70th celebrations for camp underway

70^th celebrations for camp underway

This year marks the 70^th anniversary of the opening of Cultybraggan Army Camp.  The Comrie community and everyone with a connection to the camp will be invited to celebrate this through a year of events being organised by the Comrie Foundation.  These events will raise money for local groups and projects and for the work at the camp itself.  Meanwhile, the Comrie Development Trust will be having a major push on the new sports facilities and the local heritage museum planned for the camp.

Joan Carmichael, patron of the Comrie Foundation said, “ This is a big year for the camp and a time to look back at its 70 year history and forward to the exciting plans our community has for its future.” The year of celebrations kicks off with a Burns Supper in the White Church on Saturday 29^th January.  George Carson senior and junior will be leading the proceedings involving other well-known Comrie faces.  Hamish Reid will be dusting off his accordion to ensure the ceilidh goes well after the traditional dinner provided by Andrew Scott.  Trust board member Peter McRitchie has been organising the supper and hopes that this will become a regular event in the village calendar.

Other events planned during the year include something for everyone.  There will be a coffee morning, a car boot sale at the camp, a major black tie ball, music nights and a Christmas market.  Plans to hold another music festival at the camp or in the village are being discussed along with a major event at the camp in September to mark the actual opening 70 years ago.  People who have a connection to the camp will be invited to play an active part.  Joan Camichael said, “ The Foundation has been contacted from people all over the world who have a connection to the camp.  Most of them have spent some time freezing in one of the nissen huts in their army or cadet days!”

The fundraising for the camp will be stepped up to take advantage of the generous offer from the Tudor Trust to match Comrie Foundation fundraising £1 for £1 up to £100,000.  Every donation, no matter how large or small, will be recorded in the beautiful book the Foundation has organised.  Donations will also be recorded for posterity up at the camp itself in an exciting project to be announced later in the year.  As the Foundation is committed to raising funds for local projects and groups, they are planning further local grant giving during the year in response to the success of the overall fundraising.  The more is raised the more Cultybraggan and the village benefits.

Culty Quake - A huge Hit!

Culty Quake community and music festival Shook the Toon on Saturday 29th May 2010. Local band the Bulletholes and new Comrie youth band Bizzfitch are set for their first festival appearence in a world music line up just for Comrie.

In addition Culty Quake features Scotland’s new, 13 piece musical sensation the Treacherous Orchestra fresh from their first national tour and sell out gig at this years Celtic Connections.  Bringing a world music theme we have the sensational Black Umfolosi 5 from Zimbabwe and the riotous Dangleberries.  Sorren MacLean from Mull completes the line up