SIR, - May I, through your column, express my sincere and heartfelt thanks to all those who helped in any way to make our festival week the great success it was.
Our Reiver, Richard, along with his Lass Ruth and attendants Billy and Morag, carried out all their duties very well indeed as did our Wynsome Mayde, April Lea, and her maydes, Catherine, Rona, Kelsey and Ailie.
Spirits were high, the weather did not spoil the enthusiasm or deter the townspeople, who turned out to support our principals.
Numerous people have been involved in other organisation of our Reiver’s Week and many go unnoticed. To all and anyone who helped in any way - well done. A great was had by all.
Thank you.
RONALD DRUMMOND,
Chairman, Duns Summer Festival.
SIR, - I would like to take this opportunity to say what an enjoyable festival week it was in Duns.
Well done to the Reiver and Wynsome Mayde’s parties.
Thank you to the members of the Duns Ex- Reivers and the Summer Festival Committee for their support throughout the week.
It was pleasing to see the increased number of beds taking part in the Bed Race, which was again sponsored by Shirley Gill from the Barniken Hotel. Thank you to Shirley and the publicans of the town, who kindly supplied the competitors with much needed beverages during the race and most of all a sincere thank you to all those who took part.
A special thank you, to all of those people who generously found the time to decorate the town, and helped marshal the torchlight procession.
Finally, a special mention to the White Swan Hotel who kindly provided the Riders Lunch after the Saturday Ride Out, John Thorburn and Son, D.G. and C. Lucas, the Lothian and Borders Police, Scottish Borders Council, Redpath Tyres, Andrew Hodge and Ross Poole (Lawnmower Centre) whose support was as always very much appreciated.
STUART RENTON,
Chairman
Duns Ex-Reivers Association.
SIR, - We would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thanks to the members of Duns Pipe Band during Reiver’s Week this year.
A huge thank you also has to go to the parents, families and helpers that make sure we have a strong turnout time after time and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Without this support the town wouldn’t have a band.
We would also like to say thanks to our committee, Ian Lothian, Mary Warren and Tina Robertson for their continual efforts to keep us organised and funded and thanks also to Nella Feeney and her team and the Gavinton Village Hall Committee for looking after us all so well during the week.
Last but not least, and on behalf of all members in the band, thanks to all of you who come and watch us play regardless of the weather.
COLIN TURNER and ANDREW AINSLIE,
Duns Pipe Band.
SIR, - Regarding your Reston Station article in the July 15 edition. While it is true that Reston Station is a much-needed facility and has the potential to become a rail hub, with things as they currently stand such a station will be of little benefit to anyone from outwith Reston who does not drive.
There is at present no bus service linking Reston with Chirnside and there are no late afternoon journeys to Duns, while the number 253 service (Berwick-Reston-Edinburgh) operates only once every two hours.
The situation on a Sunday is even worse, with no bus services serving Reston apart from one journey every four hours on route 253.
If the station does indeed come to fruition, the would-be visitors to whom Rhona Goldie refers will find that after getting off a train in Reston they may not be able to easily proceed any further unless this situation significantly improves.
ROBERT CROSBIE,
92 Gala Park,
Galashiels.
SIR, - I read with interest Leslie Foryth’s letter (Berwickshire News, July 15), however, I cannot agree with his view that my letter (Berwickshire News, July 1) was uncharitable.
Single mothers, illegal immigrants and drug users are now a fact of life and are an increasing drain on the country’s resources. Anything to bring numbers down should be done.
He says that an “established demographic trend” means there will soon be more older people than young. Let’s hope that there will not be too many power cuts next winter or that could displace his theory.
JEAN CUNNINGHAM,
Kingston Cottage,
Birgham.
