Aileen MacVicar

As we mark Volunteers’ Week, we want to take a moment to recognise and thank the incredible people who give their time, energy, skills and enthusiasm to support our community.

Behind so much of what happens in Dufftown and District Community Association are volunteers who quietly get on with making a difference every single day. Whether it’s rain, shine, wind or snow, our volunteers show up and help make our projects and events possible.

A huge thank you goes to our bike volunteers who help maintain our community bikes and ensure they are ready for hire, helping people get active, explore the area and enjoy the outdoors.

We are also incredibly grateful to our Food Larder volunteers who work tirelessly to keep the shelves stocked and organised. A special mention must go to our wonderful “mini volunteers” from the local nurseries, who regularly help stock the Food Larder with such enthusiasm and care.

Thank you also to the volunteers who support our Warm Spaces lunches, helping to prepare, serve and welcome people through the door. These events simply wouldn’t be the same without your friendly faces and willingness to help.

From clothing swaps and family activities to community events and behind-the-scenes support, our volunteers contribute in countless ways. A special thank you also goes to the amazing team behind our Community Growing Project, who are looking forward to helping people learn and grow together as we continue to develop this project. We are equally grateful to those volunteers who weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and helped clear all of the accumulated rubbish from the Clock Tower, an important first step in bringing this much-loved landmark back into community use. Every hour given, every task completed and every smile shared helps strengthen our community and makes Dufftown a better place for everyone.

On behalf of everyone at Dufftown and District Community Association, thank you. Your generosity, commitment and community spirit are at the heart of everything we do, and we are incredibly grateful for your support.

Happy Volunteers’ Week!

Interested in joining our fantastic team of volunteers? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to find out how you can get involved.

It’s been another busy month for the DDCA, with progress across a wide range of projects and activities.

Clock Tower Project

A significant amount of work has gone into preparing and submitting our funding application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This is a two-stage application process consisting of a Development Phase followed by a Delivery Phase.

If successful, we hope to begin the Development Phase in October 2026. This stage will allow us to refine the project plans, develop detailed costings and, importantly, create an Activity Plan that ensures the Clock Tower becomes a well-loved community asset. We want the project to benefit the whole community and encourage people who may not currently engage with local heritage to get involved and discover more about Dufftown’s history.

Bike Hire Project

Our long-awaited bike lockers have finally arrived. Moray Council has now completed the slabbed area in front of the bike shed, and once the lockers are assembled and secured, the bike hire process will become much easier and more flexible for users.

The lockers operate using a keypad entry system, allowing customers convenient access to hired bikes. We are also exploring funding opportunities for solar panels on the bike shed, helping to make the project even more environmentally sustainable.

We currently have several logs at the front of the bike shed that we would like to turn into bike stands. If you are handy with a chainsaw, or know someone who is, and would be willing to volunteer some time, we would love to hear from you.

There are also several evening cycle rides coming up with the Dorenell Rangers. Details can be found later below. Ebike hire will be available for these events free of charge.

1st July Evening Guided Cycle Dufftown to Telford Bridge with Dorenell Ranger – Dufftown Community

5th August Evening Guided Cycle Gownie Loop – Dufftown Community

27th August Guided Cycle Glenrinnes – Dufftown Community

Community Workshops

Over the past month, we have delivered cooking classes for both adults and young people. These have been a huge success, and we would like to thank Moray Food Plus for their support in making them possible.

Our Make Do and Mend workshops have also proved extremely popular. We are currently organising two further sessions, please see poster attached:

• Tuesday 9 June, 10am–1pm
• An evening session, likely the following week (date to be confirmed)

As part of the project, anyone attending one of our workshops can borrow one of our new sewing machines free of charge once this block of workshops is over.

We still have two places remaining on our Stone Masonry Workshop. If you would like to book a place, please get in touch. Booking has also now opened for our Stained Glass Window Workshop.

We are extremely grateful to The Robertson Trust for funding these opportunities and helping us bring traditional skills and practical learning into the community.

Housing Masterplan Consultation

The Housing Masterplan has now been published.

A public consultation event will take place on Thursday 11 June from 4pm to 7pm at Dufftown Library. Representatives from both Moray Council and the DDCA will be available throughout the event to answer questions and discuss the proposals.

We would encourage anyone with an interest in housing within the community to come along and have their say.

Community Support

The recently introduced Hardship Cupboard at the Legion has been very well received. It is stocked with cereals, tinned goods and ingredients for simple, nutritious meals.

Our Hardship Fund and Baby Fund also continue to be well used, providing valuable support to local families and individuals when they need it most.

Growing Project

Our growing project is moving forward, with seeds now planted and growing. However, we are currently awaiting permission from Moray Council to use a piece of land within the industrial estate.

This location has the potential to become an excellent long-term home for the project, offering fantastic opportunities for community growing, learning and engagement. We remain hopeful that our patience will pay off and that we can move forward with plans in the near future.

Get Involved

We continue to actively recruit new trustees and a Treasurer to join the organisation.

As you can see, there is a huge amount happening across a diverse range of projects. It is an exciting time for the DDCA, but we need additional support to continue delivering and growing this work.

If you would like to play a part in shaping the future of our community, please consider getting involved. We’d be delighted to hear from you.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

The DDCA Team

We would like to let you know that the consultation for the Hillside Farm Masterplan was published on 20th May and is now available to view using the link below.

https://engage.moray.gov.uk/hillside-farm-masterplan

The consultation period will remain open until 12th July, and we would encourage anyone with an interest in the project to take the opportunity to review the proposals and provide feedback.

Key stakeholders and interested parties have been informed, and this public consultation marks an important next step in the development of the project.

It has been a busy month for DDCA, with a strong focus on meeting key deadlines for major funders to help progress the Clock Tower project.

If we are successful in the next stage of the National Lottery Heritage Fund application, we will move into the Development Phase. This will include further public consultation to ensure the project delivers real benefits for the community and creates as many opportunities for involvement as possible.

DDCA continues to organise the Community Forums in Dufftown. These are a valuable opportunity for local groups and clubs to come together, share updates and support one another. Alongside this, we have begun refreshing the Community Action Plan and are at the early stages of public consultation. A short survey is now available, and we would really appreciate you taking a few moments to complete it. We will also be out and about at local events, as well as engaging with Speyside Youth and the school, to gather as much feedback as possible.

Survey link-https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhPWfwqNKDJENt2iMheNxYY3iwAsCEJV-6oxiX9RTh7sWC2g/viewform?usp=dialog

There is plenty coming up over the next few months, so please keep an eye out for posters and social media updates. Events in the pipeline include Thursday night ceilidhs, led cycle sessions with the Dorenell Rangers, Bike Doctor sessions in Dufftown and Glenrinnes, cooking classes for both adults and young people, mending workshops, and traditional skills sessions.

We are also working with the council to secure land for the growing project. We hope to have a temporary site in place this year while arrangements are made for access to a larger area. In the meantime, seeds are growing and tatties are already in the ground, so watch this space.

We are aiming to have new bike lockers installed by the end of the month. These will make bike hire more accessible, with keypad access allowing users to collect and return bikes without needing a volunteer present. The lockers will be located near the Bike Shed in Tininver Park.

As we move forward with both the Clock Tower project and the Community Action Plan, your support as members is more important than ever. We would really value your input. As always, please get in touch if you would like to get involved, volunteer with any of our projects, consider joining as a Trustee, or simply share your thoughts.

We were delighted to welcome so many people along to our recent Meet the Funders and Community Action Plan event. It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout from both local groups and community members, as well as the funders who support so much of the great work happening across Dufftown and District.

A big thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the event such a success. Our funders shared that they had some really positive and engaging conversations throughout the session. It was a valuable opportunity for them to reconnect with groups they have previously supported, hear about the progress of funded projects, and learn more about the inspiring work continuing in our community.

Alongside this, attendees were able to share their thoughts and ideas to help shape the next Community Action Plan. It was great to hear so many perspectives on what matters most locally and where future efforts should be focused.

There is still plenty of time to get involved. If you weren’t able to attend, you can still have your say by completing our online survey via the link below, or by picking up a paper copy from the Community Food Larder.

https://forms.gle/zjkBxB8w1awfcqcR8

Thank you again to everyone who took part, we really appreciate your time, input and ongoing support.

 

Tickets for the Summer Ceilidh’s are now on sale!

Join us for four evenings of Scottish Music and Dance.

The bar will be open and there will be raffle prizes to win.

Book in advance and get a ticket for all 4 nights for the price of 3.

Links below to book..

Adult 4 Night Ceilidh Ticket

OAP 4 Night Ceilidh Ticket

We have received a further update from the Council regarding the ongoing road works on Fife Street. We recognise that these works, particularly at a key entrance to the town, have been in place for some time and understand the impact this is having on residents, businesses and visitors.

We have raised the importance of resolving this matter as a priority, particularly ahead of the busy summer period when traffic levels are expected to increase significantly.

The Council has advised that the situation is currently being progressed by their Consultancy team. They are awaiting the outcome of a stability review, which follows the completion of an intrusive inspection at the site.

Once the findings have been received and assessed, a further update will be provided, including any indicative timescales for the completion of the works.

We will continue to engage with the Council and share updates as soon as more information becomes available.

Over the past year, our warm spaces lunches have become an important part of the community, offering both social connection and practical support. Attendance data shows that the majority of participants, 64%, come every month, with a further 32% attending occasionally, and just 5% joining for the first time. This demonstrates not only that the lunches are well-attended, but also that they are successfully retaining participants, building a consistent and welcoming environment.

One of the strongest impacts of the lunches has been on community connection. An overwhelming 91% of attendees reported that coming to the lunches helped them feel more connected to others, while only a small proportion, 5%, felt “No” difference, and another 5% felt “Somewhat.” This shows that the lunches are achieving their primary goal of fostering relationships and a sense of belonging. This is further supported by the responses regarding friendships and relationships: 75% of participants said they had made new friends or strengthened existing relationships by attending, with just 19% reporting no change and 6% indicating “Somewhat.” It is clear that these lunches are helping people build meaningful social ties, which is a key factor in reducing isolation and promoting wellbeing.

 

The lunches also make a tangible difference to participants’ day-to-day lives. Sixty-four percent said the warm space positively impacted their day or week, 23% said it made “A little” difference, and only 5% said “No.” This highlights the role of the lunches in improving overall wellbeing, providing a consistent source of support and comfort in people’s weekly routines. In addition to social benefits, the warm spaces are a valuable source of information and practical advice. Over half of attendees (55%) reported receiving helpful information, advice, or resources, with 32% sometimes receiving support and 14% saying “No.” This demonstrates that the lunches are not only social hubs but also places where people can access practical help and guidance when needed. This year we have been supported by NHS Health Point, Police Scotland, Fire Safety Scotland and REAP.

 

When asked to rate their overall experience, participants were overwhelmingly positive. Fifty-nine percent rated their experience as “Excellent,” 27% as “Very good,” and 14% as “Good,” with no one rating “Fair” or “Poor.” This high level of satisfaction reflects the meaningful impact the lunches are having on attendees’ lives, offering not just food, but friendship, support, and a sense of community.

 

Overall, the Warm Spaces lunches are proving to be a vital resource in the community, helping to reduce isolation, foster connections, and improve wellbeing. High levels of regular attendance, positive social outcomes, and practical support underline the success of this initiative, highlighting its value both to individual participants and to the wider community. Below, you can see what attendees felt were the best aspects of attending the lunches. We look forward to welcoming everyone again in the Autumn.

As we welcome the arrival of spring, we’re delighted to share an update on what’s been happening across our projects and what’s coming up in the weeks ahead.

 Funded Bike Hire Returns
We’re pleased to confirm that we have once again secured funding from HiTrans, allowing us to offer funded bike hire to the community. This will include both short-term and longer-term hire options, helping make cycling more accessible for everyone. Please get in touch if you would like to book a bike!

 Upcoming Events
We have a couple of exciting events coming up:

• Reloved Event, Swap. Shop and Car Boot Saturday 18th April
  Join us for a clothing swap, shop, and car boot sale, a great opportunity to refresh your wardrobe sustainably and pick up a bargain. If you would like to sell, just pop through and email and we will book you in,
• Meet the Funders & Community Action Plan Event, Wednesday 22nd April, 5.30 to 7.30pm, Mortlach Memorial Hall
  This is a key event for us, and we would love to see as many of you there as possible. We’re developing our Community Action Plan and want it to truly reflect the needs and aspirations of the whole community. Your ideas, feedback, and input are essential in shaping this. This is also a great opportunity groups to chat to local funders and the community support officer from the council- so a packed night not to miss!

 Clock Tower Project Update
We’re excited to share that we have received approved Expressions of Interest from both Historic Environment Scotland and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Work is now underway behind the scenes to prepare full applications, and we look forward to keeping you updated as this progresses.

 Warm Spaces Lunches
Our final Warm Spaces Lunch took place at the end of March. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed hosting these over the winter months and appreciate everyone who attended and supported them. We’ll be sharing feedback in due course and hope to bring the lunches back in October.

 Growing Project
Work continues to secure suitable land for our growing project. In the meantime, we’re making great progress, our tatties are chitting and seeds are already sown. Thanks to the generosity of one of our steering group members, we’ve been able to get started on a small plot while we continue to explore longer-term options.

 Summer Ceilidhs
Following positive feedback on social media, we’re moving ahead with plans to bring summer ceilidhs back to Dufftown. We’re currently liaising with musicians, dancers, and pipers, and will share confirmed dates as soon as we can.

 Get Involved
As always, we’d love to hear from you, whether you’d like to get involved, share ideas, or find out more about what we’re doing. We are also currently looking for a Treasurer. It’s an exciting time to join as a trustee, with a wide range of projects gaining real momentum.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Best wishes,
Dufftown & District Community Association

We have made it to spring! It has been another busy and productive month progressing projects, getting out and about at events and making plans for the year ahead.

This month we ran cooking classes with Moray Food Plus. I was lucky enough to attend a few of the sessions, spend time with Sarah who led the classes, and meet some of those who came along. It was brilliant to see people coming together in a relaxed space, learning new skills, sharing ideas and having a good chat while creating some amazing food along the way!

We also held our first Community Forum of the year. The main focus was the Community Action Plan and our plans to refresh it. We really want to make sure everyone in the community has the chance to get involved and share their ideas, so we will be looking at different ways to reach people and gather views over the coming months.

I attended an event at Number 30 in Huntly on the 12th of February which was a fantastic learning opportunity. It was great to hear about their project to turn an old building into a mixed-use space with a cinema and café. The event was also a brilliant chance to meet and network with other groups and charities across Moray who are working on restoring heritage buildings. It was really interesting hearing about their journeys so far, especially around project timelines, working with funders and the challenges and opportunities of working with older buildings. This was really helpful learning as we continue planning for the Clock Tower Project.

I have also continued developing my own learning for my role this month by attending the Development Officer Network, Social Impact Training and building my knowledge around AI for social enterprises.

Last week I headed up to Glenrinnes to support Claire, their Community Liaison Officer, at their coffee morning before heading back down to be at our own Warm Spaces lunch. It is always great to see these community spaces being well used, with lots of conversations, connections, delicious food  and good company.

We were also really pleased to hear that our Expression of Interest to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Clock Tower Project has been successful. This is a really exciting step forward. We will now start gathering the information and evidence we need to move towards the full application and progress the capital works phase of the project.

We currently have three potential sites for the Growing Project and will continue working with the council and a private group to try and secure a suitable location so we can hopefully start making progress during this growing season. In the meantime, we will be at the Farmers Market on the 14th of March with more growing bags available, so the community can start growing at home and hopefully support the project once we have a permanent home for it.

Looking ahead, we have a few more events in the pipeline which we hope to share more details about soon once dates are confirmed. Our next clothing swap, car boot and re:loved sale will be on 18 April. Please get in touch for more information or to book a space for either the car boot or clothing sale.

As always, please do get in touch with any feedback, ideas or anything you would like to chat through.

aileen@dufftowncommunity.co.uk or 07928986261