December 2019

CANdo Coupar Angus and District Community Magazine East of Scotland Farmers celebrating 60 years of trading, sponsors this issue of CANdo ISSUE 92 November/December 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 Editorial November/December 2019 Let’s tell them what we think In general, people like to be asked their opinion about issues that affect them. This is particularly true if the issues are local. There can, however, be a degree of cynicism: ‘Am I being asked what I think only to give the process the appearance of validity? No-one will pay any attention anyway.’ Trust is therefore paramount, that those doing the consulting haven’t already made up their minds and will listen to the answers they get. Bearing all that in mind, it’s encouraging to learn that, as we reported in the previous issue, there will indeed be a survey/questionnaire about the Town Hall, to find out what the community thinks the future should be for this landmark building. The consultation runs till the end of January 2020. Forms will be distributed in the town, or returns can be made online at http://consult.pkc.gov.uk/ - look for Coupar Angus Town Hall. Forward Coupar Angus has also run its own consultation on the theme of ‘Where Now?’ This was a well-attended and lively meeting, eliciting a high degree of participation, which in turn produced a wealth of ideas. The development trust is in good spirits, and the results of this consultation will be relayed in due course to all members. On the same subject, it is interesting (and heartening) to learn of the wide range of consultations undertaken by the Scottish Government. For example: ▪ the circular economy (of particular interest because of the work being done here, as reported in this issue) ▪ the sale of energy drinks to children ▪ controlling dogs ▪ smoking outside hospital buildings, and many more. All of the above are live consultations, and you can find out more by looking up the Scottish Government’s Consultation Hub. The articles in this issue are, as always, varied and we hope interesting. They range from visits to other towns to see what is happening in terms of carbon reduction; to the many activities with the same aim in our town and our primary and secondary schools; a profile of a business celebrating 60 years of trading, namely East of Scotland Farmers, who kindly sponsored this issue; as well as the Citizen of the Year award and Garden Competition. There is also a seasonal quiz which we hope will attract an enthusiastic entry! David Carson, on behalf of the editorial team contact Val: [email protected] or read CANdo at https://forwardcouparangus.co.uk CANdo is produced by your local development trust Forward Coupar Angus Your advertisement in this space? It will be seen by organisations/ school/outlets in Coupar Angus, also in Burrelton, Meigle, Kettins, Blairgowrie and beyond. Contact Val to discuss, and support CANdo, your local free magazine WHERE IS THIS IN YOUR COMMUNITY Do you know where this is in Coupar Angus. And would you like to tell us if it is in the right place? See next edition of CANdo. The photo in the September/October edition of CANdo was Sidlaw Park, at the back of the gardens on Caddam Road and next to the old railway. Professionally NPTC qualified, offering: Felling, Pruning, logging & stacking services. Get in touch with Grant for a quote 07444641283 or [email protected] Balhousie’s new menu is a hit with residents and relatives alike Lately, residents of Balhousie Care Home Coupar Angus have been enjoying weekly themed lunches. On Tuesdays the theme is either ‘Ladies Who Lunch’ for the ladies, or ‘Pie and a Pint’ for the men. A recent Pie and a Pint lunch included live entertainment from a local ukulele band. “The special lunches have proved to be a huge hit with residents and their families, with many relatives coming in to enjoy them. One resident’s son even brought a couple of golfing friends along for a pie and a pint. Our staff also love popping in to join them,” says Doris Scott, Activities Coordinator at Balhousie Coupar Angus. Like at other homes across Balhousie Care Group, Coupar Angus’s menus have undergone a revamp this year. The recently introduced winter menu includes beef and Guinness pie, creamy leek risotto, Moroccan lamb tagine, pear and ginger crumble, and Christmas Bakewell Tart. The new menu has been so popular that some care homes have waiting lists of relatives wanting to dine with their family members! Sixty Years Old − Still Trading Strong Robin Barron talks to CANdo about EoSF, East of Scotland Farmers Robin is General Manager of this cooperative that is such a landmark in Coupar Angus, and which for sixty years has been at the heart of farming in Strathmore. Over the years this heartland has expanded. Now 170 farmers supply EoSF with grain, and while most are between Perth and Forfar, others are as far afield as Brechin and Carnoustie, Cupar and Milnathort, Crieff and Aberfeldy. The business came about because a building, previously a government munitions store, became available in 1959. From the outset it was a cooperative, designed to benefit users’ needs above those of investors. Cooperatives in farming are widespread. The most common is the machinery ring, where surplus plant and labour from one farm are rented out to another farm with a shortage of resources (Robin describes this as a ‘dating agency’ for machines). While EoSF has diverse activities, such as providing fertilizer, seeds and crop protection products along with agronomy advice, its main commerce is malting barley for the whisky industry. EoSF dries the barley, stores, markets and supplies it. (Wheat is used for grain whisky.) And it doesn’t neglect another of Scotland’s staples - porridge. Milling oats go to the Quaker factory in Cupar. There is no crushing facility in Scotland for oil seed rape. EoSF collects it for transformation into vegetable oil or bio diesel. Given the importance of malting barley to the business, safe to say this has been the driver of major developments. In 1998 a new drier was built and grain storage extended by 9,000 tons, then in 2004 a further 4,500 tons. And in 2013, a new drier was unveiled, one of the biggest in Europe, with 16,000 tons of grain storage. Robin explains why they need such sophisticated equipment: the Scottish climate (which means barley is cut at higher moistures than elsewhere) and the demands of the whisky industry (wants grain dried to 12% moisture for safekeeping). Malting barley is a living cereal and must be dried at a regular temperature of 60 degrees. The five driers at EoSF can deal with 84 to 100 tons per hour. Scotland is a prolific producer of barley (no surprise surely, given the prominence of whisky at home and abroad!). Amounts do vary from year to year, due to the weather. For example, 2019 saw a big increase on the year before - 250,000 tons to be exact. But such vagaries clearly point to the need for a lot of storage capacity. Robin’s route to EoSF was via the family farm, agriculture college in Aberdeen and a grain company in Dundee. “The job came at the right time for me.” He is clearly enthusiastic about his work and the company generally, stressing the importance of teamwork across the whole enterprise. Working hours at EOSF are demanding: a 7.30 start every day, 12-hour shifts during harvest when barley drying is a 24/7 operation. The Country Store There is another arm to EoSF. The Country Store was revamped in 2007, and business is brisk. For readers who like figures, here’s the current picture at the store: ▪ turnover £1.35 million, average 86 transactions a day (26,640 annually) ▪ 157 suppliers, 6,000 product lines and 9 employees. EoSF has 20 full-time employees, 5 part-time and up to a dozen seasonal workers. It provides many training opportunities, and Continued Professional Development is integral. One employee, Gillian Smeaton, just won a national award for suitably qualified persons (SQP) in animal health. Gillian’s award was for excellent customer service providing animal medicines. This is a prestigious competition, and Gillian’s success is recognition of her ability and EoSF’s commitment to employee development. It is no coincidence that, as part of his daily routine, Robin lists communication with staff, as well as ensuring that everything done is delivered at a high level of service. The cooperative is important in and to the community of Coupar Angus. It supports many community activities, from kit for the local football team, to equipment for installing the Christmas lights, and parking facilities for large scale events. EoSF’s turnover is £20 million, with £250k retained each year to reinvest in the business. Asked whether, when gazing into a crystal ball, Robin has a smile on his face, he replies, “Yes, we have a successful business model and we are involved in a vital industry. Our main market produces brands that are valued and consumed all over the world.” However, there is a degree of caution. “It’s not all plain sailing, there are always challenges to overcome.” Readers could probably name one at least! Many thanks to Robin for giving up time to chat with CANdo.

Load more