Cockburnspath Bowling Club celebrates 100th birthday and funding windfall
The Cockburnspath Bowling Club has two reasons to celebrate, as they mark their 100th birthday alongside a funding boost of £47,000 from the Co'path & Cove Community Fund.
Two grants have been made to the club. The first was for £27,000, which will go towards the costs of professional bowling green maintenance services over the next three years, ensuring that the 100 year old club can continue to provide good quality facilities that support local community wellbeing, social interaction, and recreational opportunities for residents of all ages.
The second grant was for £20,000 to install solar panels and battery storage units, which will help reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and ensure that the club can remain sustainable for the benefit of members and the wider community.
Jean Fairbairn, a representative for the Cockburnspath Bowling Club said:
"We are incredibly grateful for this generous support from the Co'path & Cove Community Fund. These grants will secure our club's future for years to come - the professional maintenance will keep our green in top condition for all our members, while the solar panels will reduce our running costs and environmental impact. It means we can continue to provide a welcoming space where people of all ages can come together, stay active, and be part of our close-knit community."
The two grants made to Cockburnspath Bowling Club were among four awards made recently from the Co'path & Cove Community Fund, totalling just over £60,000. The Fund brings together community benefit funding from six local wind farms, making it easier for community groups and charities to access funding through a single funding arrangement. The other grant recipients were Cockburnspath Village Hall and Sea the Change.
Cockburnspath Village Hall was awarded just over £8,000 to pilot a community café, with extended opening hours and a consistent and varied selection of food. The café will provide a community space to bring residents together, support community relationships promote wellbeing for local residents. Sea the Change received £5,000 to contribute towards a wider project that will fund a van for children's cycle sessions, bike maintenance, and litter clean-ups in Cockburnspath & Cove as well as the wider East Berwickshire area. This project will improve cycling access and confidence with the added bonus of promoting health and independence. It will also support the maintenance of the natural environment.
These awards reflect the commitment of the Co'path & Cove Community Fund to supporting diverse community needs, from sports facilities and environmental sustainability to social cohesion and youth activities. All awards are decided by a Panel of residents who live in Cockburnspath and Cove, who take an active interest in local issues and activities, and who are committed to making a real difference in the community.
Neil Thompson, a local resident and Panel member said:
“It's really encouraging to see the range of innovative projects coming forward and the tangible difference they're making in the community. When decisions are made by local residents who understand community priorities, we see funding going to projects that truly impact the community - from vital improvements and maintenance to initiatives that bring people together and support environmental goals.”
Information and the online application forms are available here.