Friday, 13 August 2021

WHEN IS A HOLIDAY NOT A HOLIDAY

I am officially on holiday this week but, like many, doing ‘staycations’.  Since I started working in Development and Community Trust’s I look at places with a slightly different eye.  I ask myself what in communities is provided by Government, Scottish Government, Local Authority, Local Business, Community Groups and volunteers?  Most times community is at the heart of it all, from urban to remote rural areas.

DUNDEE V&A

If you pop into the new V&A Dundee you can see the What If…? Exhibition.  It’s about communities coming together to plan a better future.  One of several films includes Nick Wright who is currently working on your Community Action Plan.  Details of the exhibition are here V&A Dundee · What if…?/Scotland (vam.ac.uk)

STRATHERRICK AND FOYERS

I brought the kids for a visit and went down lochside to the proposed slipway.  Then we took the signposted walk following the map that has the Trusts name on it.  They also got to enjoy the Wildside Centre – a great community resource by the community for the community.  Don’t forget the next landscaping meeting Wildside Landscaping - Next Meeting | 03 August 2021 | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)

SOUTHPORT

I moved to Scotland in 1979 but before then lived in Lancashire.  This year I returned to be a ‘tourist’ and a quick visit to Southport.  How does a former holiday destination cope when it begins to lose the beach and seaside that it is most known for?  Amongst the large corporations now situated on the coast there were community initiatives all around, including a very busy playpark designed by local school children themselves.  It was also nice to see community organisations bringing back and celebrating their natural heritage, revitalising areas that had been neglected for decades.

LIVERPOOL

We sometimes forget that football teams were community sporting initiatives.  Indeed Anfield, home of Liverpool FC, used to be owned by Everton FC until the owner of the site fell out with the squad over a pint in the local pub and started his own team! 

Despite losing its UNESCO World Heritage Site status you can see Trusts and community involvement in redeveloping the Albert Docks and use of the Mersey.  There is a real sense in Liverpool that the community, even when developing the canals there and around Manchester, wanted to improve the area for all who live there.

COMMUNITY ARTS

When in Liverpool I stayed on Hope Street and visited their two Cathedrals.  They are both amazing in their own way but there is a art installation currently in the Anglican Cathedral which took my breath away – the pictures here don’t quite do it justice but they come close Huge art installation Peace Doves comes to Liverpool Anglican Cathedral - Liverpool Echo

What amazed me is this arts project captured the imagination of the whole community.  You can see white doves replicated in buildings across the city too, in windows of hotels, restaurants, schools and homes.  The Church has developed into a great area for art, crafts, children storytelling, cafes, events and more.  As I can my eye on work emails I can see what opportunity we have when talking about venues such as Errogie Church and the outcomes you have identified in the Community Action Plan.  I look forward to our Magical Mystery Tour and where it will take us.

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 ...