A BORDERS centre which supports people with learning disabilities has celebrated 50 years of service to the local community.

The Katherine Elliot Centre (KEC) in Hawick marked the major milestone with a tree planting and time capsule burial celebration today (October 5).

More than 60 service users, staff, family members, carers, and invited guests gathered at the Howdenbank site to mark the occasion.

Guests also enjoyed a buffet lunch and disco.

In honour of the centre's namesake, Baroness Katherine Elliot of Harwood, a rowan tree was planted.

The tree planting ceremony was led by Frances Turnbull - who has been attending the KEC for the last 50 years - and Blair King, who is currently one of the centre's youngest members.

Frances said: “I’m the longest service user still coming to the KEC and I’m very happy to have planted the tree for the celebration.”

Blair added: “It’s been a big celebration and I think it was a good idea to plant a tree.

"I’m really happy at the KEC and enjoy coming three days a week.”

Anne Molloy, a family carer, joined the celebrations with her son Russell who started with the KEW 35 years ago when he was just 20 years old.

She said: 

"Russell used to come at a time there were around 100 people in attendance.

"Things have changed quite a lot over the years but he still very much enjoys his two days a week when he likes to participate in a range of various activities.

“I also enjoy coming along to events that the KEC puts on. Whether it’s a coffee morning or something more special such as the Queen’s Jubilee or the coronation for King Charles III, they always make you feel very welcome and included.”

For the celebrations at the KEC, service users and staff were joined by Scottish Borders Council (SBC) councillors Stuart Marshall and Watson McAteer.

Commenting on the imporatnce of the KEC, councillor David Parker, executive member for health and wellbeing, said: “The Katharine Elliot Centre continues to be an integral and much-loved part of the Hawick community and it is absolutely right that this occasion has been commemorated in such a special way.

“All those who have been involved with the KEC over these past years will have their own memories of the place and the people who together make up this special and unique community.

"Staff and service users worked incredibly hard to make this a day that was worthy of those memories and it was wonderful to see all those who were able to present enjoying being part of it all.”