Oxton and Channelkirk Community Council

12/04/2026

24/03/2026

Winter weather may be on the way out but its contribution to road surface damage is still with us. For anyone wishing to report issues with local roads and pavements SBC provide on-line reporting via this link:

Report a pothole or road problem

16/02/2026

As many may be aware the OCCC is currently disbanded as it goes through a re-election process. However, several of the prospective members wanted to share some information on the Oxton to Lauder railway path.

The ambition to develop a cycle path along the old railway line goes back to at least 2016 and was included in our community action plan in 2022. It is clear that there are mixed views within the community on how this project is being delivered and it has been acknowledged that communication and engagement with the community should have been better ahead of work starting on site.

There will be a meeting held 7.30pm on Friday night (20th Feb) in the Oxton War Memorial Hall for all those wanting to hear more about the project and to voice their concerns or support. Local councillors and representatives from the SBC Active Travel team will be attending.

We are also looking at how we can canvas opinions and collect questions in advance of this meeting, particularly for those unable to attend in person and so will share more information on this asap. In the meantime, please use [email protected] to share your views/questions.

30/11/2025

Thank you to the team of Davie Swanston, David Hamilton, Darren Borthwick, Paul Fulton, Chris Sloan, Ian Young, Rory Aglen and Skip Skipworth for putting up the Christmas lights and tree this morning

Looking nice and festive already ahead of Santa visiting us to turn on the lights next Sunday at our Oxton Christmas Fair And Light Switch On

Also big thanks to Linda Skotzen for donating the brilliant tree to the village, straight from her garden 🎄

26/11/2025

We are delighted to announce that the following talented local crafters, bakers and book sellers will be showcasing with tables at the Oxton Christmas Fair And Light Switch On on Sunday 7th December...

Natural Crafts
Made in the Heid
Weigh Greener
The Wedale Bookshop
Hannah Mary
Joyce Knox
Lam-bakes
Sarah Yaxley
Jasmin Schultz

The Channelkirk Parent Council will also serving delicious warm fruit crumbles from the Hall Kitchen

22/11/2025

We are delighted to introduce you to With A Cherry On Top who will be joining us at our Oxton Christmas Fair And Light Switch On on Sunday 7th December at the Village Hall, 5pm to 7pm.

They will be serving some delicious sounding sweet and savoury crepes as well as hot drinks including tea, coffee and hot chocolate ☕🥞

21/11/2025

🐑🐴This is a reminder to please be respectful to our farming neighbours when enjoying the countryside.

Make sure you take care to shut gates securely and please stay out of fields with livestock, particularly around lambing time, unless you have the permission of the farmer.

Always keep dogs under control and don't let them worry sheep or other animals. 🐄🐓

18/11/2025

❄️❄️❄️As we wake up to the first snow of the season, this is a reminder to keep pavements clear in Oxton to allow the snow plough to get around. Please make sure any overhanging bushes/shrubs have been cut back. Where possible, please refrain from putting your bins out the night before bin day, the plough goes out early and it's much easier if bins can be put out afterwards. ❄️❄️❄️

☃️Huge thank you to Dave for keeping the village clear and us all safe!☃️

08/11/2025

Enjoy the Oxton Fireworks Celebration tonight safely.

Please do not cross the rope where the fireworks are being set off.

Sparklers are not encourage but if you do have them please put them in the one of the buckets with water provided.

Finally please do not park your vehicle on the side of the road coned off alongside the football pitch where the fireworks are being set.

We hope you all have a fantastic evening, join us from 6pm onwards, we expect a large number of people coming by car so come early and park safely in the village 🎆

29/10/2025

🎉 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 🎉

Early Learning and Childcare Enrolment Week for the 2026–27 session starts on Monday 17 November 2025!

If your child will be 3 or 4 years old between 1st March 2026 and 28th February 2027, or you are looking to defer a P1 place, then you can apply for their free nursery place at Channelkirk Primary School Nursery for year August 2026 to June 2027.

There are no catchment restrictions so you can apply from out with the Oxton catchment area.

Channelkirk Nursery is a fantastic small, nurturing environment focused on play, learning, and growth.

Enrolment week is 17th to 21st November
🔗 Official SBC enrolment information: http://scotborders.gov.uk/elc

If you have any questions about the nursery at Channelkirk Primary School or the enrolment process please leave a comment here or contact the school directly on [email protected]

10/10/2025

The Oxton and Channelkirk Community Council are delighted to invite you to the Oxton Fireworks Celebration on Saturday 8th November.

Taking place at the village playing field, join us from 6pm onwards, with the display taking place at 7pm.

The Primary School Parent Council will be serving all the food and drink on the night.

Admission is free, but donations are welcome and go towards the cost of future events with a collection taking place after the display. The display is funded by Toddleburn windfarm, and donations from the last event.

There will also be drinks served at The Tower Hotel - Oxton both before and after the event.

We hope that by organising this event for the whole community it will mean there is less need for household displays and disruption and distress to animals.

If you have any questions about the event please comment below or message Paul Fulton

We hope to see as many of you as possible for this exciting event.

23/03/2025

OCCC have been contacted by Galileo Empower regarding their intention to start consultation for a windfarm and solar energy project to the east of the A7 near Fountainhall.

To start the consultation process the company are holding three public exhibitions.

- Fountainhall Village Hall, Old Stage Road, Fountainhall TD1 2SY
Tuesday 1 April, 2pm to 5.30pm

- Lauder Scout Hall, West High Street, Lauder TD2 6TE
Wednesday 2 April, 2pm to 6pm

- Stow Town Hall, Earlston Road, Stow TD1 2QS
Thursday 3 April, 3pm to 7pm

Plans and copies of the exhibition material will also be available on the project website when these are added.

https://longmuirenergy.co.uk/

After the exhibition they will start the formal assessment process by submitting a "request for scoping opinion" to the Energy Consents Unit where feedback from individuals and community groups can be shared.

As we've done for previous local windfarm proposals OCCC will seek to understand and represent the views of the whole community regarding the application.

Independently of the planning process we would also discuss any community benefits which may be offered so as to secure the best arrangement for the community in the event the windfarm becomes operational. This may include an option for the community having equity or a share of the ownership.

The process is fully open to the public. Individuals or other groups can make their own representations, as well as CCs.

Galileo Empower is developing proposals for a renewable energy and biodiversity enhancement project on land approximately 4.5km north of the village of Stow in the Scottish Borders.