Fallago Rig wind farm’s environment fund is handing out more than £170,000 to Borders projects in its first year of operation.

The 48 turbines in the Lammermuir Hills on Roxburghe Estates land became operational last spring.

And the Fallago Environment Fund was set up, also last year, by developers EDF Renewables and Roxburghe Estates.

Fund management group chairman, Andrew Douglas Home said: “There has been a great deal of interest in the fund and we received far more applications than we could possibly support.

“In the two funding rounds we have had so far we have confirmed funding for 12 separate projects amounting to some £170k.”

So far, money has gone to restoring and upgrading the gates at Coldstream Football Club, as well as restoring village halls at St Boswells and Redpath, new instruments for Hawick Saxhorn band and support for Gungreen House in Eyemouth.

“We have also offered a major grant, subject to match funding, towards an iconic sculpture project that will commemorate one of Scotland’s worst fishing disaster when 189 people died off Eyemouth in 1881.”

And in the fund’s most recent round, members decided to donate money towards Chirnside Community Centre, the Coldingham Priory Community Archaeology Project, Borders Forest Trust and their work on restoring the Gameshope and Talla valleys, as well as a feasibility study looking at a River Tweed and Countryside Centre and the publication of a biography of a Kelso man’s time on the Somme.

Tweed Forum, the charitable trust promoting the sustainable use of the Tweed and its tributaries and enhancement of the region’s natural, built and cultural heritage. carries out the day-to-day running of the fund, which gives out £200,000 annually and is expected to run for the next 20-25 years.

Decisions about who gets the cash are made by the fund management group whose members include EDF Renewables, Roxburghe Estates, Tweed Forum and local community representatives.

Application forms are found at www.tweedforum.org/fallago

The next deadline is September 1.

Saturday, June 21: Coldstream Ramblers walk – Carfrae Mill, Tollishill, 11 miles. Meet at the car park opposite Carfrae Mill hotel at 10am. For details and to confirm attendance, please contact leader Ken Prichard on 01890 882107 (mobile 078146 36876).

Saturday, June 28: Scottish Wildlife Trust guided walk to the Glenkinnon and Williamhope SSSI’s, led by Malcolm Lindsay. Meet at Ashiestiel car park (NT43563500) at 11am. Bring packed lunch. All welcome.

Surrounded by the many trophies and items of memorabilia on display in the Jim Clark Room in Duns, the man who first introduced Clark to competitive racing reflects on the career of the two times Formula One World Champion.

Ian Scott Watson has visited the Clark trophy room countless times, but on this rather overcast Tuesday afternoon it is he who is the centre of attention.

Unable to attend the recent Celebration of Sport Awards Dinner, the venue in Newtown Street Duns seemed the obvious place to present Ian with his Service to Sport award.

While he enjoyed competitive driving, Scott Watson realised very quickly he was no match for the like of Clark and, talking fondly of his friend, said “He had such incredible vision and lightening quick reactions. He was so instinctive.”

Ian’s skill in acquiring cars and running a team were first evident during the mid 1950’s when he and a bunch of enthusiastic young farmers formed Ecurie Agricole,regarded by many at the time as the third Scottish racing team of the time.

They managed to field a variety of out-dated cars.

“We had TC MGs, DKW Sonderklasse, Triumph TR2, Austin-Healey and Jim was among the pit crew,” explained Ian who eventually swapped his DKW for a Porsche 1600 Super and persuaded the young Clark to drive it at the BMRC Trophy Meeting at the end of 1957 season at Charterhall. Clark had earlier shown signs of his potential when he first got behind the wheel of Watson’s DKW at Crimond and soon the pair were invited to become part of a revamped Borders Reivers racing team inspired by its founder Jock McBain. All three enjoying great success up and down the country during the late 50’s.

Ian was with Clark the day he first got behind a wheel of a car under the watchful eye of Colin Chapman and, as his relationship with Chapman and Lotus flourished, remained a steady influence and dependable friend.

When Clark moved on to Team Lotus in 1960 the Border Reivers team dropped out of the motor racing scene but the name was used ten years later by Ian when he and Bernard Buss of Celtic Homes sponsored Douglas Niven – Jim Clark’s cousin – in saloon car racing.

Scott Watson continued to be an influential presence with Scottish Motorsport. Anita Taylor, the sister of Jim Clark’s team mate Trevor Taylor, won the BMRC Trophy at the last-ever race meeting at Charterhall in Scott Watson’s Lotus Elan. He founded the Scottish Motor Racing Club and to design the racing circuit at Ingliston, which replaced Charterhall, and help form Scotcircuits to build and run it.

Recognised as one of motorsport’s unsung heroes, when news of Ian award reached Sir Jackie Stewart, the three times Formula One World Champion was quick to congratulate him.

“Ian has done an immense amount for Scottish Motorsport over a great many years,” he said.

“Without him I am not at all sure that Jim Clark would ever have been able to get starting racing that took him to tremendous heights.

“With Ian’s influence and guidance as well as friendship to Jimmy, I know from all of the times that I spent with Jimmy how much it meant to him, motorsports in Scotland and the Borders for that matter would be a poorer place if he had not been around.

“Well done Ian for this recognition, it’s well earned.”

Three young grant-makers from Scottish Borders Youth Chex found themselves horsing around on a visit to one of the scheme’s beneficiaries this week.

Scottish Border Vaulters, who perform gymnastic routines on horseback, invited Rebecca Bertram, 16; Joris Caldow, 13, and 14-year-old Finlay Watt along to a training session at the Monteviot Estate near Ancrum to see first-hand how a recent Youth Chex grant of £436 was being used.

Head coach Helen Rogerson guided the youngsters through warm-up and training exercises before introducing them to the equine members of the team, seven-year-old piebald Oscar and trusted veteran Matt, aged 20.

Youth Chex is part of Scottish Borders Council’s (SBC) Scottish Borders Youth Voice, an initiative which aims to empower 12-25 year olds by supporting them to take part in youth-led activities. Youth Chex, a Youth Bank funded by SBC and licensed by Youth Bank Scotland, makes funding available each year to projects which benefit young people living in the Borders. Scottish Borders Vaulters recently applied for Youth Chex funding to support their training for competitions in the UK and abroad.

When asked by Finlay and Joris what difference the funding had made, the young vaulters explained that they had used it to buy audio equipment to help them develop their routines, and video equipment so that they could record and review their rehearsals and performances.

Sam Kyle, 12, said: “Youth Chex has definitely helped improve our performance.”

Sam’s mum Jill added: “This is the best group of vaulters I could work with.

“There are noncompetitive vaulters who are driven by fun, improving fitness and enjoying social inclusion. We also have several competitive vaulters who have recently returned from competing in Belgium.”

Despite not having tried vaulting before, the visit being Rebecca’s first experience of getting up close to horses, the evening culminated with the brave youngsters saddling up the horses to sample the sport for real under expert guidance in Monteviot’s indoor arena.

Youth Chex grants are available to young people aged 12-20 whose idea for a project or activity will benefit 12-25 year olds in their area. Applications for funding are assessed by the ten young grant-makers of the Youth Chex panel which next meets on Monday June 30. For more information or to apply, visit www.scotborders.gov.uk/youthchex

Yarrow Park is gearing up for a weekend of trials which could lead to full-time football contracts for Borders youngsters looking to get ahead of the game.

Despite their senior outfit finishing bottom in their first season of Scottish Lowland League football and being knocked back when trying to enter a second team into the East of Scotland League, Selkirk FC has announced ambitious plans to build a new squad of full-time players.

“We have been working on this since Christmas and are now ready to put it into practice,” said senior team manager Steve Forrest.

“In terms of facilities and club management, we are the best in the Borders and now is the time to give the playing side a complete overhaul.”

Forrest and assistant manager Paul Doig are to be joined by another two members on the coaching team who will oversee selection and tutoring of the new young squad.

Funding agreements with the Scottish Government for the new modern apprentice posts have been reached and the club hopes to get sponsors on board to enable them to field a squad of around 20 players on full-time contracts in the East of Scotland Under-20s league with a view to moving up to the senior squad in the future.

“It’s a similar idea to the old YTS scheme, which is the same avenue that both Paul and I took,” explained Forrest.

“We are looking to build a young infrastructure as quick as we can and create as many opportunities as we can.”

As well as undertaking the same training regimes as professionals, the players will also do an SVQ in sports management, be put through their SFA coaching and first aid certificates, as well as learn about finance, cooking and nutrition, and carry out general chores at the club.

“We are also looking for additional funding, so I would urge anyone looking to invest in a forward-thinking, ambitious football club to please let us know,” added Forrest.

At the moment, funding is only available to provide contracts for people with birth dates between 1994 and 1998, but the club is working to include older players in the future.

Open trials for players between the ages of 16 to 20 years old will be held on Saturday, June 21, when players can win the chance to become a professional footballer for a year, with the possibility of extending their contract thereafter.

And, if there are a lot of applications, the club will run another trials day, so everyone has a fair chance.

Contact trialforselkirk@hotmail.com to apply.

Gala’s and Melrose played out an exciting Border Under-14 League match at Meigle Park, with the visitors eventually winning with eight balls remaining.

Gala were given a solid foundation by skipper Finlay Rutherford and Jamie Crooks, while Chris Bell finished the innings off in style as they posted a solid 101 for 4 from 20 overs.

In response, Owen, Howard and King got Melrose off to a flyer to the extent that just 18 runs were needed from the last eight overs. Gala piled the pressure on and wickets started to fall, but scrambled running saw the visitors home in the penultimate over.

Langholm made the short journey over the border to Longtown on Saturday and suffered another defeat by 38 runs in the Eden Valley league.

Longtown batted first and made a total of 157 for 4 wickets in the 40 overs. Former Langholm player Tony Steele finished on 84 not out for the hosts and Hetherington was still at the wicket on 35.

In the Langholm bowling, Steven Johnstone had 1 for 23 in 10 overs, with Graham Park 1 for 28, Jack Pool 1 for 41 and Duncan Elliott 1 for 45.

Poor batting again let Langholm down with only the odd player showing support to Gregor Park, who reached 59 before being caught by Duggan off the bowling of Steele.

Jason Hall (11) and Johnstone (11) were the only others to reach double figures, with the latter still at the wicket when Langholm were all out for 119 in 36.1 overs.

In the home bowling, Dickinson had 4 for 13 and Steele 5 for 31.

The defeat sends the Milntown outfit hurtling down to eighth place in the 10-team Eden Valley First Division.

Gala Fairydean Rovers Youths section reflected on another successful season at their annual presentation day on Saturday.

The Netherdale stand was required to handle the big turnout with the club’s youth co-ordinator Fred Blackie praising the discipline of players from all five teams throughout the course of the season.

He spoke of how the club had entered a side in the Edinburgh leagues for the first time and that the aim would always be to produce players to step up to the first team.

Far from resting on their laurels, the club is entering three teams in the Edinburgh set-up next season and another five in the Borders leagues. And it is hoped to have a girls section up and running after the summer break.

Mr Blackie said: “A big thanks has to go to to all the coaches and committee for all their work over the season.

“Enjoy the holidays and watch the newspapers, Facebook and Twitter for details of registration and pre-season training.”

Chairman Derek McGill praised Fred’s contribution to the successful running of the club as he enters his final season before retirement.

After the event, there was a keenly-contested friendly match between the coaches of Gala Fairydean Rovers Youths and Gala Dean JFC, which finished 3-3. The youths’ section retained the Coaches Cup, kindly donated by The Trophy Guy, following a 4-3 penalty shoot-out.

A collection took place among the players and £218 was raised for Alzheimer’s Scotland.

Photograph and list of trophy winners on page 80.

Langholm cricketers were in cup action on Sunday as they crashed to a heavy defeat away to premiership side Appleby.

Poor batting saw Langholm all out for only 46 in 13.3 overs in their first innings, while good work in the field by the visitors had the home side under pressure and they finished on 94 for 7 in 18 overs, still within touching distance for the Milntown men.

Unfortunately, the Langholm batting again struggled in the second innings and they finished the 18 overs on 64 for 9.

This left Langholm with a lead of only 16, which Appleby soon passed without loss, after six overs.

It’s an enviable skill, and that flair can make a house a home which is filled with character and personality.

But even if you’re not a stylist or a decor diva, it’s perfectly possible with a bit of effort and a modest budget, to work your own magic on your rooms.

“Anyone doing up a home on a tight budget should remember one little designer secret – the power of budget basics,” says Julie Savill, author of 101 Finishing Touches (BBC Books, £4.99).

“Almost anything you can think of, from tableware to bed linen, can be found in plain and simple ranges and for a fraction of the price of their fancier, patterned counterparts. The trick to turning these brilliant basics into stylish furnishings is the little twists you add yourself, such as a braid, ribbon, buttons or fringing.”

As we all invest more in our homes, we’re paying attention to the details, and delighting in customising and demonstrating our taste in touches that might formerly have been overlooked, like door handles, cupboard knobs or curtain ties.

“Customisation is anther key to style success. It’s the ability to take a plain cushion or curtain and give it a twist that sets it firmly in the designer bracket, but without a hefty price tag attached,” says Savill.

“A plain cupboard can be revamped with a coat of paint and new knobs, while a small collection of random pieces of china can be sprayed the same colour and – hey presto – they’re a focal point on a shelf.”

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are really popular because they are within most budgets and are easy to lay and care for.

Glass tiles are also low-maintenance and look fantastic, but they’re usually expensive. Stone tiles, such as slate, marble and limestone, can be costly too, as well as higher maintenance, and they can vary a lot in thickness, colour and texture.

Mosaic tiles are available in lots of different materials and are perfect for creating a feature wall or splashback, but they’re rarely cheap. They come in sheets on a mesh (or paper) and the mesh is supposed to keep the individual tiles evenly spaced – but it doesn’t, in my experience, work very well. The number of grout lines means mosaics can also be hard to keep looking good too.

If you’re buying tiles online and you haven’t seen them in person, make sure you get a sample first because you could end up being disappointed. Of course, you may prefer to buy tiles in store, where you can see what you’re getting.

Another advantage of buying instore is that you can ensure all the tiles come from the same batch (as long as there’s a batch number on the boxes), so they’re exactly the same colour and finish.

To work out the number of tiles required, multiply the length by the height of each wall (or part wall) to be tiled (minus the area of any doors, windows, etc) and add them together to get the total area – then remember to allow around 10 per cent more for breakages and wastage. Lots of tiles are sold per square metre and even if they’re not, it should say what the price is per square metre – this is the easiest way to work out the cost.

Don’t forget to factor in the cost of the tile adhesive and grout, tools, spacers and other accessories. Cutting the tiles can be tricky, but using an electric tile cutter with a water-cooled diamond blade makes it much easier.

The adhesive and grout must be suitable for where you’re tiling (not all can be used in showers, for example) and the sort of tiles you’re using. I find ready-mixed adhesives and grouts easiest to use, as it can be hard to get it right when mixing up powdered products. Combined adhesives and grouts are particularly useful, especially if the adhesive oozes through the gaps between the tiles – it’s much easier to use the same product to grout than to clean out the gaps.

Like all DIY, tiling takes some time and patience to get right, but it will save you a lot of money if you can persevere.

As all eyes turn to Brazil for the World Cup, why not be inspired by the wild spirit of the famous Rio Carnival to raise the temperature in your own home?

“When we think of carnival, we think of the colour, energy and downright joie de vivre of Rio,” says Sarah Quilliam, head of product design for window blind specialists, Hillarys. “There is something about the vibrancy of it all which inspires happiness and excitement, so why not let go of your inhibitions, go ‘taupeless’ and bring the party to your home?

“We recently surveyed over 1,000 people, and those who liked bold, bright colours were likely to be four times happier than those who preferred beige. People who liked red/pink, orange, yellow and blue/green were the happiest of all, so it would appear that if you want to create an upbeat, positive vibe in your home, de-beige and inject pulsating pops of happy-hued South American-inspired colour into your decor, for an instant mood-brightening pick me up.”

This jungle look is a natural development from the explorer trend; picture schemes featuring travellers’ trunks and accessories, and global influences which capitalise on our increasing love affair with colour.

It’s been embraced by designers who’ve created dazzling patterns and prints with leaf motifs and exotic birds (parrots are rapidly elbowing out stags as the must-have accessory), which pair beautifully with natural materials like wood, bamboo and wicker, and will last well beyond the sporting tournament.

Even if your team’s hopes are dashed on the playing field, this bold palette will win compliments on the home front. So conjure memories of sunnier climes with carnival-like fabrics and fruit-salad shades.

Last week, I had to gut my (very 70s avocado) bathroom sooner than expected – when the airing cupboard had to be enlarged, the whole bathroom layout had to change.

I’d bought a bath that, I thought, could be squeezed into the new space, but it didn’t take account of plastering and tiling. My builder said the bath would have to be cut into the wall, but then decided the wall was too unstable and would have to come down – or the bath would have to go.

Whatever your views on avocado bathrooms, this episode just goes to show the problems that not thinking through purchases can cause.

And, it seems, I’m not alone in this.

A new survey for bathroom brand iflo (visit www.iflopromotion.co.uk for a chance to win a bathroom) has revealed that style is the most important factor for homeowners planning a new bathroom, with more practical considerations often overlooked.

In fact, more than 60 per cent of respondents in the south of England said they wouldn’t ask a plumber for advice when selecting bathroom products.

“Bathrooms are the most complicated room in any home,” says iflo’s Jo Axtell.

“It’s not just about choosing a look or style, but also the pipework, available space, water usage and water pressure, which can all impact on how successful the resulting room is.

“Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t realise this until they have a new shower that isn’t powerful enough or taps that look great but are difficult to turn off with wet hands.”

It can be hard to think through all the implications of purchases for a new bathroom though, especially if you’re making big changes, but remember a good plumber will come to your home and advise you.

Generally speaking, keeping the bathroom layout as it is should make replacing the suite straightforward, but changing the layout can complicate things.

Unless you have solid floors, getting water where you want in the room shouldn’t be hard, but altering the waste pipes can be more of a problem, with changes to the toilet waste often the most difficult. Sometimes wastes have to be surface mounted, but rejigging the layout may avoid this ... a good plumber will talk you through the different options to get the right balance of style and practicality. Different layouts and products may have cost implications in terms of labour and materials, which is another reason to consult a plumber. You may not realise it, but the type of boiler your home has can also affect what you buy for your new bathroom, particularly the shower. Many of us have a combination or combi boiler, a high-pressured system that heats mains water on demand and doesn’t require a tank or cylinder.

Pressurised/unvented systems are similar. They’re also high pressure and provide hot water on demand, but they do have a cylinder. For the above systems, a mixer shower, unpumped electric shower or unpumped digital shower should be suitable.

However, if you have a low-pressure system, usually using a timer, tank and cylinder to get hot water, your choices are a mixer, electric, power, or pumped digital shower.

So next time you splash out on a new bathroom, bear all this information in mind. While it’s important to make sure your new bathroom looks good, you don’t want practicality to be a wash-out.

Selkirk’s Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Greg MacDougall, and first woman Standard Bearer Fiona Deacon, secured their places in history at Friday’s Common Riding.

As ever, the festival began on Thursday, ‘the nicht afore the morn’, with the Crying of the Burley, when Senior Burgh Officer James Heatlie proclaimed the principals Riding the Marches, “with a great many more”, “all ready to start at the sound of the second drum” at 7am on Friday.

The smiling procession, decked in ribbons, cheered as Mr Heatlie, in black and white top hat and coat, read their names five times around the town: the 2014 Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Greg MacDougall; his ‘Burleymen’ (the four last Royal Burgh Standard Bearers) Martin Rodgerson, Gavin Henderson, Michael Craig, and Douglas Gunn; and his four Attendants, Scott Rodgerson, Darren Knox, Thomas Bell and Adam Nichol.

On Common Riding Day itself, at 4am, Selkirk Flute Band roused the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer, and Provost David Anderson, before the Act of Remembrance at Selkirk War Memorial at 5.30am, when Fiona Deacon, a former Royal Military Police Officer, laid a wreath in tribute to the fallen, and Reverend Margaret Steele spoke on the First World War’s 100th anniversary, and D-Day’s 70th anniversary, this year. All then joined Selkirk Silver Band, with hundreds of Souters linking arms, for the First Drum, singing Hail Smiling Morn’ round the town to folk gathered on doorsteps.

Greg, almost the tallest, and wearing a bowler hat, tweeds, yellow waistcoat, and stock shirt, greeted the cheers before his Installation at 6.45am on the Victoria Halls’ red balcony. The Provost’s wife, Sam, bussed the Burgh Flag, and wished Greg “safe oot, safe in”, before the 28-year-old auctioneer promised the Provost to return it from the Marches “unsullied and untarnished”.

The clicker counted 323 horses behind Greg on his steed, as he carried aloft Selkirk’s Standard, symbolising its identity and pride, down to ford the Ettrick Water at 7.30am, before all rode the Burgh bounds up to Linglie Glen, Peat Law, Foulshiels Hill, and the Three Brethren.

First-time Attendant, Darren Knox, voiced his “massive honour” carrying the Banner to the Three Brethren, saying: “I looked up at the Flag, and looked at all the followers, and it was a dream come true, a brilliant feeling.”

Before 10am, the horses appeared over the crest of Nettlie Wood to the thousands gathered at the Toll to cheer them home.

Heralded by the gritter lorry, Greg galloped past, flag a-flutter, followed by his four Attendants cantering together in a line, and clattering cavalcades of young and old, often at full charge, bearing expressions varying from concentration to satisfaction.

Greg and the Incorporation’s six Standard Bearers, David Main (Hammermen), John Black (Weavers), Ivor Ward (Fleshers), Kenny Thomson (Colonials), Andrew Anderson (Merchant Company) and Fiona Deacon (Ex-Soldiers), then processed to their big moment on the crimson dais in Market Place, when a thousand faces fixed upon them alone, for the Casting of the Colours.

First up, Greg had to rely on his weeks of Flag practice, and words of advice from his father Ewan MacDougall, the 1999 Merchant Company Standard Bearer, to ‘concentrate on the count’.

“It’s all in your homework,” Greg told us: “if you put the work in beforehand, it all goes right on the day.”

True to his word, Greg’s graceful cast looked effortless, drawing the biggest cheer from the crowd, as the Silver Band ended Up Wi’ The Souters o’ Selkirk.

“He got the count spot on,” Ewan told us. “When you walk up on that platform, all you can see is heads – you don’t recognise anybody. You have to focus on the job at hand, to make sure it’s properly cast, and that’s what he did. I think he’s conducted himself in a manner that befits the Royal Burgh Bearer. I couldn’t be prouder.”

The other Standard Bearers discharged their duty honourably too, with their nerves melting into a smile on the last loop, and a wave to Souters acknowledging a job well done.

Kiwi Kenny Thomson, Colonials’ Standard Bearer, told us: “I went from extreme nervousness to extreme happiness in about 30 seconds. I didn’t sleep last night. I’ve been practising at home in New Zealand, but I hadn’t cast a proper flag until I got here on Thursday.”

But the longest cheers went to the Ex-Soldiers’ Fiona Deacon, Selkirk’s first female Standard Bearer in almost 500 years, as she mounted the dais, cast her Flag, and, after standing to attention for the two minutes’ silence, rejoined the clapping crowds.

Fiona described the day as: “Exhilarating – filled with nerves and excitement, all at the same time.

“Every Common Riding Day is a historical event for Selkirk – not just today. Today, in my eyes, is no different to any other: we’re just the next generation of Flag bearers.”

Greg also paid tribute to Fiona, saying: “It was a great emotional moment as well – she got up and did her job.”

He summed up his own day: “It’s the best feeling in your life. The Casting of the Colours summed up the whole day – great emotions. There’s a saying in Selkirk, that ‘God’s a Souter’, and I think it was proved today, because it stayed dry for the event.”

We learned a valuable lesson on Saturday. By we, I mean Selkirk’s skiffling sensation the Bogie’s Close Stompers.

Actually, we learned quite a few lessons. Just to make sure we are all singing off the same hymn sheet.

The Stompers are a six-piece outfit consisting of Robin Wilson on guitar and vocals; George Irvine and Davie Scott on banjos; Jim Stillie on mandolin, Andy Sterricks (known as the Digger because he used to dig graves) on tea chest bass and yours truly on washboard and cowbell.

For this engagement, however, we were only five because Jim wasn’t able to join us. The occasion was the colourful and noisy Newtongrange Children’s Gala Day.

Like many of the band’s engagements, this one came by a strange route. The X95 Selkirk to Edinburgh First Bus. That’s where George met an old pal who helps organise the Nitten week which culminates in a major Saturday parade. We were booked. We learned we would have to play being towed through the crowded streets on the back of a trailer. Our combined brains couldn’t find one, but George’s pal did. And so, on Saturday, with a borrowed generator to power our amplification system, we headed for Newtongrange.

The Gala Day started 100 years ago and brings the entire population of what was once a thriving mining community onto the streets that are known only by numbers. We arranged to meet Jock, our driver, whom we hired for a bottle of brandy, and the borrowed trailer in the Co-op car park. There’s a lot of pipe bands at the Gala Day and we got some strange looks as we loaded it with said genny, mic stands, music stands, amp and mixer desk and then ourselves. It was twin axled – both in the middle – narrow, and had no sides.

This was the first time in the 14 years since we banded together that we had played on a trailer. We should have realised there might be problems by the somewhat wary expression on Jock’s face and the way he fussed around us like mother hen. We really should have realised.

Jock towed us from the Co-op to The Square where the parade was about start. We bounced over a sleeping policeman and realised staying on our feet wasn’t going to be easy. But we got there.

As the pipe bands massed and the Guides, and Scouts and BBs gathered around us, we steaded ourselves for our first Newtongrange Gala Day parade. But not for long.

When the parade started and we struck up Putting on the Agony and it almost became agony.

We jerked and stotted. Andy seemed to be heading for the Scouts, I thought I was about to join the Guides, while George saw the youth club looming.

For the rest of the parade we sat on speakers, the jenny and the tailboard. Davie stood because there was nothing left to sit on.

I think our music went down well as we headed through crowded streets. Our antics at trying to keep mic and music stands and even our seated-selves on board also provided entertainment. It was a great day. But we learned that next time we’ll check the trailer and take along some seats and perhaps a length of rope.

Melrose’s Harmony Garden welcomed almost 17,000 visitors to this year’s 2014 Brewin Dolphin Borders Book Festival, say delighted organisers.

Famous personalities like Absolutely Fabulous creator, Jennifer Saunders, former prime minister Gordon Brown, Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and veteran news journalist, Jon Snow, mingled with some of the country’s top authors over the four days of the 11th such event, which ran from last Thursday until Sunday night.

As well as the main festival, there was a two-day family book festival and a massively popular special schools day on Friday.

The festival’s Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction, which comes with a £25,000 cheque, was this year won by novelist, Robert Harris, for An Officer and a Spy.

Festival director Alistair Moffat told The Southern - which was a media sponsor for the event - that it had been the best yet.

“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,” said Mr Moffat.

“We started with Nick Mason of Pink Floyd and Jennifer Saunders, then Jon Snow talked of the world of news, followed by a rousing speech from a world statesmen in the shape of Gordon Brown, Walter Scott’s Waverley was wonderfully celebrated and at the end Nina Conti was utterly brilliant, the laughter ringing round the Borders.

“And these were only some of the marvels at Harmony last weekend. Can’t wait for next year.”

Harris came top from a six-strong shortlist for the Walter Scott Prize after having been pipped four years ago by Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall.

Receiving his award in a packed marquee on Friday night from The Duke of Buccleuch, who sponsors the award together with his wife, Mr Harris said he was overwhelmed.

“It’s absolutely wonderful to come here and win such a prize. I’m triply honoured - honoured to receive such a generous prize from the duke and duchess; honoured to be on a shortlist with such astonishingly talented authors and particularly honoured to win a prize named after Sir Walter Scott, who has been a hero of mine for 17 years after I found, in a second-hand book shop, a copy of Scott’s journals, a wonderful book about writing.”

An Officer and a Spy is the author’s ninth novel and is a compelling recreation of a scandal that became one of the most infamous miscarriages of justice, in which a young Jewish officer was convicted of treason in Paris in 1895.

The judges said the book was a masterwork written by a story-teller at the pinnacle of his powers.

“In making compelling literary drama out of the Dreyfus affair, an episode familiar to many, Robert Harris has done something Walter Scott would have been proud of,” they said.

“Exactly 200 years ago, Scott pulled off the same transformation with Waverley and another familiar episode, the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion.

“From a shortlist of extraordinary quality a clear winner emerged and the judges were unanimous in their choice.”

Extracts from each book were read by actor John Sessions – master of the historical role.

Four of the shortlisted authors were present to hear the announcement, including Ann Weisgarber who had travelled from Texas to attend.

Announcing the winner, the Duke of Buccleuch said it was impossible to be in Melrose without having a powerful sense of Sir Walter Scott, especially since next month sees the 200th anniversary of the publication of Waverley.

He told the audience: “Above all I want to thank, those who have come to help us celebrate, our four wonderful authors; I thank all six [on the shortlist], but four have joined us for this wonderful evening.

“You have, I think, honoured the extraordinary work of Sir Walter Scott with your words and your presence.”

Comedian Rory Bremner, an honorary patron, as well as one of the event’s regular star turns, said the book festival together with Border Union Show were two of best reasons to be in the Borders.

“You never know who you going to bump into and the audience is so welcoming,” he told us.

“It’s here on the doorstep and it’s such a lovely event. Having this festival in the heart of the Borders is just the best thing.”

MARIE CURIE TEA PARTY

I was delighted to be able to do my bit for Marie Curie Cancer Care by hosting my own Blooming Great Tea Party.

The initiative is designed to raise money to help Marie Curie Nurses provide more free care to people with terminal illnesses in their own homes.

With every £20 raised helping to pay for one hour of care, we in the Borders need to do everything we can to help.

That’s why I was happy to invite people into my officefor tea, cake and a chat. I hope more people in the Borders will be hosting their own tea parties over the next month, as any amount of money raised will be a great help.

TOWN CENTRES

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has highlighted 11 town centres in the Borders which are under threat due to local closures.

They warn that these closures – be it bank branches or police counters – pose a threat to efforts to turn around Scottish high streets and rejuvenate local economies. They have all restricted the number of jobs and visitors in our town centres, counteracting a lot of the good work that has been achieved.

It is no wonder that the FSB have chosen to voice their concerns, as many of the small businesses they represent will be under increased danger of closing if something is not done to boost these local economies.

It is now up to the SNP Government to listen and take action to save our towns.

We cannot afford to see the economies of these towns suffer any more, but without further investment from Holyrood we face seeing more significant closures in years to come.

JIM CLARK RALLY

Kenny MacAskill, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, recently announced that the Scottish Government will carry out a review into motorsport event safety in Scotland.

It follows this year’s rally, during which three spectators were tragically killed.

The review should be a positive step towards ensuring we never see a repeat of these deaths, however, I am keen to urge caution against any knee-jerk reactions in response to this incident.

The Jim Clark Rally is a long-established event in the Borders and whilst everyone is shocked by what happened, I think it would be regrettable if any premature decisions were taken about the future of the rally. That is why the Cabinet Secretary must work closely with the Motor Sports Association and with the Border Ecosse and Berwick and District motor clubs before implementing any controls on events of this nature.

We cannot allow this historic rally to cease running altogether, and any suggested changes must be realistic and achievable.

It’s amazing, isn’t it. The Act of Union that joined Scotland and England was enacted in 1707.

That’s 307 years ago. So you would think that every Scot who lived at some point in those intervening three centuries, would have had ample time to make up their mind on how they would vote if they ever got the chance to decide on being an independent country once again.

But with less than 100 days to go until September’s referendum it looks too close to call.

However, a new survey of voters in this region and our southern Scotland compatriots in Dumfries and Galloway, carried out for ITV Borders, has indicated that a majority of those polled plan to vote to stay in the UK.

The ComRes survey found 61% propose to vote No, up from 59% in January. But there was also a similar rise in support for independence, with this increasing from 24 to 26%.

And already campaigners have latched on to the figures, trumpeting that it shows a majority are for this or for that. But politicians are only interested in polls when they can use them to persuade the undecided among us that everyone else is planning to vote their way and, therefore, so should they.

However, as Mary Frances Berry, former chair of the United States Commission on Civil Rights, so eloquently put it when debating the merit of polls:

Yes vote based on fantasy and magic

I am not aquainted with the Potter books and films, but I understand that fantastic realities and magic supply their infrastructure. A bit like the Yes campaign, actually.

Consider the other-worldly reality of the Yes campaign’s Great Leader, for example.

When EU President JM Barroso said that it would be impossible for Scotland to continue as an EU member, Alex Salmond dismissed his argument and said there would be no problem in Scotland joining.

When Chancellor Osborne stated that there could be no currency union in the event of a yes vote, Salmond said that there would and that Osborne was bluffing.

When numerous leaders of mighty corporations and huge financial institutions warned of the risks of independence Salmond dismissed them out of hand.

When President Obama said that the UK should remain united, the SNP leader replied that this was a minor intervention.

When Sweden’s foreign minister warned of the Balkanisation of the British Isles if Scotland voted yes, Alex Salmond said this was foolish and an insult.

In other words the Great Leader is right and everyone else wrong.

As for the magic element, look no further than the special phrases used by Scotland’s cargo cultists. The SNP’s abracadabra words allow the user to dispense with facts, and conjure up a rosy future which contrasts sharply with the actuality of everyday life, risk, and the laws of economics.

Here are a few of their magic words. The Levers of Power. The Fiscal Powers Given by Independence. The Arc of Prosperity. Control Our Own Destiny. Unlocking Our Potential. A Positive Vision. The National Mission.

They could all be joined together in one Yes sentence for the party faithful to chant round the peat fire, the bagpipes wailing, the drums beating, the tartan glowing, the laptops tapping, and the wind turbines motionless.

On the one hand we have an infallible leader, on the other voodoo politics.

Why should the sensible elector vote for either? The truth is that by voting No we have the guarantee of the pound sterling, with our banks supported by the Bank of England. We will continue to have unfettered access to a single market of 63million. We will avoid paying the start-up costs of 200 new institutions. Prices and interest rates will be lower, and pensions and savings will be secure.

We will continue to enjoy an open border with England, our scientists will still be able to pull and share resources across the UK, and in an increasingly hostile world we will enjoy the protection of the RN, the RAF and the British Army.

William Loneskie

Oxton

Forget the bluff and focus on the real issue

Better Together’s arguments are being systematically demolished in meeting after meeting across Scotland.

Opinion polls are moving to Yes, and even prominent figures in their own campaign have now declared they have changed their minds and will vote Yes.

Now they have decided to focus on one simple, if cynical, tactic. Ignore the argument. Scream loud accusations of vile behaviour at your opponents. Make this the issue. The actual facts are irrelevant – froth, noise and hysteria are the key to success. Demonise your opposition. The national press are your friends – use them, get the undecided public to think your opponents are not the calm, rational, friendly people they meet on the streets and in meetings, but angry, pathological zealots who stalk anyone friendly to “No” and vilify and abuse them. Abuse is easy to find. It’s one of a number of unpleasant aspects of the internet. Anonymity encourages bad behaviour in certain sorts of people.

Aggressive drivers, litter louts, the small minority of dog walkers whose animals foul our pavements and parks are encouraged by anonymity.

Abusers exist everywhere on the internet – I’ve seen some horrible examples on sports, music and celebrity pages, and no doubt model railway enthusiasts and morris dancers have their own versions. Internet abuse is noxious and cowardly. It is the darkness of any campaign.

Studies of the subject to date have shown that the amount of abuse directed at Yes campaigners by those on the No side vastly outnumbers that in the other direction.

Chris and Colin Weir, who have donated large sums to the Yes campaign, have been remorselessly vilified for doing so. There has been no visible press hysteria over this.

When George Galloway MP circulated a photograph of two fat pigs purporting to be the Weirs, I do not recall outraged headlines in any newspaper.

Also, if anyone really wishes to read abusive comments, they need go no further than online comments right across the national press. These newspapers host abuse. It is their “click-bait”, an exercise to try to boost visitor numbers, and a measure of their cynicism. Decent people, fortunately, are the overwhelming majority. None of us wants to see J. K. Rowling or the Weirs abused online.

But we can no more wish away the machinations of politicians and the outrageous behaviour of a small minority amongst us than we can guarantee sunshine.

We can, however, do ourselves one favour. We can shun abusers and manipulators of all kinds, and focus ourselves on the real issue, the compelling importance of the biggest decision any Scot has been allowed to make on the future of our country, which is now less than 100 days away.

Eric Faulkner

Galashiels

Deferred

A St Boswells woman who falsely obtained £7,500 benefit, has had sentence deferred until July 23.

First offender Tina Mackenzie, 48, of Jenny Moore’s Court, admitted obtaining income support, housing and council tax benefit of £7,500 to which she was not entitled, between August 2011 and August 2012.

To stand trial

A Kelso teenager who denies assaulting two police officers, will stand trial on October 14, with an intermediate diet on September 22.

Nineteen-year-old Dean Brown of Orchard Park, denies breaching an ASBO by being drunk and disorderly at The Policies woodland in Galashiels on May 30,

He also denies assaulting two police officers by repeatedly spitting in a police vehicle on May 31, and repeatedly threatening their families with violence.

On indictment

A Galashiels man who denies having indecent photos of children and extreme pornographic images depicting sexual acts, has had a further first diet set for July 1.

Jason Thomson, 40, of St Andrew Street, is due to stand trial by jury after he denied possession of indecent photos of children at a house at Woodstock Avenue, Galashiels between September 11, 2012, and July 1 last year.

He also denies taking, or permitting to be taken, indecent photos of children.

Thomson, who appeared on indictment, further denied possession of extreme pornographic images depicting sexual acts.

Denies assault

A 30-year-old who denies assaulting a man to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement, and danger of life, has had a further first diet set for July 1.

Brian Cassie of Beech Avenue, Galashiels, is due to stand trial by jury after he appeared on indictment and denied assaulting a man at the Bridge Inn, Island Street, Galashiels, on August 18 last year, by repeatedly punching him on the head, seizing him by the body and dragging him to the ground and repeatedly kicking, stamping, and jumping on his head as he lay on the floor, rendering him unconscious.