A U T U M N 2 0 1 3

the SouthDeeside Local News and Views from North Kincardine View

Macmillan  Coffee    Morning  Friday  October  4th  at  

Storybook  Glen,  Maryculter  from  10.15  to  noon.  Enjoy   browsing   and   purchasing   from   the   many  stalls   of   crafts,   bring   and   buy,   baking,   books   etc.  Teas,  coffee  and  home  baking  are  provided  plus  a  raffle.  Please   contact   Sheila   Stewart,   Tel:   734222,   if   you  wish   to   take   a   stall,   provide   raffle   prizes   or   any  contributions   to   the   sale.     Any   last   minute  offerings  will  be  gladly  accepted  at  the  door.  Admission  by  donation.  (Yes, it is a week later than the national event!)

Meal an’ Ale Evening A  Gran’  Array  o’  Traditional  Performers    

Cookney  Hall  Saturday  October  5th  at  7.30pm  

Booking  Essential  Tickets  from  Joyce  Murison  

Tel  01569  731236  www.thedoricfestival.com  

Editors’  Notes   2  Blairs  Museum   2  Youth  Activities   3  Primary  Schools   5  Clubs  &  Societies   6  Community  Halls   7  

Maryculter  Woodlands  Trust   7  Leisure  Activities   8  

Police,  Home  Deliveries   9  Driving  for  the  Disabled   9  

The  Den  &  The  Glen   10  Devenick  Dairy   10  

St  Mary’s  Chapel,  Blairs   11  St  Ternan’s  Muchalls   11  Banchory-­‐Devenick  &    

Maryculter-­‐Cookney  Parish  Church    12  

A  Farewell  to  Banchory-­‐Devenick  Church   13  Hall  Bookings,  Chapelton  of  Elsick   14  

Roof  Garden  for  ARI   15  Paul  Lawrie  Golf  Centre  &  Circles  Café   15  

Nature  Notes   16  North  Kincardine  Rural  Community  Council   17  

Councillors   20  MP  &  MSP,  Solstice  Nurseries   21  

Advertisements   22  Useful  Numbers  and  Events  Diary   24  

 

WHAT’S INSIDE

www.nkrcc.org.uk/sdv

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What a wonderful harvest we’re having – hay has matured fast in

the summer sunshine, grain needed little extra drying and

straw bales gleam gold in the fields. Massive crops of rowans are

bending branches and this must be the best bramble season for a very long time.

We have been harvesting too – for news of what’s going on in our area. Thanks to everyone who has provided us with an update of their activities. We said goodbye to co-editor Pam in July when she moved to Stavanger. Her enthusiasm and journalistic experience made much appreciated improvements to this publication over the last six years. SDV has a new look – thanks to Lynne who recently moved to live locally and has volunteered to produce our newsletter. All phone numbers are Aberdeen listed (01224) unless otherwise indicated. We have included

Facebook logos, where appropriate, to indicate businesses and places that

periodically update their pages with news and information of interest. Remember to ‘like’ these pages to receive their latest posts. You can also find us online and in colour and at www.nkrcc.org.uk/sdv where the Community Council have given us a web page on their site, with previous issues going back several years. We are always on the look out for others to contribute to SDV – with articles, suggestions, offers of editorial help as well as taking on a delivery route. Do contact us (see back page) – many hands make light work!

NOTES FROM THE EDITORS AUTUMN 2013

Blairs Museum is currently staffed by a part-time manager and two volunteers. 2013 has been a busy which is

good! You may be aware that the Blairs Memorial Portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots is the centre piece of an exhibition about her at the National Museum, Chambers Street, Edinburgh.

Three other items have been loaned from Blairs Museum – the portraits of Marie Stuart (when Mary was about 17) and Cardinal Beaton (who baptised and crowned Mary) as well as a chasuble (vestment) with panels contemporary with Mary including one of St Andrew. The exhibition contains over 200 items connected with Mary and is well worth seeing. It is only on in Edinburgh and runs until 17 November.

Meantime at Blairs we have some new exhibits. Penny Dransart is an archaeologist who has been excavating the site of the Bishop’s Palace at Fetternear. Penny has put together a small exhibition of some of the finds from fifteen summer digs and will be giving a talk about this at Blairs Museum on 17 September at 7 pm followed by light refreshments.

Four pieces of the Holyrood Silver are currently on loan to Blairs Museum. Three of the pieces – a chalice, a paten (plate) and a bell were at Blairs for the first half of the 20th century so are returning home in a sense.

Two paintings are on display for the first time. A donor panel dating from around 1500 and a crucifixion scene dated 1642 have recently been restored thanks to grants from Woodmansterne Publications Ltd and the Association of Independent Museums respectively. Without these grants this work would not have been possible and Blairs Museum is very grateful to both funding bodies.

Throughout most of October Cheryl Lord will be exhibiting her oil paintings in support of the charity, Down's Syndrome Scotland. Cheryl has a BA in Art and Aesthetics and an MA in Fine Art and has been painting in oils for many years. The inspiration for her exhibition comes from the close bond with her three grandchildren and exploring the differences in our perception of 'normal' and 'abnormal'. One grandchild has Down’s syndrome and, in the words of the artist, ‘is simply an angel, bringing joy and pleasure to our lives’ so what is normal? The title of the exhibition is ‘The upside of Down’s.’

Details of any events can be found on the events page of the Blairs Museum website.

Tel 863767 www.blairsmuseum.com

STOP PRESS ££££ Meikle Carewe

Community Fund

Guidelines and application forms can be downloaded from the KMAP website:

www.kmap.org.uk/meikle-carewe-wind-farm.html

These must be returned by the end of November and will be considered in

December.

See further information on Page 17 in the NKRCC section.

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Maryculter Beavers The Beavers had great fun at Drum Castle Gardens in May when they planted snowdrop bulbs and collected fallen redwood cones for drying for Christmas. We also held a scavenger hunt, a nature trail and finished off the term with a fun night at the newly refurbished Duthie Park. As a result of all these outdoor activities all the Beavers obtained their Outdoor Activity badge.

At the start of the Autumn term we should have 16 Beavers in the Colony. This is at the limit for our current two leaders and any additional members will require the recruitment of a further leader. Volunteers welcome!

Beavers meet in the Scout Hut, Kirkton of Maryculter from 5.30 to 7.00 p.m. on Tuesdays. Any child aged 6 or 7 wishing to join should contact:

Kathleen Paterson, Tel: 868676

1st Maryculter Cubs Once again our Cubs have made the most of wonderful local terrain, star gazing from the hill top above Maryculter, orienteering at Crathes and devising means to cross the Crynoch Burn without getting their feet wet. (That was the objective, anyway!)

Baloo kindly returned as guest leader for a couple of nights to guide the Cubs to their Naturalist badge, and badges have also been widely awarded for astronomy, meeting the community and fitness challenges.

We had an overnight camp in the Glebe field, followed by our annual summer camp at Templars’ Park. The Cubs completed their camper and chef badges, producing tasty pasta bolognaise over an open fire, no less. Four of our Cubs then led a group of more than 100 Scouts around the campfire, teaching them the Haka and ‘A Mini, Mini, Mini and a 4x4’. Crate climbing was a big hit, with our Cubs succeeding in climbing to the top of as many as thirteen bottle crates stacked in a column – a true feat of balance and courage, and great fun all round.

Before the October break we hope to continue to make the most of the sunny weather with a hike and a cycle ride, with our annual trip to Muir Cottage near Braemar taking place at the end of September. Maryculter Cubs is a mixed pack, welcoming both boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 10½ from the Maryculter, Netherley and Banchory Devenick areas. We meet at the Maryculter Scout Hut on Mondays between 18:15 and 19:45. We currently have a wee bit of space in the pack, so if you have a son or daughter who likes the outdoors and would like to find out more, please get in touch.

Sarah Taylor 07917 658504 or Brett Lestrange 735146

1st Maryculter Scouts The highlight of the Scout year is usually the Summer Camp. This year 16 Scouts and 5 Explorers went back to a favourite site at Alyth and experienced the best week of weather ever at a Scout Camp – no rain! Activities included a tour around the Alyth classic car restoration garage – their website address is www.classicrestorations.co.uk - and swimming in the Isla river after a very warm morning visiting the Woodlands Skills Centre where Scouts were given hands-on training at wood carving and bodger lathe operation. An overnight hike to Glen Prosen from Backwater reservoir completed the week. Another successful event was our cycle run from Potarch to Shooting Greens and on through the forest tracks to Scolty which we duly climbed.

A number of older Scouts will move on to Explorers next term. We look forward to Cubs coming up to Scouts to replenish our numbers which hover around 20 – and on we go for another action packed year ahead. We meet of Fridays from 7.15 to 9.15pm in the Scout Hut. Anyone thinking of joining our Scout Troop should contact:

Les Paterson, Tel: 868676 Maryculter Rainbows During the summer term all girls set out to complete the various tasks required to earn their much coveted ‘Get Healthy Badge’ with copious amounts of fun had by all. Laughter and giggles were never more evident than in the end of term Rainbows sleepover for the older girls and the teddy bears picnic for the younger members of the group.

We were all sorry to see some of our older girls leaving at the end of term but comforted in the knowledge that they were all joining the Maryculter Brownies. It was also a sad and emotional time for the entire group when the much loved and respected leader and friend Kate left and moved on. We wish Kate all the very best and would like to say a huge thank you for all the hard work, effort and time you put into making the group a fun place to be; you'll be dearly missed by all.

Rainbows meet in Corbie Hall on Thursday afternoons from 4.15 to 5.15pm. If your daughter is aged between 5 and 7 and would like to join, please register on: www.girlguideing.org.uk and complete the "get involved" section.  

Jo Eglintine, Email: gjeegg@hotmail.com  

YOUTH ACTIVITIES AUTUMN 2013

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YOUTH ACTIVITIES AUTUMN 2013

Maryculter Brownies We were busy at the start of the Summer term making things to sell at the annual Daffodil Tea. We decorated sweetie jars, made shopping bags and decorated jars for the table centres then made the floral arrangements to go in them. We completed our ‘Wellie Boot’ challenge badge by planting old wellies with petunias to decorate the entrance to Corbie Hall. We also had a wellie games night and made chocolate mud shakes. We visited the SSPCA centre at Drumoak and donated lots of foods and treats for the animals there. After that we completed our ‘Friends to Animals’ badge. We were guests of the East Church in Banchory for our annual sleepover. Some of the older girls did their First Aid badge there with two ladies from the Red Cross, who have invited us back again so that some more girls can take the badge. For our end of term trip we went to Stonehaven Outdoor Pool, though some of us were late as there was a traffic hold-up. We had a great time as it was a lovely sunny evening and we all had hot chocolate as a treat afterwards. We meet on Thursdays from 6.30 to 8pm in Corbie Hall, Maryculter. If you are interested in adding your daughter to the waiting list, please contact:

Lynn Murphy, Email: lynnmurphy100@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 01330 825936

1st Maryculter Guides We ended our summer term with a fantastic cookout, where the girls worked very hard on their Outdoor Cooks badges. The Guides also enjoyed a District evening at Stonehaven outdoor pool, which was an opportunity for the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides to spend a happy time together. Girl Guiding has a new Promise to make Guiding more inclusive to all. We have some new Guides joining us after the summer from the Brownies, so we will need to spend some time getting to know the new Promise and work out now it can fit into our everyday lives. Our oldest Guide, Molly Minty, has been working very hard on her Baden Powell Challenge, the highest award you can work to as a Guide. She has signed up to attend an adventure weekend with Guides from all over Grampian in September as the final part of her challenge. We’re planning a celebration evening in anticipation of her award presentation later in the season. We meet on Tuesday evenings from 7.30 to 9pm in Corbie Hall and welcome new members aged between 10 and 14.

Morag Kennedy,Guider Tel: 07849 315203 Email: moraglister@yahoo.co.uk

Maryculter Babies and Toddlers We meet in Maryculter Church Hall on Thursday mornings all year from 9.30-11.30am. Anyone looking after children between birth and 3 years is very welcome to join us for a cuppa and chat, whilst the tots play with our stock of toys and games. We’re always on the lookout for new members so please tell friends, neighbours and those new to the area.

Marleen Grimmer, Tel: 07766 910473, Email: mbiesheuvel@yahoo.com

Dawn Jaffrey, Tel: 07846 863142, E-mail: dawnadams76@hotmail.com

South Deeside Under 5’s We are a community-led charity providing independent childcare for children from birth to five years, meeting at Maryculter Community Hall (next to Old Mill Inn). Our experienced playleaders prepare an exciting array of activities for youngsters, from crafts, construction games and imaginative play inside, to gardening, active games and country walks outside. Beyond the fun for children, the group aims to be a focus for local parents to meet and make new friends. We offer 3 groups: Baby & Toddler Group Meets on Monday mornings - £3.75 per session. From birth to 4 year olds. Adults relax over a coffee whilst children make their first friends. An experienced playleader leads children through active play, songs and stories. Two’s Group Meets on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings - £8 per session. For children aged 2 years until they go to nursery. Tots are left in the capable hands of experienced playleaders who support the children in learning through play in a mall, friendly group. Activities include crafts, bug hunting, bubbles in the garden and walks around the local countryside. Rising Fives Group Meets on Tuesday, 11.45am to 1.45pm - £8 per session. For ante pre-school and pre-school children. A gentle introduction to spending more time away from their adults prior to school. Children are provided with a healthy lunch as part of our healthy living programme followed by fun activities including cooking, painting or sports.

More information, call 07966 163953

Email: info@south-deeside-under-fives.co.uk Scottish Charity No. SC071421

www.south-deeside-under-fives.co.uk The South Deeside Under Fives is a member of the

Scottish Pre-school Play Association

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BANCHORY-DEVENICK Banchory-Devenick is a small school therefore it is important that the children have many opportunities to work together. This term ‘Maths Together’ sessions will be introduced and will take place in the gym hall. There will be an Active Maths approach and the children from

P1 – 7 will work co-operatively to achieve their individual learning intentions. The staff is really looking forward to working with all the children.

There are a number of activities booked for the term ahead and this will make for an exciting time for all: • ALEC (Aberdeenshire Life Education Centre) visited the

school on Wednesday 4th September. There were P1-3, P4/5 and P6/7 sessions.

• Rugby P4-7’s will have Rugby Development Officer James Sadio taking the children for a 4 week block from 12th September, with the hope of a local school competition on 10th October.

• SSPCA visit will be during September • Poetry Day on 3rd October will involve a whole day of

literacy based fun activities. We will be asking for parent helpers as the day will involve a ‘camp-fire’ event. More details to follow.

• Young Leaders with Erica McPherson will be offered to P5-7 this session. More on this later.

After School Clubs from 3.20 -4.00pm Tuesdays – Funky Dance Fitness Wednesdays – Yoga Thursdays – Multi Sports

Headteacher - Michelle Watson, Email: banchorydev.sch@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

www.banchory-devenick.aberdeenshire.sch.uk

Tug of War outdoor fun!

CULTER THEATRE CLUB Pantomime Fun

Wed 4th Dec–Sat 7th Dec at 7.30pm

(plus 2.30pm Sat)

Culter Village Hall, 178 North Deeside Road, Tel 734371 £10 Adults, £7 Concessions (Tickets available from 28th October)

www.cultertheatreclub.co.uk

STONEHAVEN URY PLAYERS Pantomime Spin on the original JM Barrie story

Wed 4th Dec–Sat 7th Dec at 7.30pm (plus 2.30pm Sat)

Stonehaven Town Hall, Allardice Street, Stonehaven, AB39 2BU £10 Adults, £7 Concessions

Tickets available at The Rose Bowl, Barclay Street, Stonehaven from November. Tickets at door (subject to availability)

www.uryplayers.co.uk

PRIMARY SCHOOLS AUTUMN 2013

LAIRHILLOCK We had a very busy time last term with and fun Quiz Night, sponsored walks, sports day and our Summer Fair & BBQ. Sports Day was very fortunate and had perfect weather plus delicious donated home bakes, making it all the more enjoyable for the spectators. All events were a huge success and were only made possible with the generous support of parents who organised, helped man the stalls and attended the events. The Summer Fair coincided with the Crynoch Cup Football Tournament. The children played well in all of their games and were good sports in both triumph and defeat.

The school also participated in Clean Up Scotland, a half hour litter collection, which was extremely challenging due to the incredibly strong wind! Another event was the recycling of unwanted clothing, which raised £300 and filled over 100 bags – a superb effort.

The North Kincardine Rural Community Council awarded Roan Beattie a £5 voucher for producing a poster which supported the Litter Awareness Campaign. Councillor Carl Nelson came to our assembly to present the prize. The winning slogan was ‘No Fly-Tipping – Don’t Drop Litter’. Simple and effective.

We had Eco Action Day where we turned off all our electrical appliances, ranging from lights to computers, in order to save energy. When we compared our energy consumption for 1 hour with that of a typical day at the same time, we saved 11 units. This may not sound like much but the heating was also off so extra savings made. We were very pleased with our efforts.

At the end of June we had to say goodbye to Mr Bland and welcomed back Mrs Strachan from maternity leave. We wish Mr Bland every success in his new role at Mill O’ Forest School and thank him for his contribution to the school over the last year.

Acting Head Teacher - Christine Saward Email : lairhillock.sch@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

www.lairhillock.aberdeenshire.sch.uk

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Maryculter WRI Meetings are at 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of each month in Corbie Hall, Maryculter between August and May. You will find our programme of talks, demonstrations and events on the back page. We were sorry to learn that Netherley WRI has disbanded due to falling membership. We hope to welcome them into our neighbouring group.

Secretary: Marlene Connon, Tel: 867580

Friendship Club Our monthly bus tours throughout the summer were very popular with up to forty folk coming along. All were in good weather except for the Mystery Tour in August which lived up to its name when we couldn’t see a thing in the mist – but it was probably the Lecht. Our winter programme starts with Basket Whist on Friday evening, October 25 in Corbie Hall, Maryculter. Our meetings from November 7 onwards are in Maryculter Church Hall on the first Thursday of the month from 2-4pm, when we have a number of good speakers and musicians lined up to entertain us. New members most welcome.

Contacts: Anne, Tel: 732071 and Peggy, Tel: 734888

Having fun at a recent Friendship Club Outing

Maryculter Senior Citizens Association This long established charity provides a Christmas party for eligible folk living within the parish of Maryculter. Please contact one of us below if you know of any single or widowed ladies aged 60 or over, and married couples where the man is at least 65, who may not be known to us. They can then come along to our annual event.

Committee: Fiona Tel: 733324, Geordie Tel: 734469 Richard Tel: 867580, Caroline Tel: 73409, Debbie Tel: 730018

Thank you to all who support the fundraising 100+ Club. Winners of cash prizes in 2013 to date are: R. Main; N. Gordon; I. Heale; L. Kirkpatrick; F. McTaggart; M. Cranna; P. Watson; S. Black; M. Berry; F. Thomson; L. Carter; E. Welsh; A. Reid; H. Kemp and M. Stewart

Cookney Bowling Club Our season starts on September 12 when three carpets will be rolled out in Cookney Hall on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7.30pm. We are a sociable group, though competitive on Mondays, and always welcome new members.

Arthur Durward, Tel: 319701

Glendale FC The 2013/4 season has begun and hopefully proves a more enjoyable and fruitful one than last year. We were stuck in a ‘frozen time zone’ due to poor Spring weather which meant that we had to finish the season by playing evening matches in April and May. In one ten day period we had six fixtures – not much fun for players and club members alike. However, here we are in early Autumn with a new manager and some additional players in our squad – raring to go. We celebrated our 40th anniversary with a dinner at the Old Mill Inn on May 18, with over 80 past and present players joining in the celebrations. Steve Abercromie, one of our long standing team members, produced a booklet charting our 40 years. This provided huge amusement, particularly the team photographs of the early 1970/80’s showing fashionable haircuts of the era and varying lengths and tightness of their shorts. Local lad and former player Lyall Strachan marked the anniversary by presenting a new club strip, promoting his new company Subsea and Surface Services. New supporters and sponsors, especially those with heaps of money, are always welcome at our home games, played on alternate Saturdays at Corbie Park, Maryculter. Jim Grant Tel: 867512 Deevale Ladies FC Deevale went into the summer break just two points off the top of the table having lost only one league game all season. This defeat came when a depleted squad travelled to a mid week fixture against Elgin City. The first game back after the break saw Deevale play host to the league leaders, Elgin City, in a potential league decider. It was a hard fought game and Elgin took the lead three times, each time Deevale clawed back an equaliser and the game ended 3-3. It was not the result the home team were looking for; leaving them two points off the lead and hoping that Elgin drop points elsewhere. Most recently Deevale got back to winning ways with a victory of 2-0 over local rivals Stonehaven. The squad must now maintain an unbeaten run to the end of the season to guarantee 2nd place and keep pressure on the league leaders. Deevale LFC train on a Wednesday evening at Inverdee playing fields; league fixtures are played on a Sunday afternoon with home games at Corbie Park, Maryculter. New players and supporters are always welcome –

For further information please contact: deevalelfc@yahoo.co.uk

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES AUTUMN 2013

Friends of Cookney Hall We are pleased to advise that the Hall continues to go from strength to strength. Plans are afoot to improve the exterior lighting around the Hall and to improve the signage too, making it easier and safer to park around the Hall, and improve visibility in the dark.

We’re also looking at re-coating the floor and upgrading the walls around the main part of the Hall, improving ventilation and heating, which will make use of the Hall a more enjoyable and comfortable experience, especially in winter.

The Hall continues to be well used by the carpet

bowling club and dog obedience contingent with the occasional private function thrown in for good measure, but we would still welcome enquiries from anyone looking for a venue for their special day. Events planned for the future include:- • Tractor Race Night Saturday 26 October • Hogmanay Dance Friday 3 January 2014 • Burns Supper Saturday 18 January 2014

See local press for details. These events can be well attended so please book early to avoid disappointment!

Requiring a hall for a function? Don’t forget to consider Cookney Hall.

Contact: Willie Angus Tel: 01569 730123 wgangus@ukgateway.net

As always, if you would like to get involved with Friends of Cookney Hall, please contact me for further details about dates of meetings etc.

Bob McKinney, tel 01569 730706 Email: bob8930@sky.com

www.cookneyhall.webeden.co.uk

MARYCULTER COMMUNITY HALL AND CORBIE PLAYING FIELD

by the Old Mill Inn

An ideal venue for children’s parties, meetings, ceilidhs, coffee mornings, concerts, dance and exercise classes

Available afternoons, evenings and weekends

Facilities include kitchen with cooker, microwave, kettle/urn, crockery and cutlery

Tables and chairs for 80 people, toilets

Disabled entrance to Hall The changing rooms and showers are separate

and can accommodate 2 teams of 15

For further information or to book an event, please contact Booking Secretary Carol Masson

Telephone 01224 733583

Maryculter Woodlands Trust A lot has been achieved since our article in the last issue of South Deeside View. In May, we held a postal ballot of residents in our

electoral ward and received overwhelming support for our proposed community acquisition of the Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) wood adjacent to the Kirkton of Maryculter. In total, 491 residents (70% of the community) voted in the ballot and 98% of the votes cast were in favour of the acquisition.

In June, we submitted our application form and business plan to FCS which can be viewed here:- www.forestry.gov.uk/website/forestry.nsf/byunique/INFD-99AKKV

In late autumn we hope to hear from FCS if our application has been approved. We will then start the hard work of raising the funds needed to purchase and manage the wood.

We have also applied to the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) to seek charitable status for our community organization, Maryculter Woodlands Trust. We would like to thank everyone for their support so far, notably the local residents, the North Kincardine Rural Community Council, Culter Community Council, our MP, MSPs, councillors, Culter Primary School, Lairhillock School, Maryculter Scout Group, Driving for the Disabled, Storybook Glen and the River Dee Trust.

To be kept informed, get involved or more information, please contact:-

Ed Thorogood, Chairman, tel: 734224

www.maryculterwoods.com

Schloss Rothenburg Wines Wholesale Importer of Wines (Est. 1978)

Independent, local wine merchant, personally sourcing wines from around the world. From everyday easy drinking wines, to fine wines and champagnes. Most of our wines are not available anywhere else in the area. Mixed cases available, delivery included.

Contact us for our current wine list or if you are looking for a wine in particular, we are always pleased to try and source it for you.

Sinead Graham, Sunnyside Farmhouse, Maryculter, AB12 5GT Tel: 01224 733110 or 07989 486928 Email: sinead@schlossrothenburg.com

www.schlossrotheburg.co.uk

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Fitness Pilates The class runs on Mondays from 6 to 7pm in Corbie Hall, Maryculter. The sessions are suitable for those with minor aches and pains, but anyone with a severe back problem should attend classes run by physiotherapists. People are welcome to attend for a trial session and should contact:

Fiona Halliday Tel: 01330 824679 North Mearns Reading Group We are a very informal group and try to meet every 6 - 8 weeks to discuss a different book or books each session. The aim is to read widely, to explore, engage and most of all enjoy all kinds of literature from contemporary fiction to the classics. If you love to read, then this is for you. We are presently reading ‘The Colour’ by Rose Tremain and the next meeting will be held in September. For further details contact: Muriel Hargreaves Tel: 01569 730302

NEOS September 7 to 29 Now in its tenth year and the largest Open Studio event in Scotland, NEOS provides an opportunity

to meet local artists and learn about the wealth of talent we have in the North East. Those in our area are: Gwen Black, Printmaker, Ian Smart, Painter and Sandy Petrie, Multimedia, Shed 2 Tarns, Burnhead, Blairs. AB12 5YX (Aim for Kirkton of Maryculter then follow the yellow signs). Open Sept 14, noon to 4pm, Sept. 15 to 22, 10am to 4pm Araminta Campbell, Textiles, the Old School, Maryculter AB12 5GN (signed from the B979 one km south of the South Deeside Road) Open Sept 14,15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 from 11am to 4pm and 16, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24,25 and 27 from 9am to 4pm. The Forecourt Art Group - over 30 artists working in a range of media, exhibit in Blairs Museum, South Deeside Road AB12 5 YQ. Open Sept. 21 and 28 from 10am till 5pm, Sept. 22 and 29 from noon to 5pm and Sept. 23 to 27 from 11am to 5pm. Shadow + Lights Studio, Sculpture, Hill Cottage, Banchory-Devenick (turn left just after Leggart Terrace, signed Banchory-Devenick to the first house on the right) Open Sept. 21, 22, 28 and 29 from 11am to 6pm and 24 to 27 from 2 to 6pm Catherine Imhof-Cardinal, painter from Blairs, will be among several exhibitors in the Phoenix Centre, Newton Dee Village, Bieldside AB15 9DX.

Open Sept 14 2 to 5pm and Sept. 15 to 22 from 11am to 5pm.

www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk

Aberdeen Aeromodellers Club The club owns a 6.5 acre grass flying field

at Hare Moss, Banchory-Devenick and is permitted to fly between 9am and 7pm on weekdays and from 10am to 7pm at weekends. The midweek fliers get

together on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, weather permitting.

www.aamfc.co.uk Email: information@aamfc.co.uk

Dog Training Weekly classes on Wednesday evenings in Cookney Hall

Yvonne Reid, Tel: 865249 Scottish Accordion Music Group Thirty and more accordionists meet in the Kirkton hall, Durris on the second Sunday of each month. Doors open at 6.30pm and performances are from 7.30-9.30pm led by Keith Duncan. Music is interspersed with songs and poems, which add to the entertainment, all for an entry fee of £2. These are very popular evenings and the 100 seats are soon filled, so do come in good time. The group takes bookings to provide performances elsewhere and can be contacted by phoning their Secretary Eileen Fraser, Tel 319484. Drum Castle The grounds and woodland walks are open all year from 9.30am until sunset. The Garden of Historic Roses remains open between 11am and 4pm until the end of October. The castle, tearoom and shop have restricted openings – Thursday to Monday until September 29 between 11am and 4pm, then close for the winter.

Seasonal ev en t de ta i l s a t www.nts.org.uk Tel: 0844 493 2161

LEISURE ACTIVITIES AUTUMN 2013

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Paragon Systems (Scotland) Ltd offers a FREE design and quotation package for supply only or supply and installation

on receipt of drawings.

Tel 01224 735536 today to discuss your particular requirement

Email: info@paragon-systems.co.uk www.paragon-systems.co.uk

Paragon Systems (Scotland) Limited Corbie Cottage, Maryculter, Aberdeen, AB12 5FT

Other products/services include: Bore-holes/Insulation/UFH Electrical Works

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It is six months into the new Police Service of Scotland and hopefully there has been a smooth transition for readers within the South Deeside and Kincardine Areas. I am confident that while there are administrative and structural changes, the job of protecting the public has not changed and the service, at the public face of policing, remains the same. There are some changes that I would like to make everyone aware of: • There has been a change in the reporting number

and 101 should be used for all non-emergency calls to the Police through our area service centres.

• Each Community Policing Team has their own Multi Member Ward Plans and the plan for North Kincardine has Antisocial Behaviour, Community Focus, Safer Roads and Acquisitive Crime as the priorities.

• I would also draw your attention to the new Twitter feed which is @ShireSouthPol and e-mail NorthKincardineCPT@Scotland.pnn.police.uk. These can be accessed from the Police Scotland web site: www.scotland.police.uk

Aberdeenshire continues to be a very safe place to live and work, however there have been several crimes recently that have caused concern. In particular car criminals where they have gained access to houses, taken car keys and stolen vehicles have targeted rural homes. While we have had some success with apprehending criminals and provided additional patrols, I would also urge householders to consider security and in particular where they store vehicle keys overnight. These should also be secured away from sight where possible and suspicious activity reported. Over the autumn and winter months we will continue provide patrols in rural areas and link with road policing colleagues to provide education and enforcement to motorists. As your Local Community Policing Team Inspector I will do all I can with my Police and support staff to keep people safe within your area.

Stuart Ednie, Inspector, Stonehaven, Email:northkincardineCPT@scotland.pnn.police.uk

@ShireSouthPol

Home Deliveries Organic fresh fruit and vegetables from Lembas at Bridge of Muchalls. You can order from a variety of standard boxes starting from £5 or ask for a bespoke box by choosing produce from our pricelist. Tel: 01569 731746 E-mail: lembasorganics@gmail.com

www.lembasorganics.co.uk

Vegetables, free range eggs and hay/straw bales from Neil Gammie, Fernieflatt Farm, Kinneff on Tuesdays and Fridays. Orders, by phone, e-mail or online must be in by 5pm the day before delivery. Minimum order is £8 and payment on delivery by cash or cheque.

Tel: 01569 750374 /07790 558880 E-mail: fernieflattfarm@amserve.com

www.fernieflattfarm.co.uk Fish George Fairweather delivers west of the B979 road on Thursday afternoons and east of the road on Friday from 11am. Phone orders ahead and establish approximate timing. Tel: 07974 311326 Coal J.H. Roberts of Auchenblae delivers orders in our area on Monday mornings. Tel: 01561 320335

POLICE, DRIVING FOR THE DISABLED, HOME DELIVERIES AUTUMN 2013

MARYCULTER DRIVING FOR THE DISABLED

Maryculter Driving for the Disabled Group is an independent charity registered in Scotland and a member of the Federation of RDA (Riding for the Disabled including Driving).

The aim of the Group is to give the opportunity of driving a horse-pulled carriage to any disabled person who might benefit in general health and happiness.

We have enjoyed better weather this season and only cancelled two sessions due to rain. Corbie, our trusty driving horse is fit and well and has been enjoying her new home at Scatterburn, Ardoe. We thank Mrs Janice Thomson for the Loan Homing agreement and for allowing us access to exercise Corbie during the season.

We were invited to the Garioch Carriage Driving for the Disabled Group at Strathorn Farm, Old Rayne for their annual Gymkhana and BBQ event on 28th August - always a fun day. Our final day of the 2013 driving season is the 25th September which incorporates our barbecue, Cone Driving competition and Treasure Hunt, with “Cowboys and Indians” as this year’s theme If you would like to volunteer for next year’s season, May to September, please contact:

Irene Heale, Chairperson Tel: 735504 or Caroline McTaggart, Secretary Tel: 734093

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An exciting new playden is opening in autumn, as an additional attraction at Storybook Glen (now called The Den & The Glen). The former garden centre and shop have been extended to make an outstanding 7000sq ft indoor play area. Under its roof are an impressive racing slide, 4-lane astro slide, climbing wall and ball canyon plus, of course, a massive climbing frame with the ever-popular lookout bubble for the kids! The Den is suitable from babies

upwards as it has an interactive ballpit with a ball juggler and ball shower to entertain them. Boasting lots of bright colours, a lot of thought has gone into creating a unique play experience including a vertical roller squeeze,

amazing zig zag shimmy crawl challenge and a V-rope skywalk for those unafraid of heights. A multi-use sports area with grass effect flooring completes the new playden along with the 140-seater restaurant and a birthday party room, which is available for hire. With its beautifully landscaped grounds, The Glen has long been an all weather attraction in Maryculter and continues to offer more than 28 acres of active outdoor learning and play opportunities. The Glen is open for visitors as usual and please watch out for the opening the date for the new The Den!

The Den & The Glen, Maryculter, off South Deeside Road, Aberdeen, AB12 5FT Tel: 732941, Email: thedenandtheg l en@out look.com

www.storybookglenaberdeen.co.uk

Building upon generations of successful dairy farming, the Groat family first opened the doors of their farm shop in 2006 selling dairy goods of cheese and yogurts made from their own cows’ milk. Growing the business from those early days, you can now buy many unique Rosé Veal products from them in Banchory-Devenick.

Welfare-friendly and Farm Assured, the Rosé Veal is from the farm bulls reared on a varied diet including milk, whey, straw/hay and mixed cereals. Unlike their continental counterparts fed on low-iron diets, the farm bulls live in the same high standard conditions and to the same age as most pigs and lambs. Due to their unrestricted diet and high standard of welfare practice they give a healthy low-fat, pink-coloured meat instead of the more usual white, hence the name - Rosé.

Easy to cook, it is naturally tender and juicy, plus rich in healthy Omega 3, low in cholesterol and full of flavour.

Prepared in-house and sold in the farm shop are various veal products like escalopes, roasts, mince, fillet steaks, cutlets plus sausages including new flavours Chilli & Coriander, Guiness Beef and Tomato & Basil. As it is low fat, only cook on a medium heat and having much more flavour than white veal, it can simply be enjoyed seasoned and fried with onions and some boiled potatoes.

Also available are a range of products including delicious Cheesecakes, Monthly Meat or Cheese Boxes, and spectacular Cheese Towers and Gift Hampers - a great idea for Christmas for someone who has almost everything! For special deals, offers, recipes and to see the extensive range available visit the shop in south Banchory-Devenick or online. Open daily except Sunday from 9am to 6pm.

The Devenick Dairy, Bishopston Farm, Banchory-Devenick, AB12 4RS,Tel: 782476 www.devenickdairy.co.uk

OPENING AUTUMN 2013 FULL & PART TIME STAFF REQUIRED

Please call for info on 732941

THE DEN & THE GLEN, THE DEVENICK DAIRY AUTUMN 2013

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ST MARY’S CHAPEL, BLAIRS Father Vincent returned to Uganda earlier in the year and Blairs parish is now administered by Deacon John Wire.

If you have any enquiries regarding church matters including weddings please contact: Deacon John, Tel: 07711 847582, Email: jj.wire@btinternet.com Sunday Mass is at 9.30 am and all are invited. Saturday, 7th December at 7pm. The Deeside Choristers will be singing A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. There is no admission charge but a collection will be taken during the service which will be split between Blairs Chapel (for maintenance and restoration) and a nominated charity. After the Service all are encouraged to stay for seasonal refreshments.

Deeside Choristers For over 40 years, this local choir has been providing an excellent musical training for children who love to sing. New members are always welcome: no experience is necessary – only enthusiasm - and there are no auditions! Why not give us a try? Tenors and basses are also encouraged to come along. The choir rehearses every Wednesday during term-time from 6.30 to 8pm at Murtle Hall, Bieldside. Saturday, December 14 at 7pm Con Anima Chamber Choir will lead a Christmas celebration of lessons and carols.

ABERDEEN & DISTRICT SAMARITANS Each year around 800 Scots take their own lives. Scotland has the highest suicide rate in the UK with four times as many people dying by suicide as by road accidents. Every year Samaritans receive over 5 million calls for help. By having someone to talk to in complete confidence, callers can discuss their feelings, relieve the pressure and in many cases see that there is a way forward.

For over 50 years Aberdeen & District Samaritans have been providing emotional support for people who are feeling suicidal, in despair, or going through a difficult time in their lives. Our fully trained volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that talking to someone in complete confidence would help then contact us: Tel: 574488, Email: jo@samaritans.org

Visit us at 60 Dee Street, Aberdeen www.samaritans.org

ST TERNAN’S SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MUCHALLS

St. Ternan’s is the northern-most Scottish Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Brechin. The Church is located in the North Kincardine Community Council area, to the west of the A90 about a mile from Muchalls Village on the Causey Mounth where the road branches off to Cookney and Netherley. The Ministry team is as follows:

• Priest in Charge, Rev. Maggie Jackson 01569 730625 • Assistant Priest, Rev. Lizzie Campbell 01569 730625 • George Masson, Tel: 733583 •

The Church is open every day from 10am until 3pm. You are welcome to join us in worship at the 10.30am Family Eucharist on Sundays. Our Community Meeting Room with kitchen and toilet facilities is available for use by anyone in the community for classes, dance classes, children’s parties, craft groups, meetings etc. It can accommodate up to 30 people and is fitted with a loop system for the hard of hearing and the entrance is wheelchair friendly. To book the facility contact Sheila Tel: 01569 731608 or Audrey Tel: 01569 730600 – a donation of £4 per hour is suggested.

Our annual Garden Fete was held on 15th June and we also had a table at the Skateraw Fair. Both were very successful and we were blessed with sunshine. Thanks to all who supported us on both occasions. We will be holding our Harvest Festival which will be a Non-Eucharistic Service at 10.30am on 6th October followed by Lunch and on 30th November we are having a coffee morning in the Muchalls Hall at 10am – 12pm. We do hope you will come along to both or one of these.

Charity No. SC023264

AUTUMN 2013

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Should you need the services of a minister during the vacancy please contact: Rev. Dennis Rose, Interim Moderator

Tel 01561 362560 dennis2327@aol.co.uk Other contacts are: • Mrs. Joyce Mackintosh, Session Clerk, Tel: 733495

Email: joycemackintosh@yahoo.ie • Mrs Anne Massie, Church Treasurer & Caretaker

Tel: 732071

Services during the vacancy are at 10.30am in Maryculter-Cookney Church and are led by Readers attached to Kincardine & Deeside Presbytery and two of our Elders, Mr. John McCafferty who is also a Reader, and Mrs. Joan Thorne. The Meeting Place Last Sunday of the month from 4.30pm to 6.00pm service beginning at 5.00pm in Maryculter/Cookney Church Hall. Come along have tea or coffee, sing along with the praise band and enjoy worship and short talk in a very relaxed atmosphere. Next one is Sunday 29th September

A service of Holy Communion led by Rev. Dennis Rose, Interim Moderator, will be held on Sunday November 24th

at 10.30am in Maryculter-Cookney Church. Other services at 10.30am to note are:

• Harvest Thanksgiving 6th October • Remembrance 10th November and 3pm at

Cookney Memorial • Guild 17th November • Christmas Family Services 24th Dec 6.30pm

Children are always welcome at all our services and there is a wealth of material for them to enjoy in the hall. An activity table is available at The Meeting Place with children staying in the hall for the whole service. Vacancy A Nominating Committee has been elected from members of the congregation to seek out and present to the congregation a “sole nominee” to be the minister. This work can take quite a long time, particularly as there are many vacancies in Scotland. The work has to be completely confidential as it can affect other churches and ministers. There will be no news or very little news for some time. House Group 1 led by Mrs. Joan Thorne is having a break as Mrs. Thorne is leading the Freedom in Christ Course. More details from Joan, Tel 783834

House Group 2 held in Anne Massie’s house at Kirkton of Maryculter on 2nd 3rd and 5th Mondays of the month at

7.30pm, and is led by Joyce Mackintosh. Why not come and join us in an informal and relaxed atmosphere and enjoy friendship and a cup of tea. Further details from Sheila, Tel 01569 731708

Community Coffee Mornings These resume on 28th August and are held on 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesdays of the month in Maryculter-Cookney Church Hall from 10.00am – 12 noon. Come along and enjoy chats with friends over tea or coffee and home baking. For further details or to arrange a lift, please phone Alison Stewart 01224 861048 or Dianne Brown on 01224 734687.

The Guild led by Mrs. Sheila Bisset is held on the first Monday of the month at 7.30- 9.30pm in Maryculter-Cookney Church Hall from September to November and February to April. New members always welcome to come along and hear interesting talks, enjoy fellowship and a cup of tea. Youth Café Looking for something to do on a Thursday night? Everyone who is in school between P7 and S6 is welcome and if you are a little older than that but still want to be involved why not come and help out?! This rewarding experience allows you to get to know the wonderful young people in our community. We meet on Thursday evenings between 7 and 9pm and follow the school term. Currently 60 members of Youth Café, who all live locally, come along regularly. Plenty to do from football, table tennis and pool to board games and of course the tuck shop! Or just relax and chill out chatting to friends. Yearly visits to the Compass Christian Centre in Glenshee are always popular. 15 attended this year and enjoyed rope courses, raft building and many more activities as well as evening sessions of “Thought for Life”. The Holiday Club was held from 12th-16th August. Join us by contacting Dianne Brown on 734687 or 07801542154 Fairtrade We are a Fairtrade church which means we use, sell and promote Traidcraft products, and these are available at the sales table in the church hall every Sunday after the morning service. Christian Aid We run events throughout the year for this organisation and have helped many worthwhile projects. Bethany Christian Trust During the winter months we will be again helping cater for the homeless people in Aberdeen by making meals. Church Fundraising events Auction in October and Scots Night in November, dates to be announced.

Banchory Devenick and Maryculter-Cookney Parish, Church of Scotland Scottish Charity No. SCO13648 CCL573608

BANCHORY-DEVENICK & MARYCULTER-COOKNEY PARISH CHURCH

AUTUMN 2013

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April 18, 2013 was a sad occasion for the congregation of Banchory-Devenick Church – the date of its closure. Rev. Frank Ribbons thanked the many members of the congregation who had served the church in their several ways over the years. His sermon was based on the premise that a church is the people, not the building, stressing that it was now time to move forward within the parish. At such a time thoughts turn to the long history of this church, so an outline of its past follows.

Saint Devenick or Devenicus was a disciple of Saint Columba who was sent out to convert the populace from Paganism. After wandering throughout northern Scotland on his evangelical mission and founding a church at Methlick, he met up with Mauricius, who became Saint Machar. Realising that they should take on separate territories, Devenicus went north to “the province of the Cathini” now Caithness, while Mauricius concentrated on the lands of the Picts. Devenicus asked that his remains should be brought for burial to Banchory-Devenick where a hall was constructed in his memory. This date in the sixth century is unknown, but November 13, his feast day was long held by the inhabitants of the parish and an altar was raised to his memory in St. Machar’s Cathedral.

In 1163 King Malcolm 1V granted a charter confirming and conveying large tracts of land, including “the kirk of Banchory-Devenick, with its lands and pertinents” for the benefit of the See of the Bishop of Aberdeen. This must be the date when the large parish of B-D was created, bound to the north by the parishes of St. Machar, Newhills and Peterculter (four miles along the River Dee), to the south by Fetteresso and Nigg and to the west by Maryculter. Banchory-Devenick was the only kirk between St. Machar’s Cathedral in Old Aberdeen and Fettteresso in Stonehaven for a few centuries. Records show that in 1256, the parson of Banchory-Devenick was eleventh prebend of the chapter. Each prebend had a manse and glebe (tract of arable land) in the Chanonry, Old Aberdeen, and this was still used by Banchory-Devenick ministers until well after the Reformation.

There must have been a kirk building for worship over the years, but no records are known. In 1642 there was a small, low-roofed building with two windows on the

south and a sort of belfry with entrance door at one end. This was renovated or replaced in 1673, but by the early eighteenth century divots (earth sods) were required to fill gaps in the walls and “it was judged proper for the greater decencie and ornament of the church that there should be a new pulpit and reading desk made of fir wood, handsome and good work”.

After another century of wear and tear it became imperative on the heritors to either substantially renew the old structure or provide a new church. Several parishioners who lived near the coast argued that a new site should be found on the top of the Hill of Banchory, but were over-ruled. Estimates indicated that a new build would cost about the same as renovation, so the site was cleared and the new church opened for divine service on September 29, 1822 during a rainstorm. Kirk session records show that on the previous twenty five Sundays, the congregation had met for worship in the churchyard, all in fine weather. The stone floor was replaced by wood and a heating system installed in 1865.

Kirk session minutes, now kept in Edinburgh, go back to 1708. One interesting record is that this was among the last parishes in Scotland where attempts were made to introduce Episcopacy. In Spring 1712 more that 200 copies of the English prayer book arrived from London for free distribution to parishioners and ministers instructed to use them. Minister James Gordon had long been an advocate of Episcopacy, but when he died in 1714 this mode of worship appears to have ended.

The ‘History of Banchory-Devenick parish’ referenced below provides information on the parish ministers between 1425 and 1890. Many were distinguished within their profession and had academic links with the University of Aberdeen. John Lumsden, 1728-1736 became Professor of Divinity at Kings College and was moderator of the General Assembly in 1746. George Morison, fifth son of a former Lord Provost of Aberdeen, ministered from 1785 till his death aged 88 in 1845. He inherited a fortune on the death of his brother, proprietor of Elsick estate, which he used for many acts of benevolence. During the famine in 1800 he bought and stored meal, distributing it to those in need, he endowed a school at Portlethen and provided legacies for teachers. He is still remembered for the erection of the

A FAREWELL TO BANCHORY DEVENICK CHURCH AUTUMN 2013

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UPDATE : At the end of April outline planning consent was granted for 4045 homes and detailed permission given for 802

houses by the Kincardine and Mearns area committee. Negotiations between the Elsick Development Company (EDC) and the Council on the Section 75 agreement are nearing completion and the final consent is expected to be signed in early September.

The three chosen builders, AJC Homes from

Aboyne, A&J Stephen Ltd from Perth and ZeroC Holdings in partnership with Hope Homes from Ayrshire, all have a reputation for quality and sustainable building and will be working alongside one another starting at the Newtonhill corner of the site. Once contracts are finalised, hopefully by October, potential buyers can view the first 255 properties on the website and deal directly with individual builders. The website www.chapeltonofelsick.co.uk will continue to be updated as the project progresses.

The first buildings to emerge will surround

Hume Square and will set the tone of Chapelton as a development. There will be office space, a nursery school and a variety of house styles on offer. Further housing and live/work units will fan out from this central hub and in time this square will also be the starting point for the first bus service to link in with the Aberdeen commuter buses.

Before work can start the utilities have to be in

place. Six companies tendered for the infrastructure contract and a preferred contractor has been chosen. Details are being finalised and the project is on schedule to break ground in early October in anticipation of the site being ready in Spring 2014 for the housebuilders to start. By then there will be a Visitors’ Centre for people to come and view plans and watch the video while having some refreshments.

A Community Liaison Committee is in the

process of being set up. This will hear of planned works and phasing and provide opportunities to comment on the management of issues and concerns arising from the planning and development process. It is hoped that members of the NKRCC amongst others will represent the local residents. If anyone wishes to contact us please e-mail:

info@chapeltonofelsick.com www.chapeltonofelsick.co.uk

Booking of Halls & Grounds Maryculter Community (Corbie) Hall and Field C.Masson, Tel 733573 carol.masson@btinternet.com

Maryculter Church Hall and Gleve Field

Anne Massie, Tel 732071

Cookney Hall Willie Angus, Tel 01569 730123

Lairhillock School

Christine Saward, Tel 01569 732520

St Ternan’s Church Community Room Sheila, Tel 01569 731608 or Audrey, Tel 01569 730600

A FAREWELL TO BANCHORY DEVENICK CHURCH CHAPELTON OF ELSICK

‘Shakkin Briggie’ over the River Dee in 1837 which cost him £1,400. His 700 parishioners who lived in Cults had previously needed to cross to church services by ferry.

As Aberdeen expanded in the nineteenth century, parts of the parish became parishes in their own right, creating seven ‘daughter’ churches including Portlethen, Cults, Mannofield and Craigiebuckler.

Banchory-Devenick church was linked with Maryculter in 1972 and Rev. Tom Lithgow was inducted as the shared minister. Although linked, each had its own Kirk Session and a morning worship service every Sunday. The churches were united in November 2000 and became one church named Banchory-Devenick and Maryculter-Cookney Parish Church even although they continued to use two buildings. The Kirk Sessions united and services alternated between the two churches until November 2011, when all services transferred to Maryculter.

Henderson, John A., History of the parish of Banchory-Devenick (Aberdeen: D Wyllie and Son, 1890). Also available online.

Aberdeen and NE Scotland Family History Society, August 2012. Thanks to Joyce Macintosh, session clerk, for providing information

from church records.

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Situated on a loop of the river Dee in Banchory-Devenick,

just off the South Deeside road, the well established golf

centre is now under new management. Consisting of a nine hole par three golf course and a 27 bay driving range, the centre also has three PGA teaching professionals on hand to provide instruction in fully equipped private teaching bays. They can also custom fit equipment to individual requirements from the range of stock in the shop.

The golf course and driving range are open to the public – but do book ahead.

Opening times are daily from 9 am to 9pm in summer and winter weekdays, closing at 6pm on winter weekends.

Competition! Prize - Driving Range Membership worth £40! Who did Paul Lawrie defeat in his singles match in The Ryder Cup at Medinah in 2012? Send in or deliver your answer on a postcard, giving your name, address and phone number/e-mail by the end of October. The winner will be the first correct entry drawn (blindfold) from our entry box on November 1st.

Paul Lawrie Golf Centre, South Deeside Road, Aberdeen AB12 5YN Tel: 865750 www.paullawriegolfcentre.co.uk

Circles @ PAUL LAWRIE GOLF CENTRE COFFEE SHOP

The coffee shop re-opened at the end of May under new local management. Everyone is welcome – not just those here to golf. It is open from 9am and until 8pm from Monday to Thursday, 7pm on Friday and 5pm at the weekend. Soups and home baking are made on the premises while sandwiches, toasties, baked potatoes and panini are filled to order. They also provide breakfasts, ice cream and afternoon teas, and can provide ‘take-aways’ of any food, drink or party platters if ordered in advance.

Fresh & Home Baked Tel: 865751

A Roof Garden for Aberdeen Royal Infirmary An exciting plan by NHS Grampian, to create the first Therapeutic Roof Garden in Scotland, has taken a big step forward in recent weeks with the arrival of an award-winning donation − the Royal Bank of Canada’s Blue Water Garden,

which scooped Gold in this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.

Some thousand plants and trees from this garden are temporarily being looked after, at no cost to the appeal, by staff at Ben Reid Garden Centre, in the west of Aberdeen. All were brought to the city on lorries provided by ARR Craib, along with tons of building material which is being stored at the Foresterhill Health Campus. Professor Nigel Dunnett, who created the Chelsea Show garden, will redesign the garden for its new home on a roof at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. The garden will be accessible to patients who have been in hospital for some time and who may be in a wheelchair or a bed.

Fundraising for hard landscaping and maintenance is well underway, but further support is invited.

Donations appreciated via • Online www.justgiving.com/ariroofgarden • Text ARIG99 (plus £xx) to 70070 • By Cheque payable to ‘Therapeutic Garden

Fund’ to:- Therapeutic Roof Garden Appeal, NHS Grampian, Foresterhill House, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZB

www.facebook.com/ari.roofgarden email: nhsg.ariroofgarden@nhs.net or Tel: 554905 www.nhsgrampian.org/ariroofgarden

AUTUMN 2013

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This is the Year of Natural Scotland, a Scottish Government initiative led by EventScotland and VisitScotland to promote Scotland’s stunning natural beauty and biodiversity.

Since the Spring edition Scottish Natural Heritage have announced their Big 5, five iconic species to enthuse and inspire us all to the wonders of Scottish wildlife. These are the red squirrel, red deer, harbour seal, otter and golden eagle. The great news is that all of these species either live in or not far from South Deeside!

Whilst not common in this area, there are small populations of red squirrel in Kingcausie and Durris Forest. Smaller than the introduced American grey squirrel, the native red chews the cones of Scots pine and Sitka spruce to extract their

seeds, eating up to an incredible 5000 seeds a day. They also eat berries, fungi, bark and even birds' eggs. More common on the northern side of the River Dee their range extends right into the city. One of the best places to spot them is around the golf course at Hazlehead Park – search for cone remnants on the ground, then look up!

This is the best time of year to see and hear the roaring monarch or red deer. Take a drive to Glen Muick or the A93 between Braemar and the Glenshee Ski Centre and listen as the hills reverberate with the roars of rutting stags as they clash antlers and vie to maintain their herd. Britain’s largest land animal, red deer are naturally matriarchal. Adult males are only tolerated during the breeding season with alpha males defending their harems so strongly that they can stop eating. Venison is a tasty low fat meat. Given there are over 300,000 wild animals (more than double the number in the ‘60s) we should perhaps all be eating more of it!

When is a banana not a banana? When it’s the next species on the list, the harbour seal! Previously known as the common seal (although they are rarer than the grey seal) these creatures arch their backs, keeping their heads and tails up as the tide comes in to flood a haul-out spot. Puppy-like faces with big endearing black eyes, harbour seals can reduce their heart rate from 120 to 40 beats a minute and dive for up to half an hour. With around 1,500 nerves at the base of each of their 100 whiskers, they can hunt at impressive speeds even at night. Strangely the most urban of these five species, you can see these animals on their haul-out on the upstream side of the actual Bridge of Don as thousands of car drivers pass by oblivious!

Perhaps the most playful member of the list is the otter. It’s almost the most elusive too and whilst recorded throughout this area it’s a special day when you see one. Feeding mainly on freshwater fish the most frequent sightings are at our local fishing waters of Allochie Lochan near Meikle Carewe Wind Farm and at Crossley Quarry, north east of the Lairhillock School. Otter cubs are born with no fur. It takes five

weeks for them to open their eyes and another ten before they leave their den. You will know if you have a family nearby – they are very noisy. The rarest and

most majestic species on the list is the golden eagle. There are over 400 pairs in Scotland with the nearest breeding site being at Glen Tanar, Aboyne. One chick was reared successfully there this year. With a two metre wingspan and feet larger than a human hand, eagles are said to see in 3D, HD

and wide angle. Golden eagles and buzzards are often confused. The former has more rectangular-shaped wings with finger-like ends held in a shallow “V” when flying and a longer tail. Buzzards have shorter, rounder wings and soar with them level to their bodies.

Lastly, this is a brilliant time of year to get kids playing outside. There will be several days of perfect “leaf fall” coming soon so rake some garden leaves into a huge pile

and jump in. Happy exploring! Mandy Tulloch

NATURE NOTES AUTUMN 2013

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North Kincardine Rural Community Council covers the area where you live - Banchory-Devenick, Blairs, Maryculter, Cookney and Netherley. We meet on the third Monday of each month (except July) at 7.30pm in Maryculter Community Hall. This provides an opportunity for any resident to come along and hear presentations from the Police, representatives of Aberdeenshire Council, developers or others and to join in discussion. NKRCC has the responsibility of representing the views of our community to Aberdeenshire Council and statutory organisations, so the more input and informed discussion from a wide range of residents the better. Three out of our four South Aberdeenshire Councillors (see their short reports on page 21) usually attend, which enables them to hear our concerns directly and to advise where appropriate. Robert Keeler retired from NKRCC at our AGM in June having spent many years volunteering on the Community Council in various positions, 11 as secretary, and always trying to make our area a better place to live. Our thanks for his strong sense of community spirit. We remain short of two representatives for Maryculter and one for Banchory-Devenick, so do consider bringing your skills and experience to support our rural area. During the last six months we have liaised with our schools and parent councils over concerns of catchment area reviews, pupil numbers and school transport. Complaints about road problems are a recurring theme, and while we have had a number of meetings with Council officials, we have found through experience that a periodic list of faults/deficiencies etc. seems to have less effect than several people repeatedly reporting problems until action is taken. See box below. Other matters under consideration follow.

Agendas, minutes and information on how to contact your local community councillors are posted on notice boards outside Banchory-Devenick School, the former Maryculter East and West Schools, Cookney Hall and Maryculter Community (Corbie) Hall.

PLANNING MATTERS All planning applications are reported at NKRCC meetings, and comments are sent to Aberdeenshire Council on a few of them, sometimes to reflect the views of our residents, sometimes on things of general significance both to this area and the region. An example of the last two is the CC’s involvement with the coming consultation on the new Local Development Plan (LDP) – see below. As ever in these notes, much will consist of bringing readers up to date with long-running matters.

Meikle Carewe Community Fund. The turbines are now in place and operating - and who could miss them, - but the first annual grant of £20,000 has, at the time of writing, yet to be made. When that happens, (and it could be in early September), publicity will be arranged to inform local groups on details of eligibility, criteria governing awards, how to apply and so on. There will be a period of 3 months during which such local groups can submit their claims and the fund committee will then decide on the allocation of the funds available. That committee is composed of representatives of each of the five Community Council areas involved, one RES representative and one from the Area Partnership (administrator and banker for the fund). So that Portlethen and Stonehaven do not claim a disproportionate amount of the money available, your NKRCC negotiators insisted on ring-fencing 15% of the total available each year for each of the five CC areas. If the smaller areas do not have enough valid claims to use their 15%, only then will any unused balance go back into the kitty.

Discounted Electricity Scheme. As well as the above fund, the developer (RES) is allocating £30,000 per annum to be distributed to those households and businesses located within 3.5

kilometres of the turbines. Those covered have already been informed and the annual individual grant will be of £122. As both the fund and the discount scheme are offered by the developer quite voluntarily, it does prompt the question; how can RES afford to give away £50,000 every year for 25 years - £1.25 million if you do not have your calculator to hand? Answers (from the cynics among you), on a postcard please...........

NORTH KINCARDINE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL AUTUMN 2013

Please report road problems Any person can report road defects, the need for gritting, snow

clearing or failed street lighting to Aberdeenshire Council directly. This can be done through the website: www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk or

Tel: 08456 081205 or Text: 07624 820722. If a problem persists, you may have more success by informing the

Council via either of the following, since we know that all complaints reported this way are fully recorded:

http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/haveyoursay/3c_form.aspx or feedback.team@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Do not wait and complain later to your community councillor – report problems yourself with a copy to the Community Council

secretary: Email: secretary@nkrcc.gmail.com so that together we may be more

effective.

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Other Turbine News. The applications for those at Ambleside, Burnside South, Burnside North and Greenheads farm have all been withdrawn, but may, of course, resurface. The meteorological mast at the last-named, however, has been granted and the application for three 50-metre wind turbines on Kempstone Hill remains live and to be determined.

‘No News’ Section ! AWPR: Still grinds its weary way through the tendering process with estimates of its eventual cost rising apparently hourly. Get your bids in now for the sweepstake ; 900 million ?... 1 billion ?... 1.2 billion ? - who knows ? The trenches you see beside the Dee are preliminary exploratory archaeological trenches looking for any evidence of the battle of Mons Graupius. Enthusiastic advocates of either Ben Acchie or Angus being the real location should NOT contact us! Elsick New Town: No sod yet turned - still due to start ‘soon’. Meanwhile a rising main has been applied for, so there will at least be water on site for the builders’ tea when it does. Blairs: Same story I am afraid, starts ‘soon’, (though residents will have noticed that a further 44 houses, i.e. extra to the original 280, has been requested to help the poor, cash-strapped developer pay for the footbridge over the Dee). New Local Development Plan 2016 (LDP). The Scottish Executive has become impatient with the very long-drawn-out process of writing, consulting on, and approving LDPs, so we are now in the position of starting the whole process once again, only a year after the present one was finally adopted, and that took about four years. There is now an important difference; where the public previously had three chances to put forward its views, or four if one opted to appear at the Public Inquiry itself, there is effectively now only one. That is at the Main Issues Report (MIR) stage and this will come, for Community Councils, local organisations and clubs as well as individuals, this winter. Developers and their agents have already put forward to the Council their ideas on where houses and businesses should be built. Naturally, that will concentrate mainly on those places where the developers own land or have options on it.

These ‘bids’ for development will be written into the MIR together with the Council’s view on the suitability of each such proposal and that will all be published this October/November and the public will be invited to comment. (As an example, the previous MIR

NORTH KINCARDINE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL AUTUMN 2013

contained 25 bids for development in the NKRCC area, of which two housing and two business were written into the final LDP. Of the 21 rejected in that MIR, some will certainly be put forward for acceptance in the new MIR. Don’t imagine that one rejection means the end of a proposal.)

When the MIR and the policy proposals and development bids are published, we shall all have 12 weeks, through to February, to send in our comments as part of the consultation process. It is important that we all take the opportunity to do so, otherwise the word ‘consultation’ is meaningless.

So it is time to get our individual and collective thinking caps on. Where should houses be built ?.... where should they NOT be built ?.....where should land be allocated for business ?....does an area need more retail ?....should an area be protected for any reason ?....are we happy to see incinerators replace landfill ?...should policy restrict the spread of wind farms even more ?.....and so on.

Two things will assist us in getting our views across, apart from putting quills to parchment. First, details of the MIR and what it contains, will be published on the Shire website with a contact link. Second, the Policy team will hold public exhibitions, which developers will attend to talk about their proposals, for four nights each week in November at different places throughout the Shire; details to be publicised by them.

Once again, we must emphasise that the MIR stage is our only chance for input into the composition of the LDP. Once that stage is over, the final Plan will be published in October 2014 and will go to Public Inquiry (now called the EIP) in June 2015. Reporters are nowadays charged with making minimal alterations and the Plan will – ideally – be adopted by Spring 2016; a very tight schedule which allows no extended public debate. Website: www.nkrcc.org.uk Work on our new, bigger and better website continues and now we need your help to improve it further. So far, we've built 13 new pages of reference and information including:

- up-to-date local news and public information, - details of winning '300 Club' Lottery numbers, - the activities of your Community Council (including

planning application reviews) over the year, - archived and downloadable copies of The South

Deeside View (SDV) back to 2002, and - information regarding your elected representatives

on Aberdeenshire Council and at Holyrood.

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NKRCC Website: www.nkrcc.org.uk

Secretary: Bob McKinney, Lakhipara, South Cookney, Stonehaven, AB39 3RX Tel 01569 730706

Noticeboards By Banchory-Devenick School, East and West

Maryculter, Cookney Hall and Maryculter Community Hall, where you will find agendas, minutes and how to

contact your local community councillors.

Meetings on the 3rd Monday of each month (except July) at

7.30pm in Maryculter Community Hall.

It's now time to move to Stage Two of the development and expand the site to cover issues of more general appeal and interest to the community:

- local issues such as Blairs, AWPR, Chapelton of Elsick etc,

- local geology and geography, including Red Moss, Elsick Mounth, Auchlee Cairn, and stone circles.

- local history, flora and fauna, local attractions

Our webmaster Steve Taylor is fairly new to the area and so will initially be sourcing previous editions of the SDV for articles to reproduce and build upon. However, if you have relevant reference materials you would be prepared to share on any of the items listed (or not), please do get in contact with him via e-mail address: webmaster@nkrcc.org.uk Also, any photographs 'typical of North Kincardine' (hilly landscapes, dew-covered flowers, snow-covered pine trees, fishermen in the Dee, startled deer, autumn harvesting, trickling burns - you get the idea) would be gratefully received for a slide show to appear shortly on the Home Page of the website. We can't pay you for your contributions, but can promise your name will appear alongside your input.

Coming soon, Stage Three of the website development. We will offer to construct a free nkrcc.org web page to North Kincardine organisations, activities and interest groups that don't have any active web presence - more details to follow in the next South Deeside View. We'll also be doing something positive to promote local businesses on our pages, but haven't quite worked that one out yet though.

Please do keep checking the website - www.nkrcc.org.uk - it's a great incentive to the webmaster to see the visitor numbers increasing. Broadband

There is not much to add to our report in the Spring edition, but we have been informed that Aberdeenshire Council expects to have information on BT’s proposed working plans around Christmas. Projections are that over 80% of premises in Aberdeenshire will have access to a fibre optic cable service, but these locations have not yet been defined. Work will be done in phases since funding will come from several sources within time constraints. What is agreed is that this upgrading will be complete and operational by March 2016.

300 Club This is our annual fund-raising lottery, where purchase of £5 tickets between November and January provides a chance of winning cash prizes every month. Tickets are drawn at each meeting of the Community Council, when applications for modest grants for local clubs and groups are considered as well. This means that your £5, or several of them, will be allocated either to local good causes, or as cash prizes – so all the money is re-circulated in our area. Community councillors will be knocking on your door in the winter months, so we hope that you will join the 300 Club.

Cash prize winners since April are: R Birt, Banchory-Devenick; L. Bracegirdle, Maryculter; I. Brown, Bridge of Muchalls; M. Carmichael, Stonehaven; S. Davies, Netherley; R. Gauld, Maryculter; T. Heath, Durris; H. Klep, Maryculter; M. Love, Blairs; N. Mauthner, Maryculter; C. Masson, Maryculter; R. McTaggart, Maryculter; J. Scott, Maryculter; J. Skinner, Maryculter; S. Stewart, Maryculter; G. Tait, Maryculter; R. Turner, Netherley; L. Walker, Blairs; S Wardlaw, Netherley; and Y. Winmill, Netherley.

There have been no applications for grants since April, but we gave larger than usual sums to the Maryculter Community Woodlands Trust and to Maryculter Community Hall Association earlier in the year, the latter for bridge replacement.

Clubs and societies within our area are encouraged to apply to the NKRCC secretary, giving good reasons for their need for additional funds. It usually helps too if someone from the group can come to the next meeting of NKRCC and explain reasons for their request.

NORTH KINCARDINE RURAL COMMUNITY COUNCIL AUTUMN 2013

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within the region with the lowest broadband speeds or none at all.

Aberdeenshire has also launched a new fund to develop events in local areas to celebrate Homecoming Scotland in 2014. Local groups can apply for maximum funding of £5000 for innovative events and activities which celebrate and promote the area. Please contact me if you would like further details.

Over recent months, I have been dealing with a vast number of roads issues on behalf of local residents. As a member of the Policy and Resources Committee, I was therefore pleased to be able to support the investment ofan additional £2m in the roads network across Aberdeenshire. I hope that we see the benefits of some of this money locally.

Finally, the police are currently consulting local councillors about the opening hours of police stations and the deployment of traffic wardens. Please let me have any views you would like passed on. Councillor Carl Nelson

Saturday, 10 August promised to be a special day for me, but not quite as I expected. Arrangements had been made by David MacDonald, Stonehaven to welcome Christian Nock at the Open Air Pool, Stonehaven at approximately 12.30 pm.

Christian, a former soldier, is astonishingly walking the entire mainland coastline of Great Britain to raise money for the Help for Heroes charity, which does such fantastic work via public donations, in rehabilitating our brave war-wounded service folk.

Two days earlier he had passed the one-year mark of a trek which will take him three years to complete. He is walking anti-clockwise round the country. His journey started in Blackpool in a southerly direction, along the south coast of England, then north, to where he is now, just out of Stonehaven.

The intention was to give him a big Stonehaven welcome at the Open Air Pool. Aberdeenshire Provost Jill Webster was there, as was Councillor Wendy Agnew, but no Christian. The unfortunate thing was that it is not possible to make contact with him as he does not give out his mobile number to avoid being overwhelmed with calls of support. After a very long wait we received a call from David MacDonald to advise that he had tracked Christian down and that they were both at Dunnottar Castle. We hastily made our way there and eventually found them both within the Castle grounds.

It was a pleasure to meet Christian. There is much to say about him but space only permits a few comments. He is a shy, straightforward, likeable person, with a steely determination to complete the task he has set himself. To date he has raised over £100,000. Christian’s incredible journey and his fundraising page can be found at:

www.facebook.com/christian.britain.3

Giving: www.bmycharity.com/Christian

Councillor Ian Mollison What a summer it has been. Cracking weather, though not without the odd downpour.

Aberdeenshire Council’s roads department has been taking advantage of the good weather to improve the local network. Hardly a week seems to go by without a road in North Kincardine being

closed while it is resurfaced. The council continuously ranks in the top five of all

32 councils in the annual Scottish Road Maintenance Condition Survey. Community councillors and the public are always quick to highlight defects, which is appreciated by staff. If you see a problem, email: roads@Aberdeenshire.gov.uk, phone 08456 08 12 05 or text 07624 82 07 22.

The road network is an important asset – in the current financial year, the council will spend in excess of £23million managing and maintaining it.

Talking of roads, in mid-August work started on the access to the new town of Chapelton of Elsick. A swathe was cut through the corn westwards from the Newtonhill flyover, where a roundabout is being built. The first 802 houses will be west of Cairnhill. Eventually the town should see some 4500 houses, three primaries, a secondary, allotments, a cemetery, a combined heat and power system, 526 affordable houses and an underpass on the A90 at Bourtreebush.

Continuing the roads theme, I and my colleagues on the council’s infrastructure services committee have been discussing the impact the police amalgamation is having on road safety education. The formation of Police Scotland has led to a major reduction in police road safety advisors in the North east. There are only two in post, compared to 10 three years ago. Initial work to determine how to bridge the gap in road safety education estimates £200,000 would be needed annually to provide a similar level of service to communities, money not provided for in our budget. Councillor Alison Evison

Just before the summer holidays, I helped to interview the new Head at Banchory-Devenick. It was very interesting to work with a group of the parents to learn of their vision for the school. The appointment of Michelle Watson marks an important stage in the development of Banchory-Devenick, and I

wish the whole school community the very best for the future. It has been a good summer for many students in

Aberdeenshire schools, with the Higher exam pass rate rising for the third successive year. Congratulations to all whose personal efforts contributed to this.

The welcome news about improvements to broadband will hopefully make studying easier for local pupils. The Government's Step Change project will ensure that 85% of Scottish properties have access to fibre broadband by the end of 2015. Aberdeenshire Council has contributed £16m to this project, with this money being used to benefit those areas

COUNCILLORS AUTUMN 2013

20

Robert Smith MP This autumn sees the launch of my campaign for fairer delivery charges for those living in the North East and North of Scotland. For too long now, both consumers and businesses have been faced with excessive surcharges when ordering goods online. Not only is this frustrating and unreasonable for consumers, but it also puts businesses at a disadvantage.

The campaign is calling for retailers to adopt a Code of Best Practice and to stop excessive delivery surcharges. In particular, retailers should offer to send parcels via Royal Mail who charge one price for delivery of packets and small parcels to anywhere in the UK.

The campaign is also calling for websites to be more transparent when they do charge extra for delivery to regions in Scotland. Too many shoppers spend time choosing the item they want only to find out at the last possible moment that they are facing an unfair delivery charge. They would never have shopped on that website if they had known that was the case. That is why I’m bringing a Bill to Parliament in September to make online retailers declare any delivery surcharges on the very first page of their website. If it passes, shoppers would be able to find straight away whether they would be charged extra to deliver to their address and how much these surcharges will be. As part of the campaign I will be collecting names for a petition to take to online retailers calling on them to change their ways. If you have experience of excessive delivery charges and support the campaign please get in touch.

Maureen Watt MSP

I have spent most of my summer recess this year visiting organisations and business which operate in the Aberdeen area, but I have also been meeting with a number of constituents who are impacted by the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR). The beginning of the demolition of Aberdeen’s International School has signalled the start of the AWPR in Deeside.

Commuters, visitors, and indeed anyone who travels in and around Aberdeen, spend far too much time stationary in gridlocked traffic. The AWPR provides a much needed means of remedying this and will take significant volumes of not only traffic, but also stress, out of some of City’s busiest roads. Moreover, the AWPR will specifically benefit motorists and residents in Deeside in the event of any serious accidents on the A90 and Netherley Road by taking traffic away from rural roads which are not best suited to diversionary routes.

It is interesting to note that traffic being diverted from the A90 south of Stonehaven benefits from the use of the A92 coast road. No such alternatives currently exist north of Stonehaven. Instead we have the rural roads of Deeside which are used to divert motorists from the A90 north of Stonehaven. This was acutely highlighted at the end of August when a fatal accident near the Lairhillock Junction caused

significant disruption, frustration and lengthy delay for motorists.

Notwithstanding the benefit of providing an alternative, more suitable diversion route, the AWPR will be of enormous assistance to motorists across Aberdeen by removing large quantities of traffic from a city which is notoriously frustrating for drivers. I, and most others, can’t wait.

SOLSTICE NURSERIES Growing People & Plants This social firm operates from the beautifully established site at Banchory-Devenick just outside Aberdeen. Staff are

highly trained in horticulture to provide the loving care essential to produce their specially home-grown Scottish Hardy Heathers.

The heathers are grown from tiny cuttings, nurtured in polytunnels, developed in the shade hall and then in the field, demonstrating that they can endure the diversities of the Scottish weather. With over 100 varieties of heather on offer, buyers will find plants to meet their needs. Scottish Hardy Heathers range from tiny pincushions, like Foxil Nana to striking tree heathers like Erica Arorea growing up to 3 ft high.

Solstice Nurseries also provide gardening services including gardening maintenance, hard landscaping and gardening clearance. Please phone before visiting.

Tel: 865907, Drumduan Walled Garden, South Deeside Road, AB12 5YL

www.solsticenurseries.co.uk

DOGTIME WALKS

Experienced & professional service offered Fully equipped ventilated van

Pick up, drop off 1 hour walks, puppy and oldie breaks

For more information call

Denise 07917 190186 or 01224 864121

SEGWAY ABERDEEN GO ON, GET GOING

A new outdoor activity in Templars Park, Maryculter. Entrance opposite the junction of South Deeside Road,

B9077 and the B979 signed to Stonehaven.

Instruction and safety helmet provided Booking essential: Tel: 0844 8707105

email: getgoing@segwayaberdeen.co.uk www.segwayaberdeen.co.uk

MP & MSP AUTUMN 2013

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Nature Classes Award-winning weekly nature classes for two to five

year olds to discover nature and play outdoors. Monday and Friday sessions

Birthday Parties

Toast marshmallows, build dens, climb trees and stomp in mud… outdoor birthday fun for two to ten-

year-olds!

Contact Mandy Tulloch on 07929 465680 or visit

www.mudpieadventures.co.uk for more

Become a FAN and LIKE us on Facebook... visit: www.facebook.com/ProperClobber

56 Barclay St, Stonehaven, AB39 2AR

www.properclobber.com

NORTH BURNSIDE KENNELS AND CATTERY

“where part of your family becomes part of ours”

Tel 01224 733474

Netherley Road, Burnside,

Maryculter, AB12 5FB

Learn the art and tradition of carriage driving Arrive in a horse-drawn carriage for your wedding

Enjoy a farm tour and riverside drive Visit our unique carriage collection

Bring disabled friends for a drive Let us take you for a drive to mark a special occasion

We can do all this and much more with our experienced horses and ponies. We also have a self-contained flat overlooking the River Dee – ideal for

business visits or short breaks.

Jane and Ewen MacInnes, Home Farm, Maryculter Tel: 01224 732310 and 07889 340362 Email: homefarmmcdc@lineone.net

www.marycultercarriages.co.uk

The Lairhillock Inn is open 7 days a week for tea/coffee, lunches and evening meals.

Look on our website for menus and opening times.

Netherley, Near Stonehaven, AB39 3QS

Tel: 01569 730001 Fax: 01569 731175

Email: info@lairhillock.co.uk

www.lairhillock.co.uk

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Wednesday  to  Sunday  Lunch  12pm  -­‐  2.30pm  close  

Dinner  5.30pm  -­‐  8.45pm  last  orders    

Closed  Monday  &  Tuesday    

Sample  menus  at  www.themuchallsbistro.co.uk  

 14  Dunnyfell  Road,  Muchalls,    

Stonehaven,  AB39  3RP  

 Only  200m  off  the  A90  -­‐  follow  the  signs  to  Muchalls   STAFF

WANTED

One of the area’s favourite destinations for weddings, fine dining, bar suppers and relaxed evenings by our open fire, Maryculter House Hotel

is currently recruiting for the following positions:

FULL TIME WAITING STAFF PART TIME WAITING STAFF

BREAKFAST WAITING STAFF EVENING AND WEEKEND BAR STAFF

BANQUETING STAFF FULL TIME KITCHEN PORTER

Varied and flexible working patterns plus good rates of pay are available.

Some of these roles may suit parents with young children, looking for something for while the children are at school, or in the evenings.

For more about these exciting opportunities to join our small, friendly and dedicated them, call the hotel on

01224 732124 and speak to Ed. Alternatively, email Ed at

deputy@maryculterhousehotel.com www.maryculterhousehotel.com

MARYCULTER HOUSE HOTEL

Your Local Farm Shop

What is produced at the shop?

A wide range of award winning cheeses including Badentoy Blue, Coos R Oot, Fit-like,

Smoked Deesider, Granite City and more NEW Broon Coo cheese and Blue Cheese oatcakes

Range of yogurts and cheesecakes Free range duck and hen eggs

Home-reared welfare-friendly rosé veal Seasonal fruits and vegetables

Come and try a sample

Open Daily except Sunday from 9am to 6pm The Devenick Dairy at Bishopston Farm, Banchory-Devenick, Aberdeen AB12 4RS Tel 782476 Email: info@devenickdairy.co.uk www.devenickdairy.co.uk

Redwing Riding School and

Livery Yard

Small group for all ages and stages A kinder way of riding

No sticks and spurs Excellent Hacking Facilities

Tel: 01224 732952

Email: mpetrie@blaikiewell.co.uk www.blaikiewell.com/redwing

Eastland Lodge, Maryculter, AB12 5FS

Tel 01224 867174 Repair Specialist Used Car Sales

South Deeside Road, Aberdeen, AB12 5YQ Email: copland01@btconnect.com www.coplandmotors.co.uk

GP HEATING AND PLUMBING • Central heating • Boiler servicing • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Woodstoves

20 years experience No job too big or too small

Gas Safe registered – 217539

GRAEME PATERSON PETERCULTER

Mobile: 07774 929357 Email: gpaterson01@btinternet.com

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September 2013 Wed 11 Maryculter WRI: Photography Mon 16 Community Council October Thurs 3 Friendship Club lunch Fri 4 Macmillan Coffee Morning Sat 5 Meal an’ Ale concert in Cookney Hall,

Doric Festival Sun 6 Harvest Thanksgiving, Maryculter Church

Harvest Festival, St Ternan’s Church Wed 9 Maryculter WRI: Working with clay Mon 21 Community Council Fri 25 Friendship Club basket whist Sat 26 Tractor Race Night, Cookney Hall November Thurs 7 Friendship Club Sun 10 Remembrance Day Service, Maryculter

Church Wed 13 Maryculter WRI: ScottishConcert/ Stovie

Supper Mon 18 Community Council Sat 30 St Ternan’s Church Coffee Morning December Thurs 5 Friendship Club Sat 7 Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, Blairs

Chapel Mon 10 Community Council Wed 11 Maryculter WRI: Flower and food for

Xmas Sat 14 Con Anima Chamber Choir, Blairs Chapel Tues 24 Family Christmas service, Maryculter

church January 2014 Fri 3 New Year dance in Cookney Hall Thurs 9 Friendship Club Wed 8 Maryculter WRI: Aberdeen street pastors Mon 20 Community Council Sat 18 Burns Supper in Cookney Hall February Thurs 6 Friendship Club Wed 12 Maryculter WRI, Cake decorating Mon17 Community Council March Thurs 6 Friendship Club Wed 12 Maryculter WRI: Birthday party meal Mon 17 Community Council April Wed 9 Maryculter WRI: Daunder down the Dee

REPRESENTATION MP Sir Robert Smith Tel: 01330 826549 Email: robert.smith.mp@parliament.uk MSP Maureen Watt Tel: 01224 876743 Email: maureen.watt.msp@scottish.parliament.uk

COUNCILLORS Alastair Bews Tel: 01224 784594 33 Bruntland Court, Portlethen Email: cllr.a.bews@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Alison Evison Tel: 01561 362013 2 Newbigging Steading, Inverbervie DD10 0PQ Email: cllr.a.evison@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Ian Mollison Tel: 01569 739087 11 Greystone Place, Newtonhill, Stonehaven AB39 3UL Email:cllr.i.mollison@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Carl Nelson Tel: 01569 730733 21 Dunnyfell Road, Muchalls, Stonehaven AB39 3RP Email: cllr.c.nelson@aberdeenshire.gov.uk ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL Viewmount, Arduthie Road, Stonehaven. AB39 2DQ www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk POLICE Emergencies Tel: 999 or 112 All non-emergencies Tel: 101 Crimestoppers Tel: 0800 555 111 Drugs Information Line Tel: 0800 371553 SERVICES Bus services No. 103 Aberdeen to Laurencekirk via Banchory-Devenick and Netherley Nicoll Coaches, Tel: 01561 377262, www.aberdeenshirecouncil.gov.uk No. 204 Aberdeen to Strachan via Maryculter and Blairs Stagecoach Bluebird, Tel: 212266 www.stagecoachbus.com DIAL A TRIP Bus service with tail lift for concession card and taxi card holders. Tel: 01569 765765 LIBRARY The mobile van visits fortnightly on Thursdays: Kirkton of Maryculter at 9am By former Maryculter East School at 9.20am Banchory-Devenick crossroads at 10.10am Library Service Tel: 01651 872707

USEFUL NUMBERS EVENTS CALENDAR

Editors: Hazel Witte Tel: 732738 Monearn, Maryculter AB12 5GT witte@btconnect.com Lynne Beard Tel: 01569 739132 Rivendell, Netherley, AB39 3QN sdeesideview@yahoo.co.uk

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