Welcome to the latest Tweed Matters edition, which includes details about their UNESCO-recognised Eddleston Water Project, celebrates the 2024 Tweed Forum River Champion and showcases their new catchment models, along with other updates.
Please click here for an electronic version or you can visit their website and download directly from www.tweedforum.org.
Tweed Matters 26 is here Read More »
At its meeting on Tuesday 24 June, the Board of Skirling Community Development Trust heard it had
been successful in its funding bid to SSE Renewables Clyde Wind Farm Community Fund. Funding has
been secured for the next two years to appoint a part-time Community Coordinator to support the
work of the Trust, keep the community engaged and informed, and take forward the priority projects
from the Skirling Community Plan.
So watch out for the advertisement coming soon for the post of Skirling Community Coordinator,
and please apply if interested or if you would like to hear more about the role, or send on to anyone
else you think might be interested.
Other news included the work that has been undertaken to create and map where there may be land
parcels in and around Skirling which could be acquired for the benefit of the community and held by
the Trust on behalf of the community and to enable some of the Community Plan projects to go ahead.
At this stage the Trust is seeking expertise to help set out the options for the community, and to be
clear about what is involved – and the intention then is to bring forward the different options and
recommendations later in the year for the community to hear about and decide on.
There was also a discussion around how the Trust could best support other projects to move forward
– including the idea for a Skirling playpark and other project ideas highlighted in the Community Plan.
This will gather pace once a part-time coordinator is in post but the Trust are also keen to work with
the different volunteer groups already in place, and a number of members have also come forward to
say they would be interested in getting involved in the different projects.
The intention is still to hold an open meeting for members and the wider community once the Coordinator is in post and the Trust have had a chance to look at the different projects that are planned
for the coming year to allow members to have their say on the different projects and ideas – most
likely to be in the early autumn now, but we shall keep everyone up to date.
SCDT Update – June 2025 Read More »
Clyde Wind Farm Scholarship Fund Open
The Clyde Wind Farm Scholarship Fund is once again open for applications to support young people into university. The scholarship programme helps local students with their expenses while creating a pool of well-trained and experienced professionals, transforming career prospects in the Clyde area and positively impacting future generations.
Six scholarships of £5,000 each will be awarded to different students who are studying one or a combination of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees in the coming academic year. The funds are paid towards the scholar’s student loan, reducing the amount to repay after graduation. The application deadline is Thursday 13th September 2025.
To be eligible applicants need to live in South Lanarkshire, Scottish Borders, or Dumfries & Galloway, be taking a STEM course at a UK college or university in 2025/26 academic year and will be taking receipt of a loan from the Student Loans Company in the coming year of study.
In addition to the local scholarships, Clyde Wind Farm is also investing directly into education within renewables. Two scholarships of £11,900 each, along with operational industry expertise from the wind farm, are available to post-graduates studying for an MSc in courses relating to renewables at the University of Strathclyde.
More details on criteria and the application process are available on the SSE Renewables website, www.sserenewables.com/communities/scholarship-funds.
Clyde Wind Farm Scholarship Fund – now open! Read More »
We welcome views from patients about your experience of the practice and also other NHS and social care services used by you. You can let us know what has worked well and what has not – and how it might be improved. If you would like to give any feedback, please email biggarpatientgroup@outlook.com. Sarah Sinclair is the Chair of the Patient Group, which has membership across the practice area.
If, however, you wish to make a complaint – the practice follows the NHS Complaints Procedure, which we cannot participate in. More details on the complaints procedure can be found below with the practice website link.
The below minutes are also available on the practice website, where there is lots of health information: https://www.biggarmedicalpractice.co.uk/. Under the section About Us/Have Your Say you can find the minutes as well as the NHS Complaints Procedure.
PATIENT GROUP MINUTES: July 2023 | October 2023
Biggar Medical Practice Patient Group Read More »
To effectively register potholes and road repairs, use the FixMyStreet website or App, which allows you to locate the exact position of the problem and submit a photo. This is then directly submitted to the correct council department and keeps track of when/if the problem is dealt with (including re-contacting the council if nothing is done). A very effective tool.
Potholes and Road Repairs Read More »
Citizens Advice Bureau –
Contact Peebles Citizens Advice Bureau for information on a range of issues including benefits, debt advice, cost of living support, consumer, employment and housing issues – for free confidential advice, call them on 01721 721722.
The Citizens Advice Bureau, doctors, churches, social work and schools can also make referrals to Peebleshire Foodbank for people in need of emergency food parcels.
SBC – What Matters Hubs –
What Matters Hubs offer drop in sessions and appointments where you can meet people from community groups and voluntary organisations as well as social workers and occupational therapists. For more information, click here.
Citizens Advice Bureau / What Matters Hubs Read More »
As well as their physical libraries, Live Borders also offer an ever increasing digital library to all their members. Click here for the full details and links.
Live Borders Digital Library Read More »