Spring Tea Event celebrates Community Action in Carstairs Junction

teacups and biscuits
Hannah Downey

Residents in Carstairs Junction are invited to a FREE Spring Tea, Sunday 29 March, 2-4pm, in Carstairs Junction Hall.

Tea, coffee, biscuits and kids activities will be provided alongside the presentation of the Community Survey results and local Photography Exhibition, which is taking place as part of the Carstairs Junction Community-Led Action Plan, due to be launched in May.

The survey asks residents what they value most and what they find most challenging about living in the area, as well as any project ideas they have for Carstairs Junction. Spring Tea attendees will have a chance to give feedback on the results, and flesh out any proposed project ideas.

Dorothy Watson, Carstairs Junction Welcome All Hub says, “This is another fantastic community event for the Junction residents to air their thoughts and ideas about the future of the Junction, whilst enhancing community spirit.”

Winners of the Carstairs Junction Photo Competition, which is also taking place as part of the process, will be awarded with their £50 Amazon voucher at the Spring Tea too. All photos submitted to the competition will be exhibited during the event. People still have their chance to enter photos of what they love about the Junction, before Monday 16 March. Entries can be emailed to lynda@communityenterprise.co.uk or posted to Community Enterprise, Fleming House, Livingston, EH54 7BN. Full details can be found here.

The Community-Led Action Plan will identify the community’s priorities over the next five years, highlighting particular projects that the community would like to work on together to make their community a better place to live, work and play. The plan will be able to be used as evidence by community groups seeking funding or by organisations who deliver services in that community.

The Spring Tea is being organised by the a specially formed Steering Group, made up of representatives from Carstairs Community Council, Carstairs Junction Londis, Carstairs Junction Primary School, Carstairs Junction Welcome All Hub, Carstairs Parish Church, Healthy Valleys and The Playbarn.

The Plan is funded by LEADER with support from Community Action Lanarkshire. It is being delivered by Community Enterprise.

Sarah O’Sullivan, Community Action Lanarkshire, says, “We’re really looking forward to welcoming people to The Spring Tea on Sunday 29, and hoping for a great turnout. Around 80 people came to the Community Ceilidh in February to launch the community survey in February, which launched the process with a bang.”

Residents still have the opportunity to fill out the survey before 24 March. They can do this online, or pick up and drop off a paper copy from Carstairs Junction Londis.

To find out more about the Carstairs Junction Community-Led Action Plan, contact Community Action Lanarkshire on 01555 664 665 / info@ruraldevtrust.co.uk.