Blairgowrie & Rattray Hub Magazine Summer 2023

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Interviews & Contributor’s Articles Cllr Bob Brawn Scottish Conservative, Blairgowrie and Glens Ward There are pivotal moments in history, and we have witnessed one such moment just a few weeks ago, namely the Coronation of King Charles III. Whilst watching the television commentary, I heard that there are only around 600,000 of the country’s population can actually remember and were involved in celebrations at the Queen’s Coronation in 1953. So for almost all of us, this was our first experience of such an event. Our new King ascended the throne in troubled times- a war in East Europe, rising inflation and a resulting cost-of-living crisis here at home. And with the Coronation over, things are the same with a huge sense of uncertainty within the country. However, I think we have a decent and caring man who now sits on the throne, and I believe he will do all he can to ease the burdens on ordinary people. On more local matters, all will have read that the recent budget approved the necessary increase in funding for the new Recreation Centre. Following that, members of the User Reference Group had a digital walk through of the proposed building which gave a clear impression of how it will look when completed. The new building is expected to be completed and open by the end of 2024 following which the existing centre will be demolished and the site completed by mid-2025. A Letter of Intent has been signed which allows materials to be ordered and equipment mobilised with commencement of works expected in June. Following on from the ongoing concerns of residents regarding flooding in the Schoolfield Road area of Rattray, Councillor Shiers and myself, with members of the Community Council, met with Flood Engineers from PKC. Consultants, with information from local residents, are working at formulating some solutions and there is a public exhibition to be held at the end of the year for public feedback. In the meantime, the Community Council, with support from the Flood Forum, will be visiting properties which are prone to flooding to help with defensive measures. Decent quality affordable housing is always in demand and the next phase of the Westpark Development has been approved by the Planning Committee and whilst a Housing Association is taking on the site, there are conditions to be met before any work can commence. Several carriageway works have taken place in the Glens both on the A93 and A924- all were completed within timescales albeit with some initial confusion over signage. Most importantly, the road surfaces are improved as drivers will note. There are more works to be conducted on the A93 towards Glenshee in June, which will entail full closure, but these will be carried out at night. Finally, the 20mph speed limits across the Glens villages, initially set up under temporary traffic orders during the pandemic, will now be made permanent. Please remember these are in place for the safety of all road users. As always, may I wish you good luck and Godspeed. E-mail - BBrawn@pkc.gov.uk Mobile - 07557 815541 Cllr Caroline Shiers Scottish Conservative, Blairgowrie and Glens Ward Recently I joined residents and representatives from the PKC Housing team on walkabouts in Rattray. The routes covered Davie Park, Old Mill Road and Ferguson Park. We met with residents and heard about concerns. A big issue is around grounds maintenance and litter. Litter picks are planned for Davie Park and Rattray Common to supplement the work being done by the council and volunteers. Council budgets being as tight as they are, PAGE 66 BRDT MAGAZINE - SUMMER 2023
there is a real need for us to work together on some of the environmental issues for residents to enjoy where they live. We are all very grateful to community groups such as BRAN and Blair in Bloom who do so much to improve the local environment and especially the main centre of town and by the riverside. Thank you all. I was delighted that at the council budget a commitment was made to continue with the Community Investment Fund – this fund allows communities to bid for money for their priorities – picnic benches, resources for groups, support for Strathmore Screen and Mantalk also received funds towards the purchase of their new minibus which is very welcome. Well done to all involved in supporting their efforts. Keep an eye out for announcements regarding future rounds of funding. Among other issues raised recently has been the overgrown path which runs along the A93 to Carsie. It is virtually impassable in sections. I have asked council officers to address this. We meet regularly with council officers to review ongoing issues with regards to roads, pavements, and safety issues. There are many road safety concerns around the ward from Golf Course Road and the Perth Road through to Alyth Road and Hatton Road. Officers have been prioritising works and then as they are completed, we move on to the next set of priorities. It is a more effective way of dealing with the huge number of issues which need addressed. I hope that residents will start to see some improvement. The User Reference Group for the new Recreation Centre met over the Easter holidays and it is expected that work will begin on site by the end of May which is very welcome news. As we move into the construction phase, I have asked that communication with local residents be put in place as it is inevitable there will be disruption, but this will be managed by the contractors and PKC. Well done and thank you to all involved in the events over the weekend of the Coronation. It was great to see so many community groups showcasing volunteering opportunities and I hope that it has given a renewed focus to the importance and value – both physical, mental and for the community – of volunteering. My next surgery dates are 13 May, 10 June, 8 July all from 10am until 10:45am / 11:00am in the Blairgowrie Library. Please do come along if there is anything you would like to discuss or feel free to contact me on 01828 640181 (h) 01738 553990 (o) cshiers@pkc.gov.uk (e) or via Facebook or Instagram message. Murdo Fraser MSP Mid-Scotland & Fife Region Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Many of us will have enjoyed watching the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey recently, and what a marvellous occasion it was. I’m sure most Blairgowrie Hub readers will agree with me in saying that no other country does pomp and ceremony better than the United Kingdom. I know some people are Republicans and as a democracy we must respect that. However, the fact that millions tuned in to their TV sets to watch it shows how the monarchy are still a huge draw across the globe, and still popular in Scotland. I found the religious ceremonial part of the proceedings particularly fascinating and it was difficult not to be moved when military personnel bellowed out ‘three cheers for the King’ in the Buckingham Palace garden. I know that there were a number of local events to celebrate the event which were well supported. It was also very pleasing to see a good number of local voluntary groups responding to His Majesty the King’s call for them to come forward for the Big Help Out initiative on the Monday after the actual Coronation. PAGE 67
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SUMMER 2023 SPONSORED BY STAGECOACH
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In this Issue... Welcome Community
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Keith Reid - the new organiser of t
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The busy bees at Blair in Bloom hav
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Blairgowrie & Rattray Community Cou
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Looking for a perfect gift or an ab
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our local community. If you have an
Page 15 and 16: Biodiversity Blair The town’s Ope
Page 17 and 18: Introducing Rattray Community Garde
Page 19 and 20: WELL…WHAT HAPPENED WAS… A frien
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Page 23 and 24: THE ERICHT SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE C
Page 25 and 26: MRS B’S KITCHEN SUMMER RECIPE LEM
Page 27 and 28: All About You is a Sanctuary Salon
Page 29 and 30: Mitchells Newsagent So much more th
Page 31 and 32: 31st Ruthven Music Festival The Eri
Page 33 and 34: BLAIRGOWRIE TOWN HALL We’ve had a
Page 35 and 36: REVOLUTIONARY, FULL MOUTH IN A FEW
Page 37 and 38: Fire Safety Logbooks The Fire safet
Page 39 and 40: News & Articles At SCYD we always a
Page 41 and 42: The Climate Café It’s been a bus
Page 43 and 44: The Swifts by Beth Lincoln When the
Page 45 and 46: The Wright Root, Market Gardeners,
Page 47 and 48: MANTALK is a local group based in B
Page 49 and 50: SIMPLE CRAFT ACTIVITIES USING BITS
Page 51 and 52: Free Quotes Given Kilry: 0157556041
Page 53 and 54: people in the region to enjoy what
Page 55 and 56: Blairgowrie Soroptimist Blairgowrie
Page 57 and 58: APPLES GALORE Changes Changes Chang
Page 59 and 60: group gathered in the Church Hall f
Page 61 and 62: The outdoor bowling season is now u
Page 63 and 64: Blairgowrie Badminton Club “SCRAP
Page 65: David Scott (Blairgowrie) Ltd FUNER
Page 69 and 70: I also welcome the opportunity to m
Page 71: WE’RE HIRING in Blairgowrie & Cou
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Blairgowrie & Rattray Hub Magazine Summer 2023

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