For Argyll

The Lorn area in north Argyll has established a parallel LORN - a Local Origins Rural Network. The first and most obvious activity it will undertake is the provision of a Local Producers Market which will take place every first and third Thursday of each month - starting on 21st August. This will be held at Kintaline farm at Benderloch from 10.00am to 3.00pm on each occasion. It will replace the defunct Oban Farmers’ Market but will move to a new level, including creative arts and crafts alongside locally produced meat, fish, eggs and vegetables. LORN’s aims for 2008 are:

• to set up a network connecting local businesses with the local community
• to establish a Local Producers Market focused on food, crafts and skills
• to run a summer event celebrating Highland life for Homecoming 2009
• to launch training and skills initiatives and other projects identified by members

The LORN acronym unpacks as:

Local: Marketing the produce and skills from small farms, crafters and businesses based in the north Argyll area of Lorn.

Origins: All products to be grown, created, built or made on the producers’ own premises. Promoting local talent and skills. Improving the use of our own resources.

Rural: Sustaining our own rural economy in the Lorn area of north Argyll.

Network: Bringing smal businesses together with the community to facilitate training; create and grasp opportunities; inspire cooperation and empower each other.

This is a serious attempt by a community to take charge of its own fortunes and develop its own local sustainability. Anyone interested in joining the organisation may make contact by email at lorn@lorn.org.uk or by phone at 01631 720223.