Thurs 7th  August

So, July has come & gone & I'm only just getting round to catching up on this blog - 3rd time lucky:)

Well, as you might have guessed it's been hectic, especially with the chalet now in its birth throes as we try to get it ready for use before the end of this month. It was supposed to be ready by the end of this week but as usual with these things it's running over time and we're keeping to budget by doing the painting ourselves. Hence - paint party! Our interns, Michael & Emilien and of course Chris, our painter in residence, have already made a start, but it would be nice to have more hands - we already have more paint brushes. Want to  join us ? Just pick up the phone (01796 473044). If you're local - any time. If you're from further away phone to book and we'll provide food & accommodation.

Meanwhile we have chosen our curtains & flooring, kitchen units & wetwall & it's all getting rather exciting as it takes shape. Anne had fun playing house when she went to buy items to "dress" the rooms and there have been many discussions about colour schemes. So many different opinions, but I had the final say so we got there in the end.

What's been really brilliant is the way our team has developed: Michael & Emilien our interns from Poland & France, David K our project manager and David C. a local volunteer  have teamed up with Wilma,Chris & Xander & got up to all sorts of fun & games.Then young Ewan joined us as well. He came to have a holiday with his grandparents (his grandfather built the Centre) & they asked if he could do stuff at the Centre to keep him busy. So he spent 3 weeks, 3 days each week making a promotional video for us. He's only 14! So when it was David K's birthday there were 12 of us watching him blow out his candles -& helping him eat his birthday cake:). It feels like an extended family.

During all this upheaval we've still been running our summer B&B and this year it's been busier than ever with folk from Germany, Holland, France and even a party of schoolkids from China. Community groups continue to come too - The Atholl Craft fair is on its 3rd week in the dining room, English as a second language is slowly building up (with Michael & Emilien joining in), Positive Choices continue to giggle their way through to helping chronically ill people and their carers relax and the IT class for September is fast filling up. Four ways continues to meet as regular support over the holiday months is essential for people with mental health problems.

We were at 2 community events recently. The first was a family fun day held by the Baptist Church and the Council together at the school playing fields. Lots of kids & families came to enjoy the fun. Lots of bouncy castles, a display of highland dress & weapons, stalls & activities from the leisure centre & the cycling group, stalls to advertise adult literacy & English, Christians against Poverty debt advice, ourselves, an advocacy service and of course the church stall which looked really vibrant. So well done guys and looking forward to next year.

The second was an event to remember the battle of Killiecrankie (one of the Jacobite battles which took place locally). A historic re-enactment group and local Riders of the Storm horseback gymnasts took part to take us all back to the past with displays of formation riding and weapons and highland dress of the day. It was the first time they had held this event and they hope to put it on the tourist map for the future. A few of the participants stayed in the Centre. Alan, who is a real former soldier disabled in battle, really appreciated our disabled facilities and the 2 lady professors who came to show & tell historical artifacts raved about our home-made jam.

The food bank (Trussel trust) who supplies our own food bank has arranged 2 fundraising events in Perth this month, so please support them if you can. 2 guys are doing a sponsored bike ride on the 23rd August from Perth to Edinburgh and there is an Alastair McDonald Concert on the 19th August at St. Matthew's Church. Contact  info@perthkinross.foodbank.org.uk to donate.