Ten Year Anniversary Edition TEN YEARS of the ROTHESIAN

Dec 2008 Ten Year Anniversary Edition Issue No 44 TEN YEARS OF THE ROTHESIAN

The first ‘Rothesian’ was issued in April, 1998. We would like to introduce you to the team who have produced and delivered the ‘Rothesian’ to you over that time. The group were extremely saddened by the death of Hamish Taylor in 2002. Anne Appleford left us in 2001 when she moved on to Fochabers as head teacher at Milne’s Pri- mary. We have a recent recruit, Rosie Dean, who also helps with deliveries. Jean, Pearl and Sandra multi-task.

Pearl Paul – Editor Chris Hamilton – Compiler Jean Allan Lynne Johnston Irene Low Emily Mackie - Distribution Ronnie Laing – Deliveries

Sandra Ross – Diary Raymond Johnston, Web Master Ann Appleford, Founder member Hamish Taylor, Founder Member

In 2006, Pearl and Jean received the Runner-up Trophy from Doctor Winifred Ewing, in the Moray Community Newsletter and Website Awards

The Rothesian Group wish to thank all who sponsored the newspaper and all who contributed both material wise and financially.

We would also like to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

You may contact The Rothesian by e-mail, using the following address: [email protected]

We were founded in April 2005, we started off with 15 girls and have managed to keep numbers between 10 and 15 for the last 3 years. We have celebrated many events such as Burns Night, Chinese The Rothesian Group would like to thank Richard For- New Year, International Thinking Day, Easter, syth for sponsoring this coloured edition of the Rothe- Father's Day, Mother's Day, St Andrew's Day, and sian. finally Christmas. This enabled the funds raised from advertising to be The girls have learned loads of new crafts and have retained by the group for upgrading the computer to made an array of articles to take home. “Badges” is see us into the next 10 years. a small corner of the programme and we have just enjoyed The “Right to Be…” challenges, which challenge the individual. The Coppersmiths in Rothes, now known as Forsyths We have been bowling, on mystery trips to the sea- Ltd, was established in 1890. Since 1933 the business side and of course our yearly visit to the panto- has been run by four generations of the Forsyth fami- mime. ly. The present family members who are managing We would like to wish the Rothesian every success directors at Forsyths Ltd are Richard Forsyth and his in the future. son Richard E Forsyth.

In the mid seventies the business moved from its origi- nal site in Green Street to the Old Station Yard. The local brownie pack have The Forsyth Group has developed a range of services been in existence in Rothes for and products including the design, build, and where over 80 years and have continued to flourish over required installation of: the last decade, we continue to meet in the Grant All types of Distillation Equipment Hall every Thursday during term time. We have Skid Mounted Modular Units had flurries of high numbers and a few times had a Large Diameter Cable, Umbilical and Flexi Riser full pack at 24. We are currently standing with 19 Reels members. Pressure Vessels, Tanks and Silos The girls continue to take their Promise, but the All types of Large and Small Bore Pipework days of lend a hand etc have all but gone. We had a Manufacturing in Exotic Materials make over and the new concept is Guiding for the The above can be manufactured in a range of metals Individual, Guiding in your Community and Guid- from carbon and stainless steels to exotic alloys such ing in the World. as duplex, super duplex and titanium. We encourage the girls to challenge themselves to new ideas and projects in their personal lives and in Forsyths design and manufacture tanks, pressure ves- their communities and we try to look at the World sels, pipework, modular skid units and process equip- as a bigger picture. ment for discerning blue chip clients in the distillation, Many Interest Badges are still the same, with a few onshore and offshore oil and gas, pharmaceutical, pet- new titles added in for the ever changing decade. rochemical and paper industries throughout the globe. We too go on trips, make things and generally have a fun time with lots of laughter. Forsyths three fabrication sites total 6300 square me- We are looking forward to Sept 2009 when our 100 ters and include a segregated Clean Shop for the stor- year centenary begins and will see a year of excit- age and manufacture of exotic alloys. These working things and challenges - this will draw to a close shops are fitted with modern efficient fabrication in October 2010. equipment using the latest welding processes and pro- We would like to thank the Rothesian for the last cedures. Rothes is still the headquarters but has been 10 years, and wish you every success for the next supplemented by two manufacturing facilities on the 10! Moray Firth at Buckie, one on the harbourside offering direct load out shipping facilities.

YEAST FOR FREE

Does anyone make home made wine? Jean Grim- shaw has packets of yeast to give away. If interested phone Jean on 01340831808.

2 ROTHES TENNIS CLUB CLUB TOURNAMENT WINNERS

The club is currently participating in the High- This season’s Tournament Event winners are as follows:- lands Winter League. For this competition, a team consists of two ladies and two men, with each Men’s Singles - Kevin McConnachie match comprising two mixed doubles, plus one Ladies Singles - Marjory Stronach ladies and one men’s doubles. So far three fix- Men’s Doubles - Kevin McConnachie & Paul Meldrum tures have been played finishing in one win and Ladies Doubles - Joyce Duff & Marjory Stronach two losses - a 7-1 victory over Forres A, followed Mixed Doubles - Peter Scott & Marjory Stronach by defeats against Nairn (4-2) and Forres B (6-2). The other teams in our section are Keith and El- Handicap gin. Those who have so far represented the club Men’s Singles - Gary Logan are Maureen Grant, Michelle Ness, Marjory Stro- Ladies Singles - Lauren Scott Men’s Doubles - Derek Ross & Mariusz Kaminski nach, Kevin McConnachie, Paul Meldrum, Peter Ladies Doubles - Hannah Slessor & Sophie Stuart Scott and William Siford. Mixed Doubles - Gary Logan & Joyce Duff

The summer leagues saw the club maintain its Under 18 position in each of the three competitions we par- Boys Singles - William Siford ticipate in. We held off the challenge of Elgin B Girls Singles - Lauren Scott to stay in the Mixed Division 1, whilst Tain’s decision to come out of the Men’s Division 1 Under 16 meant we kept our place in that top group, and Boys Singles - Michael Siford the ladies comfortably retained their place in their Girls Singles - Hannah Slessor Girls Doubles - Johanne Dunn & Lauren Scott Division 2. Under 14 Over 30 of our youngsters had the benefit of sev- Boys Singles - Michael Siford eral coaching sessions with District coach Doug Girls Singles - Lauren Scott Soutar. Sessions have continued with Moray Girls Doubles - Hannah Slessor & Sophie Stuart Council’s Grant Milne, these are held in the Mixed Doubles - Craig Mundie & Hannah Slessor school. Under 12 In the 10 years since the Rothesian first came on Boys Singles - Jack Scott the scene, the club has had several successes. Girls Singles - Chloe Bitters Boys Doubles - Aaron Ewan & Michael Watson We have won various league titles - in 2003 our Girls Doubles - Kelly Duff & Corinne McIntosh ladies triumphed in the 3rd Division and followed nd Mixed Doubles - Jack Reid & Chloe Bitters up by taking the 2 Division trophy in 2004. Also that year we won the Mixed Division 2 and Under 10 the Men’s Division 2. Finally, in 2007 we re- Boys Singles - Michael Watson gained our top league status in the Mixed at the Girls Singles - Corinne McIntosh first time of asking. At the Grantown Tournament in 2004 Peter Scott and Kelly Newlands, who were unseeded, won the The following Round-Robin Events were played at the Open Mixed Doubles. Westburn Indoor Courts, Aberdeen:

In 2003 Paul Meldrum won the Men’s Singles Kenny Mackie Trophy - 1st Marjory Stronach, Handicap 2nd Derek Ross, At the Elgin Tournament in 2001, Maureen Grant 3rd Russell Turner and Irene Low won the Ladies Handicap Doubles, Intermediate Shield - 1st Michael Siford, and Hugh Tawse with partner Fred Murray (Elgin) 2nd Johanne Dunn, took the Men’s Handicap Doubles. Zoe Slessor 3rd Hannah Slessor won the Girls Under 12 Singles, and, partnered by her cousin, Kirsty, took the Under 14 Doubles. Overall Club Championship 1st Lauren Scott 29pts Zoe also won nd Under 12 events at Forres and Nairn, going on to 2 Hannah Slessor 26pts 3rd Marjory Stronach 23pts represent the Highlands in a competition in Aber- 4th Michael Siford 21pts deen.

FLOODING!

RAIN IN ROTHES

On Thursday it started to rain

Spitting, raindrops dropping On Friday it changed Bucketing down, lashing pouring rain Covering everywhere with puddles We splashed, we sploshed, got wet. It was good fun. But then the flood came. The rain got heavier and heavier. The burns burst. The banks burst. The bridges broke The houses flooded. Water overflowed everywhere. It was scary. It was a terrible day in Rothes.

P1 and P2, Rothes Primary School, 2002.

On Friday and Saturday 15/16 November, 2002 Rothes saw flooding unprecedented in the lifetime of anyone living in the town. Over sixty houses were flooded and around one hundred people made homeless. The area affected by flooding and flood damage was wide ranging taking in Land Street, High Street, Burnside Street, New Street, Station Street, North Street, Provost Christie Drive, Drumbain Brae, the Ardcanny road and the Blackburn/Valley View area. Both the bridge over the Broad Burn on the Orton road and the bridge over the Back Burn leading to Mackessack Park collapsed. Many of those with flooded property had to wait almost a year before getting back into their homes.

In 2003 Moray Council agreed to investigate a Flood Prevention scheme for Rothes. This decision has been endorsed by the numerous flooding events in Rothes since 2002. The Flood Scheme was officially opened in July by the Rural Affairs Minister and local MSP Richard Lochhead. Although five years seems to have been a long time to wait this has in fact been one of the fastest processed schemes in Scotland. This was mainly due to the co-operation of and information given by the people of Rothes, who took every opportunity to liaise with the flooding officers during a series of local meetings and individually.

Pictures – Land Street – Bridge over Broad Burn on Orton Road – New Street

4 REMEMBER WHEN It wasn’t odd to have two or three best friend. You didn’t sleep a wink on Christmas Eve. Just for a minute, forget everything stressful and read this:- When your favourite present was the simplest and the Close your eyes and go back in time – before the Internet, be- cheapest! fore semi-automatics, joy riders and crack… Chinese Puzzles. before Play-stations, x-box, Super Nintendo or Wii… When nobody owned a pure-bred dog. When 10p was decent pocket money. Way back… Buying Sporties or Black Jacks, Curly Wurly, Space I’m speaking about Hide and seek in the park Dust, Toffos, or Top Trumps. Kiss, cuddles and torture, and you always chose the torture. When lashing rain meant getting a jigsaw or pack of The corner shop, Hopscotch, Butterscotch, Skipping, Hand- cards out. stands, Football with an old can. When you’d reach intae a muddy puddle for a penny. Fingerbobs, Beano, Dandy, Buster, Twinkle and Dennis the When nearly every ones mum was at hame when the Menace. kids got there… Roly Poly after mince and tatties. When any parent could discipline any kid, or feed them Hula Hoops, or use them to carry groceries Jumping the burn, building dams, guddling for fish and eels. and nobody, not even the kid, thought a thing about it. The smell of the sun and fresh cut grass. When being sent to the heads office was nothing com- Building piles of grass tae cushion yer landing fan ye let go the pared to the fate that awaited at hame. tree swing. Basically we were in fear for oor lives but it wisna be- Bazooka Joe bubble gum, sherbet dip and heilan coo. cause of drive-by shootings, drugs or gangs. Parents and An ice-cream on a warm summers night from the van that plays grandparents were a much bigger threat! And some o’ us a tune. are still afraid o’ them. Chocolate, vanilla, strawberry or maybe Neopolitan or even a Didn’t that feel good? screwball, Raspberry juice for the top. Just to go back and say, yeah I remember that.. Watching Saturday morning cartoons, short commercials or the flicks. Remember when…….. Children’s Film Foundation, The Double Deckers, Red Hand Decisions were made by eanie meanie minie mo. Gang, The Tomorrow People, Tis Was or Swop Shop? or Why ‘Race issues’ meant arguing aboot who ran the fastest. Don’t You or staying up for Doctor Who when the monsters Money issues were handled by whoever was the banker were really scary! at Monopoly. When going round the corner seemed far away and going into The worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex town seemed like going somewhere. was germs. Earwigs, wasps, stinging nettles and bee stings. And the worst thing in your day was having to sit next to Sticky fingers. Playing marbles, ball bearings, big uns and little one in class. uns. It was unbelievable that ‘British Bulldog 123’ was not an Cops and robbers, Cowboys and Indians and Zorro Olympic event. Climbing trees and collecting conkers in the hope of finding the Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a champion for the year. catapult. Building igloos out of snow banks. Sucking icicles and snow- Nobody was prettier than mum and she made the best ball fights. broth in the world. Walking to the school no matter the weather. Scrapes and bruises went unnoticed. Sledging doon the Dominies Brae, the Cassie and the Breemie. Taking drugs meant orange-flavoured chewable aspirin Skiting on slides. or a spoon of Andrews. Running till you were out of breath, laughing so hard your Ice-cream was considered a basic food group. stomach hurts. Getting a foot of snow was a dream come true. Headin hame from the Doonie or Blackha’ simply coz it wiz Older siblings were the worst tormentors, but also the getting dark. fiercest protectors. Jumping on the bed. Pillow fights. Spinning round getting diz- If you can remember all or most of these, then you have zy and falling doon wie the giggles. lived. Being tired from playing. Remember that!!! Pass this on to anyone who may need a break from their ‘grown up’ life…. The worst embarrassment was being picked last for Football or I DOUBLE DARE YOU….. first for the school dancing class. Water balloons were the ultimate weapon, closely followed by Handed in by Iain Paul a rubber and a ruler. Football cards or lolly sticks in the spokes transformed any bike into a motorcycle. Choppers and Grifters, twist grip three speed gears, a built in pump. Everyone with police sirens on their bikes. Small narrow skateboards and adjustable roller skates. Eating raw jelly, pinching a bite of the cooking chocolate. Orange squash ice pops…..

Remember when…………………………………… There were two types of trainers – girls and boys, The Dunlop Green flash and the only time you wore them was for PE. You knew everyone in your street and so did your parents. 5

The Ghosts and Fairies o’ the Doonie

Ae nicht in winter lang ago, A cheerie fire blazed in the lum, When boreas bald did drive the snaw, Doon which at times the snaw wid come; Three drouthy carles met thegither, But what cared they for sic a nicht “Nae carin’ tippence for the weather, The snaw micht come as thick’s it micht, As lang’s the bottle keepit foo The win’ micht puff an’ blaw an’ roar, The frost micht gang “tae Jericho!” As lang’s it didna burst the door.

The hoosie stood upon a brae, But noo the whisky operates At least I’ve heard the people say; And draws the nonsense frae their pates The name it got was Doonie Ha’--- They speak o’ oxen , sheep, an’ kye, An awfu’ place for fairies sma’, O’ wheat an’ barley, oats an’ rye, Wha gaithered there and danced at nicht, O’ parsons, priests, an’ a’thing mixt; Faith, I winda liked tae hae seen the sicht! ‘Twad taen a sage tae kent the text.

“Foof! Haud your tongues noo” ane does cry Being doon aye nicht in Rothes toon “And speak mae mair o’ sheep or kye, Getting’ shods and tackets in my shoon, But gobble up your drink, my boys, An’ buyin’ things o’ divers kine An’ makna just sae muckle noise, For yon auld teethless wife o’ mine While I’ll relate a story tae ye, Of course I couldna’ weel gang hame It will maybe keep the languor frae ye. Without a drappie in my wame.

Teetotlars then were not sae mony, “T’was getting’ late na faith, ‘twas early; Guid faith, I doot, gif there were ony; ‘Twas ane o’clock, or maybe barely, There were plenty fowk wad gi’e or tak’; When I hame strappit gie an’ fou, An’ likewise nae “McKenzie Ack” An’ makin’ mony an’ awful mou’, Tae bather fowk at ilka time Nae thinkin’ on the awfu’ fricht The clock eleven p.m. would chime. I was tae get that verra nicht.

The nicht was dark and gey an’ weet, Weel, comin’ on when near the Doonie— For Boreas bald did drive the sleet, An awfu’ place for ghosts, my loonie— But fat cared I? I kent the road, I heard a fiddle playin’ reels, Forbye, I was gey siccar shod, An’ saw fowk dancin’ just like feels; Both out and inside weel supplied, Thinks I, my lads, that’s gey an’ queer I cared na what wad me betide. Tae dance at sic a time o’ year.

“Hallo!” I cried,” just stop a wee But, faith the creatures wadna speak, And I’ll come doon if you’ll agree But garred the fiddle louder squeak And dance wi’ you some foursome reels, An’ nae attention paid to me; Though, faith, I doot, you maun be feels Thinks I, they think I’m on the spree, Tae dance an’ loup on sic a nicht, But doon I’ll gang run dog run devil, E’en ghosts and fairies micht africht.” The guid preservin’ me frae evil.

Weel, straucht-way doon the brae I goes-- “Hallo! “ I cried, “I’ll seen be wi’ ye, The first step sent me on my nose, For, faith, I’m fidgin’ fain tae see ye; But naethin’ daunted, on I went-- Weel, you’ve heard me noo, that’s richt. On dancin’ I was fully bent; Isn’t that a monstrous weety nicht?” Lord, naethin’ then wad keep me back, I said—“but losh be here, For I was fou and that’s a fact. What mak’s ye thus a’ disappear?”

I hadna weel said this when thump, And now an auld deformed fairy, A creature on my back did jump; Wi’ claes a’ torn and face a’ hairy, A squeakin’ voice cried oot behind me, Approached my side , and with a smile “Tae knock me doon an’ siccar bind me. ” Said he hadna seen me for a while; And ere I could say two times two Says I, “Kind sir, I never saw ye, I was pitched amon’ the Fairy crew. And likewise kenna what tae ca’ ye.” 6 “Oh, never mind,” it said, I’ll lowse Weel, seein’ sic a civil chiel, These unmercifa’ strong tows, I thocht the creatur’ meant me weel, And you’ll stand up and hae a dance Nae thinkin’ that the foomart hairy Wi’ these nice ladies ower frae France; That stood beside me was a fairy, It’ll help tae heat ye this cauld nicht, Or, losh, I think I wad have died, For, faith, you’re cauld, as weel’s ye micht.” At onyrate I’m sure I’d tried.

The fiddler noo does tune his fiddle, The fiddler noo gi’es one, two, three, And ae auld wife sits doon tae diddle; The reel commenced in verity, We noo had a’ our partners got--- The creatures danc’t like midges wickit; A wrinkled dame fallin’ tae my lot. The women fowk, losh fu’ they kickit, That micht hae been as auld as Sarah, That, faith, I thocht they a’ were daft At onyrate, the age of Pharoah. Or that their heads were something saft.

I thocht we just had danc’t an oor “I doot you’re tired,” the creature said, Or something mair, I wasna sure, “An’ needin’ sair tae gang tae bed, When, losh , the fiddler stop’t the tune, But ere ye go I’d like tae tell you An’ tae the grun we a’ fell doon; The accident that has befell you; While ae auld cove approached myself, That you don’t know us weel appears.” The nasty, fusome, ugly elf. You’ve danced wi’ fairies for seven years.”

“Guid troth,” I cried, “can this be true? At this the creature made a mou’, Gae three lang spangs an’ ower a knowe It vanished like a flichterin’ lowe; “Weel. Weel,” I cried, as hame I ran, “I’ll try an’ be a better man.”

From – Memories of Earnside By – John Ross

This book of poems was given to the Rothesian Group by the late Chrissie Percival, who was one of our staunchest supporters and gave us many articles, poems and photos over the years.

7 REMEMBERING ROTHES Shops, Places and Events

Our family home was at No 10 New Street and on the street were Willie ‘Watchie’ DavidsonWatchmaker, Mag- gie and Nellie Green’s Shop, James ‘Jimmy’ Macdonald Painter, Clerihew’s Chip Shop, Henderson the Butcher, Mary ‘Mary Pan- drop’ Reid’s Sweetie Shop, Mrs Macdonald’s Shoe Shop, George Rhynas’ Baker, Grocer and Ironmonger, John Findlay the Baker. The Council Chambers with the council yard at the back. My uncle Jimmy Innes’ Shop was across the street on the corner of Burnside Street.

The skating and curling ponds were on North Street where you

could also find John ‘Jock’ Sim a joiner, and Ja- net Sellar’s Shop with nearby the War Memorial at the junction with the Elgin road. The ‘Puree’ was not far away and at times had an awful smell. On the Orton Road, at the Greens, the Seafield Estates had a water powered Sawmill.

There was an automatic telephone exchange on Station Street, also the Railway Yard and station, the Coal Stores (R & A Gordon), Tom McWilliams Sawmill, the Malt barns and ‘Jock’ McAdam’s Slaters Yard.

A Mr Robertson from Archiestown ran a painters business from an old railway carriage on Breich Street and at the end of the street was a piece of ground known as the ‘cinders’ where we used to play football and cricket.

All the afore-mentioned were on the Elgin side of the Rothes Burn and known as ‘Henbog’, the other side of the burn being known as ‘Cockinch’.

On the High Street were Donald Fraser the Butcher, The

Clydesdale Bank, Ian Clark‘s Shop (with his Nodding Santa display at Christmas Time). Going along High Street were Annie Younnie Draper, ‘Jock’ Watson Grocer, R A Gordon’s Offices, George Porter Draper, D D Cumming Chemist, Jenny Dunnet’s Shop and her father John’s coalyard, Magnus Bremner’s Garage/ Shop (where we got our first wireless set). Coming back toward the Square were Teenie Broon’s Shop, the New Shop, Frank Wallace’s Chip Shop, Jimmy Craigie Barber, Jimmy McDonald the Butcher, Gordon’s Shoes, and George Anderson Tailor.

Sarah Green’s Shop was in the Square with Johnny Anderson’s Garage, St Drostans Church, Jane 8 McConnachie’s Post Office, ‘Toby’ Grant’s Smiddy, ‘Jimmy A’ Grant Cartwright/Joiner, the Seafield Estates Office, Custom’s and Excise and the ‘Dole’ Office all nearby. Willie Sharp had a Dairy Farm in the Kirk Lane.

On Green Street the TA had an armoury where they stored their equipment. Nearby ‘Jimmy A’ had a yard and next to that was the ‘Copperies’. Then came the ‘Market Green’ where ‘Showies’ came from time to time. The Tennis courts, Bowling Green and ‘Shemells’ (The slaughter house) were all next the school with the Seafield Estates Nurseries at the back.

Their home at Ashville acted as a surgery for the Doctors Caithness. Across the street Meldrums had a dairy farm as did Garrows and ‘Dod Paterson.

The Police Station was situated on Land Street where Robert ‘Purky’ Mitchell kept a few dairy cows.

An annual treat was the picnic to Lossie by special train and the Henbog versus Cockinch football match for the Davidson Cup was something else to look forward to. The photo is of the 1938 Henbog team which I got from John Hodge who now lives in Sut- ton Coldfield. Unfortunately there are no names but maybe some ‘Rothesian’ readers may be able to help. I was eleven years old at the time.

Pictures:- Rhynas, Grocer - Sawmill - Railway Station – Jock Watson – Smiddy & Cartwright – The Armory - Pic-

nic - Henbog team, 1938

John ‘Jock’ Sherret

John moved from Rothes to Huntly and has recently moved to Doncaster.

9 ROTHES LIBRARY NEWS will need your borrower and pin number for this. Also if you want to collect the book at Gosh, is it that time of year already, time certainly Rothes Library, just change the collection site flies by – I must be getting old! I hope everyone has a to “Rothes” and click confirm. great Christmas and a Happy New Year. During the • We will inform you once the book comes into Christmas period the library will be open/closed as the library. follows: If you click on “My Account”, you will also be able to rd Tue 23 Dec 3pm-5pm check the items you have on loan and renew these th Wed 24 Dec 2pm-4pm items. th th Thur 25 – Mon 29 Dec CLOSED th Tue 30 Dec 3pm-5pm Finally I would just like to say that it is great to see so st th Wed 31 Dec – Mon 5 Jan CLOSED many people make use of their local library and I look th From Tue 6 Jan normal opening hours resume forward to seeing you all next year.

In November we had Rothes School Nursery back for Arlene McLean (Library & Information Assistant) a storytime and colouring-in session. The children en- Rothes Library joyed 2 stories, “Winnie in Winter” by Paul Korky and “Lucy & Tom’s Christmas” by Shirley Hughes. They also had fun colouring in their Christmas pictures. The library is always committed to adding new titles LINNBURN of books to the stock we already have. Some new titles added recently are: All the service users and staff at Linnburn Day Ser- vices, would like to thank all the Volunteers who have FOR ADULTS supported us throughout the year. We would also like A Good Woman – Danielle Steel to thank all the people who have contributed to the Touching Distance – Rebecca Abrams Christmas raffle. Timebomb – Gerald Seymour We would also like to wish everyone in the Communi- Falling – John Connor ty a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Azincourt – Bernard Cornwell Red Alert – Margaret Thomson Davis

FOR CHILDREN Cookie – Jacqueline Wilson Room for a Little One – Martin Waddell A Really Short History of Nearly Everything – Bill Bryson Wild Spirit – Catherine Hapka Beastly Bugs – Lynn Huggins-Cooper

If you cannot find the item you are looking for at Rothes Library, you can request it from another library in Moray. If it is not in stock, we will try our best to purchase it. Requests cost 60p for adults and they are free for children. You can also request an item online. This can be done at the library or at home if you have a PC and internet connection. You will need your library borrower and pin number to do this. If you do not know your pin number please contact the library and we will be more than happy to pass it on to you. Here’s how to request an item:

• Go to the Libraries’ Website, www.moray.gov.uk/libraries • Click on the link to “Library Catalogue” VICTORIA BAR • Click on the link “Talis Prism” • From here you can search the Library Cata- Dave, Sally and family would logue for any book you like – by author, title like to wish all our customers a or by subject Happy Christmas, and a • Once you’ve found an item you would prosperous New Year! 10 like, just click on Request; remember you THE GRANT HALL ROTHES BOWLING CLUB

First of all, we would like to congratulate the Rothe- 2009 is the 100th Birthday of the club. It has been sug- sian on 10 wonderful years of publication, not only gested that a badge should be designed to commemo- locally but on the World Wide Web. Quite an achieve- rate the centenary. Several designs have been ob- ment. tained and will be considered at our AGM. The High- We’ve had a very quiet year as far as fundraising goes. land Bowling Association has allocated the final of the Work is still progressing, however, thanks mainly to a Triples Competition to our Green on Wednesday 15th £10,000 donation from the Robertson Trust. July. We’ve had to splash out a fair bit to comply with the latest Fire Regulations and in the process have had all At the closing of the green the following trophies were our electrics checked out. presented for the 2008 season. Thanks have also to go to McKerron and Milne for the work they very kindly carried out for us in the Ladies Winner Runner-up toilets. Electricity is still our biggest outlay, having cost Davidson Cup A Cameron R Murray £7500 in the past 18 months. Despite this, our policy Forsyth Cup S Cameron A Shand of keeping our rental charges low seems to pay off, as Rennie Cup A Cameron CR Grant the Hall is in constant use for a wide range of activities Senior Shield C McPherson RC Munro and social functions. As early as possible next year, the plan is to concen- Pairs Trophy CR Grant A Shand trate on improving the exterior of the building. That is R Murray I Shaw certainly not going to be cheap, so look out for a bit more fundraising from us next year. Pharmacy 2 Bowl G Horne K Fraser Of course, if you would like to be involved in some Pairs C McPherson A Cameron fundraising for us, or indeed help in any way towards the running and maintaining of the Hall, don’t hesitate Gala Triples CR Grant J McBain to get in touch. I Shaw C McPherson In the meantime we hope everyone has a very Merry A Cameron R Murray Christmas and a Happy New Year. Williamson Rose Bowl C McPherson [email protected] Bookings: 01340 831284 Innes Shaw

ROTHES INDOOR BOWLING CLUB ROTHES HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Twenty members enjoy a game of bowls at the Rothes The R.H.I.S have been on the Rothes Calendar now Social Club on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The for more than 26 years, we have just celebrated our Open Triples Competition will commence on Saturday 25th Show in September 2008. We have seen a lot of 24th January, 2009. changes during the last decade, but the standard of entries to our Annual Flower Show continues to rise. We are proud that we continue to be an independant Flower Show. Our Committee continue to work hard with our Plant Sale and Coffee Morning and with the staging of the show itself, but the time has now come that we need to appeal for new members of the community to come forward to help stage the events. We are looking for willing hands to come onto the committee for us to survive the next decade. We are holding our Annual General Meeting on Mon- day 12th January 2009, in the Church Hall at 7.15pm, new members or interest parties will be made most welcome.

11 INTERNATIONAL HONOURS FOR ROTHES LASS

The Shinty/Camogie International began in October 2004 as part of the 100th Anniversary of the Irish Ca- mogie Association. Since then, the nations have met each year in alternate countries with the Irish winning the first two encounters and Scotland winning the last three. 423 (Speyside) detached flight of the Air Training This year's event Corps will be providing a Christmas card delivery ser- took place at vice again this year, covering the towns of Rothes and Nowlan Park, Aberlour. Collection boxes will be in place at the fol- Kilkenny, one of lowing venues by 29 November;- Ireland's best stadiums outside ROTHES Croke Park, Costcutters Dublin. H Tawse butcher The Scotland C Simpson baker team was chosen I Fraser and sons, electricians from players from all corners ABERLOUR of the country - J Walker bakers’ shop, High Street Rothes included! Aberlour Pharmacy Scotland’s Goal- S Cattanach newsagent keeper, Susan C Gammack saddler/ironmonger Colville (nee Webster - 19 Cards will be delivered on the following dates only; - Land St, Rothes) 6 Dec, 13 Dec and 20 Dec. received her first The charge will be 10p per card. international jer- sey as part of the Please ensure all mail is fully addressed with recipi- winning squad. ent’s full name and postal address. Cards will not (Scotland 8 Ire- be accepted for delivery outwith the Rothes or land 7). Aberlour town boundaries. It was a hard and close game, Cards can e.g. be posted in Rothes for Aberlour deliv- shown live on Irish television, with the winning goal ery and visa versa. being scored in the dying seconds to seal Scotland’s 3rd successive victory. Cadets from 423df (Speyside) hold 2 coffee mornings Susan’s success is even more impressive as she began per year in Rothes to raise funds for the group. How- playing for her local club, Glasgow Mid Argyll, as late ever, they donated the proceeds from their latest fund- as 2006 - whilst her other teammates have played for raising coffee morning held on Saturday 25 October most of their lives! to RAFA. The attached photograph shows Mr Mal- colm Collie, the local RAFA representative, accepting their cheque for £350.00.

THE ROTHES BUTCHER GAME DEALER

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12 [email protected] SPEYSIDE LEG CLUB ROTHES FC SOCIAL CLUB

The dark nights are truly there and we are already The Social club continues to play an important part in thinking of Christmas. the community with the likes of indoor bowling, line dancing, Bothy Ballad Nights, coffee mornings and A new Committee was elected on 27th of October: tombola evenings to name but a few activities held on a regular basis. Norman Anderson Chairman The club has seen a steady increase in the number of Alison Robertson Treasurer private hires for weddings, anniversary and birthday Anke Grant Joint Secretary parties and funeral teas. The Halloween dance with Betty Strathdee Joint secretary Toni & Ziggy was a huge success and we’re happy to Jean Peacock Minute Secretary announce that we have secured an additional three Anne Duncan, Margaret Reid, Eunice Smith, Norman dates from them to appear at the club in 2009. McDonald, Leslie Peacock, Desmond Stead, Dennis We have decided to break away from the norm this year in that there will be no Hogmanay Dance, There Thomson. st will, however, be dancing on the night of the 1 Janu- ary to the local group “Snapdragon”. Shula and the The committee decided to have another Christmas Par- th boys have always been a firm favourite with members ty at Parklands Care Home on Tuesday the 30 of De- and guests alike and a great evenings’ entertainment is cember 2008. This is a free party beginning at 12.30 assured. pm. The ever popular Kids Xmas Party will be held on There will be mince pies and wine or soft drinks, a Sunday 14th December from 2.30-4.30. admission is special raffle for a hamper donated by Walkers Short- free to children and grandchildren of members. The bread, and business as usual for the members who bairns will each receive a wee present from Santa and need treatment. All welcome. will be able to tuck into ice cream and jelly, sandwich- The Leg Club was also invited to share the Home’s es and juice. The children must be of Primary School th age or below to qualify for a ticket. Members can re- Annual Burns Supper. This is on Monday 26 of Janu- serve places for the kids by leaving details at the bar ary beginning at 12.30 pm. Tickets for the meal cost before the 7th of December. £5 and they are available from the committee, but they Babs Low is currently working on securing dates for are in short supply. Karaoke nights so watch out for the posters for further In order for this event to be successful we require details. helpers to serve the meal – please if you can spare It’s a year to the month since Lesley Davies took over some time contact a member of the committee. the function of Club Steward and is proving to be a We had a very successful Tombola and we would like great asset (I’ve got to say that or she will lynch me). to thank our members for their generous donations of Lesley has introduced added attractions to the bar such as the provision of teas and coffee, a wide range of prizes and raffles, and of course for attending the toasted sandwiches and Friday night specials to eat in event which raised in excess of £600. or take away. These include Chinese Style Beef, You were maybe told that our Doppler machine went Sweet and Sour Chicken and rice, Chilli Con Carne on the blink, so the committee decided to buy a new and rice etc. one which will cost over £600. We hope to get it for Lesley, Andrew and Cara are always pleased to extend next week. a warm welcome to our clientele. Ally and two other nurses went to a conference in Our President Rob Ness, his committee and staff Worcester and reported back that they had been shown would like to take this opportunity to thank all the a new much more expensive Doppler Machine, which members and their friends for their continued support throughout the year and wish them all a Merry Christ- could cut down the time spent on Doppler tests. If we mas and a Happy New Year and look forward to wel- had this gadget it would be possible to do 6 tests in- coming you all to the social club in 2009. stead of 4 in an afternoon. This would make it possi- Garry Davies ble to see new members much more quickly. It would cut down on waiting times. Lastly I would like to remind you that our Tuesday meetings at the Home in Aberlour begin at 1.30pm. Please do not arrive before 1.15pm as the room is used for other things before, and it is difficult to set up the equipment if the room is already crowded. Have a nice Christmas and I hope to see you at our party Anke Grant

13 Dear Editor SLEDGIN’ IN ROTHES

I read an article in the September Rothesian about a We spent many, many happy days and nights sledgin! book – Braefoot Sketches – donated to the cottage. We had several one man sledges, and one big one My father had a copy of that book at one time – before which held six kids at the same time. They were all I remember the books we had in the bookcase. He lent home made wooden with polished steel runners, which it to someone and never got it back . He used to talk made them go faster. about it and wish he could find it again but of course by that time it was long out of print. The Sir John In the late forties Herbecq who presented it to the Cottage, I am wonder- early fifties we ing if he if he is any relation to the John Herbecq who sledged from the was an excise man in Rothes when we lived in Rothes. line gates at the I don’t remember him but I remember his name being top of Green mentioned in our house. According to John Gray’s Street. The brae book he was with Speyburn Distillery. I recognised there was re- the name when I saw it in the Rothesian and looked in moved some my copy of Rothes Past and Present to see if he was time ago. mentioned. Keep up the good work. By the way when I read the letter I last sent you I see I made a mistake as I men- When we were a bit older we were allowed to the Dominies Brae (beside the Grant Hall). We started at the top crossed the main street and crashed into the railway gates at the back of the Ben Aigen Hotel (Station Hotel). Hitting the gates was the only way to stop at high speed.

We always had a lookout standing at the New Street to warn us if any traffic or Bobbie were coming. You would have heard our laughs and screams all over Rothes. There were lots! We had great fun and although soakin’ weet, we never moaned just made plans for the next night. Happy Days Edith Holmes tioned it was a ten pound note my sister took to the store. It would have been a ten shilling note. I never saw a ten pound note and only a couple of times did I see a five pound one which looked just like a sheet of white paper with writing on it.

Pat Cassidy

The Famous Seafield Arms Hotel Rothes 01340 831587

A small friendly hotel in the centre of the Malt Whisky Trail.

Bar, Lounge, Beer Garden En-suite Accommodation available

A warm welcome from Chris, Babs, Amy, Denise and Louise.

Food starting early 2009! 14 Rothes Diary

Please note that the diary displayed in the Rothes £100 NOTE WINNER Library window, is updated every two weeks and takes in changes which occur during the time be- The winner of the SNP’s £100 note competition was tween the Rothesian quarterly editions, especially Mrs Gena Scott, 25 Forsyth Avenue, Rothes. in the run up to the Festive Season and holiday breaks. Please keep Sandra informed of events The winning number was – 850 and meetings as fundraising works best with no The £100 was presented to Gena by Rosie Laing competition! andHelen Bremner, with Mr Jimmy Scott looking on. Please note the special email address for the diary: [email protected] If you would like the diary emailed to you, please contact this address.

2008 December 12th December Rothes Primary School Christmas Show in the Grant Hall (afternoon and evening shows) 13th December Coffee Morning 10 to 12 noon in Kirk Hall in aid of Fresh Start 15th December SHS Junior Party 15th December Last Linda’s Keep Fit of session in Kirk Hall at 6pm 16th December Rothes Ladies Group Meeting in Kirk Hall Games. 17th SHS Senior Party 19th December Schools close for Christmas Break Christmas Service SHS 20th December Rothes FC Social Club Tombola

2009 January 1st January Dance to Snap Dragon on Rothes FC Social Club 3rd January Rothes Ladies Circle trip to Inverness Panto ‘Aladdin’ 5th January Schools reopen after Christmas Break 5th January Linda’s Keep Fit resumes after break in Kirk Hall at 6pm 17th January Tombola in Rothes FC Social Club 19th January SHS S4 Parents Evening 20th January Ladies Group Meeting Kirk Hall 25th January - 250th Anniversary of the Birth of Rabbie Burns in Alloway. February 2nd/12th February SHS S5/S6 Prelim Examinations 7th February Coffee Morning in Rothes FC Social Club 7th February Rothes FC Social Club – Private Func- tion 13th to 16th February Schools Mid Term Break 17th February Ladies Group Meeting Kirk Hall. 21st February Tombola in Rothes FC Social Club 24th February Shrove Tuesday March 7th March Coffee Morning in Rothes FC Social Club 17th March Ladies Group Meeting. Kirk Hall 19th/20th March SHS School Show 21st March Tombola in Rothes FC Social Club 22nd March Mothering Sunday 27th March Schools closed for Easter Break SHS Easter Service 29 th March Clocks forward one hour for summer time 15

ROTHES NURSERY NEWS

The nursery has been working hard in the garden, we now have raised beds and have harvested our tatties and onions and have planted late fruiting strawberries which we would hope to harvest next August to have for snack. If anyone in the community would like to help with the garden, please get in touch as we would be very The school is very fortunate to have Senior Citizens, grateful. Mrs Holmes and Mrs Mackie, 'on call' to help out at Once again we would like to convey our heartfelt various events. This can involve walking with a group thanks to Edith Holmes and Helen Mackie for always of children to a venue in Rothes i.e. library or coming being available to help when needed. into Nursery or P1-7 classes to talk to the children; We have been very busy since August. We have been helping pupils complete tasks and we would also welcome anyone who can demonstrate playground games from the past.

If any Rothes Senior Citizen is interested in helping the school can they please contact Mrs Duncan, School Administrator on 01340 831269.

SENIOR CITIZENS

Over the past ten years we have had three very good presidents - Mrs I Morrison – Mrs Emily Mackie and our present incumbent Mrs Maggie Malcolm. Our membership to date is sixty eight. We moved from the on a visit to the children's ward at Dr. Gray's Hospital Rothes Social club to the Church Hall five years ago and have had road safety lessons from Diageo and for our fortnightly meetings from October till April. Carntyne who provided every child with be safe/ be seen armbands. The entertainment for these meetings has been excel- We are now looking forward to performing on the lent and varied. stage for the Christmas show on 10th and 11th. De- Each May we have our annual bus run to different towns in the North East, and every December we have a Christmas Lunch with a visit from Santa. Fund raising for those two events is by holding two Coffee Mornings which are well supported by the public, and donations from members for the stalls. Also the Dis- tilleries and businesses in the town give generously. We also receive donations from the Wind Farm Fund and the Rothes Gala.

The Rothes Senior Citizens wish the ‘Rothesian’ a happy anniversary and look forward to many more editions.

Coffee Morning The Senior Citizens Coffee Morning made £622 for cember and our party will be on the 17th December club funds. Thanks to all who helped in any way. when we hope to have a special visitor. We wish the Rothesian all best wishes for the next ten years!!!

16 ROTHES AND ITS’ SIXTY CLUB

There is a place beside the Spey There are many shops full of food And Rothes is its name Hendersons, Marys, Dereks and Nellies The Barley Bree – its many stills All the grocers to fill up your tum Have brought it world wide fame Tins galore, fruit jams and jellies

For meat supplies there is a choice There’s Cyril at the bakery You can go to Mackie Tawse or Sandy With biscuits, cakes and buns Lots of steak or pork and lamb chops His products are good you can always say The butchers are really quite handy Oh that was really as good as my mums

Now Bill and Cathy Longmore There is another fashion shop They provide us with the press Elspeth’s is its name And if you’re going to a party The choice and style it is the top You can even buy yourself a dress The clientele will never show shame

There’s Bert the Rothes banker For licensed premises we do quite well He listens to our sweet talk and moans There’s a choice if you look for a drink And if we spin a sad enough story The Vic, The Seafield and Station Hotel He’ll provide us with lots of loans Will leave you feeling quite rosy and pink

There is an active 60’s session Flora Keil, she makes the tea They meet weekly at the Social Club For a cuppie we are always ready The committee strive to entertain them Dundurcas Dairy supply the milk And keep the members out of the pub It’s good creamy and steady

Betty Johnston looks after our funds That’s all for now as I must go She really is very efficient I hope you are not being bored this time The bills are paid without any qualms Enjoy your feast as well as the panto It’s good to have someone proficient And all the best in seventy nine.

This 1978 poem by the late Peter Malloch was sent in by Flora Keil who is temporarily in the Aberlour Hos- pital.

SPEYSIDE HIGH SCHOOL

The 2008 Social & Vocational Skills’ pupils’ Christmas Fair was a huge success. The third year pupils put in an exceptional effort with many quality products manufactured in their Enterprise Groups and sold to raise money to pay for the outdoor activities on their Residential experience in May. We had scented pine cones, cool Christmas cards, magic mugs, bird feeders, whacky T shirts, piggy banks, candles and crazy badges from the Wham Bams. As you will have seen from the ‘Northern Scott’ we also had a celebrity cook book featuring local businesses as well as national figures like Alec Salmond! Tea, coffee and home baking went down a treat with the adults and the bairns loved getting their faces painted and seeing Santa. The morning was finished off with our famous raffle. All in all it was a huge success, so a big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who helped us make the Christmas Fair special on November 29th. Happy Christmas to you all from S3 at Speyside High School.

17 ROTHES FLOOD DEFENCE WORKS ested in learning from our experience of designing PROGRESSING WELL flood defence schemes, in particular working through all of the processes needed to get a flood scheme ap- Construction work on the £21m Rothes Flood Scheme proved.” is well and truly under way. Councillor Paul who also attended the Flood Summit The scheme was officially launched back in July by said “It’s great that other Councils in Scotland are Richard Lochhead, local MSP and Scottish Govern- coming to Moray to learn from our experience.” ment Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Envi- ronment. Stan Mathieson Since then, the first stage of construction has been Project Manager for The Rothes Flood Scheme concentrated in the Back Burn from the Glen Grant Distillery Access Bridge working down stream to the A941 Bridge. Update on the Rothes Doctors' Humberette. Bob Strachan, the Scheme Manager said, “Work will be ongoing on the Back Burn throughout the remain- We now think, the car belonged to Dr Allardes der of this year and into next. After Christmas resi- (Allardyce?) as he practiced in Rothes from 1884 to dents will see us start the next stage of work in the 1907,and not Dr. Logie as previously stated. (He came Black Burn.” to Rothes later in 1915, and a doctor presumably had a Mark MacLeman, the Site Agent for Morrison Con- new car, considering the infancy of the motor indus- try) Of course Dr. Logie may have taken the car with him to Rothes? The second owners were the Dunbar Rivers from Rothes Glen House. Unfortunately Moray Local Studies have no record of the first 100 vehicles (SO1 to SO 100) so we can't find confirmation from this source and nobody seems to be able to come up with the paperwork to confirm this. Thanks to Betty McQueen, Ruby & Willie Cruick- shank, Helen Mackie, Betty Johnstone, Graham Wil- son, Pearl Paul, and the various correspondents in the previous "Rothesian" for their input on the subject. On a more positive note the car successfully completed the world famous 2008 London to Brighton Run on 2nd November in 5 hours at it's first ever attempt. To enter this event all vehicles have to be officially dated and accepted by the Veteran Car Club of Great Brit- ain as originally manufactured prior to 31st December struction added, “So far we’ve coped well with the 1904. There were 615 applications for the 2008 weather and haven’t really seen any disruption to our event, of which 566 were accepted, 481 actually start- work. We are probably slightly ahead of programme.” ed on the day, and 421 finished. He also praised the residents of Rothes for their con- Raymond & Sheila MacDonald tinued support and patience, particularly those in New Street who are most affected at the moment. Starting work in the Black Burn will present the construction team with an added challenge of working in two burns at the same time. A site office has been set up in Station Road. Mark MacLeman, the Site Agent for Morrison Construction said, “Residents are welcome at any time to come into the site office and discuss issues relating to the scheme.” Alternatively Mark can be contacted at the site office on 01340 832040. Local councillor Pearl Paul also urged residents to use the site office as a first point of contact if they have any concerns about how the works might affect them. Last month also saw the MFA team assisting in prepa- rations for a Flood Summit held in Elgin. The Moray Council hosted a 2-day summit that saw delegates from all over Scotland descending on Elgin to discuss the forthcoming Scottish Government Flood Bill that is due to be introduced next year. Guest speakers included Richard Lochhead, and other representatives from the Scottish Government. Dave18 Gowans, the Council’s project director for flood alleviation schemes said, “Delegates were very inter- THE LEGEND OF THE WHITE strove to free himself from the spell binding him to the HORSE O’ SPEY creatures back. When they reached the gleam of the river the headlong dash ended in a fatal plunge into the waters…leaving…nothing. Nothing, that is but a tri- There are many tales told of the strange sights and umphant song to signify that the kelpie had claimed sounds on the banks of the Spey, some of which are another victim. based on tenuous fact and some of which are not, but which serve to add to the romance of the river, if in- The song of the Horse as I heard it was only a frag- deed, romance is the right word. ment, “Ride you One such tale appealed to me….that of the White Ride me Horse. Though White Horses figure often in Celtic Kelpie Faerie mythology, the colour is unusual for a Kelpie, Creavie” for this is what the White Horse o’ Spey is said to be ie. A Water Spirit in human or animal form. However, Just a pretty tale, perhaps, but to those who live the beautiful beast of the Spey is traditional in all other by the Spey and know her changing moods, es- respects. Particularly on stormy nights it was to be seen, as pecially on a dark, blustery March night with the clouds flit over the moon, throwing the riverbank into wind singing its restless song in the trees on the shadow one moment and the next flooding the river riverbank……WHO KNOWS? with silver light, picking out every detail of the sur- rounding trees. Taken from “The Pools O’ Spey” by Duncan McPherson DA The great white horse, sleek in the moonlight, stepping with dainty care, would walk beside the weary traveller, its fine trap- pings shining. Sometimes it would whinny softly, nuzzling its velvet nose in the pedestrian’s hand and Allans Haberdashery questioning 29 High Street with the depth Fochabers of its large eyes. For all your haberdashery needs.

Needlecraft, Xstitch, Beading, Card- Eventually, the making, and much more besides in this traveller, tired Aladdins cave. and footsore, Come and see us, you will be made would mount most welcome! the White Horse O’ Spey. 01343 820238 Alas! Once mounted, the wayfarer at once regretted his lack of caution. No gentle whinnying now. With an unearthly scream the steed broke into a full gallop, mane and tail streaming, while the terrified rider

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When I was young in the 1940’s there were lots of wee shoppies in Rothes. Starting at the bottom of High Street was Teenie Broons who sold everything including Murray the bakers from Fochabers plain loaf which came in on a Saturday afternoon, there was always a queue waiting. Mrs Robertson’s sweetie shop was further up the street and here you could get a Lyons ice-cream in a paper for tuppence or a cone for thruppence. Next in line was Crai- gie the Barber where you could get the best ‘bowl cut’ in the town. Jimmy McDonald the butcher was next and then John Enfield the tailor.

On the other side of the street was the garage and just past the road up to the castle was Dunnetts who sold groceries and sweeties, where Costcutters is now was Porter the tailor and next door was Don Cumming the chemist. Jock Watson’s was a bigger grocer where you could buy a pennies worth of grapes or broken biscuits. Annie Younie the drapers was a very dark shop as she only ever had one light in it. Ian Clark the newsagent was next in line, I was a paper boy there for a few years. Further on was Donald Fraser the butcher where a sixpence would buy you a nice bone for soup. Over the bridge on the corner of Burnside Street was Jimmy Innes the grocer.

On the corner of New Street was Willie ‘Watchie’ Davidson where you could buy a fishing hook for a penny. I remember he had a Pekinese dog sitting on the counter. Nellie Green the grocer was next and then Douey Clerihew’s chip shop and next door Ackie Henderson the butcher. Where ‘The Cottage’ is now was a small sweetie shop, Mary Reid’s. There was also a wee sweetie shop in North Street. On the corner across from the Station Hotel was Thompson‘s shoe shop and the next shops along were Rhynas the bakers and their large grocery store with its smell of freshly ground coffee coming from the door. Simpson the baker is still there, its fine to see it still going strong.

Into the Square was Sarah Green another grocer which later became Jock Murray’s chip shop. Johnnie An- dersons garage was where we used to take our wireless batteries to be charged. The Post Office was next to the line gates and across the road was Toby Grant the blacksmith, and his brother who had a cartwrights business. This was where Anvil Gardens is now. That’s around 25 shops in all, let me know if I’ve missed any. How on earth did we manage without Asda and Tesco!!!!!!!!

The Rothesian Group wish to thank Jimmy Logan for his interesting articles. We are also delighted that his health has improved after his recent illness. Keep them coming Jimmy.

Picture one - Hugh Percival and Johnnie Brown outside Jimmy Innes, grocer.(1950’s) Picture two – J McIntosh, W Henderson ,Greta Tawse,--, Marion and Mag- nus Tawse(blackening), Jocky Phinn, Dougie Percival at Simpson’s bake- house. (1959)

20 ROTHES CASTLE 1918 – The Last Casualties

Rothes castle was founded in the 12th century by the With the recent TV programmes focusing on the last De Pollocs. It was recognised as one of the most an- days of the Great War, and various celebrities re- cient strong holds in this country. It is said the searching their links with this conflict, it should be Leslies who married into the De Polloc family had remembered that Rothes and Knockando lads were come from Hungary with Atheling, the wife of Mal- also caught up in these final months. colm Canmore. In 1457 they were created Earls of Rothes by James the Second. They seem to have re- Cpl Robert Phinn 7 Seaforths died 1-10-1918 in Belgium sided at Rothes until about 1620 when they then aged 19 moved to Fifeshire. In 1700 they sold their posses- Gnr John B Kerr RGA died 3-9-1918 in the Somme Area, France also 19 sions to Grant of Elchies. Gnr Alex McCulloch RGA died 7-10-1918 in France aged The Castle was four storeys high. A portcullis guard- 23 Pte William Fraser Royal Scots died 24-9-1918 aged 19 in France Pte Charles Cameron MG Corps died 3-7-1918 aged 27. He was a POW in Germany.

Following the Armistice on 11th November 1918 Pte William Strathdee RAS C died in Germany 14-2-1919 Pte Alastair W Cameron Gordons aged 24 died of wounds as POW in Germany on 23-12-1918. Three brothers of this family died in the conflict. Pte James McGregor Russell Davidson Camerons died in France 3-3-1919. ed the entrance and a drawbridge crossed the moat that ran between the protecting wall and the hill on which Two lads made it home, only to die of wounds a short time the castle stood. later. Pte John Kellas London Scot died aged 27 on 5-5-1920 and The Leslie coat of arms consists of three buckles and Pte Walter RC Burgess 7& 9th Seaforths died aged 20 on 20 motto ‘Grip Fast’. The origin of this coat of arms -10-1919 came from an incident when Bartholomew Leslie carried Queen Agatha on his horse, and with a belt buck- From Knockando led on him commanded the Queen while crossing the Pte William Blair Camerons died aged 20 in Belgium on 31 river to ‘grip fast’. -10-1918 Gnr James Walker MM RGA aged 23 died in France 28-9- 1918 The castle and adjoining buildings were burned down Two brothers died within a month of each other. in 1662 by villagers who were staunch supporters of Lt Donald Shand Can Inf died of wounds 2-11-1918 aged the Covenanters movement. Their excuse being – to 36 in Knockando prevent thieves being harboured there. L/Cpl James Shand Can Mil Police aged 30 died of pneu- monia on 1-12-1918 in France. A reader Illness took its toll as well. Spanish flu was pandemic by the We are grateful to all who send in articles. end and two of the three Canadians interred in Rothes may well have been victims. The third was an accident casualty. (Pte George White Can For Corps 14th May 1918 aged 23) Pte Garfield Eby CEF died on 5-11-1918 and Pte Henri Berthiaume Can For Corps died 6-11-1918

For anyone wishing to investigate the 6th (Morayshire) Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, a recently published book could be a good starting point. The author, Derek Bird lives in Garmouth and has been researching the local battalion for some time. ‘The Spirit of the Troops is Excellent’ is the title to look for. It is much easier to visit the WW1 Battlefields in the Western Front each year. Please remember that this conflict is still claiming casualties 90 years later – farmers removing ‘debris’ from their fields for exam- ple, keep the modern bomb disposal teams busy. (300 tonnes last year) This stuff is still live and lethal, so pick up nothing as a ‘souvenir’.

21 ROTHES ROVERS FOOTBALL CLUB. PAST TEN YEARS.

Congratulations to the Rothesian on your 10th Anni- The Rovers was set up in 1986 for primary school versary. At the moment we have 35 players, 6 of children. Playing friendlies at first, the Speyside Foot- which are girls. The football season is now over. ball League started in 1987. I have been involved with The P6/7s played better near the end of the season and the Rovers since 1999. There have been a lot of good finished 2nd bottom. The P3 & unders again enjoyed times since I took over from Dez. the friendly games and tournaments. The P5 & unders The P6/7s winning the league twice, 2004 & 2007. had the best season of our 3 age groups. Runners up to 2007 was the first year of the John Cooper Shield. top team Aberlour in the Trocadero Trophy and Most of the seasons we finished runners up, as with Devine Cup, but we were surprise winners of the the p4/5s team. We also won many cup finals and one Speymouth One Day Tournament, scoring eleven day tournaments. There have been a lot of good play- goals and conceding just two, and third in league. ers, boys & girls, too many to name. A lot of them Back in wet July the Walkers Tournament was held in went on to play at high school, girls teams & welfare Aberlour. It was not a day for a wheelie bin to be oot, team. but the tournament went ahead. P6/7 were 4th out of 7. Over the years we have been lucky with strip spon- The P3 & unders used the day to get used to tourna- sors. I Fraser & Sons (P6/7s) twice, Rothes Book ment play. The P5 & unders finished 3rd. Goalie Jack Group (P4/5), G. Laing Stonecraft. (1,2&3s ). This Reid & pocket striker Michael Watson picked up year, Speyside Car Sales, P4/5s & P6/7s teams. Also Goalie & Player of the Tournament for their age rainjackets for 1,2&3 team from John & Betty Tilley, group. Well done to all players and parents who stuck and Mrs I.Thompson who organised a couple of tom- it out in terrible conditions. bolas to purchase rainjackets for the older players. During season Michael Watson scored a record total This season, Rothes Wind Ltd donated enough to kit of 62 goals just beating Grant Johnstons 60 goals. out the whole squad with rainjackets. I would like to A big thank you to Rothes Wind Ltd. for the one thou- sand pound donation for us to buy 48 rain jackets for the whole squad. We are now training indoors at the Grant Hall on a Wednesday: P1,2&3, 6.00pm-7.00pm. P4 to 7, 7.00pm -8.30pm, cost £1 per night to cover hall costs. If any primary school child is interested in joining, come along to the hall or give me a call. On behalf of Rothes Rovers I would like to thank all parents, players and sponsors over the long season for their support, and wish them and your readers near and far, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Willie Younie. 01340 831732. thank on behalf of Rothes Rovers all the sponsors past, present & in the future. Congratulations to the Rothe- sian on the past ten years . Willie Younie.

22 ROTHES WIND FARM FUND DOG FOULING

Rothes Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund was es- I am fed up looking at my feet when walking down the tablished in 2005 when the Wind Farm at Cairn Uish Street and most annoyed when seeing our visitors go became operational. The amount of the fund is based away and right in front of our gate a dog doing it’s on the output of the electricity generated by the farm, business and the owner away down by the farm not i.e. 50.6 megawatts by £700 giving a total of £35,420 even noticing, therefore I had to clean it up. of which Rothes receives 25% amounting to £8,855 I have already reported to Moray Council regarding per annum. Added to this is an annual uplift based on dog fouling. A warden came to speak to me and said the Retail Price Index as at 31st May which runs at he would possibly put up some notices, and that has around 4% making the total grant approximately been done, but I said dogs can’t read. Notices should £9,200. The remaining 75% of the fund goes to Hel- be big enough for people to read from a distance, re- don Community Council. garding that IT WAS AGAINST THE LAW FOR Applications are invited from community groups and THE PUBLIC NOT TO PICK UP AFTER THEIR organisations in the town and these are scrutinised by DOGS. I agree that Spey Street is a disgrace and own- a sub-committee before submitting them to the fund- ers should have more thought, after all the council ing body. The sub-committee is made up by the office even supply bags free of charge, I believe. bearers of Rothes Council, two members of the public The gentleman in question did say he was to patrol the attending the AGM, and the local Minister and Head street and notify any person he caught, it was against Teacher of the school as ex-officio members. Since the law, and keep their name on file. the first grant on 21 December 2005 a total of £34,780 I feel like naming and shaming. has been received and disbursed to groups and causes Doreen Riddoch in the community. The next call for applications will be in February for payout in May/June Recently, while rejoicing that it was possible to give the dog a run in a field recently vacated by livestock, I was disgusted to see the method some dog owner(s) had adopted in disposing of their dog’s waste. Along SPEYSIDE COUNCIL the side of the field on the right-hand side of the track leading to the barn were umpteen ‘poo’ bags, which The Speyside Council is still in existence after some appeared to have been chucked over the fence into the 35 years of being the voice of Speyside. There have field where sheep had been grazing. The result of the been many achievements during its lifetime which are collection of these black bags, is shown in the photo now history. Since handing over its main role to and none of them were donated by our dog. MVSO in 1995 it has continued to function as a The nearest red disposal point for dog waste is at An- watchdog and representative body for Speyside as a vil Garden’s end of Land Street, but it seems that this whole, responding to the many consultative documents was a step too far for some. Cleaning up also expects emanating from The Moray Council. Such subjects as RESPON- school closures, footpaths network, public transport SIBLE and closures of post offices and the banks have been DISPOSAL tackled. OF THE Sadly, of late, attendances at meetings have dwindled WASTE. with only a hard core of community representatives Someone being at all meetings. The recent formation of Area also could Forums has raised the question of duplication of effort not be both- and this is something that will be tackled in the New ered to cart Year. Finally, our Secretary, who happens to be only home emp- the third holder of the post, is retiring at the AGM in ty drink May. So we are now actively looking for a replace- cans from ment, and if anyone out there wants an interesting vol- the same untary job, please contact Brenda Cooper on 871882 track. Neatly tied up in a plastic bag, they were left or Jim Anderson on 831328. there. Whoever is responsible, could you please collect your rubbish and either place in the appropriate point in the Park or in the orange box at home? As for the dog waste – it will be by the red bin for disposal, with a suitable label. Sandra Ross

23 THE ROTHES COUNCIL

Although the Rothesian is editorially independent of the Rothes Council, the Council does keep and eye on its finances and was instrumental in setting it up in 1998. Since 2003 it has been printed by the council’s subsidiary, Rothes Community Ltd. In celebrating the Rothesian’s tenth anniversary, I have been asked to review some of the successes and (failures) of the Rothes Council over the last ten years.

Many of the achievements in the town have been brought about by consultation with or pressure on Moray Council. The Rothes Council has always been involved in road safety issues and were instrumental in 1999 in getting yellow lines in North Street to improve safety at the roundabout. We have since tried to get off street parking there but to no avail. In the 1990’s we looked at possible “one-way “ lanes in Rothes but rejected the idea as this could cause problems rather than a cure. In 2003, with the help of the Rothesian, the lanes in the town were given name-plates by Moray Council to reflect the historically used names.

Proposals for a pedestrian crossing in High Street were rejected by Moray Council, and unfortunately, confirmed by a traffic census in 1997 and again in 2004 though both surveys were carried out at less than busy times of the year. As a pedestrian crossing is the number one priority for the community Rothes Council is still pressing for this to happen. Pearl Paul and Jim Anderson of Rothes council are meeting with Elaine Penny of Moray Council in early December to discuss this matter. A recent bid for bus shelters in Rothes was also unsuccessful.

We have been successful, however, in getting the road to the cemetery tarred and are investigating possible tarring of the cemetery car park. The road into the park was tarred in 1999 and a proper path laid in the park to link up with the Bairn’s Brig. This was done under the Safer Routes to School Scheme. Other road safety matters pushed for by the council have included “dragon’s teeth” and red surfacing at the south entrance to the town, the extension of the 30 mph limit beyond the houses on the Orton Road, the periodic provision of “smiley faces” as a warning to motorists entering the town and the 20mph limit at the approaches to the school. The erection of flash- ing lights warning of flooding in High Street are imminent. Pressure on Moray Council has also seen Spey Street upgraded and new drainage installed in North Street.

We have continued to take an interest in the footpaths in the area and are represented on the Moray Footpaths Net- work. The Dounie Walk was completed in April 2004 as a circular returning past the Golf Course and a view- point was erected in 2006. Under the new “Core Footpaths” scheme others may become possible. In 1998 we tried to get a spur of the Speyside Way to come to Rothes but this found no favours with the powers that be.

Rothes Council has always had to rely on grants or do its own fundraising, so after a ten year break they resumed the running of the Rothes Ga- la in 2003. One of the main purposes of the funds was for the Christmas Lights display. Since 1995 we have had a group of volunteers led by electrician Keith Ross who organise and erect the Christmas lights at no cost to the council. As a result the display has improved regularly over the years with monies from fundraising and Wind Farm grants. Electric- ity costs are covered by donations from the public in the collection boxes around the town. In 2001 with the assistance of grants and fundraising the Rothes War Memorial was floodlit and a dedication service, led by Rev. Anderson, was held on 31st December.

The council Millennium Group organised a church service, a torchlight parade, a bonfire, a fireworks display and a dance to celebrate the millennium in 2000 and also marked the occasion by donating a dictionary to every child in the town and planting a dozen oak trees.

Rothes Council first set up a visitor centre in 1993. After the use of several venues, the council with the help of grants from the lottery, HIE, 24 MBSE, Moray Council and local businesses, purchased and equipped the former dress shop at 86 New Street. A company known as Rothes Community Ltd was set up and the visitor/resource centre opened for business in August, 2003. The Cottage is staffed fully by volunteers. Rothes Community Ltd are also responsible for the ‘play trail’ which was financed and purchased by the same means. Although much work has been done on site, there is little interest in the community, therefore a decision has been made to investigate the selling on of the site to provide industrial premises in the town.

In 1999 Rothes council worked with Rothes Primary School in researching the history of Rothes Castle through Historic Scot- land. Interpretation panels were drawn up by the school and a plinth erected at the castle on the site of the World War One gun.

An important sub-group of the Rothes council is the Floral team who fill the tubs twice yearly and erect the hanging baskets. In this they are now assisted by the Horticultural Society and the watering is now done by Speyside Garden Services. The ‘Cafie’s Brae’ has been much improved and the daffodils ex- tended in a Field of Hope’, the raised bed at the northern entrance was erected in 2002 and new tubs and hanging baskets enhance the town.

Rothes Council was asked by the Rothes Wind Farm to set up a group to administer the Community Fund. This group meet twice yearly.

Although the normal monthly meetings are open to the public various meeting have been organised to reflect matters of community concern. Among those are:- Clydesdale Bank Closure – Although unsuccessful in per- suading them to stay open we managed to negotiate with the Royal Bank of Scotland to install an Autoteller in the Square and have weekly visits from their mobile bank. The change from The Ben Aigen Hotel to a house of multi- ple use – We reached agreement with Moray Council on a restriction in users within the hotels in Rothes at any one time. The closure of Rothes Library – The library is now to be moved to the Primary school. Moray Burial Grounds Research Group talk on their work – Dundurcas cemetery has been done, Rothes cemetery to follow. The consultations and speakers attending over the last ten years are too numerous to mention, however, the Rothes council has a good relationship with the local police who attend our meetings when duty permits. A wreath is laid on behalf of Rothes Council at the war Memori- al on Armistice Day.

I hope I have been able to show that the Rothes Council has achieved quite a lot over the last ten years and is not just a talking shop.

John Tilley

Thank you John. John, a long time member and minute secretary of the Rothes Council, had to take a sabbatical due to ill health. It is great to see him well again.. John was also a past chairman of Rothes Council..

Pictures:- ‘Dragon’s teeth’ South of Rothes. Keith Ross’ team erecting the Christmas lights. Rothes Gala fancy dress. ‘The Cottage’, 86 New Street.. The Floral team – Ian Masson-Jim Anderson-Irene Shaw-Alison Howie- Mollie Scott – Ray Brumby.

25 OUR HEARTS IN THE HIGHLANDS

In July of this year, 2008, the Allan Clan travelled north by air, then in a fleet of hired cars and headed for the heart of our beloved Speyside.

The excitement we felt when we headed north in Dad’s Morris Oxford traveller car fifty years ago to visit our Granddad was no less now, we felt like pioneers. In fact it must be infectious as our children and grandchildren feel that excitement too as we head towards the Highlands. The trip no longer takes as long, but we make it part of the holiday, stopping off on route to reminisce at places we have stopped before, (we are a very nostalgic family).

This year we were 21 in number the ages ranging from Grace Isabella my granddaughter who is 7 to our dad Lewis Robb Allan, our Patriarch who is 86. Our sister Libby hired Kellas House, which was beautifully situated in lovely grounds. We felt like landed gentry, we even took over the gatehouse. We have stayed in some super large holiday homes over the years when visiting Speyside, but our favourite still has to be Auchenroath House. We could just stroll into Rothes from there, but as the clan has grown in numbers it can no longer accommodate us.

Our dad was born in North Street, Rothes in 1922, an only child to Jane Mary Robb and Lewis Henderson Allan. Granddad or Lewie or the Laird of Eppie Houies as he was known, was a carpenter at Glen Grant Distillery for many years, He had a wonderful head of white hair of which he was very proud, he always said Sandy Allan would love it! Our granddad was always so happy to have us stay with him, to have a house taken over by three boisterous children did not bother him at all. It was always sad to wave goodbye to him, leaving him alone again.

Dad is a real Rothes loon and still suffers with home sickness for his beloved Rothes even now. We have been very lucky that over the years friends have sent dad the Rothesian and we are very grateful for that. Long may it be published. Rothes seems much closer when he reads about people he knows, and his accent becomes broader.

Dad attended Rothes School and gained The Dux for Moray and Nairn, he received a good education there. Sadly his mother died when he was very young and his life changed a great deal. He joined the Seafield Estate and had the joys of working outside in the tree nurseries, and then planted countless trees around Rothes, dad has always said it was one of his favourite jobs. We used to be so full of pride when he pointed out the trees he had planted years before. When the war came dad joined the Air force, and when the war ended dad joined Cus- toms and Excise. He travelled south to Harwich, Essex and there he met and married Hazel, our lovely mum, the rest is history Fortunately for us mum had a great love of Scotland too. My first trip to Rothes was when I was six months old, arriving at Rothes station complete with Silver Cross pram!!!

Our three weeks holidays were spent in Rothes every year, we loved the freedom it gave us, such simple pleasures. We loved to go to Louise Sims shop to buy cremola foam to make lemonade, I can still remember the com- forting smell the shop had. Granddad would cycle up to Simpson’s the bakers to get us butteries and morning rolls, we loved our breakfast. There was always great excitement when we heard the clip clopping of Dod Mel- drum’s horse Peggy as she came down North Street to deliver the milk, we fed her on stale butteries. I loved to visit Dod’s farm and was thrilled when I was allowed to have a drive of the tractor. It was so sad when Dod died I felt another chapter in Rothes life had ended.

Every time we come back to Rothes there are set things we do. Visit the cemetery to lay flowers on granddads grave, have a picnic and dam building session in the burn up the Dounie, both young and old enjoy this. Charlie Grubb joined us up there this year and had a good blether to dad, happy days. We always visit Glen Grant Distill- ery where the staff always make us very welcome and this year mum and dad had the pleasure of Dennis Mal- colm ’s hospitality. It is so good when local folk make us feel so special. Granddad’s workshop has 26 altered a bit, but the memories still linger. The gardens are always a joy to walk through. Dad remem- bers them from years gone by when Mr Beaton was the head gardener. LADIES GROUP Well I had best stop my blethering. My brother Jim- my, sister Libby and I count ourselves very lucky that We have had a varied range of speakers, demonstra- we have known the joys of growing up amidst the tors and film shows over the years and we still manage beauty of Rothes. Memories of all those we hold dear to have something not previously done. On the 29th have sustained us through our lives. And in turn our November it is off to Christies for a ‘rekkie’ then on to children and grandchildren will return to the innocent the Quaich for tea. The party on the 3rd January com- pleasures and the laughter that still can be heard up the pletes our first half. September 2009 is a big date for Dounie. We will be back!! us as we are 25 years on the “go”. Again new members are most welcome. Jenni Margaret Matthews (President)

GORDON KELMAN Electrical Contractor

Gordon and Joan would like to thank Whitmarsh, Lewis Allan and Clan. all their customers and friends for their continued support, and wish them Pictures - Glen Grant Distillery, Rothes Primary a Merry Christmas and a School ( Was primary and secondary in past), The Happy New Year. Dounie Falls and The Glen Grant Victorian Gardens. 18 Spey Drive, Rothes 01340 831406 Rothes Local News - 100 years ago

Owing to an outbreak of measles, the children attending the Public School, with the exception of those in the higher grade department, have been dismissed for a month’s holiday.

27 Angus Robertson MP said: Rothes Graduates 2008

Lindsay Mackay "Community newsletters play a very im- Lindsay was awarded a First after five years at Aber- portant part in towns and villages across deen University. He is now an M. Eng. and working Moray and the Rothesian is an excellent ex- toward becoming chartered. ample of such a newsletter. With local news He is living in Glenrothes and is working as a struc- tural engineer in Edinburgh for Jacobs Engineering and events information it is an important cog Group. He is presently working on a project in Glas- in community life and I congratulate all those gow. He is getting married to Magdalene in Arbroath involved in pulling together the Rothesian on Dec 27th. and publishing it." Marjorie Johnston

Marjorie graduated as a doctor from Aberdeen Univer- Richard Lochhead MSP said: sity this July. She is now working until July 2009 as a "The Rothesian has been extremely suc- Foundation Year 1 doctor be- cessful in informing locals and visitors tween the Western and Gartna- val Hospitals in Glas- alike of Rothes events and goings on. This gow. From August 2009 she anniversary is a major milestone and I will work as a Foundation congratulate the Rothesian team on their Year 2 doctor at the Stirling achievements to date and wish them every Royal Infirmary. On comple- tion of these years she will success for the future.” carry out a three year training programme in her chosen field. Rothesian, James Johnston It is a privilege to be asked to send a message of con- James is Marjorie’s brother. He achieved a B Eng First gratulations to mark the 10th anniversary of The Class honours degree, but is now back at Strathclyde Rothesian. doing a post graduate MSc in Engineering Sustainabil- Who would have thought that as a result of a small ity Energy and the Environment. He is going to gradu- group of interested, enthusiastic and like-minded peo- ate in both fields next November 2009. ple attending a Saturday workshop in Cromdale, the local news from Rothes would now reach out to so many Rothesians, not just locally but around the world? HENBOG / COCKINCH? I am proud to have been involved in the birth of The Rothesian and to have worked with a team of such Can anyone throw light upon the origins of the names committed, generous and warm-hearted folk; without Henbog and Cockinch? them your community would truly be less rich in spir- No-one seems to know! it. Hearty congratulations to all who have contributed to this achievement and best wishes for future. Ann Appleford Gatehouse of Fleet