FORTNIGHT SAFETY RISK
Event fire extinguishers nabbed
The Comrie Fortnight wasn’t immune from the recent thoughtless spate of vandalism in the Shaky Village.
During the middle weekend two incidents, which could have affected the safety of party-goers, marred the festivities.
Two fire extinguishes were stolen on the Friday night and let off over cars parked in the Laggan Park car park. One canister was later found in the river.
The following day it was discovered that someone had entered the marquee and burnt some of the decorations, which were up in preparation for the Barn Dance.
The enterprising Comrie Fortnight committee didn’t let the fire extinguisher thefts stop the fun, however, and managed to secure two more in time for the dance.
Chairman Ewen Stewart told the Herald: “It’s disappointing
when so many people put so much work into events and then you get people coming along and trying to ruin it.
“At the end of the day we need these fire extinguishers in place or we can’t hold events.
“We found one that had been thrown into the river but haven’t found the other one, and they cost money to replace. Fortunately, we managed to get hold of spares from Gourlay’s which enabled the Barn Dance and end of Fortnight party on the last weekend to go ahead.”
Intruders had been in the marquee and the committee also found some burnt decorations in a bin.
Ewen added: “If they had succeeded in setting the decorations on fire it could have set the whole place alight. Now we can’t leave anything in the marquee when we are not there for fear of them discharging fire extinguishers again or causing other damage. The cars that got sprayed were some mess.”
Anyone wi t h any information on recent incidents in the village should call Police Scotland on 101.