Property sales across the Borders are being driven forward by rising demand for quality rural homes that are sensitively priced, according to leading independent property consultancy, CKD Galbraith.

CKD Galbraith’s Kelso office has reported a 36% increase in the number of properties sold during the first three months of 2016 compared with the same quarter of last year, and a 12% rise in the number of viewings in comparison with the final quarter of 2015.

Alex Inglis, head of residential sales at CKD Galbraith’s Kelso office, said: “The Borders property market remains steady with recent sale figures showing a healthy growth. However, accurate pricing is always important.

“Attractive three and 4 bedroom homes, ideally with some additional land if they are in rural locations, are in particular demand with the market appeal of such properties being far reaching. During the first quarter of this year 68% of our buyers already lived in Scotland while 32% came from further afield.”

Susan Guthrie, CKD Galbraith’s lettings manager for the region, added: “The Borders lettings team has been experiencing high demand for three to four bedroom houses. Many properties are let within days.”

The Kings of the Sevens series rolls on to the penultimate contest at Philiphaugh on Saturday, with no less than five of the competing teams already having won a tournament.

With the draw seeded, and Melrose, Jed, Watsonians and home club Selkirk in each quarter, it looks like there will be some exciting match-ups throughout the day.

After eight tournaments, Jed head up the table and require four more points than Watsonians to be crowned Kings of the Sevens on Saturday.

The Young twins were outstanding in their tournament win at Earlston on Sunday.

However, in the other half of the draw, Melrose were in terrific form last weekend, winning the Kelso tournament and scoring over 100 points in their semi-final and final wins against Watsonians and Gala respectively.

There are a few guest teams who will be very competitive, but the great unknowns in the tournament are Loughborough, who were very impressive last year and have a great history in the abbreviated game.

They are coached by former Selkirk player Ciaran Beattie, who will be keen to make an impression at his old club. The tournament is sponsored by Lawrie’s, St Boswells, and the cup by CPE Consultancy.

Action begins at 2pm and the first-round draw features:

Melrose v Peebles

Gala v Edinburgh Accies

Selkirk v Biggar

Kelso v Stewarts Melville

Watsonians v Falkirk

Loughborough v Langholm

Jed v Hamilton

Hawick v Berwick.

Lawrie’s Garage, part of the Border Motor Group, based in St Boswells, is once again sponsoring Selkirk Sevens, which takes place at Philiphaugh this Saturday, May 7. It’s the fourth year in succession the company has supported the event – and Lawrie’s sales manager David Henderson said the firm was delighted to be involved once again.

“We are very happy to continue our sponsorship and got a lot of positive feedback from last year’s event,” he said. “The Selkirk tournament is one of the most popular on the Kings of the Sevens circuit and Lawrie’s is pleased to be able to play a part in helping to enhance this reputation.”

Selkirk RC’s sevens convener is former Scotland internationalist John Rutherford, who said everyone at Philiphaugh was delighted to welcome Lawrie’s Garage back as the 2016 competition sponsor.

“Having Lawrie’s Garage on board for the fourth year in a row has given the 2016 sevens a massive boost and we’re delighted to be strengthening our ties with such a prestigious organisation,” he said, adding the tournament had again attracted an extremely strong line-up of teams. Lawrie’s Garage also intends to have some of its cars on display at the Selkirk tournament.

KELSO LADIES 25

CUMNOCK LADIES 15

In their first game, the fledgling Kelso Ladies rugby team proved they have what it takes to be a competitive side when they demolished visiting Cumnock Ladies in a match ahead of last Saturday’s Kelso Sevens.

Poynder Park was bathed in welcome spring sunshine and a healthy-sized crowd was entertained by some quality rugby from both teams.

Kelso captain Terri Harkin’s players were naturally a bit nervous with their first competitive game after just six months’ training together, taking a while to settle.

This allowed the visitors to get by far the best of the opening exchanges. But Cumnock failed to capitalise on their dominance early on.

And, to the delight of the home supporters, Kelso drew first blood when, after some good work out wide, prop Sarah Murray bulldozed her way over for the opening score.

The next two touchdowns came from Cumnock, but a transformed Kelso side took the pitch after the restart.

Donna Borthwick was fed a pass by Katie McLaren after some great work by the forwards.

A try from scrumhalf Louise Dodds soon followed, while half-time substitute Kayleigh Oliver also made a significant impact, scoring the next two tries. But Cumnock didn’t give in and they were to score the last touchdown of the match.

The real winner on the day, however, was women’s rugby in Kelso.

Coach Mick Lyall said he was immensely proud of his players: “They started very nervously but, after we had a chat at half-time, they were absolutely outstanding in the second half. What these ladies have achieved in six months is incredible and they should all be very proud of their performance.”

Footballers from across the Borders and neighbouring regions came together for the inaugural Borders Walking Football Festival at Gala Fairydean Rovers recently.

Teams from Peebles, Kelso, Galashiels and Newcastleton met fellow players from Midlothian and Annan (who had two teams entered) in what turned out to be a highly competitive and well-fought event.

Seven teams competed across the Netherdale 3G Arena in a round-robin tournament on a sunny day, despite the early flurries of snow.

Players took part in six 12-minute games to determine the two teams with the most points who would go through to the final to compete for the winning cup.

Midlothian finished top of the league, successfully winning all their games and going straight through to the final. The runner-up position was tied between Gala Fairydean Rovers and Annan 1 but, after some careful checking of the goal difference, the home side was announced as the second team going through to the final.

The game finished 0-0, resulting in a nail-biting penalty shootout between the two teams.

Eventually, Gala Fairydean took the title 3-1 on penalties. Players then gathered to watch the presentation before heading into the club for refreshments and a chance to reflect on a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

John Hislop, captain of the winning Gala Fairydean team, said: “Thank you to Gala Fairydean Rovers and the council for organising and hosting the tournament. The referees also deserve a mention.

“It was a fantastic day, and everyone who took part seemed to enjoy it, which is the main thing.

“Commiserations to Midlothian, who qualified for the final by winning all their games then lost out to us in a penalty shoot-out, and Annan Athletic, who missed out in a place in the final on goal difference.

“What made the day extra special for me was the fact the games were all played in good spirit and everyone shook hands at the end of each match. It was good to see so many spectators present and I hope this is the first of many such events in the Borders.”

Graeme McIver, Gala Fairydean Rovers’ club secretary, added: “Gala Fairydean Rovers is delighted to have worked with the council’s community capacity building team in hosting the inaugural Scottish Borders Walking Football Festival.

“We hope it will be the first of many such tournaments in the Borders and we plan to make it an annual event here at Netherdale.

“While there may not have been any running, there was certainly plenty of skill, energy and endeavour on show. Walking football is a fantastic way of keeping people active, fit and enjoying football and we as a club are committed to seeing the sport grow and develop in the Borders.”

Councillor Vicky Davidson, executive member for culture, sport, youth and communities at Scottish Borders Council, said: “Congratulations to everyone who took part in what was clearly a well fought and well supported competition.

“Thanks are due to many people but must go in particular to Gala Fairydean Rovers for their helpful organisation and making their great venue available.

“We hope the success of the event will encourage more people to get involved in the sport, both men and women, and that its popularity will continue to grow.”

For more information about the festival or how to get involved in a local team, contact the community capacity building team on 01835 824000 or at communitycapacity@scotborders.gov.uk

When Scotland held its independence referendum less than two years ago, there were admiring – and envious – glances from many parts of the globe.

The level of voter engagement in the run-up to referendum day, culminating in a turnout of almost 85%, rightly drew praise from many quarters.

This encouraging trend continued in May last year when 71.1% of Scots voters made their mark at the polling booths in the Westminster elections.

Let’s hope citizens play their democratic part en masse today when electing MSPs to Holyrood, prior to the drama unfolding when counting begins.

We wholeheartedly back David Mundell’s wish for a big turnout (see neighbouring page), regardless of which party voters plump for. Don’t let apathy emerge the victor. We’ve little time for the they’re-all-as-bad-as-each other attitude. Whoever is elected will have an effect on your life – especially with the Scottish Parliament’s new powers.

So cast your vote – even if you see it as choosing the best of a bad bunch.

If you don’t, then expect sympathy to be thin on the ground if you complain afterwards.

Today’s Scottish Parliament elections are the most important since the first were held for Holyrood in 1999.

With the historic Scotland Bill having now passed through both Westminster and Edinburgh legislatures, a whole range of new powers will be coming to the Scottish Parliament after today.

Holyrood won’t just be made up of new politicians – it will also have the responsibilities a modern Scotland deserves to have and be one of the most powerful devolved assemblies in the world.

This is why it is so important that voters across the Borders use their democratic right at polling stations – whatever way you are planning to vote – between 7am and 10pm.

The Scottish Parliament will be responsible for what you pay in income tax and MSPs now have power over a range of benefits. That means if the Scottish Government wishes to change the benefits system from the way the UK government is doing things, then it will be able to.

It will be able to up benefits to help the most vulnerable in our society, and this has only been achieved by the Scottish and UK administrations working together on the Scotland bill to ensure a fair deal.

What Scottish voters now deserve after this election from whoever is elected is for the politicians to have a grown-up debate about decisions which will affect the day-to-day lives of the people they represent across the country.

Scots can now look forward to a country which makes the vast majority of its own decisions in it own parliament with the right powers to do so.

If the polls are correct, then it is likely that the SNP will form the Scottish Government again. As the Scotland bill showed, the Edinburgh and London administrations can work together, and as the MP who takes in large parts of Tweeddale and the Borders, I am more than willing to work with whoever gets elected in Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, and Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale for the benefit of both of these constituencies and voters who live in this region.

I hope that this election will produce a high turnout, with voters showing their commitment to a new and mature Scottish Parliament by holding their representatives to account.

APPLETREEHALL

SWI

Members had an interesting and informative talk on different ways to pay for care in the home. Competitions – decorated photograph frame – 1, Grace Shiel; 2, Nancy Dunne; 3, Jacqui Bigwood; a keepsake – 1, Jacqui Bigwood; 2, Grace Shiel; 3, Isobel Halliday.

BOWDEN

SWI

Bowden SWI will be holding a coffee morning to raise funds towards tackling multiple sclerosis on May 7 at 10am in the village hall.

Caddonfoot

Parish church

The life of Moses was the theme of the Reverend Elspeth Harley’s talks at morning service on Sunday. The Bible reading was delivered by Atholl Innes and Bible study continues on Wednesday nights at the Trinity Church office in Galashiels from 7.30pm. Sunday sees the sacrament of holy communion at 9.45am.

darnick

Wine and cheese

Darnick Village Trust has organised a wine and cheese evening for local residents for May 12, starting at 7.30pm in the Smith Memorial Hall. The event will combine a short business meeting for trust members and opportunity for established and newer villagers to enjoy an informal social evening. The business is primarily to discuss the future direction of the trust and its proposed development plans. The social aspect will focus on tasting a range of Fairtrade wines available from the Melrose Co-op, and cheeses supplied by The Country Kitchen Deli in Melrose Market Square. Breadworks in Tweedbank will supply examples of their breads, and there will be gluten and dairy-free alternatives available. It will also be an opportunity to see the recent range of improvements carried out to the hall by trustees. Entry via donation and the event includes a raffle.

earlston

Lunch club

On Thursday, April 21, members celebrated the Queen’s birthday, starting with a game of dominoes, then lunch, including a cup of tea and piece of birthday cake, and entertainment by Mrs G. Hardy on the accordion. At the meeting on Thursday, April 28, following lunch, members were given a slide show on Auld Earlston by Mrs S. McKay, bringing back lots of memories. The club coffee morning raised £475.

Blood donors

The blood-donor session held in Earlston on April 24 saw 82 volunteers offering to give blood, and 76 donations were given. There were 11 new donors.

Parish church

The service at 10.15am on May 8 will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods. Christian Aid Week is next week so collectors will be around the village.

Concert

On May 21 at 7.30pm, there will be a concert in Earlston Parish Church by Vocal Zone, a four-part harmony cappella group singing a variety of popular songs, mostly from the 20th century. Donations at the door, with profits going to Christian Aid.

ETTRICKBRIDGE

AGM

Kirkhope Parish Hall AGM will be held on May 23 at 7.30pm. The gathering is open to all.

Coffee morning

The next coffee morning and sale in aid of hall funds will be held on May 7 between 10am-noon. Anyone with anything to sell should simply turn up, take a table and give a small donation to the hall.

galashiels

Probus

Augusta Greenlees told members of her work supporting a school in Madagascar as an introduction to her talk. She raises money through her talks, recently especially to provide food parcels for families of children at the school who have been affected by the failure of the vanilla crop. Augusta went on a horse-riding adventure in Patagonia in the south-west of South America. On arrival and throughout the eight-day journey, the small group of riders were impressed by the scenery. There were paths in places, but no proper surfaces. Each day involved eight hours of riding with accommodation and food quite basic in remote haciendas. There were many wooden bridges over the rivers but, to arrive at their main destination, a national park, the riders had to guide their horses over a wide, fast-flowing river. Members saw pictures of the scenery, flat in some places and high, snow-capped mountains in others. Augusta has since then relived this style of adventure, travelling by horse in Kenya, Madagascar, Bulgaria and other countries.

Trinity church

Minister Elspeth Harley conducted the service on Sunday morning, Dorothy Howden led music and Tom Lawson read the lessons. Bible study continues on Wednesdays at 7.30pm in the church office and on May 8 the Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated at 11.15am. On May 15 there will be a special service for all churches in Galashiels and surrounding area in the Church of Our Lady and St Andrew’s at 6.30pm to celebrate Pentecost. This will be prepared by a team from four local churches. The next congregational board meeting is to be held on May 10 at 7pm in the small hall.

Defibrillator

Tesco is set to install a defibrillator in its Galashiels supermarket as part of a partnership with Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation which will see the life-saving equipment placed in 109 of its Scottish stores. Statistics from the British Heart Foundation show that more than 30,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital in the UK every year, but less than one in 10 survive. For every minute without CPR and defibrillation, a person’s chance of survival decreases by 10%.

glendouglas

Whist

A whist drive will be held on May 9 from 7.30pm.

Lunch club

The next gathering will be held on May 22 (11.30am-1.30pm).

Hawick

Bridge club

Competition winners 2015- 2016 – Summer Pairs – Mary Millar & Patsy Gilligan; Murray Aitken Teams of Four – Marian& John Miller, Sam White & Richard Von Slicher; Margaret Burgon Quaich – Margaret MacLeod & Rob Goldie, Ken Auckland & David King; Winter Pairs – Mary Millar & Patsy Gilligan; Jubilee Cup – Mary Millar & Lance Witten.

Wilton Dean SWI

President Joyce Tinlin welcomed members to the April meeting where she introduced three ladies from the Salvation Army entertainment group – songs and games were the order of the day. Competition – candlestick – 1, Rhona Glendinning; 2, Joyce Tinlin. Raffle winner, Joyce Tinlin. The sales table raised £11.45. Next meeting is the open night on May 10. Wilton Dean represented Roxburghshire at the national choir competition at Dalbeattie on April 30 – and the singers came home with first prize.

Probus

Richard Wilberforce, great, great, great grandson of William, the slave trade reformer, spoke about his ancestor’s life and achievements. William was born in 1759 to a merchant family in Hull, went to St John’s College, Cambridge, and became MP for Hull. He later became MP for the prime seat of York, at which stage he began to develop his abolition of slavery cause. This secured his reputation internationally and he wrote extensively on the subject. His main targets were the sugar and tobacco barons and shipping companies. The trade was abolished in 1817. A small man in stature, he died aged 74 having, due to health conditions, relied heavily on opium to the end. Billy Anderson gave a vote of thanks.

Innerleithen

Introduction Night

The St Ronan’s Standard Bearer for 2016 will be introduced to the public on May 6 in the Memorial Hall at 8pm. Other introductions taking place on this date are the Standard Bearer’s Lass, Principal Guest and Lady Busser. The town bands will play outside the hall from 7pm, with teas and coffee being served inside from that time. Following the introduction ceremony, Innerleithen Pipe Band will lead the principals and townsfolk on a short parade, ending up back at the Memorial Hall forecourt, where the Standard Bearer’s Reel will be performed.

Family Fun Day

Innerleithen Family Fun Day will take place on May 29 (1-5pm) at St Ronan’s School. There will be a large variety of stalls and attractions, including mini funfair and inflatables, pony rides, face-painting, raffles, tombola, and cake and candy. The event will also see the return of the Innerleithen Welly Wanging Championships with prizes for all age groups. There will be a children’s pet competition with judging at 3pm. Music is to be provided throughout the afternoon by the pipe and silver bands. There will be a car boot sale and anyone who would like to book a place should call 01896 831721 or email KJBelleville@aol.com. Should any local organisation wish to have a stall at this event, ring 01896 831721 or email KJBelleville@aol.com .The event is organised by St Ronan’s Silver Band.

Ball tickets

The Standard Bearer’s Ball will be held on July 9 in the marquee at St Ronan’s School. Tickets will be on sale at 8am on May 28 from The Foresters, Wells Brae. They are priced at £35 per person and payment must be made in full on the day. Members of the games committee will be on hand to receive applications at 8am – no applications will be taken before this time. Any applications left before 8am will be considered following the public sale. Tickets will be distributed following the sale, so applicants must include a contact name and address.

Carnival

St Ronan’s Primary School will host a new summer event, the Road to Rio Carnival, on June 9 from 6-8pm.

Church service

The service on May 8 starts at 11.30am.

kelso

Thursday Group

At the last meeting of the 2015-16 programme, Isabel Gordon reminded members of the range of topics covered by 25 speakers. More than £240 had been donated to five charities. Today, members have lunch in the Borders College restaurant. Meetings begin again on October 6 and the autumn syllabus is available by phoning 01573 224753.

Bridge club

April 27 – match-pointed pairs – N/S – 1, Dominic & Diana Alkin; 2, Jean Henry & Myra Thomson; 3, Rena Stewart & Beth Stark; E/W – 1, Joyce Thomson & Helenor Pratt; 2, Jean McLaren & Alison Ireland; 3, Sheena McPherson & Sheila Urquhart. April 28 – aggregate pairs – N/S – 1, Alison Darling & Mary Logan; 2, Rena Stewart & Maureen Weightman; 3, Jean McLaren & Ken Ross; E/W – 1, Brian Saywood & Sheila Urquhart; 2, Shirley Armstrong & Moira Ayton; 3, Annie Mitchell & John Loudon.

Langholm

Probus

President Harry Aitken welcomed 26 members and guest, the Reverend Scott McCarthy, to the meeting in the Eskdale Hotel. John Rogerson told the story of Jimmie Guthrie, Hawick’s racing legend. John co-wrote, with Gordon Small, Hawick Archaeological Society’s booklet on this famous motorcyclist. John, himself a life-long motorcycle enthusiast, used slides to tell of Jimmie’s early life, his overseas service in the First World War and then of his entry into competitive racing. He spoke of the engineering skills of brother Archie and how the business, A & J Guthrie, tuned cars and bikes from all over the UK. Jimmie became a works rider for Norton motorcycles and achieved success at the Isle of Man TT races and then on European circuits. Jimmie used to practice by doing a quick trip to Keswick and back before going to work at 8am in the morning. It is said that he bought morning rolls in they Muckle Toon, tucked them inside his leathers, and they were still warm when he reached Hawick. Jimmie was killed in an accident in the 1937 German Grand Prix. A statute, paid for by public subscription in 1939, stands near the museum in Wilton Park. The vote of thanks was given by John Mitchell, who served his apprenticeship at A & J Guthrie’s.

Coffee morning

More than £300 was raised at a coffee morning in aid of the local branch of the British Heart Foundation in the Buccleuch Centre. The foundation committee welcomed a group from Centre Stage who entertained with songs from “Sunshine on Leith” and from their next production, “Bugsy Malone”. Committee members are grateful to the young people and everyone who attended the event.

lauder

Open meeting

Members of the public are invited to the Lauderdale Hotel on May 12 and 19 at 7.30pm to discuss with community councillors what action should be taken following the “Big Question – The Community Survey”. This is an opportunity to help devise an action plan for Lauder over the next nine years.

Picnic party

A family picnic party will be held the castle grounds on June 12 to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday. Details will be published during the next few weeks in The Southern Reporter, Facebook and local shops. Among the attractions are a concert and football matches in the public park, with a ceilidh in the evening. The day will begin with a service of celebration for the Queen’s birthday and for her faith.

Church

Holy communion, led by the Reverend Rae Clark, was celebrated at Channelkirk Church on May 1. At Lauder Church on the same day, worship was led by the worship team, with music provided by the Praise Band. May 8 sees morning worship at both churches, led by the worship team – 10am, Channelkirk; 11.30am, Lauder.

melrose

Coffee morning

A coffee morning will be held at Melrose Corn Exchange in aid of Holy Trinity Church on May 7 (10am-noon).

Legion concert

The Melrose branch of Legion Scotland will hold a First World War commemoration concert in Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church on May 15 (7.30pm) to raise funds for ex-servicemen and women, and their families. The event features Langlee Community Choir, directed by Chris Achenbach with John Bryden on the organ. Tickets are available from 01896 822349 or on the door.

Parish church

Bowden and Melrose held a packed united service to bid farewell to the Reverend Alistair Bennett on his being called to Christ Church, Bermuda, after 32 years in the Borders. Jim Marshall inspired the organ to speak, Jim Letham skilfully conducted an augmented choir in two anthems and the congregational singing, twice bravely unaccompanied, was a joy to hear. Ewen Rintoul, session clerk, made an eloquent presentation for his many years of service to Mr Bennett, who movingly thanked the congregation and “staff” for their cooperation and generosity. Presentations from the congregation and guild were made to Mrs Bennett and a presentation was also made to Alistair Matthew, retiring fabric convener after 40 years in post. The “Family Service” youngsters enjoyed a picnic in the church hall and the congregation a buffet lunch in Melrose Rugby Club, thanks to the in-house staff and congregational contributions organised by Elsa Barker. Church work continues unabated, Sunday’s services at Bowden and Melrose starting at 9.30am and 11am respectively with the Reverend Bruce Nichol. The presbytery bids farewell to Mr Bennett at Innerleithen, and the kirk session meets on May 19 for the next step in the vacancy procedure.

Trimontium

The first surprise in Dr James Bruhn’s study last Thursday

Turn to Page 36

From page 35

on glass bangles found in sites in Scotland was that they were being produced here long before the Romans came. The second was that it was James Curle who was being given the credit for the first listing and analysis of bangles found from his 1892 Torwoodlee Broch Report of 1892 onwards. His obsession with ‘finds’ and his meticulous recording of them was the basis of the praise heaped upon him. Since his day there have been many specialist studies of the native, Roman and Continental styles, and a clear head is required to concentrate one’s attention on them. The basic British model, Type I, shows a broad core with decoration, if any, in enamel, as seen in the Trimontium Museum. Type II is a more delicate and slighter model with a capital D (on its side) shape in section, with a ridge top and patterns included in the glass. They are found on many military sites. Type III is a further development of Type II with more coloured inclusions, but also amber colour and white. Walter Elliot has located an area at Trimontium where traces of molten glass suggest a production centre. The last lecture in the series is in a change of venue because of the Scottish Parliamentary elections today (Thursday). Jeremy Paterson, a popular lecturer from Newcastle University, is taking members back – in the parish church hall at 7.30pm – to the Eternal City, Rome, to discuss Mussolini’s Dream, as a would-be archaeologist and historian, of what he wanted it to be. A flavour of his style lies in his lecture title next week in Berwick: “The Roman Empire: you’ve never had it so good”.

Melrose Festival

Appointment Night takes place in the Corn Exchange on May 6 at 7.30pm when the Queen and her Court will be announced.

Morebattle

Community council

Kalewater Community Council is looking to fill four vacancies. Nomination forms can be obtained from Mrs J. Flannigan, Parnassus, Morebattle TD5 8QG. Deadline for return of completed forms is noon on May 16. The council AGM takes place at 7pm on May 17 in the institute.

SWI

The next meeting takes the form of a craft evening with Fiona Dumma on May 11 in the institute at 7.15pm. Competitions – covered coathanger and hand-made bookmark. Members should remember their syllabus as this is also Lucky Syllabus Number night.

Coffee morning

A coffee morning will be held on May 14 at 10.30am in the institute in aid of Blood Bikes.

Newcastleton

Coffee morning

A coffee morning was held by Liddesdale Ladies’ Amenities Group (LLAG) in the village hall when £600 was raised and donated to the First Responders, accepted on their behalf by Dr Kate Wrigley. A number of items were donated for the sales table, tombola and raffle, as well as monetary donations. From their fundraising efforts over the past year LLAG was able to make a donation to Newcastleton old people’s welfare group to support the car scheme, and to Thomas Groom for help with travelling expenses when he is competing in archery events. After the coffee morning, LLAG held a meeting with other local groups to plan a street party for June 12 to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.

selkirk

Spring fair

Philiphaugh Community School’s spring fair will take place on Saturday, May 14, from 10am-noon, featuring bouncy castle, cake and candy, beat the goalie, raffle, chocolate tombola and much more.

Tables are available to hire for £10 – contact the school office on 01750 21774 for more information. Donations for the raffle would be greatly appreciated. These should be brought to the school office.

st boswells

Coffee morning

The Borders branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society is grateful to all who supported it on April 16 at a coffee morning held in St Boswells Village Hall. The amount raised was £662.06 and will be used to help Borderers affected by MS.

Bridge afternoon

Jean Pitchforth and her team are grateful to everyone who helped, donated and attended their bridge afternoon held on April 26 in St Boswells Village Hall when £800 was raised for Alzheimer Scotland research.

AmDrams

The April meeting’s subject was “Planets”. Members heard poetry and prose about the nine planets in the solar system, plus facts about them and their history. However, Pluto was not named after Walt Disney’s cartoon character (having been discovered in the 1930s before the dog appeared), and in 2006 it was removed from inclusion as a planet and reclassed as a “dwarf planet.” There is a new “Planet 9” though, evidence of which was revealed in January this year, and it is about 10 times Earth’s mass and 5,000 times Pluto’s. C. S. Lewis (1893-1963) loved cosmology, his first popular fiction actually being sci-fi when characters visited Venus and Mars. Views about cosmology from Brian Cox and Stephen Hawking and the influence of planets on radio and film productions were discussed, plus Irish, Celtic and Indian beliefs. Members read a short comedy in which there was an attempted murder by putting mercury put into a cream scone. The next meeting is the club’s AGM in August or September.

Traquair

Church service

The service on May 8 starts at 10am.

Walkerburn

Service

The next service in Walkerburn Public Hall will be on May 15 at 10am.

Yarrowford

SWI

The latest meeting was held in the hall and featured a talk followed by exercises, led by Karen Hughes, with the aim of improving mobility and maintaining balance. Competitions – Scottish ornament – 1, Margaret Glendinning; 2, Annie Coltherd; coffee and walnut cake – 1, Linda Bradshaw; 2, Margaret Robinson. The raffle was won by Margaret Watson. The next meeting will be held on May 10 in the hall with a talk by Breadworks. Competitions – photograph of a bird and a posy of spring flowers.

Village hall

On May 13 (7 for 7.30pm), Well Road Productions presents “Wool From The Hills”, an evocation of a disappearing way of life through words and images, with a musical soundtrack by Ian Lowthian. To book a seat, phone Jim (76204) or Viv (76212).

yetholm

Installation night

Installation night is on May 6 at 7pm in Wauchope Hall. There will also be a presentation to Sheila Jeffrey, recently-retired postmistress.

Tatties

The Shepherds’ Show will be selling tatties for the annual tattie dig competition at Gibson’s Garage on May 7 (10am-1pm). Judging takes place at the show on October 1.

A Galashiels man has been found guilty of receiving almost £6,000 in various benefits that he was not entitled to.

Grant Mitchell, 43, of Talisman Avenue, had denied receiving £5,929.85 in housing benefit, council tax benefit and jobseeker’s allowance while in receipt of an occupational pension and in employment.

But following a trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court, the 43-yearold was found guilty of committing the offence at a house in Innerleithen between July 2012 and February 2014.

The court that heard he was now repaying the sum.

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence for a year for good behaviour and to allow Mitchell’s repayments to continue.

A man who stole a trailer from a car park in Galashiels has been fined £400 at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Billy MacKenzie, 26, drove from Kelso in his pick-up truck to the Hall Street park, where he attached the trailer to the back of his vehicle and drove off.

However, the court heard that police officers saw the rear of the trailer trailing along the ground, causing sparks to fly, and were intrigued about what was going on.

When they stopped MacKenzie, they also found that the numbers plates of the trailer, valued at £300, and his pick-up did not match.

Prosecutor Graham Fraser said: “They realised at that point that something dodgy was happening.”

MacKenzie, who now lives in Paxton, Berwickshire, pleaded guilty to stealing a trailer from the car park last July.

His lawyer, Maureen Sinclair, said her client had noticed the trailer being in the same spot for a number of years.

She added that when he saw a council notice for removal placed on it, he believed it had been abandoned.

She added: “He went and took it without authority. There was full recovery.”

MAN BREACHED BAIL ORDER

A Galashiels man has been fined for breaching a court order preventing him from being in the town’s Kirkbrae.

Jamie Wilkinson, 37, who lives in nearby Thistle Street, was originally accused of forcing his way into a man’s house on Boxing Day before repeatedly punching him and damaging property – but the allegation was later dropped.

However, he pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to breaching a bail order imposed last October preventing him from entering Kirkbrae.

Defence solicitor Mark Harrower said his client was unaware of the geography of the Kirkbrae street as it had several strands to it.

He produced a screenshot of Google Maps to prove his point to Sheriff Peter Paterson and added that Wilkinson was found in a different part of Kirkbrae to which the bail order had been set to keep him away from a particular address.

But Mr Harrower said Wilkinson, who works for a fencing firm, should have been more familiar with where he was allowed to go due to the bail order.

Sheriff Paterson imposed a fine of £125.

BACKGROUND REPORTS

Background reports have been ordered into a Galashiels man who admitted an assault charge.

Water engineer Sean Tipping, 27, had initially denied kicking a man on the head and body in Overhaugh Street, Galashiels, in February.

But shortly before a trial was due to take place at Selkirk Sheriff Court, he changed his plea.

Tipping, of Thistle Court, will be sentenced on Tuesday, May 24.

UNPAID WORK FOR SEX ASSAULT MAN

A 47-year-old man who sexually assaulted two women in a Galashiels pub has avoided a prison sentence at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Douglas Watkins was found guilty after trial of uttering sexual remarks towards a woman, pushing her over a table, forcibly seizing her breasts, leaning over her and simulating sexual intercourse.

The offence happened in the Gluepot between December 2010 and March 2013.

He also sexually assaulted another woman at the same place on August 31, 2014, by forcibly seizing her breasts and buttocks.

After considering a report on Watkins’ fitness to carry out unpaid work in the community, Sheriff Peter Paterson ordered Watkins, of Earlston Road, Stow, to carry out 100 hours as a direct alternative to custody.

BOXING DAY DOMESTIC ROW

A Galashiels man has been fined £100 after being involved in a domestic incident with his partner on Boxing Day.

Cameron Brown, 30, pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to an allegation of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at a house in Hawthorn Road in Galashiels.

GALASHIELS AXE OFFENDER IN COURT

A Galashiels man found in possession of an axe in a street will be sentenced next month.

Wayne Stillwell was found guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court of having the sharply-pointed blade in Huddersfield Street in Galashiels.

The offence happened on the morning of December 28, the court heard.

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence on Stillwell, 27, of Church Street, until June 6 for the production of background reports.

DRIVER DENIES IGNORING SIGNS

A motorist has denied endangering the safety of emergency services by allegedly ignoring road-closure signs during heavy flooding.

Jane Brewis, 49, of Jedburgh, is accused of committing the offence during a period of severe flooding in the Borders.

She denied culpable and reckless conduct which required her to be rescued on the A699 road in Kelso on December 6.

A trial date has been set for May 31.

The case will be heard at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

An accounts administrator was found to be more than four times the legal alcohol limit for driving three hours after her car ran off the road.

Jordan Vickers was banned from the road for 16 months and fined £200 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to drink-driving.

The 28-year-old, a mother of one, was found slumped at the wheel by a passing driver.

Her Toyota was on a grass verge up against a wooden fence, with the bonnet up, next to the A697 between Coldstream and Greenlaw at 1am on April 9.

Due to concerns about her intoxicated condition, as she appeared to be semi-conscious and about to vomit, she was taken to Borders General Hospital in Melrose, where she admitted to police that she was the driver of the car.

Prosecutor Graham Fraser said she provided a breath sample to police about three and a half hours after she was found, recording a reading of 89 microgrammes, the legal limit being 22.

Her solicitor, Greg McDonnel, said Vickers, of Grovehill, Kelso, was deeply ashamed about her conduct after going out for a meal with a friend.

He added: “She is somewhat at a loss to explain why she thought she was fit to drive.”

He said losing her driving licence would have an impact on her job and childcare arrangements.

While disqualifying her from driving, Sheriff Peter Paterson said Vicker’s had given a high reading as it was and he suspected it was “much higher at one point”.

BACKGROUND REPORTS

Background reports have been ordered into a Duns woman who admitted two separate offences within the space of three months.

Alison Hume, 39, pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to threatening or abusive behaviour, shouting and swearing and making offensive remarks at her home in Berrywell Drive on December 23.

She also admitted behaving in an aggressive manner towards Nicky Renton and getting out of her vehicle and repeatedly shouting and swearing at her in the Square, Duns, on March 1.

Sentence was deferred until May 13.

THREATENED PHARMACY STAFF

A factory worker has been ordered to pay £225 compensation to three staff members of a chemist’s shop in Eyemouth and behaving in a threatening manner towards them.

Tomas Luksys, 33, of Albert Road, Eyemouth, will also undergo a year’s supervision following the offence at Eyemouth Pharmacy in Church Road on November 2.

He pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, repeatedly demanding prescribed medication he was not entitled to and refusing to leave the store.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said it was a condition of the supervision order that he undergo alcohol treatment. He also told him to pay £75 to each of the “three members of staff who were present at the tirade”.

DRUNK MAN ASSAULTED CHILD

A drunk man pursued a 14-year-old child into a shop before assaulting him and a female employee with a stone.

James Jackson, 26, also admitted chasing a group of children and brandishing a hammer at a 59-year-old man.

At Jedburgh Sheriff Court, Jackson, of Galalaw Road, Hawick, was ordered to carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work and pay £75 each to the 14-year-old boy and the shop assistant he assaulted.

Graham Fraser, prosecuting, said the incident began in North Bridge Street, Hawick, around 8.45pm on June 30 last year.

He explained: “The accused was drawing attention to himself in North Bridge Street because of the state he was in. He was completely intoxicated and making threats to passers-by.

“A group of youths nearby were aware of what was going on, and he began shouting at them and chasing them while appearing to be holding some sort of rock or brick.

“During this, he fell to the ground due to his intoxication.

“A 14-year-old had come down from Havelock Street after being told what was going on, and by this time the accused had taken his top off.”

Mr Fraser said by this point Jackson was holding a stone and using it to threaten people, and then someone struck him on the leg to try to calm him down, only to inflame the situation.

He described how Jackson chased the 14-year-old through the streets of Hawick and into the Premier Store, where he pushed the stone into the face of the youngster, causing a bleeding nose.

When the 47-year-old shop assistant asked what was going on, Jackson threw the stone at her, and it struck her arm, causing redness.

Mr Fraser said Jackson continued to behave in an alarming manner and picked up a hammer and threatened to put it through a 59-year-old man’s head. He immediately called the police.

Mr Fraser added: “There was a fair amount of CCTV showing what he was up to.”

He added that Jackson continued to be abusive when he was taken to the police station.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said: “He has very little recollection of this due to alcohol consumption. He is shocked and embarrassed by his own actions, and it is out of character. He has no previous convictions for violence.”

Jackson pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and another charge of threatening or abusive behaviour.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told him: “These offences would normally warrant a period of imprisonment.” The sheriff gave him credit for reducing his alcohol consumption since by imposing the unpaid work as an alternative to prison.

FINED £300 FOR ATTACKING POLICE

A Newcastleton woman who assaulted a police officer was fined £300.

Patricia Linton, 40, had previously been found guilty of repeatedly kicking a police officer on the body and striking him with a mobile phone to his injury at her home in Moss Place on March 15 last year.

METER HAD BEEN BYPASSED

A drugs raid on a Hawick house revealed that the electricity meter had been bypassed.

Danielle Lazzari, 25, pleaded guilty to stealing £788 worth of electricity from her then home at Chay Blyth Place on June 30 last year.

Cannabis and a class-C drug were also found in a search of the property.

Sentence had previously been deferred for nine months for good behaviour and to allow Lazzari to continue repaying the money back to the electricity supplier.

But Lazzari failed to appear in court when the case called on Tuesday.

Sentence was deferred for another fortnight for a personal appearance.

MAN, 19, HAD SEX WITH GIRL, 14

An Earlston man who had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl in his car at a Borders beauty spot has had his name placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Kieran Austin, now 21, pleaded guilty to having under-age sex with the girl at Scott’s View in April 2014.

But his plea of not guilty to having under-age sex with the teenager’s 13-year-old friend at his home at Fansloanend was accepted by the crown.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told that Austin, employed in his family’s coach-hire business, was 19 years old at the time of the offence.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said Austin had befriended the two schoolgirls, and they would be driven in his car to Edinburgh to visit fast-food outlets.

He explained: “Both girls spent most of the Easter holidays travelling around in his car before dropping them off home.

“On the day of the offence, they met up with the accused on a Thursday evening and they travelled around in his car.

“The other friend went home at 9pm, leaving the accused with the girl.

“They went to Scott’s View when it would be dark and they began to kiss.

“They then had consensual sex after she removed her clothing and he lay on top of her.”

Mr Fraser said Austin urged the girl not to tell anyone as he knew what age she was, and she was very co-operative with him.

The hearing was told, however, that the girl did tell her friend they had unprotected sex, so there was a risk of a sexually-transmitted disease being passed on.

As a result, the girl went to a clinic “and it came out what had happened and the accused was traced”, the court heard.

Mr Fraser went on: “He now accepts he had sex with her. He did make no comment to the police at the time.”

Defence lawyer Greg McDonnel accepted background reports were inevitable and said he would await sentencing before addressing the sheriff.

Sheriff Peter Paterson deferred sentence until June 13 for the production of a criminal justice social work report and a restriction-of-liberty assessment.

He also said Austin would be subject to notification for the sex offenders’ register, the length of which will be determined on June 13.

DRUNKEN DISTURBANCE

An Eyemouth woman who breached an anti-social behaviour order by being involved in a drunken disturbance with her partner had sentence deferred for background reports.

Jane Bolton, 38, admitted threatening or abusive behaviour by shouting, screaming and arguing with John Charles at a house in Acredale Road, Eyemouth, on March 9.

The court heard that fed-up neighbours phoned the police as the noise had woken their children.

Mat Patrick, defending, said Bolton, now of Hinkar Way, had a background of mental health and addiction issues.

The case will be recalled on May 30 for sentencing.

APPEARED IN PRIVATE

A Hawick woman appeared in private at Jedburgh Sheriff Court accused of assaulting a woman to her severe injury.

Gayle Beatson, 25, made no plea or declaration, and her case was continued for further examination. It follows an incident in Hawick last month.

She was granted bail.

SENTENCE DEFERRED

A woman sustained a fractured bone in her wrist and will be in a cast for seven weeks after being assaulted by her partner last month.

Alan Murphy, 31, pleaded guilty to pushing his face into Chantelle Renton’s and pushing her to the body whereby she fell to the ground and was injured.

The offence happened at a house in Home Place, Coldstream.

Sentence was deferred on Murphy, who gave a bail address in Glenrothes, until May 30 for the production of background reports.

WOMAN DENIES BENEFITS FRAUD

A Hawick woman has been accused of benefits fraud.

Lauren Cassidy, 35, of Atkinson Road, denies failing to give a prompt notification of an increase in her earnings and obtaining £3,767.54 in housing benefit and council tax benefit to which she was not entitled. The offence is alleged to have been committed between March 2012 and October 2014.

The case was continued until May 16.

Scottish Labour are likely to lose all their Glasgow constituency seats, a senior party figure has predicted.

The Glasgow City Council leader Frank McAveety indicated that the early signs at the count were that Johann Lamont, Patricia Ferguson and Paul Martin were in line to lose out to the SNP.

All three politicians are veteran Holyrood members and have been MSPs since the creation of devolution in 1999. Ms Lamont, a former party leader, is the only one of the three likely to get back into parliament via the list system.

Mr McAveety said: “This a tough election campaign and tonight, looking at the early samples, it is looking as if we could lose the remaining constituency seats.

“But it is a disappointing night for me, because I have been a colleague of many of those individuals, who have worked incredibly hard for their areas. We are looking at an election where we need to continue to rebuild.

“Kezia (Dugdale) has identified we want to rebuild the party for the next generation. Last year’s results were cataclysmic for Scottish Labour. We need to pick ourselves up from that.”

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Scotswell produced a game front-running performance to win at his local Kelso track on Wednesday for Jedburgh trainer Harriet Graham, who also bred the gelding.

The 10-year-old made virtually all in the Bedmax handicap chase, holding Whats Up Wood from George Bewley’s Hawick stable by three-and-a-quarter lengths.

“He has had a few issues since his last win, but he was down in the handicap and in a lower grade race,” said Harriet.

“He’ll now go for the veterans’ chase at Cartmel next month.”

Selkirk handler Stuart Coltherd was also in winning form at the course’s penultimate meeting, saddling Ash Park to win the Principal and Prosper conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle race.

His teenage son, Sam, rode the 4-1 chance to victory, producing a strong finish to clinch victory by a length-and-a-quarter.

Coltherd, who also part-owns the gelding, was confident of his charge’s performance.

“I thought he would run well as he had been working well at home,” he explained.

“He´s a horse who doesn´t want the ground too soft and Sam was able to take a valuable 8lb off,” he added.

St Boswells owners Paul and Clare Rooney landed the feature Canada Life handicap chase with the Tom George-trained Always on the Run.

The six-year-old set a decent pace, and compensated for his first fence blunder at Ayr last month with a pillar-to-post success.

Hawick jockey Jamie Hamilton donned Trevor Hemmings colours to ride Mount Mews to victory in the opening division of the Ferguson Planning and Development bumper.

Malcolm Jefferson’s charge cruised home for an impressive 10-length success.

The concluding division also produced a convincing winner, when Thomas Campbell won by a 14-length margin for Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson.

Six A Side, who had won his seventh point-to-point at Easingwold 10 days earlier, justified favouritism to head the Glendale Engineering novices’ hunters’ chase, where they went without Crazy Diamond.

He cruised home 11 lengths clear of Danehills Well, owned by Gavin Hamilton from Hawick, and ridden by his nephew, Tom.

There was no bid for the winner of the opening Tweedbank Office Dayout selling handicap chase – Generous Chief.

Winning pointer Golden Investment stayed on strongly to land the Hunter Real Estate Investment Managers novice handicap hurdle race for Donald McCain.

Kelso’s final fixture of the season is Ladies’ Day on Sunday, May 29.

RESULTS

2.20 – GENEROUS CHIEF (T Kelly) 7-1; 2, Dr Beaujolais 9-2; 3, Benefit in Kind 4-1 jt fav. Eight ran. C Grant, Billingham.

2.50 – ALWAYS ON THE RUN (P Brennan) 7-4 fav; 2, Special Catch 9-2; 3, Ubaltique 10-1. Seven ran. T George, Siad.

3.25 – GOLDEN INVESTMENT (W Kennedy) 7-2; 2, Tickanrun 13-2; 3, Kk Lexion 3-1 jt fav. Eight ran. D McCain, Cholmondeley.

4.00 – SCOTSWELL (T Dowson) 100-30 fav; 2, Whats Up Woods 4-1; 3, Cobajayisland 17-2. 10 ran. H Graham, Jedburgh.

4.35 – ASH PARK (S Coltherd) 4-1; 2, Dynamic Drive 14-1; 3, Neville Woods 9-1. 10 ran. S Coltherd, Selkirk.

5.05 – SIX A SIDE (Mr W J Millburn) 2-1 fav; 2, Danehills Well 12-1; 3, New Vic 9-4. 10 ran. Miss E Todd, Middleton.

5.35 – MOUNT MEWS (J Hamilton) 5-2; 2, Nicholas T 12-1; 3, Tales of the Tweed 2-1 fav. Nine ran. M Jefferson, Malton.

6.05 – THOMAS CAMPBELL (N de Boinville) 11-2; 2, Uncle Percy 25-1; 3, Acdc 50-1. Nine ran. N Henderson, Lambourn.

Successful and inspiring female graduates and students of SRUC are trying to encourage more women to seek out a fulfilling career in agriculture and the land based sector.

Universities Scotland recognised ‘intrapreneur’ Laura Barwick from near Jedburgh is helping to illustrate the range of careers and opportunities on offer in Scotland’s rural and land-based industries.

Laura, (25), graduated from SRUC Edinburgh with a BA in Rural Business Management and now works for Scotbeef Ltd as their agricultural livestock liaison manager.

She explained: “My career isn’t the typical choice for a female graduate and many people are surprised to find a young woman in my role within the red meat industry, however I love it and I like to challenge stereotypes! Growing up on the family farm, agriculture is in my blood. It’s a way of life I am passionate about. When it came to choosing a career I knew agriculture would be part of my life but I just wasn’t sure how.

“I have always been interested in business and motivated by how I can improve things and do things better, and I’m a logical thinker. I combined this with my love of agriculture and studied Rural Business Management - it was the perfect fit and course for me.

“I can honestly say that my time at SRUC provided me with an invaluable grounding - broadened my horizons and provided me with the knowledge, channels and opportunities to harness my passions and interests. It set me up fantastically and I would do it again in a heart beat!”

Laura was identified as an intrapreneur - a graduate who has gone into an established business on a placement or in a permanent role and applied their ‘can do’ attitude to innovate within the business and really add value over and above what the business would have been able to do itself.

Five-year-old Ophelia Williams from St. Mary’s School Melrose has been named the Scottish Borders regional winner of the 2016 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Schools Poster Competition.

Ophelia’s winning poster will be displayed as part of a special free exhibition, open to the public, at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh from May 24 to August 29, alongside 13 other regional winners, the top three prize-winners and 154 shortlisted designs, making it the largest exhibition in the competition’s history.

The competition attracted entries from 175 schools, producing 4,979 eye-catching, creative and utterly original submissions. Supported by Virgin Money, the competition launched in 1980 and is one of Scotland’s longest-running arts outreach projects. Open to all five to sixteen-year-olds in Scotland. Entrants are asked to create a poster design reflecting their interpretation of the Fringe.

Chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Shona McCarthy said: “I was thrilled to join my colleagues on the judging panel for my first Schools Poster Competition and was blown away by the sheer variety and talent on display, as well as inspired by how diverse and personal each child’s interpretation of the Fringe was. It is fantastic to see so many schools and pupils creatively engaging with the Fringe, and I look forward to developing these relationships with the Fringe in the coming years.

“Ophelia’s design was chosen as the winner from all of the entries received from the Borders – it beautifully captures the essence of what the Fringe is all about.”

NFU Scotland is urging its members to remain vigilant as fraudulent scams continue to target the farming community.

With basic payments on going and farmers amidst a busy time, the message remains clear – remain vigilant and do not give out your bank details over the phone or online.

Members have been in touch to report calls from fraudsters in recent days, particularly in the Lothians and Borders area, claiming to be from Royal Bank of Scotland and stating the farmer had fraudulent activity on their account.

On one occasion the call even appeared to come from a genuine Royal Bank of Scotland number. When asked by the farmer to confirm their name and local branch, the caller became abusive and hung up. The farmer has since checked with his bank and they have confirmed this is indeed a scam.

NFU Scotland’s Finance Director Colin Gordon said: “Your bank will never phone or email you and ask for your online password information or any password using your online banking token or card and reader.

“The bank will never ask you to make a payment over the phone by using your online account.

The advice from Police Scotland is: Don’t give out any personal information unless you are the one who made the call and you are certain of the identity of the person you are speaking to; Don’t give out your credit card or bank card details to strangers on the telephone; NEVER tell somebody your bank PIN number, even if they claim to be the bank or police. If the caller is genuine they will never ask for this information; Don’t give out information which may infer that you live alone, are older or vulnerable; Never send money to anyone who claims to have a prize for you; If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Scottish police officers have accepted an international challenge to show off their best dance moves.

A team from the force showed off their skills at Edinburgh Castle in response to the challenge from cops in New Zealand.

The New Zealand officers had put a 30-second clip of them doing the “running man” dance on Facebook and called on forces around the world to follow their lead as part of a recruitment drive.

Accepting the challenge, Scottish cops danced in front of a police car at the Edinburgh landmark in a video posted to their Facebook page.

Last month’s fatal road accident in the Borders has claimed a second victim.

Jim Elliot, 78, who was injured in the two-vehicle incident on the A68 in April, has now died, 11 days later.

The Jedburgh pensioner was a passenger in a Suzuki Ignis driven by his 71-year-old wife Dot, who was seriously injured in the accident.

The driver of the other vehicle, Lisa Bahmani, 18, from Hawick, died in the accident near Lilliardsedge Caravan Park on the evening of Wednesday, April 13.

Police Scotland appealed for information.

Sgt Neil Inglis said: “We are continuing with our investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding this collision and would urge any motorists who were on the A68 at around 8pm on Wednesday 13 April to contact us immediately if they witnessed the incident.

Chartered Accountants Douglas Home & Co have announced their merger with the East Linton-based firm of Dickson & Co., which took place on the May 1.

With branches in Kelso, Hawick, Haddington and Alnwick, Douglas Home & Co are one of the leading cross Border accountants.

The team and services from Dickson & Co. will move to the office of Douglas Home at 49 Market Street, Haddington.

Following a period of illness last year, Robin Dickson decided to hand over the baton to Douglas Home, and he is now looking forward to enjoying his retirement.

Alan Drummond, managing director of Douglas Home & Co explained: “This is an exciting development and a great opportunity for Douglas Home & Co to be able to expand its business portfolio in East Lothian.

“We wish Robin a very happy retirement and welcome Emma and Joanne who will bring additional expertise to our existing team, offering support to the local business community throughout the area.”

Douglas Home & Co was established in 1983 and currently operates with four directors on the board. With five branches the company offers accountancy and taxation services from bookkeeping to specialist tax planning.

Jedburgh residents are at a loss to explain some recent oddness affecting cars in the town centre.

Over a period of hours yesterday (Wednesday, May 4) several drivers reported that the immobilisers in their key fobs mysteriously stopped working.

Len Wyse got in touch with the Southern Reporter, at a loss to explain the phenomenon.

He said that he noticed the problem when he went out “the back of five”.

“I tried to open the doors of my car, and it just wouldn’t open.

“I went down to the police station and I was told that two of their vans had the same problem.”

Earlier on that day, Jim Oddy of the Bongate Garage noticed something was amiss when he was called out to a second car with the same problem.

“I had just come back inside looking for key-fob batteries for a customer,” he said, “and then we were called out to the Co-op car park to a car that sounded like it had the same problem.

“And when we got there, there were another two cars, with drivers waiting for the AA, and they had immobiliser issues, too.”

In fact, one vehicle, Jim said, got towed, and here is where the story gets even weirder.

“People were saying that once they tried their key fobs again, away from the High Street, then they were working fine,” Jim said.

“it just seemed to be a problem for a few hours, from mid-mornign to tea-time, and just in an area by the High Street, maybe a quarter of a mile long.”

Nobody has yet come up with a convincing theory for the assumed interference with the vehicles’ systems.

Len Wyse says he joked with local police that it was due to the antenna on their station, while Jim went on to say it reminded him of instances where military operations or such like had interfered with technology.

If you think you know why locking cars in Jedburgh was such a problem, let us know at southern-newsdesk@jpress.co.uk