Highs and lows of an eventful year
We look back at the events which made the headlines
January
● Alison Kinge, who teaches at Ardvreck, was selected to receive a British Citizen Award for her charitable work over the past 30 years. She was one of 33 medallists who were honoured at the Palace of Westminster.
● Kelvin TOP-SET paid for a brand new Škoda Yeti 4x4 for Comrie First Response. The company has a branch in the village and was delighted to help.
● A review overseen by Perth and Kinross Council’s environment service director, Barbara Renton accused T in the Park promoters DF Concerts of scores of failings in the lead-up to and during the festival being staged near Auchterarder for the first time in 2015.
● Muthill Primary School pupils joined youngsters across the country in celebrating the British Council’s International Education Week.
February
● Strong winds and bursts of lashing rain accompanied proceedings for the opening of the salmon season on the River Earn.
● Pothole patching squads were out and about in Strathearn following a string of complaints from disgruntled motorists.
● There were celebrations as staff and pupils at Crieff ’s St Dominic’s Primary School marked the 50th anniversary of their current school building, the 125th anniversary of the founding of their school, and the 800th anniversary of the Dominican Order, which founded the school.
● Crieff residents were pleased to see some action being taken on a long-time Strath capital eyesore.
● Workmen turned up at the Kilt and Kelt on the corner of King Street and Commissioner Street to remove vegetation that had been sprouting out of the dilapidated former hotel.
March
● Updated plans were submitted for the site formerly owned by Tesco on Crieff ’s Broich Road. New owners London and Scottish Investments Ltd (LSIL) submitted a planning application to Perth and Kinross Council seeking to amend the previouslyagreed planning consent awarded to the supermarket giant.
● Meanwhile, Aldi appealed against a decision by PKC to reject its application for a store and separate retail development at Duchlage Farm.
● Local businessman Ian Stewart was named as the new Crieff Highland Gathering chair. Ian’s former position of vice-chair was filled by well-known Crieff resident Anna McLean.
● Crieff squash player Claire Gadsby retained the Women’s Sterling Trucks Scottish Nationals crown following the tournament, held in Edinburgh.
● Auchterarder’s Deely Cummings and her Turkish Kangals emerged victorious at Crufts.
● Fred was named best of breed at the iconic show at the NEC in Birmingham. Fred’s sister from another litter, Freya, won the best bitch in breed category – much to Deely’s delight.
April
● Crieff and Upper Strathearn Partnership received its commissioned report on the condition of Old St Michael’s Church. The group, which formally dissolved the same month, hoped the document would help generate discussion on the way forward for the historic building.
● Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate Kathleen Baird won the Almond and Earn Perth and Kinross Council ward by-election. The vote was called after the death in 2015 of Independent councillor Alan Jack.
● Well-known local businessman Graham Donaldson was appointed chairman of Crieff Succeeds BID. Mr Donaldson, of Gordon and Durward, took over from Crieff Hydro’s Stephen Leckie.
● The first section of the Muthill to Crieff Cycle Path was officially opened by local school pupils.
May
● Roseanna Cunningham was re-elected as Perthshire South and Kinross-shire MSP at the Scottish Parliament elections. The SNP politician polled 15,315 votes – down 758 from the total she received in the 2011 election – on a night which saw her party secure a third term in government.
● Strath man Jamie Landale submitted plans to Perth and Kinross Council for change of use of the former Edinburgh Woollen Mill shop into a food hall and cafe.
● There was delight as the longawaited opening of Comrie Skate Park took place.
● Organiser John Gauld, chair of Crieff@ Christmas, which took over the organisation of the town’s festive lighting displays, said a visit by Hollywood star Ewan McGregor to a weekend market was the “icing on the cake” of its success. June
● Businesses in Crieff claimed new parking measures were having a negative impact on trade, according to a Crieff BID survey.
● Strathearn Community Campus held an afternoon street party on Friday for the senior citizens of Crieff in honour of HM The Queen’s 90th birthday, followed by an evening music event.
● Over 1000 people enjoyed the second Cream o’ the Croft mountain biking festival held at Comrie Croft.
● Muthill’s Gala Week was enjoyed by the whole village, with the new additions to the programme of events hailed a great success.