JAM IN THE SUN! ON SATURDAY 22nd July, the people of Alyth, again proved their community spirit supporting another Jam in the Den. An estimated crowd of 500 people enjoyed an array of superb en-tertainment from Doug Arthur, Temple Icons, Headrush, Alyth Punk Polis, Thin end, The Polish Guys (sorry didn’t have band’s name at time of going press), Fall by Faith, Free-wheelin, Mamas Little Helpers & The Mutleys. The atmos-phere in the den was nothing short of electric from start to fin-ish. The large crowd mixed very well together to make it an-other Jam in the Den to remember. For the first year Louise and Michelle from The Bridges provided fantastic fresh, tasty food. Colin from Costcutters provided cold refreshments for the kids. Jim Mathers and his staff again pulled out all the stops to keep the drinks flowing. Mr Tubs was there to entertain all and that’s exactly what he did. Pedro the caricaturist was also in demand. A huge thank you to our sponsors:- J.W.WHEATLEY, TORITH, COST-CUTTERS, SPAR, ALYTH COMMUNITY COUNCIL, THE BLACKBIRD INN & THE BRIDGES. Thanks to Ivor Johnson and Gaz for the PA and long hours! All the guys who built the stage over 2 days and took it down early on the Sunday morning. To Ron Kirkpatrick and helpers from the Scouts, plus only 8 others (you know who you are) who cleared and recycled ALL the rubbish in 5 hours on Sun-day morning! SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR. Morna Bissett

Email: Jamintheden2006@yahoo.com

Alyth Voice 104th Edition, August 2006

Tel. 01828 633045 Minimum Circulation 1575 Email address: alythvoice@alythvoice.co.uk Website: www.alythvoice.co.uk

RULES - Submit up to 3 photos per person, which you consider to best capture ‘Alyth in Action’ - A5 print format only (no emails please) - Write your name/address/tel.no/age (if under 16) on the back - Pop entries in the Voice Box in Alyth Pet Supplies or post to M. Kay, 13 Airlie St., Alyth - Please note all photos are non-returnable unless S.A.E. supplied - On submission, copyright transfers to the Voice

Prizes to be won!!

ALYTH COMMUNITY COUNCIL SEVERAL MEMBERS of the Community Council and some other invited individuals attended a recent meeting in the Alyth Hotel, called by Perth & Kinross Council’s Countryside Rangers Service. All who attended had a special interest in the present condition and, espe-cially, the future of the Den of Alyth. We heard reports by Niall Lobley, Senior Countryside Ranger, and some of his colleagues on the Draft Management Plan for the Den. Although it will probably be changed by then, the finalised version of the Plan will come into force next year. Any changes from the draft will arise from the comments made at the Alyth Hotel meeting and those submitted by the general public before the deadline on the 4th August. The Voice has been dis-tributed bang on time in recent months (congratulations to all) so if you are reading this before Friday the 4th, please look at a copy of the plan which is available in the Library or on the Internet at www.pkc.gov.uk/countryside - when the plan is in full implementa-tion it will be too late to put in your pennyworth. Do it now! Some more information on the big event on Friday 15th Septem-ber. In the Town Hall, at 7.30pm on that date we will all be jumping to the Big Band sound of the Morrison’s Academy Swing Band. The students have been rehearsing up to the school summer break. Some are coming in during the holidays for further practice. A few final rehearsals before the concert when school resumes and, I tell you they will be good. I have heard this band play on two occasions and I am looking forward to the third time. They ARE good! The band’s music master Howard Duthie is delighted that we are dedicating the proceeds of the concert to two local charities Alyth Alzheimer’s and A.Y.P. This time, don’t delay in picking up your tickets. Quite a few people were disappointed in February when the Guitars3 concert was sold out a week before the show. A fiver for two good causes and a good night out too! Jim Adam, Chairman

ALYTH COMMUNITY COUNCIL presents

The MORRISON’S ACADEMY SWING BAND with soloists and choir

Friday 15th September 7.30pm Alyth Town Hall

Tickets £5 available from Lunans Refreshments

Proceeds to Alyth Alzheimer’s Association and the Alyth Youth Partnership

ALYTH VOICE ‘ALYTH in ACTION’

SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHIC

COMPETITION CLOSING DATE 15th September 2006

2

MEMORIES OF ALYTH I OFTEN think about Alyth, and have done – more especially when some distance away. Schooldays were always something I thought about, remembering the war years and friends of yesteryear. Mr. MacIntosh the headmaster, or ‘Dome’ or ‘Domie’ was special to me as we were on the same wavelength. He was keen on nature and took us in nature study, sometimes on rambles down to the golf course (only one in those days). He introduced me to ‘Luciarnots’ one of the umbelliferae, a small plant with short round leaves. It had an edible root which tasted like hazel nuts and I remember, along with a few friends going down to the site of the old pipe band hut, opposite the High Kirk, where dozens of these plants grew and having a right old feed. This was fine when there were no hazel nuts. Another plant we used to eat was the ‘soorick’ (one of the sorrels) which grew in profusion along the sides of the air raid shelter in the field opposite the qualifying class of ‘Alyth Public School’ (at that time). Going up the hill was a marvellous thing for kids and many hours we spent up there. There was a lochan on the west side which was perfect for skating and generally in the winter there was nobody there but our group. In summer it was a tremendous place to play and games were dictated by the films we had seen at the town hall picture house. Now and again we would walk as far as the post of-fice shop at Kilry, have a drink of lemonade and walk back home again.

Continued on page 3>

*~*~* Dates for Your Diary *~*~* AUGUST 1st-13th Bookfest, Scout Hut Alyth Scout Group 18th Storytelling Teddybears’ Picnic Alyth Library 19th Coffee Morning, Airlie Street Hall SNP SEPTEMBER 1st-3rd Flower Festival Alyth Parish Church 12th Opening Mtg, Burnside Com. Lounge Silvie & Ruthven WRI 14th Scottish Country Dancing Begins Airlie Street Hall 15th Mor. Acad. Swing Band-Town Hall Alyth Com. Council 15th Voice photographic competition closes - submit your entries! 26th Rehearsals Resume Alyth Choral Union OCTOBER 1st Alfred Anderson Memorial Cairn Unveiling & Concert - TBC 20th A Musical ABC, Town Hall Alyth Musical Society

Alyth Voice Team Paul Ramsay 01828 632992 Editor paulramsay@bamff.demon.co.uk Irene Robertson 01828 633045 Compositor/Secretary alythvoice@alythvoice.co.uk Margaret Stanford 01828 633083 Advertising advertising@alythvoice.co.uk Paul & Barbara Prettyman 01828 633725 Distribution Margaret MacKenzie Advertising Marjory Macpherson Advertising Michael Kay 01828 632252/632690 Treasurer mike@atcalyth.freeserve.co.uk Derek Todd Webmaster derek@toddalyth.freeserve.co.uk

In order to avoid disappointment please ensure that articles/ads for publication are submitted before the 21st day of each month. Note: The views expressed in the Alyth Voice are not necessarily those of the team nor can they accept any responsibility for

accuracy and spelling of any article.

ARTICLE SUBMISSION to the Voice Please note ALL articles must be accompanied with a name and address

BEFORE they will be published in the Voice. On request, the name and address may be withheld from publication.

Any submission without these details will NOT be included.

Useful Telephone Numbers

Airlie Street Hall (contact-Fiona Dorchester) - 01828 632455 Blairgowrie Police Station - 01250 872222

Perth Police Station - 01738 621141 Hydro-Electric Emergencies - 0800 300999

Scottish Gas Emergencies - 0800 111999 Scottish Water - 0845 6008 855

Alyth Post Office - 01828 632301 Alyth Health Centre - 01828 632317

Alyth Primary School - 01828 632462 Blairgowrie High School - 01250 873445

Alyth Environmental Group - 01828 632907 NHS 24—new 24 hour health service - 08454 24 24 24

If you offer an emergency or breakdown service e.g. Plumber, Electrician, Locksmith, Glazier, Central Heating or any other trade,

please send us your name and number for our useful numbers section

THE TEDDY BEARS’ TRAIL THE TEDDY BEARS’ TRAIL is sponsored by Alyth & District Business Association and is a competition that has been designed for the young and the young at heart. Teddy has come to Alyth to enjoy the peace & tranquillity, good food, excellent service from the businesses, many quiet rural walks, fishing and the three golf courses and also to meet all his Alyth pals from years gone by. He has decided this year to hold a Teddy Bears’ Reunion in Alyth for all his friends from round the world. Many of the visiting teddies have asked businesses in Alyth for assistance in helping them make a display with them holding their postcards from their homes in various towns/countries. The Trail begins on Monday 3rd of July and runs until the end of August. Collect a free entry form from Alyth Post Office, Airlie Street, The Spar, Commercial Street or Costcutters, Airlie Street and follow the instructions, which will lead you round the town. Look for the Teddy Bears/displays in the shop windows and answer the questions. For the young ones taking part please look and listen for the traffic as you cross the roads. Once you have answered all the questions please take your entry forms to The Doll’s House Shop, Camno, Workshop, Commercial Street, Alyth. We hope you all have fun completing the Teddy Bears’ Trail, and visitors to the town have enjoyed their visit to Alyth. Thanks must be expressed to the compiler Mrs. J. McGill, for her work in producing the entry form, all the businesses for their Teddy Bear displays and their willingness to take part and to all who have entered and those who are going to do so. Have fun on the trail. Thanks must be expressed to Mr. B. Pidsley of Alyth Post Office, Mr. P. Duncan of Paul’s Spar, Commercial Street and Mr. C. Macdonald of Costcutters, Airlie Street and all their staff for distributing all the entry forms, and to Mr. S. Eno of the Camno Workshop for collecting the answer forms and to everyone who takes part in the Teddy Bears’ Trail. The winner will be announced at the September Committee meeting.

TED

DO Make sure that your BBQ is in good working order. DO Keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby in case of emergencies. DO Make sure your BBQ site is flat & well away from sheds, fences, trees & shrubs. DO Use only enough charcoal to cover the base of the BBQ to a depth 50mm (2”). DO Keep children, garden games and pets well away from the cooking area. DO Make sure the BBQ is cool before trying to move it. Empty ashes onto bare soil.

DON’T Ever use petrol or paraffin to start or revive your BBQ. DON’T Use anything but recognised lighters/fuel, on cold coals. DON’T Ever leave the BBQ unattended. DON’T Ever put ashes straight into a dustbin or wheelie bin. When hot, they can melt the plastic & cause a fire. REMEMBER BBQs should never be lit indoors!

BBQ Sa

fety

Community Markets

4th Saturday of the Month

from 22nd April

Blairgowrie Wellmeadow

10am –3pm

Strathmore & The Glens PO Box 6621, Blairgowrie PH12 8YF

www.strathmoreglens.org E-mail-: sue@strathmoreglens.sol.co.uk

- - - VOICE TEASER - - - What is Midyokin?

Answer to last months Teaser- What is Orra? Odd

3

Your Letters

Don’t have access to email? Alyth Library are now offering

FREE access to the Internet for SURFING the WEB / sending EMAILS

Visit the library for more details...

Ian Miller Local Councillor. SURGERY AT ALYTH TOWN HALL (Old Council Chambers) on 1st TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 7.00PM

OR CONTACT BY Tel: SNP OFF: 01250 876576 Home 01250 873304 P&K Council Tel: 01738 475018 Email: imiller@pkc.gov.uk

TAKE A TRIP BACK IN TIME WHERE CAN you find a broom dog or a pig mell or a drunk’s cart? And what are they? Those items are just three of the many interest-ing artefacts on show at Alyth Museum in Com-mercial Street. Visitors who step through the red door are invited to take a trip back in time. Here you can learn how great granny did the family’s washing or how an apprentice saddler learnt his trade. Much has changed over the years, as the displays demonstrate. Many of our younger visitors are amazed at how families had to manage without the things we now take for granted, such as electricity to power domes-tic equipment. The way people work the land has also changed, with the tractor taking over from horse power. The downstairs displays have a wonder-ful selection of tools and farming implements which show how things used to be. These ob-jects were made or used locally. Alyth town itself has changed down the years. A lot of shops and all the mills are now gone. Graphics illustrate some of the businesses that are no longer with us. Visitors can order copies of prints from the photo bar. We are interested in seeing any old photographs of the area which could be added to the collection, or copied. Interest is maintained by keeping the displays up to date as appropriate. New for 2006 is a secure sorting desk and other items from the 1930’s. These were saved for the collection, having lain unused in the Alyth Post Office for several years. Perhaps you remember using the Post Office and have information that you could pass on. How busy could it get? Were you a regular user or just occasionally? How did it differ 20 or 30 or 40 years ago from visiting a post office today? The displays are only as strong as the collec-tions. People sometimes inherit things that they might not actually want or maybe they are thinking of throwing out something that they have had for a long time and which is no longer of use to them. If it is in good condition and is associated with a trade or business in Alyth or one of the surrounding farms, it might be of interest to the museum. Museum assistant Paul Prettyman would be pleased to hear from you. Alyth Museum is pleased to welcome child and adult groups for a more informed visit. So don’t walk past the freshly painted red door, but take some time to enter, relax and take a trip back in time. Alyth Musum is open until the end of Sep-tember – Wednesday to Sunday, 1pm - 5pm For further information please contact Paul Prettyman (Museum Assistant).

DEAR ALYTH VOICE, 21 year old Laura Jane Davie, is our grand-daughter. Her uncle and cousins also live in Alyth although Laura's home is in Fife. She is now serving her second tour of duty in Iraq. In the photo she is the girl sitting on the tank. She wishes to send her regards to the friends she has made in Alyth. Her first tour of duty was with her dog searching for insurgents. This time she is searching for mines and explosives. I enclose an e-mail she sent, about her dog, it's good to see she hasn't lost her sense of humour! She is a very brave and courageous girl and our hearts and minds go out to her. I'm sure the readers of The Voice would all wish her well.

Peter Davie

Original email - “I’m now out on task at a new camp, which is a bit of a scary place but there are loads of great guys out here looking after me! Whilst out on patrol the other night in the tanks we stopped off to do a vehicle check point (v.c.p) where we pull over random vehi-cles checking for explosives. My dog was showing loads of interest inside this wagon so my cover men started to get a bit worried, but it turned out to be a chicken!! He had hold of it by the neck as it was flapping around, it took me a few mins to detach my dog from this poor chicken, my cover men were in stitches!! He is now renamed the chicken detection dog!”

LI’L JIMMY REED PLAYS ALYTH!! L-R: Willie Brown, Alan Oliphant, Jim Skinner,

Sandy McCurdy, Andy Warner, Li'l Jimmy Reed.

AS MANY Voice readers may know, Dundee hosted the annual Blues Bonanza on 1st/2nd July. One of the headlining acts was Li'l Jimmy Reed from Alabama. Arriving from USA on Tuesday 27th June, Li'l Jimmy was staying for a couple of nights prior to the Bo-nanza with Sandy & Isabel McCurdy. Sandy stated "I thought that Li'l Jimmy would be suffering from jet lag, but not a bit of it! He just wanted to play music! So, within a couple of hours, we fixed up an impromptu jam session in the Burnside Inn, with some local musicians. It was wonderful for us to play with a "real deal" bluesman whose career stretches back to 1956. I think for all of us, it was a highlight of our musical careers. Li'l Jimmy is a fascinating character and a lovely gentleman." Li'l Jimmy was such a huge hit at the Dun-dee Blues Bonanza, he was immediately booked for the Smokie Blues Festival at Ar-broath on 15/16 July, on his way back from a Swedish Festival.

Continued from page 2... Alyth hill was given to the people of Alyth by Lord Airlie, mainly I think, to cut peat, or turf, for their fires, but it was well used by laddies and some adults for the odd rabbit (and other things!) for the pot. We all thought of the hill as being ours. Jack Ogilvie, Forfar

[Ed: The Voice team are very grateful to Jack for providing a wide collection of material in relation to Alyth, which we will use in future editions. Many thanks Jack for sharing this with us. How many of our readers remember this rhyme, which was used to decide teams?

Eetl ottle blue bottle, eetl ottl out, if you want a piece ‘n jam,

just you step right out!

Airlie Street, 15.7.06 DEAR ALL, We arrived back home on Wednesday 12th after a 2 week break in Dortmund, Germany -the home of football and beer. We’ve wanted to go for a while now but due to work com-mitments it was not possible. We had a great time visiting family and old haunts and other places of interest. It just so happened that the World Cup was on and we joined in the atmosphere watching giant screens in the pub beside the hotel and in the city. The atmosphere was electric and not a bit of bother amongst rival fans. People were very friendly, especially when they found we were Scottish! It was a really hot 2 weeks, glorious sun-shine in the 90s, although we had a spectacu-lar thunderstorm one day with hailstones. Thank you to all the people who so gener-ously donated to the “leaving fund” and con-tributed to a very memorable holiday. Wher-ever you are on your own holidays may you all have a great time too.

Regards, Billy Gordon

4

Classified

LUNANS

Newsagents 8-10 Airlie Street

We offer all year round newspaper and

magazine delivery. A great selection of cards

for every occasion. A good selection of stationary, toys,

wrapping paper and gift bags.

Shop Open- 5.30 am - 5.30 pm Mon-Fri 5.30 am - 4 pm Sat 7.00 am - 1 pm Sun

Telephone – 01828 632330

Envelopes Notepads Pens, Pencils & Gifts

Newspaper

s

Magazines

Toys

DAVIDSONS CHEMIST

PRESCRIPTIONS DISPENSED

DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE

MINOR AILMENTS SERVICE AND ADVICE ALWAYS AVAILABLE

FROM YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIST 9 Airlie St, Alyth Tel 01828 632302

RENDEZVOUS **HAIRDRESSER**

59 Airlie Street,

Alyth

Tel: 01828 632097 Open Tues - Sat

Gift Vouchers Available

THE ALYTH TRADITIONAL

FISH BAR Telephone Orders Welcome

01828 632000

Fish Suppers £3.00 on Wednesday for OAP’s

Monday – Thursday 4.30-9 pm Friday 4.30-10 pm Saturday 4.30-10 pm Sunday 4.30- 8 pm

PETS PANTRY

19 High Street Blairgowrie Tel: 01356 623006

Keith Nicol

Traditional Acupuncture in Blairgowrie

Acupuncture can help a variety of symptoms and health problems

Free 15 minute consultations available in Blairgowrie to discuss whether acupuncture may be helpful.

Practitioner is fully qualified and insured and is a member of the British Acupuncture Council.

Judith Bryden MA(Hons)LicAc.MBAcC. Contact Judith at 01250 876345 or

07762 188418 (mobile)

[ [[

Alyth Springs TherapiesAlyth Springs TherapiesAlyth Springs Therapies Westfield Estate Alyth Tel: 01828 632450

Reg. Holistic Reflex Therapists

Sore Neck/Shoulders, Sports Injuries, Stress, Anxiety. Sandra Gauld AMGCP NARH

Joan Taylor SRM, Reflex Zone Therapist Specialised Clinics Monthly

For Management of Pain, Arthritis, Stroke, ANAH Disorders & Menopause.

For a Full Range of Therapies see our web site- www.alythsprings.co.uk

FURNITURE STORE PERTH STREET, BLAIRGOWRIE

(Adjoining Shell Garage) COME ON IN AND HAVE A BROWSE

BEDS– from £69; 2 and 4 Drawer Divans; Metal and Pine Beds; Mattresses; Headboards; Pine Bedroom Furniture;

Ex-Catalogue Suites; Pine and Beech Look Bedroom Furniture;

Dining room Sets and all types of furniture and furnishings. Stock Changes Weekly

ALL AT DISCOUNT PRICES

COLIN & CATHY FORD Number 5 Toutie Street, Alyth

CHIROPODY SUGARING, FACIALS

EYELASH/BROW TINTING PEDICURE, MANICURE

by CREATIVE NAILS **Late Nights Tues. & Thurs.**

For an Appointment Tel:01828 632297

David Scott Ltd FUNERAL DIRECTORS & MONUMENT AGENTS

Also Golden Charter Pre-Paid Funeral Plans

7 Toutie Street Alyth Open Tuesday Mornings 9 a.m.-11.45 a.m.

Or by appointment Our staff are happy to assist with all enquiries

A 24 hour service is maintained on 01828 633 433

Market Square, Alyth, Perthshire, PH11 8AA Tel : 01828 632309 Fax : 01828 632609

Open Monday -Friday 8.30am -5.30 pm Saturday 9.0am -5pm

NOW OPEN SUNDAYS 12.30—4.00PM

* Special Offer on Compost - Levingtons 75Kg * * Buy 3 for £12.00 *

GEO’s BAR GEO’s BAR GEO’s BAR & & &

THISTLE LOUNGETHISTLE LOUNGETHISTLE LOUNGE AIRLIE STREET, ALYTH

Tel : 632276 Fax: 633939 Email: thisletopia@aol.com

Lounge available for meetings

FOOTBALL ‘LIVE’ on Digital & Five

MEG’S MINI MARKET 22 Commercial Street

Alyth Tel: 01828 633143

Household Goods, Kitchenware and Lighting

DIY TOOLS AND WORKWEAR Greetings Cards

CUT FLOWERS, VASES AND PLANT POTS

The family business who care

Personal service guaranteed

Director

Garden Cottage, Bardmony House, Alyth PH11 8NY

Alyth Decorators

Pat McAuley

Tel: 01828 633831

Mobile: 07712 732 909

Licensed Grocers

National Lottery outlet.

Video & DVD rental.

Irvines Butcher Meat

Dry Cleaning: Shoe Repair

Credit/Debit card facility now available

FREE HOME DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE Telephone Orders Welcome Tel No: 01828 632306

73-75 Airlie

St. Alyth

5

THANK YOU

The Alyth Voice collection boxes have

raised a total of £41.75

April-June 2006

GORDON AT THE ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW

SCOTTISH TRAINEE Chef of the Year Gordon MacGregor was invited to demonstrate his culinary skills recently at The Royal Highland Show at Inglis-ton Edinburgh. His demonstrations were on the “Buy Local Eat Local” stand in the Food Hall. He appeared for two separate demonstrations on the Saturday of the show and was also asked to participate in “Meet the Ex-pert” during the day. Gordon kept the sizeable audiences entertained with his skills and witty commentary and many of the interested members of the public took the opportu-nity to ask him for advice. Gordon re-ceived positive feedback from the event and he enjoyed the experience.

L’ETAPE DU TOUR ON THE 10th July I fulfilled a lifelong ambition and completed a stage of the tour de France. Every year after the tour route is announced, the Velo magazine in France picks one of the stages either in the Pyrenees or the Alps, to hold L’Etape du Tour which is open to the public. This year it was held on the 191km stage between the beautiful town of Gap and the legendary al-pine ski resort of L’Alpe D’Huez, which is famous for the 21 hairpin bends leading up to it. To get there we also had to climb over two other mountains, Col d’Izoard (2360m) and Col Du Lautaret (2058m). At 7am I set off with 7,548 other riders, it took 25 minutes for the last man to cross the start line. For

the first 50+ kilometres a fast pace was set, mainly due to the fact that there are elimination times to beat. 30 minutes after the start, a car with a big clock on the roof, a lorry and a coach known affectionately as the “broom wagon” set off, and picked up everyone it caught up with! After safely crossing the first two mountains, I had to be at the foot of Alpe d’Huez by 4pm which was the cut off time, this I did with plenty of time to reach the top, or so I thought! What I had not bargained on was the increase in temperature on the road, it reached 40deg +, which drained me and I had to stop several times to fill up my water bottles, and this took time due to the fact there were several thousand riders all with the same idea. Eventually I reached the final straight and the finish, which was lined with crowds of people all cheering and adding to the whole buzz of the day. I crossed the line with less than one minute to spare and gratefully ac-cepted my medal. It had been a long eleven hours in the saddle, which still feels part of me to this day! But yes I have signed up to do it again next year which may ren-der the therapy from this year’s experience a waste of time.

While doing this ride I have also raised some money for the Macmil-lan nurses and would like to thank my friends and neighbours for spon-soring me. Anyone else who feels they would like to contribute to my collection please feel free. Thank you.

Fraser Brown 6 Springbank

July 2006

Race info: www.letapedutour.com

Silver Ball Saver

August Special

18 holes on the Rannaleroch Course followed by a main course

* £20 per person *

Please quote reference av0806 when booking

Non Golfer? Why not come for a meal?

Our restaurant is now open to 8pm every night and meals are produced using the best fresh

local ingredients.

Reserve a table to avoid disappointment.

Telephone 01828 633 322

Glenfernate Fresh Meats

Enochdhu, Blairgowrie PH10 7PL Tel: 01250 881 215 Fax: 01250 881 780

Email: sales@glenfernate.com www.glenfernate.com

Beef, Lamb & Venison Direct from a Local Perthshire Farm

delivered to your door Bred here and raised naturally with no intensive rearing, hormones or additives. Properly hung, cut and prepared on the farm. Just good meat that is tender and full of flavour with no fancy seasonings needed to give it taste. The venison is from our own wild deer from the same hills that the sheep and cattle graze. If you are not satisfied, we will replace or refund in full.

LAMB PACK £30 Leg of Lamb approx 1.5kg (3lb) 1kg (2lbs) Rolled Shoulder 450g Diced Shoulder 4 Dble loin chops 4 Leg Steaks 4 Noisettes 1 Pack Lamb Burgers (1/4 pounders)

BEEF PACK £35 3x 450g (lb) Steak Mince 3x450g Diced Shoulder 1kg Topside Rst 1kg Silverside Rst 450g Braising Stk 230g Frying Stk 450gStk Saus. 450g Lorne Saus. 1 Pack Steak Burgers ( 1/4lb)

BBQ PACK £25 2 Packs of Stk Burgers 1 Pack of Lamb Burgers 1 Pack of Venison Burg. 1 Pack of Pork & Apple Burg. 1 Pack of Stk Saus.450g 1 Pack Lamb Saus.450g. 1 Pack Venison Saus 450g 1 Pack Pork Saus. 450g 1 kg Frying Stks appx.6 450g Lamb Leg Stks appx.4

VENISON PACK £30 1 Haunch of Venison 1.5kg(3lbs) 2 Venison Stks. 3x450g Diced Ven. 3x450g Ven. Mince 450g Venison Saus. 1 pack Ven. Burgers

Plus free delivery in the local area

We deliver every Friday in the Blairgowrie/Alyth Area. For more information, for a price-list with all our cuts and produce, or to place an order, contact Ann, by telephone, fax or email. ‘Glenfernate Fresh Meats are licensed Game Dealers’

Above: Fraser Brown

THE PROPERTY SHOP ALYTH

A & R Robertson & Black, W.S., 11 Airlie Street, Alyth, PH11 8AH

Tel: 01828 632 116 Website:www.robertson-black.co.uk

Email: property@robertson-black.co.uk

FREE VALUATIONS It’s knowledge of your local patch,

which makes the difference!

BLAIRGOWRIE PROPERTY SHOP IS OPEN 7 DAYS!

Call Mel on 01828 632 116

6

THE FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE SEEING MICHAEL and Nancy Kay standing by their door one day recently, I thought it would make sense to take advantage of the moment and have my hair cut. By the time I entered the barber’s shop, however, someone else was in the chair and I came in on the end of a conversation that seemed to hinge on the Scots word for a bumble bee’s nest. “Luckily,” said Michael, “We have an expert here to tell us the right word”. How sad it is to disappoint those who place their trust in one! So I said, “ Unless it is ‘byke’ as in the word for a wasp’s nest” I can’t help you. Since that exchange I have looked in Chamber’s Twentieth Century Dictionary (1966) and this is what I found: ‘bike, byke, bi¯ke, n. (Scot) a nest of wasps, wild bees, etc…’ So that seems to be the an-

swer. But these triggers always start something going and so it was with me. What about the life of the bumble bee? So I set to. The outcome of this search has been the purchase of a book ‘Bumblebees’ by Ted Benton, published by CollinsHarvill in the New Naturalist Series. I had looked out an earlier book about bumblebees in the same series by Messrs. Free and Butler and published in 1958, but wondered what there might be that was more up to date. I looked about the World Wide Web for information (http://www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/projects/bombus/decline.html): and particularly to see what I might learn about that old saw about bumblebees being aerodynamically unable to fly (http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20040911/mathtrek.asp). There was also a good deal about Rimsky-Korsakov’s ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’, but I did not look at any of these sites. Something I have known for many years is the importance of bumblebees as pollinators of red clover, but I did not know until the last few days of their impor-tance to commercial tomato growers in the United Kingdom. It seems that there is a large-scale importation of bumblebees to this country by tomato growers and that people who work in commercial glasshouses run a worthwhile risk of being stung by these useful creatures. ‘Insect-sting injuries double as import of bees surges’ buzzed the headline of an article in the ‘Independent’ of 15th July 2006. ‘..an expert in behavioural ecology …said millions of bumblebees shipped to Brit-ain for use in commercial glasshouses could be partly responsible for the rise in stings…..The one increase we have seen is in bumblebees used to pollinate plants such as tomatoes and strawberries, which are now grown all year round in glasshouses in Britain.’ Unfortunately, bumblebees are in a state of decline. Fifty years ago there were around twenty-five species in Britain. By 2000 only six of these species remained common. Another five had become rare enough to be singled out for action in the Government’s Biodiversity Action Plan of 1994. And so it goes. What are the causes for this decline? Agricultural changes, more urbanization, perhaps climate change – all these are contributors. What, then, did I learn about the life of the bumblebee? A lot, but I have run out of space to describe that now. One last thing, though: what about the bumblebee defying the laws of aerodynamics? This story seems to have got about because an aerodynamic engineer did some calculations on the back of an envelope, at a dinner party in the 1930s, based on his knowledge of how fixed wings worked and assumed that the same would apply to bumblebees. More recent work has led to a better understanding of how bumblebees fly with their four moving wings and it is clear that they do not defy the laws of physics after all. Paul Ramsay

BOGUS CALLERS - At this time of year with the better weather and longer nights may I remind you to be on your guard

for bogus workers. They prey on the elderly and vulnerable in our communities and are a blight on us all. If a bogus worker `cold calls` at your house offering to carry out `cheap` tar work, gardening or roofing work as well as similar type odd jobs, be on your guard. Usually the work is of poor quality and the fee charged excessive. If you are suspicious, note down their vehicle registration number, their physical description, keep hold of any fliers they are posting through your letterbox and contact the police. Some bogus workers will pre-tend to be from a bona fide organisation, Gas, Electricity or Water. They may even have work type clothing such as yellow jackets. They will engage you in conversation and if allowed into your house will steal. If you have a chain on the door - use it. Ask to see identity and consider phoning the organisation to see if that person should be at your door while they stay outside. Real workers will have no problem with this. Some may try distraction theft, whereby two or more people call at your door and engage you in conversation. One will often ask for a cup of water or the address of a person in your street and invite them-selves into your house. Whilst this person speaks to you, their accomplice will sneak in and steal handbags, wallets or other small items. It is not until later on you realise a theft has occurred. In all cases, don't let uninvited callers into your home. If you suspect bogus workers are calling on you or your neighbours, contact police in order we can prevent this despicable crime. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH - One thing that can help prevent bogus callers and other types of crime is setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. If you'd like to set one up in your area, please contact me or one of the other Community Support Officers at Blairgowrie. SPEAK UP - WE'LL LISTEN - The police are looking for your support in both preventing and detecting crime. To charge somebody with any crime, evidence is needed. In the majority of police enquiries, members of the public have that evidence and are needed as witnesses. Unfortunately, some people choose not to become witnesses as they 'don't want to be involved'. It is impor-tant to realise that the police can only report offenders to the Procurator Fiscal where there is evidence to support charges. Choosing not to be involved can often mean that the community is left to suffer anti social behaviour or other crime. Choosing to give evidence allows the police to report offenders and makes your community a safer place to live. So Please - Speak Up, We'll Lis-ten. Once again, I must say a big thank you to the residents of Alyth for their continued support to myself and my fellow officers. Constable Mark Stewart

Blairgowrie Police Office 01250 872222 CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111

JOHN SWINNEY Your local Member of the Scottish Parliament for North Tayside is here to help you.

You can contact John at 35 Perth Street, Blairgowrie, PH10 6DL Tel. 01250 876576 Fax. 01250 876991

email john.swinney.msp@scottish.parliament.uk

Police Update THE ALYAN ‘You are not alone’ [Ed: Due to space constraints and the submission date, the Alyan’s article was trimmed last month. Perhaps if the Alyan embraced this world’s email technol-ogy, we could ensure this doesn’t happen again!] July A NEW Husband Shop has opened in New York. One condition of shopping is that you can only go upwards to each floor and you cannot go back down ex-cept to leave the building. A woman enters looking for a husband. A sign on the first floor advises the potential bride that all candidates on that floor have jobs. The woman says to herself ‘Well, that’s better than my last one. I wonder what’s on the second floor.’ The sign there says ‘These men all have jobs and love children’. ‘Great’ thinks the woman, ‘but I wonder what’s on the next floor’. The sign on the third floor reads ‘All the men on this floor have jobs, love children, and are extremely good looking’. Getting really excited she goes up to the 4th floor. The sign reads ‘The men on this floor all have jobs, love chil-dren, are extremely good looking and help with the housework’. She eagerly climbs up to the 5th floor to read a sign that says ‘All of the men on this floor have jobs, love children, are extremely good looking, help with the housework and have a very strong romantic nature’. Excitedly picturing what sort of won-der man awaits her on the 6th floor she climbs in breathless anticipation only to find a sign that reads ‘There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely to prove that women are impossible to please. Have a nice day’. August GREETINGS EARTHLINGS. This hot weather is more like it, eh? Perish the thought of spending a small fortune to jet off to some sun drenched resort when you can have it all right here in the Costa del Alyth. The Alyth Show was a bit of a letdown, weather-wise, but seemed to attract a good crowd, and there was plenty to see and do…although the theme quite rightfully agricultural, it was a good day out. I, for one, enjoyed it. Back to local goings on – I see the Alyth Hotel (Commercial) has finally got its public bar open and seems quite pleasant. I haven’t seen it really busy yet, but no doubt as word spreads, it will gain custom. A couple of hidden agendas in the town, if you like live music. Thursday night in the Losset Inn, Mine host Willie Potts hosts a jam session – all bud-ding musicians are invited to an acoustic session, while on a Sunday afternoon, Willie Broon and company entertain with live music in the Burnside Inn. The annual church sale in the Airlie Hall seemed to be doing a roaring trade when I looked in and I gather it raised a reasonable amount of money. There were certainly loads of bargains especially in the book and video departments. I had my heart set on a Christmas tree for a £1, but the thought of what my Venusian Mudwump would do to it when my back was turned, put me off. The annual Teddy Bear hunt is on and I must confess a few of them have me stumped, but I’m sure the youngsters of Alyth (accompanied by their Nans) will be able to solve all the clues. Also, good luck to the Scouts in their Book-Fest. The Scout hut could do with better signposting, so that visitors could find it more easily. Really looking forward to the ‘Jam in the Den’ and no it’s not a preserve making course. It was excellent last year and already there are 8 or 9 bands lined up to perform. Should be good. I don’t know whether it was subject matter or lack of space, but last month’s Alyan suffered an editorial trim, but as it was to be continued…I’ll keep this short and see you all next month.

7

MUIR DRIVING SCHOOL

Dave Muir DSA Approved Driving Instructor

Pass Plus Registered

Intensive Courses Available Tel: 01250 870725 Mob: 07732-531767

Book Ten Lessons Only- Pay For Nine

Classic Restorations

Pitnacree Street, Alyth Perthshire Phone: 01828 633293 Mobile: 07885 316689 Fax: 01828 632529

• Mechanical • Electrical • Panel Work • Ashframe repairs • Paintwork • Interior Trim

Jaguar XK140 Roadster Fully restored by our expert team of committed craftsmen

Email : charles@classicrestorations.co.uk www.classicrestorations.co.uk

Carpet Care Carpet Care Carpet Care Carpet, Upholstery and Leather

Cleaned and Protected Neil Stewart

Call for a Free Quote: 01828 632771 or 01250 875216

Classified

Specialised Dementia Care

in a Domestic Setting . RESPITE CARE

. RESIDENTIAL CARE . SELF CONTAINED DAY CARE UNIT

All bedrooms en-suite: Beautiful Enclosed Gardens : Home Cooking & Baking with Choice of Menu:

Trained Staff to promote independence and choice.

www.hopeparkhouse.co.uk

Tel 01250 872349 Balmoral Road, Rattray, Blairgowrie

R. D. BuildersR. D. BuildersR. D. Builders

For Free Estimates

Tel: 01828 632231 or Mobile 07729924784

19 Tay Road Alyth, Perthshire PH11 8EB

Stonewo

rk

Extensio

ns Ren

ovations

Harl

ing Etc.

GRANGEMOUNT CATTERY

Aberbothrie, Alyth SPECIAL DIETS CATERED FOR

INDIVIDUAL HEATED CHALETS Set in the quiet rural setting of beautiful Strathmore

PERSONAL ATTENTION FROM THE OWNERS

DENNIS & LIBBY MELLOY Tel: 01828 632284

AIRLIE GARAGE ALYTH

Telephone: 01828 633363

Servicing, Mechanical &, MOT Repairs Welding & Steam Cleaning

Panel Beating, Spray Painting and Restoration.

All Jobs Considered

Free Estimates Tyres at competitive prices

Winter Tyres Studded and Wheels Balanced Breakdown Recovery and Car Transportation Service

Quality Used Cars For Sale Open 9 am ‘til late

4WD Specialist Cars & Light Goods Vehicles Servicing and Repairs Bike & Car MOT Testing Tyres & Exhausts Bike & Car Oils

G CLARK PLASTERING & TILING

Walls & floor tiling Harling Coving

Plastering Dry Lining

Ames taping Wet Dash

NO JOB TOO SMALL FREE QUOTES

TEL:01828 633970 or 07821294678

Driving Made easy

Contact Colin Sidley Home: 01828 633 017 Mobile: 07751072408 Text: ‘PRICE’ to my mobile number for information Email: colin.sidley@virgin.net

Lessons available by the hour or in block bookings

Pass Plus Registered Member of the Driving Instructors Association

Stewart MacDonald

Electrical Contractor

Tel: 01828 632995

8 Cambridge Street Alyth

PH11 8AW

CHIROPODIST H.P.C. REGISTERED

TRISHA WALTON

HOME VISITS 01828 640229

8

Back: Fiona & Barry Tasker, Ron Kirkpatrick, Trish Wheatley Front: Calum Thom REVEREND GARDNER’S INDUCTION

AROUND 150 Alyth people travelled to Edinburgh’s Royal Mile on Thursday 22nd June for the Revd Neil Gardner’s induction as minister of the historic Kirk of the Canongate. The church was full to over-flowing and the congregation enjoyed a mixture of induction formali-ties and ceremonial procedures in the accompaniment of Pipe Major Duthie of The Black Watch. The guest speaker at the Induction Social was the Revd Dr Marjory MacLean, Depute Clerk to the General As-sembly. Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin KCB CBE, Colonel of The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) was present amongst the many friends and family of Mr. Gardner. The Presbytery of Edin-burgh provided generous hospitality to the congregation in the nearby Harry Younger Hall afterwards. The Canongate Kirk is the Kirk of Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Parliament.

OUR LADS NEED SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE recently announced that the Black Watch will serve in Iraq again, soldiers being deployed this Novem-ber. This is the third time that the battalion has been asked to serve in Iraq in the last three years. I have no doubt that they will carry out their duty with the highest honour, skill and dedication. Alyth is a traditional recruiting ground of the Black Watch and has always had strong connections with the regiment, going back genera-tions. Of course, Alfred Anderson was a soldier of the Black Watch and fought in some of the regiment’s most famous battles. Alyth has proud links with the Black Watch and is intertwined with the regi-ment. Is it right that the Black Watch should be going to Iraq for the third time in three years? Well, soldiers sign up for the army knowing the risks, and can hardly complain if they are asked to do the job for which they are trained. But there is no doubt that the commitment being asked of some of today’s soldiers is much greater than has been the case in the recent past. I believe that this underlines that our soldiers are being asked to do so much and that the British Army is being overstretched. It is clear that we do not have enough troops and regiments such as the Black Watch are being called upon to shoulder the burden. Once again, I have to question the wisdom of merging all six of Scotland’s regi-ments into one ‘Scottish Regiment’. We are seeing the British Army requiring more and more infantry on the ground, and I believe that we must reverse the regimental mergers and expand our troop numbers. We already have difficulties with recruitment and overstretch will only make matters worse. I am sure the Black Watch will serve Scotland and the British Army with great distinction and prove yet again that Scots soldiers are among the best in the world. But our lads need support from us at home, now more than ever. Murdo Fraser MSP

MEG’S MINI MARKET ON THE MOVE AFTER 10 YEARS at number 3, Meg’s Mini-Market was on the move in April, but only 19 doors up to 22 Commercial Street. Open-ing the new shop doors on April 29th, the extended floor space has allowed for a greater range of wares. Amongst the extensive house-hold goods, work-wear, toys, tools and pictures, Meg (known as Mar-garet Duncan on Sundays!) also inherited the greetings cards, flowers and vases from their sister shop, Alyth Pet Supplies in Airlie Street. Never one to sit on her laurels, seasonal bedding and houseplants were added shortly after and more recently bed linen as well as a wide range of fishing tackle! It’s good to see Commercial Street becoming a vibrant shopping street once more.

An AFTERNOON at the QUEEN’S GARDEN PARTY at the PALACE of HOLYROOD HOUSE

EARLIER IN the year, the Alyth Community Council put my name forward along with that of my daughter Jackie for an invitation to the Garden Party at Holyrood on 5th July. The invitations arrived in May and we began thinking about our outfits (including a hat) for the occasion. We were fortunate in that Jackie’s parents-in-law live just outside Edinburgh, so we set off from there, sure the weather was set fair and with the large sticker with “GP” for Garden Party on the windscreen. When we reached the Commonwealth Pool we were suddenly in a queue where every car had the same stickers and we slowly drove into Holyrood Park. Before long we came on the members of the Royal Company of Archers parking their cars and then in a few minutes were parked in the main car park. We walked back past the hundreds of cars and joined the long queue at the East gate into the Garden clutching our Entrance Card, Pass-port and another form of identification. Tea was served in the huge marquees from 3.30pm so we sampled the small sandwiches, tiny savouries and dainty little cakes. The iced coffee was very welcome on such a warm day. We then listened to the Pipe Band and watched the Royal Company of Archers parading. At 4pm the Queen and Duke of Edin-burgh came down the steps from the Palace and moved through the lanes of guests formed by the Royal Company of Archers. The Duke of Edinburgh came down the lane Jackie and I were in. He noticed three Scout leaders I was standing beside and he came over and spoke with them. It was quite exciting to be so near a member of the Royal Family. As we walked about among all these thousands of people we met several people we knew including the Revd Neil Gardner and also three ladies from Meigle. Then the threatened thunderstorm arrived with heavy rain and one and all had to dash for shelter. Everyone was squashed into the marquees. However the rain soon passed and the tables and chairs quickly dried. While Holyrood Park was closed to other cars on that day there were still lots of pedestrians, some of whom had vantage points just out-side the gates to the Garden, to watch us going in all dressed up for the occa-sion. Lots of others were dotted about the hillside opposite to get a bird’s eye view of the Garden. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh departed after they had taken tea in the Royal Tea Tent and at 6pm, one of the bands played the National Anthem which was the signal that the Party was over. We made our way back through the car park to our car with memories of a very special afternoon.

Dorothy Lothian, Alyth Citizen of the Year

SCOUT REPORT by Ron Kirkpatrick DESPITE HAVING never attended a camping competition, Bruce Arnott took a Patrol to Craggan for the annual camping competition. His Patrol consisted of Ross Mitchell, Patrick West, Michael Milne, Callum Millar and his wee brother Fraser Arnott. Despite being as-saulted by midgies and rain they came in second for the Novice Chal-lenge which was a creditable performance from the Scouts. They say that you are what you eat and judging by the results of the Cub Sau-sage Sizzle there might be a need to expand the Health Centre. Well, carbon is meant to be good for the digestion and a few wee extras on a sausage never hurt anyone! The Cubs certainly had a ball. Not to be outdone by their elders, the Beavers had a barbeque outside the Scout Hut complete with Bouncy Castle which just fitted inside having re-moved a few light fittings! They say you can always judge the success of an event by the noise level – I just hope we don’t get any com-plaints about noise pollution! Our Book Fest is still in full swing and

the Explorers and Scouts have put in a great effort to collect, sort and sell the books. We have had visitors from Arbroath and Dundee and if you hurry along you will see why they came out. The tables are still well stocked and there’s something for everyone. In the first two days we sold approx 300 books bringing in over £300. An excellent re-sponse and we hope this will continue over the next few weeks. Our last day is 13 August, so you still have plenty of time to get a bargain.

9

All joinery work undertaken

For more information contact Derek Fairweather on

07740 986 069

MURDO FRASER MSP MID SCOTLAND & FIFE

For help and advice. Look for details of regular surgeries in the local Press,

or you can contact Murdo on 01738 553 990 to arrange a meeting; or write to him at-

Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP; or email him at -

murdo.fraser.msp@scottish.parliament.uk

Established 1975

MURRAY PENNYCOOKMURRAY PENNYCOOKMURRAY PENNYCOOK

PLUMBING & HEATING GAS, OIL & SOLID FUEL

Clar-Innis, Meigle Road, Alyth

Tel: 01828 632135 Mobile: 07850-733-481 Oil –Gas –Solid Fuel

Corgi & SNIPEF Registered Rhones - Lead Work –Drains

Free Estimates

Charles A Davidson

Blacksmith, Welder and Fabricator

Gates and Rails made, erected and repaired All fabrication and farm work undertaken

Tel: 01828 632948 Mobile: 07957-766546

Airlie Computers Simon Bogle

Computer Repairs and Upgrades Tel: 01828 632244 Mobile: 07732 524139

9.00am to 9.00pm, Monday to Saturday Free Estimates, Site Visits

New and Used Computer Sales Help, Advice and Training

Website Design and Hosting www.airliecomputers.co.uk

• Drystone Dyking • Stone Garden Features • Stone Planters and Seating • Wall Repairs • and Pointing • Patios, Paths and Decking • Roof Repairs and Guttering Robert Miller Cherrybank Cottage, Leitfie Terrace, New Alyth, PH11 8NF

I&D Insurance Services

We have secured special rates for All PH, DD and KY postcodes

Extremely competitive premiums for both Household and Private Car

Quotes provided without obligation. Going on holiday?

Let us arrange your travel insurance.

Your local broker serving your local community 16 Airlie Street

Alyth 01828 633000

Email: IandDinsurance@aol.com

ROBERTSON’S DAIRY BALKEERIE

BY GLAMIS FORFAR Tel/fax 01307 840431

Suppliers of milk, cheese, butter, cream, eggs, yoghurts, rolls, and many other dairy products to

Private Houses, Hotels, Restaurant, schools, Nursing Homes, etc. in Alyth, Blairgowrie,

Coupar Angus, Burrelton, Woodside, Meigle, Newtyle and Auchterhouse

Ash Chimney Systems

Call Simon on 01382 580245 or 07709-340575

Professional Chimney Sweep Prompt and reliable –

a clean sweep guaranteed. Pots, Bird guards and Cowls fitted.

GEORGE W. RENNIE 2 St. Malcolm’s Wynd

Kirriemuir

Tel: 01575 573292 Mobile: 07711 818238

Repairs Spares & Servicing Washing Machines, Cookers, Tumble dryers & Vacuums.

Cycle Repairs & Spares by Post mary.rennie@tiscali.co.uk

Classified

For all the usual garden services including

gravelling, paving and fencing.

Now that summer is here it’s time to book your grass-cutting,

summer planting etc..

I can also clean out those messy

garages and sheds for you

Tel Big Gav on 07739 833595

BIG GAV BIG GAV BIG GAV

BARONY VIEW GROUND

MAINTENANCE HAY STREET

ALYTH

FOR INTERIOR DECORATING AND EXTERIOR PAINTING, ALL

TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD *

LIGHT DOMESTIC CLEANING SERVICE AVAILABLE

* call 01828 632879 for free estimates.

Walls & FloorsWalls & Floors A Roger -Decorators

3 Bank Street, Alyth, PH11 8DB

Alyth Pet ShopAlyth Pet Shop 17 Airlie St, Alyth Tel: 01828 633555

Large selection of Tropical Fish, Accessories and Foods

Selection of Dog Foods - Dr John, James Wellbeloved, Eukanuba, Winalot, Beta Puppy, Science Plan, Chudleys, Wafcol, Brutus, Iams, Faradays, Wilsons, Natures Menu, Gusto, Pedi-

gree, Purina.

Tinned foods for dogs and cats Pet Accessories

If not in stock we can order

THE ORGANIC HUT

South West Fullarton, Meigle Tel - 01828 640391

Wednesday 1pm—6pm Friday 1pm—6pm Saturday 10am—5pm

Half mile south of Meigle on Dundee

Road. Follow signs

Visit us for a wide range of organic fruit and vegetables. Other organic goods include eggs, various teas,

oatmeal and chocolate. We also stock Ecover products, soaps and

recycled paper goods.

10

PUBLIC NOTICES

MOTHERS & TODDLERS Do you enjoy a cuppy and a natter? If so,

come along & join our group. New members welcome. We can be found in the Ogilvy Rooms, Commercial Street, on Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays from 9.45-11.15am.

Children welcome from birth to pre-school. So come along & join us soon. Info?

Call Kathleen (633266)

ALYTH PLAYGROUP is held within the Community Wing of

Alyth Primary School. We are open Tuesday & Thursday 9.15-11.15am.

Playgroup is open to all children aged 2-preschool (no need to be out of

nappies). Call Kathleen on 633266 to enrol.

Alyth Christmas Lights 200 Club

JULY 2006 DRAW

£50 no. 161 Mrs. H. Bell £30 no. 71 Mrs. I. McLaren £20 no. 67 Mrs. M. Robertson

Alyth Parish Church Charity Shop

raised £4,500 during the first week in July and the Congregational Board

sincerely thank the community once again for the tremendous support.

~~~~~~~~~~~~ CHURCH OPEN TO VISITORS August - Saturdays 10am-12noon

Sundays 2pm - 4pm ALL WELCOME!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

SEPTEMBER FLOWER FESTIVAL

~ over 25 floral displays ~ OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Friday 1st & Saturday 2nd 10am-12noon, 2-4pm, 7-9pm

Sunday 3rd 2-4pm All welcome!

Alyth 45th Perthshire Scouts

+ Sports Corner

We shall

collect books & any second-hand

sports equipment Help to collect & sell would be much

appreciated Until 13TH AUGUST in Scout Hut

Open-Saturday & Sunday 2–4pm Wednesday 7 – 9 pm

ALYTH PLAYGROUP Relief Play-Leader Wanted

No qualifications needed but applicants must be enthusiastic and flexible. Experience of working with

young children would be an advantage. This post is subject to checks by Disclosure Scotland. For

more details and an application form contact Nihoma Macfarlane on

01828 633655.

PIANO EXAM SUCCESS Mrs Susan Marsh is pleased to

announce the following successes in the recent Associated Board of the

Royal Schools of Music examinations: Piano:

Grade 1 Rosanna Bailey (Merit) Luke Channon Kyle Macintyre Kate Menzies Grade 5 Naomi Howell

ALYTH MUSICAL SOCIETY presents FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY

‘A MUSICAL ABC’ on

Friday 20th October at 7.30pm in Alyth Town Hall

More details later but please put it in your diary NOW! Majorie Twivey, President

THANK YOU On behalf of Alyth Ploughing Association, I would like to thank all who helped at our

coffee morning on the 15th July. The sum of £538.13 was raised.

M. Mitchell (sec)

Scottish Country Dancing Airlie Street Hall

Every Thursday from 14th September

7.30 - 9.30 pm A great way to keep fit & lots of fun

Beginners welcome

ALYTH LIBRARY STORYTIME FOR PRE–SCHOOL

CHILDREN RESTARTING WITH A

TEDDYBEARS’ PICNIC

BRING YOUR OWN TEDDY AND HEAR LOTS OF TEDDY TALES

ON

FRIDAY 18TH AUGUST AT 2.30 PM

(PLEASE NOTE NEW TIME) ALL WELCOME – NO NEED TO BOOK

- JUST COME ALONG!

ALYTH~in~BLOOM On behalf of our committee, I would

like to convey many thanks and appreciation to David Brough (Jnr) of Sims in Alyth for his very generous supply of compost for our use in the

work we do in Alyth. Also can we express our thanks to the

Alyth Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, as well as John Wright

of New Alyth, and the Alyth Quiz League, all of whom were most

generous in making donations to Alyth in Bloom. Not forgetting everyone who left donations on the day of our coffee

morning in April. We appreciate such thoughtful and generous gestures, also the many

compliments from various people in the town, as well as visitors on our efforts

to enhance the town. Yours sincerely,

Marguerite McKenzie, Chairwoman

ALYTH CHORAL UNION “Time Flies!” as the man said when his wife threw the clock!! Yes it really does fly and it

does not seem possible that Alyth Choral Union resume rehearsals in the church on

Tuesday 26th September. There are vacancies in the four sections of the choir and new members will be made

very welcome. New office-bearers and committee members

extend a very warm welcome to the new Musical Director and conductor, Mr. James

Robertson of Alyth. Watch this space in the September issue of

the Voice for details and dates of future concerts.

Janey MacFarlane

SILVIE & RUTHVEN WRI New venue.

Meetings will now take place in Burnside Community Lounge.

Opening meeting Tues. 12th Sep. at 7pm Illustrated talk "Loch o’ the Lowes" by

Pete Ferns. Join us for cheese and wine. You will be made very welcome.

Meetings will take place every second Tuesday of the month at 7pm.

11

AFTER THE Second World War, the 2nd Battalion, which was the last British unit to leave Pakistan, returned to Perth, where it was amalga-mated with the 1st Battalion in 1948. It was re-formed briefly at Colches-ter in 1952 and finally disbanded in October 1956. From 1945 until 1952 the 1st Battalion served in various parts of Ger-

many. In that year the Battalion returned to Crail, having been warned for service in Korea. A detachment of volunteers had already gone to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and on the return of that regiment had transferred to the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. On 13th May 1952, the Colonel-in-Chief, now Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother (King George V had died on 6th February 1952) visited the 1st Battalion at Crail to bid the Battalion farewell. The “Empire Orwell,” with the 1st Battalion on board, berthed in Pusan harbour on 20th June 1952. It was soon in the line, taking over from the 1st Royal Australian Regi-ment on 8th July. The Battalion was involved in the Battles of the Hook, principally that 19th Novem-ber (The Hook 1952). The Black Watch lost some 65 men in Korea. The majority are buried at the United Nations War Cemetery in Pusan. Before the Battalion left Korea, a Memorial Service was conducted at the Cemetery by the Padre, the Rev Tom Nicol on Sunday, 12th July 1953. Two books have recently been published by members of the 1st Battalion who served in Korea: Off The Record The Life and Letters of a Black Watch by Col David Rose (revised, 1998), who was CO of the Battalion and The Iron Claw A Conscript’s Tale by Derek Halley (1998). The description of the Campaign is seen from the view-point of a regular officer and a National Serviceman. Both men now live in Perthshire. From Korea, the 1st Battalion went directly to Kenya, to serve there during the Mau-Mau Emergency, finally returning to Glasgow on 27th April 1955. Since then the 1st Battalion has served in Germany, Cyprus (UN), Gibraltar, Northern Ireland, Hong Kong, and Belize, as well as various postings within the United Kingdom. The volunteers continued in existence as the 4/5th and 6/7th Battalions until 1967 when the 51st Highland Volunteers were the result of yet another re-organisation cov-ering all the volunteer units in the north of Scotland. In 1971 the Volunteers were split into 2 Battalions. This continued until 1994, when, with the re-naming of volunteer battalions, 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion, the Black Watch was raised. This battalion had a short life. On 1st July 1999, the Battalion was subsumed under the 51st (Highland) Regiment, which again, as in 1967, covers all the volunteer units north of Perth. In 1997, the 1st Battalion was on a six- month tour for the Handover of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China. The final parade took place in a downpour and the Battalion returned to Fort George, in the north of Scotland. In 2000 the Battalion was posted to Fallingbostel in a Mechanised Armoured Infantry role. From there it did a short tour of duty in Pristina as part of NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) between June and November 2001. On 30 March 2002, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, the Colonel-in-Chief died, ending a long association with the Regiment. She was succeeded by her grand-son, Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, who was appointed to the post on 1 July 2003. Early in 2003, the Battalion was posted to Iraq, as part of the British Forces on Operation Telic, spending the months from February until June in the southern area of the country around Basrah. After the tour of duty the Battalion returned to Fallingbos-tel and in 2004 was posted to Warminster in Wiltshire as Demonstration Battalion. It was posted to Iraq for a second time in the late summer, once more being based around Basrah. Later, however, the Battalion was moved up-country to Camp Dog-wood, to assist the United States Forces in Operation Bracken. During the periods in Iraq, seven men of the Battalion were killed. The Battalion returned to Warminster in December 2004. In November 2005, the 1st Battalion was awarded two Battle Honours, Iraq 2003 and Al Basrah. In De-cember the Battalion moved to Belfast, where it is currently serving. On 28th March 2006 with the formation of the new multi-battalion Scottish regiment, the 1st Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) became The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

LOCHSIDE LODGE & Roundhouse Restaurant

Bridgend of Lintrathen, By Kirriemuir Tel: 01575 560340 Fax: 01575 560251 E-mail: enquiries@lochsidelodge.com

www.lochsidelodge.com

Alongside Lintrathen Loch, just 10 minutes from Alyth, Lochside Lodge & Roundhouse Restaurant is an ideal venue whether for Lunch or Dinner – our menus are modern and imaginative using the best of Perthshire & Angus produce, beautifully created and presented.

Lunch: 12noon to 1.30pm Dinner: 6.30 to 8.30pm

Closed Sunday evenings and all day Monday

4 Mill Street . Alyth . Blairgowrie . PH11 8BJ Tel. 01828 633477

~ PICTURE FRAMING ~ TONY FLAVELL

Watercolours . Oils . Prints . Photos . Certificates . Tapestries

~ G A L L E R Y ~ Original artworks, paintings & photographs (local artists)

Rosslyn Moran . Original art & children’s book illustrations OPENING HOURS

1-6pm Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday &Sunday

THE BLACK WATCH (ROYAL HIGHLAND REGIMENT) Many thanks once again to Tommy Smyth, Archivist at The Black Watch Museum,

Balhousie Castle and Lt. Col. R.M. Riddell (Regimental Secretary) for this fourth and final article on the potted history of the Regiment.

Iraq 2004 - Pipe Major Scott Taylor playing the pipes.

ALYTH CLIMATE ACTION TOWN PROJECT

THIS MONTH my CAT article will remind us all about the impact food miles can have on our climate, and what we can do to help. Put simply, food miles are the measure of the distance a food travels from field to plate. Agriculture and food now account for nearly 30 per cent of goods transported on our roads. This travel adds substantially to the carbon dioxide emissions that are contributing to climate change - which is why food miles matter. A recent report by DEFRA stated that food miles rose by 15 per cent between 1992 and 2002. Food travels further these days partly because the central-ised systems of supermarkets have taken over from local and regional markets. It defies common sense, but a pint of milk or a crop of potatoes can be transported many miles to be packaged at a central depot and then sent many miles back to be sold near where they were produced in the first place. Also, because of the way the food processing industry works, ingredients travel around the country from factory to factory, before they make their way to the shops. Then there’s imported produce. Ninety-five per cent of the fruit and half of the vegetables in the UK are imported. The amount of food being flown into the UK doubled in the 1990s and is predicted to rise further each year. Air freight has a far bigger impact on the environment than sea or road travel has. Another reason for mounting food miles is comparative labour costs. For example, some British fish is now sent to China (where labour costs are much lower) for processing, then sent back to the UK to be sold. So what can be done? There are a number of ways Alyth citizens you can help reduce food miles and this will not only help reduce carbon emissions but it will help support the local economy and your food should taste even better. Use local shops that sell local produce, try The Organic Hut near Meigle for locally grown organic food, ask the butchers or Bamf Estate (wild boar) for local sources of or-ganic meat, and visit the farmers’ markets organised by Strathmore and the Glens - 19th August - George Square, Coupar Angus & 26th August - Wellmeadow, Blairgowrie. Clive Bowman

12

Printed for Alyth Voice by Blair Copy Shop Copyright©alythvoice 2006

ALYTH Y.M.C.A. BAZAAR 1921 The extensive second article in the Alyth Guardian

regarding this event, published on 2nd September 1921. THE OPENING ON FRIDAY

Genial weather favoured the opening on Friday afternoon, and the hall was crowded with townspeople and visitors from a wide radius. The opening ceremony was performed by the Earl of Strathmore (in ab-sence through illness of the Countess of Strathmore), Lady Ogilvy-Wedderburn presiding. The others on the platform included Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, Glamis Castle; the Dowager Countess of Airlie, Airlie Castle; Sir John Ogilvy-Wedderburn, Bart.; Mr and Mrs Fyfe-Jamieson, Ruthven; Mr W. Ritchie Smith, President; the direc-tors of the Y.M.C.A., and the conveners of the various stalls, &c. Lady Ogilvy-Wedderburn referred sympathetically to the illness of Mrs Fyfe-Jamieson, Ruthven House, who had done much work in starting the bazaar, but who had had to give up the work owing to ill health. In name of the committee she welcomed the Earl of Strathmore who had kindly taken the place of the Countess. They all hoped, she was sure, the Countess would make a speedy recovery from the illness which prevented her being with them. This was the first visit of a pub-lic nature to Alyth for the Earl and they would all cordially support her in saying to him “Haste ye back.” (Applause.) The Earl of Strathmore (who, previous to arriving at the hall, infor-mally visited the Y.M.C.A. Buildings and Library, in which he evinced keen interest, commenting on the excellence of the halls and rooms, and general appointments), expressed his pleasure at being present. He was not (he said) the real article on that occasion, but merely a substitute, but a better substitute he hoped than some of those they heard so much about during the war. (Laughter.) He hoped they would accept him as kindly as they would have accepted the real arti-cle if she had been there. (Applause.) He had been running in double harness for a great number of years – he had completed 40 years of married life – and he had to acknowledge which was the better of the pair. It was not the one there that day. (Laughter.) With regard to the objects of the bazaar it was wise he thought of the Y.M.C.A. directors in Alyth to determine to profit by the lessons and experiences of the war, and reconstruct their premises in Commercial Street to include a billiard room, games room, &c. It was, indeed, a step in the right di-rection to provide means for the enjoyment of innocent recreation in the town. (Applause.) They had also extended the Loyal (Alyth) Pub-lic Library and added a reading room. This was a great advance, and would have rejoiced the late Captain Ogilvy of Loyal, who started the Library, and who had the interests of Alyth very much at heart. (Applause.) He congratulated the promoters of the bazaar on the artis-tic decoration of the hall, which was splendid. The stalls were very attractive and there were very attractive ladies in charge of them. Eve-rything pointed to the bazaar being a great success. There was the spirit of success about and the will to win. The bazaar was for a very good object and he wished it all success. (Applause.) Mr John Yeaman, Bank Street House, proposed a vote of thanks to his Lordship for the favour he had done them in opening the bazaar. He was sure the company would also wish him to ask Lord Strathmore to convey to Lady Strathmore their sympathy in her illness. (Applause.) Rev. James Meikle, B.D., called for hearty cheers, for Lady Ogilvy-Wedderburn, not only for ably presiding but for her work as joint con-vener during Mrs Fyfe-Jamieson’s illness – “for the gallant way she had stood in the breech.” (Applause.) To be continued again next month!

ALFRED ANDERSON MEMORIAL FUND THE PICTURE shows Marguerite McKenzie (a Memorial Commit-tee member) and other members of the Alyth in Bloom committee (as well as Alyth Parish Church Beadle, David Oakley, a willing helper who happened to be passing!). A new project was started to renovate the flower bed on the corner of Bamff Road/Kirk Brae. The old metal seat in the foreground is to be replaced by Alfred’s family in his memory, and this project will be completed in time for the Parish Church Flower Festival to be held on the 1, 2 & 3rd of September. Another fine project for Alyth by the Bloom team and congratulations to them for the other fine displays throughout the town. The Cairn and Town Hall Foyer (funded by the Halls committee) aspects are on track to be complete in time for the unveiling on 1st October, along with a proposed concert to be held in the Town Hall. So a number of events to look forward to over the next few months. If you have not done so, there is still time to contribute to the Fund and put you name/comments into the time capsule book in Kay’s Hairdressers, Airlie St. Enjoy the rest of the summer.

Jim O’Brien, Secretary

THE SOMME – 2006 by Dan Dewar

Dan & Joy have recently returned from visiting

the Picardy region of France where the Battle of the Somme took place in 1916.

The Voice asked Dan to share his thoughts.

We stood around on Sacred Ground where Heroes fought and fell…

It’s peaceful now, no stench, no sound where once was Raging Hell!

Through countless rows their dear dust blows,

who died before they’d lived… Their sacrifice ‘mong mud and lice

made sure our ways were saved.

So sad to face this resting place ‘neath cold, white ‘nameless’ stone…

A soldier of the Greatest War – known unto God alone.

Stark, zig-zag scars, where once was war,

cause pangs of dread and fear. ‘We cannot doze!’ scream-out those rows,

‘though it’s been ninety years.’

Striving for peace must never cease! All Nations need respect.

All tensions break with (give and take). No avenue neglect!

END OF AN ERA FOR FERGUSON JOINERS AFTER 51½ years in the trade, Arch Ferguson is finally hanging up his plane. Ferguson Joiners in Pitnacree Street will close at the end of August. In joint partnership with Sandy Sangster, Arch took over the business on 1st March 1984, exactly 100 years after it was started by James Ferguson, and then run by James’ grandson, Geordie until 1984. Sandy Sangster retired 10 years ago and Arch has mostly concentrated on restoration work since. Arch hopes to indulge in his love of shooting and golf in his re-tirement and the Voice wish Arch a long, healthy and happy retire-ment.

SINCERE THANKS ARCH Ferguson would like to sincerely thank, his customers for their business during the last 22 years, his staff for their friendship & loyalty, and his wife, Margaret, for her support.