Friday, 18 June 2021

RIVERSIDE FIELD SURVEY

Still time to let us know your views on Riverside Field here before midnight on 21^st June https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RiversideField -  we will publish the results next and your comments will help guide the Community Steering Group who will take this forward if the project gets through planning. 

Make your views known to the Local Council Planning Department here 21/02331/FUL | Community amenity development (masterplan), MUGA, sports/play areas, car park, community hall, gym | Land 100M NW Of Linden Grays Park Foyers (highland.gov.uk)

GRASS ROOTS

Spring is now officially here (at last) and the newly sowed grass is growing quite nicely ready for some new picnic benches so you can sit outside and enjoy the summer months.  It is nice to see a volunteer led project take shape and the intention is to make the outside of Wildside a little less ‘wild’ in time for the Mini Gala in July.  The building and area are open for your bookings – contact Laura at admin@sfctrust.org.uk.  We are juggling demand at peak times and trying to accommodate everyone needs if the building and grounds are suitable for you.  This can take a little time as we all get used to having the building open so please be patient with us as we endeavour to make your use of the building the best it can be.

DRIVING TOUR

I was able to get in my car this week and do the tour of the area myself – visiting the banks of Loch Ness where the slipway is due to go, walking through the Riverside Field, checking out Foyers and the Falls, popping into the Hub at Boleskine Community Care, through Errogie for planning discussions, familiarising myself with Gorthleck, enjoying seeing the Wildside Centre come to life and eventually enjoying the hospitality of the Whitebridge Hotel.  This follows attending the sessions on Roads and Transport, Outdoors and Nature and Our Homes as part of the Community Action Plan work.  Community Life and Facilities is on Monday and Organising Ourselves is on Tuesday.  Details of all the discussions and how you can still get involved here Stratherrick Updates | Future Ideas (communityfuture.net)

I have been involved and advised several times with Action Plan work and this must be the most in-depth in terms of allowing for participation and engagement for the community, so everyone has the opportunity to have a say.  It is good work that is already getting noticed out with the Stratherrick and Foyers area.  Good work!

THINKING AHEAD

In my role we are already thinking ahead on delivery of projects and maintaining current activity.  We are already scoping for and applying for funds that can be matched with those from wind and hydro to make things happen.  Laura provides us fantastic admin support, Steven’s knowledge of the area, local relationships and eye for the detail are invaluable, Mark making sure ideas on a page become reality, Caroline preparing timelines and ensuring timetables are met, the Directors providing community guidance and getting their hands dirty alongside their busy work and family lives and an army of willing volunteers who give their time to make things happen for others.  This takes a lot of co-ordination financially too.  Which is why we have decided to go for a paid Finance Officer.  The job is being advertised now.  Please do consider applying if you have the right skill set and join Team SFCT!  Details here JOB OPPORTUNITY | 14 June 2021 | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)

NEWSLETTER COMING SOON

In between all this activity an 8-page newsletter is coming soon.  It goes into more detail on some of the items mentioned here or on the website.  Communicating takes a long time to prepare and produce but too many of us it can sometimes be a throwaway leaflet in a barrage of messages from different sources.  We hope what you read reflects the emotions and intentions behind what is being said from people who genuinely care about the community.  We try and be clear about what is being done but people’s interpretation can be different and that then can create a history of its own (and broad shoulders to take it!).  That is why it is more important that we are all engaged listeners – from the pub to the Board Room.  So, a big thank you when you share your thoughts or if you have come to the community assemblies and the Community Action Groups and actively took the time to listen, learn, engage, articulate your thoughts and influence in a small or large way the direction which helps guide the work of the community going forward - particularly when meeting in person has been difficult.  Enjoy the read of the newsletter when it comes!

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 ...