Fearnan Village Association

There was great excitement in the McGregor household recently, when Ian’s grandsons unearthed the remains of a traditional cast iron cooking pot at the Tominlyvoir  (Tommanlymore) croft to the west of present-day Fearnan.

Early records show that the original Barony of Fearnan was made up of a number of similar croft units situated along the loch-side and a copy of an old map showing the location of these crofts is included in the permanent exhibition in the village hall.

Ruins of Tominlyvoir

The pot was found in the ruins of what would have been the last occupied house in Tominlyvoir.  In 1755, there were 47 people living in seven dwellings in the croft unit, but the population of the whole area was declining and, by the 1841 census, there were only 3 people left in Tominlyvoir – Archibald and Elizabeth McLaren and their daughter, Jane .  No doubt, the pot would have been in use at that time.

A picture of the pot in its present state is shown here, and Ian is hopeful that the missing parts will also be found so that it can be reconstructed and conserved.

The pot may have been used on a traditional “hingin’ lum” such as the one in Moirlanich Longhouse in Killin. If you click this link, you can see a picture showing a similar pot in use in a hinging lum –

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=247928.0;attach=125491;image

Ian McGregor commented that although this is not of great archeological significance, it is part of Fearnan’s past and it underlines the importance of finding a secure place to keep this and the rest of Fearnan’s archive.

When the decision was taken (in the dark winter months) to run a Strawberry TeaZ event this summer, we never imagined that it would take place in the middle of a heat wave. The perfect weather proved to be the icing on the cake – or perhaps the strawberry on the pavlova – for a great afternoon.

The promise of a summer feast drew a large number of local, and not-so-local, visitors who tucked into a superb range of strawberry treats, from the more unusual strawberry and cream cheese sandwiches, to the more familiar scones and jam or strawberry cheesecakes and pavlovas.

In the heat, the most popular drink amongst the adults was ice cold strawberry and elderflower crush, whilst Laurie’s milkshakes went down very well with the younger contingent (and a few adults).

Sue’s freshly baked pancakes, just off the griddle and served with strawberries and cream were much in demand. We’re pleased to say that the pancake griddle will put in an appearance at future coffee mornings.

As for the rest, the photos tell the story.

All good things ……..

…….. come to an end!

When it was all over, and everything had been cleared up, washed up and put away until next year, the bakers, helpers and organisers enjoyed a little libation in the last of the day’s sunshine.

(Please note: there is no Coffee Morning in August. The next one is on Tuesday 10th September.)

What could be more appropriate in this fantastic summer weather than a Strawberry Tea? Fearnan Village Association will be serving Strawberry TeaZ in the village hall on:

     Saturday 13th July, from 3 – 5pm.

This is Afternoon Tea with a difference!  Lots of treats and everything’s home-baked, from scones with strawberry jam, to delicious strawberry-themed cakes and desserts, and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Freshly-brewed tea, strawberry fruit teas and coffee.

£4.50 pp for a strawberry feast. Pay at the door.

War Memorial before …….

You may have noticed that the yew trees at the War Memorial have been trimmed recently.

……and after.

The work was done by Perth and Kinross Council, and they have undertaken to clean the Memorial’s plaque inscribed with the names of those who fell in the Great War and to re-lead its lettering.

Subject to funding being available, the steps up to the Memorial will be improved and cut into the wall, rather than protrude. Many thanks to the Community Council who arranged for the work to be done.

It is hoped that all the refurbishments will have been completed in time for the 100th anniversary of World War I next year.

In this picture of the Memorial taken in the 1920’s, just after it was erected, you can just see the (much smaller!) yew trees on either side of the monument.

In September last year, we did an article on the War Memorial and mentioned that some research was being carried out to see if information about the Fearnan men who fell in the Great War could be found for next year’s anniversary. Ian McGregor now has photographs of 6 of the 8 men whose names are on the monument.  He is still trying to trace James Dewar of the Scots Greys and Duncan McPhail of the Scots Guards.  If you think you can help, or suggest possible family connections, Ian would be delighted to hear from you at ison06@btinternet.com

This FVA site now has a Gallery page which contains most of the photographs and images from the permanent exhibition in the village hall. To view the pictures, click on the link Gallery – Glimpses of Fearnan Past and Present at the top of this page.

We had a fine morning for the Coffee Morning last Tuesday and a lot of regular attenders came along to enjoy this  month’s fresh baking.

We also had 2 visitors this month, members of the Perth & Kinross Council’s Roads Department, who dropped in ahead of a meeting with members of the Local Community Council about the junction at the bottom of Fearnan Brae.

A number of FVA members have raised concerns about the sight-lines at the junction, and the difficulty of making a right-hand turn towards Killin. We understand that the meeting was very positive and a number of options were discussed with the Roads Department representatives.  They have undertaken to put some ideas together and to give these to the Community Council for further discussion.

We’d like say a big thank you to Elaine and Fran for their kind gift to the FVA of a heated trolley.  It will make a huge difference to our capacity for keeping food hot, particularly for our big events like the Pudding Night.

Don’t forget that our next date in the calendar is the Strawberry Teaz event on the 13th July at 3.30pm – it’s going to be Afternoon Tea with a difference!

The beautiful sunny Spring weather attracted a very sociable group, including some new and lots of familiar faces, to the Coffee Morning on Tuesday. There seemed to be smiles all round in the sunshine.

We enjoyed a delicious spread of goodies.  This time there were savouries, sausage rolls, scones, chocolate fudge cake, apple and almond cake and more, along with a selection of coffees and teas. There was not much left by the end!

There was also an opportunity to have a look at the Fearnan Archive that Ian McGregor has been assembling on behalf of the village residents.

Seen on the left, here, it contains a wealth of material and information about Fearnan from its earliest days, including maps from 1590 onwards, old photographs, the School Logbook, census records, documents and old records relating to people and buildings in Fearnan,  and much more.

The Archive will eventually reside in the village hall, so that it can be accessed and consulted by all.

Further along the loch, Spring can also be detected in the fact that here’s been an explosion of primroses on the hill in the  area of Boreland Wood that was felled recently.

You can see them from the track that runs through the area, but the best views on a recent visit in the evening were on the way back, walking up the track towards the road.

Although it was a smaller group than usual, the April Coffee Morning had a nice buzz to it and people stayed on longer than usual to chat and exchange information.

As ever, there was a lovely spread of cakes, biscuits and savouries.

Here is a list of future FVA events for your diary:

Dates for Coffee Mornings are 7^th May, 4^th June, 10^th September, and 8^th October, all at 10.30am in the Village Hall.

We will run a ‘Strawberry Teaz’ event on the 13^th July at 3.30pm in the Village Hall and which, as the name suggests, will involve strawberries in all sorts of delicious dishes, desserts, cakes and concoctions. There could be some cream involved as well!

Towards the end of November, we will repeat the Mince Pies and Mulled Wine event, date to be advised later.

We all look forward to seeing you at as many of these get-togethers as possible.

Fearnan Village Association

Minutes of the AGM and Business Meeting,

4.30 pm on the 23rd March 2013

Welcome

The Chair, Sue Gardener, opened the meeting by welcoming members and particularly the new members.  She explained that the format of the afternoon would be: the FVA Annual General Meeting, followed by the Business Meeting.

Annual General Meeting

Apologies

Apologies were received from Cath McGregor, Sheila Watt, Keith Brockie and Hazel Brockie.

Minutes of the AGM 2012

The minutes of the AGM in 2012 were adopted by the meeting and signed by the Chair.

Chair’s Report on the Year’s Activity

 Membership– we have been very pleased to welcome several new members during the year and have around 57 members, pending renewals being completed.

Planning and Development – this has dominated our work over the last year. PKC held their final public consultation on their proposed Local Development Plan. We produced information to help people understand the document, along with advice on how to make a representation and gave support to those most immediately affected by the proposals.

There were also 2 Community Consultations (rare in a small village) on Shoreside and on Boreland Farm. We attended both, following up with information, and answering questions from those concerned about the plans.

Broadband – we continue to attend meetings and lobby for an improved service.

Christmas Card – This year we produced our own Christmas card from an original picture kindly donated by Keith Brockie. Producing a quality card meant that printing costs were high, so profits from sales were reduced, as was the uptake compared to previous calendar sales.

Fearnan History – Ian McGregor and Peter MacKenzie have produced a sixth board of pictures on Fearnan’s history for the Hall, and a photographic record of chairmen of the Hall Committee. Ian McGregor has also produced a book on Fearnan’s history and generously gave us a small commission on those that we sold on his behalf.

Social Events – we ran a reduced number of events this year because of the refurbishment to the village hall, and this in turn reduced our income. However, the village is now enjoying a much more comfortable hall. Before Christmas, we ran a joint event with the Village Hall Committee, in aid of Aberfeldy Hospital. “Mulled Wine & Mince Pies” was very successful, and in March the FVA Chair accompanied Jim Herd to present a cheque to the hospital from Fearnan Village.

FVA Blog – The FVA blog has gone from strength to strength and continues to be one of our main means of communication with members.

The Chair finished her report with a tribute to John Thomas who passed away last year. John was involved in the formation of the FVA, he chaired our first public meeting and supported us wholeheartedly to the end of his days.

She also thanked the FVA Committee, Laurie and Julia Lane, Neil and Fiona Ballantyne and Peter MacKenzie, for all their diligent efforts; Keith Brockie and Ian McGregor for contributing their individual expertise; and all those who have supported the association throughout the year.

Key points from the Treasurer’s Report

A table setting out Income and Expenditure for the last year was presented to the meeting.

• Funds carried forward at the end of the year amounted to £3137.02.
• Donations to good causes during the year amounted to £172.27, and the use of funds had included a free Members’ Night.
• It was noted that Fearnan was one of the most active communities in the PKC area in terms of responding to the Local Plan consultations and that this was facilitated by the existence of the FVA.

In response to a question about the Food Hygiene Course that appeared in the accounts, it was explained that Sue Gardener and Julia Lane (who do most of the cooking for FVA events) now have certificates in Food Hygiene, and this was felt to be appropriate given the number of events that are undertaken.

A question was also asked about public liability insurance for our events, and it was confirmed that the Hall itself is covered for public liability.

Committee Changes – there are no changes to the committee, but we are in need of a Secretary and the Chair asked anybody who was interested and able to help to contact her separately.

There were no further questions and the Chair declared the AGM closed and moved on to the Business Meeting.

FVA Business Meeting

 Local Development Plan – a letter was recently sent by PKC to those who made representation about the Plan.  The main concern has been Site H41, on the Fortingall road at the edge of the village. The Development Plan is behind schedule and the Council did not bring out a modification of the initial Plan for comment.  It has now gone to The Reporter, who will review all the representations that have been made in response to the Council’s Plan and determine which representations should be upheld, before it goes to Scottish Ministers.

Thanks to the Community Council and Councillor Ian Campbell, it has been possible to insert a wording to the effect that if The Reporter agrees to our representations to take Site H41 out of the Plan, then PKC will not object.

The outcome will not be known until August this year, but the fact that we have been able to influence the proposals in the Plan shows that writing letters does have an effect!

Broadband – there have been a lot of meetings about the slow broadband speeds that we experience, but no-one seems to be nearer solving the problem.  There is concern that communities such as ours will be marginalized as others move towards superfast broadband. Community Broadband Scotland has a fund of £5m to help small communities, and it was suggested that they should start with the communities least likely to be reached by commercial provision of superfast broadband, rather than prioritising their funds according to population.  Linking Highland Perthshire with the Highlands and Islands was also seen as a more constructive way forward, as the problems are similar. A question was asked about moving straight to 4G, but the problem is that this is a commercial market, and the broadband providers are only interested in the large conurbations, not small, unprofitable communities.

FVA Blog – the FVA blog has now been running for 2 years, and we get about 400 page views a month from as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US and Germany.  It has connected us with a number of former residents, and also with people who are researching their family histories. Its main purpose is to provide a communication forum for FVA members, and Fiona is always pleased to receive ideas for articles that would be if interest to members.

Business Carried Forward from Last Year

Roadway Mirror for the junction on the lochside road – we were advised that if we put up our own mirror, we could incur a liability if there was an accident at the junction and the mirror happened not to be properly aligned. The Roads Department have said in the past that there is nothing wrong with the line of sight, but there was a strong feeling that this is not the case and there have been a number of near-misses recently. It was agreed to ask the Community Council to have another attempt at approaching the Roads Department in order to resolve the matter satisfactorily.                                                                         Action: FVA Committee

Freshly Made Pancakes for the Coffee Morning – Sue and Julia will have a look at Trish’s pancake maker to see if a similar one could be bought.

Fearnan History – Ian McGregor has proposed some signage for key features of old Fearnan.  Only the Baptismal Font has a sign describing its significance. Ian agreed to talk to PKC and some of the historical organisations and will try to get an estimate of the cost.                                                                                        Action: Ian McGregor

Social Events – Dates for Coffee Mornings are 9^th April, 7^th May, 4^th June, 10^th September, and 8^th October. We will run a ‘Strawberry Teaz’ event on the 13^th July, and will repeat the Mince Pies and Mulled Wine event towards the end of November.

AOCB – Ian McGregor reported that he now has photographs of 5 out of the 8 men commemorated on the War Memorial, and is hoping to get pictures of them all in time for the 100^th anniversary of the start of WW1. It was also felt by members that the steps up to the Memorial need to be sorted out and that the yew trees on each side have got too big and are restricting the view of the memorial.  The view was expressed that, as they are yews, they could be successfully trimmed which would be better than removing them completely.  There are funds available for refurbishing memorials in advance of the WW1 Anniversary, and the possibility of securing some funds will be explored through the Community Council.

The meeting was reminded that Andy Burt’s 90^th birthday is coming up shortly, and Sue and Julia undertook to find out how the FVA might mark this appropriately.

Action Sue Gardener & Julia Lane

Fraser MacLean proposed a Vote of Thanks to the Chair, and the meeting was closed.

The FVA Coffee Mornings resumed in the village hall last week with a very friendly and chatty event – and some delicious cakes, biscuits and savouries that disappeared pretty quickly.

There was also good news to announce.  This included the McLean Hall Committee’s Perthshire Active Action Award from the Gannochy Trust, under the category ‘Community Asset’. The Award brought with it a cheque for £250, which will be donated to the Aberfeldy Cottage Hospital as explained below.

On display, as well, was the crystal trophy awarded to the Big Shed for winning the national new-build category in the Low Carbon Buildings Awards 2013.

The third announcement was that the impressive sum of £1,188.94 has been raised for Aberfeldy Cottage Hospital by events organised in the Hall!  This sum includes the takings from both the recent, highly successful, Mid-Atholl Strings and Things evening organised by the Hall Committee and the Mulled Wine & Mince Pies event held before Christmas, which will be added to the £250 award to the McLean Hall mentioned above.

FVA Membership Subscriptions are now due for 2013, and many thanks to those who have already paid. The next event is the FVA AGM on the 23rd March at 4.30pm in the Hall, and the next Coffee Morning is on Tuesday April 9th.

And finally – nothing to do with Coffee Mornings – a little picture of a regular, but non-feathered, visitor to our bird table!

Here they are at last – the missing photos!

Who’s going to be first!

Only 27 puddings to choose from………..

Andrew & Katie provided the music.

Here’s one I made earlier!

Every man and his dog was there………..

…………… but all good things must come to an end.