Month: November 2019

TheEndIsNigh

The End is Nigh!

27th November 2019 /

TheEndIsNigh

Our long journey towards a reliable post office service may nearly be over. A dedicated post office phone line was installed in The Strathdearn yesterday. The story so far …

Back in September, following 2 years of erratic Outreach service, several concerned locals met with Drew Hendry MP and a highly placed post office official to seek a solution. We learned that the problem was largely due to connection issues between the mobile Outreach equipment and the post office’s wireless network. The solution offered was a dedicated phone line to the new hall, installed at the post office’s expense, which would provide a direct connection to the post office network.

For a simple country chap, it was an educational experience following the order for the new line as it ricocheted and looped through layers of post office bureaucracy, plunged into the BT organisational jungle, and eventually reappeared weeks later in the shape of an Openreach engineer who did the job in 30 minutes. Under the circumstances I think we were lucky we only had to supply them with the same information 3 times and suffered only 2 postponements.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that it takes a minimum of 18 working days to click a mouse and make it operational, which takes us to 23rd December at the earliest. Effectively this means that the first opportunity to host the Outreach service in The Strathdearn is Thursday 2nd January, which isn’t a great time for upheaval so SCD shall probably suggest that the move is postponed till the 9th. The Outreach service will continue to be hosted in the community shop until then, and hopefully will be operational to deal with our Christmas postal needs.

Re-reading the above, it sounds a bit ungrateful, so I should hastily add that we are genuinely thankful to the post office for supporting Strathdearn when all their services are under severe strain.

Candidate statements – Strathdearn Community Council Election 2019

19th November 2019 /

cc electionStrathdearn is lucky to have more candidates for the upcoming community council election than there are places. In order to help voters make an informed choice, it has been suggested that all candidates submit a statement about themselves. It can be as long or short as you wish.

You can share your statement on Strathdearn Facebook Group page and I’ll copy it here so they can all be read side by side. Or you can send it direct to me at site.manager@strathdearn.org. You can include a photo if you wish. At this time, I can’t copy or download a video from Facebook, so if you submit your statement in video format, I’ll provide a link back to the Strathdearn Facebook Group page where it can be viewed by group members only.

Here’s an alphabetical list of the candidates, followed by any statements I receive:

Charles Hugh Cameron  :-  The Kennels, Moy, Tomatin, IV13 7YQ
Davie Cameron  :-  2 Forestry Cottage, Moy, IV13 7YQ
Lee-Anne Cornwall  :-  Smithton Farmhouse, Tomatin, IV13 7YN
Rachel Dewhirst  :-   Melfort House, Tomatin, IV13 7AB
James Alexander Duncan  :-  Tigh-An-Furain, Hazelbank, Tomatin, Inverness-shire IV13 7YN
Mandy Ferguson  :-  14 Distillery Cottages, Tomatin, IV13 7YT
Martin Hughes  :-  Pine Cottage, 7 Mill View, Tomatin, IV13 7XP
Carol James  :-  Iarr Tigh, Dalarossie, Tomatin, Inverness-shire IV13 7YA
Stephen James Smith  :-  2 Mill View, Tomatin, IV13 7YD

Ballot papers will be issued by post to all registered electors in their community council area and must be returned in the pre-paid envelope provided by 12 noon on Wednesday, 4 December 2019.

STATEMENTS:

Martin Hughes
video statement : https://www.facebook.com/martin.n.hughes/videos/2867511279934087/

mandy ingramMandy Ingram

As many of you may already know my name is Mandy Ingram ( ferguson) and I have been living at the distillery for 10 years, I have 2 children living at home, one is 9 and a looked after child and the other is 17 and studying at the UHI.
If I am lucky enough to be elected for the community council I would like to see an improvement in the transport links to and from the village, this would hopefully bring more visitors to our beautiful area, thus helping others enjoy our new hall and shop.
On the subject of our new hall, I am looking forward to all the new ideas coming forward for the children and other members of the community, ie army cadets and craft workshops for all the family to attend.
I would also like to follow on with the need for speed cameras in the village or even enlarging the 30 mph signs. This village is full of small children and older people who like to enjoy a quiet strole and not having to worry about dodging speeding cars.
I would also be happy to see a little more assistance for our lovely careers and after school club who provide so much care for those who need it most.
Thank you all for reading my statement.
Mandy
 

Lee-Anne Cornwall

Hello all….

I’m Lee-Anne. I’ve lived in Tomatin for 18 years with my 2 daughters. My girls grew up and went through nursery/primary school in the village. I worked in various jobs throughout Tomatin until earlier this year when I moved on to pastures new. I previously held regular music sessions in the hall and was one of the P.U.B Nights team.

I’ve been the secretary of Strathdearn Community Council for 6 years and would like to continue to work hard and be a voice for our community and it’s views.

I definitely like to think of myself as community minded and would be honoured to represent you all.

Thank you. ?

 Rachel Dewhirst

Hello everyone, I am Rachel Dewhirst, 26 from Lancashire. I recently moved to Tomatin this year to live with my partner. I have applied to be a councillor for the strathdearn community council as I think it’s important to have variety of ages across the board as this helps bring forward new and youthful ideas to the community. I believe it is vital to have a blend of people who originate from Strathdearn along with those new to the area as this allows creative and imaginative ideas to be brought forward without losing the heritage.
If elected some of the things I would be keen to focus on are:

-Housing growth decided by local people.
-Safe roads and paths – and fix potholes.
-Growth of recreational activities for the children.
-To listen and involve local people in local decisions.
-To push to have a subsidised transport service to and from Tomatin to Inverness for the elderly and those with no transport.
-To support a community run pub in the village.

I hope to meet more of you in the near future!

 Stephen Smith

My name is Stephen Smith, My wife and I made Tomatin our home 2 and a half years deciding it was the perfect place to raise our young family.

Firstly I’d like to thank the outgoing Councillors for their hard work and dedication in serving our community for the last few years.

I’m very much an advocate of community engagement and community initiatives being decided and delivered by those who know best, the local residents.

As well as continuing the great work the council already carries out, I would like to see more activities and groups for our young folk, especially during the winter months.

Improved transport options to/from Aviemore and Inverness for those that don’t drive, whether that be public funded or a community led operation.

Community land ownership in order to preserve the wonderful natural environment we have for future generations and small scale housing developments that are more in keeping and sympathetic to the area.

Assist where possible with the provision of After School care which as we know is under threat.

Above all else, if I were to be elected, I would listen, liaise, and assist any member of the Strathdearn area in order that we can improve the enjoyment and sustainability of the fantastic community we all call home.

 Carol James

My name is Carol James and I stay near Dalarossie Church. Since I moved here in the spring of 2001 I have joined in community life, helping run the old village hall, the flower show and some of the clubs that make this such a vibrant community. I started the Natural History Club to further interest in the landscape, wildlife and social history of this special area.

I participated in the CADISPA consultations and have subsequently become a member of the development company. I commentated on the draft proposals for the Tomatin substation and the Inner Moray Firth local plan, both with particular reference to environmental matters.

If elected my aims are, first to ensure that community members’ concerns continue to be dealt with promptly and secondly, that, as the community grows in the future, any development is done sy
mpathetically.

 

Consent requested for Glen Kyllachy overhead electricity line.

18th November 2019 /

SHE poleScottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SHE Transmission) has applied to the Scottish Ministers for consent under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 to install and keep installed a new 132 kilovolt (kV) overhead line (OHL) of approximately 1,500 metres in length to connect the consented Glen Kyllachy Wind Farm to the National Grid. The OHL shall be supported by trident ‘H’ wood poles. The proposed development is located at Garbole, Tomatin which is approximately 20 Km south of Inverness. The location of the proposed development is presented on Figure 1, and the site layout is presented on Figure 2.

SHE Transmission has also requested a direction under Section 57(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 that planning permission for the development be deemed to be granted.

A copy of the application, is available for inspection, free of charge. This can be accessed during normal opening hours at Tomatin village shop. Any representations to the application may be submitted via the Energy Consents Unit website at www.energyconsents.scot/Register.aspx; by email to The Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit mailbox at representations@gov.scot or by post, to The Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU, identifying the proposal and specifying the grounds for representation.

SHE map 02

SHE map 01

Moy Matters #7 November 2019 Newsletter

12th November 2019 /

MOY MATTERS (7)

Progress to date:

  1. Tidying up of footpath: McGowans have a maintenance contract for the path and have recently carried out weedkilling along the grass verge as well as general tidying of the verges and clearing out culverts.

  2. Tidying up the path around Moy Loch (Birch walk): work should now have started on the path and is due to be completed by December (weather permitting).

  3. New signs for Moy: the new signs are completed and are looking good. We are just waiting on a response from HC regarding planning permission.

  4. Meeting place: The topographical survey has been carried out and the speed survey has also been completed – you probably saw the wires across the road! We should have the results by the end of October/beginning November.

  5. Moy FB page: it is called Moy sub-committee. Please ‘like’ us and join us. Feel free to post. Also if you are out and about and take photos in our lovely area, we would love to see them.

  6. Planters: Can we ask that everyone keeps a regular check on the planters and the plants and if ever there is a problem please let us know.

  7. Litter pick: 9th November at 10am, meeting at the new bench opposite the post box. Litter picking equipment will be supplied but please bring along a high-vis vest if you have one. Everyone is invited to Marian’s house afterwards for a well-deserved tea or coffee.

  8. Chainsaw-carved bench: our new bench, with a wildlife theme, has proved popular with passing cyclists. A second bench, with more of a fishing theme, will be installed shortly. Two more benches have been ordered – one for Lynebeg and the other for Ruthven. If you have suggestions as to where these benches should be placed then please inform the committee.

  9. Squirrel signs: sadly over the last couple of months two dead squirrels have been found on the road having been hit by passing cars. Hopefully the new signs will encourage all drivers to slow down and look out for our local wildlife. More signs will be erected shortly.

As always the sub-committee members want everyone to keep in touch so, if you want to contribute or give any feedback, please feel free to contact any of the sub-committee members at any time. The members are Marian Hendry (Chair, marian.hendry@talk21.com), Iain Macdonald (Vice Chair), Alastair Fraser, Davie Cameron, John Clarke, Jimmy Duncan.

SCC Agenda for meeting : 12 Nov 2019, 7.30pm

7th November 2019 /

SCC agendaSTRATHDEARN COMMUNITY COUNCIL

MEETING on TUESDAY 12th November 2019 At 7:30pm IN THE STRATHDEARN, TOMATIN

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE MOST WELCOME TO ATTEND ALL MEETINGS OF THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

AGENDA

  1. Apologies for Absence.

  1. Declarations of Interest.

  1. Minutes of the Meeting of 8th October 2019.

  1. Matters Arising.

  1. Law and Order.

  1. Road Safety.

  1. Financial Report.

  1. Applications to the Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust.

  1. Planning Matters.

  1. Windfarms.

    1. Planning and Construction.

    2. Community Benefit.

  1. Update from Strathdearn Community Developments.

  1. Correspondence.

  1. Any Other Competent Business.

  1. Date of Next Meeting (10th December 2019).

SHIREs

Strathdearn Nominated for the Rural Spirit Award

4th November 2019 /

SHIREs

The efforts of Strathdearn over the years have been recognised with a nomination at the first ever Scottish Highlands and Islands Rural Economy Awards – the SHIREs. These awards have been created to celebrate Scotland’s modern rural economy, from the traditional to the innovative, and from land and trees to the sea.

The Rural Spirit Award for which Strathdearn have been nominated looks to recognise :-

“a charity or community enterprise which is a shining example of the important social, and economic role that is played by such organisations and projects. These types of enterprises combine passion and social purpose to make a difference across the Highlands and Islands, and in turn play a huge part in the success and sustainability of the wider rural economy.”

As a nominee, Strathdearn has been recognised as a dynamic community that has identified local needs and provided solutions which will have had a positive impact. In our case the delivery of the new community hall facilities is seen as a major benefit that will provide an essential service to allow the community to grow. Receiving this recognition highlights the high regard that we have achieved across Highland.

The award ceremony is to be held in Inverness on Thursday 21st November 2019. Whilst there are a number of nominations, the work being undertaken in Strathdearn (with paths, affordable housing, etc.) has attracted significant attention. Let’s hope that out efforts translate into winning an award.

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