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THE SOUTH DEESIDE VIEW
Spring 2013
CONTENTS
1
Plant Sale & Daffodil Tea
2
Youth activities
3
Youth activities
4
Lairhillock School
5
Banchory-Devenick School
Red squirrel conservation
6
Clubs and Societies
7
Leisure activities
8
Community Halls
Community Woodland
9
Driving for the Disabled
10
Maryculter-Cookney Church
11
St Ternan’s Church
St Mary’s Chapel, Blairs
Solstice Plant Sale
12
News from Blairs Museum
The Muckle Spate
13
Nature Notes
This year March came in like a lamb but as we go to press it
looks set to go out like a lion. In stark contrast to last year,
easterly winds, almost Siberian-like at times, seem to have
dominated most of the winter but undeterred, the snowdrops
adorn our landscape, albeit camouflaged amongst the
snowflakes. A sure sign that spring is upon us.
Thanks to our many contributors and organisations across the
area for helping to once again make this a packed issue. Also
to our faithful advertisers and band of ‘deliverers’. Together
you make South Deeside View possible...you should be very
proud.
All phone numbers are Aberdeen listed (01224) unless
otherwise indicated. The back page, with its Events Calendar
and list of useful contacts, is arranged for handy reference.
Other contact information is at the end of each section.
We look forward to seeing you all at our Annual Plant Sale
and Coffee Morning on May 18 (see below for more details).
As always, please feel free to contact Hazel or Pam at any time
with your ideas for new material for the newsletter (contact
details on the back page). Your suggestions are always
welcome.
Till autumn...
Home deliveries
14
Grampian Police
15
Representation MP/MSP
16
Community Council
17
Community Council
18
Councillors
19
Advertisements
20
Handy contacts and Events
ANNUAL PLANT SALE
and
COFFEE MORNING
Saturday May 18, from 10.30am till noon
at Corbie Hall, Maryculter
We are holding a sale of garden plants: herbaceous,
rockery, herbs, salad vegetables, annuals and bushes - all
grown by enthusiastic local amateur gardeners.
Friends of Guiding
Maryculter
Coffee, tea, juice and home baking will also be
available.
Annual Daffodil Tea
Please let us know if you can offer any donations or
assistance on the day - all contributions welcome!
Saturday 11th May 10.30 to 12.30
Corbie Hall, Maryculter
Adults £3, children/concessions £1.50
Cake & candy, books & toys, lucky
dip, chocolate/bottle tombola, raffle
If you can help with supplies, contact Rob Winmill
(plants), Tel: 01569 730308 or Pam Robertson (coffee
morning), Tel: 863887.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Maryculter Babies and Toddlers
Maryculter Rainbows
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.
Julie Currie, Tel: 862200, E-mail: [email protected]
Lee Ross, Tel: 07929 071182, E-mail: [email protected]
Rainbows meet in the Corbie Hall between 4.15 and 5.15pm
on Thursday afternoons. We are currently at full capacity with
nineteen girls aged between five and seven.
During the pre-Christmas term we enjoyed two circus-themed
afternoons when we practised circus games and were lucky to
have a face painter visit. We also made Christmas decorations
for the foyer of Tesco, Banchory along with Maryculter
Brownies and Guides. The highlight was a trip to the
pantomime - “It wasn’t me it was Goldilocks” - at the Lemon
Tree.
South Deeside Under Fives
We are a community-led
charity
providing
independent childcare for
children from birth to five
ye a r s , m e e t i n g a t
Maryculter Community
Hall (next to the Old Mill
Inn). Our experienced
play leaders 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 three groups:
In January we met in the Maryculter Church Hall until the
bridge at Corbie Hall, which had been washed away by
floods, was replaced. We went for a walk in the woods near
the church and did some ‘star gazing’. Fortunately and with
thanks to all involved, the bridge was repaired quickly and
now we are back to normal. We have been working towards
our Seasons Badge by celebrating Burns Night, Chinese New
Year and Mothers Day and also had a seasonal fashion show.
We are now hoping the snow stays away for our Easter Egg
Hunt at the end of March!
If you would like your child to join our Rainbows, please
register on www.girlguiding.org.uk and complete the ‘Get
Involved’ section.
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 play leader 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 play leaders
who support the children in learning through play in a small,
friendly group. Activities include crafts, bug hunting, bubbles
in the garden and walks around the local countryside.
Rising Fives Group
Meets on Tuesdays, 11.45am to 1.45pm - £8 per session.
For ante-pre 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.
Maryculter Brownies
It has been a busy time for the Brownies again. They
collected together backpacks for the Mary’s Meals scheme so
that children not as lucky as themselves in Malawi can go to
school. For this they got a special ‘Together We Can’ badge.
At the end of last term they went to the Panto and saw
Cinderella and there were great discussions about boys
dressed as girls, also the fact that the main character was a
girl dressed as a boy! For the end of term they enjoyed a trip
to Café O’ Clay and decorated some fabulous Christmas
decorations.
This term they have been busy doing their Friends to Animals
badge and the highlight so far was having George Masson
come to visit and talk to us about Driving for the Disabled. It
was great to hear about the work that they and the ponies do.
We loved all the photos that he brought to show us of the
ponies in action.
More information at mobile: 07966 163953
or email: [email protected].
The South Deeside Under Fives is a member of the Scottish
Pre-school Play Association. Charity no.SC017421.
www.south-deeside-under-fives.co.uk.
We have also just completed our special Rolls Roycesponsored Science Explorer Badge and had great fun making
balloon-powered cars, compasses and a pin hole viewer. And
just the other week we had a Brownie Bakeoff to raise money
for Children In Need.
Blairwood Garden, Blairs
This is a 14-year-old garden of approx ½ acre designed to
sit easily in the surrounding countryside and to provide
colour over a long season: herbaceous borders, a herb
garden packed with medicinal and culinary herbs, pebble
mosaics and sunken patio area. One garden 'room' has been
grown on a landfill site. River walk.
The garden is open by arrangement to individuals and
groups from mid June to early autumn. Admission is £4.00
with all proceeds going to charity. No dogs please.
Ilse Elders - T: 01224 868301 E: [email protected].
Currently there are a couple of spaces available for the first
time in a good while, so if you are interested in joining please
get in touch.
Contact Lynn Murphy, Tel: 01330 825936 or
e-mail [email protected]
2
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Maryculter Guides
1st Maryculter Cubs
This term we have been working
on ‘Go For Its’, where the girls
plan their own activities based on
a theme. So far we have made
bat h bo mbs and h eal t hy
sandwiches in funky shapes using
cookie cutters. We have been
putting our artistic skills to the test making paint splatter
handprint paintings. We are now working on the World
Culture Badge and learning about the local area by
making a leaflet all about local attractions. Also, part of
the badge is to use traditional henna designs to decorate
hand and foot prints. We are working hard on this badge
but still have some work to complete.
To celebrate World Thinking Day the whole unit took
part in a cowboy-themed sleepover in the White House
at Templars Park. We played games in the dark and
cooked our supper over the open fire. We made some
lovely crafts called Gods Eyes that are a Mexican
tradition. World Thinking Day is celebrated all over the
world on the 22nd of February as this is our founder’s
birthday. The celebration went on into the wee small
hours of the morning with our campfire and singing
over 30 of the Guides’ favourite songs. The next
morning we had some time to reflect, think of our
founder and Guides all over the world.
The Rangers are run like a support point of contact for
Young Leaders from other units and areas. Being a
Ranger means you could be helping within a local unit
or just working on your own.
Maryculter Guide and Ranger Units are always looking
for new members, girls can be ages 10-14 for Guides
and 14-25 for Rangers. We meet on Tuesday evenings
at 7.30pm in the Maryculter Community (Corbie) Hall.
Contact Morag Lister on Tel: 07849 315203, E-mail:
[email protected]
We are so fortunate to have access to some wonderful
local terrain in which to keep the Cubs busy. With
woodland, streams and the Glebe field on our doorstep
they have enjoyed many outdoor activities right through
the winter.
We kicked off the new school year with a very sunny
camp at Templars’ Park, with many of our Cubs
completing the activities required for their Camper
badge – just a few more nights under canvas required to
qualify. Since then we’ve tracked in the woods,
navigated from point to point using simple maps, found
our way using the stars, been night-time orienteering
and even completed a stealth exercise during which all
Cubs succeeded in staying silent for a full fifteen
minutes! We’ve made guys for Bonfire Night, stretchers
out of rope and sticks, held our traditional
Remembrance Eve sleepover in the hut, had a riotous
Christmas Party complete with sausage sizzle and had a
go with the fire hoses during a visit to Stonehaven Fire
Station. The Cubs have gained badges for athletics,
emergency aid, creativity and navigation. We’re
currently working towards our astronomy badges.
Looking ahead, we will be running another camp at
Templars’ in May and hope to repeat the sailing events
at the Loch of Skene which are always so popular. As
the evenings lengthen we’ll be able to climb some hills
and later in the year we’ll be making our annual
weekend trip to Muir Cottage near Braemar.
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 6.15 and 7.45pm. 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 with Sarah Taylor (07917 658504),
Allan Glennie (01569 730732) or Brett Lestrange
(735146).
Maryculter Beavers
1st Maryculter Scouts
The Beavers celebrate their
25th anniversary this year.
Our Colony was the first in
Deeside to be formed and has
thrived ever since with many
of the local boys joining and having fun with friends.
The Colony meets at the Scout Hut, Kirkton of
Maryculter from 5.30 until 7pm each Tuesday. There
are 13 Beavers meantime and new members aged 6 to 7
are always welcome.
At Christmas the Beavers almost stole the show with
their enthusiasm at the Bettridge Centre's performance
of Jack and the Beanstalk - some of them being invited
on stage to 'help out'. Since then the Beavers have been
enjoying crafts, baking and other badge work but light
nights will be here again soon to let us get outside for
more adventurous activities.
Contact: Kathleen Paterson, Beaver Leader Tel:
868676
Scouts meet on Friday evenings at the Scout Hut,
Kirkton of Maryculter from 7.15 until 9.15pm.
Membership continues to hover around 20, just slightly
below our maximum of 24. Some Scouts have recently
completed their Chef badge and are in the process of
completing their Swimmer and Cyclist badges.
Unfortunately there is not a sand-shifting badge for
those that helped at the Corbie Park recently…!
A number of parents helped undertake some
maintenance at the hut over the winter and now that
spring is here it is hoped some more tasks will get done.
We have an empty border requiring some shrubs so any
hardy bushes would be gratefully accepted if any are
being disposed of or broken up. Summer camp this year
will be at Alyth, where we have enjoyed camping in
previous years and are always made very welcome. Any
enquiries about Scouting in Maryculter should be made
to Les Paterson, Scout Leader. Tel 01224 868676 or email [email protected].
3
PRIMARY
SCHOOLS
STAFFING
Due to family circumstances, Mrs Geldart ceased
working with P5/6 on 8 March. We would like to thank
her for the work she has done with the class this term,
the children have enjoyed having her in class. Ms
Guthrie and Mrs Foubister will provide interim cover
until Mrs Begg, our new P5/6 class teacher, takes up her
post. We are looking forward to having her in the
school.
Lairhillock
Rev. Bogle, Moderator for the
General Assembly of the
Church of Scotland, and his
wife were visiting the area as
part of the Moderator’s year in
office and asked to visit
Lairhillock School as we are a
modern school. He conducted a short assembly and then
had a tour of the school and an opportunity to talk to
some of the children.
Congratulations to Orin
Collin who won the ‘Get
Caught
Reading’
competition for ‘getting
caught’ sitting on a chimney
to read his book (pictured
left). We are most grateful
to the Moderator for judging
the competition and to
everyone who took the time
to enter.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
We have managed to secure Brazilian samba drumming
workshops for all of the children from Nursery to P7.
As a finale to their workshops the P1-7 children will be
putting on an end of term concert for parents.
The children in P6/7 (pictured below) have embarked on
a short course of hockey lessons delivered by Kevin
McNab, Hockey Development Officer, and organised
by Mrs Seerey, Active Schools Coordinator. We are
also grateful to Mrs Seerey for the badminton sessions
she is running for P3.
NEWS FROM THE CLASSES
Fairtrade has been a major focus in P1/2 and the
children have enjoyed working on their display. The
class had a surplus of Fairtrade bananas which the
children put to good use by making banana muffins.
P1/2 also continue to be on the lookout for any good
quality second hand dressing up clothes, toys and
purses.
Meanwhile, as part of their Ancient Egyptians project,
P2/3 have become fascinated by the gory process of
mummification!
During a recent spell of good weather P4 ventured
outside to work on angles and they are hoping for more
good weather to be able to continue their investigations.
Primary 5-7 have been working on the Endless Ocean
project this term and both classes have arranged trips
related to this: P5/6 are off to Macduff Aquarium and
P6/7 are heading to Deep Sea World.
The children in nursery (pictured below) are learning a
number of PE skills to help them during sports day next
term.
Ten children from P3-5 will be selected to represent the
school at the Badminton Sportshall Challenge at Mill O’
Forest School. This event allows the children to
participate in a series of activities to improve their
badminton skills.
The school will also be represented at the first round of
the Rotary Primary School Quiz by Aidan Dempsey,
Alexandria Reid, Callum Davis, Joe McNamee and
Rachael Pyper.
Mrs Malone, Mrs Trilk and Mr Pyper will be taking our
cross country team to the Championship at Balmedie.
Our Fairtrade Rice is now on sale at a cost of £2.70 per
bag. If we manage to sell all 90 of the one kilogram
bags we will have raised enough money to allow the
farmer who grew the rice to send one of his children to
secondary school for a year.
Next term, P6 bikeability training begins, 'PINK! The
Musical' For Nursery to P3 comes to the school and P7
pupils embark on a residential trip.
Christeen Saward, Acting Head Teacher
Tel: 01569 732520
E-mail: [email protected]
4
Banchory-Devenick
Red squirrels in
Aberdeenshire
need your help!
With spring very much in the air,
pupils and teachers at BanchoryDevenick School are looking
forward to an action-packed year.
As well as a full and rewarding time
in the class room there is a wide
ranging after schools programme on offer allowing
pupils to socialise and have fun with friends.
Householders and landowners throughout Aberdeen City and
Shire are urged to lend a hand in continued efforts to
successfully boost red squirrel numbers across the area – by
opening their gardens and borrowing a squirrel trap!
The red squirrel is native to Britain and was once
widespread, but has declined markedly in recent years.
Scotland now holds 75% of the UK’s red squirrel population.
Their decline is mostly due to the spread of the grey squirrel,
which was only introduced into the UK in the 19 th century.
The call for help comes from the people behind the Saving
Scotland’s Red Squirrels (SSRS) project. Led by the Scottish
Wildlife Trust in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage,
Scottish Land and Estates and Forestry Commission Scotland,
the four-year-old project has successfully focused its red
squirrel conservation efforts along Deeside and Donside
The SSRS North East Project Officer, Stephen Willis, said:
“Recent volunteer-led surveys suggest that the red squirrel
conservation work we’ve been involved with so far is
reducing grey squirrel numbers and improving conditions for
red squirrels to thrive. We’re already receiving more and
more sightings of red squirrels in Peterculter, Milltimber and
as far east as Garthdee, and would like to create the same ‘red
-friendly’ conditions across south Deeside. But to achieve
this, we need access to even more private gardens along
Deeside that contain prime grey squirrel habitat. There is an
abundance of good habitat between Banchory-Devenick and
Maryculter and numerous areas of woodland approaching
Durris. We really need to know more about where red and
grey squirrels are in all these areas.”
SSRS provides information and
advice to landowners about how
to manage woodlands to benefit
red squirrels and works to raise
public awareness of the red
squirrels’ plight by engaging
individuals and communities in
red squirrel conservation. A
crucial part of the work involves preventing further grey
squirrel range expansion.
Until non-lethal methods of grey squirrel control are
available, the only way to prevent grey squirrels from
dispersing further out into Aberdeenshire is by careful cagetrapping followed by humane dispatch. Across Grampian, coordinated grey squirrel control carried out by trained Grey
Squirrel Control Officers, is targeted at the most prolific grey
squirrel populations which drive the grey’s range expansion.
A major factor in the success of this approach is the
participation of landowners and householders in the SSRS
trap loan scheme.
The SSRS Project Manager, Mel Tonkin, added: “We are
able to loan traps and provide a dispatch service, carried out
by our trained Grey Squirrel Control Officers, free of charge.
This scheme fulfils a vital element to the national red squirrel
protection strategy and if anyone would like to help, either by
allowing us access to their grounds, borrowing a trap or even
reporting red or grey squirrel sightings in the area, they can
visit our website (www.swt.org.uk/wildlife/squirrelsightings)
and find out how to get involved.”
Thanks to the wider Portlethen Network Active Schools
the following clubs are currently running at the school:
Yoga
The weekly yoga group is open to all ages and has been
successfully running all year. Pupils learn new postures
and experience the spiritual benefits, all whilst
unwinding after a full day at school. The classes have
proved very popular with over 10 pupils regularly
attending.
Bokwa
Starting Tuesday 5th March from 3.20-4pm, the newest
activity to start for P3 upwards is the Bokwa class.
Bokwa is a new dance-fitness workout for boys and
girls which is set to popular music. “If you can move
and you like music, you will like Bokwa!”
A future date for everyone’s diary is the BanchoryDevenick Spring Fair on Saturday 18th May from 2–
4pm. With stalls, games for children, a bouncy castle
and fabulous home bakes, there’s sure to be something
for everyone. All welcome!
‘ Te Amo Project’
We would like to thank all of you who so willingly and
wonderfully made our primary 1, 2 and 3 class Te Amo
Project such a tremendous success - both for our pupils
and for the children of Peru who will benefit so
gratefully from the 65 jumpers, 18 scarves and 6 hats
that are now on their way to Peru. Thank you also to
those of you who donated to the cost of sending the
knitwear to Peru.
Future Projects
The classes will be working on the following topics this
term:
P1/2/3 – Granny’s Attic
P4/5 – Romans
P6/7 – Victorians
If you would like any more information, please contact the
SSRS North East Project Officer, Stephen Willis, Tel: 266526
or Email: [email protected].
Joyce Hill, Head Teacher, Tel: 875237
E-mail: [email protected]
5
CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
Maryculter WRI
‘change’ (hopefully the weather too)
we will finish the season by 31st May
albeit with the usual plethora of
evening games.
The other big factor that would have
affected play during the long period of
inactivity was the ‘Big Flood at Corbie Park’. This will
be well documented by others but I personally would
like to thank all members of the community that gave of
their time and efforts to resurrect the bridge and clear
the football pitch.
I would also like to announce the upcoming 40th
Anniversary Dinner of Glendale FC, which will take
place on the 18th May at the Old Mill Inn. Attempts will
be made to contact all former players but should you
wish to contact us via this article, please do so.
Finally on a more personal note, I was more than a
little overcome and taken aback whilst attending our
own Aberdeen Association meeting at the start of
January, when in the presence of representatives of the
SAFA, I was surprisingly called forward to be presented
with the Association Medal for Services to Amateur
Football. To say I was humbled is an understatement, as
all that we are doing here at Glendale is carrying on the
good works started by the late Charlie Summers and
Archie Morrison way back in 1972.
Jim Grant Tel: 867512
Meeti ngs ar e on t he second
Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm in
Corbie Hall, Maryculter between
August and May. The speaker on April
10 is Barney Crockett who will talk
about Aberdeen cinemas and our
season ends on May 8 with the Business Meeting and a
Bring and Buy Sale. New members and visitors are
always welcome. See our programme on the back page.
Secretary, Marlene Connon, Tel: 867580
Netherley WRI
We meet on the third Monday of each month between
August and May at 7.30pm in Lairhillock School. On
April 15 there will be floral arranging and on May 20
we will have a talk by Lynne Carmichael on voluntary
dental work in India as well as our Business Meeting.
We are a small but keen group and welcome new
members.
Georgina Smith, Tel: 01330 822192
Friendship Club
We are a very active social group of retirement age who
meet on the first Thursday of the month. Our indoor
winter session ends with a Basket Whist in Corbie Hall
on April 19 at 7.30pm. Do get in touch and join us that
evening if you enjoy playing whist or would like to
learn. Our programme of monthly bus excursions
between May and September has been arranged and
includes Stirling Castle and the museum at Montrose.
Contacts: Anne, Tel: 732071 and Peggy, Tel: 734888
Dee Vale Ladies Football Club
Dee Vale Ladies were shocked by the amount of sand
and debris left on their home pitch, Corbie Park, after
the flood at the end of the year. After such a successful
2012 season all the ladies were determined to get the
pitch back to a playable condition by the beginning of
the 2013 season. Dee Vale joined other pitch users and
members of the community in many hours of raking and
shovelling to get the pitch back in order. After a last
minute inspection the pitch was passed as playable for
the first competitive game of 2013 against Luthermuir
in the Scottish League Cup First Round. Thanks is due
to all those who helped to make this possible.
Cookney Bowling Club
The bowlers roll out their carpets on Monday and
Thursday evenings at Cookney Hall, ready for a 7.30pm
start. New members are always welcome to join the
keen two dozen regulars. The season closes at the end of
April and re-starts in mid September.
Arthur Durward Tel: 319701
Glendale Football Club
Having been defeated by Luthermuir in a pre-season
friendly only weeks before, the visitors came to
Maryculter expecting easy progression to the next
round. However, Dee Vale dominated possession
throughout the game, going in one nil up at half time.
Luthermuir looked more organised in the second half
but continued to struggle with the pace and passing of
the Dee Vale team. The home side doubled their lead
shortly before the end and saw out a comfortable 2-0
victory to take them into the League Cup Second Round
and an away tie against Hamilton FC.
Any players interested in joining the squad should
contact [email protected]. Dee Vale LFC play in
the Scottish Second Division North, home matches kick
off at 2pm at Corbie Park, Maryculter.
Rhoda Paterson
As I sit and write this, on yet another free Saturday in
March, whereby we are ‘kicking our heels’ due to the
fact that our fixture has yet again been postponed due to
the weather, the question once more is raised as to
whether the football season should be moved away from
the winter months. This year we have suffered more
than usual...1 game on the 8th December, 1 on the 5th
January, and then nothing until the 23rd February –
nightmare!!!
This inevitably leads to all kinds of problems, not least
difficulties getting indoor Saturday training facilities,
culimating in a loss of interest amongst the squad with
players becoming lethargic and fitness ultimately
affected.
However, onwards and upwards and with the time
6
Aberdeen Aeromodellers Club
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
The club owns a 6.5 acre grass flying field at Hare Moss,
Banchory-Devenick and is permitted to fly from 9am to 7pm
on weekdays, and 10am to 7pm at weekends. Details of
forthcoming events can be found on their website (also on the
back page).
Email: [email protected]
www.aamfc.co.uk
Yoga Class
The Sunday class at Corbie Hall, Maryculter runs from 4.305.45pm, costing £7 (£5 concessions). A mixed programme of
Hatha Flow for strength and balance, Yin yoga for flexibility,
and meditation for focus. Suitable for all levels including
complete beginners. For further information, contact:
Aidan Mulkerrin: 07710 495552, www.aurinkoyoga.com.
Fitness Pilates
The class runs in the Corbie Hall, Maryculter on Mondays
from 6 to 7pm. People with physical problems will be
directed to classes run by physiotherapists, such as the advert
on this page. Individuals are welcome to attend for a trial
session, and should contact:
Fiona Halliday Tel: 01330 824679
DOGTIME DOGWALKS
Experienced & professional service offered
Fully equipped ventilated van,
pick up, drop off
1 hour walks, puppy and oldie breaks
Fitness Pilates
For more information call Denise
07917 190186 or 01224 864121
Dog Training
Weekly class on Wednesday evenings in Cookney Hall.
Wendy Wright, Tel: 01561 377232, Mobile: 07742 106148
The Fitness Pilates technique involves strengthening
the muscles around the centre of your body;
including abdominal muscles, lower, middle and upper back,
all responsible for posture.
Scottish Accordion Music Group
Why should you do Fitness Pilates?
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.
Pilates helps Stability – Mobility – Strength – Balance
Posture – Breathing – Co-ordination
Classes run in Corbie Hall, Maryculter
Mondays from 6pm to 7pm.
A wide range of other classes are also available.
Call Fiona Halliday for more details on 01330 824679.
* Personal tuition given *
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.
North Mearns Reading Group
We are an informal group (12) that meet every six to eight
weeks in each other’s homes. Our aim is to read widely in
order to explore, engage and enjoy all kinds of literature from
contemporary fiction to the classics. We normally discuss two
books, so if you love to read then please join us.
E-mail: [email protected], Tel: 01569
730302 or Sheila, Tel: 01569 731608
SOLVEIG DAHLE SMITH
Cert. Pilates. Inst. MAPPI
Experienced physiotherapist
Storybook Glen
PILATES CLASSES
Maryculter’s 28 acre playground populated by nursery rhyme
and make-believe characters is open from 10am to 6pm daily.
Tel: 732941
www.storybookglenaberdeen.co.uk.
PETERCULTER SPORTS CENTRE
Monday & Tuesday afternoons
Tuesday & Thursday evenings
CAMPHILL SCHOOL MURTLE
Wednesday evenings
CULTS CHURCH
Friday mornings
Contact details
[email protected]
www.pilatesaberdeen.com Tel: 01224 861421
Cert. Pilates. Inst. MAPPI
Drum Castle
The castle, tearoom and shop will be open from March 29 to
June 30 from Thursday to Monday between 11am and 4pm,
and daily at the same times in July and August.
The Garden of Historic Roses opens daily between March 29
and the end of October.
Tel: 01330 811204
www.nts.org.uk
7
Maryculter Community Hall
and Corbie Park
Community Woodland for the Future?
Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) has announced the
sale of 67 hectares of woodland adjacent to the Kirkton
of Maryculter. Oldman Wood is used by many in the
local community including Redwing Riding School, all
age groups of Maryculter Scouts and Guiding, carriage
driving for the disabled and walkers.
A community group (Maryculter Woodlands Trust) in
partnership with FCS has been managing the wood since
2007. Activities include maintenance of paths and
drainage ditches, creation of new paths, thinning-out self
-sown spruce and planting broad-leaf trees.
The local community met on 19th February in the
Kirkton of Maryculter and decided to apply to FCS for a
community buy-out of the wood. This decision has the
full support of our Community Council (NKRCC). If the
application is successful, this will ensure that the wood
is preserved as an amenity for us all.
FCS requires us to hold a formal ballot of the people
living adjacent to the wood as part of the community buy
-out process. If you receive a ballot paper, please
make use of your vote and return it in the envelope
provided. A high response rate for the ballot will
improve our chances of being successful with our
application to FCS. Returning the ballot paper carries no
obligation to help fund the purchase. Funding is likely to
be through public bodies and charitable private donation.
This is a one-off opportunity for the community and we
hope that you share our passion to secure the future of
the wood. If we fail to demonstrate enough local
support for its purchase, there is a significant risk
that the wood becomes a land bank for future house
building.
If you have any views or questions about the proposed
buy-out, please contact the Maryculter Woodlands Trust
at: [email protected]. Further information is
also available at www.maryculterwoods.com.
It is always difficult to write a report on hall
activities that is filled with matters of drama or
controversy - and this can only be a reflection on
how smoothly the hall operates, thanks to our
Booking Secretary, Carol Masson, a great servant
to the local community.
At the last AGM another longstanding servant of
both the field and hall, Jim Ewen, advised that he
would be leaving the committee as he and his
wife, Mary, now live in Banchory and would be
taking it easier in future. Everyone is greatly
appreciative of the many years Jim has given to
the Corbie Park. Jim will be a hard act to replace.
The hall continues to provide a comfortable, cosy,
community meeting place for all sorts of clubs,
committees and youth groups but there is always
capacity for new groups or users to book it for one
-off or regular events.
Enquiries to Carol Masson, Tel: 733583
Friends of Cookney Hall
Did you come to our New Year family dance or
the superb Burns Supper? If not, you missed out
on two happy evenings when we really made the
rafters sing.
Our next event is a Country and Western Night on
Saturday April 27 with music by K W's Country.
Tickets for this and other events can be obtained
from Joyce Murison, Tel: 01569 731236 or the
committee.
Ed Thorogood, Chairman, Tel: 734224
MARYCULTER COMMUNITY HALL
AND CORBIE PLAYING FIELD
by the Old Mill Inn
The Hall has excellent kitchen facilities with
enough tables and chairs to cope with over a
hundred folk. Several private functions have been
held including ceilidhs, anniversary get-togethers
and children’s parties. The wooden floor is ideal
for dancing and entertainers use the moveable
stage and spotlights. Contact us to discuss your
requirements and availability of the hall. We want
to ensure that this superb community resource is
well used and appreciated.
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.
www.facebook.com.groups/234268613296289/
or contact Willie Angus, Tel: 01569 730123,
E-mail: [email protected]
Bob McKinney, tel: 01569 730706
E-mail: [email protected]
For further information or to book an event
Please contact Booking Secretary Carol Masson
Telephone 733583
8
Maryculter Driving for the Disabled
FOR SALE
(due to owner’s illness and advancing years)
WELSH COB (SECTION D) 15HANDS - £2,000
126330 CORBIELINN CASSE
Maryculter Driving for the Disabled Group is an
independent charity registered in Scotland and a
member of the Federation of RDA (Riding for the
Disabled including Driving).
The aim of the Group is to give the opportunity of
driving a horse pulled carriage to any disabled person
who might benefit in general health and happiness.
Our 2013 programme starts on Wednesday 1st May from
Maryculter Home Farm and continues until the last
Wednesday in September when we have our BBQ and
Cone Driving Competition/Treasure Hunt, all made
possible by our extensive team of volunteers.
We are always looking for new helpers and tea
ladies/gentlemen. You don't need to know anything
about horses, we will provide ongoing training, but if
you do that's a bonus. RDA Volunteers must be aged 12
or over and there is no upper age limit. Anyone out there
on a ‘gap year’? A recent survey carried out for the
RDA showed that learning new skills is good for your
CV: 73% of employers would employ a candidate with
volunteering experience over one without.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact
Irene Heale, Chairperson, Tel: 735504 or
Caroline McTaggart, Secretary, Tel: 734093
Make a note in your diary for this year’s Stonehaven
Plainstones fundraising event on 31st August from
9am- noon.
Sire: Retanach Figaro 45266
Dam: Gleannmhor Cariad 227744
Damsire: Lockeridge Welington 22774
Mare/black/date of foaling June 2001/drive & ride
Susceptible to mild attacks of sweet itch that are
easily controllable
Good in traffic/easy to shoe
Interested parties contact:
George Masson, Corbie Linn, Maryculter, AB12 5FT
Tel 01224 733583, Email:
[email protected]
NORTH BURNSIDE KENNELS
AND CATTERY
“where part of your family
becomes part of ours”
Tel 01224 733474
Netherley Road, Burnside, Maryculter
MARYCULTER CARRIAGE
DRIVING CENTRE
Learn the art and tradition of carriage driving
Arrive in a horse-drawn carriage for your wedding
Enjoy a farm tour and riverside drive
Visit our unique carriage collection
Bring disabled friends for a drive
Let us take you for a drive to mark a special occasion
We can do all this and much more with our
experienced horses and ponies.
We also have a self-contained flat overlooking the
River Dee - ideal for business visits or short breaks.
Jane and Ewan MacInnes, Home Farm, Maryculter
Tel: 01224 732310 and 07889 340362
Email: [email protected]
www.marycultercarriages.co.uk
9
Banchory-Devenick and Maryculter/Cookney Parish Church of Scotland
Youth Cafe
Should you need the services of
a minister during the vacancy,
please contact:
P7-S6 - all welcome,
every Thursday 7-9pm in
Maryculter Church Hall. Plenty to do from football,
table tennis and pool to board games and of course the
tuck shop! A visit to the Compass Christian Centre in
Glenshee is planned for June - a weekend packed with
fun and adventure!
We also plan to hold a Holiday Club with the theme
’Space Academy’ nearer the end of the summer
holidays for P1-7.
Contact Dianne Brown, Tel:734687
Rev. Dennis Rose
Interim Moderator
Tel: 01561 362560
Email: [email protected].
Other contacts are:

Mrs Joyce Mackintosh, Session Clerk, Tel:
733495, Email: [email protected].

Mrs Anne Massie, Church Treasurer and
Caretaker, Tel: 732071.
Community Coffee Mornings
Every 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesday from 10am-12 noon
in Maryculter Church Hall. Come along and enjoy
chats with friends over tea, coffee and home baking.
Services during the vacancy are at 10.30am in
Maryculter-Cookney Church and are led by Readers
attached to Kincardine & Deeside Presbytery. Children
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.
The Guild
We meet on the first Monday of the month from
September through to November and from February to
May, 7:30-9.30pm. New members are always welcome
to come along and hear interesting talks, enjoy
fellowship and a cup of tea.
Contact Sheila Bissett, Tel: 01569 731708
A closure service for Banchory-Devenick Church will
be held on Thursday 18th April at 7pm. Although it is
very sad that this building is closing, we hope those
with connections to the church will join us for the final
worship service and remember the happy events that
have taken place there.
The Meeting Place
Held on the last Sunday of the month from 4.30-6pm
with the service beginning at 5pm in Maryculter Church
Hall. Come along and have tea or coffee, sing along
with the praise band and enjoy worship and short talks
in a very relaxed atmosphere. The next one is on 28th
April.
A service of Holy Communion led by Rev. Dennis
Rose, Interim Moderator, will be held on 28th April at
10.30am in Maryculter-Cookney Church.
Booking of halls and grounds
“The Jesus Lifestyle” - a follow-on course from Alpha
led by Mrs Joan Thorne. Do you want to know the
secret of a happy, peaceful life? Come and join us to
learn the Jesus Lifestyle. Sessions are now running on a
Wednesday evening from 7.30-9.30pm at Maryculter
Church Hall. Come along and join us for one week or
all of them - the last session will be on 26th June. For
further information, contact Joan on 783834. We look
forward to welcoming you.
House Group 1 is having a break but House Group 2
meets in Anne Massie’s house in Kirkton of Maryculter
on the 2nd, 3rd and 5th Mondays of the month at
7.30pm and is led by Joyce Mackintosh. We are
looking at ‘Essential 100’, which is journey through
the Bible in 100 readings, discussing experiences and
comparing them to present times. Why not come and
join us in and informal and relaxed atmosphere and
enjoy friendship and a cup of tea.
Contact Anne Massie Tel: 732071
Banchory Devenick and Maryculter-Cookney Parish Church of
Scotland, Scottish Charity number: SCO 13648 CCL 573608
10
Mr George Masson Tel. 01224 733583
St Mary’s Chapel, Blairs
South Deeside Road, Blairs, Aberdeen
Mass is held every Sunday morning at 9am to which all
are invited.
Father Vincent, Email: [email protected]
www.dioceseofaberdeen.org
Plant Sale and Guild
Coffee Morning
ST TERNAN’S SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH
MUCHALLS (Charity No. SC023264)
‘Solstice Nurseries - Growing
People and Plants’
St. Ternan’s is the northern-most Scottish Episcopal
Church in the Diocese of Brechin. We are part of the
worldwide Anglican communion. 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.
As we were not successful in finding a new Priest in
Charge, Rev. Maggie Jackson of St. James the Great in
Stonehaven has been appointed as our Priest in Charge
and Rev. Lizzie Campbell as her Assistant. George
Masson also continues as a member of the Ministry
Team.
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. Weekly services are held
on major Saint Days and are advertised on the church
notice boards and in the magazine.
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. The meeting room 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
on 01569 731608 or Audrey on 01569 730600 – a
donation of £4 per hour is suggested.
Our annual Garden Fete will take place on 15th June in
the Church grounds
Please contact any of the Ministry Team for help or
information on marriages, baptisms, funerals, pastoral
visiting etc.
Rev. Maggie Jackson, Tel: 01569 764264
Rev. Lizzie Campbell, Tel: 01569 764264
Following last year’s success,
Solstice Nurseries is again
having a plant sale on Saturday
25th May between 10.30am and 1pm. With a range of
heathers, herbaceous, shrubs and alpine plants normally
only available to wholesalers, this is a chance for people
in our neighbourhood to stock their gardens with locally
grown hardy plants.
This is also a superb opportunity to support the
organisation, which works with adults who are
recovering from mental health issues and preparing for
employment.
Admission is by donation for Solstice funds; there will
also be a raffle and a couple of other fundraising stalls
and of course plants for sale. The local Guild has kindly
agreed to come and share this event by selling
refreshments and home bakes for their funds – great
value!
Solstice is located at Banchory and Leggart Estate (the
policies) and nestled in a beautiful secluded site at
Drumduan walled garden. The main entrance is best
found from the South Deeside Road, about one mile
from Leggart Terrace heading out of town, and will be
signposted on the day. We hope that you will come to
support this event and get to know this local social firm
better.
www.solsticenurseries.co.uk
The Muchalls Bistro
Great food and relaxed dining
serving lunches and dinners
Tel: 01569 730393
Only 200 metres off the A90
Follow the road sign to Muchalls
Closed Monday and Tuesday
See sample menus on the website
www.themuchallsbistro.co.uk
Chef / proprietor Hermann Schmid
11
The Muckle Spate
Manager: Ian Forbes
Tel: 863767
www.blairsmuseum.com
South Deeside Road, Blairs
Whilst Stonehaven was hitting the headlines just prior to
Christmas with the Carron burn bursting its banks and
devasting the Old Town, we in Maryculter had our own
problems. Very heavy rainfall on 22nd December caused the
Corbie burn to rise by some two metres and become a raging
torrent, spewing down through Storybook Glen, Kingcausie,
and into our playing field. On its way it gathered silt, stones,
assorted rubbish, and most devastatingly, tree trunks and
branches.
Unfortunately one of those tree trunks snagged on our bridge
between the Old Mill Inn and the hall car park. This allowed a
latticework of other branches to build up behind it making a
dam that any beaver would have been proud of. The flow of
water under the bridge was blocked, causing it to erode a new
route behind and below the south pillar, which eventually
toppled into the burn. The bridge, having no support, then slid
into the river too.
An emergency meeting of the Management Committee and
local councillors was arranged a week later, by which time the
floodwater had subsided and the devastation was all too visible.
The bridge had toppled, the car park was severely eroded, the
emergency entrance at the corner of the Milltimber Bridge and
South Deeside roads had a deep track gouged in it and sand and
silt had been washed onto the pitch – in some places 40cm
deep, and formed into mini dunes. The Corbie itself now
seemed about twice as wide as before with severe erosion
along its banks and full of assorted tree trunks and debris.
We all concluded that the South Deeside Under Fives would
not get access on Monday morning! We set ourselves the target
of having the bridge reconstructed in time for the Kirk’s Burn’s
Supper on 24th January - some 26 days.
We were very lucky to have the support of three local
businesses. Geordie Murison quickly reformed the emergency
entrance allowing Willie Donald to concentrate on the bridge.
With the help of a 100t crane organized by Lyall Strachan, the
bridge was removed, the riverbed and banks reconstructed and
gabion baskets positioned to allow it to be replaced. By the
time of the Burns Supper we had a pedestrian bridge in place
and during the next week the original bridge was swung back
onto its new supports, hopefully to stand for a few more years.
The whole operation was hard work for all those involved –
plowterin about in water just above freezing, tyauvin’ with
great sodden tree trunks, and heavin’ rocks. The committee
rightfully takes much pride in the work that was done and the
help that was forthcoming from footballers, parents and
assorted community folk, not least the ladies who provided hot
drinks and home bakes.
The secondary issue of the sand on the pitch is still being
worked on. The bulk of the sand has been removed from the
playing surface but there still remains a considerable depth
around the perimeter of the field. The committee is indebted to
Glendale and Deevale Ladies football teams, the Community
Service Dept. of Aberdeen City Council and some Scouts and
their parents for supplying the muscle power. Others have
removed fallen branches and tree trunks above the bridge to
prevent a repetition of this disaster.
If the true cost was calculated it would be fearsome but thanks
to such amazing community spirit, a large part of our costs will
be met with a much appreciated grant of £4,000 from
Aberdeenshire Council’s ‘Top-up Fund’, £2,000 from the
Meikle Carewe Building Fund, £600 from the Community
Council and profits anticipated from the NKRCC/South
Deeside View Plant sale in May. We may also run other
fundraising events in future.
Les Paterson
Blairs Museum opens for the 2013 season on Saturday 30
March. As previously, we will be open on Saturdays,
Sundays and local holiday Mondays until the end of October
and, of course, visitors are able to visit at any time by
arrangement.
A major difference this year will be that the two portraits of
Mary, Queen of Scots will be on loan to the National
Museum in Edinburgh where they will be an important part
of an exhibition between 28 June and 17 November.
This season visitors will see several new exhibitions. ‘Light
Divine: Church and Chapel Windows at Fetternear,
Aberdeenshire, from medieval times to the nineteenth
century’ is the result of excavations over more than a dozen
years by Penny Dransart and the late Nicholas Bogdan at the
ruins of the old Bishop’s Palace at Fetternear House.
At the back of the Blairs church, to celebrate Easter, there
will be a small exhibition of icons by Manuela Guerreiro.
Manuela uses traditional and ancient materials such as egg
tempera and gold leaf to create a spiritual response - as well
as an emotional one - in the viewer.
Two paintings will soon be returning to Blairs after
restoration and will then be on permanent display. ‘Donor
with Book of Hours’ shows a donor or patron kneeling in
prayer before the Trinity, dated around 1510. The other
painting is a crucifixion scene with the date 1642, which
originally hung in Braemar Parish Church.
While the Mary, Queen of Scots paintings are on loan in
Edinburgh, Blairs Museum will have a reciprocal loan of
several pieces of the Holyrood Silver Collection from the
National Museum. The group consists of a chalice and
paten; a ciborium and sanctus bell. All these pieces bear
James VII's royal cipher and are some of the surviving
pieces of the altar plate used in James VII's Roman Catholic
chapel at the Abbey Church of Holyrood in Edinburgh.
Another exciting exhibition possibility is still being
negotiated so there may be more to say in the next edition!
We look forward to welcoming you.
The Muckle Spate clear-up
12
Nature Notes
2013 is the Year of Natural Scotland - a Scottish Government
initiative led by EventScotland and VisitScotland - to promote
Scotland’s stunning natural beauty and biodiversity (more at
www.visitscotland.com/about/nature-geography/year-ofnatural-scotland/). Here are three suggestions of places to go to
enjoy our local landscapes, wildlife and heritage:
Tollohill Woods, Banchory-Devenick
Situated to the south of the city, Tollohill Wood was laid out in
the mid-19th century with an extensive network of Victorian
paths and features a granite obelisk. Head 200 metres up the
hill from Leggart Terrace and turn right into the car park. The
wood is a real favourite with families, runners and dog walkers,
due to the extensive path upgrades done in the last few years by
Rupert Lumsden, owner of the Banchory and Leggart Estate.
Children will love exploring the smaller paths made by deer,
having a go at rock climbing through the quarry and even
trying to squeeze inside a tiny shelter made from rock slabs
near the southerly corner of the wood.
However, perhaps one of the best aspects of the wood is its
views. Make your way up to the granite obelisk where, on a
clear day, you can see all the way up the Dee valley to
Lochnagar. The obelisk was built in 1859 to commemorate
Prince Albert’s stay at Banchory House (now Beannachar)
while attending a meeting of the British Association in the city.
At this time of year the woods are one of the best places to see
the first swallows, house martins and swifts as they fly above
the Dee on their way back to their summer breeding sites.
Templars, Maryculter
Hidden from the road but just 100 metres north of the South
Deeside Road at Templars, Maryculter are some amazing sand
dunes. Park at Maryculter Community Hall or Deeside Caravan
Park and make your way along a path near the entrance to the
caravan park signed for dog walkers. Two hundred metres
further on, the area opens out into a series of sand dunes, large
enough to make you think you were at the beach. Not marine,
but deposits from the River Dee thousands of years ago, the
dunes make for a local natural spectacle and are inhabited by
foxes, roe deer and rabbits – a great place to learn about
wildlife tracking.
Redmoss, Netherley
Red Moss of Netherley is one of the largest wetland areas in
the north-east. Traipsing around an expanse of puddles might
not be everyone’s idea of an idyllic walk but the moss is
sufficiently important biologically to be designated a Site of
Special Scientific Interest and is home to some great
dragonflies as well as insect eating plants...tiny sundews that
produce globules of glue to catch flies!
Wetlands can be dangerous places, so stick to the paths where
you might be lucky enough to see the pine marten - possibly
Scotland’s most easterly sighting of this rare species! Park at
the layby 200 metres down the Muchalls road and walk back to
the bus stop on the B979.
Home Deliveries
Vegetables, eggs, and hay/straw bales from Neil
Gammie, Fernieflatt Farm, Kinneff on Tuesdays and
Fridays. Orders, by phone, email or online must be in
the day before delivery.
www.fernieflattfarm.co.uk
Tel: 01569 750374 or 07790 558880
E-mail: [email protected]
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 deliver orders in our area
on Monday mornings. Tel: 01561 320335
Fruit and Vegetables
The organic farm shop at Lorienen, Bridge of
Muchalls is open on Wednesdays from 12.30 to 6pm
and on Saturdays from 9.30 to 5pm
Paul van Midden Tel /Fax: 01569 731746 / 739137
www.lembasorganics.co.uk
GP HEATING & PLUMBING





With the rights of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code allowing
us to be on most land for recreational purposes comes the duty
to take responsibility for our actions. In particular, please don’t
be offended if you are approached at Templars. The scouts are,
rightly so, very proud of their venue and take child protection
very seriously.
Our area illustrates that you don’t need to drive for miles to
get into the great outdoors – it really is on our doorstep. Have a
nature ‘staycation’ this spring – happy exploring!
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: [email protected]
Mandy Tulloch
13
Grampian Police
People around the north-east are still leaving doors open
for criminals and failing to heed warnings about crime
prevention. I would therefore like to focus on Grampian
Police's renewed appeal for residents to lock their
homes and secure their property.
During January 2013, high value and powerful cars
continued to be stolen from insecure homes. Since the
start of October 2012, 86 people in Aberdeen City and
Shire have been charged in connection with car thefts.
Of those, 13 are under the age of 16.
An open door is an open invitation. A car is one of the
most expensive items people buy and to risk losing it by
leaving the keys in view behind an unlocked door or in
the ignition of an unlocked car, is astonishing and an
invitation.
We need the support of the public in preventing crime
and simple things like locking your car, your home and
keeping your keys somewhere safe and out of sight will
help to deter criminals from making you the next victim.
If you have security devices you should use them.
Everyone has a responsibility to safeguard their own
property, and while we can, and will, investigate crimes
like this and attempt to recover property, it is far better
to prevent yourself becoming a victim than regret it
after the event.
No one area or town is being targeted, with thieves
moving from area to area to find suitable targets, often
in the early hours of the morning or even during the day.
If anyone has information regarding recent thefts,
vandalisms, antisocial behaviour or any other incident in
their area they are asked to contact Grampian Police on
the new non-emergency number 101 or if your
information is not urgent and you prefer to remain
anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Grampian Police is committed to 'keeping our
communities safe' which involves working with our
partners, and above all else, listening to and dealing
positively with local concerns.
Netherley, Near Stonehaven, AB39 3QS
Tel: (01569) 730001
Fax: (01569) 731175
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.lairhillock.co.uk
THE LAIRHILLOCK INN IS OPEN 7 DAYS A
WEEK
FOR TEA/COFFEE, LUNCHES AND EVENING
MEALS
LOOK ON OUR WEBSITE FOR MENUS &
OPENING TIMES
New path over Curlethney
and Meikle Carewe hills
The wind turbine development is expected to be
complete in June. The developers will provide a
small car park off the B979 from where there will
be access to the 3km construction path to the
furthest turbine. This will connect with another
path from Raedykes Roman camp. A second car
park will be made where the tarred portion of the
Fir Mounth road ends near Easter Auquhollie farm.
The last two access points are off the Slug Road ,
A957 just beyond Cowton Bridge.
Craig Kennedy, Sergeant G0026, Portlethen Police Office
Nature classes
Award-winning weekly nature classes for 2 to 5
year olds to discover nature and play outdoors.
Monday and Friday sessions.
Birthday parties
A new outdoor activity in Templars Park, Maryculter.
Entrance opposite the junction of South Deeside
Road, B9077 and the B979 signed to Stonehaven.
Toast marshmallows, build dens, climb trees and
stomp in mud...outdoor birthday fun for two to
ten-year-olds!
Instruction and safety helmets provided.
Booking essential: Tel: 0844 870 7105
E-mail: [email protected]
www.segwayaberdeen.co.uk
Contact Mandy Tulloch on 07929 465680
or visit www.mudpieadventures.co.uk
for more information
14
Maureen Watt MSP
REPRESENTATION
Intermittent connection and slow internet speeds have
been a bugbear for people living on South Deeside for a
long time. High speed, reliable internet access is
increasingly vital in modern society, providing access to
benefits such as cheaper bills and job opportunities, as
well as connecting people who may otherwise go long
periods of time without contact through social sites such
as Twitter, Facebook and Skype.
Moreover, reliable access to the internet is often
imperative in modern business. Statistics show that 50%
of all businesses in Scotland’s more rural areas are
home based, re-emphasising the importance of
connectivity to the wider world. Indeed, fast
connections can both increase customer base and boost
sales volumes, whilst also decreasing the likelihood of
smaller businesses migrating to more urban centres,
ultimately benefitting the local economy.
However, it is clear that many people are unable to
reap the full benefits which high speed internet
provision can bring and figures show that
Aberdeenshire has the greatest number of locations in
Scotland which suffer from poor or non-existent
provision.
With this in mind, I have recently been meeting with
representatives from companies which are looking at
providing alternatives to traditional broadband. Whilst
fibre is generally considered to be the optimal
technology at present, satellite and wireless broadband
internet initiatives are being adopted as serviceable
solutions by a growing number of remote and rural
communities across Scotland, places which have
traditionally struggled to secure reliable, high speed
fibre connections. These alternative technologies have
the potential to significantly improve access in areas
such as South Deeside.
For instance, BT fibre broadband currently has
cabinets to the north of the River Dee but none to the
south. The implications of this are that people living in
the south may experience speeds which are slower than
their friends and family across the river. Clearly, this is
a situation which is extremely frustrating for residents
and one which alternative forms of provision may, in
time, address. As such, over the next few years I will be
keeping a keen eye on the development of both satellite
and wireless broadband internet initiatives, as I am
acutely aware of the benefits that they could bring to
communities in Aberdeenshire.
Sir Robert Smith MP
At the time of writing we are still dealing with the
consequences of the horsemeat scandal. Fortunately
there would appear to have been no health risk, but
people were rightly upset that they were not getting the
product the label said they were.
Here in the north-east we have an enviable reputation
for producing high quality meat. Looking out for locally
sourced meat will provide a boost to local producers and
an assurance you’re getting good quality. The
Government has come forward with legislation for a
supermarket ombudsman to help protect suppliers from
being exploited by supermarkets. This should help local
suppliers invest in continued quality food production.
It may be spring but we were still reminded in March
of the need to heat our homes. This is even more
expensive a challenge in rural homes not connected to
the gas main.
The introduction of smart metering is designed to help
improve electricity bills and to assist homes in making
more efficient use of the electricity supply. I am making
the case that rural areas should not be left behind when
this technology is introduced.
To work, the meters need to be able to send and
receive information. I want to see the system designed
from the start not to leave rural black spots that miss out
on the benefits smart meters are designed to deliver. It is
far easier to start with the right technology than to have
to fix it in the future if it fails to reach rural
communities.
Wanted: Small woodland
10-15 acres of woodland
in general South Deeside area.
Wooded dens, plantation on ancient woodland,
older plantations preferred but anything considered
that has the potential to grow some
native broadleaved trees.
The woodland will be managed for conservation
and biodiversity rather than timber production
and what may be small and awkward for forestry
may be ideal for biodiversity.
BOOKING OF HALLS AND GROUNDS
Maryculter Community (Corbie) Hall and Field
C.Masson, Tel: 733583 [email protected]
Maryculter Church Hall and Glebe Field
Anne Massie, Tel: 732071
Cookney Hall
Willie Angus, Tel:01569 730123
[email protected]
Lairhillock School
Christeen Saward, Tel: 01569 732520
St Ternan’s Church Community Room
Sheila, Tel: 01569 731608 or Audrey, Tel: 01569 730600
If you have any woodland that you would consider
selling, please contact me at;
Bruce Gilliland, 22 Cliff View, Newtonhill, AB39 3GX.
Tel: 01569 730447 or 07805727036
Email: [email protected]
15
Words from the Chairman
As we approach spring the issues for our community remain
the same. The weather was again a significant factor in the
winter months. This year unlike in the previous few the rain
has caused more problems for our roads than snow. The water
has caused erosion with cracking and potholes and in turn this
meant that significant sections of road around Netherley had
to be shut. The same has applied to even the South Deeside
road which in turn was closed for periods of time to effect
repairs to bridges and overflows and to put in additional
drainage. Traffic from our area has been chaotic during the
rush hours. Discussions have taken place with the Roads
Authority. Considerable work has been done to improve the
condition of our roads but increased usage and heavy goods
lorries using rural roads continues to be an issue. The weather
even caused damage to the bridge at the Corbie Hall which
was effectively replaced with considerable local support (see
page 12 for more details).
The national Wireless Hilltop Project is underway for all
schools in Aberdeenshire, so once relay stations have been
constructed, all schools should have good reception
The results of the recent Aberdeenshire Council postal
broadband survey will be used to demonstrate a need for
enhanced broadband provision, which should aid European
Union and State Access funding.
Oldman Wood We are pleased to support the Maryculter
Woodlands Trust as they make the first steps towards a
community buy-out of the wood beside Kirkton of
Maryculter, and anticipate further liaison with them in future.
(see page 8 for more details).
300 Club
The community continues to have issues about wind farms or
individual turbines. It is often the case that a proposal is too
close to existing dwellings with the potential for significant
noise and visual impact; that the development would be
grossly dominant in the local landscape; finally it is the
overall effect in that the turbines are only one part of a group
of such proposals which, when taken together, would have an
unacceptable cumulative effect. If the Development Plan is to
have meaning for our community then there is a
contravention of Policy 3 / SGRD 2.
Thanks to the many folk who parted with £5 for each of the
410 tickets for 2013 which brought in £2,050. Of this £785
will be returned as cash prizes drawn at each Community
Council meeting. The balance is available for clubs and
societies in our area who we invite to apply for financial
assistance. Since last September grants have been given to
Maryculter Senior Citizens for their Christmas party, to the
Maryculter Community Hall Association towards their large
bill for re-instatement of the access bridge to the hall and
football field, and most recently to the Maryculter Woodlands
Trust towards their community buyout of Oldman Wood.
Broadband, or lack of it, continues to be discussed. We
invited Stephen Archer, Director of Infrastructure Services,
Aberdeenshire Council to address the Community Council in
February, due to concerns of poor or no broadband service
locally. Here is a summary of his main points. A more
comprehensive report can be seen on the NKRCC website in
the minutes of the 28.2.2013 meeting.
Cash prize winners since September are:
J. Bailey, Cookney; G Bayliss, Maryculter; A. Bissett,
Banchory-Devenick; J. Bissett, Cookney; J. Clark,
Maryculter; S. Davies, Netherley; J. Eglintine, BanchoryDevenick;.C. Fettig, Netherley; H. Mallard, Blairs; S.
Hawkins, Blairs; P. Lowe, Netherley; A Lunn, Maryculter; G.
Masson, Maryculter; N. Mauthner, Maryculter; K. Munro,
Maryculter; N. McAllan, Banchory-Devenick; J. Macdonadl,
Maryculter; B. Philp, Netherley; K. Napier, Maryculter; A.
Ratcliffe-Smith, Banchory-Devenick; M. Robertson, Banchory
-Devenick; R. Smart, Netherley; G. Sommerville, Netherley;
R. Turner, Netherley and S. Wardlaw, Netherley:
Scotland’s Digital Future – Infrastructure Action Plan:
January 2012 commits to world class digital access, critical
for rural and remote communities, business sector and growth
- a connected Scotland. This has four programmes:
Achieving step change by 2015, world class by 2020,
demonstrating and delivering innovative and local solutions
while increasing take-up and stimulating demand.
NKRCC’s purpose is to represent the views of all residents in
Banchory-Devenick, Blairs, Maryculter, Cookney and
Netherley in submissions to Aberdeenshire Council. It can
only function well by the efforts of unpaid community
councillors who have the well-being of our area at heart. We
would appreciate two more folk to represent Maryculter and
another for Banchory-Devenick, so please contact the
secretary if you would like further information, or come along
to a meeting.
The Scottish Government’s aim is to provide 75% of
premises with 80Mbps throughout 24 hours with a minimum
of 2Mbps for the remainder.
Aberdeenshire Council is aiming higher and has committed
an additional £16m in addition to finance this:
 By the end of 2015 all premises in Aberdeenshire
should be able to receive a broadband download
speed of at least 8Mbps.
 75% of premises should have 24-80Mbps
 5-10% of premises 1Gbps.
Robin Baxter, Chairman
16
E-mail: [email protected]
Elsick: As we all know, the start of the new town of
Chapelton has been delayed beyond the original plan.
It is, perhaps somewhat optimistically, now pencilled
in for autumn of this year. One effect of the delay to
this major development (initially for 4,045 houses,
with theoretically 1,800 to be completed by 2016), will
almost certainly be that other developers will resurrect
their own schemes – which were previously rejected
for inclusion in the Local Development Plan(LDP) of
2012 - and submit them once again to the Shire
planners. Their argument will be that their schemes are
not of such a grand scale as Chapelton and will
therefore be capable of rapidly delivering some of the
shortfall, created by the Chapelton delay, in the very
large number of houses which the Council insists are
desperately needed in the Shire (over 30,000 by 2031).
Planning Notes
Wind generators on Meikle Carewe: 14 years on from
the original application, this is certainly old. Twelve
turbines have now been erected and, once the system that
overcomes the turbines’ interference with the air traffic
control radar at Dyce is actually in operation, they should
start generating electricity in early summer (when the
wind blows). RES has agreed to supply any household
which experiences a degrading of the quality of its TV
reception (owing to the operation of these turbines), with
a satellite receiver.
Blairs: Like Meikle Carewe, this saga started in 1999.
Outline permission was finally granted a couple of years
ago for 280 houses (including 60 affordable homes), golf
course, and hotel (conversion of the college). The theory
is that the 280 houses are the minimum to ‘enable’ the
rescue of the listed college from further decay and
deterioration (though The Civic Trust of Scotland
described the scale of housing asked for as .. “far in
excess..” of what was necessary). Part of the overall
scheme is that there should be a footbridge/cycle bridge
over the Dee to connect the housing with the North
Deeside Road. Permission for that bridge (which will
also carry the sewage) has now been granted.
Community Fund: The developers of Meikle Carewe
will give £20,000 each year to this fund for
distribution to organisations within five community
council areas (including ours) and a committee has
already been established to monitor applications,
decide on the criteria governing awards and then make
grants. It is greatly to the credit of your two NKRCC
representatives on that committee that a minimum cash
fund for each community council area has been agreed
(so that Stonehaven and Portlethen do not hog it all)
and that some unduly restrictive criteria have been
dropped.
The Fund is for LOCAL projects which benefit as
many people as possible and there will be one round of
awards per year. The first £20,000 will be handed over
to the committee when Meikle Carewe starts to
generate electricity. A website will be set up giving
details of the criteria which must be met, how and
when to apply and so on. Publicity will be given
through press and possibly fliers in the coming
months.
As the owner of the college (the John Muir Group – a
major housebuilder) deemed the 280 to be insufficient to
cover all its costs, another tranche of housing to pay for
the bridge was agreed by the Council. That will consist of
an extra 44 houses, half of which will be on the river side
of the South Deeside Road. An exhibition was recently
held in Blairs Museum to explain and justify to the public
the need for these extra houses, and the requisite planning
application should follow by April or May. That
application will be publicised in the normal way (in the
Leader), details will appear on the council website and
the application will be considered by the Community
Council (NKRCC) at its monthly meeting. When a start
will actually be made on any part of the development is
still uncertain but could be later this year. Please note
that, while Outline Permission for the 280 has been
granted, Full Planning Permission has yet to be applied
for and when it is, Phase One of the 280 will also consist
of 44 houses.
Robin Winmill, Planning Officer
e-mail:[email protected]
NKRCC
Website: www.nkrcc.org.uk
Secretary: Bob McKinney, Lakhipara,
South Cookney, Stonehaven, AB39 3RX
Tel: 01569 730706
E-mail: [email protected]
Notice boards: 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 third Monday of each month
(except July) at 7.30pm in Maryculter Community Hall.
Storybook Glen: Something new. Planning permission
has been granted for conversion of their sales building to
a Soft Play Centre for young children. An integral part of
that permission is for construction of four houses beside
the car park to fund the conversion. We anticipate a start
to the development quite soon.
17
REPRESENTATION
Thanks to issues being raised with the bus company by Colin
Young there had been improvements recently, which was
welcomed. My personal view was that many of the problems
could be solved if there were good, conscientious drivers on
duty. Colin Young will maintain dialogue with the bus
company to improve even further the service provided.
Councillor Ian Mollison
During the dreich winter there was one
ray of sunshine. I refer to the sterling
work done to repair the bridge to the
Corbie Hall at Maryculter. The way the
community pulled together to replace the
bridge and reinforce the banks was
inspiring. I was delighted to support an
allocation of £4000 from the council
towards the costs.
Safer 98% feel Aberdeenshire is a safe place, according to
the council’s Community Safety survey. The most frequently
witnessed (and worried about) anti-social behaviours are dog
fouling (81%), anti-social driving (75%), and rubbish/litter
(71%).
Schools With two other ward councillors I met parents at
Banchory-Devenick and Lairhillock primary schools.
Banchory-Devenick parents are worried about the school’s
falling roll, while at Lairhillock there are concerns about
school transport. Hopefully in due course there will be
positive outcomes.
Rubbish The council is changing waste collections to meet
national recycling targets and cut landfill. All recyclable
material will be collected in the same wheelie bin, including
brown cardboard, plastic bags and film, food containers (eg
yoghurt pots, margarine tubs) and polystyrene trays. Glass
will need to be taken to recycling centres because of
difficulties in separating it from other recyclates - 74% of
glass is already collected this way.
Each household will have one wheelie bin for recyclable
materials and one for residual waste, to be collected on
alternate weeks. A smaller food waste container will be
picked up each week. All rural residents will have kerbside
recycling for the first time.
Broadband The council issued survey postcards to every
house to establish the demand for broadband. The Shire must
provide evidence of demand from residents and businesses to
access funding from the Scottish Government to supplement
the £18m the council is to contribute to improve broadband
services in the Shire.
Pay rise Councillors have approved the introduction of a
living wage - £7.20 per hour - for council employees,
backdated to 1 April 2012.
Grampian Joint Fire and Rescue Board
On Friday I sadly attended my last meeting of the Fire Board.
On 1 April 2013 the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
will come into operation. Present at the meeting were the new
Scottish Chief Fire Officer, Alasdair Hay, and the Scottish
Fire and Rescue Authority Chairman, Pat Watters. Also in
attendance were three members of the new board.
In his address to the board Mr Watters said that the general
public would see no difference in the service provided by the
new Fire and Rescue Service. Operational matters would
remain as before with the same high standard being achieved.
There would be a change in governance matters with one
board for the whole of Scotland. At local level there would be
close liaison between the Fire Service and Aberdeenshire
Council.
Councillor Alison Evison
On March 15, voting for the Scottish
Youth Parliament ended. The two
MSYPs for North Kincardine, Megan
Lukins and Kris Chapman, were both reelected. I was delighted to be invited to
the count, where I listened to eloquent
speeches from them both. Their role is
non-party political. They are a voice for
all young people in this area between 12
and 25 and can be contacted via the SYP website. I believe
that the SYP is an important vehicle through which young
people can learn about democracy and I have been actively
promoting it.
The MSYPs might be interested in the ongoing concerns
about school buses. Safety must be the highest priority and I
have been following up many local issues directly with the
service. Together with Cllrs Nelson and Mollison, I recently
attended a meeting with parents from Lairhillock where steps
for progress on bus safety were identified.
We also recently attended a meeting at Banchory-Devenick
School and talked with parents about their hopes for the
future of the school. This was very interesting for me now
that I sit on Aberdeenshire’s Education Learning and Leisure
Committee. I am looking forward to meeting the parents
again at the Spring Fair on 18 May.
It was good to attend a coffee morning at the church to
discuss issues of interest to individual residents.
Aberdeenshire is investing in broadband provision which is
no doubt welcome news. We still need to find a solution to
the problem of speeding cars though.
Apart from this, I have also been involved in visiting
sheltered housing where I have gained knowledge of good
local practice and also of systems being developed. I was
personally reassured to find a real desire for continual
improvement to meet the needs of residents.
Please feel free to contact me on these or any other matters
of interest.
Councillor Carl Nelson
This week (w/c 11.3.13) I have attended
several meetings, but there are two in
particular I would like to tell you about.
Lairhillock School On Thursday
evening a meeting was held at the school
to discuss parents’ serious concerns over
school bus safety issues which have been
ongoing for several months. Present at the meeting were
parents, Leslie Jarvis, Chairperson of the School Parent
Council, Colin Young, Principal Officer (Client Transport),
Aberdeenshire Council, myself and fellow Cllrs. Evison and
Mollison. Issues discussed were: drivers acting in an
unprofessional manner; condition of vehicles; seatbelts; late/
irregular pick-up times; snow routes unavailable to parents;
and several others.
Each of the four councillors for North Kincardine Ward, our
MP and MSP were invited to contribute up to 300 words.
18
GOSHEN LIFESTYLE
Taking care of your day to day needs,
errands and chores.
Short of time? Too busy?
Need an extra pair of hands?
Forthcoming Events for 2013
Sunday lunches now being served every Sunday
Wine & Whisky Tasting Series –
Wine Tasting starts Friday 22nd February
Whisky Tasting starts Friday 1st March
Murder Mystery Evening – Friday 19th April
Salsa/Spanish Evening – date to be confirmed
Inhouse Wedding Exhibition – Sunday 6th October
Call now to make your reservations
01224 732124
email [email protected]
www.maryculterhousehotel.com
We offer:
Assisted living services for the elderly.
Home and Domestic Management Services
Cleaning including fridges and ovens, laundry; fridge clear outs;
kitchen organisation; grocery shopping and meal preparation;
decluttering; holiday suitcase unpacking; house sitting and
gardening services etc.
Errand Services
Door to door transportation to your appointments; prescription
collection; receiving home deliveries; key holding service to
admit and supervise workmen; dropping off and picking up post
and dry-cleaning etc; gift buying etc.
Whatever your needs, we have a solution.
Contact us on: Tel: 01224 732471 or 07775 675703
www.goshenhealth.co.uk/lifestyle
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: [email protected], www.schlossrothenburg.co.uk
Your local
farm shop
What is produced at the farm for 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 yoghurts and cheesecakes
Free range duck and hen eggs
Home reared welfare friendly rose veal
Seasonal fruits and vegetables
Come and try a sample
FOR YOUR RENEWABLE ENERGY REQUIREMENTS




Ground & Air Source Heat Pumps
Under Floor Heating
Heat Recovery
Central Vacuum Systems
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.
e-mail: [email protected]
Visit our web-site ~ www.paragon-systems.co.uk
Paragon Systems (Scotland) Limited
Corbie Cottage, Maryculter, Aberdeen AB12 5FT
Open daily except Sunday from 9am to 6pm
The Devenick Dairy at Bishopston Farm,
Banchory-Devenick, Aberdeen AB12 4RS
Tel: 782476
e-mail: [email protected]
Other products/services include:
Bore-holes/Insulation/UFH Electrical Works
19
REPRESENTATION
EVENTS CALENDAR
April
Monday 1 Church Guild Maryculter Church Hall
7.30pm-9.30pm
Wed.
10 Maryculter WRI: Talk on the history of
Aberdeen cinemas by Barney Crockett
Monday 15 School term begins
Monday 15 Community Council
Monday 15 Netherley WRI: Floral arranging
Thursday18 Closure Service for Banchory-Devenick
Church 7pm
Friday 19 Friendship Club Basket Whist
Corbie Hall 7.30pm
Saturday 27 Country & Western Night, Cookney Hall
Sunday 28 Service of Holy Communion
Maryculter-Cookney Church 10.30am
Sunday 28 The Meeting Place, Maryculter Church
Hall 4.30pm-6pm
May
Wed.
8 Maryculter WRI: Business Meeting and
‘Bring and Buy’
Saturday 11 Friends of Guiding ‘Daffodil Tea’
10.30-12.30 Corbie Hall
Saturday 18 SDV Plant Sale and Coffee Morning
10am-12 noon Corbie Hall
Saturday 18 Banchory-Devenick School
Spring Fair 2pm-4pm
Monday 20 Community Council
Monday 20 Netherley WRI: Business Meeting and
talk on voluntary dental work in India
Saturday 25 Solstice Nurseries Plant Sale and Guild
Coffee Morning 10.30am-1pm
June
Saturday 8 Scottish Model Helicopter National
Championships (Heli Nats)
Hare Moss, Banchory-Devenick
Sunday 9
“
“
Saturday 15 St Ternan’s Church Fete
Monday 17 Community Council AGM
July
Friday
5 School term ends
August
Monday 19 Community Council
Monday 19 Netherley WRI
Saturday 31Driving for the Disabled sale
Plainstones, Stonehaven 9am-12 noon
September
Monday 16 Community Council
Monday 16 Netherley WRI
MP
Sir Robert Smith
Tel: 01330 820330
E-mail: [email protected]
MSP Maureen Watt
Tel: 01224 876743
E-mail:[email protected]
COUNCILLORS
Alastair Bews
Tel: 01224 784594
33 Bruntland Court, Portlethen
E-mail: [email protected]
Alison Evison
Tel: 01561 362013
2 Newbigging Steading, Inverbervie DD10 0PQ
E-mail: [email protected]
Ian Mollison
Tel: 01569 739087
11 Greystone Place, Newtonhill, Stonehaven AB39 3UL
E-mail:[email protected]
Carl Nelson
Tel: 01569 730733
21 Dunnyfell Road, Muchalls, Stonehaven AB39 3RP
E-mail: [email protected]
Aberdeenshire Council
Viewmount,
Arduthie Road,
Stonehaven.
www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk
AB39 2DQ
POLICE
Emergencies
All non-emergencies
Crimestoppers
Drugs Information Line
Tel: 999 or 112
Tel: 101
Tel: 0800 555 111
Tel: 0800 371553
SERVICES
Bluebird buses
No. 103 Aberdeen to Laurencekirk via BanchoryDevenick and Netherley
No. 204 Aberdeen to Strachan via Maryculter and
Blairs
Tel: 212266 or 591381
E-mail:[email protected]
Dial a Trip
Bus service with tail lift for concession card and taxi card
holders. Tel: 01569 765765
Editors:
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
Pam Robertson
Tel: 863887
2 Little Banchory Mews,
Banchory-Devenick AB12 5XS
[email protected]
Hazel Witte
Tel: 732738
Monearn, Maryculter AB12 5GT
[email protected]
20