Virtual coffee mornings are under way in Palnackie and district to boost community togetherness during lockdown.
Many residents in Buittle Parish have been missing social contact with friends and family in recent weeks.
But now weekly Zoom chats online are helping to lighten the mood and counter isolation.
Buittle Community Council treasurer Bob Shipway is inviting more people to take part – with free homemade cakes on offer.
“We have a small group of people at the moment,” Bob told the News.
“Hopefully more and more will join once they become comfortable with the technology.
“This is open to the whole of Buittle parish. We know Palnackie has residents who perhaps don’t come out or are
isolating.
“But people living in the parish outwith the village are even more isolated.
“And it is those people in particular who we would like to reach out to.”
Bob said the Thursday morning socials were designed to counter “difficult circumstances” associated with the Covid restrictions.
And help is available for anyone unsure of how to get into the Zoom events.
“We will take them through how to use it and even help them set their equipment up with the proper protocols,” Bob said.
“We will be offering to pick up their laptop, set it up, sanitise it and send it back to them.
“At the moment we are just doing it over the phone.
“Mostly it’s about people having the confidence to use the technology and we’re able to help them with that.”
There’s another big incentive for anyone thinking of joining the virtual blethers – scrumptious free home baking.
“The village shop is providing a couple of free cakes to anybody who hooks up with the coffee mornings,” Bob explained.
“We are looking at delivering them to people with the rest of their order.
“We used to fundraise for the community at coffee mornings in the village hall before all this started. What better way to get people involved than free cakes?”
“Bob added: “We are trying to encourage people to come in and chat.
“It’s one way the community can support each other when we can’t meet face to face.”
The Buittle Parish online coffee mornings run from 10.30am to 11.15am every Thursday.
“It’s a drop-in social so people don’t need to be there all the time,” Bob said.
“They can pop in and out as they choose or stay in for the whole thing.”
Anyone wishing to find out more can phone or text Bob on 07917 413 987.
