Jamie and Co’s delivery of good cheer
51 people treated to festive treats by local volunteers
Kind-hearted Strath residents took time out of their Christmas Day to ensure those not able to spend it with loved ones didn’t feel lonely.
The Landale family of Crieff Food Co spearheaded the operation, which saw volunteers deliver treats to those who were home alone in Crieff, Comrie and Muthill.
The idea came about following a successful Christmas Day lunch at Crieff Food Co last year.
Jamie Landale said:“We obviously couldn’t do that this year but when I sat down to think about what we could do this year I realised the bit people enjoyed most was having the company on Christmas Day.”
Kind- hearted Strath residents took time out of their Christmas Day to ensure those not able to spend it with loved ones didn’t feel lonely.
The Landale family of Crieff Food Co spearheaded the operation, which saw volunteers deliver Christmas treats to those who were home alone in Crieff, Comrie and Muthill.
“We had a jolly good day and saw 51 people in total,” said Jamie Landale.
“In Comrie we were joined by a piping elf and even bumped into Mrs Claus, relaxing after a busy night.”
Jamie and his family covered Tay Place and Almond Place in Comrie along with the Mauchline family, and Susan Stewart and Yvonne Hughes delivered to residents in Crieff and Muthill.
The idea came about following a successful Christmas Day lunch at Crieff Food Co last year.
Jamie explained: “Last year, for the first time, with a group of volunteers we held a lunch at Crieff Food Co for 36 people.
“All the food was provided free of charge by our suppliers. We did a three-course lunch of smoked salmon, roast turkey followed by Christmas pudding.
“Bertie Bus brought the guests and took them home.
“We obviously couldn’t do that this year but when I sat down to think about what we could do this year I realised that, although the three-course lunch was lovely and they enjoyed it immensely, the bit that people enjoyed most was having the company on Christmas Day.
“So this wasn’t the same – we didn’t deliver Christmas lunch – but what we wanted to do was just deliver a bit of Christmas cheer.”
While at Comrie’s Cameron Court, Hamish Landale piped some carols in the middle of the cul-de-sac for residents to enjoy from their doorsteps.
Jamie added: “It was lovely – the amount of big smiles on the doorsteps was great.
“Hamish piped from the middle and they all came out and took photographs while we went round and had a blether to them all.”
Veronica Doyle was one of the recipients of a bag of goodies.
The senior citizen has hardly been out since the start of the pandemic and is glad she lives in a village where people look out for each other
She told the Herald: “My bag had Christmas flowers in it and yummy treats like mincemeat pies, jam and shortbread.
“I felt a bit emotional on Christmas Day in the morning but I got so many messages, phone calls and texts that I didn’t feel lonely in the end and it was so generous of everyone to take time out to call.
“It turned out to be a lovely Christmas Day even though I, like many others, was on my own this year.
“My doorbell rang and Jamie and his team were there in festive jumpers and costumes and I was presented with a lovely bag of treats.
“I normally spend my Christmas Day with family. I couldn’t this year but I was there in spirit as they had put my photo on a seat at the head of the table and raised their glasses to me, which was very amusing.
“It’s not just about the generosity of the parcels that Jamie organised – it’s about the generosity of heart on a special day.
“It was a lovely gesture by the whole Landale family and other volunteers. They deserve so much praise for coming out on Christmas Day. It was amazing.”
Jamie praised everyone who had contributed to the goodie bags and given their time on Christmas Day.
He said: “A huge thanks to our friends and suppliers for contributing, including The Handy Shop, Victoria Scott, Campbell’s Bakery, Gordon & Durward and some private individuals who donated money which bought more treats.”
My doorbell rang and Jamie and his team were there in festive jumpers and costumes
Veronica Doyle