[Beewyched]

Whereabouts are you Beewyched?

Buffy, egglady made a good suggestion ages ago, which was that people on here in each other's local area should have "smallholding meetings" - just a get together to see what each other's smallholding is like. Maybe you could try that for your area.

I have pretty much the same issue, I work all week so only at home at the weekends, and don't see much of the neighbours. Don't really get on that well with our closest neighbours which is a shame. The WI is ok, as Roxy said it is not all old ladies.

Use the internet for your local area- I met my fiancee on the internet (on a forum about Formula 1!), and we actually have a small group of friends from the same forum where we met that all live within about 30 miles. We don't see each other all the time, but about 2-3 times a year.

Beth

We're about 18 miles of Glasgow.  TAS is great as I'm not very good at making new friends, I'm not an introvert by any means, just tend to keep folks at arms length. 

[doganjo]

We had a TAS meeting at Glasgow Queen Street a couple of years ago and went for lunch nearby - about 9 or 10 of us turned up I think.  It was great fun.

[ballingall]

We're about 18 miles of Glasgow.  TAS is great as I'm not very good at making new friends, I'm not an introvert by any means, just tend to keep folks at arms length. 

North of Glasgow, South, West? We are about 24 miles east from Glasgow- thought you might be in the central belt.

Bteh

[Sylvia]

We have a Smallholders Association down here in Devon. Is there anything like that in your part of the world? We have a meeting once a month, not a formal meeting but doing something like a skittles match or a plant sale/swap. Once a month is plenty enough socialising for me but you will meet people who live nearby, probably and can build a social life from there.
They will, at least, be like-minded folk.

[doganjo]

Yes, we have, Sylvia - Central Scotland Smallholders Association.  I am Treasurer.  www.smallholders.info for anyone who lives within reasonable distance of Stirling where we hold our indoor meetings. We have a number of events planned including taking stands at two of the major summer shows.  Our next meeting is Wednesday 13th 7:30 pm Mayfield Centre Stirling. Talk from Sandy Slater, of Business Gateway, on Small Business funding. Free admission to members (non-members £5- membership for year is £10 so you could join on the night and then I think get all except one of our events free for 2011), donations for refreshments. Come along Beewyched, and anyone else, and see if you like us 

[clydesdaleclopper]

Moved from Perthshire to Aberdeenshire 3 years ago - love my place and work from home so really only go out for animal feed when I get the car ... not complaining but this is my social life  - maybe we could have more local 'meet ups' for sad people like me!!

Where in Aberdeenshire are you? I'm Huntly way and I've met quite a few people on NEEPS.

[Beewyched]

Yes, we have, Sylvia - Central Scotland Smallholders Association.  I am Treasurer.  www.smallholders.info for anyone who lives within reasonable distance of Stirling where we hold our indoor meetings. We have a number of events planned including taking stands at two of the major summer shows.  Our next meeting is Wednesday 13th 7:30 pm Mayfield Centre Stirling. Talk from Sandy Slater, of Business Gateway, on Small Business funding. Free admission to members (non-members £5- membership for year is £10 so you could join on the night and then I think get all except one of our events free for 2011), donations for refreshments. Come along Beewyched, and anyone else, and see if you like us 

Thanks Annie, will definately try & get up to you on 13th.

Beth - sorry - WEST of Glasgow 

[Brucklay]

clydesdaleclopper - wee bit east - outside Maud near Mintlaw - sorry forgot to check this post, watching lambs and kids too long!!

[doganjo]

Maud and Huntly ain't THAT far apart! Get together for  a TAS meet!

[Norfolk Newby]

4 years ago we moved to mid Norfolk. Didn't know anyone but found the natives friendly (nice place!).

I had previously worked as a volunteer for a charity near my old home. This took up about 4 hours a month. So I looked around for something similar in my new area.

I have now worked (about 4 - 6 hours per month) for a local Credit Union. It is not a charity but operates on a similar basis with a group of volunteers who are nice helpful people with a lot of experience (mostly retired). They make a pool of potential friends and help bring a bit of sanity and perspective into what could be a narrow isolated sort of existence.

Depending on your commitments, a charity shop, the committee which runs the village hall, helps the elderly or similar would all welcome someone with a little time and a good brain who doesn't mind 'mucking-in' when help is needed.

The trade is that you meet people, make friends, get help yourself.

[princesspiggy]

brucklay, ur not far from me.
if u buy and sell livestock or go to shows, its amazing how many people u end up meeting, especially at thainstone ... lol
id be up for a ne scotland tas meet. wud be fun.