It’s great to see that our brownie pack has managed to keep meeting whilst staying within the covid19 guidance. Long, long ago, I was, of course, a brownie – which girl wasn’t after all? I was first a sprite “Here we are the sprightly sprite’s ... brave and helpful as the knights” and then transferred, for reason unbeknown to me, to the elves. I can’t remember the Song of the Elves but seem to remember it ended with “dig and delve.” We had three owls in charge - Brown Owl (the leader) Snowy Owl (who worked behind the desk at the police station so was really the leader after all) and Tawny Owl (the lesser owl).
Could you be an Owl and help run our brownie pack? New volunteers are much needed – click here. Mind you - I’m not sure if they have Owls in charge anymore- if not, they should bring back Owl leaders as in my experience young girls have a greater respect for Owls than for adults. This can help with swooping down for a bit of crowd control which judging from the picture on the front cover might be needed from time to time.
I can’t remember if I was still a brownie or had ‘flown up’ to guides by the time we trooped off to a jamboree in a random field somewhere to celebrate the Queens Silver Jubilee. Hundreds of us chimed away in discordant harmony “Guides of the world wish you long life and happiness ... singing with love and loyyyyyyyaltyyyyyy. God Bless Elizabeth, God Bless Elizabeth, God Bless Elizabeth, Elizabeth our Queeeeeeeen.” And now it turns out it will be the platinum jubilee next year – The song must have worked! 70 years on the throne – quite amazing.
As mentioned in previous dispatches, Prince Charles is suggesting we all plant trees to celebrate – I guess we should plant 70 and at least a few of those should be Birnam Oaks don’t you think? Maybe some silver birches? Obviously, some rowan. Please could an arboriculturist put their hand up to offer to guide our tree choice. And then we’ll need to work out where to plant them. Any suggestions? They do, after all, have a habit, of growing pretty tall. One of the great things about this village is, it doesn’t matter if you need the advice of an anaesthetist, a bat specialist, a hydrogen cell engineer or a master chef you can  always find someone within the PH8 postcode to help. This is why I put out my arboriculturist request with confidence.
Finally, to our stick on the fridge. My friends – it is filling up! Life is slowly returning to the ‘New Normal’. Well done to everyone who is managing to safely put on events. A special shout out to Birnam Arts for putting on a programme despite many challenges including managing artists from abroad who one moment are coming … and the next moment are not able to travel due to ever changing covid guidance.
Sadly, there will be no Highland Games or Horticultural Show this year. No chance for me to repeat my brilliant 1st Place certificate won at the Horty in 2010 with my ‘miniature flower arrangement’. I will just have to wait for future glories to gloat over and keep practising! Take care all, enjoy the summer break and I look forward to catching up again in September.

Sally Robertson