We have a what’s app group called The Village People – if you are not on the list and would like to join (and live in the village area) please get in touch and we can add you to the group – it is an easy way to connect everyone locally.

Annie sent us some images from the past when the hall was being renovated – if you have other images send them through and we can add them.

🌿 Mossdale Village Hall

As part of our efforts to establish the hall as a SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) we have drafted a discussion document called

Ethics as Community Practice — Foundational Charter (v1.0)

Purpose:
To root our shared actions, decisions, and relationships in attentiveness, reciprocity, and integrity — honouring both people and place.
This Charter is not a fixed code but a living agreement, reviewed seasonally and grown through practice.

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1. Principles of Practice

1.1. Attentiveness
We begin with listening — to each other, to land, to weather, to silence.
Ethical action starts with awareness.

1.2. Reciprocity
We recognise interdependence. Every act — planting, building, deciding — involves a return.
We give back what we take, in kind or in care.

1.3. Transparency
Community thrives on trust.
All decisions, spending, and partnerships are open to scrutiny.
Secrecy corrodes; openness fertilises.

1.4. Stewardship
We hold resources (soil, time, energy, money) as commons, not possessions.
Our role is custodial, ensuring the hall and its lands endure beyond our lifetimes.

1.5. Inclusion
All voices are valued.
We seek diversity of age, background, ability, and belief — seeing difference as strength.
Consensus, not dominance, is our method.

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2. Community Practice

2.1. Ethics Circles
Monthly open gatherings for reflection and dialogue.
Members share dilemmas, gratitude, and learnings.
Facilitators rotate each season.

2.2. Commons Logbook
A shared ledger (digital + physical) recording not only what is done, but how it is done — documenting process, tone, and ecological impact.

2.3. Seasonal Reviews
At solstice and equinox, the Charter is read aloud, amended where necessary, and renewed.
These gatherings are celebratory — music, food, and storytelling ground the ethical reflection in joy.

2.4. Reciprocity Acts
For every project (event, build, purchase), we include a reciprocal gesture — planting, volunteering, or creative offering to the land or community.

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3. Ecological Governance

3.1. Decision-Making
We weigh choices not only in terms of cost or convenience but relationship — does this choice sustain or diminish connection?
This becomes our measure of right action.

3.2. Energy & Materials
Wherever possible, we use local, renewable, and non-toxic resources.
Waste is designed out; reuse and repair are celebrated.

3.3. Time as an Ethical Resource
We move at human and seasonal pace.
Urgency is not an excuse for carelessness.

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4. Cultural Practice

4.1. Art as Inquiry
Creative expression is one way the community thinks and feels together.
Art at Mossdale is not decoration; it’s dialogue.

4.2. Story as Stewardship
We keep the story of this place alive — past, present, and imagined futures — as an ethical act of belonging.

4.3. Celebration
Feasts, music, and laughter are forms of gratitude.
Joy is part of the moral ecology.

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5. Living Document

This Charter is amended through shared consent at seasonal assemblies and held publicly within the Village Hall 

We welcome your comments and ideas related to this document which will be presented in 2026 to the AGM run January 6th 2026 for consideration in the overall constitution.

Monday 3 November 2025

Present: Carmina Bernhardt, Lynn Birkhead, Sam and Becky Cartman, Lisa Chamberlain, Paul Clarke, Helen Cossar, Risto and Patti Leino, Annie Pane,  Jim Slattery 

Apologies: Eithne Clarke

1.  Introductions and welcome to Helen Cossar and Jonathan Olandi, who recently moved into Kells Cottage. 

2.  Job List from Paul to come! Clearing of inside/outside space.

3. Craft Fayre  11am – 3pm Saturday 6 December. 

Posters, all the advertising including on our new website, and the Hamper – already done by Annie

Decoration evening: Friday 28 November

Setting up: Thursday 4 December:- 

• Get heating on 
• Clean kitchen 
• Set out 14 craft tables – Annie 
• Get wine for mulled wine plus cider for mulled cider- Patti; 
• Bring extension leads  – several people
• Collect/bring raffle prizes 
• Add Helen and Jonny to village WhatsApp group
• Xmas tree  – a real one, plus one out the back 
• Sandwich boards – Bex  
• 4 boards be to put out in other places: Ken Bridge; NG, Laurieston, Townhead of Greenlaw.
• Shortbread and mince pies – Annie will provide as a donation from Emma
• Soups: Risto – cauliflower; Patti – lentil or leek n tattie; Lisa – Thai butternut squash
• Rolls for 80 plus gf rolls- Patti 
• Shopping list – to be decided (Paul) 
• Gluten free mince pies – Bex 
• Teas and coffees – Bex
• Tombola – Risto 
• Baking table – Lynn
• Raffle – Jim
• Kitchen – Lisa
• Tables – Izak, Helen and Jonathan
• Front of house – Jude
• Coffee roasting plus fire outside – Jake and Paul
• guess the weight of the cake – Adele will provide cake

Prices

£3 hot drink + mince pie

£5 soup, roll, mince pie and shortbread 

Clearing up will be on the day 🙂

4. Other Business

• Air source pump needs servicing – Risto. 
• Cocktails for 19th Dec – Risto.  Helen has a shaker. Set up bar and music, print licence – Paul.
• Yoga: free or peer-led yoga proposed on an evening. Amy Fowler may do a Friday daytime class, tba; suggested donation for hall use 20%.
• NEW! Village website! https://mossdale-village-hall.org.uk/  A village email address is also proposed.  For now send any items for the website to Paul.
• SCIO status is in progress; Jim is the third trustee. All of the paperwork will be on the website. 
• Kells and NG Community Council development strategy plan isn’t really relevant to Mossdale.  Carsphairn CC advise to go direct to the sources in next round of budget. 
• Proposed Permaculture programme: Paul has put in bid to Dalry Fund, will put into Cultural Glenkens fund. 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 

Friday 28 November: Xmas decorate-the-Hall evening 

Thursday 4 December:  setting up for the Xmas Fayre

Friday 19 December: pre-Christmas event – Cocktails

PLEASE NOTE!!!

Monday 5 January: AGM 7 pm

Thereafter: Hall meetings 7pm first Monday of every month  

All are welcome to attend Hall Meetings. 

From now on Minutes will posted here on the website rather than sent out by email.

Participants were given the opportunity to learn a new (and ancient) skill at the dowsing workshop held at the village hall, run by D&G Woodlands and led by Grahame Gardner of Western Geomancy

Huge thanks to D&G Woodlands for a fascinating session, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund of Scotland