Volunteers praised after busy and positive year in Blairgowrie and Rattray

Date: Thursday 28 November

News Release

November, 2024

The thousands of volunteers in Perthshire’s largest town were praised for their efforts in the community at the Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust (BRDT) AGM on Monday, November 25th, 2024.

More than 20 people attended the meeting, which was held in Blairgowrie Town Hall and also saw the election of five new trustees to the board.

Bob Brawn, Laura Gardiner, Peter Thomson, Leith Hill and Shaun Donald were all elected as trustees. Robert Swan was also re-elected as a trustee at the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, BRDT chair Linda Tait reported on what she described as a busy and positive year for the community-led organisation.

She said: “Our work is shaped and led by the community and responds to its changing needs.

“Since the last AGM, we have set up a new organisational structure and operational framework in order to allow us to best serve our community and work towards facilitating the aspirations of the community action plan.

“Our town is the largest in Perthshire with a population of around 10,000 people. We are very fortunate to have more than 2000 volunteers and some 150 community groups and organisations in Blairgowrie and Rattray who make a really positive difference.

“Our thanks go to all of them for all of their efforts in the town, and to the 200 volunteers without whom BRDT would not be able to operate.”

BRDT has a number of core activities including The HEAT Project, Booklore, the BaRI Food Project, Rattray Community Garden, The Hub Magazine and Discover Blairgowrie website, and Biodiversity Blair, all of which aim to contribute to improving the experience of the town for the benefit of all.

The trust works with local people, community groups, businesses, the local authority and other stakeholders to help support and encourage a thriving and attractive town with a strong sense of community and identity and to have a positive impact for those who live, work and visit Blairgowrie and Rattray.

Linda continued: “It has been an absolute privilege to be chair of BRDT this past year. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the trustees and the management team, and I am delighted to welcome our new trustees to the board – they bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise, experience and enthusiasm with them which is fantastic.

“Looking ahead to next year, we will continue to work with the community towards facilitating the priorities outlined in the Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Action Plan and those that are being highlighted by our community in the Local Place Plan.

“We will continue to listen to the community and empower people to inspire and initiate change, to advance environmental protection, and to raise awareness of the exceptional local environment, businesses, culture, heritage, and history that we are so lucky to be surrounded by.

“We are always keen to hear from people who have ideas for the future of the town or who would like to get involved either with the trust itself or by volunteering with any of our projects – get in touch and let’s work towards securing a bright future for our town!”

There will be an update on the progress that has been made on the Local Place Plan for Blairgowrie and Rattray at a meeting on Monday, December 9th , at 7pm in the St Catharine’s Centre on George Street. Everyone is welcome to come along and find out more.

For further information on BRDT see the website at www.brdt.org.uk or email admin@discoverblairgowrie.co.uk

Local residents and representatives from local groups can also find out more about what’s going on in the town by attending the monthly catch-up meetings and the quarterly forum meetings which take place online and are open to everyone. For the link to attend, email admin@discoverblairgowrie.co.uk

For further information or media enquiries, please contact Clare McMicking on 07514 343 042 or clare@craicncommunications.scot