Arrochar brings all ages together

Arrochar pupils, teachers, parents and elderly residents are joining forces in a pioneering project.

They are part of the Generation Communities Group, run by Arrochar Primary School and Arrochar and Tarbet Community Development Trust, which aims to bring people of all ages together.

Visiting the Three Villages Hall with group members to address the Helensburgh and Lomond Community Planning Group (CPG), Fiona Paterson from the school’s parent teacher association explained how the project has taken off.

She said: ‘There were lots of different groups for different age groups – like playgroup and school for young people and bingo and lunch club for older ones.

‘But there was nothing really for everyone to get together, so we applied to Argyll and Bute Council for funding. A group of children and adults get together in the school. I work with adults with learning disabilities and it gives everyone an opportunity to talk to each other and find out about activities.’

Arrochar Primary School head teacher Alison Palmer told the CPG’s members: ‘The hardest bit at the start was getting it out there. The youngsters were up for it, but how do you get children involved in this project?

‘Fiona had the idea of leaving leaflets to highlight what was happening in doctors’ surgeries and it just grew.

‘There are several people in their 90s, so we go across the full spectrum in terms of ages. We meet on the last Thursday of every month in the school, which saves us transporting the children to a different venue.’

During the meeting, one of the participants said: ‘We have all got to go through life and do the best we can and we have got to help one another.

‘That is absolutely vital to everyone – the children, their teachers and everyone who gets involved.

‘I can’t sing these people’s praises highly enough for what they do.’

Alison then introduced 96-year-old Ron before inviting the youngsters to highlight their activities.

The pupils said: ‘During the first week it was great hearing about everyone’s lives and we played some getting to know you games.

‘In the second week, Billy and Ron showed us how to use a Morse code machine and Billy told us about his Lancaster bomber experiences.’

Further activities were recalled, including a visit from an animal expert, a trip to the cinema and a Scottishthemed afternoon.