December 2010

Dec 2010 Sponsored by Morrison Construction Issue No 52

SEASONS GREETINGS TO ONE AND ALL!

ROTHES FLOOD ALLEVEATION SCHEME DECEMBER 2010

After nearly three years of ongoing investigation and construction within the heart and peripheral areas of the village the Rothes flood scheme is now substantially complete providing protection from the Back Burn, Black Burn and Burn of Rothes. Although the work has been complex requiring access to business and private gardens the delivery of the scheme could not have gone ahead as smoothly and on programme if it had not been for the support of the Rothes businesses, resident groups and the community.

From the Construction delivery team we wish to take the opportunity of thanking you all for your out- standing support and wish you all a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Bob Strachan Scheme Manager Rothes FAS

GUEST APPEARANCE!

On the eve of my daughter Adele’s wedding, friends and family were having a pre-wedding get together at the Kaim Park Hotel at Bathgate. Susan Boyle was attending a family function at the hotel, and before she left to go home, she popped in to wish Adele & Donny all the best for their wedding day, and good luck for their future. She stayed on to allow guests to take some photos. It made Adele & Donny’s day that extra bit special. I have attached a photo of Adele Tawse & Donny Bailey with Susan Boyle, I am Ian Tawse, son of Magnus and Marion Tawse. I Christmas Concert left Rothes to join the prison service in 1986 at Peter- head. Sunday 19th December

Rothes Church 7.30pm

Tickets £2 Adults £1 Children Tickets available from 3rd December directly from the choir at the Church Hall on Thursday evenings between 6-8pm or from The Rothes Butcher

You may contact The Rothesian by e-mail, using the following address: [email protected] WHERE ARE THEY NOW?! ROTHES LIBRARY

Opening hours over the festive period are:- Friday 24th December 10.00am to 12 noon Saturday 25th December Closed Monday 27th December Closed Tuesday 28th December Closed Wednesday 29th December 5.00pm to 8.00pm Thursday 30th December 10.00am to 12 noon 2.00pm to 5.00pm Friday 31st December Closed Saturday 1st January Closed Monday 3rd January Closed Tuesday 4th January Closed

Lyn wishes everyone all the best over the festive period and looks forward to seeing you in the 2011.

The new Rothes Library was officially opened on Tuesday, 26th October. The opening was performed

Budding young Artistes of over 60 years ago—where are you now?! Concerts were held by Jocky Phinn in the Church Hall. Another programme next issue. by Cllr. Jeff Hamilton, Chair of the Children and Young Peoples Committee, ably assisted by Rothes Primary School pupil, Georgia Masson.

10 year old Lesley Nicol from Rothes recently made her debut at the North East Accordion & Fiddle Club, which meets in the The Rothesian Group would like to British Legion, Keith. take this opportunity to wish all our readers best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

2 This issue sponsored by Morrison Construction ROTHES BABY AND TODDLER GROUP

We continue to meet every Tuesday and Thursday During the holiday we went to RAF Kinloss for the in The Grant Hall from 9.15-11.15. We have seen a Centenary Closing Ceremony where the Rainbows had drop in our numbers this year as a few of our chil- fun dancing and renewed their promise. We started off dren moved onto nursery. We are a small, friendly the term with a joint Halloween Party with the brownies group so if you have a baby or pre-school child we and what spooky fun we had! We also welcome Nina, would love you to come along and join us. Katie, Alex and Martha who have started with us. This term the girls will be working on their round about badge and Christmas crafts and we are looking forward to going to the panto on the 18th December in Inverness.

During the holiday the girls went to the Centenary Closing Ceremo- ny. We had fun and renewed our promise. We also had to say goodbye to Alana , Ashleigh and Jorden and wish them all the best in the future. To start the term we had a Halloween party along with the Rainbows and showed off the Haunted House the girls made in their sixes last term. We welcomed Rachael, Rebecca, Ariella and Me- In July we took the children to The Black Isle gan to the Brownies. This term the girls are working Wildlife Park for their summer outing. The chil- towards their Road Safety badge and also doing Christ- dren all came along in fancy dress for their Hallow- mas crafts. We will end the term with a trip to the panto een party in October. in Inverness. We are heading off to Baxters in December to meet Just a reminder to the girls parents that there will be th Santa and have a pancake. We will also have our NO Rainbows and Brownies on the 9 December as Christmas party where every child receives a pre- the school show will be on that night. sent from Santa. Thank you to everyone who bought one of our If you would like to add your daughters name to our lucky squares in the Post Office and congratulations waiting list (Rainbows aged 5-7 and Brownies aged 7- to the 3 lucky winners. 10) please contact us on the telephone numbers below. We will be holding a coffee morning on Saturday Wishing you all a great Christmas and Happy New 11th December in the Kirk Hall from 10am – 12 Year. noon. We look forward to seeing you all there. Bev (831137), Claire (831147) and Natasha Donations for our raffle/bottle stall would be grate- fully received. Any donations for our home baking stall can be handed in on the day of the coffee STORY TIME morning. We would like to thank everyone who supports our After many stutters and problems, Story Time for age 3 fund raising efforts. Your generosity is really ap- to P3 is back. It is on a new day and a new time. Now preciated by the children and their parents/carers. on Tuesday afternoon at 2.30 to 3.00pm, it starts im- mediately after school and finishes in time for any youngsters who require the crossing patrol, to cross with their older siblings as they leave school. As before, the group only operate in term time, so if the school is closed, there is no ‘story time’. (Parents are requested to collect their children via the library door at 3pm and children, please make sure that Mum or Dad, knows that you are going to Story Time.)

This issue sponsored by Morrison Construction 3 ROTHES further details contact [email protected] 01343 WELL NORTH 567172 and if anyone is interested in starting JogScot- PROJECT land sessions in Rothes, please contact barba- - Your view [email protected] 01343 567169. JogScotland contin- matters! ues to meet in Dufftown, Aberlour, Elgin and Keith. For details www.walkjogrunmoray.org.uk

The Rothes Well The Eastbank Hotel has recently completed work on a North Project is an brand new gym facility at its premises in Rothes. The NHS pilot self-care building, formerly an empty shed, has been trans- project in Rothes formed into a state-of the-art gym and sauna. You can initially until view the transformation – and the new gym – on the March 2011 and is website www.eastbankhotel.co.uk. As well as being one of 6 such pro- for guests, the facility has some spaces for yearly or 6- jects running across remote and rural areas of North- monthly subscriptions for local people. Contact Rothes ern Scotland. Involved in the project is Rothes Health 831564 for details. Centre, community partner REAP and groups and in- dividuals in Rothes promoting self-care and health and well-being in Rothes. To do this, as well as Rothes GP Practice offering health checks to 40-65 year-olds, the ROTHES FLOWER SHOW project would like to gain the views and increase awareness of the whole community about access and The greetin' meeting took place on 25th October and support for aspects of health and well-being, including opened with a tribute to the late Doris Bremner, a for- smoking cessation, healthy eating, physical activity, mer member of the society. Doris had been a valued and mental health. This community consultation is and well liked committee member and former secre- unique to this project which is also running in tary for many years and her passing saddened the pre- Dufftown. We also want to find out if there are any sent committee members as well as her many friends activity groups that people in Rothes feel need sup- in Rothes. porting or starting; training that local people might Regarding the Show this year, despite the vegetable need, e.g. Jog Scotland Leader training, or a Confi- entries being down, other sections, especially baking dence to Cook course. were vastly improved. This is encouraging for future We initially visited local groups, shops and pubs and years. Rothes Primary School parents asking people to com- Some problems were encountered, mainly in jams & plete questionnaires about health resources and ser- jellies , which seems to attract more queries than any vices in the area. We also compiled information on other section. New signs will be displayed to remind group contact details for the Rothes Self-Care Directo- entrants of the rules regarding presentation of their ry, which will be given to everyone who attends for a entries. health check. It contains local information about re- An application had been put in to the Wind Farm as sources and services such as exercise groups, smoking the society hopes to buy some tables of their own for cessation classes, Library services etc. the plant sale and also for displaying the entries. We’d like to thank the businesses in Rothes for being New fund raisers are to be tried this year. In addition so helpful to our research. The Seafield Arms, the Vic- to the compost and plant sales, we will have a quiz, toria and the Eastbank Hotel, plus McColl’s collected and Mrs Sandra Halkett, a NAFAS qualified demon- responses for us and allowed us to offer questionnaires strator will do a floral art demonstration in early to their customers. Rothes Primary school parents spring. These attempts to raise money are necessary as filled in so many questionnaires that they will receive the Society, in common with many other local organi- a donation towards their health resources! sations, is finding outgoings are exceeding income and If you haven’t filled in a questionnaire yet we’d love this trend needs to be remedied. to hear from you. E-mail [email protected] and we’ll send one out to you, or you can pick one up Dena Cruickshank from Rothes Library. A full report will be out later in the winter.

Thinking of getting fit?

Rothes Health Walks continue to meet every Thursday at 10am outside the old library on Seafield Square. For

4 This issue sponsored by Morrison Construction ROTHES BOWLING CLUB ROTHES GOLF CLUB - NOVEMBER 2010.

After the closing of the green for the year the follow- Rothes Golf Club this year celebrated its twentieth ing trophies were presented. year of play and use of the course. At the final fling, held at the start of October, club captain Stuart Foster Winner Runner Up paid tribute to the many people who have contributed Davidson Cup A. Cameron G. Jamieson to the success of the club. Included were the founder members who played at Spey Bay and the many others Forsyth Cup A. Cameron C. Newlands who have taken on the roles of responsibility within the club throughout the years. He also acknowledged Rennie Cup A. Cameron A. Shand the tremendous support of our local sponsors who help maintain the competitions in Rothes, and especially Senior Shield G. Jamieson A. Shand the opens which attract members from other clubs. Stuart mentioned the commitment of greenkeepers 4 Bowl Pairs C. Newlands S. Cameron over the twenty years which has helped bring the G. Jamieson R. Murray course on and improved both the look and playing conditions for everyone. He mentioned our present 2 Bowl Pairs K. Fraser I. Shaw greenkeeper John Urquhart who has a vision for A. Shand G. Jamieson Rothes Golf Club and who works tirelessly through a range of weather conditions to promote and reach that Triples Gala A. Cameron K. Fraser vision. Our catering need is met through Irene’s Fayre Shield G. Jamieson C. R. Grant and Irene is present at all the major events of the sea- R. Murray A. Rogers son. Our barman, Andrew, continues to work and pro- vides his own unique brand of humour and banter over Williamson Rose Bowl A. Cameron the weekends. The council members and ladies com- Hat Nights mittee provide the staffing through the week on a rota basis, otherwise it would not be possible to keep the bar open in the evenings. In September a number of people attended the training for the bar staff in accord- ROTHES INDOOR BOWLING CLUB. ance with current legislation. The ladies section continues to have a number of fund- The indoor bowling takes place in the Rothes FC So- raising events such as coffee mornings and prize bin- cial Club on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 6.15 gos. These events have been well supported by Rothes pm. The Banffshire Indoor Bowling league has been people and people from the surrounding communities. reduced to 2 sections with Lhandryde and Keith Royal Their generous support has enabled a number of pro- British Legion now playing in the section with Drum- jects on the course over the last few years and this year muir, Craigellachie, Dufftown and Rothes. has enabled the club to purchase new computer equip- The Rothes Open Triples will commence on Sunday ment and software to manage the handicap systems for 23rd January. This season has seen new members join both ladies and gents and meet the need to link with the club and it is pleasing to see the good attendance at other systems to promote the club in up to date ways. club nights. Our grateful thanks go to those who have given so Innes Shaw generously in donations of prizes, time and commitment and also to those who have attended and supported the ventures. LINDA’S KEEP FIT The prize giving took place recently and this year’s club champions are :- Juniors – Kyle Laing; Ladies – Linda’s Keep Fit on Monday evening in the Kirk Hall Irene Allan; Gents – Sandy Reid. is picking up again after the summer. Open to all ages, The club held a Sportspersons dinner in the Grant Hall it is a fun way to exercise and get fitter. The times on Friday 26th November. Master of Ceremonies for have been adjusted slightly in that the class starts at the evening was Dave Edwards. 5.45pm and finishes at 6.45pm and costs £2.50. Do S Bruce come along and join in as all are welcome.

This issue sponsored by Morrison Construction 5 THANK YOU

With the new road bridge and surrounding areas almost finished we would like to say thank you to the flood alleviation team for all the hard work that has been carried out. Also for the work put in at Station Mews. The team went about their work with as little disruption to us as possible. The new road leading from the park into the town is now almost completed so we do hope that the public will use it with pride and care. Also we would like to let the public know that Station Mews is not a public right of way and ask you not to climb our wall and enter. We the residents have to meet the costs of grav- el and the upkeep of the courtyard. Now that you have your own lovely road you hopefully can have regard to our property once again. Doris A final thank you to Mr Colin White, of the flood alleviation team, who was keeping us well informed at all (Barron) Bremner – 6/3/29 to 5/10/10 times while using the courtyard. Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a pros- Some weeks ago I thought of sending an article to the perous New Year. Rothesian as a tribute to my sister, Doris – of her life and times in Rothes and of her many interests. The residents at Station Mews, Station Street This proved to be harder than I thought, when so many memories came crowding in, and difficult to write about. I then realised we all, as former friends, family, neigh- bours and colleagues, have our own private and special Old postcard of North Street. memories of her as a quiet, dignified, private and much respected lady, who, until her cruel illness took it’s toll, Postally used in 1907 and sent to an address in Loch- never forgot about her life and friends in Speyside. We greatly appreciate the letters, photographs and good wishes sent to her in Edinburgh, reminding her of the many good times she shared with her friends in Rothes Muriel (Barron) Riddell

THE GRANARY, ROTHES

As many of you may know, Forsyths own the piece of land between the church and Land Street now known as the Granary, originally Donald Forsyth’s farm buildings, with planning permission to build houses. We are interested to know the suggestions of the people of Rothes on what this property could be best used gelly, Fife. for, in terms of added enhancement to the town, for Quite a few of the houses are still standing - but the example, Café/Restaurant, Gallery, Shops, Communi- railway signal box and the whisky pipe from Glen ty Hall, or some combination of these. Grant to Caperdonach have long gone. We will listen to all reasonable suggestions prior to RM developing the property. Please contact Margery McLennan at Forsyths, on [email protected], or 01340 831787 with any suggestions.

6 This issue sponsored by Morrison Construction ROTHES FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEME DECEMBER 2010.

After the flood of 2002 The Moray Council included Rothes within the Moray Flood Alleviation schemes. To date it has been the only Moray scheme which has not had to suffer a protracted Public Local Inquiry. The majority of flood alleviation schemes take around 9 years to be developed and approved through the regulatory processes. The Rothes scheme, however, has been developed, designed and constructed to provide flood protection at break neck speed of just over 8 years, although work will continue to next March 2011 to complete landscaping and facings to reinforced concrete walls.

Work commenced in Rothes in 2005 to undertake investigation works, relating to existing utilities, ground conditions, contaminated land and environmental issues which included protected species. This allowed the design to be developed, using standard flood protection methods of, set back walls and/or embankments (as Provost Chris- tie Drive), constrained flood walls (as Burnside Street) or leave alone and utilise existing flood planes. A further set of tools was to manage the overland flows, and flows from the A941 which had a direct im- pact on Land Street – these included drainage upgrade, and construction of an attenuation pond, and construction of a large ditch along the escarpment heading south to the Black Burn to direct water away from Land Street, to a new enlarged River Spey outfall constructed to assist with flow management. No other scheme in the UK if not Europe has had the same topography and mixture of burns through a Vil- lage with a major river so close, incorporating designated environmental areas.

The outline design phase was completed in 2007 allowing Planning and Flood Prevention Orders to be applied for. During this phase, the most criti- cal for the project, businesses and residents were united in not compromis- ing the potential of allowing the scheme to proceed. Negotiations were held with severely affected parties, to not delay the scheme development.

The scheme was approved by Government ministers

This issue sponsored by Morrison Construction 7 early in 2008, with the first section of the scheme commencing on 4th July 2008 to construct mass fill abutments for the new Glen Grant access bridge. As the construction team moved forward with the Back Burn, finite design continued on the Black Burn and Burn of Rothes, with construction commencing on the Black Burn attenuation pond in November 2008, closely fol- lowed by the long awaited new Spey Outfall in Febru- ary 2009. With the Burn of Rothes finite design complete; commence- ment of work on this final section of the scheme could not commence until early May 2009 due to environmental restrictions imposed by regularity au- thorities on the watercourse. Work commence in early May with the construction of a set back flood wall at Provost Christie Drive. With Glen Grant Access Bridge being demolished and reconstructed in 4 weeks during July All three burns defences were now under construction, with work in the watercourse being a key priority as environmental restrictions again came into play in mid October 2009 due to Salmon Spawning.

During the 3rd and 4th of September 2009 Rothes and surrounding Moray was hit by extreme rainfall causing flooding across Moray and Aberdeenshire. Constructed flood defences coped well, but unfortu- nately a section of embankment had not commenced upstream of Provost Christie Drive, allowing flood water to pass behind constructed defences.

Work now concentrated on the upper sections of the burns, in Glen Grant, Glen- rothes and culvert, cascade and ditch works on the Black Burn taking the construction teams away from the centre of the town ex- cept for the demolition of the former Burgh Cham- bers.

February 2010 brought large volumes of snow, construction could not con-

8 This issue sponsored by Morrison Construction tinue in such conditions so construction plant was diverted onto snow clearing operations with over a 1,000 tonnes being deposited to the south of the village. Again demolition continued with the removal of 2-8 Burnside Street, being a sad loss for the residents who had occupied the houses for many years.

Traffic lights were set up in the centre of the village during March 2010 at the A941 Bridge at The Burn of Rothes to allow existing services to be diverted out of the existing bridge onto a temporary bridge, to allow demolition of the existing A941 Bridge. A temporary bridge was constructed with a weight limit of 7.5 tonnes; due to the geometry of the temporary bridge it was im- possible for wide or extend- ed loads to cross the bridge. Some tried but caused severe damage to their vehicles. Work now was at maximum production in the centre of the village with flood walls and bridges being demolished and constructed, again the summer weather was not kind but autumn made up for the poor summer climatic conditions. Again September brought high flows delaying construction within the watercourses.

The construction of the new A941 bridge was successful with traffic below 7.5 tonnes using the bridge 4 weeks ahead of completion date. The bridge was reopened to HGVs on the 1st of October 2010 - since then the concentration has been on completing flood walls prior to the break for the Christmas Holidays. Personnel will be on site until March 2012 to complete landscaping, surfacing and facings to flood walls.

Bob Strachan Scheme Manager Rothes FAS Picture Index:

1 Attenuation Pond 2 Sheet piles at Black Burn 3 PCD finished works 4 Rothes Burn in flood at Glenrothes Distillery 5 Old and New Bairn’s Bridges 6 A941 Bridge under construction 7 Recreation Park embankment 8 Glen Grant visitors footbridge

This issue sponsored by Morrison Construction 9

10 This issue sponsored by Morrison Construction Rothes Diary 8th March Guild AGM and Guild Rally DVD 7.15 in Kirk Hall th Please note that the diary displayed in the Rothes 12 March Coffee Morning in the Kirk Hall (Tennis Club) Library window, is updated every two weeks or so th and takes in changes which occur during the time 19 March Coffee Morning in Kirk Hall (Rothes Par- between the Rothesian quarterly editions, especial- ish Church) 19th March Tombola in Rothes FC Social Club ly in the run up to the Festive Season and holiday th breaks. Please keep Sandra informed of events 26 March Coffee Morning in the Kirk Hall (Friendship Group) and meetings as fundraising works best with no th competition! 27 March Clocks forward 1 hour for BST April Please note the special email address for the diary: st [email protected] 1 April Schools close for Easter Break 2nd April Coffee Morning in Rothes FC Social Club If you would like the diary emailed to you, please th contact this address. 9 April Guild Coffee Morning in the Kirk Hall 16th April Tombola in Rothes FC Social Club th 2010 18 April Schools reopen after Easter Break 22nd April Schools closed for Good Friday th December 29 April Royal Wedding th May 8 December Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch nd 11th December Coffee Morning in the Kirk Hall 2 May ‘May Day’ Holiday Schools Closed (Toddlers Group) 14th December Rothes BALL Group Christmas ‘Do’ 16th December Guild Christmas Carol Evening in Kirk Hall 7.30pm 18th December Private Birthday Party. In Rothes FC Social Club 21st December Rothes Ladies Group Christmas ‘do’ 22nd December Schools close for Christmas Break 25th December Dance in Rothes FC Social Club 28th December Craigellachie Village Council Bottle Bingo

2011 January 6th January Schools reopen after Christmas Break 11th January Rothes BALL Group new session in Kirk Hall 11th January Guild with speaker Miss Karen Taylor on Yorkhill Hospital 7.15pm 15th January Tombola in Rothes FC Social Club 22nd January Coffee Morning in Kirk Hall (Rothes Council) 29th January Coffee Morning in the Kirk Hall (Boy’s Brigade) February 5th February Coffee Morning in Rothes FC Social Club 8th February Guild speaker Mrs Sheila Silvestri on Guild Projects 7.15 in Kirk Hall 11th to 14th February Schools closed Mid term Break 12th February Coffee Morning in the Kirk Hall Our Local Fire Fighters will be heading (Ladies Group) out with Santa collecting money in aid 19th February Coffee Morning in the Kirk Hall of The Fire Fighters Charity on Tuesday (Rothes Parish Church) 21st December. 19th February Tombola in Rothes FC Social Club 22nd February Guides Thinking Day 26th February Coffee Morning in the Kirk Hall (Brownies) March 4th March World Day of Prayer 5th March Coffee Morning in Rothes FC Social Club

This issue sponsored by Morrison Construction 11 GRADUATION

Former Rothes Primary School pupil Kevin Milne, who is the son of Neil and Avril, has recently gained a 1st in BA (Hons) Journalism at Glasgow Caledonian University where he had been studying for the past four years – an achievement that has made his family SPEYSIDE AIR CADETS CHRISTMAS very proud of him. CARD DELIVERY SERVICE After leaving Speyside High School in the late ‘90’s he joined the Christmas is just around the corner and teenagers from Royal Navy as an Air the Speyside ATC are gearing up for their annual Engineering Mechanic, Christmas card delivery service. being stationed at RNAS Yeovilton Special posting boxes will be in place at the following where he maintained shops by the end of November;- and serviced Lynx heli- copters. Kevin was in the Royal Navy for ROTHES seven years, going on Costcutters two combat operations to Iraq and also spent H Tawse butcher time aiding the United C Simpson baker States Government in the war against drug trafficking in the Caribbean. His sometimes harrowing experiences changed him quick- ABERLOUR ly from a Rothes country loon to a wordly wise man! On leaving the Navy in 2005 he studied at Moray Col- J Walker bakers’ shop, High Street lege for a year, gaining a creditable pass in HNC So- Aberlour Pharmacy cial Studies. At present, his endeavours to build a career in Journal- S Cattanach newsagent ism have so far been unsuccessful though he does free- C Gammack saddler/ironmonger lance work for technology website: “ASK THE EX- PERTS.ORG” writing articles focusing on inventions, innovations and defence. Flying Officer Sarah Birkett, who runs the group ex- Good luck on the job hunt Kev – you deserve it. plained;-“We hope the public will agree, our service is terrific value, costing only 10 pence to post a card. We’ll have 3 deliveries on 4, 11 and 18 December to raise funds for the branch.” SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL

Patrons should make sure that all envelopes are fully Just a quick reminder that the programme of events addressed with the recipient’s full name and postal goes live on Friday the 14th January 2011. This will address before taking them to the designated outlets. happen at 7pm in the evening, and last year 40% of They should also take special note that cards cannot be online ticket sales were done this weekend. Events can delivered outwith the Rothes or Aberlour town bound- be added to the programme from early December. aries. However mail can, for instance, be posted in Rothes for an address within Aberlour and visa versa. Pamela Looper Festival Manager Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival If you require any further information, please contact April 29th - May 3rd 2010 Sheila MacDonald on 07881 511363 or by e-mail at ray- 07876 414046 [email protected] [email protected] www.spiritofspeyside.com

12 This issue sponsored by Morrison Construction HIGH FLYER! FISHY MEMORIES

Mrs Ella Cumming discussed with staff that she want- The cold weather is here again. Coming back from Elgin ed to a have a shot at gliding, so with Linnburn staff the other day it was wet and cold. As we were passing help she went to the Highland Gliding Club in Birnie the fisheries at Rothes Glen I remarked to my wife ‘They on the 15th October 2010. Mrs Cumming went in a must be mad fishing in that weather’. My wife laughed two man glider, and was towed to a height by a RAF and remarked that I had a short memory! CHIPMUNK and let loose over Ben Aigen and Spey- side area. Mrs Cumming managed to soar to 3000ft I used to love fishing the burns in Rothes and at the and even had a go at flying the glider. Dounie Falls when I was young. Seeing the Falls in the All Mrs Cumming's friends at Linnburn stood outside Rothes Calendar brought back many happy memories. The worst weather I have ever fished in happened four- teen years ago. I had been invited to fish on Loch Naver by the manager of the Altnaharra Hotel (Sutherland) where our soon to be son in law was a chef. We’d only just arrived when the manager said ‘Are you ready, we’ll fish a small loch just now and tomorrow you’ll go on Loch Naver with a ghillie’. It was early March at the time and on arriving at the loch found the sleet and wind was howling across the loch. We got into the small tin boat and despite being dressed for the weather after half an hour struggling against the wind I swapped my rod for the oars, after another half hour we gave up. Back at the hotel I told my wife I’d never been so cold, even after hot soup and a good dram it took about three hours in bed to thaw out. The next day was much better and after my wife and daughter went off to Thurso I set out with the ghillie to Loch Naver where I was very lucky and caught a salmon. Returning to the hotel we were met by a very and saw her fly by! Mrs Cumming thoroughly enjoyed excited owner who shook my hand and said you’ve got a fish. ‘It was just a kelt’ I replied. ‘Oh no it wasn’t’ he the experience and fully intends to visit the Gliding said ‘I watched you kill it’. He’d been watching through club again next year his binoculars. Both the ghillie and I were given a litre of whisky and the fish went to the kitchen. On the menu that night there was fresh salmon caught by courtesy of Mr Logan, Speyside. BALL GROUP Perhaps the fishers at Rothes Glen weren’t mad after all, just a lot younger and fitter than me!! The Rothes BALL (Be Active Life Long) group re- Jimmy Logan sumed in early September after the summer break, Jimmy and Christine would like to thank everyone at the with a variety of activities, including a trip to the Mac- Rothesian for their good wishes, card and flowers which duff Aquarium just before the October break. This they sent for our Golden Wedding anniversary, proved a fascinating glimpse of life beneath the waves of our Moray Firth with a shopping trip to the ‘Spotty Bag Shop’ to add an extra sparkle. On our way back along the coast, we were thrilled to see a lot of seals sunbathing on the rocks near Portgordon. Many of our activities have been geared towards our fund-raiser on 9th November, which took the form of ‘Afternoon Tea’. This was totally new for us as we were none too sure how this would work. We were absolutely delighted at the turnout and even more delighted to realise the sum of £477.50p. This ensures that we are really self-supporting. Thank you very much indeed for the support from the communities. It is really appreciated.

This issue sponsored by Morrison Construction 13 ROTHES GALA ROTHES WIND FARM FUND

The Rothes Gala Year has now ended. It was very The latest round of applications submitted in October successful with all groups who helped receiving £75 has just been approved by Rothes Wind Ltd and were for group funds. Next years Gala Day will be on May awarded to: 29th 2011. The first meeting will take place on 19th January at 7pm in the Cottage. Please come along and Sing For Life Choir: £250 put forward your views. RHIS: £600 Jean (Gala Convener) Air Cadets: £120 Ladies’ Group: £120 Senior Citizens: £600 NEWS FROM ROTHES COUNCIL Rothes Community Ltd: £1,750 Primary School: £150 It does not seem a year since I was handed the role of Storytime at the Library: £75 Chairman to the Rothes Council. It has been enjoya- ble and nerve racking to say the least. We have had The next round will be in April and applications for various people to speak to, mostly from the Flood Al- aid then will be called for in February. leviation team, to put our minds at rest, with quite good results : the librarian came and explained about the new library, and we sent out slips asking for your help in asking about the help you may need to get to SENIOR CITIZENS the library. Not many people responded and unfortu- nately the ones returned to the library were lost in the The new sessions started on the 6th October—we have move – if we don’t use the library we are in danger of had some very good entertainment. losing this facility. Our last meeting of 2010 was on the 1st December, with our Xmas lunch on the 8th December in the Our next Council meeting will be held on Monday Grant Hall. 20th December, when we hope to have Elaine Penny The first meeting of 2011 will be on the 12th January. from Moray Council transport to speak to us. This meeting will also be our AGM so please come along COFFEE MORNING and join us. Jean Grimshaw (Chair) We had a very good Coffee morning on Saturday 13th November, when £690 was raised. The Committee would like to thank The Macallan, Glen Grant, Spey- burn, Costcutters, Tawse the Butchers, the Chemist, BAIRNS’ BRIG AND ROTHES FOUNTAIN Simpsons Bakers and McColls for their generosity to our Raffle, and to Helen Ness who delivered the raffle Rothes Council has recently been discussing possible prizes to the winners. uses for the old Bairns’ Brig. If anyone has any ideas Thanks go to all who donated for the stalls, money where it could go in or around Rothes could you donations and raffle, and to all who worked hard on please let me know. We will be looking into the pre- the day. sent state of the brig, any possible funding needs for And of course, many thanks to all who came for their change and for future maintenance and any other rele- coffee! vant issues over the next few months. Jean Allan During the work on the flood scheme the workmen Secretary unearthed the foundations of the old Rothes Fountain. We are asking you if you have any ideas as to what we could do with it – no cheeky ones if you please unless you really must. Please send any ideas on either issue addressed to myself at the Cottage. Thank You Jean G

14 This issue sponsored by Morrison Construction WAR GRAVES VISIT REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

I recently undertook a WW1 Battlefields trip with our The wreath laid on behalf of the Western Front Asso- school, a trip we do annually in October. On the trip ciation (North Scotland Branch) on Remembrance we visit many graves and battle sites. Whilst there I Sunday, was commemorating all those lost in the managed to visit and lay poppy crosses at the graves Great War in our area and beyond. As the area of the of three of our lost sons. I wondered if any of your Branch, in theory, stretches from Shetland in the north readers could give further details of these or, in fact, to a line approximately about Montrose/ Stonehaven in details of any lost hero from the Rothes District killed the south, there is a wide geographical area included. during the Great War. The Branch meets monthly approximately in Elgin The Graves visited were of;- Library to hear talks on a variety of topics relating to the Great War, where very few families were un- scathed by the losses. (The next meeting is 29th Janu- ary 2011 when the topic is the work of the Common- wealth War Graves Commission by a locally based Commissioner). Each year, the Branch Wreath is laid by a member at a different location within the Branch Area, and it is with gratitude that Rothes was the ‘host’ this year. Thank you.

THE ANNUAL SCOTTISH POPPY APPEAL

The amount raised in Rothes for this year’s Pop- pyscotland appeal was £753.28. Grateful thanks are expressed to all outlets who displayed collecting cans and to everyone who who gave so generously. A special word of thanks to the Air Cadets from 423 (Speyside) Flight who raised the grand sum of John B Kerr, son of Isabella Kerr (nee Green), 5 £164.22 during their street collection. Seafield Square; Born Rothes 12th Jan 1898; K.i.A. during the battle of the Somme on 3rd Sept, 1918 aged 20; Buried Delville Wood Military Cemetary. SUPPORT YOUR FIRE STATION William Jamieson, husband of Jessie Jamieson and son of Geo Jamieson & Jane Mckenzie; Born Rothes Rothes fire station are reaching out to the community 6th Sep, 1886; K.i.A. 19th Aug 1915 aged 28; Buried and local businesses in the bid to recruit more retained Chocques Military Cemetary fire fighters following a drop in their crew numbers. Becoming a retained fire fighter would mean the op- Archibald Taylor, husband of Mrs Taylor, Rothes; portunity to earn additional money, learn new skills second son of Mrs Annie Taylor 50 Balvenie St, and serve the local community. Dufftown; Born Boharm on 7th Sep 1890; KiA 18th Applicants must be 18 or over and live with in a maxi- Apr 1918; Buried Chocques Military Cemetary mum of 7 minutes from the station. Those wishing to apply to become a retained fire fight- Thanks to extensive research by Glen Ross, I have all er can do so through Grampian Fire and Rescue Ser- of the military details for these men. I am more inter- vice, 19 North Anderson Drive, Aberdeen, AB156TP, ested in the human aspects of their sacrifice and how it who are also on the service website affected those left behind. I would also like to know if www.grampianfrs.org.uk or by phone on there are any relatives of these men still living in the 01224696666 during office hours or ask at the Rothes area. fire station on a Thursday between 1900-2130 for Information on any of the above can be passed more information. to either Jean Allan or Pearl Paul

Steven Allan

This issue sponsored by Morrison Construction 15 NEW DRIVERS ARE VETERAN HANDS

Finlay and Craig MacDonald successfully completed the world famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run at their first attempt, a remarkable achievement and it’s thought the first time seventeen year old twins have ever done so. It is traditionally held on the first Sunday in November to commemorate the Emancipation Run, without which we would all be running our cars at 4mph with a man with a red flag in front! Only cars built before December 31st 1904 are eligible to take part in this prestige event, which makes the youngest machine 106 years old. Finlay drove the 6hp 1904 Humberette, (our local doctor’s first car). Unusual features are the anti -clockwise rotation of the engine, at- mospheric inlet valve, and two levers to engage the gears, just below the single spoke steering wheel. Brakes are on the transmission and it has only a parking brake on the rear wheels. Craig piloted the 5hp 1903 Oldsmobile Curved Dash meanwhile, and had to get to grips with tiller steering as well as a valve decompressor, epicy- clic gearing, chain final drive and wood wheels with beaded edge tyres. It is a quiet and low revving engine compared with the Humberette, with old books quoting its performance at “One chug per telegraph pole!” Both cars are single cylinder machines, and have total loss oil lubrication, trembler coil ignition, manual advance/ retard, oil lamps and beaded edge tyres. Top speed is around 25 mph, with London to Brighton taking just under 6 hours…..but as their Dad says “Ye dinna need to be goin’ fast to be feart!” (In comparison due to the heavy con- gestion, it took a modern car over 3 hours to cover the same route on the Friday.) Craig had a great trouble free run down to the sea but Finlay had a more eventful journey with brake and clutch troubles - and with the odd rear axle mounting bracket breaking loose to add to his woes! A few running repairs however, with the help of bits of Dads leather belt, got him to the finish. Both lads were presented with their well deserved finishers medals for “Punctual Arrival in Brighton”. 508 vehicles started at Hyde Park and 433 finished on Madeira Drive Brighton, one was disqualified and 74 “failed to proceed” on the day. The first cars were flagged off from Hyde Park at 07.02 just as day broke in batches of twenty at two minute intervals. The route passed Buckingham Palace, over Westminster Bridge to Lambeth, Norbury, Croydon, Redhill, Gatwick, Crawley, Burgess Hill, Clayton Hill, and finally Brighton’s Madeira Drive to the finish. They did extremely well with the controls and driving of these early primitive cars in modern traffic and, as everyone who has driven in London with a modern vehicle will appreciate, it’s not an easy run – quite the opposite in fact!

16 This issue sponsored by Morrison Construction