Community of Abbey St Bathans, Bonkyl and Preston

12/06/2026

"The best Organ Scholar St. Andrew's has ever had" - Local boy hits the high notes!

Wednesday 17th June at 7pm - Berwick Parish Church Music

11/06/2026

Proposed Extension to the Operating Life of Quixwood Moor Wind Farm

Abbey St Bathans, Bonkyl and Preston Community Council (ABPCC) has received a planning application from Scottish Borders Council (SBC) relating to the Quixwood Moor Wind Farm.

When the Quixwood Moor Wind Farm was first approved, the planning permission allowed the turbines to run for 25 years from when they started generating electricity on 9 March 2017. After that time (currently set as 9 March 2042), the turbines must be taken down and the land restored, following a detailed plan agreed with the Council.

The application seeks to extend this operational period by up to 10 years, allowing the wind farm to continue generating electricity until 9 March 2052. No new turbines are proposed, and there will be no changes to the size, layout or appearance of the existing development. The application relates solely to extending the operational period of the existing turbines.

All of the relevant planning documentation can be found using the following link:

https://eplanning.scotborders.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=TF7YD0NTGBN00&activeTab=summary

If any ABPCC residents would like to comment on the application, they can do so directly on the SBC website. It would also be helpful if a copy of the comments could be sent to ABPCC using the [email protected] e mail address by close on 25 June 2026.

11/06/2026

Mid Berwickshire Community Councils Multi Member Ward Report for April 2026

The latest Police Scotland Report which is now for the Mid Berwickshire area is now available through this link:

https://coabp.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mid-Berwickshire-April-2026.pdf

05/06/2026

GORDON CIVIC WEEK

6th June 2026

Fancy Dress Parade – 6th June 2026

The following roads will be closed to vehicular traffic on the 6th June 2026 between the hours of 14:45 and 16:00. These closures will only come into effect at such times when under the instruction of a police officer in uniform or appropriate signing is in place.

• Kelso Road, Gordon
• Main Street, Gordon

30/05/2026

A very varied programme of music in June at Berwick Parish Church. Check our their website for more details - https://berwickparishchurch.co.uk/musical-events/

26/05/2026

Overnight Resurfacing on A1 - South of Penmanshiel

Essential overnight carriageway resurfacing on the A1 south of Penmanshiel, approximately 4 miles south of Cockburnspath Roundabout.

WHEN
These works are scheduled to take place Tuesday 2 June to Friday 5 June, from 19:30 to 06:00 each night.

Traffic restrictions:
The A1 will be closed in both directions. Road Users will be diverted between the A1/A1107 junction for Eyemouth and the Tower Farm junction via the A1107.

This diversion will add 9 minutes and 1.2 miles to affected journeys.

Temporary traffic lights will be in place on Bridge Street in Coldingham during working hours to manage traffic through this area.

Please note: Dates and durations may be subject to change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. Emergency vehicle access will be maintained at all times.

If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback, please contact Rosie Getliff at [email protected]

24/05/2026

Upcoming ABPCC Meeting – Join Us!

The next ABPCC meeting will be held at Abbey St Bathans Village hall on 28 May 2026 starting at 7pm. All residents are welcome to attend, for a copy of the agenda and papers please contact [email protected].

20/05/2026

Details of the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order and associated road closures and other restrictions re. 2026 Jim Clark Rally this weekend can be found via the following link -

Scottish Borders Council

18/05/2026

Funding Support for Driving Lessons 2026/27

Abbey St Bathans, Bonkyl and Preston Community Council (ABPCC) has approved a request to provide further financial support for driving lessons for residents* in our area.

Funding of £200.00 per person for ten residents has been made available and the lessons must be taken before 31 March 2027. If you have already received funding from the previous schemes, you are still eligible to apply for funding from this scheme.

The scheme will operate on the following basis:

- The first ten people from the ABPCC area to apply to [email protected] or call 01361 840632 will be eligible for up to £200.00 worth of driving lessons with an instructor of their choice

- The lessons must be with an approved driving instructor (ADI)

- Confirmation of eligibility must be received from the ABPCC Secretary before chargeable lessons can be booked

- Invoices must be sent direct from the approved driving instructor (ADI) to the ABPCC Treasurer and must include your name, address and date of the lesson(s)

- Invoices for lessons taken before confirmation of eligibility has been received from the ABPCC Secretary cannot be claimed

- The date of the last lesson that can be claimed for is 31 March 2027.

- Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

The following categories are also eligible to apply for funding for lessons:

- Conversion of international driving licences to UK licences

- Conversion from an automatic driving licence to a manual driving licence

For the first time this year residents will be able to claim for the cost of their provisional licence. The licence must have been purchased on or after the date of receipt of this notification.

If you require further information about the scheme or have any queries, please contact the ABPCC Secretary at [email protected] or call 01361 840632

*Please note that your primary residence, where you spend more than half of your time, must be within the Community Council area.

15/05/2026

Preston Community Cafe will be held tomorrow, Saturday 16th May, from 10:30am to 12pm at Preston Village Hall. There will be the usual book swap and entry is by donation.

They are open every third Saturday in the month.