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Southern Perthshire – Notice Board Loitering with intent doesn’t have to be antisocial. Auchterarder’s town centre has a new feature that positively encourages people to gather on a street corner and figure out what to do with themselves next. Last week (6 June) some 30 people crowded round what is hoped will be a focal point for visitors and locals alike, a new information board on the corner of the High Street and North Crofts. The board boasts a detailed map of the area, posters showing venues and events, contact details for accommodation and dining, what’s-on news, and information on a host of things to do in the area. SPTA members can advertise on the board. Addressing the unveiling ceremony, Wilma Marshall, Committee member, the Southern Perthshire Tourism Association, SPTA, told the gathering it was “an important day, marking the end of a lot of hard work by a lot of people.” With encouragement and backing—in the form of ideas and a grant of £5,000—from Perth and Kinross District Council, P&K, she said “the Association is confident that this board will be seen and used as a valuable resource by visitors to the southern Perthshire area and the local community of Auchterarder alike.” Indeed, taking full advantage of it prior to the official opening were Stephen and Audrey Donegan, who regularly come all the way from Cowdenbeath to visit the local osteopath. They saw the board and declared it to be very helpful. Special guest, Councillor John Kellas, Convenor of Enterprise and Infrastructure Perth and Kinross District Council, admitted to some curiosity when he was invited to perform the ceremony. “It’s certainly a first for me: I’ve never been asked to open a noticeboard before.” Praising the work of all those concerned, Mr Kellas said: “’The council is encouraging more awareness of what is happening in the locality. This board helps. Look at that—Drummond Castle Gardens look great, reminding those of us who know the gardens are there that they’re always worth a visit. Sometimes we miss our own little gems. This makes sure we don’t.” Mr Kellas stressed: “Anything, no matter how small, counts toward attracting people to Perthshire. We are taking a very positive view on the council, listening to people’s ideas and, where possible, acting as the catalyst for getting things moving.” And that’s exactly how the Association sees it. Mrs Marshall explained: “Two years ago at a members’ group meeting, Ken MacDonald, Head of Economic Development for P&K, gave us an outline of the Council’s role in tourism projects. He cited how seemingly small projects supported by P&K had grown and he encouraged SPTA to look at possible projects that we felt would be of most benefit to the area. We took the advice, and submitted our wish list. Our two major aims were to develop our website and equally importantly to get something on the ground that would benefit visitors to the area – a visitor information board. Following a very generous grant from the council, here we are.” Mrs Marshall praised as “invaluable” the work of SPTA members, and Blue Badge Guides Tom and Cairine Caskie, who masterminded the steering group, making full use of their specialist knowledge of all things Scottish . “It’s easy to say, let’s put up a visitor information board, but complicated to achieve,” said Mrs Marshall. “Preliminary advice came from Janice Ainslie of Dunblane, James Rattray of Blair Atholl's tourism association, and Mike Purdie of Blairgowrie's tourism association. John McCrone, Perth and Kinross Conservation and Regeneration Manager, helped shape the application, while Mike Lees from the Traffic and Road Safety department advised on planning permission, all under the watchful eye of Alan Farnington. Tayside Contracts board design was chosen to create the board, with the direct contact Steve Doyle of the Blairgowrie Signshop. Particular thanks were expressed to Councillor Ann Gaunt, who liaised with the roads department. Harveys of Doune prepared the specially commissioned map, Visit Scotland Perthshire’s Gayle Wilson supplied the poster images, and Fiona Meikle supplied text and images for the 'Great Strides' and 'Big Tree Country' information sections.
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