A NUMBER of Tweeddale groups are in line to benefit from thousands of pounds from a council fund.

But two organisations – including the Innerleithen Swap and Share Shed – look set to miss out on a cash boost.

A document listing recommendations for community groups to receive money from the Neighbourhood Support Fund was published ahead of next week’s Tweeddale Area Partnership meeting.

The fund is there to assist active voluntary groups who are planning community-based projects, according to Scottish Borders Council.

Tweed Wheels – a transport provider operating under parent charity The Bridge – is set to get £7,000 from the cash pot to help with the purchase of a new minibus.

The document stated: “The Bridge Council for Voluntary Service requests £7,000 to make up the balance of the sum they put aside previously for a new 17-seat minibus (£39,000).

“The minibus is needed now, otherwise they would go for an EV one that is able to take the wheelchair lift and is still within the size range of their volunteer driver limit.”

Meanwhile, the Peebles Civic Society has been recommended to receive around £4,300 to create a digital archive based on the Tweeddale woollen industry.

“The project aims to curate a digital archive based on recollections and ephemera of those who have worked in the Tweeddale woollen industry,” the document stated. “It involves hosting blethering events to collect this material.

“The digital archive will be locally available on static machines and more widely available online in the long term. Peebles Civic Society has run an initial pilot to test [the] level of local interest.

“They have also established partnerships for this project with other local history groups. This is a worthwhile project and very engaging for the community.

“The costs cover video lighting equipment, microphones, reconditioned laptops from the Renew Crew, Filemaker Pro software, venue hire and exhibition materials. In the long term, the equipment would be available to other Tweeddale groups.”

The Cheyne Gang – a singing group run by nurses for people with long-term respiratory conditions – looks in line to get £2,925 from the fund for running costs, while Clovenfords & District Community Council’s request for £1,944 to build a wooden bridge to link a playing field to Caddonfoot Road is expected to be approved.

But Innerleithen Swap and Share Shed’s request for £5,000 has not been recommended for approval.

The resource, which can be used anonymously, asked for £350 per month for a year to buy tins and toiletries plus 40 £20 food vouchers.

But the Tweeddale assessment panel said it was not sure if this would be the right fund considering that kind of support is a broad need across the Borders.

Meanwhile, Stable Life – a Borders-wide charity which helps vulnerable young people – looks set to miss out on £2,500.

The panel said its request was a “generic application for staff costs and there is no evidence of value for Tweeddale”.