As we move through the darkest time of the year, wondering whether to turn the lights on at barely 3pm in the afternoon, we start to celebrate festivals of light – Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali. Here in the village we will be turning on our Christmas lights at the Cross on Wednesday 5th.
In some ways it feels very counter-intuitive – just when we should be hibernating we push back at the shortened days. Some of us embrace the Festivals – others can’t bear them. For some they are a time of great gatherings and others a time of great loneliness. It’s good to see that as a Community we have so much going on that is open to anyone who wishes to join in – from Santa Day to craft fayres - late night shopping and church services galore. One thing that surely many of us can enjoy is Paddington 2 – which gets into my top 10 films for 2019. Perhaps it’s worth reflecting what Paddington says he learned from his Aunt Lucy that 'If we're kind and polite the world will be right.' I certainly see kindness across the village from those who put so much effort into organising so many wonderful events and activities through the year. If anyone has a spare moment maybe consider offering further kindness through supporting ‘Gien a Haund’ helping older people or through doing something practical for the community such as helping with the maintenance days at the Institute on 3-4th Jan. Maybe we can’t quite make the world right – but at least we can go some way to making our village right.
On behalf of John and myself can I thank you all for the support you give us with producing The Bridge through the year.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2019.

Sally Robertson

Another Christmas edition of the Bridge, it is definitely true that the years go past quicker the older you get. As I write this column I am watching the latest episode of the Brexit shambles on the news. Whatever your political viewpoint you must be hoping that some sort of sense prevails in the near future to end this uncertainty.
On November 11th the Remembrance Day Services were especially poignant taking place 100 years from the end of the First World War. There were large attendances at each of the Services I managed to attend. The most affecting part of the service for many, including myself, is the roll call of the Fallen, especially so when there are several members of the same family included in this moving tribute. How I wish that this really had been the War to end all Wars.
The first meeting of the Strathtay Action Partnership took place in Bankfoot. This meeting will hopefully see a change of momentum for the Action Partnership which was previously a joint venture with Highland Ward, but not surprisingly the geography of the area was too large and the problems sufficiently diverse to allow cohesive work to be done. The Partnership has funding available which can be used for a variety of community led projects to both benefit the community as a whole and help reduce inequalities within these communities. For further information on how to get involved with the Partnership work or to acquire more knowledge about projects which could be supported please contact Mairi Speedie on 01738 477866 or at MSpeedie@pkc.gov.uk
It was good to see the completion of 2 projects, in Strathtay Ward, funded by the Estate Based Initiative (EBI) scheme. Extra parking spaces were provided at Inchewan in Birnam and Manse Crescent in Stanley. The turnout of Residents in Birnam at the walkabout to discuss the proposal was the largest I have seen and was pivotal in securing the funding for this project.
It was with great sadness that today I was made aware of the decision by the Board of The New School Butterstone that the School is to close on Friday 23rd November. This decision has just been taken and I have no further information at this time but the School will be sadly missed by young people who attended it, by the staff and by the wider community as a whole.
Back at 2 High St. we have just embarked on the Budget setting process which will conclude in February when the Council will decide it's Revenue Budget for 2019/2020 on the same day the Capital Budget will be updated. Each of the political Groups are presented with the same documents and from that have to come up with a balanced Budget. Having been part of the SNP Budget Review Group for the last 5 years and now facing up to the 6th budget process I can assure everyone that some very difficult decisions have to be made and no-one makes these decisions lightly. Many of the Budget proposals from the different Political Groups are similar but there will be a divergence where the priorities of these Groups becomes evident. As an SNP Councillor I and my colleagues will be doing our best to protect the most vulnerable in our society within the fiscal constraints facing us.
Last week Stanley Development Trust held their 10th AGM, SDT are an exemplar in how a Community led and focussed body can physically change the lives of Residents in an area. The Trust oversees a host of activities within the Stanley area assists in the formation of new bodies. In Stanley there is a Dementia walking club, a lunch club, a befriending service, a time bank, a knit and natter club, a stitching club, a men's shed, a walking group and many others. All contribute greatly to help cure the growing ill of social isolation. As the strain on the Public Purse becomes even more evident community led initiatives are going to have to be way forward.
I wish you all a happy festive season and a peaceful New Year.
Please contact me if you require any help or advice.

Councillor Grant Laing
Local SNP Councillor, Strathtay Ward 5
glaing@pkc.gov.uk or Tel: 07881 500501 or 01738 475023

I am old enough to remember the days when the biggest excitement with an Advent Calendar was to open the wee door and see what the picture was each day. These days are long gone because an Advent Calendar now that doesn’t produce at least a chocolate a day just isn’t acceptable anymore!
Am I just getting old and grumpy - or is it one more nail in the coffin of the real meaning of Christmas which surely is about giving rather than getting?
Some people still get it though. I heard of a great idea one family had for their son, Freddy. His Mum sewed a calendar with a pouch for each day and every day of Advent Freddy got the fun of unwrapping a present – but not for himself. It was all things like tins of beans, soup, pasta and so on. At the end of the week they bagged it up and he and his Mum took it all down to the local foodbank as Freddy’s gift to others. What a great way to let a child enjoy the excitement and anticipation of the season while thinking of someone else’s needs.
In the Cathedral and Little Dunkeld we have had boxes for donations to Perth Foodbank for quite a while now but, because they are there all the time it is easy for it to fall off the radar of our thinking. Our Mission group thought it would be a good idea, as an Advent discipline, to have a special drive over the four Sundays of Advent to highlight the need for the Foodbank and remind us to think of others. There has been a lot of publicity about the rise in the use of Foodbanks all over the country, and
sadly, Perth is no exception. The introduction of Universal Credit has meant a time of increased hardship for some with delayed payments.
Much is said every year about the materialism of Christmas and it is ironic that the celebration of a Saviour, born into poverty, is mostly celebrated in a way that excludes the poor. It is time to remember that Christmas is about giving as we celebrate God’s gift of Jesus Christ to a world hoping and waiting for redemption.
Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year,

Fraser Penny