The A7 road south of Skippers Bridge, Langholm has now re-opened, although the stretch of roadway is now single file traffic being controlled by traffic lights.

The road will close again at 3pm today (Thursday) for about two hours while temporary safety barriers are put in place.

On re-opening, single file operating will again be in place, controlled by traffic lights. This will be the case until full repairs are made to the roadside safety barriers.

The road was closed just south of Skipper’s Bridge earlier today to allow recovery of a 41-ton crane which partially left the road at 5.50pm yesterday evening, the driver was uninjured.

Sergeant Billy Broatch of the trunk roads policing unit said: “I would urge drivers to avoid this area where possible and to consider carefully their journey if it involves this part of the A7.

“Diversions will be in place, however, congestion is expected which will cause delays in journey times.”

A section of the road is also still closed in Selkirk town centre due to vital resurfacing works.

Dog dirt around a primary school in Hawick is endangering the health of pupils, warn staff there.

The problem in the streets around Trinity School, in Trinity Street, is now so bad that a designated member of staff or an adult helper is given the role of canine excrement lookout when pupils take the five-minute walk to the baths at Teviotdale Leisure Centre.

The situation has worsened in recent weeks, and deputy head Jamie Wilson contacted Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson to ask for his support and advice.

The two men have now made a plea for dog owners to clean up their acts and pick up after their pets.

Mr Wilson said: “It really is unacceptable. I have been at the school for just over a year, and it has been a persistent problem throughout that time, but it seems to have got worse recently. We have a member of staff or adult helper leading the children to the baths and looking out for dog dirt, a problem that is particularly bad closest to the school.

“The children are very good and are aware that they need to be careful. You would think that dog owners would realise they should always pick up after their pet, particularly so close to the school, but sadly that is not the case.”

Mr Paterson, a long-time campaigner for responsible pet ownership, said children had been trailing dog dirt back into the school on their shoes.

He added: “Mr Wilson was saying that it has got so bad that when they have to take children out to the baths, they have to have someone in front to look out for dog mess.

“It seems to be getting out of hand. Some children have even trailed it into the school.

“This is being caused by some irresponsible dog owners in the streets adjacent to the school. This is a real health hazard, and I would appeal to dog owners just to use some common sense and pick up after their pets.”

A charity has been given a £3,000 boost in memory of Borders murder victim Alex Stuart.

Netball teammates of Alex, of Peebles, and her grieving family held a tournament as a tribute to her earlier this month and handed over the proceeds at the town’s Save the Children shop last Thursday.

Save the Children was chosen as the charity to benefit because it had always been close to the hearts of Alex, known as Wee Al, and her family, said pal Evanna Holland.

“Wee Al was there for all of us. Whether putting her body on the line in matches or supporting us from the bench, she was a team member through and through,” added Evanna.

More than 70 people took part in the tournament, held at Peebles High School.

“The tournament was proof of the love Peebles has for Wee Al,” said Jen Holmes, captain of the Peebles Hotshots, the team the tragic 22-year-old had played for since last year.

“The turnout was incredible, and the generosity of the businesses for the raffle was overwhelming. We’re still buzzing from the day.

“It was so much fun, and we just can’t thank everyone enough for showing up and showing how much they care.”

Alex, a postwoman, was killed in August in Cuddyside in Peebles.

As a further tribute to her, the Stuart Netball Club has been set up in her memory.

Consultation is now under way over plans to close St Margaret’s RC Primary School in Hawick.

Agreement to carry out that statutory consultation was given at a meeting of Scottish Borders Council’s executive this month, and it started this week.

It will run until Monday, January 22.

A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 5, at 7pm at the Buccleuch Terrace school to give people the opportunity to have their say on the proposals.

An online questionnaire and details will be available at www.scotborders.gov.uk/stmargarets

Paper copies will also be provided at the meeting or by calling 01835 825080.

East Berwickshire councillor Carol Hamilton, the council’s executive member for children and young people, said: “St Margaret’s has sustained a significant fall in the school roll over the past 20 years. There are currently only 14 pupils attending, with only three admitted into primary one over the last three years and none for 2017-18.”

“There are also concerns that such a small school roll limits our ability to offer the pupils a full range of curricular and learning opportunities, particularly in relation to requirements within the Scottish Government’s Curriculum for Excellence and for the development of team skills and group work with children of a similar age.

“The decision to close a school permanently is not one that is taken lightly and is only considered after a wide range of factors are taken into account, with our priority being always to make sure that we are doing all we can to increase educational opportunities and improve outcomes for our children and young people.

“As the consultation gets under way, we would ask that anyone with an interest in the school considers the proposals carefully and provides their feedback so that we can take everyone’s views into account before making our final decision.”

The outcome of the statutory consultation will be presented to councillors in March next year.

A man has been fined £200 at Selkirk Sheriff Court after admitting a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner aggravated by sexual prejudice.

Alan Keddie, 44, pleaded guilty to making homophobic comments during a bust-up over a dog bite at a field at the end of Princes Street, Innerleithen, last month.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said there had been a previous issue between him and his victim regarding a black labrador when the pair came across each other while out walking near the River Tweed.

He said: “The accused approached the complainer, who told him to stay away, but the accused started shouting and pointing his finger at the man saying ‘what are you going to do about it, you p***?’

“This was witnessed by a nearby householder, and the man was alarmed and distressed at what had taken place.”

The court was told the complainer was gay.

Keddie, of Buccleuch Street, Innerleithen, made no reply when cautioned and charged.

Keddie’s lawyer said there had been a previous argument between the two men about an alleged dog bite.

The lawyer continued: “Both parties became agitated.

“He had no knowledge of the complainer’s sexual orientation.

“It was said to annoy him rather than cause any offence.”

A man has been banned from a Kelso pub house until the outcome of a trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Joshua Watson, 24, is accused of shouting and swearing and threatening others with violence at the White Swan, now renamed the Tipsy Ghillie, on October 6.

He also denies a second charge of assaulting a man by repeatedly punching him in the face to his injury.

Watson, of Kelso, pleaded not guilty to both charges, and a trial date was set for February 6, with an intermediate hearing on January 8.

He was released on bail on condition that he doesn’t approach or contact four named people or enter the Tipsy Ghillie.

Background reports have been ordered on a man after he admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner towards a former partner.

Corrie Stanners, 23, of Cherry Park, Tweedbank, appeared from custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty to causing a disturbance at the property in Gala Park, Galashiels, on Monday.

He turned up at the woman’s address under the influence of alcohol despite being told by her to stay away.

Stanners repeatedly knocked on the door and then entered without permission.

He was shouting and swearing and making offensive comments, threatened to kill himself, cut himself with a knife and persisently refused to leave the address.

Sentence was deferred until December 18 at Selkirk Sheriff Court for a criminal justice social work report and a restriction-of-liberty order assessment.

A Galashiels man accused of threatening to burn down a house has been remanded in custody at Jedburgh Sheriff Court pending his trial next month.

Paul Turnbull, 39, appeared from custody and denied a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour on Saturday.

He is alleged to have thrown eggs at the property in Church Square, Galashiels, as well as threatening to burn it down.

Turnbull, of Church Street, also pleaded not guilty to breaching a bail order.

A trial date was set for December 19 at Selkirk Sheriff Court, with an intermediate hearing on November 20.

A Selkirk man has appeared in private at Jedburgh Sheriff Court accused of possessing indecent images of children.

David Keddie, 36, faces a second charge of permitting to be taken indecent photographs of children.

Keddie made no plea, and the case was continued for further examination. He was released on bail.

Four East Lothian men will stand trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court accused of causing damage at a Galashiels guest house.

Ben Cowan and Dale McCallum, both 23, and Lewis McCallum, 24, all of Prestonpans, and Cameron Cunningham, 23, of Port Seton, deny maliciously damaging numerous items of furniture and fittings at Watson Lodge Guest House in Bridge Street, Galashiels, on February 19.

Their trial was set for February 13, with an intermediate hearing on January 29.

Cameron King, 22, of George Street, Peebles, will stand trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court on February 13 accused of assaulting a man to his severe injury.

The offence is alleged to have been committed at a house in Dalatho Crescent, Peebles, on October 15.

An intermediate hearing will be held on January 29.

A motorist has been accused of dangerous driving by colliding with police warning signs and cones at an accident scene on the A1.

Leigh Patterson is charged with driving at excessive speed for the road conditions to the danger of police officers and other workers attending the emergency callout.

The offence is alleged to have been committed on the A1 near Tranent on November 21 last year.

Patterson, 44, of Dean Drive, Tweedmouth, faces a separate complaint of dangerous driving in Shedden Park Road, Kelso, on February 11.

He has pleaded not guilty to both charges and will stand trial at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on December 12.

His bail conditions include not driving another vehicle until after the trial.

When ​Duns mini rugby player Max Martin ran out as a mascot with the Scottish team at Murrayfield on Saturday he was living out his dad Hayden’s dream.

Eight-year-old Max was lucky enough to win a ballot at Duns RFC’s Minis section to be one of the mascots at Saturday’s Autumn Test against the mighty All Blacks.

And there was no-one more delighted than dad Hayden who hails from New Zealand and is a fanatical supporter of the All Blacks - he has even named his house in Duns Eden Park after their national stadium.

Hayden explained that his childhood dream was to one day walk out onto the pitch with his beloved All Blacks. He got very close - he was once a mascot for a provincial side.

Max walked out onto the hallowed Murrayfield turf with Scotland’s Johnny Gray to the roar of a capacity 67,000 crowd and was seen on TV by all his family and friends.

Dad Hayden said: “Big thanks to Duns Minis, it was an awesome day, not just for Max but for the whole family. And all credit to the SRU, they laid everything on for Max.

“The players from both teams dedicated so much time to us after the match, it was a day we will never forget.

“Max is half New Zealander and half Scottish and here he was, getting to walk out with the Scotland team and stand on the same pitch as the mighty All Blacks, how close to your childhood dream can you get?

“When Max walked out with Johnny Gray and the Scotland team, I don’t know who was smiling more, him or his dad! Max said he was a bit nervous when he was waiting in the tunnel with all the noise and firworks etc, but he was fine when he was out on the pitch - and he even sang BOTH national anthems!

“Our whole family is grateful to Duns RFC Minis and the SRU for this great opportunity. It was an unforgettable day. And the All Blacks won - just!”

Youngsters in Hawick will soon be able to go around in circles again, courtesy of almost £5,500 in grant support.

The roundabout in the town’s Moat Park was removed some time ago amid concerns over its safety.

At a meeting of Scottish Borders Council’s Teviot and Liddesdale area locality committee last week, members were invited to dip into the authority’s quality of life fund to pay for a replacement.

They agreed a spending of £5,456.

The move had been proposed by Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson, and he said he was delighted that committee members had backed it.

He added: “The committee went for the roundabout that cost over £5,000. I was actually delighted with that, and several of my young constituents will be over the moon.

“I have been asked by several folk to try and get a new roundabout ever since the last one had to be taken away because of health and safety reasons. They reckoned that if action hadn’t been taken to remove it some poor child would get injured.

“Since then, I have been asking to get a new roundabout for the kids of the West End.”

Members also approved funding for two benches opposite Hermitage Village Hall and Hermitage Castle lay-by, the installation of road gullies at Langraw Cottage and the relocation of the Burnfoot sign to the grassed area opposite Wilton Cemetery’s main entrance.

Apologies in advance, but Stuart Hogg is the best fullback Scotland has ever produced.

After his latest starring performance against the fearsome All Blacks last weekend, almost single-handedly defeating the world champions, has Hogg etched his name as Scotland’s best? In my humble opinion, yes.

Yes, better than Andy Irvine, better than Gavin Hastings, better than Kenny Logan and better than Chris Patterson.

Before I get into this, let it be very clear this is not meant to diminish what all those above achieved on the pitch wearing a Scotland jersey.

They are all still very much in the conversation as Scotland’s greatest ever fullback, having led the country to countless victories, Calcutta Cup wins, Five Nations triumphs and numerous British and Irish Lions tours.

All are still transcendent players who did things 99.99 per cent of other fullbacks simply will never even come close to achieving.

However, Hogg is that one player, that one .001 per cent who has. This column is aiming to highlight what Hogg has managed to achieve in his relatively short career, not dampen what those other Scottish rugby greats did.

This was probably the case even before Hogg almost single-handedly managed to take down the All Blacks last Saturday at a cold and damp Murrayfield Stadium in a performance nothing short of heroic. However, that game wipes out any claims that Irvine, Hastings, Logan and Patterson has to the throne. It’s Hogg to himself.

In his relatively short professional career, he has blazed a trail throughout the rugby world. Having played at all Scotland age-grade levels while starring for Hawick High School, Hawick Wanderers, Hawick and briefly, Heriot’s, signing his first professional contract in 2010, Hogg was eventually selected and earned his first senior cap for Scotland as a replacement against Wales the 2012 RBS Six Nations Championships.

So 2013 would prove to be Hogg’s breakout year, scoring two tries and solidifying his place as Scotland’s starting full-back for years to come. His performance earned him a place on the 2013 winning Lions tour of Australia and set him on a trajectory headed for superstardom.

More success followed during the 2014, despite earning a red card against Wales for a late tackle on Dan Biggar in the Six Nations which led to a brief dip in form for club and country.

Hogg returned to the international fold during the summer against USA and picked-up where he left off. He played a role in Scotland’s 7s team during the 2014 Commonwealth Games, scoring twice as Scotland lost out to South Africa in the medal competition knockout stages.

In 2015, as Scotland laboured to a wooden spoon finish in the Six Nations, Hogg stood out, making the most meters for a full-back (442), beat the most defenders (18) and made the most carries (63) in the competition.

Hogg went on to lift Glasgow Warriors’ first ever Guinness Pro12 title, not featuring as prominently in the final weeks of the season after flirting with a possible move to Ulster, and helped Scotland reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

In 2016, Hogg’s Glasgow side fell a game short of reaching their second consecutive Pro12 final, losing to eventual winners Connacht 16-11, but it was internationally where Hogg shone.

Widely praised as the best fullback in the world following impressive performances against France and Ireland and was later awarded, through a public vote, Six Nations player of the Championship, the first Scottish player to take home the award.

Now on to 2017. Hogg again claimed Six Nations player of the championships as Scotland finished joint second and was selected for his second Lions tour.

While the tour did not go as planned for the Teri star, accidentally injured during a midweek match, Hogg returned to action and, after a number of outstanding performances for the club, the former Hawick High School pupil put on a show against the world champion All Blacks last weekend, earning man-of-the-match honours.

So while Irvine, Hastings, Logan and Patterson may have accumulated more titles, points and honours, Hogg is arguably achieving more given where world rugby is today, and is still only 25 years old.

The age of professionalism had yet to really take hold during Irvine’s and Hastings days, while Logan and Patterson were never considered Scotland’s best during their periods on top.

Hogg is reaching the peak of world rugby when world rugby is full of superstars. When the game is full of physical wrecking balls and in an age when every facet of the game is analysed and dissected in an attempt to find an edge.

That is why Hawick’s own Hogg is Scotland’s greatest of all time, and why we should all take time and marvel in what this young players has achieved and what the future will hold.

The Met Office has warned that most of Scotland, save for a few patches on the East coast, will be hit by ice later this evening, leading to a risk of slippery surfaces and travel problems.

The Yellow warning now means there are two weather warnings in place in Scotland, as the modified Yellow warning for snow that was due to hit overnight is still in place.

A snow assessment from the Chief Forecaster read: “Showers across northern and western Scotland are expected to bring further snowfall with 1-2 cm possible to low levels, and 2-5 cm above around 200 m.”

The icy patches are expected to form underfoot between 6pm this evening, and 10am tomorrow morning, with slippery walking conditions causing difficulty for pedestrians and cyclists.

Travel problems could also hit commuters at rush hour tonight and tomorrow, with difficult driving conditions also reckoned by the Met Office to be a distinct possibility.

Work will start next week on building four new industrial units at Hawick’s Galalaw Business Park.

They’re being constructed by Earlston-based contractor Rodger as part of Scottish Borders Council’s Hawick action plan to provide extra business development and expansion opportunities.

The four units are being paid for out of a £3.6m funding package announced by the Scottish Government in September last year.

The rest of that money will be spent on a business incubator centre created in part of the former Almstrong’s department store in Oliver Crescent and upgrading business facilities at the town’s Tower Mill, in Kirkstile.

Feasibility studies will also be undertaken by the council to assess the potential of other premises in Hawick for possible redevelopment.

Designed by the council’s in-house architects’ team, the single industrial building at Galalaw will be divided into four units but is flexible, enabling businesses to expand into next-door units if required.

Mid Berwickshire councillor Mark Rowley, the authority’s executive member for business and economic development, said: “Thanks to the Scottish Government’s support for the Hawick action plan, created by a partnership including businesspeople, the council and Scottish Enterprise, we are able to develop new and upgraded business infrastructure in the town.

“This will provide the opportunity for existing businesses to expand and create new jobs, encourage new businesses into Hawick and generally act as a catalyst for further inward investment and property redevelopment in Hawick, boosting the local economy.”

The Scottish Government’s money for Hawick is part of a £10m local economic development capital grant fund also supporting businesses in North Ayrshire, Clackmannanshire and Fife.

Tomorrow night’s match in the Booker Border League, between hosts Kelso and BT Premiership leaders Melrose, has been postponed.

The Pool B clash at Poynder Park was to have kicked off at 7.30pm and was previewed in this week’s edition of the Southern Reporter.

However, soon after the paper went to press, it was announced that the match was being called off, as injuries had left Kelso without a front row and therefore unable to field a team.

The encounter will be rearranged at a later date but it’s an unfortunate loss for rugby fans who were looking forward to an intriguing Friday night fixture, featuring two teams from different divisions.

Melrose, the BT Cup holders and with 10 wins out of 10 behind them in the BT Premiership, had kept their winning sequence intact last weekend by defeating Jed-Forest 35-17 in a cup tie at Riverside Park.

Kelso, of course, were promoted to BT National League Division One last season and had warmed up for the Melrose encounter with a 59-17 win in the League Cup at home to Howe of Fife.

Before the decision to shelve tomorrow’s game, Kelso head coach Gary Stevens had said his team were “looking forward to Friday night and challenging our mental and physical fortitude”.

Sporting talent from all corners of Tweeddale turned out in force on Friday at the annual regional ClubSport Awards, held at Peebles Golf Club.

Hosted by ClubSport Tweeddale chairman Aidrian Lucas, who also holds the post of Deputy Lieutenant of Tweeddale, the evening was a true celebration of success for sportsmen and women of all ages and abilities in the region.

Peebles mountain biker Isla Short rode off with the 2017 Sports Personality of the Year following a season which saw her reach the qualifying standard for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Known as the ‘Firegirl’ on the MTB circuit, because of her long red hair, the 21-year- old Peebles Cycling Club member achieved three top 10 places during the 2017 World Cup U23 Series with a career best fourth place at the Val Di Sole event in Italy.

Isla’s international year ended on a high in September with her first C1 win coming at the BeNeLux Cup Sittard in the Netherlands.

Back at home, in Glentress, Isla retained her Scottish Cross Country Championship and is also the current Scottish Cyclocross champion.

“The support I have had in the Borders has been invaluable,” she said. “Both ClubSport Tweeddale, along with the Borders Athlete Support Programme, gave me my first experience of receiving funding and help from the area I lived in and it has really helped me progress within my sport.

“Being part of Peebles Cycling Club and Glentress and Innerleithen Mountain Bike clubs has also played a huge part and I feel so lucky to have all this on my doorstep.”

Looking ahead to her trip to the Gold Coast in April, Isla said: “I have my goals but it’s my first major Games, so I am really trying to treat it as an experience rather than aiming for a result. It’s hard to do that when you always want to be the best you can be, though, and I’m really excited about it.”

Having some of the best facilities for the sport in the country in Tweeddale, it was no surprise when another young mountain biker, Anna McGorum, collected the Junior Sports Personality of the Year trophy.

Among her achievements this year, Anna (16) can boast finishing third in the British Cross Country Series; fourth in the British Championship; representing Scotland at the Youth European MTB Championships; selection for the GB MTB Junior Development Squad and winning the 2017 Youth XC Scottish Championship.

Swimming sensation Tony Prior, one of four swimmers to help establish a development tier in the Borders Barracudas Squad, was named Disability Sports Personality of the Year.

Experiencing his first competitive meet at the Lothian Autumn Gala in Prestonpans, Tony achieved several podium finishes and personal best times.

The sport of Boccia is proving ever-popular in the Borders and beyond, and assisting this phenomenon was Peebles Sessions coach Callum MacDonald, who was duly named as Coach of the Year.

Callum’s caring nature means he is willing to do anything for his team mates and for the overall success of the Borders Boccia Club. His commitment has proven just this and the team adore him.

Willem La Grange was named Junior Coach of the Year. Having gained his level one UKCC coaching qualification earlier this year, he coaches the P1-P3 judo class at Peebles Judo Club and often makes sure the club’s adult members do not miss out on their fitness training either, with his exuberant warm-up sessions.

For the second week on the bounce, a primary school outfit ran out with the Team of the Year title at the regional awards. Priorsford PS Girls Athletics Team were this week’s young recipients, following a most successful season.

Coached by Richard (Mr) Edge, Team A were crowned Scottish at the Scottish Schools Road Relay in Grangemouth with Team B in second, a first for any school in Scotland. Part of that team took part in the Sportshall Athletics, who won the Peeblesshire competition, and later took the Borders title in Galashiels.

At the Borders Schools Cross Country Championships, the Priorsford team repeated its winning feat of the previous year before becoming the Scottish Schools Cross Country Champions.

Part of the team were crowned East of Scotland Sportshall Athletics Champions, still the only school from the Borders to win this event, while at the 3 Bridges Race, Team A finished the gruelling 2.5km race in first to fourth place inclusive, to be named champions.

Having raised over £12,500 in the last 10 months, Innerleithen Tennis Club’s dedication to providing tennis opportunities to everyone in the community, as well as showing commitment to grow and develop local coaches, earned it the Club of the Year title.

The Scottish Association of Local Sports Councils Award for Service to Local Sport went to Peebles Swimming Club stalwarts Ann Duncan and Val Shaw.

Both ladies have provided the club committee with stability for over three decades and their breadth of knowledge has helped to maintain the sustainability of the club for its younger members.

Galashiels Academy pupils Max and Lex Rogerson made a highly impressive impact at the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu European Championships in the Midlands last weekend, taking home a gold and silver medal.

First up was 14-year-old Lex, who competed for the gold against English-based Polish competitor Kamil Fordon.

Lex started well against his rival, who was representing the renowned Gracie Barra Academy.

Seconds into the contest, Lex locked in a Guillotine choke to which Fordon submitted – only to discover the move was forbidden for under 16s and he received a two-point penalty for his troubles.

Undeterred, Lex went on to dominate the rest of the contest and was victorious by a score of 10-2, confirming himself as European Gold Medal Champion.

Next up was older brother Max (16), who had a very difficult task against five tough opponents.

In his quarter-final match, he was drawn against Spain’s Carlos Martin Paadin and, like his brother, quickly locked in a Guillotine choke, forcing the Spaniard to submit in an impressive time of 13 seconds. The semi-final was against a much more formidable adversary in 2016 British BJJ Champion Alex Gleeson, who would probably have been considered the division’s favourite beforehand.

The more experienced Gleeson dominated the early positional exchanges and, with the majority of the contest over and Max behind heavily on points, it became clear he could only win via submission.

Seizing the opportunity late in the contest, he locked in his favoured finishing move, the Guillotine. Gleeson was locked in for a number of seconds before finally tapping out, securing Max the silver medal.

Max’s gold nedal match was agasint MMA fighter Luke Penberthy, who was quite fresh, having received a quarter final bye and a comfortable semi-final victory. A clearly fatigued Max was competitive for the first two minutes but, with the score at 2-2, he found himself running on empty and was forced to submit via triangle choke.

The brothers, trained by Kevin Hamilton at the Training Station in Tweedbank on Wednesday and Friday evenings, will be attempting to take the British Open title in three weeks’ time.

Anyone interested in taking up BJJ can contact Kevin on 0783 344 8839.