ALFRED’S MEMORIAL

MOUNTED ON a 6 inch double step plinth, the Alfred Anderson Memorial Cairn will be 5-6 feet high. It will be a square shape, tapering in sympathy with the existing WW1 memo-rial, and constructed of cemented, odd coloured, flat sided boules, with a rounded top, to drain wa-ter. An engraved plaque with a suitable inscription, will be built into the front face and a time capsule will be incorporated into the base (content suggestions wel-come!). A copy of the bust has been requested and an

order for duplicate copies of all medals, except the Legion d’Honneur can now be placed. The French medal is France’s highest award and a copy may not be possible, nevertheless it is considered that a copy of the Citation would be adequate and possibly more informative. Several locations are being consid-ered to display both the medals and the bust. The Memorial Fund now stands at nearly £1000, but is some way off the required figure before having to apply for grants, and the Committee is still hopeful that the project can be funded solely by public subscription, particu-larly through the use of the envelope distributed in last month’s Voice. It is not too late to contribute by envelope, or hand in your donation to Michael Kay’s Hairdressers at 13 Airlie Street, Alyth. If you have any comments or suggestions, Michael will be pleased to take note and ensure that they are brought to the attention of the Committee. Alter-natively, why not attend one of the meetings to make your point. Details of the fund progress and latest Committee meeting minutes can be found in the above shop window. Don’t forget our forthcoming coffee morning in the Airlie Street Hall, on June 10th where we hope we can count on your support.

Jim O’Brien, AA Memorial Fund Secretary

WILD SUCCESS

ANOTHER NEW show for Alyth Musical Society, and they must be congratu-lated for taking risks in bringing new productions such as ‘Wild Wild Women’ to the Alyth stage. The risk is well worth it. Isabel McCurdy showed a confidence on stage, belying the fact that this was her first principal role. Her singing was excellent and her portrayal of Alice Tibbs, owner of the Peaceable Haven, hit just the right note. She was most ably supported by Rudi Gruneberg, as her husband Bill Tibbs. Most laughs came from Ron Kirkpatrick as the Hanging Judge. Ron in his usual indomitable way, added his own hilarious lines, which Alyth audiences have loved over the years. However, Alan Calder-McNicoll as one of the Earps, had the audience in stitches with his rendition of 'Can't get it up'. This was closely followed by Craig Alam and Kym Stanley, who brought many smiles with their duet 'Bundle of Love'. Marjorie Twivey as Sister Priscilla and Glenda Kean as Madame Lola brought their respective characters to life, as did Gerard Cam-eron, Nick Wallace, Bob Fisher and Alan Calder-McNicoll as the Earp broth-ers. Special mention must be made, to the two youngest members of the com-pany, Danielle Borret and James Beck. They were extremely confident given their inexperience on stage. The chorus were on top form, adding colour and

characterisations to the story. The production values of the show were high and brought praise from the representatives of Noda (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) who saw the show on Wednesday. They were also full of praise for the company's performance. Many of the lighting plots brought an appropriate atmosphere to the scenes, although there were one or two technical hitches with lighting cues, but this did not detract from the show. Sound was excellent and the backstage boys were certainly on their toes making the transitions between scenes quick and proficient. The production team of John White (Producer), Colin Grant (Musical Director) and Craig Alam must take a lot of credit for all their hard work, in bringing such a happy and vibrant new show to the Alyth stage. Audience enjoyment was obvious through their laughter and appreciative clapping after every song. At the curtain call many cheers came spontaneously as the cast took their bows. All in all a great night out and those who wit-

nessed the show must be glad that they supported the company. A great way to escape from the usual television pro-grammes - long may the Society be able to keep this up! A Local Critic

Alyth Voice 101st Edition, May 2006

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

Front Row: Kym Stanley, Claire & Rudi Gruneberg, Isabel McCurdy

L-R: Gerard Cameron, Karon West, Nick Wallace,

Louise Adamson, Bob Fisher, Kathleen Stanley,

Alan Calder-McNicoll

MEN and WOMEN REQUIRED AS FIREFIGHTERS IN ALYTH NOW!

Applicants should be physically fit, live within five minutes of the Fire Station and be willing to respond to incidents at any time. In return for your commitment you will be trained to operate a wide range of equipment, taught first aid, gain problem solving skills and learn to operate as part of a highly dedicated team. You will be paid, but most of all you will know you are providing an essential, life saving service to your local community. Visit the Station on a Monday 7-9pm or telephone Martin Tait or Grahame Beats on 01382 825295 for an application form.

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PLEASE NOTE - A number of points have been raised recently, regarding particular items in the Voice. For clarification, please note:

- Bookings for Coffee Mornings at the Airlie Street Hall are very strict, allowing only a very small number of non-Alyth associations the use of the hall. - Spelling mistakes are common in any publication - we endeavour, not always successfully, to pick these up. Any error is entirely the Voice’s responsibility and should not reflect on the author of the article. Proof-readers are always welcome! Also the Voice is filling very quickly each month, get your article in early!

*~*~* Dates for Your Diary *~*~* MAY 2nd Monthly meeting, Losset Inn Alyth Environmental Gp. 4th Mrs Stephen/Upstairs Downstairs Alyth Parish Guild 6th Coffee Morning, Airlie St. Hall Alyth Scout Group 11th Bingo Tea, Town Hall Alyth & Dist. Pipe Band 13th Coffee Morning, Airlie St. Hall 2nd Alyth Brownies 14th-20th Christian Aid Week Christian Aid Scotland 20th Coffee Morning, Airlie St. Hall St. Ninian’s Church 20th Energy Saving Exh. Airlie St. Hall Climate Action Town Pr. 23rd AGM, Thistle Lounge, Airlie St. Alyth~in~Bloom 24th AGM, Town Hall Chambers Alyth Community Counc. 27th Coffee Morning, Airlie St. Hall Conservative Assoc. JUNE 3rd Coffee Morning, Airlie St. Hall Alyth & Dist. Pipe Band 4th Rev. N. Gardner’s final Alyth service Alyth Parish Church 10th Coffee Morning, Airlie St. Hall A. Anderson Mem. Fund

DEAR NEIL by Dan Dewar

You soothed our Souls and stole our hearts; we loved you from the very start:

sae honest, upright, staunch and true - the hail o’ Alyth fell for you.

As you gaed merchin’ ower the square ‘twas plain tae see ye huid the flair:

ye’d never waver, but forged ahead - where e’r you trod, ‘His Word’ was spread.

We’ll miss your smile, your wit, your jokes, your handlin’ o’ the Alyth folk;

but, whin we hear the ‘final knell’ whit we’ll miss maist will be Yersel!

The final hurdle’s hard tae beat, but mind, ‘The Black Watch’ dinnae greet!

Guid Luck! God Bless! Fareweel ‘Dear Friend’ - To an ‘Eager Beginning’… from a ‘Reluctant End’…

THE REVD NEIL GARDNER ELECTED TO THE CANONGATE KIRK

ON SUNDAY 9th April, Neil Gardner preached as Sole Nominee at the Kirk of the Canongate on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, and at the end of the service was duly elected by the congregation. The next stage in the process is that the appointment will be formally approved by the Presbytery of Edinburgh in May and by the local Presbytery of Dunkeld and Meigle in June. Neil’s final Sunday in Alyth will be 4th June, and his induction is arranged for Thursday 22nd June at 7pm in Canongate Kirk, where it is hoped the Alyth congrega-tion will be well represented. Further details will be in June’s Voice. The Kirk of the Canongate - or Canongate Kirk - serves the Parish of Canongate in Edinburgh's Old Town. The parish includes the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament, as well as Edinburgh Castle, even though the Castle is detached from the rest of the parish. The Kirk was built in 1691 by James Smith. Previously the residents of the Canongate had used the Abbey Church of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, but King James VII ordered the construction of the new Kirk of the Canongate, allowing the (now ruined) Abbey Church to be converted into a Chapel for the Order of the Thistle. (The current Thistle Chapel is attached to St Giles' Cathedral). The Kirk is also the regimental chapel of The Royal Scots Regiment of the British Army. Canongate Kirk has been served by several well-known former ministers, two having also served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Thomas Wilkie was twice Moderator (1701 & 1704). The Very Reverend Dr Ronald Selby Wright, known as the "Radio Padre" for his fa-mous wartime broadcasts, was minister from 1937-1977 and served as Mod-erator in 1972. Whilst Dr Selby Wright was away on wartime service as an Army Chaplain, the Revd George MacLeod (later the Very Revd Lord MacLeod of Fuinary, founder of the Iona Community and Moderator in 1957) served as locum. Dr Selby Wright was succeeded as minister by the Reverend Charles Robertson LVO MA, who retired in 2005. The kirkyard is the resting place of several Edinburgh notables, including the economist Adam Smith and the poet Robert Fergusson, whose statue stands outside the kirk gate. [Source: www.wikipedia.org]

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

- - - VOICE TEASER - - - What is Ettle?

Answer to last months Teaser- What is Craik? Harp on

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 14th - 20th MAY 2006

THIRTY FOUR representatives from the three local churches will again conduct the RED ENVELOPE door to door collection throughout Alyth & District, during Christian Aid Week. Last year £2,211 was generously do-nated by yourselves with around £400 added to this sum through gift-aid (tax reclaimed), making Alyth’s contribution approximately £2,600. Lookout for the bearer of the Red Envelope & Red Christian Aid carrier bag during the week of 14th May! Please give as generously as you can.

Thank you, Nan White (local organiser)

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

3

THANK YOU ON BEHALF of The Guide Dogs For The Blind, and myself, we would like to thank Colin McDonald and his staff at Costcutters for collecting old mobile phones; they are recycled and Guide Dogs benefit by £3.50 per phone. Thanks also to the Revd Neil Gardner and the congregation at Alyth Parish Church, Alyth Primary School, friends and neighbours for the fantastic amount of used stamps collected.

Dot Appleby & Puppy Huxley

Vancouver, CANADA - 14th April 2006 Email: bonniescotlad@telus.net

HELLO, My name is Allan Gray and I was born at the Viewpark Nursing Home in 1947. My parents, Jane and Allan Gray owned and operated a chip shop on Mid Street during the 40's, assisted by my mum's sister Nancy Gall, who was married to Eb Gall. The building is still there, or was when I was in Alyth last May. My Dad passed away about a month ago, and I was wondering if there were any archival photographs that might show the chip shop while it was in operation. I just found the Alyth Voice website and was very interested to see all the historical photos of my birthplace. I have quite a few myself; paddling in the burn in the wee park and driving my toy car in front of our house on Airlie Place among many others, but none of the chip shop. I'll be back in Alyth in late September when I come over with my dad's ashes as he requested. I still have a few connections there - you'll probably know Helen MacDonald - she used to baby-sit me - her father was Sgt Murie who apparently used to bring me back home when I would wander too far from home. My Godmother was Mattie Johnston whom I got to visit before she passed away. We left when I was only five, but I still have an in-credible emotional connection and would move back if the exchange weren't quite so horrendous from this end! Thanks, Allan Gray

If you have any photos of the Mid Street Fish & Chip Shop, but no access to email, let the Voice

know and we can copy the photo(s) and email them to Allan for you.

Your Letters Any problems with your Voice delivery?

Tel: 633725 or leave a note in the Voice box

Email: gregormacintyre@tiscali.co.uk 6th April 2006

Dear Editor, ALYTH & DISTRICT PIPE BAND

Firstly many thanks for submitting our advertise-ment seeking new members and helpers. It has been a great success and around 27 members of all ages, are enjoying learning the pipes and drums. We are currently fund-raising to enable the band to pur-chase 'kit'. At present we meet in the Alyth Guide Hut on Monday evenings from 7-9pm. Kind regards, Jackie Macintyre, Secretary

17th April 2006 ALYTH ~in~BLOOM

Can we thank everyone who helped make our coffee morning a success on 25th March. The ladies in the kitchen did a splendid job as usual, as did the ‘coffee pourers’. And of course, all those on all the different stalls were wonderfully efficient as usual. Most of the shops and establishments in the town were very generous with contributions for raffle, etc., as were many members of the public. We also express our appreciation to all those who left dona-tions. Last, but most certainly not least, everyone who came along to support us, it would not be a success, in fact it would be a complete ‘flop’ with-out the unstinting attendance you all give to every coffee morning held in the town. Thank you all again. Marguerite McKenzie, Chairperson

Isle of Wight, 12th April 2006 DEAR EDITOR, I, Tom Boyland (whose Alyth school photo you kindly published in the October 2005 edition) am visiting Alyth in May! I will be staying with my nephew, Jack Ogilvie, in Forfar from Monday, May 1st for 5 days and hope to visit the old home-stead, possibly on 2 of the days. We are in touch with a few old acquaintances who wrote after the school photo, and if anyone is interested to see me again, I'd be most grateful if you would spread the news of the wanderer's return! I can be contacted at Jack’s during that week on telephone 01307-466-279. Would like to say how much we enjoyed the last issue and what was happening in 1906, well done! Looking forward to my trip!

Tom Boyland

The Voice Goes Back To Its Roots!

FASHION WISE, The Pink Shop or Jessie’s Place – the choice is yours. Of course, the shop is no longer somewhere to go for a blether with Jessie, but it was the place from which the Voice was originally distrib-uted. Many a time Barbara and I have popped in for a quick chat and to collect our Voices, only to still be there two hours later stuffed with bacon rolls and tea! In more recent years Jessie has taken to renting out the shop and moved away to the Laird’s House. The distribution of the Voice has been taken over by us, with help from Colin at Costcutters, Jim at The Pet Shop and Meg at her Mini Market (not forgetting their staff and the Voiceteers). The recent news that Meg is taking over Jessie’s old shop from Walls and Floors, brings about a return to its roots for about a ⅓ of the Voices, Meg’s shop will remain a distribution point. We, at the Voice, wish Meg good fortune with her expanded shop and thank her for all her help with the Voice. Paul Prettyman

ALYTH BOWLING CLUB THE PRESIDENT, Ron Strachan, welcomed mem-bers, old and new, to the opening of the Green on 8th April. A good turn out took part in the President versus Vice President game, with the Vice Presi-dent, Brian Hogg’s team being the winners. The afternoon was followed by a meal and a very en-joyable social evening. New members will be made most welcome. The fee for the season 2006-2007 is only £40. Why not come and give us a try? Mary Hogg, Secretary

THE VOICE SAYS THANK YOU! The red Alyth Voice collection boxes in many of the town’s shops, have raised £58.62 between 1st October 2005 and

30th March 2006. It is very much appreciated, and all helps to keep the

Voice in publication. Thank you very much

WANTED Do you have any information on Viewpark? The Voice would like to fea-

ture Viewpark in a future issue, and would be delighted to hear from anyone with history, anecdotes or information of its many func-tions in our town - please let us know.

ALYTH VOICE WEBSITE The Alyth Voice website has been revamped

and now shows the Voice in a newsletter format. What you see online, is now the same as

what you see in paper copy, with the added benefit of colour photographs!

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

Email: eric.fellows2@sympatico.ca Ontario, CANADA - 15th March 2006

DEAR ALYTH VOICE We have recently discovered your Alyth Voice web-site and on the pictures of Alyth, there is one of the house my wife lived in as a little girl. Specifically, Alexandra St. My wife’s name is Mabel Clark and her older brother Murray lives near us here in Canada. My wife’s parents were Alec and Mary Clark and they emigrated to Canada in 1948. Alec owned the fish shop at 5 Mill Street prior to emigrating. The school photo (above) is Miss Oram's qualifying class of 1946 and Mabel is 3rd from the right and 3 rows up from the bottom. Mabel knows the names of a few of the students, but perhaps readers of the Voice can identify the rest. Mabel will be visiting Alyth in May and would be delighted to meet up with old friends and acquaintances. By the way, Murray's Ontario car license plate reads 'ALYTH' and Mabel’s reads 'ALYTH 2'. I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t hear an anecdote about Alyth! Thank you for a de-lightful website. Eric Fellows

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Shops

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

Newspapers

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

Alyth Pet & FlowersAlyth Pet & Flowers 17 Airlie St, Alyth

Tel: 01828 633555

* Greetings Cards Now In Stock *

Various Varieties of Pet Foods

CUT FLOWERS, VASES & POT PLANT HOLDERS

NOW SUPPLYING HORSE FEED & DUCK FEED

FISH TANKS & ACCESSORIES What we don’t have in stock we will get for you.

TROPICAL FISH Alyth Pet & Flowers

17 Airlie St, Alyth Tel: 01828 633555

Good selection of tropical and cold water fish, tanks, stands and all

accessories in stock or can be ordered

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

73-75 Airlie

St. Alyth

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

H O B B I E S H O B B I E S H O B B I E S

19 Airlie Street Alyth Tel: 01828 632565

Open Mon-Sat. 9 am-4.30 pm Closed for lunch 12.30-1.30pm

Closed Wednesdays

prop: Muriel McNicoll

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 *

5

ALYTH COMMUNITY COUNCIL LORNA PHILLIPS and Pauline Durance have been declared elected to serve on Alyth Com-munity Council by Councillor Ian Miller, after nominations closed on April 12th last. Unfortu-nately, only six valid nominations were re-ceived for the eight vacancies. Along with newcomers Lorna and Pauline, Barbara Pretty-man, Pat Parnham, George Durance and my-self were declared elected by Councillor Miller. The two remaining vacancies to make up the Community Council of eleven members can be filled by co-option at the first meeting of the new term. Anyone interested in allowing their name to go forward can attend on Wednesday 24th May. Co-opted members only serve for one

year. That first meeting of the new term will start at 7.30pm and follows immediately after the Annual General Meeting of the Community Council. The AGM starts at 7pm and gives brief reports of last year’s work. As always the public are welcome. I am really sorry that two of the places this year were made available by the resignation of Ashley Kennedy and the end of Irene Robertson’s one year co-opted term. Ashley resigned because of pressure of college

GREETINGS EARTHLINGS! Second week in April and still the daffodils are keeping their heeds doon. Reminds me of the story of the baby polar bear asking its mom if she was sure that he was really a polar bear. She asked ‘Why?’, to which he replied ‘I’m blooming [Ed. changed in the interest of our younger readers!] freezing!’ Still, I spotted my first pair of Oyster Catchers today. The smoking ban seems to have been widely accepted and adapted to, both locally and nationally. One side effect of the legislation seems to be the return of the pub crawl. Now, it seems that one has a pint in one pub, then walks to the next pub, puffing madly on their prohibited weed, then has another pint there and then another smoke walk to their next destination. Earthlings are daft! I’m sure everyone will echo my sentiments and good wishes to our departing ‘Meenster’ – the Revd Neil Gardner. Unfortunately, I am a confirmed hea-then, and not hypocritical enough to attend the Kirk, but I think Neil, has amply demonstrated over 8 years his outstanding humanity, and friendship to all denominations. He will be a sad loss to Alyth. Mind you, they’ll soon whup him into shape in Auld Reekie! I must compliment the Alyth Voice team on their excellent 100th edition of the Voice, highlighting, quite graphically, how Alyth was 100 years ago. The photos as well as the articles were very well put together. It begs the question – how many of the town’s residents have actually been into the mu-seum? It’s free you know – opens next month. Well worth a visit! It must be the promise of spring, I haven’t slanged anyone off this month – Why is it that only bad news and scandal sell newspapers? A local farmer’s lassie, home from University for the Easter break was finding some of her father’s ways a little coarse. When he announced ‘E’m awa to scatter a wheen o’ dung’, she suggested to her mother that they should try to get him to say manure instead of dung. ‘Wheesht lassie’ the mother told her, ‘it’s taken me over 20 years to get him to say dung.’

A & R Robertson & Black Writers To Her Majesty’s Signet Established 1838 Blairgowrie

Bank Street, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH10 6DE Tel: 01250 872043 Fax: 01250 874485

Email: admin@robertson-black.co.uk Website:www.robertson-black.co.uk

Do you have a property that you want to rent? Are you looking for rented accommodation? We have over 50 properties which we currently let.

If you wish further information, please contact:

Arlene Breen on 01250 872043 Email:arlenebreen@robertson-black.co.uk

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’

This week’s discovery of a bird flu infected swan carcass at Cellardyke had the world’s media flocking to a small, sleepy village on the Fife coast. With the potential impact on the poultry industry, especially at Coupar Angus, which is one of Perthshire’s largest employers, it is a sobering thought on how vulnerable we all are if such a pandemic did arrive. All the offi-cial lines are to continue to eat poultry and eggs. Wonder why the supermarkets are pushing two for one and 50% off deals on chicken and poultry prod-ucts? My tip of the month is: Cook the bird in Lem-sip! [Ed. We couldn’t resist printing this ‘joke’, which has

been circulating by email recently!]

By the time you read this, Easter will have come and gone. I still can’t relate what shelves full of over-priced and generally empty chocolate eggs have to do with the religious import of Easter. Still, what have all the garish trappings of Christmas, which we are about to be bombarded with any day now, have to do with the birth of Christ. I still maintain that you Earthlings are all ‘bams’. See you all next month.

THE ALYAN ‘You are not alone’

MEG’S MINI MARKET 22 Commercial Street

Alyth Tel: 01828 633143

ALL TYPES OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS, ELECTRICAL, LIGHTING,

DIY TOOLS AND WORKWEAR

*BEDDING PLANTS NOW IN*

work and the responsibilities of her position as Chairperson of the Alyth Youth Partnership. We know Ashley is doing a great job for the AYP and we are proud of her. Our loss is AYP’s gain. In Irene’s case, she has decided that her work for the Alyth Voice and her degree course with the Open University means she must give up as a member of the Community Council. As Irene says “After all, I said I would give it a year.” Irene has served the Community Council brilliantly and says she has enjoyed every min-ute. Very sincere thanks to both these young women. Jim Adam

Chairman

Alyth Christmas Lights 200 Club

APRIL 2006 DRAW

£50 – no. 54 – Mr & Mrs J. Smith £30 – no. 37 – Mr D. Phillips £20 – no. 92 – Miss V. Brown

Thanks to everyone who has rejoined for the coming year. If you haven’t yet, please do so

by 10th May. Still some numbers available for anyone else who would like to join. Please

phone me on 632017 Liz Gordon, Treasurer

6

AS AN appropriate start to the month of April, the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers held a Car Wash at the Fire Station on the 1st April. Our thanks to our cus-tomers and adults who turned up to carry out the work. Also thanks to Scott Macdonald who set it up, even if he did go on holiday on the day! David Erskine and Alan Ramsay who not only opened the station up for us – they were also washing the cars. That’s what I call above and beyond the call of duty. Thanks for your invaluable assistance. We raised £166 which brings home the truth in the statement “Where’s there’s muck there’s money!” Norman West ran our April Zodiac camp. Weather conditions were typical spring – freezing - in fact not as warm as that. You will no doubt have read in other erstwhile publications, not worthy of mention in such a prestigious journal as this, concerning global warming. There was little evidence of this phenomenon in the Haugh overnight. Indeed, we would have willingly wel-comed any form of assistance in that quarter. I awoke of a morning, in the pitch black, hearing voices in the cook tent, but as they were not making too much racket and it was too cold to get up, in my wisdom I left them to it. After a while, I heard a voice saying “But he’s always up before us”. It was at this point I realised that I had gone so far down my sleeping bag to retain heat, I had also excluded light and it was breakfast time! Norman ran a pro-gramme for the Navigator’s badge where the Scouts had to navigate for the driver over a 30km car journey. I had quite forgotten how charming some of the roads around are – we visited them all!!! Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Cubs are getting ready for their camp at Craggan 12 -14 May. Whilst the Cubs are busy looking out sleeping bags and rucksacks, the Leaders are even busier looking out ear defenders and body armour. Strathearn beware, the invasion is imminent! We are looking forward to a party of Dutch Scouts coming at the end of this month. Yule Goldie is organising our role in their visit and is co-ordinating parents and friends to provide showers for them. I know they will enjoy our locality and I’m sure they will get a warm welcome from Alyth. We also have a coffee morning on the 6th May, which I hope you will support. If you can help or provide something for this, please contact Mrs Pauline Adamson or Mrs Trish Wheatley.

Ron Kirkpatrick

SCOUT REPORT

Back row: ?, ?, Leslie Bruce, James Kirkpatrick, Stewart Robertson, Bill Symington, Lin Robb, Alex Kinmond, Willie Duncan, Ian Beverley, Sandy Reid

3rd row standing: Jimmy Smith, Frank Walker, Ian Reid, Duncan Blair, Billy McBain, Drew Brown, Pipe Major Duncan Milne

Next seated: Stuart Dickson, Willie Crichton, Jim McKenzie, ?, Jimmy Duncan, Robert Blair Front seated: David Robertson, David Alexander, Brian Barber, Ian Rae, John Heron,

Jack Ogilvie

[Ed. The exciting news of the reformation of a Pipe Band in Alyth, prompted us to download this photo, by kind permission of Gordon Rogers, from www.practicalpipers.co.uk - if you can identify anyone, let the Voice know.]

ALYTH PIPE BAND 1945-46

ALYTH & DISTRICT PIPE BAND FUNDRAISER

L-R: Frank Thomson, Margaret Jarvie, Catherine Gordon, Charlie Munroe, Lisa Muirison, Graeme Thomson, Billy Townsley, Kyle Macintyre, Kieran

Smith, Jackie Macintyre The fundraising event at Dundee Ice Arena on Sunday 16th April raised

£252.81. The Dundee Texol Stars signed shirt was won by Gary Livie aged 8 years from Dundee.

THE 2ND ALYTH BROWNIES meet every Tuesday night during school term, in the Guide Hut, Airlie Place. Between 6.30pm-7.45pm, currently 21 seven to ten year olds, take part in activities such as craft work, quizzes, games and badge work under the caring leadership of Sheena Fotheringham, Christina Park, Kimberley Cruickshank and Jeraldine Proctor. Duke of Edin-burgh Award assistants, Kirsten Hall, Rachel Wallace, Lindsey Milne and Rebecca Fotheringham, also help the girls prepare for special events such as the Christmas concert for around 30 old folks (including the minister!), the annual indoor pack holiday at Newbigging and fundraisers (see below for the annual coffee morning, where entertainment is provided by the Brownies - don’t miss out!). The weekly cost of being in the Brownies is only £1.50, which includes the annual census fee, and pack funds subsidise most of the outings, such as the visit to the Panto at Christmas (past venues have been Blairgowrie, Perth and Aberdeen). Basic uniforms these days, are a top, sash and trousers which can be purchased for around £20. So young ladies, what are you waiting for? Don’t miss out on the fun!

COFFEE MORNING 13th MAY 10-12 noon Airlie Street Hall Admission 80p adults & 40p children - stall contributions gratefully received

in the hall Friday evening or Saturday morning.

2ND ALYTH BROWNIES

THE ALYTH YOUTH PARTNERSHIP UPDATE HOPEFULLY YOU all have recovered from an over indulgence of Easter Eggs & are looking forward to the better weather coming – where outdoor activities will play a bigger part in the summer months. Easter saw the Alyth Boys U15s football team compete in a Festival of Football, where they met sporting Captain, Barry Ferguson from Rangers, a positive role model for any young person. There was also an organised outing to Dundee Ice Arena, which saw some of the young people enhance their skills - which would make Torville and Dean proud! We will return there – so if you would like to come along, drop into the Community Wing or come along to the Town Hall Youth Club, Mon & Tue – 6.30pm-8.30pm. Brief this month, but rest as-sured we will have plenty to report back next month! Ashley Kennedy

7

MUIR DRIVING SCHOOL

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Pass Plus Registered

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

Book Ten Lessons Only- Pay For Nine

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James Tripney

Joiner & Undertaker

All aspects of joinery work, domestic & commercial.

Double Glazing etc. House No’s 36 Smythe St 01828 632890 Alyth 01828 632717 Tel/fax: 01828 632260

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

Services

Specialised Dementia Care

in a Domestic Setting . RESPITE CARE

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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

Stonework

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GRANGEMOUNT CATTERY

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Pitnacree St, Alyth,

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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

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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

8

Robert Munro of Fowlis, was noted. They were referred to as the “Highland Furies”. In October of that year, 11 regiments including Murray’s Highlanders were ordered to return to Britain. Murray’s Regiment was kept at Deal in Kent throughout the 1745 Uprising. Three additional Companies had been raised, one of which was taken pris-oner by the Jacobites at the Battle of Prestonpans. Although regiments were known by the name of their Colonels, there was an order of precedence in which The Black Watch were 43rd. With the disbandment of Oglethorpe’s Regiment in 1749, it became the 42nd. Two years later, by the Royal Warrant of 1st July 1751, regiments became known by their numbers, which led in later times to the Regiment being referred to as “The Gallant Forty-Twa”. During the 18th Century, The Black Watch served twice in North America. The first was the French Indian Wars, 1756-67. The best-known action was the Battle of Ticonderoga, 7th July 1758, when over 300 men were killed and another 300 wounded. The second was the Revolutionary Wars, 1776-89. On both occasions soldiers were offered Land Grants to settle in North America. There was a settlement of men of The Black Watch from the latter campaign in the Nashwaak Valley in New Brunswick. Some of their descendants still live there today. 1800 saw the Regiment in Gibraltar and Malta. In March of the following year there were the Battles of Aboukir and Alexandria against the French. Again there were heavy losses. Shortly after, there were a number of battles in the Peninsular Wars and the Waterloo Campaign, when Napoleon Bonaparte was finally defeated. The major campaigns of the 19th Century were the Crimean War, 1854-56 (Alma, Balaklava and Sebastopol); the Indian Mutiny, 1857-59 (the Siege of Lucknow) and the Ashanti Campaign, 1873-74. In 1880 the 42nd was stationed at Aldershot. A 2nd Battalion was raised in 1779, which became an independent regiment, the 73rd, in 1786. One of the early Battle Honours was awarded for the Seige of Seringapatam in 1799. This unit raised a second battalion in 1808, which later served at Waterloo and was disbanded in 1817 (The Black Watch is one of the few regiments which can claim to have had two battalions present at the Battle). Highland dress, however, had been given up in 1809 and its subse-quent history is that of a regiment of the line. The 1st Battalion under the com-mand of Lachlan Macquarrie served in Australia from 1810-14 (the officers are given the credit for starting the Sydney Races in 1810). After service in the Kandy Campaign in Ceylon, the 73rd returned to Britain. The Patriots Rebellion in Canada in the late 1830s, the Frontier Wars in South Africa in the 1840s and the latter part of the Indian Mutiny in the 1850s, were the cam-paigns in which the 73rd took part. In the mid 1860s they were posted to Hong Kong and spent a number of years in the Far East. One detachment, in fact, was sent to Yokohama in Japan. By 1881 the 73rd had returned to Britain.

THE BLACK WATCH traces its origins to six Independent Compa-nies raised in 1725, on the recom-mendation of General Wade, then Commander-in-Chief in Scotland. Three of the Companies were commanded by Campbells, and one each, by a Fraser, a Grant and a Munro. The Companies varied in size – the larger consisted of 100 men and the smaller of 70. The principal function was to keep the peace in the Highlands. They were “The Watch on the Braes.” These Companies, with the addition of another four Com-panies, were regimented, in 1739, under the command of the Earl of Crawford, who was appointed Colonel. They were first known as Crawford’s Highlanders. The first Regimental parade took place at Aberfeldy in May 1740. Many of the recruits spoke only Gaelic and

understood that their engagement was for service in Scotland only. In 1743, the Regiment was ordered to London to be reviewed by the King. During the march through England, rumours began to spread that the unit was to be sent to the West Indies, which, at that time, was virtually a death sen-tence because of climatic conditions and disease. When they arrived in Lon-don, the King had embarked for Hanover and they were reviewed by Marshal Wade instead. Rumours regarding the West Indies continued. So much so, that over 200 of the men mutinied. They reached as far as Northampton, where they were persuaded to surrender. Three of the leaders, Farquhar Shaw and the cousins Malcolm and Samuel MacPherson, were shot in the Tower of London. The remainder were split into small groups and sent to various other units. Meanwhile the main body of the Regiment had been sent to Flanders. The first major campaign in which the Regiment took part was the War of the Austrian Succession. In 1745 Lord John Murray, son of the Duke of Atholl was appointed Colonel of the Regiment. The “blooding” of the Regi-ment took place at the Battle of Fontenoy, 11 May 1745. Although a defeat for the British Forces, the conduct of the Highlanders under their Lt Col Sir

Alyth Arts & Framing 4 Mill Street, Alyth . Tel: 01828 633477

Picture Framing .Tony Flavell

Gallery Rosslyn Moran (original art & children's book illustration)

Dez Bowman (photography ) . Morna Bissett (abstract). Mary Watson (feltworks) . Jude Tara (collage).

Original artworks . Prints . Watercolours . Cards

OPEN: 1 –6pm Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun CLOSED: Mon & Wed

COME ALONG and enjoy a wealth of pictures and objects reflecting life as it was in and around Alyth. Don’t miss the drunk’s cart or the new display of objects from Alyth Post Office: “Signed, Sealed and Delivered” which in-cludes a secure sorting desk from the 1930s. A Post Office has been functioning in Airlie Street for at least 120 years and the General Post Office itself, incredibly, dates back to the 16th century! For most of its history, the Post Office has been the biggest employer in Britain, serving the whole of the UK. It and the postal service are an impor-tant part of our lives and second almost to the state of the weather as a sub-ject for discussion. Did you know that in 1935 posties were not expected to drive any faster than 15 miles per hour in the town or 20 mph in the country? Did you know that in 1957 postmen had to make sure they were not delivering letters con-taining living creatures? Except bees, leeches and silk worms … naturally. Come and visit Alyth Museum in Commercial Street. With our newly painted bright red door, you can’t miss us. We’ll be open Wed-Sun 1-5pm until Saturday 30th September. And we’re free! Sue Payne, Principal Officer, History

ALYTH MUSEUM OPENS FOR THE SUMMER ON WEDNESDAY 3RD MAY Logo: Alyth Male Voice Choir larking around at the end of the 19th century

THE BLACK WATCH (ROYAL HIGHLAND REGIMENT) Many thanks once again to The Black Watch Museum for this second article on the potted history of the Regiment.

Farquhar Shaw shot in the Tower of London

ATTENTION DOG OWNERS! WHEN OUT walking in the countryside at this time of year, I would urge people to take care not to disturb livestock or wildlife, particularly if you have your pet dog with you. This morning my dog and I inadvertently walked near an area where a cow was calving and by doing so unwittingly put both of us in danger and could have threatened the liveli-hood of the farmer. My young terrier has a mind of his own and is very playful – he sees everything as a game and refused to let me catch him to put his lead on. After leading me a merry dance, while I got more and more exasperated, I got him away from the area and eventually got him under control. A cow will defend its calf if it feels threatened or is separated from its young and will chase human or dog, possibly causing injury to either or both. Sheep are more likely to run from dog or human, abandoning or aborting their lamb in the process, and while this may seem like a great game of chase for the family dog, it’s not much fun for the ewe or the farmer trying to make a living. We are fortunate to live in a thriving, working rural landscape and perhaps those of us who enjoy being out and about in it, might give a little more thought on how best to preserve it and co-exist with those who are trying to make a living from the land. My dog and I will certainly be more mind-ful from now on! Pat Parnham

9

All joinery work undertaken

For more information contact Derek Fairweather on

07740 986 069

Established 1975

MURRAY PENNYCOOKMURRAY PENNYCOOKMURRAY PENNYCOOK

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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

For all the usual garden services including

gravelling, paving and fencing.

Now that Winter seems to be passing it’s time to look to the Spring.

Book your scarifying ‘moss removal’

Cleaning service available for gutters and downpipes

Jet-hosing service for paths etc.

Tree work before growth starts

Have your flower beds prepared for spring

I can sort out the moles on your precious lawn

And, if your garage or shed is a mess then I

can clean that up for you too

Tel Big Gav on 07739 833595

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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.

PETSIT SCOTLAND

Reliable pet care for when you can’t be there

Holidays, long working hours, hospital stays and business trips mean we cannot always be there for our pets. Our professional petsitters will care for

your pets in your own home, where they feel most secure

SERVICES INCLUDE Daily home visits while you are away.

Dog walking. Feeding. Exercise and play. Basic training. Pet Taxi. Grooming and socialising for

dogs. We care for all small animals including dogs, cats,

birds, fish, rodents and exotic pets.

Contact - 01250 874227 Website - www.petsitscotland.com

Our Petsitters are fully insured members of the National Association of Registered Petsitters.

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

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

Services

10

PUBLIC NOTICES Alyth Parish Church Guild

The Business meeting will be held at 7pm on 4th May

followed by a talk by Mrs M. Stephen on Upstairs/Downstairs ALL WELCOME

Alyth Conservatives Coffee Morning

Saturday 27th May Airlie Street Hall 10am - 12 noon

Usual stalls - donations will be very welcome & can be handed in at the Hall on Friday 26th 2-3pm, or Sat. morning.

ALYTH LIBRARY New for 2006

STORYTELLING SESSIONS FOR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN

FRIDAYS at 2pm All welcome!

Alzheimer Scotland The Alyth and District Branch of

Alzheimer Scotland will be holding a monthly Coffee Club in Alyth on the 3rd Wednesday of

each month. The Coffee Club is in the lounge of Burnside Court which will be open from

10.30am till 12.30pm.We will be delighted to meet anyone caring for someone

with dementia. You and the person you care for will be most welcome.

PLEASE COME ALONG. For further details please phone: 633817

St Ninian’s Church Coffee Morning 20th May 2006

Airlie Street Hall 10am—12 noon ~ Usual stalls ~

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, Com-

mercial Street, on Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays from 9.45-11.15am. Children wel-

come from birth to pre-school. So come along & join us soon.

Call Kathleen for details (633266)

ALYTH PLAYGROUP is held within the Community Wing of Alyth

Primary School. We are open Tuesday & Thurs-day 9.15-11.5am. Playgroup is open to all chil-

dren aged 2-preschool (no need to be out of nap-pies). Call Kathleen on 633266 to enrol.

Alyth & District Pipe Band BINGO TEA Alyth Town Hall

Thursday 11th May Eyes down for 7.30pm

Bring your own cup/mug ~~~~~

Coffee Morning to raise funds to purchase 'kit'

Saturday 3rd June 10am - 12 noon Airlie Street Hall

Usual Stalls (any help/baking/donations will be greatly appreciated)

(Tel: Jackie or Kyle Macintyre 01828 633369)

ALYTH~in~BLOOM AGM

Tuesday 23rd May 7pm

Thistle Lounge, Airlie Street You are welcome to join us!

Alyth Parish Church Guild THANK YOU

The Guild gratefully thanks all who supported their recent

coffee morning when the sum of £878 was realised.

ALYTH BOWLING CLUB

The Ladies President, Edna Brown, wishes to thank her committee and members who organised, helped and contributed to the

success of the Coffee Morning on 1st April. After all expenses, the sum raised was

£718. Thanks are also extended to the people of Alyth who attended and helped raise this

magnificent sum.

Alyth Choral Union AGM for Members & Patrons

The Annual General Meeting of Alyth Choral Union will be held in The Manse, Cambridge Street (by kind permission of Rev. Gardner) on Friday 2nd June 2006 7pm

FUN & FITNESS CLASS Due to unforeseen circumstances, the

Thursday afternoon “Fun & Fitness” class in Alyth, taken by Mrs. Mgt. Hally

has closed down. All remaining monies have been shared

out to 3 charities – C.H.A.S., Red Cross, McMillan Nurses.

Dorothy Oldham

BLAIRGOWRIE ARMY CADETS Go on, why not give us a go....... We take part in many activities, from Galas, Fetes, Shows and Tattoos..... So come on, we are waiting on your call... don't dilly dally call us today..... 01250 874400 or email: blaircadets@aol.com

Alyth Community Climate Action Town Project

is hosting an ENERGY SAVING

EXHIBITION on Saturday 20th MAY 1.30pm until 4.30 pm in

Airlie Street Hall

THERE WILL be over 30 stalls, exhibits and organisations displaying a wide range of products, services and local projects. They will advise you, your business or organisa-tion, to save money on fuel and heating costs, increase energy efficiency, use renew-able energy sources, reduce energy waste, get grants, and ultimately contribute at a local level to reduce Alyth’s carbon dioxide emissions. There will be free energy efficient light bulbs being given away, and other prizes for those who enter the energy quiz. You can make your contribution too, by signing our climate action pledge on the day, which will give you some great tips for saving energy and money. The event is for all the family with many interactive and fun exhibits and events. This is the first stage of the Alyth Com-munity Climate Action Town Project that aims to put Alyth on the map as a proactive environmentally responsible community, working towards a zero carbon dioxide foot-print. Contact Clive Bowman on 01828 632907 for further information.

Mrs Susan Marsh is pleased to announce the following successes in the recent Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music piano examinations: Rachel Houstoun Grade 1 Louisa Ramsay Grade 2 Catriona Ferguson Grade 3 Kirsten Hall Grade 3 Olivia Hood Grade 6 (Merit)

Meg’s Mini Market has now moved to

22 Commercial street, Alyth

I would like to thank all my customers for their support. Hope you will still come and see me at

my new shop! From Meg, Cathy and Jim.

THANK YOU A big thank you to all the

people who donated raffles, etc., and came to support the Coffee Morning

on 22nd April 2006, in aid of the Chemotherapy Day Unit and the

Maggie’s Centre at Ninewells Hospital. Also thanks to everyone who helped on the day. A special

thanks to my Mum & Dad. £1200 was raised. Jackie McGowan

WANTED PAPER DELIVERY PEOPLE

(Age 12 or over, suit retired person too!) TEL: ALYTH 632321

11

WELL, A HELLO is due to the community of Alyth and to all readers of the Voice. In the short time I have been as-

signed to Alyth, I have met and spoken with residents of the town and have been given a warm reception. I look forward to meeting with more Alyth folk in the coming weeks and months. In recent weeks the majority of crime in Alyth has been down to a series of vandalisms, which are pres-ently being investigated. It is anticipated that those responsible will shortly be charged and reported. We are also still looking for an antique garden roller taken from a garden in Mart Street at the end of March. Now, with the longer evenings…who said spring was here?! There will be barbecues, and gardening work begins in earnest. I would ask that you tidy away those garden tools, furniture and bicycles in

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 01250 874782 to arrange a meeting; or write to him at-

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

murdo.fraser.msp@scottish.parliament.uk

Police Update

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

The Glenisla Hotel

'The Inn in the Glen' Kirkton of Glenisla

Exciting menu using Scotland's best produce Real ales, malt whiskies and fine wines

Traditional bar with roaring fire/beamed ceiling

Monday - Sunday: Lunches 12 - 1.45pm Dinners 6.30 - 8.45pm

May Events

Thursday 4th - Quiz Night - 9.15pm

Sunday 7th - Glenisla Classic Vehicle Club Meeting - 4pm

Sunday 27th - Live Folk Music - 9.15pm

Tel No 01575 582223 www.glenisla-hotel.com

OLD STABLES—STB Four Star Bed & Breakfast

Self-Catering Holiday Homes

Losset Road, Alyth PH11 8BT

Eileen McBain Tel: 01828 632547 www.oldstables.com

eileen@oldstables.com

‘Walk Auld Alyth’ Video £9.99 DVD £11.99

UK p&p £2.00 NTSC Version available for USA

ALYTH & DISTRICT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Notice of Office Bearers and Committee Members after the

Annual General Meeting held on Thursday the 23rd of March 2006 Office-Bearers Chairperson Mr. Michael Kay Telephone Alyth 632252/632690 email: mike@atcalyth.freeserve.co.uk Vice-Chairperson Mrs. Flo McNeil Telephone Alyth 632986 Secretary/Treasurer Mrs. Nancy Kay Telephone Alyth 632690 Committee Mr. S. Eno, Mrs. K. Donaldson, Mr. G. Jamieson, Mrs. J. McGill, Mrs. M. McNicoll, Mr. C. MacDonald

Will businesses in the Alyth & District Business Association area please note, that their subscription renewals for the year 2006 are now due. If any business did not

receive the March 2006 newsletter, can they please contact the Chairman on 632252/632690 for this oversight to be corrected.

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

the evening. Too often whilst on patrol, we observe that these items are left strewn around gardens. They provide easy picking for the opportunist thief. If you do not already lock your shed and garage, then please invest in a good quality padlock. For other crime prevention advice for your property, please contact the office and an appointment can be made to visit your home, where we can suggest possible prevention tips relevant to you and your property. As I continue to familiarise myself with Alyth and the people of the town, I would stress that if there is anything that you wish to report or discuss then please call the Blairgowrie Police office. I can call personally or phone you, leave your details if I am not on duty, and we can arrange a contact and discuss any issue you may have. Constable Stewart

Police Tel. No: 01738 621141 - Crimestoppers 0800 555111 - emergency 999

EVERY NOW and then this little jingle comes to mind as I drive past the turning off to Tullyfergus and St. Fink. In Lady Pink’s day many ladies wore mink, but now her ladyship’s day is past and very few women wear mink. The damage, however, is done because some of the mink that were bred on farms managed to break out, or were released when a farm went bust, or animal liberationists struck. Since then the North American mink has established itself in our countryside and proved to be an unwelcome addition to our fauna. Although drainage of habitat has been the most important factor in the decline of the water vole, the impact of mink on the number of water voles in the country has been considerable, not least because they are able to penetrate the voles’ burrows whereas larger predators such as otters cannot. Besides prey-ing on water voles, North American mink have hunted many species of ground nesting birds to great effect: terns, moorhens, coot, ducks of various spe-cies, the list goes on. All is not lost, however, for the Game Conser-vancy Trust has invented a trap for mink that has proved extremely effective on the Rivers Itchen in Hampshire and Wylye in Wiltshire. Use of this trap has allowed water voles to recover dramatically in

LADY PINK

both rivers. The status of the water vole as one of the most endangered species of mammal in Scotland (as it is throughout the United Kingdom) has been rec-ognised in the recently published consultation paper from Scottish Natural Heritage on a framework strategy for threatened species. The document is the usual beautifully produced glossy with lovely photographs. I looked at the cover as the publication was handed to me and noticed with delight and astonishment that there was a photo-graph of a beaver among the other species of plant and animal that were up for discussion. ‘The bea-ver!’ I thought, ‘But I thought that one had been kicked into touch last autumn’. Well, the ball is back in play again and Rhona Brankin, the deputy minis-ter, who presided over the public launch, gave it her blessing in the short address she gave us. Responses to the consultation paper have to be in by the end of April, so this article will be too late as a reminder for those who would like to comment to SNH on the species framework document. Still, it is never too late to write to SNH and praise them for bringing back the subject of the beaver and for plan-ning to promote the conservation of our diminished species.

Paul Ramsay

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.

‘Lady Pink in her mink, Had a drop too much to drink Took the wrong road, didn’t think, Tullyfergus and Saint Fink.’

12

offices to allow them to monitor proceedings. Next stop was down the grand stairway (often on television when interviews are taking place) to the garden lobby, an area where contemporary meets traditional. Queensberry House, once home to the Marquis of Queensberry, has been integrated into the new Scottish Parliament and houses the admini-stration functions of parliament, such as the post room, allowances and presiding officer’s depart-ments, and also contains Donald Dewar’s books and political memorabilia. Without looking skyward, the creamy tones of the old building marry well with the glass and marble walkway looking over the sup-posed 19th century Edinburgh replica garden (although I can’t imagine they used slate shingle to stifle the weeds then). But cast your eyes towards the heavens and you are met with abstract forms of glass, steel and wood. From floor level it is difficult to appreciate Miralles’s concept of upturned boats, shoals of fish and leaf shapes. Having seen aerial photos, particularly when lit up at night, the garden lobby is indeed a spectacular sight, but in the cold light of day, it is like trying to appreciate a Rolls Royce car from the undercarriage! Our final port of call was the MSP building, hosting rows of open plan ‘cupboards’ where MSPs and their staff make it all happen. A friendly smile and “hello” from Nicola Sturgeon in the corridor made our day as the only other TV face we saw, although familiar names on entrance panels made up for it. John’s office is compact; there is no other word to describe it! Cath, John’s PA who joined us throughout the tour, has an open plan space nearest the corridor, while John’s office is tucked in be-tween two cleverly designed filing walls, with the infamous thinking-pod adjacent to the windows. Don’t get me wrong, it’s everything an MSP work-ing away from their constituency office (in John’s case, Blairgowrie) could need. But the lack of day-light, small windows (only one of which opened and

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

AEG Monthly Meeting & AGM Report A VIBRANT meeting had energy saving and green issues as its main subjects. Robert Dey suggested that his employers (Scottish Water) might soon be in a position to support future renewable energy developments, he promised to keep the group posted. Charles will contact the SCARF organisation with a view to funding a feasibility study into a bio-mass boiler system at the primary school. The Climate Action Town (CAT) energy fair to be held at the Airlie St. Hall on May 20th is shaping up to be a full house event, with over 30 stands already booked. Additional potential local exhibi-tors are being contacted and offered space. One disappointment was the non-availability of a heat seeking camera to tour the town looking for major energy escapes, although Clive spotted one for sale on eBay for £1000! A good variety of stands is promised ranging from ground source heat pumps to hybrid cars. The AEG will be trying to organise a car sharing register for Alyth as part of their involvement. All in all it looks like being a busy afternoon. The master plan for the Primary School entrance and garden areas should be on view at the CAT exhibition, as should the map showing the Core Path Network, although Jane Pritchard (PKC’s paths officer) still has some land owners to speak to and needs to walk some of the proposed routes. Brian Duncan has agreed to be interviewed re his views on environ-mental issues as part of the publicity effort for CAT. Alyth Den – PKC Ranger Niall Lobley may be able to fast track some funding for the Den upgrades. Clive plans to see him soon to discuss the next moves. The Burn Clean plus a litter pick of Bamff Road should have already happened by the time of closing for press, here’s hoping for a good turn out. Due to the CAT fair there is no task in May but some drainage work in New Alyth or on the Trodlem path are both possible for June. A metal bench was recovered from a path on Alyth Hill and PKC will be made aware of its availability. Some suggestions for its new home have been made. A short AGM was held following the normal meeting with Clive Bowman re-elected as Chair, Charles Dobb remaining as treasurer, Alison Bowman stepped down as secre-tary and the position was filled by Paul & Barbara Prettyman. Charles reports £1128 in the bank and very few outgoings over the past 12 months. Next meeting 2nd Thursday of May at 7.30 in the Losset Inn. Helpers to set up or help man a stall at the CAT fair would help welcomed. Paul Prettyman

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

KILRY WRI VISIT THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT TO SAY I was reticent about joining the ladies from Kilry WRI on a tour of the Scottish Parliament, was true. Not be-cause the thought of accompanying our very own ‘Calendar Girls’ would be boring (far from it, you’d be amazed what this group of ladies can educate you on!), but more because I already had my opin-ion on the huge cost of this national ‘eyesore’. As Tuesday 11th April neared, my interest waned and had it not been for friends loaning me a small guide explain-ing the project from the start, I may well have pulled out at the last minute (sorry Janey!). This guide “The Scottish Parlia-ment” by Charles Jencks, whetted my appetite, more through my construction knowledge rather than my political interest, but I embraced the visit fully from that point on. On arrival, the entrance is just as you expect from its many television appearances, “covered in bam-boo sticks” as one of our group remarked! Opposite Holyrood Palace gates, it is difficult to view both sites at the same time, and in essence this is proba-bly wise, as the contrast could not be more marked. Once through the ‘airport security’ section, we entered a low vaulted area of ceilings and an abun-dance of concrete (“cracked in many places” an-other of our ladies identified!). MSP John Swinney met us here to take us on our guided tour, explaining that this entrance area was described as the “bowels” of the building and was intended to be dark and less interesting! At least, Enric Miralles had captured that well! A short history lesson of the journey to devolution was noted, as was the fact that 650,000 visitors had entered through this building since September 2004. En-route to one of the committee rooms, we could not fail to notice the gigantic glass doors, at least 20 ft high by 6ft wide (it was hard not to think that perhaps this was to allow egos through!). This was a feature which followed throughout the first floor, including the awesome pair of wooden double doors leading up to the debating chamber and the modern attempt at the ‘black & white’ media lobby. Sadly (or should I say thankfully?!) we couldn’t enter the debating chamber, but managed to peek through some of the adjacent windows and view the highly publicised chamber, with no dangling beam in sight! The committee room (one of many in the Parliament) was bright, with great acoustics and an ‘upturned boat’ ceiling shape. John explained fully the purpose of such rooms, and demonstrated the use of the console panels for requesting to speak, vote etc, all of which is recorded on four television cameras around the room, also linked to MSP’s

it was not much more than a 12 inch square), and the salubrious (not!) view of a flatted development, didn’t seem to match the massive statement of the inte-rior of the rest of the building. I won-dered if this section had been rushed on after Miralles had died! On entering John’s office, there was great hilarity and I soon found out why – April’s Alyth Voice donned the meeting table - John assured us it was not planted, and that he reads it thoroughly every month – a po-litically correct answer, if ever I heard one! Throughout the tour, I found myself interested, not only in the architectural

confusion, but also the building’s purpose, the par-liament’s purpose and what it would be like to work in an environment such as this. Surprisingly with my preconceptions, not once did I ponder where the £430 million had been spent – it was obvious and I could see where they had spent it, yet politics aside, it seemed less important than before I arrived. The negative aspects were undoubtedly two-fold – lack of daylight and lack of air-conditioning. The colos-sal amount of glass, you would have thought, would have provided much daylight, but this was not the case, particularly in the MSP building. However, the lack of air-conditioning was surprising. It was ex-plained that apart from being expensive to run, the changing temperatures in all the different sections of the building would make it impossible for the tem-peratures to remain constant, thus increasing the air-conditioning running costs. The hundreds of spot-lights further compounded the heat, and with this in mind, it seems incomprehensible that with so much glass in the building, there are not more working windows! On our warm spring day, walking around was just bearable in the temperature; it is unimagin-able what it is like in summer months. The positive aspects, were that it was not as ‘ugly’ as I had de-cided from the mass media presentation over the years, and that it was accessible for all to see, no hidden nooks and crannies, no private areas as such, and anyone who wished, could watch politics in action. A number of people in our party were less able and the disabled facilities were excellent, with many lifts, signs in Braille and Cath assisting us with much patience. Many thanks to Janey MacFarlane and Kilry WRI, for the opportunity to join them. Thanks also to John Swinney and his staff for their hospitality. To visit the Parliament, tel: 0131-348-5200 or visit www.scottish.parliament.uk – interested or not, I now know a visit is worth the effort!

Irene Robertson

Above: Kilry WRI with MSP John Swinney in front of the Grand Stairway