Upper Tay Transport – Community Lifts

Ros Grant writes:

The Upper Tay Transport Group started Community Lifts during the Covid pandemic, operating within the recommended health guidelines.  Now well established the scheme covers the Upper Tay community with over 30 volunteer drivers across the area (www.uppertaytransport.org). 

Based in Aberfeldy, the scheme which incorporated volunteer hospital lifts, aims to help people who do not have access to transport either regularly or occasionally, for example if your car is out of action, to get to appointments, social events or to the shops.  To use the scheme, you need to register by phoning or texting 07388 236 233 or emailing info@uppertaytransport.org and then you can start to request lifts.  

The Scheme’s Co-ordinator, Eileen Merry runs the day-to-day requests for lifts and then seeks drivers via a dedicated WhatsApp Group.  When requesting a lift, you should give as much notice as possible, at least 48 hours before a journey so that a volunteer driver can be found.   Your journey should then be confirmed at least 24 hours beforehand.   Passengers pay expenses for the lift at 40p/mile and any parking charges.  Lifts are not limited to the Upper Tay area, for example a lift to Edinburgh or Glasgow can be requested but would depend on finding a volunteer driver.

Anyone who would like to volunteer as a driver must be 18 years and over, although no upper age limit applies.  The requirements are that you must have a full UK driving licence, be fully insured, and have a vehicle with a valid MOT certificate and undertake a Disclosure check.  Other basic training, e.g. first aid can also be undertaken.   One volunteer driver lives in the Fearnan area and can be booked for local journeys via the Co-ordinator. 

The Seat on the Hill

The wooden seat perched high on the hill in the Cow Park has suffered during the recent storms and bad weather.  We would like to bring it down so that it can be repaired, but it needs a 4×4 Truck or a quadbike and trailer to get up there and transport it to the village.

Do you know someone who could help? If so, please contact fiona@fearnanvillageassociation.com

The seat was placed in memory of Ann McGregor.  It was one of her favourite spots and since 2017 it has provided a welcome rest – and a fantastic view – for many walkers. Please help us find a way of bringing it down, so that it can be repaired – or replaced if necessary.

Kenmore Bakery

Kenmore Bakery are competing in the Scottish Baker of the Year Awards 2022-23.  They have served our community well over the past 2 years, bringing essential supplies to the village, along with their more usual fare of bread and baking, during the long months when the pandemic meant that we weren’t able to go to the shops in the normal way.

And Jackie and Steven are still providing an important service, seen here after battling snow and winds to bring fresh goodies to the village.

If you would like to vote for them in the Customer Choice part of the Award, visit this link before 6^th April and cast your vote:

https://bakeroftheyear.scot/vote/2022/kenmore-bakery

Book Review

Our review of The Thursday Murder Club, the debut novel by Richard Osman, had a mixed reception. 

It was an amusing, easy read enjoyed more by some than others. Some thought it had been over hyped due to its well known author.

The style was intentionally simplistic, with short chapters and for some, aspects were ridiculous and of course not to be taken too seriously.

The dialogue was realistic and helped develop the characters and their interactions. 

 It was agreed that the interesting characters, residents of an affluent retirement complex, were well portrayed and complemented each other. They were trying to feel valued with a shared  purpose ie. solving murders and perhaps escaping from their inevitability and reality.

The following quote resonated with some of the group. 

“After a certain age, you can do what you want. Nobody tells you off except your doctor or your children.“

In typical Agatha Christie style, there were lots of red herrings and it was perhaps slightly confusing at the end with multiple bodies. As always, all was revealed and explained. 

It was felt that it would make a good film and we identified a few well known actors who we thought would be suitable for the key roles.

As this was the first book in a series, some are keen to see what the four characters get up to in the next book “The Man who Died Twice.”

Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang once again catch the killer before it’s too late?

And Finally…….

The FVA had hoped to restart the regular Pop-Up Coffee Shop as well as hold an AGM before Easter but, in view of the record (and continually rising) number of Covid cases in Scotland, we have decided to put this on hold and will review the situation after Easter.