Events

CPF grant promises an even spookier Halloween than last year

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Halloween 2025 in Alyth will be even spookier than last year thanks to a grant from ADT’s Community Projects Fund.  

The Alyth Haunted Scarecrow Trail is set for a spine-tingling return from 28 October until 3 November, aiming to equal or surpass last year’s amazing inaugural show of creativity and imagination from across the town.

Some 55 “haunted scarecrows” adorned Alyth for several days around Halloween 2024, delighting and scaring residents and visitors from all over eastern Scotland.  The scary and humorous creations generated lots of positive publicity for Alyth in the press and on social media, prompting organiser Jilly Henderson to start making plans for another Scarecrow Trail this year.

Jilly explained:  “I had no idea whether any one would want to take part in the first Trail and was preparing myself to be the sole scarecrow-maker.  I was overwhelmed by the response, and although it turned out to be a lot of work, the idea is now firmly rooted in Alyth and I think we’ll hit the ground running a bit more this year.”

Last year’s scarecrows adorned shops, businesses and private dwellings all over the town, and displayed enormous creativity in the range of themes and the variety of materials, many of them recycled – a key part of the concept.

“We’re hoping for a similar or even better result this year,” said Jilly, “and we’re developing plans not just for dozens of scarecrows around the town but also a Haunted Scarecrow Parade, as well as a unique and prestigious trophy for whichever scarecrow is voted the scariest!

“We’re considering outdoor workshops, possibly at the new Millhaugh community space, where people could create bigger ‘parade pieces’ using willow and enlisting the help of experienced craftspeople to make a selection of stunning lightweight sculptures which could be carried as part of the Haunted Scarecrow walk.”

Jilly is inviting volunteers and helpers to get involved and make the 2025 event bigger and better than before.  Get in touch and keep up to date via the Scarecrow Trail Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559511803234

The Community Projects Fund panel has awarded a grant of £2000 to cover materials, promotion, prizes and expenses.

ADT’s Community Projects Fund distributes the community benefit funds provided for Alyth by the operators of the Tullymurdoch Windfarm, some five miles north of the town.  Applications to the fund are judged by an independent panel of volunteers drawn from across the community.  Apply at https://lovealyth.org.uk/projects/alyth-community-projects-fund/.

Nature crafts on offer again thanks to ADT

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Following last year’s successful nature craft sessions, Nature Minds is back again with a brand-new series of free workshops and nature art drop-ins, with the help of a grant from our Community Projects Fund.   On Wednesdays and Fridays from February to March, The Hive in Alyth 2025 will host hands-on sessions offering a unique opportunity to connect with nature, explore traditional craft techniques and enjoy a welcoming community atmosphere.  Participants will work with natural and foraged materials to create unique, quirky yet functional crafts, including willow bird feeders and lanterns, rope and wood slice baskets, Japanese wrapped stones, black-out poetry, and seasonal spring and Easter decorations.  The ADT funding means all sessions are free to attend, but spaces are limited, so pre-registration is required. To book your place, email dorota@natureminds.co.uk.

ADT helps get the community juggling!

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Adults and children are being given the chance to learn juggling for free, thanks to a grant from our Community Projects Fund.

Nordic Circus performers John and Ansio will be sharing their skills in the Town Hall all next week from Monday to Friday (9-13 December) in specially-designed classes for children.  Sessions for 7-12 year olds will be 4.30pm to 5.00pm, while bigger kids and older kids will be 5.45pm to 6.15pm.

Open pop-in sessions lasting three hours are also on offer during the following week (16-20 December).  Lasting from 4.30pmhese are designed for those who have completed the skill training, and you can come and go for as long or as little as you please: work on your skills, get tuition or just play!

The classes are completely free, with refreshments laid on, and each participant will received a free set of juggling balls.  Why not give it a try?  As well as the mental and physical health benefits of learning a new motor skill, you could also entertain family and friends over the festive season!  Places are limited, so sign up via message or PM at https://www.facebook.com/groups/944562195607741/user/608868296/

ADT’s Community Projects Fund distributes the community benefit funds provided for Alyth by the operators of the Tullymurdoch Windfarm, some five miles north of the town.  Applications to the fund are judged by an independent panel of volunteers drawn from across the community.  Apply at https://lovealyth.org.uk/projects/alyth-community-projects-fund/.

Alyth set for spine-tingling Hallowe’en thanks to ADT grant

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Alyth is set for a unique spine-tingling experience this Hallowe’en thanks to a grant from ADT’s Community Projects Fund.

For seven nights only between 27 October and 3 November, visitors and residents in Alyth will be encouraged to search for haunted scarecrows on display throughout the town.

Inspired by Alyth’s rich history of tales of ghosts and weird and wonderful happenings, local artist Jilly Henderson is inviting local people, groups and businesses to create their very own haunted scarecrow displays, resulting in a ‘putting Alyth on the map’ event.  It is thought to be the first such event ever staged in Scotland.

“I’m hoping local people will seize the opportunity to create an amazing Haunted Scarecrow Halloween scene – somewhere it can be viewed by passers-by…at the front of their home, in the garden, in a window, on a wall etc,” Jilly said.  “We plan to make available wooden frames for building the scarecrows and also run a pumpkin-carving workshop with free pumpkins, and we hope to organise a lantern parade on the first evening.”

Participants will be encouraged to let their imaginations run wild, using recycled materials such as items people have at home needing recycled, leaves, twigs, straw, clothing from Thrifty one, willow cut from the wild in and around Alyth. Scarecrows were traditionally made from bits and pieces lying around, so the Haunted Scarecrow Trail is itself recycling an old practice! Jilly created her own nine-foot woman with a skeleton dachshund, floating above the roadway outside her house, last Hallowe’en:

"Haunted scarecrow" created by Jilly Henderson
Haunted scarecrow at night

Jilly commented:  “I’m hoping this will create an innovative, family-friendly display in a collective event that helps build new friendships and connections and develop new crafting skills.  Having a community work together on a collective project is a wonderful thing, and bringing more visitors to the town would be great at that time of year.”

Jilly is planning extensive publicity to encourage families to walk around the town to explore the displays, and invite friends and family from out of town to visit.  The hope is that it could become an annual event, giving everyone something to collectively get involved with and look forward to as a town.

The CPF grant from ADT will cover design and print costs for posters, application forms and instruction/suggestion leaflets, and a route-map showing where the scarecrows are, as well as the workshop, wooden frames and basic materials.  Look out for more information later this year on how to get involved.

The Community Projects Fund distributes the community benefit funds provided for Alyth by the operators of the Tullymurdoch Windfarm, some five miles north of the town.  Applications to the fund are judged by an independent panel of volunteers drawn from across the community.  Apply at https://lovealyth.org.uk/projects/alyth-community-projects-fund/.

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