Fearnan Village Association

This time round we have an update on forthcoming local events (including one important change of date), info and lots of photos from previous events, an update on our very local recycling in response to changes on PKC’s kerbside collections, info about PKC’s bid to create a National Park in our area, and some book reviews.  A bumper Blog, in fact!

Diary Dates

Pop-Up Coffee Shop:

Remembrance Sunday 12^th November:

**Change of Date** – the FVA’s Mulled Wine and Mince Pies event will now take place on Saturday 16^th December at 4pm. This is to avoid a clash with the Kenmore Christmas Market which we understand will now be on the 9^th December.

Winter Warmer Afternoons

Lesley writes:

Games Afternoon Session 1- Thurs 9th Nov. 2-4pm. McLean Hall, Fearnan

Have a go at: Table Tennis, Quoits, Skittles, Dominos, Draughts, Snakes & Ladders, Tiddly Winks……and more!

Tea, Coffee and home baking. Bring a small Raffle Prize, proceeds from which will go to SCAA

Session 2 will take place on Thurs 7th Dec.

MacMillan Coffee Morning

Linda writes:

The Hall Committee recently held a very successful coffee morning in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support.

The hamper, which was kindly donated by the Kenmore Bakery, was won by June Riddell and Robert Woodford was delighted to win the Colin the Caterpillar cake by guessing almost exactly how many ‘Colin’ faces were on a poster. 

Our guests from Fearnan and beyond were very complimentary. They enjoyed the ‘buzz’ and thought it was “lovely to see so many people chattering away”.

Many thanks to all our enthusiastic and generous guests and to the great team who contributed with setting up, baking, helping on the day and clearing up. Your efforts were appreciated by all. 

Warm Connections, who set up an information stall, also send their thanks to those who chatted to them and accessed their support and advice. 

Tay Forest National Park Public Consultation

The Scottish Government has announced plans to designate at least one new national park in Scotland by 2026 and is now inviting communities to submit their proposals for consideration.

Perth and Kinross Council has announced their intention to lead a bid to create Tay Forest National Park. This park would encompass much of Highland Perthshire, taking in loch, forest, and mountain, while also linking the two existing national parks, Cairngorm National Park and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

As part of their bid, the Council are encouraging members of the public to submit their views to help shape the plans and ensure that a future Tay Forest National Park reflects the views of those that live and work in the region. The consultation is open until 1^st December 2023 and includes in person drop in events as well as an online survey. Full details of the Council’s consultation can be accessed HERE and they encourage everyone with a stake in how our landscape is managed to take part.

National Park status could potentially provide increased opportunities for nature restoration, sustainable travel, visitor management, and landscape change. More specifically, there would be opportunities for:

• a joined-up strategy for sustainable tourism in the park and its approach routes;
• a National Park Planning Authority, with a role to be defined but currently envisaged as having ‘call-in’ powers similar to those of Cairngorms National Park Authority;

• additional funding from Scottish Government to provide the core resource for a national park authority;

• additional capacity to help achieve climate change targets, for example through nature restoration and sustainable travel.

A key aim is to ensure that the bid submission and the vision for a National Park it sets out, reflects the views of the many different people that live and work in the area.  You can help shape the bid and help design a National Park that will represent our heritage, environment, communities and promote our wonderful landscape in the best way.

There will be a local drop-in consultation event at Breadalbane Community Campus, Aberfeldy on 9th November 2023 from 15.30 to 18.45.

The online consultation can be completed here https://consult.pkc.gov.uk/communities/tay-forest-national-park-consultation and closes on 1^st December.

This is a competitive bid, and 9 other areas having expressed interest in securing the National Park for their community. In Spring 2024, all nominations will be appraised against the criteria set out in the appraisal framework.  This will inform the decision about which area or areas should go forward for designation as a new National Park.

Legislation is expected to be brought forward in order to designate at least one new National Park by 2026.

Changes to Local Recycling – Kerbside and at Clach an Tuirc

From 1^st November, PKC will be accepting an increased range of items in their kerbside collections.  The Council is issuing details of the changes and in summary, collections will be as follows (more information on this site’s Local Recycling Opportunities Page):

Due to the increase in what PKC will be taking for recycling from Nov 1^st, Jenny is changing what she collects at Clach an Tuirc to the following:

1. Ink jet cartridges (virgin plastic only, please) i.e., same as before
2. Dental care products – Electric toothbrush heads and covers, Electric flosser nozzles, Flossing sticks and interdental brushes, Dental floss containers, Manual toothbrushes i.e., same as before;
3. Air, home and laundry packaging – now ONLY: Lenor tumble dryer sheets; Plastic air freshener containers; cartridge caps and car air fresheners (but NOT glass ones or electric plug-ins); and all brands of trigger/spray heads. Please put everything else in the PKC Grey Bin please, as specified by the Council.
4. Coffee pods
5. Writing implements – see info below. NEW!

And some great news! Jenny has been accepted onto the BIC Writing Implements Recycling Scheme, on behalf of Kenmore Primary School (who will get all funds that this recycling programme generates). So, from 1^st November, she can accept and recycle the following: 

Accepted waste: all brands of writing instruments, whether in plastic or metal – ballpoint, gel and fountain pens, marker pens, mechanical pencils, refills and cartridges, eraser pens (cap included), correction instruments (bottles, tapes and pens), highlighter, felt tips, whiteboard and permanent markers.

Waste that is NOT accepted: wooden and colouring pencils, glue sticks, erasers (rubbers), rulers, chalk sticks or sharp/cutting objects.

Fearnan Book Club Reviews

Linda writes:

There was unanimous support for this book which was considered a compelling story and a great book club choice, providing opportunities for discussion of a range of issues and themes. It was fast paced but an easy read. Its colourful descriptive prose created images of Nigeria, giving insight into aspects of its culture, countryside, cities and its people. Class and gender struggles were well portrayed. The importance of education for girls is a theme that dominates the novel.

Most club members loved this well-presented story but found the attitudes to, and treatment of, girls and women heart-breaking especially as this is still happening in modern times. This highlighted what is going on in this part of the world and the social change that is needed. 

The pidgin English was found charming by some and enjoyable once we got into it. Initially some found difficult to follow and would have liked an explanation of African words. However, it added to the rich atmosphere of the story. 

Adunni was a shining light, a positive, determined and amusing girl who was set on getting an education despite adversity at every turn. Her setbacks were heart-breaking. We found her analysis and descriptions of other characters amusing and were amazed by her ability to make friends and gain support due to her infectious enthusiasm and joy. 

The other characters and their actions made the ending slightly predictable and the actions of a rich woman who saw Adunni’s potential, hopefully, resulted in a happy ending and a bright future for her. We felt sure that she found her “louding voice”, had a good education and was then able to speak up for herself and other women. 

The story was a fun way to illustrate how women were side-lined and during this period (50s/60s) and were expected to be confined to roles as a wife and mother.  Elizabeth Zott, a chemist, is frustrated by the social conventions that contain her both personally and professionally. She faces many challenges, including attitudes to unmarried mothers and the tragic death of the love of her life, her soul mate and live-in partner Walter. Most of us didn’t see that coming! 

Her research is stolen, and she is forced to resign.  She reluctantly becomes the host of a cooking show “Supper at Six” through which she opened the eyes of women to change and possibilities and contributed to women’s struggle for equal opportunities. The chemistry and formulae and references to the constituents of food items that she cooked on the show, were cleverly woven in, much to the disapproval of the show’s producer. 

There were many interesting characters including Six Thirty, the precocious, philosophical dog, who provided an amusing but far-fetched background commentary and was very protective of his family. Elizabeth’s daughter (also precocious), and Harriet and Walter (both supportive and sympathetic), were well portrayed.

Some found it too long and thought it needed tightening up. Others thought there were too many ideas crammed into the book. As a group, we are often critical of book endings, however in this case, we felt it ended on a hopeful note and was wrapped up well.

There’s a really good selection of social events lined up for Fearnan and here they are in chronological order:

Fearnan Village Association is planning the  following events over the next few months:

Invasive Plant Species

The invasive species, Japanese Knotweed, has been present in and around the village for some time now, but our local team who have been trained to treat and eradicate it have been out in action recently.

Unfortunately, there is now another invasive species – Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)- that will need to be dealt with as well. It is described as a Species of Special Concern and is listed under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Himalayan Balsam was introduced as a garden plant in 1839, but soon escaped and became widely naturalised along riverbanks and ditches, especially close to towns. It is fast-growing and spreads quickly, invading wet habitat at the expense of other, native flowers. Its explosive seed pods aid its spread by sending the seeds into the river, causing further dispersal downstream.

Himalayan balsam has large, pink flowers shaped like a bonnet; these are followed by hanging, green seed pods.

Balsam is an annual plant, so it grows, flowers, seeds and dies all within one season. The aim of control work is to remove the plant before seeding occurs i.e. in the early summer months, critically before the seeds ripen and seed pods ‘explode’ scattering seeds. Unlike Japanese Knotweed, uprooting the plant at the right time of year can arrest its spread and as the seeds only persist in the soil for around 18 months, populations of balsam can be removed after 2 or 3 years of consistent control. 

The Scottish Invasive Species Initiative will organise local ‘Pulling Days’ for Fearnan next year, and we’ll flag dates up to you in advance to encourage as many people as possible to take part and to help to reduce the threat to native species that Himalayan Balsam poses.

In the meantime, if you spot any clumps of either Japanese Knotweed or Himalayan Balsam, please notify  Mark Purrman-Charles the Invasive Species Officer for the Tay Catchment Area (markpc.sisi@gmail.com).

Fearnan Book Club Review

Linda writes:

We recently read and reviewed American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins.

The book is about a Mexican bookseller, Lydia, who is forced to leave her comfortable middle-class life in Acapulco and flee as an illegal immigrant to the United States, along with her son. This was necessary after her journalist husband exposed a local drug kingpin and the rest of her family are killed.

Along the way Lydia and her son Luca meet up with other people fleeing to the US and together they travel on the roofs of speeding freight trains, encountering various obstacles. The journey is dangerous at every stage. The details given ensure that the reader has a vivid image of characters, settings and the journey. Opinions varied with regard to these colourful characters and their back stories and motives. For some, a few characters weren’t plausible and some of their attitudes and actions were questioned. Lydia was considered unemotional but perhaps she was in survival mode and that was her way of coping. She mothered and looked after many of the group.

Most appreciated the scenery descriptions of the Mexican countryside especially towards the end where the trials of the desert crossing and the effects of its sudden drop in night-time temperatures, were very well portrayed. 

The ending was considered something of an anti-climax, not a happy ever after, but always looking over your shoulder, never feeling totally relaxed.

This book has been the subject of controversy and criticism related to cultural appropriation, which was an issue we also discussed.

We followed this up by reading The Edinburgh Skating Club by Michelle Sloan. It is a story of one woman’s mission to infiltrate a male dominated society and is a time shift adventure from the 18th to the 21st century. 

(NB the weak structure mentioned above has nothing to do with the noticeboards!)

Many thanks to John for his generous contribution of time and effort – a really great result!

Saved from Landfill!

Fraser MacLean

We were all saddened to hear of the passing of Fraser Maclean, a long-term resident of Fearnan and friend to many in the community.

Fraser, was a retired flight engineer, having served in the RAF for 38 years including a 6-month term of duty in the Falklands War where he worked with the Hercules fleet. He came to Fearnan in 1995 and purchased Clach an Tuirc from Liz Menzies.

He met Trish in 1997 and, although Trish was initially concerned that they lived too far apart, romance blossomed, and they married in 2001.  Both Fraser and Trish were very involved in village events and were always willing to lend a hand to make sure things ran smoothly.

At that time, there was a well-subscribed country dancing group that met every week in the Hall. Fraser was the backbone of the dancing – he called the dances, made up the programs, saw to the music and everything. He got a lot of fun (and considerable frustration!) out of getting everybody through the dances.

Trish recalls happy times once the dancing was over and the group – including Andy Burt, Liz Menzies, Julia, Hazel and Keith and others – would re-convene in Clach an Tuirc, or in the Pottery or at No1 Dalchiaran where much wine was consumed, and great laughs and discussions were had. Hazel and Keith credit Fraser and Trish with beginning their love of Scottish dance.

Fraser loved Fearnan and the community and put off leaving the village for as long as he could. He and Trish finally left in 2018 for health reasons after over 20 years at Clach an Tuirc.

Moving house after 20 years isn’t easy – particularly for someone like Fraser who hated throwing things out, and despite Trish’s best efforts, he managed to transfer a half-filled coal skuttle (despite the fact there wasn’t an open fire in the new house), a parachute, and an unused bandage dated 1941 to the new house!

Fraser and Trish made a huge contribution to the Fearnan community and were much missed when they left. We send our sincere condolences and very warm wishes to Trish at this time.

Handam Pop-Up Shop

Ros Grant writes:

Ideas for fundraising are always on the Hall Committee’s agenda, particularly as the McLean Hall was not included initially on this year’s Thrift Shop rota.  We need funds for the recently installed window blinds and for development of the Hall’s front exterior.  When we realised that we could rent space in the refill shop Handam Aberfeldy, Linda, a Committee member suggested that we should try a Pop-up Shop and run a trial for three days. 

We needed quality items to sell so donations came from publicity about the Pop-up shop idea on notice board posters and leaflets to Fearnan homes and the surrounding area plus advertising on local Facebook sites.  Donations brought a range of items such as clothes, shoes, bags, pictures and household goods and from Glenlyon an old oak chest of drawers and dresser.  The chest formed part of the Pop-up shop’s window display and resulted in an early sale.

Volunteers helped to sort, pack and transport from the Hall to the shop and back again after the three-day sale.  Our Pop-up Shop was staffed by Hall Committee members and other Fearnan friends and open for the same hours as Handam 10-5 for Thursday and Friday then 10-4 on Saturday, the final day.  We sold a range of items from our eclectic mix to locals and overseas visitors, despite damp weather at times.   Some pictures and the dresser were sold online via local Facebook groups.

A whopping great £1,743 was raised for the maintenance and development of the McLean Hall.

A huge thank you to all who donated items and to our volunteers who worked tirelessly in the sale preparation, in the shop and clearing up afterwards.

Fearnan Book Club

Linda writes:

A recent book read by the group, was No Great Mischief, a 1999 novel by Alistair MacLeod.

Opinions in the group varied. Some thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it an incredible piece of work. A few were not impressed and felt it was more autobiographical, the narrator of the book being Alexander MacDonald. The repetitive and initially slow-moving style didn’t grab them, and they felt there were no peaks. 

Others liked the descriptions of the wild landscape of Cape Breton and the mining camp. The two grandfathers were popular characters, whose differing personalities were well illustrated. There was a fascination with their stories, experiences and knowledge of the Scottish clan system they left behind when they emigrated. Eventually they became a separate Nova Scotian Clan: red-haired and black-eyed, and with its own history.

The emotional bond of the family through the ages was well portrayed and links were made. The modern character, Alexander, was an orthodontist and the book includes a description was of his ancestor Calum having a tooth pulled by attaching a string to a moving horse.

The strong message throughout was always look after your blood relatives and the very fitting quote “all of us are better when we’re loved” summed up the family interactions through the ages.

Many Scottish readers can relate or compare elements of the story with their own family history.

This is a bit of a catch up Blog covering the last two and a half months, so we’re going in chronological order, starting with the Coronation:

Coronation Celebration

Linda writes:

A well-attended Coronation Celebration was held in the hall on Monday 8th May. Around 55 people came and Fearnan folk were joined by visitors from around the local area. Two bikers from Shropshire who were in Fearnan at the time also enjoyed the hospitality.

In true Fearnan fashion, there was a good spread of both savouries and cakes etc. which was much enjoyed (and complimented on) by our visitors.

Around eight children enthusiastically participated in craft activities designing crowns and decorating plates. Modelling their crowns, they proudly posed for photos on a “throne” holding an orb and sceptre and wearing a vintage “robe.”

A special Coronation Raffle was drawn. Kath Douthwaite had generously donated hampers prepared by The Courtyard, Kenmore. 

Donations and raffle takings were for the McLean Hall funds and resulted in a total of £500 being raised. Many thanks to all who contributed. 

Fearnan Book Club

At our book club meeting in May, we discussed Glenlyon by Kenneth Steven, who grew up in Highland Perthshire. It was there he experienced the glens, rivers and lochs, as well as the wildlife, that has inspired his poetry and prose. He encountered some of the last freshwater pearlfishers and the last few speakers of Perthshire Gaelic. All of this poured into his poetry and prose.

We all commented on the beautiful poetic language and imagery. The evocative setting and timelessness of the Glen was well described. It was a sensitive read which discussed the themes of love, broken people and the search for freedom and healing.

Some of the group felt that this was more like a novella and that it could have been a longer book in which characters and events could have been developed further. 

We cared about the characters and although the ending was perhaps left to the reader, it felt like a happy ending with closure for Somerset, the main character. His previous life was gradually revealed as the story progressed. He had felt a failure, then he had a future. We enjoyed the love affair between Somerset and Anna and how he panned for gold for her wedding ring. 

A few of us have visited the “stones”, which featured in the text, on an archeological walk. The Cailleach (a seasonal goddess), Bodach (‘old man’, her husband) and their children, roughly shaped in human form, feature in the ancient ritual – which is linked with farming prosperity – and they are brought out of their shieling in Spring and returned for winter.

Some of the author’s work is also showcased on the Corbenic Poetry Path. 

Our next read is No Great Mischief, a 1999 novel by Alistair McLeod.

This novel explores the emotional bonds of family through flashbacks to their childhood in Cape Breton Island and young adulthood spent in the mines of Northern Ontario, clan history dating back to 1779, and present-day interactions between the two brothers and a sister.

McLean Hall’s Annual General Meeting 2023

Ros Grant writes:

Fearnan’s Hall Committee, comprising the Management Team and User Group representatives held its Annual General Meeting and General Business Meeting on Thursday 18 May 2023.   The Committee has met on two occasions during the year as has the Management Team.  

Social events in the Hall are gradually increasing post pandemic and regular classes resuming.   Two very successful events were held – the MacMillan charity coffee morning on 30 September 2022 and more recently the volunteers’ day Coronation Celebration on Monday 8 May to celebrate King Charles’ Coronation on 6 May which raised over £500 for Hall funds.  Thanks to Linda Milne for co-ordinating these events with an enthusiastic team and huge thanks to everyone who has contributed to hall events. 

Hall User Groups comprise regular clubs and sessions which include Carpet Bowls on Monday evenings during the winter season (October – March), Tai Chi on Wednesday mornings (10am – 11am) and Yoga on Friday mornings (10.15am – 11.45am).  New members are always welcome to join these activities; the Art Club is hoping to reconvene in the Autumn, usually held on Monday afternoons.  Fearnan Book Club meets monthly on the second Wednesday at 7.30pm. The Masons also meet regularly.   Several evening meetings for the community have been held one on Managing Japanese Knotweed, an invasive species and the other on Recycling including a presentation from Perth & Kinross Council. 

The Hall Committee always aims to dovetail its events with those of the Fearnan Village Association so that the local annual calendar is reasonably spaced. 

As the Hall Committee has no slot in the Aberfeldy Thrift Shop this year, the Hall Team hopes to organise fundraising events such as a Summer Fayre in August and an evening Quiz in the Autumn.  We need funds to develop the external area of the hall front to include the addition of a shed to house difficult to recycle small items and a resource centre.

Elections for Office Bearers of the Hall Management Committee Team and the Trustees were held at the AGM as usual.  Each year Office Bearers (Chair, Treasurer and Secretary) and Trustees stand down but can stand for re-election.   Office Bearers for 2023-24 are Chair Ros Grant, Secretary Elaine Melrose, Treasurer Kay Simmonds, and Events Organiser Linda Milne. 

Karen Bennett has been involved with Hall matters for 15 years and as outgoing Treasurer presented the accounts for the last time.  She has decided to stand down from the Hall Management Committee Team and step back from her quite extraordinary contribution to village life not just as Treasurer, but she has also been responsible for administration, fundraising including grant applications, publicity and function organiser, all aspects of hall maintenance and improvements including a new kitchen.  Ros presented Karen with a Svarowski Diamante Crystal vase and a bouquet of flowers from Coach House, Grandtully on behalf of the Hall Committee.

The Trustees, Frances Brace and Tom Alexander who were re-elected for the year, paid tribute to Kath Douthwaite whose death was announced on 8 May.  Kath was a Trustee and had a longstanding interest in the Hall, whose Committee she joined in 1989.  She had donated the raffle prizes for the Hall’s Coronation Celebration.  We send our condolences to Alan and the Douthwaite family.

80^th Anniversary of the Fearnan Air Crash

The 29th May 2023 was the 80th anniversary of one of the most dramatic days in the history of the village, when a propeller-driven Albermarle plane, crewed by 3 Russian airmen who were based at Errol, crashed in the Cow Park. All on board died, including their Czechoslovakian colleague.

The village itself was unharmed, thanks to the skill of the pilot. On the anniversary, Sue Dolan Betney, the Chair of Fearnan Village Association, laid flowers at the commemoration stone to remember those who died and, on behalf of a previous generation of villagers, to express thanks for the fact that a potential disaster was averted.

The story was picked up by the Times newspaper, in an article by Magnus Linklater, and also appeared in parts of the Russian press, where this laying of flowers was recognised as a simple act of humanity.

The full story of the crash appeared on this Blog a few years ago, and you can read it here: The Fearnan Air Crash.

June Pop-Up Coffee Shop

Please note that the FVA will not be hosting a Strawberry Tea this year, due (as they say) to unforeseen circumstances. We will, however, hold an extra event in the autumn – so watch this space for news and dates!

This wonderful photo was sent to the FVA website by Andy Waugh.  It was taken by his grandfather James Waugh, who was a keen motorist and photographer, during a visit to the Tigh an Loan Hotel in Fearnan in the early 1920s.

James Waugh was a grain merchant from Edinburgh who loved to travel and record family life with his camera. His success in business enabled him to enjoy his interest in cars and travel at a time when such motor vehicles would have been something of a novelty in rural Scotland. The photo is thought to be from a trip that took him along Loch Tay, up Loch Ness and ending in Inverness for the Highland Show where he carried out business while the family enjoyed the Show.

The occupants of the car are Andy’s father, Jim Waugh (in the goggles) and his 3 siblings who were travelling with their parents. It’s not surprising that there is a travel bag stowed on the running board as there wouldn’t have been much room in the car once they all got in!  They must have had strong constitutions, given that the roads probably weren’t much more than tracks at the time, and the Scottish weather would no doubt have presented additional hazards.

For the car enthusiasts amongst us, the car is a Darracq. The Darracq car was originally French but in the early 1900s a British consortium bought it with the intention of lightening it, tuning it and going for the World Speed Record, which they won in 1905 on a flying kilometer run near Paris. They held the record for only two months, such was the number of cars making the attempt.

In the picture, there is a spare wheel and a spare tyre, as punctures were a frequent hazard in those days. The car has a permanent starting handle. Also of interest, although you can’t see it, is the fact that the car had a second windscreen fitted in front of the rear passengers, folded down for the picture.

Andy tells us that he has many photos that James Waugh took of his trips, including some taken driving the (now) NC500 in 1924! It is lucky for us that he was a keen photographer recording images for us to enjoy almost 100 years later.

April Pop-Up Cafe

The Pop Up was open again in April offering freshly made coffee, a selection of home-made goodies and a chance to chat and exchange stories with friends and neighbours – Alistair’s story seems to be going down well (see picture!).

The Pop Up will be back on the 27^th June at 10.30 in the hall, and in July we will be serving Strawberry Teas at 3pm on Saturday 22^nd July.

Coronation Raffle

A special Coronation Raffle is being run as a fund-raiser for the McLean Hall. The 3 prizes (see below) have been generously donated by Kath Douthwaite and prepared by the Courtyard in Kenmore.

The prizes are on display in the hall and you can purchase tickets when the hall is open for classes and events.  It costs £1 per strip of tickets, and please do remember to put your name on the back of the strip, or you may miss out on a prize!

The raffle will be drawn at the Coronation Celebration on Monday 8^th May.

Book Club Review

Linda writes:

 “A gripping historical thriller set in Inverness in the wake of the 1746 Battle of Culloden.”

We recently reviewed The Bookseller of Inverness by SG McLean which stimulated a lively, far-reaching discussion. It was a well written and well researched book with an interesting mix of both fact and fiction around the complex subject of the Battle of Culloden and its aftermath.

Most members liked the historical aspects of the book and learned from it. It was something that split families and communities and years later revenge was still being sought against those who had betrayed the Jacobite cause. This revenge was continued by the next generation and beyond. The real tragedy was of a fractured society, full of mistrust and hatred. 

The author painted a picture of a complicated web of mystery and included a few ‘heart in mouth’ moments. Iain, the bookseller, is secretly tasked with finding a book of names (in code) of traitors to the cause. 

Most found it captivating and well-paced. Some found it initially hard to get into but then found it gripping and fast moving. One of the group described it as a “rollicking good read” while one struggled to find a hero. 

Characterisation was strong with a wide range of well-drawn characters who came alive on the page. We particularly liked Hector, father of Iain, a loveable rogue, who livened up the action whenever he appeared. The plan to free him from imprisonment was well planned and ingenious. Mhairi, grandmother of Iain, was ruthless and brutal in her revenge, even her brother didn’t escape.  Effy the maid was straight speaking and grounded. Iain the bookseller was portrayed as scarred inside and out and we were glad he found romance in the end. 

We enjoyed the depictions of the settings which were familiar to many of us and the descriptions of the long journeys on foot over loch, mountain and moor with danger lurking round every corner.  

If you like an adventure story with lots of intrigue, murder, revenge, daring escapes and a touch of romance, this is a book for you.

Daffodil Tea

The event was well attended with over 40 people, locals and quite a few from further afield, coming to enjoy a chance to socialise and catch up with friends and neighbours.

Our Daffodil Tea happened to coincide with Endometriosis Awareness Month and Pat Menzies, who is the Scottish Development Coordinator for Endometriosis UK, had a stand in the hall and distributed information about the condition and the support available. Approximately 1 in 10 women suffer from the condition which can cause debilitating pain and impact sufferers for life.  There is more information on  www.endometriosis-uk.org .

Fearnan Carpet Bowls

Lesley writes:

Another very enjoyable Bowls season drew to a close with the advent of lighter evenings and the start of the lambing season for some of the key players.

Although our Bowls League is no more with the closing of Acharn Bowls, we enjoyed friendly, competitive matches with Camserney, Home and Away. Camserney also hosted the very popular Round Robin competitions with delicious food to keep up our stamina!  

Our annual Singles Trophy was won by our President Alastair Kininmonth. Doubles winners were Jardine Robertson and Alastair Kininmonth. 

Our next season commences on Mon 2nd Oct 7.30-9.30, and we would warmly welcome anyone who would like to come and have a go.  

FVA Annual General Meeting

The FVA’s AGM was held on Saturday 1^st April and the Minutes will be circulated to members in due course.

Two topics were brought up by members under AOCB – noise from some short term lets and speeding through the village.  Whilst most short term lets are well managed and cause little disruption to residents, living next to some of the larger lets can be akin to living next to a Party House with a level of noise and disruption that is somewhat incompatible with a quiet rural village.

Both noise and speeding are issue that come under the Community Council’s remit, but there is an information page on this website (Useful Contact Numbers) that offers advice and guidance to those who are affected by noise and speeding. It includes information on reporting Anti-Social Problems, Traffic Offences, Driving Safety Issues, and Police Non-Emergency Reporting. There is also information on how to download the PKC Noise App which offers a quick and straight forward way to report anti-social noise.

You can find the Useful Contact Numbers Page in the menu for the FVA website – on a computer or tablet it is listed in the black strip just under the header photo.  On a smart phone, the drop down menu appears at the top left of the home screen, in blue.

Fearnan Book Club

Linda writes:

Set in the late 19th/early 20th century, the book follows the life not only of Esme Nicoll but also of the Oxford English Dictionary. Esme’s father is working in a group compiling the dictionary and she questions words that are not included in the dictionary and also collects her own words often used by the lower classes and particularly by women. 

This book was generally considered to be well written, well researched and informative. It was a good choice for discussion and was enjoyed by most of the group. Some found it initially slow moving and repetitive, lacking twists and turns. We liked the intertwining of historical fact and fiction and were intrigued by how words for the Oxford English Dictionary were chosen and by whom. The decades of laborious compilation, editing of proofs, the printing and binding and the pride and dedication of these involved are well described.

The interesting and unusual subject, characters and settings were well portrayed and easily imagined. Esme’s father was very modern and forward thinking in his parenting style. The group particularly liked Lizzy, the loving maid, and supportive Ditte.

We welcomed the inclusion of suffrage and the exploration of how far some people would go in pursuit of their ideals including imprisonment, alongside the derision of the lack of militancy in more conservative women. It was good to read about the range of differing views held by both men and women on women’s rights. 

The impact of WW1 on life of ordinary people was well illustrated including the death of Esme’s husband Gareth. Issues such as unmarried Esme’s pregnancy, adoption of her child and subsequent depression was dealt with sensitively.

We welcomed the appearance at the end of Megan, Esme’s daughter, who learned about her mother’s life, interest in words and contribution to the dictionary. A fitting ending. 

 If you are fascinated by the etymology of words and the evolution of language, you will enjoy this book. It was also informative to read the timelines described at the end. 

The book chosen for our next read is The Bookseller of Inverness by Shona McLean, described as “a gripping historical thriller set in Inverness in the wake of the 1746 battle of Culloden by the award-winning author S. G. MacLean.”

Never let it be said that Fearnan folk don’t enjoy their pancakes!  The Pancake Pop-Up attracted over 30 people (plus one dog, some visitors staying at Shoreside and the local Refuse Collectors who called in for a takeaway) for an enjoyable and very sociable morning.

There were drop scones and crepe-style pancakes on offer and Sue was kept busy working over a hot griddle producing them in batches, all of which disappeared as fast as she could make them.

The FVA’s next event is a Daffodil Afternoon Tea on Saturday 25th March, see below for details.

Happy Birthday, Julia!

Last week it was party time at Balhousie with some of Julia’s Fearnan friends gathering to wish her a Happy Birthday and celebrate the day.

In addition to the excellent spread of home baking brought by the guests, Julia got two birthday cakes – one from the Balhousie staff who came especially to sing Happy Birthday to her at the beginning, and one made by Frances for the occasion. 

Julia was in fine form and delighted with her presents, which included a planting table for her to use in the Balhousie garden and get her green fingers going again.

However, the thing she is MOST excited about is the imminent arrival of her electric wheelchair……………… watch out Pitlochry!

Northern Lights over Fearnan

Many people have ‘seeing the Northern Lights’ on their Bucket-List.  Some travel hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to the Northern reaches of the planet to try to spot them. On the 27^th February 2023, Fearnan folk simply had to open their back doors to watch The Lights dancing over Glen Lyon.

Many thanks to Graham and Jason for providing these stunning pictures, taken from their own back door.

Fantastic!

Fearnan Book Club

Linda writes:

In February we read and reviewed The Cider House Rules by John Irvine. This book is set in rural Maine in the pre- and post-WW2 era and explores many themes, including the contentious issue of abortion as well as addiction, incest, lesbian relationships, racism and women’s rights. Alongside this, the themes of love, kindness and caring shine through and were movingly portrayed and at times heart-rending.

This is a multi-character story with an unusual plot.  We were impressed by the amount of research that had been done in order to explore these social and historical issues. Descriptions of these harsh realities were written with humour. 

This was a gritty read, not a book for the faint-hearted by its length alone, over 600 pages. It required concentration and its detailed information made it unsuitable for skim reading.  For some, initially, the detailed descriptions of medical procedures and equipment were too graphic but the absorbing storyline and well described and interesting characters encouraged them to read on. 

All agreed that the well-developed characters, though quirky, felt real and fascinating. The relationship between the key characters of Dr Larch, director of the orphanage and abortionist, and Homer Wells his unadopted orphan and medical pupil was woven through the story. The merging of the storylines was well done with all the strands apparently effortlessly coming together to provide a satisfactory ending.

We briefly discussed some of the themes and issues referencing them to characters and incidents in the book. However, this was a text, that as a group, we could have discussed over several sessions. 

Church Membership

We have an important message from our Taylyon Churches in the Parish of Fortingall, Glenlyon, Kenmore and Lawers:

Our Local Churches Need You!

Church membership is in decline and the Church of Scotland is faced with making very difficult decisions. Now, as a result of proposed changes throughout Scotland, we are faced with the very real possibility that church buildings in our parish may be closed.

The members of the Kirk Session are determined to do all that they can to keep our churches open for local residents and visitors alike.

However, we do need your help.

It may be that you are new to the parish, perhaps you are on our Members’ Roll and have not been to church for some time, or maybe you just have not even thought about church going. It does not matter which category you fit into but what does matter is that we need you more than ever.

Please accept this invitation to join our Welcome Services on Sundays 19th and 26th of March and please feel free to bring family, friends and neighbours.

Sunday 19th March - Kenmore Church at 11:00 AM

Sunday 26th March - Fortingall Church at 11:00 AM

Whether you choose to attend one or both of these services, you will certainly receive a very warm welcome.

We look forward to seeing you.

And Finally ……….

On Saturday 25^th March, the FVA will be holding a Daffodil Afternoon Tea in the Hall, starting at 3pm.  Come and celebrate Spring while enjoying some delicious home baking and, of course, good company.  The cost is £6.00pp and school age children are half price.

The FVA will be holding its AGM on Saturday 1^st April in the Hall at 4pm.  All members and prospective members are welcome.

Pop-Up Pancakes

Doors open at 10.30 am and we run until 12.00. And it’s £3.00 a head.

Recycling Update – Printer Cartridges

Here’s an important update for those who recycle their Epson cartridges through Jenny. She writes:

“People have been doing a great job of bringing their empty cartridges to Clach an Tuirc for recycling – so much so that the box is totally overflowing. So, I thought I’d better send them off and have just emptied the box to sort through them all, as The Recycling Factory doesn’t take all makes.

However, on checking on their website they don’t seem to take any of the Epson ones now! When I first signed up for this, the info was that they took the majority of major brands but not the re-branded ones (eg: Tescos own brand). But they now have more info online and it appears that they only take ‘first-use plastic’ ones – so not ones that are refillable or have been refilled, and not those made from recycled plastic. On the plus side, it appears that Epson are doing a good job by both refilling cartridges and using recycled plastic to make them!

What it means, however, is that I now can’t take Epson cartridges, nor any make of toner. But the good news is you can recycle them yourselves directly via Epson, who will send you free-post return envelopes to package and return your cartridges. You can use this link:

https://epson-recycling.cycleon.eu/en/home

And for everyone else… please continue bringing your empty ink cartridges to me if they are Canon, HP or Brother.”

Fearnan Book Club

  Lesley writes:

This book proved popular with the group. Most stories got a favourable review, although there was no clear favourite. The Carter Dickson story featuring the glass knife as a murder weapon was thought ingenious. The Cadfael story went down well as being different. Dorothy L Sayers reminded someone of reading this author years ago and so had loved it and had particularly enjoyed the Christmas setting.

One group member couldn’t get to grips with the short format and longed for a longer story but others were keen on reading story by story. The variety from classic to modern was appreciated and one of the group has even bought another book in the series! 

The book to be reviewed in February is The Cider House Rules by John Irving.

Diary Dates

In March, we will be holding a Daffodil Afternoon Tea in the Hall on Saturday March 25^th at 3pm, and the FVA AGM for 2022-23 will be held on Saturday 1^st April at 4pm.

Please note that the copyright of all pictures on this website belongs to the person who took them and the copyright of all text lies with the person who wrote it. The pancake image was provided by Image by brgfx on Freepik

Alistair Halden 1929 – 2022

We were all saddened to hear of the passing of Fearnan resident Alistair Halden, just before Christmas.

Alistair came to live in Fearnan in 1994, when he and Joyce retired from long and successful careers in education. Alistair was an excellent and much respected teacher, an accomplished (and apparently very competitive!) tennis and table tennis player, and a prize-winning poet.  He won a national prize for his poem Letter of Resignation, and this prompted a written, published, accolade from none other than the author Ian Rankin.

Alistair had asked for his poem A Highland Testimony to be read at the Service of Thanksgiving and we’re pleased to be able to reproduce it here.

A Highland Testimony

We had our ritual too. Down the long glen,
While startled curlews cried on ebb-tide sands,
We would all walk, our Bibles in our hands,
And winter sunshine turned to rain.

The crisp cutting edge of our dark suits
Served as a weekly penance. We, in turn,
Would kick some chuckies into a ditch or burn,
And scuff the polish on our Sunday boots.

The church bell spread its iron news abroad,
Dull through the trees or clear across the bay.
With quickened step we hastened on our way.
And so we entered in the house of God.

Thus went the ritual of that far-off day.
The creak of bell and bell-rope clanged and jarred.
The psalms were dignified. The pews were hard.
The rain was soft. The lowering skies were grey.

Grey too the tenour of our world today.
The death of humanism, sick and sad.
And I could wish that once again we had
That child’s acceptance of the Christian way.

Faith of my fathers. If it came again,
I would not change a moment of my youth,
The grey kirk and the straight unflinching truth,
Clean as the stones at the burn-side in the glen.

Back in 2014, just after the FVA Blog had started, we spoke to Alistair and Joyce about their time in Fearnan and they talked about what had attracted them to the village and why they had so much enjoyed living here. You can read the article here: Talking about Fearnan

Perhaps the Blog Editor could be allowed a personal recollection of Alistair, as he was a teacher at the school I attended, Marr College.

Not surprisingly, the paths of a lowly 1^st Year pupil and the Head of the English Department did not cross very much during the brief year or so when our time overlapped at Marr.  However, during his oration in Fortingall Church, it was mentioned that the 7-year-old Alistair had harboured an ambition to be a comedian – and suddenly a memory surfaced of a long-ago school concert at which Alistair (Mr Halden to us then) performed a comic piano recital to the delight of the whole school.

Our thoughts and condolences go to Joyce and the family, and we would like to share this happy photo of Alistair and Joyce, taken at the installation of the memorial stone in the Cow Park in 2019.

If you were unable to attend, there is a video of Alistair’s Service of Thanksgiving on https://vimeo.com/788467590

Hair Ice

Before Christmas, several local people reported finding Hair Ice on Drummond Hill – something that is not often seen.

In 2015 the scientists Hofmann, Mätzler and Preuß determined the exact cause of the hair ice phenomenon, linking its formation to the presence of a specific fungus called Exidiopsis effusa.

They discovered that the presence of the fungus led to a process called ‘ice segregation’. When water present in the wood freezes it creates a barrier that traps liquid between the ice and the pores of the wood. This creates a suction force which pushes water out of the pores to the edge of the ice surface where it freezes and extends outwards. As this repeats, it pushes a thin ‘hair’ of ice out of the wood which is around 0.01 mm in diameter.

It is believed that an inhibitor present in the fungus allows the strands of ice to stabilise allowing the formation of this beautiful phenomena and allows the hair ice to keep its shape often for several hours.

Events and Dates

At the beginning of December, we held the first Mulled Wine and Mince Pies for 3 years – an enjoyable and social event and, thanks to the generosity of those attending, we made a good start to the fund to replace the village noticeboards.

Here are some more dates for your diary. You will notice that we are not doing a Pudding Night this year, but fear not – it will return next year. Instead, we have slotted in a PopUp Café on Pancake Day in February and a pre-Easter Afternoon Tea in March.

Tuesday 21^st Feb – Pancake Pop Up Café in the Hall at 10.30am

Saturday 25^th March – Easter(-ish) Afternoon Tea in the Hall at 3pm

Tuesday 25^th April – Pop Up Café in the Hall at 10.30am

Saturday 1^st April – The FVA 2022-23 AGM will be held in the Hall at 4pm.

Also, The Big Shed have intimated that their AGM will be held on the 6^th February in person at 7pm in the Big Shed.

Fearnan Book Club

Linda and Lesley write:

This text led to an animated discussion at the club meeting and, at times, differing opinions about society at that time. Comparisons were made with society and poverty today. We acknowledged that it was well written with clever phrases, excellent descriptions and clear images. However, many of us found it dreary, irritating and depressing to read as Gordon Comstock wallowed in his misery and pulled down those around him. He appeared selfish, self-centred and indulgent. We struggled to feel empathy for the characters and wondered why they supported Gordon financially and emotionally when in return they received no gratitude. He was both principled and pig-headed, behaving in a pompous way with disparaging comments about, and to, other characters. We had to remind ourselves that it was a novel of its time, and many attitudes and language would be unacceptable today.

Also at our December session, we reflected on the books we’d read throughout the year and voted for our favourite. There was no overwhelming favourite but The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak was just one vote ahead of Mrs. Bensons Beetle by Rachel Joyce. 

We also enjoyed playing Book Title Dingbats some of which were very challenging (click the link for an explanation if needed).

And Finally……..

A special thanks to Alistair Grier who provided the photo for the banner heading on this edition of the Blog.

Please note that the copyright for all photos on this Blog lies with the person who took them and the copyright for all text lies with the person who wrote it.

Yes, introducing Mr and Mrs McKenzie! Peter and Sheila are seen here relaxing after tying the knot at Airds Hotel, Port Appin, a couple of weeks back!  It was, said Peter, an absolutely wonderful and memorable day. The big smiles say it all!

Peter and Sheila, we wish you every happiness together in your new house and in the years to come.

Mulled Wine and Mince Pies

For the first time since 2019, we are able to celebrate a pre-Christmas drink together with no Covid limits on the number of households or individuals, so please do join us on Saturday 10^th December at 4pm in the village hall.

And to help get you in a Christmassy mood, here is a little pic of the Aberfeldy Ukulele Band performing at Kenmore last week. Spot the familiar faces!

Click the link below to here them!

https://www.facebook.com/100015790022040/videos/pcb.2240546262794800/833156197796269

Many thanks to Lucy Higgins for the use of the clip.

Fearnan Book Club Review

The Book Club recently read and reviewed How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie, a darkly humorous debut novel. As often is the case, it was great for discussion as it provoked mixed opinions.

Many found it too fanciful and implausible, but it appealed to their sense of humour with its almost cartoonish violence. We did not warm to, or engage with, the sarcastic and acerbic Grace, the cunning anti-hero who clearly displayed psychopathic behaviour. The irony was that she was imprisoned for a murder that she didn’t commit!  

We enjoyed the twist and not all of us saw it coming. We agreed Grace needed her comeuppance and all agreed that she couldn’t, and didn’t, get away with it. We found aspects of the ending weak as she appeared to let down her guard which was unlike her character throughout the book.