Police investigating the disappearance of a Melrose woman who has been missing since Saturday have released new photographs of the 26-year-old.

Leonora Harper-Gow was last seen in the town at 8pm on Saturday, June 16. New information received by police suggests she may have travelled to Edinburgh by train via Waverley Station.

Leonora has not been in contact with friends or family and concern is growing for her welfare.

She is described as white, 5ft 8 inches tall, of large build with red, shoulder-length hair. She was last seen wearing black trousers, a long-sleeved purple jumper or fleece top, black scarf and white trainers.

A police spokesperson said: “We are keen to establish Leonora’s whereabouts as soon as possible and anyone who believes they have seen her since Saturday is asked to come forward.

“In addition, we would ask Leonora to get in touch with friends, family or police and let us know you are safe and well.”

Any information to assist this inquiry would be greatly appreciated and should be reported to Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 1240 of Sunday, June 17.

It’s all eyes on Melrose this week as its annual festival picks up the pace.

Melrosian elect Harry Fletcher, the young man at the helm of this year’s celebrations, carried out his first duty, laying a wreath at the town war memorial, before his kirkin’ in the parish church, on Sunday.

That was followed by football and netball tournaments, and Monday night’s rideout, which attracted almost 200 followers.

Tuesday’s slightly wet fancy-dress contest proved as popular as ever and was followed by last night’s family bike ride.

The 21-year-old graduate, who learned to ride especially to take on the role, is being supported this week by his left and right-hand men Struan Hutchison and Russell Mackay.

Tonight’s installation of the Melrosian and crowning of the festival queen begins at 7pm in Melrose Abbey, or in the parish church if wet.

Tomorrow, the Melrosian visits care homes, schools, nurseries and hospitals, followed by a ball at Annay Road rugby ground at 8pm.

The festival concludes on Saturday. A tour of ceremonies begins in Market Square at 8.50am, with visits to Newstead, Trimontium, Gattonside, Abbotsford, Darnick Tower and then the abbey.

The sports start in Gibson Park at 2.30pm, and Melrose and District Pipe Band will play in Market Square at 7pm, followed by a festival dinner in Melrose Rugby Club at 8pm.

There’s just two days to go before Jedburgh’s Riverside Park once again transforms into a festival for thousands of music fans.

Returning for its fifth consecutive year, the Borders’ biggest single-day music festival looks set to be as popular as ever when it erupts onto the town’s rugby ground this Saturday (June 23).

Riverside Rock is an event that has successfully put the region on the musical map – and with a line-up that includes this year’s headliners, The Sweet, it looks set to be another huge success.

Glam rock band The Sweet rose to worldwide fame during the 1970s, achieving 13 top-20 hits during that decade alone.

‘Block Buster’ topped the charts in 1973, followed by three consecutive number two hits in ‘Hell Raiser’, ‘Ballroom Blitz’ and ‘Teenage Rampage’.

But it will be original guitarist Andy Scott’s revived version of the band, which is known simply as Sweet, that will appear at Riverside, fresh from the German leg of their 50th anniversary open-air tour.

The festival’s big top-style music arena will also welcome English band The Hoosiers, best known for their hit singles, ‘Worried About Ray’ and ‘Goodbye Mr A’, back in 2007, as well as local band Duke Street and returning favourites Scocha, from Hawick.

Completing the line-up this year are Mumford and Son’s tribute band, Chasing Mumford, Aberdonian function band Starsky and Pork Pie, a ska, soul and funk band which will travel from Fife to complete the line up at Jedburgh.

Offering 12 hours of life music, that line-up boasts the usual mix of rock and traditional bands, and closes with a live DJ set until midnight. The entertainment doesn’t stop there. There’s also a fairground for the young and young at heart, giving the event a real family feel – and its free for under-18s between noon and 6pm.

With organisers buoyed by healthy ticket sales and a real buzz on social media, tickets are selling fast.

For more information, visit: www.riversiderock.co.uk

With the Galashiels Braw Lads’ Gathering taking place next Saturday, June 30, and events beginning tomorrow, organisers are going flat out to deliver a memorable gala day.

Gathering chairman Jodie Millar said: “The weather is looking good all week, and it’s all hands to the pumps getting events ready.

“We are looking forward to our new-look family event in Bank Street on the Saturday afternoon, with a band playing, bouncy castles and facepainting.

“And I’m sure Greg Kelly and Kimberley O’May, our Braw Lad and Braw Lass, will be fantastic ambassadors for the town during the festivities.”

Events begin tomorrow evening, with a country dance in the volunteer hall , with the Braw Lad’s ball taking place the following evening in Galashiels Academy.

Sunday, June 24, sees a kirkin’ ceremony at Caddonfoot and sports taking place at Netherdale.

The Lindean rideout takes place on Monday, June 25, a fancy-dress parade and Torwoodlee rideout to follow on Wednesday.

It’s back to the volunteer hall on Thursday for anoverseas civic reception and again on Friday eveing for an investiture reception, before the big day begins on the Saturday morning.

The Braw Lad will take the burgh flag from the president of the gathering, Bill White, at the burgh chambers at 8am and will lead a horseback procession through and around the outskirts of the town before returning the flag, unsullied and untarnished, at noon.

Following three cold-call attempts to defraud Borders residents yesterday (Wednesday) police are reminding people to be vigilant.

On three separate occasions, three homes in Hawick, Lauder and Kelso were contacted by callers claiming to be from HMRC.

Each call stated that money was owed to the organisation and attempts were made to have money transferred electronically.

None of the attempts were successful, but police want to ensure communities do not fall victim to this scam.

Acting Sergeant Stuart Taylor said: “All of those who received this call did the right thing by refusing to make any payments and terminating the phone calls.

“We would like to remind the public that HMRC will never contact you by telephone to ask for payment and should you have an outstanding sum of money to pay to them, you will receive official written correspondence.

“These bogus callers can sound extremely convincing and will look to use intimidation and pressure tactics to extort money from you, but please do not be taken in.

“If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a caller then do not comply with their requests to make payment. Terminate the call and contact police immediately.”

Council officials are being urged to reverse their cutbacks to grass-cutting Hawick’s Wilton Lodge Park and the town’s cemeteries.

That plea from the town’s regional councillors follows a confrontation between disgruntled residents and council staff at Tuesday’s meeting of the authority’s Teviot and Liddesdale area partnership at Hawick High School.

Representatives of the council’s neighbourhood services team came in for criticism from community councillors and lresidents claiming their towns and villages are looking run down because of cost-cutting measures now taking effect.

Denholm community councillor Gwen Crew said: “I’d like to get some reassurance that our local cemeteries at Denholm will not be allowed to fall into such terrible condition again.

“I’ve received complaints from residents and visitors alike who cannot accept that a local authority would let these graveyards fall into such disrepair.

“The weed and the thistles and the grass, at one point, were 21in high. This shows total disrespect to people who have loved ones in the cemeteries, but it also shows that the whole area is run down.

“I’d like to know why this policy is deemed to be acceptable.”

Jason Hedley, the council’s manager for neighbourhood services, replied: “The council agreed, as part of its budget-setting, that significant savings could be made with this service, some of which derived from grass-cutting and maintenance but some also derived from the provision of annual floral displays and savings to come from the access team.

“They did so on the back of a successful trial which me and my team ran across the Borders last year, looking at changing the frequency of grass-cutting maintenance across 50 sites, which were changed from a 10-day working cycle to a 20-day working cycle.

“We also changed the type of equipment which we utilised. Clearly, though, if you don’t cut the grass as often, then between those cuts the grass will be longer.

“As service manager, I do have to concede that there have been some challenges for us, many of which stem from us learning to cope with the new equipment that we have.

“At this time, I don’t think there’ll be a change to the frequency of the cutting.

“We’ve got 154 cemeteries. They have an awful lot of obstacles. They are going to be our biggest challenge across the Borders.”

Derick Tait, chairman of Future Hawick, queried the council officers about the upkeep of Wilton Lodge Park, saying: “We’ve just spent £3.5m on Wilton Lodge Park, the jewel in our crown, and when the plans first came out, assurances were given that the park would be maintained in the style to which we were accustomed.

“Future Hawick has just taken on responsibility for the welcome hosts this year, and while I never thought about it, I have been pleasantly surprised by the level of visitors we get from as far afield as Cumbria and Durham.

“I understand it’s part of this new policy that the flowerbeds in this park are going to be grassed over.

“Is it your intention to just destroy £3.5m worth of work in one fell swoop?”

Mr Hedley replied: “Annual bedding displays aren’t sustainable. They cost an awful lot, and they aren’t really ticking that biodiversity box.

“The proposal that was put to council was built on the work which was undertaken in around 2010, when the council decided to halve the amount of annual beds and flowers it provided.

“Whilst it is difficult, and led to some short-term challenged in the community, actually we’re now seeing the benefits of that work with the likes of Hawick in Bloom setting up and doing an awful lot of good work in the town.

“We have had discussions with Hawick in Bloom about the annual displays, but they say they’re feeling quite limited. They need more volunteers. They feel they couldn’t take on the volume of work the council currently provides.

“Because of this, the proposals put forward do involve the grassing over of beds and the redesign of some beds.

“It doesn’t throw away £3.5m of development as it can be a different type of horticulture that replaces those beds. It doesn’t have to be grass.”

Hawick and Denholm councillor Stuart Marshall, chairing the meeting, added: “From the feedback I’m getting from residents, a lot of people feel that the death knell, the final straw, would be to take away the flowerbeds. I think this issue has to be resolved.”

Mr Marshall also chaired a meeting of four of Hawick’s six regional councillors on Wednesday, and they agreed to call on officers to reverse some of the cutbacks now in force.

“All of us were unanimous that priority grass-cutting should be given to all gateways in and out of our town, including Weensland Road and the A7 routes north and south,” he said.

“Other areas of priority included requesting a 10-working-day grass-cutting cycle for Wellogate and Wilton cemeteries.

“We also agreed that from now on, Wilton Lodge Park should be on a 10-working- day cutting cycle including high-traffic areas and land in and around the Boer War memorial .

“I have written to Martin Joyce, the council’s service director for assets and infrastructure, with the full outcome of our meeting and a request to meet with him further in order to address flower-bedding issues in our community and also maintenance issues around high bankings, hedges and trees.”

The first major exhibition dedicated to Scottish pop music is running this summer at the National Museum of Scotland.

Rip it Up: The Story of Scottish Pop explores the musical culture of the nation over more than half a century, from influential indie pioneers to global superstars.

Rip It Up features archive footage and new interviews with artists and musicians, along with iconic costumes, memorabilia, instruments and props from musicians including The Proclaimers, Shirley Manson, Lulu, Midge Ure, Simple Minds, Annie Lennox, Gerry Rafferty, Alex Harvey, Texas, Franz Ferdinand, Young Fathers and more.

The majority of the 300 objects on display are on loan to the exhibition by the artists themselves and in many cases have never before been on public display.

The exhibition is being produced in partnership with BBC Scotland, and a three-part TV series will bring another dimension to the story through the voices of those who made the music, those who witnessed it from behind the scenes, and the fans who lived for it.

A new book complements the exhibition, written by writer, broadcaster and DJ, Vic Galloway, who presents a four-part series on the topic for BBC Radio Scotland.

Stephen Allen, exhibition curator said: “Popular music is a shared experience, and a really important one in many people’s lives.

“We want the exhibition to capture people’s imagination and allow them to reflect on their own experiences of listening to and enjoying music.

“Between the objects, the audio visuals and the music, people will be able to learn more about their favourite artists and see their treasured objects up close, but also to discover music that is new to them in a whistlestop tour of over six decades of Scottish pop.”

The exhibition takes visitors through the early beginnings of the music scene, through the dawn of skiffle and the emergence of Lonnie Donegan against the backdrop of cafes and dancehalls, the overlap with Scottish folk and traditional music and the formation of the popular music industry, where artists would head to London in search of the all-important record deal.

Highlights include a custom trouser suit made for Lulu, Alex Harvey’s cane and famous striped jumper, and a guitar painted for Gerry Rafferty by his friend, the artist John Byrne.

Delving into punk and new wave, the exhibition features costumes, instruments and artwork relating to Josef K, Orange Juice and the Fire Engines, among others.

This was also the time of the Rezillos (highlighted by the green jumpsuit worn on Top of the Pops by Eugene Reynolds), Altered Images (loans from Clare Grogan include a dress made for their 1982 US tour), The Skids (handwritten lyrics and a guitar bought for Richard Jobson in Woolworths by Stuart Adamson) and The Associates (a master tape from December 1980 and a beret worn by Billy McKenzie).

The exhibition features remarkable photographs of many of these artists taken by Glasgow’s Harry Papadopulous, who was a staff photographer for Sounds magazine.

Foundations were laid for the likes of Primal Scream, Teenage Fanclub, BMX Bandits and the Jesus and Mary Chain, who also feature.

Arguably the biggest Scottish act to emerge from the post punk period was Simple Minds, from whom there are two decorated acoustic guitars and a very early gig poster.

They are among artists showcased in the ‘going global’ section of the exhibition, alongside the likes of Average White Band and The Bay City Rollers, Midge Ure, Franz Ferdinand, Annie Lennox, Biffy Clyro, Shirley Manson, Texas and Paulo Nutini.

Bands including The Proclaimers, Capercaillie and Runrig will also feature, as the exhibition explores artists who have made a point of emphasising their Scottish language or identity in their work. Within that, particular parts of Scotland have at different times been notable hubs of musical creativity, most obviously Glasgow, and also Fife with the Beta Band and the Fence Collective.

To conclude the show, an audio-visual installation recreates a live concert environment with a hand-picked selection from Scotland’s rich back catalogue.

Shirley Manson, lead singer of Garbage said: “I’m exceedingly grateful to the National Museum of Scotland for envisioning the idea for Rip it Up and in doing so, recognising the depth and influence of Scottish artists and their music.

“Scotland has long deserved an examination of its rich musical heritage, the effects of which can be heard all over our globe today.”

Both the exhibition and the National Museums Scotland programme of events are sponsored by Baillie Gifford Investment Managers.

Drugs worth more than £3,000 were recovered in Galashiels yesterday.

Two men have been charged after police recovered the Class A and B drugs during searches at two properties in Galapark Gardens and Balmoral Avenue.

As a result of these seizures two men aged 27 and 43 were arrested and will appear in court at a later date.

Sergeant Steven Irvine from the CIU and Proactive Unit said: “Once again community intelligence has resulted in a good drugs recovery and I want to thank the public for their continued support.

“Special thanks must also be given to a man who assisted officers recovering some items of evidential value from the water, but left before police could speak to him.

“This individual is asked to contact Galashiels police station and quote incident number 1985 of June 21.

“Tackling drug crime is one of our top priorities and we act on all information relating to offences of this nature.

“If you would like to report ongoing criminal activity in you area then please contact us via 101 or make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

The Border Games circuit continues on its way with Peebles Beltane Sports on Sunday.

Poised to run in the 110 metres handicap, the main event on the Whitestone Park track card, is Edinburgh’s Ben Robbins.

Robbins, who put himself into the record books in 2013 when, aged 16, he became the youngest runner to win the historical New Year sprint, shall be making his first appearance for some time on the games scene.

Currie rugby player Robbins, a Scotland U18 and U20 internationalist, is joint back marker for the Peebles sprint, along with Hawick’s James Parker. The pair run from 5.5m.

Douglas Young, the victor of the recent Selkirk Games 110 metres handicap, goes from six metres.

Among a host of Border athletes set to get down on their marks in the event are: Nina Cessford (27m), Terry Marshall (9m), Josh Abbot (9m), Sam Archibald (9m), Samantha Turnbull (21.5m), James Park (14m), Colin Bruce (15m), Mhairi Henderson (27m), Luke McLean (8.5m), Brodie Cowan (22.5m) and Eilidh Murray (25.5m).

A full programme of youth and senior events completes the bill.

Children from the Galashiels, Earlston and Selkirk cluster areas competed last week in the annual Mini Olympics, with P6-7 children from 17 schools all vying for points at Tweedbank Sports Centre.

Overall scores from nine track and field events were tallied up at the end of proceedings to decide the winners of the Small Schools Cup (for schools with a roll of less than 115 pupils) and the Large Schools Cup.

This year’s event saw a slight change in format, with the winners and runners-up of each discipline being invited to compete in the Borders Athletics Competition, which takes place this coming Monday from 4pm-6pm at the same venue.

Winning out for the Small Schools on the night was Lilliesleaf Primary School, while Earlston Primary School took the Large School title.

Laura Gavin, PE teacher at St Peter’s Primary School, said: “Once again, the Mini Olympics was a huge success.

“This is a great opportunity for primary school children to participate in a variety of athletics disciplines.

“The pupils at St Peter’s contributed a lot of time and effort at our after-school club to prepare and thoroughly enjoyed the event itself.

“They are now brimming with excitement at the thought of challenging themselves at the Borders Finals.”

The event was organised by charitable trust Live Borders, with Active Schools co-ordinators Gemma Ross, Karen Cornwall and Lesley Kerr being supported by the primary PE staff from all 17 schools that entered.

Other people involved, before and during the event, were Neil Renton from Sports Development, Live Borders staff from Tweedbank Sports Centre, parents, schools staff, students and senior pupils.

Karen Cornwall extended thanks to all who had supported the event, adding: “What a fantastic turnout from the schools and great to see so many parents come along to support the children.

“All the athletes showed great sportsmanship on the night and were a credit to their schools.”

For the second year in succession, over 200 people packed out the Volunteer Hall in Galashiels to witness the Gala Fairydean Rovers’ Hall of Fame Awards.

The club used the awards ceremony, sponsored by The Trophy Guy, to recognise sporting heroes from the past, reward the current crop of players at the club and outline their vision for the future.

Two famous teams from the history of the Rovers and Fairydean were recognised, while local footballing legends such as Alan Notman, Ian ‘Chalky’ Whitehead and Ronnie Renton were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Members of the clubs community engagement programme, Border Amateur Development Squad and Lowland League first team were also recognised for their efforts during the season.

Former Fairydean club secretary John Clayton was presented with a Life Membership Award for his services to football in the town and, for the first time, the Hall of Fame recognised the services of volunteers, with Debi Ritchie and Adam McClory joining its ranks.

Outgoing first team Manager Steven Noble received a special award for his services to the club since 2013.

Club chairman Kevin Temple was once again delighted with the huge turnout for the annual event, declaring: ““Our Hall of Fame Awards is fast becoming one of the highlights of the calendar year for the club. It is an honour and a privilege for us to be able to recognise the achievements of the past while rewarding the current crop of players and volunteers at the club. We are grateful to all of the volunteers who helped us stage the event, to Trophy Guy for sponsoring the Hall of Fame and Live Borders for supporting our Community Team Awards.”

The evening began with awards to members of the club’s Community Engagement Programme. The GFR Walking Football Team kicked off proceedings, rewarding members for an outstanding season that saw it come close to winning the inaugural national Walking Football League.

The GFR Ladies’ section is about to start playing its first friendlies, with games lined up against Hawick United Ladies and Blyth Town Ladies AFC.

Coaches Fred Blackie, Mick McEwan and Stuart Turner presented Player of the Year and Coaches Player of the Year Awards. The ladies’ section was grateful to Mitchell’s Glass for sponsoring new kit.

A special presentation was organised for a member of the GFR Disability Squad to recognise his courage in the face of tremendous adversity. Just after last year’s event, youngster Darren Thomson from the squad suffered a stroke and, at one stage, was given only hours to live. But Darren, described as “a fighter”, was eventually discharged from hospital after six months and two days was eventually discharged form hospital.

Darren, a keen Hibernian fan, received a standing ovation and was delighted to receive his award from John Collins. Host of the event, Graeme McIver, explained Gala FR still considered Darren very much part of the club.

In an emotional speech, Darren’s father Philip thanked GFR for keeping his son involved and for its support during a difficult time for Darren and his family.

The club confirmed that, next season, it will be fielding an Under 20s Development Side into the Lowland Development League, bringing the number of total number of players at the club to well over 300, when member of the club’s junior and youth sections are taken into account. The club is now one of the biggest sporting organisations in the region.

Mike Riddell, manager of the Border Amateur Development side, thanked his young squad and congratulated them on a tremendous season that saw them reach three cup finals and miss out on promotion by a single point.

While the vast majority of the team are teenagers, the player of the year was veteran Welsh Curran, who had picked up the same award 18 years ago when he was still a youngster with Scott Ritchie’s Gala Rovers team.

Steven Noble’s first team successfully completed their fifth season in the Scottish Lowland League and Ross Aitchison was selected as the club’s Player of the Year.

Scott Main picked up the Players’ Player of the Year Award, with Stuart Noble receiving the Top Scorer Award for the fifth season in succession. On-loan Rangers youngster Lewis Muir secured the Young Player of the Year Award, thanks to a fantastic season in goal for the Netherdale club, while youngster Fraser Malcolm received the Goal of the Season Award thanks to a stunning strike in an important victory against Hawick Royal Albert.

Club secretary Graeme McIver paid tribute to the departing Steven Noble, stating that, in his five years at the helm, nobody had worked harder to make the club a success while sticking to his principles of passing and attacking football.

Chairman Kevin Temple presented Steven with a silver salver for his service. He also received an award for services to football in the community from Garry Fraser and Fred Blackie from the GFR Football Academy. Noble will remain on the club’s Board as an advisor on football matters while taking up a coaching role in the Hibernian youth set-up.

Warm tributes were paid to the first Hall of Fame inductee of the night, Alan Notman. ‘Notty’ enjoyed an incredible career with Gala Fairydean during the 80s and 90s and appeared in 10 Qualifying Cup Finals, winning seven of them, along with four East of Scotland League Championships – two with the Fairydean and two with Vale of Leithen.

John Collins spoke of how his father Norrie had taken him to Netherdale as a youngster and told him to watch Notman and how he played. The former Celtic, Everton, Monaco and Scotland star said: “This award is well deserved. You never gave the ball away, Alan. You were a proper football player, brilliant to watch.”

Next up was ‘Mr Gala Rovers’, Ronnie Renton. He played a handful of games for Gala Fairydean but it was a decade-long stint with Gala Rovers in the 1950s and early ‘60s that cemented Ronnie’s place as a legend in local football in the town.

Ronnie enjoyed a glittering carer with the Rovers, winning the Border Amateur League in successive seasons in 1953, 1954 and 1955. He won the Beveridge Cup in 1953, while in ‘54 he lifted the South Cup, the Dudley Cup and the Border Medal competition. He was part of the all-conquering Rovers side that remained unbeaten throughout the historic 1953-54 season and lost only two league games in a sensational three-year period. Ronnie passed away in 2016 and his widow Nancy, and sister Mary Strathie, were there to pick up his award on the night.

Ian ‘Chalky’ Whitehead was next up. The former Queen’s Park, Ayr United and Berwick Rangers striker had played for Gala Rovers at the age of 13 and went on to play for and manage Gala Fairydean in the early 1990s. The seven-times capped Amateur Internationalist had a glittering career as both a player and manager in the East of Scotland Leagues and his Selkirk side won 10 trophies in five sensational years in the mid-1970s.

On receiving his award, Ian told the packed hall he had originally been against the merger of the Fairydean and Rovers back in 2013 but, on seeing how big the club had become, and its fantastic community programme, he had changed his mind. He has pledged to visit Netherdale more regularly from now on.

Bobby Kirk and his Gala Fairydean side of 1965-66 were honoured for a season that saw them clinch their fourth successive East of Scotland title, along with a number of cups, including the King Cup, Scottish Qualifying Cup and the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup.

The former Hearts star led the Fairydean through one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. Former members of the team, Tam Cornwall and Jimmy Peacock, were in attendance. Cornwall made 63 appearances for the Fairydean scoring an incredible 64 goals including four in one match, five hat-tricks and 12 doubles. He played two full seasons, 1964-65 and 1965-66, but suffered a leg break in the final match of that season. He came back and played three matches in the following season before breaking his leg again. Jimmy Peacock played in a Borders select match against the French National Team at Netherdale in 1966 prior to the World Cup. Peacock scored against the French side and went on to have a successful career as a physiotherapist with a number of top clubs and the Scottish and Saudi Arabian national teams.

The Gala Rovers ‘Invincibles’ Team of 2000-01 were next to be inducted. Ralph Wilson’s side played 22 games and won every one of them in a spectacular season. He paid a warm tribute to the squad as they all received special awards. “I had an easy job,” he said. “I just had to pick a team from a squad of brilliant footballers. What they achieved was special.”

The Rovers side also won the Waddell Cup and were runners up in the Beveridge Cup that season.

The final two inductees received huge ovations for their services to football in Galashiels. Both became the first volunteers to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Dave Scott, the campaign director of Nil by Mouth, the anti-sectarian charity which is in a community partnership with the club, spoke warmly of Debi Ritchie, who fulfils a number of roles at Gala Fairydean Rovers. Along with chairing and playing for the GFR Ladies team, Debi is the clubs official photographer and social media manager, who has spent a lifetime supporting and volunteering, first for Gala Rovers and now GFR.

The final inductee was Adam McClory. His first game watching the Fairydean was in 1956 and he has hardly missed a game since. Adam was awarded Life Membership of GFR in 2013 for his services as a supporter, volunteer and committee member like his father before him.

List of 2018 Award Winners:

Gala Fairydean Rovers Walking Football Team

Player of the Year: John Dodds

Young Player of the Year: Jim Mclaren

Gala Fairydean Rovers Borders Disability Squad

Special Award to Darren Thomson

Presented by John Collins

Gala Fairydean Rovers Women’s Team

Player’s Player of the Year: Rebbeca Wood

Coaches Player of the Year: Abby Wilson

Gala Fairydean Rovers Borders Amateur Team

Player of the Year: Welsh Curran

Player’s Player of the Year: Andrew Callow

Young Player of the Year: Luke Meissner

Goal of the Season: Lewis Swaney

Top Scorer: Andrew Crawford

Gala Fairydean Rovers Lowland Team

Player of the Year: Ross Aitchison

Player’s Player of the Year: Scott Main

Young Player of the Year: Lewis Muir

Goal of the Season: Fraser Malcolm

Top Scorer: Stuart Noble

Award for Services as Manager: Steven Noble

Award for Services to Football in the Community: Steven Noble

Life Membership Award

John Clayton

Hall of Fame Inductees

Alan Notman

Ronnie Renton

Ian ‘Chalky’ Whitehead

Gala Fairydean 1965-66 and Manager Bobby Kirk

Gala Rovers 2000-01 and Manager Ralph Wilson

Debi Ritchie

Adam McClory.

Border Ladies launched their 2018 Inter-district campaign on the Hawick BC green last Friday and were narrowly beaten 7-5 by Fife.

The weather stayed kind throughout, with some good spells of sunshine breaking through intermittently during the afternoon.

After such a close result, there is still all to play for in this year’s contest, with away games to Berwickshire and East Lothian still to come.

The ladies were sporting new tops, sponsored by Fiona Scott Journalist and PR Services, and the picture shows Fiona Scott, centre right, presenting one of the new shirts to Border Ladies president Marion Pearson.

A building was left damaged by an arson attack at the back of Hawick High Street this morning, June 22.

The contents of two large metal wheelie bins, to the rear of the Card Factory shop, were set ablaze at around 3.25am, but firefighters extinguished the flames before they had a chance to spread.

An outer wall and a window were damaged by the fire, and one of the building’s vents was also destroyed.

No one was injured, however.

Police inquiries are ongoing to identify the culprits.

Inspector Kevin Harris, of Hawick police station, said: “Had this fire spread, a number of homes and businesses could have been affected.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious within the High Street during the early hours of Friday or who can help us trace the culprits.

“Anyone with information should contact police immediately.”

Potential witnesses are asked to call police on 101, quoting incident number 426 of June 22, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Peebles postwoman Alex Stuart’s killer has been jailed for life and told he won’t be eligible to apply for parole until 2034 at the earliest.

Nicholas Rogers was given a life sentence with a minimum tariff of 16 years at the High Court in Glasgow today, June 22, for killing the 22-year-old on Sunday, August 6, last year.

Alex sustained serious injuries after Rogers, 27, stabbed her with a knife during a house party in Cuddyside in Peebles.

She was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment, but medics were unable to save her life.

Rogers, formerly a customer service worker, admitted killing her but denied murder, claiming his ability to determine or control his conduct was substantially impaired due to an abnormality of mind.

He was found guilty of murder on Thursday, May 31, after a trial, however.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Reid, of Police Scotland’s Lothians and Borders criminal investigation department, said: “Rogers has at no time shown any remorse or regret for taking Alex’s life, and the level of violence he subjected her to prior to her death demonstrates what a dangerous individual he is.

“While this sentence cannot undo the pain and suffering he has caused Alex’s family, it is my hope that they can find solace in justice having been served and can begin to move on with their lives.”

In a statement issued via police, Alex’s parents say: “Nicholas Rogers was convicted of murder in reflection of his responsibility for the senseless murder of our daughter, Alex Stuart.

“Whilst the High Court trial was complex, his defence of diminished responsibility due to mental health issues was not upheld.

“We believe appropriate levels of support were afforded to Rogers from mental health professionals of the NHS, which he chose to ignore.

“The verdict of murder makes clear that it was his wicked and reckless behaviour as a result of alcohol and illegal drug consumption that was the substantive issue that led to the death of our daughter.”

Charging Borderers for spending a penny has failed to pile up as many pounds as Borders council bosses had hoped for.

The decision to charge for using its public toilets has netted just a third of the income that Scottish Borders Council had anticipated, raising the possibility of closures, increased fees or privatisation.

The current 30p charge for using 27 of the council’s 41 public conveniences across the region was agreed by a full council meeting in February 2017 after members were told that such a move would be expected to generate an income of £280,000 a year, based on previous usage figures.

However, a report set to another full council meeting next Thursday, June 28, reveals that the total income generated in the new regime’s first year in operation will be just £89,000.

Because of that shortfall, councillors are being asked to consider five options.

The first would see the status quo maintained, with the council’s finances taking a sizeable hit.

The second is increasing the current 30p charge to 50p.

The third is extending charging to the council’s 14 remaining free-to-use public toilets.

The fourth option would see selected closures of loos, based on usage and location.

The fifth and final option would be to farm out the management of the toilets to a third party, effectively privatising the council’s public toilets.

The report, by neighbourhood services manager Jason Hedley, puts forth anecdotal evidence to explain the shortcomings in income generation, saying: “What is apparent from financial monitoring is that revenue income received to date is significantly less than the estimated levels that were forecast.

“A revised full year of income of £89,000 is now being estimated, a shortfall of some £179,000, which, in turn, was expected to also cover the cost of the implementation of comfort schemes.

“A significant body of anecdotal evidence around payment avoidance has been received and observed, including from elected members.

“This centres around following the previous paying entrant into the facility, people exiting the facility allowing free access by holding the entry door open, families paying one fee for multiple usage or antisocial behaviour, where people vandalise doors or wedge them open, allowing free access to all.”

It’s not the shops, the restaurants, the abbey or the festival which makes Melrose great, it’s the people.

That was the message from principal guest Liam Harvey to the large crowd basking in the sunshine within Melrose Abbey last Thursday.

The 49-year-old former St Mary’s School pupils, where he is now headmaster, lives in Edinburgh with his wife Marnie and their two daughters now, but described himself as a Borderer born and bred as he took to the stage to give this year’s oration.

“I like to think I understand the sometimes parochial nature of living in a small, proud town that shares these Borderlands with many other towns just as proud as Melrose,” he said “In each of these places, the communities have their ups and downs and that has aye been the case. But people rally round in times of need.”
Charting the examples of community spirit which shone during both the extreme weather and the loss of Melrose worthy John Crawford earlier this year, Mr Harvey paid tribute to people who make Melrose great, urging the town to be proud of its “rallying to support its own”.

Inspired by the town being hailed best place to live in Scotland thanks to the Sunday Times magazine last year, Mr Harvey asked: “What makes this town so special? It’s its people. It’s its community.

“And so to add a more qualified view to the Sunday Times article. It is not the hills, the abbey, the silvery tweed and the wonderful buildings, that make this town special- beautiful though they are. Neither is it the two first class schools that the children of Melrose have the privilege to attend.

“It is the hard working people, including the grumpy ones, who love their town that makes this the best place to live in Scotland.”

Included in Mr Harvey’s list of worthy Melrose folk was rugby star Doddie Weir, who is living with Motor Neurone Disease.

“His heart is most certainly as courageous as that of King Robert The Bruce’s- buried just a few feet from this very spot,” he added.

On Thursday night, festival chairman Douglas Hardie, installed the Melrosian with his official sash of office and said: “Harry has carried out his duties as Melrosian elect in a very professional manner and I am confident he will be a worthy ambassador for our town and community in the weeks ahead.”

And the poignancy and importance of the occasion was not lost on the young graduate.

Melrosian Harry replied: “Throughout my time growing up in Melrose I have walked down Coulters Road behind us to watch the crowning ceremony.

“Leaving my house I was always excited to watch the event. I never failed to observe in slight awe as I took in this great, ancient tradition under the Abbey walls.

“To now be standing here with the famous yellow and black sash around my chest is a truly amazing and surreal feeling. I do assure I am deeply conscious of the great honour you have bestowed on me and my family.”

“These past few weeks I have had the privilege to represent the town at Hawick and Selkirk and look forward to doing so at the festivals and common ridings yet to come.”

He described the well wishes and generosity from the Melrose community as “overwhelming” and added: “I hope our 2018 festival will continue to generate many fond and happy memories for us all.”

It was a big night too for festival queen Thea Foulkes and her court, who carried out their part of the ceremonies faultlessly, aided by the joint choir of Melrose Primary and St Mary’s schools and the St Boswells Concert Band.

Joining Thea in her court were first attendant Grace McWhinnie, second attendant Sophie McGarry, courtiers Jamie Whiting and Toby Swan, heralds Brodie Henderson and Mario Gee and the trainbearers Emma Wear and Ruby Jackson.

Borders MSP Rachael Hamilton is calling for action to tackle bed-blocking at the region’s general hospital.

During this week’s portfolio questions session at the Scottish Parliament, Mrs Hamilton raised the issue of delayed discharges at the Borders General Hospital in Melrose with health secretary Shona Robison.

The Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP told her: “NHS Scotland information services division statistics have revealed that NHS Borders lost, on average, 1,000 bed days a month over the past two years, which is just not good enough.

“What will the Scottish Government do to help rural health boards like NHS Borders ensure that when a patient is fit to leave, they can?”

Afterwards, she added: “This is a sorry state of affairs for patients in the Borders.

“This is bad for everyone. Fit and well people are trapped in hospital with nowhere to go.

“It remains the case that the Scottish Government do not understand rural health boards and the specific problems they face.

“Support must be given to find quicker ways of processing patient care packages in order to transition elderly people into a safe home or community setting.”

Ms Robison, MSP for Dundee City East, told her: “Scottish Government officials continue to work closely with the Borders health partnership to reduce the level of delays.

“A range of improvement measures has already been put in place, which has led to a reduction of more than 30% in bed days lost between November 2017 and April 2018.

“The Borders partnership has introduced a range of measures aimed at reducing delays, including an £850,000 investment in a step-down intermediate care facility and the development of a hospital-to-home re-ablement service.

“That service was piloted initially in two localities, which led to a 40% decrease in long-term care requirements.

“The partnership plans to roll out the service across the area, with increased allied health professions input, which I think will make a real impact on reducing bed days lost.”

Robert McCulloch-Graham, chief officer of health and socialcare at NHS Borders, also insisted that action is in hand to tackle the problem, saying: “The poor winter was particularly difficult for health care within the Borders and across the country.

“With a growing elderly population, there is an equivalent growth in the pressures caused by having more patients with complex needs.

“NHS Borders, Scottish Borders Council and the integrated joint board are working hand in hand to face these pressures and have introduced new models of health and social care to reduce this high level of demand.

“As a united partnership, we are working to reduce these delays and to get people home safely as soon as they are healthy enough to leave hospital.”

Plenty of yo-ho-ho – but no bottles of rum – is on offer at a new pirate-themed attraction in Hawick, the absence of the buccaneers’ favoured booze being because it’s a soft-play area for children 12 and under.

Now open at the town’s Teviotdale Leisure Centre on Monday, the facility, called Treasure Land, offers slides, tunnels and a ball-pit for youngsters to enjoy.

Live Borders area manager Scott Weir said: “Upgrading the soft-play area was one of the most complex parts of the leisure centre redevelopment but also one of the most rewarding.

“Like all projects of this size, there have been a few snags along the way, and I would like to thank the people of Hawick for their patience.

“Seeing everyone enjoying themselves on the new equipment has made all the hard work worthwhile.

First through the door to try out Treasure Land on Monday was Robbie Beattie, almost two, and his mum Laura told us: “It was really good fun.

“Robbie loved the ball pit and the wee blue slide, and the little educational additions on the way around are just great.

“The soft-play is great for all ages and really good for Hawick, and we will definitely be back soon.”

Stacey Forsyth, childcare manager at the Cherrytrees Nursery in Hawick’s Noble Place, took a group of 12 youngsters aged four to nine along to try out the new facility on its opening day and she was also impressed.

“There is a lot of equipment to suit all different age groups,” she said.

“All our kids today were thoroughly entertained, and we had a wide age range, so if we can keep everyone happy at the same time, that’s a bonus.”

Stacey’s daughter Naomi, nine, added: “It was really good because there were a lot of choices, and you could pick what you wanted to do.”

The soft-play area is open from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and 8am to 4pm at weekends.

Sessions are free for children under one, £2.50 for those aged one or two, and £3.50 for those aged three to 12.

Two Borders businesses are among 11 Scottish contenders vying for UK-wide awards.

Now in their fourth year, the Amazon-sponsored Rural Business Awards are the only national accolades specifically for companies based in the countryside.

The two Borders businesses shortlisted – Kelso fishing accessory maker FinHunter UK and Oxton’s Airhouses self-catering lodges – will now go through to a regional final in October, then, potentially, a national final in February 2019.

FinHunter UK, shortlisted for the title of best rural manufacturing business, makes fishing accessories – including wallets, key-rings, reel cases and bags – out of old waders that would otherwise be sent to landfill sites.

Airhouses, vying to be named best rural tourism business, is a complex made up of four five-star self-catering lodges, plus a holiday home able to sleep 10, on a 633-acre organic beef farm.

The awards were founded by Leicestershire businesswomen Jemma Clifford and Anna Price in 2015 and now attract hundreds of entries annually.

Holidays means different things to different people and for some it might be the chance to take a step into a new world – to learn a skill, go on a spiritual journey, or contribute to community life.

It is certainly a trend that is growing and research from the Global Wellness Institute found that global travellers want more a emotional, life-changing wellness journey.

Meanwhile, learning a new skill is important for people – especially millennial travellers who want to add to their cvs on their adventures – according to a World Youth Student and Educational Travel Convention survey.

Whether its learning to chop wood, chilling at a Tibetan monastery, or volunteering on an island, there are many ways to experience Scotland and feel the better for it.

A stint volunteering at the North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory might be a great way for someone interested in getting a future career in conservation off the ground .

Another way to sample island life is to volunteer at the North Ronaldsay Sheep Festival, which is from 29 July to 10 August.

The volunteers will help rebuild a historic structure which is essential to the conservation of the rare, seaweed-eating North Ronaldsay sheep.

If finding inner peace is more your thing, then the Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery in a peaceful valley on the banks of the River Esk near Langholm is the place.

There are a range of courses – from learning mindfulness to Tai Chi and meditation – or you can visit the temple and you can even stay a night or two.

For the more energetic, dancing might be the a perfect holiday pursuit. There are a number of organisations across Scotland that run drop-in classes to learn traditional Highland or ceilidh dancing.

If you do want to put on your dancing shoes then St Andrew’s in the Square in Glasgow is host to a popular Wednesday night ceilidh dance class, while Dance Base in Edinburgh has an August programme which includes drop-in classes.

You can get your hands dirty and learn a practical skill in the Cairngorms.

Aaron Skerritt creates unique pieces of art and furniture from fallen trees and he is now offering a Green Woodworking course.

He shows students how to use techniques that have been developed over hundreds of years that are in harmony with the nature and qualities of the wood itself.

There are plenty of places in Scotland to add some flourishes to your culinary repertoire.

Whether it’s butchery and filleting skills, seafood recipes or the secrets of entertaining, check out Marcello Tully’s classes at Kinloch Lodge on Skye or sessions at Nick Nairn’s cook school at Lake of Menteith, west of Stirling.