Ancrum
SERVICE: There will be a united all-age service, shared with the 42nd Dundee Boys’ Brigade, in a tent at 10am on Sunday at Ancrum Football Club.
Earlston
PARISH CHURCH: July 1 is the civic week service which will be held in the marquee at 10.15am. The civic week committee will be serving refreshments after the service. There will be a short reflective service at 6pm in the church. Both services will be conducted by Rev Julie Woods.
Eckford
WRI: Members enjoyed a summer evening visit to Mary, Queen of Scots House in Jedburgh, followed by followed by supper at the Carters Rest
Edgerston
MSP SURGERY: John Lamont, the MSP for Ettrick Roxburgh and Berwichshire, will be holding a surgery at Edgerston village hall on July 4, between 11.30am-noon.
Galashiels
MOVIE-MAKERS: P6/7 at Glendinning Terrace Primary have been working with Mr Milligan, from the Youth Project for the last year, playing a range of instruments, writing lyrics, singing and acting to produce a DVD of four short films called Ghosties, Santa’s Letter, Paradise Island and Glendinning Jive. They designed the front cover and have been given the opportunity to keep a copy for themselves as a momento of the experience. They celebrated their achievements with a premiere showing of their work at Galashiels Pavillion, which let pupils, friends and family view the DVD on the big screen at a special “black tie”event. All involved went to lots of effort with their outfits, gentlemen wearing ties and shirts and ladies in posh dresses. Many thanks to the Galashiels cinema for its support and helping make the afternoon a great success.
Hawick
ROTARY CLUB: President Liz Wood chaired last week’s meeting, a council meeting followed after the meal by a business meeting when convenors gave their reports on activities and planned events. Treasurer Bob Kellett gave a report of the club’s finances after which a general discussion took place. Andrew Lester and David Denyer, from Duns Rotary Club were welcome visitors.
Innerleithen
GAMES COMMITTEE: The remaining committee meetings before Games Week will be on Wednesdays July 4 and 11 in the council chamber, Memorial Hall, Leithen Road at 7.00pm.
STANDARD BEARER: The Standard Bearer-Elect, Aaron Somerville, his Lass Narelle Allan and their supporters have been out and about over recent weeks, representing the Burgh of Innerleithen at Border festivals and common ridings, including Penicuik, West Linton, Hawick, Selkirk and Peebles Beltane.
BLUE AND WHITE FLAGS: The Games Committee offers blue and white bunting for sale at £14 per string. Please contact Norman Scott on 01896 830621.
CLEIKUM CEREMONIES 2012: The Cleikum Ceremonies will be held in the Memorial Hall on July 20 and will be a ticket-only event once again. Tickets will be issued, free, at the Tweeddale Thrift Shop, High Street, Innerleithen on Saturday July 7 from 9am on a first come-first served basis and will be restricted to four per person. Programmes and raffle tickets will also be available.
RACE ENTRIES: Local entries for the American Cup (800 metres handicap) and the New Zealand trophy (200 metres handicap) must be given to the sports secretary, Sarah Lindsay (01896 833590) no later than Saturday 15 July. Both are open to youths aged nine to under 18 years who are resident in Innerleithen, Traquair or Walkerburn. No entries for these events will be accepted on the field on Games Saturday (July 16).
SERVICE: The service in Innerleithen Church on July 1 will be at 10.30am.
Kelso
St James’ Fair: The fFair will dates are September 1 and . Support it by donating £5 and becoming a Friend of the Fair.You will be guaranteed a seat at the grand opening ceremony, a badge and your name in next years programme. Your donation will help secure the future of the Fair. Call 01573 226928. Kelso Community Events is raising money for the St James’ Fair with tombolas at the farmers’ market on July 14 and at the antiques market at Springwood on July 21 and 22 (thanks to Trevor Black). Please help by donating prizes, which can be left with Steve and Claire at Seasons and try your luck on the day
STORYBOARDS: Kelso Connections has researched and written seven new storyboards for 2012. They will be displayed at the Kelso Laddies’ exhibition in Ednam House from July 17 to 21, which is during Civic Week (17-21 July) and then in the windows of shops in the centre of town until the St James’ Fair,September 1-2. Any shop wishing to take part is invited to contact Isabel on 01573 224753 or Ruth at Kelso Library on 01573 223171
BLOOD DONORS: Awards were presented to donors at recent sessions: silver gilt, (50 donations): Graham Lawson, Morag Kerse and Andrew Simmons, silver (25 donations) Caroline Borthwick, and bronze, (10 donations) Alan Haig, Mark Chester, Scott Reynolds, Jamie Lyall, Ricky Hope and Suzanne Blackie.
ROTARY CLUB: Andrea Beavon, co-ordinator of Scottish Borders Council’s unit dealing with violence against women and domestic violence, and Penny Burns from NHS Borders, gave a presentation based on a DVD scripted and directed by women, living in the Borders, who have suffered from domestic violence. The multi-agency approach adopted by SBC is tackling the problem, andworking with the rising generation of young men and women to help prevent them becoming the perpetrators and victims of the future..
BRIDGE CLUB: June 20, match-pointed pairs: N/S 1 Rena Stewart and Marian Miller, 2 Alison Ireland and Elinor Green, 3 John Urquhart and Miles Browne; E/W 1sTerry Harris and David Elder, 2 Ian and Eliz Ross, 3 Dominic and Diana Alkin. June 21, aggregate pairs: N/S Sheena McPherson and David Harris-Burland, 2 Brian Saywood and Evelyn Erskine, 3 Rena Stewart and Val Johnstone; E/W 1 Nancy Porter and Jock Dun, 2 Jean Henry and Myra Thomson, 3 Archie Stewart and Billy Potts.
Langholm
Common Riding: The Common Riding committee chairman Roger Maxwell told the meeting in the Crown Hotel that he had moved the old flag from Ashley Bank to ithe gallery at the town hall. A firm in Edinburgh that may be able to restore it would charge more than £550 to come and inspect it. It was agreed this was not an option, and it was suggested that a sheet of perspex could be placed on top to keep the flag flat and preserve it to a certain extent. Suggestions that the Cornet might wearing a second sash to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee and the Town Band might vary its repertoire during the evening procession were left to the public meeting. Tom Barclay had agreed to be hound trail starter and judge. A charge of £700 by John Little for the public address system was agreed and an additional speaker will be installed at the Kirk Wynd. The Scottish Ambulance Service charge of £787.30 was accepted as was the North Lakes Marquee Hire quote of £748. A quote of £10.50 per head from Country Kitchen Catering, for lunches at the Castleholm, was agreed, a 50p increase from last year. Nigel Tweddle from Newcastleton who has a stance at the Common Riding, will organise the other stances and will be added to the rosette list. There will be 550 ties ordered. The rosettes will be reduced in size and sold for £5. The programme price will remain at £2.50, with the sports programme £2. The rugby club had agreed to donate £50 to the Innkeepers Plate.
Westerkirk: The Guild, which has 16 members, celebrated its centenary with a special service in the church A warm welcome was extended to everyone by president Betty Elliot. Among the special guests were Annandale and Eskdale presbytery moderator Alan Dodds and May Moffat convener of Annandale and Eskdale Presbytery Guild leadership team. The service was conducted by the Rev Scott McCarthy and an address was given by Fiona Punton the Church of Scotland National Guild information officer. There was a reading by Marion Rodger and a history of Westerkirk Guild was given by Professor Tom Scott. A special centenary cake was cut by the oldest Westerkirk Guild member Sadie Bell. A vote of thanks was given by Margaret Sanderson and the retiring offering was in aid of Guild projects. Afternoon tea was later served in the hall at Bentpath.
Sunday school: Sunday’s morning service in the parish church was a special occasion with the annual Sunday school prize-giving. The children were presented with their books by Ellen Rae. Last Friday’’s picnic planned for Westerhall Estate was moved to Ewes Hall because of the weather.
Town Band: The band won a trophy as the best-dressed in the Dumfries Guid Nychburris festival parade. They played with Annan and Dumfries bands, and in the evening joined the massed pipe bands.
Concert: The parish church was packed last Monday evening for the annual Common Riding concert for primary children from the town and Canonbie. Ex-Cornet David McVittie was compere and choirs from the various classes in the two schools sang Common Riding favourites. Cornet Andrew Elliot and right and left hand men Lee Earsman and Graeme Murray attended. The winners of the primary school, based on Common Riding themes, received their prizes from Andrew Johnstone, president of the 1514 Club at Hawick. He presented the 1514 trophy to the overall winner Jessica Kenny. Art club members judged the competition and donated the prizes. Art results. Overall winner Jessica Kenny, P5. P3: 1 Regan Irving, 2 Danny Tait, 3 Brandon Thorp; P5: 1 Jessica Kenny, 2 Ellie Scott, 3 Amy Forsyth; P7: 1 Katie McCall, 2 Robbie Gordon, 3 Stella Walker.
Lilliesleaf
PRIMARY TALENT: Lilliesleaf Primary School held a Lilliesleaf’s got Talent competition in the Village Hall on Friday when there was a variety of instrumentalists, singers, dancers, a mime artist. Parents, family and friends of the school supported the event which was won by Charlie Jack who performed I’m Elmo and I know it, in full costume.Teacher Kyra Tweddle said: “We were entertained and impressed by the high standard of entries. It was a thoroughly enjoyable morning and the staff are really proud of all the children who did an act and showed off their talents.
Melrose
KIRK: Activities: July 1, services, 9.30am Bowden, 11am Melrose; July 2, 3pm Blythswood Care lorry in Rugby Club car park; July 3 first summer coffee morning; recommendations for post of church officer welcomed; church office closed meantime but phone calls and emails will receive a response.
Border Flower Club: All Shapes and Sizes was the title chosen by Judith Clancy – an art teacher who turned to flowers after retiring – for her fascinating demonstration From a purple watering can to contrasting shapes in glass containers, then a tall wooden white cube and the final design was in a large rectangular chocolate box. This was the last demonstration of the year. The next meeting is the AGM on July 4 in Corn Exchange Melrose at 7.30pm.
Morebattle
TEMPLE SESSIONS: On July 1, the Templehall Hotel hosts the Temple Sessions, a monthly informal acoustic session organised by local musicians. All are welcome to come and play, sing or just enjoy the music, 2-5pm, free. For more information, phone the Templehall, 01573 440249.
Fishing: Drew Gibson and Danny Swan were the winners of the paiand& Spike Borthwick. The Caverton Mill competition is on June 30. Names to David Gray by June 28 .
Newcastleton
Coffee morning: A most successful coffee morning was run by Cath and Sara Yahia Mohammed in aid of breast cancer research with bric-a-brac, baking and book stalls, and a tombola were kept busy. On the Sunday ,the mother and daughter took part in a charity walk in Edinburgh, raising more than £700 over the weekend.
Oxnam
LIBRARY CAFE: A very well attended library cafe on Wednesday June 20 was hosted by Frances Armstrong and Anne Davies. Because of holiday commitments the next library cafe will be in six weeks, on August 1 at 11am.
Selkirk
BLOOD DONORS: The Blood Transfusion Service will be holding a donor session in the Victoria Halls, on July 8, 10.15-12.30 and 2.00 -4.00. New donors are always needed.
Stow
FITNESS CLASSES: Galawater Health and Fitness Club is on a summer break. Classes resume in the Town Hall on August 8, 1-2pm.
Traquair
SERVICE: The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on July 8 at 10.30am
Walkerburn
Service: The next service in Walkerburn Public Hall will be on 29 July 29 at 10.30am.
Yarrowford
WRI: The Rural recently had its summer evening outing for a meal at the Smiddy, Ashkirk with a jubilee theme. Members thoroughly enjoyed their evening. The next meeting will be in September .
Yetholm
Romany Ramblers: Meet June 30, 9.00am at Wauchope Hall, for a circular walk in the Cheviots . Cocklawfoot-Davidsons Linn , about 10miles.
Festival Week: The sums are still being calculated so the Festival Week”s figures are still awaited but the overall opinion is very good.Events were well supported even if the rain on Saturday meant the playing field Fun Afternoon moving to a more low-key activity on thr Green.Eveyone thought that the Bari Gadgi and Manushi excelled themselves.
End of Term: Term ended with the usual Assembly,In the last week of term there was a trip for a number of pupils to Mini Olympics in Galashiels,followed by a school sports day on Yetholm playing field.
Changing Landscape: Not in living memory has the north-east lower slope of Staerough Hill been cultivated. Now it has and the fields, part of Halterburn Farm, have been ploughed up. It provides an unusual view and meant a slight alteration to the return route of the Stob Stains Rideout.
College Valley Gardens: Yetholm is used to summer gardens openings in the village and at Mindrum. Gardens in the College Valley will be open to the public on July 1.