The 1986 Tom Cruise film Top Gun is set to be the first in a series of monthly nostalgia movie screenings at the Heart of Hawick.

The Tony Scott-directed blockbuster can be seen on Friday, October 27, at 2.30pm.

The new run of favourite golden oldies, called Blast From the Past, will be a monthly event.

Operations manager Sophy Delavigne said: “We want people to have the chance to experience their favourite films on the big screen again.

“We will be showing great films on the last Friday of every month and hope they will be popular.

“We also encourage our customers to suggest future Blast from the Past films as we want to give the community their say.”

For details, call the Heart of Hawick box office on 01450 360688. If you have a suggestion for the next Blast from the Past screening, email it to heartofhawick@liveborders1.org.uk.

A Denholm-raised charity champion aims to reach the £250,000 fundraising mark before she calls it a day.

Susan Forster ran a knitwear business across the Borders for many years, and in 1994 she launched Presents Galore to raise funds for good causes across the region.

She invites stall-holders from across the UK to an event staged at Springwood Park in Kelso every October, from which a percentage from all sales is split among nominated charities.

This year’s event bolstered the funds of three charities to the tune of £11,500, the beneficiaries being Capability Scotland, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Injured Jockeys’ Fund.

This week, Susan went along to the Capability Scotland shop in Hawick High Street with other members of the Presents Galore committee to hand over £4,500.

It was a particularly welcome gesture as the Hawick branch of the disability charity fell victim to a break-in in the summer.

Susan estimates that she and her supporters have helped raise £230,000 over the last 24 years.

Now she is planning to ease back from her fundraising efforts in the next two years, but she is hoping that Presents Galore will stay in the family and has asked her daughter, Nicola Brown, who lives near Bonchester Bridge, to take over the reins.

Susan, now living at St Boswells, said: “It’s something that will happen in the next couple of years when Nicola’s daughters, who are aged 14 and 17 now, are a little older.

“I’d like to reach quarter of a million before I finish.

“In all my 24 years, I’ve never met anyone as grateful as Donna Mackie at Capability Scotland in Hawick.

“We’ll leave it to them how they spend the money, although she did mention a child in Hawick who needs a wheelchair, so maybe some will go towards that.

“It’s been a very rewarding 24 years.

“In the September, you think ‘oh, I can’t go through that again’, but then you hand out the cheques and everyone is so grateful. It makes it worthwhile.”

A new knitwear factory in Hawick is all set to open for business by the spring of next year.

Good progress is being made on a two-storey replacement building at Scott and Charters’ plant in Burnfoot.

Scottish Borders Council agreed an application earlier this year from the company, established back in 1955, to build a new factory on land at its existing site in Fairhurst Drive.

Progress has been rapid on the structure, and the company is now advertising for the position of a Shima programmer and manager to coincide with the expansion.

Company sales executive David Chapman revealed that construction workers were able to get the roof completed and securely placed before predicted high winds struck earlier this week.

Mr Chapman also thanked the local community for its “fantastic support” during the building process.

He said: “We are progressing well, and Esh Borders, the construction company who won the contract, managed to complete the roof on Monday, making sure it was well and truly in place before the forecast high winds.

“The foundations for the new factory were completed on time, within eight weeks of the mid-July start date.

“This allowed the steel frame to be erected on schedule during September, which, in turn, has allowed the roofing specialists on site this month.

“The next stage of construction will see the gable walls being clad, followed by the remaining two walls, and then the concrete floor must be laid.

“Once wind- and watertight, the construction and fitting out of the interior can proceed uninterrupted throughout the winter, to allow us to move in during early spring.

“Our neighbours in Fairhurst Drive have been fantastic in their support and enthusiasm for the project and in putting up with the heavy goods deliveries and day-to-day construction noise, and our workforce have also been terrific in managing the production of all our 2017 orders throughout this period of upheaval of phased demolition, allowing us to keep all of our customers happy.”

The company, employing more than 30 members of staff, was taken over by London clothing company WRA, operator of a retail store in London’s Mayfair, in 2015.

Borders police are appealing for information on a Peebles man who went missing yesterday afternoon (Thursday, October 19).

The man, Donald Forrest, is 21 and was last seen at 1.15pm yesterday within the grounds of the Borders General Hospital, Melrose.

He was wearing a black jacket, dark jumper, ripped grey jeans and black trainers.

Anyone with information regarding Donald’s whereabouts is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number PS-20171019-1776.

Police are appealing for information after a log cabin was burnt down in a community woodland near Galashiels this week.

Between 1pm on Monday and 9am on Tuesday, a fire was deliberately set at Wooplaw Community Woodlands, off the Langshaw Road.

The cabin has been completely destroyed, and a second cabin, containing a toilet had its door ripped off.

PC Jack Houston, of Galashiels police station, said: “Vandals have caused significant damage to a community facility which will cost over £1,000 to repair.

“We are carrying out inquiries in the area and are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, or may have noticed the fire as it would have been visible through the wooded area, particularly during the hours of darkness.”

Witnesses can contact police on 101, quoting reference 1,338 of October 17.

Families of residents of a Jedburgh care home about to be closed have voiced concerns for their loved ones now they face having to be relocated.

Bield, service provider at the Millfield Gardens care home, revealed last week that it is consolidating its services to ensure the long-term future of the company.

The company stated: “As a result of this new strategy, we have made the very difficult decision to withdraw from the residential care home market.

“This is a fundamental step and one which we do not take lightly, but it is in the best interests of the long-term future and sustainability of our organisation.”

Bield also runs retirement homes in Melrose, Selkirk and Greenlaw, but they will not be affected by this reshuffle.

However, 11 other care homes across Scotland will close over the next 12 to 18 months, affecting 160 elderly people.

While Scottish Borders Council has reassured residents that their continuity of care is “receiving our highest priority”, it is a very uncertain time for them, as well as the care home’s 28 staff.

When we published the story online last week, residents’ loved ones took to our Facebook page to voice their concerns.

Sheelagh Law said her mother, Helen Jackson, is a resident at Millfield.

She told us: “She has been a resident in Millfield for three and a half years, and it took nearly two years for her to settle. A move now would be devastating for her as she is registered blind and has severe dementia.

“She worked at the cottage hospital in Jedburgh for 40 years looking after frail, elderly patients and that was taken from us. Why Jedburgh again?

“Millfield and the fantastic staff are so essential to the folk of this town. The staff go the extra mile for the residents over and over again. We will never be able to replace them. Please, please help us keep this lovely care home.”

Brenda Smith has similar concerns over her mum, Mary Potter. She wrote: “We had mum brought up from Yorkshire back to her home town of Jedburgh.

“She has just settled in at Millfield. How can you tell a 91-year-old person with dementia that she will have to move again? All she wanted was to live out her days back in dear old Jethart.”

And Susan Stewart added: “My mum is a resident in Millfield, has been there now for 18 months and has received wonderful care at all times.

“We took this place for her despite the fact she had lived in Kelso because the waiting list for one of the Kelso homes had 18 people before her.

“Heaven knows what waiting lists are now and how many miles further we will have to travel to visit her.

“This is a wonderful caring home with exceptional staff and needs to be kept open whatever the cost.

“Closing the home will only make waiting lists longer throughout the Borders and cause heartache for relatives, residents and staff.”

A spokesperson for the council said: “We would like to reassure residents and their families that ensuring their continuity of care is receiving our highest priority and we have been working closely with Bield to make sure that the future needs of everyone living in the care home continue to be met.

“We are in close dialogue with them and are supportive of their efforts to find an alternative provider if at all possible for this high-quality and popular home.

“However, contingency plans will be put in place should this not be possible.

“This includes making preparations to reassess the needs of each resident and discuss with them and their families the options available to them in terms of potential relocation to alternative accommodation.

“We appreciate that this is an extremely unsettling time for everyone concerned and intend meeting with residents and their families as a matter of priority to provide them with as much information and reassurance as we can.”

Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton confirmed this week that a council officer had indeed met with a representative of Bield to discuss options.

He said: “Councillor Sandy Scott and myself had a meeting today with the council officer.

“There are talks ongoing about Millfield and contingency planning is taking place at Scottish Borders Council.”

“We all identified that keeping the staff there is essentia,l and it’s even more essential that the residents do not need to move. That would be so detrimental to the town.”

Concern has been expressed about Live Borders taking over the running of Hawick’s tourist information centre.

The charity is already responsible for the operation of the town hall, leisure centre and other public buildings in the town.

Now it’s to take over the day-to-day running of the iCentre at the Heart of Hawick from current operator VisitScotland with effect from March 2019.

The move is part of a raft of changes to tourist information centres nationwide, including the closure of 39, among them the current facility at Kelso Town Hall.

VisitScotland cites a 58% drop in footfall at its information centres over the past 12 years and the fact that two-thirds of visitors now access information online as its reason for the moves, said to be part of a two-year restructuring strategy.

Given the cull of centres nationwide, there is relief that the centre, at the Heart of Hawick, has been spared the axe, but there is also some nervousness at the appointment of Live Borders.

Last month, the charity came under fire over claims that youngsters were placed at risk when staff locked the doors of an exit at the end of an event at Hawick Town Hall.

Further concerns centre on the fact that the charity has invited staff to take voluntary redundancy.

A trust spokesman has assured the public that “Live Borders will continue to provide information and inspiration for visitors”.

Despite that reassurance, Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall, independent for Hawick and Denholm, has reservations.

He said: “I think there will be a degree of nervousness amongst townsfolk when they hear that Live Borders will now be responsible for the delivery of our tourist information centre, given the fact that only recently this trust was asking for voluntary redundancies, and one certainly has to question as to how much more can be offloaded to this company.

“At the moment, Live Borders are responsible for our town halls, museums and galleries, leisure centres and swimming pools, as well as our 3G pitch.

“It appears that everyone now thinks that this organisation has a magic wand and is a direct route to offload important services such as tourist information.”

Fellow Hawick and Denholm councillor Clair Ramage said: “The Heart of Hawick is very much seen as the main meeting place in Hawick.

“It is a great facility for both the local people and for tourists who can find places of interest at the information centre.

“Live Borders are now taking over responsibility for the iCentre, and I hope that it is run as efficiently as in previous years.

“As well as an information centre, it also sells tickets for the cinema, so any drop in standards could have severe implications for such a great asset to the town.”

A Live Borders spokesperson said: “This is an exciting opportunity for further developing our relationship with VisitScotland, and we are working together on innovative solutions to provide information and inspiration for visitors in the most effective way possible.”

Hawick will host the Campaign for Borders Rail’s 2017 annual general meeting tomorrow, October 21.

Speakers lined up to take part include new ScotRail Alliance managing director Alex Hynes and Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP Rachael Hamilton.

They will be joined by Colin Glover, leader of Carlisle City Council, and Hawick and Hermitage councillor Watson McAteer, also honorary provost for the town.

The meeting, at the Heart of Hawick, in Kirkstile, will start at 1pm with formal business open to members only.

A public session will follow at 2.30pm featuring a question-and-answer session with the panel of speakers.

For details, go to www.campaignforbordersrail.org

Campaign spokesman Simon Walton said: “We will be seeking a further mandate from the membership to continue our campaign work. I’m confident of a very healthy endorsement for that motion.”

The go-ahead has been given for 40 new homes for the elderly on council-owned waste land close to Stirches Primary School in Hawick.

Scottish Borders Council’s executive committee pushed ahead with the project this week, and the authority will now sell the land to Eildon Housing Association for a nominal fee of just £1.

The dormant land has long been thought of as having the potential for development but without any plans ever coming to fruition.

Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall said he was delighted the executive had now thrown its weight behind the scheme.

He said: “I see this development as a real positive for our town, and we have an opportunity to enhance the provision of both extra care housing and affordable housing for our townsfolk on land that has lain dormant for a very long time.

“Of course, there is much more work to be done to bring such a project to life, and we must make sure that when plans are being drawn up that we keep the residents living nearby fully up to speed with progress.

“With Hawick currently benefiting from some major private investment projects, this latest announcement can only be viewed as another major step forward for our town and one which will hopefully help address a real need within our area for this type of housing model.”

Speaking at Tuesday’s committee meeting, Hawick and Hermitage councillor Watson McAteer said the land had become a “dog-fouling nightmare” in recent times, adding: “I’m all for Eildon taking this on. A new build within the Stirches complex is going to be a real boost to the area. It has my complete support”.

Fellow ward councillor George Turnbull added: “I was involved in the days of the old district council when Stirches was built, and phase two just never came. It’s been a long time coming.”

A report to the committee said: “It is envisaged that the Stirches development will provide extra care housing for social rent, and potentially mid-market rent and shared equity options, all of which are considered as being consistent with the council’s affordable housing policy.

“A feasibility study will be carried out in due course by the association’s design team to confirm the numbers of units that can be developed on the site.”

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 14-year-old girl was injured, struck by an object thrown from a Hawick bridge.

The incident happened around 4.30am on Sunday, October 15, at the bridge which accesses Mart Street from Wilton Hill.

The 14-year-old victim was sitting under the bridge when an object, believed to be a stone, was thrown from above, striking her to the head.

As a result, the girl attended at Borders General Hospital for treatment before being released.

Inquiries are ongoing to trace whoever was responsible and anyone with information is asked to come forward.

Sergeant Rachel Campbell from Hawick Police Station said: “The culprit for this act of utter stupidity could have inflicted serious harm on the victim and it is extremely lucky that her injury was not too serious.

“As part of this inquiry we would ask anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity around the bridge during the early hours of Sunday morning to contact police immediately.

“We would also remind the public that throwing items from a bridge can have very serious consequences and if you are found to be involved in such reckless behaviour you will be arrested.”

Those with information can contact Hawick Police Station via 101 and quote incident number 1074 of the 15th October. Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Storm Ophelia, which hit large parts of the country this week, isn’t likely to be the last storm we will see this winter.

Although storms can come and go quickly, if they are severe the damage they cause can be disruptive to homes and buildings and can take a long time to repair.

It can also be incredibly costly. The Association of British Insurers estimated that the cost to insurers of flood and storm damage caused in the winter of 2015/6 would top £1.3bn.

But there are some steps you can take to prepare for such events.

Mike McGrail, senior product manager at Swinton Group shares his top tips for minimising storm damage:

1. Securing and storing all fixtures and loose objects around your house and garden in a shed or garage is a good place to start when preparing for a storm. Fence panels, for example, normally aren’t covered by insurance policies and can easily come loose in a storm, so make sure these are firmly attached. Also fold away your garden furniture and close table umbrellas, these can cause damage by colliding with buildings and objects in heavy winds.

2. It might sound simple, but make sure you close and fasten all doors and windows, no matter how small. High winds can cause serious damage to frames and panels when doors and windows swing open or shut, so ensuring they are secure will help limit damage.

3. Because we don’t naturally see them every day, we can easily forget to check whether our gutters are clear. Take a minute to clear any blockages and fallen leaves to ensure that rainwater has somewhere to drain. If you don’t do this, a buildup of water during bad weather could cause flooding and serious leaks which have costly repair bills.

4. Park your car in a garage to reduce the risk of loose flying objects damaging the vehicle, no one wants to walk out of their front door to find their windscreen smashed. If you don’t have a garage, try to park as far away from large trees as you can to reduce the risk.

5. Heavy rain during storms may cause flash flooding or cause rivers to burst their banks. If you think you could be at risk, minimise damage by using sandbags to block potential water entry points like doors on the ground floor and garden gates. You can usually get these from your local authority, but there might be a charge, or you can buy them at various retailers.

6. One job to remember all year-round is regularly checking your roof for cracks and loose shingles or slates. Should the wind get really fierce, cracks could worsen or shingles could blow off, leaving openings where rain can come through.

7. Keep your insurance documents somewhere safe and easily accessible should the worst happen. Maybe create a digital copy or pass one to a friend or neighbour. Taking note of important telephone numbers is highly advised too.

8. Finally, to be extra cautious, always keep stocked up on supplies such as torches, first aid kits and plenty of food and water. If the weather prevents you from going outside for a short while, you don’t want to be left without the essentials.

The A7 will be closed for improvements north of Galashiels for two days next month.

The Edinburgh-Carlisle road road will be shut from just north of the Torwoodlee Golf Club junction to the Bowland crossroads on Wednesday and Thursday, November 1 and 2, from 9am to 3.30pm on both days.

That closure is to allow patching and resurfacing works to be carried out.

Motorists are being advised to use the A68 Edinburgh-Darlington road instead.

Buses will be allowed to travel through the road works, although passengers are warned to expect delays.

Advanced warning signs are already in place to advise motorists about the closure.

Selkirkshire councillor Gordon Edgar, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for roads and infrastructure, said: “These works are the latest in a series of improvements to the stretch of the A7 road from Galashiels to the Midlothian border which the council is responsible for.

“The Torsonce corner south of Stow was resurfaced in May this year, and the council carried out improvements to Falahill, Crookston and the Heriot bends last year.

“The A7 is one of the busiest roads in the Borders, with around 5,400 vehicles using the northern section, but by carrying out the works between 9am and 3.30pm on both days, the council has attempted to minimise the disruption for commuters.”

For further information, go to www.scotborders.gov.uk/roadworks

Two boys have been charged over a vandal attack on a Borders war memorial.

Two poppy wreaths at the Wilton Lodge Park memorial in Hawick were set alight and destroyed on Sunday, October 1, sparking an outcry in the town.

A police investigation was launched, leading to the two boys, aged 12 and 13, being charged this week.

They will now be dealt with by a children’s reporter.

Police are still appealing for witnesses to come forward to help them identify another individual believed to have been involved.

Inspector Carol Wood, of Hawick police station, said: “We recognise the distress and anger this incident caused the local community, and the public can be reassured that this matter has been investigated robustly.

“While two arrests have been made, we are continuing with our inquiries, and if you believe you have any other information relevant to this incident, then please contact us immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 1,547 of October 1.

Alternatively, calls can be made to the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Disgust at the destruction of the wreaths, left by the King’s Own Scottish Borderers’ Association and the town’s 111 Masonic lodge in memory of the 130 local soldiers killed in the First World War’s Gallipoli campaign, prompted almost a dozen businesses in the town to club together to offer a £600 reward for information leading to the culprits being caught.

Numerous notes and flowers were also left at the memorial by shocked townsfolk.

Hit ITV dating show Take Me Out is looking for ‘silver foxes’ and ‘golden girls’ to appear in a new over 50s special.

The show, presented by Paddy McGuinness, has become hugely popular over recent years, and spawned a number of catchphrases including ‘no likey, no lighty’.

The usual format sees a single guy trying to find love with one of 30 girls after coming down the ‘love lift’. If he manages to get through all three rounds - which include saying a bit more about himself, often showing off a skill or talent, and comments from his friends - then he has the chance to win a date on the island of ‘Fernando’s’.

Auditions for the over 50s special are happening soon so people are being urged to apply now.

To get involved, email Takemeoutspecial@thames.tv, or call 0207 691 5163.

After exposing that mobile phone networks are overcharging customers by as much as £38 a month, Citizens Advice are now urging phone users to stay on top off their contract to avoid being ripped off.

The independent advice charity has revealed that customers have the legal right to stay with the provider on the same fixed term deal, change the contract or leave or move to a new provider when a contact ends.

However, despite these options many people are being financially stung by Vodafone, EE and Three who continue being charged the same rates despite their contact ending and the handset being paid off.

As a result customers are paying an average £22 extra a month, with some customers paying as much as £38 a month for premium handsets like the iPhone 7 128/256GB, the Galaxy S8 and the Xperia XZ Premium.

O2 was found to be the only provider out of the four main networks that does not continue the same rate after a handset was been paid off.

‘Providers could make it much easier for consumers’

Although the responsibility to check a contract lies with the customer, mobile phone providers are “exploiting their customers” by continuing rates for a product that has already been paid for according to Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice.

Guy said: “Some of the largest mobile phone providers are routinely overcharging their loyal customers.

“Mobile phones are now an essential part of modern life, but the way that the cost of handsets are hidden within some mobile phone contracts gives phone providers a way to exploit their customers.

“It is clearly unfair that some phone providers are charging loyal customers for handsets that they have already paid for. It’s especially concerning that older customers are more likely to be stung by this sharp practice.”

Citizens Advice now wants all providers to reduce their customers’ bills when they stay in the same contract past the end of a fixed deal, to reflect the cost of the handset being paid for.

Guy added: “Phone providers must now make sure that any customers staying in a contract past the end of a fixed deal have their monthly bill reduced to reflect the cost of the handset.

“Providers could make it much easier for consumers to compare prices by separating out the cost of handsets from the cost of services like data and minutes for all contracts, that way it would be much clearer what they’re paying for.

“It’s important that Ofcom and the government are prepared to protect consumers by making providers take these steps, if they do not do so themselves.”

A motion calling for Scottish Borders Council to support a ban on the smacking of children in Scotland has been carried by 19 votes to eight.

It was tabled at yesterday’s full council meeting by the SNP’s Helen Laing (East Berwickshire) who urged colleagues to endorse the campaign for a law change being spearheaded in the Scottish Parliament by Green MSP John Finnie.

“I want us to send a message to our lawmakers that smacking, banned in our schools since 1987, is not acceptable in the home and that children should have the same protection under the law as adults,” said Councillor Laing.

“Not only is it in contravention of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, but there is robust evidence that the smacking of children can lead to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and, at its worst, can become increased in severity and frequency and sadly end up in abusive situations.

“This is not about criminalising parents, carers or guardians, but rather empowering them to find the best ways to deal with their children’s negative

behaviour in a nurturing and positive way.”

Ms Laing’s motion was seconded by council leader Shona Haslam (Con, Tweeddale East) who said this was a matter of conscience for councillors.

She revealed that members of her administration would have a free vote on an issue which would ultimately be decided at Holyrood.

In a maiden speech, retired high school teacher Councillor Claire Ramage (SNP, Hawick and Denholm) said: “Mental wellbeing is rightly very much to the fore at the moment and I would contend that some of the issues bringing about mental problems lie in our acceptance that the strong can exert physical punishment over the weak and vulnerable in our society.

“We are all diminished as human beings by corporal punishment – especially in the one place, the home, where love and caring should be unassailable.”

Opposing the motion, retired police officer Councillor Harry Scott (Ind, Galashiels and District) told the meeting: “While there is research which serves those who advocate the scrapping of physical punishment, there is other research which argues it does no harm to the wellbeing of children and that in some countries where smacking has been banned, child discipline has deteriorated and educational attainment has declined.”

Mr Scott believed there was already adequate provision in the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 which proscribes the physical punishment of children by a blow to the head, shaking or with an implement.

He said the Act also set out the specific circumstances in which courts could decide if the smacking of a child was a “justifiable assault”.

“My view is that parents know what is best for their child, including when it comes to discipline.

“Some will choose not to smack there children and some with choose to, but it is not for me or anyone else in this chamber or for so-called experts to judge these parents.

“That judgement should lie where it does at present – in the courts. This proposal advocates an unwarranted intrusion into personal family life.”

Lowood Bridge on the B6374 between Galashiels and Melrose, will close for up to 20 weeks next year.

In 2016, the bridge was closed temporarily as tests on the structure were carried out.

A presentation by Scottish Borders Council’s design services manger Paul Frankland and assets manager David Richardson to Melrose Community Council last week showed the extent of the damage found on the category B listed bridge.

Mr Frankland said: “In the inspection carried out on the bridge last year, we looked at every aspect of the structure, and found the bridge to be in a fair to poor condition.”

The bridge requires some essential masonry work carried out, stitching of cracks in the arches, scour works to the central pier, repairing of mortar and a rebuild of the parapet walls, which are leaning out.

Also required are ecological and bat surveys, as well as locating water and gas mains, which are carried by the bridge.

Mr Frankland added: “We are looking at doing this in one phase of works – and it is expected to take between 16-20 weeks.

“We are fully aware of the disruption this will cause, but we need to close the road while the work is being carried out.”

The cost of repairs to the bridge, which would conclude with the resurfacing of its deck, is expected to cost in the region of £640,000 – and after the repairs are completed, the 26-tonne weight limit imposed last year will be lifted.

Another main route between Galashiels and Melrose, Galafoot Bridge on the A6091, is also set to close for a period next year for bridge deck refurbishment, and Mr Frankland said it was important that the two repairs did not run concurrently, and that the council will be liasing with Amey – which is reponsible for the Galafoot Bridge – on the matter.

He added that the council had two windows for the work on Lowood Bridge – known locally as the Bottle Bridge – to take place, both of them bearing Melrose Festival, held in the third week in June, firmly in mind.]

Mr Frankland stated: “We can start in February or June, after the festival. However, if we begin in February we could run the risk of the repairs taking longer if the river is too high to work on the bridge because of melting snowfall higher upstream.”

Councillor David Parker said: “We are in discussions with Amey, and I think it’s more than likely that Galafoot works will begin in February, and the Lowood Bridge in June.

“With the best will in the world, you have to close the roads to do the works. It is necessary, and there is no way around it.”

It might seem that summer’s only just ended, but we’re already well into autumn.

And that means the clocks go back.

British Summer Time comes to and end on October 29 at 2am and the UK reverts to Greenwich Mean Time. So make a note in your diary so you don’t forget.

Why do we do this?

According to wonderlopolis.org, Daylight Saving Time (or “Summer Time’ as it’s known in many parts of the world) was created to make better use of the long sunlight hours of the summer.

By ‘springing’ clocks forward an hour in March, we move an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. Of course, this reverses when they go back, meaning it gets dark earlier in the afternoon.

Should we bother?

Every so often the debate as to whether or not we should bother springs up again - a 2015 YouGov poll found that 40 per cent of the British public would support no longer changing the clocks, compared with 34 per cent who supported the status quo.

It’s a view that has also reached Parliament and in 2011 Conservative MP Rebecca Harris floated a bill calling for an end to daylight savings.

It’s a more controversial issue the further north you go however - an end to daylight savings would mean the sun wouldn’t rise in parts of Scotland until 10am.

In response to the 2011 bill, then leader of the Scottish National Party Alex Salmond reacted angrily accusing the campaign of wanting to ‘plunge Scotland into darkness.”

Kelso 31, Cartha Queen’s Park 29

Kelso welcomed fellow promoted side Cartha QP to Poynder Park, with each team desperate for a win.

It’s fair to say both clubs haven’t found life in BT National 1 easy but a win for either would have given them a huge confidence boost leading up to the November break.

Some of the spectators had barely sat down when Kelso opened the scoring through flanker Kevin Dryden. It was a rip-roaring start from the home side and they were immediately into the opposition

22 after a thumping run from Paudie Lawlor, who had a very good day in the loose for the black and whites.

The forwards recycled the ball and it was fed out to Dryden, who finished like an outside centre, although Craig Dods couldn’t add the extras.

Kelso were not in the mood to let their visitors back into it and added a second try through second-row forward Kieran Dunbar. Quick thinking from captain Andy Tait, from a tap penalty, advanced the Poynder men

into the Cartha 22 and, when the ball was fed along the line, it was left to Dunbar to finish well. Dods missed the conversion.

The home faithful were delighted with the start but there as more to come and Kelso scored a try through outside centre Ian Sim. It was a near-on carbon copy of the Kelso try from Dunbar – again, the forwards got play into the Cartha 22 and the Kelso backs drew their men. Sim smashed his way over and continued his fine scoring run. Dods added the extras and Kelso found themselves three tries to the good after just 12 minutes.

Kelso were fortunate not to lose Craig Dods through injury after he was hit with a very late and no-arms tackle above the shoulders.

The black and whites then took their foot off the gas a bit and Cartha made them pay. Tries for Calum Dickson and Fraser Paul were soft tries and Kelso missed too many tackles.

Wayne Burrows added the conversions and the great Kelso start was wasted, with Cartha just three points behind.

Kelso managed to get another try before half time. Craig Dods kicked a superb ball into the corner and, from the resultant line out, the Kelso forwards drove for the line. Cartha held them just short but

captain Tait was on hand to burrow over. Dods added the extras.

Cartha started the second half well and were causing Kelso a few issues in defence. Wayne Burrows kicked a penalty for his side when Kelso were penalised for not releasing in the tackle.

The Glasgow men didn’t let up and scored a try through Johnny Campion. The scrum half danced his way through a few tackles and scored a fine individual try.

Burrows couldn’t add the extras but Cartha were only two points behind. However, they went down to 14 men when full back Andy Scott was penalised for a no-arms tackle on Kieran Dunbar.

Kelso then went for the kill and scored their bonus point try through Ross Henderson. The Kelso hooker isn’t famous for scoring tries but he can thank his forwards, as a fine rolling mall was

executed perfectly and he touched down for the five points, with Dods adding the extras.

Campion scored another fine try for his side – Kelso head coach Gary Stevens wouldn’t have been too happy with some of his side’s tackling, but take nothing away from Campion and his dancing feet.

The flying scrum half was injured while scoring and took no further part in the game. Burrows added the extras, setting the secne for a hectic finale.

The last 10 minutes were frantic, with both sides trying to get control of the ball.

Cartha had a great chance to go in front when Kelso were penalised for being offside. Burrows stepped up but narrowly missed the kick.

There was one almighty sigh of relief in Poynder Park, as Kelso managed to hold on and secure a very important five-point victory.

Afterwards, Gary Stevens said: “The game started at a hectic pace – with a weight of possession came three well-constructed tries. But the ease of these tries may have had an effect on our intensity and, as we have done before, we let in a couple of easy tries to keep them close.

“This trend stayed throughout the match and created the tense, see-saw match we witnessed.”

He added: “The team has grown well into the structures put in place on attack and defence, but now it’s time for them to focus on their individual responsibility within the systems. This will go a long way to

developing the game we want to play and control.

“But, in saying this, we are happy to get the points and steadily move up the table to where we want to be.”

Kelso: 15 Ross Cooke, 14 Angus Roberts, 13 Iain Sim, 12 Kevin Wilson, 11 Pierre Ebah, 10 Craig Dods, 9 Andy Tait, 1 Sam Karlsen, 2 Ross Henderson, 3 Blair Robertson, 4 Paudie Lawlor, 5 Kieran Dunbar, 6 Kevin Dryden, 8 Kris Mein, 7 Josh Irvine. Subs: 16 Kieran Cooney, 17 Cata Graur, 18 Liam Tait, 19 Andrew Haig, 20 Connor Gillon.

Businesses in Kelso are joining forces in an effort to fill the gap that will be left by the closure of the town’s tourist information centre next week.

More than a dozen businesses in and around the town, all members of the Visit Kelso group, have agreed to become VisitScotland information partners and offer advice to tourists.

VisitScotland hopes that new network of 15 iKnow-accredited partners, as they are known, will help replace the its iCentre in Kelso Town Hall now facing the axe, as reported in the Southern last week.

A country clothing store, gift shop, café, pottery studio and pub are among the businesses that have signed up.

They are among more than 80 such partners across the Borders offering the benefit of their local knowledge to visitors to the region.

Visit Kelso secretary Nikki Allman said: “As a group of local business owners in Kelso and the surrounding area, we realise how important it is to share our local knowledge and insights with our visitors to help make sure they receive a warm welcome and make the most of what there is to see and do in the local area.

“We want our visitors to have a great time in this wonderful part of the country, and we are looking forward to continuing to ensure visitors enjoy a first-class experience.

VisitScotland regional director Paula Ward added: “Visit Kelso does an amazing job at attracting and offering a first-class experience to visitors of Kelso, and we are delighted to welcome the group to our VisitScotland information partner programme.

“It is well-deserved official recognition of the fantastic work that the group already undertakes to promote the local area.

“The programme is designed to allow those working within the tourism industry to become local ambassadors and help provide information, assistance and advice on all there is to see and do here.”

Kelso provost and community council chairman Dean Weatherston is unconvinced that the new arrangement will form an adequate replacement for the tourist information centre, however.

“While I understand the world is moving more towards technology to get our information, and VisitScotland’s figures are no surprise, I was disappointed they didn’t communicate with the community sooner so that different options could be explored,” he said.

“I personally feel there is still a need for a centralised information point, and I’ve already started speaking to people about a way that could be delivered.

“Sadly, yet again Kelso has been let down. Live Borders has stepped in at Hawick, but in Kelso we have just been encouraged to do it ourselves.

“While we will do this because we want our town to be successful, it’s very unfortunate that a town like Kelso, that has so much history and heritage, doesn’t have a museum or tourist information centre because of cuts, yet other towns have seen investment in their museums.”

VisitScotland provides its partners with signage, promotional material and information resources.

The businesses taking part include A Hume Country Clothing, cookware shop One Basket, Focal Point Furniture, the Kelso Pottery, Kelso Border Retreats, micropub Rutherfords, balloon supplier and cafe Seasons, the Cream Chimneys cafe, Borders Cookware and Swans Shoes.

Floors Castle, the Roxburghe Hotel, Kelso Holiday Cottages, Border Holiday Homes and Hendersyde Farm Cottages have also signed up as partners.

For more information, visit www.visitkelso.com or www.visitscotland.org