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Local News for Friday 15th February 2019

PST COMMUNITY WIND FARM GIVES £30,000 to BETHESDA

Bethesda Hospice has received another £30,000 from community wind farm charity Point and Sandwick Trust (PST). PST has a 25-year commitment to support Bethesda with a total of £55,000 every year for the lifetime of its turbines at Beinn Ghrideag. The grant brings its support for Bethesda to £110,000 over the past two years.

The money is the biggest pledge that Bethesda has ever received and is the biggest grant given regularly by PST. It was pledged to Bethesda six years before the PST wind farm became a reality, with the signing of a memorandum. Carol Somerville, Bethesda general manager, said the money from PST was “a massive boost” – as it could be counted on at the start of every financial year.

PST board member Rhoda Mackenzie said all organisations with funds available for community projects should “keep Bethesda uppermost” in their minds, especially given the hospice’s difficulties with funding.

She added: “It’s absolutely essential that the facility is here for the community. For people that have used it, they could never repay the service that they get from Bethesda.”

Read more: Local News for Friday 15th February 2019

Local News for Thursday 14th February 2019

GAELIC STUDENT PLACEMENT SCHEME 2019

In conjunction with Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar are offering an opportunity to students with Gaelic skills to be employed for ten weeks during summer 2019 in the Western Isles with organisations which use Gaelic in the workplace every day. These ten weeks can take place anytime over the summer, but the placement must be completed by 31 August, 2019.
This Scheme has been running for many years, and has been very successful in terms of developing the Gaelic skills of students, and giving them valuable experience of a professional work environment. From the point of view of the organisations, the Scheme can give them an opportunity to hire students to work on specific projects, work which would not be possible to do without the assistance of these students.
If you are a student with Gaelic skills, who will be in the Western Isles over summer, 2019, and you wish to apply for the Scheme, can you can find more details on the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar website.
The closing date for applications is 29 March, 2019.

Read more: Local News for Thursday 14th February 2019

Local News for Wednesday 13th February 2019

SCALADALE CENTRE LAUNCHES MOUNTAIN BIKES HOLIDAYS – INCOME WILL FUND ISLAND YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAMME

The Scaladale Outdoor Activity Centre is offering mountain biking holidays for families and groups to help fund its programme of mountain bike outreach for young people in Lewis and Harris.
Four weeks are available this Spring. They are: March 2nd to 9th and April 8th-14th, 15th-21st and 22nd-28th. Weeks will also available in October and November and each holiday includes five days of guided mountain biking and coaching, with sessions tailored to ability and aimed at improving skills.
All bikes are provided free as part of the holiday as the centre was able to buy a fleet of 12 Whyte hardtail mountain bikes thanks to LEADER funding. The bikes are in a range of sizes and other equipment, such as helmets and safety glasses, is available as well, at no extra cost.
Accommodation is provided in the hostel on a self-catering basis. The holidays are aimed at people of any age, from 10 upwards, who want to improve their mountain biking – or just enjoy it in a beautiful location.
For more information, visit the website at https://www.scaladale-centre.co.uk/mtb-hols or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Read more: Local News for Wednesday 13th February 2019

Local News for Tuesday 12th February 2019

COMHAIRLE & HHP SEEKING LAND FOR HOUSING

The Comhairle is working closely with Hebridean Housing Partnership (HHP) to deliver an ambitious programme to provide new affordable homes throughout the Outer Hebrides due to enhanced funding from the Scottish Government.
The partners are looking for small to medium pieces of land capable of taking between four and ten houses. The land would have to be within, or close to, existing communities and easily accessible for water and power services in order to make the site viable.
This funding is only available until the end of 2020/21, so the partners are keen to progress more housing opportunities as quickly as possible.
If you have land available which you would consider to sell for affordable housing, please complete and return the 'Offer of Land for Housing Form' linked to below or contact Housing Services on 01851 822691.
Further details and an application form are available at: https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/housing/affordable-housing/

Read more: Local News for Tuesday 12th February 2019