19th November, 2009

Mon: Iain & Anne went to Battleby today to a conference put on by Visit Scotland called connect to compete. It was all about different companies and organisations talking to each other and combining their strengths to help each other, strengthening their local community. There were a lot of useful points to take home and think about and a lot of good examples of co-operation enhancing enterprise. On top of that we learnt more about what kind of funding we might be eligible for in our search for a greener source of      heating and hot water. So, all in all a good day to be digested carefully.

Tues: Iain went to a Pitlochry Partnership meeting tonight. This is a group of local businesses who are trying to see what they can do together for mutual benefit, including presenting a joined up picture of Pitlochry to prospective visitors. Really it's beginning to put into practice what was talked about on Monday. The lift repair people came today and actually did the right job this time. So £700 down but a lift in full working order at last!

Wed: Today was an encouraging day with lots of people wanting to make bookings for the winter months.  We've now had our third company coming to give us a quote for the boiler, so things are progressing. Also we had the gas man in to service our current boiler - £800. No wonder we want to change to a new fuel! The "University of the Third Age" (senior citizens education) met here today and had a lecture from Visit Scotland (very busy people!)

Thurs: Today the printer got fixed. Yey! this is important because our photocopier has crashed and while we wait for an in-budget replacement we are having to photocopy by scanning and printing. The WA (church women's group) is in today in the dining room with a local retired consultant as their speaker and a Leprosy Mission stall and Four Ways (mental Health) are in the TV room.

Fri: How's this for resourcefulness? A singing group from Holyrood Abbey are coming today for a self-catering weekend. Because they are quite a small group most of them are staying in our self-catering apartment (sleeps 4) and are using that kitchen to cook their meals. The rest of them are sleeping in bedrooms in the main Centre. This keeps their prices low and frees the Centre kitchen up for other groups to use. One of our bank chefs is planning to use the kitchen to cook ready meals for sale over Christmas - very enterprising of him and extra income for us.

Sat: Time to breathe for the staff. Self-catering is quite low maintenance so staff can have some time off. It's been in-sevice at school this week making for a long weekend, so Iain & Anne are glad to have some family time.

Sun: Today the church is making full use of the public rooms with creche, Sunday Club and MAD (Making a Difference - Teens) group meeting in the Centre during church. Sunday Club are looking at the story of the Philippian Jailer this week and the concept of freedom.