Rural Community Gateway

Given the current shake up of the post office network, with 2,500 branches set for closure, Postwatch Scotland are thinking ahead. They are thinking about how both urban and rural post offices can be economically and social viable in the future.

They have had some initial thoughts about what a sustainable post office needs but they would like to know what you think. Postwatch Scotland have produced a short questionnaire where you can give your input. You can find more information in the Postwatch Scotland Issue 17 newsletter which you will find in the Rural Gateway documents library.

You will also find information in the newsletter on Postwatch Scotland’s ‘difficulty of access study’. Some people do not receive mail six days a week, because they are deemed difficult to access. The vast majority of these households are in Scotland, so Postwatch Scotland decided to investigate.

Related links

Volunteers wanted to monitor festive mail
Your local post office have your say
Download Postwatch Scotland newsletter Issue 17

Dumfries and Galloway Rural Awards

Twenty projects from Dumfries and Galloway were given special recognition for their work in rural development at an awards ceremony hosted by the LEADER+ European Programme.

The awards ceremony also coincided with the launch of a good practice guide called Making a Difference in Rural Areas, which showcases the work of 20 community projects involved in environmental, economic and community action.

Barbara Kelly, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway LEADER+ said, "This is the second time the Rural Awards have taken place and with over 80 entries this year, the event goes from strength to strength and is a great showcase for our rural communities."

The winners were:

Champions of Culture – Art in Public Places
Vibrant Communities – Port William Youth Sports Centre
Reinvigorating the Local Economy – Auchencairn Enterprise Centre
Interpretation, Access and Enjoyment of Rural Areas – Galloway Kite Trail
Caring for the Environment – Working Towards Best Practice, developed by Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group
Exceptional Rural Ambassador – Jacky Wilson from Kirkconnel

You can get a free copy of the Making a Difference in Rural Areas guide by contacting the LEADER+ Office, Community Centre, Castle Douglas, telephone: 01556 504906.

Energy project for Alness

A one-off energy saving project has been launched in Alness. The £43,000 West Alness SAVE (Save and Value Energy) Project is sponsored by Scottish Hydro Electric.

The aim of the year-long project is to help households save up to 5 per cent on their energy hills and show them how to use their electricity more effectively.

An open day was held recently to celebrate the launch, with a free prize draw to win an energy-efficient fridge/freezer. Councillor Carolyn Wilson, Chair of Alness Initiative and Russell Ogg, Scottish Hydro Electric, officially launched the project at the Westend Community Centre.

Councillor Wilson said, "We know that there are a lot of people living in fuel poverty in the Highlands and the council has a strategy that sets out how we are tackling the causes of fuel poverty. Projects like this are important to help us understand what we can do to help people heat their homes properly and finding ways to help them keep warm at a price they can afford."

The project is a partnership between the West Alness, Firhill, Kirkside, Coulpark and Westford residents groups, Alness Initiative and The Highland Council Housing & Property Service.

To find out more drop in to the Westend Community Centre, Firhill, Alness or call 07920 437 526.

Other Alness news

In other Alness news, the West Alness Residents Association have reached the finals of the National Energy Efficiency Awards. During renovation of the Westend Community Centre, a ground source heat pump was installed. It is this and other measures which have taken them to this stage in the awards.

Chair Jennifer MacLeod and her team will attend a Gala Awards Ceremony in the London Aquarium on 5th December 2007.

Scottish Natural Heritage Joint Projects Unit are holding  a one-day conference on 29th January 2008 at the Birnham Institute near Dunkeld in Perthshire.

The major new European funding instrument for the environment, LIFE+, will be launched in Scotland at the event.  Recently, SNH agreed to take on the role of promoting and co-ordinating LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity in Scotland from the Scottish Government.

The programme will include the official launch in Scotland of LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity, a 'Financing the Natura 2000 network' - demonstration and a Funding fair providing the opportunity to meet grant-giving organisations supporting the natural heritage.

The conference includes speakers and exhibits from a variety of funding bodies that support natural heritage projects of all scales and types.  The conference will also aim to actively facilitate networking between organisations working for the benefit of the natural heritage and those that can provide funding.

To register an interest at the email below and you will receive further details in due course fnh_conference@snh.gov.uk.

Walk on Wednesdays

If you live in the Blairgowrie area you could be getting out and about enjoying the fresh air with the successful Wednesday Stride for Life Walks. Blairgowrie and District Next Steps (BaDNS) have now taken full management responsibility for the running of the walks.

The programme is run by volunteers from BaDNS, assisted by Strathmore and the Glens Rural Partnership. There are two walks per session, one at a slower pace and one at a medium/fast pace.

The next walks are:

• 28th November 2007 – Davie Park – Keithbank, 2-2.5 hours
• 5th December 2007 – Forfar Loch, 2- 2.5 hours
• 12th December 2007 – Woodhead Farm, 2 – 2.5 hours
• 19th December 2007 – Drimmie, 1.5 hours + Party!

For more information on the project and the walks contact Nick or Sue Cole on 01826 640 763.

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