A 33-year-old man has been charged in connection with drug offences following the search of a property in the Wood Street area of Galashiels on Friday, June 22.

Police conducted a search of the property and recovered cannabis worth over £1,000, along with a three-figure sum of cash.

The man was arrested and charged, and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

The arrest follows two other drugs raids in the town the previous day, in which drugs worth more than £3,000 were recovered. Two men were charged after police found 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.

Olympic gold medallist Scott Brash had his first international win at the All England Jumping Course last week when competing at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting.

The Peebles rider’s win in the Bunn Leisure Derby Tankard came on Thursday on board the nine-year-old Hello Shelby, who jumped a double clear in a time of 35.60sec.

“Nothing fazed him at all,” said Scott. “I wasn’t really sure what he’d be like in the International Arena but, after the first round, he just popped round the course like normal.

“He felt really good and I just picked up the pace a bit in the jump-off, kept it tight – nothing too crazy – and it was enough to win.”

The former world number one showjumper lives locally to the West Sussex showground, having relocated from the Borders in 2015.

“So much history has gone on in the International Arena, so it’s great to ride in there, and the footing here is amazing,” added Scott, whose quest for a repeat win in Saturday’s Hickstead Master’s Trophy ended with a fourth-place finish.

The prestigious show continued until Sunday, culminating with the world famous Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby – one of the world’s toughest and most most coveted showjumping competitions, now in its 58th year.

The event featured a number of international showjumping classes, national classes for amateurs and young horses, as well as elite showing championships.

In the region of 45,000 spectators flock to the Sussex showground for the Derby meeting each year, with around 15,000 of those arriving on Al Shira’aa Derby day.

Applications are now open for 2018’s Scottish Borders Business Excellence Awards.

This will be fourth time round for the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce-organised event, to be held at Springwood Park in Kelso on Thursday, November 1.

The Royal Bank of Scotland will be the awards’ main sponsor, alongside 10 category sponsors.

“We have been quite taken aback by the interest shown by potential sponsors this year, which indicates how these awards have grown over the last four years,” said chamber chairman Jack Clark.

“RBS were very much involved last year, with Malcolm Buchanan being our guest speaker, and we are delighted to have them on board.

“However, it is the local support that has overwhelmed us, and now each of the 10 awards categories has its own sponsor.”

Mr Buchanan, Scottish board chairman for RBS, said: “As a supporter of customers, communities and businesses across the Borders, the Royal Bank of Scotland is delighted to become a key partner and headline sponsor for the awards.”

“These awards offer an opportunity to celebrate the wealth of skill and depth of talent which exists across the region and offer a platform to showcase the qualities and resources which have made it such an important part of Scotland’s business landscape.

“We are sure this year’s event will be a great success.”

The awards’ category sponsors are Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers, Business Gateway, Davidson Chalmers, Scottish Borders Council, Reiver Recruitment, the National Farmers’ Union, Scottish Borders Social Enterprise Chamber, Developing the Young Workforce (Borders), South of Scotland Local Export Partnership and NS24.

For details of how to apply, go to www.borderschamber.com

The closing date for applications is Friday, August 24.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a car mounted a pavement and nearly hit a pedestrian in Galashiels.

Shortly after midday on Sunday (June 24) a silver saloon car that had been waiting in traffic eastbound on Island Street, near the junction with Hall Street, turned to travel in the opposite direction and mounted the pavement in the process.

Driven by a female driver with no passengers, the car was last seen turning left onto Hall Street.

Inspector Kevin Harris said: “There were several members of the public using the pavement at the time, one of whom had to take evasive action to avoid the car.

“Thankfully, no one was injured, however this was very shocking for the pedestrian and the driver did not stop at the scene.

“We’d urge anyone who may have witnessed this, or who has information about this incident, to get in touch.”

Anyone with information can contact Galahsiels police via 101, quoting incident number 2236 of 24th June.

Jethart Callant Nick Arnold and Kelso Laddie Sean Hook led their first rideouts to meet one another in a gloriously sunny Morebattle on Sunday.

After a formal meeting the principals’ parties joined town provosts Harvey Oliver and Dean Weatherston, from Jedburgh and Kelso respectively, on the guests platform.

Former Kelso High School head teacher Charlie Robertson, gave this year’s address, and spoke of the part young people must in the future of both towns’ festivals.

“It was a wonderful sight to see both cavalcades approaching the village through such stunning borders countryside,” he said. “A very special day when the two towns of Kelso and Jedburgh, so often rivals, can come together to celebrate their common heritage and history.

“Just as importantly the ceremony reflects our present, seeing these representatives of our towns giving their time and talent, showing they care about their communities and that they are proud of their communities giving us auld yins great hope for the future.”

Jethart Callant Nick Arnold spoke of the history behind the tryst and said: “It’s very much an honour to lead the Jethart cavalcade into Morebattle and meet the Kelso Laddie at the famous trysting tree.

“This ceremony dates back to the very of our town’s festival in 1947 and it’s a privilege to be part of it. I am sure this tradition will continue to be as special for decades to come.”
Thanking the crowds for the warm welcome, Kelso Laddie Sean Hook said; “It’s a great honour to be meeting Callant Arnold and his supporters at the trysting tree here today. It’s a tradition that has gone back many years and I am sure it will continue for many more to come. Thanks to this tradition Jethart and Kelso have a very close bond and I know this year will be no different.”

The principals, supported by their henchmen ex-callants Brodie Irvine and Gary Hogg and ex-laddies Craig logan and Ian Whellans, laid a wreath at the village war memorial before dancing a reel with Morebattle Primary School pupils Tilly Bourne, Finlay Hogarth, Jessie Norris and Zoe Cowe.

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses following two high-value thefts in Earlston last week.

Between 9.30pm on Wednesday, June 20 and 7.10am on Thursday, June 21, the Scottish Water works site in Mill Road was entered and a storage unit broken into.

A piece of welding equipment worth more than £12,000 was stolen from the unit.

Sometime between 5pm on Wednesday and 7.10am on Thursday another theft took place at a diesel storage tank site at the A68, between Earlston and Ravenswood.

During this time, diesel was stolen from the fuel bowser and three plant vehicles parked in the area.

In total, 800 litres of fuel was taken, worth almost £500.

A fuel pump worth £220 was also stolen during this incident.

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

Inspector Tony Hodges, deputy local area commander for the Borders said: “We are currently working to establish if these high-value thefts are linked and anyone with information is asked to come forward.

“As a result of the items stolen, work at the Scottish Water site and the new cycle path construction site will undoubtedly be impacted and we are actively looking to idenify the culprits.

“If you saw any suspicious activity around either of these areas between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, you should contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland via 101 and quote incident 551 or 630 of June 21. Alternatively an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Amazing! Fantastic! Phenomenal! Those are just some of the words used to describe last week’s shows.

Once again, Jeff Thomson produced a spectacular show to wow capacity audiences.

Authentic scenery, excellent lighting and sound, fabulous costumes and superb acting all combined to spellbind everyone lucky enough to get a ticket.

The musical by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg and based on the novel by Victor Hugo is set in France in the early nineteenth century. It tells the story of escaped prisoner Jean Valjean being relentlessly pursued by police inspector Javert during the Paris student uprising. Javert must confront his ideals after Valjean spares his life and saves that of Marius, the student who has fallen in love with Cosette, Valjean’s adopted daughter.

Earlston High School pupils mastered the complex but beautiful music with superb acting and the emotion shown by the cast was unbelievable.

The demanding part of Jean Valjean was more than ably played by Mitchell Green. His strong singing voice and mature acting stirred up the emotions of everyone there, and his rendition of Bring him Home brought the house down. His pursuer, Javert, was played by Jack McAulay who conveyed his dourness and suspicious nature with ease but still managed to win people’s sympathy come his suicide. His singing was effortless with his peformance of Stars, aided by lighting effects, bringing the audience out in goose bumps.

James Bennet as Marius used his dashing good looks and tenor voice to win the affections of Cosette and you could feel the emotion as he sang Empty Chairs and Empty Tables. He was ably supported by Evan Anderson who played Enjolras, the charismatic leader of the student rebels, and Luke Thomson who made his stage debut as young street boy Gavroche. Luke oozed confidence, bringing his character’s sheer cheekiness to the fore with Little People.

With their great sense of timing, facitial expressions and fabulous voices, inkeeper Thenardier (Simon Thomson) and his wife Madame Thernadier (Aimee Goodship), brought humour to the show and had the audience in stitches throughout.

The school has such an abundance of talent that each main female role was shared. Fantine was played by Robyn Smith and Richeldis Brosnan, Eponine by Catriona Lamb and Eliana Capstick, Cosette by Imogen Hoppe and Katrina Smith and young Cosette by Catriona Moore and Neve Clark.

Fantine died early in the story but not before she enchanted us with I Dreamed A Dream. Cosette, Fantine’s daughter had a beautiful soprano voice and it was easy to understand why Marius fell in love with her. Eponine, the Thernadier’s daughter, conveyed the pain of her unrequited love with On My Own and you could have heard a pin drop when she sang A Little Fall of Rain. Young Cosette sang Castle on a Cloud with ease managing to convey the sadness of her situation.

The chorus numbers all raised the roof and left the audience wanting more and mention must be made of Jan Baird who, along with Jeff, was responsible for the choreography and staging.

The battle at the barricade scene was so realistic and heart stopping that it seemed unkind to actually applaud when it finished.

The backstage crew must be commended for the very slick scene and costume changes.The professionalism of the sound and lighting technology was tricky but very effective. Last but not least, a fantastic orchestra provided the icing on the cake.

This production was worthy of being in the West End in London and after a tear jerking finale the audience were left speechless and emotionally drained.

S.E.A

A woman has been fined £200 at Selkirk Sheriff Court for making abusive comments to an ex-partner following their break-up.

Janet Hay, 30, of Balmoral Avenue in Galashiels, pleaded guilty to shouting and swearing at Kevin Wilkinson and making offensive and threatening comments.

That offence was committed outside Mr Wilkinson’s mother’s home in Gala Park in Galashiels on April 8.

The court was told that Hay made offensive comments about Mr Wilkinson’s deceased sister, leading to the police being called.

A man found in possession of heroin has been fined £265 at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Daniel Thwaites pleaded guilty to having around £20 worth of the class-A drug after being searched in Melrose Road, Galashiels, on the evening of April 14.

The court heard that officers speaking to the 37-year-old about another matter decided to search him as it was clear he was under the influence of drugs.

Thwaites, of Talisman Avenue in Galashiels, insisted he had not taken heroin for six months but officers were suspicious, and a search revealed a packet of brown powder later confirmed to be heroin.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said Thwaites had struggled with heroin addiction for a long time and in particular this year after discovering his partner lying dead next to him in a drug-related incident.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond commented: “If that does not change him, there is nothing I can do.”

A motorist has been banned from the road for 12 months at Selkirk Sheriff Court for overtaking a line of vehicles in the face of oncoming traffic in full view of police officers.

Robert Searle, 25, of Fraser Avenue in Hawick, pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving on the A7 Edinburgh-Carlisle road at Ashkirk on February 23.

The court was told that other drivers had to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

A police car was behind Searle’s BMW at the time and pulled him over after witnessing the manoeuvre.

In addition to being banned from the road for the next year, Searle was fined £250 and will have to resit his driving test before he is allowed to get his licence back.

A Jedburgh teenager has admitted having sex with a 13-year-old girl four years his junior.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named due to his age, pleaded guilty at the town’s sheriff court yesterday, June 25, to being involved in sexual activity with the underage girl in woodland at Hartrigge, north east of Jedburgh, between March 1 and March 31 last year.

He denied sending an image of his private parts to her and repeatedly asking her to send pictures of her naked body, however.

He faces the same charge in relation to three other 14-year-old girls and pleaded not guilty to those charges as well.

A trial date has been fixed for Tuesday, September 4, at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, with an intermediate hearing on Monday, August 6.

Sentence has been deferred on the under age sex offence until August 6.

Paul Lawrie’s career is hanging in the balance after the Aberdonian shut down his 2018 season due to niggling back and foot injuries.

The decision, which hasn’t been made lightly, means the 49-year-old will miss out on playing in next month’s Open Championship at Carnoustie, where he won the Claret Jug in 1999.

It will be the first time Lawrie has sat out golf’s oldest major since 1997 and he is also set to miss the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open for the first time since making his debut at Gleneagles five years earlier.

“It is with regret that I announce my withdrawal from all Tour events for the remainder of the current season,” said Lawrie in a statement on his website.

“Unfortunately, both the back and foot injuries I have been carrying for the last six months and more have become debilitating, to the point where I am not currently able to compete at the highest level. Rest and further investigation will be required.

“It is particularly disappointing that I’m going to miss both the upcoming Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open and the Open Championship, as a result.

“My hope is that the break will allow me to get the required treatment and to come back next season (when I’ll be eligible for the seniors’ circuit) as strong as ever.

“As well as working on my rehabilitation, the time away from the course will allow me to spend additional time working with the juniors in my Foundation programme which is dear to my heart.

“I would like to thank all of my sponsors for their continued support and understanding at this time, and I hope to come back fitter and stronger in 2019.”

The two-time Ryder Cup player first started to be troubled by his foot just before the 2012 contest at Medinah. He went to see a foot specialist in Germany towards the end of last year but that failed to cure the problem.

He’s complained on and off about his back playing up and this decision seems a sensible one as he looks to play on both the Champions Tour in the US and Staysure Tour in Europe after he turns 50 on 1 January.

“I’ve not hit any balls since the Scottish Par 3 Championship,” he said of an event that took place at his golf centre outside Aberdeen just under a fortnight ago. “My plan was just to leave it for a few weeks and see how it feels after that. But it’s no better, to be honest.

“On the flat, there’s not a problem but any sort of hill and man it’s sore. I am certainly struggling. I think then frustration has gone, to be honest. A few ago I was getting frustrated because I wanted to practice and get back into it, but I think I’ve gone past that now.

“We’ll just have to wait and see. I’m not going to say I’m about to stop playing completely, but it’s nae great. It’s been a while now since I’ve been able to play 18 holes without feeling any pain.”

There may still be a Lawrie in the field at Carnoustie after Paul’s eldest son, Craig, cleared the first hurdle in his bid to tee up in the event by finishing joint-second at Panmure in one of 13 regional qualifiers being held around Great

Britain and Ireland.

He comfortably secured one of nine spots up for grabs with a two-under 68. Grantown-on-Spey man Gavin Hay won with a 67 while others to progress included Paul McKechnie, who played in the 2014 Open at Royal Liverpool.

Elsewhere, Craigielaw’s Jonathan Porteous passed the test at Goswick along with fellow pro Neil Henderson, as well as amateur duo Stuart Blair and Simon Fairburn.

A man has admitted making threatening phone calls to Police Scotland.

Fraser Miller, 43, of Weensland Road, Hawick, pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to sending menacing messages to police call handlers on several occasions on June 8 and 9.

During those calls, he threatened violence to police officers and others and claimed to be in possession of knives and firearms.

Sentence was deferred until Monday, July 23, for the production of background reports.

A man has been warned he is one step away from jail after admitting struggling violently with a police sergeant at a Kelso nightclub.

Andrew Moriarty, 27, of Hendersyde Park, Kelso, pleaded guilty to charges of obstructing the officer and threatening or abusive behaviour at the Vibe nightclub, in Vault Square, during the early hours of May 6.

Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told the officer fell and banged his head during the struggle and his wound had to be treated at the Borders General Hospital in Melrose, resulting him being off work for two days.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said: “It was about 1.40am after the annual Kelso Sevens at Poynder Park, and police were on duty keeping an eye on things.

“The sergeant went to the nightclub and was speaking to staff when a commotion broke out on the stairs.

“The accused appeared intoxicated and was swinging his arms about.

“The sergeant had his back to him and he had his hat knocked off.

“The officer took hold of him and ushered him out of the club, but the accused started struggling violently with him.

“The sergeant made a call for assistance, and the accused was abusive to him calling him a piggy b******.

“The accused tried to get away from him, but the officer held onto him, and the two of them fell to the ground.

“The officer hit his head with some force against the kerb and was bleeding heavily from the wound.

“The sergeant still managed to hold onto him despite the accused struggling with him.”

Mr Fraser said other officers then arrived, but Moriarty continued to be abusive towards them, saying he was going to kill them all.

That abusive behaviour continued in a police van as he was taken to Hawick police station, where he spat on its charge bar.

Mr Fraser added: “The sergeant was taken to the Borders General Hospital and had the wound glued and was off work for two days, but I spoke to him recently and there are no long-term effects from this.”

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client had been at the Kelso Sevens rugby contest earlier in the day and had consumed far too much alcohol.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told Moriarty: “Let’s be clear about this – you are one step away from custody.”

The self-employed loft insulator was given a 10-month restriction-of-liberty order keeping him in his home between the hours of 8pm and 6.30am and he was also ordered to pay £150 compensation to the police sergeant he injured.

Competitors in hotly-contested heats enjoyed near-perfect conditions for the 137th Vertish Hill sports in Hawick.

The annual primary schools’ festival took place amid warm temperatures on Saturday.

Teries of all ages came together in the traditional walk from Dovecote Street, played along by the Saxhorn Band - who provided the music at the first sports event in 1881 - the Drums and Fifes and the Scout Fellowship Band.

Led by Cornet Gareth Renwick, over 267 children paraded to the top of Vertish Hill.

As ever, the Sports were hotly contested, with Drumlanrig and Trinity tying for champion school.

Sophie Swan of Trinity was champion girl, while Filip Kibicki of Drumlanrig came out top boy after an excitingly close competition with Trinity’s Conner McLeod.

The two were tied coming into the last race, the hurdles, but, in the outside lane, the taller Kubicki got to the bend first and held McLeod off on the line to take the honours.

Festival president Frank Scott said the only disappointment was that, with the parade down 50 on last year, there must be hundreds of youngsters missing out.

But he added: “The sports were well attended and the children, once again, were a credit to their parents, they were well behaved and polite.

“Huge thank you to all our sponsors, the parents, children and everyone who helps on the day.”

Results:

Champion Boy - Filip Kubicki (D)

Champion Girl - Sophie Swan (T)

Champion School - Drumlanrig and Trinity tie

Boys age 5

1. Ivan Watsion (D), 2 Parker Johnstone (D), 3 Calan Pender-Mills (D)

Girls age 5

1. Gracie Dalgleish (W), 2 Bonnie Scott (S), 3 Eva Murray (D)

Boys age 6

1. Cullen Sutherland (D), 2 Greg Watson (T), 3 Conor Young (W)

Girls age 6

1. Chloe McLeod (T) 2, Ellie Cowan (D) 3, Alex Armstrong (T)

Boys age 7

1. Cole Davidson (D) 2. Faris Alkhoury (D) 3. Callum Stevenson (D)

Girls age 7

1. Ava Stewart (W) 2, Ellie Young (W) 3. Cindy Wei (D)

Boys age 8

1. Oliver Fenech (W) 2. Koby Wilson (D) 3. Toby Russell (D)

Girls age 8

1. Tess Carmichael (D) 2. Olivia Ross (D) 3. Megan Hume (D)

Boys age 9

1. Charlie Playford (S) 2. Rudi Drabner-Graham (T) 3. Jaiden Donaldson (B)

Girls age 9

1. Carra McLeod (T) 2. Emma Philbin (W) 3. Gracie Telfer (D)

Boys age 10

1. Connor McLeod (T) 2. Louis Bonini (T) 3. Harry Wear (T)

Girls age 10

1. Carla Bonini (T) 2. Allie Carmichael (D) 3. Chloe Inglis (D)

Boys age 11

1. Filip Kubicki (D) 2. Jardine Vevers (B) 3. Ryan Cox (W)

Girls age 11

1. Sophie Swan (T) 2. Erin Landles (D) 3. Beka Wilson (D)

Boys age 12

1. Riley Muir (S) 2. Joseph Wear (T) 3. Brian Murray-Threipland (D)

Girls age 12

1. Lana Stanger (W) 2. Sophie Shields (W) 3.Stroma Beukes (W)

Boys Relay Race

1. Drumlanrig 2. Stirches 3. Trinity

Girls Relay Race

1, Wilton 2. Trinity 3.Drumlanrig

Obstacle Race under 9

1. Toby Russell (D) 2. Leroy Whiteley (B) 3. Faris Alkhoury (D)

Obstacle Race 9-12

1. Connor McLeod (T) 2. Harris Common (D) 3. Jack Brown (D)

Sack Race

1. Filip Kubicki (D) 2. Riley Muir (S) 3. Jack Brown (D)

Egg and Spoon Race

1. Lexie Keown (D) 2. Chloe Patterson (T) 3. Lucy Swan (T)

Hurdle race under 9

1. Jaiden Donaldson (B) 2. Faris Alkhoury (D) 3. Hudson McLeod (W)

Hurdle Race 9-12

1. Filip Kubicki (D) 2. Connor McLeod (T) 3. Lana Stanger (W)

Skipping Race

1. Sophie Swan (T) 2. Erin Landles (D) 3. Iona Douglas (D)

Two Borders primary schools have triumphed at the Lothian Primary School Basketball Finals by claiming the top two places.

Having qualified for their places at the Borders Final, held at the Queens Leisure Centre, Galashiels, Kingsland Primary School (Peebles) and Glendinning Primary School (Galashiels) made their way to Oriam Sports Complex at the Heriot Watt University Campus in Edinburgh to compete in the final against teams from Edinburgh, East Lothian, West Lothian and Midlothian.

Both Borders outfits performed brilliantly to win their groups and qualify for the semi-finals, where again they both put in another magnificent performance to win their respective games and set up an all-Borders final.

It was a breathtaking game, with both teams going all out for the win. After some end-to-end basketball, with the lead changing frequently, Kingsland Primary School came out on top by the narrowest of margins (28-25) to claim the title of East of Scotland champions.

The final was organised by Kieran Lynch (Basketball Scotland) who is the East and Central Region basketball development officer. He, along with GB and Scotland team captain Kieron Achara, travelled to Peebles to present the winners with their trophy.

Achara said: “It’s a great achievement to see Kingsland and Glendinning performing so well. With there being no formal basketball club in the area, seeing the growth of the sport is a testament to the school and all involved.”

Local cluster competitions and the Borders final were organised by the Live Borders Active Schools team and supported by PE staff, school staff, senior pupils and parents. Senior Active Schools co-ordinator Paul Murray congratulated both schools on their fantastic achievement.

“After coming through local area championships and then claiming the two qualifying spaces at the Borders finals, both schools did the Borders proud at the Lothian finals with some inspiring play, great teamwork and impeccable sportsmanship,” he said.

“Thanks to all of the Live Borders Active Schools Team for all of their hard work in organising/co-ordinating area and regional competitions and to the volunteers who both supported these events and/or provided children with extra-curricular basketball opportunities within their schools.”

Councillor Euan Jardine, Galashiels & District’s executive member for culture and sport, added: “It is a tremendous achievement for the Scottish Borders that two of our schools made the final.

“I have coached and played basketball for over 20 years in this area, so I know first-hand the depth of talent in the Lothian region. For Kingsland and Glendinning to excel like they did is remarkable.

“I hope these young athletes continue to play the game and start to create a new basketball legacy in the Borders.”

Live Borders Active Schools team works with a variety of partners to put school sport competition structures in place, giving children the opportunity to progress through a pathway of local/area/regional school sport.

The basketball programme is one example in the Scottish Borders of this in action and has been extremely successful this year.

Active Schools is part of charitable trust Live Borders www.liveborders.org.uk

Almost 1,500 music lovers descended on Jedburgh at the weekend for the fifth annual Riverside Rock music festival.

Revellers from as far south as Manchester and Liverpool and north as Inverness and Thurso journeyed to Riverside Park for the event which has become a staple in the Borders calender.

And despite competition from Lets Rock Scotland in Dalkeith on Saturday, the organising team, consisting of Allan Fraser, Alister Campbell and Peter Wight, have hailed this year’s festival, which boasted Sweet and The Hoosiers as headliners, a huge success.

“Everybody loved it,” Allan said. “The bands were as good as we have ever had and it went really well.

“We were blessed with great weather once again and the feedback so far has hailed it a well-organised family friendly event for the whole of the Scottish Borders.

“As organisers we would like to thank everybody involved from our volunteers and charity partners to sponsors and supporters.

“It’s getting better every year.”

The event donates hundreds of pounds each year to charities and schools and will also support the My Name’5 Doddie foundation this year.

However, Allan warned: “Locals are saying that they never want it to stop, but it’s only sustainable if we get the support of the Borders. It’s very much use it or lose still.”

Borders rugby legend Doddie Weir has marked the first anniversary of revealing that he’d been diagnosed with motor neurone disease by handing over £100,000 for research into the incurable condition.

It was on Global MND Awareness Day last year that the former Scotland international told the world of his diagnosis six months previously, and on the same day this year he presented MND Scotland with money raised by the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, one of two charities he’s set up in the meantime.

His £100,000 donation will help keep the charity’s grant scheme going.

MND Scotland offers three different grants to people affected by the illness to help meet some of the extra costs sufferers face.

They can be used to help buy equipment or make adaptations to homes, for power-of-attorney fees or taxis to appointments, or to allow families to have a last holiday together.

The 47-year-old, of Blainslie, said: “The generosity and support we have received from all quarters since we launched My Name’5 Doddie Foundation has been incredible.

“From the start, I wanted to do something to help people going through the same as me.

“When you are diagnosed with motor neurone disease, the future for you and your family is so terribly bleak.

“We are committed to helping find a cure for this devastating disease while also helping people affected by MND.

“We have already made some individual awards to families, but we also recognise that MND Scotland has the experience and resources to help those who need it most.

“That is why we are delighted to have committed £100,000 to MND Scotland to allow them to use their grant system to make sure the funds we have raised are directed in the most effective way.

“We are also talking to the MND Association in England and will have further announcements in the next few weeks about how we hope to support fellow sufferers.”

The former Melrose player, capped 61 times for Scotland between 1990 and 2000, met one of the beneficiaries of the grant scheme – Jim Grant, 75, of Edinburgh, diagnosed with MND in January 2000 – while handing over a cheque to Lawrence Cowan, the charity’s chairman.

Mr Cowan said: “We are extremely grateful to Doddie’s foundation for making this generous contribution to our grants this year.

“Last year, MND Scotland awarded 270 grants to 183 people in desperate need of financial help, totaling £225,000.

“Doddie’s support will go a long way in helping us deliver these essential grants this year to help people affected by this devastating disease.

“By working together, we will transform MND care in Scotland.”

MND sufferers wishing to apply for grants can find out more at www.mndscotland.org.uk/grants.

Weir also marked this year’s awareness day, last Thursday, by handing over an award in memory of MND campaigner Gordon Aikman to Lucy Lintott, the youngest of the 450-plus people in Scotland currently fighting MND, at a ceremony held in Edinburgh.

Lucy, 24, of Moray, was diagnosed with MND five years ago and has been raising money – £170,000 and counting –to help others facing the same plight ever since.

The former Newcastle Falcons lock said: “It is fantastic to meet Lucy, something I have been wanting to do since watching her incredibly honest and moving documentary about her life with MND.

“Lucy has taken a devastating diagnosis and turned it into a positive. Her fundraising efforts and work to educate people about MND are inspiring and an example to us all.”

“I am humbled and delighted to present her with this award, while also recognising the huge contribution Gordon made to the fight against this horrendous disease.”

Lucy added: “Gordon and I have received many awards together over the years, so getting one named in memory of him is very surreal.”

Earlston Civic Week kicks off this weekend.

It starts on Sunday with a service at Earlston Parish Church, followed by the Redpath Ramble at 2pm in the Sqaure and car treasure hunt at 5pm from the rugby club. Football fives run from 11am in Runciman Park.

The next day there’s a pet show, duck race, table top sale and barbecue all from 6.30pm at Cauldie. On Tuesday the White Hill Race is at 7.30pm and the Black hill Race at 7pm.

On Wednesday it’s party time for the kids from 1pm to 3pm in the marquee followed by the quiz there at 8pm. Thursday sees bowling at the bowling club at 7pm, and bingo in the marquee also at 7pm.

Friday’s senior citizen’s entertainment begins at 1:30pm in the marquee before Scocha plays there from 8pm with a disco until 1am.

On Saturday morning, fancy dress judging is at 12pm with the parade at 1pm.

That afternoon there’s sports in the rugby ground from 2pm to 5pm and guest beers and live music. The torchlight parade leaves the East Green at 10.15pm arriving at The Hugh for the grand firework finale at 10.45pm. A disco follows in the marquee from 11pm.

The brother of tragic Frightened Rabbit frontman Scott Hutchison has appealed for people to educate themselves about mental health.

In his first interview since the singer’s death, Grant Hutchison said one of his biggest regrets was not knowing enough about Scott’s illness.

Speaking to Planet Radio, Frightened Rabbit drummer Grant, 34, said he wanted to raise awareness on behalf of other sufferers.

“One of the main things about this is to realise that it’s not just Scott - anyone can go through this,” he said. “There are no rules, mental illness isn’t something that anyone’s immune too.

“I think education and learning about it, and speaking about it to people that don’t experience it and don’t understand it, is an important thing.”

The 36-year-old singer and songwriter from Selkirk was found dead on May 10 following a battle with depression.

He was the founding member of the indie rock band, which recorded five studio albums including including top-10 hit record Pedestrian Verse in 2013.

His brother and bandmate Grant said this week: “One of the thoughts I’ve had to deal with and think through, is what could I have done.

“Mental illness is not something I’ve suffered from in the same way as Scott, so it’s always hard for me to empathise without having gone through it. That doesn’t mean you can’t help, and I know I did help him.

“The main thing I’m taking from that is that maybe at the time I wasn’t educated enough. I’m still not, I’m not saying in the past month I’ve learned everything there is to learn. But not knowing enough is probably my biggest regret.”

Last week a discussion on mental health awareness and the music industry replaced a scheduled Frightened Rabbit headline set.

The band had been due to perform at Meltdown Festival, curated by The Cure’s Robert Smith, at London’s Southbank Centre.

Instead a panel - chaired by clinical psychologist Jay Watts and featuring Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses, Stefan Olsdal of Placebo, musician and poet Dizraeli, and Christine Brown from music charity Help Musicians UK - discussed mental health issues within the industry.

A Southbank Centre spokesperson said: “The music industry has seen a number of devastating losses of life in recent years, and increasing numbers of musicians are speaking out about struggles with mental health.”