Christine Grahame MSP has visited “The Wee Crook” this week, the licensed bistro which is phase one of ambitious plans to redevelop the historic Crook Inn.
Accompanied by Dr Duncan Davidson, chairman of Tweedsmuir Community
Company, and Lesley Mason, the Development Officer, the local MSP was
shown how well the development work on the former steading building is
proceeding.
The MSP was very impressed with progress, and admired both the quality of
the renovations and the visual appeal of the building. She also commented
on the busy roadside location, and the excellent opportunity it provided for
attracting trade.
The work involves an investment of £600,000, which is being funded by a
range of organisations, including Scottish Borders Council (through the
South of Scotland Enterprise Fund); the Clyde and Glenkerie Wind Farm
Community Funds and Garfield Weston Foundation.
Christine Grahame is a keen gardener, so she was particularly interested to
hear about the community’s efforts to restore the overgrown Crook Gardens,
which in their heyday included an elegant Art Deco style formal garden and a
productive kitchen garden. These spaces, together with the field beyond,
have seen a band of volunteers digging in on a weekly basis, and they are
beginning to take shape. With an emphasis on biodiversity, the gardens,
community space and wildflower meadow will be both an accessible, tranquil
place to visit, and an inspiration to people, with ideas they can try out in their
own gardens.
The Wee Crook is scheduled for opening next spring, and looks forward to
welcoming back the MSP then!
THE WEE CROOK
A Tweedsmuir Community Project
TWEEDSMUIR COMMUNITY COMPANY LTD, OLIVER, TWEEDSMUIR, BIGGAR ML12 6QN
CHARITY NUMBER SC043714 – COMPANY NUMBER SC332043
