Tuesday, 01 August 2023

Tell us about yourself Matt?

When I left school, I worked as a builder.  After a brief period leading an alternative lifestyle I started fitting computer networks and fibre optics for businesses all around the UK, living in and out of hotels for many years.  Being on the road and away from my young family was hard, so I  started a General Art Course in college which led me to specialise in Sculpture at Lancaster University.  I worked as a practising artist in and around Manchester and Edinburgh and then started working in a ceramic workshop with people with learning disabilities. This then led me to Skye where I worked as a support worker and had my own business running wild swimming tours for 6 or 7 years.  Myself, my wife Michelle, and our two boys moved to Stratherrick last May.

What does Life as a Facilities Manager for SFCT involve?

It is a very varied role.  My day to day activities range from maintaining The Wildside Centre and Errogie Church (restoring original features, painting, varnishing, general upkeep) and organising contractors such as electricians and landscape maintenance contractors to helping with the groundworks at Foyers Bay in preparation for the new slipway.  I also help with the set-up, take down and preparation of events, with Winter Wonderland the next big event.

I really enjoyed working with Alex and Janet on the community log cutting project, this was a great way to meet people in the community and learn a lot more about the area.

What’s next on your list?

Winter Wonderland is our next event so I will help with the preparation of that, and I am looking forward to getting started on a couple of archways to frame the path at Wildside.  I will continue to treat the Wildside pathway and there are always odd jobs around the properties that need done.  I take part in the weekly Communications calls now and it really helps with keeping me up to speed with what is going on and sets up more jobs for the week!

What personal interests do you have that cross over with your work for the Trust?

I love making things and being hands on!  I am fascinated about our heritage and local history of our area and this job fits in really well with my lifestyle as the flexible working hours give me time to focus on my art when I am not at work.

2026

February (2 stories)

3 February 📚 Mobile Library Visiting Tomorrow! 🚐✨

The Mobile Library is rolling into the area tomorrow, Wednesday 4th February, so pop along and say hello to Mark! Stop & time: • The Wildside Centre &ndash...

3 February RSABI Fundraising Event

Don't miss out on an incredible evening of music and laughter with the talented Farmers Choir performing in Aviemore late February in aid of RSABI and SAYFC.  ...

January (12 stories)

28 January Six Nations: Scotland 🆚 England LIVE at The Wildside

💘 This Valentine’s Day, find someone who loves you as much as you love rugby 🏉   We’re streaming Six Nations: Scotland 🆚 England LIVE at The Wil...

27 January 🌳 Development of Inverfarigaig Forest School 🌳

A community member has been in touch about the possibility of setting up a Forest School within our community. With the support of the Community Trust, a short survey has...

26 January 📚 Mobile Library Visiting Tomorrow! 🚐✨

The Mobile Library will be in the area tomorrow, Wednesday 27th January, so pop along and say hello to Mark!   📍 Stopping points & times: • Errogi...

22 January 🔥 Free Firewood Available – Whitebridge Area 🔥

A member of our local community, has been in touch with Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (SFCT) to let us know that he has a significant amount of larch firewood...

21 January Large grant application from BCC for Foyers Stores Acquisition - Update

A Board meeting is taking place this evening in order for Directors of SFCT to consider the application and agree their recommendation. As the Chair of SFCT explained at ...

20 January Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who came along to the public meeting at the Wildside last night. We had a fantastic turnout, with 110 people attending in person and 26 joining u...

19 January Agenda for Public Meeting - Regarding the Foyers Stores Acquisition

Please find the agenda for tonight’s public meeting at the Wildside Centre regarding the proposed community acquisition of Foyers Stores.   1. Welcome &n...

14 January Apply for our Project Coordinator role

👋 Friendly reminder!   There’s still time to apply for our Project Coordinator role at Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust ...

8 January Notice to the Community: Change of Date for Public Meeting on Foyers Stores

Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust (SFCT) would like to update the community regarding the previously announced public meeting relating to the proposed purchase of F...

7 January 🌟 New Year, New Opportunities! 🌟

Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust is here to support your projects with our grants! 💡✨ 📅 Next application deadline: 21st March 2026 Learn more about ...

6 January 🎉 Calling all community organisers! 🎉

Do you run a class, group or one-off activity in one of the local buildings? We’d love to help spread the word! 💛 Our SFCT Community Calendar is looking a ...

6 January Mobile Library Visit Cancelled – Wednesday 7th January 2026

👋 Hello and welcome to 2026 from SFCT! 🎉 We bring news from the Mobile Library as our first update of the year. 📚 Mobile Library Visit Cancelled – Wednesday ...