£ 0.70 The Upper Tweed Community News Issue 74 September 2016 UPPER TWEEDDALE HOSPITAL DRIVERS The Hospital Drivers Scheme was set up in late 1999. Between Feb 2001 and 2015 there were 440 drives, averaging about 40 miles, with contributions from passengers/patients of £3,869.88 and from the Upper Tweed Community News of £3,714.88. The scheme is an fne excmple of a very useful project developed developed and supported in the community. The scheme has been administered by Fiona Hamilton since the start, assisted by Brian Bushell, Treasurer of the Upper Tweed Community News. If you would like to help as a hospital driver, please telephone Fiona: tel No 01721 729424. Also, if you are ever in the situation of needing to attend a hospital appointment but have no transport of your own and nobody able to drive you, contact Fiona. The scheme also covers visits to the Biggar Health Centre and the Dental Clinic. SPEcIAL DAY - cELEbRATIng cOmmUnITY DRIVERS The Upper Tweeddale Community Drivers Group, which received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2011, was invited to send representatives to the Queen’s 90th birthday street party in The Mall on June 12th. Rosalind Birchall, Ann Welsh, and Richard Carr were selected by ballot from the group of volunteer drivers. They had a memorable day along with 10,000 volunteers from over 600 charities which have the Queen as Patron. All were seated at tables lining the route and were provided with a unique picnic hamper for the day. Heavy rain in the morning did not dampen spirits and fortunately the sun came out later for the Queen’s attendance and the carnival parade down The Mall, which represented the decades of the Queen’s reign. The parade included 400 musicians and 300 dancers, animals on tricycles and the Royal Yacht Britannia making it a spectacular and very special day.

Ann Welsh, Rosalind Birchall and Richard Carr in rain and sunshine at the celebrations at The Mall

AmAzIng SUPPORT fROm THE EnDURAncE RIDERS cLUb The 2016 Riders Club event was on a dry, a little chilly day, making for perfect riding conditions. Broughton hills were looking their best (see p 12). This year also saw the thankfully rare event of a rider falling on White Hill, serious enough to merit a couple of ambulances, a six-wheel recovery vehicle, the local Mountain Rescue – and we were told there would have been a helicopter had the cloud base been higher. We certainly can’t fault the response of the emergency services! Luckily the rider sustained only a broken rib and was discharged after one night in Wishaw hospital. The underlying theme to the Broughton weekend in recent years has been the fundraising efforts for the Upper Tweed Community Drivers Scheme. Masterminded by Branch member, Cheryl Wallace, the amount raised has grown from around £250 fve years ago to an astonishing £3008 this year, thanks to an online auction, raffe, quiz, photo competition – and an innovation, the Charity Dog Show. Many riders bring their dog to endurance events, so there was a healthy entry for the eight classes in the Show. We even persuaded a local retired dog show judge, Grace Hogg, to come along and cast her eye over the motley canine assembly. Almost everyone won a prize, and the presence of a professional photographer was the icing on the cake. Alison Wilson. C ontents Biggar Choral Society p2 WW1 Remembered p3 Broughton Primary School p4 Bananas News p5 Noticeboard p6 Broadband in Upper Tweed p7 Walking in Upper Tweed p8 Cycling in Upper Tweed p9 Large cheque donated to the Hospital Driers Scheme in Broughton Village Hall Porteous Family. Tweed Talk p10 The cheque for the collection was handed over by Cheryl Wallace to the Scheme’s representative, Helen Lodge, at the Ride Supper in Broughton Village Hall. Plans Highlad Show Successes, p11 are for the fundraising to be extended even further in 2017, with Tweed Valley Tough Mudder, p12 Mountain Rescue and the First Responders to become benefciaries. Gardens This issue is sponsored by The Broughton Choral Society Upper Tweed Community News 1 Broughton Choral Society

Broughton Choral Society was formed in February 1998 and welcomes members from Broughton and the neighbouring towns and villages. We are a mixed voice choir with a minimum age of 12 years, but no maximum. There are no auditions; applicants are required only to be able to sing in tune and commit to regular attendance

Rehearsals take place in Broughton Village Hall on a Tuesday evening at 7.30pm during Borders Schools term-time.

The Autumn 2016 session starts on 30 August and we will be

Working on Schubert’s Mass in G, and a variety of other Christmas music for our concert in early December.

If you are interested in joining us contact one of the following :-

Alan Cameron, Secretary [email protected] tel. 01968 661104

Christopher Lambton [email protected]

Jane Buchanan-Dunlop, Treasurer [email protected]

Upper Tweed Community News 2 WW 1: In memoriam 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 community. We will continue to feature some of these men over the next 2 years. company Sergeant major Thomas Private george Hinshilwood Labour battalion SwanS 10th battalion black Watch MiniCoaCh hire

3 Springwell Brae Broughton 01899 830251

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Thomas Hinshilwood was the 4th son of George Ireland was gardener to Mr Welsh the late George Hinshilwood of Skirling of Mossfennan and he joined the army in and Mrs Hinshilwood of Mossfennan May 1915. HANDYMAN Cottage. He was educated at Skirling He was sent to France in July 1917 and School and later at Biggar High School. was attached to a Labour Battalion. FENCING He started his apprenticeship as a gardener These battalions were formed in 1915 and GARDENING at Castlecraig, which was then owned by disbanded in 1921. They often contained Lord Carmichael. He also worked as a men who had been medically rated below SMALL BUILDING REPAIRS gardener at Bonnington House, Dalkeith the A1 level required for front line service AND RENOVATIONS Palace and Dysart House. and they carried out work, often within range of enemy guns, such as digging He joined the 10th Battalion Black Watch trenches, building railways and bridges in September 1914, just a month after the DOUGLAS A ROPER and making roads. Work that is now start of the war and during his training THE LOGAN, carried out by the Royal Logistics Corps. he was promoted to Sergeant. He went TEL: 01899 880284 to France in November 1915 and after The third phase of the Battle of Ypres some action in the Somme valley, his began with a Franco-British attack on battalion was sent to Salonica where an Hourthnest Forest and an advance on expeditionary force was being assembled Paschendale Ridge. There was a great to confront the pro German Bulgaria. He artillery barrage and George was killed was promoted to Company Sgt Major instantly by a stray shell. He was buried and also offered a commission which with several colleagues in the British he declined. He was obviously a most Soldiers Cemetery in Ypres. Electrical Contractor outstanding soldier. (Prop: N Curatolo) A friend wrote to his widowed mother Thomas Hinshilwood was reported about George to say he was a fne man • Domestic, Commercial & Industrial missing in May 1917 during the Battle and a good friend and that he had seen him Installations of Doiran. There was considerable delivering mail to the local Field Hospital • Security Lighting & Alarms loss of life when the Bulgarians made a only two days before he was killed. surprise attack coming out of a mist He • Electric Showers His wife was the daughter of Mrs was last seen lying wounded beside his • House Re-wires Hinshilwood of Mossfennan Cottage commander, Lieutenant Philips who was • Portable Appliance Testing who only a few months earlier had lost her dead. • SBSA Registered Self-Certifer own son, Thomas, at a battle in Salonica. Sympathy was offered to his mother who George’s name is on the Broughton War All work guaranteed only 4 months later was to lose her son- Memorial along with that of his brother- Unit 2, Lindsaylands Road, in-law, George Ireland who also lived on in-law, Thomas Hinshilwood. Biggar ML12 6EQ the Mossfennan estate. Tel 01899 220160 07860 750982 Thomas Hinshilwood’s name is on the Fax 01899 220160 Broughton War Memorial. E-mail: [email protected] http://www.nacelectrics.com/

Upper Tweed Community News 3 A new Head Teacher for broughton and newlands Primary Schools. The Parent council As Chair of Broughton Primary School blinds installed. Extensive work has been Parent Council and on behalf of all parents, carried out to the reception/entrance I would like to take this opportunity to area to provide a safer and more inviting offcially welcome our new Head Teacher, entrance to the School. Catriona McKinnon. Catriona joins us This work also re-confgured the general from East Lothian Council where she purpose room, the Head Teacher’s offce taught for many years both as a teacher and a cupboard, resulting in better use of and a head teacher. Catriona brings with space and an additional meeting room. her a wealth of knowledge and experience and we greatly look forward to working From the organisation of the Summer with her as we continue the ongoing Fair, the Hallowe’en party and the development of Broughton Primary creation of Christmas Hampers to helping School. with trips, talking to classes about their jobs, organising the library, helping in the It has been an honour, a privilege and at Catriona McKinnon garden or to run extra activities for our times quite a challenge to chair the Parent children, parent support, generally and Council through what have been arguably ñ To develop and engage in through Parent Council, plays a vital part two of the most eventful years in the activities which support the in school life. School’s recent history. It is testament to education and welfare of the all stakeholders – staff (teaching and non- pupils. The Parent Council has a signifcant role, teaching), parents and pupils, that we have ñ To identify and represent the in partnership with the School, in helping weathered the passage of change together views of parents on the education to develop the very best possible school with the patience and professionalism provided by the school and other environment for our children and our required to ensure we have achieved the matters affecting the education staff. As we move into an exciting new best possible solutions for our school. and welfare of the pupils. chapter, under Catriona’s leadership, I Every parent at Broughton Primary Over recent years, Parent Council hope that the role of Parent Council will School is a member of the Parent Forum. has raised funds to ensure that every continue to grow. The Parent Council, which is recognised classroom in the School has a smartboard; The Parent Council AGM will take as a statutory body, represents the views funded transport for numerous school place in School at 7pm on Thursday of the Parent Forum. trips; purchased equipment for each class 22nd September and I would like to take The Parent Council has four main and also for the playground and secured this opportunity to invite all parents – objectives: funding for the purchase and installation of old and new – to come along and meet the Fun Trail. Parent Council discussions Catriona and discuss the impact we can ñ To work in partnership with the with the Council led to an agreement have on continuing to shape the future of school to create a welcoming that all classrooms would be painted and Broughton Primary School. school which is inclusive for all equipped with new carpets and blinds. parents. The Gym hall was also painted, the foor Sue Hope ñ To promote partnership between sanded and re-marked and new Chairperson – Broughton Primary School the school, its pupils and all its parents.

DAVE CAMPBELL DaviD Your local handyman MunDell Available for most home maintenance and DIY jobs, MP for Dumfriesshire small construction projects, tiling and hedge trimming Clydesdale & 01899 830317/ 07531109530 Tweeddale [email protected] Comstituencies

Six ways to contact David: • write to David at Monro House,Duncan Drive, Moffat, DG2, Moffat, DG10 9JW • telephone on 0800 731 9590 (freephone) • visit one of David’s surgeries – see local press for details • E-mail [email protected] • David’s website at www.davidmundell.com • Tweet at @DavidMundellDCT Upper Tweed Community News 4 b ananas n ews Bananas had a very busy calendar of events leading up to the end of term – the silent auction culminated at our coffee morning at Bananas and we are grateful for all the donations and thank everyone who bid for the varied items. Bananas are very grateful to the hard working fundraising team with their many different ideas involving the community on each occasion and who raised around £2,000 over the last year. As part of preparing our children to move up to school, Bananas joined the school with Health Week activities which included an obstacle race, fruit kebabs, storytime in class and school dinner. Work party at Bananas Dr Jo visited us with her medical bag and held an interactive session learning about body parts and, what fascinates children most – body functions. The children went home covered in plasters on imaginary injuries and Dr Jo was most impressed with our homemade bread and butter for a snack. We have been busy in the garden, moving 2 tonnes of sand to fll our own sand pit and the one we share with the school. The boys were excited to see full rainwater tubs and worked out how to use the gutter sections and blocks of wood to fll the pond. Caterpillars, butterfies, snails, tadpoles and frogs have been discussion topics moving on to bigger beasts for our end of term outing to Dalscone Farm Park. Portraits of the group moving to Broughton Primary School Term ended with a fun and interactive family party, games, stories, singing and an emotional farewell to our confdent and successful Big Bananas who are moving up to school. christine Parker & coriena Douglas http://www.bananasplaygroup.co.uk P Taylor Painter and Decorator all types of Interior and Exterior Decorating Fully Insured

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Upper Tweed Community News 5 nOTIc E b OARD Post Offce in Broughton Village Store

When the Post Offce in the Broughton Garage, run for over 20 years by Ruth Halsall, closed in April many in the community hoped that it could reopen in the Broughton Village Store. The store has a vital role in the Upper Tweed and we were relieved when it was taken over by Mrs. Rani Jolly in 2014. Mrs Jolly expressed interest in adding the Post Offce as another service that the Broughton Village Store could offer the community but having taken legal advice, has been advised that the costs and risks of providing a service with Post Offce Limited on its proposed contractual terms are unacceptable. A Post Offce will, therefore, not be installed in the Broughton Village Store but the store will continue to provide a very wide range of products and services for the community.

Tweeddale Society Lectures. 2016

11th October Policing the borders chief Supdt gill Emery Priorities and challenges – technological and societal 8th november v Italy. Dr John Reid: An early battle on home ground: understanding recent archeological studies 13th December flodden: the Reason, the Result and the consequences Lord Joicey New research 500 years on

Lectures - 7:30 pm at Eastgate Theatre Auditorium, Peebles.Tickets for non-members from box offce - Tel 01721 725777 For information about the Tweeddale Society and events in 2017: Secretary, Mrs Charlotte Hamilton.- Tel01721 73910 [email protected] christmas Shopping bus Trip There will be a unique opportunity this year to go Christmas shopping in without any transport or parking diffculties and hassle. On Saturday 10 December a bus will leave Tweedsmuir (Carlowse Bridge) at 9.40 a.m., Broughton (Shop) at 10 a.m., and Skirling (Green) at 10.10 a.m. The bus will set down at Waterloo Place in Edinburgh about an hour after leaving Skirling. The return bus will leave Edinburgh at 6 p.m. Tickets will be sold through the Broughton Shop from 31st October, or up to 9.45 a.m. on the day of travel if there are any places left. For the return trip each ticket will cost a subsidised £5 (or £15 for a family of 4). If you cannot get to the shop for your ticket, a cheque (made out to Broughton Village Store) and a stamped addressed envelope should be sent to Broughton Village Store, Main Street, Broughton, ML12 6HQ, stating where you wish to board the bus. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. It is hoped that as many people as the bus holds will decide to experience the excitement and joy of the holiday season, with numerous little stalls selling food and gifts, as well as the high street shops. For the more adventurous there will be panoramic views from the Big Wheel, a carousel in East Princes Street Gardens and a 60-metre high Star Flyer. Younger children will be able to visit Santa Land in Princes Street Gardens, and a festive fairground with fun rides and a children’s market full of gifts and toys. They will be able to fnd the elves’ workshop hidden in the Christmas Tree Maze. You may even be able to visit a pantomime - but get your tickets well in advance as they tend to book up early. The trip has been arranged by the Upper Tweed Community Council, with funding from the Clyde (Borders) Community Fund, using a bus hired from Barc. If you have any questions, please telephone 01899-830250

Ladies Lunch club The garland Sugarcraft club. broughton men’s Lunch club The Broughton Ladies Sugarcraft recommences on Wednesday 28th The Men’s Lunch Club meets at the Lunch Club meets on September at 7.30pm in Broughton Village Glenholm Centre on the second and the frst Monday of each Hall. fourth Tuesdays of each month from month throughout the year We are lucky enough to have Robert Whitten October until the end of April. Our frst and new members are demonstrating who is coming all the way lunch of the new season is on Tuesday welcome. Contact either from Berwick on Tweed for the evening, so 11th October. Pat Middlemas 830316 or we’ll hope the weather is reasonable. New members are most welcome. Susie Noble 830386. Also, Robert is a very talented demonstrator with There is no membership fee - you just for existing members, please creative ideas, and he is also extremely pay for your lunch (currently £10) and contact one of the same entertaining. We are hoping for a good any drinks from the bar. You can attend numbers to confrm your turnout of members and their friends. There on whatever dates suit you. attendance at the next lunch. is no need to have experience but just come If you are interested, contact Peter and enjoy the evening watching a real expert Douglas Tel no 830565 or by e-mail at his craft. [email protected] Fiona Hamilton, Secretary Upper Tweed Community News 6 RURAL bROADbAnD In THE UPPER TWEED VALLEY Many of us know the frustration of trying to send a large document by email only for it to time out half way through, or the frustration of trying to watch a TV programme via a live internet stream only for it to buffer or the picture to break up. These are typical indicators that your broadband speed is not fast enough. These problems are no longer acceptable given that we are now living in ‘the online age’, as we are being steered towards carrying out our daily lives on the internet, be it in relation to banking, shopping, business, communication, education and the like. A fast reliable broadband connection is now seen as essential to daily life. So what is the current state of play with Rural Broadband in the Upper Tweed Valley? 1. The UK and the Scottish Governments are undertaking a programme of rolling out fbre optic broadband to the nation. The Scottish Government has pledged that every premise in Scotland will have ‘superfast broadband’ by 2021 (The OFCOM rating for superfast broadband is 30mbps or above). However, due to geographical issues and to non-commercial viability issues, the Governments’ contractor (BT) can only cover 95% of Scottish properties within the scope of the project. The remaining 5% of the nation have to try to discover alternative options for themselves. Although large parts of the Upper Tweed community are being covered under the Government rollout programme several areas are not scheduled to receive superfast broadband. 2. Currently broadband download speeds in Tweedsmuir range from an optimum 6mbps to a paltry 0.5mbps. During peak times and heavy usage periods these speeds decrease dramatically. 3. The broadband project comes under the management of a team known as Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband (DSSB). A sub- sidiary team of DSSB called Community Broadband Scotland (CBS) has been set up to work with the remaining 5% of the nation not included in the project. 4. Community Broadband Scotland has been established to guide and help community groups setup and manage bespoke broadband solutions for their communities. Community broadband projects and their appointed broadband suppliers have to follow a lengthy process to identify broadband issues within their area, establish what technology is suitable and affordable, identify and appoint contractors to carry out the infrastructure work, secure State Aid funding and then deliver, manage and maintain that technology. 5. Due to limited State Aid funding, many CBS projects have to use secondary technologies to deliver superfast broadband to rural communities. These include radio wave, mobile and satellite broadband. Most of these technologies can be affected by climatic conditions, can be inconsistent with internet speeds, can be limited on their download and usage policies, may not be conducive to future upgrades, limit their customers to only one Internet Service provider, are broadband only projects (they do not supply tel- ephone packages as well) and can be expensive to the consumer. 6. The fastest and most reliable technology for delivering superfast broadband is fbre optic technology, using fbre optic cables through underground ducts. Two types of fbre optic technology are commonly used at present. These are Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) and Fibre to the Premise (FTTP). With FTTC, fbre optic cables run from a suitably modifed local telephone exchange to a fbre cabinet strategically situated in the community. This technology is currently being installed in Broughton. From the cabinet the broadband signals are carried along the existing telephone lines to each individual household. This technology delivers fbre optic speeds to many residents, but raises issues for the more geographically dispersed communities such as Tweedsmuir. As FTTC uses traditional copper wire telephone lines for part of its system there is degradation in the signal as it travels along the wires, known as ‘attenuation’ with dramatic fall-off of broadband strength the further the signal has to travel. A FTTC system in Tweedsmuir would see many residents (i.e. those living more than 1km from the cabinet) failing to receive the target 30mbps speeds(see graph). 7. The best for residents in the more dispersed areas to provide reliable, affordable and future-proof superfast broadband is ‘Fibre to the Premise’ technology, where the fbre optic cables miss out the cabinet stage completely and run directly to each premise. The biggest issue is the cost of installing the infrastructure as it requires digging trenches and running ducting and cables long distances. There are already fbre optic ducts and cables running along the A701 through Tweedsmuir as well as into the centre of the village (these supply the mobile telephone mast). They are currently for BT commercial business customers but with the potential to ex- tended to domestic customers as well. bT community fibre Partnership. Tweedsmuir Community Council believes that none of its residents should be discriminated against when it comes to essential broadband technology and it is is currently investigating ways of providing Fibre to the Premise technology for all. One option being explored is a BT Community Fibre Partnership’ which involves co-funding between BT and the community to install fbre technology. Although initial costs may be high for such a project there could be considerable savings longer term (in that, over time, upgrades to meet future technological needs may be avoided). With the rapid development of internet services, data swapping websites and the evolution of digital communication and recreational use, it is essential that any broadband project is sustainable and capable of meeting the needs of today and for generations to come. Rod Sibbald

AccOUnTAnTS AnD TAX ADVISORS TO THE AgRIcULTURAL seCtoR sInCe 1926. • Self assessment tax returns, tax planning and advice • Audit and accountancy services • Secretarial and book-keeping services including payroll • General fnancial consultancy services including business plans Please contact resident partner Leslie W Reid, 25 bloomgate, Lanark, mL11 9ET Telephone: 01555 663251 Fax: 01555 702034 E-mail: [email protected] REGISTERED TO CARRY OUT AUDIT WORK AND REULATED FOR A RANGE OF INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES BY THE Attenuation of broadband signal with distance INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF SCOTLAND. Upper Tweed Community News 7 minister’s Walk What connects a mythical wizard, two Saints, two Covenanters and sixteen very sore feet? Or to put it another way what did sixteen feet connect in early June this year? The answer is the fve Churches of Upper Tweeddale. On that date eight intrepid walkers, with at least one representative from each congregation, set out from Tweedsmuir Kirk to link all of them in one walk. They were joined by several other members and friends for various bits of the way and were provided with excellent and very tasty food at regular intervals. There are those who claim the food to be the best bit of the walk! Sixteen walkers and quite a few dogs left Tweedsmuir, the burial place of Covenanter John Hunter, (incidentally the only The start: walkers gather at Tweedsmuir Kirk Covenanter martyr buried in a Churchyard), to follow the right I originally devised the walk as a way of marking my hand bank of the Tweed down to Hearthstanes where they crossed impending retirement but it never would have taken place had over to the old rail bed before The Crook Inn, recrossing the it not been for the support, input and encouragement of a great Tweed at Patervan and following it down to Drumelzier Place. many other people and it would perhaps be unfair to mention There a long road section was unavoidable but this was made some names and not others. bearable by the superb lunch prepared for us at Drumelzier Hall. After lunch and before continuing on to Stobo a visit was made to Drumelzier Church, dedicated to St Cuthbert who, along with St Kentigern (aka Mungo of Glasgow), frst brought Christianity to ‘the mountains of Tweeddale’. The road was thankfully left just before Dawyck Bridge and the Tweed’s bank again followed until Easter Dawyck when we recrossed the river again to follow the rail bed to Stobo Church. Stobo Kirk is said to be the site where an ancient was converted to Christianity by Kentigern who celebrated Communion with Merlin very shortly before the old wizard died. Whether the tale be myth, legend or historical matters not - what was important on a very hot day was the cool of the ancient porch of the Church The end: walkers at Skirling Kirk The names of those who did the whole 23 miles over the eleven as we prepared ourselves to set out along the Western section of the hours of that Saturday are from left to right on the photo taken John Buchan Way to Broughton. For this section the eight intrepid at Skirling Kirk - Marion Wood, Andrew Campbell, Isobel ‘whole way’ walkers were left by our friends to walk through the Hunter, Rosalind Kerr, Bob Milne, Jane and Marc Gillham hills alone. along with Flossie Campbell. Nettie Maxwell who started Despite the heat the walk was enjoyed. The solitude of this part and fnished the walk with us but had to miss the bit from of the Parishes had its own charm, as always. Eventually the Drumelzier to Broughton completes the line-up. towers of Broughton Place came into view to revive fagging bob milne spirits with the promise of tea in Broughton, which was heartily enjoyed by all walkers and friends who once again joined us. The greenmantle centenary Walk day was starting to cool into evening as we set off along the old Drove Road to Skirling. We called at the ancient Kirk in the cemetery which is dedicated to our second Saint, St Maurice, a Roman soldier who suffered martyrdom rather than lead his troops against fellow Christians. Quite how he became associated with Broughton is a bit of a mystery but was likely through St Llolan’s who had a Church foundation here and had a habit of dedicating Churches to Roman soldier saints. Such ecclesiastical mysteries were far from the minds of the walkers as they set out around the gorse, which covered the steep path away from Broughton. Eventually we arrived at Skirling, one time home of our second Covenanter and fnal link, Peter Gillies, a weaver in the village who at the height of the persecution fed and lived anonymously for several years in Stirlingshire before he was A group of walkers en route to Broughton Brewery captured taken to Mauchline, tried and hanged. I am pleased to say On July 30th over 20 walkers, led by Peter Worthington, our reception in Skirling was much more agreeable and we were Chairman, The John Buchan Story, set out from the Olive treated to a delicious supper before retiring to our various homes Tree Deli, Biggar, to walk to the Broughton Brewery seeking hot baths and soft beds. to quaff the new special ale, the ‘Greenmantle Century The walk is not very arduous, if lengthy, and can be easily Ale’ to commemorate 100 years since the publication of followed either in a one day expedition or in smaller sections, the Greenmantle by John Buchan. Then there were further length of each be to suit yourself. As you walk along enjoying our refreshments at the Laurel Bank Bistro. Thanks to all those beautiful countryside spare a thought for those of bygone years who contributed to such a delightful event. who helped shape and form the communities of this part of the Upper Tweed Community News 8 World. cycling in Upper Tweed Cyclists are discovering the pleasures of All must have been aware of the Tour o’ the borders the Upper Tweed Valley. on August 7 when roads were closed to allow over There was a Ride to the Sun for real 2000 participants to cycle a circuit from Peebles to enthusiasts on June 18-19th. . Some may Tweedsmuir ( B712 and the A701 ) before taking on say mad. the Talla Linn Hillclimb. Tweedsmuir Hall was a vital Over 700 riders set off from Carlisle to refreshments stop. High winds had been forecast but cycle more than 100 miles overnight participants after that seemed ft and cheerful. in time to arrive for dawn at 4.30am at Another development has been a published Scottish Cramond, Edinburgh. It was the closest Coast to Coast Cycle Route from Annan, along the Sunday to the Summer Solstice. Nith, to Dumfries, Moffat, then down the A701 to The route down the A701 included a Broughton, then on to Peebles, a traffc-free railway ‘Bananas’ stop’ at the Crook Inn. A paths section to Innerleithen then completing the trip ‘Bananas Man’ welcomed participitants to Edinburgh via the Moorfoot Hills. to stop for bananas and/or fuid and So watch out for cyclists. There is very good electrolyte replenishment, to an evidence that Cycle Tourism brings considerable accompaniment of music and lights. Bananas man welcoming economic benefts to communities. Cyclists need cyclists at the Crook Inn accommodation, refreshments and, if they are not furiously pedalling, places to visit .and to enjoy.

Feeding station at the Tweedsmuir Village Hall in the Tour The start of the ascent at Talla Linns o’ the Borders

UPPER TWEED cOmmUnITY nEWS welcomes articles and notices of interest to people in Upper Tweed Editor: Duncan Davidson Assistant Editors: Richard Carr, Denise Lintott, Murdo Elder, Lesley Mason Advertising & Sponsorshp: Murdo Elder Treasurer: Brian Bushell The next issue will be published on 1st December 2016. Articles and notices should be submitted November15th 2016 to: Duncan Davidson, Oliver, Tweedsmuir, by Biggar, M12 6QN. Tel 0189 880278 or [email protected] Drummond & Murray Ltd the Laurel Bank in Broughton tea room bistro bar

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FAX: 01683 221621 36 Well Street, Moffat, Upper Tweed Community News 9 Dumfriesshire, DG 10 9DP The Porteous family and Hawkshaw Tweedsmuir Talk It is at Hawkshaw Castle near Tweedsmuir, William Porteous (Pertus), son of John The minister’s wish to walk around his that the Porteous family is frst documented Porteous of Whitslade which is nearby in parishes before he retires was fulflled with its origin and early chronicles in this . on 4th June, starting with bacon rolls wilderness setting. Dr George F. Black in It was later in the 20th century, in about in Tweedsmuir Hall. The weather, Surnames of Scotland, introduces the name 1974, that Barry Porteous from Kingston, scenery, companionship and stops for by saying ‘Porteous. A south country name. Ontario in Canada, a retired businessman refreshments in the various parishes The family of Porteous of Hawkshaw an , company president, a self-taught made this an enjoyable day for all that genealogist and family historian, became old family in Peeblesshire.” were able to join the walk (page 8). interested in researching the history of From the Baronage of Angus and Mearns On 12th June, the Parishes of Upper the Porteous family. He contacted other we read that ‘the Porteouses erected the old Tweed started the Queen’s 90th researchers in different countries. A group Castle of Hawkshaw, which was their chief birthday celebrations in Tweedsmuir was formed, drawn from various Porteous seat for many generations.’ with the ‘Big Brekkie’ – more bacon families (including Crichton Porteous, rolls. A letter from the Queen was read In William Chamber’s History of Robin Porteous and Gordon Porteous of Peeblesshire (1864) we fnd ‘Besides by Sir Hew Strachan. The hall was set , with Ailsa Porteous from New up like a street party and surrounded in 1834 there are the remains Zealand) to collate general Porteous of several border towers, or ancient by red, white and blue bunting. Later information and family trees for inclusion the bunting was moved down to the hunting seats, including those of Fruid and in a book This became The Porteous Story, Hawkshaw. The place last named situated Crook feld for the fun day and BBQ. published in 1985. A volunteer group known The games of rounders proved to be on a burn amidst a wild district on the east as Porteous Associates was constituted side of the infant Tweed, was in early times extremely competitive and several in Canada in 1976 to bring together all older competitors compared aching the property of the family of Porteous, Porteous families and continue the work of members of which frequently come into muscles over the next few days – but researching the family (including the many this did not deter them from taking part notice in old records.’ spelling variants of the name) around the In a letter from Dr James Porteous dated at just as enthusiastically when replayed world. in August. Monzievaird, March 1763, he quotes from In 1985 the directors of Porteous Associates the Statistical Account of the parish of The community council has been elected Barry Porteous as Laird elect in busy preparing for the Whitelaw Tweedsmuir by Rev George Burns, ‘Family tribute to his work of establishing the of Porteous – Hawkshaw, was formerly Brae Wind Farm appeal which started Associates. Ken Porteous of Nunthorpe, on August 23rd in the Tweedsmuir and for upwards of a thousand years, the England is the current laird. residence of the family of Porteous allowed Village Hall, and looking into how A cairn was erected in 1990 by Tam Porteous Tweedsmuir residents may be able to to have been the chief of the name, and of Edinburgh on the site of Hawkshaw, a the armorial bearing of the family has the access superfast broadband. A micro hill now overlooking the Fruid Reservoir, grant request from Fergus Mason for motto, ‘Let the Hawk shaw’. near Tweedsmuir, using stone from the James Walter Buchan, town clerk of Peebles new football goalposts at Broughton original . This was offcially Primary school was agreed, then was commissioned to bring the history of unveiled by Barry Porteous and Mrs the shire up-to-date after the First World provided before the end of term and Moffat, the landowner, in September 1990 have been used by the community War and, with the help of others, produced at a gathering of Porteous families from Volumes I and II of History of Peeblesshire throughout the holidays. More around the world. Subsequent international microgrant funding was agreed for a in 1925, published by Jackson Wylie and gatherings have since been held at the cairn Co of Glasgow. Volume III was published picnic bench, mountaineering training. near this date every fve years, with further The resilient community sandbag store in 1927 with the assistance of Rev Henry annual get-togethers, around the same date, Paton. has arrived at the village hall. of members of Porteous families from the Midsummer madness midnight at Family historians are deeply indebted to UK. these authors for their painstaking research The Crook Inn – a disco was playing, More information can be found at Bananaman dancing with neon lights as it has revealed the earliest record of the Porteous Associates website the Porteous family. There was a William and handing out bananas – not an at http://members.shaw.ca/amms/ illegal rave or a new way of fghting Porteous at Hawkshaw in 1439, and later PorteousAssociates/page-1.htm Adapted the same year reference is made to a midgies – but a refreshment stop for from The Porteous Story – A Scottish the cycle to the sun from Carlisle to Border Family from 1439 AD by Barry Crammond. Porteous, published privately 1985. The Tour o the Borders preparations 2015 International looked like a scene from the M74 Gathering of the Porteous ongoing roadworks – with huge Family (event held every yellow signs warning of closures, 5 years) contrafow lorries working through the day and night , up and down the road Tam Porteous delivering traffc cones to each drive (Edinburgh) in cap & or gateway and pedestrian barriers for tartan trews (beside Rev. junctions. Bob Milne). Abour half (continued on page 11) the attendees seen.

Upper Tweed Community News 10 Tweedsmuir Talk (cont) Highland Show Success in Upper Tweeddale Plenty of warning was given this year – but it still meant a very early start for anyone who had to leave Tweedsmuir before the roads closed at 6.30am .and the cancellation of the 10am Kirk service. On the day, 7th August, the weather was warm and dry but gale force gusts of winds took the breath away from the riders and delayed their expected arrival by about 20 minutes. A couple of riders were blown off their bikes on the assent up Tall Linns. Tweedsmuir hall was transformed into a feed station and toilet stop – the biggest treat of the day – Forsyth’s macaroni pies!

Richard and Helen Wood and family with the Supreme Overall Champion ( a Beltex) at the Royal Highland Show, June 201O .

Richard Wood, from Kingledores, Tweedsmuir, won the Male and Supreme Overall Champion with a Beltex tup, and had the Champion group of Beltex. He also won the Male Texel Champion. Garry Thornborrow won a half share Reserve champion with Blue Faced Leicester - £23,000 Carryhouse. (he is part The ‘Big Brekkie’ at the joint service on the Queens Birthday. owned with Midlock). He also won frst prized tup lamb (which was also reserve champion) with the son of the above bbbaaarrrccc cccoooaaaccchhh hhhiiirrreee going places tup. He secured 3rd with a gimmer and 4th with a ewe lamb. In the shearing Stuart Davidson was 3rd in the senior BARC Coach Hire have a variety of coaches operating throughout shearing, and 5th in the Scottish National. Stuart won at the . Lesmahago, Northumberland County and Balmoral show.

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Autumn Exhibition Opening 9th October 2016 Picture Framing Service Broughton, By Biggar, ML12home 6HQ baking ♦ lunches ♦ bistro meals & bar every evening hillhousegallery.com Tel: 07768 690069 OPEN 7 DAYS ALL YEAR 01899 830462 Upper Tweed Community News 11 The Tough mudder Half Drumelzier Old manse garden The rain kept away on 17th July and over 160 people enjoyed the visit to the garden at the Old Manse in Drumelzier. The Delphiniums were at their best and the herbaceous border was full of colour with the climbing roses just coming out. The plant stall sales were just over £500 and the total proceeds for the day were £1,600 to be divided between various charities including the John Buchan Story in Peebles and Stobo and Drumelzier Churches. Delicious cream teas were provided in the Village Hall by Ann Welsh and a willing band of helpers. Ann Dawson and Phil Hotham were playing the organ and singing in the church. A huge thank you to all the helpers who so willingly lent a hand with th On 26 June, May Fraser, Fiona Park, Sharon Thompson and the plant stall and car parking and who helped make the afternoon Hazel Foss, all from Broughton participated in the Tough so enjoyable for all. Mudder Half at Drumlanrig Castle. Rosalind and Julian birchall The Tough Mudder is a fund raising event for “Help for Heroes”. Events take place throughout the UK, and in Canada, USA, Australia, Indonesia, Germany and Ireland. There is the Full Tough Mudder which involves a 10 to 12 mile course with 20 obstacles and also the Tough Mudder Half which consists of a 5 mile course with 13 obstacles and this is what we did. We went through dark wooded trails, over scenic hill tops and crawled through plenty of thick dark mud. We tackled the ‘Block Ness Monster’, the ‘Mud Mile’, and the ‘Pyramid Scheme’. It is not a race and everyone needs help to complete the course. No-one is left behind, strangers help you and you help them over the obstacles. It was a fantastic experience seeing everyone working together and also great fun. I am trying to convince the Upper Tweed team to do it all again next year. May Fraser See www.toughmudder Very colourful borders at Drumelzier Garden

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31 Elcho Street, Peebles Nicola Hamilton, winner of the Endurance Event in July, riding in the EH45 8LQ 01721 722301 Broughton landscape new website for Upper Tweed www.uppertweed.org The website, www.uppertweed.com, was developed in 1996 by Douglas Gregor. It was excellent for its time but has proved diffcult to update. A new website uppertweed.org has been developed by Mark Davidson as a collaboration between the Upper Tweed Community News and the Tweedsmuir Community Company. It provides the Local Directory of services and organisations with features on the heritage of Upper Tweed from earlier publications in the Community News with content generously provided from the excellent website created by Tony Hope, http://www.ajbhope.net. It is still evolving and suggestions are welcome. Contact [email protected] or Duncan Davidson Tel 01899 880278.

Printed by Lanark Print Company, 116-119 North Vennel, Lanark, ML117PT Upper Tweed Community News 12