New trust sends out a clear message to 'keep Sinclair’s Bay beautiful'

A new organisation has been set up with the aim of improving the lives of those living, working and visiting the Sinclair’s Bay area of Caithness.

Sinclair’s Bay Trust (SBT) members took advantage of last week’s good weather to install new signage at key sites in the area as part of its “Keep Sinclair’s Bay Beautiful” project and campaign.

At Staxigoe, Noss, Ackergill, Reiss and Keiss, the group installed signs promoting messages to encourage responsible use of, and respect for, public spaces in the Sinclair’s Bay community.

The project and campaign’s vision is to:

• reduce impact through promotion of responsible use of outdoor spaces by locals and visitors
• to celebrate, promote and protect the beauty of the area
• and promote what the area has to offer to locals and visitors.

SBT chairperson, Maysie Calder, said: “The signs promote a key message: we all play a part – both visitors and locals. One of the signs promotes a code of conduct and came about through a number of conversations in our virtual board meetings over recent months.

"The second sign was inspired by a message we’ve seen elsewhere – Leave Nothing but Footprints – and includes as a backdrop a photo of footprints in the sand at Sinclair’s Bay taken by resident Fiona Mackay. This photo was the winner in the adult category of our recent competition, Sinclair’s Bay: My Home, and we would like to thank Fiona for her permission to use this photo in our signage for the campaign."

Maysie added: “Alongside the work going into setting up and establishing the trust, we have identified four projects for 2021-2022. Our keep Sinclair’s Bay beautiful project; connections project; history and heritage project; and reducing barriers and promoting inclusion project."

She said the trust is delighted to have the support of development trust support officer, Alistair Jack, who is employed by Caithness Voluntary Group and is "providing invaluable time and support to SBT" to help it progress projects. Alistair said: “I am delighted to be working with Sinclair’s Bay Trust on what are really some very exciting projects that are guaranteed to enhance the lives of the Sinclair’s Bay community for generations to come."

Ian Ross, another SBT member, said the group is currently seeking support of the community through membership. “As a newly formed trust, we rely on people to support our work and the projects we do," he said.

"We need to grow our membership to demonstrate that we have community support. This can be done by visiting our website and signing up to become a friend of the trust – there is no obligation and it is completely free."

Maysie added: “By doing this one simple thing, our community can empower us to secure funding for future projects that will make Sinclair’s Bay a better place to live, work and visit”.

More information about SBT, its projects and membership can be found at www.sinclairsbay.co.uk

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