Huxley (Pitreavie AC) 30m; 2, D. Graham (Hawick) 11m; 3, L. Woodman (Annan) 20m. 23.20 seconds.

1600M OPEN: 1, K. Redpath (East Kilbride AC) 395m; 2, A. Laurie (Selkirk) 365m; 3, J. Thomson (Glenrothes) 165m. 4 minutes 24.24 seconds.

400M OPEN: 1, J. McIntosh (Kelso) 39m; 2, K. Potts (TLJT) 44m; 3, M. Fleming (Kelso) 50m. 48.86 seconds.

Former Greenyards man Calum MacRae is to head up the coaching team for the Scotland 7s squad in the coming season.

The former Melrose, Border Reivers and Edinburgh Rugby player makes the move from Newcastle Falcons where he has been skills coach for the past three seasons.

MacRae, who hails from the hometown of rugby sevens and has also played in the Scotland A and Scotland 7s teams, said: “I have always said if a coaching opportunity arose in Scotland I would look to be considered.

“The time frame for this offer fell in line and it couldn’t have been better for my coaching career.

“Having played sevens I know the unique environment it represents at the top level and how important it is for developing players. I’m looking forward to working with a talented group of individuals, to produce world-class sevens and, ultimately, XVs performers.

“Melrose is my home town so it’s a huge honour for me and my family to coach the short game at the highest level. I have a huge amount of love and passion for the game and I know that I will transfer that into the performances of the players I’ll be working with.”

MacRae will begin coaching Scotland 7s with a similar squad to previous years with a series of signings and contract extensions announced last week.

MacRae played professionally for the Border Reivers between 2002 and 2007 before heading north to the capital where he played for Edinburgh Rugby until 2009. After this he had short stints with Worcester Warriors and Venezia Mestre, in Italy, at which point he was approached by Alan Tait to join Falcons.

He has also represented Scotland at under-19, under-21, 7s and A level; with 13 caps in the latter two teams. Though not winning full honours, Frank Hadden included him in his extended squad between 2006 and 2008 for all Autumn Tests and RBS 6 Nations campaigns and the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

MacRae last played for Scotland 7s in Hong Kong and Adelaide in 2009 and was also a member of the squad that competed in the 2005 Rugby World Cup 7s in Hong Kong. He scored 115 points for the abbreviated national team, comprising of nine tries and 35 conversions.

Scottish Rugby’s Director of Rugby, Scott Johnson, said: “I’m delighted that Calum has agreed to return to Scotland to lead Scotland 7s in the new chapter that will follow this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“Calum is a Melrose man and therefore has a wealth of experience and huge passion for sevens rugby, which he has played at the highest level for his country.

“I have no doubt he will use this understanding and the knowledge that he has garnered in the Aviva Premiership, where he has cut his teeth as a coach, to lead and influence the Scotland 7s team going forward.

“Having only hung up his playing boots four years ago, Calum is a young and exciting coach who I look forward to seeing grow in this role and I wish him all the very best.”

Following this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, current head coach Stephen Gemmell will return to his position as Scottish Rugby’s head of performance development.

Scotland 7s’ 2014-15 HSBC Sevens World Series campaign will begin on Saturday 11 October on the Gold Coast and will return to Scotstoun Stadium for the Emirates Airline Glasgow 7s on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May 2015.

This will be the last season the IRB circuit will follow its current nine-tournament rotation.

Almost 17,000 visitors flocked through the gates of Harmony Garden in Melrose for the 2014 Brewin Dolphin Borders Book Festival.

Organisers say tickets sales were up by over 10% on last year for the four-day programme, which ran from Thursday to Sunday night, and included appearances by Absolutely Fabulous star, Jennifer Saunders, former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown, Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, comedian Rory Bremner, television wildlife presenter Steve Backshall and former prime minister, Gordon Brown.

This year’s Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction went to Robert Harris for his novel, An Officer and a Spy, for which he received a cheque for £25,000 and a trophy from prize sponsor, The Duke of Buccleuch.

Festival director Alistair Moffat commented: “This was simply the best, the best festival ever. Not only did 17,000 come through the gates at Harmony, the variety of events was startling and the audience responded hugely. Can’t wait for next year.”

Mr Harris was delighted to have won the Walter Scott Prize after losing out four years ago to Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall.

“To win is fantastic. Walter Scott is a great hero of mine and the shortlist was amazing,” he said.

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre officially retired on Friday after 18 months on the bench at Jedburgh and Duns.

Solicitors, court staff and other legal representatives marked his departure with a presentation and buffet in the courthouse, following Friday’s criminal business.

Hawick solicitor Rory Bannerman made a short speech, thanking the Sheriff for all his work.

He was then presented with a picture by court clerk Pauline Renwick.

Sheriff McIntyre thanked all the court staff and solicitors for all their work and support during his term on the bench.

Formerly based in Edinburgh, he took over his new appointment at the two Border courts following the departure of Sheriff Donald Corke, who returned to the Lothians.

Born on June 16, 1944, Sheriff McIntyre spent the early years of his childhood in India, where his father worked as a tea planter and served with the Indian army.

He returned to Britain where he attended prep school in Kent and public school at Wellington.

After leaving St Andrews University with a degree in law, Sheriff McIntyre served in the Far East with the 6th Gurkha Rifles.

After rejoining the Black Watch as a territorial, he rose to major and was honoured for his long service.

He is a member of the Royal Company of Archers and chairman of the Scottish Branch of the Gurkha Welfare Trust.

Sheriff McIntyre went into private practice in Edinburgh, before joining Taits Solicitors in Kelso as a partner in 1990.

He became a temporary sheriff in 1983, taking up a full-time post in 2000.

Sheriff McIntyre’s interests include country sports.

John Collins has been named as assistant coach at his former club Celtic FC.

The Galashiels former international player made 229 appearances for the Parkhead club from 1990 to 1996 before leaving for Monaco and two spells in the Premier League with Everton and Fulham.

Commenting on his new post Collins said: “It is a huge honour for me to return to Celtic, the Club which has always been such a major part of my life.

“I am grateful to Ronny (Deila) for giving me this wonderful opportunity and I look forward to working closely with him and the players to ensure that we can continue to bring the good times to Celtic.

“I know what a great club Celtic is and I know exactly what the Club means to our fans.

“I will support the Manager in every way and I am sure that together with our players, the backroom staff and the fans, we can all play our part in bringing success to the Club.”

Following a number of meetings with the Borderer Deila said that he could see what the club meant to him and that the two had similar views.

Collins will start immediately as the club prepare’s for its first day of training next week.

Collins has held managerial positions at Hibernian FC, winning the Scottish League Cup in 2007. He was also Manager of Charleroi in Belgium in 2008 and appointed Director of Football at Livingston FC in 2012.

With just one more week of matches to be played an interesting situation has developed in the Hamilton Trophy.

The Borders started this Season’s campaign with a heavy defeat against Midlothian at Newbattle however since then they gained wins against both the Fife teams and then lost in a close match involving East Lothian at Port Seton.

With two wins and two defeats they faced a tough battle against West Lothian who had reached this stage without a defeat. The day was far from pleasant but the team was doing very well although there was a serious threat that the match might have to be abandoned before eleven ends had been completed. The Melrose green however coped surprising well enabling the teams to continue beyond eleven ends before being forced off. On the basis of ends completed across the six rinks the Borders won by 98 shots to 69 to revive hopes of a successful season.

Last weekend they travelled to Allandale to face Stirlingshire East knowing that they must not only win but also amass a good shot difference. This they achieved winning by 143 shots to 108. On arrival at Allandale they were fifth overall and with the assistance of results elsewhere they left after the match lying in second place on shot difference.

Qualification for the quarter finals for the first time ever remains a possibility but to achieve it the Borders must win their last match on Saturday 21 June against Edinburgh & Leith who are also on 6 points so far. They will also need to amass as many shots a\s they can with East Lothian also on 6 points and facing a very likely win themselves against Stirlingshire East at West Barns.

The venue for this final match of the Hamilton Trophy series is Jedburgh and good support on the day will help to lift the team. We all hope that at last the Borders might achieve the desired result having fallen at the last hurdle several times in past seasons.

Local farmers and politicians are backing a national campaign to reduced dog attacks on livestock.

Regional support comes in the wake of attacks earlier this year when sheep were drowned after being chased by a dog into the sea at Craster. Others, worth £900, were mauled to death near Eskdalemuir in March. And in April vets had to euthanase a lamb and patch up others, including a ewe with her ear ripped off, following an attack on Andrew Redpath’s sheep near Sprouston.

Norham sheep farmer and LibDem councillor Dougie Watkin, said: “More often than not, people don’t realize their dog is going for sheep until it’s attacked. I encourage people to ensure they have their dog on a lead and are aware of its whereabouts when walking through fields as dogs worrying sheep is an increasing problem in rural Northumberland.”

Police statistics for last year for the Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders show there were 34 incidents of dogs worrying sheep, broken down into three incidents of chasing, 16 of dogs attacking sheep and 15 involving killings.

The National Sheep Association and national farming paper, the Farmers Guardian, launched their ‘Take the Lead’ campaign, urging dog owners to put their pets on leads, earlier this year and have been lobbying vets, dog shows and publications for support.

NFU Scotland Lothian and Borders regional chairman Stuart McNicol supports the campaign which also urges owners to clean up after their dogs and to be responsible for their own actions.

Good news, we’ve had the warmest spring on record in Scotland since at least 1910, and by implication that must also be true for much of the north of England.

Bad news, the wet, mild winter, followed by such a warm spring is encouraging record numbers of midges and ticks, plus large numbers of bugs and diseases liable to affect crops and livestock.

True, the worst affected areas for midges and ticks are in the West of Scotland and Highlands, but we get our share. Ticks in particular can be a menace to humans and animals so never ignore a tick bite. Infection can lead to severe health problems, including neurological and joint pains, and they don’t do sheep or cattle much good.

I’ve always contended that women never get the credit they deserve in farming and rural businesses. Many have off-farm jobs while still responsible for most family activity, meals, book keeping and records, emergency stockperson and go-for at busy times, not to mention nursing male egos and providing consolation for those inevitable farming disasters.

I’d also bet that most farm diversifications such as B&B, farm shops, holiday lets and livery stables originate with women. In spite of that, farming is still seen as a man’s world and with chauvinism remaining prevalent, change is slow. But perhaps not as slow as I thought, according to a survey of more than 2,000 men and women carried out in a joint effort by Farmers Weekly and Barclays Bank. An encouraging two-thirds of women said that they are treated mostly or always as equal to men for pay, benefits and daily work routine – as they should be.

The survey also found that 59% of men and women said that agriculture is the same as, or better than, other industries for equal opportunities, and believe that will continue to improve. Confirming my belief, suggested above, most women think they deal with most of the farm paperwork, administration and domestic chores and usually slot in to a supportive role.

Most feelings of unfair treatment related to the thorny problem of succession. Two thirds of women responding to the survey felt they were rarely or never treated equally when it came to the crunch of who would take over a farming business. Ironically, given the ages-old advice to men trying to get into farming that the three main routes are patrimony, parsimony and matrimony, only 2% of men in the survey said that marriage had got them a start in farming. For women, marriage brought 25% of them into the industry.

Is it possible that genetically modified crops could soon be grown in Britain on a large scale? I think, and have thought for 15 years and more, that would be a good thing and that non-scientific opposition to these crops is nonsense. But whether relaxation of European Union rules to allow individual countries to decide whether GM crops can be grown or not will make any difference I’m not sure.

cricket

Saturday, june 14

ESCL DIVISION ONE

Gala v Edinburgh Accies

St Boswells v Edinburgh CC

Matches cancelled – pitch unfit

ESCL DIVISION two

Clackmannan Co (20) beat Kelso (5) by 7 wkts.

At The Arns

Kelso

D. Wilson, run out (R. Ashraf) 81

G.J. Davidson, b K. Hefer 1

S.D. Patterson, c D. Smith, b A. Alangir 10

B.M. Grindell, c A. Alangir, b N. Jhangir 21

J.W. Gibson, c&b A. Hulatt 1

M.I. Henderson, c D. Smith, b K. Hefer 17

T.D. Roberts, c K. Ali, b R. Ashraf 2

R.D. Hogarth, c N. Jhangir, b K. Hefer 0

S. Cessford, not out 7

F. Sultan, c B. Campbell, b R. Ashraf 4

C. Davidson, c E. McMahon, b K. Hefer 0

Extras22

Total all out (48.2 overs) 166

Bowling: R. Ashraf 2-11, K. Hefer 4-35, A. Alangir 1-16, B. Campbell 0-22, A. Hulatt 1-46, N. Jhangir 1-26.

Clackmannan Co

T. Mehboob, c Unknown, b Unknown 94

E. McMahon, c Unknown, b Unknown 22

K. Hefer, not out 49

A. Hulatt, c Unknown, b Unknown 0

G. Anderson, not out 4

Extras1

Total for 3 (24.2 overs) 170

Bowling: S. Cessford 0-27, J.W. Gibson 0-28, C. Davidson 0-26, S.D. Patterson 1-31, T.D. Roberts 1-28, G.J. Davidson 1-29.

P W t L PTS %

Dunnikier 6 6 0 0 120 100.00

Kelso 5 4 0 1 85 85.00

SMRH 2 6 4 0 2 93 77.50

Clackmannan Co 5 3 0 2 76 76.00

Livingston 5 3 0 2 69 69.00

Broomhall 6 3 0 3 76 63.34

West Lothian 2 5 2 0 3 59 59.00

Leith FAB 5 2 0 3 50 50.00

Fauldhouse 5 0 0 5 24 24.00

MDAFS 2 6 0 0 6 25 20.84

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

ESCL DIVISION five

Peebles County v Stuart&Stuart Penicuik 2

Match cancelled – pitch unfit

P W t L PTS %

Glenrothes 2 4 4 0 0 80 100.00

Marchmont 2 6 5 0 1 108 90.00

S&S Penicuik 2 5 4 0 1 86 86.00

MDAFS 3 7 5 0 2 114 81.43

Livingston 2 6 3 0 3 73 60.84

Falkland 3 6 2 0 4 63 52.50

Drummond Trin 2 6 2 0 4 61 50.84

Peebles County 6 2 0 4 59 49.17

*Edinburgh Ac 2 6 2 0 4 54 45.00

*Boroughmuir 2 6 0 0 6 21 17.50

*conceded one match

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

ESCL DIVISION six

Dunbar (20) beat Melrose (7) by 55 runs. At Hallhill Healthy Living Centre

Dunbar

S. Callow, b R. Ward 0

N. Binnie, st A. Wolfe Murray, b T Brown 59

I. Wanless, lbw b D. King 48

V. Sharma, c W. Owen, b R. Ward 1

A. Callow, st A. Wolfe Murray, b D. King 8

B. Bradshaw, c C. Green, b D. King 0

R. Duff, run out 4

A. Basit, b C. Green 4

A. Usman, not out 5

K. Amabilino, c Unknown, b T. Brown 1

D. Hill, not out 0

Extras24

Total for 9 (40 overs) 154

Bowling: J. Loftus 0-21, R. Ward 2-20, T. Brown 2-32, C. Green 1-25, D. King 3-23, W. Owen 0-18.

Melrose

B. Scott, c N. Binnie, b V. Sharma 0

C. Green, st N. Binnie, b A. Usman 41

W. Owen, c K. Amabilino, b R. Duff 9

J. Loftus, c N. Binnie, b A. Usman 2

T. Brown, b A. Usman 5

R. Ward, b A. Usman 0

A. Wolfe Murray, b A. Basit 1

M. Runciman, run out (K. Amabilino) 8

D. Howard, st N. Binnie, b D. Hill 16

D. King, not out 4

Extras13

Total for 9 (37.2 overs) 99

Bowling: B. Bradshaw 0-14, V. Sharma 1-11, A. Usman 4-28, R. Duff 1-19, A. Basit 1-18, D. Hill 1-6.

Heriots 3 (20) beat Hawick & Wilton (4) by 6 wkts.

At Goldenacre

Hawick & Wilton

E. Hair, c A.H. Hogarth, b A.S. Penman 23

R. Alexander, b M. Shahbaz 3

A. Moffat, lbw b S. Brett 23

P. Solley, c D. Turner, b M. Shahbaz 2

S. Hair, c S. Senthil, b S. Brett 15

N. Storey, c A.S. Penman, b D. Turner 8

L. Stewart, b S. Brett 0

C. MacDougall, not out 1

R. Johnston, c S. Senthil, b D. Turner 0

B. MacTaggart, c S. Senthil, b D. Turner 0

G. Welsh, c A. Boyes, b S. Arumugam 0

Extras22

Total all out (30.4 overs) 97

Bowling: A.S. Penman 1-41, M. Shahbaz 2-4, S. Arumugam 1-12, S. Brett 3-21, D. Turner3-16.

Heriots 3

S. Jehan, not out 69

S. Arumugam, b S Hair 17

S. Senthil, c E. Hair, b S. Hair 1

A.B. Hogarth, b S. Hair 7

A. Boyes, c&b R. Johnston 3

W. Griffin, not out 0

Extras4

Total for 4 (27.4 overs) 101

Bowling: N. Storey 0-24, L. Stewart 0-21, S. Hair 3-27, R. Johnston 1-15, R. Alexander 0-14.

P W t L PTS %

Tranent 5 5 0 0 100 100.00

Edinburgh CC 2 5 4 0 1 89 89.00

Heriots 3 6 5 0 1 105 87.50

OCCC 6 5 0 1 105 87.50

Teuchters 6 3 0 3 83 69.17

Hawick & Wilton 8 4 0 4 101 63.13

Musselburgh 2 6 2 0 4 59 49.17

Melrose 5 1 0 4 43 43.00

Dunbar 7 1 0 6 59 42.15

West Lothian 3 6 0 0 6 33 27.50

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

Sunday, june 15

ESCL DIVISION ONE

St Boswells v Eastern Knights Under 18

Match cancelled – pitch unfit

P W t L PTS %

East Knights U18 2 2 0 0 40 100.00

Edinburgh CC 5 5 0 0 100 100.00

Heriots 2 6 4 0 2 98 81.67

Marchmont 6 4 0 2 88 73.34

Gala 4 2 0 2 50 62.50

Musselburgh 6 3 0 3 74 61.67

Edinburgh Accies 4 2 0 2 48 60.00

St Boswells 5 2 0 3 54 54.00

Largo 5 2 0 3 53 53.00

Watsonians 2 4 0 0 4 27 33.75

Dunfermline 5 0 0 5 27 27.00

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

Sunday: Gala v Eastern Knights Under 18.

ESCL DIVISION four

Selkirk (20) beat Watsonians 3 (6) by 2 wkts.

At Philiphaugh

Watsonians 3

S. Counsell, run out 0

C. Martin, c G. Fenton, b J. Reid 3

G. Mawdsley, c A. Beveridge, b J. Everitt 22

D. Davies, c A. McKirgan, b D. Fenton 11

A. Sinclair, b D. Fenton 0

T. Counsell, c J. Reid, b D. Fenton 5

C. MacDonald, c D. Fenton, b G. Fenton 35

D. Mawdsley, c A. Beveridge, b G. Fenton 0

T. Bunker, lbw b J. Everitt 0

P. Brown, not out 21

C. Kidd, not out 10

Extras 10

Total for 9 (45 overs) 117

Bowling: K. Paterson 0-23, J. Reid 1-18, D. Fenton 3-26, G. Fenton 2-33, R. Banks 0-9, J. Everitt 2-7.

Selkirk

J. Everitt, c Unknown, b C. Martin 23

G. Fenton, c Unknown, b C. Martin 24

S. Skeldon, c Unknown, b S. Counsell 1

D. Fenton, b T. Bunker 10

R. Banks, c Unknown, b C. Martin 16

K. Paterson, c Unknown, b C. MacDonald 12

J. Reid, c Unknown, b C. Martin 0

J. Graham, not out 2

B. Agate, c Unknown, b C. Martin 2

A. McKirgan, not out 6

Extras 20

Total for 8 (27 overs) 118

Bowling: T. Bunker 1-14, P. Brown 0-17, C. Martin 5-21, S. Counsell 1-28, C. Kidd 0-15, C. MacDonald 1-10.

P W t L PTS %

Grange 3 4 4 0 0 80 100.00

RHC 2 4 4 0 0 80 100.00

Selkirk 6 5 0 1 105 87.50

Holy Cross 2 6 3 1 2 85 70.84

Dunfermline Car 7 3 0 4 83 59.29

Largo 2 5 2 0 3 56 56.00

Watsonians 3 5 2 0 3 55 55.00

Preston Village 5 1 1 3 46 46.00

Edinburgh South 2 6 1 0 5 47 39.17

*Stirling Co 3 4 0 0 4 9 11.25

*conceded one match

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

bowls

tuesday, june 10

border senior league

Buccleuch 52 Earlston/Melrose 60

Hawick 54 Abbotsford 46

Peebles 45 Wilton 70

P W D L F A Pts

Wilton 9 7 0 2 574 396 14

Earlston/Melrose 8 7 0 1 475 345 14

Gala 7 5 0 2 400 349 10

Jedburgh 7 5 0 2 401 361 10

Hawick 8 4 1 3 434 417 9

Selkirk/Ettrick F 8 3 0 5 333 383 6

Kelso 7 3 0 4 331 391 6

Abbotsford 8 3 0 5 398 464 6

Buccleuch 9 2 1 6 476 476 5

Peebles 8 2 0 6 310 434 4

Newtown 7 1 0 6 316 432 2

border ladies league

Abbotsford 25 Waverley 35

Buccleuch 20 Hawick 29

Ettrick Forest 24 Gala 25

Newtown 37 Lauder 14

Selkirk 24 Kelso 22

Wilton 30 Jedburgh 21

P W D L F A Pts

Hawick 6 10 0 2 236 131 26

Wilton 6 8 0 4 184 115 22

Waverley 6 8 0 4 181 168 20

Newtown 6 8 0 4 173 165 20

Jedburgh 6 7 1 4 165 163 18

Gala 6 6 0 6 159 161 15

Buccleuch 5 5 0 5 147 127 13

Kelso 5 5 0 5 124 131 12.5

Ettrick Forest 5 5 0 5 130 131 12

Selkirk 6 3 0 9 141 179 8

Lauder 5 2 1 7 119 152 6

Abbotsford 5 3 0 7 106 169 6

Melrose 5 1 0 9 97 170 2.5

wednesday, june 11

border league division one

Ancrum 67 Wilton A 77

Hawick A 119 Kelso A 72

Lauder 71.5 Earlston 92

Melrose 81 Abbotsford A 67

Waverley A 70 Jedburgh 82

P W D L F A Pts

Hawick A 8 6 0 2 669 622 12

Jedburgh 8 5 1 2 611 580 11

Earlston 7 5 0 2 570 500.5 10

Waverley A 7 5 0 2 574 515 10

Abbotsford A 7 3 0 4 528 509 6

Melrose 7 3 0 4 451 478 6

Ancrum 7 3 0 4 508 555.7 6

Kelso A 7 2 0 5 518 565 4

Wilton A 7 2 0 5 505 573 4

*Lauder 7 1 1 5 448.2 484 1

*points deducted

border league division two

Buccleuch 84 Peebles 64

Newtown 60 Gala A 88

Selkirk 94 St Ronans 57

Stow 83 Ettrick Forest 82

P W D L F A Pts

Selkirk 4 4 0 0 361 253 8

St Ronans 4 3 0 1 303 296 6

Buccleuch 4 3 0 1 309 315 6

Gala A 4 2 0 2 245 227 4

Ettrick Forest 4 2 0 2 304 314 4

Stow 4 1 0 3 287 330 2

Newtown 5 0 0 5 343 410 0

Peebles 5 2 0 3 298 305 4

border league division b

Gala B 48 Hawick B 75

Kelso B 53 Waverley B 61

Wilton B 86 Abbotsford B 48

P W D L F A Pts

Waverley B 3 3 0 0 178 146 6

Wilton B 3 2 0 1 231 161 4

Gala B 2 1 0 1 124 131 2

Abbotsford B 3 1 0 2 146 170 2

Hawick B 3 1 0 2 160 185 2

Kelso B 4 1 0 3 208 254 2

monday, june 23

border league division one (7pm)

Ancrum v Waverley A

border league division two (7pm)

Gala A v Peebles

border league division b (7pm)

Waverley B v Gala B

tuesday, june 24

border senior league (11am)

Gala v Earlston/Melrose

Hawick v Selkirk/Ettrick Forest

Kelso v Abbotsford

Peebles v Jedburgh

Wilton v Newtown

wednesday, june 25

border league division one (7pm)

Abbotsford A v Jedburgh

Lauder v Kelso A

Melrose v Hawick A

Wilton A v Earlston

border league division two (7pm)

Ettrick Forest v St Ronans

Newtown v Selkirk

Stow v Buccleuch

border league division b (7pm)

Hawick B v Wilton B

Kelso B v Abbotsford B

Gala Harriers have been given a helping hand by the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust.

The Harriers were given £1,060 to buy new lightweight training equipment, including javelin, discus, shot putt and hammer, for their 160 under-16 members.

Coach Billy McCulloch said: “We are now following a UK Athletics programme for juniors which means we do running, jumping and throwing training on alternative weeks.

“All our coaches have been taught how to provide training in throwing events, which means, along with having the kit, we can give the children the full athletics experience.

“Huge thanks to the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust for their generous donation.”

Billy and fellow Gala Harriers coach Neil Renton were both batonbearers in the Queen’s Baton Relay at Tweedbank yesterday. David Boland and Kenny Paterson of the Trust (pictured) presented the Harriers with the cheque.

Sports digest

Bowling

Hawick

There was a double victory for the A team in the Border League last week, sending them to the top of the first division table.

A hard-fought 77-75 victory against Abbotsford was followed up by another good win (119-72) against a strong Kelso team.

The Seniors team also played their Abbotsford counterparts and also had a comfortable win by 54-46, while the B team travelled over to play Gala B, where they, too, had a good day, winning by 75-48.

Thursday saw the inaugural playing of the DP Johnstone Memorial Triples in memory of Davy Johnstone who passed away earlier this year. 16 triples from around the Borders enjoyed a great day’s bowling, with the winners – G. Moyes, J. Gray and G. Moyes – emerging from the Buccleuch club. They beat the Hawick triple of W. Wells; C. Logan & G. Lyall. The club is deeply indebted to all the sponsors for making this such a good day, and also the support from the Johnstone family. Bert Wear also has to be thanked for organising the whole event.

On Saturday, the club entertained Weir Bowling Club from Glasgow, with the hosts emerging winners by 80-75.

Cycling

Kelso Wheelers

Oscar Onley made the 210-mile round-trip to Middlesbrough worthwhile when he contested the British Schools Cycling Championships recently.

Recording a time of 13 minutes and 28 seconds for the five-mile time trial, Oscar placed third, only four seconds shy of the winner.

Ten pbs were recorded on a good night for racing, with just a hint of rain, when Kelso Wheelers held their first championship of the season over the Orange Lane 12-mile course. Mike Burgher emphatically retained his championship by 42 seconds from brother Dave, with Jeremy Smith close up in third.

The youths’ championship was won in fine style by Ross Gillie from Daniel Easson and Fraser Veitch.

Times (Seniors): 1, M. Burgher 27.12; 2, D. Burgher 27.54 pb; 3, J. Smith 28.14; 4, C. Stevenson 28.25 pb; 5, R. Ure 28.50; 6, S. Gaunt 29.03 pb; 7, D. Richardson 29.27; 8, K. Wilson 30.36; 9, G. Easson 31.04; 10, G. Ford 31.51; 11, G. Moore 32.43 pb; 12, G. Dalglish 33.02 pb; 13, Andrew Ker 34.07; 14, R. Smith 35.13; 15, D. Whitecross 36.23 pb; 16, Jill Sinton 37.11.

Youths: 1, R. Gillie 37.53 pb; 2, D. Easson 38.13 pb; 3, F. Veitch 38.48 pb; 4, T. Purves 43.55 pb.

The second round of the Orange Lane league was held in conjunction with the club championship and of the 21 riders, 12 posted minus scores.

Section One – Simon Gaunt takes over the lead in this section, but only six points separate the top four riders. Scores: 1, S. Gaunt 36; 2=, J. Smith, M. Burgher 32; 4, D. Richardson 30; 5=, D. Burgher, R. Norris 20; 7, R. Ure 12.

Section Two – Joint leaders Gordon Dalglish and Graeme Easson have a small gap of six points on Kenny Wilson. Scores: 1=, G. Dalglish, Graeme Easson 38; 3, K. Wilson 32; 4, G. Ford 26; 5, G. Moore 20; 6, R. Kerr 14; 7, R. Connell 10; 8=, P. McGreal, R. Coupek 8.

Section Three – with joint leaders and points, this is a mirror image of section two.

Scores: 1=, A. Ker, D. Whitecross 38; 3, R. Smith 32; 4, J. Sinton 26; 5, D. Small 14.

Youths’ Section – Daniel Easson takes a commanding 14-point lead into the final round of the league and only a non-appearance can rob him of the winners medal.

Scores: 1, D. Easson 34; 2=, F. Veitch, B. Simpson 20; 4, R. Gillie 18; 5, O. Onley 16; 6, T. Purves 14.

Golf

Galashiels

John Scott (Plumbing & Heating) Seniors Championship Qualifier: A League winner, W. Morrison nett 35; B League

winner, P. Seggie 35.

2014 Championship 2nd Qualifier: 1, J. Shiel 70 (12) 58; 2, A. Simpson 83 (21) 62; 3, B. Currie 68 (4) 64.

Kelso

Rover Cup: 1, G. Kellington 73 (8) 65; 2, M. Ford 70 (2) 68.

Ladies’ 18-hole Stableford: 1, P. Robson 39 points; 2, L. Wilson 35.

Gents’ Seniors Open: Winner, R. Holmes (Eyemouth) 83 (13) 70 BIH; Scratch, I. Thompson (Kelso) 75. Age 55 to 62: 1=, R. Cowe (Kelso), J. Gibson (Kelso), G. Polson (Lilliardsedge), G. Forsyth (Galashiels) all nett 71. Age 63 to 69: 1=, I. Halliday (Kelso), L. J. Hughes (Duns) 70. Age 70 plus: 1=, J. A. Anderson (Kelso), B. Chidley (Berwick) 71.

Finals Day takes place on Saturday with four finals in the offing. After the presentation of trophies, members and their guests can look forward to dancing the night away to Harry Stevenson.

Entries are now being taken for the Gents’ Open on Saturday, July 12. Telephone the club on 01573 223009 if you would like to enter.

Lauder

The new Louis Scott nine-hole competition started and the first round was won by the sponsor himself.

The competition will be run on an order of merit basis and played every Friday at 5.30pm with everyone welcome.

Result (Round 1): 1, L. Scott; 2, R. Malcolm; 3, H. Moffat. (Round 2): 1, M. Dunne; 2, R. Malcolm; 3, J. Bell.

Order of merit: 1, L. Scott; 2, M. Dunne; 3, R. Malcolm.

The June medal and second championship qualifier also took place and the honours were taken by club captain Dougie Bain with a net 69, followed closely by Louis Scott and Ian Scott with net 71s. The leader in the silver medal is still Micky Dunne on 22 points, nine clear of Dougie Bain.

Laidlaw Homes Eclectic: 1, J. Bell 73 (06) 67; 2, R. Malcolm 82 (14) 68; 3, R. Runciman 91 (20) 71.

Minto

The Senior Gents played the singles element of their annual Ryder Cup competition in deteriorating weather conditions, with torrential rain falling at the end so that two matches were unfinished and deemed to be halves.

In spite of trailing by one point from the fourball matches at the start of the singles competitions, the Rest of the World emerged triumphant, winning the singles rubbers by 7-4 and the overall match by 9.5-7.5.

Ladies’ Medal No 3: 1, K. Telfer 93 (19) 74; 2, C. Mackie 101 (26) 75 (after countback); 3, K. Sanford 100 (25) 75 (after countback).

Scratch: J. Beattie 90.

Gents’ Summer Competition, Fox & Hounds No 6 & Championship Qualifier No 3: 1, S. Taylor nett 61; 2, B. Howden 63 (lowest gross); 3, A. Richardson 64.

St Boswells

Texas Scramble: 1, B. Reilly, K. Swinton, N. Linton, D. Jardine nett 55.7; 2, C. Hardie, A. Hardie, K. Miller, I. Barr 56.3; 3, R. Barrie, S. Barrie, G. Oliver, P. Franklin 58. Nearest the 2nd, A. Dobbie; Nearest the 4th P. Crookshanks.

June Medal: 1, C. Rae 74 (11) 63; 2, A. Tait 75 (11) 64; 3, B. Gracie 84 (18) 66. Scratch: A. Smith 72.

Torwoodlee

Tuesday Order of Merit (round six): 1, J. Graham 78 (10) 68; 2, I. MacDonald 84 (15) 69; 3, M. Dodds 86 (17) 69. Scratch: S. Fairburn 68.

Second qualifier, June Medal & Belhaven Qualifier: 1, M. Dodds 79 (17) 62; 2, R. Forsyth 69 (4) 65; 3, R. Semple 76 (11) 65. Scratch: C. Riddle 65.

Monorene Guest House Senior Open: Open Champion and Quaich Winner, W. D. Howden (Minto) 73 (9) 64. Category A (55-62): 1, M. Whiteford (Lauder) 75 (9) 66; 2, J. Abbott (Duns) 82 (15) 67 bih; 3, C. Shanks (Torwoodlee) 77 (10) 67. Scratch: G. Forsyth (Galashiels) 76.

Category B (63-69): 1, S. Chalmers (Torwoodlee) 73 (6) 67; 2, J. Gillie (Galashiels) 83 (14) 69 bih; 3, A. Craik (Duns) 80 (11) 69. Scratch: L. Wallace (Melrose) 77.

Thanks go to the sponsors, the green staff and helpers who all made it a very successful day.

Homing

Earlston & District

Members sent 89 birds to Newark, liberated at 1.10pm into a light north-east wind. Result: 1, 8, 9, S. Martin 1174.78; 2, 3, 4, 5, W. Gray & Son 1169.30; 6, 10, A. Bain 1135.02; 7, S. Hardie & Sons 1088.46.

Galashiels

Ten members sent 117 pigeons to Newark, a distance of 193 miles. Result: 1, 4, 7, J. Douglas 1191.955; 2, 9, w. Hopewell 1172.975; 3, 6, 8, 10, E. Jamieson 1172.537; 5, Douglas & Spearman 1128.272.

Jedburgh

Five members sent 91 pigeons to Newark, a distance of 180 miles. Result: 1, 7, T. Wilson 1196.003; 2, 6, F. Taylor 1193.341; 3, 4, 5, A. Agnew & Son 1189.410; 8, 9, 10, Mr & Mrs Wilson 1086.350.

Langholm

The club liberated 68 birds from Lymm last Saturday over 126 miles in a light north-east wind. Result: 1, 6, 8, D. Nordon 1275.208; 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, R. V. Graham 1255.004; 10, A. Henderson 1152.774.

Squash

Galashiels

Handicap Tournament – Plate quarter-finals: M. Sillies (-12) 3 D. Sharratt (+6) 1 (14-15, 15-1, 15-2, 15-3); L. Molero (+4) 3 D. Burnie (-4) 1 (15-8, 14-15, 15-3, 15-7).

Cup semi-finals: Ruaridh Kohler (+5) 3 Andy Gill (-4) 2 (15-11, 15-17, 12-15, 15-2, 15-11)

League 2: D. Burnie 3 R. Kohler 1.

Club night friendlies: R. Kohler 2 D. Sharratt 1; M. Sillies 1 A. Gill 0; D. Sharratt 2 L. Molero 1; D. Burnie 2 R. McAleese 0; R. Kohler 2 J. Logan 0; A. Gill 2 D. Burnie 0; M. Sillies 2 R. McAleese 1; A. Gill 2 R. McAleese 0; D. Burnie 2 R. Kohler 0; A. Gill 2 D. Sharratt 0; D. Burnie 2 L. Molero 0; D. Sharratt 2 L. Molero 0; R. Kohler 2 R. McAleese 0.

So far this season, a lady runner has yet to win a sprint final on the Border Games scene.

On Sunday, however, six women will be gunning to put this to rights in the 110m handicap at Peebles Beltane Sports.

Leading the challenge is hometown girl, Amy Clancy of Peebles.

A former winner of the Jedburgh Games 110m handicap, Clancy runs from 18m, while also representing the ladies on the Whitestone Park sprint track are, Mhairi Henderson (22.5m) and Jasmin Tomlinson (17.5m) from TLJT, Jed Athletic Club’s Holly Mackay (21m) and Martha Douglas (20.5m), plus Laura McCracken of East Lothian (14m).

Back marker in the sprint is Edinburgh flyer Tom Holligan (scratch), the recent victor of the Selkirk Games 110m handicap.

Another top event on the Peebles card is the one-lap handicap.

Amongst the many Borders runners bidding for glory in this 266m race – which is a change from the normal 200m event – are Dylan Ali (11m), Kyle Potts (33m), Luke Lowther (39m), Jenna Gillan (56m), Euan Pettigrew (23m), Craig Bruce (25m), Jack Wilson (29m), David Mackay (38m) and Drew Bryson (55m).

Running from the back in this one is Tom Holligan (11m).

In his last two track appearances, Selkirk distance runner Alastair Laurie has finished in second after being pipped at the post on both occasions.

Laurie will be hoping for better luck over the same distance on Sunday from his 365m handicap.

Colin Welsh (60m), Dean Whiteford (160m), Kobe Stevens (160m), Ruaridh Britton (215m), Gavin Tait (250m) and Andrew Thomson (140m) are some of the other Borders athletes included in the mile.

Other senior races, as well as a full card of youth’s events completes the Peebles bill.

z Other athletics action is set to take place this weekend in and around Melrose and Hawick.

On Saturday, the Eildon 3 Hill Race goes under starter’s orders at the new start time of 2.30pm, while on Sunday, Teviotdale Harriers are holding a 125-mile Relay Run to celebrate the club’s anniversary of that amount of years.

Starting at 4pm, each runner will run a marked one-mile route handing the baton to the next awaiting runner.

This will be a continuous run until the 125 miles have been completed.

Anyone wishing to take part should contact Norman Taylor on 01450 375400 or 07981 485750. All ages and abilities will be made most welcome.

Second place in the Junior Men’s (Under-20) UK Trials on Saturday at Whinlatter near Keswick has guaranteed Moorfoot Runner Jacob Adkin, 18, selection for the GB & NI team for the European Mountain Running Champs in Gap, France, next month.

After a steady start on the first lap of the two-lap 8.7km course, Jacob made up good ground on the second ascent to move into second place and managed to hold on strongly on the descent for a finishing time of 35.36.

There will be four GB&NI team members, with two more places due to be decided by the selectors.

Big sister Scout, 20, was also in action in the same race which was a combined Junior Men/Senior Women’s race, the latter doubling not only as their European Trial, but also the Senior Women’s Home International. In a very strong field, Scout had a decent run for 12th place (3rd Scot) in 41.28 and was first home in the Under-23 category, helping Scotland to second place behind England.

Elsewhere the Moorfoot under-13 girls’ team took a fantastic bronze medal in the 3x800m at the Scottish National Relay Championships at Pitreavie on Sunday.

Comfortable heat winners through the efforts of Elena McGorum, Beth Hobbs and Charlotte Clare, the girls couldn’t quite match the speed of the traditionally strong West of Scotland teams Giffnock North and Kilbarchan in the final, despite the tactical introduction of Molly Falconer’s fresh legs on the first leg.

The Moorfoot Under-13 boys’ team (Calum Johnson/Corran Carrick-Anderson, Ethan Elder and Michael Smith) also ran well to qualify for the final, finishing fifth.

Six Ettrick Forest Archers travelled to Shane Castle in Northern Ireland for the annual Celtic meeting at the weekend, making up two thirds of the Scottish team.

Saturday saw Ireland win the Ailsa Target Trophy, but Selkirk’s Elaine Pearson and Kyle Fairbairn took individual medals for highest score. However, the Scots won the clout event on the Sunday. Kilwinning’s Ned O’Neil won the gents double round, while Borderers Mike Pearson and Doug Anderson won the first and second rounds. Kyle Fairbairn won the Juniors double round, Elaine Pearson won the ladies’ double round and Ev Craig won the first round.

A reasonable day welcomed the Borders to Allendale Bowling Club to play Stirling County East for the penultimate game in the Hamilton Trophy series.

It was clear from the start that this was going to be a tight game.

The first 10 ends saw the score evenly balanced, but by 15 the Borderers had established an 18-shot lead which they stretched and finally clinched the tie with a winning score of 143-108.

The final game before the play-offs will be at Jedburgh BC on Saturday and with the Borders lying second, a play-off place is looking good.

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.

The trio returned to the Borders with a clutch of silverware and rosettes following an excellent day’s riding at the popular annual event.

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 Kelso couple also celebrated success with Bordergrove Helsinki, shown by Zoe Thomson, to finish reserve in-hand horse and reserve in-hand hunter.

Southern Reporter horse racing correspondent Hilary took the ridden hunter championship with her lightweight winner Windsor Wood, and then stood reserve supreme.

Hilary also headed the small hunter class, riding former Horse of the Year Show victor Harley Street, who was reserve ridden hunter to his stablemate.

The ‘Are they? Aren’t they?’ broody hen saga (a farce in three acts) seems to be playing out to its conclusion. Hopefully, by the time this column comes out, we will have some chicks. Yes, real, live, new little chickens.

This is the first year we have bought in eggs to hatch under broodies, rather than just used our own. The late, beloved Bruce (RIP) is very much missed in this respect.

So far, not so good. These ‘shop bought’ eggs have just had to be thrown away. Remember the Old English Pheasant Fowl eggs that our own broody rejected, which then necessitated us ‘borrowing’ Brenda the broody from the lovely Tracy Henmummy down the road?

Well, Brenda suddenly decided that she wasn’t really broody after all, and that she actually couldn’t be bothered with the whole ‘sitting on eggs until they hatch’ nonsense, and simply jumped off the eggs and shot off, putting as much distance as she could between herself and our lovely eggs (which cost a not inconsequential £11). Motherhood, moi? No thanks.

So we were left looking for another candidate before the eggs went cold. There was a potential mum around, thank goodness. She had been squeezing into the coop and raking eggs out of the nest boxes in order to sit on them.

Sally the turkey.

Not wanting to deny Sally her shot at motherhood this year, we decided to give her a go. She is unlikely to be hatching any turkey eggs any time soon.

Vic, the boy turkey, is pretty rubbish at his job. No, let’s be honest, he’s hopeless. He fluffs up and makes a great show of hissing like a garage air line, shimmies about in front of the girls, then goes to the wrong end and dances about a bit before giving up.

The girls sit patiently as he treads on their heads and necks with his big clod-hopping feet. Tragic to watch. And pretty gutting for the girls.

Sadly, Vic isn’t the only clod-hopping turkey, and every few days or so the over-eager and fairly hefty Sally would squash one of the eggs and, come the day they were due to hatch there were only two left. And this day passed, with the eggs very ‘slooshy’ inside, which means no chick. So we took them away and gently lifted Sally out of the broody coop and watched her waddle sadly back to the the turkeys. Bless.

After this sad episode, we were delighted that one of our home-bred hens was suddenly broody. Wasting no time, I ordered some more eggs from a hatching egg Facebook group. Just two days later they arrived.

Broodiness can be catching – Jean’s Chicken (who is a fantastic mother) caught it first, then passed it on to Lily (Savage), who is the meanest, peckiest chook ever. Last year she started pulling her chicks’ feathers out. Why? Because she could. When Gamford went in to check all was well, she flew at his face.

We currently have three hens sitting on three different types of eggs, obtained over the interweb. Will keep you posted.

A footnote: A Girls Day Oot at the marvellous Manderston House for Aunty Rupert, the Young Mistress and myself. YM suddenly points to an object and pipes up: “What’s that?”

Me: “Well, that’s a record player, of course.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, that was before cassette tapes were invented.”

Blank looks.

“Erm, that was how they used to play music.”

“Well, that would be ages and ages and ages ago. Like in the 1990s. When you were really little.”

I just found myself saying: “Yes, that’s right.”