Gobaga plumrole

The plum season has begun and the fruit trees at Dunkeld and Birnam Community Orchard are brimming with ripe fruit.

The orchard’s gardeners are welcoming people to come with a picnic and rug to visit and join in a picking session next Friday (September 18) from 2pm to 3pm.

The fruit picked can be taken away.

Dunkeld and Birnam Community Orchard will be following COVID guidelines.

Gloves and sanitiser are provided but there will be no tea tent so pickers must bring their own refreshments.

Question: We are married but we would like to separate. There seems a lot to unravel, how can we make a start?

Answer: If you have agreed that the marriage is over, there are some practical issues to be sorted out and working out a plan for these can be a good starting point. The separation

You can separate informally if you can both agree on arrangements such as children, housing and money. An agreement can be verbal or written but a written one can make any future disputes easier to resolve.

An agreement can be made with or without help from a solicitor, depending on the complexity of the issues. Legal Aid help with the costs of drawing up an agreement may be available.

You will find information on the Scottish Legal Aid Board website at https://www. slab.org.uk/. If a lawyer is needed it is likely to be through a phone call, email or video call at the present.

Mediation is also an option.You may have used it to try to save the marriage but it can also help in reaching an acceptable separation agreement.

You can find out about services in your area from Relationship Scotland on 0345 119 2020 or at the website https://www. relationships-scotland.org.uk/

If you use a solicitor you might decide to use one who uses a collaborative approach. Collaborative law involves you and your spouse meeting with your solicitors to discuss the issues and to try to reach an agreement.

Your children

A decision as to where and with whom any dependent children will live is needed.

Older children can decide for themselves. The Scottish Government has a guide‘Your Parenting Plan’which is available online at www.gov.scot

If agreement cannot be reached, then a court could make residency and contact orders. The court’s overriding concern is what is in the best interests of the children.

Both parents do have a legal duty to support their children financially. It is in everyone’s interests to reach an amicable