Concerns have been raised recently regarding the impact that the Perth Northern Bypass may have on traffic volumes using the B953 through Abernyte. Information on the Bypass is available below.
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Concerns have been raised recently regarding the impact that the Perth Northern Bypass may have on traffic volumes using the B953 through Abernyte. Information on the Bypass is available below.
The Scottish Government has overturned the proposal by Perth and Kinross Council to close Abernyte Primary School. The full decision is given below. It is quite a large file so please allow it time to load.
Representation on the impact on the community of Abernyte of the proposed closure of Abernyte Primary School. (Perth & Kinross Council, Education and Children’s Services, PROPOSAL PAPER October 2018)
Submitted by Abernyte Community Interest Company (note 1 ) on behalf of the community.
This representation concentrates on the effect of the possible closure on the community and does not repeat the arguments made by the Parents Council against closure. The Community company as the representative body for the whole community, fully endorses all the arguments made by the Parents Council in seeking to avoid closure of the school .
BACKGROUND
Conclusions
1.The school is a real hub of community life which would either cease or be diminished by being required to move elsewhere.
1.1 The school has been at the centre of village life since at least 1829 and the present building since 1906. ( see chapter 4 of “Abernyte, The Quiet Revolution” Note 2)
1.2 Recent usage,
3.The loss of the school and the potential families will have a detrimental effect on the wider economy, the structure and cohesion of the community of Abernyte.
3.1 Abernyte has been described as a Model community by many visitors, its various activities and projects have demonstrated a level of cohesion and participation sadly lacking in many rural communities. Nearly all of these activities have involved the school as a base for meetings, the participation of the school children and staff, and use of the grounds and storage of community assets.
4.The closure may encourage families with school children to leave Abernyte or discourage young families from moving to Abernyte.
4.1 There are two complete family houses and one incomplete site ,some 50 metres from the school gates which have been unsold for nearly three years. It is believed that the threat of closure of the school is one factor influencing the marketability of the properties.
4.2 The Parents Council have evidence on the negative effects on families considering schooling.
The consultation with the Abernyte community has been superficial and lacked commitment to obtain the views of the residents, particularly those not connected to the parents council.
Three examples illustrate-
(A CIC) owns the playing field. This is incorrect, it is privately owned, just about anyone in the village would have been able to correct that statement if asked.
The Options Paper did not consider reducing the capacity of the school. Good practice in any asset management situation where there is surplus capacity is to attempt to reduce the capacity or use the surplus for other revenue raising activities.
This representation has been made by the elected Directors of Abernyte Community Interest Company.
Signed on their behalf,
Malcolm McSwan, Company Secretary, Abernyte Community Interest Company
Latch House, Abernyte,PH14 9SU. (Registered Office)
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NOTE 1. Abernyte CIC. The present community interest company resulted from the amalgamation of the Abernyte Heritage Group with the original community company to form one organization to promote the interests of the community. The heritage group dates from 1988 and its main meetings were held in the school. The present company is a company limited by guarantee and a registered community interest company (SC 301351}. It is managed by a board of directors elected at the annual general meeting held in the school. A majority of the residents of Abernyte are members.
NOTE 2. In 2008 the Abernyte Heritage Group worked with Dr Mary Young to research, write and publish the short book “ Abernyte,The Quiet Revolution “, published by Perth and Kinross Libraries & Lifelong Learning. This book has proved to be a valuable contribution to Scotlands twentieth century history and the changes in village life in rural lowland Scotland. Many members of the Community assisted with meetings in the school and researched school and other records.
At the 2019 Abernyte Festival the visitors, young and old, were invited to participate in the Abernyte 2019 Word Harvest.
How did it work?
They choose a ping pong ball at random on which a letter was written - no peeking!
You then added one word to a poem or short phrase, starting with that letter.
The word should have an association with those that preceded it.
A...bale of hay for horses Z...zebras too Y..yay! A...autumn leaves falling J...just the sound of birds makes me laugh A...windy day in Abernyte A... anchor the season here I...images of digging F...Findlay flying H...harvest time
B...buckets full H...happy children playing games B...bans of brothers, sisters too D...drawing in the shortening days J...jollifications in the bike shed J...jam and bread B...beneath the harvest moon, a turning page
Y...yellowing in the twilight of our days Y...you K...keep time in your pocket W...winter whispers in the Q...quickening air B...buzz bees elegantly floating through the air O...over the wind washed hills
G...glowing moon in full pregnant glory O...orange moon G...good girl F...feisty friend Q...quintessial [sic] Y...yawning dogs lazying in the sun D...dancing wildly in the wind C..oh Carol! S...seasons changing with the sun
J...joy is playing in the fields N...never take for granted B...being happy W...wonderful wild flowers N...natural nature C...corn cut A...apple X...extreme spelling.
The sun shone brightly upon Abernyte Playing Field for the hugely successful 2018 Abernyte Festival.
The competition results are as follows:
Children’s Competition
Tallest Sunflower 1st Claire McGoldrick 2nd Ellen Lacoux 3rd Angus Kerr
Funniest Veg 1st Ellen Lacoux 2nd Rosie Duncan
Drawing of a Flower 1st Eleanor Campbell 2nd Finlay White 3rd Charlie White
Adults
Veg most proud of growing John Barton
Selection of Salad Veg John Barton
Tomatoes on the Vine John Barton
Selection of 3 different veg Gordon Nicoll
3 squash John Barton
6 Sweet Peas Gordon Nicoll
Floral Arrangement for V&A Elizabeth White Special Prize Bill White
Plate of 10 soft fruit Phil Lacoux
Plate of 4 stone fruit Gordon Nicoll
Pot of herbs Claudia Lacoux
Best in Show silver trophy for a Plate of 10 figs Claudia and Phil Lacoux
Hearty congratulations to them on a superb plate of figs!
Potato Growing Competition
On 18.9.1918, The Dundee Courier had an article, which said: “Mr Greig, Blacksmith, Abernyte, has dug up a potato of the British Queen variety which turns the scale at over 3lbs. (1.36kg). Is this a record?”
Not to be outdone, the residents of Abernyte took part in a competition, which involved growing a single seed potato in a container of their choice. Caithness Potatoes provided the seed of the variety Sunrise, bred by Zella Doig of Old Fargie, Glenfarg.
Highest yield:
1st Ian Duncan 5.8kg
2nd Maya King 4.9kg
3rd Elizabeth White 4.1kg
Heaviest potato:
1st Elizabeth White 556g
2nd Ian Duncan 526g
3rd Maya King 478g
Bonniest potato:
1st Lucy Lacoux
2nd Malcolm MaSwan
3rd Gordon Carr
Wheelbarrow competition
Best decorated: 1st Bea Melrum, 2nd Aiofe Neville, 3rd Finlay Neville
Race: 1st Claire and Lewis McGoldrick (defending champions from last year), 2nd Bea Meldrum and Carlo Lacoux, 3rd Finlay and Fergus Neville
News and information related to Abernyte Church. The church website can be seen here.