Back to school but Toastie Tuesday staying

A popular free children’s lunch option in Kirkmichael, sparked by issues associated with the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, is set to continue.

Kirkmichael Village Shop has been running‘Toastie Tuesday’since the middle of January which sees all school-aged pupils able to enjoy a free, freshly-made, toasted sandwich from 11.30am until 1.30pm each Tuesday.

Accompanying adults can enjoy the snack for a £1 fee and options include cheese, ham – or one with the two ingredients combined.

Robert Fleming is chair of Strathardle Community Interest Company (CIC), which manages the Main Street shop on behalf of the village.

He explained the idea was the brainchild of his wife Carol, a former head teacher who ran a similar project in the schools she worked at.

Outlining the thinking behind the concept, Robert told the Blairie the project is to continue despite some school pupils returning to the classroom from Monday this week in line with recentlyannounced Scottish Government guidelines.

He said:“We wanted to provide a free lunch to all children in the village and hopefully help families with the costs associated with everyone being at home every day.

“Also, we know that both children and parents are finding home schooling challenging – so Toastie Tuesday aims to help families take a well-deserved break, even if that means a wee walk to the village shop.

“In light of the announcement from the Scottish Government last week, we want to reassure our community that Toastie Tuesday will continue as it has become a popular addition to our shop events.

“Toastie Tuesday is only one of the many initiatives that we plan to introduce.”

Blairgowrie and Glens councillor, Caroline Shiers, is the convener of Perth and Kinross Council’s lifelong learning committee.

Praising the project, she said:“I was impressed to see the toastie lunch being provided by the Kirkmichael community shop, which is a great treat for local children and offers everyone something to break up the day – which can be a very long one just now, especially for children.”

Robert added‘Grab and Go’bags have also been introduced in the hope of encouraging customers to cook together with their families as part of home-schooling.

Bags were also available to encourage people to get involved with Shrove Tuesday, which fell last week.

Robert concluded:“As a community shop we want to support our community and families during these very difficult and financially-challenging times.”

The Bridge of Cally Community Hall committee AGM has been cancelled.

The AGM, which would normally take place in March, has been called off as a result of the ongoing

Covid-19 restrictions.

However, the committee has said nominations for trustees, officer-bearers or committee members can still be made.

Nominations can be submitted by sending an email to secretary Alison

Frazer on alisonfrazer@ hotmail.com by March 1.

Reports from officebearers will be available on the website www.callyhall. org.uk by mid-March.

For more information, contact Alison on the above address.