District News

Aberdalgie

Church Perth barbershop singers, Heavenly Harmonies, perform in the church tonight at 7pm. Light refreshments will be served; tickets are £5. The service on Sunday is at 9.30am, led by Rev James W Aitchison. The Forteviot level crossing will be closed until May 10.

Aberuthven

Joint Service in Dunning church is on Sunday at 11am, conducted by Rev James Aitchison. The LECT guild’s Songs of Praise opening night is in Dunning church on April 30 at 7.30pm. Refreshments afterwards in the church hall.

Almondbank

St Serf’s Church The service was conducted by Rev Tim Fletcher and his sermon was ‘recognising Jesus Christ’. Alison Hooper read the lessons and played the organ and Irene Hutchison gifted the flowers. The communion service is on April 29 at 11.30am, taken by Rev Tim Fletcher, followed by thanksgiving service at 6.30pm conducted by Rev Graham Crawford. The service on Sunday is being conducted by Rev Douglas Main, all welcome.

Alyth

Parish Church Morning worship was conducted by Rev Mike Erskine. The service on Sunday is at 11am. During term time, the Sunday school welcomes children in the front pews of the church. A creche for under threes is available during the service. The prayer group meets on Thursdays in Burnside Court lounge at 10.30am. The church website at www.alythparishchurch.org.uk is updated weekly. Alyth Family History Project Open on Sundays, 2pm-4pm until Remembrance Sunday. This project is voluntary and thanks go to everyone who helps update the archive, staff Sunday opening and submits photos. Guild The get-together is in Alyth church’s lower hall at 2pm on May 3. The guild’s lunch is in Alyth Hotel on May 10, from 12.30pm. Alyth and District Pipe Band practice is on Wednesdays from 6pm in Alyth town hall. For more information, contact Elaine Sturrock on 01828 640312, or email elaine@alythpipeband.org. The band is on the look out for a lead tip, drummers and pipers of all abilities with the intention of entering competitions for the 2018 season. The lead tip will be expected to teach learners. Contact Pipe Major Gordon Barton, on 07971 485893 or gordonbarton@ mac.com

Auchterarder

Auchterarder and District Local History Association The next meeting features a talk by local architect Andrew Finlayson entitled ‘Standing stones of Strathearn’ from 7.30pm at the Institute in the Aytoun Hall. Members free, non-members £3. Bowling Club Lotto draw numbers this week were: 5, 7, 11 and 14. There were no winners, prize money next week is £455.

Balbeggie

Church See the Guildtown section for church information and intimations.

Bankfoot

Church The service on Sunday will be conducted by Rev Adrian Lough at 11.15am. Spring fayre at Bankfoot Church Centre is tomorrow at 11am–3pm. Stalls include gluten free cakes, mud kitchens, jams, cushions, photography, bird boxes, books and jigsaws, knitting, jewellery, Aloe Vera and more. Snacks and lunches, with homemade soup, are available with A Perth sports group received a cash boost after gaining support from Scottish house builder, Persimmon Homes.

Perth Triathlon Group (PTC) has been awarded £1,000 as part of the Persimmon Homes North Scotland Community Champions scheme.

free parking. Coffee morning is on April 28 from 10am–11.30am in Bankfoot Church Centre. All are invited to join the groups for tea/coffee and a bacon roll. Balbeggie Village Hall Coffee morning and table sale is on May 12, from 10am to noon, with raffle and refreshments. All welcome.

Bendochy

Church The service was conducted by Rev Andy Graham and the readings were by Rosemary Patterson from One John chapter three, verses 1-7, and Luke chapter 24, verses 36-49. A communion service is in Bendochy church on Sunday, at 10am. The Kirk session will meet at 9.45am. The ladies group’s business meeting is in the Coach House on May 1, at 10.30am, and the coffee morning is on May 31. The Sunday service at Bendochy church is from 10am to 10.45am. See the Coupar Angus Abbey church section for further details.

Blackford

SWRI President Irene McLaughlan welcomed members, guests and speaker, Katy Galbraith to the April meeting. Katy spoke about her work in Recycle Me Mosaics and showed examples of her work. The informative talk was followed by voting papers handed out for the AGM in May. The last raffle prize was won by Tracey Millar, who also won the Carnbo plate to be returned in May with a cake. The competitions were three slices of Tipsy cake won by Shona Stewart; a recycled plastic bottle won by Nicki Sinclair, with Shona Stewart second and Irene McLaughlan third; flower of the month won by Shona Stewart. Plant Sale Will take place at Bridge of Cally Hall on May 20. The annual event features bedding and herbaceous plants, a tombola and cake and candy stall and runs from 10am1pm. Donations of plants welcome. Teas, coffees, juice and biscuits will be served. For more information, contact Liz on 01250 886359, Joyce on 886339 or Linda on 886724. Talk An illustrated presentation ‘Saving Scotland’s red squirrels’ is from 7.30pm on May 15, in Bridge of Cally village hall. It costs £5 per person, with 50 per cent of proceeds to be donated to the Scottish Wildlife Trust. A question and answer session over tea and coffee is after the talk. All welcome.

Craig White, chair of the club, said:“We’re thrilled to receive this generous donation from Persimmon Homes North Scotland. We are currently fundraising to provide additional swimming pool hire and equipment to support our new member inclusion programme.” Earn Community Council Next meeting is in Forteviot Village Hall on April 23 at 7pm. The agenda can be viewed on the ECC Facebook page. Bowling Club The green was opened by president George Laing and the first jack was delivered by his wife Etta. The club flag was raised by Tam McAllister, Eddie Grey and Charlie McLaren. Six rinks were played with the vice-president’s side crowned winners. The club welcomed three new adult members and two juniors. The season starts with a presentation of the mixed league trophy on April 27. Two summer seats were presented to the club, one by Eddie Nicholson and family in memory of their son and brother, John, who died last year of a brain tumour, and the other by Mary Mclaren on behalf of the Wednesday Club founders, the late Jane Todd, who also passed away last year, and Mrs Anne Wood. The lads versus lasses competition is on Sunday, dress is casual and it starts at 2pm. An open day is on April 29 from 2pm-4pm. Anyone interested in trying out bowls is welcome and coaching will be available. Coaching is on Saturday mornings from 10amnoon during May. Soup and Sweet Lunch The women’s group’s lunch is in the church hall tomorrow, from noon-1pm. There will be homemade soups and mouthwatering desserts. Tickets £6 for adults, £3 for children. All welcome. Dunbarney and Forgandenny Church Services on Sunday are at the usual times – 9.30am in Dunbarney church and 11am in Forgandenny church. There is a service at Caledonia Housing, Muirmont Crescent that day at 2.30pm. The Kirk Session meets on April 23 at 7.30pm in the church. Anyone interested in becoming a communicant should contact Rev Allan Wilson on 01738 812463. The Earn Singers’ annual concert is in Dunbarney church on May 4 at 7.30pm. Martin Scott will lead the singers and David Watt is on piano. Tickets are £8 with children free and includes tea/coffee and home baking. SWI President Wilma Scott welcomed members to the April meeting. The secretary went over business and members were congratulated on entries at the spring show. Suggestions were made for the June outing to be confirmed next month. Speaker Amanda Jones, community champion from Dobbies, Kinross is also involved in the Potinger Garden, Kinross project working with children and adults. She gave hints and tips for

sowing and planting seeds and bulbs. All members planted a lily bulb to take home. F Miller gave a vote of thanks. Five flower arrangement was won by M Folan, C Prescott came second and W Scott third. Flower of the month was won by W Scott, L Davidson came second and M Folan was third. A large raffle was drawn and members enjoyed tea and tasty bites. May’s meeting is the AGM and members’ quiz.

Burrelton

Church Morning worship last week was led by the Rev Stevie Thomson and organist was Lynne Mitchell. Jean MacDiarmid read from Isaiah chapter six, verses 1-9 and from One John chapter three, verses 1-7. Office bearers were Mavis Anton, Jean MacDiarmid and Jim Mackay. Flowers were provided by Marie Milne. Tea/ coffee were served by Donna Lamont and Sandy Duthie. Guild The summer lunch is at Strathmore Golf Club on June 4, at noon. Names to Margaret Linley on 01828 670314. Community Cafe Is open every Tuesday from 11.30am-1.30pm in the church hall. There is no charge for tea, coffee or home baking and those behind the group are keen for as many people as possible to support the venture. Bowling Club Opened their season last week. President Gavin Harris welcomed 23 members and seven new members. He then asked Marie Milne, the 2017 ladies’ champion to throw the first jack and a most enjoyable game followed. The winning triple was made up of Mabel Harrier, Linda Grant and Stef Elertowicz. The Friday night hat nights commence tonight at 6.30pm. The club looks forward to welcoming new members. Busy Bees The toddlers’ group runs on Tuesday mornings from 10am11.30am. All welcome. Burrelton and Woodside Club is open to young people from P6 to S6 every Sunday from 6.30pm-8pm with a programme of activities each week. For more information, contact Lynne Mitchell, on 07980 209719. Burrelton and Woodside Senior Club A 64-mile sponsored cycle is being undertaken by a club member on May 19, to help raise funds and provide members with a coach trip and a Christmas lunch/party. Contact Marie on 01828 670344, or Gladys on 01828 670692. Donate online by searching for Marie Milne on www. justgiving.com

Clunie

Knit and Natter Group Meets in Clunie Hall on the third Wednesday of every month from 2pm to 4pm. The next meetings are May 16 and June 20.

Coupar Angus

Abbey Church The service was conducted by the Rev Andy Graham and the readings were by John Easson from One John chapter three, verses 1-7 and Luke chapter 24, verses 3649. The baptism of Michael Pratt was celebrated. Austin Wilkie, organist, played Keine Schönheit Hat Die Welt, adapted from G Joseph’s Seelenlust, Prelude number one in C Major by J S Bach and March from ‘Scipio’ by G F Handel. The Children’s Ministry meets every Thursday. Organisers thank all who help set up for the groups on Monday mornings and for the church on Thursday nights. If you are able to give half an hour on Monday mornings or Thursday evenings, please speak to Donna Hindmarch and Irene Henderson respectively. Thanks were expressed to all who helped clear out the gallery in the Abbey in readiness for further development. The Children’s Ministry groups resumed in the Abbey last week. A communion service is in the Abbey on April 29, at 11.15am. The Kirk session will meet at 11am. A retiring offering for Disability Matters, an overseas charity that helps give sight to impoverished people will be taken at the service. EPACTS is holding a Bible Society meeting tomorrow, at 7pm in St Catherine’s Centre, Blairgowrie. Norman Liddle will describe the experiences of a team who visited Malawi last year. The Sunday service at the Abbey Church is from 11.15am to 12.15pm. All welcome. Thursday Friends Ann Campbell welcomed all and introduced entertainer Alex McIntyre at their final season party. Sheila Robertson and Alison Farquarson judged the egg cups. The winner was Jim Middler, Liz Gowrie came second, Jessie Haddow was third and Mary Pyper fourth. Ann Richards thanked all for attending and donating prizes and to Alex for an enjoyable afternoon of music and stories. The final event on May 10 will be an outing to the Kelpies, Falkirk. The bus leaves the Red House Hotel at 11am, returning at 5.30pm. Parties resume on September 13. Charity Shop Allan and Sheila Legge are running a charity shop with Margaret Taylor from April 29 to May 5, donations gratefully received. Items can be handed in to the Heritage Association premises or call Allan on 01828 628886 to arrange collection. Proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the centre.