THE SOUTH DEESIDE VIEW
Spring 2013
CONTENTS This year March came in like a lamb but as we go to press it looks set to go out like a lion. In stark contrast to last year, 1 Plant Sale & Daffodil Tea easterly winds, almost Siberian-like at times, seem to have dominated most of the winter but undeterred, the snowdrops 2 Youth activities adorn our landscape, albeit camouflaged amongst the 3 Youth activities snowflakes. A sure sign that spring is upon us. 4 Lairhillock School Thanks to our many contributors and organisations across the 5 Banchory-Devenick School area for helping to once again make this a packed issue. Also Red squirrel conservation to our faithful advertisers and band of ‘deliverers’. Together you make South Deeside View possible...you should be very 6 Clubs and Societies proud. 7 Leisure activities 8 Community Halls All phone numbers are Aberdeen listed (01224) unless otherwise indicated. The back page, with its Events Calendar Community Woodland and list of useful contacts, is arranged for handy reference. 9 Driving for the Disabled Other contact information is at the end of each section. 10 Maryculter-Cookney Church We look forward to seeing you all at our Annual Plant Sale 11 St Ternan’s Church and Coffee Morning on May 18 (see below for more details). St Mary’s Chapel, Blairs As always, please feel free to contact Hazel or Pam at any time Solstice Plant Sale with your ideas for new material for the newsletter (contact 12 News from Blairs Museum details on the back page). Your suggestions are always The Muckle Spate welcome.
13 Nature Notes Till autumn... Home deliveries 14 Grampian Police ANNUAL PLANT SALE 15 Representation MP/MSP and 16 Community Council COFFEE MORNING 17 Community Council Saturday May 18, from 10.30am till noon 18 Councillors at Corbie Hall, Maryculter 19 Advertisements We are holding a sale of garden plants: herbaceous, 20 Handy contacts and Events rockery, herbs, salad vegetables, annuals and bushes - all grown by enthusiastic local amateur gardeners.
Friends of Guiding Coffee, tea, juice and home baking will also be Maryculter available.
Annual Daffodil Tea Please let us know if you can offer any donations or assistance on the day - all contributions welcome! Saturday 11th May 10.30 to 12.30 Corbie Hall, Maryculter If you can help with supplies, contact Rob Winmill (plants), Tel: 01569 730308 or Pam Robertson (coffee Adults £3, children/concessions £1.50 morning), Tel: 863887. Cake & candy, books & toys, lucky dip, chocolate/bottle tombola, raffle
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Maryculter Babies and Toddlers Maryculter Rainbows
We meet in Maryculter Church Hall on Thursday mornings all Rainbows meet in the Corbie Hall between 4.15 and 5.15pm year from 9.30-11.30am. Anyone looking after children on Thursday afternoons. We are currently at full capacity with between birth and 3 years is very welcome to join us for a nineteen girls aged between five and seven. cuppa and chat, whilst the tots play with our stock of toys and games. We’re always on the lookout for new members so During the pre-Christmas term we enjoyed two circus-themed please tell friends, neighbours and those new to the area. afternoons when we practised circus games and were lucky to Julie Currie, Tel: 862200, E-mail: [email protected] have a face painter visit. We also made Christmas decorations Lee Ross, Tel: 07929 071182, E-mail: [email protected] for the foyer of Tesco, Banchory along with Maryculter Brownies and Guides. The highlight was a trip to the South Deeside Under Fives pantomime - “It wasn’t me it was Goldilocks” - at the Lemon We are a community-led Tree. charity providing independent childcare for In January we met in the Maryculter Church Hall until the children from birth to five bridge at Corbie Hall, which had been washed away by years, meeting at floods, was replaced. We went for a walk in the woods near Maryculter Community the church and did some ‘star gazing’. Fortunately and with Hall (next to the Old Mill thanks to all involved, the bridge was repaired quickly and Inn). Our experienced now we are back to normal. We have been working towards play leaders prepare an exciting array of activities for our Seasons Badge by celebrating Burns Night, Chinese New youngsters, from crafts, construction games and imaginative Year and Mothers Day and also had a seasonal fashion show. play inside to gardening, active games and country walks We are now hoping the snow stays away for our Easter Egg outside. Beyond the fun for children, the group aims to be a Hunt at the end of March! focus for local parents to meet and make new friends. We offer three groups: If you would like your child to join our Rainbows, please register on www.girlguiding.org.uk and complete the ‘Get Baby & Toddler Group Involved’ section. Meets on Monday mornings - £3.75 per session. From birth to 4-year-olds. Adults relax over a coffee whilst children make their first friends. An experienced play leader leads children Maryculter Brownies through active play, songs and stories. It has been a busy time for the Brownies again. They Two’s Group Meets on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings - £8 per collected together backpacks for the Mary’s Meals scheme so session. For children aged 2 years until they go to nursery. that children not as lucky as themselves in Malawi can go to Tots are left in the capable hands of experienced play leaders school. For this they got a special ‘Together We Can’ badge. who support the children in learning through play in a small, friendly group. Activities include crafts, bug hunting, bubbles At the end of last term they went to the Panto and saw Cinderella and there were great discussions about boys in the garden and walks around the local countryside. dressed as girls, also the fact that the main character was a Rising Fives Group Meets on Tuesdays, 11.45am to 1.45pm - £8 per session. girl dressed as a boy! For the end of term they enjoyed a trip For ante-pre and pre-school children. A gentle introduction to to Café O’ Clay and decorated some fabulous Christmas spending more time away from their adults prior to school. decorations.
Children are provided with a healthy lunch as part of our This term they have been busy doing their Friends to Animals healthy living programme followed by fun activities including cooking, painting or sports. badge and the highlight so far was having George Masson come to visit and talk to us about Driving for the Disabled. It More information at mobile: 07966 163953 was great to hear about the work that they and the ponies do. or email: [email protected]. We loved all the photos that he brought to show us of the The South Deeside Under Fives is a member of the Scottish ponies in action. Pre-school Play Association. Charity no.SC017421. www.south-deeside-under-fives.co.uk. We have also just completed our special Rolls Royce- sponsored Science Explorer Badge and had great fun making Blairwood Garden, Blairs balloon-powered cars, compasses and a pin hole viewer. And just the other week we had a Brownie Bakeoff to raise money This is a 14-year-old garden of approx ½ acre designed to for Children In Need. sit easily in the surrounding countryside and to provide colour over a long season: herbaceous borders, a herb Currently there are a couple of spaces available for the first garden packed with medicinal and culinary herbs, pebble time in a good while, so if you are interested in joining please mosaics and sunken patio area. One garden 'room' has been get in touch. grown on a landfill site. River walk. The garden is open by arrangement to individuals and Contact Lynn Murphy, Tel: 01330 825936 or groups from mid June to early autumn. Admission is £4.00 e-mail [email protected] with all proceeds going to charity. No dogs please. Ilse Elders - T: 01224 868301 E: [email protected].
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YOUTH ACTIVITIES st Maryculter Guides 1 Maryculter Cubs This term we have been working We are so fortunate to have access to some wonderful on ‘Go For Its’, where the girls local terrain in which to keep the Cubs busy. With plan their own activities based on woodland, streams and the Glebe field on our doorstep a theme. So far we have made they have enjoyed many outdoor activities right through bath bombs and healthy the winter. sandwiches in funky shapes using We kicked off the new school year with a very sunny cookie cutters. We have been camp at Templars’ Park, with many of our Cubs completing the activities required for their Camper putting our artistic skills to the test making paint splatter handprint paintings. We are now working on the World badge – just a few more nights under canvas required to qualify. Since then we’ve tracked in the woods, Culture Badge and learning about the local area by making a leaflet all about local attractions. Also, part of navigated from point to point using simple maps, found our way using the stars, been night-time orienteering the badge is to use traditional henna designs to decorate hand and foot prints. We are working hard on this badge and even completed a stealth exercise during which all but still have some work to complete. Cubs succeeded in staying silent for a full fifteen
To celebrate World Thinking Day the whole unit took minutes! We’ve made guys for Bonfire Night, stretchers part in a cowboy-themed sleepover in the White House out of rope and sticks, held our traditional at Templars Park. We played games in the dark and Remembrance Eve sleepover in the hut, had a riotous cooked our supper over the open fire. We made some Christmas Party complete with sausage sizzle and had a lovely crafts called Gods Eyes that are a Mexican go with the fire hoses during a visit to Stonehaven Fire tradition. World Thinking Day is celebrated all over the Station. The Cubs have gained badges for athletics, world on the 22nd of February as this is our founder’s emergency aid, creativity and navigation. We’re birthday. The celebration went on into the wee small currently working towards our astronomy badges. hours of the morning with our campfire and singing Looking ahead, we will be running another camp at over 30 of the Guides’ favourite songs. The next Templars’ in May and hope to repeat the sailing events morning we had some time to reflect, think of our at the Loch of Skene which are always so popular. As founder and Guides all over the world. the evenings lengthen we’ll be able to climb some hills The Rangers are run like a support point of contact for and later in the year we’ll be making our annual Young Leaders from other units and areas. Being a weekend trip to Muir Cottage near Braemar. Ranger means you could be helping within a local unit Maryculter Cubs is a mixed pack, welcoming both boys or just working on your own. and girls between the ages of 8 and 10½ from the Maryculter Guide and Ranger Units are always looking Maryculter, Netherley and Banchory-Devenick areas. for new members, girls can be ages 10-14 for Guides We meet at the Maryculter Scout Hut on Mondays and 14-25 for Rangers. We meet on Tuesday evenings between 6.15 and 7.45pm. We currently have a wee bit at 7.30pm in the Maryculter Community (Corbie) Hall. of space in the pack, so if you have a son or daughter Contact Morag Lister on Tel: 07849 315203, E-mail: who likes the outdoors and would like to find out more, [email protected] please get in touch with Sarah Taylor (07917 658504), Allan Glennie (01569 730732) or Brett Lestrange (735146). Maryculter Beavers The Beavers celebrate their 1st Maryculter Scouts 25th anniversary this year. Scouts meet on Friday evenings at the Scout Hut, Our Colony was the first in Kirkton of Maryculter from 7.15 until 9.15pm. Deeside to be formed and has Membership continues to hover around 20, just slightly thrived ever since with many below our maximum of 24. Some Scouts have recently of the local boys joining and having fun with friends. completed their Chef badge and are in the process of The Colony meets at the Scout Hut, Kirkton of completing their Swimmer and Cyclist badges. Maryculter from 5.30 until 7pm each Tuesday. There Unfortunately there is not a sand-shifting badge for are 13 Beavers meantime and new members aged 6 to 7 those that helped at the Corbie Park recently…! are always welcome. A number of parents helped undertake some At Christmas the Beavers almost stole the show with maintenance at the hut over the winter and now that their enthusiasm at the Bettridge Centre's performance spring is here it is hoped some more tasks will get done. of Jack and the Beanstalk - some of them being invited We have an empty border requiring some shrubs so any on stage to 'help out'. Since then the Beavers have been hardy bushes would be gratefully accepted if any are enjoying crafts, baking and other badge work but light being disposed of or broken up. Summer camp this year nights will be here again soon to let us get outside for will be at Alyth, where we have enjoyed camping in more adventurous activities. previous years and are always made very welcome. Any Contact: Kathleen Paterson, Beaver Leader Tel: enquiries about Scouting in Maryculter should be made 868676 to Les Paterson, Scout Leader. Tel 01224 868676 or e- mail [email protected]. 3
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Lairhillock STAFFING Rev. Bogle, Moderator for the Due to family circumstances, Mrs Geldart ceased General Assembly of the working with P5/6 on 8 March. We would like to thank Church of Scotland, and his her for the work she has done with the class this term, wife were visiting the area as the children have enjoyed having her in class. Ms part of the Moderator’s year in Guthrie and Mrs Foubister will provide interim cover office and asked to visit until Mrs Begg, our new P5/6 class teacher, takes up her Lairhillock School as we are a post. We are looking forward to having her in the modern school. He conducted a short assembly and then school. had a tour of the school and an opportunity to talk to some of the children. FORTHCOMING EVENTS Congratulations to Orin We have managed to secure Brazilian samba drumming Collin who won the ‘Get workshops for all of the children from Nursery to P7. Caught Reading’ As a finale to their workshops the P1-7 children will be competition for ‘getting putting on an end of term concert for parents. caught’ sitting on a chimney The children in P6/7 (pictured below) have embarked on to read his book (pictured a short course of hockey lessons delivered by Kevin left). We are most grateful McNab, Hockey Development Officer, and organised to the Moderator for judging by Mrs Seerey, Active Schools Coordinator. We are the competition and to also grateful to Mrs Seerey for the badminton sessions everyone who took the time she is running for P3. to enter.
NEWS FROM THE CLASSES Fairtrade has been a major focus in P1/2 and the children have enjoyed working on their display. The class had a surplus of Fairtrade bananas which the children put to good use by making banana muffins. P1/2 also continue to be on the lookout for any good quality second hand dressing up clothes, toys and purses. Meanwhile, as part of their Ancient Egyptians project, P2/3 have become fascinated by the gory process of mummification! During a recent spell of good weather P4 ventured Ten children from P3-5 will be selected to represent the outside to work on angles and they are hoping for more school at the Badminton Sportshall Challenge at Mill O’ good weather to be able to continue their investigations. Forest School. This event allows the children to Primary 5-7 have been working on the Endless Ocean participate in a series of activities to improve their project this term and both classes have arranged trips badminton skills. related to this: P5/6 are off to Macduff Aquarium and The school will also be represented at the first round of P6/7 are heading to Deep Sea World. the Rotary Primary School Quiz by Aidan Dempsey, The children in nursery (pictured below) are learning a Alexandria Reid, Callum Davis, Joe McNamee and number of PE skills to help them during sports day next Rachael Pyper. term. Mrs Malone, Mrs Trilk and Mr Pyper will be taking our cross country team to the Championship at Balmedie. Our Fairtrade Rice is now on sale at a cost of £2.70 per bag. If we manage to sell all 90 of the one kilogram bags we will have raised enough money to allow the farmer who grew the rice to send one of his children to secondary school for a year. Next term, P6 bikeability training begins, 'PINK! The Musical' For Nursery to P3 comes to the school and P7 pupils embark on a residential trip.
Christeen Saward, Acting Head Teacher Tel: 01569 732520 E-mail: christeen.saward@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
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Banchory-Devenick Red squirrels in Aberdeenshire With spring very much in the air, need your help! pupils and teachers at Banchory- Devenick School are looking Householders and landowners throughout Aberdeen City and Shire are urged to lend a hand in continued efforts to forward to an action-packed year. successfully boost red squirrel numbers across the area – by As well as a full and rewarding time opening their gardens and borrowing a squirrel trap! in the class room there is a wide The red squirrel is native to Britain and was once ranging after schools programme on offer allowing widespread, but has declined markedly in recent years. pupils to socialise and have fun with friends. Scotland now holds 75% of the UK’s red squirrel population. Their decline is mostly due to the spread of the grey squirrel, Thanks to the wider Portlethen Network Active Schools which was only introduced into the UK in the 19th century. the following clubs are currently running at the school: The call for help comes from the people behind the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) project. Led by the Scottish Yoga Wildlife Trust in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Land and Estates and Forestry Commission Scotland, the four-year-old project has successfully focused its red The weekly yoga group is open to all ages and has been squirrel conservation efforts along Deeside and Donside successfully running all year. Pupils learn new postures The SSRS North East Project Officer, Stephen Willis, said: and experience the spiritual benefits, all whilst “Recent volunteer-led surveys suggest that the red squirrel unwinding after a full day at school. The classes have conservation work we’ve been involved with so far is proved very popular with over 10 pupils regularly reducing grey squirrel numbers and improving conditions for attending. red squirrels to thrive. We’re already receiving more and more sightings of red squirrels in Peterculter, Milltimber and Bokwa as far east as Garthdee, and would like to create the same ‘red -friendly’ conditions across south Deeside. But to achieve this, we need access to even more private gardens along Starting Tuesday 5th March from 3.20-4pm, the newest Deeside that contain prime grey squirrel habitat. There is an activity to start for P3 upwards is the Bokwa class. abundance of good habitat between Banchory-Devenick and Bokwa is a new dance-fitness workout for boys and Maryculter and numerous areas of woodland approaching girls which is set to popular music. “If you can move Durris. We really need to know more about where red and and you like music, you will like Bokwa!” grey squirrels are in all these areas.” SSRS provides information and A future date for everyone’s diary is the Banchory- advice to landowners about how Devenick Spring Fair on Saturday 18th May from 2– to manage woodlands to benefit 4pm. With stalls, games for children, a bouncy castle red squirrels and works to raise and fabulous home bakes, there’s sure to be something public awareness of the red squirrels’ plight by engaging for everyone. All welcome! individuals and communities in red squirrel conservation. A ‘ Te Amo Project’ crucial part of the work involves preventing further grey squirrel range expansion. We would like to thank all of you who so willingly and Until non-lethal methods of grey squirrel control are wonderfully made our primary 1, 2 and 3 class Te Amo available, the only way to prevent grey squirrels from Project such a tremendous success - both for our pupils dispersing further out into Aberdeenshire is by careful cage- and for the children of Peru who will benefit so trapping followed by humane dispatch. Across Grampian, co- gratefully from the 65 jumpers, 18 scarves and 6 hats ordinated grey squirrel control carried out by trained Grey that are now on their way to Peru. Thank you also to Squirrel Control Officers, is targeted at the most prolific grey squirrel populations which drive the grey’s range expansion. those of you who donated to the cost of sending the A major factor in the success of this approach is the knitwear to Peru. participation of landowners and householders in the SSRS trap loan scheme. Future Projects The SSRS Project Manager, Mel Tonkin, added: “We are able to loan traps and provide a dispatch service, carried out The classes will be working on the following topics this by our trained Grey Squirrel Control Officers, free of charge. term: This scheme fulfils a vital element to the national red squirrel protection strategy and if anyone would like to help, either by P1/2/3 – Granny’s Attic allowing us access to their grounds, borrowing a trap or even P4/5 – Romans reporting red or grey squirrel sightings in the area, they can visit our website (www.swt.org.uk/wildlife/squirrelsightings) P6/7 – Victorians and find out how to get involved.”
If you would like any more information, please contact the Joyce Hill, Head Teacher , Tel: 875237 SSRS North East Project Officer, Stephen Willis, Tel: 266526 E-mail: [email protected] or Email: [email protected].
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CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
Maryculter WRI ‘change’ (hopefully the weather too) Meetings are on the second we will finish the season by 31st May Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm in albeit with the usual plethora of Corbie Hall, Maryculter between evening games. August and May. The speaker on April The other big factor that would have 10 is Barney Crockett who will talk affected play during the long period of about Aberdeen cinemas and our inactivity was the ‘Big Flood at Corbie Park’. This will season ends on May 8 with the Business Meeting and a be well documented by others but I personally would Bring and Buy Sale. New members and visitors are like to thank all members of the community that gave of always welcome. See our programme on the back page. their time and efforts to resurrect the bridge and clear Secretary, Marlene Connon, Tel: 867580 the football pitch. th I would also like to announce the upcoming 40 Anniversary Dinner of Glendale FC, which will take Netherley WRI place on the 18th May at the Old Mill Inn. Attempts will We meet on the third Monday of each month between be made to contact all former players but should you August and May at 7.30pm in Lairhillock School. On wish to contact us via this article, please do so. April 15 there will be floral arranging and on May 20 Finally on a more personal note, I was more than a we will have a talk by Lynne Carmichael on voluntary little overcome and taken aback whilst attending our dental work in India as well as our Business Meeting. own Aberdeen Association meeting at the start of We are a small but keen group and welcome new January, when in the presence of representatives of the members. SAFA, I was surprisingly called forward to be presented Georgina Smith, Tel: 01330 822192 with the Association Medal for Services to Amateur
Football. To say I was humbled is an understatement, as Friendship Club all that we are doing here at Glendale is carrying on the We are a very active social group of retirement age who good works started by the late Charlie Summers and meet on the first Thursday of the month. Our indoor Archie Morrison way back in 1972. winter session ends with a Basket Whist in Corbie Hall Jim Grant Tel: 867512 on April 19 at 7.30pm. Do get in touch and join us that evening if you enjoy playing whist or would like to learn. Our programme of monthly bus excursions Dee Vale Ladies Football Club between May and September has been arranged and Dee Vale Ladies were shocked by the amount of sand includes Stirling Castle and the museum at Montrose. and debris left on their home pitch, Corbie Park, after Contacts: Anne, Tel: 732071 and Peggy, Tel: 734888 the flood at the end of the year. After such a successful 2012 season all the ladies were determined to get the Cookney Bowling Club pitch back to a playable condition by the beginning of The bowlers roll out their carpets on Monday and the 2013 season. Dee Vale joined other pitch users and Thursday evenings at Cookney Hall, ready for a 7.30pm members of the community in many hours of raking and start. New members are always welcome to join the shovelling to get the pitch back in order. After a last keen two dozen regulars. The season closes at the end of minute inspection the pitch was passed as playable for April and re-starts in mid September. the first competitive game of 2013 against Luthermuir Arthur Durward Tel: 319701 in the Scottish League Cup First Round. Thanks is due to all those who helped to make this possible. Glendale Football Club Having been defeated by Luthermuir in a pre-season As I sit and write this, on yet another free Saturday in friendly only weeks before, the visitors came to March, whereby we are ‘kicking our heels’ due to the Maryculter expecting easy progression to the next fact that our fixture has yet again been postponed due to round. However, Dee Vale dominated possession the weather, the question once more is raised as to throughout the game, going in one nil up at half time. whether the football season should be moved away from Luthermuir looked more organised in the second half the winter months. This year we have suffered more but continued to struggle with the pace and passing of than usual...1 game on the 8th December, 1 on the 5th the Dee Vale team. The home side doubled their lead January, and then nothing until the 23rd February – shortly before the end and saw out a comfortable 2-0 nightmare!!! victory to take them into the League Cup Second Round This inevitably leads to all kinds of problems, not least and an away tie against Hamilton FC. difficulties getting indoor Saturday training facilities, Any players interested in joining the squad should culimating in a loss of interest amongst the squad with contact [email protected]. Dee Vale LFC play in players becoming lethargic and fitness ultimately the Scottish Second Division North, home matches kick affected. off at 2pm at Corbie Park, Maryculter. However, onwards and upwards and with the time Rhoda Paterson 6
LEISURE ACTIVITIES Aberdeen Aeromodellers Club The club owns a 6.5 acre grass flying field at Hare Moss, Banchory-Devenick and is permitted to fly from 9am to 7pm Yoga Class on weekdays, and 10am to 7pm at weekends. Details of The Sunday class at Corbie Hall, Maryculter runs from 4.30- forthcoming events can be found on their website (also on the 5.45pm, costing £7 (£5 concessions). A mixed programme of back page). Hatha Flow for strength and balance, Yin yoga for flexibility, Email: [email protected] www.aamfc.co.uk and meditation for focus. Suitable for all levels including complete beginners. For further information, contact: Aidan Mulkerrin: 07710 495552, www.aurinkoyoga.com.
Fitness Pilates
The class runs in the Corbie Hall, Maryculter on Mondays from 6 to 7pm. People with physical problems will be directed to classes run by physiotherapists, such as the advert DOGTIME DOGWALKS on this page. Individuals are welcome to attend for a trial session, and should contact: Experienced & professional service offered Fiona Halliday Tel: 01330 824679 Fully equipped ventilated van, pick up, drop off Fitness Pilates 1 hour walks, puppy and oldie breaks
For more information call Denise 07917 190186 or 01224 864121
Dog Training Weekly class on Wednesday evenings in Cookney Hall. The Fitness Pilates technique involves strengthening Wendy Wright, Tel: 01561 377232, Mobile: 07742 106148 the muscles around the centre of your body; including abdominal muscles, lower, middle and upper back, all responsible for posture. Scottish Accordion Music Group
Why should you do Fitness Pilates? Pilates helps Stability – Mobility – Strength – Balance Thirty and more accordionists meet in the Kirkton Hall, Posture – Breathing – Co-ordination Durris on the second Sunday of each month. Doors open at 6.30pm and performances are from 7.30-9.30pm led by Keith Classes run in Corbie Hall, Maryculter Duncan. Music is interspersed with songs and poems, which Mondays from 6pm to 7pm. add to the entertainment, all for an entry fee of £2. A wide range of other classes are also available. Call Fiona Halliday for more details on 01330 824679. These are very popular evenings and the 100 seats are soon * Personal tuition given * filled, so do come in good time. The group takes bookings to provide performances elsewhere and can be contacted by phoning their secretary Eileen Fraser, Tel: 319484. North Mearns Reading Group We are an informal group (12) that meet every six to eight weeks in each other’s homes. Our aim is to read widely in order to explore, engage and enjoy all kinds of literature from contemporary fiction to the classics. We normally discuss two books, so if you love to read then please join us. E-mail: [email protected], Tel: 01569 SOLVEIG DAHLE SMITH 730302 or Sheila, Tel: 01569 731608 Cert. Pilates. Inst. MAPPI Experienced physiotherapist Storybook Glen PILATES CLASSES Maryculter’s 28 acre playground populated by nursery rhyme PETERCULTER SPORTS CENTRE and make-believe characters is open from 10am to 6pm daily. Monday & Tuesday afternoons Tel: 732941 www.storybookglenaberdeen.co.uk. Tuesday & Thursday evenings
CAMPHILL SCHOOL MURTLE Drum Castle Wednesday evenings The castle, tearoom and shop will be open from March 29 to CULTS CHURCH June 30 from Thursday to Monday between 11am and 4pm, Friday mornings and daily at the same times in July and August. Contact details The Garden of Historic Roses opens daily between March 29 [email protected] and the end of October. www.pilatesaberdeen.com Tel: 01224 861421 Tel: 01330 811204 www.nts.org.uk Cert. Pilates. Inst. MAPPI
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Maryculter Community Hall Community Woodland for the Future? and Corbie Park
Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) has announced the sale of 67 hectares of woodland adjacent to the Kirkton It is always difficult to write a report on hall of Maryculter. Oldman Wood is used by many in the activities that is filled with matters of drama or local community including Redwing Riding School, all controversy - and this can only be a reflection on age groups of Maryculter Scouts and Guiding, carriage how smoothly the hall operates, thanks to our driving for the disabled and walkers. Booking Secretary, Carol Masson, a great servant A community group (Maryculter Woodlands Trust) in to the local community. partnership with FCS has been managing the wood since 2007. Activities include maintenance of paths and
At the last AGM another longstanding servant of drainage ditches, creation of new paths, thinning-out self -sown spruce and planting broad-leaf trees. both the field and hall, Jim Ewen, advised that he would be leaving the committee as he and his The local community met on 19th February in the Kirkton of Maryculter and decided to apply to FCS for a wife, Mary, now live in Banchory and would be community buy-out of the wood. This decision has the taking it easier in future. Everyone is greatly full support of our Community Council (NKRCC). If the appreciative of the many years Jim has given to application is successful, this will ensure that the wood the Corbie Park. Jim will be a hard act to replace. is preserved as an amenity for us all. FCS requires us to hold a formal ballot of the people The hall continues to provide a comfortable, cosy, living adjacent to the wood as part of the community buy community meeting place for all sorts of clubs, -out process. If you receive a ballot paper, please committees and youth groups but there is always make use of your vote and return it in the envelope capacity for new groups or users to book it for one provided. A high response rate for the ballot will improve our chances of being successful with our -off or regular events. application to FCS. Returning the ballot paper carries no obligation to help fund the purchase. Funding is likely to Enquiries to Carol Masson, Tel: 733583 be through public bodies and charitable private donation. This is a one-off opportunity for the community and we Friends of Cookney Hall hope that you share our passion to secure the future of the wood. If we fail to demonstrate enough local Did you come to our New Year family dance or support for its purchase, there is a significant risk the superb Burns Supper? If not, you missed out that the wood becomes a land bank for future house
building. on two happy evenings when we really made the If you have any views or questions about the proposed rafters sing. buy-out, please contact the Maryculter Woodlands Trust
at: [email protected]. Further information is Our next event is a Country and Western Night on also available at www.maryculterwoods.com. Saturday April 27 with music by K W's Country.
Tickets for this and other events can be obtained Ed Thorogood, Chairman, Tel: 734224 from Joyce Murison, Tel: 01569 731236 or the committee. MARYCULTER COMMUNITY HALL AND CORBIE PLAYING FIELD The Hall has excellent kitchen facilities with by the Old Mill Inn enough tables and chairs to cope with over a hundred folk. Several private functions have been An ideal venue for Children’s Parties, Meetings, held including ceilidhs, anniversary get-togethers Ceilidhs, Coffee Mornings, Concerts, Dance and and children’s parties. The wooden floor is ideal Exercise Classes for dancing and entertainers use the moveable Available afternoons, evenings and weekends. stage and spotlights. Contact us to discuss your Facilities include Kitchen with Cooker, Microwave, requirements and availability of the hall. We want Kettle/Urn, Crockery and Cutlery to ensure that this superb community resource is Tables and chairs for 80 people, Toilets well used and appreciated. Disabled entrance to Hall. www.facebook.com.groups/234268613296289/ The Changing Rooms and Showers are separate and or contact Willie Angus, Tel: 01569 730123, can accommodate 2 teams of 15. E-mail: [email protected] Bob McKinney, tel: 01569 730706 For further information or to book an event E-mail: [email protected] Please contact Booking Secretary Carol Masson Telephone 733583 8
Maryculter Driving for the Disabled FOR SALE (due to owner’s illness and advancing years) WELSH COB (SECTION D) 15HANDS - £2,000 126330 CORBIELINN CASSE
Maryculter Driving for the Disabled Group is an independent charity registered in Scotland and a member of the Federation of RDA (Riding for the Disabled including Driving). The aim of the Group is to give the opportunity of driving a horse pulled carriage to any disabled person Sire: Retanach Figaro 45266 who might benefit in general health and happiness. Dam: Gleannmhor Cariad 227744 Our 2013 programme starts on Wednesday 1st May from Maryculter Home Farm and continues until the last Damsire: Lockeridge Welington 22774 Wednesday in September when we have our BBQ and Mare/black/date of foaling June 2001/drive & ride Cone Driving Competition/Treasure Hunt, all made Susceptible to mild attacks of sweet itch that are possible by our extensive team of volunteers. easily controllable We are always looking for new helpers and tea Good in traffic/easy to shoe ladies/gentlemen. You don't need to know anything Interested parties contact: about horses, we will provide ongoing training, but if George Masson, Corbie Linn, Maryculter, AB12 5FT you do that's a bonus. RDA Volunteers must be aged 12 Tel 01224 733583, Email: or over and there is no upper age limit. Anyone out there [email protected] on a ‘gap year’? A recent survey carried out for the RDA showed that learning new skills is good for your CV: 73% of employers would employ a candidate with volunteering experience over one without. NORTH BURNSIDE KENNELS If you would like to volunteer, please contact Irene Heale, Chairperson, Tel: 735504 or AND CATTERY Caroline McTaggart, Secretary, Tel: 734093
Make a note in your diary for this year’s Stonehaven
Plainstones fundraising event on 31st August from 9am- noon.
“where part of your family becomes part of ours”
Tel 01224 733474 MARYCULTER CARRIAGE Netherley Road, Burnside, Maryculter DRIVING CENTRE Learn the art and tradition of carriage driving Arrive in a horse-drawn carriage for your wedding Enjoy a farm tour and riverside drive Visit our unique carriage collection Bring disabled friends for a drive Let us take you for a drive to mark a special occasion
We can do all this and much more with our experienced horses and ponies. We also have a self-contained flat overlooking the River Dee - ideal for business visits or short breaks.
Jane and Ewan MacInnes, Home Farm, Maryculter Tel: 01224 732310 and 07889 340362 Email: [email protected] www.marycultercarriages.co.uk
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Banchory-Devenick and Maryculter/Cookney Parish Church of Scotland
Youth Cafe Should you need the services of P7-S6 - all welcome, a minister during the vacancy, every Thursday 7-9pm in please contact: Maryculter Church Hall. Plenty to do from football, table tennis and pool to board games and of course the Rev. Dennis Rose tuck shop! A visit to the Compass Christian Centre in Interim Moderator Glenshee is planned for June - a weekend packed with Tel: 01561 362560 fun and adventure! Email: [email protected]. We also plan to hold a Holiday Club with the theme ’Space Academy’ nearer the end of the summer holidays for P1-7. Other contacts are: Contact Dianne Brown, Tel:734687 Mrs Joyce Mackintosh, Session Clerk, Tel: 733495, Email: [email protected]. Community Coffee Mornings Mrs Anne Massie, Church Treasurer and Every 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesday from 10am-12 noon Caretaker, Tel: 732071. in Maryculter Church Hall. Come along and enjoy chats with friends over tea, coffee and home baking. Services during the vacancy are at 10.30am in
Maryculter-Cookney Church and are led by Readers attached to Kincardine & Deeside Presbytery. Children The Guild are always welcome at all our services and there is a We meet on the first Monday of the month from wealth of material for them to enjoy in the hall. An September through to November and from February to activity table is available at The Meeting Place with May, 7:30-9.30pm. New members are always welcome children staying in the hall for the whole service. to come along and hear interesting talks, enjoy fellowship and a cup of tea. A closure service for Banchory-Devenick Church will Contact Sheila Bissett, Tel: 01569 731708 be held on Thursday 18th April at 7pm. Although it is very sad that this building is closing, we hope those The Meeting Place with connections to the church will join us for the final Held on the last Sunday of the month from 4.30-6pm worship service and remember the happy events that with the service beginning at 5pm in Maryculter Church have taken place there. Hall. Come along and have tea or coffee, sing along with the praise band and enjoy worship and short talks A service of Holy Communion led by Rev. Dennis in a very relaxed atmosphere. The next one is on 28th Rose, Interim Moderator, will be held on 28th April at April. 10.30am in Maryculter-Cookney Church.
“The Jesus Lifestyle” - a follow-on course from Alpha Booking of halls and grounds led by Mrs Joan Thorne. Do you want to know the Contact Anne Massie Tel: 732071 secret of a happy, peaceful life? Come and join us to learn the Jesus Lifestyle. Sessions are now running on a Wednesday evening from 7.30-9.30pm at Maryculter Church Hall. Come along and join us for one week or all of them - the last session will be on 26th June. For further information, contact Joan on 783834. We look forward to welcoming you. House Group 1 is having a break but House Group 2 meets in Anne Massie’s house in Kirkton of Maryculter on the 2nd, 3rd and 5th Mondays of the month at 7.30pm and is led by Joyce Mackintosh. We are looking at ‘Essential 100’, which is journey through the Bible in 100 readings, discussing experiences and comparing them to present times. Why not come and join us in and informal and relaxed atmosphere and enjoy friendship and a cup of tea.
Banchory Devenick and Maryculter-Cookney Parish Church of Scotland, Scottish Charity number: SCO 13648 CCL 573608
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Mr George Masson Tel. 01224 733583 St Mary’s Chapel, Blairs South Deeside Road, Blairs, Aberdeen
Mass is held every Sunday morning at 9am to which all are invited.
Father Vincent, Email: [email protected] www.dioceseofaberdeen.org
Plant Sale and Guild
ST TERNAN’S SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH Coffee Morning MUCHALLS (Charity No. SC023264) ‘Solstice Nurseries - Growing
People and Plants’ St. Ternan’s is the northern-most Scottish Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Brechin. We are part of the Following last year’s success, worldwide Anglican communion. The church is located Solstice Nurseries is again in the North Kincardine Community Council area, to the having a plant sale on Saturday west of the A90 about a mile from Muchalls Village on 25th May between 10.30am and 1pm. With a range of the Causey Mounth where the road branches off to heathers, herbaceous, shrubs and alpine plants normally Cookney and Netherley. only available to wholesalers, this is a chance for people As we were not successful in finding a new Priest in in our neighbourhood to stock their gardens with locally Charge, Rev. Maggie Jackson of St. James the Great in grown hardy plants. Stonehaven has been appointed as our Priest in Charge This is also a superb opportunity to support the and Rev. Lizzie Campbell as her Assistant. George organisation, which works with adults who are Masson also continues as a member of the Ministry recovering from mental health issues and preparing for Team. employment. The church is open every day from 10am until 3pm. Admission is by donation for Solstice funds; there will You are welcome to join us in worship at the 10.30am also be a raffle and a couple of other fundraising stalls Family Eucharist on Sundays. Weekly services are held and of course plants for sale. The local Guild has kindly on major Saint Days and are advertised on the church agreed to come and share this event by selling notice boards and in the magazine. refreshments and home bakes for their funds – great Our Community Meeting Room with kitchen and toilet value! facilities is available for use by anyone in the Solstice is located at Banchory and Leggart Estate (the community for classes, dance classes, children’s parties, policies) and nestled in a beautiful secluded site at craft groups, meetings etc. The meeting room can Drumduan walled garden. The main entrance is best accommodate up to 30 people and is fitted with a loop found from the South Deeside Road, about one mile system for the hard of hearing and the entrance is from Leggart Terrace heading out of town, and will be wheelchair friendly. To book the facility contact Sheila signposted on the day. We hope that you will come to on 01569 731608 or Audrey on 01569 730600 – a support this event and get to know this local social firm donation of £4 per hour is suggested. th better. Our annual Garden Fete will take place on 15 June in www.solsticenurseries.co.uk the Church grounds Please contact any of the Ministry Team for help or information on marriages, baptisms, funerals, pastoral The Muchalls Bistro visiting etc. Rev. Maggie Jackson, Tel: 01569 764264 Great food and relaxed dining Rev. Lizzie Campbell, Tel: 01569 764264 serving lunches and dinners
Tel: 01569 730393
Only 200 metres off the A90 Follow the road sign to Muchalls
Closed Monday and Tuesday
See sample menus on the website www.themuchallsbistro.co.uk
Chef / proprietor Hermann Schmid
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Manager: Ian Forbes The Muckle Spate Tel: 863767 www.blairsmuseum.com Whilst Stonehaven was hitting the headlines just prior to South Deeside Road, Blairs Christmas with the Carron burn bursting its banks and devasting the Old Town, we in Maryculter had our own problems. Very heavy rainfall on 22nd December caused the Blairs Museum opens for the 2013 season on Saturday 30 Corbie burn to rise by some two metres and become a raging March. As previously, we will be open on Saturdays, torrent, spewing down through Storybook Glen, Kingcausie, Sundays and local holiday Mondays until the end of October and into our playing field. On its way it gathered silt, stones, and, of course, visitors are able to visit at any time by assorted rubbish, and most devastatingly, tree trunks and arrangement. branches. A major difference this year will be that the two portraits of Unfortunately one of those tree trunks snagged on our bridge Mary, Queen of Scots will be on loan to the National between the Old Mill Inn and the hall car park. This allowed a Museum in Edinburgh where they will be an important part latticework of other branches to build up behind it making a of an exhibition between 28 June and 17 November. dam that any beaver would have been proud of. The flow of water under the bridge was blocked, causing it to erode a new This season visitors will see several new exhibitions. ‘Light route behind and below the south pillar, which eventually Divine: Church and Chapel Windows at Fetternear, toppled into the burn. The bridge, having no support, then slid Aberdeenshire, from medieval times to the nineteenth into the river too. century’ is the result of excavations over more than a dozen An emergency meeting of the Management Committee and years by Penny Dransart and the late Nicholas Bogdan at the local councillors was arranged a week later, by which time the ruins of the old Bishop’s Palace at Fetternear House. floodwater had subsided and the devastation was all too visible. The bridge had toppled, the car park was severely eroded, the At the back of the Blairs church, to celebrate Easter, there emergency entrance at the corner of the Milltimber Bridge and will be a small exhibition of icons by Manuela Guerreiro. South Deeside roads had a deep track gouged in it and sand and Manuela uses traditional and ancient materials such as egg silt had been washed onto the pitch – in some places 40cm tempera and gold leaf to create a spiritual response - as well deep, and formed into mini dunes. The Corbie itself now as an emotional one - in the viewer. seemed about twice as wide as before with severe erosion along its banks and full of assorted tree trunks and debris. Two paintings will soon be returning to Blairs after We all concluded that the South Deeside Under Fives would restoration and will then be on permanent display. ‘Donor not get access on Monday morning! We set ourselves the target of having the bridge reconstructed in time for the Kirk’s Burn’s with Book of Hours’ shows a donor or patron kneeling in th prayer before the Trinity, dated around 1510. The other Supper on 24 January - some 26 days. painting is a crucifixion scene with the date 1642, which We were very lucky to have the support of three local originally hung in Braemar Parish Church. businesses. Geordie Murison quickly reformed the emergency entrance allowing Willie Donald to concentrate on the bridge. While the Mary, Queen of Scots paintings are on loan in With the help of a 100t crane organized by Lyall Strachan, the Edinburgh, Blairs Museum will have a reciprocal loan of bridge was removed, the riverbed and banks reconstructed and several pieces of the Holyrood Silver Collection from the gabion baskets positioned to allow it to be replaced. By the National Museum. The group consists of a chalice and time of the Burns Supper we had a pedestrian bridge in place paten; a ciborium and sanctus bell. All these pieces bear and during the next week the original bridge was swung back James VII's royal cipher and are some of the surviving onto its new supports, hopefully to stand for a few more years. pieces of the altar plate used in James VII's Roman Catholic The whole operation was hard work for all those involved – chapel at the Abbey Church of Holyrood in Edinburgh. plowterin about in water just above freezing, tyauvin’ with Another exciting exhibition possibility is still being great sodden tree trunks, and heavin’ rocks. The committee negotiated so there may be more to say in the next edition! rightfully takes much pride in the work that was done and the help that was forthcoming from footballers, parents and We look forward to welcoming you. assorted community folk, not least the ladies who provided hot drinks and home bakes. The secondary issue of the sand on the pitch is still being worked on. The bulk of the sand has been removed from the playing surface but there still remains a considerable depth around the perimeter of the field. The committee is indebted to Glendale and Deevale Ladies football teams, the Community Service Dept. of Aberdeen City Council and some Scouts and their parents for supplying the muscle power. Others have removed fallen branches and tree trunks above the bridge to prevent a repetition of this disaster. If the true cost was calculated it would be fearsome but thanks to such amazing community spirit, a large part of our costs will be met with a much appreciated grant of £4,000 from Aberdeenshire Council’s ‘Top-up Fund’, £2,000 from the Meikle Carewe Building Fund, £600 from the Community Council and profits anticipated from the NKRCC/South Deeside View Plant sale in May. We may also run other fundraising events in future. The Muckle Spate clear-up Les Paterson
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Nature Notes
2013 is the Year of Natural Scotland - a Scottish Government initiative led by EventScotland and VisitScotland - to promote Scotland’s stunning natural beauty and biodiversity (more at www.visitscotland.com/about/nature-geography/year-of- natural-scotland/). Here are three suggestions of places to go to enjoy our local landscapes, wildlife and heritage:
Tollohill Woods, Banchory-Devenick Situated to the south of the city, Tollohill Wood was laid out in the mid-19th century with an extensive network of Victorian paths and features a granite obelisk. Head 200 metres up the hill from Leggart Terrace and turn right into the car park. The wood is a real favourite with families, runners and dog walkers, due to the extensive path upgrades done in the last few years by Rupert Lumsden, owner of the Banchory and Leggart Estate. Children will love exploring the smaller paths made by deer, having a go at rock climbing through the quarry and even Home Deliveries trying to squeeze inside a tiny shelter made from rock slabs Vegetables, eggs, and hay/straw bales from Neil near the southerly corner of the wood. Gammie, Fernieflatt Farm, Kinneff on Tuesdays and However, perhaps one of the best aspects of the wood is its views. Make your way up to the granite obelisk where, on a Fridays. Orders, by phone, email or online must be in clear day, you can see all the way up the Dee valley to the day before delivery. Lochnagar. The obelisk was built in 1859 to commemorate www.fernieflattfarm.co.uk Prince Albert’s stay at Banchory House (now Beannachar) Tel: 01569 750374 or 07790 558880 while attending a meeting of the British Association in the city. E-mail: [email protected] At this time of year the woods are one of the best places to see Fish the first swallows, house martins and swifts as they fly above George Fairweather delivers west of the B979 road the Dee on their way back to their summer breeding sites. on Thursday afternoons and east of the road on Templars, Maryculter Friday from 11am. Phone orders ahead and establish Hidden from the road but just 100 metres north of the South approximate timing. Tel: 07974 311326 Deeside Road at Templars, Maryculter are some amazing sand dunes. Park at Maryculter Community Hall or Deeside Caravan Park and make your way along a path near the entrance to the Coal caravan park signed for dog walkers. Two hundred metres J.H. Roberts of Auchenblae deliver orders in our area further on, the area opens out into a series of sand dunes, large on Monday mornings. Tel: 01561 320335 enough to make you think you were at the beach. Not marine, but deposits from the River Dee thousands of years ago, the dunes make for a local natural spectacle and are inhabited by Fruit and Vegetables foxes, roe deer and rabbits – a great place to learn about wildlife tracking. The organic farm shop at Lorienen, Bridge of Redmoss, Netherley Muchalls is open on Wednesdays from 12.30 to 6pm Red Moss of Netherley is one of the largest wetland areas in the north-east. Traipsing around an expanse of puddles might and on Saturdays from 9.30 to 5pm not be everyone’s idea of an idyllic walk but the moss is sufficiently important biologically to be designated a Site of Paul van Midden Tel /Fax: 01569 731746 / 739137 Special Scientific Interest and is home to some great www.lembasorganics.co.uk dragonflies as well as insect eating plants...tiny sundews that produce globules of glue to catch flies! Wetlands can be dangerous places, so stick to the paths where you might be lucky enough to see the pine marten - possibly GP HEATING & PLUMBING
Scotland’s most easterly sighting of this rare species! Park at Central heating the layby 200 metres down the Muchalls road and walk back to Boiler servicing the bus stop on the B979. Kitchens
With the rights of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code allowing Bathrooms us to be on most land for recreational purposes comes the duty Woodstoves to take responsibility for our actions. In particular, please don’t 20 years’ experience, be offended if you are approached at Templars. The scouts are, No job too big or too small rightly so, very proud of their venue and take child protection Gas Safe registered - 217539 very seriously.
Our area illustrates that you don’t need to drive for miles to GRAEME PATERSON get into the great outdoors – it really is on our doorstep. Have a PETERCULTER nature ‘staycation’ this spring – happy exploring! MOBILE: 07774 929357 EMAIL: [email protected] Mandy Tulloch 13
Grampian Police
People around the north-east are still leaving doors open for criminals and failing to heed warnings about crime prevention. I would therefore like to focus on Grampian Police's renewed appeal for residents to lock their homes and secure their property. During January 2013, high value and powerful cars Netherley, Near Stonehaven, AB39 3QS Tel: (01569) 730001 continued to be stolen from insecure homes. Since the Fax: (01569) 731175 start of October 2012, 86 people in Aberdeen City and Email: [email protected] Shire have been charged in connection with car thefts. Web: www.lairhillock.co.uk Of those, 13 are under the age of 16. An open door is an open invitation. A car is one of the THE LAIRHILLOCK INN IS OPEN 7 DAYS A most expensive items people buy and to risk losing it by WEEK leaving the keys in view behind an unlocked door or in FOR TEA/COFFEE, LUNCHES AND EVENING the ignition of an unlocked car, is astonishing and an MEALS invitation. LOOK ON OUR WEBSITE FOR MENUS & We need the support of the public in preventing crime OPENING TIMES and simple things like locking your car, your home and keeping your keys somewhere safe and out of sight will help to deter criminals from making you the next victim. If you have security devices you should use them. Everyone has a responsibility to safeguard their own New path over Curlethney property, and while we can, and will, investigate crimes and Meikle Carewe hills like this and attempt to recover property, it is far better to prevent yourself becoming a victim than regret it The wind turbine development is expected to be after the event. complete in June. The developers will provide a No one area or town is being targeted, with thieves moving from area to area to find suitable targets, often small car park off the B979 from where there will in the early hours of the morning or even during the day. be access to the 3km construction path to the If anyone has information regarding recent thefts, furthest turbine. This will connect with another vandalisms, antisocial behaviour or any other incident in path from Raedykes Roman camp. A second car their area they are asked to contact Grampian Police on park will be made where the tarred portion of the the new non-emergency number 101 or if your Fir Mounth road ends near Easter Auquhollie farm. information is not urgent and you prefer to remain The last two access points are off the Slug Road , anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A957 just beyond Cowton Bridge. Grampian Police is committed to 'keeping our communities safe' which involves working with our partners, and above all else, listening to and dealing positively with local concerns.
Craig Kennedy, Sergeant G0026, Portlethen Police Office
Nature classes
Award-winning weekly nature classes for 2 to 5 year olds to discover nature and play outdoors. Monday and Friday sessions.
Birthday parties
A new outdoor activity in Templars Park, Maryculter. Toast marshmallows, build dens, climb trees and Entrance opposite the junction of South Deeside stomp in mud...outdoor birthday fun for two to Road, B9077 and the B979 signed to Stonehaven. ten-year-olds!
Instruction and safety helmets provided. Contact Mandy Tulloch on 07929 465680 Booking essential: Tel: 0844 870 7105 or visit www.mudpieadventures.co.uk E-mail: [email protected] for more information www.segwayaberdeen.co.uk
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REPRESENTATION Maureen Watt MSP Intermittent connection and slow internet speeds have been a bugbear for people living on South Deeside for a Sir Robert Smith MP long time. High speed, reliable internet access is increasingly vital in modern society, providing access to At the time of writing we are still dealing with the benefits such as cheaper bills and job opportunities, as consequences of the horsemeat scandal. Fortunately well as connecting people who may otherwise go long there would appear to have been no health risk, but periods of time without contact through social sites such people were rightly upset that they were not getting the as Twitter, Facebook and Skype. product the label said they were. Moreover, reliable access to the internet is often Here in the north-east we have an enviable reputation imperative in modern business. Statistics show that 50% for producing high quality meat. Looking out for locally of all businesses in Scotland’s more rural areas are sourced meat will provide a boost to local producers and home based, re-emphasising the importance of an assurance you’re getting good quality. The connectivity to the wider world. Indeed, fast Government has come forward with legislation for a connections can both increase customer base and boost supermarket ombudsman to help protect suppliers from sales volumes, whilst also decreasing the likelihood of being exploited by supermarkets. This should help local smaller businesses migrating to more urban centres, suppliers invest in continued quality food production. ultimately benefitting the local economy. It may be spring but we were still reminded in March However, it is clear that many people are unable to of the need to heat our homes. This is even more reap the full benefits which high speed internet expensive a challenge in rural homes not connected to provision can bring and figures show that the gas main. Aberdeenshire has the greatest number of locations in The introduction of smart metering is designed to help Scotland which suffer from poor or non-existent improve electricity bills and to assist homes in making provision. more efficient use of the electricity supply. I am making With this in mind, I have recently been meeting with the case that rural areas should not be left behind when representatives from companies which are looking at this technology is introduced. providing alternatives to traditional broadband. Whilst To work, the meters need to be able to send and fibre is generally considered to be the optimal receive information. I want to see the system designed technology at present, satellite and wireless broadband from the start not to leave rural black spots that miss out internet initiatives are being adopted as serviceable on the benefits smart meters are designed to deliver. It is solutions by a growing number of remote and rural far easier to start with the right technology than to have communities across Scotland, places which have to fix it in the future if it fails to reach rural traditionally struggled to secure reliable, high speed communities. fibre connections. These alternative technologies have
the potential to significantly improve access in areas such as South Deeside. Wanted: Small woodland For instance, BT fibre broadband currently has cabinets to the north of the River Dee but none to the
south. The implications of this are that people living in 10-15 acres of woodland the south may experience speeds which are slower than their friends and family across the river. Clearly, this is in general South Deeside area. a situation which is extremely frustrating for residents Wooded dens, plantation on ancient woodland, and one which alternative forms of provision may, in older plantations preferred but anything considered time, address. As such, over the next few years I will be keeping a keen eye on the development of both satellite that has the potential to grow some and wireless broadband internet initiatives, as I am native broadleaved trees. acutely aware of the benefits that they could bring to communities in Aberdeenshire. The woodland will be managed for conservation and biodiversity rather than timber production BOOKING OF HALLS AND GROUNDS and what may be small and awkward for forestry may be ideal for biodiversity. Maryculter Community (Corbie) Hall and Field C.Masson, Tel: 733583 [email protected] Maryculter Church Hall and Glebe Field If you have any woodland that you would consider Anne Massie, Tel: 732071 selling, please contact me at; Cookney Hall Willie Angus, Tel:01569 730123 [email protected] Bruce Gilliland, 22 Cliff View, Newtonhill, AB39 3GX. Lairhillock School Christeen Saward, Tel: 01569 732520 Tel: 01569 730447 or 07805727036 St Ternan’s Church Community Room Email: [email protected] Sheila, Tel: 01569 731608 or Audrey, Tel: 01569 730600
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Words from the Chairman
As we approach spring the issues for our community remain The national Wireless Hilltop Project is underway for all the same. The weather was again a significant factor in the schools in Aberdeenshire, so once relay stations have been winter months. This year unlike in the previous few the rain constructed, all schools should have good reception has caused more problems for our roads than snow. The water has caused erosion with cracking and potholes and in turn this The results of the recent Aberdeenshire Council postal meant that significant sections of road around Netherley had broadband survey will be used to demonstrate a need for to be shut. The same has applied to even the South Deeside enhanced broadband provision, which should aid European road which in turn was closed for periods of time to effect Union and State Access funding. repairs to bridges and overflows and to put in additional drainage. Traffic from our area has been chaotic during the Oldman Wood We are pleased to support the Maryculter rush hours. Discussions have taken place with the Roads Woodlands Trust as they make the first steps towards a Authority. Considerable work has been done to improve the community buy-out of the wood beside Kirkton of condition of our roads but increased usage and heavy goods Maryculter, and anticipate further liaison with them in future. lorries using rural roads continues to be an issue. The weather (see page 8 for more details). even caused damage to the bridge at the Corbie Hall which was effectively replaced with considerable local support (see page 12 for more details). 300 Club The community continues to have issues about wind farms or individual turbines. It is often the case that a proposal is too Thanks to the many folk who parted with £5 for each of the close to existing dwellings with the potential for significant 410 tickets for 2013 which brought in £2,050. Of this £785 noise and visual impact; that the development would be will be returned as cash prizes drawn at each Community grossly dominant in the local landscape; finally it is the Council meeting. The balance is available for clubs and overall effect in that the turbines are only one part of a group societies in our area who we invite to apply for financial of such proposals which, when taken together, would have an assistance. Since last September grants have been given to unacceptable cumulative effect. If the Development Plan is to Maryculter Senior Citizens for their Christmas party, to the have meaning for our community then there is a Maryculter Community Hall Association towards their large contravention of Policy 3 / SGRD 2. bill for re-instatement of the access bridge to the hall and football field, and most recently to the Maryculter Woodlands Broadband, or lack of it, continues to be discussed. We Trust towards their community buyout of Oldman Wood. invited Stephen Archer, Director of Infrastructure Services, Aberdeenshire Council to address the Community Council in Cash prize winners since September are: February, due to concerns of poor or no broadband service J. Bailey, Cookney; G Bayliss, Maryculter; A. Bissett, locally. Here is a summary of his main points. A more Banchory-Devenick; J. Bissett, Cookney; J. Clark, comprehensive report can be seen on the NKRCC website in Maryculter; S. Davies, Netherley; J. Eglintine, Banchory- the minutes of the 28.2.2013 meeting. Devenick;.C. Fettig, Netherley; H. Mallard, Blairs; S. Hawkins, Blairs; P. Lowe, Netherley; A Lunn, Maryculter; G. Scotland’s Digital Future – Infrastructure Action Plan: Masson, Maryculter; N. Mauthner, Maryculter; K. Munro, January 2012 commits to world class digital access, critical Maryculter; N. McAllan, Banchory-Devenick; J. Macdonadl, for rural and remote communities, business sector and growth Maryculter; B. Philp, Netherley; K. Napier, Maryculter; A. - a connected Scotland. This has four programmes: Ratcliffe-Smith, Banchory-Devenick; M. Robertson, Banchory Achieving step change by 2015, world class by 2020, -Devenick; R. Smart, Netherley; G. Sommerville, Netherley; demonstrating and delivering innovative and local solutions R. Turner, Netherley and S. Wardlaw, Netherley: while increasing take-up and stimulating demand.
The Scottish Government’s aim is to provide 75% of NKRCC’s purpose is to represent the views of all residents in premises with 80Mbps throughout 24 hours with a minimum Banchory-Devenick, Blairs, Maryculter, Cookney and of 2Mbps for the remainder. Netherley in submissions to Aberdeenshire Council. It can only function well by the efforts of unpaid community Aberdeenshire Council is aiming higher and has committed councillors who have the well-being of our area at heart. We an additional £16m in addition to finance this: would appreciate two more folk to represent Maryculter and another for Banchory-Devenick, so please contact the By the end of 2015 all premises in Aberdeenshire secretary if you would like further information, or come along should be able to receive a broadband download to a meeting. speed of at least 8Mbps.
75% of premises should have 24-80Mbps Robin Baxter, Chairman E-mail: [email protected] 5-10% of premises 1Gbps.
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Elsick: As we all know, the start of the new town of Planning Notes Chapelton has been delayed beyond the original plan. It is, perhaps somewhat optimistically, now pencilled Wind generators on Meikle Carewe: 14 years on from in for autumn of this year. One effect of the delay to the original application, this is certainly old. Twelve this major development (initially for 4,045 houses, turbines have now been erected and, once the system that with theoretically 1,800 to be completed by 2016), will overcomes the turbines’ interference with the air traffic almost certainly be that other developers will resurrect control radar at Dyce is actually in operation, they should their own schemes – which were previously rejected start generating electricity in early summer (when the for inclusion in the Local Development Plan(LDP) of wind blows). RES has agreed to supply any household 2012 - and submit them once again to the Shire which experiences a degrading of the quality of its TV planners. Their argument will be that their schemes are reception (owing to the operation of these turbines), with not of such a grand scale as Chapelton and will a satellite receiver. therefore be capable of rapidly delivering some of the Blairs: Like Meikle Carewe, this saga started in 1999. shortfall, created by the Chapelton delay, in the very Outline permission was finally granted a couple of years large number of houses which the Council insists are ago for 280 houses (including 60 affordable homes), golf desperately needed in the Shire (over 30,000 by 2031). course, and hotel (conversion of the college). The theory is that the 280 houses are the minimum to ‘enable’ the Community Fund: The developers of Meikle Carewe rescue of the listed college from further decay and will give £20,000 each year to this fund for deterioration (though The Civic Trust of Scotland distribution to organisations within five community described the scale of housing asked for as .. “far in council areas (including ours) and a committee has excess..” of what was necessary). Part of the overall already been established to monitor applications, scheme is that there should be a footbridge/cycle bridge decide on the criteria governing awards and then make over the Dee to connect the housing with the North grants. It is greatly to the credit of your two NKRCC Deeside Road. Permission for that bridge (which will representatives on that committee that a minimum cash also carry the sewage) has now been granted. fund for each community council area has been agreed (so that Stonehaven and Portlethen do not hog it all) As the owner of the college (the John Muir Group – a and that some unduly restrictive criteria have been major housebuilder) deemed the 280 to be insufficient to dropped. cover all its costs, another tranche of housing to pay for The Fund is for LOCAL projects which benefit as the bridge was agreed by the Council. That will consist of many people as possible and there will be one round of an extra 44 houses, half of which will be on the river side awards per year. The first £20,000 will be handed over of the South Deeside Road. An exhibition was recently to the committee when Meikle Carewe starts to held in Blairs Museum to explain and justify to the public generate electricity. A website will be set up giving the need for these extra houses, and the requisite planning details of the criteria which must be met, how and application should follow by April or May. That when to apply and so on. Publicity will be given application will be publicised in the normal way (in the through press and possibly fliers in the coming Leader), details will appear on the council website and months. the application will be considered by the Community Robin Winmill, Planning Officer Council (NKRCC) at its monthly meeting. When a start e-mail:[email protected] will actually be made on any part of the development is still uncertain but could be later this year. Please note NKRCC that, while Outline Permission for the 280 has been Website: www.nkrcc.org.uk granted, Full Planning Permission has yet to be applied for and when it is, Phase One of the 280 will also consist Secretary: Bob McKinney, Lakhipara, of 44 houses. South Cookney, Stonehaven, AB39 3RX Tel: 01569 730706 Storybook Glen: Something new. Planning permission E-mail: [email protected] has been granted for conversion of their sales building to Notice boards: by Banchory-Devenick School, East a Soft Play Centre for young children. An integral part of and West Maryculter, Cookney Hall and Maryculter Community Hall, where you will find agendas, minutes that permission is for construction of four houses beside and how to contact your local community councillors. the car park to fund the conversion. We anticipate a start Meetings: on the third Monday of each month to the development quite soon. (except July) at 7.30pm in Maryculter Community Hall.
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REPRESENTATION Councillor Ian Mollison Thanks to issues being raised with the bus company by Colin Young there had been improvements recently, which was During the dreich winter there was one welcomed. My personal view was that many of the problems ray of sunshine. I refer to the sterling could be solved if there were good, conscientious drivers on work done to repair the bridge to the duty. Colin Young will maintain dialogue with the bus Corbie Hall at Maryculter. The way the company to improve even further the service provided. community pulled together to replace the bridge and reinforce the banks was Grampian Joint Fire and Rescue Board inspiring. I was delighted to support an On Friday I sadly attended my last meeting of the Fire Board. allocation of £4000 from the council On 1 April 2013 the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service towards the costs. will come into operation. Present at the meeting were the new Safer 98% feel Aberdeenshire is a safe place, according to Scottish Chief Fire Officer, Alasdair Hay, and the Scottish the council’s Community Safety survey. The most frequently Fire and Rescue Authority Chairman, Pat Watters. Also in witnessed (and worried about) anti-social behaviours are dog attendance were three members of the new board. fouling (81%), anti-social driving (75%), and rubbish/litter In his address to the board Mr Watters said that the general (71%). public would see no difference in the service provided by the Schools With two other ward councillors I met parents at new Fire and Rescue Service. Operational matters would Banchory-Devenick and Lairhillock primary schools. remain as before with the same high standard being achieved. Banchory-Devenick parents are worried about the school’s There would be a change in governance matters with one falling roll, while at Lairhillock there are concerns about board for the whole of Scotland. At local level there would be school transport. Hopefully in due course there will be close liaison between the Fire Service and Aberdeenshire positive outcomes. Council. Rubbish The council is changing waste collections to meet national recycling targets and cut landfill. All recyclable Councillor Alison Evison material will be collected in the same wheelie bin, including brown cardboard, plastic bags and film, food containers (eg On March 15, voting for the Scottish yoghurt pots, margarine tubs) and polystyrene trays. Glass Youth Parliament ended. The two will need to be taken to recycling centres because of MSYPs for North Kincardine, Megan difficulties in separating it from other recyclates - 74% of Lukins and Kris Chapman, were both re- glass is already collected this way. elected. I was delighted to be invited to Each household will have one wheelie bin for recyclable the count, where I listened to eloquent materials and one for residual waste, to be collected on speeches from them both. Their role is alternate weeks. A smaller food waste container will be non-party political. They are a voice for picked up each week. All rural residents will have kerbside all young people in this area between 12 recycling for the first time. and 25 and can be contacted via the SYP website. I believe Broadband The council issued survey postcards to every that the SYP is an important vehicle through which young house to establish the demand for broadband. The Shire must people can learn about democracy and I have been actively provide evidence of demand from residents and businesses to promoting it. access funding from the Scottish Government to supplement The MSYPs might be interested in the ongoing concerns the £18m the council is to contribute to improve broadband about school buses. Safety must be the highest priority and I services in the Shire. have been following up many local issues directly with the Pay rise Councillors have approved the introduction of a service. Together with Cllrs Nelson and Mollison, I recently living wage - £7.20 per hour - for council employees, attended a meeting with parents from Lairhillock where steps backdated to 1 April 2012. for progress on bus safety were identified. We also recently attended a meeting at Banchory-Devenick School and talked with parents about their hopes for the Councillor Carl Nelson future of the school. This was very interesting for me now that I sit on Aberdeenshire’s Education Learning and Leisure This week (w/c 11.3.13) I have attended Committee. I am looking forward to meeting the parents several meetings, but there are two in again at the Spring Fair on 18 May. particular I would like to tell you about. It was good to attend a coffee morning at the church to discuss issues of interest to individual residents. Lairhillock School On Thursday Aberdeenshire is investing in broadband provision which is evening a meeting was held at the school no doubt welcome news. We still need to find a solution to to discuss parents’ serious concerns over the problem of speeding cars though. school bus safety issues which have been Apart from this, I have also been involved in visiting ongoing for several months. Present at the meeting were sheltered housing where I have gained knowledge of good parents, Leslie Jarvis, Chairperson of the School Parent local practice and also of systems being developed. I was Council, Colin Young, Principal Officer (Client Transport), personally reassured to find a real desire for continual Aberdeenshire Council, myself and fellow Cllrs. Evison and improvement to meet the needs of residents. Mollison. Issues discussed were: drivers acting in an Please feel free to contact me on these or any other matters unprofessional manner; condition of vehicles; seatbelts; late/ of interest. irregular pick-up times; snow routes unavailable to parents; and several others. Each of the four councillors for North Kincardine Ward, our MP and MSP were invited to contribute up to 300 words.
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REPRESENTATION EVENTS CALENDAR
April MP Sir Robert Smith Monday 1 Church Guild Maryculter Church Hall Tel: 01330 820330 7.30pm-9.30pm E-mail: [email protected] Wed. 10 Maryculter WRI: Talk on the history of MSP Maureen Watt Aberdeen cinemas by Barney Crockett Tel: 01224 876743 Monday 15 School term begins E-mail:[email protected] Monday 15 Community Council Monday 15 Netherley WRI: Floral arranging COUNCILLORS Thursday18 Closure Service for Banchory-Devenick Church 7pm Alastair Bews Tel: 01224 784594 Friday 19 Friendship Club Basket Whist 33 Bruntland Court, Portlethen Corbie Hall 7.30pm E-mail: [email protected] Saturday 27 Country & Western Night, Cookney Hall Sunday 28 Service of Holy Communion Alison Evison Tel: 01561 362013 Maryculter-Cookney Church 10.30am 2 Newbigging Steading, Inverbervie DD10 0PQ Sunday 28 The Meeting Place, Maryculter Church E-mail: [email protected] Hall 4.30pm-6pm May Ian Mollison Tel: 01569 739087 Wed. 8 Maryculter WRI: Business Meeting and 11 Greystone Place, Newtonhill, Stonehaven AB39 3UL ‘Bring and Buy’ E-mail:[email protected] Saturday 11 Friends of Guiding ‘Daffodil Tea’ 10.30-12.30 Corbie Hall Carl Nelson Tel: 01569 730733 Saturday 18 SDV Plant Sale and Coffee Morning 21 Dunnyfell Road, Muchalls, Stonehaven AB39 3RP 10am-12 noon Corbie Hall E-mail: [email protected] Saturday 18 Banchory-Devenick School Spring Fair 2pm-4pm Aberdeenshire Council Monday 20 Community Council Viewmount, Monday 20 Netherley WRI: Business Meeting and Arduthie Road, talk on voluntary dental work in India Stonehaven. www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk Saturday 25 Solstice Nurseries Plant Sale and Guild AB39 2DQ Coffee Morning 10.30am-1pm June POLICE Saturday 8 Scottish Model Helicopter National Emergencies Tel: 999 or 112 Championships (Heli Nats) All non-emergencies Tel: 101 Hare Moss, Banchory-Devenick Crimestoppers Tel: 0800 555 111 Sunday 9 “ “ Drugs Information Line Tel: 0800 371553 Saturday 15 St Ternan’s Church Fete Monday 17 Community Council AGM July SERVICES Friday 5 School term ends Bluebird buses August No. 103 Aberdeen to Laurencekirk via Banchory- Monday 19 Community Council Devenick and Netherley Monday 19 Netherley WRI No. 204 Aberdeen to Strachan via Maryculter and Saturday 31Driving for the Disabled sale Blairs Plainstones, Stonehaven 9am-12 noon Tel: 212266 or 591381 September E-mail:[email protected] Monday 16 Community Council Monday 16 Netherley WRI Dial a Trip Bus service with tail lift for concession card and taxi card holders. Tel: 01569 765765 Editors: Pam Robertson Tel: 863887 2 Little Banchory Mews, Library Banchory-Devenick AB12 5XS The mobile van visits fortnightly on Thursdays: [email protected] Kirkton of Maryculter at 9am By former Maryculter East School at 9.20am Hazel Witte Tel: 732738 Banchory-Devenick crossroads at 10.10am Monearn, Maryculter AB12 5GT Library Service Tel: 01651 872707 [email protected]
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