North Carrick Communities Arts Trail

CRAG Community Arts SCIO have been awarded the contract to deliver the North Carrick Communities Arts Trail, with Bruce 750 themed sculptures across Bruce’s Web, a project commissioned by NCCBC. The trail which will consist of nine sculptures with augmented reality content will traverse North Carrick travelling from Turnberry in the south, to Dunure in the North, and east to Straiton. Alongside the trail, visitors to the trail will download a phone app with augmented reality elements including a game play element; where you can experience Bruce weaving his way across Carrick once more.

 

With the Maybole sculpture already under construction, the remaining eight sculptures will be designed through a consultation process with each of the North Carrick communities.

 

This process has already started with CRAG artist David Powell - known for his Culzean and Rozelle steel and willow sculptures - visiting each of the six primary schools to discuss the Bruce 750 project while providing an insight to his own work practice as an artist.

 

 

The project is designed to celebrate the 750th Anniversary of the birth of King Robert the Bruce; as well as the communities in which the work will be sited. Young artists from each school are working in groups or individually to produce their own designs of a potential sculpture inspired by historical events and items associated with the Bruce, or their community. The artwork could well be modern or traditional in form. The new pieces will have an expected lifespan of 25 years; causing some excitement amongst the children! “I will be 35!”- piped up one the children at a school assembly; this will be a legacy  of the Bruce 750 project that the children can pass down to the next generation and perhaps beyond!

 

With the CRAG Arts team are working with each of the schools to assist them in the initial design process; researching ideas and then producing 2D and 3D concepts from February to March. This is an exciting opportunity for our young folk to take part in a project that will enhance the experience both residents and visitors coming to our area; allowing them to follow in the footsteps of the Bruce and learn more about our community in the 21st century.

 

At the end of the ongoing design process period the community consultation will be held; this when locals can decide which design they would like to be made into a finished work. And that is the exciting bit - for at the moment no one knows what the work will be, or what our budding young artists will produce! How big? How small? What will they be made of? Just some of the questions that folk are asking; but as our young artists will be busy designing over the next few weeks - the answer can only be - Who knows?

 

Likewise, the augmented reality content will be determined by the sculpture designs with AR providing locals and visitor alike with the opportunity  to experience Bruce in a way not yet experienced! With the design team building in gameplay for the phone app; weaving history and technology together into a unique North Carrick experience!

 

 

The proposed dates for community consultations to be held in community halls and spaces is 23rd - 24th of March so keep an eye open for updates on the project via our social media and that of NCCBC (@Improving North Carrick)

These dates are you chance to have a say on the sculpture in your community!

This project has been made possible with funding from the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund and NCCBC.

For further info on the project please contact David at [email protected]

An image of David at his workshop:

Meet the Ayrshire artist who brought Shrek and other fairytale characters alive through willow - Daily Record

Some of the kids' ideas below!

S


Landscaping complete at The Gatherings

What an amazing difference to the rear access of NCCBC's community shop, The Gatherings! 🥳
Landscaping works are now complete at the rear of the shop, ensuring safe parking and access for shop users!
Thank you to the guys from W Kennedy Ltd who worked through all weathers. The shop is available for week lets from February onwards.
Book your slot in the refurbished shop now by emailing [email protected] 😀📧
Check out https://nccbc.org.uk/the-gatherings/ for more info and photos!

CHILDREN'S CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION

⭐️ CHILDREN’S CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION ⭐️

Write a short story themed on castles, kings and queens for your chance to win a goodie bag & gift vouchers!
Maximum 500 words. There will be a fantastic prize for the judge’s favourite story from 6-10 year olds, and another for the favourite story from 11-16 year olds!
📍Terms and Conditions📍
Stories must be no longer than 500 words.
Stories must be typed and sent as a PDF or Word Document via email to [email protected] by Noon on Wednesday 21st February 2024. Any entries submitted after this date sadly cannot be considered.
Entries must include, name, age, village/town, and a contact number. Please note; only pre-agreed details of winner will be published in the newsletter.
Winners’ stories will be published in the North Carrick Community Newsletter!
There will be a prize for the judge’s favourite story from entrants age 6-10, and another for entrants aged 11-16. The judges will be a local author and member of the NCCBC Board.
Stories must be themed on castles, kings and queens.
Entrants must live in North Carrick; including Maybole, Minishant, Kirkoswald, Maidens, Turnberry, Crosshill Straiton, Kirkmichael, Dunure and Fisherton.

 


Tree-planting grants are available now!

Tree-planting grants are available now!

The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere in partnership with South Ayrshire Council has grant funding available for small scale tree-planting projects in the Biosphere region. Applications are open now for planting on less than 0.25ha of land, which can include field boundaries, orchards, small copses, and more. This is an exciting initiative to increase the amount of native woodland cover in South Ayrshire, benefiting communities and wildlife. To express interest or for more information email [email protected] or visit the GSA Biosphere website at www.gsabiosphere.org.uk. (Applications close on 01/03/24.)


King's Foundation installations at The Gatherings!

Some of the photos as part of the King's Foundation's press release about their work in our shop! 👇
We are so pleased to have these amazing pieces as the cherry on top of the full refurbishment of the shop. 😀
Email us to book your week in the shop - availability from February!
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Merry Christmas from North Carrick!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎄
We will see you in 2024! 🥳
 
📸 'Robin' by C Somerville, Creative Carrick Photo Competition 2023
 
#MerryChristmas #NorthCarrick #DestinationSouthAyrshire


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.