Community Grant Scheme 2006

£10,000 Partnership cash for Moray Firth community projects

Community and school projects around the Moray Firth coast received a total of £10,000 from the Moray Firth Partnership 2006 Community Grants Scheme. The Partnership awarded £10,000 to thirteen local projects that benefit the coast or sea of the Moray Firth (from John O’Groats in Caithness to Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire).

Scottish Natural Heritage provided the funding for this year’s Grants scheme. The money was paid up front to allow projects to get off the ground, with the Groups then have until 31 January 2007 to complete.

Projects supported under the 2006 Scheme included:

Applicant	Project	Progress
Friends of the Moray Firth Dolphins	Moray Firth Cetacean Workshops	Report (195kb pdf), photo montage 01 (286kb jpeg) and photo montage 02(260kb jpeg) See applicant website for more information.
Caithness Countryside Volunteers	Moray Firth Seabird Workshop and Visit	Report page 1 (45kb pdf), page 2 (427kb pdf), page 3 (1MB pdf)
Sandhaven & Pitullie Harbour Trust	The provision of safety features at Sandhaven & Pitullie Harbour	Report submitted, installation delayed until Spring due to the weather.  Please see applicant website for more information.
Rosemarkie Amenities Association	An interpretaion panel as part of the Rosemarkie Beach Refurbishment project	Cairn and panel in place.  Photo to follow.
Nairn Sailing Club	The provision of dinghy sailing at Nairn beach	The Club purchased a Laser 2 dinghy to promote sailing to young people and for club training.  The Club was also able to train volunteers by inviting a RYA trainer to come to Nairn.
Workers Educational Association	Exploring Your Past - archaeological fieldtrips around the Moray Firth Coast	Report (64kb pdf).  Leaflet page 1 (891kb pdf), page 2 (948kb pdf).
Wick Society	Refurbishment to the inside of the Old Herring Mart at Wick	The project has been a huge success and has generated much local support. The ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures really show how much has been achieved, which will attract more visitors and school groups.
Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation	The purchase of a Moray Firth Inshore Rescue Boat	The inshore rescue boat is now fully operational and was formally launched in August 2006.  During summer 2006 it was called out 8 times and thorughout the winter months members have continued training.  Press release (14kb pdf) and launch photo (121kb jpeg).
Scottish Traditional Boat Festival	Reproduction of the Spey Coracle and Fish Wifes Creel	The Spey coracle was successfully completed.  Final report (38kb pdf) and photograph (276kb jpeg).
Rosebank Recreation Revival Group	A marine and coastal themed mural	Mural completed.  Photograph (135kb jpeg)
Cromarty 2007	‘Under the Surface' exhibition	Progress report (77kb pdf)
Ardersier & Petty Community Council	The Ardersier Environmental Improvements Phase II	Regretfully this project failed to progress due to technical difficulties.  It is hoped that the Community Council will be able to undertake this project in the future but under the regulations of the Scheme, the grant had to refunded.
Dolphin Space Programme	Dolphin Space Programme Interpretation and Training	The 'Guide to the Wildlife and Environment of the Moray Firth' training material developed through this project has been very well received.  Final report (32kb pdf). For further information please go to the DSP website.
WDCS Wildlife Centre / DSP	Dolphin Interpretation Box	A new interpretive resource containing artefacts such as replica bottlenose dolphin skull, replica seal skull, whale baleen, cetacean and shark teeth, jars of prey items, models of wildlife species, animal puppets, sound recordings and interactive games and puzzles.  Please contact the project officer for further details.