Online Access for The Villagers! Ever wish you hadn’t binned The Villagers after reading it from cover to cover? Trying to recall an article, photo or advert? Archive records of The Villagers newspaper are now available online thanks to an offer by Loch Earn Tourism Initiative (LETI) members to host the publication on its website. The Villagers’ editorial group and LETI members share common aims in promoting local people, news, stories and events peculiar to the area. Lochearnhead villager Kim Proven drives the marketing and development of LETI’s website with other volunteers, Paul Holt (Strathyre) and Alison Inglis (Balquhidder). Kim says “www. robroycountry.com depends on fresh local content and on-going publicity to improve its on-line presence and attract tourists. The Villagers newspaper does not have a website so the collaboration made sense. Local news and stories by both groups can now be enjoyed by villagers, tourists and generations to come.” Advertisers will gain a lifetime of extra value as the on-line version of the newspaper ensures automatic links where a website address is printed. Archive copies will be two months behind to enable up to the minute news and current events to be promoted in the traditional printed format sold via village retailers. LETI was formed in 1994 in Lochearnhead for accommodation providers to support each other. Neighbouring business enthusiasts from Balquhidder, Strathyre and St Fillans followed suit and today there are 38 member businesses covering accommodation, hospitality, outdoor activities and related services. Their aim is to increase business and awareness of the area through positive
publicity, attracting and delighting new and repeat guests. Kim says “Together we can sleep over 600 people, and wine and dine a significant number. If one of us is occupied we direct tourists to the website for alternative accommodation and information rather than lose them to other regions or countries. Like The Villagers’ news editors, we rely on locals and member volunteers to create and add new content. This is one of the ways that increases our chances of being found on the internet. It is a slow process, however, the website is constantly evolving and improving.” LETI’s chairman, photographer Alistair Barclay, rallies group members a few times a year offering a platform for ideas, discussion and outside presenters. The group also meets for light hearted social events at least once a year sampling dinners and lunches subsidised by hospitality members. If you are not aware of LETI’s website or recent updates, visit www.robroycountry. com or try searching for old news and contacts in The Villagers’ archives, www. robroycountry.com/index.php/News/TheVillager.htm If you are an accommodation, hospitality or outdoor activities provider in the area and would like to join LETI, there is an annual membership of £40. Members can expect; a business page and photographs, website links, scheduled events and attractions on the events calendar, stories and links on the blog site, publicity through external media contacts, sharing best practices, business and customer cross referrals and social gatherings to sample the best food and drink in the area. Email: enquiries@robroycountry.com with any queries relating to LETI or Telephone Kim Proven 01567 830 443 regarding the website.
Drs Strang & Scott and Drs Mathewson & Gibson Community Nurses The surgeries and community nurses are taking part in a training programme. This is to meet the educational and training needs of all members of the practice and nursing team. The next training afternoon will be on:
Wednesday 14 September Thursday 20 October Tuesday 22 November Both practices and community nurse clinic will close at 12 noon. Emergency cover will be provided by NHS24 for nursing and GPs. In the event of an emergency, please telephone 08454 242424. On that afternoon, please do not contact the surgeries for repeat prescriptions or for appointments.
Ballroom Dancing Classes
start again on Friday 23 September from 7.30pm in Lochearnhead Village Hall Beginners very welcome. Contact Mary Barclay on 01567-830453 for further details
Good Food - and a warm welcome awaits all. Our exciting new kitchen team will be cooking the best locally sourced produce to ensure our summer menu has something for everyone. To make a reservation and enquire about our free transport service contact George at the Kings House. Reservations Tel: 01877 384 646 Fax: 01877 384716 email: hotel@kingshouse-scotland.co.uk www.kingshouse-scotland.co.uk 10
Do you do a regular weekly shopping run to Stirling? Could you drop me off and collect me at Bridge of Allan? Leaving Balquhidder at 1.15pm ... collecting from Bridge of Allan at 4.00pm...? Cost of petrol to be shared. Phone Penny Hannah
01877 384202