projects

Dr Bike at the Market, thanks to ADT Community Project Fund

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Local people and visitors to Alyth Market on 22 July will be able to get their cycles expertly repaired thanks to a grant from Alyth Development Trust’s Community Projects Fund.

The independent panel that judges applications to the Fund has awarded £400 to Alyth Cycles to cover the costs of spare parts and staff provided as part of the “Dr Bike” service.

Alyth Cycles has attended previous markets and other events as Dr Bike, proving very popular and helping to encourage more people to get out and about on their cycles safely.

Dr Bike will be on hand at the Market in and around Alyth’s central Square throughout the Market Day, and if previous outings are anything to go by there’s likely to be a queue of eager cyclists looking to get some TLC for their machines, so get there early!

ADT and the Community Projects Fund panel are delighted to support this initiative once again, as it aligns with Alyth’s commitment to promoting sustainable transport and exercise.

Callum Brooks, who runs Alyth Cycles at The Barony Old Church on Commercial Street, said:  “We’re looking forward to meeting anyone with a bike needing some attention, whether you’re a casual rider or a keen enthusiast.  We’re grateful to the Community Projects Fund for making this possible.”

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.  The next deadline for applications to the fund is 15 July.  Apply at https://lovealyth.org.uk/projects/alyth-community-projects-fund/

10 days to get your Community Projects Fund application in

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10 days to go till the next deadline for applications to our Community Projects Fund, distributing the community benefit funds Alyth receives from the operators of the Tullymurdoch Windfarm. If you have a big project for making Alyth even better, there could be a grant of up to £2000 waiting for you to help make it happen. Fill in the application form here: https://lovealyth.org.uk/…/alyth-community-projects-fund and we’ll do the rest. Applications are judged by an independent panel drawn from across the community, and they’re looking for more members now. You’ll be expected to read and consider applications to the Fund and discuss/approve them at quarterly meetings. For more info, email treasurer@lovealyth.org.uk

ADT helps Alyth to be even sparklier

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Alyth is going to be even sparklier this Christmas, thanks to a grant from our Community Projects Fund.  The Alyth Christmas Lights Association is investing £2000 in a new Christmas tree centrepiece for the Market Square as well as new stars for Airlie Street.  They will replace old lights, many of which have been brightening Alyth’s Christmas for more than 20 years.

The official Christmas lights switch-on in the presence of Santa Claus in late November has been a highlight of the Alyth calendar for more than 30 years, with hundreds of people turning out to enjoy the display.

Lorraine Ogg of the Lights Association said:  “The lights are a real feel-good factor for the town.  They really cheer everyone up when the winter nights are getting longer and help set the festive mood!”

As well as the centrepiece and stars, the Association is considering other additions to the display, scheduled for the big switch-on on 25 November this year.

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.  The next deadline for applications to the fund is 15 July.  Apply at https://lovealyth.org.uk/projects/alyth-community-projects-fund/

Some of last year’s new lights

Latest Update on Sawmill:  Seeking Volunteers!

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Work is finally about to start on an ambitious project to transform the Millhaugh site into a gathering place to benefit the whole Alyth community.  Having secured funding from the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund and the Scottish Land Fund to purchase the site, we have commissioned contractors for the first phase of works – clearing debris and making safe the large sheds and derelict buildings on the land.

view of derelict buildings on Millhaugh site
Image courtesy of Richard Wilkins/Blairgowrie Advertiser

Starting in June and lasting up to eight months, the works will involve stabilising and making safe the former corn mill, Millhaugh House, the former sawmill building and sheds, and the old Scout hut, as well as removing disused fuel tanks and generally tidying up the site in preparation for Phase 2 starting, it’s hoped, later next year.  At this stage, there are no plans for new building on the site, and the works will comply with SEPA and PKC recommendations about how to best take care of the Den of Alyth, with Millhaugh as a new hospitable and accessible entrance to the Den and public education space which is covered but out of doors.

The Millhaugh project is responding to one of the priorities in the Community Action Plan by acquiring the sawmill site in town and undertaking work to make it a safer, more educational and more accessible entrance to the Den of Alyth.  We are now looking for volunteers to join a programming committee for the Millhaugh site.  This group will determine how we make the space available to all within the town for gatherings, events and educational programming.  If you would like to express an interest in this committee, which will begin meeting later this year, please do get in touch via millhaugh@alyth.online   We want to make sure that this important new space reflects the interests of our town!

June board meeting tomorrow (Monday)

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screenshot of Alyth Online calendar

It’s our monthly board meeting tomorrow, in Nonnina’s Kitchen, Barony Church, Commercial Street, starting at 7.00pm. Come along and see what we’re up to just now – all welcome! And don’t forget: you can keep up to date on forthcoming events via the Alyth Online calendar – https://alyth.online/events/category/calendar/

Grant awarded to help Alyth Musical Society

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Alyth Musical Society in their 2023 production of “Sister Act”

People in Alyth will continue to enjoy, and gain valuable skills and experience in staging, high quality musical entertainment helped, in part, by a grant from Alyth Development Trust (ADT).

ADT has awarded £2000 from its Community Projects Fund to Alyth Musical Society (AMS) to assist with the increasing production costs of its annual musical, which has been enjoyed by generations of Alyth people.

AMS put on its first production over 70 years ago, but the increasing costs of venue hire, costuming and musical expertise in the last couple of years threatened the continuation of this much-loved fixture of the local calendar.

Albert Halliburton of AMS explained:  “Our 2022 production of ‘Hello Dolly!’ incurred a significant loss, and this year we were facing increased costs for hiring rehearsal space and the performance venue.  This year’s production of ‘Sister Act’ also required additional paid musicians, putting the costs up still more. Increasing ticket prices to cover the whole deficit would have made them very pricey for many in the community, so the grant from ADT is of immeasurable assistance.

“Our annual productions are about much more than giving local people a great night out with live entertainment.  Our cast and crew – almost all local people themselves – get the opportunity to perform in, work backstage on props, lighting and staging, and front-of-house in ticketing and customer service.  Learning the nuances of preparing and putting on a stage show are very fulfilling and, especially for the younger generation, can teach valuable skills and experience.”

George Hall, chair of ADT, said:  “Alyth Musical Society is an important and established cultural asset for Alyth which has been delighting local audiences for decades.  We’re pleased to be able to help it continue to deliver a great experience for cast, crew and audiences alike.”

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.

New picnic benches for Jubilee Park

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new picnic benches in Jubilee Park, Alyth

Three new wheelchair-friendly picnic benches have now been installed along the new path in Jubilee Park. The benches, equipped with bbq hotplates, are the latest improvements to the Park organised by the Jubilee Park Working Group, using grants they secured last year from SSEN Transmission’s Drumderg Windfarm, Perth & Kinross Council’s Community Investment Fund, and Alyth Development Trust. The funding had already enabled to Group to install seating on the path and a brand-new hammock swing in the children’s play area (https://lovealyth.org.uk/news/early-christmas-present-for-alyth-with-new-jubilee-park-funding/).

PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON PLANS FOR ALLOTMENTS IN ALYTH

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Alyth Development Trust is holding a public consultation on proposals to create new allotments in Alyth. The consultations on the Community Action Plan over the summer of 2021 identified more allotment space as a priority to help make Alyth a more resilient town.

Over the past few months people across the town have joined together in a working group to develop plans and concepts for where new allotments might be created and and what they might look like.

The consultation event on 19 June will be very informal and you can come along for as long as you like to find out more – any and all interested people will be very welcome! ADT and the working group will be sharing potential sites and seeking suggestions for other sites, and will have drawings and details of the plans as they have evolved up to this point, no matter where the allotments are finally built.

Drop in to the Town Hall any time between 3pm and 7pm on 19 June! We’re looking forward to seeing you.

Oil-buying club brings up to 10% savings for local buyers

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A community scheme to help home-owners in the Alyth area buy their heating oil collectively is producing savings of up to 10% or more for many participants.

The Alyth Heating-oil Buying Club was set up up by Alyth Development Trust late last year in partnership with Johnston Oils, a reputable supplier of heating oil and commercial and agricultural fuel across Scotland and northern England.

The Club enables individual consumers to join together and buy their heating oil in bulk, reducing their fuel costs and also helping the environment by allowing Johnston Oils to plan more efficient delivery routes.

More than 40 consumers have now joined the Club and after six months of operation figures show that most members are saving between 5% and 10% on their fuel-oil bills, with some who usually buy in smaller quantities saving even more.

Club members get a monthly email prompting to check whether they need to order a top-up.  Ordering is done online during the nominated “buying-week” each month (although members can order by telephone if preferred).

The advantage of collective buying in this way means that customers requiring smaller quantities can buy at bulk prices normally only available on large orders.  It also means they can top-up their tanks and not have to let them run down to get a larger-delivery discount, so there’s less risk of running out during cold weather.

Customers also feed back information on prices so that all members can be confident they are getting a good price without having to spend lots of time shopping around.

Johnston Oils already manages around 180 similar community heating oil clubs across their area, helping thousands of households save money.

For further information and to join in the scheme, please contact oilbuying@alyth.online.

Arts & Crafts Guild leaves creative legacy

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The Guild was established in 2013 to showcase and support workers in ceramics, woodland skills, art and drawing, willow weaving, paper and fabric work, photography and drystone walling.

Their first big project – Alyth Creates in 2017 – was enthusiastically received in the town and was well supported by local businesses, groups and organisations. It was such a success that the event was repeated with ever growing numbers of participants in 2018 and 2019. Sadly the onset of the pandemic and the associated restrictions meant that the event for 2020 had to be cancelled despite being planned and largely organised. The ongoing uncertainty made it difficult to plan ahead and so the Guild and its activities were forced into abeyance for a time. 

Now, sadly, the Guild has concluded that it is time to wind up its activities and pass the baton to other people and organisations by creating a restricted fund within the resources of Alyth Development Trust to fund art projects that will benefit the Town.  This helps to provide a legacy from the Guild and is a tribute to the dedication and hard work of its members and supporters. The new Fund will be open to applications for between £500 and £2000 from within the Alyth Parish Boundary from groups and individuals for arts projects that will benefit the town.  Keep in touch for more details of how to apply.

Alyth Development Trust would like to thank Ron and the Guild members for all their hard work and contributions over the years and wish everyone well with future activities.  Their work has truly helped make Alyth a better place to live.

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