Archives
Below are our archives for June 2013. If you are looking for a different month, please use the date search box feature below. To browse please choose from last month or try the News, Sport or Opinion archives for this month.
Borders region gives Prince Charles and Camilla a Royal welcome
PRINCE Charles and Camilla enjoyed a textile tour of the Borders, as the region's most famous industry put on a regal show.
The house of straw that won't blow down
A HOUSE of straw is being built in the Borders this month - and there are no little piggies or big bad wolves in sight.
MSP calls for further action at Leadburn junction
AFTER witnessing the aftermath of a recent crash at the notorious Leadburn Junction, Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP Christine Grahame is calling for further traffic calming measures to be installed.
Borders residents invited to discuss Birneyknowe windfarm
BORDERS residents and businesses are invited to learn about renewable energy in a series of exhibitions held between today (Tuesday) and Thursday.
Borthwick bridge works extended
AN extension of three weeks is required to the works at Martin's Bridge in the Borthwick Valley, it has been announced.
Peebles Court is condemned as new Galashiels centre gets backing
ATTEMPTS to save Peebles court have failed this week. And we can reveal that plans for the creation of a single Borders justice centre 18 miles away in Galashiels took a step closer.
Borders teacher shortlisted for Scotland's biggest children's book award
BORDERS-based teacher and author Claire McFall has been shortlisted in the Older Readers category of the Scottish Children's Book Awards 2013 for her debut novel Ferryman, a love story for teenagers, published by Templar.
Victim Support offers Polish help in the Borders
A NEW service has started in Galashiels for Polish victims of crime. Volunteer Izabella Lipok is using her native language to help Polish people who are affected by crime or who might be called to court as witnesses.
Borders is 'shortchanged' by Westminster
VOTERS in the Borders are on average £405 per head worse off under the UK government's austerity measures, according to analysis by leading economists.
Grant Yeomans is Scout of the year in Galashiels
AT a recent Annual General Meeting of Galashiels Scout Group, Grant Yeomans was presented with the Stewart Bell Centenary Trophy as Scout of the Year for 2012/13.
Local people honoured in Queen's Birthday Honours list
THREE people from the Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale area are being honoured by the Queen in Her Majesty's Birthday Honours list.
Rooms at the Inn in Galashiels
PLANS to create four letting rooms on top of a Galashiels pub have been approved by Scottish Borders Council.
S3 PUPILS at Galashiels Academy marked the end of the school year with an awards ceremony.
Selkirk women are injured in Manchester tram crash
FESTIVAL goers from Selkirk were left in hospital last weekend after being involved in a horror crash.
Dryburgh Abbey to host annual service of commemoration
DEFENCE Minister, Lord Astor, will make this year's address to honour Field Marshal Earl Haig, the Founder of the Royal British Legion and the Royal British Legion Scotland, at his graveside in the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey, near Melrose, on Sunday, June 16.
Galashiels Academy 'could do better'
A PROGRAMME of improvements are being demanded by inspectors following a visit to Galashiels Academy.
STAFF and pupils at Philiphaugh Community School in Selkirk have been given a glowing report by watchdog inspectors.
Sun shines on Common Riding in Hawick
IT was 'Royal Blue with gold running through' as Hawick was blessed with glorious sunshine for the annual Common Riding celebrations.
Melrose Festival reaches another milestone this year
IT celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Installation of the first Melrosian in 1938, John Frater, when it gets underway this weekend.
Royal Burgh remembers 500th anniversary of Battle of Flodden in Selkirk
THERE are few festival occasions more dramatic than the Casting of the Colours.
CONCERNS are growing for the future of the region's main bus service to Edinburgh and Carlisle.
Borders school routes lack supply of salt
ROAD bosses have revealed that many rural pupils will continue travelling to school on ungritted roads this winter.
Borders winner to receive world-class artwork
SIX leading novelists are competing for a prestigious literary award in the Scottish Borders this weekend.
Dolphinton's diminishing landscape
PERMISSION has been granted to pull down a hill just outside Dolphinton. Quarrying firm Lafarge Tarmac have been allowed to extend operations in rural Peeblesshire for a further 16 years.
Millions could be spent avoiding Galashiels gridlock
ROADS bosses have unveiled plans to prevent Galashiels becoming gridlocked with the arrival of the railway.
Pavement petition launched in Galashiels
A PUSH for a pavement in Galashiels will arrive at Scottish Borders Council's new Petitions Committee this week.
Council reveal cost of winter as Plan review is launched
COUNTING the cost of winter will occupy roads bosses at Scottish Borders Council over the summer.
Floors Castle branches out into allotments
A BORDERS castle has opened up its gates to meet the growing demand for allotments.
LOCAL MSP John Lamont is calling for the removal the traffic lights south of Jedburgh on the A68.
Lottery comes to the rescue of Borders life savers
THE Borders Water Rescue Team has been awarded funding from the Lottery to help buy new equipment.
Spanish final for Bernice and Milo
A PEEBLES dog handler is celebrating after reaching the final of the World Agility Open Championships in Spain.
Community councillors avoid the public vote
ALL four community councils in the Melrose and Leaderdale ward which disbanded last month have been returned following their elections.
EVERYONE was a winner at the annual Borders Fun Run held in Melrose at the weekend.
Countdown continues for Selkirks' Martin
THE countdown to Selkirk Common Riding continued this week with a busy schedule for Martin Rodgerson.
Committee condemns courts to closure
MEMBERS of the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee have backed plans to close ten sheriff courts - including Peebles and Duns - across Scotland.
Award winning Abbotsford design celebrated
THEY'RE more used to literary awards down at Abbotsford, but last week it was their new building which was being celebrated at an industry bash.
Innerleithen gears up for Jayfest
A FESTIVAL in memory of one of mountain biking's best women riders is to be staged in Innerleithen later this month.
Gaps being filled by dental services
DENTAL services at NHS Borders have reason to smile this week after recent figures published by ISD paint an improving picture.
Scottish Borders Science Festival
AN exciting array of events and activities are being staged in towns and villages throughout the Borders this month.
Galashiels pensioner left distraught after theft
A PENSIONER was left distraught after an ornamental dog was stolen from her garden in Galashiels.
Council pays tribute to Tweedbank helpers
SCOTTISH Borders Council Leader David Parker has paid tribute to the volunteers who make the Tweedbank Fair a continued success. The local councillor revealed this year's festivities were the biggest and best yet.
Timebomb arrives in Galashiels - and gives cops the needle
THE tattoo artists who gave Lady Steel her panther are being allowed to open a studio in Galashiels - despite getting under the skin of local cops.
Parker fails to find shelter from row
A FURIOUS row has broken out over a new bus shelter in Tweedbank. We reported last month how members of Scottish Borders Council's Eildon Area Forum wouldn't back a £9,000 bid to replace a bus shelter in Tweedbank.
OVER 100 walkers and runners completed the first Greig's Gathering on Sunday - with almost all vowing to return next year.
Training for Work at the Borders General Hospital
EIGHT Borders job seekers have just taken part in a training course that has lead three of them to gain employment already in Health Service related positions. Training for Work is a programme that saw LifeSkills, the Job Centre Plus and Borders General Hospital (BGH) working together for the first time.
SANDRA Bradshaw, of Selkirk, put her best foot forward for charity at the beginning of May, raising £1,900 for the Borders Macmillan Centre by completing the 96-mile West Highland Way.
Hotel plans for closed Caerlee Mills
A REDUNDANT Borders mill which closed earlier this year looks set to be turned into a new hotel.
A LASTING tribute will be paid to the late Daniel T Ward at the Beltane Festival this year.
Motoring extravaganza drives in to Lauder
This year's Scottish Borders Historic Motoring Extravagnza, which took place at Thirlestanse Castle on Sunday, June 2 has been hailed a success by the organisers.
MORE than 2000 Borders smokers attempted to quit during 2012. But cessation officers for the region don't know what happened to almost half of them.
Courting controversy at Holyrood
PEEBLES lawyers took to the streets of Edinburgh this week as they fight their most important case.
ONE of the first winners of the Greener Together Community Awards is Lamancha, Macbiehill and Halmyre - a cluster of initiatives which together seek to build a greener Scottish Borders.
Happy faces at Border General Hosptial
A LARGE work of art to explain, promote and celebrate the Seasons for Growth peer education programme round the region has been unveiled at Borders General Hospital.
Hotel plans for closed Caerlee Mills
A REDUNDANT Borders mill which closed earlier this year looks set to be turned into a new hotel.
Embroidery handywork on display
Take a Piece of Thread and see what can be done in the hands of the Peebles Branch of the Embroiderer's Guild.
Queen Holly and her court prepare for Biggar Gala Week
THE countdown continues to the biggest week in the Biggar calendar with the traditional installation of the Cornet and marches ride-out this Sunday.
MP calls for investment in key Selkirk road
Local MP David Mundell is calling for a special meeting to discuss the state of the A708 tourist route between Moffat and Selkirk.
Borders Railway leads to 'boom' in local lettings market
WITH the construction phase of the new Borders Railway firmly on track, leading property consultants CKD Galbraith are calling on landlords to recognise the demand for new rental properties as lettings in the region continues to increase.
Galashiels scrap firm to continue
A THIRD generation scrap business in Galashiels has been allowed to continue - despite concerns from local police.
BREWERY boss John Henderson has been allowed to bring a touch of continental culture to his village pub.
Aldi plans to extend Galashiels store
SUPERMARKET bosses have unveiled plans to extend their Aldi store in Galashiels.
Plucky pensioner completes Penine Way
A PENSIONER from Galashiels has completed one of the UK's most challenging long-distance walks to raise funds for Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS).
ORGANISERS of the Peebles Arts Festival have unveilved a new look programme for this year along with a new logo and website.
THE first volunteer work party has made a start on clearing out the historic Mill Lade in Innerleithen.
Eildon hosts double celebrations
THE party celebrations were in full swing at Riverside House last month when staff, tenants and Eildon board members held their 40th anniversary event to commemorate the founding of Eildon Housing Association back in 1973 as well as the opening of Peebles, Riverside House, 25 years ago.
HOW do you reduce the animated chat of 500 ladies to a murmur of approval? Peebles choir, InChorus, did just that when they performed at the third annual 'Ladies Love Lunch' at the Sheraton Hotel in aid of Edinburgh's Maggie's Centre. The charity had contacted InChorus through their website, asking if the choir would be part of the entertainment at this high profile event and the choir needed no second invitation.
Huge sense of achievement for Tweedbank worker
A SALES and marketing director from a Tweedbank based firm has raised £500 for charity after completing a 178 mile cycle ride.
Stark equestrian centre set for stampede
OLYMPIAN Ian Stark faces a final round against the clock after being granted permission to build a new equestrian centre outside Selkirk.
New drive to clampdown on unpaid court fines
Two women from the Borders have had their cars clamped in the past week as part of a crack-down on unpaid court fines.
Free advice for Border shop owners
SHOP owners and businesses throughout the Borders are being offered advice on security and fire prevention at a free event in Galashiels later this month.
Galashiels optician is top of the class
A GALASHIELS woman has scored top marks in a Scotland-wide optical exam - and landed herself a sponsored degree course in the process.
Wall row doesn't stop St John's plans
PERMISSION has been granted to create for a new access road to a rundown cottage in Newstead. But the drive up to St John's Cottage goes straight through a neighbour's garden wall.
Borders raise awareness for Alzheimer Awareness Week
NHS Borders staff are stirring up support for Dementia through Alzheimer Awareness Week (3 June -9 June 2013)
Abbotsford Visitor centre wins prestigious architecture award
THE new Visitor Centre building at Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford home in the Scottish Borders has been awarded a prestigious architectural prize for environmental sustainability in this year's Scottish Design Awards, which recognise talent within Scotland's design and architectural industries.
Senior judge backs court closures in the Borders
LOCAL SNP MSP Christine Grahame has welcomed evidence from Scotland's most senior judge in which he backed proposals for changes to the country's court system, including closure of a limited number of sheriff courts.
Short-list for public artwork in Kelso revealed
FOLLOWING a recent competition, five artists have been selected to develop costed design proposals for a new public artwork to be sited in the centre of Kelso.
Council launches new 'What's On' guide - just for kids
IT'S going to be a jam-packed summer ahead as Scottish Borders Council (SBC) launches its first ever free 'What's On for Kids' brochure which is sure to keep families occupied over the summer holidays.
DENTAL services at NHS Borders have reason to smile this week after recent figures published by ISD paint an improving picture.
Old ways aren't always the best
Sir, I see that former Scottish Borders Councillor Kenneth Gunn has been bemoaning the fact that the Selkirk Cottage Hospital closed 25 yrs ago, but he leaves out one major reason why.
MEDIEVAL festivities marked the 500th anniversary of the battle of Flodden at Traquair. This year's Medieval Fayre, held in the grounds of Scotland's oldest inhabited house near Innerleithen, took place last Saturday and Sunday.
Borders Exploration Group completes Olympic challenge
THE Borders Exploration Group completed an Olympic sized challenge last weekend.
Selkirk Rugby Club toasts Standard Bearer
SELKIRK Standard Bearer Martin Rodgerson was presented with an engraved tankard last weekend by Selkirk Rugby Club.
Melrose schoolgirl stars at Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Five-year-old Iona Wishart has been named as the youngest winner in the history of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society's annual schools poster competition.
Fountainhall 'Fixer' plans magazine to combat youth isolation in the Borders
A YOUNG woman who has lived in Fountainhall, near Galashiels, for 16 years, is publishing a magazine for young people to help tackle the isolation she feels exists in the region.
Braw Lads' Gathering hits the right note
GALASHIELS was in fine voice last week as scores of school children turned out to celebrate the history of the town in song.
Dinner date breaks with tradition in Selkirk
SELKIRK Ex-Soldiers broke with tradition on Saturday. In an unusual twist to proceedings at their annual dinner in O'Malley's, 2013 Ex Soldiers Standard Bearer David Deacon was introduced to the 80 guests by his Lady Busser, and wife, Fiona.
Tennis Festival is a smash hit
Children from nine Primary Schools in the central Borders recently took part in a Borders Tennis Festival, organised by Borders Sport and Leisure as part of its Active Schools Programme.
Selkirk Merchant Company Standard Bearer organisers Main fundraiser
A SELKIRK-BASED award winning chartered tax advisers and accountants, have been walking, running, cycling and horse riding 1200 miles during the month of May for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Borders students urged to apply for funding
BORDERS students and school leavers going to college or university are being urged to get their funding application to SAAS by June 30 to ensure payment for the first term.
Petition launched to extend free bus travel in the Borders
LOCAL MSP Christine Grahame has added her name to those supporting Age Scotland's Still Waiting campaign, in the charity's shop in Galashiels last week.
A SERIAL alcohol thief has been jailed for eight months just three weeks after being released from a prison sentence.
Smailholm Stitchers create a piece of history
A SMALL group of stitchers from the Borders have joined one the biggest community arts projects in the world.
Health board spends £2m on agency and bank staff
NHS Borders has yet again spent almost £2 million on agency and bank nurses - despite carrying out extensive reviews to bring down the wage bill.
