Westray Development pages in Auk Talk’s October 2021 issue.
AGM
We are delighted to be able to hold our AGM in person this year. We will be back at the Old Kirk and we hope to welcome you there on Thursday 4th November 2021 at 7:00pm. We have decided not to provide refreshments this year, which will be a huge miss but there are still some precautions that will need to be in place to protect us all from the ongoing threat of Covid-19. WDT members will receive their pack letter shortly which includes a copy of our Annual Report where you can recap all the work the Trust has achieved over the past year. If you would like to become a member of WDT you can download an application form from our website. WDT members interested in becoming a Trustee can also apply using the form on our website. If you would like to chat to a member of staff or a Trustee about becoming a Trustee yourself or about any of the work of the Trust, please get in touch.
Bayview/Housing
Work is progressing on the Bayview Renovations as well as completing the processes required to register the flats for tenancies. Look out for the next public consultation for the allocations policy in the near future. We may need to extend the schedule for completed works beyond the original deadline of the end of October but this is to be confirmed.
Flat 1 – August 2021 
Flat 2 – August 2021 
Flat 3 – August 2021 
Flat 4 – August 2021
Bargain Box
Unfortunately, although the roof of the Bargain Box is no longer leaking due to a temporary fix by Danny Harcus and crew with some kindly donated materials, the damage caused means that we will be unable to re-open the Bargain Box until a more permanent repair can be done. New steel sheets have been ordered to replace the leaking roof and we hope remedial work can get underway once these arrive.
Community Garden
There has still been a variety of vegetables coming out of the community garden the past month, including Courgette, marrow, cherry tomatoes & salad tomatoes, onions, broad beans, cabbages and chillies.
The weather has started to change now though, there is already a bit of a chill in the air when the wind blows and the nights are rapidly drawing in. We expect the garden to go into winter mode at the end of the month when planning will begin for next year. Along with a growing plan for next year, the garden team will also be working on a plan to improve the picnic area at Gill Pier and move forward with hedging plans for the outdoor beds.
Broadband
A new trial is in the pipeline for Westray residents through a collaboration of local businesses and OIC, they are looking for residents within the KW17 2DB, 2DD and 2DE postcodes to test out a new superfast broadband connection. More information about the trial can be found here https://www.5gnewthinking.co.uk/fwa-trial
Grants Awarded
WDT were pleased to sponsor the Golf Clubs Club Championship again this year along with the new ‘Best of Rest’ competition!
Education and Training Grants
We have awarded another good mix of Education Grants this past month with more piano lessons, driving lessons for one of our young folk as well as an Advanced Photography course. Keep your applications coming in!
Community Grants
If you or your group are starting to think more about restarting projects shelved due to covid or are just looking to start something new, don’t forget that community groups can apply for funding from WDT, it is even easier to apply now through the online forms on our website!
The children have been sporting their new school hoodies and the Golf Club have finally been able to use the practice nets funded by WDT before lockdown hit.
Westray Golf Club – Practice Net 
Westray Parent Council – School Hoodies Project 
Westray Parent Council – School Hoodies Project 
Westray Parent Council – School Hoodies Project 
Westray Parent Council – School Hoodies Project
Turbine Figures
The community turbine produced 123,593kWh during August this year which gave a gross income (including weighted averaging) of just over £17,000. The average production for the month of August is 178,736kWh so we are a good bit down on the average this year.
Contact Us
Our office continues to be restricted by COVID-19 regulations and so we remain closed to the public for the time being. The staff team are implementing a phased return to work which will enable the office to be manned by at least one, but no more than two, members of staff during the Trust’s core opening hours of 9am – 4pm Monday to Friday.
Email – [email protected]
Call – 01857677858
To keep up to date with the latest community development news between Auk Talks visit us;
On our website – www.westraydevelopmenttrust.co.uk
On Facebook – Westray Development Trust
– Westray Community Garden Project
On Instagram – @westraydevelopmenttrust