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

See this great video of Walkerburn

This 5 minute video made in November shows just how beautiful the area is!  Click on this notice.

SBC survey - older people's lives during the pandemic

The Borders Older Peoples Planning Partnership (BOPPP) wants to get an understanding of the lives of our older population during the pandemic. 
The information gathered will be used to support the region’s ongoing recovery efforts, as well as transformation programmes being taken forward by ourselves, NHS Borders and the Health and Social Care Partnership.

An online survey will run from Monday 2 November until Sunday 29 November

The survey is also available in alternative formats and languages by phoning 01896 825970 or email socialworkconsultation@scotborders.gov.uk Borders Older Peoples Planning Partnership (BOPPP), one of the Health & Social Care Partnership engagement and planning groups, has proposed that older people should be engaged in a conversation to explore how they have experienced the Covid19 pandemic lockdown.
The target group is people aged 60 and over.

 Tweeddale Citizen of the Year 2020

A Special Selection Committee will, in January 2021, consider the presentation of a Tweeddale Citizen of the Year Award for 2020.
The Award is to be made by the Scottish Borders Council to the Citizen or recognised group of Citizens of the Tweeddale area who has or have done the most for the honour and welfare of the area or any part of it during the past year.
Full details and nomination forms may be obtained from  Louise McGeoch, Clerk to the Lieutenancy of Tweeddale, c/o Democratic Services, Scottish Borders Council, Council Headquarters, Newtown St Boswells, Melrose TD6 OSA, Telephone 01835 825005  email lmcgeoch@scotborders.gov.uk.   Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Council’s website www.scotborders.gov.uk/TCYnominationform or by clicking this link

Completed nomination forms - from organisations or individuals - should be submitted to Louise McGeoch at the contact details above not later than 15 January 2021.

Remembrance Day wreath laying in Walkerburn

There was no remembrance service in the village this year, however despite this, there was a wreath laying ceremony, with social distancing in place. 
Link to video of wreath laying ceremony       The video should download and you can then open it on your computer etc.

Local High Street Heroes

Denise Hanks has been recognised as a High Street Hero  for her work in organising and running the village's FoodHUGS project since April.
Also a hero locally is the Co-op store in Innerleithen.

Scotland’s High Street Heroes have been honoured for the remarkable ways in which they have helped their communities during the coronavirus crisis.

Scotland’s Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell today praised each and every one of them for their efforts, saying: “I would like to thank these High Street Heroes for going the extra mile to help their communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

“I am pleased the Scottish Government has been able to support these awards through our funding for Scotland’s Towns Partnership. They typify the kind of community spirit that has supported people and improved lives.

Denise and all your team, and staff at the Co-op, thanks for all your efforts in these difficult times

It's here!  Walkerburn 2021 calendar on sale

Walkerburn's calendar for 2021 is now on sale at the village shop and the Caberston Farm Coffee Shop. 
Priced at just £5 with photos of the beautiful countryside around and some local fauna, this makes an ideal gift for friends and family this Christmas.

Congratulations to Windlestraw

Windlestraw, Walkerburn's own luxury boutique hotel, has been awarded a third AA rosette in recognition of the work of chef Stuart Waterston.  John and Sylvia Matthews, owners of the hotel said   “We are delighted that chef Stuart Waterston’s talent, hard work and exceptional cuisine, long appreciated locally, has now been recognised on the national stage"   They hope that this award will help promote the Scottish Borders as a great destination for tourism.

Useful courses run by Peebles CAN

Peebles Can is running a number of events in the  next few weeks including an online Zoom Christmas cooking class.  You can get more information via info@peeblescan.org

Cycle maintenance   
Fuel efficient driving   date to be arranged
Christmas cooking    Starts 24th November for 3 sessions

You need to book places on these events using the email info@peeblescan.org

Food HUGS – Healthy Uncomplicated Great Scran!

HUGS -Healthy Uncomplicated Great Scran is for anybody in need in Walkerburn, who was self isolating, or is in financial difficulty due to Coronavirus.   The project was awarded a grant from the Scottish Government's Comunity Wellness Fund administerd by the Corra Foundation allowing it to continue this excellent work. 

Food Hugs continues to deliver about 35 meals each Tuesday to those in  need in the village.  This is about the same as were delivered at the start of the project, but less than the 50+ at the peak during the lockdown. 

This relies on the help of a group of volunteers and there is always space for anyone who wishes to get involved in preparing the meals on Tuesdays.  Get in touch with Denise whose details are given below if you are interested.

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

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.

Wind farm proposal at Scawd Law, north of Walkerburn

You may have read about a proposal to put 12 turbines on Scawd Law which is a couple of miles north of Walkerburn.  As yet there is no definite plan for this development, but the consultation process is starting with local communities and the local council.  You can read more about the proposal on the following Scottish Government website
http://www.energyconsents.scot/ApplicationDetails.aspx?cr=ECU00002111&T=5
One important document which you can respond to and give your views is the SCOPING REPORT.  This looks at those things which will be taken into consideration in deciding if the project goes ahead.
It is a very long document and it will need time to be considered properly.  If you have the time you should read the document and make your views known directly or via a member of the Community Council. 

Also on the site is a map to show the areas where the turbines will be seen from if the project goes ahead.  Do take a look, and make sure your view is heard.

Development of land at West Bold by Forestry and Land Scotland

The Walkerburn & District Community Council has decided that a Forestry and Land Scotland public consultation about the West Bold Plan is unnecessary for three reasons: /span>

1. F&LS’s Plan 10 has addressed nearly all of the concerns we had about the original plan.

2. WDCC’s Information Event on 15th August was well-attended by residents who almost unanimously supported Plan 10. 

3. Covid-19 restrictions mean finding a suitable venue would be problematic.

Ideally we would prefer that F&LS abandons completely its plan to plant on West Bold, but we think this is not going to happen and the concessions they make in Plan 10 is the best compromise we are going to get. 

 Anyone disagreeing with this decision can email WDCC members to express their views.  Contact details can be found in July’s Newsletter which was delivered to every EH43 address, or on Walkerburn.com. 

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 

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.  At first 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. &  Now a new shed has been purchased and is at the other side of the Village Hall, and the resili

Maintenance of Jubilee Park - the area next to the allotments

You may have seen people 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. 

The grass has now been cut about once a fortnight since April 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.

Cutting has now stopped as the grass has slowed down!   Please respect the area which is for everyone's use and benefit.  It is not a rubbish tip.

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.

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.