An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Gairloch and District Heritage Society will be held at the Gairloch High School on Thursday, October 6 at 7.30pm. This is because, in order to safeguard its future beyond 2015, the museum needs to move to new premises.
Much work is currently being undertaken to prepare for this exciting and challenging development. The EGM, with its one resolution, is an essential part of that process and it is very much hoped that as many as possible will attend.
The resolution is: The members resolve that the unincorporated association known as the Gairloch and District Heritage Society be wound up, with all its assets and liabilities transferred to the Gairloch and District Heritage Company, limited by guarantee, having the same charitable aims and objectives. A copy of the draft Articles of Association (17 pages) of the proposed new company is available for viewing via the museum website and at the museum. Printed copies are available from the museum on request. These Articles will need to be approved by OSCR (the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator) and then adopted formally at the AGM in March 2012. Tea/coffee and biscuits will be served after the EGM and there will be the opportunity for informal discussion about the progress of the ambitious plans. Make every effort to be there!
The importance of the local museum cannot be over-emphasised. Thanks to the perusal of an old (borrowed) scrapbook, my eye caught an article from the public press in 1994, part of which reads as follows, "If you want to know about the history of the Gairloch area, the place to head for is the Gairloch Museum which was opened 17 years ago and is still operated by The Gairloch and District Heritage Society. The objective of the society is to explain and interpret the culture of the area, including the Gaelic language, and the museum was set up to further that object as well as to preserve things related to the past. Exhibits relate to social history and cover all aspects from the earliest times to the present day. All artifacts are from within Gairloch parish and have been donated by those living there."
That was in 1994. Much, much more has been added since then and there have been many new developments, with exhibitions regularly hosted. Your support is much solicited and, if you've not been a regular visitor or supporter of the museum hitherto, a good time to start is the EGM!
Some items of interest from Gairloch Community Council
Toilet Closures: The Gairloch Community Hall Committee hope to take over the responsibility for the public toilets within the hall on the basis that financial support is forthcoming from the Highland Comfort Scheme.
Service Point: The council have again written to express their deep concern regarding the relocation of the Service Point to the police station. It was also brought to their attention that the new "morning only" opening hours will lead to a delay of two days for burial arrangements. Highland Councillor Richard Greene advised that he is liaising with Ian Hay to try to solve this issue.
Dune Path: Work has been completed and a new bridge erected. It was reported that some boards need replaced within a section which was not scheduled for repair. It will be checked and replaced, if necessary.
Winter Roads: Councillor Greene will continue discussions with Ian Hay regarding the placement of salt bins/heaps along the Melvaig Road.
Highland Council Quality Awards 2011: It was agreed to nominate Jackson Elder, harbourmaster, for the individual award and the home carers for the group award.
Road Lining: The double yellow lines outside McColls' Store have worn away, which has led to an increase in traffic parking outside the store causing an obstruction. Also discussed was the need for white lines on the Melvaig/Sands road and on the Crasg Corner beyond the War Memorial site. Councillor Greene agreed to take this matter forward.
Inverewe Garden and Estate: The council received a copy of the Inverewe Forest Plan Scoping Exercise. Members were pleased to see such progress being made and agreed to endorse the objectives.
Community Council Elections: Highland Council has published details on its website to promote the forthcoming elections on November 16. It is the first time that all Highland elections will take place on the same day. Nomination packs can be downloaded from the site to be returned by Tuesday, October 4.
Aultbea Regeneration Project: The Regeneration Project planned for Aultbea, to include the New Community Centre and the Russian Arctic Convoy Museum, is now firmly in the minds of many key organisations. The Aultbea Regeneration Company held a meeting recently with Highlands and Islands Enterprise to gain advice from them on potential funding channels, and establish ways of moving forward with the project. The public will be kept informed on how the project is progressing in future editions of 'Spotlight'.
