Rewards for area’s volunteers
Valued contributions made to local life by volunteers were celebrated at an awards ceremony.
Students, members of community groups and invited guests gathered at the Community Connect @ Rattray building to see scores of certificates handed out.
Perth and Kinross Provost Liz Grant, who is also a councillor for the Blairgowrie and Glens ward, presented accolades to children, young people and adults, recognising their achievements and successes over 2015 and 2016.
Entertainment during the evening included a performance by dancers Maddie Brown and Cara Dingwall, both pupils at Rattray Primary School, who showcased their routine from ‘Rattray’s Got Talent’.
Musicians Derek Bissett and Jamie Stewart played a range of well-known numbers, including ‘The Berry Fields o’Blair’.
This year, the overall theme was Contribution to Community Life, with the council’s local education and children’s services team taking the opportunity to celebrate the work of some of the many dedicated individuals who volunteer their time across Eastern Perthshire.
Provost Grant said:“I was delighted to be part of this celebration of community involvement and volunteering and my warmest congratulations go to all the volunteers.
“Community Connect @ Rattray provides a very valuable focal point for local people coming together.”
The council thanked the Strathmore Centre for Youth Development events team for helping with the preparations for the evening.
The authority hopes that those receiving certificates this year will help to select next year’s recipients.
Anyone interested in finding out how they can get involved in volunteering in eastern Perthshire can call Community Connect on 01250 871538 and ask to speak to Fiona, John, Susan or Rory. Certificate recipients: No.5 Rascals - for excellent group work and sharing;
No.5 Fabulous Fivers - for outstanding achievement;
No.5 Homework Group - for efforts on homework;
Rhyme Time Group - for making No5“happy and fun”;
Sian Wagner - in recognition of outstanding achievements;
Scott Jewell - in recognition of long-standing volunteering and service to No5;
Stella Douglas, Ellie Douglas, Noelle King, Maisie Stalker, Brocas Mcowan, Owen King and Victoria Johnston - in recognition of musical achievements;
Paul Moran and Terry Beattie - in recognition of achieving the cycle maintenance course;
Kerry O’Hare, Lyn Clark, Debbie Walsh, Susana Daminao and Lesley Anderson - food hygiene and ASDAN cookwise;
Gill Mackintosh, Diane Dow, Darlene Phillips and Lizzie Gall - food hygiene;
Emma Boylan, Kerry Shaw, Louise Laing, Jenny Jackman, Claire Robertson, Mallon Murray and Hazel Lindsay - ASDAN expressive arts (photography);
Robert Farmer and Tracey Tosh - achievement and success in IT learning;
Gerry and Karena McHugh contribution to the community (Blairgowrie Judo Club);
Tom McDonald, Heather Tweddle and Leanne Donnachie - contribution to the community (Blairgowrie and Rattray Junior Drum Corps);
Lee and Gemma McDonald - contribution to the community (developing and expanding girls’ football);
Susan Brown - lipreading classes at Community Connect @ Rattray;
Darlene Phillips and Lyn Clark - contribution to the community for establishing the popular Rattray Rugrats group for children and families.
A number of local organisations received certificates in recognition of their contribution to the community across eastern Perthshire.
These included: Alyth coffee morning backroom staff - for services to the community;
Alyth Community Council - for the Alyth Flood Appeal;
Blethers and Blairgowrie High School - for Memories O’Blair;
Coupar Angus Town Team - for the Snowdrop Festival;
Coupar Angus Youth Activities Group - for their Faces of Coupar Angus photo project;
Growbiz - for its mentoring project;
StArt and Scrap Happy Theatre Group - for the StArt ghost walk;
SCYD events team - for services to the community.