PROOF this week, if it were needed, that faced with adversity people rise to the challenge - and succeed.
Proof also that community spirit is alive and well in Berwickshire and the Borders, whether it is helping to keep elderly neighbours fed and warm; collecting prescriptions for those unable to get out or banding together to clear roads where the gritters feared to venture.
The big freeze has brought out the best in some of the good hearted people around the district and Scottish Borders workermn, NHS Borders staff and many nothjers have gone beyond the call of duty. Well done to all of you.
Unfortunately, one victim of the weather was the Berwickshire News!
For the first time in living memory, the paper - along with a number of others including our sister titles the Berwickshire Advertiser and Southern Reporter - printed at Sunderland did not hit the shelves last Thursday.
The vans bringing the papers north were stopped south of Berwick in the early hours of last Thursday morning and a combination of roads closed due to snow and vehicles being stuck meant the distribution company which delivers the titles was unable to get them here.
Apologies to all readers - we hope that picking up the paper a day later did not spoil your enjoyment.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Don't be a grumpy shopper!
The shops are getting busier and everyone is rushing around preparing for Christmas.
The run up to Christmas can be exciting, but, unfortunately, it can also be a time when shoppers get aggressive towards shopworkers. When items are out of stock or the queues are long, people are often stressed and have a very short fuse.
Nearly a third of shopworkers have been verbally abused in the past month. This is clearly not acceptable. They are under a lot of pressure, often working long hours, and are just trying to do their job.
Think again before becoming aggressive, keep your cool and give shopworkers the respect they deserve this Christmas.
The run up to Christmas can be exciting, but, unfortunately, it can also be a time when shoppers get aggressive towards shopworkers. When items are out of stock or the queues are long, people are often stressed and have a very short fuse.
Nearly a third of shopworkers have been verbally abused in the past month. This is clearly not acceptable. They are under a lot of pressure, often working long hours, and are just trying to do their job.
Think again before becoming aggressive, keep your cool and give shopworkers the respect they deserve this Christmas.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
What's your favourite Christmas song?
WHENin comes to Christmas we’re just a load of old softies!
It’s official the nation’s favourite Christmas song is …Driving Home for Christmas.
In a recent poll carried out by One4all gift cards the Chris Rea classic topped the charts with 33% of the votes, closely followed by Do They Know It’s Christmas by Band Aid (26%) and Wham’s Last Christmas (23%).
It seems that at Christmas we soften up a bit and go for a mellow feel to life, and that’s not just in music.
The title of favourite Christmas movie is pretty evenly spread between Home Alone (27%) Love Actually (24%) and It’s A Wonderful Life (23%).
But there was one clear winning in the Christmas Carol category, with 43% of the votes, Silent Night.
It’s official the nation’s favourite Christmas song is …Driving Home for Christmas.
In a recent poll carried out by One4all gift cards the Chris Rea classic topped the charts with 33% of the votes, closely followed by Do They Know It’s Christmas by Band Aid (26%) and Wham’s Last Christmas (23%).
It seems that at Christmas we soften up a bit and go for a mellow feel to life, and that’s not just in music.
The title of favourite Christmas movie is pretty evenly spread between Home Alone (27%) Love Actually (24%) and It’s A Wonderful Life (23%).
But there was one clear winning in the Christmas Carol category, with 43% of the votes, Silent Night.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
New Forth Road Bridge
RESULTS from a YouGov poll released last week indicate that just 34% of Scots support SNP plans for a new road bridge over the Forth, while 57% believe the existing Forth Road Bridge should be repaired.
According to the Scottish Government, the new bridge is currently expected to cost up to £2,300 million. The Forth Estuary Transport Authority estimates that repairing the existing bridge would cost just £122 million.
Later this month the Scottish Government is expected to publish legislation which would authorise the new bridge if approved.
According to the Scottish Government, the new bridge is currently expected to cost up to £2,300 million. The Forth Estuary Transport Authority estimates that repairing the existing bridge would cost just £122 million.
Later this month the Scottish Government is expected to publish legislation which would authorise the new bridge if approved.
Bagpipes run out of puff
SCOTSCARE, the London based Scottish charity has announced the shortlist for Scotland’s Greatest Contribution to the World with the winner to be announced to mark St Andrew’s Day.
The charity has previously conducted St Andrew’s Day searches for Scotland’s favourite Comedy Moment and Scotland’s Favourite Song.
Currently out in the lead is Penicillin which was discovered by scientist and Nobel laureate Alexander Flemming, in 1928. This is perhaps unsurprisingly followed closely by our national drink, whisky.
Others to make the short list of eight include Television, Rab C Nesbitt, Golf, and the Scotland’s favourite Irn Bru.
The most surprising contributions not to make the shortlist are surely bagpipes and the telephone which received no votes at all. Nessie, Robert Louis Stevenson and even the deep fried Mars Bar were also unfortunate not to make the final eight.
Votes can be placed on ScotsCare’s website, www.scotscrae.com.______________________________________________________________________
The charity has previously conducted St Andrew’s Day searches for Scotland’s favourite Comedy Moment and Scotland’s Favourite Song.
Currently out in the lead is Penicillin which was discovered by scientist and Nobel laureate Alexander Flemming, in 1928. This is perhaps unsurprisingly followed closely by our national drink, whisky.
Others to make the short list of eight include Television, Rab C Nesbitt, Golf, and the Scotland’s favourite Irn Bru.
The most surprising contributions not to make the shortlist are surely bagpipes and the telephone which received no votes at all. Nessie, Robert Louis Stevenson and even the deep fried Mars Bar were also unfortunate not to make the final eight.
Votes can be placed on ScotsCare’s website, www.scotscrae.com.______________________________________________________________________
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Swine flu - listen to the experts
THIS week saw the start of the swine flu vaccination programme in the Borders.
It came just two days ahead of the funeral of the young local teenage mum-to-be who died in the Borders General Hospital as a result of the virus.
While experts say that the majority of those unfortunate enough to contract swine flu will experience only mild symptoms and make a quick recovery, the illness can cause serious problems for those with underlying existing health issues.
Although there have been some concerns raised over the new vaccine, experts insist it is safe and NHS Borders is right to urge all those in the health priority groups, including pregnant women, to take up the offer of the jab when it comes.
So far just over 100 people with swine flu have died in the UK (two in the Borders) out of about 500,000 who have been infected. But we are now coming into traditional peak flu season and it is vital that people not only observe strict hygiene procedures but take up the vaccination offer promptly.
It is also important that nurses and other medical staff set an example by getting vaccinated. In the fight against the pandemic, they are the frontline of our defence and over the next few months they have to try to remain fit and healthy to help care for and protect the rest of us.
As well as taking up the vaccination offers, we need to do what we can to try to avoid adding to the workload of medical staff who will be even more hard-pressed if the pandemic takes off.
So please exercise common sense when it comes to basic hygiene measures and listen to advice issued by NHS Borders.
It came just two days ahead of the funeral of the young local teenage mum-to-be who died in the Borders General Hospital as a result of the virus.
While experts say that the majority of those unfortunate enough to contract swine flu will experience only mild symptoms and make a quick recovery, the illness can cause serious problems for those with underlying existing health issues.
Although there have been some concerns raised over the new vaccine, experts insist it is safe and NHS Borders is right to urge all those in the health priority groups, including pregnant women, to take up the offer of the jab when it comes.
So far just over 100 people with swine flu have died in the UK (two in the Borders) out of about 500,000 who have been infected. But we are now coming into traditional peak flu season and it is vital that people not only observe strict hygiene procedures but take up the vaccination offer promptly.
It is also important that nurses and other medical staff set an example by getting vaccinated. In the fight against the pandemic, they are the frontline of our defence and over the next few months they have to try to remain fit and healthy to help care for and protect the rest of us.
As well as taking up the vaccination offers, we need to do what we can to try to avoid adding to the workload of medical staff who will be even more hard-pressed if the pandemic takes off.
So please exercise common sense when it comes to basic hygiene measures and listen to advice issued by NHS Borders.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Mirror, mascara, manoeuvre
ALMOST one fifth of women admit they have put on make up whilst driving, putting themselves and other road users at risk, a new poll has revealed.
Women’s car insurance specialist, Diamond quizzed more than 4,000 women on their driving habits and discovered surprisingly high numbers of them take unnecessary risks by applying their make up behind the wheel.
18% of the women questioned said they had have applied make up while driving, while more than 3% said they had also crashed their car as a result of it.
Diamond managing director, Sian Lewis said, “It’s worrying that quite so many women admit to this. With more than 15 million women drivers in the UK*, this could be as many as 2.7 million women regularly applying their make up whilst driving on UK roads.
“We all have busy lives but applying your make up when you’re driving means your full attention is not on the road ahead. Is your mascara more important than yours and other road users’ safety? Even if you’re lucky enough to arrive at your destination safely, you could be charged with careless driving if spotted by the police.”
Women’s car insurance specialist, Diamond quizzed more than 4,000 women on their driving habits and discovered surprisingly high numbers of them take unnecessary risks by applying their make up behind the wheel.
18% of the women questioned said they had have applied make up while driving, while more than 3% said they had also crashed their car as a result of it.
Diamond managing director, Sian Lewis said, “It’s worrying that quite so many women admit to this. With more than 15 million women drivers in the UK*, this could be as many as 2.7 million women regularly applying their make up whilst driving on UK roads.
“We all have busy lives but applying your make up when you’re driving means your full attention is not on the road ahead. Is your mascara more important than yours and other road users’ safety? Even if you’re lucky enough to arrive at your destination safely, you could be charged with careless driving if spotted by the police.”
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