Homecoming date for Jim

The Borderers may perform music with strong roots in Scottish and Irish Celtic music, but they are best known in Australia as guitarist Jim Paterson and his wife Alex, the lead singer, live in Adelaide.

However Jim originally hails from Cumbernauld and it was a fateful 1993 backpacking trip in Australia that changed his life forever. Jim met Belfast-born singer Alex and soon joined her band, The Borderers. They have been performing together since 1994 and today are well-established with their own indie record label and a discography that includes eight albums.

Of life in Australia, Jim said: “People think Australia is always sunny and full of dangerous animals. It actually gets freezing in winter and I’ve seen one snake in 17 years.”

A recent bereavement has seen Jim and Alex, as well as their 13-year-old daughter Asia Alexander, make a brief visit to Scotland and Jim wants to give a performance in his home town.

“A lot of people think there are no decent gigs or venues for over 40s except for things like Neil Diamond at £100 a ticket,” said Jim. “But we perform original music and provide a great night out - we’re clean, funny and family-friendly.”

Thursday’s gig is in the Spur Hotel, Cumbernauld Village, starting around 8pm. There is no ticket price though donations are requested, and after this rare chance to see them in Scotland The Borderers will play the Mirande Festival in southwest France.

The Borderers have also given the News three copies of their latest album, A Time For Change, plus a bonus DVD to give away to our readers.

For your chance to win, answer the following question: Which Australian city do The Borderers call home?

Send your answer, with your name, address and daytime telephone number, to: Borderers Competition, Cumbernauld News/Kilsyth Chronicle, 10-12 Tay Walk, Cumbernauld G67 1BU by Tuesday, July 5. Usual competition rules apply and the editor’s decision is final.