Education in the Borders is failing those in greatest need. Audit Scotland tells us that the gap in achievement between children from different economic backgrounds here is the widest in Scotland, is growing wider and that the achievement of our young people from the poorest homes is among the worst in Scotland. At the same time, Borders General has the worst waiting time figures in Scotland, with less than 75 per cent of A&E patients being seen in 4 hours or less. In the last year, the Borders has consistently been below the Scottish average and has never reached the Scottish Government’s target figure of 95 per cent.
A MAJOR Borders road is set to close next month for essential resurfacing works. The A7 in Selkirk will shut both ways between 7.30pm to 6am each night from Monday, May 10 until Friday, May 14 (reopening on Saturday). The closure, on Hillside Terrace between Selkirk High School and Tower Street, will see on-street parking suspended at all times between the above dates. Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland’s south east network manager, said: “These surfacing improvements will help to address the defects on this section of the A7 and will greatly improve the experience for motorists.
READ MORE: “It is essential that we close the road during these works to ensure the safety of road workers and motorists, however we’ve arranged for the project to take place overnight to minimise the impact.
FOLLOWING a lifetime in the painting and decorating business, it would be fair to say that Graham Scott brought colour into the lives of everyone he knew. A Souter born and bred, Mr Scott died peacefully at his Hillside Terrace home on Sunday, January 10. He was 87. Graham Scott was born in Selkirk’s Kilncroft on April 12, 1933, to Robert Scott and his wife Jean (whose family name was also Scott). The couple had four other children – Bert, Tom, Margaret and Betty. Educated at Knowepark Primary and Selkirk High School, Graham left school at the age of 14 to begin an apprenticeship with Towns the painters, whose proprietor at that time was Bill Morrison.
RUGBY refereeing has lost one of its leading lights, following the death of Selkirk’s Billy Bryson, who died in the Borders General Hospital on Saturday, January 9, at the age of 84. A life-long interest in rugby union saw Billy quickly rise up through the refereeing ranks, becoming one of the Borders’ most senior whistlers. After injury curtailed his career on the pitch, he switched his energies to supporting referees in an administrative role. A founder member of the Border Rugby Referees Society in 1962, Mr Bryson was widely respected in rugby circles throughout the country. Always willing to lend a hand