Social justice secretary Alex Neil has announced £1.7 million of funding to help revitalise and regenerate town centres across Scotland.

The fund is open to community organisations to support capital projects which will make real and lasting improvements to town centres.

Mr Neil said: “Scotland’s town centres need to be fit for the 21st century, offering a diverse range of businesses, services and activities that meet local demand. There are already a few examples of communities getting involved in their town centres, introducing innovation and helping to reclaim them as vibrant social spaces.”

An armed robber who threatened to shoot an 80-year-old Borders woman during a raid at her remote cottage was jailed for five years and 10 months today.

A judge condemned the “callous circumstances” of Taylor Wright’s crimes and told him he would have sentenced him to eight years’ imprisonment but for his guilty plea.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Sheila Turnbull now fears living alone at the house in the Yarrow Valley which she has called home for about 60 years.

Lord Brailsford said that in a victim impact statement she had prepared, she said she was so frightened that she feared she could not live there for another winter and added: “The crime is on my mind every day.”

The judge told Wright: “You knew the victim and her vulnerability occasioned by her age and domestic circumstances.”

Lord Brailsford pointed out that Wright, who has previous convictions for offences of dishonesty, had been assessed as posing a high risk of re-offending and causing further harm.

The judge said: “Your principle problem appears to relate to alcohol misuse.”

The court heard that the robber had spent a part of his childhood living at a neighbouring farm in the Yarrow Valley.

Advocate depute Peter McCormack earlier said Mrs Turnbull had suffered angina pain during the raid, but was not physically injured. But he added: “The experience has had a profound psychological impact on her.”

In her statement, she said: “I am so frightened, I feel I cannot live here for another winter when the nights are long and dark.”

Wright, 21, was armed with a spray-painted BB gun which his victim believed was real and robbed her of cash and a bank card after getting her to reveal her PIN number.

He also robbed her of her car to make his getaway before using her bank card to get more cash from an ATM in Selkirk.

Unemployed Wright, of no fixed abode, earlier admitted assaulting and robbing his victim at the cottage on March 18 this year while possessing an imitation firearm and after being freed on bail in November last year. He also admitted using the bank card to steal money from the cash machine on the same day and attempting to defeat the ends of justice by putting his victim’s mobile phone in water, disconnecting a land-line phone and removing her care alarm from a wall.

Mr McCormack said on the day of the crime the pensioner had collected her Ford Fusion car from a garage in Selkirk before returning to the cottage. She was putting away shopping when she heard tapping at the living room window.

The prosecutor said: “She saw the accused pointing towards the front door. She did not recognise him, but assumed that he may have been from the garage and opened the door to him. When she opened the door the accused pointed an imitation firearm towards her chest and said words to the effect of ‘I won’t hurt you if you do what I tell you to do’.

“The weapon appeared real to Mrs Turnbull, who was terrified.” She sat down in an armchair shaking, crying and covering her face.

Wright continued to point the gun at her and repeatedly threatened to shoot her and demanded cash, claiming he needed £6,000 for a gambling debt.

Mrs Turnbull said she did not have that kind of money, but Wright claimed that he knew she was rich.

The victim got her handbag and gave him £60. But he also took her purse and withdrew her bank card from it and demanded her PIN number and she revealed the code.

Wright told her: “You’d better be telling me the truth or I’ll shoot you.” He asked her to repeat the number, which she did.

The prosecutor said: “As this was happening, Mrs Turnbull began to feel some angina pain in her chest.”

Wright found another bank card, but she told him it was for an account that she did not use and she did not know the security code. He repeatedly threatened to shoot her again if she did not give him the number.

Mr McCormack said: “She was tearful and begged him not to shoot her.”

Wright took her car keys and some bottles of wine she had received as birthday presents and left, but found he could not start her car which had an automatic transmission. He came back into the cottage and asked her to show him how to start the vehicle, which she did.

He told his victim: “Don’t tell the police or I will come back and shoot you.”

The court heard that during the ordeal Mrs Turnbull had asked Wright if he was someone she may have known as a child, but no longer recognised.

Mr McCormack said: “One of the names she suggested to him was ‘Taylor’, the name of a youth who had lived at a neighbouring farm, whom she had not seen for about five years. He denied being that person.”

After the raider fled his victim found her mobile in the kitchen sink and tried to dry it out and after about 10 minutes was able to call relatives.

Wright later met up with others after taking money from a cash machine and told them he had robbed a woman near Selkirk. He said he knew the woman when he was a young boy and that she lived near where he had stayed.

Police discovered that Wright had been at a house in Galashiels and detained him there. They also found out that he had stayed at a farmhouse near to Mrs Turnbull’s home from May 2007 to January 2008.

Officers found the victim’s car in Selkirk with the imitation handgun in the back. Wright’s DNA was recovered from the weapon.

Defence counsel Victoria Dow said that Wright regretted the offences and could not quite believe what he had done.

She said he had “a troubled upbringing”, and had suffered from anxiety and depression.

If you want to have your say on what should replace Council Tax as a fairer way of funding public services, now is the chance to do so.

A public interactive discussion is being held in the Volunteer Hall, St John Street, Galashiels on Monday, September 25, from 7pm to hear what you think might - and might not - be a fairer way of raising the £2 billion presently collected from Council Tax in Scotland.

It is organised by the Commission on Local Tax Reform - established by the Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) to look at alternative ways of local taxation in Scotland

Nearly every one of the 2.4 million households in Scotland is liable for Council Tax. The £2 billion raised through Council Tax is about 15% of the money spent by Scotland’s councils on street cleaning, bin collections, schooling, care services etc.

Many regard the current system as unfair and the Commission on Local Tax Reform has been tasked to examine alternatives. It sees councillors and MSPs from across Scotland’s political parties, including Councillor Catriona Bhatia from Scottish Borders Council, working alongside people from business and civic society to explore and understand a range of alternatives.

To book your place at the event, please pre-register online at http://galashiels.eventbrite.co.uk, email info@localtaxcommission.scot or call 0131 474 9332.

The importance of EU subsidies to rural businesses in the Borders has been underlined by new data published by the UK government.

The Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has revealed that payments worth nearly £54m were disbursed in the region in the 12 months to October 15, 2014.

The payments cover a range of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) support to secure jobs, encourage tourism and environmental projects and promote afforestation on agricultural land as well as the most common subsidy via the single area payment scheme.

“The UK Government remains committed to full transparency in the use of public funds, including the publication of details about all payments made under the CAP,” states DEFRA’s website.

Thus every CAP subsidy paid to farm businesses is listed by post code with the TD5 area (Kelso) revealed as the biggest beneficiary with £10.3m disbursed, followed by TD11 (Duns) with £8.3m and TD9 (Hawick) with £7.9m.

“There is no doubt farmers in the Borders depend and benefit hugely from CAP payments and they will clearly be concerned about what will happen to these important subsidies in the event of a ‘no’ vote in the referendum on EU membership,” said Borders MP Calum Kerr, the SNP’s Westminster spokesperson on rural affairs.

However, Mr Kerr said he and his party would continue to fight for a better CAP deal for Scottish farmers after the decision of the UK Government in 2013 not to pass on the so-called convergence uplift of €230m to Scotland.

“We need a fair and secure deal for our vital rural economy which already has some of the lowest CAP allocations in Europe,” he added. “That is why I am delighted the government will look again at EU convergence uplift payments.”

WHERE THE BIGGER SUBSIDIES WENT

Galashiels (TD1) - total payments £3.51m, including L. G. Litchfield (£378,366) and William Montgomery (£195,477).

Lauder (TD2) - £2.26m, including William Barr & Co. (£190,388) and Firm of Sutherland (£183,517).

Gordon (TD3) - £2.14m, including J. & T. MacFarlane (£736,918) and G. McDougall (£338,385).

Earlston (TD4) - £1.29m, including Fans Farming (£235,614) and J. W. Fullarton & Sons (£225,597).

Kelso (TD5) - £10.30m, including Floors Farming (£329,949) and T. W. & T. B. Edgar (£328,470).

Melrose/St Boswells (TD6) - £2.61m, including Mertoun Estates (£201,924) and Maxwell of Faughhill (£162,145).

Hawick (TD9) - £7.94m, including H. & M. Farms (£250,219) and W. R. Girvan of Berryfell (£180,449).

Duns (TD10) - £1.88m, including J. C. & K. C. Constable (£195,643) and John Mitchell & Co. (£166,192).

Duns (TD11) - £8.29m, including MacFarlane Farms (£413,594) and R. & J. McDonald (£321,420).

Coldstream/Cornhill (TD12) - £1.25m, including S. & D. Blaylock (£134,141) and C. A. Ramsay (£122,869).

Cockburnspath (TD13) - £593,476, including J. P. H. Wight (£161,767).

Eyemouth (TD14) - £1.82m, including J. Fullarton & Son (£134,317) and P. T. Edmonson (£106,206).

Peebles (EH45) - £2.39m, including J. P. Campbell (£352,656) and Glenrath Farms (£130,134).

Gala 26

Hawick 33

This was a good exercise for both sides – it showed Hawick coaches the tenacious side of their players, and it gave Gala a good way to get a lackadaisical second half out of their system without any real damage.

Luke Pettie opened the scoring for the Maroons under a pile of bodies, with David O’Hagan adding the extras.

Hawick’s new South African signing Wiaan Girebenow grabbed a try, which was converted by Neil Renwick to tie.

But Gala pulled away with another Pettie touchdown, converted by O’Hagan, who missed the afters following a try from George Graham.

This left the Netherdale side 19-7 up at half-time and looking fairly comfortable.

And when Graham went over for his second score, converted by O’Hagan, there looked no way back for the Greens.

However, no-one told Hawick this and a stunning period saw tries coming from John Coutts, Shawn Muir, Lee Armstrong and Rory Hutton, three of them converted by Renwick, saw the Teries take an unlikely victory.

If anything, it was a warning from the Green Machine to their Premiership opponents for the coming season.

And for Gala – so often the nearly men in recent years – it was a reminder that they have to perform for the entire 80 minutes in every game if they want to get anything out of the season.

Selkirk27

Kelso11

Selkirk survived a surprise scare against Kelso at Philliphaugh on Saturday, the Souters eventually squeezing out a hard-fought victory.

Early insouciance turned into frantic desperation for Selkirk, but despite being second best in a number of set-pieces and lamentably disorganised at the breakdown, a 10-point second half effort and complete shut-out of Kelso ensured the home side joined Melrose atop the Border League.

A first half brace from Selkirk hooker James Batt and seven points from the boot of Cameron Gregory-Ring against an Ian Wallace touchdown and a pair of Andrew Skeen penalties for Kelso left the scores finely balanced at 17-11 at the half-time interval.

The second 40 minutes proved to be one-way traffic, as Lewis MacLennan latched onto a wild Dom Buckley pass to race the length of the pitch before new signing Cata Gaur sneaked over from close-range, following a catch-and-drive line-out, to secure the bonus-point victory.

The major disappointment for Selkirk supporters and for their coaching staff was that the home side looked at times slick, sharp and penetrative with the ball in hand, but far too often appeared to lack any consistent understanding between themselves, with passes dropped or misplaced.

“ It’s a good win, but there are a number of things still needing work,” said Selkirk’s James Belt. “We started slow, but picked things up in the second half. Overall, it wasn’t really the performance we were looking for as we prepare for Gala this weekend.

“We have a number of new boys who joined the club this off-season so performances like that are always possible, but ahead of this weekend we are going to have to step up a level if we are going to compete in the Premiership this season.”

Kelso caused Selkirk problems throughout, growing with confidence as the game progressed.

The visitors went close to doing more than causing the home side a fright, but despite some neat interplay were ultimately thwarted by their inexperience and lack of depth.

“We had seven 18-year olds making the step-up from the Harlequins and they managed to log some valuable first-team experience, and acquitted themselves well, which aside from everything else, was a very big positive for us to take,” said Kelso head coach Adam Roxburgh.

Peebles5

Melrose78

Melrose kept up the heat at the top of the Booker Border League with a thumping victory at the Gytes.

The match, played in bright sunshine, saw two sin-binnings in the first minute – for Andrew Muir and James Head.

Sam Pecquer opened the scoring for the visitors, Joe Helps converting.

Further first-half tries came from Bruce Dick (2), Fraser Thomson, Struan Hutchison (2), Grant Runciman, another two from Pecqueur, Helps supplying the requisite conversions to make the half-time score 0-57.

Peebles came out for the second half with more intent. Unfortunately, just a metre short, they spilled the ball over the line to Thomson, who took off from behind his own goal-line running the length of the pitch for his second try, converted by Helps.

Despite this, Peebles did get their touchdown, with Greg Raeburn crossing in the right corner.

Normal service resumed, however, and Melrose added to their tally through Neil Irvine-Hess – gratefully taking the ball from Thomson, who had made the break – and Graeme Dodds, who dived over for Melrose’s 12th try.

Helps added the extras to both tries to bring the scoring to an end.

The decision to site a visitor centre for the Great Tapestry of Scotland at Tweedbank’s industrial estate is to be reviewed by Scottish Borders Council’s watchdog scrutiny committee.

The request has come from Ettrick and Yarrow Community Council.

The rural body is seeking a review of “the whole process through which the decision appears to have been taken by SBC councillors”.

In particular, the community council wants the committee to “scrutinise the extent to which a full option appraisal was undertaken of all possible sites and that the detailed business case was presented for all options prior to any decision being made”.

Scrutiny committee chairman Councillor Gavin Logan said the review would take place “as soon as is practicably possible”.

Meanwhile, SBC’s planning application for the new building has now elicited 57 letters of objection with, as yet, no individual submissions of support.

The bid is due to be considered by the council’s planning committee on either September 7 or October 5.

The implementation of a new outsourced information and communications technology (ICT) service for Scottish Borders Council – in a shared arrangement with Edinburgh City Council – has been delayed.

A report on the future of the 80-strong in-house department at Newtown was due to be presented to councillors in October.

But a meeting of SBC’s executive heard this would be delayed until December following the announcement last month that Canadian IT giant CGI has won a seven-year contract to replace BT as the provider of ICT services to the city council.

“Once we have access to the proposals that CGI have put forward, the suitability and cost of individual services can be further examined,” said Rob Dickson, SBC’s corporate transformation director.

“This analysis and engagement phase will now run through September and October.

“It is now planned to finalise the full proposal on December 17.”

The region’s giant landfill site at Easter Langlee near Galashiels is set to be consigned to the dustbin of history.

Elected members of Scottish Borders Council are being asked today to approve the decommissioning of the dump and its replacement with a waste transfer station (WTS) at a capital cost of over £6million.

The bulk of this will be spent in 2017/18 when landfill capacity at the site, which handles an annual 40,000 tonnes of household and commercial residual waste, will be exhausted.

When the WTS is operational, rubbish will be hauled to Easter Langlee before being transported to treatment facilities outwith the Borders.

Driving the recommendation from SBC’s waste manager Ross Sharp-Dent are two key factors – the Scottish Government’s ban of on all biodegradable waste going to landfill by January 1, 2021, and the collapse of a deal, signed in 2012, to provide an advanced treatment plant (ATP) at Easter Langlee.

That latter facility, which would have diverted 80% of all residual waste from landfill, was due to be delivered by New Earth Solutions (NES), but the council scrapped the contract in February because the technology was untested and the firm could not attract the required private investment.

SBC was then forced to write off the £2million it had spent on the failed procurement.

The council is set to miss the Scottish Government’s target by some margin with 63% (40,000 tonnes) of collected waste currently going to landfill – up 5% on last year and due to the withdrawal of kerbside garden waste collections.

“In order to comply…the council will either have to treat its biodegradable municipal waste in the Borders prior to landfill or transfer it out of the Borders for treatment,” states Mr Sharp-Dent in his report to today’s full council meeting.

After an “options appraisal”, which included creating more landfill capacity at Easter Langlee, he is recommending the latter course of action.

“An urgent decision needs to be taken,” he adds.

The transfer station will be situated on the part of the Easter Langlee site which had been earmarked for the NES plant.

The future destination of Borders waste will be determined by another procurement exercise when treatment plant operators from outwith the region will be invited to tender for the contract.

Mr Sharp-Dent states: “There are now a number of treatment facilities with capacity, either operational or in the process of being developed, outwith the region within reach of the Borders. Gate fees for merchant treatment capacity are becoming increasingly competitive.”

The transportation of 40,000 tonnes of Borders waste in standard 26-tonne lorries, would involve 1,163 journeys.

The new walled garden in Hawick’s Wilton Lodge Park, part of the £3.64million regeneration project has opened to the public.

The improved facility has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Scottish Borders Council (SBC).

The new walled garden will aim to be a centre of community horticulture and training, with volunteers having played a key role in its development.

Their work on the overall project was recognised by a Volunteer Friendly Award last year from Volunteer Centre Borders.

The opening of the walled garden follows the opening of the Zandra Elliot Bandstand in April, which has been a popular addition with Sunday performances throughout the summer, and the opening of the new park gallery in Hawick Museum in June.

Next year will see a new café open and the creation of a new play park alongside other improvements, with the regeneration project aiming to improve the quality and standard of Wilton Lodge Park for Hawick residents and visitors in the long term.

A garden was officially opened in a ceremony yesterday (Tuesday 25 August) by one of the volunteers, Barbara Brzyk, alongside Councillor Gordon Edgar, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Roads and Infrastructure, and a number of Hawick councillors.

Cllr Edgar said: “It is fantastic to see the walled garden finally open and I am sure members of the public will be impressed with the final result.

“The Wilton Lodge Park regeneration project aims to improve the quality and standard of the park for Hawick residents and visitors in the longer term.

“The work to the walled garden certainly fits these aims, and alongside the work already carried out with the Elliot Bandstand and the new park gallery in Hawick Museum, we are starting to see the benefits of the regeneration project.”

Councillor David Paterson, SBC’s Executive Member for Environmental Services, added: “I would like to thank the volunteers who have put in hours of hard work to make the walled garden look at its best, with its colourful flowers, vegetables and fruit.

“They have already been acknowledged with a Volunteer Centre Borders Award and I am sure visitors to the walled garden will appreciate the effort they have put in.”

In a bid to boost their ailing season, Berwick have signed Anders Mellgren from Sweden.

Mellgren, who previously raced with Rye House, joins the Bandits as a replacement for fellow countryman Alex Edberg, who has returned home.

Mellgren will make his debut this weekend against Edinburgh on Friday, and also in the home and away fixtures against Workington.

He will ride at number two, enabling Fernando Garcia to drop down to reserve.

Promoter John Anderson said: “We need to try and win some meetings between now and the end of the season - and put a smile back on the faces of the supporters,.”

Meanwhile, another Swede, Mathias Thomblom has also returned home after aggravating injuries in a fall at Scunthorpe last Friday.

Berwick will utilise the guest replacement rule whilst rider replacement will continue for the injured Claus Vissing.

Eildon Housing Association’s sheltered housing service has received an excellent report following a recent inspection by the Care Inspectorate.

The Care Inspector visited Eildon’s sheltered locations which are based in Melrose, Galashiels, Hawick and Peebles where they found the service to be “very good” across the board, with some aspects rated “excellent”, which is the highest possible grade.

The report takes into account the views of the people using the service who had completed questionnaires.

One tenant confirmed: “I feel very happy and secure living here. The staff are wonderful and the place meets my needs.”

Another added: “I am sure I’m being treated better than the Queen!”

The report covered quality of care and support, quality of staffing and the quality of management and leadership and all were rated as “very good”.

The crumbling lay-by wall at the centre of a row in Stow sits in a legal ‘no man’s land’, it has emerged.

The wall, situated near to the historic ‘Packhorse Bridge’ across the Gala Water at the southern entrance to the village, is next to a lay-by on the busy A7.

Recent efforts to stop large lorries pulling into the lay-by and possibly damaging the wall further saw flower planters installed.

But while some community councillors want something done, Scottish Borders Council appears to have no responsibility for the wall.

Local Scottish Borders Council member Sandy Aitchison says when Stow became part of Selkirkshire followed by the changes to local government, this area seems not to have been transferred in the asset list and therefore appears not to belong to anyone.

“What is not in question is that the wall is in a very poor state. SBC declares it does not own it and the adjacent land owner has no responsibility for the wall,” he said.

“The council is monitoring wall movement and it is definitely moving, but only in millimetres. The point at issue here is, when it will have move sufficiently to actually fall over.

“This lay-by should be a tourist asset to the village and it is sad to see the entrance to the village blighted by this awful looking wall.”

Community councillor Alastair Riddel has repeatedly called for urgent action, believing it is only a matter of time before the wall collapses: “A lot of people stop there for the view, but that wall is moving all the time and something needs done soon.

“It’s sheer stupidity that nothing is being done because if that wall collapses, it could be very dangerous and the costs involved horrendous.”

Plans are in place for a plethora of shops and businesses in Kelso to open their doors this Sunday and capitalise on two major events taking place.

The initiative is one of the first from a new group of local business owners and other prominent individuals.

They have taken over the running of the website, Visit Kelso, (www.visitkelso.com), which was originally set up by the town’s chamber of trade.

The aim is now to make the website the major focal point for businesses, events and information for people within Kelso and for attracting additional visitors to the town.

The group involved is currently also taking an interest in lots of other initiatives, including bike painting for the up and coming Tour of Britain national cycling event.

The group’s meetings are chaired by Karen Hume who told us this week: “The Sunday opening is a one-off experiment to tap into the bank holiday weekend and the increased footfall in the town from several major events, like the Floors Castle pipes and drums and the Honda Goldwings rally.

“We have a lot of shops and businesses on board with opening this Sunday, with at least 20 definitely confirmed, and if it proves successful then we may look to repeat it.

“A couple of shops in the town have already been opening every Sunday in August already.”

But Mrs Hume says it is a big decision for many businesses to try Sunday opening: “There is a mixed appetite among shop owners and businesses in Kelso about Sunday opening.

“It is a big decision - because we have so many independent family-owned businesses, it means they are giving up their only day off or have to hire extra staff.

“So hopefully, this Sunday’s trial of a mass Sunday opening will be a hit with visitors and locals alike.”

The group behind the Sunday opening initiative and now running the website is made up of individuals who have a particular interest in the town, and ranges from shop owners, business owners, including many from the hospitality sector, and other prominent individuals within the town.

As well as the Honda Goldwings motorcycle rally at the town’s Springwood Park, which opens to the public on Sunday, visitors are expected to stream into Kelso for the Floors Castle Massed Pipes and Drums event.

Now a well-established tradition, the Massed Pipe Band event was initiated by the present duke’s father, who recognised that the spectacular setting of the castle provided the most evocative backdrop for an event of this nature.

The event will feature over 140 pipes and drums from across the Borders and the Lothians.

An anxious wait of several weeks for the citizens of Melrose has finally ended with news the town has won its bid for Fairtrade Town status.

More than 18 months of hard work means Melrose now joins over 600 similar towns across the UK that have successfully shown the benefits of raising awareness of how the Fairtrade scheme benefits producers and farmers in developing countries, as well as encouraging positive support for local retailers and businesses.

In the Borders, Melrose now takes its place alongside Selkirk and Peebles, which have already achieved Fairtrade Town accreditation.

The Melrose team satisfied the five goals set by the Fairtrade Foundation for Fairtrade Town status, including a far-reaching awareness raising campaign, encouraging local businesses, community groups, churches and schools to stock and use Fairtrade products, undertaking local surveys and maintaining a local steering group to manage the process.

The Melrose group was supported in its application by Scottish Borders Council, which recently renewed its own commitment to using Fairtrade products.

The success of the application was due in large measure to a range of local support. Melrose Primary School was a key partner from the outset and local retailers responded by stocking a growing number of Fairtrade products and providing a promotional shop window.

Melrose group secretary Dave Potts told us: “Our awareness raising campaign has certainly been helped by coverage we have received in the local media on a very regular basis.

“I would also pay tribute to the small group of volunteers who are the management committee, and with other group members, have continued to work diligently towards our goal of Fairtrade Town status.”

Having achieved its first goal, the group must now continue to make progress to retain the status as this will be assessed again by the Fairtrade Foundation in 12 months’ time.

Plans for the next year include seeking to ‘badge’ local shops and businesses that stock/use Fairtrade products, develop and expand work with local schools, produce a small local Fairtrade directory and create a social media and on-line identity.

The £40,000 perimeter fence erected around Stow Primary School has been slammed as “totally inadequate”.

Joanne McBeath, who has three children at the school and is a member of its parent council, is shocked at the cost and standard of the fence constructed over the summer.

The fence was agreed by Scottish Borders Council as part of a £97,000 package of safety measures at the school, which is adjacent to the new railway. But Mrs McBeath claimed the fence does not provide a safe boundary between the school and Station Road, which will get much busier when the railway opens next month.

She said: “It should also deter children from leaving school and accessing the station, but it’s totally inadequate with a large gap between the top and bottom horizontal bars which children can climb through with ease. This is symptomatic of the half-hearted attempts to tackle the challenges posed by the changed circumstances for the school.”

Community councillor Alistair Riddell agreed: “The kids can easily get through this fence – this has been a waste of money.”

SBC said the front perimeter fence is designed to prevent children running onto the road; direct visitors to the main entrance and divert rail passengers away from the school. Plus, new beech hedging will augment the fence.

Local Scottish Borders councillor Sandy Aitchison, executive member for education, added: “We’re aware of concerns of parents and are active in trying to resolve these issues.”

A teenager who was hospitalised after taking a mystery pink tablet was arrested for having a knuckle duster in the street just 24 hours after his release.

Connor Jackson, 18, was among a group of 10 young males in Hawick, who fell ill last week after taking the unidentified substance.

But during the early hours of Sunday morning he was said to be searching for the person who had provided the drug while intoxicated and in possession of the offensive weapon.

Jackson was arrested by police who were concerned at his behaviour and he appeared from custody on Monday at Jedburgh Sheriff Court where he pleaded guilty to having the knuckle dusterpossession.

Deferring for background reports Sheriff Peter Paterson said it was “astonishing” that, after being hospitalised for consuming some sort of drug, Jackson was back out on the street 24 hours later intoxicated.

The sheriff told him: “You seem incapable of learning a lesson in life. Instead you tried to take the law into your own hands looking for the people involved. A custodial sentence is upper most in the court’s mind. The court will not allow people to take the law into their hands whatever the circumstances.”

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said Jackson and another male were seen walking in Hawick’s Dovemount Place, at around 2.30am on Sunday as people were exiting a nightclub.

The prosecutor said: “He had used an unknown drug along with his brother and had just been released from hospital. It appeared to the police officers he was intoxicated and in an angry mood. He was looking for the person who had provided the drug. The police were concerned about his behaviour. A knuckle duster was found in his pocket.”

Jackson, of Teviotdale Court, Hawick, who claimed he found the knuckle duster lying on the ground. Sentence was deferred until September 22 for a Criminal Justice Social Work report to be prepared.

Jackson was released on bail by Sheriff Paterson.

Police Scotland said in total 10 teenagers as young as 14 had been treated at the Borders General Hospital as a result of consuming the as yet unidentified pink-coloured tablet which had been circulating in the Hawick area. They have all since been discharged from hospital.

And Police Scotland yesterday issued an image of the pink pills - described as being about the size of a pea - which they believe to be responsible and urged people to be vigilant.

Detective Inspector Steven Bertram, of Police Scotland, warned: “There may be more of these pills in circulation in the Hawick area, and possibly even farther afield, and I would ask people to please be vigilant and contact police if you are offered this pill or have information relevant to our ongoing enquiries.

Meanwhile, also at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, Jamie Bonnor Thomson, 19, from Hawick, appeared in private charged with culpable and reckless conduct in connection with the youngsters falling ill.

He made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination. Thomson was remanded in custody is expected back in court early next week.

Cricket

Saturday, August 22

ESCA Division One

Edinburgh Accies (20) beat St Boswells (2) by 8 wkts. At Newfield

St Boswells

J Goodman c A Cosh b Y Khanchi 0

C McNeill b T Banerjee 24

S Broom c S Cosh b L Mann 6

R Young b C De Haan 24

J Broom Run Out (A Cosh) 5

J Flynn b T Banerjee 1

K White c A Rawlins b C De Haan 0

J Chambers b M Gani 13

S Laidlaw lbw b M Gani 22

J Gillan b T Banerjee 0

K Farnish Not Out 1

Extras 4b 4w 8

TOTAL All Out (29.2 ovs) 104

Bowling: Y Khanchi 1-15, L Mann 1-32, T Banerjee 3-19, C De Haan 2-17, M Gani 2-17.

Edinburgh Accies

A Cosh Not Out 58

S Cosh b J Flynn 5

Y Khanchi b J Broom 33

C De Haan Not Out 10

Extras 1b 1

TOTAL for 2 wkts (14.1 ovs) 107

Bowling: J Goodman 0-20, J Flynn 1-16, R Young 0-23, J Broom 1-27, S Broom 0-12, C McNeill 0-8.

Dunnikier (20) beat Gala (7) by 19 runs. At Meigle Park

Dunnikier

A Yousaf c K Gallagher b D Moir 1

S Rowley Run Out 7

T Aziz c D Boland b J Halls 50

F Rafi b J Halls 19

M Sharif b D Tharanga 21

S Mohammed c R Irvine b R Pringle 4

U Asim lbw b R Pringle 0

M Safi c D Millar b D Moir 0

M Fareed lbw b R Pringle 0

R Yousaf b R Pringle 2

B Shahzad Not Out 1

Extras 4b 4

TOTAL All Out (34.5 ovs) 109

Bowling: D Tharanga 1-22, D Moir 2-11, M Jones 0-18, R Irvine 0-11, R Pringle 4-22, J Halls 2-21.

Gala

S Halls lbw b S Rowley 20

J Halls lbw b B Shahzad 5

D Boland lbw b B Shahzad 0

D Millar c T Aziz b B Shahzad 0

M Jones c A Yousaf b M Fareed 0

D Tharanga b S Rowley 2

K Gallagher lbw b M Safi 1

R Irvine c S Mohammed b M Sharif 19

D Moir lbw b S Rowley 0

K Paterson c S Mohammed b M Sharif 8

R Pringle Not Out 13

Extras 15b 4lb 3w 22

TOTAL All Out (38.5 ovs) 90

Bowling: M Fareed 1-8, B Shahzad 3-10, S Rowley 3-8, M Safi 1-10, T Aziz 0-2, A Yousaf 0-1, S Mohammed 0-20, M Sharif 2-13.

Musselburgh (20) beat Kelso (6) by 20 runs (ELC). At Shedden Park

Kelso

C Adams c D Burton b R Ullah 69

GJ Davidson b J Robertson 0

MI Henderson c V Devaraj b N Zahir 8

TH Grindell b R Ullah 24

SD Patterson b R Ullah 27

BM Grindell b A Ahmed 28

JW Gibson c V Devaraj b H Verma 3

D Wilson c&b H Verma 18

C Davidson Not Out 2

S Cessford Not Out 1

Extras 5b 5

TOTAL for 8 wkts (50 ovs) 189

Bowling: J Robertson 1-43, H Verma 2-25, N Zahir 1-19, D Burton 0-40, R Ullah 3-19, J Allen 0-11, A Ahmed 1-27.

Musselburgh

R Ullah Not Out 53

E Gatner b C Adams 50

D Solanki c TH Grindell b C Davidson 6

R Tufail Not Out 60

Extras 2b 1w 3

TOTAL for 2 wkts (44.1 ovs) 172

Bowling: S Cessford 0-23, GJ Davidson 0-22, SD Patterson 0-26, C Davidson 1-47, C Adams 1-32, BM Grindell 0-20.

P W T L pts %

Kelso 18 13 1 4 297 82.50

*Dunnikier 13 12 0 1 207 79.62

Gala 18 10 1 7 261 72.50

Musselburgh 16 8 0 8 212 66.25

Edinburgh Accies 16 8 0 8 203 63.44

Heriots 2 14 7 0 7 177 63.22

+Watsonians 2 16 6 1 9 193 60.32

~E Knights U18 7 3 0 4 80 57.15

West Lothian 16 7 0 9 179 55.94

Edinburgh South 19 6 0 13 182 47.90

#St Boswells 15 2 1 12 87 29.00

*deducted 40 points - from last season

+deducted 5 points - late and incomplete match return

#deducted 5 points - default on day of game (rule 15.4)& conceded 1 match

~conceded 1 match

ESCA Division three

Leith FAB (20) beat Selkirk (5) by 120 runs. At Leith Links

Leith FAB

N Dicks b J Reid 12

J Krengel c R Banks b K Paterson 1

Z Ali b K Paterson 14

M McKean b J Reid 0

Wh Shah Not Out 140

R Patel st M Ford b R Banks 3

Wq Shah c J Graham b D Gardiner 17

S Middleton c B Gillie b K Paterson 6

J Secker c&b R Banks 2

D McDonald Run Out (H Murphy) 0

G Fisher Run Out (J Reid) 0

Extras 9b 2lb 3w 14

TOTAL All Out (44.5 ovs) 209

Bowling: K Paterson 3-27, J Reid 2-30, D Gardiner 1-48, R Banks 1-33, J Graham 0-29, B Gillie 0-25, I Gardiner 0-6.

Selkirk

J Graham c D McDonald b Wq Shah 10

N Gentleman b Wq Shah 2

R Banks b Wh Shah 1

J Reid c&b Wq Shah 24

H Murphy b Wq Shah 0

A Massie b S Middleton 6

D Gardiner c Z Ali b R Patel 22

B Gillie c J Krengel b S Middleton 6

K Paterson c Wq Shah b G Fisher 5

I Gardiner b G Fisher 2

M Ford Not Out 0

Extras 8b 1lb 1w 1nb 11

TOTAL All Out (28.1 ovs) 89

Bowling: Wq Shah 4-14, Wh Shah 1-24, R Patel 1-18, S Middleton 2-19, G Fisher 2-5.

P W T L pts %

Kirk Brae 17 13 0 4 287 84.42

RHC 2 17 11 0 6 266 78.24

Carlton 3 18 11 0 7 273 75.84

Drummond Trinity 16 10 0 6 233 72.82

MDAFS 2 15 7 0 8 183 61.00

Boroughmuir 17 7 0 10 192 56.48

Selkirk 16 7 0 9 176 55.00

Haddington 17 6 0 11 184 54.12

Dunf & Carnegie 17 6 0 11 172 50.59

Leith FAB 18 6 0 12 170 47.23

ESCA Division five

Peebles County (20) beat Drummond Trinity 2 (3) by 112 runs. At Inverleith Park

Peebles County

R Waddell b T Turpie 14

S Axon C G Modi b T Khan 49

S Caddick b N Podugu 23

P Caddick b N Podugu 45

J Knight b T Khan 10

D Gray Not Out 11

S Slater Not Out 3

Extras 3b 5lb 4w 1nb 13

TOTAL for 5 wkts (45 ovs) 168

Bowling: T Khan 2-28, T Turpie 1-26, GR Weatherstone 0-21, N Kadain 0-33, N Podugu 2-35, S Coulson 0-17.

Drummond Trinity 2

K McLellan c S Caddick b S Slater 4

B Khan c J Pace b S Slater 2

S Coulson b S Slater 3

N Podugu b J Knight 3

G McCallum c S Caddick b J Knight 20

N Kadain c P Caddick b N Burns 3

G Modi b D Gray 2

T Turpie c S Axon b J Knight 8

T Khan b J Knight 0

J Morrow Not Out 3

GR Weatherstone b S Slater 0

Extras 2b 4w 2nb 8

TOTAL All Out (30.3 ovs) 56

Bowling: S Slater 3-10, N Burns 2-25, J Knight 4-14, D Gray 1-5.

P W T L pts %

*Edinburgh CC 2 15 13 0 2 271 90.34

Tranent 16 13 0 3 274 85.63

MDAFS 3 18 13 0 5 280 77.78

Heriots 3 15 8 0 7 201 67.00

**Preston Village 16 8 0 8 194 60.63

Edinburgh Ac 2 17 7 0 10 193 56.77

Stirling Co 3 13 5 0 8 146 56.16

+Peebles County 16 7 0 9 175 54.69

Drummond Trin 2 17 4 0 13 159 46.77

***Falkland 3 17 2 0 15 91 26.77

*deducted 5 points - scorebook inaccuracies

*** conceded 2 matches; **conceded 2 matches

+conceded 1 match

ESCA Division six

Melrose (20) beat Boroughmuir 2 (4) by 7 wkts. At Meggetland

Boroughmuir 2

I Mohammed c L Gaddie b S Hosney 3

A Mohammed b S Hosney 6

G Dickson b J Loftus 19

J James c R Ward b C Wilson 3

K Skidmore c L Gaddie b D King 13

K Docherty b D King 14

H Bhavsar lbw b D King 5

C Western c B Scott b D King 0

P Hutton Not Out 2

A Carson b D King 0

I McCutcheon Not Out 1

Extras 6b 6lb 15w 3nb 30

TOTAL for 9 wkts (40 ovs) 96

Bowling; J Loftus 1-7, S Hosney 2-9, D King 5-28, C Wilson 1-6, R Ward 0-20, K Paisley 0-7, M Adam 0-7.

Melrose

B Scott b I Mohammed 5

M Adam b K Docherty 8

K Paisley Not Out 52

S Hosney c H Bhavsar b C Western 7

J Loftus Not Out 8

Extras 8b 8w 1nb 17

TOTAL for 3 wkts (19 ovs) 97

Bowling: I Mohammed 1-14, A Carson 0-18, C Western 1-17, K Docherty 1-27, A Mohammed 0-13.

Hawick & Wilton (20) beat Livingston 2 (5) by 6 wkts. At Turpie & Co Sports Ground

Livingston 2

N Jarvis c S Hair b R Alexander 55

K Khalid b N Storey 9

I Khairuddin c G Alexander b P Solley 4

F Anwar c&b G Alexander 9

AH Ali c S Hair b G Alexander 8

SK Jindal c B MacTaggart b R Alexander 3

M Gray c&b N Storey 4

Q Imtiaz b N Storey 0

S Jindal c A Moffat b M Tait 11

J Jarvis b R Alexander 8

G Young Not Out 0

Extras 1lb 1w 3nb 5

TOTAL All Out (39.5 ovs) 121

Bowling: N Storey 3-17, P Solley 1-30, S Hair 0-20, G Alexander 2-14, P MacTaggart 0-21, R Alexander 2-13, M Tait 1-5.

Hawick & Wilton

G Alexander c G Young b K Khalid 36

R Alexander b AH Ali 2

N Storey c AH Ali b SK Jindal 5

A Moffat c F Anwar b K Khalid 42

E Hair Not Out 11

P MacTaggart Not Out 1

Extras 9b 1lb 17w 27

TOTAL for 4 wkts (34.1 ovs) 124

Bowling: K Khalid 2-23, AH Ali 1-15, N Jarvis 0-16, SK Jindal 1-22, F Anwar 0-12, I Khairuddin 0-10, S Jindal 0-9, J Jarvis 0-9.

P W T L pts %

OCCC 15 13 0 2 273 91.00

Hawick & Wilton 13 11 0 2 234 90.00

Dunbar 16 11 0 5 254 79.38

Livingston 2 15 9 0 6 214 71.34

SMRH 3 16 7 0 9 200 62.50

**Melrose 15 8 0 7 186 62.00

Kirk Brae 2 16 7 0 9 188 58.75

**Teuchters 15 7 0 8 165 55.00

Boroughmuir 2 16 2 0 14 105 32.82

*Dunf & Car 2 15 1 0 14 55 18.34

*deducted 10 points - late match returns & conceded 
3 matches; **conceded 2 matches

Football

wednesday, august 19

East of Scotland Qualifying Cup first Round

Tynecastle 3-0 Eyemouth United

Saturday, August 22

Lowland League

Preston Athletic 0-4 BSC Glasgow

Edinburgh Univ 2-0 Threave Rovers

Gretna 2008 1-0 Spartans

Cumbernauld Colt 0-1 Vale of Leithen

East Kilbride 5-4 Selkirk

Edinburgh City 1-4 Whitehill Welfare

Dalbeattie Star 2-2 University of Stirling

P W D L F A Pts

Edinburgh City 6 5 0 1 13 7 15

East Kilbride 5 4 0 1 18 12 12

BSC Glasgow 6 3 1 2 13 10 10

Selkirk 6 3 1 2 16 14 10

Dalbeattie Star 6 3 1 2 12 10 10

Whitehill Welfare 6 3 0 3 13 10 9

Spartans 6 2 2 2 11 10 8

Preston Athletic 5 2 1 2 4 11 7

Cumbernauld Clts 5 2 0 3 9 7 6

Gala Fairydean Rov 4 2 0 2 7 8 6

Gretna 2008 5 2 0 3 7 10 6

Univ of Stirling 5 1 2 2 8 8 5

Edinburgh Univ 4 1 0 3 4 6 3

Vale of Leithen 4 1 0 3 3 8 3

Threave Rovers 5 1 0 4 3 10 3

Fixtures: Saturday, August 29 (3pm): Lowland League: BSC Glasgow v Gretna 2008, Selkirk v Cumbernauld Colts, Spartans v Edinburgh University, Threave Rovers v Gala Fairydean Rovers, University of Stirling v Edinburgh City, Vale of Leithen v East Kilbride, Whitehill Welfare v Dalbeattie Star.

east of scotland league

Craigroyston 1-5 Leith Athletic

Eyemouth United 0-2 Duns

Kelso United 0-7 Coldstream

Lothian Thistle HV 6-0 Tynecastle

Ormiston 2-2 Burntisland Shipyard

Peebles Rovers 3-0 Hawick Royal Albert

Stirling University 3-3 Heriot-Watt University

Spartans 3-1 Civil Service Strollers

Fixtures: Friday, August 28 (7.45pm): East of Scotland League: Tynecastle v Spartans.

Saturday, August 29 (2.30pm): East of Scotland League: Burntisland Shipyard v Kelso United, Civil Service Strollers v Ormiston, Coldstream v Eyemouth United, Duns v Peebles Rovers, Hawick Royal Albert v Craigroyston, Heriot-Watt University v Lothian Thistle HV, Leith Athletic v Stirling University.

Wednesday, September 2 (7.45pm): East of Scotland League: Tynecastle v Coldstream.

border amateur league division a

Chirnside Utd 2-1 Langholm Legion

Gordon 3-1 Jed Legion

Greenlaw 1-2 Hawick Legion

Hawick Waverley 2-1 Stow

division b

Ancrum 1-5 Tweeddale Rovers

Duns Reserves 4-1 Gala Hotspur

Earlston Rhymers 1-2 Coldstream Ams

Linton Hotspur 2-4 Eyemouth Ams

Tweedmouth Ams 2-1 Hawick Utd

division c

Biggar Utd 6-0 St Boswells

Hawick Legion Rovers 3-3 Lauder

Kelso Thistle 3-0 Melrose

Newtown 10-1 Selkirk Victoria

Peebles Ams P-P CFC Bowholm

Tuesday, August 25

border amateur league division a

Chirnside Utd 1-3 Gordon

Greenlaw 2-4 West Barns Star

Hawick Legion 4-0 Langholm Legion

Hawick Waverley 0-3 Jed Legion

Stow 3-1 Leithen Rovers

P W D L F A Pts

Gordon 4 3 1 0 11 5 10

West Barns Star 3 2 1 0 13 8 7

Hawick Legion 3 2 1 0 7 2 7

Jed Legion 4 2 1 1 9 6 7

Stow 4 2 0 2 7 5 6

Hawick Waverley 4 2 0 2 6 9 6

Chirnside Utd 3 1 0 2 6 10 3

Leithen Rovers 2 0 1 1 2 4 1

Greenlaw 3 0 1 2 5 8 1

Langholm Legion 4 0 0 4 3 12 0

Division B

Ancrum 3-1 Earlston Rhymers

Gala Hotspur 4-3 Hawick Utd

Tweedmouth Ams 6-2 Eyemouth Ams

P W D L F A Pts

Tweeddale Rovers 3 3 0 0 13 4 9

Tweedmouth Ams 3 2 1 0 10 5 7

Ancrum 4 2 1 1 8 9 7

Eyemouth Ams 3 2 0 1 10 10 6

Gala Hotspur 3 2 0 1 7 8 6

Duns Reserves 2 1 0 1 6 5 3

Coldstream Ams 1 1 0 0 2 1 3

Hawick Utd 3 0 0 3 5 8 0

Linton Hotspur 2 0 0 2 4 8 0

Earlston Rhymers 4 0 0 4 4 11 0

Division C

Biggar Utd 4-0 Peebles Ams

Hawick Legion Rovers 4-5 CFC Bowholm

Lauder 4-5 Newtown

Melrose 3-3 St. Boswells

Selkirk Victoria 3-2 Kelso Thistle

P W D L F A Pts

Biggar Utd 3 3 0 0 14 1 9

Newtown 3 3 0 0 18 7 9

CFC Bowholm 2 2 0 0 13 5 6

Peebles Ams 3 2 0 1 8 8 6

Kelso Thistle 3 1 1 1 7 5 4

Hawick Legion Rov 4 0 3 1 12 13 3

Selkirk Victoria 3 1 0 2 5 20 3

Melrose 4 0 2 2 7 13 2

Lauder 3 0 1 2 9 12 1

St. Boswells 4 0 1 3 7 16` 1

Fixtures: Thursday, August 27 (6.15): Division B: Linton Hotspur v Tweeddale Rovers.

Saturday, August 29 (2pm): Border Cup quarter-finals: Gordon v Hawick Legion, Hawick Waverley v Stow, Leithen Rovers v Langholm Legion, West Barns Star v Jed Legion. Wright Cup quarter-finals: Coldstream Ams v Tweeddale Rovers, Duns Reserves v Ancrum, Earlston Rhymers v Linton Hotspur, Tweedmouth Ams v Gala Hotspur. Collie Cup quarter-finals: CFC Bowholm v Peebles Ams, Hawick Legion Rovers v Kelso Thistle, Melrose v St Boswells.

bowls

tuesday, august 11

border ladies league

Kelso 31-25 Jedburgh

Lauder 27-29 Hawick

Melrose 24-31 Waverley

Newtown 32-26 Gala

Selkirk 32-23 Buccleuch

Wilton 49-9 Abbotsford

P W d L F a pts

Hawick 11 15 1 6 368 233 40

Wilton 11 13 2 7 333 248 35

Buccleuch 11 13 0 9 327 285.5 34

Newtown 11 12 0 10 316.5 298 30

Selkirk 11 12 0 10 305 299.5 29

Gala 11 11 1 10 272 286 29

Waverley 10 11 0 9 269 296 27

Lauder 11 10 2 10 297. 5 280 26

Jedburgh 11 10 0 12 321 288 25

Kelso 10 7 1 12 211 313 18. 5

Abbotsford 11 6 1 15 231 331 17

Melrose 11 5 2 15 260 332 15. 5

Ettrick Forest 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

tuesday, august 18

border senior league

Buccleuch 65 - 57 Peebles

Earlston/Melrose 84 - 35 St Ronans

Hawick 80 - 46 Newtown

Jedburgh 64 - 46 Gala

Selkirk/Ettrick For 63 - 55 Kelso

Wilton 56 - 51 Abbotsford

P W d L F a pts

Earlston/Melrose 19 15 0 4 1163 958 30

Selkirk/Ettrick For 19 14 0 5 1110 962 28

Wilton 19 13 0 6 1165 880 26

St Ronans 19 11 0 8 1071 1052 22

Jedburgh 18 10 1 7 1068 914 21

Gala 18 10 1 7 876 879 21

Kelso 18 10 0 8 897 907 20

Buccleuch 19 10 0 9 1033 1056 20

Hawick 19 7 0 12 1003 1091 14

Abbotsford 19 6 0 13 954 1073 12

Newtown 18 3 1 14 879 1074 7

Peebles 19 1 1 17 788 1161 3

Fixtures: Tuesday, September 1 (11am): Buccleuch v Newtown, Earlston/Melrose v Peebles, Hawick v Kelso, Jedburgh v Abbotsford, St Ronans v Gala, Wilton v Selkirk/Ettrick Forest.

wednesday, August 19

dr lightbody cup quarter-finals

Abbotsford A 85 - 45 Selkirk

Earlston 86 - 56 Waverley A

Gala A 61 - 64 Jedburgh

Hawick A 69 - 56 Kelso A

dr lightbody plate semi-finals

Kelso B 68 - 49 Waverley B

Wilton B 77 - 37 Hawick B

Final: Saturday September 12 (11.15am): Wilton B v Kelso B.

BOWLING

Abbotsford

On Tuesday, the seniors travelled to play against Hawick Wilton, the Teries having comfortably won the reverse tie in June. The return was a much closer affair, although Wilton were on top again, this time by 56-51.

The one Abbotsford triple that finished ahead was that of Tom Cass, Neil Miller and Tom Boyd.

On Wednesday, the A team played in the quarter-finals of the D.R. Lightbody Knock-out Cup at home to Selkirk. Similar to the league match played between the teams a week earlier, Abbotsford led throughout the match for a comfortable 85-45 win.

In the semi-finals, Abbotsford are at home to Earlston, while Jedburgh are at home to Hawick.

On Saturday, three club singles titles were contested. In the men’s championship, seven-times winner Tommy Mann Jnr played against defending champion Keith Campbell.

The early part of the match belonged to Campbell as he raced to a 14-2 lead. Then Mann fought back to within four shots, before Campbell resumed control to win 21-12 for his third club championship.

Meanwhile, in the ladies’ championship, five-times winner Liz Waugh was defending her title against Catriona Reid. This match was closely contested with the lead changing several times before Reid clinched victory by 21-18 for her first championship.

In the men’s presidents, Tommy Newall played against holder Graham Prentice and it was Newall who led from start to finish for a 21-11 victory.

On Sunday, the remaining singles titles were contested. In the ladies’ Presidents, holder Liz Waugh lost to Jackie Ormiston who assumed control after a tight start and pulled away for a 21-5 victory.

The men’s handicap was between the runner-up from last year, Callum Riddell, and Keith Campbell. The handicap gave Riddell a two-shot start, but he quickly took control of the match to lead 13-6. Campbell then staged a fightback, but Riddell stayed sufficiently ahead to win 21-15.

The Lawrence Wilson Memorial Trophy final was the closest of all the matches played over the weekend. The contestants were Alan Howlieson and Tommy Mann Jnr, and for both it was their first attempt at winning the over-60 title.

Howlieson had the best of the early stages and built up a 13-3 lead. Mann then gradually fought back to level at 13-13. The match remained close until the end when Mann played a perfect last bowl to win 21-20.

Coming up on Saturday, the triple of Jim Thomson, Tommy Mann Jnr and Colin Hancock will play in the Border Championships at Chirnside. Their opponents in the semi-final will be Jedburgh, with the match scheduled to begin at 12.30pm.

Hawick

Hawick Seniors entertained Newtown on Tuesday, and enjoyed a comfortable 80-46 win.

Top rink for the home side was the Bobby McDonald-skipped rink, ably supported by Drew Johnstone and Jim Gray.

Rink scores: A. Wilson 26 D. Locket 9; J.H. Reilly 13 T. Sommerville 9; G. Lyall 13 T. Paterson 21; R. McDonald 28 M. MCCall 7.

On Wednesday, the B team made the short trip to play Wilton in the KO Plate. Hawick came up against a very strong B team, featuring many players who had years of experience behind them, and the home side won 77-37.

Rink scores: T. Anderson 7 R. Redmond 29; R. Johnstone 15 K. McCartney 12; J.H. Reilly 8 W. Jaffray 14; W. Blaikie 7 K. Lyle 22.

Cycling

Kelso Wheelers

The mission, for the 15 Kelso Wheelers who chose to accept it, was to attack and conquer the 10% gradient of Redpath Rig last week.

Just a few pedal strokes short of a mile, the Rig is a short lung-bursting challenge, which Colin Stevenson proved more than equal to, powering home in 3 minutes 58 seconds.

Oscar Onley smashed his own youths’ course record, as did Audrey Power, who was tackling the Rig for the first time, in the ladies race.

Times: C. Stevenson 3.58, W. McIntosh 4.05 pb, S. Gaunt 4.24 pb, D. Burgher 4.26, O. Onley 4.37 cr/pb, J. Smith 4.48, B. Simpson 4.55 pb, D. Richardson 4.56, G. Ford 5.12 pb, W. Thomson 5.19 pb, A. Power 5.31 cr/pb, G. Dalglish 5.32, D. Easson 6.03 pb, J. Sinton 6.19, H. Graves 6.25 pb.

The Youths’ 20 Championship was also run last week, with Ben Simpson taking the honours in a new course record of 53 minutes and 40 secs.

Times: B. Simpson 53.40 cr/pb, O. Onley 57.02, F. Veitch 57.30 pb, D. Easson 65.47 pb, W. Thomson 65.59 pb.

Golf

Galashiels

Seniors Section, sponsored by John Scott (Plumbing & Heating) – Turner Cup: 1, W. J. Taylor net 37.

Dickson Cup: 1, A. Finlay net 36 bih.

Kelso

Gents – The 36-hole Tom Scott Trophy was played on Saturday and Sunday, August 15 and 16. The winner was Peter McNulty with 66 + 68 = 134.

McHutchison Trophy, August 22: 1, B. Walker 70 (6) 64; 2, K. Green 76 (10) 66.

The gents had their annual outing on Sunday, August 23, at Greenburn Golf Club. The winner of the tankard was Bob Hogarth with 38 points.

Ladies – Autumn Stroke, August 18: 1, S. Paterson 81 (6) 75 bih; 2, L. Wilson 81 (6) 75.

Captains Prize, August 22: 1, L. Wilson 43 points. Ladies’ captain Doreen Pringle also presented several special prizes on the day to S. Paterson, D. Tomlinson, L. Wilson and K. Wilson.

Lauder

Juniors holiday competition: following the play-off between Hannah and Matthew Page and Marlee Clanaghan, who were lying level after three mornings of competition, Hannah ended up the overall winner.

Ladies’ Club Championship: Bronze – Liz Bain defeated Obie Sharpe in the semi-finals to go on to play Linda Hogarth in a very close final, which resulted in Liz winning by one hole.

Silver – Venetia Scott defeated Dot Robinson in the first semi-final, Mary Fallas defeated Lynn Gray in the second semi-final.

The final was a close-run affair with Mary claiming the spoils by two holes.

Gents – Louis Scott Friday night bash, August 21: 1, M. Dunne 19pts; 2, T. Hogarth 18; 3, I. Scott 16.

Order of Merit: 1, R. Malcolm 25; 2, T. Hogarth 24; 3, M. Dunne 17 .

Gents Championship, August 23: A Class – J. Bell beat R. Hardie over 36 holes. J. Bell beat M. Whiteford in the semi-final.

B Class – semi-finals, M. Dunne beat I. Scott; S. Paton beat T. Hogarth. Final, S. Paton beat M. Dunne.

C Class – semi-finals, H. Moffat beat R. Dick; D. Bain beat S. Thompson. Final, H. Moffat beat D. Bain.

Prize money for all gents’ competitions will be distributed at the annual prizegiving on October 25.

The Mixed Open will take place on September 12, sponsored by Carrs Billington. Tee times available, contact murphy9644@btinternet.com or telephone 01578 722409.

Melrose

SLGA Brooch: 1, J. Brown 91 (19) 72.

Congratulations go to Frances Falconer and Annette Holton for winning the area finals of the Coronation Foursomes at Kingsknowe Golf Club. They will now go forward to the grand final at St Andrews over The Eden course.

Kings Arms Competition: 1, G. Hogg 68 (5) 64; 2, M.W. Gillie 77 (9) 68; 3, D. Grant 78 (9) 69. Scratch: L.M. Wallace 73.

Minto

Seniors Summer Stableford League, August 17: 1, P. Barton 37pts; 2, T. Kerr 34; 3, P. Brooks 34.

League positions: 1, J. Lunn 66pts; 2, A. Lauder 57.50; 3, T. Glendinning 57.

Tuesday Stableford, August 18: 1, S. Taylor 44pts; 2, S. Paisley 42; 3, J. Flynn 42.

Final league positions: 1, S. Paisley 227pts; 2, R. Pringle 224; 3, D. Wear 223.

Senior Gents’ match against Kelso, August 20: Minto reversed their defeat to Kelso earlier in the year, winning 6-0.

Ladies’ nine-hole competition, August 20: 1, C. Oliver 17pts; 2, C. Mackie 16; 3, J. Michie 15.

Stewart and Paula Aitchison Memorial Trophy, August 22: Gents – 1, G. Thom 80 (16) 64; 2, G. McDonagh 76 (10) 66; 3, S. Paisley 77 (11) 66. Ladies – 1, M. Towers 88 (20) 68. Juniors – 1, L. Towers 82 (18) 64. Scratch: 1, P. Gibb 72.

Fox and Hounds competition No 9, August 23: 1, R. Latta 72 (8) 66; 2, G. Morrison 75 (9) 66 (after countback); 3, F. Stevenson 82 (14) 68.

A year after Minto’s Mary Towers qualified for the SLGA Bronze Division Medal finals in Perth, Minto’s Lynn Bruce has qualified for the SLGA Silver Division Medal finals to be played on Saturday, September 5, on The Dukes Course, St Andrews.
Lynn won the South regional qualifying round at West Linton Golf Club with a brilliant net score of 71, one under par, to reach the final. She was one stroke ahead of her nearest rival and two shots ahead of the pair who tied for third place.

Roxburghe

Captain Cameron Thomson held his Captain’s Day on Saturday, August 15. A great day was had by all 40 who played.

Results: Scratch – A. Chalmers 71. Handicap – 1, D. Lambert 72 net; 2, A. Roberts 73 net; 3, J. Fanning 74 net; 4, R. Glendinning 74 net.

In the big prize draw, £750 was raised for the captain’s charity, Riding for the Disabled.

The captain thanked everyone for their generous contributions.

St Boswells

Senior Ladies Open, August 19: 1, S. Gray & M. Allen (St Boswells); 2, L. Spalding & P. Leithead (Hawick); 3, W. Davidson & I. Hume (St Boswells). Scratch: S. Horsburgh & S. Cuthbertson (Peebles).

Thanks go to Craig McNeill for presenting the course in excellent condition, ably assisted by Hamish Oliver.

Gordon Melrose Design Gents Open: 1, M. Ovens, St Boswells 67 (8) 59 – revised handicap 6.2; 2, D. Tindall, St Boswells 88 (27) 61 – revised handicap 25.3; 3, R. McLean, St Boswells 74 (13) 61 – revised handicap 11.5. Scratch: A. Lawrie, Torwoodlee, 65.

Torwoodlee

Junior Nine-hole Competition, August 17: 1, G. Anderson 61-28-33 (new handicap, 27) ; 2, L. Gillie 71-37-34 (new handicap, 36); 3, K. Anderson 55-20-35 (new handicap, 19).

Friday nine-hole competitions – junior tees rules – play from the junior tees, which are blue and marked with paint on trees in line with tee-off position. On returning their first scorecard, juniors will be issued with an unofficial handicap which will be used when playing in the competitions. Scorecards are available on the Junior noticeboard behind the door in the gents locker room.

Junior members should play with an adult who will act as a scorer. Adult non-playing members can play the course, but will be charged £2 for the nine holes and must play from the junior tees. This money will go towards medals for the junior competitors. Free entry for all Clubgolf Juniors and members.

It is suggested that adults try to accompany all younger members while playing in these competitions.

Homing

Earlston

Four members sent 74 birds to Ripon, liberated at 10.40am into a south-west wind. Result: 1, 2, 3, 4: W. Gray & Son 1692.42; 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 A.Bain 1658.35.

Galashiels

Eight members sent 119 birds to Ripon, a distance of 117 miles. Result: 1, 3, 6, J. Wyper 1404; 2, J. J. Ramage 1403; 4, G. Irvine 1353; 5, 9, Douglas & Spearman 1305; 7, Wattie Hopewell 1218; 8, Austin R. Lindores 1152; 10, Kenny G. Lawrie 1096.

Squash

Galashiels

Club Championship 2015 draw: 2014 Champion Andy Gill opens the defence of his title against Joe Eyre with a possible repeat of the 2014 final v Ian Chalmers awaiting in the quarter-final.

Draw was made by John McLean and guest Marc Brooke, adjudicated by Del Sharratt and witnessed by Ruaridh Kohler.

Draw: D. Sharratt v D. Quinn; winner v A. Niemczewski. L. Molero v L. Bertram; winner v M. Haywood. J. Barrow v R. Kohler; winner v J. Sharratt J. Eyre v A. Gill; winner v I Chalmers.

Club night friendlies: D. Sharratt 2 M. Brooke 0; R. Kohler 2 J. McLean 0; D. Sharratt 2 J. McLean 0; R. Kohler 2 M. Brooke 0; M. Brooke 2 J. McLean 0; D. Sharratt 2 R. Kohler 0; J. Barrow 2 D. Quinn 0; J. McLean 2 C. McLean 0; A. Niemczewski 2 M. Brooke 0; R. Kohler 2 R. McAleese 0; J. Barrow 2 D. Sharratt 0; J. McLean 2 D. Quinn 0; A. Gill 2 C. McLean 0; M. Brooke 2 R. McAleese 1; A. Niemczewski 2 R. Kohler 0; D. Sharratt 2 D. Quinn 0; J. Barrow 2 J. McLean 0; A. Gill 1 M. Brooke 1; A. Niemczewski 2 D Sharratt 1; R. Kohler 2 C. McLean 0; A. Gill 1 J. McLean 0; D. Quinn 1 C. McLean 1.

Tennis

Kelso Orchard

The club held a publicity/fundraising event on August 22 with a stall at Kelso Farmers’ Market to promote the club. Quite a bit of interest was generated for the club’s charitable projects and £172 was raised on the day. The farmers’ market committee provided a generous cheque for £100 towards the club’s charitable work.

A come-and-try free tennis day will be held on September 12 at Poynder Place courts.

Junior Confined

Results – 18U Mixed Doubles: 1, Gary Lemmon & Sophie MacBrayne, St Boswells & Melrose; 2, Rufus McLean & Jessica Lemmon, Earlston & St Boswells. Consolation: 1, Craig Martin & Alanna Taddei, Duns & Melrose; 2, Finlay Watt & Anna Welsh, Galashiels & Selkirk.

18U Girls Doubles: 1, Hannah Bagley & Jessica Lemmon, Berwick & St Boswells; 2, Alice MacBrayne & Sophie MacBrayne, Melrose. Consolation: 1, Lynsey Robertson & Alanna Taddei, Melrose; 2, Zoe Bruce & Anna Welsh, St Boswells & Selkirk.

18U Boys Doubles: 1, Craig Martin & Josh Thomson, Duns; 2, Gary Lemmon & Rufus McLean, St Boswells & Earlston. Consolation: 1, Sean Berthelsen & Angus Thomson, West Linton & Kelso; 2, Thomas Otton & Michael Palmer, Galashiels.

18U Girls Singles: 1, Hannah Bagley, Berwick; 2, Sophie MacBrayne, Melrose. Consolation: 1,

Anna Welsh, Selkirk; 2, Lynsey Robertson, Melrose.

18U Boys Singles: 1, Craig Martin, Duns; 2, Gary Lemmon, St Boswells. Consolation: 1, Josh Thomson, Selkirk; 2, Jamie Gordon, Innerleithen.

16U Girls Doubles: 1, Robyn Harvey & Jessica Lemmon, Duns & St Boswells; 2, Robyn Elliot & Zara Elliot, Innerleithen. Consolation: 1, Alice MacBrayne & Kirsten Rodwell, Melrose & West Linton; 2, Alisha Kerr & Caris Watson, Earlston.

16U Boys Doubles: 1, Sean Berthelsen & Harris Brogan, West Linton & Hawick; 2, Liam Smillie & Christian Townsend, Kelso & St Boswells. Consolation: 1, Alexander Ramage & Ewan Ramage, Galashiels; 2, Ronnie Fox & Finlay Watt, Galashiels.

16U Girls Singles: 1, Robyn Harvey, Duns; 2, Robyn Elliot, Innerleithen. Consolation: 1, Jessica Lemmon, St Boswells; 2, Katie Aitken, Innerleithen.

16U Boys Singles: 1, Gary Lemmon, St Boswells; 2, Angus Thomson, Kelso. Consolation: 1, Tom Aitken, Innerleithen; 2, Ewan Ramage, Galashiels.

14U Mixed Doubles: 1, Lewis Watt & Robyn Harvey, Galashiels; 2, Gregor Welsh & Zara Elliot, Kelso & Innerleithen. Consolation: 1, Christian Townsend & Rosie Tile, St Boswells; 2, Lachlan Ferguson & Flora Thomson, Earlston & St Boswells.

14U Girls Doubles: 1, Robyn Elliot & Zara Elliot, Innerleithen; 2, Robyn Harvey & Cameron Wright, Duns & St Boswells. Consolation: 1, Alice MacBrayne & Kirsten Rodwell, Melrose & West Linton; 2, Cara Hogg & Rosie Tile, Berwick & St Boswells.

14U Boys Doubles: 1, Harris Brogan & Gregor Welsh, Hawick & Kelso; 2 Lachlan Ferguson & Lewis Watt, Earlston & Galashiels. Consolation: 1, Martin Goldie & Paul Goldie, Hawick; 2, Marcus Brogan & Daniel Frankland, Hawick.

14U Girls Singles: 1, Robyn Harvey, Duns; 2, Zara Elliot, Innerleithen. Consolation: 1, Cameron Wright, St Boswells; 2, Caitlin Elliot, Innerleithen.

14U Boys Singles: 1, Harris Brogan, Hawick; 2, Alexander Ramage, Galashiels. Consolation: 1, Dylan Newton, Berwick; 2, Lachlan Ferguson, Earlston.

12U Boys Doubles: 1, Harris Brogan & Marcus Brogan, Hawick; 2, Alexander Ramage & Lewis Watt, Galashiels. Consolation: 1, Alex Daunas & Benjamin Lynch, Melrose; 2, Lachlan Ferguson & Luke Townsend, Earlston & St Boswells.

12U Girls Singles: 1, Cameron Wright, St Boswells; 2, Stephanie Wright, St Boswells; 3, Caitlin Elliot, Innerleithen.

12U Boys Singles: 1, Harris Brogan, Hawick; 2, Alexander Ramage, Galashiels. Consolation: 1, Lewis Watt, Galashiels; 2, Callum Gray, Galashiels.

10U Girls Singles: 1, Felicity Walls, Earlston; 2, Leah Kane, Peebles; 3, Orla Folan, St Boswells; 4, Ruathy Brogan, Hawick.

10U Boys Singles: 1, Ivan Burt­Smith, Selkirk; 2, Adam Clunie, West Linton; 3, Dylan Cockburn, Earlston; 4, Daniel Main, Selkirk.

9U Girls Singles: 1, Ailsa Clark, Earlston; 2, Mhairi Buchanan, St Boswells; 3, Jessica Damerell, Earlston; 4, Hannah Begg, West Linton.

9U Boys Singles: 1, Adam Clunie, West Linton; 2, Alexander Hart, St Boswells; 3, Thomas Elliot, Innerleithen; 4, Logan Kerr, St Boswells.

8U Boys Singles: 1, Innes Cormack, Peebles; 2, Ross Christie, Earlston; 3, John Tweedie, St Boswells; 4, Lyall Cormack, Peebles.