Friday, 14 May 2021

FIVE THINGS FOR A FRIDAY

A slightly later than usual Five Things For A Friday.

CATCHING UP

This morning I’ve been catching up with emails and the first interview for our new Projects Co-Ordinator this morning.  This is after my road trip to the area Wednesday and Thursday.  Meeting new people, visiting places I had never been before and information overload was all part of the job but getting out and being able to let the hair down a little after being cooped up for several months was both welcome and a shock to the system.  I’m sure I won’t be the only one who feels this so look after yourself in the weeks and months to come and get back into life with family and friends at a steady pace.

ACTION GROUPS

There have been two Action Groups hosted by Nick Wright this week.  Initially the thought was I’d attend them all but we felt community members needed to be free to speak, explore ideas and actions.  I will pick up on the discussions prior to the next Assembly and attend the next Action Groups as we get closer to identifying solutions and who will do what and by when.

WILDSIDE ROARS INTO LIFE

I met with our new Caretaker Mark Henderson this week.  He’s been ensuring Wildside is ship shape for users and members of the community are booking the venue and exploring ideas for clubs and groups as restrictions lift.  Back stage Laura is taking bookings.  Details how to contact her is here The Wildside Centre | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)

Please be patient with us as co-ordinating initial bookings, adapting to Covid restrictions, catching up with actions that need to be done around the building and simply a new team getting use to the potential of this fabulous facility is a learning curve for us all.  But you will make this building the success I know it will be, and I’m quite excited by that.

It has been great meeting with people on issues that need exploring beyond email and a zoom call, seeing local community groups and external groups realise the potential and adaptability of the meeting / training / social and outside spaces with volunteers mucking in.

THE GRASS IS GREENER

What is exciting is we awarded our garden maintenance contract to Higher Ground Group.  They will be looking after sites at Riverside, Errogie, Foyers Bay and Wildside.  They did a brilliant tender and are very community minded which impressed the team.

At Wildside we have additional work preparing the grass area and benches for use outside once the weather improves (fingers crossed).  Soil, fertiliser and seeds have been delvered and hopefully the grass will grow fast.

PREPARING THE NEWS

As many of you know we are constantly trying to improve communication.  There is a lot of volunteer work being co-ordinated and done by volunteer Directors Jillian and Gareth, community writers, staff and design companies to ensure the next magazine gets to you soon and captures life in the local area and keeps you up to date with ideas and projects.  This alongside the work many people are doing on the projects themselves is a formidable task that takes hours of work.  Don’t be surprised if we try and reel you in to help depending on your interest and skill set but at the same time know we are putting building blocks in place to support making things happen.  Keep checking the website for updates!

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 ...