Historic Selkirk visit from First Minister Swinney

​Both Redpath and Swinney took a tour of the General Store, Trading Post and the UK's only Repairmonger last Wednesday to highlight the sustainability and upcycling work they do and hear about their plans for the future.

The pair also visited Philiphaugh Community Centre in Bannerfield, warming up with a bowl of soup made by the centre's Souper Group. They heard of the fantastic work the community centre is doing for the community and met members of the Selkirk under-13/14s rugby team, who are the only Scottish team attending the United World Games.

Mr Redpath, SNP candidate for Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire,said: “It was fantastic to have the First Minister down in Selkirk on Wednesday – the first time a First Minister has visited the town.

"There are so many amazing initiatives across Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire, and I'm delighted that the First Minister and I were able to tour one of them: the General Store.

"Their work in sustainability and repairs is exactly the kind of initiative that we need more of across Scotland and the world. I was very interested to learn that our region is host to the only true repairmonger in the UK – showing the widespread talent in our patch of the world.

"It was amazing to also see first-hand the incredible work volunteers, including Cllr Elaine Thornton-Nicol, have been doing in Philiphaugh Community Centre to serve the people of Bannerfield.

"The innovative way volunteers run and organise programmes to help those in need is so effective, and I will be taking these ideas forward and sharing this knowledge in the future.

"The Borders has a huge role to play in shaping Scotland's future, and I want us to have a seat at the table.

"A vote for me and the SNP on May 7th is a vote to give Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire a representative that cares and will fight tooth and nail for everyone in our beautiful region."