Fitness fun in rural Perthshire

Sep 28 2010 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

COMMUNITY-spirited residents in rural east Perthshire have banded together to start a new scheme to improve health and wellbeing in the area.

Determined members of the local community have secured more than £3000-worth of grant funding for the venture, known as ‘Keep the Glens Fit’, since the summer.

The majority of the money was gifted from the Drumderg community benefit fund – a pool of cash connected to Scottish and Southern Energy’s windfarm on the outskirts of Alyth.

Other funding has been sourced through a Pitcarmick personal enhancement award, a separate philanthropic scheme started in April this year.

Coupar Angus-based personal trainer Susie Black presides over the two weekly sessions in Bridge of Cally and Blackwater.

She explained that around 20 local residents have been regularly taking part, aged anywhere between 20 and 80 years-old, following a successful trial earlier in May.

Susie said yesterday: “The classes are very flexible, we do a mixture of aerobic and conditioning work, as well as working the lower and upper body, and improving core strength.

“There is definitely a social element to it as well, different generations all come together under one roof – which is a nice thing to see in this day and age.”

‘Keep the Glens Fit’ is held from 10-11am every Tuesday in Bridge of Cally village hall, and from 10-11am in the nearby Blackwater Hall, each Wednesday.

Sessions cost £4 each.