ALL too often we are prepared to criticise our NHS but rarely to we praise them.
I just thought I would take this opportunity to say what a good service we get here in Berwickshire from NHS Borders. They are indeed impressive in terms of their waiting lists performance - they are well within Government guidelines and were described as "extremely impressive" in their recent annual review.
On a personal note, any dealings I have had with NHS Borders of late have left me full of praise for them so well done and keep up the good work.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Extreme lengths
WANNABE home-owners are going to extreme lengths to raise money to buy their first home according to new research.
The survey found that 24 per cent of all Scots admitted to gambling in an attempt to fund a house deposit, compared to just 16 per cent across the whole of England and Wales.
One in four people who are considering purchasing their first property say they would undergo clinical trials to save money – equivalent to over a million people across the UK. Meanwhile an astonishing seven per cent of people in the UK who are looking to buy their first home say they would consider selling a major organ – equivalent to the population of Iceland (300,000)!
The survey found that 24 per cent of all Scots admitted to gambling in an attempt to fund a house deposit, compared to just 16 per cent across the whole of England and Wales.
One in four people who are considering purchasing their first property say they would undergo clinical trials to save money – equivalent to over a million people across the UK. Meanwhile an astonishing seven per cent of people in the UK who are looking to buy their first home say they would consider selling a major organ – equivalent to the population of Iceland (300,000)!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Should Burley stay or go?
DEFEAT by the Netherlands at Hampden on Wednesday night was the final blow to Scotland's World Cup 2010 campaign.
George Burley's team finished third in Group Nine behind the Netherlands and Norway and so failed to stay in the running for a play-off place.
In modern football, the manager is generally where the buck stops and Burley is due to meet with his Scottish Football Association bosses next week to discuss the way forward for the national team.
Since taking over in January 2008, Burley has won three games from a possible 12, although there have been shoots of recovery in the final group matches against Macedonia and the Netherlands.
I pose the question - should Burley stay or go? Let us know you views.
George Burley's team finished third in Group Nine behind the Netherlands and Norway and so failed to stay in the running for a play-off place.
In modern football, the manager is generally where the buck stops and Burley is due to meet with his Scottish Football Association bosses next week to discuss the way forward for the national team.
Since taking over in January 2008, Burley has won three games from a possible 12, although there have been shoots of recovery in the final group matches against Macedonia and the Netherlands.
I pose the question - should Burley stay or go? Let us know you views.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wuff justice!
LOVE thy neighbour – unless they own a pet.
New research shows that a fifth of people have fallen out with their neighbours following an argument about their cat or dog.
This means that 4.3million UK households find their neighbour’s pets a constant source of annoyance.
The poll of 3,000 homeowners, conducted by Esure, reveals 37 per cent of Brits have been kept awake at night due to the loud barking of the neighbour’s dog.
Sixteen per cent have complained to the neighbours about the noise of the dog, and seven per cent have been so aggravated they phoned the RSPCA or police.
The nation’s pooches are also responsible for scaring 12 per cent of children, who are terrified to walk out of their front door in case they come face to face with next door’s dog.
As a result, six per cent of homeowners claim to have reported the offending pet to the police after fearing for their family’s safety.
And 11 per cent of dogs have been blamed for chewing up plants, toys and garden possessions.
But dogs aren’t the only offending pets, as neighbouring cats also cause problems for homeowners.
A third of people have returned home to find next-door’s cat sleeping happily in their house, after getting in through their cat flap or open window.
Cats are also guilty of digging up nine per cent of the nation’s gardens, simply to go to the toilet.
TOP 10 PET ANNOYANCES
1. Barking dogs
2. Cats or dogs fowling in the garden
3. Cats or dogs howling in the night
4. Aggressive dogs
5. Cats fighting
6. Bad smell of dirty pets
7. Whining cats
8. Cats bringing dead animals into the house or garden
9. Trespassing cats and dogs
10. Damage to property
New research shows that a fifth of people have fallen out with their neighbours following an argument about their cat or dog.
This means that 4.3million UK households find their neighbour’s pets a constant source of annoyance.
The poll of 3,000 homeowners, conducted by Esure, reveals 37 per cent of Brits have been kept awake at night due to the loud barking of the neighbour’s dog.
Sixteen per cent have complained to the neighbours about the noise of the dog, and seven per cent have been so aggravated they phoned the RSPCA or police.
The nation’s pooches are also responsible for scaring 12 per cent of children, who are terrified to walk out of their front door in case they come face to face with next door’s dog.
As a result, six per cent of homeowners claim to have reported the offending pet to the police after fearing for their family’s safety.
And 11 per cent of dogs have been blamed for chewing up plants, toys and garden possessions.
But dogs aren’t the only offending pets, as neighbouring cats also cause problems for homeowners.
A third of people have returned home to find next-door’s cat sleeping happily in their house, after getting in through their cat flap or open window.
Cats are also guilty of digging up nine per cent of the nation’s gardens, simply to go to the toilet.
TOP 10 PET ANNOYANCES
1. Barking dogs
2. Cats or dogs fowling in the garden
3. Cats or dogs howling in the night
4. Aggressive dogs
5. Cats fighting
6. Bad smell of dirty pets
7. Whining cats
8. Cats bringing dead animals into the house or garden
9. Trespassing cats and dogs
10. Damage to property
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Sports pitches for Duns
AT long last it seems that Duns is to have rugby and football pitches in the town.
The latest amendments to the Local Plan reveal that both Duns Rugby Club and Duns Amateur Football Club are to get pitches at the old Berwickshire High School. Currenly Duns RFC have to play outwith the town at The Hardens while the football club play two miles away at Gavinton.
This can only be good news for both clubs and hopefully they will go from strength to strength an attract more supporters to their weekend matches.
The latest amendments to the Local Plan reveal that both Duns Rugby Club and Duns Amateur Football Club are to get pitches at the old Berwickshire High School. Currenly Duns RFC have to play outwith the town at The Hardens while the football club play two miles away at Gavinton.
This can only be good news for both clubs and hopefully they will go from strength to strength an attract more supporters to their weekend matches.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Top Ten Tips for Staying Free of Flu
CASES of swine flu in the Borders are increasing and the reality is that it will be coming to an office, school or home near you.
However, as with any flu, there are some very sensible steps you can take to make sure that you don’t get ill in the first place – or if you do, you don’t get hit too badly.
1. Stay healthy – Eat well, sleep well and stay hydrated. Avoid excessive stress, maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise.
2. Boost your immune system – Take supplements that are proven immune boosters. Don’t wait to get ill, protect yourself with Immulina – the latest and most powerful natural immune booster on the market with respect to macrophage activation.
3. Cleanliness is next to Godliness - Maintain cleanliness, carry disinfectant for your hands and remember not to touch your face.
4. A clean environment is as good as a clean person - The H1N1 virus can be passed from person to person by coughing or sneezing but it can also be passed by touching and an object, such as a door handle, which has the virus on it. Clean hard surfaces frequently using a normal cleaning product.
5. Avoid people who are infected - This does not mean you need to get out the gas mask every time somebody sneezes but if somebody you know is infected you can help them without getting yourself ill.
6. Settle down while the virus is at its peak - Avoid excessive exposure to clubs and bars and other places where drinking and/or smoking weaken your immune system and expose you to greater risk of infection.
7. Plan ahead - Stay away from public transport as much as possible and avoid unnecessary travel, especially during rush hours!
8. Keep your office and home well ventilated – This will minimise exposure to airborne viruses that may be coming from workmates/family.
9. Tell them not to be a hero - Persuade ill colleagues to stay at home if they suspect they are infected as coming in could see the whole office out of action.
10. Put social graces aside - Do the dainty ‘air kiss’ greeting instead and make sure you have antibacterial gel nearby if you need to shake hands
However, as with any flu, there are some very sensible steps you can take to make sure that you don’t get ill in the first place – or if you do, you don’t get hit too badly.
1. Stay healthy – Eat well, sleep well and stay hydrated. Avoid excessive stress, maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise.
2. Boost your immune system – Take supplements that are proven immune boosters. Don’t wait to get ill, protect yourself with Immulina – the latest and most powerful natural immune booster on the market with respect to macrophage activation.
3. Cleanliness is next to Godliness - Maintain cleanliness, carry disinfectant for your hands and remember not to touch your face.
4. A clean environment is as good as a clean person - The H1N1 virus can be passed from person to person by coughing or sneezing but it can also be passed by touching and an object, such as a door handle, which has the virus on it. Clean hard surfaces frequently using a normal cleaning product.
5. Avoid people who are infected - This does not mean you need to get out the gas mask every time somebody sneezes but if somebody you know is infected you can help them without getting yourself ill.
6. Settle down while the virus is at its peak - Avoid excessive exposure to clubs and bars and other places where drinking and/or smoking weaken your immune system and expose you to greater risk of infection.
7. Plan ahead - Stay away from public transport as much as possible and avoid unnecessary travel, especially during rush hours!
8. Keep your office and home well ventilated – This will minimise exposure to airborne viruses that may be coming from workmates/family.
9. Tell them not to be a hero - Persuade ill colleagues to stay at home if they suspect they are infected as coming in could see the whole office out of action.
10. Put social graces aside - Do the dainty ‘air kiss’ greeting instead and make sure you have antibacterial gel nearby if you need to shake hands
Hollywood comes to Duns!
I'VE always championed Berwickshire as one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland with some wonderful scenery and attractions so it is great to see Manderston, near Duns, being used as the setting for another new film.
I am sure Richard E. Grant and Sarah Brightman will agree that Manderston is a superb location for a film and hopefully they get to see more of our pictureque countryside.
The filming of 'Cosi' can only benefit the local economy. With over 90 cast and crew staying in the area for the duration of the film shoot local businesses will certainly enjoy the spin-offs.
I am sure Richard E. Grant and Sarah Brightman will agree that Manderston is a superb location for a film and hopefully they get to see more of our pictureque countryside.
The filming of 'Cosi' can only benefit the local economy. With over 90 cast and crew staying in the area for the duration of the film shoot local businesses will certainly enjoy the spin-offs.
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