What a blast! Despite the storm warnings, a record 140 runners arrived to brave this tough wee course as well as heaps of walkers and doggies. The rain gave way to some hints of sunshine and a rainbow and Piper Alan Lindsay kept spirits up by filling the top Riddell fields with Scottish tunes.

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Sun shone for a fantastic day of music and Selkirk RFC was rocking to the sound of local bands.

The first ever Harris Fest was full of local talent from the Borders with headline act Haiver blowing away the audience with a pounding performance.

The family-friendly festival, inspired by the Harris Trust school initiative SPaRKs, gave the chance for budding youngsters to show off their skills.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW for Harris Fest music festival on Saturday 22nd June at Selkirk RFC!

The event will be headlined by Selkirk's own Billy Kennedy (Frightened Rabbit ) returning to his home town with his new band Haiver.

The Line-up includes Borders favourites Fire In The Middle and 3 Out Of 4 who bring the rock party vibe and Devin Casson Music with her astounding vocal and guitar melodies. Other fantastic acts in the line-up are Erin Highton with Dere Street, Leatherette, Rule of None and the SPaRKs project.

The festival celebrates young local talent.

The 2nd annual SPaRKs showcase was a belter! Students from Selkirk, Earlston, Galashiels and Jedburgh played their hearts out with songs from Bohemian Rhapsody to Nirvana's 'Come As Your Are' to Kate Bush 'Running up That Hill' that they made their own. What a talented bunch!

Supporting the students were SPaRKs tutors Sam Johnston, raising the tempo with 3 out of 4, and Devin Casson with beautiful solos. Billy Kennedy's new band Haiver played out the night with some of their stunning new material.

Thank you again to the Weir Charitable Trust for funding this year's SPaRKs programme.

The 2023 Challenge 'Who Cares Wins' was all about sharing skills, reaching out to others and supporting others to achieve goals.

Selkirk High School took this challenge on big time! and the Tweed, Ettrick and Yarrow houses have used the theme over the 2023/2024 academic year during interhouse activities.

Dave set up the 'Back Road Bakers' workshop in Lilliesleaf to teach neighbours how to make all kinds of bread. We heard of young people sharing skills like horse riding and helping neighbours with gardening. 'Who Cares Wins' was the theme for the Lilliesleaf 10K event in October and some participants managed to train for this with the help of others.

The 2023 Challenge 'Who Cares Wins' was all about sharing skills, reaching out to others and supporting others to achieve goals.

Selkirk High School took this challenge on big time! and the Tweed, Ettrick and Yarrow houses have used the theme over the 2023/2024 academic year during interhouse activities.

Dave set up the 'Back Road Bakers' workshop in Lilliesleaf to teach neighbours how to make all kinds of bread. We heard of young people sharing skills like horse riding and helping neighbours with gardening. 'Who Cares Wins' was the theme for the Lilliesleaf 10K event in October and some participants managed to train for this with the help of others.

Introducing the Harris Trust SAS Challenge for 2023! ‘Who Cares Wins’ Could you help support someone to achieve a goal?

• Do you have skills to share?
• Or do acts of kindness?

Why not take up our SAS (Support Assist Suceed) Challenge this summer?

We want you to show us how you have supported someone to do something new. There are endless possibilities - sport, music, baking, gardening, crafts….

Grab a friend, neighbour or family member and see what you can do We’d love you to get involved and share your photos / stories our Facebook or on Instagram @harristrust

The Finale of the Challenge will be the annual Lilliesleaf 10k Run/Walk on Sunday 15th October.

More info to come...... watch this space

Taking to the @macartsscotland stage were - community swimming pool - 3_outof_4 and Billy from Frightened Rabbit not forgetting the S.P.a.R.K.s project supported by Billy and then Sam from 3_outof_4 fundraising for the Harris Trust.

In Jordi Fox’s short film we can see the positive impact of neurodiversity awareness in schools and the great work Sam Johnston has done in starting up S.P.a.R.K.s Thank you to everyone who made this event possible.

Thank you Elsa Dalziel and friends (including the Music Teachers!) for putting on a fabulous happy evening with many talented performers and a rousing ceilidh.

Very kind of you to fundraise £252 !

Huge congratulations to Jason Bain, who for his 50th birthday chose to undertake a massive sheep shearing challenge. He offered to shear 50 sheep on each farm in the Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys in return for a donation to support the local primary schools and Harris Trust. Jason's eldest boy, Josh, played football and rugby with Harris and Jason was keen to support the work of the Trust.

Farmers from both valleys, the trade and Jason's wide circle of friends got behind him to raise an amazing sum of nearly £8000 from shearing 1122 sheep!

The funds were split 3 ways between Kirkhope and Yarrow Schools and Harris Trust.

Thank you Jason for a TERRIFIC effort.

RUNNERS: This is an off road, hilly run through fields and tracks of the beautiful Riddell Estate with views of the Eildon and Cheviot Hills.

Distance approx. 10.6km with 210m ascent (late changes to the route may be made by the land owner). Runner registration via Eventbrite - Adult £15/ Under 16 £5 + booking fee

Entry on the day £20 Adult/ £7.50 under 16 (cash only) Registration/race numbers at the Lilliesleaf Village Hall from 10am. The run starts on the Leaf Green at 11am. WALKERS - NO NEED FOR REGISTRATION/RACE NUMBER but please make a donation to the Harris Trust. Start time for walkers is 10am from the Leaf Green Toilets/post race refreshments in the Village Hall. Dogs welcome on the course but MUST be on lead. Prize giving with medals created by local glass artist Inge Panneels.

Thanks to David Nichol and the Selkirk7s committee for generously offering to dedicate their 7s tournament to the Harris Trust. What a fabulous day with some great rugby - only downside was Selkirk losing to the Jedburgh team in the final (well done Jed!) It was a great opportunity to share the work and aspirations of the Trust and we appreciate the £670 donation!

Thanks to Grant kinghorn for photos.