Introducing Antoine, who joins us as the GLWT Development Officer, as part of our partnership work with GLWT on Community Land Access under the Securing our Future Project.
Born and raised in Belgium, Antoine has been a lover of nature from a young age. After obtaining a degree in Anthropology, he has worked in the not-for-profit sector in Indonesia, ran a music venue in Luxembourg and moved to Moniaive in 2019. Drawing on these experiences and his current studies in Wildlife and Conservation Management, Antoine is working on growing the Glencairn Land & Woods Trust into a strong and sustainable community-led organisation.
His post is funded by a grant from Blackcraig Windfarm Fund through Foundation Scotland.
As part of our work on Sustainable Transport with the N76 Energy In Motion project, we want to discuss footpaths, cycleways, and the links between our communities that do (and don’t!) allow active travel.
In this session we will listen to a presentation on the Ramblers’ “Mapping Scottish Paths” projects, followed by a discussion on active travel pathways within our own communities. Anyone with an interest in walking, cycling and other forms of active travel is welcome to join us.
It’s Scotland’s Climate Week – an annual event to raise awareness of the global climate emergency. Here at Moniaive Initiative we are working across a range of ‘climate change’ actions. Here at Moniaive Initiative we consider carbon reduction options and environmental sustainability in all our projects. Here’s a look at what we’re doing in our Sustainable Transport project:
Moniaive Initiative are looking to employ a part-time Project Officer to assist us in delivering work across a range of exciting projects.
We can offer a fixed term contract until 31 March 2023, with a possibity of extension (subject to funding). We are looking for someone to work flexibly from home and in Glencairn, for 7+ hours a week.
The successful candidate will have a sound understanding of local community organisations, with a proactive approach to community engagement. You will need to be computer literate, with a basic understanding of excel spreadsheets and social media.
Following on from our recent talk on Sustainable Business, we are pleased to now share the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere (GSAB) presentation from that talk. This explains Biosphere certification, and includes details of the Case Studies discussed in the talk.
The Land Remains was brought to you in partnership with the DG3 Development Trusts and Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. This series of talks will finish with a visit to a regenerative farm in the DG3 area on October 6th to explore the topic of Land Use and Regenerative Farming. For more information please get in touch faith@gsabiosphere.org.uk
Moniaive Initiative have been discussing local and regional issues with other Development Trusts in the area, and as a result we have joined forces with the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere to create a series of events to encourage discussion of challenges around key climate change issues.
Our event, at 6-8pm in Thursday 1st Sept at the Memorial Institute in Moniaive, will be an informal evening exploring how businesses can contribute towards environmental sustainability in our region. We will also discuss the value of sustainable tourism and how you could tell your green story.
This is part of our series of talks, The Land Remains. It will provide an opportunity to network, share knowledge and learn more each other, and from our GSAB Business Officer, and our special guest, Ian Tuneley from VisitScotland. Refreshments will be available.
This session is #3 of our 4 part series The Land Remains. This series of talks will finish with a visit to a regenerative farm in the DG3 area on October 6th to explore the topic of Land Use and Regenerative Farming. For more information please get in touch faith@gsabiosphere.org.uk
We hope you will join us for this event, to give us the opportunity to discuss with you the challenges facing business in Glencairn, and to better understand how these Climate Change issues impact your business.
You are warmly invited by The DG3 Trusts, in collaboration with the Galloway & Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, to join us for an informal evening exploring how businesses can contribute towards environmental sustainability in our region. We will also explore the value of sustainable tourism and how you could tell your green story. This is part of our series of talks, The Land Remains.
Date: Thursday 1st Sept 6-8pm
Venue: The Memorial Institute, Chapel Street, Moniaive, DG3 4EJ
This event is an opportunity to network, share knowledge and learn more each other, and from our GSAB Business Officer, and our special guest, Ian Tuneley from VisitScotland.
This session is #3 of our 4 part series The Land Remains. This series of talks will finish with a visit to a regenerative farm in the DG3 area on October 6th to explore the topic of Land Use and Regenerative Farming. For more information please get in touch faith@gsabiosphere.org.uk
Congratulations to our Trustee, John Murray, who recently completed the Southern Upland Way Coast to Coast Cycle ride, supported by fellow Trustee Jude Knowles, to raise money for MND Scotland.
The Southern Upland Way (SUW) covers the full width of Scotland from Portpatrick to Cockburnspath and is Britain’s first official Coast to Coast long distance path. The challenging upland route is generally walked in 12-16 days. A group of local cyclists decided to create a road version, following the SUW as closely as possible. A route totalling 201 miles with 10,950 feet of climbing was devised.
Moniaive lads Jake Arnold, Johnny Macklin and Jock Murray, were part of the thirteen riders who dipped their back wheels in the sea at Portpatrick on 30th April, then cycled through New Luce, Newton Stewart, past Clatteringshaws to arrive in Moniaive 66 miles later.
The second day took in the 79 miles from Moniaive, via Wanlockhead (Scotland’s highest village), through Moffat, Tibbie Shiels to end at Innerleithen.
The riders set off on the last day to ride the 56 miles from Innerleithen, passing Tweedbank, Duns, Cockburnspath to dip their front wheels in the North Sea at Cove.
Grey Mares Tail, near Moffat
The three days, whilst tough, were thoroughly enjoyed by the riders as they made their way through the rugged and beautiful upland scenery. They would like to thank family and friends for their support and encouragement and everyone who donated or sponsored them on this endeavour. At the time of writing they had raised £5,621 for MND Scotland, a charity supporting those affected by Motor Neurone Disease.
A number of individuals, organisations and business require special thanks: Fernhill Hotel, Portpatrick Café Arieti, Moffat The Potting Shed Restaurant, Duns Fosyth Butchers, Sanquhar Three Villages Café, Penpont Ian Turnbull & Malcolm Thompson Kerr & Smith, Cumnock Kirkconnel Heritage Society Kelloholm Community Council
Thanks also to Jude Knowles and Sheena Murray who crewed the much appreciated support vehicle, carrying bags and distributing, food, water and encouragement along the way!
The Just Giving page (open until the end of June) and a video of the ride, prepared by Tom, the SUW Ranger, are on the links below:
moniaiveinitiative.org.uk 