Ancrum eventer Emily Galbraith has spoken of her frustration after her top-level eventing season was brought to a premature end by her decision to miss the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials.

The 26-year-old may have claimed five wins and 18 top- 10 finishes so far this season, but they have largely come from her younger horses after her two stars, Caugherty Red Adair and Timing, struggled with injury and hard ground respectively.

Galbraith was hoping to make her second appearance at Burghley House, September 4-7, on Timing but, after she was forced to retire the14-year-old gelding early during the cross country at Badminton, the hard ground has limited the number of runs he has been able to do.

Timing did pick up a win at Belsay at the end of May but that is of little consolation to Galbraith as she prepares for an extended winter.

“It’s just been one of those years where nothing seems to have gone my way,” said Galbraith, whose stables are based at Belses Muir.

“For different reasons, my top horses haven’t been able to run. Red Adair started the season really well but he then pulled something in his back at Chatsworth and he’s been recovering since.

“And Timing doesn’t like running on the hard ground, so the hot weather hasn’t been great for him. I need him to be on form for the four-star events and after his performance at Badminton, I can’t take the risk at Burghley given how little he’s been able to run. It’s pretty much the end of his summer, which is gutting.

“I’ve never had problems like this before and it’s just been so frustrating. Everyone else loves the sun and hot weather but for us riders it’s the worst possible thing, because the ground is so hard and the horses can’t compete at their best.

“I’m just so lucky that I’ve got some nice young horses who have been winning and doing well, which has at least meant the season hasn’t been a total write-off.”

Despite the disappointment of this season, Galbraith is confident she and her horses can return to their best next year and is trying to remain positive.

“I’m going to do everything I can this winter to get back to where I was at the beginning of this summer,” she added.

“Hopefully taking the horses hunting and show jumping will help them get back to their old selves.

“I’ve got to try and stay positive. The conditions just haven’t been right for us this year but we’ll be back.

“I’ll do a lot of show jumping over the winter to try and take my mind off things and then we will hopefully be back to where we were.”

The multi-award winning Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (September 4-7) has been established as a major international equestrian and social event in the autumn sporting calendar for more than 50 years. For more information visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk

Selkirk 3

Threave Rovers 0

Selkirk finally got their man on Friday night, with the signing of fallen Scotland star Garry O’Connor, and it’s fair to say he helped the Souters to three points in their first Lowland League match of the season, scoring a goal in a 3-0 victory.

The man himself may not be match-fit, but he still managed to slog away in atrocious conditions for the entire 90 minutes and he hasn’t lost his touch with the ball.

His 82nd-minute strike came as a bit of a relief as he had missed a couple of sitters earlier on, though.

He told The Southern: “I’ve only trained for one day, so it’s been pretty tough, but I have managed to get 90 minutes under my belt and grab a goal.

“I’m a bit disappointed with the other chances, obviously, but overall it’s the first game of the season and it’s quite a comfortable win at the end of the day.

“I’m quite disappointed with the tempo we played in the first half, but you can’t complain if you win 3-0 at home.”

Threave did have a dangerous element – mostly in the form of Dean Fyfe, who never stopped looking for the gaps.

But it was Selkirk who opened the scoring through Benjamin Houteau, tapping in Florian Moulet’s inch-perfect cross.

Julio Tonelle’s handball earned Threave’s Ian Miller a penalty soon after, but home keeper Jamie Newman dived to his left to save it – just as he did in midweek against Hibs Under-20s.

Threave’s keeper Callum Benson was also showing up well, with a point-blank block from Jordane Orain and a superb save from Phil Addison’s flying kick keeping the score respectable till half-time.

Then the heavens opened – an unbelievable amount of rain in the second period sat on top of the parched pitch, making going a bit slippery to say the least. Selkirk handled it best. They had most of possession and most of the play was in the Threave half, but there was not much of a spark going on up front until substitute Yanis Lamghari came on in the 80th minute.

He set up O’Connor for his goal – a thumping drive across Benson and into the net – before scoring one himself, a nice solo effort to round off the scoring and ensure Selkirk sit joint top of the league in the first week.

It’s a far cry from last year’s desperate placing, but although there is a long way to go, there is a new sense of optimism abound at Yarrow Park. The players looked happy to be there – which is saying something considering the conditions – their play was on the whole tactically sound, their passing was sharp and their tempers were controlled.

They’re a team that look as if they believe in themselves.

O’Connor summed it up.

He said: “Selkirk is a club that has got a lot of ambition and I want to be a part of that.”

Whether or not he will still be a part of that by the end of the season is yet to be seen, but what at first looked to be a bit of a publicity stunt could in truth be beneficial to both parties.

z Visit our website to hear the full interview with Garry O’Connor and Selkirk boss Steve Forrest.

Vale of Leithen0

Edinburgh City3

“Keep out the puddle!” is certainly one of the less common instructions issued from the technical area to a player in football – but it rang out at Victoria Park on Saturday, writes Dave Ryce.

It followed a farcical sequence of play late on in the game which saw possession change between the teams five times in as many seconds as players struggled to control the ball in a particularly watery area of the pitch amidst a downpour of biblical proportions.

A three-goal margin perhaps flattered City against a Vale team missing four players, but the victory itself was deserved on an afternoon that saw the game finish in the sort of conditions that would have prevented kick-off an hour-and-a-half earlier.

With only three minutes played Vale should have had an opportunity to take the lead as City’s Jordan Caddow clattered Vale forward Greig Tulloch in the area. It looked a clear infringement, but the referee waved play on.

Shortly afterwards, Josh Morris was left holding his head in his hands after curling a free kick off the bar with City keeper Andrew Stobie beaten.

But on 22 minutes Edinburgh took the lead as Gordon Donaldson met a Ross Guthrie cross at the back post and dispatched a powerful header into the net. Donaldson went on to prevent a certain equaliser as half-time drew near when a deflection fell kindly to Vale’s John Ferguson and although the striker lifted the ball over Stobie, the left back was on the line to hook it clear.

The start of the second half was accompanied by a deafening roar. Not from the crowd, but the sound of rain hitting the roof of the enclosure at Victoria Park. The players deserve credit for sticking to the task in hand in conditions suited more to frogs than humans, and managing to find the odd lily pad of playable ground.

Mark Osbourne made sure of the points for City by hitting a double, firstly running on to a Mark McConnell pass to slide the ball past Ross McMullen in the 57th minute.

Six minutes later, he darted in behind the Vale rearguard to claim a long ball played out of defence to seal things.

A Tulloch header and Kenny O’Brien free kick both came close to claiming what would have been a deserved consolation for Vale late on.

Preston Athletic0

Gala Fairydean Rovers1

This was a tough opening-day fixture for the new-look Gala side, although due to a combination of suspensions, weddings and holidays, the only new look about them was Andy Cosgrove at centre half.

Preston exerted much of the early pressure and John Dodds made the first of many saves when he dived to gather a shot from Paul Devlin, although this was a regulation save compared to others that he made later in the game.

Gala were slightly fortunate when a looping shot from Michael Osborne clipped the top of their crossbar before they had their first chance – but Sean Paliczka mishit his shot. Just before the interval, Jamie Gibson’s long-range free kick for Gala deflected off the wall and away for a corner.

The Netherdale outfit took the lead early in the second half after Dean McHolm had a strong shot blocked by the keeper and Cosgrove threw himself forward to direct a flying header beyond Gilbertson. A series of substitutions were made during the next 20 minutes, Stuart Noble replacing Gibson and Kenny Munro coming on for Cosgrove.

With time ticking away and Preston pressing for an equaliser, Andrew Common went into the book when he delayed a restart by kicking the ball away. A few minutes later Craig Pinnons replaced Sean Paliczka as Preston continued to ramp up the pressure.

Two minutes from time Common again delayed a free kick and received a second yellow card to reduce Gala to 10 men which became nine when Billy Miller got injured and had to leave the field with no further substitutes available.

Five minutes of injury time had to be endured before a gutsy Gala claimed their first three points of the season.

Tributes have been pouring in for a teenage farm worker who died on Friday after suffocating in a 50-feet high silo tower following a tragic accident.

Nineteen-year-old Zach Fox died at the scene, at Deanfoot Farm, which overlooks Denholm.

He is understood to have fallen into the tower and became trapped. Emergency services were alerted shortly after 9am.

Fire crews from Hawick and Jedburgh raced to the remote farm and cut a hole in the tower using a turning saw.

They managed to retrieve his body and paramedics were on hand to assist, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The farm, owned by Peter Manners, was sealed off as an investigation got under way.

Tributes started to appear on social networking sites, with Alison posting on Facebook: “Devastating news, my thoughts are with the family x.”

And from Maria: “very sad news indeed, my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, Rest in peace, Zach.”

It is not known whether the silo was storing grain or fermented feed known as silage at the time of the tragedy.

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “Enquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this incident are ongoing and officers are currently liaising with the Health and Safety Executive.”

Lifesaving equipment has been stolen from a volunteer member of the Border Search and Rescue Unit.

The £2,500 worth of stolen gear includes a two-way radio, various items of specialised equipment and a brand new team jacket.

In addition, James Burt also lost a large amount of his own mountaineering equipment which was all stored in his campervan when the vehicle was stolen from outside his home in Edinburgh. Rescuers often keep equipment in the vehicles because it leads to a more rapid emergency response.

Team spokesman Damon Rodwell said: “It’s mercifully rare for this sort of thing to happen. There have been a few recent instances of theft from team members down south, but this is the first time in memory that equipment has been stolen from a BSARU member.

“It’s particularly galling coming at a time when the team has had some very significant financial outgoings, including the replacement of a Landrover and a £5,500 bill for new team jackets.

“Fundraising is difficult for all charities in the current climate and this is going to make a dent in the money we’re putting aside for the essential upgrading of GPS equipment.”

The van is a white VW Transporter – R168 GAA. Information can be passed in confidence to secretary@bordersar.org.uk

The decision by Border Television to restrict Tuesday’s independence referendum debate between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling to Freeview was likely to have disenfranchised thousands of voters in the south of Scotland, according to SNP MSP Christine Grahame.

The member for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale expressed her anger after learning that many of her constituents, and the electorate in Scottish parliamentary seats across the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway, would not be able to watch the exchanges between the First Minister and the former Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Speaking prior to the debate, she said: “We’ve had all the negative campaigning by the No campaign and by the Westminster Select Committee covered by Border TV, yet we are to get restricted coverage of this week’s debate which will be one of the most important events in the run-up to September 18.

“Apparently, while the rest of Scotland will hear arguments from both sides of the divide on Tuesday evening many viewers in southern Scotland will be treated to the delights of Love Your Garden from 8-9pm, followed by a programme called Kids Behind Bars between 9-10 o’clock about youth custody in Nevada.”

Ms Grahame said there was a widespread feeling that democracy in the south of Scotland was about to suffer apparently because the region was served by an English-based TV station.

She added: “One Borders resident who emailed me wrote, ‘I expect this will not be the only contact you receive expressing dismay, anger and bafflement ... choose any words that fit a sense of impotence that I live in the Scottish Borders and am served by an English-dominated ITV station’.”

One of the Borders’ finest eventing venues will be open on the weekend of August 16th & 17th, for an action packed sporting programme.

Hendersyde Horse Trials will be running British Eventing classes up to Intermediate Novice level, including classes for retrained racehorses.

The Agnew family very kindly open their park once a year to host the trials and raise money for charity. They have exceeded a challenge to raise £10,000 for the Margaret Kerr Charitable Trust and this year will be supporting The Borders Children’s charity. Hendersyde also donated £1000 toward the cost of a custom built racing wheelchair for Ancrum athlete Gemma Scott and with the generous help of additional Hendersyde connections and the wider Borders public, Gemma now has the funding required and is hoping to compete in the Jed 10k in October.

The Horse Trials courses are always kept fresh and interesting and this year there are new jumps and tracks, with a pair of fine carved ducks at the water complex. Internationally respected jump sculptor, David Evans has worked with the Hendersyde team and course designer Ian Stark, to provide a challenging yet beautiful track in the rolling park land.

Another new innovation for this years trials is a training class, where competitors can receive coaching before each phase, Kate Paskins will be on hand for the dressage, Stephanie Robson will be coaching the show jumping and David Gatherer will be supporting the cross country. The class is designed to encourage riders to improve their skills and give them the confidence to compete at higher levels. Entries for this class are still open, but places will be snapped up soon.

The trials encompass the Scottish and Northern Novice Championships which thanks to the generosity of the sponsors led by the Mussel and Steak Bar has a top prize of £500.

The Hendersyde team like to look after their competitors and visitors alike and welcome all to enjoy the sporting weekend, there will be the ever popular Pims in the Park, a range of retail opportunities and spectacular views of the valley.

A Hawick man appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Friday and admitted stealing alcohol the previous day.

Barry Hayward, 32, of Howdenbank, pleaded guilty to taking a £14.99 bottle of whisky without paying from B&M Bargains in Hawick on July 31.

Claire Bottomley, prosecuting, said: “The accused was seen by witnesses putting a bottle of whisky down the front of his trousers and leaving the shop. It was not recovered.”

Sheriff Kevin Drummond noted it was Hayward’s 13th conviction for shoplifting.

Sentence was deferred until September 5 when Hayward has another matter calling.

He was released on bail with the special condition that he is not allowed to enter any shop in Hawick unaccompanied unless it’s for the purpose of uplifting prescriptions.

A recently-released prisoner arrested for repeatedly ringing a hospital doorbell in the early hours of the morning is to be assessed for a Drug Treatment and Testing Order.

Roderick Kennedy also constantly banged on the doors of Kelso Community Hospital which is mainly occupied by elderly residents and does not have a casualty department.

The 32-year-old of Roxburgh Street, Kelso, also obstructed police officers when they arrived on the scene last month.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow told Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Friday that his client had just been released from a four-month prison sentence and had been struggling with a valium addiction.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond deferred sentence until next month for the assessment to be carried out and admonished him on four other outstanding complaints.

The Berwickshire County Show is always a great time for old friends to catch up and despite the slight blip in the weather this year’s show was no exception.

Duns Castle grounds are a pefect setting for the show stands, cattle, sheep, horses, ponies, poulty vintage vehicles and food and drink stands and there was plenty to see and do throughout the day.

Judging took place in the morning, then Duns Pipe Band heralded the start of the main ring events for the afternoon which included quack commandos, and livestock parade, pony club games, vintage vehicle parade, gundog demonstration, hunting hounds, terrier racing and children’s sports.

The Aberdeen Angus cow, Halbeath Kim owned by Andrew Hodge, Rulesmains Farm, Duns swept the board in the cattle section and was also awarded the BAA Angora Cup for the overall show champion.

Cattle

The overall champion in the cattle section, and winner of the R J Forrest Cup and Centenary Trophy, was Halbeath Kim, an Aberdeen Angus cow with an April born calf owned by Andrew Hodge of Rulesmains Farm, Duns.

Bought last year, she was fifth at the Highland Show this year and was female champion and reserve overall at Kelso’s Border Union Show.

Reserve champion was Golden Delicious, a Charolais heifer owned by Ross MacPherson of Castlehills Farm, Berwick.

Limousin champion was Meadowrig Eva, a home bred five-year-old cow owned by Renton and Redden Partners, Berwick, who also won the multibreed section with their British Blue bull.

Best Simmental, and winner of the NFU Mutual Cup was a cow owned by A and K Gamble of Palace Farm, Crailing; best Limousin, winner of the Broadmeadows Quaich, was the under two years bull, Meadowrig Ivan, of Renton and Redden; winner of the Challenge Cup for Champion Aberdeen Angus was Halbeath Kim, the Aberdeen Angus cow shown by A Hodge; and winner of the Chapman and Frearson Perpetual Challenge Trophy for best Aberdeen Angus of opposite to the champion was J & W Arnott; the Lloyds Tractor Trophy and Cross Bred Cattle Cup winner was the heifer Golden Delicious shown by Ross MacPherson; Berwickshire Agricultural Association Cup in Cross Bred Cattle section was James Anderson; RJF Challenge Cup, James Anderson.

Sheep

Overall sheep champion was a Texel shearling ram owned by J and P Anderson of Headshaw, Oxton.

Home bred by Teviot Topper out of a Tweed ewe he was being shown for the first time and is going to Kelso Ram Sales in September.

Reserve champion and winner of the Moira Ingoldsby Cup was the Blue Faced Leicester of Bill Hedley.

Champion blackfaced and winner of the Hopes Silver Rose Bowl was the ram of Prof Penny.

Suffolk champion and winner of the Millar Salver was the ewe of R Laing & Sons; winner of the Derek McLain Cup and the J D Wilson Millennium Tankard was the ram shearling of R G Laing & Sons.

Winner of the Northfield Bowl for best Scotch Mule & Greyfaced was the ewe of J W Fullarton & Sons. The Lord Brockett trophy for best Blue Faced Leicester also went to J W Fullarton; The Broxmouth Perpetual Challenge Trophy in the Multibreed Sheep category was won by James Royan’s ram; and the Greendykes Bowl for Prime Cross Bred Lambs was won by Murray Perring. Mr and Mrs A Bain took home the G E & J Meikle Perpetual Trophy and R K& B Sharp Rose Trophy in the Shetland Sheep category.

Hunters

The Silver Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best young hunting stock under four years was won by Broadstone Love Affair, shown by Lorna Aylward who also won the Championship Paxtgon Agricultural Society Cup; The Manderson Bowl for best ridden and working hunter classes went to Clive Storey on Barney; the Silver Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best hunter bred in the county of Berwick was Doreen Calder’s Just Joey; and the Young Trophy for highest placed veteran horse was won by Equibuddy, with Hopevalley Sparky.

Ponies

The Millennium Trophy for the overall champion was won by Jane Dow with Dessie Island; The Glen Silver Perpetual Challenge Cup was also won by Jane Dow with Dessie Island; and the Silver Salver for best member of the Berwickshire Pony Club went to Fiona Robson and Bobby Dazzler.

In the Riding Pony Classes the Lady Clementine Waring Perpetual Challenge Cup was won Lucy Brown with Waxwing Rosary; and the Andrew Hamilton Cup was won by Olivia Prentice and Chandler. The Mountain and Moorland champion Hopelaws Perpetual Challenge Trophy was won by James Whiteford Fuinseoig Boy. Winner of the Stair Brown Perpetual Challenge Cup for children’s pony gymkhana games was Katy McFadyen on Carla.

Jumping

The Barclays Bank Perpetual Challenge Trophy for junior jumping was won by Ellie Meldrum and Sylvester 60; and the West Cumberland Farmers Trading Society Ltd Rose Bowl, minor adult jumping competition was won by Louise Clark on Kalewater Creme Brulee.

Poultry

In the poulty classes, entry numbers were very similar to last year, the Poultry Cup for overall champion going to the German Langshan male bird belonging to D P Fontana from Peebles. The Renton Cup for reserve champion also went to D P Fontana, winning with a Cockin female; and the D Cochrane Shield for best exhbit in show and best junior championship went to Lewis Renton.

Industrial

Cup Winners: Silver Bowl for individual with most points - Catherine Dickson; Homecraft Shield, SWRI with most points - Ayton; BAA Challenge Cup for (SWRI branch with 20 members or less, with highest points - Allanton; Steel Cup for farm produce - Jo Scott; Baillie Cup for jams etc - Maureen Cranston; Wightman Cup for baking - Catherine Dickson; Mitchell Cup for hand knitting - Elizabeth Berry; Elspeth Cup (miscellaneous) - Maureen Cranston; Forrest Cup for flowers - Aileen Orr; Mole Cup (under 15 years) - Ellen Hamilton; Miller Cup for stick dressing - John Rennie; Prentice Trophy, stick dressing best in show - John Rennie.

The Scottish Oils Trophy (large stands) - Peter Redpath Tyres Ltd; Peter Redpath (large stands) Reserve - Greenvale AP Ltd; Peter Redpath (small stands) - Woodland Management Services; Ian Peek Cup (craft exhibit) - Graham Ambrose Woodturner. In the vintage rally section the John Cron Cup for the best classic tractor was won by R Wardhaugh with a Leyland 154; and the Robert Thomson Cup presented for the vest vintage tractor was won by George Giddell with a Fordson Paraffin.

NHS Borders is providing the best stroke care in the country, an annual report by NHS Scotland has revealed.

The health board provided 81 per cent of stroke patients with the “appropriate stroke care bundle” in 2012, up from 64 per cent the previous year and significantly above the national average of 58 per cent.

The “care bundle” includes admission to a stroke unit, a test of the patient’s swallowing capabilities and a brain scan within 24 hours.

According to the annual Scottish Stroke Care Audit, 97 per cent of the 210 stroke patients at the BGH were in the dedicated stroke unit within one day of admission in 2012 – well above the 90 per cent national target.

NHS Borders stroke co-ordinator Sandi Haines said: “We are delighted these results reflect the positive changes we have made over recent years.

“These targets are incredibly important to meet as we use it not as a target, but as a benchmark for good patient care.

“It is the staff from right across the system and their commitment to quality patient care that makes these results possible.”

She added: “There has been a huge change in attitude to stroke in recent years, with a growing understanding that it should be treated with the same sort of urgency as a heart attack because rapid treatment can make a huge difference in preventing further damage to the brain and can help someone make a full recovery.

“Delay increases the risk of death or major long-term disabilities, such as paralysis, severe memory loss and communication problems.

“It is vital that the symptoms are not ignored in the hope they will go away.”

The overall length of stay in the BGH for stroke patients was 18 days in 2012, five days less than the national average.

A refurbished stroke unit opened at the BGH in 2013.

A Hawick teenager who stole three buggies from the local golf club and went joyriding has been described as “totally out of control”.

Reece Bridges, 17, was also involved in an incident a fortnight earlier when he threatened to burn down his auntie’s home in Arthur Street, Hawick.

Prosecuting at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, Claire Bottomley said the dispute at Kimberly Redpath’s home at 3am on June 30 involved him struggling violently with her and spraying her with the lubricant WD40 before making the threat.

She added that the buggies were stolen from Hawick Golf Club overnight on July 16 and a fence was damaged.

Rory Bannerman, defending, said: “The buggies were taken by a friend and himself.He had not taken them to steal them, but it was more about joyriding of a slow type.

“They drove them around until the battery ran out. It was more about high spirits, but they are expensive and he should have been a lot more sensitive.”

He added that the house-burning threats were made during a dispute with his auntie.

After being told Bridges was wanted in Doncaster for sexual offences and reading reports that he was at a high risk of reoffending, Sheriff Kevin Drummond said: “This is a young man totally out of control.”

Bridges – who gave his address as Gladstone Court – was remanded in custody until August 7.

A Peebles man who sent abusive texts to his former partner on Saturday night appeared from custody.

Mark Holleran, 27, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened at his Damdale home.

The court was told he had been out socialising.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley told the hearing: “There had been an argument and she was messaging him asking where he had been, and he was not responding.”

Ms Bradley went on: “Eventually he sent her three messages which were abusive and told her not to come back to his home, and that he was locking the door.”

His ex was upset at the content of the messages and, after showing a colleague, decided to contact the police.

Defending, Heather Stewart said: “They were previously in a relationship, but it ended with her cheating on him on several occasions with friends and acquaintances. He did not want an argument and just wanted her to leave him alone, but eventually he reacted.”

She pointed out he had spent 48 hours in custody as a result.

Holleran was fined £100.

It was the turn of Borders athletes to impress last weekend as the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow came to a close – and impress they certainly did.

After coming third in his heat West Linton’s Chris O’Hare competed the 1,500m final on Saturday evening, and for a time on the last lap the 23-year-old was right in the thick of the scrap.

After staying out of trouble on the inside for most of the race, O’Hare sent Scottish hearts racing when he kicked off with 200m left, but finished sixth. The race was won by James Magut of Kenya ahead of compatriot Ronald Kwemoi and New Zealand’s Nick Willis.

O’Hare described the experience as “truly unforgettable” and said that it had given him added incentive ahead of the forthcoming European Championships in Zurich.

“I ran my heart out in Glasgow, I have the Euros in two weeks’ time and I want blood,” he added.

Berwick’s Guy Learmonth also saved his best performance for the big stage by recording a personal best time in the final of the 800m.

On a wet night at Hampden Park, the 22-year-old athlete proved he could hit his peak when it mattered by powering from ninth and last to sixth with a sprint finish.

Learmonth was up against a world-class field which included Olympic champion David Rudisha.

He said: “I have had the time of my life representing my country at the Commonwealth Games.

“It has been an absolute honour. Thank you everyone for your support and thank you Scotland. We delivered!”

Gordon wheelchair athlete Samantha Kinghorn did herself proud by finishing in a very impressive fifth place in the final of the T54 1,500m.

In extremely wet conditions, the 17-year-old was placed in the pack throughout, but never really threatened for a medal position.

Earlier in the week, she had qualified for the final by finishing third in her heat.

There was no rest for Newcastleton sprint gold medallist Libby Clegg this week.

Following her victory in the T12 100m in Glasgow, the 24-year-old and her guide runner Mikail Huggins returned to her Loughborough training base ahead of the IPC European Championships in Swansea from August 18-24.

Tuesday night’s much-heralded televised debate on the independence referendum pitted two heavyweights from either side of the argument – but the verbal punch-up between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling probably generated more heat than light.

Understandably, Mr Darling, who heads the pro-Union Better Together campaign, posed many questions on a variety of subjects, but particularly so on currency, in the event of Scots choosing independence in next month’s vote. Many commentators felt Mr Salmond was unable – or chose not to – give a straight answer to some of them.

Yes campaigners have repeatedly dubbed the other side’s tactics as “Project Fear”, claiming the No camp is playing the scaremongering game. But asking what the position would be on issues such as taxes, EU membership, border controls, pensions and – yes – currency in the event of Scotland going it alone is not unreasonable.

However, while much has been said about what might – or might not – happen should the referendum go Mr Salmond’s way, relatively little light has been shone on the possible consequences of deciding to stay within the UK.

A No vote would not mean no change. A No vote would change the relationship between Scotland and the UK parliament – regardless of political persuasion. A No vote would give Westminster the sort of democratic legitimacy north of the border it has never previously enjoyed.

The Scottish parliament of 1707 which approved the Act of Union did not speak for the vast majority of Scots – self-interest and greed appear to have been the overriding factors on that occasion 307 years ago.

But on September 18, the true voice of Scotland will be heard. And, as Better Together has often claimed, there will be no going back – whatever way we vote.

A Melrose publican has been accused of sexually assaulting five women inside the bar premises.

Keith McDonald is also charged with making sexual remarks towards female employees at the Ship Inn and exposing himself on various occasions over a 10-year period.

The 48-year-old pleaded not guilty to a total of eight charges said to have been committed between August 27, 2001, and December 31, 2013.

A trial was fixed for December 16, with an intermediate hearing on November 17.

CURFEW BREACH

Breaching her home curfew on two occasions resulted in a £100 fine for Aimee Wightman.

The 28-year-old was not at her home in Glendinning Terrace, Galashiels, on June 12 and June 14 after 7pm when police called at her door.

ROBBERY ALLEGATION

A 52-year-old Galashiels man has been accused of robbing a woman of £50 just after she had visited a cash machine.

George Tunnicliffe is charged with committing the offence against the 63-year-old at around 7pm on Saturday in the Gala Park area of Galashiels.

Tunnicliffe appeared from custody and pleaded not guilty.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said he was willing to grant Tunnicliffe bail, providing he stays within his High Street home between 7pm and 7am, and reports to Galashiels police station daily.

The Crown immediately announced they would be appealing that decision and Tunnicliffe was remanded in custody until a hearing can take place at the Appeal Court in Edinburgh.

Tunnicliffe’s trial was fixed for September 2 with an intermediate hearing on August 18.

DROVE WHILE DISQUALIFIED

A £60,000-a-year financial consultant who “took a chance” and drove while disqualified has been given another 18-month ban and fined £600.

James Boyd, 60, of Coopersknowe Crescent, Galashiels, pleaded guilty to the offence and also having no insurance in the town’s Melrose Road on July 9.

His lawyer, Ross Dow, said: “He had previously been disqualified through totting up of points. He should have known better. Ordinarily he has someone to drive him, but on this occasion his wife had an appointment at Borders General Hospital and he took a chance.”

SENTENCE DEFERRED

Sentence has been deferred on a Hawick man who admitted breaking into the town’s social work offices and stealing stationery on January 20.

He also pleaded to stealing a can of alcohol from the Spar shop in Galashiels on March 29.

David Connolly, 30, of Bright Street, will appear at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on August 22 when he has other matters calling.

FORESTER GETS 18-MONTH BAN

A forester who drove while more than double the legal alcohol limit was fined £200 and banned from the road for 18 months.

Jamie Norman, 27, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened near his Burnfoot Road home in Hawick on Saturday. His breath/alcohgol reading was 83 micorogrammes – the legal limit being 35.

He was stopped after police spotted him driving at 4am with no lights on.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said: “He had been out with friends and then was invited to a party which was only 500 yards away, but chose to drive.”

Norman was also fined £100 for having 9.3grammes of cannabis in his car.

JOINER NAILED WITH £250 FINE

A joiner involved in a bust-up with his ex-girlfriend was fined £250.

Ryan Hogg, 31, of North Bridge Street, Hawick, pleaded guilty to shouting and swearing, gesticulating at his former partner and struggling with her to her injury outside the town’s Drumlanrig Bar on Sunday.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley said that during the struggle Sara Rowan banged her head against a wall. She had soreness to her head and a mark on her cheek, but declined medical attention. She added that the witnesses had been drinking, but were fairly coherent, however, the accused was “fairly heavily intoxicated”.

Defending, Ed Hulme said that while Hogg had previous convictions, there were none of a domestic-related matter.

OFF THE ROAD FOR FOUR YEARS

A motorist who was caught driving while disqualified in his home street was handed a four-year ban and £900 fine.

Wind farm worker Robert Walker, 24, appeared from custody and pleaded guilty to the offence which happened in McLagan Drive, Hawick, on Saturday. He also admitted driving with no insurance.

SHEPHERD’S TRIAL DATE

A shepherd appeared from custody and denied shouting and swearing at his fiancee and mother, and threatening them with violence.

Rikki McLean, 30, is alleged to have acted in a threatening or abusive manner at his home at Hillhouse Farm Cottages near Lauder on Sunday.

Trial was set for October 15, with an intermediate hearing on September 17.

APPEARED FROM CUSTODY

A Selkirk man appeared from custody and denied assaulting his pregnant partner during a row at their Thornfield Avenue home on Saturday.
David Mitchell also pleaded not guilty to threatening or abusive behaviour and damaging a television set and stairgate.

The 22-year-old – who gave a new address of Leyden Grove, Clovenfords – had his trial set for October 15, with an intermediate hearing on September 17.

COCAINE ALLEGATION

A 55-year-old man living in Australia has denied committing drugs offences at a house in Hawick.

Neil MacDonald is alleged to have been in possession of cocaine at the property in Longcroft Crescent on July 5 and also having the class-A drug at Borders General Hospital.

MacDonald, from Randwick, will stand trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on November 20. An intermediate hearing was fixed for October 24.

BOILING WATER CASE SET FOR JURY

A 73-year-old Hawick man who denies pouring boiling water over a woman will stand trial by jury on August 11.

Alexander Morgan, c/o Howegate, pleaded not guilty to assaulting her at a house at Tower Knowe, Hawick, on October 24, seizing her by the hair, dragging her into the kitchen and pouring boiling water on her body, to her injury. He also denies assaulting the same woman the following day by repeatedly cutting her on the body with a knife to her injury.

A further first hearing was set for tomorrow (Friday).

Broke sex offence order

Ewan Peddie admitted breaching the terms of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order by repeatedly making contact with an 11-year-old-boy without supervision.

The offence was committed at his home in Croft Road, Hawick, between March 12 and 14.

The 37-year-old had sentence deferred until August 29 to await the outcome of another case against him at the High Court in Edinburgh later this month.

BENEFITS FIDDLE

Store worker David Frew failed to notify benefits officials his hours had increased and received £7,132.65 he was not entitled to.

The offence happened between October 2010 and October 2011 while he was employed at Sainsbury’s in Hawick.

The 31-year-old, of Teviotdale Court, Hawick, was given a six-month community payback order involving 60 hours’ unpaid work.

DOOR DAMAGE

Scott Morrison damaged a door at his home in Talisman Avenue, Galashiels.

The 27-year-old pleaded guilty to committing the offence on July 16 while the subject of an ASBO (antisocial behaviour order).

He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £100 compensation.

PUB ASSAULT CHARGE

A 36-year-old man appeared from custody charged with assaulting a woman in a Galashiels pub on Saturday.

Steven Swinney, of West Denton Park, Newcastle, pleaded not guilty to striking her on the head in the Harrow Inn. He also denies possession of cocaine in the cells at Galashiels police station.

Trial was fixed for October 15, with an intermediate hearing on September 17.

Last week a female chick became the first Borders osprey in the Tweed Valley to be tagged with a GPS satellite transmitter.

Highland Foundation for Wildlife’s Roy Dennis and Forestry Commission Scotland’s Dave Anderson fitted the specialised tracking gear onto the chick in the back-up nest, from which footage is beamed into visitor centres at Glentress and Kailzie.

Tweed Valley Ospreys Project officer, Diane Bennett said: “The most amazing information has been sent back from the transmitter, that she has made a maiden flight trip to check out the River Tweed.

“It will be so fascinating to follow her journey and to find out, for the first time ever, exactly where an osprey from Tweed Valley goes to on her migration and the route that she takes.

Diane added: “We will find out where she stops over for breaks and fishing trips and how long it takes for her to reach her over-wintering destination.”

The bird’s movements are being sent to Mr Dennis, regarded as the UK’s leading authority on ospreys.

And he posts the findings on his website (www.roydennis.org), which also details all other satellite-tagged birds currently being monitored, including a Golden Eagle named Roxy, originally from Galloway, but who has ranged in territory in the Borders for the past few years.

The Tweed Valley chicks, who have fledged, were also ringed.

Organisers of the annual Harvest Festival and scarecrow competition at Bowhill House and Country Estate, Selkirk are urging enthusiasts to get thinking creatively.

For the festivities return for the fifth year next month, on Sunday, September 21, when the best-dressed scarecrows in the Borders will receive £50 prizes (for the group and the family/individual categories)

The winning straw characters will be decided by public vote at the festival, which includes other family entertainment and activities.

Bowhill house and events manager, Helen Currie said: “Last year, the scarecrow competition attracted lots of impressive entries and we’re hoping this year will be even better.

“Everyone is feeling the buzz of the Commonwealth Games, which I’m sure will rub off on our entries. The scarecrows could be dressed in Commonwealth colours or in the theme of a particular sport, athlete or country.

She added: “The Harvest Festival has always been a really enjoyable day with fun for all the family.”

Other activities this month include Yew’ve Been Framed on August 13, giving visitors the chance to make their own woodland picture frame.

On Sunday (August 10), families will be able to explore the woodlands of Bowhill in the Sensational Woodlands event, using different senses than they might normally use.

And tomorrow (August 8), Love Science experts stage a practical science workshop for children.

To book, call 01750 22204.

Anyone out and about in the Borders countryside at the moment can hardly fail to notice the variety of thistles by the roadsides, on wasteground, in wet areas – in fact there is a thistle for almost every occasion.

There are around 20 species of thistle in the UK with the three most common in our area probably being the creeping thistle, marsh thistle and spear thistle, but many others do occur, including the welted thistle and melancholy thistle.

Some, such as the creeping, are named after their method of spreading, the marsh from its habitat and the spear from the resemblance of its leaves to the ancient weapon.

When in flower, they are mostly very attractive to insects, especially butterflies, hoverflies and bees, so their place in the food chain is very important. In the old days, thistles in pastures were cut down by scythe and many were missed, but with the much more efficient herbicides of today, most are wiped out completely in one application, leaving only those on waste ground and inaccessible areas available to insects.

Once the flowers are past, seeds are carried on fluffy parachutes on the wind and can travel great distances.

As a result, thistles are great colonisers of bare or disturbed ground, and along with rosebay willowherb, are usually the first plants to become established.

Few could have noticed in recent weeks, how prominent the thistle has been in the media, having been incorporated into the Glasgow Commonwealth Games logo, but how many of you have wondered how on earth such a troublesome weed ever became the emblem of Scotland?

There are many stories and theories about how this happened, but I think the most popular is this: according to legend, an invading Norse army was attempting to sneak up at night upon a Scottish army’s encampment.

During this operation, one barefoot Norseman had the misfortune to step on a thistle, causing him to cry out in pain, thus alerting Scots to the presence of the Norse invaders.

Some sources suggest the specific occasion was the Battle of Largs, but it is not certain.

The species involved was probably the spear thistle as this seems to be the one represented on most heraldic illustrations over the years.

For a plant to be held in such high esteem by Scots all over the world, it deserves a bit of a break in its natural habitat.

A case of “ Flower of Scotland, when will we see your likes again?”