Thornhill Community Website

Dear TDT Member,

Greetings!

Invitation to the Annual General Meeting for Thornhill Development Trust.

TDT’s AGM is on 22nd May at 7pm in the Community Hall. You will receive a formal notice soon.  The meeting will describe what’s happened as well as plans for the next few months and there will be a motion to vote on minor changes to the constitution which keep us compliant with Community Right to Buy legislation.  Your questions and input are important.  The meeting should not be long and there will be time for chat over alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and snacks provided by Common Grounds FOC.  I hope you can make it.  

  Trustees

Please consider being a TDT Trustee

This year some of the Trustees step down – two have done the maximum time allowed. We will still have 7 trustees but that’s the minimum and it works better with more.  We meet one evening a month and need a range of voices, views and skills.  Whether you are farming, bringing up a family, working from home or away, commuting or don’t have a paid job, please consider being a trustee.   For a zero-pressure chat about what’s involved, speak to any trustee (listed on the website) or the chairperson Richard on 07799 412527.

It would be great to see TDT run by the next generation who know what’s important for a thriving place.  As Council support is cut to the bone, we have to do more for ourselves.  Today it’s the playpark, core paths and social gatherings (amongst others), another year it might be affordable housing for local people, business space or better local transport (just some of the ideas identified in the Local Place Plan).  TDT has a track record of doing things that make a difference (did you know that the Thornhill Playgroup was established and run by TDT before becoming an independent parent-led organisation a few years later?).  

Monthly Cafe 

    Common Grounds monthly cafe has been a great success – social and delicious!  Volunteers bake, set up and serve.  Payment is by donation.  If you haven’t tried it yet, the next one is this Saturday 26th April from 1030-1230, and will include an Easter Egg Hunt for children.   

Common Grounds is a great example of a member driving an idea forward with TDT’s backing.  So if you want TDT to help you do something for the community, let us know!  

Paths

  This winter’s wet weather demonstrated that the “Hedges Path” and “Minister’s Walk” (joining the South Common, Church and Norrieston) are no longer muddy after TDT Paths Group volunteers laid 60 tons of material in the last couple of years.  Phew!

Over the summer the Paths Group will replace stiles on the beautiful Muir Dam route along with other maintenance tasks.  Volunteers meet on the 1st Saturday of the month.  All are welcome – we work at our own pace on things we feel comfortable doing. There are TDT tools … and there’s usually cake!   Please join the Paths Group chat on WhatsApp (search for “Thornhill Community Network” on WhatsApp) or get in touch with Gary Richardson

If you’re unsure about routes, check out the links and info on Thornhill’s  walking and cycling routes

If you would like to join a guided walk to Muir Dam, let Gary know.  If there’s demand, we will fix a date.

Thornhill’s Local Place Plan showed many people wanted improvements to walking and cycling routes in and around Thornhill.  So, to begin with we want to make all weather / all abilities paths on existing routes to improve access around the Commons.  This will enable people to get to interesting bits all year without waders.  The Climate Action Hub team at Forth Environment Link are helping us find funding.  Depending on ££ we may get it professionally done or need to buy materials and do much of it ourselves.  We will be liaising closely with the North Common Trust, Playpark Group, School and Council to make sure we get it right.  Keep an eye out for updates and opportunities to influence what happens or join the project group now.

Play Park group

    Improving the Playpark is another initiative from amazing parent members supported by TDT trustees.  Phenomenal work has gone in over the last year.  Willow Den rescue and remodelling is just the start.  What a team!

Hope to see you at the AGM or out and about. 

Richard