EDITOR’S VIEW

I thought the development out the Newburgh road was housing but travelling from west to east you could easily have mistaken it for a prison with its very high wall. Shame for the folks in the first row. HMP Southfield Meadows does have a certain ring to it.

You folks reading my bit every quarter, if you actually do read it and I don’t blame you if you do not, will be saying “He is off again against the council” and why not with the hair brained ideas and very poor workmanship. It’s nae wonder.

A.S.A.P. Contracts, A.K.A. Sandy Walker and his team, tarred the Cree’s Inn lane about 10 years ago, it may be longer, and since then there has been no deterioration of the surface and not a weed has come through. Well! When was it the new pavement from Aberargie to the bottom of Glenfoot road was laid, less than a year? Weeds galore and wait for the first frost.

Moving on seamlessly from one frost to probably the same frost. Remember the bad weather will be with us and in fact as you read this it may already be here. Again as I said last year remember to help others that are less able to clear snow from their pavements, and remember I have been given a salt spreading barrow from PKC to use in the village. So if you want a go at spreading salt in your area give me a shout and you can have a loan of it. My designated area is Back Dykes, Station Road and School Wynd.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Jimmy Swan

FROM THE CHAIR

Another year is drawing to a close and today, as I write, it has rained solidly from morning to evening. Another day and we'll have changed from summertime to wintertime, next thing will be Christmas then New Year and we wonder what 2022 has in store for us. I certainly think we all have experienced change in some shape or form as we always do with the passage of time, but I don't think I am alone in feeling the changes are a bit different nowadays. For better or worse remains to be seen. One thing we hope remains a constant is the quarterly issue of the Crier.

Lots of interesting articles and comments in this edition. We would appreciate more contributions from anyone; ideas, criticisms, general news or information e.g. gardening tips. cookery tips and recipes, practical hints of any kind. I am sure many of you have some useful information to share with others.

Thank you again to all our regular contributors and for the updates from the organisations.

Congratulations to Abernethy in Bloom on receiving a Certificate of Recognition from Beautiful Scotland. The village was indeed beautiful and colourful this year thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of those involved. Congratulations also to Irene Napier on raising over £3,000 for the Air Ambulance Service. A most worthy cause.

Irene Hallyburton's continued articles "From The Archives" along with Jimmy's findings in the graveyard make interesting reading.

Mentioning graveyards, there are a few very interesting and ancient burial grounds in the area. At Exmagirdle in Bridge of Earn a Covenanter is buried and quite close to the track surrounding Loch Leven is the ruin of an old church surrounded by some very interesting gravestones. Personally I find these old churchyards fascinating as the headstones give so much more information than present day ones do.

Read all about what has been happening in Aberargie, an excellent article accompanied by very good photographs The hamlet is looking so neat and pretty thanks to the imagination and hard work of the residents.

Good to see the horses back in my field again, always added interest for the people going down to the park.

Once you have read through the Crier you will know pretty well what is going on in the village and what is still not going  on because of Covid restrictions.

Finally I leave you to walk "The Witches' Road with our own wizard, Ian Bett!! Abernethy certainly has an interesting history.

A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS and A HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR to all.

Hilda Clow