Scotland Rugby League Club XIII will host the British Army Academy side at Earlston Rugby Club this coming Saturday.

The side is made up from players who play in and qualify for Scotland and come from all four corners of the country: from Aberdeen Warriors, Strathmore Silverbacks, Edinburgh Eagles and Easterhouse Panthers. The players have played one game as a unit against the English National Conference Side Siddal RLFC in Halifax three weeks ago with the Club XIII putting in a formidable performance and coming away with a victory 22-34.

The Army Academy side are in their final preparation game before they enter the Inter-Services championships on September 13 against the Royal Air Force in Salford.

“This is our only home game this year as the Club XIII and we are extremely excited to have the Army Academy side play us as well as being hosted by Earlston Rugby Club,” said head Coach Craig Parslow.

The match kicks off at 17.30 at The Haugh.

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Hawick Leg Rovs3

Rovers made the early running in this C League fixture and broke the deadlock when Andrew McFarlane scored from the edge of the box.

The visitors kept up the good work and on collecting a Chay Caldwell pass, McFarlane stuck away a second.

After Melrose had grabbed a goal back McFarlane completed his hat trick early in the second period from a John Shankie pass.

Melrose came rallying back to reduce the leeway though and minutes from time got an equaliser.

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There was no shortage of incidents in this East of Scotland League Cup encounter at a sun-kissed Woodside Park, writes John Slorance.

Kelso set the early pace in coming near to scoring in the opening attack of the game, but with nine minutes gone the deadlock was broken at the other end.

After having dented the home rear-guard with a thrusting run, Cameron MacFarlane fired in a shot that was parried by the United number one Willie Stewart. The ball then broke to the feet of giant Albert striker Alieu Faye who slotted home a shot from close range.

Six minutes later Faye put Hawick further ahead with a perfectly taken penalty after MacFarlane had been brought down by Ryan Beveridge.

With a minute of the first half remaining Hawick increased their lead, Faye again emerging the marksman in completing his hat trick when tucking away a MacFarlane cut back.

Two minutes into the second period, United reduced the leeway with a deserved goal. Kyle Blaikie produced the scoring touch when scorching a sweetly struck drive into the roof of the net.

Hawick struck again on the hour mark, MacFarlane emerging the marksman in rattling home a low cross from Stewart Crozier.

Within minutes of this Kelso were sent reeling through two dismissals, both involving the Blaikie family.

Referee Ryan Lee, who had been attracting plenty of attention in brandishing out yellow cards galore, first of all gave Kyle Blaikie his marching orders for a second bookable offence before United manager Prof Blaikie, Kyle’s father, was sent from the technical area for making remarks towards the referee.

Ten man Kelso duly went further behind when a cleverly worked move from a short corner saw Gavin Pettigrew cutting inside from the flank and shooting past Stewart.

In the closing seconds Hawick got a second penalty. Faye again took the award but there was to be no joy for the Albert men this time as his shot was well saved.

Albert manager Mike Atai said of his team’s win: “We knocked the ball about well and it was a pleasing win but I thought we could have bossed the game more.”

Prof Blaikie commented: “At half time we could well have been level instead of being three goals down but that’s the way it goes. We are a young side mainly made up of local players and we will get better.”

Plans to lease Jedburgh Town Hall to the organisation which runs the town’s swimming pool have been scrapped.

Scottish Borders Council’s executive agreed to Tuesday that the building should, instead, form part of the wider transfer of all its cultural services properties, including halls, libraries and community centres, to a new Borders-wide trust.

In so doing, councillors have set aside their decision of 18 months ago when they agreed to offer a 25-year lease to the Jedburgh Leisures Facilities Trust (JLFT) which took over the pool in 2003. But despite extensive negotiations, no agreement has been reached.

In line with other community asset transfers made by SBC, the Jedburgh lease involved revenue support of £30,000 for the first year, tapering to zero over five years. In addition, a capital sum of £40,000 which the council was prepared to discuss to upgrade the building was deemed “inadequate” by the JLFT which wanted an ongoing commitment from the council in respect of upgrades, repairs and maintenance.

Given the impasse, councillors were told this week that a resolution was required before October 8 when the council is due to consider a feasibility study on the transfer of all its cultural services to a trust run jointly with Borders Sport and Leisure Trust.

But the recommendation of council officers not to pursue the transfer to JLFT was opposed by Jedburgh councillor Jim Brown: “Myself and the other two Jedburgh councillors [Sandy Scott and Rory Stewart] still feel the JLFT should take over. If the hall gets transferred to a bigger trust it may take years for it to get the investment it deserves.

“The JLFT has run the pool successfully for 12 years and is prepared to make this work. You cannot blame them for trying to get more money out of the council.”

But Councillor Michael Cook (East Berwickshire) said: “Things have changed in the last 18 months and there are very clear divisions in the community and among stakeholders about the wisdom of such a transfer.”

Richard Gordon, chair of Jedburgh Community Council, said: “A more local operation for the hall would have been great, but the risks coming from the current offer far outweighed the benefits.”

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Parish church

Frances Selkirk conducted morning service on Sunday. The Bible reading was delivered by Catriona Bird, and music played by Andy Bird and Anne Grieve. There will be a meeting after the service on August 23 to discuss plans for the annual sale of work on October 31 – anyone who can help on the stalls should attend. The church was packed for the funeral last week of Arthur Dorward. The service was conducted by the Reverend Marion Dodd and Peter Fenton O’Creevy gave a tribute. After the service, the interment took place in the churchyard. There was a retiringz collection for Alzheimer Scotland.

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Parish church

The August 23 service at 10.15am will be a praise gathering – lots of singing and time for reflection. Refreshments will be served afterwards before the parish walk and picnic, heading for Anne and Gerry Crighton’s house at West Carolside where lunch will be provided. August 30 is the community day and after the service at 10.15am, there will be Messy Church in a tent at the rugby field. The St Peter’s Concert raised £425.

Plea for musicians

Are there any budding musicians who would like to entertain Borders Voluntary Older People’s Services’ elderly clients on a Thursday between 1-2pm? If so, call 01835 862565.

Council

Earlston Community Council’s next meeting is in the primary school staffroom today (Thursday) at 7pm. Members of the public are invited to come along to raise local issues.

GALASHIELS

Classes

T’ai chi and qigong classes reopen in the Lucy Sanderson Hall on September 1 at 1.30pm and Complete Health Borders on September 4 at 9.30am. Contact Pat (pat.weedall@live.co.uk or call/text 07926 302822).

Trinity church

Frances Selkirk, from Ashkirk, conducted the service on Sunday and Dorothy Howden led the singing. Bible readings were carried out by Margaret Tancock.

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Rotary

Four visitors appeared at the latest club meeting – Harald Willner (Kingston-upon-Thames), and Jim McPherson, Alison Bayles and Alan Hall from the Selkirk club. Speaker Colin Donnelly gave an insight into his sport of hill/fell running. He described venues, races and competitions he had taken part in, as well as running for personal enjoyment. He has won many races and trophies, came first in the Ben Nevis challenge in a record time of 1 hour 25 minutes.

Classes

T’ai chi and qigong classes reopen in Burnfoot Community Centre on August 31 at 9.30am. Contact Pat (pat.weedall@live.co.uk or call/text 07926302822).

JEDBURGH

Classes

T’ai chi and qigong classes reopen in Kenmore Hall on August 31 at 1.30pm. Contact Pat (pat.weedall@live.co.uk or call/text 07926 302822).

Rotary

The club held a members’ quiz in the Carter’s Rest. The event was organised by president Tony Rae and played in teams of four. Community committee chair Anthony Armitage organised the annual club barbecue, together with his wife, Marion. Members’ donations helped swell the club’s coffers. At their latest business meeting, members heard that polio has now all but disappeared from Africa – thanks to the efforts of Rotarians organising and financing mass vaccinations over many years. Follow-up work still needs to be done, but this effort has left only two countries in the world where polio has yet to be eliminated. The club charity account remains in a healthy condition and it was agreed to give a further £1,500 to the Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s own charity for international projects and disaster relief. Local Rotarians will be playing their part in the Jedburgh Winter Festival, planning a whist/beetle drive and supporting two candidates from Jedburgh Grammar School to attend the Rotary Young Leadership residential course in Perthshire. The club continues to support the Vision Aid project in Zambia as well as the Lend with Care scheme to help struggling families in poor countries. Locally, Rotarians are continuing their support for the Jedburgh food bank, the young writers and young musicians projects at the town’s Grammar School and Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline charity (which has a Jedburgh branch) whereby children from Belarus, still affected by radiation leaks from the nuclear plant disaster, can be brought to this country and helped with the fitting of new shoes as well as experiencing a holiday in the region.

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Farmers’ market

Kelso farmers’ market will be held in The Square on August 22 (9.30am-1.30pm).

Bridge club

August 12 – match-pointed pairs – N/S – 1, Rena Stewart & Beth Stark; 2, Joyce Thomson & Helenor Pratt; 3, Bob Stevenson & Annie Mitchell; E/W – 1, Jean Henry & Myra Thomson; 2, Gerry Eglington & Jon Bridger; 3, Stuart Graham and Ian Watson. August 13 – teams – 1, Ian Watson & Georgina Hall and Annie Mitchell & John Loudon; 2, Jean McLaren & Ken Ross and John Urquhart & Janet Kyle; 3, Rena Stewart & Maureen Weightman and Jon Bridger & Gerry Eglington.

Langholm

Ice surprise

Three friends got a surprise during conversation near the playcare area at the bottom of Rosevale Street. John Smith and Ronnie Stewart were chatting to John Armstrong from Newcastleton, who is originally from Langholm, when the incident happened. Ronnie shouted, “What’s that!”, and pointed to the sky. Suddenly the object hit the tarmac a few yards from them, on the other side of the wire fence in the old tennis court area. On impact it burst into pieces and much to the trio’s amazement turned out to be ice. The three men could only assume it had dropped from a plane, but dread to think of the consequences if it had hit anybody – and fortunately no youngsters were in the play area.

Charity cycle

Local minister Scott McCarthy took part over a 100-mile 2012 Olympics cycling route to raise money for charity – the Prudential Ride London event – and raised more than £1,000 for Cancer Research UK. Entrants started from the Lee Valley Velopark in east London and past several of the city’s famous sites and into the Surrey countryside before returning to London and finishing on The Mall.

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SWI

The new season starts on September 3 at 7.15pm when Cadden Design will give a talk. Competitions – whisky cake and decorated photograph frame. New members welcome.

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Music

Riddell Fiddles will perform in the town square on Saturday, August 22.

Trimontium

The Royal Archaeological Institute, based in London, has just published a 50-page summary of its week-long study of the Tweed Valley in May this year, when a coach-load of its members, staying west of Peebles, assisted by a number of experts on the way, dipped into every aspect of the history and geography of the Tweed Valley from the prehistory of the Manor Valley all the way to Holy Island, taking in the Romans, abbeys and walls of Berwick. Trimontium contributed 1,000 words on the Romans on the route down the valley from Lyne to Newstead and the camps going east. Trimontium walks are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays (1.30pm) from Melrose Square, and Sundays (2pm) from Newstead milestone

Classes

T’ai chi and qigong classes reopen in the chaplaincy centre, Borders General Hospital, on September 1 at 6.30pm. Contact Pat (pat.weedall@live.co.uk or call/text 07926 302822).

Volunteers wanted

Can you spare two hours a week on a Thursday to help serve lunch and wash up for the elderly in your community? If so, then call 01835 862565.

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Cheviot Churches

A good congregation turned out for the joint service at Yetholm Church on Sunday as a finale to the holiday club week.

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Choir

The village choir restarts rehearsals on August 26 at 10.30am in the Youth Hall. New members welcome.

Concert

Kathryn Joseph (winner of Scottish Album of the Year) will be performing in the Wauchope Hall on August 27 at 7.30pm. Contact Susan Stewart on 01573 420231 for tickets or reservations.

Council

The next meeting of the community council will be held on August 25 at 7pm in the Youth Hall. This gathering will also include the first festival meeting of the new season.

Church

Cheviot Churches will be holding a table-top sale and barbecue at the manse on August 29 (11-3pm).

Show committee

The committee meeting for this year’s show will be held on August 27 at 8pm in the Youth Hall (not Wauchope Hall as noted in the minutes). The catalogue for this year’s event is now available at outlets around village. All entries must be with the secretary by September 18.

Ministerial visit

Marco Biagi, minister for local government and community empowerment, visited Yetholm to speak to community councillors and other villagers about local issues.

Berwick’s battered and bruised Bandits must pick themselves up and go again this week, with three meetings in the space of three days.

The Borderers, already without injured Claus Vissing, saw Mathias Thörnblom and guest Liam Carr both crash out during their at-times controversial 41-42 home defeat at the hands of Sheffield on Saturday.

Captain Kevin Doolan was also left feeling the worse for wears after a heat nine spill when he was left with nowhere to go when Jason Garrity locked up in front of him.

Doolan managed to ride at Newcastle on Sunday, but says he is now likely to miss the meetings at Ipswich on Thursday and Scunthorpe on Friday. He hopes to be back on Saturday for the home meeting against Somerset.

“I have aggravated an old back injury,” said Doolan, “and I have found in the past that the only thing that helps is complete rest.”

Thomblom is also likely to miss the Thursday and Friday meetings, but like Doolan hopes to be back for Saturday.

For Thursday at Ipswich, Bandits have drafted in three guests in the shape of Richie Worrall, Theo Pijper and Luke Bowen.

Club spokesman Dennis McCleary said: “I don’t think I can ever remember a season in all the 48 years I’ve followed, or worked for the Bandits that the club has suffered so many injuries to key riders.”

A shot buzzard was left wounded and in pain by the edge of a countryside road – and the hunt is now on for whoever pulled the trigger.

The protected bird of prey was spotted by a member of the public between Innerleithen and Heriot.

The shot-up bird was taken to a local vet, but its injuries were so bad it couldn’t be saved.

A team from the Scottish SPCA has launched a probe and appealed for information – but have so far drawn a blank.

The buzzard was found on July 24, but the discovery was only made public this week.

The shooting has been condemned by Scotland’s minister for the environment, climate change and land reform, Aileen McLeod.

She blasted: “The illegal persecution of birds of prey is always unacce[table, but this case – with the pain and suffering caused to the buzzard – is particularly abhorrent.”

An undercover inspector from the SSPCA commented: “A post mortem examination revealed that the buzzard had been hit with a shotgun, with a pellet in its head and damage to its wing.

“As the bird did not die outright it would have suffered a great deal of pain and distress.

“We believe this was a deliberate act which would constitute an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.”

The inspector added: “Unfortunately our enquires so far have not resulted in any leads.

“If anyone has any information that may help our investigation we would urge them to come forward.”

Ms McLeod added:“I am resolute in my determination to do all I can to put a stop to crimes such as this, with the Scottish Government working with law enforcement and others through the Partnership Against Wildlife Crime in Scotland (PAWS).

“I expect all right-minded people involved in the countryside, including with shooting, to support our efforts.

“The Scottish Government has already put in place new and strengthened measures to crack down on wildlife crime, including vicarious liability prosecutions and general licence restrictions, for example.

“But let me be absolutely clear – I will consider taking further action if necessary and the licencing of shooting businesses in Scotland remains an option.”

Anyone with information can contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999 or Police Scotland on their 101 number.

The SSPCA inspector said “Calls to our helpline are in strict confidence and can be made anonymously.”

Police are appealing for witnesses after tools were stolen in Peebles.

The incident happened sometime between 10pm on Sunday and 8am on Monday an address in Kittlegairy Road.

A garden shed was broken into and several drills worth around £900 were taken along with other tools worth about £300. Officers are conducting local inquiries to trace those responsible and anyone who can assist with their investigation is asked to come forward.

Inspector Kevin Harris said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity in or around Kittlegairy Road on Sunday evening or early Monday morning.

“In addition I would ask any member of the public, who is approached by anyone trying to sell on these items, to contact police immediately.”

Theatre

August 26

RSC presents Othello, Maltings, Berwick, 7pm. Shakespeare’s classic tragedy broadcast live from Stratford-upon-Avon. Tickets £16.75 / £15.75 concs, Child £8.75. Schools: student £5 and teacher free (min. 10 students). See www.maltingsberwick.co.uk. Also showing at Tower Mill, Hawick. Tickets £14 (£12 concs). Contact 01450 360688 or drop in to the Visit Scotland desk.

Dance

August 22-23

Dudendance Theatre Borderlands, Dryburgh Abbey, 3pm. Highly-visual landscape theatre with special guests Andante Chamber Choir. For further details see www.dudendanceborderlands.blogspot.co.uk, or call 0742 3065320.

Film

August 20

Thomas and Friends: Sodor’s Legend of the Lost Treasure, Maltings, Berwick, 2.30pm. Surprises await Thomas and his friends as they dig up their most daring adventure yet. Tickets £7.75 / £6.75 concs, Child £4.75 (16 and under), Baby FREE (2 and under), MEERKAT MOVIES 2-for-1 (Tuesday and Wednesday only). See www.maltingsberwick.co.uk (U)

Love at First Fight (Les Combattants), Tower Mill, Hawick, 6pm. A small-town man (Kévin Azaïs) falls in love with an apocalyptic-minded woman (Adèle Haenel) and joins her at boot camp to learn survivalist skills. Tickets £6 (£4.50 concs.) Contact details as before. (15)

Terminator Genysis, Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. John Connor sends Kyle Reese back in time to protect Sarah Connor, but when he arrives in 1984, nothing is as he expected it to be. Tickets and contact details as before.

August 21, 26

Song of the Sea, Maltings, Berwick, 2.30pm. A gorgeous, hand-drawn masterpiece, based on the legend of the Selkies. Tickets and contact info as before. (PG)

Boychoir, Tower Mill, Hawick, 7pm. Stet, a troubled and angry 11-year-old orphan from a small Texas town, ends up at a boy choir school back East after the death of his mother. Tickets and contact info as before. (PG)

Magic Mike XXL, Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. Three years after Mike bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, he and the remaining Kings of Tampa hit the road to Myrtle Beach to put on one last blow-out performance. Tickets and contact info as before. (15)

August 22, 23

Tomorrowland, a World Beyond, Tower Mill, Hawick, 3pm (Sat), 2.30pm (Sun). An unlikely pair team up to discover the secrets of a plI’m onace that exists in their collective memory as, ‘Tomorrowland’. Tickets and contact info as before. (12A)

August 22

San Andreas, Maltings, Berwick, 2.30pm, 7.30pm. When a massive earthquake hits California Chief Raymond ‘Ray’ Gaines (Dwayne Johnson), a LA Fire Department helicopter rescue pilot, dives straight into danger to save his family and escape the city. Tickets and contact info as before. (12A)

What We Did on our Holiday, Tower Mill, Hawick, 7pm. A fundraiser screening in aid of the Hawick Committee of Action Medical Research. No ads or trailers. Tickets £8 (incl. glass of wine/soft drink). Contact details as before. (12A)

August 25

Mr Holmes, Maltings, Berwick, 1pm. In 1947, an ageing Sherlock Holmes revisits the circumstances of the unsolved case that forced him into retirement. Tickets and contact info as before. (PG)

Danny Collins, Tower Mill, Hawick, 6pm. An aging rocker (Al Pacino) decides to change the course of his life after receiving a long-undelivered letter from the late John Lennon. Tickets and contact details as before. (15)

Music

August 20

Cameo Clarinet Quartet, Mellerstain House, 7.30pm. A programme presenting music, technically challenging, but also very lyrical, much of which is not commonly heard. Tickets £13.50 for members and £17.50 for non-members – under-18s are half price.

August 21

Electric Penelope, Henry Travers Studio, Maltings, Berwick, 8.30pm. An intimate unplugged session with Anna Emmins, the woman behind Electric Penelope. Tickets £10 (£8 concs), £4 child. Contact details as before.

August 21-23

Innerleithen Music Festival, Memorial Hall, Innerleithen. Great concerts, with the stars of Celtic music and much more. See main preview? More info at www.innerleithenmusicfestival.org

August 22

Scocha, Cockburnspath Village Hall, 7.30pm. Folk rockers present original Scottish songs, alongside dynamic new arrangements of Scottish classics. Tickets £12.50. Call 01750 725480.

Joe Topping, String Jam Club, County Hotel, Selkirk, 8pm. A songwriter, singer and guitarist whose music defies categorization or pigeonholing. Tickets £12, from the venue on 01750 721233 (credit/debit card bookings over the phone).

August 24

String Theory presents Willie Logan plus support, Tower Mill, Hawick, 7.30pm. Live music Mondays. Admission free. Contact details as before.

exhibitions

Till August 31

Peel – the Hospital and the People, Borders Family History Society, Archive and Research Room, Galashiels, 10am-4pm. An exhibition of photographs, artefacts and the recollections of the people who worked at Peel Hospital.

Till September 5

Katherine Soutar’s Folk Tales illustrations, Mad Nomad Gallery, Hawick. Katherine is the cover illustrator for the History Press ‘Folk Tales’ book series. Open Tue–Sun 11am–8pm, closed Mon. Call 07528 922126.

Till September 6

Textiles and Photography in Harmony, Borders Textile Towerhouse, Hawick. Textile artist Shirley Ann Sherris’s embroidery, wall hangings and sculptures. Admission free. Contact 01450 377615 or email textiletowerhouse@scotborders.gov.uk.

Till September 13

Space Cadets – Generation Air, Gymnasium Gallery, Maltings, Berwick, Wednesday-Sunday 11am-5pm. Generation Air is inspired by human biology and the cells and organisms inside us. Be transported into an exciting, mysterious world. Contact details as before.

Till September 13

Drafted to the Dardanelles, Halliwells House Museum, Selkirk, 11am-4pm (Monday-Saturday), 12-3pm (Sunday). Exhibition commemorating the Battle of Gallipoli. Admission free. Call 01750 20096 / 20054 for more details.

Till September 17

Catherine Rayner, the Flat Cat Gallery, Lauder. Award-winning illustrator. Gallery open seven days, 9.30am-5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sundays. Call 01578 722808 for further details. Admission free.

Till September 19

Nature in Pastel and Textiles by Sandra Hay, Old Gala House, Galashiels. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm, Sun 1-4pm. Call 01750 20096 or 01896 752611.

Till October 11

Wish You Were Here, Granary gallery, Maltings, Berwick, Wednesday-Sunday 11am-5pm. Artists’ postcards from 1960s to today selected from art writer and novelist Jeremy Cooper’s remarkable collection. Contact details as before.

Till October 15

Susan Cook, The Flat Cat Gallery, Lauder. Exhibition and sale of work. Open 9.30am-5pm. Contact 01578 722808.

August 21 - November 30

Rhythms of Nature by Valerie Ferguson, Dawyck Botanic Gardens. Work created in metal. Admission free. Contact 01721 760254. Open 10am-4pm.

Till December 7

‘Spaical Folk wi Spaical Stories’ – Ian Landles Oral History Archive Exhibition, Tower Mill, Hawick. An exhibiton centred around Ian Landles’ vast collection of oral histories, now part of Heritage Hub collection. Free admission.

Festival

August 22, 23

Beyond Borders Festival of Literature and Thought 2015, Traquair House. See www.beyondbordersscotland.com for full programme details.

Walk

August 20

Walk It – Coldstream, 10am. Meet just outside the Community Centre in Coldstream. Contact walk leader Guy on 07717 547861.

August 25

Walk It – Eyemouth, 10am. Meet at Eyemouth Community Centre. Contact walk leader Sheila on 01890 750870.

Following a drugs binge, Kevin Wilkinson got into a stranger’s car which then started rolling down a hill, before striking a wooden fence.

The 39-year-old, of Gala Park, Galashiels, admitted driving a car when unfit through drink or drugs at Thistle Street in the town on July 19.

“The vehicle belonged to a stranger and was parked in the street,” explained procurator fiscal Graham Fraser.

He said Wilkinson was seen standing next to the car before opening the passenger door and climbing into the driver’s seat.

The fiscal went on: “The vehicle started to roll off down the hill and hit a timber fence,” adding that Wilkinson was seen raising a bottle to his mouth.

The police were contacted and Wilkinson climbed out of the driver’s seat and across the passenger seat, before falling backwards onto the ground outside.

“He was still flat on his back when the police arrived and had a injury to his eye, which had to be stitched,” added Mr Fraser.

Wilkinson also pleaded guilty to taking and driving away a vehicle without the owner’s consent, and using it without a full licence and insurance.

His lawyer, Robert More, said Wilkinson had offended after “a bit of a binge on diazepam”.

He added: “What transpired was pretty dangerous and he has spent four weeks in custody. He is perfectly realistic about the disposal.”

At Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday, Wilkinson was jailed for four months and banned from driving for 16 months.

The accused received a further four-month prison term – to run consecutively – after admitting threatening or abusive behaviour, shouting and swearing, and kicking a door at Gala Park on July 14.

Mr Fraser explained: “He was in a relationship and they fell out due to his excessive consumption of alcohol.”

Wilkinson was to stay at his mother’s address, to have “a cooling-off period”.

His partner went to visit a friend and Wilkinson turned up there.

The fiscal said: “He said he had consumed heroin and began to behave in an intoxicated fashion.”

“Sentence was previously deferred and he was warned that if he put a foot wrong he was likely to lose his liberty,” he added.

Partnership working is a buzzword (it can also refer to more than one word) which has featured among the business lexicon of recent times.

It certainly applies to the effort being made by Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and five other south-east of Scotland local authorities to land £1billion which would go towards improving the economic fortunes of their respective stomping grounds. And if the bid to the ruling administrations at Holyrood and Westminster is successful, hopes are high that in excess of treble that amount of money in the shape of private sector investment could follow.

However, the fact this arrangement is packaged as a City Region Deal might raise a few eyebrows in more rurals areas, the Borders included. Fears that the soon-to-be-opened Borders Railway was primarily for the benefit of ex-Edinburgh dwellers commuting to their city jobs have often been voiced – and we suspect some naysayers will claim the capital has most to gain from this latest project.

Stuart Bell, SBC’s economic development chief, stresses there is no risk of the Borders losing its identity, pointing out is has worked with its neighbours over many years.

Money isn’t everything, but the potential windfall to the Borders means this is a deal worth doing.

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) is backing plans to secure a £1 billion cash boost for the south-east of Scotland – and bosses are being urged to do the same.

If the bid for a City Region Deal is successful, it would be a welcome boost for Midlothian, West Lothian, East Lothian, the City of Edinburgh and Fife councils, as well as the Borders.

And the support of business leaders is seen as crucial.

The application is being developed for submission to the Westminster and Scottish governments early next month.

A long-term vision of the region’s economy was presented at a business breakfast in Edinburgh on Monday hosted by the six-council South East Scotland City Region.

Businesses are being asked to identify key priorities for growth and to pledge support for the bid. The aim is to develop a deal with the UK and Scottish governments designed to accelerate growth and will concentrate on the area’s strengths – knowledge, culture and technology.

The City Region Deal seen is a mechanism for accelerating growth through investment in infrastructure, skills and innovation. Experts say this will create a step change in economic performance that will generate funds to pay back the initial investment.

If the bid succeeds, it is estimated that an additional £3.2billion of private sector investment could be attracted.

SBC leader David Parker said: “The City Region Deal is intended to tackle deep-rooted inequality, the wide variance in productivity across the region and significant infrastructure constraints.

“All of these potentially hold back the economic performances in each local authority area and the Scottish Government recognises that getting a better-performing economy requires helping every area improve its performance – so this is not just about pumping more resources into one booming part of Scotland.”

Councillor Parker added: “We hope that a City Region Deal can make available to the Borders a share of £1 billion investment over the next 10 years and thus help boost the local and regional economy, as well as tackling inequalities.

“But these opportunities can only be made as a result of a pragmatic co-operation with the five other local authorities.”

Councillor Stuart Bell, SBC’s executive member for economic development, said: “We are working very closely with the five other councils to make the City Region Deal bid a success.

“This does not mean that we are at risk of losing our identity, or of creating a new tier of government. No less than in the Kingdom of Fife, the Scottish Borders prides itself on its unique identity, local voice and local decision-taking on local priorities. We are a rural economy which is a green complement to the city, but we have much in common with Dumfries and Galloway, which is why we work with them on rural economic issues in the South of Scotland Alliance. We also have much in common with Northumberland and Cumbria, which is why we work with them – as well as with Carlisle and Dumfries and Galloway – on the Borderlands initiatives on tourism and transport.

“And, of course, we have been working for many years with our neighbours in the Lothians, Edinburgh and Fife on strategic planning and transport issues.”

The six councils say the deal is about greater autonomy and disseminating powers for the region to make public service delivery more effective and to tackle inequality and deprivation. Working in partnership with stakeholders in the business and academic communities is seen as crucial to the bid’s success.

A positive response from ministers would see detailed work on prioritising potential investment continuing with both governments.

Security is likely to be tightened at the Belfast base of soldiers from the Borders and their families following a terrorist attack, writes Bob Burgess.

An immediate review was launched after the breach at Palace Barracks in Belfast on Friday.

The barracks, in the Holywood area of the city, is one of Northern Ireland’s most heavily fortified military bases.

It has been home to the Royal Scots Borderers since August 2014 when the battalion moved from it’s base at Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh.

It’s a permanent move with families moving with the soldiers.

The base is also home to MI5’s Northern Ireland headquarters.

What’s believed to be a letter or parcel bomb detonated in a Royal Mail van inside the complex after it had gone through a number of security checks.

The postman was out of the van making deliveries and escaped unhurt.

Experts say dissident republicans are likely to have been behind the blast.

Security at Palace Barracks was stepped-up in 2010 after republicans planted a massive car bomb at the rear of the base which caused extensive damage.

Following Friday’s attack security will be tightened even further.

There was disquiet amongst some families of soldiers from the battalion was it was confirmed Belfast was to be their new home. This was played down by military authorities.

The Democratic Unionist Party’s Gordon Dunne said the local community was shocked and concerned.

The Ulster Unionist’s Leslie Cree branded the bombers fascist-style criminals who sought rule by fear.

Sunday’s historic transgender pageant in Glasgow saw the national Miss Scotland title won by former Peebles High School pupil, Jai Latto.

Jai, 22, who lives in Walkerburn, will be joined by three runners-up from the event for next month’s national UK title event in London.

The Miss Transgender United competition is aimed at showing that trans people ‘work, live and function as part of society’, and to help ‘bring the UK in line with Europe for acceptance and equality for all’.

Jai was chosen by a panel of judges using a points system that assessed participants on the catwalk, the answers they gave to questions about their life, education and trans issues, and their talent.

She had previously been stripped of a title in the Miss Earth competition after organisers discovered she was born male.

But rather than be disheartened, Jai has continued to enter pageants, which she combines with activism on transgender issues and freelance make-up artistry.

Her win saw a hectic few days of interviews and publicity events for Jai, who says she wants to use the title to highlight trans issues.

A delighted Jai, who also works with LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Borders told The Southern this week: “In the past most of the publicity about trans issues was usually negative, and we’d only get on the likes of the Jerry Springer show or in the news when one of us committed suicide or was murdered.

“ This pageant is a fantastic way of showing we’re just like everyone else and as much a part of society as any other female.”

And Jai praised the support she has had from her local community in the Borders: “Living in the Borders I can honestly say I have never experienced any negativity. Ever since coming out as a transgender person I have had nothing but support from the communities of Innerleithen, where I grew up, and Walkerburn.”

She wants to use her Miss Scotland title to aid trans charities, and says winning the UK final on September 27 would provide more opportunities. The UK final will see 24 participants compete for a £5,000 cash prize and modelling contract.

An historic Hawick mansion built by the heir to the Pringle knitwear empire is expected to fetch up to £650,000 when it is sold this month.

Woodnorton in the town’s Sunnyhill Road, which is being sold by the Glasgow-based firm, Auction House Scotland, was built by Robert Pringle, whose grandfather founded the Pringle knitwear brand in 1815.

Built in 1881, the Flemish-inspired mansion is set over 2.8 acres of gardens and grounds and has nine bedrooms, sprawling grounds and its own ballroom.

Robert Pringle lived in the house until the 1950s before selling it on and after extensive restorations, the present owners have now decided to move on.

The selling agents describe it as “a beautiful and virtually unaltered Scots Renaissance mansion with fine Flemish and Gothic inspired detailing with high quality interior features.”

At the time of its construction, Robert Pringle was reputedly determined that his home should be more lavish than anything recently constructed in Hawick.

The house, originally built as ‘Craigmore’, also boasts a drawing room, dining room, kitchen, utility room, laundry room, boiler room and a study on the ground floor where historic robes and books are on display.

According to Historic Scotland it is the fine villas on the outskirts of Hawick, such as Woodnorton, which by the end of the 19th century had helped the town establish a reputation as one of Scotland’s wealthiest Victorian burghs.

“Commissioned by prominent local figures who wanted to live in tranquillity away from the factory smoke, many of them appear to be trying to outdo each other in grandeur,” said Historic Scotland in a report on Hawick’s history.

The number of objectors to Scottish Borders Council’s plans for a £6million visitor centre for the Great Tapestry of Scotland at Tweedbank has risen fourfold in the last seven days.

By yesterday, 32 people had urged SBC’s planning committee to reject the application for consent – with none, as yet, writing to support the proposal. And SBC confirmed this week that representations either for or against the bid can be submitted beyond today’s advertised deadline.

“The council will accept representations up until the day of the planning committee meeting which is a significantly longer period than is required by the regulations,” said a spokesperson, adding: “As a result, there are at least three weeks left for anyone to make a comment on the tapestry application.”

That would suggest the committee will consider the bid at its meeting on September 7, although there is speculation it might not be determined until October 5.

The spokesperson was responding to a call from opposition Tory councillor Gavin Logan (Tweeddale East) for the deadline to be extended. He claimed SBC’s online planning portal had “crashed” on several occasions during the statutory period for representations.

“We are aware some people have had difficulties accessing the portal, but having checked with our software supplier, the portal is compatible with the latest versions of the most popular internet browsers” said the spokesperson.

But SBC admitted its entire website has been “down” on two occasions since the tapestry application was submitted.

Although no individual has yet written to support the bid for the 1,820sqm two-storey gallery building on a wooded area of Tweedbank Drive next to the new rail terminal, it has received positive endorsement from SBC’s own economic development department, claiming it “ strongly fits” the targets set out in the region’s tourism strategy.

A 4,200-signature petition calling for SBC to reverse its decision to support the venture to the tune of £3.5million is due to be considered by the council’s petitions and delegations committee on October 1.

I was in the capital last weekend and I have to say I fair enjoyed myself. I’d spent the week working on sister publication the Hawick News.

There was some fine craik with some fine folk like local cooncillors Watson McAteer and Stuart Marshall – the latter being the provost of his grey auld toon. This pair seem to spend their entire week pounding the streets, and, of course, Watson knows all about pounding the streets from his time as a bobby. The intrepid duo have certainly got Hawick at heart – always on the lookout for problems and trials and tribulations to solve.

Last week it was folk flitting and simply dumping their unwanted furniture in the garden. The Hawick News had a grand photo of a turfed-out three-seater settee and various other battered bits of furniture. To this duo, it was like finding a pot of gold. Keep it up lads ... and perhaps some councillors elsewhere could take a tip from their book.

It wouldn’t be Hawick unless you had a heid-to-heid with Chugger – Four Hundred Horsemen – Brown. Sadly, he was leaving the Greens bar as I was entering, but he still had time to inform me he’d had a great summer following common ridings and festivals, and it wouldn’t be long to the Mosstroopers Burns Supper where they’d discover who was the next Hawick Cornet.

Some time chatting with John Slorance, who writes about football and athletics, and some of the other contributors to the paper is never time wasted. The Hawick News office is in the middle of the town, and at times its like Waverley Station – but without the trains.

The Southern’s offices used to be in the middle of Selkirk – but now they are just about in the Ettrick, away down at the bottom and we don’t get many visitors.

During my time in the late 1960s and early 70s on the Peeblesshire News, our office was slap-bang in the middle of Peebles, half-way down the Northgate (17a). We had a wee shop and a woman came and said she wanted her feet done. I was stunned and perplexed until I learned there was a wee red book under the counter where we booked appointments for the Red Cross chiropodist. We also collected silver paper for charity.

Hawick likes it statues and they have some fine examples – some old, others more recent.

But for all this, I needed culture of a different kind. And so the capital beckoned – out with the trusty bus pass and onto the, sometimes not so trusty, X95 in Selkirk. The journey to this haven seemed to take forever – but all worthwhile. The Auld Mill and guid auld Gala, well worth the visit.

Pupils in some Scottish schools are getting two years more teaching time than others, depending on their local authority area.

For some primary school pupils the contact time they have with teachers is 1000 hours a year, for others it is 851 hours a year. At secondary level the best teacher contact time was 1,100 hours per year for pupils, the worst 855 hours.

Scottish Borders Council pupils are at the top end of the teacher contact scale - primary pupils getting 975 hours per year and secondary pupils averaging 1072 hours a year.

A spokesperson for Scottish Borders Council said: “As part of the change over to the Asymmetric Week in 2014, we listened to parents who expressed a desire that there should be no reduction in teacher contact for pupils in the Scottish Borders. By realigning start and finish times across the school week, we have continued to maximise teacher contact recognising the importance of this to our learners.

“We continue to provide more contact than most local authorities across Scotland and the high standards achieved in this month’s exam results shows that this commitment is reaping rewards for our young people.”

Research by Reform Scotland, the independent think tank, revealed the variance in school contact hours offered by different local authorities and is calling for much more transparency for parents.

Aberdeenshire Council and West Dunbartonshire Council offer the most teaching time in Scotland, with 1,000 hours per year in primary school and 1,100 hours per year in secondary school.

Moray offers the least primary school time, at 851 hours, while Dundee and Midlothian offer 855 hours of secondary school teaching.

Over seven years of primary education and five of secondary education, Reform Scotland say the differing teaching times add up to a difference of over 1,000 hours of primary teaching time and more than 1,200 hours of secondary teaching time.

At both primary and secondary level, this equates to over a year of teaching time. In other words, children in some parts of Scotland receive two years less state education than in other parts of the country.

Reform Scotland’s research director Alison Payne said: “We were surprised by the huge variation in hours exposed by our findings.

“We do not object to the variation in hours per se, because we believe that local authorities, and indeed individual schools, should have more control over their operation.

“However, we strongly object to the lack of transparency which appears to prevent parents from gaining full knowledge of this situation.

“It is unfair, unequal and wrong, because it prevents parents from making choices with the full information.”

Two Borderers became world champion pipers last weekend, when their pipe band beat the best in the world, and returned the title to Scotland.

The two best friends, Selkirk mechanic Grant Munro, 27, and BGH caterer James Gill, 21, from Tweedbank, have played for the crack Grade 1 squad Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band since winter 2012.

Their daily practices and twice-weekly trips to Lanarkshire reaped rewards when the 105-year-old band’s 40 pipers and drummers won the 69th World Pipe Band Championship finals on Glasgow Green – the first time the band, and Scotland, had won the crown since 2005.

More than 40,000 spectators watched 8,000 pipers and drummers compete at the two-day event, known as The Worlds, in 230 pipe bands from 16 nations, including USA, Oman, the Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, Switzerland, South Africa, Belgium, Austria and Malaysia.

Coached to world class level by former bandsman John Connor from Peebles, the pair chucked their Glengarrys into the air as they beat Northern Ireland’s Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, world champions since 2011, into fourth place.

James, who trained in Galashiels Ex-Service Pipe Band, said: “It was the best we’d played all year.

“The feeling was: ‘You’ve done it – the thing you’ve worked towards your whole life.’ You dream about becoming world champions - it doesn’t happen.”

There are plenty of great reasons for living in the Borders – one of them is our profound and highly-distinctive sense of identity, perhaps best displayed in summer festivals and common ridings.

The final event of this year’s calendar has just taken place at Coldstream, and it was every bit as enjoyable and moving as all the others. As MP, I’ve been lucky enough to be invited along to most of them. It’s one of the aspects of being elected which I’ve enjoyed the most, and on each and every occasion it’s put me at the heart of things and allowed me a privileged insight into a town’s special day.

Each festival and common riding has reminded me of the astonishing colour, spectacle and community spirit of these unique and fantastic occasions. They really do bring people together. Young and old, local and visitor, families and civic leaders all mix in an emotional celebration of local pride and history.

Another great thing about these events is that they combine a tremendous sense of localism with a strong linkage to our region-wide culture and heritage. Every one is different – I was particularly moved by the riding out to Flodden during Coldstream Civic Week, for instance – but there’s a strong common thread running through them too.

At each festival, you meet not just people from that community, but also from other towns – everyone supports each other. There may be a great friendly – and sometimes not so friendly! – rivalry between Borders towns and villages, but these gatherings bring shared passion, unbreakable bonds and real togetherness.

I particularly like the way official representatives from different communities go to neighbouring events, as well as the principals, their supporting teams and partners. That builds strong, resilient friendships that last a lifetime. It forges us as Borderers and really helps to define who we are.

I also have huge respect for the fortitude and constitution of those who take part. They really do give it their all and many of the festivals start very early and go on until late in the evening. People really do know how to party!

It’s nice to see, though, that at the same time they’re never frivolous. Everyone involved puts every bit of themselves into making the event a success, doing things properly and with great dignity.

The motto of the Coldstream Guards, who play a part in their town’s Civic Week, is “Nulli Secundus”. That sums up our festivals and common ridings – in English, “Second to None”.