Burns WISHES
LOCAL ladies gathered together to celebrate Scotland's national bard with help from Inverclyde Shed and a team from the Co-op.
Members of the Wishes ladies group and the Shed's songwriting group tucked into kale soup, and haggis, neeps, and tatties at the Shed to celebrate the birthday of Robert Burns.
A team from the Co-op dished up the tasty food - which had been prepared by Inverclyde Shed founder Bruce Newlands - and chatted to the group about the Co-op's local community fund.
Co-op members are being urged to make sure they select a charity online or on the app to make sure a local cause benefits from the money in the pot.
The Shed is one of the charities that can be selected by members this year.
Co-op member activator Lynda Currie said: "We're here to celebrate the warm space that has been created here.
"If members choose a community cause on the app of online, it helps more money to be allocated locally.
"We have strong links with the Shed and part of our role is to visit groups and help them out.
"Going out and about meeting people is what we're here for.
"It was great to be here today."
Co-op regional member activator manager Tom Copeland gave the toast to the haggis.
He said: "The local community fund is about encouraging local causes to work together and building local links.
"It was a proper Burns celebration and was great day for us."
Lynda and Tom were joined by Co-op team leader Edward Mackay.
All of the produce for the celebration was bought from the Co-op and prepared by Bruce, and the supermarket donated shortbread.
The Co-op also donates surplus wood to the Shed - which is produced through the company's funeralcare business - to Sheds across Scotland.
Bruce said: "We want to say a big 'thank-you' to the Co-op.
"They've supported us since we began.
"Their funding has allowed us to expand our gardens and apiary, and the red oak powers the Shed.
"They've always been there for us and they're definitely our pals."
Irene Reid, chairperson of Larkfield Youth Connections Wishes group, said: "It's been a great day.
"The food has been great and it was a chance for us all to get together."