A fish factory worker who had a Christmas Day bust-up with his wife has been fined £150.

Father-of-two Slawomir Korlaga, 33, pleaded guilty to pushing his wife to the ground at their home after spending most of the day arguing.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told on Monday that their marriage got into difficulties when she went to work in the same factory as him in Berwickshire and had an affair with a fellow worker.

Defence lawyer Iain Burke told a previous hearing: “Matters came to a head last May resulting in a conviction for domestic assault for my client, his only conviction.

“Following the incident both parties decided to remain together for the children’s sake, but by December they were living entirely separate lives.”

He added that Korlaga had been out drinking with his brother on Christmas Day, but an argument flared with his wife when he returned to their home in Beech Avenue, Galashiels.

Mr Burke said that Korlaga wanted to leave the house, but his wife was preventing him, resulting in him pushing her to the ground.

The lawyer said: “He did not see her fall over. He has had no contact with his wife since and the marriage is at an end. The wife has now formalised her relationship with the other person.”

After being of good behaviour for six months, Sheriff Peter Paterson fined him £150.

Organisers of the Enduro Tour o’ the Borders hope the sportive will become “one of the biggest events in the country”.

For the first time, the bike ride, the largest mass-participation cycling event in the region, will take place on closed roads. And entries stand at more than 2,000 for the 76 and 55-mile rides from Peebles on Sunday (August 10).

One of the organisers, Neil Dalgleish said: “From our research we think that’s probably above average for the first time: the Etape Caledonia had about 1,600 entries in its first year.

“We are getting fantastic support from the community. We know there is a bit of inconvenience for people (because of closed roads), but we hope that in the long term we can do something really special.

“We hope amongst ourselves that we have all the ingredients for a classic event that can grow and grow and become one of the biggest in the country.”

The routes go in and out of three valleys and out as far as Roberton. Climbs on the long ride include Witchy Knowe, Ashkirk Heights and Berry Bush.

Neil said: “It’s a real bike rider’s course and probably a bit more of a challenge than a lot of other events like this in the UK, which is great for most cyclists. We are blessed with these uppy, downy roads across the valleys when there are some exciting fast descents and some real long climbs.”

He said it’s all systems go as organisers finalise details: “We’re getting all the feed stations ready, which will include, of course, Forsyth’s macaroni pies.”

Unusually, women cyclists are making up just over 10 per cent of the participants, which is above average.

Neil said: “There are a lot of female cyclists around here, but that’s obviously growing throughout the country.

“Maybe it’s also because it’s in the summer, which encourages more people to have a go.”

Online entries have closed, but people can still sign up on Saturday (August 9) at Peebles Burgh Hall, or turn to p19 for our competition.

Sometimes you just have to stop and appreciate how good life is. Not how much money you have/earn, how flash your car is, how big your house is.

A favourite quote of mine is: “If you think of yourself as the woman in the Cartier watch and the Hermes scarf ads, a house fire will destroy not only your possessions but your self.”

Sometimes, you just have to be thankful for what you have, and simply enjoy the good times.

I love the school holidays. No more alarm clocks, no more making packed lunches, no more acting like an unpaid taxi driver to rugby/dancing/swimming/Indian head massage class (OK, so I made that last one up).

Now, I’m not saying it’s endless lie-ins for the grown-ups whilst the kids stand on chairs to reach the bread so they can make their own sarnies. Raised by wolves. No, that’s not good parenting.

What I am saying is that when the sun shines on the Borders, and we have yet another scorchio day, how lucky our kids/grandkids/nephews/nieces are to have the countryside and the freedom to enjoy their school hols.

There’s always something going on – inflatable fun sessions at the local pool or a sport passport with activities run by Active Schools and BSLT and the like. All our local grand houses and estates – Bowhill, Paxton, the Hirsel, Floors, Manderston etc – welcome kids and either put on something special (the Teddy Bear trail at Paxton House which we did recently with the excellent Richard; super-friendly guides with ‘secret doors’ at Manderston) or allow them to run riot in their acres (the ‘circuit’ play area at Floors Castle’s garden centre; the robust play areas at Paxton, Harestanes, Bowhill and Abbotsford).

Then there are events like the Family Fun Day, held by Play Borders, and numerous events during each local festival designed just for kids – shows, fancy dress, sports.

Heck, we have to have events guides in the Borders, there’s so much going on.

The shows and the circus always come to town. Then there’s the mighty Border Union Show, when for two days the showground by the Tweed becomes an agricultural mini-kingdom presided over so brilliantly by King Ron of Cowbog, each year offering something new whilst retaining all the traditional favourites. There’s the quieter day on Friday or the full-on family day out which is the Saturday. Something for everyone, whether you’re the knit-your-own-bunting-and-children type or more the makes-a-change-from-them-being-glued-to-the-XBox type.

Yes, I did used to work for the tourist board, and no, I’m not on a retainer from them, or from anyone else.

But I know when I’m on to a good thing and I almost envy the YMs the fantastic choice of summer holiday activities and possibilities that are on offer for them.

Beats the pants off endlessly cruising about the same two streets of your village on your dodgy, hand-me-down Chopper bike. Let the good times roll.

Ah, the perils of being too cautious - trained by experts never to use superlatives, exclamation marks or absolutes in a newspaper article I suggested last week that this was one of the earliest starts to harvest for some years.

I have now been corrected by those who keep precise records and advised that I could have written: “Earliest start to harvest since 1976!” Not only that I can add that yields and quality are good for winter barley.

That’s in Scotland and the north of England. But in many parts of south and middle England combines are already racing through winter wheat and spring barley. Or were until the weather went from prolonged heat to a more usual for the time of year changeable to wet.

But as noted last week, good yields and quality are being linked to much lower prices than growers have had for years. Expectations of £150 per tonne, modest in some recent years, have been reduced by £20 to £40 per tonne with, for example, futures prices for wheat at their lowest for four years at the end of last week.

Given the volatility of world markets that will have changed by now, for better or more probably even worse.

When weather permits the harvest rush is there for all to see, not only in the fields where combines, tractors and trailers, balers, forklifts and cultivators are at work, but on rural and not so rural roads. A convoy of six pea viners on a main road as I saw a few days ago is exceptional, but there can’t be many regular motorists in the Borders who haven’t found themselves behind farm machinery of some kind in the past two or three weeks.

I like to think that any forced slowing down or delay because of this is met with understanding that the man in the tractor or combine is only doing his job and the general expectation that they won’t be going far on a public road before turning off.

But developments in farming in recent years have changed what a motorist might expect.

One is the dramatic increase in the size of farm machinery and the speed it can travel at. A second is the increase in farm size and/or the number of farms run by one business which means more roadwork between fields or farms. A third is the increase in large-scale farm contracting businesses working over a wide area. A fourth, linked to all of the above by commercial imperatives to get work done as quickly as possible, is a more obvious reluctance by farm machinery operators to pull aside and let queuing traffic past.

That leads to frustration and bad feeling. It has also led to a police force in Wales warning tractor drivers to pull over if there are more than six vehicles behind them or risk getting points on their driving licence. I don’t think that will catch on – make that hope – but I can see why the police might be trying to put the frighteners on.

There is another road hazard to consider as the weather has turned catchy and fields wetter at times and that is mud on the road.

It should have been the easiest question to answer on Tuesday night’s televised Punch and Judy show. Of all the ones that were asked and either answered or dodged, this one seemed innocuous.

As Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling went head-to-head over that most important issue of independence, Darling quivered and, for a moment, became his namesake on Blackadder.

It didn’t come from heavyweight Salmond or the STV’s man-in-the-middle. It came from a woman in the carefully-selected audience and was directed at the Labour MP for Edinburgh Central. She asked simply if he had a house in Scotland.

You’d think she’d asked if Darling was in agreement with David Cameron – but that was another question or few. However, she couldn’t get a straight answer.

Now, if the champion of the No camp who has been an MP in Edinburgh since 1987 and a member of the city council for many years before that can’t say “yes” or “no” to a woman who only wants to know where he bides, how on earth can we take anything from anything he says , or doesn’t say?

For clarification, I phoned Darling’s constituency office at 24 Canning Street in Edinburgh (0131 272 2727) and asked the same question.

Did he have a house in Scotland? I expected a straight answer – but didn’t get one. They wouldn’t tell me. I asked again. I asked thrice – and they still wouldn’t tell me.

I was referred instead to the HQ of the Better Together campaign press office and given their phone number. I told 24 Canning Street,Edinburgh, that I simply wanted to know if their MP ... well you know what I asked and you know the “no” answer.

Better Together were much more forthcoming. He lives in the south of Edinburgh and is registered to vote.

In previous columns, Grey Matter has made it abundantly clear that he is voting Yes on September 18. Nothing I heard – or didn’t hear – on Tuesday night swayed me from that path.

Yes, Salmond hedged a bit on the currency issue. He wouldn’t reveal a Plan B because he is adamant he doesn’t need one as we (an independent Scotland) will be able to stick with the £.

I believe he is right. Popping into the wee shop at Cornhill or the burger van at the Carter Bar to change notes and coins would be idiotic beyond belief.

The gloves are now off. The Commonwealth Games truce is over. The phoney war – fought with scaremongering and sniping – has ended.

The true battle for Scotland’s right to be independent has begun.

On a much lighter note, I enjoyed Lauder Common Riding last Saturday.

I chatted with veteran Jim Middlemiss, cornet in 1954. I found David Steel at the Waterin’ Stane in custody of a baby in a buggy while wife Judy was in the saddle. David Parker was fine company.

And I was so glad that the erstwhile general of the No campaign – he’s still fighting their corner – Michael Moore was there. The former Secretary of State for (a non-independent) Scotland vouched for me when I was challenged if I qualified for a free nip at the open-air bar for guests.

Thank you, Michael – but I’m still voting Yes.

Lesley Douglas, who operates the Langlee Riding Stables at Jedburgh, is taking part in today’s (Thursday) Coldstream Civic Week Flodden Ride side-saddle to raise funds for the renal unit of the Royal Informary of Edinburgh.

Lesley rode side-saddle at Langholm and Lauder (pictured) common ridings – but this is her first time for charity.

Her mum, Anne, died two years ago and Lesley said she was impressed by the treatment she received at the infirmary.

Lesley will be collecting at today’s ride, or on www.justgiving.com/lesley-douglas.

Hawick Art Club’s annual exhibition came to an end on Saturday (August 2). More than 1,400 visitors made this one of the most successful exhibitions to date, with 27 pieces of art sold.

This was the first year that the club has had a Visitors’ Choice award, and it was a great hit with local art lovers. No less than 626 votes were recorded and this year’s winner was Sandy Jarvis for his oil painting of Williestruther. He was closely followed by Tom Elliott for his ‘Voice of Rugby’ painting, a subject close to the hearts of the townsfolk.

Sandy (right) is seen receiving his certificate and prize from this year’s exhibition secretary, Bob Bigwood.

Rachel Fife is to represent the Glendale Agricultural Society at the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth Conference at Brisbane in October.

The 24-year-old farmer’s daughter of Coldrife Farm, near Chathill, will attend the summit as a ‘Next Generation’ delegate.

Rachel said: “It’s very exciting. I read an article and at the end it said the society was looking for someone to go to Australia. I thought I’m going to apply for it, what’s to lose? I was completely shocked when I got it.

“I’m excited to see the different types of farming across there. Australia is large scale farming compared to us here. There are five days of farm tours and that will be amazing; the whole experience is going to be amazing.

“This really is an opportunity of a lifetime for me: the knowledge that will be available to me at the conference will go a long way in helping me achieve my overall aim to start up my own farming business breeding pedigree Suffolks.

“I am very interested in learning about new ideas and techniques that can help the farming industry, and I am really looking forward to getting an in depth look at the issues facing primary production in South-East Queensland in the farming and agriculture industry.”

A former pupil of The Duchess High School, Rachel has always wanted to farm and currently looks after the family’s 400 ewe flock as well as taking care of all the farm paper work. She has Texels, Suffolks and Mules running on half of the 650-acre farm, with the rest given to wheat, barley and oilseed rape.

Rachel also works at Northumbrian Quality Feeds and is a self-employed contract shepherd during the summer months.

The young farmer spent three months travelling and working in New Zealand just after her 21st birthday. She worked in shearing sheds, grading the wool as it was being clipped, penning sheep and pressing wool, near Dunedin in the South Island. She said: “I really love being in the sheep pens. There’s nothing better than getting up in the morning, knowing you are going to be outside all day. I love sheep and I have the temperament and patience for working with them.”

GAS’ Simon Orpwood, a Royal Commonwealth Agricultural Society trustee, said: “Rachel has agriculture in her blood; we were looking for someone with an abundance of enthusiasm and an interest in the agriculture sector, and Rachel was the ideal person. The society wish Rachel all the best on her travels to Australia.”

The society has contributed £500 toward Rachel’s trip and is looking to secure further funding to cover some of the trip costs.

The RASC Next Generation scheme looks for candidates under the age of 40 with an involvement in agriculture who also have the potential to contribute to the long term face of agriculture in the region, the country and the Commonwealth.

For more information on the RASC Commonwealth Agricultural Conference visit http://www.rna.org.au/rasc.aspx.

Borders farmer Jim Logan has hosted the second in a series of Grazing Groups, set up by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), on his Pirntaton Farm at Fountainhall, Galashiels.

The new groups are part of an initiative by QMS aimed at improving livestock producers’ profitability by maximising the kilograms of meat produced per hectare of forage.

Mr Logan is currently changing both sheep and cattle livestock systems and believes this is the right time to make changes to his grazing regime too.

By using mostly his existing ewes and bringing in different breeds of rams, Mr Logan is hoping to get back to a closed flock as soon as possible. He will retain the best of the females while everything else is finished and sold deadweight to Woodhead Brothers.

“We have used a lot of genetics which have been heavily selected to cope with a low labour, grass-based system,” said Mr Logan. “I felt our old system was under pressure especially from a labour and purchased feed point of view and it was time to change. With a change of lambing date, altering our genetics and selection criteria, I hope to build a system with more resilience for the challenges of the future.”

The business was also heavily reliant on income from pedigree sales of Texel and Suffolk rams and also Aberdeen Angus cattle, which were all high-input, and Mr Logan feels a better balance within the business has to be achieved.

To join the Grazing Group contact Kirsty at QMS on 0131 472 4040 or email info@qmscotland.co.uk.

Cadet Sergeant Michael Todd, of Minden Company, Galashiels, of the Lothian and Borders Army Cadet Force, has been appointed Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale.

In a presentation held during annual camp in Altcar Training Camp, Liverpool, he was presented with his certificate and badge of appointment by Lord Lieutenant Gerald Maitland-Carew.

Cadet Sergeant Todd is in sixth year at Earlston High School.

He will assist the Lord Lieutenant – often on parade for royal visits – and act as ambassadors for their organisations and the young people of the Borders.

Galashiels bakers Alex Dalgetty & Sons has joined forces with Stuart Noble, the town’s last remaining butcher, to put a fine filling in their Scotch pies after struggling to find a reliable meat supplier after the retirement of local butcher Jim Hogg.

“Stuart has come up with the goods and I am delighted to say that our Scotch pies are now better than ever,” Craig Murray of Dalgetty said.

Dalgetty sells around 1,600 Scotch pies a week.

Borders farmer Jim Logan has hosted the second in a series of Grazing Groups, set up by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), on his Pirntaton Farm at Fountainhall, Galashiels.

The new groups are part of an initiative by QMS aimed at improving livestock producers’ profitability by maximising the kilograms of meat produced per hectare of forage.

Mr Logan is currently changing both sheep and cattle livestock systems and believes this is the right time to make changes to his grazing regime too.

By using mostly his existing ewes and bringing in different breeds of rams, Mr Logan is hoping to get back to a closed flock as soon as possible. He will retain the best of the females while everything else is finished and sold deadweight to Woodhead Brothers.

“We have used a lot of genetics which have been heavily selected to cope with a low labour, grass-based system,” said Mr Logan. “I felt our old system was under pressure especially from a labour and purchased feed point of view and it was time to change. With a change of lambing date, altering our genetics and selection criteria, I hope to build a system with more resilience for the challenges of the future.”

The business was also heavily reliant on income from pedigree sales of Texel and Suffolk rams and also Aberdeen Angus cattle, which were all high-input, and Mr Logan feels a better balance within the business has to be achieved.

To join the Grazing Group contact Kirsty at QMS on 0131 472 4040 or email info@qmscotland.co.uk.

Scotts from all over the world descended on the Borders to attend a clan gathering hosted by the 10th Duke of Buccleuch alongside Abbotsford House.

Guests travelled back to their ancestral home from France, Canada, USA, New Zealand and Australia to enjoy a packed programme of events celebrating their heritage.

Three days of activities took place in and around Bowhill House and Country Estate, located just outside Selkirk, and Abbotsford House. Events were rounded off with a farewell banquet, attended by the 10th Duke of Buccleuch, who is Chief of Clan Scott – and 50 guests, all linked to Clan Scott.

The heart of the original clan area was at Bellendaine, a meeting place for the Scotts, so local band Scocha wrote and performed a new song especially for the Scott gathering, entitled A Bellendaine, meaning “to Bellendaine” – the rallying or war cry of the Scotts of Buccleuch.

The duke also received a special gift from Clan Scott America – a United States flag which had been flown over Washington on Tartan Day earlier this year. The gift held special significance for the duke, who was involved in the instigation of Tartan Day in America.

Across the three days, activities included a birds-of-prey presentation, tours of Bowhill House, visits to the Selkirk Court Room, Smailholm and Dryburgh Abbey, followed by a tour of Abbotsford House, food and whisky tasting in the Abbotsford Restaurant, Ochiltree’s, and a tour of the Sir Walter Scott exhibition.

Rachel Fife is to represent the Glendale Agricultural Society at the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth Conference at Brisbane in October.

The 24-year-old farmer’s daughter of Coldrife Farm, near Chathill, will attend the summit as a ‘Next Generation’ delegate.

Rachel said: “It’s very exciting. I read an article and at the end it said the society was looking for someone to go to Australia. I thought I’m going to apply for it, what’s to lose? I was completely shocked when I got it.

“I’m excited to see the different types of farming across there. Australia is large scale farming compared to us here. There are five days of farm tours and that will be amazing; the whole experience is going to be amazing.

“This really is an opportunity of a lifetime for me: the knowledge that will be available to me at the conference will go a long way in helping me achieve my overall aim to start up my own farming business breeding pedigree Suffolks.

“I am very interested in learning about new ideas and techniques that can help the farming industry, and I am really looking forward to getting an in depth look at the issues facing primary production in South-East Queensland in the farming and agriculture industry.”

A former pupil of The Duchess High School, Rachel has always wanted to farm and currently looks after the family’s 400 ewe flock as well as taking care of all the farm paper work. She has Texels, Suffolks and Mules running on half of the 650-acre farm, with the rest given to wheat, barley and oilseed rape.

Rachel also works at Northumbrian Quality Feeds and is a self-employed contract shepherd during the summer months.

The young farmer spent three months travelling and working in New Zealand just after her 21st birthday. She worked in shearing sheds, grading the wool as it was being clipped, penning sheep and pressing wool, near Dunedin in the South Island. She said: “I really love being in the sheep pens. There’s nothing better than getting up in the morning, knowing you are going to be outside all day. I love sheep and I have the temperament and patience for working with them.”

GAS’ Simon Orpwood, a Royal Commonwealth Agricultural Society trustee, said: “Rachel has agriculture in her blood; we were looking for someone with an abundance of enthusiasm and an interest in the agriculture sector, and Rachel was the ideal person. The society wish Rachel all the best on her travels to Australia.”

The society has contributed £500 toward Rachel’s trip and is looking to secure further funding to cover some of the trip costs.

The RASC Next Generation scheme looks for candidates under the age of 40 with an involvement in agriculture who also have the potential to contribute to the long term face of agriculture in the region, the country and the Commonwealth.

For more information on the RASC Commonwealth Agricultural Conference visit http://www.rna.org.au/rasc.aspx.

The council is inviting tradesmen and women to find out about how to get contracts to carry out repairs and maintenance on SBC properties, with tenders due to go out later this year.

Events will take place from August 20 to September 3 for contractors to hear about new changes, including a requirement for membership of ‘Constructionline’.

See the SBC website for full event details.

The number of people over 75 and living alone in the Borders is to increase dramatically in the next 35 years, latest projections show.

The National Records of Scotland figures reveal that, despite this increase, the population of the area in 2037 is expected to be almost exactly the same as 2012 – just under 114,000.

But the population of over-75s is estimated to rise by 95 per cent in that time, to more than 20,000, with almost 9,000 of them living alone, up from 5,000 in 2012.

This has raised concerns about even more elderly people becoming isolated and lonely in their own homes.

Valerie Crookston, Scottish executive for charity Contact the Elderly, said: “Social isolation in older age is already a major issue.

“As a charity which works to help relieve this, we understand the impact living alone has in all areas of older people’s lives.

“It is vitally important to tackle the issues so people can enjoy their later years to the full.”

She added: “Social isolation among older people is an issue for this generation to tackle.

“The next generation will be faced with a far higher proportion of people to care for so now is the time to implement initiatives, solutions and develop a caring mindset in society.”

The charity operates two branches in the Borders for over-75s – in Peebles and Kelso.

Morna O’May, east Scotland development officer for Contact the Elderly, said: “One Sunday afternoon a month, our volunteer drivers enjoy taking their older guests to a volunteer host’s home where they join a small group for tea, talk and companionship.

“The group is warmly welcomed by a different host each month, but the drivers remain the same and the groups are kept small so that everyone can join in easily and get to know each other properly.

“It’s a simple idea, but one that can make a big difference.”

The population projections also show that the Borders is expected to experience a 17 per cent fall in those under the age of 65 by 2037.

John Swinney MSP, cabinet secretary for finance, told The Southern during his visit to Kelso: “One of Scotland’s strategic challenges is that we must boost our working age population in the years to come.

“Part of that has got to be achieved by creating more vibrant economic conditions that will enable more of our younger generation to actually stay in Scotland and make their futures here in Scotland, rather than going off to other areas to pursue their economic opportunities.”

Mr Swinney added: “There is a challenge, I accept that, but it is not a challenge unique to Scotland.

“The UK will be facing exactly the same challenges of a shift in the population balance to an older population with a smaller working age population, but we’ve got to succeed by encouraging more of our own people to stay here and to attract others to come and make their opportunities here.”

Projected population of ­Scottish Borders:

2012 - 113,710

2037 - 113,725

Residents under 65:

2012 - 88,774

2037 - 73,712

Residents over 75:

2012 - 11,072 (5,002 living alone)

2037 - 21,610 (8,928 living alone)

Borderers 90+ living at home:

2012 - 808

2037 - 2,903

United have announced former player Scott Dowie as their new manager.

Dowie steps up from his role as assistant manager to replace Prof Blaikie who took charge of the team for the last time in Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Stirling.

This is Dowie’s first management job although he has been coaching. The experienced goalie had spells with Queen of The South, Raith Rovers, Whitehill Welfare, Tranent Juniors, Hawick RA, Ormiston, Eyemouth and three spells at Kelso United as a player.

Dowie commented: “I am very much looking forward to the challenge and can’t wait to get started.”

Kelso United Chairman, Mike Tait, and committee welcome Dowie in his new role and wish him well. The club would also like to acknowledge Tom (Prof) Blaikie for his commitment and dedication over the past five seasons as United manager.

Blaikie won’t be lost to the club altogether as he will still coach the under 17 youths.

Rescuers have a cut a man free from the wreckage of a multi-vehicle crash on the A7 north of Galashiels.

He’s been taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh but the state of his injuries aren’t yet known.

The crash happened around 9.30 this morning (Monday) and Scottish Fire and Rescue crews responded from Galashiels, Dalkeith and Newtongrange.

Rescuers used hydraulic cutting gear to remove the roof from one of the vehicles.

The trapped man was freed shortly before 10.30am.

The A7 is closed at the scene and diversions are in place at Stow and Middleton.

First Bus X95 service has been cancelled meantime.

Stirling University0

Selkirk3

A spirited Selkirk snatched all three points in an impressive away victory at Forthbank Stadium.

The visitors went ahead after only six minutes when former Scotland international Gary O’Connor beat Stirling defender Ben Birch to the ball to score.

Selkirk continued to put the home defence under pressure although there was no more scoring in the first half.

The Souters made it two when Phil Addison was gifted a rebound of the Stirling crossbar while Ouzy See hit one final time seconds before the final whistle.