Blairgowrie & Rattray Hub Magazine Winter 2023

Local politicians’ articles
Cllr Bob Brawn
Scottish Conservative and
Unionsist Party
Blairgowrie and Glens Ward
October as ever hails a change in weather and
we have already seen a weekend of intense
rain, and whilst Perth itself has suffered severe
flooding, the local Community Council advise
no homes in Rattray, which had previously
been affected, had an ingress of flood water.
Much of this was down to the preparations and
work of the Resilience Group and all thanks to
them.
Flooding remains a serious concern and
independent consultants have been engaged
to assess the problems across Blairgowrie and
Rattray and their potential solutions are to be
shown at a public display in November. This
will allow residents to give their comments on
said solutions prior to any decision on moves
forward.
August saw the much-discussed Gran Fondo
cycle race take place on a circular route
starting and finishing in Perth, bringing cyclists
through Enochdhu, Kirkmichael, Ballintuim,
Bridge of Cally and on to Blairgowrie. As
planned, this involved closure of roads
on a rolling basis. Although there was
understandable concern beforehand, and
there were some local problems, overall the
whole event was a major success with much
support for the riders all over, and praise for
PKC. Certainly an event to remember.
The summer also saw the Highland Games
season upon us. The Strathardle Gathering,
with good weather and a new Chieftain, proved
once again to be a popular event, with huge
support. even though there was no agricultural
show this year. And the Blairgowrie and
Rattray Highland Games was just as much a
success. again helped by excellent weather.
All thanks go to the committee members of
both shows - all volunteer - who organise these
days.
The controversy of rewilding our greenspaces
and increasing biodiversity continues following
a hearing on the petition raised by residents
at Carsie Green, which was eventually refused
on a vote by the Climate Change committee.
We now move forward seeking a compromise
and to that end a further meeting of residents
has just been held. Hopefully we will find some
success.
The lovely summer weather also helped
produce a marvellous display of flowers across
the town all courtesy of our Blair in Bloom
group. Many an early morning I witnessed
volunteers doing the rounds watering the
various baskets.
And it would be wrong not to recognise the
enormous work carried out by the many
groups across Blairgowrie, Rattray and indeed
the Glens - all run by volunteers who give up
their own free time. There are too many to
name but thanks to all.
My father used to say that once we passed
Remembrance Sunday, it was downhill for
Christmas and Remembrance Sunday is not
that far away as I write. Given that, it is always
strange to put this article together knowing it
will be read much closer to the season.
So with that, I can only finish by wishing
everyone a Merry Christmas and a very Happy
New Year. As always, we can only hope it is
a better one. And as always, good luck and
Godspeed.
E-mail - BBrawn@pkc.gov.uk
Cllr Caroline Shiers
Scottish Conservative and
Unionsist Party
Blairgowrie and Glens Ward
The final Hub magazine of 2023 and thanks
to all involved in production of the magazine
each quarter and to Keith Reid and his team
of deliverers of the Hub.
I was sorry to see the Sunday of the
Bookmark festival fall victim to the flooding
in October. Gail Wylie and her team put
in a lot of work to bring the festival to the
town. In true Bookmark style though they
bounced back with positive plans for 2024.
I recently visited the new Guide Hall on
Emma Street. The hall is designed to serve
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