THE new community house at Langlee has received £9140 in Lottery funding, the Border Telegraph can reveal.

The award is via the Awards for All lottery scheme, and Gerry Moss from the Langlee residents association says the cash windfall will go towards running costs for the first year.

“We applied for funding for to help get the house up and running, and we are delighted that it has come through,” he said. “We will use that to pay for the carpets and the new office, and the other charges associated with converting the house.

The office is located upstairs, and it is envisaged that residents will be able to book the room if they want to get advice about benefits, housing or other matters.

“The plan is that people will be able to come in and get the latest information,” said Mr Moss. “Citizens Advice may be able to send one of their advisors. Instead of having to go to town the town, maybe once a month, they might come up here. That’s what we’re looking at.

“The housing officer can now also meet them here and help with any paperwork. It saves having to go all the way into Hawick.” Every room in the new facility will be utilised, with cooking classes being offered in the kitchen via the Healthy Living Network.

There will even be an unmanned drop in library, where local residents can leave books in they have finished with and collect new ones.

“We want to ensure that the house is a friendly place, open to all the residents of Langlee and that it helps people across the community to get know each other,” said resident Judith Cleghor.