It is that time of year when everything is quite literally bursting into life. The leaves are back on the trees, the grass is growing, and village life is in full swing. It is quite amazing how much work goes on to keep the area as beautiful as it is. As usual the ‘In Bloomers’ are super-active at this point in the year planting and keeping borders and tubs looking fantastic. There are a couple of shout-outs in their article for any spare shade loving plants as well as for any excess spring bulbs. They are also needing some extra greenhouse space – so if you can spare them a shelf or two please get in contact with a member of the team.
Volunteers are also busy continuing to support the NTS work on Stanley Hill. I am delighted to hear about the new wildflower meadow by the Cathedral and look forward to hearing about how the pupils at the Royal School get on with helping with the planting. I’m sure it will be beautiful when it is in flower and will hopefully be enjoyed by lots of insects as well. People are also busy up on Brae Street ‘At the Field’ and down at the Orchard. All these groups welcome anyone willing to lend a hand – perhaps you are new to village and wondering how to meet new people. So, here’s your chance.
While on the subject of volunteers is there anyone who can help with the car lift being requested by Gien a Haund?. If you’re worried you might not be able to manage every month maybe you could take this on with a friend. Finally, a mention to those volunteers involved in the least glamorous of tasks – picking up other people’s litter for them. Well done to Gill McGregor and her team of volunteers who picked over 60 bin bags of litter and as well as a lot of broken car parts, wing mirrors, bumpers from the Amulree area and down the A822. It really beggars belief that people who are perfectly capable of walking and driving around our beautiful area are incapable of managing to carry their litter to a bin. However, don’t get me started on that subject as there will be no room left in The Bridge for anything else.

Sally Robertson

Strathtay Action Partnership made recommendations from the funding meeting to the SP&R committee of the council who agreed the funding results for the Strathtay Community Investment Fund.
The CIF will benefit 105 local community groups and projects in Perth and Kinross. The administration councillors want to shift the balance from the Council deciding what is best for communities, to trusting communities to come forward with worthwhile projects that need financial support that they would find it difficult to raise by themselves.
The village halls are run by volunteers and it was good to see these applications as they benefit the wider community making them more accessible, safer and altogether more comfortable to use. Congratulations to Strathtay’s successful groups for their well thought out projects which will benefit the communities. Is your community here? It could be.
Ward 5 – Strathtay Group Project Funding
Stanley & District Men’s Shed – Computer Project – £6,000
Meikleour Village Hall – Installation of Disabled Ramp – £3,590
Stanley Public Hall – Fire Risk Improvements – £4,500
Auchtergaven PS Parent Council – Learner’s Mental Health – £6,589.20
Dunkeld & Birnam Community Council –
Meeting Room & Digital Connectivity – £5,029.71
West Stormont Woodland Group – Feeling Good in the Woods – £3,433
A9 Community Group – Strengthening Community Engagement – £3,444
Caputh Village Hall – Electrical Rewiring – £7,000
Luncarty & Redgorton in Bloom – Planter and Seating – £6,690
Spittalfield & District Community Sports Hub – Creating Community – £3,720
TOTAL FUNDING SPENT £49,995.41. We had £50,000 to spend and managed to use almost all of it.
There will be another £50,000 for Strathtay to spend next year too plus the £4.59 from this year so think about what project will benefit your area and watch for the 2019 launch. The Action Partnerships give communities a real say in achieving something that is important to them.
Our exit from Europe is still not decided. Every suggestion is turned down by the MPs and the Europeans are becoming intractable. Who knows what will happen?
Work is started on the A9 dualling Luncarty to Birman. The overnight closures did not cause any problems but that may not be the case as the works progress. So far there is little delay even with the 40 mph limit.
Let me know if you experience problems. I do hope though to see significant benefits in Strathtay through time and hope it will be accomplished with minimum disruption.
Last month’s storm devastated the gardens, my crocuses were flattened but with the settled weather there has been a good recovery and the daffodils are indeed “a field of golden daffodils” Spring is here at last.
As always I am happy to deal with your enquiries or help with your problems.
Contact me by email: AnneJarvis@pkc.gov.uk or phone 01738 475030.

Anne Jarvis

In April Fraser Penny gave us a fine ‘Thought for the Month’. If you still have a copy, do read it again. It’s full of good teaching and it challenges us to think more deeply about our faith.
We are now in the season of Easter. We have to think what that means for us today. The Gospel tells of God’s great outpouring of love and the triumph of good over evil.
Many of us will have been hugely touched by Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s Prime Minister. When Muslims were killed as they prayed she acted quickly, courageously, got alongside the people of Christchurch so that they could all take part in the healing process.
One hopes that this was the beginning of a journey for many of them towards greater understanding of our humanity.
Through his Holy Spirit Christ gives each of us the opportunity to make a difference in our family life and in our community, and in our country, and to have the freedom to share our humanity with one another. That is worth celebrating.

Jan and Robin Stewart