Coronavirus Emergency - Our Community Responds

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We are still campaigning to improve junction safety between the Pass of Birnam and Jubilee bridge. Please see below part of the correspondence from transport Scotland in response to our concerns:
“The measures currently being added into our current year works programme are primarily aimed at providing drivers the best view of the junction layouts in advance of and while traveling through the junctions.
Our Operating Company BEAR Scotland will be installing solar powered illuminated bollards on the ends of the islands at Dunkeld and Birnam junctions, four each eight in total. These will make the turn points very clear to drivers both day and night. Although a firm programme date for this work is not yet set, I expect this work to be carried out over the coming weeks.
The clarity of the running and turning lanes at Birnam junction is good although some refresh of the hatching and direction arrows will be required, however the clarity is not so marked at Dunkeld junction and so a resurface and remarking of the entire junction is being planned. This will optimise the contrast between running lanes and the hatched ghost islands and again give drivers the best opportunity to position themselves appropriately. The longitudinal white lines including those around the hatched ghost islands will be installed using an advanced material that gives extra reflectivity and enhanced wet night visibility.
As you can imagine working across the whole junction will have to be done at times when traffic volumes are at their lowest and this will mean post-visitor season this financial year. Late autumn or early spring when environmental conditions are within the necessary parameters are the most likely time when this work could be done.
We are also considering including new solar powered illuminated road studs to further provide clear lane definition in darkness at both junctions.
The planned works, together with the direction signing improvements already made, are all being carried out with a view to optimising traffic safety at the junctions.”
We have requested further information about the proposed timescales and are anxious that this is started as soon as possible.
If you have any comments or information about safety concerns or incidents at the junctions please contact me.
For more information contact Pam Green Junctions Action Group at : pammgreen@btinternet.com

A huge thank you to everyone who responded to the recent appeal for donations for the incoming Afghan refugees. Not only was it short notice, but it was also a very tight turnaround and a specific list of items requested. Once again people were incredibly generous and my car was packed full. It took myself and the PKAVS team many, many trips to unload the car and the PKAVS team were delighted and sent the message below.
“Thanks to the generous donations of the community in Perth & Kinross, we were able to ensure that our first new arrivals were greeted with accommodation which felt a little like home, including toys for the young people, cosy blankets for everyone, and all the toiletries, food and cleaning products they will need for their first few weeks in Perth & Kinross. We look forward to doing the same for future arrivals. Thank you to the folks of Dunkeld & Birnam for their generous support!”
A particular thanks to Fraser Penny for allow us to use the Chanonry as a donation point, we are lucky to have spaces like this that we can use, and to Sally Robertson and John Ferguson for their help at key points.
Lindsey Gibb

Jill McRory has taken over from Ruth Brown doing Church Secretarial work. One of her tasks will be to take bookings for the Church of Scotland buildings.
You can contact Jill through the same email address as before – chanonrydunkeld@gmail.com

“Home is where your food is grown”
The days are getting shorter & cooler. Autumn brings new colours and life into nature, and into our activities.
We are at the harvesting phase of growing vegetables and herbs organically. We have high regard for the soil, try to minimise impact on the environment and reduce food miles while growing high quality crops suited to the season, our local area and population.
The current focus in autumn is harvesting, storage of produce, preparation of the soil for next season and continuing with our markets in Birnam and Dunkeld until early October.
We meet every Thursday and Saturday at 10 am. There is always a break for tea/ coffee (we currently bring our own) and conversation with lots of stories and smiles. We share our produce and our stories. Collective effort is key.
We welcome volunteers to help at the “Field”. No specific skill is required. New members or even individuals or groups who want to visit our project are encouraged. Any help with growing, planting, preparation or selling is appreciated.
Feeling “at home” in the Field location, sharing the work and the fresh organic herbs and vegetables is our key objective.
Produce is for sale at the Field Gate Stall (currently onions, carrots, & beans) which is stocked twice a week.
The annual AGM is on 5th November. The decision whether to have the meeting at the Duchess Ann or by Zoom will depend on the Covid situation and local safety advise nearer the meeting date. We will give advanced notice to our members of the arrangements.
David E Bee, Chairman

porridgeday Unfortunately, we will be unable to hold our annual Porridge Day Breakfast this autumn but we are hoping that all our lovely breakfast goers will want to continue to support Mary's Meals this year.
The charity achieved a major milestone recently - they now feed more than 2 million children in 19 countries around the world every school day (Ron would have been so pleased).
Throughout the pandemic Mary’s Meals’ work hasn't stopped – they continue to reach children at home and at school with a daily meal.
They have lots of ideas on their website:
- you can hold a virtual porridge breakfast
- upload a photo of your porridge smiles
- simply make a donation.
Please donate at: https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/porridgeday
Thanks
Marilyn Howe
If unable to donate online, please contact me on: 07910 556586