Welcome to This Edition of Strachan Today. Spring Seems to Have Arrived in Strachan With

April 2009

Welcome to this edition of Strachan Today. Spring seems to Scottish have arrived in Strachan with daffodils, crocuses, and young calves appearing in the sunlight. Country The Strachan website has also sprung into life and you can keep Dancing up to date with news by visiting www.strachantoday.org. We hope that the website will enable the groups which meet in the There are 2 village and the village hall to provide more information about their activities and up and coming events. Philip Marno is in opportunities to join charge of the website and would be happy to receive your in the dancing at the suggestions on how it can be developed and improved. Please Village Hall during contact him on [email protected] April. I am delighted to report that the Strachan Book Group held its inaugural meeting on 16 March. Read more about it on page 2. On Friday 10 April

There is news of the Village Camp which will be held from 5th – from 8pm. th 8 June in the beautiful location of Portsoy. So make sure the £10 per couple which date is in your diary so that you can come along and join in the includes drinks. fun!

I would like to welcome Anne, Pat and Sue to the Strachan Then on Saturday 25 Today Distribution team and record my thanks to Julia, Audrey, April, come and bring Dawn, Debra, Steve, Marijke, Nicola, Fiona, Rosie, Sandy and your friends to the Roger who make sure that all the paper copies get into the letterboxes. Remember if you’d like an e-mail copy just let me End of Season Dance know. 81 people now receive e-mail copies. With live music from If you have any suggestions to improve the newsletter, comments, or maybe contribute to it, do not hesitate to contact Eddie Esson me on 850581 or [email protected]. Photos are always Arrive by 7.30 pm welcome to add colour to news of village life. ready to dance at Lesley Young 8.00pm Many thanks to Tickets from Sarah Richards: -850613 £20 per couple

for printing this edition Bus information

DEESIDE VILLAGE HOPPER Thursdays (On request, could deviate from route - 013398 85222) NEW TIMES Aboyne (Coop) 09.35 13.35 Banchory (High St) 11.20 15.05 Finzean 09.55 13.55 Strachan 11.30 15.15 Strachan 10.05 14.05 Finzean 11.35 15.25 Banchory (High St) 10.15 14.15 Aboyne (Coop) 11.55 16.00

ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL LOCAL SERVICE 204 Monday to Friday (Travel line 0871 200 2233) - Leaves Strachan 07.35 to Aberdeen; Leaves Aberdeen 17.20 65 SPECIAL – DIAL A TRIP SERVICE Strachan routes: Tuesdays to Banchory; 1st Thursday in month to Aberdeen; 3rd Thursday in month to Porthleven and Stonehaven. To book seat (48 hours notice if possible) or for information: 01569 765765 or 013398 87070

This is a lovely campsite right on the beach. There are coastal walks and cycling routes too. Tourers or campers are welcome to come for the whole weekend or just one night - whatever suits. Visitors for a day are also welcome!!! We ALWAYS have loads of fun whatever the weather! Some have even been known to go swimming in the sea....brrr! Strachan Village Camp It's a great way of getting to know other people who live in our community! The Strachan Village Camp tradition goes th th Friday 5 June – Monday 8 June back over 20 years. There are 2 camps a year - one in June Sandend Caravan and Campsite and the other later in September. For more information and to reserve your pitch, please Near Portsoy contact Julia Clark on 820096 or [email protected]

Strachan Book Group On 16 March 12 of us gathered together in the Village Hall to consider the list of 6 books suggested by Vicky Dawson of Yeadons of Banchory and we have chosen to read The Idea of Perfection by Kate Grenville. It was recommended as a wonderful novel about two ugly mature people who meet in an outback Australian town and fall in love. The book touches on handicrafts, craftsmanship, quality and older relationships. We will meet again on Monday 20 This month’s picture is by Holly Evans age 7 April at 7.30pm in the Village Hall to Would you like your child to draw for Strachan Today? Just ring Lesley discuss this novel. on 850581 Mr John Junner of School House, Strachan and lately Bellfield Care Home died on 18 February aged 89. Mr Junner had been Headmaster of Strachan School from 1966 – 1985. He had also been an active member of Strachan Hall Committee and acted as Chairman for many years. He is remembered with affection by friends, neighbours and former pupils as a quiet man with a keen sense of humour. He was an accomplished fiddler and had a lifelong passion for the fiddle music of James Scott Skinner. Indeed Robbie Shepherd, the Doric columnist of the Press and Journal paid tribute to John for his contribution to Robbie’s early radio broadcasts. John had been an avid collector of Scott Skinner memorabilia, original manuscripts and also owned the curious Stroh Fiddle which Skinner used for his early recordings. Much of John’s collection is now held at Aberdeen University. He is survived by a cousin in Edinburgh.

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Strachan Today is produced by volunteers and depends on sponsorship for printing. Could you, or maybe your company, sponsor an edition? If you can help, please contact Lesley Young: [email protected] or 850581

Who to contact STRACHAN PATHS GROUP BIRSE-FEUGHSIDE CHURCH Mr Mark Hagger 823418 (covers parishes of Strachan and Birse) Mr Stirling Marshall 850439 Rev Jack Holt UNDER 5’S The Manse, Finzean 850237 Mrs Pamela Clarke 850727 BOWLING CLUB STRACHAN SCHOOL New members welcome on Monday evenings Mr Paul Wilson (of Drumoak School) Acting Headteacher Mrs Elma Duncan (Secretary) 820399 850231 Mrs Lesley Smith (Treasurer) 823284 Mrs Audrey Donaldson (P1-3 Teacher); Miss Linda Murray FEUGHDEE WEST COMMUNITY COUNCIL (Classroom Assistant); Mrs Linda Yule (School Administrator); Mr Alistair Stenhouse (Chairman) Mrs Dianne Duncan (Support for Learning); Jackie Seam SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING CLUB (Lunchtime Auxillary & Canteen) Mrs Sarah Richards 850613 PARENTAL FORUM SWRI (“RURAL”) Meets early each term Mrs Aileen Black 824781 (PRESIDENT) SCHOOL COUNCIL STRACHAN HALL COMMITTEE Mrs Fiona Daines (Chairman) Sam Wylde (Chair) 850655 Mrs Arlene MacFarlane (Secretary) Mrs Arlene Thomson (booking secretary) Mrs Jennifer Neish (Treasurer) 850324 PORTRAIT OF OUR TIME (“POOT”) Mr David MacFarlane (Treasurer) 850657 Mel Shand  850674 or [email protected] STRACHAN JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB Mr David MacFarlane 850657 Calendar of events - April 2009

Thursday 2 April 7.30 to 9.30 pm: Rural "Up-Helly-AA, 7.30pm: Scottish Country Dancing Deeside Village Hopper operates Shetland” Mr Jim Sellons End of Season Dance from former Post Office Sunday 19 April (Village Hall) Sunday 5 April 11am: Service (Birse and Feughside Sunday 26 April 11am: Service (Birse and Feughside Church) 11am: Service (Birse and Feughside Church) Monday 20 April Church) Thursday 9 April 9.30-11.30am: Under 5’s Group (Old Strachan Junior Football Team vs Deeside Village Hopper (from former Post Office) Finzean at Strachan Park Post Office) 7.30pm: Book Group (Village Hall – 2pm kick off Friday 10 April small room) Monday 27 April 8pm: Scottish Country Dancing 7.30pm: Bowling Club (Village Hall) 7.30pm Parent Council meeting (Village Hall) Thursday 23 April Strachan School Sunday 12 April Deeside Village Hopper operates 8.45am Easter Breakfast from former Post Office 200 Club Winners – and 7.30pm Feughdee West Community 11am: Service (Birse and Feughside Council AGM (Village Hall) All 1st £50 Sophie Barnett Church) welcome (no.114) 2nd £30 Thursday 16 April Saturday 25 April Christopher Manighetti (no. Deeside Village Hopper operates 10.00: Strachan Junior Football Team 87) 3rd. £15 Frank Sheridan from former Post Office Training* (no. 145) 5th £15 Lawrence Gray senior (no. 112)

Top marks for Strachan School The Deeside Piper reported that Strachan School had been congratulated by Aberdeenshire Council The Post Office has asked the Hall Committee if 'Outreach Services' on implementing the recommendations made in could be provided at the Village Hall on the inspection report of October 2007. Tuesdays from 12.45 p.m. to 2.45p.m. • Improved attainment in English language and This arrangement would be similar to the mathematics provision which existed until January at • Staff’s higher expectations of children the former shop. • Chidren’s greater involvement in learning If you would use such a service could •Co-operation between children in discsussing and you please contact Jill Randalls on evaluating aspects of their work 823162 or [email protected] or • More effective communication with parents Lesley Young [email protected] • Staff’s commitment to self-evalauation and improving the school

Newsletter compiled by Lesley Young, 9 Feugh View, Strachan 850581 [email protected]