Grab a cuppa as there are a quite few updates here and you’ll certainly need some time to read through the What’s On too – There’s lots, from planting, to dancing, to art and a couple of fabulous music events too – I’m always so grateful that we live in a place where so many great things happen.
“What’s on” is attached along with a poster about an important library meeting – details below.
With this being a bumper update, I’m going to break this into CAP themes for ease of reading:
- Healthy and Connected Community
Auchterarder Park – A big thank you! Thanks to the immense hard work and efforts of ACSRs Development Manager Tim, ACSR’s Trustees, and the working groups, we’re delighted to see a big priority within this theme complete now that the Pump Track is open. The Public Park update has been ongoing for many years, seeing the playpark upgrade, the pocket forest and now two bike areas as wonderful additions for the community to enjoy. Great relationships have developed with PKC’s Green Spaces team, we’re grateful for their input too and look forward to seeing the exciting projects upcoming! They’re holding a celebratory open day on the 21st of June with a day of all things bike related.
Langtoon in June – Many people have fond memories of the week-long celebration of our town – Wouldn’t it be great to have this again? We’d like to explore how this could happen in June 2026. It could be done in a way that celebrates what we have going on locally, with each group providing something which fits well with their core activity, therefore not creating lots of new work for anyone.
Perhaps there could be a Drama production happening….a showcase of Photography or Art….a Ceilidh in the Town Hall…. Heritage walks……Bike events……nature walks….book and crafting sessions….doors open sessions…..if they’re all coordinated within a set week in June, wouldn’t it be the most wonderful celebration of our community? After the summer break, we’ll host a meeting to discuss ideas and take this forward so I hope you’re feeling inspired to chat about this and might like to be a part of Langtoon in June 2026.
- Traffic Parking and Transport
Have you had a chance to look over the Parking Survey yet? Or to read more about the progress happening with effective linking up of public transport – Info about this can be found HERE The Traffic and Transport group bring a lot of knowledge and experience to this area and we’re very grateful for their input towards solving some very complex areas. Please do let us know what you think – and also whether you’d like to get involved.
- Heritage Arts and Culture
People wanted to see more Art and Culture in the Town and we are certainly seeing that! Between AAEA, the Auchterarder and District Local History Association, The Camera Club and The Picturehouse Crew, there is lots to do in this area. We thought it timely to highlight how the Picturehouse groups are growing and evolving and have a broad selection of activities – with music and drama most recently added. We’ve included the events in the “Whats on” but its well worth signing up for their newsletter too as you’ll hear first news about the Cinema project too – info@auchterarderpicturehouse.co.uk.
We’re feeling inspired by the lovely Heritage Trail in Aberuthven too – seeing Auchterarder’s Heritage Trail brought to life would be superb too!
- Environment and a Greener Community
Many comments have been received about how nice our community looks – flowers are blooming, and the “no mow” areas are starting to show colour from the native species emerging.
If you were one of the people to take a pot and plant for our “Pollinator Corridor” we’d be delighted to see pictures of how things are growing. Please do share your pictures to aanda.cap@gmail.com.
The Bloom Group are having two planting days – 13th and 14th of June. Our town will shortly be even more colourful, but the group would really appreciate a hand with the planting – it’s a fun session and no experience is required. Read more here
Kincardine Fields: We are grateful to the Auchterarder Local District Trust for their support of an application towards the land valuation at Kincardine Fields and to the PKC Community Team for their support with this too. Its an important part of the process in exploring the Community Asset Transfer of the land.
- Local Services and Housing Development
Library Ideas Session: The library is an important part of our infrastructure and forms an important hub, especially as the town grows. We were all delighted to see funding enabling the Auchterarder Library to remain open for a further two years. During this time, we can build on what we already have and hopefully secure the future of the library for the much longer term. More people in the door equals more evidence that it matters to us so what would you like to see happening in this space? Everyone is warmly welcome to share ideas and spark off each other to create a community vision for what we’d like to see happening. Come along and have a cuppa on Monday at 7.30pm in the Aytoun Hall.
PKC Call for Sites: PKC are developing the next local development plan and we have opportunity to contribute to this – its more powerful to contribute thoughts now rather than when the plan is finalised. More info available HERE
- Town Centre and Local Economy
Its worth mentioning that there are new grants and support being issued at present and for any business (or people thinking about exploring business) the GrowBiz website and newsletter is a great way to keep updated about what’s happening. GrowBiz provide fully funded rural business support, predominantly with 121 sessions but also with learning sessions and networking.
This section is also a timely place to encourage people to shop local and support our wonderful high street!
Other News:
Funding Alert 1: A significant amount of Community Led Local Development funding is available and because we have a Community Action Plan, local groups are in a strong position to apply. The funders are looking to made decisions quickly, so people have time to deliver projects prior to 31st of March but this does mean there is a tight window for applications – Closing Sunday 15th of June. Read more about how to apply here. We would be delighted to link up groups and to provide evidence from the CAP consultation if this would support your application.
Funding Alert 2: There will be another funding window opening shortly (for a smaller fund) and this one is proposed to be Community Led in its decision-making process. If you’re a local group who’d like to be a part of a decision-making panel or make an application towards this, please do start thinking about projects suitable. Further news about this one will be announced shortly.
Community Learning: PKC’s community team provides learning sessions in a number of areas and have recently issued a new timetable. Read more here
Thank you: We’d like to say a big thank you to the members of the Common Good Panel who approved our application for funding towards the Community Connector Post and community projects. Being able to share what’s happening with the CAP, be a part of taking projects forward and connect people together is a great privilege.
Charity Law Update: The Charitable groups receiving this may also be interested in the OSCR Charity Update here too.
Membership: Would you like to become a member of A&A Connected? Find out more here
Before signing off, I’d like to say a huge thank you to the volunteers who do so much to make our town great, and if anyone is reading this and wondering whether they should or could get involved, please do! It’s a great sociable and rewarding way to be part of all this positive change.
If you have any questions please don’t ever hesitate to ask and please do share details of this with anyone. If you’d like to receive this via email, drop a note to aandacap@gmail.com
