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Weather: Afternoon update
ITV Border to screen Scottish independence series
ITV Border is to broadcast a series of programmes examining the history and development of the independence question in Scotland, as part of ITV’s coverage plans for southern Scottish viewers, ahead of the referendum in September 2014.
Road to Referendum, presented by Iain Macwhirter, will chronicle the social, cultural and political changes in Scotland and the evolution of the independence debate. There will also be a two part documentary series later this summer, called A Scottish Journey.
It will look at the arguments in favour and against Scotland being an independent country.
The documentaries are part of the extensive programming ITV Border plans to run ahead of the vote in September 2014, in addition to regular coverage within ITV Border's Lookaround programme.
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Remains found in Scottish Borders identified
Police in Scotland have now confirmed the identity of a man whose remains were discovered in the Scottish Borders last month as Colin Law from Gordon.
Mr Law was 19-years-old when he was reported as a missing person in May 1999.
His remains were discovered within a wooded area, near Gordon, on Wednesday 21 April.
Police are not treating the circumstances surrounding his death as suspicious and a report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.
In a brief statement issued through Police Scotland, Colin's mother said:
– Mother of Colin Law"Colin, I will miss you everyday for the rest of my life."
1300 pupils invited to Borders Schools Countryside Day
An event to showcase all aspects of country living - including farming, animals and food production, traditional countryside skills and pursuits - is being put on for all Primary Five aged children in the Scottish Borders.
The event, which is the first of its kind in Scotland, is being put on by the Border Union Agricultural Society - with help from the Scottish Borders Council and local Co-operative farms.
"This event is a major undertaking and we are set to welcome over 1300 pupils and their teachers all on the same day and offer them an educational insight into the amazing diversity of the countryside.
"The children will have the chance to take part in activities such as haggis making and egg grading, see sheep dogs and farriers at work, witness a host of countryside skills demonstrations, and meet representatives from 50 different organisations all linked to the area we live in.
– Ron Wilson, Secretary of the BUAS"It is a key element of our bicentenary events programme as we endeavor to ensure our celebrations create a lasting legacy for future generations."
– Sandy Aitchison, Executive Member for Education at Scottish Borders Council"This is an incredible opportunity for children in the Scottish Borders to learn about and engage with the countryside.
"The Show fits with a number of aspects of the curriculum so has a valuable educational element as well as providing the children with what I am sure will be an exceptionally enjoyable day out."
Spectacular countryside showcase for Borders pupils
Over a thousand school children from schools across the Scottish Borders are set to attend the first ever Schools Countryside Day, which is being put on by the Border Union Agricultural Society.
All primary five aged pupils at school in the borders, amounting to 1300 in total, are expected to attend the event on 21 May.
The event is the first of its kind and is designed specifically for children and to provide an insight into all aspects of country living.
A piece of Scotland's heritage saved from closure
Scotland's oldest working theatre can now go ahead with redevelopment plans after it secured a council grant of nearly half a million pounds.
The Theatre Royal in Dumfries dates back more than 200 years and was threatened with closure, but it has been given £455,000 by Dumfries and Galloway Council.
It means plans to redevelop the theatre site and expand its facilities can now get under way.
The theatre had already got nearly £1.5m from other sources including a grant of £1m from The Holywood Trust - a local charitable trust.
Work will begin early next year on redeveloping the theatre.
– Alan Henry, Development Convenor The Guild of Players, Dumfries"We are delighted that this key piece of the jigsaw has fallen into place.
"We are pleased that the council has now come on board and we welcome a close working relationship with them to improve cultural facilities in Dumfries"
– Karen Ward Boyd from The Holywood Trust"The Trust is delighted that its initial investment has managed to unlock other sources of funding paticularly that of Dumfries and Galloway Council."
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Dumfries Ice Bowl to stage International Ice Hockey Championships
Dumfries Ice Bowl has been chosen to stage two events in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Ice Hockey World Championships. The venue will host the Men's under 20 event on the 9th December with teams from France, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan and Ukraine playing alongside Great Britain.
On March 24th 2014, the men's under 18s World Championships will be staged there, with teams from Croatia, Korea, Lithuania, Netherlands and Romania taking part.
– Findlay Carson, Dumfries and Galloway Council's event champion"This is fantastic news and I'd like to congratulate everyone involved in the bid. Hosting these two World Championship events will bring significant economic benefit to our region.
Weather: Morning update
Weather: Update
A cloudy and damp start, with patchy drizzle in places.
It will gradually become brighter through the day with most places largely dry, however a few isolated showers may develop across eastern parts of the region in the afternoon.
Maximum temperature 17 °C
First Minister to launch economic report
First Minister Alex Salmond and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will launch a report on Scotland's economic strengths and the case for independence in Falkirk today (21st May).
They say that Scotland has the talent and the resources to be more successful but needs the full economic levers to fulfil its potential.
