Asda cash for local Home Basics branches

The money was awarded as part of the Community Life programme where people vote for their favourite charity with tokens and will be divided between Home Basics branches in Walkerburn and Hawick to fund the provision of services provided to those on low incomes and on benefits within the local area.

Home Basics, business manager, Dennis Fisher said: “We would like to thank all the staff and customers at Asda, Galashiels for supporting us. Home Basics is always looking for ways to engage with the local community and promote our services, whether that is as a donor of furniture or as a customer. As funding becomes harder to secure and running costs become ever greater, these boosts of cash are always welcome, and we remain committed to helping as many people in the local area as possible.”

DISTRICT NEWS

BOWDEN

Camera group

Members meet on Monday, December 5, at 7.30pm in the village hall for a practical portrait session using various light sources – bring cameras and lenses. The second half of the evening will look at members’ images entitled ‘Water’. Visitors welcome. The next meeting will be held on January 9.

CADDONFOOT

Parish church

The first Sunday of Advent was celebrated when the candle was lit to augment the festive season. There were birthday wishes for Alex Bird’s 21st. The service was conducted by minister Elspeth Harley, Hamish Tennant delivered the Bible reading, and music was played by Andy Bird and Anne Grieve. Bible study continues this week in the Trinity manse. Caddonfoot had its own tree at the Christmas Tree Festival in Trinity Church last weekend – it was created by Catherine Bird. Next Sunday is Christmas Gift Day when presents will be received by Borders Children’s Charity. On the same day, there will be a communion service at 3pm for those who find it difficult to get to church. Contact the minister or Mrs Grieve if you can help.

EARLSTON

Thursday lunch club

Last week members began with a quiz, with Mrs A. Thompson emerging the winner. After lunch, members were entertained by Mr J. Gold and his accordion. Thursday, December 8, is the Earlston High School Christmas tea party for senior citizens and the school minibus will be in the square to pick members up.

Wednesday club

The latest gathering was opened by hostess Mrs A. Penman. She welcomed Ms L. Milligan who gave members part three of her life and work as a nurse on a North Sea oil rig. Competition for a ring – 1, Mrs J. Wilson; 2, Mrs W. Moffat; 3, Mrs A. Thompson. Wednesday, December 7, sees the Christmas lunch in the Lauderdale Hotel. The bus leaves the square at noon. On Thursday, December 8, the high school tea party for senior citizens will be held and the school minibus will be in the square at 1.30pm take members to the school. The next meeting is on January 11 and the competition is for a novelty from a Christmas cracker.

Parish church

The Sunday, December 4, service at 10.15am will be conducted by the Rev Julie Rennick. There will also be a Time to Remember service at 2.30pm on the same day for those who find this time of year difficult. Messy Church on Saturday, December 10, runs in the church hall from 10.30am-1pm.

Women’s group

Christmas Night starts at 8pm in the church hall this evening (Thursday).

ETTRICKBRIDGE

Coffee morning

The Christmas coffee morning in aid of hall funds will be held in the hall on Saturday, December 10, between 10am-1pm. There will be space for sales tables, but these must be booked by phoning Joyce on 01750 52288. Santa is expected around 11am and there will be a kids’ programme throughout the morning, as well as a hamper draw and tombola. Donations for the hamper can be handed into Louise at Jeansburn House (the one below the Cross Keys).

Carols

Monday, December 12, sees a carol singalong with Selkirk Silver Band in the hall from 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Linda (01750 52257).

GALASHIELS

Camera Club

The club held a light-hearted ‘Photosnap’ evening last Wednesday when members were split into two teams. Images were judged on content by judge Anne Lilico and points awarded to whichever team successfully matched the other image. Alan Kennedy has taken over as club chairman and his contact details updated on www.galacameraclub.co.uk. Jim Paxton retains the roll of secretary. The club also welcomed yet another new member which brings membership up to a healthy 30. Next week sees a three-way inter-club competition between Gala, Hawick and Selkirk and hosted by Gala. It will be judged by Dr James Frost FRPS and Dr Hazel Mason FRPS. Members are reminded to bring along some nibbles to help cater for the event. The following week Fiona Cadger presents ‘A Journey with Photography’.

Committee meeting

The mill lade committee meets at 6pm today (Thursday) at Tesco. On the agenda is the transfer of funds (£1,037) to Gala Hydro and a mill lade operators’ reunion/information-sharing event, jointly with Gala Hydro. For more information, contact Alastair Lings (07763 850087 or [email protected]).

Probus

Charles Burnett was guest speaker last Thursday, with his subject being ‘The Honours of Scotland’. Charles was The Ross Herald of Arms Extraordinary which is a Scottish Herald in the Court of the Lord Lyon. He is a Scottish antiquarian and former officer of arms with a long and distinguished career as a curator in museums, including many years at Edinburgh Castle. He told members that the Scottish crown jewels are the oldest royal regalia in Britain and are kept on public display at Edinburgh Castle. They consist of the crown, sceptre and sword of state. The sceptre and the sword were both papal gifts to King James IV in 1494 and 1507, and the crown in its present form dates from 1540, but there are references to an earlier model from the early 1500s. They were first used together for coronations of the nine-month-old Mary, Queen of Scots in 1543, and last used in 1651 for Charles II. Following the Union of the Crowns in 1603, they had no symbolic role. They were locked in a chest for 111 years until 1818 when Sir Walter Scott led a group to find them. Following their discovery, they have been on public display ever since – apart from during the Second World War when they were hidden underground in case of German invasion. In 1953 they were presented to the newly-crowned Queen Elizabeth. In 1999, at the first sitting of the reconvened Scottish Parliament and at each subsequent opening ceremony, the crown has been present alongside the Queen. The next meeting of the club is on Thursday, December 8, when Dougie Johnston will speak on ‘Discovering Scotland’.

Trinity Church

Trinity hosted the first Christmas tree festival for the Galashiels Fellowship of Churches. There were 26 trees from various churches, schools and organisations throughout the town. The church was open for visitors from 10am-4pm on Saturday and 1-4pm on Sunday. Tea and coffee was served in the hall on both days, and music was provided in the sanctuary. The festival concluded with Christmas carols on Sunday evening, with Dorothy Howden on piano and organ, members of the town band playing and the choir singing. Last Sunday morning’s service was led by minister Elspeth Harley. Dorothy Howden provided the music and Ken Lesihman read the Bible lessons. This coming service on Sunday is the gift service when presents will be received for less fortunate children in Galashiels. There will be a short communion service at Caddonfoot Church at 3pm that day. The Guild Christmas party is on Tuesday, December 6, at 1pm and anyone who wants to go, but didn’t put their name down, should get in touch with a committee member ASAP.

St Peter’s Church

Thursday, December 1 – 10am, communion service. Saturday, December 3 – 9am, church grounds working party (bring a rake and help, drinks and buns for the workforce). Sunday, December 4 – 10.30am, family service and church AGM, followed by coffee and chat. Thursday, December 8 – 10am, communion service.

GLENDOUGLAS

Collection day

Collection day for artists in respect of the art exhibition is today (Thursday) – 1.30-2.30pm and 5-7pm.

AGM

The hall AGM is on Monday, December 5, at 7.30pm. The community is invited to come along and bring new ideas about what they would like to see in the building.

SWI

The Christmas meeting is on Wednesday, December 7, at 7.30pm – gentle exercise followed by a shared supper.

Dance class

The old-time and ceildh dance class gathers on Thursday, December 8, at 8pm. Prior to that, there is a Reel Half Hour starting at 7.30pm. Beginners welcome.

HAWICK

Tree festival

The first Hawick Christmas tree festival opens in Trinity Church at 6.30pm tonight (Thursday). Filled with more than 40 trees, each decorated by a local group, business or charity, the church will remain open tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday, from 10am-4pm and 6-8pm, and also on Sunday, from 1-4pm.

Bridge club

Hawick Bridge Club results for Tuesday, November 22: 1. George Graham and Bob Francombe, 2. Morag and Fraser Beaton, 3. Sam White and Richard von Slicher.

Rotary

On Friday evening, Jim Walker welcomed 65 Rotarians and friends of Rotary to his President’s Night Dinner in the Green Room at Mansfield Park to celebrate the 80th year of the Hawick club. Jim welcomed district governor Olive Geddes and her husband, former district governor Ian Geddes, as well as Rotarians from Selkirk, Galashiels, Kelso, Langholm, Peebles and district governor Jo Pawley and her husband from Eyemouth. Special mention was made of honorary member John Robson and his daughter, Joyce Wilson, a Rotarian past president from the Workington club. Jim was presented with a certificate from RIBI to celebrate the club’s 80th anniversary. After a meal presented by Debbie Brown, the company was entertained by Kevin Wilson, one of the ‘Humble Scribes’. Vice-president Scott Elliot, home on shore leave from his cruising trips, gave a hearty and amusing vote of thanks.

JEDBURGH

Bridge club

November 21 – N/S – 1, M. Ouldcott and R. Stewart; 2, V. Johnstone and M. Miller; 3, J. Urquhart and J. J. Kyle; E/W – 1, T. Davidson and M. Allen; 2, P. Harris and M. Forsyth; 3, R. Oates and S. West.

KELSO

Thursday Group

On a frosty afternoon in Kelso, Margaret Jeary took members to the summer heat of Slovenia and Lake Bled with its pretty villages and scenery. Today, Stuart Fuller-Shapcott will talk about Border Search and Rescue at 2pm in the Abbey Row Centre. Next week’s speaker at the Christmas Tea will be Moira Walsh on Growing Old Disgracefully’. The ‘pot’ will be for Syrian refugees.

Broomlands SWI

Members enjoyed a ‘hands on’ evening making a Christmas Robin decoration. After everyone had finished they were judged and the winner was Anita Rhind, with Moira Nicholson second and Janet Grief third. The fun competition for a thimble was won by Hazel Woodsell, with Elizabeth Bruce second. The next meeting is the Christmas dinner on December 12 – please remember to bring a wrapped Secret Santa present. These will be judged for the competition before being handed out.

Quilters

Abbey Quilters’ last meeting of the year will take place on Tuesday, December 13, at 7pm in Abbey Row Centre. Members must remember their wrapped fat quarter as well as their mug. For further information, contact Rineke Sangster on 01573 229414.

AGM

Kelso Angling Association AGM will be held in the British Legion on Wednesday, December 7, at 7.30pm.are welcome

Bridge Club

November 23 (Rose Bowl) – N/S – 1. Rena Stewart and Beth Stark, 2. Val Fairbairn and Jean Bunyan, 3. Jean McLaren and Alison Ireland; E/W 1. Elinor Green and Caroline Sutherland, 2. Annie Mitchell and Bob Stevenson, 3. Gerry Eglington and Jon Bridger. November 24 (No-Fears Duplicate) - N/S 1. Val Johnstone and Vanessa Wilson, 2. Michael Horwood and Alison Ireland, 3. Rena Stewart and Maureen Weightman; E/W 1. Annie Mitchell and John Loudon, 2. Shirley Armstrong and Moira Ayton, 3. Andrew Wilson and Jon Bridger.

LANGHOLM