JULY

Townsfolk are stunned to hear that Pringle is planning to end its 187-year history in Hawick. It is revealed that owners, the Fang brothers, plan to cease the manufacturing of Hawick's famous brand in the town, resulting in the loss of 80 jobs.

Scotland's finance minister John Swinney makes a special visit to Hawick to hold talks with Pringle bosses. The government chief takes a detour from a previous engagement in Kelso to attend a private meeting at Glebe Mill. And in a later meeting in the town hall chambers with local councillors and MSPs, he pledges support for Hawick and to return later in the year.

The fifth 'A'm A Weel-Kent Face' contest is launched with 10 new contenders in Gerry, Hoggy, Janice, Lesley, Nicola, Pearl, Pike, Pop, Scott and Shonagh.

More than 200 people attend a farewell dinner to mark the retiral of Trinity Church and Cavers and Kirkton minister Lindsay Thomson, in honour of his 37 years' service.

The Callants Club remembers more than 50 Hawick soldiers who died during the battle of Gallipoli with wreath-laying ceremonies at both The Horse and the war memorial.

The newly-formed Hawick Flood Group is given a baptism of fire when high river levels force members into action for the first time. The town was spared, but before the water began to recede, the River Teviot burst its banks at Lower Mansfield Road and flooded Albert Park.

An excellent turnout of members attends Hawick Rugby Club's annual general meeting, at which outgoing president Terence Froud handed over the reins to Donald McLeod.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, twin brothers Robert and Ryan Moore, 18, Borthwick Mains Farm; Lee Johnstone, 17, Ramsay Road; and Stephen Douglas, 17, The Wynd, Denholm; were sentenced to 240 hours' community service after punching and stamping on Evan Kozlov, 20, in North Bridge Street.

AUGUST

The former owner of Beanscene reveals that the Heart of Hawick outlet is one of the main reasons he is taking steps to save the business after it was announced that Scotland's leading coffee and music house chain had been placed in administration.

A consultant engineer warned council officials that a section of the dilapidated Wilton Mills in Commercial Road is dangerous and on the brink of collapse.

Hawick folk rockers Scocha proved a huge hit when they performed in Maxville, Canada, during the Glengarry Highland Games, the biggest event of its kind in North America.

The hugely successful 2008 National Road Race Championships arrived in Hawick, sending a host of cyclists racing between Denholm and the town, as well as a Criterium Series, which saw elite riders speeding up the Howegate, round Drumlanrig Square and Slitrig Crescent.

Hawick ominously started their pre-season campaign with a 17-14 defeat to German outfit SC1880 Frankfurt.

The town is saddened by the death of ex-Cornet Donald Lunn, who passed away peacefully at Borders General Hospital, aged 77.

Hawick Summer Festival's annual pram race was won by local trader Sandi Spence and her 101 Dalmations squad. They raced around the route in only 24 minutes and 40 seconds, defeating six other teams to claim the trophy.

The world's largest caravanning club expresses an interest in developing a multi-million pound site in Hawick having been inspired by Wilton Lodge Park.

The revamped Hawick Summer Festival enjoyed a successful launch and was officially opened at The Horse where Cornet Ben Graham and his Lass Megan Gracie were joined by Flower Princess Charmain Bremner and her attendants Fiona Grieve-McKean and Melissa Mullen.

Nicola Borthwick claims the fifth 'A'm A Weel-Kent Face' title, pipping Lesley Kerr and John Hogg to lift the trophy.
Keith Hedley is appointed Hawick captain.

SEPTEMBER

Heavy rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of more than 50 fund-raisers who took part in the third annual Iain Watson Memorial Walk, raising almost £9,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Organisers of the Steve Hislop memorial run are honoured by the huge level of support as more than 350 bikers began the sixth annual ride from both the east and west of Scotland, before being joined by a further 200 riders as they approached Hawick.

Newcastleton's Libby Clegg claims silver at the Paralympics in Beijing, while Bonchester grandmother Kate Murray unfortunately missed out on the medals.

Striking council workers vow to continue their fight for a fair wage after a second day of industrial action.

Young skaters and BMX riders turn out in force at a public meeting to save the town's skateboard park, after vandals damaged the Waverley Walk ramps near Teviotdale Leisure Centre.

Peter Scott and Co celebrated 130 years as an integral part of the town's knitwear industry, which saw employees, past and present, attend a celebratory bash and fashion show at the Weensland Function Suite.

Beanscene is bought by Glasgow-based restaurant and boutique firm Fifi and Ally.

Hawick scored an excellent 42-15 win over local rivals Selkirk, while Hawick Royal Albert are dumped out of the Scottish Cup by Highland League outfit Fraserburgh.

More than 50 street acts from all over the Borders and further afield turn out to perform on the High Street and in Wilton Lodge Park at the second annual Teribuskers festival.

Cornet Ben Graham and his Lass Megan Gracie are among the thousands of holidaymakers affected by the collapse of travel firm XL.

OCTOBER

Hawick referee David Crudge vows to continue officiating despite receiving abuse from players at the end of a Premiership Division Three match between Cartha Queen's Park and Morgan Academy FP.

Tributes are paid after the sudden death of popular Hawick man Colin 'Plug' McColm, with minute silences observed at sporting events throughout the town.

cheese makers Jim and Annie Shanks win a top accolade for their Fatlips Blue variety at the prestigious British Cheese Awards in Cardiff.

Cornet Ben Graham justified his hot favouritism to win the popular Border Principals' race at Kelso.

Bill McLaren's historic commentary notes from the inaugural Scottish Cup final, which was won by the Greens, was sold for £3,000 at the Bill McLaren Flood Appeal dinner. The auction itself raised £6,200 for club funds, while a similarly successful silent auction further boosted the Mansfield Park coffers, taking the total to well over £13,000.

The first Boys' Brigade church parade held in Hawick for more than 20 years took place to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the BBs.
Hawick coach Jim Hay denies rumours of bust-ups, fights and brawls, and refutes claims he's about to resign after a heavy defeat to Currie and later insists the team is too good to be relegated.

It was revealed that the leisure centre flume is reaching the end of its lifespan and will eventually need to be replaced.

Three new CCTV cameras are installed around the shops area of Burnfoot thanks to a project spearheaded by the estate's community council.

Councillor George Turnbull apologises after using the phrase "nigger in the woodpile" at a Teviot and Liddesdale Area Committee meeting.

Two-and-a-half years after the devastating fire that destroyed Denholm Primary School, the new £3million school opened its doors, much to the delight of teachers, parents and pupils.

Following a year which saw record numbers in the cavalcades following Cornet Ben Graham, record crowds up the Moor, and every function sold out, the Common-Riding Committee reported a record-breaking £33,000 profit at its annual general meeting.

NOVEMBER

Hawick councillors vow to march on Holyrood after two devastating blows to the town's economy. Thirty-six jobs were axed at Hawick Knitwear, although four were later saved, and a further 12 positions were lost at Hawick Cashmere.

Hawick forward Graham Scott bids farewell to the Greens as he takes off travelling around Australia.

Ambitious and exciting plans are revealed to transform Commercial Road. Property developer Gavin Stevenson wants to bring a care home and 50-bedroom boutique hotel onto the site, as well as provide space for 30 houses, offices and retail. It is revealed he is also in discussion with a number of supermarket chains, one of which is believed to be Sainsbury's.

Hawick falls silent for the annual Remembrance parade, with wreaths laid at the war memorial.

Hawick ban coach Jim Hay from the touchline for three months and ban him and coach Derek Armstrong from talking to the press after comments made to referee Colin Brett following the controversially drawn match against Watsonians.

Staff at Woolworths face an uncertain future after the company called in the administrators.

Former Greens star Scott MacLeod is found completely innocent in a second doping scandal after an out-of-competition test in January had shown an increased level of testosterone. After investigations it was found that his high levels were caused by alcohol, which was consumed the night before the test when he celebrated with friends the news he was to become a dad for the first time.

DECEMBER

The month begins with controversy at Mansfield Park as coach Jim Hay is sacked after the defeat to league leaders Ayr, with coaches Stephen Cranston and Derek Armstrong taking over on a joint basis.

Burnfoot Community School scooped the People's Millions jackpot after more than 10,000 votes were cast in favour of their 'Fitba' multi-use games area project.

HM Revenue & Customs announce its intention to close 90 offices throughout Britain, including their facility in Hawick.

Teviotdale bowler Julie Forrest secures her third Scottish singles title.

Workers at Hawick Knitwear are put on a three-day week until the end of February, in the same week that finance minister John Swinney visits the town and promises to help in the economic struggle.

American-based sandwich chain SUBWAY confirms its intention to open the region's first ever store in the High Street.

The first Christmas Parade to be held on a Saturday afternoon proves to be a huge success and heralds the start of the festive season in the town.

Hawick Pantomime Group's production of Little Red Riding Hood is a cracking hit with audiences in the town.

Postal workers at St George's Lane are the latest to face an uncertain future as a result of huge cost-saving measures throughout the company.

Twenty years since the disaster, former firemen Jack Tait and Rob Welsh recall the devastating scenes that greeted them after the Lockerbie air crash.

Organisers admit defeat in their efforts to illuminate the High Street this festive season. Despite a huge community effort by a whole range of volunteers from a raft of local groups and organisations, technical difficulties meant that only five of the panels were fully operational this year.

Hawick allow supporters into Mansfield Park free of charge and the move pays dividends as the Greens defeat Boroughmuir to keep alive their hopes of Premiership Division One survival.