The following article appeared in the Peeblesshire News on February 1st. The original can be viewed here.
BUILDING work has begun on the new home of Peebles Baptist Church.
Construction began on the site at the edge of Victoria Park at the beginning of January.
Work was kicked off by volunteers from the church who erected the security fencing around the construction area.
Site manager Gordon Marshall said: “This is normally just a boring chore at the beginning of a project.
“But I was really impressed by the teamwork and the sense of excitement from members of the church family!
“This has been a long time coming for many of the people here, and they’re clearly thrilled to see it happening.”
The church congregation has a vision to be ‘good news on the South Side’ and they look forward to their building being open.
With no community space or churches currently based on the south side of the town, Peebles Baptists say they look forward to becoming an integral part of the community.
With dementia friendly access and facilities for all, the new building will offer meeting space and rooms for organisations as well as ‘a place for a plate of soup or a cuppa and chat, and all the activities that are involved in being a growing and active church family’.
Fundraising is already in full swing, with several grant applications submitted, private pledges made, and gifts and offerings coming in.
But the church say that plenty more is needed and are organising further fundraising events.
On Saturday, February 2 there will be a ‘February Fling Oot table sale’ in the Burgh Hall, from 10am.
Fairtrade tea and coffee, cupcakes and muffins will be on offer along with the chance to browse round stalls selling household items, jewellery, wood turning, branded glasses, crafts, books, home baking and more.
Lunch of a homemade soup and filled rolls will be on sale from 12 noon at the event.
And on Friday, March 1, the church will be hosting Biggar band The Dukes of Uke for a show called ‘Scotland the Uke’ in the Burgh Hall. All the songs in the show were either written or made popular by Scottish singers/songwriters/bands such as Gerry Rafferty, Lulu, Gallacher and Lyle, Pilot, Proclaimers, Barbara Dickson and the Bay City Rollers, and will all be performed on ukulele.
Tickets are available from the SuperStore, McGraths, and Gustaf’s Studio.
To find out more about the church, contact Ian Gray on 07881 518854, or you can visit the church’s website at peeblesbaptistchurch.org.
