alyth voice · alyth 11 june 1810 sir, the bell of the french frigate la necessite’ captured by...
TRANSCRIPT
THE ‘real’ HISTORY OF THE TOWN HALL BELL
IT was a winter morning in the Atlantic, February 21, 1810, about 650 miles northwest of the Canary Islands, when HMS Horatio, bearing 38 cannon and commanded by Captain George Scott, spotted a prize in the form of the French frigate Necessite’. Consulting the Naval History of Great Briton, by William James, we learn the stores ship carried 138 men; but only 26 guns, less than the 40 she was built for. Under the command of Lt. Bernard Bonnie, Necessite’ was on a supply mission from Brest to Mauritius, or Ile de France as the French called it during their pos-session of that island. Their possession was to end shortly, after the defeat of the French at Cap Malheureux. Captain Scott had Horatio fall in behind their prey for the chase. Once within range, shots were fired, Horatio suffered some minor damage, but after about an hour of this running gun battle Necessite’ surrendered. No lives were lost on either side. As mentioned in the July 2006 issue of the Alyth Voice, in the National Ar-chives of Scotland is contained a ‘Letter from John Warden of H.M.S. Horatio to James McNicoll sending a bell captured by the said ship from the French frigate la Necessite for the use of the inhabitants of Alyth; with draft reply.’ The letter received from John Warden is a single page and so faded as to be virtually unreadable. It announces the arrival of the bell in Alyth and the gifting of it to the town and its inhabitants as follows:
Alyth 11 June 1810 Sir, The Bell of the French frigate La Necessite’ captured by His Majesty's Ship the Horatio has arrived here. Through you I present the same to the inhabitants of the town of Alyth, trusting they will find it a useful article. With respect, I am Sir, Your most obedient servant, Warden
James McNicoll immediately drafted a reply:
Sir I am immeasurably favored with your letter of this date advising of the arrival in Alyth of the Bell of the French frigate La Necessite’ captured by His Majesty's Ship Horatio, and through me presenting said bell to the inhabitants of the town of Alyth .I shall take an early opportunity of communicating to the inhabitants this particular instance of your attachment to them, and I flatter myself they will be proud to accept it and in a proper situation to erect the piece not only as showing their gratitude & respect to you, but as celebrating in their town a tro-phy of the superior valour of [B__?] Seamen over the Enemy of their country. That you have the good fortune to be a sharer in an action which enables the inhabitants of your native town to display the bell of a French Ship, is truly grati-fying and assuredly gives real pleasure to your friends and acquaintances con-nected with the town of Alyth and to none more than My dear Sir, your faithful humble servant. [Above photo by J. O’Brien] Continued on page 10...
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM ALYTH’S War Memorials have seen more activity this past two years, than ritual visitations each November. For some, the WWI memorial is passed daily and never given a second thought; a familiar statue in their hometown. For others, it signifies painful memories, aching hearts and a connection with days so far removed from those we know today, that each sighting must stir up the past. Much has been said about the 90th anniversary this year of the Battle of the Somme, but are we aware twenty of Alyth’s young men were killed in action the same year? At Remembrance services we habitually repeat ‘We Will Remember Them’; perhaps it’s time to read the inscriptions and mean what we say.
South African War Memorial (3 men) David Stanley William Airlie, Nigel Neis Ramsay, Charles James Wedderburn Ogilvy
WWI memorial (north face) (14 men) Wm. H. Cleghorn, Hugh Grant, John Grant, Davidson Morris, A.B. Higgon, Herbert Cleghorn, Patrick Ogilvy, Archibald Denroche-Smith, Allan J. Cleghorn, George Miller, W. MacDonald, David Buick, John Lothian, Peter Mitchell.
WWI memorial (east face) (34 men) James Shaw, William Sidey, James Silver, Alexander Smith, John Smith, Fred Soutar, Robert Smith, W.M. Spalding, Donald Stewart, James Stewart, Charles Sturrock, William Sturrock, Andrew W. Symington, Alexander Thomson, James Tod, James Whyte, William Whyte, George Wilson, James Wilson, Thomas Wood, Thomas Fleming, Angus Mitchell, David Gibson, Charles M. Whyte, Alexander Smith, Robert Brown, George B. Gordon, John McPherson, John G. Reid, David Robb, Robert Shaw, H. Stuart, John Wilkie, Robert Shanks.
WWI memorial (west face) (36 men) G.Y. Edward, James Ferrier, John Honey, William Low, Alexander MacDonald, William McPherson, William A. Mitchell, Robert Anderson, Thomas Henderson, Alexander Melville, James P. Meechie, John Sinclair, John T. Tasker, Robert Thyne, Robert Watson, John Adam, Andrew Anderson, Charles Anderson, David M. Anderson, Robert Angus, James Bain, Laurence De Bono, James F. Brown, Thomas Cargill, James P. Carruthers, Alexander Clark, Charles Clark, Alexander Cochrane, George Corbett, William Coventry, George Cram, Donald Davidson, William Denholm, Thomas Dickson, William Doig, Alexander Duff.
WWI memorial (south face) (36 men) James Fearn, Robert Ferguson, William Ferguson, Robert Findlay, Thomas Fraser, David H. Galloway, William Galloway, William Graham, James Gray, Arthur Guthrie, Robert Haggart, Robert M. Hastie, John Henderson, Andrew Hendry, Robert Howie, John Kidd, James Leslie, John Lowdon, George McKiddie, Thomas Mands, Edward Martin, George Melville, Archibald Milne, John Morris, Alexander Nelson, Robert B. Newton, James L. Nicholson, James Ogilvy, Robert E. Oram, Alexander Reid, William J. Reid, William Robb, David Robertson, William Rollo, George M. Ross, James Shanks.
WWII memorial (31 men + 1 woman) Duncan Blair, Robert Blair, Alexander Ford, George Gellatly, Charles W.B. Orchi-son, Douglas Brodie, James O. Mackay, David R. Mackay, James McGlashan, Wil-liam E.C. Chapman, Malcolm Dewar, James Donald, James S. Easton, Robert Howitt, William Keay, William M. Logan, William A. Lundie, David J. Miller, Thomas C. McClive, Frank McDonald, David J. Ramsay, Oliver J. Reid, Robert P. Robertson, Walter T.W. Stepto, David Young, Alfred Cousens, James Milne, J.K. Graham McBain, John McLean, J. Stewart Ogilvy, Alexander W. Taylor, Jessie A. Buick
Falkland Islands Campaign 1982 (1 man) - Brian Easton 156 names adorn our 3 memorials, nearly 8% of Alyth’s population over that time. Photo: by D.H. Todd
Wreaths laid at the annual
Remembrance Service on Sunday 12th November at
the WWI memorial.
The unveiling details of Alfred Anderson’s memorial cairn were completed on the Friday before Remembrance Day. The final inscription reads
UNVEILED ON 1ST OCTOBER 2006 BY TRH THE DUKE & DUCHESS OF ROTHESAY
Alyth Voice 108th Edition, December 2006/January 2007
Tel. 01828 633045 Minimum Circulation 1600 Email address: [email protected] Website: www.alythvoice.co.uk
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*~*~* Dates for Your Diary *~*~* DECEMBER 1st Hoolie in the Hall - Town Hall Jam in the Den 2nd Coffee Morning - Airlie St. Hall Alyth Mother & Toddler 2nd Race Night - Geo’s Thistle Lounge Out Of School Club 3rd Sole Nominee Preaching Alyth Parish Church 5th Airag & Argali in the Altai Mountains Alyth Literary Society 5th Meeting - Lesser Town Hall Alyth Gala Committee 7th Revd H. Ormiston - Airlie St. Hall Alyth Parish Guild 7th Romans at Cardean - Meigle Hall Meigle History Group 9th Coffee Morning - Airlie St. Hall Alyth Christmas Lights 10th Christmas Concert - Parish Church Alyth Choral Union 14th Meeting, Losset Inn Alyth Environmental Grp 17th Christmas Concert - Glenisla Church Alyth Choral Union 17th Lessons and Carols Service Alyth Parish Church 24th Primary Sunday School Nativity Alyth Parish Church 24th Candle-lit Watchnight Service Alyth Parish Church 25th Christmas Morning Short Service Alyth Parish Church 27-30th & 3rd-6th Jan. - Bookfest, Scout Hut Alyth Scout Group JANUARY 9th Rehearsals resume for Spring Concert Alyth Choral Union 14th AGM, Lesser Town Hall Royal British Legion 16th Cuba Alyth Literary Society 18th Bingo Tea - Town Hall Alyth Gala Committee 20th Coffee Morning - Airlie St. Hall Alyth Youth Partnership 30th AGM then Musical Entertainment Alyth Literary Society FEBRUARY 1st Plants & Flowers - Airlie St. Hall Alyth Parish Guild 10th Coffee Morning - Airlie St. Hall Alyth Parish Church 13th Glamis Castle Alyth Literary Society 24th Coffee Morning - Airlie St. Hall Alyth Choral Union
Christmas Market December 3rd George Street Coupar Angus
12—4pm
Strathmore & The Glens
PO Box 6621, Blairgowrie PH12 8YF http://www.strathmoreglens.org E-mail-: [email protected]
ALYTH 45TH PERTHSHIRE SCOUTS Continuing our fund raising campaign to send two of
our members to go out and construct a Scout training centre in Malawi, we are holding a sale of
second hand books in the Scout Hut. This is SUCH a worthwhile project, it deserves our fullest support.
Wednesday/Thursday 27/28 Dec 2-4pm Friday/Saturday 29/30 Dec 2-4pm, 7-9 pm
Wednesday/Thursday 3/4 Jan 2-4pm Friday/Saturday 5/6 Jan 2-4pm, 7-9 pm
Loads of new stock
Donation of books would be greatly appreciated
Return of the Book worm!
Alyth Voice Team Paul Ramsay 01828 632992 Editor [email protected] Irene Robertson 01828 633045 Compositor/Secretary [email protected] Margaret Stanford 01828 633083 Advertising [email protected] Paul & Barbara Prettyman 01828 633725 Distribution Margaret MacKenzie/ Marjory Macpherson Advertising Michael Kay 01828 632252/632690 Treasurer [email protected] Derek Todd Webmaster [email protected]
In order to avoid disappointment please ensure that articles/ads for publication are submitted before the 21st day of each month. Note: The views expressed in the Alyth Voice are not necessarily those of the team nor can they accept any responsibility for
accuracy and spelling of any article.
ARTICLE SUBMISSION to the Voice
Please note ALL articles must be accompanied with a name and address BEFORE they will be published in the Voice.
On request, the name and address may be withheld from publication. Any submission without these details will NOT be included.
Useful Telephone Numbers
Airlie Street Hall (contact-Fiona Dorchester) - 01828 632455 Blairgowrie Police Station - 01250 872222
Perth Police Station - 01738 621141 Hydro-Electric Emergencies - 0800 300999
Scottish Gas Emergencies - 0800 111999 Scottish Water - 0845 6008 855
Alyth Post Office - 01828 632301 Alyth Health Centre - 01828 632317
Alyth Primary School - 01828 632462 Blairgowrie High School - 01250 873445
Alyth Environmental Group - 01828 632907 NHS 24—new 24 hour health service - 08454 24 24 24
If you offer an emergency or breakdown service, send the Voice your name and number.
- - - VOICE TEASER - - - What is Rade Up? Answer to last months Teaser- What is Louze? Finish work
ALYTH PET SUPPLIES & MEG’S MINI MARKET
A Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all our
customers, from Jim, Meg and May
ALYTH & DISTRICT PIPE BAND
The committee and members wish everyone a fantastic Christmas and a
Happy New Year
J. & M. KAY HAIRDRESSERS
Nancy & Michael wish all their clients, neighbours and friends a very Merry Christmas and a
prosperous and happy New Year
ALYTH IN BLOOM Seasons greetings to everyone from our organisation, and many thanks to all who helped and supported
us in many different ways throughout the year.
Marguerite McKenzie, Chairperson
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PUBLIC NOTICES
Alyth Parish Church Scottish Country Dance Group
December 7th - Town Hall
January 11th, 18th, 25th - Airlie Street Hall
February 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd - Airlie St. Hall
7.30 - 9.30 pm For further information, please call
Anne on 632971 or Moira on 632770
Alyth Literary Society Ogilvy Rooms, Commercial Street, Alyth
7.30pm
5th December 2006 Sally Atkinson, Kilry talk on
‘Airag & Argali in the Altai Mountains’
16th January 2007 Bob Garven, Perth talk on ‘Cuba’
30th January 2007 AGM followed by Musical Entertainment
13th February 2007 Hamish Howe, Forfar talk on
‘Glamis Castle’ ~~~~~
A warm welcome will be extended to anyone wishing to join the Society or attend any talks.
ALYTH YOUTH THEATRE Tuesday evenings 6.30-8pm
From 24th October for 8 weeks in Alyth Primary School
Age: primary 7+ See main article on page 17 for details.
ALYTH PARISH CHURCH GUILD Airlie Street Hall
Thursday 7th DECEMBER 2006 7pm
Revd H. Ormiston talk on Malawi ~~~
Thursday 1st FEBRUARY 2007 2pm
David King talk on Plants & Flowers ALL WELCOME
HOOLIE IN THE HALL with Amos Moses, Cabin Fever (Bob & Paddy),
Temple Icons, Thin End, The Mutleys FRIDAY 1ST DECEMBER ALYTH TOWN HALL 7PM - 1AM
TICKETS £5 LUNANS & GEO'S BAR All proceeds going to fund Jam in the Den 2007 The Alyth Out of School Club
is situated within Alyth Primary School. Opening Hours 8am – 9am & 3.15pm-6pm. Basketball Mondays (school Gym) from 4pm-5pm. Tel: Catherine Chalmers
on 07718-573-511
RACE NIGHT Saturday 2nd December
7.30pm Geo’s Bar (Thistle Lounge)
In Aid of Alyth Out of School Club
Alyth Mother and Toddlers COFFEE MORNING
Saturday 2nd December 10-12noon Usual stalls, donations welcome
Tel: Kathleen 633266
Alyth Parish Church
http://
www.alythparishchurch.org.uk
Lovely Christmas cards (£2/10) & tea towels (£2.50) designed by the Primary Sunday School, are available in church every Sunday leading up to Christmas, or online.
~~~~~~ DECEMBER
Sunday 3rd - 11am Sole Nominee Preaches Sunday 17th - 11am Lessons and Carols Sunday 24th - 11am Morning Service 6pm Nativity 11.30pm Watchnight Service Monday 25th - 11am Christmas Day Service Sunday 31st - 11am Informal Communion No evening Service JANUARY Monday 1st - No service Sunday 7th - 11am Morning Service No evening Service
FEBRUARY Saturday 10th - Coffee Morning, Airlie St. Hall
Looking for a bit of exercise and light banter during the long winter evenings?
Then why not come along to the Alyth
Badminton Club (more of a social meeting) Meets every Tuesday
7.30pm - 9.30pm Airlie Street Hall
Open to all over the age of 18. Any standard. Come and give it a try!
LIBRARY FESTIVE OPENING Perth and Kinross libraries are open on a limited service basis over the Christmas and New Year period. Normal hours apply up to Saturday 23rd
December. Alyth library opening hours will be –
DECEMBER Saturday 23rd – OPEN
25th, 26th, 27th - CLOSED Thursday 28th - OPEN 2-4pm only
29th, 30th - CLOSED JANUARY
1st, 2nd, 3rd – CLOSED Normal hours from Thursday 4th
We would like to wish all our borrowers and computer users a very Happy Christmas and New Year, and look forward to seeing even
more of you in 2007. It’s YOUR library, come along and see
what’s in it for YOU!
ALYTH CHORAL UNION (Musical Director: James Robertson) CHRISTMAS CONCERT
in Alyth Parish Church on Sunday 10th December - 7pm
with Perthshire Brass (Conductor: George Annan)
Soloists: David Matthews (Bass), Ross Wilson (Tenor), Marie Finlay (Soprano)
Organist: John Walker ~~~~
HAYDN - ST NICHOLAS MASS CHRISTMAS MUSIC FOR CHOIR,
BRASS BAND AND AUDIENCE ~~~~
Tickets £5.00 - Primary School Children £1.00 At the door or from Choir Members
Refreshments included This is a super concert for all age groups to get you in the
Christmas spirit! If you haven’t been before,
come along & find out! ~~~~
A shorter programme without Perthshire Brass will be given in
GLENISLA CHURCH on Sunday 17th December - 3pm
Entrance by donation ~~~~
Rehearsals resume Tuesday 9th January 2007 for the Spring Concert
The Romans at Cardean A talk on the excavation of the Roman Camp at Cardean by the well-known archaeologist and
author BRIGITTA HOFFMAN is being organised by the Meigle History Group in the Kinloch Memorial Hall on
Thursday, 7th December at 7.30pm
Tickets priced at £3 are available from David Eaton on 01334 477196 or Donald Clerk, South West Fullarton Farm Shop 01828 640391.
Happy 40th Birthday
Colin Rhind Jnr 15th December
Love & best wishes from
Mum, Dad & Family
REMEMBER there is no Alyth Voice in January. The next edition is due out on 1st February 2007.
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Classified
LUNANS
Newsagents
8-10 Airlie Street
We offer all year round newspaper and magazine delivery.
A great selection of cards for every occasion.
A good selection of stationary, toys, wrapping paper and gift bags.
Shop Open- 5.30 am - 5.30 pm Mon-Fri 5.30 am - 4 pm Sat 7.00 am - 1 pm Sun
Telephone – 01828 632330
Envelopes Notepads Pens, Pencils & Gifts
Newspapers
Magazines
Toys
DAVIDSONS CHEMIST
PRESCRIPTIONS DISPENSED
DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE
MINOR AILMENTS SERVICE AND ADVICE ALWAYS AVAILABLE
FROM YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIST 9 Airlie St, Alyth Tel 01828 632302
**** selection of Christmas gifts now in stock ****
J. & M. KAY
Ladies & Gents Hairdressers
13 Airlie Street Alyth
Tel: 01828 632252
PETS PANTRY
19 High Street Blairgowrie
Tel: 01356 623006 Keith Nicol
Traditional Acupuncture in Blairgowrie
Acupuncture can help a variety of symptoms and health problems
Free 15 minute consultations available in Blairgowrie to discuss whether acupuncture may be helpful.
Practitioner is fully qualified and insured and is a member of the British Acupuncture Council.
Judith Bryden MA(Hons)LicAc.MBAcC. Contact Judith at 01250 876345 or
07762 188418 (mobile)
FURNITURE STORE PERTH STREET, BLAIRGOWRIE
(Adjoining Shell Garage)
COME ON IN AND HAVE A BROWSE
BEDS– from £69; 2 and 4 Drawer Divans; Metal and Pine Beds; Mattresses; Headboards; Pine Bedroom Furniture;
Ex-Catalogue Suites; Pine and Beech Look Bedroom Furniture;
Dining room Sets and all types of furniture and furnishings. Stock Changes Weekly
ALL AT DISCOUNT PRICES
COLIN & CATHY FORD Number 5 Toutie Street, Alyth
CHIROPODY SUGARING, FACIALS
EYELASH/BROW TINTING PEDICURE, MANICURE
by CREATIVE NAILS **Late Nights Tues. & Thurs.**
For an Appointment Tel:01828 632297
David Scott Ltd FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MONUMENT AGENTS
Also Golden Charter Pre-Paid Funeral Plans
7 Toutie Street Alyth Open Tuesday Mornings 9 a.m.-11.45 a.m.
Or by appointment Our staff are happy to assist with all enquiries
A 24 hour service is maintained on 01828 633 433
GEO’s BAR GEO’s BAR GEO’s BAR & & &
THISTLE LOUNGETHISTLE LOUNGETHISTLE LOUNGE AIRLIE STREET, ALYTH
Tel : 632276 Fax: 633939 Email: [email protected]
Lounge available for meetings
FOOTBALL ‘LIVE’ on Digital & Five
The family business who care
Personal service guaranteed
Director
Garden Cottage, Bardmony House, Alyth PH11 8NY
Alyth Decorators
Pat McAuley
Tel: 01828 633831
Mobile: 07712 732 909
MEG’S MINI MARKET 22 Commercial Street
Alyth Tel: 01828 633143
OPEN: Mon Tues Thurs Fri - 9am to 4:30pm
Sat - 9am to 5pm Wed – 9am to 1pm
*Christmas Goods Now in Stock*
Licensed Grocers
National Lottery outlet.
Video & DVD rental.
Irvines Butcher Meat
Dry Cleaning: Shoe Repair
Credit/Debit card facility now available
Wishing all our customers all the best for 2007 and thank you for your continuing support.
FREE HOME DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE Telephone Orders Welcome
Tel No: 01828 632306
73-75 Airlie St.
Alyth
RENDEZVOUS **HAIRDRESSER**
59 Airlie Street, Alyth. Tel: 632097
Open Tues - Sat
Margaret and Paula
Would like to wish all their customers A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Gift Vouchers Available
THE ALYTH TRADITIONAL
FISH BAR Telephone Orders Welcome
01828 632000
Fish Suppers £3.30 on Wednesday for OAP’s
Wishing all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous 2007. Thank you all very much
for your support this past year
Monday– Thursday 5 - 9 pm Friday 5 - 9.30 pm Saturday 5 - 9.30 pm Sunday 5 - 8 pm
There will be no Sunday opening during December
Always wanted to learn? Want to give a lesson as a gift?
Free trial lesson. Gift vouchers available.
Contact: Karen-Ruth Phillips (LLCM) Tel 01828 633012
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BETTER PLACE TO
LIVE FAIR
ALYTH Bowl-ing and Tennis Club wish to thank Alyth C o m m u n i t y Council, who in conjunction with Strath-more and the Glens Partner-ship organised the Bet te r Place to Live Fair on 28th October 2006. The members who took part in this, thoroughly enjoyed the day and congratulations must go to all other organisations who participated and for all the hard work entailed. The Club were ‘over the moon’ to have been judged as the best stall on the day, but appreciated the strong opposition and the diffi-cult task which the judges encountered. Mary Hogg, Secretary
L-R: Barbara Prettyman (ACC Vice-Chair), Ron Tripney (ABC Presi-dent), Mary Hogg (ABC Secretary), Inspector Paddy Buckley-Jones
presenting Alyth Bowling & Tennis Club with the shield for best stall.
A NEW MINISTER FOR ALYTH? ON Sunday 3rd December Miss Sheila Kirk BA LLB BD will preach as sole nominee at Alyth Parish Church with a view to being elected as the next minister. Before being called to the ministry, Sheila, a daughter of the manse, had a career as a lawyer in Edinburgh and Dumfries. She was educated at Edinburgh University, gaining her LLB and BA in 1977 and 1979 respec-tively, and her BD (Hons) in 2005. Sheila comes highly recommended by all who have worked with her and who have been associated with her during her study and training for the ministry. In her year at New College she was outstanding, and a re-spected minister who was involved in her assessment and selection, has declared that in a year when there were many excellent candidates she stood out from the rest. Sheila has had a wide experience in a number of churches and has served as probationer assistant for the past fifteen months at Eddleston linked with Peebles Old, where she has made a deep and lasting impres-sion. The minister of a large church in the centre of Edinburgh has said of her, “she is warm, affirming, astute, perceptive, gregarious, fun-loving and endowed with a large personal heart”. She communicates extremely well with a congregation and she has been blessed with an excellent voice that enables every word to be heard clearly. As convener of the nominating committee, which was elected by the congregation in August, I commend her warmly and unreservedly to the people of Alyth. I believe that, with her many gifts and personal qualities, she will prove to be superb minister for our parish. Graham Peacock
GREEN GROW THE RASHES O THE weekend of 18th/19th November was a rare opportunity to witness local talent at its best. Twenty three year old Sophie Ramsay of Bamff House, gave a recital of auld Scots songs each night, in the very authentic setting of the family home. Can-dle-lit, with a crackling log fire, Bamff House dining room comfortably sat fifty enthusiasts, and Sophie’s sweet voice lightly skipped over the melodies of her gui-tar-playing without hesitation. Intricate verses and note changes were no obstacle for this very talented young lady. Robert Burns featured regularly in the pro-gramme, ‘Green Grow The Rashes O’, ‘Corn Rigs’ and ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ to name a few, all cleverly intertwined with songs by Lady Nairne, Lady Caroline Keppel, Adam Skirving, Sir Walter Scott and Hector MacNeil. Sophie announced each song giving its background, enabling the audience to step back in time and experience the heartfelt, and sometimes eerie words of each author. This particular recital was in aid of The Perth Green Party, and coupled with a mini-auction at the end of each evening, they are now in receipt of £2339.50 generously raised over the weekend. Sophie’s repertoire was warmly received at the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe Festival for three weeks, earning excellent reviews. She has also played in Edinburgh in support of AIDS awareness, and in Paris with musicians from the Conservatoires, where she recorded part of her first CD, due out before the yearend (Nick Green recorded the remainder in his studio at Bamff Lodge). Titled ‘Ca’ the Yowes’, Sophie again captures the essence of bygone days in her beautiful, lilting voice. For release date and details, please email Sophie direct at [email protected] or visit http://www.sophieramsay.com , where the haunting Caller Herrin’ by Lady Nairne can also be downloaded. Currently studying for a Masters in Environmental Philosophy at Glasgow Uni-versity, Sophie previously completed a Degree in Philosophy at St. Andrews. Re-cently voted onto the Student Representative Council at Glasgow, she remains com-mitted to raising awareness of ethical and green issues.
THE CHRISTMAS WINDOW COMPETITION ALYTH & DISTRICT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION once again are sponsoring a window dressing competition for all businesses in Alyth to take part in. It is intended that the judging will be held over the Festive Period, hopefully between the 7th and 14th of December, by the Alyth Citizen of the Year 2006/7 and the Young Citizen of the Year 2006/7. The standard of exhibits over the last nine years has been excellent, and it is hoped that this year the businesses will do their utmost to assist in helping to bring Christmas cheer to Alyth for the enjoyment of all. Let’s make the Christmas Win-dows in Alyth the best in Perthshire if not Scotland and also it will make the judges’ task a really difficult undertaking. It is hoped that all the Christmas windows will be on display by the 25th of November 2006 the day the Christmas Lights in Alyth are switched on. The Christmas Window Competition Shield will be presented to the winner along with certificates for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place. Michael Kay, ADBA Chairman
ALYTH & DISTRICT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION NOTICE of Office Bearers and Committee Members after the Committee meeting on Thursday the 2nd of November 2006 Office-Bearers Chairperson Mr. Michael Kay Telephone Alyth 632252/632690 email [email protected] Vice-Chairperson Mrs. Flo McNeil Telephone Alyth 632986 Secretary/Treasurer Mrs. Nancy Kay Telephone Alyth 632690 Committee Mr. S. Eno, Mr. C MacDonald, Mrs. M. McNicoll, Mrs. K. Donaldson, Mr. G. Jamison and Mrs. J. McGill The Chairman and all Committee Members wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all members, businesses and business personal, the editorial staff of The Alyth Voice and all their clients/customers from the Alyth & District area.
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Sergeant Hayley Sinclair strapped in with her pilot, before her first gliding flight on 12th November at R.M. Condor.
DRUMDERG LIKE Murdo Fraser MSP, (see November’s Voice), I have never made a secret of my support for Drumderg. I have been in favour of it from the start, and so I am pleased with the outcome of the enquiry, and like Murdo I feel sure I am not alone in my re-sponse. I welcome a technology that can make electricity from the wind. Of course no site is perfect and no method of producing energy is free of side-effects, but to argue that building a wind-farm on Drumderg is in any way comparable to building tower-blocks or a factory is ludicrous. To my eye, windfarms are ele-gant and appropriate in the hills in a way that factories and tower blocks could never be. They are purposeful and beautiful – mini-malist kinetic sculptures. And is it not a cheering thought that Drumderg will produce an amount of electricity that will match that used by Perth? Although wind is intermittent the grid can absorb up to 20 percent without problems.
I am glad Murdo is no longer arguing that climate change may not be man-made, or that even if it is we should do nothing about it because China won’t. The former argument has (thankfully) been kyboshed by the Stern Report which draws on all the many sources that demonstrate a scientific consensus on this question see: The Royal Society, http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. http://www.ipcc.ch. (I put the two references in because I have met a couple of people lately who are still arguing that man-made climate change is not happening.) Even the Tories have to be-lieve in man-made climate change now that their new leader has discovered its importance. The latter argument (that we shouldn’t act because China won’t) has always seemed to me like refusing to bale a sinking boat because no-one else is baling. No, Murdo has shifted his argument to the suggestion that onshore wind development will take money from other forms of renewable energy (such as tidal energy). Interesting, especially in view of the fact that ROCs (Renewables Obligations Certificates) are just as available for other kinds of renewables. It just so happens that all the other technologies are less cost effective, so will be devel-oped later. Incidentally I wonder if he thinks that other renew-ables are going to have no negative impacts on tourism or wild-life? And no objectors? I don’t think so.
I believe that the way to tackle climate change is with a mix of energy saving measures and renewables of all sizes. This must include an element of commercial scale projects, including onshore wind. Having said all this, I am not for covering the whole country with windfarms. A small number may be tourist attractions (as has been demonstrated) but clearly the tourists would get bored of them if they were everywhere, though that is not the only reason I would not want to see them everywhere. On the other hand, if there were none, tourists might think Scot-land was a backward and unsustainable country. I would be all for government subsidies if needed, to get other renewable tech-nologies kick-started. But then I can say that, because I am a Green, and not a free-market Tory.
We need renewable energy, most urgently, to begin on the long and arduous task of tackling climate change. We don’t have a lot of time in hand if we are to save the planet from irre-versible damage, which would mean millions of deaths and mass migrations, and the loss of countless species. It sounds melodra-matic but tragically it is true. The climate change crisis at least compares in its seriousness with the Second World War. In that case people accepted the need for concrete fortifications on the coast and far worse: petrol rationing, food rationing and the death of sons. I feel sad when people so often say, “Something needs to be done, but not this.” I wonder where it will end. For some, the something in question is another renewable energy system, such as tidal energy, or perhaps micro-renewables. The fact it that we need all the renewable energy we can reasonably get. If we produce more than Scotland can use then we should export it to England and the rest of Europe. We are lucky to have the best renewables potential in Europe. We can develop and demonstrate new technologies for the world. We can be at the forefront of a new sustainable enlightenment. It is an opportunity to do our bit for the planet and have a healthy export trade at the same time. Let’s not waste it. I am proud that our area is starting to do its bit through having the wind-farm at Drumderg.
Louise Ramsay
WINDMILLS THE decision of the independent Reporter (Not the Scottish Ministers as claimed by Mr Fraser) to grant planning consent for the Drumderg Windfarm proposal is a positive move towards reducing global warming. It will contrib-ute towards all the other measures and commit this generation to actually doing something for future generations - our grandchildren - instead of talking our-selves out of it. Some disruption to traffic flow is inevitable but it can be man-aged and it will be short lived. Mr Fraser’s plea for local councils’ planning decisions to be final, without a right of appeal, is authoritarian and unaccept-able to fair minded people. In fact, the Reporter confirmed that ‘...the Council`s position going into the inquiry and at its conclusion was to allow the appeal and grant planning permission’ (following the British Geological Surveys find-ing that there was no hydrogeological reason to oppose the proposal). Refer-ence to the 16 turbines to be erected at Drumderg as a ‘...forest of concrete and metal’ is a little exaggerated. In the islands they call these small wind farms, ‘Windmills - the gentle giants’ and recall the precedents for changing land-scapes with man-made wind-harnessing structures. It can become an interest-ing as well as a productive local feature to enjoy if approached responsibly.
Dick Poor
GLIDING CADETS ON the 12th of November eight cadets from 2519 (Strathmore) Squadron, Air Training Corps, Sergeants Duncan Telford (Luncarty), Hayley Sinclair (Alyth), and Mark Harper, Corporal Fraser MacIntosh (both Blairgowrie) and Cadets Steven Welsh, Sean Findlay (both Blairgowrie), Iain Telford (Luncarty), Cul-len McCulloch (Blairgowrie) accompanied by Flight Lieutenant Michael Kay (R.A.F.V.R (T)) and Civilian Instructor Paul Prettyman (both Alyth) journeyed to R.M. Condor for gliding at V.G.S. 662 (Volunteer Gliding Squadron 662). On their arrival at R.M. Condor they were all briefed on the expected weather conditions, circuits to be used, possibility of Royal Flights, air safety, etc, and a video on the parachute was shown followed by a video on Viking Glider and its controls. At this point they all journeyed out to the airfield and were shown how to attach the launching strop, how to hold the wing tips and what to do at launch time when the glider is winched up into the air. Then one at a time each cadet was kitted up with a parachute then into the glider and away they went. Three cadets Iain Telford, Sean Findlay, Cullen McCulloch and Corporal Fraser MacIntosh undertook a G.I.C.1 (gliding induction course 1) which con-sists of one familiarisation flight, one flight-covering pitch-using elevators and their last flight, covering roll using ailerons. Cadet Steven Welsh undertook a G.I.C.2 which is as a G.I.C. 1 but with an extra flight-covering yaw using the rudder. Sergeants Duncan Telford, Hayley Sinclair and Mark Harper undertook a G.I.C.3. which is as a G.I.C. 2 but with an extra flight-covering glider stalling. At 1100hrs all cadets and staff gathered together for two minutes silence to remember the fallen like so many others at Armistice Parades over the country. All the cadets cannot wait for their next gliding experience. If the above interests you and you are between the ages of 13 to 18 years old come along any Monday or Wednesday evening 7-9pm to 2519 (Strathmore) Squadron, The Drill Hall, Union Street, Blairgowrie and speak to the Commanding Offi-cer, Adjutant or any of the Cadets. Flight Lieutenant Michael Kay
7
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8
SCOUT REPORT by Ron Kirkpatrick YOU never miss the water till the well runs dry. Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances our leadership team in the Cub Scout Section has been seriously depleted these last few weeks. However I am pleased to report that Kathleen Jackson is due home soon and Alison Arnold continues to make a good recov-ery. We wish them both a speedy return to the fold. Our thanks to all who supported our Coffee Morning which raised just under £600 a magnificent effort. And thanks to all who showed interest in the display at the Better Place to Live Fair. Norman West, Graham Arnold and Yule Goldie set up and manned the event which was centred round our web site which I hope you have all visited – and if not - why not? The Cub Halloween Party. It was a gruesome sight as the hordes arrived, terrifying the populace and sending shivers down the spine – then they put their costumes on! Agghh. The Cubs were kept busy scoffing jam covered doughnuts and dooking for apples (well the floor was needing washed after the former) and then the feast. Some-how I don’t think Jamie Oliver would have approved of the menu – but none of the boys objected. A dozen Scouts took part in a night hike and slept the night in the Scout Hut. They set off at a cracking pace and almost in the right direc-tion and to my dismay they kept going like a bomb. I think I shall have to find a recipe for concrete boots for them for future events. John Wheatley gained his Bronze Zodiac Award and Patrick West notched up his 10th camp of the year. We are recruiting additional help for our next wide game in the form of none other than the compositor of this esteemed publication who in a rare moment of recklessness agreed to help. I wonder if this is why the Voice is not in print in January?! The game is called “Viva Los Vegas” and I hope to remember the rules the Patrol Leaders have made up before it starts. “Return of the book-worm” takes the form of our Book Fest being held over the Christmas period as further fund raising for the Malawi project. The Scout Hut will be open Wednesday- Saturday 27-30 Dec and 3 -6 January 2-4pm. and both Fri-days and Saturdays from 7-9 pm. We have more books so even if you’ve been before there are hundreds of new stock. We have sufficient stock to get started but would welcome any donation of new books, so bring and buy...don’t be shy!! Next year marks the 100th year of Scouting and we have more than a few events to mark this historic event. An open invite to a concert in the Town Hall on 16th March, is extended to anyone even remotely interested in Scouting in Alyth. It’s our way of saying thank you to the community. There will be Scout camps held all over the UK on 25-27 May and we hope to swell the numbers. Throughout the world at 8am on 1st August Scouts will meet to mark the exact time that Scouting started. We are all meant to renew our Scout Promise but in Alyth this will probably take the form of breakfast! We have a few other items up our sleeve which is my way of saying we haven’t got them planned yet! Watch this space… Best wishes for the Festive Season from the Scout Group.
JOHN SWINNEY Your local Member of the Scottish Parliament for North Tayside is here to help you.
You can contact John at 35 Perth Street, Blairgowrie, PH10 6DL Tel. 01250 876576 Fax. 01250 876991
email [email protected]
LIFE IS SHORT – ENJOY IT
DUST if you must, but wouldn’t it be better To paint a picture or write a letter,
Bake a cake or plant a seed, Ponder the difference between want and need?
DUST if you must, but there’s not much time, With rivers to swim and mountains to climb,
Music to hear and books to read, Friends to cherish and life to lead.
DUST if you must, but the world’s out there,
With the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, A flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
This day will not come around again.
DUST if you must, but bear in mind, Old age will come, and it’s not kind, And when you go, as go you must.
You yourself will make more DUST.
Many thanks to Mrs I. Hendry for submitting this poem which she happened across.
THE PLIGHT OF THE RED SQUIRREL ONE issue that I have taken up nationally in the Scottish Parliament but is important to our local area is the future of the red squirrel. The area surrounding Alyth is home to red squirrels, with many found in woodlands such as the Den O’ Alyth. Scotland is home to over 75% of the UK’s red squirrel population - an estimated 120,000 red squirrels - but they are under threat from being displaced by the non-native grey squirrel, which has a population of over 2.5 million in the UK. I will be the first to admit that the plight of the red squirrel may not seem as a big a story or as important an issue as the future of the NHS or our education system, but the fact is red squirrels are facing eventual extinction in Scotland if action is not taken to protect them. That is why I have lodged parliamentary questions on the subject and a parliamentary mo-tion calling on the Scottish Executive to protect the red squirrel population. Furthermore, I recently invited the European Squirrel Initiative to the Scottish Parliament to give a presenta-tion in MSPs on the issue. Perthshire now represents the ‘frontline’ between red and grey squirrels and strong measures are needed to stop the grey squirrels encroaching on the reds’ territory as they displace reds as well as carrying the squirrel pox virus. While the squirrel pox virus does not harm grey squir-rels, it is fatal to red squirrels. Scottish Natural Heritage has now put forward an Action Plan, which sets out their approach to protecting red squirrels. I welcome any action to help the red squirrel but real action must be taken in order to save the red in the long term. If this does not happen then red squirrels will vanish from areas such as the Den O’Alyth and disappear from Perthshire altogether.
Murdo Fraser
ALYTH ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP NOVEMBER MEETING
THE members were pleased to be formally introduced to Mandy Cook, the new Countryside Ranger for the area. Based at the Tayside Contracts Roads Depot in Welton Road, Blairgowrie, Mandy covers from Scone to Glenshee and Dunkeld, a massive area in anyone’s book. The group wished her good luck in her new job. It was agreed that the Climate Action Town team activities can now be incorporated into the ongoing AEG tasking, but with any expertise seconded as required. The Better Place to Live Fair was a success for the group with many interested parties visiting the stand. Having gained the Bronze and Silver Awards, the Eco-friendly pupils of Alyth Primary School now have their sights firmly set on the Green Flag. There is much the group can do at the school but we must be asked by the pupils themselves to provide suit-able assistance with a particular project, eg the butterfly garden. The pupils should consider the AEG as a resource they can tap into for help or advice. There was much discussion with the Rangers over the path collapse in the Den and how to maintain a safe path for as many user groups as possible. It was felt that the cliff could be part of a fault line and that this should be taken into account when consid-ering future path upgrades. Future AEG tasks are all to be held on the 3rd Sunday of the month (2-4 pm) and include,
January - pulling beech seedlings in the Den - PKC Rangers joint task
February - planting willows at Alyth School.
March - plant screening hedge at sewage works.
April - litter pick in selected areas of the town.
Anyone interested in assisting on the day will be made very wel-come. If you have any suggestions for future tasks in the Alyth area please let us know. Meetings take place on the 2nd Thursday of each at 7.30 pm in the Losset Inn, with the next meeting on December 14th.
Paul Prettyman. AEG press sec. Tel: 633725
9
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10
Continued from page 1... The bell, as we know from previous articles in the voice, was that “of St. Tay, in the parish of Poullan, not far from Brest”, where, in fact, Lt. Bernard Bonnie was sailing from on his ill-fated supply mission. So we have a bit more history of how the famous Alyth bell came into proud possession of the town. History, always confounds our discoveries with new mysteries. La Necessite’ was captured in February. John Warden was in Alyth in June to announce its arrival. What happened in the interim? Other traditions about the bell say that it was gifted by Wil-liam Warden, the ship’s surgeon on HMS Northumberland, who became acquainted with Napoleon during that emperor’s exile and wrote a book of the experience and his impressions. One version places the gift of the bell as late as in the 1820s. We see less conflict in the stories if we note that William and John were brothers. John was born in 1782 and William in 1777 to Adam Warden, owner of the Bamff Arms in Alyth. Being brothers and both serving in the Navy during the war with Napoleon, we can imagine that someone retelling a handed-down story might confuse which brother donated the bell. Or it is even possible that both brothers were involved in its delivery or subsequent official presentation. John Warden, however, is believed to have been the purser onboard Horatio when the capture occurred. And clearly from the letters he makes the initial gift. How did I come to delve into this fabled bell? Another sad case of addiction to genealogy. Innkeeper Adam Warden was the son of Janet Mitchell and Hugh Warden, brother of my 6th great grandfather James Warden, an Alyth schoolmaster. Brothers Hugh and James were the sons of Jean Jervay and Adam Warden, who had been a minister in Larbert and preceded his son James as schoolmaster in Alyth. There is more to tell about this family, but that can be done at a later time.
Wythe Sims, Orlando, Florida MOLLISON - THANK YOU
WE would like to say thank you to all our family and friends for the money, vouchers, and lovely gifts we received for our wedding on Saturday 30th September. Thanks to everyone who helped in any way and to Shona Lindsay, Jenni & Vicky for helping to decorate the Town Hall, and to Muriel at Hobbies for all her help and her finishing touches with the helium ballons - they looked great! Also thanks to Michelle and her staff at ‘The Bridges’, the buffet was excellent. We hope everyone enjoyed the day at The Enverdale and the night at the Alyth Town Hall. We had a great time and our day was just perfect. Thanks to everyone who made it that way. Our honeymoon cruise was excellent. Thanks again. Derek & Linda Mollison
Blairgowrie TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE News WE are now on our shorter opening hours Mon - Sat 10am-4pm and are eagerly awaiting the first fall of snow to get the skiing season underway and start welcoming the winter sporting visitors. The town is still very busy with coach parties who are enjoying their "Turkey & Tinsel" short breaks and what a jolly lot they are always ready with a laugh and joke when they visit the office (maybe they are getting them from the crackers)!
We now have signed copies back in stock of ‘The Queen amang the Heather’ by Sheila Stewart MBE
~~~~~~~~~~~~ To prepare for our office
refit in Spring 2007 we are having a Huge!
Enormous! Gigantic! Sale with up to 60% off selected
items - starts 7th December
~~~~~~~~~~~~ We would like to wish all our accommodation provid-ers, associates, customers and visitors the compliments of the season and may you all have a healthy, happy and successful 2007! A huge thank you also to BEPTA for all the input and support we received during 2006.
Jessie & Laura Visitscotland
ALYTH CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 200 Club NOVEMBER Winners
£50 - No. 71 - Mrs. I. McLaren £30 - No. 174 - Mr. C. Strachan £20 - No. 55 - Mr J. Muir
* December Silver Ball Saver *
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Only £15pp on Summer Greens Only £13pp on Winter Greens
NO WINTER MATS
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Please call for an enquiry pack or to make a tee reservation
Office Tel: 01828 633322
Are Proud to Present our New
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Two Courses £5.95 per person Three Courses £7.95 per person
Sample Menu Below:
Starters
Oxtail Soup Served with a Freshly Baked Roll & Butter
Spaghetti Neapolitan
Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls Served with Tomato Salsa & Fresh Salad
Main Courses
Braised Diced Shoulder of Pork Served with Boiled Potatoes & Fresh Vegetables
Chicken Supreme Stuffed with Haggis
Wrapped in Bacon & Served with a Whisky Sauce
Fisherman’s Pie Topped with Melted Cheese
Desserts
Warm Ginger Loaf Served with Toffee Fudge Sauce
Orange & Lime Syllabub
Selection of Ice Creams
The menu will be changed on a daily basis
Christmas Meals Festive meals will be served throughout December
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Restaurant Winter Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday 9am until 5pm Friday to Sunday 9am until 8pm
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Office Tel: 01828 633322 Restaurant Tel: 01828 634004
11
SPECIAL THANKS to Angela MacDonald and Blair Copy Shop for all the help in mak-ing November’s Royal edition, a special keepsake. We have had congratulations from many, many people including Clarence House, Holyrood Palace, Glamis Castle, Kinpurnie Castle, many of the visitors to Alyth on the 1st Octo-ber, not to mention the Alyth townspeople who have been very complimentary to the Voice team.
ALYTH GALA ALYTH Gala Committee welcomed several new members at their AGM held in the Lesser Hall on 13th Nov. Office bearers are: Chairman E. Simp-son, Vice-Chairwoman M. Aitchison, Treasurer C. Chalmers, and Secretary P. Parnham. Members are very enthusi-astic about plans for next year’s Gala Day which will be held on 10th June 2007. It is hoped to include new attrac-tions as well as reviving some tradi-tional ones, such as a parade through the town. Further news will be pub-lished in February’s Voice, and our next meeting will be on 5th Dec. in the Lesser Town Hall at 7pm. A bingo tea will be held on 18th Jan. 2007 in the Town Hall. All are invited to both and will be warmly welcomed. P.Parnham
Thank you to the anonymous provider of the missing names from November’s memory lane photograph of Alyth Football Club. The full list
of names to compliment the photo is as follows: ALYTH UNITED 1934-1935 Photo taken at ‘Norwood’, Losset Road.
J.M. Wood, also Losset Inn (Owner) Back: Gordon McDonald, Jimmy Dick, W. Cochrane (Dundee) 3rd: D. Leighton/Gamekeeper (Bamff), Collie Robertson, Tom Barron, Drummond Forbes (Coupar Angus), Davie Dear, Tommy Gray, Dave Thomson (Assistant Trainer), Mr. Irvine, Jim Cameron 2nd: Doug Hindmarsh (Hedley’s Father), Geordie Donald, Jim Chalmers, Willie McDonald, David Grieve, Mungo Smith, W. Rattray, Tom Whitecross (perhaps?) Front: Will Whyte, Bill Brodie, Hugh McGuire (Dundee), Jock Drummond (Dundee), Sandy Brown (Coupar Angus), Dunc Erskine, D. McPherson
2ND ALYTH BROWNIES LITTLE over a year ago, local girl Coral Harding was involved in a serious accident with a car. Her local brownie pack decided they would like to raise some money for Edinburgh Royal Sick Childrens’ Hospital Intensive Care Unit, which played a vital part in Coral’s speedy recov-ery. At the end of September, 26 adults and brownies took part in a sponsored swim at Blairgowrie Recreation Centre, and completed an incredible 1,458 widths in only 30 minutes!! On Saturday 18th Novem-ber, Coral travelled to Edinburgh to present a cheque for £720.76 to the hospital. Well done to everyone involved, you should all be justifiably proud of yourselves!
Photo: On 30th October,
Muriel McNicoll, proprietor of
Hobbies, opened the door to welcome existing
and new customers to their new
location at 31 Airlie Street.
[Ed: Pop in to see
the difference twenty five yards
can make!]
THE ALYAN ‘You are not alone’
GREETINGS Earthlings. This is indeed a sad time for me, as unfortu-nately my Intergalactic Masters have decreed that I must move on. I have been ordered to yet another community on the other side of the Universe, bringing enlightenment, wisdom and a bit of humour to these remote outposts of civilisation. So, sadly, this will be my last entry into your esteemed local maga-zine. I have enjoyed my stay in your fair town, and indeed it is a very fair town. In my alter ego, posing as an ‘Incomer’ I have been pleas-antly surprised by the genuine warmth and friendliness of the people of Alyth. It is a tribute to the real ‘feel good’ factor that is evident every-where. Almost everyone you meet, even if they don’t know you, speaks to you, even if it’s just to say ‘Hello’ or ‘Lovely morning’. The shop-keepers are universally helpful as well as obliging. So, I will miss that friendly ambience that seems to be uniquely Alyth. I will miss passing the ‘Parliament’ at their daily discussions of the world, I will miss watching the burn trout, I will miss the flipping bus because I was too busy blethering with Margaret & Jim, but most of all– I will miss Alyth. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Irene Robertson for her support of my anonymity, as well as her assistance in the finer points of delivering my column to you, the readers of the ‘Voice’. I would also like to wish each and every one of you, a Merry Christ-mas and a very Happy New Year. May the force truly be with all of you. The Alyan
H O B B I E SH O B B I E SH O B B I E S 31 AIRLIE STREET Tel: 01828 632565
* Special Offer - Relative Cards 3 for £1.00 *
Large selection of Christmas Gifts Toys, Models, Games and Stocking Fillers
Christmas Cards from £1.00 packet Calendars and Diaries from 50p Wrapping paper and gift bags
Craft supplies, threads, yarns and beads
For the crafters—we are now taking names for our card-making workshops
We can supply helium balloons for those special occasion parties!
We wish all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year,
and thank you all for your continued support, from Doug and Muriel McNicoll
CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS by Dan Dewar
Happy, Happy Christmas Day! Another chance to meditate… Perhaps, for some, a time to pray, Praising Christians’ Special Date. Yearly, when this time comes round, Christian thinking’s more profound. How would Jesus have us act? Remember Poor and Sick and Blind. In His name, with Love and tact, Serve by being Caring, Kind. Try to tread where He has trodden, Make the most of ‘Every Day’, And your back, though bent and laden, Shall not fail the load to weigh.
ALYTH EVENING CLASSES
Evening Classes at Alyth School begin again on 22nd January, al-though the booking deadline is 15th January.
TAI CHI £26/concessions £23
7-8.30pm 9 classes from 22/01/07
BRIDGE £26/£23 7-9pm
9 classes from 22/01/07 DRU YOGA
£28/£25 7.30-9pm
10 classes from 22/01/07 GOLF
£30 8 classes from 06/02/07
To enrol, contact Pam Drysdale on 01250-873641 ASAP.
12
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION “…AS we that are left grow old”, an extract from the first sentence of Laurence Binyon’s famous lines of Remembrance. Unfortunately a true line from a wonderful prayer that is surely happening to the remaining ‘active’ members of the local branch. All are retired ‘active’ Granddads with more than a sprinkling of Great Granddads who are keeping the proud traditions of ex-servicemen alive locally. Can you join and help the fortunes of all those who served? The answer is YES! You can at the moment join as an Associate member but hopefully at the next AGM membership will be open to anyone who wishes to support the cause. This will mean full participation including possible/probable office bearing status in the local, area or even national level. Such is the way the RBLS are going to move ahead. We in Alyth have no clubhouse and meet only once a month in the bowling club for which we are truly grateful, we always have a busy agenda and for the past 76yrs have been a back-ground support to so many activities in the town, recently the “Times to Remember” and this year “The Royal visit” being typical examples. Coffee morning - Saturday, 4th November swelled our funds by well over £500, a big thank you to all helpers, especially Margaret Aitchison. Rest assured the money goes to a good cause, part of it went the same evening in providing a FREE bus to the Festival of Remem-brance in the Caird Hall, a good evening’s entertainment with no transport hassle. Remembrance Sunday - A fine turn out. Rev Mathew Robertson (Ex Army Chaplain) led the Services. Clair Annan (Trumpet) and Callum Strachan (Bagpipes) provided the solos and the parade was led down to the memorials by the new Alyth & District Pipe Band; what an immediate impact this band has had on the town! Thanks to all of them and a special thank you to Seonaid Don, the local shops and all on behalf of the Scottish Poppy Appeal for some £900 raised by sales and Church retiring offering. The annual AGM of the Branch will be held in the Lesser Town Hall at 7pm on Sunday 14th January 2007. Member or not, why not come along and just see what we are all about? Time is running short now for many present members and if we do not get more support then the inevitable will happen.
Jim O’Brien PS. In Dutch bagpipes are called ‘Doodlesacs’ - the mind boggles!
ANIMAL BOARDING
AN Alyth resident has just set up a new ven-ture, which she is hopeful of filling a long needed gap in the animal boarding market. Joanne Lock-ley has opened up boarding accommoda-tion dedicated to small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils etc, called Hutches. “I’ve been asked so many times if I know of anyone who will board these animals whilst the owners go on holiday, so I decided to do something about it and create this service” said Joanne. “Many are left with neighbours, friends and relatives who simply don’t have the time or knowledge to care for these animals. I can take all that anxiety away from the owners in providing a dedicated environment with specialist care”. If you have need of this service, give Joanne a call on 633060 or on her mobile 07821 400524. P. Prettyman
THE STUDIO WINDOW THOSE of you that have walked along Commercial Street to Mill Street may well have seen the ever, increasing num-ber of views of old Alyth that Dave Hutchinson has gath-ered in the studio window. Local folk have been beating a path to the gallery bookshop with their collections of photo-graphs, newspapers and scrapbooks all to build an archive of material for a series of books Dave is writing. The first – “A Braw Toon for Messages” – will feature the many shops and merchants that traded in Alyth from 1850 to 1950, and is hoped to be ready for next spring. This will be followed by a second volume on trades and indus-tries for the same period and is hoped to be ready for No-vember 2007. Dave feels very strongly that his books should be about people so he would like your help in gathering the “stories” that bring history to life. Perhaps you worked in one of the many shops and have a tale to tell, or maybe you delivered goods on a cycle or in a van, or perhaps you have a story as a customer, even if it was only peeping over the counter with wide, open eyes. If you feel you can help, Dave will only be too pleased to talk to you; he is in “the studio” on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays between 10 and 5. If getting out is difficult then give him a ring on 634100 and he will make arrangements to come to you, and for those with email: [email protected].
THE PROPERTY SHOP ALYTH
A & R Robertson & Black, W.S., 11 Airlie Street, Alyth, PH11 8AH
Tel: 01828 632 116 Website:www.robertson-black.co.uk
Email: [email protected]
FREE VALUATIONS It’s knowledge of your local patch,
which makes the difference!
BLAIRGOWRIE PROPERTY SHOP IS OPEN 7 DAYS!
Call Mel on 01828 632 116
the studio paintings, sculptures, woodwork heritage books and maps images of old Alyth cards and prints photo restoration open thur, fri. sat—10 to 5
2 mill street www.thestudioalyth.co.uk
Above: one of the many photographs archived for the books
LOCHSIDE LODGE & Roundhouse Restaurant
Bridgend of Lintrathen, By Kirriemuir Tel: 01575 560340 Fax: 01575 560251
E-mail: [email protected] www.lochsidelodge.com
Alongside Lintrathen Loch, just 10 minutes from Alyth, Lochside Lodge & Roundhouse Restaurant is an ideal venue whether for Lunch or Dinner – our menus are modern and imaginative using the best of Perthshire & Angus produce, beautifully created and presented. Christmas Party Menu from 12th December for tables of 6 or more from £16.50 per person Hogmanay Dinner & Ceilidh £60.00 per person
Please book early to avoid disappointment
13
SHOPS IN THE 1930s TOUTIE STREET AREA: Starting at the bottom end of the street was Lowson’s on the east side and on the west side (but later) was Wheatley the electrician. Continuing up the east side, on the corner of Chapel Street was Newbigging’s sweetie shop on the south side and Archie Sinclair’s warehouse on the north side. Opposite Newbigging’s shop (on the east side of Toutie Street) was firstly, Archie Sinclair’s Office in which Miss Lowson (who later had the cin-
ema in the Town Hall) worked as book keeper and office lady. Then there was the door to the flats above Sinclair’s (south side – where Will Shaw the joiner originally lived), the Sinclair’s grocery department and north of that a small ironmongery de-partment. Next was the old No.7, Toutie Street, where the Ogil-vie family lived, then Madge Logan’s house, then Mrs Melville (known as Jean Skene) whose house was offset and back off the road a little. She had a lintel on one of her outhouses and when I was a little kid she used to take me to this lintel and told me on numerous occasions that the letters cut into the stone were He-brew characters which depicted her brother’s name in Hebrew (of course). Her brother had apparently spent many years in Palestine (Israel). She was very proud of this lintel. On the cor-ner of Toutie Street and Bank Street was a shop, which I believe belonged to the Alexander brothers, joiners, whose main prem-ises were opposite Silver Terrace. On the north side of the Bank Street was Findlay the baker’s shop. On the west side of Toutie Street north of Chapel Street, Archie Sinclair’s warehouse area extended northwards to opposite No. 7 (now no. 12 I think). North of that was Symington the painter’s premises, then Miss Munro’s paper shop. Continuing northwards was where Johnnie Menzies (meeng-is, no ‘z’ sound) the painter (who worked for Symington) lived, then some distance further north was Mrs. Flemings chip shop to which was adjoined the wee sweetie shop-cum-lemonade shop. HILL STREET:- Irvine’s shop, east of that Findlay’s (the baker – again) shop all on the north side. On the south side more or less opposite Findlay’s was Geordie Mustard’s later manned by Margo Mus-tard (Mrs Orchiston). Nothing beyond that. HIGH STREET:- Up near Woolmarket on the north side of the street was Miss Irvine’s shop. Interestingly enough, just west of the steps to the arches at the start of the High Street lived Mr Kinnear who used to work in the local paper printing works opposite the old gas-works, and as far as I can recollect he was the last person to work there. I can remember passing the premises on a dark winter’s night before the war and hearing the machinery going and seeing the place all lit up. I believe there was only one man working there late on at night.
Forfar - 20th August 2006 DEAR ALYTH VOICE, I have been considering old Alyth, after reading the article in the Voice about the town 100 years ago, and I thought it would be a good idea to record memories from people who were still alive, before these memories die with them. I lived in Toutie Street, which was vastly different from that of today, and noted the layout of the shops I knew in the period before the war. I prepared a very rough map of Toutie Street area and placed
on it the approximate position of shops I was familiar with in the 1930s. I also prepared a rough idea of where every shop was situated and a vague description of what when on around them at that time. Perhaps, even for your own information, you would like to think about the ba-sic idea and enlarge upon it at some future date. Elma and Ed Kydd were visiting me before I went on holiday and Elma said that she did not know one or two items in my explanatory note which must prove something. Photographs – I have been going through old photographs I have and found two from the 1935 Coronation. One taken in front of David Sim’s shop (left) in the Square shows three females with a section of the crowd, I do not recognise any of them, but my late mother told me that the tall girl in the long dress was the girl Howe of the auctioneer-ing family. The Sim family had a marvellous view from their house above the shop. In the second photo (above), on the ML Thomas lorry, to the right of the white post is Margaret Steele (whose father worked for Howe’s), then Edna (Reid) Kydd’s sister Moira, then Irene Crichton, (Bruce Crichton’s sister) then a girl
whose face I know but whose name I have long forgotten. The third photograph (right) is of Alyth Burn just as the ice was breaking up and standing on the bank are Nigel Taylor, me and Gordon MacPherson. All I can remember is that is was taken on a Sun-day. In those days we worked five and a half days a week, got one week’s holiday per year and New Year’s Day off – that and no more! The Alyth Voice is a great idea, and is thought-provoking for old Alyth people.
All the best, Jack Ogilvie
14
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ART GALLERY Oils, watercolours, pastels, etchings by Scottish artists
15
Email: [email protected] CHIANGMAI, THAILAND 12/09/06 Part three of Peter Webster’s epistle…
MY MEMOIRS OF ALYTH EACH day of the week had its own set tasks. Monday was the day the henhouses were cleaned and the ‘henpen’ bagged for sale to some of the townsfolk. Henpen was very acidic and had to be well diluted before use in the garden. Tuesdays, the large vegeta-ble and flower gardens were weeded and new crops or seeds sown as necessary. Wednesdays, Stewart Robertson Snr. from West Pitnacree, assisted by one of his sons, Stewart or John, or occasionally his daughter Ella, would bring a churn of fresh cream straight from the coo. This was the day the butter was made. It was a strenuous job, hand churning the cream, literally for hours and everyone took turns at ca’un the han-dle that drove the paddles. Once thickened, the butter was made into pats using small hand paddles and a mould with a thistle emblem. Once in a while, Aunt Jessie would even make cheese – a harder job still. By the mid 1950’s Jessie stopped the butter making, as it was getting too tiring and in any case rationing had stopped by then so the need to spend hours making your own butter had passed. Thursdays, the eggs were cleaned and put into the tray sections, then into a large cardboard box that held 30 trays, a total of 900 eggs. Friday morning, was the time the lorry came from the Egg Marketing Board in Perth to collect the eggs and make payment for the previous week’s uplift. The “Go To Work On An Egg,’ marketing with the small lion stamp on each egg, had recently started and there was now good money in eggs. From an early age I was able to mix the meal and feed the hens as well as collecting the eggs, making sure that I followed the instructions to “Mak sure ye dinnae brack onny”! I also had the important task of picking the chicken that we would have for Christmas Dinner. Auntie Jessie always posted it to us by express delivery to make sure it reached us as fresh as possible and it never once went astray. Chicken was a great delicacy in those days and not many people could either afford the price or the coupons necessary. We were lucky to have such a treat and savoured the soup from the boiled bones for a couple of days afterwards. Thursday was also the day Edwards would deliver the weekly messages. The Fish Wifie from Arbroath would call about 5pm and we would get haddock or a smokie, or occasionally kippers for the Friday tea. Fresh produce was stored in the traditional way in the stone larder – the way it had been done for centuries. Domestic fridges either didn’t exist or were so expensive few could afford one. Fridays we would go to town and Jessie would bank the egg money in the old North of Scotland Bank. We would then proceed to Lunans to pay for the daily delivery of The Courier. Occasionally we would go to the Post Office. That was a thriving place in those days and I used to get bored standing in the queue that was often down the street. Then we would go, as needs be, to auld Sim the Ironmonger in The Square before crossing the footbridge to Ferguson the Drapers in Commercial Street. Anything that was bought there was always wrapped in brown paper and tied in a bow with string. Nothing was wasted, the brown paper would either be reused for a new parcel or dipped in vinegar to polish the windows after they were cleaned. The string was tied in its own wee hank and went into a drawer. String always came in handy for something. Plastic bags had yet to be invented… Finally, I reached my goal of Dellaquaglia’s for ice cream. Nobody made ice cream like old Dellaquaglia and the taste still lives in my memory as the best I’ve ever tasted. It was made with fresh cream and a real vanilla pod, and the flavour was simply awe-some. Worth every farthing of the ‘wooden thrupnay bit’ (I saved the silver ones) that it cost for a large cone. Next door was the wee shop that sold many Alyth Trinkets and where I bought a pencil case and a football emblazoned with, “A Present from ALYTH” I also purchased my very first ball point pen from that shop - the year was 1957. There were five different colours to choose from and I chose a blue one. It was made by bic, cost a shilling, which was expensive then, and had the spring mechanism in the top where you pushed the stopper to open it and flicked a lever at the side to release the spring so that the ball point went back inside the pen. I played with that for hours and was pleased as punch at the thought that I would no longer need to use the old scratchy nib on a stick, bottle of Quink ink and mandatory blotting paper. Unfortu-nately, I was to find out on my return to school that my view on modernising the class-room was quickly thwarted as I was handed the large flagon of ink to fill the classroom inkwells and banned from using ‘The Pen’. Each July, the winter’s supply of coal was ordered from the merchant at the Railway Station, then wood logs from the sawmill and the peat from a merchant near the Auld Brig off Toutie Street. The home fires had to be kept burning. Continued next month...
LEAGUE OF FRIENDS - THANKS THE League of Friends coffee morning on 11th November at Airlie street Hall raised £741. Our warmest thanks to every-one who baked, donated raffles and helped on the day, and to all who turned out to support it. On behalf of the League of Friends may I take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year. Anne Rhind
ROBERTSON - THANKS MAGGIE is now back home and would like to thank every-one for their cards, gifts and flowers received during her recent stay in hospital. It is very much appreciated.
Email: [email protected] Tennessee, USA - 5th November 2006
DEAR ALYTH VOICE, WOW! I just had time to read ‘The Voice’. Quite a big time in the old town was had. Beautiful pictures also. I really enjoyed reading it and seeing all the parts of the town and the townspeople. Must have been quite a big deal for Prince Charles to show up. I know you will probably find this hard to believe, I know I did. I received an email from a lady in New York who had been sent the note I sent you about John Burns [June 2006 edition], and I have now found a distant cousin! The lady that sent it to her was in Greece! How is that for going around the world?! Remarkable. Keep up the good work, I appreciate all you are doing. Thanks again for ‘The Voice’. I really enjoy looking over it and it gives me a sense of connection to a land that is in my genes.
See ya, Gerald Burns
Email: [email protected] Isle of Wight, 14 November ’06
THANK you for the splendid November Voice, what a day Alyth had! We should have loved to be there. Can you answer a query for us - What is the origin of a cairn as a memorial? With best regards, Tom & Kate Boyland
Your Letters Don’t have access to email? Alyth Library is now offering FREE access to the Internet for SURFING the WEB/sending EMAILS. Visit the library for more details...
Ian Miller Local Councillor. SURGERY AT ALYTH TOWN HALL (Old Council Chambers) on 1st TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 7.00PM
OR CONTACT BY Tel: SNP OFF: 01250 876576 Home 01250 873304 P&K Council Tel: 01738 475018 Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected] Fife - 1st November 2006
DEAR ALYTH VOICE, I have recently visited the Parish Church to see the memo-rial window dedicated to James McGibbon and Margaret Cownie. For some time I have been researching the Cownie family, many of whom lived in Alyth in the early 19th cen-tury. I have traced two lines - one, mine, going back to a William Cownie and Jean Frazer who married in 1801 and another to David Cownie and Margaret Brodie, married in 1786. I think they must be related but, so far, have no proof. Is there anyone with knowledge of the Cownie family who can help? Also, can anyone help with the following place names which have come up in my search? Morinty, Pitna-cree, The Stirt, West Quarter, Meethill [address where James McGibbon died] and Drumfork Cemetery [where he is bur-ied]. Is it correct that the houses at Springbank were owned by the church and were for elderly people?
Florence Ferguson (nee Cownie)
ENABLE - THANKS BLAIRGOWRIE & District Enable wish to thank most sin-cerely all those who supported their coffee morning on 18th November. The excellent total of £1,132.68 was raised. Thank you all very much. Annie Robertson
16
The Voice team wish you health & happiness in 2007
A PIT BAKE FOR CHRISTMAS? AN email from me to myself has just arrived in my inbox. It tells me that I have twenty-four hours in which to write my contribution to the December 2006/January 2007 number of the ‘Voice’. What is it to be: another of those preachy pieces or a cheery little article full of the Christmas spirit? As the great Tom Lehrer says (and as I may have quoted or misquoted in these columns a year or two ago):
Christmas time is here, by golly, Disapproval would be folly.
Deck the halls with hunks of holly, Fill the cup and don't say when.
So I have chosen to be jolly, at least a little bit. By the time this reaches you the Christmas lights will have been turned on, Perthshire Brass will have played for us to our delight, our pipe band will have performed and the scene will have been set for this year’s festive season. As I drove along the Old Road that runs through the Newton of Bamff one morning recently, having just fed the Solitary Boar, who lives in the Burnieshed Den, a flock of fieldfares flew out of the hawthorn hedge that lines both sides of the Old Drove Road. There were still plenty of the crimson berries for the birds to eat and their Atholl grey rumps contrasted with the near ebony of the damp, leafless thorns on that rain swept, windy morning. A scene fit for a Christmas card, I thought, as I stopped to open the gate. Treading down into the rain-filled morass I avoided filling my gumboots with muddy water and went to untie the rope, swing back the gate and hitch it to the thoughtfully bent wire that is attached to the nearby fence. Back in the cab, I drove through the gate, noticing that Jack Muir’s work on the culvert was holding good, stopped, got out, shut the gate, tied a workman-like reef knot, and set off again. As I passed the Burnt Mound down by the Brucklie Burn, (listed by the Royal Commission for Ancient and Historic Monuments for Scotland), I recalled our effort at this kind of cookery one day in July last summer. A Burnt Mound, for those of you who don’t know about these things, is the archaeological remain of a kind of cooking that was practised by our Bronze Age forebears (and earlier) and is still practised all over the world by many different peoples. I have witnessed it in Finland and my friend Andrew told me that the Maoris cook that way and call it a hāngi. An equivalent of the New Zealand hāngi is found among other peoples of Polynesian descent and I feel sure that it must have been the preferred way in which to cook missionaries in the days when it was done to eat them. It was also customary in Greece, where there was a whole tradition of cooking in this way, supposedly carried on by robbers (hence the name klefti as in kleptomaniac). This is what you do. First dig a hole, next line it with stones (according to Wikipedia igneous stones are better than sedimentary rocks like sandstone). Then you set a good fire in the hole and light it. When the fire has burnt down to brightly glowing embers you put in your meat (a good joint of venison, wild-boar, elk or whatever), wrapped in clay (or tin foil these days) into the hole and cover it all over with soil and topped with the turf that you removed carefully earlier. In due course a little steam or smoke will waft out of the area of the pit and after about eight to ten hours you may remove the covering turf and inspect the contents. All being well there will be a delicious joint with some excellent gravy. So, what about digging up a corner of your lawn (or someone else’s) and cooking your Christmas turkey in this fine old-fashioned way? Paul Ramsay
ARNOLD - THANK YOU Alison, Karen, Graham and Martin would like to thank all the fire-fighters, ambu-lance crew, police and passers-by who helped following Alison and Karen’s re-cent accident. We’ve been overwhelmed by the good wishes and offers of help we re-ceived from the family and friends in re-cent weeks. Thank you all.
Blairgowrie & East Perthshire WALKING FESTIVAL
THE 2006 Walking Festival drew to a close recently with its dramatic and enter-taining finale – the Cateran Barbecue at the Altamount Hotel. The barbecue was at the end of almost 600 walk spaces available over 5 days. With over 230 participants, over half of whom came from outwith PH and DD postcodes, it was even more successful than previ-ously. New this year were the historical tours of the main towns, including Alyth. Barbara Prettyman led the tour around Alyth, Paul gave a superb presentation in the Museum and the cream teas kindly supplied by Eileen McBain at The Stables and the produce donated by Mike Dor-ward for the Welcome Buffet were the talk of the festival. The heritage tours proved to be very popular and offered something for the locals who were amazed at the amount of fascinating his-tory in such a small area. All of these tours were presented by volunteers who had an expert knowledge of their locali-ties, and assisted by leaders from the Stride for Life and Next Steps walking groups. There were walks ranging from Ben Vrackie in the north to the Glen Shee hills and Cat Law in the east to areas across the Sidlaws. Once again a group of hardy souls braved the entire Cateran Trail over 5 days of walking. For details contact Sue Cole Tel: 01828 640763
Printed for Alyth Voice by Blair Copy Shop Copyright©alythvoice 2006
Police Update IN this issue I would like to talk about Neighbourhood Watch Schemes (NHW) and how their implementation and success can
help reduce all aspects of crime, including anti social behaviour, which affects all our lives. At the moment we have nine active Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in the Alyth/New Alyth areas. So what is the point and why should we get involved with Neighbourhood Watch Schemes? Neighbourhood Watch is the best known and most effective example of the community and police working together to prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime and improve our quality of life. NHW is easily set up and does not involve a lot of work. Modern day polic-ing is now intelligence led and your telephone call could help prevent or solve a crime. A simple spring time sce-nario is the bogus workman. Bogus workers ‘cold call’ normally on the elderly in our area on the pretence saying they have some cheap tar left over from a job or they can carry out gardening, guttering and roofing work at ‘good prices’. They ask for cash in advance and may even offer to drive you to your bank for payment. Their work is sub standard and you are left aggrieved and out of pocket. NHW can also have a say in the way their area is policed by having input to their local community council and local police. It should not be under estimated how effec-tive you, your local community council and police can be when working together; we all want safe communities. If you do see something suspicious and are unsure whether to report it or not, please contact police anyway as you are not wasting our time; please speak up. If you are in-terested in setting up a NHW in your area/street, please contact any Community Liaison Officer Blairgowrie Police (T:01250872222). Constable Steve Brown
Emergency 999, Crime-stoppers 0800 555 111
Dilkusha Leitfie Terrace
New Alyth 20th November 2006
DEAR Editor, Hilda and I were almost overwhelmed by the volume and sincerity of the good wishes conveyed to us by card and gift on the occasion of our Diamond Wedding Anniversary. So much so that we found it difficult to respond quickly, and person-ally, in many cases, to the kind messages we received. Can we therefore, please extend our very sincere thanks to all of our friends who played such a great part in making this wonderful anniversary such a great occa-sion. Those who were able to join us at the Red House Hotel and those who sadly could not make it. Our apologies for the delay in contacting everyone sooner. Thank you. Sincerely,
Hilda & Jim Adam.
ALYTH COMMUNITY COUNCIL
ONE thing you cannot do is anticipate accurately everything that will happen at a Community Council meeting. However, I was quite sure that the October meeting would go off without a hitch. My faith was justified. As many of you will know, I have had nearly five weeks out of the saddle. There was the little (!) matter of a Diamond Wedding Anniversary and the visit of five Australian relatives for the occasion, whom we also accompanied on some sightseeing. During my break, Vice-Chair Barbara Pret-tyman was in charge. Ably assisted by Secretary and Treasurer George Durance and Pat Parnham, it seems everything went swimmingly. I must thank them very much indeed along with the rest of the Commu-nity Council for doing such a good job. The highlight occasion in my absence was the Better Place to Live Fair on the 28th October. Everyone tells me it was a great event. Thanks to the team. Special thanks to George whose meticulous pre-planning ensured a great turn out of good stands on the day. Pat’s publicity material brought in the public. The November Community Council meet-ing is always a busy one. We do not meet in December. However, can I ask you to keep a wary eye on events affecting the future of the Alyth Youth Partnership? Funding is up for consideration again. At the moment there is no guarantee that Youth Worker Paul McFarlane will be able to remain in post. So much of their success has been down to Paul. Every effort must be made to retain him. Have a great Christmas and New Year.
Jim Adam, Chairman