Wednesday August 5th 2026
Earlston Community Benefits ... Pictured L to R: Derek Harvey, Project Manager at HAGs UK, Carol Cooke, SBC Parks and Environment Manager, Phil and Joy Snape (Earlston Community Larder), Sheila Gibb (Earlston in Bloom) and Susan Law (Beyond Earlston)
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A trio of community groups received a welcome financial boost from Scottish Borders Council’s (SBC) Community Benefits Wishlist scheme earlier this week.
Earlston Community Larder, Beyond Earlston and Earlston in Bloom were all selected to receive £200 worth of vouchers from HAGs UK, the main contractor of Earlston’s new destination playpark.
The Community Benefits Wishlist is designed to add value to contracts, delivering wider economic, social, and environmental benefits to local communities.
This might include employment and training opportunities, supporting small and medium-sized businesses, educational support activities or the sponsoring of local events or projects.
Councillor Leagh Douglas, SBC’s executive member for Finance, IT and Corporate Performance said: “Community benefits can have a significant positive impact on the Scottish Borders, whether that is by helping to provide young unemployed people with work experience or by supporting local small and medium sized businesses or providing sponsorship or assistance with community events.
“I am delighted to see that community benefits are delivering added value to our communities and look forward to seeing many more in the future.”
The Community Café and Larder Foodshare (Earlston Community Larder) based within Earlston Parish Church, which provides a welcoming and supportive space within the village, also received £100 vouchers for Morrisons and Asda respectively.
Earlston in Bloom is a strong community group which is instrumental in ensuring that the village looks as attractive and welcoming as possible for both locals and visitors.
The group requested that their benefit contributed to the cost of two self-watering hanging baskets and they also received some compost.
Beyond Earlston provides youth work opportunities and activities to young people living in the Earlston High School Catchment area aged 12- 18 years.
The charity is holding their AGM and family day on Friday, August 14 and requested that their donation was made to a local business supporting the event.
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