Wow November went fast! For the first time for a November, every weekend was booked. On top of that we had Baptist Ministers as a mid week group, and as well as our usual community day groups there was a poular Amnesty International talk about a local man who had been a political prisoner in Chile, a Silent Art Auction on behalf of Alzheimers Scotland and a wedding buffet (95 people!) for a couple who were married next door at the Baptist Church. We were up early that Saturday buying flowers and picking foliage to decorate the dining room as the wedding had an autumn theme. Take a look at our facebook to see the photos. Perthshire Youth Brass Band were here for the weekend to get their playing up to scratch before entering the Scottish National Brass Band Competition.
Wholeness Through Christ and Still Point were 2 retreat groups and we also had the Ladies Scottish Hillwalking Club here for the weekend to enjoy an expanded AGM and local walks.
December has been quieter, but still every weekend where there is no residential group we have community events. During the week we had a Winter Warmer event. It was a joint undertaking between Perth & Kinross Council and the emergency services designed to help people be winter aware.
With tips for keeping warm and keeping safe it was a one stop shop for good advice. This was the first of a few community events to be set up by the two Fionas from P&K Voluntary services, who have been using the Centre as one of their bases as they fulfil their new role as community co-ordinators for the elderly and they're becoming familiar faces at the elderly lunch club held here fortnightly by the Baptist Church. This weekend was a Christmas Craft market designed to tie in with Santa & his reindeer (courtesy of the Cairngorm herd) who came to the main street in the morning. As well as encouraging local artisans it was a chance for us to raise more money for our disabled access improvements. We had our own thrift stall and tea & cakes & made £295.
Camille our newest French intern arrived last weekend. From our twin town of Confolens, Camille is studying accountancy and is on placement with us for 3 weeks to improve her English and get work experience. We're glad she brought thick jumpers and winter boots as we've had quite a bit of snow - but it does make for fantastic winter wonderland photos. It is nice to have her around at Christmas time to introduce her to some of our Christmas customs. As well as seeing Santa & his reindeer on Saturday, she came with us to the advent craft fair at Corbenic ( a local residential place for adults with leraning disabilities)the week before, she's been to choral singing in Blair Castle and Pitlochry Baptist Church's children's nativity is taking place this Sunday (they've been practicing hard in the Centre for the past couple of weeks), so we're really looking forward to that. Pitlochry Festival Theatre has just opened "White Christmas", running til the 23rd December. Two of the musicians are in our flat for 6 weeks. People are saying it's really good - so a great reason for coming to visit.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. God bless.
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