News & Events
Local News and Events
SCDT Update – July 2025
The July meeting of Skirling Community Development Trust was mainly spent developing the workplan for the Trust Community Coordinator to be appointed in August. There has been good interest in the post already and the closing date for applications for the part-time Community Coordinator role, initially for two years, will close on Friday 8 August. Applications should be made to the SCDT Secretary – David.gass@ruralmatters.co.uk
Trustees heard the Skirling Land Project is progressing to look at how best the Trust can acquire and manage different parcels of land in and around the village which can be developed for the benefit of the community. Tenders have now gone out to three different consultants to support the Trust in working with the community to look at the land options and opportunities presented, and also to consider any obligations or duties that may come with the different parcels of land.
The Trustees also discussed the main Community Action Plan project areas likely to be taken forward by the Trust over the coming year including developing the local pathways to and from and around Skirling; considering the options to take forward the Skirling playpark; and supporting the different initiatives underway to show case Skirling’s history and heritage.
Alongside this the Trustees looked at the different funds available to support Skirling and the Community Development Trust’s work, and the different application processes. This will be further developed by the Coordinator when he/she comes into post.
SCDT Community Coordinator Role – Invitation to Apply (UPDATED)
Skirling Community Development Trust (SCDT) wish to appoint a Community Coordinator to support the work of the Trust and the Skirling Community Action Plan 2024-2029.
The post will be contracted on a part-time basis (2 days/week over 40 weeks/annum) from August 2025 for a period of 2 years. c.£16,000 p.a.
The Coordinator role will:
- Engage across the community of Skirling in different projects to enhance village life in Skirling – from helping to improve signage around the village to looking at opportunities and events to link Skirling with neighbouring communities
- Work with the different voluntary groups in place across Skirling to take forward agreed projects, and link with Coordinators serving nearby communities
- Seek funding support from local Community funds and the local wind farms to take forward different ideas and projects from the community
- Provide administration and marketing support for SCDT, build the membership of the Trust and keep members updated and involved with the work of SCDT.
While welcome, no specific community development experience is required for the role but the postholder would ideally be: * Interested and enthusiastic about community engagement and developing projects that will benefit the community of Skirling; * A good communicator and with basic administration skills * A good organiser.
Recruitment for the post is now open; applications close on August 8th. We welcome contact to offer further information on the role, to discuss the post and help you to consider applying (see below). You should submit to the Secretary (see below) a brief CV, state in a covering letter why you are interested in the post and why you might be the ideal candidate. Consideration of applications will be in the following week, and interviews shortly thereafter.
If you have any questions about the post, please contact:
Dorota Donigiewicz, SCDT Chair dora.donig@gmail.com or
Andrew Fraser, SCDT Vice-Chair andrewkfraser@gmail.com
Please submit your application to:
David Gass, SCDT Secretary David.gass@ruralmatters.co.uk
This post is supported by SSE Renewables Clyde Wind Farm Community Fund.
To download a pdf with these details, please click here.
Live Borders – Youth Engagement Events
Come along to the Youth Engagement Event, Crafty Conversations, being hosted by Live Borders. Below you will find the poster displaying dates, times and locations. Please click here for a downloadable version.
Live Borders – SBC Engagement
There are three forthcoming community drop-in engagement events, which form part of the wider review of sport, leisure, and cultural facilities currently being undertaken by Live Borders and Scottish Borders Council.
These sessions are an opportunity for people to share their thoughts, ideas and views to help shape the future of our local sport, leisure, and cultural services.
Please find below the details of the dates and times for events in Tweeddale:
- Monday 18th August 10am to 2pm – Graham Institute, West Linton
- Tuesday 12th August 2pm to 7pm – Burgh Hall, Peebles
- Monday 18th August 3pm to 8pm – Memorial Hall, Innerleithen
Please click here for the posters about the three local scheduled community drop-in sessions.
Active Travel Strategy Consultation
Following the approval of the Draft Active Travel Strategy at Council on 22 May 2025, SBC is delighted to share that the 10-week consultation is now live. The consultation will be accepting comments until 31 August 2025.
Please use the link below or the QR code in the attached poster to access the survey, view the Strategy and find further information on the consultation programme.
www.scotborders.gov.uk/activetravelstrategy
For the PDF version of the poster, please click here.
Clyde Wind Farm Scholarship Fund – now open!
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.
Biggar Medical Practice Patient Group
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
Potholes and Road Repairs
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.
Regular Skirling Events
These events take place in Skirling Village Hall regularly, everyone is welcome!
Pilates –
Wednesdays from 5pm to 6pm and Thursdays from 6pm to 7pm with Lindy. £7 per person per session. Contact Lindy on 07549 686 116 or by email on pilateswithlindy@gmail.com.
Skirling Lunch –
Every second Thursday in the month from 12pm. £2 per person.
Toddlers –
Toddler group for toddlers and babies now takes place on Mondays from 11am to 12.30pm in Skirling Village Hall. Contact
Katy on 01899 860 252.
Citizens Advice Bureau / What Matters Hubs
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.