Friday, 28 April 2023

FIVE THINGS FOR A FRIDAY

My father passed away a year ago tomorrow.  He wasn’t ‘community’ minded, spending time as an unpaid carer to my mother who suffered from severe arthritis.  When she passed away and my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer members of his community rallied around him with food and much needed company at various events.  They were unsung heroes and invaluable in making sure we could still look after our own families, work and support when we could.  I just want to pay tribute to those who have helped others in Stratherrick and Foyers during difficult times and to those who will support others when they need it the most.   Our heartfelt thanks to you all.

Don’t forget this support group in the Wildside Centre today POP IN FOR A CHAT! | 25 April 2023 | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)

SLIGHTLY QUEASY

I’ve been under the weather this week but battling on.  The final Stronelairg Fund meeting happened on Wednesday and there were a few applications in that Steven, our Community Liaison Officer, and fundraisers Sharon and Sarah had been involved in for projects from bridges to play parks to toilets.  More details soon but I hear it was all good news.  Well done to all volunteers and staff who helped make that happen.  Better still some funds will return to the Trust so we can maintain Community Council micro grants in the future.

GLENDOE FUNDS ARE IN

This morning I heard Glendoe funds are in which is good news as we work on large and small projects, bring in funds from external sources and try to maintain cash flow.  Many groups are putting in their requests for funding for the next one to three years as we discuss next years budget.  Our Fundraisers are pouring over those to see what external funding and support we can utilise in the first instance, making the funds from wind farm and hydro go further.  It’s a big job and everyone has to play their part. The expectations of the community and volunteers, now we have the Community Action Plan and Place Plan roadmaps to follow, are far higher.  It is enough to give you a queasy stomach (and it has!).  Check out the Place Plan work being done here Draft Local Place Plan | Future Ideas (communityfuture.net)

EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION

This week my daughter finished Uni, with her final exam.  What a ride it has been for her.  I think she has enjoyed it, making friends for life and hopefully a nice degree at the end of it.  Students have, in large part, been forgotten during Covid being put in a situation to cover rent on properties they didn’t really need to stay in and no part time work to pay for them, followed by the cost of living crisis.

I’m so pleased the Trust can help students in some small way.  Hear their stories directly from them here Student and Training Grants from the Trust | 18 April 2023 | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)

Also my son has started his highers this week.  What a stressful place our house is!  I’m sure he will do fine, having put the work in.  I supported my children by being on Parent Councils at Primary and High School level and the support the Trust can offer would also be invaluable.  We are exploring how we can support young families and children in the local area and receiving thanks like this makes it all worthwhile A NICE SURPRISE! | 27 April 2023 | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)

MOBILE LIBRARY IS BACK

Don’t miss the mobile library at the Wildside Centre this week.  If you don’t use it you will lose it.  Details here The Wildside Centre | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)

This week we signed off on new lighting for the Wildside Centre (scheduled to happen last week of May) and the Board meet on Wednesday night.  You can also see the plans for Errogie Church in the Wildside Centre, which went to the Community Council this week.  After three years of work it’s a consensus of ideas to create a multi use space, with an emphasis on all arts, heritage and bio diversity.  Read more about it here Errogie Church | Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust (stratherrickcommunity.org.uk)  These plans will change and adapt to meet the needs of the community when built for now and beyond, not just in the building itself but out with it too, and I’m pleased to say our Fundraisers are already working on funding for Phase Two capital costs and funds to stimulate activity in the area today.  It’s exciting but – ooh, my stomach!

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 ...