Blairmore Village Trust C.I.C. A Celebration of our 10 th Anniversary

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Nelson Wilcox
6 years ago
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I.C. A Celebration of our 0 th Anniversary Blairmore is on the Cowal peninsula of Argyll, sitting on the shores of Loch Long with Argyll Forest as its backdrop; and within The Loch Lomond and

We have about 20 houses, over 0% second or holiday homes. Strone Primary School is nearby and supports almost 40 pupils.

In 204, with funding from the Scottish Land Fund, the Trust purchased a diverse package of land-holdings which included the neglected, unusable Hamiltons Brae; along with the prime, historic

After extensive community engagement and consultation, using the Charette process, strategic plans have been developed to extensively transform the use of the land to create multi-functional

The landscaping elements of this current phase of development are at the heart of this submission and central to our 0 th anniversary celebrations.

1 Beautiful Scotland Coastal Village 207 Blairmore Village Trust C.I.C. A Celebration of our 0 th Anniversary Blairmore is on the Cowal peninsula of Argyll, sitting on the shores of Loch Long with Argyll Forest as its backdrop; and within The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. It is a small rural community, linear in nature and built in the Victorian period. It has a population of around 80 people and a high proportion enjoy retirement. We have about 20 houses, over 0% second or holiday homes. Strone Primary School is nearby and supports almost 40 pupils. Blairmore Village Trust is registered as a Community Interest Company and formed in 2007 to address environmental challenges, strengthen quality of life for residents and enrich visitor experience. In 204, with funding from the Scottish Land Fund, the Trust purchased a diverse package of land-holdings which included the neglected, unusable Hamiltons Brae; along with the prime, historic neglected field that sits at the heart of the village and has recently been re-named Blairmore Gardens. After extensive community engagement and consultation, using the Charette process, strategic plans have been developed to extensively transform the use of the land to create multi-functional facilities and provide economic sustainability. The Trust has embarked on a long-term, 0 year, project. The landscaping elements of this current phase of development are at the heart of this submission and central to our 0 th anniversary celebrations. Linked to our celebrations we considered it important to embrace and unite an often divisive aspect within our community, which is the linear and parallel structure of the Shore Road and the High Road. Our creative floral enhancements throughout the village unify our celebrations with a combination of permanent and seasonal floral enhancements, planted and maintained by nearby local residents. As a Trust, we work hard involving people of all generations offering opportunities that interest children, young people, families and adults of all ages. People who live and work in Blairmore often describe a strong sense of pride in appreciating the natural beauty of the area. Many visitors describe our community activity as inspiring. Entering the 207 Beautiful Scotland Campaign has helped enormously in providing fresh momentum and focus. This has resulted in increased levels of participation and lasting partnerships within and right across our neighbouring communities and that of Dunoon as the hub of Cowal. The immense generosity and engagement of local people, wide-ranging businesses, schools and organisations has been both encouraging and humbling; we believe this combined contribution to be an excellent representation of the three core pillars underpinning the Beautiful Scotland campaign.

HORTICULTURE - Japanese Knotweed, which is an invasive species, is a major challenge throughout our community.

aimed at eradicating the knotweed. This brings with it a number of horticultural and environmental challenges which are inextricably linked.

Consequently most of the spoil needs to be burnt. In excess of 30 large fires over a two month period.

With the lesser volume, our contractor has now progressed from the spraying method to that of stem injection.

2 HORTICULTURE - Japanese Knotweed, which is an invasive species, is a major challenge throughout our community. For the past 3 years our community-owned land has been significantly affected and has been undergoing a programme of treatment to control and ultimately aimed at eradicating the knotweed. This brings with it a number of horticultural and environmental challenges which are inextricably linked. For example, no soil or vegetation can be removed from site and composting needs to be carefully managed to avoid further contamination. Consequently most of the spoil needs to be burnt. In excess of 30 large fires over a two month period. Japanese Knotweed is still present in Blairmore Gardens but greatly reduced by 90% and continues to be treated. With the lesser volume, our contractor has now progressed from the spraying method to that of stem injection. In addition we have sponsored (in June) a second volunteer to be trained as part of a wider community team to collectively tackle the spread within our own and neighbouring communities. The delay in being able to utilise the land since purchasing in 204 has meant that this is our first year of planting and landscaping Feb & Mar 207 The big clearance begins in Blairmore Gardens Seth & Finlay help Mum clear some brambles Catherine & Malcolm dig out a stubborn root Rob using a chainsaw to prune the 30 year old oak tree Janice pruning Leycesteria - a favourite with wildlife in Blairmore Garden Time for tea volunteers enjoying a break A, A2, A3, A5 B, 2

3 HORTICULTURE Feb to May 207 Anne updates the planting schedule during a weekly hub session Planting Claret Ash grown by local resident Joe from seed 20 years ago; rich autumn foliage to come Catherine & Pat preparing a new border ready for planting & border taking shape native bluebells emerged after the clearance A pink wildflower previously unseen is it a bluebell or perhaps a Dicentra the jury is still out A, A2, A3, A5, B, B2, B3, B5 C; C2, C3, C4, C5 3

HORTICULTURE - 3 2 3 June 207 Colourful seasonal planter (commissioned in March, made by Mens Shed from re-cycled wood from the pier), filled with

resident and incorporated into Blairmore Gardens.

wildflowers grown from seed by a range of volunteers and primary school pupils.

4 HORTICULTURE June 207 Colourful seasonal planter (commissioned in March, made by Mens Shed from re-cycled wood from the pier), filled with flowers to attract pollinators, installed at historic Blairmore Pier 2 June 207 Completion of Snow White s Garden; 70 year old ornaments donated by Cowal resident and incorporated into Blairmore Gardens. Small Claret Ash planted along with herb gardens created from re-cycled fish boxes supplied by Morrisons Supermarket 3 May 207 Planting out native wildflowers grown from seed by a range of volunteers and primary school pupils. The seeds include native species some supplied by RHS and honey-bee specialists Just Bee. Many of the flowers were transplanted by a team of regular volunteers from Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park A, A2, A3, A4, A5 B, B2, B3, B5 C, C2, C3, C4, C5 A, A2, A3, A5 B2, B3, B5, C2, C3, C4, C5 A, A2, A3, A5 B, B2, B3, B5, C, C2, C3, C4, C5 4

5 ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY Jan to June 207 Treating Japanese Knotweed and clearing rubbish and vegetation from Hamiltons Brae Site planning visit from Council Officers to determine support Community Payback Team delivering re-cycled tyres from local business Primary School children helping to construct the Bug Bothy Local chainsaw artist re-purposing the residual trunk of a felled ash tree Tackling inadequate facilities for local residents rubbish disposal on the High Road A, A2, A3, A5 B2, B2, B3, B4, B5, C, C2, C3, C4, C5 5

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY -2 2 3-3 July 206 & May & June 207

local children to encourage the growth of pollinators First visit

Pupils embarking on John Muir Conservation Award Catherine mowing

6 ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY July 206 & May & June 207 Third year of butterflies being released from kits supplied to local children to encourage the growth of pollinators First visit of a year long programme of support for Dunoon Grammar School Pupils embarking on John Muir Conservation Award Catherine mowing paths to define natural habitats for wildlife A, A2, A3, A5 B, B3, B5, C, C2, C3, C4 6

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION - 2 3 4 5 6 7 8-4 Dec 206 Organised Shore

community groups to supply and contribute to its success.

5-7 March & Community Learning Exchange visit to Blairmore from East

attended by 40 people from over 0 organisations.

as a source of reference and feedback for our BS campaign and source of

Greatly reduces isolation and contributes to health and well-being of

7 COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION Dec 206 Organised Shore Festive Lunch free for all residents; collaboration between various community groups to supply and contribute to its success. FCS donate Christmas Tree each year. 5-7 March & Community Learning Exchange visit to Blairmore from East Haven Together as recommended by KSB May 207 (March) included seminar attended by 40 people from over 0 organisations. Reciprocated visit (May) of nine people from Blairmore and neighbouring communities to East Haven Together. (appendix) 8 June 207 Weekly community hub started in Oct 206 also used as a source of reference and feedback for our BS campaign and source of volunteers. Greatly reduces isolation and contributes to health and well-being of local residents. Hub attendees organised a collection of goods for Marys Meals providing and filling 6 backpacks for children in Malawi (Appendix). A4, A5; B2, B3, B5, C, C2, C3, C4, C5 B, C, C2, C3, C4, C5 A, A2, A3, B2, B4, B5, C, C2, C3, C4; C5 7

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION - 2 2 3 4 2-3 4 Jun 207 March 7

recycled timber from two historic landmarks (Blairmore Pier

painted by volunteers from Scottish Water in preparation

8 COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION Jun 207 March 7 June 207 Mens Shed created six wooden planters made from recycled timber from two historic landmarks (Blairmore Pier and Dunoon Burgh Hall) Adopted historic phone box was painted by volunteers from Scottish Water in preparation for local artists to transform into a Wee Gallery featuring a range of their work. Blairmore Bug Post being engraved by local wood specialists at Fynewood A5 B2, B3, B5, C, C2, C3, C4, C5 8

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION - 3 2 3 4 5 Local resident Yvonne who transformed the

varying ages and skills assembling six large sturdy picnic tables for

Took 9 people to lift the table - taking a rest half-way up the hill!

exploratory visit to decide where their award-winning KSB One Planet Pallet

9 COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION Local resident Yvonne who transformed the community wish list into a plan 2-3 Teamwork enjoyed by many volunteers of varying ages and skills assembling six large sturdy picnic tables for Blairmore Gardens. Took 9 people to lift the table - taking a rest half-way up the hill! 4 5 June 207 First picnic enjoyed by pupils of Dunoon Grammar School on an exploratory visit to decide where their award-winning KSB One Planet Pallet Garden exhibition will reside over the summer break Blairmore Gallery sponsored and maintains Bird Table and wildlife log A, A2, A3, A5 B2, B3, B5, C2, C3, C4, C5 9

FUNDING & FUTURE In recent years we have received two funding awards in excess of 00k from the Scottish Land Fund to purchase land including Blairmore Gardens and Hamiltons Brae.

In summer 205, we received a personal donation of 2k from a gentleman who regularly visited Blairmore specifically to help get Hamiltons Brae re-opened as a pedestrian route.

In January 207, we were awarded a grant of 8k from Tesco Bags of Help Fund for the development of Blairmore Gardens.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park supplied 300 worth of gardening tools to support the work of their team of volunteers who visit regularly Local business Captain Kubo has donated a

team of 9 people who visited East Haven, Angus in May 207 ( 300).

10 FUNDING & FUTURE In recent years we have received two funding awards in excess of 00k from the Scottish Land Fund to purchase land including Blairmore Gardens and Hamiltons Brae. This is a long-term project and the next phase will see the development of five community owned holiday rental facilities. In summer 205, we received a personal donation of 2k from a gentleman who regularly visited Blairmore specifically to help get Hamiltons Brae re-opened as a pedestrian route. At that time a programme of treatment for Japanese Knotweed had commenced and prohibited further work until 207. In January 207, we were awarded a grant of 8k from Tesco Bags of Help Fund for the development of Blairmore Gardens. Argyll & Bute Council has provided almost 900 to support the Community Hub and the Co-op provide supplies of groceries for the hub. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park supplied 300 worth of gardening tools to support the work of their team of volunteers who visit regularly Local business Captain Kubo has donated a Kubo/Nippa Hut ( 2,00); imported from the Philippines and installed within Blairmore Gardens which we utilise as a Learning Den greatly enjoyed by school pupils and also used for general recreation amongst the general public. The Scottish Governments Community Learning Exchange Fund provided us with a Host Fee of 300 in March 207 and further support fully funding the travel, accommodation and subsistence costs of a team of 9 people who visited East Haven, Angus in May 207 ( 300). The Shore Festive Lunch in December 206, attended by approximately 70 people, was fully funded and supported by a collaboration of 50 from Kilmun Community Council; Soup provided by Ardentinny Conservation Heritage Group, Venue supplied by The Youngers Memorial Hall, raffles and donations Donations in kind are occurring on a regular basis and currently since March we have received support in kind from in excess of 20 local businesses and groups Plans for the future include: Progress our Participation Request submitted in May 207 under the Community Empowerment Act in relation to the High Road Establish 5 holiday rental facilities within Blairmore Gardens and progressing the planning application for car and coach parking Expand and strengthen links with other Shore Community Groups 0

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SUPPLEMENTARY AGENDA for the consideration of the North Coast Area Committee at its meeting on 26 June Business

SUPPLEMENTARY AGENDA for the consideration of the North Coast Area Committee at its meeting on 26 June 2014 Business 10.2 Largs Car Park Fund Quarterly Update Submit report by Corporate Director (Development