Wed 25th June

Well the big news this month is that after interviewing 3 people shortlisted from 7 applicants from across the UK we now have our new Marketing Development Officer. Xander has just finished a degree in history and politics, and completing a Certificate in Management (with marketing as part of that course) and he comes with an impressive record of responsibility in the national student union and in the community council too. Xander is full of ideas and enthusiasm, but very capable with it, so we're very pleased to have such a good match with what we were looking for. Xander will also act as duty manager when Iain is on a day off so that we can be open all week and still have time off, which strikes me as a rather good arrangement and will save a lot of stress. Just to remind you we received 9 months salary for a Marketing Development Officer as part of our Enterprise Ready Award and this is why we have been able to employ Xander this month and until at least March next year. Meanwhile we are applying for more funding to extend his employment for another 9 months to a year and we've already had a phone interview about one of those requests, so we're hopeful.

We heard we've been shortlisted for the Santander Social Enterprise Award, so please pray for success there and we had a good interview with the Baptist Building Fund who meet on the 9th July to make their final decision. This is as we continue to fundraise to make the rest of the project happen. The conference room extension to the dining room is next on our list and then making all the upstairs en-suite. We're working towards building warrant for these next bits now.

Meanwhile the chalet has finally reached the con struction stage (i.e.we're finally seeing the first new walls) after a couple of weeks of de struction or "downtakings" where first all the fittings and fixtures were removed and then most of the walls due to be changed were knocked down or broken through. It's exciting to see the new rooms taking shape and we've even got to the stage of discussing doors and skirting boards:) ... and how much of a "fall" ( gentle slope) we need to get the wet rooms to drain properly and what needs to be done to "sweeten" slight level changes (make a smooth transition). At the end of all this the chalet will be full of "sweetness" & light!  Please look at our facebook to see the photos.

And through all this we're still open for business and busy with guests. We've had a combination of groups and B&B this month, starting with the 2nd week of the African Children's Choir leaving us on Friday 6th with lots of hugs and songs to travel to London to make their recording, then a small group from Bellevue Chapel, followed by various B&B guests (including a 96 year old gentleman who was traveling on to Edinburgh to stay in a Youth Hostel after us! and a group of cyclists cycling to all the Olympic gold pillar boxes in the UK in aid of sport relief,  paralympics GB and Tree of Hope) and now we have the Abroath Town Mission lunch club holiday for the week. They're enjoying lots of sightseeing & day trips - Aberfeldy & Kenmore strolling along the banks of Loch Tay yesterday & Queens View today- the iconic Victorian  highland vista - as well as enjoying each other's company.

Community IT classes come to an end this week for the summer but English as a Second Language is just beginning to build up and will continue throughout the summer, especially as more people from other countries come to work during Pitlochry's tourist season. We had a good number of visitors to see the Young Artist of the Year Exhibition and every participant received a certificate this year as well as first and runners up prizes in various categories handed out at a prize giving on Saturday. Spend your prize money well guys:) Although Youth Club also stops for the summer  Positive Choices (disability support) and 4 Ways (mental health support) continue their vital support throughout the holiday period, so please support them in your prayers.