THE sun shone as Earlston came together again to enjoy a fun-filled, action packed community day on Sunday, September 7.

Now in its fourth year, the community days are proving to be a very popular event for all members of the community. It showcases the wide variety of volunteer led groups currently running in the village with the groups hosting a number of activities, providing information about their group and recruiting potential new members.

This year’s activities included the first ever Community Day Bike Ride Out supported by Earlston’s champion resident Rebecca Kennedy, winner of the British National Downhill Championships 2014. It proved to be a very popular event with over 35 cyclists of all ages participating. Mags Powell, Chair of Earlston Community Development Trust, said: “This was a great turnout for our first Community Day Ride Out and we will certainly be looking at making this a yearly event.” With over 15 community groups participating in the day providing a varied selection of activities for the community to enjoy everyone who came along had lots of fun. The other new activities this year which included the 4Bike experience which combines the racing and scoring format of cycle speedway with the off road cycling challenges of cycle-cross racing and a smoothie bike sponsored by Reiver Recruitment also proved to be very popular. The tug-of-war competition saw the Earlston Fantasy Farmers team become the new champions and were presented with the Cup donated by BSW Timber.

Mags said: “Yet again this year has been a great success and is down to the hard work of our team and willing volunteers as well as continuing support from the participating community groups, individuals, business, organisations and the community of Earlston.

“Every year we are blown away by the support we receive for the day and this year is no exception.

“Our thanks must go to: Trevor Bryant, David Kennedy, Rebecca Kennedy, Reiver Recruitment, Co-Op, Keith Robertson Cars, Hardies Bikes, Brookfield Childcare, Black Bull, Lauder Barns, Top of the Mops, Merlin Vets, Priya Indian, Elliot Electrics, Cutting Shop, Borders Groomers, Turnbull Chemist, Mr Kwan, Harbro, Gordon Edgar, Tom Davidson Gallery, Aquarius Hairdressers, Wooplaw Woods, Earlston Primary School, Earlston Rugby Club, Earlston Civic Week Committee, Red Lion Hotel, Evergreen Florists, Bodyworks, The Royal Bank of Scotland, Rhymers Café, Stewart Riddell, Border Chainsaw, Alfonso’s, Cost Cutters, Pound Bake, White Swan, Donaldson Butchers, A Walker, Shannon Elliot, Lothian Buses, Bob Austin and Advanced Signs.”