Police have named a man who died after his motorbike crashed into a parked car in Hawick.

He was father-of-two, Kyle Christensen.

The 30-year-old was riding a KTM motorbike on Eildon Road on Saturday, July 7, when he hit a parked Kia Sportage.

He died later in hospital.

His family have described him as “a loving son, dad and brother who will be sorely missed”.

Investigations into the accident are ongoing and anyone who witnessed the crash but has not spoken to police has been urged to contact officers.

Councillors have voted to relax restrictions on new businesses opening in Hawick and Galashiels town centres in a bid to arrest the decline of their high streets.

Members of Scottish Borders Council’s planning and building standards committee today agreed to a recommendation by council officers that they no longer limit the types of business allowed to open in Hawick’s High Street.

Previously, only businesses the council believed would generate footfall, such as restaurants and clothes shops, were granted permission to open there, but councillors have now elected to remove that red tape for a one-year trial period.

They have also agreed not to insist on contributions from developers to provide extra funding for schools, playparks and amenities.

In Galashiels, however, the committee agreed to retain restrictions on the types of business permitted to open in Channel Street and Bank Street, but it did agree to take a much more flexible approach allowing previously-barred businesses to open in the heart of the town centre.

Leisure businesses and offices offering professional or financial services will now be tolerated along the town’s two main shopping streets, and businesses such as tattoo shops and travel agents will be allowed providing they can prove they will generate footfall.

The impact made by those changes in regulations for both towns’ retail hubs will be assessed over the next year, and if the trial initiative is judged to be a success, it will be tried out in the region’s other towns too.

A report presented to the committee by Charles Johnston,the council’s lead officer for plans and research, said that action must be taken immediately to save the region’s town centres.

“This now means that any business that would get permission to open in the wider town centre would now stand a good chance of getting permission within the core activity area,” he said.

“The reality is are we really going to get a town centre without vacant properties?

“To measure the success of the pilot scheme, we will look a footfall figures and vacancy rates.

“Through time, the monitoring process should give us a good idea of how well the pilot is doing.”

Kelso councillor Simon Mountford said: “I’m personally pretty supportive at this stage of the discussion. I think we should suck it and see.”

The report shows that in Hawick, footfall has more than halved since 2007, and Selkirk and Duns have seen reductions of a quarter.

Melrose, Jedburgh, Galashiels and Peebles have all seen reductions of between 14% and 18%, but Kelso has managed to return its footfall numbers to 2007 levels following a slump in previous years.

Empty shop fronts are an increasingly common sight across the UK, and the Borders is no different, especially Galashiels as its vacancy rate for retail units now stands at 15%,.

Hawick and Selkirk lag not far behind, with 14% of their shops lying empty, and 13% of Jedburgh’s are vacant too.

Speaking after the meeting, Leaderdale and Melrose councillor Tom Miers, the authority’s executive member for planning and environment, said: “These changes will make it easier for new businesses to invest in our towns.

“We need to move with the times and recognise that high streets are shifting away from traditional retail towards a broader mix of leisure, business and specialist shopping.

“This pilot scheme will test new policies to help that process while preserving the essential character and vibrancy of our towns.

“Towns like Hawick, with its magnificent High Street, have enormous potential, and this council is determined to unlock that and encourage new business, new life and new dynamism amidst the superb built heritage that we already enjoy.”

Mid Berwickshire councillor Mark Rowley, the council’s executive member for business and economic development, added: “We hope the removal of restrictions in Hawick and Galashiels will create more opportunities in both town centres for a more diverse range of businesses attractive to residents and visitors alike.

“The initiative should support a number of exciting projects going ahead in both towns.

“In Hawick, we have an action plan which is starting to revitalise its economy and drive further inward investment and tourism.

“In Galashiels, the Great Tapestry of Scotland complex is kick-starting the delivery of the Galashiels Masterplan, our ambitious vision to encourage investment in the town and the Borders economy from both the public and private sector, with investors already exploring exciting projects.”

An area of Jedburgh’s waterside path has been closed this morning after what is believed to have been a serious assault near the town’s Duck Row.

It is believed a young man was attacked at around 7am.

Police have closed the area along the River Jed waterside between the south end of Bongate and Duck Row and two police vans and a dog van remain in place.

A police spokeswoman confirmed they were called to an assault this morning but are yet to confirm any more details.

A 27-year-old man is being treated in hospital after an assault on a Jedburgh footpath early this morning.

Police were called to the waterside path by Jed Water at around 6.45am this morning and the footpath was closed off between the south end of Bongate and Duck Row.

The man is is being treated for facial injuries at the Borders General Hospital.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Police in the Borders are investigating a report of an assault that took place on a footpath near to Jed Water in Jedburgh at around 6.45am on Tuesday, July 17.

“A 27-year-old man was taken to Borders General Hospital by the Scottish Ambulance Service with facial injuries and inquiries are ongoing.”

A Hollywood legend has failed in his bid to block the release of a movie based on the life of a pioneering Borderer.

Mad Max star Mel Gibson plays Denholm-born headteacher James Murray, one of the creators of the Oxford English Dictionary, in the forthcoming film The Professor and the Madman.

The movie was shot in late 2016 and early 2017, with Gibson playing the professor and Sean Penn taking the role of the madman.

However, late in production, shooting ground to a halt after Gibson and director Farhad Safinia insisted that certain scenes be shot in Oxford, England, instead of Trinity College in Dublin.

Voltage Films refused that request, claiming it would add £1.9m to the production costs of a film already in danger of exceeding its £19m budget.

Gibson subsequently took legal action to prevent Voltage releasing its version of the movie, but he has now lost that case in the US, potentially clearing the way for an imminent release.

At a court hearing in California, Gibson’s lawyers asked judge Ruth Kwan to rule that Voltage had violated the deal and turn the rights over to him, but she refused, finding that the actor had failed to gather sufficient proof of breach of contract.

Safinia, a co-writer of the screenplay for the film, is also bringing a copyright lawsuit against Voltage, accusing it of seeking to exploit Ireland’s tax rebate programme.

The film, a pet project of Gibson’s for 20 years, is based on The Surgeon of Crowthorne, Simon Winchester’s 1998 book about collaboration between Murray and William Minor, an inmate in a mental asylum, to create the Oxford English Dictionary.

Gibson bought the film rights to the book, retitled The Professor and the Madman in the US, the year it came out but did not start work on it until two years ago.

Murray was born in Denholm in 1837 and died in Oxfordshire in 1915 at the age of 78. He left the Borders in 1856 in search of milder weather and took charge of the dictionary project in 1879, overseeing it until his death.

The Hawick Grammar School teacher is the second Scot to be played by US-born Gibson, 62, following his portrayal of William Wallace, guardian of Scotland from 1297 to 1298, in 1995’s Braveheart.

Borderers are being urged by one of their own, Scottish rugby legend Chris Paterson, to put their best feet forward in aid of their chosen charities.

The Edinburgh leg of the 2018 Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk will finish at the city’s Murrayfield stadium on Sunday, September 16, and those taking part can opt to walk distances of five, 13 or 26 miles.

Galashiels-raised Paterson, a Scottish international from 1999 to 2011 and still the team’s record scorer of points, with 809, said: “It can be a great day out for all the family, and you know at the same time that you’re helping folk.”

The 40-year-old, a Gala player from 1996 to 1999, was joined by Scotland women players Nicola Howat and Sarah Law, plus fundraiser Lynn McNicholl, at the launch of this year’s event, held at Murrayfield.

Go to www.thekiltwalk.co.uk to find out how to get involved.

Thanks to the support of philanthropist Tom Hunter, an additional 40% will be added to whatever walkers raise to boost the good causes they are backing.

Scottish Rugby is encouraging its own staff and member clubs to sign up, and Dominic McKay, its chief operating officer, said: “We are delighted to host the Edinburgh Kiltwalk again, and it’s a tremendous opportunity for rugby clubs, their players, volunteers and supporters to give a welcome boost to charity funds.

“Scottish Rugby has its own charity partners – the Murrayfield Injured Players’ Foundation, the Bill McLaren Foundation, Hearts and Balls, Wooden Spoon, Save the Children and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation – and the work these charities do can be given a real fillip if people decide to support them and sign up for Kiltwalk in their droves.”

Kiltwalk chief executive officer Paul Cooney added: “We want to be the most powerful fundraising platform in Scotland for all charities, big and small, to raise significant funds for the people that need it most.

“Since 2015, when Sir Tom came in to underwrite the Kiltwalk, we have grown from strength to strength.

“In 2017, the Kiltwalk supported more than 700 charities all over Scotland, raising more than £2.67m.”

A 53-year-old biker killed in a road accident on the A68 near Jedburgh last week has been named by police.

John Dent, from Hexham, died when the Triumph Thruxton motorbike he was riding collided with an Audi A6, two miles south of Jedburgh, last Sunday afternoon.

Another biker, a 45-year-old man, then collided with the Audi. His injuries were described as serious but not life-threatening.

Mr Dent’s family have today paid tribute to “a much-loved family man”.

In a statement they said: “John was a much loved husband and father to his wife and three daughters.

“John lived in the north east of England and was enjoying one of his favourite pastimes when he was sadly taken from us.

“He spent 30 years as a marine engineer in the Merchant Navy working in the north of Scotland.

“He was very much a family man, his other passions included his speed boat, water skiing, skiing and hiking with his dogs.

“We are very grateful for the support of family and his many friends and he is much missed by all of us.”

Officers from Dalkeith Road Policing Unit are continuing to investigate the collision, and anyone who witnessed it who has not yet spoken to police are asked to contact them on 101, quoting incident 3330 of 8th July.

Police in the Borders are appealing for witnesses after an assault in Jedburgh this morning.

The incident happened at around 6.45am on a pathway known as the waterside walkway which runs adjacent to the A68 next to the River Jed.

A 27-year-old man walking south was approached by a man who assaulted him by throwing an unknown liquid in his face.

The victim was taken to Borders General Hospital as a precaution and was later released.

Inquiries are ongoing and anyone who can assist with the investigation is being asked to come forward.

Detective sergeant Callum Peoples from Galashiels CID said: “This was a frightening experience for the victim who was thankfully not seriously injured as a result.

“We know that the liquid was not a corrosive substance, however, inquiries remain ongoing to establish what it contained.

“I am eager to hear from anyone who may have been in the Bongate area of Jedburgh and who saw anyone acting suspiciously, or who witnessed what happened, as soon as possible.

“The victim was passed by an Alsatian-type dog immediately prior to the assault and I would appeal to its owners to come forward to assist with our investigations.”

The waterside path was closed off for almost five hours this morning while police officers and dogs investigated the attack.

Anyone with information can contact Galashiels CID via 101, quoting incident number 0566 of July 17, or report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Some like it hot, according to the 1959 Marilyn Monroe film of that name, and among their number are airborne archaeologists.

That’s because heatwaves such as the one that has seen the Borders bask in Mediterranean-like temperatures over recent weeks dry out soil and make underground sites dating back to prehistoric times more visible.

Crop marks showing ancient settlements and Roman fortifications usually hidden beneath farmland can now be spotted from the air more easily and are being documented on film by Historic Environment Scotland.

Sites newly revealed by the heritage body’s aerial survey team during the recent warm weather now coming to an end include an Iron Age souterrain, a rare find for this neck of the woods, and a Roman temporary camp.

The camp was spotted within the already-known complex of Roman sites at Lyne, near Peebles.

Its discovery takes the tally of forts known to be there to five, two of them long-term and two temporary.

The newly-sighted souterrain, an underground chamber, is also near Peebles, by the Eddleston Water.

What is thought to be an Iron Age fort has also been sighted near Selkirk.

The marks now being mapped out from above form as crops respond to dry conditions and allow the team to document known sites not visible for many years as well as adding new ones to its records.

Iron Age burials, Neolithic pits and prehistoric settlements are all marked out more clearly in fields for now, as are long-dry rivers and streams, revealing how the landscape of the Borders has changed over the centuries.

Dave Cowley, aerial survey project manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “Aerial surveys of Scotland have been carried out since the 1930s, with each year usually adding a little more to the patchwork of our knowledge.

“We depend on dry years to bring out the buried remains in the crops, so we are currently out hunting for new clues from the skies while the good weather lasts.

“The conditions this year are showing us many sites that we knew were there but may not have been seen in recent damp summers, as well as revealing new archaeological sites that add to our ability to see into the past to tell Scotland’s story.”

The aerial survey team scour Scotland from the sky to record its historic environment, and it has discovered and made note of more than 9,000 buried sites to date.

For further details, visit www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/what-we-do/survey-and-recording/aerial-survey

Alarming new figures reveal more than a quarter of teenagers confess to behaving in a way that could endanger their life on the railway – and one in admitted to walking along the railway line.

The figures were revealed at the start of a new campaign, You Vs Train, which aims to drive home the devastating consequences of ignoring the warnings and stepping on to railway tracks.

It has been launched by the rail industry and the British Transport Police.

At its heart is the story of Tom Hubbard – a young boy who suffered life-changing injuries in 2014 when he was electrocuted by the overhead power cables.

He suffered third degree burns across 57 per cent of his body, and he has been left to deal with the serious physical and psychological consequences.

Tom said: “I woke up 11 days later in the burns unit at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital wrapped from head to toe in bandages, heavily medicated and unable to string a sentence together.

“I don’t think I knew what was real and what wasn’t. When the doctors and my mum came to speak to me a few days later, the enormity of what had happened finally hit me. They explained how lucky I was to be alive, but it was going to be a long road to recovery.

“Four years on I’m still affected by the events of that day and every time I look in the mirror I’m reminded by that one decision to go on the railway. The accident has made me more of an introvert and cautious of trying new things, often opting to stay in during the day to avoid people and wear hoodies and long-sleeved tops to hide my scars, even on hot days”

The lack of knowledge about the potential dangers seems to be why children choose the tracks as a good place to take risks³, with only a third (37%) believing that the railway is extremely dangerous.

Just under a third (31%) don’t believe that severe burns as a result of electrocution or electrocution by the overhead wires (31%) are risks you might face if you go on the railway tracks

15% think that it’s safe to walk on the railway track if you check a timetable to make sure there are no trains coming

Almost a fifth (17%) think that getting a dropped/lost item (e.g. phone or football) from the railway track is relatively safe as long as you leave again straight away

The new data also highlights some worrying seasonal peaks in the number of incidents, with the summer holidays seeing more than double the number of young risk takers

Allan Spence, head of public and passenger safety at Network Rail, explains: “Hundreds of people each year unintentionally take on the railway and lose. This year we have already seen a record number of young people losing their life or being injured on the track.

“The railway is full of both obvious and hidden dangers. The electricity is always on and always dangerous. Trains can also travel up to 125 miles per hour, so even if a driver can see your child, they can’t stop in time and they can’t change direction.

A short film re-enacting Tom’s story will be launched across social media and shown in cinemas throughout the summer. Tom’s family will also feature in the campaign to show how his accident has impacted on them.

Davie Gray, BTP Scotland Chief Inspector, said: “We want his story to be heard – the tracks are not a playground. They’re incredibly dangerous and, as Tom’s story shows, can easily result in serious injury or worse.

“We hope the campaign will help young people to understand the risks, and help them to make the right decision and stay away from railway lines. Equally, it will also help them understand that bad decisions don’t just affect them, but they will have a deep and lasting impact on their families and friends as well. This campaign is not just for our young people but also their friends and family.”

Borders MP John Lamont is continuing to back campaigners calling for the Borders Railway to be extended into England.

The Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP last week highlighted the hopes now rising that the Edinburgh-Tweedbank track could be extended into Cumbria by asking: “Many businesses in my constituency depend on customers and staff from south of the border, so what discussions has the minister had with the Scottish Government about improving cross-border links on the A1, A68 and A7 and, crucially, the extension of the Borders Railway to Carlisle?”

Welsh office minister Stuart Andrew told him: “My honorable friend is absolutely right that cross-border connectivity is crucial right across the United Kingdom.

“He and his constituents will quite rightly expect the UK Government to commit to working closely and constructively with the Scottish Government so that we have a joined-up approach.

“We are working on a day-to-day level and at an official level between the Department for Transport and Transport Scotland.

“As for long-term projects, the potential of the Borderlands growth deal could stand to be transformative for his constituents.”

The viability of extending the track, opened in 2015 as a partial restoration of the cross-country Waverley Route closed in 1969, is currently being looked into on behalf of Transport Scotland by consultant Jacobs UK.

Extending the line to Hawick, via Melrose, would add about 17 miles to its current 30-mile length, and carrying onto Carlisle would require another 50-plus miles of track on top of that.

With nerves well hidden behind a smile matched only in size by the crowds filling Abbey Place, Jethart Callant Nick Arnold led his town in celebration and commemoration on Friday.

And while it looked briefly as though the sunshine that had blessed each of Nick’s six previous rideouts might have finally failed him, the skies dried just in time for herald Brian Marshall, fulfilling his final festival day in the job, to sound his horn and kick off Jedburgh’s biggest day of the year.

He was followed by the Jedburgh Pipe Band, the callant, his right and left-hand men, Brodie Irvine and Gary Hogg, and a 240-strong mounted cavalcade into Abbey Place.

With not a word spoken, the 21-year-old callant carried the flag, presented to him at the investiture ceremony the night before, to be bussed by provost’s wife Helen Oliver.

Returning to his horse, the silence was finally broken as he roared out the battle cry “Jethart’s here”.

“You walk around to Abbey Place and it all falls silent,” Nick said. “That is the moment that everybody who has been in my shoes remembers and wishes they could do again. You can hear a pin drop. It’s just breathtaking.”

The cheers that followed gave way to a rousing rendition of the song of the same name before Nick and his cavalcade headed for Ferniehirst.

There, Jedburgh Grammar School pupil Kobe Ross gave a stirring rendition of The Reprisal, Walter Laidlaw’s account of how an English occupation of the castle was broken in 1575.

Speaker Francis Kerr then spoke of a resilience and determination, individuality and self-respect found in the Borders but nowhere else in the world.

Further visits to Lintalee and the capon tree followed before the cavalcade returned to the town, crossed the water and fell silent once again for an act of remembrance at the war memorial.

Duties completed, Nick returned the flag before accepting the callant’s cup and acknowledging his followers with the same smile worn since his appointment two months ago.

He’s enjoyed unwavering support and huge followings but still admitted: “I was nervous on Friday. I was really panicking, but we took great pride in doing it properly, especially the ceremony at the war memorial.

“A war veteran actually came up to me on Sunday and shook my hand saying how well we had done it. That was a special moment for me, and to know we did it right means a lot.

“Another highlight which I had never heard about before came just after the ceremony at the capon tree when the callant leads the cavalcade for the very first time.

“The herald falls back to be with the ex-heralds and you ride away up the forest. You can hear the ex-principals singing Ride On, Brave Jethart Callant and Alan Lauder, the 25th anniversary callant was sent up behind me.

“It’s a tradition I wasn’t aware of, and to live that moment was something else.”

Beside Nick every step of the way this year were his parents Susan and David, brother Louis and friend and lass Chloe Wight.

“My mum has been crying all week, and Chloe has been unbelievable. She was in the dark until May and it was a massive ask, but she’s bent over backwards to be at everything,” added Nick.

Volunteers from the Borders have notched up successes at the double at a national award ceremony.

Fundraisers in Selkirk and Peebles were recognised for their outstanding contributions to Cancer Research UK at its Flame of Hope ceremony in London.

The charity’s shop in Peebles High Street was named the best in the UK, and Selkirk’s Elaine Monro won the title of pioneer of the year.

Despite being one of the smallest stores in Scotland, the Peebles shop has raised over £2.5m for research.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, it recently installed a donation station at the Co-op in Innerleithen.

Shop volunteers also raised funds and provided information on reducing cancer risk during a run of The Naked Truth, a play about breast cancer by Dave Simpson, at the town’s Eastgate Theatre in March.

Assistant manager Debby Strain said the team was “absolutely delighted” to win the award.

“This fantastic achievement couldn’t have happened without the support and dedication of our wonderful volunteers, and also all the amazing donations handed into the shop,” she added.

Cancer Research UK Selkirk fundraising committee member Elaine took home the pioneer prize for her innovative work with Lochcarron of Scotland.

Her idea, to create a scarf in the charity’s colours, has been a huge success, with her design now officially registered in the Scottish Register of Tartans.

Around 1,200 scarves have been sold, with Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger and musical theatre star Michael Ball among a host of celebrities pictured wearing one.

Elaine said: “The Flame of Hope award really belongs to all those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to get the project to this point.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine sales of the scarf would take off in the way they have.

“The support shown by the people of Selkirk and the Borders has been amazing.”

Victoria Steven, a spokesperson for the charity in Scotland, said that Debby and Eleaine were “incredible”.

“These awards are our way of honouring the people who give their time freely to raise money for research and promote greater awareness of the disease and yet ask for nothing in return,” she added.

A former detective believes there is a wildcat on the loose in Hawick after coming face to face with a creature he reckons might have been a lynx in his back garden.

Andy Suddon, of Longhope Drive, Hawick, spotted the mystery animal through his kitchen window on Monday night.

“I was in the kitchen with the light off, and I saw a dark animal in an open bit between trees,” he said.

“I saw this movement and at first I thought it might be a young badger, but then I saw it didn’t have any white on it.

“I thought it could be a cat, but it was too big for a domestic cat. It just stood there looking at me.”

Andy, 78, was within 7ft of the creature, and he says it looked to be about half again as large as a domestic cat.

“It was all black with no markings, and it had what I would describe as a sharper face than a cat,” he said.

“It was sleeker than a domestic cat tends to be, about 20in long, and its legs and tail were longer.

“It stood for about a minute, then it loped off.

“It moved in a different way to a normal cat too.

“I stayed in the kitchen because I thought it would bolt if I went out, and I was trying to figure out what it was.”

Once a police chief inspector, the father of five says the creature was similar to a young lynx in stature.

“My eyesight is quite good, and I have been teetotal for 20 years, so there was nothing like that going on,” he added.

“I just want to know what it was. You get stories like this every now and again of people seeing a large cat or dog in the fields, or picking one up crossing the road in their headlights.

“It’s quite common in Devon and Cornwall but not round here.

“I live at the edge of town. I’m not in the country, but I’m over the fence from the country, by the roads cutting up to Hawick Moor.

“There is plenty of countryside and wooded areas nearby, and, of course, Kielder Forest isn’t too far away.

“It’s got me puzzled. I’d be interested to speak to anyone who knows about these kind of things who might be able to tell me what it was.”

In 2001, the British Big Cat Society considered sending an investigator with a trigger camera to Hawick after a spate of sightings in and around the town, including a report of a large black cat on the Hawick to Jedburgh road.

Three years ago, a walker in Galashiels reported startling a mysterious black feline “larger than a labrador” while out with her dog on Gala Hill. Dubbed the Policies panther, more sightings of it followed, with one woman even capturing a blurry dark shape, believed to be the animal in a photograph of snow.

Over the last decade, there have also been sightings of large black and brown cats at Caddonfoot, Walkerburn, Ancrum, Newtown, Melrose and Bridgelands in Selkirk.

The number of UK veterans who tragically take their own lives is being suppressed by the Scottish and Westminster Governments, a Johnston Press investigation has found.

Figures for former service personnel taking their own lives – available to the Scottish and Westminster Governments – are withheld from scrutiny by the general public.

Campaigners warn the numbers are set to rise with the country facing a “ticking timebomb” of veterans with PTSD and mental health issues becoming increasingly affected by memories of their experiences in conflicts such as Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Each year approximately 18,000 service personnel leave the UK Armed Forces. Scotland has around 240,000 veterans.

While the majority manage to integrate back into civilian life without major difficulties, a “significant minority” do not.

Human rights solicitor Aamer Anwar is calling for the Scottish and Westminster Governments to carry out an immediate review and release figures on veterans’ suicide rates.

Mr Anwar said: “It’s an absolute disgrace that figures are available to governments but are kept hidden. It smacks of an official cover-up.

“I suspect the figures are deeply embarrassing which is why they are hiding them, being obstructive and refusing to release them.

“They know the finger of blame would rightly be pointed at them for neglecting veterans who end up jobless, homeless and without real medical support.

“I also don’t buy the official explanation that the figures are withheld for reasons of confidentiality.

“The truth is they would make shocking reading.

“It’s horrifying that men and women who put their lives on the line to fight for their country and are saluted by government ministers at ceremonial occasions are put on the scrap heap when they return to civilian life.

“It’s all very well lauding them when they return from wars and conflicts but then most people walk past them when they end up homeless.

“There’s no point in governments sending men and women into conflicts saying ‘we support you every step of the way’ and then turning their back on them.

“That shows their lack of concern and respect for veterans.”

In Scotland, as elsewhere in the UK, those attempting to access the data on veteran suicides face a labyrinthine task involving multiple agencies and bureaucratic barriers.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said it was unable to provide statistics on veteran suicides in Scotland after our Freedom of Information request – because the costs of obtaining data crossed the £600 public authorities threshold.

COPFS said the only way of ascertaining if it held information on veteran deaths from 2015 to 2017 would be to manually examine thousands of death reports – there were 10,931 deaths in Scotland in 2016-2017 alone.

Furthermore, only bona fide academic researchers can apply for permission to access parts of anonymised data on suicides.

Graeme Dey, MSP, who took over as Veterans Minister last month, said the government is investigating ways of linking up with data from the NHS on veterans.

He explained: “The Scottish Government is working closely with the Information Services Division (ISD) of NHS Scotland to explore and improve the collection of data on veterans and have contact with NHS mental health services.

“Once established, this information will then be used to highlight those who are at risk and what support they need.

“Our new suicide prevention action plan will also set out more detail on actions to support suicide prevention in the general population, which includes veterans.”

However, he said it would not be possible to list “veteran” on death certificates or include it in Scottish suicide statistics.

“National Records of Scotland currently collects information on occupations of the deceased which, if the person has served in the armed forces, will reflect veteran status,” he said.

“However, this is only if this was their last paid occupation. It would not capture people who were conscripted in earlier wars or did national service.

“Beyond this, there isn’t a way to reflect veteran status on an extract from the death register.”

The Scottish Government funds the Scottish Suicide Information Database (ScotSID), hosted by ISD, which contains the death records of all probable suicides in Scotland from January 2009.

And it is now exploring with ISD how data from the NHS central register - which includes an option to record data on armed forces enlistment and discharge - can be transferred to ScotSID to help identify veterans.

Mr Dey added: “This information could then be included in future publications of ScotSID from 2019.”

Lee Knifton, head of Mental Health Foundation Scotland, the mental health campaigning charity, said accurate statistics on veterans’ suicides were vital.

He said: “If we were clearer about the scale of suicide among veterans – and indeed other professions – it would help to better inform suicide prevention strategies.

“Understanding the data is crucial if we are to target key at risk groups.

“Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and substance abuse affect a significant minority of service personnel and veterans.

“Younger veterans are at high risk of suicide in the first two years after leaving.

“Yet only half of UK veterans experiencing mental health problems sought help from the NHS and those that did were rarely referred to specialist mental health services.”

However, Lee is hopeful that things may change for the better in future.

He added: “Over the past year we’ve been engaging with the Scottish Government about the delivery of a radical and ambitious new suicide prevention action plan.

“One of our key asks is the creation of a new national body with teeth and resource to drive forward suicide prevention work.

“One of the body’s remits could be to improve the use of evidence, data and guidance on suicide prevention and make recommendations on improving recording methods.”

Plans to set up a training centre in the Borders for textile industry workers have been boosted by a promise of £610,000 to fund the project.

That money will be paid out over two years by the South of Scotland Economic Partnership, a forerunner to an enterprise agency for the region due to be launched in 2020.

The aim of the planned centre for excellence, to be sited in Hawick, is to tackle what is described as a critical skills shortage hampering companies’ efforts to boost their productivity.

It is one of four key enterprise projects intended to reinvigorate the south of Scotland’s economy.

The partnership is handing out £7.68m altogether, and £6.6m of that will be split between Borders College and Dumfries and Galloway College to create a physical and digital hub network to provide better access to training in health and social care, renewable energy, engineering and construction.

Holyrood rural secretary Fergus Ewing said: “This is a clear statement of the Scottish Government’s intent to grow and regenerate the economy in the south of Scotland.”

“Earlier this year, we brought together experts from the public and private sectors to create a new, dedicated partnership, in advance of the new enterprise agency, to drive forward that regeneration.

“The partnership has now identified four projects that are sure to bring long-term social and economic benefits to the area. Of course, these are major projects which will take time to be worked up and delivered.

“It’s great to see the South of Scotland Economic Partnership injecting fresh impetus into the area’s economy.

“I’m certain that, with the dedicated focus and expertise it provides, backed up by significant levels of Scottish Government funding, we will see a tangible strengthening of the economic environment in one of Scotland’s most important regions.”

Partnership chairman Russel Griggs added: “This funding announcement is exciting news and confirms our ambition and commitment to make the south the thriving economy we know it can be.

“There is a huge amount of work under way in the partnership to support and develop projects which will deliver long-term social and economic benefits. We will make further funding announcements shortly.

“Our recent engagement exercise, with 26 events and over 500 people attending, gave a valuable insight into what we require to do.

“Better opportunities for training and supporting communities were key priorities. The announcement of funding today demonstrates our commitment to address these priorities immediately.”

New bins have been introduced at the region’s seven community recycling centres in a bid to help Borderers recycle more cooking oil waste.

The new service, backed by Scottish Water, aims to reduce the amount of oil and grease put down household drains or into landfill.

That waste oil can instead be cleaned, filtered and processed into biofuel, for use as vehicle fuel or for generating power and energy.

Any waste household cooking oil, stored in a sealed, non-glass container, can now be disposed of in new yellow bins at recycling centres in Galashiels, Hawick, Peebles, Selkirk, Kelso, Duns and Eyemouth.

Selkirkshire councillor Gordon Edgar, the council’s executive member for roads and infrastructure, said: “This is a simple but worthwhile new service which gives the public an opportunity to get rid of household cooking oils in a more environmentally-friendly manner.

“Members of the public can play their part and recycle another material when visiting our recycling centres, helping to reduce pollution as well as costs to the council, and allows a material to be reused.

“It will also prevent oils getting into the water system, which can cause blockages and even pollution into rivers, burns, streams and beaches.”

Scott Fraser, regional corporate affairs manager at Scottish Water, added: “We are delighted to support this campaign which will encourage people across the Borders to recycle their leftover cooking oils.

“Fats, oil and grease in liquid form may not appear to be harmful but as it cools it congeals and hardens. This can then cause blockages to drains and sewer pipes, which can lead to sewer flooding in gardens and properties. In extreme cases, blocked sewers can spill into burns, rivers, coastal waters and beaches, causing environmental damage.

“Every year we respond to around 35,000 blocked sewers, most of which could be avoided if we all remember to avoid pouring fats oils and grease down the sink and only flush the 3P’s – pee, poo and toilet paper.”

For more information on SBC’s Community Recycling Centres, visit www.scotborders.gov.uk/recyclingcentres.

Kelso Civic Week kicked off , literally, at the weekend with football and tennis tournaments providing an ideal warm-up to the big week.

Taking the reins at each event is this year’s Kelso Laddie, electrician Sean Hook, 24, who was officially installed at the kirkin’ on Sunday.

On Monday night, he took to the head of a cavalcade for the first time, leading the whipman ride which, with a new route, paid its first visit to Sprouston since the 1960s.

There he danced a reel and laid a wreath at the war memorial before continuing to Friars Haugh, where he cut his initials into the sod at the trysting tree after hearing an oration by Davie Scott.

Tuesday’s visit to Stichill, Hume and Ednam was followed by last night’s colour bussing, and tonight he’ll lead a cavalcade to Floors Castle, leaving Woodside Park at 4pm alongside the bike ride.

A ball follows at 8pm in Springwood Park.

Saturday’s Yetholm ride leaves the square at 8.30am and arrives at Yetholm war memorial at 11.15pm, when the Kelso Laddie lays a wreath.

The cavalcade leaves Yetholm at 1.30pm and returns to the square at 4.45pm.

The Blackthorne Ceilidh Band play in the square from 2pm to 4pm. A fancy-dress parade leaves Tait Hall at 7pm, and the presentation of cups and the return of the Kelso Standard concludes civic week right afterwards.

St Ronan’s Games Week is in full swing as standard bearer elect Jamie Boyd and his lass Rosie Graham kicked off an extensive list of activities last Friday night at Innerleithen’s ex-standard bearers’ dance.

The week will culminate in the traditional burnin’ o’ the de’il and fireworks display on Caerlee Hill, but there is a plethora of events to look forward to before then.

Here’s a round-up of what’s happened already.

Annual dinner-dance

Friday’s dance was held in the 856 Social Club, with Jamie and Rosie as guests of honour, joined by their parents and supporters at the annual gathering. Ex-standard bearers’ association chairman Lawrie McLaren presented the principals with their commemorative flashes, provided each year by the association.

GAMES WEEK FIVES

Saturday’s event was keenly contested and Peebles Amateurs beat the Jaffa Cakes 3-0 in the final. The event was sponsored by the Tweedside Hotel.

STANDARD BEARER’S BALL

Some 400 people, including visiting principals from around the Borders, attended the ball, held in a marquee at St Ronan’s Community School. The standard bearer’s reel was danced at 11pm to music supplied by Innerleithen Pipe Band.

FLAG RAISING CEREMONY

Hamish Easton became the 21st dux boy and representative of St Ronan to raise the community flag in Innerleithen on Sunday following a kirkin’ service.

Community council chairman Marshall Douglas invited Hamish to raise the town flag outside the memorial hall, where it will fly during the whole of games week except for Friday, when it will be raised on the flagpole at St Ronan’s Wells for the service for the fallen.

The parade then returned to Hall Street, where it disbanded, before the principals then made their customary visit to St Ronan’s House, where they entertained residents with renditions of local songs.

BANDS DISPLAY

Innerleithen Pipe Band and St Ronan’s Silver Band played to a large crowd that had gathered on the High Street on Sunday. The pipe band, under the direction of pipe major Bruce Gillie, rendered a variety of stirring pipe sets and the silver band, conducted by bandmaster David Robb, played a selection of tunes including local and Scottish favourites, before the bands combined to perform Highland Cathedral.

The silver band played the evening hymn tune St Ann before the massed bands marched off to Scotland the Brave with a promise of more music, provided by Innerleithen’s two bands at the Retreat on games Saturday.

The procession then fell in behind the bands and current standard bearer Liam Card with the blue banner and marched to Victoria Park for the children’s sports.

CAR TREASURE HUNT

A Peebles team led by George Blair came out as winners of the games week car treasure hunt, claiming the Cissie Barnett Trophy and a cash prize.

Some 41 cars entered the hunt. In joint second place were cars driven by Susan Graham and Nicola Watt.

Standard bearer elect Jamie Boyd and his lass Rosie Graham presented the winners with their prizes.

Before the prizes were announced, the participants were treated to sandwiches, tea, coffee and refreshments in the memorial hall by the games committee.

Announcing the prize winners, joint secretary Keith Belleville thanked the organisers Jean Wilson, Claire Wilson and Jan McGlasson for setting the clues.

Results: 1, George Blair (119 points); 2, Shona Robb (118 points – placed on mileage); 3, Kenneth Coltman (118 points).

NHS Borders is struggling to recoup more than £500,000 owed to it by other health authorities across the UK.

If a visitor from England, Wales or Northern Ireland requires treatment when they are in the Borders, their treatment is costed by the board’s finance team and the relevant NHS authority elsewhere is invoiced.

However, obtaining the money owed – just short of £530,000 – is proving a challenge.

A freedom-of-information request has revealed that, at the end of February, NHS Borders was owed £511,401 by English authorities, £14,459 by health bodies in Wales and £1,141 by Northern Irish health boards.

The problem, according to NHS Borders, is “due to the change in, and many different, commissioning arrangements in place with English and Welsh health authorities”.

A spokesperson for Melrose-based NHS Borders told the Southern: “This is a national issue that the Scottish Government are addressing on behalf of all Scottish health boards.”