Community groups spread Christmas cheer
Published: Wednesday 6 December 2023

Santa is on his way to Abington this year – with a little help from the Community Wish List.
The Old Schoolhouse in the village was taken over by a group of local residents and provides a community gym, business hub and spaces for the community to use.
They are in the process of organising a Christmas event and were looking for help to get a Santa's Grotto set up and source some presents for around 50 children.
Two community groups answered this wish, due to them having Christmas items that they no longer needed.
The centre development manager, Nichola Hill, said: “Want to express our thanks for the wonderful tree and numerous other items that arrived at the old schoolhouse.
“These items will go a long way to ensuring families and children have a great Christmas in our community and we cannot thank you all enough.”
Chair of the council's Finance and Corporate Resources Committee, Councillor Lesley McDonald, said: "This is another great example of the Community Wish List and the benefits it can bring to local communities and organisations.
"I would like to thank all the other groups who donated so generously to this wish."
The Community Wish List is supported by South Lanarkshire Council’s Community Engagement Team.
The Old Schoolhouse is managed by Abington Community Development Group on behalf of the community and is comprised of 10 trustees from the village of Abington.
The former primary school building, which dates back to the 1800s, found new lease of life as a community building thanks to funding from the Scottish Government, Clyde Wind Farm and an REF grant which is managed and distributed by South Lanarkshire Council, utilising funding from Banks Renewables’ nearby Middlemuir Wind Farm.
21 February 2025
Safety improvements to be made on A726
21 February 2025
Council objects to boundaries change for East Kilbride
20 February 2025
Free meals entitlement extended in primary schools
20 February 2025
Are you worried that an adult could be at risk of financial harm
19 February 2025
Council steps back from X social media platform
19 February 2025
Apply now for a garden waste permit
18 February 2025
Planting a fitting memorial to the King’s coronation
17 February 2025
Celebrating the impact of Family Support Hubs in South Lanarkshire
14 February 2025
Top award is won as young warriors battle waste
13 February 2025
Work underway to remove trees worst affected by ash die-back disease