Television presenter Chris Packham has been helping keep count of the wildlife to be found on a Borders estate.

The 57-year-old, one of the presenters of the BBC One nature programme Springwatch since 2009, called in at the Glenlude estate, near Traquair, as part of his UK Bioblitz campaign, the first independent audit of its kind to identify the number of species at 50 sites across the UK. The aims of the campaign are to identify species under threat and to raise money for projects to conserve or restore their habitats.

Dozens of John Muir Trust volunteers helped Hampshire-born Packham and his team identify 388 species during a survey of the 150-hectare site.

Trust land manager Karen Purvis said: “We were delighted to welcome Chris and his team to Glenlude and to assist with this fantastic project to get a better understanding of the state of nature across the UK.

“We do our own regular monitoring work focusing on specific species, but we’ve found this comprehensive snapshot incredibly helpful, and we’ve already discovered several new species we were unaware existed here.”

“It also gives us a great benchmark to measure progress on the estate, where we have a long-term project to bring back native woodland and its associated wildlife.”

Packham said: “The UK is home to remarkable and beautiful wildlife and some wonderful habitats, but it’s also in big trouble, and, in the case of some species, this means we are fast approaching the last chance to make a difference.

“I want the 2018 UK Bioblitz campaign to be a detailed and complete wildlife audit, a 10-day snapshot of the state of our wild places and what lives there.

“It will celebrate some conservation successes but also reveal some of its failures.

“It will show that nature reserves are not enough and it will prove we need a healthier wider environment.”

The TV star also carried out a nature survey at St Abb’s Head in Berwickshire during his travels.

For details, go to www.chrispackham.co.uk/chris-packhams-uk-bioblitz-2018

Concerns have been voiced by MPs that parts of rural Scotland, including areas of the Borders, still do not have access to reliable broadband.

A new report from the UK Government’s Scottish affairs committee expresses fears that the region and the rest of rural Scotland are being left behind as cities and larger towns enjoy ever-faster internet speeds.

The report, titled Digital Connectivity in Scotland, report is the result of a seven-month inquiry into broadband and mobile phone coverage.

It concludes that decent broadband is an essential utility and calls for stronger consumer rights and better government initiatives to connect more hard-to-reach areas.

Community councils, businesses and residents from all over the Borders wrote to the committee to highlight their broadband issues after being urged by Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont to have their say.

The report notes the huge gap between urban and rural Scotland in terms of superfast broadband coverage, with the latest figures showing that only 56% of premises in rural areas have it, compared to 94% in towns and cities.

The report makes a series of recommendations, including banning providers from using the term fibre broadband when they are, in fact, using copper technology connected to a fibre cabinet and creating an automatic right to compensation in areas where there is only one service provider and speeds fall below minimum guaranteed levels.

Mr Lamont, vice-chairman of the committee, said: “The evidence the committee received from the Borders was really useful. In particular, it revealed the huge difference between the speeds broadband providers are telling customers they will get and what ends up being the reality.

“That is why the committee has recommended tougher rules for broadband providers, including automatic compensation and a stricter definition of what can be called a fibre connection.

“I continue to be contacted by constituents unhappy with their broadband.

“Residents in the Borders are sick of reading about superfast broadband being delivered in the central belt when more than 10,000 properties in the Borders are still waiting for a decent connection.

“There is also clearly a large amount of disagreement between Scotland’s two governments on this issue. This report is right to call for this to be set aside and for Westminster and Holyrood to work together to deliver better broadband for all.”

One of Mr Lamont’s predecessors, Lord Steel of Aikwood, is also calling for better broadband for the Borders.

The peer, an MP for the region from 1965 to 1997 as David Steel, last week asked Lord Ashton of Hyde, a junior minister at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, during a debate on broadband coverage: “What does the minister have to say to people in my former constituency – in, for example, the Ettrick and Yarrow valleys – who, far from waiting for fibre broadband, cannot even get email services at present?

“Surely the Government should be concentrating on that as well as the future.”

About a third of the evidence presented to the Scottish affairs committee related to the Borders, and among the community councils flagging up issues were those for Oxton and Channelkirk; Floors, Makerstoun, Smailholm and Nenthorn; Gordon and Westruther; Ettrick and Yarrow; and Southdean.

Residents of Ednam, Roberton, Redpath, Kirk Yetholm and Lauder also wrote in to complain about their poor broadband connections.

Charitable trust Live Borders has been given the job of managing community access to facilities at the new £22.5m Kelso High School.

Starting today, August 1, it will manage all bookings outwith school hours on behalf of Scottish Borders Council, as it does for sports facilities at Peebles and Selkirk high schools already.

Facilities at the Angraflat Road school, opened last November, include indoor sports halls, a smaller gymnasium, 3G sports pitch and 2G hockey pitch, 100m sprint track, long jump pit and fitness suite.

The council’s executive member for culture and sport, Galashiels councillor Euan Jardine, said: “The new Kelso High School is a fantastic asset for the local community, including the wide range of sports facilities which have already received positive feedback from users.

“Live Borders has experience of managing similar facilities, and I have no doubt the team will ensure that the community can make full use of the halls, pitches and classrooms on offer.”

Live Borders facilities manager Ben Lamb said: “Scottish Borders Council approached Live Borders to run the Kelso High School facilities outwith school hours.

“Live Borders brings a wealth of experience in efficiently and effectively managing sport, leisure and cultural facilities for communities across the region.

“As a charity, every penny spent with Live Borders is reinvested back into supporting active, creative and healthy communities in the Borders.

“We currently manage 17 leisure facilities across the region with a focus on providing affordable, accessible and financially-sustainable facilities and services.

“Live Borders is in a prime position to maximise the wider impact of the Kelso High facilities by working closely with the school, the local community and clubs to deliver on tackling health inequalities across communities and developing pathways for sport and physical activity.”

For details, go to www.liveborders.org.uk/KHS

A trial date has been set for a Borderer accused of statutory rape of a 14-year-old boy in the US.

Sarah McGill, 28, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of lewd and lascivious battery and now faces a jury trial beginning on Tuesday, September 11.

Her trial, to be heard by judge Marc Lubet, is listed to last three weeks. The former Selkirk High School pupil will be represented by attorney Donald Lykkebak.

It will be preceded by a pre-trial conference at Orange County Courthouse in Florida on Wednesday, August 29.

If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in jail.

McGill, originally from Selkirk but now living in Church Square in Galashiels, was arrested at a hotel in Orlando in April after allegedly having sex with the boy in return for £340 while working as a prostitute and going by the alias of Sophia Belle.

She was released from custody later that same month after agreeing to surrender her passport and pay a £760 bond.

She also agreed not to try to contact the child or advertise her services as an escort on the internet.

Campaigning councillor Heather Anderson fears the imminent end of the road for two night-time buses serving West Linton will be a big blow for villagers there.

That petition was backed by almost 2,900 signatories, prompting the South West of Scotland Transport Partnership (SWestrans) to put together a rescue package for the cross-country service, albeit at the expense of two later journeys.

Concerns about the impact the loss of those buses will have on the 2,300-strong population of West Linton and their 90 or so neighbours up the A702 in Carlops have prompted Ms Anderson to call on the council to have a transport survey carried out to assess the inconvenience likely to be caused to travellers.

That call is being backed by Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP Christine Grahame, and the pair have written to council leader Shona Haslam to express their misgivings.

In a joint statement issued by the pair, they say: “While it is welcome news that, in part, the 101/102 service has been spared the axe, it is at the cost of a valuable evening service, and many constituents have already been in touch with us because this impacts on their essential travel to work.

“We have, therefore, written today to the leader of the council to ask her to commission a survey into public travel requirements, perhaps by Citizens’ Advice, which has already completed such a survey Scotland-wide, looking into requirements separately for the west, central and eastern Borders.”

In their letter to Mrs Haslam, they say: “Despite the council’s bus subsidy cut of £100,000, SWestrans is thankfully retaining the 101/102 bus service with the same number of daytime journeys but with the loss of the two evening journeys at 8.45pm and 9.55pm.

“This effectively means that every resident of Tweeddale West now has to be home on the last bus at 7.30pm.

“There is no longer any public transport provision for any evening journeys between Dolphinton, West Linton, Carlops and Edinburgh.

“This is simply unacceptable to many of our constituents who require the later buses for essential travel.”

The new timetable for the service is due to come into effect on Sunday, August 19.

A council spokesperson said: “The council has carried out regular bus consultation events across the Borders in recent years and will continue to work with partners in order to engage with the public.

“As part of its subsidised bus services review, the council aimed to make changes, with budgets tighter than ever, while minimising the impact on bus passengers, which we believe has been achieved by the new 101/102 timetable.

“Statistics from 2017 show that the 8.45pm service was used on average by less than five passengers per day travelling to West Linton and Carlops and the 9.55pm service saw less than four passengers per day.

“The cost of continuing these two evening services alone would have been around £88,000 per year, representing a subsidy of around £30 per passenger, which our review concluded was not a reasonable use of public funds.”

Until now, Scottish Borders Council funded the route to the tune of £135,280 a year, with SWestrans paying £113,386, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport £142,318 and Midlothian Council covering the cost of departure charges at Edinburgh bus station, around £10,000 annually.

Staff at Selkirk’s Scotbet bookie’s shop have been praised for their commitment to fundraising and volunteering work.

The Market Place business was a finalist in the first-ever awards for community betting shop of the year organised by the Association of British Bookmakers’ Scottish office.

It claimed third place in the competition, losing out to Ladbrokes in Dunoon in Argyll and Bute, the winner on the day, and second-placed William Hill in Johnstone in Renfrewshire.

ABB Scotland spokesman Donald Morrison said: “We launched this competition because we felt it was important to celebrate the amazing work that so many staff do in their local community through fundraising and volunteering.

“Many of our staff have worked in the industry for decades and take a real pride in their work and in their local community.

“This community spirit is perfectly illustrated in Selkirk, where shop staff have been making a real difference to their communities for years.”

The Selkirk shop was recognised for effortsby its staff including taking part in a skydive to raise £2,000 for the special care baby unit at the Borders General Hospital at Melrose and a shark dive at North Queensferry’s Deep Sea World to amass £2,400 for Bauer Radio’s Cash for Kids appeal.

Judges were also impressed by the shop sponsoring the town’s two bowling clubs and the Woll Golf Club and its subsidised outings to Kelso Racecourse for older customers otherwise unable to afford a day at the races.

As well as a trophy and certificate, the Selkirk team has been given £250 to pass on to its chosen charity, the special care baby unit at the Borders General Hospital.

Shop co-manager Andy Bennett said: “I’ve always believed it to be important to give something back, and I firmly believe it’s this passion for the local community that makes for such a nice atmosphere in the shop.

“I’ve met some amazing people through this industry, both staff and customers, and I really believe that it is something to be celebrated.

“It never fails to amaze me how generous our customers are when they get behind local causes, and it’s a source of real pride to manage this shop.”

Denise McCallum, the shop’s other co-manager, added: “We are absolutely delighted that our work in the local community has been recognised, and I’m really pleased for all our colleagues.

“They work hard to create a welcoming environment for customers and are committed to helping good causes in the community.”

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont has popped into the shop to congratulate staff on their achievement, and he said: “The staff at Scotbet in Selkirk have done the Borders proud, coming an impressive third in the community betting shop of the year awards.

“They have raised thousands of pounds for local causes thanks to their hard work and the generosity of Borderers.

“It’s great that by receiving this award, the Selkirk team have managed to raise even more money for a really worth cause, with another £250 going to the special care baby unit at the Borders General Hospital.”

An Indian restaurant owner is stepping up his efforts to convince worried residents of nearby flats that a planned new eatery would not pose a health and safety risk to them.

Raj Kumar, owner of the Punjabi Grill in Birmingham, withdrew an application for a new venture at the former Farmfoods outlet at 39 to 41 Hawick High Street earlier this month, as reported in the Southern.

That move came after people living in flats in and around the proposed restaurant raised concerns over potential for the smell of spicy foods getting into their homes and over safety fears in the event of a fire at the property.

His application has now been resubmitted, however, with evidence added outlining measures to be taken to make the business safe.

Mr Kumar has pledged to work closely with the community and recruit up to eight people locally to help support its business operations.

He accepts there is potential for odour and noise impacting on the surrounding properties from the extraction system for the kitchen if it were incorrectly located. However, he says efforts would be made to address such problems.

He said: “A lot of thought has been put into the specification and location of the extraction system and flue.

“The opening hours are 5pm to 10pm Monday to Sunday, which will reduce the times at which a noise nuisance could occur.

“The extraction system will have duct pipework protruding through the roof line on the single-storey section of the building at the rear of the premises where the kitchen will be located.

“No part of the flue will be located on any adjacent structures or walls. The fan will be internally mounted within the building to minimise noise from the extraction system.

“The extraction duct and air outlet are designed to ensure the required air dispersion prevents any odours travelling to neighbouring properties.

“However, in the event of any unprecedented or prolonged odour issues, an odour neutraliser can be installed as a part to supplement the extraction system.”

Mr Kumar said the restaurant will be secured with an intruder alarm to secure and safeguard the property.

He adds: “The property will also be equipped with an internal 24-hour CCTV surveillance system to ensure the property is protected continuously.

“The restaurant will be installed with smoke detection across the restaurant and heat detection within the kitchen.

“The fire exit for the bar and restaurant is through the front-access doors, and a second fire exit point for the kitchen will be installed.”

A New Zealander is hoping Southern Reporter readers can shed some light on the military history of two of his great-uncles, and he believes Jedburgh is the best place to start looking for information.

Campbell Sutherland was born in Edinburgh but moved to New Zealand aged eight with his parents in 1962 and now lives near Wellington.

His original homeland is now looming large in his thoughts, though, as he is trying to find out whether any of his great-uncles served with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.

He has traced his paternal line back to 1809 and found that his great-grandparents George Elliot and Euphemia Elliot (nee Kidd) are buried in Jedburgh’s Castlewood Cemetery.

And an inherited King’s Own Scottish Borderers tapestry, believed to have come from one of his paternal grandmother Mary Elliot’s four brothers, has sparked an interest in finding out more about the men.

“Last year, I was organising a Passchendaele commemoration for my army unit and felt it was time to find out a bit more about the brothers,” Campbell said.

“I made contact with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers’ Association to see if they could give me any further information, but sadly they cannot give me a tie to the regiment so far.

“What I have found out, however, is that one of the brothers was killed in action on November 11, 1914, and was a member of the 1st battalion of the Scots Guards and another brother belonged to the Royal Scots.

“In the photo I have of the brothers, the other two are wearing general service uniform and so cannot be linked to a specific unit. However, I hold on to the thought that one or both were a member of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.”

The brothers in question were William Elliot, born in 1880 and later to serve with the Royal Scots; James Elliot, born in 1883 and killed in action on November 11, 1914, while serving with 1st Battalion of the Scots Guards at the Battle of Ypres and possibly married to a woman called Elizabeth; Robert Elliot, born in 1886; and Thomas Russell Elliot, born in 1890.

It is Robert and Thomas who Campbell thinks might have served with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, today part of the 1st battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland after amalgamating with the Royal Scots in 2006.

The four brothers also had three sisters – Campbell’s grandmother Mary and two great-aunts. They were Lillias, born in 1882 and married to Andrew Storie Scott on January, 17, 1930, at Inchbonny, Jedburgh, and Elizabeth, born in 1888.

His grandmother Mary Elliot, born in 1892, married George Sutherland in Jedburgh on July 11, 1913, and died in 1976.

Campbell is hoping to hear from descendants of any of his great-uncles and aunts and will be in Jedburgh with his wife Pam on Wednesday, August 15.

He can be contacted via email at acsutherland@xtra.co.nz

The 125th Morebattle festival week will be celebrated next week.

It all begins with indoor curling in the village hall at 6pm on Friday, August 3 ahead of the following day’s official opening.

This year’s Games Queen Sasha Jackson, will follow in her mum Denise’s footsteps 25 years to the day after she was crowned queen during the centenary games week. Last years Games Queen Tilly Bourne will sash and crown Sasha in the institute grounds at 1pm before she and a piper lead a procession to the school playing field for a family day.

On Sunday, August 5 there’s the derby afternoon and children’s scavenger hunt in the village hall from 2pm.

Monday sees the afternoon tea, including sales tables, raffle and competitions in the village hall from 2pm, followed by family bingo at the Templehall Hotel at 6.30pm.

On Tuesday the Morebattle Camera Club opens it exhibition in the Village Institute 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm. There’s also a pool competition in the Templehall at 7.30pm with entry available on the night.

Whist and dominoes are in the Village Hall from 7pm on Wednesday.

On Thursday, August 9 there’s the children’s egg hunt and teddy bear picnic for under-sixes and a treasure hunt for 6-12 years, both in the playing fields from 2.30pm. A pet show follows there at 6.30pm.

On Friday there’s the fancy dress and carnival in the playing fields with judging at 6.30pm, a parade through the village at 7pm and a family disco in the Templehall Hotel from 7.30pm.

The presentation of cups and the announcement of the annual scarecrow competition winners will also be made.

The week comes to a close next Saturday with the Morebattle Games being held at Morebattle Tofts from 1pm.

“He has smiled out of his eyes all morning,” one lady in the Muckle Toon crowds said last Friday, perfectly summing up Langholm Cornet Iain Little.

The 24-year-old teacher led the town in its ancient celebrations and traditions, and there was no doubting what it meant for Iain to be at the front of it all.

“It was absolutely incredible, a dream come true to be honest,” he said. “It was just brilliant.”

There was nothing little about the crowds that enjoyed the sunshine in Langholm as thousands lined the streets, hundreds followed on foot and more than 140 riders rode in a mounted cavalcade behind Iain and his right and left-hand men, Stuart Murray and Simon Tweddle, as they had done at the town’s six previous rides.

“I just kept on going up the hill and seeing masses of horses following me and seas of people follow us,” Iain said. “It was crazy really.

“It’s always been my favourite part, the gallop up Kirk Wynd, and I got to the bottom and looked up and saw the huge crowds, but after that it was just a blur really.”

On Friday, Iain lead the procession through each of the town’s cherished ceremonies. Thousands lined the steep slopes of the Kirk Wynd and Mount Hooley to witness the spectacular gallop and then to hear the fair cried at the Castle Craigs.

After inspecting the ancient boundaries, the riders circled the monument built to John Malcolm in 1835.

The cavalcade then made its way to Whita Well and Mount Hooley and was met by the bearers of the common riding’s emblems, the thistle, the floral crown, the spade and the barley banna, as well as hundreds of children with heather besoms.

The procession, now complete with bands and emblems too, was led back to town, where Rae Elliot cried the second part of the fair from the back of a horse, following once again in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great grandfather.

After safely crossing the River Ewes and rounding the sod that was cut on the Castleholm, a rousing cheer welcomed the cornet and his followers as he galloped past the grandstand at Castleholm.

Iain has ridden the Border common ridings since 2004 but admitted being at the forefront of his home town’s celebrations was something special.

“It’s been an ambition of mine since I was a wee boy, so for it to actually happen is a dream come true,” he said. “I wish I could do it all again. It’s been amazing.”

“I was possibly one of the luckiest cornets ever. It’s been sunny since I was elected back in May. I couldn’t have faulted it at all.”

The Muckle Toon celebrated 259 years of traditions and, as always, attracted plenty of exiles, visitors, stag dos and visiting principals to help them do it

“It’s really the whole tradition of Langholm Common Riding, all the emblems, the banners and all the afternoon races and sports, which means the whole day is jam-packed with spectators,” Iain added.

“The children have their heather besoms parade and get their special coin for taking part. From young to old, there’s something for everyone.”

Cornet Iain has followed on horseback at Hawick and Selkirk common ridings and on foot at several more and will do so again for the Lauder Cornet this weekend.

Scottish Borders Pipe Band proved they are music to judges’ ears after being crowned Scottish champions at the weekend.

The 17-strong team of pipers and drummers stormed to victory in grade 3b at the championship, held in Dumbarton on Saturday.

They saw off competition from nine other bands to take two first places in piping, a second in drumming and a second from the ensemble judge for their march, Strathspey and reel performance.

Under pipe major Stuart Robinson and leading drummer Dave Henry, the Stow-based band have enjoyed an excellent competition season so far.

“We were fifth at the British championships in May and knew that we were in with a chance at the rest of the major competitions this year,” Stuart said.

“The band are absolutely delighted at being crowned Scottish Champions in grade 3B and we’re now getting ready for the world championships in August.

“We have had a good record at the Scottish championships over the years, with our grade 4 band placed sixth there last year.”

Competing since 2010, the band were also world champions in grade 4a in 2011 and Scottish champions in grade 3b in 2012. They enjoyed promotion to grade 3a in 2013, where they remained before taking a short break and returning to action in grade 3b this year, alongside their grade 4b band, formed last year.

Stuart added: “A lot of our success is due to the introduction of younger players taught through our pipes and drums school. This has been invaluable to us and we really have to thank the local EDF wind farm for supporting us. We are currently looking for new pupils, ideally in primary five to seven-aged children.”

The band also plays at local engagements in Stow and Lauder as well as further afield having enjoyed recent trips to the likes of Romania and Spain.

The Innerleithen-based Tweedvale Pipe Band also continued their successful streak on Saturday, placing sixth in grade 4a.

Scottish Borders Pipe Band practice twice a week in Stow. Anyone interested in joining can visit www.scottishborderspipeband.co.uk

Increasing numbers of patients are being kept waiting over four hours to be tended to at the casualty department at the Borders General Hospital, latest figures reveal.

Only 85.2% of patients at the Melrose hospital’s accident-and-emergency unit are seen within four hours of arriving, nearly 10% short of the Scottish Government target of 95%.

It’s also almost 11% below the 95.8% rate achieved by NHS Borders a year ago, that being the last time the trust hit the target set by ministers.

The number of patients admitted, transferred or discharged within eight hours is down too but only by a fraction, from 99.8% to 99.7%.

That increase in waiting times has comes alongside a rise number of people attending the A&E unit, up by 14% from 576 in the week ending July 23, 2017, to 657 in the equivalent week this year.

Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP Rachael Hamilton is concerned by that rise in waiting times and is calling on Holyrood health secretary Jeane Freeman to take action to tackle it:

“NHS Borders A&E waiting times are too long and are showing little sign of improvement,” she said.

“We call on ministers to do more to support our hard-working NHS staff and improve waiting times for patients. The increased pressure on A&E services has to be addressed, and ministers need to acknowledge that the current GP crisis is making things worse.”

South Scotland Conservative list MSP Michelle Ballantyne, a former nurse, agrees, saying: “These figures demonstrate an alarming trend.

“The fact that the number of people being seen within the Government’s target has fallen by 10% in the Borders and 4% across Scotland further highlights the strain on our NHS and the hard-working doctors, nurses and support staff within our health service.

“Almost 100 people across the Scottish Borders have had to wait longer than four hours at our accident-and-emergency centres. That’s up from 24 people last year.

“The figures for NHS Borders show the second worst decline in Scotland compared to last year, and it is clear that something has to be done about this.

“These figures have surely been fuelled by our lack of GPs. Ministers ought to recognise how the GP crisis has manifested itself across NHS Borders. I hope that Jeane Freeman will treat this as a priority.”

An NHS Borders spokespaerson said: “We are caring for a high number of sick people who cannot leave hospital until they are well enough.

“When the numbers are so high within the hospital, it can take longer for us to see new patients arriving at our emergency department.

“This is not what we would wish for people in the Borders, and we are sorry for those people who have had to wait too long.

“We work very hard to see people in a timely manner, and over the past year we have managed to see an average of 93 out of 100 patients within the national four-hour waiting time target.

“Our staff continue to work tirelessly, and we rely on their dedication.

“We would ask that the public continue to help us and help themselves by using their local community pharmacy, minor injuries units and self-care, as well as ringing NHS 24 on 111 for advice.”

Tucked away on the A698 Jedburgh to Kelso road, the Caddy Mann restaurant is a real hidden gem – and now the hideaway has been shortlisted in that category in our sister paper the Scotsman’s food and drink awards.

Customers will be able to place their votes for the restaurant, the only one in the Borders to feature.

Chef Ross Horrocks is in charge in the kitchen, while his wife Lynne runs front of house, and the couple come up with different menus daily depending on what local produce is available.

Ross told us: “Lynne and I are absolutely delighted at reaching the final 12 businesses in the whole of Scotland in the Scotsman food and drink hidden gem category.

“We hope that the public will give us their vote and we can make us all proud in the Scottish Borders.”

Not afraid of a bit of experimentation or pushing the boundaries, Ross regularly serves up squirrel (complete with crispy squirrel balls) and during the Tesco horsemeat scandal, he sourced some horse steaks to show just how delicious they were – a brave move in horse-lovers’ country!

The Caddy Mann is up against other rural establishments, such as Brodies in Moffat, North Harbour Bistro on the Isle of Harris and the Stevenson Tea Room in Sumburgh Head, Shetland, as well as a couple that are off the beaten track in Edinburgh – Leftfield and Aurora.

Ross is no stranger to awards, with a long list of nominations and wins in national competitions.

The hidden gem title will be decided by Scotsman readers in an online poll and it’sopen now. To vote for your favourite, visit
scotsmanfoodanddrinkawards.
co.uk/hidden-gem

The winner will be announced at an awards night at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on September 4.

Brazen thieves grabbed 15 phones worth over £11,000 yesterday from a phone shop in Channel Street, Galashiels.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened at around 1.20pm on Wednesday, August 1 at the O2 store.

Three men entered the premises and while one attempted to distract staff, the other two stole 15 handsets, including iPhones, Samsungs and other android phones, from the display units.

In total, more than £11,000 worth of goods were taken and inquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible.

The first suspect is described as being white, 5ft 10ins tall with a stocky build and wearing a black baseball cap, green hooded top with a black patch on the shoulder and black shorts.

The second suspect is described as being white, 5ft 10ins tall with a stocky build and wearing a black baseball cap, green hooded top and black shorts.

The third suspect is descibed as being white, around 6ft tall with a medium build and wearing a black baseball cap, black hooded top., grey shorts and white trainers.

Detective Sergeant Callum Peoples from Galashiels CID said: “This was a brazen theft during the middle of the day, which resulted in several thousands of pounds worth of phone handsets being stolen.

“Anyone who can help us identify these suspects, or who has information that can assist with our investigation is asked to come forward.

“In addition, if you are approached by anyone looking to offload a phone handset without the appropriate packaging or proof of ownership, do not purchase it and contact police.”

Those with information can contact Galashiels CID via 101 and quote incident number 2124 of the 1st August.

Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

An Earlston couple were left horrified after seeing their dog viciously attacked by a foster dog from Spain, and they are now warning fellow Borderers to think twice about dealing with a rehoming charity.

Ema Drynan’s pet Turbo lost a leg in the attack by English bull terrier-cross Poppy, a rescue dog she agreed to rehome because she was told it was going to be put down otherwise.

Crucially, however, she claims that erstwhile friend Cassie Mowat, a worker for Spanish Dog Rescue, failed to disclose that Poppy had killed three cats and bitten a child while with a previous owner.

Ema, 33, who lives with husband Stuart and two children, Blake, three, and Kaitlynn, six, says she is shocked that her former pal would even consider trying to rehome Poppy in a home with children again.

She said: “Cassie told me Poppy had not settled with her previous family and she was going to be put down unless they could find her another home.

“We are all dog lovers. We have two dogs, Diesel and Turbo, who we explained to Cassie have the odd scuffle but nothing serious.

“Cassie came to our house and we asked if she had any concerns about Poppy, and she said no. We took her in in March, and it was all fine until one day Turbo happened to be lying on a blanket Poppy wanted and she went for him.

“She bit into his leg and started ragging him, as if she wanted to pull his leg off.

“We managed to pull her off him, but she just latched on again. It was a mess. There was flesh hanging, and I thought she had bitten his penis off.

“We got Turbo to the vet, who took him in. He was in for over a week, and he eventually had to have his leg removed.

“We messaged Cassie and asked her if she could find another home for Poppy, and she said no, that we were Poppy’s last chance.”

Poppy had to be put down on the advice of a vet.

Ema’s husband Stuart, 37, said: “Most of these dogs are street dogs. Poppy had learned it was fight or die in many circumstances.

“Everything seemed fine, until there was a trigger – Turbo lying on a blanket Poppy wanted Once you have got to that point, there’s no going back.”

The couple were contacted by Poppy’s previous owner and informed of the dog’s violent history.

Ema added: “I’m sure Cassie and Jenn are trying their hardest to rehome all these dogs but are not doing proper home checks or disclosing prior problems.”

The charity’s founder, Jenn Johnson, of Nairn, was featured in the national press in January this year. In that story, she said she drove 48,000 miles a year in a bid to save dogs.

We tried to contact both Jenn and Cassie, but the former didn’t return our call and the latter said she was seeking legal advice as she claimed that Ema had launched a hate campaign against the two women,

Dog behaviourist Lesley Connelly, of Dundee, who helped the couple, said Poppy had rage syndrome, a condition which cannot be cured, and should not have been rehomed.

She said: “There is no medication for this. The dog has to be put down.

“A dog can be well behaved when it is among other dogs that are more dominant, but if you take it out of that situation you have a different dog.

“After Poppy had killed cats and bitten a child when with her previous owners, nobody with an ounce of conscience could ever think of rehoming her in another home with young children. What happened was terrible, but it could have been so much worse.”

As for Turbo, he seems to have come back from his traumatic episode, albeit with one leg missing.

Ema said: “Turbo is brilliant, getting along fine. He has defied all the odds and is living his life as normally as possible, but this should never have happened. I shudder to think what could have happened if one of the children was on the blanket that Poppy wanted.

“I just want to make people aware of this charity, ask them to do research and take extra caution when thinking of taking on these dogs.

“Our outcome, albeit we now have a three-legged dog, could have been a lot worse.”

The news that Jedburgh’s tourist information centre has been spared the axe has been welcomed in the town and by its MP.

It will be the only VisitScotland iCentre left in the region following the closure of its counterpart in Peebles High Street in February next year and the handover of its opposite number in Hawick to leisure trust Live Borders eight months later.

Kelso’s town hall iCentre, one of 40 being scrapped nationwide by VisitScotland, has already shut.

Jedburgh’s iCentre’s future has been secured by its being named as the regional hub for the 70-plus tourist information points across the Borders.

The Murray’s Green office, next to the town’s abbey, is one of 26 such hubs being created nationwide and is now in line for extra investment, including having £6,000 spent on new signage.

The news that Jedburgh’s tourist information centre has been saved has been welcomed in the town and by Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP John Lamont.

Jedburgh Community Council chairman Rory Stewart said: “We are absolutely delighted that VisitScotland has decided that the most important location for its premises in the Borders is in Jedburgh.

“We have been banging the drum for many years about how Jedburgh is the gateway not only to the Scottish Borders but to all things Scotland, and it now seems as if VisitScotland recognises the importance of our gateway town.

“It is now important that we engage with VisitScotland as a community, along with the many community organisations that support our town, and move the service forward and entice even more visitors to use Jedburgh as their base and take advantage of everything it has to offer as that’s something the whole of the Borders will benefit from.

“Increased investment is always welcome in whatever guise that may be, so we are extremely happy with the decisions that have been taken.

“We now need Scottish Borders Council to commit to further investment in the royal burgh so we can reap the benefits that would bring.”

Mr Lamont added: “People are accessing information differently these days and so it’s quite right that VisitScotland are looking to modernise their information provision.

“However, it was hugely disappointing to hear last year that centres across the Borders were set to close.

“While it is good for Jedburgh to be retaining a centre, having a physical presence and someone with local knowledge to speak to directly is worthwhile across the Borders and adds to visitors’ experience.

“I remain to be convinced that the approach taken by VisitScotland will enhance tourism in the area. We need to be doing more, not less, to promote the Borders as the fantastic destination it is.”

Following last week’s suspected arson attack on a brand new playground in Galashiels, council convener David Parker has said that the local authority was looking into the possibility of installing CCTV.

The park, named after tragic Galashiels lad Rowan Boland, was only opened at the end of May, but smoke was spotted rising from the climbing tower last week after a what is believed to have been a failed fire-raising bid.

The apparent attack was unsuccessful, but Rowan’s dad David subsequently called for closed-circuit television cameras to be installed.

Mr Parker told us: “The council is monitoring the new Galashiels playpark, which is currently experiencing a very significant usage from people throughout the Borders.

“The possibility of enhancing the facility will be considered and things like CCTV may be an option, but cameras don’t always have the beneficial impact which people think and there would be a range of other considerations to look at.

“Apart from the incident the other night, there has been limited vandalism, with the park being well respected by 99.9% of its users.”

It was also revealed that straps from swings made especially for disabled children had also been stolen, days after the park’s opening.

Leaderdale and Melrose councillor Mr Parker added: “It is disappointing that straps have been removed from some equipment, but this unfortunately happens everywhere.

“The straps are basically harnesses to help children with additional needs use the equipment and the council has a supply of these.

“If anyone would like one, they can contact me, and I can arrange for them to be supplied, so that a child who needs the harness can own one themselves and take it to the park to use the harness with the equipment.”

It is still only the fifth week of pre-season training for most clubs – but this Saturday sees the return of the Kings of the Sevens.

The occasion is the So Stobo and Green Field Marquees Peebles 7s .

And, while the start of the new rugby season may still be 30 days away, for everyone in the Borders, the season officially begins once the Peebles 7s has arrived.

“Everyone is looking forward to the event,” said Peebles club secretary and sevens organiser, Jim King.

“Our sevens is usually the one that signals the beginning of the new rugby season. It should be a cracking day, with all the teams expected to field strong sides in what has become known as the unofficial curtain-raiser of the new rugby season.”

This year’s Peebles event will maintain its usual three-team, four-pool format and will see all of the Kings sides travel to The Gytes, with the exception of Earlston – replaced by BT Premiership outfit Heriots – with one major difference.

All the teams involved this year will be able to feature 12 players, up from the previous 10, in their match-day squads with rolling substituted permitted for the first time in Kings history. The change was hinted ahead of a Border League meeting and is one of the first major shake-ups to the oldest sevens competition in the world in recent years.

“The Borders rugby council listened to what clubs and players wanted and the new 12-player and rolling subs change will be great for all involved,” added King. “Saturday sees 12 terrific clubs involved. All will be bringing very strong sides and, with the new rules, the competition will be that bit more fierce and competitive.”

The event will be running alongside a ladies day and will feature concession stands, a beer marquee, hospitality, a president’s tent and sponsors’ area. The event will also feature a Scottish Government initiative to enhance driving safety – ‘VR Drive’ – along with Borders Segway Trips.

In the build-up to the final, two Peebles mini-rugby matches between P6 and P7 will take place.

After the sevens action has finished, there will be live music from 7.30pm until late.

The Peebles 7s full draw: Pool A – Selkirk v Gala, Selkirk v Melrose, Gala v Melrose.

Pool B – Watsonians v Hawick, Watsonians v Jed-Forest, Hawick v Jed-Forest.

Pool C – Biggar v Edinburgh Accies, Biggar v Heriot’s, Edinburgh Accies v Heriot’s.

Pool D – Peebles v Kelso, Peebles v Berwick, Kelso v Berwick.

The opening pool tie will kick-off at 2pm.

Recently-elected Selkirk FC chairman Jay-Dee Sharkey says he’s committed to finding a path out of the crisis currently enmeshing the club and taking the Souters forward.

The club has announced former Hibernian player and Gala Fairydean manager Gordon Rae as interim first-team boss, after the departure of Terry Ferguson following just one competitive game.

Ferguson said he had deep concerns over Selkirk’s financial predicament, after claims that around £12,000 could be owed to players who had not been paid since last season.

Sharkey (43) said he could not comment at present on the financial issues.

But he intended to take a methodical, step-by-step approach to steering the Yarrow Park outfit ahead.

The chairman took over his new post from Ross Anderson after the July 19 annual general meeting.

He was proposed and seconded, and said he hadn’t expected the job but did not want to see the club in trouble if a new chairman could not be found.

“I have a lot of things I need to look at, having just come in and taken on the role,” he said. “It’s a massive step for myself and trying to figure out what’s happend previously and how we can take the club forward.”

Before Rae’s interim appointment was confirmed, Sharkey said he’d been in contact with potential managers and hoped that, despite all the current concerns, and whatever had happened before, the team could be rebuilt.

“It’s a fresh start,” he said. “Different areas in the club are being moved and changed around. We need to look at atracting players and progressing. That’s the main job at the moment – build a team before we can comment further.”

How things were prioritised would be particularly important, said Sharkey.

Things would have to be categorised carefully and taken step by step, against the background of potential for moving Selkirk FC forward and possibly attracting new sponsors.

“If you tackle big things straight away, you are possibly neglecting other things, which might have happened in the past,” he suggested. “It’s going to be a long road ahead – slow and patient.

“What happened previously – I have that to deal with on a different level and I can’t be held responsible.”

The chairman said he would be trying to focus on the best ways to run the club and hoped to have people around him who could bring back the trust and excitement, as well as bringing back the community and the town of Selkirk as well.

However, Selkirk suffered a 10-0 hammering at East Kilbride on Saturday in the first game of the new Lowland League season. Last night, they went down 8-0 in a home game agains Gretna 2008.

This Saturday, they are due to face Edusport Academy at home, followed by another game at Yarrow Park on Wednesday evening against Civil Service Strollers.

After almost four years in the making, Selkirk Community Shed is finally up and running.

The Selkirk shedders moved into their base at the former Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team building yesterday and are wasting no time in encouraging people from all walks of life through its doors.

Group chairman Nick de Burgh Whyte said: “Rather than just taking a slice of Selkirk’s community, we are creating a shed which will encourage men – and women – over the age of 18 to get involved. We can then offer a much broader menu of activities.

“Typically a men’s shed is old men making birdboxes and drinking tea. We are still going to be making birdboxes, bookshelves, the odd rabbit hutch and a bit of basic upholstery, but we’ll also have a drop-in centre where people can come in off the street to interact with other people. We want to, in some way, counteract social isolation.

“We know there are people out there who are lonely, isolated or perhaps have an illness and are sick of daytime television. Come in for a cuppa and have a chat.”

But the plans don’t stop there.

“We’ll also offer computer classes, using the school’s computer suite, a disabled accessible community garden, bicycle repair works and quigong-style simplified tai chi classes,” he said.

“We also think it’s very important to work with the high school and have a range of intergenerational activities planned, including, in the long term, setting up plant and bike repair businesses with the kids.

“It will come under the curriculum umbrella of employability, and we’ll also cover things like teaching youngsters how to shake hands with people and write a CV.”

Moving into their new home yesterday marked a major milestone for the shedders.

“The original idea of a shed started four years ago and it was a question of trying to find a suitable building,” Nick added.

“We are really grateful to Scottish Borders Council. They have been falling over themselves to help us. We are paying £1 a year for this building – that’s how helpful they have been.

“Here we have got a perfect blend of a building, facilities for outside activities, a close link to the high school and the opportunity to offer a range of activities, as well as the Argus Centre right next door, should we need it.”

And with plenty of redecorating and refurbishment plans afoot, the 30-strong group, which has already amassed an abundance of donated tools, is keen to welcome anyone who can lend a hand.

Nick added: “We would like more women to come along. We could’ve made it a men’s shed and had this building full of men tomorrow morning, but that’s not what we want. We want women and young people too.”

The shed will be open each Tuesday and Thursday initially between 10am and 4pm, with the aim of increasing those hours once different activities are finalised. Visit their stall at tomorrow’s farmers’ market in Market Place, visit their facebook page or email: selkirkshedders@gmail.com