Alert bloggees will notice that there is now a comment facility on the links. Do use it for anything to be got of chests or bosoms. Interestingly, since returning from OZ and focusing once more on things Merse the number of daily 'hits' has trebled. So some of the local readership is back. Welcome.
A charming aspect of the last community council meeting was the unexpected presence of a number of youngsters-mostly of primary school age.They had prepared a presentation about the need for a youth club in the area, ideally in Paxton village hall. They made a very good impression and have now put their case to the Paxton VH committee where they received a sympathetic hearing. One was asked why they felt the need for such an organisation-he replied that his father was anxious to keep him off the streets! This from a wee slip of a lad aged about 9!
There are not many youngsters in our community-the school roll is down to about 17 and falling (Hence the threat of closure)And there is very little for them to do apart from kicking a football down the main street in Paxton and along the only one in Hutton. Playgrounds are ok for the very small ones but there is a need for more facilities such as a skateboard 'pipe' and sports areas. The Paxton Village Hall will be a good place for table tennis, pool (small size table), badminton, internet connections with its computer room. So best of luck to this initiative
I was hoping to divert you with the latest justice dispensed by the Sheriff of Duns. But the Berwickshire is silent on the courts. Holidays? Duns has just had its Festival featuring the Reiver's Lass and the Wynsome Maid. Why these rogues and mercenary bandits of those dark bloody days in the dreaded Merse need so much celebration is beyond me. Its a bit like the Aussies admiration for the Kelly Gang and the, nearer to home, revisionist glamourising of Robin Hood and Dick Turpin. At least they were more or less mythical figures-but the Reivers were real enough and the scourge of the Borders-'English' or 'Scottish' as the mood or loot too them. Lasses in their era did not remain Wynsome for long.
Bring back the stocks I say. Witches to the stake and ducking stools for the scolds. Where are those old Tudor values we miss so much?
