Take a look back at past 12 months
Recalling the highs and lows of another eventful year
January
*The year got off to a running start with the 33rd annual New Year’s Day Fun Run and Walk in Blairgowrie. The popular volunteerrun event attracted over 400 participants from across the UK.
*Blairgowrie High School’s PE department was recognised for the work it does with pupils at the school and sporting clubs and organisations in the area with a silver School Sport Award from sportscotland.
*Plans for a new community transport scheme for Blairgowrie and Rattray were announced.
*Members and friends of the congregation of Rattray Parish Church attended a special service to mark the re-dedication of the church clock after it was refurbished following a successful campaign to raise £4000.
February
*Residents raised concerns about an apparent lack of public consultation on a proposed housing development at Blackthorn Place in Blairgowrie after Perth and Kinross Council approved funding of nearly half a million pounds to Hillcrest Housing Association for the affordable housing development of 71 homes.
*A football-themed project designed to improve the quality of life of people living with dementia and other conditions kickedoff in Blairgowrie.
*Blairgowrie RFC triumphed in the Midlands Bowl Cup Final for the first time in the club’s 37-year history.
*Frustrated locals hit out at Perth and Kinross Council after two ‘scarecrows’ in hi-vis jackets on the Forfar Road in Coupar Angus were removed. They had been placed there to assist local people in their efforts to slow traffic down on the busy road.
March
*The Riverside Venture group was established to look at ways to revitalise the riverside area of Blairgowrie and held a public meeting to encourage more people to get involved with the proposals.
*Around 130 people attended a public exhibition held by developers behind proposals for a huge housing development on the outskirts of Blairgowrie. Hundreds of new houses, a discount supermarket chain, a care home, spaces for business and areas for community use could be phased in over a number of years on a 74-acre site off the town’s Perth Road.
*Alyth Citizen of the Year, Marie MacDonald, officially marked the completion of two new footbridges in the town. The previous bridges were damaged beyond repair during devastating flooding in the town in July 2015.
April
*A group of cyclists took part in a cycle from Coupar Angus to Blairgowrie to highlight the need for safe cycling routes between Alyth, Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus.
*Alyth Musical Society delighted audiences once again with their annual