£ 0.70 The Upper Tweed Community News Issue 66 September 2014 S tagecoach travel again in upper tweed

It had been a long time since stagecoaches travelled through Broughton and . However, history was renacted as part of an impressively organised journey of stagecoaches from Edinburgh to Gretna Green between the 16th and 18th August, all part of a drive in aid of McMillan Cancer Support. Some residents travelled from the Mount to Broughton on Saturday 16th. Others went from Broughton to the Crook Inn on Sunday 17th, where horses and the coach were changed. Then on to Tweedhopefoot, the Devil’s Beeftub and Moffat. Travel through Moffat was slowed by the Moffat The stagecoach travelling through Broughton Photo: Sheila Milne sheep races! Seven miles before Moffat, a wreath was laid at the monument to the Guard and Coachman of the Dumfries to Edinburgh Royal Mail Coach. They perished in a snowstorm on 1st February 1831, having had to abandon the coach stuck fast in a snowdrift. Delivery of the Mail was so important that they attempted to continue the journey on horseback frst and later on Final polish before leaving The stagecoach leaves the Crook Inn foot, but sadly only reached Tweedshaws. Coaching was in its heyday locally the evolving Story of carlowSe Bridge - see also page 12 between the 1700s and mid-1800s, ending with the development of the railways. Edinburgh people travelled to the fashionable spa in Moffat, after a sulfur spring had been found in 1630, piped down to what is now the Town Hall, (and described as smelling of rotten eggs). Hospitality and the changing or stabling horses were available in Broughton, the Crook Inn, the Bield and Tweedshaws. The mail coaches were, perhaps, more important, travelling between Edinburgh. Dumfries and Carlisle. The Bield was the Then. post offce between 1765 and 1813, when One of the many timber lorries crossing the Carlowse Bridge over recent years it moved to the Crook Inn. The PO at the Crook Inn closed in 2006. The roads throughout were Now. terrible, deeply rutted from the cart tracks. The fne, listed, historic bridge Who would pay for and maintain them? now - only the arch remains. Following long inaction, the Turnpike Act in 1751 allowed turnpike trusts, with contentS Page toll houses to be established. Tolls could be charged only when the roads had been 1 Stagecoach travel. Carlowse Bridge 7 May Fox - obituary improved. 2 Barc Coach Hire 8 Gardening for Plenty Fortunately travel was smoother on this 3 WW1: Dead remembered 9 Farming Appreciation & Challenges journey. 4 Bananas Playgroup News 10 Tweedsmuir Talk 5 Defbillator (AED) & First Response 11 Noticeboard 6 Robert Little - obituary 12 Photopage This issue is sponsored by Barc Coach Hire Upper Tweed Community News 1 barcbarcbarc coachcoachcoach hirehirehire

It’s diffcult to believe that we’re now in our third year . . . and still loving every minute serving local communities in the .

We started running some school contracts from Scottish Borders Council but very quickly expanded into local service work and providing a wide variety of private hire.

Some of you will use us in all three areas and we welcome your business. We also welcome your feedback and would be delighted to hear any comments . . . good or bad.

Of course, it’s great to get positive input and we’re very proud of the letters, e-mails and calls received over the months and years. It’s also great to share this with our staff who are all very much part of the business.

Regular users of Service 91 and Service 93 will have come across some of our drivers who try very hard to keep passengers happy in what can be very challenging circumstances. I’m thinking here of coping with adverse weather like the recent fooding, coping with other road users, especially the larger vehicles on our minor roads and dovetailing with other services like Stagecoach at West Linton.

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· Leanne – our youngest and newest driver

· Ian – who has years of experience on these routes with another operator!

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Upper Tweed Community News 2 WW1: Dead Remembered In June 2014, the Upper Tweed Community News listed the men from our communities who died in the disastrous, tragic World War 1. Some families still live in our community. We will feature some of these men over the next 4 years. Captain Patrick Dick Booth, DSO, MC 2nd Lieutenant Thomas Tudhope Royal Field Artillery 9th Cameronians (Scottish Rifes)

Patrick Dick Booth was born at Oliver in Tweedsmuir, the house of The Tudhope family originated from Lesmahagow and his aunt, Mrs Tweedie-Stoddart in 1886. His maternal grandfather settled in Broughton in the early19th century. Thomas was the Rev John Dick, Minister of Tweedsmuir and his paternal Tudhope, known by all as ‘Tommy’, was the fourth son grandfather, The Rev Patrick Booth was minister in Innerleithen. His of John Tudhope, farmer at Broughton Place and his wife parents lived in Liberton. Margaret Steel. He was one of twelve children (two died in infancy). His brother Andrew, a farmer near Kelso served Patrick was educated at Bonnington School in and at in the Lothian and Borders Horse throughout the war and Edinburgh University. He was keen on gunnery and became survived. Thomas served with the Imperial Infantry in the a member of the Edinburgh University Battery. After leaving South African War and after that he returned to farming university, he qualifed as a surveyor and moved to Canada where he in Broughton. Soon after the start of WW1 he joined the held a commission in the Royal Artillery, Canada. Lanarkshire Yeomanry on 7th September 1914 as a trooper As soon as war seemed inevitable, he returned home, boarding a ship - he was soon promoted to corporal. for Britain on the very day that war was declared on 4th August. On He trained for his commission at Harrogate in 1915 and was his return to UK, he joined the Royal Field Artillery. gazetted to the 10th Scottish Rifes as an offcer. After further After training, he was posted to the 29th Division and commanded training at Nigg, he was sent to France on 6th August 1915 the frst two guns brought ashore at the Gallipoli landings, where and joined the 9th Cameronians (Scottish Rifes). he was severely wounded. He recovered in time for an action on He served with that Regiment until the Battle of Loos,the 28th June 1915 when he won the Military Cross for his gallantry largest British offensive until that time on the Western Front and devotion to duty. He was also Mentioned in Despatches for his in the war, where he was reported missing on 25th September. outstanding leadership in another action. He was 33 years old. In a letter from his Commanding He returned to Europe and served at the Somme, Ypres, Arras and Offcer, it was stated that he was last seen leading his men fnally at Cambrai. On 30th November 1917, Capt Dick Booth and into the attack. Out of fourteen offcers involved with him in his men held a ridge near a gun position against advancing Germans the action, only one escaped unwounded, six were killed, six for several hours. On 1st December the enemy captured the village wounded and Thomas Tudhope was missing. All enquiries as of Mosniers. In the chaos of war he found himself temporarily in an to what has happened to him were fruitless and nine months infantry role instead of being with his battery. He led his troops back after the action, the War Offce reported him dead. He was into the village and captured fve Germans but then encountered a one of three men from Broughton to die on 25th September larger band of Germans and in the ensuing fre fght, he was wounded in the battle of Loos, William Mackie from Hartree and John by a grenade burst. He lay in No Mans Land for ten minutes Inch from Cloverhill being the others. In total, twelve men before before being recovered but his injuries were so severe that from Tweeddale died that day. he survived for only a few hours - he was 31. He was awarded a Thomas Tudhope is commemorated on the Loos Memorial posthumous DSO for his action. in France and also on both the Broughton War Memorial and In the words of the chaplain, “he was the best loved offcer in the on his father’s gravestone in Broughton Cemetery. Two of his Brigade”. It was said that all from the General down to the youngest sisters, Helen and Barbara Tudhope lived at Broughton Place gunner regretted his death. Farmhouse, the latter died there in 1979 aged 99. Another sister, Mary, married and lived at Drumsheugh, Broughton. Our attention was drawn to an excellent book by Dr Gunn, Book of Remembrance for Tweeddale Burgh and Parish, published in There are still family connections in Broughton. Thomas’s Peebles in 1925. It provides short biographies of those that died great niece Lyndsey Wilson, who is an offcer in the Royal together with their photographs. For anyone wishing to do their Logistics Corps, lives just a few miles south of the village own research on their families it is available in a digitised version and in her childhood, she remembers visiting both her great from The National Library of Scotland at aunts at Broughton Place Farmhouse. https://archive.org/stream/bookofremembranc1925gunn#page/ n9/mode/2up. Upper Tweed Community News 3 BananaS playgroup newS The Bananas Car Wash raised over £300 and we were very grateful for the support from the whole community. The gazebo, funded by SSE Clyde Borders and a donation from the churches of Upper Tweed, has been built and the next step will be to ‘landscape’ around the construction. The gazebo will be able to be used by all school children both for play and for ‘education’ and we are looking forward to using it in all weathers. The playgroup garden was originally built in 2000 and it was identifed by the committee that a revamp was needed. Parents undertook to clear The Bananas Gazebo, funded by SSE Clyde and Upper Tweed Churches, a resource for up the rotten stumps earlier this year. play and learning in all weathers. The shed door was desperate for a repaint and the children of 2014 have added their replacement body parts. The children handprints to the new mural - please have were amazed but a bit worried when a look and count how many caterpillars Coriena had to put her hand into a mould. you can see? Our end of term outing was to the www.treesurv.co.uk Early summer was warm and we were Butterfy World, following months of outdoors on every available occasion. We learning about lifecycles of butterfies, planted our seeds into the garden, watered eStaBliShed and reSotoration frogs and chickens. This put many our plants in the ‘bottle’ greenhouse, of native woodlandS parents’ phobias of butterfies, snakes, watched how water ran along the ground, spiders (and Roundabouts!) to the test but played with our gutters, foating and arBocultural SurveyS was much enjoyed by the children. sinking, making things go fast and slow - some trying to get wet and some (adults) We are looking forward to a very busy tree Surgery trying to avoid getting wet. We ran out new term and have changed our hours of watering cans and had to use jugs to to meet government legislation for Early timBer conStruction keep everyone happy. We observed our Years Learning and Childcare – our new plants growing, played ball games, sang hours are 8.45am – 12.45am. tel: 01899 830 578 outside, ran races and, most importantly, moB: 07903 924 565 The Banana Bunch played on the most popular toys – the bikes and trikes! Bananas Playgroup We had a visit from a prosthetic expert, a M: 0777 307 1920 dad came to show us how he fts T: 01899 830 589

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Upper Tweed Community News 4 automatic eXternal defiBrillator (aed) & firSt reSponSe The Upper Tweed Community Council Tweedsmuir has an AED but the problem We would like to know if you wish to know has recently had two presentations by is remembering where it is (there were more about setting up a First Response Scottish Ambulance Service and West residents in Tweedsmuir at the meeting team, whether it is something we need Linton First Response Team on the use who were unaware of the AED) and/or in Upper Tweed and whether you would of Automated External Defbrillators fnding the people who are trained to use like to know more about volunteering (AED) and the advantages of introducing the machine as, although it is easy to use, to be a First Responder. We would be a Voluntary First Response Service. it can be daunting for a novice or someone happy to arrange another presentation We were informed that Scotland has anxious about their relative’s health. from the Scottish Ambulance Service if the second largest number of deaths per There are also problems of potential there is interest to do so. A copy of a brief population from heart disease and that vandalism to the machine if access is easy questionnaire is enclosed or if you wish the frst few minutes of a heart attack are for everyone. you can call me direct my telephone is critical. Clinical studies have shown that A voluntary First Response Team, as 01899 830315 only 5% of the population survive cardiac operated by volunteers in West Linton, arrest but if a defbrillator is used 85% helps resolve some of these problems. Ros Hume have a chance of being saved. CPR buys When the NHS 24 receives a call and Secretary Upper Tweed Community time but the use of a defbrillator gives the decides an ambulance is needed for a Council heart a controlled electric shock and saves patient who is suffering from cardiac lives. The Upper Tweed is especially arrest they contact the voluntary First tweedSmuir defiBillator The defbrillator is at present stored vulnerable as it is a rural community and Responder who they have on fle as being in the stone shed at Dykehead, its residents cannot rely on an ambulance on duty and the volunteer First Responder Tweedsmuir. Training has been provided arriving within the stated target of 8 takes the AED to the address given and to volunteers in the community. minutes if the caller reports cardiac arrest, stays with the patient until the ambulance Ultimately it would be better housed chest pains, breathing problems or has arrives, administering the defbrillator in The Crook Inn when renovated. collapsed. if required. Another beneft is that the There is a good precedent for having ambulance will be in touch with the An AED is an easy-to-use device to a defbillator available in a hotel/pub volunteer who has local knowledge as to provide life-saving electroshock treatment with a staff that has had training in its where the patient lives and what might for patients having a sudden cardiac use. Ed. arrest within the critical frst minutes. be the best way of getting quickly to the An AED can be used by any person with patient’s house. basic life support (CPR) knowledge. It Volunteers must be over 18, be ft, live in automatically turns on when the cover is the area and have a clean driver’s license. opened and the pre-connected electrodes The Scottish Ambulance Service assesses help save time and make the process the applicants, provide training and simpler for the user as it guides the user insurance. West Linton, who has a larger with clear verbal and visual instructions number of residents than Upper Tweed, from the beginning to the end of the have 12 volunteers to cover evenings and process. We were told it was impossible weekends and in the last 10 years have to give a shock if shock is not required so had 250 call outs. The calls are infrequent there is no harm to the patient. but the volunteer must be available when agreed to be on call.

UPPER TWEED COMMUNITY NEWS We welcome articles and notices on The Glenholm DAVID all subjects of interest to the people of Guesthouse MUNDELL Upper Tweed. Editor: Duncan Davidson All rooms are en suite and MP for Dumfriesshire, furnished with many extras. Clydesdale & Tweed- Assistant Editors: Richard Carr, Gill dale Constituency Lindsay, Denise Lintott, Sally Walker, Six ways to contact David: Somewhere different for Murdo Elder • write to David at 2 Holm Street, Moffat, Advertising & Sponsorshp: Murdo dinner? DG10 9EB Elder • telephone on 0800 731 9590 Treasurer: Brian Bushell We are not a restaurant or a (freephone) The next issue will be published on 1st hotel but we do serve fresh, home- • visit one of David’s surgeries – see December 2014 cooked dinners to non-residents. local press for details Articles and notices should be submit- Booking essential. • E-mail [email protected] For more information or to book ted by 15th November 2014 to:Duncan • David’s website at www. Davidson Oliver, Tweedsmuir, Biggar, call Fiona on davidmundell.com ML12, Tel 0189 880278 or 01899 830408 • Tweet at @DavidMundellMP [email protected] Upper Tweed Community News 5 Robert Little Robert was born in Edinburgh in 1939. Later he worked at the slaughterhouse 1939 - 2014 His parents, Joe and Mary Little lived in in Broughton, which is now Broughton Broughton at Kirkbank, now renamed Brewery and after it closed he worked “Llolans” and that is where he started his for two painting and decorating frms in lifelong association with Broughton. Lanark, McKenzie, then S B Decor. He was the eldest of fve children with At the age of 58 he returned to Glenholm one brother and three sisters. Robert to work for Michael and Iris Strachan and went to Broughton School, which then later for Hew and Pamela Strachan as covered both Primary and Secondary gamekeeper and gardener, and covering education and remained there for his virtually anything else which needed entire education. While at school, for attention. He fnally retired in 2010 at several years he was a member of the the age of 71. cadets. His contribution to community life and In 1948 the family moved to the School events was enormous. He joined the In recent years there will have been very House in Glenholm. He and both his Horticultural Society as a teenager and few residents of Upper Tweed who have father and brother enjoyed fshing in for many years he was stage convenor for been so respected and liked as Robert and it was there that he the annual show. He was a very keen and Little. He had time for everyone whom acquired his great interest in wildlife and superb photographer and was a member he met and was everybody’s friend. the countryside. After leaving school, he of the Biggar Camera Club for 50 years, Broughton villlage started working for Alex Smith, Painter being chairman for three of them. He Store and Decorator and later continued doing was also involved in the Badminton Club the same work when he joined John for much of his adult life. Hunter in Broughton. Robert will be remembered by all who In 1961 he married Patsy Macvicar and knew him for what is now called his they started their married life living at ‘peoples’ skills. He was generous with Wychwood just south of Broughton. his time and went to enormous lengths Early the following year they moved to to assist anyone who needed his help or their fnal home in Springwell Brae. They advice. He was indeed an outstanding had two sons, Mike a plumber living in person who will be greatly missed by all and Stuart a plant operator who knew him. n ewS agent, l icenS ed who lives at Gorebridge. g rocer and more In addition to shooting and fshing, an early hobby of Robert’s was participating greetingS cardS. freSh Bread in Motor Bike Trials events. He, Patsy, frozen fiSh & cooked meatS fruit & vegetaBleS Mike and Stuart travelled widely to laundry ServiceS various Enduro meetings, going as far deliverieS on requeSt north as Elgin and south to mid Wales. tel 830465 Open daily 7.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m. Sundays 7.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Tel: 01899 830 465 Drummond & Murray Ltd

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Upper Tweed Community News 6 May Fox She was very clear that there was a right 1926 - 2014 way to do things and things should be done that way. She had been well taught Marion Samuel was born in December at Atholl Crescent and followed the detail 1926 in the mining village of of that teaching all her life. She had a Newtongrange, Midlothian where her passion for cleanliness and many houses father Andrew ran the local shop. in the family had an extra careful clean May received her secondary education in when she was about to visit. Edinburgh at the Mary Erskine School. She had very clear views on all matters, Upon leaving school she attended teacher she was an organiser who made lists and training at Atholl Crescent in Edinburgh. plans and implemented them with clarity, She graduated in 1948 as a qualifed energy and determination. Her nephew, teacher of “cookery, laundrywork, John McLeod, summarises this well housewifery and needlework”. May was a teacher, by nature and by saying that, based on some experiences at profession. She was strict and pushed May met Andrew Fox in September 1949 diffcult times, if he was ever in a critical pupils to achieve. She took great pleasure when she went to West Linton as a newly situation in life, Auntie May was the one and pride when the people she taught qualifed teacher of Needlework and person he would most want to have at his learned and produced quality work. She Homecraft. Andrew was also teaching at side. often recollected with pride having taught West Linton School after being demobbed May believed in service and duty to boys to knit. May was also a keen and from the army. They were married at St family and community. She took her excellent dress maker, cook and baker. George’s Parish Church Edinburgh. role as wife of the headmaster in a small community seriously. It was important Their frst home was Stanley Cottage, May and Andrew moved from the to behave correctly, give tirelessly and be West Linton. Their daughter, Maureen Schoolhouse to Greenknowe in the an example. She disapproved of people was born in Edinburgh and soon after in village when they retired from teaching. who did not fulfl their responsibilities. 1952 the new family moved to Broughton They enjoyed many active years in where Andrew took up post of headmaster. retirement keeping a super garden, being May’s Christian faith was dearly held May loved Broughton with its beautiful with the family and taking a number of and central to her life. She had nearly surroundings and sense of community. In interesting holidays. 52 happy years with Andrew and shared almost exactly 50 years in the village May the same beliefs. They were a team who Andrew died suddenly in late 2001 was involved in every part of community did everything together. May was a and a few years later, May moved to life – the School, the Church, the Rural, regular attender in Broughton Church for Station Bank in Peebles where she lived the Guild. decades. She donated the hymn boards independently until December 2009. She When their son Ronald started primary in memory of Andrew and the family still then moved to a little fat in Linlithgow school, May was asked to go back to have the detailed designs. and from there, as her memory started teaching which she agreed to do. She was to fail, to a room in Tigh-Na-Muirn in This is an abbreviated version of the a visiting teacher of Domestic Science Monifeth. tribute prepared by the family and read for many years, teaching at Broughton, by the Bob Milne at May’s memorial Tweedsmuir, Skirling, West Linton, May was part of a fne generation sadly service. Manor, Peebles, Eddleston, Innerleithen, now mostly departed. How will we

Walkerburn and West Linton. She taught remember her? many people and Maureen and Ronald still meet people today who say, “oh your mother was my teacher”.

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Upper Tweed Community News 7 g ardening for p lenty When I was frst asked to write this own and don’t follow many guidelines. article, my initial response was, “But Seed is collected from various plants I’m not a gardener!” I consider myself for next year or bought from the a smallholder not a gardener, because I Organic Gardening Catalogue (more try to be as self-suffcient as possible and advertising!). One thing I do religiously managing our three acres for food means I is to add manure and compost to all my don’t have time to do the fowers. growing areas every year. This is not Here we have a 20m long polytunnel, usually necessary for all gardens, but various raised beds, an orchard of around we have shallow, stony clay for soil so it 45 fruit trees (apple, plum, cherry, pear), a requires a lot of improvement. huge fruit cage for soft fruit and a potato ‘feld’. As we are 250m above sea level I have had success in growing almost all on an exposed wind-swept hillside, the of the crops that I have tried. Nonetheless, polytunnel is necessary for tomatoes, I have stopped growing spinach as it cucumbers, aubergines, beans, globe bolts so quickly and only grow perpetual artichokes, etc. In fact I grow around spinach. Also, I have good years and bad 40 types of vegetables (not including years with my carrots, but then they do different varieties) and 14 kinds of fruit. like a lighter, sandier soil than ours. The biggest problem, apart from the wind, is, of course, that perennial garden So what do we do with all our excess pest: the slug. I tried all kinds of methods fruit and vegetables? Well, fruit is frozen, (keeping within organic guidelines!) bottled, made into jam or into syrups for to eliminate these molluscs and found cordials. The orchard is currently in its little that worked. To partially solve infancy, but we hope to soon produce the problem I plant almost all my seeds lots of our own apple juice (it keeps well indoors and only put seedlings into the frozen in old milk containers with just soil. However, after losing over 100 the small addition of some vitamin C) The impresively productive polytunnel. lettuce seedlings more drastic methods and one day we’ll get the cider going… See page 12 also. were called for, and this year I tried ferric I freeze beans, perpetual spinach, mange There are four hungry mouths to feed in phosphate pellets (approved for organic tout, and courgettes for use during the my household at the moment, so we do use) known commercially as ‘Advanced winter and the hungry gap when winter eat practically everything that I produce. Slug Killer’ (sorry about the advertising!) crops are fnishing and spring and However, the children won’t be living around my most sensitive seedlings…and summer produce is still not ready. Some here forever, so then I may get a friend it worked. beans I harvest to eat the seed, so dry it to share the gardening and the food, or out before storing. Onions and garlic are In the life I had before children, I was a sell some of the excess. Maybe I will cut plaited and hung up all around the house, scientist, so a lot of my gardening is done back the amount I grow and have time to and after several failures at storing on an experimental trial and error basis. I look at those fowers and fnally become potatoes in different ways I now just have defnitely sorted out a few problems, a real gardener… simply leave them in the ground. They but have found most things out on my seem to keep best this way. Ruth Kirby Pamella Chu Chris Swaffeld & Kristina Smith Doctors of Chiropractic & GCC registered SCOTT VEHICLE P TAYLOR Painter and REPAIRS Decorator

Service, repairS All types of Interior and MOT TeSTiNG STaTiON Exterior Decorating TyreS, aNd exhauSTS Fully Insured BORDERS calOr GaS, cOal & CHIROPRACTIC car wa Sh For free quote Offering Chiropractic treatment for a variety of joint, posture and muscle problems. The GaraGe call Paul Acupuncture & Ultrasound also available Tel: 01899 220489 BrOuGhTON Tel: 01721 720 694 Tel: 01899 830 240 Mobile: 07709 323125 www.borderschiropractic.co.uk Upper Tweed Community News 8 2 Cherry Court, Cavalry Park, Peebles, EH45 9BU farming – appreciation and challengeS The biggest factor in the farming world the fnal details have yet to be formally HKK Ltd is not the Government, the Bank, agreed by the European Parliament. Offcialdom or the neighbours – it’s the What is certain is that the total ‘Support Excellence on 2 Wheels weather – and it’s aye been so. This year Package’ will be 20% less than in the the weather could not have been better. A past fve years. The ways in which it will Motorbike Repair & Restoraton kindly winter, if a bit wet at the start of be delivered is also quite dramatically Bikes and Quads bought and sold the year, a wonderful spring and lambing, changed. Payment will be based on the All projects and repairs considered lambs going out to green growing grass total area and type of land farmed. With with sun on their backs, followed by real Scotland divided into three categories of Biggar Road summer weather. Silage and haymaking land. The leaders of the NFUS (National Symington ,almost unbelievably good both in quality Farmers Union Scotland) have been Biggar and quantity. For many probably the best working extremely hard, fortunately ML12 6FT hay they have ever made. All we need with huge support from the Scottish 01899 308 747 now is a further six weeks of the same Government through the Cabinet 07894 807377 to secure the harvest, and we really will Secretary, Richard Lochhead, to provide www.hkkbikes.co.uk have nothing to complain about! as fair a distribution of support as possible No VAT Away from the felds, the crops and across the huge diversity of farms in Special local offer: livestock, farming is going through a Scotland. 10% off for all residents in ML12 major change on the administrative Almost as important he/we have secured and structural scene. For as long as any an agreement which will mean that only present farmer can remember – that’s from those actively farming the land will be the 1947 Agricultural Act – farming’s eligible for that fnancial support. One of prosperity has been closely allied to the absurdities of the past fve years CAP government support. Without subsidies was the large number of ‘slipper farmers’ in one form or another very few farms who legally accessed a considerable would have survived fnancially. The type amount of the arable support. From and form of that support has changed January 2015 only those who can prove almost every fve years, and particularly they are actively farming will get the SWANS so since we joined the Common Market in money. MINICOACH HIRE 1972, now the EEC (European Economic As I write this basking in the warm Community). The emphasis has changed sunshine of a beautiful early August 3 Springwell Brae from direct commodity support, to day I am so thankful that I/we live in a provide cheap food, to an emphasis on the beautiful countryside, surrounded by Broughton environment and public welfare. So this friendly neighbours and in a wonderful year, at the end of the present fve-year environment, an environment largely 01899 830251 regime and move into the preparation fashioned and preserved by the care and and planning for the next fve year hard work of previous generations of 16-seater CAP (Community Agriculture Policy), farmers. This is surely what good farming mini coaches reform has dominated the political and is all about, yes, providing a living for for hire fnancial farming scene. An initially very our families and local business, but ever complicated and threatening scenario is aware of our role as Stewards of God’s becoming somewhat clearer, although Creation. John Burnett

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NAT GAS, LPG & OIL 31 Elcho Street, call Neil on 01899 830408 TEL: 01501 785427 Peebles MOB: 07766 020349 EH45 8LQ Most Microsoft applications covered www.resteasygas.co.uk 01721 722301 Upper Tweed Community News 9 tweedSmuir talk What a summer – glorious weather - almost too hot for the midgies! Children will remember lots of fun times playing in the burns and the Upper Tweed in the summer of 2014. The weather was so hot that even grannies were tempted into the water, nobody going home dry and everyone falling victim to the younger generations splashes. Apart from Tweedsmuir village, most of the houses in the Tweedsmuir area have their own private water (hill) supplies but a water pipe is currently being laid along the line of the old Talla railway to bring mains treated water all the way back to it’s source in Tweedsmuir. This work was started almost 18 months ago at the Tweedsmuir end – but the pipe was deemed to be too small and has been upgraded to a larger capacity pipeline – hopefully the two ends will meet??? About 2 years ago, local residents received letters about the possibility of connection to the mains supply – All ages enjoying the summer weather but no communication since about connection to the pipe. The gardens and grounds of the Crook Inn continue to be kept under control by local volunteers. Pink ladies have been seen leaving the hall after Yvonne’s newest routine, nothing that factor 50 could help with and nothing to do with hot fushes – just sheer exertion! Large fans had to be brought into the hall when a ceilidh was held on one of the hottest days of the year – it started to rain – the midgies found their way through doors, windows, and kilts and the only answer was to dance. Services in Tweedsmuir Kirk continue to be very varied. It was full to bursting with a huge array of summer fowers for a local wedding in July when previous minister, Rev Rennie, returned to undertake the offcial duties – delighted to meet his grown up Sunday school, to the worry of everyone being on holiday mid August. We have a small Digger preping for laying of pipes to take back to Tweedsmuir and friendly congregation and in case you are frightened to via the pumping station at Glencorse! come - the roar of lions was only the children responding to the minister. Visitors are welcome and will not be eaten. The 10 am. service is followed by a quick cup of coffee and a chance to catch up. Scottish Borders council representatives held an uncomfortable Carlowse Bridge information evening after the work had started. The meeting highlighted that SBC had not understood the local concerns for Carlowse bridge from the outset and had progressed without considering the Tweedsmuir Bridge Action Group options to upgrade the bridge. Plans of the temporary and reconstruction of the bridge were on display, but communication about road closures continues to be a problem. One of the largest cranes in the country, an 18-wheeler, had to be brought to the site and was so big that it had to turn at Rachan junction. The crane towered above the horizon as it maneuvered the temporary bridge into place. It is worth a trip up to Tweedsmuir to see the scale of the works that are planned to be completed by December 2014 (page 12). Phil and Gill Rees hosted a delightful Croquet Challenge Erica and Ian Revell, Croquet Champions.. Erica holding the trophy in aid of funds for the Tweedsmuir Christmas party. uniquely decorated by Phil Rees. Pimms and cucumber sandwiches set a style seldom seen in Tweedsmuir. Previous experience and knowlege of the rules of croquet not required!

Christine Parker

Upper Tweed Community News 10 NOTICEBOARD Travelling south by rail? Forthcoming Events at Dawyck Botanic Gardens More options from Lockerbie Station Sun Sept 14th Guided Walk. 2.15 – 3.15 pm. Sun Sept 21st Fungi Foray. 2.00 - 4.00 pm. The number of rail services south from Sun 5th Oct. ‘Autumn Magic’ Scotland Garden Scheme. 2.00-3.30 pm. Book for Lockerbie has increased since May the Guided Walk. 2014. New electric trains acquired Sun 12th Oct. Fungi Foray 2.00 - 4.00 pm. by First TransPennine Express Sun 12th Oct. Guided Walk. 2.15 - 3.15 pm. provide faster, more frequent links to Wed Oct 15th. Autumn Magic Garden Guided Walk. 2.15 – 3.15 pm Manchester, Manchester Airport and connections to other stations in the Bookings required for guided walks. More information at http://www.rbge.org.uk/ north of . The Virgin Trains to the-gardens/dawyck/visitor-information or phone for bookings 01721 760254 London Euston are unaltered. This means that there are almost Infnis Glenkerie Community Fund hourly services throughout the day The Infnis Glenkerie Community Fund has announced the frst round of grants for on weekdays. Free parking is still community beneft. They were provided at the station. Drumelzier Hall. Purchase of lightweight folding tables and stacking chairs for More information on timetables, use in the Hall. £2,000. terms/conditions and prices via www. Tweedsmuir Community Company. Purchase of 2 marquees for community use. nationalrail.co.uk Tel 08457 484950. £2,000. Tweedsmuir Community Company. Topographical and measured buildings survey of the Crook Inn and land, for the development of architectural design for the renovation of the Crook Inn. £4,650. Broughton Primary School. Install funtrail with balance beams, tyre traverse, donation stepping logs, log bridge, etc., suitable for ages 3-1. £8,917.50. The Upper Tweed Community News gratefully acknowleges a further The funds are administered by Foundation Scotland. generous donation of £280 by the The deadline for the next round of applications for the fund is 30th September 2014. Scottish Endurance Riding Club for the support of the Upper Tweed Further information about the aims, how to apply, the types of grants, may be found Hospital Drivers Scheme. This will be at http://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/infnis-glenkerie/ of beneft to people and their relatives http://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/infnis-glenkerie/ that need asssitance with transoprt to For further advice or information on the Fund or to discuss your application, please our distant health services at times of contact Cara Gillespie on 01557 814 927 or [email protected]. need. It is greatly appreciated. The club previously donated £142.50 BROUGHTON VILLAGE in 2013. FIREWORKS DISPLAY Saturday 8th November Behind village hall 6.30pm Bonfre 7.00pm Fireworks Electrical Contractor Soup served in the village hall (Prop: N Curatolo) This event is promoted by the Upper Tweed Community Council with the kind permission of Mr and Mrs Elliot but will only take place if sufcient • Domestic, Commercial & Industrial funds are raised for the frework display. Boxes will be placed in the shop, Installations garage, and tea room for contributons. Recent frework displays have cost in • Security Lighting & Alarms the region of £1000 so please give generously! • Electric Showers • House Re-wires Collecton of dry burnable household and garden waste will be made the • Portable Appliance Testing weekend before and on the day. If you have material to be collected please • SBSA Registered Self-Certifer ensure it is readily accessible and email [email protected] for collecton or place it on the fre site no earlier than 1st November. All work guaranteed Unit 2, Lindsaylands Road, Biggar ML12 6EQ In the event of cancellaton or date changes owing to poor weather or Tel 01899 220160 07860 750982 other factors, announcements will be made on the Broughton Facebook Fax 01899 220160 page and by means of a notce at the village shop. E-mail: [email protected] home baking ♦ lunches ♦ bistro meals & bar every evening http://www.nacelectrics.com/ OPEN 7 DAYS ALL YEAR 01899 830462 Upper Tweed Community News 11 Wedding Andrew Dunlop and Alison Muir On the 31st of May 2014 Alison Corrine Muir of Upper Onston, Orkney married Andrew Robert Matthew Dunlop of Corstane, Broughton in the St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall , Orkney.

A fne family feast. Ruth Kirby ’s inspiring demonstration of productive gardening in Upper Tweed. see page 8 ‘Gardening for Plenty’

temporary carlowSe Bridge The SBC is undertaking major, costly work to provide a temporary bridge in Tweedsmuir, then stripping down the historic, B-listed bridge described as one of the fnest examples of a random rubble bridge in Scotland and laying down concrete. The bridge was built by local stonemasons Alexander and James Noble in 1783 and stood the test of time magnifcently up until the advent of timber lorries. SBC Roads Department states that when the repairs are complete the temporary bridge will be removed, and that the area including the much-loved beauty spot will be restored. Then the massive timber lorries can return to crossing repaired Carlowse Bridge and make the dangerous access to the A701!

The massive crane hired to install the bridge Access to the site. The feld to be restored on completion.

Parting of the ways. The new route over the temporary bridge through The temporary bridge looms over the the grounds of the previous Tweedsmuir Schoolhouse - after removal of trees. Printed by Lanark Print Company 116-119 North Vennel, Lanark, ML117PT Upper Tweed Community News 12