Canisbay Parent Council Fund Raising Auction

29th June 2018

Canisbay Primary Parent Council were looking to make improvements to the playground and last year we supported Mrs Moodie out headteacher in an application to Greencoat Stroupster Community Fund. We submitted an application which was to: Build a canopy / shelter at the school which would give 2 benefits , an outdoor classroom area and also a shelter and play area for the kids to be protected from the Caithness weather. It is the policy of the school to have the children playing outside as much as possible and this would make it a little easier. To put in a path to allow kids access to swings in the winter , when the ground is sodden they have no access to them or the slide so this will facilitate year round use. A gate to separate the swing park and the football pitch which will allow the nursery children to have a larger area to play safely making it easier for the staff to supervise. New goals and nets which have been there since 19 oatcake.

The total cost of the project is circa £19k. The Stroupster windfarm fund approved a partial funding of our application to cover the cost of the main item which is the canopy. The parent council were then left to raise the remaining £7k before the grant could be realised. We had kindly received a cheque for £500 from Betsy MacCuish who is a great grandparent of 2 boys at the school - this was to be attributed to the goalposts in memory of her enjoyment of playground fun as a child growing up in rural Harris. With other fundraising events under their belt the parent council are on their way to achieving the £7k but the main event which is hoped will break the back of this is a Fundraising Auction on Saturday 30th June at the Seaview Hotel in John O Groats at 7pm. There are 58 lots some of which are mystery lots only being revealed on the day. Lots have been gathered by Mairi Anne Cormack the parent council secretary with the help of other parents, staff and friends and range from 6 straws of Semen from Robbie Wilson's Texel Tup Glenside Valhalla who was purchased for 42,000 guineas, to the emptying of a septic tank provided by JT Cormack, Huna, to bottle number 2 from the first batch of gin which will be provided in the back end of this year by a brand new gin distillery for Caithness , Ice & Fire Distillery, Scotland based at Smerral. We have sporting goods, trades services for a day and everything in between.

The Seaview hotel would not normally have been able to accommodate such a function as the tourist season ramps but seeing it as a real benefit for the community Andrew Mowat has been behind us supporting us all the way.

Bids can be placed by contacting Mairi Anne Cormack on facebook or mafgers@googlemail.com. Viewing of the full lots will be at Seaview hotel between 12-4 pm on Saturday where bids can also be left if you can't manage the event. Link to the facebook event with all details : https://www.facebook.com/events/167610473956776/

We really are grateful to the extent which the community has got behind us for this event.

Catalogues will be available on Saturday at the Seaview at a cost of £2 which the chance to win a £50 Seaview voucher in a lucky catalogue number.

1 SDM Photography Mini Session with 5 Digital Images with print relsease, online gallery and 50% off print orders
2 Katrina Sutherland, Country Spa 2 x 2 Treatments from the Classic Spa Package
3 Robbie Wilson 6 straws of Semen from 42,000gns Texel Glenside Valhalla
4 Clean Bees Ltd 7 hours Cleaning
5 Thurso Golf Club Fourball Donation
6 John O Groats Ferries 2 Wildlife cruise tickets
7 James Davidson A Day's plumbing
8 Castle View Stables Pony Party for 10 x Under 12s
9 Threeds Plush Whale Teddy with Embroidery of your choice
10 Caithness Driving Solutions Driving Lesson Voucher
11 Coo's Tail Gallery Annie Sloan Essential Paint Techniques Workshop
12 Lecht 2090 1 Childs Package of hire and lesson
13 Mr Cs Cocktail Masterclass
14 JT Cormack Septic Tank Emptying within 10 miles of Huna
15 Willie Miller Day's Joinery
16 Home From Home, Cogle Farm 2 Nights dog stay near watten
17 Mairi Anne Monty Roberts Signed Book
18 William Simpson Stroma Trip
19 H.O.T Group session with support and months gym membership
20 T Hunter Coal & Firewood 2 large bags of firewood
21 Hazel Mackay Stallion Cover by Cob Son of a Gun
22 Wick Golf Club round of golf for 4
23 Highland Performance Rolling Road Tuning
24 McAllans Kilt Hire
25 BBM Solicitors Will Writing Service
26-34 MYSTERY LOTS
35 Harrolds Butchers, Wick £30 voucher
36 Wick-Ed Paintball £30 voucher for 2 players
37 Riverside Interiors £50 Voucher
38 Old Pulteney Tour & Tasting
39 Leonie & Marie Home Baking, Fudge & Jam
40 Nicola Sutherland 3 dozen eggs
41 Annie's Bakery Pies and cakes
42 Northern Sands Fine Dining for 4 (Nov to Feb)
43 John O Groats Ferries Maxi Day Tour for 1
44 Alex Henderson 2 Puffin Prints
45 Keith Parkes Lamp
46 W D Cormack £50 haulage voucher
47 J&G Shearer A day's buidling / Masonry
48 Dave & Gail Simpson & Mairi Anne Shellfish Platter and Prosecco
49 Gordie Begg Fabrication Repairs/ Welding
50 Desert Thistle Designs 2 hours of design work
51 Canisbay Hall Venue hire and bar provision with £100 towards band as well as help setting up your event
52 Gill Sheherd, Muddy Rug Wash 10 rug wash, repair & reproof
53 Lindsey Gallacher Beginner Jewellery Workshop
54 Bridge Guest House, Helmsdale B&B 2 people 1 night
55 JOG Brewery Tour & Crate of Beer
56 Rock Rose Gin Private Tour for 4
57 Avva Gin Gin Hamper
58 Ice & Fire Distillery (Gin) Bottle 2 from the first batch