Police are notifying the public that a bottle of medication was reported lost on a bus in the Borders area on Monday, May 23.
The 90ml bottle is brown plastic with a white lid and contains green syrupy liquid. If this is found the public are urged to hand it in to a police station or pharmacy (and ask the pharmacy to report it to police via 101) quoting incident 1214 of May 23.
With one blackbird’s nest already fledged, another at the egg laying stage and two sets of incubating blue tits, this has been my most productive year so far in the garden with regard to breeding birds.
On the other hand, the moth trap has been little visited, thanks to cold nights and too much wind. Although there were few moths at the weekend, other insects seemed to be attracted to the powerful light, giving me something different to look at. As well as the myriads of gnats, there was one early crane fly, an ichneumon fly, several mayflies and most interesting of all – a black sexton beetle going by the scientific name of Nicrophorus humator.
I popped it into a small jar until I was ready to have a proper look at it, after I had done my moths. It was easy to identify as it is the only all black burying beetle with bright orange tips to its antennae, which it uses to locate any dead bodies of small animals or birds.
If you are about to eat your tea, it might be wise to read the next bit later!
The adults bury carrion and small dead animals as food for themselves and their larvae. Adults are most commonly seen between April and October. The beetles usually arrive singly at carrion. The first male and female will fight off later arrivals. Then they bury the carcass by removing the soil beneath it. They frequently skin it and may even amputate limbs to make the burying easier. Next the female digs a small passage off from the carcass and lays her eggs. Then she returns to feed on the corpse. She feeds the grubs by regurgitating liquid food until they can feed off the carcass themselves.
Many sexton beetles carry tiny mites on their undersides (thankfully not this one) which do them no harm. They prey on blowfly eggs and larvae and worms in dung and carrion, and use the beetles to transport them to food sources.
When I opened the jar to remove the occupant for a photo call, I was introduced to one of its more unpleasant means of defence. It had let fly with a spray of the most obnoxious stench imaginable. I managed to place it on a log ready for its picture. Its head was down and it was lethargic, so I blew gently on it to try and get it to look up. This must have triggered another defence mechanism. It suddenly burst into life, scuttled off the log, onto the table then onto the floor and disappeared into the hidden depths of the shed, never to be seen again.
wooler
At Wooler Mart last Wednesday Harrison & Hetherington held their weekly Primestock sale of sheep.
They sold 152 lambs, 183 hoggs and young sheep and 262 ewes and rams.
The first spring lambs of the season were easily sold greater numbers needed.
Lambs per head: Suffolk - £92 Todrig, £91.50 (3) Holy Island, £87 West Longridge and Holy Island. Texel - £89.50 Chillingham Home Farm, £88 Edrom Mains, Shotton and Lilburn Estates, £86 Lilburn Estates and Shotton.
Lambs per kg: 229.5p, 227p Chillingham Home Farm, 220p Edrom Mains and Lilburn Estates.
Hoggs, fleshed types easily sold others hard to cash, in a word easier.
Hoggs per head: Suffolk - £92.50 Todrig, £90 Shipley Lane, £89.50 Brandon, £87.50 East Fleetham. Texel - £89.50 Holy Island, £83.50 Ladykirk. Mule - £84.50 Ford Westfield.
Hoggs per kg: Texel - 163.3p The Hagg, 160p Ladykirk. Suffolk: 158.8p Ladykirk, 156.3p East Fleetham.
Ewes forward in larger numbers, all classes marginally easier.
Ewes: Texel - £102, £93 Applecross, £99.50 The Hagg. Suffolk - £98, £94 Tughall, £94 Holy Island, £93 Ladykirk. Charolais - £84 Broom House, Cambo and Newburn. Mule - £82 Newstead.
Rams: £132 Mayfield.
st boswells
At St Boswells on Monday May Harrison & Hetherington held their weekly Primestock sale of cattle and sheep.
They sold 65 clean cattle, 64 beef cows, 204 spring lambs, 526 hoggs and 304 ewes.
Bullocks (15) averaged 207.3p per kg and sold to 236p (+10p on the week), heifers (48) averaged 205.3p per kg and sold to 244p (+4.1p on the week), two young bulls averaged 211p per kg and sold to 218p (n/c on the week) and 64 beef type cows averaged 129.3p per kg and sold to 177p (+5.3p on the week).
Spring lambs (204) averaged 201.5p per kg (-18p on the week) £96 per head and sold to £111, top price 232p per kg for Beltex.
Hoggs (526) averaged 171p per kg (-6p on the week) £77 per head and sold to £98, top price 207p per kg for Cheviot.
Ewes (304) averaged £62, and sold to £124 for Texel.
Heavy ewes averaged £77, light ewes sold to £75 for Cheviot and averaged £51.
Principal prices per head: Bee Edge £1459.12, Shidlaw £1445.98, Bee Edge £1426.74, £1425.60, £1420.72, Longnewton £1327.70.
Principal Prices per kg: Bee Edge 2.44, 2.40 W.T.S. Forsyth and Sons, Bee Edge 2.37 Hugh Black and Sons Ltd, Bee Edge 2.36 Denholm Meat Supplies, Mosstower 2.34 Shaws of Lauder, Pathhead 2.30 Michael Malone of Edinburgh Ltd, Phantassie 2.29 J.F. Finlay and Co Ltd, Phantassie 2.28 W.T.S. Forsyth and Sons, Bee Edge 2.26 Shaws of Lauder, J.A. Water and Sons.
Cows per head: Coxydene £1635.76, Honeyburn £1174.12, Cammerlaws £1147.16. Huntington £1117.92, Honeyburn £1115.18, Middlethird £1109.70.
Cows per kg: Symington Mains 1.77, Glenrath Farms 1.65, 1.63, Wester Middleton, Woodhouse 1.55, Fowberry Moor 1.51.
Lambs – More numbers forward, slightly easier on the week.
Lambs per head: Texel - £111, £109, £105 North Mains, £102 Thornington, £100 Blackshiels, £99 Lochside, £97.50 Thornington, £96 Lochside, £110 The Lee, £110, £108, £106, £105, £104, £103 (2), £102 North Mains. Beltex - £93 Sydenham.
Lambs per kg: Beltex - 232.5 Sydenham. Texel - 228.3 North Mains, 225.9, 217.6 Lochside, 217.4 Blackshiels, 210.3 Penston, 209.4 Sydenham, 207.4 Thornington, Suffolk 220 North Mains, 219.6, 215.7 The Lee, 212, 210.2, 208.6, 208.3 North Mains.
Hoggs – Mixed end of season show. Fleshed hoggs still achieving high returns.
Hoggs per head: Texel - £98 Sydenham, £96 Hyndsidehill, £95 Fairnielaw, £94, £90, £88 Legerwood, £90 Sydenham, £88 Earlston Mains. Suffolk - £96 Bonjedward Mill, Bedrule, £94 West Moneylaws, £93 Boghall, Bonjedward Mill, £92 West Moneylaws, Boghall. Bluefaced Leicester - £90, £93 Burnhouse Mains. Cheviot - £89, £88 Boghall, £86 Bedrule, Boghall, £83 Shepherds Cottage.
Hoggs per kg: Cheviot - 207, 202.3, 181.1 Boghall, 178.3 Wester Ulston. Texel - 203.8 Legerwood, 190.1 Bedrule, 182.5, 176.5, 172.5 Legerwood. Suffolk - 190.9 Boghall, 186 Dunslaw, 178.8 Bonjedward Mill, 172.5 Dunslaw.
Ewes – Similar show forward, with overly fat ewes hard to cash. Texel - £124, £106 Sydenham, £88 Huntington, £87 Bedrule £85 Blegbie, £83 Sydenham, Bonjedward Mill £83, £81 Bedrule. Suffolk - £90 Huntington, £89 Sydenham, £85 West Moneylaws, £85 Lochside, Hyndsidehill, £83 Stobshiel Mains, £80 Huntington, Bedrule. Charolais - £89 Ladyflat, Halfbred £87 West Moneylaws, £70 Bonjedward Mill, Lleyn £79 Upper Samieston, £73 Whitriggs. Cheviot - £75 Wester Ulston, Stobshiel, £71 Stobshiel, Mule £75 Berryhill, £73 The Lee, £71 Nether Kidston, £70 Hyndsidehill. Blackface - £65 The Lee, £63 Inchkeith.
longtown
C&D Auction Marts Limited had forward 17 prime cattle, 10 OTM cattle, 31 stirks, 3,046 prime hoggs, 387 spring lambs and 3,973 cast ewes and rams at their weekly sale at Longtown last Thursday.
A short seasonal show of cows were on offer to the usual ring of buyers who bid freely for all types. Messrs Ritson, Swaites topped the sale at 124p for a Limousin x, others sold to 122p and 119p from Richard Armstrong, Slealands. As ever more are needed to supply demand.
A shortage of prime cattle again met a brisk trade with an ever increasing demand, and more are needed on a weekly basis. The sale was topped at 224.5p for a smart Limousin heifer sold by A. and W.J. Taylor, Dashwell Green, and bought by Highgate Meats Ltd. Next best price was 216.5p twice for a Limousin heifer then a bullock, both from Messrs Taylor, Dashwell Green, and purchased by M.J. Wharton, Wholesale Butchers, Wigton, and Highgate Meats Ltd respectively.
The opening sale of calves and stirks was a great success with an entry of 31 and many more could have been sold to a packed ringside of bidders. The sale was topped at £550 for a British Blue steer sold by F.J. and L.M. Tinning and Sons, Broomlea. Limousin heifers sold to £500 from M. Scott, Bruntons Hill, with bulls selling to £170 for a pen of four Ayrshires from J. Dunlop, Dornock Mains.
The Annual Show and Sale of 387 spring lambs was held with a fine show of lambs forward for judge Steven Stoddart, Wigton, to run his eye over. He awarded the Champion single to a Texel from G. Brough, Old Rectory, scaling 45kg and realising £120 to the judge. The Champion pair came from J. Muir and Son, Cleughbrae, scaling at 43kg and realising £102, also to the judge. Overall average was disappointing but only followed the week’s national trend (192.6p SQQ 193.6p). Best quality lambs remain easily sold and we hope trade firms up as more firms change over from hoggs.
Another large show of 3,046 hoggs were forward being a very mixed show for quality. Best fleshed hoggs remained easily sold between 180-200p, with heavy hoggs over 48kg regularly making £95-£100.
Lightweight hoggs sold at recent rates with flesh but it beggars belief the volume of lean store hoggs still coming onto the market, which seriously dilutes the average for well finished hoggs.
A firm of and agents and rural surveyors with nearly 20 years of experience are looking to a Borders man as they seek to expand.
Steven Wilson has joined Butler land Management at a time when the rural economy faces many challenges.
“At this time of year,” David Butler said this week, “we usually breathe a sigh of relief as IACS Forms and AECS Schemes have usually been submitted. This has clearly been the case in England. In Scotland our Government have yet again at the last minute decided on a further extension of the deadline.
“There are grave concerns about the effect on the industry of yet again slowing down the processing of the Single Farm Payment.
“This, in turn, must produce the need for a lot of clerical effort from SGRPID to process this information which, to be fair, had probably been clearly identified previously within the field enclosures.”
Sounding cautiously optimistic, he continued: “This system is slowly improving but we have found it essential to put a lot of time into the management of the process and to auditing the status of the business, and also the field boundaries and modifications timeously.
“We have now looked to expand our Farm Business Management Department and have been joined by Steven Wilson as an associate director who will be overseeing our expansion into the Borders as well as assisting with our existing Client base.
Both David and Steven believe in the importance of providing a professional and personal service to our clients and with the assistance of Samantha Howatson and Sarah Bell, along with the investment in Mapping Technology, we are confident we can continue to expand the services we provide our clients, and the geographical spread of the business.
Steven was previously managing director of John Swan Ltd, and also a director of H & H. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and also a member of the Institute of Auctioneers & Appraisers for Scotland. He recently completed a term as their vice president.
Meanwhile, on June 1, Community Land Scotland will hold two free events in the Borders to help communities find out more about the benefits of landownership and how buyouts can be funded. The events are at the Buccleuch Arms in St Boswells in the afternoon and in the evening at the MacArts Centre, Galashiels.Book at online www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-landownership-briefing-session-tickets-24835738362.
Radio Borders has reported a strong start to the year with large audience growth, according to the latest listening figures from industry body RAJAR* (Radio Joint Audience Research).
And the station is celebrating even more good news after being named Radio Station of the Year – for the second year running.
The award came the way of the Radio Borders team in the under 500,000 TSA (Total Survey Area) category at the 2016 Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards in London, which were held last week.
Audience statistics for the opening three months of 2016 saw Radio Borders attaining its highest market share in almost five years.
The station now finds itself holding 36.4% of the audience across the Scottish Borders and north Northumberland.
The station’s popular Keith Clarkson at Breakfast show has upped its market share to 42.2%, a 2.3% increase on the previous quarter.
Lynsey Graham, station director of Radio Borders, said: “To win Arqiva gold for a second year in a row is an amazing achievement and now these brilliant audience figures from RAJAR have completed the perfect week for Radio Borders.”
He continued: “From covering the biggest ever UK National Lottery win in Hawick and our comprehensive coverage of the Kings of Sevens local rugby series to Keith Clarkson at Breakfast launching ‘Win it Minute’ giving listeners the chance to win cash prizes, we’re proving time and again that we are the local voice for the region.”
Graham Bryce, Managing Director Bauer City Network, owners of the award-winning station, said: “On behalf of everyone here at Bauer we would like to pass on our heartiest congratulations to Radio Borders for being named UK Station of the Year at the Arqiva Awards for the second year in a row.
“It is a tremendous accolade to again win gold in this category and that is a testament to the fantastic team in place.
“The Arqiva results and latest RAJAR figures highlight how Radio Borders is in tune with what our listeners across the Borders want. Our rich heritage of more than 25 years in this sector has resulted in an unparalleled understanding of the market. This, mixed with in depth local knowledge, local management and on the ground local expertise, ensures we bring our listeners truly relevant content.”
He summed up by looking to the future, adding: “I now look forward to even more success for Radio Borders this year.”
A report on Burgh Primary School and Nursery in Galashiels has recognised the quality of education being delivered.
During their visit in March, inspectors from HM Inspectorate of Education found that children were enthusiastic, and eager to learn.
Pupils were also found to be confident at communicating ideas, able to engage readily with staff and visitors and are progressing well with their writing and reading skills. Most children at the primary stages are achieving expected levels of attainment in numeracy and mathematics.
Inspectors found that staff had developed a very positive ethos in the school.
Head Teacher Jenny Grant, who has been in the position just seven months, said: “We are pleased that the many strengths of the school have been recognised and that the inspection team was confident with our direction of travel.
“The next steps identified are in line with the school’s own plans for improvement and it has been acknowledged that Burgh has strong foundations on which to continue providing positive outcomes for all our children and families.
“I would like to take this opportunity thank all of our staff, pupils, parents and friends for their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm over the years and in particular, recent months.”
Parent Council chair, Jill Paterson, added: “The parents will be glad to hear the positive feedback contained in the inspection report and I’m confident that where suggestions for improvement have been noted. The staff will take these points forward and continue to improve our children’s learning achievements.”
As is the case with many areas in respect to animals and animal welfare, there is significant ambiguity in the phrasing of the rules surrounding the carrying of pets in our vehicles.
According to DEFRA and the Scottish Executive the UK Highway Code states: “When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other small animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you if you stop quickly”. It then goes on to say that in some other European countries, the law does not allow dogs to travel loose in vehicles.
So these two pieces of information appear to be directly contradictory since if there is not a law in the UK that states it is illegal for an animal to travel loose then there cannot be an enforceable law to say they must be suitably restrained. In addition, the phrase ‘suitably restrained’ is so vague as to be open to considerable interpretation.
Confusion is further compounded by DEFRA’s statement ‘if your dog travels loose in the vehicle, it should not be able to escape through any window’. They suggest fitting window guards in this case.
It is, therefore, perhaps unsurprising that this uncertainty has led to some worrying results seen in a recent RAC survey of motorists. More than one in four dog owning motorists do not secure their pets in any way. 28% allow them to move freely in a car; hoping they will stay safely in place in the footwells, on the car seats or in the luggage compartment of an estate car or hatchback that does not have a dog guard fitted. Cat owners faired very well however, with over 90% transporting their felines in suitable carriers that are secured in place.
As a responsible animal welfare charity, we would always advocate following the most sensible guidelines on this matter. As such we feel that we should all err on the side of caution and review what arrangements we need to make to maximise the safety of our pets, ourselves, other road users and pedestrians.
If carrying dogs in the back of an estate or hatchback you should fit an approved dog guard. If dog crates or cat carriers are used they need to be properly tethered to the vehicle as per the instruction in the car’s manual. If dogs are transported on back seats an approved dog seat belt harness should always be used.
A survey of Scotland’s consumers has revealed what shoppers are looking for when it comes to high street service.
Retail specialists {http://www.shop4pop.com/what-would-improve-your-shopping-experience-full-data-breakdown|shop4pop.com|Click here} asked 500 Scots what would improve their in-store shopping experience.
Following the BBC’s report on the government’s efforts to relax laws around Sunday trading hours, the survey reveals opening hours are still a hot topic.
The study revealed that 31% of respondents would like to see a more flexible approach to trading times.
It was also a popular choice with 18-34 year olds, who said they’d benefit from extended opening hours.
Quick to checkout
Despite a rise in DIY till points and all major supermarkets getting behind the self-service experience, the study revealed that 29% of respondents would like to see more manned checkouts in stores.
This was also a key concern for a huge three quarters of 35-44 year old male respondents, who called for an increase in checkouts in high street stores.
Pricing and policies
Grievances surrounding refunds and exchanges were also raised, with just over a fifth of participants voicing their want for more relaxed returns policies.
Confusion surrounding the cost of items is also a major gripe for Scots - with 19% of those surveyed saying clearer product pricing would keep them shopping on the high street.
Shopping aides
According to the study, customer service is a key concern for 14% of participants - who said that more available staff would aid their in-store experience.
Easier access to trolleys and baskets isn’t as high on Scotland’s consumers’ radar, with just under 8% of participants thinking there was room for improvement.
Topline results:
Which of the following would improve your shopping experience?
Longer opening hours: 30.8%
More checkouts: 28.8%
More flexible returns policies: 21.2%
Clearer product prices: 19.2%
More available staff: 13.5%
Easier access to trolleys/baskets: 7.7%
Businesses are being urged to remain vigilant following recent incidents of counterfeit currency being used as payment.
Since the start of this week, there have been three reports of fake bank notes being used at shops in the region.
On Monday, May 23, two shops were targeted in Dunbar and North Berwick and on the following day a store in Coldstream confirmed it had also received counterfeit currency.
On each occasion, the notes were reported to be of a “high-quality”, and appeared legitimate on first sight. The notes are all Bank of England £20 notes, which bear either the serial number “AH03 269110” or “HH11 227632”.
PC Alan Curran, from Haddington Police station, said: “It is a criminal offence to hold or pass a note that you know to be counterfeit. I would ask the public to be aware of the recent circulation of counterfeit currency, and to check any paper notes they have received lately to ensure they are legitimate.
“If anyone suspects they have been handed or found a fake bank note, they should retain it and contact the police immediately.
“I would also urge anyone with information that can assist with our investigations to call 101, or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
It’s planting time! This has to be the busiest time of the year in the ornamental garden, what with spring flowers being removed to make way for what will now provide the colour throughout the summer.
As well as plantings in beds and borders, all manner of containers such as patio pots, window boxes and hanging baskets have to be prepared to accommodate begonias, petunias, lobelia, salvia, French and African marigolds, verbena, tagetes, nemesia, mesembryanthemums (Livingstone daisies), sweet peas, antirrhinums, ageratum, alyssum and impatiens (Busy Lizzies). The list goes on and on and the choice is a personal one.
Having removed the spent spring plants, containers require fresh compost. That said, large containers can have just the top half of soil removed. Old compost can be spread among shrubs and rose beds, even on the vegetable patch, to improve the structure of the soil in these areas of the garden.
When it comes to purchasing fresh compost, this can be a daunting task for the less experienced gardener as there are so many different ones available.
As well as own-brand composts from stores and supermarkets, there are those from national suppliers such as J. Arthur Bower’s Multi-Purpose, Scotts Miracle-Gro All-Purpose, Levington Multi-Purpose and Westland Gro-Save All-Purpose. Some have extra nutrients added that will feed plants for a few months, some with moisture-retaining properties, while others have John Innes added.
But the cheaper bag is not always the best buy and some may contain different amounts, such as 25 litres, 40 litres or 50 litres.
The term multi-purpose means they can be used for planting, potting-on and taking cuttings, as well as filling containers and baskets.
When handling these soil-less composts it is recommended that gloves be worn and, when filling containers, only firm down gently to leave an open medium.
Even though feeding is part ingredients in these products, a soluble feed added to watering throughout the season will keep plants growing well and producing an abundance of flowers.
Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has rolled out a new online payment facility which allows parents, guardians and carers to make secure online payments to their local school.
The system can be used to select and pay for school meals as well as school trips, photographs, uniforms, sports equipment, residential trips and of extracurricular activities.
The system is supplied by ParentPay who supply such services to more than six thousand schools across the UK.
The initial phase of the project began in October 2014 as a pilot in Selkirk. Over the past 18 months, it has been rolled out across the rest of the region, with the final group of 25 schools in the Galashiels, Eyemouth and Berwickshire high school areas going online during April. All 71 schools in the Borders now have access to the online system.
Councillor Sandy Aitchison, executive member for education said this week: “We live in a world where we are increasingly reliant on the ease and convenience of online shopping and busy parents and carers are no exception. This new system makes the most of the new technology that is available and makes paying for chargeable services considerably easier.
“It has been well received in schools across the Borders with take up rates being extremely high and the feedback being received confirming that parents and carers are very appreciative of the benefits that the system brings. Gone are the days of having to scramble around late on a Sunday evening trying to find the correct change for their young person’s dinner money for the coming week.”
Councillor Aitchison added: “SBC is the first local authority in Scotland to successfully introduce this facility across all of our schools for such a wide range of goods and services, with every effort having been made to make sure that no family is excluded from participating in this process if they choose to. The service is available from a website which means that provided a family can access the internet, they will be able to use the service.”
For families who do not use electronic payment cards, the PayPoint option can be used to allow them to access all payment opportunities offered by their school.
Families can still select and purchase services using the traditional methods.
Julie Adamson and Kerry Mitchell are two parents whose children attend Newcastleton Primary where there has been a 100 percent take up of the scheme. Julie said: “It is certainly much more convenient. For school meals in particular, we no longer have that Sunday night scramble to find change and it’s easier when there are other types of payments to be made as well.”
Kerry added: “I think it’s helpful in terms of encouraging children to take a school meal rather than a packed lunch as they seem to enjoy making their choices online, more so than when it was the old system. It also helps that we have a great cook at Newcastleton who works hard to provide healthy, tasty meals that the kids like which means they are keen to choose from the options available and seem to be starting to eat a lot better as a result.”
For more information about the system, parents and carers should contact their local school or visit: https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/parentpay.
Plans are afoot to have barriers installed at the Common Haugh in a bid to keep townsfolk safe during any future floods, writes Jason Marshall.
Councillor Stuart Marshall, also chairman of the local volunteer flood group, told last week’s Common Good Fund meeting that until the town’s flood relief scheme was up and run- ning, he thought a barrier system was something that they should look seriously at.
He added: “It would give much better control of keeping people out of the Haugh in times of emergency, and I wondered if this committee would consider the cost of putting up barriers of some sort which would shut the Haugh off.”
Councillor Davie Paterson said he backed anything that would keep people safe, while fellow local member Ron Smith said he had absolutely no problem about exploring what type of barrier could be used and how much they would cost.
Fund chairman George Turnbull: “We’ll take this forward and get costings etc.”
Scottish Borders Council has had to spend almost £40,000 over the past five years on emergency works needed at four privately-owned buildings in Hawick deemed to be in a dangerous condition.
That money has yet to be reclaimed from the owners of the derelict properties, and that is an unacceptable state of affairs according to a councillor for the town.
“It is shocking at a time when we are struggling to carry out pothole repairs on our roads that our council is faced with this considerable expense,” said Councillor Stuart Marshall, an independent representing Hawick and Denholm.
Mr Marshall asked about the number of derelict buildings in the Borders requiring public-funded emergency repairs over the last year at the latest full council meeting and said he was left shocked by the answer he got.
He was told by Councillor Ron Smith, the authority’s executive member for planning and the environment, that the council had had to act in 80 cases involving dangerous buildings in the last 12 months.
“The council has been required to undertake emergency works in 13 of these cases at a total cost of £6,058, and respective owners have been invoiced for the works,” said Mr Smith, a Hawick and Hermitage ward representative.
“It is anticipated that a further seven of the outstanding cases are likely to require direct action by the council, and the cost of these works has not yet been quantified.
“Councillor Marshall may wish to note that a number of premises in Hawick have required to be visited multiple times during this period, including the former Almstrongs retail store in Oliver Crescent, the old textile factories of N Peal in Victoria Road and Glenmac in Teviot Road and the former Woodcocks engineering building in Mansfield Crescent.
“He may also wish to note that the outstanding costs for works undertaken by the council at these four premises in the past five years is £39,338.”
The Glenmac building had required two visits, and all the others had been attended to three times, the meeting heard.
Asked about the council’s success rate in recovering money from property owners, Mr Smith said he did not have that information to hand but would try to find out, adding that three methods of recovery – invoicing, charging orders and debt recovery services – were used.
After the meeting, Mr Marshall told the Southern Reporter: “The fact that nearly £40,000 is outstanding for work on just four buildings suggests this is the tip of a very expensive iceberg, given the number of derelict eyesores which are dotted around our region’s towns.
“While I fully appreciate our duty to make these buildings safe, in my view we should be pursuing the owners with the same vigour that we pursue people who don’t pay their council tax.
“This is a big issue, not just in my ward, but across the Borders, and we must apply maximum pressure on those responsible for letting these buildings fall into such disrepair.”
Police in the Borders have arrested and charged three men with shoplifting and the theft of vehicle registration plates following a series of incidents in shops in Peebles, Straiton and Galashiels in February this year.
Three men aged 36, 44 and 43 and a 61-year-old woman charged with reset will appear in court at a later date.
One Borders town is very proud of the fundraising efforts of its schoolchildren.
On Friday, May 20 Melrose Primary School held their Race for Life for Cancer Research UK, and wound up raising £4,000.
All pupils, including some nursery-aged children, took part, choosing to run either a mile or five kilometres.
In the run up to the event pupils were encouraged to collect sponsorship money and to date they have raised £4,000 with some money still to be collected.
All the children have been running ‘A kilometre a day’ throughout the year which stood them in good stead.
They put the work in behind the scenes as well: the pupil fundraising committee and the lunchtime running club members (pictured) worked together to make this day very successful for everyone involved.
Investigations are under way after an assault on Dunbar High Street left a teenager with “a serious head injury”.
Police are investigating a serious assault that was carried out by a group of youths late on Saturday, May 28.
Detective Constable William Dickson said: “The incident was reported shortly before 11.30pm and resulted in the victim sustaining a serious head injury.
“He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and given medical attention before being discharged.
“We are pursuing a positive line of inquiry in relation to this matter; anyone who was in the area and who witnessed this attack is asked to contact police immediately if they have not already done so.”
Anyone with details should contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Cave Hunter produced a back-to-back victory in the hands of Hawick jockey Tom Hamilton at a sun-drenched Kelso Ladies’ Day.
Trained at Birnieknowe by the jockey’s mother, Wendy, the gelding received a rousing reception from a bumper crowd on Sunday.
The nine-year- old defended his 2015 title with a bold front-running display in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards open hunter chase.
He came into the race fresh from recording a course record in the men’s open at Hexham 14 days earlier.
“It has not been plain sailing preparing him to try to win this race for a second time,” admitted Wendy.
“He loves this top of the ground and I hope we will be able to bring him back to try for the hat-trick next year,” she added.
Langholm trainer James Ewart enjoyed a 100% strike rate at Kelso’s final fixture of the season, when his sole runner Lycidas led from pillar to post for a convincing win in the opening Border Facilities novices’ hurdle race.
“It’s always nice to have a winner here,” said James. “He’s a lovely horse and that’s his most relaxed performance.”
The Newmarket purchase will have a summer at grass, and may run under both codes in the autumn.
Lucinda Russell’s only runner, Seven Devils, was also a winner.
The Milnathort trainer withdrew her other four declared horses, but her sole representative posted a comprehensive victory in the KOSB novices’ handicap chase.
“His best days are ahead of him,” said Lucinda of the six-year- old.
“He has jumped so much better today and Derek (Fox) gave him a great,” she added.
Hawick jockey Craig Nichol won the feature £14,000 Ayton Castle handicap chase, riding the Nicky Richards-trained top-weight, Looking Well.
The winner is to be aimed at the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter in June.
“He is still learning his job,” explained the Cumbrian trainer. “He’s by Gold Well and his offspring appear to like decent ground.”
Greenlaw was in contention when suffering a fatal fall at the last.
Trainer Donald McCain confirmed his position as the track’s leading trainer this term, after completing a double.
Move to the Groove got the better of Traditional Dancer in a thrilling finish to the Reece, Ben, Jessica, and Charlotte Coppola novices’ handicap hurdle race.
“We were a bit worried about the ground but it was safe enough,” said winning jockey Will Kennedy.
Their second success came with dual Irish point-to- point winner What Happens Now in the Elliot Henderson & Son Plant Hire novices’ handicap chase.
“He jumped left-handed last time and was much better suited by this course,” said Kennedy.
Sedgefield victor Vanilla Run posted a six-length success in the concluding Brian Mclaren 40 th Birthday mares bumper.
“That was impressive,” enthused trainer Chris Grant. “We could go for another bumper or the Flat.
“She has schooled well over hurdles but that will come later,” he added.
A minute’s silence was observed between races for racehorse owners Diana Blyth from Northumberland, and Peter Dale of Duns – both keen supporters of the track – who died recently.
Brian Harding was crowned top jockey at the course, while Donald McCain took the trainer’s equivalent.
Some breath-taking outfits were on display at the ever-popular Ladies’ Day, with Nicola Davidson from Falkirk judged best dressed lady, and receiving a £150 voucher for A Hume country clothing in Kelso, as well as a bouquet and champagne.
Georgia Diamond and Declan Leckie from Galashiels were best-dressed couple.
Twelve went to post after racing for the Injured Jockeys Fund Flying Fillies charity race, won by Northumberland jockey and Northern Area ladies’ point-to-point champion, Catherine Walton, riding Kisumu.
Selkirk was buzzing in 1946, as the town readied itself for its first full Common Riding in six years because of restrictions in place during World War II.
Although the war in Europe was over by the time of the 1945 Common Riding, most of the town’s men were still mobilised and the event was a “subdued affair”.
From 1939-45, the burgh lands were ridden by Ex-Standard Bearers appointed as burleymen, but the rest of the ceremonies were shortened, given the gravity of the situation across the channel.
So expectations were high ahead of the 1946 event.
Helping take on this huge responsibility was that year’s Hammermen Standard Bearer Stuart Russell and his Lady Busser Kathleen Thomson.
And on Sunday, the pair made history as the first time in living memory that a trade or incorporation was able to welcome a 70th anniversary standard bearer or a lady busser, never mind both.
Stuart, a plumber to trade, was joined at the event by his brothers George – who travelled up from the south of England and was also a Hammermen Standard Bearer in 1949 – and Harry, who lives in Lindean and was Royal Burgh Standard Bearer in 1965,
The event was held in the town’s Conservative Club, and remarkably the 50th and 60th anniversary pairs – 1966 Hammermen SB Jock Craig and his lady busser Anne Cochrane, and 1956 Hammermen SB John Rathie and his lady busser Justine Lawton – were also in attendance.
Deacon Kevin Fairbairn said: “The Common Riding is woven into each and every one of our souls and is a very important part of our yearly rituals, the faces change year on year, but the ancient rights and traditions that our forefathers fought for remain the same, and so they should. But when an occasion like we have here today presents itself it is only right to make the most of it and celebrate it properly.
“Stuart and Kathleen represented the Hammermen all those years ago in 1946, but here today it’s a first for all of Selkirk to enjoy and share.”
This year’s Hammermen Standard Bearer Graeme Legge presented the anniversary pairs with a gift to mark the historic occasion.
A chef who plies his trade at a Peebles hotel has been chosen to represent Scotland in what has been dubbed the ‘culinary Olympics’.
Robbie Penman, senior chef at Peebles Hydro Spa, has been named Scotland’s team manager for the event, the IKA Culinary Olympics, to be held in Erfurt, Germany, in October.
The show, which takes place every four years, was first held in Frankfurt in 1900 and is now regarded as the biggest, most traditional culinary exhibition and a Mecca for cooks and patissiers from around the world.
Robbie says that his team have been meeting up every two weeks since January, and that while there is still “a lot to work on” he is convinced that “We can really do Scotland proud.”
To that end, the team also entered the Welsh ‘Battle for the Dragon’, using the competition against English and Welsh teams to warm up for the main event.
“It’s a lot like the football,” says Robbie, “in that there’s a major tournament every couple of years. After this, there’s the Word Cup in Luxembourg.”
He is no stranger to success in the kitchen, having been named among the finalists for Scottish Chef of the Year three times. Robbie has also won gold medals at the 2007 and 2009 World Junior Culinary Grand Prix with the Scottish team.
“This will be a bit more intense, though,” he said. “Obviously, that was a youth tournament, and this, well the standard of chefs is much higher.”
The team of six Scots, with an eight strong back-up team, are aiming to showcase the best of Scottish hospitality and cuisine and will be cooking a carefully constructed menu which will feature Scotch Lamb as the main course.
As well as Robbie, who has been at Peebles Hydro for a year, the team features Orry Shand, head chef at the Chester Hotel; Bruce Lawrence, Entier Aberdeen; Darren Seggie, head chef at Stravaigin Glasgow and pastry chefs Andrew Mackay from the Turnberry Hotel Resort and Melissa Wood from the Andrew Fairlie Restaurant in Gleneagles.
The chefs will have their skills and nerves tested fully amid the frenzied atmosphere of the event, which sees nine kitchens running simultaneously.
In Germany they will be tested on a cold buffet, which will be judged as an exercise in presentation, featuring “a lot of sugar work and chocolate work,” according to Robbie, and a few days later a 110 cover set menu, which the team have already been working to perfect.
A postman walking on one of the country’s earliest postal routes, from Edinburgh to London, stopped off in Berwickshire at the weekend.
Mark Penfold from Burnham on Sea is walking the historic route in aid of a charity fighting Mitochondrial Disease.
Mark stopped off in Duns, cheered on by colleagues from the delivery office, and Houndwood, on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29.
His walk commemorates Royal Mail’s celebration of 500 years of the postal service, and is raising money for the Lily Foundation.
The Lily Foundation is a charity close to Mark’s heart. His grandson, 18-month-old Frankie, suffers from the life-limiting Mitochondrial Disease, a genetic condition that prevents cells in the body from producing enough energy for the body to survive.
It can affect any part of the body, like the heart, brain, muscles, stomach or kidneys and has no known cure.
The Lily Foundation funds research to improve diagnosis and increase treatment options for Mitochondrial Disease, and ultimately to find a cure. The charity also raises awareness of the condition and supports families affected by the disease.
The Royal Mail and Communications Workers Union (CWU) are providing support and supplies for Mark on his journey. All funds he raises, up to a £20,000, will also be matched by Royal Mail.
To support mark visit www.sponsorme.co.uk/markpenfold.