Club News
Blairgowrie Parish Church Guild
The Guild theme ‘Go in Joy’ was the focus of the most recent meeting as convener Wilma Gibb welcomed members and guest speaker, Rev Harry Mowbray.
Following opening intimations and singing Hymn 320, ‘Joy to the World’, Wilma wished everyone a good new year and shared a ‘spiritual recipe’ for the year ahead from The Friendship Book by Francis Gay. Corrin Mackenzie led in prayer.
Wilma then welcomed Harry, who with a guitar and assortment of musical instruments created a most enthusiastic percussion section within the audience to accompany the singing which would follow, interspersed with readings.
Addressing the theme, Harry began by asking: “What is joy, where does it come from and what is our response to joy?” Following discussion on these points, Harry referred to verses he had chosen from both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, all of which highlighted the joys of Christianity.
He concluded by emphasising God’s desire for us to celebrate, to rejoice in worship, and to live life with joy and gladness, putting Jesus first, others next and oneself last.
Margaret Conroy gave the vote of thanks. The offering was then uplifted and blessed and a very happy, good spirited evening of scripture and praise closed with Hymn 804 ‘You shall go out with Joy’, finishing with the Guild Prayer. Fellowship continued over tea and cake.
The Guild will next be meeting on Monday, February 6, at 7.30pm in the Church Hall. The guest speaker will be Hugh Henderson who will be talking about the Haiti project. All welcome.
Blairgowrie and Rattray Access Network (BRAN)
The group held its first AGM last week in the Royal Hotel in Blairgowrie.
Fifteen members of the group attended the meeting along with Alan Dorman, the countryside ranger for east Perthshire, who chaired the formal proceedings.
All the office-bearers were re-nominated and confirmed that they would be pleased to continue in their roles.
Bob Ellis was therefore duly re-elected as chair, Nick Cole as vice-chair and treasurer, and Ian Richards as secretary.
Bob Ellis gave a brief outline of the group’s progress to date and Nick Cole presented the accounts.
The group also held its regular meeting, where a programme of works for the winter was agreed and a number of points discussed.
On Saturday, there was another good turnout of BRAN members and volunteers for the group’s weekly work party.
The party split into three groups, the first of which carried out a litter pick from Tesco along the road verges and paths towards the industrial park.
A total of nine bags were filled and the tally also included a supermarket trolley.
Thanks to Helen and David Stanghon and Helen Williams for their efforts. A spokesperson for BRAN commented that this sort of work is only necessary because a minority in the community chooses to discard its rubbish into the environment.
Apart from being illegal it also detracts from the appearance of the town.
The second group started work on the River Ericht path under the Rosemount Farm caravan park and worked towards the third group who were completing cutting back work that started from the Millhorn end of the path.
BRAN would like to thank the managers at the Rosemount Farm for their prompt reaction after being informed of the trees felled by beavers and are pleased to report that the path is now free of obstructions.
BRAN will be able to maintain the entire path along the river banks and ensure that walkers will be able to enjoy this scenic route at all times of the year.
BRAN always welcomes offers of help and anyone interested in joining the group should contact the secretary, Ian Richards on Ian_richards2007@yahoo.com or 07787 317022.
Western Front Association (Tayside)
The first meeting of the Western Front Association Tayside Branch’s 2017 programme takes place on Saturday, January 28.
Branch chairman Tom McCluskey will speak on ‘The Memory of Our Fights Will Stand - The 51st(Highland) Division at Cambrai’.
The talk will be of particular interest because this division contained the Fife and Perth Territorial battalions of the Black Watch. While the Battle of Cambrai in November 1917 is renowned for the first successful use of massed tanks it was the infantry that had to take the fortified villages of Havrincourt and Flesquieres - which they did despite some setbacks - adding to their reputation as formidable fighters. Later this year branch members will visit the site of the battle during their excursion to the battlefields of the Western Front.
The meeting will start at 2.30pm in the Glasite Hall, King Street, Dundee DD1 2JB (adjacent to St Andrew’s Church) and is open to all with an interest in the First World War, not just WFA members.
Further details can be obtained from Wolfhill-based Mike Taylor on 01821 650292 or the branch web pages www.wfatayside.co.uk which also have details of future events.