For over 20 years, we have taken care of the woods and created a space where people from all walks of life can feel safe and supported. We encourage retired individuals, those facing mental health challenges, and veterans to engage with nature outside of their daily routines. Our goal is to use the calming influence of nature to help distract them from their issues.

We also welcome various groups, such as Scouts and schools, to use our woodlands for educational purposes about the environment. Many individuals find joy in exploring and enjoying the woods.

This year, we are seeking funding to refurbish and replace our equipment, which has been worn down by the harsh conditions we face. Maintaining the paths is much more challenging than simply cutting a lawn.

Refurbish our mowers x2 = £400. We cover routine maintenance, but this is a one-off safety upgrade and inspection, so we can keep older models going rather than just buying new ones when these need to be refurbished. We believe in reusing and recycling. 

Drill and Driver kit £150. -

A battery-powered strimmer that utilises the batteries we already have, or for small jobs, allowing people who find the big petrol-powered strimmers too heavy to use them.

£130 

We are looking for funding to help us maintain our weekly group with the goal to invite other services or classes to attend so that our participants can learn coping strategies and take part in activities that well help their physical and mental wellbeing. We are looking for funds that will enable us to cover the tea/coffee and food costs as well as funds to pay for any services that may have a cost attached for providing service. We would also like to plan an excursion to help with social isolation and mental wellbeing. Our estimated costs are : 

Excursion- £240

Tea/ Coffee/ Milk/ Food- £5 x 50 = £250

Services- £510

Members state that the excursions we provide are an important part of the group as they feel inc!uded in an activity which they would not be able to participate in otherwise. We would be unable to provide this without funding such as the locality PB. We have been fortunate enough to receive this previously and provided a fantastic days out  to Cumnock Factory Outlet and a meal at Romeo and Ju!iets. 

We would like to apply for funding to provide another 2 trips next year which will be chosen by the members of the grouo. We therefore require £1000  which will cover the approximate cost of the bus at £500 and approximate cost of the meal at £500

Our committee aim to provide either two small trips or one trip and a meal out.

These excursions encourage our elderly people to enjoy company and reduce social isolation and improve their general wellbeing. 

A concert is often seen as old-fashioned, but following covid the evidence suggests that older folk in particular are reluctant to venture out, especially at night. Consequently our Musical Afternoon  says it all. We will arrange a concert featuring Irvine and Dreghorn Band (or other band as avaialble), recent winners at the West of Scotland Brass Band Assoication. They will be supported by the talented choir of Kilbirnie New Parish Church. We will celebrate

Hall Hire (£200); Irvine and Dreghorn Band £500; Choir cost: £200;  Purvey at Interval for band and choir and audience: £100 Total: £1,000. Explanatory note on expenditure viz. This event will take place in early Spring or Autumn 2026, depending mainly on availability of band and choir which cannot be finalised at this time.  We know that the cost of the event will be more than £1,000 applied for but the additional expenses involved will be funded by Barrmill Jolly Beggars Burns Club and Beith Lasses and Lads Burns Club and the raffle at our 81st Annual St Andrew's Dinner will go towards supporting this event where expenditure exceeds the £1,000 grant applied for. What is certain is that the cost of the band and choir will be fixed and depending on the venue, the normal charge is £200, but that may increase slightly by the time the concert is organised. It is important in our view to provide the audience with light refreshments at the interval and such costs will be provided by our two sponsor Burns Clubs.

The concert would last for just over 2 hours. featuring the band and choir in the first half and the choir and band in the second half. The last concert was graced by the presence of Provost Anthea Dickson and Kenneth Gibson MSP and various elected members of North Ayrshire Council. All were delighted with the concert and encouraged the organisers, Barrmill Jolly Beggarts Burns Club, to consider holding more. The event organiser, Kathleen Reid, is joint treasurer of the Jolly Beggars and has the required skills and ability to successfully deliver this concert.

Having organised previous concerts there is clearly a demand for them as the comments from attendees was very positive indeed. Last concert comments included: "Fantastic, best day ever." "I didn't realize how versatile a brass band could be." "The concert was truly inspirational and the commitment of the band and choir was very special indeed." I had goose-bumps with the band playing:The Dam Busters theme." "Can you let me know when the next concert is being held please."

The available evidence suggests that getting folk out of their homes - older folk and the younger generation - into a welcoming environment encourages health and well-being and meeting others at such inter-generational events helps build community spirit. We firmly believe that actively encouraging music gives a boost to everyone. Music is often described as a universal language that connects people across cultures and time periods.The old adage remains forever true: Music makes you smile and enriches every aspect of your being. 

We have approximately 20 members and the costings are as follows:

lunch approximately £5/6 per head per week

xmas lunch approximately £8/10

per person.

We also have entertainment three times per year at a cost of £75 a time (based on last year).

Our group allows our elderly members to come together and enjoy a nutritious lunch in good company. This limits the effects of social isolation providing chat and fun.

Growing and cultivating our own produce at home presents challenges for some families in terms of cost of equipment, the time required to tend to the plants, lack of space and knowledge.

With the wealth of skills and experience GVAA members can offer there is a desire to pass this onto the young people of the Garnock Valley.

GVAA members are in the process of erecting a polytunnel on site which will be available to be exclusively used by young people. We aim to increase their awareness of where their food comes from, promote skills in gardening and horticulture, increase their knowledge of their environment and encourage teamwork.

The project will be led by a member of GVAA and it is aimed that by passing on their knowledge, skills and experience to the young people taking part in the project, that it may lead to pathways in volunteering, and further training or employment in horticulture.

The additiional benefit of working outside and in the environment is well documented to improve mental health.

In order for the polytunnel to be complete and equipped for growing the following equipment is required. It is intended that the young people will be involved with getting the polytunnel ready for the next growing season.

Raised beds and shelving =£400                                                 

 Lightweight strimmer x 2= £300                                                   

Strimmer helmet & visor x 2 = £40                                                  

Bosch water pump and rechargeable battery = £150                 

Gloves = £60                                                                                   

  Seeds and plants = £50

Will Todd's Mass in Blue is a dynamic jazz setting of the Latin Mass, featuring driving grooves and blues harmonies. The work includes provisions for short piano solos (notated or improvised) and showcases great moments of musical interplay between soloists and choir. It has become a staple of the choral repertory, reflecting the composer's love for jazz music and his experience as an improviser.

Costs:

Professional Musicians - Musical Director, Accompanist, Soprano Soloist £1,200

Piano moving and Tuning £400

Portaloo hire  £200

Lighting £200

Music purchase £200

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Total cost £2,200

Cunninghame Choir is a friendly and enthusiastic non-audition amateur adult choir based in Beith, North Ayrshire in the West of Scotland. Established in 1978, we are a mixed-voice (4 parts) choir with willingness and enthusiasm. We don't take ourselves too seriously, but do reap the rewards for our efforts. Our musical repertoire is wide and varied and is not limited to classic and sacred works. Recent themes have included Scottish Folk, European, Gospel, Blues as well as classical choral spanning the centuries to new works and commissions. We look forward to learning new and interesting music, developing as a choir and widening our repertoire under the direction of our new Musical Director, Maciej Granat, with assistance from talented accompanist, Isobel Burnie. 

We meet at Beith Community Centre on Wednesday evenings between August and May and we perform two concerts each year. New members are warmly welcomed and encouraged - have a look at our Join us page for more information.

The Garnock  Valley Discovery Award Group is not just about going out for a wee jaunt once a month. The members are working on their own personal Journey of Discovery. Akin to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for young people with the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, we work in the same way with similar criteria to be met to complete each section. The difference is that our group is aimed at people over the age of 50 in the Garnock Valley, each persons Journey of Discovery is very personal and is based on an individuals ability physically and emotionally. The level of challenges vary eg. some of our members have first hand experience of social isolation and have had to undergo a journey of getting themselves back out there. This may seem a small challenge to most people but it is a huge challenge for some of our members. When the first step is made confidence and independence needs worked on and getting together as a group is a huge help. Going out for the day can go towards the award in the Journey of Discovery section, where going out visiting a place involving the planning costing and timing of the outing, as well as compiling a record of and providing evidence come into action. The cost of hiring a minibus, admission fees, printing off photos as evidence for our port folios all cost money as does some crafting materials to use at the hub on days where we are working on other areas of the Awards. The Garnock Valley is an area of deprivation on the Scottish index of Multiple Deprivation 2020 and all of our members live within the Garnock Valley. 

Wheelchair accessible mini bus hire approximately £550

Admission to Dumfries House approximately £275

Ink and Paper aproximately         £50

Craft Supplies       £125

Beith Orr's Trust park is a well used facility in Beith. BPAG have recently completed an ambitious project to install a concrete skatepark, this is bringing more young people into the park. Now, we are looking to secure funding to revamp the tennis and ball courts. Both areas need to be relined. Local people make use of the space on a regular basis and have asked for these areas to be improved and made more appealing. Anyone can access these areas. The provision of quality recreation spaces promotes healthy lifestyles as well as reducing social isolation and carbon footprint as people access facilties in their locality. The costs of relining the tennis and ball court is £1500, we are applying for a grant of £1000 and undertaking fundraising to raise a further £500.