The number of people visiting the region’s five VisitScotland information centres (VICs) has fallen by nearly 10,000 in a single year.

In 2014/15, the total footfall at the outlets – in Jedburgh, Hawick and Peebles which are open all year round and in Melrose and Kelso which operate seasonally – was 95,584, compared to 105,342 the previous year.

Accommodation bookings made at the centres over the same period were down by a third – from 421 to 311.

The figures reflect a downward demand for the facilities which, five years ago, attracted more than 120,000 visitors and took 738 over-the-counter bookings.

The future of the local network – to which Scottish Borders Council contributes an annual £61,000 – is due to be decided in the new year, following a major review by the national tourism agency.

A report to SBC’s executive on Tuesday acknowledged that, while VIC business had fallen, there had been a “significant” increase in website visits and online booking to the benefit of businesses.

“We have to bow to the inevitable with regards to how people now access tourism information,” said Councillor Stuart Bell, executive member for economic development, who chaired the meeting.

“However, we need to ensure we are fully consulted on any changes this review may throw up.”

To that end, the executive agreed that senior managers from VisitScotland should brief all councillors on the implications and progress of the review.

“I will be pressing for this briefing to take place next month, so we don’t end up being tail-end Charlies,” said Mr Bell.

However, the report from chief economic development officer Brian McGrath conceded: “It is likely changes will be made to the delivery of visitor information in the Borders.”

A spokesperson for VisitScotland said: “The way visitors access information about Scotland has changed dramatically … we need to ensure we respond quickly to those changes.”

Mr McGrath had earlier highlighted that “interactive screens” already installed in Kelso and at the Galashiels Transport Interchange, would be available in Tweedbank, Melrose, Hawick, Abbotsford and Stow by next spring.

selkirk

Monday Club

At 2pm on Monday, November 9, at St Joseph’s Church Hall. Ruth McDonnell will be talking about the Borders Recycling Service. All are welcome. The members wish to thank Selkirk Rotary and R.S. McLeod, Selkirk Flood Prevention Scheme for their kind contribution to a very successful outing last week.

Rotary club

The support we enjoyed for this year’s community quiz allowed us to raise over £750, which will be donated to ex-high school students Jen and Kirsten Love. Jen and Kirsten will be travelling back to Sugod Elementary School in the Philippines where they will continue their work to build up a school feeding programme.

Our photos show the winning team, ‘The Davidson Three’, collecting their prize from President Edith. Our grateful thanks are extended to quiz master Brian Redman and his technical assistants Yahsin Ahmed and Euan Nicol. The High School assembly hall was an excellent venue, with particular thanks to Paul Brownlie for his setting up efforts. Half time sustenance was generously donated by Subway.

What better way to promote the work of our local Rotarians, raise funds for an excellent cause, and have a laugh along the way.

Club members and guests were recently updated on progress of the Selkirk Flood Protection Scheme by Scott Marr and Sylvia Taylor, who visited us last night.

Whilst the town is in the midst of considerable disruption, Scott outlined the 38 different ‘Flood Cells’ which directed where and when the work is done.

The two-year project is due for completion in December 2016 during which time more than 100,000 tons of cohesive materials for the flood embankments will be moved in.

It was very clear from the presentation that minimising disruption to the community was very much uppermost in the contractors’ minds.

The club recently joined forces with RJ Mcleod, Flood Protection Scheme, to support over 30 members from St Johns Monday Club, to a special outing marking their 40th Anniversary. The group boarded their coach in Selkirk to be taken to Mayfield Garden Centre in Kelso for a lovely afternoon tea.

SWI

National Drama competition, Victoria Hall, Selkirk, Friday from 7pm and Saturday from 2pm. Institutes compete for the coveted Anstruther Gray trophy. Tickets available in advance from 01750 62219 or on the door, £9 for both days or £6.50 for a single day.

yarrowford

SWI

The October meeting was the AGM and the committee was elected as follows: President - Annie Coltherd, Vice President - Evelyn Horsburgh, Treasurer - Shirley McDonald, Secretary - Margaret Watson, Social Secretary - Ena Mitchell, Committee - Linda Bradshaw, Betty Fraser, Gill Kerr, Margaret Robinson, Hannah Young. The cups were presented with Margaret Robinson winning the cup for the most points and Linda Bradshaw winning the Barrie Cup. The AGM was followed by a ‘Taste and Try’ which was thoroughly enjoyed. The next meeting is on November 10 with a talk by Liberty Star Trading. The competitions are favourite brooch and a flask of soup.

TALKING FAITH

Thought for the week

The person who created the light bulb, Thomas Edison was a fascinating person. Last week he taught us about forgiveness. He was someone who always found a positive outcome from everything that happened to him and was willing to keep persevering. When a reporter asked him if he felt he’d failed because he’d tried so many different substances to see which would work as an element in the bulb, he replied, “Not at all. I now know all the different ones which don’t work and soon I’ll find the one which will.”

There are many things in life which frustrate us and might cause us to give up. One thing God offers to those who ask is His Spirit to help us persevere through our troubles. We do not have to stumble through them alone and can learn important lessons in life through them.

Rev Margaret D J Steele

The Campaign for Borders Rail hit the green signals at its annual meeting last week in Stow – less than two months after the re-opening of the former Waverley line, closed in 1969.

CBR has pledged to continue the next stage of the fight to extend the line to Hawick and then Carlisle.

Allan McLean, who has taken over as chairman after Simon Walton stood down as he has moved to a new job in Salford, is the driving force of the group, which itself was instrumental in bringing the railway back to the Borders.

With experience as a former Virgin Trains employee, Mr McLean has been joined by Robert Drysdale as his vice-chairman.

“We all want the railway to move ahead and plan to continue our good work,” he said.

The Borders Community Rail Partnership, which will be officially launched this month (November), is the bridge to link the railway with local communities.

A ‘paper’ my Michael Spencer entitled ‘Onwards to Hawick’ is seen as the catalyst for the line extension with plans for leaflets to be ‘dropped’ into every house in Hawick and Newcastleton.

“We aim to encourage the benefits of the railway to other place, taking in not only Hawick,” Mr McLean said, with Kim Elliot and Alastair Redpath acting as Hawick representatives.

Mr Walton, in his final address, said: “I believe that the reinstatement off the line to Carlisle is now on the horizon, but there is a long and difficult way ahead.”

For the first time, members were able to travel to the meeting by train, and the speakers were MP Callum Kerr; Hugh Wark, ‘retired’ Project Manager (Network Rail) of the Borders Railway; and Lisa Beattie, Midlothian councillor.

And despite early gremlins on the line with cancelled trains, over-crowded carriages and failed ticket machines, the restoration of the line was seen as a major coup for the Borders.

The third-year students from Heriot-Watt University put on a grand fireworks show last night in Galashiels.

Photographer Robin Malone of RM Photography took some photos and asked if we would like to share them with our readers.

Well, why not!

Click on the button above to see the gallery of Robin’s photos.

Duns-based biomass heating engineering company de la Haye Engineering Ltd is now the UK agent for a major European manufacturer.

This latest development puts the company, which has been installing boiler systems across Scotland and the north of England for the past 12 years, on the UK biomass map.

De la Haye Engineering Ltd, is an established Berwickshire family business – Peter de la Haye is managing director, Ruth de la Haye, company secretary, and Kester de la Haye and Reuven de la Haye, are directors.

It has become the UK-wide agency for the Danish biomass boiler manufacturer HS Tarm.

“Liaising directly with the manufacturers ensures we have an unrivalled technical knowledge of the products we supply, which is of great benefit to both local customers and national installers, as well us enabling us to offer these quality products at a highly competitive price,” explained Peter.

“As well as supplying and installing wood chip, log, and pellet boiler systems, we have been specifying and supplying Akvaterm Accumulator tanks and associated accessories throughout the UK since 2005.

“Over the last 12 years, we have installed and commissioned over 66 boiler systems across Scotland and the north of England, ranging from Caithness to Cumbria, and Aberdeenshire to the Isle of Mull.

“These systems have varied in size from 22kW pellet boilers heating modern town houses to 250kW woodchip boilers heating several stone-built estate properties.

“We also provide one-off engineering projects such as wood chip drying floors and bespoke fuel stores.”

The company was also responsible for installing the Abbey St Bathans community wood heating project, which provides 20 homes in the village with low carbon affordable heating.

“As the designers and installers of the Abbey Heat Scheme, we found that its bespoke elements, from the woodfuel production and drying to the distribution of heat across roads and the river, made it a satisfying project,” added Peter.

“It’s great to see such a varied engagement with biomass at the community level.”

SB Alert, the service that gives weather warnings, crimes, road closures etc to people in the Borders, has now been going for a year.

In that time 2,500 people joined up to receive up-to-date email alerts on what was happening in the region and team behind the service are keen to get feedback from those using it.

The SB Alert team at Scottish Borders Council said: “Thank you to the 2,500 people who have joined SB Alert to receive up-to-date information on a variety of issues since it was launched one year ago.

“From weather warnings, utility failure updates, road closures, crimes and trading standards issues, all have been covered in the messages sent out to individuals, communities and businesses over the last 12 months by the council, Police Scotland and other agencies.

People in the region who have been able to prepare for bad weather, avoid inconvenience by finding out about road closures ahead of time, or who have been alerted to door-to-door scams in the area were asked to get in touch and let the team know how SB Alert had helped them and whether they feel it is a useful service.

Towns and villages across the region have signed up to SBC’s Resilient Communities service, each one having their own co-ordinator and team of volunteers who will step in to help in emergency situations such as winter weather or searching for a missing person, and SB Alert

As winter approaches it’s worth signing up to SB Alert to get regular messages about what’s going on in the region at www.sbalert.co.uk.

For the second year in a row, Denholm Primary has netted the top prize in the Borders Small Schools Netball Competition, organised by Borders Sport and Leisure.

The annual contest is part of the Active Schools Programme and this year, the competition featured 11 schools from across the region coming together at the Queen’s Leisure Centre in Galashiels to fight it out for the trophy.

One pool of five teams and one pool of six played a series of round robin matches, with the winners and runners-up from each pool playing in semi-final crossover ties, the winners of which then progressed to the Final. Denholm was crowned as the overall winner after a 2-7 victory over runners-up, Newtown. The other semi-finalists were Coldingham and Newcastleton.

Avril Gibson, Denholm Primary School coach, said: “I am extremely proud of the Denholm team. They played some great netball, both in attack and in defence. They played their hearts out in the Final and were delighted to bring the trophy back to Denholm.”

Gemma Ross, Borders Sport and Leisure Active Schools Coordinator added; “The morning was full of nervous energy and excitement and it was great to see representation from most corners of the Borders in what can only be described as a highly competitive morning, full of hard-fought games. The standard this year was particularly high, with very close results and single points separating teams in the final pool standings. Thanks must go to all PE staff, teachers and parents who helped prepare pupils for the competition, and assisted with umpiring on the day.”

The full list of schools participating in the contest is as follows:

Pool A: Denholm, Newtown, Gordon, Westruther, Stirches

Pool B: Stow, Newlands, Channelkirk, Yetholm, Newcastleton, Coldingham.

A Roxburgh farmer is urging dog walkers to prevent their pets from running free in farmers fields after he discovered a severely injured sheep.

Rory Bell from Roxburgh Mill Farm discovered a ewe last weekend which had deep lacerations to both ears, one eye and her nose.

Mr Bell strongly suspects the ewe sustained the injuries from a dog that was allowed to run off its lead and into his fields down by the River Teviot.

He said: “The farm is on the Teviot and Borders Abbeys Way and a lot of people come and walk their dog here.

“The fields are now fenced off so the dog would have had to go through it or over it to get into the field which is unnecessary.”

Mr Bell, who took over the farm from his father, was forced to put a barbed wire fence around the fields 15 years ago to stop the sheep being chased.

Despite this he has seen an increase in the amount of sheep that have sustained injuries.

“Over the past few years I have had three or four sheep seriously attacked, last year I had to put one down following a particularly violent attack,” explained Mr Bell.

He went on to say: “It’s not the dogs’ fault, they are descended from wolves and it is in their nature to chase and hunt. It is all about education, if they have been allowed into the fields and got a taste for it then they will do it again and again as if it’s a game.”

Mr Bell suggests that a solution to the problem would be better education and awareness to guidelines set out in The Countryside Code and The Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

The access code has clear regulations in regard to walking dogs near farm animals.

Mark Wrightham, policy and advice manager for Scottish Natural Heritage said: “Scotland’s outdoors is a great place for dogs and their owners, but it’s important to remember that you and your dog share the outdoors with others – and dogs that aren’t kept under proper control are a real concern for land managers.

“Whenever possible it’s best to avoid going near sheep. If you need to go into a field of sheep, keep your dog on a short lead or close at heel and keep your distance from them.

“Don’t take your dog into a field where there are lambs - go into a neighbouring field or onto land next to it.

“Never let your dog worry or attack livestock.”

Mr Bell is planning to put up pictures of the injured animals to prevent future attacks.

He said: “I think a lot of people think it’s a myth and these attacks don’t actually happen.

“I’m putting up these signs as a warning rather than threats about shooting aggressive animals.

“I would rather educate than have to do that, the carrot rather than the stick.”

The new owners Ettrick’s historic Tushielaw Inn may be forced to remove new windows which were only installed at the property earlier this year.

The final decision will rest with the local review body (LRB) of Scottish Borders Council.

In August, SBC’s local planning officer Dorothy Amyes, using delegated powers, rejected a retrospective planning application for the upvc double glazed units from Donna Cornish, who purchased the former hostelry in December last year.

Ms Cornish said that because the building was not listed and the existing windows were “rotting and falling out”, she was unaware she required planning consent and offered her apologies.

She explained their replacement was part of a detailed plan of works to bring the building, which has not traded as a hotel for three years, up to date.

And she claimed the new windows had made a “huge difference to the warmth within the property”.

However, Mrs Amyes, acknowledging two neighbour objections, determined that the property’s traditional timber sash and case windows should have been replaced “like for like”.

She said that the new units did not complement “the architecture of this historically important building”.

At Monday’s meeting of the Scottish Borders Council’s’s planning committee it was reported that Ms Cornish had lodged an appeal against that decision which, if enforced, would require the offending windows to be removed and replaced.

The appeal is due to be considered at the next meeting of the nine-councillor LRB in December.

Since the planning 
application was refused, the inn, which is located 12 miles from Selkirk and with a guide price of between £115,000 
and £140,000, has been sold 
at auction as a commercial property for an undisclosed sum.

We’re into November and the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness as the poet wrote approvingly, but that is not so readily appreciated by those negotiating foggy, leaf-thick, rural roads in the warmest November spell for 70 years.

And what’s good for autumn crop growth is also good for crop pests and diseases, one more example of why farmers are never 100% happy.

That’s also why it is never easy to be 100% confident that harvest is complete. Somewhere in our area there will still be a field of beans or oats to harvest as a farmer who had been waiting for just the right conditions blesses the day after day of mist and dampness. But according to most reports, including the round up from members around the country by the NFUs, harvest is over and it has been one of heavy to record yields and low prices.

Stocks of grain are bigger than average and the chances of prices rising much, if at all, are slim. Forecasts are already gloomy for next harvest with talk of farmers leaving fields fallow rather than growing crops to lose money. But looking round the countryside large areas of the crop-growing parts are now green, tram-lined and growing well with oilseed rape, winter barley and winter wheat so there is some optimism about.

David Hay in Perthshire, formerly one of Scotland’s large-scale potato growers, said recently that the family had given up the crop this year because it no longer made financial sense. The June census results for Scotland confirm that he is not alone as the potato acreage fell 10% to 26,000 hectares. At one time most farms capable of growing a crop would have ten or 20 acres of potatoes.

Now there are only a few hundred potato growers, some with more than 1,000 acres, and the investment needed in machinery and storage systems to meet supermarket requirements is huge. Planting and harvesting are like a military operation and crops are sprayed up to 20 times a year to maintain growth and health. As with dairying, pigs and poultry we’re unlikely to run out of potatoes as growers quit. Instead those who stay in the game produce more.

Against the decline in potato production, pea production in Scotland more than doubled and bean production increased by 46%. That was partly adaptation to new European Union rules on environmentally friendly crops. The downside is that in a wet year peas and beans are difficult to harvest.

The difficulty of thousands of relatively small businesses trying to get a decent return from the open market is illustrated by another census return, that for dairy cattle. We’ve had a year of low prices for milk and numerous stories about dairy farmers quitting, all true. The only way to encourage prices to rise would be to cut production. But dairy cattle numbers increased, ergo more milk, not less.

Selkirk boss Garry O’Connor is looking to make Yarrow Park a fortress, starting this weekend at home to Civil Service Strollers.

O’Connor watched his side push Lowland League challengers Stirling University all the way at Forthbank Stadium, and hopes for a similar performance in the South Challenge Cup against their East of Scotland League opponents.

The ex-Hibs and Scotland striker said: “Our away form has been good but we need to improve our home form, and the game against Civil is a chance to make a start.

“It will be a tough game but it is a chance to go on a cup run.”

With O’Connor currently out with a groin injury, he may well have found a replacement in Jordan Allan.

The former Morton striker was a constant threat and got his rewards with a goal which pulled Selkirk back into the game having gone 2-0 down.

O’Connor added: “Jordan was fantastic – his workrate was superb and he kept battling.

“We will have a chat with the chairman and Jordan and see if we can work something out.”

With five players missing, including O’Connor, there was a fear Selkirk could be on the end of another heavy loss, following the 5-1 Gretna defeat the week previous.

And after poor defending allowed Paul McCafferty to open the scoring after just six minutes with a clinical finish beyond Jamie Newman, it looked ominous for the visitors.

Allan’s dipping free kick required Ryan Marshall to tip over before Selkirk captain Conan McDiarmid made a desperate but vital stop to deny Chris Geddes a certain goal.

Stirling had the better of the first half but Selkirk pressed their opponents in the second period, with Ross Gray a stand-out.

He set up numerous moves and fired over when Jack Nixon slipped in Stirling’s backline.

At the other end, Geddes had a great chance to make it 2-0 but the usually reliable striker - who has 13 goals this season - produced a weak effort that was easily saved by Newman.

A moment of controversy arrived with 15 minutes left, as George Leigh headed in Stirling’s second goal. Selkirk were certain Leigh was offside, but the assistant referee said McDiarmid had played the Student onside.

Selkirk turned their anger into a deserved goal with nine minutes left as Addison’s deep corner was headed in by Allan.

The visitors kept up the pressure on a nervy looking Stirling but were unable to find an equaliser. However, they certainly gave their hosts a fright, and their new manager plenty encouragement for the remainder of the season.

Selkirk: J. Newman, M. Christie, J. Harley, C. McDiarmid, M. Samson, R. Scott (F. Neave 45), C. Handren, R. Gray, M. Collin (J. Easton 75), P. Addison, J. Allan.

It might be asking too much for Hawick fans to feel some sympathy for Melrose but the simple fact was that in losing four key members of their pack both before and during the match, the Greenyards men were not the force they should have been.

On Saturday Morning Melrose’s Scotland under-20 lock Lewis Carmichael was called up as a stand-by for Edinburgh ahead of the capital’s game against Munster. Then halfway through the first half Carmichael’s regular second row partner James Head was stretchered off with a neck injury.

If that were not bad enough the Melrose vice captain Grant Runciman was then forced to retire with a head wound and towards the end of a costly first half Nick Beavon, the influential tighthead, sustained a broken bone in his hand, an injury that is likely to result in a two month absence from the game.

“There’s no getting away from losing Lewis Carmichael. We could have stomached that but then we lost James Head in the first half. And that was key,” said the Melrose head coach, John Dalziel.

“We looked really comfortable in the first half and they looked like the ones who were rattled. They lost key players as well. But it wasn’t a game for the backs.

Losing James Head, Nick Beavon and then Grant Runciman was crippling. You can’t be without core players in your pack.”

Hawick suffered through injuries to their midfield playmaker, Rory Hutton and later to their stand-off, Lee Armstrong. But on a day when summer conditions came to an end, what mattered was forward strength and in being able to field both Scott McLeod and Simon Berghan, Hawick had the trump cards.

36 year-old McLeod, capped 24 times for Scotland, made his experience count, most crucially with two line-out ‘steals’ on the five metre line when Melrose threatened to hit back in the final quarter.

“I was finding my feet a bit. I’ve not played for five or six weeks. I’ve lost a bit of weight and I’m not as fit as I should be with all the coaching,” admitted McLeod, adding, “But it was good to get out there. No better place to play than the Greenyards.”

McLeod, who is becoming more involved with coaching at Newcastle has not ruled out playing for Hawick in future games. He said: “If I can play and make a difference to any side then I’ll continue but if I’m playing poorly I’ll call it a day.”

At the end of an absorbing first half Melrose led 6-0 after Joe Helps had succeeded with two goals from four attempts. Hawick’s only chance for points fell to Ally Weir but the full back’s kick was short of the posts.

Weir quickly atoned with an early second half penalty before converting his own try after Bruce McNeil had surged off the tail of a line-out, to put Hawick in the lead for the first time in the match.

Melrose threatened with a series of penalty-created line-outs but McLeod’s intervention and then a break-out by Sean Goodfellow ended with Weir kicking a second penalty goal.

McLeod then was shown the yellow card but Melrose could not make their numerical advantage count, and when Weir nailed his third penalty kick six minutes from full time Hawick effectively sealed their win.

Club Sport Ettrick & Lauderdale celebrated a year of achievement at their annual awards ceremony held in Gala RFC clubrooms on Friday night.

Selkirk hockey star Sarah Robertson was named Sports Personality of the Year and despite having 67 Scottish National senior caps, nine Scottish senior indoor caps and being selected to the GB squad the 22-year-old said receiving the title was one of her greatest honours yet.

“When I’m down in London training with the GB squad I’m still very much a wee fish in a big pond so it’s lovely to come back home and receive an award like this.

“Every time I am home and see the kids playing it makes me feel proud to have the opportunity to inspire the future.”

Sarah was a valuable member of the Scottish team in Glasgow at the Commonwealth Games and as a result was selected in to the GB programme collecting her first cap, of four so far, on the 10th February this year. She is currently battling for a place in the Olympic GB hockey team for Rio 2016.

Robertson was the last winner to be revealed on what was a star studded and entertaining evening.

Following chairman Ian Cooper’s opening comments, during which he spoke of his pride of the seemingly never ending stream of sporting talent to come out of the Ettrick and Lauderdale catchment area, stars of the present and future were duly honoured.

Selkirk tennis ace Josh Thomson was named Junior Coach of the Year, Galashiels swimmer Beth Johnston took the disability sport award and Gala Harrier Thomas Otton was Junior Sports Personality of the Year for his achievements in hill running.

Graeme McIver collected the Club of the Year Award on behalf of Gala Fairydean Rovers who were deemed to have made a significant difference in the local community whilst developing and growing the infrastructure of their club.

Selkirk RFC took the Team of the Year title following their amazing unbeaten run to gain promotion to the Premiership last season while former Gala International Gregor Townsend won the Coach of the Year title for leading Glasgow Warriors to success in the Pro12.

The Service to Local Sport award went to Stow FC’s Thomas (Tucker McCall) who’s dedication and hard work within the Borders amateur football circle over the years was described as “unparalleled.”

A Scottish Labour Party protest against the government’s proposed cuts to working tax credits will be held in the Borders this weekend.

Labour activists in the region have organised a protest this Saturday from 11am until 1.30pm at Galashiels Market Square.

Borders Labour party spokesperson Barrie Cunning said: “The Conservative government is hell bent on destroying the welfare state and in turn the people who need our help the most.

“The Conservative government is so out of touch that they honestly believe that employers will pick up the tab.

“The reality is that people may not be able to afford to work and in turn live.”

Mr Cunning says in the Borders a family with three children earning £20,000 per anum will be £2,184.20 worse off per year.

He added: “We must do everything we can to stop these cuts from going ahead. I encourage everyone to come down and campaign with us.”

Police are appealing for witnesses following a vandalism at Earlston Primary School.

The incident happened sometime between 10pm on Wednesday 27th and 8.30am on Thursday 28th October.

A section of the perimeter wall was spray-painted with graffiti and local officers are now conducting inquiries to trace those responsible.

Constable David Ross of Duns Police Station said: “Such incidents of vandalism are extremely disappointing and can have an adverse affect on the local community.

“I would ask anyone who was in the area of the school and who noticed any suspicious activity around the time of this incident to come forward to police.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or, alternatively information can be passed anonymously through the charity Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.”

Police in the Scottish Borders are encouraging the public to be vigilant following reports of bogus workmen operating in the are

On Thursday, November 5, three men called at properties in Kingsland Road, Selkirk, and Abbotslea in Tweedbank. They were able to inspect the roofs for defects on some properties after gaining the trust of homeowners.

Afterwards they stated that they had found either loose tiles or produced a piece of rotten/damp wood. On some occasions they have managed to access the roof space via the attic before arranging an appointment to come back on the following day.

The men, however, were unable to produce suitable identification and no money was exchanged.

Police believe the same men have been operating in the area for months and are targeting elderly residents.

A thorough investigation is now underway and anyone who has any relevant information that can help identify the unsolicited callers is asked to come forward.

The first male is described as in his late 20s, around 5ft 4ins tall, heavy build with short mousy blonde hair that has a natural wave.

The second suspect is in his 30s, taller than the first male, has a slim build with messy mousy brown hair and bad teeth. He was also wearing a blue rain jacket at the time of this incident.

The final male is in his late 20s, between 5ft 5ins tall and 5ft 7ins tall, dark hair and wore a bright blue bubble jacket and a tight woollen black hat with white band.

The men are travelling in a white-coloured Transit Van and a white-coloured Citroen Berlingo with ladders on the roof.

Detective Constable Elizabeth Miller who works in the CID said: “Fortunately, the homeowners did the right thing and refused to hand over any money. Instead, they contacted the police and we are now pursuing various lines of inquiry in order to trace these men.

“From the descriptions given and the similarities in their action, there is a strong chance that these men may be responsible for at least one other report related to bogus workmen in the area.

“Anyone with information that can help us identify them is asked to come forward immediately.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police in the Borders are today appealing for witnesses following a small roof fire at a school in Jedburgh.

The incident was reported to emergency services at around 2:10am yesterday, after a member of the public noticed flames coming from the gym building at Parkside Primary on Waterside Road.

No one was injured and the Scottish Fire and Rescue service quickly discovered the seat of the fire, which measured approximately 18 inches by 18 inches.

A school spokesperson said the fire “seems to have been confined to the roof of the gym hall” and that the samage was limited to the external area of the roof.

Divisional officers are now carrying out inquiries in an effort to trace those responsible and are eager to hear from anyone who noticed unusual or suspicious behaviour in the area around the time of this incident.

A small group of youths were seen in the vicinity of the school and officers are particularly keen to speak with them as part of their ongoing investigation.

Inspector Alistair Hutchens of Police Scotland said: “Fortunately no one was injured and this fire never had the opportunity to grow thanks to the actions of a member of the public and the quick response of the emergency services.

“However, this is a very serious matter and we are conducting various lines of inquiry in an effort to trace those responsible.

“We are looking very closely into the reports of a small group of youths who were seen in the area and I would urge anyone who can help us identify them to come forward immediately.”

The Melrose-based Merlin Music Academy is opening a new branch in Musselburgh.

“In Melrose we have over 250 students of all ages and abilities having fun with their music,” says director Bridget Gray. “We want to build links with the community in Musselburgh to promote learning an instrument.”

This unusually mild autumn continues, with no sign yet of a hard frost to propel us into winter.

My dahlias, roses and Michaelmas daisies are still going strong in the garden, awaiting the first sub-zero temperatures to blacken and finish them off.

Bearing all that in mind, on a dreich but mild last Sunday morning, I set off on a walk round the woodland policies of Bowhill Estate near Selkirk to see if things were equally as unseasonal in the countryside.

The first thing that struck me was the amount of fresh fungi there was around. The damp conditions were ideal, but with the recent big fall of leaves, it was quite difficult to spot them amongst the leaf litter. Once I got my eye in, there were loads to keep me amused.

Under one particular coniferous tree, there were several clumps of what looked like brown brush bristles sticking out of the carpet of pine needles. On closer examination the bristles were branched, like clusters of tiny, closely packed antlers. It was certainly a new one for me. Looking it up afterwards, I reckon it was one of the “Fairy Clubs” – possibly one called Ramaria invalii. Nearby was another one, but a bit easier to identify. It was a traditionally shaped mushroom with a cream and orange cap and a distinctive dark brown stem – Velvet Shank.

After doing some fungi photography, I was walking along the forest track when I came upon another sign of the mild weather. Along one of the ruts, a toad was enjoying the damp conditions, out looking for tasty slugs or worms. The first sign of a cold snap will see it off into hibernation. Meanwhile, it didn’t seem too happy, judging by the grumpy expression on its face when I pointed my camera at it.

As the walk unfolded, I was struck at the number of wild flowers still in bloom, so I began to take note. I spotted daisy, nipplewort, self heal, herb Robert, forget-me-not and most unusual of all – water avens, whose flowering period according to the books, is April – September.

As long as the mild weather lasts, take full advantage and get out into the countryside, before everything shuts down for the winter.

If you see anything unusual, drop me an e-mail and picture if possible to corbie@homecall.co.uk

Borders MSP John Lamont welcomed local youth workers and youngsters to his constituency office to hear about the benefits of youth work following National Youth Work Week.

At the meeting, arranged by national youth work agency, Youthlink Scotland, John heard first hand from one of his younger constituents, the difference youth work has made to their life path.

Statistics from Youthlink Scotland suggest as many as half of young people in the Scottish Borders are involved in youth work.

John Lamont MSP said: “I was delighted to meet with local youth workers and youngsters who have benefited from youth work at my constituency office in Hawick. Youthlink Scotland carries out some really important work in the Borders ensuring that young people get the best chance in life.

“Youth work can be really significant in helping to improve social skills and boosting the self-confidence of young people. The positive impact on improving education and skills means young Borderers are more ready for adulthood and the world of work.

“It was clear from the youngsters I spoke to how much they valued the support they received and the difference it made to their lives.”