Campaign for Borders Rail’s AGM is given a full page in today’s Hawick Paper (6 November, page 5).
Lisa Scott, headteacher of Hawick High School, spoke about how young people’s futures are “being shaped by the opportunities they can, and cannot, reach”. She adds “when we talk about connecting places, what we really talk about is connecting people”. She posed three questions: are opportunities harder to access from Hawick; what difference could better connectivity make; and how best can young people be involved in the Campaign. She said it’s vital that young people share their views on the railway, suggesting a partnership between CBR and Hawick High School, and a pupil questionnaire.
Watson McAteer, a Hawick councillor and Convener of Scottish Borders Council, said “ completion of the railway remains a strategic priority” for the Council, adding “ we need to get this right, actually better than right”.
Marion Short, Chair of CBR, summarised the Campaign’s busy year contrasting the move away from Hawick to better connected Galashiels by the Alchemy Film Festival, contrasting that with the welcome development pf the CenterParcs site.
On page 10, the Grumpy Auld Man discusses the ‘unhelpful setback’ of the Alchemy Film Festival’s move away from Hawick to Galashiels where it will benefit from the intensive and late evening train service. He appeals for a “reinstatement of a connectivity level playing field”.
To read in full, buy the print version of the Hawick Paper in the local shops this morning, or subscribe online at thehawickpaper.co.uk/ehawickpaper/
Building on Success
We’re a long-established pressure group promoting the benefits of modern train services for communities across the Borderlands. Our grassroots campaign saw the rail link from Edinburgh to the Scottish Borders reopened. Now we’re lobbying to extend the popular Borders Railway onward to Hawick and Carlisle. Campaign for Borders Rail is an independent community-based association with over 1000 members. Founded in 1999, it has been one of the most successful grassroots rail campaigns in Great Britain, a story of concerned citizens from all walks of life getting together to right the 1969 injustice of complete closure of the 98-mile Waverley Route through the Scottish Borders. Check out our NEWS page to read the latest updates.
Read MoreANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. 31ST OCTOBER 2026. STARTS NOON. VOLUNTEER HALL, GALASHIELS
This year’s AGM will be held at the Volunteer Hall, St John’s Street, Galashiels. (adjacent to Bank Street).
The doors will open at 11am and the programme for the day will commence at 12 noon with the business session of CBR which lasts under one hour. This first session gives all those attending the opportunity to hear of our work since our 2025 AGM in Hawick and also our plans for the year ahead. Non-members are welcome to attend, but only CBR members are entitled to vote on the formal motions.
Following a lunch break, during which there will be time to chat to Committee members and view our merchandise, the second session will commence at 2pm when 3 speakers will share the stage for 30 minutes each.
Refreshments available.
We look forward to seeing you again soon.
https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/public-community-transport/borders-railway