Known locally as LLAGS, were formed in 1971 by a group of young women in the village of Newcastleton who wanted ‘to make a difference’. They certainly have!

The initial remit was to provide more amenities for their children and the village. This was certainly achieved by firstly an exhibition of Antiques in the Village Hall and in the same year a Christmas Fayre. Beetle Drives, Pippa Dee parties, discos and treasure hunts resulted in enough funds to convert the public park from a field with goal posts into a very nice playing park with swings and other good quality equipment for the children, and so it went on, with fund raising helping to provide the landscaping of the riverside.

Over the years, with a variety of fund raising events from jumble sales, coffee mornings, daffodils teas to helping at car rallys, Bonfire nights, the LLAGS have been able to provide much needed equipment to the Medical Centre and the Ambulance Service.

A wheelchair has been purchased and held in the Buccleuch Centre for use by anyone who may be of need of one. The LLAGS have been instrumental in setting up an alarm system for the elderly in the village. Two village clocks have been provided by the LLAGS, the second one, erected in 2005 to replace the original clock of 25 years previous.

Donations have been made to needy projects out with the village; the Romanian appeal, the Borders Children in Need Appeal, The Tsunami Appeal, Cancer Research, Christian Aid, Eden Valley Hospice, Borders Crossroads and Hawick Epilepsy Fund, Indian Earthquake Appeal, Kosovo Appeal to name just some.

The amenities provided within the village range from a Nativity Tableau and Christmas Lights, tree planting, seats provided throughout the village, restoration of the water pump in the park and donations have been given towards the new stained glass window for the church. A second hand book shop has also been created in the Buccleuch Centre which is open Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 4.30pm. Most books are only 50p. Enquiries to Jeannie Oliver on 01387375648.

If you would like to join the LLAGS or want any further information, contact Mrs Sandy Richardson, Old Grapes Cottage, Newcastleton.