Volunteers secure top charity award at popular putting green

A popular Perthshire putting green has won a top charity accolade.

The community-run project at Aberfeldy has achieved the volunteer-friendly award from PKAVS. This award acknowledges the group’s commitment to supporting, nurturing and investing in all their volunteers.

To celebrate, and to mark WHO Mental Health Day in October, the putting green will host a special end-of-season event to thank everyone for their help.

The event, featuring free putting, home baking and a tombola stall, takes place on Saturday, October 14.

The green has welcomed more than 3,000 visitors this season.

It was shut down after council cutbacks in 2014, but was relaunched after a successful campaign by residents three years ago.

It is now run as a charity by a small band of volunteers. The group is constantly fundraising to pay for upkeep costs.

Community coordinator Alison Steele said: “Although the summer weather this year has not been the greatest, we have still enjoyed good numbers. We are happy to be bringing our season to a close next month in a good position to plan for 2018.”

She added: “We would like to send a big thank you to everyone who has supported us this year, be it with raffle or tombola prizes, visiting us and having a game or volunteering.

“Without their support and our dedicated team we would not be able to provide such a lovely pastime.”

The course has twice been hit by vandals this season. On one occasion, rock salt was poured over the grass prompting an extensive clear-up and repair job.