Kirknewton Community Council are ‘Working To Make A Difference In The Community’ and are looking to capture your questions, ideas, suggestions and issues to help inform their regular monthly meetings.

To do this they have arranged postcards and suggestion boxes on an ongoing basis for you to put in writing your questions and thoughts.  All you need to do is fill in the postcard either at Festival Stores or the Pharmacy, pop it in the suggestion box and they will take time in their monthly meetings to review and help in any way they can.

Further to that they will make the questions and potential actions known on noticeboards, via this website or on social media.

This is a new initiative that will help your voice get heard by the Community Council and help them become more aware of the needs of local community members.

Why not give it a go.

Pictured above is Lesley Barr (right) being given her £336 Kirknewton Community Lottery cheque from Kirknewton Community Development Trust Fundraising Officer Debbie Douglas.  Congratulations Lesley.

The weekly Kirknewton Community Lottery was drawn on 1st October after three weeks of ticket sales.  The aim is to raise funds for local groups and winners get 50% of the total raised.  Tickets can be purchased for £1 each from Festival Stores or e mail infokirknewton@gmail.com for details to set up a monthly standing order.

The second draw was won by local Tracy Troy with ticket 857 who received £236.  A fabulous total of £472 was raised after only one week of ticket sales

After two weeks the Kirknewton community have been able to pay £260 for a new easel for the Kirknewton Community Playgroup, which is a terrific achievement.

If you are a local community group looking for funds then e mail infokirknewton@gmail.com giving your name, group, what you are looking for and how much is it going to cost.

Kirknewton Community Development Trust has launched a weekly community lottery.  The first draw is on Monday 1st October and the first jackpot is going to be over £200 for one lucky winner.  It is likely to be much more when the first draw closes at 7pm on Monday.

Each week you can buy your ticket at Kirknewton Festival Stores.  50% of the final jackpot will go to a winner and 50% will go into community groups and projects.

Buy your ticket before 7pm and then watch the draw live on facebook.  The first draw is expected at 9.30pm on facebook live.

Members of the community can also set up a regular standing order with their bank to ensure they never miss a draw.  Pay £5 a month for 1 ticket, £10 for 2, £15 for 3 etc. with an extra ticket in the draw at the end of each month for you.  E mail infokirknewton@gmail.com for bank details and your dedicated number.

The chances are winning the Kirknewton are far greater than the national lottery.  Members of the community have been very supportive of this idea and are looking forward to a wonderful cash win before Christmas.

Community groups also benefit directly too.  You can request funds by emailing infokirknewton@gmail.com with your name, group and details of the funding required.

Fauch Hill Windfarm has not been granted planning consent at appeal by the DPEA Inquiry Reporter and the Camilty windfarm that has consent and where KCDT would have a possibility of income has been delayed as it was recently sold to EDF. 

The board of Kirknewton Community Development Trust recognised that the chances of approval of the reviewed Fauch Hill were slim, however the role of KCDT is to get the best deal we can from any acceptable developer proposal for the benefit of the Kirknewton community. 

At the original planning meeting West Lothian Council dismissed the significant socio-economic impact that the Fauch Hill proposal would have delivered to Kirknewton, therefore it is good to know that the Reporter took this factor into consideration this time around, as evidenced in the quotation from his decision letter below, thanks to the help of community volunteers and as part of an external review put forward by the Developer.

Of course it would have been nice to provide employment and on-going funds (in the region of £80,000 a year) to improve activity and facilities in our village as well as being able to easily invest in housing for the elderly, youth projects, park improvements and guarantee events such as the fireworks each year.  This will, in the short term, not be the case but we will continue our efforts to achieve this.

“Direct and quantifiable economic benefit would also be provided by the appellant’s intention to allow the community to acquire shares in the ownership of the proposed development – the appellant having entered into legally binding heads of terms with two local community development trusts. The income from such investment (in the region of £80,000 per annum for each trust) could be used to fund valuable local community facilities to the benefit of the wider community and support up to 11 full-time equivalent jobs, according to the appellant’s predictions – a significant number in the context of a relatively low local population. In accordance with the Scottish Government’s Good Practice Principles for Shared Ownership of Onshore Renewables (2015), this is a matter to which positive weight should be given.”

Kirknewton Community Garden Services is a new project run by Kirknewton Community Development Trust through funding from the Scottish Government and Development Trust of Scotland.

To ask for a quote contact gardenkirknewton@gmail.com or call 01506 883988

The aims of the project are:
 To provide a range of gardening and factor services for the people of Kirknewton.
 Work with local volunteer groups to enhance areas around the village.
 Provide additional volunteer and training opportunities.
 To reinvest profits made back into the project and community.

The gardening project will offer a range of services for a competitive price that will be reinvested back into the community including:

 Grass and hedge cutting
 Small tree, bush and shrub removal
 Weeding and general tidy up
 Small landscaping work
 Fencing
 Small painting jobs
 Edible gardening
 Composting and recycling
 Garden design
 Advice and consultancy
 Snow/path clearing

The project will also support landscaping areas such as the Charles Jencks art project, the Camps Junction elderly housing project, the community woodland and a project to enhance the area near the Meadowbank bus stop.  We are also aware the Trust has been approached by community groups wishing to change or find a local factor, contribute financially or volunteer help in other areas/woodlands around the village or simply have an option for their garden and this project hopes to help with that.

To ask for a quote contact gardenkirknewton@gmail.com or call 01506 883988

As this is a community project all the profits will be reinvested in expanding
the project and to provide training opportunities for local people.

We realise some people have difficulty maintaining their garden and we are here to help.  The key element in this project is making Kirknewton an attractive and appealing
village to those who live and pass through here as you identified in the Kirknewton Community Development Plan. This project will allow the people to see visible everyday examples of the progress that KCDT is making in enhancing Kirknewton and support the work identified and done by volunteer groups.

Getting the community involved is another critical part of this project. Along
with undertaking project out in the community we will also be running various
workshops such as:
 Composting and soil management
 Seed swap
 Wild food foraging
 Organic gardening

We will also run an open day to help introduce us to the local community, to
show examples of the work we undertake, and to recruit new customers and
volunteers.

A direct contact to Greg will be available soon but if you wish a quote contact gardenkirknewton@gmail.com or call 01506 883988

As part of the Scottish Government and Development Trust Association of Scotland Strengthening Communities Programme Kirknewton Community Development Trust has secured funding for two part time roles – a Community Gardener and a Community Fundraiser.

The intention is to raise funds to maintain jobs in the community beyond the ten month programme.

Application is by CV and covering letter.  The deadline for applications is 16th May at 5pm to tonykirknewton@gmail.com or by post to the Green Room, 12 Main Street, Kirknewton, EH27 8AH

Kirknewton Community Gardener

21 hours a week, £10,000, To March 2019

We are currently looking for a part time community gardener to help us move our projects into the next stage of its development and raise funds for the community. You will have experience, with some landscaping knowledge.  A proven track record of developing and managing projects is preferred as is experience of working with volunteers/community work.

Responsibilities:

• Working with our Board to develop and implement a number of projects designed to engage the local community. This includes consulting with local community groups, schools and local residents. This will include assisting with local groups.
• Improving the look and our standards of basic practice across the community, on projects such as the Charles Jencks artwork, housing for the elderly landscaping, Village Improvement Projects, Community Woodland.
• Working with the community to identify areas for improvement, for a factor fee
• Working with the community to look after local gardens who require it, for a fee.
• Identifying training needs of our volunteers in conjunction with our youth and volunteer co-ordinator, devising appropriate training sessions to fulfil these needs.
• Ensuring all relevant health and safety standards are met in relation to your personal safety, the safety of volunteers, visiting school or community groups and members of the public.
• Conducting and reviewing risk assessments as required.
• Being responsible for the proper use, maintenance and safe storage of all plant, machinery, tools and equipment.
• Reporting on all matters relating to the postholder’s activities
• Undertaking such additional duties commensurate with the post as may reasonably be requested from time to time.

Person specification

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of successful project planning from idea, through implementation to completion.
• Gardening experience with good knowledge of plants & tools
• Experience of working with and supervising volunteers including an ability to teach volunteers by example the principles of good practice.
• Am understanding of how community-based organisations work

Skills and attributes

In addition, the candidate should be 

• Genuinely excited by gardening keen to communicate this enthusiasm to as wide an audience as possible
• Able to work with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
• Strongly committed to working as part of a team.
• Aware of all issues affecting personal safety and the safety of others, including volunteers.
• Sensitive to community issues, values and demographics.
• Reliable and organised
• Friendly and approachable.
• A confident and effective communicator both verbally and in writing
• Proactive and self-motivated
• Willing to work flexible hours including and weekends.
• Qualified First Aider or willing to acquire this qualification.

Hours

This is a part-time position 21 hours per week. Note that some weekend and evening work may be required.

Salary

£10,000 for 10 months, 21 hours a week

Job description and person spec for community gardener

Holiday entitlement

28 days pa pro rata

Pension

KCDT has an opt in pension plan.

Looking after volunteers

KCDT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers interacting with these groups to share this commitment. This position will be subject to a satisfactory reference check

KIRKNEWTON COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER

The role of the Community Fundraiser is to raise funds to help assist the financial stability of the Kirknewton Community Development Trust and the work we do.

Job Description

• To stimulate, encourage and support fundraising activities in Kirknewton carried out by individuals, organisations and associations on behalf of the Trust.
• Develop our community lottery and fundraising raised through events.
• Identify and apply for funding that meets the aims and objectives of the Kirknewton Development Plan.
• Make links with individuals and groups, including companies, schools, churches and community organisations
• Identify and develop fundraising initiatives to engage individuals and groups including companies, schools, churches and community organisations.
• Encourage local participation in KCDT calendar of events
• Work with organisers of events taking place in Kirknewton to encourage participants to raise funds for the Trust and community projects specific to the Development Plan
• Produce resources such as posters, sponsorship forms, fundraising packs and thank you certificates to support and promote community fundraising events.
• Actively find new supporters to promote Kirknewton collection tins and merchandise across the area and grow income as a result
• Identify and maintain knowledge of all products offer, including lottery and events so that opportunities for cross-promotion can be utilised.
• Recruit volunteers to assist you with fundraising activities

Community Fundraising Administration

• Record all CF data and contact activity
• Respond to CF enquiries, sending agreements, fundraising packs and thank you letters.
• Add CF events to the website.
• Log and maintain collection boxes and community lottery funds
• Ensure risk assessments and agreements for CF events are sent and completed as and when needed.

Friends of Kirknewton / Supporter Groups

• To explore the potential and provide administrative support and general support to the Friends of Kirknewton legacy programme.
• To build effective relationships with Friends of Kirknewton.

Fundraising materials for Community Fundraising

• Order and distribute CF materials and merchandise.
• Monitor stock levels and carry out a regular stock take.

Other duties

• Regular reporting and evaluation on areas of responsibility
• Keep up to date with local government legislation, charity law, national fundraising guidelines and KCDT policies and procedures to ensure all fundraising activities comply.
• To undertake all other reasonable duties as required by the organisation.
• Provide support to the initiatives and events organised by other KCDT volunteer groups, including providing help and attendance as needed.
• Hours
• This is a part-time position 21 hours per week. Note that some weekend and evening work may be required.

Salary

• £10,000 for 10 months, 21 hours a week.

Holiday entitlement

• 28 days pa pro rata

Pension

• KCDT has an opt in pension plan.

Looking after volunteers

• KCDT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers interacting with these groups to share this commitment. This position will be subject to a satisfactory reference check