Boost for Cowal creativity from CalMac

Young people in Cowal are being encouraged to explore their creative side at a series of new workshops being held in Dunoon Burgh Hall.

The Hall Trust has been successful in its bid to CalMac's new Community Fund to help it establish weekly Saturday sessions in visual art, crafts and dance all delivered by professional teachers.

Burgh Hall Trustee Jenny Hunter said: 'Dunoon Burgh Hall are delighted to have received an award rom CalMac.  This funding will be used for a programme of Creative Saturdays for 7 - 17 year olds during 2020. Dance, art and craft workshops will be offered, taking inspiration from our Exhibition and Performance programme.'

Picture shows: Dunoon Burgh Hall Trustees pick up their Community Fund cheque.

So far the Fund has supported 39 projects across west coast communities.

'The response since we made the first round of awards earlier in the year has been fantastic.  We are already seeing the awards put to good use in the Western Isles and I'm delighted that we will be able to help facilitate creative workshops in Dunoon. It will open up new opportunities to develop new skills and interests in subject areas not previously available to young people in Cowal,' said CalMac's Director of Community and Stakeholder Engagement, Brian Fulton.

Each application was judged by a screening panel of young people recruited from across the company's network, in partnership with Young Scot.

Last year CalMac's 33-strong fleet carried more than 5.3 million passengers and 1.4 million vehicles to 50 ports and slipways on island and remote mainland locations.

Other successful projects in the Firth of Clyde area include Cumbrae Community Radio in support of their Broadcasting Production Primary Education project. On Arran Corrie Primary Parent Council received an award for their Swimming for Life project, as did Arran Theatre and Arts Trust's Wee Mac Arran Children's Book Festival. A project to help inclusiveness on Bute also succeeded in applying for. Back on the mainland Gourock Golf Club, Royal Gourock Yacht Club and Ayrshire Children's Services CIC are all also being supported. Picture shows: Dunoon Burgh Hall Trustees pick up their Community Fund cheque