Editor’s Bit Lots of “thank yous” to start with this month particularly to Isobel for managing to send such a comprehensive account of St Fillans’ Festive weekend accompanied by lots of photos, all after lots of Prosecco had been enjoyed! Congratulations too to the brave team who took on the challenge of ensuring the Annual Horticultural Show continues and we will have more from them next month. Old Nyati has issued another challenge to all the keen photographers amongst you and, as it is such a great idea, we will give an appropriate bottle prize to the best photo sent in. (See page 10). I have been asked if we could provide details of any Book Clubs which run in any of the villages so we would be very grateful if you could send such information to us. We have a great book review this month from Ali and I would really like to have a regular feature of a Book Page. On the literary theme, a personal recommendation is “Bloody Scotland’s Book Festival Stirling from the 8-10th September featuring great crime writers giving varied talks throughout the weekend, and then Nelson at the Library Bus is great at getting new authors in for us. Our history article for this edition (on pages 12-13) is a very interesting piece about the Reverend Malcolm MacLeod, who was minister in Balquhidder during the first half of the twentieth century. A scholarly man with a passion for the Gaelic language, he was responsible for a surprising number of biblical translations and made a considerable contribution to worship in Scotland at that time. We are very grateful to Graham Cooper for sending us such a fascinating piece of writing. JJ
Dear Editor Please could you print in large letters the council ruling on overgrown trees/shrubs/ brambles etc overhanging the road outside your own garden/land. So many people are unaware that they could be invoiced by the council if they have to cut back the offending trees, etc. Regards Georgina Wagstaff 2
Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre Horticultural Society
Annual Show
Traditional Games Night Lochearnhead Village Hall Saturday 21st October 2017 7pm - midnight Carpet bowling (no need to bring a team and no experience necessary!) Play dominoes and cards or just come along for a blether! Free entry
Bar
Supper
Lochearnhead Hogmanay Party
Thank you everyone that made this year’s show go with a modest bang! We had a good number of exhibits and an excellent turn out on the day. Watch out for the full report, list of prizewinners and more photographs in October’s Villagers!
BALQUHIDDER ROAD VERGES
It has been some years since a concerted effort was made to cut back the trees and vertical verges alongside the roads in Balquhidder and the Community Council has received complaints that they are once again encroaching on the roads, restricting sight lines and making it difficult in various places for two cars to pass each other. All landowners are reminded that it is their responsibility to cut back the vertical verges or they will find that Stirling Council will do it with a flail and send the land owner a bill. In many cases the verges will need to be cut back more than folk realise and it is important that the debris from the cutting work is cleared away.
tickets will go on sale at the beginning of December and details of how to get hold of the tickets will be published in October’s edition of The Villagers. Last year the event was sold out - so if you intend to come along please keep an eye open for the advertising posters!
Crafternoon Enterprising ladies in Strathyre have got a grant to set up a Craft group for the area. Janet Richards is going to lead the first session on embroidery in Strathyre Village Hall on Sunday 10th September from 12 noon. Everyone is welcome to come along to this first crafternoon and learn a new skill or share a skill you have. We hope to have further information in future months. Mel Brydie