Regenerating Kinloss and Moray through social enterprise

EFFORTS to regenerate the Kinloss area in the wake of the closure of RAF Kinloss will be to the fore at a social enterprise conference in Moray.

The Moray Social Enterprise Network (MSEN) is behind the event on Friday, September 9.

This event is open to anyone with an interest in social enterprise, currently working with one or hoping to set up a new social enterprise.

The seminar will take place in the Cumming hall at Kinloss from 10am to 6pm.

It will focus on the opportunities that social enterprise already presents to Moray’s economy and the huge potential for expansion.

"We want to reach the people most affected by the impacts of the closure of Kinloss and the damage the uncertainty over RAF Lossiemouth has done to confidence in Moray’s economy," said spokesman William Methven.

The MSEN has worked in partnership with the Kinloss Community Council, RAF Kinloss and Kinloss Economic Partnership to hold the event in the newly refurbished Cumming Hall.

Mr Methven, general manager of the Rural Environmental Action Project (REAP) which is co-ordinating the seminar, said: "We want to take the opportunities that social enterprise has to offer to the heart of the communities most immediately affected, but also recognise that this is a Moray-wide issue.

Speakers will include Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, who is a long-term supporter of social enterprise in Moray and Calum MacPherson, Moray Area Manager for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Jim Royan, chair of the recently formed Moray Economic Partnership, will also attend the seminar.

Places at the conference can be booked on 01542 888070 or on line at www.reapscotland.org.uk/events