Editor’s Bit May is hopefully again going to be the start of a summer of fun in all the villages. Balquhidder certainly started well with the Monachyle Festival which hundreds of people enjoyed even though getting down the single track road was certainly a new experience and challenge for many but worth the effort all who made it agreed. Strathyre is next and we are certainly looking forward to music in the big tent, presuming we get this off to the printers first, and hope to have lots of photos for next month’s edition (talk about having to look ahead, no wonder the odd(or 2) mistakes slip in!) Please feel free to send us your own reports and photos of events big or small over the next few months. Lochearnhead will again be hosting the BLS Highland Games in July and are appealing for helpers for various positions as you can read in Angus’s letter and we have always found it is more fun to join in than just sit and watch so yes we will try and help Gus and hope you get lots more volunteers. St Fillans seems to be having a party or occasion for every month as far as I can see from reading John’s articles (incidentally one of John’s more colourful passages about politicians was read out and discussed in the review of the papers done at Monachyles festival definitely a second career in the making for this young trainee reporter). Balquhidder is set to perhaps conclude the summer fun when the Annual Bike Fest is going to have its second outing at the end of August, please note the change of date as the hall is already booked in September for the annual Horticultural show. Hardly time to go on holiday or any cash left if you go to everything but shows what a quiet life in the country is really all about. The weather might not be what we would all hope for at this time of year but apparently the lack of hot sun is the reason for the beautiful display of bluebells carpeting our woodland areas and the lack (so far) of the dreaded midge. When we realise that over 1800 people have died of the heat of 50 degrees in India and 18 killed in flash floods in Texas we should perhaps not moan too much. 2
THE BIKE FEST RETURNS SUNDAY 30 AUGUST 2015
Lochearnhead Village Hall Race Night
Put this confirmed date in your diary. Get your bibes out and get peddaling. Watch this space for further details in the months to come! Ladies Hat Competition Winner - Lynn Wild
Karen has a message for all the GIRLS
“Now COME ON you GIRLS! If you think I am going to be the only female mountain bike rider in this year’s Balquhidder Bike Fest, think again!! I need some friendly female support (that’s you) to come along, and join me in the mountain bike challenge in Kirkton Glen on Sunday 30th August. I’m determined to try and beat my time from last year, and with you and few other “pedalling gals” we can all have a laugh trying the route. Kirkton Glen is a simply amazing place to cycle. The views are great and the tracks offer lots of variety. Maybe we could all try and have a regular weekly/fortnightly pedal and get into it slowly, ahead of time. What do you think? Don’t worry though, this is not a Lycra and spandex fest... a mountain bike, a helmet, a bit of lippy and a sense of fun is all we need to get started, go pedalling and hopefully get healthy in the process. So girls, if you fancy getting together to have a first pedal, (all ages and abilities encouraged) call or email me (Karen) on 01877 384624 or karenmethven59@gmail.com.”
Best Dressed Jockey Gus Cameron
The recent Race Night was to raise funds towards hall funds. Thanks to telephone betting a considerable £750 was raised. Many thanks to those who sponsored the races, decorated their hats, dressed up and came along to enjoy theirselves.
Erudite Muse “Every great man nowadays has his desciples, and it is always Judas who writes the biography.” Oscar Wilde, quoted on Forbes.com “I prefer people who rock the boat to people who jump out.” Orson Wells, quoted in GQ magazine “Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.” Disraeli, quoted in Conde Nast Traveller