News

Accounts Made Easy

Posted Thursday, January 19, 2012

a new accounts service for Registered Charities and Voluntary Organisations
· Book-Keeping

· Account Preparation

· Independent Examination

All charities and voluntary organisations need to have their accounts checked to make sure that their finances are managed properly and running smoothly. Most don’t require an audit by an accountant.
Our new Accounts Service can help with:
· Financial Systems

· Book Keeping

· Preparing your Accounts

· Independent Examination

All registered charities need to file accounts and returns with OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator). If you are a charity with an annual income of less than £500,000 we can help you to meet your legal requirements and avoid having your accounts returned by OSCR.
ask the experts
Finding someone with the required expertise to independently examine your accounts can be difficult and time consuming. Because we support other charities and voluntary organisations, Signpost can now offer you a professional Independent Examination service that is tailored to meet the individual needs of your organisation. Our highly trained staff have in-depth knowledge
of the laws and procedures governing charities accounts. They will work with you to produce professional, compliant, annual accounts in line with OSCR requirements.
Already producing compliant accounts?
Then ask us for a quotation to carry out your independent examination
Because we’re here to help, our rates are kept low.
payment options
The cost of our service is based on a standard rate of £25 per hour. All work is costed up to the nearest quarter-hour. However, we will be more than happy to negotiate a fixed-price deal if that is what you prefer. In line with our charging policy, if your organisation needs this service and genuinely cannot afford to pay... please contact us to discuss your options.

and what else

In addition to our Accounts Service, our friendly, experienced staff can offer a range of services to support charities and voluntary groups to run their organisations dynamically and efficiently.

Signpost can offer you help with:
· Governance

· Fundraising

· Quality Standards

· Human Resources

· Training

...plus a variety of office services including photocopying, services including photocopying, laminating, franking and mailing.
For more information about our services and how we can help your organisation, please contact:
Signpost
The Gateway
1a Millburn Road
Inverness
IV2 3PX

t: 01463 711393

e: services@signpost-inc.org

w: www.signpost-inc.org

Signpost is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland, no. SC394375. Signpost is a Scottish Charity, no. SC042210

BTCV’s Half-price Membership Offer

Posted Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Environmental volunteering charity BTCV Scotland is currently offering half-price membership of just £19 to its newly enhanced Community Network whose member groups include hundreds of community associations, conservation societies, gardening projects, and ‘Friends of’ groups throughout the country. All care for an aspect of their local environment - a community garden, nature reserve, woodland, allotment, park or open space. As well as the environmental gain, such projects provide valuable social, health and learning opportunities for everyone taking part.

At the heart of the Community Network’s provision is an improved programme of free and subsidised training events covering a wide range of topics from practical conservation skills to working with volunteers from different backgrounds.

Other Network benefits include:

• Support from BTCV’s local offices to help member groups with their projects on the ground.
• Online assistance through BTCV’s Community Hub, including links to the comprehensive GRANTnet funding website and a Resource Bank packed with useful information for group leaders.
• The Chestnut Fund - a small grants scheme enabling groups with limited funds to equip themselves with necessary tools and training.
• BTCV’s popular insurance scheme enabling groups to ‘do their own thing’ with essential insurance cover for volunteers and public alike, plus peace of mind for group organisers.
• The Network Bulletin, three issues annually, showcasing the work of member groups.
• A monthly e-Bulletin providing up-to-date news and information on training courses, funding opportunities, and networking events. Information is power!

BTCV Scotland is developing the Community Network in partnership with the Forum for Environmental Volunteering Activity (FEVA), with support from the Scottish Government and Scottish Natural Heritage. The Network is aimed at supporting both ‘traditional’ environmental groups, plus organisations representing the wider spectrum of community and voluntary activity. This includes BME groups, youth organisations, health agencies, and others whose volunteers and clients can also contribute to, and benefit from, environmental activities.

BTCV Scotland’s introductory offer of £19 for new members runs until 1 April 2012. And for those groups who don’t require the full package of benefits, the Community Network also provides a number of free information, learning and networking opportunities for interested individuals and groups.

For further information visit www.btcv.org/scotland, email scotland-network@btcv.org.uk, or telephone Graham Burns at 0141 552 5294.

The Scottishe Mink Initiative Team

Posted Tuesday, January 03, 2012

In 2011 the volunteer networks have expanded to new areas across Aberdeenshire, north rural Tayside, Moray and the Highlands. The project has added to the already large volunteer base and raft network from the previous projects, with now over 500 volunteers in place and over 900 rafts active across 20,000 km².

Since April this year over 100 mink have been removed from the SMI area. In response to mink sightings reported north of Ullapool, SMI extended the project area northwards to cover much of the North West Highlands. Cromarty Firth Fisheries Trust has now taken on the responsibility of mink control within their area and two more trusts are set to follow early in 2012. The new volunteer and local networks that have been established comprise of over 100 organisations and groups. We continue to raise awareness about the problems mink cause and the aims and achievements of SMI. Our work has featured in a number of scientific and technical publications and SMI has had a prominent and enthusiastic presence at many local and national events.

If you need any equipment or just want a chat about the progress, please do get in touch.

Cat Robinson
Mink Control Officer
Cairngorms and Moray
(Rivers Spey, Lossie, Findhorn, Nairn, Ness and Beauly)

c/o Cairngorms National Park Authority
14 The Square
Grantown-on-Spey
PH26 3HG

07825 185 178
cat@rafts.org.uk

Renewable Heat Premium Payment

Posted Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Through the UK Government’s Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) scheme homeowners in Scotalnd can benefit from a cashback voucher of up to £1,250 towards the cost of a home renewable heating system such as a heat pump or wood fuelled boiler.

It is only available until 31 March 2012 so if you are thinking about adding a renewable energy system to your home find out more information by visiting the Energy Savings Trust website.

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Financial-incentives/Renewable-Heat-Premium-Payment

Free road safety play for community audiences

Posted Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Is your community interested in hosting a free road safety play suitable for all generations? Road Safety Scotland has been working with Baldy Bane Theatre Company in the development of a new play which is set to tour the country for a ten-week period in spring 2012.

It is hoped that a wide variety of groups will take up the offer to host the stage play Better Late Than Dead on Time in their local community venue. The play covers many issues including inappropriate speeds, hazards to drivers and pedestrations and young drivers. All topics are dealt with sensitively and are primarily presented in a humorous but realistic way to focus awareness and discussion in the audiences.

Mairi Blair, Assistant Director, Road Safety Scotland said, "In the road environment, pedestrians and drivers can be affected by the same road safety issues, no matter the age. Baldy Bane Theatre Company has, once again, developed a wonderfully funny, and incredibly thought-provoking and stimulating play to engage the whole community. Don't miss out!"

Alison Couston, Executive Director, Baldy Bane Theatre said, "We are excited about taking this new production out on the road as it is relevant to so many groups within our communities. It gives a very human perspective on the issues highlighted in the play, and, most importantly it is very entertaining for the audience and will provide an excellent focus for any group meeting. We are keen for as many organisations to get in touch to embrace the opportunity of hosting this free resource."

If considered appropriate, there is the opportunity for an interactive post-show session, which takes the form of an enjoyable, and possibly rewarding quiz.

The play will tour from 6th February 2012 until 13th April 2012. The production is funded by Road Safety Scotland and is free to all groups. If you are interested in hosting the play contact the Baldy Bane office directly on 0141 632 0193 to reserve a booking.

Take One Action - Scottish Tour Film Programme February 2012 Announced!

Posted Tuesday, December 13, 2011

The Festival is supported by The Co-operative and Creative Scotland. All events feature discussion with local business, campaigners and filmmakers details of our 2012 Scottish Tour showcasing "the best of the fest" across rural Scotland. Spread the word to people you know in Stirling, Ashford, Dumblane, Comrie, Aberdeen, Banchory, Alford, Nairn, Inverness, Cromarty, Ullapool, Stornoway and Skye! And if you know secondary schools in these areas that might also be interested in taking part, please get in touch.

Visit the website for email from http://takeoneaction.org.uk/ or If you need to speak to us directly, please telephone +44 (0)131 553 6335 or with media enquiries please call Simon on +44 (0)7515 106 303. or

Dates of tour
Fri 17th FebMacrobert Centre, StirlingEven The Rain
Sat 18th FebAshfield Village HallThere Once was an Island
Sat 18th FebAshfield Village HallEven The Rain
Mon 20th FebMacrobert Centre, StirlingHomegrown
Tues 21st FebVisit Scotland Information Centre, Callander There Once Was an Island
Wed 22nd FebComrie Village HallYou’ve Been Trumped
Thurs 23rd FebBelmont Cinema, AberdeenEven The Rain
Fri 24th FebWoodend Barn, BanchoryHomegrown
Sat 25th FebTullynessle & Forbes Hall, Alford Blood In the Mobile
Mon 27th FebEden Court, InvernessBlood In the Mobile
Tues 28th FebNairn Community & Arts Centre Even The Rain
Wed 29th FebRoyal Hotel, Cromarty Homegrown
Thurs 1st MarMacphail Centre, UllapoolYou’ve Been Trumped
Fri 2nd MarAn Lanntair, Lewis You’ve Been Trumped
Sat 3rd MarDuirnish Media Club, SkyeThere Once Was an Island
Sat 3rd MarDuirnish Media Club, SkyeYou’ve Been Trumped

Rural Priorities Assessment Rounds - Dates announced

Posted Monday, December 05, 2011

Dates have been published on the Scottish Government website for the next Rural Priorities Assessment Rounds in 2012. Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs announced this week that the Rural Priorities funding scheme will open for business again in 2012. However, he said it was vital the Axis 1 funding was spent carefully as there was less money in the pot because spending was brought forward in 2009 and 2010 in response to the credit crunch. Find out more http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/farmingrural/SRDP/RuralPriorities/KeyFacts/RPACDates/Q/editmode/on/forceupdate/on

The Arkleton Trust Future Theme - call for expressions of interest

Posted Monday, December 05, 2011

Are you interested in an opportunity to promote, and possibly research, an emerging issue concerning rural areas? If so, the Arkleton trust is inviting expressions of interest from those wishing to develop proposals which will help to determine the future theme(s), on which the Trust will focus its efforts for 2 - 3 years from 2013. You find out more in The Arkleton Trust Future Theme - call for expressions of interest. http://www.arkletontrust.co.uk/

Keep the Heat in Campaign, Highlands

Posted Thursday, October 13, 2011

The campaign from Friends of the Earth Inverness & Ross
is helping businesses in the Highlands to ‘Keep The Heat In’

The campaign – funded through the Scottish Government's Climate Challenge Fund – will run until March 2012, by which time we hope to have save hundreds of tonnes of greenhouse gases. Trained energy advisors are available for free visits to discuss all aspects of energy in your business and direct you towards other sources of help. Peter Elbourne is the group’s lead Energy Advisor:

"The campaign is about stopping energy waste, so we want to help businesses in the Highlands with all aspects of their energy use, including advice on lighting and renewables."

‘Keep The Heat In’ kicked off in Dingwall on Saturday 11th June, when volunteers began speaking to businesses in and around the High Street about the project. We will be trying to contact every one of the offices, restaurants, bars and retailers.

To help work out how much electriciy businesses are consuming, we also have two types of monitor available to borrow for two weeks at no cost.

Focusing a campaign in a community makes it easier for us to work out what common barriers businesses are experiencing. We're finding that a lot of businesses are reliant on electric heating, which is expensive and polluting. A local campaign also encourages businesses to make the necessary changes together. So if you run a local shop and you're 'keeping the heat in', then put up one of our window stickers! Now that we are getting towards the end of our campaign in Dingwall, we will be shortly moving on to Inverness and, eventually, Nairn.

Please contact us if you would like more details about our project or if you are interested in taking part in one of our campaign days.

Below is a list of some of the businesses in the area that we have advised during our campaign:

- The Greenhouse, Dingwall - Green Tree, Strathpeffer
- Ma Maison Ecossaise, Inverness - Celtic FC, Inverness

Also see downloads for a report on the campaign in Dingwall.

For more information contact 07715 663781 or email keeptheheatincampaign@gmail.com or visit www.foe-invernessandross.org.uk

Climate Challenge Fund has reopend

Posted Monday, October 10, 2011

Keep Scotland Beautiful welcomes today’s (5th October 2011) announcement, that The Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) which supports community-led action to reduce emissions, has reopened again with the addition of a stream dedicated to under 18s called Junior CCF.

Announcing the £10.3 million extended Scottish Government scheme, Environment and Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson met with P4 and P5 pupils from Churnside Primary at Lambhill Stables in Glasgow which previously received over £360,000 from The Climate Challenge Fund to create a community hub. Now training and educational opportunities are offered at Lambhill Stables to local residents on the following themes: gardening; renewable energies; and sustainable transport.

Mr Stevenson said, "The Junior CCF is an exciting addition to this overall project and I look forward to seeing the innovative ideas put forward by Scotland's children to reduce our carbon footprint. The ambition of Junior CCF is clear - to provide the means for the next generation to make a real difference on an issue we know they are passionate about.

"Since 2008, 345 individual communities across Scotland have received awards through CCF and their contribution in tackling climate change is greatly acknowledged. Our Economic Strategy and Spending Review makes strong references to the importance of grass roots action such as this if we are to move towards a truly low carbon economy.

"Lambhill Stables is a great example of how CCF offers real community benefits. It has brought the practical benefits of low carbon living into this area making it relevant and making a positive difference to people's lives."

Keep Scotland Beautiful has administrated CCF since it was launched in June 2008. Chief Executive Derek Robertson said, "Keep Scotland Beautiful is delighted to hear that the Scottish Government has re-opened the CCF to applicants today. Keep Scotland Beautiful has managed the CCF on behalf of the Scottish Government since 2008 and provided support to communities, including Lambhill Stables, taking action on climate change. Our staff's passion and commitment to the CCF has been evident in the ongoing success of the scheme and is an integral part of Keep Scotland Beautiful's vision for a clean green sustainable Scotland.

“Having managed our flagship education program Eco-Schools Scotland so successfully for over 10 years we feel the addition of Junior CCF will really benefit from the strengths and expertise Keep Scotland Beautiful has and the added value that brings to the fund"

For more information and detail of how to apply visit www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ccf

Highland Cross - Call to charities who wish to apply for funding

Posted Thursday, September 29, 2011

The Highland Cross Organising Committee is calling on registered charities that provide medical or social services for the benefit of the people of Highland to apply for funding. Previous applicants to Highland Cross, whether successful or unsuccessful, are welcome to apply. Highland Cross can only provide capital funds and cannot support revenue or staff costs. Applications must be with Highland Cross by 31 October 2011.

Applications to be a major beneficiary from Highland Cross 2012

Charities that provide medical or social services for the benefit of the people of Highland can apply to become a major beneficiary from Highland Cross 2012, which will take place on 23rd June 2012. A potential major beneficiary will usually seek a sum in the region of £20,000 to £40,000. Funding will not be available until the autumn of 2012.

Major beneficiaries are expected to contribute to the successful organisation of the event by:

Contributing £1,000 towards the costs and

Providing 20 appropriate people to act as marshals

Normally Highland Cross will have three or four major beneficiaries each year. Applications must be with Highland Cross by 31 October 2011.

Applications for smaller amounts of assistance

Applications for smaller amounts of assistance should also be made by 31 October 2011, and if surplus funds are available from the 2011 event, a distribution may be made thereafter. The smallest grant ever given was for just under £60. Funding for smaller grants will be available from November 2011. Applicants for smaller sums are not required to pledge finance or personnel, but many beneficiaries do offer small numbers of marshals to future events.

Application process

Whether charities are looking for funding for a small project, or to be a major beneficiary, applications must be made on the funding application form, which can be obtained from www.highlandcross.co.uk

Alternatively, a copy of the application form can be requested from Highland Cross Organisers, Redwood, 19 Culduthel Road, Inverness, IV2 4AA or by e mail to info@highlandcross.co.uk

The completed form should be sent with the required supporting documents to Highland Cross Organisers at the above address.

Charity Selection Process

All applications undergo an initial screening. If successful at that stage, applications to be one of the principal charities will have the opportunity to present their case to a selection panel in Inverness. The Organising Committee do not select the charities as a number of the Organisers are professionally involved with charity work in the Highlands.

Major Beneficiaries

Charities are chosen by an Independent Charity Selection Panel of three members who are quite separate from the Organising Committee. The Charity Selection Panel normally selects up to 6 potential major beneficiaries for interview and then informs the Organisers of the nominated causes.

Smaller Grants

Grants for smaller amounts are assessed on the basis of the application form. Where they consider it necessary the Independent Charity Selection Panel may seek additional information from applicants.

Further background information on Highland Cross can be found on its website
www.highlandcross.co.uk

Withdrawal of Emergency Tugs off ther West Coast and Northern Isles - Can you help?

Posted Monday, September 19, 2011

The Local authorities of the Highlands and Islands have been working together for a number of months to try to persuade the UK Government of the need to retain the 2 MCA funded Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) which currently operate off the West coast and around the Northern Isles. The ETVs were introduced following the environmental disaster caused by the Braer shipping accident and the vulnerabilities that existed then have not diminished significantly to warrant the withdrawal of this service. Indeed, the MCA’s own risk assessment, carried out in 2008 (the Marico Report) made a very strong case for retaining the ETVs and nothing has changed since then to materially affect their assessment, save the need to make budget savings. Furthermore, the MCA do not plan to introduce any measures to compensate for the withdrawal of the Tugs such as improved AIS tracking, mandatory pilotage or investment to improve the sea going and fire fighting capability of the existing harbour tugs.

Local authorities have met with the Shipping Minister and with MCA officials on a number of occasions but it is clear that they will not change their minds unless an alternative funding source can be identified. We have issued press statements and have received some press coverage, but we need more people to become aware and get involved. With a local MP sitting in the Treasury as the Chief Secretary, it must be possible for funding to be found elsewhere, if there is a political will to do so, but we have reached the end of what can be achieved through political channels alone. We need assistance to raise the profile and generate a head of steam around this issue that Ministers will have to listen to.

Can you help? To join the campaign to retain a vital maritime and coastal protection measure which the UK Government has decided to remove for budgetary reasons and against the strong advice of the UK Parliament’s Transport Committee.

Please join the facebook campaign Save Scotland's Tugs
Please lobby the following:
The Secretary for State for Transport, Phillip Hammond
The Chief Executive of the MCA, Sir Alan Massey, Sir Alan Masey and
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander.

Kate Lackie
Business Manager
The Chief Executive’s Office
The Highland Council

Please see Downloads - for a Risk Assesment

HEN at Belladrum 2011 5th - 6th August

Posted Tuesday, August 02, 2011

The date is nearly upon us and there is definitely a feeling of excitement building in the HEN House! HEN will be at Belladrum on mass this year accompanied with 25 Highland based musical acts. So what is it all about?

HEN is hoping to sign up over 60 people to take action to reduce their carbon footprint. Local bands will show their support by wearing feathers and taking on the challenge of carbon reduction. There will be quizzes and fun activities to test your carbon footprint and even a chance to have a thermal image taken. So if you’re coming to Belladrum this weekend don't for get to pay the HEN House a visit you will find us in the Walled Garden - enjoy the music and chill out with us!
Friday 5th August

2100 Black Rock Ceilidh Band
2000 Dorec- a -belle
1900 Last Summer Effect Unplugged
1800 Adrian Telfer
1715 Corralach
1630 Lilian Ross and Malina MacDonald ,Lewis Kane
1545 Ghillie dhu folk band
1500 Alice Bentley with Finnie Eveling-Swinney
1415 Ally McLeod and Donald Forbes
1330 Corey Symonds
1245 Graham Bell
1200 Jamie Reid


Saturday 6th August

2100 Ashley Mackay +3
2000 Maria Hall Unplugged Band
1900 RONA
1800 Fiona J Mc Kenzie, Stu Clarke and Lisa Rigby
1715 Acoustic reverb
1630 Emily McKinnon
1545 Waiting for Bruce
1500 Sarah Jane Thomson
1415 Malcolm Cumming
1330 Graham Brown +1
1245 Feis Chataibh
1200 Megan Blyth

HEN at Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival

Posted Monday, July 18, 2011

Highland Environment Network (HEN) will be having a major presence at this year’s Tartan Heart Festival 2011 at Belladrum with the introduced of the FREE RANGE FOLK STAGE. HEN successful secured funding from the Climate Challenge Fund which will enable them to be at this year’s festival.
The resources of HEN, Glachbeg Croft and Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival supported by the Climate Challenge Fund have combined to provide this stage to give Highland acoustic performers an opportunity to play at what they see to be their local festival.
The Free Range Folk Stage has grown out of the Glachbeg Croft Education Centre music club which has been set up in response to local musicians concerns that, though there was a lot of music to be heard in the Highlands, a great deal of it was not from local acoustic performers.
Festival goers will have a chance to listen to some musicians that are becoming well known on the local scene, as well as those have their own flock of followers! All we ask listeners to do is to open their ears and minds to something that hasn’t quite happened at Belladrum before. There are 25 acts lined up to play a range from folk through to a fusion of traditional with modern music.

We want to use this opportunity to engage with people and to encourage them to take action to reduce their carbon emissions. We have also sorts of fun activities planned as well as a great music line up including having a thermal image photograph taken of yourself just to see how hot or cool you really are!

If you are at Belladrum come along to the walled garden and find out what it’s all about, you might even win a prize!

WILD THING! CLASSROOM

Posted Thursday, June 16, 2011


We are very excited to be through to the final round of the Jubilee People’s Millions grant programme run by the National Lottery and ITV.
If Wild things! are successful with this grant we will be able to provide some unique experiences and opportunities for children, teenagers and adults in the Moray Firth Region through our Coastal Classroom programme.
The coastline of the Moray Firth supports some of the UK’s most threatened species. With the help of the Jubilee People’s Millions, we aim to use the Moray Firth coastline as an inspirational location for outdoor learning whilst also enabling participants to make a significant practical contribution to it’s conservation.
In order to create a classroom where sea anemones and shore crabs are your classmates...
We need your help!
To learn more about this exciting new programme you can watch our YouTube movie at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epGbXd2RXqw
or go to our website at: www.wild-things.org.uk

West Wheels - New Car Club in Mallaig!

Posted Friday, May 20, 2011

Car Clubs are a new innovative way of cutting the costs of car ownership and helping the environment. Members are able to book out a car for use when they need it while the club takes on the responsibility for ownership, maintenance and insurance.

Due to initiatives from residents of the Small Isles and Knoydart, Mallaig has been chosen as one of the sites for a car club which is being launched on Monday by Cllr Allan Henderson and the Mallaig Harbour Master James MacLean.

Funding from the Scottish Government via Transform Scotland has allowed the purchase of two cars, a Ford Focus and a Ford Fusion. During the initial 5 month trial period membership is being offered at £10 with a deposit of £50. Cars can then be booked out at either an hourly or daily rate. Bookings are on the internet and bills are sent out on return.

A good take up of this opportunity will help us to make it permanent. An estimated minimum of 25 members is needed to secure the project for the future. For those not needing a car on a daily basis the club offers the prospect of giving up private car ownership altogether. Data from a study at Findhorn showed that members saved from £1,000 to £3,500 per year.

The Mallaig community has been actively supportive of the project. Mallaig Harbour Authority has provided a car parking space on the pier for convenient collection and the Fisherman’s Mission has supported the launch with refreshments. Morar Motors will be used by the project for maintenance for the cars and have provided useful advice.

The Mallaig project has been financed through Carplus, a charity promoting alternatives to private car use. More details are available on www.carplus.org.uk

Development officers:

Susan Carstairs susancarstairs@btinternt.com 01687 450327
Duncan Spence aibika@yahoo.co.uk 07848448404

And the local advisory group includes:

Lucy Conway lucy@isleofeigg.net
Gwen Barrell gwen@knoydart.org
Georgie McMillan info@isleofrum.com
Judy McEwan portmorhouse@muck.fslife.co.uk

Outdoor Learning in the Curriculum for Excellence - New Factfile

Posted Friday, May 20, 2011

New Curriculum for Excellence Factfile for Outdoor Learning is now available:
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/Images/FactfileOutdoorLearning_tcm4-660306.pdf

The factfile provides information on Outdoor Learning in the Curriculum for Excellence and has been developed to (among other things) help teachers and schools communicate with parents and wider partners who support learning, such as employers and community organisations.

ENERGYSHARE

Posted Friday, March 18, 2011

www.energyshare.com

On the 1st March we launched the energyshare fund and have up to £500,000 initially available to fund renewable energy projects. We are calling for communities to tell us about projects that they'd like to get funded. We'll support projects across the UK, and what's more this is just the beginning!

energyshare want to support and fund as many communities as possible and with our founding partners, British Gas, energyshare is committed to distributing a further £3m to community renewable projects over the next 3 years.
By taking part members will help to shape the way energyshare funding works in the future.
We're also excited to be launching lots of new features on the site, including:

WATTS GOING ON?
A tool to log the renewable energy you are generating. We want this to be a big celebration of sustainable energy being produced across the UK. If you're generating, log your power and put your energy on the map.

YOUR ENERGY JOURNEY
Check your energy use as an individual against the national average.

ENERGYSHARE HOUSEHOLDS
Follow our households over the course of a year and find out how they get on with the gadgets we provide them, the challenges they're set and their video diaries!

Plus there's improved functionality for groups, a better information database and new case studies.

This is just the first funding round and the beginning for energyshare. By taking part you'll be helping to shape the community and the funding in the future.

To find out more about the fund and let us know you're interested in applying, click here. We look forward to hearing about your ideas!

Thanks,

The energyshare team
Lucy Conway
Landshare Community Manager
lucy.conway@keofilms.com

Landshare - connecting growers to people with land to share. www.landshare.net

Follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/landshare

Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/landshare

Download our iPhone App and start land spotting: http://bit.ly/landshareiphone
Follow me www.landshare.net/users/lucy-landshare/blog

energyshare

Something truly amazing is happening in renewable energy, and we want everyone to be part of it.
www.energyshare.com
Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EnergyShare
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/energyshare

Volunteering Matters

Posted Friday, March 18, 2011

Volunteering Matters - supporting communities, organisations and individuals in Highland

Volunteering Matters is a new organisation being formed from a merger between CVS Inverness, CVS Nairn and Volunteering Highland from 1 April 2011. Volunteering Matters will provide support and advice to individual volunteers across Highland and to voluntary organisations and communities within the Inverness and Nairn areas.

We are currently seeking a Chairperson and 2 additional Directors

The Chairperson will be expected to lead the development of the new of the new organisation, ensuring that the merged companies come together in a cohesive whole and Volunteering Matters is established as an effective and respected organisation in the Highlands. This voluntary position requires an individual with experience in networking, communication and governance as well as excellent chairmanship skills. The Chair will provide support to the new Chief Executive Officer.

It is intended that each Director of the new organisation will be responsible for leading on certain aspects of the agenda at Board level. Currently Directors representing the work of the three original organisations have been identified, as has the Director with responsibility for Finance. We now seek two further Directors. We would welcome applications from individuals with experience of one or more of the following areas: valuing volunteers and the volunteer experience; developing the potential of individuals; training and development; tendering; income generation; business development; marketing and PR; and communications.

Applications, marked Private and Confidential, are invited in writing. Please mark the sealed envelope as either “chair” or “director” or both. Applications will not be opened and acknowledged until after the closing date.

Please send to Johnson Swinton, Director, Volunteering Matters, 1a Millburn Road, Inverness IV2 3PX by 29 April 2011, enclosing a short CV.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity before applying then please contact Johnson Swinton on 07411711825

Electric Car for Sale

Posted Friday, March 18, 2011

The EU NPP Clim-Atic project has now come to an end and they are now selling the project's electric car openly and competitively as required by the EU funding terms. We are doing this through an eBay Open Bid and details of the car can seen at www.ebay.co.uk

FOR SALE on EBAY
2004 Vauxhall Astra Electric Car with lithium batteries
Converted to Electric by Dragon Electric Vehicles in 2009
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140522139346&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:GB:1123
End date 22 Mar, 2011 20:00GMT

To book a vehicle viewing in Aviemore on Friday 18th Friday, or for more details, contact Adean.Lutton@perth.uhi.ac.uk

The Cairngorms electric car was one part of the project, and it was the first trial in Scotland of an electric car in rural areas. Since October 2009, it was given an thorough trial by a community transport group in Badenoch and Strathspey (www.ct4u.co.uk).

HEN Conference 2011 - PLACES AVAILABLE!

Posted Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Greening at Grass Roots - Empowering Local Communities
Sat 12 March
Fortrose Academy Community Theatre & Black Isle Leisure Centre

Come and join us for an inspiring day of presentations and talks about how communities can make changes for the better. We are delighted to announce that we have Cllr Ian Ross, Highland Council, Lucy Conway from the Isle of Eigg and Peter Dennis of the SEAM Centre, Inverness UHI addressing the conference this year. We also have several workshops being led by the above speakers and in addition Transition Black Isle and the Grow North Project.

Note: Lunch inluded in conference fee

For further information, programme and booking from go to the conference page of the website or contact:
Lara McDonald
Project Development Officer (p/t)
Tel: 01463 231 557 or 07807 228 213
www.highlandenvironment.org.uk

The Community And Renewable Energy Scheme loan fund

National Spring Clean 2011 - Volunteers Wanted!

Posted Thursday, February 17, 2011

Wanted! Volunteers to spring clean Scotland.

Scotland’s biggest annual litter clean up is back, and Keep Scotland Tidy needs your help! So if you are looking for a volunteering opportunity, round up some school mates, friends or colleagues, choose a location and sign up to join thousands of others picking up litter to clean up Scotland - it couldn’t be easier.

Since 2007, almost 200,000 people have taken part in over 3,000 events over the month of April, collecting enough rubbish to fill 86,413 wheelie bins!

Now, as National Spring Clean celebrates its 5th birthday, the campaign period has been extended so that volunteers can also carry out litter picks in the last two weeks of March and the first two of May, and already there are almost 12,000 volunteers signed up to spring clean 161 areas of Scotland.

But, today Keep Scotland Tidy is calling out to all of you who hate litter and would like to do something positive to improve your corner of the community - we need you to do your bit and help make this the biggest and best clean up event ever.

Donna Hegarty, Programme Manager for Keep Scotland Tidy said, “Without the commitment of the volunteers who take part in National Spring Clean every year, Scotland would definitely be a dirtier place.

“Most of the litter that our volunteers pick up could have been recycled, helping us achieve a zero waste society, but unfortunately there are still a number of people who insist on littering.

“By working with local authorities across the country, we hope that recycling on the go facilities and general waste bins located in key places will encourage people to dispose of their waste appropriately, while fining those caught in the act will also help to reduce littering of our streets and open spaces.

“But until then, we need your help to keep Scotland tidy”.
It couldn’t be easier to take part in National Spring Clean 2011. All that volunteers need to do is visit www.keepscotlandtidy.org/springclean and register. A free clean up kit - containing everything you need to spruce up your local area, including black sacks, clear sacks for recyclable materials, tabards and information to support your event - will then be sent to you.
ENDS

For further information, please contact Suzanne Roberts on 01786 468236 / 07841 369 430 or e-mail suzanne.roberts@ksbscotland.org.uk

Please visit www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/mediacentre for further information, or the National Spring Clean blog at http://nationalspringclean.wordpress.com/ for behind the scenes information.

Note to the Editors
• National Spring Clean will take place throughout Scotland from Monday 14 March - Monday 16 May 2011.
• Full details on National Spring Clean, including an online map showing where many of the events are taking place, are available at www.keepscotlandtidy.org/springclean
• Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) is an environmental charity which fundraises to protect, preserve and enhance the environment of town and country in Scotland for the benefit of the public. Keep Scotland Beautiful administers the People and Places, Keep Scotland Tidy, Blue Flag and Seaside Award, and the Eco-Schools Scotland environmental programmes along with the Sustainable Scotland Network, Climate Challenge Fund and Going Carbon Neutral Stirling campaigns. Further information can be found at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org

Compost competition

Ensuring communities benefit from Scotland's next energy revolution

Posted Thursday, February 03, 2011

SCVO is calling on third sector organisations to respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation, ‘Securing the benefits of Scotland’s next energy revolution’ to ensure that the voice of Scottish communities is fully represented. The consultation puts forward proposals to ensure Scotland and its local communities benefit from renewable and low carbon energy developments.

SCVO has prepared a briefing paper with further details about the consultation and encourages organisations with an interest to respond. Alternatively, if SCVO members would prefer to contribute views via SCVO’s response, please contact: alison.cairns@scvo.org.uk by 7 February 2011. (Consultation deadline: 18 February 2011).

Refurbished computers available to voluntary and community organisations

Posted Thursday, February 03, 2011

The Highland Council has entered into a contract with Fujitsu to replace its computer equipment over a 5 year period. As part of this both organisations wish to benefit the local community by distributing 7000 PC units* over the lifetime of the project through a recycling partnership with ReBOOT. ReBOOT is a computer recycling social enterprise based in Moray and a registered charity.

Fujitsu are funding ReBOOT to provide this service and ReBOOT in turn will provide a range of training opportunities for different groups. ReBOOT are establishing a facility in Inverness to carry out this service.

It is proposed that the refurbished machines should be available to voluntary and community based organisations operating in the Highland area. This could include charities, social enterprises, community councils and clubs or groups such as Scout or Guide groups.

Should your organisation wish to be considered for one of the refurbished computers, please complete this short survey. The information that you provide will assist with prioritising the distribution and will be used solely for this purpose. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.

The survey is available electronically on survey monkey and can be accessed at the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JDP9VYR

If you are unable to complete the survey electronically or know of any organisations who may wish to be considered for this programme but are not on email, paper versions of the survey can be provided by contacting the Highland Council Policy Team on 01463 702006.

The closing date for responses is Friday 25th February.

S2S Fair

Posted Thursday, February 03, 2011


Wednesday 20 April 2011
Edinburgh Corn Exchange

S2S is the premier event in the Scottish social enterprise business calendar. It offers attendees and exhibitors a dynamic, busy and productive environment where social enterprise organisations can meet, trade, collaborate and develop partnerships with public and private sector delegates and with each other.

Last year’s S2S Fair saw an exciting blend of trading, workshops and networking. Over 100 exhibitors and 700 participants attended with 89% of exhibitors winning new trade and developing business leads on the day. Planning is now under way for S2S 2011 with a variety of exciting workshops and demonstrations.

There are 10 stands sponsored by HIE available, at no cost, to Social Enterprises from the Highlands and Islands who want to represent the work they do and have strong visual impact. This year the stands are in two short rows facing each other to create a group effect.

The organisers of S2S are also looking for organisations to do demonstrations in 'The Zone'. Previous examples have included cookery, dancing and painting. If you would like to demonstrate the work you do please let me know.

Financial assistance towards travel and accommodation is available to Social Enterprises. To indicate your interest in taking a stand or demonstrating in 'The Zone' please email me on lindsay.dunbar@hisez.co.uk or call me on 01463 715 533. Please let me know by Friday 4 February.

Wood Fuel Database

Posted Monday, January 24, 2011

The Centre for Mountain Studies, Perth College UHI are working together with the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) on identifying people and businesses involved in all aspects of wood fuel within the park area - logs, chip or pellet production and sale, boiler and stove supply, installation or maintenance.

They hope to produce a new map database of suppliers servicing the Park area that will be available on www.lowcarboncairngorms.org, as part of the wider sustainable rural communities objectives.

If you are a business or individual, particularly those who are currently or potentially in the future, involved in any aspect of the wood fuel supply, including stove/boiler suppliers and plumbers and would like to be on this database then contact Adean Lutton at Adean.Lutton@perth.uhi.ac.uk
Tel: 01738 877 265

Climate Challenge Fund 2011 - 2012

Posted Monday, January 24, 2011

The Scottish Government have proposed, in their recent draft budget, to continue the Climate Challenge Fund in 2011-12 and to increase the funding available to £10.3 million. This announcement recognises the efforts you have all made during the past two and a half years and will provide you the opportunity to apply for funds to support your organisations activities to take action on climate change.

The Climate Challenge Fund three core criteria against which all applications, from both new and existing groups, will be measured will remain as:
· The community must be at the heart of the decision making process of the project;
· The funded activity should lead to significant CO­2 reductions;
· The funded activity should result in a positive legacy for each Community.

Communities which have previously received CCF monies will be able to apply for funding using the existing communities’ application form. The new application form and guidance document that you will need to use will be available from the 5th of January from the new Climate Challenge Fund website, www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ccf. The site will also provide downloadable guidance as well as links to organisations that may be able to support the development of your application.

Training Opportunities

Posted Monday, January 10, 2011

SCVO's training programme features a wide range of courses as well as opportunities for flexible learning such as learning short courses, distance learning and learning blocks.

To find out more and make bookings visit www.scvo.org.uk/training

Get £200 off the cost of Learning with an Individual Learning Account
If you earn £22,000 p.a. or less you could be eligible for an ILA. SCVO courses are approved for ILAs. For more information about opening an ILA visit: www.scvo.org.uk/training

John Muir Award

Posted Tuesday, December 07, 2010

John Muir Award Biodiversity Stories

2010 was declared the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) by the United Nations. The John Muir Trust is a member of the IYB-UK 2010 partnership and has been helping promote awareness and understanding of biodiversity.

A wide range of examples of how groups doing their John Muir Awards have engaged with biodiversity can viewed at the John Muir Award 2010 Biodiversity Stories page. (http://www.jmt.org/jmaward-case-studies.asp#BioCS). From Scottish Borders community schools to Snowdonia outdoor centres, Wildlife Trusts to open prisons, conserve audits to fungal forays – the John Muir Award has provided a context for thousands of individual Biodiversity Stories.

The John Muir Award encourages awareness and responsibility for the natural environment, and is open to all. It is the main educational initiative of John Muir Trust. Support the John Muir Award by joining the John Muir Trust – as a Group or Individual www.jmt.org/become-a-member.asp

Freelance Vacancy Argyle - Scottish Crofting Federation

Posted Tuesday, December 07, 2010

A freelance administrative position is available with the Scottish Crofting Federation in Argyle.

Mainly an admin role it does not require an in-depth knowledge of crofting. It is offered on a part-time, short-term self-employed basis, involving making the room bookings, securing local tutors for each session, maintaining accurate student records, dealing promptly with tutor invoices and adhering to the project budget.

Payment is at the rate of £8.00/hr for 3 hrs/week for 16 weeks on the administrative work and £5.95 for 3hrs/week for 10 weeks to facilitate on each night of the course, with a mileage allowance also provided (up to a maximum of 260 miles). This means that the post-holder can also take the course should they wish, and not have to pay.

The intention is to run the course from January to March/April, with December for preparation and finding suitable tutors. Further information is available from Su Cooper, training@crofting.org

Highland environmental children’s group weigh in with “significant observation” of rare sawfly

Posted Tuesday, December 07, 2010


As part of their John Muir Award activity, a small but active environmental group has got involved with biodiversity by making a “significant observation” in the form of a sawfly known as Cimbex luteus*.

Group leader Justine Robertson decided to use the John Muir Award to help young people connect with Ardersier Common, a Highland Council Site of Special Scientific Interest, “we wanted to try and understand the biodiversity of our local common and the ways in which it is used by people and wildlife alike.”

The group aims to give children suffering from long term illness and/or disability the self confidence to tackle issues and activities designed to improve their communities and their environment.

The young people responded well to spending time at Ardersier Common, and quickly tuned in to the nature on their doorstep, “It was amazing with all of the calls we heard, the colours that stood out in their own fashion, and the trees, and berries we picked” John, 14.

However, it was the finding of an extremely rare ‘wee beastie’ that fired the imagination of the group. “We have found what has been described by eminent individuals, as a "significant observation" in the form of Sawfly known as Cimbex luteus, something not seen in Scotland for a very, very long time,” explained Justine.

Murdo Macdonald from the Highland Biodiversity Recording Group was very impressed with the groups findings and has offered to give a talk to the group before the end of the year. Murdo is also a biodiversity mentor for iSpot, the website aimed at helping anyone identify anything in nature, and has helped the group share their rare finding (www.ispot.org.uk).

“I feel extremely proud to have our own ISPOT dedication and how so many people have taken an interest in our discovery. It was so great to be mentioned in glowing terms on the Highland Biodiversity Recording Group’s web site. I feel proud and overwhelmed that our discovery was described as a ‘significant observation’.” Jessica, 12.

*Sawflies are insects. The adults have two pairs of wings, but unlike closely related bees and wasps, sawflies lack any obvious narrow waist between thorax and abdomen. Sawflies get their name from the female's saw-like ovipositor (egg laying appendages), which is used to cut or drill into the host plant to lay eggs usually in the plant tissue.

Cape Farewell 2011 Expedition

Posted Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Cape Farewell has brought together leading artists, writers, scientists, educators and media for a series of expeditions into the wild and challenging High Arctic. Together they have mapped, measured and been inspired by this awesome environment and have endeavoured to bring home stories and artworks that tell how a warming planet is impacting on this wilderness.

Scotland's Islands and the Faroes
July 2011

In July 2011 Cape Farewell embarks on its biggest project yet, in partnership with Cove Park: a month-long expedition by boat across the Scottish islands from Oban to the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland and the Faroes.

After eight journeys to the high Arctic and one to the Peruvian Amazon, we are bringing the notion and experience of expedition home to the UK, with an exploration of island ecologies and cultures, and of the strategies for sustainable and resilient futures being implemented across the Scottish Western Isles.
Scottish Islands Project Forum
10-12 December 2011

Our exploration begins in December 2010 with a meeting of 40 artists, scientists, funders, storytellers and cultural leaders at Cove Park on the Rosneath Peninsula north of Glasgow. Here we meet our project partners and discuss the values and aspirations of the expedition and the nature of our engagement with local communities, arts venues and sustainability and heritage organisations. We also shape the expedition itinerary with our programme partners, with the aim of sailing, weather permitting, to Mull, Eigg, Skye, South and North Uist, St Kilda, Lewis, Orkney, Unst (the most northerly of the Western Isles), Shetland and the Faroe Islands.

Up to 40 Scottish and international artists are joining the crew in weekly rotations of 10, along with oceanographers, marine biologists and climate scientists, on board marine mammal research vessel Song of the Whale. Our journey includes visits to remote and uninhabited islands, marine conservation areas, pioneering renewable energy projects and active engagement in festivals, community events and other cultural programmes as part of the Scottish government’s year of celebration of island cultures.

Artists are invited to join the expedition through dialogue with our Scottish partners. The aim of the Cape Farewell/Cove Park Scottish Islands Project is to stimulate and support the creation of new works and new collaborations between artists, scientists and community and cultural organisations around the theme of climate change, resource use and resilience across Scotland’s islands.

The expedition generates opportunities for interdisciplinary dialogue, creation and performance in specific and sometimes challenging or fragile environments on both land and sea. These events and explorations are recorded in digital media by sound artists, photographers and filmmakers, and in the works of visual artists, storytellers and musicians. Beyond the expedition we aim to support artists with both financial and physical resources to enable them to continue their research through residencies at Cove Park and on the islands themselves, and to develop new works of music, theatre, storytelling, visual art and dance specifically for the islands with which they have made a connection.
For more information go to http://www.capefarewell.com/expeditions/2011-expedition.html

Scottish Young Green List

Posted Friday, December 03, 2010

Do you know a young person who is passionate about all things green? Someone who works tirelessly to inspire others to action and make their green ideas a reality?

Nominations are now open for the first ever Young Scottish Green List. If you know someone aged 11 - 25 years old that deserves to be recognised, make a nomination by midnight, Friday 14th January. Visit www.youngscottishgreenlist.org

Award-winning environmental comedy, Beyond the Pole, available for pre-order now

Posted Monday, November 29, 2010

DVD release of the world's first global warming comedy, Beyond the Pole. Available for pre-order now on Amazon.co.uk, the film follows two men (Stephen Mangan and Rhys Thomas) on their comically doomed quest to be the first unsupported, vegetarian, organic, and carbon-neutral expedition to walk to the North Pole. Beyond the Pole was recently named Best Comedy at the London International Film Festival and won the crowds over in California, winning the Audience Award for Best Feature at the Los Angeles United Film Festival.

Filmed in Greenland on floating sea ice in remote polar bear country, the movie also features Helen Baxendale (Friends) and Alexander Skarsgard (HBO's True Blood). The DVD release includes deleted scenes, outtakes, and a making-of video showing the fun and frantic experience of trying to film in the arctic. We really think you would enjoy the film if you haven't seen it already, and if you have, feel free to leave us a review on Amazon.

http://beyondthepole.com/

Green Focus at SCVO Conference - The Gathering 2011

Posted Monday, November 29, 2010

Dear Colleague

Next year's Gathering will take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on 23rd and 24th February 2011. The Gathering is Scotland’s voluntary sector fair. Organised by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), it attracts around 3,000 visitors over two days and is the largest event of its kind in the UK.

The Gathering incorporates an exhibition and marketplace with 90 exhibitors, as well as a packed events programme of 60 workshops and seminars led by voluntary organisations, government, the media and companies who work with and alongside the sector. There will also be launches of products and services, interactive activities, networking opportunities, entertainment and much more.

Programme of Events
We have a new structured programme for the 2011 Gathering to allow delegates to plan their attendance more effectively, engage with event hosts and have time to visit the ever popular exhibition and marketplace. If you are interested in hosting an event at the Gathering, please contact us (see below).
Catriona Prebble, Green Agenda Officer
Direct Dial: 0131 474 6174
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
Mansfield Traquair Centre
15 Mansfield Place
Edinburgh EH3 6BB
E: catriona.prebble@scvo.org.uk
W: www.scvo.org.uk/green

Exhibition and Marketplace
We have introduced zones within the exhibition and marketplace, including a 'Green Zone'. For this we aim to get together a gathering of organisations to showcase the many green products, initiatives and solutions with which the sector is involved. It would be great if you wanted to be part of this! But please book quickly as spaces are going fast.

Gathering Website
For more details, check out our new look Gathering website www.scvo.org.uk/thegathering which will keep you up-to-date with the latest news stories, exhibitors, event programme.

If you are interested in any of the above or wish to discuss your participation at the Gathering, please contact Alex Thomson (T: 0131 474 6150; E: alex.thomson@scvo.org.uk).

'Natural Communities' BTCV's Community Mentor programme.

Posted Monday, November 22, 2010


The latest CLAN Bulletin can be viewed via the link below. Thanks to everyone (especially David) who contributed to this issue. http://www2.btcv.org.uk/CLAN1110-web.pdf

Social Entrepreneurs Fund Outreach

Posted Friday, November 19, 2010

Everyone says they want some funding
so come and find out how to get to £5000 for a Social Enterprise Idea!
12 - 1pm, Wednesday 1 December
81a Castle Street, Inverness
Are you considering applying for the Social Entrepreneurs Fund? Then this is a good opportunity for you to meet with Eileen Inglis from Scotland Unltd to talk through your application. we will have a informal introduction to the fund from 12 - 1pm where people can hear about the and ask Eileen questions, to find out if the fund is for them. Lunch provided.
More information:
Unltd and Firstport are trying to attract more applications from the Highlands & Islands and are looking for individuals or newly formed social enterprise organisations who are still in the start-up phase. There are two main funds are available to individuals who have great ideas and the vision, passion, drive and commitment to develop them.

Individual one on one sessions can be booked with Eileen if you have a specific business idea in mind.
For catering reasons you will need to let us know if you are coming so please email Lindsay on lindsay.dunbar@hisez.co.uk as soon as possible or call us on 01463 715 533

Home Energy Volunteering Opportunities with FREE Training Provided

Posted Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Alness Transition Town Group has exciting and rewarding opportunities available for Home Energy Volunteers on our Home Energy Project. If you know anyone who may be interested in helping Alness become a more sustainable community, and would like to learn new skills and help improve their CV as well as meet like-minded people then this is the opportunity for them. Hours and days are flexible.

We will provide support and expenses as well as free training in the City & Guilds Energy Awareness Course — a nationally-recognised and accredited level 2 qualification. As a Home Energy Volunteer they will be making a real difference in the community by providing advice and information to people, as well as helping the environment by reducing our impact on climate change.

The free training is due to take place the week commencing 22nd November in Alness, we would therefore appreciate a reply from people interested in this volunteering opportunity by mid November.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch for more information.
Many thanks and kind regards,

Claire Pratley
Home Energy Advisor
Alness Transition Town Group
West End Community Centre

Tel: 01349 884896
Mob: 07920 437526

Email: energy@transitiontownalness.org.uk
Web: www.transitiontownalness.org.uk

Theremal House Surveys

Posted Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Dear friends,
Would your group would be interest to offer thermal surveys to house holders to make their dwellings more energy efficient. REAP is in process to apply for funding to do such surveys. But funding may only be attracted if REAP can prove that there is demand for such a service. REAP has been doing thermal surveys for the past two years in Aberdeenshire and is keen to expand throughout the Highlands north and westwards.

Wilf Shenk
REAP
Energy efficiency outreach officer
177 Mid Street
Keith AB55 5BL
01542 888070
My work days are Mon-Wed
REAP is a charity based in Keith / Moray, promoting energy efficiency and social enterprise.

Energy Saving Week 25-31 October 2010

Posted Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Energy Saving Week!
Take control and generate your own energy!

Hello! It’s Energy Saving Week! You’ll find everything necessary to take control and start cutting your energy use at home and in how you travel. And why not enter the brilliant prize draw to win nearly £20,000 worth of Energy Saving Trust Recommended products? www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

A CONFERENCE TO CHANGE THE WORLD?

Posted Wednesday, October 27, 2010

THE relationships between locals, incomers and land in communities throughout Scotland and beyond will be explored in a groundbreaking conference in Edinburgh next month.
Building vibrant communities deeply rooted in the places they live is crucial in adapting to life beyond oil. This theme will be at the heart of the two-day event ‘Transitions: Diverse Routes to Belonging’ which will feature author and activist Alastair McIntosh and Rob Hopkins, co-founder of the rapidly growing worldwide Transition movement, among others.

People who are working in Transition initiatives or interested in building resilience in their communities, will gather for the international Transition conference at Pollock Halls on 20 and 21 November. Delegates will investigate how the challenges brought by looming energy shortages and climate change can be tackled by encouraging creative, collaborative ways of living.

The conference is being hosted by Transition Scotland Support with the support of the Transition Network and Transition Edinburgh University.

“Oil has become the lifeblood of how we feed, entertain and house ourselves - it’s what makes our modern lifestyles possible,” said Rob Hopkins, author of the Transition Handbook. “We are now entering the end of the age of cheap oil. That coupled with the climate change agenda means we have to rethink some very basic assumptions about how we live.”

As well as taking practical steps, such as producing food locally and introducing currencies and trading systems to enable local economies to flourish, the Transition model recognises work to build cohesion in fragmented communities as being central to making them fit to face the future.

This chimes fundamentally with the thinking which sparked land reform in Scotland in the 1990s. Alastair McIntosh was at the forefront of this historic movement, most famously in the run up to the landmark community buyout of the island of Eigg 13 years ago.

“The rekindling of community is the most important form of transition that we collectively face in the world,” he said.

“That raises the question as to how we get on with each other when we are from so many backgrounds, both native and non-native.

“We must therefore ask whether it is possible to reground ourselves in becoming indigenous no matter where we are from and where we live.”

The two day international event will be preceeded by the Scottish National Transition Gathering on Friday 19 November.

For further information and to book a place go to to www.transitionscotland.org

Notes to editors:
1) For further information and high resolution pictures of the speakers contact Catriona Ross on 0782 4531942. Members of the media wishing to attend the conference should e-mail transitionconference@gmail.com

2) Further information on Transition worldwide see http://www.transitionnetwork.org/

3) Alastair McIntosh is a Professor of the Centre for Human Ecology and author of number of studies and books, including Soil and Soul: People versus Corporate Power and Hell and High Water: Climate Change, Hope and the Human Condition. For further information see www.alastairmcintosh.com

Catriona Ross
01463 871056
0782 453 1942
catriona.ross1@gmail.com

Highlands International Biodiversity and Climate Change Conference

Posted Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Highlands International Biodiversity and Climate Change Conference
An Official Contribution to the International Year of Biodiversity at Inverness Council Chambers

5 November 2010 9:00- 4:00pm,

The Highland Council, CIFAL Findhorn, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage, CNPA, Perth College UHI/Centre for Mountain Studies, Trees for Life, RSPB, Forestry Commission Scotland, Moray Firth Partnership, 2020Vision, BTCV, Marine Conservation Society, Crofters Commission, Highland Biodiversity Forum, Scottish Rural Property & Business Association, Sky and Lochalsh Environmental Forum, Highland Environmental Network, Community Woodlands Association, IUCN, and the Scottish Government are pleased to invite you to attend our major Scottish international conference in Inverness.
For further information please visit www.cifalfindhorn.org

ADAPTING TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN HIGHLAND

Posted Wednesday, October 06, 2010

The Highland Council is inviting responses to the consultation on the draft document “Adapting to Climate Change in Highland” . The document and consultation questions are available on the link below.

http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/sustainabledevelopment/climatechange/adaptation/default.htm

The consultation will be open until the 31st December 2010 and responses can be sent to:

Ailsa Villegas
Sustainable Development Officer
Chief Executives Office
Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5NX

or electronically: ailsa.villegas@highland.gov.uk

CANCELLED - Leading Environmental Projects, Dunnet

Posted Monday, September 27, 2010

Unfortunately, the Leading Environmental Projects training session on 4 Oct in Dunnet has been cancelled.
If you would like to know more about HEN training events then please go to the Training Page of the website
or contact Jenny Sleeman at BTCV on 01463 811 923 or email j.sleeman@btcv.org.uk

FINAL CALL FOR APPLICATIONS - SBHS

Posted Wednesday, September 22, 2010

The Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme (SBHS) was launched in 2008 by the Scottish Government to encourage renewable heat use by businesses and district heating demonstrators. The scheme is delivered by the Biomass Development Team of Forestry Commission Scotland. On 2 June 2010 the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment & Rural Affairs announced the final call for applications to the SBHS at a Low Carbon Economy Conference held in Dunblane

Limited funds remain. The Final Call is addressed to any organisation across Scotland which is not eligible for either SRDP or CARES funding, for biomass heat-only installations that can complete by March 2011.

Projects must address the SBHS aims stated in the application guidance (see our website, www.usewoodfuel.co.uk/ScottishBiomassHeatScheme.stm) and clearly demonstrate that they can complete by March 2011. Priority will also be given to projects from:

• small-medium sized enterprises in the Highlands & Islands
• private developers for district heating schemes.

The call will remain open until 30th September 2010 or until the funding has been allocated and closure of the SBHS announced, whichever is sooner.
For full details and application forms see www.usewoodfuel.co.uk/ScottishBiomassHeatScheme.stm

Job Vacancy, Admin Assitant

Posted Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Alness Transition Town Group, Home Energy Advise Service have a vacancy for a part time Admin Assistant.
Deadline for applications is Monday 4th October. All details are on the website

Tel: 01349 884896
Email: energy@transitiontownalness.org.uk
Web: www.transitiontownalness.org.uk

Have you news you'd like to share?

Posted Monday, August 30, 2010

HEN would like to hear from anyone who has a local news items, job vacancies and volunteer requests etc and we will post it in our News section. Also if you have an event then you'd like to see listed go to our What's On page.

WANTED - Chance to milk a cow!!

Posted Friday, June 18, 2010

Somebody wishes to arrange an opportunity for their Mother to milk a cow
for her birthday. Can anyone out there help? If so please contact Bob Bull
on Tel. 01463 811923 or email bob@glachbeg.org.uk

BTCV - Change Programme

Posted Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Only one week left to register for the Change Programme!
If your organisation wishes to increase peoples' awareness and appreciation of nature and help people to lead more sustainable lives, don;t miss out on this free training.

Change brings together Scotland's leading behaviour change practitioners to provide support and training on the most up to date thinking on engaging people to live more sustainable lives. Participating in Change will improve the way you work with volunteers, enable you to reach new audiences and help you to rethink what you are able to achieve with your volunteers. The first training workshop will run on 23rd June.

You can find out more and register for the Change Programme on the FEVA website. Registration date is 11th June.
http://www.feva-scotland.org/display/change

For further information, contact:
Kerry Riddell
Development Manager (Sustainable Communities)
BTCV Scotland
Ellrig, High Street, Moniaive, Dumfries DG3 4HN

01848 200381
0782 7873773

Kerry Riddell
Development Manager (Sustainable Communities)
BTCV Scotland
Ellrig, High Street, Moniaive, Dumfries DG3 4HN

01848 200381
0782 7873773
w: www.btcv.org/scotland

A Helping Hand to Grow Your Own

Posted Wednesday, May 05, 2010

A Helping Hand to Grow Your Own

Would you like to enjoy your own food fresh from the garden? A new Transition Black Isle project, Grow North, is looking for participants. The year-long project is for Black Isle residents who wish to learn more about how to grow their own fruit and vegetables. Grow North aims to provide practical support for 50 households in learning how to grow, look after and use a range of crops that can be grown successfully on the Black Isle.

Thinking about taking part?

You will be able to attend 8 training days spread throughout the year, covering the basics of starting your garden, planning your site, sowing seeds, planting out, pests and diseases, caring for your crops, composting, fruit, herbs, harvesting and preserving. The training will comprise practical hands-on sessions at 3 sites around the Black Isle.

You will be able to see the season progress at each study site, and carry the lessons learned back to your own garden. You can take home seedlings and plants that you have worked on during the training days to grow on at home.

Detailed notes to accompany the training days, forming a growing guide
Opportunities to network with others taking part to swap ideas and share experience.
Practical help days

Climate Change Event - Inverness

Posted Wednesday, April 21, 2010

The Royal Society of Edinburgh is conducting an inquiry on adaptation to climate change and will be gathering evidence at Great Glen House in Inverness on 2 June.

Also in collaboration with Highland Council and the UHI, the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands, the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) is holding a competition to identify a future aspirational vision for a low carbon life in the Highlands of Scotland. For furhter information go to www.royalsoced.org.uk/enquiries/climate_change/index.htm

In the evening the public will have the opportunity to view stands from various organisations on what

Project Co-ordinator Wanted!

Posted Monday, April 12, 2010

Transition Black Isle
Projects Co-ordinator

Transition Black Isle wishes to appoint a projects co-ordinator, working on a contract basis from home, for overseeing a variety of initiatives from growing food to saving energy. A knowledge of the principles of the Transition Movement would be an advantage.

Skills required :

CSV Action Earth 2010

Posted Monday, April 12, 2010

CSV Action Earth 2010
Please find below information about the CSV Action Earth campaign which runs from 1st March until 31st July 2010. We want to empower people to take action in their community. To do this, we have two different grants to give to groups of volunteers who are carrying out local environment projects or who are improving biodiversity in Scotland. As 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity, there is no better time to get involved.

1. Our SNH Biodiversity Awards of

COMMUNITIES URGED TO JOIN FORCES ON FIREWOOD

Posted Tuesday, March 16, 2010

JOINING forces to source and process local firewood has the potential to boost rural communities and cut fuel poverty.

With oil prices erratic and on an upward curve, the case for making the most of fuel from forests in and around many Scottish communities has never been stronger.

Sales of wood burning stoves are at record levels. By working together to supply their own homes and businesses, people have the prospect to boost the local economy and create stronger, revitalised communities.

A free event exploring the process of setting up and running a successful community wood fuel enterprise is being held in the Cairngorms National Park on Saturday 1 May.

The pioneering community of Laggan, which was one of the first places in Scotland to take over the running of its local woods, is the venue for the dynamic day on Setting up a Community Woodfuel Enterprise

The Community Woodlands Association (CWA) is running the event for Clim-ATIC, an EU funded project to help rural communities in northern Europe adapt to the impacts of climate change. Clim-ATIC is working jointly the Cairngorms National Park Authority on a number of projects in the Park.

Laggan Forest Trust is keen to set up a woodfuel enterprise itself, and event leader Jake Willis of the CWA will draw on this, and other examples, to illustrate how the so-called

Wanted! - Community to Volunteer

Posted Tuesday, March 16, 2010

A Climate Change Strategy is being developed by Highland Council. This will cover the work of all Council Services across all sectors. However, climate change impacts will vary greatly between regions in Highland. They will affect communities and individuals in different ways dependent location, knowledge and understanding, vulnerability to change and capacity to adapt.

For this reason I am looking to find a community to work with in developing a Local Climate Change Action Plan. I would then like to use the process of developing a local action plan as a template to encourage more communities in Highland to do the same.

If you know of a community that may be interested in taking part, then please get in touch.

Ailsa Villegas
Sustainable Development Officer
Chief Executives Office
Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5NX
tel: 01463 702 543

WIN WEEKEND TICKET TO TARTAN HEART FESTIVAL!!!

Posted Monday, March 01, 2010

COMPETITION
Win a weekend camping pass for one to 2010's Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, 6th and 7th August 2010. The Highlands' own homegrown festival of music and performing arts for all ages, now in its seventh year.

To be able to enter, simply sign up as a delegate to this year's HEN Conference.
On arrival to the conference you will receive and Competition entry form. All correct entries will be gathered and the winner announced at the end of the Conference.
For further information go to our HEN Conference Page.

Community Woodlands Association - Please Support!

Posted Friday, February 12, 2010

CWA Funding Ends June 2010 - Please give us your support!

We are doing our best in this difficult climate to source new funding to continue to deliver our services. Our current funding package ends in June this year and we need our members assistance. Please consider helping us by increasing our profile to the wider public. There are a several ways that you can do this:
Send all your friends, family and colleagues this Link to 'Wha's Like Us' the Woodland Culture Presentation by Eoin Cox, that went down a storm at the conference in November. http://www.communitywoods.org/youtube (approx 10 mins)

Encourage those on your own membership list, and anyone else who may be interested, to sign up for the free e-newsletter www.communitywoods.org . Raise the profile of CWA, mention you are members of the Association in all your media communications
Anyone can contribute directly using the donation button on our website. www.communitywoods.org
As a result of discussions at the AGM in November, a funding sub-group has been established to attract unrestricted funding (i.e. not linked to specific projects). You will be welcome to join the funding Sub-Group with your ideas to bring in more donations - contact me if you would like to help.

Diane CampbellDevelopment Manager
Community Woodlands Association
69 St Valery Place
Ullapool IV26 2TD

Tel/ FAX 01854 613737
www.communitywoods.org
A Company Limited by Guarantee registered in Scotland Company No: 275097 Charity No: SC038374
Registered Office: Old Poltalloch, Kilmartin, Argyll PA31 8RQ

COMPETITION!! Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival donate prize!

Posted Friday, February 12, 2010

COMPETITION!!
Win a weekend camping pass for one to 2010's Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival kindly donated to the HEN Conference.

To be able to enter, simply sign up as a delegate to this year's HEN Conference (see website for details) and on arrival to the conference you will receive and Competition entry form. All correct entries will be gathered onthe day and the winner announced at the end of the Conference.

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, 6th and 7th August 2010. The Highlands' own homegrown festival of music and performing arts for all ages, now in its seventh year.

Carbon Army - BTCV

Posted Thursday, February 04, 2010

What

Contractor Required - Transition Black Isle

Posted Thursday, February 04, 2010

Transition Black Isle
Contract Notice -

HEN Conference - Sat 6 March 2010 - FREE PLACES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!!

Posted Thursday, February 04, 2010

Making Green The New Black - Youth & Environment. How to Connect?
Sat 6 Mar 2010
Highland Council Headquarters, Council Chambers, Inverness

For 2010 HEN is planning a conference on the theme of youth and environment

BTCV Scotland - Sustainable Communities Mentorship Programme - Regional Workshops

Posted Monday, January 11, 2010

Regional workshops to be held in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness are planned for the spring as part of BTCV Scotland's ongoing Sustainable Communities Mentorship Programme.

Glasgow: 25th & 26th February
Aberdeen: 11th & 12th March
Inverness: 18th & 19th March

This programme offers training and support to individuals in Scotland who want to inspire their own communities to take action on Sustainability and Climate Change and aims to develop a network of Sustainable Community Mentors throughout Scotland through a series of regional training workshops and ongoing support. There is no fee for participants; costs are covered by BTCV Scotland in partnership with the Sustainable Development Commission Scotland and the Forum for Environmental Volunteering Activity.

'Two day well spent - an enjoyable, informative and inspiring workshop'

'Highly motivating, I would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to take environmental action'

'For anyone starting out on a project, this course should be a requirement'

The programme starts with a 2 day training workshop which will provide participants with the skills and knowledge to raise awareness about Sustainability and communicate Climate Change in their own communities. Participants will also work on developing their own unique skills, producing Action Plans for their communities and learning tools to take forward practical Community Projects to improve the local environment and take action for a more sustainable planet.
After the workshop, participants will receive ongoing support from local BTCV Scotland staff, installments of resources and access to national and local skills sharing and networking events.

More information and registration forms are available here:-
http://www.feva-scotland.org/display/scmp

Please note the closing dates for registration: Glasgow: 12th February, Aberdeen: 26th February, Inverness: 4th March

Do get in touch if you would like more information.

Best wishes
Kerry

Kerry Riddell
Development Manager (Sustainable Communities)
BTCV Scotland
Ellrig, High Street, Moniaive, Dumfries DG3 4HN

01848 200381
0782 7873773
w: www.btcv.org/scotland

Crofting - Induction Courses

Posted Monday, January 11, 2010

HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS CROFTERS AND SMALL LANDHOLDERS TRAINING PANEL
Announce a 10 week part-time evening course.

Job Vacancy - Carbon Emissions Community Worker

Posted Thursday, December 17, 2009

Job Vacancy - Carbon Emissions Community Worker

The Carbon Emissions Community Worker will establish and consolidate carbon reduction values and aspirations with the local community (i.e., the school, feeder primaries, school families, resident community groupings, local businesses and associated environmental lobby groups) through activities such as the encouragement of smart meter based consumption changes, house lagging encouragements, co-housing practices, changes in personal transport patterns, personal food buying, diet and growing patterns (e.g home growing of salads and fruit) etc. This work will be related to school study activities and initiatives (in co-operation with the Climate Change Curriculum Manager) and community learning.
Purpose of the Post:
General
The purpose of the post is to assist the REAL Community Interest Company management team to achieve its mission, to develop community linked carbon reduction opportunities: which allow for experiential and enthusiastic learning and participation to take place in fresh contexts and alternative situations that will enhance the understanding of the issues around climate change; which further promote the Curriculum for Excellence ethos, namely the creation of successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors;
which teach about young people

CRNS -More Than Recycling Conference and Awards, March 2010, Edinburgh - Book Online!

Posted Friday, December 04, 2009

It

Alness Transition Town - projects receive funding

Posted Thursday, December 03, 2009

Two major projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions in Alness have received a major funding boost this week from the Scottish Government

Welcome to our new website

Posted Wednesday, November 25, 2009

We are delighted to welcome you to our new and wonderful website.

As part of a 2 year development programme, supported by Highland Council, we have been able upgrade our website, giving it a much more contemporary look and making far more user friendly.

As part of this upgrade an online Environmental Directory has been integragted. The purpose of this directory is to list community groups, schools, organisations, NGO