Members' Newsletter August 2025

Message from the Chair

Dear Members old and new,

It's been a really busy time since our last newsletter with lots happening.

My first bit of news is that for the first time in a while the Trust's books are looking good and we are trading in the black. This is largely because we have worked hard to ensure all the tenants at the Camp have tenancy agreements and rent, electricity and service charges are being collected on time. We've made sure that any debtors with outstanding bills are pursued for payment and we've taken legal action against those who won't pay. This may sound harsh but as a Board we're really conscious that this isn't our money, it's the communities and we're obliged to make sure debts are recovered. The good news is that we're also signing new tenants with 6 new leases agreed since May and several more near completion.

If you have been up at the Camp you will have noticed that it's starting to look really good and that it's buzzing with people and events. Our dedicated small team of volunteers led by Unc, our paid member of staff, are working hard filling potholes, cutting the grass and slowly but surely bringing huts up to standard. Most weekends their have been events on from a scything festival, to vintage motorcycle rallies, cycling events and marathons. CDT even ran its own event, The Big Family Sleep Out, attended by around 20 families as part of our contributions to the Comrie Fortnight. It was a real success and we plan to run it again next year. On Sundays the cafe, Hut 21, and the Cancer Shop, refurbed and looking good, attract locals and visitors alike. Talking of the cafe if you haven't tried it yet, it's got a great reputation and is busy most days. The good news is that Ken and Karen are installing a cosy wood burner and are planning to stay open 4 days a week over winter.

Sadly there have been some problems with our giant septic tank, the Klargester, due to fat build up ( it's amazing the range of topics you become expert in as a CDT Board member!). Anyway the Board is spending over £10,000 to have the system repaired and upgraded and we'll be working with our food businesses on site to install fat traps to prevent future problems.

Visitors to the Camp will be pleased to know that **a new navigation board has been commissioned and will be installed by the entrance enabling people to see exactly who occupies which hut and how to find your way about. If you come up to the Camp in the next month you'll also notice that CDT has moved office ** and you'll find the team working from Hut 1 right at the entrance gate. As well as being a nicer working environment for our staff we also think it will give CDT greater visibility. Do pop in if you're passing.

With regard to pedestrian and cycle access to the Camp, PKC Greenspace have now accepted that our evidence shows that while there is no asserted Right of Way where the gate was, they do believe that the Right of Responsible Access, as given through the Land Reform Act, does apply here. They are therefore recommending legal action (specifically enforcement under Section 14 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003). This will go to the Council's Senior Management Team who will make the final decision as to whether to proceed but GreenSpace are optimistic that they will. We will keep you updated,

Finally from me a few pieces of exciting things coming up in the near future. We're very optimistic that a bid for the development phase of** a solar farm **will be successful and this will enable us not only to reduce energy costs for tenants but also produce around an additional £30000 a year which we intend to set up as a community fund in to which local groups will be able to bid.

You may also have heard that Cultybraggan now has **5 overnight parking spots for camper vans and motor homes **via CAMpRA. This is the link to find out more and share with family and friends.

We were sad to see one of our Estates team, Les Attack, retire and CDT board and staff would like to thank him for his tireless efforts as a volunteer and team member. We are also pleased to announce that Nicole Henry, from Comrie, has been appointed as our new Estates Administrator. This will free up Seona to work alongside Board members, not only to ensure the camp is the resource the community wants but also that CDT works more widely with local groups on the key issues that have been identified in the Comrie Community Action Plan published this week.

Those of you who have visited the Camp recently will have noticed how good it's looking. This is down to the work and dedication of Unc our Maintenance officer and his merry team of volunteers. It's clear between quantities of tea and cake and lots of good hearted banter they are really making a difference. If you have time to spare they would love to welcome you on to the team. Contact us at [email protected]

Anyway enough from me and here's a bit about what some of the community groups on site are up to. Please don't hesitate to **contact me **about any of the above any other thoughts you have about CDT and our work on [email protected] Best wishes Fiona

Fiona Blacke (Chair of Trustees)

Membership Drive and Benefits

If you were down on the Boulevard at the start of the Fortnight you probably saw us busily recruiting new members. If you are receiving this newsletter then you are a member but you may have friends or neighbours, particularly those newer to our community, who don't know they are entitled to be members and have a say in our work. Please encourage them to contact us by email on [email protected] to request a membership form.

We are now including new member discounts The discount code for holiday rentals on the Camp for you and your friends and family when you book directly on the Clark Anderson website is CTRUST25- this will give £25 off any booking. We are pleased to offer 10% off at Cafe Hut 21.To use this discount you'll need to collect a membership card from the office. These will be available from 13th September.

Also coming shortly member only discounts for Flying Smiles who are soon to be based at the Camp some of the time and Cultybraggan Weddings and Celebrations

**News From Working Groups

Comrie Community Woodland ** The trees are growing apace in the woodland, and for the first time, it truly looks like a woodland. Woodland volunteers continue to have regular gatherings on the third Sunday of every month from 10am, when, in addition to carrying out a range of tasks to improve the site, we hope to introduce any visitors, both local and from further afield to what we are doing and hope for the future, We have “woodland wanders” every Thursday evening at 7.15pm whilst we have light evenings, some of which have been “themed”, including birds, flora, and “creepy crawlies”. We are having a ceilidh on 14th September in the Woodlands 3.30 to 6pm. Donations only, do come and join us. This is the link to book tickets and also look out for posters in Comrie and the camp.

Comrie Community Orchard - Summer 2025

Care of the orchard continues with Work Days the first Sunday of each month. In August a team of scythers cut the grass throughout the main orchard, but not before the collection of plenty of yellow rattle seed. A group of around twenty people visited the Community Orchard and Community Woodland as part of the Scottish Scything Festival in July.

Saturday 16 August saw the first Pop-up Stall in St. Kessog's Square selling plums and Discovery and Katy apples. There will be another Pop-up sale as soon as the damsons are ripe. Apple Day is planned for 19th October.

Just recently some new wood furniture has arrived in the orchard - three solid picnic tables and two benches (with another to come). These have been made by Jim Thomson who is next to the orchard in the old firing range. New volunteers are always welcome …. the first Sunday of each month - 11 till 3.

**Heritage Group ** We obtained funding from the Heinrich Steinmeyer Legacy Fund which has resulted in heating being installed in the museum; and from the Pilgrim Trust and latterly from the PKC CLLD fund which means sufficient funds have now been secured to replace the Museum roof. CDT would like to give special thanks to Libby Urquhart and Colin Crawford for their efforts in raising funds to secure the future of this Grade 1 listed building.

The Heritage Group hosted Christiane Hullmann, Consul at the German Consulate in Edinburgh. They also welcomed the daughters of two former prisoners of war. They were given tours by members of the group. A lovely message was left in the Visitors' Book: "We were all much touched by the wonderful work you and your team have done" - a reminder to us of how important it is to preserve and present our shared history.

The Heritage Group Comrie Fortnight exhibition which focussed on businesses past and present was a great success. It drew many visitors and sparked countless memories.

Bob Roseweir is standing down as Treasurer of the Heritage Group and we all want to thank Bob for all his efforts over the years. The Group were delighted to welcome three new volunteers to the team! Their energy and skills are already making a real difference. We are grateful for their commitment to preserving and sharing the story of Scotland's only remaining prisoner of war camp. If you have a couple of hours to spare each week, do come and join us.

The museum is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and entry is by donation. Guided tours are currently available. Costs per person: adults: £10: groups of more than 12 adults: £8 ; children over 10 years: £5 ; educational visits: £2. To book, please visit www.cultybraggancamp. uk and select: contact us.

Comrie Needs You! Volunteering Opportunities at CDT

Volunteers are the heart of our community, and getting involved is a great way to give back, meet new people, and share your skills.

Here are some ways to get involved: For more information about any of these volunteering roles email [email protected]

Gardening and Maintenance Unc is in charge of our small but mighty maintenance team at Cultybraggan. From mowing vast grass areas to maintaining our unique buildings — including the largest collection of early Nissen huts in the world — there's always something to be done. If you have a few hours to spare, get in touch!

Heritage Group Passionate about history? The Heritage Group manages the museum at the Camp and curates our rich village history. They're looking for help with:

• Archiving
• Preparing exhibitions
• Welcoming and guiding visitors If that sounds like you, they'd love to have you on board!

Join the CDT Board Our revitalised board is a dynamic and diverse group of locals — born here and newcomers, business owners and public servants, long-timers and recent joiners. We combine our skills to strengthen the Trust and serve Comrie better.

We're particularly keen to hear from anyone with a legal or paralegal background.

Interested? Contact: [email protected]

**Community Woodland Group ** (meet every 3rd Sunday 10am until 3pm). The Woodland group carry out a range of woodland creation and maintenance work in a friendly and welcoming environment. For more information email [email protected]

Community Orchard (meet first Sunday of the month, 11am until 3pm) Comrie Community Orchard has a range of opportunities for working with the fruit trees, from pruning to the annual Apple Day in October. The orchard is at the back of the camp near the old firing range.

Our email address is: [email protected]

Comrie Development Trust: Company limited by guarantee – Registered in Scotland – Reg. No SC305425 - Charity reg. no SC038596 Registered office – Unit 3 Cultybraggan Camp, Comrie, Perthshire, PH6 2AB Tel no: 01764 670769

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