FOLLOWING the devastating fire which raged through the Gordon Arms Hotel on May 12, nobody would have blamed owners Tommy Roseburgh and Susan Cree for throwing in the towel.

Instead, the blaze has made the couple doubly determined to rebuild the 200-year-old coaching inn in the Yarrow Valley and restore the building to its former glory.

“What’s made our decision easier is the wonderful support we’ve received in the wake of the disaster both from the local community and from all over the country." said Tommy.

“We’d like to repay this kindness and encouragement by re-opening for business as quickly as possible, no matter what difficulties might lie ahead.” In the meantime Tommy is using his musical connections to help get the Gordon Arms back on its feet.

For the past 15 years his recording company, Big Sky Studios, has released CDs for a variety of artists, and Tommy has put together a compilation CD featuring a selection of this music to help raise funds for the hotel’s restoration.

“It has become clear extra finance will be needed in addition to the insurance settlement,” said Tommy,“ so we’ve launched this CD, called Rebirth, to try and raise enough money to give us a head start in getting the hotel back up and running.” The CD, which costs £10, features 19 tracks by artists such as John Wright, Rallion, Stevie Lawrence, Hilary Bell, Tommy’s own group Real Time, the Dull Fudds, Selkirk Silver Band and the children of Yarrow Primary School.

Copies of the Rebirth CD can be purchased on-line by visiting the web site www.friendsofthegordon.com or by visiting one of the following local outlets - La Beaute, Elm Row, Galashiels; Tartan & Tweed, Bank Street, Galashiels; Honey Cottage Caravan Park, Ettrick Valley; Glen Cafe, St Mary’s Loch; The George & Abbotsford Hotel, Kings Hotel and the Ship Inn (all Melrose); Denholm Folk Club; Colin Turnbull Shoe Repairs, Selkirk; Ross Douglas, Fish Merchants, Peebles; Simply Delicious, Peebles; Northgate Laundrette, Peebles and Eastgate Theatre, Peebles.