Tag: community woodland

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Forestry News Projects Stronafian

The Forest Business Plan takes its next step

Michael Kaufmann and myself met Munro Gauld the Development Trust’s business consultant for the Stronafian Forest enterprise today to introduce him to the forest and give him a chance to assess the project before meeting with the board in the afternoon. We had a good walk up to one of the highest points and were able to survey much of the timber.

Munro was particular impressed with the amenity value of the deciduous woodland, and could see lots of potential for community use in the areas above the clachan, including a Forest School which was something those on the Mull Visit had been particularly struck by.

After a short lunch at the Colintraive (Patricia’s sandwiches were excellent as ever) I was able to introduce Munro to the board and we had and interesting hour or so looking at both the structure of the plan, and our progress towards the application to the National Forest Land Scheme.

Munro’s input is being funded by the HIE through CAMS, for which we are very grateful.

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Forestry News Projects Stronafian

Development Trust visit to Mull

This was a great success apparently. All enjoyed what seems to have been a really great day out. I wasn’t able to make it, and therefore asked Susan Gaffney to report back on what she saw. The overall impression was of a task well in hand, with some really extraordinary challenges overcome, but others on the horizon.

More than that I will not say as we’re having a talk from the representatives of the Northwest Mull Forest on Sunday 12th at the Glendaruel Village Hall… All-in-all the dozen or so who went found it an interesting and informative day, not least on the Development Officer’s ability to persuade CalMac that their ferry ticketing policy was unfair – well done Rhona!

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Forestry News Projects Stronafian

Announcing the Stronafian Sunday Sandwich …

… I think the poster below says it all doesn’t it?

Stronafian Sunday Sandwich
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Forestry News Projects Stronafian

A Red Letter Day!

Today we have confirmed that we would like to proceed with our application to acquire the right to purchase Stronafian Forest under the National Forest Land Scheme. This means, we think, that we have to get everything done and dusted, and the application in by 4th October. The clock is ticking!

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Forestry News Projects Stronafian

Sign up for the Visit to Mull!

Here’s are poster which says it all really!

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Forestry News Stronafian Working Groups

Would you like to be an Animateur?

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Forestry News Projects Stronafian

Stronafian Consultation Framework

At the board meeting today we decided to move forward with Gordon Gray Stephen’s advice on community consultation. To this end we’re going to pursue three main threads:

  1. A visit to a community forest of a similar type to ours — we looked at forests in Inverness and Mull and decided on the latter for its relative proximity to us as well as being of a scale. We decided on the 4th September as the date. Signup lists will be posted locally locally, and emails etc. will be sent out.
  2. The employment of two animateurs to go into the community and ask what the community wants out of such a project (if at all). More on this later.
  3. A public information and informal consultation day. Again more on this later but we are looking at the 12th September as the date for this.

All three will be critical to the formation of the business plan / extended options appraisal that we will need to complete for our application under the NFLS.

For Gordon’s full option appraisal have a look at our publications page.

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Forestry News Projects Stronafian

Should we buy Stronafian Forest?

Here’s the flyer for our forthcoming public meeting on 11th July.