The October Coffee Morning is always the last one of the year (other things happen in November and December) and it was good to see so many people turning out on a damp and drizzly morning.  We were joined half way through by the Walking Group, who were somewhat wet and ready for a nice hot mug of coffee along with some tasty goodies from the table.

There was a great turn-out and, along with the regulars, there were some first-timers, which is always good to see.

Next month, we’ll be serving coffee in the hall after the Remembrance Day Service (see below for details).

Cow Park Update

As widely promoted, a meeting took place on the 8^th October to discuss the offer from the current owner to sell the Cow Park to the village community. Thirty people attended the meeting, and a number of others who were unable to attend had responded by email. There was a very constructive discussion of the pros and cons of the proposal, of the research that has been carried out so far, and of both the short and long term implications of community ownership of this significant piece of land.

There was a majority in favour of looking further into the issues and it was agreed that a Steering Group would be formed to develop a more detailed Plan, so that an informed decision could be taken by the community.

The Steering Group will: follow up the opportunities for grant funding and the offers of support from various agencies that have already been identified in order to quantify them more exactly; identify and assess the risks that might be associated with a purchase; decide the most appropriate legal structure (eg a Trust or a Community Interest Company) and develop a plan that covers what needs to be done to both acquire the land and manage it in the medium to long term.

A number of people volunteered for the Steering Group either at the meeting or afterwards.  Sue Gardener will circulate an update about the meeting and Steering Group  to all properties in the village, either by email or hard copy.

Keep Fit this Winter!

Fran Gillespie has been in touch to tell us that a qualified instructor from LIveActive Leisure Ltd, Perth will be holding weekly one-hour exercise classes in the Molteno Hall, Fortingall, on Tuesdays at 10.00 am, starting on Tuesday November 1^st and continuing through until Easter, with a break of course at Christmas.

LiveActive can offer aerobics, stretch and tone yoga-type classes or pilates. It’s up to participants to decide what they’d prefer, so come along on Tuesday November 1^st for a FREE one-hour ‘taster session’ of chair-based exercises, stretching and strength. We will then discuss what type of exercises we’d like the classes to continue with. The charge per class will be £4.50 per session and a minimum of 8 weekly participants is required for the classes to be viable.

If you miss the ‘taster session’ on 1st November, don’t worry, just turn up at the Molteno Hall on Tuesdays at 10.00 am. All are welcome.

Book Club

The next meeting of the Book Club will be on Wednesday 19th October at 7.30pm in the Hall. The book choice is The Lie by C L Taylor.

Coming Up Soon

There will be a short Service of Remembrance at the Fearnan Memorial on Sunday 13th November at 11.00am, after which the FVA will be serving coffee in the village hall.  There will be a collection for Help for Heroes.

We’ll be marking the start of the Christmas season with Mulled Wine and Mince Pies on Saturday 3rd December from 15.00 – 17.00.