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PICTURES: Muir of Ord and Maryburgh told of 'community empowerment' desire as Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner pays visit and sees impact of Green and Clean Team


By Hector MacKenzie

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Gareth Meadows and Jade Skea (Clean and Green Project), Cllr AngelaMaclean, Cllr Raymond Bremner and Helena Macleod.
Gareth Meadows and Jade Skea (Clean and Green Project), Cllr AngelaMaclean, Cllr Raymond Bremner and Helena Macleod.

PEOPLE in Muir of Ord have been told by Highland Council's new leader of the local authority's commitment to empower communities.

Councillor Raymond Bremner said that contrary to being a "dereliction of duty" it was "an opportunity for communities to deliver services for themselves".

He was welcomed by Muir of Ord Development Trust community development manager Helena Macleod, and the new village operatives for Muir of Ord and Maryburgh, horticulturists Jade Skea and Gareth Meadows.

The new Green and Clean Team is funded through the council’s Place Based Investment Fund which is supported by the Dingwall and Seaforth area councillors. The project aims to enhance local green spaces and street scape through gardening and cleaning projects, working with council’s operatives, the Countryside Rangers and community volunteers to boost the sense of civic pride in the villages.

Jade Skea and Gareth Meadows, Clean and Green Project for Muir of Ord and Maryburgh
Jade Skea and Gareth Meadows, Clean and Green Project for Muir of Ord and Maryburgh

Councillor Bremner said outlined a “commitment to community empowerment" supported by the council which "can help to develop plans and deliver them; point to funding and understand how we can support place-based investment in the area through the creation of discussion forums to look at all-year-round initiatives such as dark night fire festivals”.

Cllr Angela Maclean said: “We want to empower communities so they can have a say in what they want.".

Jade and Gareth are already having a positive impact and look forward to meeting families at the High Life Highland Lily Loch BioBlitz event on Tuesday, July 26 from 10am to 3pm where they will have activities and treats organised for children. They can be contacted at jade.skea@muiroford.org.uk and gareth.meadows@muiroford.org.uk

The Muir of Ord Village Square benefited from a facelift under the Town Centre Regeneration Fund to create a lively community space to host outdoor events and markets.

PICTURES: Muir of Ord local heroes hailed

Hoolie in the Square.
Hoolie in the Square.

Last Saturday, the community enjoyed the return of the Muir Gala with the opening night in the square featuring musician and BBC presenter Gary Innes. The Hoolie in the Square was attended by folk of all ages. The ceilidh is one of a programme of five outdoor events being delivered as part of the Discover Muir of Ord Project funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise Tourism Leadership fund. It aims to encourage visitors to discover the best of Muir of Ord.

Gary Innes.
Gary Innes.

At the heart of the new visitor brand is the community spirit which is in evidence throughout the Gala week running until Sunday.


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