Spring 2019
Sponsored by Stagecoach
Blairgowrie & Rattray
Hub Magazine
In this edition Blair in Bloom
Photo Credit - David Gow
The Summer of ‘32
The Youth Alliance Takes Off
Citizen and Young Person of The Year
Making Best Use Of Gardens
PLUS ALL THE USUAL INFO ON EVENTS AND COMMUNITY MAGAZINE PRODUCED BY THE
Blairgowrie & Rattray Development Trust Ltd
BRDT SC039702
In this Issue... Page Welcome Calendar
3 4
Community Groups Blairgowrie & Rattray Development Trust Blairgowire & Rattray Community Council Rotary Club of Blairgowrie Blairgowrie & Rattray Access Network (BRAN) Booklore The Heat Project Update Blairgowrie High School Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Time Bank Strathmore Cycle Network Update Blairgowrie and Rattray Business Association Blairgowrie & Rattray Forum Update Blairgowrie Community Market East Perthshire Youth Alliance Blairgowrie and Rattray Illuminations Committee
6 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21
Page
Sports & Activities Blairgowrie Badminton Club Blairgowrie & District Hillwalking Club
52 53
Interviews & Contributers Articles 54 54 55 56 57 58
Cllr Bob Brawn Cllr Tom McEwan Cllr Caroline Shiers Pete Wishart MP John Swinney MSP Murdo Fraser
Business & Contacts Local Business Contacts Useful Phone Numbers
62 63
Events Blairgowrie Scottish Country Dance Club Blairgowrie Lyric Choir Friendship Cafe Trefoil Guild It’s BRAW Blairgowrie & Rattray Highland Games
22 22 22 22 23 24
Advertise With Us Please send any adverts or any questions about advertising with us to this address. Email mag@brdt.org.uk
History Blairgowrie & Rattray - Our Heritage Blairgowrie and Rattray Genealogy Centre The Summer of 32’
28 29 31
News and Articles Blair In Bloom Making Best Use of Gardens Community Hub Questionaire Bookmark The Ericht Scottish Country Dance Group Granny Pat’s Recipes Constabulary Duty to be Done Growbiz Stagecoach What Resolution? by Margaret Drummond Blairgowrie Players Strathmore Screen Citizen and Young Person of The Year Kids Page Page 2
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Dates for this years Hub Magazine Accepting Articles & Adverts from ...
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Summer 19/04/19 - 10/05/19
24/05/19
Autumn 19/07/19 - 09/08/19
23/08/19
Winter
22/08/19
18/10/19 - 08/11/19
BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
Welcome to the 2019 Spring Magazine Welcome to the Spring Edition of the Hub mag.
Eleanor Rutherford, principal teacher of English, Blairgowrie High School – brings news of BHS activities
We have had very positive feedback on the new layout of the Hub magazine. We want to continue to develop this and add to its content.
Andrew Morse – sports articles.
Please give your attention the COMMUNITY HUB article and questionnaire on page 35. You can either respond online or tear out the page and deliver the completed questionnaire to One Voice Office, 13 Upper Mill St Blairgowrie.
supporting the community by providing the meeting at no cost in return for a free website listing and message in the magazine. The Town has many amazing volunteers who contribute and it is great to see businesses doing the same!
Barbara Lynch was a valuable contributor to snippets and interviews but she has now Blair in Bloom, who won two prestigious decided to retire from this. We are very grateful awards last year and have great plans to further to Barbara for all her ideas and articles over enhance our town, feature in the centre pages. the past years. This being a Spring edition, we welcome back Jessie Gordon Croll and his piece on gardens and gardening. We would like to welcome regular contributions on subjects like books, wine, and Thank you to The Angus Hotel other interests. We would like to thank The Angus Hotel for
As well as our talented compositor John Siwek, the magazine team consists of the following dedicated volunteers – Jessie Shaw, co-ordinates the team and manages the throughflow traffic of articles and adverts for the magazine at mag@brdt.org.uk Phil Seymour – manages the huge email lists for advertisers and community groups. Pat Richards – secretary to the group – makes and keeps all minutes (Granny Pat too). Pat McCarthy – organises and keeps note of huge band of volunteers who distribute 5000 copies of the magazine to local households and businesses free of charge. Margaret Drummond – seeks out articles, writes, and contributes to kids page.
Magazine articles are the responsibility of the article owner, The Hub Magazine accepts no responsibility for the content. MAGAZINE DELIVERY Distribution and delivery of the magazine – we are indebted to the many willing volunteers who deliver 5000 copies to every household and some businesses in the town. Without this help the magazine would not be as successful as it has been. YOUR HELP IS NEEDED to deliver the magazine particularly in the streets around the town centre – Allan Street, Perth Street and Wellmeadow – contact mag@brdt.org.uk or phone 01250 871120 Above photo courtesy of David Gow Page 3
What’s On? Calendar for Blairgowrie & Rattray
February 2019 23rd 26th
Ramblers - Tayport To Balmerino - For more information phone 01250 870 260 Citizens Advice Bureau - Rattray Connect, Rattray at 10 am - 12 pm
27th 27th
Craft n Craic - St Catherines Hall at 7 pm - 9 pm Growbiz - Creatives Peer Support Group - SSCYD Wellmeadow Cafe at 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm
28th
Scottish Opera’s Opera Highlights - Blairgowrie Town Hall at 7.30 pm
March 2019 1st 5th
Blairgowrie Scottish Country Dance Club Dance - Blairgowrie Town Hall at 7.30 pm Multiple Sclerosis Society - Buddies @ Blair MS Support Group March The Royal Hotel at 10am - 12 pm
5th
Growbiz Women’s Enterprise Network Blairgowrie The Dome Restaurant at 6.00pm- 8.30pm
6th
Blairgowrie and District Trefoil Guild - Chair - Jean Laburn St Catharine’s Community Centre - 7.30 pm
6th
Blethers Group March - The Royal Hotel at 10 am - 12 pm
6th 6th
Business Association March Meeting - The Cateran Cafe at 8.30 am Citizens Advice Bureau - Learning Centre, at the Recreation Centre, - 10 am - 12 pm
8th
Blair & Rattray Time Bank - SCYD, Wellmeadow House - 10 am - 11.30 pm
9th
Ramblers - Luncarty to Perth - For information phone 07753 418 101
10th 12th
Blairgowrie and District Hillwalking Club Walk - Loch Lubnaig - Lochearnhead at 8am Citizens Advice Bureau - Rattray Connect, Rattray at 10 am - 12 pm
13th
Whist Club - Blair & Rattray Timebank - YWCA Hall - 2 pm - 4 pm
18th
Rattray SWI March Mtg - Rattray Hall - 7 / 7.15 pm
20th 20th
Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Climate Cafe - BRDT Office - 7 pm - 9 pm Citizens Advice Bureau - Learning Centre, at the Recreation Centre, - 10 am - 12 pm
21st
Crafty Folk - Wellmeadow Cafe - 2 pm - 4 pm
23rd 26th
Ramblers - Moness Den & Urlar Burn - For information phone 01250 873 577 Citizens Advice Bureau - Rattray Connect, Rattray at 10 am - 12 pm
27th
Craft n Craic - St Catherines Hall at 7 pm - 9 pm
29th
Blair & Rattray Time Bank - Community Connect, Rattray - 10 am - 11.30 pm
29th
Blairgowrie and District Hillwalking Club AGM - Blairgowrie Golf Club at 7pm
31st
Blairgowrie and District Hillwalking Club 31 Mar Walk - Beinn a’ Ghlo at 8am
April 2nd
Multiple Sclerosis Society - Buddies @ Blair MS Support Group April The Royal Hotel at 10.30 am - 12 pm
2th Page 4
Growbiz Women’s Enterprise Network Blairgowrie The Dome Restaurant at 6.00pm- 8.30pm BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
3rd
Blairgowrie and District Trefoil Guild - Chair - Mavis Anton St Catharine’s Community Centre - 7.30 pm
3rd
Blethers Group April - The Royal Hotel at 10 am - 12 pm
6th
Ramblers - Balkello - For information phone 07341669925
10th 11th 11th 12th
Whist Club - Blair & Rattray Timebank - YWCA Hall - 2 pm - 4 pm Blairgowrie & Rattray Community Council April Meeting - Adult Resource Centre - 7p.m. Blairgowrie & Rattray Forum Mtg - The Angus Hotel at 5.30pm Blair & Rattray Time Bank - Community Connect, Rattray at 10am - 11.30am
15th 17th
Rattray SWI April Mtg - Rattray Hall at 7.15pm Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Climate Cafe - BRDT Office at 19.00 - 21.00 Our Heritage - popup museum “Wagons. Wheels and Wings” - Blairgowrie Library
19th- 22nd
20th 21st 24th 26th 27th
Ramblers - Loch Boltachan -- For information phone 01250 873 577 Blairgowrie and District Hillwalking Club Walk - An Caisteal at 8am Craft n Craic -- St Catharines Hall at 7pm - 9pm Blair & Rattray Time Bank - Rattray Connect at 10 am - 11:30 am Blairgowrie Community Market - Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie at 10am - 3pm
May 2019 1st 1st 1st
Blethers Group May - The Royal Hotel at 10 am - 12 pm Business Association May Meeting - Cateran Cafe at 8.30am - 9am Blairgowrie and District Trefoil Guild May - Chair - Christian Hill - Newbigging at 7.30pm
4th 7th
Ramblers - Around Craig Leek - For information phone 01250 873 52 Multiple Sclerosis Society - Buddies @ Blair MS Support Group May The Royal Hotel at 10.30am - 12pm
8th
Whist Club - Blair & Rattray Timebank - YWCA Hall - 2 pm - 4 pm
10th 10th 12th
Blair & Rattray Time Bank - SCYD, Wellmeadow House at 10am - 11.30am Ericht Scottish Country Dance Class May Dance Blairgowrie Town Hall at 7.30pm - 11pm Blairgowrie and District Hillwalking Club May Walk - Tarfside - Clova - 8 am
15th 16th
For information phone 07976 509 826. Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Climate Cafe - BRDT Office at 7pm - 9pm Crafty Folk May - SCYD Cafe - 2 pm- 4 pm
18th 20th 25th
Ramblers - Backwater Reservoir Circular - For information phone 01828 633 648 Rattray SWI May Mtg - Rattray Hall at 7/7.15pm Blairgowrie Community Market - Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie at 10am - 3pm
29th 31st
Craft n Craic May - St Catherines Hall at 7pm - 9pm Blair & Rattray Time Bank - Rattray Connect at 10am - 11:30am
31st
Blairgowrie and District Hillwalking Club Spring Weekend - 31st May to 2nd of June Strathpeffer, For information phone 07976 509 826.
This is taken directly from Discover Blairgowrie website www.discoverblairgowrie.co.uk For more information and future events take a look a look at the Discover Blairgowrie website. Page 5
Community Groups
Blairgowrie & Rattray Development Trust I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Stuart Nichol and I am delighted and honoured to be appointed the new chair of the Trust. The town faces some exciting and possibly challenging times as its growth in population is set to continue over the next few years, and I believe it is important that we do all we can to ensure the town benefits from this expansion, not to be strangled by it. The Trust has been set up to help enhance our already attractive town and I look forward to working with many groups and organizations in the town and in partnership with the council and others to do what we can to help. I have set out below a little of what the trust is about and what we intend to do. The Trust was formed over a year ago and since then has been doing all the necessary things to set the organization up on a proper and legal footing. This takes more time than many realize, but virtually all of that is now done so we can now move forward with more focus and purpose on trying to get things done. The Trust over the coming months will be more visible and active and as part of that we will encourage as many people and businesses in the town to become members to support the work we and many others in the town are doing to improve what is already an attractive and desirable place. Look out for further details about how to get involved. Read on to get a flavour of what we intend to do.
ABOUT THE TRUST It is run by volunteer trustees and two part-time staff. One Voice is an integral part of the Trust run by volunteers who manage the Booklore shop, where they also provide information to all comers about the many attractions in the local area. This group publishes this Magazine and supports many other projects including fundraising. Page 6
BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
OUR PURPOSE The Trust works alongside local people, community groups, business and the local authority towards these shared aims: •
Blairgowrie and Rattray is recognised and renowned for its attractive public spaces, accessibility and conscientious environmental approach
•
There is a strong sense of community wellbeing and resilience
•
More people live, work and spend in the town
•
Local activities increase to promote sustainable use of natural resources
•
Community involvement increases; acting as one towards common purposes
•
The community is a widely recognised centre for arts, crafts, leisure, and outdoor pursuits
•
More people choose to visit all year round
•
The history and culture of the local area becomes widely known to residents, and visitors alike
THE WORK OF THE TRUST •
Ensuring the priorities in the Community Action Plan are delivered; and that it is reviewed and updated on a regular basis with progress reported to the community
•
Delivering Trust services, managing projects and launching initiatives
•
Supporting and assisting community groups, individuals and volunteers to deliver their projects and proposals
•
Raising community awareness of the exceptional local environment, culture, heritage and history
•
Working with Government agencies, Perth & Kinross Council and other bodies for sustainable and enduring improvements in the town
PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR 2019 •
Build a sustainable development network; creating a shared vision and common purpose through partnership working with community groups and businesses
•
Produce a project management plan to support the establishment of an accessible vibrant community hub
The Trust will also work with associated groups, businesses and organisations to: •
Enhance and develop a sustainable local environment
•
Plan, design and create a permanent home for a heritage/cultural centre
•
Develop the riverside area to make the best use of the town’s greatest environmental asset
•
Continue to provide households, businesses and communities with independent energy saving advice through the HEAT Project
•
Continue to work with the communities of Alyth and Coupar Angus to provided safe routes for cycling and walking between our towns. Page 7
Blairgowrie & Rattray Community Council (BRCC) 2018 was a busy year for the Community Council, in particular its second half. The council is always receptive to suggestions from both the public and our ward councillors that help to inform the community about, for instance, policing issues, developments from the local authority and indeed house builders’ plans. BRCC’s main task is to represent the views of the community and to facilitate meetings between the public and the various authorities whose activities impact the community. PKC Officers are generally very keen to speak to the communities in their area but rely heavily on the community councils to host or facilitate the meetings. Last year we had presentations from the Planning Convenor, Planning Officers, Housing Officers and a senior Police Scotland Officer. Key to the success of such meetings is the ability of the public to put questions directly to the officers concerned. Probably the most important meeting at the Adult Resource Centre last year concerned the proposed new recreation centre in the aftermath of the Council’s ill-advised pruning. Planning Officers were able to answer technical questions relating to its proposed specification and capacity, but as employees rather than politicians, were unable to address the important political considerations behind the PKC’s decision. The public outcry, expressed so well at the meeting, was immense. The CC hopes that the combined outpouring of disappointment and anger from local politicians, the Community Council, the local press and the very well supported petition, will have done enough to change minds. The town and area deserve to have a “reccy” to be proud of and one that will serve the area with its growing population for the next generation and beyond. We need that six-lane pool! Shortly after this edition of the Hub Magazine is published the Perth and Kinross Council will hopefully have made the decision to do the right thing for our town. This coming November will see community council elections across Perth and Kinross. Our council currently carries two vacancies that may be filled by co-option. This offers anyone who may like to ‘have a go’ as a community councillor to serve for the remaining months of this council without any long-term commitment. The decision (hopefully) to stand for election can then be made based on experience. Our suggestion scheme was re-invigorated by Len Seal during the autumn of last year. The boxes and question slips are available across the town. Questions received this way are reviewed and actions agreed where necessary, prior to the council’s monthly meeting. If you have a query and are unable to attend our regular meetings please consider using this means of getting in touch. Ian Richards – Chair.
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BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
Community Groups
Rotary Club of Blairgowrie Another action packed year is ahead with 3 main aims of having fun, being social and raising funds for International and local community charities. This Rotary year started with a visit by 200 car enthusiasts to a local car collector where £2500 was raised for Scotland’s Air Ambulance. Our car theme continues with our annual Car Festival showcasing on the 28th of April with 80 cars gathering at Blairgowrie Golf Club then proceeding to the Wellmeadow. There, at approx 10:00 a.m., they will parade slowly to allow spectators to view the participating vehicles. There will also be a static display of classic cars and it is hoped a good turnout of local people will come to view, perhaps their dream car.
After the car festival the Rotary Golf Day will be held over the Wee Course and Lansdowne at Blairgowrie Golf Club on Friday 7th of June. As we are getting the use of both courses, demand for places is expected to be high, so please apply as soon as possible to Robin Duncan at rjhduncan@outlook.com In both the above events we get a lot of support from local businesses and we thank them for their continuing support. If you wish to sponsor either or both these events please send an e-mail to Robin as above. New Members - For a small community we have a very active and growing group of members who punch above their weight having raised £60,000 over the last 2 years. We have had many social events including wine tasting, quiz nights, friendship meal nights, a summer barbeque, plus speakers at most of our weekly meetings. What a wonderful way to get involved, not just in Rotary but all of the Community projects that we are now involved in and at the same time help to raise funds for those less fortunate. Our Primary School Quiz was highly contested again and for the third year running, Kirkmichael won again, this is a great achievement for them, The Area Final will be held at Stirling University on the 27th April at 2pm.
In order to advertise the Car Festival we will be displaying, at Tesco, the fantastic 1953 Jaguar 120 owned by Rotary member, Colin Stewart. This will take place on Saturday the 13th April from 9:00 am. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Tesco for advertising our event and allowing us to display the vehicle on their premises. The beneficiaries of funds raised at the car festival will be CHAS, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance and Rotary Charity Funds.
Following on from the success of last year’s 3 participants going on a Rotary Youth Leadership Award, we are very keen to do likewise this year in sending two 16 to 18 year olds. Interested, then get in touch with Janine Seymour by email on janine5@btinternet.com We are highly involved in helping the staff and residents at Beech Manor, Hope Park, Muirton and Northlands Care Homes. At Beech Manor, we assist in Music and Movement, take part in board games and are now in the process of engaging with staff and residents in a Paths for All “Stride for Life Project” where some of us will become continued on the next page Page 9
Kirkmichael winners of Rotary Primary School Quiz
trained Walk Leaders and be able then to take the residents out for a short walk. We are quite excited about this as we will be able to assist in the hire of transport and take them to a café after the walk and get to know them a lot more. At Muirton we are taking part in arts and crafts on a Friday afternoon once a month. At Hope Park we are again supporting Music and Movement and in the near future we will be assisting in arts and crafts. Again with Muirton, we are assisting with the residents’ 4 weekly visits to St Stephen’s Nursery. We assisted in a Christmas Fete at Northlands, which was great fun and look forward to doing more events with them.
In conclusion, we are very much enjoying assisting all of the above and more, within not just the community of Blairgowrie & Rattray but anywhere within the area from where our members reside, for instance, the Glens, Alyth, Meigle and Coupar Angus. Wherever we are needed, we can support - just ask. If you would like to know more, please phone our Members’ Convenor, Norman Jones on 01250-873705 or come to the Royal Hotel on any Wednesday at 6:00 pm where you will be welcomed with open arms.
Blairgowrie Stroke Club L
k what we do on Mondays!
10am – 12 noon Activities, Speakers, Art & Craft Workshops, Exercise, Monthly Outings, Indoor Games and lots of chat. Our Peer Support Group allows those with Stroke-related illnesses to relax in a friendly, sociable and understanding environment. Where?
St Catharine’s Hall, George Street, Blairgowrie
New Members, Volunteers, Relief Volunteer Drivers - ALL WELCOME Phone: Joyce on 01250 875342 or Jacky on 01250 872224 Email: chssblair@gmail.com
Page 10
BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
Community Groups
Blairgowrie & Rattray Access Network (BRAN) It is now four years since the group was founded by Bob Ellis, its numbers have steadily increased and have now reached over fifty of whom about a half regularly participate in the weekly work parties. The group is lucky to have such a great band of helpers and this level of support has allowed BRAN to spread its wings and to undertake more ambitious projects as well as to adopt more of our local designated core paths for regular maintenance. The latest of these is a little walked but very attractive track from St Fink Farm down to the HalfWay house on the road to Alyth, this can be easily incorporated into a circular walk that takes in the newly created multi-purpose path from the Old Mains of Rattray. 2018 saw the completion of the extension to the steps leading from Oakbank Road towards Lornty, this spring the group will be building a wind shelter on the top of Knockie Hill in the space created by the clearance work undertaken last year. An old path will be cleared leading from the shelter along the ridge towards the old quarry. External funding, together with the taking from the BRAN charity shop week last year, has enabled more equipment to be purchased including a new industrial rotary mower. The group now has power to its shed courtesy of Tayside Contracts and this has enabled volunteers to undertake maintenance & cleaning of their tools. All is set for the 2019 growing season and many days of group work parties and individual efforts. BRAN hopes that the generally excellent condition of the area’s footpaths will encourage more and more folk to enjoy what our countryside has to offer in terms of healthy exercise and great views. The BRAN Fun Run around the River Ericht path will be held for a second year on the evening of Tuesday 14th May, this helps the BRAN funds and if last year’s event is anything to go by, was enjoyed by all who participated, runners and walkers alike. Please contact the group secretary Ian Richards if you would like to help, there is work involved but the regular outings are also much enjoyed by all who take part. Ian_richards2007@yahoo.com, 07787 317022. Page 11
Community Groups
BOOKLORE
UPCOMING OFFERS
Charity Bookshop 13 Upper Mill Street Blairgowrie
FEBRUARY
SALE 15th to 28th ALL BOOKS (except Collectors) £1 each.
We are open Tuesday to Saturday inclusive, 10am to 4pm, selling a wide range of good quality paperback and hardback fiction and non-fiction books, photos of Blairgowrie and Rattray in the past and a selection of art work by one of our volunteers. Monthly offers on a range of titles are available. One Voice and Booklore are part of BRDT, a registered charity, and are self-supporting. In addition to selling books, which are kindly donated by the local community, we offer local information to residents and visitors alike. Our shop, and office are run solely by volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering with us please drop into the shop or phone 01250 871120 and see what we can offer you.
MARCH
ALL GARDENING AND CHILDREN’S BOOKS 50% OFF. APRIL ALL TRAVEL AND HUMOUR BOOKS HALF PRICE. Look forward to seeing you!
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Remember about our Local, National & International Removal Service Page 12
BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
The team have been busy the last few weeks preparing for The HEAT Project’s first big event of the year, our “Energy Fair in The Glens”! Held on Friday 1st March in the Kirkmichael Village Hall, there will be a number of exhibitors attending including Home Energy Scotland, Glenalmond Stoves, Scottish Water, Citrus Energy, Coupar Angus Cycling Hub, Glaze & Safe along with many more! We are very happy to also be joined by pupils from Kirkmichael Primary School who displaying some of their work from the recent Energy workshops we held with them. So, if you’re needing advice on anything from keeping your home warmer, secondary or double glazing, renewable energy or solar panels and stove installations, we’ve got it covered, pop along and see us between 2 and 6.30pm. It’s free entry and everyone is welcome whether a Glen resident or not. There will also be a chance to enter our free prize draw where two lucky winners will take home a Heat Project Hamper. This is an event not to be missed so make a note in your diary as we look forward to seeing you there! In other news, The HEAT Project has recently acquired a thermal imaging camera attachment for smart phone. This allows us to find warm and cold spots in your house. Alongside our normal energy surveys, this technology will allow us, and you, to identify the priority changes you can make to save energy and keep warmer. Beside is a thermal image of someone who has just walked in from the cold, wearing a really good insulated jacket. This is what a good level of insulation looks like.
To book your energy survey, please email admin@theheatproject.scot or pop in to our office at 1-3 Meadow Place.
BLAIRGOWRIE TOWN HALL The Town Hall has just undergone major works with a new fire alarm system being installed to replace the existing one. Also coming up is the upgrade and completion of the heating system. Up and coming Town Hall Events Opera Highlights Scottish Country Dance Wine Tasting S.W.I. Janet Nicolson Comp Strathmore Screen (Cinema) Breakneck Comedy Show A.B.C. Craft Fair Strathmore Screen S.W.I. Swan Trophy Comp Dougie MacLean Concert Ericht Art Club Exhibition Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham
Thursday, 28th February @ 7.30p.m. Friday, 1st March Saturday, 2nd March Monday, 4th March Sunday, 24th March Friday, 5th April Saturday, 27th April Sunday, 28th April Saturday, 4th May Saturday, 18th May @ 7.00p.m. Saturday, 25th May Saturday, 1st June @ 7.30p.m. Page 13
Community Groups
Blairgowrie High School
Forming partnerships to develop the young workforce Developing the Young Workforce is a government initiative that was set up in 2014 to bridge the gap between education and employers by providing young people with the right education, training and experience to find fulfilling jobs and careers.
One competition entrant, 6th year pupil, Callum Dawson, stated that the competition offered “a good opportunity to develop writing skills for the future, as well as providing a gateway to interact with a large local business”.
Under this initiative Castle Water and Blairgowrie High School joined together in 2017 to create a business/school partnership. Both the CEO of Castle Water, John Reynolds OBE, and Bev Leslie, the Headteacher of Blairgowrie High School, share a passion and commitment to developing young people. This was recognised when Perth and Kinross Chamber of Commerce awarded the partnership a Business Star Award at the annual awards ceremony in December.
Summer Internships As a spin-off from the essay writing competition, Castle Water offered prize winners the opportunity to apply for an internship over the summer holidays. Recognising endeavour, celebrating excellence Castle Water has subsequently gone on to sponsor two awards for each year group at the school – one for excellence and one for endeavour. Career Ready Programme leads to full-time employment For the first time, Castle Water supported the Career Ready programme. Three pupils undertook their internship over the summer period and almost all ventured back to school different people. Why almost all you might ask. One participant so impressed the team at Castle Water that she decided to leave school to take up the offer of a permanent position with the company. A positive destination – just a bit sooner than school staff anticipated!
Steve Stewart presents the award to John Reynolds from Castle Water and Bev Leslie There have been several strands to the partnership. In session 2017-18, the following projects were undertaken: Business writing challenge In collaboration with staff in the English department, a writing competition was sponsored and judged by Castle Water. The competition was open to S5/6 pupils and entrants focused on report writing skills. John Reynolds presented winners with prizes and gave a presentation to pupils about Castle Water and careers within the organisation. Page 14
Castle Water has been proactive in building a strategic and long-term partnership with Blairgowrie High School for mutual benefit. John Reynolds explains: “Through this partnership, we hope to deliver joint initiatives that enrich and enhance education by building stronger links with our workplace. At the same time, we can raise awareness about career opportunities with Castle Water. The aim is to improve recruitment potential and the preparedness of young people. This is a big part of our commitment to the local communities in which we operate. What comes next is an exciting prospect for all involved. Existing projects are set to run BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
again, further work experience opportunities will be made available; but already the doors are opening to new collaborative projects in February with the Blairgowrie High School Health and Wellbeing Learning Festival. Castle Water employees will attend this not just as sponsors and exhibitors, but as participants too. This school - employer relationship is certainly flourishing.
Former pupil gains Quest Scholarship Callum Ritchie who left Blairgowrie High School in June was one of the pupils who successfully completed his work experience at Castle Water over the summer holidays. Callum is now studying engineering at Dundee University and shares his experience of applying for an engineering scholarship.
I first found out about the ICE Quest Scholarship when I went to an open day at the university of Dundee. We were informed about the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the range of scholarships that they had on offer for students. I decided that I would apply as I had nothing to lose. The application took several drafts until I came to a version I was satisfied with. I submitted my application in the middle of June and in late August, I was informed that I had been selected for the Interview Stage, which was being held at the I.C.E. building in Westminster, London. I discovered that there were five companies that wanted to interview me. If I was successful one of them would then sponsor me during my studies. On the day of the Scholarship Interviews, I found them to be very relaxed and informal with general questions about myself and why I wanted to go into this industry. The interviews felt
more like chit chats than ‘proper’ interviews. Overall, I really enjoyed the experience and felt that I did all I could to show that I would be the best person. A long month later, I heard back from the institution that I had been successful in gaining a Quest Scholarship and I was even more ecstatic to learn that I was chosen by my first-choice company. This is a great opportunity, something I have been told again and again! I still don’t think I realize how big of an opportunity I have been given. This scholarship means that I will get financially supported throughout my university years, I will get summer work placements every year and most importantly I will hopefully have a job once I have graduated from University. If anyone is considering a career in Civil Engineering or a related industry, then I would 100% recommend that you check if you are eligible for any of their scholarships because they offer so many opportunities to meet so many people, travel and see different places and the potential to have a fantastic and exciting career.
Jamie Duncan Aerial & Satellite TV Extensions All types of Satellites installed TV wall mounting Based in Blairgowrie Established 1999 Phone:
07736 551 665 jdaerials@sky.com Page 15
Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Time Bank Our local Time Bank has been incredibly busy over the last couple of months. We had a fantastic Christmas Celebration at our Whist Group, with music, food and presents and even managed to capture a couple of selfies with our participants. Whist group restarts on the 13th February and will continue on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. We continue to host our Fortnightly Monday Social at Nest, Reform Street which is a chance to get together after the long weekend for a blether and some crafts. Everyone is welcome, please join us between 1 and 3pm on the 11th and 25th Feb, then the 11th and 25th March. Our Crafty Folk group continues on the 3rd Thursday of each month is SCYD and hosts between 15 and 20 participants each time. This year we have applied for funds to continue our social groups which are an important part of reducing isolation and loneliness in our community and we are hoping to host some intergenerational Sewing Bee Workshops and Language exchanges. Every week at Time Bank members offer their services or request some help. The requests are wide ranging and a lot are fulfilled by members of the Blairgowrie Community. If you would like to join our mailing list or email updates then please get in touch with our Development Worker Catriona Mackay on 07761233418 or bandrtimebank@gmail.com
Strathmore Cycle Network trathmore Update ycle etwork The Steering Group, comprised of trustees of the three local Development Trusts (Alyth DT, Forward Coupar Angus and BRDT), would like to bring you up to date on some recent developments related to the planned paths network: A map of the new route between Blair and Alyth is now available. Copies can be found in One Voice, the BRDT office and in many other outlets in the town. There will be path signs at key points on the route to help people find their way. So far, the route has been well used by walkers, runners, horse riders and cyclists. Many thanks to the more than 300 people who took part in the survey of views on proposed changes to the Couttie Bridge over the River Isla just north of Coupar Angus. About 72% were supportive, with 55% strongly supportive, which enables us to start the next stage of detailed design work for the path across the bridge. The Development Trusts are optimistic that funding will be available this year for the design and construction of a new path parallel to the road from the Coupar Angus water treatment works to the Bendochy crossroads. Negotiations with the landowners have been positive. There will be a series of consultation events in Coupar Angus in the early part of 2019 to try to ascertain whether a realistic, generally acceptable route can be found from the town centre to the bottom of the hill. An independent firm of consultants will design and carry out the consultation process on behalf of the three Trusts. If you have any comments, please contact Len Seal on: lenseal210@gmail.com. The Steering Group will do its best to keep you informed as things progress in the course of this year. Beside - Cycle Route between Blairgowrie & Alyth
OUR AIMS AND WHAT WE’VE BEEN DOING:
WE HAVE SOME BIG PLANS FOR 2019 SUCH AS:
•
Promote local businesses
•
•
Help promote the town to locals and visitors alike
Developing the promotional aspect of Discover Blairgowrie
•
Providing mini websites for members
•
Link and work with local and national organisations such as Blairgowrie & Rattray Development Trust (BRDT), Perth & Kinross Council, Perth City, Blairgowrie & East Perthshire Tourist Association, Cairngorm Business Partnership (Snow Roads) and Perth and Dundee Chambers of Commerce
•
Providing an e-commerce platform for members to sell items
•
Providing focused mailing lists for offers including: • What’s On • Eat local • Shop local • Stay local • Play/Create local • And more if needed
WE DO THIS BY: •
Membership helping support the Discover Blairgowrie website
•
Working with BRDT to deliver the Community Action Plan (what the community wants)
•
Providing networking and workshop opportunities for local businesses
•
Developing a Skills Academy with Blairgowrie High School
•
Acting as a focal point for businesses in the town
We can’t do this without the support of our members so if you want to help us promote the town then please speak to Anna (07974 810 055) or Steve (07777 694 827) or email admin@barba.org.uk. Page 17
Community Groups
Blairgowrie & Rattray Forum Update The Forum has now been in place for a number of years and continues to thrive. It is organised and chaired by the Development Trust. It provides an opportunity for community groups, local organisations and individuals to hear about what is going on in the town, share plans for the future, get feedback/input and highlight upcoming events. In sharing what they are doing, it provides an opportunity for groups to identify where they might combine resources to assist each other. The Forum meets on a quarterly basis at the Angus Hotel and the Trust are grateful to Murray Scott of the Angus Hotel for generously hosting the Forum. The last Forum, held in January, was attended by 24 people representing a range of groups and organisations. There were a wide range of subjects covered:Discover Blairgowrie Website Update: Phil Seymour and Steve Johnson reported recent developments – the formation of a joint management group between BRDT and BARBA to further develop the site on an ongoing basis as the key digital marketing tool for the town. It is widely recognised that the level of traffic going through this website can only be beneficial to businesses and the wider community. BRDT Way Forward: Phil Seymour delivered a short presentation on the recent work done to establish a clear Mission Statement and Forward Plan for the Trust. He also highlighted the Trust’s priority projects for 2019. Blairgowrie & Rattray Community Action Plan (CAP): Lorna McCurrach provided an update on the meeting of the formal working group taking forward the priorities in the CAP Hamish Henderson Festival 2019: John Corrigan spoke about the success of the 2018 event and plans for 2019 to mark the centenary of Hamish’s birth. Plastic-free Perthshire: Kay Seal spoke about the Perthshire network and inspirational exemplars such as Ullapool, Greener Kirkcaldy. Blairgowrie & Rattray Illuminations Committee: Keith Reid expressed thanks to all the businesses who donated a total of £2000 and groups who fundraised a further £3000. Bags of Help raised £4000. All of these funds had enabled them to both expand coverage and replace. Update on Rotary Car Festival: Robin Duncan announced that this would start on 28 April - 80 cars leaving from the Golf club…going through Blair via the Wellmeadow. Upcoming Events Highlighted: It’s BRAW 2nd week in august Leslie Street Art Trail –Sat 7th Sept to Sun 15th Sept. Blair in Bloom Quiz night – Rattray Bowling Club Friday 15th February, Litter Pick Sunday 14th April, Tesco’s raffle Friday 12th April and Howe’s Charity Shop 20th April HEAT Project Energy Fair in Kirkmichael Village Hall Friday 1st March 2pm – 6.30pm Ian Richards Our heritage – Easter Weekend of 19th April - Transport Pop-up Museum in and around the Library BRAN Big Project improvement to top of the Knockie – dry stane dykers making a stone shelter and path improvement work Next Meeting of the Forum 11th April 2019, 5.30 - 7.00 pm Angus Hotel
Notice of the Forum is currently sent via the Discover Blairgowrie mailing list, so if you would like to keep up to date with future events please sign up to the mailing list. Page 18
BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
Apples Galore in Blair 2018 Blair locals have often shared their surplus fruit and veg in an informal way with their neighbours and friends. But since 2017, Climate Café volunteers have been organising to help share out surplus fruit around the town, saving on the costs of food miles needed to bring apples in from else-where. And last year proved a bumper year. In the end we managed to share out over 1500 kgs of local windfall apples, eaters and cookers, hungry foxes notwithstanding! Some apples went to local care-homes, but most were hung up around the town in bags for people to help themselves, a system that seemed to work well. And a few hit the preserving pan to make chutney of various kinds. So, first, a huge thank you to all the local donors of apples, some of them anonymous. And thanks also to the various volunteers helping to collect and redistribute the apples, and shovelling apples into Andrew Lear’s wonderful machine at the September and October apple-pressing days in the Wellmeadow. With his help, we produced a total of 1050 litres of delicious apple juice. So, what about apples in 2019? Well, who knows if it will be a good year of apples or not? But whatever the harvest, we could do with a bit more help, for a couple of morning hours a week between September and November, and also at our stall at the Blairgowrie Highland Games on Sun 8 September, and at our apple-pressing day in the Wellmeadow on Saturday 28 September. We could also do with some more cloth bags to hang them up in, if anyone is a dab hand with a sewing machine. Last year, the cloth bags (made at the Nest in Reform Street) with their apple slogans were quite a hit with tourists, snapping them to send home the apple-sharing message. So, whatever your skills, if you think you can help in any way, please just get in touch with Kristin Barrett, 872634, or Kay Seal, 874633.
Blairgowrie Community Market New Season Produce and New Stalls at the Blairgowrie Community Market organised by Strathmore & the Glens. The Blairgowrie Community Market celebrates the wide diverse of local produce and crafts available in the Strathmore area. The dates for this year’s markets are: (always the 4th Saturday of the month).
27th Apil 27th July
25th May 24th August
22nd June 28th September
For more info contact Sue at Strathmore & the Glens on 01828 640763 or Email: sue@nscdesign.com Regular updates and press releases will be appearing on the Blairgowrie Community Market FB page. Page 19
Community Groups
The Youth Alliance takes off For the last year we have been preparing to launch the new youth alliance for Eastern Perthshire (EPYA). This is a collaboration between the youth groups from Alyth, Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus. The process has involved extensive consultations with young people and the wider public whilst working to increase staffing for youth work. This listening exercise has informed how we plan to move forward and we are now starting to realise our shared vision to provide more options and opportunities for young people growing up in Blairgowrie. On a local level we hope you will notice SCYD is opening more often, providing young people with a safe space to spend times with their friends and gain access to lots more opportunities and activities of their choosing. At an Eastern Perthshire level, we will be providing more joined up working across the area to provide more options for young people; we will provide more opportunities for young people of all personalities to have a say and be recognised for their achievements. We are excited to announce the following: •
The EPYA has successfully bid to deliver the PKC and Gannochy youth work contract meaning SCYD will now be able to offer more youth work in the evenings and school holidays. This contract will start in April.
•
We will also continue to provide support to young people 16+ who are not in education, training or employment to encourage personal growth in that direction.
•
We are now offering awards endorsed by the Scottish Qualification Authority. These are vocational awards to encourage young people to set goals and develop their personal and social skills development. The Hi5 award is for anyone over five years old, whilst our Dynamic Youth and Youth Achievement Awards are designed to encourage the personal growth of young people of any ability. If any reader is aware of any volunteering or activities that young people participate in where our awards could add value, please let us know?
•
We have worked with the young people from the University of the Highlands and Islands Visual Communications HND cohort to design a brand for the new EPYA. The colour scheme and logo etc will be revealed in March
•
We now have the embryo of a youth council in which young people from across Eastern Perthshire can have a voice on their local youth groups and also feed into the local political committees
It takes a whole community to improve the lives and prospects of young people growing up in Blairgowrie and Eastern Perthshire. We would like to acknowledge and thank Blairgowrie High School, Perth and Kinross Council and Skills Development Scotland who have supported us over the last year to improve what we do. As have the Gannochy Trust as well as SSE and rural Perth and Kinross Leader. All of whom have backed us to deliver youth work. If you have any inquiries or would like to share any ideas on anything relating to young people or how we can improve life for young people growing up in Blairgowrie please get in touch with the EPYA coordinator Jamie Mclennan on: Jamie@scyd.org.uk or 01250 872121
Page 20
BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
Blairgowrie and Rattray Illuminations Committee (BRIC) Well that’s the lights down and stored in record time this year by our merry band of volunteers. Comments on the Christmas lights this year were very encouraging, several people even claiming that we outshone Dundee and Perth! And the Switch-on festivities seemed to be as busy and fun-filled as ever, with music, song and dance, some cuddly film characters, and long queues at Santa’s new gazebo. Rattray’s fine new lights were also unveiled, a gift from the community via Tesco’s Bags of Help, and the Blairgowrie lights were extended out to the Co-op on Perth Street. You may also have noticed our new BRIC Supporter stickers in shops and windows where donations have been made by firms and individuals! As ever, folk have been particularly generous over the season - almost £2000 from businesses, a similar sum raised by organisations, and £3000 via Santa’s Sleigh and Switch-on collections, raffle and shop cans! We therefore would like to show our appreciation to the following for their donations either financially, or in kind, without which we would not be able to put on such a fantastic lights display: For electricity to premises: David Scott (Blairgowrie) Ltd, R Doig & Sons, Nickel and Dime, Bits and Bobs, Euan Laing Joinery, Callum Duncan (Electrician), Wee Coffee Shop, Masonic Lodge, Subway Blairgowrie, The Workbasket, Davidson Chemists, The Dome, Hodge Solicitors, Crown Bar, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Mr & Mrs Patton, Hammer God Tattoos, Warpweftweave Studio, the Balmoral Hotel, Canine Cuts, Rattray Church and PKC Lighting Department. For financial donations: Blairgowrie, Rattray & Alyth Quiz League, Blairgowrie Fire Station, Hodge Solicitors, Kate Fleming, Graham Edwards CA, Roy Sim, W M Coupar, Mrs A Gray, Field & Forest Engineering, Cornerstone Deli, Piob Mhor, Victor & Sons, Norman Laing & Co, Miller Gerrard, J Crockart & Son, Cunningham Carpets, TSB, J B Corrie & Co Ltd, Ladybank Tyres, Blair’s Laundry, Robert Gray Carpets, Graham Environmental, Graham Smith Gas Services, Ericht Electrical, Mike Simpson Plumbing and Heating, Tesco Bags of Help, M & Co, Blairgowrie Dental Practice, Gibson Beauty, The Fair O’ Blair and Wendy Byrd Meldrum.
Donations in kind: Algo (Blairgowrie) Ltd, JSR Transport, Tayside Contracts and Sign Shop, SCYD, Graham Environmental, Matthew McIntyre, Henry Church, Robert Smith Contractors, Tayside Police, First Aid Perthshire, Cateran Café, The Trefoil Guild, Bunters, Number 31, Blair Bells, Blairgowrie & Rattray Drum Corps, AJ Macgregor and Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Pipe Band, Linda Grant School of Dance, Let’s Dance, Blairgowrie & Rattray Development Trust, Blair in Bloom, Blairgowrie Rugby Club, 2519 (Strathmore) Squadron, Air Cadets, Blairgowrie & Rattray Community Council and Brenda Kerr. A HUGE THANK YOU also to all the volunteers who came out to help with our events, the shops who kindly host one of our collecting cans, all the community groups who supported the Switch-on, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides for organising Santa’s Grotto, and finally our Councillors and the residents for all their support throughout the year. We will review new projects at our next committee meeting, but apart from bulb replacement, renovation and rewiring, only a new lamppost light is planned. Watch this space! Finally, apart from collecting cans in shops, donations can also be made this year via the Co-op Local Community Fund - Co-op Members can opt online to have 1% of the price of their Co-op-branded purchases donated to the Illuminations. So opt in and use your Co-op card. Naturally, you can also help us by volunteering and/or suggesting improvements for Christmas 2019! Phone Keith on 874776!
Page 21
Blairgowrie Scottish Country Dance Club
Blairgowrie Lyric Choir
We meet every Wednesday in the Town Hall at 7.30pm and have benefited from our advertisement in the Hub magazine with new people attending. We are preparing for our Annual Open Dance on Friday 1st March 2019 when we will be dancing to the music of Lindsay Weir. The programme is on the Web site. Our final dance is a dinner dance and will be for members and guests on Wednesday 27th March.
Although Christmas sometimes feels but a blink of an eye past, BLAIRGOWRIE LYRIC CHOIR is well into its rehearsal schedule for the first half of 2019, aiming towards its 2019 concert. Indeed, singers had hardly had time to digest their last turkey and Christmas pud before the new programme of music hit their vocal cords in early January, replacing the indigestion of overeating by the indigestion of an overload of new songs to learn. But are we coping? Of course we are!
For more information we now have a web site: www.blairgowriescottishcountrydancing.co.uk
where any change to normal programmes will be notified or contact the secretary on 01250 873272.
Friendship Cafe If you are out and about on a Thursday Morning in Rattray pay us a visit, have a coffee/tea and a chat between 9.30 AM to 11.30 AM it would be great to see you. In January we had a tribute to Rabbie Burns on our programme the friends sang and danced to all his songs with first class entertainment coming from Arthur Campbell and his grandson Callum. Bothy singer Joe Aitken, It’s No Them Again and The Mid Atholl Strings are on our programme in the coming months. The team at the cafe would like more of the community to visit us and see what we have to offer. Meeting place is Rattray Community Hall, Balmoral Road, Rattray. Thursday morning, 9.30 AM to 11.30 AM Team Organiser Aly Muir Contact Details 01250 873602 alymuir@hotmail.co.uk
Blairgowrie and District Trefoil Guild Wednesday 6th March 2019 in St Catharine’s Community Centre at 7.30 pm. Chair, Jean Laburn. Speaker, Ian Riches on his life as a Commander of nuclear submarine. Page 22
The May concert will take place in ST CATHARINE’S CHURCH in George Street, Blairgowrie on SATURDAY 11th MAY, starting at 7.00pm. Last May, the choir experimented by having no social gathering after the concert. Not a good idea! It seems that the social gathering - with tea, coffee, juice, nibbles, and plenty chatter - is an essential part of the evening, as indeed it should be, and we are very pleased to reinstate it this year. Our programme for 2019 is far from finalised, but this year’s offerings are of a generally light nature, including The Rhythm of Life from Sweet Charity, An Island Sheiling Song (from a collection of Songs from the Hebrides), Psalm 23 (the arrangement by Howard Goodall which was so popular as the theme tune to The Vicar of Dibley), The Cat from Prayers from the Ark, Waltzing Matilda, and Johnny Cope. What others will follow? Only time - and May 12th - will tell! The Lyric Choir continues to meet on Tuesdays at 7.00pm in the back hall of the Rattray Community Centre in Balmoral Road. New members are always welcome and, while we are now mid-session, it is definitely not too late to come along and participate in the May concert. Learning music and singing in a group is fun, rewarding, and stimulating. Please feel free to come along any Tuesday evening, or phone 01250 872682 for a chat about the choir.
BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
This years it’s BRAW showcase week will be held from Friday 9th August to Friday 16th August. The aim of It’s BRAW is to support the wellbeing of our community, our businesses and ultimately the whole town by promoting the wealth of talent in the creative arts around Blairgowrie and Rattray. Going forward we hope to be able to help support events within the town throughout the year. This is why we have tweaked our name, changing the W to stand for wellbeing rather than week. We want locals as well as visitors to the town to visit and take part in whatever event they fancy whether it be arts, crafts, music, drama or maybe a combination of all! We are working towards becoming self funded but until then we rely on sponsorship and funding. This year we plan to cover all venue hire costs for events being run as part of our showcase week, subject to our funding application being successful. This in turn will bring the costs down for organisers and reduce ticket prices, making it more affordable.
Calling all event organisers in Blairgowrie and Rattray We are looking for individuals, groups and businesses to organise their own events that can be supported and promoted by It’s BRAW as part of our showcase week in August. Your event will feature in our brochure and on our website, where we will sell the tickets and manage bookings for you for a fee of 20% of your total sales. Events with free entry will be asked for a fee of £10 for their event to be listed. These fees goes towards our costs and will ultimately enable us to become a self funding and sustainable event for years to come.
Register Your Event If you are interested in holding an event as part of It’s BRAW please register the event details on our website by 14th April 2019 at www.itsbraw.scot If you don’t want to hold an event but would be interested in being a sponsor, please let us know and we will be in touch. For further enquiries please contact us on admin@itsbraw.scot Page 23
Blairgowrie & Rattray Highland Games Sunday 8th September – Bogles Field
Why not come and pull in the community tug of war Blairgowrie v last year’s winners Rattray. If watching is more your thing then come along and watch the kids Mini Highland Games.
Well folks, we’re in to the New Year and preparations are well under way for Blairgowrie & Rattray Highland Games to provide another great day of fun and games for everyone to enjoy.
Returning this year, will be the Staffie Smiles Dog Show, bring your pooch along and take part in the many different categories available on the day.
This year we have a fairly new committee after we had to say goodbye to our longstanding Chairman, Bob Ellis, who along with our past Treasurer, Margaret Wotherspoon, whom together with our past Secretary, Kym Ellis, were the back bone of the games for many years, so no pressure for the new kids on the block! Anyway, this year we plan to try and keep things pretty much the same as last year, with a full programme of fun and entertainment for everyone from near and far to enjoy. There will be the usual high standard of Highland Dancing and piping competitions alongside a full programme of field and track events for adults and children, also there is the highly anticipated hill race to take part in prizes for fastest male/female to finish in a kilt. Not forgetting the sports men and women taking part in the Heavy Events, weights over bar and for distance, hammer throwing and tossing the caber. Page 24
Back by popular demand is the great to see and take part in Ardblair Stones, which again this year will see the Stones for Strength competition with the final taking place at this year’s Highland games. Why not browse the many stalls that will be displaying or selling their fabulous products. We were delighted to welcome hosts of CBBC programme, ‘All Over the Place’ with Ed Petrie & Yasmin Evans, who both took part in a wide variety of events during the day – It’s hasn’t been aired yet, but when we know, we will advertise this on our Facebook page. This will be great for our Highland Games. If you would like to have a stall please get in touch with our Secretary, details are on our website. www.blairgowriehighlandgames.co.uk You can also follow us on other social media; Twitter @blair_games Instagram - blairgowriehighlandgames ‘Something for everyone, so come along and be part of the fun!’ BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
Blairgowrie Mobile Foot Clinic
Treatment in the comfort of your own home for: Nail Cutting Corns and Calluses Fungal Infections and Athletes Foot Ingrown Toenails
For all your Foot-care requirements contact:
MADELEINE MCINTOSH Registered Foot-Health Practitioner Est 2007.
01250 872005 or 07904 382840 S.A.C Dip
FHTP
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Page 25
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BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
Page 27
History arrangements the items on display may well also use part of the adjacent car park. The organisers would like to thank Culture Perth and Kinross and our local librarian for their generosity and encouragement.
2018 saw three Pop-Up events held by the group in the Blairgowrie library. The success of these initial exhibitions has given the steering group the confidence to plan more events during 2019. The support from the community demonstrated by the high number visiting all the three initial events was very welcome indeed. Our Heritage is working hard to identify suitable premises to enable it to achieve its stated aim of creating a permanent Heritage Centre for the town, a place to be proud of that locals and visitors alike will enjoy.
The theme of the event is to be transport in all its forms. The organisers plan to make it as locally based as possible. This exciting event will include items and memorabilia from bygone days right up to the more recent past. We have such a rich history to call on, visitors can expect to see most if not all forms of transport represented – Railways, ferries, pedal cycles, motor-cycles, motor cars, four legged powered, early attempts at powered flight, haulage, agricultural, emergency services etc.
The group is pleased to announce its first Pop-Up event of 2019. This will take place over the Easter weekend, commencing 19th April and ending on the evening of the 22nd.
The group is appealing for information, items of interest, memorabilia and memories that relate to the theme. For instance, are there people in the community who worked for the railway in Blair or nearby, people who have fond memories of using the local trains? Anything that could bring local interest to the event would be appreciated. If you could help then please get in touch with the group’s secretary, Stuart Nichol. Stuart can be reached via e-mail, stuart.nichol2@btinternet.com or by phoning 07904 867039
Once again Culture Perth and Kinross is allowing the group to use the Blairgowrie library for the event and depending on final
Make a date in your diary! The event will be widely advertised nearer to the time via the press, banners, flyers and social media.
Page 28
BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
Blairgowrie Rattray and District Genealogy Centre What’s in a name? The birth of a new baby may lead to speculation about the choice of first names, while the naming of “celebrity” babies may astound. During our Family History research we are sometimes intrigued by first names such as Montague, Ludlow, Theodore, Mungo, Floriana, Grizel and Mehetabel. As W. H. Auden once observed “proper names are poetry in the raw”. In the past parents in Scotland used to follow straightforward conventions when naming their children. The traditional pattern when naming boys was: First son named after the father’s father, second son after the mother’s father, third son after the father, fourth son after the father’s grandfather, fifth son after the mother’s grandfather. When naming girls it was similar: First daughter named after the mother’s mother, second after the father’s mother, third after the mother’s grandmother, fifth after the father’s grandmother. Not all families followed these traditional naming patterns, however, it may help to consider them when hunting for Scottish Ancestors. For example, when looking for the grandfather of someone named George Smith, if you were to find two births in the same place at a similar time, with fathers named Oliver Smith and George Smith, the latter would probably be worth following up. Have these traditional naming patterns been followed in your family?
ALWAYS WANTED TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY HISTORY? The Genealogy Centre Volunteers can help. Come in and see us any Tues, Weds or Thurs from 2.00 to 4.00pm at Blairgowrie Library. If these hours do not suit, an appointment for Friday or Saturday can easily be arranged. CONTACT US - by email at blairgowrielibrary@culturepk.org.uk or blairgowriegenealogy@hotmail.co.uk Or by telephone on 01250 871305 If you can spare 2 hours a week, why not come and join us as a Volunteer. Please send us your contact details, or come in and see us.
Find us online: we are on Facebook, and soon hope to have a new website. The Geneaology Centre is part of Visit Scotland’s Ancestral Welcome Scheme. To find out more visit: www.scottishancestraltourism.scot Page 29
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Page 30
BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
The Summer of 32’ ? Cast your mind back to the summer of 1932. If you were walking around Rosemount back then, you might have spotted a middleaged man carrying a wooden box, maybe a folding seat and various other stuff. He was John Maclauchlan Milne and he was an artist who produced a series of eight or more watercolour paintings of various holes on the golf course. As he did each autumn, for a couple of weeks, he held an exhibition in his studio at 132a Nethergate in Dundee. His show in October/ November 1932 included those watercolours from Rosemount.
‘The Fifth Scottish Colourist’ Milne was a well-known character in the Dundee Art Society and among the leading local art collectors. Demobbed from the Royal Flying Corp in the summer of 1919, he returned from France and Belgium to Dundee to resume his career as an artist. Dundee emerged in the forefront of postimpressionist art in Scotland with the 1922 Art Exhibition including various pictures by significant French artists loaned by local collectors, as well as pictures for sale from local artists. Milne had returned to France: this time to paint and the 1922 Dundee Exhibition included ten of his paintings from Paris. In the subsequent years of the 1920s, he would spend time each summer painting in Provence from Cassis, to St Tropez and St Paul de Vence. He was supported by collectors in Dundee. He had several one-man exhibitions, but his main show was in London at the Independent Gallery in February and March 1931.
The market for his paintings was changing. He went to Tuscany in April/May 1930, but the continental travel seemed to have come to and end. In future, he would focus on painting in the Highlands and, later in the 1930s, he would go Iona to paint. He moved to Arran to live in 1940 and continued paintings local scenes. But what happened to the watercolours of Rosemount? Milne was part of a three-man exhibition in Dundee in February/March 1933 with fellow local artists Stewart Carmichael and Alec Grieve. Amongst his watercolours of St Tropez and San Gimignano, the catalogue lists eight of Milne’s watercolours of Rosemount Golf Course (priced at £8/8/ each). During this exhibition, Milne learnt that, on 15 March 1933, he had been elected as an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy. When the Blairgowrie Golf Club held its AGM in the Town Hall on Thursday 20 October 1932, the Greens Convenor reported on the works to extend and revise the layout of the course, he had got some information from Millar, the professional, concerning the clearing of 30 acres of broom and heather; the removal of 3,000 tree roots; and the ploughing and harrowing of 25 acres. When Milne opened his exhibition in his studio four days later, he was unaware that the names of some of the holes were to be changed, so the names of his watercolours no longer match the current layout. His paintings often appear in auctions – but there seems to be no trace of the Rosemount watercolours. Do you have one of them?
Maurice Millar BLAIRGOWRIE Perthshire maurice.millar@icloud.com Page 31
We are extremely grateful to be given the opportunity for a centre page spread to showcase Blair in Bloom. First of all, we would like to thank everyone who has generously donated to us. We really appreciate the support of other voluntary groups and individuals. The last twelve months have been very special and memorable for us, culminating in two gold medals from Beautiful Scotland and Take a Pride in Perthshire respectively. The bar has been set very high for us to continue this success in the coming twelve months. . All our volunteers deserve a huge thank you for their hardwork over the last twelve months and we look forward to working with them again. So, to what we will be doing in 2019. Our plug plants are on order and should be delivered early in April. This year our colour scheme is yellow/lemon, blue and white – very different to last year’s red theme. If any businesses would like to purchase a hanging basket, and who have not had one in previous years, please contact us direct at the email address below. We will however be going round the town shortly to confirm with businesses that they wish to proceed this year. We are hopeful that the new structure for the corner of Golf Course Road/Perth Road will be in place late spring/early summer. The initial design by the pupils of St Stephen’s RC Primary School of Scottish thistles made from old golf clubs has been incorporated into a stunning piece of art by renowned public space artist David F Wilson, himself a ‘Blair laddie’. David has been very generous with his time in helping us bring this project to fruition and we are thrilled to have him on board. An impression of the finished design is shown. Planning permission for the sculpture was granted by PKC late last year.
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BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
A 925
33
Proposed Resin Bound Gravel paving. Some onnto existing tarmac base. Some new construction
PC
CR
OFT
Proposed mixed border planting with evrgreen & deciduous flowering shrubs and herbaceous peerennials to give seasonal interest and berry interest. Climbing plants trained against boundary walls
LA
NE
Existing Fastigiate cherry
Proposed Heavy Standard Flowering Trees. Possibly cherry varieties
Existing Herbaceous planting inc Hostas, Astilbe & Pulmonaria to be supplemented with new plants Existing Fastigiate cherry +10.285
Croft Cottage
Existing Stone retaining wall with concrete cope
+10.12
Timber Seats added to low wall
20 .4 m
Existing High, white rendered & painted retaining wall (Weep holes at base)
Existing Low wall with new paving slab cope at base of high wall
bench seat
Tar paving overlaid with resin bound gravel
+10.37
Existing Retaining wall
+9.50
Club
+9.56
R
Sloping mixed border
Low tapering retaining wall with no cope, realigned at south end to introduce curve
20 Sq m
40 Sq m 4m
+10.55
+10.36
Climbing Plants
+8.97
Resin Bound Gravel Paving event space 50 Sq m
ramp path
Existing clipped box hedges
Proposed Specimen Shrubs +10.54
+9.55
Sloping border
Existing fastigiate Cherries
Existing sloping border replaced and replanted with mixed shrub & herbaceous planting including berry bearing plants Retaining wall with concrete cope
+8.37
+10.55
Mixed Border 60 Sq m
Proposed Specimen Shrubs
Existing Flight of nine existing concrete steps closed off with new stone wall on bottoming opening to steps topped with parapet railing and timber deck & benches placed over.
16 Sq m +10.28
Resin Bound Gravel Paving viewpont overlooking garden 6 No proposed steps up through border 350mm trea/150mm riser stepping stones between. +10.27
62.3m
Existing Box hedge
+9.31
Proposed timber deck over closed off steps
+9.90 1.
8m
70 Sq m
Existing high, white painted stone retaining wall with buttresses
Proposed steps
+10.43
Proposed trees to break up impact of high wall Possible Ornamental Cherry species
126 Sq m
+9.63 Proposed seating
+9.76
+10.335
Existing Levels (Local Grid) TBM set in sw coner at 10.00
+10.00 +10.125
BR AE
+10.00
1 in 20 gradient resin bound gravel path to give barrier free access to upper level view point and seating area
Coronation Corner continues to be at the forefront of our plans for this year. This project is going forward under the umbrella of the Take a Pride in Perth & Kinross Association. Their Project Development Advisor is overseeing the major fund raising of approximately £40,000 that is required for this project. The proposed plan is shown, which we hope will give everyone an idea of the scale of the project.
GAS
It is a major revamp of the site and will give easy access to everyone with rner: Sketch Design Proposal 1:100 Scale the new path layout. We hope that the site will become an attractive, useful and pleasant place for residents and visitors alike. We have received letters of support from our local Councillors, the Community Council, SCYD and BRAN for which we are very grateful. Existing sloping border replaced and replanted with mixed shrub & herbaceous planting including berry bearing plants and climbers against retaining wall.
L A N
0
s] [2015] Kinross Council
5
10
15
20M
Client: Blairgowrie in Bloom Project: Coronation Corner Blairgowrie Title: Sketch Design Proposals Drg no: C1812.002 Rev: Rev A Date: 11.9.2018 Drawn: CP Scale : 1:100 (approx) @ A1
P E D S C A
CHRISTOPHER PALMER ASSOCIATES Landscape Architects Apple Tree House The Ross Comrie Perthshire PH6 2 JU Tel: 01764 670177 E:cpa.comrie@btconnect.com
We will be returning the railway to Blairgowrie, with the installation at the Rosemount Crossing/Parkhead corner of an ornamental train made from whisky barrels. The barrels will be painted in similar colours to the Caledonian Railway. At our AGM on 5 February, the following people were elected onto our Committee: • • • • •
Honorary President- Sir William MacPherson Chair – Mary Birch Vice Chair – Janine Seymour Treasurer – Pat Lumsden Committee – Andrea Graham, Phil Seymour, Avril & William Wilson
Some dates for your diary are as follows: •
Friday 12 April – Easter hamper raffle, Tesco Blairgowrie
•
Sunday 14 April – litter pick, meet 10am at the Riverside carpark.
•
Saturday 20 to Friday 27 April charity shop at Howe’s, Reform St
•
Saturday 25 May – plant sale, Tesco car park Blairgowrie
We are delighted to have the continued patronage of Sir William MacPherson as our Honorary President. We hope that through our activities we can contribute to improving the environment of the town, giving enjoyment and pride in our public places. We look forward to a busy and rewarding year, with hope for continued success. If you are interested in volunteering with Blair in Bloom or would like more information, please contact us at blairinbloom@aol.com
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Making Best Use of Gardens I have written many articles on the subject of gardens and gardening and I have spent most of my life working in gardens; creating features, planting and tending plants.
The new garden tends to be easier to plan, as it is a blank canvas, but problems of poor soil type etc can affect the implementation and success of the layout.
The garden is an area set out and usually planned whether it be formal or informal in its layout. Often referred to as an outdoor room with use and function and subject to change as in the indoor room.
The small garden can be difficult to plan and clearly there will be limitations to its contents. An audit of what is currently in the garden and whether the features meet the current needs could be undertaken; then a wish list drawn up towards future changes.
Traditional gardens tended to comprise a flower garden; vegetables, a lawn; fruit trees and perhaps some other features such as a rockery, pond and set in formal shapes or random informality. Gardens come in varying styles and sizes, with the garden of the modern home tending to be smaller, while many didn’t have a garden and worked an allotment, particularly during and after the war years when food was scarce. Allotments and community gardens are becoming popular, with the main attraction being the cultivation of fresh organic produce towards a healthier lifestyle. Not everyone gets involved in gardening and this may be due to insufficient time or inclination, however having instructed horticulture for over thirty years; I believe that everyone can enjoy and learn about gardening if given the opportunity. The therapeutic benefits of garden are well known, with many deriving health benefits, including the relief from life’s stresses. We all enjoy relaxing in the garden, therefore there should be areas of the garden where we can sit and take it easy or enjoy eating. Other activities and features will be determined by the householders and their interests. Page 34
There are articles on my website in relation to garden design and the basics of how to go about making alterations in your garden. I mentioned above that many are growing their own produce and in doing so there is green waste to be dealt with along with grass clippings, prunings etc. Small quantities of green waste can be taken care of using the brown bins, but to reduce expenditure and cater for larger gardens; the construction of compost bays could be the answer and result in beautiful compost for the garden. Gordon Croll
BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
COMMUNITY HUB QUESTIONNAIRE. Over the past few years there have been several consultations with our community about what is needed to make our town flourish, including the Hill Primary Project via The Ericht Trust and the Charrette organised by the Community Council and other studies and conversations with groups in the town. All this information has been used to develop the current Community Action Plan, one of the key requirements to develop a Community Hub. So what is a Community Hub? A community hub can mean many things to many people, and the one for our town would be a single location where a whole range of information, services and other community benefits could be delivered from. Now more urgent with the closure of the Tourist Information Centre. What would it include? That will be determined by the community, and some of the things suggested to date from previous discussions are; • • • • • • • • •
tourist information information about all outdoor activities such as walking, riding, golf, fishing centre for outdoor pursuits gallery for local artists to display and sell their work ‘What’s On’ in the town ticket office for these events, range of where to get goods in local shops and services base for Credit Union Heritage Centre/museum meeting rooms for groups to meet, and so forth
Much of the information within the Hub will also be available online via the Discover Blairgowrie website and it is anticipated that the hub and the website will be closely linked. So, before the Development Trust embarks on trying to find a suitable location for such a venture, we are keen to find out any additional ideas for such a proposal. We would be grateful if you would spare a few minutes to complete our very short questionnaire. Just to get you thinking, here are links to Community Hubs that are already successfully up and running elsewhere in Scotland, have a look and see what you think… Gairloch & Loch Ewe. http://www.galeactionforum.co.uk/page.php?page_id=2 Maryhill Burgh Halls. http://www.maryhillburghhalls.org.uk/ Muir of Ord. https://themuirhub.org/ Thank you very much for your time, we are depending on your support, please return the completed questionnaire to either The One Voice Office in 13 Upper Mill Street, (Tues. – Sat. 10.00 – 16.00) or The Trust Office at 1-3 Wellmeadow. (between The Angus Hotel and the bridge.) Stuart Nichol Chair BRDT cut along the dotted line
Page 35
COMMUNITY HUB QUESTIONAIRE QUESTION 1. PLEASE ENTER YOUR NAME, IF ANSWERING AS AN INDIVIDUAL GO TO Q3. IF AS AN ORGANISATION PLEASE FILL IN ALL QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.
QUESTION 7. IF A SINGLE POINT OF ACCESS FOR THE COMMUNITY HUB WAS ESTABLISHED, WOULD YOU BE KEEN TO BE PART OF IT. E.G. AS A VOLUNTEER OR IF YOU REPRESENT A GROUP OR ORGANISATION HAVE A PRESENCE IN IT?
QUESTION 2. WHAT IS THE TITLE OF YOUR ORGANISATION OR GROUP?
QUESTION 3. WHAT SERVICE/INFORMATION/ ENGAGEMENT DO YOU/WOULD YOU LIKE TO PROVIDE FOR OUR COMMUNITY?
QUESTION 4. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ESTIMATE OF SPACE NEEDED, ROUGHLY IN METRES SQUARED?
QUESTION 8. WHAT WOULD BE THE BENEFIT TO THE TOWN IF THERE WERE A MULTIORGANISATIONAL INFORMATION CENTRE AND ASSOCIATED WEB SITE?
QUESTION 9. HOW DO YOU THINK ONGOING FUNDING TO KEEP SUCH A CENTRE GOING COULD BE GENERATED?
QUESTION 5. WHAT SORT OF INFORMATION/ SERVICES & OTHER OFFERINGS DO YOU THINK COULD BE INCLUDED IN THE CENTRE?
QUESTION 10. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT IN THE FUTURE, OR WOULD WANT TO BE KEPT INFORMED OF PROGRESS, PLEASE PROVIDED BEST CONTACT DETAILS. QUESTION 6. WHERE DO YOU THINK THE CENTRE WOULD BE BEST LOCATED?
Page 36
BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
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www.gcrolllandscapes.com Page 37
News & Articles
Magnus Linklater, one of our Patrons, will be speaking at our next ‘Meet the Author’ event on June 1st. And our eagerly awaited Festival Launch will be held on Saturday July 20th. We’re thrilled that Shaun Bythell, bookshop owner and force behind the Wigtown Book Festival, will be our guest speaker, reading from and discussing his sequel to the highly acclaimed and hugely popular ‘Diary of a Bookseller’.
BOOKMARK 2019 welcomed a packed St Catharine’s Hall of members and guests at our AGM in January. Olga Wojtas, an extremely popular writer at last year’s Festival in October, returned to entertain us with a brand new short story. Not only were we delighted by her reading, but Olga, after a year of being at every book festival in Scotland, declared BOOKMARK ‘her favourite’. With a steadily increasing number of members (who are all entitled to discounted tickets, special events and priority booking) BOOKMARK looks set for a bright future.
Although the programme for 4,5,6 October won’t be revealed until July, we do promise a rich and varied programme which will run from the Friday evening until the Sunday afternoon. BOOKMARK offers something for everyone who likes to engage with books, whether you’re a reader or a writer or a listener. Our audiences get the chance to listen to an exciting mix of the famous and the firsttime; poets and journalists; non-fiction and first-class fiction writers – all chaired by equally talented interviewers.
Apart from our main Festival in October, we also run ‘Meet the Author’ events throughout the year. The first of these will be a two-part event on Saturday 13 April, beginning at 2 pm, featuring Marion Duffy, one half of the crime-writing pair herself and Elaine Atkins known as ‘Mirren Jones’. Marion will be talking about their novel ‘Never Do Harm’ and then, after a break for afternoon tea, will lead a creative writing workshop for the rest of the afternoon. Numbers for the Creative Writing workshop will be strictly limited to ten people so book early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are now available from our Membership Secretary, Rhona Christie, at 01250 875613. Page 38
Gail with Olga Wojtas BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
Book Festivals introduce new writers to new audiences, and of course also invite those who have reached the top. A Weekend Pass (at a greatly reduced price at the Launch) tempts you to venture into the unknown, not just to listen to those you know. And it’s often the unexpected that delights the most! Refreshments, light lunches, Waterstones Bookshop all will be at Blairgowrie’s Community Campus to make your BOOKMARK experience as enjoyable as ever. We look forward to seeing you! Gail Wylie Chair
And to pass the time until then why not read: Never Do Harm by Mirren Jones Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell Scotland :A Concise History by Fitzroy Maclean and Magnus Linklater
The ERICHT SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE GROUP The Ericht Scottish Country Dance Club are holding the following dances during in the Summer:
CLASSES 8th January to 26th March 2019 1st October to 17th December 2019 Beginners Class Tuesday 7.00 - 8.30pm General Class Tuesday 7.30 - 9.30pm
Teacher: Carol Bisset Contact detail is available on the website: erichtdance.co.uk or Jan McHugh 01250 870975
Friday 10th May Summer Dance
Blairgowrie Town Hall. Cost £6 Non dancers £2.50
Band Jim Lindsay. Tea and biscuits at interval.
Friday 5th July Summer Dance
Blairgowrie Town Hall. Cost £6 Non dancers £2.50
Band Lindsay Weir. Tea and biscuits at interval.
Friday 16th August Summer Dance
Blairgowrie Town Hall. Cost £6 Non dancers £2.50
Band David Oswald. Tea and biscuits at interval.
Friday 20th September Charity Dance
Blairgowrie Town Hall. Cost £6 Non dancers £2.50
Band Frank Thomson. Tea and supper. Page 39
News & Articles
GRANNY PAT’S SPRING RECIPE Eggs in a Nest
I first found this recipe as a young wife in the late 1960’s. I have adapted it and altered it over the years. It is easy to increase or decrease the quantities according to the number you are feeding. You will need (to feed three generously or four less hungry souls): 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
1 medium onion, sliced
1 stick celery, sliced into thin sticks
Half a red pepper, sliced into thin sticks
Tablespoon light olive oil
Mashed potato made with 750g boiled potatoes, milk or cream and butter.
Cheese sauce: Made in the usual way with: Scant 400ml milk. 25g butter
1 rounded tablespoon plain flour
150g strong cheddar cheese, grated.
Pinch mustard powder Salt and pepper
A medium sized oval or round ovenproof dish Heat the oil in a small frying pan and cook the onions, celery sticks and peppers on a low heat until completely soft and slightly browned. Season well with salt and pepper. Set aside. Make the cheese sauce by putting the milk, butter, mustard powder, seasoning and flour in a pan, heat slowly whilst whisking continually until boiling and thickened – keep stirring or it will stick. Reduce the heat and let the flour cook out for a few moments. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese. Assemble the dish: Put the mashed potato into the dish, make a nest shape in the middle and add the cooked onions, celery and peppers. Lay the eggs evenly on top and then cover with the cheese sauce. Top with extra grated parmesan or cheddar cheese. Put into an oven heated to 170 degrees fan or equivalent gas and cook until browned and bubbling. Serve with a green salad or broccoli.
Happy cooking! Page 40
BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
Constabulary Duty To Be Done by Alisdair Drummond, Retired Chief Inspector, Tayside Police and Perth & Kinross Constabulary I read recently that Police Scotland are planning to replace police officers’ notebooks with a smartphone app, as part of a £50 million contract to reduce the amount of time officers spend on paper work. It made me think of the huge advances made in the police service over the years in such things as transport and communication. In bygone times when police officers were employed on a part-time basis, it was the responsibility of each individual, after completing his tour of duty, to find his own way home. Records speak of a constable having to walk home from Highland Perthshire all the way back to Perth. That was in the days before motorised transport and before even bicycles were used, but I am sure the meagre ‘boot’ allowances, introduced to make sure policemen were well-shod, wouldn’t go very far in cases like this. Another story goes of a police constable stationed at Gartmore, near Aberfoyle, who asked for time off to sit his promotion exam at Perth. The request was granted, on condition that he completed his tour of duty up to midnight the night before. This he duly did, then got a lift to Stirling where he boarded a train to Perth, arriving just in time for the exam, after which he got the train back and made his own way to Gartmore ready for duty next day. I don’t know if he passed the exam or not! On the communication side, computerised vehicle records have been a tremendous time saver. It is quite incredible nowadays how much detailed information is held, and the speed at which it can be accessed. I remember many years ago often having to spend long hours in the local vehicle registration office, usually well into the night, checking over records after vehicles had been involved in serious incidents where only vague descriptions were given or just parts of registration numbers were remembered by witnesses. I do not doubt the advantages of moving away from traditional police notebooks, but cannot help but reflect on what an important part this little book played in an officer’s equipment. There was an entry every day showing not just the hours and place of duty, but details of incidents, names of witnesses, statements, sketches, measurements and much more - all hand-written. A police officer was never without the essential black notebook, which had to be checked regularly by a supervisory officer who would sign and date it. Pity help officers whose books were not up-to-date, and if there were spaces, blank pages or alterations, that meant trouble and they were in the black books with their boss!
AW Joinery For All your Joinery Services: Home Improvements Fitted Kitchens Timber Decking Solid Wood / Laminate Floors 01250 870 693 / 07876 133 342 www.aw-joinery.com Page 41
GrowBiz – Enterprising Rural Perthshire March into International Tourism Month
Tourism is everyone’s business in Perthshire, both for those of us who live and work here, and for visitors to the area. The aim of Scottish Tourism Month - which takes place each March - is to engage, connect and inspire Scotland’s tourism businesses and organisations, and to celebrate the enormous contribution of the tourism industry to Scotland’s economy. Perthshire boasts a huge range of attractions and activities for visitors, much of it provided by micro and social enterprises. Outdoor activity providers offer everything from kayaking, walking tours and cycling to willow weaving and llama trekking. And indoors or for that occasional rainy day, choose from creative workshops, beauty and well-being treatments, as well as gin tours, indoor rock climbing (not to be combined!) and cookery workshops. There is an abundance of eateries to cater for all tastes, and artisans and local retailers for that essential retail therapy. Tourists can choose to stay in accommodation from yurts to luxury cottages and hotels - and everything else in-between. But don’t forget that behind all this choice, there is a plethora of inspiring rural businesses and organisations working hard at running their individual enterprises. And by doing so, they are also making a huge contribution to both the local and wider economy. In fact, in a report released by the Scottish Government last year, Scotland’s rural economy was shown to contribute more than £36 billion to Scotland’s wealth. Our ‘Enterprising Rural Perthshire’ programme - with funding support from LEADER* provides support to businesses across rural Perth & Kinross, and indeed to anyone who is considering becoming self-employed or starting (or growing) a small business or social enterprise. This is regardless of age or experience – in fact, it works right across the community to include people from all backgrounds and sectors All of our services are free and confidential. These include 1-1 meetings, peer support, learning sessions, mentoring, training and networking opportunities. If you are thinking of starting an enterprise, or expanding an existing business, in rural Perthshire, more information is available at the GrowBiz website: www.growbiz.co.uk Or email on connect@growbiz.co.uk to find out more, or make an appointment. Follow us on social media for news and updates - Facebook (@GrowBizPerthshire) and Twitter (@Grow_Biz) – you can also sign up to our Newsletters on the website. * The Enterprising Rural Perthshire project is supported by the Rural Perth and Kinross LEADER Programme 2014-2020: The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas. For more on LEADER go to www.pkleader.org
The Card Gallery (Hallmark)
23, Allan Street, Blairgowrie. 01250 876444
“It’s the Thought that Counts” Come to us for new design cards and gifts that are a little bit different! Aromatherapy Lamps, Helium Balloons New range of Broons and Oor Wullie plaques Scottish Tea Towels, Whisky Glass Gift sets Lewis Chessmen, Ladycrow Velvet Tartan Scarves And much more! Friendly, experienced staff, happy to help.
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BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
Tap, Beep, Travel with Stagecoach! Have you heard the news? It is now even easier for you to use the bus! You can now pay for your Stagecoach ticket on the bus using contactless, either with a contactlessenabled bank card or via Apple Pay or Google Pay. Every Stagecoach bus and coach in the UK now has a contactless-enabled ticket machine on board which speeds up boarding and offers an additional payment option alongside cash payments, mobile tickets and smart ticketing. With this fast, easy and secure way to pay, your next bus journey around Perthshire, Dundee, Angus and Fife couldn’t be easier. With contactless payments, you don’t need to worry about finding change, it’s secure and only takes a second to pay! No matter your destination, just tap, beep and travel! Plan your journey and check live bus times at stagecoachbus.com or download the Stagecoach Bus App.
Page 43
News & Articles
WHAT RESOLUTION? by Margaret Drummond
Are your New Year resolutions still around? When you made them did you want to shed some pounds? But are your chocolate boxes empty And you find Easter eggs too tempty, Or are you on-track and really buckling down? Did you pledge to cut down time surfing the net, Perhaps buying stuff you didn’t need to get? Do you feel all Facebooked out? Do you Twitter – or just shout? Or are you sticking to your resolution yet? Does cold weather make you want to hiberbate, Spending Winter in a semi-dormant state? Are your woolly jumpers sagging And you feel in need of lagging Or looking to the Spring and feeling great? So have a happy Easter when it comes And let’s hope by then that Spring has really sprung. Our community is manning, Market days are in the planning But beware of all those tempting hot cross buns!
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BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
CUNNINGHAM CARPETS LTD
Free Measuring Free Estimates Free Fitting 28 - 30 Leslie Street, Blairgowrie 01250 872 376 11 Kenmore Street, Aberfeldy 01887 829 636 07778 117 228 john.cunningham046@gmail.com
CRIGHTONS CYCLES
FOR SALE EX-HIRE LADIES & GENTS HYBRID CYCLES 24 speed, front suspension, disc brakes. Fully Equipped with mudguards, pannier rack & kikstand 87 PERTH STREET BLAIRGOWRIE.
Tel. 01250 874447 crightons.cycles@btconnect.com Page 45
News & Articles
Blairgowrie Players We were delighted with both the turn out and reception that our 2018 pantomime Beauty and the Beast received, huge thanks to everyone who came along or supported us in any way. We used Ticketsource for the first time this year to introduce online ticketing and found this to be a well-used option in addition to our regular sales source of The Card Gallery. The SCDA One Act Festival takes place in Birnam from 28/2 to 2/3 and Players have 3 competitive plays entered; Late Entry by David Tristram, Last Chance Saloon by Shari Gledhill and a youth entry, In Need Of Care by David E. Rowley. We also have a non-competitive entry in 12 Angry Pigs by Wade Bradford which has been entered to allow some of our newer members to experience competitive drama. Tickets are available from The Birnam Institute. We will also have an evening of plays in the Town Hall at a date yet to be confirmed, please look out for further details. We are also taking our most recent Murder Mystery off to Broughty Ferry in March. We will once again be taking part in the Braw Festival in August with ‘Allo ‘Allo. Auditions will be taking place in the spring months, watch out on social media. The refurbishment of The Hill Kirk continues with the major work completed. However, as they say in Starlight Express, There’s A Light At The End Of The Tunnel! The last of the joinery work is ongoing which will give us some storage for the masses of props and equipment we have. Some roofing work still has to be done. This work has been achieved due to a collaboration between ourselves and Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER Programme 2014-2020: The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in Rural Areas. We have to also thank all those who come along to any of our shows as each performance adds a further amount to the coffers to pay running costs for the vast building. In addition, although the area does not belong to Players, thanks must be expressed to BRAN and local residents and P&K for their continued work on the kirkyard. The improvement to the area is wonderful to see, the new improved view is exceptional and hopefully opportunities will arise to keep this area looking better than it has for several years.
STRATHMORE SCREEN Blairgowrie Town Hall
Sunday 24th March 4pm How to Train your Dragon:the Hidden World Sunday 28th April 4pm Dumbo
7pm Mary Queen of Scots 7pm Fighting with my Family
More info - www.strathmorescreen.co.uk
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BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
Citizen and Young Person of The Year It’s spring (almost) and it’s the start of this year’s campaign to honour those who have made and are making significant contributions to our community or to individuals and groups within it. The Blairgowrie & Rattray Community Council will soon be seeking nominations for both the above awards. Winners will receive public appreciation in the press and at the June Community Market where they will each be presented with certificates. The Citizen of the Year will receive the prestigious Blairgowrie Advertiser cup engraved with their name and the Young Person winner will be awarded their own engraved cup. Both award winners will officiate at a number of public events, usually to declare them open or perhaps just to be present as guests. Nomination forms will be available at newsagents, the library, One Voice Office and a number of other outlets. Further details will be announced in the press and on the BRCC website and Facebook page as the opening date approaches. Nominations will open on Monday 18th March and close on Monday 15th April. Anyone wishing to nominate someone should provide a good amount of detail on the form as to why that nominee deserves the award. The Citizen of the Year nominations apply to people of 21 years and above, the Young Person up to 21 years. Nominated people should be local residents and those who have benefitted from their good works should also reside in the town or close by. Details of the nominees will be made public in May. The public will then decide the winner of each category via voting forms that will be collected in the library as last year. Think about those who have gone that extra mile for someone or some group, if you know of such a person then please make the effort and nominate them.
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BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
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BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
A friendly and efficient local firm of solicitors and estate agents Property purchases and sales Wills and executries Family law Powers of Attorney Miller Gerrard, Solicitors & Estate Agents The Studio, 13 High Street Blairgowrie PH10 6ET Telephone 01250 873468 Email mg@millergerrard.co.uk
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Sports & Activities
Blairgowrie Badminton Club Over the past three months Blairgowrie Badminton Club has continued to grow and now has over thirty members. We have 6 courts in use nearly every Thursday night. We play throughout the year although numbers do reduce over the summer. As well as playing the club also organised a Christmas social event and more are being planned for the future. The club is managed by a small committee, which meets on a monthly basis to review the past month and plan for the future. The club meets at 8pm on a Thursday evening at the Recreation Centre Beeches Rd Blairgowrie. The club welcomes players at all levels. The club is affiliated to Badminton Scotland and is also a PACE accredited club under Perth & Kinross’s sports club scheme. In addition, we have now started junior coaching sessions on Wednesday between 5.30 and 6.30pm, again at the Recreation Centre. If you are interested in these sessions contact Kevin Smith as detailed below, or come along on a Wednesday. We are now playing in the Perth & Kinross Badminton leagues and will develop our approach to maintain this going forward. March/April will see us hold our first annual club championships with mens, womens and mixed competitions. Trophies have generously been donated by local businesses. If you fancy playing badminton, why not give us a try? For more information you can contact Kevin Smith on 07711 062379 or e-mail kevinsmith668@btinternet.com
Care Home, Day Care & Respite Hope Park House provides 24hr care for older people who require various levels of care & support. We pride ourselves on providing high quality care in beautiful homely surroundings. Telephone 01250 872349
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BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
BLAIRGOWRIE AND DISTRICT HILLWALKING CLUB The Blairgowrie and District Hillwalking Club have witnessed a welcome upturn in members and visitors attending the organised walks since the turn of the year and with the attendance levelling out in the high twenties over the last three walks this is seen as a reward for the efforts of members to encourage visitors and potential new members to come along and join a walk. With an ever-increasing cost of providing subsidised coach travel, the increase in numbers helps to bring that little extra in to the club funds and offset any shortfall. New members and visitors are very welcome at the Club and regardless of experience there is always an organised route suitable for complete novice through to experienced climber. The Club has just completed a year of Celebratory events to commemorate its 40th anniversary and the members now look forward to the future with same hope and inspiration instigated all those years ago. Many new faces have come and gone over the decades, but there are still some of the Founder members active in the Club and are regular attenders on the walks. The highlight of the 40th year Celebrations was the Anniversary dinner when the Club welcomed Local Hero, Mark Beaumont, perhaps best known for his “Around the world in less than 80 days” on his bicycle, who gave a captive audience an illustrated talk on his life of achievements. The more recent activities of the Club included the annual “Twixt” meet which took place on the 27th to 29th December, when the group stayed in various accommodation establishments in and around Aviemore. Good walking was enjoyed on three glorious days in and around the Cairngorms and a variety of routes and walks were completed. The customary reunion on the middle evening of this meet, was once again a huge success when the Hospitality at the Old Bridge Inn was sampled. The first three Sunday meets of 2019 have all been relatively local and in relatively mild conditions for January, travelling to Glen Isla, Glen Shee and part of the Catteran trail. The full walk programme for the coming year ahead is now available to view on the Club web site at http://www.bdhc.org.uk and lists all the walks and social events planned for the 2019/2020 season. New members and visitors to the Club will be most welcome to any of these events and are asked to register any interest via the booking and enquiry forms available on the web site. The attached image is from the “Twixt meet” and was taken over looking Kingussie and Strathspey from the summit of Creag Beag. Page 53
Interviews & Contributers Articles
Cllr Bob Brawn
Scottish Conservative, Blairgowrie and Glens Ward At the moment all attention is focused on preparing the Council Budget. Writing this, the final details are yet to be decided but by the time you read this, the decisions will have been made and the Budget details published. Newspaper articles over the last few weeks have highlighted how difficult the process has been- there are potentially unpalatable and undesirable cuts in services as a result of a reduction in grant funding from the Scottish Government. Although the situation has eased a little following an announcement of a further £90m being released to local authorities, funding is still down and services will still be affected. Undoubtedly we are on the brink of cutting into the very fabric of what a local authority is perceived to be by the public. And we’re not alone- other local councils also have to face the same difficult decisions, Since much of our funding is ring fenced for statutory services, options are limited but the main priority is to retain front line services and to protect our vulnerable citizens. An additional part of the process is deciding on any Council Tax rise- the Scottish Government have now allowed councils to increase this up to a maximum of 4.8%, I’ve always believed in low taxation (and small government) but this has to be balanced against the need to maintain those services I spoke of. Away from budget matters, what else is happening? The plans for the new extension
Cllr Tom McEwan
Scottish National Party Blairgowrie and Glens Ward So we have had a public consultation, public meetings, a petition, letters directly to the Leader of the Council and various articles and comments in the local press. The SNP councillors have always publically stated that Page 54
to Rattray Primary School are now being drawn up and will be presented for planning approval. I know most parents support the increase in nursery care but are unhappy with the design and its effect on the play area. However, we need to provide this care through government regulation and have limited space available. On the other hand, the school will benefit from some much needed refurbishment work. Looking to the future, further electric vehicle charging points are to be installedBlairgowrie will see an extra unit in the Library car park with some re-alignment of bays to make charging easier. A further unit is to be installed in Kirkmichael in due course. Funding is in place and contracts are now being prepared. Blairgowrie Police are preparing to introduce Community Speedwatch which allows members of communities to play a part in reducing traffic speeds and make roads safer. In brief this allows them to record traffic speeds for the Police to follow up. Although no prosecution will follow, it does mean that letters can be written showing that speeds are monitored and also gives information on potential trouble spots. Finally, in conjunction with the Community Council, we are looking at the possibility of installing CCTV to the Wellmeadow. A meeting is to be held in the near future to investigate how this could come forward. As always- good luck and Godspeed. E-mail - BBrawn@pkc.gov.uk Mobile - 07557 815541 we would fund the Blairgowrie Recreation Centre as we initially promised and backed this up in our competent budget amendment in February. I just hope the administration will listen to the wider community and the SNP councillors in the wards affected and reinstate the full budget they cut last year. We entered this New Year on some milder weather but things quickly turned very cold through January and into February. The HEAT BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
Project is a very important initiative that allows us all to reflect on our heating and general energy consumption in the home. On their website they pose this question; Are your energy bills regularly high and you can’t figure out where all this usage is coming from? It is so important to have an energy efficient home, to keep yourself warm and do this in an affordable way. The council properties we own are being retrofitted with energy efficient heating systems and new double/triple glazing (financed through the rents we collect), supporting and benefiting our tenants and keeping them out of fuel poverty. If you have concerns about heating your home, want to use less energy or want to see what your options are for improving your home in this way I urge you to attend a HEAT Project workshop or arrange to meet them at their office in Blairgowrie. As both a parent and councillor I am acutely aware of the problems caused by parking and the dropping off of school children at Newhill Campus. This is an issue that will need multi-agency engagement and the continued support of parents and residents to alleviate. In mid-February a consultation at Newhill campus presented several options for parents and residents to consider. With promises of support from the police, traffic
Cllr Caroline Shiers
Scottish Conservative, Blairgowrie and Glens Ward
By the time this magazine is printed Perth and Kinross Council will have met to set our budget following the Scottish Government budget settlement. Again, despite horsetrading between the Greens and the SNP, we have seen a reduction in the allocation of funds available to Perth and Kinross Council. That means we have to reduce our budget by a further £5 on top of the multi-million pound cuts we have already taken. We are facing enormous challenges in funding the care needs of an increasingly elderly population and the challenges where much of our funding is ring-fenced, however, we will do all we can to protect services and
wardens, PKC and the school estate I hope we can now move forward on this issue, keep what new measures work and amend those that can be improved upon to ensure our children can actively travel to school safely and minimise the disturbance to residents. One of the issues around the Newhill Campus which will need a solution is the connection of Hazelwood Road next to the cemetery to Elm Drive. Completion of this road is dependent on a small strip of land which must either be compulsory purchased or an agreement reached between the council and the owner to complete the road. This is an issue I will be taking forward with the planning officers to stop this being a barrier to traffic flow in and around the school. I hold regular open surgeries in the Rattray Connect on the last Thursday of every month from 7pm until 8.45pm, happy to discuss any issues you need my help and support with. Contact Details: Email - tmcewan@pkc.gov.uk Mobile - 07557815540, Cllr Tom McEwan Facebook Page (https:// www.facebook.com/SNPBlairCouncil17/)
invest in our economy. The final funding packages for the Tay Cities Deal and the Cross Tay Link Road will bring huge benefit to the economy of East Perthshire and open up access to markets for local businesses without them having to negotiate the current traffic issues which can cause delays at Bridgend and Inveralmond. These opportunities also bring challenges in how we manage the ongoing expansion of Blairgowrie and Rattray. There is demand from house builders to build in the area which brings more people to live in this beautiful part of the country – that leads to pressure on health provision, waste and recycling facilities, education and roads. It does though bring more residents to support local businesses and the High Street which in turn helps create local jobs. That is why I have been a vocal supporter of efforts to help Continued on next page Page 55
businesses improve their frontages, support for our bloom groups and investment in our roads infrastructure. We will continue to support our communities to make decisions about how they want to see money spend and the Community Investment Fund and participatory budgeting process is important in all delivering on this aspiration. Looking forward to seeing which local projects are successful and the impact the money will make. I welcome the Scottish Government funding in Early Learning and Childcare which will see delivery of 1140 hours of funded childcare. This has led to significant investment in Rattray School of £2.3m which PKC is adding £1.2m to in order to bring about, very long awaited, improvements. There have been some heated discussions around the building of the new nursery and the challenges of maximising space around the school and I understand the concerns expressed. I am confident the council can deliver, working with the school and community
Pete Wishart MP
Scottish National Party Perth and North Perthshire I know that it seems like a long time ago since the New Year, but this is the first Hub since then. 2019 kicked off in style in Blairgowrie with what we thought might have been the last of the New Year’s Day Fun Run and Walk. Former councillor, Bob Ellis, who had organised the event for some time, had announced that he was stepping down and there were fears that this year would be the last after a 35-year history. It is great news, however, that the Blairgowrie Runners are taking the event forward and I am grateful that New Year’s Day participants will be able to look forward to the event going ahead in future years. I would like to thank Bob for all his hard work over the years and wish him all the best for the future. I recall taking part myself several years ago and whilst my running days are behind me, I could maybe be persuaded by the walking route in future years.
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Interviews & Contributers Articles improvements which will benefit pupils and the community in the longer term. I am also looking forward to the meeting at Blairgowrie Community Campus on 20 February to consult on options for road safety improvements around the Campus. Feedback in the next magazine. Some further positive news comes from Blairgowrie High School where some outstanding work is being done to get young people work experience in a variety of local businesses. Thank you to all those businesses supporting the school in developing the young workforce. The partnership is being held up as an example of excellent practice and the school, businesses and our local young people are to be congratulated on making this a success. I can be contacted cshiers@pkc.gov.uk 01738 553990 (0) 01828 640181 (h) or by facebook or Twitter.
Scotland’s Citizens Advice network will provide a new advice service to European citizens in Scotland affected by changes in the immigration rules as a result of Brexit. Funded by £800,000 over three years by the Scottish Government, Citizens Advice Bureaux will begin increasing capacity to offer advice and support immediately, with a view to the full service being live at the beginning of March 2019. Citizens Advice Bureaux will advise on rights, entitlements and requirements, many of which are devolved, which are affected by an individual’s immigration status. As an additional support to advisers, a solicitor-led helpline will also be established for difficult and complex cases. In March, the UK Government will introduce a settlement scheme where EU citizens and their family members will be required to apply to secure their rights through an online system. Animal welfare is an issue on which numerous constituents contact me. I was, therefore, pleased to see that legislation is BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
to be brought forward this year requiring abattoirs to record on CCTV all areas where live animals are present. This is intended to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare in abattoirs, by helping those responsible for enforcing welfare legislation. The proposal was backed by the vast majority of respondents to a recent consultation carried out by the Scottish Government. More than eight out of ten slaughterhouses in Scotland have already installed CCTV coverage in their premises voluntarily,
John Swinney MSP
Deputy First Minister of Scotland Scottish National Party
I was pleased to see that the Scottish Government has pledged £4 million to recruit more mental health staff across Scotland. An additional 80 mental health professionals will be recruited to work with children and young people. The additional staff, made up of psychologists, nurses, allied health professionals and administration workers, will support improvements to mental health care and help reduce pressure on Children’s and Young People Mental Health Services (CAMHS). The funding comes as a taskforce appointed by the Scottish Government and COSLA to review CAMHS publishes its delivery plan for improving services. The taskforce’s recommendations include preventing young people being referred to specialist care by default, and treating more in primary and community-based care; as well as providing young people and families with more information on what to expect from mental health services and how the system works. Another major new Scottish Government scheme will deliver healthy food, outdoor play & living wage in childcare. Every child attending a funded early learning and childcare (ELC) session will receive a healthy
and over 95% of all animals slaughtered in Scotland are covered by some form of CCTV. However, the standards of that coverage can differ from location to location. Following a positive response to the consultation, the legislation will help to improve further the already high standards being followed by the livestock sector in Scotland. I can be reached at 17-19 Leslie Street, Blairgowrie, PH10 6AH, on 01250 876576 or at pete.wishart.mp@parliament.uk
meal The scheme, developed in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), will also ensure access to outdoor play sessions for all children – regardless of where they live. It will also enable providers to pay all childcare workers delivering the funded sessions at least the real living wage. The scheme will be introduced from August 2020 and will be ‘provider neutral’ giving parents choice over where they choose to access funded hours of childcare for their children. It is part of a programme of work to almost double the funded provision of ELC from 600 hours per year to 1,140 hours by 2020, underpinned by almost £500 million in next year’s budget. The earliest years of a child’s life are crucial to their development and high quality early learning and childcare plays a vital role in helping children realise their full potential and closing the poverty-related attainment gap. This is a unique opportunity to transform the early learning and childcare is delivered, which is why the Scottish Government is using the National Standard to ensure no child in ELC goes hungry or misses out on the benefits of outdoor learning, exercise and play. If any constituent needs to contact me, I can be reached at 17-19 Leslie Street, Blairgowrie, PH10 6AH, telephone 01250 876 576, email john.swinney.msp@parliament.scot
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Interviews & Contributers Articles
Murdo Fraser MSP Scottish Conservative
The Scottish Parliament was recently in recess so it has been an opportune time to reflect on a spate of surgeries I have taken part over the past few weeks. I have been speaking to residents during January and February in the likes of Rattray, Luncarty, Guildtown and the Gannochy area of Perth as we look forward to the 2021 Scottish elections. This is a vital part of a politician’s job and one that should not be overlooked. It is very important to let residents know you are interested in their concerns and always good to gauge the ‘word on the street.’ We received favourable feedback and will be continuing with more surgery tours over the coming months. One issue that is often brought up during my meetings with constituents is health. I was alarmed at data recently obtained by the Scottish Conservatives which showed that many dementia patients are being denied crucial support. The statistics supplied indicated that only 55.4% of those diagnosed with dementia in Tayside were referred for the necessary support set out by Scottish Government targets. It is estimated that in Tayside, 1,567 people were diagnosed with dementia in 2016/17 – the latest year for which figures are available – yet just 868 were referred to the scheme. The target set is that every person with dementia should receive these support packages for at least a year after being diagnosed, but the data released shows this is not happening. It is something that needs to be addressed in Parliament. I recently gave my backing to a unique scheme designed to provide learning for retired people. U3A held a stall in the Garden Lobby area of the Scottish Parliament last month and I was pleased to hear of the Page 58
important work they do across the country. There are now 54 U3As in Scotland with 12,000 members. The U3A is a self-help learning co-operative movement for older people no longer in full-time employment. U3As are autonomous but are affiliated to the Third Age Trust, a registered charity. U3A estimate that more than one per cent of people aged over 65 is now learning in these locally-led educational groups. The range of subjects people want to study informally is down to the interests of local members – it could be art, architecture, opera or origami. It makes sense that going to individual classes and monthly U3A meetings can impact on social isolation. Research has shown that regular meetings among older residents brings health and social benefits. East Perthshire has a fairly high percentage of elderly residents and I would strongly advise them to consider looking into this initiative. Continuing with a similar theme, another initiative that I warmly welcomed was the Strathmore Centre for Youth Development being awarded £108,787 from the Big Lottery Fund in October. This funding will be used to employ a co-ordinator to develop a programme of activities to tackle isolation and loneliness amongst older people in Blairgowrie. Loneliness is a growing public health problem with elderly residents who live in rural areas particularly badly affected. Ultimately, we need to tackle mental health and social isolation and this money will go a long way to making inroads in this area and I was delighted to hear the Strathmore Centre for Youth Development received this funding. As ever, Murdo appreciates the feedback of constituents and can be contacted at the Control Tower, Perth Airport, Scone, PH2 6PL or via email at Murdo.fraser.msp@parliament.scot or via telephone at 01738 553990.
BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
Did you know there is a registration service in Blairgowrie?
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As well as registering life events your local Registrar can help you research your Scottish Family History and provide Marriage, Civil Partnership, Naming and Renewal of Vow Ceremonies. Appointments are available Monday to Thursday between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm. Blairgowrie Registration Office 46 Leslie Street Blairgowrie PH10 6AW Tel 01250 871310 Email NorthRegistrars@pkc.gov.uk www.pkc.gov.uk/registrars
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BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
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Local Business Contacts This is a list of businesses who are members of the local Business Association. Contact admin@discoverblairgowrie.co.uk to join. Estate Agents
Adams Law .................................. 01250 874 485 or 07719 855 856
Dentists
Blairgowrie Dental Care ............. 01250 875136
Beauticians, Therapists
Blairgowrie Reflexology ............. 07949 204 932
Care Homes, Providers
Care Crew ..................................... 01828 627 600 or 07738 625 021
Garages
Cotly Garage ................................ 01250 872591
Carpets/Flooring
Cunningham Carpets ................. 01250 872 376
Funeral Directors
David Scott Funeral Directors ... 01250 876400
Self Catering
Ericht Holiday Lodges ................. +44 (1250) 874686
Websites
Graphite Web Solutions ............. 01250 873 072
Removals
JJ Howe ......................................... 01250 872361
Accountants / Bookkeepers
Responsible Life Equity
Self Catering
Southlittleton Cottages .............. 01250 870611 / 077131 33316
Buses/Taxis
Stagecoach East Scotland .......... 01383660880
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CALL NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION Tel: 01250 874485 Mob/Legal: 07719 855856 Mob/Property: 07739 915043 Email: farah@adams-law.co.uk or david@adams-property.co.uk Visit our website at: www.adams-law.co.uk Page 62
BRDT Magazine - Spring 2019
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS Blairgowrie Community Hospital Reception ...................... 01250 874 466 Strathmore Older People’s mental Health Team ................... 01250 877 843 GP Unit ....................................... 01250 877 854 District Nurses ........................... 01250 872 030 Health Visitors ........................... 01250 876 668 Blairgowrie Dental Care............. 01250 875 136 Dundee Dental Hospital ............. 01382 660 111 Ninewells Main Number ............ 01382 660 111
POST OFFICES Blairgowrie ................................... 0345 611 2970 Local Delivery Office .................. 01250 872 766
ELDERLY ACTIVITIES Health Community Collaborative Hosptial Day Room ...................... 01250 874 466 Adult Resource Centre ............... 01250 871 910 Social Services Day Care ............. 01250 877 843 Freedom Bus Adult Care Services . 0845 3011120 Care at Home ........................... 01738 476 7000
OTHER UESFUL NUMBERS
Perth Royal Infirmary ................ 01738 623 311
Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Advisor ....................... 01738 562 358
Royal Dundee Liff Hospital ....... 01382 423 000
Anti-Social Behaviour Team ...... 01738 476 173
NHS 24 ..............................................................111
Adult Care Area Office ............... 01250 871 910
CHEMISTS
Homelessness .............................. 0800 917 0708
Blairgowrie Housing Area Office 01738 476 000
Boots ............................................. 01250 872 029
Blairgowrie Library ....................... 01250 871 305
Davidsons ..................................... 01250 870 282
Blairgowrie Registration of Births, Deaths & Marriages ..................................... 01250 871 310
SURGERIES
Childcare Social Work Office ....... 01250 871 330
Ardblair Medical Practice ........... 01250 872 033
Child Protection ........................... 01738 476 768
Strathmore Surgery .................... 01250 872 552
Childcare, Family Info Service ..... 0845 601 4477
VETERINARY SURGERIES
Community Connect, Rattray ..... 01250 871 538
Blairgowrie Veterinary Surgery . 01250 872 061
Care at Home ............................... 01250 871 901
Thrums Veterinary Group .......... 01250 871 010
Police .................................................................101
LEISURE CENTRES Community Campus ................... 01250 871 967
Building Standards Warrants .... 01738 475 300
Scottish Gas Emergencies .............. 0800 111 999 Scottish Water ............................ 0845 6 018 855
Live Active .................................... 01250 871 360
SCHOOLS St Stephen’s Primary School ...... 01250 871 950
These numbers are provided for your convenience. If you have any corrections or suggestions for additions then please let One Voice know on Upper Mill Street
Rattray Primary School .............. 01250 871 980
(01250 871 120)
Newhill Primary School .............. 01250 871 941
Blairgowrie High School ............ 01250 871 200 Page 63
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