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Last updated on 23 July 2020

What's happening in and around Walkerburn
and in the Village Hall click here

Caberston Cafe has re-opened

The excellent Caberston Cafe has re-opened for business with a new outdoor courtyard area.  As before good lunches, coffee, tea and cake are all available.

Food HUGS – Healthy Uncomplicated Great Scran! - an update

HUGS -Healthy Uncomplicated Great Scran fis or anybody in need in Walkerburn, who is self isolating, or in financial difficulty due to Coronavirus.   The project was been awarded a grant from the Scottish Government's Comunity Wellness Fund administerd by the Corra Foundation allowing it to continue this excellent work.  As the lockdown has been eased and going out and about has become less restricted, the service is changing from Tuesday 28th July.  The notice below explains how things are going to change from 28th July.

The food choice for this week is:

Tuesday 21st July Food HUGS

Roasted carrot and pepper soup or

Butternut squash soup

Apple tart and custard

Friday 24th July Food HUGS

Chilli con carne with jacket potato

Falafel with potato wedges

Surprise pudding

In the first week, 32 FoodHUGS were delivered, that has increased to over 50  and the team is keen to do more.  The project has received valuable support from a number of sources including the local Rotary Club and the CORRA foundation.

Food HUGS update from organiser Denise Hanks

Thank you everybody for completing the questionnaire and for the wonderful comments, we at Food HUGS really appreciate them.

After careful consideration we have decided to continue with a reduced weekly Food HUGS on Tuesday which will consist of a main plus surprise pudding. We think that keeping Food HUGS going albeit a slimmer service, would be better than shelving the project altogether. Especially as the predictions are that there may be mass unemployment with severe financial implications for many families when the furlough scheme ends in October and a possible second wave of Covid in the winter.  By continuing Food HUGS we can respond quickly to any situations that may arise in the future, because our established contacts with Fareshare and Asda, who donate the majority of food that we use, are still in place, Also funders are more likely to support projects with a proven track record such as Food HUGS

Stu has very kindly agreed to continue to advise Food HUGS in all things food related, which is a huge bonus.  Food HUGS will be looking to increase our volunteer team so we can cover summer holidays.  Also in an effort to get more people to access Food HUGS, our menus will shared  on facebook as well as on this website and any extra portions of Food HUGS  made will be put in the sharing SHED.

At the moment we have decided not to charge for Food HUGS as we try to keep our costs to a minimum by incorporating the donations we receive from Fareshare and Asda in our menus. However any donations we do receive will go to the village hall to cover gas and electricity costs.

Tuesday 28^th July will see the start of the new once weekly service, with a main meal (with a vegetarian option) and a surprise pudding. Food HUGS will monitor the situation and match the service we give accordingly.

This project is to help the most vulnerable.  If you are self-isolating, or in financial difficulty and want to receive a meal get in touch with Denise via hanks_denise@yahoo.co.uk or 01896 870200 with your preference.

The priority is for folk who received the shielding letter, those self isolating because of age or other health reasons and those who are experiencing financial difficulties.

Congratulations to the Walkerburn Festival Lass, RubyPatterson!

Wednesday Zoom Prayers

Wednesday Zoom Prayers will be hosted by people from various local churches over time and anyone can take part. Those interested will need to download "Zoom" onto a computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone, and email the Rev Cedric Blakey, a retired Episcopal priest living nearby, for the link "Zoom" invitation. The email is revcanclb@gmail.com 

Development of land at West Bold by Forestry and Land Scotland - consultation meeting will take place

Forestry and Land Scotland have now said that, when conditions allow, there will be a face to face consultation about the plans they have for the planting of trees on the land above West Bold Farm.  The plans have been looked at by the Walkerburn Community Council who worked hard to get this meeting which was originally planned for April.  Letters and comments were sent to the Regional Manager of FLS.  Two documents can be seen by clicking on the links here.   COVER LETTER   COMMENTS

More information is available on the following links. 
Planting design commentary.  Wildlife.  Climate Change.  WCC comments

A display of the plans and other documents can be seen on the display board at the village hall.  The design plan has been altered in response to comments received.  One of the fields which was to be left as meadow is now planned to be planted with productive broadleaf trees, there is less planting around the hill fort.  See the new plan at the following link:  Revised plan

Staying Healthy and Entertained with Dignity - the SHED

Inspired by the town in Perthshire that converted a disused phone box into a village larder a group of residents thought something like this would be very welcome in Walkeerburn.  The community council agreed to allow the transformation of the Community Resilience Shed by the village hall. The idea was shared on Facebook: they were overwhelmed by the generosity of the village. In less than 24 hours the shed was full.

“The idea of the shed is that people can drop off extra provisions in the shed including extra produce grown on an allotment, dry goods, and even books, puzzles, and games and take items that have been donated by others that they can make use of. We were initially concerned that people may consider the shed as competition to the village store and post office. However, this is definitely not the intention. In fact, we encourage people who visit the village shop to purchase an extra item and drop it off at the shed as they go past. It is a small thing that can make a big difference. We also can’t always get the things we would like to have. The shed means you can swap something you would like or need or just take something and donate something later.

We realise that we are only at the beginning of the economic damage that is being caused by the global pandemic. Many have lost their jobs or fear they will. Whilst food banks help with emergency situations they are already stretched and it can take time to obtain a referral and wait for the first food parcels to be delivered. In these cases the Sharing Shed can help fill the gap and it is yet another example showing what a caring community we live in. Moreover at the moment, with the schools out and many people confined to their homes, sharing books, games, puzzles and DVDs is also a great way to stave off boredom and keep ourselves entertained during lockdown.

We encourage everyone to check their cupboards to see if there is anything they’d like to donate or swap for something they can use. The shed is open and you can drop off goods anytime. Please observe virus spreading precautions and approach the shed one at a time.  If you have items to donate but are self-isolating please email WalkerburnSharingShed@gmail.com to arrange a pick up.”

Community Council AGM postponed

The Annual General Meeting of the council which was due to take place in June has been postponed and will now take place at a later date.

Maintenance of Jubilee Park - the area next to the allotments

You may have seen someone out cutting the grass on the area during this period of social distancing. 

It was decided that it was important to continue to try to maintain the grass at a reasonable length.  Following advice from the police this has now happened. 

The grass has now been cut 6 times this year, some areas of wild flowers have been left hoping that with time these plants will help to keep the grass under control.  The ongoing task is to keep it looking the way it is now.  In all it's probably about 4 - 5 hours work to cut all the grass.  If anyone wants to go out with a strimmer or mower and cut some grass, please feel free to do a bit.  What is five hours for one person is only 1 hour for five.  It's good exercise for the whole body.  Many hands make light work.

VE Commemoration award to Walkerburn

Walkerburn has received funding from SBC to suuport the commemmoration of VE day's 75th anniversary.  The funding will be used to provide benches on the multi-use path and outside the HB club and also to provide a gathering with refreshments after the Remembrance Sunday event in November.  Of course the original plan to have an event in early May has had to be postponed to this later date.

Good news - reduced cost plots on allotments

Here's a chance to get some exercise and beat those supermarket queues.   BUT HURRY - ONLY 4 LEFT

Walkerburn Allotment Society is offering anyone who wants to have a plot on the allotment site a fee reduction for this year.  You can have a plot for just £10 this year (normally £40 per year)  This is possible as the Development Trust - the landlord of the site - generously reduced the rent to the WAS this year in view of the current situation.

If you are interested contact Allin Hoggarth on 07985 319009 or Mary Daykin on 01896 870471

Walkerburn Public Hall

All events at the hall are now cancelled until further notice.  This decision has been taken in the light of advice from government.

Walkerburn Viral Kindness Volunteers: Coronavirus/Covid-19

COMMUNITY COUNCIL VACANCY

There is a vacancy on the Community Council which may be filled on a temporary basis until the next election. 

Anyone living in the village, over the age of 18 and on the voters register, is eligible and will be very welcome. 

If you would like to be considered for the temporary vacancy, please contact the Secretary (Mrs Lesley Thornton, 35 Peebles Road, Walkerburn Tel No. 01896 870251) for an application form.

An election for the vacant post and the rotational posts will be held this year and will be publicised in ‘BURNing Issues’ and ‘The Peeblesshire News’.

CONGRATULATIONS!!  Public Hall - Raising the roof

The Walkerburn Public Hall Management Committee managed to win the Locality Fund vote in the Tweeddale region and has now aquired the funding to repair the front of the roof of the Hall.  The funding will help to secure the future of the hall which provides a home for so many of the village's community activities.  Well done to the committee members for galvanising so many people in Walkerburn and from the surrounding area to support this project.

Unfortunately the bid from the village Development Trust for funding for the mill windows was not successful.    

Innerleithen and Walkerburn First Responders need volunteers

We need more volunteers to join us to become active responders. The more of us there are, the more coverage we can supply, more incidents we can attend and more lives we can help save. If you are interested, or want to find out more, then please get in touch and we can answer all your questions.

Facebook.com/iwcfr
07808 767 299
heartstart@iwcfr.org

Watch a video of the floods in December 2015

This 10 minute video was taken by Air Cam Pro on 6th December 2015 and shows the extent of the flooding around the village. Click on the headline to see the video. You may find it interesting to compare this with some of the images from 1926 in the Old Walkerburn section of the photo gallery.