The villagers march 2016

MARCH 2016

The

Price 50p

The Voice of Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre & St Fillans

Easter Greetings!

Sunshine on Loch Voil

Photo by Richard Harris (not the bunny)

Editor’s Bit

This month let’s start with the good news in that it will soon officially be Spring!

And the month will conclude with Easter, so hopefully the sun will come out and we will all enjoy the holiday weekend and the start of the summer we deserve.

More very good news is that this month The St. Fillans Bit is with us again and we are extremely pleased to have Isobel Howell as the new reporter. I was very impressed that it was discussed at the Community Council - and obviously great that Isobel has the backing of the village. Now we just need a volunteer from Balquhidder to have all four villages with their own initial contact point. In the minutes of our AGM you can find out other positions we would like to fill to ensure the smooth running of the paper. We also have the first of Keith Wilson’s guide to the night skies - and we are grateful to Keith for promising to increase our knowledge over the next few months, enabling us to take advantage of the clear skies we can often enjoy here.

Obviously I hope you enjoy reading all our articles but I would urge you to read the views of two youngsters in the McLaren article this month when they reflect (in a very mature manner) on a Safe Drive - Stay Alive campaign they attended. Pin Feathers article will also, I suspect, provoke strong reactions and cause us to think more deeply about situations which are not always black and white.

Enjoy your Easter eggs, particularly if you had given up chocolate for Lent! My daughter-in-law decided to - and tried to tell five year old Ally about it, who very quickly said he could give up school for Lent...

JJ

Clearance Sale

50% off all plants Veg. seeds etc.

25% off everything else!

From 1st March till it’s all gone everything must go!

Hurry along. mail@scottishgardens.info www.scottishgardens.info

Tel: 01764 670800 2

The Lochearnhead Village Hall

AGM

will take place on Monday 11th April 2016 in the village hall at 7.30pm All are welcome to attend.

Please come along and get involved!

Loch Earn Boat Race The date has been set for this year’s Great Loch Earn Boat Race. Sunday 17th April will see teams row from Lochearnhead to St Fillans. Organisers Crieff Round Table hope to continue the success of the annual event which in 2015 raised a total of over £4000 in sponsorship, all of which was donated to local charities. Several of last years teams have so far registered to battle it out over the seven mile course from Lochearnhead beach to the jetty of the Achray House Hotel in St. Fillans, but organisers are keen to encourage more local teams from Lochearnhead, St Fillans, Balquhidder and Stathyre to compete in the race. Spectators are welcome to cheer on the boats at the completion of the race where the teams will be treated to a warming meal at the Achray House Hotel where the winning teams will collect their prizes.

Remaining boats are still available (kindly provided by Drummond Fisheries) and 4-person teams of all ability are welcomed to register for the race - for more details e-mail Gregor Elliott at elliottgregor@hotmail.com

Back by popular demand!

Traditional Games Night Lochearnhead Village Hall Saturday 12th March 2016 7.00pm - midnight

Carpet bowling

(no need to bring a team and no experience necessary)

Play dominoes and cards - or just come along for a blether!

Free entry • Bar • Supper

Lochearnhead Village Hall Hogmanay Party The village hall Hogmanay party to celebrate ‘the Bells’ was a sell-out this year which guaranteed that it was a lively affair from start to finish. The live music for dancing provided by Raband didn’t disappoint and there were some excellent ‘guest’ performances from the audience!

The mix of music made sure that the dance floor was full from the start of the party until well into the early hours.

As always the raffle was well supported by local businesses and individuals and as a result over £900 was raised, all of which will go towards the running costs of the hall. The village hall committee would like to thank local businesses and individuals for their generous donations and continued support.

The St Fillans Bit

by Isobel Howell

I must start my first “bit” by giving recognition and paying tribute to dear John Murray. He wrote from the heart and was the spirit of this section of The Villagers. Often controversial, truthful and wry, you could never ignore whatever he wrote, whether you agreed with his views or not. He will be greatly missed and there’s a big pair of shoes to fill, or in this case, several paragraphs, so I’d just like to say thank you, John. I will do my best not to mess this opportunity up.

Community Council meetings are funny things (and having served on the CC for the last seven years, I’m qualified to say that). Last Wednesday evening I was quietly minding my own business, being part of the audience at the St Fillans Community Council meeting, when the subject of who was going to take over writing the ‘St Fillans bit’ came up – thank you, Jim Brierley. By the end of the evening I’d been ‘coerced’ by several villagers into writing this section. Ok, I thought – no pressure; John Murray had “only” won an award for ‘Best Regular Contributor’ to a community newspaper – I, on the other hand, had some poems printed in my school rag when I was eleven years old. John had an established following of readers – I have my cat, but he only understands “biscuits” and “tea time”. What could go possibly wrong?!

After a few frantic phone calls to local villagers, asking for various newsworthy articles, whom I must thank, I now find myself in the position of writing this section. So here goes...

Welcome news came to the village in January in the form of the government’s approval of the National Park’s camping by-law plan. For those of us residents who’ve suffered and endured the antisocial behaviour from the visiting minority of mindless eejits, this news couldn’t have been better received, and, if the turnout to the village meeting (which kick-started the plans) some twelve months or so ago was anything to go by, we should all be happy campers by next March 2017, when the by-laws come into effect. Thank you to everyone who was involved in and supported the plans.

You cannot have failed to notice A B Gairns’ yellow JCBs and other earth moving vehicles on the old railway line, between Station Road and Tynereoch.

They were awarded the contract and have been working on ‘Phase Two’ of the Lochearn Railway Path since mid January and seem to be working at a great pace, from what I’ve seen. I understand, from Johnston Brown, reporting on behalf of the Railway Paths Project, funding for this part was provided through a combination of funds from Sustrans, Scottish National

Heritage and the Gannochy Trust – a big thanks to them and everyone involved in this project.

This new section of path will run from the old railway station, behind the caravan park, above Little Port Farm and Clachnaba and along towards Tynereoch.

The anticipated completion date for this section is early Spring, after which the next phase will see the track being extended from Station Road, past the “A frame” houses, to join up with the old railway line; the later stage will include the re-opening of the tunnel behind the Four Seasons Hotel. Funding for this phase is currently being sought. It’s great to see this taking shape and once all of the various sections are joined together, it will improve connections to our neighbouring communities. (I, for one, am looking forward to a flat walk with a pub at the end).

The new railway path might be on the list of a group of ladies who are organising a new walking group. It sounds like my kind of walking, because they’ll try to include an eatery place or you bring along your own butties. Starting in March, members will take it in turns to organise and “lead” walks once a month, which should appeal to all ages and abilities - they’re even planning a walk suitable for motorised buggies, so if anyone gets too tired they can hitch a ride on Cecil’s scooter. Count me in! Anyone interested should contact Lorna Kennelly, Sheila Cramond or Daisy Murray who would like to know of any preferred dates.

2017 is an important year in the history of our village. Jim Brierley has done his homework and discovered next year is the 200th anniversary of the renaming of St Fillans. To commemorate this, Jim would like to try and update “The Annals of St. Fillans” by Alexander Porteous, first published in 1912 (a few years before Jim was born). There are also plans afoot to put together an exhibition of his findings in the Sandison hall. Jim requires your help, particularly with finding out when

Work progressing along the new railway path Photos courtesy of A.B. Gairns Contractors

and for whom each property was built, along with any information pertinent to previous owners. If possible he’d like any photo’s and old maps documenting the village’s progress through the ages, and would love to receive stories from our past. Please send anything you find to Jim Brierley at The White Cottage. Good luck with the project, Jim. Now, I would never normally accuse Eric Kennelly of tub thumping, but it seems that the Garden Group requires your help in the upkeep of the wooden flower barrels that are dotted around the village – it would appear that whisky barrels don’t grow on trees and are quite costly to maintain. In an initiative with P&K Council, the tubs will be taken to a depot in Perth where they are dried out (must be all that whisky), sanded and painted – the work of which is done free of charge by people performing community payback services – they get knocked down, but they get up again. It costs about £15, per tub, for the materials used to refurbish the barrels and with twenty four tubs in the village (and money, also, not being found on trees) this is a costly exercise. For £15, villagers are invited to “adopt a tub” which will be filled with plants and placed along the verge sides.

For examples of what these will look like, go and have a look at the ones by the war Continued overleaf

3

The St Fillans Bit

Continued from page 3

memorial – they look very smart. Anyone wishing to adopt a tub, please contact Eric Kennelly for details.

As we move towards Spring, it’s good to see our local hotels open for business again. The Four Seasons, Mary advises me, is open in March, in the evenings, from Thursday until Sunday. Their Sunday roasts are available in the Meal Reamhar Restaurant – early booking is advised, especially on Mother’s Day, 6th March, and at Easter. Afternoon teas are always available every afternoon. They have made some role changes and hired new staff, who are looking forward to welcoming you.

According to Bradley, a lot of changes have been happening at The Achray Hotel, with new staff and a new cook, Will Hay, who spent six years working with Gordon Ramsay. “Theatrical dining, exceptional food and great flavours from locally sourced ingredients have generated rave reviews in the short time he has been at the helm”, says Bradley. They’re open Wednesdays through to Sundays until 8th March; thereafter open every day except Mondays. New offers include a three course Sunday lunch from 6th March and they’re open for light lunches from Easter weekend and throughout the summer.

Look out for “special event evenings” on their website or the St Fillans.org website.

4

Gerald at The Loch Earn Brewery is pleased to report that Sergio and Taimyr, who ran the bar and coffee shop last year, are returning for the 2016 season. They are in the process of recruiting other team members for the bars and restaurants and have vacancies in all departments.

The weather has hampered roof repairs, which, not having been completed, are in turn interfering with room refurbishment.

The proposed developer of the land immediately behind the hotel has had his Title clarified and can cross the hotel’s land with construction traffic which may necessitate two gates being constructed and speed bumps to restrict vehicle speed in areas where visitors and staff will be walking.

Please don’t forget to support our local village shop – always a great place for a coffee and a catch up with locals, not to mention a warm, cheery welcome from Liam.

Finally, an important date for your diary - Sunday 17th April - the Great Loch Earn Boat Race. Captain Richard Graham has been recruiting for willing and able crew. I’ve heard the training schedule is punishing and lots of liquid rehydration is required. Just as well, then, that The Achray Hotel are generously sponsoring the start and finish. More about this in

the April issue. In the meantime, ladies – there is still time to get a team together – unfortunately, I will not be around then otherwise, of course, I would have volunteered – Brad has offered to provide sponsorship.

Please send me all your articles, new stories or photos for next month’s or a later edition.

As you may have noticed, The Villagers has been without one of its ‘regulars’ for a while - namely, the ‘Weather’ box, which was always to be found on Page 2. Our ‘Weather Girls’, Balquhidder’s Margaret and Edna, decided to head south, where there is a lot less weather to be found!

SEEING STARS

by Keith Wilson

MARCH 2016 On a nice clear night why not wrap up, pop outdoors and look up at the night sky. You will be amazed at what you can see, from planets and stars to nebula and distant galaxies!

The real beauty of stargazing is that it is free and right there above your house - you don’t need a telescope, just open your eyes and enjoy the wonders of our night sky.

Each month this column will guide you around the night sky and help you identify celestial wonders right above you in Strathyre, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead and St. Fillans.

To see the night sky at its best you will need to get away from street, house and security lights and then allow around 20 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark. If you need to use a torch then cover it with red cellophane so that your ‘night vision’ is protected. You can even use a rear bicycle light.

Once your eyes have adapted to the dark then you will be able to see lots of different objects and you might even get a few surprises such as spotting a meteor (shooting star) or an artificial satellite or even the world’s largest spacecraft, the International Space Station.

If you want to see more than your naked eye shows you then use a pair of binoculars rather than a telescope which only gives a limited view of the night sky.

Binoculars show you a wider field of view which makes it easy for you to find your way around. Any binoculars would be suitable although a pair of 10 X 50 are perfect for stargazing.

Your challenge this month is to find the giant gas planet of Jupiter and if you have binoculars to spot its four largest moons which Galileo discovered.

You will find Jupiter 45 degrees above the southern horizon in the constellation of Leo (the lion) around 11pm. It’s easy to spot because of its brightness and unlike stars it won’t twinkle. Use binoculars on Jupiter to view Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto which will appear as faint star like objects close to Jupiter. Not all these moons are visible at the same time as one or more may be behind the planet.

Tipton St John, Devon, clearly displaying a distinct lack of weather

Whatever Happened To The Weather Girls?

This is a letter from another country.

Now that we are settled in our new home, life goes on much as before but it is different in subtle ways that are quite hard to define. We used to joke that it was a lot further from London or the south of England to Edinburgh or Glasgow than it was in the other direction! Mention a holiday in Devon to a friend in Scotland and the answer will be something like “Very nice, did you have good weather?”

However, if I reply to a query here that I have come from Perthshire the response almost invariably is “Oh, that is a long way!”

Our intention in moving so far was to find a house near one of my sons, which meant either Edinburgh or Devon. We decided on Devon as it offered a lifestyle nearer to what we were used to. Tipton St John is a village beside the River Otter in attractive rolling countryside - very nearly IN the river in the recent weather!

It has a church, a primary school, a village hall and a single shop which until recently was also the Post Office. It is a very friendly village with an active social life. About three miles away is the small town of Ottery St Mary, notorious

for its annual race through the town carrying blazing tar barrels, and about the same distance away in the opposite direction is Sidmouth, a popular seaside retirement resort with a rich variety of shops catering for the well-to-do.

Surfing is popular there with the younger generation and is enjoyed in the worst of weather conditions when it looks almost suicidal. The coastline here is spectacular and has many well-used walks, but inland you can find some heathland where you can enjoy something of the wildness and quiet of the area we have been used to.

We no longer have a car and though I miss the convenience for shopping, I think I would find the narrow roads with their Devon banks a bit unnerving. It is lovely being so near part of the family, but I am also looking forward to a visit to the other half in Edinburgh, and with luck from there to Balquhidder before too long.

Margaret Mylne It would be great if someone would be able to provide all the weather details that Margaret and Edna had provided for us so faithfully for several years! Any volunteers? - Ed

5

Strathyre News

Real Ale - Real Music

For Your Diary...

The annual Stuc fund raising

“Race Nite”

will be held in the Inn & Bistro on Saturday 2nd April 2016.

The First race will commence at 8pm. A board will be in the Inn if you would like to buy a horse in any (or all) of the races, and if you would like to sponsor a race please inform any of the committee members.

The format will be the same as usual with an auction after the racing if lots are available.

All proceeds this year will be split between race expenditures and re-landscaping of the recreational ground if funds are left over.

Hope to see you at this popular event - come early to grab a seat!

Wullie D (On behalf of Stuc Committee)

6

Just a quick update on the extended negotiations on the ‘Black andYellow Fields’ and other land for sale in Strathyre...

As you may recall, the village of Strathyre has been offered the ‘Black and Yellow Fields’ - land previously owned by the late Miss Buick. A condition of the sale was the village – through the SVA (Strathyre Village Association) would accept additional land, which is loosely defined as being opposite the Strathyre Inn. A map was eventually provided outlining the land to be offered.

Unfortunately the map was both inaccurate in boundary definition and ownership, some of which, it transpires, is in dispute with local residents.

Clarification is being urgently pursued on this.

To further complicate matters, the title holder of the land appears to have also entered into sale negation with another party, pitching them and the Village (SVA) on the same land with the land owner’s solicitor submitting legal costs to be met for the same land from both parties.

Confused? We certainly were - and this

has proved to be a very testing situation.

The Strathyre Village Association have agreed to meet the legal costs of land acquisition though their own solicitor and also the solicitor of the vendor.

But a condition is now imposed that all costs are to be met whether the sale was concluded or not!

This we thought was extremely unfair if not quite illegal and we have no option but to seek clarification.

With the sale of the Black and Yellow Fields being conditional on SVA accepting the “other plots of land” and all related legal costs – we can clearly only move forward after the condition is removed by allowing the SVA to acquire only the Black and Yellow Fields or an agreement is reached on who actually owns the title on the additional land known as “AREA 3” and that can then be reconsidered as part of the deal.

It’s all quite confusing. Feedback is awaited and we will update as we hear more.

Kenny Higgins pp SVA

Callander Rambling Club Sponsored by Caledonian Country Wear

ALLOA ART CLUB is holding a

H

GOLD STAR Charity

Art Exhibition at ‘The Gallery’ Gordon R. McFarlane FBHI Watchmaker, Jeweller & Art Gallery 41 Mill Street Alloa FK10 1DW All proceeds from 16% commission charged on the selling price of each item showing a Gold Star are being donated to our chosen charity,

Ochil Mountain Rescue.

This is your opportunity to purchase an affordable piece of artwork for yourself or, perhaps as a present for someone else and, at the same time, support a very deserving local charity. The artwork on display covers a wide variety of subjects in watercolour, oils, acrylic and mixed media.

There are also prints and jewellery available.

Something for everyone!

PREVIEW Saturday, 28th May 2016 between 1.30 and 4.30 pm Exhibition runs until 20th August 2016 Enquiries to Anne-Marie Marshall Tel: 01259 730087 or anniemal@fsmail.net Website: alloaartclub.wordpress.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlloaArt Venue Website: www.grmcfarlane.co.uk

The Club consists of a group of enthusiasts who meet regularly throughout the year to participate in a programme of strolls, rambles, hill walks and a Long Distance Path. Details are published on http:// www.incallander.co.uk/r a m b l e r s . htm in the Ben Ledi View and on posters around Callander.

New members and guests are always welcome. Here are some dates for your diary: March 2016 •Wed 2 March 09:30 Hill: Lochan an Eireannaich (Balquhidder to Lix Toll) (8 miles) contact 01877 384227 •Wed 9 March 09:30 Stroll: Culross & Preston Island (4 miles) contact 01786 841240 •Sat 19 Mar 08:30 LDP: CT(6) Alyth to Bridge of Cally (9 miles) contact 01877 330032 •Wed 23 Mar 09:30 Ramble: Castle Law & Culteuchar Hill (313m) contact 1786 825877 April 2016 •Sat 2 April 08:30 Hill: Mor Bheinn & Ben Halton (640m) contact 01877 331067 We meet in Ancaster Square, unless otherwise indicated. Please bring wet weather clothing, appropriate footwear and a packed lunch.

And please let the walk leader know if you plan to join the walk via the contact number given. Thanks!

Spring seems a long time in coming with all the bad weather we have had so it is good to get together with likeminded people to pursue interests of all kinds and this is what U3A is all about. Whether we want to brush up on languages, learn about Greek Mythology, limber up with Yoga exercises or just enjoy a Sunday lunch at one of our local restaurants, it is much easier to join with others and have fun at the same time. Having a regular group to meet with gets us out of the house and offers us the opportunity to make new friends.

Our website ‘Callander and West Perthshire U3A’ has all the details of the courses we run, with timetables and a membership form, together with a link to U3A Scotland (the umbrella organisation for the 45 U3As north of the border), which runs workshops and summer schools in different locations. We welcome new members at any time of the year and from now until the summer the subscription fee is only £5.

Scottish Wildlife Trust Callander Local Group Diary

2016 Talks start at 7:30pm

Kirk Hall South Church Street Callander Tuesday 8 March

Tree Threats and Diseases

by Andy Malcolm, FCS

EVERYONE WELCOME! Admission £2 members, £2.50 non-members Free to full-time students.

Includes tea/coffee & biscuits.

Please book with Lesley Hawkins

01877 339080

or mlhawkins@tiscali.co.uk 7

Pin-Feathers* by Old Nyati

*Once in demand by Victorian miniaturists, the tiny pin-feather comes from the leading edge of a woodcock’s wing and only two such feathers occur on each bird (one on each wing). This month, Old Nyati describes a practice that may be hard to imagine for most of us, but nevertheless makes compelling reading.

Ever since the dawn of time there have been people who qualify for the term ‘hunter gatherer’. There was always a deep respect for the quarry and a strict code of conduct. Let us look a little deeper into this.

There is Chris, one of our drivers, who lost his forearm to a crocodile - and one of the village women who had her breast torn off by a small ‘croc’ whilst bending down to get water from the river. Anything less than five yards from the water and the croc will beat your reaction time. Maddela,the old It is 5.30 am in the African bush. We are man of the village is also with us; it is his in the Namwala district of Zambia, camped privilege to have first choice of the hopedby the Kafue river. Dawn is breaking, with for heart, liver and tripe - if we are lucky. that fantastic colour in the eastern sky; it We have a licence today for two Cape is the dry season and the atmosphere is Buffalo. The African cape buffalo is one of laden with dust, which gives an incredible the ‘big five’ and very dangerous game. The golden light. And as the sun peeps over Bwana and Mesmer are introduced and the horizon, the colours explode into red, everyone is briefed by our PH. blue... tints of every hue.

It is still not really light. There is a hyena The dawn chorus is bursting with the ‘whoop-whooping’ at the back of camp sounds of birds and insects. All around the and the Southern Cross constellation is camp there is the cooing of doves, aptly fading as the sky lightens up. The plan named the ‘drink lager’ doves after their is to follow the river bank to try and find call notes which sound like ‘drink lager, spoor (tracks) leading from the river into drink lager, drink lager...’ the bush. Buffalo spend the night feeding The small village is waking too. Everyone on the fresh vegetation by the river and is excited this morning because the Bwana then move into thick bush to spend the day is coming. chewing the cud and sleeping.

This area is just outside one of the Our licence is for two bulls - so those Zambian national parks, where, of course, are the tracks we need to find. Now we are all game is protected - and of course there moving, the three trackers are ranging in is a spillage of over-populating animals in front of the truck and it is quite some time the surrounding area. But here there can before we see the hand signal that tells us be conflict due to marauding animals - they have found what we are looking for. damaging crops, and being a danger to the There are the tracks of six good bulls. It is people. from now on that we go on foot. We travel There is a perceived image spread as light as possible: hat (essential), rifle by wildlife media that all of Africa is (essential), water bottle (essential - we need teeming with elephants, lions and zebras. to drink a little every half hour).

Travelling between conservation areas it We track for five hours after leaving the is obvious that there is no game left there; Toyota. At times the trackers have difficulty the animals have all been killed and eaten following spoor on the bare rocky areas. by an ever increasing human population. Here a leopard has left clear pad marks; The game department of the National Park, there, occasionally, are elephant droppings. after careful monitoring of the numbers of There is a bird ahead that looks like it is animals outside the boundary, allocate a tangled up in ribbons, fluttering through number of licences to each small village so the trees - it is a Pennant Winged Nightjar. that they can cull a number of each different The buffalo droppings start to look quite species. This licence is then purchased fresh, so they are not too far ahead. The by a local professional hunter (PH) - the bush here is fairly thick - we can only see Bwana Makubwi - who in turn will bring in about forty yards ahead so we have to be a paying guest. The licence fee goes to the very careful. There is a detectable bovine national parks admin and the meat goes to smell in the air. the village in that area.

This is where the adrenalin starts to flow This system is quite sustainable and much and it is now a cat and mouse game - but better than the alternative - which would with high stakes. The hunter gatherer is on be a free for all, with poachers moving in full alert. A bad tempered buff will either and nothing going to the local people or to run away or come straight at you. He the admin of the National Park. may have a maggot infested wound from There is a battered Toyota waiting with a poacher’s snare and will be hell bent on three local trackers - Mick, John - and Gibson, revenge, waiting until we pass to come on who is also a NP warden, here to help - and from the rear. There would not be much to be witness if there is a life threatening time to be ready for that. situation, where something is shot in self- Mick and John silently hold up their defence and not on licence. hands and signal for Bwana to close up 8

with the PH. Maddela stays back to guard the Memsarb at a safe distance - he does carry an assegai, but to climb a good tree would be better.

There is just the leg of a buff showing beneath some thick bush and there are tick birds flying around; the wind is in our faces, so that is good - little chance of our scent reaching ahead. Now we have to bum shuffle a little to get a clear look at what is attached to that leg, and it proves to be what we have been looking for. Some of the other members of this bachelor group of buffalo can be seen now so it is a matter of choosing which one. The PH indicates the one which should be taken. The Bwana is carrying a double .470 Manton nitro express (the rifle is called Banduki).

The right hand barrel is loaded with a soft point bullet and the left with a solid bullet; if things go wrong then the second shot is going to be full frontal, which means it will have to penetrate two feet of solid bone as that buff charges.

It all seems to happen in slow motion, a heart shot at about thirty yards followed by the solid into the neck vertebrae, just to make sure. A rapid reload of the two cartridges held between the fingers of the left hand and the second bull is taken on the run and disappears into thick bush to the side. This could be big trouble. The best thing now is to wait for a little while.

A 500 grain bullet delivering 5000 lbs of energy will have done its work, and yes, we hear the low moan which is characteristic of the end of a buff.

Now the work begins. Mick is sent off to get the Toyota; his dog, Trot (shades of Mo Farah) will reach it in about an hour so he will return shortly after that. The rest of the team now set about the job of cutting up the bodies small enough to load into the truck. It is interesting to see that the tick birds are still working on their animals until disturbed by the boys.

As the work continues, hundreds of butterflies and bees come to feed on the spilt blood, salt and fluid - all vital for them.

Maddela, the old man, now crawls into the rib cage of each animal; by tradition it is his right to get the tripe for his family.

It is rather touching amidst all this excitement that he takes the time to personally thank the Bwana for shooting the buffalo as this means that his family and the village will have good meat for a long time to come. The meat is carefully marinated and made into biltong by hanging it up to dry in the sun. It will last for months - a welcome change from mealy meal every day.

Mick arrives back with the truck and helps load the quartered animals. Each buff weighs over a ton; there is a fifty-gallon reserve tank of fuel on board - and the passengers too. This is only a half-ton truck - but that’s Africa for you!

Don’t ask how, but after a long and very bumpy ride back to camp there is already a reception party there; they know that the

hunt has been successful. Could it be ‘bush telegraph’...?

It is dark now and time for a quick shower under a rusty bucket hanging in a tree. There is much chatter coming from the camp kitchen area... and a big buffalo haunch in a wheelbarrow heads for the cooking fire.

But before that it is time to sit round the camp fire with a ‘sundowner’ and reflect on the day’s adventure. Tired and relaxed by the fire in the African evening when as they say the air is ‘like silk on your skin’ (it really is) there is a slight movement just out of the firelight and a soft murmuring. Several ghostly figures appear and come quietly forward into the firelight. The PH whispers that this is not threatening. Then there is the sound of drums and singing begins. This is the stuff of Rider Haggard, Hemingway or Karen Blixen. The singing goes on for some time accompanied by dancing and the traditional leaping into the air.

The Bwana had brought gifts of tobacco from the UK for just such an occasion, and this is the time to make a presentation. The Madella is the first one to be called forward.

Once again he makes profuse thanks for the shooting of the buffalo, explaining that the meat would be so good for his people.

The other boys also are given tobacco and thanked for their tracking skills.

It’s only after all this that some translation of the singing is given by the PH. It seems that the singers were so impressed by the Bwana’s big rifle (they had not seen

a traditional double Nitro Express rifle before, and because it was so successful in the hunt they believed it possessed powerful medicine). They sing of Ncuracura, the bullet.

Supper this night is of course buff meat.

Cooked over the fire it’s as good as any steak one could wish for, and washed down with the local beer, called Tusker. There has to be a reply to the thank you performance by the boys, so the chosen song (the first time that the Zambian night had heard it) is Will ye go, Lassie, go ...they seem to love it.

The Bwana, of course, wants to have the skull and horns of the best buff to bring back to the UK as a memory of this adventure. It is carefully skinned out, dried and salted, ready to be shipped. Special permits have to be obtained by the PH to prove that it was legitimate and not an endangered species before it could pass customs.

Now let thirty-odd years roll by - and this old buffalo, stuffed and mounted, came to Balquhidder with all its memories. It was recently offered to the Village Hall to join the red deer stag there. But sadly the offer was declined. It was not deemed to be PC to have such a thing on display.

It would be good to consider the difference between the head of a stag and the head of a buffalo and the reason and conditions of its demise. There is no doubt that the media over many years has demonised the legitimate hunter.

There is a saying that if a lie is told often enough it will be believed. Should it not be considered how many turkeys were devoured at Christmas and the leftovers thrown away (the African village would have been glad of all that). As regards the argument of cruelty, consider the turkey, the chicken, the pig etc. and also the fish that has to suffocate to death - or the shrimp or lobster that is kept alive in captivity before being eaten.

The foxhound never wounded the fox and always killed the weakest. Dare anyone mention the method of halal slaughter?

These things should be given very careful thought before passing judgment.

Remember the world’s problem: ignorance breeds prejudice breeds hatred.

Old Nyati 9

Church News

BalquhiĐĐer •bls

A Note from

St Angus’s

Easter in Strathearn... and Beyond...After such a dreary winter (and previous summer) it is amazing to find that stubborn tendency to hope still leaps up in our hearts as we hear the blackbirds tuning up for the dawn chorus, notice the snowdrops that have somehow clung on through floods, and relish the longer days, even through the rain. The very fact that we are hard-wired to hope seems to tell me that in a subconscious way we are responding to a truth at the heart of our existence – the truth that is mirrored in nature and is epitomised in the extraordinary story of Easter, with its journey founded in love that travels from the despair of the crucifixion to the quivering, hardly daring joy of the new life on Easter Sunday.

In our church services we gather to represent this in symbolic form in or prayer and worship and fellowship. So here is what is happening: Sunday 20 March: Palm Sunday we remember how it all started with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey, wildly acclaimed by crowds.

At 10am there will be a joint communion service for any who wish to attend at St Fillan’s Episcopal Church in Killin where the whole story of Easter is read within the congregation (no sermon!).

This is followed at 11.30 am by a special service of hymns and readings, accompanied by the Killin Choir at the Balquhidder Parish Church. All are welcome to either or both!

Thursday 24 March (Maundy Thursday) : there will be a joint service in Killin Parish Church where we remember the last meal that Jesus had with his disciples before he died, where shared bread and wine with them as a symbol of his being with them and their descendants (us) for all time.

Friday 25 March (Good Friday): Jesus was on the cross for three hours, between 12 noon and 3pm, and so we watch with him in the churches and streets, with a Walk of Witness in Killin, starting at the Falls of Dochart at 12 noon, and moving through the town to St Fillan’s and the Parish Church. This is followed by a service of reflection in St Angus’s in Lochearnhead from 2 – 3pm.

Sunday 27 March: Jesus had been laid in a garden tomb after his death on the Friday, hastily pushed out of the way before the Passover. After the Passover, as early as they could on the Sunday morning women went to tend his body properly to find an empty tomb... and a risen Lord!

We celebrate this with communion on the shore of Loch Earn, just opposite the Lochearnhead Hotel at 8am (followed by bacon butties and coffee available at the Lochearnhead Hotel). All welcome.

Thereafter, there will be a slightly more formal communion at St Fillan’s Church at 10am, followed by St Angus’s at 11.30am.

Church of Scotland… Catholic Church…

All the very best

10

Paddy

Those of you who actually come to church will have seen the damage caused by the severe storm late last year. The internal plaster around the large west wall window was badly damaged by water coming in. A survey of the roof area revealed a combination of possibilities of how this might have happened and we shall be having repairs done as soon as possible at a cost of well over £5,000 which will not be covered by insurance.

However, the effects of the water ingress inside should be covered by the insurance. Here’s hoping!

As if that was not enough, a survey by the Church of Scotland has revealed other problems costing a total of some £25,000, which have to be dealt with over the next five years! Included in this, woodworm has shifted to areas not previously treated so that will have to be sorted before too long. We are most grateful to the Clan MacLaren Society of America for offering financial help with this. We hope that individuals who appreciate Balquhidder Church will also give some financial help towards all that needs doing. Any donations can be made in cash or by cheque payable to Balquhidder Parish Church and sent to The Treasurer at: Carnmore, Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, FK19 8 PB. The Church AGM will be held immediately after the Sunday service on 13th March. This is to make sure that the congregation is up to date with both financial and property news. We also need a new Committee member to replace Mrs M. Lipscomb. As always there will be refreshments afterwards.

On Palm Sunday, 20th March, we shall have a special service with the Community Choir and will also be joined by folk from Killin to swell the numbers. We are determined to maintain Sunday Services despite the very small number of those normally attending and any disruption caused by repair work. Meanwhile, we can enjoy the days getting longer with spring just around the corner and daffodils bursting into bloom.

Happy Easter.

Jean Edwards

DOCTORS Drs Strang & Scott and Drs Mathewson & Gibson Community Nurses The surgeries and community nurses take part in various training programmes throughout the year. This is to meet the educational and training needs of all members of the practice and nursing team.

The next training afternoon will be on: Tuesday 15 March 2016 On this afternoon, please do not contact the surgeries for repeat prescriptions or for appointments. Both practices and community nurse clinic will close at 12.30pm. We hope that emergency cover will be provided by NHS24 for nursing and GPs - however, this will not be confirmed to the practices until nearer the time.

In the event of an emergency, please telephone 111.

Bracklinn Practice

Easter Closure – The practice will close from lunchtime on Friday 25th March and re-open at 8.30am on Tuesday 29th March. Clinics will operate as usual in the morning of the 25th March. If you require urgent medical attention during the Easter holiday when the surgery is closed, please contact NHS24 on 111.

Telephone Appointments

The practice will be trialling a telephone appointment system during February/March.

There will be a range of five- minute appointments during each day. When you ring the practice to speak to a doctor for results or advice you will be given an approximate time when they will contact you. We hope this trial will make it easier for you to prepare for the call, and avoid the doctors contacting you after the surgery has closed.

We are aware that if the doctors are called away to an emergency or during busy times a structured appointment system may not work; however, the receptionists will endeavour to ring you and re-arrange the appointment. During this trial period we would be grateful for your feedback, and thank you for your co-operation.

Your Village Needs You Innovation, Architecture and Design - 2016 stories LETi is working on tourism plans for Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design #IAD2016 and invites you to lend a hand.

Read about Stronvar House and Creagan House now at www.robroycountry.com.

Forthcoming #IAD2016 feature stories will include; the Loch Lubnaig Beag installation architect, an Edinample Castle renovations exclusive, MHOR brand creative developments and others to be revealed.

Do you have an interesting story to tell or photos to share? LETi can publish your BLS stories and photos relevant to Scotland’s 2016 tourism theme. Perhaps you have a “before and after” photo of a house or garden that you renovated or changed dramatically. Maybe you are launching an innovative idea. Are you an architect, engineer, designer or sculptor? (any field, working or retired). Please email anything for consideration to me with permission to publish the story and photographs on LETi’s website. Send them to Kim Proven - briarinfo@btinternet.com. Find out more about #IAD2016 here http:// www.visitscotland.com/see-do/events/ innovation-architecture-design-2016/ LETI’s second idea for IAD2016 is a bit more ambitious. Members are planning an art installation and ornamental feature trail that will link our 4 villages. We are in talks with artists and need to marry their work with available spaces that are visible from the A84 and A85. Do get in touch if you have ideas on relevant spaces that the public can access or know of artists/students that might lend us their outdoor pieces in return for publicity.

Edinample Castle Our economy depends on tourists. Without regular visitors there would be no; places to stay, hospitality, shops, things to do, events and attractions. Local ambassadors are a vital part of showing off what our area has to offer from cycle paths and wildlife to restaurants and things to do. You don’t have to be part of a tourism group to promote the area as our communities demonstrate well. We can be proud of our villagers reputation for; chatting to visitors in hotels, directing people to scenic destinations and activities, marshalling at events like races, music festivals and the BLS Highland Games.

Every hotel in our area is a member of LETi along with other accommodation, hospitality and service providers. LETi’ s local business members wave the flag for the area externally. In addition to its website, the group collaborates with Visit Scotland, Stirling Enterprise, The Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and many others. LETi regularly attends Cross Party Tourism meetings at Scottish Parliament HQ in Edinburgh, chaired

by MSP Bruce Crawford. This keeps us informed on the bigger picture, enables us to contribute and ensures that our territory is on the tourist map. We have enjoyed publicity in The Business Herald, The Scots Magazine, Stirling Observer amongst others. We are active on social media, e.g.Twitter @robroycountry. LETi is grateful for

“Are you... getting married and want to do things a bit differently?

Or simply local - and curious about weddings at the Croft?

Either way you are welcome to...

Have a Wee Nosey!

Sunday 17th April, 1 – 4pm

See the NEW old Cow Shed!

Meet unusual and unique local wedding suppliers • Live music Nibbles and refreshments • Discuss your plans with Ellen Completely FREE Comrie Croft, Braincroft, Comrie, Perthshire PH7 4JZ

follows, RT’s and mentions and plans to work on Facebook campaigns this year. We even archive The Villagers newspaper on our website to ensure that the communities impressive stories, photos, adverts and news can be accessed around the world for years to come.

If you run a tourism business within our village catchment area and would like to input to the group and benefit from its PR, contacts and promotions please contact me in the first instance.

I look forward to hearing from villagers who have an IAD2016 contribution to make and any tourism business that would like to join us in attracting more visitors, welcoming many back and contributing to our local economy.

Please have a look at our website if you are not already aware of it.

Kim Proven CHAIR of LETi www.robroycountry.com

Waste Collections On Tuesday 1st March, those of us living in the Stronvar area to the South of Loch Voil received a letter, out of the blue and pushed through our doors, to say that from 14 March our rubbish collection would start to be collected from the road end rather than where we live. As this is the day that The Villagers goes to press, we can only report that, following, ah, significant escalation during the day, Cllr Martin Earl has been able to report that these letters should be disregarded and that meetings within the Council will take place over the next few days. Obviously, the threat of withdrawal of such a basic service in an area that already gets very few services from the Council is a matter of huge concern and no small amount of apoplexy. We will be keeping a very close eye on this and will provide all news via email and our Facebook page.

11

McLaren High School Outward Bound at Loch Eil In early December a group of S3 and S5 pupils and 5 staff took part in our annual Outward Bound Course at the Loch Eil Centre near Fort William. This is the 12th year that McLaren High School has been offering this week as part of the school curriculum. Pupils took part in a programme of outdoor adventure activities designed to challenge each pupil (and staff member!) to step outside their comfort zone, learn new practical skills, and to develop teamwork and leadership skills. Activities included raft building, rock scrambling, mountain biking and hiking. Here are some pupil thoughts on the week: Throughout the week we faced similar challenges, with everyone struggling and excelling in different areas. Not only did we learn about different leadership styles, we also realised our own strengths and weaknesses, and how we could deal with the things we found difficult. We have all discovered new qualities within ourselves, whether it be primary skills that give you a boost in confidence, like being a good tree climber or mountain biker, or secondary skills like the ability to persevere.

The week was brilliant fun and we are all extremely grateful for the opportunity.

Finn Manders S5 By the end of the week I knew so much more about myself and the other people in my team. I learnt that if you push yourself you can do (almost) anything and that this is much easier to do when you are supported and motivated by your friends.

Natalie Klaes S3 Ashlea Burns Lunch On Burns Day, 25 January, six Junior pupils went along to Ashlea Nursing Home in Callander during their lunch break to entertain the residents at their Burns Day Lunch. A resident addressed the haggis followed by a solo piece by each of the three S1 pipers (James Douglas, Robin Turnbull and Cameron Dinwoodie) and a piece that all the pipers played together.

An ensemble of three S3 pupils (Megan Milligan, Charlotte Scott and Natalie Klaes) then sang some Scottish songs, closing the musical entertainment by singing Caledonia.

The residents thanked the pupils for playing and have invited them back for another performance at Easter time.

We are very proud of the six junior pupils who took part; they are an asset to the school and should be proud of their performances.

12

Top picture: Developing teamwork at the Outward Bound course; Above and left: Entertainment at Ashlea by junior pupils

© David Lumsden

Safe Drive Stay Alive On 29 January 2016 S4 pupils went to the Macrobert to see the Safe Drive Stay Alive presentation. This involved the pupils having to view an interactive show on the dangers of driving to teach them to stay safe.

At the start of the presentation we were introduced to a party atmosphere, with loud music which we were nudged (forced) to dance to. Then there was a dramatic change in tone as the real presentation began. The people told stories oriented around individuals our age and how their accidents affected their lives, so that it meant more to us. These stories told us of how young teenagers, such as ourselves, could end up drink driving or causing a distraction to the driver which in turn could lead to an accident. The use of graphic imagery was vital to show us the reality of the situations and how this is not some movie where you reached the end and life carried on as normal. They also told us about mental damage and the danger of permanent physical injury that could put you in a wheelchair for life.

Throughout the show they kept reminding us that driving is not a bad thing, although it was hard to believe through the horrible stories they were

telling us. Toward the end they brought out a man who talked about how his son had been in an accident. He told his story the best he could but in the end he called on some help. A man in a wheelchair came on, this man was his son. At this point many shed tears if they hadn’t already done so, the man talked of his struggles in life now that he was in a wheelchair. This was altogether too much to bear.

The show was extremely important for teenage children to witness. For me it brought to light the true danger and the reality that it could happen to me. I will never forget this experience and I hope no one else will forget it.

Joshua Lee S4 One of the most hard-hitting points of the presentation was when the families of those who had been directly affected by unsafe driving spoke to us begging us not to make the same mistakes as their loved ones.

A victim of a crash who was paralysed from the waist down and had to speak using a speech synthesizer then came on to talk to us and at this stage there were very few dry eyes as he explained how weeks before the crash he had been

celebrating his wedding but as a result of the crash his life had changed drastically.

These hard hitting speeches really will make us consider getting in a car when it may be unsafe and really taught our year that we should all remember to ‘safe drive stay alive’.

Laura King S4 McLaren High School 125th Anniversary McLaren High School will mark its 125th Anniversary in 2017. We hope to celebrate this landmark throughout the year with a series of events. If you would like to be involved in planning these events please contact Moyra McLaren at mclarenhs@stirling.gov.uk

Glenorchy Farm

Free range rare breed pork for sale

We sell fresh pork as 1/2 pigs (20kg) and 1/4 pigs (10kg) every 3 months, next available - early 2016.

We also sell frozen sausage and bacon packs - £25.

We can arrange drop off points in the local area.

Contact: Fiona MacLennan t: 07783116399 e: fiona.glenorchyfarm@gmail.com facebook: Glenorchy Farm 13

Broadband Update Do you need an affordable home?

It’s been a while, but we do now have sufficient news for it to be worth updating everyone on progress with Balquhidder Community Broadband.

Build Progress We’ve had the cabling company that works with Bogons, our preferred supplier, out to look at the glen and they’ve now been commissioned to come back and carry out the necessary detailed survey (taking 4/5 days) to fully cost what’s needed. That’s happening from 8 March. We’ve asked them to provide us with a menu of costs for each part of the network: the 13km that gets to all bar 22 of the 178 properties in our area and for each segment beyond that (totalling another 13km). This will let us work out just how much of the work we need to do ourselves to get to all parts of the glen: we know that the only way we will be able to provide fibre to every house or business in the area will through significant community effort as part of the lay.

The rest of our costs are now fairly firm, so we’re awaiting the survey results that will let us know just where we stand.

We’re including in that survey the costs of crossing both the glen road where needed and the A84 where we’re serving Balquhidder Station.

One thing that has come out is that there are quite a few areas where we could lay armoured cable behind walls and along fences – which saves money – and others where we’d need to find a way through the trees that come to both sides of the road – which can cost more.

We’re also investigating technologies to provide fill-in wireless service to any of the outlying areas where there may not be sufficient commitment to help with the laying of fibre.

OFCOM The recent announcement from OFCOM is – as far as we’re concerned – a bit of a damp squib so far. They haven’t decided to break up BT immediately (which is desperately needed) but they are going to require BT and Openreach to make it much easier for third parties (ourselves in this case) to use their poles and ducts to lay cables. That does already exist, through a process called a Passive Infrastructure Access (PIA) agreement, but they make it so expensive and difficult to do that all the advice we’ve had is to go nowhere near them. If however OFCOM do make it easier in the near term, we could see some significant savings on our costs.

14

Funding As many of you know, we were hit badly by the sudden (i.e. zero notice) withdrawal of the Broadband Voucher Scheme in October so, whilst we still have the core funding from Community Broadband Scotland, we’ve been looking for other ways to fill the gap that’s been left. Once we have the full survey figures we’ll have a much better idea of how big that gap is. One option is to make an application to CBS that’s above the State Aid threshold of €200,000, but that’s very much a last resort as it would put (at minimum) a year onto our rollout due to the insane bureaucracy involved to satisfy the EU that we’re not distorting markets with state aid(!). So we’re very actively pursuing other possibilities – one of the issues however is the EU directive on state aid that makes it difficult (but not always impossible) for two sources of public funding to contribute to a project.

As always, if you’ve any questions, please get in touch and we’ll answer as best we can.

Rural Stirling Housing Association aims to support local communities by providing quality homes at affordable rents for families, couples and single people in housing need.

We currently have over 550 rented houses and flats. Around 50 of these become available for rent each year. We hope to have new properties in Strathblane and Balmaha soon and currently have properties in the following communities

Aberfoyle Deanston Gartmore Lochearnhead Balfron Doune Killin Strathyre Buchlyvie Drymen Kinlochard Stronachlachar Callander Gargunnock Kippen Tyndrum

We may be able to build in other communities in the future – please let us know to if you want to live in a village that is not listed above.

Information on local housing need and demand helps us plan for the future.

If you are interested in renting one of our properties when they become available please contact us: Rural Stirling Housing Association Stirling Road, Doune FK16 6AA Telephone: 01786 841101 Email: enquiries@rsha.org.uk www.rsha.org.uk

Registered as a Scottish Charity No. SC037849

Rangers’ Review

By Gareth Kett

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

“Can’t you find something better to do?” came the question from the motorist as I peered through the scope at Loch Doine searching for ducks, grebes, geese and dippers. While I was slightly taken aback I had to admit to myself that it was a fair question. What is the value in National Park Rangers carrying out Wetland Bird Surveys, or any other wildlife surveys for that matter?

To many it is perhaps obvious that we need to protect our remarkable, but declining wildlife and that knowing what is there is the first step in being able to protect a habitat or species, but it goes beyond that; we have an obligation under European law to protect our wildlife.

The Birds Directive was adopted by EU Member States in 1979 to protect all of the 500 wild bird species occurring naturally in the European Union and places a legal onus on Member States to do so. Sadly at least 32 % of the EU’s bird species are declining significantly in number (1).

Habitat loss and degradation are the most serious threats to wild birds, as well as other fauna and flora, so in 1992 the Habitats Directive was adopted.

The Habitats Directive is intended to ensure the conservation of a wide range of rare or threatened animals, plants and habitats (2). Together the Birds and Habitats Directives form the cornerstone of European conservation policy, although they are currently under review for effectiveness, following the findings of the State of Nature in the EU report (2013). Despite the Directives the report found the status of majority of habitats and species surveyed to be poor (3).

Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority commitments to biodiversity conservation are laid out in the National Park biodiversity action plan, Wild Park 2020, which can be viewed online at http://www.lochlomond-

trossachs.org/looking-after/biodiversityaction-plan/menu-id-891.html . Rangerled biodiversity surveys are an important part of realising Wild Park 2020 objectives. Data collected is submitted to national monitoring schemes informing Government conservation policy, and is used by conservation groups such as the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).

Last December, using survey data, BTO updated their Birds for Conservation Concern lists. Twenty new species have been added to the Red List, meaning that they have experienced declines in numbers or range exceeding 50% in the last 25 years, or are globally threatened.

Worryingly for us five upland species, Curlew, Dotterel, Whinchat, Grey wagtail and Merlin have been added to the Red List, bringing the total of upland birds red-listed up to twelve (Lapwing, Hen harrier, Skylark, Ring ouzel, Ruff and Twite are also listed) (4). Reasons that have been suggested for their declines are: changes in land management practices reducing habitat quality, afforestation of marginal hill land, increases in generalist predators and climate change. Research is on-going (5). 27% of all UK birds are now on the Red List.

The National Park Land Management Team and Ranger Service have been working with landowners and managers on a project to conserve waders (curlew, lapwing, snipe, redshank and oystercatcher) on Auchlyne Estate along the River Dochart since 2009.

Initially baseline data was collected before water levels in the wader breeding area were controlled through sluicegates, scrapes were put in and land managers received National Park Natural Heritage Grant Scheme payments to keep livestock off the project

Curlew

area until after the breeding season.

Pleasingly the project has seen increases in all target species except for redshank.

In other work, early in February the Ranger Service and National Park Volunteers worked with the Crianlarich community in restoring the Crianlarich Nursery grounds, and recent storms have necessitated regular site and rights of way checks for storm damage. The photo (bottom left) shows some significant erosion to the Rob Roy Way above Strathyre, which is now being addressed by the Forestry Commission Scotland.

As usual if you have anything you wish to discuss or any wildlife sightings to report you are welcome to drop into the Lochearnhead office, or you can contact me by e-mail at gareth.kett@ lochlomond-trossachs.org, or call me on the Lochearnhead office number 01389 722040. If I’m not in the office please leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

References 1. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/ legislation/birdsdirective/index_en.htm 2. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/ legislation/habitatsdirective/index_en.htm 3. http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/stateof-nature-in-the 4. http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/ RSPB_Quarter_of_UK_birds_now_on_Red_ List.aspx?s_id=783585216 5. https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u35/ downloads/curlew-appeal/curlew-appealleaflet.pdf 6. http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/ RSPB_Quarter_of_UK_birds_now_on_Red_ List.aspx?s_id=783561466

HIGHLAND GLEN TRAVEL Private hire TAXI and Tours

07554 195 446 Airport transfers at competitive rates Distance no object

www.highlandglentravel.co.uk Contact Stirling Council for DRT

08452 777 000

15

Over the past month there have been a number of road traffic offences detected, including one driver being reported to the Procurator Fiscal for driving at an excessive speed through Lochearnhead at almost double the speed limit. Another male was dealt with for overtaking a number of vehicles through the village and causing other motorists to take evasive action in order to avoid a collision.

In a separate incident, another male has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for careless driving as the manner of his driving fell well below what would have been expected and a number of complaints were received from other motorists.

A group of males are also subject to a report to the Procurator Fiscal after being caught with a quantity of controlled drugs in Lochearnhead on the 6th February.

In Killin we dealt with 2 motorists who were found to be driving whilst under the influence of alcohol and they are now subject to court appearances.

A disturbance which took place in Main Street, Killin has resulted in two males now been reported to the Procurator Fiscal. A minor theft also took place and lines of enquiry are currently being progressed to identify the person responsible.

In Crianlarich we have dealt with a disturbance which resulted in a male being charged with a vandalism and an assault and he will also face court. There were two reports of opportunistic thefts, both of which took place in Tyndrum.

Add to all of this, the usual road traffic collisions, issues on the roads with the weather, and a mountain rescue thrown in, I’m sure you’ll agree we’ve had a busy month!

We have seen a rise in the number of thefts taking place within the local area, with places such as Dunblane, Callander and Crieff seeing break ins to residential premises. There have also been commercial thefts taking place in Doune and Callander. The premises in Callander had tools and equipment stolen to the tune of 10’s of thousands of pounds.

We are out 24hrs a day in an effort to detect and deter those responsible.

We have been conducting road checks throughout the day and night and this has led to us detecting a number of the road traffic offences I mentioned previously. We are using technology to our best advantage and are making use of ANPR systems locally which allow us to scan every number plate and the relevant databases are checked instantaneously.

Please consider your own security as the perpetrators are clearly moving around the local area and the following is some generic security advice: 16

TAKE CARE!

• Consider the lighting of your property, inside and out. Inside, leave lights on or leave a lamp on an electronic timer.

• Another good tip is to leave a radio or TV on when popping out and consider closing blinds and curtains also to make the house look like someone is in.

• Outside, put up lighting all around the house, and consider the use of security lights with PIR sensors attached. Bushes and shrubs can also be cut back to aid visibility and reduce potential hiding places for thieves.

• Consider taking a note of serial numbers of any expensive items of property in your house, and photographs are also a good idea.

• Smartwater is a good deterrent and if you do unfortunately become a victim, we have a better chance of reuniting you with your property.

• Ensure all door and windows are kept locked at all times, even if working around the property as we do often get sneak in thefts. This includes sheds and outhouses.

• Make sure you lock your vehicles at all times and remove the keys from the ignition. Do not leave vehicles unattended to defrost outside your house as they are liable to be stolen and your insurance will be void!

• Keep vehicle keys out of sight so that they cannot be seen through a window or letter box. We have had a number of cars stolen in the past week or so by persons using items to “fish” for keys through letter boxes and windows and subsequently taking the vehicles.

The most important piece of advice is be vigilant and keep an eye out for your neighbours and the local community. Call the police immediately on 101, or 999 in an emergency, if you are at all concerned about the behaviour of a person or vehicle. If possible note a description of the person(s) and any vehicle registration numbers.

As always, I can always be contacted on 101 or for those who prefer email, I can be contacted directly at william.diamond@ scotland.pnn.police.uk.

Regards, PC Will Diamond

Farm Forum: Farmers Better In...?

I think most readers would be surprised if I did not major on the forthcoming referendum on staying in the EU or not, in this month’s article. As I write the Prime Minister has completed stage one and has negotiated a deal with the other members of the EU. A new report has just been concluded -plating by London. There are legal

by Professor Wyn Grant on behalf of complexities which have not been considered.” the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

He says: “It is hard to see any He also raised concerns that, outside advantage to British farmers in leaving Europe, powerful lobby groups in Britain would have a louder voice in the European Union.”

In the event of voting to leave the a smaller area, and British farmers union, he warned that the lack of would not have the advantage of their contingency planning by the UK European counterparts, particularly Government would inevitably lead the French, fighting the farming to a period of great uncertainty, for corner. at least two years, as the new regime If Britain wanted to continue to took shape, making medium and long export to Europe, he noted, it would still term planning for farmers extremely have to abide by the EU’s regulations, but without the quid pro quo of support. difficult.

But what about the positives? Surely The likely introduction of import tariffs a Brexit would free UK farmers from on British goods, and border controls red tape? “There is a perception in the would all have an impact, making British industry that leaving the EU would goods more expensive on that EU market. reduce the burden of regulation,” said Commenting on the report, North Yorkshire farmer Richard Findlay pointed Professor Grant.

“I do not think there would be a out that 40% of UK lamb is currently sold bonfire of regulations, as the problem to Europe, so an exit would have a huge is not just from Brussels but from gold impact.

Erudite Muse “To do evil, a human being must first of all believe that what he is doing is good.”

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, quoted in The New York Review of Books

The chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Nigel Pulling, likened leaving Europe to a “leap in the dark”. “While there is some dissatisfaction with Europe there is at least certainty,” said Mr Pulling.

“What this report has highlighted is the complexity of the number of different issues we are facing, but the Government hasn’t filled in any of the blanks.”

Agricola

Recipe Corner

“A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”

Edward R Murrow, quoted on Breitbard.com “The key is not to prioritise what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”

Leadership guru Stephen R Covey, quoted on the Huffington Post

This recipe is taken from the Balquhidder Recipe Book - a collection of local people’s recipes - with this from Hilda Astbury, our very own “subscriptions lady”:

Normandy Pheasant 1 pheasant 4oz butter 1lb apples, peeled and thinly sliced 6 tbsp. single cream Salt and pepper

Season the pheasant and brown in the butter.

Line a casserole with 12oz apples and pour in a little of the melted butter. Put the pheasant in and surround it with more apples. Pour on the rest of the butter and then stir in the cream.

Cover tightly and cook in a moderate oven for 45 minutes.

17

The Missing Lynx

...continued!

The image of lynxes predating large numbers of sheep is one that understandably concerns many farmers as the prospect of lynx reintroductions to the UK gathers momentum. The most alarming figures for sheep depredation come from Norway where research has shown that around 10.51 sheep are killed per lynx each year. The combined figure for all the other 19 countries in Europe with lynx populations is about 0.40 sheep kills per lynx each year. In these countries during a five year study period 633 sheep were killed by lynxes (1). To put this into context, according to the National Sheep Association an estimate of 2,365 sheep were killed by domestic dogs in the UK alone in 2012.

But Norway was the case raised by Across their range (even in Norway) Agricola recently. In Norway the normal roe deer are lynxes’ prey of choice. practice during late spring, summer and Sheep predation by lynxes is inversely early autumn months is to let sheep roam proportional to the number of roe deer extensively, often in wooded or forested present (ie. lynx predation is lowest areas where lynxes live, so high rates of where roe deer population is highest) predation aren’t surprising. Agricola (5). According to the latest report by contested this in February’s Farm Forum, the Scottish Parliament Information but gave no reference. A quick internet Centre there are between 200,000 and search will bring up a list of references to 350,000 roe deer in Scotland. They are the Norwegian practice of putting sheep the most widely distributed deer species out to graze, largely unshepherded, in in Britain (6). So it’s fair to say that lynxes wooded areas. Here are just three quotes in Scotland wouldn’t be short of food and (references after the article). There are would be unlikely to venture out of the many more: shelter of woodlands onto open ground in search of sheep. ...the livestock-herding technique used in Norway, where sheep generally are free- In his February article Agricola suggests ranging and unattended throughout a that Norway lemming is a main prey lynx’s home range (2). species for lynx in Norway. Lemmings are tundra animals. Lynxes are a woodland Norwegian sheep farming alternates species. The odd lemming may be between periods when sheep are kept predated in the transition zone between indoors (in winter), on infield pastures the two habitats, but research indicates close to the farm (during early spring that lemmings form less than 0.05% of and late fall) and on outfield pastures the lynx diet. Roe deer, an essentially consisting mainly of boreal forest or woodland species, forms 52.8% of the alpine tundra habitats (from May–June diet (7). Sheep kept away from woodland until September–October) (3). edges should have little to fear from The high predation level in Norway can lynxes. be explained by the large number of The Scottish Government has a target untended sheep that stay day and night of 25% woodland or forest cover for on forested range (4).

Scotland. This would help to address Fortunately, as is the case for the other climate change and flooding. It would European countries with lynxes, sheep in also create more habitat for lynxes.

Scotland aren’t kept in woodlands. In fact Lynxes would help regulate roe deer they are normally kept out of woodlands. populations and maybe fox populations Therefore, in the event that lynxes too, bringing more balance to woodland are reintroduced to Scotland, there is ecosystems and possibly reducing lamb unlikely to be a significant problem with losses to foxes. lynx predation on sheep.

Were lynxes accepted in Scotland, rural

18

Eurasian lynx mother cleaning her cub

areas would benefit significantly through ecotourism generated income (8). Why become fixated on sheep predation by lynxes? Why not focus on the benefits lynxes could bring to rural communities – including farmers?

References

1. Breitenmoser, U. et al. (2000), ‘Action Plan for the Conservation of the European Lynx (Lynx lynx) in Europe’, Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) Nature and environment, No. 112 2. Odden, J. et al. 2001. Lynx Depredation on Domestic Sheep in Norway, Journal of Wildlife Management 66(1):98-105. http://www.nina.no/ pdf/Odden%20et%20al%202002%20lynx%20 depredation.pdf 3. Skonhoft, A., G. Austrheim, and A. Mysterud. 2010.

A bioeconomic sheep-vegetation trade-off model: an analysis of the nordic sheep farming system. Natural Resource Modeling 23:354–380.

4. Kaczensky, P. 1999. Large carnivore depredation on livestock in Europe. Ursus 11: 59-72. http://www. kora.ch/malme/05_library/5_1_publications/K/ Kaczensky_1999_Large_carnivore_depredation_on_ livestock_in_Europe.pdf 5. Odden, J, Nilsen, E. B., Linnell, J. D. C. 2013 Density of Wild Prey Modulates Lynx Kill Rates on Free-Ranging Domestic Sheep DOI: 10.1371/ journal.pone.0079261. http://journals.plos.org/ plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0079261 6.

Edwards, T. and Kenyon, W. 2013. SPICe Briefing Wild Deer in Scotland http://www.scottish. parliament.uk/ResearchBriefingsAndFactsheets/S4/ SB_13-74.pdf 7. Odden, J., Nilsen, E. B., Andersen, R. 2006. Diet of Eurasian lynx, Lynx lynx, in the boreal forest of southeastern Norway: the relative importance of livestock and hares at low roe deer density. http:// www.nina.no/pdf/Odden_mfl_2006_diet_EJWR.pdf 8. h t t p : / / w w w. a e c o m . c o m / u k / w p - c o n t e n t / uploads/2015/09/Cost-benefit-analysis-for-thereintroduction-of-lynx-to-the-UK-Main-report.pdf

BLS NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION - AGM

The

Minutes of the 23rd Annual General Meeting held at Mhor 84 on 23rd February 2016.

Present: Jill Johnston (Chair), Wullie Dalziel, Ali Ferguson, Gill Allan Waugh, Hilda Astbury, Andrew Poulter, Andrea Poulter David Johnston (Minutes).

Apologies: Jan Dalziel, Donald McGregor, Richard Harris, Isobel Howell, Jason Allardyce, William Diamond.

Welcome and Introductions at 19:30 the Chair welcomed all those who had attended the 23rd AGM. Previous Minutes The minutes from the previous meeting were distributed and once read by those present were accepted as a true record of the 22nd AGM. Their adoption was proposed by Ali Ferguson and seconded by Wullie Dalziel.

Matters Arising There were no matters arising from the previous minutes.

Editor’s Report ‘The first thing is to repeat how good it is to have Gill back with us this year and how much her wise words and understated comments about “perhaps we might re-consider” were missed when she was ill as well obviously as her expertise in the actual production of the paper. It was a very steep learning curve for David to take over the production side at short notice; I might be accused of being partial but I think he did an amazing job - and it was quite an experience, after 42 years of marriage, for me to be The Boss in the partnership for once - even if he didn’t take my threats of sacking him very seriously.

On a more serious note I think it is fair to say that it has been a time of treading water - and just trying to make sure we got each edition (usually 28 pages) out roughly on time.

At the Community Newspaper Awards the judges’ commented: “Excellent regular columns give this paper a fine framework, which it fills out with community news, excellent photography of local events and lots of practical information.” This reflected the hard work which goes into each issue and I can’t thank enough all the people who respond to my “Don’t forget - it’s nearly the 21st of the month” cry with such good grace and dedication.

They certainly make up a very disparate grouping, and they are all amazing in that they are busy with other roles as well, and yet still manage to juggle (for example) three young children... and bake... and then send us delicious recipes... or run a farm, make burgers, help run the Village Hall... and write about the state of farming in general. Rusty, one of our most popular features, needs to go on maternity/paternity leave soon - so we would be very grateful if someone would step in and deputise for a few months. I am sure it would be fun to go round the villages chatting to lovely people and their different animals; perhaps ideal if you have recently moved into the area and would like the opportunity of meeting new people. Pin Feathers is another fantastic contribution by someone who has continued to send his copy all the way from darkest Dumfries and Galloway, where he has retired, so we thank him for his loyalty. We also need a new gardening correspondent as Jonathan is leaving Comrie for the delights of Skye. We thank him for expanding our gardening knowledge over the last few years and would really love someone to write in their own style for us. We do have one new column starting this month - Keith Wilson from Callander has very kindly agreed to introduce the Seeing Stars astronomy feature for us each month.

After the very sad news about John Murray at Christmas we knew there would be a very large hole to fill each month. I am very pleased to say that as of this month we will have Isobel Howell writing the St Fillans Bit. The fact that this was brought up and decided upon at their Community Council meeting is, I think, a tribute to John, and an indication of the role the paper does hopefully fulfil in our communities. Isobel unfortunately cannot be with us tonight as she has a board meeting in Glasgow - reflecting the adage of ‘ask a busy person’... but we welcome her to the team and hope to meet up soon as we are way overdue to have a committee meeting, which we try to keep to a minimum and make them as efficient and short as possible.

I am delighted that we have had a couple of articles this year which have provoked a degree of controversy, with people responding with differing viewpoints, even though we steered clear of debates at the time of the Scottish Referendum. I think there might be another couple of ‘stimulating’ articles about to appear in March’s edition - we will see! Personally I am quite happy to include differing views on ‘In Or Out’ over the next couple of months if anyone outside Westminster can really get excited about it all.

In conclusion I want to personally thank all our contributors; our wonderful advertisers whose continuing support makes each edition possible; all the present committee; the various shops and pubs which give us space to sell our words of wit and wisdom - and of course, our loyal readers, especially the lovely people who pop a pound in the box for their copy.

Production Gill Allan reported that she was now much better and again able to play a full role in the production of the paper. She expressed her thanks to David Johnston who had taken over the task while she had been unwell. The good news here is that there are now two people capable of producing the paper.

David Johnston thanked her for her kind comments, accepting that it had been a steep learning curve and he had even completed one of the editions from Sydney, Australia!

Accounts The audited accounts were circulated and for the first time in a few years showed a profit of £973.74. David Johnston explained however that the printers had still to submit invoices for three editions which would come to around £900 which still meant that the paper was ‘washing its face’. A new deal with the printers and reducing the print run to 400 copies had accounted for significant reduction in printing costs.

David asked for a vote of thanks to be recorded for Rory Gilchrist who had once again audited the accounts.

Advertising Andrew Poulter explained that he had recently taken on the Advertising role from David Johnston and was getting to grips with all that entailed.

Sponsorship After a short discussion it was agreed that The Villagers should continue to provide small amounts of sponsorship to local events, such as the Horticultural Show, the Highland Games, etc. Decisions to be taken by the Editor.

Election of Production Committee Agreed as follows: Editor – Jill Johnston, Production – Gill Allan Waugh & David Johnston, Business Manager – Andrew Poulter, Subscriptions – Hilda Asbury & Andrea Poulter, Distribution – Johnstons’, Poulters’ & Donald McGregor.

AOCB Wullie Dalziel suggested that it might be an idea to have a space for readers to list articles for sale. While we have run the occasional advert in the past it was agreed that we could try this idea to see what the uptake was. It could be done under the heading ‘V-bay’. Jill Johnston thanked Mhor 84 for hosting the AGM. No other issues were raised.

Closure of Meeting There being no other business, the meeting was brought to a close at 20:10 - and all those who had attended were thanked for their attendance.

19

Balquhidder, Lochearnhead & Strathyre Community Council Minutes of Meeting held at The Inn & Bistro, Strathyre, on 24 February 2016

Please note that these minutes have not yet received formal approval and should be considered as a draft version only.

Present: Malcolm McNaughton (MM), Alistair Barclay (AB), Paul Hicks (PH), David Johnston (DJ), Ruth McLusky (RMC), Karen Methven (KM), Adrian Squires (AS), Richard Eastland (RE) and Angus Cameron (AC). Apologies: Loraine Telfer (LT).

In attendance: Cllr Martin Earl (ME), Stirling Council; PC Will Diamond (WD), Police Scotland; Alice Duncan (AD), prospective community councillor; Billy Ronald (BR), National Park; and Duncan Cameron, resident of Strathyre.

1) Approval of Minutes It was proposed by RMC, and seconded by DJ, that the minutes of the meeting on 13th January 2016 should be accepted, and this was approved unanimously.

2) Declarations of Interest AC declared a possible interest regarding item 5 on the agenda (the purchase of land in Lochearnhead).

3) Police Report Between 12th January and 23rd February 2016, one offence of possession of controlled drugs was detected in Lochearnhead, with a male suspect apprehended and a report going to the Procurator Fiscal. No offences of theft or other crimes were reported to the police. One male was reported for driving in excess of 50mph through Lochearnhead, and another report was sent to the Procurator Fiscal concerning careless driving, after a complaint was received regarding the manner of someoneís driving. A number of fixed penalties have been issued to motorists for offences that include speeding, driving without an MOT, and careless driving. High visibility patrols and static road checks have continued, in order to deter and detect travelling criminals, given the recent thefts elsewhere in the local area. Numerous weather-related incidents have been dealt with, due to the inclement weather conditions.

These incidents included a number of road traffic collisions. AS thanked WD for a recent email advising local residents of a temporary road closure on the A84. Several members added their own thanks for this. MM then raised the question of telephone calls from the police appearing on private telephone equipment as ‘number withheld’. He asked if this could be changed so that people could see a number when such calls were received. PH said that he understood this to be a common problem with switchboard equipment and difficult to resolve.

It usually meant companies having to pay extra for dedicated lines that allowed a number to be transmitted. WD said he wasn’t aware of any way around this so far as Police Scotland is concerned. He often used his mobile telephone to call people, specifically to avoid this problem. DJ supported this and said that it would be undesirable for internal police numbers to be made available to people whenever outgoing calls were made. This could lead to people using these numbers to report crimes or other incidents on non-standard extensions, by-passing the control rooms, and leading to information not being properly recorded.

4) Matters Arising 4a) Flooding in Balquhidder. PH reported that, owing to adverse weather conditions with snow on the ground, an earlier arrangement for a site visit with someone from the Forestry Commission had fallen through. It had not yet been possible to re-arrange a new visit, but it is intended to pursue this as soon as possible. (The Council has repaired some of the areas that were causing a problem.) Action: PH to contact Forestry Commission to arrange a site visit.

4b) Flooding in Strathyre. PH reported that Cllr Alycia Hayes had met with the Council’s Flood Officer (Ian Young) at Strathyre, and spent some three hours surveying the problems.

Following this, the question of producing a Community Resilience Plan was raised. Kenny Higgins of Strathyre had offered to help with this and, in conjunction with the Council’s Emergency & Resilience Officer (David Bright), had produced an excellent plan which - according to David Bright - could be used as an example of ‘best practice’. Cllr Hayes had also resolved problems with two manhole covers in Lochearnhead, and had exerted some pressure on BEAR to deal with serious flooding on the A85. AC added that this has not been totally resolved. There is still water building up on the road outside Loch View, next to the Lochearnhead Hotel. ME mentioned that BEAR’s Area Manager, Graham Lowe, had been replaced recently by George Fiddes. WD mentioned that signs and whiteboards for posting details of emergency road closures, as agreed at an earlier meeting with BEAR, had not appeared. ME offered to follow this up. Action: PH to contact BEAR regarding flooding on A85. ME to follow up promise of signs for road closures.

4c) Rosanne McWilliams. PH reported that a bouquet of flowers had duly been sent to Rosanne, together with a short note of thanks for her service on the community council.

5) Community Land Purchase (Lochearnhead) AB stated that he had received a telephone call from a local resident regarding the prospective purchase of some land in Lochearnhead.

The person concerned had talked of coming to the community council meeting to explain his proposition in detail. MM said that the first thing should be to contact the owner of the land. PH then referred members to the provisions of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act, 2003. This allows a local community to register its interest in a particular plot of land if it can be used for some benefit to the community. If successful, this registration then gives the community ‘first refusal’ on any offer to sell the land in question. PH explained that the ‘local community’ has to be strictly defined, using post-code boundaries; also, a ‘community body’ has to be set up as a company, limited by guarantee, comprising of at least twenty (20) members, of which the majority reside in the defined ‘local community’. Any application to register an interest in land has to be supported by at least ten percent (10%) of those resident in the defined ‘local community’. The registration remains in force for five years, after which it may be renewed. It was not clear whether or not the local resident had this legislation in mind, but this would be an appropriate course of action to take if any proposal is to be made. It was agreed that no further action could be taken on this until a specific proposal is brought forward.

6) Resignation - Alistair Barclay (Treasurer) MM said it was with great regret that the community council had to accept AB’s resignation, following his move to Killin, outwith the area. Alistair had served as both deputy chair and treasurer. He then presented AB with a small gift in appreciation. AB thanked everyone and said that he was happy to continue until the end of the financial year but, thereafter, someone else would need to take on the post. It was suggested that, having a business background, LT might be willing to take on this rôle.

AC stated that he was already treasurer for several organisations, but might be able to find time to take on this as well. It was decided to ask LT in the first instance, and to make an appointment in due course.

7) War memorials AB stated that the work he had been doing to refurbish local war memorials was still incomplete. He had contacted a number of businesses regarding the work of cleaning and restoring the memorials. Various companies had expressed some initial interest, but nobody yet has actually offered to do the work. ME suggested trying Jimmy Innes, a stone-mason in Doune and former chair of Kilmahog Community Council, and AC suggested contacting Ross Anderson at the Undertakers in Callander. AB said that funding through the War Memorials Trust had been agreed some years ago. AD offered to take on this task and ME offered to supply her with some details of other suitable people.

8) Feedback from comments on additional PBB proposals PH referred to the additional proposals, relating to priority-based budgeting at Stirling Council for the next financial year, that had been circulated on 10th February. Comments had been invited and, on behalf of the community council, PH had raised two matters: a proposal to revise the management structure of the local primary and nursery schools, and a proposal to amalgamate the collection of food waste with that of garden waste. These comments had been acknowledged and, regarding the waste collection one or two points had been clarified. All food waste would simply be added to garden waste in the large brown bins provided. This should eliminate the problem of where to keep kitchen waste for two weeks instead of just one. It should also provide additional security against wild animals and vermin. Secondly, the proposal would mean that collection of waste from brown bins would no longer be suspended during the winter months, but would continue all year round. No specific feedback had been received regarding the comments on the management structure in local schools.

9) Community Council Elections and Deputy Chair-person PH reported that the date for nominations had now passed, and ballot papers will be issued on 7th March, to be returned by 22nd March. LT and AD have both submitted nominations. MM pointed out that we would now also need to appoint a new deputy chair-person. After some discussion, RMC proposed DJ for this office. This was seconded by PH and agreed unanimously.

10) Bye-law and Clearways The need for a camping bye-law in our area, put forward by the National Park, had been accepted by the Scottish Government, and will be in place in due course. MM mentioned that there had been some opposition to this, with talk of raising a petition against it but, after some discussion, it was accepted that this would be unlikely to reverse the minister’s decision. MM asked about the situation in East Loch Lomond Side, where similar legislation had been introduced two years ago. WD said that there had been breaches during both years, with a slight increase in 2016, but offenders had been arrested and dealt with satisfactorily under the bye-laws. It was agreed that much of the opposition had been ill-informed and wildly inaccurate in its claims, and that the new legislation should prove to be both proportionate and effective in improving the environmental and social benefits to residents and visitors alike.

11) Correspondence No other correspondence had been received.

12) Planning Matters Nothing new had been notified.

13) Matters From Councillors 13a) ME reported on the latest meeting regarding Stirling Council’s budget for the coming year. The proposal to re-structure management at the nursery and primary schools in Killin and Crianlarich had been rejected, along with a wider proposal to cut back on music tuition. A proposal regarding adult education was to be implemented, but in a revised format.

Altogether, over £6M would be saved, with a wholesale review of management to take place in the coming year. £1.5M over five years will be made available from the Capital Fund for rural broadband, and there will also be some additional provision for flooding measures.

13b) Billy Ronald, the newly elected member of the Board for Ward 2 of the National Park, introduced himself briefly, and said that he would attend community council meetings, whenever available, to provide help with any matters affecting the Park.

14) Any Other Competent Business 14a) Duncan Cameron from Strathyre asked for assistance with a problem concerning Stirling Council. He had applied in 2015 for a ‘High Hedge’ order regarding a neighbouring property at his home. The order was granted on 6th June and was due to be completed by 8th August 2015. The order was not complied with by this date, but all attempts to contact the person concerned at Stirling Council had failed to elicit any helpful response. Cllr Fergus Woods had taken up Mr Cameron’s complaint and contacted Peter Morgan at Stirling Council.

Action was promised, but the ‘hedge’ (comprising several overgrown trees) remained in place. Eventually, an apology had been received and a site visit promised, but no date was set. Mr Cameron made several subsequent enquiries about this date, and eventually received a reply saying that the case officer concerned was on sick leave. It had cost nearly £200 to have the order issued, and all those present agreed that Mr Cameron had good reason to feel aggrieved at the lack of progress. ME said that it was utterly appalling that nothing had been done since 8th August 2015, and offered to get involved to try and resolve the matter without further delay.

There was no other business and, at 8:50 p.m., MM declared the meeting closed. The next meeting is due to take place at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday 6th April 2016 at Balquhidder Village Hall.

20

Nicky’s Winning Curry Mhor 84 recently held a Curry Competition between five of their chefs over four Friday evenings.

The format was for four of the chefs each week to produce their curries, and for diners to sample all of them, mark them out of 10 and add any further comments.

Nicky Redman had been the instigator of the idea, having remembered it had been very successful in a Glasgow restaurant.

It was therefore either very appropriate or a fix, depending on your point of view - that he was the overall winner of the competition!

Nicky’s Not Mummy’s Chicken Curry was the winning dish, and this is his recipe. (In typical chef style, it’s not very explicit on quantities - but all the best chefs do it by ‘taste and taste again’, don’t they?

“Start with cooking onions and

add the following spices: cumin, cardamom, turmeric, garam masala, chili, garlic and ginger, which are sweated and then blitzed together before adding yoghurt and setting aside. Chicken thighs are then seared quickly before being dipped in the spicy yoghurt mix. They are then rolled in breadcrumbs, to which desiccated coconut and sesame seeds have been added. These are then cooked in a sauce made with coconut milk and lime leaves. Finally, you just put broccoli, courgettes and peas through it all before serving!”

The competition had been very tight in the scoring - and a challenge all the chefs had enjoyed - as well as reading all the comments; they were very pleased that all the curries had met with positive reviews.

Nicky felt good beating the ‘top’ chefs, acknowledging that he had learnt a lot working with Simon and Gareth. He has enjoyed working at Mhor 84 virtually from when it first opened three years ago; starting as a kitchen porter, with often very long hours due to a busy bar. The compensations are the opportunities of meeting people from so many different places, the good social life and the opportunity to learn your trade working with great chefs and the variety of the best ingredients.

He is looking forward to similar Foodie competitions in the next few weeks!

Well done, Nicky! Chef Redman stands victorious at Mhor 84, after his ‘Not Mummy’s Chicken Curry’ took the most votes

21

T H E V I L L A G ERS ’ TRADE DIRECTORY

We’ll send you or your friends The

Villagers

£15.00 for 11 monthly issues (£40.00 for Europe and £50.00 for the rest of the world).

We are sorry about the increased costs to our valued overseas readers, due to the new postal rates imposed by the Post Office!

All you need to do is to post the completed form to: BLS NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION, GARDENERS COTTAGE BALQUHIDDER FK19 8PB, SCOTLAND Cheques should be made payable to: THE BLS NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION Remittance enclosed £ .........................(do not send cash) Please send copies of The Villagers starting on ................................. for 11 months To: NAME ..........................................................................................................................

ADDRESS: ........................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................POSTCODE ..............................

SENDER’S NAME & ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE Please send copies of The Villagers starting on ............................... for 11 months NAME ................................................................................................................................

ADDRESS .......................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................POSTCODE................................

Cheques for advertising and mail order subscriptions should be made out to: The BLS Newspaper Association

22

S U P P O RT Y O U R LOCAL S UP P LIERS !

Printed by Graphics and Print Services, University of Stirling Tel: 01786 467209 email: graphicsandprint@stir.ac.uk Published by The BLS Newspaper Association

23

Other Contacts...

The Villagers’ Contacts Jill Johnston Editor Gardeners Cottage Balquhidder FK19 8PB 01877 384227

Gill Allan Waugh Production Manager Stronvar Farm Balquhidder FK19 8PB 01877 384203

David Johnston Production Gardeners Cottage Balquhidder FK19 8PB 01877 384227

Andrew Poulter Advertising Coire A Chroine Balquhidder FK19 8PB 01877 384784

Copy Deadline Day is the 21st of the month. Send your contributions to:

contac t@the -villagers.org.uk Please help us to get The Villagers to you as soon as possible!

• DIARY DATES • We e k l y A c t i v i t i e s Monday

Bowling - St Fillans Pilates - Balquhidder Hall - 9.30am (contact Abbey Arkotxa 0776 6407578) Lunch Club - The Scout Station, Lochearnhead - 12.30pm - 2.30pm

Tuesday

Keep Fit - Lochearnhead Hall - 10.30 to11.30am Gaelic Playgroup - Balquhidder Hall - 10.30am to 12.30pm Country Dancing - St Fillans

Lochearnhead Contact:

Ali Ferguson 01567 830 405 St Fillans Contact:

Isobel Howell 07876 031768 Strathyre Contact:

Wullie Dalziel 01877 384 384 Mobile 07768 221661 Mail Order Distribution:

Hilda Astbury 01877 384 681

The Villagers’ Photographer Jason Allardyce

www.allardycephotography.co.uk facebook.com/allardycephotography 01877 384295 07508 595211 Wedding, Portrait, Social, Pet Photography

Wednesday Yoga - Balquhidder Hall - 11.00am to 12noon (contact Ann Cobbett 01877 376291)

Youth Club - Lochearnhead Hall - 7.00 to 9.00pm Thursday

Choir Occasional - Balquhidder Hall - 7.30pm to 9pm (contact Gill 01877 384203) Darts League - The Inn & Bistro - 7.00pm

Friday

Playgroup - Lochearnhead Hall - 10.00am-12 noon (Contact Mel Brydie 01877 384668)

MARCH 2016 8 12

SWT Talk - Callander - see page 7 Lochearnhead Games Night - see page 2

APRIL 2016 2 Race Nite - Inn in Strathyre - see page 6 11 Lochearnhead Village Hall AGM - see page 2 17 Loch Earn Boat Race - see page 2 Councillor Martin Earl Stirling Council, Old Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET 01786 443497

Mobile 07881 310 922 earlm@stirling.gov.uk Councillor Alycia Hayes Stirling Council, Old Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET 01786 443497

Mobile 07881 310 924 hayesa@stirling.gov.uk Councillor Fergus Wood Stirling Council, Old Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET 01786 443497

Mobile 07824 496 019 woodf@stirling.gov.uk

CHURCH SERVICES Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Strathyre and St. Fillans CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

Balquhidder Parish Church Registered Charity No. SCO12316

Sunday 11.30am Minister: Vacancy Enquiries to Interim Moderator: Revd Terry Ann Taylor 01877 382391 Dundurn Church, St Fillans Sunday11.30am Minister: Rev Graham McWilliams Tel: 01764 671 045

ROMAN CATHOLIC Callander, St Joseph the Worker Sunday 11.30am Saturday Vigil Mass 5.30pm from May through to September Killin, in the Episcopal Church Sunday 2.30pm Father Jim McCruden 2 Ancaster Square, Callander Tel: 01877 330 702

SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH St Angus’s Church, Lochearnhead Every Sunday: Holy Communion at 11.15am.

Second and fifth Sundays in the month: Evensong at 6.00pm Vestry Secretary - Mary Barclay Tel: 01567 830453