The Tweed Foundation's stand at the Border Union Show last weekend was a great success.  The Foundation celebrated its 25th year with blazing sunshine and a huge amount of interest from those attending the Show.


The Tweed Foundation's marquee in the Countryside Area at the Show

The children's quiz, a fun way in which to introduce kids to the fish of the Tweed, was well attended and James Hunt, Asst Biologist, was kept busy with 110 children taking part over the two days of the Show. Elements of the Quiz included:   live species identification in the aquarium,

Matching up the fish in the tank with the photos below


learning about the alien threat to our fish from Signal Crayfish, 

The board explaining more about our 'alien invasion' of Signal Crayfish,  and others...


counting fish going through the 'virtual' fish counter, understanding what electro-fishing is and how and why the Foundation does it, and identifying minibeasts from a tray. 

Dad helps to point out the bugs of interest

James Hunt of the Foundation capturing a few minibeasts for closer examiniation


Children were offered a badge of their favourite Tweed fish or minibeast following the quiz and the ultimate bribe: fish-shaped sweets!

Bert Johnston, from Hawick Angling Club, and Terry Brown, from Jedforest Angling Association, were also on hand giving fly-tying demonstrations and the opportunity for everyone to have a go at making their own fishing fly.

Dad looks on proudly as his daughter takes her first steps in fly-tying with the help of Terry Brown

A family learns the art of fly-tying with Bert Johnston

The 'Guess the Weight of the Anniversary Cake' competition produced a winner on each day. With incredible, and totally unplanned, precision by Mrs Gill Orde (who made the cakes for the Foundation) both cakes weighed in at exactly the same weight of 7lbs, 9oz (or 3.44kg for those of a metric mindset)!  The first nearest guess on each day picked at random won with Friday's winner being Mr David Sloan from Kelso and Saturday's winner Mrs Vera Scott from Otterburn, both with guesses of 7lbs, 10oz.


The Tweed Foundation Anniversary Cake given away in the weight guessing competition

Many thanks to all those who came along to see what The Tweed Foundation is all about.  The staff enjoyed the Show,
and we hope that you did too.

See you all next year!