WATIF Community Trust, Loanhead Farm, South Lanarkshire (2026)

30/10/2025

Good evening everyone, it's been a busy few days, with a lot of changes happening. It's only been 5 days since the EGM and our trustees are still finding their feet, unfortunately some rumours have been going round that the previous CO was refusing a hand over with the new board, this certainly isn't the case, the new board need to process everything and a handover will be arranged shortly. We would appreciate it if everyone was patient with us, things are happening, just one step at a time.

The new board would like to reiterate our thanks to Tabatha and her team for the work needed to arrange the EGM, our community was given a voice and we were listened to. I personally think she did a fantastic job on the day.

If anyone has questions regarding our process or plans please get in touch with us (for now this page is the quickest contact), remember we have our first board meeting coming up on the 11th of November at Tarbrax Hall, everyone is welcome 😁

Marnie

29/10/2025

Good evening everyone, our trustees had an informal chat last night to get things in motion, we have a lot of work to do and want to make sure the community knows where we are at.

We are having our first board meeting on Tuesday the 11th November, at Tarbrax Hall, we will be having fortnightly meetings until things are a bit more settled. Anyone is welcome to attend the meeting, all our trustees know community involvement is vital for us to move forward in the right direction.

11th November
Tarbrax Hall
7pm

I will also be removing the page that was set up to help communication before the EGM, thank you to everyone that had an input in that, for the moment, this page will be where all the up to date info can be found.

The trustees are excited for what lies ahead but we need you guys to come to, if anyone has any questions please get in touch, hopefully we will have emails sorted but I can be contacted via this page if anyone wants to chat.

Marnie

26/10/2025

WATIF General Meeting – 25th October 2025

At yesterday’s WATIF General Meeting members of the community exercised their rights in order to deliver change to WATIF’s future path.

It has been an honour to serve as Chair of this charity for two and a half years, and as a trustee for three years before that. During this time, I have had the privilege of working alongside dedicated trustees, committed staff, and passionate volunteers who have all contributed to building something truly meaningful for our community.

To our trustees – both current and those who have served previously – thank you for bringing your professional skills, your wisdom, and your dedication. You have given freely of your time and expertise, often working behind the scenes on quite often complicated and complex matters. Your commitment to good governance has been unwavering.

To our staff team – you have worked tirelessly to deliver services, manage facilities, and serve the community with professionalism and care. You have adapted to challenges, maintained high standards, and always put the community first.

To our volunteers – your energy, enthusiasm, and practical support have been invaluable. You are the heart of what makes this organisation special.

To our funders and partners – thank you for believing in our vision and supporting our work. Your confidence in this organisation has enabled us to achieve far more than we could have alone.

Personal Thanks
To my fellow trustees, some of whom stepped down with me – it has been an honour to serve alongside you. Your professionalism, expertise, and unwavering commitment to doing things properly has been inspiring.

To Alistair, Geraldine and the 9 new nominated trustees, I wish you the best of luck in your journey ahead.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Chair. It has truly been an honour.
Tabatha

24/10/2025

What a fabulous finish to the amazing youth woodwork team. The biggest of thank you to Patrik for doing this. The team have worked hard for 6 weeks making their birdhouses. The pictures speak for themselves, I honestly couldn’t be more proud of all of them. Thank you to all. Christine over and out.

24/10/2025

Growing Young artists

Although we had to cancel Loanhead as a Biggar Little Art Festival venue this year, I felt it was right to continue to support the young artists of our community.

With support from Morag and Terry, three schools in our local area have produced some fantastic art.

A big shout out has to go to Auchengray, Braehead and Forth Primary Schools and their teaching teams for taking the time to make this happen.

All the artwork that was produced by the schools has now been transposed on to waterproof canvas sponsored by Clyde Wind Farms and SSE. Thank you Lindsay and Kenny for your support

Phil and I spent a wet hour this pm putting them up at Loanhead on the Harris fencing as per the plan.

They look just brilliant. Any parents who would like to come and see them in person feel free to pop in anytime over the coming days.

23/10/2025

Facebook posts

A number of concerns have been raised with the team this am regarding editing, deleting posts and post requiring approval.

If you post anonymously the post will require approval from one of the team.

We have just reviewed the settings and logs this am and none of WATIF pages (bar our main page) - eg Open for business, swaps and give aways, travel require approval if you are posting as yourself.

Facebook has advised that it can switch you to anonymous automatically so please check when you post.

We havent edited or deleted any post since the unfortunate post on the tearoom site.

We are now a v small team and are trying to keep up to date with any requests, so please bare with us if there is a delay.

23/10/2025

Important Reminder: Member Responsibilities and General Meeting Information

Dear Members,
As we approach the General Meeting on Saturday 25th October, we wanted to share some important reminders about member responsibilities and ensure everyone has access to accurate information.

Your Responsibilities as SCIO Members
As members of a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), you have specific legal duties that differ from other charity structures. According to OSCR guidance, SCIO members are subject to some of the same duties as charity trustees.

When participating in the General Meeting and in all communications related to the charity, members must:
• Act in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries – not what is best for you personally, your friends, family, or business interests
• Always act honestly and reasonably (in good faith) when acting for the charity
• Ensure the charity acts consistently with its charitable purposes

These duties apply not just at the meeting itself, but in all discussions and communications about the charity, including on social media and community forums.

Accessing Accurate Information
We recognise there has been considerable discussion across various platforms in recent weeks. We want to remind all members that:
• Official information about the charity, including financial reports, governance documents, and meeting papers, is available on our website and through official communications.
• If you have questions about any aspect of the charity's operations, finances, or governance, please contact us directly rather than relying on information shared in unofficial forums.
• Think critically about information you encounter – consider the source, check if it's verified, and seek clarification if you're unsure.

The Members' Code of Conduct (available on our website) provides further guidance on expected standards when representing or discussing the charity.

General Meeting Practical Information
Date: Saturday, 25 October 2025
Time: 11:30 AM
Location: Tarbrax Village Hall
Facilitator: Stuart Reilly, VASLan
Chair: Tabatha McCree-Cox

Voting eligibility: Only full members can vote on the resolutions. Associate members are welcome to attend but cannot vote. All votes on special resolutions must be attributed to registered members.

REMINDER: there are THREE ways to vote:
1: ONLINE: Resolution Vote - https://us12.list-manage.com/survey?u=e0350974597948d37f60a02d0&id=a85c523d72 using your unique voting reference number - voting closes on 24th October at 12 noon.
2: BY POST: Return voting paper to Loanhead Farm by 5 pm on 23rd October
3: IN PERSON: 25 October at 11:30 AM, Tarbrax Village Hall

Please bring your voting papers with you. If you haven't already submitted your vote online or by post, you'll need your voting papers to participate in the vote on the day.

Agenda
1. Welcome and Opening Remarks

2. Introduction of Independent Facilitator and Current Board of Trustees
• Chair will introduce facilitator and confirm current board members

3. Voting Process and Procedures
Independent Facilitator to explain:
• How voting will be conducted
• Eligibility requirements (full members only)
• Special resolution requirements
• Verification process

4. Financial Position Update
• Presentation of 10-month accounts
• Overview of current financial position
• Questions from members

5. Trustee Nominee Introductions
• Each nominee will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and outline their experience

6. Consideration of resolution 1
7. Consideration of resolution 2

• Members will have the opportunity to speak to the resolutions, ask questions, and express their views

8. Voting Period
• Members to cast votes on resolutions
• Members who have not already voted online or by post to submit voting papers
• Collection and counting of votes

9. Vote Count and Verification
• Independent verification of all votes (online, postal, and in-person)

10. Declaration of Results
• Independent Facilitator to announce results of each resolution

11. Closing Remarks

12. Meeting Close

Financial Information
Ten-month accounts will be available at the meeting, with printed copies provided to all attendees. These accounts have been prepared by our independent accountants and provide a clear picture of the charity's financial position.

Independent Facilitation
Stuart Reilly (VASLan) will be facilitating the meeting as an independent party to ensure the process is fair, transparent, and conducted appropriately. Everyone will have the opportunity to speak to the resolutions, ask questions, and express their views in an orderly manner.

Moving Forward Together
Whatever the outcome of Saturday's meeting, the charity needs to continue serving our community effectively. This requires all members to fulfil their legal duties to act in the charity's best interests and ensure discussions and decisions are based on accurate information and honest dialogue.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday.
Best regards,
Tabatha McCree-Cox
Outgoing Chief Officer
On behalf of the Board of Trustees

Resources:
• OSCR Guidance on SCIO Member Duties: https://www.oscr.org.uk/managing-a-charity/responsibilities-of-scios-and-other-legal-forms/scios-a-guide/5-duties-and-requirements-of-a-scio/
• Members' Code of Conduct:https://watif.scot/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Code-of-Conduct-for-Members-and-Volunteers-2025.pdf
• GM Papers and Information: https://watif.scot/about-watif/general-meeting-oct-25/

21/10/2025

A Letter to Our Community
From the Board of Trustees, WATIF Community Trust

Dear Members,
We write to you ahead of our General Meeting on 25 October to share what we have been working on and the foundation we have built for WATIF's future. We want you to know the significant work that has been undertaken to strengthen our organisation and prepare it for the years ahead.

Building a Strong Foundation
Over the past year, the Board of volunteer trustees, has been focused on creating the robust structures and systems that any community organisation needs to thrive. This work may not always be visible, but it is essential.

Strategic Direction
In September 2025, we completed and approved a comprehensive three-year strategy for WATIF, to be sent out for consultation with the community for review at the originally agreed date for the General Meeting of 6th November 2025. This document provides the proposed suggestions to the community for the direction of the organisation to take going forward. The full strategy document is available on our website for all members to review. The new job description for the recruitment of a new Chief Officer aligns to this new strategy. (Recruitment is currently on hold till after the General Meeting). In September 2025, our Interim Chief Officer informed the Board that she would be stepping down as of 6th November (the originally scheduled General Meeting date). With the General Meeting now brought forward to 25th October, this will be her last day in the role.

Financial Transparency and Control
We have published profit and loss statements monthly – all available on our website at watif.scot/monthly-financial-reports/. Since February 2025, every board meeting now includes budget variance and cash flow reporting, from our Chief Officer and Treasurer. We have strengthened our financial controls with a published and risk-assessed procurement policy, banking controls, and transparent processes. Draft 10-month accounts will be presented at the General Meeting, with full accounts available after our financial year ends on 30 November 2025.

Securing Our Infrastructure
Since 2022 we have secured over £1,000,000 in funding from external grants, not wind turbine income. This money was secured to deliver the purchase & upgrade of Loanhead, the Cowbyre and Barn. Most recently, we have successfully extended the timeline for drawing down the remaining £160,000 from the Renewable Energy Fund until September 2026, which is restricted funding designated for the barn development. This funding has secured our physical assets for the community.

Maintaining Standards and Relationships
Throughout this period, we have maintained full compliance with all regulatory requirements. OSCR, our charity regulator, has been kept fully informed, all HR processes have been conducted properly, and our relationships with funders remain strong through regular reporting and transparent communication.

Listening to You
Community engagement has remained central to our work. In the past 12 months alone, we have held two General Meetings (November 2024 and May 2025), one of which was a General Meeting to consult on Cowbyre, a Dinner and Chat session, and have maintained monthly Chair communications since June 2025. Our Community Matters newsletter sent out quarterly, alongside weekly Facebook posts and staff-facilitated focus groups.

Your voices have shaped our actions over the past 5 years. From EV transport to taxibus trips, Broadband, community shop, tearoom with subsidised pricing, events, and infrastructure improvements including growing facilities, fitness, e bikes, community groups, bee keeping, youth events, driving lessons, community grants and maintenance projects for the village halls, upgrades to community paths, community grants to our community to start businesses and gain news skills, creating a community workshop for wood working, art and book clubs, the choir and lots more. These where all created in response to what you told us you needed.

Addressing Challenges Head-On
We have not shied away from difficult issues. The budget overspend in 2024/2025 was identified and communicated at the November 2024 AGM. We implemented cost controls, adjusted tearoom hours, and secured grant funding to cover gaps. When our Chief Officer resigned in June 2025, we appointed an interim Chief Officer and prepared recruitment plans for a permanent successor.

When community concerns arose, we called this General Meeting, appointed an independent facilitator (Stuart Reilly from VASLan), and committed to full transparency on our financial position whilst following proper constitutional processes.

The ongoing legacy
Whatever the outcome on 25 October, going forward there is: -

- A strategy for the next three years ready for consultation and
approval

- Strong financial controls and transparent reporting systems

- A Chief Officer job description ready for recruitment

- Maintained regulatory compliance and funder relationships

- An established community engagement framework

- Creating a key asset in Loanhead, functioning as a wonderful
community hub with lots of room for expansion and extensive
capabilities to support the community it serves

--A recent feasibility survey has identified that solar panels on the
Loanhead barn could provide an income to the charity,
demonstrating the long-term potential of our community assets

- Community transport in the shape of our EV and Taxi bus

- Ongoing support is being provided to each of the Community
Village halls

This is not a failing organisation. This is an organisation with strong foundations, ready for its next chapter.

Our Commitment to You
The Board remains committed to truthful and transparent communication, constitutional compliance, protecting our staff and ensuring job security, working constructively with our community, and ensuring WATIF's long-term sustainability.

We wish to assure the community that we will do everything in our power to help the WATIF community move in whatever direction the majority decide that they wish to take.

We look forward to seeing you at the General Meeting and to WATIF's continued service to our community.

Yours sincerely,
The Board of Trustees
WATIF Community Trust

Full strategy and all referenced documents are available at: watif.scot/about-watif/general-meeting-oct-25/
Questions? Contact us at [email protected] or 01501 785067

21/10/2025

Well after 10 monthly visits since January, our lovely hairdresser volunteer Margaret has now cut 34 people's hair & given 67 haircuts in total! Fantastic 😁

We have absolutely loved having you as a regular volunteer at Loanhead farm, your hard work and kindness has been really appreciated. We wish you all the best in your future volunteering!

21/10/2025

Loanhead Cattle Grid

You may have noticed work taking place at Loanhead Farm, and we wanted to share what's happening and why.

When we took on Loanhead Farm in 2023, part of our purchase agreement included installing a cattle grid on the farm driveway within six months. Unfortunately, this important safety measure wasn't completed within that timeframe, and in September, legal proceedings were initiated to ensure we fulfilled this contractual obligation.

We've worked closely with our neighbours throughout this process, making adjustments where we could to be as accommodating as possible whilst managing our charity's resources responsibly. This has included moving the grid location, adding a horse gate for continued equestrian access, and installing rubber flooring to minimise noise.

Over the next two days, we'll be completing the final fencing to ensure livestock can move safely between fields without risk to animals, visitors, or children attending activities at the farm. Safety is our priority, and we're committed to being good neighbours whilst meeting our legal obligations.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

20/10/2025

Healthy Valleys would like to invite you to their upcoming cooking course, held in Forth.

17/10/2025

Well what a fabulous night for our pumpkin patch and spooky walk. We had a full house of kids and adults. This event has been a massive team effort from the team and volunteers. I personally want to thank the coffin makers ( Jim, nethanial, James). Jules and beau for making gravestones.
On the night my amazing scarers James, Steph, Rab. Shoutout to Phil and Tabatha for the amazing hotdogs and hot chocolate.
Thanks to Sam for helping me all night serving food, tidying and everything in between.
Also thanks to Chrissy and sue at arty bits for making those amazing doors with the kids. Thanks to all the amazing kids that came and joined in. I am shattered, hope the kids are too. Thanks a million. Christine. 😀

WATIF Community Trust

30/10/2025

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