The Bridge June 2022

Bridge The

Edition 387 June 2022

Local News, Events and Information for the Dunkeld & Birnam Area www.dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk

This Issue:

Community News

1,5,6

Editorial

2

Community Fire Station See page 12

Community Archive Arts News

Sports Hub

Platinum Jubilee Celebrations coordinated by the Archives will take place on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June.

See article below and details programme information on page 2

Community News

Dunkeld Community Archive JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS – SATURDAY 4TH & SUNDAY 5TH JUNE 2022

Saturday 4th June PARADE STARTS AT THE NIEL GOW STATUE AT 10.15am HEADING TO STANLEY HILL PARK, DUNKELD. The Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry ‘C’ & ‘E’ Squadrons (the descendants of our Scottish Horse regiment), Horses and ‘Jackal’.

They will be joined by our very own young Cadet force, the ‘Scots at War’, ‘Great War Society’ and ‘Erskine Regiment’ re-enactment groups along with a 10th Century Saracen Warrior and Thrall recently rescued from the Vikings!

Stanley Hill Park will be open to the public from 10.15am to 4pm where there will be camps set up showing what it was like for the soldiers during the Battle of Dunkeld in 1689, the Boer War, and both World Wars. There will also be a Medics tent showing the difference between treatments in WW1 & today. The Fire Department will be joining us to show ‘old & new’ equipment, including a ‘Green Goddess’ Engine.

There will be an arena hosting a program of events throughout the day.

Craig Herbertson (singer/songwriter) will be performing throughout the day in the park.

At 7pm the Birnam Arts will host a play, written and performed by the Birnam Institute Players, about Beatrix Potter and her time in Perthshire. Tickets are on sale now through Birnam Arts.

Sunday 5th June The Army will retreat, but everyone else will remain to entertain you throughout the day in Stanley Hill park.

Please see the program of events for the Arena on page 2.

Craig Herbertson will be joined by Munro Gauld and Neil Gowrie to play and sing ‘Local’ songs.

At 3pm a Fancy Dress competition will be judged in the events arena.

At 4.30pm Dunkeld Cathedral will host a narrated story of the church, with music from the Scottish Plainsong Choir and Canty, Scotland’s only professional Medieval Music Group. Tickets are on sale now through Birnam Arts.

At 7.30pm Birnam Arts will host a narrated story of Niel Gow with music from Pete Clark and Jamie Jauncey. Again, tickets are available now through Birnam Arts.

There will also be an exhibition in the Community Archive (next to the park) throughout the weekend featuring Royal visits to Dunkeld including the 450th Anniversary of The Royal School of Dunkeld.

All events in Stanley Hill Park and the Archive are FREE ENTRY. Tickets for the three concerts should be booked through:

Birnam Arts – www.birnamarts.com 01350 727674

Dunkeld Community Archive 12 The Cross, Dunkeld, PH8 0AN. archives@historicdunkeld.org.uk 01350 727786

www.dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk

2

3,4

5

Growbiz See page 16

Classified:

7,8,9,13,14

World Community News

16

Notice Board

12

News from our Community Council

17

3 Churches in the Community 10 - 11

Councillor’s Column 15

Loch of the Lowes See page 16

Stick on the Fridge Classified

18

19 - 20

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Copy Dates for the July/August Issue: Friday 10th June publication Friday 24th June _________________________

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The Bridge

Edited by volunteers for the people of Dunkeld, Birnam and the surrounding villages since 1974.

Thank you for all your support.

The Bridge Contacts Editor: Sally Robertson

E-mail: editor@dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk _________________________

Advertising Manager: Kirsty Gowans Tel: 07967 117149 E-mail: adverts@dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk Advertising rates from £7 per month. Contact the Advertising Manager for details. _________________________ Please e-mail your article to the editor at: editor@dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk or post to: The Bridge Dunkeld & Birnam Community Co-Working Space Lagmhor, Dunkeld PH8 0AD _________________________

NEW!!!

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Editorial

All the excitement surrounding the Queen’s Platinum jubilee has set the hamsters in my brain sprinting around the old memory banks. They have whizzed me back to 1977 and having to learn a song to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. I can hear our rather tuneless, if enthusiastic, young voices trilling at a jamboree in a field somewhere “Guides of the world wish her long life and happiness… singing with love and loyaltttttttty … God bless Elizabeth …God bless Elizabeth ..God bless Elizabeth (breathe) Elizabeth our Queeeeeeeeeen.”

Well, it certainly seems our good wishes have worked a treat as Her Majesty continues with her incredible reign.

It’s wonderful to hear about various events taking place over the festival weekend to mark this milestone. A particular thanks to everyone at the archives for the amazing weekend of events they have planned to celebrate the platinum jubilee. (see front page and this page.)

Given her advancing years I hope Her Majesty has someone else to open her fuel bill as it might give her of a bit of a shock to see how much its costing to heat Balmoral these days. Here at Meikle Logie we use oil for our heating and our prices have, quite literally, doubled in the last six months up from 57ppl in December to 109ppl today. I know gas and electricity prices have also sky rocketed. If you are interested in finding out if there is anything you can do to reduce your bills through reduced energy consumption, then come along to the community coworking space on 6th June for a free energy saving conversation with Martin from the HEAT project in Blairgowrie. Thanks to our Climate Café for arranging this advice.

forward to become a fully constituted charity that will coordinate a number of initiatives. The group have taken this moment in time to look back at all that has been achieved in the past two years including a helpful financial overview of all monies raised and spent. (see page 5) Many thanks to everyone involved so far and wishing the new incarnation of the group all the very best with taking forward new initiatives.

Maybe one idea could be to set up a knitting bee as we’ll need to pile on the jumpers now that we can’t afford to put the heating on. Come to think of it maybe we could knit a jumper for the Queen in regal purple and white to keep her cosy at Balmoral. It would make a perfect jubilee gift – and so very practical. We could also knit matching jackets for all the corgies – now that would be cute. It would also mark us out as a very thrifty and creative community - qualities I’m sure Her Majesty admires. We might be rewarded with an extra special smile and wave as she passes through Dunkeld and Birnam station on her travels north and south on the royal train. Hey! Surely time for another of those classic Jubilee guide songs … altogether now …

Sally Robertson

It's great to read about the progress of the PH8 group. At the start of the pandemic this group was pulled together out of thin air to provide coordination to community support at the start of the pandemic. Now, two years later, and having undertaken the community survey, it is moving

Dunkeld Community Archive JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS – SATURDAY 4TH & SUNDAY 5TH JUNE 2022 CALLING ALL KID’s - RECRUITS WANTED (Saturday at 1.20pm & Sunday at 1pm in the Events Arena)

Reports are flooding in of an imminent Viking attack !! We need your help to defend Dunkeld. Join our Saracen Warrior & Thrall for defence training in the Events Arena. (Saturday at 12.10pm & Sunday at 1.45pm in the Events Arena). Join the Erskine Regiment and learn ‘Pike Drill’

Stanley Hill Park Program of Events

Saturday 4th June 10.40: Event official Opening by Lord Charles Kinnoull 10.50: Vale of Atholl Pipe Band 11.00: Erskine Regiment Musket Display 11.20: Craig Herbertson “Military” songs 11.40: Help ! The Vikings are coming – Weapons Talk 12.00: Scottish & North Irish Yeomanry Pipe Band (at Army Recruitment stand) 12.10: Erskine Regiment Pike Display 12.40: Craig Herbertson “Local” songs 13.00: Vale of Atholl Pipe Band 13.20: Help ! The Vikings are coming – Recruitment & Training 13.50: Craig Herbertson “Military songs” 14.10: Erskine Regiment Battle of Dunkeld (1689) Story 14.30: Scottish & North Irish Yeomanry Pipe Band (at Army Recruitment stand) 14.40: Erskine Regiment Big Gun Display 15.00: Craig Herbertson “Local” songs 15.20: Help ! The Vikings are coming – Tug of War Show of Strength 15.40: Vale of Atholl Pipe Band

Sunday 5th June 10.00: Blairgowrie Rattray & District Pipe Band 10.20: Munro Gauld & Neil Gowrie “Local” Tunes 10.40: Erskine Regiment Battle of Dunkeld (1689) Story 11.10: Craig Herbertson “Local” songs 11.30: Munro Gauld & Neil Gowrie “Local” Tunes 11.50: Help ! The Vikings are coming – Weapons Talk 12.20: Erskine Regiment Musket Display 12.50: Craig Herbertson “Local” songs 13.00: Help ! The Vikings are coming – Recruitment & Training 13.30: Blairgowrie Rattray & District Pipe Band 13.45: Erskine Regiment Pike Display 14.15: Munro Gauld & Neil Gowrie “Local” Tunes 14.30: Erskine Regiment Big Gun Display 15.00: Fancy Dress Competition Judging 15.20: Help ! The Vikings are coming – Tug of War Show of Strength 15.50: Blairgowrie Rattray & District Pipe Band

FANCY DRESS COMPETITION ALL AGES WELCOME

JUDGING WILL BE HELD IN THE EVENTS ARENA AT 3.00PM ON SUNDAY 5TH JUNE

PRIZE FOR MOST IMAGINATIVE OR HISTORICAL COSTUME

Arts News

Summer is Upon Us!

Summer is almost with us, and as the days lengthen, we are delighted to enjoy being open 7 days a week again. Our new café furniture is getting rave reviews, and people are enjoying tasty treats prepared by our fantastic chef team, so why not pop into Birnam Arts for a coffee or bite to eat. And if the sun pops out, maybe you’ll be tempted to enjoy a drink and bite to eat on the terrace. There is also a new exhibition to enjoy – we look forward to seeing you soon.

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WHAT’S ON – PERFORMANCES & ACTIVITIES

SAT 4 & SUN 5 JUN Queen's Platinum Jubilee and Dunkeld History Event

Dunkeld Community Archive and Chapter House Museum are presenting a weekend of activities. Along with the parade on Saturday morning at 10.15am, and a programme of events at the arena throughout the two days of celebrations. there are three ticketed events to enjoy, with tickets available through the Birnam Arts website.

All tickets: £10 adults, £5 U16, + Booking Fee.

SAT 4 JUN | 7pm End of Summer Song: Beatrix Potter in Perthshire

Birnam Institute Players present a fulllength play with songs about the famous writer. This is Pitlochry musician Tom McEwan's first full-length play, piecing together her Perthshire experience each childhood summer, and how the local flora and fauna stayed with her on her return to London.

Suitable for families, kids aged 6+ Throughout the day there will be an offering of workshops for kids and families! Something musical, something arty, a little Beatrix Potter magic and even a surprise or two! Full details on the Birnam Arts website.

Throughout the day there will be fun activities for the whole family, including a chance to throw a pot, kids crafts, and even a tasty drink to celebrate our birthday – the Mopsy-tail. We’ve also heard that Peter Rabbit will come by for a visit. Make sure you stop by to celebrate with us!

SAT 18 JUNE | 8pm Amos, Jauncey & Friends £10 + Booking Fee

A musical evening with a posse of local musicians. Dave Amos, Jamie Jauncey, Pete Caban. ____________________________

IN THE GALLERY:

6 MAY - 26 JUN | 10am – 4pm Pockets of Experience Ciara Gibson | Artist in Residence '22

Pockets of Experience is a playful exploration that seeks to identify the moments, connections and memories that have created a sense of entanglement with the landscape and natural world.

If you visited in May, it is worth coming by again to see how the work is unfolding throughout Ciara's exhibition.

There are still a few opportunities to meet Ciara at our Meet the Artist sessions on Friday 10 June and Saturday 25 June, between 2 - 4pm. There's no need to book for these, just pop in and say hi! More details at birnamarts.com/Exhibition-Gallery –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

CLASSES:

CREATIVE KIDS with Helen O'Brien THU 3.45pm - 5.30pm £12 per child

Fun and creative, learner led workshops delivered by professional artists and educators. Contact creativecatscot@gmail.com for more information.

SUN 5 JUN | 4.30pm The Scottish Plainsong Choir at Dunkeld Cathedral

The Scottish Plainsong Choir and Canty, Scotland's only professional medieval music group, present the history of Dunkeld's religious past, narrated by Wattie Barbour. Join them for a sacred medieval repertoire including Gregorian and Celtic chant, the works of St Hildegard of Bingen, Cantigas de Santa Maria and Italian medieval Laude.

SUN 5 JUN | 7.30pm Niel Gow: His Life and Times

Join Jamie Jauncey as he talks with Pete Clark about his life-long passion for the music of Niel Gow. In between the conversation, Pete will play a selection of his favourite Gow tunes and others.

SAT 18 JUN | from 12pm Birnam Arts 21st Birthday Bash Free entry

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TUE 14 JUN – 19 JUL | 9.30am – 12pm CREATING EXPRESSIVE CERAMICS CLASS

Ceramicist Anna Olson will lead a 6week course aimed at exploring the expressive potential of core handbuilding techniques, including: pinch, coil and slab building, as well as the Japanese technique of kurinuki.

Conveying thought and emotion through form and decoration, with functional aesthetics considered in relation to the Japanese ethos of wabi-sabi, you will journey with the clay from wet to dry, learning to react and respond to its transformational qualities, on a voyage of discovery to finding your creative voice.

Materials and tools will be provided: various clays and glazes will be available for use. Tickets available through birnamarts.com

REGULAR CLASSES

THU 9 JUN | 8 – 10pm Adam Holmes £14 + Booking Fee

Acclaimed Edinburgh born singersongwriter Adam Holmes is one of the brightest stars on the UK roots music scene, with influences from either side of the Atlantic mixing traditional and contemporary folk with his own brand of soul and Americana.

Twice nominated for BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, his first two albums were also nominated for Scottish Album of the Year in 2014 & 2017, and there is much anticipation as to whether he can make it three in a row this year with his third album Midnight Milk.

His first album, Heirs & Graces, was produced by John Wood (producer of all Nick Drake’s albums and John Martyn’s iconic Solid Air album) and mastered by Simon Heyworth (co-producer of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells) and second album, Brighter Still, features two-time BRIT award winner Eddi Reader on backing vocals throughout.

Adam's latest album was recorded in his one-bedroomed flat in Edinburgh, complete with full brass section, an eighteen-piece choir and a widescreen folk/soul/electronica production, influenced by a 2016 collaboration with Adrian Utley of Portishead, Dominic Aitchison of Mogwai and Martin Green of Lau.

As well as these special events, our ballet classes, tai chi, yoga, Heels Over Head dance, French Conversation, and Pilates sessions will continue through the coming months. You’ll find the latest information about what’s on, times and costs on our website: birnamarts.com –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Have you come by recently to enjoy the new menu items, relax with our new café furniture, or soak up some rays on the terrace? Our summer hours – open daily from 10am to 4pm, with the Gift Shop and Beatrix Potter open 10:30am to 3:30pm – offer more opportunities to visit Birnam Arts again and again.

For more information on any events and to buy tickets, you’ll find all you on our website – www.birnamarts.com The Box Office is open 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

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Arts News continued

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Dunkeld & Birnam Art & Crafts Fair

Due to unforeseen circumstances the Dunkeld & Birnam Art & Crafts Fair will not now take place in June but from 26th to 28th August. ____________________________

PH8 Community Matters

PH8 Community Vision and Community Action Plan PH8 Community Coordinator freelance role Over the past year the PH8 community (Dunkeld, Birnam and surrounding areas) has developed its first ever 5 year Community Action Plan (CAP). The plan, coordinated by a Steering Group, was launched in March 2022, and presents a vision for the PH8 area over six key themes: 1. Safe and active travel; 2. Housing for All; 3. Connectivity, accessibility and care; 4. Environment and a greener future; 5. Community and culture; and 6. A thriving local economy.

We have now moved to the next phase where the Steering Group will transition into a formal, constituted body which is able to take the CAP forward. The PH8 Steering Group is seeking to engage a part time, freelance PH8 Community Coordinator to support the transition. The key roles of the Coordinator, who will report to the Steering Group, will be: • • • • •

Coordinating the work of the PH8 Steering Group, including meetings and communications.

Conducting work specific to the Housing for All theme reporting to the Theme Coordinator; Liaising with Dunkeld and Birnam Community Council Assisting with fundraising planning for the future constituted body; Any other reasonable responsibilities as agreed with the PH8 Steering Group.

Person specification: We a looking for someone with: • Excellent coordination skills involving a wide range of stakeholders.

• Strong communication skills; ability to build relationships and network with a broad range of people from different backgrounds, ages and interest groups; • Record of local community public engagement.

• Strong social media skills; • Excellent time management and organisational skills • Excellent inter-personal skills, with a friendly, supportive and outgoing personality; • Experience of facilitating meetings of individuals from mixed ages and backgrounds; • Awareness, understanding of and commitment to the PH8 CAP process.

Ideally someone with: • Good local knowledge of the PH8 area • Knowledge of issues related to the CAP themes, in particular the housing theme; • Personal experience of volunteering and working with volunteers; • Understanding and knowledge of the Community Development Trust model;

Time commitment: approx. the equivalent of 2 days (16 hours per week) worked flexibly for minimum of 4 months Rate: £120-150 per day depending on skills and experience.

Location: Home based

Please note: as this post is self-employed, the contractor shall ensure they have the appropriate level of insurance, make their own National Insurance and tax contributions and have access to requisite equipment to complete the role, including: computer, desk or workspace and telephone.

If you are interested in this exciting role, please email a CV and short covering letter (no more than 2 A4 pages) to ph8communityvision@gmail.com by 5pm on Wednesday 15th June 2022. For further information please____________________________ drop a note to this email address.

Sports, Health and Wellbeing AIMS:

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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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Covered MUGA Project

Work is continuing apace on the Covered MUGA Project. The great news is that we are now fully funded for the main parts of the project which allows us to commit to contracts and expenditure with confidence.

We have already started work on the ground with the demolition of the old brick shed, removal of the fence round the practice court and removal of the small sycamore trees as permitted under the planning approval. In time, we will replace the trees with planting along the edge of the Medical Centre grounds.

We have progressed detailed structural design, unfortunately slightly slower than expected, and are now essentially ready to submit the building warrant application to PKC.

In parallel, we are advancing work with SSE on upgrading the electrical supply. We are also continuing efforts on our new car parking (between the Medical Centre and Hub land) by finalising a sub lease from PKC (which has unfortunately taken a lot longer than expected) and securing a contractor to do groundworks.

We are still confident that we will build the facility over the summer and Autumn and be up and running before next winter.

We have also started discussions with a variety of potential user groups and individuals to help us finalise decisions on lining the pitch, access, booking regime etc. If you would like to be involved please drop a note to dbsportsleisurehub@gmail.com or drop in to speak to a member of the club- all ideas and thoughts gratefully received.

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PH8 Community Matters

There is lots to update you on from the PH8 Community Action Plan!

Working groups have started to plan actions for some of the priority themes. The Care action group have identified various projects which they want to take forward, including a Social Prescribing project, Carers Co-op and Men’s Shed project. The Environment action group held their first meeting recently to discuss taking forward practical conservation works and path repairs and also access improvements for people with mobility issues. They are also focusing on the concept of a community energy project and food waste scheme (which also enjoys the support of the Care group). They are hoping to publish a calendar of practical conservation activities that anyone can join in with soon.

As many of you will have seen, a Housing Needs and Demand Assessment Survey has also been undertaken during recent months. This closed on 1st May, with 170 responses in total. The Communities Housing Trust has been analysing the responses and will produce a report of the survey findings, which you will be able to download on our webpage – further information on key finding, actions and recommendations in the July/August edition of The Bridge.

The PH8 Community Matters Steering Group is making great progress towards establishing a constituted Scottish Charitable Incorporate Organisation (SCIO) to oversee the Community Action Plan and take forward those actions that do not fall under existing organisations, as a Community Development Trust.

The new office bearers in the steering group are now as follows: Chair, Adrian Blundell; Secretary, Ginger Ramsden; Treasurer, Elliot McCandless. John Gilruth and Stuart Paton have stepped down as Chair and Treasurer respectively, but will continue to be involved in work streams within the Action Plan. A separate article setting out how funds received to date have been applied to support both work during the Pandemic and the Community Action Plan can be found elsewhere in this copy of ‘The Bridge’.

Sophie Cade, who has done such sterling work having been involved in the PH8 Community Action Plan (CAP) since 2020, recently working as Community Coordinator for the CAP, has now finished in her role in order to spend more time on family commitments. This means that we are now recruiting for another self employed part time coordinator, to help the steering group deliver on the CAP and progress towards becoming a Community Development Trust. If you know anyone with good communication skills and experience of administration, social media, marketing,

fundraising, volunteer management/project management, the PH8 Group would like to hear from them. Full details and job description can be found on our web page, closing date - Wednesday 15 June.

If you would like to get involved in any of the action groups or in the steering group, ask the PH8 Group a question or tell them what you think, get in touch on ph8communitymatters@gmail.com or on Facebook and Instagram @ph8communitymatters. Visit our web page for more info: www.dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk/communitycouncil/ph8-community-matters ____________________________

PH8 Coronavirus Group and Community Group: Financial Summary

Since March 2020 (in those days before people had ever heard of lock downs and were not experts on Community Transmission rates), the local community has done a fantastic effort in providing direct support and, particularly in the last year, thinking about the future and how we make the local area an even better place to live.

In the first year, the main effort was involved in providing direct to those most in need. This ranged from providing a shopping and delivery service, hot meals, direct financial support to individuals and families, making PPE and supporting local groups during the crisis. A key part of the support was supporting publication of the Bridge newsletter (in paper copy and online) which was a vital method of keeping in touch with the local community particularly during the lockdowns. The Bridge had no other sources of income during this period when advertising income essentially dried up.

An appeal was immediately made for funds and had a huge response with a total of £9,757 raised through a combination of donation cheques, on line donations and crowdfunding. Grant applications were made to a number of sources, including PKC, Tesco and the Corra Foundation which raised a further £3,500 giving a total income of £13,257.

All the corporate funders and PKC have received final reports for the funding and general thanks to the community have been issued at regular intervals. We have also undertaken a financial examination of all income and expenditure over the last two years, carried out and signed off by a highly experienced qualified accountant.

The funds were used for: Financial hardship fund to individuals and families: £3,030 Publication of emergency Bridge issues: £5,822 PPE and sanitiser for volunteers: £231 Research of food plan: £500 Support for other local groups: £1,216

The balance of the Coronavirus funds are now held by the Dunkeld and Community Council for distribution to

causes directly related to ongoing issues relating to the coronavirus crisis.

The group also received a number of laptop computers and IPads as part of a Scottish Government IT project to support individual people and families who lacked IT support which was so vital during this period. These devices were distributed on a confidential basis to people in the local area.

Since March 2021, the main focus of work has been the development of a Community Action Plan (CAP). There has been a huge amount of engagement through surveys, focus groups, community meetings to get to the launch of the plan in March 2022. The Steering Group, re-energised with a lot of new participants, is now focussed on setting up the long term, formal body to deliver the CAP actions and supporting the groups delivering on actions identified in the plan.

Over the last year, the PH8 Group has raised £20,400 (with significant further in kind support from PKC through LEADER funding). The sources of income have been: SSE Griffin/Calliachar Community Fund: £17,300 PKC (LEADER and Community Investment Fund): £12,700 Dunkeld & Birnam Community Council: £1,000 These funds have been held by the Dunkeld & Birnam Community Interest Company (CIC) with a clearly defined approval process for expenditure between the PH8 Steering Group and the CIC.

The funds have to date been used for Planning, preparation, writing, printing of Community Action Plan. This includes the work done by Star Consultants who were the key group working with us on the plan: £8,500 Events (community events at Birnam Arts, focus groups, meetings in village halls): £2,300 Community Connector costs (coordinator of all activities, managing process, arranging events, liaising externally): £6,600 Social media and communications (licence fees, social media coordinator, web presence): £2,300

The outstanding balance of funds balance £10,500. In line with commitments to funders, the balance will be used in the coming months for further engagement events and paying fees for a part time Community Coordinator. These activities are required to take the Steering Group to a formal legal basis (as a Community Development Trust registered as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation), coordinating the work of the Steering Group and supporting the ongoing work of the CAP themes.

The PH8 Steering Group would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone who has been involved in the last couple of years in whatever capacity. We think the Community Action Plan is a fantastic basis for enhancing the local area for the future and making it an even better place to live.____________________________

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Community News continued

Highland Perthshire Welcomes Ukraine

Firstly a huge thank you to those of you who have been in touch either offering to sponsor refugees or to volunteer. If you haven’t been in touch yet and would be willing to sponsor a Ukrainian refugee or offer to volunteer any help then please get in touch with me at ionalancaster12@gmail.com

Aberfeldy are in the process of welcoming their families who have begun to arrive and meanwhile they have also made a start at matching sponsers with refugees in the Pitlochry area. As yet they have not moved into our area but that will happen over the next few months if the need is there. In terms of what we as a community could be doing now here a few ideas:

Fundraising There are several ways to help: Donate to – www.gofundme.org and search for Highland Perthshire Welcomes Ukraine (by Samantha Leighton).

Direct payment into their bank account – Highland Perthshire Welcomes Ukraine business account: Sort code 80-05-22, Account number 10116262.

Please put a reference eg. Dunkeld and Birnam Support.

Enter the Holiday Bonanza raffle at £20 a ticket run by Mains of Taymouth Castle Country Estate for fantastic short holiday stay prizes to the value of £10,000 to be drawn on the 31st August.

Visit www.taymouth.co.uk/ukraine to purchase tickets.

See the Schiehallion Hotel facebook page for details of some fundraising which has already happened and if anyone is interested in planning a fundraiser for HP welcomes Ukraine themselves and wants some help let me know and I can see if any of the folk who have offered to volunteer can help.

Other information

Peter Donaldson in Aberfeldy is asking for people to donate children and adults bikes which he can refurb for guests use, let me know if you have any going spare and I can arrange to put you in touch with him.

If anyone can offer job opportunities locally that may suit guests I would be keen to know.

Iona Lancaster ____________________________

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s in the Commun e h c r u h C e ity hre

A few thoughts on silence

The rather strange letters OCDS after my name below refer (in Latin) to my being a member of the contemplative religious order known as the Order of Carmelites who were reformed in 16th Century Spain by Teresa of Avila, a woman who put a very high value on silence.

Those who know me will confirm that I am generally not short for words - but I do also spend a lot of time in meditative silence - in fact it’s probably why I make so much noise the rest of the time! Vocal praise in its many forms is arguably the public face of our relationship with the divine but I would argue that praise and silence are in fact two sides of the same coin. So, Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel exhorts us when praying to ‘go into your inner room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret’ whilst Paul in Thessalonians sees both sides, calling on us to ‘Rejoice always and pray without ceasing’.

This can be difficult advice for a world getting noisier and busier every day, with technologies that aim to make our life easier, but only at the expense of increasingly demanding our attention. A few years ago, I was invited to speak about inner silence to some theology students. During coffee beforehand we reflected, with a smile, on whether talking about silence was perhaps a contradiction, so I was very touched afterwards when one of the students pressed a book into my hands and extracted a commitment from me that I would read it. The book was The Solace of Fierce Landscapes by Belden C. Lane. In this Lane relates the three stages of emptiness he experiences watching his beloved mother’s mental and physical decline at the end of her life, against which is set the silence he finds backpacking in wild mountain landscapes. Alongside these are reflections on the writings of the desert fathers of the Early Church from which we are invited to draw the underlying harmony that he himself found.

I take Belden Lane’s point on the power of landscape.

Hillwalkers will confirm that away from all the noise one is somehow effortlessly absorbed into the silence of the landscape. In this sense I conclude that we are very fortunate to live in this part of the world. Inevitably, we all have different things that we notice in everyday life and for me the wooded backdrop to Birnam and Dunkeld when driving north up the A9 somehow pings a bell to remind me of what Paul is calling us to. So, I ask myself, why don’t I get this ping when in a crowded urban environment? Well, from a Carmelite perspective, I imagine that Teresa of Avila would simply say that this is the area where I need to put in a lot more work.

What’s strange is that I have absolutely no idea who the man who gave me the book was, and of course I never saw him again, but then doesn’t grace sometimes just work like that?

Roderick Campbell Guion OCDS (St Columbas) ____________________________

Church of Scotland Services

June 5th.

11am. – Morning Service in the Cathedral for Pentecost.

Sacrament of Communion.

June 12th. 11am. – Morning worship in the Cathedral (Including the Sacrament of Baptism) June 19th. 11am. – Morning worship in the Cathedral 2.15pm – Communion at Amulree 6.30pm – Songs & Silence in the Cathedral June 26th. 11am. – Morning worship in the Cathedral

July 3rd.

July 10th.

July 17th.

July 24th.

11am. – Morning worship in the Cathedral 11am. – Morning worship in the Cathedral 11am. – Morning worship in the Cathedral 2.15pm – Service at Amulree 11am. – Morning worship in the Cathedral 6.30pm – Songs & Silence in the Cathedral

Tea and coffee are served each week after the morning service in the Chanonry. Although it is a small space, the front and back doors can be kept open and folk can go out onto the street or into the area at the back of the Chanonry.

As everyone will be aware, masks are no longer a legal requirement in public places such as churches but obviously, it is up to everyone to make their own decision and quite a number of people feel more comfortable wearing one. ____________________________

Songs & Silence

On June 19th. there will be the first of a summer series of services called ‘Songs & Silence’ - evening services of 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 other dates for this summer are: July 24th.

August 7th.

August 28th.

September 11th.

September 25th.

____________________________

Reader in Training

Keith Redwood from Blairgowrie was with us for six months last year as he considered a calling to serve the church as a Reader. He has been accepted for training and is now in the middle of his first placement.

He started that in Pitlochry but with the retirement of the Rev. Mary Haddow he is to complete it here. Keith will be with us in Dunkeld for three months from June onwards and will be welcomed back at the service on June 5th.

____________________________

Long Service Certificates

At the service on May 8th. three of our elders were presented with Long Service Certificates signed by the Moderator of the General Assembly, Lord Wallace of Tankerness (Jim Wallace.)

Pat Buxton, Forrest Moffat and Ann Young have all served as elders for 30 years and tribute was paid to the work they have done and continue to do in the congregation here.

On the same Sunday the service of Pat Buxton and David Arbuthnott in the choir was acknowledged as they have both decided to retire. They have both given dedicated service in the organ loft week by week and will continue to add to the singing in the body of the Kirk! The choir had a lunch after the service on the 8th. of May to mark the occasion. ____________________________

Online Services

Online worship continues and can be accessed on our YouTube channel ‘Dunkeld Cathedral online.’

A huge thank you is due to a fantastic team of people who put in a lot of work to produce the end results. To take this ministry forward, the Kirk Session has recently employed Karen Kelman, initially until the end of____________________________ this year, to be our online producer/coordinator.

Thanks to everyone who supported and helped with the second hand book sale at the Duchess Anne. The money from the sale and the proceeds from two weeks of the Meeting Place will be sent to Christian Aid. Christian Aid supports projects of many kinds to help people of all faiths and none. Thank you for your support for the world’s poorest communities. ____________________________

The Meeting Place

The Meeting Place is in the Duchess Anne on Friday mornings from 10 – 12noon. All welcome. ____________________________

Fellowship Group

An Ecumenical Fellowship group meets fortnightly on Tuesdays at 7pm. There are just a couple of meetings left before the summer – on May 31st. the study will be about Pentecost and we will have a social night on June 14th. to round off the season.

We meet in the Chanonry and it is hoped that most people will be able to meet in person but there is also the possibility of joining by zoom for people who are too far away or for reasons of time don’t find it easy to come along. The contact codes are sent out each week by email but if you would like to join that way, please get in touch with either Fraser Penny, or John Ferguson (727585)

____________________________

Men's Breakfast

The sizzle of sausages and the smell of bacon rolls once again emanates from the Chanonry fortnightly on Wednesday mornings. The Men’s Breakfast starts at 9am and will be meeting on June 1st., 15th. & 29th.

There will then be a break over the summer, starting back again on August 31st.

If you would like more details please contact Peter Mackie at Petermackie46@gmail.com

____________________________

Thursday Youth Group

A group meets in the Duchess Anne on every Thursday between 7 and 8.30. and people from P6, P7 and S1 (or the equivalent in any school) are welcome to join.

Games, sports, refreshments, reflection time and a chance to get together with friends and more. Entry is £1 per session.

The remaining dates before the summer holidays are May 26th., June 2nd., 9th., 16th. and 23rd.

For more information, please contact William Hogg (727053) or Fraser Penny (727249)

____________________________

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 ____________________________

The Meeting Place The Meeting Place Open Again!

10-12 Fridays Duchess Anne

T

s in the Commun e h c r u h C e ity hre

Weekly Services

Church of Scotland:

Church Services and Contacts:

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

Servite

There is a Communion Service in the lounge at Servite at 3pm. on the first Sundays of March, June, September and December. ____________________________

St Mary’s Episcopal Church Service Time: 10am

Said Eucharist (communion) every Sunday Beautiful organ music instead of hymns for the duration of the virus.

Brilliant sermons too!

All are welcome in this space. https://www.stmarysbirnam.org.uk/ ____________________________

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: Mrs. C. McNicoll Tel: 01350 727500 e-mail: mcnicoll431@btinternet.com Treasurer: Mr. John Gray Highfield, Brae Stret, Dunkeld, PH8 0BA Tel: 01350 728697 e-mail: gray.john17@sky.com Covenant Officer: Mrs. Ann Bryce Tomnagrew House, Dunkeld PH80BX Tel: 01350 723228 e-mail: j.bryce@farmline.com 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 Church, Birnam

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

St Bride’s Catholic Church Rie-Achan Road, Pitlochry PH16 5AL

Our Lady of Mercy’s, Home Street, Aberfeldy, PH15 2AL

We celebrate the presence of the Risen Lord amongst us during these Masses: St Columba’s Birnam, Saturday Vigil Mass at 6.00 pm.

Our Lady of Mercy, Aberfeldy, Sunday at 9.30.

St Bride’s, Pitlochry at 11.30 pm.

Holy Days of Obligation: Mass Times St Columba’s Birnam, at 9.30 am.

Our Lady of Mercy, Aberfeldy at 12.30 pm.

St Bride’s, Pitlochry at 6.00 pm.

Weekday Masses: Our Lady of Mercy, Aberfeldy, Tuesdays at 9.30 pm.

St Bride’s, Pitlochry, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 9.30 am.

Lent and Easter During Lent Stations of the Cross will be observed as follows: Our Lady of Mercy, Aberfeldy, after the Tuesday Mass.

St Bride’s, Pitlochry after the Friday Mass.

St Columba’s Birnam, before the 6.00 Saturday Vigil Mass. ____________________________

Five free ways to connect with your local community this June

This June, the UK will enjoy two consecutive bank holidays to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Whether or not you’re a royalist, Elizabeth II is the first British monarch to achieve 70 years’ reign and so this will be history in the making and something we’re unlikely to see again in our lifetime. A major focus of

the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (QPJ) celebrations is to connect people and unite communities. Here are some ways you can connect with your community and make a difference throughout June.

Plant a green legacy The whole UK is being invited to take part in the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) by planting a tree.

Apart from the obvious environmental impact that more trees will make to our planet, spending time in nature has been widely recognised as having a positive effect on our wellbeing – reducing stress, lowering blood pressure and improving mood. These benefits have been identified whether spending time in wooded areas or simply having trees in the street where you live. The QGC is giving away hundreds of thousands of trees to schools and communities this year, so that everyone in the UK has the chance to take part. Find out if you can order a tree by going to queensgreencanopy.org/get-involved/communitiesand-groups.

Connect with your community One of the few positives people took from the COVID19 lockdowns was the renewed sense of community it forged between neighbours. The Jubilee celebrations offer an incentive to continue that, inviting people to create open and welcoming spaces for their neighbourhoods to gather and engage with one another – like the Big Jubilee Lunches being hosted in streets throughout the UK on Sunday 5 June. So check local community magazines eg The Bridge and the Breadalbane and Atholl Quair, to see how they’re engaging with your local neighbourhood? Local churches often host free events and activities for the local community throughout the year. This June offers the perfect opportunity to contact them to see how they’re engaging with your local neighbourhood.

Celebrate people giving back June is also Volunteer Week, which recognises the huge impact that individuals make to their communities. This year’s theme is ‘a time to say thanks’ – a moment to show gratitude to those who give their time, energy and service to local charities, organisations and people. Why not join in this June and celebrate the positive impact that volunteers make to your local area?

Get creative If you’re looking for a summer activity that isn’t dependent on the unpredictable Scottish weather, Pinterest is exploding with creative ideas on how to make your own bunting, royal emblem cupcake decorations or craft corgis out of toilet tubes. Setting up a mini exhibition for the crafters in your neighbourhood to submit their entries to is a great way to get people together and have fun, no matter what their age! Or you could collectively enter one of the QPJ creative challenges as a community, like designing a Jubilee crown, composing a poem or producing a video.

Discover more at platinumjubilee.gov.uk/get-involved.

Ask for help This is a time to connect, relax and have fun with others! Celebrations don’t have to be expensive. If you or someone you know is struggling with finances, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is on hand to offer practical, emotional and holistic support. Our free services are available to everyone. Visit capuk.org to find out more or call 0800 328 0006 to book a free debt help appointment.

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 capuk.org to find out more. ____________________________

12

Community Noticeboard

Dunkeld & Birnam Community Fire Station are looking for new firefighters!

Amulree Hall

Amulree Hall will be open and serving delicious soup and cakes on 25th June 10am-2pm, part of our fund raising effort. There will also be a family BBQ on the June 11th late afternoon. All welcome, please get in touch for further info. ____________________________

Retained Firefighters in Dunkeld & Birnam operate ‘oncall’ and respond to emergency calls via a pager from their home or place of work at any time of the day or night.

They provide vital fire and rescue cover in the community, protecting local people and businesses in the area from fire and other emergencies.

If you join the Fire Station not only will you be performing a highly valuable role in the local area, but you will be taught vital life-saving skills that will be of real benefit to you.

It’s a challenging role within a team spirited environment where all have pride in working for the SFRS.

Dalguise Meditation Group

If you are interested please come to the Station on a Wednesday evening between 7pm and 9pm or call Watch Commander Matt McLay on 07971 138179 for an informal chat about the role.

Everyone is welcome who would like to learn to meditate, to consolidate a meditation practice they already have, or simply to join our friendly group for a period of quiet contemplation and thoughtful discussion.

We are non-religious, and non-commercial (i.e. there is no charge – plus free tea, coffee and biscuits too!)

More information is also available at the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service website: https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/careers/on-call/

Help us protect communities from fires involving rubbish There are approximately 22,000 outdoor fires each year in Scotland which require our emergency attendance and approximately 50% of all these outdoor fires involve refuse, rubbish and fly-tipped materials.

for further information contact: faithanstey@gmail.com

With an estimated average cost of £2,000 for each attendance at such incidents, the estimated annual cost to the Service is £22 million.

You can help prevent rubbish fires by following our advice: Store your rubbish in a secure area if possible.

Keep your garage and shed locked as well as your home.

Keep all flammable liquids locked away.

Consider installing security lighting outside.

Be alert to strangers loitering in your street and call the police if strangers are loitering for some time.

Report any build-up of rubbish to your Local Authority or community fire station. This will help ensure it can be removed and prevent fires.

Report any fly-tipping direct to your Local Authority or to the National Dumb Dumpers Stop line on: 0845 230 40 90.

Warn other people if a fire breaks out.

Remember not to: Allow rubbish to block escape routes.

Store rubbish by doors, windows or any other openings.

Store bins or sacks up against your home as fire can quickly spread to buildings.

Overfill your bin or leave rubbish around it.

Smoke in or around storage areas.

Put bins out for emptying until the day your refuse is collected.

Fly-tip materials or leave rubbish to build up outdoors – it could start a fire.

Accept deliberately fire-setting in your community. It’s a crime that threatens lives – report it to the police.

If there is a fire in your home GET OUT. STAY OUT. CALL 999.

Please be careful and considerate when disposing of your refuse and recycling. If a crime is being committed, or is about to be committed, or if there is a risk of serious injury, or if the fire and rescue service is needed, call 999. ____________________________

Birnam Library

Opening hours: Thursday: 5pm – 7pm Friday: 12pm – 5pm Saturday: 9.30am – 12pm

Seeking cottage/house in Dunkeld/Perthshire area

Freelance writer/creative/housekeeper looking for a one/two-bed property with garden to rent long-term in Perthshire.

One well-behaved old dog in tow.

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 Kinross a 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/

07730 030024.

Doctors Surgery

Our Doctors Surgery will be open as normal with telephone consultations with the GP in the first instance.

To help keep our phone lines available for the GPs use, please consider using our online prescription service via our website rather than phoning in your requests.

Please consult our website for updates on our COVID vaccine clinics.

See page 7 for all the latest Doctors Surgery News.

RBS mobile bank visits Dunkeld and Birnam. Thursdays: Dunkeld, The Cross 14.50 pm to 15.20 pm and Birnam, Post Office 15.25 pm to 15.45 pm

Dunbraantay Laundry NOW OPEN!

Our Services: • Service Wash/Drying/Ironing • Self-Service Machines • Laundry Products • Equine Rug Wash & Pet Beds • Holiday Cover Cleaning Service • Self Catering, Holiday Homes, Private Homes & Small Businesses

Any questions or to discuss individual or business requirements, please contact: Kelly or Rosanagh on mob: 07871 695461 email: dunbraantaylaundry@yahoo.com Facebook: @dunbraantaylaundry Opening times: Tuesday - Friday 9am to 1pm Perth Road, Birnam PH8 0BH (behind the post office)

BMR Bob’s Mechanical Repairs Try our engine carbon clean machine!

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Mark Blair 07850 014073

blairfencing@hotmail.co.uk www.blairfencingandlandscaping.co.uk

NEW!!!

Available from Balnadrum Farm, Pitlochry - only £40 per bulk bag.

TOP SOIL BULK BAGS Delivery can be arranged subject to quantity, charge may apply depending on delivery point.

Call Kelly on 07483 176791 or email: callum@oldfaskallycontracting.co.uk

Facebook Page Dunkeld & Birnam, The Bridge

Follow us on Facebook

Notes from a Councillor

15

The Scottish Council Elections at the beginning of May was the culmination of a few months of hard work and I am delighted to have been elected as a councillor to represent Strathtay along with Grant Laing and Ian James. Grant also becoming the new leader of Perth & Kinross Council.

Whilst campaigning I meet many residents who have passed on their various concerns. The main areas of concern for residents include accessibility to affordable housing, speeding vehicles on local roads, adequate broadband connections, public transport availability and activities for youth.

I also found that there is a strong strength of community running throughout Strathtay, with an army of local champions giving of their time and abilities from organising litter picking, regular coffee get togethers or being part of committees who deliver good back to the community which is inspirational.

It is important that the community concerns are addressed, and solutions are found. Some of the solutions may take longer to deliver than other.

There have been many firsts recently, currently settling into my new office and familiarizing myself with the layout of 2 High Street is it reminiscent of my first day at senior school. There is a lot to remember, including more passwords!

I thank the residents of Strathtay for placing their trust in me. To be elected as on of the three voices is an honour and one, I do not take lightly. The hard work has only just begun.

Thank you again.

Claire McLaren

I can be contacted via email - ClaireMcLaren@pkc.gov.uk

Telephone & Fax: 01796 472494 Mobile: 07800 577259

07875 762498

JOHN SWINNEY, MSP for PERTHSHIRE NORTH can be contacted at: 17-19 LESLIE STREET, BLAIRGOWRIE Tel: 01250 876576 SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT, EDINBURGH EH99 1SP Tel: 0131 348 5717 e-mail: john.swinney@parliament.scot

Cath’s Dog Walking

Dog Walking and sitting Service in Murthly, Bankfoot and Dunkeld area.

Either group or solo walks daily as well as dog sitting Prices: £10 per hour weekdays and £12 per hour weekends

Struan, Coulterenny, Cairneyhill, Bankfoot, Perth. PH1 4AQ Email: admin@potterplumbing.co.uk

Available 7am until late each day I am insured, hold Canine First Aid Level 4 and current PVG Clearance Email:cathhendry@icloud.com Telephone: 07934217252

JD Cox Plant Hire

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 North Perthshire Office: 17-19 Leslie St, Blairgowrie, PH2 6AH Tel: 01250 876 576

Mobile: 07836 615626

Email: diggercox@btopenworld.com

COUNCILLOR GRANT LAING (SNP) 01738 475000 or 07881 500501 Email: GLaing@pkc.gov.uk

COUNCILLOR IAN JAMES (Conservative) 01738 475000 Email: IJames@pkc.gov.uk Mon-Fri 8.00am to 5.00pm Sat 10.00am to 11.00am

COUNCILLOR CLAIRE MCLAREN (Scottish Liberal Democrats) 01738 475000 Email: ClaireMcLaren@pkc.gov.uk

A World Community

16

Another of GrowBiz’s initiatives is Smart Village Scotland, designed to connect people in rural areas.

This includes the Perthshire Artisans platform—a community of local creatives that supports the artisan way of life.

As a long-term response to the difficulties created by the pandemic, GrowBiz also set up REDS, a comprehensive online directory and gift card scheme for small businesses in rural Scotland. Listings are free: www.reds.scot

Climate Café

Martin from the HEAT Project will be back on Monday 6th June for another early evening energy advice session at the community Coworking space (The old Doctors surgery). He can help you reduce your energy costs as well as emissions. ____________________________

GrowBiz: Celebrating 15 Years of Providing Support in Perth and Kinross

GrowBiz will be officially celebrating its 15th birthday on the 16th of June. Find out more about this and all of our____________________________ support and initiatives at www.growbiz.co.uk

June at Loch of the Lowes

June 2022 is very special for Loch of the Lowes! This month marks the 50th Anniversary of the opening of our first visitor centre on the banks of the loch!

To celebrate this historic event, entry to the Visitor Centre and Hides will be FREE to everyone over the week-end of 4th and 5th June!

With ospreys and great crested grebe nesting in clear view of the hides, you can experience the peace of nature on this picturesque, wood-fringed loch. Osprey chicks are due to hatch in mid May so by June there should be fluffy little bobble-heads to watch and opportunities to see our male osprey bringing in fish for his hungry brood. Sandmartins, swallows and swifts are back, and although the insistent cuckoo may have moved along, summer will be gearing up towards the summer solstice. Fingers crossed for good weather!

Osprey eggs hatching …

Tombola, quizzes to suit all ages and an exhibition displaying the creation of our Visitor Centre at Loch of the Lowes. Archive photos show how it’s grown from one small ‘hut’ in 1972 (with no toilets or drinkable water on site) to the 4 Star facility we enjoy today.

Don’t miss the special ‘Loch of the Lowes 1969-2022’ booklet, a great memento of the occasion. (For the avoidance of doubt – Scottish Wildlife Trust purchased Lowes in 1969, but the visitor centre was not constructed until 1972).

On the Sunday (5th June) storyteller Claire Hewitt will be joining us at Lowes with magical wildlife themed tales, engaging to children and adults alike. Highland Perthshire is now Claire’s base where she has committed herself to building strong foundations for Storytelling in the local remote rural schools and communities. There’s no need to book to hear Claire’s delightful tales, just come along on Sunday afternoon and join the next session, they start on the hour, every hour from 1pm.

Painting Workshop with Michelle Hewitt 21st June 10.30-1pm, 2-4.30pm- fabulous opportunity to work with renowned Scottish wildlife artist Michelle Hewitt surrounded by Lowes' wildlife-rich environment.

Booking essential, Scottish Wildlife Trust Member £22.50, Non Member £25.00. For more information please contact Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre: (lochofthelowes@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk ) We look forward to welcoming you to Lowes.

Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Loch of the Lowes Visitor Center and Wildlife Reserve is open 7 days a week, 10.30am-5pm, Admission charges apply for nonmembers. EXCEPT FOR 4th and 5th June FREE entry to all!

More information www.scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk ____________________________

Dunkeld and Birnam in Bloom

Liz, our treasurer would like to thank those members of the community who regularly give donations. These are very much appreciated. (Several people recently have given money, but in respecting their privacy we have not named them.)

At the time of going to press two of the three eggs in the nest at Loch of the Lowes had successfully hatched.

You can keep up with all the lastest news on their website and also through wathching their webcam.

Osprey chicks reach almost full size by 5 weeks old, and by 7 or 8 weeks old they will be taking their first flights! At around 12-14 weeks, they will embark on their first migration south for the winter. To sustain this incredibly rapid growth rate the males osprey has to up his game as primary fish provider – bringing in several fish per day.

From the Visitor Centre viewing window, entertainment comes courtesy of woodland birds like nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers and siskins. Spot the different red squirrels (you can often tell them apart by the colour of their tails) as they scamper up tree trunks and leap acrobatically through branches before tucking into nuts from our feeders.

SEED (Self Employment + Entrepreneurial Development) is GrowBiz’s young enterprise programme, a relatively new initiative aimed specifically at young people in Perth and Kinross who would like to start or expand their own business.

As our lovely Spring displays fade, we are getting ready to hang summer baskets in St Ninian’s Garden, pruning last years shrubs and feeding the soil to encourage this year’s perennials to give a super summer and autumn show, which we are anticipating enjoying in lovely sunshine (with just the occasional shower to keep things growing).

Extra hands and help are always welcome, so do join us in St Ninian’s Garden or Torwood park and Old Hostel walk on a Monday morning. We are also out and about in various parts of the village at other times in the week so feel free to telephone and organise to meet up with us. We will be recycling some of the daffodil bulbs from this year’s displays and will add these to various spots around the village to naturalise.

Sales table – Every Monday am at St Ninian’s to assist with ongoing fund raising. Assorted garden related goods and plants.

If you have garden related items you wish to donate, we will happily add them to the selection.

This June, GrowBiz is celebrating its 15th birthday, after starting in 2007 to provide community-based support to small businesses and the self-employed in rural Perth and Kinross.

GrowBiz provides support in many different ways. As well as our 1-1 business advice, learning sessions and networking events, we run an award-winning mentoring programme, which offers the opportunity for personal development with a trained mentor.

The footpath extension at Torwood Park should be started at the end of the month of May. It was delayed by the team organisers responsible for the management of it all getting Covid! As it has been so dry the usual muddiness in this area, has not been a problem.“A Forget-me-not marker and plants have been installed at the Old Hostel Walk in Torwood by the family of Anne Wood who passed away at the age of 96 during the !st covid lockdown in June 2020. Anne was a native and lifelong resident of Birnam and had been a pupil at Torwood school.” More information on this will be in the next Bridge issue.

Fawn and Canada geese at Lowes by Alistair Bell

Sitting back with a cup of tea/coffee (or maybe an ice cream?) and enjoying close up views of our stunning local wildlife is a wonderful way to connect with nature.

Good for the mind and soul in these difficult times.

Over our Celebration week-end, there will also be a

Linda Speirs ____________________________

This space could be selling for you!

Contact the Advertising Manager adverts@dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk 07967 117149

News from our Community Council

Dunkeld & Birnam Community Council Community Council Matters

Stewart Pritchard Community Councillor

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.

Meetings are held monthly at 7pm on the second Monday of the month. Date of next meetings: 13th June 11th July 8th August Venue: Online zoom meeting.

Please email us on the above address if you would like to attend and we will send you a zoom invitation.

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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For the first time in my experience on the community council - there were no PKC councillors in attendance. It looks like we will retain two weel-kent faces in Grant Laing and Ian James - but lose Anne Jarvis and gain Claire McLaren. Many thanks to Anne for your many years of support - and welcome Claire.

After the usual preliminaries Iona Lancaster spoke about Highland Perthshire Welcomes Ukrainians (HPWU), the issues they've overcome in helping provide homes for refugees in a rural area. Offers to accommodate 8 families have been made and the first is now located in the area. The Ukrainians are keen to work, contribute and fit-in with the community so do please extend them a warm welcome, and if you are able to offer additional support do please contact HPWU or Iona on ionalancaster12@gmail.com.

Returning to more domestic matters, Community Councillor Alan Wylie reported on updating the D&B Community Resilience Plan - the pre-prepared arrangements should we find ourselves dealing with the likes of a major transport incident, power outage or similar. Contacts for Kindallachan and Dowally, and D&B itself, are still needed. The revised plan may consider a wider range of issues like the current cost of living crisis and epidemics(!).

The persistent issue of roads, traffic and parking came next. In response to concerns over road and pedestrian safety, PKC has implemented a 'clearway' along the Boat Road as far east as Eastferry House - it is now an offence to park on this section of road or the verge. And traffic wardens have been seen more frequently in the village. PKC may implement further

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actions to address the increased demand for parking in D&B - but are awaiting local consensus on the options - like time limits, resident permits etc.

Only one planning application this month - for two houses at Lagbeag, between Bruce Gardens and the community hub. Local people and authorities have raised various concerns - the main ones being road safety, impact on trees and the setting of a listed building.

Under AoB - brief discussions about greater promotion of defibrillator locations (do you know where they are?); and an initiative to distribute food from our local retailers that has reached its 'sell-by' but not 'use-by' date.

The next meeting is at 7pm on Monday 13 June by Zoom. See www.dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk for agendas, minutes and Zoom link. We reviewed whether we should resume in-person meetings but opted to stay on-line.

Finally - if you have a community benefit project and need funding to get it going - there are various funds available. The community council administers two (SSE sourced) funds for awards up to £500 and £1,000. At the moment there are also funds available from the Perth Harbour Community Fund (projects associated with the River Tay), the Co-op Local Community Fund and the Nationwide Community Grants. For larger projects there are the SSE Griffin main fund and, potentially, another round of (PKC) Community Investment Fund later in the year.

Stewart Pritchard

This space could be selling for you!

Contact the Advertising Manager adverts@dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk 07967 117149 Is it time for you to get out of your kitchen?

and back into the peace of the ‘office’?

Three Churches Charity Shop High Street Dunkeld

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10-4

Donations welcome during opening hours

Can you spare 3 hours a month to help in our shop?

Worried about fuel bills and the Climate Emergency?

Stay warm and save the planet by working with us!

Join us from as little as £5 for a morning or afternoon at the community coworking space.

• Free to join • Centrally located between Dunkeld and Birnam • • Tea and Coffee Included • E-mail coworkingdunkeld@gmail.com

Call in for a chat or contact: Anne Graham: 07751 593421 Mara Maggio 01350 727585 Dianne Simpson 07796 920018 Marion Eglinton 07740 877504 Find us on Facebook at 3 Churches Charity Shop

June ‘Stick on the Fridge Page’

01738 459701 Email: dunkeldcomlearn@pkc.gov.uk Cat Gordon/Kim McBain/Alison May 01796 483281 Meg Ross Email: megross@btinternet.com

U3A

Sport Dunkeld & Birnam Angling Association dunkeldangling@gmail.com Bowling Club

Secretary, Russ Jobson DBAA@live.co.uk Gael Shaw 07977 911068 Gaelshaw@btinternet.com johnrmoy@googlemal.com Badminton 07786 073686 01350 727911 Field Archery Neil Wimberley Glendelvine/Spittalfield Cricket Club (all ages) Website: www.glendelvinecricketclub.com Email: wimbo32@hotmail.com Golf Club (Visitors Welcome) 727524 Highland Perthshire Clay Shooting Club 07821 940252 Secretary Ted Carr Email: thecarr@waitrose.com 727361 Alasdair Wylie Leisure Group (Sports Centre Project) 01738 454700 Claire Milne Curling m: 07740 586064 or 01738 710484 Shona Smith Tennis Club Email: shonamh@googlemail.com Tayside Orienteers 727048 Bill Melville Running Club adrianrdavis@hotmail.com Adrian Davis Netball 723269 Tiffy Shedden Yoga 728773 June Mitchell Yoga 2 728783 Sue Atkinson Uver 35's Rugby 07738 006738 iainhg@aol.com Tai Chi 07551029076 John Connelly Swimming and Alexander technique 07778778007 Jan Osband Music & Arts Cathedral Tower Bell Ringers Film Society Handbell Ringers Birnam Arts Just Singin’ 7.30 Weds BI

724218 Iona O’Connor 727740 01828 628109 Margaret Davidson 727674 07545 219529 Carole Reid www.justsingin.co.uk BIPS howemarilyn@hotmail.com Marilyn Howe Birnam Youth Theatre Mon 5.00-6.30pm 727207 Dunkeld Strathspey & Reel Society 07531 520476 Duncan Thomson duncanwthomson@yahoo.co.uk Birnam Arts Ballet Mon-Thu age4up 727674 Scottish Country Dancing 01738 561676 / 01350 727380 Helen or Dinah

For Younger People Girlguiding Dunkeld (Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers):

Trix Stephen, District Commissioner Tel. 07770324173 Email guider@girlguidingdunkeld.org.uk 727760 Linda McDougall 727259 Fraser Penny 07429 113439 Staff Sergeant Craig Ross 07766 071854 Martina Wolfe 727259/727594 Fraser Penny/Deidre Gerrie

Hall Bookings Duchess Anne Chanonry Birnam Arts Dalguise Village Hall Amulree Village Hall Caputh Hall

07808 703641 07808 703641

Ivan Russell

Ronalda Pattullo Fiona Ritchie

chanonrydunkeld@gmail.com Jill McCrory chanonrydunkeld@gmail.com Jill McCrory 727674 07746 392268 www.amulreehall.org.uk caputhhall@gmail.com 01738 710 848

For dates further ahead see: www.dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk r mbe Dece ight N Late mas t Chris ing e p O n ay aD Sant

Janu ary

Bi rn Ma Fe am y s tiv Boo al k

For Older People Servite 07595 651446 Working Hours: Mon,Tues,Thurs,Fri: 09:00 – 13:30 Senior Citizens 727311 Friends of Rivendell 728885

August 2022 4 Climate Café 7pm Zoom / Community Coworking Space 4-1st September Dunkeld Cathedral Art Exhibition Duchess Anne every day 10-4pm and 12-4pm on Sundays 7 Songs & Silence service Cathedral 6:30pm 26-28 Dunkeld & Birnam Art & Crafts Fair the Drill Hall The Cross Dunkeld.

0am to 5 pm each day. free entry 27 Birnam Highland Games 28 Songs & Silence service Cathedral 6:30pm

Apri l

Youth Café Youth Club Wednesday pm DA The Black Watch Army Cadets Beaver, Cubs, Scouts Messy Church last Sunday in month

07546 128902 Lesley Singers Playleader: dbplaygroup@gmail.com 01738 454470 Royal School Dunkeld 727117 Heather Morton 01738 454470 07930 462944 Supervisor 727249 Tues 10-11:30am - Lorna 07832 235 607

July 2022 7 Climate Café 7pm Zoom / Community Coworking Space 24 Songs & Silence service Cathedral 6:30pm

h Marc Gow Niel ival Fest

For Children Baby & Toddler Group Playgroup 9.20-11.40 Tues and Thurs Nursery at Royal School Puddleduck Nursery Royal School of Dunkeld Kids Club - After school care Sunday School - Church of Scotland Caputh Baby and Toddler Group

June 2022 2 Climate Café 7pm Zoom / Community Coworking Space 4-5 Living History Weekend & Queens Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. Archives (see main archives article for all details of timings over the weekend) 4 JParade across Bridge to Stanley Hill 10:15am Jubilee Event Archives Continuing until 26 JUN Exhibition 10am – 4pm Pockets Of Experience Ciara Gibson | Artist In Residence '22 Birnam Arts 4 Stanley Park Events Jubilee Event Archives 4 End of Summer Song: Beatrix Potter in Perthshire Jubilee Event Archives 7pm Birnam Arts 5 The Scottish Plainsong Choir at Dunkeld Cathedral 4:30pm Jubilee Event Archives 5 Niel Gow: His Life and Times Join Jamie Jauncey as he talks with Pete Clark about his life-long passion for the music of Niel Gow. Play about Niel Gow at Birnam Arts Jubilee Event Archives 5 Story teller Claire Hewitt wildlife tales at Loch of the Lowes every hour from 1pm 9 Singer-songwriter Adam Holmes 8-10pm Birnam Arts £14 + Booking Fee 10 Meet the Artist Ciara Gibson 2-4pm Birnam Arts Free 11 Amulree Hall Family BBQ late afternoon 18 Birnam Arts 21st Birthday Bash Free entry from 12pm 18 Amos, Jauncey & Friends A musical evening with a posse of local musicians. £10 + Booking Fee Birnam Arts 19 Songs & Silence service Cathedral 6:30pm 21 Painting workshop with wildlife artist Michelle Hewitt Loch of the Lowes £25 25 Amulree Hall soup and cakes 10am – 2pm 25 Meet the Artist Ciara Gibson 2-4pm Birnam Arts Free

ry ua br Fe

Annual Events Highland Games (August) www.birnamhighlandgames.com Christian Aid Week 727867 Jim McCafferty Flower Festival (bi-ennial) 724255 Sheila Mannion Art Exhibtion (June - August) 01738 710399 Margaret Scott Arts & Crafts Fair (June & Nov) 01350 727968 Na’an Meikleour Niel Gow Festival - Weekend close to March 22nd - petethefiddler@btinternet.com

BA = Birnam Arts Centre DA = Duchess Anne Hall, The Cross, Dunkeld

N ov em be r

Community Learning & Development PKC CLD Staff

Dates for your Diary

t us m g u a d A irn lan B gh es i H am G

01350 727288 Linda Speirs 727346 / 727657 01350 728697 John Gray 01738 787930 Sandy Love Email: slove59@aol.com Horticultural Society 727255 Jan Silburn Historical Society daveroberts132@btinternet.com Dave Roberts National Trust for Scotland North Perthshire Ranger Service - Office: 01350728641 727382 Jean Dickson The Meeting Place (Fridays DA) Email: evelyn.menzies@sky.com Evelyn Menziesl SWRI 01350 723203 Jane Anderson SWRI Amulree Chapter House Archive (Mon 10-12 & 7-9, Wed & Fri 10-12) 01350 727786 Bridge Club (Tuesday 6.45pm BI) 727294 Vilma Morison Royal British Legion 01350 728884 W. Forsyth 01350 723297 Adrian Blundell Tourist Association 01738 633975 Kathleen Coffey WRVS 01738 710111 Liz Bowers German Shepherd Rescue, Scotland 07743 180228 Shiona Cameron Staffie Smiles Rescue The Orchard 727048 Katharine @thefield 728926 Dave Roberts Email: dblandtrust@btinternet.com 01350 727237 / 07751593421 Anne Graham 3 Churches Charity Shop 0141 226 2214 Alcoholics Anonymous

Octo Perth ber sh Amb ire er

Phone 01350+

Organsiations - General Dunkeld & Birnam in Bloom Guide Dogs for the Blind Friends of the Cathedral Probus Club

01796 470001 01350 729198 728826 Mr Greig, PS, BDS 727269 Craigvinean Surgery 727210 Davidsons 01738 643791 Asda, Dunkeld Rd, Perth 01738 476476 01738 459709 Margaret Quigley 01738 625411 dbcc.chair@gmail.com Stuart Paton 01738 475121 101

er emb Sept keld Dun am Birn and gged u Unpl

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.

Local Organisations - Continued

Health Community & Services Infinityblu Dental Care, Pitlochry Infinityblu Dental Care, Dunkeld Dentist Doctors Chemists Chemist on Sunday P&K Environmental Services Library PKC Roads Dept Community Council Registrar (3/5 High St Perth) Police (Tayside Non-Emergency)

July

Local Organisations - Contact Details

June

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PETS Lost and Found If you have lost or found a dog, cat or other pet

AB Garden Services

Grass Cutting General Garden Maintenance Locally Based

Tel: 01350 727769

Mob: 07783 612399

This space could be selling for you!

Contact the Advertising Manager adverts@dunkeldandbirnamnews.co.uk 07967 117149

THE GARDENER 0777 546 0373 Call: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm Text: 7 days 8am-8pm

Heated Kennels Day & Long Term Stays Elizabeth & Keith Lumsden 01350 728849 E-mail: bizzabooks@gmail.com

robertson printers

Self-Publishing a Book?

FACEBOOK: Missing Pets, Perth and Kinross 07432 368792

info@dogfriendlyperthshire.co.uk

Glack Dog Kennels

We specialise in short-run books

Call or email for a quote!

7-9 Queen Street, Forfar, Angus DD8 3AJ tel: 01307 464078 • fax: 01307 468523 Email: neil-robertson@btconnect.com

PAINTING & DECORATING Interior / Exterior Work Paper Hanging • Taping Phone Sandy Carr Bankfoot 01738 787547 Mobile: 07818 254520

email: sandytcarr@yahoo.co.uk

Dunkeld Plumbers Ltd.

Plumbers and Heating Engineers Unit 3/4, Birnam Industrial Estate, Station Road, Birnam, Dunkeld PH8 0DS Tel No: 01350 727258 • Mobile: 07557 366575 Email: dunkeldplumbers@mail.com

Michael Robertson Plasterer Plaster & Cement work All types of Cornice work and Ceramic Tiling

20 Stell Park, Birnam PH8 0QA

01350 727694 • 07742 091269 miketheplasterer@hotmail.co.uk

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.

Gillian Vaughan Painter Decorator Interior / Exterior Feature walls Tel: 07841 116458 Email: thegirlcalledwill@gmail.com www.facebook.com/GillianWVaughan

ATHOLL STREET 01350 727556 Proprietor: Alasdair Wylie Dunkeld Horse Grazing & DIY Livery Call or Email Karen: 07759 701413 gapdunkeld@gmail.com

G & A Paddocks

DUNKELD BUILDERS LTD

New Builds, Extensions, Renovations and Restorations, Stonework, Drainage, Groundworks and jobbing.

Contact: 01350 727320 Kevin: 07876 744936 www.dunkeldbuilders.co.uk

Home Repairs and Improvements Carpentry : Plumbing : Tiling Glazing and Decorating NO JOB TOO SMALL FREE QUOTATIONS Chris Wylie No. 2 Millhole Road, Spittalfield, Perthshire. PH1 4JR Phone: 01738 710671 / 07845 055712