60 YEARS AGO
Friday, July 16, 1948

'FOREIGN LANGUAGE': When the Sydney Callants' Club sent to the Sydney Post Office a congratulatory telegram to the Hawick Cornet this year, the postal authorities would not accept it as it was written – "Safe oot and safe in." They considered that "oot" was a foreign language and was not allowed. Tom Anderson, who was commissioned to send the telegram, stood on his dignity, and would not have the word telegraphed as "out", and eventually got over the difficulty by paying for "oot" as three words. The telegram then read – "Safe O.O.T, safe in!"
EXTRA TRAINS: On Saturday, July 24, the following traditional trains will be run from Hawick for the Trades Holidays: 8.30am to Newcastle and Whitley Bay; 11.25am to Carlisle. An effort will also be made to relieve any congestion of traffic at the time.

40 YEARS AGO
Friday, July 12, 1968

ROYAL GUNDOGS: Two of the Queen's gundogs, Sandringham Slipper and Sandringham Flora, under their trainer Mr W. Meldrum, will compete in the field trials at tomorrow's annual Border Game Fair at the Moor and Williestruther. Hawick Chamber of Trade, the organisers, have gone out of their way in staging a comprehensive range of attractions.
RUNAWAY SENT HOME: A youth who was found in a distressed condition by police at Trowmill on the Hawick-Denholm road on Sunday afternoon, had run away from home in Peterborough, Northants, on his motorcycle. He had reached Hawick when he was overcome with exhaustion and hunger. He was taken home on Monday morning.
QUALIFIED: Mrs Carol Simpson (Dip. Com.), 2 Drumlanrig Square, daughter of Mr and Mrs W. Murdoch, 4 North Myrescroft, Ancrum, has completed a teacher's training course at Moray House, Edinburgh. Last year she graduated from Heriot-Watt University.

20 YEARS AGO
Friday, July 15, 1988

BUMPER BIRTHDAY CARD: On the occasion of her 60th birthday, Lady Polwarth, chairman of the local Guides Association, received an unusual birthday card from Hawick Guides and Brownies at the annual general meeting of the Association.
Said Lady Polwarth: "Birthday card is hardly the right description. It was 12 feet long and contained 301 signatures. I almost believe it might qualify for the Guinness Book of Records. I want to thank all concerned for welcoming me so warmly as a newcomer to the senior citizens' club.
BURNS CLUB GOLF: At the annual Burns Club golf outing to the Hirsel, the honours went to the 'Kagool Twins', Dan 'Yer Man' Grieve, who had a net 62, and Ian 'Goon' Wilson, who won first prize in the non-golfers' section, which caused some controversy as it was his tenth year at golf outings.