News & Updates
Happy new year! As we begin a new year at Beith Trust we’ve spent some time reflecting on the previous years; our successes and missteps, highs and lows, and what we want to bring into and leave behind in 2023. As always, our main focus and mission is supporting our local community to grow and flourish through various projects, events, and development ideas; but we also aim to improve the lives and opportunities of our local people. Some ways we are implementing this is through our various training courses like first-aid, mental health first-aid, and our award-winning Activate course. We’re also continuing to spearhead our community-supporting projects like Free Food Fridays and our Garnock Valley Helping Hands baby recycling programme.
We’ve got lots of new events coming up in 2023; including a fundraising Ceilidh, an international women’s day celebration, and another motorcycle festival. As always keep an eye out on our social media pages and website for more information and to be the first to hear about our newest ventures!
Geilsland Estate
As you may already be aware; we have ongoing improvements to the amenities at Geilsland Country Estate which we hope will bring in new visitors, support new enterprises to grow and develop, and create real living wage employment opportunities to allow for our community to get money in their pockets and improve their employability prospects. Part of this ongoing renovation is the task of re-imagining Geilsland House which may be used in future projects and events. While bringing the building back to life we want to ensure that the community are kept up to date with its progression and any decisions made. Want to have your say on the future of Geilsland and what we offer? You can do so here.
Beith Astro
Beith Astro continues to go from strength to strength in the heart of our community. With its ongoing family projects; such as our parent & toddlers’ club, nature play, and free food Fridays. Thanks to the hard work of our Astro staff and volunteers, our gardens are flourishing with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and our grounds are clean and well-maintained. Beith Astro is always looking for new volunteers with new ideas, passions and skills to help transform the space into the best it possibly can be. If you think you’d be a good fit you can enquire here.
Music Project
Our music project is back in 2023 and ready to hit the ground running with our new block of drum lessons, band factory, fundraising Ceilidh event, and more! Our drum lessons are perfect for young beginners, aged 6 – 18, and will run for 4 weeks covering the basics of drumming. We’re also once again running our brilliant Band Factory project this April; with 20 spaces for young musicians in the Garnock Valley looking to make more musically minded friends, and put together their own bands. Band Factory jam sessions will begin on April 10th and end with a showcase event on April 16th. Book your space below now!
Drum Lessons Booking – Band Factory Booking
Fundraising Ceilidh
Our first Ceilidh is happening! On Friday, February 17th we’ll be hosting our very own fundraising Ceilidh; raising funds for the local Garnock Valley Pipes and Drums and the Garnock Community Campus Parents’ Council. Tickets are £7 for adults, £4 for 12 – 18 years, and free for under 12’s. We also have tables of 6 options available and each adult ticketholder is entitled to a free Haggis or Macaroni Pie! With a fully stocked bar and the wonderful Binky Blue headlining there is plenty to enjoy. Get your tickets now below!
Stitch & Sew
An exciting new group is starting at Beith Trust! Led by the wonderful Coco, who is currently in her final year at Glasgow University studying fashion; we’re beginning a stitch and sew group at Beith Community Centre. All skill levels are welcome to come along and have a hot cuppa, a nice chat and do some sewing! We’re running two taster sessions; Friday, 9th of December and Friday, 16th of December, from 1pm – 2:30pm, and we’ll kick off again in the new year. We hope to see you there!
More information can be found here
GV e-bikes
In partnership with Dalry Community Development Hub and our friends at Kilbirnie Community Council, we have secured 20 e-bikes which we are loaning as part of our free e-bike project. If successful, it will be upscaled across the 3 towns of the Garnock Valley. We’ve seen a lot of success with this project and we’ve still got plenty of availability for new users to try them out. Why not try a new hobbie before the end of the year and try an e-bike?
To loan your own e-bike from us, please complete the following forms and we’ll be in touch!
Expression of Interest – Essential Skills – Beith Trust Sign-up
Scottish Arts & Crafts Fair
We’re so happy to be bringing back our monthly craft fairs in partnership with The Scottish Arts and Crafts Fair. Each month the Scottish Arts & Craft Fair bring new stallholders with their various wares, trinkets, and delicacies to Geilsland Events Hall for a day of selling and shopping. These events are free entry for all and dog friendly so the whole family can come along. With Mocha Jaks on site ready with hot coffee and cakes to tide you over once you’ve shopped and dropped; there’s no better way to spend a Saturday afternoon. You can find all upcoming dates and news about new stalls attending on the Scottish Arts and Crafts Fair page below.
Workshops and Volunteering
At Beith Trust, volunteering is our bread and butter. We wouldn’t be the organisation we are if it weren’t for the continuous support and hard work of our volunteers. From tending and caring for our beautiful grounds and gardens, to working with our attendees at our various projects and events, our volunteers are multi-skilled and in return receive free admission to many of our events, free certified training and access to new qualifications.
As we reach the end of 2022, we’re looking forward to 2023. We’re looking for volunteers, young and old, to join us in steering forward new events and projects in the new year. This could be through our Lend an Ear befriending project, volunteering in our gardens, or events assistance. You can volunteer with Beith Trust by completing the form below.
