Friday, 09 February 2024

GOLDEN EAGLES IN THE HIGHLANDS

Great to see a talk on the Golden Eagles Past Present and Future in the Wildside on Thursday 15th February at 7pm with Stuart Benn.  It looks like it might be an interesting evening and it will be great to get an insight into all the work that has gone into ensuring the future of these magnificent birds.

BOARD TRAINING

Our Board undertook some training about their duties as a Director on Wednesday.  Some had been given it before but it is always useful to be given a reminder session where they can also reflect on their experiences.  We also got to have 40 minutes grilling Tom Black from SSE about what we can and cannot fund now and in the future.  Thanks Tom for taking the time to talk to us.

BE POSITIVE

When I undertook the training of the Board this week one of the messages I think they took away was ‘collective responsibility’.  I took away ‘be positive’. Boards generally are positive.  They may listen to or identify a problem but they also look for practical solutions using the skills and experience of everyone around the table. At times they need the time to test that theory too and sometimes that involves the community being given the opportunity to ‘do it themselves’.  That’s a great way to identify potential Board Members, Project Leads or Volunteers who understand collective responsibility and get things done in a positive way.  You look for that in staff too.  Sometimes we get buried in a project we forget to be positive, so it was a good reminder for me.  This is on my mind.

WORK / LIFE BALANCE

My son recently had his very last parents evening (or I did), passed his driving test, finished work experience at the Scottish Parliament and started getting unconditional offers for Uni (so I have to work hard to keep him studying). School holidays start today, his 18th birthday is at the end of the week, we are off for a family meal in Edinburgh and then off to Newcastle (where my wife works) to celebrate.  In between time I am back up to the Highlands while he jets off to Barcelona as a birthday treat to watch football before exams and finishing off his DofE Gold.  We have just finished eating dougnuts for Fat Thursday (a Polish tradition - so I get more 'events' per year than your average Brit), planning pancakes this weekend as my wife will be working away Shrove Tuesday, Valentines Day on Wednesday (chocolate, of course!) and time to go to the local gym to burn off the calories as we give everything up for lent (or for at least a couple of days until temptation strikes again!).  My daughter, meantime, continues her Masters, work experience, part time job and enjoys her endless freedom now she is not at home.  Like any family we juggle our work, health issues and interests.  At work we have been talking about ‘life stages’ and how we can support them.  Many of you will have experienced all of the above and understand that feeling of wondering what to do next when the kids have flown the nest. Some of you haven’t got there yet and wondering what on earth am I going on about. This is also on my mind! 

CREATE SOME HEAD SPACE

With all this going on (including an extra day in February this year!) I think it’s useful for everyone to switch off the phones, take time out and give yourself some head space.  What better than a walk?  The latest walk from the Pathways Group (who have been very busy of late) is on the website here

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 ...