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:
We’re delighted to announce the the first of our public consultations has officially launched!
Please complete the short survey to let us know your thoughts on transport – Where are you going? How are you getting there? What would you like to see done differently? Let us know how we can support your community!
This process is being carried out with the support of Nith Valley Leaf Trust, and KPT Development Trust. For this reason we are only gathering responses from residents living in the civil parishes of Closeburn, Glencairn, Keir, Penpont and Tynron.
All responses will be received anonymously to preserve your right to privacy. Your feedback will help to inform future N76 project activity. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard and be a part of the change you want to see in your community!
Moniaive Initiative will be participating in a series of events and workshops over the coming weeks, as part of our work with the collaborative N76 In Motion project.
These FREE events will be open to any member of our community with an interest in sustainable transport solutions. The first event will look at options for combining existing public transport services with newer, low carbon transport solutions. More details can be found on the Eventbrite page.
Liam Templeton, Community Energy Scotland’s N76 In Motion Project Officer
Moniaive Initiative would like to introduce Liam Templeton from Community Energy Scotland. Liam is the new N76 In Motion Project Officer, and he will be working with us on our new sustainable transport project.
Network 76 is a collaborative project researching and supporting the development of low carbon transport solutions in mid and upper Nithsdale. Liam will be working on Glencairn on a regular basis, so watch out for him in The Hive over the coming weeks.
Moniaive Initiative is working on the project alongside Kier, Penpont & Tynron Development Trust, Nith Leaf Valley Trust, Sanquhar Enterprise Company, Kirkconnel & Kelloholm Development Trust and New Cumnock Development Trust.
Our neighbours in Glenkens are currently working with South of Scotland Community Housing (SOSCH) to assess housing requirement across the wider area. Please do spare a few moments to complete their survey.
As part of our “Securing our Future” Project, Moniaive Initiative has been working in partnership with Glencairn Land & Woods Trust to investigate options for community-owned land management. Together, we are looking to employ a part-time Development Officer to support GL&WT as they move forward with their plans:
The full JOB SPECIFICATION for this post can be found here:
moniaiveinitiative.org.uk 