Murdo MacKay and team would like to thank everyone that attended the Seminar on Colonsay, with a particular thanks to all the workshop/site visit hosts and helpers and also to the Colonsay Community for there huge support and interest in the seminar

The seminar provided “ a unique opportunity” to share experiences among the the pilot areas and new areas and to discuss common problems and challenges.  It also brought representatives of the Initiative at the edge areas face to face with Ministers and representatives of the funding bodies.

 

If you wish to visit the Colonsay Web Site please click on the following link: http://www.colonsay.org.uk

 

Please open and read the files below which contain the following:

 

1. Initiative at the Edge Colonsay Seminar Report

2. The Community Enterprise Workshop Presentation

 

TEN THINGS I LEARNT IN COLONSAY

1.      'QUICK WINS' - It's very positive and beneficial to the whole enterprise to have two or three relatively small projects on the ground, e.g. a Welcome to Northmavine sign, that can be accomplished fairly quickly.  This boosts confidence all round and lets folk see that something is being done.

2.   THINK STRATEGICALLY - This is the opposite of 'QUICK WINS'.  It's important to plan for the long term, e.g. the Development Worker should right from the outset be looking for sustainable funding - funding that will carry the project on beyond the first three years (assuming we've made the decision that this is going to take more than three years.)

3.   COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST - These may be more powerful and act with more sustained and concerted effort than geographical communities.  For example, crofting is a powerful community of interest. Projects springing from a community of interest can benefit the geographical community.

4.      TARGETS - The question of goals or aims. It's worth considering having targets.  This way you not only know whether you've succeeded or not, but you can monitor progress, keep on track and stay focussed on what it's all about.

5.      USE OLD SCHOOL ROLLS - A very practical idea for contacting past residents of Northmavine.  Where are they now?  What are they doing now?  Would they consider returning?  What would it take for them to come back?

6.      THE COMMUNITY APPRAISAL - Make sure this includes both measuring the 'SOCIAL ECONOMY', for which professional help may be needed, as well as conducting a SKILLS AUDIT.  Knowing what exists already leads on to where the gaps might be and what need there is for training, etc.  This information would be part of creating the Development Plan.

7.      A NORTHMAVINE TEAM - It's worth considering the idea of putting together a local 'team' - say for housing renovation - builders, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, who can be called on when needed - particularly if we're thinking about encouraging folk to move into the area.  We might want, for example, to offer families the chance to 'sample' Northmavine for a short period and we'd need to make sure the accommodation was OK. (It's also worth remembering that as a Trust we can own property and assets and then lease them out or back to groups or individuals.)

8.      CROFTS - can now legally be subdivided.  The details are still being worked on, but in terms of handing on crofts or encouraging folk to return, this new rule might be worth exploring. (In this respect, it's worth keeping an eye on what National and Public Agencies are doing.  As they formulate and re-formulate their policies, they can have a positive or negative impact on what we are trying to do.)

9.      TELE-WORKING/REMOTE WORKING - The message was: take this seriously.  It was felt that in some quarters Tele-working was not seen as a 'proper job'.  Yet there are genuine employment opportunities here, e.g. the women in Orkney who work as secretaries for firms in London.  It might be worth considering bringing the Broadband Roadshow here so that folk can see what is possible.  An announcement is expected from the Scottish Executive on how Broadband can be delivered to remote areas that aren't on BT's list. (There are remote villages in India where Broadband arrives - and leaves! – with the local bus - it's carrying a satellite dish!)

10.     And finally, from Hughie Donaldson, Local Development Officer for Ardnamurchan -

MAKE UP YOUR MINDS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS YOU WANT TO DO -AND THEN GET ON   AND DO IT!