So many things Hope for better to celebrate in 2017

On January 28 I attended the official opening of the new Crieff Primary School although, of course, the school opened in August of 2015 for staff and pupils.

This is a unique building, one would say tailored to suit the area that it is in, although it bears concerns in relation to Broich Road with regards to speeding along the road during school times. With those concerns in mind a group was set up, the Broich Road Safety Action Group. We took on board the complaints and in May, a first-ever for Perth and Kinross, a day of action was planned giving staff, pupils and outside bodies the opportunity to become involved in discussing ways to make the area around our schools safer. This day was a success.

Broich Road is never going to be perfect by any means until the issues on the supermarket can be dealt with. Until then we can only achieve what we can and trust that all users will continue with caution on this stretch of road.

In April the Queen’s 90th birthday was celebrated in Strathearn by the lighting of beacons. As I stood at the top of Turleum at the beacon, another could be seen over the Auchterarder area.

In June Her Majesty’s birthday was celebrated again, this time at the community campus with an afternoon tea party and an outdoor musical event in the evening.

I had the privilege of presenting medals to four young ladies from Duchlage Court and a great afternoon was had by all.

May sees the annual event of the Kirkin’ of the Council.

This is held in Perth and I attended on behalf of ward 6. It is a parade and service at St John’s Kirk.

Tayside Contracts’ awards ceremony took place towards the end of May, seeing Perth and Kinross pick up many of the awards – none more so than in Crieff. Well done to Crieff High School canteen staff and others.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the community councils in my ward for their hard work and devotion that they give to their area, also to all the voluntary organisations involved in their community. Without each and every one of you some things may not have been possible.

My past year has been full of much happiness, none more so than being able to share it with your good selves, and I look forward to working with you all in the coming months and wish you all the very best and good health for 2017. What a great thing it would be if all our New Year wishes came true, not to mention those good New Year resolutions.

Surely most of us hope for better things in the years to come and do not regret the year just past.

I would like to wish everyone in the Strathearn ward a very happy, prosperous and peaceful year in 2017.