Successful Projects

Community Cinema Gavinton

Because of the generosity and commitment to the promotion of Community endeavours in our region by Blackhill Windfarm and Awards for All Scotland, the Community Cinema Gavinton was able to open its doors in April this year. In order to demonstrate the ‘state of the art’ equipment that the funding had allowed, as well as to introduce the team of volunteers, an Open Day  was held, with an enthusiastically received screening of the popular Children’s (and Adult’s) film, ‘Frozen’! Amateur film footage, by two local teenagers, who are part of the group of volunteers, was also shown  and  proved particularly thought provoking and well received!

There was lots of interest shown from different sectors of the community, and as a result it was decided that one family Matinee, and one evening screening per month would be the format. The feedback also informed the  subsequent programme of films from 24^th May to 16^th August.

Community Cinema Gavinton (CCG) is in the fortunate position of having a refurbished Village Hall as its venue, which is both  comfortable and accessible,  allowing members of the community, who might otherwise be marginalized, to enjoy the cinema experience too. One wheelchair user, and partner, commented enthusiastically that they would both ‘definitely be coming back!’

When the Lego Movie was screened in June, the Cinema was fortunate enough to be able to show an amateur film ‘Lego Halloween’ by a young budding filmmaker from the village of Gavinton. This was a superb piece of footage and something that the group is very keen to promote as part of a future venture into amateur film making. Needless to say, the audience was greatly impressed!

Despite the vagaries of the Scottish weather, and holiday commitments, the community has responded very positively to this emerging facility, with lots of ideas for further development.  Still in its infancy, it is being propelled by a very enthusiastic and dedicated group of volunteers, who are making great efforts to promote and enhance this facility for the future.  CCG is a member of BFFS (Cinema for All), as well as (being on the cusp of) membership to Film Hub Scotland. Shared experience has been gained from other Community Cinemas and Society groups, which has proved extremely useful. 

Publicity for the project has taken many forms (a few of which are attached):

• Advertising boards on the roadside,
• Three monthly programme posters,
• Monthly posters,
• Leaflets into schools, Libraries, Shops, Local Businesses, Swimming Pool throughout the surrounding towns and villages,
• Website (shared at present with Gavinton Village Hall, but soon to be a CCG dedicated one.)
• Radio Borders,
• Berwickshire News Entertainments section,
• ‘What’s On’ publication,
• BAVS newsletter.

Having spoken recently to someone who has done exactly what the group is aiming to do, it was impressed upon the volunteers that there is a fluctuating level of success in this kind of venture, and that it will take time to become  integrated as part of the community’s  social calendar. As the group has enthusiasm, perseverance and fortitude, hearing this was both a challenge and, paradoxically, reassuring!

                                                             Community Transport

55 Newtown Street, Duns TD11 3AU

Phone 01361 884652    Fax 01361 884976   Email allister.hart@bavs.org.uk

Blackhill Wind Farm Grant

In October 2014 Berwickshire Wheels applied for a grant of £10,000 to be used toward the purchase of a wheelchair adapted vehicle to join our fleet providing much needed transport for people living in the area. The service provides transport for people who by reason of age, disability or because of their rural location can’t use public transport. The majority of our journeys are health related or to enable people to attend social centres where they can interact with their peers and feel less isolated.

The Peugeot Boxer wheelchair adapted vehicle was purchased for £30,700. This vehicle has nine passenger seats and can carry one wheelchair. Because of significant manufacturing delays the vehicle was not bought into service until 22^nd June 2015.

From that time until 31 December 2016 the vehicle has travelled 24,000 miles and has completed 1,920 passenger journeys. These journeys have ranged from taking single wheelchair passengers to hospital appointments at the BGH or the Edinburgh hospitals, patients using walking aids who use the tail lift to access the vehicle and attend general health appointments, to weekly transport for groups attending the social centres in Duns and Eyemouth. Apart from routine maintenance and servicing the vehicle has not been off the road and is popular with passengers and with our excellent team of volunteer drivers.

On behalf of those passengers and drivers I would wish to thank the committee for agreeing our funding application that supported the purchase of such a useful addition to Berwickshire Wheels fleet. Grants like this one enable us to keep the charges we make to our passengers as affordable as possible.

Many thanks

Allister Hart

Service Development Officer

Berwickshire Wheels

Photographs forwarded separately