Countdown is on for Blairgowrie and Rattray community groups showcase event

Date: Monday 20 May

News Release
May 2024

Countdown is on for Blairgowrie and Rattray community groups showcase event Final preparations are under way for a free showcase event highlighting the many volunteer-led activities that take place in Blairgowrie and Rattray.

The event, which is this Saturday, May 25, from 1pm to 4.30pm in Blairgowrie Parish Church Hall on James Street in the east Perthshire town, is being organised by Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust (BRDT) and provides community groups, event organisers and associations in Blairgowrie and Rattray with an opportunity to highlight the work they are doing in the town.

Lesley McDonald is operations officer with BRDT. She said: “We’re delighted that some 40 community organisations have signed up to take part in the event, providing visitors with information and updates on the work that the many hardworking volunteers in the town do, as well as an opportunity to get involved with some of the initiatives and projects carried out by the groups.

“Whether you are interested in supporting the development of the town as a board member of BRDT, or in coaching young people in sporting activities, crocheting with like-minded people over a cuppa or delivering soup with the Saturday Lunch Club, we’re sure there is a group that will appeal to you!”

One of the organisations that will be attendance is the Our Heritage Group. Graeme Berry said: “Events like this are a great chance to organically discover synergies and shared goals that we might not always appreciate. With limited time, it’s often difficult to look beyond our specific focus so a forum to promote discussions and exchange ideas between groups and people is a welcome addition to the calendar.

“As a relatively new organisation within the town, it’s also a great opportunity to informally update people on the work we’re doing, which for us right now is mostly behind the scenes, foundational stuff.

“Finally it’s very important for us to be able to connect with the public directly to get feedback on what people want to see delivered in terms of the heritage offering in the town.”

Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Climate Café and the local Repair Café will also be at the event. Kay Seal commented: “Both the Climate Café and the Repair Café are looking forward to sharing information about what we do locally.

“Our aims are to put caring for the environment at the heart of all local activities and events. This is a great opportunity for us to give the folk of Blair and Rattray up-to-date information about us.

“The Town Event brings many local groups together. Some may already link up with our two groups, but it will be a good chance to put names to faces and to share ideas and plans with others.”

Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Football Trust is also looking forward to attending the Town Event. A spokesperson said: “We have so much to share with the community – our phase two development of the facilities at Davie Park, the regular activities on offer and the number of people who attend events.

“We are also actively looking for people to get involved with the Trust and are seeking to recruit Trustees and committee members. If you have some time, are interested in supporting football development, health and wellbeing and the development of our club then we look forward to hearing from you and meeting you at the event.”

The first Town Event organised by BRDT took place in the autumn of 2022.

Brian Campbell from the Blairgowrie and Rattray Access Network (BRAN) said: “At the last Town Event BRAN attracted a lot of interest from the public, and it gave us the chance interact with visitors to the stand and handout leaflets detailing local walks. It was also good to be able to interact with other volunteer groups. We’re looking forward to being able to raise awareness of BRAN again at this year’s event and hopefully recruit some more volunteers.”

And Shaun Donald, community engagement youth worker for the Strathmore Centre for Youth Development (SCYD), added: “The Town Event is a fantastic opportunity to promote SCYD’s services to the public.

“We work hard all year round to provide free services for young people and their community. It can be hard to make it known to the rest of the town what we have achieved, so this platform is a huge help to raise awareness.

“We look forward to setting up a stall alongside other great community groups and organisations and hearing about what great work happens in Blairgowrie and the surrounding area.”

The Blair Ukes will also be at the event this weekend. Jane Ward commented: “The Town Event is an opportunity to meet and connect with the many community groups in Blairgowrie and Rattray and in this age of social media, emails and texts it is important to connect face to face, share ideas to improve the place we call home and support each other.

“We have a diverse range of community groups all working extremely hard in town and the positives of a healthy community are immense, not least in terms of the wellbeing of individuals.

“Why not pop in for a visit - you will be amazed at all the work being done by local groups. Be proud and become involved in your town!”

ENDS For further information or media enquiries, please contact Clare McMicking on 07514 343 042 or media@brdt.org.uk

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