COMMUNITY groups in and around Tweeddale have received a major funding boost.

The cash from the National Lottery Community Fund will help support organisations through what will likely be a difficult winter season.

Nearly £200,000 will be shared between eight projects, with You Can Cook receiving more than £86,520.

Tweeddale MP David Mundell has said the support to the groups in his constituency is “great news”.

He said: “The large number of grants awarded in the latest allocation from the National Lottery’s Community Fund is great news for all the organisations involved and is especially welcome at a time when so many groups are struggling because of inflationary pressures.

“The recipients are important to and valued in the area’s they serve and the very varied choice reflects well the founding principles of the Lottery when it was launched back in 1994.”

Biggar and District Men’s Shed will receive £5,700 which will help cover utility costs and support the sustainability of the group. The grant will also help them to continue delivering activities in the local community.

Biggar Parish Church of Scotland will be awarded £9,990 to help it keep its community café operating by replacing tables and chairs.

In Broughton, the primary school parent council has been given £9,430 to fund the development of the school’s playground into a community garden,

Greener Peebles will receive £67,860 to deliver a programme of activities at its community garden, including community meals, skills share sessions and gardening by volunteers.

Also in Peebles, Tweed Theatre will be awarded £2,325 to support the technical side of providing theatre productions in the community.

Sustainable West Linton and District will receive £9,944. This will be used to provide a free and volunteer-led thermal imaging service for the community to help households understand and reduce energy loss from their homes.

You Can Cook will receive the largest share of the grant funding – £86,520 – which will help fund cookery workshops in health and nutrition across the Borders and will help tackle loneliness and social isolation.

And The Southern Uplands Partnership will be given £5,050 to deliver a one-day nature festival and four-week programme of activities for local primary schools.