Archives
Below are our archives for May 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.
Fondue fun for new youth project
A NEW youth group has opened in Tweedbank. And, after some fondue fun with a chocolate fountain at only their meeting on Friday, local children have given it big licks.
Borders Council to consider Tweedbank allotment plans
A MEMORIAL orchard could be created in Tweedbank - if plans for village allotments take root.
Galashiels 'top ten postcode' for winning National Lottery
IF you live in the Galashiels area, it could be you buying that dream home, car or trip of a lifetime.
Pupils and parents to stride out in Walk to School Week
SCOTTISH Borders Council is again encouraging local parents and children to take part in Walk to School Week, 20-24 May.
VANDALS have been on a wrecking spree in Tweedbank, according to the latest report from the police.
Supermarket Celebrates fundraising success in Galashiels
ASDA Galashiels is celebrating after raising over £20,000 for local and national charities and organisations over the past 12 months.
Scottish Borders Council embroiled in planning dispute
A FURIOUS row over spy cameras at a rural hamlet outside Selkirk should be settled next week - by the Scottish Government.
Ambitious plans for Crook Inn unveiled
AMBITIOUS plans have been unveiled to transform one of Scotland's oldest pubs into a community hub in the Borders.
A LEADING care charity in the Borders faces a funding crisis - after its bank account was closed.
Local council defends its magnificently paid seven
SCOTTISH Borders Council has come in for criticism over the number of high-paid officials it employs.
'Elderly people's welfare is still being compromised'
A BORDERS MSP is calling for a review of how care contracts are awarded by Scottish Borders Council - just weeks before million-pound deals are announced.
Walkerburn pupils given insight into role of MSP
MIDLOTHIAN South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP Christine Grahame was invited to Walkerburn Primary School this week to discuss her role in Parliament.
Haggis making and egg grading at Schools Countryside Day in the Borders
MORE than 1000 children from across the region will attend the first ever Schools Countryside Day, organised by the Borders Union Agricultural Society as part of its 2013 bicentenary celebrations.
Scots legal innovators hit the mark
AN innovative legal operation co-founded by a senior Borders business figure has just celebrated its second birthday - with a pledge to carry on growing.
BGH hydro patients left high and dry
LOCAL patients may have to pay to travel outside the region for hydrotherapy treatment, after the impending closure of the specialised pool at Borders General Hospital in June, it has emerged.
Selkirk businessman jailed following £23,000 fraud
A BUSINESSMAN who fraudulently obtained a £23,000 vehicle from a Galashiels motor dealership has been jailed for 12 months at Selkirk Sheriff Court.
Hawick shooting 'non suspicious'
POLICE have confirmed that no criminal charges will be brought following the accidental shooting of a Hawick man last week.
Drive to improve road safety in the Borders gains speed
ROAD safety officers in the Borders remain on course to hit Government targets - despite ten deaths in the Borders last year.
Woman stabbed herself during drinking session in Galashiels
A 53-YEAR-OLD woman who stabbed herself after a vodka drinking session when she found out her partner had a previous relationship with her daughter has been fined £135 at Selkirk Sheriff Court.
Woman 'hit partner on head with dog lead'
A 23-YEAR-OLD woman has been accused of striking her partner on the head with a dog lead to his injury.
Benefit fraud woman told to repay cash
A GALASHIELS woman who obtained more than £9,000 in benefits she was not entitled to over a three year period has been ordered to repay the money at Selkirk Sheriff Court.
Businesses in the Borders urged to build on skills
BUSINESSES from the Scottish Borders will be encouraged to employ more Modern Apprentices as the third Scottish Apprenticeship Week gets underway on Monday May 20.
Lauder Cornet: 'As long as the sun shines on Common Riding Day I will be happy'
LAUDER Cornet Cameron Mcneill admitted it was his life-long dream to lead the town's Common Riding celebrations - and then revealed he would be doing so while riding the horse which led the festivities in Hawick last year.
Police clampdown on speeding motorists in Melrose
POLICE issued five speeding tickets on one road in just two days after targeting drivers in Melrose.
Borders chefs serve up a treat
SIX trainee chefs from the Borders this week cooked for Albert Roux OBE, KFO, one of the world's greatest restaurateurs and chefs.
Top Scot talks up region's 'natural' tourism credentials
ONE of Scotland's most famous hikers, Cameron McNeish is helping endorse the region's 'natural' credentials as part of the Year of Natural Scotland 2013.
Views from the public wanted for Glentress masterplan
FORESTRY Commission Scotland is holding two drop-in sessions for the public to get views on how Glentress Forest and the Tweed Valley corridor could be developed for tourism and recreation in the future.
Borders prepares for a Royal visitor
THE Duke of Gloucester will officially open Heriot-Watt University's new residences building at the Scottish Borders Campus in Galashiels this week.
Borders MP backs Local Newspaper Week
THE Secretary of State for Scotland is pictured catching up with the latest news in the Border Telegraph.
'There is so much happening in Selkirk at the moment, it is really vibrant'
SCOTTISH Borders Council is reminding local people that nominations are still open for the Royal Burgh of Selkirk & District Community Council election.
Masonic foundations flourishing in Earlston
EARLSTON'S Masonic lodge will celebrate its centenary next month. The No 1119 The Lodge of Ercildoune Masonic Hall was founded in June 1913 by a handful of local tradesmen.
Principals enjoy all the fun of the Fair in Tweedbank
TWEEDBANK celebrated the start of a summer of festivities at the weekend. Primary seven pupils Reece Simons and Katelynn Pringle were unveiled as the 2013 Tweedbank Lad and Lass during a colourful ceremony in the community centre.
Improvements given thumbs up at Cherrytrees
A MELROSE nursery has passed its inspection test - at the third attempt. Cherrytrees Nursery came in for criticism during a joint HMIe and Care Commission inspection two years ago.
Ritson: Being Hawick Cornet is a dream come true
HAWICK Cornet Chris Ritson's dream came true when he opened the front door of his house in Roberton Place, Hawick last Wednesday night to accept the invitation from the Halberdier to take on the treasured role.
Tweedbank bus shelter plans criticised
COUNCILLORS have criticised plans for a new £9,000 bus shelter in Tweedbank.
Concerns raised over safety of new Black Path
SAFETY fears have been voiced over a new route for the Black Path through Galashiels.
Resilience needed in Galashiels
A PLEA for community spirit is being made in Galashiels. The call came after it was revealed that locals are reluctant to become involved in forming a Resilient Community team.
A STROKE was something that 21-year-old Jessica Connors never thought would happen to her - and if it did, she assumed it would be much later in life. So it came as a bolt from the blue when she was taken to hospital suffering from the illness, leading to months of gruelling therapy.
Flying farewell for Gala Cadet Nik
ONE of 2180 (Galashiels) Squadron Air Cadets longest serving members was given a farewell to remember.
Plattling pupils prefer Selkirk
Last week's five-day visit by 14 students from the Conrad Graf Preising Realschule in Selkirk's twin town, Plattling, was declared a resounding success.
New blood in the neighbourhood
SCOTTISH Borders Council has unveiled plans for a new apprenticeship scheme - in a bid to reduce the average age of their elderly workforce.
M.E. Awareness Week event at Scottish Parliament
MERRYN Fergusson, whose book What is Wrong with ME? gives a candid mother's eye view of teenage Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), will be the keynote speaker at an event to raise awareness of the illness being held in the Scottish Parliament, on Wednesday, May 15.
CHILDREN in the Borders are getting thinner according to new Government figures.
Petition fails to halt closure of hospital hydro pool
THE only hydrotherapy pool in the central Borders is to be drained. At Thursday's NHS Borders meeting, health chiefs approved proposals to build a specially designed facility at Jedburgh, as an alternative to the current one at Borders General Hospital near Melrose.
Nominations sought for four community councils
SCOTTISH Borders Council Leader David Parker has warned communities across the region could lose their voice unless local residents are willing to stand up - for their community council.
Battle lines drawn at Philiphaugh
THE sound of musket fire returned to Philiphaugh on Saturday as a memorial to the hundreds who died during its bloody battle was officially unveiled. For most historians the Battle of Philiphaugh was a turning point in Scottish history.
Borders school celebrates 150th birthday
SPIRITS are high at Walkerburn Primary School, as staff and former pupils prepare for the final celebration of their 150th birthday.
Melrose appointment night a success
THE mood was festive in Melrose on Friday as young and old members of the town's community milled around, waiting for the appointment of this year's Melrosian.
Benefits blow begins to bite in the Borders
THOUSANDS of unemployed, disabled and sick people in the region are facing financial disaster as welfare reform works its way through the poorest households.
A walk through Borders history
TO Celebrate 900 Years Of The Foundation Charter For Kelso Abbey rangers from Scottish Borders Council's Ranger Service are hosting a series of walks. And they will hopefully take you back to where you started.
Borders Party win Leaderdale and Melrose by-election
BORDERS Party candidate Iain Gillespie revealed he was "surprised but delighted" to be elected to represent Leaderdale and Melrose on Scottish Borders Council following a local by-election last week.
Melrosian is proud and honoured
THE much awaited Appointment Night kicked off the Melrose Festival on last Friday and saw Sam Thomson assume his role as Melrosian Elect for 2013.
Troubled Selkirk school given good grades
A SELKIRK primary school is on the mend, according to Government inspectors.
A REDUCED speed limit is about to be introduced to Yarrow Feus despite nobody in the rural hamlet wanting it.
Borders farmers support calls on co- financing
NFU Scotland has joined up with farming unions across Europe to demand that national governments co-finance any transfer of funds from the direct payments pillar of the CAP to the rural development pillar.
A 22-YEAR-OLD man has died "as a result of a firearms discharge" in the Borders, according to police.
Young Borderer wants to see equality for everyone
A YOUNG man from the Hawick area who was bullied at school for having a lesbian mother and left too scared to come out himself, wants teachers across the Borders to treat homophobia as serious as racism.
NHS Borders more baby friendly
NHS Borders is taking a unique approach to the Baby Friendly Initiative, UNICEF's global infant feeding project by implementing the programme throughout the maternity unit and the community Teams simultaneously.
Selkirk manufacturer unveils new chemical plant
A SELKIRK based , 122 year old chemical manufacturer, has announced a significant strategic move with their sister company in Dubai.
Borders Railway one step closer
AS the main works get underway at the northern end of the Borders Railway, mining remediation works at Eskbank and Newtongrange have begun to prepare other locations along the route for the arrival of the railway.
Scottish Borders silver surfers subjected to online scams
GROWING legions of 'silver surfers' in the Scottish Borders are being warned to be vigilant as cyber criminals look to prey on unsuspecting victims with increasingly cunning online scams.
Braw couple look forward to Gala Day
BEAMING Braw Lad Daniel Whitehead took one look at his Braw Lass, Lucy Black, and then admitted: "They couldn't have chosen a better person".
Railway team's efforts help protect local wildlife
AS work to the Borders Railway continues apace, the project team has been working hard to ensure they are doing all that they can to help protect the environment and local wildlife that live along the new line of route.
New Principals have a Grand time
FORMER Braw Lass Nicola Mackay admitted her Braw Lad Ryan Mania had put the Borders festivals on the map after he became the first Scot in 117 years to win the Grand National - the world's most famous horse race.
A BORDERS mum has launched a baby and kids market website after the real-life stalls proved such a hit with buyers across the region - and beyond.
BORDERS College have two very popular courses in Childcare, the National Certificate and Higher National Certificate in Early Education and Childcare, both courses run on full-time basis through 36 week academic year with part-time options available.
Selkirk celebrates as Martin is named Standard Bearer
SELKIRK'S biggest secret is out. Newsagent Martin Rodgerson was appointed as the Royal and Ancient Burgh Standard Bearer for 2013 on last Friday evening.
News addict Parker is already tuning into STV
COUNCIL bosses are pushing for better from Border television after leader David Parker revealed he is already tuning into STV for his news.
Wheelhouse welcomes new £25 Million regeneration fund
THE South of Scotland MSP has welcomed the announcement of a £25 million regeneration capital investment fund.
Get knocking for The Big Lunch 2013
BORDERERS are being asked to knock on their neighbours doors for The Big Lunch 2013.
FORMER Standard Bearer David Anderson became the new Provost of Selkirk, last week.
No information on Galashiels visitor centre
TOURISM boss Paula McDonald has promised none of the region's visitor information centre's face closure.
Fit for work row sparks Health Centre stand-off
A GALASHIELS man poured petrol over himself and threatened to set a local health centre on fire because his benefits had been cut.
Galashiels pupils recognised at Academy awards
A SELFLESS schoolgirl who juggles her exams with caring for her autistic brother was presented with a special award this week in recognition of her work.
Leaderdale and Melrose By-Election result
IAIN Gillespie from the The Borders Party has been elected as the new Councillor for the Leaderdale and Melrose ward.
Galashiels students pop up in London
HERIOT Watt School of Textiles and Design students have launched a pop-up shop in Camden, London to showcase their innovative designs.
Postcode punishment for Fair pupils
THIS week the names of Primary Seven pupils at Tweedbank Primary School will be drawn from a hat to decide this year's Fair Principals.
Educational inspiration at Adult Learners Awards
ENDEAVOUR was the winner at the Borders Adult Learners Award ceremony last week.
Galashiels buisness scoops Award for Excellence
LOCAL telecommunications business QubeGB has won a prestigious Global Business Excellence award for their work.
Local MSP praises centre helping Borders living with MS
A LOCAL councillor has praised a Borders therapy centre for its work with MS.
SOCIAL work bosses have reached a compromise to save the region's only specialist disability centre.
Flodden memorial gets the go ahead
Plans to build a Flodden memorial garden in Selkirk have been given the green light.
Volunteer collectors lift 279kgs of rubbish in one weekend
AN incredible 72 bags of rubbish were collected from around Galashiels on Saturday.
Red light for Jedburgh supermarket
COUNCIL chiefs have put a stop to plans to open a new superstore in Jedburgh.
A SOLAR park will see the light of day in Langshaw after plans were given the go ahead by the council.
Gordon turbine allowed by Government
A Berwickshire farmer has won his appeal to be allowed to erect a wind turbine on land outside Gordon.
Ambulance bosses buoyed by BGH decision
AMBULANCE chiefs have welcomed a decision by the Scottish Government to allow for a new depot to be built at Borders General Hospital.
Planned defences go on show in Selkirk
A PRESENTATION will take place tonight (Wednesday) in Selkirk to show off the town's planned flood defences.
Doggy tale ends happily for abandoned pup
A rescue greyhound found tied up and starving has found a happy ending with a new owner- and now lives in somewhat of a zoo.
Life begins for Eildon Housing
One of the oldest housing associations in the Borders celebrated its 40th birthday on Thursday.
MEMBERS of the Focus Youth Club in Galashiels picked up a few good habits last week as they took part in an environmental clean up.
