Club news

which is to raise money for charity through encouraging, promoting and supporting garden openings, whilst making the whole experience inspiring, rewarding and enjoyable for all involved.

The scheme was founded in 1931 and has supported numerous charities which have received £1 million in the last five years. In 1952 The Gardens Fund of The National Trust of Scotland was added to the charities.

There are 24 districts in Scotland and Margaret heads the largest of them – Perth and Kinross. There has recently been a reorganization to trim down expenses as the expenses of a charity should not exceed 32 per cent of its income.

There are many ways individuals can get involved including visiting a garden, volunteering to help, opening a garden, becoming a sponsor and donating.

As well as enjoying the garden there are often plant sales, children’s activities, games and refreshments.

In 1941 visitors were asked to bring their own sugar if desired in their tea.

The annual hand book ‘Gardens of Scotland’ provides information on the 400 or so gardens that are open under the scheme.

Margaret illustrated her talk with photos of a large number of the larger gardens.

However, she pointed out that scheme gardens can be as small as the room she gave her talk in. Bill Henderson, the club’s Garden Visit convenor, gave the vote of thanks.

On January 23 Ian MacMillan will talk about the Gannochy Trust. We are pleased to confirm that our next HPPG meeting will be on Monday, January 14 at 7pm in the Green Room of Aberfeldy Town Hall.

This January meeting will be led by Omar Shamma who will host a workshop on digital post-processing techniques.

Omar will introduce to us Adobe Lightroom, outlining the key features of the program and how to implement an effective workflow, from uploading your photos from the camera to the final output, whether it be on screen, print, book or slideshow. Participants are encouraged to bring along their laptops if they wish to follow through the workflow on their own pictures or ask for advice. We look forward to welcoming you to this instructive session.

Our annual HPPG Photography exhibition will hopefully open towards the end of next week at the Breadalbane Library, the exact date to be confirmed. We encourage you and your friends to visit the exhibition.

As always, all of our HPPG meetings throughout the season are open to members and non-members. Visitors are most welcome on payment of a £5 visitor fee per session ( juniors £2) .

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service watch manager, Chris Smith and Sarah Bonnar were welcomed to the meeting by President Sheilah Fletcher, their topic was ‘Safety in the Home’.

Chris pointed out that two-thirds of home fires start in the kitchen and the chip pan is the most common source. Other sources include electrical appliances, adaptors, faulty wires, smoking etc.

Falls are the most common cause of injury in the home. He also gave a list of safety rules which should be adhered to.

Sarah then demonstrated CPR and several members were able to practise this technique. After a variety of questions the vote of thanks was given by Margaret Lobban.

The next meeting is on January 22 in Kinnoull Bowling Clubhouse at 10.30am, preceded by tea and coffee at 10am and all are welcome.

Results from week 10 played on Tuesday are: Civil Service Club B 72.5 Abbotsford 64.5, Cherrybank Inn 68 Pitcairngreen Inn xx57, Greyfriars B 58.5 Kirkside B 65.5, Kirkside A 69 Civil Service Club A 63, Dunning Hotel A 64.5 Greyfriars A 73.5, Scone Arms 60 Dunning Hotel B 62.

Fixtures for Tuesday 15 are: Scone Arms v Civil Service Club B, Civil Service Club A v Cherrybank Inn, Greyfriars B v Kirkside A, Abbotsford v Dunning Hotel A, Kirkside B v Greyfriars A and Pitcairngreen Inn v Dunning Hotel B. Ceilidh dance at the Baronial Hall in the Birnam Hotel, Birnam on Friday, January 11, from 7.30pm to 11.30pm with Karis Watt’s Ceilidh band as live entertainment. Stovies included in £10 admission price, tickets from www.eventbrite.co. uk On January 8 the group enjoyed hearing each other’s writing on the topic ‘A Guid New Year’. Thanks to everyone who took part, and also to those who responded to the call for pieces for the group’s ‘A Pocketful of Perthshire’ performance in the spring.

Perthshire Writers next meets on Tuesday, January 22 at 7.30pm in the Conference Room at Perth Fire Station for a critique night on the topic ‘Friend or Foe’.

Members are asked to bring along eight copies of work they wish to be critiqued, to give everyone a chance to read it as well as hear it.

New members and enquirers are always welcome at Perthshire Writers, and any of our Tuesday meetings are a great opportunity to come and see what the group is all about.

For more information see our Facebook page, visit our web site at www. perthshirewriters.co.uk or follow us on Twitter at @ PerthshrWriters.

Burns celebrations: A Scottish Night has been arranged for Saturday, January 26 in celebration of Rabbie Burns.

Committee meeting: The next meeting of the management committee is scheduled for Sunday, January 27 at 10.30am.

Darts: Ladies Tuesday, January 15, Staff Club v PCSC.

Pool: Thursday, January 24, Staffie Doggers v Letham; Staffie Underdoggers free week.

Dominoes: Friday, January 11, City Sports v Staff Club; Staff Club A v Legion Ex Service.

Caley BC: Ladies AGM is scheduled for Wednesday, January 16 at 2pm.