Introducing... The Gatherings!
THE STORY SO FAR
For many years, this building – then known as ‘Maybole Charity Shop’ – operated as an essential resource for local community groups to fundraise, with a different group taking the shop each week. Gradually, the building fell further and further into disrepair with flood damage from the flat above, and was at risk of collapse. After structural assessments the shop was forced to close until essential repairs were made. NCCBC saw an opportunity, and purchased the charity shop in 2021, securing funding to match the NCCBC contribution via the Scottish Land Fund and the Regenerational Capital Grants Fund, through the Scottish Government. Thanks go to all of the subsequent funders, and Maybole Regeneration Project, who helped facilitate the complete refurbishment of the shop and the flat above, making it all safe for use again.
After a very long and slow start to the refurbishment of the building, NCCBC are pleased to say that the shop is now fully renovated and ready to come back into community use!
The former committee, now operating the shop in School Vennel, have decided to stay where they are, so NCCBC are establishing a new group to operate this shop in a complementary way!
Our survey told us that this should not operate solely as another charity shop, but as a flexible community space that’s useful for things like exhibitions and workshops as well as retail. Groups will be able to book the shop for a variety of purposes, including fundraising!
We are keen to hear from those who would be interested in joining the new committee and helping this exciting new property develop! The new name, ‘the Gatherings’ is a nod to the buildings history as a haberdashery, and our aspirations that it will return to being a place where both people and things gather together.
The shop will be available to book from Feb 2024 at the rate of £115 per week, including a small subsidy to ensure affordability for community groups; a condition of the shop’s funding.
Please contact [email protected] with any enquiries or to get involved.
The shop before works began:
And the shop now! Just waiting for traditional signwriter to add the new name!
GSA Biosphere Pop Up
Your chance to meet the team from the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Unesco Biosphere, right here in Maybole!
Calling all local businesses and community groups - find out what it means to be part of the Biosphere! 
Email [email protected] for more info
- Mon 13th - Communities Team and Business Team
- Tues 14th - Business Team and Land use & Biodiversity Team, Ayrshire Talks Tourism with Visit Scotland (bookable surgeries), and Business Networking Evening from 6.30pm.
- Wed 15th - Communities Team and Business Team
- Thu 16th - Communities Team and Business Team
- Fri 17th - Business Team and Partners
44 High Street Update
On Tuesday, October 24th, 2023, the building formerly known as ‘Maybole Charity Shop’ reopened its doors to host the ‘A Year in Maybole’ Exhibition, alongside the reopening of Maybole Town Hall. This exhibition showcased the brilliant results of projects undertaken by icecream architecture over the course of (almost) a year in Maybole, as part of the Maybole Town Centre Regeneration Project. These projects included a range of activities, including skill-building and art workshops with students of Carrick Academy, engaging events organised with multiple local primary schools, events with the wider community, work produced by students at the University of the West of Scotland, the updated Maybole Heritage Trail & Map, and the Maybole Book of Memories.
The shop will have a full reopening celebration in the New Year, and then will be available for booking from February through NCCBC: https://nccbc.org.uk/
£15 vouchers for prepayment gas and electric meters
📌 Final phase of Cost of Living Project 📌
£15 vouchers for prepayment gas and electric meters will be available to collect on Tuesday 10th October around North Carrick. Details below!
Vouchers can be redeemed 10th-14th Oct inclusive at Maybole SPAR, Crosshill Post Office or Little K’s, Maidens.
Full Ts and Cs on the back of the vouchers.
#ImprovingNorthCarrick
Please note this is not means tested or benefit related, these vouchers are for anyone that will benefit with a little assistance with energy costs that has a key or card payment meter. 😊
NCCBC projects are made possible by Scottish Power Renewables.
Announcing the winners of our Creative Carrick Photography Competition
Announcing the winners of our Creative Carrick Photography Competition 
We recently teamed up with Go Girvan to run a photography competition showcasing the beauty and diversity of Carrick
We are delighted to share the images that our panel of judges selected to win first prize in their category -
Category: 1. Bruce Country1st Prize:
Matthew Wyllie, Kirkoswald Graveyard
Category: 2. Water & Wildlife1st Prize:
Claire Mackintosh, Heron taking flight at Sunset
Category: 3. My Favourite Place in Carrick1st Prize:
Alison McEwan, Cat Gates at Culzean
Alison’s image was also chosen as the overall winner of the competition
Category: 4. Off the Beaten Track1st Prize:
Katie Bryan, Fireworks
You can view all the winning and highly commended images in Go Girvan's latest blog post
We will be holding a prizegiving ceremony later this month and the winning images will be on display in a future exhibition at the McKechnie Institute.
A huge thank you once again to everyone who entered
MINISHANT ECO PARK CONSULTATION - Open to all!
North Carrick Community Benefit Company (NCCBC) in partnership with the Minishant Social and Leisure Group (MSLG) are looking into the potential creation of an environmentally friendly Community Building and Park within the woodland area surrounding the football pitch on school road. This facility would serve the wider community as well as the residents of Minishant.
Proposals for an Ecological Walk and Park in the woodland around Minishant’s football pitch date back to March 2020 and a feasibility study has now been commissioned. Community Enterprise and MSLG will be working to consider the local community’s needs while assessing potential opportunities for the site. This work has been made possible due to funding via ‘Coastal Communities’
Please help the project forward by sharing your views!
THANK YOU - Bruce Heritage Day 2023
Thank you!!!After a long few days of set up, hosting and packing up the Robert the Bruce Heritage Day, we would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who helped us make Saturday a success!
Although the weather wasn’t quite on our side, we still had a great turnout! We are so pleased that everyone we’ve spoken to had a great time, thank you to everyone who came out!
Our second thank you goes to all of our great performers, contractors, crew, stallholders, vendors and volunteers – You were all fantastic and we couldn’t have done it without you! 
Our third thank you goes to all our funders and supporters – Special thanks to Maybole Regeneration, the Scottish Government and Destination South Ayrshire for their contributions to the Robert the Bruce Heritage Day.
Finally, we must say our biggest THANK YOU to North Carrick Community Benefit Company – who made the event possible with funding, but also through recruiting the Events Development team who brought you the event! The team is made up of passionate local people who are really enjoying working to bring the community together to celebrate our rich heritage, grow our local tourism economy and provide fun family events for North Carrick’s residents!
Make sure to follow the below and you won’t miss any of the next exciting events
If you would like to get involved as a volunteer at future events please let us know! – [email protected]
Youth Event as part of Bruce Heritage Day – ‘Gaff at the Glebe’!
We are thrilled to share that the evening of Saturday 15th we are hosting a special event for local young people, and we love the name they chose – Gaff at the Glebe! 
This evening event is in collaboration with SAC CLD – Community Learning & Development!
Their fabulous team with have great music, games and prizes from 6-9pm on the stage! 
Property Development Manager wanted for an 8-month contract
NCCBC IS HIRING Property Development Manager wanted for an 8-month contract
Flexible hours, Competitive rate
See Details at Goodmoves: https://goodmoves.com/…/Property-Development-Manager
CLOSING DATE: MONDAY 17TH JULY
Programme revealed for Bruce Heritage Day 2023!
Here we go! We are delighted to share the event programme for 15th July for Robert the Bruce Heritage Day 2023!
Stay tuned over the coming days as we introduce all of our amazing performers, attractions & stallholders as well as our own art competition!
We even have a special youth event planned for the evening!
Be sure to click 'going' in the event! We will also be distributing copies of the programme around local shops over the next few days!
Share with your friends!
