The arrival of summer is a welcome occurrence but there’s a flip side for many Brits as the sun finally reappears after a long winter - the return of the dreaded midge.

While there are few that would grudge the return of warmer weather after a seemingly endless winter, many a hiker, dog walker or picnicker has cursed forgetting the insect repellant as swarms of tiny bloodsuckers attack.

Yet some people seem relatively unaffected by the winged beasties.

So why are some people attacked more than others, and why are midge bites so itchy?

There are five species of biting midge in the UK, Culicoides Impunctatus - the Highland Midge - and Culicoides Halophilus being the most notorious. It’s the pregnant female that attacks humans in order to source protein to develop her eggs.

The midge will pierce the skin with her mouth and pump saliva into the wound to prevent it clotting. It’s this saliva which causes a mild immune response in humans, resulting in itchy red spots as the body seeks to repair the wound.

For some, the irritation lasts only a few minutes, but for others the itching can last an infuriatingly long time.

The NHS warns that some can experience bullae - fluid-filled blisters - or weals - circular, fluid-filled areas around the bite - as a result of allergic response to a midge bite.

And, according to some experts, it’s your smell that makes you a midge magnet.

Jonathan Day, a professor of medical entomology at the University of Florida, suggests that biting insects such as mosquitos - and close relations midges - are chiefly attracted by the amount of carbon dioxide you exhale. As well as carbon dioxide, lactic acid and estradiol found in your sweat can act as an attractor.

Your body heat is also thought to be an influence on how attractive you are to midges and pregnant women are thought to be more attractive as a consequence.

So how can you avoid being bitten?

Unfortunately, there’s no foolproof way to avoid midge bites but you could try some of these suggestions:

Long clothing - minimising the amount of skin exposed by wearing long-sleeved T-shirts and avoiding shorts

Smoke them out - some swear by smoke’s midge-repelling qualities. Standing near a BBQ might shield you from harm

Eating Marmite - old wives tale or not, Marmite has long been praised for its ability to put off blood suckers

Skin-so-Soft bath oil - another oft-repeated suggestion from outdoorsy types

Insect repellant - seems an obvious one. Most chemical repellants contain di-methyl phthalate (DMP) and di-ethyl toluamide (DEET) as their active ingredient. But read the packaging carefully and seek proper advice if you’re planning on using them on children. According to the Lancet medical journal: “When used sensibly, insect repellents are advantageous and safe, but the potential toxicity of DEET is high and the use of repellents containing more than 50 per cent DEET should be avoided in infants and young children because of their thinner skin. Frequent total body application of DEET for days or weeks should be avoided.”

Gardens across the Borders are putting their flower power on show to raise money for good causes.

Dozens of owners of castles, stately homes and other properties with gardens of note are opening them to the public as part of this year’s Scotland’s Gardens initiative.

Proceeds will go via Scotland’s Gardens, itself a charity, to good causes including the National Trust for Scotland’s gardens fund, Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres, Perennial, alias the gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society, and the Queen’s Nursing Institute Scotland.

Among the gardens being opened is the Yair, two miles north of Selkirk.

Its gardens can be viewed between 2pm and 6pm on Sunday, June 5.

Admission costs £5, with pensioners getting in for £4 and children going free.

Two-fifths of the money raised will go to nearby Caddonfoot Church, and the rest will go to Scotland’s Gardens’ chosen beneficiaries for 2016.

Yair estate owner Didi Thyne believes this will be the fifth or sixth time her gardens have gone on show as part of the annual event.

“it’s described as having attractive mixed borders around a classical house, herbaceous, shrubs and specimen trees,” she said.

“You can enjoy walks along the River Tweed, throughthe glen and up to the old semi-tended, walled garden.

“I’m not a great church-goer myself, but my late husband supported the church, and it is our local church and our children were christened there, so I do try to support it myself too.”

For further details, go to www.scotlandsgardens.org

The Yair’s are among six gardens in Roxburghshire listed as taking part in this year’s event, along with four in Ettrick and Lauderdale, nine in Peeblesshire and six in Berwickshire.

The others include those at Bemersyde and Harmony House, both near Melrose; Laidlawstiel House, also near Caddonfoot; Floors Castle, near Kelso; Monteviot, near Jedburgh; West Leas and Easter Weens, both near Bonchester Bridge; Corbet Tower, at Morebattle; several at Town Yetholm; Anton’s Hill and Kames, both near Leitholm; the East Gordon Smiddy; Lennel Bank, near Coldstream; Netherbyres, near Eyemouth; Portmore, near Eddleston; and Kailzie and Dawyck, both near Peebles.

The new Rural Economy Secretary, Fergus Ewing, has admitted that late CAP payments to farmers have not been made quickly enough.

It comes ahead of the referendum on Britain’s future in the EU, and after the finance watchdog Audit Scotland described “serious cost and operational issues” in the payment system.

So far, only around 80% of Scottish farmers have received their Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments.

The Scottish government said that it was focused on paying crofters and farmers before the 30 June deadline.

And if the system does not meet European Commission regulations by that date, the Scottish government itself could face a penalty of between £40m and £125m.

Under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), about £4.6bn in European and Scottish government funding are expected to be paid out between 2015 and 2020.

Mr Ewing, in a ministerial statement on Tuesday, May 31, said that the government was “sorry” for the delays, and promised to make the delivery of 2015’s payments a priority.

Addressing his fellow MSPs at Holyrood, Mr Ewing stressed he is confident everything possible is being done to meet the June deadline

Caroline Gardner, Scotland’s Auditor General, said this week:“The CAP Futures programme has been beset with difficulties from the start. These problems, and the way they have been dealt with by the Scottish government, are a serious concern, particularly as the programme continues to face major obstacles and is unlikely to deliver value for money.”

Ms Gardener added it is vital the government ensures the IT system is fit for purpose

“The scale of the challenge ahead should not be underestimated,” she said. “It’s vital that the Scottish government take steps now to ensure the IT system is fit for purpose, and fully assess the potential financial impact if it’s unable to meet the Commission’s regulations within the programme’s remaining budget.”

A Berwickshire landowner also had his say on the issue in the House of Lords this week.

Speaking on May 25, Lord Palmer of Manderston, Scotland’s former representative to the European Landowners’ Organisation, described the situation as “unacceptable”.

He said: “The distribution of the single farm payment to farmers in England, Wales and Scotland is another unacceptable scandal. It is causing real hardship for those of us affected.

“We live in a crazy agricultural environment, with bottled water being more expensive than milk.”

After nearly two years of war, there had been no decisive battle between the two major naval rivals, Britain and Germany.

German commander Admiral Reinhard Scheer was eager to change that and came up with a strategy to defeat the British.

At the core of his plan was his intention to divide the numerically superior British fleet and destroy part of it – the Battlecruiser Fleet (BCF).

The BCF was based at Rosyth and was commanded by Vice Admiral Sir David Beatty. Scheer sent a scouting force of German battlecruisers, led by Vice Admiral Franz Hipper, to lure Beatty’s ships out into the North Sea.

While the battlecruisers exchanged fire, the rest of the German fleet rapidly approached. Scheer hoped that Beatty’s force could be destroyed before the rest of the British fleet arrived to support it. His plan almost worked.

On May 30, 1916, British naval intelligence warned that the Germans were planning an operation in the North Sea the following day.

The British fleet, led by Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, was ordered to sea by the Admiralty. Vice Admiral Sir David Beatty’s force formed the vanguard and came into contact with the German battlecruisers, led by Vice Admiral Franz Hipper, at just before 4 pm on May 31.

The British had more firepower but they suffered from poor visibility, while the Germans were more accurate in their firing. Beatty’s battlecruisers sustained more direct hits than their German counterparts, leading him to exclaim, “There seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships today”.

Two early losses were HMS Queen Mary and HMS Indefatigable, which were sunk at around 4 pm.

When the German High Seas Fleet arrived in support of Hipper, Beatty realised he was outnumbered and ordered his force to turn away.

The Germans pursued him and he led them straight into the path of Jellicoe and the entire British Grand Fleet.

Jellicoe’s battlecruisers now joined and the British managed to ‘cross the T’. This was the naval term for a manoeuvre which essentially meant the British had a firing advantage over the Germans.

Scheer now decided to turn away and the German fleet managed to escape the British guns.

Jellicoe ordered the British to bear south and soon came into contact with the Germans, again managing to ‘cross the T’. But Scheer evaded the British once more and the German fleet disappeared into the mist, firing off torpedoes at its pursuers.

Jellicoe followed his pre-battle plans for such a situation and turned away to avoid the torpedoes. By the time he could turn back and pursue the Germans, they had effectively escaped.

Jellicoe has been criticised for the outcome of the Battle of Jutland.

It was felt that he was too cautious in his dealing with the Germans and should have taken a more aggressive approach.

His defenders, however, note the significant risk of losing the fleet – a vital aspect of Britain’s wartime defence – as explanation for his calculated restraint.

The German High Seas Fleet withdrew from the battle and returned to Germany. It had sustained some damage and lost 11 ships but had avoided being totally wiped out.

The Germans never again seriously challenged the British at sea for the remainder of the war.

The Brand family’s 45 ewe Eastfortune flock of Hampshire Downs has scored a hat-trick having secured the top Scottish accolade for the third consecutive year in the breed association’s annual awards and for first time ever in its 126 year history.

The East Lothian flock, which was judged on breed type and overall conformation took the top spot in three sections – for medium flock, breeding and shearling ewes - before being awarded the best Scottish flock and also pipped in to reserve position for the overall championship.

Judge Kevin McCarthy commented: “Eastfortune was established just five years ago, however the fact it has successfully developed so quickly and achieved such uniformity is testament to the stockmanship of Richard, Janey, their son, Grant and daughter-in-law, Jane. The breeding ewes are all of a type, strong bodied with good length and size, while the flock’s stock ram, Eastfortune Angus is exceptional with great length, size and muscling, and is one of the best rams I saw whilst judging the award which took in 42 UK flocks.”

Grant Brand said: “We are delighted Eastfortune is the first ever flock to win the top Scottish award and reserve overall UK champion flock for the third year in succession, a feat which has never before been achieved by any other breeder.

“We select only the best lengthy strong standing sheep true to type with good colour and only after that, the performance recording and CT scan data collected is used to help the final selection process. This process allows us to produce a great all round Hampshire fit for all roles.”

He added: “The Hampshire breed works well for us; the ewes lamb easily, make great mothers and produce very lively lambs which require little attention after birth and fit within a low input system.”

Scottish gamekeepers and estates believe controlled muirburn will become an essential management tool to limit future devastating wildfires in Scotland, as the UK climate warms.

While the public has enjoyed higher temperatures of late and predictions of a warm summer, dry weather increases the risk of wildfire with The Scottish Wildfire Forum issuing a warning for most of the country.

That warning came after firefighters and landowners worked to contain two fires in the north of Scotland last month which spread over seven square kilometres and left resources stretched.

Gamekeepers practice controlled rotational burning of strips of moorland, in set seasons, to rejuvenate heather as a protein source for red grouse and food for a range of moorland species.

This burning of the heather, informed by the Muirburn Code, removes old and dry surface vegetation, one of the principal elements causing accidental fire to intensify and spread.

Burning in strips or patches also creates vital fire breaks, preventing flames licking unchecked across vast areas and potentially destroying breeding habitats of conservation-listed birds.

Gamekeeper Ian Hepburn said: “Muirburn is a beneficial practice, for a variety of reasons.

“If the heather on the moors is not being managed by controlled burning and the creation of firebreaks, all it takes is a strong wind in the wrong direction and an accidental fire will just take off.

“It takes an awful lot to get it under control, when that happens, not to mention the strain on the resources of the fire service.

“There are some with agendas who are critical of muirburn but it will be increasingly important in controlling wildfires in future.”

You probably don’t recognise this boy.

But 100 years ago, he was the most famous 16-year-old in Britain.

His name is Jack Cornwell, a boy gunner in the Royal Navy of 1916 and the youngest ever recipient of the Victoria Cross.

He’s also my great-great-uncle.

Jack was an ordinary boy from London and he joined the navy in the First World War when he was just 15.

Six weeks after joining he found himself in the middle of the biggest clash of warships the world had ever seen at the Battle of Jutland.

His ship, HMS Chester, was hit 18 times by German shells, four of which landed near Jack’s gun.

The attacks killed all but two of the gun’s crew and left Jack severely wounded.

But he stayed at his gun awaiting orders, until HMS Chester withdrew from the battle.

When taken for treatment there was little the ship’s surgeons or hospital doctors could do, and he died on June 2, 1916, before his mother Lily could reach his bedside.

A report from the Commanding Officer of HMS Chester said: “Boy (1st Class) John Travers Cornwell of the Chester was mortally wounded early in the action.

“He nevertheless remained standing alone at a most exposed post, quietly awaiting orders until the end of the action, with the gun’s crew dead and wounded all round him.”

Jack’s military funeral was the largest public event of the entire war and he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

As this year marks 100 years since the Battle of Jutland, all I would ask is, don’t forget Jack and those who fell alongside him.

This is the terrifying moment a teenage driver chatting on a mobile cheats death when her crash was caught on video.

The young woman veers off the road towards a row of trees and a building after being distracted by her phone.

The film has today, Wednesday June 1, been released by experts after new research showed almost six in ten road crashes involving teenage motorists are caused by texting and other distractions at the wheel.

About one in eight (12 per cent) of accidents happen because the driver was fiddling with a smartphone, just behind talking to someone else in the car (15 per cent).

I am sure we are not unique in regularly being completely full and also having an ever growing waiting list of pets, and their owners, in real need of help.

In most rescue centres I am sure they will feel just like us - sometimes it feels that we could do with a centre twice as big just to cope with the demand for spaces!

Building additional accommodation that is suitable for cats, dogs and rabbits costs a fortune. All pens and kennels need to be fully designed and built to meet the highest animal welfare standards and with this comes expense and time to put them together.

If people call to place their pet with us when we are full, and have long waiting lists, we sometimes suggest that we could put the details of the animal, along with photos, onto the Home from Home section on our Facebook site. The downside to this though is that we don’t have any control or responsibility over the rehoming process.

Far better is to have a network of foster families who could help out, either with new animals or with animals struggling to cope with centre life. We would come to do a quick home check, just to make sure that you have what we are looking for and to give you a rundown on how the process would work.

Basically, if it’s a new dog from our waiting list, for example, or a dog that was not coping at the centre, we would ensure that the pet was assessed to make sure it was not aggressive or suffering from severe behavioural or medical issues. Assuming that it was a nice friendly pet we would call you to see if you were in a position to look after it for a period until a space was available at the centre.

We would cover all costs, including food, cat litter, sawdust, hay etc as well as paying for any medical procedures whilst in your care. We believe that your help with fostering should be matched by ours in the form of covering all costs incurred. We would keep in touch for regular updates and would always be available should any problems arise.

This really is such an important option for us to have available.

We are desperately short of foster families, especially for dogs, so if you feel you could help in any way please do get in touch. Our contact details are listed on this page so give it a go and we can have a chat to go over the details.

Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE) has named Jim Pettigrew as its forthcoming chairman, replacing Sir Ewan Brown who is retiring from the role.

Pettigrew is currently chairman of Clydesdale Bank’s parent group CYBG, and recently came to the end of his 12 months as president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS), handing the reins over to Ken McHattie, chair of onshore energy company Aurora Petroleum.

Edinburgh-based SFE said Pettigrew brings more than 30 years’ experience to his new position, including group finance director at electronic broker ICAP and chief executive of spread-betting firm CMC Markets.

Brown said: “Jim has worked across a range of financial services sectors and the expertise he brings with him will be tremendously valuable to the work of SFE.

“It is a time of fast-paced change in financial services and the landscape in which we are operating, both in Scotland and internationally, is constantly evolving. With this in mind, we have embarked on a number of new initiatives at SFE to bring together a shared strategic direction for the industry in Scotland and its part in society.

“It is, therefore, an excellent time for Jim to join and help shape this vision for the future. I wish him well and I am confident that under his leadership, the SFE board, together with chief executive Graeme Jones, will continue to successfully represent and support Scottish financial services.”

Pettigrew said financial services is a “hugely important” sector for Scotland, and he added: “I feel privileged to have this opportunity to play a part in supporting and promoting the industry.

“I look forward to working with Graeme and SFE members to develop a shared vision, which places the industry’s role in society and serving customers, firmly at its centre.”

Clydesdale is a member of SFE and launched on the stock market in February. Pettigrew takes up the post on 1 July.

ANCRUM

Heritage launch

Ancrum and District Heritage Society’s launch meeting – open to everyone – will be held in the village hall on Monday, June 6, at 7pm (£2 admission). It features a talk by Dr Chris Bowles (council archaeologist) entitled “The Mantle Walls – 2012 Big Dig and Finds”.

ASHKIRK

Village hall

Kelvin Beattie will be the afternoon’s guest speaker for a gathering in the village hall on Tuesday, June 7. His topic is “The Men’s Shed”. Promoted as “part of a new movement which is gaining momentum throughout the region”, this is a chance to learn more about this initiative, where activities include carpentry, repair, tool renovation, furniture making, model engineering and gardening.

bedrule

SWI

Members and guests enjoyed the May meeting when member Adele gave a slideshow and talk about her recent photographic trip to China. Competition – loveliest china tea cup and saucer – 1, Molly Marshall; 2, Margaret Taylor; 3, Liz Ramsay.

Whist

Thanks to all who attended the May charity whist in aid of the BGH Lung Fund in memory of Jocky Palmer, a regular domino player. £200 was raised.

BORDERS

Hillwalking Club

Seventeen members of the Scottish Borders Hill Walking Club met at Vindolanda on Hadrian’s Wall on Saturday, May 14, in warm sunshine and under azure skies. It was the Allendale weekend based in Hexham, with Sunday being the official club walk. Optional extra walks were offered on Saturday and Monday. The Roman Wall walk was a very enjoyable day of hiking from Housesteads Fort along the Wall Path, near the crest of the ancient structure. After following the rolling contours of the Whin Sill on which the Wall was built, members left the immediate environs of the Wall itself and continued through the adjacent countryside in all its May glory and varied scenery. The weather just seemed to get better and better and many fragments of the Wall were encountered, passing a Roman milestone near Vindolanda before climbing up to the venerable barrier again and completing the 12-mile hike back at Housesteads. A wonderful meal at the excellent Beaumont Hotel in Hexham rounded the day off nicely. Sunday, May 15, dawned fine and sunny for the official walk and members travelled through beautiful Allendale to the start point near High Sinderhope. A footbridge over the East Allen Water led to the Blackway, a road and track into the hills. Passing Knock Shield and High Knock Shield members headed south west to find the road was becoming a track, waymarked as ‘Isaacs Tea Trail.’ This is named after an itinerant peddler of teas who wandered the paths and byways of the district in Victorian times, when life was invariably tough for ordinary people. Penetrating ever further into the high moors many shooting butts were passed, this being primarily a grouse moor. The calling of lapwings and curlews was much in evidence, as well as the loud, startled cry of grouse disturbed from their hiding places in the heather. All around was the wide sweep of Allendale Common and Swinhope Moor, the vistas being breathtaking below drifting, white clouds. At Carrshield Moor and Scum Hill, the route turned south east to climb up to Shivery Hill and a narrow, little-used hill road. A convenient hollow proved to be a good place for lunch. Thereafter everyone descended to the road and turned down a track into the valley of the Swinhope Burn to reach an abandoned mine, complete with spoil heap. The whole area had once been the scene of extensive lead mining and the evidence of this is still apparent. Keeping to the left bank of the burn, members reached Hope Head, Blackcleugh and High Hayrake, all small farms or farm cottages clustered near each other. Leaving the road on a marked path, it was then over fields and by skillfully built dykes to Elpha Green near the hamlet of Spartylea. From there they followed the East Allen Water again by Swinhope Shield and up Shield Bank to a stretch of woodland. After walking over more fields the Blackway was reached and the walk was completed down to the start point on the opposite side of the river. Once more the dinner and social evening at the Beaumont, was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Next walk: The Hirsel, Coldstream. Parking at Dundock Wood. Grid Reference: OS Map 74 – 819397. For more information, contact the walk organiser, D. Spence on 01750 32733 or E. Horsburgh, club secretary on 01750 76214. On Monday, May 16, some club members met in the pretty, stone-built village of Blanchland on the boundary between Northumberland and Durham for a final walk to complete the three day programme. It was another fine day and the woods around the village were bursting with life. The small group which had lingered after the challenges of the weekend, enjoyed this gentle walk and returned home with good memories of a very successful weekend. Many thanks to Rodger and Mike for their excellent organisation of what was a superb event.

BOWDEN

Coffee morning

There will be a coffee morning this Saturday, June 4, in Bowden Village Hall from 10am to noon in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

Cogsmill

SWI

President Mary McTaggart welcomed members the introduced federation president Caroline Tullie, who demonstrated quick and simple cookery. The cream teas, in conjunction with the hall committee, is to be held on Sunday, July 10. The competition for open snack on biscuit or bread – Christine Laidlaw. Funny coaster – Chrissie Brain, Rae Wilkinson and Mary McTaggart. Next month’s outing is on Wednesday, June 15.

denholm

Queen’s birthday

Denholm’s contribution to the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations will be held on Sunday, June 5, from 1pm on the village green. A pipe band and Riddell Fiddles will make appearances at 2pm and 3pm respectively. Other attractions include five-a-side football (teams on the day), children’s games, races, rounders and a barbecue.

EARLSTON

Parish church

The service on Sunday, June 5, at 10.15am will be conducted by Rev Julie Woods. The next service in the lounge at Hanover Housing is Tuesday, June 7, at 3pm.

Paths Group

The Paths Group will hold its annual general meeting on Tuesday, June 14, at 7pm in the small lounge at the Black Bull Inn. The meeting open to anyone interested in the work of the group.

Lunch club

Earlston Lunch Club meets every Thursday at 10.45am in Hanover Close. On May 19, proceedings started with a game of dominoes, then lunch, followed by entertainment from Stuart Anderson on the accordion. The next gathering began with card bingo. After the meal, a quiz was held. A demonstration by hairdresser Morag from Aquarious is a feature of the next meeting on June 2.

edgerston

Callant’s visit

Jethart Callant Gary Hogg and his Henchmen will visit Edgerston Village Hall on Wednesday, June 8, 7pm for 7.30pm, for a buffet meal (£5), entertainment and a presentation. All welcome. Phone Christine on 01835 840246 for further information.

Charity shoot

Edgerston village hall held its second annual charity clay shoot on Sunday, May 22, at Edgerston Tofts by kind permission of the Anderson family. The committee is grateful to course designers Ian and Billy Braithwaite, and all volunteer helpers, including a contingent of 10 air cadets who were each given a free shooting lesson. Sponsors included Bisley at Braidwood, Cessford Motors and Roxburghe Shooting School. A cheque was presented to Help for Heroes and the village hall shared in the proceeds.

Ettrickbridge

Eco fun day

Kirkhope Primary School are having an eco fun day on Saturday, June 4, from 11am-4pm. Come along and enjoy eco-based activities for all the family. Entry is free. Refreshments are available all day.

Village Hall

The next monthly coffee morning and sale in aid of hall funds will be held in on Saturday, June 4, from 10am to 12 noon. Anyone with something to sell should turn up, take a table and give a small donation to hall funds.

galashiels

Probus

At the final meeting of the season last Thursday, members were addressed by Derek Phillips, in the guise of Captain William H. Wilcox of the Union army in the American Civil War. Captain Wilcox enlisted on December 1, 1861. He was a topographic officer and ranked as a second lieutenant. In April 1862, he arrived in Washington where he was part of the Washington Defences. The army received simple training which consisted mainly of drill. In the winter of 1862, Captain Wilcox was sent to Fredericksburg as a staff officer. The next Probus club meeting is on September 8 at the new venue of the Waverley Castle Hotel when Keith Robson will talk about walking in the Borders.

Trinity church

The Reverend Elspeth Harley led worship on Sunday, with Dorothy Howden leading praise. Ed Martin read the lesson. Session clerk Bill Cheyne announced that the joint guild

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coffee morning for Christian Aid had raised £336. There is to be a coffee morning in aid of church funds on Saturday, June 4, in the church hall. The following day sees a short communion at 3pm in Caddonfoot Church. Anyone who wishes to attend, but doesn’t have transport, should speak to Bill Cheyne or the minister. Bible study continues on Wednesday at 7.30pm in the church office.

St Peter’s Church

Communion will be held on Thursday, June 2, at 10am. The usual Thursday morning study group and soup lunch will not take place for a few weeks until the group finds a time and place that suits everyone. The Sunday, June 5, family service starts at 10.30am, followed by coffee. Thursday, June 9, at 10am sees communion, followed by study group and soup lunch. Saturday, June 11, 12.30pm, soup ‘n’ pud lunch; Sunday, June 12, 9.30am, Sunday Squad followed by juice and toast; 10.30am, sung eucharist followed by coffee; 6pm, healing and anointing service.

Glendouglas

Lunch club

The next lunch club gathering is on Wednesday, June 8, from 11.30am-1.30pm.

Callant

Jed Callant Gary Hogg will visit Glendouglas on June 22 with his Henchmen, Grant Raeburn and Jack Fraser. Christine Roger presented Gary with his Balmoral Hat and the new Herald, Brian Marshall, with his hat too.

Hawick

50+ group

The next walk will be held on June 5 in the Rothbury area with a 9am start.

Bridge club

May 31 – 1. George Graham and Bob Francombe; 2. (equal), Sam White and Richard von Slicher, Mary Millar and Patsy Gilligan.

iNNERLEITHEN

Church

There will a communion service on Sunday, June 5, at 10.30am in Innerleithen Church.

Public meeting

Local community group AimUp is holding a public meeting at 7pm on Tuesday, June 7, in the Memorial Hall to provide an update on the project. At the meeting, affirmation that the local and biking community continue to support the proposal to build a mechanical uplift will be sought. The gathering will also act as a call to action, seeking members of the community who want to get involved and help deliver a project that will have significant impact for the Borders. AimUp is currently part of a process together with Scottish Borders Council (SBC), Scottish Enterprise, Forestry Commission Scotland and other stakeholders to deliver a plan to develop the future of mountain biking in the Tweed Valley. AimUp recently suggested that SBC progress an application to fund the uplift project to the Edinburgh Region City Deal, where some £2billion is available for infrastructure projects in six council areas.

Games committee

The next meeting of St Ronan’s Border Games committee will take place on Wednesday, June 8, at 7pm in the council chamber, Memorial Hall, Leithen Road.

Football Fives

Entries for the Games Week Football Fives tournament (July 9) are now being accepted. To enter, contact Steven Notman on 07792 092118.

Overseas guests

Every year St Ronan’s Border Games committee tries to accommodate visitors from overseas who are staying in the town during Games Week as guests at the Cleikum Ceremonies. This year’s ceremonies will take place on Friday, July 15, and applications for overseas guest invitations are now being accepted by email – stronansgames@googlemail.com.

Patrons

Anyone who has not already done so and who wishes to contribute to the 2016 St Ronan’s Border Games and Cleikum Ceremonies Patrons’ Scheme should send donations (minimum £5 per person) to patrons’ secretary Ted McKie, 41 George Street, Innerleithen.

Jedburgh

Bridge club

May 23 – N/S – 1, J.Urquart and J. Kyle; 2, M. Weightman and H. Long; 3, V. Johnstone and M. Miller; E/W – 1, R. Oates and S. West; 2, K. Jackson and P. Nichol; 3, R. Stewart and S. Graham.

kelso

Anniversary event

May Well Road Productions delivered an interesting and informative presentation entitled ‘The History of Wool, the Sheep and the People in the Border Hills’ in the Cross Keys Hotel. This event, marking the 200th anniversary of the building of Kelso Town Hall, was illustrated with a series of images of the landscape and was accompanied by a lyrical soundtrack.

Bridge club

Match Pointed Pairs: N/S 1st Rena Stewart and Beth Stark: 2nd Dominic and Diana Alkin: 3rd Lesley Dick and Lynda Douglas. E/W 1st Miles Browne and John Urquhart: 2nd Brian Saywood and Ken Ross: 3rd Ian and Eliz Ross. Thursday May 26: Aggregate Pairs: N/S 1st Vanessa Wilson and Lynda Douglas: 2nd Bob Stevenson and Lee Leeson: 3rd Dominic and Diana Alkin. E/W 1st Annie Mitchell and John Loudon: 2nd Jean Henry and Myra Thomson: 3rd equal Michael Horwood and Alison Ireland and Margot McVie and Edith Hogg.

LANGHOLM

Probus club

President Harry Aitken welcomed 24 members and guest speaker John Gair to the Probus Club meeting in the Eskdale Hotel last Wednesday. John was a former history teacher at the Academy and he gave a presentation on the Quintinshill Rail Disaster which took place near Gretna on the May 22, 1915, with the loss of 214 lives of the Royal Scots Territorial Battalion on route to the front during WW1. Also killed were seven officers and 13 civilians, including a mother and child. John’s excellent narration of the events leading up to the disaster and the aftermath and consequences along with some black and white slides brought home the carnage and the mistakes that led to this happening. The presentation was engrossing to listen to and watch, thanks to the narrator. A vote of thanks was given to the speaker by the president and fully supported by the attending members.

Umbrella walk

The Rotary Club umbrella sponsored walk in the town and at Canonbie raised £20,000. The walkers raised £10,754 in the annual March event and this was generously topped up by £7,500 from the three trusts who again supported the event, the David Stevenson Trust, Arthur Bell Trust and John and Mary Elliot Memorial Trust. Another £1,750 was claimed on Gift Aid. The Rotary Club organises, promotes and administers the walk and deducts five per cent of the amount raised to cover costs. At a dinner in the Crown Hotel cheques were presented to 30 organisations who had took part in the walk. During the evening the Community Service Award was presented by president Jim Muir to David Gordon, who had been nominated by club treasurer John Elliot for his dedicated work to the Youth Rugby Trust. Being the driving force behind the youth rugby, Davie along with other volunteers had put in an amazing effort with the young people and along with help from the school had run teams from P2/3 up to the Colts. Davie received a framed certificate from the Rotary president and also £250 to go to a good cause of his choice, which of course went to the youth rugby trust.

LAUDER

Lauderdale News

A celebration to mark 20 years of the Lauderdale News will be held in the public hall on Friday, June 3, from 7pm- 9pm. All are welcome.

Initiative Group

Lauderdale Initiative Group has arranged a general meeting to discuss Lauder’s Christmas Light. It takes place at Lauder Town Hall on Thursday, June 16, at 7.30pm. .

Threepwood Night

A presentation was made by RWM Ian Brotherston of Lodge St Luke 132 to Cornet Greg Scott, Right-Hand Man Ex-Cornet Daniel Simpson and Left-Hand Man Ex-Cornet Craig Connel as sponsorship to the Ex-Cornets’ Association in respect of payment for their horses for the Threepwood Ride. This sponsorship has been in existence for 13 years and has totalled more than £4,000.

Church

Holy communion was celebrated by the Reverend Rae Clark at Lauder Church and South Gardens on Sunday, May 29, and at Channelkirk, the service was led by the worship team. A group of guild members travelled by minibus to the Assembly Hall, Edinburgh, for the “The Big Sing” on May 24 to enjoy, along with 1,200 others, an evening of hymn singing, readings and reflections. The guild coffee morning will be held on Saturday, June 4, at 10am in Lauder church centre.

melrose

Border Flower Club

‘Dance into Spring’ was the title chosen by John Dalton for the May demonstration. His first design was a trough for a mantle piece with mixed foliage, Texas red roses, purple statis and mixed mini gerberas. A wedding bouquet was next with palm leaves and fatsia leaves as the foliage, the flowers being vintage-coloured pink carnations and roses. The occasional table in the hall design was in an urn with ivy for the foliage and pink tulips were sprinkled throughout. The container for the all-green design was white wrought iron with an orchid and Anastasia green chrysanths. The final design was in two parts – the first in a small gold angel candlestick and the second candlestick was a double figurine, using mixed foliage and vintage-coloured Memory Lane red roses and pale pink gerberas. The next meeting is on Wednesday, June 8, in the Corn Exchange at 7.30pm when the demonstrator will be Mark Crawford. His title is ‘Every day’s a School Day’.

Trimontium

The title of Curle’s book, ‘A Roman Frontier Post and its People’, reflects his interest in the activities of the people of the past and not merely in the buildings in which they lived and worked. Visitors today are also varied and leave interesting comments in the Visitors’ Book. One recent continental couple’s entry was ‘Honeymooning with the Romans’. That is an advertising avenue which had certainly not been thought about. Running a museum is also a two-way process. A recent angler was keen to show on his mobile phone images of Humshaugh, the last fortlet, he said, to be built beside Hadrian’s Wall. Another visitor revealed in conversation that he had been involved in a dig at York of several young Roman soldiers. He didn’t think ‘gladiators’, but remembering that Caracalla, unpopular with the army, became emperor on the death of his father Septimius Severus in York, suggested that the group had made know their opposition to the succession – and had paid for it with their lives. A sprightly lady from a coach party the other day, having asked the elderly supervisor his age, was pleased to announce that she was beating him by quite a margin. ‘I’m 92’, she said, and to show she meant it, promptly bought a book and the pamphlet about the story of Pontius Pilate being born in Scotland. Well done, ma’am.

mINTO

SWI

The last meeting of the season was the guest gathering in Denholm. The president welcomed more than 20 SWI members from Teviothead and Burnfoot to Glendouglas, and several in between. They were entertained with a floral art display by Alison Cavers who showed some of the tricks of display, using tulips as her main flower. Her audience shared a tasty selection of goodies for supper and renewed friendships. Competition results were as follows: Floral arrangement in a tea cup for Minto members – 1, Pat Jardine; 2, Janice Palmer; 3, Mary Beck; 4, Dee Baxter; Best floral brooch for visitors – 1, Molly Marshall (Bedrule). The next meeting is on September 14.

morebattle

Fishing club

The annual fishing club coffee morning was held on Saturday when £250 was raised for funds. Competition winners were as follows: Lucky door number - Katy Milne; Plant - Linda Nairn; Sweets in jar - Lizzie Thomson; Basket of vegetables - Dorothy McNulty. The draw for the fishing club competition on Saturday, June 4, will be held on Thursday, June 2, in the Templehall. Names to David Gray.

SWI

Two teams from Morebattle took part in the SWI Olympics on Thursday night at Newtown. Although not medal winners, everyone enjoyed the evening. Morebattle SWI members are going to The Pirn at St Boswells for a meal for their annual outing on the evening of Wednesday, June 8.

Queen’s birthday

As part of the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations, villagers are holding a garden party in the Templehall on Sunday, June 12, from 1pm, featuring a hog roast, salads, tray bakes, birthday cake, bouncy castle, face-painting, games, live music and fancy dress.

Coffee morning

Morebattle Institute coffee morning will be held in the premises on June 11 starting at 10.30am.

Newtown

Seniors’ club

The next meeting of Newtown and Eildon Seniors’ Afternoon Club will be in Newtown Community Wing on Tuesday, June 7, from 2pm. This is the last meeting before the summer break.

SWI

Members enjoyed supper at the Buccleuch Arms Hotel in St Boswells on Thursday, May 5. During the month members also attended a fashion show presented by Liba Kelso and hosted by members of Stichill SWI. The next meeting of Newtown SWI will be held on Thursday, June 2, in the community wing when the guest will be Joyce Luby who will demonstrate fabric card making.

Oxnam

Library cafe

The next library cafe is on Wednesday, June 8, in the hall from 11am-noon.

Selkirk

Fair

The children, teachers and parent partnership of Philiphaugh Community School are grateful to everyone who helped to make their school fair, which was held on Saturday, May 14, such a big success.

st boswells

SWI

A whist, with 15 tables playing, resulted – 1st lady, Janet Rodger; 2, Joan Kyle; 3, Ann Reid; booby, Jean Rae; highest first half, Janette Fell; highest 2nd half, Pauline Looker; 1st gent, Annie Coltherd; 2, Alistair Patterson; 3, Lynn Nichol; booby, Jean Paterson; highest 1st half, Marion Thomson; highest 2nd half, Jean Scott; card bingo, Wilma Burns. There were five lucky sweep winners.

TRAQUAIR

Church

The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on June 12 at 10am.

A sex offender telephoned a 67-year-old stranger and made sexually explicit remarks to her, Jedburgh Sheriff Court has been told.

Forty-two-year-old Paul Devins, from Hawick, chose the pensioner’s number at random and after asking to a speak to a woman called Debbie to get the woman talking, he made inappropriate comments about his manhood.

The court heard that the OAP, who suffers from ill-health and lives 80 miles away from Devins in Glasgow city centre, told him he was disgusting and hung up. She reported the matter to her nephew who tracked Devins’ mobile phone number and warned him not to contact her again.

However, the following night Devins again contacted the woman, leaving six messages, although none were of a sexual nature.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said Devins sent messages asking if she was alone and would sign off with an “x”, which is a sign of affection.

The alarmed woman again told her nephew who contacted the police.

Devins – who is already subject to a two-year sexual offences order – pleaded guilty to a charge of sending text messages of a sexual nature and making inappropriate remarks from his home in Sandbed on April 17 and 18 last year.

When interviewed by police, he said: “I was phoning people when I was drunk and I phoned that number. I thought I was being funny.”

His solicitor, Mat Patrick, said Devins’ problem was with alcohol.

Sentence was deferred until until January 9 to monitor the progress of Devins’ existing community payback order which also has a supervision element.

His name has been placed on the sex offenders register for five years.

Driver banned for 66 months

A motorist has been banned from the road for five-and-a-half years after failing to give two samples of breath when suspected of drink-driving, Jedburgh Sheriff Court heard.

Thirty-eight-year-old Benjamin Renbuorn, a self-employed builder from Totnes in Devon, was in the Borders for his father’s funeral when his car broke down on the unclassified Roberton-Craik road on April 22.

A passer-by who had initially stopped to give help realised he had been drinking and alerted police.

Officers carried out a roadside test which found Renbuorn to be almost four times the legal limit.

But he later refused to give two breath samples while suspected of being in charge of a car under the influence of alcohol.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond noted Renbuorn had been disqualified from driving for a total of 10 years for previous offences, including drink-driving, and said he had seriously considered sending him to jail.

Instead, and as well as the disqualification, he imposed a 12-month community payback order with a supervision requirement for alcohol counselling, as well as 100 hours unpaid work.

Reports ordered

Background reports have been ordered into a Hawick woman who admitted separate offences in little over a week.

Lana Clarke, 25, of Scott Crescent, pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour involving her partner at a house in Fisher Avenue, Hawick, on March 11.

She also admitted charges of careless driving and driving with excess alcohol in Lilliesleaf Road, also Hawick, on March 19.

An interim driving ban has been imposed.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond called for a Criminal Justice Social Work Report to be prepared and deferred sentence until June 27.

Your guide to what’s on in the Borders

June 3-4, 8-11

Shakespeare at Traquair presents The Taming of the Shrew, Traquair House, Innerleithen, 7pm. A unique promenade performance of one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies. Tickets £14 (£8 concs), available from the Eastgate Theatre box office on 01721 725777.

Comedy

June 3

The Dolls, Volunteer Hall, Galashiels, 7.30pm. A fabulous mix of comedy sketches, songs and sing-a-alongs. Tickets £15 plus booking fee, from.borderevents.com or 01750 725480.

Ian McMillan, Eyemouth Hippodrome, 8pm. Poet, broadcaster and comedian Ian McMillan comes to Eyemouth for a hilarious night of verse and improvisation guaranteed to make your sides ache. Tickets £12.50. Call the box office on 01890 750099, or see eyemouthhippodrome.org

Music

June 3

The Unthanks, Eastgate Theatre, Peebles, 7.30pm. Timeless, unsentimental and quietly subversive musical tales of loss, fear, booze, brawls, abuse and sorrow. Tickets £16, £14, £6 for schoolchildren. Contact the box office on 01721 725777 or see www.eastgatearts.co.uk

Tom McConville, Rolling Hills Folk Club, Darnick Village Hall, near Melrose, 8pm. Solo performance from a talented singer and fiddle player. Tickets £6/£5 concessions. Under 18s and Young Scot card holders go free. BYOB

June 4

Pop Factor: The Concert, Maltings, Berwick, 6.30pm. A cast of top professionals performing a current setlist, this show is the perfect night out for kids (both young and old!). Tickets £13.50 / £12 concs, Box (double occupancy) £40. Contact the box office on 01289 330999 or see www.maltingsberwick.co.uk

Simon and Garfunkel: Through the Years, Eastgate Theatre, Peebles, 7.30pm. A powerful live performance and multimedia show, taking the audience on a journey through the friendship and career of Simon & Garfunkel. Tickets £16, £14, £6 for schoolchildren. Contact details as before.

June 5

Inside the Whale and The Stare, Wilton Lodge Park, Hawick, 2pm. String Theory returns to the bandstand for the first of its summer concerts, which will take place on the first Sunday of every month. Admission is free.

Yetholm Sinfonia presents music ofthe 19th and 20th centuries, Town Hall, Kelso, 7.30pm. Featuring Berwick trumpeter Jeremy Brown. Tickets cost £9 (Friends of the Orchestra £6) and are on sale at Hector Innes Photography, Kelso. Further info from Geoffrey Emerson, 01573 420279, or e-mail gwemerson@orpheusmail.co.uk

Comedy

June 3

Damp Knight Improv: Turtle Recall, Maltings, Berwick, 8pm. Prepare for with another evening of hilarious, spontaneous and “turtle-y” improvised comedy. All tickets £5. Contact details as before.

Film

June 2

The Huntsman: Winter’s War, Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. As a war between rival queen sisters Ravenna and Freya escalates, Eric and fellow warrior Sara try to conceal their forbidden love. Tickets and contact details as before. (12A)

June 3

Miles Ahead, Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. Director and star Don Cheadle hits a career high with this passionate and audacious biopic of troubled jazz legend Miles Davis. Tickets £7.45 / £6.45 concs, child £4.45 (16 & under), baby free (2 & under). Contact details as before. (15)

June 5

Angry Birds, Eastgate Theatre, Peebles, 2.30pm. When an island populated by happy, flightless birds is visited by mysterious green piggies, it’s up to the Angry Birds to figure out what the pigs are up to. Tickets £8, £6 for schoolchildren, £24 for family of four. Contact details as before. (U)

Florence Foster Jenkins, Eastgate Theatre, Peebles, 4.30pm. The story of a New York heiress who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice. Tickets and contact details as before. (PG)

Miles Ahead, Eastgate Theatre, Peebles, 7.30pm. See above. Tickets and contact details as before.

June 7

Dark Horse : The Incredible True Story of Dream Alliance, Tower Mill, Hawick, 6pm. The astonishing story of a champion racehorse raised in one of Wales’ poorest mining valleys. Tickets £6.50 (£5 concs). Contact the box office on 01450 360688 or drop in to the Visit Scotland desk.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. When Toula Portokalos’s parents find out she and her partner Ian were never officially married, another wedding is in the works. Can this big, fat, Greek event help to bring the family together? Tickets 7.45 / £6.45 concs, child £4.45 (16 & under), baby free (2 & under). Contact details as before.

June 8

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. Details as before.

Fun day

June 4

Eco Fun Day, Kirkhope Primary School, Ettrickbridge, 11am-4pm. Enjoy eco-based activities for all the family. Free entry. Refreshments available all day.

Workshop

June 4

“Eye Write!” Creative Writing Workshop, Hippodrome, Eyemouth, 11am-1pm. Selkirk FC poet-in-residence Thomas Clark and Eildon Tree editor Sara Clark are on hand to help you stretch your imagination in this practical and lively workshop. Suitable for all ages and abilities, from published poet to absolute amateur. Tickets £5.50. Call the box office on 01890 750099, or see eyemouthhippodrome.org

Exhibitions

From February 13

A Rural Portrait, Cut the Mustard Gallery, Langholm. Call 013873 81180 for more details, or see www.mustardgallery.co.uk

June 3-4

The Selkirk Boys, WASPS artists’ studios, St Mary’s Mill, Selkirk, 10am-5pm. A rich and eclectic selection of art from a small group of the studios’ male artists. See www.selkirkwasps.com for further details.

June 4-July 2

Galashiels Studio Club annual exhibition, Old Gala House, Scott Crescent, Galashiels. The works of several Borders professional artists will feature alongside the paintings of the Galashiels Studio Club members.

Open Mon–Sat 10am-4pm and Sun 1pm-4pm (closed Friday June 17).

Till June 19

The Plant World on Paper by David Stuart, Old Gala House, Galashiels. Botanist and artist showcases his paintings of plants. Open Tue-Sat 10am-4pm, and from June, Sun 1-4pm.

till July 17

Factory Girls, Tower Mill, Hawick. Sculptures by Katie Scarlett Howard celebrating the women workers of the textile trade of the past in Scotland and Wales. Open Monday - Friday 10am-4.30pm, Sunday 12noon-3pm. Contact the Borders Textile Towerhouse on 01450 377615 or email textiletowerhouse@scotborders.gov.uk for more information.

Till August 6

Cut the Mustard Gallery presents “SCAPE - town, country, sea”, High Street, Langholm. Preview of new exhibition, plus join Barry and Lisa for a slice of birthday cake and a glass of wine between 11am-5pm on May 14 to celebrate Cut the Mustard’s third anniversary in their new premises.

Till Sept 4

Hawico, Borders Textile Towerhouse, Hawick, open Mon-Fri 10am-4.30pm. A showcase of cashmere knitwear designs by Hawico. Admission free.

Till November 30

Rave Reviewer, Abbotsford House, near Melrose, open 10am-5pm. Exhibition exploring Sir Walter Scott’s activity as a reviewer of some of the most famous work of his time, including Jane Austen’s Emma and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Entry is included as part of admission ticket to the house. See http://www.scottsabbotsford.com/ for further details.

event

UNTIL OCTOBER 31

Stick Man Trail. Kielder Castle, free admission. Based on the much-loved book, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, following the success of the Gruffalo trail. It starts from Kielder Castle, where families can pick up an activity pack for £3, follow the trail and complete fun activities along the way. Parking costs £4.50 all day or £1.50 for one hour.

attractions

Abbotsford House, Abbotsford, Melrose: 01896 752043. See www.scottsabbotsford.com for events and prices.

Bamburgh Castle:,01668 214515. Open daily, from 10am to 5pm, last admission 4pm. Admission £10.50, children £5, senior £10, family £25.

Berwick Barracks, 01289 304493. Open daily 10am-6pm. See detailsfo admission charges at http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

Bowhill House and Gardens, near Selkirk: 01750 22204. See http://www.bowhillhouse.co.uk for details of opening hours and admission charges.

Chillingham Castle, 01668 215359. Now open. Please ring for further details or visit our website www.chillingham-castle.com

Chillingham Wild Cattle Park: 01668 215250. Open Monday to Friday: Tours at 10am, 11am, noon, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm. Sundays: Tours at 10am, 11am, noon. Closed Saturday. Admission £8, concs £6, children £3, family £16.

Dawyck Botanic Garden, Stobo, near Peebles: 01721 760254. Open daily February 1 to November 30 from 10am to 4pm/5pm/6pm. Admission: Adults £6, Concessions £5, Children Free, Members Free.

Dryburgh Abbey, near Dryburgh: 01835 822381. Open daily, 9.30am-5.30pm. Admission: Adult £5.50, Child £3.30, Concession £4.40.

Etal Castle, 01890 820332. Open daily, from 10am to 6pm. Gift aid admission: £4.80, concs £4.30, children £2.90, family £12.50.

Heatherslaw Cornmill, 01890 820488. Open daily, from 10am to 5pm. Admission £3.80, concs £3.20, family £10, under-fives free.

Heatherslaw Light Railway, 01890 820244. Open daily, from 10am to 4pm, first train at 11am. Return journey prices: £6.50, seniors £6, children £4.50, under-fives £2.50, babies free.

Heatherslaw Visitor Centre, 01890 820338. Open daily, from 10am to 5pm.

Glentress Peel Visitor Centre, near Peebles. Top mountain biking trails, great walks and fantastic wildlife watching, visitor centre, cafe and bike shop. Call 0300 067 6900 for more details. See http://7stanesmountainbiking.com/Glentress---Innerleithen for details of facility opening hours.

Halliwell’s House Museum and Robson Gallery, Market Place, Selkirk: 01750 20096. Open Monday-Saturday 11am-4pm. and Sunday 12pm-3pm.

Harestanes Countryside Visitor Centre, near Jedburgh: 01835 830306. Woodland walks, events, exhibitions, playparks. Open 10am-5pm daily.

Hawick Museum and Gallery, Wilton Lodge Park: 01450 364747. Open Mon–Fri 10am–12 and 1–5pm, Sat and Sun 2–5pm.

Hermitage Castle, Hawick, Roxburghshire: 01387 376222. Open daily from 9.30am-5.30pm. Admission Adult £4.50, Child £2.70, Concession £3.60.

Jedburgh Abbey: 01835 863925. Open 9.30am-5.30pm. Admission: Adult £5.50, Child £3.30, Concession £4.40.

Lady Waterford Hall, Ford Village, Berwick-upon-Tweed, 07790 457580. Open daily, 10am-4pm. Admission Adults £3, concs. £2.70, family £8, U5’s free.

Lindisfarne Castle, 01289 389244. Call for opening times. Gift aid admission: £7.80, child £3.90, family £19.40.

Lindisfarne Centre, 01289 389004. Call for opening times. Admission £4, concs £3.50, children £2, family £10, under-fives free.

Lindisfarne Priory: 01289 389200. Open daily, from 10am to 6pm. Gift aid admission: £6.20, concs £5.60, children £3.70, family £16.10.

Mellerstain House and Gardens, Gordon: 01573 410225. Open Fri-Mon. See www.mellerstain.com for details of opening hours and admission prices.

Melrose Abbey: 01896 822562. Open daily 9.30am-5.30pm. Admission Adult £5.50, Child £3.30, Concession £4.40.

Old Gala House, Scott Crescent, Galashiels: 01896 752611. Opening hours June to August - Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 1pm-4pm.

Sir Walter Scott’s Courtroom, Market Place, Selkirk: 01750 720096. Opening hours, May to August Monday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 11am-3pm, Sunday 11am-3pm.

The Three Hills Roman Heritage Centre, Melrose: 01896 822651. Entry £2; £1 school pupil or student; £5 family. Schools welcome.

Thirlstane Castle, Lauder: 01578 722430. From May 3 – October 2, open Tues-Thurs and Sundays 10am-3pm (grounds 10am-5pm). See thirlestanecastle.co.uk for info.

Police have promised an increased presence during the Borders festival season after catching drink and drug drivers in the region.

The warning was issued after 10 people were reported to the procurator fiscal in May.

Police said they would monitor all routes through the region and offenders would be dealt with “robustly”.

They added that they would be stepping up operations during the common riding celebrations throughout the Borders.

Inspector John Scott said: “Ten people caught driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs is 10 too many and represents a complete disregard for the safety of other road users, as well as their own well-being.

“With the start of the summer and the Borders festival season upon us, we will have increased road policing patrols in place across the road network and our message is simple - do not drive if you have been drinking alcohol.”

The sun certainly shined on Hawick Cornet Euan Reilly on Tuesday as he led a large contingent of riders to Mosspaul in fine weather – just as he did three days previous in just as nice conditions on the Mosstroopers’ ride.

He told us: “It was really good to be leading all the other Borders principals as well as the other riders.

“They were both really fine days, and we were well looked after by the Mosstroopers Club.”

Euan’s big day comes up next Friday, but he has several events to attend before that, including the Thursday Night Chase, which takes place tonight.

He said: “I am really looking forward to that, but I can’t wait till next week, when it’s all go.

“I’m a wee bit nervous, but I’m sure everything will be fine.”

It’s three hours plus since he hit the stage, and Bruce Springsteen ain’t finished yet.

He teases a rollicking rendition of ‘Shout’ to something like 11 minutes of call and response, pausing only to yell ‘’I’m just a prisoner of rock ‘n’ roll!’’ as he pushed himself, his band and 55,000 sun-baked fans to the point of exhilaration and exhaustion.

It was the now traditional finale to a quite remarkable show; one that eclipsed his magnificent performance at the same Hampden in 2013.

What started out as a tour to reprise The River in full has now become more akin to a jukebox show with Springsteen chucking in a few dimes, hitting ‘random shuffle’ - and then powering through whatever it throws out.

In truth, it’s a set so honed to perfection it’s capable of adapting to any change on a whim without so much as missing a beat, but despite that it still feels completely spontaneous, and utterly joyful.

There are delights and surprises on any given night for fans who’ve seen him many, many times over.

Once again he played with his 34-song set list, coming up with rarely heard gems - ‘Sandy’ (much easier to write on a poster than ‘4th of July, Asbury Park’ and it worked for the fan who said it was her wedding song!), and favourites such as ‘‘Rosalita’ which simply sparkled with life.

We got everything from his ‘73 debut ‘Greetings from Asbury Park’ to his ‘Wrecking Ball’ album mixed with the very best from ‘Born To Run/Born In the USA’ - a rare outing for the latter’s title track too.

With the sun beating down on Hampden, Springsteen opened with the feel-good ‘Waiting On A Sunny Day’ - a pitch-perfect starting point - before rewinding to a celebratory ‘Spirit In The Night’ and then a thundering ‘My Love Will Not Let You Down.’

Suitably warmed up, it was into The River - six tracks of eight tracks in total, but still no Independence Day or Drive All Night, two of the album’s cornerstones.

Who knows, he may yet chuck ‘em back in at Coventry on London - but the set, whatever shape or form it takes, is so beautifully knitted together it’s hard to see where they’d fit in unless he stretches to a four-hour marathon.

From 6.45 p.m. until well after ten o’clock he powered through song after song after song, stopping only to count the next one in.

Springsteen and all his E Street players also covered more of Hampden than some footballers manage on cup final day as they headed into the vast walkways that led deep into the wings, and popped up mid-crowd on small platforms. That rapport and sense of access transformed this brick-built bowl into the most intimate of venues for anyone standing pitchside. One minute you were watching him on the big screen,and the next he was barely 15 feet in front of you.

As the sun set he slowed the pace for a darker Point Blank and a towering rendition of The River before spitting out every single word of Darkness On The Edge of Town.

There was a gritty Johnny 99, and a compelling 41 Shots before Nils Lofgren tore Because The Night to shreds with a guitar solo that just left you wondering how the hell he does that while spinning like a top on one leg.

File this entire night on E Street under ‘e’ - for epic.

>> Set list:

Waiting On A Sunny Day; Spirit in the Night; My Love Will Not Let You Down; The Ties That Bind; Sherry Darling; Two Hearts; Rosalita; 4TH July, Asbury Park (Sandy); Hungry Heart; Out In The Street; Lonesome Day; You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch); Death To My Hometown; American Skin (41 Shots); Murder Inc; 16. I’m Goin Down; Johnny 99; The River;. Point Blank; Darkness On The Edge Of Town; The Promised Land; Working On The Highway;3. Darlington County; Because The Night; The Rising; Thunder Road;. Badlands;. Born in the USA;. Born To Run; Glory Days; Dancing in the Dark; Tenth Avenue Freeze Out;. Shout; This Hard Land

Claims that contracted additional needs assistants (ANAs) and classroom assistants in primary schools across the Borders are about to lose their jobs have been denied by Scottish Borders Council.

One ANA working in a Galashiels school, who has asked not to be named, informed us that they were expecting their hours to be cut, as has recently been the case on a yearly basis.

She said: “Every year, the ANA hours always get cut, and we were prepared for this to happen again, then all those with temporary contracts went in Easter this year.

“But even people like me, who have had contracts for 10 years plus, have all been told that basically all ANA hours are going and we would lose our jobs.

“It was just a complete and utter devastation.”

Our source also claimed that they were told that extra-curricular activities such as breakfast clubs were to be stopped.

She said: “I would like the parents to know.

“The breakfast clubs are so important, as are after-school clubs, to pupils who maybe need a little help with their maths or literacy.

“Unless they are privately run, they are no longer going to be subsidised by the council.

“We keep being told how important they are. It gives the poorer kids a breakfast and extra help and allows parents to go to work.”

Our source was not alone in her fears, as a packed meeting at Gala Fairydean Rovers clubrooms on Friday evening, organised by the Unison trade union, heard many similar stories from such employees in schools across the Borders.

However, a council spokesperson told the Southern yesterday: “There are no planned redundancies for staff on permanent contracts.

“Any reductions in permanent staffing are currently being managed through a voluntary early retirement severance programme.

“We had, however, anticipated that there would be some reduction in staffing required at some schools and increases in others. To minimise the impact of this on the service, there have been some staff employed on temporary contracts which have now come to an end.

“The council’s overall aim and commitment is to provide a flexible and responsive additional needs support service, designed to fully meet the needs of the children and young people across the Borders who required support.

“In line with national guidance, we believe the most effective way to do this is by utilising a cluster model which enables us to place staff in the settings which best meet the needs of the child or young person.”

The council spokesperson also dismissed the claim that breakfast clubs were to stop, saying: “There continues to be funding and staffing available for activities such as breakfast clubs and after-school clubs, with additional funds provided for children in areas of deprivation.”

The situation is strangely similar to our stories last month on the the special needs nursery unit at Langlee, when school staff were being told it was being closed and the official council line insisted the opposite.

What is clear is that the ANAs have no idea what card they will be dealt, as our source claims that their headteachers have now been stopped from telling them anything and that they themselves have been gagged.

She said: “It’s a mess. The headteachers had originally been told to speak to all their staff by last Friday, which would give them a month’s notice of a change of contract, but when the union found out what was going on, they said the council was acting illegally, breaking contract laws, no redundancy, the lot.

“The headteachers were then told not to talk to us about it.”

“Until this is sorted out, we don’t know what we are doing next year.

“We have been told to keep quiet, that we are not allowed to say anything.”

Saturday’s Hope for Life Zumbathon at Langlee Community Centre, Galashiels, surpassed the expectations of organiser Karen Baird.

The fledgling charity, based in Melrose, raised almost £3,000 of funds, which will be used to make available alternative therapies for cancer sufferers who would otherwise not be able to afford them.

Karen told us: “Fitborders owner Jocelyn Naylor led the event and also choreographed a special Hope for Life anthem dance to ‘Bring me Sunshine’, performed with her team of instructors which included myself.

“Ninety-six people of all ages came and participated in the event, embracing the theme of the day wearing purple and raising the roof for two hours of Zumba dance fitness, with loads of fun and laughter.”

The total was raised from ticket sales, donations, cake stall, a raffle and a quiz.

Karen added: “This is an amazing amount of money which allows me and the Hope for Life board of directors to start putting into work the vision and aims of this new charity to deliver exercise and alternative therapies to those post cancer diagnosis in the Borders.”

Council chiefs have been forced to go back to the drawing board in their bid to find a suitable site for a long-awaited 3G sports pitch in Peebles.

Scottish Borders Council’s executive committee has agreed to scrap a planning application lodged last year for a full-sized, all-weather pitch to be created at Victoria Park, on Common Good land to the south-east of the town.

The search for a site began in earnest three years ago and, in the interim, no fewer than 24 possible locations have been considered.

Victoria Park, off Kingsmeadows Road, was identified by the executive committee last year as its “least worse option”, and £1.7m was set aside in the authority’s capital plan for the project, with the bulk of that cash due to be spent in the current financial year.

However, that choice triggered a backlash of objections from townsfolk keen to preserve a treasured green amenity space.

An action group was formed, and a 1,700-signature petition was raised demanding that Victoria Park be spared from development.

In a report to last week’s meeting, Rob Dickson, the council’s corporate transformation and services director, said: “Since the inception, there have been significant issues in identifying a suitable site for a full-sized synthetic pitch in Peebles.

“There continues to be significant public interest, both positive and negative, in the planning application for the new pitch at Victoria Park and difficulties faced by the Tweeddale councillors in respect of this issue.

“These councillors have concluded that the planning application for the pitch at Victoria Park should be withdrawn in order to allow alternative sites to be further investigated and to provide adequate time for them to consult with the wider community of Peebles.”

Mr Dickson reminded the executive that delivering a full-sized 3G artificial pitch in Peebles within two years had been an explicit condition insisted on by the national agency Sportscotland when it awarded a £500,000 grant to improve sports facilities at Peebles High School in 2013.

“There is a risk that if a 3G pitch is not delivered in Peebles, this council will lose credibility with Sportscotland, and it may be less willing to fund future progammes,” said Mr Dickson.

“Our officers are continuing to seek to remove this risk in discussions with Sportscotland.”

The executive unanimously agreed to withdraw the Victoria Park planning bid and to instruct officers to submit a further report next month “setting out the way forward for the Peebles pitch”.

Gala Fairydean Rovers will be creating a ‘Hall of Fame’ to honour those who have contributed to the growth of football in Galashiels.

The club plans to make the awards an annual event, which seeks to recognise and commemorate those who have played a significant role locally in the sport.

The truly great players, managers, volunteers and officials are in line to be celebrated and the club will consult with supporters, sponsors, patrons and former players to select a batch of inductees at an event coinciding with the annual Player of the Year Awards ceremony each spring.

The event aims to celebrate the ambitions and vision for the future at Netherdale, while also preserving a powerful respect for the past.

Gala Fairydean Rovers FC were established in 2013 after the merger of the town’s two biggest teams, Gala Fairydean and Gala Rovers. Both enjoyed several periods of domination in Borders football history but agreed to merge to establish a single, stronger club, to benefit the growth and development of football for all in the town.

Club secretary Graeme McIver said: “Those of us currently involved at this club are standing on the shoulders of giants from the past of both Gala Fairydean and Gala Rovers FCs, and all those others who have promoted and fostered the game in the town.

“We would not be the club we are today were it not for the commitment and passion of generations of players, managers, coaches, volunteers and officials who worked tirelessly displaying no shortage of skill, courage and ingenuity.

“While this club has been built on the basic principles of teamwork and co-operation, it is only right that we recognise and reward the work of certain individuals for their outstanding contribution to football in Galashiels.”

The Lowland League club currently has hundreds of youth and junior players involved in its pathway as well as an award-winning community engagement programme.

This includes a walking football team, a girls development squad and a disability football squad. The club has aspirations for a youth development squad, as well as teams competing in the East of Scotland and Border Amateur Football Leagues, and is working towards gaining a Bronze SFA Licence and the SFA Quality Mark Legacy Award.

Supporters and members of the public will first of all be asked to nominate and then vote for those deemed worthy of a place in the club’s Hall of Fame.

A permanent list of Hall of Fame names and biographies will be displayed in the Netherdale side’s clubrooms and a special section will be set aside on the club’s new website, providing more details of the achievements of each inductee.

Once the votes are cast, the inaugural batch of award winners will be inducted at the annual Hall of Fame event and, each year, further inductees will be added to the list.

It is expected the initial batch of inductees will be drawn from some of the great Fairydean and Rovers teams of the past along with officials and administrators who played a crucial role in nurturing and developing football in Galashiels.