Alyth

New exhibition shows success of forest-bathing project

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A new exhibition in Alyth Library from this Saturday (20th March) showcases the outcomes of the successful “Attuned With Earth” (A.W.E.) project, part-funded by Alyth Development Trust, that has been running in the Den of Alyth over the past 10 months.

From last June until this month, the A.W.E. project has transformed the Den into a welcoming space for wellbeing, connection and community. Facilitated by Dorota Kiedrowska from Nature Minds and Kelly McIntyre from Present Focus CIC, this innovative programme has opened the woodland to diverse groups, enabling nearly 100 people to experience the restorative benefits of nature, regardless of age, gender, background or ability. Free transport was provided for organised groups to remove barriers to participation. Individuals and groups traveled from near and far: Alyth, Blairgowrie and Rattray, Coupar Angus, Meigle, Kirriemuir, Forfar and Arbroath, but also Dundee, Crieff, Perth, Glasgow, Edinburgh and even the Isle of Skye for this experience.

Participants came from a wide range of backgrounds, including asylum seekers, refugees, ESOL learners and those facing health challenges like mobility issues or cancer diagnoses. Nationalities represented included Scottish, Irish, English, Polish, Ukrainian, Yemeni, Eritrean, Afghan, Sudanese, Botswanan, Egyptian, Algerian, Syrian, Pakistani, Bulgarian and Latin American. Their ages ranged from 16 to over 60. Despite their differences, everyone shared a desire for calm, rest, connection and a sense of belonging.

The photo exhibition in Alyth Library showcases participants’ mindful photography and reflections, celebrating creative attention to nature, its seasonal shifts, reciprocal connection and those fleeting moments of awe and joy that the woodland so generously offers. The exhibition runs until Friday 10th April before travelling to other local venues. Organisations, care homes, schools, libraries, churches or cafés interested in hosting it can email dorota@natureminds.co.uk.

A.W.E. offered inclusive, sensory-rich, guided activities designed to nurture mental and physical health such as silent walking, hammocking, mindful photography, journaling, shared reflections, tree-assisted movement and shared time for tasting wild tea and healthy treats, often sparking renewed creativity and a deeper appreciation for the natural environment. Many reported immediate benefits – feeling calmer, more grounded and experiencing a “magical” sense of quieting the mind. 

Beyond individual wellbeing, A.W.E. strengthened community cohesion. Sessions helped people build confidence and familiarity with the Den of Alyth, encouraging repeat visits and long-term stewardship. Couples, newcomers, visitors, returners and long-term residents came together, sharing experiences and forming new friendships.

Another key legacy of A.W.E. is a free Forest Bathing Pocket Guide available in English, Polish, and Ukrainian. This simple resource encourages solo, family and group exploration, extending the programme’s impact beyond guided sessions.

Supported by Scottish Forestry and Alyth Development Trust, the A.W.E. project has fostered a shared love for the Den of Alyth – a space for everyone to breathe, rest and reconnect, remembering that nature is always there for us, supports us unconditionally, and that we are part of it. As one participant reflected: “This is amazing. We’re shocked! We’re so busy that we don’t ever do this, but we could bring our children and have a picnic and play in the woods together.”

New lease on life for historic Alyth Kirk clock

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John Smith of Alyth Parish Church with the historic Vulliamy clock mechanism
John Smith of Alyth Parish Church with the historic Vulliamy clock mechanism

Alyth Parish Church’s venerable clock is getting a new lease on life thanks in part to grants from Alyth Develoment Trust.

The clock chimes have been telling Alyth folk the time for almost 200 years apart from a few brief silences, most recently during the COVID lockdown.  Last year, the Kirk’s fabric committee decided to automate the clock’s winding mechanism and brought in specialists from the Cumbria Clock Company to advise on the best way of doing it.

They immediately recognised the clock as a rare and historic example of the work of Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy, clockmaker to Queen Victoria.  Alyth’s clock is one of only two in Scotland known to have been made by Benjamin, was one of the best clockmakers of his time –extremely well regarded in the horological world and a second generation master clockmaker.

He was five times master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, and clockmaker to King William IV then Queen Victoria, making many of the internal clocks in Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace, Clarence House and Brighton Pavilion and many of the other palaces that the royals use, as well as many of the internal clocks in the Houses of Parliament at Westminster. 

Alyth’s clock was made and installed in 1840, by which time Benjamin was a renowned master craftsman having already designed and fitted the clocks in the Royal Palaces. The bell in Alyth’s tower would have been supplied by him at the same time as the clock; it was cast by the Mears Foundry, who cast Big Ben for the Houses of Parliament.  

No-one knows how Alyth came to have a clock of this quality and expense, made to Vulliamy’s exacting standards.  The Cumbria Clock Company discovered that the clock has very little wear even after 183 years of service, and with automation should have at least another 183 years in it.

John Smith, Kirk Fabric Convener, said:  “Many of the local community had commented on missing the striking of the bell, and we wanted to bring the 180-year tradition back to Alyth.  After the work is done, the local community will be able to continue to see the time on the clock and again be able to hear the bell striking on the hour.

“The clock itself only requires a light servicing since it was made to such high standards, but this project will fit a new mechanism for automatic winding and to allow the chimes to be silenced over night – something the old mechanism didn’t allow.

“We’re pleased to be able to bring back the historic chimes to Alyth, and delighted to have found out that the town possesses such a rare and fine piece of clock engineering.”

The project is costing around £12,000.  The Kirk has already secured a grant of £3,000 from Perth & Kinross Heritage Trust and is seeking grants from other sources.  ADT is contributing £2,000 from its Community Projects Fund and will cover half of any shortfall from its strategic funds, with the other half coming from the Kirk’s own reserves.

Find out more about Benjamin Vulliamy here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Lewis_Vulliamy

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’s guiding groups get busy in the garden

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James Magro of the Friends of Guiding welcomed the ADT grant

Alyth’s popular and active Rainbow, Brownies and Guides groups are planning a garden makeover thanks to a grant from ADT’s Community Projects Fund.

The Alyth Friends of Guiding group have been awarded £1500 to help the girls give the garden at their hut on the New Alyth Road a mini-makeover.  The funding will be used to create sensory areas, instal bug hotels and other improvements, as well as buying planters, hanging baskets, bulbs and other items to make the entrance more attractive and welcoming.  The girls in all three groups will be doing this work themselves on group nights over the next few months.

At the same time, the grant will support essential maintenance work on the Guide Hut and ongoing garden-care like hedge- and grass-cutting, using local tradespeople to augment the efforts of the Friends of Guiding and the Guide leaders themselves.

James Magro of the Alyth Friends of Guiding said:  “This project is needed to make both the garden and hut fit for purpose once again.  Updating the garden would allow the girls to use the outdoor space on group  nights so much more.  It will make a big difference to the girls and leaders who use the hut most weeks of the year, and would enhance the planning of the leaders, therefore the activities and experiences of the girls.”

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/

It’s game on for 50-Plus Club!

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Alyth’s long-running 50-Plus Club is now equipped with loads of new games, craft materials and a projector to help guest speakers, thanks to a £950 grant from pour Community Projects Fund.

The money has helped the Club to buy board games and table-top games, art and craft materials, and a small bingo machine as well as a projector for guest speakers to use and for other community groups to borrow if they need it.

The Club had been running for many years but had to stop because of COVID.  It has restarted recently and membership is at a reasonable level, but the Club would like to encourage more members, especially those who are still reluctant to go out and about much.  

The aim is to give people aged 50 and over an opportunity to socialise, learn new skills but also have time for a cup of tea and a blether. Some current members have said the club is a lifeline for them as they live alone and are rarely out of the house.

The Club’s John Lindsay said:  “We want the club to provide the place where people can come for a get-together and socialise with a cup of tea and cake.  However we also want to provide a variety of activities for the members to choose from, to help stimulate their physical and mental wellbeing.  Our members told us they would like more craft activities and some more up-to-date board games, ones to play in groups.” 

John added: “We hope the new equipment will create an enjoyable and informative experience for our members and also encourage more people to attend the club, especially those who live alone and would benefit from the social aspect of the meeting as well as the stimulation provided by the games, activities and talks.”

The Club is also now working with Alyth Primary School to encourage more interaction between the young and the elderly in Alyth.  The projector would help with pupil presentations to Club members:  the elderly would enjoy seeing the youngsters doing something and the pupils would get valuable experience presenting to groups.

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/.

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