New children's book festival set for Arran
Arran will soon be home to a new children's book festival.
Two island organisations are benefiting from awards through CalMac's new Community Fund, Arran Theatre and Arts Trust (ATAT) and Corrie Primary Parent Council. ATAT, the island's arts development charity, is using the support to launch the Wee Mac Children's Book Festival that will give young people access to a relaxed, festival experience with the opportunity to meet and interact with authors.
Heather Gough from ATAT said: 'Arran Theatre and Arts Trust is delighted with this award and very grateful to CalMac for helping us to further develop an interest in reading and writing in our young people.'
Corrie Primary Parent Council is using their award to launch a Swimming for Life project with the aim of having all pupils 'deep water safe' by the end of the teaching session. So far the Fund has supported 39 projects across west coast communities.
Picture shows: Arran Arts Theatre Trust pick up their Community Fund cheque at Brodick ferry terminal.
'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 are able to help both of these organisations on Arran. The projects are very different but the aims are similar, equipping young people with life skills that will open up new opportunities for them,' 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 and Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust's Creative Saturday's project. A project to help inclusiveness on Bute also succeeded in applying for an award. Back on the mainland Gourock Golf Club, Royal Gourock Yacht Club and Ayrshire Children's Services CIC are all also being supported.