West Tweeddale Parishes

Forthcoming Events:

Gaelic Psalm Singing (22/10/2024 - Tue)

Are you interested in learning to sing Psalms in Gaelic?  Rob MacNeacail leads a session in Carlops Church on a Tuesday evening from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. No prior knowledge of Gaelic is needed as the lyrics are learned phonetically. You can email Rob at or just drop by one of the sessions. 

Lamancha Community Cafe (23/10/2024 - Wed)

The community cafe run by Lamancha Community Hub is open every Wednesday from 10 am till 2pm and if it's nice weather you can sit outside.

Carlops Cuppa and Company (24/10/2024 - Thu)

Every Thursday afternoon, Carlops Church from 2pm until 4pm houses an informal tea and chat session.  No need to book; come at any time; stay as long as you like; enjoy the company of friends and neighbours.

Community CoSY Coffee Afternoon (25/10/2024 - Fri)

Our hours are 2pm to 4pm on Fridays, at the Old Church Hall in West Linton. Come along for a chat, cuppa, company and cake! Everyone very welcome, although under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult. Free of charge although donations welcome but not expected. More information from Kate Whalley.

Open Gate Counselling Service (25/10/2024 - Fri)

The Open Gate

The Open Gate counselling service started up in 2019 with financial help from the Church of Scotland’s Go For It Fund, and had been available on Friday afternoons in Newlands Centre, Romanno Bridge for appointments, proving useful for helping a range of problems. As you know, since the onset of Covid, it has continued only as a telephone appointment service which was available throughout the week.

Following discussion at our latest Kirk Session meeting, it was agreed that The Open Gate should continue again back in Newlands Centre on Friday afternoons for face-to-face appointments for a trial period of a few months, and this will start up on a weekly basis from 1st September. Early appointments will be arranged by phoning or texting 07535 898 244

Please make the most of this opportunity!

Use it for yourself or suggest it to friends. Everyone has some sort of problem in their life that could be helped in a relaxed and pleasant way. Sessions remain free and confidential and the client decides when their problem has been helped – often after only 1 session. Some problems can’t be changed eg death of a loved one, physical impairment etc, but folk can be helped to cope more happily with these issues.

Baby Brunch (25/10/2024 - Fri)

Baby brunch is resuming in West Linton on Friday 26th August in the Old Church Hall on the Lower Green during school term time. This is for parents, grandparents, carers or childminders with babies and/or young toddlers.

Baby brunch provides a warm and welcoming place to come to meet and chat with others and to get to know more people in the village. It also provides the opportunity for children to play and socialise.

Presbytery Mission Committee Autumn Confererence (25/10/2024 - Fri)

The Lothian and Borders Presbytery Mission Committee will be holding their Autumn Conference on the theme of "Church in 2024: From Lament to Hope" on Friday 25th October in St. Andrew Blackadder Church, North Berwick. The event runs from 10.00 to 15.30 (coffee will be available from 9.30). Please bring your own lunch.

The key speaker is Prof. Tom Greggs of Aberdeen University. In addition there will be mission stories and interviews and an opportunity to learn some of the songs from the new CH4 supplementary book 'God Welcomes All' with co-editor Phil Mellstrom.

Join us for a day of inspiration and fellowship. Further details from Rev Peter Wood, Mission Officer

Carlops Drop-In Coffee (26/10/2024 - Sat)

There is a coffee drop-in meeting in Carlops Church on the last Saturday of every month, from 10.30am to 12 noon. Everyone is invited: come and drink coffee, eat scones and cake, chat, enjoy good company. There is no charge, but donations are invited, for pandemic depleted Church funds initially.

The organisers welcome any help you can offer: moving chairs and tables before and after the event; providing scones, cake, biscuits;serving tables. If you can help from time to time, contact Mary Levison or Mary McElroy. Contact details can be found at the bottom of the July 2022 Carlops Church newsletter.

Last Date for Blythswood Care Shoebox donations (27/10/2024 - Sun)

Sunday 27th October is the last date for Blythswood Care Shoebox donations. These boxes will be distributed in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. We are asked to use shoeboxes rather than bags, and partly filled boxes are acceptable as well as items from the list as they can be used as fillers. Filled shoeboxes and any fillers must be in St. Andrew's church, West Linton by Sunday 27th October. The van is coming to Peebles on Monday 28th October.

Contemplative Prayer Inspired by Julian of Norwich (04/11/2024 - Mon)

Come and Pray with us. Join us on the first Monday of the month at 2.00 p.m. in the small meetihg room at the back of Broughton Village Hall (entry by the ramp next to the entrance to the car park). Each session lasts one hour and includes prayer and discussion.

For the next few months we will be praying for the future of Broughton Kirk using contemplative prayer inspired by Julian of Norwich. The next meeting is on Monday 4th November.

Broughton Bite 'n' Blether (06/11/2024 - Wed)

Organised by Upper Tweeddale Community Council, this is held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month from 10 o’clock till midday. Come along to Broughton Village Hall for a hot roll, home baking and tea/coffee. Suggested £3 donation. All welcome

Gathering at Whim Care Centre (06/11/2024 - Wed)

A short, informal little service to be held in the Whim Care Centre on the 1st Wednesday of the month. St Mungos folk have been doing this on the 2nd and 4th weeks. Interested Whim residents are drawn together in the lounge area and have been enjoying this time together.

Margaret Habeshaw will likely be taking her keyboard for some cheerful hymns, but we are in need of folk to lead the singing and we are hoping that we can be joined by one or two from our churches to help with this. Entrance is by the door down the slope at the side of the building. We will be starting at 2 pm, for a service perhaps lasting 30 minutes and we will likely be offered a cup of tea later.”

Remembrance in West Tweeddale (10/11/2024 - Sun)

Remembrance Services in West Tweeddale will be held throughout the linkage on Sunday 10th November 2024 at the following times.

Carlops Church at 10am - Murray Campbell
Newlands Church 10am - Rev. Tony Foley
St. Andrew’s, West Linton at 11.30am - Kevin Scott, Steven Whalley and Rev. Nick Bowry
Skirling Church at 11.00am - Rev. Bill Buchan (commencing at the War Memorial)
Tweedsmuir Church at 9.30am - Peter Worthington
Broughton War Memorial at 11am - Peter Worthington


Carlops Soup Lunch (13/11/2024 - Wed)

This is held in Carlops Church on the second Wednesday of every month throughput the Winter (except December) until further notice. Times are 12noon to 1.30pm. The first event is on Wednesday 13 September 2023 and the last in April 2024.

There is no charge, but charitable donations are invited. There is no need to book; just turn up; take a cup or choose your soup; drink, eat and chat. As regulars know, places are limited and it can get busy; an early appearance may be the wise strategy

Skirling Lunch Club (14/11/2024 - Thu)

For one day each month the Skirling Community hosts lunch in the Skirling Village Hall. Anyone is welcome to come along. This is held on the second Thursday of every month at 12:30.

Films That Make You Think (15/11/2024 - Fri)

The Parish of Upper Tweeddale presents a series of films with themes or content that 'make you think'. Each film will be followed by a short (30 minute) facilitated discussion allowing people to share their thoughts. The third film is in Broughton Village Hall on Friday 15th November and starts at 7:30. This will be a Christmas themed family friendly film ('U' certificate). The film is free (although donations will be welcome) and light refreshments will be provided. 

More information about the programme can be found on the Films That Make You Think web page. For licensing reasons we cannot advertise the name of the film here but you can contact one of the organising team: Neil Robinson, Linda Hill, Peter Worthington, Lesley Craise or Alexis Marr.

Last Date for Peeblesshire Youth Trust donations (17/11/2024 - Sun)

We have been asked if we could donate jam and/ or shampoo/shower gel/soap for the Peeblesshire Youth Trust Christmas Hampers. They anticipate around120 nominations from social work, schools and health visitors to help families across Peeblesshire and hope we can help in some small way. Last day for donations at St Andrew’s West Linton will be Sunday 17 November

West Tweeddale Guild (20/11/2024 - Wed)

At the November Guild meeting at 2.30pm in Newlands Church we hope to have a speaker from the local Fire Service to talk about first aid in the community. Everyone is welcome.

Messy Church - Zaccheus (24/11/2024 - Sun)

Messy Church will be starting again this winter on the following Sundays:

Sunday 24 November – Zaccheus
Sunday 15 December – Christmas
Sunday 19 January – The House Built on Rock
Sunday 9 February – Lost and Found
Sunday 16 March – The Seed and the Sower

Sessions start at 4pm prompt in the New Church Hall at West Linton and finish at 6pm.

All children from babies to P7 are most welcome to come and join in the fun!

We will start with a Bible Story and then the children will do a range of craft activities, followed by a song and a prayer and finish off with a meal together. All children MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Please do consider joining us for an afternoon of fun activities and a family meal together.

For more information contact Jean Howat (01968 660677)

Blue Christmas Service (09/12/2024 - Mon)

Christmas Gift Services (15/12/2024 - Sun)

Gift Services will be held in each of the churches in Upper Tweeddale, Newlands Church and St. Andrew's, West Linton on Sunday 15th December: a chance to gift something to those who have little at Christmas.

For Upper Tweeddale gifts for all ages welcome, unwrapped please, separate wrapping paper is a bonus. The parish of Upper Tweeddale supports two charities with gifts. Warm clothing and gifts for older children will go to Edinburgh Old Kirk and Muirhouse for distribution to those in need in the parish. Gift vouchers are particularly appreciated by young people supported by the Borders Young Carers Trust and enables young carers to choose their own gift.

For Newlands and St. Andrew's, West Linton, gifts for children from newborns to 18 year olds will be distributed in the Borders via the Salvation Army. New gifts should be brought to the service unwrapped (wrapping paper is appreciated). St. Andrew's will also be open for donations on Saturday 14th December from 10am to 12 noon.

Services will be held in Broughton Church at 11.00am, Newlands Church at 10amSkirling Church at 11.30amTweedsmuir Church at 9.30am and St. Andrew's, West Linton at 11.30am.

Messy Church - Christmas (15/12/2024 - Sun)

Messy Church will be starting again this winter on the following Sundays:

Sunday 24 November – Zaccheus
Sunday 15 December – Christmas
Sunday 19 January – The House Built on Rock
Sunday 9 February – Lost and Found
Sunday 16 March – The Seed and the Sower

Sessions start at 4pm prompt in the New Church Hall at West Linton and finish at 6pm.

All children from babies to P7 are most welcome to come and join in the fun!

We will start with a Bible Story and then the children will do a range of craft activities, followed by a song and a prayer and finish off with a meal together. All children MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Please do consider joining us for an afternoon of fun activities and a family meal together.

For more information contact Jean Howat (01968 660677)

Prayers for Broughton (16/12/2024 - Mon)

On the third Monday of each month at 2pm the Broughton prayer group will meet to focus on the future of Broughton Church. The next meeting two meetings will be in the small meeting room at Broughton Village Hall on Monday 21st October and Monday 16th December and will last about one hour.

Garvald Shepherd's Play (18/12/2024 - Wed)

All are welcome to the Garvald School Nativity Play at St. Andrews Church, West Linton on 20th December at 7pm 

The Garvald shepherds play is one of 3 "mystery" plays that date back to the middle ages where they were performed every year on a small island on the Danube called Oberufer. The plays were discovered and translated in the 1840s by a gentleman named Karl Julius Schroer a friend and teacher of Rudolf Steiner. 

The 3 plays were brought to Garvald by our founders in 1944 and have been performed in Garvald annually, pretty much uninterrupted. The Shepherd's play is the tale of the shepherds coming together on a cold dark night to follow that compellingly bright star which leads them to a warm stable filled with wonder and faith. The play has a mixture of mirth and reverence with the comical antics of the shepherds and the beautiful melodies of old songs. 

The play is suitable for all age groups, so please come along and enjoy this wonderfully warm play performed by a mixture of staff members and residents from Garvald West Linton. Stay around after the play to meet the cast and enjoy festive mincemeat pies and hot chocolate.

Please download and display this flyer for the event.

Messy Church - The House Built on Rock (19/01/2025 - Sun)

Messy Church will be starting again this winter on the following Sundays:

Sunday 24 November – Zaccheus
Sunday 15 December – Christmas
Sunday 19 January – The House Built on Rock
Sunday 9 February – Lost and Found
Sunday 16 March – The Seed and the Sower

Sessions start at 4pm prompt in the New Church Hall at West Linton and finish at 6pm.

All children from babies to P7 are most welcome to come and join in the fun!

We will start with a Bible Story and then the children will do a range of craft activities, followed by a song and a prayer and finish off with a meal together. All children MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Please do consider joining us for an afternoon of fun activities and a family meal together.

For more information contact Jean Howat (01968 660677)

Messy Church - Lost and Found (09/02/2025 - Sun)

Messy Church will be starting again this winter on the following Sundays:

Sunday 24 November – Zaccheus
Sunday 15 December – Christmas
Sunday 19 January – The House Built on Rock
Sunday 9 February – Lost and Found
Sunday 16 March – The Seed and the Sower

Sessions start at 4pm prompt in the New Church Hall at West Linton and finish at 6pm.

All children from babies to P7 are most welcome to come and join in the fun!

We will start with a Bible Story and then the children will do a range of craft activities, followed by a song and a prayer and finish off with a meal together. All children MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Please do consider joining us for an afternoon of fun activities and a family meal together.

For more information contact Jean Howat (01968 660677)

Messy Church - The Seed and the Sower (16/03/2025 - Sun)

Messy Church will be starting again this winter on the following Sundays:

Sunday 24 November – Zaccheus
Sunday 15 December – Christmas
Sunday 19 January – The House Built on Rock
Sunday 9 February – Lost and Found
Sunday 16 March – The Seed and the Sower

Sessions start at 4pm prompt in the New Church Hall at West Linton and finish at 6pm.

All children from babies to P7 are most welcome to come and join in the fun!

We will start with a Bible Story and then the children will do a range of craft activities, followed by a song and a prayer and finish off with a meal together. All children MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Please do consider joining us for an afternoon of fun activities and a family meal together.

For more information contact Jean Howat (01968 660677)

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