Duplets

Fraya Thomsen and Gillian Fleetwood, aka Duplets have relased their first CD. "Tree of Strings" will be officially launched at a gathering in Eden Court Theatre on 25th August and was part-funded with an award from PSYBT.

Gillian and Fraya both originally from the Inverness, have been described as “two of the most exciting exponents of the Scottish harp”.

Tree of Strings, also features performances by Gabe Macvarish, of Daimh, The Unusual Suspects’ Donald Hay and Tam “The Banjo” Kinsella, of The Squashy Bag Dance Band.

The Duplets play Scottish traditional music, songs and their own compositions.

Earlier this year they were both part of Harp Heaven, a sell-out concert for the Celtic Connections festival.

Tickets for the launch are free and available at www.thebooth.co.uk.

Orkney Update

We are very pleased to have Gavin Cullen fully on board (Note to self: we really must get a photograph of him) as local coordinator for PSYBT in Orkney. Gavin is among other things, carrying out the aftercare, organising Awards Panels and events - and he has been very busy with local Chair, Karen Scholes, organising the Orkney PSYBT Awards. (see elsewhere) . In addition, like the rest of PSYBT's regional staff he has been at the receiving end of training in the new PSYBT systems.

Gavin is already a busy man in Kirkwall, helping with the Folk Festival, running yoga classes, occasional dairyman and we are really lucky to have him on the team.
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Congratulations to Kevin Gauld (The Orkney Furniture Maker) on being shortlisted for the Balvenie Artisan Awards. We wish him the best of luck in the next stage of the competition.

The PSYBT Awards

It's full steam ahead for this year's PSYBT Awards. The Awards were open to all recent PSYBT clients and judging is now complete; winners will be announced at gala events in Highland on the 17th September and Orkney on the 18th. The Highland event is sponsored by Tulloch Homes and the Highland Council and will be held at the Inverness Town House.

Orkney has received very welcome support from the Robertson Trust and Orkney Islands Council and their presentation will take place in the visitor centre at the Highland Park distillery. Invitations and press releases are just about ready to be sent for both Finals.

The top six winners from each of PSYBT's 18 Regions will be invited to compete at the Grand Final to be held in Glasgow on the 17th November.

We're Back in Business

I think I've solved some of the technical issues with firewalls, anti-spyware and good old fashioned cackhandedness and can now concentrate on bringing you the news from PSYBT Highland. So let's have a quick catch up on what's happened since the last bulletin.
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Sara Luxmoore left PSYBT for pastures new in the Cotswolds and has been replaced as Operations Manager by Our Man from The Borders, Geoff Leask. Geoff who brings a lot of experience to the job, has already been to the Highlands a couple of times in his new capacity and we look forward to showing him around this fantastic region.






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Our good friend and former Grampian PSYBT (or PSBY, PSTB, PTBS) Manager, Simon Fraser is now married to the lovely Keri. It's about time he settled down.









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The big (non-human) arrival has been the launch of PSYBT's new Client Relationship Management (CRM) system which will form the foundation for all of PSYBT activities in the future. A completely linked system which enables us, at last, to gather all of our client data in one place and allow us easy access to information wherever we are.

Alithea, Gavin and I have had part of the training and Alithea, at least, is already a dab hand at inputting client enquiries. The next stage is for the application and aftercare processes to be included. This latter will then allow aftercare advisers to have direct access to the system thus cutting out another paper-based process. Lovely.
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And a really significant departure is Bill Anderson, The Prince's Trust - Scotland Area Manager for Highlands & Islands ,who has been made redundant as part of PT-S restructuring. Bill was invaluable in helping PSYBT Highland support some of our more disadvantaged young people. There are a lot of young people in our area who owe much of their personal and social development to Bill's enthusiasm and commitment; we definitely won't be losing touch with Bill and we all wish him every success for the future.

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In July, I went to the AltoAdige Region of Italy as a Judge for the Finals of this year's European Business Game. The Scottish team from Fortrose Academy acquitted themselves remarkably well, coming third overall and winning the Innovation Prize against some very fearsome pan-European competition.

The Fortrose Team

Jolomo Awards

A new awards scheme aimed at encouraging more young people in North West Scotland and the Highlands and Islands to set up businesses in the arts, craft and creative industries sector has just been launched.

The Jolomo PSYBT Awards is the result of a unique partnership between the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) and John Lowrie Morrison - Jolomo - one of Scotland’s best loved contemporary artists.

Born in Glasgow, Jolomo (pictured in Oban at the Award launch) is a leading Scottish painter renowned for his dramatic and colourful contemporary landscapes. Now living and working in Tayvallich, Argyll, Jolomo has spent much of his life painting the landscapes of the West Coast of Scotland and he is hoping through these awards to encourage more young people from the region he loves, to make a successful business whether its from arts, crafts and creative industries.

Throughout 2008 and 2009, with the help of a generous donation of £10,000 from John Lowrie Morrison, the awards will support approximately 8 young entrepreneurs in the arts and creative industries through PSYBT start-up grants of up to £1000 as well as loans of up to £5000. Eligible candidates will include everything from fine arts such as sculpting to handicrafts like quilting, through to decorative arts including wood crafting and glass blowing, and applied arts such as graphic design and film making. In addition every two years, the award scheme will recognise the special achievements of three young businesses under themes including distance travelled/personal development, commercial awareness/business skills and innovation/creativity.

Winners will be selected jointly by PSYBT and Jolomo and will receive prizes of £500 as well as special promotional opportunities and inclusion on Jolomo’s website.

Duplets - The Video

There's no stopping PSYBT musicians. While we're all waiting for fun-and-talented harp duo, The Duplets' (link) new CD (coming soon, folks) , just have a look at their video. And then try and get the tune out of your head.

We're Back!!

The blog had been abandoned for a while as I sorted out some technical stuff at home but we're up and running again and I'll try and catch up with some of the old news over the next few posts.

And look a lovely new picture of lovely old me.....

(Thanks, Clive)

Orkney

Orkney held its first volunteer review in the middle of February. PSYBT Chief Executive Mark Strudwick and Becca Logan (Fundraising Manager) came up from Glasgow to meet volunteers and supporters and also took part in a tour of our recent clients in their premises. We then held an evening event at the Albert Hotel, Kirkwall to celebrate Orkney's success.

Helen Bertram - Dress Design

Thanks to clients Britt Harcus, Kevin Gauld, Graham Firth, Helen Bertram and Jenna Flett and Roxanne van Schayk for taking part in the visit.

We had also allowed Alithea out of the office for a couple of days so she could put faces to the people she had been contacting over the past few years. It was a great opportunity for PSYBT Head Office to see some of the amazing businesses that had been supported over the past few years. The ever-important aftercare is now being provided by Gavin Cullen and is a sign that Orkney clients can receive the same support as their mainland "colleagues".

We can now announce that Karen Scholes, Orkney's Panel Chair has agreed to be Regional Chair for Orkney, recognizing the potential that Karen and her team of volunteers have unleashed in their area.

18-30 Enterprise Show

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Here's a picture of young, enthusiastic and motivated people doing strange yet entertaining things at the latest 18-30 Enterprise Show in Edinburgh a couple of weeks ago.

A late Friday night of bag-stuffing and furniture- shifting had turned the EICC into a veritable wonderland of enterprise activity. Congrats to our own Margaret Gibson and Susie VdP

An enthralled audience of potential entrepreneurs took part in workshops, activities and information gathering. Guest speakers, Fraser Docherty and Michelle Mone told their stories , I drank much-needed reviving fruit juices at the Juiced Up stand and we all watched Max from Gigglepoint make things from balloons.

Jenna Reid - Laughing Girl

Jenna Reid, fully paid-up Dochas member and wonderful Shetland fiddler in her own right has a new album out and it's wonderful. Get a copy of "Laughing Girl" and cheer yourself up.

Monday Afternoon Happy Picture

Before we get on to the business of the day here's a picture of the lovely Angela and Grant of Angela Stewart Flowers at Killearnan Chuch for their wedding

(I wonder who did the flowers)

Picture by Clive Grewcock (for once I wasn't paying)

Valentine's Day Ideas

If you're stuck for a present for that special person (or PSYBT Regional Manager) in your life, for Valentine's Day or any other time, here's a PSYBT solution.

Buy personalised booze.

Branded Beer was started in Fraserburgh by PSYBT clients James Watt and Stuart Ebdy in late 2007 and will send wine, whisky or beer fully personalised with a mugshot of your loved one.

Have a look at the website (Link).

Sandra MacBeth - Moon Eyes

PSYBT client (from quite a while ago), the great Sandra MacBeth (of Glenelg) has released her first music video.

Goodness, it's catchy.

Turn up the volume and watch the video in all its foxy (literally) loveliness here.

18-30 Enterprise Show - 9 February 2008

PSYBT is again taking the lead role in the 18-30 Enterprise Show to be held at the Edinburgh International Exhibition Centre on the 9th February. This inspiring and innovative event is aimed at existing and potential young entrepreneurs and provides not only information about the support that is available across Scotland but the chance to discuss your plans one-to-one with the likes of PSYBT, the Business Gateway, Shell LiveWIRE.

This FREE event kicks off at 8.45am with FREE Breakfast, a FREE Goodie Bag and the day continues with workshops, FREE lunch, entertainment and a wide range of networking opportunities. Michelle Mone will be talking about her eventful path to success, and there'll be displays and talks from other young entrepreneurs.

And all capped by the rare sight of at least one middle-aged advisor looking particularly uncomfortable in a red T-Shirt. (Some PSYBT staff can, however, get away with it -see below).
















Previous events have attracted over 400 attendees and have been universally acclaimed as one of the major highlight of the enterprise calendar.

Just turn up on the day or, preferably, register online and get more information here

Martin Currie Rob Roy Challenge

For those of you with an athletic bent, here's an opportunity to prove yourself and raise some cash for some worthy charities (including, of course, this one).

The 2008 Martin Currie Rob Roy Challenge covers 55 miles of the spectacular Rob Roy Way. Teams or individuals walk 16 miles from Drymen, near Loch Lomond, north-east through the Trossachs to Callander, where they switch to bikes for a 39 mile cycle to Kenmore - all in around 8 - 12 hours.

On arrival at Kenmore on Saturday evening, there will be a sumptuous feast and party, followed by camping on the stunning banks of Loch Tay or accommodation in local hotels. Breakfast will be served on Sunday before you depart for home (or probably, in the case of PSYBT's Grampian Manager, the local Accident & Emergency Dept. )

Through the sponsorship of individuals and teams, the event will raise money for Martin Currie Charitable Foundation and its partners. The partners are: Habitat for Humanity; The Prince's Trust; The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) and Place2Be.

You can register online at www.robroychallenge.com

Oh Canada!

Brian Weaver, Head of Business Growth at HIE and one of PSYBT's biggest supporters at the agency, is off on secondment to Toronto for three months. He'll be working with Scottish Development International, looking at inward investment in the technology sectors and building on his work with the Hothouse Challenge and MIT Media Lab.

No doubt Brian will have a good time in the snow enjoying local hospitality (like baby seals he can sample Canadian Club on the Rocks) and his lovely wife will undoubtedly regard the placement as respite care.

Happy New Year

First, apologies for taking so long to update the blog. Apart from the festive break, in company with a fair chunk of the Highlands, I was struck down by the flu which did put a damper on procedings somewhat.

So I'd better give an update of where we're at.

In mid-December, I was lucky enough to be invited to meet representatives of Saudi Arabia's Centennial Fund who, like PSYBT, are members of Youth Business International. The delegation led by Chief Executive, Hesham Tashkandi, was visiting PSYBT Head Office as part of an exchange of Best Practice. Timing precluded a visit to the Highlands so I took a bit of the Highlands to them and, hopefully, was able to demonstrate how we support our clients in more remote areas.

That same week, I attended a meeting of Healthy Routes in Fort William which aims to improve the wellbeing of the travelling community through improving access to education, health services and employment opportunities. It's always a pleasure to work with Christine Clephan, the coordinator of these events and to meet both the clients and the advisors (and probably quite useful for me to meet a nutritionist).

And thence to Christmas (which already seems a distant memory ) . This year's PSYBT bash was held at Sloan's in Glasgow, part of the ever-growing, DADA empire. (DADA was originally assisted by PSYBT and now owner, Oli Norman, is a PSYBT Ambassador.) A great time was had by all; thanks are due to Santa and his elves for making it such a brilliant event at the end of a pretty hectic year.

So that's a quick catch up. Here's to 2008. Heartfelt thanks to eveyone who helped make 2007 such a success for PSYBT clients in the Highlands.

There are considerable changes planned for the the enterprise network in 2008 (Who knows what the economic challenges will be for all of us in the Highlands?) but I do know that everyone will be really working hard to ensure that support for our clients will be maintained and enhanced.

Happy New Year