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Comments' Silver Anniversary Issue

A backward glance by one of those who attended the inauguration - and many early meetings

IN CELEBRATING its Silver Jubilee, congratulations are due not just to the hundreds of voluntary contributors whose efforts have resulted in 25 years of quality, ‘civic’ journalism, but to the regular readers of Atholl, Breadalbane and beyond. The neat trick of “Comment”, of course, is that the readers provide the writers.

When, twenty five years ago at a meeting in Pitlochry’s Fishers Hotel, the concept was discussed of a community magazine serving Aberfeldy, Dunkeld, Pitlochry and their environs – roughly the catchment area of the local secondary school – enthusiasm was more evident than optimism. Great idea, but without a staff of professional journalists, even without an editor, many at the meeting thought that, after one or two editions, the venture would probably go under.

Would local people bother to pick up a pen without payment? Would local apathy lead to piles of unsold “Comments” on the shelves of co-operative sales outlets?

Would local people brave foul weather and bad roads to get together to review submitted material, plan layouts, pound manual typewriters in pre-processor days, staple the A4 pages in the right order, arrange supporting illustration or photograph, organise delivery to remote Glenlyon or to the worlds end (Rannoch Station)? The joke circulating was of the inaugural meeting of the Atholl & Breadalbane Apathy Society. No-one turned up.

At first the concept of the magazine aroused suspicion. No-one does nothing for nothing. It’s a propaganda mouthpiece for whatever political philosophy the particular reader disliked. It’s a local initiative to support/oppose “the council”.

The message that has had to be repeated over the 25 years is that “Comment”, has no line to toe. It is whatever its readers make it. And yes, people DO give time and talent without financial reward.

For the past 25 years “Comment” has given its readers local news, opinion, feature articles, regular columnists, readers letters, photographs of local interest, artwork, cartoons, poems, short stories, promotion of local clubs and businesses, a notice board for community councils, a means of communication for local politicians and for those who oppose them, the early journalistic efforts of school pupils, the reminiscences of older members of the community, local advertising … It was also the midwife of “Heartland FM” and has helped give Highland Perthshire cohesion and identity.

Will “Comment” celebrate its Golden Jubilee? That’s up to you.

HALF A DOZEN reams of paper from the Community Education Department of the former Tayside Regional Council towards the production of the first issue, has been the only subsidy which the voluntary initiative that is ‘Comment’ has ever received from outwith the local community.

Its ten page first issue launched the ‘impossible’ ambition for Highland Perthshire’s community radio service; addressed the successful community battle of getting P&K to restore public lavatory provision in Pitlochry; robustly promoted local developments through the help of community sponsorship and initiatives; hatched a ‘Snipe’ column that questioned the public expense of Pitlochry theatre “at a time of rising prescription charges, fewer teachers and lengthening dole queues”; and profiled local characters, heritage, social enterprises and the art & crafts’ scene.

The ‘main spread’ compared and contrasted the Tale of Two Centres by reviewing the first eighteen months’ operation of the inflatable indoor sports centre in Pitlochry, and the vigorous and ambitious fundraising activities of the Aberfeldy & District Community Centre Project Committee.

Until May 1997 it was published bi-monthly but, as regulars know, the content has remained consistently reflecting the interests of its reader-writers.