Braemar Buzzard informing the community Issue 44 - March 2017 www.braemarbuzzard.org.uk Happy Anniversary! The Buzzard is ten years old this March! Take a look at pages 8 & 9 to reflect on a few of those things that have happened in Braemar during this time. And not only is the Buzzard celebrating, other anniversaries of note… the school believes it’s coming up for 150 years; the Castle knows it’s been in community operation for 10 years page10; and Crathie Opportunity Holidays celebrates 15 years page 6. But returning to our ten year theme The discovery of a school log book dating from 1889- - what do you think the village look like in 1914, and the possibility that Braemar school may be another ten years (will the Buzzard STILL 150 years old, has inspired a new school project to be going? You can help secure its future mark the occasion. Maybe you have some infor- by getting involved... our AGM is coming mation (especially in relation to when the school was up page 2). Invercauld Estate has a look built)? Photos? Stories? - then the school would love forward page 11; some of the local to hear from you. Read more on page 15 primary school children add their views page 15; and a peek at the latest Community Action Plan shows what a lot is happening in the village now and will be in the years to come! In this issue - the Community Garden Project is currently recruiting members page 12 as is the new Samba Group page 14, Braemar TV is looking for new stars page 2 and there are four vacancies on Braemar’s Community Council page 3. The New Managing Director of Glenshee Ski Centre is David Welcome to Braemar! - pictured above, Farquharson or Farky as he is more three new part-time employees working in the commonly known. He was born and bred in village - two for the castle and one for St Magaret’s. Blairgowrie but for the past 21 years has From left to right Matt Halliday, Castle Fundraiser made Braemar his home. He has been and Project manager, Georgina Errington, Castle involved with Glenshee for many years and Manager and Jane Smith, St Margaret’s Trust Arts his father, who sadly died when Farky was Administrator. A ‘hot’ desk is being prepared for only 6 years old, was one of the original them in the Parish Church. builders of the Glenshee ski lifts in 1963. Farky has been working in the oil industry for many years and is now looking forward to Special 10th Anniversary Issue working permanently in Braemar. 1 Braemar Buzzard informing the community Issue 44 - March 2017 Community Update: Water quality - following complaints, three representatives from Scottish Water attended a recent community council meeting to listen Braemar News Group to details of the problems and to report on www.braemarbuzzard.org.uk sampling of the local water quality which they have recently undertaken. Several residents Chair: Pete Mulvey Treasurer: Dorothy described their own experience of unpleasant taste in tap water in their homes - and Ramsay Secretary: Margaret Palmer 013397 business owners reported similar complaints 41590 Buzzard Editor: Liz Robertson from guests and customers - an issue which 013397 41030 undermines the promoted image of Braemar as a ‘stunning natural environment’ and a Please send any news/letters/articles to healthy place to live in and visit. By email: [email protected] Scottish Water are required by law to By post: Coldrach Lodge, Chapel Brae chemically treat all water for human AB35 5YT By phone: 013397 41030 consumption to statutory levels - and all of the samples which they have been taken recently For advertising: contact Maggie MacKay within the village have fallen within the 013397 41245. Adverts cost £15 per eighth of a stipulated safe levels – disturbingly however it page. was reported that tropical fish will die within a short time of exposure to it! Additional Past and current editions of the Buzzard together sampling is now to be offered to any with the ’live’ events calendar (updated between properties who wish it - and this can be issues) can be viewed online (in FULL colour!) on arranged by contacting Katy Fennema at Callater Lodge. our website: www.braemarbuzzard.org.uk Copies are delivered free of charge within the locality of Braemar TV Short Braemar. Extra copies can be obtained from the of something to watch garage, the art gallery, the ’Speciality Shop’ and on the box? then why the newsagent/pharmacy. The Buzzard is funded not turn on Braemar TV! It’s a new by advertising and donations - donation tins are at voluntary venture by all these outlets for any very welcome contribution local filmmakers Dale towards costs. Johnson and Colin Wight and presented by Doreen Wood. The Braemar News Group AGM first edition was unveiled at the end of Jan. Moorfield House Hotel and a whole new programme will come out on the last day of each month on the Braemar TV Friday April 21st @ at 6.0 pm Facebook page. Colin said, “We just thought All welcome the village needed a platform to let people see everything that’s going on here. We thought it The News Group is responsible for was a great chance to introduce some new producing the Buzzard Newsletter (distributed to faces and hear more about people who’ve all local households free of charge) together with lived here all their life. We may even cover the occasional publication ‘Community future events and concerts live so watch out Matters’ (detailing clubs and services within the for advance notice on Facebook.” village). This March is the group’s ten year The latest edition included a look-back anniversary - we would like it to remain a vibrant with David Geddes on growing up in Braemar, a report on the new bowling facility in and valued organisation and to do so, seek your Castleton Hall and an update on the playpark support - be this just coming along to the AGM refurbishment. According to Colin “There’s (and even better - giving us some feedback on the lots going on in the village. If anyone wants to publications!) or by taking a more active role in contribute ideas for future programmes, news collection (new ideas and new faces are compile their own report or send us stills or most welcome) or by simply giving us your money videos they’re very welcome. It’s Braemar’s via the donation tins or by taking out an advert. TV station, not ours!” Braemar TV can be contacted by speak- Unbelievably the advertising rate hasn’t changed ing to Colin or Dale, by 07850 758427 or in ten years (a real bargain) and it’s a very through the Facebook page or by emailing effective way of reaching a local audience but [email protected] provides us with a vital source of revenue. 2 Braemar Buzzard informing the community Issue 44 - March 2017 The Braemar Care Initiative (BCI) the response of the emergency responders. pushes forward, working towards providing Braemar Community Council (BCC) have set up care for the community from within the a small group to look at Resilience Planning community. The BCI Steering Group have now here. We have had our fair share of incidents visited and made contact with a number of and, like other Aberdeenshire villages, we can organisations providing care and services in probably do more to prepare ourselves for the new and innovative ways, including: next one! Police guidance is to prepare a Highland Home Care/Foyers simple, generic response plan that we can The Foyer, Aberdeen adapt easily. BCC will be looking to build a Cornerstone register of local volunteers to help with VSA communications / transport / some manual tasks and potentially, run a refuge centre - Perthshire Care and Wellbeing Cooperative should it ever be needed… These visits have been informative, thought provoking and inspiring and will form the basis Hydro Update In the 3 month period of discussion around the structure of the October to December, in what was a relatively Braemar Care Initiative. A workshop will be dry autumn, the Hydro generated 73,820 kWh held in May with our key stakeholders to of electricity with a value in the region of identify the most functional and appropriate £18,500. Rainfall measured in Braemar organisational structure for the BCI. was 73% of the ‘expected’ level and generation was 76% of the projection in the long term Cairngorm National Park Authority (CNPA) forecast. Interpretation boards are now in Courses there are lots planned and more place at the turbine house and primary intake in the pipeline including... ‘Alpine Lichens’, and the compensatory tree planting has begun. Thursday 23 March at Grantown on Spey; Looking ahead our Feed in Tariff is guaranteed ‘Lambing’, Monday 20 March, in Strathspey; for 20 years. Over this period, and subject to ‘All About Fungi’, Thursday 7 September (with rainfall, the Hydro will generate revenue to cov- a very familiar face Liz Holden!) at Boat of er the running costs, repay the investors and Garten. Courses are aimed at people living or build the community fund. Beyond that we have working in the National Park. More information the option of extending the lease for a further 20 at www.cairngorms.co.uk years. Over the coming months the mechanism to manage the community fund will be defined. Braemar and Crathie Church is currently Dave Sherrard agreeing its 5 Year Plan, in line with the village`s Community Action Plan. There is Call for nominations - much going on in the Church community as the Community Council There are four range of services, events and meetings is vacancies.