District News

BEDRULE

SWI

Local chiropractor Mary Young gave an informative talk about her business. Competition for a home-made Easter card – 1, Margaret Taylor; 2, Linda Young; 3, Olive Hogg. The next meeting is on Wednesday, April 20, at 7pm when members will enjoy a “Games Night”.

caddonfoot

Coffee morning

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A coffee morning will be held at Caddonfoot Hall on Saturday, April 9 (10am-noon) – stalls, Fair Trade goods and baking. Proceeds towards building a maize mill in Malawi which supports the John Blyth Fund, providing financial support in education, vocational training and business initiatives for vulnerable young Malawians. Clovenfords House Group has organised the event.

Parish church

Palm Sunday was celebrated in Caddonfoot Parish Church last weekend when the Reverend Elspeth Harley conducted the service and palms were handed out to the congregation. The Bible reading was delivered by Jo Lawson and music played by Andy and Catriona Bird. After the service, the church’s annual stated meeting (SAM) was held when Mr Bird presented the treasurer’s report . Julie Decoteau retired as a congregational board member and the meeting agreed the election of Alistair Black. There will be a joint communion service with Trinity in the church on Good Friday at 7pm and Sunday sees the Easter Day service followed by egg rolling.

earlston

Parish church

Maundy Thursday – communion service and vigil at 7pm. Good Friday – 2.30-3.30pm, time of quiet and reflection at the cross, and a service at 7pm. Easter Sunday – 8.15am, resurrection service outside, followed by bacon rolls and refreshments. The Easter praise service, with egg hunt, starts at 10.15am. The annual stated meeting is on April 3. Hanover communion on Tuesday, April 5, at 3pm.

eckford

SWI

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Gill Harrop, from Heiton SWI, ran a quiz night which members all enjoyed. The competition for a “prem” baby hat was won by Margaret Jeary, Gail Chandler was second and Myra Hope third. The most interesting scarves were brought by Chris Robertson, Christine Tucker and Gail Chandler.

edgerston

Park presentation

On Tuesday, April 5, a presentation on the proposed Borders National Park will be held at Edgerston Village Hall, commencing at 7.30pm. All welcome.

ETTRICKBRIDGE

Coffee morning

The next coffee morning and sale in aid of village hall funds will be held in the hall on Saturday, April 2 (10am-noon). As usual, anyone with anything to sell should simply turn up, take a table and give a small donation to hall funds.

galashiels

Bursaries

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Gail Wilson Memorial Trust bursary application forms are available. These bursaries are for the forthcoming academic year to help support those seeking further higher education opportunities. They are available to students finishing their time at Galashiels Academy from this session (2015-16) or previously who are now seeking to move on to further/higher education courses. Any student unsure of whether or not they may qualify, should contact Mr Ryalls through Galashiels Academy or Fiona Wilson (trust treasurer) on 01896 756308. Application forms are available from Galashiels Academy for current students, or Elizabeth Urquhart for past students at [email protected]. Forms should be completed and submitted by May 1 for consideration at the next trustees’ meeting.

Trinity church

As minister Elspeth Harley was attending the annual stated meeting of Caddonfoot Church, Sunday’s service was taken by the Reverend Jim Wallace. Dorothy Howden led the music. The Bible lessons were read by Fiona Wilson. Mr Wallace is carrying out a fundraising swimathon this week, completing six kilometres over six days and is looking for sponsorship. The money raised will go towards funding five young people to go to Malawi this year to work with and for street children. Anyone wishing to donate should see Bill orIrene Cheyne. The guild coffee morning held on Saturday raised £252. This week is Holy week with various services taking place in various churches. On Thursday evening there will be a Maundy Thursday supper and service in Trinity Church hall at 6pm, celebrated jointly with Caddonfoot Church. On Good Friday (March 25), there will be a joint communion service at Caddonfoot Church at 7pm. The Easter service on Sunday will be at the usual time of 11.15am and will be preceded by anEaster breakfast in the church hall at 10am.

Probus

Two new members were introduced at the latest meeting. In all, 54 members were present and were given a talk and presentation by John Parris on portrait photography. John and his wife, Sandra, are together “Parris Photography” based in Hawick and working all over the world. John explained how he met Sandra by asking her to be a model for him. They are both highly qualified and have won countless awards for their work. In 2015 they bagged seven honours, including Overall Scottish Photographer of the Year from the Master Photographers’ Association. John is one of only four fellows in Scotland of that association and the British Institute of Professional Photographers, and the only one to hold the fellowship in portraiture. They do weddings, portraits, fashion and commercial photography. Much of their work is in Scotland, but they go all over the UK and abroad. They have worked in churches, hotels, castles and stately homes, but try to bring customers to Hawick for commissions whenever possible as this helps other local businesses such as hotels and restaurants. John was recognised for the quality of his work when a few years ago he received an invitation asking him to take photographs for Crystal Cruises, a luxury cruise line based in Los Angeles. This led to further invitations and to him receiving commissions from the many people he met. He likes to go in to the back streets off the tourist trail with his camera and photograph interesting scenes and individuals. This has sometimes led him in to some tight spots where he has been fortunate to emerge safely with his camera. He was warmly thanked by Oliver Eade, no mean photographer himself who congratulated him on the “wow” factor of his work and his friendly presentation. The next meeting of the club is the AGM on Thursday, March 24, and then on Thursday, April 14, the guest will be Harry McKerchar on “Mongolia”.

glendouglas

Whist

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Monday night whist drive – ladies – 1, Jean Rae; 2, Heather Wylie; 3, Linda Mays; booby, Eileen Law; gents – 1, Peter Hedly; 2,Marion Thompson; 3, Christine Gibson; booby, Alistair Hogarth; bingo, Selby Wilson.

Dance classes

Old-time and ceilidh dance classes on Thursday, March 24, at 8pm, with tutor and live music. Beginners welcome. A Reel Half Hour for those interested in learning new set dances starts at 7.30.

HAWICK

Bridge club

March 22 – 1, Mary Millar & Patsy Gilligan; 2, Valerie Johnstone & Marion Miller; 3, Helen & Malcolm Ouldcott.

innerleithen

Service

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The service on Easter Sunday (March 27) will be at 10.30am in Innerleithen Church.

Jedburgh

Bridge club

March 14 – Easter Pairs – 1, P. Harris & M. Forsythe; 2, M. & H. Ouldcott; 3, B. & I. Middleton; 4, R. Oates & S. West; 5, I. Weir & D. Cessford; 6, M. Purdie & O. Whillans.

kelso

Youth project

Kelso Youth Project (KYP) is running a stall and presenting a busking programme of music at the farmers’ market on Saturday, March 26. Donations of books, toiletries, CDs, DVDs and any unwanted gifts would be much appreciated. They can be dropped off at The Planet (next door to the Border Ice Rink) on any Wednesday (3-8pm) and Thursday (3-6pm), or email [email protected] or text him on 07958 277766.

Quilters

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Abbey Quilters are meeting on Tuesday, April 12, at 7pm in Abbey Row Centre when Susie Finlayson will talk about The Great Tapestry of Scotland. Members should remember their mug. Visitors welcome (£3). For further information, phone Rineke Sangster on 01573 229414.

Museum friends

The third talk in the March series was presented by Alasdair Hutton who gave an intriguing and interesting insight into the life of John Buchan during the First World War. Once again there was a large and appreciative audience.

Art exhibition

Kelso Art Group is holding an exhibition in Abbey Row Community Centre – opening by Margaret Riddell – 7-9pm on Friday, March 25. It continues on March 26 and 27, from 10am-4pm. The event is in support of Charity Begins At Home.

Thursday Group

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In “A Grave Look at the Borders”, Ian Abernethy told of grave robbers and vanished burial grounds, ghosts and bodies, and sang the ballad “The Wife of Usher’s Well”. Today, Isabel Gordon goes “Along the Mekong from Angkor Wat to Saigon” – 2pm, Abbey Row Centre. Next week sees Charles Burnett (Ross Herald) on the Romanovs, the Russian imperial family.

Bridge club

March 16 – Rose Bowl – N/S – 1, Lesley Dick & Lynda Douglas; 2, Val Fairbairn & Jean Bunyan; 3, Dominic & Diana Alkin; E/W – 1, Annie Mitchell & Bob Stevenson; 2, Gerry Eglington & Jon Bridger; 3, Brian Saywood & Ken Ross. March 17 – Millennium Trophy – N/S – 1, Joyce Thomson & Helenor Pratt; 2, Beth Thompson & Colin McGrath; 3, Bob Stevenson & Lee Leeson; E/W – 1, Paul Brooks & Eilean Hogarth; 2, Nancy Porter & Stuart Graham; 3, Sheila Urquhart & John Loudon. The club AGM will be held on Wednesday, April 13, at 6.15pm in Abbey Row Community Centre.

Farmers’ market

A farmers’ market will be held in The Square on Saturday, March 26, from 8.30am-1.30pm.

Langholm

Probus

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At the latest Probus Club meeting in the Eskdale Hotel, president Harry Aitken presented member Peter Irving Stuart with a certificate of club life membership. The honour was bestowed on Irving in recognition of his service to country, community and to the club.

Town band

The Town Band had a busy weekend when, after three months of preparing, they played A Cambrian Suite in Perth Concert Hall at the Scottish Brass Band Championships. The band were placed sixth overall, meaning that they will remain for another year in the third section. Over the weekend 57 bands from across Scotland assembled to fight for honours over six sections, and Campbeltown Brass won the Town Band’s section, and along with Selkirk will represent Scotland at the national finals in Cheltenham later in the year. On the Sunday nine members of the Town Band made the journey to Murrayfield to play La Marseillaise for the French national rugby team prior to the match against Scotland. The members had been invited to support Whitburn Band and it was a unique opportunity for them to savour what they described as a tremendous atmosphere.

Talking Newspapers

At a meeting, volunteers involved in the town’s weekly production of Talking Newspapers discussed the declining number of local clients. There was also the difficulties of maintaining recording and CD copying machines, and ongoing problems of getting technical production staff. It was decided to take up an offer from Solway Sound to include the Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser in their TN distribution. The weekly CD will include new articles from all or most of the weekly newspapers in the region and will be delivered to the homes by post. Tributes were paid to the late Arthur Bell who more than 20 years ago organised recordings of the E&L and got together a team of readers, editors, recording and production staff and distributors. He fully financed the production through his trust fund. Solway Sound Talking Newspapers can be contacted on 01387 262543.

Lindean

SWI

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Lindean SWI is celebrating its 90th birthday with a party on Thursday, April 7, at 7.15pm in the village hall. Guests will include the federation and national presidents, Irene McFadzen and Christine Hutton respectively.

melrose

Parish church

Turn to page 40

From page 39

It was the beginning of Holy Week at Bowden and Melrose. Activities – March 24 – 9.30am, Melrose PS Easter service; 7pm, Maundy Thursday communion; March 25 – 7pm, Good Friday worship with Abbey Consort; March 27 – 8am, Saddle of the Eildons (then bacon rolls in church hall); 9.30am, Bowden communion; 11am, Melrose worship (hot cross buns after); foodbank continuing; street pastors fundraiser – over £200.

Coffee mornings

March 26 – Gattonside, Margaret Kerr Unit; April 2 – Corn Exchange, Arthritis Research.

Trimontium

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The march towards the museum extension took a big step forward when it was informally agreed that Scottish Borders Council would be prepared to grant a long lease of the drying green ground, the formal agreement to be ratified in the near future. Trustees expressed their gratitude, in the knowledge that there was a long way to go before the finance and details for the design matched the desire for a building worthy of the Melrose community and its heritage. Representatives of the trust attended a gathering in Edinburgh to celebrate the life of the late Margaret Evatt who died at 90 and, with her late husband Jim, were among the first people to join the trust in 1989 when the exhibition was held in the newly-renovated Melrose Station, before it moved to the Ormiston. Despite their failing eyesight, they travelled by bus from Edinburgh (she even up to last year) to dine in Melrose, attend the lectures in the Corn Exchange, stay overnight for B&B, shop in the morning and trek back to the capital.

Minto

SWI

Twenty-one members met in Denholm, but were temporarily disappointed that the arranged speaker on gardening was unable to appear. However, Mary Jeary, from Eckford SWI, stepped in at the last minute and gave a fascinating talk on the life of women in the 1850s. Culled from census entries and parish records, it was amazing to realise how hard life was for them – no washing machines, no electricity, often caring for multiple children and, unless a big-house family, very little outside help. Little education, though many were able to read a bit, no vote, so therefore no influence. Mary Beck gave the vote of thanks. Members’ success at the carpet bowling competition – Chris Nicol was part of the first prize team and Norma Kerr was in the runners-up. Prize for best garden photo went to Pat Jardine; 2, Rosemary Elliot; 3, Janice Palmer; 4, Sheila Marshall. Next meeting, April 13, with Alan Brydon.

morebattle

Youth project

See Kelso section.

AGM

Morebattle Village Hall AGM will be held in its meeting room on Tuesday, March 29, at 7.30pm.

Parish pilgrimage

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On a lovely Palm Sunday, 23 walkers – after breakfast in Hownam Village Hall, followed by worship – set off for Morebattle. There was tea/coffee at Morebattle Institute, then on to Linton to arrive for worship in the church, followed by lunch and then the walk to Hoselaw for short worship. Then it was on to Yetholm for evening praise.

Coffee morning

Morebattle and Hownam Guild coffee morning will be held on Saturday, March 26, at 10.30am in the institute.

Show

Jango Starr presents “One Man Shoe” in Morebattle Village Hall on Saturday, March 26, at 3pm – a new show for children and families, puppetry, magic and juggling. Tickets on sale in the village shop, from John Mabon (01573 440329) or at the door on the day.

Newtown

Coffee morning

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The coffee morning held last Saturday raised £672.87 for church funds.

SWI

At the March meeting, president Elaine Thornton-Nicol welcomed Joyce Lubby who demonstrated various paper craft techniques, including making paper picture frames. Lorna Dickson thanked Joyce for stepping in at the last minute. Competition – three pieces of shortbread – 1, Janette Corcoran; 2, Morag Sharp; 3, Lorna Dickson. Six members enjoyed the hospitality of Midlem SWI on March 8. The next meeting will be on April 7 at 7pm in Newtown Community Wing.

Selkirk

Monday Club

At 2pm on Monday, March 28, at St Joseph’s Church hall, Mary Sherrard will recall her wartime work at Bletchley Park. All welcome.

st boswells

AmDrams

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The March get-together is tonight (24th) from 7.30-9.30pm in the upper room of the village hall. After the short play reading last month about the double-booking of a community hall for two separate engagement parties plus other prose and poetry, members are wondering what will be brought along tonight for this month’s subject – spring. All welcome.

Stichill

Witch

The evening of Easter Sunday (7.30pm) sees an appearance of The Witch of Fife in the village hall. Based on the James Hogg poem, this is an off­kilter piece of musical theatre with specially-composed music and song, spoken word and clog dancing. Also featured is music written and performed by Elspeth Smellie, Shona Mooney, Amy Thatcher and Alan Caig Wilson. Tickets – on the door or from 01573 470707.

Traquair

Service

The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on Sunday, April 10, at 3 pm with the Scottish Vocal Ensemble in concert.

Walkerburn

Service

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There will be an early morning service in Alexandra Park on Easter Sunday (March 27), followed by breakfast in the Caberston Cafe at 9am.

yetholm

Youth project

See Kelso section.

Council

Community councillors meet on Tuesday, March 31, at 7pm in the Youth Hall.

Quiz

A quiz night will be held on Wednesday, April 30, at 8pm in the Plough Hotel – proceeds to Yorkhill Children’s Charity.

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