Review Of the year 2020 Part one
Top New Year celebrations in Comrie led by Comrie Pipe Band
Above Celebrating funding for Garrie’s Corner in Auchterarder
January
• A large crowd gathered on Comrie’s Dalginross Bridge for the annual Hogmanay fireworks display, while Crieff ’s James Square hosted a street party.
• An appeal was issued in a bid to keep Strathearn Burns Club running. The club was formed in 1889 and is also one of the oldest club’s affiliated with the Burns Federation.
• A heritage centre was one of the ideas mooted for the former Drummond Arms in Crieff as part of discussions involving the Drummond Arms Regeneration Company (DARL) and other groups.
• The hard-working volunteers behind Auchterarder Bloom Association received just under £ 7500 from Auchterarder and District Community Trust for the redevelopment of Garrie’s Corner.
February
• Crieff Angling Club once again hosted the annual ceremonial opening of the salmon fishing season on the River Earn, with piper Phil Gill providing music.
• More than £ 100,000 was awarded to Comrie Development Trust by Historic Environment Scotland to transform Nissen huts at Cultybraggan Camp into holiday accommodation and studio space for artists.
• The Strath’s roads were affected, scores of events were called off and buildings were damaged as Storm Dennis followed hot on the heels of Storm Ciara, which took its toll earlier in the month.
• In a sign of things to come, Morrison’s Academy advised those recently returned from a ski trip in Italy to monitor their health after reports were received of representatives of another school experiencing coronaviruslike symptoms after visiting a nearby resort.
March
• Politicians and locals expressed their disappointment following news the Crieff branch of the Clydesdale Bank was to close in June, although it was later given a temporary reprieve.
• Schools were closed, exams cancelled and shops left with empty shelves as the reality of the unfolding Covid-19 pandemic began to hit home in the region.
• The community response to the coronavirus crisis started with various volunteers and groups rallying to support others as the UK was placed into a national lockdown by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on March 23. Scores of planned events began to be either postponed or cancelled as a result of subsequent restrictions.
• A dangerous drop was been created in front of MacRosty Park’s Pavilion Cafe after vandals went on a wrecking spree.
April
• The first local coronavirus cases were met with dismay by politicians as local support provided by groups in Aucterarder, Crieff, Comrie, Muthill and Madderty, as well as elsewhere, gathered pace.
• The former dementia ward at Crieff Community Hospital was prepared to play its part in the nation’s efforts to stem pandemic’s spread.
• A ‘ village larder’ started by volunteers in Muthill’s former telephone box generated global media attention.
• New Crieff mum Katie Roddis recalled the moment she had to give birth to baby Olivia on a family friend’s livingroom floor during lockdown.
May
• The Strath commemorated the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, the day towards the end of the Second World War that marked when fighting against Nazi Germany in Europe ended.
• Comr ie’s Debbie Matthew highlighted the plight of the charity Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, which revealed it was losing £500,000 a month during the lockdown period.
• Morrison’s Academy revealed plans to launch the first Peter Jones Enterprise Academy in Scotland as part of a wider School of Business and Enterprise project.
• Crieff Community Council said it was shocked to see pets being given free rein at Crieff Cemetery by people ignoring signs calling for animals to be kept on leads.
June
• Elderly Strath residents were left feeling “at risk” as visitors flocked to beauty spots after lockdown restrictions were eased.
• Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels announced a “significant downturn” in business as a result of the pandemic forced the company to begin a redundancy consultation with staff.
• Crieff Succeeds manager David McCann encouraged locals to support the town’s businesses as they began to reopen.
• An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.2 on the Richter scale and a depth of 2km rumbled through Comrie.