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For a small place we've a lot of news going on! We've had stories
covered by reporters from the BBC to the Perthshire Advertiser,
and blogs and sites around the world! Here's a glimpse through
our archives.
2008
2007
October 2008
Glenfarg sweeps the boards at community awards
Glenfarg has won two categories in the coveted Perthshire
Positive Action Awards 2008. The annual Perthshire Positive
Action Awards recognise and showcase the skills, talents and
enterprise of people across Perth and Kinross Council area.
In the ‘Young People’ category, members of Glenfarg
and Duncrieve in Bloom took the top honours. Sponsored by
Perth and Kinross Quality of Life Trust, this award recognises
young people’s contribution to enhance their community
and their enterprising spirit. It focuses on young people
who have volunteered in environmental activities. Three Duke
of Edinburgh Award candidates, Amy, Catriona and Campbell
also received £10 HMV gift cards recognising their input
to Glenfarg and Duncrievie in Bloom. Donald McKenzie, chairman
of Glenfarg and Duncrievie in Bloom, ably assisted by Amy
and Campbell, gave an excellent presentation to the assembly
on the work of the group and in particular the work of the
youngsters on Glenfarg Green and at the school wildlife garden.
In the ‘Community Asset’ category – sponsored
by Perth and Kinross Quality of Life Trust – Glenfarg
Village Hall Association took the honours. This award recognises
community groups who have invested time and effort in improving
local community assets such as village halls, which play a
key part in local community life. The group must have raised
funding through own fundraising and/or grants, and the project
must have taken into account the impact on the wider environment
(eg energy efficiency, use of environment friendly material)
and facility users (eg disability access). Members demonstrated
an understanding of how to manage a village hall to be more
sustainable, both in decisions on how it should be constructed
and then managed once built. Judges felt that the long-term
commitment required to raise funds for this project demonstrated
good community spirit. Sue Sadler of the Village Hall Committee
gave a presentation on the amazing efforts of her group in
achieving the seemingly impossible, resulting in a first class
village amenity.
Well done to everyone involved in once again demonstrating
the outstanding community spirit of our village at all ages.
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September
2008
It's official! Our new hall is now open
After a 15 year wait, and a £350,000 appeal, the
doors were officially opened to our new hall in great
pomp and ceremony. Even the weather was kind to us as
more than 200 people packed Greenbank Road to enjoy our
street party and festive atmosphere. It was also the first
time many villagers and visitors had the chance to see
inside the new facilities. Scores of people also took
the chance throughout the week to visit the Memories of
Glenfarg exhibition, with artifacts from the 19th century
from around the community. |
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The celebrations finished with a world
recorder setting attempt for the most couples ever to
dance the Glenfarg Station, written by local Scottish
Highland Dance expert Robin Lambie.
More than 140 people took part, smashing the previous
record of 100 people and providing the perfect finish
to a perfect celebration for our Hall for All!
COMING SOON! WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE! |
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August 2008
20 August: Exhibition organisers appeal for help
An appeal has gone out for anyone with photographs, images or
video of Glenfarg to lend it to the organisers of the Memories
of Glenfarg exhibition, which will be unveiled to celebrate
the official opening of the Glenfarg Village Hall on Saturday
6 September. Read our press release for more information.
5 August 2008: Village in full flush for In Bloom judging
Donald MacKenzie, Chairman of Glenfarg and Duncrievie in Bloom,
has offered his appreciation to all who have played their part
in ensuring the village looked its best for the Pride in Perthshire
awards scheme judging which was held today.
He commented: "It's not just about being part of Pride
in Perthshire, but about the pride we have in our community
and our wish to improve our environment in and around our community
in the long-term. However, judging day does provide a particular
focus for all of us. Today seemed to go well. But, of course
we won't know how well it went until the awards ceremony on
10 September.
"Once you sit down and total up the number of people from
within Glenfarg and Duncrievie who have contributed some of
their time to this community effort, it is impressive."
Donald added that while he did not want to single out individuals
for their contribution, he paid tribute to the efforts of Amy
Peacock, Catriona Donaldson and Campbell Vaughan. He explained:
"In an age when our society is overly concerned with criticising
young people, the involvement of these three, as part of their
Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme work, not only impressed the
judge today, but has shown all of us that there are young people
who care about their environment. Every bit of the community
looked super."
We will bring you news of any successes at the awards ceremony
in September.
2 August 2008: New Hall hosts its first wedding!
The stunning new Glenfarg village hall hosted a beautiful summer
wedding on Saturday 2 August - the first day of opening after
£350,000 of major building development. Tamsin Kinnaird,
from Greenbank Road in the village, married Neil Morgan from
Broughty Ferry at Arngask Parish Church. The couple then welcomed
more than 100 guests to a sparkling champagne reception in the
hall's new meeting room, before having photographs taken in
the award-winning Glenfarg Green next to the hall while guests
enjoyed a finger buffet in the main hall. Photographs from the
day will be online as soon as possible. Mr and Mrs Morgan are
now honeymooning in Bora Bora and New York.
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June 2008
21 June 2008: Plans for biggest and best summer fete ever!
Organisers of Glenfarg's summer fete are planning on staging
one of the biggest and best fetes the village has ever seen
on Saturday 21 June. Starting with a prize-winning fancy dress
parade for all ages from the village hall at 1pm, the afternoon
will continue with a day to remember at Wallace Park from 2pm
to 5pm. Highlights include Perth-based samba band Rhythm
Wave, wine tent, gymnastics display, terrier racing,
dance show, obstacle course, champion wellie throwing and Glenfarg's
first ever blow-up pub! More information on our events
page.
June 2008: New headmistress for Arngask Primary School
Lynn Strachan has been appointed as the new head teacher of
Glenfarg's Arngask Primary School. Originally from Fife, with
close family ties to the Isle of Skye, Mrs Strachan has taught
in a number of schools and colleges across Scotland. Known as
a bit of an eco-warrior, Mrs Strachan is also known for taking
part in a range of charity fundraising events such as the Edinburgh
Moonwalk in June.
June 2008: Arngask Parish
Church welcomes new minister
The Rev Alec Wark has taken up his charge as minister
of the linked charge of Abernethy, Dron and Arngask Parish
- making him the new Church of Scotland minister for Glenfarg.
Mr Wark, who is looking forward to getting to know the
community, was a civil servant before answering the call
to the ministry. He comes to Glenfarg's Arngask Church
most recently from Renfrew, but the ministry has taken
him from Larkhall to Rotterdam prior to his call to Glenfarg.
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January 2008
31 January 2008: Call for support as Glenfarg decides on
future of community shop co-operative
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In the fight to retain our last remaining
local shop, a public meeting will be held next week in
a bid to help shape the future of the proposed new community-owned,
not for profit shop. In the six months since the current
owner of the local shop announced plans to give up the
business, grassroots support for opening a community-owned
not for profit store in Glenfarg has grown. |
The community now faces its first official step on the road
to opening its own shop as a public meeting to approve setting
up the legal co-operative required to run the proposed new community
business has been called. The meeting, which will take place
in Arngask Parish Church, Glenfarg, at 7.30pm on Thursday 7
February, will be chaired by Donald MacKenzie, chairman of the
Glenfarg Community Shop Initiative (GCSI). More than 400 homes
in the area have been leafleted about the meeting to encourage
a positive turnout. All welcome. Find out more on our Community
Shop page.
29 January 2008: Volunteer Learning Officer wanted
for village hall!
Can you help our fantastic new village hall fulfill its potential
as a key learning and conference venue for rural Perthshire?
Can you give a few hours each month to ensure our facilities
are highlighted to a range of education providers and make
sure our free slots are booked up with courses from Art History
to Yoga? If so, the Glenfarg Public Hall Association would
like to hear from you. Help make our new hall a success in
2008! Get in touch via our contact
page today.
15 January 2008: Glenfarg Playschool closes
The Glenfarg Village Playschool has closed for the last time
after enrollment dropped to an all-time low. Challenges of a
temporary venue during village hall renovations and dropping
attendance of children and parents signalled the end of the
32-year-old group in the village. For the full story, buy this
month's issue of the Glenfarg Newsletter.
10 January 2008: Your Newsletter needs YOU!
Can you spare a few hours each month to help keep the people
of Glenfarg in touch with all the news, events and activities
happening in our exciting village? Keen to be part of a fun,
friendly team? Enjoy the challenge of working to deadlines?
Want to get to know more folk in the village? If so, the Glenfarg
Newsletter editorial team are really keen to hear from you!
Our band of merry roving reporters are looking for new members
to join the team in 2008. You don't need to have any experience
of writing for newsletters or publications, just a keen eye
for detail and a good grasp of English!
Want to know more? The next meeting will be held on Tuesday
15 January in the village. If you can attend, or want
to know more about how you can help make 2008 a great year for
our popular publication, contact the Glenfarg Newsletter by
email on editor@glenfargnewsletter.org.uk
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December 2007
1 December 2007: Glenfarg Village Playschool appeals for support
An appeal has gone out to families of young children in and
around Glenfarg to support the Village Playschool, amid fears
that it may not remain open into 2008.
In an article in the Glenfarg Newsletter, Alison Coyne, chairwoman
of Glenfarg Village Playschool, outlined the difficulties: "Over
the years the Playschool has experienced occasional financial
problems, especially recently as numbers have fallen due to
the opening of the school nursery. Despite this, we have consistently
provided an excellent play and learning environment. Our HMI
and Care Commission inspections yield glowing reports."
She added: "While we are looking for support, either practical
or financial, or anyone who can help us to keep the playgroup
open in Glenfarg until the hall reopens, if we don’t get
any more children attending - and the support of parents - then
we won’t make it to Easter. There’s little else
we can do."
If you can offer support, or would like to enroll your child
in the Playschool, please contact the Glenfarg
Village Playschool.
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November 2007
13 November 2007: Glenfarg pupils help provide foundations
for the future!
| Children from Arngask Primary School in
Glenfarg have played their part in history by burying
a time-capsule in the foundations of our new £350,000
public hall regeneration project. Originally built as
Glenfarg’s school more than 100 years ago, work
started on the site of the ambitious village hall extension
in October after a 15 year wait. After an invitation to
bury a time-capsule from the Glenfarg Public Hall Association,
the school jumped at the chance to provide a unique link
between the past, present and future of the hall. |
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More than 80 pupils from the nursery and primary school took
part in collecting items for the time-capsule.
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October 2007
22 October 2007: We're on the Beeb and in the news again!
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With excitement high the BBC covered the
news that after a 15 year wait work had finally started
on building our new village hall extension. The Perthshire
Advertiser, which has a keen interest in our ongoing success,
also ran the article. |
Visit the BBC website to
read the story here. The Perthshire Advertiser article is
online here.
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September
2007
19 September 2007: hundreds leafleted in shop initiative
Hundreds of homes across Glenfarg, Duncrievie, Drunzie
and Arngask have received leaflets and questionnaires
through their letterboxes as part of the plans to investigate
the potential to provide a not-for-profit community owned
shop in the community. The views of all those who respond
by Monday 1 October either
online or through the printed questionnaire which can
be returned to the shop in Ladeside will be used to decide
on how to take the exciting project forward by the Glenfarg
Community Shop Initiative. Want to know more, take the
opportunity to fill in the questionnaire online or donate
your expertise to the initiative? Visit our community
shop page. |
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14 September 2007: Winners again at Pride in Perthshire
awards!
It was a fantastic week for our community as Glenfarg and Duncrievie
in Bloom was awarded second place in the 2007 Pride in Perthshire
awards in the large village category! The talented green-fingered
enthusiasts fought off stiff competition from other villages
including Milnathort, Aberfeldy, Errol and Kinnesswood to scoop
the joint second place prize with our neighbours in Bridge of
Earn. The village came 4th in last year's inaugural entry to
the competition.
Newly painted phone box: one of the In Bloom successes!
|
Kate Armstrong, of Glenfarg and Duncrievie
in Bloom, explained that the judges assessed not only
the blooming lovely floral displays, but a host of contributing
factors including litter pick ups, environmental projects,
sponsorship and individual and voluntary organisation
involvement e.g. scouts and brownies. She added that
publicity from the activities, achievements and hard
work of all those involved also contributed to the village's
success. From the Public Hall Association and all in
the community, a big well done and thank you to all
for making our community a winner.
Want to know more about Glenfarg and Duncrievie in Bloom
or can donate some time or greenhouse space to ensuring
our success continues in 2008? Visit our In
bloom! area. |
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August 2007
Wednesday 8 August: Pride in Perthshire judging takes place
You don't have to be a Glenfarg and Duncrievie in Bloom volunteer
to help the village be blooming marvellous for judging next
week (although more volunteers are always welcome!) You can
do your bit by simply tidying up round your own garden, if you
can, before Wednesday 8 August. If you need a hand, why not
knock on your neighbour's door and ask for some help? It's amazing
what the promise of a coffee and a friendly chat can achieve!
Thanks to everyone who is doing their bit for our brilliant
village - your efforts are very much appreciated by all.
Sunday 29 July and 5 August: Glenfarg and Duncrievie in
Bloom - the big tidy up!
After a winning start to Glenfarg and Duncrievie in bloom last
year, there's more to do over the next couple of weeks ahead
of the visit from the Pride in Perthshire
judges who will be assessing our village on Wednesday
8 August.
| We're going to have another
blitz on Sunday 29 July and we'd love to have you along!
We'll also be doing a final litter clean-up and tidy-up
on Sunday 5 August. If you can help for an hour or more
on Sunday 29 July in particular, our band of helpers will
be meeting outside the Glenfarg Hotel at 1:30pm. You can
even choose the task you’d like to be involved in,
and it’s the perfect opportunity to meet folk for
a blether! |
Some of our green-fingered team!
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July 2007 news
24 July 2007: Date set for village hall closure
On Friday, 3 August 2007 Glenfarg
Public Hall will close for demolition and building works. User
groups should please ensure that all storage areas are cleared
by that date. Apologies for the
disruption of activities – but look forward to a fantastic
facility in 2008! Click here to read
about the major regeneration project.
5 July 2007: BBC highlights Glenfarg appeal, again!
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Building on our major media campaign to
keep our village hall regeneration plans a hot topic,
the BBC website today again gave precious web space to
our latest press release about our fantastic £40,000
in 40 Day achievement. You can email the story to a friend
from the BBC site, so tell your friends and family around
the world our success! And remember, if you haven't already,
it's not to late to donate to the appeal: 'buy'
a brick today!
Click here to read the BBC website. |
1 July 2007: £40,00 in 40 Day Appeal hits its ambitious
target - a day early!
Thanks to overwhelming generosity throughout our community,
and in fact across the globe, the green for work to start on
the Glenfarg Village Hall Regeneration Project has been given!
Donations from £1 to several thousands were received by
the Village Hall Committee during our ambitious £40,000
in 40 Days Appeal, and every penny counted. A full list of those
who donated will be online shortly, but in the meantime, a
huge big thank you goes
out to everyone who donated what they could and also those who
helped make this appeal a success - from those who canvassed
our local businesses, cap in hand, to the volunteers who braved
heavy summer rain to collect donation envelopes earlier this
month. We couldn't have done it without you! The fundraising
doesn't stop now though! Our Another
Brick in the Wall Campaign initiative goes on
to ensure that we can furnish the hall to the highest standards
and keep the facility at the heart of our proud and vibrant
community for many generations to come. To find out how you
can still donate, and to download one of our Another Brick in
the Wall donation forms, visit our Village
Hall pages.
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June 2007 news
29 June 2007: Save Our Shop!
| Glenfarg Community Council is organising
a meeting on Friday 6 July at 7pm in the Village Hall
to determine what interest there is in retaining a shop
in the village following the announcement that it, along
with our Post Office, is to close. Community Council chairman,
Colin Campbell, will chair the meeting and shop owner
and Post Master Grant Smith will be speaking. |
|
The Community Council also hopes that a person from the successful
Gartmore Village Shop Committee in Stirlingshire will be present
to explain what a community owned shop is and what has to be
done to set one up. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting.
If you are unable to, please send your views to Glenfarg Community
Council secretary, Alex Johnston, via email on secretary@glenfargcc.org.uk
or hand them into the shop.
19 June 2007: Perthshire Advertiser promotes call for final
push!
Thanks to a major PR campaign by the Village Hall Regeneration
Appeal team, our appeal stays on the pages of our local newspaper,
the Perthshire Advertiser! Read
the article in full here on the PA website.
10 June 2007: Businesses urged to support fundraising campaign
Following the overwhelming support from the people of Glenfarg,
Duncrievie, Drunzie and Arngask for the ambitious regeneration
project for the village hall, the Hall Committee is stepping
up its appeal for essential funds for the regeneration of the
hall by approaching a range of local, national and international
companies. A number of businesses have already been very supportive
and the committee is very grateful of their support. Full details
about our supports large and small will be available online
as soon as possible. Can your
company help? Please visit our Village
Hall pages to find out how.
7 June 2007: Community digs deep for the £40,000 in
40 Days Appeal
Even heavy summer rain showers couldn't dampen the spirits of
those who dug deep this week as they stepped up to help the
appeal to raise funds to ensure the Village Hall Regeneration
Project meet its 30 June and £350,000 deadline! Hundreds
of people throughout the community supported the innovative
Another Brick in
the Wall Campaign. Donations from
£1 to 'buy' a brick, to more than £100
towards sponsoring a cooker for the new hall project, were received.
A great big thank you to all those
who donated and for the volunteers who braved the rain to collect
the envelopes! You can still donate to the appeal by downloading
a form on the Village Hall pages. Please
help us make our target and ensure the future of the hall for
many generations to come.
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May 2007 news
23 May 2007: Local newspaper supports village hall appeal
The Perthshire Advertiser has supported the £40,000 in
40 Days Appeal by running an article on the campaign to raise
essential funds to enable to major regeneration project of the
hall continue. Read the article in full from the PA online
here.
17 May 2007: Glenfarg village hall appeal goes global on
the BBC!
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The £40,000 in 40 Days Appeal to help
secure the future of the village hall has gone global
thanks to a massive publicity campaign which has seen
our appeal featured on the BBC news website! Click
here to read the article in full. |
16 May 2007: The £40,000 in 40 days Appeal
The final push is on for the Village Hall
Committee to raise the last amount of cash required in
order to secure the exciting and vibrant future for our
hall. Visit the Village Hall page to find out more and
donate now.
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We only have 40 days to raise £40,000 to add to our fantastic
current fundraising tally of £310,000 - and every little
helps!
16 May 2007: Another Brick in the Wall Campaign
Want to make your mark on our village hall for generations to
come? The why not 'buy' a brick in our fun Another
Brick in the Wall Campaign. For just £1
you could contribute, literally, to firm foundations to ensure
the essential regeneration of the Glenfarg Village Hall for
everyone in the community. Feeling flush? Then dig deep and
donate £25 for a toilet - or £250 or more to help
raise our roof! All contributions help in our final push to
raise £40,000 in 40 days. Click here
to read the full story so far on our Village Hall page.
Download the fundraising form here:
Word
format [35KB]
Rich text format [34KB]
15 May 2007: Glenfarg.org is launched!
The new community portal website, containing a host of information
about the attractions, history, news and clubs and associations
of this vibrant Perthshire community is launched by the Glenfarg
Village Hall Committee.
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We hope you enjoy our website. Please contact
us if you would like any information added to these
pages or would like to find out more about booking the
village hall for your event. |
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