Community councillors in Galashiels are set to explore options to better market it as a tourist destination, including possibly twinning with a town in England.

That move comes after Judith Cleghorn, chairperson of Galashiels Community Council, saw a sent-in photograph of the 2018 Braw Lad and Braw Lass, Greg Kelly and Kimberley O’May, shown on the Channel 4 programme Sunday Brunch.

She told the latest meeting of the community council: “I don’t think the presenters knew where Galashiels was, never mind about the braw lad and lass.

“I was so disappointed that they didn’t know anything about it, but then why would they?

“They are 300 miles away, but 300 miles isn’t that far these days. Should we be doing something to market it in England?”

Mrs Cleghorn said that the community council had previously talked about finding a twin town for Galashiels.

“Other towns in the Borders are twinned with places in France or Germany, but Gala isn’t twinned with anywhere,” she said. “Is this a trick we are missing?”

And Mrs Cleghorn believes a suitable twin town would not have to be thousands of miles away.

“Why can’t we twin with somewhere in England? For instance, Huddersfield? We have got Huddersfield Street here – it’s not called Huddersfield Street for nothing.

“We could arrange sports fixtures and things between the two places.”

Drew Tulley also felt that more should be done to market Galashiels outside the town.

Referring to last month’s third Scottish Borders Walking Festival, he said: “Walking is big business. It’s a big issue, and it needs publicising. I never see anything about Gala.”

Harry Scott, one of three councillors for Galashiels at Scottish Borders Council, added: “I think we have a shocking service from VisitScotland. It’s all Highland cows and kilts.

“I have to really search on their website to find anything about the Borders.”

Fewer than half of Borders Railway services to Tweedbank arrive on time, latest figures reveal.

Only 49.5% of the 33 trains a day to the terminus from Edinburgh get there as scheduled or within a minute of their due time, according to ScotRail statistics for April.

Some 87.8% of services over the last year arrived within five minutes of their scheduled time, though, not far short of the transport operator’s moving annual average public performance measure target of 89.4%.

That’s not good enough, however, says Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP Rachael Hamilton, and she is calling for improvements to services on the 30-mile line, opened in 2015.

“The Borders Railway is cherished and much loved throughout the Borders. It has, however, been plagued by performance issues,” she said.

“The Scottish Government must get to the bottom of why performance problems remain an issue on the Borders line and help resolve them.

“Summer is here, and it is now more important than ever that those who want to come to the Scottish Borders have a reliable train service to do so on.

“A more reliable service means more visitors, and more visitors means a stronger Borders economy.”

A ScotRail spokesperson defended the service’s record, though, saying: “The figure quoted is for services that terminate at Tweedbank. This figure does not incorporate trains travelling from Tweedbank to Edinburgh.

“The moving annual average is in place to take account of the fluctuations that seasonality or one-off incidents that can greatly impact on performance can have on overall performance.

“Across ScotRail, more than nine out of 10 trains, 92%, met their target public performance measure from April 1 to 28, the best since September 2017.

“The measure for the Borders Railway for that four-week period, from Edinburgh to Tweedbank and Tweedbank to Edinburgh, stood at 89.1%.

“The measure to date for the current period, April 29 to May 26, stands at 93.6%.

“ScotRail continues to be the best performing large operator in the UK.

“The autumn 2017 review by Nick Donovan has led to 20 performance improvement tecommendations being accepted by the ScotRail Alliance.

“These are currently being implemented and will help address asset and fleet reliability but also include cross-functional systematic recommendations.

“Performance is not where we want it to be, and as this year progresses, our customers will continue to see improvements as more of the recommendations begin to support the improvement of the day-to-day running of services.

“We are building the best railway Scotland has ever had, and service performance is a huge part of this delivery.

“Everyone at the ScotRail Alliance is working together to deliver these improvements.”

Proposals to restrict parking in Melrose’s town centre are causing uproar among residents there without any off-street parking of their own.

Scottish Borders Council has put forward plans to introduce no waiting rules and restrict parking to just two hours in both Buccleuch Street and Abbey Place in a bid to improve road safety and increase traffic flow in the town centre.

But more than a dozen residents turned out for Melrose Community Council’s meeting last week to air their objections, accusing the council of failing to balance the needs of residents and shopkeepers.

Christopher Press, of Buccleuch Street, said: “It seems the council is treating Buccleuch Street as if it contains shops and businesses when it is actually almost entirely residential.

“One of the reasons given is flow of traffic and road safety, but it’s going to be worse if you have people toing and froing from parking spaces

“I think what the council calls ‘consolidating existing traffic regulations’ in reality means bureaucratic tidying-up and has no genuine purpose.”

Mr Press’s wife Ann added: “It is not balanced with the perceived requirements of shops and businesses.

“They want people to keep moving, but we, as residents, don’t want to keep moving.

“I would quite simply ask each and every one of you if you would like to move your car like clockwork every two hours.”

Fellow Buccleuch Street resident Isobel Slorance, asked: “What about people with mobility problems? I would have to walk quite a distance. I would have to park at either end of the town just to get to my house.”

The order, if introduced, would limit waiting and parking on a length of Weirhill Place, introduce no waiting in lengths of Abbey Street Buccleuch Street and Chiefswood Road, meaning that waiting would be limited to two hours between 9am and 5pm with no return within an hour.

Leaderdale and Melrose councillor David Parker said: “It’s very much being driven by the high turnover of traffic. We are certainly very aware of what people are thinking about it.

“There is a significant weight of objection, there’s no doubt about that.”

He added: “Once we have had an opportunity to look at that, we will make a decision.

“Nothing will happen without further consultation with residents.”

Consultation on the proposals ends this Thursday, May 24.

A funding boost of £9,800 has come as music to the ears of young Borderers this week as it secures the extension of their creative music programme for another year.

Galashiels-based Youth Borders has been awarded £9,800 from the Scottish Government’s Cashback for Creativity fund to keep its Sound Cycle project going.

The project, started 18 months ago, works with youngsters to help them gain confidence, learn new skills and build self-esteem through music.

The young musicians are set to release their second album, entitled Warp, this year and will be a star turn at this year’s Borders Book Festival on Saturday, June 16.

The cross-border project has an estimated reach of around 3,000 and relies on the help of more than 500 volunteers across different youth work spectrums.

Youth Borders chief officer Clare De Bollo said: “Sound Cycle has developed into a recognised brand in the past year and provides fantastic and different opportunities for young people to access music in all forms.

“There are no barriers. Anyone can take part, with lots, little or no experience, or with just a love of music and a desire to try new things.

“With the tremendous expertise and networks of project co-ordinator James Mackintosh, we are able to access professionals, events and workshops that wouldn’t otherwise be available in this large rural area, where access is often a barrier and opportunities narrowed to the larger towns and cities.”

Selkirk’s Philiphaugh Community School has also received £6,365 to fund a sculpture making project for children aged 10 to 13 living in Bannerfield.

The youngsters will be assisted by Borders sculptor Lara Green to make a new piece of work for the estate.

Teacher Becca Mackenzie said: “Lara ‘s project will inspire creativity using our local environment and develop original artwork for our school grounds.”

CashBack for Creativity is funded by the Scottish Government through the CashBack for Communities programme, which redistributes the proceeds of crime to benefit young people.

Jim Sweeney MBE, CEO YouthLink Scotland, the national agency for youth work, said: “CashBack is truly unique, Scotland is the only government within the UK that is using cash seized from criminals and putting it back where it should be, right at the heart of communities, to enrich and invest in our young people through creative opportunities through great youth work.”

With seven rideouts under his belt and only a handful still to go, Hawick Cornet Gareth Renwick is the first to admit he wishes time could slow down for just a moment.

Around 120 riders rode with him on the 20-odd mile rideout to Philhope Bridge on Saturday, and 70 more followed to Priesthaugh on Tuesday.

“Like last week everyone was making the most of the weather on Saturday,” he said. “The tents were down, and everyone was mixing together and there was a close atmosphere, which, to me, is what it should be like.

“We had an excellent number on Tuesday too, and while the weather wasn’t quite as nice, it was dry.

“Everything is going to plan so far – I just want it to slow down a bit – it’s going too quick.”

Last Thursday’s junior ride saw around 60 primary school children follow Gareth on horseback around Hawick’s Wilton Lodge Park.

“The junior ride was a brilliant night,” Gareth added. “I fair enjoyed it. Too see all their chuffed faces when they got their rosettes, that’s what it’s all about.”

Now all roads will lead to Mosspaul on Saturday as Gareth leads the 24-mile round trip to the historic site.

Horses leave Backdamgate at noon and arrive at Mosspaul at 3pm. They depart again at 5pm and the Hawick Saxhorn Band willlead the cavalcade from Volunteer Park,arriving at Tower Knowe around 8pm. The times are identical for Tuesday’s repeated journey to Mosspaul.

It’s the time of year when hay fever sufferers are exposed to copious amount of lavish floral displays in gardens and at weddings that they simply can’t enjoy due to their allergies.

It’s an affliction that affects 29% of Brits with irritating symptoms such as itchy eyes, a runny nose, wheeziness, sneezing and fatigue.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom.

Discover a host of flowers that hay fever sufferers can enjoy with these hand-picked suggestions from Voucherbox to guarantee a fix of floral aromas for all this summer.

A murder accused was assessed by a mental health nurse as being a risk to others days before he killed a postwoman, a court heard today.

Psychiatric nurse Ross Whitehead spoke to Nicholas Rogers – on trial for the murder of Peebles postwoman Alex Stuart – last August after being told he had been complaining about having suicidal thoughts.

A few days before that, Rogers’ then girlfriend had contacted NHS Borders’ mental health team saying he was the “worst he has been” and asking if there was a spare bed at the Huntlyburn ward at the Borders General Hospital in Melrose.

Mr Whitehead told a court that when he spoke to Rogers on August 4, he was “more amenable” and his responses were “more appropriate”.

He confirmed that he identified two risk factors, suicidal thinking and one classed as a risk to others but he told the High Court in Glasgow he wasn’t able to say what he meant by his notes.

The 27 year-old went on to stab to death Alex in Cuddyside in Peebles last August 6.

The former customer services worker admits killing the 22 year-old but claims he was suffering from an abnormality of the mind at the time.

In evidence, Mr Whitehead said he met Rogers for the first time on July 24, last year.

He confirmed he knew Rogers had taken a “mixed overdose” of 100 different tablets earlier that month.

The court heard that when they met, Mr Whitehead identified him as a potential risk to others at that stage.

Defence QC Brian McConnachie asked: “On July 24, albeit it doesn’t amount to much, you have identified there’s a potential risk which comes from what you have been told by him are anger issues?

“He’s given examples of previously punching people in the past when feeling angry.”

The witness agreed with both those points.

The court heard that Rogers’ ex-girlfriend Katrina Kelly, 19, spoke to Mr Whitehead on August 2 with concerns about him.

Mr McConnachie asked: “What Mr Rogers seems to tell you is that he’s unsure what has happened the past two days and feels he has no control over this?”

The witness replied: “That’s what he said, yes.”

Mr Whitehead confirmed that after speaking to Rogers he noted two risk factors, of suicidal thinking and “assess at the time, can be intimidating when under the influence of alcohol”, under the heading of ‘risk to others’.

Asked what that meant, he said he didn’t know.

The trial, before judge Lord Alan Summers, continues.

Drunks and undesirables must be stopped from turning Melrose into a “war zone” during its annual rugby sevens tournament, say town centre residents.

Reports of antisocial behaviour and alcohol-fuelled disruption following last month’s event were shared with the town’s community council last week.

Chris John has lived with his wife Helen at the foot of High Street for 21 years and he says that fans’ behaviour after the day’s games is getting worse every year, having witnessed some defecating and urinating outside his home this time round.

“I would love to say Melrose Sevens is the best in Europe, but I can’t if it continues to be a war zone after 8pm,” he said. “We are in the front trenches. We see it all and time.”

Mr John also claimed around £100 worth of damage was done to his property following last year’s event.

“Over 21 years, I have watched this situation go from reasonable to unreasonable.

“Once upon a time, I would see two policemen on the High Street. Now there are dozens. It’s an observation that it’s going downhill. It’s not a criticism of the police, I fully support them.”

Melrose police officer Calum Wilson confirmed there had been 111 calls in the town over the last six weeks, a figure slightly higher than normal.

There were 21 alcohol seizures on the day, he added.

“They are taking all reasonable steps to stop people getting into a situation where these things happen, but you can’t stop them happening all the time,” he said.

More than 12,000 spectators attended the Greenyards for the 128th playing of Melrose Sevens last month.

The tournament started in 1883 and today yields an economic benefit of between £1.5m and £2m for the region.

Among Mr John’s suggestions for tackling the problems are reducing the hours alcohol is available, currently 10am to midnight in most of the town’s pubs, and asking those supplying it to contribute to an insurance scheme to pay for any damage suffered by residents.

He also asked if the town should look into introducing a by-law stopping alcohol consumption on the streets.

Leaderdale and Melrose councillor David Parker replied; “We did consult on whether the Borders wanted this about six years ago, and the result was a universal no,” he said. “That is something we have not been able to take forward.”

He added: “The club have been very responsible and have reduced the amount of alcohol within the grounds.

“They steward the event very carefully and into the evening. They have been exemplary in policing the consumption of alcohol, but it’s the nature of the event and the crowds.”

Bed-and-breakfast owner Mike Dalgetty added: “Because of the success of the event, there are groups of undesirables that come to the town. They are not at the event or the party in the tent. They just come to cause trouble. It’s a social problem.”

“I think the rugby club understands its responsibility, it’s not their fault.”

Last month, the club were criticised for the disruption and closures of public spaces up to two weeks before the event, and an agreement over increased warning and signage has been met.

A Tweeddale poultry farmer has launched the latest in a long line of bids to diversify his business.

Andrew Cleghorn, owner of Cleek Poultry, has submitted a planning application for a caravan park on his farm on the banks of the Tweed.

The planning application represents the latest in a succession of attempts to establish new ventures or create new facilities on his eight-acre smallholding at Kirkburn, near Cardrona.

His previous efforts to expand have included rejected applications to build mushroom-growing sheds, a flotation pool for cattle, a cold-storage shed for poultry and even a pyramid designed for multi-faith worship.

In 2016, he failed to get planning consent to erect a statue of the mythical Herne the Hunter, along with an altar and sacred well.

These rejections were later endorsed by Scottish Borders Council’s local review body.

The latest application, if approved, would see the creation of a 7,000sq m caravan site able to house 20 short-stay caravans, with parking spaces for 40 vehicles.

The proposed development would border the now-disused William Cree Memorial Church, as well as the remains of a graveyard.  

The council has received a separate planning application from Mr Cleghorn to build a terrace of five holiday lodges on his farm.

In 2016, the council approved plans for several holiday lodges and chalets on the farm, as well as an office and laundry facilities, but they were never built.

Planning approval has been granted for the conversion of a former bar and restaurant in Galashiels into an office and industrial unit.

The application has been granted for the former Buddies American diner and grill in the town’s High Street.

Carlos Clarke, the council’s lead planning officer, said: “This application seeks consent to convert a former public house, more recently a bar and restaurant, to form offices and a light industrial workshop,

“The proposal comprises no external alterations aside from removal of a shipping container which, in any case, has outstayed its consent which was granted for five years in 2011.

“The property is located within the town centre, and comprises a single-storey building with a frontage onto the High Street. It is flanked by residential, commercial and industrial uses and backs onto an area alongside a nearby job centre, as well as industrial area beyond to the west.

“The proposal will support the town centre, and provide accessible business space within a highly accessible location near to other industrial uses, without coming into conflict with other uses.”

An award-winning social enterprise group based in Hawick has agreed a sponsorship deal with Selkirk’s Bowhill Estate for a third consecutive year.

The funds will assist Hawick Congregational Church in Bourtree Place to continue to offer a weekly affordable lunch menu as part of its Reaching Out community project.

The Soupalunch group is staffed by volunteers who serve up homemade dishes, including toasties, filled rolls and cakes.

Sara Richardson, visitor services and marketing manager at Bowhill Estate, said: “We are delighted to support this superb local group for the third year.

“I had the chance to visit Soupalunch recently and spend the time with its volunteers and those enjoying a hearty lunch.”

Geraldine Strickland, development worker and project manager for Reaching Out, added: “As a small local charity, we are truly delighted to have the support of the team at Bowhill House.”

Soupalunch is open to the whole community and takes place each Wednesday between noon and 1pm with around 60 people of all ages attending.

Selkirk Colonial Society is delighted to report that once again there will be a large turnout of exiles and visitors from overseas at this year’s common riding.

Details of those who are known to the society are as follows: Gordon Kirkbright, John Graham, Jane Graham, Alisdair Piercy (colonial standard bearer) and his wife Sarah Piercy and children Cameron & MacKinley, John and Joan Brown, Ken and Linda McWhinnie, Sheila Collins and Jennifer Begley (all Canada); George Thomson and Keith Connor and family (New Zealand); Judith, Ryan, Sofia and Gabriella Diaz (UAE); Norman Smail (Tasmania); Svetlana Kostakova (Russia); Jim Podge Anderson (Spain); Dorothy Bjorklund, daughter Madeleine and grandsonson Oscar (Sweden); and Kim Spool and Steve Abbot (USA).

All the visitors will be introduced to the audience at the annual colour bussin’ in the Victoria Halls on Wednesday, June 13 (tickets available from McCuddens Newsagents and the post office from Saturday), which will then be followed by an overseas visitors reception hosted by the colonial society.

Watsonians, as predicted, did enough in their opening game to seal overall victory in the 2018 Kings of the Sevens series.

But the limelight was partially stolen from them on the final day at Jed-Forest, as their closet rivals, Melrose, comprehensively beat them in the final to deprive them of a win in the closing contest.

Watsonians arrived at Riverside Park with such a big lead that they only needed victory from the first match to secure an unassailable points total, and they comfortably saw off Gala 35-5.

Hosts Jed-Forest, keen to give a good account of themselves in their own event, after a season in which they almost made the BT Premiership, reached the semi-finals, where they gave the Myreside men a very close run. In the final, Melrose were 19-0 up at the break, through tries from Lewis Reid and Ross McCann (2), followed by others from Craig Jackson, who added four conversions, and Bruce Colvine. Watsonians’ sole reply was a try from Willie Thomson, for a final score of 33-5. Jed’s sevens convenor, Ross Goodfellow, said they could not have wished for a better day weather-wise and everyone seemed to enjoy the occasion. Results: First round – Heriot’s 43, Hawick 14; Melrose 31, Musselburgh 5; Langholm 21, Hamilton 39; Edinburgh Accies 22, Kelso 19; Hearts & Balls VII 36, Peebles 5; Watsonians 35, Gala 5; Jed-Forest 42, President’s VII 21; Selkirk 24, Berwick 10.

Quarter-finals – Heriot’s 21, Melrose 35; Hamilton 12, Edinburgh Accies 43; Hearts and Balls VII 5, Watsonians 31; Jed-Forest 41, Selkirk 5.

Semi-finals – Melrose 41, Edinburgh Accies 14; Watsonians 17, Jed-Forest 15.

Final – Melrose 33, Watsonians 5.

Four Scottish pubs have been recognised as the best in their region at the Pub and Bar Awards in London last night.

Four Scottish pubs have been recognised as the best in their region at the 2018 Pub and Bar Awards in London last night.

Edinburgh bar Innis & Gunn Beer Kitchen scooped the award for the best pub in the southeast of Scotland, while WEST on the Green in Glasgow was recognised as the best pub in the southwest of the country at the glitzy ceremony.

The Plockton Hotel in the country's Wester Ross region was named as the northwest of Scotland's best pub and the Old Mill Inn in Pitlochry was named as the northeast's best pub.

Innis & Gunn Beer Kitchen, Edinburgh

Despite serving its first pint only three years ago Lothian Road watering hole Beer Kitchen has quickly racked up a loyal following due to an exceptional range of beers including Innis and Gunn's very own brews.

The success of the bar has seen Innis and Gunn expand their range of venues to Glasgow and Dundee.

WEST on the Green, Glasgow

WEST on the Green's stylish venue inspired by the beer halls of Bavaria is well matched with its range of German-inspired beers.

Housed in the Templeton Building off Glasgow Green, the venue has long been popular with locals and tourists alike for its winning combination of quality food and drink, and inviting atmosphere.

The Plockton Hotel, Plockton

The Plockton Hotel is serenely situated above Loch Carron which washes over the palm tree lined Plockton Beach.

This establishment is a popular pitstop for those who travel the NC500 due to its fantastic selection of fresh seafood dishes and locally sourced ingredients. In recent years the pub has been named the AA pub of the year and the Les Routiers Pub of the Year

The Old Mill Inn, Pitlochry

This lively family owned inn offers an exciting range of ales and beers, as well as an innovative selection of cocktails.

Its situation in the pleasant tourist town of Pitlochry makes it the perfect base for exploring Perthshire and the Highlands.

Best in the country

While the pubs claimed the title of best pub in their given regions, the accolade of best pub in the UK was awarded to Sussex pub The White Horse Inn.

“What makes the National Pub & Bar Awards so special is that everyone in that theatre was there to celebrate being the best in their county,” said Tristan O’Hana, editor of Pub & Bar magazine, which hosts the awards. “The occasion is an opportunity for the whole of the UK to acknowledge the incredible work that these businesses do for us all

Strong easterly winds created a challenging experience for the 100 or so competitors taking part in Sunday’s Selkirk Triathlon, run by charitable trust Live Borders.

Picking up his third consecutive Borders title of the season was Edinburgh triathlete Craig Dale, who has won the event thrice in the past and was elated to do so again.

“I have had a brilliant start to the season and this event was my first standard distance of the season, which brought a new level of pain, but I’m really pleased with how it went,” he said.

“It was very windy, which made the start of the cycle very slow and hard, and the last few kilometres of the run were brutal.

“Overall, I was really happy with my form and I did it six minutes quicker than last year, so that’s a good marker for me going into the slighter longer half Iron Man distances.”

A member of the Hartree JETS club, Craig is a qualified GP and spent 18 months of his training at the Borders General Hospital, when he also found time to run and cycle much of the surrounding area.

“I really enjoy competing back down here,” he added. “The scenery is stunning and there are some good, challenging climbs to tackle, which is all good for me.

The only Standard event on the Borders circuit, the Selkirk round attracted entries from near and far, including Haddington athlete Shona Bathgate, who celebrated her 50 th birthday by taking top honours in her age category and was third in the female overall.

“This has just been a fantastic day,” she said. “My family (including sister Laura, who lives near Melrose) all came to support me and people were shouting out birthday wishes as I went round.

“People are all so friendly in the Borders and it makes the events even more special. We are going to finish off the celebrations in Melrose.”

Swapping his shirt and tie for a marshalling jacket for the day was Live Borders chief executive Ewan Jackson, who said: “There is a real buzz surrounding the Borders Triathlon events and the popularity of them has been growing year on year.

“Credit for that must go to the Live Borders Sports Development team, which organises the Series and, of course, the many volunteers, without whom we would not be able to stage it.” Selkirk Standard Triathlon results:

Overall Male: 1 Craig Dale (2 hours 4 minutes and 47 seconds), 2 John Lenehan (2.07.30), 3 Ian Veitch (2.11.32).

Overall Female: 1 Anne Ewing (2.22.53), 2 Lynne McKerlie (2.28.33), 3 Shona Bathgate (2.36.12).

First Junior Male: Sam McGrath (2.04.47).

First Senior Male: Craig Dale (2.10.40).

First Senior Female: Anne Ewing (2.22.53).

First Male Vet 40: Steven D’Arcy (2.25.08).

First Female Vet 40: Isobel Joiner (2.47.45).

First Male Vet 50: Adrian Sowerby (2.21.55).

First Female Vet 50: Shona Bathgate (2.36.12).

First Male Vet 60: William Bunyan (02.33.51).

First Female Vet 60: Gillian Kennedy (04.24.17).

Full results can be found at www.stuweb.co.uk/results.html.

The next event in the senior Series will be the Eyemouth Sprint Triathlon and Come &Try events, hosted by Eyemouth Leisure Centre (01890 750 557), on Sunday, June 17.

Eyemouth Sprint Triathlon – Distances: 750m swim, 19.14km cycle and 4.66km run. Start time: Sprint starts 9am. Race registration 7am-8.35am.

Eyemouth Come & Tri: Distances: 400m swim, 10.88km cycle and 2.33km run. Start time: Come & Tri starts 9am. Race registration 7am.

For further information emailtriathlon@liveborders.org.uk.

It’s been described as one of the most important days of education a child will ever have and it continues to enthrall all pupils who attend.

The Border Union Agricultural Society’s schools countryside day brought 10-year-olds from all over the region to Springwood Park in Kelso on Tuesday.

While the weather for the day failed to hit the highspots of the preceding fortnight, it didn’t seem to bother the pupils.

A plethora of hands-on activities and demonstrations are laid on by many companies and individuals relying on the countryside for a living.

Children learn where their food comes from and how it gets to their plate, they are often inspired to consider career options, and they see where they themselves can fit into the grand spectrum of rural life.

As well as getting hands on with a whole range of farmyard animals – from cute chicks and month-old piglets to far larger horses and cattle – the children’s sheer delight at being able to sit on tractors and quad bikes, sell sheep at auction, spin and weave wool, mill their own flour, watch how sausages are made and marvel at how sheepdogs do their job showed just how important this day is for them.

Despite so many separate groups milling around, and so many stalls for them to see, the fantastic organisation of the event ensures it runs like clockwork.

For Ron Wilson, the retiring secretary of the society and his wife Joan, this year’s countryside day is their last hurrah.

He told us: “I think the kids are the least affected by the weather. They are pretty resilient. While outdoor displays of farm machinery might get a quick walk past, there is plenty of things under cover for them.

“I think the livestock marquee is absolutely fascinating for them this year, with two-day-old chicks and 10-week-old pigs, and there are loads of demonstrations and activities in the main hall.

“It has been a pleasure to bring the countryside that bit closer to so many children over the years.”

Watching the pupils enjoy their day out was East Berwickshire councillor Carol Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for children and young people.

She said: “This is an amazing day for children to come and enjoy and see what the Scottish Borders and the rural areas have to offer.

“It’s so exciting to see them react to the cows, the piglets and the big machinery.

“It’s very important for them to understand where their food comes from and the economy of the Borders, and to understand what is out there for them to be a part of.”

Visiting the event in his role as lord high commissioner to the general assembly of the Church of Scotland was the 10th Duke of Buccleuch, Richard Scott, and he said: “In this year of young people, it is particularly important that a future generation has a chance to understand the vital place of agriculture in our Borders economy and countryside, and I warmly congratulate the organisers and all who participate for creating a fascinating and enjoyable day out.”

It has long been a bugbear in the Borders that as soon as youngsters are old enough they will hotfoot it to the city or head to university and not come back.

However, by instilling a love of rural life at such an impressionable age, this trend could be a thing of the past.

The battle to save five Borders banks facing the axe might have been lost, following the closure of the first of them this week, but the fight to keep another branch open goes on.

Selkirk’s Royal Bank of Scotland branch shut on Monday, and it will be followed by those at Duns on Tuesday, June 5; Eyemouth on Monday, June 11; Hawick on Thursday, June 14; and Jedburgh on Monday, June 18.

Melrose’s RBS branch was originally scheduled to follow suit and shut its doors on Thursday, June 21, but it was one of 10 nationwide given a stay of execution in February.

Townsfolk are being warned that is only a temporary reprieve until the end of the year, though, and if customer footfall does not increase at the High Street bank over the next few months, its days will be numbered too.

That warning was issued at last week’s meeting of Melrose Community Council.

Council chairman William Windram said: “As we know, our RBS bank is still under threat of closure.

“If we wish the bank to continue, you must use it.

“I’d urge anyone, even if just withdrawing money, to actually go inside to the bank counter to do so.”

RBS bosses will carry out a review of custom at the Melrose branch at the end of the year to determine whether it is viable to remain open into 2019.

It was given a stay of execution because there are no other banks nearby.

Of the six branches in the Borders originally in line to be closed, only Melrose’s meets that criterion as it has been the sole bank there since the closure of its Bank of Scotland rival in Market Square in October 2016.

All five other towns in the Borders that RBS is pulling out of – Hawick, Jedburgh, Selkirk, Duns and Eyemouth – are home to Bank of Scotland branches.

Hawick and Jedburgh host another bank apiece besides their RBS and Bank of Scotland branches, a Santander in the former and TSB in the latter.

Councillors have refused to grant planning permission for a house in Gattonside next to the former home of architect Peter Womersley.

Scottish Borders Council’s local review body was this week asked to review the case after council officers rejected an initial application by Mr and Mrs A Matthew, of Gattonside, to build a new home in the Loan.

The house, north west of the Gables, would have bordered the Rig, a self-designed home built in 1957 and then occupied by Mr Womersley.

His modernist designs, such as the football stadium at Netherdale and High Sunderland House, near Selkirk, won him worldwide recognition, and the Rig is now a listed building.

However, the main concern raised by planning officers is the accessibility of the narrow road leading to it, said by residents to have reached full capacity.

One objector, neighbour Stuart Folkes, wrote: “I am concerned that the number of cars that regularly use the road could be understated.

“There are currently nine residences and each house could conceivably have up to four cars.

“The road is very narrow, with very limited passing places and it is in poor repair as it is.”

The applicants requested that the decision be looked at by councillors as they felt a disproportionate emphasis was placed on the suitability of the road, and in their appeal notice they claim that the road is no narrower than others in Gattonside and has been used for years without incident.

Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton said: “Gattonside is a beautiful place to live, and there is obviously a demand for housing.

“It is infill, so I’m quite satisfied that it is an area suitable for housing development. However, I think what we’re all concerned about is the road. The main area of concern is the extra traffic that would be generated by another house.

“It is very, very difficult to get a perspective on it as because it’s an infill site I’m sympathetic to it, but I am very worried about the road.

“I think we have to go with the information that the officers have given us, and I do believe that there is an issue here.

“I’d applaud them for finding the right site, but not for finding the right road.”

Councillors voted in favour of upholding their officers’ decision, and planning consent was denied.

It’s been described as one of the most important days of education a child will ever have and it continues to enthrall all pupils who attend.

The Border Union Agricultural Society’s schools countryside day brought 10-year-olds from all over the region to Springwood Park in Kelso on Tuesday.

Click on the box above to see our photo gallery from the day.

And click here for the full story

Borders bride Stacey Dyer was a princess for the day as she and fiancé Stuart Johnson tied the knot at much the same time as the royal nuptials were happening in Windsor.

Some 600 guests packed St George’s Chapel to see Prince Harry marry Meghan Markle, with millions more watching worldwide, and 88 of the Johnsons’ friends and family were on hand to celebrate with their own happy couple as they exchanged vows at Abbotsford, near Melrose.

“It was a wonderful day,” Stuart, 35, told us. “Stacey looked beautiful. The weather really made it. We had everything planned for being outside, and the gardens at Abbotsford are really nice.

“Everyone said it was the best wedding they had been to. It was pretty much spot on”

The St Boswells couple had been planning their big day since financial adviser Stuart got down on one knee and proposed to Stacey, 26, a hydrotherapist at the village’s Greenside Veterinary Practice, on Christmas Eve 2016.

They learned they would be sharing the date back in February, when Kensington Palace announced that Harry and Meghan would also marry on May 19.

“We got all the usual jokes from people saying ‘I can’t make your wedding anymore. I’ve had a better offer,’” Stuart said. “One of our neighbours told us she couldn’t come because she was going to London for the royal wedding. I said ‘I have heard that before,’ then I realised she was serious!”

And while Stuart didn’t pay much heed to the other wedding, the newly titled Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s noon ceremony did set the tone for the bridal party.

“We got married at 2.30pm, so all the girls were sitting watching it while they were getting their make-up done,” Stuart said.

The couple enjoyed a fairy-tale day despite a far from perfect run-up after issues with another venue.

“We were originally supposed to be getting married at the Roxburghe Hotel near Kelso,” Stuart explained. “The whole thing was planned and paid for, invitations were out, then we got a call seven weeks ago saying it had been sold and the wedding was cancelled.”

Kelso wedding planning firm Get Knotted managed to scramble some other options at late notice, however.

“We had a meeting with them and they gave us some options for other venues that were available,” Stuart said.

“Abbotsford was one of them and, luckily, it all worked out really well.”

Royal wedding celebrations were also held throughout the Borders, including some in Selkirk and at Edgerston.