It’s interesting to see how much news we have despite the lockdown. When I started putting The Bridge together, I thought it would be a very slim edition - but our community never ceases to amaze and impress me with its creativity and optimism. People have sent in articles about ‘local hero’s’; book prizes; zoom meetings not to mention our very own lockdown quiz. Thank you so much to the Nicoll’s family for taking the time to devise this and good luck to you all in getting full marks - click here to view.
Like so many new admirers I have been enjoying the Niel Gow statue in Little Dunkeld. It seems every time I walk past, someone is standing by it having their photo taken or decorating it with a scarf or hat. Niel Gow was sixty when Rabbie Burns met him on his Highland tour. In his journal, Burns described Gow, who played for him, as 'a short, stout-built Highland figure, with his greyish hair shed on his honest social brow - an interesting face, marking strong sense, kind open heartedness mixed with unmistrusting simplicity'. It seems to me the sculptor, David Annand, has done a remarkable job of capturing the essence of this description.
Many congratulations to Pete and everyone on the Niel Gow Festival Committee for all their energy and commitment over the years in envisioning, fundraising and commissioning the statue. If the piece of land the statue stands on doesn’t have a name perhaps it might become known as ‘Fiddlers Green’ and be the place where many a fine tune is inspired to be written? It is such a shame that there can’t be a Niel Gow Festival
this year however hopefully we can celebrate next year. Keep an eye on the festival’s facebook page for updates on what is happening on-line this year.
The good news is that, despite the current snow, Spring is on the way. Snowdrops and crocuses are pushing their way through the icy soil and the days are lengthening once again. What a year it has been - hopefully we will soon be seeing the start of some sort of normality and we can raise a dram to Niel Gow and brighter days.
Slàinte mhath.

Sally Robertson

Great personal news yesterday as my Mum received her Covid vaccination. 81 years young and part of the 99% of Scots over 80’s now vaccinated.
Mum reports no real after effects except a dull pain in her arm I think she firmly believes that cake is the antidote to any possible side effects, she has eaten copious amounts of the stuff and has had no side effects therefore her theory is proven.
Seriously, after such a long hard year which has affected all age groups from young children to the elderly the hope given by the vaccination process seems like light at the end of the tunnel. I would like to praise everyone from the scientists to the  people putting the needles in arms for the way this rollout is being accelerated.
This pandemic has also brought out the best in many, many people and I have sensed a greater feeling of Community and awareness of others within our Communities. I hope that as we come out of this situation we continue to work as communities and not revert to the more insular beings we may have been before this.
Unfortunately my Xmas tree is still up. After joking about this on social media I was contacted by the local Press for comment and a photo so it will remain in situ until I can have the Xmas I wanted with my friends and family. Have the fairy and a star job sharing over the period. Started a go fund me page for the electricity and negotiated a good contract with the tinsel.
As to Council business I know that many of you have been disappointed with the response to the recent weather conditions by the Council and Tayside Contracts and I will continue to advocate for a more flexible use of resources. I.E. if there is no snow in Perth or Luncarty but much snow in Bankfoot or Dunkeld and Birnam then mechanical and labour resources must be  redeployed to areas of need. I met with the Convenor of this service and senior Council Officers to push this view forward. However although this discussion was in October and my suggested changes were agreed to be sensible, I see no change as yet.
Since my last column the Tay Cities Deal has been signed off with the Scottish and Uk Govt’s committing £150M each to the deal, thankfully the UK Govt. finally agreed to pay this over 10 years as the Scottish Govt. and the Local Authorities wanted rather than the 15 years that the UK Govt. proposed.
The stone of Scone is coming home, well nearly home it is coming to Perth. Hopefully it will be an international attraction and increase visitor footfall throughout PKC.
Council business is very curtailed at the moment and the chance to represent your views at decision making levels is not easy. Unfortunately the current Administration have decided that all Service Committees should now be cancelled.
Zoom is fine but I and all of you must miss meeting people in person. This virus has robbed us of choices. Hopefully we can all stay well and and safe for a little longer until the vaccinations really make a difference.
Looking forward to getting harangued in the street or the restaurant or the pub for something the Council hasn’t done, can’t believe I miss that.

Best.
Grant Laing
Councillor Grant Laing
Scottish National Party (SNP)
Ward 5 – Strathtay
Perth & Kinross Council
glaing@pkc.gov.uk or Tel: 07881 500501 or 01738 475023

“There is a tendency for us to flee from the wild silence and the wild dark, to pack up our gods and hunker down behind city walls, to turn the gods into idols, to kowtow before them and approach their precincts only in the official robes of office. And when we are in the Temples, then who will hear the voice crying in the wilderness?”
(Chet Raymo, the soul of the night)
The long dark metrological winter is preparing to let go its grip and allow the earth below our feet to warm, slowly, gently, and with purpose; that purpose is renewal. The plants and the animals are ready to begin a cycle that we humans look out for with a smile, as it marks the promise of longer days and spring.
However I wonder if any of you are like myself and are a little sad that winter is leaving. I enjoy the dark nights because the stars and the moon appear for longer in the darkest skies above my cottage. I enjoy the cold because the logs can release their potential energy and warm me as I sit with a book, knees covered by a soft rug, by the fire. I welcome the time when the power goes out for hours due to heavy snow fall and there is a quiet on the hill that is only experienced when the lights go out. I am blessed to have a great appreciation for the dark and I don’t rush to flee from it.
The dark can be a fearful place for some, especially for those who have always kept a light on and don’t often walk outside at night. ‘The dark’ has become a metaphor for all that is not good in our lives, and we might speak and write of it as nasty and unwanted. For me the dark of the night and the dark within my mind are places of inspiration and reflection. Humans all experience times of darkness and sadness, we might think we are broken because of them. But sometimes if we are not in actual danger, we can slow down, reflect upon what is making us sad or scared. We might be able to feel a solid pathway beneath us that had been unseen. We could notice tiny
glimmers of light all around us that had gone unnoticed; or remember being warmed by a relationship that has been left untended leaving only the embers.
Darkness does not have to be bad, like winter it can give our minds time to rest.
That leads me nicely onto ‘Lent’; the 40 days before Holy Week. Traditionally sacrificial and without cake!! Lent need not be about giving things up, or looking for the light as if the dark is going to bite us. It can be used as a time of transition. An emergence into life in contrast; appreciated and hopeful because we no longer fear darkness as an unending event. We are an Easter people.

Revd Lesley-Ann Craddock
St Mary’s Episcopal Church