Mull Youth Theatre makes connections

Senior actors from Mull Youth Theatre travelled to the Beacon Arts Centre

in Greenock “recently to take part in the National Theatre’s Connections programme.

Connections is a youth theatre festival that was established 27 years ago and champions the talent of young people from across the UK.

The day started early with introductions to another participating company and then on to hours of workshops for vocal training, bonding and inspiration.

After lunch the team moved to the main stage, spending two hours in technical and dress rehearsals before their performance of The Ramayana Reset by Ayeesha Menon. The main stage was massive and a little daunting, but Mull Youth Theatre rose to the occasion.

The performance was exemplary, the actors held the stage and the audience with great skill. Their mentor, director

and technical manager took them through their paces and many new skills were learned. We are so proud A spokesperson for An of them and Tobar and Mull Theatre they should be said: ‘We are so proud of very proud of them and they should be very proud of themselves. themselves. It It was a privilege to spend was a privilege a joyous few days in their to spend a hardworking company.’ joyous few The cast included Millie days in their Mitchell-Stephens, Louise Chauvet, James Chauvet, hardworking Edie Thorne, Flora Thorne, company Lonneke Hutton, Ellie Turnbull, Ayla Purfi t, Dominic Hill, Ben Western, Lottie Le Jeune, Bea Caskie, Ava Olden, Eilidh MacDonald.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS!

Mull and Iona Community Trust was formed as a membership based charitable organisation in 1997. Currently celebrating its 25 year anniversary it’s certainly not resting on its laurels and continues to strive to fi nd and shape island based solutions with the support of the community and the dedication of its volunteer directors and committed staff team.

Starting with just one staff member, the Trust now has 25 employees (approx. 13 full time equivalent) working on a range of projects and initiatives. The projects are all designed to deliver a clear strategy to support repopulation, regeneration, economic activity and to address issues of social exclusion and geographic isolation.

The Trust established the fi rst community operated Countryside Ranger Service in Scotland which provides a range of activities and advice, addressing land access issues and enabling residents and visitors to responsibly enjoy all that the islands have to offer. Ardura Community Forest provides a base for a Well-being project offi cer, often working with the Ranger Service to provide activities and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors for all ages!

Recycling and re-use has featured as part of Trust’s environmental activities for many years and is underpinned by the very successful Island Castaways charity shops in Craignure, Bunessan and seasonal shop in Tobermory.

Lack of affordable housing remains an issue that affects the islands, and the Trust strives to address this by owning and operating seven affordable homes. This is in addition to campaigning for additional houses to be built by housing associations. The Trust continues to explore other solutions to deliver more housing and to lobby Government for policies to benefi t our communities.

Working with and supporting sparsely populated communities in the North West areas of Mull enabled the Trust to develop a community owned pontoon facility and community transport service to attract visitors to the area, in addition to providing paid employment.

To help the islands attract and retain families and a working age population, the Trust has been campaigning for formal childcare options. They continue to work with Scottish Government, Argyll and Bute Council and the Scottish Childminders Association Scotland to address this and explore the options to work together to improve childcare and childminding opportunities, which will in turn provide

employment.

With a statistically higher proportion of self-employed and small businesses on the islands, supporting these businesses to grow and thrive is a signifi cant part of the work of the Trust. MICT built An Roth Community Enterprise Centre in Craignure providing offi ces, meeting rooms and training facilities enabling training courses to be brought to the island. Further support for businesses includes Nonhebel Park, which provides small business premises and storage options. Nonhebel Park supports 18 businesses in the area and is already fully occupied just two years from when it fi rst welcomed tenants.

Sandy Brunton, Convenor and one of the founding members of the Trust said, ‘The Trust was formed at a time when community planning and empowerment was in its infancy. I’m extremely proud and privileged to be involved with the Trust for the last 25 years and all that it has achieved across the islands and the positive impact for our communities’.