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PICTURES: Voluntary groups take part in showcase event at Wick church hall





From left: Marie and Robert Mackenzie with John and Norette Bogle of Wick Paths Group. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
From left: Marie and Robert Mackenzie with John and Norette Bogle of Wick Paths Group. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios

Voluntary groups were able to raise awareness of their work by attending a showcase event in Wick on Saturday.

It was called Our Kind of Town – a name inspired by the BBC TV programme My Kind of Town, first aired last year – and held at Wick St Fergus Church.

The aim was to highlight how dedicated groups of volunteers make the Wick area a better place to live. It was not restricted to organisations from the town itself, with groups from different parts of Caithness also setting up stands in the church hall.

The event was part of the outreach work of Wick St Fergus Mission Group.

Jean McLennan, a member of the group, said: “The purpose of Our Kind of Town was to highlight the good things many volunteers do to make this a fine place to live.

“The diversity of voluntary groups here is amazing and in some cases the sterling work they do, and even their existence, is not obvious even to people who live here.

“Every volunteer who gives of their time and talents to enhance our community deserves our thanks. Well done, folks – keep it up.”

Throughout the afternoon Alastair Sinclair showed some of his extensive collection of local films, including gala week parades.

Pauline Gibson was on hand to explain about the work of Hearing and Sight Care. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Pauline Gibson was on hand to explain about the work of Hearing and Sight Care. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios

Caithness Heritage Trust, which runs Mary-Ann’s Cottage at Westside, Dunnet, was one of the groups taking part in the event.

Chairman Andrew Wands said: “It’s very nice to have been invited to such a well-organised event and see lots of other people who you might not otherwise meet who are also in the voluntary sector.

“They’re interested in what we’re doing, we’re interested in what they’re doing, and we’re having a good exchange of ideas.”

John Bogle, secretary of Wick Paths Group, said: “We’re delighted to be here today to show what the Wick Paths Group is doing.

“We rely very heavily on volunteers to do our work, as well as the support of local businesses. We’re always looking for new volunteers.

“It’s good to see what all the other groups are doing as well. There really are a lot of people involved in Wick and round about giving up their time to make the area that bit better.”

Jennifer Harvey, head of development at Pulteneytown People’s Project, said: “I think since we came out of Covid, we’ve kind of changed a little bit. All our community events are volunteer-led.

“We are open – we’re open to the public to come in and use our community space, which is basically the café. There are teas and coffees served every day and we do community meals.

“We’re there to bring the community together. We want to bring people back into the Pulteney Centre and get it thriving again.

“Our aim now is to move forward and try to make it the hub that it used to be. And any volunteers would be welcome.”

Allan Farquhar tells visitor Elizabeth Rintoul about the work of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Allan Farquhar tells visitor Elizabeth Rintoul about the work of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios

Allan Farquhar, chairman of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council, said: “Although our meetings are open to the public, and we do publish our minutes, we welcome opportunities to put the work that we’re actually doing behind the scenes out to the public. Our community market days provide opportunities for this as well.

“It's not all obvious, but it gives us a chance to meet with the public directly and to put over where we are with things.”

Mr Farquhar explained that the community council is a statutory body that voices the opinions of the public.

“We are the bridge between the public and the Highland Council,” he said. “We don’t have any powers but we put our points across with supporting information.”

Jennifer Harvey (right), head of development and volunteer coordinator, and Norma Craven, a volunteer, chat to visitor Dan Mercer on the Pulteneytown People’s Project stand. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Jennifer Harvey (right), head of development and volunteer coordinator, and Norma Craven, a volunteer, chat to visitor Dan Mercer on the Pulteneytown People’s Project stand. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Tracy Mackay from the Laurandy Centre at the Our Kind of Town showcase. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Tracy Mackay from the Laurandy Centre at the Our Kind of Town showcase. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Amanda Snashall was promoting Here for Caithness and other mental health services. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Amanda Snashall was promoting Here for Caithness and other mental health services. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Helen Budge (right) and Barbara Gray on the Caithness Disabled Access Panel stand. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Helen Budge (right) and Barbara Gray on the Caithness Disabled Access Panel stand. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Mairi Anne Cormack displaying plans for the playpark being created in memory of Julie McGee by John O'Groats Development Trust. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Mairi Anne Cormack displaying plans for the playpark being created in memory of Julie McGee by John O'Groats Development Trust. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Lyall Rennie and Jennifer Davenport on the John O’Groats Mill Trust stand at the Our Kind of Town showcase. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Lyall Rennie and Jennifer Davenport on the John O’Groats Mill Trust stand at the Our Kind of Town showcase. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Jan Farrington on the Healing Hub stand at Saturday’s Our Kind of Town event in Wick. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Jan Farrington on the Healing Hub stand at Saturday’s Our Kind of Town event in Wick. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
From right: Janet Mowat, Nancy Swanson and Anna Rogalski of Caithness Family History Society telling Alan Hendry about one of their projects. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
From right: Janet Mowat, Nancy Swanson and Anna Rogalski of Caithness Family History Society telling Alan Hendry about one of their projects. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Alistair Sinclair showed local films, including his videos of Wick gala parades over the years. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios
Alistair Sinclair showed local films, including his videos of Wick gala parades over the years. Picture: Robert MacDonald / Northern Studios

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