The report for this highly successful project has now been published on CGDT’s Warmer ColGlen page here. There is much else besides including a photographic record of all the things we achieved. Well done to our Project Officer for this Climate Challenge Fund project, Sara Maclean!
Category: Colintraive
We’re looking for two dynamic people to help us implement our latest project, Greener Colglen (more details here).
- Project Development Officer (Full-time, £25,200pa) (click here for more details) and
- Admin & Communications Officer (Part-time, 24 hrs p/w – £18,480pa pro rata) (click here for more details)
If you are interested please contact us through the contact form on this website, cgdt@cgdt.org or at the DT office 01700 842 358.
Closing date for applications 18th October 2013
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET THE SPEED NEEDED TO FULLY BENEFIT FROM THE INTERNET?
Community Broadband Scotland is working with communities to help find a solution to improving internet access and will attend a public meeting at Colintraive Village Hall on MONDAY, 21st OCTOBER @ 7.00p.m.
Whether you are an individual – or represent a business – come along and lend your support to finding a solution for the digital future of Colintraive and Glendaruel
10th October 6pm-8pm at the Colintraive village hall. We will be looking to form a forest group to establish the roles and responsibilities of the group and start to look at key issues that came out of our last public meeting, such as access into the forest.
9th November 10.30-1.00pm at the Colintraive village hall. A “Woodland croft workshop for committed crofters”. Participants will be asked to book on and submit a registration form. Analysis of submitted forms will form the basis of discussions and we will have expert advice available for potential crofters questions. Part of the session will include site visits to potential woodland croft areas.
23rd and 24th November (timings to be confirmed). A weekend of community archaeology, working with Archaeology Scotland on the access, interpretation and conservation of the chambered cairn.
More information for each of these events will be made available soon.
Opportunity for local residents to stand for the Community Council and nominations will be the subject of a meeting to be held on Thursday 26th September, commencing 6.30p.m. at Colintraive Village Hall.
Anyone interested in becoming involved as a community representative is encouraged to attend.
… over 50 folks made it to Colintraive to hear about and feedback on and plan for Stronafian Forest. Here are a couple of snaps of the evening.
As you can see, not only did we have all sorts of plans and presentations, but we also had soup and cake made by Danuta. Delicious!
It’s almost two months since the Trust’s Annual General Meeting and those members who attended will recall the various presentations which outlined the Trust’s achievements to date. Against the priorities highlighted by the community which were collated in the Development Plan, significant progress has been made in a relatively short time. The community now owns an extremely valuable asset in Stronafian Forest which offers tremendous potential for regeneration of the area. Employment opportunities; jobs creation; affordable housing and amenity use all have the potential to impact on community confidence. Increasing the economically active population will, in turn, help improve the local economy; create service provision; and help secure the local school.
A great deal of time and effort has been expended on the Forest project to date and Mark, our Forest Officer, is promoting an open evening (with homemade soup!) on 13th September (6-8p.m.)in Colintraive Village Hall when local residents can learn how they can be involved in influencing what happens in the forest.
The Community Development Plan highlighted Stronafian Forest as the “Flagship” project and now that this is well and truly underway, the Trust is considering the next priority to be tackled. This is the optimum time to inspire the next phase of development, so why not consider joining the board and influencing what major project should be tackled next. We currently have a board of 5 dedicated individuals but additional directors would help move projects forward sooner rather than later. Whilst it’s true that Directors have certain responsibilities which demand a degree of diligence, these are not onerous and there is no threat to any individual – or their assets – as the liability of members is limited to £1 should the Trust ever be wound up.
Progress towards the aspirations of the Community Development Plan can be accelerated with the commitment of additional board members. Could you be that addition? Would you like to talk it over with an existing board member? Directors can be contacted for an informal chat without any obligation (contact details below).
The Trust has helped both Colintraive and Glendaruel Village Halls to upgrade and is currently supporting a further phase of improvements to the Glen Hall; the feasibility study has been completed for the Cowal Way; renewable energy projects, both wind and hydro, are currently being investigated and several other priorities contained in the Development Plan are under investigation.
Please consider exploring the possibility of joining the Board – your community needs you!
Let’s see what’s in your Forest!
Let’s Plan things in your Forest!
Over 70 people responded to our recent Stronafian Community Forest Survey. It is now time to shape and plan the development of our forest.
We have appointed a consultancy firm to help us produce a development plan. Together we need to form a group whose input will determine the content of the plan, a plan that enables the community to be involved from the very start.
Members of this Focus Group will:
• Be planning new access in the Forest to discover our hidden heritage. We will be working alongside Archaeology Scotland and the Argyll and Bute Council Access team. Learn new skills in path survey, archaeological conservation and fundraising.
• Planning Woodland Crofts, helping to set the criteria for and select potential crofters.
• Take a lead role in where we might want to situate a community wind turbine if the feasibility study is positive.
• Become wildlife wardens. Help to plan and develop a sustainable environment for our very special wildlife. Learn to develop wildlife corridors and build nature hides.
• Plan the development for activities in the Community Forest, such as cycle paths, picnic areas and other suggestions from the survey.
On Friday 13th September we are holding an open evening with the consultant to look at maps, plans and proposals
Be proactive; get involved with your Community Forest development. Come to a welcome evening where we can discuss plans and show you where we can work together. Receive a warm welcome, soup and homemade refreshments.
At the Colintraive village hall, Friday 13th September 6pm-8pm
For further information contact Mark Chambers on 01700 841358, mark@cgdt.org or Jim McLuckie on 01369 820266, ormidale@hotmail.com
A vacancy has arisen in the Colintraive Post Office for a new Post-mistress / -master. The position is for 20 hours a week and all applications for more information should be made to Patricia Watt at the Colintraive Hotel, phone no. 01700 841207 / email. enquiries@colintraivehotel.com
Mark Chambers (Community Forest Project Officer) and Charles Dixon-Spain (Chair) attended the Community Land Scotland at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Skye the weekend of the 6th/7th June. Charles helped lead a workshop, under the chairmanship of Ian Hepburn, on Financing the Purchase of Community Forests, and Mark to the opportunity to network with fellow professionals in the community land-owning sector.
The event was highly successful with opportunities to chat with funders, policy-makers and fellow communities. Here’s the photo of all the delegates at the event.
For more information on Community Land Scotland, please click here.