We will be holding our first Green Gathering at the start of October, offering a range of outdoor events and activities, mostly centred on our Community Garden. There will be walks, talks, lunches and activities for all the family. No need to book, just turn up on the day (-but please dress for the weather!)

More information on event times will follow shortly.

Congratulations to everyone at Glencairn Bowling Club for organising another successful Toddy’s Tipple bowling tournament. This year’s event raised a fantastic £2,580 for the Macmillan Community Nurse Team. Our three teams (Repair Cafe, Community Garden and Trustees) had a great time, and are already looking forward to competing again next year!

Earlier this month we were pleased to meet with David and his friend, who had travelled up from England to research David’s family history. David is a direct descendant of Thomas Neilson, a grocer and ironmonger, who had a shop in Moniaive High Street in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Joining us to hear David’s memories of his parents and grandparents, and their visits to Moniaive, was Jackie Lee from the Glencairn History Group.

David brought with him a copy of the Moniaive Photo Book that Thomas sold in his shop, and kindly provided us with scans of all the images. We are currently doing a little work on these, and hope to show them more widely as part of a future project.

We showed David around the village, and photographed him outside the building which once housed his ancestor’s shop. Three of Thomas’ sons fought in the First World War, with the oldest son sadly killed in action, so we were able to show him the war memorial in the Institute, and his ancestor’s page in the Glencairn Memorial Book.

We were pleased to hear, afterwards, that David also made a successful visit to Leadhills the following day. Thomas Neilson’s father was born there in the early nineteenth century, spending his early years there working as a miner. He was sadly killed in a mining accident in Canada, prompting his widow to return home to Moniaive, where the young Thomas was brought up and spent the rest of his life.

Thanks also to Tim at the Craigdarroch Arms for helping David to reach Kirkland Church, where some of his ancestors are buried.

We have a great ‘cafe’ team at the Repair Cafe, in charge of the kitchen. Here are some of the volunteers that help: please meet Liz Wyly, Lesley Whalley and Mandy Sands.

They have been volunteering for 2 years, ever since the Repair Cafe first started. Their motivation in doing so was because they wanted to meet and get to know new people within the village. They consistently dedicate their time each month to helping in the kitchen and providing baking.

Fun facts about Liz, Lesley and Mandy – Liz loves great diving beetles and finds them fascinating. Lesley once got lost at sea on the coast of Sunatra on a small boat. Mandy likes examining owl pellets to find out what they eat. Liz is now a retired musician who plays Viola. Mandy is a retired English teacher. Lesley is a retired podiatrist.

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) published a report on volunteering, where they found that nine out of ten volunteers said they had met friends through volunteering. Similarly, around two thirds of volunteers agreed that volunteering made them feel less isolated. Playing a part in your community through volunteering is fantastic for both your wellbeing, and that of other participants.

If you would like to be involved, please make yourself known at the next Repair Cafe (First Saturday of every month, 10am-1pm in the Glencairn Memorial Institute) or email / Direct Message our Facebook page.

We have two more FREE cycling events coming up with Cycling UK!

For the kids Session, you can book one space per child, but will need one adult to stay with each child. Balance bikes will be provided.

For the two ride-outs, you will need your own bike, and you will be guided through a quick video-based safety check when you book.

And don’t forget, our Bike Repairers will be at the Repair Cafe from 10am -1pm, and refreshments will also be available in the GMI Hall between the two ride outs.

This month Katie, our Glencairn Health & Wellbeing Officer, has met with the D&G Sustainable Food Partnership to show them around the Moniaive Community Garden, and discuss our plans for the year ahead.

We now have a “Good Food Story” on their website – why not take a look? There are loads of other fabulous community gardens on there to inspire you!

https://www.dgsustainablefoodpartnership.org/good-food-case-studies

“That was fun!” – The words of (almost) everybody who took an e-bike for a spin on Sunday morning!

Twelve people came and put the bikes through their paces, with one taking a ride over the Brae to Tynron. Whilst not everybody was ready to tackle steep hills, almost everybody was confident enough to take an e-bike out on the road for a longer test ride, after getting a feel on the school playground.

Thanks to Sian from Cycling UK for putting everyone through their paces, and sharing lots of helpful tips and information.

Thanks to everyone who supported this event!