District News

Aberuthven

Church Holy communion will be conducted by Rev James Aitchison on Sunday at 11am. The annual stated meeting is on May 27 in Dunning Church after the 11am service.

Almondbank

St Serf’s Church The service was conducted by Michael Archibald, and his sermon was based on ‘Between the devil and the deep blue sea’. Heather McRitchie read the lessons, Alison Hooper was organist and Nellie Brown kindly gifted the flowers. Congregational board meeting is on May 17 at 7pm in the church hall, and a meeting of both Kirk Sessions is in Methven Church hall on May 23 at 7pm. The Christian Aid soup lunch takes place after the joint service on May 27, and tickets are available from Irene McLean or Maureen Grant. As from June 3 services in St Serf’s will begin at 10am.

Alyth

Parish Church Morning worship at 11am was conducted by Rev Mike Erskine. The annual stated meeting took place immediately afterwards, followed by evening service at 6pm. This Sunday’s service is at 11am. On May 27, at 2.30pm, as part of Alyth Creates festival, there is a concert in aid of the Dry Rot Appeal. Perth choir, Chansons, will present a spring serenade of music. During term time, the Sunday school welcomes children in the front pews of the church. A creche for under threes is available during Sunday morning services. The prayer group meets on Thursdays in Burnside Court Lounge at 10.30am. The church website at www.alythparishchurch.org.uk is updated weekly. Family History The project is open on Sundays, from 2-4pm until Remembrance Sunday. It is voluntary and grateful thanks go to everyone who helps update the archive, staff Sunday opening, submits photos and generally keeps it going. Alyth and District Pipe Band Practise on Wednesdays from 6pm in Alyth town hall. For more information, contact Elaine Sturrock on 01828 640312, or email elaine@ alythpipeband.org. The band is on the look out for a lead tip, drummers and pipers of all abilities with the intention of entering competitions in the 2018 season. The lead tip will be expected to teach the learners. For more information, contact Pipe Major Gordon Barton, on 07971 485893 or gordonbarton@mac.com.

Auchterarder

Bowling Club Lotto draw numbers were: 3, 6, 13 and 17. There were no winners and prize money next week will be £605. Ruthven Rockers and Lang Toon Tappers Fundraising nights are on May 16 in the new church centre, Auchterarder at 10-12pm. The Dunning Divas’ event is in Dunning Village Hall on May 18 at 10-11am.

Balbeggie

Church Morning worship on Sunday is in Guildtown Village Hall at 9.30am. Rev Alan Livingstone will lead the service and members, friends and visitors are welcome. Tea/coffee are served at the close of the service. Sale In aid of animal welfare charities takes place at St Martins Public Hall, Balbeggie, on June 1 and 2. The event is open from 10-4pm on the Friday and 10-noon on the Saturday. Proceeds will go to support good causes working with animals in need. The sale includes bric-a-brac, good as new stalls, books, cds, toys, jewellery and plants. There will also be a tombola, raffle and refreshments on Murdo Fraser visited the Scone and District 50-plus group to congratulate them on winning the Age Scotland inspiration award.

He said : “It was great to meet with the group today and learn more about what they do in the local community.

the day. All welcome.

Bankfoot

Church The service on Sunday is a joint service conducted by Rev Adrian Lough at the usual time of 11.15am. Communion service is on May 20 at the usual time. Christian Aid Week A soup, bread and cheese lunch will be held after morning service on Sunday. The congregation will be joined by Stanley and Luncarty churches. Houseto-house collections will take place in and around Bankfoot during the week. Thanks to all who give up their time and generously donate to the charity each year. Guild The annual gathering will be in Caird Hall on September 1, contact Alice if you wish to attend. Seats on the bus are limited and on a first come first served basis.

Bendochy

Church Sunday’s service was conducted by Rev Andy Graham and the Bible lessons, from Acts chapter 10, verses 44-48 and John chapter 15, verses 9-17 were read by Graeme McNeill. The coffee morning is on May 31. The Sunday service at Bendochy church begins at 10-10.45am. See the Coupar Angus Abbey Church section for details and intimations. Plant Sale Takes place at Bridge of Cally Hall on May 20. It will feature bedding and herbaceous plants and runs from 10-1pm. Donations of plants welcomed. There will also be a tombola and cake and candy stall. Teas, coffees, juice and biscuits will be served on the day. For more information, contact Liz on 01250 886359, Joyce on 886339 or Linda on 886724. Talk An illustrated presentation entitled ‘Saving Scotland’s red squirrels’ is at 7.30pm on May 15, in Bridge of Cally village hall. It costs £5 per person to attend, with 50 per cent of proceeds donated to Scottish Wildlife

“Loneliness is a growing public health concern and it is important that elderly residents have a support network and groups like this are essential in providing this.

“Winning the Age Scotland inspiration award is a tremendous Old Tyme Dance The next dance is tonight in the Institute from 7.3010.30pm when Scott Band will be playing. Tickets are £5 (includes tea and biscuits) available at the door on the night. Proceeds go to charity. Dunbarney and Forgandenny Church Services on Sunday are at the usual times – 9.30am in Dunbarney and 11am at Forgandenny. All welcome. Christian Aid Week This year’s Christian Aid Week runs until May 19. Collectors will be doing house-tohouse collections in Bridge of Earn and Forgandenny during the week. Brig in Bloom Coffee morning and plant sale is in the Institute on May 26. Doors open at 10–noon, with tea/coffee and home baking. All welcome. Earn Singers Thanks to everyone who came along to the Earn Singers concert held in the church last Friday night, where £723 was raised. Community Soup Lunches Thanks to all who have supported the monthly events by coming along and providing soup and home baking. Since September £1100 has been raised for church funds. The team is now having a well earned break and will resume in September. Cyprus Golf Club All golfers are asked to note the bus times for the outing to Dunnikier Golf Club on Sunday. These are as follows: 8.15am from Kintillo phone box with the usual pick up points thereafter. 100 Club winners for April were: 1 £30 R McIntosh; 2, £10 I Stewart; 3 £5 A McIntosh; 4 £5 D Stewart. Recent bonus ball winners were: J Garrock, I Ptak, I Stewart, D Ptak, Reg winning £25 each; with T Hay winning a £50 prize. Bowling Club Bowls Scotland ladies ties were on the green with some very close results last weekend. There is achievement for the group and I was impressed by their vision when I met with them today. “I would encourage anyone in the area who is over 50 and is looking to get more involved in their community to make it along and get involved.”

Burrelton

Church Love, truthfulness and integrity was the theme of morning worship led by Rev Stevie Thomson, with Lynne Mitchell as organist. Readings were taken from Psalm 101 and from One John chapter five, verses 1-6. Office-bearers on duty were Anne Baxter, Sandy Duthie and Sheena McNaughton. Sunday school was led by Jean MacDiarmid and Caroline McKay. Flowers were provided by Pauline MacAskill. Teas and coffees were served by Lynne and Graham Mitchell. Guild The summer lunch will take place at Strathmore Golf Club on June 4 at noon. Names should be given to Margaret Linley on 01828 670314.

Caputh/Spittalfield

Bowling Club President Arthur Donaldson welcomed members and friends to the opening of the green in glorious weather. The flag was hoisted and Pauline Donaldson threw the first jack. Triples were played for the Ballantine Cup with Brian Tait’s rink winning by one point. The president thanked all for an enjoyable

Coupar Angus

Abbey Church Last week’s service was conducted by Rev Andy Graham, who welcomed everyone to worship. The opening hymn was The Lord is King, followed by prayers. Rev Graham introduced the theme of the service by talking about friendships, long-term friends and some we had lost touch with and what it means to be a friend of Jesus. Following the hymn, A New Commandment I Give Unto You, Anne Richards read the Bible lessons from Acts chapter 10, verses 44-48 and John chapter 15, verses 9-17. After prayers of intercession the final hymn was We Have Heard A Joyful Sound. Organist Austin Wilkie played Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring by J S Bach, Charade by Henry Mancini and Waltz Of My Heart by Ivor Novello. The Children’s Ministry meets every Thursday. Organisers thank all who help set up for the groups on Monday mornings and for the church on Thursday nights. If you are able to give half an hour on Monday mornings or Thursday evenings, please speak to Donna Hindmarch or Irene Henderson respectively. Christian Aid Week is May 13-19, during which there will be envelopes on the back tables in the Abbey Church. Proceeds will go to help people in Haiti by providing homes to survive a hurricane. The prayer group meets on Wednesday at 2pm and the Bible study group – look at Romans chapters 6-8 - at 7.15pm in the Abbey. The Sunday service at the Abbey Church is from 11.15am to 12.15pm. All welcome. Charity Shop Sheila Legge and Margaret Taylor ran a charity shop from April 29 until May 5. All donations were gratefully received. The duo would like to thank all committee members who helped, especially Jim and Joe with £1715 raised from the event. All the money raised will go towards the upkeep of Coupar Angus Heritage Centre. Heritage Association The association meets on the first Friday of each month at 7.30pm, in the St Anne’s Church hall on Forfar Road. Meetings resume on September 7. All welcome. Continued on page 27 ...