What’s been going on?
We are pleased to share the news of our exciting community projects! For updates on the renewables project at the Hub, café and shop, the Strathdearn Community Kids Club, information about upcoming community events and more, read on!
Community Led Affordable Housing
Thanks to all the members who were able to attend the AGM in January.
As advised at the AGM, Community Led Affordable Housing is still an active project that SCD wish to deliver, despite the multiple challenges.
Our budget has been programmed to take this forward into 2025/26. Most of us will be aware of the economic constraints on grant funding as these pots of money get smaller and communities in general have greater needs. The Scottish Government has reduced £200 million from its affordable housing budget which is likely to have some impact outwith our control.
However, we recognise the importance of access to good quality affordable tenures is still high on the community’s agenda, and we will look to explore the possibility of delivering the project in phases, once planning is completed.
Dalarossie Church
A business plan is currently being developed and will be shared with the community to discuss at the next EGM all the different options. The date for the EGM will be announced in due course.
Renewables Project for The Strathdearn Hub and Shop/Café (solar panels & battery storage for the hub/shop/café)
SCD are delighted to advise the community that the work to install solar panels and battery storage is on its way!
Following the issuing of the building warrant the proposed itinerary is below. This may be subject to slight changes if the weather becomes inclement, but we hope to have this up and running towards the end of March.
Next week will see the scaffolding towers being erected around the Strathdearn Hub.
Installation of solar panels at the Strathdearn Hub, Shop and Café is commencing Monday 11th March 2024.
There will also be short interruptions of electricity supply towards the end of the install at the hub, shop, and café to allow the electrical work to take place. We do not foresee these to be long spells of disruption. However, we will try and keep everyone up to date as much as possible before hand.
We appreciate for the next 3 weeks or so this will cause a bit of disruption to car parking, and the immediate surrounding area of the Hub itself, followed by the Shop and Café.
Thanks in advance for your patience and we look forward to celebrating becoming a “Greener Community” .
Hazelbank Woods
We continue to work through the legal process and will advise the community in due course.
Electric Vehicle Upgraded Replacement Chargers
Lease arrangements are taking longer than anticipated along with the pursuit of the relevant consents. All parties thought commencement could start in early 2024. However, until these are completed the works cannot be programmed in.
Findhorn Watershed Initiative (FWI)
It’s great to see the different trips, information and ongoing work the Findhorn Initiative is conducting within Strathdearn highlighting our amazing natural resources.
This theme continues with an event being held on Saturday 16th March 2024 with special guest Julie Fowlis at The Strathdearn Hub. The FWI team would love for local folk to take advantage of event. It is jam packed with Gaelic history, world class music, and much more!
Full details below:
Uisge Èirinn – River Findhorn
Cruth na tìre air a doimhneachd – A landscape by its depth
An evening of stories, songs and music exploring the cultural expressions of the upper reaches of the River Findhorn Watershed; from the source to the Streens.
Fairy songs, love songs, work songs and bright fiddle strathspeys and reels from Gaelic tradition – inspired by the landscapes and stories of our River’s headwaters, unearthed from the depths of the Archives and brought back to life by esteemed musicians.
This event is a culmination and celebration of a 6-month journey of cultural research and engagement in the upper catchment of the River Findhorn, by Human Ecologists Raghnaid Sandilands and Mairi McFadyen. Each guest will receive a printed artefact mapping the lost songs and tunes of this place, calling us forth to share and steward them into the future.
Doors: 19:00 (concert 19:30-21:30 with interval)
Tickets: £5 donation towards the Findhorn Watershed Initiative
River Connections: Headwaters Celebration Tickets, Sat 16 Mar 2024 at 19:00 | Eventbrite
Shout out for local Tradespeople
Thanks to all who have already come forward following our Facebook post. SCD is looking to put together a registry of local people across the various building trades that it can call on to assist with community asset maintenance.
The intent is to refer to this registry for smaller-scale jobs without the need for tendering to expedite the more minor repairs and maintenance required within the community.
To register your interest or for more information, please contact Edward at Strathdearn Community Developments at edwardc-m@strathdearn.org or on 07515 009935
High Life Highland Membership over 50% discount for families and individuals
SCD continues to subsidise High Life Highland memberships for residents with IV13 postcodes, giving the opportunity to stay healthy and well. In partnership with High Life Highland, you have access to 25 leisure facilities sites available in the Highlands. Finding activities for winter days will never be a chore! With swimming pools, fitness suites and many classes available there are so many benefits to joining High Life Highland.
High Life Highland classes are available at The Strathdearn Hub every Wednesday evening:
18:30 – 19.15 Zumba
19:20 – 20.00 Stretch and Flex
Come on get your dancing shoes on for Zumba and stretch it out at the end! High Life Highland have also offered a FREE class so you can ‘try before you buy’. The more residents that join the scheme the more activities we will be able to bring to The Strathdearn! It’s an incredible offer as there is so much included in the High Life Highland membership. For more information please contact: info@strathdearn.org
Bannatyne Health Club membership
IV13 residents can enjoy over 50% off for Bannatyne Health Club membership subsidised by SCD. Bannatyne offers a premium fitness suite, many exciting exercise classes, as well as a pool and spa facilities.
For more information on all that Bannatyne can offer visit the website: Gyms in Inverness | Inverness Bannatyne Health Club
To sign up or for more information email: info@strathdearn.org
Strathdearn Community Kids Club
The Strathdearn Community Kids Club is well underway having now been up and running for over a month. We welcome to the team Neil Davidson as assistant coach. Neil is in his 4th year of his Sport and Fitness honours degree at UHI and brings an abundance of football coaching knowledge to the football sessions having assisted for two years with Inverness Caley Thistle Football Club youth coaching. We also welcome to the team Megan whom residents may know from the Zumba / stretch and flex classes on a Wednesday evening at the Strathdearn Hub. Megan will be providing cover if needed to allow continuity of the club during holidays / sickness.
Thanks to the additional staffing we can double the number of children registered for the walking transport agreement from the school to the Hub, as well as slightly increasing the total number attending. As we reach warmer months, the club will be able to use the outdoor MUGA as well as the auditorium for longer spells meaning that the number of children attending can be further increased – in the hope of further reducing the current waiting list.
Do you have a skill that you would like to pass onto the next generation of our community e.g. gardening, chess, knitting, painting, playing an instrument? If so, please email info@strathdearn.org to arrange a chat. The young folk would be grateful for your help.
Details:
Every Wednesday (Term time)
3.15pm walking transport provided from school to The Strathdearn Hub
3.30pm – 6pm games, sports, crafts & more!
6pm – 7pm community football
Please note:
Places are limited due to Highland Council health and safety ratios
Children may be collected at any time (please contact matthew.allan@highlifehighland.com)
Packed lunches can be dropped off at The Strathdearn Hub 8am – 9am (please label and keep nut free)
Easter School Holiday Activities
SCD are working together with High Life Highland during the Easter holiday break to offer families 50% subsidy for the kids Multi Sports Camp at Raigmore Community Centre. Children can meet up with others and have fun doing a variety of activities, sports and games; while also providing parents with a bit of respite during the holidays.
Details:
When: April 2nd, 3rd, 5th 9am – 1pm
Where: Raigmore Community Centre
Cost: High Life members £5.31 / day (discounted from £10.62) Non-members £6.25 / day (discounted from £12.50)
How to book: email info@strathdearn.org
Community E-Bikes – FREE E BIKE HIRE FOR RESIDENTS OF IV13 FOR UP TO 2 WEEKS
Through our colleagues at The Strathdearn, we continue to fund this offer, why don’t you ‘get on you bike’ (when the winter weather permits!) Don’t miss out on exploring the many local trails around the village (pick up a Strathdearn Access map at the Hub for routes – we’ve heard up the Clune road is particularly beautiful!).
With increasing costs of running a car they have also been great for a more economical way to get to work locally.
To book:
email: enquiries@strathdearn.org
Complete online form: Explore Tomatin with Our E-Bike Hire | The Strathdearn
call 01808 511700
Cycling Scotland’s Cycle Ride Leader Training
Congratulations to the Strathdearn residents who successfully completed Cycling Scotland’s Cycle Ride Leader training on Friday 23rd February!
This course teaches the skills necessary for leaders to plan and organise rides within an organisation, community group or club.
Big thanks to the instructor Tom, and to Visit Inverness Loch Ness who co-funded the course alongside SCD grant funding.
The SCD Snug hosted at The Strathdearn Hub
It’s soup season at The Snug at The Strathdearn Hub!
Come along and have a catch up with fellow community members! Enjoy a bowl of fresh soup, rolls, tea or coffee and biscuits – all funded by the SCD Health and Wellbeing fund.
Tuesdays and Fridays: 10am – 4pm
If you, or someone you know would like to come along to The Snug but struggle with transport please email enquiries@strathdearn.org and we will do our best to assist.
Upcoming Community Events
SCD ARE DELIGHTED TO FUND COMMUNITY EVENTS, HERE IS YOUR UPDATE!
events@strathdearn.org
An Evening with RhythmNReel
Saturday 9th March 2024
7.30pm – 12.30am
The Strathdearn, Tomatin
We still have some tickets available – first come first serve
£12.50 adults £5 children
Ticket includes hot filled rolls and transport for IV13 residents only
Please find below the link to purchase tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-with-rhythmnreel-tickets-800317319647?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios
Easter Breakfast with Bunny
Saturday 30th March 2024
9.30am – 12pm
The Strathdearn, Tomatin
Includes buffet style breakfast tea, coffee and fresh juices
Easter activities and egg hunt with bunny
Easter movie on big screen
Free entry – if you are interested in coming along, please drop us an email (as above) so we can add you to the list.
Strathdearn Spring Food, Drink & Craft Market
Saturday 27th April 2024
11am – 3pm
The Strathdearn, Tomatin
Free entry
Strathdearn Community Fun Run
Saturday 11th May 2024
We will be announcing details for the fun run very soon via social media – keep your eyes peeled and start training for the 5 or 10
If you are up for the challenge, please drop us an email as above.
If you are interested in helping out at these events, White River Trading are recruiting paid event staff please drop us an email – enquiries@strathdearn.org for further information.
If you have any queries about anything mentioned in this update, please get in touch by emailing info@strathdearn.org or by phoning 07703 328333.
