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Sir David
Brewster
Science |
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Sir
David was one of the most brilliant
individuals the Scottish Borders has ever produced.
His father was Rector of Jedburgh Grammar and he
soon realised his son was a child prodigy. He
learnt things so quickly that he was sent to
Edinburgh University at the age of 12! David went on
to become a brilliant scientist and inventor of the
kaleidoscope. He also studied philosophy, education, astronomy and photography. (more) |
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Karen
Gillon |
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Politics |
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Karen
is one of
the 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament who take
decisions that affect everyone in Scotland.
She studied at Birmingham University and went on to
work in community education. Karen was also active
in politics and the trade union movement. When she
stood for election in 1999 she gained her place in
history by becoming the first woman to be elected to
the Scottish Parliament.
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Anthony
Fasson |
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Navy |
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During
World War II, Anthony was a young naval officer on
HMS Petard when it helped capture a German U Boat.
After the German crew left the submarine, Anthony
and another sailor made repeated dives to retrieve
important code books. Tragically both were drowned
when the U Boat sank. However, they did not
sacrifice their lives in vain because the books were
vital in breaking the famous German Enigma
machine. As a result, Anthony saved thousands
of lives and helped turn the tide of the war.
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Robert
Laidlaw
Business |
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Robert
is an expert in the building industry. As the
Managing Director of a local construction firm which
builds and restores a wide variety of properties, he tends to be very busy because a lot
of people know and trust him. Of course,
Robert
knows he must do a good job or his reputation will
begin to suffer. He is very proud
of the fact that his company now creates jobs in the
community where he grew up. (more)
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Michael
Moore
MP |
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Politics |
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Michael is one of 650 Members of Parliament (MPs) in
the UK. He therefore sits in the House of
Commons and has a say in the laws which affect the
whole country. Michael is a member of the
Liberal Democrats and in the 2005 General Election was elected as
the MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk.
Away from work, Michael enjoys jazz, films and
rugby. (more)
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Louise
Brown |
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Nurse |
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Louise
realised a childhood dream when she qualified as a nurse.
Now as
a ward sister in a busy A&E department of a major
hospital, she works very hard and has a great deal
of responsibility. After all, she makes life
or death decisions every day. However, Louise
loves her work. She is not rich or famous but
she gains great satisfaction from helping people
when they are in real need.
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Mary
Somerville |
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Health |
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Mary
was born in 1780. She went on to become the most
distinguished female scientist and mathematician in
nineteenth century Britain - perhaps even throughout
the whole world. Mary wrote a number of important
scientific works which gained her respect in many
countries. She supported the emancipation and
education of women and Somerville College at Oxford
University is named after her. (more)
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James
Thomson
Poet |
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James
was born at Ednam near Kelso in 1700 but his family
moved to Southdean when he was still a child. After
leaving Jedburgh Grammar he studied at Edinburgh
University and then moved to London to seek his
fortune. He wrote plays and poetry, and his
writing talent was admired by many including Robert
Burns. His best-known piece of work is still
performed regularly today, as James wrote the words
of Rule Britannia! (more). |
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Sarah
Innes
Police |
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Sarah
decided on a career in the police when she was in
her final year at school. She has never regretted it. Her work is varied and
she enjoys helping the public in many ways. Sarah
also likes being part of a hard-working team who
help each other. She believes it is very
important to uphold the law and finds it is very
interesting to deal with those people who break it.
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John
Smith
Soldier |
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John
was one of many whose great achievement was to help
Britain and its allies win the First World War.
Sadly, he paid the ultimate price as a local newspaper
report in 1916 tells: "Corporal J. Smith has been
killed in action near Somme in France. He was
educated in the local school and before being called up was
a farm worker. He was
18 years of age."
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Ainslie
Henderson
Music |
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Ainslie is a highly talented singer songwriter who
became well known on BBC's Fame Academy in
2002. He was interested in music and drama at
school. Indeed, he formed his first band when
he was only 12! Ainslie has enjoyed success
both as a band member and a solo artist. He has also
written and recorded with fellow Fame Academy
student Lemar.
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Gary
Armstrong |
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Sport |
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Gary
was one of Scotland's bravest and toughest rugby
players .. as many of his opponents confirmed over
the years. He began at a young age playing for
Jed-Forest RFC and became the first Scottish cap to
have played mini-rugby. Gary went on to become
Scotland's most capped scrum-half. He was also very
proud to captain Scotland when they won the Five
Nations title in 1999. (more) |
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Sam
Russell
Business |
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Sam is
one of Scotland's top business people. Indeed,
he was voted Scotland's Entrepreneur of the Year
in 2002. He is the founder and Chairman of
Simclar, an international multi-million pound company
with bases in Scotland, the USA and China.
Simclar now has clients all over the world but
Sam never forgets that in 1975 he started the
company in his garage! (more) |
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Roy
Laidlaw |
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Sport |
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When
Roy Laidlaw became Scotland's most capped scrum-half
in the 1980s he could not have known that his record
would soon be broken by another former Jedburgh
pupil, Gary Armstrong. Roy was a brilliant and very
brave rugby player. He scored many important tries
and created a whole lot more for his team. When
Scotland won the Grand Slam in 1984, Roy was one of
the key players. (more) |
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Steve
Hislop |
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Motorsport |
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Over
the years, The Borders have produced a large number
of talented competitors in the world of motor sport.
Steve was a top international motorcycle rider who
thrilled fans with his bravery and skill. Steve was
British Superbike Champion in 1995 and 2002. He also
won a total of 11 races at the Isle of Man TT.
Tragically, he died in a helicopter crash in 2003 in
the Borders not far from where he was born. |
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John
Ainslie |
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Maps |
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John Ainslie was one of Scotland's top map makers of
the 18th Century. He was born in Jedburgh in 1745,
the year Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite rebellion
was crushed. John grew up to become a surveyor
as well as a cartographer. He began his career as a
surveyor and engraver for maps in England but he
went on to produce a widely acclaimed map of
Scotland in 1782 which was further updated in 1789.
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James
Shiell
Engineer |
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James
studied Civil Engineering at Edinburgh University in
the 1930s. When World War II broke out in 1939 he
was able to use his engineering skills to great
effect working with the Admiralty. After the war
ended James enjoyed a successful career in the civil
service and went on to become the Chief Engineer at
the Scottish Development Department between. Away
from work, he loved hill walking with friends. |
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Malcolm
Tait
Artist |
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Malcolm left school with a good set of
qualifications but did not go into higher education.
Instead, he took a wide range of jobs over many
years before going back to school as an adult
student to study A-level art. This was followed by a
Fine Art degree at Lincoln University. Malcolm is
now a working artist who also delivers talks and
works with schools. In 2006, he produced a play at
the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. (more) |
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Robert
White
Social Work |
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Robert
spent a gap year working as a volunteer in a
developing country before completing a university
degree. He then decided to train as a social worker.
Robert now has a heavy case load at work and at
times, things can be difficult. However, he
has no regrets because he finds it very satisfying
to help people in great need.
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Calum
Lawson
Sport |
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Callum
showed a lot of promise as a young footballer at
school and has gone on to enjoy a career in the
professional game. He knows there are many
gifted players around so he always trains hard to
develop his skills and remain fit. Calum also
has a very positive attitude which means he enjoys
life. It also helps a lot when things don't go so
well.
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Jim
Watson
Education |
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Families from the Borders believe learning is important and
it is therefore no surprise that many former pupils
have achieved a lot in the world of education. Jim
is a good example. After going to university and
then studying to become a teacher, he has enjoyed a
long and successful career in the classroom.
Jim has helped many pupils not only pass their
exams, but also enjoy school!
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Pauline
Robertson
Finance |
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Pauline liked accountancy at school and chose to
study it at university. She then joined a large
Scottish bank and quickly became a team leader who
enjoyed helping others to perform well.
Pauline has since shown that Scottish qualifications
are respected throughout the world by moving to a
senior job in Australia!
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Jenny
Harris |
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Community |
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Many
pupils choose to help people less well
off than themselves. For example, Jenny spends a lot
of time working with a volunteer group which helps
the families of local children with special needs.
Jenny is happy to give up her spare time in this way
because she finds it very satisfying and has also
made many good friends. Now she is considering
a career in education.
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David
Lewis |
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Music |
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Music
is important to most people but only a lucky few
manage to make a living from it. Even if it is not
possible to do this for an entire career, many
musicians get great enjoyment from performing on a
part-time basis. David is a good example. He spent
many years as a full-time musician, even appearing
on TV. In recent years he has taken a 'normal
job' but his band still enjoys playing at functions.
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Janet
Wood |
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Health |
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The
school is proud of many former pupils who have gone
on to work in the National Health Service (NHS).
Janet studied Medicine at university and at one
stage was a doctor in the Accident & Emergency Unit
of a major hospital dealing with victims of major
road traffic accidents as well as patients with
sprained ankles! She is now a General Practitioner (GP)
based at a local health centre.
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Mary
McKay
Politics |
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MPs and MSPs may be better known to the general
public, but local councillors such as Mary, take
many decisions that have a real impact on the lives
of local people. Each councillor is elected to represent an area called an
'electoral ward'. Mary is a hard-working councillor
who tries her best to help people with a very wide
range of problems.
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Brian
Clark
Actor |
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David
is a successful actor who has appeared both on stage
and screen. Many people in Scotland may not
know his name but recognise his face because he has
appeared in some of the nation's most popular TV
shows. David enjoys the TV work but is
happiest performing on stage in front of a live
audience.
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Sandra
Grey
Law |
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Many
former pupils have followed a career in the law.
Sandra is a good example. She studied law at
university before joining a law firm to complete her
training. She has since gained experience of many
aspects of the Scottish legal system. Sandra
now puts this knowledge to good use as a senior
partner in a local firm of solicitors.
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Alan
Wood |
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Government |
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Politicians make Government decisions but it is
civil servants who put them into practice.
Without civil servants, important services such as
hospitals and schools would grind to a halt. Many
former pupils have gone on to enjoy successful
careers in the Civil Service. Alan is a good
example. He has held many top posts including
a spell working closely with a government minister.
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