A new type of brush that’s creating waves in hairdressing is proudly made in Scotland.

The Arconic brush is the brainchild of top Scottish hairdresser John Gillespie.

From an experiment in his garage, where he admits to “basically melting a paddle brush”, the Arconic has become a staple tool in John Gillespie Hairdressing salon in Perth.

But from the start, he was adamant he wanted to invent a brush that wouldn’t rely on a stylist using it to get results.

Designed for medium to long hair styles, John says the Arconic brush combines the ease of use you get from a paddle brush with the volume and movement created by a round brush.

John said: “I’ve been in hairdressing for 30 years. Everybody loves a paddle brush but they can leave the hair looking just a bit flat, but when people try to use a round brush at home, what happens? It gets stuck at the back of your head!”

Feedback from clients who clearly recognised this situation spurred John on as he worked on his invention.

“I introduced it to the salon and I was really pleased when I noticed that it is used all the time by members of the team. They didn’t have to use it but they want the best for their clients. They’re not just saying they like it, they’re actually using it.”

And it’s not just the shape of the brush that’s different - it is made of glass-filled nylon, and the tiny particles of glass help the brush retain heat and reduce blow drying time.

“It retains the heat, so it has the ability to dry and smooth large sections of hair quickly,” said John.

Having spent the past three years developing the brush he is delighted that it is now being made in Scotland, in Bathgate.

“We talked about getting it made in China but it just meant there were emails flying back and forth and we didn’t have any control.

“It also means our carbon footprint is much smaller.”

REVIEW

Features writer Deborah Punshon gets to grips with the Arconic hairbrush.

The first thing I noticed about the new Arconic brush was how light it was, making it much easier to handle alongside your hairdryer for the daily DIY blow dry.

The handle is comfortable to hold, and the shape of it makes brushing through shoulder-length hair manageable.

I found that this brush did make a difference to my drying time. Being able to get more hair on the brush with each stroke does make a difference, meaning it’s dry quicker.

I doubt it’s really possible to get a salon look at home on a typical hectic Monday morning, but this brush seemed to make my hair smoother without the severity of the look I get with a paddle brush.

After two weeks of using it, I have also noticed that there is not a lot of dead hair collecting on the brush, which makes me think that it is a bit kinder on your hair and scalp.

I’m really happy with this brush and also intend to start using it on my daughter’s hair.

Tragic Borders youngster Rihanna Johnstone died this week at the age of just five, but her parents say they will always be grateful for the precious time they were able to spend with their “feisty wee girl” rather than lamenting that she was denied the chance of a longer life.

Little Rihanna faced a fight for her life from the moment she was born 15 weeks premature and quadriplegic in 2011 and had to contend with complex conditions including cerebral palsy and chronic lung disease, and it was only her spirit and determination that kept her going that long, say her parents, Brian and Shona Johnstone, of Galashiels.

She died suddenly on Wednesday, just weeks after a charity appeal was launched to buy potentially life-prolonging equipment for her.

Mrs Johnstone said: “We knew that we wouldn’t have long with her. She has beaten all the odds.

“Her feistiness and her stamina had kept her alive this long, but she just couldn’t fight it this time.

“If it wasn’t for her feistiness, she could never have lived so long. She proved them all wrong.

“Whoever met Rihanna, she touched them.”

Looking ahead to the future that they hoped they might be able to enjoy with her despite the odds against that, Rihanna’s parents had contacted Newlife, a charity for disabled children, seeking help to pay for a special walker aimed at keeping her limbs moving more freely as that, they were told, would offer her a chance of defying expectations and possibly even reaching her teens.

The couple have now thanked Borderers for their generosity in backing that appeal and, even though Rihanna can no longer benefit from it, they hope her legacy will live on in the form of continued support for Newlife, so that it can keep up its good work on behalf of other children facing similar ordeals.

Mrs Johnstone said: “We appreciate what everybody has done to help fundraise for Rihanna, but sadly she doesn’t need it now.

“But if people would still like to donate to the charity, we would urge them to that.

“We had to fight for everything for Rihanna and relied on charities for equipment for her, but these charities need donations from others. Even 20p will help somebody.

“We really just want to thank everyone for getting behind Rihanna and for supporting us.”

Their appeal for money for a walking frame for Rihanna had already raised £145, with a further pledge of £1,000, towards the £2,388 needed, and the charity says donors will now be updated and asked how they wish that funding to be used.

Newlife senior care services manager Carrick Brown said: “We were all so terribly sad to learn that Rihanna had passed away, and our thoughts are with her family. “The fragility of Rihanna’s health highlights why it is so important for disabled children to get the right equipment at the right time.”

The charity has previously funded £72,194 of equipment for 18 children in the area.

No date has yet been set for Rihanna’s funeral.

Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson has defended this week’s decision by Scottish Borders Council to hike the charges it levies on businesses for collection of trade waste.

“The fact is that, compared to other parts of Scotland, our trade customers have been getting an excellent service on the cheap,” Mr Paterson told the Hawick News.

He was commenting on Tuesday after Scottish Borders Council’s executive committee agreed that a hike of 15% should be imposed from Saturday, April 1, this year for the collection of bins of various sizes.

An additional increase of 13% for such contracted collections will be introduced in 2018-19

Also from April 1, the cost of the special sacks provided to trade clients by the council will rocket by 39%, and the size of those bags will be reduced from 120 litres to 70 litres.

For an average business putting out three sacks of general trade waste for collection each week, the cost will go up by 17% from £104 to £122 over the coming financial year.

The raft of increases was criticised at the meeting by Gordon Henderson, the east of Scotland’s development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses.

Mr Henderson, a non-voting member of the committee, described the rises as “staggering” and he questioned how wise it was to impose them without any assessment of their projected impact on local businesses.

He took particular issue with the recommendation of council waste manager Ross Sharp-Dent that the colour of general waste sacks should be changed every year to ensure “robust control of what is essentially a currency”.

“The requirement for businesses to buy new sacks at prohibitive prices every year begs the question of what is reasonable and what is profiteering,” said Mr Henderson.

“It seems you are holding local businesses to ransom.”

Councillors heard the rises had been recommended in a review of the service, a non-statutory function of the council, carried out by a firm of private consultants.

“The review outlined that the majority of current fees and charges are well below the Scottish local authority average and require amending,” said Mr Paterson in his role as executive member for environmental services.

“The proposed fees and charges will ensure the council is making a reasonable charge and recovering its costs.

“A new post of trade waste officer will be created to liaise with customers, minimise costs and ensure regulatory compliance.”

Chief financial officer David Robertson said the trade waste service is currently subsidised by the council to the tune of £1.2m a year.

The increases agreed this week are expected to defray that subsidy by £226,000 over the next two years.

Other Hawick councillors have voiced disquiet about the proposed price rise, however.

Fellow Hawick and Hermitage councillor Ron Smith, the authority’s executive member for planning and environment, voted for the move, but said he did so only reluctantly and after raising concerns.

He said: “It is essential that the collection and disposal of trade waste by the council does not run at a loss.

“We were informed that it currently does make a loss.

“Charges therefore must be set at a level which recovers these costs.

“Much is made in the accompanying reports that Borders charges are below the national average. I do not accept this as a reason for increase.

“Full cost recovery is always defensible, but chasing a market-average return is not, as it does not recognise our own particular situation.

“I am also concerned by the combination of increased price and reduced size of trade waste sacks. This will be a heavy burden for traders.

“Once again, I can only support this as it helps the council break even on the associated costs.”

An outright critic of the decision is Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall.

He added: “This is a huge percentage hike for these businesses, and to add insult to injury, the proposals to reduce the size of both trade waste bags and bins will only add to that burden.

“While I fully appreciate that the council has to recover costs for the services that it provides, my concerns are that such measures may only add to an increase in fly-tipping within my ward and our region.”

A plea is going out for the road surface at Bonchester Bridge to be relaid over fears it is unsafe.

That call is being made by Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall following two recent road accidents in the village.

Concerns were raised at a recent site visit to the area, attended by council and community representatives, and now it is hoped the work can be included in Scottish Border Council’s planned roadworks for the next financial year.

Mr Marshall has pledged to continue to press for the work to be carried out on the road, used by scores of heavy goods vehicles daily.

He said: “The issue over the safety of the bridge at Bonchester is one that has been raised by several residents in recent weeks, and the matter is also frequently high on the agenda at meetings of Hobkirk Community Council.

“The main issue is the fact that the anti-skid surface has all but disappeared, and the approach from the south is very steep indeed.

“I am told that to replace this type of surface is quite complex and expensive and, if approved, the bridge would require a total resurface .

“With several accidents on the bridge in recent months and two where vehicles have allegedly struck a wooden fence adjacent to the bridge, then, for me, such statistics speak for themselves, and we really do need to see how we as a council can get this issue moved higher up the priority list.

“I was delighted when a recent site visit took place with residents, community councillors and Scottish Borders Council roads officials, and it was revealed that this matter will now be put forward for consideration to be included in the council’s planned works for 2017-18.

“While there are no guarantees and no timescales set, I, for one, will continue to press that this bridge receives the attention it deserves.”

A council spokesman said: “Officers recently met with Mr Marshall and a representative of the local community council to discuss concerns relating to the carriageway surface at Bonchester Bridge.

“No decision was taken at the meeting, but it was confirmed that the section of the carriageway concerned is being considered for inclusion within further planned work programmes.”

A man and woman have been rescued from a top floor flat in Galashiels after a fire broke out during the early hours of Saturday morning.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were called to the property at Beech Avenue at 3.39 am where it is understood that the fire started in the kitchen.

An ambulance crew treated the two at the scene after firefighters helped them through the building using breathing apparatus.

A spokesperson from Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was called at 3.39am on Saturday, 4 February to reports of a fire at a flat in Beech Avenue, Galashiels. Two fire appliances from Galashiels fire station attended and put out the fire.

“Two casualties were checked over at the scene by the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“Crews left the scene at 4am ensuring the area was safe.”

Poor mobile phone coverage in parts of Hawick and beyond was raised at the latest meeting of Scottish Borders Council’s executive committee.

The issue was highlighted by Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson.

He identified particular problems in more rural areas of his ward, particularly at Newcastleton.

Mr Paterson said: “There is some really poor coverage in parts of the ward.

“Myself and other councillors regularly get it in the neck about the poor coverage from constituents, and it is almost certainly having a detrimental effect on business start-ups in the most rural areas we represent, like Newcastleton.”

Townsfolk at Newcastleton are tackling the problem of poor phone coverage themselves in the meanwhile.

Newcastleton Community Trust calculates that only 10% of its geographical catchment has mobile coverage.

A spokesman said: “More and more of our day-to-day tasks rely on mobile technology. Those who cannot access mobile are being penalised for having to use traditional methods to manage their businesses and lifestyles.

“We are encouraged by the recent announcement for the new emergency services contracts for police, ambulance and fire service, which will mean new masts can host commercial platforms within not-spot areas.

“When this happens in December of this year, our hope is that mobile cover will be delivered throughout the area via a commercial operator, and all households and businesses will have access.”

In addition, the trust is establishing a connectivity hub at the heart of the village.

It is designed to be a place where people can go and plug in their laptops to gain access to superfast broadband.

The spokesman added: “Depending on usage, the facility will be free to anyone, enabling access to superfast broadband to all.

“Yes, you will need to visit the hub, but you will get online, it will be fast and will be an unbroken connection.”

Momentum is growing for the extension of the Borders Railway to Hawick now a new report has hailed the line’s positive impact on tourism in the parts of the region it serves.

Scottish Tourism Economic Assessment Monitor statistics released this week show a sizeable increase in visitor numbers in both the Borders and Midlothian in the first half of 2016 compared to the same period a year earlier.

In the Borders, the number of visitor days in hotels and bed-and-breakfasts rose by 27 per cent and there was a 20 per cent rise in visitor spend on food and drink.

Hawick’s councillors are convinced that positive impact would be replicated there were the £350m line to be extended to the town and then on to Carlisle.

Hawick and Denholm councillor Watson McAteer believes the data is proof positive that immediate action is needed to extend the 30-mile track from Edinburgh to Tweedbank further south.

He said: “The early success of the Borders Railway, particularly its impact in the Galashiel area, is all the evidence the Scottish Government requires to push ahead now rather than wait until November for the feasibility study to extend the line to Hawick and Carlisle.

“While areas like Hawick are seeing very little, if any, material economic benefit from the current position, extending the line would, I believe, change our fortunes and open all of the Borders to tourists and business from north and south.

“I would certainly call on the council and the Government to place this at the top of their agenda for the Borders and act as quickly as possible.”

Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson also welcomed the rise in tourist visits, saying: “There is every a reason for extending the railway to Carlisle.

“Surely with these fantastic figures, even the railway knockers would have to agree that the railway has been a great success for Midlothian and the central Borders.

“Now, it’s time for us all to get behind bringing the railway to other parts of the Borders and then on to Carlisle.”

The report also identified a 16% increase in visitor spend across the Borders and an 8% rise in employment related to tourism.

Tweeddale East councillor Stuart Bell, the council’s executive member for economic development, added: “The introduction of the railway has undoubtedly contributed to these figures.”

Footfall in Hawick town centre fell by 42% over three years, worrying new statistics reveal.

According to Scottish Borders Council’s town centre resilience index, an average of 7,480 people a week visited High Street and the rest of the town centre back in 2012.

But that figure had fallen to 4,360 by 2015, a reduction of 3,120 over the period–- the biggest percentage fall among all towns in the Borders.

Hawick also has among the highest levels of vacant shop units, with 14% of the town’s 258 retail outlets empty.

Only Galashiels and Jedburgh have higher vacancy rates, both at 15%.

Further unwanted statistics include the highest proportion of its population being rated among the most deprived in Scotland at 28%, the highest level of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance and 39% of residents over the age of 16 having no qualifications at all.

It would appear that Hawick is still a town where people want to live despite its problems, however.

The data reveals that its population actually rose in the period from 2008 to 2014, going up from 13,787 to 14,003.

Hawick and Denholm councillor Watson McAteer believes the report “demonstrates a fundamental lack of economic and social investment in Hawick by Scottish Borders Council”.

The figures formed part of a report to the council’s executive committee this week, outlining the positive impact the Borders Railway was having on tourism in the rest of the region.

Mr McAteer said: “The town centre index report confirms what we all know in that Hawick sits firmly at the bottom of the league, sharing worst spot with our near neighbours Jedburgh.

“This report clearly demonstrates a fundamental lack of economic and social investment in Hawick by Scottish Borders Council.

“Hawick has many real positive changes taking place.”

Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson disputted Mr McAteer’s assessment of the report as bad news, however, saying: “I can hardly believe that anyone is even attempting to rubbish what is quite simply great news for the Scottish Borders with the Scottish Tourism Economic Assessment Monitor, which has figures from both the Borders and Midlothian saying that statistics show a significant improvement in key tourism performance figures in the first half of 2016 compared to the first half of 2015.

“It is also the first time in 10 years that every category measured has improved. This is obviously due to the opening of the railway.

“It’s a shame that some councillors choose to be selective in what they pick from any data.

Fellow Hawick and Hermitage councillor Ron Smith also urged caution over the selective use of statistics, and he did see some reason for optimism within the data, in particular a reduction in the retail vacancy rate from 16% in 2012 to 14% last summer.

He said: “It’s always possible to be selective with statistics.

“I also notice positives such as the decline in retail vacancy rates and in the growth in population which the accompanying text states indicates this is a place where people want to live.

“There is a structural problem for Hawick which needs addressed – 39% of our population has no school qualifications and 41% are in semi-skilled and unskilled manual occupations.

“These are the highest figures for the 10 Borders towns.

“This affects spending potential. Perhaps it also is a factor in Hawick lying within the 20% of the most deprived communities in Scotland.

“This is a historic problem. The remedy has to be in continuing commitment to and investment in education.

“The overall figures, in identifying Hawick as the most needy of these 10 towns, highlight that this town must be a council and Scottish Government priority for investment.

“There is plenty of evidence that that has been happening.”

Selkirk 2, East Kilbride 2

Selkirk coach Ian Fergus hailed his youthful squad as they wounded the pride of runaway Lowland League leaders East Kilbride at Yarrow Park on Saturday.

The second-bottom Souters drew 2-2 with the South Lanarkshire table-toppers - and almost certainly had them worried when they drew level after going behind early on, and then took a 2-1 lead early in the second half.

Boss Fregus said a draw was probably a fair result on reflection, as both teams had chances to win the game.

But Selkirk had more than merited their point - that was for sure, he added.

The Borders side lined up with only 14 players, being without regular goalscorer Kerr Scott and last week’s man of the match at BSC Glasgow, new signing Ryan Sclater.

“We had a 17-year-old at right back, who is normally a centre-back, who was probably one of the best players on the pitch, and an 18-year-old - Ross King - scored the second goal for us,” said Fergus.

“Another 18-year-old, Sheridan, came on and played centre-back. We have teenagers in our team, while they (East Kilbride) are full of ex-pros.

“Without trying to beat the Selkirk drum, some credit has to be give to these young Selkirk players, for the battle we are in with these teams with much more experienced players. Our oldest payer is 26.”

Both teams started very brihglty and, slightly against the run of play, Martin Lauchlan’s men took an 11th-minute lead with a very good, well-worked goal. Strachan played a lofted pass to McBride, who scored from 12 yards.

Selkirk ‘keeper Gregor Amos pulled off a great save to keep his side within touching distance, pushing an effort on to the bar, and the hosts were very much in it as Unpha Koroma scored a terrific 20-yard effort on the half hour.

“They (Kilby) came out firing after the break - they’d obviously had a stern team talk - but we turned it round again and scored fairly early in the second half,” said Fergus.

Ross King bundled the ball home after a goalmouth scrap just a couple of minutes into the second period.

After that, Selkirk were in the ascendancy and should have gone 3-1 ahead but Fraser Neave took a touch when he possibly should have struck the ball first time.

“We probably would have won if that had gone in but I would say – for 15 minutes, they battered us after that and got their goal. They deserved it,” said Fergus.

David Proctor slotted the ball home in the 62nd minute for Kilby, after McBride’s shot had taken a deflection, sparking a delighted – and very possibly relieved – reaction.

Fergus said afterwards that both sides had opportunities to go 3-2 in front, so a share of the points was fair.

He added that the difference in Kilby’s goal celebrations was quite notable - they barely acknowledged their opening goal in the 11th minute but, when they equalised in the second half, they were on the pitch as if they had won a cup final.

“They are a professional team and they have aspirations to go into the pro league,” he added. “They are very well organised and very well run.

“I think they came here expecting to win, for sure. But I don’t think they came thinking it would be easy.

“They were in a game - and they knew all about it.”

A train from Edinburgh to Tweedbank had to be stopped after a fight broke out between travellers on Saturday night, February 4.

British Transport Police were called to Brunstane station in the north east of the city not long after 9pm, and several men believed to have been involved in a brawl were removed from the train that left Edinburgh Waverley at 8.56pm.

A police spokeswoman said: “We were called at 9.09pm to Brunstane station, to reports that there had been an altercation on-board an Edinburgh to Tweedbank train.

“A number of men were escorted off the train at the station, and we are now investigating the circumstances of what happened.”

A ScotRail Alliance spokesperson added: “We do not tolerate violence and abuse towards our customers or staff, and we will assist British Transport Police in any way they require with the investigation.”

Earlier that day, commuters took to social media to complain about a lack of carriages and services on what was also the first day of the Six Nations rugby championships and saw Scotland playing against Ireland at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium.

One Facebook user said: “Today is the first game of the Six Nations rugby in Edinburgh, but on the Tweedbank-to-Edinburgh service, both the 10am and 10.30am trains only have two carriages.

“What a disgrace. If you didn’t get on at Tweedbank, there was no hope of a seat.

“The Borders is a massive supporter of rugby, so why no more carriages?”

ScotRail responded on the social media website saying: “We’ve strengthened services where we can. Even when we move capacity around for special events, services sare till invariably busy.

“We align capacity with expected demand as much as possible.”

The police spokeswoman added that there is currently no information to suggest that the altercation involved rugby fans from the Borders but the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding Saturday night’s incident is urged to contact police by calling 0800 405040 or texting 61016, quoting 596 of 4/2.

Whitehill Welfare 3, Hawick Royal Albert 1

Hawick Royal Albert opened the scoring but ended up on the wrong end of the result at Rosewell on Saturday.

The game’s opening goal came with six minutes of the first half remaining, when Albert’s Kris Mitchell found the net with a glorious 25-yard drive. However, Jamie Chapman put Whitehill on level terms within five minutes.

In the second period, Hawick twice hit the woodwork – a Ryan Stevenson shot hit the post, while a Jamie McPartlin effort cannoned off the upright.

Whitehill netted twice to make sure of the points – Gormley got the first in lobbing a shot into the net just on the hour mark.

And, in the 89th minute, Ramsay snatched a third for the Welfare men.

Hawick were reduced to 10 men in the 70th minute when recent signing Allan Walker, formerly of Livingston, Raith Rovers and Berwick Rangers, was red-carded for a rash challenge.

Reflecting on the game, Albert assistant manager Dean Robertson said: “We lost the match through not taking our chances – it’s as simple as that.

“We deserved better as we played well. Unfortunately, that’s the way it goes sometimes.”

Gala Fairydean Rovers 2, Dalbeattie Star 4

Gala FR suffered their first defeat of 2017 on Saturday at the hands of a familiar foe.

Dalbeattie Star’s Lewis Sloan is one of the Lowland League’s best players when on form and, when the former Stenhousemuir and Queen of the South player faces Fairydean Rovers, he almost always scores.

It was the same story at Netherdale on Saturday, as he bagged a crucial double to take his tally to seven goals in eight Lowland League meetings with Gala.

But Stevie Noble’s men were also a touch unlucky, with George Windram declared ill before the game, Scott Main injured in the first half and Darren Smith sent off in the closing stages.

It means they will likely be missing a number of regulars for another tough clash against BSC Glasgow.

Noble said: “Scott and Darren will likely be missing from the BSC Glasgow game, along with David Bonnar, who is still injured, so we may need to try to bring other personnel in to boost the squad.

“We beat BSC in the first game of the season but they are a good side who will provide a real test.”

Gala were aiming for Dalbeattie’s fourth spot in the Lowland League table after jumping to eighth, thanks to a four-game unbeaten run.

But it was clear from kick-off that Star are a decent outfit and, after Gala’s on-loan Rangers defender Jason Krones made a brilliant block, with Steven Degnan about to score, the impressive Liam Park set up James Baty for a neat backheel finish to opening the scoring.

And the second goal came four minutes before half time. With centre-half Main lying injured on the pitch, a simple long ball by Dean Brotherston – one of three on-loan Queen of the South players who made their Star debuts on Saturday – allowed Degnan plenty time to lob Dodds.

The game appeared finished when Sloan bundled in Park’s cross to make it 3-0 just after half time, and Sloan almost made it four when his free kick hit the post.

But Gala rallied, with captain Billy Miller bundling the ball into the net after Vinny Parker failed to hold Ross Aitchison’s 20-yard effort, and then Aitchison headed home to set up a dramatic final 10 minutes.

The comeback did not last long, though, as Sloan scored his second of the game with a brilliant free kick with six minutes left.

Smith then picked up his second booking, despite appearing accidentally to foul his own team-mate, rather than a Dalbeattie player, to put an end to Gala’s unbeaten run.

Gala Fairydean Rovers: J. Dodds, L. Stephen, L. Swaney (S. Bonnington 61), S. Main (S. Pringle 43), J. Krones, B. Miller, D. Smith, R. Aitchison, S. Noble, D. Sutherland, S. Paliczka.

Scouts Scotland is involving its members more in setting its agenda to that every part of Scouting becomes “Youth Approved”.

The organisations has introduced the Youth Approved Award, which has been developed by young people in Scotland to award and recognise the commitment to delivering Youth Shaped Scouting.

Youth Shaped Scouting, or Youth Involvement, aims to ensure that young people’s thoughts and opinions are listened to and valued throughout their time in the Scouting and help them to develop confidence, resilience and the skills they require in other areas of their lives.

This month the charity is celebrating #YouShape Month, when Scouts Scotland will shine a light on young people shaping Scouting in partnership with adults.

Katie Docherty, Scouts Scotland chief executive, said: “We want our young people to shape their own adventure, take responsibility, develop new skills, make their own decisions, and influence their own Scout Programme. We know this helps young people to develop confidence, resilience and the skills they require in the world outside of Scouting.

“I’m very excited to see the launch of our Youth Approved Award as part of #YouShape Month. Ensuring that Scouting is led by young people in partnership with adults is at the heart of our values. Scouting is all about empowering, inspiring and supporting our young people throughout their Scouting journey.”

The charity has already set up a National Youth Advisory Group, which is a platform for young people to discuss the matters in Scouting that are important to them. This is currently being rolled out across the country in local formats.

Scouts Scotland is the largest mixed volunteer-led youth movement in Scotland with around 40,000 members and 8000 volunteers.

Corn snakes are from the USA, they range throughout central and eastern America. They are relatively small snakes that grow on average 4-6ft and are form a family called Colubridae.

There are over 600 different colour and morph variations of corn snakes, however the ‘normal’ (Carolina) is bright red to orange with black markings.

Corn snakes can live for over 18 years so are a long term commitment.

In the wild they like to live in pine forests, rocky outcrops, grasslands and near farms, they are often found inside corn stores hence why they are called

Corn snakes.

They do prefer to spend most of their time on the ground, however, they will appreciate the opportunity to climb.

Keeping a Corn snake in a 4ftx2ftx2ft vivarium will be sufficient – as long as they are allowed out on a regular basis for more exercise. A temperature of range of 21-30°C is good for Corn snakes, with one side being the hot side and the other being the cooler side.

There are a number of ways to heat your vivarium but remember whatever you choose must have a thermostat for safety of the snake. You will need to provide hides on both sides of the vivarium so your corn snake can feel safe to thermoregulate correctly.

Just remember all snakes are excellent escape artists so make sure your vivarium is secure!

Corn snakes are fed on rodents. As youngsters they are often fed on mice but as they grow you can move them onto rats. You can get these from most local pet shop nowadays or online. Just remember that they need to be fully defrosted before you can feed them to your Corn snake. Please remember that you cannot refreeze any defrosted rodents. Fresh water should be provided in a sturdy bowl for your snake.

As with any new pet you need to do your own research before getting a new animal. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning a bit more about three of the main animals in the exotic pet trade.

Homeowners are being warned that they may have to sweep their chimneys twice a year to prevent a house fire.

The latest figures from insurance company NFU Mutual show that over the past three years, 44 per cent of chimney fire claims were made between January and March, with another spate around Easter.

Ross Garner, high value home insurance specialist, said: “As the number of fires being lit over a prolonged period increases so too does the risk of chimney fires. The rise in fires from January to March highlights that not only should a flue or chimney be swept before the first fire of the season, but if an open fire or wood burning stove is frequently used then it may need to be swept again during the colder months.

“Fire can devastate lives and properties so it’s important people protect themselves through the regular inspection and cleaning of chimneys and flues.”

Over the last three years, NFU Mutual has paid out more than £6 million in chimney fire claims.

The insurer has warned that wood burning or multi fuel stoves, which reach high temperatures, can increase the risk of fire as they send more live sparks and embers out of the chimney. Homeowners should also ensure that they only burn seasoned hardwood.

While thatched homes are no more likely to suffer a fire than homes with a conventional roof, if a thatched roof does ignite the fire is very difficult to control and the results can be devastating.

The company’s checklist to avoid a chimney fire is:-

• Chimneys should be routinely checked or surveyed to ensure that they are structurally sound, well-maintained and able to cope with the demands of modern heating appliances;

• A chimney should be swept by a professional chimney sweep at least twice a year if it is in use frequently or all year round.

• Chimney linings should also be regularly inspected, especially when the main fuel is wood, as tar deposits are highly combustible and corrosive. A qualified chimney sweep should be able to identify potential problems at an early stage.

• Only burn seasoned hardwood.

• Speak to your local fire safety officer for further advice about fire prevention.

• Fit a bird guard to deter birds from building nests in your chimney.

• Check the electrical system throughout your home.

Scotland’s maternity services are buckling under the pressure of rising demand, according to the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).

In a report due to be published tomorrow (Tuesday) the college has said that a combination of high birthrates, an ageing workforce and an increase in births to older mothers are responsible.

The RCM’s State of Maternity Services Report brings together information about maternity services in all four UK countries and also highlights the pressures on maternity services facing each country.

Despite a recent dip the report outlines that births remain high in Scotland. Grampian saw a rise of almost a quarter (23 per cent) between 2003 and 2015. Across the same period a rise of almost 1000 births was recorded in Lothian, a jump of over 11 per cent.

The RCM also noted that births are becoming increasingly complex, with obesity in pregnancy a major issue causing more complications with an increased need for additional support and care. In Scotland more than a fifth of pregnant women are obese.

Births to women in their late thirties are up over 2,000 since the year 2000. Births to women aged 40 or older is up by around 1,000 and for those over 45 the number of births has jumped fourfold, from 29 to 143 between 2000 and 2015.

Another pressing issue is Scotland’s ageing midwifery workforce, and the need to ensure that those heading for retirement are replaced.

The RCM is working with the Scottish Government and the health service to consider intake planning for student midwives to ensure that there are enough midwives with enough time to gather experience before the retirement time-bomb hits.

Mary Ross-Davie, RCM director for Scotland, said: “We have to stop Scotland facing the shortage of midwives that has blighted England for over a decade. We will do this by ensuring that all those midwives heading for retirement are replaced in good time. This needs careful planning for the future, but it needs doing now.

“We have serious public health issues in Scotland with high levels of obesity and smoking in pregnancy among many other issues. With older mothers it is the women who will decide when they get pregnant, and we support whatever choices they make. What is important is that we have the right numbers of staff and resources to give all of these women the best possible care.

“Scotland’s maternity services are very good but there are signs that it is beginning to buckle as demand rises. Our Government and our NHS need to show even more that they value maternity services, that they value midwives and that they value the women, babies and their families that the service cares for.”

A pupil at Selkirk High School has made it through to the star-studded grand final of a fashion competition, to be held in Glasgow.

S2 pupil Madalaine Cross, of Yarrow, is one of 80 secondary school pupils shortlisted for trash fashion competition Junk Kouture, which challenges young designers across Scottish secondary schools to get creative with everyday junk.

Contestants will be joined at Glasgow’s Clyde Auditorium on Thursday, February 9, by judges Louis Walsh of the X Factor and Saturdays pop star Una Healy.

The night will also include performances by X Factor runners-up Reggie ’n’ Bollie as well as Irish singer-songwriter Brendan Murray.

Members of the public can vote online for their favourite design to win the competition, and so far, Madalaine’s design has received more than 300 votes.

The 13-year-old made the dress inspired by nature from a selection of waste, including recycled packaging. It also included old curtain fabric samples and is trimmed with hessian off-cuts and the headdress is made from twigs and lichen.

Her mum, Sarah Cross, said: “The dress is made from old curtain fabric samples and is trimmed with hessian offcuts and the headdress is made from twigs and lichen. She was keen to create something highlighting sustainability and when she came across the fabric she decided to go with the theme of saving our trees.

“Madalaine will be modelling the dress herself although this was not originally her plan. She is quite nervous about doing it but thinks it will be a fun experience and is excited at the prospect of seeing the celebrities involved in person. She would love to do some sort of design as a career and has considered fashion as an option. Her favourite subject at school is definitely art but she also greatly enjoys technology and science.

Art and design teacher Joanne Gilfillan, who has taught at the school since May 2015, said: “The whole design was done at a lunch club that was set up so it was done completely in her own time.

“The club ran between an hour and two hours a week, and it took Madalaine from around September to December to complete the design and make the dress.

“She is only in S2 and most of the other contestants are actually senior pupils, and to add further pressure, a lot of the other pupils competing are from much bigger schools.

“We are only a small school in comparison to a lot of them, so she is doing really well in the number of votes she has already received.”

The overall winner of this year’s contest will receive £1,000 for their school, £500 cash and iPad minis for their team, and teacher.

The enterprise and performance winners will take away a trophy and Asos or Ticketmaster vouchers, and the winner of the glamour prize will have the chance to walk the red carpet in their design at a royal film premiere in London.

This year will include a junior design award for the first time, and winners of this category will receive a trophy, as well as One4all vouchers.

A sheriff has admitted being left speechless after being told a 16-year-old girl involved in a drunken disturbance in Galashiels is already an alcoholic despite still being a child.

The teenager – who cannot be named for legal reasons due to her age – pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court to a charge of threatening behaviour, shouting and swearing and acting in an aggressive manner following an incident in Gala Park last July.

Her lawyer, Andrew Doherty, told the court she was an alcoholic, adding: “This is the catalyst for her misbehaviour.”

He explained that as often as she can, she gets together with three or four friends, and they consume about a litre of vodka, six litres of cider and two 10-can crates of lager between them.

Sheriff Peter Paterson said he found it difficult to comprehend that a girl of 16 could be an alcoholic, adding: “It takes a lot to surprise a criminal court, but I must confess that I am speechless at what I have been told.”

He deferred sentencing the teenager for three months for good behaviour and called for a report to be prepared by Addaction, a drug and alcohol treatment charity already called in to try to help her.

Today - Tuesday, February 7 - is Safer Internet Day 2017.

Intended to highlight positive uses of technology and help create a better and safer online community, it’s celebrated globally with over 100 countries taking part.

The campaign is particularly aimed at children, and their parents, to highlight the dangers of the web. And it’s worth remembering that while youngsters are the most prolific users of social media, there are age restrictions in place to protect them

The age limit for most of the major social networks is 13, including Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Skype, Instagram, Reddit and Pinterest.

It’s the same age for Flickr and Youtube with the additional proviso that approval of a parent or guardian is required.

Whatsapp’s lower limit is 16 years old, and Tinder’s is 18.

Of course, it’s not just children who face potential hazards on the web. There are various security risks which can affect users of all ages.

Web security site Safe and Savvy recenty offered its ‘10 Commandments’ for safer surfing, which we attempt to put into layman’s terms...

Thou shalt not use public WiFi without a VPN.

A Virtual Private Network will add security to your device - clicking on what seems to be a ‘legitimate’ WiFi network is highly risky as these could turn out to be insecure, if not an actual fake version aimed at stealing your data.

Thou shalt not click “Enable Macros.”

Macros are essentially computer programs which if allowed to run on your phone or PC, could run amok, erasing or stealing your data.

Thou shalt not open attachments which were unexpected or from a stranger.

An attachment could contain, well, anything - a virus or malware, or a macro (see #2) or similar malicious code.

Thou shalt not share personal, identifiable information on social media platforms.

Identity theft is becoming more and more common, and the more personal details a criminal has on you - no matter how seemingly trivial - the easier it will be for them to adopt your persona.

Thou shalt use a unique, uncrackable password for all important accounts and — ideally — store them in a password manager.

Unfortunately, having many complicated passwords makes it hard to remember how to get into your various accounts. But it’s worth it. And a password manager will make it easier.

Thou shalt honor your privacy settings by checking them regularly.

Social networks are adding more ‘features’ all the time, and these are sometimes buried in lengthy Terms and Conditions. (Did you know that Facebook now has Facial Recognition? You can turn it off, and probably should!)

Thou shalt not keep the default password on anything, especially routers.

Because that’s the first password a hacker will try. And in the case of a router, it’s the quickest way into your home network.

Thou shalt not do online banking without security software that includes anti-phishing and banking protection features.

Your bank will probably offer this as a matter of course, so you should take advantage of it.

Thou shalt remember two-step verification and use it whenever possible.

This will, for example, send a code to your phone when you login to your online banking. A little inconvenient, but not as much as it is for the cybercriminal who doesn’t have access to your mobile.

Thou shalt not leave your devices unlocked

It could lead to your workmates posting an ‘amusing’ status. Or much, much worse...

Scotland’s farmers have been assured that the Scottish Government will fight for the best possible deal for the industry at home and in Europe after Brexit.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to representatives at the NFUS annual general meeting that Professor Russel Griggs will chair a group designed to ensure a profitable, sustainable and environmentally friendly future for the agriculture industry.

The group will represent farming and environmental interests to review the Scottish Government’s approach to greening and recommend how available policy and support mechanisms can be used most effectively to promote profitable farming while meeting environmental commitments

Ms Sturgeon re-asserted her commitment to Scotland’s farmers, highlighting the distinct interests of farming in Scotland that make it crucial that any powers transferred from the EU in the event of Brexit go to the Scottish Parliament rather than to Westminster.

The First Minister also confirmed that £16,000 will be made available to help grow new markets for Scottish red meat by supporting a promotion drive at key international food shows in Asia and North America.

She said: “Brexit presents the biggest challenge to farming in Scotland in our generation. Agriculture is a more important part of Scotland’s economy than the UK because of our landscape and climate. So it’s important for the agriculture sector that Scotland has a strong say in the negotiations with the EU.

“It’s vital to ensuring that the settlement which is reached meets your needs and the Scottish Government will work with the industry to make the sector as sustainable and efficient as possible.

“This is why we have appointed Professor Russel Griggs to chair a group to review the Scottish Government’s approach to greening and make recommendations for a profitable, sustainable and environmentally friendly industry.”