Who and What is Centre for Stewardship?
The Centre for Stewardship is run by Falkland Stewardship Trust, a small charity based at the heart of the Estate and located in Falkland House Stables.
We run a number of events through the year and we work with a range of partners, volunteers and Friends who are often as passionate about the stewardship of this place and the wider world in which we live as we are.
There is a free car park at the entrance to the Estate and a smaller car park by the Pillars of Hercules cafe.
The Forest of Falkland
May 2013 - About developments with the Forest of Falkland
The Forest of Falkland was one of central Scotland's last great oak woods and comprised far more than a woodland. As well as providing a place for recreation for kings, queens and the court, the forest also provided a Commonty of the Lomonds together with pasture, food, timber, flax and other resources for people in the Royal Burgh and wider parish of Falkland.
Over the past few years, the Centre for Stewardship has supported a number of initiatives to encourage more people to visit, learn and work in the woods. A new publication, called the Year of the Storm, gives a flavour of some of this activity.
There is now an opportunity to build on this work by finding ways to involve residents, visitors and people with livelihoods connected with the woods to have more of a say in shaping future developments in the Forest - and a small team of Centre for Stewardship staff and locals have begun meeting to think about how best to secure this involvement.
This work is in its very early stages. To date (May 2013) the group has:
- asked researchers from the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen to assist with interviewing visitors about their experience and views about the 'Forest of Falkland' (results from the first stage of this research are anticipated by Autumn 2013); and
- begun to create an 'asset map' of the Forest. This involves bringing into one place information about the various enterprises, activities and uses of the Forest so that any future plans can be informed by a 'helicopter' overview of existing activities and their existing or potential connections.
Once these first activities are complete, the group intends to invite more people to get involved in a next stage of planning future developments. If you would like to be kept informed of opportunities to volunteer time and energy to this work or if you simply wish to learn more, as further questions or offer suggestions, please email the Forest of Falkland
April 2013 The Centre for Stewardship, together with the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen, would like to hear your views on the Forest of Falkland, what it provides to you (and doesn’t), and how it should be managed in the future. Antonia Eastwood and colleagues from Aberdeen will come to Falkland to conduct confidential interviews of about 20 min – volunteers are very welcome!! If you would like to be interviewed, please contact Antonia to arrange a time and place that is suitable for you: 01224 395182, or antonia.eastwood@hutton.ac.uk
Greener Villages Questionnaire
Over the month of April we sent out a questionnaire to people who live in and around the villages of Falkland, Newton, Freuchie, Strathmiglo, Dunshalt, Gateside and Auchtermuchty. Unfortunately we missed out Gateside (done now!) so please bear with us a little bit longer to hear the results of our questionnaire and to find out who has won the Fayre Earth gift voucher. If you haven't filled out a questionnaire but would like to do so, there's still time as we wait for the results of Gateside to come back - Download survey here. Please can you send completed surveys back by the new date of Monday 20th May.
News
25th March 2013 - Falkland Stewardship Trust has been awarded funding from the Scottish Government's Climate Challenge Fund to develop a community woodfuel project over the next two years. Utlising surplus wood and incorporating bike-powered delivery, the aim of this project is to increase fuel resilience and reduce the carbon footprint of the community. We are looking to appoint a self-employed Development Officer to take forward this project. This is a fixed term contract commencing in May 2013 until March 2015. If you are interested in applying for this work, please download the brief. Closing date is Friday 5th April with interviews on Monday 15th April.
26 February 2013 - We are on the look out for a Creative Intern to help us deliver a range of creative community workshops, to assist with the creation of a place-making toolkit, to research traditional crafts around the Lomond Hills and to assist with on-going events.
This 13 week Arts and Creative Industries Graduate Internship is open to people aged 24 or younger, who are unemployed and hold an HND/Degree or higher in a Creative Industries subject.
35 hours per week, £6.19 per hour. Please visit the SCVO website for more information and guidelines on eligibility.
Christmas and New Year 2012- we hope that all our visitors, partners and supporters have a lovely and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Our offices will be closed over the period (22nd December to 6th January). If you need to get in touch with us during this time, please send an email to helen@centreforstewardship.org.uk. In the meantime, enjoy some lovely festive walks on the Estate!
10 Sept 2012 Landscape and Forestry Ranger Assistants - vacancies: Falkland Centre for Stewardship has vacancies for a number of Landscape and Forestry Ranger Assistants. This is an exciting opportunity to work on a range of activities in the forest and landscape. Duties will include: woodland management, forestry enterprise, path maintenance, protection of biodiversity, working with wood to create small structures, dealing with visitors to the Estate. Employment is for 6 months, 30 hours per week (agreed set dates) and at the minimum wage. Training in woodland and forestry techniques will be provided. These posts will be posted on Community Jobs Scotland vacancies and you must contact your local Jobcentre Plus Personal Advisor to check eligibility
After the Storm - visit our woodland learning page to discove
r more about this temporary sculptural trail that has emerged following the storms of January 2012. The trail will be available from September to January 2013.
We are delighted to have received funding from the Climate Challenge Fund to develop an innovative woodfuel supply project for villages within a five mile radius of Falkland Estate. The project will utilise surplus wood and incorporate bicycle-powered delivery. This will increase the fuel resilience and reduce the carbon footprint of the community. At the same time the project will raise awareness of how, via direct community action, people can save money and reduce consumption of non-renewable energy. The project will last for 24 months commencing in Autumn 2012. If you are interested in being part of the scheme then please get in touch on info@centreforstewardship.org.uk
Offices to let, £700pcm. Unique and beautiful location at the Stables, Falkland Estate. Can comfortably fit 6-7 staff. Two rooms (one upstairs), hallway, toilet and kitchenette area. Parking adjacent. Available from 1st October 2012. Call Linda Akeroyd on 01337 858544 or email linda@centreforstewardship.org.uk to arrange a visit/obtain more details.
6 March 2012 - we are delighted to have been awarded a grant by Cycling Scotland in partnership with the local transition group to develop cycling initiatves around the Lomond Hills. Find out more through our press release.
27 February 2012 - Place-making and Cultural Development Officer (Lomond Hills). An exciting and interesting post has arisen. Funded through Creative Scotland this is a 15 month 0.5 FTE post. Deadline for applications is Friday 16th March with interviews on Wednesday 28th March. If you are interested please read these documents - Person Specicatifion and Job Profile and complete the application form.
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25 February 2012 - listen to Ninian Stuart as he talks to Sereen Nanjiani on BBC Scotland about the Estate, plans for the future and Big Tent.
February - thanks to our volunteers and the forestry team, many of the paths damaged by the storms have now reopened. There still remains a lot of work to be done on the Little Yad (at the Maspie Den).
31 January 2012 - keep up to date with what paths are being opened up after the Storms by visiting our facebook page.
31 January 2012 - Over the next few weeks we will be carrying out some tree felling in the Drumdreel woods. This activity will involve machines near the paths. Please therefore be alert if you are walking in this area and keep dogs under control.
16 January 2012 Our latest newsletter is now available
22 December 2011 Our offices will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period and will re-open on Thursday 5th January.
22 Nov 2011 Competition time! A fantastic prize of your Christmas meal - organic turkey and all the trimmings c/o the Love Food Hate Waste Team here at Falkland. Find out more on our Zero Waste page.
22 Nov 2011 Pigs for sale! A chance to get some delicious, local, organic meat. Options available on whole or half pigs. Download for more information and contact Wendy to buy (or phone 01337 858838). Offer only available until 2nd December.
1 Nov 2011 Life Mosaics vacancy. Life Mosaics are looking for a part time Finance and Administration Coordinator. If you are interested then please
download the brief and the application form. Closing date for applications is 13th November.
If you need further details then email
Life Mosaics direct. (we aren't able to answer any enquiries).
5 Oct 2011 Living Lomonds Landscape Partnership vacancies. Full time project officer (12 month fixed term contract, salary from £29,208 to £32,400 depending on experience) and part time project development assistant (12 month fixed term contract, salary from £13,440 to £16,087 pro-rata dependent on experience). Closing date for applications: 21st October 2011. For more information visit the Fife Coast and Countryside website and download the details.
14 Sept 2011 Ranger Vacancy: An exciting opportunity to join the small team based on Falkland Estate delivering a varied programme promoting woodland culture and sustainable forest management. You’ll be keen to support the engagement of individuals, school and community groups in learning about and caring for the Forest of Falkland, using your good communication and practical skills. You’ll enjoy managing volunteers and leading a wildlife recording programme. You’ll also be able to work independently and manage your own time, including evening and weekend work when required. A clean driving licence and full Disclosure will be required. Applications to be returned by Monday 3rd October with interviews on Friday 7th October.
Download job description and person specification and application form.
Funding for this two year post has been made possible thanks to Forests for People (Scottish Government and European Union funding).
6 Sept 2011 Landscape and Forestry Ranger Assistants - vacancies: Falkland Centre for Stewardship has vacancies for a number of Landscape and Forestry Ranger Assistants. This is an exciting opportunity to work on a range of activities in the forest and landscape. Duties will include: woodland management, forestry enterprise, path maintenance, protection of biodiversity, working with wood to create small structures, dealing with visitors to the Estate. Employment is for 6 months, 30 hours per week (agreed set dates) and at the minimum wage. Training in woodland and forestry techniques will be provided. These posts are Community Jobs Scotland vacancies and you must contact your local Jobcentre Plus Personal Advisor to check eligibility.
2 Aug 2011: Zero Waste Coordinator (part-time, job share until 31 March) position available. Download info pack for more information. A chance to join the small team and be involved in the exciting new Zero Waste Volunteer Programme. Deadline for submission is 16th August with interviews on 23rd August.
Re-sounding Falkland - new website and catalogue launched, June 2011
Sound artists Louise K Wilson and David Chapman began working with us in 2007. They initially carried out some research and development and with successful funding bids from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and Creative Scotland they created three phases of work: Arcadia (April 2008), an 8-channel audio piece produced for the tapestry gallery in Falkland Palace, Falkland Audiowalk (July 2009), a pre-recorded MP3 player-based walk around the grounds of House of Falkland and the Maspie Den gorge and, to conclude, Re-sounding Falkland (2010) a series of sited audio and video installations shown over a weekend in May 2010.
These installations included Cascading, a 6-channel audio piece exploring the alleged ‘tuning’ of the nineteenth century cascades constructed in the grounds of the House of Falkland, Temple of Decision, a video installation which investigated the ruin of the eponymous nineteenth century folly, and Chase a yard worse than last, a live work which involved the playing of ‘Real’ Tennis, on the historic court in the grounds of Falkland Palace. Visit the Re-Sounding Falkland website for more information, videos and audio pieces.
Stables Development - plans for 2011
Thanks to funding from Leader in Fife, Heritage Lottery Fund and Fife Environment Trust 2011 will see the restoration of the Stables building. With work starting in the summer and carrying on through autumn, we will be creating a visitor welcoming room, a dedicated volunteer bay and more space to hold educational visits, training and seminars. We are restoring the historic horse bays and also creating new office spaces for Big Tent administration.
The Memorial Chapel - plans for 2011
The Memorial Chapel on Home Park was intended as a private memorial chapel for the Crichton Stuart family. However, World War 1 intervened and it was never finished. Now thanks to funding from Fife Environment Trust, The Pilgrim Trust and Dalrymple Donaldson we will be restoring the fabric of the chapel using sustainable building techniques. We will also be creating better public access with new pathways and seating as well as sympathetic landscaping. Despite the rumour, we won't be putting a roof on the chapel! We look forward to putting on appropriate events and activities especially at Big Tent.
If you would like to be involved in either of these projects as a volunteer then please let us know! Email helen@centreforstewardship.org.uk.
Big Tent 2012 dates announced. After 5 years of 5 great Big Tents, we've decided to take a sabbatical in 2011 and to spend time improving the infrastructure. Find out more in our Big Tent press release
Meat for sale
Fresh and frozen Falkland Farm Beef available to buy from the Estate Office. Pop in or call 01337 858544 to place an order.
Drumdreel Pond
Over the last two years, pupils from the House of Falkland School have been helping us to restore a disused mill pond at Drumdreel. Enjoy finding out what they did. With thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund's Young Roots Programme and Fife Council's Locality Fund for making this happen.
