In an exciting new venture for the next netball season, Peebles Netball is inviting current adult and ex-players to get their bibs on and return to the court to play in a new adults’ development league.

The new league will be based at Peebles High School games hall and will meet on Sunday evenings from a few weeks before Christmas and into the New Year.

Former and current players from the age of 15 years upwards are invited to form teams to enter the league, or simply register their interest as an individual player, who can be placed within a team, to make up to eight teams to start the league.

It is expected that standards of play will vary and that teams will be divided into Division 1 and Division 2 after all playing each other.

Plans are in progress for regular training sessions for those taking part in the league who want additional practices. Linda Nicholson, coach at Peebles Netball explained: “Peebles is a junior club, and when our players leave school there is no further netball provision for them locally.

“All over Scotland, women are returning to the netball court and we want to be able to do this in the Borders.

“League teams will vary from the very experienced to newly-formed recreational squads, but we expect the league overall to be fun, sociable and a great way to keep fit.”

Two refresher sessions will be held at Peebles High School Games Hall on Tuesday, July 29 from 7-8pm and on Thursday, August 7 from 7-8pm.

Contact Linda on Crowwood@tiscali.co.uk or 07549 861609 for more information.

A total of 4,500 competitors – from 71 countries – contesting medals in 17 different sports over the next 11 days means the Commonwealth Games promise some fantastic sporting heroics.

And right at its heart will be the 12 Borderers selected as part of Team Scotland for what will be a major never-to-be-forgotten highlight of their sporting careers.

And the Borders will also be represented by a number of Games officials and volunteers giving up their time for free to make sure this huge sporting occasion is something that all of Scotland – not just Glasgow – can be proud of. So it is time for all of us, including the naysayers and doom-and-gloom merchants, to get behind our athletes, Games staff and Glasgow, and take pride in an event – delivered on time and within budget – which will be watched by a global audience of more than a billion.

To our dozen local sportsmen and women – Lee Jones, Stuart Hogg, Scott Wight, Jak Scott, Lucy Hope, Sarah Robertson, Chris O’Hare, Guy Learmonth, Libby Clegg, Sam Kinghorn, Grant Ferguson and Jo Pettitt – we say good luck and we will be cheering you all on to do your best.

But whether any of you manage to earn a coveted medal podium place or not, please be confident in the knowledge that you are an inspiration and source of great pride to the rest of us here in the Borders.

A teenager who broke into the Galashiels home of an 81-year-old woman in the early hours of the morning has escaped jail.

Ben Walkingshaw has been sentenced to a 12-month Community Payback order with 135 hours of unpaid work.

Walkingshaw has also been ordered to pay the elderly woman, who woke at 4.30am to the noise of footsteps in her home, £250 compensation.

Her husband, who suffers from dementia, was still asleep.

She found documents strewn across the floor and broken ornaments.

Walkingshaw’s fingerprints were found on a window, where he had gained entry.

The 18-year-old, of North Bughtlin Brae, Edinburgh, admitted breaking into a house in Galashiels, on September 8 last year, with intent to steal.

Solicitor Ed Hulme, defending, described the offence as a spontaneous act of extreme stupidity.

Mr Hulme added: “He appreciates the severity of the charge, and very much regrets his actions. He wishes to express his sincere apology.” added Mr Hulme.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told Walkingshaw at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday that the sentence was a direct alternative to jail.

Having returned from a barbecue to watch football, Derek Buchan became hungry and decided to drive to a chip shop.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley said a woman driving her daughter and two children negotiated a bend when she was met by Buchan on her side of the road, adding: “He struck the rear offside of her car and she stopped, but he continued.”

Some 40 minutes later police turned up at the accused’s home, where they noticed the car parked in the drive. “It had scratches and denting consistent with the accident,” added Ms Bradley.

Buchan’s lawyer, Ed Hulme, said his client had been at a barbecue and walked home to watch football, adding: “He was hungry, so drove the car to a local chip shop.” He said the former nurse planned to enjoy his retirement in Spain.

Buchan, 57, of Riddle Dumble Park, Galashiels, was fined a total of £550 and banned from driving for 15 months.

He admitted driving a car without due care and attention at Mossilee Road, Galashiels, on June 28, and failing to stop and give his name and address after an accident. Buchan also pleaded guilty to driving a car with a breath/alcohol reading of 81 mcgs – the legal limit being 35.

A disqualified driver was more than three-and-a-half times the alcohol limit when he drove onto a Lauder garage forecourt for petrol.

Leonard Moorhead admitted drink-driving at Gulf Garage, Edinburgh Road, and on the A68 at Edinburgh Road on May 15. His alcohol reading was 123 mcgs – the legal limit being 35. He also pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified.

Prosecuting at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday, Tessa Bradley told how staff in the adjoining shop noticed the accused appeared to be drunk when he went there at 7.50pm.

Shortly after 11pm, they saw him drive a Nissan truck onto the forecourt of the petrol station and police were contacted. Officers found the vehicle parked outside his home and Moorhead 41, of Edinburgh Road, Lauder, confirmed he had been behind the wheel.

“I only drove over the road,” he told police.

For Moorhead, Ed Hulme said his client had spent 24 days in custody.

“He has taken steps to address his alcohol use. He drove a very short distance and did consume alcohol after driving,” added the defence lawyer.

Moorhead was sentenced to a two-year community payback order, with 240 hours of unpaid work. He was also banned from driving for four years.

A thief who stole more than £1,000 worth of property from cars parked in Earlston – just a few months after receiving a community payback order for similar crimes – was jailed for 168 days.

John Campbell, of Fernieside Avenue, Edinburgh, admitted entering an insecure vehicle at Haughhead Road on December 28, and stealing power tools and bolt cutters worth £1,120. The 24-year-old, who was on bail at the time, also pleaded guilty to entering an insecure vehicle at Summerfield on the same date and stealing a satellite navigation device worth £130, and entering another insecure vehicle at Crown Crescent and stealing another device worth £100.

All of the stolen property was recovered.

A warrant was granted for the arrest of co-accused John McMurray.

The 20-year-old, of Pilrig Street, Edinburgh, admitted forcing open a locked vehicle in Earlston Square on the same date and stealing power tools worth £1,550.

McMurray also pleaded guilty to forcing open a locked vehicle at Summerfield and stealing an iPod worth £100, and entering an insecure vehicle at Crichton Drive, Pathhead, on December 27/28 and stealing two iPods and headphones worth £150.

A temporary one-way traffic system in Galashiels town centre will be implemented from July 27 to December 5 to allow for the construction of the new railway station at Ladhope Vale.

Ladhope Vale, Bridge Place and the junction of Stirling Street are being added to the existing one-way system.

Three Selkirk horse riders have taken part in one of the biggest mounted events in Europe in the shape of Denmark’s Sonderborg Festival.

Earlier this month, Falconer Grieve, Kim Peters and Scott Rodgerson spent a weekend in the southern Danish town, which lies in a region well-known for its tilting events.

The trio are members of the Scottish Borders Tilters’ Association and took part in the festival on the Friday and Sunday, and at a smaller event on the Saturday. Riders use lances to ‘tilt’ at rings, which decrease in size as competitions progress.

Training since last year’s visit certainly paid off, as the trio took rings at every event, with the highest score being Kim’s excellent nine rings on the Saturday.

The Scottish riders got a tremendous welcome from their Danish counterparts, and were asked to carry the Saltire near the front of the processions.

Falconer told us: “It was a fantastic experience. On the Friday there was about 500 riders and another 475 on the Sunday – so it’s a huge event. We were the only foreign riders taking part. It was different in many ways from the Common Riding, but then again it also had some similarities, with everyone turning out to support it, plus all the music from local bands,” added Falconer.

“We’ve been asked back for next year and some of the Danish riders are now quite keen to come to the Borders and take part in tilting events over here.”

Longtown

The Cumberland & Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart at their weekly sale at Longtown on Thursday July 17. Top price to 224.5p for a Limousin bullock shown by A. & W.J. Taylor & Son, Dashwellgreen, purchased by local butcher W. Kirkup & Sons, Longtown. Heifers topped at 222.5p and 221.5p for Limousins also from Messrs Taylor and bought by W. Kirkup & Sons and Border Meats, Butchers, Lockerbie respectively. PRINCIPAL PRICES (PER KILO) Bullocks: Limousin 224.5p, 217.5p, 214.5p, 211.5p Dashwellgreen, 191.5p Plumpe.Charolais 188.5p, 186.5p Plumpe.Angus 186.5p Plumpe.British Blue 180.5p Plumpe.Friesian 165.5p Highmoorhead. Heifers Limousin 222.5p, 221.5p, 220.5p, 217.5p, 215.5p Dashwellgreen, 203.5p The Ash. Charolais 196.5p, 191.5p (x2), 187.5p Upper Mains. PRINCIPAL PRICES (PER HEAD) Bullocks: British Blue £1,344 Plumpe. Heifers Limousin £1,305, £1,278, £1,271 Dashwellgreen, £1,251 The Ash, £1,229 Dashwellgreen, £1,187 The Ash. Charolais £1,225, £1,198, £1,181 Upper Mains. Dexter bulls sold to 84.5p per kilo from Achingills. PRINCIPAL PRICES (PER KILO) Dexter 84.5p, 77.5p Achingills. Cows sold well and more could be sold to advantage. Topping the sale at 162.5p was a Limousin shown by S. Dalton, Greenside Farm. Limousin 162.5p Greenside, 126.5p, 124.5p Bleatarn. British Blue 117.5p Wickerthwaite, 104.5p Laverhay. Longhorn 109.5p (x2) Laverhay. Friesian 106.5p Newby Farm, 103.5p Haggistone Holm.

PRINCIPAL PRICES (PER HEAD).Limousin £948, £859 Bleatarn, £828 Greenside. British Blue £763 Wickerthwaite. Friesian £729 Newby Farm.

A fantastic show of 3,080 prime lambs sold to an average of 193p per kilo, a rise of 11p on the week being 10p to 15p sharper than most other centres this week. All classes of lambs sold exceedingly well with best quality export lambs and lightweight lambs being the easiest to cash. Top of 234.1p per kilo and £103 per head for Texels from Carran. Texel £103 Carran, £99.50 Old Wall, £97 Pennersaughs and Copperthorns, £96.50 High House, £95 Cardew Hall, Reagill Grange, Lanerton, Braehead and Rowan Cottage.

Suffolk £101 Hollows Mill, £93, £89 Cambeckhill, £89 Latterford, £88 Carsegowan and Eastside, £87 Upper Mains. Hill Cheviot £98, £82 Sundhope, £80.50 Parcelstown, £80 Sundhope.

Bleu d’Maine £93 High Wreay, £70.50 Tarnside. Zwartbles £88, £72 Holmlea.

Leicester £88 Albierigg.Berrichon £86 Sceughdyke.Beltex £85 Walton Highrigg. Greyface £81 High Wreay, £80 Latterford, £72 Clonrae, £70 Waterloo, £68.50 Softley. Charollais £80 Braithwaite Hall, £79.50 Knowe Farm, £73.50 Hallburn, £72 Wyseby Hill Cottage. Oxford £71 Guards. Half Bred £70 High Moat.North Country Cheviot £68 Allanshaws.Blackface £66 Bowershield, £58 Clonrae.Swaledale £51 Softley. PRINCIPAL PRICES (PER KILO) Texel 234.1p Carran, 225p Glencartholm and Copperthorns, 221.1p Old Wall, 221p Cowcorse, 220p Copperthorns.Beltex 223.3p Newington.

Hill Cheviot 210p Golden Lane, 209p Sundhope, 183p Parcelstown.Suffolk 207p Cambeckhill and Cowcorse, 205p Carsegowan, 203p Falla and Clonrae, 198p Falla, 197p High Acres, High Wreay, Sundhope, Redgate Head and Newington.Bleu d’Maine 207p High Wreay, 201p, 200p Tarnside.Charollais 207p Porterstown, 205p Quarryfield, 204p Tarnside House, 199p Hallburn, 192p Porterstown.Berrichon 200p Sceughdyke.Greyface 200p, 196p, 188p Clonrae, 187p Pennyhill Park, 183p Whitbysteads.Blackface 187p Clonrae, 183p Bowershield.Herdwick 183p Cottage and Pennyhill Park.Swaledale 176p Softley.

Oxford 173p Guards.

Wooler

John Swan Limited had forward and sold 1782 Lambs, 306 Hoggs, Young Sheep and Ewes. Lambs - Leading Prices Per Head:- Tex:- £87.50 Cresswell Farms, £87 Chesterhill, £86.50 Wandon, £85.50 Bewick Folly, £85 Greystonnes and West Rennington, £84 Ladykirk, £83 Newburn and Chesterbank, £82.50 Railway House, £82 West Longridge, Wandon, Fenham Hill and Ladykirk, £81.50 Fenham Hill, Great Ryle, Chesterhill and Charlton Mires. Suff.x:- £85 Doune Brae, £83 Cresswell Farms, £82.50 Castlelaw, £81.50 Cresswell Farms, Brockley Hall, Shipley Lane and Todrig. Bel.x:- £87.50, £81.50 Henlaw.Lambs – Leading Prices Per Kilo:- Bel .x:- 212.5p, 205.6p, 204.4p (2) Chillingham Home Farm, 195p, 194.9p Henlaw. Tex.x:- 201.3p Kettleburn and Black Heddon, 200p Marshall Meadows, 198.8p Ladykirk and Village Farm, Seahouses, 198.7p Shipley Smallburns, 197.5p Bewick Folly, 197.3p Shipley Smallburns, 196.2p Ladykirk and Titlington Mount, 195.2p Wandon, 195p Yetlington Lane and Village Farm, Seahouses. Char.x:- 195p Yetlington Lane. Suff.x:- 194.1p Cresswell Farms, 189.5p, 189p Shipley Lane, 188.6p, 188.4p Cresswell Farms, 188.4p, 188.1p Brockley Hall. Hoggs and young sheep sold to £64 Craigshouse. Leading Prices:- BFL:- £105 Clennel. Suff.x:- £97 Goswick, £96 Lilburn Estates, £94 Mayfield, £91 Milfield Demesne, £90 West Longridge. Tex.x:- £95 Chillingham Home Farm, £92 West Rennington, £90 East Fleetham, £89 Newburn, £88 Lorbottle, £87 Fowberry Moor, £85 Marshall Meadows. Bel.x:- £93 Chillingham Home Farm. Mule:- £91 Craigshouse, £80 Todrig, £79 West Longridge.Rams:- BFL:- £103 Clennel. Tex.:- £103 Charlton Mires.

St Boswells

John Swan Ltd sold 95 clean cattle, 57 OTM cattle, Bullocks (40) averaged 205.6p per kg and sold to 230p Heifers (55) averaged 199.1p per kg and sold to 232p (-10p on week)57 beef type OTM cattle averaged 125.3p per kg and sold to 155p (+5.3p on the week) New season lambs averaged 1.82p per kg (-1p on the week) and sold to £96, 2068 New Season lambs and 477 Ewes top price 2.02p per kg for Texel Ewes averaged £62, and sold to £109 for Texel. Heavy ewes averaged £80, Light ewes sold to £78 for GF and averaged £55.

More Grazing type Heifers forward: Principal Prices per Head: Longnewton £1392.92; Bee Edge £1387.36, £1346.52; Lennoxlove £1379.70; Mosstower 31375.78. Principal Prices per kg: Bee Edge 2.32 Robert Wilson Butcher Edin, 2.29 Shaws Butcher, Lauder, 2.26 W Taylor(Lockerbie); Lurdenlaw 2.30 M/s JA Waters & Sons, 2.10, M/s J Gilmour & Co Ltd; Caverton Mill 2.28 Malone of Edinburgh; Lennoxlove 2.24 M/s Foley, 2.21 Scottish Border Meats; Longnewton 2.22 Malone of Edinburgh; Chillingham Home Farm 2.20 M/s Cropper; Ramrig 2.20 M/s WTS Forsyth & Sons. Bull: Hyndsidehill £1200.64 (1.12). Cows per head: Butchercote £1489.80, £1185.72; Kersknowe £1261.26, £1178, £1085; Torwoodlee Mains £1212.64; Aikeyside £1146.86, £1057.64, £1034.88, £969.54; Rumbletonrig £1055.60; Hyndsidehill £1023.04, £1000.10, £992.18; Langlee Mains £962.92. Cows per kg: Butchercote 1.95, 1.37; Kersknowe 1.55, 1.43; Rumbletonrig 1.49, 1.45; Aikeyside1.47, 1.43(2), 1.37; Hepburn 1.43; Torwoodlee 1.43; Hyndsidehill 1.39, 1.37, 1.35; Upper Hundalee 1.35. New Season Lambs per head: Suff.x;- £96, £88, £87 Huntington, Tex;- £95 Huntington & Crookston, £92 Thirlestane, Suff;- £89.50 Trows, Bel;- £84.50, £80.50 Benson Wemyss, £81.50 Craiglea, Chev Mule;- £73 Wester Ulston, HB;- £72 Stobshiel Mains, Char;- £75.50 Ruletownhead, £72.50 Ladyflat, £71.50, £70 Fairlaw.

Supreme Champion

Touchwood, S Martin

Reserve Supreme

Tra Bhain Kate, B Macdonald

In Hand Hunters

Champion - Scotty, V Laub

Reserve - Bordergrove Haiti, 
N Stewart.

Brood Mare - Vella Sunrise, Bordergrove Stud

Foal - 1 Scotty

Yearling - 1 Rachan Sans Next Top Model, S Burns

Two year old - 1 Bordergrove Haiti N Stewart

Three year old - 1 Bordergrove Honolulu Bordergrove Stud

Champion - Barney, C Storey

Reserve - Masquerade, C Storey

Novice Working Hunter - Rehy Archer, A Goldie

P4 (2002) - Chalet Lus Z

2 Belle Miss I Orr 3 Dragons Den Mrs S Burns

P12 (2005) - 1 Romano II Du Gand Mrs L Hogarth.

Ridden Pony Classes

Champion - Lindisfarne T’Ambassador, Amy Campbell Reserve - Haimer Showday,

In Hand Ponies

Champion - Properly Dun, K Lynn

Reserve - Cayberry Mickey Mouse

Champion - Tra Bhain Kate Reserve - Earnwell Ravensboy, Mojo, S Dickson

Tra Bhain Kate

Reserve - Earnwell, Ravensboy Mojo

Coloured Classes

Champion - Humphrey, H Bowyer

Reserve - Tomahawk Flyer, J Stenhouse

Champion - Another Adventure, Vicky Edgar

Reserve - Touchwood, Samantha Martin

12.2 and under - Ridgehill Robina, Blake Hedley

13.2 and under - Priory 
Quickthorn

14.2 and under - Keldspring Mistral Ava Bremner

Champion - Priory Quickthorn, Ellie Vestey

Reserve - Keldspring Mistral, Ava Bremner

Fancy Dress

Alice Walton

Gymkhana Games

Leading Rein - Robbie Forster

10 & under - Sarah Farnsworth

11 to 14 years old - 1 Duncan McFadyen

Retrained Racehorse Challenge

Rumour Has It, Miss C Bunting

Retraining of Racehorses

Ridden Show Class - Monsoon Music, P Dale

Sheep

Best Pair of Ewe Lambs -

Philiphaugh Estate

Photography

Jim Manderson

Dog Show

Champion - Pip, Jack Russell

Reserve - Taffy, Flatcoat
 Retreiver

The buzz around Innerleithen last weekend wasn’t just about the local Cleikum Ceremonies.

The coveted Union Jack sleeve was once again up for grabs as UK downhill mountain bike riders battled it out for the 2014 British National Championship title.

From young Juvenile riders to the top World Cup Elite, the field was packed and resembled a mini World Cup. Everyone had one goal – to win the National Champ’s jersey.

When asked why he chose Innerleithen to host this premier event race organiser Mike Marsden told The Southern: “Innerleithen is what I consider the home of downhill in the UK. It’s where it all started.

“Many other places don’t have the history, Innerleithen does. But also with big events you need to be able to have a finish, you need to be able to have an arena and you need to be able to make something of it. So many venues are not suitable, as they don’t have an ending.”

The track for this weekend’s race was a fast, technical mix of everything the hill has to offer. Saturday’s practice was pretty much a wet affair with everyone familiarising themselves with the roots and rocks and come race day on Sunday, it looked like it was going to be a perfect day for a downhill race.

Seeding went well for the local top riders Ruaridh Cunningham (3), Reece Wilson (5) Rebecca Kennedy (1) and Lewis Buchanan (16).

Mid-afternoon saw racing start with juvenile Luke Birkett winning the first championship jersey. Next one up for grabs was the Youth class where James Purvis not only seeded first he also went fastest in his race run to win the jersey and gold medal.

Earlston’s Scottish Champion Rebecca Kennedy was the first local on track in with a chance of winning and she didn’t disappoint. The 19-year-old won the Senior Non-championship title by a huge 26 seconds over second-placed Sandra Scally. No mean feat, after suffering a bad hand injury last year and recently having her new bike stolen.

Next local in with a chance was Gordon’s junior rider Reece Wilson. This class is almost, if not more, competitive than the Elites – and almost as fast. Reece had a small crash in his race run, which cost him the win, but still managed a solid third and a bronze medal.

Elite class is where it all gets exciting as this weekend saw the best riders in the country if not the world come to win that title. Home lad Lewis Buchanan was the first local down, but a crash near the top scuppered his chances. Next up was Stow’s Ruaridh Cunnigham who was just pipped of the podium into fourth place behind Gee Atherton; second place went to Joe Smith and the win went to crowd favourite Josh “Ratboy” Bryceland, fresh from his first ever World Cup win a few weeks back in Leogang.

Hawick’s Stuart Easton returned to the scene of his 2013 British Supersport Championship win at the 2.4-mile Brands Hatch GP in Kent for the latest round of the British Superbike championship, writes John Mushet.

The Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s rider was hoping to build on his good showing at the Knockhill round two weeks ago, where he managed a podium place.

Qualifying in a disappointing 12th place, Easton needed to find some extra pace to battle for a podium for the MCE British Superbike double-header at Brands Hatch on the Sunday, but failed to make it into Q3 during qualifying on Saturday afternoon.

With the showdown fast approaching and the Borders rider not yet inside the top six times, Easton is now hoping to make a mark in the next two races.

And with team-mate, Shane Byrne, constantly on the podium, the rider feels he has a lot to live up to in the Paul Bird garage.

He told The Southern: “The first box that has to be ticked is getting into the showdown – which is the main aim.

“We need to find a bit of pace, and we need more speed and at least be in the top six. I have proved that I can be quick enough, but it’s up to me to make it happen without crashing and the team is good enough on the other side of the garage to win every week – so I just have to be quicker.”

In the dry race one Easton was way off the pace when finishing in 10th spot, while race two fared no better. This leaves him in eighth place in the championship, 14 points off a top-six showdown spot.

He knows he must get back to form at the next round at Thruxton in Hampshire in two week’s time.

Lauder’s Kershaw Racing sidecar team made the 800-mile trip to the Brands Hatch circuit for the fourth round of the Eastern Airways Formula one British sidecar championship, writes John Mushet.

Driver Steve Kershaw and his passenger Rob Wilson knew that they could start to move up the championship standing with a solid performance over the weekend.

Saturday morning’s wet qualifying left them in 13th place, somewhere they didn’t want to be. A change in settings for the first race on Saturday afternoon, however, saw them finish in eighth place in a race shortened to nine laps instead of 12 due to one of the sidecars spinning and blocking the track.

The shortened race proved to be of benefit to them as the oil filter on their 1000cc Suzuki machine had spilt and the throttle cable had frayed badly. Steve thought with the extra laps they probably wouldn’t have finished the race and would have spilt oil over the circuit.

Sunday’s late afternoon race was also reduced to eight laps after being declared a wet race, but on a drying track, so tyre choice would be a key factor. From the start the Borders pair made great progress through the field. Obviously, having picked the right tyres and settings they finished in their best ever championship position of fifth, which moves them into 10th in the championship.

After the race, the team and supporters were delighted and both Steve and Rob are hoping to build on this success at Thruxton in two week’s time.

A supermarket could be built on part of the Wilton Mills site in Hawick should a planning application get the green light.

The application, lodged at the end of last week by Aitken Turnbull Architects, on behalf of Wilton Mills Limited, outlines proposals for a “discount foodstore”.

Wording contained in documents submitted with the application suggests that German retailer Aldi may be the occupant for the store.

However a spokesman for the supermarket told The Southern that it does not have a contract for the site, but added that the company was “reviewing its options for Hawick”.

The proposal is for the cleared area to the rear of the Clock Tower building on Commercial Road, with the creation of a store and parking for almost 90 cars and separate service entrance.

The former YM club building and garages and outbuilding adjacent to the clock tower would be demolished, but a 1.2m natural stone boundary wall using reclaimed stone would be built along the site boundary.

A design and access document submitted with the application states that the store could create up to 30 new jobs and would “improve consumer choice and complement existing provision within the area”.

An explosion at a workshop in Langholm was caused because bosses breached health and safety laws, writes Bob Burgess.

The blast was at Border Fine Arts in Townfoot, where the company manufactures hand-crafted and hand-painted ornaments.

At Dumfries Sheriff Court, parent company Enesco Limited of Carlisle admitted it failed to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to its workers where dangerous substances were present. Enesco has been fined £10,500.

Gary Aitken, the head of the Procurator Fiscal Service’s Health and Safety Division, said: “It was simply good fortune that no employees were in the vicinity of the explosion and that no-one was injured or killed.”

A probe by the Health and Safety Executive revealed the company had been concerned about potential fire and explosion risks and had addressed some recommendations from a 2006 survey, but problems with new controls saw them install unsafe electrical equipment in 2009 in an effort to maintain productivity. The cause of the blast remains unknown, but the HSE probe confirmed safety breaches.

Mr Aitken confirmed: “To become operational again the company has engaged proactively with the HSE.”

Borders General Hospital’s main operating theatre is not at crisis point despite staffing problems caused by nurses off sick and vacancies.

That was NHS Borders’ official position yesterday when it was quizzed by The Southern Reporter over concerns from several nurses that the situation at the hospital’s main operating theatre had reached a crisis point.

There has also been growing speculation among staff members that the difficulties at the main theatre could even lead to the BGH’s day procedure theatre being closed and its staff forced to work main theatre hours, including weekends and being on call.

Asked to respond to these claims, NHS Borders said the hospital’s main operating theatre and day procedure unit “operate to deal with patients in the most effective way possible” and that the day procedure unit is regarded by health chiefs as being essential to the work of the BGH now and for the future.

Alasdair Pattinson, who is the NHS Borders general manager for acute, primary and community services, told us: “Theatres in the BGH have undoubtedly had challenges in relation to staff sickness absence, as well as staff vacancies over recent months.

“Recruitment to our main theatre has been challenging, not just for the Borders, but across Scotland and the UK, so it is particularly positive that we have now recruited to all but one of our vacant posts. We continue to work on this single vacancy.

“To support flexibility and skills of existing and new staff, we have in place a robust training plan.

“On the matter of sickness absence, we have a very clear policy that has been developed in partnership with staff, and we follow this so that any staff member who is sick or unwell can be fully and appropriately supported.

“NHS Borders has recently been recognised as one of the CHKS 40 Top Hospitals in the UK. CHKS measures NHS boards and trusts through a series of performance indicators.

“The 40 top hospitals award is based on the evaluation of 22 indicators of clinical effectiveness, health outcomes, efficiency, patient experience and quality of care.”

Commenting, Lynn McDowall, Royal College of Nursing Officer for Borders, said: “While there have been some difficulties with theatre staffing at Borders General Hospital which the health board has been trying to address, plans for the hospital as a whole are very positive, with NHS Borders planning major recruitment drives to ensure services provided by the hospital are of the highest quality.

“But NHS Borders is not the only health board struggling to fill posts after years of cuts, so demand for new staff across Scotland is high.”

A Borders family farming business that specialises in arable crops and free-range eggs has renewable energy generation at the heart of its successful operation.

Woodend Farming Partnership (WFP) was formed by John and Louise Seed together with their daughter Lindsay and son Donald, and is based at Woodend near Duns.

The 200ha farm has also established three renewable energy units - 950kW of biomass, 75kW of wind and 50kW of solar PV. This significant investment in renewable energy means it has dramatically reduced its reliance on fossil fuels, cut energy costs and can harvest and dry crops quickly and efficiently. All three renewable technologies will be on display on Tuesday, July 22 when John Seed hosts the latest on-farm event organised by NFU Scotland’s Renewable Development Initiative (RDI) to which any interested farmers are invited.

The RDI, co-ordinated by Thomas McMillan of Smiths Gore, is helping farmers and land managers fulfil their energy generating potential.

The initiative has already shown hundreds of Scottish farmers energy projects that are contributing to farm businesses or at the planning stage. RDI open days held across Scotland in the past six months have looked at wind, solar, biomass, hydro and anaerobic digestion.

Speaking ahead of the event, John Seed said: “The farming sector has become too reliant on fossil fuels. Using renewable energy allows farmers to reduce the risk from volatile world fuel markets.

“Fossil fuel used to cost Woodend Farming Partnership £128,000 per year. Including the Renewable Heat Incentive and Feed In Tariff payments, energy costs are now a net positive. Farmers can’t change the price they receive for their crops, but they can influence their variable costs such as energy and fertiliser.

“The installations have also changed the way we go about our business. WFP can now cut our grain earlier, when it is at its best quality, instead of waiting for it to drop to 17% moisture as our grain drying set up means that drying is no longer a major cost.

“The mix of technologies has also given a better balance to our energy generation. It’s windy in the winter, and sunny in the summer. With solar panels and a wind turbine, this creates a more stable supply of electricity rather than relying on one technology. By comparison, biomass supplies heat all year round.”

Combine harvester and tractor drivers are urged to play their part in reducing the risk of accidents on roads during the busy holiday season.

NFU Scotland’s legal and technical committee representative, Jamie Smart, who runs the union’s free vehicle advice line, said:

“The summer tourist season across Scotland is approaching its peak, and with harvest ready to start and many taking their second or third cut silage, the roads are even busier than normal.

“The public appreciate that farmers and those using tractors and other agricultural vehicles need to use the road network to go about our work. In return, we need to remember to be considerate. By pulling in and letting a trail of vehicles past for just a few minutes can help to prevent frustration and accidents.”

The annual Border Union Show, South East Scotland’s premier event, is all set to take place once again weekend.

It really is a great two days out for everybody with lots of animals, delicious food, amusements, great shopping, countryside activities and an exciting Main Ring programme on Saturday afternoon featuring the local stunt team, Les Ami d’Ono, who performed in the special History of the Horse in 2013.

There will also be a cereals demonstration on the full growing season, with live action in the main ring from Berwick Bandits Speedway riders, who will give a live demonstration of their skills.

The sheep show is back again for its annual visit and around the showground there is the Crazy Bears children’s show, Bungy and the climbing wall.

A special wool and water marquee will feature the Tweed catchment area, and there will be shearing of sheep adjacent to that.

Show entries for livestock are a near record total of 2,111 ( 2042 in 2013 ) with more than a thousand more including the industrial section, poultry, rabbits and guinea pigs.

There are four societies holding their national shows this year, The Scottish Hereford National Show, the Scottish Jacob Sheep Society National Show, the Scottish National Zwartbles Sheep Society Show and the Hebridean Sheep Society UK National Show, with each sheep society having more than 100 entries.

There are a total of 1,011 sheep from 19 breeds, over 100 cattle from eight breeds, 95 goats and a total entry in the equine section of 849 over the two days, with every breed well represented.

All the trade stands 
areas are full as is the 
food fair, and with a well-balanced main ring programme there is something for everyone.

The event takes place at Springwood Park, Kelso, 
on Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26, from 8-5.30pm both days.

Timetable

FRIDAY, JULY 25

The times below are correct at the time of printing but may be altered at the discretion of the directors and depending on the number of entries forward.

8.00am M & M Novice 
Working Hunter Ponies. Roxburgh Ring

8.30am Riding Ponies 
In-Hand. Teviot Ring 1

Native Ponies under Saddle & Part Bred Ponies. Teviot Ring 2

Welsh Ponies. Teviot Ring 3

Native Ponies In-hand. Teviot Ring 4

Coloured Horses. West Ring

Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Qualifiers. Main Ring

10.00am M & M Working Hunter Ponies (approx time) Roxburgh Ring

11.00am Highland Ponies In-Hand. (approx. time) Teviot Ring 1

11.30am Highland Ponies Ridden. (approx. time) Teviot Ring 1

Noon WHP Ponies. (approx. time) Roxburgh Ring

1.00pm M & M Novice Ridden. (approx. time) Teviot Ring 1

Veteran Horses. (approx. time) Teviot Ring 3

Hunter Pony Breeding. (approx. time) Teviot Ring 4

Pony Club Team Jumping. (approx. time) Main Ring.

1.30pm Industrial Section Judging Commences.

2.30pm Show Hunter Ponies. (approx. time) Roxburgh Ring.

3.00pm GRAND CHILDREN’S PET SHOW.

4.00pm Industrial Marquee open to public.

6.00pm Evening Goat Milking.

SATURDAY, JULY 26

The times below are correct 
at the time of printing but may 
be altered at the discretion 
of the directors and depending on the number of entries forward.

8.00am Ridden Hunters. Main Ring.

8.30am Hunters In-Hand. Teviot Ring.

Riding Horses. West Ring.

Horse Shoeing.

9:00am Aberdeen Angus and Hereford judging followed by Limousin and Continental Beef Breeds and then the Individual Beef Cattle

Interbreed.

Young Handlers judging will be at the completion of the Cattle

Classes.

9.30am Sheep & Dairy Goats.

Carriage Driving. Roxburgh Ring

10.00am Clydesdale Horses followed by Shires. Teviot Ring.

Poultry.

Rabbits.

Side Saddle. (approx. time) West Ring.

10.30am Shepherds’ Crooks. Sheep Lines.

Young Farmers’ Clubs Stock-Judging.

11.00pm Donkeys. Teviot Ring. ( approx. time )

Noon Retraining of 
Racehorses. (approx. time) Teviot Ring.

Decorated Harness. Teviot 
Ring.

Heavy Horse Turnouts.

12.30pm Hunter Championship. Main Ring.

12.45pm Berwick Bandits Speedway Display. Main Ring

1.00pm Sheep Interbreed. Sheep Lines

1.00pm Falconry Display. Main Ring

1.15pm Les Amis d’ Ono Stunt Team. Main Ring

1.45pm Cereals 2014. Main Ring

2.15pm Berwick Bandits Speedway Display. Main Ring

2.30pm Lurcher Racing. Main Ring

2.50pm Cattle Team Interbreed. Main Ring.

3.10pm Grand Parade of Livestock. Main Ring

3.25pm CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS. Main Ring

3.40pm Lurcher Racing. Main Ring

4.00pm Heavy Horse 
Turnouts. Main Ring

4.20pm Carriage Driving Championships. Main Ring

4.50pm Les Amis d’ Ono Stunt Team. Main Ring

5.15pm Retreat : Kelso Pipe Band. Main Ring

Throughout both days

Food Fair – Exhibition Hall Sheep Show – Countryside Area

Story of Wool & Water – Block 1 Lathe Turning

Drystone Walling Kelso Pipe Band

Children’s Entertainment – both days

Fun Fair, Face Painting, Bungy Jump & Climbing Wall

Crazy Bears Childrens 
Show

Less than two years after each lost a leg in an accident in Melrose, Maureen and Steven Matthews have completed a three-mile sponsored walk.

The couple were pinned against a wall at the George & Abbotsford Hotel by a reversing car in early December 2012.

They sustained serious injuries, both external and internal, which resulted in them both having a leg amputated. The Duns couple were in hospital for nearly seven months – but after more than a year of operations, intense rehab and gruelling physio, they managed to walk again.

Not content with taking a few steps, they completed a sponsored walk last weekend in aid of Borders General Hospital, who Maureen credits with saving their lives in the aftermath of the accident.

Their original plan was to begin the walk from their old family home in Preston, which they had to give up as they could no longer climb the stairs. But after being advised against this on health and safety grounds, the start of the walk was switched to Gavinton football pitch.

It ended at the Matthews’ new bungalow in Station Court where they were greeted by well-wishers, a few of whom were reduced to tears as Maureen and Steven came into view.

Maureen then did something that only she, Steven, son Robert and friend and photographer Billy Gillie knew about. She walked the final steps to the finish line without her sticks.

She said: “I cried like a baby at the end. The walk was a very hard thing for us to do, but I felt I had to give something back to the people at Borders General Hospital.

“We obviously weren’t in a good situation, but they saved our lives and stabilised us, so we could be taken up to the Royal in Edinburgh where we spent three weeks before going back to the BGH.

“When I first suggested doing a sponsored event, someone asked me what I had in mind and, sitting in a hospital bed with half a leg, but a big smile on my face, I said ‘a sponsored walk’.

“People couldn’t believe it. They were absolutely gobsmacked, but I was so determined to do it.”

Maureen and Steven originally set themselves a fundraising target of £1,000 – but have now doubled it with collection boxes and sponsor forms still to come in.

Maureen added: “I never, ever expected to raise so much. The way I see it we’ve got a second chance at life. They didn’t think I would make it through the night after the accident, so I’m just grateful I’m here.”

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