Common good fund cash for pipe band

Free lesson invitation

A bid by Crieff High School Pipe Band A s s o c i at i o n to bolster numbers has won the financial backing of the town’s common good fund.

The band is searching for new drummers and pipers and has asked schools across Strathearn and Strathallan if pupils there would be interested in joining its ranks.

Youngsters attending the high school and both of the town’s primary schools have also been invited for the free lessons, supported by free instruments.

The cost of the enterprise is said to be £18,630, and funding has been applied for via various sources.

Crieff Common Good Fund met on Wednesday last week and agreed to chip in £325 – half of the requested sum – to support the lessons.

Members decided to halve the earmarked request to ensure sufficient funds were left for the remainder of the financial year.

Councillor Rhona Brock had initially moved for £500 to be committed but, in agreement with Cllr Dave Doogan, she accepted the lesser figure.

Councillor Dave Doogan highlighted that the fund’s papers had an ‘ in kind’ commitment from the pipe band and questioned what that meant after previous meetings of other funds used the same term. It was stated the coordination of the programme was the in kind element.

Members agreed the pipe band’s project was a worthwhile effort.

The common good fund also agreed to formally accept a licence from Crieff in Leaf to maintain a piece of ground in common good ownership at the corner of Duchlage Road and Pittenzie Street.

This was previously agreed outside of a formal meeting after the agreement lapsed in August.

A new agreement will be put in place for five years.