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Energy Efficiency Environment Forestry Glendaruel News Opportunities Projects Renewables

Call for Tender on Hydro Sites in Glendaruel!

Colintraive & Glendaruel Development Trust (CGDT) is seeking tenders for the provision of a feasibility assessment for potential micro hydro schemes. The consultant will provide technical advice and assistance to help CGDT utilise their local hydro resource, with the aim
of creating income for the local community, increasing employment opportunities at CGDT and supporting the Scottish Government renewables targets.

CGDT is seeking a consultant who can provide expertise, knowledge and resources not otherwise available in the community. Knowledge of small scale hydro feasibility assessment, hydro development work and extensive practical knowledge in the field will be essential along with demonstrable experience of assistance with similar projects.

Closing date for tenders is Monday 1st September and all inquiries to eamon@cgdt.org

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Forestry News Press & Publicity Projects Recruitment Renewables Stronafian Woodland Crofts

We’re recruiting at CGDT!

COMMUNITY FOREST DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

  • Contract worth:  £28,000
  • Initial period: 1 Year

A varied role with sustainable woodland development its core and community revitalisation its heart.

Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust is recruiting for a new Community Forest Project Officer to work with the board over the coming year to maintain the momentum in our high profile and highly successful Stronafian Forest Project.

Purchased in February 2013 for £1.55M Stronafian forest is the trust’s flagship project, providing a focus for the community’s aspirations to increase local employment, housing and visitor attractions, as well as sustainable income through renewables. In our first year we met and exceeded many of our funder-led objectives, but it is in our second year we expect the project to take off and provide the foundation for an ongoing and exemplary community endeavour.

On the agenda for a successful candidate will be woodland crofts, the chambered cairn, a wind turbine, woodland burials, access design and management, deer management, woodfuel, walker and mountain bike use and a potential dark skies park. Of course there will also be funder liaison, including claims and report writing, as well as all the necessary administrative tasks which come with that, and equally important will be liaison with the community, our commercial forestry tenant and their clients.

The role is therefore multi-faceted, needing a person with the strategic vision to manage the project, and also the experience both at a commercial and community levels who understands the forestry context.

With potential to continue beyond the period we are now advertising for, the focus in the coming year will be to continue with our highly successful and motivated community working groups as well as pursuing positive outcomes with the wind turbine, crofting, housing and biomass.

Based at the Colintraive Village Hall office, the successful candidate will become part of a highly successful team at the trust which is presently delivering excellent and ongoing Climate Challenge Fund Project “Greener ColGlen”, as well as planning the revitalisation of the Cowal Way, a Community Broadband project for Southwest Cowal and a further community asset acquisition.

We are open to applications from candidates who cannot commit to a full-time contract but are willing to share it on a pro rata part-time basis.

Application packs are available by writing to Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust, The Village Hall, Colintraive, Argyll, PA22 3AS, via email at cgdt@cgdt.org, can be downloaded here, or by telephoning 01700 841358.   Applicants should be available for immediate start.   Closing date for applications Monday 28th April 2014

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Environment Forestry Glendaruel Ideas News Opportunities Projects Renewables Stronafian Woodland Crofts Working Groups

Community Forest Masterplan Final Update

21st March Colintraive Village Hall 6pm 

You are welcome to attend this event to discuss the final version of what we have been working on together.

Copies of the final version of the Community Forest Masterplan have been made available to read in the Glendaruel Village Hall and the Colintraive Village Hall (subject to the halls being open).

Refreshments available on the night.

Here’s the plan: Stronafian Masterplan

Categories
Environment Forestry Glendaruel News Stronafian Woodland Crofts

Stronafian Forest Woodland Crofting Event!

On Saturday 9th November between 10.30am-2pm at the Colintraive Village Hall, the Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust will be holding an event that will enable potential woodland crofters the opportunity to register an interest for a woodland croft in the Stronafian Community Forest.

This event will consist of discussions and expert advice, followed by site visits to potential woodland croft areas. There will be a light lunch provided and attendees will need to dress accordingly to suit the weather conditions.

The information you provide on the woodland croft form below will be shared with the Woodland Crofts Partnership. Analysis of information you submit on the form will provide the starting point for discussions.

We would welcome any other information that is not covered in the form and please include your suggestions for topics or issues you would like to discuss on the day.

Please complete and return the form no later than 31st October by email to: mark@cgdt.org

Or by post to:

Mark Chambers, Community Forest Development Officer, Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust,  The Village Hall, Colintraive, Argyll, PA22 3AS

Stronafian Community Forest Registration Form

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Forestry News Opportunities Stronafian Working Groups

Forest Focus Group Meeting!

On Thursday 10th October 6pm-8pm at the Colintraive Village hall

Welcome to a community open evening to discuss and establish the following:

  • Name of the group
  • Aims, the reasons for forming the group
  • Objectives of the group
  • Powers of the group
  • Sharing tasks within the group

Following this we will look in more depth at Forest access, associated challenges and your solutions.

Homemade soup and refreshments available.

All welcome!!

Categories
Archaeology Colintraive Environment Forestry Glendaruel Ideas News Opportunities Resilience Stronafian

Forest Dates for your Diary

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.

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Forestry Glendaruel News Opportunities Projects Renewables Stronafian Working Groups

Master-planning Presentation and Workshop Outcomes for Stronafian Forest

For those of your who were there, and for those who were not, here is the presentation by our masterplanning consultants, as well as the outcome documents which were produced on the evening.

Presentation | Discussion Group A | Discussion Group B | Discussion Group C | Workshop Outcomes

If you would like to comment further or add your view, please email the consultants here.

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Colintraive Forestry Glendaruel News Projects Renewables Stronafian

We had a great evening …

… 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.

IMG_2112

IMG_2117

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!

Categories
Forestry Glendaruel Ideas News Opportunities Projects Stronafian Working Groups

Maps, Plans & Proposals for Stronafian Tonight!

From 6pm at the Colintraive Village Hall Mark, our Community Forest Development Officer will be hosting an evening all about the forest. There’ll be presentations, discussions, map-making and lots of lovely soup. Come along! All are welcome!

Categories
Colintraive Environment Forestry Projects Renewables Stronafian

An Invitation to Stronafian Forest Open Evening!

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