The 53rd Dunkeld Cathedral Art exhibition takes place daily between 29th July and 31st August in the Duchess Anne Halls in the Cross, Dunkeld. There is a mix of familiar names along with new artists. The invited artists this year are Graham Turpie from Stirling (bottom left) and Brian Petrie from Carnoustie (bottom right). www.dunkeldartexhibition.com
The Bridge
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Welcome to the summer edition of The Bridge - a bumper edition packed full to the brim with information about our community’s events and activities
The impact of the covid pandemic has been long and deep and has affected us all For some of our groups it marked an ending after many years of meeting and for some changes in the way they operate Others, such as our Highland Games, Horticultural Show or Art Exhibition, have had to navigate difficult paths to comply with restrictions while still trying to keep the show on the road So it is with great happiness that I look at our diary of events and feel that things are back to normal
The Dunkeld Art Exhibition held at the Duchess Anne Halls in aid of parish funds is now in it’s 53rd year Many artists, using a variety of mediums, display art for sale These unique pieces may make for the perfect present you have been scratching your head to find The exhibition is open daily until the end of August so enjoy taking a wander Margaret Scott is always on the lookout for extra stewards to help for 3 hours at a time It is an ideal way to meet people and make new friends If you would be interested contact Margaret on Dunkeldart@aol com
The Living History Weekend on 28th - 30th July, organised by the archives, offers a great opportunity to engage with our local history in a uniquely interactive way including groups in Stanley Hill reenacting famous local battles See pages x for information
After that it’s time to start inspecting your garden for something to enter in to the Gardening and Growing Show on 19th August Last year I went round my garden very despondently following heavy rain that had
ruined a lot of the flowers I picked a stem of ‘The Thug’ floribunda that seemed just about OK although covered in black spot I took most of the leaves off and then thought ‘Oh well, stick it in’ and what do you know? I won a first and huge silver cup Why? Well because no one else entered that class which just goes to show if you’re not in it you cannae win it! So I encourage you just to have a go There are also some great classes for children which brings fun to all such as the funniest looking vegetable or creating a bug hotel I still remember the boys’ efforts at making vegetable dinosaurs many years ago now See the full schedule and entry form on page 15
Finally to the Highland Games – a day for us all to gather and blether drink beer in the sunshine and watch the Games There are the usual spectacles of Highland Dancing and Tossing the Caber as well as the unique - ie the world haggis eating championship Like nearly all our events the Games are organised by a group of volunteers who have to contend with every increasing barrage of health and safety regulations (don’t get me started) and rising insurance costs Last year they made a small loss so let’s all get down to the Rec and see if we can help see our Games back into the black
Whatever you are doing I hope you find time to put your feet up, enjoy the long days and evenings at this time of year and bask in living in one of the most beautiful places in the world in the company of one of the best communities in the world Slainte!
Sally Robertson
Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group
Working constructively to get the best community outcomes from the A9 dualling proposals
The next A9 Community Group meeting will be on Thursday 28th September, 7.30pm at Birnam Arts/ Zoom unless otherwise notified. All welcome!
As planned for some time, we have prepared a “Story so Far” brief history of our A9 dualling engagement since 2016 – see page 17.
Well, the best laid plans We and Junctions Action Group (JAG) did have a briefing meeting with Kevin Stewart MSP, Transport Minister, on 5th June, along with some Transport Scotland officials It was quite useful but he then resigned so we await an opportunity to brief his successor Fiona Hyslop MSP, or indeed the new Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition Mairi McAllan MSP We are grateful as always to John Swinney MSP for helping arrange such briefings and for his continuing support I reported on that meeting at our AGM on 8th June, attended by 7 people, plus Ian Martin from Jacobs, with 3 apologies Perhaps fatigue is getting to everyone
The Coordinator summarised the key points from the year, as detailed in our monthly reports in “Bridge” (see link below) It was a period: – of continued frustration at not getting any useful updates,and lack of transparency,from Transport Scotland, though Jacobs did advise on periodic survey works – of two more changes of Transport Minister and one of Cabinet Secretary – just before that change there was an email to us expecting that a preferred route for Pass of Birnam to Tay Crossing would be announced “by this spring” (which has not happened), and also an announcement in Parliament that the 2025 A9 Perth to Inverness dualling target was not now achievable (no surprise there, as we, JAG and the Community Council stated to the press); – of further meetings with and facilitated by John Swinney MSP, most importantly, and sadly, after the increase in fatal accidents on our stretch of the A9, followed by increased pressure from JAG as regards interim safety measures – see their separate report in this Bridge
The Treasurer reported a balance of £ 2878 27 at end March Expenditure during the financial year was £487 76, partly on meeting rooms and partly on Zoom meeting licences for two years During the year the A9CG agreed to hold funds on behalf of the Junctions Action Group to save them having to formally constitute and have a separate bank account There was £214 00 in that fund on 8th June
The following office bearers agreed to continue and were re-elected: Coordinator: Alasdair Wylie, Depute Coordinator: Mike Wolfe, Treasurer: Garth Ponsonby, Secretary : Sophie Cade
Also see Birnam and Dunkeld Junctions Action Group (JAG) on page 6
We hope you all have a good and safe summer!
As always you can contact us at email: dunkeldA9workinggroup@gmail com, and to have your details added (or removed from) our mailing list; Also at Facebook page: Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group Please Like and Share it Or just phone me!
Alasdair Wylie, Coordinator 01350 727361
Our page on "The Bridge" website, including key documents for download is: http://www dunkeldandbirnamnews co uk/community-council/a9-dualling
The latest Information from Transport Scotland (May 2019 for PoB to TC!) is at: https://www transport gov scot/news/significant-milestone-as-four-more-a9-dualling-schemes-given-approval https://www transport gov scot/projects/a9-dualling-perth-to-inverness/a9-pass-of-birnam-
Arts News 3
WHAT’S ON AT BIRNAM ARTS
Up Town Comedy Club
With Stuart Mitchel and Guests
Friday 14th July 8.30pm – Tickets £16
BRAND NEW COMEDY NIGHT COMES TO BIRNAM & DUNKELD
A new quarterly comedy night is launching in Birnam & Dunkeld to prove that you don’t need to travel to the city to see big names and quality acts, just head up the road to Birnam Arts
UP TOWN COMEDY will be coming to Birnam Arts on the 14th of July with an allstar line up to be announced soon, joining "Work of genius” (Daily Record *****) and "One of Scotland's rising stars" (Sunday Mail) Stuart Mitchell This new quarterly comedy night will showcase some of the very best performers across the UK as well as international acts Even better there will be very special and secret appearances from the biggest stars testing new material before their arena tours as well as rising stars before they hit the big time!
UP TOWN COMEDY is a new and exciting pop-up comedy show dedicated to providing a great local night out Created by Scottish comedian Stuart Mitchell, the longest running panellist on BBC Scotland's Breaking the News and rising TikTok star, Stuart's comedy achievements include critically acclaimed sell out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, Glasgow Comedy Festival and being handpicked to perform in the 'Best of the Edinburgh Fest' showcase at the Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne Comedy Festivals He is also the longest running panellist on BBC Scotland's 'Breaking the News' and was part of the panel line up for the very first TV recording of the show
Chamber Philharmonic Europe Orchestra
Friday 21st July 7.30pm
Tickets £15
Enjoy an evening full of versatile sounds and complex emotions with the following selected works: Corelli - Concerto Grosso Op 6 No 4 in
D Major
J G Neruda - Concerto for Trumpet and orchestra in E-flat Major
J.S. Bach - Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor, BWV 1043
Elgar - Serenade for strings, Op 20
S Rachmaninoff - Vocalise
W A Mozart - Divertimento F Major KV 138
The instrumentalists exuded energy, excitement, colour and virtuosic flair in their playing" Bachtrack
"Gussaroff played brilliantly, with lots of attention to detail" Bachtrack
The Kammerphilharmonie Europa gives a guest performance in Maidenhead for this very special concert The ensemble is made up of some of the most talented young musicians from across Europe who tour and perform around the world with award-winning soloists Pawel Zuzanski (violin) and Cyrill Gussaroff (trumpet)
In the 2021-2022 season, the European Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra gave over 40 concerts worldwide Our musicians have performed in many prestigious concert halls and opera houses, including Civic Theatre, Dublin, Musikhuset Aarhus, Neumünster, Zürich, Conway Hall, London, Kulturkvarteret Kristianstad, The Hawth, Crawley, the Palladium, Malmö and opening concert at the Vendsyssel Festival
Thrown National Theatre of Scotland
Wednesday 26th July
Tickets from £10
Sweat Opposition Negotiation Hold on Tight
Five wildly different women gather in the muddy fields of the Highland Games circuit to compete in the obscure art of Backhold Wrestling ? The pearls are off, influencer videos posted, “Gucci bag” from the Barras set aside as the bold beginners attempt to become a team and win the championship But nothing will prepare them for the competition that could stop them taking home the trophy - each other Will their differences face-plant Imogen, Chantelle, Jo, Pamela and Helen’s chances of success in the mud? ?
Poignant and dynamic, Thrown gets to grips with belonging and identity in Scotland
A unique, unmissable new production ?
It will be funny, it will be loud, it will be brutal
Written by Nat McCleary
Directed by Johnny McKnight
Blazin Fiddles
Wednesday 16th August 8pm
Tickets £22*
Easily amongst Scotland’s most renowned and celebrated folk groups, Blazin’ Fiddles formed for a one-off tour of the Scottish Highlands in 1999, and are still raising roofs far and wide in their 25th year on the road
Multiple winners of Scotland’s Folk Band of the Year, the six-piece have long been one of country’s foremost and most recognisable traditional ensembles, touring far beyond their deep northern roots Encompassing a rare and virtuosic selection of the fiddle’s diverse Highland and island voices, in their 25 years the Blazers have undoubtedly become one of the world’s most prolific fiddle ensembles With ensemble and solo-led sets both backed by powerhouse guitar and piano, the band’s four-fiddle frontline of Inverness’ Bruce MacGregor, Shetlander Jenna Reid, Nairn’s Rua Macmillan, and Orkney’s Kristan Harvey ignites atop second-to-none accompaniment from Anna Massie and Angus Lyon Like rare single malts, each member draws upon the distinct musical flavours from their rich traditional heritages, collectively packing all the power, passion and sensitivity of Scotland’s music, into a single show
Beachcomber and Other Stories
Clydebuilt Puppets
Friday 4th Aug
Tickets £10 Adult and Child
Extra Adult / Child £3
Lovely puppet stories for family audiences
THE FISHERMAN'S WISH - be careful what you wish for but don't be greedy and the famous story of KING CANUTE
EXHIBITIONS
Perthshire Open Studios Summer Show: 1-16 July
Perthshire Open Studios’ members exhibition 2023 will feature the work of over 70 different creatives from across Perthshire, working in a variety of media
The Big Think-In – We want to hear from you! 19-30 July
In late July the Birnam Arts gallery space will be dedicated to the voices and opinions of our visitors Please tell us what do you want to see at Birnam Arts, what have you enjoyed the most, what can we improve on? We are committed to our community and we want to include you as much as possible, so come along and tell us what you think!
Alison Price – Drawn To 5 Aug – 3 Sep
An exhibition of drawings and paintings by Birnam born and bred artist Alison Price Responding to and recording all her senses via expressive mark making and ephemeral layers of paint, Alison tells us a story of the Scottish landscape in her summer exhibition at Birnam Arts
Our ‘Summer Arts for Kids ‘school holiday sessions are back! In these child centred workshops, kids will learn from specialist arts tutors and each session will focus on a different medium and concept These workshops are appropriate for children from P1 to P7 and we are offering the sessions on a Sliding Scale framework to ensure accessibility for all Please visit our website for further details
Summer Dance Camp
Wed 9th – Fri 11th Aug 10am – 1pm
Kids 5+/Students £54 for 3 sessions
Adults £63 for 3 sessions
'Join Kelly and Emma for 3 mornings of DANCE! With classical ballet as the core, we will keep you on your toes with a range of dance styles, choreography, and activities, whilst building technique, creativity and friendships!
2 tutors, 2 studios, 2 groups, lots of DANCE!
Please wear usual dancewear (or leggings/shorts and a t shirt if you are new to dance) Please bring healthy snacks, water to drink, trainers, colouring pencils (younger dancers)'
Expressive drawing Workshop with Alison Price: Sun 27th Aug 2 - 4:30pm – Sliding Scale £12 / £8
Join artist Alison Price for an afternoon of playful discovery In the Visual Arts studio participants will experiment with some expressive mark making and create their own simple folded sketchbooks before, weather permitting, venturing around the surrounding gardens and woodland, filling the sketchbooks with the sights and sounds of Birnam Glen
All our regular classes will start back after the school holidays
Arts News
Just Singin` Concert
What a fabulous time we had at our 20th Anniversary concert last night! Thank you to the wonderful audience who packed out the auditorium We were especially thrilled to welcome back so many former members, a joy to see you again!
Well done to all our singers and thank you for all the effort that you have put in over these past months, you sounded fabulous - check out this link for some snippets https://photos app goo gl/8F9LGHksTUdzjw9C8
Huge thanks also to our fantastic tutors, Irene Railley and Amy Lord, who taught us the songs featured in the concert, to our founding member Christine Kydd for her outstanding and moving performance, to our local heroes, Dave Amos and Pete Caban for their loyal support and songs, to our excellent comperes, our own Fiona Ritchie and Alasdair Wylie and finally, to Birnam Arts and staff for supporting and hosting the event magnificently
JS is now on holiday until 23rd August when we look forward to welcoming new and current singers
Have a great summer!
Just Singin` donation to Dunkeld & Birnam Young Traditional Musicians
The donation of £357 was the proceeds of a raffle held at the Just Singin 20th Anniversary Concert and presented at the DBYTM s end of term concert Well done to all the musicians and their tutors!
" DB Trad Group says it is delighted with the kindness of Just Singin making a donation to us Donations like these ensure we can continue running long term and providing opportunities for young persons in the area to experience all the benefits of playing music in groups and to continue our strong local and national heritage of playing traditional Scottish music "
Dunkeld & Birnam
Traditional Youth Music Group
By the time this comes to print, Dunkeld & Birnam Traditional Youth Music Group will have had their end of term concert - our very first live performance - and will have finished up for the summer break
We would like to say a big thank you to everyone for all the local support and donations of money and instruments we’ve received; there has been an amazing response from residents in our local communities We are currently running on funding from The National Lottery community fund, SSE renewables, The Basil Death Trust, The Gordon Duncan Memorial Trust and our local community council - we are truly thankful to our funders for turning the idea of DB Trad Group into a reality
We would also like to thank The Enchanted Forest, amongst others, for their kind donations to our project
On Monday 12th June Ewan Alcorn and Ian ford, Master Masons, kindly presented us with a donation of £500 on behalf of The United Lodge of Dunkeld No 14 for which we are very grateful All monies received go directly into the running of our Group for the benefit of all our young members and their musical ventures
We’d also like to thank the wonderful staff at Birnam Arts for their continuing support and hard work, which we have very much heavily relied upon
Most importantly, we would like to congratulate our young members for their participation in learning instruments, new music and gaining skills in playing in groups
We will return to full classes and band groups on Monday 28th August
For anyone who would like to join, classes and bands run weekly during term–time at Birnam Arts, are completely free and open to those aged P5 – S6
Tuition is currently for fiddle and piano-accordion and delivered in small group classes
We have junior and senior mixed instrument trad bands available for those who can already play, at least a little, regardless of the style of music already learned Suitable instruments for band are fiddle/violin and accordion, cello, wind, brass, guitarist, piano/keyboard and many more
For more info, contact; dbtradgroup@gmail com or 07958 324 766
Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries
Join us at Birnam Library between 2 pm and 4 pm on Wednesday, 9th of August for our Summer Coding Camp! Whether you already have some experience with coding or want to give it a try, during this session, you will get hands-on with our micro:bit computers and mBot robots and have some fun with coding! This event costs £5 per child and is suitable for children aged 8-12 Please book via the Culture Perth and Kinross website Children must be accompanied but a responsible adult
Come along to a Bookbug session at Birnam Library! Join us on Thursday mornings from 10 30am-11 00am for a session of songs, stories, and rhymes for under 5s
Prebooking for each session is essential Please get in touch with Birnam Library to book a spot 01738 459709 / birnamlibrary@culturepk org uk
Summer Reading Challenge 2023
Have you signed up for this year ’s Summer Reading Challenge? Each year the Summer Reading Challenge motivates over 700,000 children of all abilities to read for enjoyment over the summer holidays The theme this year is Ready Set Read! and aims to keep children's minds and bodies active over the summer break It is aimed at Primary aged children from those due to go to school in 2023 to those in their final year of Primary, and this is how it works:
Children sign up for free through their local library and receive a fun pack
They set a reading goal and borrow books of their choice during the summer, collecting special stickers and incentives
Library staff and volunteers help children to discover new books that suit their interests and reading level and run a programme of free-themed activities in the library
Children who meet their reading goal and complete the Challenge are presented with a certificate and/or a medal
Alternatively, children can take part online at https://summerreadingchallenge org uk/ Pop into any Culture Perth and Kinross Library and sign up!
Princh Printing
Culture Perth and Kinross Libraries have installed Princh, a new printing solution in libraries across Perth and Kinross, including Birnam Library With Princh, it is now possible to print from any mobile device, tablet, or laptop from home or in one of our participating libraries Just print, pay online and pick up your items You can send your print jobs at any time from any place, and what's more, you no longer have to wait in line at the printer
Details can be found on our website https://www culturepk org uk/libraries/internetand-computers/princh-printing/
Perth Art Gallery
Come to Perth Art Gallery this spring and explore our new permanent exhibition, Modern Scots The exhibition, over two galleries, tells the story of influential modern Scottish artists and their contribution to 20th and 21st century art The works on display cover the last 100 years and demonstrate the new and innovative ways Scottish artists were working and taking inspiration from the past and Europe The exhibition includes key players in the story of Scottish art, such as Joan Eardley and Sir William MacTaggart, alongside renowned contemporary artists Calum Colvin and Alison Watt
Details can be found on the Culture Perth and Kinross website: https://bit ly/modernscots
Birnam Library
Come along to a Bookbug session at Birnam Library! Join us on Thursday mornings from 10 30am-11 00am for a session of songs, stories, and rhymes for under 5s Prebooking for each session is essential Please get in touch with Birnam Library to book a spot 01738 459709 / birnamlibrary@culturepk org uk
1: To transform the lives of people in the villages and surrounding areas through sport and leisure
2: To promote the various sports and leisure activities in the Dunkeld & Birnam area
3: To support the building and maintenance of sports facilities including a sports hall ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––All sports and leisure clubs are invited to join 'The Sports Hub ' Membership is free
Please send details of your club's activities and events to editor@dunkeldandbirnmamnews co uk for inclusion in the hub page of 'The Bridge ' For more details see: www dunkeldandbirnamnews co uk/sport ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Dalguise Meditation Group
Meditation has all sorts of benefits – increased focus and calmness, the opportunity to see things from a different perspective, a greater feeling of lightness and harmony, among many others Whether you have never tried meditation before, or whether you have an established practice, why not come to one of our meetings and find out what we do?
Meetings take place every other Tuesday in Dalguise Village Hall from 10 30 to 12 30 In July the meetings are on the 4th and 18th We enjoy sitting and walking meditations, discussions and refreshments There is no charge and we have no religious affiliations
If you aren't able to attend in person, you might be interested in joining our mailing list, to receive interesting and helpful articles about meditation on the intervening Tuesdays If you would like to know more about our meetings or about meditation in general, contact faithanstey@gmail com
Breadalbane & District RDA (SC047991)
The summer term has progressed very well with 11 riders attending most weeks and great progress has been made Developing independence from leaders and sidewalkers has been the aim of the term and the increased confidence of the riders has been very evident
In the middle of June we were visited again by Petra Humphrey (our Regional coach) who came to assess Helen Webb as a coach for our group None of us were in any doubt that Helen would meet the grade which she duly did and passed with flying colours Perfect timing for the group to have a new coach just as Jennifer Valentine retires from coaching and hands over the reins!! The group is now lucky enough to have 3 fully assessed coaches which allows for sickness or holiday time off without compromising the lessons
Looking ahead we will have our usual stand at the Aberfeldy Show on August 11th and 12th with home baking, jams, jellies, marmalade, bric a brac etc raising funds to keep the group going We hope you will support us and look forward to seeing you there
We have a great team of volunteers but never have too many and welcome anybody who might be interested in joining We operate on Monday mornings from 9 -12 during the school summer and autumn terms just south of Pitlochry You can find out more about us on our website www breadalbanerda org uk or contact us by email at breadalbanerda@gmail com Or you can ring Helen on 01796 470414 or Vicky on 07786 262329
Connect … Linking Asheville, North Carolina, USA and Dunkeld & Birnam
Recently I joined a twelve-day immersive adventure through music, dance, poetry, excursion, craft, culture, and local cuisine, co-hosted by the Sister Cities of Dunkeld and Birnam, and Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a southern gem on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, which winds through the Appalachian Mountains It’s home to a rich folk tradition, including the Swannanoa Gathering, a summer programme of folk arts workshops blending African, European and indigenous Cherokee music and dance traditions
Asheville is also home to Warren Wilson College, a small liberal arts university and my alma mater This trip was hosted by professor emeritus Phil Jamison, a renowned dance caller, old-time musician, and flat foot dancer, and by Birnam's own Fiona Ritchie MBE, radio broadcaster and bestselling author The trip honoured the folk music traditions of both cultures
Warren Wilson holds a special place in my heart for drawing people of different walks of life together through an approach to the liberal arts tradition focused on community welfare and the greater good
So I enjoyed the rich, multi-generational diversity of our group – an artist, a lawyer, a singer, a perfumer, a teacher, a farmer, to recall a few Nothing prepared me though for the staggering geographical beauty, the warmth of the local community, or the vibrancy of nightly music sessions
Hiking along the River Tay, stopping to listen to a poem or birdsong, I was transported back to the banks of the Swannanoa River, a mirror-like reflection of the flowing waters of Dunkeld The smiles and generosity that greeted our group in every doorway or along the many hikes, around dinner tables, and in learning about Climate Café’s local origins, felt like the warmth of home Spinning arm in arm at the Birnam Arts Centre
ceilidh, I was sure I glimpsed sight of old friends In fact, they were new ones
We also explored Oban, Inverness and St Andrews
On our winding journey through the Highlands and coastal plains, we got to know what drew each of us to explore Scottish heritage I will treasure these exchanges for a long time On the final leg of the trip, we explored the bustling environs of Edinburgh,
including a memorable tour of the
and
We even got to experience First Minister ’s Questions
Someone famously wrote “On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it ” I couldn’t agree more
Scottish Parliament with Dunkeld’s Graeme Cook
John Swinney, MSP
Ruby Chorbajian Warren Wilson College (near Asheville, NC) class of 2003
Community News continued
Birnam and Dunkeld
Junctions Action Group (JAG)
JAG is a local group of residents who live and work in the Dunkeld, Birnam and Dalguise area who are trying to seek action and solutions to the distress, damage and delays caused by the multiple junctions between Pass of Birnam to Tay crossing bridge (the most recent one on Monday 12th June when two people were badly injured, causing A9 closure at Dunkeld) We have engaged with Transport Scotland since 2021 The A9 Community Group and JAG met with John Swinney,
Transport Scotland and the Transport Minister on 5th June to convey our concerns Unfortunately, the minister resigned, due to ill health, the following day A new Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop, has been appointed on 13th June We hope to have early engagement with her
We recognise that reducing fatalities are the focus of the A9 dualling but we await any major road upgrade which could anything between 5 and 20 years away The community now need urgent priority action at the junctions to improve the safety for residents, bus drivers, delivery drivers, commercial vehicles and visitors
The increased traffic on the A9 all year makes using Dunkeld, Birnam,A822 ( Strathbraan road) & Dalguise junctions hazardous and often with considerable waiting times for safe crossing
Unlike most places on the A9, our community has the A9 separating many residents from the station, school, shops pharmacy & surgery
There can be a queue of 20-30 cars extending from the Dunkeld junction across to the Thomas Telford Bridge, blocking car access to Birnam and causing significant delays and frequent accidents & near miss incidents
(The group frequently receive written and verbal accounts of near miss incidents)
We have been campaigning for:
* Improved road marking & signage (some upgrades
have been made in recent months)
* Better lighting, road markings and lighting at the junctions
* Speed restriction (50MPH) over the single carriageway section here
* No overtaking zones
* Cameras to monitor driver behaivour
* Trial of an elliptical roundabout, this would also pilot any multimillion £ solution as part of the A9 infrastructure project to see if this is a practical solution/ option
Transport Scotland has committed to investigating lighting, speed restrictions and a roundabout (at the Dunkeld /A822 junction) but we await an update on these important considerations
It is important to note that there are seven junctions on section Pass of Birnam - Tay Crossing Bankfoot, Birnam, Dunkeld and Birnam Station, Dunkeld,Crieff Crianlarich A822, the Hermitage and Dalguise
Each of these have particular safety considerations to be considered on a 60mph stretch of this major trunk road
We cannot continue to wait for these improvements whilst there is so much uncerainly over the long term plans for the whole A9
David E Bee Pam Green Junction Action Group
Community First Responders –Dunkeld, Birnam
and surrounds
Community First Responders are volunteers who are trained by the Scottish Ambulance Service to attend certain types of emergency calls in the area where they live or work Their aim is to reach a potential lifethreatening emergency in the first vital minutes before the ambulance crew arrives Their role is to help stabilise the patient and provide the appropriate care until the more highly skilled ambulance crew arrives on scene to take over the treatment They are usually based in rural communities where ambulance crews have longer to travel to the patient
There is a gap in Community First Responder provision in the area of Dunkeld, Birnam and surrounds – but work is underway to fill that gap Previous calls for interest in The Bridge have seen a number of people come forward to volunteer to be trained up First Responders, and to help set up a charity to oversee all of this work Establishing as a charity is a huge step forward, and will allow us to fundraise, hold money, and offers a secure structure under which trained first responders can operate
We continue to have excellent support from the Scottish Ambulance Service, and have been delighted to meet up with an established unit in Aberfeldy, and others in early days of setup in Pitlochry Perth First Responders supported us admirably at the recent Community Fayre, and all of these contacts have been amazing with hints and tips We were very moved that the Community Ceilidh donations at the door were donated to our group – our very first donation – raising money will be vital as we have to pay for lots of kit ourselves You’ll start to see our activities ramp up on that We’re keen to raise our visibility too – and hope to have a stall at the Birnam Games
From a standing start in late 2022 we now have an emerging charity, with committed and capable interim office bearers, together with a well skilled and motivated group of people ready to be trained as First Responders We’re sending our first group of local people to be trained up in September at the specialist centre near Edinburgh We’ll keep everyone updated on our journey
We are still building our base - if you are interested in either exploring training as a First Responder, or considering how you might be able to help in other ways, please get in touch with Graeme Cook on 07904 411624 or email dunkeldandbirnamsafety@gmail com
Mon-Fri
Rivendell provides high quality care and support for you and your elderly relative Based in Birnam and Dunkeld, our homely environment provides a safe and fun community spirit Our trained staff provide care and support for all your needs 24 hours a day, we are always there
So, if you are looking for social contact, a safe and supportive environment, support with health or medical needs then contact us
Our mission is to provide a home for life, so come and live life with us
Please phone 01350 727413 and speak to Gina or email: rivendellcare@btconnect.com for more information
Community News continued
Museum & Heritage Centre
Dunkeld Community Archive
12 The Cross, Dunkeld, PH8 0AN. www.historicdunkeld.org.uk archives@historicdunkeld.org.uk
01350 727786
Dunkeld Living History WeekendJuly 28th, 29th and 30th
We look forward to welcoming you to our Annual Living History event Please see main event poster on page 11 for details
Oral History Project
We are about to embark on a plan to record oral history based around the cine-film footage from the early 1950’s If you have any memories of that time and would like to be involved in the project please let us know
Volunteers
A great way to meet like-minded people and learn about Dunkeld’s vast history We have lots of interesting projects to get involved in so please get in touch if you have any spare time
Acquisitions
We are always happy to receive new and interesting artefacts, photographs, documents or research relevant to Dunkeld and the surrounding area
Online Exhibitions
Check out our latest exhibition at: www historicdunkeld org uk
DBDCDT Trust Update July 2023
First Ever Community Fayre and Ceilidh a Great Success!
Many thanks to the 32 community groups who were able to join us for our first ever Fayre & Ceilidh on 3rd June The event was a real success providing great opportunities for networking and promotion of the wide range of fantastic activities and organisations our community has to offer Birnam Arts were the perfect hosts and looked after us all beautifully! The Ceilidh was a wonderful event for both our visitors from Asheville and locals alike and helped to raise over £160 towards funds for Dunkeld & Birnam First Responders We look forward to hosting further Fayres in the future!
DBDCDT Office
Beth Taylor, our part-time Community Connector, will now be working out of the Co Working Space in Little Dunkeld Please pop in to say hello and have a chat! The Big Place Conversation Communities in Highland & Strathtay can join the Big Place Conversation through a series of community engagement events The Big Place Conversation is taking place between the Council and the communities of the Perth & Kinross area to find out what is important to you and your community The primary purpose of the engagement is to help shape the future land use and development of the Perth & Kinross area from 2027 to 2037 through the next Development Plan
Your knowledge, thoughts and ideas are important as the people who live and work in a place are the best judge of what is good and what could be better This information will help guide decisions about the future in terms of how land is used and what development and facilities / infrastructure will be required
Join the conversation about changes you want to see in your area by coming along to an event, joining one of the online sessions and /or filling out an online survey
In person event at Birnam Arts on 5th August 1 00 to 4 00pm
Online event on 29th August 6 00 to 8 30pm – email developmentplan@pkc gov uk or call 01738 475000 for more details of how to join
A full programme of events taking place in July and August is available via the website -
The Big Place Conversation – Perth & Kinross Council (pkc gov uk)
Hold the date –
Monday 25th September – DBDCDT Open Evening at Birnam Arts – come along and find out what we’ve been up to so far this year
DBDCDT Membership Forms are available online: https://docs google com/document/d/1QvzXswoFFYwd V0nr7bn 6p94ciKwoqWSxDAbITDbJrI/edit?usp=shari ng
Housing Action Group (HAG)
We are concentrating on the two important issues identified by the Community Action Plan and confirmed in many conversations
Properties used for Short-term Lets (STL)
In Dunkeld 15% of our houses are already used as STLs The number of applications to convert existing residential properties to STLs is increasing We recognise that our local economy depends on tourism, but we also need homes for people living here and working in local businesses Our school depends upon families living in Dunkeld & Birnam and these families need homes The PKC are running a consultation about reducing SLTs This will be solely for new applications and will not affect those businesses already running We would encourage as many people as possible to join in this via the link below https://consult pkc gov uk/corporate-democraticservices/short-term-lets-licensing-scheme-consultation/ We will also be lobbying the PKC to increase the Council Tax for second homes, many of which lie empty and reduce the property available for local people
Affordable housing
We are working with the PKC to identify suitable sites to build affordable houses for local people which will be community owned This is the beginning of a long process but we have made a start and have the support of the PKC Ideally, we would like to build houses in local areas which are within a 20 minute walking distance from the school and local amenities It is proving difficult to find such sites - many of them are in high flood risk areas or have access or drainage problems We would welcome suggestions of available plots and/or offers of land which could be suitable Nothing can go forward without the consensus of the community and we really need your support If you would like to be involved we would encourage you to join the Dunkeld, Birnam & District Community Development Trust (DBDCDT) and tick the box ‘Housing’ on the application form as an area of interest We will be keeping the community up to date with any progress and will send out a regular newsletter to all members of the Trust
Birnam to Logierait
gas pipeline diversion project
Update from SGN
You may already know there is a risk of our High Pressure (HP) pipeline becoming exposed due to riverbank erosion between Dunkeld and Logierait This means we are going to replace the HP pipeline with a new Transmission Regulator Station (TRS) and a new Intermediate Pressure (IP) main to Logierait Work by our contractor Advance Group UK Ltd has recently started on the new TRS
On Monday, 24 July phase 1 of the new IP main running from Birnam to Logierait will start SGN has designed the project and has appointed Morrison Energy Services as the Principal Contractor to carry out the safe installation of the new IP main
The route
Initially affecting the Torlee Road cul-de-sac, the route of the IP main will emerge onto the Perth Road and continue northwest through Birnam village At the end of Perth Road, the IP main will be taken under the junction of the A923 (Atholl Road) Still in phase 1, the IP main continues down Birnam Walk and through into the fields behind Project Manager for SGN, Blair Bingham confirmed phase 1 of the project will take up to 22 weeks to complete but the local roads will be clear of traffic restrictions before Christmas He commented: “To ensure the safety of road users, pedestrians, and workers, one lane of the Perth Road will be closed for approximately 120 meters at a time Two-way, and in some places three-way temporary traffic lights will be used to ensure safe passage ” He added: “I’d like to apologise in advance for any disruption local people and visitors will experience I can, however, assure everyone, safe access to all properties and driveways along the route will be maintained throughout our works ” Highland Games
To ensure there’s no disruption to the Dunkeld & Birnam Highland Games on Saturday 26 August, work to install the IP main through the back of the fields will be postponed until the games are over
Updates
Details of the project were initially shared by SGN to all residents and businesses last year, along with a public exhibition held in the Birnam Arts Centre on 20 October You can continue to keep updated with progress of the project through the SGN website project page, which is accessible through the QR code below or by linking here
Finally, if you have any questions about this project, you can get in touch with SGN or Morrison Energy Services at birnamtologierait@sgn co uk
Benefit from GrowBiz Support this Summer
Are you self-employed or a small business owner in a rural area? Or are you thinking of setting up your own business or social enterprise? Free support is available from GrowBiz Here’s some ways we can help: 1-1 Advice: Whether you’re looking for someone to help you make a funding application, create a business strategy, or improve your budgeting, marketing or other business skills, we have a team member who can help Email connect@growbiz co uk to request an informal chat
Events: GrowBiz’s online learning sessions are based around topics businesses need support with, such as social media, boosting productivity and cloud accounting Our networking events are a confidential space to share challenges and experiences with other enterprise owners and be motivated by inspirational speakers
Mentoring: Our award-winning business mentoring programme trains volunteer mentors to support those who need a confidence boost, a listening ear, or someone to help with personal development If you’re interested in giving back by training to be a mentor, or becoming a mentee, visit www growbiz co uk/mentoring REDS: REDS is an online directory and interactive map for small and micro businesses in rural Scotland, offering promotion opportunities, connections and collaboration It’s free for eligible businesses to be listed Find out more at www reds scot
Read all about GrowBiz’s services at: www growbiz co uk
Birnam Library is situated in the Birnam Arts Centre, Station Road, Birnam, PH8 0DS Tel : 01738 459709
Birnam Library is run by Culture Perth and Kinrossa charitable trust bringing art, culture, books, learning, creative communities and local history and heritage to people across the whole of Perth and Kinross https://www culturepk org uk/
Big Plant Sale
Outside the 3 Churches Charity Shop (in aid of 3 Churches Charity)
Saturday 8th July 9:30 AM – 4PM
Plants (18 types)
Shrubs (15 types)
Silk flowers
Garden and flower accessories
Please bring your own bags or boxes to take plants away.
The Royal School of Dunkeld – at the heart of our community
This column is the start of regular updates from the Royal School of Dunkeld – either from the school itself, or through the Parent Partnership Group (PPG) The last year has seen continued emergence from Covid-19, with much re-energised activity promoting and celebrating the place of the school at the heart of our community. With an enthusiastic and creative staff group, full of ideas, together with an energetic cohort of children, and supportive parents, the last year has been one of huge progress This is visible in the village in the re-emergence of amazing work in the school gardens, led by pupils and teachers, together with, for example, engagement with the Niel Gow Festival, and entries once more into the local Mod As well as continued academic and other school activity focusing on developing our children, all school set piece annual events have taken place, including:
· A Halloween Disco – with 95% pupil turnout – and an innovative quiet space
· Christmas Fayre - including tea, coffee, baking and our famous calendars
Sports Day – with children and families alike enjoying the sports, and related informal activity and fun
Entry into the Tullybelton Cup football tournament for local primary schools
· End of summer term disco
Parent, and local business support meant there were new additional activities – including a successful PPG warm spaces games nights programme (including feeding 60 on Burns Night), and refreshments for the Niel Gow family ceilidh The school has also been represented at Santa Day, and at the inaugural community fayre. The PPG has been a conduit for the amazing new trim trail in the school grounds (go take a peek) – this has been a lot of work for many parents and the Headteacher – thanks to all The PPG has also supported school trips, and managed clothing contributions to the Social Flock charity in Perth
Looking to the future, we’ll see collaboration with Birnam Book Festival, including workshops offered to ignite the imagination through folklore, myths, and nature topics - and with a related art project The Dunkeld Community Archive is working with the school to start a club (for age 8+) where children can participate in real archaeology - one of only 10 such clubs in the country! There’s also a possibility of throwing the school doors open as part of Door Open Day too
Stay tuned – or get in touch with the school direct, or through the PPG at dunkeldppg@gmail com
Graeme Cook Chair, Royal School of Dunkeld Parent Partnership Group
Cuisine @ Dunkeld Fine Foods
Newly opened restaurant at Dunkeld Fine foods called Cuisine @ Dunkeld fine foods.
Opened by local couple Steve and Caroline Gilroy this is the latest addition to the social scene in Dunkeld and a fantastic addition it has been Ser ving breakfast from 9am -12 and then lunch 12-3 Monday – Wednesday
Closed on Thursday (at the moment) open for evening meals from 6-8pm on Friday and Saturday evenings and then Sunday br unch available 10-4pm Call 01350 727639 to book your table
Steve and Caroline are hoping locals and visitors alike will enjoy their offering and sample the finest sourced ing redients at g reat value.
Steve and Caroline have extensive experience in the hospitality sector
Steve has been at the helm of fantastic properties such as Hilton Dunkeld House, Scone Palace, Kinnaird Estate Portavadie Marina and Raddison Blu Glasg ow and Castle hotels
All food can be sit in or take away and they can also cater for parties up to thirty Or more if you have a venue or home you are hosting an event
Please contact for further details
19 Birnam Highland Games
26th August 2023
As we start to move on from covid and our thoughts turn to a more normal summer, the committee have started to plan the return of the highland games All the signs are that it will be as good as ever, keeping up with the times and maintaining the tradition of the games
Looking at the various highland games across Scotland who, like us are starting up again after this two-year hiatus, it is obvious that some have not fared as well, who are struggling financially and have had to cut back on what they offer The Birnam Highland Games are very fortunate and grateful that we have patrons and sponsors who help us to put on this major event in the village We could not do it without you
If any individuals, families, or businesses are interested in learning more about our patrons or sponsorship packages please get in touch with Bob Lindsay atblindsaydunkeld@btinternet com and he will be happy to supply you with details
Like a lot of highland games, the Birnam Highland Games is run by a committee of volunteers with helpers on the day, unfortunately, we are not getting any younger, so we are always on the lookout for people who would be happy to join the committee and help with the planning/organisation and build-up of the games or even just help on the day, you would be very welcome and appreciated If you are interested, please get in touch with Bob Lindsay (email above) or Ewan Alcorn at the Perthshire Arms
The last time the Birnam Highland Games were held we were beginning to see a large increase in athletes and dancers across all ages and were trying to encourage more junior pipers all this through the auspices of Jean Swanston, Don Campbell and Martin Bristow Although, at time of writing it is early in the season the signs so far are that this increase in interest has been maintained
For many the highlight of the day may be the athletics, for others the dancing or perhaps the piping If you can tear yourself away, we invite you to visit the various stalls around the grounds, which have a variety of crafts and treats for sale We will also again be hosting Hiscoe’s FunFair to keep the children and grown-ups entertained Billy, Bennet and their families have been coming to Birnam Highland Games since their parents
started the funfair and we are proud that we are one of the first dates that they put in their calendar each year
The World Haggis Eating Competition will once again be held at the games, this event draws interest and competitors from around the world and is always a crowd pleaser We are also pleased to confirm that the commentator for the day will be our old friend, Craig Dunbar, and we will have the Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Pipe Band to lead the parade from Dunkeld to the Games Field where they will play during the day So finally, on behalf of our Chieftain Thomas Steuart Fotheringham and Chairman Duncan Sim we invite you to join us this year and enjoy a family day out at the Birnam Highland Games
Last Saturday of August: 26th August 2023
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Three Churches in the Community
Thought for the Month
Hebrews 11:1
~ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen
My life is a daily surprise, I may begin each day with a prayer and a plan, however, the only certainty is that I will pray, and that the plan will change My crofter neighbour on the hill where I dwell often tells me that the beauty of not making plans is that one never knows when they go awry!! He is right
The other morning, I sat in my highland snug and after chatting with God for a while, I decided to take my two Labradors for a journey down to the loch where we could all go for a swim and have some fun The dogs were extremely excited when they realised where we were going One of them, Brodie the younger, sings in the car, howling with the joyful expectation of what is to come, whilst the other one, Reuban the elder, sits patiently and hopefully that he may, just for once, be able to run faster than Brodie and get to the water first He always tries and always fails
We arrived at our usual deserted parking place and the dogs got out of the car and ran speedily toward the jetty where I usually stand and throw a ball into the water, the dogs leapt off the platform and splashed into the dark coldness, making yips of delight as they doggy paddled to retrieve the prize, the orange ball; I had not actually thrown it yet but I could see that Brodie had one in his mouth
I became aware of another noise alongside the happy howls of the dogs, it was a gurgling soft moaning, followed by guttural coughing and a few naughty words!!! Unbeknown to me, Brodie, and Reuban, a person was in a kayak at the bottom of the jetty, just out of sight When Brodie had leapt off the jetty, he had just missed landing on the poor person who was trying to climb out of the kayak and onto the platform Well, what Brodie missed Reuban accomplished with gusto SLAP on top of the man and the boat, capsizing the lot and dislodging the persons bobble hat as he did so Now how was Brodie to distinguish between an orange pom pom and an orange ball? It was not his fault that his eagerness to retrieve the ball and bring it to me, meant that he was also bringing a person who was attached with a strap to the hat and the pom pom I tried helping the poor soul out of the water but ended up falling in and sinking the kayak with the provisions and clothing it had been carrying Many more words were exchanged as the dogs tried to join in this fun game of splashing and shouting Reuban played fetch with the paddle and Brodie continued doggy paddling to shore with the bobble hat in his mouth, as the thick wool thread unravelled behind him
The kayaker and I finally saw the funny side of this adventure and, as he had lost his breakfast to the depths of the loch, I invited him to the croft where my husband cooked us both a hearty feast It transpired that the kayaker had only just moved to the strath and was feeling isolated, he said ‘I was hoping to encounter some locals today ’ He certainly got his hope fulfilled, and my own plans to go for a swim and have some fun were to an extent fulfilled too
I know that God goes ahead of us all and that God hears our prayers, our hopes, and dreams God alone knows our future and how it will play out, and although our days may not be quite what we expect sometimes, one can often look back and see God helping us out Have a blessed summer, and, if you see two large Labradors running at speed with a vicar in tow, step aside, smile and wave, as we will be heading on to another adventure
God bless you
Lesley-ann
Church of Scotland Services
July 2nd 11am – Morning Worship in the Cathedral
Including the Sacrament of Baptism
July 9th 11am – Morning Worship in the Cathedral
July 16th 11am – Morning Worship in the Cathedral
2 15pm – Service at Amulree
July 23rd 11am – Morning Worship in the Cathedral
July 30th 11am – Morning Worship in the Cathedral
August 6th 11am – Morning Worship in the Cathedral
August 13th 11am – Morning Worship in the Cathedral
6 30pm – Songs & Silence in the Cathedral
August 20th 11am – Morning Worship in the Cathedral
2 15pm – Service at Amulree
August 27th 11am – Morning Worship in the Cathedral
6 30pm – Songs & Silence in the Cathedral
September 3rd 11am – Communion Service in the Cathedral
Tea and coffee are served after the morning service each week in the Chanonry
Songs & Silence
Once again over the summer we are holding a series of evening services called ‘Songs & Silence’ – time for prayer and meditation Using music in the Taize style (quiet and meditative), words and silence these services give an opportunity to enjoy a different type of worship in the peace of the Cathedral
They all start at 6 30pm and last about 45 minutes Come and enjoy the peace and quiet of prayer and reflection in the lovely setting of the Cathedral
The remaining dates for this summer are:
August 13th
August 27th
September 10th
September 24th
Kirk Session
The next regular meeting of the Kirk Session is on August 8th at 7 30pm
The Meeting Place
The Meeting Place is in the Duchess Anne on Friday mornings from 10 – 12noon All welcome
Booking Halls
Anyone who would like to book either the Duchess Anne or the Chanonry for meetings and events should contact Jill McCrory on chanonrydunkeld@gmail com
Report from The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
It may be true that the Church of Scotland has challenges with dwindling numbers and ageing congregations, but when I spent a week in May at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh, I left with a spring in my step I was encouraged to hear about a range of exciting initiatives happening all over Scotland The church is working to
build bridges and come together with other faith groups, developing innovative programmes to work with young people, while taking a stand on issues of social justice, such as supporting the call for a minimum wage for frontline social care workers I learned about CrossReach, the Church’s social care charity, providing residential support to around 700 people aged from 7 to 97 with a variety of needs, as well as offering support to thousands of people every year dealing with complex issues arising from mental health, homelessness, addictions, and exclusion
I heard of the Church’s concern for the planet Kirk Sessions were urged to develop plans to enable all parts of the Church to work towards the target of Net Zero by 2030 I look forward to working with colleagues in Dunkeld to make sure we do our part locally There were discussions on ethical investment and how the Church’s investments sit alongside the desire for social justice, the legacy of slavery and what congregations can do to stand up to racism We had a tense and emotional discussion on the difficult but important topic of the Church’s position on assisted dying Yes, there was a formality to the proceedings and there were disagreements, but all points of view were listened to with respect and good humour I will not forget the uplifting worship with which we started each day There has been a lot of talk recently about the importance of church buildings, but what is really important is the people in these buildings and the work they are doing to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and to bring that love and service to their communities
Alison Gillies Session Clerk
The Meeting Place
Three Churches Charity Shop High Street Dunkeld Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10-4 Donations welcome during opening hours
If you are interested in volunteering please enquire in the shop for more info. Find
Three Churches in the Community Church Services and Contacts:
Weekly Services
Church of Scotland:
Dunkeld Cathedral at 11am
Every Sunday from Easter Sunday to Remembrance Sunday
Little Dunkeld Kirk at 11am
Every Sunday from the Sunday following Remembrance Sunday to Palm Sunday
Scottish Episcopal Church:
St Mary’s Birnam at 10am Every Sunday
Roman Catholic:
St Columba’s, Mass 6pm Every Saturday
Monthly and Occasional Services
Church of Scotland, Amulree
Third Sunday of the Month 2 15pm
Contact Details:
Church of Scotland:
Congregational Office Bearers:
Minister: Rev R Fraser Penny,B A B D , Cathedral Manse, Dunkeld, PH8 0AW
Tel: 01350 727249
e-mail: r fraserpenny@gmail com
Session Clerk: Alison Gillies
The Chanonry, Cathedral Street, Dunkeld PH8 0AW Tel: 07736 423198
e-mail: sessionclerk@dunkeldcathedral org
Treasurer: Mrs Louise Luke
The Chanonry, Cathedral Street, Dunkeld Tel: 07773 604372
Organist & Choir Leader: Mrs Hazel Murch Tel: 07867 642954
e-mail: hazel murch@gmail com
Parish Office: Mrs Jill McCrory The Chanonry, 07808 703641 email: chanonrydunkeld@gmail com www dunkeldcathedral org uk
St Mary's Episcopal (Anglican) Church, Birnam
Sunday Service 10 am - Holy Communion with hymns, music and sermon, followed by refreshments
The church is open daily for visitors, and prayers are said at 5 30pm on Fridays and 9 30am on Saturday
The Servite service is now held monthly on the last Saturday of each month at 2pm and is led ecumenically by members of the three churches in Dunkeld and Birnam It is not a communion service
The Rector:
Reverend Lesley-Ann Craddock
Priest in Charge of St Mary’s Birnam and Dunkeld St Mary’s rectory, St Mary’s Rd, Birnam, PH8 0BJ Tel: 07903 020509
email: lesley craddock@btinternet com
Part time = Friday, Saturday & Sunday I can also be found dwelling nr LochNess 01456486663
Treasurer:
Penny MacGregor and Charles Cox
Vestry Secretary:
Adrian Freer
Tel: 01821 650536
email: adrianfreer@btinternet com
Organist :
John Walker B Mus, FRCO, LRAM, ARCM
Tel: 01350 727755
(www stmarysbirnam org uk)
St Columba’s
Roman Catholic Church
Catholic Church Priest: Fr Emmanuel Adindu MSP Tel: 01796 472174
e-mail: stbridespitlochry@dunkelddiocese org uk
Roman Catholic Churches
Dunkeld is a village with a long history of Christian worship and we are pleased to continue that worship at St Columba’s in Birnam
Parish Priest: Fr Emmanuel Adindu MSP (Missionary of St Paul) Tel: 01796 472 174
Email: stbridespitlochry@dunkelddiocese org uk
Serving St Columba’s RC church in Birnam/ Dunkeld, St Bride’s RC church in Pitlochry and Our Lady of Mercy RC church in Aberfeldy
Follow us on Facebook at: St Bride’s RC Church, Pitlochry
We celebrate the presence of the Risen Lord amongst us during these Masses:
Sunday Masses:-
Saturday Vigil 6pm St Columba’s Birnam Sunday 9 30 am Our Lady of Mercy Aberfeldy Sunday 11 30 am St Bride’s Pitlochry
Weekday Masses:-
9 30 am Tuesday – Aberfeldy
9 30 am Wednesday, Thursday, Friday – Pitlochry
Holy days of Obligation:-
9 30am Birnam
12 30pm Aberfeldy
6 00pm Pitlochry
During Lent the Stations of the Cross will be observed after weekday mass in Aberfeldy and Pitlochry and before the Vigil Mass in Birnam
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available prior to mass in St Columba’s Please phone Father to arrange it
If there are any parishioners who are housebound and wish the Sacrament of Holy Communion, let Father know and this will be arranged
St Columba’s, St Mary’s Road, Birnam PH8 0BJ
St Bride’s, Rie-Achan Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5AL
Our Lady of Mercy, Home Street, Aberfeldy PH15 2AL Father Emmanuel in
Set the summer fun factor to ten
Start as you mean to go on and set the bar for fun from day one Did you know the first of July is international joke day? Why not gather your best gags together and take turns to tell them at the dinner table? Or perhaps create a small stand up show!
Create a theme day
Most of us have heard about theme parks, but how about having a theme day at home? ‘Dinosaur day’ could involve wearing your favourite dino outfit all day, eating like a T-Rex or stomping and roaring in the park Maybe a ‘fairy’ themed day would involve lots of singing, crafting or building homes for garden bugs Themes can shape the whole day, from what you eat, where you go and what you do We’ll leave it up to you and the kids to choose a theme they love
Low cost meals
The school holidays can be a difficult time for many families With the sudden break from free school lunches, it places an added burden on parents to budget for extra food Why not ask the kids to help you create a summer holiday meal plan, working out what to buy and when, so that you can reduce food waste and cost? There are also a number of places that offer cheap or free children’s meals during the holidays, so it’s worth checking out what restaurants and cafes near you are offering
Get active
Leisure centres are increasingly offering free summer sessions for children, so do contact your local centre to find out what’s on Children also love creating their own obstacle courses, whether in the house or garden Perhaps you can create a shooting range and use a water gun or hose to blast empty plant pots off a wall? Hopscotch is one of those underappreciated fun summer activities that’s a lot of fun
Join your library’s summer reading challenge If you haven’t already, join your local library – it’s free Books can open a door into another world for both children and adults As well as having access to hundreds of physical books and audio stories, lots of libraries run storytelling, craft or even Lego sessions Most libraries will be taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge this summer – offering activities, competitions and even virtual awards for children to win
Budget for summer
At Christians Against Poverty (CAP) we see the challenge that parents face over providing for their families whilst keeping their finances afloat Budgeting is a great way to prepare for the summer holidays An online search can lead you to useful budgeting tools If you or someone you know is financially struggling or in debt, please know there’s help and hope Call CAP on 0800 328 0006 (free of charge) or find out more about what we offer at capuk org
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a UK charity working with over 800 affiliated churches to deliver debt help, budgeting guidance, support to find work, life skills groups and more Visit capscotland org to find out more
A9 DUALLING FROM PASS OF BIRNAM TO
TAY
A brief history for those new to the community - and for those not so new!
In May 2016 the Birnam to Ballinluig A9 Community Group (A9CG) emerged from a Community Council A9 Working Group There were 452 responses to a Community Survey about the dualling plans here Transport Scotland (TS) committed to a “Co-Creative Process” for in depth community consultation Co-Creative discussions started in Sept 2017 with Planning Aid Scotland (PAS) as facilitators
Some 236 residents attended “Big Community Ask” events in late 2017 to help set Community Objectives, while The Children’s Parliament worked with P6/7 pupils at Royal School of Dunkeld The Community Objectives that emerged were: Reduce noise and pollution; Protect and enhance the area’s landscape and natural heritage; Provide safe access to and from the A9 and improve safety on village roads; Provide sustainable economic growth; Improve provision for cycling and walking; Bus services and train services maintained and improved; Preserve and enhance historic and cultural features.
The Co-Creative process until mid 2018 resulted in the “Community Preferred Route“ (CPR), when over 700 people voted The Scottish Govt would decide a final route design for this A9 section after detailed assessment (DMRB2) by Transport Scotland/ Jacobs to ascertain the feasibility of the CPR (shown below) That decision was originally expected by end 2018
Transport Scotland and Jacobs then held community exhibitions in March and May 2019 to show some new route design ideas and comparator Whole Route Options, for assessment alongside the CPR This was not well explained and the community’s confidence that the process would deliver our objectives and the CPR dropped
The A9CG met then-Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson in July 2019 to discuss these concerns and he suggested that TS and the A9CG have further dialogue and negotiation Workshops from Nov 2019 to Jan 2020 aimed to better understand TS/Jacobs concerns with the CPR and to examine their additional design options The Covid pandemic slowed things down in 2020
Increased tourist traffic afterwards and growing concerns about risks and safety at the A9 junctions sparked the birth in early 2021 of the Birnam and Dunkeld Junctions Action Group, which has intensively engaged with the roads operations part of TS for safety improvements, particularly since local area fatalities occurred in late 2022
Transport Minister Graeme Dey was briefed in mid 2021, again with John Swinney MSP who has been consistently supportive Meanwhile in 2021-2022 a Community Action Plan emerged from a PH8 area community survey and consultation, which showed rising concerns amongst local residents and businesses about the lack of certainty about the A9 dualling and about junction safety issues
In early 2023, the Cabinet Secretary said that a dualling preferred route would be announced in the spring but changes at both Cabinet and Ministerial level, including the resignation of Transport Minister Kevin Stewart in early June just after a briefing meeting in Birnam with him, have put that back again Briefings with new Cabinet Secretary/Minister awaited!
See page 2 for the most recent news and contact details Thanks for reading this!
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Opening times: Tuesday - Friday 9am to 1pm Perth Road, Birnam PH8 0BH (behind the post office)
The Kiln Creative
Locally made pottery and pottery classes
Upcoming workshops at Birnam Arts:
Thursday morning 6 week blockstarting 7th of September
Weekend workshop16th & 17th of September
Taster class - 23rd of September
For more information and bookings: www.thekilncreativepottery.co.uk
A World Community 23
Growing forward in 2023
We were talking the field during the recent heat wave, and someone remarked that we had gone straight from winter to a summer heatwave and missed out spring altogether It certainly feels like that as for most of April and May , it was too cold to plant out and now we have a small dedicated team of people who are having to water the crops as soon as we plant them out if they are to survive In addition the temperatures in the polytunnels are in excess of 40C, Climate Change every year is proving to be a challenge for us but we are getting there All being well, we hope to start the Tuesday stalls in Birnam and the Saturday stalls in Dunkeld in mid-July and will notify people as soon as we are confident of the dates , We are looking forward to meeting and greeting people at the stalls and selling our produce which is grown locally and organically with the absolute minimum of food miles
If you want to come along and help, we would love to see you We have regular working parties in the field on Thursday and Saturday mornings with the added bonus of the reinstated tea and coffee breaks This is when we can discuss what we have being doing and what needs to be done We also have three polytunnels where there is always work to be done, so do come along, everyone has a skill we can make use of!
If you want more information, see below Dave Amos 01350 727763
Website: www dunkeldfield co uk Dunkeld and Birnam in Bloom
The team in Birnam have been very busy in Torwood walk digging up our favourite weed, ground elder, which seems to rather like the area! They have now planted wild flower seeds which will shortly look much nicer We have also been planting tubs, troughs and borders within both villages From the fountain planter at the South end of Birnam, along to Birnam Arts, bus stops, Lagmhor Border (main entrance into Dunkeld), both sides of the bridge into Dunkeld, North Car Park, St Ninian’s, Fountain, Cathedral rails and finally Water Wynd
Many thanks to the team from the “Mens Shed” who have made 9 Wooden troughs for Water Wynd Wood courtesy of Polney Sawmill Especially thanks to Neil and Phil for helping with the heavy lifting of compost bags and replanting the existing beautiful acers, into the troughs, which now completed and filled with plants look great
Anybody who lives near a tub we would be very grateful if you could give the plants a wee drink I’m sure the plants would be too Or if anyone has an outside tap that we could access to fill our watering cans that would be
very much appreciated Just give me a phone or stop any of us you see wandering around the village with a watering can Thank you to those who already help out doing this, especially in the hot weather
As usual anybody who would like to come and join us, we can be found on a Monday morning at 10am in either St Ninian's Gardens in Dunkeld or Torwood Park in Birnam Or if anyone would be interested in helping during the summer months in an evening please let me know
Thank you, Moira (07931 758 456)
Gardening and Growing Club
Whether you potter with a few pots or garden an acre you are very welcome at our friendly Gardening and Growing club £20 annual membership
A Home Made Garden and Home Made Scone Member ’s Open Garden in aid of Club Funds
On Sunday 9th July between 2-4pm Ann Lindsay is welcoming people to visit and enjoy her ‘Home Made Garden’ With a very limited budget and unlimited enthusiasm she has created a lovely garden from scratch
Suggested donation is £5 which includes tea and one of Tiffy's fabulous scones
Meikle Trochry, Trochry, Dunkeld PH8 0DY Parking available at the nearby BASC carpark from where there is a short walk to the garden Forthcoming Events
Wed 12th July 4pm Visit to Bradystone House Gardens, Murthly
Sat 19th Aug Annual Show (See page 20 for full schedule) Lifts to any of the meetings/trips away can be arranged on request
For more information including to join the club contact our secretary Andrea Cox - acox325@gmail com 07740 982465 also on Facebook - Gardening & Growing Dunkeld and Birnam
Paths & Nature Action Group
The group was busy in April, tackling several path improvements First off, 9 volunteers cleared vegetation and encroaching turf to double the width of the Inver to The Hermitage path, well-used by walkers and cyclists
Then, a smaller group cleared-out the Jubilee Park to the riverside steps and cut back the laurel around the park entrance and seat - making it a nicer, lighter place to pass the time
With the PKC Greenspace Ranger, we are scoping a more ambitious repair of the path linking Rumbling Bridge car park to the Glen Garr track The severe erosion here is deterring walkers who are instead risking walking on the main road
On the nature side, in May, we launched a local ‘Action for Swifts’ project Swifts are fast-flying, insectivorous birds that return from Africa in spring to join-up with their life-long mates and nest – you’ll likely have heard them ‘screaming’ over the village Like so many other species, swift numbers have declined rapidly in recent decades
This summer we aim to get an idea of how many we have and where they are nesting - usually in buildings, and then see what we can do to encourage them It’s possible there’s a shortage of nest sites which could be
addressed by providing special nest boxes This summer we want to: hear from anyone who wants to learn about and help our local swifts, count swifts in the area and record nest sites and, in the longer term, build and put-up swift nest boxes
Please contact us at stewartpritchard@aol com if you’re interested in being involved
July and August at Loch of the Lowes
Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre is open every day 10 30am – 5pm This year our ospreys have produced 2 chicks and as they usually fledge in early, there will be plenty to see as they use their nest as a base to feed, sleep and give fabulous views of flying and diving over the loch
We’ve enjoyed several recent daytime sightings of pine marten at Lowes, probably with young to feed Along with the generally brighter feeling of summer, come flowers and insects: look out for damsel and dragonflies, butterflies, moths and, of course, midges – great food for birds and bats! Please keep dogs under control on walks, young birds and mammals are exploring their new world
We are running a wonderfully varied programme of events, something for everyone! Where it states ‘Booking Essential’ please secure a ticket through: https://scottishwildlifetrust org uk/things-to-do/wildlifeevents/ or call us on 01350 727337 Beaver Watches 7pm-9pm are running every Wednesday evening throughout July and August (Booking essential) providing a wonderful opportunity to see beavers and all the loch’s evening wildlife, while learning about these charismatic re-introduced, native mammals
Early morning Beaver Breakfast is on Friday 4th August 5am-7am (Booking essential) With our Ranger beside you, share the sun rising over the loch while wildlife responds to dawn breaking Saturday evening 7-9pm, 22nd July, Polly Pullar, local author and wildlife rehabilitator will be at Loch of the Lowes talking about her fascinating life with wildlife (Booking essential)
Planting for Pollinators at Loch of the Lowes Sunday 20th August 10-3pm Join Buglife Scotland and the Scottish Wildlife Trust for a practical day of native wildflower planting at Loch of the Lowes The day is part of the Strathmore B-lines project (Free but booking is essential)
Wildflower ID at Brerachan Meadow
A day with local botany expert Faith Anstey in this unspoilt upland hay meadow Learn to identify wildflowers and other plants Birds, bees and butterflies may also be included! Adults only (Booking essential)
Moth Night Monday 28th August, 6 30-8 30pm Join our ranger team for a fascinating evening at Loch of the Lowes finding out all about moths and the art of moth trapping (Booking essential)
Hands on conservation work-party days Tools provided, please bring a packed lunch and wear sturdy footwear, long sleeves and trousers For more info and to book your free place email; perthshireranger@scottishwildlifetrust org uk
Thursday 6th July 10am-3pm Heart of Scotland ‘Day of Action’ – Dun Coillich Community Woodland
Join our ranger and partners from the Heart of Scotland Forest Partnership for a day of footpath work at Dun Coillich Community Land, next to Schiehallion, with a chance to learn more about the ecological restoration project at Dun Coillich
Thursday 27th July 10am-3pm Heart of Scotland Forest Partnership ‘Day of Action’ - Garth Wood & Balcroich Meadow, Keltneyburn Join a day of practical conservation work Begin with a wander through the orchid and wildflower meadow at Keltneyburn, before getting stuck into tackling stands of encroaching bracken at the newly established Garth Wood ‘rewilding’ project Sunday 30th July 10am-3pm Heart of Scotland Forest Partnership - Sunday Work Party at Balnaguard Glen
Join the Scottish Wildlife Trust Perthshire Ranger for a day of bracken bashing to help protect juniper (one of Scotland’s three native conifers) at the beautiful reserve of Balnaguard Glen
Follow us on Facebook: Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve or Twitter @Lochofthelowes
Community Noticeboard
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,
You will no doubt be relieved to learn that I think that the saga relating to the broken path at the Hermitage is, hopefully coming to an end
Following on from my last letter to The Bridge, printed in edition 397 of June, 2023, in which I indicated my disagreement with changes in emphasis in the warning signs now displayed on the path from " users do so at their own risk " to which I had no problem, to 'DANGER, Risk of Death ' which I think is over the top Taking my own advice from the last letter that the path did not need major surgery to make it usable, but merely improvement at certain points in the break, and this could simply be done by a small, able, squad with pick and shovel, I again visited the site and again found that even more use of it was being made by the hill walking fraternity, and even more by cyclists, again the evidence there for all to see i e path becoming well trodden, wheel marks, etc
Accordingly, I made an approach to two local men who I knew to be able and experienced Ron Notman and Bill Bray agreed that they would help to repair the break in the path Both had visited the site independently and thought that it would be quite a simple job Over two days, Saturday 27th May and Wednesday 7th June and joined by Colin MacDougall, we worked on the path, widened it where required by shaving the uphill bank, and inserted drainage pipes where water seepage needed channelling At one point steps were built as required I believe that the path is now again very usable by sensible people and look forward to a re-think by whoever put in the " Risk of Death " signs Over Scotland there must by hundreds of more dangerous sites than the Hermitage path which do not have such signs These only inhibit tourists - and not all of them Personally, I have no objection to " use at own risk " advice, which I take as usual advice when people are wandering in hill country
As far as I am concerned, the project to open the Hermitage path is done at this time, and it is certainly usable by sensible people I do think that in the fullness of time other breaks in the path will probably occur during stormy weather, especially where large trees grow - or are allowed to grow - adjacent to the path and when storms take the trees, the roots will take the path, which I am reasonably certain is what happened on this occasion
So there we have it The gate has been removed from the bridge, the broken path has been repaired at no expense to anyone, and I can re-live my childhood and youth by joining my friends in the beautiful circular country walk at the Hermitage, Inver, Dunkeld
Dave MacDougall
Friends of Miss Mop Celebration and Fundraising Day
Sunday 30th July
Last spring, I heard of an elderly donkey about to be put to sleep as they couldn’t find a new home for her With my own equestrian yard and already owning six rescue horses, I couldn’t resist Miss Mop was 30 years old and living with an elderly owner with dementia When I travelled to Orkney to collect her, I realised that she was in a terrible state She had been (unintentionally) neglected Miss Mop was desperately thin, her spine and hip bones stuck out, her feet were a mess, her teeth had never been done, so she drooled and dropped food when she ate and she was also feral! After spending two days trying to catch her, I returned to Dunkeld with her and set up a small corral in one of
my fields Because she was so frightened, I set up my tent in the corner and slept with her and my rescue dog Rosie, under the stars On the third day she walked up to me, looked me in the eye and sniffed my hand I gently scratched her From this day on, she became the friendliest equine I’ve ever known Miss Mop would follow me like a dog and bray at anyone who came into the yard to demand attention She would stand for hours being groomed She had this amazing aura about her, making you forget any worries or concerns you had in your life She put on weight, had her teeth and feet done and was a favourite amongst my other horses and liveries Sadly, after just five months here and a few days before Christmas, her years of neglect caught up with her and her heart gave out I’ve loved and lost a number of rescue animals over the years, and although always terribly sad, I was overwhelmed with grief as Miss Mop was just so, so special Arriving feral and frightened of humans, she let go of her fear and made the most of her time left Miss Mop’s care cost nearly £2000, which often puts people off rescuing Therefore, with the help and support of other horse lovers, we have set up a “Friends of Miss Mop” legacy to help other equines in need To boost funds, we are holding a Friends of Miss Mop Celebration and Fundraising Day
There will be a variety of things to do and spend your pennies on! Tombola, Pin the Tail on the Donkey (not literally, Denny and Dinky the rescue donkeys wouldn’t appreciate that!), raffle, cake sale, bric-a-brac, second hand tack sale, meet the horses, a liberty ride demonstration etc There are also some wonderful items to be auctioned off, donated from local businesses Cards and gifts with a drawing of Miss Mop will also be for sale Children are welcome, but must be supervised at all times No dogs due to hens, geese and cats in the yard Please bring cash, there will be no card facilities available Donations are very welcome, whether it be bric-a-brac, clothes or goods and services to auction off etc If you are unable to attend, but would like to make a donation, you can do so via PayPal to friendsofmissmop@gmail com For more information please contact Karen at equineunlimited co uk or 07774816010
WHEN: SUNDAY 30TH JULY
WHERE: EQUINE UNLIMITED, DUNKELD PH8 0JF WHAT TIME: 2PM ONWARDS
Dunkeld & Birnam
Summer Art & Crafts Fair
The Fair takes place in The Drill Hall, The Cross, Dunkeld from 25th to 27th August Crafts include silver jewellery, candles and melts, art, quirky felt, designer hats, knitwear, embroidered children’s clothes, collectible bears and Harris Tweed as well as new exhibitors with woodturning, miniature houses and puppets Come and meet the makers from 10am to 5pm each day and admission is free
Craft Fairs Dates
25th to 27th August 4th and 5th November
Local Guide Dogs fundraising to honour Vicky Hammer
Our local branch of guide dogs (Perth and District) is excited to support Becca Alexander as she fundraises to name a puppy “Vicky” in honour of our dear friend and owner of Kettles of Dunkeld Vicky was always supportive when Becca was raising a puppy for guide dogs perhaps you’ll remember from the days of the Kettles knitwear shop (now The Naked Sheep, where Robert also helps to support guide dogs) Many guide dogs had part of their training right in that shop
On Saturday 15th July, Becca, her current guide dog puppy in training “Clark”, and the guide dogs volunteers will be setting up a small table outside at the Atholl Arms, to raise money for our “Name a Puppy Vicky” campaign There will be merchandise, tombola, face painting, and more We will be there from 11am until 3:30pm (weather permitting)
So bring your generous selves down to the Atholl Arms gardens and enjoy some Dunkeld hospitality, some dog kisses, and some guide dogs shopping! Help us reach our goal of £2500 to name a puppy “Vicky” We’re going to change someone’s life
See you there!
RBS mobile bank visits Dunkeld and Birnam. Thursdays: Dunkeld, The Cross 14.50 pm to 15.20 pm and Birnam, Post Office 15.05 pm to 15.25 pm
Guide dog puppy Clark at 14 weeks old
Notes from a Councillor 25
Dunkeld and its surrounding area are always extremely busy at this time of year which is unsurprising, because of the natural beauty it has in abundance The influx of visitors which Dunkeld welcomes and thrives on can also lead to problems
Recently my inbox has contained complaints about inconsiderate parking in both Dunkeld and Birnam I have asked Officers firstly to have the existing double yellow lines and edges of the roads swept so that these lines are easily visible and that Parking Attendants can enforce the parking restrictions we already have The Road Safety Team have agreed to set up an onsite meeting with residents and businesses to see if agreement can be reached on a solution for the parking issues
Another hot topic locally is the proliferation of short-term lets in the area To this end the Council has introduced a consultation for people to give their views on whether a control zone for short-term lets should be introduced in Highland Perthshire including Dunkeld All the details, and the survey link, can be found at https://www pkc gov uk/article/23400/Residents-urged-to-have-say-on-Short-Term-Lets I have completed the 5 minute survey myself and would urge everyone who has a view on this issue, either way, to take part in it
All three Ward Councillors have written to the Transport Minister urging action and asking for a meeting regarding both the on/off junctions from the A9 at Dunkeld and Birnam Ian, Claire and I co-signed the letter and it is an example of how we work in a non-political fashion for the benefit of residents and I am happy to say that this is how we carry out all our Ward business
Good news for Perth and Kinross is the announcement that the waste contract with Paprec Energies Binn Ltd has been signed This contract will enable an investment of £90M by Paprec Energies Binn Ltd in a new waste to energy facility in Perth and Kinross with the resultant provision of new jobs both in the construction and operation of the facility
Now to the apologies Firstly, I apologise for the delays that are occurring on the A9 resulting from the construction of the CTLR I am often caught in these myself but I firmly believe that the temporary disruption will be far outweighed by the future long-term benefits of this new piece of infrastructure
Secondly, the long running saga of the extra EV charging points in the North Car Park Over the last 18 months I have been given many final installation dates by Officers and outside bodies which have not happened I have often passed on these supposed completion dates and then residents rightly feel let down as well Therefore it is again with a leap of faith, that I expect these EV chargers to be functioning very soon
Enjoy the rest of the Summer everyone Grant Laing
News from our Community Council
Dunkeld & Birnam Community Council
Community Council Matters
John McMillan Wigzell Treasurer DBCC
If you would like to contact the Community Council you can do so by emailing: dbcc correspondence@gmail com
You can also contact us via the messaging system on our facebook page
Of course, if you have the opportunity, then please do chat to any member of the Community Council if you bump into them while out and about
Please look on www dunkeldandbirnamnews co uk for information about future dates and times
To read the minutes of previous meetings and to find the agenda for forthcoming meetings, see: www dunkeldandbirnamnews co uk/community-news/ community-council
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A life in the day of a Community Councillor
Background to Community Councils: People often ask about the respective roles and responsibilities of Community Councilors outside of the formal positions of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and these are many and varied Firstly, however, one needs to join the Community Council which requires an application to Perth & Kinross Council with two supporting signatories
Councilor profiles tend to be middle aged men and women with very few below the age of forty This is not a short-term problem and Community Councils have been promoting an increase in younger people from the community for a long time
The Council is set up under a legal framework which requires councilors to adhere to a constitution published by the Scottish Government
JOHN SWINNEY, MSP for PERTHSHIRE NORTH can be contacted at: 17-19 LESLIE STREET, BLAIRGOWRIE Tel: 01250 876576
(https://www gov scot/publications/communitycouncils-model-constitution/) The Community Council is the most local tier of statutory representation and bridges the gap between local authorities and communities and helps to make public bodies aware of opinions and the needs of communities
Community Council support from PKC includes: Public Liability, Defamation and Personal Injury Insurance cover, assistance with the process of notification to the IOC office, access to PKC reprographic and hot desking facilities, dedicated space in local authority publications and access to ring-fenced grant fund for local projects together with expert daily advice and guidance
Decision making on any topic in the Community Council is based on a majority vote from councilors to approve or refuse proposals
All Community Council work is undertaken on a voluntary basis and activities are take place at different times of the day as well as days of the week
Planning and associated activities: The Community Council has several roles in planning which are dependent on ongoing or new planning applications and Local Review Board appeals It is responsible for determining decisions on whether to submit “support/object/neutral or general” comments which are based on broad community feedback on a caseby-case study
The community council is also authorized to request time extensions for comments on planning applications, however individuals cannot comment themselves in the extended period The Community Council can also invoke a full “PKC planning committee review” of an application if an objection is submitted
Other key activities of the Community Council include:
• Meeting and discussing applications with PKC enforcement and case officers
Pete Wishart MP: Member of Parliament for Perth and North Perthshire pete.wishart.mp@parliament.uk Perth Office: 63 Glasgow Road, Perth, PH2 0PE Tel: 01738 639598
• Organizing and managing public meetings E g Erigmore and Newtyle Quarry
Meeting with Ward Councilors and PKC Lead at HQ
• Make provision for extensive written submissions for objections to applications
• Site visits, taking of videos/images as evidence for objections
• Meeting/corresponding with SEPA, NatureScot, Historic Building entities, etc
• Making provision for intermediate meetings to assess critical planning issues
• Meeting with Estate owners (e g Atholl/Murthly) regarding planning and community issues
• Attending full committee planning determination meetings and Local Review Board appeals at PKC Traffic management: The Community Council also gets heavily involved with issues around road safety, parking and congestion through various initiatives and groups many of which are funded by micro grants disbursed by the Community Council
Disbursement of Grants: The Community Council also provides a formal platform for applications for micro grants up to the value of £500 from SSE which are considered on merit and need to show benefit for the community Coupled with this, one Community Councilor sits on the larger SSE Griffin Panel which assesses applications in the range £500 to £200,000 or more This second committee meets four times a year to evaluate applications along with representatives from other community councils such as Kenmore, Weem and Aberfeldy
In summary, the role of Community Councilors is engaging, interesting and very worthwhile Often there are conflicting views from different sections of the community which require addressing, however this is life, and nothing is perfect Overall, it is a great experience for both the young and old
July/August ‘Stick on the Fridge Page’
Local Organisations - Contact Details
Listing for local voluntary organisations are free however The Bridge welcomes donations to cover the cost of these listings Please send donations to the Advertising Manager, John B Gray at Highfield, Brae Street, Dunkeld, PH8 0BA Many thanks Please contact the editor with amendments/additions Phone 01350+
Organsiations - General 3 Churches Charity Shop 07751 593421 Anne Graham
Alcoholics Anonymous (Helpline) 0800 917 7650
Chapter House Museum 727786 Ruth Brown (in Dunkeld Cathedral, open 7 days) archive@historicdunkeld org uk
Dunkeld & Birnam Historical Society 07584 434253 Dave Roberts daveroberts132@btinternet c om
Dunkeld & Birnam in Bloom 727288 Linda Speirs lindaladyhill@yahoo co uk
Dunkeld & Birnam Men s Shed 07777 696953 Jackie MacLean dbmensshed@outlook com
Dunkeld Masonic Lodge 724232 Tom Gordon secyonefour@gmail com
Dunkeld Community Archive 727786 Ruth Brown (Mon – Fri, 10am – 3pm) archive@historicdunkeld org uk
Friends of the Cathedral 728697 John Gray friends@dunkkeldcathedral org
Gardening and Growing Club (Horti) 07740 982465 Andrea Cox acox325@gmail com
National Trust for Scotland 07548 757060 Karen Clark kclark@nts org uk
Royal British Legion 728811 Kevin Forsyth Kevforsyth@hotmail com
RVS 01738 633975 Geoff Bird
(Supporting You At Home and perthsupportingyou@royalvoluntaryservice org uk Home Library Service)
SWRI 723203 / 07881 531565 Evelyn Menzies Evelynhmenzies@gmail com
SWRI Amulree 723203 Jane Anderson
The Field 07584 434253 Dave Roberts dblandtrust@btinternet com
The Orchard 727048 Katharine Melville kmelville@ogoroad com
The Meeting Place (Fri, DA) 07474 183042 Margaret Scott Tourist Association 723297 Adrian Blundell
Community Learning & Development
PKC CLD Staff 01738 459701 Cat Gordon/Alison May/ Robin Crawford dunkeldcomlearn@pkc gov uk
U3A 07714 103309 Sandra Cairncross smcairnx@hotmail com
Sport Butterstone Hill & Trail Group 07761 673231 Adrian Davis wildoutdoorscotland@gmail com
Clan Bowmen (Field Archery) 727911 / 07786 073686 Arthur Robert Hewines bobhewines@hotmail com
Dunkeld & Birnam Angling Association secretary@dbaa co uk Billy Davidson
Dunkeld & Birnam Bowling Club 07977 911068 Gael Shaw Gaelshaw@btinternet com
Dunkeld & Birnam Golf Club 727524 Jackie MacLean (Visitors Welcome) dunkeld@outlook com
Dunkeld & Birnam Tennis Club 07731 631563 Morna Mitchell mornaamitchell59@gmail com
Glendelvine/Spittalfield Cricket Club 07816 982140 Andrew Ross (all ages)
Grass Track & Field Group 07736 724113 James Jarvis
Highland Perthshire Clay Shooting Club 07821940252 Ted Carr tedcarr@waitrose com
Leisure Group (Sports Hall Project) 727361 Alasdair Wylie awylie2002@yahoo co uk
Over 35’s Rugby 07738 006738 Iain Gordon iainhg@aol com
Running Club (8 – 12 year old,) 07761 673231 Adrian Davis (Mondays at 3 30pm) wildoutdoorscotland@gmail com
Swimming & Alexander Technique 07778 778007 Jan Osband jmosband@gmail com
Tai Chi 07551 029076 John Connelly dachutaichi@gmail com
Tayside Orienteers 727048 Bill Melville billmelville@ogoroad com Yoga 728783 Sue Atkinson atkinsue93@yahoo co uk
Music & Arts
BIPS 07872 505516 Melanie Brockway mbroc02@hotmail com Birnam Arts 727674 Manager admin@birnamarts com arts@birnamarts com
Birnam Arts Ballet (Mon – Thurs, Emma Gray age 4 upwards & adults) ballet@birnamarts com Cathedral Tower Bell Ringers 742218 Iona Connor lowesfarm@hotmail com
Dunkeld Strathspey & Reel Society 07531 520476 Duncan Thomson duncanwthomson@yahoo co uk Film Society 727740 Tom Barnard tom barnard@btinternet com
Just Singin’, 7 30pm Weds (BA) 07765 405203 Katie Dalgliesh www justsingin co uk
Traditional Youth Music Group 07958 324 766 Karys and Gill dbtradgroup@gmail com and Facebook Annual Events
Art Exhibition dunkeldart@aol com Margaret Scott Arts & Crafts Fair (Apr, Aug & Nov) 727968 / 07743 400938 Na’an Meikleour poppyseednaan@yahoo com
Christian Aid Week 727867 Jim McCafferty Highland Games (August) 07880 588433 Duncan Sim duncan sim@hotmail com
Niel Gow Festival 07766 406313 Liam Manion (weekend closest to 22 March) LManion41@gmail com
For Children Baby & Toddler Group 07546 128902 Lesley Singers
Nursery at Royal School of Dunkeld 01738 454470 Royal School of Dunkeld Sunday School – Church of Scotland 727249 Fraser Penny
For Younger People Girlguiding Dunkeld (Rainbows, 07770 324173 Trix Stephen Brownies, Guides, Rangers) (District Commissioner)
The Black Watch Army Cadets 07429 113439 2nd Lt Craig Ross 1989ros@armymail mod uk Youth Group (for P7s & 1st years, 727249 Fraser Penny Thurs 7 – 8 30pm)
For Older People
Senior Citizens 727311 Ronalda Pattullo Servite 07595 651446 Ivan Russell (Working Hours, Mon, Wed, Friday ivan russell@caledoniaha co uk 1 – 4pm; Tues, Thurs 8 30am – 12 noon)
Hall Bookings
Local Organisations - Continued
Amulree Village Hall 07749 914906 Isabel Brady northamulree@btinternet com
Birnam Arts 727674 Manager
Caputh Hall 07832 235607 Lorna Lyle Chanonry 07808 703641 Jill McCrory chanonrydunkeld@gmail com
Dalguise Village Hall 07746 392268 Anne Cameron annedunkeld@gmail com
Duchess Anne 07808 703641 Jill McCrory chanonrydunkeld@gmail com
Health Community & Services
Birnam Library (Thu 5 – 7pm, Fri 01738 459709 Margaret Quigley 12 – 5pm, Sat 9 30am – 12 noon) birnamlibrary@culturepk org uk
Chemist (Dunkeld) 727210 Davidsons
Chemist (on Sunday) 01738 494610 Asda, Dunkeld Rd, Perth
Doctors 727269 Craigvinean Surgery
Dunkeld & Birnam Community Lachlan MacEwan Council dbcc chair@gmail com
Registrar 01738 475121 3/5 High St, Perth perth-registrars@pkc gov uk
Tayside Police (non-emergency) 101
BA = Birnam Arts Centre, DA = Duchess Anne Hall, The Cross, Dunkeld
July 1-16
Perthshire Open Studios Summer Show Birnam Arts
6 Heart of Scotland ‘Day of Action’ – Dun Coillich Community Woodland 10am-3pm perthshireranger@scottishwildlifetrust org uk
6 Summer Arts for Kids Workshop P1 – P7 Sliding Scale £4/£8/£12 Birnam Arts
8 Big Plant Sale, 3 Churches Charity Shop 9:30 AM – 4PM
9 Home Made Garden and Home Made Scone 2-4pm Ann Lindsay Meikle Trochry, Trochry, Dunkeld PH8 0DY Suggested donation is £5 includes tea and scones Gardening and Growing Club all welcome
12 Gardening & Growing Club Visit to Bradystone House Gardens, Murthly 4pm acox325@gmail com
13 Summer Arts for Kids Workshop P1 – P7 Sliding Scale £4/£8/£12 Birnam Arts
14 Up Town Comedy Club With Stuart Mitchel and Guests 8 30pm Tickets £16 Birnam Arts
15 Local Guide Dogs fundraising event, table outside Atholl Arms 11– :30pm 19-30 Birnam Arts The Big Think-In Birnam Arts
20 Wildflower ID at Brerachan Meadow 10:30am - 3:00pm (Booking essential)
20 Summer Arts for Kids Workshop P1 – P7 Sliding Scale £4/£8/£12 Birnam Arts
21 Chamber Philharmonic Europe Orchestra 7 30pm Tickets £15 Birnam Arts
22 Polly Pullar local author and wildlife rehabilitator talk 7- (Booking essential)
26 Thrown National Theatre of Scotland Tickets from £10 Birnam Arts
27 Community Market in aid of Santa Day Outside Birnam Hotel 11-3pm
27 Summer Arts for Kids Workshop P1 – P7 Sliding Scale £4/£8/£12 Birnam Arts
27 Heart of Scotland Forest Partnership ‘Day of Action’ - Garth Wood & Balcroich Meadow, Keltneyburn 10-3pm perthshireranger@scottishwildlifetrust org uk
28 Moth Night 6 30-8 30pm Loch of the Lowes (Booking essential)
28 Dunkeld Living History Weekend : The Lost Witches of Dunkeld with Lindsey Gibb 7pm in Birnam Arts
29 Dunkeld Living History Weekend : Under the Branches with Colleen Nicoll (Soprano), David Douglas (Tenor) & Andrew Johnston (Pianist) 7pm in Birnam Arts
29th – 31st August Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition – open daily 10-4pm and 12-4pm on Sundays Dunkeldart@aol com
30 Friends of Miss Mop Celebration and Fundraising Day Equine Unlimited, Dunkeld PH8 0JF 2pm Onwards Cash payments only
30 Dunkeld Living History Weekend : The Story of Dunkeld Cathedral in Words & Music 3pm in Dunkeld Cathedral
30 Dunkeld Living History Weekend : Hour of Scotland with Daniel Downi (Historian & Comedian) Birnam Arts
30 Heart of Scotland Forest Partnership - Sunday Work Party at Balnaguard Glen 10am-3pm perthshireranger@scottishwildlifetrust org uk
August
Continues until 31st August Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition – open daily 10-4pm and 12-4pm on Sundays Dunkeldart@aol com
4 Beaver Breakfast 5am-7am Loch of the Lowes (Booking essential)
4 Beachcomber and Other Stories Clydebuilt Puppets
Tickets £10 Adult and Child Extra Adult / Child £3 Birnam Arts
5-3rd September Alison Price Exhibition drawings and painting Birnam Arts
5 The Big Place Conversation PKC Community Engagement event Birnam Arts on 1 – 4pm developmentplan@pkc gov uk
8 Kirk Session meeting 7 30pm
9 Summer Coding Camp children 8-12 Birnam Library 2 - 4pm £5 per child
Please book via the Culture Perth and Kinross website 9-11 Summer Dance Camp 10am – 1pm Kids 5+/Students £54 for 3 sessions
Adults £63 for 3 sessions Birnam Arts 13 Songs and Silence Cathedral 6:30pm 16 Blazin Fiddles 8pm
& Birnam Summer Art & Crafts Fair 10am to 5pm each day and admission is free 25 DBDCDT Open Evening at Birnam Arts
25th – 27th Craft Fair, Drill Hall, Dunkeld 26 Birnam Highland Games Recreation Ground £8/£5/£4 Family £20
Out Gardening 0777 546 0373
Call: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm
Text: 7 days 8am-8pm FREE ESTIMATES HONEST, RELIABLE SERVICE
Grass cutting, Hedge cutting, Strimming, Leaf collection, Weeding/dig over, Edging, Gravel footpaths, Aerating, General tidy-up. All General Garden Maintenance work carried out to the highest quality on every job, everyday.
