CANdo Coupar Angus and District Community Magazine ‘Eighth in the top ten healthiest places to live in the UK’
Coupar Angus best ever Cycling Festival
ISSUE 90 July/August 2019 Joe Richards Collectables
WANTED: Old tools & coins, Tilley lamps, war items
01828 628138 or 07840 794453 [email protected]
Ryan Black, fish merchant in Coupar Bits n Bobs with Kids and Gifts Angus & area, Thursdays 8.30 am till 5 pm. At The Cross 12 till 12.45
‘straight from the shore to your door’
CANdo July/August 2019 Editorial
The other day I came across an interesting statistic, which you may have read in the local and national press. Apparently, Coupar Angus is one of the healthiest of places to live in the UK. It came eighth in a list of the top ten. You may view this with some scepticism - why not in the top three? Or with surprise that our town is mentioned at all. Further investigation revealed how the list was compiled. It comes from Liverpool University and the Consumer Data Research Centre. This body selected various criteria and applied them to towns and villages across the country. These criteria included access to health services - mainly GPs and dentists - air/environmental quality, green spaces, amenities and leisure facilities. With its Butterybank community woodland, park and blue spaces like the Burn, Coupar Angus did well in this analysis. If you are fit and healthy you may be gratified by this result. If however you are less fortunate, this particular league table will have less appeal. But it is salutary to learn that your home town has many advantages. What relevance has this to CANdo? Quite a lot, as it happens. In this issue you can read articles on keeping fit and well-being initiatives; on environmental improvement; on sport and leisure opportunities; on the work of volunteers. In addition, there is a report on the recent cycle festival and profiles of local businesses. There is the usual “What’s On” section, which is itself a reflection of the many varied activities taking place on a regular basis. We hope you find the contents interesting and stimulating. And we are delighted that a regular reader has given a generous donation to be used exclusively to help with the costs of producing CANdo. As a result, our finances are looking a good deal healthier. David Carson, on behalf of the editorial team, contact Val Kidd - [email protected] or read CANdo at https://forwardcouparangus.co.uk CANdo is produced by Forward Coupar Angus
Your advertisement in this space? It will be seen by all the organisations/school/outlets in Coupar Angus as well as in Burrelton, Meigle, Kettins, Blairgowrie and beyond. Contact Kenny [email protected] or Val to discuss, and in this way support CANdo, your local free magazine
Second hand bikes for sale at the Cycling Hub, Forfar Road, Coupar Angus
WHERE IS THIS IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Professionally NPTC qualified, offering: Felling, Pruning, logging & stacking services.
Get in touch with Grant for a quote 07444641283 or [email protected]
Coupar Angus Cycling Festival 2019 - What an incredible weekend!
The best Cycling festival Saturday in Larghan Park yet we think, with so many more people walking and cycling to the events and so many more things for people to do and see. It truly was such a good weekend and we were lucky that the rain held off until The Clan Stunt Team finished their last show. As always, everyone is here to get people of all ages and abilities on bikes...and I think we all did a great job of achieving this.
Events kicked off on Friday with Markus Stitz, an incredible ambassador for cycling, who stayed all weekend to talk about his trip round the world, run a bike-packing workshop and inspire people to get on a bike and explore the amazing area we live in. Raffle winners will be posted later along with the light-weight kids’ bike active schools raffle to see who won that amazing new Frog bike! Back at the cycling hub, Jennifer Tough kickstarted the Saturday evening entertainment, delivering an incredible talk to inspire people to get on their bikes, and so many mind-blowing stories and insights into her cycling career.
After the talk, the pizza oven was fired up alongside Lonely Mountain Skis and their sound system with good vibes all round, and thunder and lightning in the background. 71 Brewing provided the tasty lager and the night was topped off by a fantastic band, The Derailleurs. Sunday was race day for Scotland's Spiciest Mountain bike race, Ballo Enduro. The trails on Saturday practice were dusty dry, but come Sunday, it was a different story after all the rain. But that is what racing is all about. Everyone returned to the Cycling Hub for food, coffee and music whilst chilling in the sun, waiting for all the participants to return. It just happened to be one of the Cycling Hub boys who took the fastest time of the day, so congrats to Calum Mackie as well as all other racers and riders. You all made it such a great weekend. Anyone who enters Ballo Enduro helps to make our FREE festival sustainable, so we really appreciate you coming and racing. Finally, we want to say a HUGE thank you to all our volunteers, marshals, supporters, believers, members and participants and a special thanks to our fantastic sponsors who really make this festival financially viable. Grant Murdoch A Business That Has You Covered
The business in question is Edington and Neave in Coupar Angus. Ask Bobby Edington what the firm does, and his answer is succinct: “We’re roofers but also do cement work, plaster work, ceramic tiling and external plumbing.” There are currently eight employees, four of them serving their apprenticeship with the firm. This involves attending college to learn the trade and associated skills, a route Bobby himself followed. After leaving Blairgowrie High, Bobby worked for Craigie Roofers in Blairgowrie for seven years while attending Perth College. It’s often the case that chance rather than design dictates the direction of travel. Bobby had known Andy Neave at school, and it was Andy who (over a game of darts) learned that G.S. Brown were looking for roofers to work on a self-employed basis. He told Bobby about this, and the pair signed up. “On the grip” as Bobby explains. Nowadays we would describe this as a zero hours contract. Bobby and Andy formed a self- contained squad and carried out the tasks stipulated by G.S. Brown, such as roof tiling and rendering new houses. Most of their work was local, but on occasions involved going to places like Stonehaven. It was a case of ‘Have van and bag of tools, will do the job’. It was a way of earning a living, but not sustainable in the longer term. Clearly however, the freedom and degree of independence appealed to them both. They had learned that there was plenty of work out there, so in due course they took on their own apprentice, who still works with them today. And when Kenny Pithie retired, they took over his yard − by then Edington and Neave was born. The business is now 28 years old. It’s a colourful back story, and appropriate since Bobby’s personal background is equally colourful. His family was from Coupar Angus, but he was born in Errol and returned to Coupar Angus at the age of two. His maternal grandmother was “Dundee Italian” while Bobby’s maternal grandfather was Polish and his other grandfather was the GP in Errol. His mother worked for a spell at Timex in Dundee then in Jack Oldings before taking a computing course at Dundee College. She became a programmer at Perth College (in fact several members of the Edington clan have worked there over the years, including Bobby himself who lectured there). Bobby is a passionate skier. He claims he was a late developer, not starting until he was fourteen, but that hasn’t prevented him gaining coaching qualifications. Growing up, he played football, and when the Nortel opened, he became a squash devotee, and in due course captain of the men’s team. His grandfather, who was a member at Rosemount, introduced him to golf. But next to skiing he would place cricket. Geoff Drought for many years encouraged and coached youngsters in the art of cricket, and Bobby soon became both an enthusiast of the game and a very proficient exponent. He was captain of the Coupar Angus team for 26 years. It was a sad day when the team, due to lack of members, finally stopped playing. But sport lives on for Bobby, in a vicarious way. His son Josh, who is fourteen, is a prolific sports player like his father, and has recently been selected for the Scottish cricket team. But lest we think the Edington household is dominated by sport, we should mention that their sixteen-year-old daughter Freya is an accomplished musician. She plays bassoon in Perth Youth Orchestra. Not only that, she is a member of the Scottish Junior Conservatoire. And Liz, Mrs. Edington, works with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. At 53, Bobby has led a busy and eventful life, building up a business in partnership with Andy Neave and enjoying energetic leisure activities. He is realistic about the work of a roofer, however. “It’s not an easy job. You’re outside in all weathers. You need to be fit and flexible. But there are satisfactions of course in a difficult job well done.” He adds, with a smile, “Mind you, I’m quite glad my days of scrambling about high up on a roof are all but over!” David Carson
.
The trustees of the Strathmore Community Hub are thrilled to be included in Perth and Kinross Council’s Town Centre Fund. For the support from Coupar Angus, thanks go to Cllr Fiona Sarwar in particular, and cross party members including Cllr Colin Stewart. Following three years of negotiation and fundraising to buy the disused NHS building in Trades Lane, we finally took ownership on behalf of the community on 31st May. This meant the trustees could draw up plans to convert the building into an accessible and suitable community asset. The icing on that cake was the timely £150,000 PKC funding which will enable substantial improvements much sooner than otherwise possible. Our plans are to provide smaller meeting places for anything from hobbyists to rehearsal spaces, chat groups to Bridge clubs. We also encourage therapy groups and health advisors to take spaces that benefit the community. A comfortable lounge cafe is also on the cards providing hot food and snacks, not forgetting good coffee, tea and with luck, home-bakes. We look forward to displaying arts and crafts from artisans in Strathmore. Many activities are planned with the facilities. Of course all this work will take time to complete and require further fund raising, but the generosity of PKC is giving us a good start. None of this would have been possible without financial support from the Scottish Land Fund and the Gannochy Trust, or the encouragement, help and advice from our MP Pete Wishart, and huge support from our MSP John Swinney, along with other organisations. We look forward to developing this asset and provide further improved facilities and encouraging a bright future for our already gold award winning town.
The meaning behind the logo - 3-cornered Celtic symbol or Triquetra Dating back to 500 BC, the triquetra is an ancient Celtic symbol of the triple goddess (maiden-mother-crone). Over the centuries it has become the Holy Trinity symbol for many Christians. Representing the 3 fundamental elements – air, water, and earth or the infinite cycle of life, it is also known as a rune of protection. Strathmore Community Hub adopted the variant to represent the bonding of our community and the hub’s fundamental aims - bringing together people with common interests in leisure activities, sharing and promoting creative arts, and lastly a cafe. The intertwining of the three points with further points represents the many ways for which the hub can be used to achieve its aims. The surrounding Reuleaux triangle symbolises bringing it together in one location. The colour yellow is not significant. So now you know!
Funding Success Kettins Parish Hall
In recent months, Kettins Parish Hall has had significant Funding success: Gannochy Trust £25,000; Perth & Kinross Council – Community Environment Challenge Fund £10,000, Community Investment Fund £15,000, Leader £75,000; Hugh Fraser Foundation £7,000. These take our secured Funding to £223,000, leaving us with the final £20,000 to find to reach our target of £243,000 for the Phase 1 proposals.
We need your help to reach the target!
SPONSOR A BRICK It’s not too late to Sponsor a Brick. You receive a Certificate thanking for your support and your name or chosen text appears on an original artwork by Cornelia Weinmann, on permanent display. Bricks £25 for an individual brick, to £1000 for a Founder Member.
SPONSORED WALK – PITLOCHRY, SUNDAY 4 AUGUST 2019 This year our walk is 8.5 miles, taking in Loch Faskally and the River Tummel, the waterfalls at Linn of Tummel and River Garry, crossing back to Pitlochry across the Dam. We have options for a shorter walk (2 - 4 miles. We finish at Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre for a coffee and catch-up. Worried about getting sponsors, please just come along for the walk and give us a Donation. Sponsor Sheets from Russell Miller, 07753 426208, or message us on Facebook, or go to the Community Council website http://kettins.org/wp- content/uploads/2019/06/Sponsorship_and_Gift_Aid_Walk2019.pdf
PERSIE GIN TASTING – RED HOUSE HOTEL, COUPAR ANGUS, FRIDAY 5 OCTOBER 2019 Sample a selection of Persie Gins and find your favourite. Try a gin cocktail. Tickets £25, include Stovies Tea/Coffee, Isobel Hynd http://kettins.org/gin-tasting-evening/
VILLAGE MONTHLY LUNCHES in the Church Hall give the community the opportunity to get together for soup, a blether and a raffle. Ticket just £2. Come along - Thursday 11th July or Thursday 15th August at 12 (part of Community Land Week). These are monthly events, all welcome. If you are interested in volunteering (making soup, cake or helping at lunch), contact Susan Smith.
How can you help us? Support our plans by joining in with these events
See us on facebook or email [email protected] News from Pride of Place Our hanging baskets are up, thanks to the help of Ian Rodgers and his son. Ian is a Coupar Angus carpenter and, very generously, gives his time to PoP every year. The plants have filled out thanks to the sun and Tom Caldow who waters them for us daily. Our boxes are also planted up − at Berry Bob and opposite the Red House, the plants are the colours of theUS and European flag to mark the Solheim Cup, the women's golf championship held at Gleneagles this year.
The Skate Park revamp is complete and really enhances the park. As part of the Cycling Festival, there was a very lively Skate Jam there in June, with many folk watching the young people demonstrating their skills.
This Skate event was organised by Wayne Rodgers, the artist who worked on the Skate Park, with young people helping him. Thank you Wayne for a great result.
The raised beds in the School Kitchen Garden are full of 'edible' produce awaiting the children's return in August to harvest and share. They also have vegetables growing in the polytunnel. PoP look after these during the holidays to ensure their success. While Iain Bentley was working with the children in the Garden Room identifying the bugs they found, one boy, Oscar, discovered a toad among the plants.
Oscar was quite taken with his find and was encouraged by Iain to research where perhaps toads usually live and design a bog garden for them. PoP priced the cost of constructing this and successfully applied for a grant from ScotMid. Once all the health and safety issues were resolved, Oscar's Bog Garden is now a reality in the Outdoor Garden behind the Garden Room. The additional bench at the far end of Larghan Park, sponsored by ScotMid, has been installed. So now there is a bench where you can rest your weary legs when going round the park or walking your dog.
We are very busy now trying to ensure the town is neat, tidy and clean when the judges come to visit. The Beautiful Scotland judges will be in town on Thursday, 8th August but we do not yet have a date for the Take a Pride in Perthshire judging. So please try to help by ensuring all litter is binned and any cigarette butts are safely extinguished and put in a bin. Thank you. Anne Easson
Litter Pick in Coupar Angus easier than last year
Contributing to the Keep Scotland Tidy campaign this summer, 12 volunteers, mostly Pride of Place members, litter-picked areas of Coupar Angus. . We saw how tidy the cemetery was and similarly, how well Butterybank was thriving; this community woodland was looking good and the views magnificent. We can be proud of the outskirts of our town. The returned litter bags were down in quantity compared to last year. This is an ongoing trend and well done Coupar Angus. I notice that our Larghan Park, which is well used by townsfolk and people from Perth, Dundee, Forfar and Dunkeld, is also well respected, with many people ensuring their litter goes in the bins. A special thank you to the regular dog walkers who pick up stray litter as they walk around the park. Some, (not many), dog owners in town are not as diligent. A Causeway End resident informed us, that having unknowingly trodden on dog poo on more than one occasion outside his home, he has transferred this into his house and carpet; frequently he must be careful to avoid dog poo. I am sure he is not the only one who could tell such tales. The dog poo we saw close to Campbell Street, was in an area with lots of children, even though the dangers of contamination are well known. Leaving this poo is an offence. We don’t really want people to be fined or prosecuted, we would rather have responsible citizens who think of their fellow residents. It would be sad to have to name and shame before we achieve an environment that we would all like to live in. Poo bags are free at Scotmid. Oh, and we also found a green bag of poo left near the roadside gutter, despite a very close-by council litter bin. Thank you to all the dog walkers who are responsible, who even bag dog poo left by others. Although Coupar Angus is looking good, cigarette buts are still a blight, especially outside the Chicken Factory. Fast food packaging is often thrown from passing cars on our outskirts, and it may be time to put up notices to dissuade this. A useful sign for smokers who don’t dispose of their cigarette buts responsibly is the one I observed north of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia saying: ‘Don’t be a tosser – every piece of litter damages our environment. Fines from $65 to $375.’
Thank you to all the volunteers on this litter pick. We are grateful for being able to use the Y after the pick to enjoy Greggs cakes (sponsors once again); it was not weather for camaraderie in the park. Our progress is continuous, our town looks good and our flower tubs and baskets are on display for the summer. Pride of Place are working hard to do Coupar Angus proud with the summer flower displays and work around Larghan Park and our town. The MAD squad are also helping to ensure Coupar Angus looks its best. Temporary volunteers are now taking on the role of looking after the flowers at the Cross. This helps free up regular PoP workers for other tasks. There are plenty of opportunities for temporary volunteers who want to help but are not able or available for regular work parties. Throughout the year you could take on the care of a flower box, cut back an area of dog wood, help with a single project, deliver Christmas cards or assist with the (charity) Re Use shop, it all depends how much time you have available. If you are willing to give even a small amount of time to help Pride of Place enhance our community, your talents can be used and will be appreciated. Jeff Brewer
It’s A MAD World
Tuesday 10am and a group of motley-clad folk assemble at the Small Business Centre opposite George Square. One of them, habitually wearing red overalls, turns and says: “Listen up, we’ve got an interesting job to do today” “as always,” pipes up another. “Of course.” Red Overall man continues with a hint of impatience. “We’ve had a request from residents in Strathmore Avenue about a lane that leads to King’s Road. It’s used a lot, and the hedges on either side are getting undisciplined and unruly.” “Sounds a bit like someone we know,” says another, nodding in Overall Man’s direction. “Enough banter. It’s going to be our work this morning to cut back the hedges and make the place tidy and more practical to walk along.” Nods of assent, and the group sets to and loads the van with hedge cutters, a blower for tidying up and two large sacks for the debris. The next few hours (interrupted only by a coffee break) are spent trimming, weeding, raking and collecting the cuttings. As the tools are put back in the van, Overall Man surveys the now tidy lane. “Good work folk. See you next week, same time.” And so ends another MAD session.
The above is typical of what MAD does on Tuesdays. Recent jobs include clearing paths in the Community Woodland; cutting back vegetation on Thorn Alley (carefully, with minimum disturbance to flowers and wildlife); emptying a house of unwanted furniture; clearing the relief road verges from the traffic lights, past the Health Centre, to the roundabout; painting the corrugated iron fencing at Foxhall Park. The group was initiated by Forward Coupar Angus and is still one of its projects. The aim as always is to Make A Difference (MAD). If a job needs done, is within the capabilities of the team, and will benefit the community collectively or individually, the MAD group will get involved. Initially, members used their own tools, but as the scope of our work increased and became better known, we have accrued an impressive collection gained by donation or grants. ‘Paths For All’ gave us money to buy electric strimmers, a chainsaw and a blower, FCA enabled the purchase of a Rotary Strimmer, and we have a Power Flymo that has seen service in the Community Woodland, along with shovels, rakes and hoes. The MAD group is open to all. It is a cheerful, frequently irreverent group that enjoys the variety of tasks that arise. We meet every Tuesday at 10am. If you would like to learn more or get involved, contact Joe Richards on 07840 794453. D. Carson WHAT’S ON in July/August 2019 MONDAYS New Age Kurling starts Monday 2nd Sept in the Town Hall. 1.30 -3.30 pm Cost £2 including refreshment. Free Taxi if you require (Coupar Angus & Kettins area), contact Ann 01828 627587. Everyone welcome.
▪ Zumba (6.30-7.30 pm) Town Hall, with Fiona (£4)
▪ Exercise Class with Sophie 11.45-12.45 in Town Hall. All ages, £4 TUESDAYS ▪ Join ‘Make a Difference’ squad 10 am, Coupar Angus Small Business Centre
▪ Royal Bank of Scotland mobile van (10.10–10.40) Union St opposite Shell garage ▪ Community Cafe 11.30 Cargill-Burrrelton Church Hall – great place to meet people over a free cuppa or soup. Transport available, call Susie on 01828 670384 ▪ Pilates Classes Mixed 5.15-6.15pm, Intermed 6.30-7.30pm led by Susie at St Anne’s Hall Contact Susie on 07914 700988 or [email protected] ▪ Kettins Carpet Bowling Club 6.30-9 pm Kettins Church Hall. New members always welcome (for safety reasons over 18). Contact Graham Bell on 627855 WEDNESDAYS ▪ Pilates 9.30 am Mixed ability, and 1.30 pm, Susie Black (contact details above) ▪ Seniors Outings, 2nd Wed of the month, 12 pm Town Hall – contact Michael Gallagher ▪ Weekly Work Party Caddam Rd Community Garden 5-7pm. Meet at gates to the Market Garden, Causewayend, behind lock-up garages. All welcome
▪ Adult Education, Tai Chi, Yoga, Art and Yoga classes start again in September. ▪ Burrelton & Woodside SWI meets 3rd Wednesday of the month 7.15 pm, in the Church Hall, Woodside. All welcome to attend. THURSDAYS ▪ Help Pride of Place keep our town looking good, many hands make light work so please come to our work parties, meet Town Hall 9.30am. In the summer we also meet on Tuesdays 6.30pm. contact Anne 07960538728 [email protected]
▪ BANK of SCOTLAND Mobile Van (10.55 to 12.25) in the Red House Hotel car park THURSDAY FRIENDS starts 12th Sept at Town Hall 2 - 3.30. Tea party with entertainment 2nd Thursday of the month. Free taxi available. Thursday Friends Charity Shop open Sunday 4th August for 1 week. Donations welcome for shop, tombola and raffle. Contact Mary 07999 766858 or Jenny 01828 628537 ▪ Pilates classes 11.30 St Anne’s Hall, beginners 12.45. contact Susie (see above)
▪ Ippon Karate (7 - 8.30 pm) in the Town Hall
FRIDAYS
▪ Cycle for Cake (C4C) Join fun cycle, meet at Cycle Hub 9.15, Forfar Rd. different and interesting off-road destinations. All welcome.
▪ RELAX GROUP - handcrafts at St Anne’s Hall, 9.15am - 12, £3.50 a session SUNDAYS St Anne's Church Forfar Road, Service every Sunday 11 am, to which are all welcome, coffee beforehand at 10.30 am Morning Services Bendochy Church 10 am, and Coupar Angus Abbey Church 11.15, with tea/coffee after this service. Please come along and share fellowship with us OTHER EVENTS Summer Reading Challenge at libraries over the summer
Space-themed craft sessions 19th July and 9th August from 3-4 pm £2 per session. Visit summerreadingchallenge.org.uk where you can read and play interactive games. Coupar Angus Library Open: Thurs 10 - 12 & 3 – 7, Fri 2 – 6, Sat 9.30 - 12.30
Burrelton Rovers AFC are running the charity shop in Coupar Angus,14-20 July Sat 27th July Coupar Angus Garden Competition Sat 3rd August 9.45-12/Tues 6th 5.45-8pm Grow Your Own monthly meetings at the cycling hub about growing your own food. contact [email protected] Sat 24th August 2-5pm Burrelton Market on the Village Green, lots and lots of stalls, (and new ones) BBQ, tea and cake, games for kids, face-painting. Great day out. Sat 7th/Sun 8th September Perthshire Doors Open Days, and 7 – 15th September Perthshire Open Studios. brochures available in August ‘Allo Allo’ - Blairgowrie Players will perform a play of the long running TV series in Blairgowrie Town Hall during August on Wed 14th and Thurs 15th starting at 7 pm and Sunday 18th at 2 pm. Tickets £12 (non-refundable) include refreshments, from www.ticketsource.co.uk/blairgowrie-players plus 94p booking fee or from The Card Gallery, Allan St, Blairgowrie tel: 01250 876444. Seating ‘café style’ not numbered. The humour, language and references are a parody of WW2 France and not meant to offend. Telling the story of the priceless portrait of the Fallen Madonna with the big b……, the play is full of adult humour. Come and see for yourself. This will be another winning production by the Blairgowrie Players.
- If you’d like your event listed in CANdo, please contact Val on [email protected]
Update from our Climate Literacy Training Officer The previous CANdo highlighted my appointment and since joining the Forward Coupar Angus (FCA) team, I have been involved in fact finding missions and networking with other climate challenge fund (CCF) sponsored organisations. This has enabled me to assess what provision is available on Climate Literacy and how FCA can best develop a training programme. Throughout May and June, I attended Croft Carbon College in Edinburgh for a series of workshops ‘7 Steps to a Greener You’ providing the knowledge and information needed to live a low energy life-style. The Croft have been very supportive and shared their course resources. Next was a course in Glasgow looking at Scotland’s national qualification framework and how to make informed decisions when credit rating a programme. This event has proved invaluable in writing the learning outcomes for the FCA Climate Literacy course. Closer to home, I visited the Waste Education Boardwalk run by Perth & Kinross Council’s Waste Awareness Team. Well worth a look and you can book a guided tour for your group. Based at Friarton Recycling Centre in Perth, it gives great insight into the different waste streams and how well we are treating waste in Tayside. The Scottish Government has set ambitious targets for dealing with waste: • reduce total waste arising in Scotland by 15% against 2011 levels
• reduce food waste by 33% against 2013 levels
• recycle 70% of remaining waste
• send no more than 5% of remaining waste to landfill. Currently, 47% of our local waste is sent to incineration or landfill, so we have a long way to go. FCA is active through the Reuse shop in trying to reduce the amount of clothing, furniture, electrical goods and ornaments entering the waste stream. Perhaps the next step would be to create a ‘Right to Repair’ or ‘Make do and Mend’ group; if anyone feels interested in helping with this please get in touch. I met Alison Elliott of Murton Farm in Forfar. This working farm hosts visits and has a very popular café and shop. They run training courses in horticulture/animal husbandry, are an SQA accredited centre and are more than willing to support FCA if we ever choose to go down that road.
I have started courses in Climate Literacy with local groups. With the Men’s Shed, we looked at sustainable coppice woodland management, willow coppice/furniture. I ran a session for the Relax Craft Group, using coppiced willow and recycled wool and fabric. The prelude to the hands-on session was a short presentation on climate change. Both groups asked for follow- up sessions which will take place in the autumn. I joined forces with Ana from PKC’s Waste Education Group and Maggie and Val of the Yarnstormers to run a Reuse and Recycle Marquee at the Coupar Angus Cycling Festival. We provided ad hoc sessions making rag rugs, carrier bags from old t-shirts and handy tips for waste reduction and recycling. With over 30 people taking part, the stalls were a great way of raising interest about Climate Change and carbon reduction activities. Over the coming months I will continue to write the FCA Climate Literacy programme and deliver local training. If your group would like a session, please get in touch with me, Jane Wilkinson on [email protected]
Forward Coupar Angus runs community gardens, growing seasonal fruit and veg for our local community using organic methods.
We organise loads of activities for all ages, so why not come along and learn to grow your own. Amandla and Sue are on hand to advise on growing – at this time of year ranging from harvesting and storing produce to summer pruning and pest checking. Volunteers not only share their produce and skills, they exchange seeds and a busy schedule of visits is planned to each other’s gardens. Work parties at the gardens are Wednesdays from 5 to 7 pm and Grow Your Own sessions at the cycle hub: In August, Sat 3rd & Tues 6th. In September, Sat 7th & Tues 10th Contact Amandla on: 01828 626211 or 07593583475
The fruit and veg from the Community Gardens are transported by bicycle, and along with produce from other local amateur and professional growers, sold at the community shop - the High Street Store.
Come along to the Time Bank
Did you know that the Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Time Bank covers Coupar Angus? Our groups and exchange services are available to all Coupar Angus residents. If you have been a previous Time Bank member, Catriona can help you join up again.
We hold Monthly Groups: Whist on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Our monthly Monday Social at Nest, Reform Street in Blairgowrie is a chance to get together after the long weekend for a blether and crafts. Everyone is welcome, please join us between 1 and 3pm on 29th July and 26th August. Our Crafty Folk group continues on the third Thursday of the month at SCYD (Strathmore Centre for Youth Development in Wellmeadow House) and hosts between 15 and 20 participants each time.
We have applied for funds to continue our social groups which play an important part in reducing isolation and loneliness in our community; there are plans for intergenerational Sewing Bee Workshops. We recently received Scotmid Coop Community Funding to cover materials and refreshments. Every week, Time Bank members offer their services or request all kinds of help. If you would like to join our mailing list or email updates, please contact our Development Worker Catriona Mackay on 07761233418 or [email protected]
To join your local community TimeBank, please get in touch.
Keeping it clean We spoke earlier about Coupar Angus being in the top ten desirable places to live in the UK and by the way, eight of the ten places on this list are in Scotland. Part of the reason for this accolade is the sterling work done by Paul Dow and his predecessor Louis in keeping our town’s streets clean. Paul had a good task master in Perth, where he worked for 11 years. Needless to say he saw it all in Muirton and Letham. He is convinced you need someone to show you the ropes to keep a town litter-free and the paths weed-free. As he explains: “the townsfolk don’t always see what you do. By the time most people are up and about, I’ve already been busy since 7.30 am, clearing up the mess from the night before.”
From an early age Paul has been a keen footballer, playing in Burrelton when he was 10 and then for St Johnstone at 15. Unfortunately, Paul broke his wrist at football (the surgeon said it was the worst break he had ever seen) and was in plaster for 6 months. He did play 5 years for Kettins in the league, then played for and managed Coupar Angus Amateurs, helping to bring them from the 3rd to the 1st division. Currently Paul manages Kettins Amateurs, and along with assistant manager Ross, runs the pre-season training 3 times a week before the League starts in August. Thanks to funding for new changing rooms, Paul says they will have the best set-up in the area next season.
Paul now has his own business, cleaning windows and sills, based at 9 Brodies Yard in Coupar Angus. He has many regular clients and if you need his services, give him a call on 07514 689609
Val Kidd
INNOVATIVE MOVEMENT AND MUSIC TRAINING FOR CARE PROVIDERS A project offering free specialist training to care providers working with people living with dementia has received £1700 funding from Perth & Kinross Council’s community investment fund. The Care and Wellbeing Co-operative – a group of rural Perthshire based self- employed carers, professionals, therapists and well-being specialists – helps older people and those with additional needs and health problems, to lead the life they want in their local community. The group offers personalised care, support and well-being services. Their aim is to create and support a network of micro-businesses and social enterprises delivering a range of services within the care and wellbeing sectors. Movement and Music, an innovative training course for people living with dementia, has been pioneered by Coupar Angus-based personal trainer Susie Black. Susie explained: “This programme is for healthcare providers who are already caring for people living with dementia and wish to increase both their engagement in sessions and their clients’ physical activity.” Having worked for many years with the NHS delivering postural stability training for falls prevention in frail adults, Susie was frustrated that people living with dementia were not able to take part in the programme to full effect. “Anchoring specific movements with things that people remember from their youth makes it easier to promote safe and effective physical activity, increasing engagement and enjoyment. I’m really looking forward to this project, I think it will make a huge difference to people from a health and wellbeing perspective.” Emma Burtles, local yoga teacher and member of the Care and Wellbeing Co-op, offers a seated exercise class and is passionate about keeping older people moving. Emma explained: “Supporting older people to remain active is an increasingly important part of our community and requires innovative and creative solutions, particularly in rural areas due to demographic changes and pressure on statutory health and social care services. I had been looking at doing something similar to Susie in Highland Perthshire and applied for funding. This course also has various benefits for personal assistants providing support to older people at home. Care homes are also looking for people to work with residents in the afternoons, and as it is traditionally a quiet time for fitness instructors and personal trainers, it’s a good fit in terms of timing for everyone.” She added: “There has been a good bit of interest in the programme and we think it will be popular. Susie is an enthusiastic teacher and is very passionate about this project, we are delighted to work with her. We are also very grateful to PKC’s community investment fund, enabling us to offer this free training to practitioners.” For information or to sign up, go to the website www.thecareandwellbeing.coop call 07917 77 36 55 or follow on Facebook and Twitter ......
GROWBIZ MOVES TO COUPAR ANGUS Independent enterprise support service GrowBiz has moved into new premises in Coupar Angus. The move is part of registered charity Growbiz’s initiative to provide enterprise hotspots for rural innovators, offering co- working space and high-speed digital connectivity for start-up, small and micro businesses. At the new offices in the former Bank of Scotland building in Union Street, Growbiz CEO Jackie Brierton explains: “GrowBiz has come a long way in 12 years and this move to new premises reflects that. Our model is simple but effective. We identify what businesses want, then secure the services required to meet that need.
The new offices were the location for the Growbiz June XChange meeting. These monthly meetings in various locations let local entrepreneurs get together, network, exchange business cards and hear from inspirational speakers in an informal setting.
At the meeting last month, the buffet and networking were followed by a tour of the workshop space and hot desking facilities. There was also an opportunity to hear about GrowBiz’s new ‘Making Rural Business Digital’ project which is supported by the Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER programme and the exciting development of Smart Villages across rural Perth and Kinross. The team of self-employed contractors who work for GrowBiz, providing expert and specialist advice and support to businesses in rural Perthshire, has grown, and larger office space was required. According to Jackie: “One challenge that many enterprise owners say they face is that of digital exclusion, and by enabling people to come and make use of high-speed connectivity, we hope to address this. This sort of co-working space can also help to reduce the feeling of isolation that we know people who are self-employed, particularly those in rural areas, can experience.” Growbiz staff are looking forward to welcoming everyone to their new premises, which will help people to be innovative and enterprising and to develop strong, self- sustaining networks of entrepreneurs who can support each other. Jackie continues: “There is a multitude of local, national and global opportunities for rural businesses in Perthshire, but digital connectivity, expertise and collaboration are essential to ensure that enterprise in rural areas can make the most of this potential. We are confident that our new premises can make a real and significant difference.” Growbiz offers one-to-one meetings with clients, while peer support and peer learning sessions are led by client demand, encouraging economic activity in the area. They work with businesses of all shapes and sizes and pride themselves on their professional, inclusive, friendly and free service.
If you are thinking of starting an enterprise or expanding an existing business in rural Perthshire, go to the GrowBiz website: www.growbiz.co.uk email [email protected] or call 01828 627790 to make an appointment and join our mailing list.
Follow Growbiz on social media - Facebook (@GrowBizPerthshire) Twitter (@Grow_Biz) and Instagram (growbizperthshire).