Joan Miller writes:
Two partridges are visiting us at Croft-an-Ailein each day and tuck in to spilled birdseed from our bird table. They then toddle off across the road into the Cunningham’s field. We hear from Janette at Rock Cottage that they come and feed there too.
It would be interesting to know how many others in the village are on their gastronomic trail. They are looking particularly well fed!
(If you’ve seen them, click the ‘comment’ link below, and tell us where else they’re feeding.)
Last week, Bob and Barbara left Fearnan for Charlton Horethorne in Dorset. They were a popular couple in the village, and Barbara was an energetic member of the FVA Committee.
Barbara
Her efforts in helping to both organize and bake for events such as the BBQ and the Coffee Mornings were much appreciated by all of us. Even more notable, are the now legendary Pudding Nights which were entirely her inspiration!
Bob was also capable of donning a pinny to cook burgers, sausages – and more – for the annual BBQ.
Bob
Joan Miller writes,
“Bob and Barbara were valued members of Taymouth Castle Golf Club and will be sadly missed both on and off the course. It is sad that Barbara will not be here to defend her position as Ladies Club Champion.”
We shall miss them both and hope they will be back to visit soon.
Julia Lane writes:
Many thanks to all those who attended the Coffee Morning on 29th March. A good time was had by all, and Margot Levell was totally surprised when we all sang happy birthday to her. She blew out the candles on her chocolate cake made by Sue and everyone had a piece.
Birthday Cake!
The baking was up to the usual excellent standard, with the addition of some savoury tarts for those diabetics amongst the community who can’t take too much sugar. Ian Marshall’s daughter-in-law made a really scrummy carrot cake which went down well.
Margo cuts her cake
The savouries were such a success that they will be included in future coffee mornings – so there will be no excuses not to attend!
The next one is on 26th April at 10.30 – put it in the diary now!
Keith Brockie writes:
Many Fearnan residents who feed birds in their gardens will have seen siskins feeding on peanuts.
Male siskin
You may think you are seeing the same few birds but, in fact, there is a great throughput of individuals. Hazel and I caught over a hundred in our back garden during February, including two controls (birds ringed outside Tayside) for which we await details.
One siskin's journey - Surrey to Fearnan
The map shows the movement of one we caught in January last year which had been ringed in Chilworth, Surrey, on the 12th April 2009.
Although we’re still in the month of March, it’s time to start thinking about the next FVA Calendar. Given the success of the 2011 Calendar, members who attended the AGM were keen to do another for 2012. This year, instead of searching the archives for photos of Fearnan in the past, we’re running a Photography Competition and the winners will have their photos printed in the 2012 Calendar.
So we’re looking for your photos of Fearnan! We’re keeping the competition simple – the theme is ‘Fearnan’ and photos can be of any relevant subject as long as they fit into one of the 4 seasonal themes – Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter and are taken within a 5-mile radius of the village. The competition will be judged by …….YOU! All the entries will be on show at the Summer BBQ on 1st August, and those attending will be able to vote for their favourites. We will need to select 3 photos for each seasonal theme.
We can’t promise that the winners will have their names in lights, but they will have their photos in the 2012 calendar AND the chance of an extra prize if their photo receives the most votes in one of the seasonal sections.
Peter is doing a great job delivering a flyer/entry form to each FVA member’s house, and you can get extra copies from Peter (peter@fearnan.freeserve.co.uk) or Keith (kbrockie@btinternet.com). The entry form includes a copy of the rules; so do check these before you submit your entries. The competition is open to residents and house owners in Fearnan, and entries need to be submitted in A4 format to Sue Gardener at Cala Sona by 25th July 2011.
Happy snapping!
Here are the dates of our social events in 2011. Put them in the diary now!
Tuesday, 29th March 10.30 – 12.00 Coffee Morning
Tuesday, 26th April 10.30 – 12.00 Coffee Morning
Tuesday, 24th May 10.30 – 12.00 Coffee Morning
Tuesday, 21st June 10.30 – 12.00 Coffee Morning
Tuesday, 19th July 10.30 – 12.00 Coffee Morning
Monday, 1st August 18.00 – 22.00 BBQ
Tuesday, 20th September 10.30 – 12.00 Coffee Morning
Tuesday, 25th October 10.30 – 12.00 Coffee Morning
Saturday, 12th November 18.30 – 21.00 Curry Night (provisional)
This report on the FVA AGM contains a copy of the Chair’s Report for the year 2010-11 and a copy of the Minutes (unadopted as yet) of the meeting.
FVA Chair’s Report 2010 – 2011
Membership: we now have 60 members.
Shoreside: On 5th May, Sue G and Kath D had an informal meeting with Andrew Hutcheson of North Shore Estates, the new owner of Tigh an Loan. Village concerns and issues were discussed. The site has now been renamed Shoreside.
Village Survey: JL has recorded all properties in the village on a hand-drawn map. This is enabling us to ascertain the number and ownership of all properties. There are 105 properties on the map, and approximately one third are second homes/holiday homes.
Broadband: In August, SG and LL attended a meeting in Kenmore organised by HPCP. Andrew Muir, who has advised Fearnan on its broadband service, gave a presentation. Felix Gibson of Network by Wireless was also present. An application for LEADER funding for a feasibility study and pilot scheme for the area was made, but turned down.
Post-box: Kate Howie was contacted for support in our attempts to get another post-box but she failed to get any response from Royal Mail. LL has tracked down a supplier of second hand boxes that can be purchased, and also has a contact in the Post Office who may be able to help. It is possible that if we purchase our own box and maintain it, we may be able to persuade Royal Mail to collect from it. This needs further investigation and further contact with Royal Mail in Edinburgh.
Photographic Exhibition: The opening of this permanent exhibition took place in Fearnan Hall on Saturday October 16th. There was a short ceremony for invited guests at 2p.m. then the Hall was opened to the public from 2.30 – 5p.m.
Photo Exhibition
The calendars were a huge success and, with reprints, 175 were produced. Apart from a few that were gifted, all were sold. We were left with a small, unsatisfied demand but the numbers were insufficient to warrant another reprint.
Main Issues Report: various meetings were held between November and February to explore the impact of these initial proposals on the village. A response was sent on behalf of the FVA, and notes were circulated to assist with individual responses.
Social: Coffee Mornings have continued on a more or less monthly basis and are much appreciated and enjoyed by those who come.
Help Yourself!
The Summer BBQ was enjoyable but slightly less well attended this year. The Pudding Night was a great success, as ever.
Communication – an important function of the Association is our ability to contact people quickly by email, leaflet drop, notices on the noticeboards etc. If necessary, we can cover the whole village relatively easily. This was a major contribution to the success of the Heartstart events which teach emergency life support while waiting for professional medical help to arrive. We now have 26 Heartstart trained people in the area.
Representation: FVA is represented on the Community Council, the Loch Tay Association and the Hall Committee. This engagement, along with the giving and gaining of information and the practical support we get from those organisations adds to our value to the community in Fearnan.
Minutes of the FVA Annual General Meeting held in Fearnan Hall on March 5th 2011 at 2 p.m.
Apologies: B&B Pitney, C&F Henderson, J&M Thomas, C McGregor, J Wright, I Marshall, G Carter, G Hickman, D Miller
Welcome: Sue Gardener (SG) opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.
Minutes of last meeting: the minutes of the AGM on April 15th 2010 were taken as read and adopted by the meeting.
Matters arising from the Minutes:
Boreland Farm – no real change. SG reported that:
It was reported to the meeting that pigs had recently escaped from the farm and made a nuisance of themselves in the village and sheep are wandering into gardens.
Broadband – SG reported that she and LL had attended a meeting in Kenmore organised by HPCP to discuss the poor delivery of broadband in the area (details in the Chair’s report)
Quarry Road – PKC to consider extending 30 m.p.h. limit but no action imminent due to budget restrictions
Tigh an Loan – now re-named Shoreside, came under new management in April 2010 (details in Chairs report)
Post-box – it was agreed that LL should pursue his contacts to acquire a post-box. SG to contact Royal Mail to see if they have any objections to us installing our own box; if they will empty it; who would be responsible for its maintenance and what costs, if any, might fall to the FVA.
Chair’s Report: The Chair gave her report, covering Shoreside, Village Survey, Broadband, Post-box, Photographic Exhibition, Main Issues Report, Social Events, Communication and Representation
Treasurer’s Report: there is a healthy balance of £2,203.61
Election to Committee – SG proposed that Neil & Fiona Ballantyne be elected to the committee because of all the work they had done on behalf of the Association. Motion seconded by Joan Miller and carried unanimously.
A.O.C.B
Community Council – SG informed the meeting of imminent changes to the CC. i.e. the proposed resignation of the Chair and the Secretary/Treasurer and asked for people to consider volunteering to represent the village. There was no immediate response.
Web Site – FB outlined her ideas for an FVA web site. The meeting was broadly in favour but there was some discussion about what form the site should take. It was agreed that a blog format was the simplest to start with.
Social Events – It was agreed that Coffee Mornings, Summer BBQ and Winter Pudding Night continue. Peter McK suggested a musical evening along the lines of Desert Island Discs and he will give it some more thought. LL proposed a Curry Night. Fraser McL. asked if it was possible for the Killin Drama Club to make a return visit. SG to follow up. JL asked if Coffee Morning dates could be set for the coming months.
Date for next Coffee Morning – March 29th.
Date for Summer BBQ August 1st 2011
Cemetery Wall – it was brought to the Chair’s attention that the wall of the private cemetery on Quarry Rd. had collapsed in part. SG to have a look and take up with Community Council.
Archive – I.McG has accumulated archive material and proposed that SG keep it on behalf of the Association. This was agreed.
Photographic Exhibition – I.McG proposed that another board of photographs be put up in the Hall. JL to ask Hall Committee for their agreement.
Notice Board – JL pointed out that the security fencing at Shoreside was covering the notice board – SG to contact Andrew Hutchinson.
Calendars – it was proposed that FVA produce another calendar due to the success of the last one. SG expressed the opinion that just because something was a success wasn’t a good reason to repeat it. However the mood of the meeting was very much in favour of another calendar. To get material it was proposed that a Photograph Competition be held with four groups – Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. FB suggested that we aim for 2013, giving people a full year to take their pictures but it was felt that there would be sufficient material for a 2012 calendar. After some discussion it was agreed that:
Thanks – SG thanked everyone for their in-put and closed the meeting at 2.50p.m
Fearnan Village Association 