Village says yes to camp purchase

Aug 24 2007 Strathearn Herald

By Katy Gordon

COMRIE will go ahead with their bid to buy Scotland’s last remaining WW2 Prisoner of War camp.

A large number of residents attended a meeting of the Comrie Development Trust in the White Church to vote on whether they wanted to pursue the purchase of Cultybraggan.

Although a decision hasn’t been made on what the camp, which still contains original Nissen Huts from the Second World War, will be used for, locals overwhelmingly voted in favour of purchasing the property from the Ministry of Defence.

During the meeting, Trust chairperson Cathy Tilbrook said: “Our village is packed with talent, skills and energy. Now is the time to come forward to make Cultybraggan and the work of the Trust a success.”

One of the people in attendance was Perth and Kinross Councillor Ann Cowan.

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Cowan said: “I felt privileged to attend Monday night’s meeting of the Comrie Development Trust and to observe the openness of the decision making process that evening.

“It was indeed a good example of engagement by local people in decision making and democracy. It is a very exciting step for Comrie to take and one the community could not afford to let pass by, as these kinds of opportunities do not present themselves very often.

“Naturally there are bound to be difficulties and problems ahead, but bearing in mind the enormous feeling of goodwill I am sure that this is a tremendously positive move for the village and surrounding area.”

The meeting also elected new directors for the Trust and detailed some of the other work of the Trust, including the Cinema Club and the Youth Group.