Whenever I tell someone that I live in Dunkeld the response is pretty much the same. “What a lovely place” “Oh, Dunkeld is great …. I love the shops etc” However I’m aware that responses like this aren’t created by magic – admittedly we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world - but so many people do so much to enhance people’s enjoyment of our villages and the surrounding area. One group that have worked tirelessly for twenty-five years to do this are the Dunkeld and Birnam In Bloom team .. more often seen from the back than the front as they bend over pots and borders around the village creating the most spectacular of plant displays. On 13th September they are celebrating their silver anniversary with a tea at the Institute. Everyone is invited – if you would like to go along please contact Betty as detailed on the front page. And very best of luck to them with this year’s competitions in their special year.
Along with the established comes the new – and well done to our new Brown Owl, Rebecca, for trying to get brownies going in the village. I’m sure someone will put me right, but I can’t remember there being brownies in the village for some time .. guides, cubs and scouts – but brownies? When was the last time we had a pack? I was an elf and remember getting stressed out at having to shine the 2p needed in your pocket for emergency phone calls. Why having your 2p shiny helped I have no idea and I’m sure things have moved on a lot since then. Not least the uniforms which are much more practical that those awful, old brown dresses. Phew – thanks goodness someone rung the changes on that one. Please contact Rebecca if you fancy joining her owlery.
Turning to an institution at the very heart of our community that is in the middle of a big re-think about its future – our very own Birnam Arts Centre. Along with so many cultural and arts organisations Birnam Arts has suffered in this age of austerity from a paucity of funding going to the arts. I have no doubt that a way forward will be found – indeed must be found – however we all need to do whatever we can to assist at this tricky time. Click here for more background on the current situation.
And finally, to the third and final act of The Kings Seat Hillfort Archaeology Project which gets underway 3rd – 14th September in the grounds of the Dunkeld House Hotel. I wonder what treasures they will unearth from our Pictish past this time (c.600-900 AD) … hopefully not that old brownie uniform!

Sally Robertson

The Community Investment Fund (CIF) 2019 from the Strathtay Action Partnership closed on 21st August at 5.00pm. Hope all applicants made it and I look forward to some high calibre applications.
I like to think I am trying to reduce my carbon footprint; buying locally, not always using my car etc. However, I have family on the other side of the world, as have many people, and I was at a seminar recently where one of the sessions was about flying. I have to say I was distressed to hear a green activist contributor say that they thought people should have limited flying miles as there is always an alternative way of travelling. Perhaps road travel would be a possibility to get to the Southern Hemisphere but we would need longer holidays. I also thought of the celebrities who fly here to tell us all we should not fly. Has common sense gone out the window?
The A9 dualling Luncarty to Birman is going well with minimum disruption. Please let me know if you experience problems as this is on my watch list.
Earlier this year the PKAVS Carers Centre opened in Lewis Place, Perth PH1 3BD.
This new centre will deliver support to unpaid carers at a time of unprecedented demand. The Centre will provide vital support and opportunities for carers of all ages to meet with other carers or an experienced Support Worker. What is especially good are the facilities for young carers to relax and spend time with others their age. Obviously for young people living outside Perth it may not be easy to visit the centre but appropriate support is offered to unpaid carers of all ages who live in Perth & Kinross. T: 01738 567076 www.pkavscarershub.org.uk
Just had my annual eye test and passed it which is always good news. I have glaucoma in my family and the optician tests for this. Other diseases can be seen in the eyes so I would encourage everyone to have eye tests regularly as our sight is precious.
All our villages, it seems, are suffering from inconsiderate drivers exceeding the speed limit. I, as other councillors do, have a programme of installing Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) to show these drivers they are driving too fast. In the north of Strathtay Caputh and Spittalfield will be getting signs soon. Crieff is also in the frame for one. These signs are invaluable in making our communities safer.
Weather is always high on the agenda and the recent rains were phenomenal. I was getting a path laid and thought a heavy roller would have helped but after that rain the sand was beautifully flat ready for the final surface. The garden however was a disaster. More plants flattened. Here’s hoping the sun will return. This shows the enormous power of the weather.
The community council elections will take place in November. All the information is on the council website. Some of the community councils are struggling for members so if you are interested in your community and want a say in what happens this is the opportunity to join your local group.
I don’t hold surgeries preferring to deal quickly by individual response. As always I am happy to deal with your enquiries or help with your problems. Contact me by email at AnneJarvis@pkc.gov.uk or phone 01738 475030.

Anne Jarvis

I was recently asked to give a brief outline of Scottish history to some Dutch young people staying in Highland Perthshire for a couple of weeks. It turned out they were a church group from across the Netherlands so, after some secular history (including the inevitable questions on why the kilt is the national dress in a country full of midges?!), conversation moved on church history.
Who first worshipped in the cathedral, how could some Protestant churches here still have bishops? Was their ‘Dutch Reformed’ church more like the Church of Scotland or the Free Church of Scotland? Part of the group soon found too much was lost in translation, drifted away and started to play a song, which, although the words could not be understood, it was a familiar tune easy to hum and join with them. It soon became clear that music was a more satisfactory means of communicating what is a joint heritage, than trying to comprehend the centuries of divisions in church history. The following day in St Marys Birnam, Fraser Penny took a funeral at the request of a family that attended both St Marys and Amulree Kirk. The congregation included those from all religious traditions and some unfamiliar in any church surroundings. It is to be hoped that some of these people, although it was a day of mourning, saw the beauty of the sun through the stained glass, heard the harmony in the organ music, absorbed the peace from the ancient walls and felt the loving care in the congregation. For it is this these things, not the divisive doctrines of the past, that will console grief, draw people to the church and start to answer the searchings of their spirit.

Jane Anderson,
St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Birnam