Aird Community Trust (ACT)

Author: SH

  • Kirkhill Gala programme out now!

    Kirkhill Gala Programme 2011

    The Kirkhill Gala Week programme is now out. Running from the 28th May to the 4th of June it’s a fun packed week with plenty to do for all ages. Tickets are sure to go quickly for the fashion show at Achnagairn House and Gala Dance so snap yours up now (details in the gala week programme). Gala Day also looks set to be bigger and better than last year (which was amazing) with something for all the family.

    Gala week programme

    Gala Day programme

    All funds raised go towards the running and future development on Kirkhill Community Centre managed by Kirkhill District Amentities Association.

  • Sliding all the way

    Sixteen scouts from 7th Inverness (Kirkhill) Scout Group between the ages of 11 and 14 attended an amazing ski weekend at Cairngorm, Aviemore in April. We stayed in the comfortable Highland Council Lodges at Badaguish near Aviemore. This meant we were close to slopes for a quick start. The ski equipment and two days of ski instruction were provided by the Highland Council instructors Ron, Davey and Alastair. The scouts were divided into beginner and intermediate groups and after kitting out went off with their instructors. The weather was a bit of a challenge with some high winds and icy slopes but the instructors knew the best spots and we all learned new skills. The lodge was great to come back to after a tiring, cold day and the scouts had great fun playing games and chilling out. Apparently the weekend was “beast” and “epic”!

    Trip report by Cameron Kent, Aird Scout

    On the 1st – 3rd April the scouts went on a skiing trip to the Cairngorms. We took a minibus to Badaguish. On the way there, we stopped to hire our ski kit. At Badaguish we stayed in one of the big lodges. It was very nice and it had a T.V for watching DVDs and some of the rooms had bunk beds. In the morning we had breakfast and went skiing. After skiing we came back and most of us played football in the indoor hall. On Sunday we skied and at lunch time there was a ski and snowboard competition so we watched some of it while we were skiing. We had two groups for skiing, a beginners and an intermediate. On Sunday it was sunny so only a few slopes were open. When we came back from skiing we packed up and gave our skis and poles and other ski kit that we rented to the instructors. After that we drove back home on the minibus.

     

  • Cubs reach new heights

    Following months of planning, fundraising and excitement, twenty-four cubs and four leaders (Mairi, Dave, Toni and Peta – Gregor took the easy option and drove the luggage!)  from the 7th Inverness (Kirkhill) Scout Group met at the train station during the Easter holidays to start their adventure! Even the most hyperactive cub had butterflies (and the leaders too!). We were heading to Dalguise in Perthshire for a PGL activity weekend. Uneventful journey over we settled in, had dinner and then played ‘wacky races’ – a silly relay game to win equipment to protect a water bomb from bursting when dropped from a tower! Most were successful, celebrated with a loud rendition of ‘Staying Alive’! ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ rang out when one team’s efforts failed to protect its cargo!

    The first day’s activities started with the GIANT SWING – like the one at the park but a lot higher! Cubs were hoisted 30 feet into the air in pairs by the rest of the group to 30ft then had to pull a ripcord to send the swing towards the ground at high speed. And, as if we hadn’t had enough high-up things to do, abseiling and zip wire were also big hits, with many of the kids conquering their fears. Later navigation skills were tested with orienteering and one group entered a time of 55 minutes the 2nd fastest time ever set!

    There was no rest in the evening as the cubs donned dark clothing and war paint (MUD!) and hit the woods for a game of Ambush! Many cubs said that this was the best bit of the weekend. A good night’s sleep was had by all!

    On Sunday morning, following some rushed sleeping bag stuffing and shoe hunting (packing for the journey home), we set off on a hike where we heard scary and magical stories, some of which were acted out by the cubs. We found the original whomping willow, hugged the wishing tree, and ran with sticks on our heads for protection through drop-bear woods (the haunt of escaped, pre-war, genetically-engineered bears!). Later there was time for fencing and problem solving.

    For thirteen of our cubs this was their last camp as a cub scout – we hope that they will move on to scouts, eager for even more adventure!

    Without the enthusiasm and support of the cubs, leadership team and parents, we would not have had such a fantastic time – many thanks to all who have helped.

    By Peta Koczy, Young Leader Kirkhill Scout Group

  • Kirkhill and Bunchrew Energy Efficiency and Low Carbon Programme

    Who will forget in a hurry the cold snaps we experienced over the last 2 winters. The prolonged periods of cold weather meant many of us will have faced higher energy bills. And anyone trying to buy heating oil in December last year would have found that not only was it hard to get an accurate delivery date, but that prices fluctuated dramatically from week to week.

    Energy prices are increasing as demand for the likes of oil increases in other parts of the world. Add to this the costs of creating all the renewable energy capacity the Government wants to establish and one thing is certain – we will pay more for our energy supplies in the future. These increasing prices are giving rise to concern about an issue known as fuel poverty. Fuel poverty can loosely be defined as a situation in which a household is not able to heat a home to an acceptable standard at an acceptable cost, in relation to its income. Put another way, a household is in fuel poverty if it needs to spend more than 10% of its income on all household fuel use.

    Kirkhill and Bunchrew Community Trust have been awarded Scottish Government funding to run a year-long community programme to raise awareness of energy efficiency and low carbon energy (or renewable energy). The programme will help residents understand how they can make their homes more energy efficient and how micro generation equipment like solar panels or heat pumps can help provide alternative sources of energy.

    The programme has three objectives,

    1. Increase awareness of energy use and energy efficiency. How would you like to be an energy efficiency volunteer, using a free energy monitor to help understand how you make your home more energy efficient. We will provide a free energy monitor for 2 months and a list of actions you can take to make your home more energy efficient. All we ask is for some feedback on your experience and the savings you’ve made. We will have regular prizes for the best feedback and savings.  
    2. Maximise uptake of subsidised and funded energy efficiency improvements and insulation deals. There is a range of assistance available to help make our homes more energy efficient. Depending on individual circumstances you may qualify for free or subsidised energy efficiency assistance or support. We will be reminding people throughout the year to check if they qualify for this support. 
    3. Increase awareness of renewable energy/low carbon energy solutions. We are planning to run a renewable energy fair in the late October where there will be different micro generation equipment on display and experts available to talk about the different domestic systems.

    We would like to hear from residents who are interested in taking part in the energy efficiency challenge or are keen to find out more about the support and assistance they can receive. We have established a short survey  to collect contact information which we will pass onto the regional Energy Saving Scotland advice centre. Alternatively, you can contact the centre direct on the freephone number 0800 512 012.

    Over the coming 12 months there will be regular updates and information on how the Programme develops and how you can get engaged. With there being a certainty energy prices will get more expensive in the future, now is the time to make sure your home is an energy efficient one.

  • Crannog Deadline

    We are now planning for the next edition which MUST be ready for circulation about a week before the Gala. The first day of Gala Week is 29 May and distribution of Crannog must have been done by then. In which case as you may noitice in the current edition our closing date for advertising, 22 May, is clearly too late.
     
    SO WE’RE NOW ASKING YOU TO SUBMIT YOUR ADVERTS BY 15 MAY AT THE LATEST.
     
    The following advertisers have already purchased a series of adverts including the Gala edition and therefore do not need to get in touch unless any changes are required to text or formatting:
     
    Dan Fraser Trees
    ABC Plant Hire
    Drainage Doctors
    Stewarts Carpets
    Hugh Brown Trees
    First Choice Decorations
    Rowanhill Natural Crafts
    Beauly Gallery
    John Russell Gardening
    Rob Kinghorn Tree Surgeon
    Blooming Marvellous
    Heather MacKenzie Holiday Club
    Canine Styles
     
    All other advertisers must submit their requirements by 15 May for inclusion.

  • Work starts on woodland building

    Work has just begun to construct a log building in Upper Reelig Community Wood. The building, which is being relocated from Balnain Wood, will be used as a focus for the community woodland group’s activities, as an equipment store and a resource centre for Forest School and other community activities.

    Kirkhill and Bunchrew Community Trust Woodland Group have secured support for the building  from their own funds,  the Highland LEADER programme and Forestry Commission Scotland. It’s constructed from local logs, scribed by a log-builder to fit together. Whole larch logs and milled timber from Reelig are also being used in the construction and with a turf roof it will have a low visual and environmental impact.

    The building is being situated in the beech trees down from the upper car park. Please take care and obey any signs during  building works which should  be finished by the end of May 2011.