PARTNERSHIPS/PROJECTS
Fenwick Weavers Co-Operative
Taken from "A History of Fenwick Weavers" written by John McFadzean and John Smith.
The co-operative movement has recently been identified as being born in Fenwick, East Ayrshire instead of Rochdale, Greater Manchester which has been recognised as the birthplace of the Co-Operative movement for nearly 200 years. The movement began when a group of weavers from Fenwick gathered secretly on March 14th 1761 in the Fenwick Church and duly signed or made their mark on the charter. The church was chosen as the location for the charter to be signed as it would provide a sanctuary if they were caught. This was to be the first documented society of its type by the lower classes, for the lower classes where the agreed to co-operate together for their own good.
The idea of the Fenwick Weavers Society was conceived through the necessity of the circumstances that people found themselves living in. This was a time of tyranny and tyrannical control by the landed gentry and nobility. Not long after the Act of union and the unsettled Jacobite period, central government did not really have full control over the Scottish nobility and they could still all but do anything they wanted. The idea of the lower classes banding together to improve their lot or control their own future would have been simply unthinkable, if not down right dangerous.
In face of all this the Fenwick Weavers spurred on by their pioneering spirit and gritty determination decided to form a society to help one another and those around about them. The aim of the society was to secure a better standard of living and a more secure future through mutual co-operation.
This was never going to be an easy task. Legend has it that late 1758/1760 the Weavers began to meet at the local water pump to discuss the way forward. To do this they posted lookouts on all adjoining roads. Though the water pump gave them an excuse to be gathered in the one place it would probably have not afforded a reason to have a long and drawn out discussion hence the lookouts.
The charter talks of several principles by which the organisation should be run. These include honesty, faithfulness to one another, fair pricing, majority decisions, regular contributions to the poor fund and the admission charge to the society of 2 shillings and sixpence which was to be used for the good of the society and the people it aimed to help. These reflect the current values and principles of the modern Co-operative movement.
On the 9th November 1769 another document was agree to, that stipulated the society's funds could be used to purchase victuals (food) in bulk to be sold to society members and other non members with Society members enjoying the privilege of up to 4 weeks trust (credit).
On the 15th March 2008, 250 years after the original charter was signed, the Fenwick Weavers Co-operative Ltd was launched, and the company is pressing all major funders and supporters to help build a Heritage Centre to celebrate the work of the Fenwick Weavers.
If you would like to pledge your support to Fenwick Weavers Co-Operative Ltd please email John Smith on ferrans_281@msn.com or John McFadzean on john_mcfadzean04@yahoo.co.uk
Kilmarnock Townscape Heritage Initiative Partnership
The aim of the Kilmarnock Townscape Heritage Initiative Partnership is to contribute towards the economic, environmental and social regeneration of the historic core of Kilmarnock.
The project has four key objectives:
- The repair of historic buildings
- Improvements to the maintenance of historic buildings
- The widening of the understanding of the heritage of Kilmarnock
- Complementing the Kilmarnock Town Centre Strategy
The objectives will be achieved through grants for repairs, restoration and maintenance of historic buildings and grants assistance for the development of conservation skills. These activities will ensure that the key buildings and sites within the Town Centre are brought back into use, and then maintained for future generations.
If your community council or voluntary organisation has a project idea in mind and needs some assistance please do not hesitate to contact Heather Baillie, Project Development Worker. As EANCF Ltd is a registered Scottish Charity and a company limited by guarantee we could assist your project by applying for funds on your behalf or by providing assistance at the application stage. For further information on how EANCF Ltd could assist your group, contact Heather on 01563 572712 or alternatively email heather@eancf.com
Get Your Voice Heard
From 1 April 2008, four new Local Community Planning Forums will be established in East Ayrshire. Working in partnership with local councillors, staff of the organisations which provide public services, such as the Council, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and other local residents, the Forums will give you an opportunity to identify and address issues that are important to you.
The forums are linked to the new multi-member wards, as follows:
- Northern Local Community Planning Forum: Wards 1 and 6;
- Central North Local Community Planning Forum: Wards 2 and 4;
- Central South Local Community Planning Forum: Wards 3 and 5;
- Southern Local Community Planning Forum: Wards 7, 8 and 9.
To become involved in your Local Community Planning Forum your group has to be a member of either the East Ayrshire North Communities Federation or the Coalfield Communities Federation.
At the start of each year, members of the Forums will decide what topics are important to them, such as:
- anti-social behaviour;
- town centre regeneration;
- public transport;
- drugs and alcohol; or
- youth facilities.
This is your chance to make a difference by influencing what happens in East Ayrshire.
To become a member of the Federation, in order that you can be involved in the Local Community Planning Forums in your area, contact East Ayrshire North Communities Federation:
Heather Baillie
Project Development Worker
East Ayrshire North Communities Federation Ltd
1 Titchfield Street
Kilmarnock
KA1 1QW
Tel: 01563 572712
E-mail: inbox@eancf.com
Fenwick Play Park
In partnership with Fenwick Community Council, EANCF Ltd have been raising funds to provide the residents of Fenwick with a playground which hasn't been updated in over 40 years. The project aims to provide the young people of fenwick with a purpose built playground which will ensure that they have a healthier start in life and assist them away from anti social behaviour. As a recreational area the park will provide the young people with more freedom, and provide socialising opportunities, thereby promoting social inclusion and providing a safer environment for the young people of Fenwick.
If you would like further information on this project please contact Heather on 01563 572712
