‘Meet, greet and eat’ – Melvich community interaction initiative a ‘proven success’
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A project to encourage Melvich residents to “learn” and “understand” each other has been branded a “100 per cent success” by its community council.
Meet, Greet and Eat held the last of nine meetings this past week, which saw people of all ages gather to discuss the community they live in, while also reminiscing about times gone by.
The project came about after members of Melvich community council put the last of its Covid recovery fund to use by creating an opportunity for people in the village to get to know each other.
Melvich community councillor Eileen Bryant said: “The Melvich Community Council area, like many others, had not really got back into socially interacting. Not in the way that it had been before the pandemic.
“People were wary about going out, with many out of the habit of dropping in with friends for a blether and a cup of tea. We felt that a wee bit of help was needed to get that going again.
“It was that relationship that really made the community, and it was sad to see people feeling isolated.
“We had a small sum of money in our bank account that had been allocated to Covid recovery, so we decided to put it to use by holding these events.
“It was a risk, but we soon felt we would soon now if this project wasn't wanted. The success has proven that there was indeed a need for that bit of encouragement.”
Four of the village’s community councillors - Peter Fittock, Sarah Humphries, David Anderson and Ms Bryant - took part in the sessions every week, which saw Melvich residents meeting every Tuesday for two hours at the Melvich coastguard station and youth club.
Every person who attended was treated to a cup of soup, a selection of sandwiches, as well as some cake, tea or coffee and a “good blether”.
A varied mix of people attended the sessions, including some who had grown up and lived their whole lives in Melvich, as well as others who had moved to the area to live, work, or retire.
Organisers say the sessions have proved to be a great opportunity for participants to “learn about each other, and understand each other.”
Ms Bryant added: “Very soon there was reminiscing of times past, and a curiosity from newer people to see old pictures of when this was a fishing and crofting community. Some of us saw pictures of family members we had never seen before.
“The whole project has formed bonds with people that might never have happened otherwise. We didn't really know where the project would go, but we had hopes, and those hopes were fulfilled.”
Community councillors now hope to secure funding to extend the project, and bring the concept to more locations nearby.
Ms Bryant added: “We have a nucleus of people that want this to continue, and will encourage others to come also, so we will look to see where we can find some funding for that, and maybe share the venues up Strath Halladale to make it easier for folk from the Strath to join in.
“This has always been a community that helped each other, a great example of that is our school, Melvich Primary, and the pride that we all have in seeing Jane Mackintosh winning her award and paying tribute to the community for their involvement with the school.
“This project has been an example of community spirit, and will definitely be continuing as soon as we are able to make it happen.”
