Category: Latest News

LCDT has already completed a pre-tender selection process for this Linlith-go-solar solar pilot project. If any other suppliers would like to bid, please contact: energy@trust-linlithgow.org.uk or 07827294879 by 14th December.

The Annual General Meeting of the Linlithgow Community Development Trust will take place at 7 pm on Thursday 6^th December at the Low Port Centre, 1 Blackness Road, Linlithgow EH49 7HZ.

As in previous years, we’re pleased to be able to provide some light refreshments for all attendees.

The agenda is as follows;

• Welcome and introductions
• Apologies
• Minutes of last AGM
• Presentation of accounts
• Appointment of auditor
• Special resolution: Updated Memorandum of Association for approval
• Annual review
  • Strengthening Communities
  • West Lothian Cycle Circuit
  • Linlith-go-Solar Project
  • EH49 Hub
  • mylinlithgow.com
• Appointment of Directors
• Questions and Comments
• Any other Business

We have enjoyed a very active and productive year, and the next 12 months promises to be just as exciting for LCDT.

While members of LCDT are invited to vote on matters, all members of the community are welcome to attend the AGM to celebrate LCDT’s successes and hear more about our plans for the future. Should you wish to sign up as a member you can do so either at the AGM or  now, here.

Should you have any queries regarding the AGM, please let us know by contacting hello@trust-linlithgow.org.uk.

Hope to see many of you then!

We’re very pleased to announce the creation of MyLinlithgow.com!

LCDT are currently working on the development of a new community website, mylinlithgow.com.

The purpose of the site is to;

• Promote community groups (and businesses) and their activities and events to local residents (and wider)
• Promote Linlithgow volunteering opportunities and increase the volume of local volunteers (of all ages)
• Develop connections between local people, groups and increase sharing of learning, resources and knowledge

Following the huge success of our September event we are very pleased to announce our next Community Cake.

When speaking to community groups we very often hear them say they need help to;

• Recruit volunteers
• Engage people in their activities (such as attending events)
• Get the word out about what they do and how they do it

It’s really easy in a busy group to focus on the tools that help you get the word out – such as newsletters, social media, flyers etc. But this is missing a key step.

Focusing on tools without a strategy in place is like trying to build a wooden house without a solid foundation. At best it’ll stand up for a few weeks, at worst it’ll blow down at the first sign of wind (name a storm anyone?). Without a solid marketing strategy the hard work you put in to getting the word out there could be completely lost in the sea of information bombarding the average citizen.

In this workshop we’ll talk about why community groups need to think about marketing, how to think about it strategically (it’s easy, and not time consuming at all!) and how spending  a little time on this can translate into a clearer message for your audience – and ultimately, a greater level of engagement.

At this event we’ll welcome three fantastic speakers, we’ll have lots of opportunities for sharing ideas and knowledge… And of course, plenty of cake!

Attendance is free for representatives of West Lothian community groups and charities. To reserve your place please RSVP to hello@trust-linlithgow.org.uk.

Please note the new venue – the fantastic new St Peters extension.

We are very pleased to announce the launch of the Linlith-go-solar community bond scheme, in partnership with Linlithgow Rugby Club and Scottish Communities Finance Ltd.

This is an exciting opportunity for lots of local folk to invest in building a sustainable future for our town.

So how does it work?

• In order to build this phase of the project, the pilot phase, LCDT needs £17,700.
• We’re raising this money through community investment. Local people investing their money to make the project happen.
• Bonds are just £50 and you can purchase one, or many.
• You receive interest on these bonds, and they’re repaid back to you in 5, 8 or 11 years – you choose the length of investment.
• The bond offer is administered by Scottish Communities Finance. Their purpose is to; “assist communities to raise capital from within their community and create funds that can be used to address the needs of communities, thus making them more vibrant and resilient”

What are the key benefits?

• Reduced energy costs for those being supplied by the energy generated. In this initial pilot phase, this will be the Rugby Club, in future phases, this could be any number of individuals or organisations.
• Income generated for the local community. Once the enterprise starts making a profit this profit will be reinvested back into community initiatives. For this pilot phase this amount will be small, but as we scale up in future phases this could be a considerable sum. This money will reduce Linlithgow’s reliance on external funding for local initiatives.
• Linlithgow would own a community energy project committed to making Linlithgow climate friendly.
• Linlithgow’s youth can be involved in the project gaining valuable experience.
• Those without the ability to buy solar panels can still invest in renewable energy.

Im in! Where do I start?

Click here to be redirected to Scottish Communities Finance for more information, and to complete an application form. The application process is easy and you can pay via BACS, cheque or Paypal.

Come along this Sunday for the launch of our new project, Linlith-go-solar ☀️. In this first phase of the project, the pilot, we’re going to install a Solar PV system to generate green electricity on the Linlithgow Rugby Club roof. The first phase will be funded by a community bond offer administered by Scottish Communities Finance. Selling electricity from the Solar PV system will pay back bonds and create surplus for local community initiatives. This is a very exciting project and a great step towards Linlithgow earning it’s own money to be spent in on the local community. It’s also a great opportunity for locals to invest in green energy and the community. If you have any queries ahead of the launch please email energy@trust-linlithgow.org.uk. Hope to see you there!

Volunteers with specific experience

As well as general volunteers, we are are often on the lookout for specific skills to help us with a particular task or project. At present we are on the lookout for the following;

• Someone to help us with branding the MyLinlithgow.com community portal website
• A person with experience of project managing the delivery of community facilities
• Anyone with fundraising experience
• Volunteers who are keen to get involved with administering websites
• Speakers who have something interesting to share at either a Community Cake event or a Learning Exchange event
• Someone with law experience either to join our Board or act in an advisory capacity
• People with finance experience to bolster our team
• Anyone with an interest in community energy schemes

If you think you might fit into one of the above categories, please don’t hesitate to contact us to talk through what we’re needing help with.

Board members

We are also currently on the lookout for new members for our Board of Directors. If you would like to get involved in such an exciting time for the Trust, please get in touch.

Local business owners are warmly invited to attend November’s learning exchange

Marketing Foundations
with Kevin Anderson of The Story Edge

Monday 5th November, 9am – 3pm
The Old Pavilion
By Linlithgow Cricket Ground, Edinburgh Road, Linlithgow

EH49 Hub Learning Exchange days combine networking, learning and co-working into a bi-monthly event.

For our first full day event we are very pleased to present Kevin Anderson of The Story Edge.

In the session Kev will share with you;
1. His Marketing Clarity Model to help you build your marketing foundations.
2. His Story Stack Model, to help you become a confident business storyteller.

The day costs £25 per head, which includes refreshments throughout, a delicious lunch, the two hour Marketing Foundations session and space/wifi for co-working/networking.

To find out more or to book your space, please email hello@trust-linlithgow.org.uk

About Kevin Anderson

Kev Anderson is a marketing consultant and client story specialist. He’s the founder of The Story Edge a marketing consultancy that helps businesses and charities solve their communications problems. Kev’s worked in a number of marketing roles within the publishing and IT sectors for The Sunday Times, D.C. Thomson, NCR and Viacom.

In early 2015 he launched his business and ever since, he’s been on a mission to simplify the World of marketing for organisations large and small. He delivers a mix of consulting and training around his Marketing Clarity Model. And, as the name of his company suggests – storytelling has a major part to play in his communication philosophy.

Kev’s love of story goes beyond ‘work’, as, in his spare time, he’s a passionate creative writer who has recently started penning his first novel.

All funds raised from this event go back into helping LCDT further it’s aim ‘to make Linlithgow a better place to live and work, through a community led plan of action which provides services, amenities and/or financial support to local initiatives’.

Linlith-go-solar

Linlithgow Community Development Trust is working with Linlithgow Rugby Club to develop a new community energy enterprise.

We are planning to install a Solar PV system on the rugby club’s training facility, in order to save energy, improve our impact on the environment and provide funds for the local community.

After this initial phase, we hope to expand the project across town.

A short flyer with more information can be found by clicking here.

Involving Young People

We are very keen to hear from young people, including high school pupils, college and university students, who would like to be involved in learning more about or indeed developing this project hands-on.

For example, a young graduate from the Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) is currently helping us with a desk-top survey of local roofs.

This could also be a great opportunity for a budding social entrepreneur(s) and we can provide some mentoring too.

Free Home Energy Advice/Visits

If you would like free home energy advice/visit, please contact Transition Linlithgow.