Stromness Community Development Trust

Funding success for Stromness Community Development Trust with £138,054 awarded for the purchase of the Stromness Community Centre. The Stromness Community Centre was initially highlighted as a priority by the community during the ‘What’s Next for Stromness’ consultations, this led to the Trust investigating the possibility of community ownership. The process began in 2022, with funding for the feasibility study and conceptual designs awarded by Scottish Land Fund Stage 1, Orkney Islands Council Community Development Fund and Community Led Local Development Fund. Kristopher Bevan Bevan, Chair, Stromness Community Development Trust, said “Stromness Community Development Trust is delighted to have secured a Scottish Land Fund grant to purchase Stromness Community Centre. The community centre is a vital asset for a range of community groups. We want to develop and improve the centre to provide a fit for purpose facility which will support existing Community Centre users as well as welcome new users, activities and events.”

A new video featuring Stromness Community Development Trust has been released! The video is part of a project called 'Our Islands, Our Projects' which highlights the work of Development Trusts in Orkney. Huge thank you to the funders and everyone who supported the project, thanks also to Fionn at Start Point Media for the stunning footage of Stromness! Follow this link to watch the video - https://lnkd.in/gUc2cK4Z

Our development officer Ruby Merriman and a couple of the directors of the Stromness Community Development Trust were exhibiting at the annual Stromness Shopping Week last Wednesday. The annual event has been at the forefront of the Stromness events calendar for over 70 years and we were very happy to be involved by taking up a stand for the day. This provided us with the opportunity to speak to numerous members of the local community as well as visitors to the town. We were able to gauge their thoughts regarding current and potential future projects, as well as do a push on our membership. It was a great (sunny, thankfully!) day and the feedback provided will be considered carefully by the trust as we continue to drive forward projects and initiatives for the town of Stromness.

Our development officer Ruby Merriman and a couple of the directors of the Stromness Community Development Trust were exhibiting at the annual Stromness Shopping Week last Wednesday. The annual event has been at the forefront of the Stromness events calendar for over 70 years and we were very happy to be involved by taking up a stand for the day. This provided us with the opportunity to speak to numerous members of the local community as well as visitors to the town. We were able to gauge their thoughts regarding current and potential future projects, as well as do a push on our membership. It was a great (sunny, thankfully!) day and the feedback provided will be considered carefully by the trust as we continue to drive forward projects and initiatives for the town of Stromness.

Our Development Officer Ruby Merriman recently celebrated 5 years of working with us at the Stromness Community Development Trust! Ruby has been a great asset to the Trust since she started with us back in 2019 and continues to develop and lead on various projects and initiatives for the town. We would not be able to deliver anywhere near what the Trust has achieved over the past 5 years without her dedication and commitment. There have been challenges along the way (not least COVID) and there will continue to be challenges of trying to operate and grow in such difficult funding conditions. However, with Ruby's enthusiasm and professionalism, the Trust will continue to proactively develop and deliver new projects which we believe will have a positive impact on Stromness (hopefully more details on these to follow soon)! Happy anniversary Ruby! 👏 🎉 #Stromness

Do you want to explore the town of Stromness? A new visitor guide, developed by local businesswomen, features more than 30 businesses from within the town, and walking routes for visitors. A great local initiative that the trust is happy to support. These can be picked up locally, at the Kirkwall iCentre, or viewed and downloaded here: https://lnkd.in/efY2c-ku

Do you want to explore the town of Stromness? A new visitor guide, developed by local businesswomen, features more than 30 businesses from within the town, and walking routes for visitors. A great local initiative that the trust is happy to support. These can be picked up locally, at the Kirkwall iCentre, or viewed and downloaded here: https://lnkd.in/efY2c-ku

Calling all local residents - a quick word about membership! Local residents becoming a member of the Stromness Community Development Trust helps us show support for future funding applications as well as allowing folk the chance to keep updated and have you say on our activities. We are having a push on membership to try and get our numbers up and ensure the Trust continues to represent the aspirations of the town and surrounding area of Stromness. It's free to join the Trust and we won't ask you to do anything else (I promise!) Follow the link below to find out more or follow this link to complete the membership form (if you hurry you might even win £100!) - https://lnkd.in/eywbppD4 https://lnkd.in/eRPZMJmZ

Calling all Stromness (or nearby) contacts! The Stromness Community Development Trusts (SCDT) AGM is on the 28th March at the Stromness Warehouse Buildings. All welcome - you don't have to be a board member to attend, just have an interest in Stromness and the SCDT. Contact details to attend are shown below.

In September last year Stromness welcomed the assessment committee from the Academy of Urbanism, who visited the town and met with board members and the development officer of the Stromness Community Development Trust (SCDT). Back in November last year, the trust found out that Stromness had been named "Great Town 2023" at the Academy of Urbanism awards. The (rather grainy - apologies!) image was our framed certificate which was brought in to our recent board meeting. The success in achieving this award really was a team/town effort. SCDT wishes to thank everyone who played a part in the assessment day - Orkney Research and Innovation Campus, European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), Stromness Museum, The Pier Arts Centre Warehouse Buildings and Library, and impromtu visit to Soulisquoy Printmakers. Thank you to Little House Larder for a delicious lunch and to E Flett Butcher Ltd and R S Merriman Ltd for sponsoring a wonderful dinner prepared by Lorraine Tait, who also donated her time. A real community effort which was not lost on the judges! From the judges assessment report - "Stromness punches way above its size and weight with high aspirations and ambitions, and is home to world leading technology development and a thriving community and cultural scene". Here is a link to the awards details - https://lnkd.in/e6Nby8JB.