Ancrum

TENT SERVICE: There is no service on Sunday in Ancrum Kirk, but instead there will be a united all-age service, shared with the 42nd Dundee Boys' Brigade, in a tent at 10am at Ancrum Football Club.

Broomlands

WRI: The last meeting of the session was at Kelso Golf Club where members enjoyed a meal and chat. The new session starts on September 21 with a microwave cooking demonstration.

Crailing

NO SERVICE: There is no Songs of Praise this Sunday in Crailing Kirk.

Denholm

WHIST: At the monthly whist held in the village hall last Saturday night, the results were – 1st lady, E. Pow; 2nd lady, V. Lane; 3rd lady, J. Kyle. Half-time, I. Mabon. Booby, P. Jardine. 1st gent, R. Ramshir;, 2nd gent, A. Hirst; 3rd gent, A. Kellett. Half-time, G. Hughes. Booby, C. Donaldson. Under-16, N. Swan. Longest sitter, J. Mabon. Bingo, R. Ramshir. Sweep, J. Rae, J. Blackie, A. Hirst. Raffle, P. Jardine, B. Douglas, M. Millar.

Earlston

Paths Group: The access to Black Hill at Cowdenknowes Mains Farm has been changed. There is now an alternative parallel footpath, which is signposted, to the driveway which allows walkers to keep away from the farm steading and cottages.
CAROLSIDE: The annual senior citizens' visit to Carolside will take place on July 10. The bus departs from Earlston Square at 1.45pm and anyone wishing to go should contact either Kay Brownlie (01896 849234) or Agnes Penman (01896 849749).
Parish Church: Sunday's services – 9.45am, all ages; 11am, traditional.

Eccles

PARISH CHURCH: Sunday, 9.45am, morning worship.

Galashiels

UPLIFTING: Blythswood Care will uplift good used clothing, toiletries etc. from the Asda car park on Monday, 2-2.30pm.

Hawick

Rotary Club: The club handover night was held last Thursday with the outgoing president, Keith Bird, welcoming district zone leader David Hull to the meeting. Scott Elliot was installed as the new president with Billy McWatters vice-president. Secretary George Rennie and treasurer Bob Kellet gave their reports. It was announced that Liz Wood had accepted the post of junior vice-president. The conveners of the club's committees gave their reports as to what programmes would be followed for the new Rotary year. On behalf of the foundation committee, Liz Wood stated that in October the club would be asked for help in hosting members of the group study exchange team from South Africa. During February in Rotary Week it was hoped to utilise a local shop to publicise Rotary. The film fundraiser would again be arranged for the following month and there were plans for a sponsored Rotary entry in the Denholm Kart Race in April. A family day at Minto in July was under consideration, as was a 'Hawick's Got Talent' competition for the autumn. Vocational and community service committee – mock interviews with young people would again be held. The literary lunch attached to the Reivers Festival would be organised. Other events to be arranged include a St Andrew's Night concert, a 'super draw' at a local supermarket, a Come Dancing evening, casino night, participation in local shows, treasure hunt, Antiques Roadshow and an online event. The international committee hopes to organise a ceilidh among other items. The membership committee had made up display boards and there was a new publicity pack available. The sports officer outlined his programme. Rotary junior golf entry sheets were available at both Minto and Vertish clubhouses. The annual bowls competition would be held at Wilton Bowling Club on July 30, with the golf outing to Minto on August 6. There would be a Rotary district golf competition at Longniddry on August 27 and the competition for the Bob Smith Trophy had still to be arranged. Other sports events being considered were archery, quoits and clay pigeon shooting. Several Hawick Rotarians had their first experiences of taking part in the 'talking newspaper' last Friday. With the co-operation of TheSouthern's sister title, the Hawick News, an operational point is being set up in the town to make the News available for those who can't see to read or hold a newspaper. Past president Douglas Blackman is also giving his services in this Rotary effort.
UPLIFTING: Blythswood Care will uplift good used clothing, toiletries etc. from Morrison's car park on Tuesday, 9-9.45am.
Probus: Robert Smith, who lives at Cavers, spoke to members on veterinary life in the Borders. He was born in Denholm, graduating from Edinburgh University in 1968. His most horrific experience as a vet was during the foot-and-mouth outbreak of 2001. The club outing will be to Hexham next Thursday.

Hownam

COFFEE MORNING: The church coffee morning will be held in Hownam Hall on Saturday from 10.30am.
BARBECUE: There will be a barbecue at Hownam Hall on July 14, starting at 7.30pm – bring your own food.
PAINTING COURSE: Summer painting days will be held on July 29 and 30 at the village hall with resident artists Sarah and Mike Dixon. For more details phone 01573 440277.

Innerleithen

CLEIKUM CEREMONIES: The Cleikum Ceremonies will start in the parish church, Leithen Road, and not the Memorial Hall due to capacity restrictions imposed on the hall. As usual, doors close at 6.55pm with the ceremonies beginning at 7pm. All other ceremonies will follow as usual, thereafter, at the war memorial and St Ronan's Wells, with the masonic ceremony later in the evening.
SOCIAL: The Games Week social evening for senior citizens will be held on July 9 in the Memorial Hall. Doors open at 7pm with supper being served at 7.30pm. There will also be entertainment and dancing. Tickets are free of charge and can be obtained from the post office.
FLAGS: Strings of blue and white Games Week flags can be ordered from Norman Scott by phoning 01896 830621.
PROGRAMME: Copies of the official Games Week programme will be available in the High Street on Saturday morning as well as from various shops.
RACE ENTRIES: Local entries for the American Cup (800 metres handicap) and New Zealand Trophy (200 metres handicap) must reach Sarah Lindsay (01896 833590) no later than July 11. No entries for these events will be accepted on the field on Games Saturday (July 18).
EXHIBITION: There is a permanent local history exhibition at St Ronan's Wells Visitor Centre which includes the legend of St Ronan and the origins of the Games and Cleikum Ceremonies. It The is open Monday to Friday (10am-1pm and 2-5pm), and Saturday and Sunday (2-5pm).

Jedburgh

ROTARY: In one of his final duties as president, Matt Fleming welcomed Callant Murray Yourston and his Henchmen at last week's meeting. The Callant thanked the Rotarians for their work in the community and hospitality, and a verse of Jethart's Here concluded the proceedings.
OLD AND TRINITY: The monthly evening communion followed a different pattern when Colin Johnston, missionary partner from Zambia, led proceedings, and the bread and wine were taken standing in a circle.
UPLIFTING: Blythswood Care will uplift good used clothing, toiletries etc. from the bus station car park on Tuesday, 10.45-11.15am.

Kelso

ROTARY: The Reverend Jim Watson was elected president of Kelso Rotary Club last Thursday. In taking the chair, Jim thanked retiring president Gordon Euman for his efforts during the past year. Gordon had attended every Borders president's night with his wife, Anne, representing the Kelso club. Rotarian Jim Mackie also retired after eight years in office, Rotarian Norman Thomson from Coldstream taking over as treasurer. Jim went on to talk about the RI conference at Birmingham which he had attended with his wife, Anna May, along with Rotarian Stan Yates and his wife, Sheila. More than 30,000 delegates had enjoyed a packed five days. The next Kelso club meeting is at 6pm tonight in the Ednam House Hotel when Rotarian George Young will talk about finance.
BRIDGE CLUB: June 24 – N/S – 1, Jean Henry and Myra Thomson; 2, Sheena McPherson and Sheila Urquhart; 3, Jock Dun and Elinor Green. E/W – 1, John and Marian Miller; 2, Ian Watson and Jack Moffat; 3, Gerry Eglington and Jon Bridger. June 25 – N/S – 1, Alex Jeffrey and Geoff Stevenson; 2, Alastair and Alison Ireland; 3, Nan Cockburn and John Taylor. E/W – 1, Alison Darling and Mary Logan; 2, Gerry Eglington and Jon Bridger; 3, Jean Henry and Myra Thomson.
KELSO NORTH AND EDNAM: Members of the men's group, men@kne, travelled to the Scottish National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle which commemorates nearly 150,000 Scottish casualties in the Great War and more than 50,000 in the Second World War, and campaigns since 1945. This was followed by supper at the Melville Inn. The group resumes in September. Inclement weather did not dampen the spirits of those who came along to the manse barbecue on Friday night. In both churches on Sunday morning, the Reverend Colin Johnston preached the sermon. He has been the churches' missionary partner for the past 15 years, working with the United Church of Zambia and is about to take up an appointment at Tiberias in Israel. At Kelso North, Struan Tait Gillie and Max Ainsley Nicholson were baptised. Member Rebecca Pringle travels to Malawi on Wednesday as part of the Church of Scotland's Children Assembly. A 'Songs of Praise' was held on Sunday evening at Ednam Church where the congregation was assisted by Grace Payne (organ), Gillian Payne (flute) and Gwen Mabon (soprano). Both churches are open during July and August to visitors. During this month, services will be held only at Kelso North at 10.30am, with services during August taking place at Ednam only, again at 10.30am.
BLOOD: At blood-donor sessions held in Kelso last week, silver gilt badges for 50 donations were made to Alasdair Hutton, Fiona Brown amd John Maxwell. Silver awards (25 donations) went to Ronald Morton, Robert Gaugh, Anne Cowe, Colin Middlemass, David Brown, Richard Laing and Margaret Jeffery, while bronze awards (10 donations) were made to Keith Wilson, Eric Biggs, Scott Douglas, Julie Birdsall and Michael McCrave. A total of 358 people attended and 294 donations were made. There were 13 first-time donors.
UPLIFTING: Blythswood Care will uplift good used clothing, toiletries etc. from The Knowes car park on Tuesday, noon-12.45pm.

Langholm

Anniversary dinner: The Common Riding 250th anniversary dinner took place in the Buccleuch Centre last Saturday evening. Ex-Cornet David Pool was chairman and the toast to the Common Riding was made by Iain Scott from Hawick, with the reply from Ex-Cornet Roger Maxwell. Semi-jubilee Cornet Billy Young proposed the toast to the cornet, with Cornet Derek Hogg replying. The Muckle Toon toast was delivered by the Reverend Bob Milne, Aileen Cavers responding. Singers were Jackie Beckett, Steven Milligan, Alex Pool and Irving Stuart, with Margaret Howe accompanist. A vote of thanks was proposed by Ex-Cornet David P. McVittie. Prior to the dinner there was music from the Town Band, and later in the evening the Pipe Band and Flute Band played. The dinner was arranged by a sub-committee of the Common Riding committee.
Rotary: The district handover took place at a dinner in the Buccleuch Centre last Friday which was hosted by the local Rotary club. RI director Gordon McInally was present, and District Governor 2008-09 Alasdair Seale handed over the chain of office to District Governor 2009-10 Alastair Davies. The Pipe and Town Bands played prior to the dinner.
Fete: The parish church, along with Eskdalemuir, Ewes and Westerkirk, held their annual fete last Sunday, raising £3,174. There was a barbecue outside the church and inside cream-teas were served. Musical entertainment was provided by the Town and Pipe Bands. The afternoon ended with a duck race.

Lauder

UPLIFTING: Blythswood Care will uplift good used clothing, toiletries etc. from the Carfraemill Hotel on Tuesday, 1.45-2pm.

Lilliesleaf

NO SERVICE: There is no Songs of Praise this Sunday in Lilliesleaf Kirk.

Melrose

UPLIFTING: Blythswood Care will uplift good used clothing, toiletries etc. from the rugby club on Monday, 3-3.30pm.

Morebattle

Fishing Club: Jim McNulty won the Caverton Mill competition on Saturday. Stuart McNulty was second and Drew Gibson third. The fly-only event will be held tomorrow, between 6.30-8.30pm, the draw taking place today at 9pm.
Games Queen: Sylvie Henderson will be this year's Games Queen. Festival Week starts on August 1.

Newcastleton

Prizegiving: Head teacher Sandra Inglis welcomed parents and friends to the primary school for the end-of-the-year prizegiving ceremony last Wednesday. During the ceremony the youngsters showed off their talents with music and song. The head teacher announced the awards and the presentations were made by Margaret Elliott of Redheugh. Agnes Hall prize for top girl in P7 – Emma McNeil; William Hall prize for top P7 boy – Daniel Nixon. After the presentations had been made, the P7 pupils sang their leaving song.

Newtown

WRI: Members enjoyed an evening out by visiting the walled garden at Philiphaugh where they were shown round by Bob Johnstone, followed by supper at the Heatherlie House Hotel in Selkirk. The first meeting after the summer break will be on September 3 when new members will be welcome.

Peebles

UPLIFTING: Blythswood Care will uplift good used clothing, toiletries etc. from Edinburgh Road Park car park on Monday, noon-12.30pm.

Selkirk

CAMERA CLUB: Members are going on an outing to Beamish village on Sunday. Anyone is welcome to join the trip. People are asked to bring their camera and gather outside the club meeting room in the High Street at 8am for a car pool to the village.
UPLIFTING: Blythswood Care will uplift good used clothing, toiletries etc. from West Port car park on Monday, 4-5pm.

Walkerburn

ENERGY: Derek Russell, Walkerburn powerdown officer, is available in the Public Hall on Thursdays and Fridays between 10am-4pm, or may be contacted at walkpowerhelp@live.co.uk, to offer help to villagers on energy-related matters.

Yetholm

WRI: Members heard an account of how Amanda Whittall developed her business of making pates for sale at their latest meeting in the Wauchope Hall. Winners of the competition (for a recipe on healthy eating) were Anne McDonald, Isabel Cockburn and Sandra Clark.
THANKS: Bari Gadgi Jonathan Dixon and Bari Manushi Lisa Young are grateful to everyone who supported them during festival week. They appreciated all those who turned up at the various events. In particular, they enjoyed the Stob Stanes rideout on the Wednesday and the festival dance on the Saturday. The next big day for Yetholm is the Kelso Laddie rideout on July 18.
DOCUMENTARY: Just over the border from Kirk Yetholm lies the College Valley and the village of Kirknewton. Dorothy Sharpe, of Kilham, as project leader, secured lottery funding for a documentary film of the area between the 1930s and 1950s. It tells the story of life as it then was and features interviews with several senior citizens well known to some of their Yetholm neighbours. It has already been shown in Kirknewton and tonight it can be seen in Wooler.
MOUNTAIN CLIMB: Last week a group of walkers from Yetholm made a day trip to the Lake District to climb Haystacks, near Buttermere. Used to the rolling Cheviot hills, the group found the rocky ascent of the mountain somewhat daunting, but made the top in good time. Taking part were Tom Tokely, Bill Elliot and Jo Adair.
MIDSUMMER NIGHTS SCREAM: The village drama group is staging a murder farce, Midsummer Nights Scream, in the manse garden, Kirk Yetholm, on July 10. Tickets are on sale at the village shop.