20th July 2009

The HPCP markets are proving to be a wonderful showcase of Highland Perthshire produce. If you haven’t been to one yet, come along to the next on 15^th August and enjoy a great social event as well as the opportunity to sample and buy local organic bread, meat and vegetables, biodynamic produce, chocolate, fresh fish and seafood, cakes, scones and preserves. There is a growing core of regular local craft workers selling jewellery, prints, cards, bags and fascinating collectibles. Atholl Glens cook irresistible organic meat burgers and the Highway group are producing a range of quality refreshments.

The June and July markets saw all the stalls full and customer numbers in the region of 400 to 500. While there are certainly visitors taking advantage of this wonderful day out, most of the customers are local people coming regularly to enjoy a community social and commercial event. We have a dedicated team of volunteers to help with stalls and car parking but more volunteers or groups who want to raise their profile and some funds are being sought to help with parking and the putting up/taking down of the stalls.

HPCP has a weekly radio show on Heartland FM called Spotlight that features local events and issues. This is now being broadcast on Saturday morning from 10am till 12 noon and Sundays from 11am till noon. Recent shows have discussed the forthcoming 100 mile walk, Kinloch Rannoch out of hours GP service, home fire safety visits, a controversial micro hydro scheme, biodynamic gardening, community council matters and had a look at what is going on at Pitlochry Festival theatre.

I have had discussion with Colin Liddell to take the memorandum and articles forward and it is ready now for a final consultation. I have provided information to the Upper Tay Paths Group, the 100 mile walk leaders, Pitlochry community council tartan committee and attended a meeting of Dunkeld and district community council.

I have met with Anna Ford and the HPCP website, www.hpcp.co.uk, is now live in its new form. There are still lots of developments to planned for the site and we are looking for content from the member groups and market traders. We are also looking for photographs of our communities to put on the site. It would be nice to have pictures of every community in Highland Perthshire.

Please contact me to add content and submit photos for the website or to participate in the Spotlight radio show. I can be contacted on 07958 531 980 or on info@hpcp.co.uk

Louise Moran