Borders businesses hit by rates increases from April 1 must ensure their properties have been accurately valued.

That’s the advice of Gordon Henderson, senior development manager of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and a co-opted member of Scottish Borders Council’s executive committee.

Mr Henderson was commenting this week on the impact on the region’s 7,000 rateable businesses of the first revaluation of non-domestic properties in Scotland since 2010.

“With a seven-year gap between valuations, many firms in the Borders are unfamiliar with this tax change,” said Mr Henderson.

“It is important businesses check out their draft valuations and make appropriate representation if they are not accurate.

“While there are both winners and losers, it appears some businesses are facing staggering increases in their bills.

“Many of the rateable businesses in the Borders remain eligible to benefit from the Scottish Government’s Small Bonus Scheme which offers vitally important rates relief.

“However, for those businesses outside the scope of this help, it is important they ensure they have been accurately valued.

“They can contact the Scottish Borders assessor at Newtown or seek professional help.”

The advice comes as the Scottish Government faces calls to delay implementation of the new rateable values – set by the Scottish Assessors’ Association and based on rental values at April 1, 2015 – pending the outcome of an independent review of non-domestic rates which is due to report to Scottish ministers in July.

In its submission to that review, Scottish Borders Council, which collects business rates on behalf of the Scottish Government, called for a radical overhaul of the system and for exemptions and reliefs to be targeted for businesses in most need.

Also calling for reform was the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce, which is hoping to arrange a meeting next month for representatives of the local pub and hospitality sector adversely affected by the revaluation.

The health risks associated with Scottish Borders Council erecting a £5m waste transfer station (WTS) on contaminated land at Easter Langlee in Galashiels must be identified and assessed before any works can commence.

Any remedial measures arising from that study of what is currently the region’s main landfill site must also be agreed in advance of construction.

These are the recommendations of two of the council’s senior environmental health officials.

In a joint submission to SBC’s planning department, amenity and pollution officer David Brown and contaminated land officer Gareth Stewart say the proposed change of use at the site – from waste landfill to waste transfer – is “potentially contaminative”.

“It is the responsibility of the developer [SBC] to demonstrate the land is suitable for the proposed use,” states their report.

The pair do not object in principle to the council’s impending planning application for the WTS, but state that, as a condition of consent, a scheme containing details of how potential contamination can be tackled must be submitted and agreed in writing.

“The reason is to ensure that the potential risks to human health, the water environment, property and ecological systems arising from any identified land contamination have been adequately addressed,” states the report.

The council has set aside £5.15m in its capital spending programme for 2017/18 for the construction of the WTS from where 52,700 tonnes of residual household and commercial waste will be annually transported for treatment outwith the Borders.

The planning application for the transfer station is due to be considered by the council’s own planning and building standards committee in April and the contract for construction – for which tenders closed last week – is likely to be awarded to the successful bidder in the summer.

In its role as developer, the council has already received two reports from a firm of private consultants.

They have determined that the noise relating to the new development will have a “low impact on the nearest receptors [residents]” and that “there is no risk of significant odour pollution”.

If all other planning conditions are satisfied, the WTS should be up and running by May next year – three months before the landfill capacity at the dump, which has operated since the 1970s, is exhausted.

The annual cost of running the WTS is estimated at over £5m – roughly the same as the council currently spends on its waste treatment operations.

The switch from waste landfill to waste transfer has been driven by the Scottish Government’s impending ban on all biodegradable waste going to landfill by 2021.

Borderers will be able to have their say on the recent Scottish Borders Council budget in an online Q&A with leader David Parker this evening (Thursday) between 6-7pm.

Councillor Parker will be taking questions in an online session through the council’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/sbcouncil and Twitter feed @scotborders

The administration’s spending plans were agreed by council at the start of the month, and Councillor Parker is welcoming questions both about the budget, as well as any general questions about the council’s services.

Councillor Parker explained: “Earlier this month we agreed our revenue and capital plans for the next five and 10 years respectively. In addition to protecting frontline service, we have committed substantial funds to key infrastructure right across the Borders, regeneration of our towns and improvements in schools.

“These are being delivered despite decreasing public funding and increased demand for council services, and I am interested to hear the views of Borderers on this budget, our priorities and about council services in general.”

Anyone who is not available during that time can submit a question in advance by posting it on the Facebook page or on Twitter using #bordersbudget.

Scottish Borders Council is being asked to help put plans for a £1.9m revamp of the Trimontium Museum in Melrose back on track.

The council is being recommended to commit £123,000 to enhance the ambitious project’s prospects of gaining essential funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Last autumn, the Trimontium Trust, whose volunteers have run the Ormiston Institute attraction for the past 25 years, was unsuccessful in an initial bid for £1.4m from the HLF.

Councillors will hear today that one of the reasons the application failed was that for such a large-scale project and one involving a council-administered building, the HLF would have expected a financial contribution from the council.

A report from SBC’s depute chief executive Jeannette McDiarmid states that, since that rebuff, the trust had been “encouraged by the HLF” to submit a revised bid.

“The trust is looking for SBC to provide support in the region of 10% of the capital cost [of construction] of £1.2m,” states Mrs McDiarmid.

“It is proposed the council provides a £60,000 capital contribution from the emergency and unplanned fund and a further £63,000 of benefit ‘in kind’ in the form of officer time … comprising £56,000 of architectural services and £7,000 of clerk of works services.”

She says an urgent decision is required because the trust’s revised lottery application must be submitted in early March.

Councillors, who recently agreed to spend £3.36m creating a permanent home for the Great Tapestry of Scotland in Galashiels, will hear that an aspiration of the Melrose project – involving a doubling in size and capacity of the current accommodation – is to increase annual visitor numbers from 3,000 to 12,000.

“This project at the only museum in Scotland dedicated solely to Roman history will deliver a range of benefits, including the creation of a high-quality tourism destination to add to the tourism offer of Melrose and the wider area,” states the report.

Trust chairman Dr John Reid said he appreciated the efforts of the council in assisting with the preparation of the revised lottery bid.

“Artefacts not on display are either in storage or with the National Museum, while the results of a major 10-year excavation at Newstead by students of Bradford University has yet to be seen by the public,” he said.

“In addition, there has been no refurbishment since the museum opened in 1991 and over those 25 years there have been great advances in display technology.

“We want to embrace modern interpretive methods of display and thus be able to strengthen and supplement a great body of work and artefacts that will have international appeal.”

Trimontium (the three hills) was the fort – a mile away from the museum – occupied by the Romans intermittently from 80AD to 211AD.

At its height, around 1,500 soldiers were based there, along with a smaller civilian population.

NHS Borders has apologised to the family of a man over the quality of care he received after being treated for cancer of the tongue.

It follows an investigation by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) which has upheld two complaints from the daughter of the patient who died in 2014.

The watchdog report explains that following radiotherapy treatment for his cancer, the patient – referred to as Mr A – received ongoing support from NHS Borders community dieticians and regular reviews at a joint cancer clinic in another health board area.

“He also received speech and language therapy [SALT] as part of the cancer clinic for about six months and was then referred back to NHS Borders for ongoing SALT care,” states the report.

“In the 18 months following his treatment, Mr A had increasing difficulty swallowing and suffered from recurrent mouth ulcers and pain. He also had several short hospital admissions with bleeding from the mouth.

“He was subsequently admitted to Borders General Hospital in June 2014 with weight loss, decreased ability to swallow and noisy breathing caused by a narrowed or obstructed airway.

“He underwent endo-tracheal intubation – insertion of a tube to maintain an open airway to the lungs – and was transferred to a different hospital. He passed away about 10 days later.”

The man’s daughter (referred to as Mrs C) complained about her father’s care during the year before his death.

“She raised concerns that clinicians failed to adequately respond to Mr A’s mouth pain, malnutrition and weight loss as well as infections in his mouth,” states the report. “Mrs C also raised concerns about communication during two hospital admissions [at the BGH in May and June, 2014].

The SPSO says it took independent expert advice during its probe: “We found that when Mr A’s SALT care was referred back to NHS Borders, the referral was not actioned properly which means he did not receive any SALT support for about a year until shortly before his final admission.

“We also found there were failings in communications during Mr A’s final hospital admission [in June 2014). However, we found no evidence Mr A was given incorrect information during his May, 2014, admission.”

SPSO has recommended that NHS Borders should “review their processes for ensuring joined-up post-treatment care for patients with head and neck cancer”.

It also wants the health board to demonstrate actions taken to ensure SALT referrals are properly actioned in future and to show what steps are being taken to improve communication with patients and their families at the BGH.

Responding to the report yesterday, Erica Reid, director of hospital care with NHS Borders, said: “We have taken on board the recommendations from the SPSO report and actions have been taken so that similar experiences should be avoided in the future.

“The quality of care that Mr A received was unacceptable and not of the standard we expect for our patients. We are sincerely sorry for the effect this has had on both Mr A and his family.”

A group of South African youngsters will visit the town next week as part of a project funded by Selkirk High School.

The school’s Journey 2 Change committee has raised more than £3,000 to bring seven students and one leader over from Umlazi, the largest township in Durban, for a week.

For the past three years the Selkirk students have worked with Lasswade High School to finance these visits, and the annual project continues to go from strength to strength.

The South African students, all aged between 15 and 17, arrive in the town on Sunday and will be hosted by local families.

The group will enjoy a full programme of events including a games night, Rotary Club visit, film night, tour of the town and a joint conference.

The visit culminates with a family ceilidh next Saturday night.

Journey 2 Change senior student chairwoman Ellie Thomson said: “For the past three years we have hosted South African students bringing great benefits for all involved.”

“The Making a Difference conference will give both groups of young people the opportunity to debate and discuss how they would go about campaigning for change that will lead to a fairer and more equal global society.”

The committee has worked tirelessly over the last year to fund the trip through pop-up shops, sponsored walks, bake sales and quiz nights.

Selkirk High School head teacher Wilma Burgeon added: “The committee’s achievements, and the impact of the project are truly inspirational and a fantastic example of young people who are passionate about working together to make a difference.

“It’s about global citizenship and how we can work together to make a difference.”

A Lottery winner from Hawick has been rapped by a sheriff over his attitude regarding illegal drugs.

Gerald Donaldson tried to protest from the dock at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, after being ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work as part of a community payback order, for producing cannabis in his own home and possession of the class B drug.

The 46-year-old – who scooped £250,000 seven years ago with a National Lottery scratchcard – said he had a question for Sheriff Peter Paterson, saying that the items he had to cultivate cannabis could be purchased online on the Internet.

But Sheriff Paterson told him: “I am not interested in what you feel the law should be.

“If you are back before the court, I will not forget your attitude towards these offences.”

Earlier, the court heard how police obtained a search warrant for his home in Borthwick Road in the town’s Burnfoot estate on March 18 last year.

Officers discovered a cannabis cultivation in a spare bedroom, featuring tents, lights and fans, with five plants growing.

There were also four bags of herbal matter found in the kitchen, featuring almost 70 grammes of cannabis with a value of between £750 and £900.

Donaldson had pleaded guilty to two offences in connection with the raid, but a charge against his wife Nicola, 44, of producing cannabis at their home was dropped by the crown.

A Proceeds of Crime hearing in relation to cash seized in the property will take place at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on April 4.

Before the offence, Donaldson’s income had come from buying and sellings goods for markets to friends, but he has been unable to do that because of the cash seizure.

Mr Hulme said he had now lived “frugally” with his wife, who is on benefits.

He added that the couple owned their own house “after they won some money on the lottery a few years ago.”

Mr Hulme said that police damaged Donaldson’s door during the raid and he will need to pay the bill.

“It’s a very lonely time; it’s terrifying. You actually think your life is over. That’s how I genuinely felt – life was done, he was dead, it was over.”

This is how Karen Lau felt two years ago, when her partner Francis Walsh was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.

At the time he was only 57 and one of 4000 people in Scotland with dementia under the age of 65.

“We had a time when the system did fail us,” said Karen, from Glasgow.

“The system is big and, because of his young onset, no-one knew where to put us. After three months, I phoned the early onset team at Gartnavel in crisis and that’s how I learned about Alzheimer Scotland.

“Susan Rendell from the charity phoned me and said: ‘I can help, can I come and see you?’ at a time when you’ve closed your door.

“But listening to her, the shutters came off, the sun came in and I thought maybe this is not as bad.

“The message was that you can live with dementia. Life was not over.”

Susan is a link worker with Alzheimer Scotland, helping those who have just been diagnosed with dementia and their families through education, signposting and peer support.

This post-diagnostic support (PDS) service aims to help people maintain a sense of who they are at a time when a disease is determined to take it away. It utilises the support network of friends, family and the community to fight a disease so stigmatised it can lead to social isolation.

It aims to empower individuals to make choices and decisions while they have the capacity to do so and remain independent, which keeps them out of a care home or hospital for as long as possible.

The charity believes the approach is turning dementia care completely on its head, offering an entirely new way of supporting the person rather than only medically-managing the illness.

It is the result of years of research following a call from patients and families for more practical support around the time of diagnosis.

In 2013, the Scottish Government unveiled a world-first national commitment to improve PDS and endorsed the methodology developed by Alzheimer Scotland.

The guarantee said that every person with a new diagnosis of dementia in Scotland would receive a minimum of one year’s support from a link worker by 2015/16.

Last month, the first robust analysis of how the guarantee was being delivered was published, revealing how each NHS board performed in 2014/15. It showed that the gap between policy and practice was too wide.

Just two out of every five newly diagnosed dementia patients were being referred for the support. Of the 6660 who were referred, 2600 were unable to complete PDS for a variety of reasons –including lack of funding.

While Alzheimer Scotland aims to keep pushing for investment to employ more trained link workers and there is more work to do, it said significant progress had been made.

Henry Simmons, chief executive, said: “Since 2013 there has been substantial investment in the number of link workers employed by Alzheimer Scotland, the NHS and health and social care partnerships.

“ What we are trying to do is a huge social innovation and transformation – and that takes time.

“We know that the longer people live a good quality life, supported by their community and their natural support, the better that is for the person, their family and the whole health and social care infrastructure because we’re using natural assets rather than paid-for interventions.

“We know that if people are left on their own, they are admitted too quickly into hospital, residential care or day services – sometimes two or three years early.

“But shifting the paradigm is challenging, so actually it’s good where we are. The last thing we want is for a lesser quality of care and support to be put in place just to meet a target.

“We also underestimated the incidences of new dementia cases so we’re seeing a greater demand for the service.

“But we have visitors from all over the world and they are really interested in the fundamental shift from a medical-based model to a human rights driven approach which puts the person and their family at the centre.

“We can’t rest on our laurels, we have to drive that and it’s incumbent upon us to research and build the practice, social, emotional and financial evidence that this is the right thing.

“What we’ve got is a vision – a good, quality national dementia strategy which is starting to deliver change.

“We’re involved with dementia on an international level and everyone wants a bit of what Scotland’s doing.”

Karen (52) added: “The encouragement I’ve had means I can be proud of how I care for Frani. I have confidence I’m doing what he wants because we had those discussions early. Without this support, I would not be coping and I would have destroyed myself trying to save him and I would have saved none of us.”

Good game management last Saturday helped propel a spirited Selkirk FC to a very important win against one of the Lowland League’s most useful sides, Cumbernauld Colts.

The Souters survived the sending off of two of their players in the second half, and a stoppage-time goal by the Broadwood side, to improve their odds of staying in the league. Selkirk manager Ian Fergus praised his team for following their game plan, despite numerous changes in formation and being two men light when they finished.

First-half goals from Ricky Miller and Phil Addison were enough to earn the Borders side their fifth win this season, despite playing most of the second period with 10 men after Unpha Koroma saw red.

Scott Davidson’s late strike gave Colts some hope before Addison was also dismissed in injury time, but it was too little too late for Colts, who were unable to salvage anything from a disappointing afternoon.

The visitors edged in front in 16 minutes when Kirwan pulled on the shirt of Gary Nicholson inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Selkirk skipper Miller drilled the ball low into the net.

Colts fell further behind in 27 minutes after some sloppy defending from a series of Souters’ corners.

After Selkirk’s third corner in a row, George failed to punch clear and the ball broke to Miller at the back post. He returned the ball across the face of goal, where Addison was able to blast a low shot home.

Selkirk were reduced to 10 men in 52 minutes when Koroma was sent off for a second booking. The home side did pull a goal back in injury time through Davidson but then, in a strange set of circumstances, Addison was shown red after a second booking for dissent.

But Colts did not capitalise and Selkirk held out strongly to secure all three points.

Boss Fergus said afterwards: “It was good to get the win, and make no bones about it – they are a decent team. I had to change my formation – I think I changed it four times in the first half.

“It’s a big park and they know how to use the ball on that park. They are very good at moving it around.”

Selkirk, however, had a game plan, said Fergus, and the players followed it.

“I think in this league, you can win games through game management and they are getting really smart at that, my lot,” he said.

Fergus felt Selkirk deserved this win, being without Jordan Hopkinson and Kerr Scott, undergoing various formation changes, and playing most of the second half without the red-carded Unpha Koroma.

“We were under a bit of pressure but we weathered it well,” he added.

Selkirk played most of the four-minute stoppage time spell with a “4-4 formation”, after Phil Addison had also been sent off, while they had two 18-year-olds and a 17-year-old in the side, plus others in their very early 20s.

“They have a real work ethic now,” said Fergus – although he knew tomorrow (Saturday) at super-fit Edinburgh University would be a big challenge.

The students lost 2-0 at East Kilbride last Saturday but Fergus said they were still a “decent outfit” and Selkirk will be without two of their most influential and attack-minded players, the suspended Addison and Koroma.

However, key players were also missing at Cumbernauld, so Fergus would absorb the losses and aim to cope.

“Edinburgh Uni don’t concede a lot of goals – it’s not going to be easy with two offensive-minded players out. But we will go with the same type of game plan and approach, and we will hopefully do well,” he said.

Selkirk were picking up points and had only lost one game in seven since Fergus arrived, with no away defeats. With “six massive games” remaining, he said: “I want a performance and a real ethic – and to make a team have to beat us by working really hard.”

Zaggy the former racehorse is maybe taking life a little more easily these days – but he’s enjoying considerable success in his second career.

The 12-year-old – real name Made In Time – has struck up a fruitful partnership with Aileen Firth, a member of Ettrick Forest Riders Association (EFRA) and secretary of the Selkirk Common Riding Gymkhana.

He has won a series of events and was recently named top retired racehorse in the regional league.

Aileen acquired Zaggy in 2014 from trainer Rebecca Curtis in Wales. He had raced in the famous gold and green colours of none other than J. P. McManus, mostly ridden by 20-times champion jockey A. P. McCoy, before the 14-hour journey to Scotland.

Aileen had assistance from many colleagues to help Zaggy re-adjust, along with RoR – Retraining of Racehorses – which, she said, had been superb with its backing.

“The past eight months have been just brilliant,” she added. RoR classes were introduced at the Selkirk Common Riding Gymkhana, while Zaggy and Aileen later built up an impressive list of credits in equestrian and dressage events at novice and preliminary levels.

This month, they were declared overall champions in the RoR Regional League for Scotland – “something we only ever dreamed of”. This qualified the partnership for the RoR Championship Show at Aintree in August.

Last Saturday, Aileen was told Zaggy had finished top RoR horse in the league, while local rider and fellow EFRA member, Carly Scott, won the overall horse league.

A fundraising Gold Cup race night takes place at Selkirk Cricket Club on March 17, featuring a great night’s racing with some top raffle prizes.

Then on March 31, the EFRA Novice Showjumping and Dressage teams are heading to Keysoe Equestrian Centre in Bedfordshire, after success in November’s area qualifiers in Falkirk.

Taking part in the dressage are Sandra Smith-Maxwell, Sam Anderson, Trish Lockhart and Louise Clark, while Louise and Aileen, with Sarah Page, figure in the showjumping.

Hard-hit Hawick has received a much-needed boost with the opening of a new business this week.

Crown Decorating Centre opened its doors at Burnfoot Trade Park yesterday.

And with the town having been hit with a series of closures in recent months, including Turnbull’s cafe and deli only last week, the news couldn’t be more timely.

And experts at the new town premises are wasting no time in spreading a little cheer and showing support for the local community by helping to spruce up a local building which is in need of some TLC.

Manager Tony Carr is appealing for community groups which would love to paint their premises but can’t find the funds for a makeover, to get in touch. He’s offering up to 50 litres of high quality Crown paints - up to a maximum value of £500 - to a deserving cause, and will also offer his expert advice to help the group choose the best paint for the job.

Tony said: “While we are new to Hawick, the Crown Decorating Centres network prides itself on being part of the communities where we do business. It’s great to give something back so we want to find an organisation that will really benefit from our help.

“We understand that charities and community groups have so many demands on their budgets these days that decorating and making a building look its best can sometimes fall down the priority list.

“However, we know that a newly painted community centre or charity venue can make a world of difference to visitors and regulars – making it fresh, inviting and giving a real feelgood factor.

“I’m sure there are dozens of community groups out there that would benefit from a makeover, so we want to hear from them, and then the team at our store will select a deserving cause to receive the consignment of paint along with expert advice on what products will create the best finish.”

To enter the Crown Decorating Centre Community Appeal, send details of your community group, what you do and what painting project you’d like to carry out, to hawick@crownpaints.co.uk and mark your email ‘Crown Community Appeal’. Alternatively, you can post entries to Unit 4, Burnfoot Trade Park, Burnfoot Industrial Estate, Hawick, TD9 8SL. You’re welcome to send pictures of the potential project too.

The only criteria is that you are a not-for-profit organisation and based within 15 miles of the Hawick store.

The deadline for entries is Saturday, March 11.

Crown Paints is owned by Danish decorative and protective coatings company Hempel, who employ over 6,000 people and operate in more than 80 countries, employing 1,250 people.

Police in the Borders can confirm that two 18-year-old men have been arrested and charged following a spate of recent thefts from vehicles in the Galashiels area.

The incidents happened between Wednesday, February 22 and Thursday, February 23. Property worth around £5000 was recovered from an address in the Gala Park area.

The men will appear at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Friday, February 24.

Community Inspector Tony Hodges of Galashiels Police Station said: “This type of crime is concerning for local residents and businesses. Not only are vehicles damaged but property often used by tradesmen, which is vital to their livelihood, is also taken.

“I would urge vehicle owners not to leave valuables in vehicles and ensure any tools kept in vehicles are out of sight of passers-by. Anyone wishing to learn more about how to keep your vehicle safe can do this via the Police Scotland website.”

When the Conservatives won a majority in 2015’s general election, a petition which originated during the Scottish referendum campaign, gained a new lease of life.

Thousands called for a ‘New Scotland’ under the SNP, where Scots and Northerners could live together in harmony.

Though this movement has lost some momentum since then, there’s no denying citizens of Northern England (particularly North East locals) have more than a little in common with the people of Scotland.

Now, the Northerners at City Breaks in Newcastle are making their case for why border-sharers in the North East are very much the same breed as their Scottish neighbours.

Regional dialect

Geordies and Glaswegians are no strangers to being subtitled on British television, but locals wear these characterful accents with pride. While visitors from overseas may benefit from their own travel-size phrasebooks, Northerners and Scots alike are well accustomed to translating traditional localisms for tourists. Who knows? By allowing North East natives to join forces with Scotland, we could see a new ‘superlanguage’ come into being.

Statement dishes

From neeps and tatties to pan haggerty and panacalty, comfort food is a core part of life in both Scotland and the North East. While more southerly palates may not be able to appreciate the orchestra of flavours found in Auld Reekie’s cock-a-leekie soup or South Tyneside’s majestic saveloy dip, locals are proud to be connoisseurs when it comes to their one-of-a-kind cuisine. Deep fried Mars bar, anyone?

Rugged wilderness

If there’s one thing the Scottish and North Eastern landscapes have in common, it’s pure, unadulterated ruggedness. From taking on the 84-mile National Trail that is Northumberland’s Hadrian’s Wall Path to hiking mighty summits on the Outer Hebrides, exploring these natural worlds will leave you in no doubt that the two are a perfect pairing of vast, abundant greenery and challenging terrain.

Love of colder climates

The same cold blood that runs through Scots’ veins can be found in most North East natives, to the abject horror of tourists visiting from fairer climates. This Viking-like immunity to wind, rain and ice is what sets us apart - and we’re not shy about showing it off. Just look at the heroes making their tempestuous trek through the Highlands in the face of gale force winds, or catching a wave in the merciless North Sea in the middle of November.

Local charm

Scots and Northerners share an international reputation for being as charismatic as we are unashamedly brash. In 2015, the North East was named the friendliest region in England in a Government survey - with 84% of locals saying they chat to their neighbours at least once a month. Rough Guides’ readers even voted Glasgow the world’s friendliest city, while a 2016 YouGov survey saw the Scottish accent emerge the sexiest in Britain.

There was practically a scoff from Cristian Gamboa when, post-match on Saturday, he was asked if Moussa Dembele could cut it at a top-six club in the English Premier League.

Gamboa played there with West Brom before he made the move north last August. In his 18 months there, watching the fare from the self-proclaimed greatest league in the world – mostly from the bench – he would rarely have witnessed a goal any more sumptuous than that produced by the 20-year-old to set Celtic on their way to a 21st straight league victory in this season for the ages, a fact which the full-back made plain.

“He can go to Real Madrid or wherever he wants. He is a top-class player,” said Gamboa, pictured. “The age he is, just 20, means there is a lot that he still has to do. But he is having a really good season. It is good for Celtic and it is good for us as a group. We enjoy having him here. We need him. The first goal was world-class.”

Hamilton’s resistance was broken when Dembele showed poise and precision to spin round towards goal as if the ball was Velcroed to his foot and then send it sailing into the top corner of the net like a guided missile. Celtic
manager Brendan Rodgers’ assessment that he “oozes quality” brooks no argument.

With 29 goals, Dembele truly weaponises a side that would comfortably win the title without him but wouldn’t be able to win 31 games in a 32-unbeaten domestic season.

Gamboa considered the weekend opener – with a 59th-minute penalty conversion giving Dembele a second before he gave way to Leigh Griffiths – the reason why the French striker has an ever-inflating price tag on his shoulders. He joked that talk of his worth being in the region of £40m wasn’t over the top.

“No, no chance. I’d give you 50 for him, but I don’t have the money,” said the full-back. “He can go wherever he wants [but] we enjoy having him here and hope we can enjoy having him for a long time. He has to decide, the club have to decide. It is his decision.

“Just imagine what he’s going to be like when he’s 25 when he is a more mature player and he has more experience. He is a strong player and he shows everyone that in training all the time. I wish the best for him. But we enjoy him just now. He may go to another club, but just now he is here until at least the end of the season so we should enjoy his football and his goals.”

Celtic are so often winning by playing within themselves at home, it is only the anticipation over what Dembele might conjure up that is keeping the crowd switched on.

One of Rodgers’ great feats this season has been his ability to keep so many players focussed and able to fit in effortlessly, whenever they are called upon. A slight knock to Mikael Lustig provided Gamboa his first start in a month, which he capitalised on with a purposeful showing.

A match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Wednesday night at a Caledonian Stadium that is the only top-flight ground in Scotland not to witness a Celtic victory is likely to stretch the champions elect more than Martin Canning’s now bottom-placed side. Celtic are likely to remain untouchable, though.

“It is a good squad and it is a big squad,” said Gamboa. “When somebody drops out another person will do his best. I think this is the key. We have this run, we have gone unbeaten in a lot of games, because it is a good squad and everybody is ready to play.”

Friday’s Bookers Border League clash was played under floodlights on a cold, still evening, with intermittent light showers and on a sticky pitch at Riverside Park.

Hosts Jed-Forest, from BT National League Division 1, were largely at full-strength, while BT Premiership table-toppers Melrose had their numbers made up by 14 members of their Storms’ second team, largely because of seven players being in the Club International and Scotland U20 teams, plus a roster of injuries.

The game could have gone either way right up to the final whistle, as the home side threw everything they had at the young Melrose visitors.

However, Melrose ended up on the summit of Pool B in the Bookers Border League, to face either Gala or Hawick in this year’s Border League Final on a date still to be determined.

Robbie Yourston kicked a pair of penalties for Jed, one in each half, while Melrose had amassed what was to be their total points tally of a dozen by the interval.

The scoring opened after 20 minutes when Melrose won a scrum against the head within the Jed 22. Ruairi Campbell picked up at number eight and fed skipper Bruce Colvine going left. The scrum half dived into the corner at the Town end on the stand side.

Four minutes later, Yourston opened the Jed account with a penalty. A couple of minutes short of the break, Melrose won a scrum five to the left of the posts and, with play crabbing right in a series of picks and drives, Colvine eventually plunged over the line for a try converted by Jason Baggott.

The second half saw a battle for supremacy between the two defences, with Jed stretching their higher-division opponents on several occasions. The scoreline kept to a single Yourston penalty for Jed-Forest after 75 minutes.

Jed-Forest: Lewis Young, Callum Young, Gregor Young, Monty Mitchell, Rory Marshall, Robbie Yourston, Sean Goodfellow, Ryan Gibson, Grant Paxton, Connor Hogg, Clark Skeldon, Gregor Law, Graham Robson, Michael Weekley, Donald Grieve. Replacements: Gary Clarkson, Jamie Hynd, Daniel Wardrop, Elliot Stewart, Garry Munro, Chris Gillon, Robbie Shirra-Gibb.

Melrose: David Colvine, Thomas Klein, Nyle Godsmark, Sam Pecqueur, Jason Baggott, Bruce Colvine, Callum Crookshanks, Cammie McKay, Ruairi McLeod, Aaron Welsh, Peter Eccles, Ally Grieve, Callum Wilde, Ruairi Campbell. Replacements – Conor McAulay, Ben McLean, Alasdair O’Reilly, Struan Hutchison, Adam Hall, Lewis Mallin, Austin Lockington.

It’s the time of the year that NHS Borders celebrates its strongest asset – its staff – as the finalists in the Celebrating Excellence Awards are announced.

A total of 122 nominations were received, highlighting healthcare teams and individuals who have been recognised for their commitment to providing excellent services in NHS Borders.

The categories andfinalistsgoing through to the ceremony at Springwood Park, Kelso, on Saturday, April 29, are as follows.

Values Award

Nicky Berry, associate director of nursing/head of midwifery; Irene Bonnar, head of work & well-being; Brenda Everitt, personal assistant to director of finance; and the telephone switchboard team.

Improving Health

Borders Healthy Living Network; Caring For Smiles team; Julie Murray and the Long Term Conditions Project; and NHS Borders screening services.

Innovation and

Improvement

Dialysis unit; general services team; Susie McFadzen, midwife; Teviot Medical Practice with Scottish Ambulance paramedic practitioners.

Leading by Example

Dr Janet Bennison, consultant; Irene Bonnar, head of work & well-being; Stephanie Errington, head of planning & performance; Lorraine Wilson, midwife sonographer.

Primary Care Provider

Dr Gillian Arbuckle, GP; Coldstream Medical Practice; Newcastleton Health Centre; George Romanes, Community Pharmacist.

Rising Star

Dr Jonathan Bridges, GP; Rhona Hillis, cancer care pharmacist; Sam Laurie, communications assistant; Barbara Smith, project assistant - Healthy Living Network.

Clinical Excellence

Emma Allan, advanced neonatal nurse practitioner; Early Years Co-ordination and Assessment Team (EYCAT); Alan Lawson, learning disability liaison nurse; pregnancy assessment unit.

Partnership Working

Borders Alcohol and Drugs Partnership and executive group; diabetes team; Joint Learning Disability Service; Morven Paterson & Karen Wilson, ‘the difference’ fundraising team

Supporter of the Year

Borders Hospital Radio Service; Kathleen O’Reilly, music volunteer; Billy Welsh, volunteer; Running for Ronnie team

Behind the Scenes:

Clinical

Elaine Hancock, prescribing support pharmacist; infection control team; Alan Lawson, learning disability liaison nurse; June Patterson, theatre sister.

Behind the Scenes: 
Non Clinical

Catering team; Wilma Dunn, domestic assistant; Donna Wheelans, practice manager.

Person-Centred Care

Adele Dougall, staff nurse; Sandra Henwood, spiritual care coordinator; Katie Masterson, physiotherapy team leader; John Watt, physiotherapist.

In addition, NHS Borders chairman John Raine will give his commendations before presenting the chairman’s award

Mr Raine said: “The Celebrating Excellence awards ceremony is an opportunity to recognise the hard work, commitment and dedication of staff and volunteers across the organisation.

“I look forward to welcoming the finalists, members of staff and invited guests to Springwood at the end of April.”

Vale of Leithen picked up their second Lowland League win in succession on Saturday, at the same time condemning Cumbernauld Colts to a third straight loss.

The game, at Broadwood, started well for the Colts, who created a couple of chances early on and hit the woodwork before Jamie Broadfoot slotted the ball home impressively, following a nice passage of play, to give them the lead.

Minutes later, the home support thought it was two when a header inside the six-yard box by Hunter was cleared off the line and on to the bar by a Vale defender. Colts were on top at this point but were unable to capitalise.

It was a decent game, with both sides playing some good flowing football – however, Vale stepped up their efforts immediately and were rewarded with an equaliser, when a long ball out of defence to attack saw Jason Stevens show a great turn of speed and strength to escape the retreating Colts defenders, round the advancing George in the Colts goal, and slot home from a narrow angle.

As the half draw to a close, Vale snatched the lead when there appeared to be little danger. A speculative ball into the box was neither dealt with by Ward or keeper George, leaving Blair Atkinson with a simple tap in from close range.

Vale manager Chris Anderson said his side had formed a game plan and they stuck largely to it, resulting in an excellent team performance, while the astro surface at Broadwood also suited their game.

The second period served up another even encounter, with both sides having periods of possession without creating too many clear chances.

It was, however, Vale of Leithen who extended their lead to give them a two-goal cushion – and Cumbernauld were disappointed with their defending again.

Jason Stevens, in the number nine jersey for Vale, picked up the ball outside the centre circle and was allowed to advance, leaving the Colts midfield and defence without challenge, to pass the ball coolly beyond the advancing George and into the back of the net for 3-1.

The Colts had a great chance to pull one back when a deep cross from the left was met by the rising Lachlan six yards out, only to see his goal bound header deflected on to the bar and scrambled clear. Minutes later, they hit the woodwork again when a Black effort struck the post with the keeper beaten.

With time ticking away, Black missed Colts’ best opportunity. Put in on goal, he rounded the keeper on the left, only to slice his shot high and wide with the empty goal gaping.

Chris Anderson said afterwards: “I think we were quite in control – they had a few chances and we had a few early on but, at times we played really well, with some of our best football. We passed the ball really well and had chances to add to the score.”

He added there was a definite air of confidence now about Vale of Leithen, alhtough they had a very difficult game coming up this Saturday away to Spartans.

“Since Christmas time, we have added to the squad and got a number of players back fit,” he said. “At full strength, we are a team that can climb up to the top half of the table.

“With two wins back to back, people are quite confident, but the game on Saturday will be a tough one.”

Vale had no injury concerns as preparations continued for the Spartans match and Anderson added: “Nobody really expects you to win against these teams like Spartans, East Kilbride and East Stirlingshire. They are the favourites, so there’s no pressure on us to win it – it’s just a case of getting a good performance, really.”

Local police and their community partners have held a special seminar for youngsters in Hawick, aimed at promoting positive life choices.

The officers teamed up with colleagues from Action For Children, Schools and Community Learning Development, Escape Youth Cafe and NHS Borders for the Choices for Life Event at Hawick High School on Thursday, February 16, for which pupils from the Hawick, Newcastleton, Denholm, Stirches and Burnfoot areas were welcomed.

In total, 300 children from primary classes up to S1 were in attendance to hear a range of inputs on the effects of tobacco, alcohol and drug use.

The participants also took part in interactive workshops, which helped them see how the decisions they make can impact upon their lives and the lives of others.

Staff and pupils alike have praised the event, which is hoped to run again in the future.

School liaision officer, PC Dianne Lauder, said: “One of Police Scotland’s top priorities is to protect vulnerable people – including the younger members of our communities – from harm, and the Choices For Life seminars help us demonstrate the benefits of making positive decisions, as well as the consequences of making a bad choice.

“We are absolutely delighted with how enthusiastic and involved the pupils were and they really took on board the key messages we were trying to convey.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who attended for their engagement and positive feedback.

“I also want to recognise the outstanding support of our partners, who helped host the event, and the assistance of the S6 pupils who were brilliant.

“In addition, the local Sainsbury’s assisted with providing refreshments, which I know went down well with everyone.”

PC Lauder added: “We will continue to work alongside our partners to provide education to young people and minimise their risk of harm, and I look forward to running similar Choices for Life events further down the line.”

People across Scotland are being invited to contribute their views on the futre direction of the police force.

Police Scotland has launched a new long-term draft strategy and are asking the public to help refine it.

The force says that demands on policing are changing and it needs to adapt and develop to maximise public safety and remain sustainable operationally and financially.

It also pointed out that patterns of crime are shifting, often enabled by new technologies, while at the same time the population is ageing, becoming more diverse and the duty to protect the vulnerable is becoming ever more complex.

The strategy, Policing 2026, which was developed by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland, aims to chart the next phase in the transformation of policing, creating a workforce of police officers and staff who are focused on where they can add most value to protecting and serving the public.

Andrew Flanagan, SPA chairman, said: “From a position of strength, we need to ensure that Police Scotland adapts to these changes and has the range of skills and capacity to deal with growing demand and that we do so in a financially sustainable way.

“Policing is a vital public service and it is essential that we listen to those we wish to serve to ensure we meet their expectations. Through this consultation we are asking for everyone to provide their views on the approach outlined today and I would urge as many people as possible to take part.”

Chief Constable Phil Gormley said: “The service must transform to realise and release the full benefits of being a single organisation. Local policing will remain at the heart of what we do, supported by a wide range of specialist capabilities.

“In an ever-changing world, people will continue to turn to the police service for a myriad of reasons, which means it’s never been more important to understand our demand, both current and future, in order to be able deliver a service which is relevant, has legitimacy and above all maintains the trust and confidence of the public.”

The full document can be found at www.scotland.police.uk/policing2026 and responses, the deadline for which is May 8, can be submitted at https://consult.scotland.police.uk/consultation/2026/

Peebles 12, Gala 40

The scoreline didn’t really reflect the flowing, end to end nature of this Friday night Bookers Border League game at The Gytes, but the gap between the BT National League 2 hosts and their (until recently) BT Premiership opposition was possibly bound to tell in the end.

However, either Gala’s much-changed squad didn’t quite gel at first, and/or Peebles were really, really up for it – but the home side Peebles came flying out of the blocks on a showery night and didn’t give Gala a chance to settle for most of the first quarter.

Almost a full first five minutes of Peebles possession ended in winger Stoddart crossing for an unconverted try to give them the lead.

After half an hour, Gala eventually get on the score board with a Lewis Berg try, which he was unable to convert.

More Peebles possession but little territory gain ended with a knock-on at the Gala 22m line. There was a Gala scrum, then a Gala penalty plus 10m for chat. Eventually, Gala worked their way up to the Peebles 22, thanks to penaalties and line-outs, and Gregor Mein borke through ror a try, converted by Berg for 5-12.

In the second half, Peebles were camped in Gala’s 22 and multiple phases of play, on either side of a couple of scrums, put Johnstone through for a try, converted by Raeburn, to tie the scores.

Much of the Peebles resistance avaporated after this, however, as Gala increased their tempo and start cutting loose.

A Stevie Cairns break ended with George Lott try, converted by Berg, while Chris Weir grabbed the bonus-point try on the hour, also conerted by Berg, to put the Netherdale men 12-26 in front.

A further Gala attack saw John Watson go over for a try, with Berg successful again with the extras, amid heavy rain.

Peebles kept possession for a while and managed an advance into the Gala 22 but Rob Louw made an interception moments later on his own 10m line and galloped onwards to score a try. With two minutes remaining, Berg concluded the scoring with the conversion at 12-40.

Gala are now awaiting the outcome of the remaining Pool A fixture – unless Hawick beat Selkirk by more than 17 clear points, Gala will be in the Border League Final against Melrose.

Peebles: William Napier, Ryan Stewart, Corey Togia, Roddy Guiney, Callum Leckey, Liam Daly, Euan Jackson, Euan Jackson (two with same name), Murray Johnstone, Greg Raeburn, Scott Stoddart, Callum Anderson, Murray Brown, James May, Steven Hamilton, William Aitken, Ryan McConnell, Ruairidh Britton, Jack Harrison, Chris Shand, Gavin Hume, Andy Muir.

Gala: Curtis Reynolds, Ritchie Tod, Terry Skeet, Chris Weir, Rob Louw, Harry Borthwick, Fraser Hunter, Stevie Cairns, George Lott, Gregor Mein, Dwayne Burrows, Paul Hendry, Lewis Berg, Craig Robertson,Graham Speirs ©, Declan Broatch, Lewis Roden, John Watson, Robbie Irvine, John Turnbull, Ross Combe, Simon Fairbairn.