Forestry Commission - News - double biking boost for newcastleton

Mountain biking in Newcastleton received a double boost with a new award of 'Excellence' from the Hawick Partnership and the setting up of a local volunteer group to support trailbuilding.

The award was in recognition of the effort and achievements for the Holm to Holm mountain bike race held in the village last year, and the newly named 'Woodland Warriors' have been formed to add more spice to the popular 7stanes trails in Newcastleton. The new volunteer trailbuilding team are looking for more hands to help with the work.

Alex Maclennan, Recreation Manager for Forestry Commission Scotland and Helen Ford of the Rural Resource Centre collected the award on behalf of the community of Newcastleton at a ceremony in Hawick's Drumlanrig Tower. The ceremony was held to celebrate innovative ways in which local community groups have been developing the town of Hawick and surrounding areas.

Alex said:

"It's been all go at the 7stanes Newcastleton trails lately! The local community and the Commission are delighted with the award from the Hawick Partnership. Everyone is mighty pleased that their hard work has been recognised. Last year's event was an encouraging start to build on and with all the support and backing from the community and local businesses we should be able to get even more riders taking part this year. Collecting the award means a lot to everyone involved in organising the event."

On the back of the Holm to Holm bike race, and other events held in the village, a new umbrella group focussing on sport, tourism and development has been formed to encourage more top events in the area, and to continue with well established events such as the Newcastleton Music Festival.

Forestry Commission Scotland is keen to encourage volunteering within the 7stanes project and has helped tap into the enthusiasm of mountain bikers around the area. The new Woodland Warriors trailbuilding team meets every fortnight at Newcastleton forest and spends a few hours working to build new features on the trails before heading off for a fun bike ride in the forest. The first meeting attracted fifteen volunteers:

"On the first meeting of the Woodland Warriors we had a brilliant turnout" says Alex. "That day we build a whole new section of timber trails that are great fun to ride on. You don't need any experience at all to join in, just a sense of humour and bags of enthusiasm. We'd welcome anyone along who wants to lend a hand - the more the merrier."

If you want to get involved in volunteer trailbuilding at the 7stanes Newcastleton centre drop Alex an email on alex.maclennan@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or give him a call on 01750 721 120.

This year's Newcastleton Forest MTB race is to be held on 22nd / 23rd October. Organisers are looking to lay on two days of bike races and a special evening event for riders who love the sport of nightriding.

The Euro funded 7stanes project is building seven mountain bike centres right across the south of Scotland from the Borders to Dumfries and Galloway.

Media enquiries to Alex Maclennan, Scottish Borders forest District, 01750 721 120 or Steve Williams, Forestry Commission Scotland press office 0131 314 6508.