Moniaive Initiative are very pleased to announce that we have made a successful bid to the Scottish Land Fund for a grant to purchase AMD House in Moniaive High Street.

Chairman, Bill McLarty, said: “We are delighted that this grant will enable us to purchase a building that has stood empty and declining on our High Street for many years.”

As part of our village High Street Regeneration and Community Spaces projects, we currently hold a short lease on the property, and have been running a trial retail and community space since December 2018.   Thanks to the generosity and support of AMD Services, who own the building, and with help from local volunteers, we have been able to redecorate and fit-out the building to create THE HIVE.

Bill McLarty said: “This grant will enable us to build on the ideas already explored during our trial, to provide some of the additional services and amenities that local residents require to make life easier and more sustainable in this beautiful but remote area.”

The Hive currently accommodates a retail space selling second-hand clothes and accessories, and locally-produced arts and crafts. Another room houses the Library Book Exchange, to replace the recently-lost mobile library service. There are two further ‘workshop’ areas for practical skills sessions, and a separate, small room is available for hire by local businesses and organisations. The income generated by the project is already providing donations to three other community organisations and charities, and future income will enable Moniaive Initiative to carry out more projects in the Glencairn area.

“We have been using our trial period to try out different ideas for the available space,” said Project Officer Kara Millen. “We have created a warm and inviting space using donated and upcycled furniture, and now we are filling that space with locally sourced goods, both new and pre-loved, to support our local economy. We want to challenge people’s ideas of recycling and pre-loved items and create a beautiful space, curated to show off the best of our donations and local creative talent.”

The Hive is open most weekdays, with opening hours being advertised on our Facebook Page and on the shop door.  Everyone is welcome, so please do call by to browse our shop, borrow from the library, or to discuss how you can become more involved.

 

It’s official: our new community shop and hub will be called THE HIVE.

The name was chosen by our Trustees from suggestions made during a recent competition.  All the names of those who voted for ‘The Hive’ were added to a prize draw, and we are pleased to say that our Facebook ‘friend’, Kat Stevens, was drawn to win the £20 shopping voucher for use in Watsons Grocery Store.

 

The Hive now contains a shop front with locally-produced arts and crafts, including a lovely selection of greetings cards, jewellery, pottery, woodwork, and small gifts.

   

The rear-alcove is filled with pre-loved clothes and accessories, including a good range of seasonal garments,  children’s wear, handbags and shoes.

 

Our Library is proving a popular replacement for the recently lost mobile-library service.  We are building up a good section of reference books for loan, and fiction books are available either to borrow or to buy.  We also have a small section of DVDs and CDs for sale.

   

Our two rear Workshop areas are still being developed for use, but will soon be hosting a series of practical skills workshops, and we have a number of local artisan workers keen to share their skills.

We are trying out different patterns of Opening Hours, to evaluate which best suit our volunteers and local shoppers.  You can find our opening hours listed on the door of The Hive each week, and advertised on our Facebook page.

If you haven’t been along to see us yet, NOW is the time to find out what the BUZZ is about!