Editorial
October - the month of Halloween but also a time for
reflection and preparation for the coming year!
At the October and November Council meeting the question of
membership was much discussed. Our numbers have been fairly stable over
the past few years but recently some members have left and our average
age is rising. New members are needed!
From past experience it was concluded that 2-3 new members per
annum would be about right to compensate for departures and to allow a
modest growth towards a maximum membership of around 50 members.
Several ideas were discussed on how to recruit. It was agreed
that an "Open Evening" might be a good idea. The proposal is that this
would take place in January after the views of the Club are taken into
account.
The challenge for all of us is to identify suitable recruits
in the 40's - 50's age range to maintain our "youthful" Club.
Features
Harry's Day Out!
Looking back over my time as JVP I was interested to see so
many varied speakers during that time. One speaker was Di Heather
Hayes, who spoke on Aviation and he gave a fascinating talk on the
beginnings of our Air Force during the 1st World War. I must have
mentioned this to my wife Lorraine and when a special occasion came
round I found that I had a voucher for an hour�s flying lesson.
I had my lesson this summer and, yes, I flew a plane and got
back in one piece. It was a great experience and after my five minute
tutorial off we went. We set out over Perth and then I was given
control of the plane, I believe it was a Cessna. The instructor told me
not to worry if I did something stupid because the plane was designed
always to right itself. We flew past Perth on to Crieff and Comrie
before turning south to Stirling. Being an English man I dive-bombed
the Wallace Monument and skirted past the Castle. Back over the Ochil�s
we took a look at Gleneagles Hotel and came back via Scone to land
safely, not by me, I hasten to add.
What a great experience and so I was told all I need was
another 44 lessons before I could call myself a pilot. I think I will
stick to driving a car!!
Fife Walk Episode 10
A two stage walk this time. The plan was Fife Ness to
Kingshorn; lunch; then on to St Andrews, but a quick review of the
journey times and bearing in mind the need to be back in Perh for the
Gavel, it was agreed that Boarhills would be the end point, a
respectable 7 miles from Fife Ness.
Fife Ness Lighthouse
George trying his new binoculars
Fife Ness is the juction on the shipping routes to the Tay and
the Forth.
From the Coastguard station high on the point, the view
stretches from the Scottish Border at Eyemouth to North of Abedeen...on
a clear day! On the day of the walk Abroath in the north and North
Berwick in the south were clearly visible; Arbroath glistening in the
morning sun.
The Ness, because of its importance to navigation and the
proximity of some dangerous shoals has been marked by a light house or
lightship since the mid-1800's.
The starting point was at the Scottish Wildlife Trust nature
reserve just east of Fife Ness. The path was narrow but not too rough.
Like the previous walk it traversed flat terrain skirting a number of
ruined cottages. The remnants of a number of old harbours were visible.
One of these at Fife Ness was striking with the outline of an old Tide
Mill marked into the rocks. Nearby was an interpretation board giving
the details. An early use of tidal power!
Tidal Mill information board
Beyond the Mill the path is, for lack of a better word,
boring. Largely featureless, with a rough rocky shore, it skirts the
Fife Ness Golf Club, then the Cambo Golf Club. There are no less than
five courses between Fife Ness and Kingsbarns, a real "Costa del Golf"
and all immaculate. For non-golfers, dolphins can be seen when the tide
is on the rise but we didn't have any luck in this respect. The golf
courses were well populated however!
At Cambo Ness the scene became more picturesque and wooded,
giving a few photo opportunities that allowed the inevitable Gnome to
make an appearance!
Spot the Gnome!
Come on George there's still 2 miles to go!
From Cambo Ness to Kingsbarns, alongside yet another golf
course, the route turns onto the beach. High shelving and with
beautiful, clean sand it made a change from the narrow mainly single
track path that we had been following until now.
From Kingsbarns, - yes, alongside a golf course - the route
features a long stretch of golden sand. Not too popular with the
walkers though! Only two others had been before us, with their dogs.
The bright sand did give a good opportunity for a group photo, though!
Robinson Crusoe or Man Friday?
The Group Photo!
A local admirer!!
After Babbet Head the path turns inland along an attractive,
wooded glen. A number of ruins probably old mill workings were of note.
Coming out of the glen the path passes through Boarhills farm ending in
the village of Boarhills, which must be unique in that the village has
a road leading in, but with no through route. Boy racers there were not!
The Winning Gavel Team - Yes, including Douglas!!
Picture from Nick Hine
The Gavel -
Picture from Nick Hine
....and so ended the 10th Walk!
No Rotary visit this time as we had to be back in Perth for
the Gavel. Unfortunately we lost!
News Items
Oct 16th - Scottish Motor Neuron Disease Association
Iain McWhirter gave an impassioned talk on a subject close to
his heart after first thanking us for our donation, which was given
earlier this year. MND is one of the Cinderella charities and relies
heavily on public support. Iain described how patients' lives can be
improved albeit briefly, as once diagnosed the disease progresses
rapidly.
Oct 18th - Art Competition
Sandy Mackintosh and Clare Dalby making some hard decisions
Strathallen School was the venue for the judging of the Art
Competition organised by convenor John Dickson.
The response from the local secondary schools was excellent,
only one refused to participate and the overall quality of the
submissions was judged to be very good by the panel. The panel
consisted of the ex- HMI of Art for Scotland, Albert Robson; Royal
Society of Water-colourist, Sandy Mackenzie; and two local members of
the Perthshire Art Association; Clare Dalby and Steve Carrol
Watch the glass Tom!
The winners will receive their prizes from the Provost at an official
ceremony on November 9th in Perth Museum. Their work will be displayed
in the museum during November an December
Apart from the judging, the evening turned out ot be a very
social occasion, thanks in part to some excellent wine and snacks
prepared by our own Eva and not forgetting Tom, our impeccable "Jeeves"!
Oct 23rd Scottish Association for MentalHealth
Caroline Miller from SAMH gave an interesting talk on the
subject of mental health and what can be done to help sufferers.
Apparently some 25% of the Scottish population will at some time in
their life have recognisable symptoms.
Greg's new book
Just in case you haven't heard, Greg has written a book on the
history of Forgandenny.
Greg writes ----
The official launch will be on Saturday
1st December 2007 between 2 and 4 pm at Strathallan School. Obviously I
would be pleased to invite anyone in the club to come.
The book is 544 pages of local history on Forgandenny from the
year dot
to 1930 and includes about 160 photographs. The book makes many
references to neighbouring parishes like Forteviot, Aberdalgie,
Dunning,
Dron and Dunbarney as well as placing them in the historical and
geographical context of Perth and the Strathearn area. I have tried to
place the parish and the people in the context of the times they lived
as
this explains many of the careers, opportunities and successes of
individuals who kept the parish running. Included is a chapter on many
of
the people who left the parish but carried it in their hearts around
the
world.
Further explanation can be found at www.Forgandenny.org.uk
Convenors Reports
Ways and Means update from Eva
The copper collection boxes have been distributed and at the
last business meeting it was decided to leave them in place longer than
the initial planned 3 or 4 weeks.
To date, 4 filled boxes have been returned. I will give an
update on monies raised soon. (once I have counted them!)
We are looking forward to the Stathallan choir singing on 24th November
in the High Street during the Craft market in King Edward street.
