THE Borders is well represented in the regional section of the Scottish Thistle Awards this year, after the shortlists were announced on Monday.

Primary five schoolchildren from across the region went to their own special Border Union show - the first event of its kind - in Kelso on Tuesday.

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Secretary of State for Business Vince Cable was in the Borders at the weekend when farmers made clear their need for better support from banks.

BREEDER Charles Scott from Hawick celebrated his first show of the season at Ayr by winning the Zwartbles breed championship on Saturday.

A Borders-based sales and marketing team has helped secure a significant award for construction attachment retailers Astra Site Services.

Employment in the Borders fell by more than five per cent between 2008 and 2012, a report by Scotland’s chief statistician has revealed.

The 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.

HAVING invested £45,000 in three new bedrooms, securing 50 nights of bookings in May for these rooms has vindicated the decision of The County Hotel’s owners.

There is a flurry of sparks as blacksmith David Young swings his hammer onto the red-hot bar of metal in the smithy at St Boswells.

THE Upper Tier Tax Tribunal has considered the criteria for the letting of furnished holiday accommodation to be considered a business, in order to qualify for Business Property Relief from Inheritance Tax (IHT).

LOCAL chartered surveyor Nick Green and auctioneers Border Livestock Exchange have joined forces to create a new regional property auction venture.

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Fluke has had a “devastating” impact on Borders sheep flocks in the last six months, according to a former NFUS livestock committee chairman.

“For the most affected farms there will no immediate relief in 2013 and there will be a hard road back to perhaps more normal production in 2014.”

The recent Scottish Hotel Awards proved particularly successful for some of the Borders’ leading accommodation providers.

THIS is a most attractive traditional end-terraced cottage which has been created by combining two cottages.

Have you noticed how the longer days and brighter evenings can change the look of the rooms in your home?

Following last month’s column, reader Lynn McKnight got in touch to remind me of Denholm Antiques and Interiors.

Slowly but surely, one man and his company are bringing Little House on the Prairie to the Borders.