[received by SCC from Alastair Stewart, Chart.PR, Account Director, Orbit]
We are writing to inform you of an important update regarding the Kyllachy Wind Farm project, which Wind Estate is currently developing. Since our first public consultation event in June 2024, the project has made significant progress and as we near the completion of the scoping exercise and statutory consultee engagement, we are looking to engage further with the local community and stakeholders.
Given this progress, the second public consultation event has been rescheduled to Thursday, 10th October 2024, from 3 pm to 7 pm, at The Strathdearn Hub, Tomatin, IV13 7YN. This postponement from the original 5th September date allows us more time to incorporate and respond to the valuable feedback received during the June exhibition, enabling us to present more comprehensive plans.
At this consultation, you will have the opportunity to review some of the ongoing work, including photomontages, and learn about the design changes that are being made. Exhibition boards will be available for viewing, and feedback forms will be provided for your comments. Members of the development team will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have. Feedback will remain open until Friday, 25th October 2024.
While community consultation is not a formal requirement, we believe it is vital to engage with local stakeholders and community members throughout the development process. We appreciate your understanding of this date change and hope to see you at the consultation on Thursday 10th of October.
Thank you for your continued engagement with this important renewable energy project.
[received by SCC from Sam McMillan, Director, McMillan Consultancy Ltd]
Dear Strathdearn Community Council,
I hope that this email finds you well. We are writing to provide a short update on activity relating to the Clune Wind Farm proposal and to invite you to the second round of public consultation events, planned for 18th and 19th September 2024.
RES will be holding public exhibition events for the Clune Wind Farm as follows:
Carrbridge Village Hall, Main Road, Carrbridge, PH23 3AA – Wednesday 18 September 2024, 1pm – 7pm
The Strathdearn Hub, Tomatin, IV13 7YN – Thursday 19 September 2024, 1pm – 7pm
The events are drop-in at any time. For those unable to attend the exhibitions in-person, the exhibition boards and feedback form will be available from Wednesday 18 September on the project website at: www.clune-windfarm.co.uk
RES will place adverts for the events in the Strathspey Herald and Inverness Courier this week and also send out invitations to households and businesses near the proposed site.
Project Update
We held our first round of public consultation in June 2024 – thank you to the local residents and community representatives who participated in the events. We have attached a copy of the Feedback Summary Report from the June 2024 exhibitions for information.
Since the first round of exhibitions, RES has removed one turbine and moved a number of turbines on site – the updated design is for up to 26 wind turbines with a tip height of up to 200m and with a capacity of approximately 187MW. We would also welcome the opportunity to attend a future Strathdearn Community Council meeting if of interest to the Community Council.
Please do get back in touch with any queries and we hope to see you at one of the exhibition events.
[Police Scotland issue this newsletter as a pdf which is best viewed after downloading to your device. Click the link below to download it]
Introduction:
We are pleased to present the latest edition of our community newsletter, designed to keep you up to date about the activities and initiatives of our local police officers. This newsletter serves as your window into the ongoing work of officers in your area, featuring insights from the City Centre Policing Team and the Community Beats team.
Our goal is to provide you with a closer look at the dedicated efforts of our police officers to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your communities. We understand the importance of keeping our community members informed and appreciate your continued support as we work together to make our streets even safer and more welcoming.
Thank you for being engaged and informed members of our community. Together we can continue to create a better and safer place for all.
This Ecology Strategy demonstrates the Council’s commitment to tackling the ecological emergency and to reverse biodiversity loss for the benefit of our environment, the economy, our communities and visitors. The Strategy outlines the actions we will take to play our part in responding to this complex and multifaceted issue.
[Strathdearn Community Council has been asked to share the following document. It is in PDF format so it’s easiest to view if you download to your device]
Communities across the Highlands face a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. These will not be solved by traditional approaches to economic development which are based on the presumption that as the economy grows, wealth is generated for all.
Community Wealth Building provides an alternative approach and a practical response that aims to keep wealth within a local area. It is often described as a people centred approach to economic development and aims to ensure every area and community can participate in, and benefit from, economic activity.
If you would like to purchase the tickets via eventbrite website please email events@strathdearn.org and a link will be provided to you given this is only available to IV13 residents at the moment.
If you would like to purchase the tickets via Eventbrite website please email events@strathdearn.org and a link will be provided to you given this is only available to IV13 residents at the moment.
We continue with the ongoing work required to issue the tender, along with reassessing the options available for a suitable financial package.
Electric Vehicle Upgraded Chargers:
We have been advised by the contactor that there has been a hitch in sourcing a piece of equipment to complete the ‘energising‘ of the EV chargers. We continue to work with the contractor to resolve this as quickly as possible and open up the EV chargers for use as soon as possible.
Dalarossie Church:
Discussions are ongoing with securing access parking rights which will be concluded soon. This will allow considerations to be formally assessed for potentially making an offer to purchase Dalarossie (pending SCD Members/Community involvement).
Community Computer Skills course
Last Shout Out! 📢
We have had very few people come forward for this course, which means we may not be able to hold it in the format of in-person at the Strathdearn. We may have to look at a different offering – if you are keen to upskill on the below course in-person which is one night over a 4-week period on the below IT areas, please get in touch.
SCD in collaboration with Red Chair Highland are looking to provide the community with an evening computer skills course.
A basic level of computer skills will be required, and topics will include: Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Powerpoint, Word) as well as the equivalent Google Docs, Sheets and Slides which are free and give a great alternative to those who do not want to, or can’t, pay for an Office subscription. To sign up or for more information email: projects@strathdearn.org or call 07703 32833
Hazelbank Woods:
The purchase of Hazelbank is now progressing well and we would hope to be in a position to complete this in the early Autumn. We are very grateful for the goodwill that all parties involved have shown towards the community.
Youth, Health & Wellbeing
Community eBikes
SCD have purchased two “Kids Ride Shotgun” additions to be used with Strathdearn eBikes – now the little ones can join in the fun! As the children are front facing this is an exciting way to introduce them to cycling early and get about exploring some of Strathdearn’s beautiful local trails!
The upcoming eBike route cards are due to be ready in the next couple of months – please have a look at the proposed routes and let us know any comments of suggestions of what you would like to see included.
SCD funded two new picnic tables at the Children’s Play Park on Old Mill Road which were built and delivered in the middle of August.
SCD Gym & Health Club Subsidy
SCD continues to subsidise both High Life Highland and Bannatyne Health Club memberships for residents with IV13 postcodes, giving the opportunity to stay healthy and well.
We are currently supporting community health & wellbeing by subsidising 115 memberships in Strathdearn. That is in the region of 242 residents benefitting from this scheme (assuming highlife family membership is for 2 adults and 2 children).
High Life Highland Membership over 50% discount for families and individuals
SCD are currently subsiding over 50% of the cost for 42 family and 20 individual highlife memberships for Strathdearn residents.
A highlife membership offers you and your family access to a range of health and fitness opportunities in leisure centres throughout the Highlands. In addition to swimming pools and gyms, your membership allows access to court activities, swimming lessons and a huge range of group exercise classes for people of all abilities and interests.
Your membership also secures access to a great range of local benefits as well as accessing libraries and other facilities.
Prices
Family membership: £18/month (discounted from £39.99)
Individual membership: £12/month (discounted from £24.85)
Please note all membership addresses will need to be verified as IV13 postcodes (i.e with driving licence, recent mail with name and address) to benefit from SCD subsidy
Bannatyne Health Club membership
IV13 residents can enjoy over 50% off for Bannatyne Health Club all-inclusive membership! SCD are now subsiding 54 individual Strathdearn subscriptions.
An all-inclusive membership with Bannatyne provides the opportunity for you to take advantage of their extensive health club facilities including swimming pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. There are several personalised services, including access to expert personal trainers and complimentary fitness evaluations when you join. Further discounts include:
10% discount in the spa (Spa Days, Products and Treatments)
10% discount in the café
10% discount on retail products
50% off the first spa treatment
Price: £20 / month (discounted from £46.99 / month + no joining fee)
Please note all membership addresses will need to be verified as IV13 postcodes (i.e with driving licence, recent mail with name and address) to benefit from SCD subsidy
High Life Highland classes available at The Strathdearn Hub
Highlife Highland express their apologies for the break in cases some weeks. They have had some challenges with instructor availability but are working hard to get new instructors onboard.
Highlife would also like to trial some new classes in the Autumn and plan to hold a free ‘taster’ sessions. Look out for the coming details.
Wednesday evenings at The Strathdearn Hub:
18:30 – 19.15 Zumba
Dance your worries away with instructor led dance programmes! These classes will have upbeat music with dance moves to match.
19:20 – 20.00 Stretch and Flex
Stretching and mobility-based session to help improve functional capacity, better recovery and injury prevention.
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 highlife membership.
Strathdearn Community Kids Club
SCD continues to fully fund this offer to Strathdearn families (IV13 post code only).
**We still have 12 spaces available thanks to High Life increasing capacities – don’t miss out on this fantastic offer!**
The fun begins at The Strathdearn after school on Wednesdays from 3.30pm – 7pm (supervised walking transport from school at 3.15pm can be arranged)
We will continue to provide free tea, coffee and biscuits and the day’s newspapers. Pop in to relax and chat with the locals!
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.
Many thanks to everyone who attended our summer party on Saturday 31st August it was a fun filled day & evening and even better with the amazing sunshine.
STRATHDEARN FLOWER SHOW – Saturday 7th September 2024:
Entries from local IV13 residents only
All entries are free
Entries from 10am – 12pm
Open to public from 2:30pm
If you are entering the photography section, please make sure to print the photos of yourself and we will hang them up for exhibiting.
Raffle and presentation of trophies from 3:30pm
All entries will receive a discount voucher for a cup of tea/coffee and cake for £5 at Tastes of Tomatin.
We still have our raffle available with amazing prizes to be won. Tickets available at £1 strip to buy from the shop/cafe and hall office.
STRATHDEARN BONFIRE NIGHT – Saturday 2nd November 2024:
Free entry
Gates open at the Strathdearn Primary School 5pm
~Bonfire will be lit 530pm
~Fireworks 550pm
6pm onwards: –
The night doesn’t end just yet…. We are also inviting you back to The Strathdearn:-
Tastes of Tomatin – licensed bar and hot food
Executive Entertainment (Disco Inverness) – music and karaoke
Treats on The Street – bubble waffles, freshly made doughnuts and hot chocolates
Marshmallow toasting
Transport will be provided at the end of the event
We will also have sparklers available at the primary school gates and within the school field. Please do not take your own sparklers – we have plenty to go around. 🎇
If you would like to volunteer/work at this event, please email Diane at enquiries@strathdearn.org we would love for you to join our wee team – we have so much fun and most importantly see the community enjoy themselves.
CHRISTMAS WREATH WORKSHOP with WILD BLOSSOM FLORISTRY
Saturday 30th November 2024 – two sessions available 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm
The Strathdearn, Tomatin
£30 per person including festive refreshments after the workshop.
Spaces will be available to book next week – please email events@strathdearn.org to register your interest. We only have x20 spaces available per session.
Visit Document Library if you are looking for any of the following: Newsletters; Minutes of meetings; Application forms; Accounts, projects and other info on SCD and SCCT.
We are excited to screen our 2-minute film showcasing our local attractions and The Strathdearn Complex. Journey from the wild high glens and their wonderful nature, along the River Findhorn, to the Tomatin Distillery on to Loch Moy and the excitement of the Moy Games.
Walk-through and aerial footage of The Strathdearn Hub
