News About USCA
On this page you will find the last few months of News items about the Ulva School Community Association
December 2012
It is with great regret that USCA has to report that, despite being informed at the beginning of November that an outline agreement had been reached (see minutes at end of this newsletter), we have now been notified that the “Estate has to withdraw from the proposal ...due to cash flow difficulties... ”. This means that the huge amount of time and effort invested in the Achleck project has come to nothing so far. USCA will now urgently explore whether the funding we were given can be moved to another site.
November 2012
USCA is very pleased to have been awarded a £9000 grant through the All Our Stories funding stream of the Heritage Lottery Fund to help in researching, recording and celebrating the heritage of the area.
The aim is to involve everyone, from school children to the older members of the community. The stories of people who have left the area, or whose families left, will also be of interest. The Caolas Ulbha (Sound of Ulva) project will involve consulting records (on and off island), recording the stories of people, producing a project website and establishing and making available a digital archive. There will also be some community ‘drop-in’ events, a performance based on what has been collected and an event to mark the establishment of the archive. Of course this is a project open to the whole community and not only USCA members. A copy of the press release is available here.
October 2012
On Tuesday 23rd October the HeraldScotland published an article about USCA and the need for affordable housing. You can read the article here.
September 2012
At the meeting on the 13th September the Committee selected Rebbeca Munro as convenor to take over from Carolyne Charrington who was resigning. They also selected Emma Mckie as treasurer due to the resignation of Beccy Roth. The committee would like to thank Carolyne for all the energy and comittment she displayed both as Convenor and Vice - Convenor and would also like to thanks Beccy for all she did as a Committee member and as Treasurer.
September 2012
The USCA committee, at its meeting on the 13th September co-opted Jane Chauvet as a committee member. This meeting was also the first meeting attended by Jeanette Cutlack, who was co-opted onto the committee in August.
August 2012
In August USCA held two public events. The first was on the Whales and Dolphins around Mull when Cally Fleming (the Project Director of the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust) gave an illustrated introduction to the cetaceans in the seas around Mull. The second event was given by Arthur Brown, wildlife tour operator and ex-farmer, who explored why we are all responsible for the preserving (or otherwise) of our wildlife.
July 2012
In July, USCA held 5 workshops and also had the Black Beach Barbecue Bonanza at Tràigh na Cille which (as well as being great fun) raised over £2,000 for USCA funds.
June 2012
USCA has had produced a flyer listing all our activities in July which will be made as widely available as possible. You can download an electronic version here.
June 2012
During June USCA held two workshops. One was a two-day Geology workshop with James Westland who opened our eyes to what goes on under our feet. There was also a wonderful evening of storytelling with Mara Menzies (in collaboration with Mull Theatre). Thanks to James and Mara and to all who attended.
May 2012
During May USCA had two workshop events. Dave Sexton (RSPB Mull Officer) gave a unique personal account of Behind The Scenes At Springwatch. Ian Elwiss gave a practical course on Drystone Walling which culminated in the attendees turning a jumble of stones into a strong and (hopefully) long lasting wall. You can find details of these events here.
April 2012
USCA is very happy to welcome Alasdair Satchel and Cally Fleming who have taken up the post of Local Development Officer for Ulva Ferry as a job share. Funding for the post is provided until December 2013 by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Argyll and the Islands LEADER with additional support provided for management and administration by the Mull and Iona Community Trust.
March 2012
USCA is happy to welcome all the invitees to our stakeholder meeting on the 30th March. For Argyll and the Islands has a long article about the meeting - you can read it here.
March 2012
USCA is busy getting ready for the major meeting with all 'stakeholders and interested parties' on the 30t March.
March 2012
The newly re-designed USCA site is now live.
February 2012
USCA is able to announce that interviews have been held for the post of Local Development Officer (LDO) and is delighted to say that the post has been offered as a joint job-share.
February 2012
On the 8th February USCA held its first Annual General Meeting with over 30 members in attendance. For more information see the February Newsletter.
January 2012
On the 27th January USCA held its Burns Supper. A wonderful evening of food, company and excellent music was enjoyed by everyone there.
December 2011
USCA is pleased to announce that Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and LEADER have offered to fund a full-time Local Development Officer (LDO) for the USCA area.
December 2011
On 3rd December Lucy Mackenzie held a Christmas Craft Children’s Shellcraft Workshop. In her words: "...workshop went very well - about 20 kids in the end as some had not booked - total chaos, horrendous mess, all happy and gluey!"
November 2011
USCA was very pleased to welcome four planners from Argyll and Bute Council. They toured the area, met some landowners and also looked at various locations (including the Achleck area) that might be suitable for future development.
October 2011
USCA held two very successful Community Gatherings in October. On the 7th there was "A Coffee Evening with a Difference: Hens for Beginners - the Basics" whilst on the 29th there was a Kids Halloween Workshop.
September 2011
USCA was utterly delighted to learn that our joint bid to the Scottish Government's housing Innovation Fund had been successful and that a grant of £80,000 towards the cost of making 2 new affordable family houses available for rent at Achleck, had been awarded.
August 2011
On August 18th USCA was very pleased to host a visit by two Cabinet Secretaries. Michael Russell is of course the MSP for Argyll and Bute as well as the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning whilst Richard Lochhead is Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment. They were joined by Councillor Mary-Jean Devon.
August 2011
On August 7th USCA held its first ever Fete. It was a wonderful afternoon and evening with almost £4,000 being raised on the day!
July 2011
USCA was very pleased with its campaign to encourage people to respond to the council's Development Plan. Over 50 residents from the USCA area responded!
July 2011
At the start of July USCA held its Family Workshops. Spread over
three weeks the workshops proved very popular: "just great fun",
"great school, fantastic atmosphere", "excellent - lots to do",
"very well organised & presented","fantastic teaching at this
workshop", "very informative" - was just some of the great feedback.
Newsletters
Below are copies of our recent newsletters. Please note that all links below will open in a new window.
Meeting Minutes
In this section are links to copies of our recent Committee meetings. Please note that all links will open in a new window.
AGM Minutes
The minutes below should be considered draft minutes until approved by the next AGM in 2013
If you would like any newsletters or minutes that aren't listed above please contact The Secretary.