Review Of the year 2020 Part two
We look back at the highs and lows of 2020 - a year like no other
Below Crieff ConneXions volunteers Rev Andrew Philip, Allan Holleran, Elizabeth Philip and Caroline Murphy with, centre, MP John Nicolson
July
• Developers L ondon & Scottish announced plans for a B&M store and garden centre as part of a £4.5 million project on a site west of Crieff’s Duchlage Farm had been approved by Perth and Kinross Council.
• Disgust and disbelief were expressed at the antics of disrespectful day-trippers and would-be campers visiting Loch Earn, with one local describing the situation as “carnage”.
• The Comrie Fortnight committee unveiled plans for a village-focused event, held with Covid-19 restrictions in mind, as members looked to spread community cheer.
• Calls were made to include the section of the A85 between Leadenflower Road and Crieff Golf Club in plans for a trial 20mph zone in Crieff, which is yet to start.
August
• Crieff High and Morrison’s Academy were among schools to express their pride in their pupils following the publication of the Scottish Qualifications Authority results. The traditional exam diet was cancelled for the first time owing to the pandemic.
• Fears were expressed a serious accident could occur at Loch Turret reservoir as the area continued to attract higher than normal numbers of visitors since the easing of lockdown rules.
• Crieff Highland Gathering directors and guests gathered in Market Park for a ceremonial flag- raising to mark what would’ve been the event’s 150th anniversary.
• Community figures paid tribute to Roseanna Cunningham after the Perthshire South and Kinross-shire SNP announced she would not be standing in the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections, bringing to an end more than 25 years as a parliamentarian.
September
• The first issue of the month reported on the opening of the new Crieff ConneXions hub in the High Street, a partnership between the Logos Youth Project, churches and other organisations.
• Police Scotland announced plans which could see the King Street station shut and officers asked to use a Perth and Kinross Council office in James Square.
• The ballot to decide whether Crieff Succeeds should run for another five years was deferred until 2021 after the coronavirus crisis put an initial August vote on hold.
• Staff at Crieff’s Blythswood shop were left reeling after a thief targeted one of the most expensive items in the store but later said they’d had their faith in human nature restored thanks to two generous benefactors.
October
• Crieff ’s Chris McIntosh told the Herald of his delight at being appointed as one of the LordLieutenant’s 12 deputies, representing the Crown in Perth and Kinross.
• Headed by Catriona Smith, locals used their time during the pandemic to renovate Crieff Community Garden.
• Crieff Community Council and Crieff Succeeds made the case to retain the High Street TSB after the bank announced plans to shut 164 branches across the UK.
• Efforts were made to mark the 65th anniversary of the Tunnel Tigers, 45 workers who set a rock-breaking record while working on the St Fillans section of the Breadalbane Hydro Scheme.
November
• There were no Remembrance parades or formal gatherings as Strath residents paid tribute to the fallen with Covid-19 restrictions in mind.
• Muthill parents started a petition calling on council leaders to come up with new ways to keep their children safe on the way to school.
• Innerpeffray Library was awarded £ 36,425 from Museums Galleries Scotland’s Recovery and Resilience Fund.
• Councillors agreed £265,000-worth of Scottish Government Town Centre Fund money should be re-allocated for the demolition of the Strathearn Hotel in King Street, with £100,000 being earmarked for the former Crieff Hotel.
December
• Groups ensured some festive activities could continue, including Crieff Round Table – which set up a drive-by grotto in Market Park and raised nearly £1000 in donations.
• Comrie’s Myra Keith thanked her daughter Roseanne and neighbour Jill Woods, as well as the wider community, following six weeks in hospital after contracting coronavirus.
• Work started on the £ 4.5m development in Crieff which will see a B&M store and garden centre built.
• Charity Creative Crieff finalised the purchase of the former Crieff Hotel, which it plans to demolish to make way for a venture including entertainment, learning and job opportunities.