Festive Cheer from Community Volunteers

Date: Monday 2 January

Volunteers from Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust (BRDT), supported by award-winning environmental group Blair in Bloom, delivered nearly 80 bowls of spring bulbs to local residents in Blairgowrie and Rattray on Christmas Day.

The move was a special festive treat for members of the town’s Saturday Lunch Club, which is managed by the Trust’s Blairgowrie and Rattray Independent (BaRI) Food Project.

The Saturday Lunch Club first started nearly three years ago during the global coronavirus pandemic as part of efforts to support the local community and reduce social isolation during the initial lockdown period when social groups and organisations had to close their doors.

Each week, soup and a cake, as well as a quiz featuring questions about Blairgowrie and Rattray, is delivered by a team of volunteers to people in the local community.

In 2022 nearly 4000 lunches were delivered to local residents and this was the third Christmas that volunteers have delivered the bulbs.

Blair in Bloom chair Mary Birch said: “We were delighted to get involved in this wonderful initiative once again and show our support to others in the community.

“The Bloom elves planted-up nearly 80 bowls with narcissus bulbs several weeks ago and then wrapped them ready for delivery by volunteers with the town’s Saturday Lunch Club on Christmas Day.

“Hopefully the bulbs will provide a taste of early spring for those involved with the Saturday Lunch Club when they flower.”

Blairgowrie and Glens councillor Caroline Shiers is one of the Saturday Lunch Club volunteers who delivered on Christmas Day.

She said: “This was the third year that Saturday Lunch Club volunteers have dropped off a gift to the lunch club members on Christmas Day.

“Once again Blair in Bloom planted bulbs which were beautifully wrapped and really made the recipients smile.

“I know I speak for all those who deliver the lunches when I say it is an absolute pleasure. “New friendships have been made and sustained over the years the club has been operating.

“There are still opportunities for people to benefit from a delivery of homemade soup and cake each Saturday and anyone interested should contact the BaRI Food Project.”

For more information on the Saturday Lunch Club and other BaRI Food Project initiatives, email barifood@discoverblairgowrie.co.uk

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