Blairgowrie & Rattray Hub Magazine Summer 2023

The Swifts by Beth Lincoln
When they are born, every Swift is named by choosing a random entry from
the family dictionary. The question is, do you have to live up to your name,
particularly when the word chosen is ‘Shenanigan’? This is the brilliant story
of a family gathering, a treasure hunt and some pretty strange goings for
Shenanigan, her sisters and Erf to work out. What has happened to Aunt
Schadenfreude and has the library claimed a new victim? Perfect for 8 upwards.
The Goat and the Stoat and the Boat by Em Lynas and Matt Hunt
Last, but definitely not least, is this entertaining new book for wee ones. It has
everything youngsters could want from a story: it rhymes, has bold colours, fun
characters and plenty of action and play – all wrapped into a story of sharing
and friendship.
We hope you enjoy your summer reads. If you would like any further recommendations, just pop into
see us at Adventure into Books or ask at the Blairgowrie Library or the community-run second-hand
bookshop, Booklore – we’ve got oodles of ideas for you!
Kate & Ralph
The new Guide Hall
is progressing with
its rebuild and we
couldn’t be more
excited! There is still
a long way to go, lots
of fundraising still to
be done, but there is a light at the end of the
tunnel, getting brighter all the time. We so
look forward to moving into a warm, bright,
energy efficient building, the opposite of the
old Guide Hut!
We need to express our thanks to everyone
who has helped with our fundraising in any
way, be that through coming along to our
events, donating items for Tombola stalls,
Raffles, Bingo Nights, baking cakes for stalls,
etc. to giving your time to help out or by making
suggestions where we can access further
funding. Special thanks have to go to Vicky who
has relentlessly applied for an assortment of
grants, anybody who has had this role in the
past knows just how much ‘paperwork’ and
jargon this involves. Our District Commissioner
has cracked the whip throughout her time in
the role, with the help of the members of the
committee and Blairgowrie Rotary Club. All will
be looking forward to a time when the bills are
all paid and they can relax a bit, not dreaming
about where the next bill payment will come
from.
Once the building is complete it will be available
for use by community groups or individual
hires. If you would be interested in using it,
whilst we are not taking bookings yet, please
get in touch via email to
guidehutblairgowrie@gmail.com
Within Guiding Rainbows generally start once
they join P1 at school, aged 4/5 years. Girls
enjoy working as a team, meeting new friends
from different schools and years, doing crafts,
getting messy, earning badges, playing games
and learning more about people and the world
around them.
Girls start Brownies from age 7 where they
move up a gear and are involved in more
sleepovers, camps and outings, and inevitably,
earning more badges.
Girls can then join Guides from age 10, where
they are much more responsible for deciding
the activities they undertake, and how they fit
in with modern life.
Recently a new group has started for Rangers,
girls from the age of 14, and whilst they have
Leaders to support them, they are in charge of
what they do and how they do it.
If you know of any girls from age 5 upwards
who you feel would benefit from experiencing
Guiding, please register at
www.girlguiding.org.uk
We’d also love to welcome interested adults
along to join in the fun of Guiding too. Girls can
join any of the groups at any stage throughout
the journey.
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