Ancrum0

Jed Legion5

With both teams winless so far this season, the local derby, for the Stewart Lindsay Memorial Trophy, started as a fairly nervy affair.

However, two goals in quick succession from Gary Hunter – both from the spot – put the visitors in control. On both occasions, Craig Hall was adjudged to have fouled Jamie Swailes in the Ancrum box.

It took Jed until midway through the second half to extend their lead, with Steven Thomas, Barrie Melrose and Daniel Chandler rounding off the goal-fest.

Jed Legion match sponsor: John Laidlaw & Son.

Hawick Royal Albert1

Kelso United2

It could well be described as a smash and grab victory, but Kelso United couldn’t have cared less – the Tweedsiders came to do a job, did the job and went home, mission accomplished.

Sure, United were under the cosh for periods of the game, and sure, they had to dig deep to gain their win, but Kelso’s digging proved to be more than worthwhile.

Hawick, on the other hand, were left licking their wounds and contemplating on what might have been had they been able to turn pressure into goals.

United manager Scott Dowie told The Southern: “Hawick is always a difficult place to get a result and before the game I would have been happy to have came away with a point.

“We managed to get three, however, and I am absolutely delighted about this. Hawick had the better of the first half and should have punished us.

“Indeed, they could well have been three or four goals up at the break.

“In the second half, though, we were a different team.”

Albert were first to threaten with a good move which ended in Kelso keeper Elliot Turnbull saving well from Andy Noble. Steven Tait then headed a Darren Clark free kick wide at the other end.

It was Hawick who were in the driving seat, but despite having plenty of possession and constantly pushing forward, the home side, however, were making little impact in front of goal.

After Albert number one Martin Stewart had kept out a Shane Bonnington header following a Liam O’Rourke free kick, and Turnbull had saved well from Chris McLeod, Royalists took the lead in the 38th minute. Turnbull spilled a McLeod shot and the lurking Gordon Ramsay stabbed the loose ball into the net.

Kelso began the second half in a lively manner and, with six minutes gone, notched an equaliser.

O’Rourke floated a corner kick into a crowded goalmouth and the evergreen Tait, who has recently come out of retirement to help the Tweedsiderst, produced the scoring touch for the second week in succession, beating Stewart with a powerful header.

In the 75th minute, Kelso gave the hosts a lesson in the art of taking chances by stealing ahead.

A Ronald Fleming pass-back was gratefully intercepted by Owen Benzies, who raced through on his own to calmly fire past Stewart.

In an all-action finishing period in which Kelso had their backs to the wall, Albert’s Gavin Shanley had a header cleared off the line by Frankie Rankin, while Calvin Muttitt then hit the post with another header.

Three of Hawick’s amateur sides were victorious last weekend in their respective matches.

Table-topping Legion got off to a flying start against Chirnside when scoring twice in the opening minutes of their Division B encounter at Wilton Lodge Park, through Scott Duncan and Andrew McFarlane.

Chirnside hit back to reduce the leeway before Marks Deans, Duncan and McFarlane, plus Callum Hope and Liam Lavery, all added further goals to make the final score 7-1 to Legion.

Also in the second flight, Hawick United showed improved form to notch a 3-1 win over Coldstream. Sean Owens and Ross Scott (2) were the United scorers.

Following an even non-scoring first half over Lauder in a C Division clash, Michael Moir edged Hawick Legion Rovers ahead with a free kick before slotting away a penalty.

Man of the match Moir was not quite finished, though, and duly completed his hat-trick with a well-struck drive for a final score of 3-0.

Gala Fairydean Rovers did not have a game at the weekend due to the weather, but there were still celebrations at Netherdale as the club was granted their licence by the Scottish Football Association.

The club joins 24 other clubs from the Highland and Lowland Leagues who have been awarded Entry-Level status.

The SFA Club Licensing system encompasses a National and European regulatory system.

Licensing sets out standards and procedures by which clubs will be assessed as a basis for continuous improvement of many aspects of football.

A few weeks ago, the people of Scotland voted decisively to remain in the UK and now, as local MP, I am committed to working across the political divide to deliver more powers for Scotland as promised.

Last week, I was pleased to be selected to attend cross-party talks led by Lord Smith of Kelvin as part of his Scottish Devolution Commission.

The aim of the commission will be to set out recommendations of further devolution for Scotland by the end of this November. In the talks, I will be making the case for the Liberal Democrats’ vision of Home Rule, where Scotland has greater control over taxes, welfare and spending, and still enjoys the protection and strength that come from being part of the United Kingdom.

I know that many people were concerned that the promise for more powers would fall by the wayside after a No vote. Lord Smith’s commission will assure people that this is absolutely not the case as we work together to deliver these powers.

Grocery Code Adjudicator

Last week, I organised for the Supermarket Ombudsman, Christine Tacon, to visit the Borders and meet with farmers and food suppliers so she could hear their concerns about the supply chain and supermarkets. The Ombudsman was established by the Coalition Government after farmers and suppliers across the country complained about the unscrupulous behaviour of some supermarkets who pay below-cost prices to farmers for their produce and fail to honour contracts.

Farmers can now complain directly to the ombudsman who can investigate their concerns anonymously and hold supermarkets to the Grocery Code of Conduct.

Christine and I visited Born in the Borders in Jedburgh and we met a group of farmers at Swans Auction. Both meetings were extremely useful for the local farmers and producers involved, and I look forward to continuing to work with Christine and local suppliers to ensure that Borders farmers are treated fairly by supermarkets.

Armed Police

After a sustained campaign from the Scottish Liberal Democrats, I welcomed the statement from Police Scotland last week which announced that armed police officers would no longer be deployed on routine duties, only to firearms incidents or where there is a threat to life. This is a victory for common sense and I am glad that the concerns of people in the Borders and across Scotland have finally been heeded by the Justice Secretary.

advice surgeries

Last week I held the last of my community advice surgeries across the Borders; in total I have visited more than 50 communities over the summer. As their local MP, it has been good to be able to take up their cases whether at the local council, local housing associations or at the Department for Work and Pensions. From tomorrow, I will resume my regular advice surgeries in Hawick and the week after I will be in Galashiels.

You can find out more about these surgeries on my website www.michaelmoore.org.uk or call my office on 01896 663650 to make an appointment.

Eye specialist Dr Robert Murray is urging all Borderers to have their sight tested annually, after a rise in advanced-stage glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a condition which can affect sight, usually due to build up of pressure within the eye.

The condition often affects both eyes, usually to varying degrees, and one eye may develop glaucoma quicker than the other.

Although all opticians carry out a check for glaucoma as part of any visit, Dr Murray, one of three consultant ophthalmologists at Borders General Hospital Eye Centre, says not enough people are having their eyes checked regularly.

“All opticians do routine glaucoma checks all the time. But you get one or two people who never go to an optician and they are at risk because they won’t know if they have got glaucoma,” Dr Murray told The Southern.

For various reasons, it is not practical for GPs to check with their patients if they are having their eyes tested regularly, says Dr Murray.

“So the other way to try and tackle the problem is by making the issue more public.

“You see, when you have 40 or 45-year-old eyes, most people start to have trouble reading. When they go the optician to get their eyes tested, they are automatically checked for signs of glaucoma. But there are those who never go to an optician; they just pop along to somewhere like Tesco and buy ready specs and read with them.

“The problem is the person selling those glasses in Tesco or wherever does not carry out checks for glaucoma.

“And then you have those who are naturally a bit short-sighted, say in one eye, and see well with the other eye and can read without glasses , and they don’t go for an eye test regularly either.

“Glaucoma can be missed and if it is missed it can be catastrophic. If someone does start to develop glaucoma, the progress of the condition is very slow and is painless.

“People don’t notice when their field of vision first starts to constrict and it is usually only when it reduces right down to tunnel vision that they realise there’s a problem.

“When it reaches a certain point, very suddenly the field of vision will constrict right down to nothing and by then it is to late to save that person’s eyesight.”

Treatment in the first instance for glaucoma is eye drops to bring down the pressure in the eyeball and if not successful or it is too late for drops, then surgery is an option.

Dr Murray added: “The important thing is to discover it early and it can be kept at bay for a lifetime with drops or surgery.

“More people are becoming aware of glaucoma, but because the condition is painless, people don’t know they have it; so by the time a lot of people do come forward to have things checked, they are in the advanced stages of glaucoma.

“As they say, at first you feel nothing and then you see nothing.”

Glaucoma does have an hereditary element, so if one or both parents had the condition, there is a likelihood their offspring may also develop it.

The Borders does not have a higher incidence of glaucoma than anywhere else in Scotland, but Dr Murray says more people can have their eyesight saved if they make a point of having regular eye tests.

“If it is picked up early by an optician because of slightly raised eye pressures, that person is referred to us here at the hospital. About one third of those referred will not have glaucoma, but about one third will have the full-blown condition.

“The good news is that anyone diagnosed with glaucoma can get the full range of available treatments right here at the BGH.”

A 70-year-old man who made racially offensive remarks to a member of staff in a chemist shop, has been fined £200.

The angry pensioner shouted “F***k off back to Ireland where you belong and learn some f****** manners.”

James Renilson of Howdenburn Court, Jedburgh, became abusive following a problem with a prescription at Boots the Chemist in High Street, Jedburgh, and admitted acting in a racially aggravated manner there on August 5.

Procurator Fiscal Graham Fraser told how there had been a problem with a prescription and the first offender went into the shop at 3.20pm, saying he wanted to speak to “that thing” and pointing to the 26-year-old woman.

“She came forward and started to explain she would reissue the missing items, but he was abusive and abrupt,” continued Mr Fraser.

When she suggested he should apologise, he replied “up yours”.

As he left the shop, Renilson shouted “F**k off back to Ireland where you belong and learn some f****** manners, before gesticulating to her with his middle finger.

Renilson told police: “I am not racist and never will be.”

Defence solicitor Maureen Sinclair said her client suffered poor health and was particularly reliant on his medication.

“He had worked himself into such a state that he doesn’t remember what he said when leaving the shop,” explained Miss Sinclair.

“He has written a letter of apology to the woman,” she concluded.

A 16-year-old first offender, with a long-standing resentment towards a disabled man, stole the 64-year-old’s mobile phone and tried to sell it.

Lace Farrell of Penman Place, Galashiels appeared on indictment at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Friday and admitted the theft from a house in the 
Borders on December 5 last year.

Farrell and co-accused Charley Brown, 20, of Croft Street, Galashiels, had both denied an original charge of alleged assault and robbery. Farrell pled guilty to an amended charge of stealing a mobile phone, while Brown’s not guilty plea was accepted by the Crown.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told how Farrell knew the complainer.

“She made serious allegations against him some years ago and still harbours resentment,” explained Mr Fraser.

“She went to his address and, while there, stole an iPhone from a foot stool in the living room.”

Mr Fraser said Farrell then tried to sell the phone, worth between £300 to £400, but the shopkeeper was wary as the data had been wiped.

Defence solicitor Mat Patrick confirmed his client had made previous allegations against the man.

“She has struggled significantly with that over the years, and very much harbours resentment towards him,” he explained.

“The motivation for this was trying to get back at him in any way she could,” said Mr Patrick.

“She is horrified at reaching this point,” he added.

Sheriff W.M D. Mercer fined Farrell £200.

“The Crown has accepted a very much less significant offence and have recognised that there is a sensitive background which may have been a factor in the offence,” he told her.

“I also take account that you have no previous convictions,” he added.

Struggling to come to terms with the break-up of a two-year relationship, a Hawick teenager relentlessly texted his former partner.

Eighteen-year-old Jonathan Williamson of Fairhurst Drive, admitted sending text messages containing threatening and abusive remarks on various occasions between September 8 and 9, at Beanscene, Towerknowe, and Minto Place, Hawick.

“They had been in a relationship for two years and it came to an end about two weeks before,” explained procurator fiscal Graham Fraser. “A substantial number of messages were sent,” he added.

Defence solicitor Rory Bannerman said: “He had been smoking cannabis on a daily basis and was texting her relentlessly.

“This was also fuelled by alcohol, and he was having difficulty coping with the breakdown of the relationship.”

Sentence was deferred until January 23 for Williamson to be of good behaviour.

Jail for vehicle incidents

A Greenlaw man has been jailed for 12 months, and banned from the roads for six.

Christopher Moran of Wester Row, appeared from custody and admitted stealing a vehicle from Border Auto Salvage at Wester Row, Greenlaw, on September 14.

He also admitted recklessly damaging gates there, and using a car without insurance.

The court heard he noticed the keys were in the car and crashed it through a gate causing £200 worth a damage before heading for Yorkshire.

On January 13, Moran admitted threatening and abusive behaviour towards a female neighbour at a house at Wester Row.

Defence solicitor Mat Patrick said the offence happened after his client stopped taking his medication.

He was admonished on that offence.

On March 16, he admitted stealing a quantity of fuel, worth £60.65, from the Shell Garage in Jedburgh, and on May 24 using a car without insurance.

Moran admitted threatening and abusive behaviour at the Shell garage.

He also admitted struggling with police at Hawick Police Station.

On July 15 Moran stole £200 worth of alcohol from the Co-op in Jedburgh.

Mr Patrick said the offences happened when his client was “struggling” and returned to heroin.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said the scale of offending left him no option but to impose a custodial sentence.

Sentence deferred

Police found breakfast cereal and dry dog food strewn across the floor of a house in Galashiels, and a woman visibly shaking and crying.

George Chapman admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at the home of his “on/off partner” in Beech Avenue, Galashiels, on August 15, shouting, swearing, and throwing items, at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday.

The 24-year-old of Oliver Crescent, Hawick, further admitted possession of Diazepam and diamorphine.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley told a previous hearing how neighbours heard “a racket” coming from the flat.

Police attended and could hear a woman crying.

“She was visibly shaking and there was Cornflakes and dry dog food strewn over the floor,” said Ms Bradley. “She was very upset, but said she didn’t want to be a grass.”

Chapman was taken to Galashiels police station and during a search, a bag containing 100 blue tablets was found in his pocket.

These were confirmed at Diazepam, and valued at £60.

“He tried to conceal an item in his foreskin, but removed it,” continued Ms Bradley.

Chapman told police the wrap of brown powder was “half a gram of gear.” It tested as heroin, worth £20.

Defence solicitor Ross Dow said his client could remember very little of the offences.

“He and his partner had been arguing and it was a prolonged affair,” said Mr Dow.

“He says he does not have an addiction to heroin, and says he can take it or leave it,” he added.

Sentence was deferred until November 3 for a DTTO (Drug Treatment and Testing Order) assessment.

Meat thief’s amnesia

A meat thief claimed to have no recollection of his crime.

Sean Johnston, 22, of Scott Street, Galashiels, admitted stealing £78.82 worth of meat from Marks and Spencer’s store in Gala Water Retail Park, on July 12 at Selkirk on Monday.

He was seen walking out of the store at 11.30am with a carrier bag and ran off when challenged.

“He had taken steak worth £78.82, and there was no recovery,” explained prosecutor Tessa Bradley.

Johnston told police: “I’m sorry, I didn’t know what I was doing.”

Defence solicitor Ross Dow previously explained: “He didn’t know what he was doing because of his Valium misuse at the time.”

Sentence was deferred until November 3 for a DTTO (Drug Treatment and Testing Order) assessment.

Denies posing as a solicitor

A Galashiels man who denies posing as a solicitor and attempting to gain access to the court cells, will stand trial on March 17.

John Kevan, 48, of Balmoral Place, denies falsely pretending to a G4S employee at Selkirk Sheriff Court on June 16 that he was solicitor and attempting to obtain access to the court cell complex.

On June 23, Kevan denies pretending to a police constable that he was a solicitor and attempting to obtain access to the cell complex at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Kevan also denies attempting to obtain £134.40 by fraud by pretending to a member of staff in the Procuartor Fiscal’s office at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, on June 13, he had incurred a loss of earnings after being cited as a Crown witness.

An intermediate diet was set for February 16.

Admitted 
VAT fraud

A Selkirk man has had sentence deferred until November 3 for reports after he admitted fraudulently attempting to obtain more than £15,500 VAT.

William Brown, 35, of Bleachfield Road, admitted pretending to HMRC that he was director of Capture That Moment Ltd, and entitled to recover VAT on payments, and attempting to obtain £15,595 by fraud, between February 4 and February 21 last year.

Fined for breach of ban

A man banned for seven years from having a dog, has been fined the maximum £180 after a Staffordshire bull terrier was found at his home.

Neil Gibson said the dog was jointly owned by his partner, with whom he was living.

On Friday, the 26-year-old of Eildon Terrace, Newtown St Boswells, admitted having custody of a dog, following a seven-year ban on September 5 last year, at a house in Earl Street, Hawick, on March 24.

“Police received a call about dog fouling issues and during their enquiries it became clear he was in possession of a dog, despite the banning order,” explained Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser.

Defence solicitor Ross Dow said the dog had “always been a joint ownership” since it was a pup.

“He was released from prison and took the view that his partner owned the dog, but accepts he was living there, so breached the court order,” added Mr Dow.

“He doesn’t want to give the dog up as he has a strong bond with it,” explained Mr Dow.

Sheriff W.M.D Mercer told Gibson, “The law only allows me to fine you, but the fine will be the maximum.”

Community Payback Order

A drunken man who assaulted a woman after she expressed concerns for his welfare, has been sentenced to a Community Payback Order with 60 hours of unpaid work.

Andrew Clamp “became aggravated” after the 41-year-old warned him he was in danger of being run over if he didn’t get off the road.

He struck her on the mouth, cutting her lip.

The woman had been waiting with family for a bus home to Newtown St Boswells, when “a clearly intoxicated” Clamp approached.

Clamp, 21, of Earl Street, Hawick, appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court and admitted assaulting a woman at Melrose Road, Galashiels, on January 18.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said Clamp “fled the scene”, but was found by police just 200 yards away.

He was abusive to officers, struggling violently with them in Langlee Drive, Galashiels.

“He started to kick the interior panels of the police van, lunged out of the van, and was put to the ground,” added Mr Fraser.

Defence solicitor Ross Dow said Clamp had not touched alcohol since the offence.

“He recognises that alcohol is the root of his problems,” said Mr Dow.

No plea or declaration

An Eyemouth man has been remanded in custody after appearing in private at Selkirk Sheriff Court on alleged drugs offences.

Thirty-four-year-old William Tait made no plea or declaration when he appeared on petition on Monday, charged with possession of a knife, heroin and Diazepam, in Eyemouth on October 5.

The case was continued and Tait was remanded in custody by Sheriff Peter Paterson meantime.

100 hours of unpaid work

An Innerleithen man, found guilty after trial of having a lock knife, has been sentenced to a Community Payback Order with 100 hours of unpaid work to be completed within nine months.

Ross Gilfillan, 34, of Buccleuch Street, denied having a lock knife near Neidpath Castle, Peebles, on February 15 last year.

“Given your record, this is a direct alternative to custody,” warned Sheriff Peter Paterson.

£300 fine for assault

Assaulting another man after a drunken argument cost Scott Douglas a £300 fine.

Douglas, 25, of Ladylands Drive, Jedburgh, admitted punching a man on the head at Paton Street, Galashiels, on April 13.

The offence happened after the first offender had been out drinking, and followed an altercation in the early hours of the morning, near Tesco’s store.

“His recollection is scant, due to his alcohol consumption,” explained defence solicitor Richard Souter.

After swopping his Subaru Impreza for another vehicle on Gumtree, Paul Welch kept a set of keys, and later returned to Newtown St Boswells and stole it back.

He then swopped it again with another driver for a BMW at Harthill Services.

The 22-year-old of Gordon Drive, East Kilbride, appeared from custody at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday and admitted stealing a car at Whitefield Crescent, Newtown St Boswells on November 19 last year, and committing the offence while on bail.

“A man had seen a Subaru Impreza car advertised on Gumtree, for sale or swap, and met up with the accused,” explained depute fiscal Tessa Bradley.

“They swapped vehicles, and the accused told him there was only one set of keys for the car”, she added.

Welch had kept a set of keys and was seen in Newtown St Boswells around 10.30pm.

A neighbour returning home, saw the Subaru Impreza drive off at speed, and police were contacted.

“Details of the vehicle were circulated, but he further swopped the car at Harthill Services, and it was another man who was stopped by police,” continued Ms Bradley.

“He explained what had happened and gave details of his BMW, which was traced and recovered in Glasgow,” continued Ms Bradley.

Checks of email and mobile phone messages were linked to the accused, who gave police a “no comment” interview.

Defence solicitor Greig McDonell said his client, a self-employed plasterer, was currently serving a nine-month jail term imposed at Airdrie Sheriff Court.

“He has little to say by way of explanation,” said Mr McDonell.

“He had owned the vehicle and retained a key, and that is how he stole it.

“It was worth about £700,” he added.

Sheriff Peter Paterson jailed Welch for 168 days, back-dated to September 22.

Born in the Borders is hoping to turn people’s perceptions of food and drink combinations around with new beer and food nights in the restaurant at the visitor centre.

z

Dark Horse 4.5% ABV

Scottish Borders Brewery

A classic Scottish dark ale with overtones of chocolate and coffee that make it a natural partner for wintery puddings such as chocolate tart and banoffee pie. Also goes well with stews.

Merlin’s Ale 4.2% ABV

Broughton Brewery

Merlin’s Ale is a lightly-hopped golden beer with a biscuit malt character. Match it with light, nutty cheeses or lighter foods such as chicken and fish.

Tyneside Brown Ale 4.7% ABV

Hadrian and Border Brewery

This brown ale is a full bodied, amber ale with very traditional bittering and aroma hops. Roast pork, smoked sausage or an aged Gouda are the perfect companions.

Solway Mist 5.5%

Sulwath Brewery

Naturally cloudy wheat beer. Despite its alcoholic strength, it mixes well with lighter seafood dishes such as steamed mussels.

All beers available in bottles from Born in the Borders.

For a lot of gardeners October is a tidy-up month, getting plants and containers ready for winter. It’s also the best time of year for planting shrubs and trees, especially conifers. Plants are becoming dormant and therefore have the winter to get their roots down and become established whilst the soil is still warm before frosts start.

Not surprisingly, it’s National Conifer Week during October and garden centres and nurseries around the UK as part of their Plan It, Plant It This Autumn campaign will become conifer information centres. Being hardy, easy to care for and long-lasting, conifers are the ideal choice for the inexperienced gardener looking for a low maintenance but high impact plant.

And someone who understands all about high impact is conifer lover Alex Gregory MBE, Team GB Olympic gold medal rower. He said: “Conifers have always been a part of my life. From the early days of climbing in their branches, to the family pilgrimage we took to the Californian giant redwoods.

“There’s something fascinating about the variety of sizes, colours and shapes conifers provide, they really are a feast for the senses. Every garden should have at least one conifer.”

Whilst being practical and useful, conifers are also visually stunning and can transform a garden into something quite magnificent. They are a wonderful way of adding colour and shape to your outdoor space especially as many conifers change colour throughout the year. With several hundred varieties of conifers available in the UK, there is one to suit every type of garden and they look just as good in a container on a patio or balcony as they do in a more spacious setting.

When it comes to garden maintenance for October, pruning is top of the list. It needs to be done before frost sets in, so treat yourself to a new pair of secateurs if yours have seen better days.

If pruning climbing roses then cuts should be no more than 5mm above a dormant bud and should slope away from it, so that water does not collect on the bud. This applies to all cuts, 
whether removing dead wood, deadheading or annual pruning.

Other top tips for this month from the Royal Horticultural Society and National Garden Gift Vouchers ...

Plant spring bulbs such as daffodils, crocuses and hyacinths

Prepare the ground for new fruit trees, nuts, vines, canes and bushes

Dig over vacant areas 
of the vegetable plot, as the 
approaching cold weather may help to improve the 
soil structure

Cut back perennials that have died down

Leave some plant seed heads as food for the birds

Clear up fallen autumn leaves regularly

Move tender plants into the greenhouse or near to house walls for added warmth

Plant out spring cabbages

Harvest apples, pears, grapes and nuts

Order seeds for next year

National Garden Gift Vouchers can be bought and redeemed at over 2,000 outlets in the UK, with more than 90,000 garden plants and products on offer. Visit www.thevouchergarden.co.uk to see the outlets that sell and accept them. You can become a fan and buy vouchers on facebook www.facebook.com/GardenGiftVoucher
s or follow on twitter 
@GardenGiftVouch or via the blog at www.vouchergardenblog.com

The recently formed Kelso Youth Project now has a new name to go with its new premises after this month’s official launch ceremony.

The ceremony and a grand opening party for young people under 18 was held this month at The Planet – formerly known as the ACE Centre, next door to Borders Ice Rink.

A large crowd of well-wishers and youngsters packed into The Planet to hear a welcome from the chair of Cheviot Youth, David Harvey, and local Scottish Borders councillor Alec Nicol, who has tirelessly championed the interests of the town’s young people over the years.

Mr Harvey paid tribute to the generosity of Scottish Borders Council, which made the rental of the building possible; the active support of landlord, Borders Ice Rink, and the hard work of the youth team of Becki Hodgson, Anja Raeburn and Lynn Young.

Mr Harvey addressed a final few words of thanks to all the young people who were present and who are still transforming the building into a fantastic community space.

Mr Nicol told those assembled: “I would like to see this wonderful building being used by the whole community; by mothers and their very young children; by the grandparents of the children who attend this youth facility and by special interest groups.”

It was then outside to the main entrance where guest of honour Brodie Lawson, who won the competition to design four new signs for The Planet, cut the garland to officially open the facility.

Eight out of ten people living in Scotland are now using the internet – and a drive is now on to persuade the rest to get online.

The push is being made by the Scottish Government’s Smarter Scotland initiative under the banner Digital Scotland.

A Holyrood spokesperson said: “The internet is a phenomenal tool and with almost 20 per cent of Scotland still not online, it seems many of us are unfamiliar with the huge benefits it can offer for us – from saving money, saving time and improving our knowledge and experience.”

Leaflets and an advertising campaign highlight eight areas where there are benefits, including managing bills, shopping, communicating with friends and family, quick and safe access to information and entertainment made easy.

There’s jargon-busting information available, explaining words and phrases such as bandwidth, instant messaging, streaming videos, cloud computing, servers and software.

A leaflet explains: “There are learning centres and libraries all over Scotland where people can help you get connected.”

For expert advice and information , visit www.letsgeton.org or call an adviser on 0800 771 234.

The group held their monthly meeting in the Macmillan Cancer Centre on Wednesday, October 1, when the speaker was Stephen Bermingham from the feedback and complaints department of NHS Borders.

He gave the group an insight of how this department worked and also how to contact the relevant person if you wished to make a complaint.

Members were also told that under the Patients Rights (Scotland) Act 2011, it gave the patient the right to make a complaint or provide feedback.

The complainant has three responses (a) upheld) (b) partly upheld and (c) not upheld. The response is then reviewed and signed by the board’s chief executive officer and if upheld or partly upheld they must provide an improvement plan.

If the complainant is not happy with the response they can refer it to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman for further review.

The evening finished with the usual tea/coffee and chat.

The next meeting will be held at 7pm in the Macmillan centre on Wednesday, November 5, when all men with prostate toubles and their partners will be made most welcome.

Ancrum villagers are expected to pack their local hall next week to discuss the legal status of common land after a row over ownership.

The public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday night in the village hall as being “to share information and discuss the current and future status of Ancrum Common”.

Scottish land rights researcher, Andy Wightman, author of The Poor Had No Lawyers, and Who Owns Scotland, has been invited to address the meeting.

Flyers advertising the meeting have asked people to bring documents, photos and even house title deeds if they have relevance to the legal status of the near 40-acre common. The meeting has been called after some villagers became aware that local landowner and community councillor, Jamie Scott of Kirklands, claimed ownership of the land.

Writing on his online blog, Land Matters, Mr Wightman, who was invited to attend by organisers, said the common consists of three parcels of land extending to 35 acres in total to the west of the village.

“The lands have been subject to a long history of communal use and there is no evidence that there is any title held by any private interest over the common,” he states.

“In recent years, however, the land has become the subject of dispute, although much of what has happened has only very recently become known to the residents of Ancrum.”

Mr Wightman says that he has found no evidence that Mr Scott has any legitimate claim of ownership of Ancrum Common.

Contacted by The Southern, Mr Scott said he was happy to talk to us, but did not want to comment publicly until after next week’s meeting.

Mr Wightman says there is evidence that there was a title to the common in the name of the Feuars of Ancrum in an Inland Revenue Survey conducted in 1910.

Speaking to The Southern this week, Mr Wightman told us: “At some point this land probably belonged to someone like the Marquis of Lothian.

“Under feudalism there was really no such thing as common land – it always belonged to somebody like the Crown.

“But there was an acknowledgement by the aristocracy that some land was, in effect, common land. It was an older pattern of ownership and in Scotland hundreds of thousands of acres in small parcels of land still exist, which are the remants of this.

“The problem is people in small villages don’t often know what lawyers are doing on behalf of large landowners, as it’s all done by city lawyers and quite complicated.”

Some tennis of the highest quality was served up on Saturday by members of St Boswells Tennis Club at the club’s finals day.

Apart from one short spell of rain, the finals were played out in good weather, along with a competition for some of the club’s junior members.

The Lemmon family enjoyed particular success on the day, with club coach Toni overcoming Claire Townsend in the ladies’ singles final and son Gary winning the men’s title, at the age of just 15.

Despite going a set down, Toni rallied and came back strongly in the second set to take the match to a championship tie-break.

Shortly afterwards, Gary took to the court to play club stalwart Charles Strang for the men’s singles trophy. Although Strang’s tactics seemed to be playing dividends early in the first set, Gary took hold and eventually came through in straight sets.

In the ladies’ doubles final, Jen Stevenson and Katie Francis beat Jenell Arnott and Heather Taylor after a closely-contested tie, with both pairings showing some excellent shot-making.

The doubles competitions were played on a seeded basis this year, and the quality of both finals, and their competitiveness, made them a must-watch for the many spectators who turned out on the day.

In the men’s doubles, 11-time singles champion Billy Anderson got his hands on the doubles title with partner Max Playfer.

In a three-set thriller, the pair beat Matt Tile and Trevor Adams, who had taken the first set and were just lost the second set tiebreak which would have won them the trophy.

More than 40 years after orienteering was introduced to hundreds of local school pupils, Wilton Park in Hawick now has a permanent course with marker posts.

The course, aimed at giving beginners a chance to try the sport in a non-competitive way, is a joint initiative between Roxburgh Reivers Orienteering Club and the team who are implementing the regeneration of the park.

The course was officially opened on Saturday afternoon with club member and Hawick High School pupil Eilidh Murray cutting the tape.

Maps will be available from the museum during opening hours.

After the opening, Calum Murray was first home on the Orange course, with younger sister Eilidh taking second. And on the harder course, Ian Maxwell pipped Keith Murray by 17 seconds, with John Tullie close behind in third.

Last weekend also saw the end of the Scottish Urban League with a sprint in Kingussie. Lindsey Knox finished top of W55+, Kirstin Maxwell took second on Womens’ Open and Faisal Khursheed was third on Junior Men.

Five club members – Yousuf and Faisal Khursheed and Elena, Marc and Patrick Heger – have qualified for the Scottish Select team.

Congratulations go to them – the serious business of training and fundraising starts now.

Dougie Costello was the jockey to follow at Kelso on Sunday after completing a victorious treble before a bumper crowd.

His victory trail began in the D. G. Pryde Ltd juvenile hurdle, where Mr Gallivanter justified hot favouritism, cruising home to a 21-length success.

A quickfire double followed after Big Sound made every yard of the running to land the George Dove Final Racecourse novices’ handicap chase, where just two of the six runners finished.

The winner – bred at Lockerbie by Willie and Penny Hodge – produced a gutsy display and dug deep as Ryan Mania and runner-up Wakhan tried to close.

Costello’s hat-trick was sealed in a thrilling finish to the Kieran Robson Hope 18th Birthday celebration handicap chase, but only after Local Present survived a stewards’ enquiry into late contact with the runner-up.

“It’s certainly been a good day,” said Costello, who leads the course’s top jockey table after also winning at the opening twilight fixture.”

He admitted: “The first two were both favourites, but I expected them all to go well.”

Heavy overnight rain on Friday saw 65mm fall on the track, resulting in 14 non-runners across the card, but failed to detract from some competitive racing.

Six withdrew from the opening Newcastle Arms Coldstream handicap hurdle race, which almost halved the field, to seven.

Sleep In First was always prominent and James Ewart’s gelding hung on gamely to hold the challenge of Mason Hindmarsh on the run-in.

The winner, ridden by 2014 Langholm Cornet Dale Irving, was completing a victorious hat-trick following success at Sedgefield and Cartmel.

Scotland’s only professional lady jockey, Lucy Alexander, won the Robin Aitchison Memorial Intermediate Hurdle, riding Landecker for her father, Nick.

The gelding was posting a third win from four visits to the Borders track.

Lucy was injured after Jet Master crashed through the last in the feature NSPCC School Service Handicap Chase, won by 15-8 favourite Simply Ned.

Steven Fox and Irish raider Burnt Sienna held on to their lead at the last to hold the challenge of favourite One For Hockey in the concluding Calendula novices’ handicap hurdle.

There was a nail-biting finish to the ever-popular Border principals’ race, with Coldstream’s Colin Leifer holding Gary Neill from Musselburgh by a head. Lockerbie’s Kenny Little finished a close third.

Racing returns to Kelso on Saturday October 18.