TBI Summer Gathering 2014
27 May 2014
TBI's 2014 Summer Gathering took place last Saturday 23 August at Easter Balmungie near Rosemarkie, hosted by Anne Chance and family, who raise sheep and poultry on this superbly located farm. A sharp shower at the start failed to dampen the spirits of the members who attended - perhaps a disappointingly small proportion of TBI's 130 members.
After a discussion about the sheep breeds raised on the farm and a look at the free range poultry, wellies were the order of the day for a walk around the farm, which runs down to the shore above Rosemarkie beach.
After this Anne showed her visitors her egg packing and poultry handling facilities, explained the detailed record keeping and strict hygiene procedures required to comply with food standards regulation and inspections, and made clear the amount of hard work involved - particularly in the run-up to Christmas.
The company then moved to a mostly open air, straw-floored informal lecture theatre which had been set up under a barn roof, for a number of brief presentations on various aspects of TBI's activities. Convenor Anne Thomas gave a general review of the past year's activities; Peter Elbourne described the progress of various aspects of the Million Miles project, including cycling promotion and training, lift sharing, fuel-efficient driver training and community mapping;
Lisbeth Collie and Giles Makins outlined with obvious enthusiasm the development of TBI's recently started cycle hire venture Black Isle Bicycles, emphasising its unique service in delivering bicycles to the customers - together with a full set of safety equipment and route information; and finally Martin Sherring gave a progress report on the Black Isle Community Wind Project - a joint venture between TBI and the Black Isle Partnership, which is working towards erecting up to three community-owned turbines to raise money for community projects - perhaps including home insulation and a Black Isle swimming pool.
At this stage hot drinks all round were a welcome counter to an unseasonably chilly evening, followed by an excellent 'pot luck' supper of local and home-made food - and wine.
Our thanks are due to Anne Chance and family for welcoming us to this friendly and successful event. In view of the relatively small attendance in relation to TBI's total membership, let's hope that some of the members who found themselves unable to attend resolve to come and swell the numbers at next year's event.
PM
Latest News Stories
- 08/09/2024 Welcome for proposed Natural Environment Bill
- 06/09/2024 Wind Farm proposal for Cnoc Ceislein
- 04/09/2024 Scottish Human Rights Bill omitted from programme for government
- 02/09/2024 Highland Council adopts Circular Economy policy
- 24/08/2024 Transition UK project hit by funding blow
- 16/08/2024 Highlands & Islands Climate Festival continues through September
- 14/08/2024 Rewilding information and events
- 06/08/2024 12 August was UN International Youth Day
- 05/08/2024 The GALE Centre Wins TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award
- 04/08/2024 Wealthy western countries lead in global oil and gas expansion
Forthcoming Events…
- Tuesday 8 October
- 18:00 Zero Food Waste Challenge - Make Your Own Fakeaway Pizza Workshop
- Saturday 12 October
- 10:30 Cromarty Community Market
- Tuesday 15 October
- 18:00 Zero Food Waste Challenge - Growing & Storing Your Own Food
- Saturday 19 October
- 10:00 Culbokie Community Market
- Tuesday 22 October
- 18:00 Zero Food Waste Challenge - Fermenting & Pickling Workshop
- Saturday 26 October
- 16:00 Halloween on the Green at Culbokie
- 10:00 North Kessock Community market
- Tuesday 29 October
- 18:00 Zero Food Waste Challenge - Cooking With Leftovers
Events to add to calendar? Contact Us.