Although not having nailed their colours to the mast in the way of winning matches, Selkirk have been knocking at the door and showing promise for new boss Garry O’Connor.

And last Saturday the Yarrow Park outfit notched their second successive victory since the ex-Hibs and Scotland star took over.

Quality signings have been brought by O’Connor in former Dundee United and St Johnstone man David Robertson and Bayan Fenwick who has been with Crystal Palace and Torquay United as well as latest recruit ex-Dundee United and Scotland defender Garry Kenneth.

O’Connor said, “The wins have always been coming and they have now arrived.

“Progress has been made and I am very happy about this. The players have been putting it in at training and now it’s starting to happen for them on the pitch.

“I know what I am after at Selkirk and I am very ambitious to make things really happen for the club. It’s not perfect yet but we are getting there.”

Due to a reshuffle of fixtures due to recent postponements Selkirk have no game on Saturday while Gala Fairydean Rovers take on high flying Stirling University away from home and Vale of Leithen travel to face Gretna 2008.

In the East of Scotland League, Hawick Royal Albert tackle table topping Leith Athletic on the pastures of Netherdale while Peebles Rovers clash with Civil Service Strollers in Edinburgh.

bowden

Camera group

Members appreciated Jim Ross’ interesting and helpful talk on ambient light. The next session is on February 22 and features Lloyd Smith, who will give a presentation on producing videos with a digital camera. Visitors welcome.

SWI

The February meeting welcomed Lorna Balfour who spoke about her travels in Latin America, illustrated with slides. She then judged the competition – jar of marmalade – 1, Gill McIntosh; 2, Ann Stewart; 3, Sarah Gant. The next meeting is on March 9 with a hands-on demonstration by Beadelicious in Kelso.

broomlands

SWI

For the February meeting, members were introduced to some gentle exercise. The members thoroughly enjoyed the session. There was great hilarity at times and, hopefully, no aches and pains the next day. The competition was won by Elizabeth Drummond; second, Val Douglas; third, Jeanette Farquhar.

Caddonfoot

Parish church

The Street Pastors scheme is to be launched in Galashiels next month, and in Caddonfoot Parish Church on Sunday, the Reverend Elspeth Harley and session clerk Anne Grieve portrayed a presentation of their work aimed at being on hand to help young people when nightclubs shut their doors. The Bible reading was delivered by Atholl Innes and Fay Brydon read the prayers. Music was led by Margaret Blyth and Mrs Grieve, and tea/coffee, under the auspices of John and Irene Bruce, was served after the service. Subscriptions (£24) are now due for Life & Work and can be paid to Joyce Brown before the end of this month. Bible study began last Wednesday at the manse when members discussed the following Sunday’s readings. There will be a congregational board meeting on February 25 at 7.30pm.

cogsmill

SWI

Kirsty Dunlop was speaker at the meeting last Wednesday night. She spoke about her role as one of the Deputy Lord Lieutenants for Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale, as well as an insight into how she went to a small country school, boarding school, college, then into farming. Caroline Tullie, Roxburgh federation chairperson, gave members an update on the AGM at Jedburgh and presented Mary McTaggart, president, with the trophy for the best syllabus. After supper, more business items were discussed. Mary thanked Rea and Morag for the supper.Competition winners – rock buns – Shona Morison, Christine Laidlaw, Liz Calcroft; fridge magnet – Mary McTaggart, Shona Morison, Chrissie Brain.

Dance

Lyne Valley will be playing at the last dance of the season on February 26 at 8pm.

Whist

February 29 in Cogsmill Hall at 7.30pm.

Earlston

Lunch club

Earlston Thursday Lunch Club is run independently by a group of local volunteers who provide lunch, social activities and entertainment each week for around 30 members – all over 60 years of age. Members are grateful to Earlston Community Council for a grant to enable a bingo machine to be purchased for use at the weekly meetings.

Parish church

The February 21 service at 10.15am will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods. As it is the third Sunday in the month, there will be the usual monthly communion service at the close of worship. The magazine committee meets in the manse on February 22 at 7.30pm for the proof reading. The spring coffee morning will be held on March 5 from 10am-noon in the church hall. Donations received for the cake and candy and raffle stalls (no alcohol) from 9am on the day.

Wednesday club

The latest meeting was opened by hostess Mrs A. Penman who welcomed Andy and his team from Galashiels fire station who delivered an interesting talk on their work as firefighters, as well as speaking about safety in the home. They also answered questions put to them by members. Competition – a candle – 1, Ms K. Brownlie; 2, Mrs R. Murray; 3, Mrs W. Moffat. The next meeting will be on February 24. Competition – “Hummel Ornament”.

edgerston

SWI

At the February meeting Sheilagh Brown gave an informative talk about her experiences as a veterinary surgeon working with MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) and later with the Animal and Plant Health Agency. In addition, Mrs Brown breeds Skyro horses and spoke enthusiastically about them. Maggie Greenwood served tea. Competitions – horse picture – 1, M. Anderson; 2, J. Dun; 3, R. Wilkes; something made with oats – 1, R. Wilkes; 2, M. Anderson; 3, M. Greenwood. On March 9 Jill Evans will demonstrate breadmaking in Edgerston Hall at 2pm. Visitors welcome.

ETTRICKBRIDGE

SWI

Stephen Fox, from Alzheimers Scotland, gave a light-hearted, entertaining, yet informative talk on dementia awareness to this month’s meeting. The next gathering is on March 9 when Alma Dowle leads a drawing class.

Galashiels

Probus

Oliver Eade spoke about “Around the World in 60 Minutes” at last Thursday’s meeting. He is a retired Borders General Hospital physician consultant and now a writer of more than 100 novels, short stories and plays, as well as a photographer. He showed hundreds of pictures from 20 countries. He has family, relatives or friends in almost every one. Starting with Edinburgh, he said cities are wonderful places for photographs because of interesting characters and impressive buildings. And he carried this on through Dublin and London, where he said a man with a camera has to be careful in case he is mistaken for a terrorist and Paris, where it is probably now the same. In Spain he was fascinated by the flamenco dancers and then on to Switzerland, Italy, where he had to be out early morning in Venice and Florence to get photographs not be dominated by thousands of tourists. Turkey, Russia, including St Petersburg, and then China, where he has a strong affinity as his wife is Chinese with an extensive family there. Oliver then took his audience to Thailand, Japan, Manilla in the Philippines, New Zealand, Australia, where he had a brush with an alligator, Hawaii, Texas, Mexico, New York, Vermont, where he had worked for some time, and then back to Melrose with images of the Borders. The next meeting of the club is on February 25 at Kingsknowes Hotel when Dave Potts speaks on “Fair Trade”.

Studio club

Galashiels Studio Club has organised an afternoon session with Barbara Farquhar – “Textures: from paper to bondaweb” – in St Paul’s Church Hall, Scott Street, on February 25. The event runs from 2.15pm until approx. 4pm. Members free/visitors £4. Enquiries to 01896 820023.

glendouglas

Whist

Whist drive results – ladies – 1, Sandra Jeffrey; 2, Christine Ballantyne; 3, Hannah Wilson; booby, Jean Rae; gents – 1, Selby Wilson; 2, Cath Turner; 3, Ella Young; booby, Ralph Ramskir; bingo, Jean Rae; sweep, Ray Buchanan, Rita, Christine Ballantine.

Lunch club

The Burns supper was enjoyed by all who attended. A good meal and entertainment

helped the evening go with a swing.

HAWICK

Bridge club

February 9 – N/S – 1, John & Marian Miller; 2, Mike Tuson & Bob Witherington; E/W – 1, Bob Francombe & George Graham; 2, Richard von Slicher & Sam White.

Probus

President Alex Bell opened his first meeting introducing the Reverend Douglas Nicol to give a presentation on “Memories of the General Assembly”.Now minister of Hobkirk, Southdean with Ruberslaw, he has attended for more than 40 years and served committees in numerous capacities. He made it clear how diverse the activities of the Church of Scotland are, as well as the many changes he had been involved in and witnessed. Robert Scott gave a vote of thanks.

Heiton

SWI

Twenty members performed gentle fitness exercises, led by Lynn Young, who also spoke about the British Heart Foundation and National Heart Month (February every year). Lynn was asked to judge the competition entries for a sporting photograph – 1, Gill Harrop; 2, Ann Bacon; 3, Elizabeth Cuthbert.

Hownam

Towford SWI

A member for more than half a century, Margaret Jeffrey has died following a short illness. She was at the centre of the community of Hownam and Kale Water all her life. The rural formed part of her many interests, whether it was as tea hostess or selling raffle tickets. She continued to attend SWI meetings, despite failing health. Her last was the Christmas dinner.

innerleithen

Countdown Club

There will be no further meetings during February. The next gatherings will be on the second and fourth Wednesdays (March 9 and 23) following the usual pattern, with the final meeting of the session on April 13 (all at 10.30am) in Innerleithen Church Hall of Friendship.

Coffee morning

There will be a chance to buy tickets for Innerleithen Opera’s production of Oliver! (March 28 March-April 2) at the society’s annual coffee morning in the Vale Club on February 20 (10am-noon).

jedburgh

Bridge club

February 8 – N/S – 1, V. Johnstone & M. Miller; 2, R. Oates & S. West; 3, M. Purdie & O. Whillans; E/W – 1, M. & H. Ouldcott; 2, D. Cessford & D. Gray; 3, M. Allan & T. Davidson.

kelso

Thursday Group

Margaret Jeary used the 1851 census; newspapers; births, marriages and deaths registers; and other records to describe how Kelso folk lived, worked and died in the middle of the 18th century. Today, Keith Hanson has called his talk about the life of James “Paraffin” Young “Fracking: So What’s New?” – Abbey Row Centre, 2pm. February 25 sees Dr John Reid, chairman of the Trimontium Trust, speaks on “Burnswark: a Battle Rediscovered”. Visitors welcome.

Coffee morning

The Kelso branch of the British Heart Foundation will be holding a coffee morning and table-top sale in Kelso North Parish Church hall on February 20 from 10am-noon.

Bridge club

February 10 – Rose Bowl – N/S – 1, Alex Jeffrey & Vanessa Wilson; 2, Dominic & Diana Alkin; 3, Jean Henry & Myra Thomson; E/W – 1, Lynda Douglas & Lesley Dick; 2, Joyce Thomson & Helenor Pratt; 3, Annie Mitchell & Bob Stevenson. February 11 – Millennium Trophy – N/S – 1, John Loudon & Annie Mitchell; 2, Bob Stevenson & Lee Leeson; 3, Jean McLaren & Ken Ross; E/W – 1, Lynda Douglas & Vanessa Wilson; 2, Colin McGrath & Beth Thompson; 3, Margot McVie & Edith Hogg.

Guild

Kelso North and Ednam Guild met last Thursday in Kelso North Church. Margaret Aitken, co-ordinator, opened the meeting with a hymn, reading and prayer. Elaine Hutchison spoke about her work over 19 years with the Africa Inland Mission. Her presentation covered Lesotho, Madagascar and Mozambique. The next meeting will be on February 25 when there will be a talk about Guide Dogs for the Blind. Visitors welcome.

Stitchers

Kelso Stitchers will meet on February 23 at 7pm in Abbey Row Centre. Gail Watson, from Border Blooms, is giving a talk/demonstration entitled “The Road to Chelsea”. Visitors welcome (£3). For further information, contact Rineke Sangster on 01573 229414.

Free lunch

Cheviot Youth is running a free lunch with musical entertainment on February 23 at 12.30pm at The Planet (next door to the Border ice rink), Kelso, to celebrate the end of its second Budget, Shop, Store and Cook (BSSC) project. To book a table, email Ian at ianrendallreid@cheviotyouth.co.uk or ring/text him on 07958 277766.

Langholm

New appointment

The new head teacher of the academy, primary and Canonbie primary cluster has officially taken up the post. Lindsay Brown, who has been acting head since the start of December, was previously principal teacher of English and modern languages at Annan Academy for eight years.

Sale

The local branch of the British Heart Foundation held a sale at the pop-up shop, raising £464. There was bric-a-brac and baking.

Lindean

SWI

Sewing machines were whirring away at the February meeting. Federation president Irene McFadzen gave a demonstration and then had members making tote bags. The colourful results delighted the ladies. Competition winners – sewn spectacle cases – Jean Rodin, Diana Murray and Edith Scott; best brass ornament – Margaret Oliver, Marjorie Lawrie and Jean Rodin. Raffle winners – Valerie Mayo, Evelyn Douglas and Janet Mitchell.

melrose

Literary society

At the next meeting on February 23, there will be a talk by Philip Hutton on “John Ruskin – what, why and who he?” Philip, who lives in Peebles, is perhaps best known as a painter, but he is also a teacher of art history and has a long-standing interest in the work of Ruskin, art critic and social reformer. His talk will give a view of the writer’s purposes and achievements, contrast his contemporary readership with recent growth of Ruskin studies and give a re-evaluation of aspects of his personal life. The other focus will be on Ruskin’s book, “Modern Painters”. The meeting starts at 7.30pm upstairs in the Ormiston Institute. Non-members welcome (£3 admission fee). Further information from Peter Hoad, secretary, at peterhoad@aol.com.

Parish church

Despite the Lenten snow, the theme at the Bowden and Melrose services was “journeys”. Bowden coffee morning raised over £340 for the special projects. February 18 – guild, 2.30pm, Henry Borthwick. February 21 – church magazine deadline; services at 9.30am (Bowden) and 11am (Melrose) with the Very Reverend D. Arnott. February 24 – midweek service and lunch.

Trimontium

It seemed a good idea at the time (and proved right in the past) – opening the museum for the schools’ long weekend. But two days’ snow proved discouraging for visitors (so far). Work goes on apace behind the scenes in preparation for the opening at Easter, including recruiting half-day supervisors, by arrangement, to make the public welcome and updating them at the pre-season staff coffee morning. A recent meeting confirmed moral support from Historic Environment Scotland and National Museums en route to a business plan for an extension being put to the Heritage Lottery Fund and a fundraising drive to secure a proportion of match funding if Melrose was fortunate enough to be awarded a capital grant for a building that would be

Turn to page 40

From page 39

worthy of its place in the heritage of Scotland.

Concert

Ettrick and Lauderdale JAC is holding its first variety concert on February 20 at the Corn Exchange. The club has been practising since September and it’s a sell-out crowd of 260.

MIDLEM

SWI

Gail Watson, from Border Blooms, Kelso, gave a demonstration at the February meeting. Self-taught Gail has been in her shop for four years, working from a shed for three years before that. Members gleaned many tips from her – e.g. with tulips the water should be changed every day, and the neck of the tulip should not be pierced. Always cut everything at an angle, and you don’t always need a lot – of flowers for an arrangement. Gail said artificial flowers were popular among brides who like them to be preserved for years to come. She hopes to show again this year at Chelsea flower show. A vote of thanks was proposed by president Irene Cotter. Competitions – floral art – 1, Helen Pearce; 2, Dilys Wheelans; 3, Gweyn Williamson; three chocolate chip cookies – 1, Margot Hastie; 2, Dilys Wheelans; 3, Margaret Rutter. The next meeting is on March 8 when Christine Wright will demonstrate her decoupage eggs. Competitions – small clootie dumpling and a decorated egg.

Morebattle

SWI

President Mary Pringle welcomed everyone to the February meeting in the institute and then introduced Trevor Black and his talk, entitled “Cash in the Attic”. A few members had brought along articles of interest to be valued and he gave an insight into those, along with a quiz he had devised, guessing the prices of the articles he had brought. The winner of the quiz was Janette Stenhouse. Brenda Dixon gave the vote of thanks. Competitions – limerick – 1, Grace Cessford; 2, Nancy Anderson; 3, Margaret Blackmore; bracelet – 1, Angela Cook; 2, Nancy Anderson; 3, Brenda Herdman.

Coffee morning

Morebattle Games annual coffee morning was opened by John Mabon who informed those attending that the games began in 1894 and he asked if anyone had any photographs to help compile an archive of Morebattle Games. Approximately £340 was raised. Competition winners – guess the number of sweets, Sheena Murray; plant, Anne Brown; lucky number for box of sweets, Nathan and Marcus Cook; 50/50 draw, Craig Brown/Tamara Cook. Games Queen Kym Cessford drew the raffle.

AGM

Morebattle Institute AGM is on February 23 at 7pm in the institute.

Selkirk

Monday Club

At 2pm on February 22 in St Joseph’s Church hall, Amanda Richard will demonstrate gentle chair exercises.

st boswells

Gaelic in the Borders

An illustrated talk (in English) by artist Mary Morrison, entitled “Sea, Music, Mapping”, will be held on February 26 in St Boswells (Lesser) Hall, starting at 7.45pm. This is an open meeting talk.

yetholm

Panto

Aladdin, performed last Friday and Saturday night, realised £595 for hall funds.

Bingo

A bingo night is being held in the Wauchope Hall at 7pm tonight (Thursday). Proceeds to Yetholm school.

Guild

Members meet on February 23 at 2.30pm in Yetholm Church for a talk on The Samaritans.

Council

Community councillors meet on February 23 at 7pm in the Youth Hall. There will be a discussion at the beginning of the meeting about Yetholm Community Trust. All Welcome

AGM

Yetholm Shepherds’ Show AGM is on February 25 at 7.30pm in the Wauchope Hall.

Thirteen Borders College staff members completed the renowned ‘WorldHost’ customer service training.

This course has been used to train staff worldwide, including the games makers at the London 2012 Olympics. More courses will be taking place within Borders College, with the College aiming to become a ‘WorldHost’ accredited organisation.

Pictured are Brian Jamieson, Vivienne Stavert, Angela Pearson, Fiona Jackson, Jennifer MacKenzie, Grieg Forrest, Lidia Carsane and

Glen Turnbull. Lucy Couper, Fiona McIntosh, Amy Hamilton, Cheryl Elliot and Tracey Worth were also successful.

An Eyemouth coffee shop is set to join exalted company later this month as it joins the roster of top coffee roasters in Scotland.

Rialto, managed by husband and wife Michael and Ellyn Howes, has been selected to be part of the Scottish Indy Coffee Guide, which is the latest in a series showing there is more to having a cuppa in the high street than the usual chain outlets.

And Michael, originally from Spittal, Berwick, will be joining the highest profile names on the Scottish coffee scene when they come together in Glasgow later this month to celebrate the guide’s launch.

The first ever book of its kind for the region, The Scottish Indy Coffee Guide will be launching at South Block in Glasgow on February 23.

The guide includes reviews of 44 top coffee shops in Scotland (plus another 27 “More Good Cups” listings), which have been chosen to be in the guide by a committee of Scottish coffee experts, based on quality of coffee served, expertise, and the use of the highest quality beans.

“I knew it was coming out, because I had seen the other editions,” said Michael this week, “but I never thought that it would be us included in it.

“They judge for the guide on criteria like serving speciality coffee, preparing it in a certain way, working with single origin coffees, things like that.

“Obviously, we must have been ticking off the criteria, because Salt Media, the publishers of the guide, rang us up, and I just said yes. I didn’t have to think about it.

“It’s just great that there’s another little bit of profile for Eyemouth, really. And if you get people coming into town for a stop on the A1, they’re likely to visit us, or come to tick us off their coffee shop list and have a look around the town.”

The reviews in the guide include information on different brew types, beans, grinders and equipment, and in addition, the guide showcases 11 top local artisan roasters (with seven “More Good Roasters” added in for good measure).

Editor of the guide, Jo Rees said: “There’s loads of coffee in Scotland – some of it incredible, some not so good, but your Indy Coffee Guide in your back pocket is your starting point for some brilliant coffee adventures.

The UK’s top barista, Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood said of the venture: “The guide represents the emergence of “coffee tourism”. After all, guidebooks have led people to new and exciting realms for centuries.”

The book launch also incorporates the national barista championships, something that Michael has his eye on.

“I’ve been here for four years, and we offer food as well as just coffee, so I’ve been a bit out of practice as a barista, but I really like doing it. It’s mainly been Matthew who’s been doing that, but I’d love to try my hand at competing.

“We’re just preparing to offer another speciality coffee,” he continues, “and we’re looking to sell our own blend in the near future, called Braw Beans, which people will be able to buy bagged, to prepare at home.”

He describes the new blend as a classic, faintly acidic coffee.

“As opposed to the very modern, fruity coffees that we have recently offered,” he said, “this is more of a classic Italian drink. It’s a bit like a record - this is the A-side of the single, the crowd-pleaser.”

Farmers attending the next Grazing Group meeting at Galashiels will have the chance to benefit from some practical and interesting research that grazing expert Philip Creighton has undertaken in Ireland.

The meeting, which is free to attend and organised by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), will take place on March 4.

The aim of the grazing groups is to increase kg of liveweight produced per hectare through better utilisation of grass. The groups have been meeting regularly to try and achieve this and Mr Creighton plans to use case studies from commercial farms in Ireland at these forthcoming meetings to show how farmers in Scotland can improve their profits by making better grass.

Mr Creighton is a graduate of in Animal and Crop Production at University College Dublin and established the Grassland Research and Innovation Centre in Galway in April 2011 which focuses on sheep and cattle grassland systems research.

He said: “Although there is more upland grazing in Scotland and there may not be the same production potential in some areas, the principles of grassland management are the same and can be adapted to suit different types of farms. Soil fertility and weather have a big part to play in identifying how much grass a farm can grow but long-term accumulation of information should lead to identifying the best stocking rates to maximise output.”

Many farmers are considering starting grass measuring, rotational grazing and experimenting with increased stocking rates and Mr Creighton will highlight some case studies where changes in grassland management have been successful.

The meeting begins at 10am and lunch will be provided. For further information and to register a place visit www.qmscotland.co.uk/events or phone 0131 472 4040.

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) is encouraging local communities from across the region to apply to its community grant scheme.

The scheme is open to all community groups in the Borders and provides grants of up to £5,000 to support projects which can be used to improve access to services, improve the environment, increase peoples’ pride in their community and provide easier access to advice and information.

In some circumstances, support is available to groups who are experiencing financial difficulty. Advice is also available on the many other grants that are available, both large and small, across Scotland.

Councillor Jim Brown, SBC’s executive member for community planning said: “Community grants are available for local community groups who are keen to come together and make a difference in their local area. Whether you want to have an event, refurbish a building or derelict piece of ground or simply buy equipment to help groups in your area to thrive, funding could be available to help you make your project a reality.”

To apply and find out more about the scheme, visit www.scotborders.gov.uk/communitygrants

Information is also available from grants co-ordinator Linda Cornwall on 01835 826659.

Borders College Engineering students have officially commenced work on their electric go-kart, which will see them participate in the Greenpower Formula 24 races during 2016.

The event, run by the Greenpower Education Trust, promotes sustainable engineering to young people with the aim to link education, industry and community through inspirational engineering projects.

As part of the initial research, students visited ‘The Experience’ in Glasgow, who operate a go-karting business which includes electric karts.Dave Black, one of the College Lecturers involved in the project, commented: “The students are ‘buzzing’, having seen a real electric kart in Glasgow, and with the kit arriving, they just want to get on and start the build. Obviously we need to ‘walk’ before we can ‘drive’, and research, testing and checking are all vital to the success of the project.”

The Motor Vehicle Level 2 students have been raising funds by offering a car valeting service, whilst one group of NC Engineering students have been grass-cutting, and have organised an Xbox tournament within the Fujitsu room at the Scottish Borders Campus.

The Introduction to Engineering students organised a raffle, whilst another group of students from the NC Engineering course also offered a handyman service, all to raise funds to enable them to build and take part in the Greenpower racing events.

The serious work of building starts very soon, with students working out the various weight components and the detailed drawings required to enable the ‘College Electric Kart’ to be built and raced in the Greenpower Formula 24 races later on in the year.

Scotland Club XV and Heriot’s head coach, Phil Smith, has included seven Borders players in his team to face England Counties at Netherdale on Friday, February 26 (7.30pm).

The team includes many players from club sides who have dominated the BT Premiership this season with Ayr’s Ross Curle named as captain in the centre.

Smith has awarded new caps in both the backs and forwards, including Hawick’s Lee Armstrong while in-form forwards Ross Graham (Hawick) and Nick Beavon (Melrose) are selected up front.

Melrose’s Fraser Thomson will fill the 15 shirt with teammate Sam Pecquer providing pace on the wing. Jamie Bhatti and Neil Irvine-Hess, also from Melrose RFC, are named on the bench.

Smith said: “We’ve named a side with many new faces but have retained some experience from last year’s campaign.

“I have selected players who have been on genuine form in the BT Premiership this season and who are representing the Scottish club rugby game at the highest level.”

The match against England Counties will be the first of two international games with Scotland Club XV travelling to Cork to face Ireland Club XV on Friday, March 18.

Tickets are £12 (adult entry to the match) with seniors, under-18s and Scotland Season Pass holders free. Tickets are available to buy from http://www.scottishrugby.org/tickets or you can pay on the gate.

Club XV team to play England Counties at Netherdale, Galashiels, Friday 26 February, (kick-off 7.30pm): Fraser Thomson (Melrose); Sam Pecquer (Melrose), Ross Curle CAPTAIN (Ayr), Brendan McGroarty (Glasgow Hawks), Jordan Edmunds (Boroughmuir); Lee Armstrong (Hawick), Paddy Boyer (Glasgow Hawks); George Hunter (Ayr), Ross Graham (Hawick), Nick Beavon (Melrose), Robert McAlpine (Ayr), Jack Turley (Heriot’s), Jason Hill (Heriot’s), Will Bordill (Ayr), Peter McCallum (Ayr). Subs: Michael Liness (Heriot’s), Struan Cessford (Heriot’s), Jamie Bhatti (Melrose), Russell Nimmo (Heriot’s), Neil Irvine-Hess (Melrose), Graham Wilson (Heriot’s), Cameron Ferguson (Heriot’s), Harvey Elms (Currie).

It’s been a challenging few weeks on the jobs front, but we’ve just had some excellent and uplifting news.

Customer service company Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) has announced it is to add 150 new jobs to the 200 it has already created at its call centre in Selkirk. The firm is particularly keen to open its doors to young people and to provide real opportunities for career progression.

This expansion follows growth at highly-rated independent power supplier Spark Energy, also based in Selkirk, which now employs more than 300 staff.

These positive developments are a useful reminder that despite recent job losses at places like Hawick Knitwear and Burgons of Eyemouth, we have real skills here which employers are keen to use.

In the 21st century, innovation is key, and one thing which gives us a real edge over competitors is that we’ve recognised that markets are changing and we’re adapting to that.

Take the knitwear sector, for instance.

Traditionally, this is a huge area of strength for us, and global consumers are now demanding low-volume, high-quality luxury products such as cashmere.

When I attended the recent economic summit in Hawick, local industry leaders impressed on me that they’ve recognised this reality and adapted their business models to suit. They’ve become more efficient and embraced the technological change needed to secure their futures – though we all need to acknowledge that this means they’ll require fewer staff than previously.

These new industries and ways of working will drive our economy going forward. I know people have historically been suspicious about the quality of call centre jobs, but that’s changed too.

Before I became an MP, I worked in technology and dealt with some of the biggest contact centres in the United Kingdom.

It’s one reason why I remain a trustee of Citizens’ Advice Direct, a Scottish call centre for people needing help and information.

I’ve seen the demand grow for highly-skilled people who interact with customers in a number of different ways – phone, internet, social media – and often provide highly-specialised and sometimes sensitive information. It’s a long way from the chicken-coop, sweat-shop image that the call centre sector used to have.

Companies like Spark and HGS are examples of high-quality, high-value operations, treating their staff well and offering them personal development. They’re using the skills, the enthusiasm and the warmth of the Borders people they employ to help build their businesses and to create a better and more profitable environment for everyone.

Yes, we’ve had our jobs issues locally, and we’re facing up to those. But rather than doing ourselves down and reflecting on the past, we’re carving a space for ourselves in the innovative, globalised and often quality-led trading environment in which we all live today.

It’s the right way forward – and it’ll bring us the benefits we need and deserve.

New free workshops aimed at helping Scottish Borders’ small and medium-sized enterprises adopt digital technology have been launched.

The DigitalBoost events have been designed to help businesses improve website presence, communicate with their customers better, and increase sales.

The events run throughout March and include digital marketing strategy, data analytics and back office systems.

DigitalBoost has been developed by Business Gateway, Scottish Enterprise and Highland & Islands Enterprise on behalf of Digital Scotland. The programme of workshops have been designed specifically to support SMEs development into digital technologies and ultimately to bring business benefits.

The seminars, will take place at Ettrick Riverside, Selkirk. One to one adviser sessions with digital specialists are also available.

Phil McCreadie, Business Gateway, said: “Digital technologies open doors to bigger markets as well as opportunities to improve efficiencies of individual businesses. The events aim to give greater understanding of this fast moving sector and real business benefits it can bring.”

For details, call 01835 818315 or visit www.bgateway.com/events.

Scottish Greens have hit out at the lack of public consultation after French multinational EDF Energy announced the operating life of the Torness nuclear plant would be extended by seven years from 2023 to 2030.

Sarah Beattie-Smith, infrastructure and investment spokesperson and MSP candidate for South of Scotland, said: “The announcement from EDF to extend the life of Torness is bad news for East Lothian and bad for Scotland. The fact that a private company can dictate energy policy for another seven years undermines democracy, both in the local community in East Lothian and nationally at a time when the Scottish Government ought to be focused on our ambitious climate targets.

“Torness is almost 30 years old and we should be planning for its decommissioning. ”

Meanwhile, Dunbar and East Linton councillor Michael Veitch said: “I am absolutely delighted by this announcement. Torness is the major employer in my ward, and is a tremendous asset to Dunbar.”

A drug courier, stopped en route to Hawick, with over £7,000 cannabis and £2,900 cash, has been jailed for 12 months.

Thirty-two-year-old Paul Marshall of Burnfoot Road, Hawick, appeared on indictment at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday and admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis on the A6088 road at Bonchester Bridge and at Benfield Road, Newcastle, on December 12, 2014.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser told how police received information about a car travelling to Scotland with a quantity of controlled drugs.

“Officers attended at the Carter Bar area and saw the car travelling towards Hawick,” explained Mr Fraser.

In the vehicle, they found a “substantial amount” of cannabis, with a value of around £7,500, and also £2,900 in cash.

“He said that his partner knew nothing about it, and couldn’t explain why he was travelling in this fashion,” added Mr Fraser.

A confiscation order for the cash seized was granted by the court.

Defence solicitor Phil Templeton said his client had been “acting as a courier”.

“It is a significant quantity of cannabis and that is accepted,” he said.

Mr Templeton said Marshall had no previous convictions for drug supply, and was considered unlikely to become involved in any similar offending.

“His involvement was on a single day,” he added.

The solicitor said his client was currently employed, but likely to lose his job if a custodial sentence was imposed.

“The bulk of his offending, for offences of violence or disorder, was committed some 10 years ago,” continued Mr Templeton.

“His alcohol abuse has since reduced and he is now in employment.”

”There has been a discernible reduction in his rate of offending,” added Mr Templeton.

“While this was a significant quantity of cannabis, there is no pattern of entrenched offending of this type,” he continued.

He said his client was “realistic enough” to know that custody was something which would be considered by the court.

Jailing the accused for 12 months, Sheriff Peter Paterson told him, “ You have chosen to act as a courier for pure personal gain.

“In my view, there is no alternative to custody.”

A father and son had indecent images of children at their Hawick home.

Sixty-eight-year-old Dennis Barnes and his 27-year-old son, Stuart, both of Crailing Court, Hawick, appeared on indictment and admitted possession of indecent images of children at their home between May 1, 2014 and May 13 last year.

Stuart Barnes, who was jailed for 11 months and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years, also admitted taking or permitting to be taken, indecent photos of children.

His father, Dennis, was sentenced to a three-year Community Payback Order, with supervision, and placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for three years.

Sheriff Peter Paterson described the offence as “an odd and worrying case”.

“We have a father and son on the same complaint, with separate and deviant interests,” he added.

Having sentenced Dennis Barnes, he remanded his son, Stuart, in custody over lunch to consider his disposal.

Stuart Barnes, a first offender, was found with over 1,000 images.

“I accept there was no distribution, but the particular nature of some of these images is troubling,” concluded Sheriff Paterson.

TWO RAPE ALLEGATIONS

A Galashiels teenager has appeared in private, charged with rape.

Eighteen-year-old Callum Millar of Glendinning Terrace, Galashiels, appeared in private, charged on petition with two allegations of rape in the Borders.

Millar made no plea or declaration, and was released on bail meantime.

IN CUSTODY ON ASSAULT CHARGE

A 29-year-old man appeared in private, charged with assault to danger of life.

Michael Stead of Talisman Avenue, Galashiels, is alleged to have committed the offence in Galashiels, and also faces a charge of police assault.

He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody meantime.

GALASHIELS GOLF RANGE THEFT

A Selkirk man stole money from a local golf range in Galashiels.

Iain McCallum, 32, of Bannerfield Drive, appeared on indictment and admitted breaking into a portacabin at Meadowfield Golf Range with intent to steal, on August 14, 2014.

He also admitted forcing open a locked ball dispensing machine and stealing money.

McCallum was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within one year.

He was warned the sentence was a direct alternative to custody.

McCallum was sentenced to a further 50 hours of unpaid work after he also admitted attempting to force open a locked bar with intent to steal at Selkirk Golf Club on August 6 ,2014.

He was also sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work - to run concurrently - after he admitted stealing a box of sweets at Business Gateway, Dunsdale Road, Selkirk, on July 28, 2014, and being found in the curtilage of Chiefswood House, Darnick, in suspicious circumstances on September 5, 2014.

SEX OFFENDERS REGISTER

A teenager had indecent photos of children at his Eyemouth home.

Nineteen-year-old Daniel Mark of Killiesgreen, Eyemouth, appeared on indictment and admitted having indecent photos of children at his home between December 27, 2014 and April 23, 2015.

He also admitted distributing or showing indecent images of children on repeated occasions between February 24, and April 11, last year.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told the accused: “It goes without saying that these are serious offences, but I take account of the lack of any record and the level and number of images involved.

“For that reason, I am able to impose a non-custodial sentence,” he added.

Mark was sentenced to a three-year Community Payback Order, and placed on the Sex Offenders’ register for a similar period.

He was warned the sentence was a direct alternative to custody.

AGGRESSIVE TO FORMER PARTNER

After an argument, a man seized his ex-partner and sat astride her.

Aigars Bankovs, 32, of Whitefield Crescent, Newtown St Boswells, admitted threatening or abusive behaviour towards his former partner at a house in Beech Avenue, Galashiels, on December 24.

He also admitted assaulting her, repeatedly seizing her by the head and body, pushing her, and sitting astride her.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said the couple had known each other for some 12 years, and briefly split two weeks earlier.

“At the time, she was 11-weeks pregnant with his child,” said Mr Fraser.

He said they had discussed separation again on Christmas Eve, and Bankovs “became angry”.

“He seized her jaw, took off her glasses, and said that he was going to break her tooth,” said Mr Fraser.

“He pushed her on to the bed and sat on top of her,” he added.

The woman locked him out and dialled 999.

“She was very upset when police attended, and had a bump to her head and some scratches.”

Defence solicitor Mat Patrick said the “entire physical incident was just a few seconds.

“Drink had been taken by both parties,” he added.

Bankovs was sentenced to 70 hours unpaid work, to be completed within nine months.

RACIST REMARK TO HIS MOTHER

An angry man made a racist remark to his mother, calling her a n......r.

Scott Garment admitted the offence which happened when his mother had stopped at traffic lights, and Garment was passing by.

Garment, 30, of Glendinning Terrace, Galashiels, also admitted threatening or abusive behaviour at a house at Sprouston Cottages, Newton St Boswells, on January 11.

He also admitted obstructing three police officers and struggling violently with them.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said Garment and his partner had been discussing their relationship, and she had suggested it come to an end.

Garment began to shout and swear, and poured a bottle of milk around the kitchen.

The woman was “hysterical and crying” when she left the address.

Garment was also hostile towards police, telling one officer, “I’m going to f.....g kill you.”

He said he had no recollection of the offences when charged.

Defence solicitor Ed Hulme said his client had taken some of his partner’s prescribed medication prior to the offence.

“He has no recollection of what happened after, and is extremely apologetic,” said Mr Hulme.

Garment was sentenced to a total of 260 hours of unpaid work, to be completed within one year.

ALCOHOL THEFT IN SELKIRK SHOP

A drunken man walked out of a Selkirk shop with a box of stolen lager.

Scott Chisholm, 24, of Beech Avenue, Galashiels, admitted stealing alcohol from Sainsburys in High Street, Selkirk, on September 28.

He walked out of the store with a box of six bottles of lager, worth £8.

“He attended at the police station voluntarily, and apologised,” said defence solicitor Stephanie Clinkscale.

Chisholm was fined £200.

ASSAULTED BAR DOORMAN

A drunken man spat on a bar doorman after being asked to leave.

Liam Lothian, 25, of Hall Place, Galashiels, admitted shouting and swearing in Hunters Hall, High Street, Galashiels, on November 21, and also assaulting a man by spitting on him.

Defence solicitor Ross Dow said his client was “full of contrition”.

Lothian was fined £350 and ordered to pay £100 compensation to his victim.

DAMAGED TWO CARS IN SELKIRK

A Selkirk man caused a total of £800 damage to two cars in the town.

Peter Doswell, 19, of Murray Place, Selkirk, admitted recklessly damaging two vehicles in Curror Street, on September 6.

He also admitted causing £100 damage by throwing a stone at a window of a house there.

Doswell was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work, and ordered to pay a total of £695 compensation.

He was warned the sentence was a direct alternative to custody.

OBSTRUCTED POLICE IN GALA

A Hawick man removed something from his mouth and threw it in the river.

Darren Crawford, 31, of Lothian Street, failed to stop for police and removed an item from his mouth and threw it in the Gala Water on May 15.

He was sentenced to 70 hours of unpaid work.

An otherwise successful day at Kelso Races was tinged with sadness yesterday when dual Borders National victor Neptune Equester collapsed and died.

The local favourite passed away on the course after finishing runner-up to the Paul Nicholls trained Unioniste in the Ivan Straker Memorial chase midway through the meeting.

Shades of Midnight delighted Hawick connections when romping home 26 lengths clear for a convincing win at Kelso’s first meeting of 2016 on Thursday.

Trained by Donald Whillans and ridden by son Callum, the progressive stayer cruised clear of runner-up Kind of Easy, trained by Donald’s brother, Alistair.

In the colours of the locally-based Potassium Partnership, who also bred him, the gelding was the impressive victor of the Kelso Annual Members’ handicap hurdle race.

There was a further Hawick victory in the P & G Allan Catering Open Hunters’ Chase, when 25-1 chance Durban Gold provided Bonchester Bridge-based Di Walton with a first success under Rules.

The successful pointer, purchased at Doncaster Sales, won in the hands of Mindrum jockey Nick Orpwood.

“I thought she would run well but I didn´t think she would win,” admitted Di.

“The weight made a big difference as she was getting more than a stone from some of them,” she added.

Fife trainer Nick Alexander saddled Road to Gold to win the opening Kelso Annual Members novice hurdle race.

The 3-1 chance, owned by Judy Douglas Miller, scored by five lengths for the trainer’s daughter, Lucy.

Rocking Blues cruised home for a wide margin success in the Border Hotel Kirk Yetholm handicap chase – his third victory at the track.

Under a capable ride by Lorcan Murtagh, the gelding romped home 20 lengths clear, for Alnwick trainer Rose Dobbin.

Lorcan – godson of the trainer’s husband and former Grand National winning jockey Tony Dobbin – is now just one win short of losing his 10lbs claim.

“He´s in the Eider so we´ll think about that,” said Tony.

Feature race of a valuable £87,000 card was the Timeform Morebattle hurdle, where Nicky Henderson’s Champion Hurdle prospect Top Notch showed his class cruising home for a comfortable 12-length victory.

The concluding Racing UK in HD Next Month bumper went to Richard Johnson on the John Quinn-trained Lady Beaufort.

RESULTS

1.20 – ROAD TO GOLD (L Alexander) 3-1; 2, Western Rules 5-4 fav; 3, Water Sprite 15-8. Seven ran. N Alexander, Kinneston.

1.55 – ROCKING BLUES (L Murtagh) 7-4 fav; 2, Carrigdhoun 9-4; 3, Gold Opera 5-1. Five ran. R Dobbin, Hazelrigg.

2.30 - TOP NOTCH (D Jacob) 4-11 fav; 2, One for Harry 4-1; 3, Chic Name 10-1. Four ran. N Henderson, Lambourn.

3.05 – UNIONISTE (N Scholfield) 10-11 FAV; 2, Neptune Equester 14-1; 3, Soll 6-4. Four ran. P Nicholls, Somerset.

3.40 – SHADES OF MIDNIGHT (C Whillans) 4-1 jt fav; 2, Kind of Easy 16-1; 3, Pilgrims Bay 4-1 jt fav. 10 ran. D Whillans, Hawick.

4.15 – DURBAN GOLD (N Orpwood) 25-1; 2, Wicklow Lad 5-1; 3, Mister Marker 4-1. Eight ran. Mrs D Walton, Bonchester Bridge.

4.50 – LADY BEAUFORT (R Johnson) 9-4; 2, Randy Pike 6-5 fav; 3, Brackenmoss Rory 8-1. Eight ran. J Quinn, N Yorks.

The body of a man has been found in a property in Broadlee Bank, Tweedbank.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police in the Borders responded to an address in Broadlee Bank, Galashiels at around 1.30pm on Thursday, February 18, where the body of a man was found within.

“Inquiries are ongoing to identify the man and establish the full circumstances surrounding his death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.”

Social media reports say the area around the house has been taped off.

The Borders Organic Gardeners (BOG) group has asked potato expert John Marshall to give a talk on potatoes at the Abbey Row Centre in Kelso on Saturday at 2pm.

This is a free BOG event, open to the public as well as BOG members – so it doesn’t cost to discover how many things you don’t know about the tattie.

The annual Potato Day is on Sunday, March 6, from 11am-3pm at Kelso’s Springwood Park.

Mr Marshall will also be there with his expert advice as usual, as will the local food, craft and horticultural stands, cafe, tattie-tasting table, kids activities and organic gardening advice.

And, of course, keen gardeners can choose from more than 100 seed potato varieties sold by the tuber, together with shallot, onion and garlic sets, so you can try something different as well as old favourites.

Melrose Branch of Arthritis Research UK celebrated Shrove Tuesday with a packed Pancake Tea at Priorwood Court in Melrose. The homemade pancakes, cakes and biscuits were much appreciated and almost none were left ... even the cake and candy stall was bare at the end of the afternoon, which led to a record-breaking amount being raised for the charity – totalling in excess of £350.

Branch chairman Trefor Davies said: “Our grateful thanks to all who attended and all who worked tirelessly to make the event so successful.”

Scottish Borders Council has insisted it followed the normal procedures of its winter service plan, despite facing criticism over the treacherous state of untreated icy roads and pavements on Monday morning.

Members of the public took to social media to express their anger about the difficulties they experienced in the wake of Sunday’s heavy snowfalls – and their concerns were shared by councillors.

Councillor Rory Stewart said the situation in Jedburgh was “little less than shocking”.

He had been contacted by a constituent who told him: “I have just returned from Jedburgh town centre where the streets and pavement are an absolute disgrace due to the complete lack of gritting.

“I watched elderly people struggling to and from the Co-op in High Street and things are no better in the areas away from the centre. I can assure you there are some very angry Jedburgh residents voicing their displeasure in no uncertain terms.”

Councillor Stewart emailed SBC’s chief executive (place) Philip Barr midmorning and told him: “There needs to be people on the ground in Jedburgh as soon as possible to make the town and surrounding area safe.”

“I travelled to Appletreehall [near Hawick] this morning and the A698 [Cleikum Inn to Hawick] is a disgrace,” he added.

In Hawick, Councillor Stuart Marshall (Ind) was also demanding action.

“The footpaths in Hawick are treacherous and the council needs to get salting them and our roads much quicker,” he said. “I have been inundated with calls from concerned residents.”

A spokesperson for SBC said roads and footways had been treated in accordance with the protocol of the winter service plan.

“Weather conditions over the weekend meant snow which fell across the Borders turned to ice as temperatures dropped to the coldest in the region so far this winter, making some difficult conditions for drivers and pedestrians,” said the spokesperson.

“Primary roads were gritted from 4pm on Sunday and the primary network of roads and pavements was treated again from 6am onwards on Monday. Gritting again took place on Monday at 3.30pm and 6pm.

“Thereafter, secondary roads and all other footways are treated, subject to the availability of resources.”

Both Jedburgh town and the A698 are designated as “primary routes”.

Kirknewton station in north Northumberland, not to be confused with the one of the same name west of Edinburgh, was closed to passengers on September 22, 1930, and for goods traffic on March 30, 1953.

The Alnwick-Coldstream line was built by the North Eastern Railway in the 19th century when everybody wanted a railway and investors thought that railway shares offered a certain reward.

However, this part of Northumberland was, and is, sparsely populated, so passenger traffic was particularly thin. The main expectation of reward was from livestock and agricultural produce. The flock of sheep in the accompanying image would have gone to market by train.

Many railways which never had a hope of profitability were built during that century – and this line was high on that list.

At Coldstream station, which was actually in Cornhill, the line joined that from St Boswells and Kelso to Tweedmouth. That line was also North Eastern as far as Kelso, beyond which it was the North British Railway. A little irony was that just before it left England, the North Eastern passed Carham Hall, residence of the North British chairman.

In those days railways were regarded as businesses, and therefore taxable, but the First World War wreaked havoc with the state of lines and there was a serious proposal to nationalise them and for the state to run them at a loss as a national asset.

Instead, the government hoped to keep them going as viable businesses, but following the war ex-servicemen bought redundant army lorries and set up small businesses carrying goods and passengers, and this trend resulted in the loss of business to railways.

In 1923 the North Eastern and North British both became part of the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), when about 120 firms were amalgamated into four broadly territorial companies. The LNER was the least profitable of these, in 1926 earning only one-fifth of its target revenue.

Help came in 1928 when an Act of Parliament enabled the railways to operate buses themselves.

Rather than do that, however, they chose to buy shares in existing bus companies. When they tried to take over United Automobile Services lock stock and barrel, there was an almighty row with the group to which United belonged, and it was agreed that as a principle the railways could have equal shares with the bus groups.

Despite this agreement, the railways never exercised their influence with the bus firms to run the buses to railway stations. As much as to thumb their nose at their new partners, the busmen proceeded to spend the 1930s building bus stations in many towns as far from the railway station as possible.

One of the railway-appointed directors of a bus company told the writer that he really did not know why he was there, but the company put on a good lunch, so he went to the meetings.

What the railways did was to take the opportunity of their share holding to withdraw loss-making local passenger services like those on the Alnwick-Coldstream line and give the business to bus companies. There was more help in a similar Act which gave the railways authority to operate lorries. They set up Country Lorry Services as local carriers, and incidentally to collect and deliver goods to and from railway stations.

This was much more satisfactory than the opportunities they had squandered with the buses.

After the Second World War the railways were in an even worse state than they had been after the First, partly because of aerial bombing. This time they really were nationalised, and so was road haulage, but road and rail were kept apart rather than integrated.

Worse was to come when the National Bus Company and Scottish Transport Group were formed in 1969. Despite trains, most buses and ferries now being publicly owned, there was no requirement for them to work together – so they mostly didn’t. Buses and ferries in Scotland did, of course, because they always had, but the long-established connection between the ferries and the railways gradually broke down, and the situation in England was no improvement on the previous unsatisfactory arrangement.

Towards the end of the 20th century things began to look up. Some far-sighted managers began to drag the railways up by their own bootlaces, and the privatised companies which took over railway services in 1997 subsequently have been receiving the credit for the results.

It is to be hoped that those managers, now well into retirement, know the saying that you can do a great deal of good in this world so long as you do not mind who takes the credit.

z John Wylde is the author of “Integrated Transport – a Will-o’-the-wisp?” This book is priced at £14.95, post paid, and signed by the author. Also “Experiments in Public Transport Operation” at £11.95.

Order through the author’s website, www.john-wylde.co.uk, or from Grieves on the corner of Church Street in Berwick.

A service which supports deaf and hard-of-hearing Borderers and gives them access to a range of state-of-the-art listening aids, has been saved from extinction by the British Red Cross.

The Borders branch of the international aid organisation, which has more than 100 local volunteers and offices in Galashiels and Coldstream, has taken over the role of the Borders Deaf and Hard of Hearing Network, which disbanded in August last year when the owners of the accommodation it leased in Low Buckholmside, Galashiels, went into voluntary liquidation.

“It came as a terrible shock,” recalled Jean Proudfoot from Selkirk who had been secretary of the network since its formation.

“I had always hoped that all the hard work that went into building up our services would not be lost, but without our resource centre and short of volunteers, we had no option but to call it a day.”

This week, Mrs Proudfoot, who has been overseeing the integration with Red Cross service manager Lindsay Wilson, said she was “absolutely delighted”.

A room at the Red Cross centre at Wheatlands Mill in Galashiels, where First Aid training takes place, has been adapted to accommodate a wide range of equipment, including amplified telephones, vibrating alarm clocks, TV listening aids and visual/chiming doorbells which can be borrowed with no obligation for up to two weeks to make sure each item is suitable for the individual prior to purchase.

The facility has now been accredited by BT as a ‘Try it Before you Buy Centre’.

And the public is welcome to visit on selected drop-in days for coffee and biscuits and to try out the equipment.

They are, between 10am and noon, on: February 17 and 25; March 3, 7, 24 and 31; and April 7, 14, 21 and 28. There are other days planned throughout the year.