Blackhill Community Fund

Thanks to funding from the Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund, the local tennis courts have been freshly repainted and fitted with new nets—boosting efforts to attract new players. Free “come and try” sessions, after-school clubs, and a successful holiday camp have helped engage young people in the sport. The club plans to continue growing participation while maintaining the courts for future use.

This project aimed to refurbish and repair a number of local amenities in our local area, including two local bus shelters, railings, benches, cutting back shrubbery and renewal of signs.

The project allowed older residents from the Westruther community to share their memories and experiences with Primary 4 to 7 pupils from the primary school.

Since 1990, our befriending projects have supported children (8+), young people, and adults with learning disabilities—reducing isolation, boosting wellbeing, and giving respite to family carers.

Since 2015, this community-led project has transformed Duns with vibrant planting across 23 sustainable beds and countless planters. Their electric watering vehicle, “Billy Bowser,” is essential to the upkeep—and thanks to 100% funding from BWCF, new batteries were installed in 2023 to keep everything growing strong.

With support from BWCF, we collaborated with Dunse History Society and Duns & District Business Forum to create a printed and digital tourism map celebrating the town’s rich history. Despite challenges, including post-Covid delays and team changes, the project brought together over 100 local contributors and now forms part of a refreshed Town Trail, helping visitors explore Duns in a meaningful and engaging way.

With support from the Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund, the community of Gordon proudly purchased the Gordon Sports Field in February 2023. This new community-owned space is already taking shape, with fencing installed by local volunteers and plans underway to develop it into a vibrant hub for sport and recreation.

Thanks to a £4,000 grant from the Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund, ESR planted native woodland trees and installed fencing to protect them from curious hooves. Young people and adults engaged in hands-on planting sessions, gaining skills and confidence outdoors. The project not only inspired individual growth and future ambitions but also supported biodiversity, creating habitats and natural barriers for years to come.

With support from the Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund, Reston JAC member Lauren travelled to Canada as part of an international exchange. A highlight of her trip was visiting Richmond Ranch, home to Aberdeen Angus and Limousin cattle. “I had a wonderful time and can’t wait to go back one day,” she shared. “Thank you for helping make this incredible experience possible.”

DunsPlayFest 2022 returned with a hybrid festival—live performances at the Volunteer Hall and a curated online programme available for weeks afterward. With support from the Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund, a young filmmaker captured the live shows for digital audiences, and A Heart for Duns received funding for a sign-board for the visually impaired—ensuring accessibility remains at the heart of the festival’s vision.