It's a double dose of good news for the 7Stanes trails at Newcastleton, with a community award and a new volunteer trail building project to celebrate. The Excellence Award is from the Hawick Partnership and is awarded to community groups developing the town of Hawick and surrounding areas. FC Recreation Manager Alex Maclennan and Helen Ford of the Rural Resource Centre accepted the award on behalf of everyone involved in last year's successful Holm To Holm MTB race held in the village of Newcastleton. The race is to become an integral part of the Newcastleton calendar, with a sports and tourism development group overseeing it and other events including the well-established Newcastleton Music Festival.

The 2005 Newcastleton race will be held on 22/23 October, and is planned to include two days of races and a night ride event.

Also new at Newcastleton is the Woodland Warriors volunteer trailbuilding team, intended to harness the enthusiasm of local riders to spice up the trails. The team is coordinated by Alex Maclennan and meets every fortnight in the forest to build new features and then head off for a ride. If you want to get involved, email Alex at alex.maclennan@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or call him on 01750 721120.