Friday, 30 June 2023

FIVE THINGS FOR A FRIDAY

SUMMER HOLIDAYS!

This will be my last Five Things for a few weeks as I’m taking a holiday.  Normal service will be resumed after the Highland Gathering.  That takes place on the 22nd July and I’m really looking forward to being there.  You can read more in the newsletter which is online or will be coming through your door any day now The Highland Gathering Newsletter is here! | 29 June 2023 | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)  I hope you enjoy the event if you plan to come along.

HELLO FIONA!

Fiona Mustarde is our new Finance Officer.  Fiona was Director of Finance at UHI, Financial Services Manager at UHI, Directorate Accountant at Highland Health Board and worked at the local authority before then.  She is also a Board Member at Albyn Housing.  Welcome to the team Fiona.

It’s the end of the financial year and Fiona, Susan Low and outgoing Finance Officer Marie Keenan will be working together on handover so thanks in advance for the work you are already doing.

The deadline for the jobs funded by Scottish Government Strengthening Communities Programme is Monday. Details here We need you! Job vacancies! | 23 June 2023 | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)

SCHOOLS OUT

I was sad to hear it has been decided to ‘mothball’ Foyers Primary a year before originally planned.  As Education is part of the Community Action Plan we hope to work with stakeholders to enhance the education provision in the area.  That is not necessarily about keeping bricks and mortar open but to ensure the overall experience for all young people is a positive one and that this meets the lifestyles of all families locally.  I am pleased to say volunteer parents/carers are driving this and the Trust has and will continue to support them to achieve this.

BRING AND BUY SALE

Our second car boot sale will take place on Saturday 8th July, 10am to 1pm, at the Wildside Centre.  More details here OUR NEXT BRING & BUY SALE! | 27 June 2023 | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)

COMMUNITY CHECK LIST

I’m pleased to say the Community Council agreed to support the PlayPark at Wildside which is in planning and write a letter to support the purchase of the Forest School in Inverfarigaig.  We are also so, so, close to completing the land purchase for residents down at Inverfarigaig and I’m happy to see they have been using the polycrub to the fullest!  A tree recently collapsed (or, we think, was hit by the lightning) and that will be getting a clear up alongside low hanging branches on the new land we own to allow people to walk easily around the grounds easier.

Errogie Church is finally in planning and we will work through that process.  During the build we looked after the bats in the belfry and as the licence holder I have been reliably informed by the bat consultant that the police won’t be round!  I know it is just Phase 1 but the Church is looking lovely.

Foyers Bay is getting a bit of a clean up – well done to Trust Director Malcolm for taking that head on while we get tenders in for the work on the slipway and meet the conditions of granted planning.  I was also happy to hear there was a positive meeting regarding landscaping down at the Riverside Field between the architect, landscape consultant and local residents.

Our fundraisers are eyeing up all these projects looking for funds to make them happen before we use the funds provided to us by windfarms and hydro.  The Community Action Plan and Place Place (which you can now read here Local Place Plan | Future Ideas (communityfuture.net) ) has led to a lot more grass roots activity and the Board have to juggle making legacy projects happen and supporting all local groups when we can.  Thanks to the Community Council for supporting and presenting the Place Plan to the Local Authority.  I understand this is likely to be adopted by the local authority and we will be the first community to do that. This community consultation, evidence and adoption of the plan will make fundraising for projects that much easier.  So thanks also to you if you had your say when the Place Plan work was taking place.

We have seen big changes over the last three years, including projects that had been languishing for some time starting to happen (love those new toilets!).  There will be many changes to come.  Nothings perfect and as a community we may make mistakes along the way but on the whole we have seen community cohesion and spirit which makes coming into work everyday a joy not a chore.  I’d like to thank the staff, Trust Board and volunteers/groups who are a positive part of that change and moving these community projects forward.  You have all earned your well deserved holidays!

TONY FOSTER

Trust Manager

2025

February (12 stories)

22 February 📣 ** TODAY ** 📣 - Forest School Meeting

Interested in the future of the Forest School building? From 2pm   Come and speak to us about your thoughts for the Forest School and wider opportunities fo...

21 February Congratulations to Whitebridge Hotel

Whitebridge Hotel are finalists in the National Hotels of the Year - Scotland awards!   The ceremony takes place in Glasgow on the 26th February at The Cr...

19 February 📣 Youth Club returns this Thursday 📣

Youth club is for anyone in P7 to S6 ✅ After a bit of a break, we are delighted to say that Youth Club is back!! ⭐ Important info ⭐ Date - Thursday 20th Februa...

19 February Communications 2025!

We are making a some improvements in the way we share important information with the community in 2025. The SFCT Board and communications team have made the dec...

13 February Mailing List Update

We hope you received your copy of the February newsletter and enjoyed reading through it. The team are busy updating our mailing list and we understand that there may ...

12 February Next Sat 22nd February

Next Sat 22nd February   Inverfarigaig Forest School, Farigaig Forestry Carpark IV2 6XR - From 2pm   Come and speak to us about your thoughts fo...

11 February ⚠️ Update regarding the upcoming works taking place at The Wildside Centre ⚠️

We can now confirm that the scheduled works on upgrading the toilet facilities in the Wildside Centre is starting this Thursday – 13th February.   The Wi...

11 February 🙌 JOIN OUR TEAM 🙌

We are currently recruiting a part-time (30 hours per week) Community Action Plan Project Officer to join our small team, based in the Wildside Centre in Whitebridge, on ...

8 February 📢 THE DAY IS FINALLY HERE 📢

Later today the Pathways Group are hosting their Community Engagement event at the Wildside Centre from 13.30pm.   For the past year, the Pathways Group has be...

6 February Errogie Church Statement

As you will be aware, an announcement was made by the Trust in mid December 2024 that we were unfortunately unable to host three events that were due to take place at Err...

6 February Wildside Wednesday Success!

🙌THANK YOU 🙌 We want to say a big thank you to those of you who popped along to our first Wildside Wednesday event yesterday! It was great to see you all 😃  ...

5 February !! WILDSIDE WEDNESDAY - TODAY !!

Join us TODAY at the Wildside Centre, between 9.30am – 12.30pm where the first Wildside Wednesday of 2025 will take place.  You can shop local, with local p...

January (22 stories)

31 January !! Next Saturday !!

On the 8th Feb The Pathways Group host their Community Engagement Day at the Wildside Centre from 13.30pm.   The group have setup a dedicated Facebook event pa...

30 January Refurbishments to toilets in The Wildside Centre

Following many months of work behind the scenes we are pleased to be able to share with you that work on upgrading the ladies toilets and creating a larger disabled toile...

30 January Fancy a sing song with Monadhliath?

The Monadhliath Choir invites all singers to a charity singing event on the 27.04.2025 at Stratherrick Public Hall. If you would be interested in join...

29 January February Newsletter

We are pleased to share that our Feb newsletter should be making its way through your door next week! 🙌   Please look out for the white envelope addressed to ...

25 January Do you use Instagram?

Did you know that Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust are on Instagram? If you too have an account, why not give our page a follow. We’re keen to build up ...

24 January Foyers Community Fire Station

🚒 Foyers Community Fire Station 🚒   Foyers Community Fire station has a competent crew of 7 personnel, but we are in real need of new recruits, to keep the s...

23 January Wildside Wednesday is returning!

Join us on the 5th February at the Wildside Centre, between 9.30am – 12.30pm.   Here is your chance to shop local, with local produce from Lyne Mhor Crof...

22 January Loch Ness Luvvies - Traditional Burns Supper

This Friday, 24th Jan the Loch Ness Luvvies are hosting their very own Traditional Burns Supper at Stratherrick Hall, Gorthleck at 7.30pm. Tickets are £20 per he...

22 January Timings have been announced!

As you may have recently seen, The Pathways Group are running a Community Engagement event on the 8th February from 1pm at The Wildside Centre. In our previous post, t...

21 January ** Mobile Library Update **

Mark, our local librarian has kindly sent over a full list of dates when he will be stopping in the area. You can find the full list here: https://www.stratherrickcommuni...

20 January Invitation to tender - Health & Safety Consultant required

We are looking for an experienced Health & Safety professional to carry out a comprehensive survey on Errogie Church to ensure that the building is fully compliant fo...

19 January Send in your dates for the Community Calendar!

Did you know we have an online Community Calendar? If not, you can find it here: https://www.stratherrickcommunity.org.uk/calendar/   We would love to inclu...

18 January What's the next step?

For the past year, the Pathways Group has been working hard to promote the local path network, paths that lead through rich landscapes, historical sites, and biodiversity...

15 January Community Engagement Day - 8th Feb

Over the last month you may have noticed that the Pathways Group are holding a Community Engagement Day on the 8th February. You can find out all about the event by follo...

14 January Mobile Library Update

Below you will find a list of updated Dates/Times where you can visit the Mobile Library at The Wildside Centre.   We will add these dates to the Online Commu...

14 January Indoor Carpet Bowls makes it return as of today!

** TODAY ** Indoor Carpet Bowls makes it return as of today! The group return to their weekly session after the Xmas break. Please note: The group will now ...

10 January Community Engagement Event - 8th Feb

The Pathways Group invites you to a community event that explores the potential development of a pathways based app. This is your opportunity to help shape an app which w...

9 January Deadline for Jan/Feb Newsletter Content!

The deadline to send in any content for the Jan/Feb Newsletter is Friday the 17th of January 2025. Please email marketingofficer@sfctrust.org.uk with your articles inclu...

9 January Send us in your photos from the Winter Festival

A HUGE thank you to those of you who have already uploaded photos to our shared community photo gallery during the festival.   If you have any wintery snaps th...

8 January Reverse Advent Calendar Success!

Santa's little helpers would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way to the overwhelming success of this project. The generosity shown by our community was ...

8 January ** MOBILE LIBRARY VISIT TODAY CANCELLED **

Sadly, due to the current road conditions, Mark who drives the local ‘Mobile Library’ will NOT be stopping at Wildside today. All books will be renewed, and h...

7 January Welcome Back

Hello, we hope you had a relaxing time during the festivities. As it’s now time to get back to work, we thought it would be a good idea to update our online communi...