Saturday 19th May 2012

The second Rosehall Community Day was held on Saturday, 19th May, at the Achness Showfield in Rosehall. A week before hand there were concerns over the weather forecast as snow was falling! but it turned out to be a glorious day and organisers were delighted with the turn out and support for the event.

In Rosehall there are eight voluntary groups all vying for survival in a small area. The Community Day benefits all these groups, financially and promotionally, from one event. The aim of the day is also to promote and foster community spirit, make locals and visitors aware of what a naturally wonderful area Sutherland is and what it has to offer in many different ways including local arts, crafts and services.

Youngsters were entertained all day on the bouncy castle and inflatable slide run by Rosehall Youth Club along side their pillow fight pole while those a little older could attempt to master the art of staying on the rodeo bull for more than just a few seconds at a time or take their pick of a number of experiences in the motion simulator.

Another attraction popular with the youngsters was the Forestry Commission area where folk could try their skills round the bike course or make items from wood such as candle holders, egg cups or stools. There was also ample for the adults to do and see with exhibitions from Dornoch Model Flying Club, Rosehall First Responders and the Community Arts. The tea tent with homemade baking was a popular as ever and various stalls sold items of jewellery, children’s books, plants, quilts, sweets etc.

Alongside the traditional raffles and tombolas the event this year held a “Raffle with a Difference”. Local, and not so local, business and individuals donated items for the raffle and around forty prizes were up for grabs and all highly desirable prizes ranging from a week’s stay at Birch Cottage, Glencassley, a digital camcorder, numerous vouchers for shops and services, to a spinning lesson, 2 hours babysitting and 2 hours ironing. Participants purchased tickets and were issued with a personal number which they wrote on each ticket. They could then choose to put all their tickets in for just one of the prizes or split them up and spread them around as many or as few prizes as they fancied, thereby selecting the prize of their choice should they win. Draws were made for each prize and winners were guaranteed to win a prize they particularly wanted. The raffle was very well supported and had more of a fun element than traditional raffles. Tickets cost just 10p each and around 3,500 tickets were sold.

Other stall holders reported doing just as well with Lairg Primary School running out of coconuts at their coconut shy and Rosehall Primary doing a roaring trade at face painting, book sales and guess the teddy bear’s birthday.

Visitors were able to sit in the sun and enjoy lunch from the pasta and tattie stall while listening to the artists performing on the open music stage or visit the Achness Hotel for sustenance from their menu.

There was something for everyone, whatever their age and ability and organisers would like to thank the sponsors, in particular, E.ON, for their support, and everybody who helped in anyway, enabling the day to take place. The community spirit in Rosehall is exceptional and helpers were joined by folk from Lairg who assisted in erecting the marquees.

There were two items of jewellery left at the bouncy castle ..... if you own them please email communitydayrosehall@yahoo.co.uk describing the jewellery and we will do our best to reunit you with it.