£ 0.70 The Upper Tweed Community News Issue 70 September AWARD AFTER A LIFETIME OF SERVICE An MBE was awarded in the Queen’s Honours list in June to Fiona Hamilton, community transport organiser East , for services to the British Red Cross Transport Service. This follows the award in 2011 of the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK for outstanding work done in their local communities. Fiona has written of her life in serving and volunteering: ‘I was introduced to the Red Cross where I was brought up in Macclesfeld at the early sge of fve when VADs (voluntary aid detachment), as they were known then, practised bandaging in our lounge. Apparently l gave them a cup of tea if they were early! Around that time, the war was on, and l recall a feet of black ambulances driven by the VADs dressed in their uniform suits taking patients wherever they needed to go. There was a story of a psychiatric patient on his way north and when the ambulance developed an oil problem. He nipped out, fxed it and they went on their way.

A few years on there followed yearly collections on Boots corner when l was under age and chaperoned. Later still l was involved in serving tea to blood donors whilst they relaxed for twenty minutes before returning to work. The Red Cross organised Mrs Fiona Hamilton quarterly blood sessions which were very busy. Looking back l remember an impressive number of VADs marching down the Main St each year proudly lead by their Commandant and admired by the crowds, a sight not seen for many a long year. Later on, l trained as a nurse and midwife and for a very happy six years worked on The Union Castle mailships, a wonderful way to see the world whilst earning one’s living. Thereafter l worked as a nursing administrator in a very busy nursing agency which operated round the clock seven days a week. A necessary service but without the appeal of hospital wards! My family moved to Broughton1966 and l moved up in 1980 to care for my widowed Mother. Believe it or not Red Cross just happened need a home-based secretary! I jumped at the idea and such was my enthusiasm l rang almost daily to enquire if the current secretary was ever going to retire! It was a great way to get to know the members throughout and, of course, driving was one of the key services. In 2000, The Red Cross discontinued driving to hospital appointments leaving Upper Tweed somewhat vulnerable due to lack of public transport. Fortunately l heard of a lady in the South who, in similar circumstances, had formed her own company. I contacted her and shortly afterwards Richard Carr, Tony Fox and l set up our own system along her guidelines. The Community Hospital Car Service was born and still fourishes quite happily today. Request drives from the Red Cross are funded by the Red Cross and requests from the community are funded from the patient and proceeds set aside from the Upper Tweed Community News. I look on the award as a huge thank you for organising a service which is both needed and worthwhile and l feel privileged to receive it for something l enjoy being a part of. From the feedback over the years l know it is appreciated and my thanks go to the willing drivers without whom it would not be possible.

tour o the Borders

c ontents

Atkinson-Pryce BookshoP P 2 WW1 rememBered. P 3 community cinemA ProgrAmme P 4 u t community council rePorts P 5 39 StepS PuBlicAtion celeBrAtion event P 6 chAPelgill PiAno dAy P 7 ruxton & the JigsAW murders P 8 Anne sheArer - oBituAry P 9 tAlk P 10 Queuing cyclists awaiting the continued tour skirling & BAnAnAs neWs P 11 rememBering tom sheArer’s gArden P 12 The challenging ‘Tour o the Borders’ for 120 km or 90 km was stopped for about an hour after an accident beyond Talla. Over 2000 cyclists completed the event. Overall it was very successful. This issue is sponsored by Atkinson-Pryce Bookshop Upper Tweed Community News 1 Upper Tweed Community News 2 WW1: Dead Remembered In June 2014, theUpper Tweed Community News listed the men from our communities who died in the disastrous, tragic World War 1. Some families still live in our HANDYMAN community. We will continue to feature some of these men over the next 3 years. FENCING GARDENING SMALL BUILDING REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS

DOUGLAS A ROPER THE LOGAN, TWEEDSMUIR TEL: 01899 880284

Electrical Contractor (Prop: N Curatolo)

Private William Mackie Private James Lorimer • Domestic, Commercial & Industrial Queens Own Cameron Scots Guards Installations Highlanders • Security Lighting & Alarms William Mackie came from Hartree. James Lorimer was born in • Electric Showers He joined the Queen’s Own Cameron Lamington and was a shepherd in • House Re-wires th Highlanders on 15 September just six Tweedsmuir. His name appears on • Portable Appliance Testing weeks after the declaration of war and the memorial in Tweedsmuir church. • SBSA Registered Self-Certifer he went to France in June 1915. He spent ffteen months training Unfortunately, little is known of with the Scots Guards at Wellington All work guaranteed William Mackie who was killed at the Barracks in before going to Unit 2, Lindsaylands Road, Battle of Loos, which was the frst major France with the 2nd battalion. Biggar ML12 6EQ offensive of 1915. It was preceded by a Tel 01899 220160 07860 750982 Fax 01899 220160 day long artillery barrage and the start The last letter received by his family th E-mail: [email protected] was deferred due to torrential rain. The was dated 16 September 1916. infantry attack started on 25th September Soon afterwards, his regiment took http://www.nacelectrics.com/ and William Mackie was killed on that part in the battle of Flers-Courcelette frst day along with his offcer. Two also known as the third phase of the others from Upper Tweed died that same Battle of the Somme. It was the frst gArdening Work day, Thomas Tudhope of Broughton battle in which tanks were used in Place Farm and John Inch who came warfare. Forty nine tanks started but required from Cloverhill – he was also in the due to numerous problems, only 15 same regiment as William Mackie. In made it to the starting line. Mowing, Basic Garden total twenty men from and the Maintenance, Parishes of Upper Tweed died that day. Following the infantry attack, Autumn Clear-ups There were over 59,000 British James was seen by a friend in the Hedge trimming casualties in the battle and the 7th frst German trench that had been Battalion Cameron Highlanders lost captured but was not seen again. He victoriA stAvert 687 men. William Mackie’s name is on was originally listed as ‘missing in the Broughton War Memorial. action’ and his death was confrmed email [email protected] later on 25th September. Mob: 07708 333416

The Archive These biographies are drawn from the excellent book by Dr A Gunn, The Book of Remembrance for Tweeddale Burgh and Parish, published in 1925. It provides short biographies and photographs of those who died in WW1. Additional information from families for the series will be welcome. The book is avilable in an impressive digitised version from the National Archives of Scotland at https://archive.org/stream/bookofremembranc1925gunn#page/n9/mode/2up.

Upper Tweed Community News 3 noticeB o A r d

UPPER TWEED COMMUNITY CINEMA The Upper Tweed Community Cinema (the Film Club) has been bringing interesting, entertaining and unusual flms to people in Broughton and beyond since 2003. The years have seen a wide choice of cinematic fare on offer and taken us on a variety of journeys: - from old classics like Whisky Galore (with tasting) to silent flms (with live piano); bhangra dancing lessons; stories about other village communities in Wales, Greenland, rural France; snapshots of life in Iran, Japan, India; blockbusters and Oscar-laden favourites have also been seen. A recent successful bid to the Lottery’s Awards for All has allowed the upgrade of the projection and sound equipment, with a move from a plain white wall to a large cinema screen and from 3 small speakers to a surround-sound system – and all without the hike to , or even Biggar. Our continuing successful existence is due to the support of the local community through membership fees and guest tickets at screenings – we thank you all! We screen a flm each month at Broughton Village Hall from October to March with a special seasonal event between Christmas & New Year. Membership at just £20 per year per member gives admission to six screenings together with a complimentary drink – that’s less than £3.50 per show. Guests are welcome to pay on the door but regulars are encouraged to join to help maintain and support the club. Join up at the frst screening. Bring a cushion to enjoy the full big screen experience, complete with a complimentary glass of wine, beer or a soft drink. For further details, contact Joe Logan (01899 830551) or Mark Gilham (01721 720910) or see the weblink http://uppertweedcinema. blogspot.com/ We’re looking for some more volunteers to help run the cinema, so either call Joe/Mark or make yourself known at the frst flm show. So - DRUM ROLL - the 2015/2016 season kicks off on Saturday 3rd October at the earlier time of 7pm and here is what’s planned...... ! October 3rd BOYHOOD The joys and pitfalls of life are seen through the eyes of a child, his parents and (2014) his sister. Filmed with same cast over the course of 12 years, it captures all those New earlier start family moments and milestones. BOYHOOD is both a nostalgic time capsule of time of 7pm for the recent past and an ode to growing up and parenting. It’s impossible to watch all flms Mason and his family without thinking about our own journeys. Family drama October 31st THE THEORY OF Part biopic, part love story, this is the extraordinary story of one of the world’s EVERYTHING greatest living minds, Stephen Hawking, who falls deeply in love with a fellow (2014) Cambridge student. Together, they defy impossible odds, breaking new ground in medicine and science, and achieving more than they could ever have dreamed. Romance/drama November 28th OMAR Twisty and riveting, Omar is a well-directed crime drama with uncommon depth. (2014) A tense, gripping thriller about betrayal, suspected and real, in the Occupied Territories. The story dishes out action and surprises without losing its political intent. Crime drama December 29th PRIDE (club fund raiser - admission charged) January 30th KUMIKO, the Frustrated with her mundane life, a Tokyo offce worker becomes obsessed TREASURE HUNTER with a fctional movie that she mistakes for a documentary. Fixating on a scene (2015) where stolen cash is buried in North Dakota, she travels to America to fnd it. Powerfully acted and lovely to look at, this flm offers a treat for those with a taste for the pleasantly peculiar. Comedy / drama February 27th WHAT WE DID ON Doug and Abi take their kids on holiday to Scotland. Surrounded by relatives, OUR HOLIDAYS the kids innocently reveal the ins and outs of their family life and intimate details (2015) about their parents. It’s soon clear that when it comes to keeping a big secret under wraps from the rest of the family, their children are their biggest liability. Witty and well-cast, unlikely laughs are injected into a story dealing with dark, diffcult themes. Comedy/drama March 19th WILD With the death of her mother and her marriage, and after years of reckless, (2014) destructive behavior, Cheryl makes a rash decision and, with absolutely no experience and only by sheer determination, she hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacifc Crest Trail alone. WILD powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddens, strengthens and ultimately heals her. Drama / Adult themes

Upper Tweed Community News 4 uPPer tWeed community council: August 2015 fireWorks trAnsPort needs Last November the Upper Tweed The dominant theme in the August meeting was our local transport needs. Community Council held a very successful It was reported that the Council’s experiment with running four free bus trips to freworks display in Broughton, with Edinburgh is going well, with two of the trips now having been completed. On each support from many people in the village. occasion the 53-seat coach was pretty full, with passengers from both Tweedsmuir and The Council agreed to repeat the event Broughton. The remaining trips are scheduled for Saturdays 12 September and 10 this year. The date being considered October but it is unclear whether wind-farm funding would be available for similar is Saturday 7 November at 6.30 p.m., trips in future years. though this has not yet been fnally The Council has recently produced a consultation document, Local confrmed. Local people and businesses Access and Transport Strategy and the meeting discussed how we should respond. are once again being asked to contribute Those present identifed a number of our current transport problems, such as:getting towards the cost and collecting boxes will access to the court at Selkirk, diffculties in attending for hospital appointments, fnding be available in the shop and post offce. suitable transport for wheelchair users, getting transport for carers coming from a glenkerie W ind fArm extension distance, travelling back from high school events, inadequate access to Edinburgh, inability to travel back after a Saturday evening out in Peebles, lack of any buses on On 29 July it was announced that the Sundays. Scottish Government had decided to allow the appeal of the developer against These problems are likely to worsen in future if more services are centralised at the refusal of the Scottish Borders Council distant locations in order to save cost, and will, in any case, become more acute as the to grant planning permission for 6 new population ages over the next 10-15 years, with fewer people still able to drive. turbines as an extension to the existing Chris Lewin reported that he had written to Scottish Borders Council, asking them to Glenkerie Wind Farm. review their bus services, with input from the Community Council. Chris Lewin, chairman of the Upper He also suggested that Community Councils such as ours should be given grants by Tweed Community Council, told Upper the Scottish Borders Council, which would enable us to go some way to meeting our Tweed Community News that this was own transport needs, supplementing the bus service according to local priorities. One a great disappointment, as the massive possible source for such grants was through the Local Area Forum. new turbines will dominate the Glenholm It was agreed that we would respond to the consultation document, recommending Valley near Broughton. At present this is that much more attention should be paid to the transport needs of rural populations in an attractive and almost entirely unspoiled devising a sustainable strategy. The consultation period closes on 23 October, so there piece of rugged countryside, which is is an opportunity for everyone to put in their comments to the Scottish Borders Council easily accessible and is visited by many before then, via the SBC website www.scotborders.gov.uk. people, both local and from other parts of the UK. Its whole character will be infinis glenkerie community fund – constitution ruined as a result of this development.“We The Infnis Glenkerie Community Fund provides grants for various projects in our wrote to the Scottish Government earlier local community. There is now a need to amend its constitution to take account of the this year, objecting to the proposal, but formation of the new Tweedsmuir Community Council. our objections have apparently been The Upper Tweed Community Council considered proposals from Foundation Scotland, ignored. For example, we expressed our the Fund’s administrators, to be generally acceptable. However, it was decided to concern about the possible impact on the propose a slightly different arrangement for the constitution of the Fund’s grant- view from the prehistoric Dreva Hill Fort, making panel. Instead of the proposal to have two nominees from each Community which is of great national importance, Council, neither of whom need be a member of that Council,.Councillor Morrison but this is not even mentioned in the proposed that there should be only one nominee from each Community Council, who Government’s planning determination. would have to be a member of the Council which nominated him/her. The panel Unfortunately there is probably nothing would consist of up to 9 people, of whom two would be Community Council members we can do about it. It is all another and the remainder would be other people drawn from the community (who might or example of local democracy being over- might not be Community Council members). It was agreed to refer this change back ruled by an uncaring central government.” to Foundation Scotland. Seven present members of the panel are expected to retire under a phased programme over the next few years, making way for the recruitment of new members by public advertisement. This will provide an opportunity for everyone who is interested in the work of the Fund to participate in its decisions on which projects should be supported. CPR TRAINING & INSTALLATION OF DEFIBRILLATOR IN BROUGHTON I am delighted to report that the frst training in CPR and the use of an AED (Automatic External Defbrillator) was a great success. 24 people turned up for the training on the 25th June at Broughton Primary School. Brian Findlay from the Scottish Ambulance Service gave an informative, lively session on how to detect whether someone has gone into cardiac arrest, how to undertake CPR while waiting for the AED and how to apply the AED. Everyone had an opportunity to practise CPR and use the AED on a ‘dummy’. Afterwards there was tea and home baked scones kindly provided by Eleanor Dods. There will be another training free session on 17th September at 7pm. A list for those wishing to come will be in the Garage and Shop in early September. Young people over 14 are welcome. Thanks the Primary School for hosting this event and Broughton Garage for agreeing to have the AED installed at the building. A location for the second AED is still being negotiated. We hope to have the AED in Broughton installed before the next training session. Ros Hume, Secretary to the Upper Tweed Community Council Upper Tweed Community News 5 CELEBRATING BUCHAN’S LITERARY CONNECTIONS The John Buchan Story Museum in The frst 4 miles follow the route of the JB Peebles is hosting a guided literary walk to Way towards Cademuir. To the west there celebrate the centenary of the publication are spectacular views of the Tweed and Barns of ‘The Thirty-Nine Steps’. This famous Manor Valley – scrawled Tower novel, published in 1915, was written as across it “like the scrawl from the pen John Buchan was recuperating from an of a bad writer” (On Cademuir Hill). illness and has remained popular ever The ascent of the shoulder of Cademuir since, with several iconic flm versions is steady and the route continues along a adding to the success. minor road circling the southern fanks of This 9 mile circular walk, entitled ‘Wood the hill. The walk follows hill tracks and Hill & Water’, will be on Sunday 18th quiet country roads, leading down to the October, starting at 10am, beginning and Tweed and Barns Tower. ending at the John Buchan Story Museum, “Tweed here is no great rolling river The fnal three miles – a beautiful High Street, Peebles. but a shallow prattling stream, and riverside walk - follows the line of the It celebrates the life, literature and just below the house it winds round a disused railway to Neidpath Castle for landscape of John Buchan in this small islet… the dwelling house was refreshments. The Castle is featured in auspicious centenary year. Members of white and square with a beacon tower Witchwood and Anna Buchan’s novel the Buchan family will also be on the on top...” Pink Sugar, and guided tours will be walk to talk about JB and his works. available (by kind permission of Lady Elizabeth Benson) before the walk continues back to the Buchan Museum. DAVID Registration is required in advance, and SWANS a downloadable form is available on MUNDELL the Buchan Museum website (www. MP for , MINICOACH HIRE johnbuchanstory.co.uk) or from the Clydesdale & Tweed- Museum in Peebles, or by contacting dale Constituency 3 Springwell Brae the walk organiser, Alastair Learmont at Broughton [email protected] Six ways to contact David: The £7 registration fee includes the • write to David at 2 Holm Street, , 01899 830251 literary guided walk and refreshments at DG10 9EB Neidpath (Castle guided tour extra). • telephone on 0800 731 9590 16-seater mini coaches This will be a ftting way to mark the (freephone) for hire anniversary of this famous novel. • visit one of David’s surgeries – see local press for details • E-mail [email protected] • David’s website at www. davidmundell.com • Tweet at @DavidMundellMP AccountAnts And tAx Advisors to the AgriculturAl sector since 1926. The Orchard • Self assessment tax returns, tax planning and advice 93 High Street, Biggar • Audit and accountancy services • Secretarial and book-keeping services including payroll 01899-221449 • General fnancial consultancy services including business plans Please contact resident partner Leslie W Reid Fruit, Veg, & Fine Foods 25 Bloomgate, Lanark, ML11 9ET Gift baskets couriered UK wide Telephone: 01555 663251 Fax: 01555 702034 E-mail: [email protected] Biggar Flavour REGISTERED TO CARRY OUT AUDIT WORK AND REULATED FOR A RANGE OF INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES BY THE 99 High Street, Biggat INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF SCOTLAND. 01899-220056 Award-winning Baking, Fresh Ready Meals,Outside catering,Hot & Cold Takeaways

Have you tried our fresh single portion ready meals? Suitable for microwave or oven heating. Suitable for home freezing Delivery service available Upper Tweed Community News 6 c h APelgill Pi A no d Ay quotes of the quArter

Sue McKenzie (saxaphone) and ‘Resentment is like drinking poison Ingrid Sawer and then hoping that it will kill (piano) your enemies’ ’Nelson Mandela

‘Your whiole life passes before your eyes before you die. This is called living’ Writers on classical music will, sooner Rachmaninov song by West Linton Terry Pratchett or later, refer to the intimacy of chamber composer Ronald Stevenson. Liszt’s Un music, usually meaning simply that the Sospiro was a clever choice for such a concert hall is on the small side and there concert, the rich harmonies and fulsome aren’t so many players in the room as cadences packed into its tiny frame were ‘Google is not a synonym for there would be in a full orchestral concert. like a delicious mouthful of chocolate research’ For musical intimacy that goes beyond truffe. considerations of scale and becomes a After lunch Sue McKenzie and Ingrid Dan Brown true gathering of friends - performers and Sawers (aka the McKenzie-Sawers duo) audience - enjoying music together, you gave a polished performance of music need look no further than the Chapelgill for saxophone and piano – with a potted Piano Day, held on Sunday 9 August guide to the history of the saxophone at Christopher Lambton’s house in thrown in for good measure. SCOTT VEHICLE Broughton. We enjoyed the swinging rhythms of It may not be the most obvious concert Piazzolla, the beautiful melodic lines REPAIRS venue, but Chapelgill has a large drawing of Bizet and the smoochy sounds of room and a stable conversion each of Satie, but the highlights were the least Service, repairS which currently houses a grand piano – a well-known. Firstly an exquisitely spare responsive Blüthner in the former and a piece called Glass by British composer, MOT TeSTiNG STaTiON venerable Broadwood in the latter. Having Graham Fitkin, where the piano supports TyreS, aNd exhauSTS a meandering soprano saxophone line two such instruments and some talented calOr GaS, cOal & friends, Christopher decided to put them on footstep-like chords. Then, French- all together, throw in a rather good lunch, Canadian composer Denis Bédard’s car wa Sh let the world know and raise some money Fantasie for piano and alto sax, a little for Macmillan Cancer Support. tour-de-force of rapid fre from both The GaraGe The concert began with Sarah Robinson players interspersed with some beautiful BrOuGhTON playing a programme of solo piano echoing and dueting in the more lyrical music. Her performance of Beethoven’s central section – all of which showcased Tel: 01899 830 240 Sonata Pathétique was both commanding the duo’s seamless musical partnership and sensitive, responding to the rapidly and their warm enjoyment of playing evolving emotional range of the turbulent together. A ftting conclusion to the day. 27-year-old composer. The gentle The event raised £785 for McMillan The Glenholm central movement was particularly including £40 contributions from the Guesthouse beautiful, played with a transparency that collection tin in Broughton Village Store. communicated more effectively than have All rooms are en suite and done. Shorter pieces by Schubert, Liszt Julie Morrice furnished with many extras. and Bartók followed. The programme ended with an arrangement of a Somewhere different for dinner?

We are not a restaurant or a hotel but we do serve fresh, home- cooked dinners to non-residents. Booking essential.

For more information or to book call Fiona on 01899 830408 Upper Tweed Community News 7 dr Buck ruxton And the JigsAW murders Anyone driving from Upper Tweed to Drummond & Moffat will go over a bridge crossing a Murray Ltd small ravine and a burn about 300 metres before the junction with the B719 – a slip road on the right which links up with the M74. In late September 1935, exactly 80 Plumbing & Central years ago this month, a young lady from Heating engineers Edinburgh called Susan Johnson was Oil - Solid Fuel - Gas crossing this bridge on foot and looked Installations & Maintenance into the burn below. To her horror, she Dr Buck Ruxton Conversions saw a human arm sticking out of the debris beside the burn and this started one were able to pinpoint the date of death TEL: 01683 220065 th of the most famous and most publicised to within a day of 15 September, two murder cases of the time. weeks before discovery. It became FAX: 01683 221621 a landmark case being the frst time 36 Well Street, Moffat, A hunt by police and members of the that forensic entomology (the study of Dumfriesshire, DG 10 9DP public discovered about 70 human body insects) had been used in evidence to parts relating to two females and many secure a conviction in a murder case. of them were wrapped up in newspaper. It was discovered that one of the papers It was proved beyond doubt that the Glenholm Software was a special issue of the Sunday murders had been committed in Lancaster Graphic which was only distributed in after which Dr Ruxton had cut up the Solutions Lancaster. Also, about two weeks earlier bodies and had immediately driven north a policeman had recorded the registration to dispose of them. Another crucial piece Computer Training number of a car involved in a minor traffc of evidence was that the burn had fooded for 1 to 1 accident and that enquiry led to a Dr on the 19th of the month following heavy and Assistance Buck Ruxton, a highly respected Parsee rain and had then subsided. Many of the computer training and doctor who lived in Lancaster. (A Parsee body parts were discovered in debris at is the member of the Persian Zoroastrian the high watermark of the burn. problem-solving sessions community which emigrated to India in Buck Ruxton was found guilty of on Windows based computers th the 8 or 10th centuries to avoid Muslim the double murder. A petition urging persecution), Dr Ruxton had been the clemency collected 10,000 signatures but call Neil on 01899 830408 frst Parsee doctor qualifed to practise in the appeal was dismissed and Ruxton Great Britain. was hanged at Strangeways Prison in Most Microsoft applications covered The murders were referred to as the Manchester on 12th May 1936. ‘Jigsaw Murders’ by the press. Dr Ruxton Broughton Sugarcraft Club was already being questioned by local A number of people have expressed an interest in Sugarcraft but never quite got police about the disappearance of his round to it! It takes place in Broughton Village Hall on the last Wednesday of wife Isabella and her maid, Mary Jane the month commencing on September 30th at 7.30pm. An interesting and varied Rogerson, who hadn’t been seen for over programme has been arranged with our talented demonstrators so if you are keen to two weeks. Isabella enjoyed socialising improve on your cake decorating skills and share valuable tips do come along and and was a very popular member of the join our friendly group. Fiona Hamilton. Tel: 01721 729424 local community. Her friends were worried that she had gone away without telling them and, after speaking to Dr Environ-IT Ltd Ruxton, they had alerted the police with P TAYLOR their suspicions knowing that the couple Software Painter and had serious rows in the past. Dr Ruxton claimed that his wife and development service Decorator her maid had gone to Edinburgh and he Website development All types of Interior and did not know where they were nor had Exterior Decorating he ever been to Edinburgh. The traffc Content management systems Fully Insured accident report proved that he was lying On-line database and tools but the police still needed evidence to place him at the scene of the crime. Web GIS and mapping For free quote Scientists had been doing tests on the Multiple device websites habits of maggots and the speed in which call Paul they consumed fesh both human and tel: AndrewMason Tel: 01899 220489 animal. By comparing their test results with the human remains and the maggots 01899 880200 Mobile: 07709 323125 [email protected] Upper Tweed Community News 8 A nne s heA rer 1929 - 2015 STUART-MENTETH OSTEOPATHIC PRACTICE Anne Shearer of Beechgrove, Broughton, was committed to the wellbeing of individuals and the community as a Mrs. Rosalind Stuart-Menteth, D.O. Councillor in Upper Tweeddale, and as a stress therapist most notably in Glasgow. Osteopath Gentle osteopathic treatment, She pursued these twin goals with great sometimes with ‘cranial’, is given for energy, organization, persuasive skills, back ache, muscular aches, humour and understanding, touching the joint stiffness, poor posture etc. lives of many through her pioneering All ages are seen: babies to senior citizens. work in teaching relaxation and simple After a decade, she felt called to help but transformative correct breathing, people in Glasgow coping with stress, which is carried on though the work of writing her frst book entitled ‘Love, drugs 31 Elcho Street, the Great Big Trust. or any city like Glasgow’. With willing Peebles volunteers she transformed the former EH45 8LQ Anne grew up with brothers Fred and semi-derelict Allan Glen School into the 01721 722301 John in Salisbury, Hampshire, close Phoenix Centre for Stress Education, to upland countryside which became Relief and Research. It became a thriving their playground. While at school, she social and community centre, depending developed a love of poetry and a talent for on the goodwill, grants, extraordinary swimming and lacrosse. The area became energy and time of many. a hive of activity in the build-up to D-Day and the family home was damaged in a While in Glasgow, Anne became REST EASY GAS bomb blast. interested in St Kentigern (St Mungo). In 1990 the Lord Provost unveiled a stone & OIL After leaving school, Anne cycled daily 8 symbolising the spiritual connection miles to and from her frst job as a farm between the 6th c. Glasgow Saint and the secretary. Through her brother Fred, work of the Phoenix Centre. In 2013 the Kirkgreen Smiddy, who worked at the Bush Institute near stone was relocated to the former gardens Carnwath Penicuik, she met Tom Shearer. They were at the Crook Inn, to mark the area’s Plumbing and Heating later married in Liberton Kirk, beginning association with , whom Kentigern Engineers life together in Eddleston before moving had baptised. to Broughton in 1960, and raising three Maintenance, repairs and children, Colin, Julie and Wendi. Anne continued her therapy work on her installations return to Eddleston, writing her second Anne’s community interests began with book ‘The Earth can heal itself, can NAT GAS, LPG & OIL the Broughton playgroup, Village Hall you?’ and fnally returned to Beechgrove, committee and establishing the youth club. the family home, with many plans for the TEL: 01501 785427 She was elected an Independent Councillor future. She died aged 86, on 23rd June MOB: 07766 020349 in 1969, and, with Regionalisation, was 2015 after a brief illness. www.resteasygas.co.uk elected onto the newly formed Borders Council, becoming Chair of the Social Prepared by members of the Shearer family, 18 August 2015

some useful WeBsites in uPPer tWeed

www.uppertweed.com/ Information about histories of communities from Tweedsmuir to Dawyck, local directory, contacts and services, local events, help. Community council websites: www.uppertweedcommunitycouncil.org.uk www.tweedsmuircommunitycouncil.org.uk .

www.uppertweeddale.org.uk The website for the churches of Broughton, Tweedsmuir, Stobo and www.ajbhope.net A wealth of information about the history of Tweedsmuir and the Hope family www.uppertweedrailwaypaths.org.uk/ The website for the proposed railway pathways that would link and boost the communities tweedsmuircommunitycompany.org.uk/ The evolving story, mainly about the Crook Inn and its development as a comunity hub http://uppertweedcinema.blogspot.com/ for information on programmes, times, etc. Upper Tweed Community News 9 t W eedsmuir t A lk What brings people to Tweedsmuir? The Our Resilient Community co-ordinator lovely scenery and the challenging hills? has initiated discussions with SBC and a The Moffat Vintage tractor run was held consultation will take place shortly with on 14th June, the same day as Moffat everyone in the area Mountain Rescue sponsored walk. The The new community council web shared lunch stop and radio centre was site is up and running at www. at the hall. Car, tractor and lorry parking tweedsmuircommunitycouncil.org.uk . was around the hall, in the felds and in SSE Clyde Borders gave a presentation the Crook garden and car park with a on the extension to the wind farm and free shuttle bus running between drop off work has started on the new entrance near points. £530 was raised on the sponsored Fingland. walk and it will be shared between Moffat Mountain Rescue and Broughton Primary A consultation was held in the village School. hall about the proposed Scottish Power metal pylons that will be required to serve At midnight on 20th June around 600 Earlshaugh wind farm. Both Earlshaugh cyclists passed on their summer solstice and Whitelaw Brae wind farms have ‘race to the sun’ from Carlisle to planning applications submitted to the Crammond. Scottish Government. One of the many participants in the The Habinalaugh Croquet challenge The Tweedsmuir Community Company, vintage tractor rally on June 14th at Dykehead was won this year by is delighted to announce that The Crook Tweedsmuir North Kings and they have Inn, outbuildings and original land now quotes of the quArter the dubious delight of caring for the all belong to the community thanks to decorated sheep’s skull for the next year! ‘Bad ideas refuse to die; they grants from The Scottish Land Fund, just wait patiently for the next The Tour o’ the Borders was very well SSE Clyde Borders and Glenkerie manifesto’ supported by local volunteers and lots community funds as well as Save The Gaby Hinscliff in The Guardian of people got up early to encourage the Crook reserves. See new website:www. 2,300 riders on their way and there was tweedsmuircommunitycompany.org.uk a hands on (hands on lycra) approach to Locals met with representatives from pushing riders up Talla. The Tour was ‘When you are done changing, Border Forest Trust and walked up to well organised. The emergency services you’re done’ Mountain Bothy Association bothy in were called out to a couple of serious Benjamin Franklin Gameshope while discussing the future accidents on the fast descent from Talla plans for Talla and Gameshope which towards . This caused a backlog ‘Two things are infnite: can be found on www.bordersforesttrust. at the village hall feeding station and the universe and human stupidity; org/places/wild-heart/talla-gameshope/. an amazing spectacle of queuing riders and I’m not sure about the universe’. Proposals for the future development waiting for the helicopter to lift the will be discussed in a future issue of the patient through the hill mist. Both riders Albert Einstein Upper Tweed Community News. are recovering. Christine Parker The next outdoor event will be the Mini Mudder at the Crook Inn on September BARC COACH HIRE - 5th . BORDERS going PlAce Then we expect around 2,000 people CHIROPRACTIC to take part in the Offcial Mountain BARC Coach Hire have Marathon over the weekend of 24th a variety of coaches operating October. throughout the Scottish OfferingChiropractic Borders. Broadband continues to be a challenge treatment for a variety of in rural areas and the Tweedsmuir joint, posture and muscle We are focused on great customer Community Council are working with problems service at competitive prices and Julie Nock co-ordinating responses with will pull out the stops to give you other disadvantaged communities to Acupuncture, massage, and the best experience in coach travel. secure better service. The Community ultrasound also available Council is also discussing the hour and We cover all kinds of contract a half journeys that our children have to Tel: 01721 720 694 work & private hire – and are take to go to High school, the deterioration borderschiropractic.co.uk certain we can meet your needs. in the renovated bridge and Fruid Road repairs. 2 Cherry Court, Cavalry We are going places . . . and so The Glenkerie community funded bus Park, Peebles, EH45 9BJ can you. had been well supported and Tweedsmuir 01721 722222 families have been enjoying days out in [email protected] Edinburgh, adding a new attraction at Carlton Hill – ‘Lotties leap’. Upper Tweed Community News 10 . skirling neWs ……. B A n A n A s neW s Firstly huge apologies to all those who were looking forward to a wander round Skirling on the garden open day on June Mud kitchen at 28th. This event was going to clash with a Bananas. bigger event in Symington so we thought Delightful mucky best to postpone until next year. Plenty action. time to get our gardens looking great! The refurbishment of the small hall and kitchen are now complete. The small hall roof has been insulated and new lighting ftted. Both areas have been painted and are looking terrifc after The Banana Bunch had a busy end to The Infnis Glenkerie Community Fund their makeover. There is an opportunity the school term. A delivery of gravel granted funding for a new shed and the to see the transformation at our annual was timed so that we could watch the lorry came with slabs and sand for the craft fair on Saturday 12th September lorry unload the giant bags. The driver base, another spectator event. This time from 2-5pm. There will bs a variety of let us climb up into his lorry. Then we the school came out to watch and, to our local craft stalls to browse and then enjoy all set to work in boiler suits and old surprise and delight, the driver presented a cream tea served in the small hall. clothes with buckets, spades, tractors, us with a Travis Perkins model lorry. This event marks the culmination of our trailers, wheelbarrows and we now have Thank you to everyone who helped with sunfower competition when the trophy our Stone garden! We have added some the garden and the construction of the for the tallest plant will be awarded during very glittery stones as well as lettered shed. We are looking forward to playing the afternoon. Please put this date in your and numbered stones so that children more outside and doing some hammering diary and come along. can extend their imagination, literacy and construction in our ‘workshop’ as Helen Savage and numeracy during play. Everyone in well as more outdoor play in our mud the community is welcome to add to this kitchen. Thank you to our fundraising stone collection. team - you had a lot of great ideas and worked really hard throughout the year Broughton villAge store www.treesurv.co.uk raising much-needed funds for new equipment. As part of the transition to school, estABlishment, visiting the classrooms and playing in mAnAgement And restorAtion of the playground with the school, we had a nAtive WoodlAnds lovely school dinner of macaroni cheese, ArBoriculturAl salad and garlic bread. surveys The end of term outing was a trip to heddge PlAntiing & Dalscone and the staff especially had mAintenAnce great fun going down the slide and trying to herd escaped kid goats and piglets back tree surgery into their pens. I’m sure the children also n e W s A gent, l icensed timBer construction had lots of fun. grocer A nd more tel: 01899 830 587 It was a very sad end of term when we moB: 07903 924 565 said our goodbyes and thank you to 20 greetings cArds. fresh B reAd of our children and their parents and two frozen fish & cooked meAts fruit & vegetABles members of staff and we send our best lAundry services wishes to you all. deliveries on request Bananas started the new term with tel 830465 greatly reduced numbers and will only Open daily 7.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m. open Monday to Thursday 8.45am until Sundays 7.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. 12.45pm. Christine Parker

Contemporary Art Artisan Crafts Picture Framing (Former John Buchan Centre) Happy meal at Bananas Broughton, by Biggar ML12 6HQ Upper Tweed Community News 11 hillhousegallery.com Tel : 07768 690069 OPEN 7 DAYS ALL YEAR 01899 830462 r ememB ering t om s heA rer’ s g A drden Tom Shearer’s garden was famous. Bus tours would stop so that visitors from all over the world could gawp at it in amazement. Tom created this himself, with a new, unique design each year for 50 years. The vibrant colour came from up to 10,000 bedding plants grown by hiself. The immaculate lawn was a pride and joy for Tom. Weeds were not permitted (for long).

The beds early in the season Colour and patterns emerge

One year’s design

UPPER TWEED COMMUNITY NEWS We welcome articles and notices on all subjects of interest to the people of Upper Tweed.

Editor: Duncan Davidson Assistant Editors: Richard Carr, Gill Lindsay, Denise Lintott, Murdo Elder Advertising & Sponsorshp: Murdo Elder Treasurer: Brian Bushell The next issue will be published on 1st December 2015. . Articles and notices should be sub- mitted by 16th November 2015 to: Duncan Davidson, Oliver, Tweeds- muir, Biggar, M12 6QN. Printed by Lanark Print Company Another year’s design Tel 0189 880278 or 116-119 North Vennel, Lanark, ML117PT [email protected] Upper Tweed Community News 12