PITLOCHRY

ARTHRITIS AWARENESS IN ATHOLL GROUP

The speaker at the March meeting of Arthritis Awareness in Atholl was Chris Rowley of Ballintarrart. Chris spent 10 years in banking before deciding to change career and follow his love of cooking.

He trained as a chef in London and worked in restaurants in the city and in Cornwall, before coming to Perthshire to set up a business at Ballintaggart farm, where he provides bed and breakfast with fine dining.

His business then expanded with the purchase of the hotel at Grandtully, a cook school, and the opening of a kitchen in Aberfeldy to cater for functions at other venues.

He now employs about 50 staff who are committed to providing excellent food sourced locally - from local butchers, farms and vegetable growers.

He is also working on his own cook book and has been approached by Perth and Kinross Council to produce a Perthshire cook book which will be available in the summer.

Chris is committed to the hospitality business and encourages young people in the area to consider it as a worthwhile career. He also appreciates Perthshire as a beautiful area in which to be based.

AAA members found Chris’s talk very interesting and Dr David Cruikshank thanked him on behalf of the audience.

Forrest Moffat will be the speaker at the next meeting of AAA on April 1 in Moulin Hall at 2.30pm. His illustrated talk will be about Taymouth Castle.

On Monday, May 4 Arthritis Awareness in Atholl, with regret, will hold its final meeting when the members will be entertained by the Dunkeld Handbell Ringers. The AAA group hope that any former members will join them to mark the occasion. For more information on any of the above, contact the Arthritis Awareness in Atholl group on 01796 473210.

FOOTBALL

Coleman, MacDonald, Smillie, Rutherford, Gillies, Gallacher, Baxter, Taylor, Stewart, Walker, Rasic, Hixon and Walker.

Vale’s struggle to get more points on the board continued after a pretty good first half, where they had good chances, including a Taylor header.

Smillie’s shot from a distance and a Gillies’ shot which hit a post did not trouble the keeper and it was no surprise when the break came with no goals.

The second period was a disaster for Vale as they struggled to get into the game, with the home side looking the most likely to score.

Ballinluig took the lead from a free kick with despite Vale claiming for offside.Vale then made changes and threw on the substitute Harvey Stewart who looked the most likely to save the game and twice came close to scoring.Any chance of bagging some points ended when Walker was sent off after a challenge in the box. A second yellow and a penalty resulted in a bit of drama after it was scored when the referee ordered a retake after a home player infringed into the box.This did not phase the player as he fired his shot into the opposite corner to give Walker no chance and put the result beyond doubt.

Vale’s management were extremely disappointed after a bright showing in the first half. It was very poor in the second half as they allowed the Ballinluig players to play around them.Defences were on top for most of the game, but neither keeper had a save of note during the game. No one in Vale colours really stood out in a flat showing. Youngster Harvey Stewart’s performance when he came on would not do his push for a starting place any harm.The man of the match was secured by Steven Coleman.

Vale have no game this Saturday.

ATHOLL COUNTRY LIFE MUSEUM

Mike Moir will give an illustrated talk on Wade Roads in Perthshire at the next meeting to be held in the Atholl Arms Hotel, Blair Atholl on Wednesday, March 11.

The event will start at 7.30pm. Entry costs £5, and includes refreshments. All welcome.

PITLOCHRY LITTER ACTION GROUP

The next clean up of the town will take place on Tuesday, March 10. The group will meet in the Recreation car park in Pitlochry at 10am.

Equipment will be provided, but any volunteers would be made most welcome.

COFFEE MORNING

The Rannoch and Highland Branch of the Clan Donnachaidh is holding a coffee morning tomorrow (Saturday, March 7) in the Tryst, Pitlochry.

The event will run from 10am to 11.30am; tickets cost £3 and will be available at the door on the day.

Rev Maureen MacDougall will lead worship in Scone New Church on Sunday, March 8 at 10.45am. Coffee and tea will be served in the church hall afterwards. A coffee morning will be held on Saturday, March 7 in Burnside hall from 10am to noon. Entry costs £3 for adults; £1 for children. Everyone welcome.

SCONE AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Society’s next meeting this month will be held in Scone Old church hall on Monday, March 9 at 7.30pm. The speaker will be Michael Penman who will be giving a talk about The Declaration of Arbroath in 1320. Visitors are welcome at a cost of £2 per head, while members are free. Tea and biscuits will be served after the talk.

The next dance will be held in Stanley village hall this Saturday, March 7 at 8pm. Music for the evening will be provided by Dave Jenkins. All welcome.

BOWLING CLUB

Lottery winning numbers this week were 2, 6, 13 and 19. There was no winner. Prize money next week will be £4132.

MONTHLY SALE

East Lodge, Stanley Mills on Saturday, March 7 between 9am and 1pm. Held by Stanleyand District Men’s Shed to show its goods.All men will be most welcome .