Donations made to local good causes

Date: Friday 1 September

Pictured are, back row from left, Ruth Brand, Chris McCLeery and Anne Driscott from Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Civic Trust; front row from left, William Wilson from Blair in Bloom, Teresa Donaldson from Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust, Meg Luckins from the Civic Trust and Brian Campbell from Blairgowrie and Rattray Access Network (BRAN)

Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust (BRDT) has facilitated the donation of funds to three community groups in the town as one of its oldest volunteer groups has been wound up.

Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Civic Trust, founded in 1976 to preserve the history and character of the town, its people, places and spaces, formally disbanded recently after nearly 50 years.

And those behind the Civic Trust chose to donate its surplus funds to three local volunteer-led community groups.

Through BRDT, the Civic Trust donated a total of £1650 to be split between Blair in Bloom, the Blairgowrie and Rattray Access Network (BRAN) and the Guide Hall rebuilding fund.

Meg Luckins from the Civic Trust said: “I can confirm that the organisation has been wound up after serving the interests of the people of this district for nearly 50 years.

“The aims of the Civic Trust were designed to encourage public interest in, and care for, the beauty, history and character of Blairgowrie and Rattray and the surrounding district.

“Its honorary president was the late Sir William Macpherson of Cluny who encouraged the Trust to focus on the people, places and spaces of this area.

“In accordance with the terms of the Trust’s constitution, on being wound up ‘the available funds of the Trust shall be transferred to such one or more charitable bodies having objects similar to those herein before declared and may be chosen by the Committee’.

“As the Trust was a registered Scottish charity the committee notified OSCR of the intention to wind up the organisation and OSCR declared that this process could be concluded with the transfer of assets to Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust.

“The charitable bodies selected by the committee to receive these funds were BRAN, Blair in Bloom and the Guide Hall rebuilding fund.

“The committee is pleased to be able to pass on these funds to these three very worthwhile organisations and delighted that the donations will help them to carry on with the good work that they do in the town, reflecting the aims and objectives of the Civic Trust.”

Teresa Donaldson is chair of BRDT. She said: “While it is sad to see any group wind up, it is heartening that the Civic Trust committee chose to support three other volunteer-led community organisations in the town by making these donations.

“BRDT’s work is led by the community for the community and we work with local people, community groups, businesses and the local authority to help create a thriving and attractive town with a strong sense of community and identity.

“The fact that BRDT is here and able to facilitate and support local groups in so many different ways - whether they are just starting out, are well-established or sadly deciding to wrap up - is important for the town and the community.”

Thanking the Civic Trust for the donation, chair of Blair In Bloom, William Wilson, said: “This fabulous donation is gratefully appreciated and will be put to blooming good use!

“We will use the funds to purchase some perennial plants for the town so it will have a lasting impact for residents and visitors to the area alike.”

And Gill Oakes from the local Girlguiding Association added: “We are very grateful to the Civic Trust for this donation to our new Guide Hall on Emma Street.

“We had our first meetings in the new building last week and the girls - and the leaders - all loved it.

“We have still got some fundraising to do but are nearly there now after six years, which is great.”

Brian Campbell from BRAN commented: “The donation that we have been given will be put to good use, supporting us in our efforts to maintain some 32 miles of paths in the local area for the benefit of the estimated 4000 or so walkers who use them. We are very grateful to the Civic Trust for thinking of us.”

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