EASTER FUN-DAY AND CEILIDH IN GLENUIG

It was a busy day in Glenuig on Easter Saturday, the sun shone and I don't know where everybody came from. The bungee running was as popular as usual, all the coconuts were won and we ran out of eggs to be decorated. We have prizes for Morven and Lee Jones for their eggs if you want to get in touch. (01687 470 229) The concert in the evening was busy too and very enjoyable, thanks to all the musicians who played for us, and to George's jokes. (Thanks for being MC again George!) Jim Hunter and Jim Michie did a very good set followed by some friends from Northumberland and then Chai did a couple of numbers. However Rirean were the real stars of the show. They played really well and got a great reception. I for one am looking forward to hearing more from them in the future.

A few dances followed courtesy of Ian, Donald and Hamish but everyone was starting to run out of steam by this time. I had, anyway, and slunk off to bed, so I don't know when it all ended. We have raised another £800 towards the new shop, which is great. Thanks to everybody who helped out and came along and supported us. AMC

The old Glenuig shop remains open to the public, supplying basic services to the community due to the continued committment of the voluntary staff. The fabric of the building has deterioratated further over the winter months and the need for the new building is now more essential than ever. This past year has seen new volunteers from Kinlochmoidart, Forsay and Glenuig offer their time to the shop project, showing continued support. Thanks to all of you. Hopefully there is light appearing at the end of the tunnel and we can look forward very soon to a shop that neither leaks, bakes nor is freezing cold.

Just to refresh our memories and clarify the stages of the new shop project, here's a quick reminder:

OLD SHOP - run by sole trader - closed 1998.  No services available to village except post office 3 hours twice a week. Meetings held - show of support - steering group formed to re-open shop.

SHOP PILOT - shop re-opened on shoestring budget - staffed by volunteers - providing very basic services - post office 3 hours twice a week - shop open 6 days, totaling 21hours per week.
After 3 years, well over 3,000 voluntary hours committed by shop staff alone. People still stopping in for chat / directions / information as well as shopping. Fundraising totals £8,000

The steering group volunteer many hours towards business planning / planning and design / grant applications / future running of community business / organising fundraising.  Many more voluntary hours are put in.

The shop plans are presently being considered by the planners. They are very supportive of the shop project but have some concerns about aspects of the design. Work continues to try to resolve issues of roof design (monopitch, turf) and the horizontal wooden cladding and we hope that these can be addressed and application passed in March 04.

THANKS ARE DUE TO:

Thanks to Hamish, Dave, Rab, & Billy for giving their time to plug the holes in the roof, sort plumbing, leaks, windows and other such essential works.

And again a huge thank you to all the volunteers who are keeping the shop ticking over, especially for suffering the cold during the winter months.

Further thanks to all of you who wrote letters in support of the new shop planning application.

JUMBLE SALE

Ishy's jumble sale raised £300 last year, half for Madagascar charity Azafady and half for the new shop project.
Well done Ishy. We'll have another over the summer.

RECYCLE YOUR OLD VIDEOS

We already recycle books, which has been very successful and we now want to try videos. Do you have a shelf full of videos you seldom watch? Bring them to Glenuig Shop and we'll display them and rent them out for a nominal fee. All funds to the new shop project and something new to watch. Drop them into the shop or phone Anne-Mairi on 01687 470229