Rooting out funding to boost Alyth orchard
Volunteers in Alyth are keen to raise funds to enhance the east Perthshire town’s community orchard.
The community orchard is located on Alyth Hill and is run by Alyth Hill Users Group (AHUG).
Local resident and gardener Emily Hutchison is keen to develop the space as a community growing area, encouraging people to grow their own produce.
Speaking at an Alyth Development Trust meeting earlier this year, Emily said: “Through the lockdowns last year and this year I have spent lots of time walking up Alyth Hill, usually going through the community woodland and stopping by the orchard.
“Lots of local people visited the hill as well as part of their allotted essential exercise but I feel the community orchard is under-used by the people of Alyth and we want to make it more accessible, more of a destination and a focal point, with space for workshops and events.
“One weekend I was up there I met a family on holiday with children on bikes asking if they were allowed in, and it made me think that maybe it isn’t as
welcoming as it could be.
“Perhaps if there was a shelter or picnic area inside people would be more inclined to venture in and so we’re keen to raise funds to support the development of this amazing orchard that we have.
“Covid has increased demand for outdoor space and meeting safely and the orchard could provide that.
“The school could use the space for outdoor lessons with pupils coming back with their families and other community groups and organisations, such as the Scouts, could also use the space.
“Food for Thought had a socially-distanced foraging fun day in September, for example, with a map showing people how to get to the orchard and crumble packs made up to give out on their return.
“A group from Thrifty One also headed up the hill to collect plums for jams, chutneys and cakes; we are so lucky to have such a wonderful communal food source on our doorstep.
“My hope is that as we come out of lockdown the orchard will become a safe outdoor congregating space for friends, families and visitors with the possibility for the Scouts and other groups to enjoy overnight camping and cooking outdoors.”
For more information or to become involved with the group, contact AHUG through its Facebook page by searching for‘Alyth Hill Users Group’.
Blairgowrie High School pupils are raising funds for local good causes this month while completing weekly fitness challenges as part of efforts to promote positive wellbeing.
The Beeches Road education institution is a ‘rights respecting school’ – a UNICEF UK initiative which aims to create safe and inspiring places to learn, where children are respected and their talents are nurtured.
The Rights Respecting Schools Award works towards ensuring that children have the best chance to lead happy, healthy lives and to be responsible, active citizens and Blairgowrie High School is currently working towards the scheme’s silver award.
Local initiatives set to benefit from the school’s efforts include Proactive Communities’ Blairgowrie and Rattray Independent (BaRI) Food Project and Food for Thought in Alyth.
Deputy head Lawrie Stewart said: “Currently we are setting weekly fitness ‘challenges’ for all of our pupils in order to promote positive wellbeing and to ensure our young people stay fit and healthy, highlighting the benefits that physical exercise has on mental health and wellbeing.
“These challenges involve the amount of distance covered and we have introduced some healthy competitiveness through house points challenges as well.
“Pupils are being set challenges during their online PE sessions which will run until the Easter holidays.
“We thought we could ask pupils to fundraise for the BaRI Food Project and Food for Thought to raise awareness of the charitable work that foodbanks are doing as well as much-needed funds.
“As a rights respecting school, this ties in with our efforts to highlight key issues such as food poverty and the rights of the child.
“We felt this was a good way to work together with the communities in the school’s catchment area and do what we can to support efforts locally in what is a very difficult time for many people.”
A pensioner, pushed to the ground in a communal garden, is to get £200 compensation, despite a court being told she regarded the area as “her personal fiefdom.”
Lawyer Mike Tavendale told Perth Sheriff Court the 70 year-old was the “author of her own misfortune” after she armed herself with a washing pole and approached John McLeish from behind.
He added that in his 30 to 40 years’ experience of legal work: “I’m surprised something like this has ended up in the sheriff court.
“It does appear completely over the top. “The way she acted was certainly not faultless.”
He urged that his client, 55 year-old McLeish, of Bank Street, Blairgowrie, be admonished on an assault charge.
But Sheriff Neil Bowie gave the outof-work accused, who did not keep in particularly good health, a month to pay the compensation.
He admitted that on February 13, 2021, at the common garden to the rear of 26 George Street, Blairgowrie, he assaulted the victim by pushing her on the body, causing her to fall to the ground.
Depute fiscal Lisa Marshall said the small, communal garden belonged to five properties, including those of the complainer and the accused.
They are neighbours and there was a history of difficulties over access rights which had caused “stress to both parties”.
About 10am, the 70 year-old was in the garden with her terrier when she “became angry” at the way the accused reacted to the dog barking.
“She stepped forward, making it known she wasn’t happy,” added the fiscal.
She then picked up a washing pole because she felt threatened but he pushed her, causing her to fall to the ground.
“The complainer was shaken and contacted the police to report the matter.
“The police arrived at 11am and she was visibly upset and shaken.”
Mr Tavendale said: “There had been a long history of difficulty – not just with my client but most of the other occupants of the five properties at the corner site.”
He added: “It would appear she regards the mutual garden as her personal fiefdom and takes exception to others using it for legitimate purposes.”
He said McLeish had gone to get logs from a store and she was in the garden with her two dogs, one of which was described as “fairly aggressive and annoying”.
Mr Tavendale added: “He simply told her to get it under control and went to the log store.”
He was kneeling down, with his back to her, when – for some reason – she became aggressive and started hitting the pole on the ground.
“On hearing the banging, he immediately stood up and pushed her away.
“She was in his face and it was an immediate reaction,” maintained the lawyer.
The accused acknowledged he should have walked away.
He was a “genuine first offender” and would learn a lesson from what had happened.
Imposing the £200 compensation, Sheriff Bowie said: “Whatever disputes you have with your neighbour have to be settled in a civilised manner.
“You ended up pushing this lady, who is 70, and although it didn’t result in any injury, there was some distress.”
She was in his face and it was an immediate reaction Mike Tavendale, solicitor
With further restrictions imposed as part of efforts to tackle the ongoing coronavirus crisis, a number of community groups and organisations are once again offering services and information to people across the region.
If you have an initiative you would like to appear on this page, email details to news@blairgowrieadvertiser.co.uk.
ALYTH
Alyth Community Support Group runs a foodbank and offers support with shopping, collecting prescriptions, dog walking and collecting free school meals.
For further information or to access any of the support available, see the website www.communitysupport.alyth. online
BALBEGGIE
The village shop is offering to help with shopping, prescriptions and friendly calls.
Call Gary Casson on 01821 640887 or email GCstores.balbeggie@gmail.com for more information.
BLAIRGOWRIE
The Blairgowrie and Rattray Coronavirus Co-ordination Group is available to support anyone who needs assistance in the town with shopping, collecting prescriptions or food parcels. Call 07936 067294 for assistance. Four community larders are available in the town at Blairgowrie Bowling Club, the Guide Hut on Emma Street, the Community Connect building in Rattray and on Haugh Road in Rattray.
The Proactive Communities group restocks the larders every day with fresh and tinned food and other items.
Everyone is welcome to either help themselves or donate items for others to use.
The Saturday Lunch Club, also run by Proactive Communities, delivers a weekly lunch to people in Blairgowrie and Rattray who would normally attend get-togethers that have been put on hold due to coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Meal kits providing ingredients and recipes for tasty and nutritious meals are also available.
Contact Sam Stewart on 07549 205064 or email lunchclub@discoverblairgowrie. co.uk for further information.
Proactive Communities’ Blairgowrie and Rattray Independent (BaRI) Food Project is operating a subsidised food store in Rattray Hall.
Food from the Fareshare scheme and Perth and Kinross Council is available at significantly reduced prices to anyone in the town as part of the project’s aim to reduce food waste and food poverty.
A range of items is available including fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, cereal, pasta, sauces and tinned soup and fruit and vegetables.
The store is open to everyone on Wednesdays from 4pm to 6pm and Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm.
Track and trace, hand sanitising and social distancing measures will be in place.
Face coverings are required and numbers will be limited at busy times.
School-aged children are being offered free lunches once a week thanks to volunteers from the BaRI Food Project.
The lunches are available for pick up in Blairgowrie and Rattray on Wednesdays. Alternatively, delivery can be arranged to anyone who is self-isolating.
The meals include a hot portion of food such as spaghetti bolognese or sausages and mash, juice, a portion of fruit, crisps and a dip and a sweet snack.
Anyone who is interested in receiving a free lockdown lunch is asked to contact the BaRI Food Project to help ensure numbers are correct.
Text 07823 443671, email barifood@ discoverblairgowrie.co.uk or message through the BaRI Food Project Facebook page.
CARSIE
Volunteers in Carsie are making regular telephone calls to local residents and helping out as and when required.
Contact Lynne Murrie on 01250 872929 for more information.
COUPAR ANGUS
Volunteers in Coupar Angus are on hand to provide support with food shopping, collecting prescriptions, posting mail, walking dogs or a friendly chat.
The contact number is 07745 792482.
DISCOVER BLAIRGOWRIE
The website, run by Blairgowrie and Rattray Business Association (BARBA) and the Proactive Communities group, aims to provide a source of up-to-date local information on the current situation.
See www.discoverblairgowrie.co.uk
FREEDOM COACH
Regular telephone contact with service users and a shopping service for those who usually depend on the Freedom Coach to access shops – as well as anyone else in need – is available.
For more information, contact Charlie Bisset on 01250 874246 or email candc. bisset@gmail.com
GUILDTOWN FRIENDSHIP CLUB
Guildtown Friendship Club is offering to pick up essential shopping and medication for people on Wednesdays.
Contact Ellen Simpson on 01821 640342.
KETTINS
Kettins Community Support Group consists of volunteers from the Community Council, the Guild and Hub committee members, and covers the Keillor, Kettins, Markethill and Campmuir areas.
Support includes shopping, prescriptions, regular email updates, and befriending. Anyone can join the email news list by getting in contact.
There are also regular posts on the Kettins Parish Hall Facebook page and the village website, www.kettins.org.
For more information, email kettinscc@gmail.com or call John Smith on 01828 628169.
MEIGLE AND ARDLER
Meigle and Ardler Community Council has reinstated all of the support services put in place during the first lockdown.
These include the thumbs up/thumbs down system where residents can display the status of their household so that members of the volunteer network can assess their wellbeing without breaking government guidelines.
The community phone service has also been reinstated so that those who need additional help can access these services in a timely manner.
The community helpline number is 07341 667292.
MOUNT BLAIR
Mount Blair Resilience Group is operating a helpline number following the tightening of restrictions. Support can be accessed by calling 07895 328352.
For more information, email help@ mbcdt.co.uk.