Landscaping complete at The Gatherings

What an amazing difference to the rear access of NCCBC's community shop, The Gatherings! 🥳
Landscaping works are now complete at the rear of the shop, ensuring safe parking and access for shop users!
Thank you to the guys from W Kennedy Ltd who worked through all weathers. The shop is available for week lets from February onwards.
Book your slot in the refurbished shop now by emailing gatherings@nccbc.org.uk 😀📧
Check out https://nccbc.org.uk/the-gatherings/ for more info and photos!

by Claire Bryan

CHILDREN'S CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION

⭐️ CHILDREN’S CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION ⭐️

Write a short story themed on castles, kings and queens for your chance to win a goodie bag & gift vouchers!
Maximum 500 words. There will be a fantastic prize for the judge’s favourite story from 6-10 year olds, and another for the favourite story from 11-16 year olds!
📍Terms and Conditions📍
Stories must be no longer than 500 words.
Stories must be typed and sent as a PDF or Word Document via email to simon@bruce750.scot by Noon on Wednesday 21st February 2024. Any entries submitted after this date sadly cannot be considered.
Entries must include, name, age, village/town, and a contact number. Please note; only pre-agreed details of winner will be published in the newsletter.
Winners’ stories will be published in the North Carrick Community Newsletter!
There will be a prize for the judge’s favourite story from entrants age 6-10, and another for entrants aged 11-16. The judges will be a local author and member of the NCCBC Board.
Stories must be themed on castles, kings and queens.
Entrants must live in North Carrick; including Maybole, Minishant, Kirkoswald, Maidens, Turnberry, Crosshill Straiton, Kirkmichael, Dunure and Fisherton.

 

by Claire Bryan

Tree-planting grants are available now!

Tree-planting grants are available now!

The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere in partnership with South Ayrshire Council has grant funding available for small scale tree-planting projects in the Biosphere region. Applications are open now for planting on less than 0.25ha of land, which can include field boundaries, orchards, small copses, and more. This is an exciting initiative to increase the amount of native woodland cover in South Ayrshire, benefiting communities and wildlife. To express interest or for more information email antoine@gsabiosphere.org.uk or visit the GSA Biosphere website at www.gsabiosphere.org.uk. (Applications close on 01/03/24.)

by Claire Bryan

King's Foundation installations at The Gatherings!

Some of the photos as part of the King's Foundation's press release about their work in our shop! 👇
We are so pleased to have these amazing pieces as the cherry on top of the full refurbishment of the shop. 😀
Email us to book your week in the shop - availability from February!
Email: gatherings@nccbc.org.uk 📧
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by Claire Bryan

Merry Christmas from North Carrick!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎄
We will see you in 2024! 🥳
 
📸 'Robin' by C Somerville, Creative Carrick Photo Competition 2023
 
#MerryChristmas #NorthCarrick #DestinationSouthAyrshire

by Claire Bryan

Introducing... The Gatherings!

📌 THE STORY SO FAR 📌

For many years, this building – then known as ‘Maybole Charity Shop’ – operated as an essential resource for local community groups to fundraise, with a different group taking the shop each week. Gradually, the building fell further and further into disrepair with flood damage from the flat above, and was at risk of collapse. After structural assessments the shop was forced to close until essential repairs were made. NCCBC saw an opportunity, and purchased the charity shop in 2021, securing funding to match the NCCBC contribution via the Scottish Land Fund and the Regenerational Capital Grants Fund, through the Scottish Government. Thanks go to all of the subsequent funders, and Maybole Regeneration Project, who helped facilitate the complete refurbishment of the shop and the flat above, making it all safe for use again.
After a very long and slow start to the refurbishment of the building, NCCBC are pleased to say that the shop is now fully renovated and ready to come back into community use!
The former committee, now operating the shop in School Vennel, have decided to stay where they are, so NCCBC are establishing a new group to operate this shop in a complementary way!
Our survey told us that this should not operate solely as another charity shop, but as a flexible community space that’s useful for things like exhibitions and workshops as well as retail. Groups will be able to book the shop for a variety of purposes, including fundraising!
We are keen to hear from those who would be interested in joining the new committee and helping this exciting new property develop! The new name, ‘the Gatherings’ is a nod to the buildings history as a haberdashery, and our aspirations that it will return to being a place where both people and things gather together.
The shop will be available to book from Feb 2024 at the rate of £115 per week, including a small subsidy to ensure affordability for community groups; a condition of the shop’s funding.
Please contact gatherings@nccbc.org.uk with any enquiries or to get involved.

The shop before works began:

And the shop now! Just waiting for traditional signwriter to add the new name!

by Claire Bryan

GSA Biosphere Pop Up

Your chance to meet the team from the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Unesco Biosphere, right here in Maybole!
Calling all local businesses and community groups - find out what it means to be part of the Biosphere! 🌱😀
Email info@gsabiosphere.org.uk for more info
  • Mon 13th - Communities Team and Business Team
  • Tues 14th - Business Team and Land use & Biodiversity Team, Ayrshire Talks Tourism with Visit Scotland (bookable surgeries), and Business Networking Evening from 6.30pm.
  • Wed 15th - Communities Team and Business Team
  • Thu 16th - Communities Team and Business Team
  • Fri 17th - Business Team and Partners

by Claire Bryan

44 High Street Update

On Tuesday, October 24th, 2023, the building formerly known as ‘Maybole Charity Shop’ reopened its doors to host the ‘A Year in Maybole’ Exhibition, alongside the reopening of Maybole Town Hall. This exhibition showcased the brilliant results of projects undertaken by icecream architecture over the course of (almost) a year in Maybole, as part of the Maybole Town Centre Regeneration Project. These projects included a range of activities, including skill-building and art workshops with students of Carrick Academy, engaging events organised with multiple local primary schools, events with the wider community, work produced by students at the University of the West of Scotland, the updated Maybole Heritage Trail & Map, and the Maybole Book of Memories.

The shop will have a full reopening celebration in the New Year, and then will be available for booking from February through NCCBC: https://nccbc.org.uk/

 

by Claire Bryan

£15 vouchers for prepayment gas and electric meters

📌 Final phase of Cost of Living Project 📌
£15 vouchers for prepayment gas and electric meters will be available to collect on Tuesday 10th October around North Carrick. Details below!
Vouchers can be redeemed 10th-14th Oct inclusive at Maybole SPAR, Crosshill Post Office or Little K’s, Maidens.
Full Ts and Cs on the back of the vouchers.
#ImprovingNorthCarrick

Please note this is not means tested or benefit related, these vouchers are for anyone that will benefit with a little assistance with energy costs that has a key or card payment meter. 😊

NCCBC projects are made possible by Scottish Power Renewables.

by Claire Bryan

Announcing the winners of our Creative Carrick Photography Competition

Announcing the winners of our Creative Carrick Photography Competition 🥳
We recently teamed up with Go Girvan to run a photography competition showcasing the beauty and diversity of Carrick
We are delighted to share the images that our panel of judges selected to win first prize in their category -
🏆Category: 1. Bruce Country
1st Prize:
Matthew Wyllie, Kirkoswald Graveyard
🏆Category: 2. Water & Wildlife
1st Prize:
Claire Mackintosh, Heron taking flight at Sunset
🏆Category: 3. My Favourite Place in Carrick
1st Prize:
Alison McEwan, Cat Gates at Culzean
Alison’s image was also chosen as the overall winner of the competition
🏆Category: 4. Off the Beaten Track
1st Prize:
Katie Bryan, Fireworks
You can view all the winning and highly commended images in Go Girvan's latest blog post
We will be holding a prizegiving ceremony later this month and the winning images will be on display in a future exhibition at the McKechnie Institute.
A huge thank you once again to everyone who entered

by Claire Bryan