Glentress has it all figured out

Go Ape's site at Glentress, near Peebles, continues to be an asset for the area and it was welcome to hear that visitor numbers have continued to rise, despite wet weather during last year's summer.

With thousands turning up, the local economy is receiving a huge boost with visitors getting to experience some wonderful scenery throughout their adventure in Glentress Forest. It is a wonderful day out for those who love thrilling adventure.

Here’s hoping for some better weather over the course of the 2016 season so that even more impressive numbers can be reported.

Funding Awards

I was delighted to hear of major funding awards across the constituency this week from two separate sources, namely Awards for All Scotland and Bank of Scotland Foundation grants.

Focusing on the cash from Awards for All, Peebles CAN received £9,488 from the Big Lottery Fund which will help it develop Youth Enterprise Skills Passports through a feasibility study. This is an important first step for the group to determine whether this is going to be a fruitful project and a funding boost will help it achieve this.

Enterprise passports are a great tool for youngsters who are hoping to show future employers that they have engaged in extra activities outwith school.

Peebles CAN is a fantastic community group and through projects such as its community garden and local food projects, there will be lots of opportunities for young people to complete a skills passport if there is a positive outcome from the feasibility study.

Sport is also a great resource in the community and the £8,500 award for St Ronan’s Bowling Club in Innerleithen is a fantastic news. This will ensure grass bankings are created around the bowling green.

Bowls is a sport which can bring people together, particularly the elderly.

Another group which I have worked closely with is Tweeddale Youth Action, who I met before Christmas to learn more about the fantastic work it does for youngsters in Peebles, Innerleithen and surrounding communities.

A £12,000 Bank of Scotland Foundation award is tremendous news for staff who commit so much time helping youngsters in terms of enjoyable activities, trips and preparing them for employment.

This money will ensure staff and overhead costs are met for the foreseeable future and hopefully encourage more volunteers to come forward to give their time to provide further opportunities for youngsters.

Reservoirs

I was pleased to hear Scottish Water confirm it didn’t make flooding problems in Peebles any worse by emptying water from the Talla, Fruid or Megget reservoirs.

This was a subject that I took on as a matter of urgency for constituents, and I was very angry that this problem could have been exacerbated by Scottish Water when heavy rain hit the area.

It was only right that Scottish Water clarified its position towards local residents who were badly affected and I hope this policy of not emptying reservoirs continues.