Picture walking on soft silver sand, past basking sea otters. To your left a dolphin glides beyond the waves, on your right the beautiful machair grassland is a picture of wild flowers, rare orchids and iris beds, and the air is filled with birds calling.

Some far-off exotic island? Actually closer than you think, this is Kildonan, on the Isle of Arran.

Not surprising perhaps that ARRAN Sense Of Scotland, a family company based on Arran (off the west coast of Scotland if you weren’t sure), are passionate about bringing pure, natural products from this beautiful wilderness into your home. Their stated purpose is ‘To help the world connect with nature’ and I can vouch that they do this with their amazing products.

I’ve written about ‘After The Rain’ before in Frost but how excited was I to learn of their new fragrance called, of course, ‘Kildonan’, after that beautiful sea cove. It really captures the Kildonan machair (rare habitats in western Scotland and Ireland, renowned for wildflowers and birds), with a blend of sweet, delicate violet warmed with the glow of velvety orris (iris roots) and lily of the valley. The result is gentle and floral and makes me yearn for warm sand between my toes and a soothing sea breeze.

The Kildonan hand wash, a lovely blue-green colour, makes washing your hands a hedonistic pleasure, and how can you not follow up with the soothing hand cream, gently formulated with shea butter, vitamin E, beeswax and actives of aloe vera leaf juice.

At £16 each for 300mls these are luxurious high quality products at a great price. I simply can’t stop smelling my hands.  ARRAN Sense Of Scotland – check out this link for a whole range of fabulous products – you owe it to yourself.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

Pauline – Treasurer, Marion – Secretary and Janet – a welcome visitor –  studying plans

The Association bustled into  PRE-START PREPARATIONS a few weeks ago determined to rush headlong towards D Day 28thJuly

First, a skip, the pre-requisite for any great, spectacular, much needed, and any other adjective you can come up with re: a make-over. It was a skip that actually  proved to be a self-emptying marvel. as  into it went things to be chucked, and by morning – it was, empty again. 

So Marion Taylor hopes someone is enjoying the large wall unit especially, which is to be replaced by a new one from Equans – thank you, thank you Equans. This will house: Policies and Precedures, fire records, manuals and service record checks. Faltec Europe of Sunderland are disposing of essential office furniture FOC to good causes and Lee has been enormously helpful. Marion, sharp as a tack, spied a TV that she snaffled too. Of course she did.. ‘It will look grand on CCA’s newly decorated wall… As  my grandma used to say “Shy bairns get nowt” Quite Marion. 

Books have been packed away, the bookcase has recycled from the skip. Crockery has been packed, though business is as usual for classes and groups and will remain so throughout the make-over. 

D-Dayat last: the centre was not short of helpers, groups are adapting to available accomodation. The committee is more than grateful to all and for the gift of biscuits.

‘The “Shake that Boogey “ladies are queuing to sign the photo release form for Frost Magazine,’ says Marion.’They take pride in their association  (but personally I think they want to appear in the Frost Magazine’  – BAD Marion says Margaret, but on flowed Marion reminding readers that: ‘Edition two of the digital magazine went viral 27^th July and we are very grateful to  renowned author Margaret Graham (who just happens to be the editor of the magazine) for her interest in our beloved community centre. Margaret has fond memories of her childhood days when visiting here and her mam Annie Newsome was a native so that makes Margaret a Brady Square lass at heart.’ Indeed it does. 

The make-over is beginning with the restoration of the doors, all 15 (without the swing doors and the front door). 

On inspection of the doors the lovely and wonderful lads thought it would be better to remove them and send them off to be dipped to remove all traces of the numerous coats of paint added over the years; no mess, no fumes and dust.  ‘No doors for a couple of days’ said Marion, ‘ but what the heck as long as the loo door stays where it is…’

‘After completion of an Asbestos check of the community room flooring,‘ Marion told Frost Magazine, ‘we can start to replace our present flooring, which at the moment is half carpet and half lino . This, however, is to be replaced with beautiful Oak LVT flooring (posh or what)

Next on the agenda will be the 31-metre corridor; no mean task.  The current brick-coloured tiles are dull and worn and it is believed they have been down quite some time (perhaps as old as the building) Come September there will be splendid Edwardian style black and white tyles, ‘Fit for a King. ‘ grinned Marion.

 There you have it – at last the Columbia Community Associations centre make-over is underway – hooray.

Next time Frost Magazine will be having a closer look at the Fat Quarters Sewing Group and their craft,. At last Frost Magazine can get to the bottom of their name. (if one might be indelicate)

Information: Columbia Community Association  Columbia uk Community Forum

Memories of Brady Square

Margaret Graham is the author of 30 books, + articles/short stories, a tutor of creative writing and has researched a TV documentary arising from A Canopy of Silence. She has a spepcial interest in military veterans, is patron of various charities and is Annie Newsome’s daughter (of which she is proudest).

The saving the planet movement has gained traction in recent years. The focus has shifted from preliminary scientific research stages to successfully implementing sustainable focussed practice into the daily life of households. Countless courses of action exist to make shape the future and create a world that is more environmentally mindful. This article focuses on the how and why of observing considerate environmental practices.

Electric Vehicle Initiatives

Public transport, general road users, and private vehicles all contribute to toxic pollution levels globally. The time has come or is way past due, to find an alternative, less damaging mode of getting around. Queue the electric vehicle. The benefits of EVs are indubitable. No fossil fuel usage means fewer emissions overall and a lessened usage of Earth’s natural resources. For a comprehensive electric car guide, find all the information from lvelectrix.co.uk in this dedicated link. This website from LV insurance is an informative hub detailing all things regarding electric vehicles. They leave no questions unanswered.

Practice Sustainability

Sustainability in this context refers to the actions people take to move away from hard and fast natural resource exhaustion. Natural resources are found and harvested from the Earth. Examples include:

While some of these resources are renewable, others are more finite, which means they will run out. Some of these natural products also cause untold harm to the atmosphere through the emission of harmful gases while in use. The most common way to convert to a more sustainable life is through converting energy use into the field of renewable resources. A great deal of this energy type exists and can be put into practice fairly universally.

Move Towards Renewable Energy

The move towards renewable energy is something to be celebrated. With such a range to choose from, there is inevitably a course of action to be adapted for every circumstance. Below, are a selection of sustainable and renewable energy sources to explore.

One: Solar Energy

Solar energy, as the name suggests, is harnessed from the sun’s UV rays. To utilise it efficiently, solar panels are installed on the roof of a property. These panels are used to create energy, just like electricity would. Widespread use of solar energy would create a ripple effect worldwide away from air pollution, greenhouse gas emission, and excessive harvesting of fossil fuels.

Two: Biomass

Biomass is the production of energy through anything that was once alive, think plants and food waste. This common household waste is burnt in a biomass boiler, which then converts into energy that can power appliances, lights, and general household functions.

Three: Wind Energy

Wind energy, as the name suggests, harnesses the wind to create energy. It emits zero air pollutants or other types of harmful emissions that are damaging the atmosphere. Though it requires land, it is a highly functional source of power.

Eliminate Single-Use Plastic in Daily Life

Plastic is beyond a doubt hurtful to the wider world. There are negative consequences for both land and sea through the continued insistence on plastic usage, and a positive practice would be to remove it as much as possible from daily life. Sea–wise, up to 14 million tonnes are present in the ocean right now, which damages natural habitats, species, and water quality. Earth–wise, it sits in landfills, is not biodegradable,and enhances the effects of global warming through industry and implementation. Try out the following tips for reducing your plastic practices:

Raise Awareness in the Local Community

Plenty of communities recycle, but not everyone joins in.Raising awareness in the local community may look like an event supporting sustainability held at the local village hall or church, speaking with the local school to implement environmental mindfulness into teaching practices, or as a one–off guest assembly, promoting the positive benefits of recycling and proper disposal of waste. The list is endless, and these are just the key suggestions to choose from.

Final Thoughts

Reaching optimum levels of sustainability is and should be a concern of the present as much as the future. The problems exist now and are undeniably real, harmful, and counterproductive to an intuitive healthy lifestyle.

Collaborative post with our partner.

Games 2 Go: Tension – The Top Ten Naming Game.

Trying to get your children off screens? Want a way to keep them entertained on the move? This clever little game involves the entire family.

A riotous race to call out possible solutions to a given subject. But be careful as only answers matching the 10 on the card will score points. The game is fun, fantastic, fast-paced, and frustrating in equal measure. The new travel version has all the awesome elements from the original game but is conveniently slimmed down, allowing you to take it anywhere with a mini card dispenser and scorer.

Great for holidays, on the go, or even at the park, it fits easily into the palm of your hand. Slip a card out of the dispenser and then score using the snappy little poppers on either side. Ideal for involving different generations, the game includes cards that are appropriate for players as young as 8 years old. Can you handle the Tension?

Take on holiday or play on the move. Games 2 Go: Tension is the perfect carry-out card game and costs £13 from Cheatwell.com

Brady Square was my mother’s home and where I still visit, toddling around, remembering so much: Uncle Stan Newsome, Auntie Isobel and David …the stories, teasing, love, laughter. 

Nick, one recent owner, caught me peering through the gates and gave me a tour of the shop turned house, but first we walked past the guard-raptors, straining at their pole tethers!

My connection with Brady Square led me towards the unstoppable Marion Taylor, Secretary of the CCA Committee,who told me of the community’s amazing efforts to help during Covid, (read here )  But little Annie Newsome’s girl became Oliver Twist and wanted to know more – about what was happening now with CAA.

Marion took me back to the beginning: ‘The CCA building opened in 1939 and was used as the Unemployment Exchange until this moved in 1970s to premises in Washington Galleries. This is when the building became our  CCA centre.

‘The building was Council owned but for several years they have wanted the community to take over the lease. In 2021 a new committee was formed to discuss the way forward.

‘The council had undertaken a survey of the building and were prepared to spend £100,000 on the update. We as a committee felt we had to protect community assets. Failing to do so would result in the unthinkable, the sale of the building

Marion told me that most of the  council costings were for the structural renovations. So what about the inside? I wanted to know. ‘But before you tell me, surely these lovely doors aren’t to be changed?’ She assured me they weren’t, just tarted up, but those weren’t her words. They belong to little Annie Newsome’s girl, who is BAD.

Marion made clear that the renovations were discussed with their users, and potential users before applying for funding, bearing in mind they were catering for all members of the community.

Unstoppable, her enthusiasm knowing no bounds, Marion took off:

‘We wanted to build on the fact that our users enjoy the ambiance and homeliness of the centre, the kitchen is always available for that ever-welcome cuppa and our rooms are multifunctional. We have two large community rooms where various activities take place and you can have the choice of which area suits your needs; whether it is Didi dancing at 18 months or exercise sessions. We have bookings for team meetings, cultural creations, wildlife group, home schooling, and recently hosted a sign language course. Fat Quarters sewing group (named after the last material on the bail!) and The Forever Young Bingo Ladies are a regular weekly booking’

Oh, oh, when I saw the image Marion sent of the Bingo Ladies I was so thrilled, because I am also clearly forever young, as I have the same Stretchers shoes as two of the ladies, navy with bright pink laces. Never seen anyone else wearing them.  Marion said, ‘There you go, you can take the person out of Brady Square but you can’t take Brady Square out of the person.’

Marion continued the wonderfully long list of those using the CCA centre: weekend parties  as we can adequately house bouncy castles, discos and as an extra we have tables and chairs for the children to have their buffet. It’s wonderful, as like Topsy who ‘growed’, this often results in party guests booking their own parties. Let’s not forget Shake that Boogey who has increased her sessions to three times a week and the weekly physical exercise with Amazon steps.’ Marion added that this was: too energetic for the likes of me)

With hire charges at £10 an hour, though perhaps needing to rise to £15 in the current situation it’s still ‘as cheap as chips‘ in Marion’s words. It is too, in comparison with other community centre charges.  ‘CCA is advertised on social media’ Marion says, ‘and we hope everyone knows they are welcome to pop in at any time for tea and a chat.’

In addition it’s  clear the community spirit reinforced during Covid is still alive and kicking, as the CCA powerhouse needs donations of medical supplies and toiletries for Ukraine and spectacles for Camboldia. They liaise with the Polish Centre in Newcastle as to what help they can supply.

WIFI is to be installed soon when they will have a new computer hub either for educational purposes, becoming familiar with computers, accessing the internet or just to play games on the tables CAA will provide.

Even more good news is that refurbishment has begun and  Frost Magazine will be following the new and improved CCA every step of the way. During this period all users will be directed to alternative areas within the building including the Bingo Ladies  who can continue to flash those pink laces.

For information:   Columbia Community Forum  Columbia Community Association Facebook

Margaret Graham is editor of Frost Magazine, and the author of many novels under three names. She is also little Annie Newsome’s daughter and proud of it and her  connection to Brady Square.