Blackhill Community Fund

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.

Formerly known as the EBGR project, the Borders Greenway is progressing thanks to vital early support from the Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund. The grant helped establish a well-supported Community Consultation Group and Steering Group, contributing to a full feasibility study commissioned by South of Scotland Enterprise and Scottish Borders Council. Covering the proposed route from Melrose to Eyemouth, the project is now poised to become a major active travel initiative for the region.

With a £3,243 grant from the Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund, ParentSpace delivered 91 one-to-one support sessions—exceeding expectations. Sessions were held in-home or by phone, providing flexible support for families across the region. The grant also funded training for two new facilitators, helping expand services, including a new Dads-only course and more planned for the year ahead.

Thanks to support from the Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund, Gavinton Village Hall is now equipped with a generator to provide emergency power during outages. The generator is fully insured and maintained, with local volunteers receiving regular refresher training. The project has inspired similar setups in neighbouring communities, strengthening local resilience across the area.

With a £920 grant from the Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund, the front of the hall has been transformed with new plants, decorative features, and twinkling lights—making the space more welcoming year-round. All materials were sourced locally, supporting small businesses, and thoughtful touches like bubble wrap insulation help protect the plants through winter. Trustees and the community are delighted with the results.

Held in April 2022 at Duns Castle and the Volunteer Hall, the Robert Hay Seminar brought together international scholars and local audiences to explore the life and legacy of Scottish Egyptologist Robert Hay. With support from the Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund, the event featured keynote talks, exhibitions, and cultural activities, while also raising funds for the Red Cross. A truly memorable and collaborative event highlighting Duns’ rich historical ties to Egyptology.

With £5,000 in support from the Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund, the Volunteer Hall has been fully refurnished with new tables, chairs, and trolleys—enhancing the space for community events. Despite supply delays and rising costs, the team sourced quality, durable furniture and repurposed what they could. The hall is now better equipped to meet growing post-Covid demand, thanks to a collaborative funding effort.