ENKCA

2012-01-16T10:54:00.002Z

ENKCA Newsround - situation vacant

A quick catch up of some news - ENKCA 50/50 sweepstake winners, with apologies to all those concerned and especially to Margaret Mowatt who runs this valuable fundraising service for the community. We all appreciate the work Margaret does and offer her our great thanks. Margaret collects the money, arranges the draw by an independent volunteer, delivers prizes to winners and diligently conveys results to the blog editor who has been struggling to maintain the blog over recent months and has now decided to step down from that post.

Anyone interested in taking on what has for the most part been an interesting and entertaining job, working on the blog will be warmly welcomed. It is a good way of meeting people in the community and keeping up to date with what is happening in the area. Training and support will be given; it is not very difficult and is an ideal opportunity to learn new computing skills in a voluntary capacity with the reward of seeing your contribution appear on line. Contact us via the comments section below, by speaking to a director or clicking on any publicity link in the website.

October - at Eassie School, drawn by Mrs McIntosh. 1st prize of £71.33 to Alison & Billy Ross, Eassie; runner up prizes of £8.92 to Dave & Isobel Christie, Eassie and Sheila Stewart, Balkeerie.

November - 1st prize of £71.33 to Audrey Duffy, Balkeerie; runners up prizes of £8.92 to Jim Nicolson, Eassie and Ann Durston, Balkeerie.

December - at the Royal Bank, Blairgowrie, drawn by Jade Johnston. 1st prize of £71.33 to Linda & David Brown, Denoon; runners up prizes of £8.92 to Fiona & Gordon Brown, Balkeerie and James Brewster, Denoon.

2012-01-16T10:36:00.008Z

Bigger, Brighter, LOUDER Future!

Life in our community is looking bigger, brighter and better for the new year ahead since we benefited from Angus Council’s Community Grant Scheme award of almost £5,000. ENKCA has installed a new suite of audio visual equipment, improving the facilities available for concerts, dances, classes, lectures and conferences in the community hall.

ENKCA chairman, Bradly Yule, said, “The new sound system has already made an impact on the life of our community. It was installed just in time for our Hogmanay party which raised over £1,800 for community funds. It will be easier now for us to stage concerts and dances; that, coupled with the high capacity digital data projector and full size screen means that when we have a big audience for one of our series of monthly talks, everyone can see the screen and hear the speaker. That’s been a problem for us in the past when we’ve had a full house for guests who didn’t bring their own professional sound system.”

ENKCA’s events calendar currently includes weekly Zumba, ceilidh dancing and yoga classes and regular art group meetings. The monthly lecture series planned to restart in the new year has previously covered topics from the Mongol Rally to the history of map making in Strathmore.

Bradly continued, “We were lucky that our contractors were able to put together a high quality package for us and Angus Council’s generous Community Grant Scheme has allowed us to offer a greatly improved service to the many and diverse users of our hall.”

Hogmanay 2011 : The Reel Fling

2011-12-20T17:18:00.000Z

Sorry but this event is now SOLD OUT.
Book early for Hogmanay 2012.

2011-11-02T19:25:00.002Z

Saturday 29th October 2011

After a very successful Coffee Morning held by the WRI from 10am until 12 noon the Halloween celebrations continued in the evening with a Pub Quiz Night.

The Pub Quiz Night had been long heralded by the scary witch who seems to have crashed into one of the supporting pillars of the hall. Fortunately the Hall suffered no damage but the witch has been looking increasingly the worse for wear as the weeks have passed.

The local covens turned out for the most part in fancy dress and had a great time at the quiz. From concept to delivery the event was the brainchild of KT Garrett-Sutherland. On the night there was stirling help from an able posse.
Sonia was Bar Wench Extra-Ordinaire & Evie was Head Bar Witch. Seth (Sonia's son) was Death aka general dogs body, glass collector, tidy up-er, quiz paper mover & dish-outer-er, entry fee collector & general wonderful boy! Maia & Alyssa sold the raffle tickets & munchies - they made an obscene amount of money with their youthful charms!

Help in setting up for the event and tidying up afterwards was provided by a host of ENKCA regulars including Marianne, Philip, Margaret, Ken, Jane, Fiona, Gordy, Jenny and Linda.

(If we have missed anyone let us know - it is so easy to miss someone in the heat of battle)

KT has promised to return in the New Year with more quiz madness.

2011-09-25T19:23:00.011Z

Pudding Night

Pudding Night enticed the sweet toothed out for an evening of indulgence.

A wide range was on offer from chocolate tart and rich, sticky, baked puddings with custard or toffee sauces to airy meringues.

All were home made, there were traditional baked puddings and cleverly concocted combinations of prepared foods, sweet, spicy, fruity and sharp puddings.

The evening brought out a some members of the community who don't get out as often as they should.

We had - and still have some - books of recipes of the sweets prepared for the evening, on sale at £3.50.

There was tea, coffee and juice avaialble for anyone who felt that a surfeit of pudding had left them with a drouth.

Thanks should go to all pudding makers, those who helped setting up and clearing up and those who braved the elements to attend!
Donations were exchanged for take away puds, which made a pleasant surprise when found in piece boxes next day. After expenses, takings at door, for recipe books and donations for take- aways brought in £166.87 for ENKCA funds.
The September ENKCA lottery draw took place at Eassie School on 21st Sept, drawn by Mrs McIntosh, Eassie School. First prize of £75.33 went to Malcolm & Sheena Stewart, Newtyle; Runners up prizes of £9.42 went to Dave & Isobel Christie, Eassie and to Ann Durston, Balkeerie.

2011-08-29T10:29:00.001Z

50/50 Lottery Draw

ENKCA August draw took place at Royal Bank, Blairgowrie on 26/8/11 and was drawn byJade Johnston, a member of bank staff. The first prize of £75.33 went to Marianne Jenkins, Balkeerie, runner up prizes of £9.42 went to Carol Tough,Broughty Ferry and Mary Marshall, Eassie.

2011-08-27T06:01:00.014Z

Gardeners Question Time

We found a winning format with Gardeners' Question Time - which attracted one of the biggest audiences we've had for our monthly Wednesday evening meetings. The quality of our gardening panel was a big attraction.

(l to r) Hamish and Sheena Lamond, well known show vegetable and fruit growers from Coupar Angus; Chair, Anne Steel Newtyle; Pippa Clegg from Kilry Gardening Club, a fan of herbacious perennials; Ali Bruce (formerly Pathhead Nursery) commercial horticulture lecturer, Dundee College; Rex Brennan, soft fruit specialist, James Hutton Institute (formerly SCRI).

The panel spoke with enthusiasm, expertise, practical experience of local conditions and humour and their words inspired the audience to go home and, like Robert the Bruce, 'try and try again'.

We had a small plant stall and swap table, which helped to circulate garden favourites around the countryside. the evening brought in over £150 for ENKCA funds.

Linda Brown thanked the gardeners for their wisdom, the chairwoman for her able perormance in the hot seat and Fiona Brown and Elma Shaw for decorating the hall with their floral displays.

2011-08-11T08:20:00.003Z

Lottery Winners

The July draw took place on 29 July at Royal Bank, Blairgowrie and was kindly drawn by Marion Brown, a member RBS staff. There are 113 numbers in draw.

First prize of £75.33 went to Mary Marshall, Castleton; runner up prizes of £9.42 went to Fiona & Gordon Brown, Balkeerie and to Dorothy Mowatt, Inverarity.

2011-07-28T11:15:00.008Z

No, not three bums on a night out, however much it looks like it!

"Many hands did make easy work"

Thank you to everyone who helped tidy up round the hall on a lovely warm, sunny evening. Strimming, stone digging and picking, weeding, raking, edging, and window cleaning saw everyone working together and making a BIG difference. Everything was carted away thanks to a man with a loader and bucket.

A cold drink and some tasty home baking was most welcome after some very hot work. Thanks too, to Linda Breckenridge for organising the work party.

. . . although the two shifty characters to the right do look as if, like Stan and Ollie, they might be plotting some mischief with their graip and block of wood!

2011-07-23T08:57:00.007Z

Strawberry Walk

Once more, we held our annual strawberry walk, taking a relatively short route around Balkeerie Farm, and thanks go Ken and Margaret Durston for hosting that and preparing the way for us by cutting the long grass.

There was a wealth of wild flowers in bloom

and we looked back to the hall in apparently splendid isolation.

From the fields, we came back by the wooded track and stoped at Fiona and Gordon Brown's where Gordon kindly acted as mine host and, with the help of one of the most frequently seen barmen in the district, Andy Blackie, gave everyone a drink and a helping of fresh strawberries. Thank you, Gordon and Fiona.

We reached the hall and enjoyed a lavish Strawberry Tea, with every combination of strawberry related, tea time treat - and some raspberry ones - on offer.

The evening raised over £100 for ENKCA funds. Thanks to all who supplied food, baked, set up tables, and cleared up afterwards.

50 /50 Lottery winners for June are James Brewster £74.67; Linda and David Brown £9.33, Linda Breckenridge £9.33.
Anyone wishing to join the lottery should contact Margaret Mowatt 840447.

2011-06-13T07:18:00.009Z

Another Year, Another Nine Maidens

One group set out from Easter Denoon and another from Glen Ogilvy and, after a lovely walk in the sunshine, saw figures emerging from the Other Side!

We landed at the bridge at precisely the same time. Some new faces were introduced,

a dram was taken from the Nine Maidens Quaich and a bit of orientation was given.

The united group set off for the Eassie side, stopping on the way at the Haining, an old staging post.

We enjoyed the best weather we've ever had for the walk, and before we knew it we were nearly home.

where we saw the old doocot at Wester Denoon with nest boxes for the doos (doves /pigeons)

and admired the view of Denoon Law, an ancient fortification, in the foreground and Kirriemuir in the distance.

Next priority was to get to the hall for a community buffet - good food, good company, good cheer, where we were joined by some who couldn't walk for good reasons and some for their own reasons!

Neil took the opportunity to remind us of the Nine Maidens legend

which some had heard before; some had never imagined such things were possible.

It was a lovely repast with a complimentary raffle, and the day raised £270 for ENKCA funds,

and Neil brought out some of his latest records - 78s of course. He may be taking his gramophone on the walk next year - it doesn't need electricity, it's a wind-up (and to think people thought Trevor Bayliss was on to something new when he brought out his wind up radio!)

Thanks to all who contributed to a great day, and kind thoughts to those who would have liked to join us, but couldn't, for many reasons.

50 /50 Lottery winners for May were - Shona and Bob Wallace, Kirriemuir - £74.67; Marianne Jenkins, Balkeerie £9.33, Mirriam Cosgrove, Kirkinch £9.33.

2011-05-23T15:56:00.003Z

Yoga cancelleld due to storm.

2011-05-20T19:10:00.015Z

Eassie's DONE it!

Sorry for delay in posting, there was a lot to process. The music festival - unlike the curate's egg, was good all the way through, in ALL parts and greatly appreciated by all who attended - which is a lot - 50 children attended the workshops and 10 helpers helped. 150 sat down for the concert and 120 got up for the ceilidh.

Donald Shaw, Karen Matheson, Sheena Wellington, James Grant

The concert was first class and a roaring success with a packed house.

Headline acts, Karen Matheson and Sheena Wellington, had top billing

but support acts, Karen Hannah and guitarist

and the duo of Scott Gardner and Johnny Kemp won over new fans with their respective performances

and the compere, Jim Brown of Fettercairn, received a vote of thanks from the musicans.

Weel brocht up Bothy Loon did his mother proud, and said, 'thank you' to compere, Jim Brown

Thanks to all performers.

The boys looked as if they'd never been presented with post -performance asparagus before

In the evening, the Orwell Ceilidh Band

played to a packed floor
for every dance,

and you (don't) want to have seen the stoor next morning!

The children enjoyed the vocal and instrumental workshops and, judging by the exhaustion of some of them, put a lot effort into the sessions - Thanks to all teachers and helpers.

Refreshed by lunch in the hall, the children made their way back to Eassie School

Highly enjoyable too, was the musical session in the cafe bridging the 'tea time' gap between the concert and the ceilidh.

It was good to see a mix of local amateurs

and professional performers

playing and singing together

and very encouraging to see - and hear - a number of young musicians,

teenagers and younger children all having fun,

some still learning to play in front of an audience and others learning to join in as you go along.

Thanks to all musicians.

Speaking of tea time - good food all day - homemade cakes, sandwiches and soup and only the pies were bought, from a top notch baker at Westmuir. Thanks to all caterers and the florist.

We had some non musical highlights too.

The fabulous raffle prize of a stay in an appartment in Portugal was won by local man, Willie Gaffney of Glamis.

(l to r) Allan Torbet of Monifeith, Anne Thorpe and Andrew Brewster drew the raffle and the prize winners were - Bespoke handbag by Carole Mungall - Steve Gotrel; £50 John Lewis voucher - J Watson, Netherton tractors; Angus Ales - Philip Jenkins; Hamper of Soaps - Graham Brown, Edinburgh; Beauty Voucher - Jean Wighton; Bottle of whisky - Alison Orr, Wardmill; Phoenix card Hamper - C Smith; Portugal Holiday Accomodation - Mr Gaffney

Many thanks to all who so generously donated prizes and sold tickets on and prior to the Music Festival which raised the fantastic sum of £3,955 when all moneys were gathered.

We were sponsored by the Co operative, Roods, Kirriemuir, Grahams Dairies, Brechin and Morrisons, Dundee. Westmuir Post Office, producers of pies and sausage rolls, and Star Rock Shop were generous with discounts and time. The ENKCA community, as always, came up trumps with food, flowers, time and tremendous effort.

ENKCA chose the event to say 'Thank You' to Michael Ryan for the time and effort he has put into the long journey that produced our new hall and to Diane for putting up with Michael's constant distraction with ENKCA business and his repeated disappearance to check the boiler.

On behalf of the community, ENKCA chairman, Phil Jenkins, presented Michael with a glass vase, engraved with a view of the hall by Bruce Walker of Kirremuir and a framed citation recording the gratitude of the community.
Phil presented Neil Ballantyne and Sylvia Fleming with a token in appreciation of their role in planning and hostiing the festival.

If we are allowed to pat ourselves on the back, we have to say Eassie did it! and 'Well Done!' to all organisers and helpers

Three barmen stood ahint the bar - there may have been yin that couldna flee at a,
but we can't speak for the rest!

- those who stepped out in front of the public and those who laboured behind the scenes. special thanks go to Andy Blackie and Phil Jenkins who missed Karen Matheson and company, attending to the plumbing while the concert was in full flow but the water wasn't.

2011-05-05T10:41:00.005Z

Saturday Morning Art Class

A group enjoyed a successful day under the tutelage of John Stoa. The class was tailored to the individual needs of participants who worked in a choice of media from photographs they brought along with them.

And because it was more than a Saturday morning class - an all day class, in fact - it stopped for a meal - which appears to have gone down well.

And just to show off many aspects of our lovely hall, while all this was going on, the main hall was being decked out for a private function, which looks very glamorous. The party left a very gracious 'Thank you' for the service they received from ENKCA which was very much appreciated.

If you would like to run a sophisticated event in our smart hall, a bowl of soup in the cafe or a quiet session in a darkened room, go to our home page and look for 'Booking Our Hall' where you will see the facilities we have on offer at bargain prices.

2011-04-28T08:31:00.006Z

ENKCA Plant Stall

ENKCA’s peripatetic plant stall has arisen from its winter dormancy once more is now parked outside Sandy Patullo’s Asparagus Shop at Eassie, by courtesy of Sandy and Heather.

The unseasonably, and welcome, warm weather hasenabled an early opening to the stall and so far it is focussing on the sale of fresh rhubarb - £1 for a generous kilo.

We hope to have more plants and produce as the season advances.

If you have anything to contribute to the stall, please take your plants, labelled with species name – if possible - and price; contact 840600, email ruralreadsATgmail.com (replacing AT with the usual symbol) or leave a comment on this blog.

Thank you.

2011-04-27T07:37:00.005Z

A Night at the Hustings

The first hustings in our new hall was successful, good natured and heckle free.

The candidates representing the four main parties, (l to r) Graeme Dey (SNP), Hughie Campbell Adamson (Con), Willie Campbell (Lab) and Clive Sneddon (Lib Dem) fielded questions on the economy, renewable energy, farming and services in rural areas, student funding, skills training and apprenticeships.

Hustings chairman, John Duffy managed the speakers and the audience with aplomb. He grouped questions on one subject into multi faceted probes and was alert to the danger of candidates digressing.

The audience raised questions that varied from the predictable, but important, to the surprising, but nonetheless significant, and candidates agreed that they had learned from their evening with us. By the end of the event the consensus among the candidates was that they want a 'greener' Scotland with consistent, ‘joined up’ thinking between administrative bodies.

ENKCA Chairman Phil Jenkins who opened the evening reminded us that we are privileged to live in a democracy and asked us to think of the peoples of Bahrain, Namibia and Syria who are currently struggling for a right which we should not take for granted.

Once more, a new venture brought new faces into the hall, most already known to some of the community, but yet again, it was an opportunity to let people, outside the usual ENKCA supporters, see our facilities. A quick cuppa allowed the public to buttonhole the candidate of their choice, while some prospective MSPs wanted to hear more of the background to the issues raised.

ENKCA took full advantage of the situation to sell tickets for our fabulous raffle which will be drawn at the Ceilidh at the Eassie Does It music festival on Saturday, May 14 ^th.

Raffle prizes include - one week’s self catering holiday accommodation in Portugal - April/May 2012 (flights not included), bespoke handbag made by Carole Mungall, £50 John Lewis voucher, case of Angus Ales, hamper of Thistle Soaps, Phoenix card hamper, beauty voucher, bottle of whisky.

Then we went home on a balmy, April evening - honestly!

2011-04-25T23:06:00.003Z

V&A at Dundee

We had a good turn out this week for a talk by Graham McKee, Project Leader of the V&A at Dundee initiative, on the background that brought the project to Dundee and the potential implications for the city and the wider art and design community of Scotland.

He said that the V&A at Dundee will be an international centre for design, building on Scotland’s global reputation as a leader in creativity and innovation. The new venue will showcase excellence in design and provide a valuable resource for students of art, design and architecture.

The talk and Q&A session was followed by a reception in the café area of the hall - thanks to all caterers. It was a good opportunity to meet new people and to see some familiar faces who have been in hiding/ on holiday/ snowed under with work/ or just snowed in for most of the winter. Plans were discussed for future developments in ENKCA and all in all, it was lovely, sociable way to spend a Spring evening. We hope to have more, similar events in the months ahead.

The 50 /50 lottery was drawn at Eassie School by Mrs Mitchell, and this month’s 1^st prize winner is Anne Thorpe of Charleston, who won £74.67. Runners up, Ann Wilson of Harrryhill, and Carol Tough of Broughty Ferry won £9.33.

2011-03-26T18:19:00.009Z

Opening Day at Our New Hall

Lord Eassie did the honours,

speaking of the admiration our efforts have earned and the need to bring users in to the hall.

The children of Eassie Primary School serenaded us with a reminder of our ecological obligations

Friends gathered from near and far to celebrate

Hall project manager, Michael Ryan, with Lord and Lady Eassie and the plans for the hall

not just resting on our laurels but planning for the future.

Gratifying to see such a range of friends and well wishers.

Ross, the youngest pupil in school presented Lady Eassie with a basket of flowers
and Sheila Stewart presented Lord Eassie with a bottle of whisky.

Not just a formal event but an occasion for great happiness.

On his last official duty, local MSP, John Swinney, chatted to Lord Eassie while local ladies admired our state of the art video presentation screen.

Lord and Lady Eassie seem pleased with their gifts; we hope Lord Eassie will appreciate the 'spirit' of his gift when he gets home tonight.

Thank you to all who helped - in any capacity - to put on a memorable opening day; to those who set up the hall or tidied up afterwards, those who helped with sponsorship, gifts, donations and publicity, those who tidied the grounds, supplied floral displays inside and out or parked the cars, those who provided culinary support at home and or in the hall, those meeting, greeting, providing guided tours or serving refreshments, and the raffle ticket sellers who sold £170 tickets for our May music festival Grand Prize raffle. A special thank you to Eassie School choir for our entertainment.

Finally, a small expression of the thanks of the whole community to Michael Ryan, who has driven the project forward, from its beginnings as a dream, through several nightmare scenarios, to its very real presence.

Good Night and Joy be with you all!

2011-03-20T21:21:00.005Z

Time Marches On

The 50 /50 lottery was drawn at the Racquet Club, Eassie Hall on Wednesday, 16^th March. The winners were David & Linda Brown, Denoon who won first prize of £74.67. Runners up were Debra & David Ritchie, Eassie and Audrey Duffy, Balkeerie, both of whom won £9.33.

Later that evening a small group gathered for ENKCA’s monthly social evening. What the evening lacked in numbers it made up for in the pleasure the members took in the company and the evening’s entertainment. Billed as a games night, the activities took in the physical and the cerebral – including table tennis and Scrabble.

Anyone with ideas for future evenings which they feel will appeal to the community, please contact Jane Brewster 840313.

2011-03-17T11:28:00.009Z

Fill–dyke February*

A somewhat belated round up of the more visible and completed of our February activities which represent only a part of the hard work and efforts many people continually put into the community to keep ENKCA and our magnificent new hall running smoothly.

Some people wield pens, some electric drills, it may be a sweeping brush or a catalogue of supplies, people may go into dark corners with a hand held torch or sit at a smart computer, some people are close to wearing out the seat of their pants from regular attendance at meetings, others fear burns from the use of red hot phone lines. We are all working for the same cause, and have to negotiate ENKCA duties round our home and work lives.

The February draw for ENKCA was drawn by Audrey Duffy at the very well attended and popular, after school, racquet club in Eassie Hall on Wed 23 February. First prize, £74.67 went to Ann Wilson of Harryhill Steadings; runners up were Ann Thorpe, Charleston and John Brewster Denoon, both of whom won £9.33.
If you would like to join the ENKCA 50/ 50 lottery, please contact Margaret Mowatt at Eassie Station on 840447.

On Wednesday evening, 16th Feb, as part of our regular monthly ENKCA meetings, Phil Jenkins gave us a comprehensive outline of the geology of Scotland and although he had a disappointingly small audience, he agreed it had quality stamped through it like a stick of confectioner’s rock. Most members of the audience had a question to ask and it was clear that they followed Phil’s exposition with interest and enthusiasm.

It was very encouraging to the usual ENKCA suspects, that the small audience included new, and very welcome, faces attracted by the advance notice of Phil’s talk. The rock cakes were much appreciated by all who attended – no cakes have survived to pose for pix, tasters are all well.

Two days later, Friday 18th the hall was stowed out for a Zumba night, arranged by Leona Joiner of Charleston, with the help of Tay FM, in aid of Cash for Kids.

The evening brought an influx of yet more new faces to take in the facilities available in the hall and saw a number of weel kent faces - and derrieres - rocking and rolling to the Zumba beat. (When we have the figure raised, this post will be updated with that.)

With scarcely time to dismantle and reassemble our versatile staging system, Eassie and Nevay SWRI held a successful fashion show which stretched ENKCA’s tea making facilities. We look forward to seeing the Rural ladies in their finery in the near future – maybe at the official opening of the hall. (This post will be updated as soon as pix are available)

*Fill–dyke February – a traditional name for the month which brings rain to fill the ditches – dykes as they are called in the North of England. Is it comforting or depressing to think that the recent weather is so much part of what we should expect in February, that it is written into the language?

2011-03-15T17:09:00.003Z

New Web-site

To coincide with the official opening of our new hall we will be re-launching our web site.
It has to be admitted that it has become a little out of date as all our efforts went in to getting our hall into operation. Soon everything will be up to date and easier to keep current.

Watch this space !

2011-01-26T09:08:00.006Z

Happy New Year Ahead!

Members of ENKCA met in January to familiarise themselves with the operation of kitchen equipment and erection of staging for our new and adventurous life in our magnificent new hall. Time and thought was also spent formulating our new calendar of events which will be released soon.

First and foremost, a taster class of Zumba exercise dancing is planned for early evening, Friday 18^th February. All welcome, contact Stuart Wright, 840236.

We welcome Margaret Mowatt to the role of 50/50 Sweep organiser and thank the outgoing incumbent, Diane Ryan, for her good work in the post. During the three years Diane has been organising the 50/50 Sweep it has brought in £3300 towards the cost of building our hall.

Margaret is keen to bring in new names to contribute to the lottery pot and share in the 50/50 draw – contact Margaret, 840447 for more information.

This month’s lottery winners were drawn by Fiona Mackintosh of Eassie School and the winners were – 1^st prize of £74.67 - Neil Ballantyne, Newhouse of Eassie, Runners up of £9.33 – Verity Webster, Castleton and Evelyn Philips, Eassie.

We have had a number of tentative - and some definite - enquiries about the possibility of hiring the hall for sporting activities, meetings and business purposes. ENKCA members will be delighted to discuss such uses and to demonstrate the potential of the facilities within the building.

Already, the possibility of an after school sports club for school age participants, a weekly café/ social, a computer club, exercise classes, a music festival and a sports rally have been mooted as well as private hire for social functions. To discuss rates for potential hires, contact bookings secretary, Mary Marshall 840415.

2011-01-15T09:26:00.000Z

Hogmanay Lives

More photographs from the capacity filled Hogmanay Bash. Many thanks to Emma Thompson of Kirkinch for these.

2011-01-10T12:54:00.005Z

Happy New Year . . . New Yoga, New You!

ENKCA Yoga Classes 2011

Eassie Hall, Balkeerie - on the Glamis – Newtyle road.

NEW for 2011

Tuesday evening class will return to . . . MONDAY NIGHTS 6.15 -7.45 pm (Hall open 6-8 pm) starting Monday,10^th January 2011.

Wednesday afternoon class 1.15 - 2.45 pm (Hall open 1 - 3 pm) starting Wednesday 12^th January 2011, no change.

Finances!

Fees are payable in five week blocks.

Classes subject to weather cancellations … fees will be carried over to 2011.

Cost - £20 for five classes.

If members cannot attend their regular weekly class, then they can attend the alternative class to make best use of their fees.

Jane is trying to keep the cost of classes as low as possible, as ENKCA is well supported by class members through fundraising and attending events.

‘Pay as you go’ is not possible at present as hall expenses and tutor must be paid irrespective of numbers present.

We need a minimum of 20 for each class to be viable and payment in full must be made on the first night.

News update on classes events ... cancellations ... weather updates!

Please check the ENKCA website for information http://www.eassieandnevay.org/

The http://enkcanews.blogspot.com/ is kept up to date with yoga news, check our events snow line!

or phone Jane Brewster 01307 840313 jbrewsteris AT gmail.com

(replace the AT with usual symbol and close the gaps)

2011-01-02T20:16:00.050Z

Many thanks to all who supported the recent Hogmanay Party in the new hall.

Tickets were sold out.

More than 100 people enjoyed live music, stovies, kids party games, a raffle and quiz as well as a piper to bring in the Bells.

Over £1,000 was raised which is a great way to begin a busy year of fundraising.

The raffle alone brought in well over £200. A major contributor to the raffle hamper was Scotmid in Alyth who kindly offered early in the process to fulfill anything which could not be found from elsewhere. They supplied two bottles of wine and the majority of the other contents. Dorwards the butcher in Alyth kindly provided a selection of jams and sauces and the Spar in Meigle donated soup, mustard and shortbread. Glamis Castle provided chutney, napkins and oatcakes and David Sim (the ironmongers in Alyth) gave us some planted hyacinth bulbs. HB Rutherford provided the third prize cased bottle of red wine.

A number of members of the community made significant contributions including a bottle of Grouse, the bottle of malt for the whisky challenge, a bottle of liqueur and prizes for the children's raffle.

The following people where involved in organising and helping on the night -

Main event organisation by - Tina Blackie, Audrey Duffy, Jill Hamilton, Elaine Wright .

Background and kids music - Bradly Yule

Childrens games - Marianne Jenkins and Lisa Yule

Tatties supplied by Peter Grewar

Stovie makers -
Jane Brewster, Mary Marshall, Marianne Jenkins, Fiona Brown, Pat Duffy and Audrey Duffy

Raffle prizes and quiz - Jill Hamilton

Helpers on the night - Sine Robertson, Jackie Harrington,

Whisky challenge - Gail Christie

Bar rota - Andy Blackie, Stuart Wright, John Duffy, Drew Lamb, Bradly Yule, James Brewster, Robert Brewster, Michael Ryan

Bar supplied and managed by - Andy and Tina Blackie

Music - Bruce Peebles

Donations from Famous Grouse through Stuart Wright

Also lots of people at the end of the night mucked in and helped clear the hall and kitchen thereby making short work of the job.

Extra thanks to Sine Robertson who will be making the building spick and span again.

Tickets for Hogmanay 2011 will go on sale in November this year.

(If any names missed- email thecommunity@balkeerie.plus.com for corrections)

2010-12-16T09:41:00.007Z

Notice of AGM

2010-12-13T23:07:00.000Z

Yoga is on this week - The last classes before the festivities begin.

In the New Year yoga classes will start on MONDAY 10th January (6-8pm) and Wednesday 12th January (1-3pm)

2010-12-06T21:07:00.000Z

Snow Clearing

Thanks go to Andy Blackie for clearing the forecourt of the Hall of snow, with some minor assistance from Philip Jenkins and Michael Ryan. Andy had already worked above and beyond the call of duty clearing footpaths and entrances for a number of people. Thanks also to Tina for the tea and bacon rolls which fuelled the proceedings.

Thanks also to Ken Durston for clearing a number of lanes at the western end of Balkeerie making it possible for quite a few people to get on to the main road.
If you know of others who have been doing similar good deeds let us know and we'll give them visible thanks here.

2010-12-06T17:41:00.000Z

Sorry folks, Yoga is cancelled again for this week, so best just to stay at home and stretch out in front of the fire!

2010-12-01T18:20:00.002Z

Coffee Morning Cancelled
The Coffee morning due to be held in the Hall this Saturday 4th December 2010 has been cancelled due to travel difficulties caused by the prolonged snow spell.

2010-11-30T08:54:00.003Z

For this week only the yoga sessions are cancelled.

At the moment the Coffee morning is still going ahead.

Saturday 4th December 2010, in the Hall at Balkeerie

10 am until 11.30 am

Run by Friends of Eassie and Nevay Church

Tea, coffee, mince pies and shortbread.

Its warm, its friendly and the refreshments will be spot on

Why not introduce a friend to our wonderful new hall.

2010-11-22T21:43:00.017Z

Winter Festival - a Great Success

Our third annual Winter Festival, the first event in our new hall, turned out to be the most popular yet.

A constant stream of visitors had ample opportunity to get ahead with Christmas shopping whilst experience the novelty and comfort of our wonderful new building.

Many people commented on its cosy and friendly feel.

Many thanks to all those who made this event possible, especially Jane Brewster who organised it, but a special mention must be made of the hard-working kitchen crew who worked non-stop from the moment the doors opened to the close of the event.

At times the cafe was so busy that there was standing room only.

Well done everyone and many thanks to all those whose efforts or generosity allowed us to raise over two thousand pounds towards the residual costs of our marvelous new hall.

We were delighted to see John Swinney MSP and his wife Elizabeth who brought their 4 week old son Matthew

We are grateful to our talented friends who played for us

Seonaid made a special effort for Children in Need, with a lot of support from schoolfriends

One

We drew the 50/50 lottery for November - winners were;1st prize £76 - Peter Andrews, Kirrie runners up £9.50p - Marianne Jenkins, Audrey Duffy, both Balkeerie.

People enjoyed the opportunity to see what we've done with the money we've raised; how the building is laid out and how the component parts work together.

Two

Three

Catching up, the results of the 50/50 lottery for October - winners were;1st prize £76 - Jim Nicolson, Eassie, runners up £9.50p - June Scrimgeour, Kirrie, Ann Wilson, Harryhill.

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

nine

The raffle was drawn

the day flew by, and soon it was time to go home . . . with an additional £2,000+ in our funds

2010-11-21T07:01:00.006Z

Not quite the West - or even the Wet - Highland Way , but members of ENKCA and friends walking over the local hills to comemorate Nine Maidens Day.

West Highland Way

Illustrated talk

by Jim Nicoll

Local hillwalker/climber, former member of RAF and Civilian Mountain Rescue Teams.

Wednesday 24th Nov, 2010

7.30pm — 9.30pm

In the NEW HALL at Balkeerie

Tea / Coffee Biscuits

Adults £2 Children £1

ALL WELCOME

COME ALONG FOR AN INFORMATIVE TALK from JIM NICOLL

& a sociable opportunity to meet, chat and check out our new hall

2010-11-17T19:37:00.004Z

First Use of the new hall at Balkeerie

A team of ENKCA members who had stored materials from the old hall whilst the new one was being built, moved materials into the building on Saturday 13th November.
Those present organising and moving materials included :
Philip Jenkins, Debra Ritchie, Andy and Tina Blackie, Jane, John, Robert and David Brewster, Elaine and Stuart Wright, Bradly Yule, Sheila Stewart, Fiona and Gordon Brown, Linda, Jim, Stewart and Sandy Breckenridge, Michelle Wilkinson, Diane and Michael Ryan, Neil Ballantyne and Sylvia Flemming.
Refreshments were prepared by Jane Brewster, Anne Durston, Marianne Jenkins, Sylvia Flemming.
and Sheila Stewart.

Tuesday evening saw the first committee meeting in the new building as Elaine Wright, Audrey Duffy and Tina Blackie discussed plans for the ENKCA Hogmanay Bash. Tickets for this will be on sale at the Winter Festival to be held this Saturday, November 20th from 10am until 4pm in the new hall.

2010-11-12T07:12:00.010Z

Winter Festival

Christmas is coming, the goose is geting fat . . . but Dylan Skibinski of Eassie is determined his goose 'Maggie Murphy' is not going to the Winter Festival's Christmas Market

We look forward to welcoming a number of new faces to our annual winter Festival. The immensely popular and completely unique event features a day of live music and song, book signings by local authors and a busy Christmas Market with activities for children, all accompanied by an all day café in the new Village Hall at Balkeerie on Saturday 20th November, 10 am – 4 pm.

ENKCA hall project manager Michael Ryan said, “We are absolutely delighted that the contractors expect to hand over our new hall in time to let us hold the festival in our own building on our own patch for the first time. There will be a lot of work putting our furnishings in place in time for the event but it will be a pleasure to see everything up and running on the day. “

“We are looking forward to a high standard of entertainment. Sandy Ingram and friends are joining us for the first time; John Tylor Thomson, author of "Drinking The Wind," who rode in the first Trans Scotland 200 miles Endurance Ride, is a new literary figure for us and the ever popular Jim Broon, our own multi talented musician and author brings a following where ever he appears. On the sales floor we have 22 stalls booked from returning favourites and new traders. We are very pleased to welcome Memus Community hall’s stall. We have had the benefit of their support in the past and there is great potential for the future when rural communities support each other’s efforts. “

The stalls in the gift fair include arts & crafts, foods, books, Christmas gifts, calendars, cards, CDs, jewellery, soaps, bags, scarves, candles, vintage items, woodcraft, hampers, toys and tombola and feature a high proportion of locally crafted goods. Youngest stallholder is 10 year old, Seonaid Durston, who is running a stall in aid of Children in Need, with a “Build a Bear" Pudsey prize, worth £24.50, bought with her own pocket money.

The festival promises a relaxed day out for any age or gender. Weary – or reluctant – shoppers can rest in the Café and enjoy tea, coffee, traybakes, filled rolls and soup and listen to – or participate in - the varied entertainment. Pocket money stalls and an activity zone for children will distract youngsters from their parents’ festive purchases.

Admission is free of charge.

2010-11-11T07:48:00.001Z

We are Banking on Your Vote

We could access £6,000 of grant money, for the price of your vote.

ENKCA is the only Angus charity in the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Tayside wide short list for the RBS’ Community Fund grant. Our campaign to build a new Community Hub is nearing completion and we are working furiously to make good a £39,000 funding deficit before the final bill comes in!

ENKCA chairman, Stuart Wright said, “We are on a short list to win a £3,000 grant, but any award we receive is worth double to us. Because our Community Hub project has been approved for matched funding by the Scottish government’s Rural Development Programme, we could access a further £3,000 – giving us a total of £6,000, if we win. We will only win if people help us to secure the £3,000 grant by voting for us. Voting is open to anyone, RBS customers or not! Once the Hub is up and running, it will be an educational, social and business asset to the area, so it’s a great opportunity to get real value for the price of a free vote.”

RBS has selected three projects as potential recipients of a £3,000 grant. ENKCA is on the short list, one of three projects in line to receive a grant of £3,000 or £1,000. The project with most votes will win £3,000 while the other two get £1,000.

The public can vote online at https://communityfund.rbs.co.uk between 8th and 26th November or by picking up a leaflet at their local branch of RBS.

2010-10-22T16:01:00.000Z

Friday 22nd October 2010
Final external ground preparation and drainage work has started.
Electrical, plumbing and heating work is nearing completion.

Colour scheme - disabled toilet

Cooker ventilation in place

The main hall

2010-10-08T17:43:00.001Z

ENKCA at Memus 2010

Jane Brewster, Mary Marshall, Marianne Jenkins, Maggie and Ronnie Wright, and Diane Ryan ran stalls at the Memus and the Glens Country Market on September 26th raising more than £250 towards ENKCA building funds.

The ENKCA 50/50 sweep draw for September took place with the following results :
Winner : David and Linda Brown, £76.00
Consolation prizes : John Brewster and Leander Patterson, £9.50 each.

Many thanks to all who contributed baking, preserves, plants and brick-a-brack, and to Gordon and Fiona Brown for helping pack up at the end.

2010-09-19T14:06:00.001Z

ENKCA goes to Memus and the Glens Country Market

Cortachy Under5s explore some of the produce being gathered up for sale at Memus.

Memus and the Glens community’s invitation to ‘Come out to the Country’ to their Country Market has attracted an enthusiastic response.
The harvest season market is to be held in Memus hall on Saturday, September 25th 10 am – 2pm.

Hall committee member, Irene Burrows, said, “The Country Market is a new venture for the community but it has proved popular. Most of the stalls have already been booked by a good range of producers from our own locality and the wider area. It is encouraging that the neighbouring community of Eassie, Nevay and Kirkinch has endorsed our plan to hold the market by booking two stalls – one selling produce and preserves and another with hobby and leisure equipment and materials. In addition to that, we will have a harvest of local fruit, veg and plants and the ever popular, home baking. There will be handmade items from jewellery and handbags to gift and homewares, craft materials, cookery utensils, vintage goods and treasures from the attic, greetings cards and books for sale and entertainment for children.

Tea, coffee and home baking will be served throughout the day, with soup and rolls available at lunchtime.

For further details, contact Jane Butterworth 01356 650313 or Irene Burrows on 01356 650374.

2010-09-06T20:50:00.002Z

Back to Work

The schools have reopened and it is seriously ‘back to work’ time, which means back to work raising funds for ENKCA for anyone who has taken a break from it over the summer.

ENKCA is back in the fruit trade, courtesy of the peripatetic plant stall, currently resting opposite the Dunkenny Pictish Stone at Old Eassie Kirkyard.

Cooking apples are available at 2lb for £1, free of charge to anyone making produce to sell for ENKCA funds. Chilli and jalapeno pepper plants (fully formed fruit starting to change colour) £3, and cut rhubarb are available to order and ‘winemakers’ quality (small apples, teuch rhubarb) at bargain price, ditto – call 840600. Orders can be collected from the plant stall or elsewhere by arrangement.

Anyone able to make supplies of fruit, veg or plants available for sale, please contact via this blog’s comments facility or phone 840600.

ENKCA is taking two sales tables at Memus Hall Country Market on September 25th. Anyone with donations for the very loosely defined Produce & Preserves or Hobbies and Leisure stalls, please contact Jane Brewster 840313.

In the absence of an ENKCA meeting, the 50/50 lottery draw was made at Eassie and Nevay Rural on Wednesday, by guest speaker, Vivienne Moss.

Winners of the £76 first prize were Alison and Billy Ross of Eassie, while Audrey Duffy of Balkeerie and Shona Wallace of Kirriemuir collected consolation prizes of £9.50 each.

2010-08-03T20:59:00.012Z

Walking for Strawberries

ENKCA’s now traditional strawberry tea was another great success.

Almost thirty people walked from Eassie Kirk to Kirkinch, visited the old kirkyard, studied some gravestones and walked back.

The fact that our three year old and five year old walkers had shorter legs than most was no hindrance to their ability to make the journey, sustained only by a well deserved cake of chocolate, halfway.

Our five year old was also an admirable interpreter of the gravestones and managed to read the inscriptions to those whose eyesight was not as good as hers.

"built by subscribers", a reminder that our fund raising is nothing new

The return trip ended in Kirkgate, Balkeerie where Fiona and Gordon Brown generously hosted the strawberry tea, with the support of friends who contributed an imaginative selection of strawberry based treats.

The peripatetic plant stall popped up in the garden with a selection beginning with achillea, alchemilla mollis, anaphalis and astrantia.

Rebecca Hamilton and Susan McLaren kindly drew the 50/50 lottery. Jim Nicholson won first prize of £74.08; two consolation prizes of £9.62 went to Linda and David Brown and Linda Breckenridge.

The teas and a sale of jams, tablet and soft fruit raised £200 and the plant stall £28. Thanks to all who contributed home bakes and jams, set the tables, washed the dishes, potted plants and spent money.

A special thank you to John and Rebecca Hamilton for the use of their photographs.

2010-07-26T05:06:00.004Z

Strawberry Walk - Wednesday 28th July 7pm

This month’s community meeting is a walk and strawberry tea. All welcome, but please contact Fiona 840335 to allow for catering arrangements if you intend to come along.

The plan is -
Meet at Kirkgate/Eassie Church 7pm.
Walk to Kirkinch old church/churchyard via Dun Ley / Old Railway Line and return via the route to the South of Kirkinch. (Approx 1 hour total walking time)

The path is roughish in patches and stout shoes/trainers are advised. Grass is ankle-high in some parts, so if wet underfoot something more substantial may be required.

Return to Kirkgate between 8 and 8.30pm for refreshments/cream scones/strawberry tarts, etc. and the drawing of the 50/50 Lottery.

Anyone not wishing to walk is most welcome to turn up, 8 - 8.30 pm for refreshments.
If weather is too bad to walk, please still come along for a chat as there will be food to be eaten!

There will also be a small plant and paperback book stall.

2010-06-18T19:43:00.023Z

Catching up

This is a catch up post. In recent weeks a number of people in the community have participated in group activities, including . . .

Eassie and Nevay Kirk held a sponsored walk from Lumley Den, up to the masts where we stopped for a break . . .

but we were surprised - on the 1st June - to see this nwborn . . .

and on investigation found . . .

From there, we went on to Baludderon hill and across to Auchterhouse hill where we stopped again and then walked down to Denoon . . .

where we were met by drivers who chauffeured the group down to the Church for sandwiches and cold drinks.

Thanks to Mary and Isobel for photographs.

On a less energetic day out, some ENKCA folk who are also members of Forfar Garden Club visited Glendoick Gardens and admired the meconopsis - blue himalayan poppies . . .

the handkerchief tree - Davidia . . .

a host of stunning rhododendrons . . .

and a very unusual sundial . . .

at around 2.30pm, as you can see . . .

The wings of the seat act as the gnomon. In the morning, the sun in the East casts a shadow on the right 'face' from 7 am and until noon, when there is no shadow as the sun is shining straight on, and as the sun moves West, the afternoon shadow is cast on the left 'face'. You may be able to see the hour divisions better if you can zoom in on the picture or magnify the view some other way.

There has been another centre of activity, but that'll keep for another day.

2010-06-17T08:14:00.012Z

Nine Maidens' Day Community Celebration

The communities of Glenogilvy and ENKCA cemented a new tradition, begun over the past two years, in celebrating Nine Maidens Day recently.

On Sunday, 13th June, a group of ENKCA members set out from Easter Denoon to meet ‘the Glenners’ of Glenogilvy and friends near the march fence running between Ark Hill and Auchterhouse Hill, separating Glenogilvy from Denoon.

It is recorded that the womenfolk of Glamis parish used to travel to Abernethy in Fife, to celebrate Nine Maidens Day on 15th June each year, until the practice was banned in the mid-1700s on the grounds that the Glamis’ linen industry suffered from the women’s day off.

According to legend St Donald and his nine daughters lived in Glenogilvy until his death when the nine maidens were granted land in Abernethy by the Pictish King. From there, they travelled over Scotland spreading the gospel. As each of the maidens died, her body was taken back to Abernethy and buried under an old oak tree.

This year, at a wooden bridge close to the boundary fence, the Glenners were welcomed by the ENKCA group with a dram drunk from the Nine Maidens' Quaich. The united group then walked back towards Denoon and stopped en route at the Haining, a small settlement with some interesting archaeological features.

Local historian, David Orr of Kirriemuir, explained his research on the ruins and handed out maps of the settlement.

The party continued back to Denoon and stopped briefly at Wester Denoon Farm where David spoke on his earlier finding of three marriage stones all with different dates spread over a relatively short number of years.

The day finished with a splendid community meal at Easter Denoon and for the survivors, an archaeological field walk – with a metal detector.

The sum of £300 raised will go towards ENKCA’s fund for the building of its planned Community Hub, and will be doubled by the addition of matched funding from the Scottish Rural Development Programme.

Hugh Forbes of Glenogilvy drew the ENKCA 50/50 lottery won by Linda Breckenridge who received £74.08p. Runners up, Ian and Dorothy Christie of Glamis, and David and Isobel Christie of Eassie Mill claimed prizes of £9.26p.

2010-06-02T23:00:00.016Z

Annual Eassie School Barbecue

We are fairly busy here and struggling to keep the blog up to date. On Wednesday 26th May Eassie Primary School hosted a barbecue for schools in the Kirriemuir cluster, whose P7 pupils will move up to Webster's after the summer holiday.

As usual, the event was widely suported by the community at large as well as by the pupils, parents and friends of the Webster's feeder primaries.

As well as burgers from cattle from the Angus glens, there were tombola, lucky straw, treasure hunting, duck fishing, ice cream, donut and various others stalls and attractions for youngsters and oldsters.

Looking at the event from ENKCA's point of view, our raffle raised £109 and our peripatetic plant stall brought in £40.

We also held the monthly draw for the ENKCA 50 / 50 lottery.The lucky winners were Dorothy and Ian Christie from Glamis who won £74.08. Runners up were Debra and David Ritchie from Eassie and Lorraine and John Duncan from Balkeerie who won the two consolation prizes of £9.26.

More news coming soon.

2010-05-29T08:17:00.009Z

We Now have a Roof over our Heads

Whoo! this is SO exciting - we do indeed have a roof over our heads

a roof, which gives a very clear message that there should soon be a building attached to it - where the community can meet.

If you've seen this view . . . .

how much better is this one?

Before . . . . . and after

and, in case you can't quite imaging what it'll look like in 'real life' - if you are approaching from Balkeerie, it'll look a bit like this . . .

Have a good weekend, and remember, we now have a roof over our heads.

2010-05-28T05:55:00.005Z

Check This Out!

Many thanks! James Arnott of Kirriemuir Rotary presented a cheque for £500 to ENKCA to help us reach our target to fund the new Hub which will replace our old community hall. Construction is now well under way, as can be seen, and progress can be followed on the dedicated 'track our progress' blog which does just what it says on the tin. (follow the link form the sidebar on the left)

Thanks to James and Kirriemuir Rotarians.

Pictured (l to r) Fiona Brown, James Arnott, David Lawrence, Simon Campbell, Miriam Cosgrove, Jane Brewster.

2010-05-11T16:23:00.023Z

P-P-P-Plant Sale

The annual May plant sale was another success - despite a number of adverse factors. The weather was bitterly cold on the day, the snow and frosts of past weeks and months damaged seedlings and even one greenhouse in contributors’ gardens and there were a number of other events in the surrounding area competing for the attention of the paying public.

Nonetheless, bedding plants, perennials and bulbs sold well to those who attended and ENKCA’s White Elephant stall of quality goods, raffle and book sale added up to a total of £574.23 banked.

The great thing that our contributors and customers should bear in mind about that figure is that if we use the Gift Aid scheme to claim back tax paid by contributors, that figure could increase by a further £100 or more. Our eligibility for matched funding through the Scottish Rural Development Programme means that the combined figure, raised from the sale and Gift Aid, will be matched by SRDP, giving us well over £1,000.

Thanks to all who helped on ENKCA stalls, School tombola, Church Coffee Morning and WRI produce stall.

Local plant lovers – particularly those who missed Saturday’s sale - can turn their attention now to ENKCA’s plant stall due to open at Sandy Patullo’s Eassie Asparagus shop as soon as the weather allows the asparagus to come on stream and enables Sandy to open the shop.

On sale we have - perennials such as foxgloves, Jacob’s ladder, golden rod, cranesbill, bugle, geum, bleeding heart, campanula, mints and lemon balm, crocosmia and snowdrop bulbs and golden privet plants.

Anyone with plants to donate to the stall should contact Jane or Sine, or leave a message by clicking on the comments box below.

2010-05-03T07:03:00.003Z

Desert Song

Local hero, Gavin Durston, who returned recently, victorious, from his successful completion of the gruelling Marathon des Sables relived the experience. Gavin spoke to a packed classroom in Eassie School, showing film of the marathon and images of the competitors and their war wounds. He demonstrated the weight and content of his pack, strapping his full kit bag to a volunteer from the audience who was required to stand, laden, throughout the presentation to experience a fraction of Gavin’s task in running 250km, over difficult – at times steep, sandy or rocky – terrain, burdened in full Sahara Desert heat.

Gavin, who finished 469th of 926 competitors, is due to gather in close to £7,000 for ENKCA’s fund to replace our now demolished village hall with a new community Hub.

When volunteer, David, had been unburdened, the audience was invited to inspect the contents of the pack and to sample some of the high energy, easy prep, food which sustained Gavin over the duration of the event.

The regular 50/ 50 lottery winners were drawn by Dr Norena McAdam from Cortachy. Ian & Jennifer Duncan of Glamis won first prize - £74.08p. Runners up, Linda and David Brown of Denoon, and June Scrimgeour of Kirriemuir claimed their rewards of £9.26p.

2010-04-13T14:18:00.003Z

Quiz Night

Friday 23rd April 2010

Plough Inn Forfar

Quiz starts at 8.00pm

Buffet, Raffle, Whisky Challenge

For more information contact -

Audrey - 01307 840 384

Jane - 01307 840 313

2010-04-11T09:57:00.003Z

All done and dusty

Gavin has done it.
In what seems generally regarded as one of the hardest of the Marathons de Sables Gavin has achieved a provisional overall placing of 469th putting him in the top half of SURVIVING competitors.

Ann and Gavin would like to thank everyone who has provided financial and emotional support during this project.

Flights permitting Gavin should be home late on Monday and invites friends and supporters to a wee celebration later in the week.

2010-04-10T07:38:00.008Z

"I've got blisters on my blisters."

More photographs and video on the MdS website

Ann has managed to speak with Gavin briefly as he ran through a patch of phone reception.

She says he is fine if emotional,

"but that's to be expected - this event has been a long time coming, and he is so close to achieving his dream! He says he has blisters on top of blisters and he maintains he'll never do anything like it again......but I'm not so sure!!"

Report direct from Gavin himself -

"That's the marathon finished. Phew! I felt ok this morning so "blasted" through in just over 7hrs!! I even managed to run the last km at speed.
The finishing line is better than morphine for masking the pain!!!
Unfortunately during my rest day yesterday I have been bitten by some novel beastie and now have one hand very swollen. No knuckles to see. It's very itchy so am off to doc to get some antihistamines.
Tomorrow is last day with a simple half marathon through huge dunes. Some are several hundred feet high so that will be murder, or interesting!
The mood in the camp is very different now as most people will finish. Around 100 abandons so far. Really feel for these guys. Spoke to some people who have done several MDS before, and they tell me that this is by far the hardest!! Listened to ipod today and a song came on the kids once did at school. Very nearly greetin' but it did improve my speed during a very hard stoney section which was slowly shredding feet!! 3 more days til home!"

Marathon des Sables Press Release . . . . . . .

A marathon within THE Marathon.
Stage 5 : Oued El Jdaid – Erg Znaigui: 42.2 KM
08.45am. Like an age old ceremony, the 926 competitors still in the race get into position for kick off. To walk the hundred metres separating the half-dismantled bivouac from the arch of the start line, some shuffle their feet, some seem to be walking in slow motion. Still smiling, despite their injuries “Funnily” enough, those who are injured, those who walk with a limp, would probably be on sick leave in their respective countries. But here, at the Sultan Marathon des Sables, they get ready to walk or run 42.2 km.

2010-04-09T08:51:00.000Z

The Sandy Man CAN!

From Ann :
Yesterday we posted Gav's position for stage 4 on the blog. The website also says he is now sitting in 472nd place overall (after stage 4) which is great! I knew he wouldn't be able to email me last night as he didn't get in til 2.31am (!) but I received an unexpected text this morning from him, sent via his tent mate's sat-phone (He is one of two Maltese competitors who are sending daily blogs to The Maltese Times, so he has been issued with a sat-phone for this purpose). It was short and sweet, saying that although he had a couple of really hard periods yesterday, he was very pleased with his time for the 50 mile stage.

I am just so relieved that he's got the longest stage under his belt now. He was very nervous about it as he hadn't had an opportunity to do that distance in training due to all his niggling injuries. But he planned to just keep plodding on for as long as possible before stopping, and it appears that that's what he's done. As a result, he got a very respectable place and he hasn't had to do any running today! Hopefully he's been able to take a well earned rest and tend to his feet before embarking on the next two day's marathon and half marathon stages.

From Gavin:

Yesterday was a big one. 82km starting at 9am.

One on the guys has a thermometer and it was 35 at 8.15. I had a bit of a wobble between 1st-2nd CP when there was no wind, the temp above 50 and hill climbs. Very hard, but once I got past mid day things improved.

The leaders set of 3hrs after pack and they started to pass me after 5hrs at incredible speed . They are unbelievable.

Once the dark set in it was down to mid 20s and I felt really good, passing loads of people and must have been going 7km/hr but the wheels came off 10 miles from end, when i hit the wall! Faint, staggery and slow, but I hung onto 2 people in front and made it to CP7. Had 20 min sleep, some food and felt better. Again got speed up and finished a couple of minutes after 2.30am. 2nd into tent again.

More than 100 withdrawls so far which suggests that this is one of the toughest races ever. I was REALLY pleased with time this morning! Feet now tenderised/blistered but servicable. Marathon next!!

More photographs and video on the MdS website

2010-04-08T08:45:00.001Z

Wednesday

No news from Gavin yet today but he is still in the event and placed at 348 in the latest stage.

2010-04-07T07:06:00.001Z

Tuesday in the Desert

From our nomadic correspondent -

Hi All, Today was 40km on the flat. I mean the flat. 1 hill and the rest was like a sheet of paper. I felt stronger today due to a better sleep. It felt hotter today and I had a 15 min rest at the last check point. Even managed a sprint(relative) finish with another GB guy. Quite funny.
The queue for the internet is small so I've not been back to the tent yet. Feet ok but hot and a bit swollen. At CP 1 I saw my first drip person. They had the shakes and I think they were airlifted out. I have been very careful to drip enough and take enough salt tablets. I am on around 70 grams of salt a day!! Drank 6 litres and not had a pee. Lots of sweat though.

The proclaimers are keeping me very cheery and there a few songs that make me feel very emotional! Thanks for the emails again. These really help with the mental stamina.

2010-04-06T08:04:00.000Z

Marathon des Sables, Monday - Day 2

Direct from Gavin : Rucksac for sale.....!

We had an early start today and it was a really tough day. I have given up any idea of getting a good place or time. I decided to walk all of today and generally, although slow, I was consistant. I also decided that I would take time at each checkpoint to eat and rest my feet. I have a couple of hotspots on the balls of my feet and a blister on my heel, which although tender is OK. We had a 10K straight today where the temp got up to 46 degrees. I managed a good pace but just overtook people who passed me in the checkpoints.I am utterly convinced I will never do anything like this again.

Comment by Ann :

From the website I see he is in 689th place overall, which I think is very respectable. It is going to get tougher though, today's stage is roughly 25 miles and tomorrow he will start 50 miles (which he will be able to complete on Thursday if necessary). Friday is marathon day and Saturday is the 13 mile sprint (hobble) to the finish line!

Makes my endeavours to do the Aviemore Half Marathon in October seem like a walk in the park!!

2010-04-05T07:40:00.002Z

Marathon Man Completes Day 1

Checked Gav's progress on website last night. He did first day (29km) in 5hrs 6mins and came in 598th out of 1013. Think he'll be happy enough with that- he had said he was giving himself 6 hours to finish the first day. He beat presenter Nick Hancock who did it in 5hrs 30 mins and came 730th! He also beat the bloke from Arbroath who came in 688th in 5 hrs 23mins. Olympic athlete James Cracknell is doing well though - 9th place! It's early days but we're very proud of his achievement so far! The website is very slow and no email from him as yet but I'm just relieved to see he's got through the first day.
(Ann Durston, our Marathon des Sables correspondent)
Weather -
Stage 1 : 04/04/2010
8h : 23°C / 25% hygrometry
12h : 33,1°C / 13,9%
After the traditional checks of the previous day, the 25th edition of the Sultan Marathon des Sables kicked off near Erfoud, in the Errachidia Province. To find out more visit the MdS website at http://www.darbaroud.com/index_uk.php

2010-04-04T08:49:00.000Z

Gavin is on his way
(report courtesy of Ann Durston)

Gav is surviving so far! He has been able to text and phone regularly up til now, but once the race starts he will be out of range until the weekend.

It seems the worst part of his adventure so far was the journey to Gatwick- the weather was horrendous when I took him down to Edinburgh Airport on Wednesday and then his flight to Gatwick was delayed, so he had loads of hanging about, but he got there eventually!

After spending Thursday night in a posh hotel the competitors were bused 6 hours into the desert to the base camp where they've spent the last couple of days sorting out kit and getting medical checks authorised. Thankfully they seem happy with his ECG , despite the fact there was initially some doubt in the UK about an abnormality on it. I know he's been really worried that they might not let him run and it wasn't til today that he knew for sure he would be allowed to compete! Now he has no excuse!!

If you want to send him an encouraging email (I know he'd really appreciate it) or want to track his progress, you have to do it through the organisers web site (See details below) you also need his race number which is 830. !

Thanks for your support!, Ann.

You can sponsor Gavin, in aid of our new Community Hub, by visiting -
www.justgiving.com/gavindurston.

This is the link to the organisers site for news and to send messages to Gavin.
Using this link you will get an English language version.

http://www.darbaroud.com/index_uk.php

The instructions on sending an email are in French - but don't let that put you off - here is how it seems to work :
From darbaroud home page select : Write to a competitor
Numéro de dossard - scroll down until you find Gavins (number 830)
Expéditeur : Sender (not sure if it wants an email address but use your own email address to be safe)
Adresse de réponse : Address fro reply - your own email address
Sujet : Subject of your email
Then fill in your message in the box below and click on Envoyer to send (You will be asked to confirm)

2010-02-12T06:49:00.002Z

The Ball for our Hall

Come to the Ball for our Hall, a Black Tie Charity Auction and Gala Dinner, on Saturday 6th March 2010!

Tickets for this fabulous event, at the stunning Lands of Loyal Hotel, cost £50 per person and include a champagne reception with three course dinner, wine, and coffee.

A live Grand Auction follows and dancing will bring the evening to a close.

A Silent Auction and Luxury Tombola will run throughout the course of the evening.

Tables are available in sizes of 4, 6, 8 or 10 (groups smaller than four are more than welcome and will be seated with others).

To book your tickets for the event contact the Lands of Loyal on 01828 633151.

For more information on the event and those sponsoring it go to http://www.landsofloyal.com/

2010-01-13T17:14:00.008Z

Belated Happy New Year!

Sorry for the delay; our blog editor fell asleep under a blanket of snow but is now defrosting over an electric blanket!

These pix were taken over two days, shortly before the thaw started on Tuesday

A brief summary of the latest news in the community

The December 50/50 sweep was drawn by Pat Fletcher, receptionist at Angus House, when our indefatigable lottery organiser, Diane, handed in the application for our 2010 lottery licence. Thanks to Pat.

The winner is Jim Breckenridge of Dunkenny who pocketed £76, before he’d even started on his Christmas gift tokens! Runners up were George Marshall of Castleton and David and Linda Brown of Denoon who received £9.50, respectively.

Update on plans for January – the first ‘Charlie Taylor Pamper Night’ has been postponed until March 9th, 2010. The February night is still due to go ahead as planned. One ticket left for February , two for March. Go on spoil yourself - or someone else!

ENKCA Yoga classes will resume on Tuesday 2nd (6.15 pm -7.45 pm - hall opens at 6 pm) and Wednesday 3rd February (1.15 pm -2.45 pm - hall opens 1 pm) in The Masonic Hall, Glamis.

An ideal way to reinforce and support resolutions to get fit or to take the New Year at a more relaxed pace!

The classes, taught by Shona Wallace of Kirriemuir, help improve suppleness, relaxation and overall wellbeing.

Participants work to their own ability, so beginners are welcome. Classes cost £4, prepaid in a 5 week block of £20.

Due to popular demand there is already a waiting list for Tuesday night class.

For further information contact Jane Brewster 01307 840313

2009-12-07T18:49:00.000Z

2009-12-02T05:27:00.003Z

School Report – from Eassie Primary School

We were very fortunate to have Mr John Swinney, MSP visit our school on Friday 13th November 2009. He had been unable to attend our 80th birthday celebration on Wednesday 11th, but took time out of his very busy schedule to come along and find out about what we had been learning.

Here are some thoughts from P1-3 about that morning:

Jakkrin: He was a nice man because he was asking politely about that we were doing.

Megan: He works for the Houses of Parliament in Scotland.

Beth: He liked all of our pictures that we did for the poem. He said they were fantastic.

Thomas L: He was asking us about Eassie School long ago. We told him that this school was built 80 years ago.

Dylan: Mr Swinney was talking about what school was like long ago when he was there.

Callum: We sang our song “Silver and Gold” and we did our poem “The Teacher’s Day in Bed”. He liked them both.

Ross: We had our photo taken with Mr Swinney.

Thomas D: Some of us told him that Marianne’s house used to be the school long ago.

Daniel: He didn’t know that teachers long ago were not allowed to be married.

Lily: The “Misses” used to live together in Marianne’s house.

Rebecca: We told him that this school was opened for the big boys and girls to do metalwork, woodwork and domestic science.

2009-12-02T05:25:00.001Z

Getting the Pont

ENKCA’s monthly meeting, a talk by David Orr on maps, was conducted jointly with Meigle and District History Society and proved a great success.

Members of both groups and very welcome, unaffiliated, visitors thoroughly enjoyed David’s outline of the history of Timothy Pont’s mapmaking endeavours and a detailed discussion of the use of maps to trace the draining of Forfar Loch, and plans to turn the Dean into a canal running into to the Isla. The queue of people poring over David’s maps and discussing the finer points of local history kept David from the tea table but with waitress service, David was refreshed and the audience had their curiosity satisfied.

A combination of a Christmas sales table, a small selection of books of historical interest and a raffle raised over £100 for ENKCA’s Community Hub building funds, due to be doubled with matched funding from the Scottish Rural Development Fund.

2009-11-22T23:00:00.001Z

Winter Festival 2009

Another great effort from ENKCA helpers and another fine attendance from our supporters made this Winter Festival even more successful than the one held last year.

All those who organised the event, those who set up the tables, those who decorated the hall, those who donated items, the hard-working catering staff, the sales personnel and everyone else who helped in any way, deserve sincere and bountiful praise.

Why not take part in the raffle ?

Busy, busy, busy.

Gorgeous handbags.
Ideal gift for the one you love (even if it's you).

Reflecting on past times. Unique mirrors hand-made by Bradly from furniture from the old Eassie and Nevay WRI hall.
(If you missed your chance - you can still order your own slice of history - ring 01307 840364)

A friendly chat leads to a good read.

Thanks to Jim Brown who not only entertained us but donated a raffle prize too.

Thanks also to Maureen Jelks (our friend from high places - Kirriemuir) . . . .
. . . and to Alice Marra of The Hazey Janes.

Good of you both to come out on a wet afternoon to lift our souls with your singing.

( The Hazey Janes - what a great band)

Thanks also to John Swinney and Elizabeth who always have time for us even in a busy schedule.

Reasons to smile - we raised more than £1,500 towards the cost of our new Community Hub.

Brilliant work everyone.

2009-11-06T20:40:00.006Z

Bouquets all round!

Members of ENKCA met for the AGM and a social evening in Eassie School and reviewed the progress of efforts to raise funds to build a new community Hub to replace the decaying SWRI hall.

Chairperson, Fiona Brown, thanked various individuals for their work over the past year and presented one tireless worker, Jane Brewster, with a floral tribute in recognition of her wide ranging efforts on behalf of the community.

Hub project manager, Michael Ryan, summed up progress so far, updated members on ongoing applications to funding bodies and reminded members that every penny counts and every pound raised is worth one pound twenty eight pence with gift aid refunded and two pounds fifty six with matched funding added.

As preparations get under way for the Winter Festival at Wharncliffe Hall, Newtyle on Saturday 21st November, the audience was allowed a preview of everlasting corsages being prepared for the event and orders taken in advance.

The 50 /50 sweepstake brought an unexpected bonus for funds, when winners of the £74.65p first prize, Debra and David Ritchie donated the sum back to ENKCA. Two consolation prizes of £9.34p went to Sheila Stewart and to George Marshall.

2009-10-01T19:13:00.002Z

Surprise! Surprise!

Local zoologist, Bradly Yule, with the juvenile gannet found by Robert Brewster far from the sea on the Brewster family’s farm at Easter Denoon, Eassie this week - about 20 miles inland - flapping flightlessly, beside an Aberdeen Angus bull!

Once on land, gannets cannot take off unless near a cliff. This misguided gannet was driven to Arbroath and launched from the cliff top to enable it to return to the sea.

2009-09-27T13:47:00.009Z

September in Eassie

Members of ENKCA met in Castleton Hotel, by kind permission of Verity and David Webster, to discuss the progress of fundraising and plans for the winter season ahead.

The monthly 50 /50 sweepstake was drawn and the prize winners were - first prize £74.65 to David and Debra Ritchie of Eassie and consolation prizes of £9.34 to David and Melissa Lawrence of Balkeerie and Sine Robertson of Eassie.

This month’s pictures were taken on a ‘Chairman’s Challenge’ outing for members of Angus federation of SWRI. Members of Rurals from throughout the county met at Coupar Angus for morning coffee, drove to Halliburton, walked to Lundie Crags where they stopped to admire the spectacular view over the countryside and the Long Loch and enjoy their packed lunches. They then descended and drove to Lundie Hall where Lundie SWRI, the home institute of Chairman, Jenny Arbuckle and Secretary, Nora Meikle, laid on another spectacular view – home baked afternoon tea.

Photographs supplied by kind permission of Frances Gazzard of Lundie institute and Susan McLaren of Cortachy institute.

Plug for Cortachy Rural – showing Mama Mia at Memus Hall in aid of Defibrillator for the Angus Glens fund on Saturday 3rd October at 7.30 price £4.00 includes supper.

2009-08-27T17:58:00.003Z

Broon's Blethers

We launched our winter season of talks and entertainments by welcoming a popular local figure Jim Broon of Newtyle, a celebrated musician, vintage tractor aficionado and raconteur. ‘Broon’s Blethers’ attracted a big crowd to the meeting in Eassie School, Balkeerie, speaking of his time in Ingliston bothy, only a stone’s throw from the school.

The talk on bygone days by the author of ‘Brocht Up In The Country – An Agribiography’ ranged beyond the parish to his exploits in the Angus Glens, the city of Dundee and on a fishing trip to Orkney. After dismantling his button key accordion to demonstrate that it was in effect three mouth organs blown by bellows, he reassembled it and played a tune named in honour of an Orkney farmer.

Jim concluded the evening by drawing the winning numbers of our 50/50 lottery, Margaret Robertson of Cookston won first prize - £74.65 while consolation prizes of £9.34p went to Ken and Margaret Durston of Balkeerie and to Miriam Cosgrove of Kirkinch.

Jim’s book is available from any good bookshop in the district or from Jim on 01828 650453 price £7.50.

2009-08-13T07:34:00.007Z

More good news for Community Hub

Guests sitting down to dine at Mervat's Restaurant in Meigle on Thursday 6th August were given the good news that another £20,000 has been pledged towards the cost of their new Community Hub.

The highlight of the evening was a Traditional Moroccan Buffet, and the event was part of ENKCA’s ongoing campaign to replace the former community hall at Balkeerie. It was organised by popular request following the success of ENKCA's first Moroccan fundraiser held in June of this year. That too was held at Mervat’s Village Gallery and Restaurant in Meigle.

The pledges, one from The Robertson Trust, the other from Trusthouse Charitable Foundation, were each for £10,000 and the announcement was greeted with enthusiastic applause.

ENKCA director, David Lawrence said,
“Both of our Moroccan buffet evenings have been sell-out events and each provided an excellent opportunity to socialise with the community whilst raising funds at the same time. They also demonstrate the tremendous support we are getting from local businesses. We are very grateful to Mervat's, H B Rutherford, AG Barr PLC, Hayes MacFarlane, Springers Coffee Lounge and Delicatessen, Forfar, Piries Grocers and Butchers, Newtyle, The Organic Hut, Meigle, Thistle Soaps, Glamis, Small's Sweet Shop and Harbro, Forfar.
“The £304 raised on Thursday is worth more than £600 to our fund as it will qualify for match funding through the Scottish Rural Development Programme."

He added, " We now have more than £400,000 but we still need further donations and sponsorship before our costs are fully covered. We will also continue to work hard at fundraising.
“It is worth the hard work because the new Community Hub will play a very important role, being a focal point for both young and old, as well as for local businesses."

For further information on the project please contact David Lawrence on 01307 840624

2009-08-03T09:00:00.009Z

Strawberry Tea

We were blessed with a perfect summer’s evening for a walk from Balkeerie to old Eassie Kirk to see the Pictish stone housed within the roofless church.

Fearing that the return journey would beat us, we arranged earlier for vehicles to ferry us back, but David B, Tina and Cally used Shank’s Pony and made it in time for tea.

The main party repaired to the Kirkgate at Balkeerie where ENKCA chairperson Fiona Brown and husband, Gordon, kindly hosted an excellent strawberry tea, with strawberries and rasps au naturelle or in cream, chocolate, tarts, various jams and on scones. Fortunately there were still some left when the walkers arrived.

Muriel Edwards drew the lots for the sweepstake. Winners were - First prize of £74.65 - Anne and David Thorpe, Charleston; Consolation prizes of £9.34 – Margaret and Ken Durston, Balkeerie, Sylvia Fleming and Neil Ballantyne, Newhouse of Eassie.

Grateful thanks to Linda and Jane who baked scones, to the Browns for their hospitality and to all who contributed to another tidy sum added to ENKCA’s fund to build a new Hub.

2009-06-25T11:44:00.005Z

A Taste of Morocco

The Eassie, Nevay & Kirkinch Community Association’s (ENKCA) hosted a fundraising Traditional Moroccan Buffet evening, at Mervat’s Village Gallery and Restaurant in Meigle on Thursday 18th June,

The event was part of ENKCA’s ongoing campaign to replace the former community hall closed last year. ENKCA director, David Lawrence said, “The meal was an excellent opportunity to socialise with the community whilst raising funds at the same time. Mervat agreed to provide a set meal at a certain price and part of the proceeds will go directly to the fund for our new community Hub. The £320 raised will be doubled, through the Scottish Rural Development Programme’s matched funding. Due to the quick sell-out of tickets and the huge success of the event, ENKCA has decided to organise another Moroccan evening at Mervat’s on Thursday 6th August.

“We had enormous support from local sponsors - Mervat's, AG Barr PLC, Glamis Castle, Glamis Castle Kitchen restaurant, Business Logical Ltd, Eassie. The Star Rock Shop, Kirriemuir, Leah Philipson Masters of Partylite and Cairn O'Mohr Winery, Errol and H.B. Rutherford who printed our tickets.”

The event also marked the opening of the ENKCA plant stall, which will be in permanent residence at Mervat's Village Gallery, in aid of the ENKCA hall fund.

For ticket enquiries for the next

Moroccan buffet meal,

please contact

David Lawrence on 01307 840624.

2009-06-19T06:33:00.004Z

£500 from BP

A pipline carrying 20% of UK energy as crude oil runs from the North Sea to Grangemouth. On its way it lies beneath Angus farmland, part of it in the ENKCA area. BP operates a schools reward initiative in which each of 5 rural schools are provided with £500 for every 6 months that passes without an infringement on the pipeline wayleave. Such an infringement would endanger the integrity of the pipeline by conducting unauthorised excavation or similar work close to the pipeline.

On Tuesday 16th June Ged Alison, one of BP's representatives charged with supervision of the pipeline wayleave, came to Eassie School to present a cheque to ENKCA for the new Community Hub, because of the benefit the hub will provide the school through provision of PE facilities.

The cheque was gratefully accepted on ENKCA's behalf by pupils from the school.

2009-06-19T06:25:00.016Z

Nine Maidens Day Commemoration

Two Angus communities re-enacted an ancient local tradition in celebrating Nine Maidens Day recently. On Sunday, 14th June, a group of ENKCA members set out from Easter Denoon to meet residents of Glenogilvy at the march fence that runs between Ark Hill and Auchterhouse Hill, separating Glenogilvy from Denoon.

Legend has it that St Donald and his nine daughters lived in Glenogilvy until St Donald’s death. The nine maidens were then granted land in Abernethy, Fife, by the Pictish King. From there, the nine maidens travelled all over Scotland to spread the gospel. As each of the maidens died, her body was taken back to Abernethy and buried under an old oak tree.

It is recorded that the womenfolk of Glamis parish used to travel over to Abernethy to celebrate Nine Maidens Day on 15 June each year. This practice was banned in the mid-1700s as the women were required to work in the linen industry which was thriving in the area at that time.

This year, at a wooden bridge close to the boundary fence, the ENKCA group was welcomed to Glenogilvy by the ‘Glenners’ and the groups partook of a dram from the Nine Maidens Quaich. The visitors were then escorted down the Glen and shown points of interest and given a brief history of the area on the way. The walk finished with a fund-raising barbecue hosted by some of the residents of Glenogilvy.

Neil McLeod said, “Last year a party of residents from Glenogilvy had a walk on to the hill and, after searching out some old bench marks and boundary stones, enjoyed a picnic to mark Nine Maidens Day - perhaps the first such celebration since the mid 1700s! This year, it was decided to use the event to cement relations between the two neighbouring communities and raise funds for the new community hall in Balkeerie. I hope this will be the start of a new tradition and a resurrection of the Nine Maidens Day celebration in the area.” .

The sum of £300 raised will go towards ENKCA’s fund for the building of its planned Community Hub.
ENKCA chair, Fiona Brown said, “We are all very grateful to Alice and Neil MacLeod and their neighbours in Glen Ogilvy for their generosity in organising the event and providing the excellent barbecue – the prospect kept our spirits up while we were walking in the thunderstorm. The total raised will be doubled because of matched funding awarded from the Scottish Rural Development Programme. Every fund raising event takes us nearer our goal.”

"Neil points out "The Road to Dundee"

2009-06-15T06:51:00.039Z

A Grand Day Out

Plants with roots in New Zealand

Members of the community of both genders joined Eassie WRI or 'the Rural', to visit Gardening Scotland at Ingliston showground, recently.

‘Wildlife in the Garden’ involved wild flowers and a hot tub in the garden. The Rural President and her husband looked very interested in the prospect!

The day was a great success, blessed with sunshine, a wide selection of plants, exhibitors with a wealth of experience and good company amongst the travellers and fellow visitors to the show.

The mini, ‘palette gardens’ proved eye catching.

The bust of Robert Burns was an ambitious project for school pupils, but raised a smile. A red eyed Burns is reading a book made - as paper is – of woven wood, held at the end of an arm of zonal pelargoniums. He seems to be reading his own poem, To a Mountain Daisy.

A day at the show was scarcely enough to see it all and photography was not a priority, so the images don’t do justice to the extent of the exhibits.

A meal in Perth broke the return journey and wound the day up nicely.

2009-05-28T18:12:00.020Z

Dalguise Barbecue at Eassie School

Eassie Primary enjoyed another successful barbecue shared with friends in the Kirriemuir cluster who are due to go up to Webster’s in August and their families.

Individual primary schools in the cluster ran a transfer tattoo parlour, monkey tombola, treasure island and various other lucky draw and game stalls.

ENKCA took the opportunity to draw the Lottery. This month’s winners are Fiona and Gordon Brown, who won £74. Consolation prizes of £ 9.25 went to Jill Hamilton and Marianne Jenkins.

The ubiquitous ENKCA plant stall - currently appearing regularly outside Sandy Patullo’s Eassie Asparagus shop, and recently seen at Aberlemno Plant sale - pitched up in the school playground.

Visitors made short work of day lillies, tomato and sweet red pepper plants, michaelmas daisies, herbs, shrubs and perennials, most of which are still available from the ENKCA table at the asparagus shop.

Anyone who missed the plant stall or anyone who wants more of a good thing can order, by contacting us at thecommunity@balkeerie.plus.com

Thanks to all parents, friends, pupils and school staff who organised, cooked, tidied up or simply bought burgers, books, bulbs.

2009-05-20T07:52:00.008Z

(l to r) Jane Brewster and Linda Breckenridge of ENKCA presented gifts to the staff of Lawrie and Symington’s Forfar Mart (l to r) Ewen Massie, Scott Naismith and Arlene Alston to express our gratitude to the company and its staff for hosting and running the auction which raised £2,000 towards the fund to replace the WRI Hall at Balkeerie.

Linda Breckenridge, a director of ENKCA, said, “We are deeply grateful to the company and the staff for helping us with our efforts to finance our new Community Hub. Their generosity has touched us all and it will be acknowledged on our Well Wishers Wall in the new building. The £2,000 raised from the auction is worth £4,000 to us, as the Scottish Rural Development Fund will match the sum, pound for pound.”

Fundraiser, Jane Brewster, added, “We appreciate very much the generosity of everyone who donated goods, helped with the handling and supported us at the sale. This is part of our community’s ongoing fund raising programme, through which, and a number of generous grants and donations, we now have more than 60% of the funds we need, but we have to find a further £150,000 before the end of this year. It is a huge amount of money to raise from a small, rural community, but our goal is in sight now, although we need further generosity and more hard work over the next few months to achieve it.”

Chair, Fiona Brown said, “I would like to add my thanks to everyone who donated items for sale, to those who helped to collect the goods, to make up sale lots, to store them, transport them to Forfar and to help on the day, displaying them during the auction, running the admin side of the sale and to those who ran the book and plant stalls during the two days of viewing and selling and to the buyers who turned out to support us. It was a great effort all round.”

The ENKCA Whisky Challenge, held during the sale, was won by David Soutar of Glamis.

2009-05-19T14:19:00.002Z

Staff Wanted

Castleton House Hotel has always been proud to recruit most its front of house and kitchen support staff from Eassie area. Now as the season picks up we are finding that we need to increase our staff numbers. If you have enthusiasm, charm, good personal skills and would enjoy working at either Castleton House Hotel or The Lands of Loyal Hotel, Alyth then please get in touch with me on 01307 840340.
If you need to rely on someone for transport please consider that hotel hours are inconvenient, long and often unpredictable. Entry level wages are, the national minimum rate + 10p per hour, tips are additional to your wage and are shared between all staff.

An outline job description can be downloaded from the news page at www.castletonglamis.co.uk

Published by ENKCA on behalf of Castelton House Hotel.

2009-05-10T17:45:00.003Z

50 /50 Lottery winners

Winners of this month's 50 /50 lottery, drawn at the John Muir Trust talk were 1st prize £74, Jinda Nelson, Eassie; two consolations prizes of £9.25 to Kieran Andrews and Shona and Bob Wallace, both Kirriemuir.
Congratulations! To join the lottery Contact - Diane Ryan 01307 840364

2009-05-04T19:07:00.002Z

“LOOKING AFTER SCOTLAND’S WILD PLACES”

A talk on the role of THE JOHN MUIR TRUST was given by Nigel Hawkins, Principal Founder and Former Chief Executive of the John Muir Trust on Wednesday 29 April 2009.

2009-03-29T14:22:00.002Z

March Meeting

An informal meeting in Eassie School gave members a chance to discuss future plans for fundraising, the most imminent of which is the Auction Sale, due to be held in Forfar Mart, on Saturday 16th May 2009 at 11am, by kind permission of Lawrie & Symington Group in aid of ENKCA hall fund.

The sale will include furnishings, fittings and equipment from Eassie and Nevay WRI Hall but we are collecting antiques, collectables, general household effects, bric a brac and books NOW.

Entries now being taken until Tuesday 12th May at 12 noon

We will accept garden or household plants, vouchers for services – gardening, babysitting, ironing, etc. but we cannot accept clothing.

For further info Contact Linda Breckenridge 01307 840323 or Jane Brewster 840313

50 / 50 Sweepstake

March’s 50/50 Lottery was drawn at the meeting.

June Scrimgeour, Kirrriemuir won 1st prize, £74.
Consolation Prizes of £9.25 were won by Linda and David Brown, Denoon and Marianne and Philip Jenkins of Balkeerie. Congratulations to the lucky winners!

Anyone wishing to book a seat for the bus trip to Gardening Scotland at Ingliston showground on May 30th should contact Marianne 840215.

2009-03-04T19:48:00.004Z

An Historical Tour of Glenogilvy - some faces and places.
by Neil McLeod

In a wide ranging illustrated talk Neil gave an insight ino the busy history of this small quiet glen, and some of the ways in which its inhabitants are exposing and recording that history.

Cup and ring stone found on Gallow Hill

Neil explained how remains present today tell the historic tale of the Glen and its inhabitants.

The bothy at Tarbrax showing the unusual second level and the steep 'stairs'.

ENKCA will be organising a walk in Glenogilvy this summer in conjunction with Neil. Keep an eye on our events blog for further details.

2009-02-01T08:57:00.002Z

January Lottery Winners

First prize winner - Jim Breckenridge, £73.33. Two consolation prizes of £9.17 to David and Melissa Lawrence and Sheila Stewart.

Congratulations! and Remember - "You've got to be in it to win it."

To sign up or renew your lottery sub, contact Diane Ryan 01307 840364

2009-01-18T15:34:00.001Z

December 2008 Lottery Winners

1st Prize : Michelle Wilkinson, £75.41

Consolation prizes : Lorrain and John Duncan, Jim Nicholson, £9.42

2008-11-25T00:38:00.046Z

Our first Winter Festival

A picturesquely seasonal snowfall has since settled over ENKCA’s first Winter Festival, held at Newtyle on Saturday 22nd November, leaving a firm resolve to repeat the event next year when our new Hub is due to be built at Balkeerie.

Thanks are due to everyone who made a pleasure and a success of the day.

More than a mere 'sale of work' the festival showcased local musicians who performed sets throughout the day, and five local authors gave of their time to explain their approach on Radio Kirkinch and to sign books. The authors taking part were : Jim brown, Rod Fleming, Brian Page, Eileen Ramsay, James Robertson and Andrew Murray Scott.

From the caterers to the sweepers up, from the performers to the purchasers, from the meeters and greeters to the contributors of produce, goods and services, from the stall holders to Angus Council’s Newtyle Library which added an extra dimension, from the authors to the gardeners who stripped their properties of green vegetation, red berries and festive cones to lend a rustic, seasonal air to the day, from the strong men who moved furniture to the bean counters who are still weighing up the financial success of the event – Thank You all!

Mrs C Christie of Newtyle won the ‘lucky ticket’ hamper in the front hall.

Winners of our monthly 50 /50 lottery draw were Debra and David Ritchie who scooped £78. Runners up, Denise Melish and Michelle Wilkinson, took home £9.75 each. – Congratulations and enjoy!

Better than words, here is gallery tour of the Winter Festival.

(and even more pictures when you have finished here - on the Kirkinch Chronicles website)

Come in, come in it's nice to see you!

Take a break

Retail Therapy

2008-11-10T19:23:00.004Z

Radio Kirkinch Gets into Gear for ENKCA Winter Festival

Radio Kirkinch is getting into gear for the first Eassie, Nevay and Kirkinch Community Association (ENKCA) Winter Festival on Saturday 22nd November 2008, 10 am – 4 pm in the Wharncliffe Hall, Newtyle with musicians travelling from as far as Edinburgh to perform.

A Rank Amateur Production, in the hands of presenter Irene Grant and interviewer Loretta Brocolleti of Kirkinch, the ultra local broadcasting station is unavailable on the radio waves and transmits only as far as it can be heard. Nonetheless, Radio Kirkinch, a live station of live music, celebrity recipes and guest interviews, has built up a considerable following in the wake of its annual appearance at Kirkinch Summer Festival and has lined up a plethora of local and more far flung musical talent for the Winter Festival. The event is to be held in aid of ENKCA’s New Community Hub, due to be built at Balkeerie in 2009.

Festival regulars look forward to Loretta Brocolleti’s searching interview style which owes more to Mrs Merton than Michael Parkinson. Entertainers, stall holders and visitors can expect to leave the event only when any skeletons in their cupboards have been closely examined and freshly aired.

Edinburgh group, Midas Falls, is travelling to Newtyle, for an acoustic set, leaving the band’s drummer in the capital out of respect to the 10 am – 4 pm, daytime, slot. Kenspeckle locals turning out for the day include Jim Brown, Donald Clerk, Diane Thompson, Irene Grant, Dougie Law, Phil Hannah, Pete Fenton, Bob Davidson, Michael Ryan and David Lawrence. There will be an open floor policy for any musicians who want to come along and join in on the day.

Alongside the entertainment, the Festival’s market offers a range of goods and produce, from the Organic Hut, Meigle, Dougie and Hilary Law’s Newtyle Art Gallery, Tay Ringing group’s bird foods, Barefoot Books for children, Grampian Bookshop’s book signings by local authors and ENKCA’s own Silent Auction and café, serving soup, filled rolls, home baking and tea and coffee in ‘bottomless’ cups.

The well supplied craft fair includes Cally Crafters whose work covers pottery, knitted scarves, sewn bags, Phoenix Cards, Thistle Soaps, Christmas wreaths and flowers, Leslie Brown’s collages, Kate Whitson’s Vintage Squirrel kitchenalia and slate cheeseboards, Maria Grey’s wooden plaques and Fiona Treffry’s Crafty Colleagues who work in earthenware, paper mache, felt and card.

2008-10-30T08:01:00.004Z

50 /50 Sweepstake

October’s 50/50 Lottery was drawn at ENKCA'S AGM held in Eassie School on Wednesday, 29th. Bruce Patullo from Kirkinch drew the numbers.

Sheila Stewart, Balkeerie, won 1st prize, £78.
Consolation Prizes of £9.75 were won by Margaret Mowatt, Eassie Station and Dorothy and Ian Christie of Glamis. Congratulations to the lucky winners!

2008-10-15T16:02:00.005Z

Sunflower Competition

The Fyles boys and Dad looking remarkably natural as they review this year's sunflower crop

It has not been the season for sunflowers in the ENKCA area - with one notable exception. Our sunflowers did not appreciate the summer weather, but credit must go to those who managed to produce sunflowers and were willing to put them forward to be judged. As a result, those who asked for the judges to measure their sunflowers were all greenfingered winners. All were presented with book tokens kindly donated by Sylvia Fleming who organised the competition.

Children: Rory and George Fyles, 55”, 54.5” Chloe Stewart, 36”, all from Eassie.

Adults: Babs Butchart, Castleton, 85” (7 ft 1in)

Stop Press - There may be a steward's enquiry since it was pointed out that Babs is the daughter in law of a famous 'giant vegetable' gardener, Bob Butchart, who happened to be the winner of Eleanor Gledhill's Giant Cabbage competition in aid of the Christina Noble Fund for Children Mongolian project and Bob scooped the prize at the weigh-in held last month at Kookaburra's outside Forfar.

Congratulations to the Butchart family - next event on our agenda may be a course on how to grow giant crops, with each member of the Butchart family consulting on their own special crop.

2008-10-15T13:50:00.000Z

50 / 50 Sweepstake
September’s 50/50 Lottery was drawn at an Events meeting held in Eassie School. Leslie Brown from Kirkinch drew the numbers.

Ewen Murray, Balkeerie, won 1st prize, £78.94.
Consolation Prizes of £9.84 were won by Linda Breckenridge, Dunkenny and Tom Wallace, Harryhill. Congratulations to the lucky winners!

2008-09-30T08:15:00.001Z

NOTICE – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Notice is hereby given that the first Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held in Eassie Primary School, Eassie, Forfar, Angus DD8 1SQ on Wednesday 29th October 2008 at 7.30 pm.

AGENDA
1. Report by the Chairman on the activities of the Company
2. To receive and consider the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2008.
To ratify the appointment of Messrs Johnston Carmichael as auditors of the Company and to authorise the directors to fix their remuneration.
To ratify the appointment of Mr. Bruce Pattullo as a director of the Company.
5. To fix annual subscriptions
6. To consider that the Articles of Association of the Company be amended as follows:-
By deleting in Article 16.4 the word “auditor” and replacing with the words “independent examiner”.
By deleting in Article 16.6 the word “auditor” and replacing with the words “independent examiner”.
By deleting in Article 18.1 the word “auditor” and replacing with the words “independent examiner”.
By deleting in Article 65 the word “audited” and replacing with the words “independently examined”.
By deleting in Article 65 the word “auditor” and replacing with the words “independent examiner”.
By deleting in Article 66 the word “auditor” where it appears in lines 5,8 and 10 and replacing with the words “independent examiner”.
To transact any other competent business.

By Order of the Board

D. Ritchie

Proxy forms are available for members who cannot attend in person. They may be obtained by contacting David Ritchie on 01307 840 596.

2008-08-21T07:23:00.000Z

Coming Soon -
- our program for Autumn/Winter 2008
and Spring 2009.

We are putting the final touches to our program of events for the remainder of this year and early next. They will appear here soon.
Just now considerable effort is being put into finalising our bid for a capital grant from The Big Lottery and we will tell you more about that in our next newsletter.

2008-07-31T08:25:00.003Z

Eassie Community Celebrate Glamis Success

Members of the Eassie, Nevay and Kirkinch Community Association went along to Glamis yesterday to congratulate the proprietors on the village's success in keeping the post office open - and whilst they were there they held the July draw for the community lottery, the 50/50 sweep.
The Glamis community worked hard to prove the case for keeping Glamis Post Office Open. It is a facility which we Eassie, Nevay and Kirkinch share and value and we are grateful for the effort put in to saving it, particularly by Glamis Community Council.

Winner - £76-64 : David and Linda Brown

Consolations - £9-58 : Ann and David Thorpe ; Shona Wallace

Independent adjudicators drawing the numbers were :
Ann Nicol - Post Mistress
Hugh Nicol
Elizabeth McKee
Thanks to all for their help

2008-07-12T22:03:00.007Z

Kirkinch Festival

Sandwiched between Glastonbury and T in the Park we had Kirkinch’s Fabulous Festival and a great success it was despite a crafty attempt to thwart it by one Elton John who saw fit to put on some sort of concert in Perth on the same day, the Game Fair and a splash of rain in the morning. We don’t know how Elton or the Gamekeepers fared, but they didn’t take the wind out of our sails.

The ENKCA stall, stocked with strawberries and cream on pancakes, home bakes and the usual selection of plants, raised £168. The crowd was generous and the enthusiasm has given us ideas for future events.

Leslie at Kirkinch and her wide network of musical and artistic friends and neighbours entertained a diverse crowd of all ages. It was a great coup to have the Hazey Janes and the band has promised to tell the T in the Park audience that they played Kirkinch Festival last weekend.

Everyone enjoyed them, as well as Italian chat show hostess, Loretta Brocoletti, soloist Bob Davidson from Luncarty, the two little girl singers who followed him, jazz guitarists, Duncan and Adam, alias Two Five One, Midas Falls, from Edinburgh and Coupar Angus, who borrowed Johnny (Depp) Bear from the Sweeney Todd installation, Pete Fenton and Phil Hannan from the River, Balkeerie Boyzone, Michael Ryan and David Lawrence, Dougie Law from the Art Studio in Newtyle, on guitar and banjo, Irene Grant, MC, radio host and sound engineer on accordion and keyboards, Jim Brown on accordion, Diane Thompson on fiddle, Evelyn Myles on fiddle, Peter Greening on harmonica, Donald Clerk on the couch and the guitar, Ruth from Websters on keyboards and vocals, the anonymous man from the Websters crew who played and sang in the dark, Dean, who lead a late night sing song, had everyone doing the hokey kokey, and when the party retired indoors to let the neighbours get some sleep, recited comic verse.

Man cannot live on culture alone, so we thank Steve Kite from Kinkeadly for the organic pork for the BBQ, Marcus Thompson and his team who made the sausages and burgers and worked all day in the smoke; Donald and Diane from the Organic Hut at South West Fullarton and Antonia from Myreside Organics for the salads; Jim Graham at Denend for the milk for the teas, Jane Brewster and Marianne Jenkins for ENKCA’s pancakes, Fiona and Gordy Brown for the soft fruits and assorted bakers and jam makers for goodies on the sales table. Thanks and well done to other varied stall holders, face painters, cake makers and scene setters.

We were disappointed that the Auchtermuchty Players could not perform, due to the hospitalisation of one of their principal actors, but send our Get Well Soon wishes. Leslie’s friends, Joyce and Ian, stepped into the breach with a short scene from The Lass Wi The Muckle Moo and the ‘Muchty club’s keyboard player did a sterling job at the late night sing along.

Leslie sends her thanks to “the ENKA Dream Team” who she described as doing so much to help in the run up and being brilliant on the day. We, in turn, thank and congratulate Leslie and her team for her generosity in putting so much effort and imagination into entertaining so many people in and around her own home. It was a great community event and a perfect opportunity for people living relatively close to each other to meet previously unknown neighbours and make new friends.
Good Fun all round.

2008-06-28T13:23:00.001Z

Social General Meeting

Great good news was announced at ENKCA’s Social General Meeting held in Eassie School on Wednesday, 25th June. With the school roll rising from fourteen pupils in the current session to nineteen in the forthcoming academic year, Eassie School is to have an additional teacher. The post has been filled and the upper classes are already looking forward to meeting their new class teacher next term.

ENKCA’s new Chair, Fiona Brown, led the meeting, reviewed the past year and expressed her appreciation for the continued support of so many people in the community in many different ways. Former Chair, Michael Ryan, who has stepped down to concentrate on the application to build the new hall, spoke on the progress of the project. Michael presented a graphic, on-screen review of the history of the hall, its transfer to ENKCA, the fundraising process and the plans and aspirations for the new building. David Ritchie presented a statement on the current finances.

Paul Phillipson-Masters stepped down from the board of directors and Bruce Pattullo was elected into the vacant seat, unopposed.

Provost Leslie Melville and Cllr Alison Andrews were in attendance and Cllr Andrews drew the lottery. First prize of £78 went to Ernest and Jayne Charlton, and consolation prizes of £9.75 went to Ian and Dorothy Christie and to Jill Hamilton.

A number of children joined the meeting for the social part of the evening, with refreshments prepared and served by directors.

2008-06-09T07:27:00.012Z

Bene Grazie!

ENKCA’s latest fund raising event, an Italian meal for 80, held in Kirriemuir Old Parish Church hall was a tremendous success and a great credit to Gill Elder who organised and delivered the event, ably and calmly assembling and directing a large team of very willing and able assistants with the confidence and aplomb of a professional caterer.

The meal was generously sponsored by local businesses and great thanks are due to all who donated food and accessories for the table, prizes for the raffle and for a generous donation to cover the rent of the hall.

Thanks go to Angus Organics for beef, Jim and Linda Breckenridge for supplying and preparing carrots, Messrs Bruce for strawberries, The Cheesery for parmesan, Forfar Fruit ‘n’ Veg Stall for onions, Graham’s Dairies for Milk, Granny, Lizzie and Pat for espresso truffles and tablet, Milton Haugh Farm Shop for vegetables, Myreside Organics for salad leaves, the Really Garlicky Co for garlic and ciabatta, Saddlers Bakery and Spar for bread, Norma’s Homemade for dipping oils and raffle prizes, Robertson’s Dairy for cream, Scotherbs for fresh herbs, Springer’s Deli for olives and dried herbs, Les Turrif Ltd for vine tomatoes, Vissochi’s for ice cream, Castleton House for a meal for two, The Park Tavern for high tea for two and a breakfast set, Caruso for a meal voucher, the Co-op for a £50 shopping voucher, Aldi for a £30 shopping voucher, Tesco for a £10 shopping voucher, Hi – Fli Banners for flags, The Tasting Rooms for a bottle of Italian wine, Nickel ‘n’ Dime for candles, Best Wishes for balloons.

Alison Orr was the lucky winner of ‘Heads and Tails’ and will be heading to Castleton House for dinner a deux.

Everyone present, guests and staff enjoyed the evening for the food and the party atmosphere, and £1,434 – at the latest count – was raised to boost the fund to build a new hall for the Eassie, Nevay and Kirkinch community at Balkeerie.

Bene Grazie!

2008-06-04T15:04:00.003Z

Kirkinch Festival

The one and only Kirkinch Festival is nearly here.

Find out more by visiting the Festival Blog.

2008-05-21T08:23:00.007Z

The Sun's Shining, Let's Burn Some Burgers

Children from the glens and bens and the broad vale of Strathmore swarmed through Eassie Primary School on Tuesday evening to enjoy a burger cooked by a collection of Dads, while Mums had the pleasure of a meal free of crockery and cutlery.

The annual Dalguise Barbecue, for schools in the Kirriemuir cluster was another success with pupils from the schools in the area mixing freely and happily especially around the football goal mouth.

The event was an ideal venue for the Lottery draw and this month’s winner is Jim Breckenridge, who won £78.64. Consolation prizes of £9.83 went to Malcolm and Sheena Stewart and Paul and Leah Philipson- Masters.
ENKCA took advantage of the BBQ to make its presence felt, despite the closure of the hall. Bedding plants and culinary herbs, bed linen and Name the Whisky Challenge all added to the ENKCA hall fund.

Individual primary schools in the cluster ran tombola, lucky dip, and various other lucky draw and game stalls while Cortachy had a particularly fine and thriving plant stall. A Fair Trade table offered a range of goodies from biscuits and sweets to jewellery, accessories and ornaments, all of which help to support communities to earn sustainable incomes throughout the world.

Thanks to all parents, friends, pupils and school staff who organised, cooked, tidied up or simply bought and devoured BBQed treats.

2008-05-18T20:24:00.004Z

Upcoming events in the ENKCA area.

Don't forget to consult the ENKCA events blog.

2008-05-13T08:24:00.001Z

A Grand Day In The Community

Saturday’s ENKCA Plant Sale and Coffee Morning, held in Eassie Primary School saw a sea of greenery and a mound of pancakes and SWRI home baking disappear to friends within the community and beyond. Final figures are not available until some outgoings are reconciled, but the event was clearly a great financial success, in line with past years, taking in over £1,000.

Many children and adults entered the competition to grow the tallest sunflower by choosing and sowing their own seed but there will another opportunity to enter at Eassie School BBQ on May 20th - for anyone who missed the chance.

Few who entered the Tombola went away empty handed judging by the number of people carrying numbered and labelled goods about their person. Some will sleep more soundly, now having purchased generously donated, new branded bed linen.

We had a welcome turn-out of local and national government politicians, all supportive of the community and taking an active interest in the campaign to secure the future of Eassie School. Disappointingly, many local councillors who voted to discuss the closure of the school did not take the opportunity to see the school functioning in its role as “the heart of the community” or to appreciate the support from beyond the area, which contributed to the tremendous financial success.

Thanks go to all who helped in any way, donating goods, prizes, baking and plants, setting up and serving on stalls, tidying up afterwards and restoring the school to its primary function and of course to everyone who spent money to swell the coffers.

2008-05-07T09:25:00.000Z

Community Council Support Eassie Parents

Newtyle and Eassie Community Council last night agreed to ask Angus Council to keep Eassie Primary School open and pledged full support to the parents in their campaign to save the threatened school. At a recent Council meeting councillors voted by a narrow margin to start the 28 day consultation period which could lead to the closure of this rural school.

The members heard a representative from the Parents’ Council of Eassie School outline their case.

Bruce Patullo explained how the report produced by the Education department, and upon which Councillors had made their decision to consult on possible closure of the school, seemed to be written about a completely different school. Amongst the apparent errors were that the school building is rated a poor C when in fact it is rated a quite good B, that the school roll is falling when actually it is rising, and that educating children at Eassie is expensive when it would actually cost Angus council £250,000 each year if the school were close.

“We believe we can prove that Eassie Primary School is a vital part of our community and of the wider Angus Community. It is a centre of excellence praised by Inspectors, parents and children so it must be doing something right. Rather than being closed Eassie should be used as an example of how a primary school should be run.”

Commenting on the unanimous decision Community Council Chairman, Michael Ryan, stated,

“There are so many complaints across the country about the standard of schooling our children receive that it seems ludicrous that Angus Education Department would seek to destroy one of the schools which is getting it right and for reasons which they have yet to make clear. It seems arbitrary

We also find it disturbing that the report submitted by the Director of Education does not seem to accurately describe the school which the community knows. When making decisions Councillors rely heavily on having accurate information from the professional officers. In this case it looks like some serious questions need to be asked about aspects of this report."

2008-04-25T09:43:00.013Z

Angus Councillors reject Education Committee’s Recommendation on Eassie School

On Thursday, the Angus Council Education Committee voted 11-8 NOT to take the issue of Eassie school closure to Formal Consultation. Good news, we thought, but alas! the full Council meeting, which followed immediately after that of the Education Committee, overturned the recommendation of the Education Committee by 15 -14, one vote.

Gavin Durston chair of Eassie School Parents Association and other campaigners talk to local councillor, Allison Andrews, after the meeting.

It was apparent that there was no educational argument for closing the school, which received a first class HMIe report.
Education Convenor, Peter Neild said the ONLY reason the issue was up for consultation was because of the concern over the state of the community hall which was used by the school for PE. The hall is now closed and the pupils are travelling to Newtyle for PE lessons, once a week.

If Eassie School is closed, the default position is that pupils will be enrolled at Newtyle School, and travel there daily.

With plans well under way to fund the rebuilding of the hall, and the Big Lottery encouraging the application for the major funding, we fully expect that the construction of the hall will begin in Spring 2009.

The provision of PE for the pupils is therefore fully catered, in the immediate and longer future.

We believe that in the Glamis, Airlie, Eassie, Balkeerie, Kirkinch, and Newtyle areas, the number of properties currently for sale, or likely to be up for sale or rent in the next year, combined with the number of new houses being planned or built, is such that the capacity of Glamis, Airlie and Newtyle schools could soon be stretched.

If this is an accurate forecast, it appears that Eassie School could be vital to the provision of primary school education in the area.