A TOTAL of eight Borderers have been honoured by the Queen.

Former Melrosian David Rout has been awarded the Queen's Fire Service Medal after 33 years of firefighting service.

Mr Rout, who was Melrosian in 1985, spent his first three years of service at his hometown station before moving to the north-east in February 1988 to join the Grampian Fire Service.

He was appointed to the role of local senior officer (LSO) for Aberdeenshire and Moray in 2014.

And, up until his retirement in February, he continued to partner with councils and communities to find the best ways his teams could serve the population.

Mr Rout also played an instrumental role in the trial of the fire service’s Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest system.

David told us: “As a young boy I used to visit the local fire station and enjoy a cup of tea with the firefighters and I never imagined I would be receiving such recognition for a vocation I have been absolutely committed to over the years.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed it and it has provided me with some fantastic opportunities in life.

“It goes without saying I couldn’t have achieved so much without the great support of family, friends and colleagues.”

Ron Wilson also recently retired, after 20 years in the role of secretary to the Border Union and Agricultural Society at Springwood Park in Kelso.

Supported by his wife Joan and a small office team, Mr Wilson oversaw the development of the Kelso site from a show field with two basic sheds and a grandstand, to a major showground and exhibition venue, complete with a new hall that now hosts many major events.

He also oversaw the organisation of the four core events in the Society’s calendar - the annual Border Union Show, the Ram Sales, the Championship Dog Show and the highly successful Schools Countryside Day.

On Saturday he was honoured by The Queen with a Member of the British Empire medal for services to agriculture and the community.

Ron said: "I was both astounded and honoured when I learned of the MBE.

"I haven't done this on my own as I've had a good, tight team around me... and my wife, Joan, has always been at my side.

"It's nice to think that we've made a wee bit of a difference."

Also receiving an MBE was Sylvia Fleming from Coldingham for services to the freight forwarding industry and welfare of animals in transit.

The 62-year-old created her own freight forwarding company in the late 1980s, helping transform the welfare of small animals being moved around the globe through her innovation and entrepreneurship.

Lt Col Kimberly Anne McCutcheon from Gattonside was awarded an Order of the British Empire for services to first aid and emergency response.

Ms McCutcheon was a Commanding Officer with the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry in London.

Biggar's Barbara Allison was awarded a CBE for public services.

Ms Pettigrew is director of communications with Ministerial Support and Facilities at the Scottish Government.

Also in Her Majesty's Birthday Honours were British Empire Medals for Duns Pipe Major Andrew Davidson for services to music and his community, for Doreen Calder of Duns for services to equestrianism and her community, and also for Eleanor Hogarth, the founder and manager of the Charity for Care shop in Kelso, for services to charity in the Scottish Borders.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: "I’m delighted Her Majesty has acknowledged the achievements of recipients across Scotland.

"From charity work to public service, the remarkable and heart-warming contribution these recipients make on a day to day basis is integral to our society. I offer my congratulations.”