Fountain 6 web

The

Issue 6, Autumn 2016

FREE!

Fountain A Community Magazine for Aboyne

Inside your Autumn issue:

... News ... Groups ... Features ... Seasonal Highlights

STRACHAN’S Serving Royal Deeside for Four Generations

Esker Deeside Gin 42% vol now in stock in Ballater and Aboyne Fireworks available from Aboyne store from 28/29th October Christmas range coming soon

Newsagents

Ice Cream

Confectionery

Photocopying & Laminating

Wines & Spirits

Hardware

By appointment to HM The Queen General Merchants

Full range of Haberdashery

Toys and Puzzles

Malt Whiskies

Lottery

Calor Gas

Balloons & Party Gifts

Pet Foods

Main St Aboyne AB34 5HT 013398 86121

Paints

Stationery

Grocery

Gardening

Delicatessen

Fishing Supplies

and lots more...!

2 Golf Rd Ballater AB35 5RE 013397 755452

www.georgestrachanltd.com

By appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales General Merchants

Drop ‘em!

Welcome to Issue 6 of The Fountain...

As the leaves start to turn and then fall, we turn our thoughts to winter, and the numerous festivals that accompany the darkening evenings.

So this quarter we hear from the group that put together the village’s annual bonfire night and I am also grateful to the Aboyne Bonfire Co-operative for this edition’s blazing front cover picture.

Meanwhile the organisers of a newer event, Aboyne Winter Festival, hope to become as regular a fixture.

There’s still time and opportunity to get involved and help make both these events happen for the village.

We meet some new faces from the business community, throw a curve ball with the Boulers O’ Birse, and find out how to cut a dash with your dachshund as the mercury falls.

The Food Gurus, our new culinary columnists, are back with a twist on Sunday Lunch to be found in Tarland...

Ad design has had a tidy up to make them clearer and we’ve a new Club Directory on p36. If you would like your club to feature here, get in touch.

I hope you enjoy the Autumn issue of The Fountain.

Cat Houston Design/Editor

Copy Dates 2016/17 Winter Spring Summer Autumn

Deadline

Nov 11 Feb 24 May 24 Sept 15

Publication

Dec Mar Jun Oct

5 17 15 6

Contents News Be Safe! Be Seen!

Events Academy News A Local Gem Food Gurus Fireworks Anyone For Tennis Heritage Walk Primary news Boulers o’ Birse Classic Abode Cllrs’ Contacts Church News Club Directory Advertisers’ Index Copy Dates

5 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 25 26 28 32 34 36 38 38

get in touch via email to myriadpro@yahoo.co.uk or call Cat on 013397 55243 www.myriadpro.co.uk find us on facebook

Garden Design & Construction All aspects of hard and soft landscaping

Tree Surgery

Including stump removal & 24 hour emergency call out

Driveways

All surfaces including block-paving & tarmac

Fencing & Gates

All types of bespoke fencing and gates

Narrow Access Cherry Picker

For precision tree pruning, wide hedges, paintwork & gutter cleaning

If you can’t get to it, our Cherry Picker can!

Logs, Wood Chips, Mulch, Site Clearance, Painting, Ground Works & Excavations

01339 881589 / 07932 075225 julian@julianbarclay.com • www.julianbarclay.com

Do you have something to share? An upcoming event or achievement? Group or individual, let The Fountain know what you are up to, using the contacts on p3 and 39.

Panto, but not as we know it Upstage Productions bring Batman and Robin to the stage

Holy mackerel! There’s a festive performance with a difference coming to Aboyne this December as Upstage Productions bring you Batman and Robin – The Panto!

The group that brought you Blood Brothers this summer and last year’s Dick Whittington will be appearing at Aboyne Theatre with a production based on the popular comic book and TV hero characters from December 4th-10th. Every evening will see a 7pm performance, with matinees at 2pm on Sunday 4th and Saturday 10th only.

Will the dashing duo defeat the devilish desperadoes? Can the caped crusaders capture the criminals? And just what the blazes is The Penguin doing in Torphins?

Tickets priced £12 for adults and £7 for children (it is suitable for school age upwards) can be bought from www.ticketsource.co.uk or by calling 0333 666 3366.

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Short & Full-day course available Saturday November 12th at World Horse Welfare, Belwade, nr Aboyne All participants receive an ITC First Aid for Dogs and Dog Owners certificate which is valid for three years. Backed by veterinary surgeons.

Who are we?

Tillycroy Support Services is a training organisation based in the North East of Scotland, providing Health & Safety and First Aid training on site at your premises and open courses at various local venues delivered by our experienced instructors • • • • • • • •

Forklift Truck Training Accredited First Aid & AED Awareness Training Manual Handling Abrasive Wheels Fire Warden Vehicle Site Marshall COSHH Health & Safety in the Workplace

Contact us for details:

• • • • • • • •

Evacuation Chair User IOSH, Working Safely & Managing Safely, Classroom & E-Learning NEBOSH Classroom, Distance & E-Learning Working at Height Awareness CSCS Training (Green Card) Workplace Risk Assessments Workplace H&S Audits First Aid Products Supplied

013398 81014/07890 307257 tillycroyservices@btinternet.com www.tillycroyservices.com Tarland, AB34 4UH

with Life on the Merry-Go-Round... Becki Redmond

The Aboyne Merry Go Round Sale has been running for many years as a way to raise funds for local groups – mainly Aboyne Baby & Toddler Group and Aboyne Playgroup, but the Village Christmas Party have also benefitted in more recent years. It is a sale of quality second hand items for 0-6 year olds including everything from clothes, toys, books, bikes to all the baby paraphernalia you will ever need!

The New 2 You Sale took its first tentative steps in June this year, running an identical sale but for 6-16 year olds. It turned a profit in its first sale, splitting the proceeds between Aboyne Primary School Parent Council and Kincardine Primary School Parent Council.

The way both sales work is that seller numbers are assigned to people, each seller labels their items with a price and sellers number, they then drop it off to the Victory Hall on the Friday night before the sale and a team of volunteers set it all out ready for door opening at 10am on the Saturday. The seller takes 70% of the profits from their items, and gives the other 30% to the local benefitting groups.

Both of these sales are organised by a small dedicated team of volunteers from the local area – Trish Atkinson, Sarah Sargent, Cherri Strachan, Melissa Chapman, Kerry Anderson and Becki Redmond. Between them they organise all the behind the scenes stuff, but the sales couldn’t go ahead without the help of all the volunteers on the night before and day of the sale. These volunteers are usually drawn from the benefitting groups, but more recently we have had Aboyne Academy Pupils giving up their time and other keen beans who are just willing to support a good cause.

The next Merry Go Round Sale is on Saturday 12th November, 10-12 at the Victory Hall in Aboyne. If you are interested in selling or volunteering please contact aboynemerrygoroundsale@gmail.com The next New 2 You Sale is on Saturday 3rd December, 10-12 at the Victory Hall in Aboyne. This sale is now open for items for 6-year-olds upwards – including adult clothing and accessories this time too! If you are interested in selling or volunteering please contact new2youaboyne@gmail.com

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Cash Needed to Cut the Ice at Winter Festival... writes Lynn Timmins

Photos: Thomas Schumann

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Plans for the 2016 Aboyne Winter Festival are well under way. The reindeer are flying in to join us on Sunday 18th December, along with various trade stalls for those final touches for Christmas.

We will be joined by some mini carnival rides and we hope that this year is as much enjoyed as last year. We hope to have the addition of an ice rink, but as yet we’ve not managed to raise enough money from fundraising to fully cover the costs. We are reaching out to any local group or business who would care to donate towards the costs, or we may have to cancel the rink.

We were very fortunate last year that the village fully supported us and all costs were covered which led to a magical family event for all to enjoy. The lovely people who visited the Winter Festival so very generously donated and we managed to raise the majority of the cost of the reindeer from donation buckets to have them back to the 2016 festival, and volunteers behind the scenes have raised the rest from fundraising. The feedback we received was that it would be good to have something in addition to the reindeer so we set our sights on an ice rink. Although we have worked hard to meet our target we are still over ÂŁ1,000 short so we have a lot still to do!

If anyone would like to help us in any way please contact us at aboynewinterfestival@hotmail.com

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Specialist Outdoor Clothing

made in Royal Deeside, used Worldwide Ballater Road, Aboyne T: 013398 86062 E: sales@hilltrek.co.uk www.hilltrek.co.uk

Holidaymakers Your local and independent Travel Agent, meeting all your holiday and travel requirements We can meet all your holiday requirements from tailor-made holidays to tour operator packages.

Summer 2017 tour operator packages available now.

Unit 3, Northside, Station Square Aboyne 013398 87552 www.holidaymakersaboyne.co.uk e: holidaymakers@btconnect.com

Be Safe! Be Seen!

Keeping you and your pets secure as the daylight hours get shorter with Woodside Veterinary Group’s Samuel Smith

I hate to be the one to break it, but autumn is here and the nights are rolling in. This means our four-legged friends will be outside in more hours of darkness. So, here are some handy tips to help keep them, and you, safe at night.

DOGS Man’s best friend still needs a

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walk, no matter the conditions outside, and at this time of year it is really important to keep them visible. ● Attach a light source to their collar and consider a reflective jacket/vest. ● Keep your dog on a lead and where possible keep to well-lit pavements. On country roads make sure to walk AGAINST

the traffic so you can see what is coming. ● Wear a head torch and something bright and reflective yourself – you need to keep safe too!

CATS It’s even harder to keep our feline friends safe and they spend a lot of their time outside at night. To help improve their visibility you can use a reflective collar. ● Make sure it is a SAFETY COLLAR. Safety collars have a clasp that will break open should your cat get caught on anything. Check how easily they come undone before letting your cat out. ● DO NOT use a collar with an elasticated portion! It is far too easy for your cat to get a leg stuck through this kind of collar, resulting in injury. ● Visit the International Cat Care website for advice on selecting and fitting a collar.

Woodside Vet Group stock a range of reflective and light-up items for your pet.

Family pets, farm animals and horses Modern, well-equipped medical and surgical facilities Free parking 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

Woodside Road TORPHINS AB31 4TR 013398 82556 6 Station Square ABOYNE AB34 5HX 013398 87474 17 Kinneskie Road BANCHORY AB31 5RQ 01330 820452

www.woodsideveterinarygroup.co.uk

Autumn Events

Got something to plug? Get in touch

October...

7th – End of school term 8th – Tack Sale, World Horse Welfare, Belwade Farm, Dess 12th – Groom Digger session at WHW, Belwade Farm, Dess, booking essential 19th – Groom Digger session at WHW, Belwade Farm, Dess, booking essential 21st – Biomechanics of Riding lecture, WHW, Belwade Farm, Dess, 7-9pm 24th – Start of school term

November...

6th – Bonfire Night at Deeside Activity Park, 6pm-8.30pm 12th – Merry-Go-Round Sale, Victory Hall, 10-12noon 12th – Bonfire Night, Aboyne Green; bonfire 6pm, fireworks 7pm 13th – Remembrance Sunday 14-15th – In-service days 18th – Children In Need 19th – Q & A with Nicola Wilson, WHW, Belwade Farm, Dess

December...

3rd – New 2 You Sale, Victory Hall, 10-12noon 3rd – Aboyne Academy Christmas Fair, Community Centre, 10am-2pm 4-10th – Batman and Robin, The Panto, Deeside Community Centre 13th – Aboyne Academy Christmas Show, Deeside Community Centre, 7pm 18th – Aboyne Winter Festival 21st – End of school term

Fancy a movie?

www.filmmobilescotland.co.uk/venues/aboyne lists all the movies coming up at Aboyne Theatre. Details of upcoming movies can be found overleaf on p15.

Craigievar Film Club runs from October to March in Tullynessle Hall.

See www.tullynessleandforbeshall.co.uk/filmclub for details.

Tarland Film Club meets first Thursday of each month Sept-June in Upper Room, MacRobert Hall, Tarland, 7.30pm (film at 8pm) Lumphanan Moving Pictures – details can be found on Facebook Ballater Films – details on Facebook or at www.ballaterfilms.co.uk

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Fraser Taxi Stuart Fraser – Aboyne

07872 067693 07437 690004 6 & 8 passenger vehicles Trailer hire also available “Far ev’r yae wint tae ging”

Freelance Riding Instructor

Jennifer Durward-Wright B.H.S.A.I

Fully insured

Over 25 years’ experience All ages and abilities

Also insured to teach natural methods of horsemanship and groundwork

07899 877033 / 013397 55148 jennydurward@yahoo.com Based in Ballater but happy to travel

Academy News Now in its fifth year, the Aboyne Academy Christmas Fair is taking place on Saturday December 3rd from 10am to 2pm. Using the school canteen (upstairs in the community centre), community crafters and charities are invited to take stalls and sell their wares alongside tea and cake, music from pupils and a visit from Santa himself. It is always a lovely day and a brilliant opportunity to not only support local entrepreneurs but also get a start on that all important Christmas shopping.

There will be stalls offering jewellery, stained glass, Christmas decorations, upcycled items, felt garlands and beauty and spa products. The charity stalls will be raising money for Fair Trade among others.

There will also be candles, Highland paintings, cards, toys and home ware on sale. The Parent Council will be running a raffle to help raise much-needed funds – all monies raised will be given to the school to purchase school resources.

Raffle donations can be dropped off at the school office. And school business partner, ARCADION, will be helped by pupils to provide hot snacks and drinks (for a donation to the school fund).

xmas fair

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Aboyne Academy has become the first corporate member of the Rotary Club of Aboyne and Upper Deeside.

The corporate membership scheme was developed by the Club to enhance the close relationship that already exists between the Academy and the Club to benefit the young people and communities of Upper Deeside.

The formal induction took place at a special meeting of the Club at the Loch Kinord Hotel where the Head Teacher and Senior Leadership Team, as representatives of the Academy, were welcomed into the Club.

A partnership charter was signed by Ruth Powell, Rotary President, on behalf of the Club and by Lorraine Scott, Head Teacher, for the Academy.

The Club and the Academy, who both serve the same area, already have a longstanding and supportive relationship. The Rotary Club sponsors pupils to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership camps each year as well as organising the Young Photographer and Young Musician Competitions, supporting the annual Academy prize giving and assisting in the assessment of the Young Philanthropist Initiative.

Anyone who would like to know more about the work of the Rotary Club is welcome to contact Mike Powell on 013398 86369 or mikepowell.obe@gmail.com

Cinema @ Aboyne Here’s a run-down of films showing at Cinema at Aboyne in the Deeside Community Centre Theatre for the Autumn/Winter season. Films run approx every other Friday and tickets cost £5 for the 5.30pm showing and £6 for the 7.30pm showing, available from the Community Centre reception. For more details and trailers, see their Facebook page, “Cinema at Aboyne” or the website www.filmmobile.com/venues/aboyne: October 7th 5.30pm Pete’s Dragon 7.30pm Bridget Jones’s Baby (tbc) October 28th 5.30pm Kubo & The Two Strings 7.30pm The Magnificent Seven November 11th 5.30pm Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children 7.30pm The Girl On The Train November 25th 5.30pm Storks 7.30pm Inferno December 16th 5.30pm Trolls 7.30pm Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Storks

Fountain Advertising Rates Quarter page 74mm x 105mm £25 Half Page 148mm x 105mm £50 Full page 148mm x 210mm £100 Design fee any ad size £5

Advertising space is also available in our Alford publication, The BULLetin, at the same rates

A Local Gem! Go For Gold’s Simon Sawers enjoys the last of summer What a brilliant summer for hillwalkers!

And it still continues as I write this in midSeptember. Long days out, stunning views, good exercise, excellent company and a few midgies!

The highlights this summer, during which I have continued to visit numerous Corbetts and Grahams, include a brilliant camping and hiking trip to Knoydart with my partner, a leisurely visit to the Orkney Mainland and the island of Hoy, and supervising Duke of Edinburgh expeditions.

Everywhere there is a profusion of wild berries this year! We all see the bright red rowan berries (cook and eat or make jam after the first frost) and in the hills I’ve never seen so many cloudberries - carpets of them, and so lush! What a delicacy, but you have to be about 600m above sea level to find them, and only in favoured and secret spots! Also magnificent blaeberries and cowberries. You could almost live off the land this summer.

Recently, I was on top of one of our local hills that’s rarely visited but which is relatively easily accessed and provides a stunning panoramic view of the Cairngorms from Devil’s Point through Cairn Toul, Braeriach, Ben Macdui, and Beinn a’ Bhuird all the way round to Lochnagar and Beinn a’ Ghlo.

I’m talking about the Corbett of Sgor Mor and I highly recommend this for hillwalkers, although pick a good weather day! Start at the Linn of Dee carpark and head North on the path, then track in the direction of Derry Lodge. Turn left before the bridge over the Lui Water at grid reference 064914 and head West up steepish heathery slopes. Note

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that there are no paths from here on.

Make your way to a broad ridge to the trig point at Sgor Dubh and then West along a magnificent broad ridge of easy walking to the summit of Sgor Mor which is encrusted with granite boulders and small tors one of which has a wind scoured bowl perfect for sitting in while you marvel at the tremendous views. Descend southwestwards to the River Dee at the Chests of Dee and their magnificent pools which are deep enough to dive into and which provide excellent wild swimming.

Return on the estate tracks to Linn of Dee via White Bridge. It’s a great day out.

Although the days are drawing in and the nights getting cooler, there is still plenty of time for lots more hillwalking in summer conditions in our magnificent local hills.

Leadership, Trust, Patience, Understanding and a ton of Fun!

Canine Behaviour Practitioner

Specialist In Reactive / High Energy / Aggressive Behaviour & Building Owner Confidence

British College of Canine Studies – Distinction Qualified Five Years’ Experience in Middle East’s Canine Community Supporter of Council Dog Wardens & KC Good Citizen Scheme Annually Updated Communication Techniques PI & PL Insured – Registered Ltd Company Canine First Aid Certified SPARCS member dannilovesdogs@yahoo.com 07979 415620

the food gurus ...find a true (hidden) gem

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Who are we? We’re a family of four: two adults, a child and a teenager who love eating (out) and resent doing the washing up. We’re all very opinionated but vary in degrees of fussiness. Here we review Sunday Roast at The Commercial In Tarland...

There’s nothing ‘hidden’ about the Commercial Hotel and Restaurant in Tarland, but somehow it has never registered on my food radar. So, the family and I were excited to get the assignment to try it out for Sunday lunch.

We went with every intention of tasting its traditional roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and roast tatties, which look really good. But, out of curiosity, decided to have a browse over the menu. Surprise, surprise! What an interesting selection of dishes: breaded chicken breast with bacon and banana fritters, fish cake with chorizo, burger with apple-smoked cheddar and Jack Daniels BBQ sauce, and so it went... (all around the same price range as the Sunday roast).

The menu wasn’t so ‘complicated’ as to confuse the guest to what the dishes were.

It just sounded eclectic enough to intrigue and tempt the palate.

Unable to resist it, we went for it! I had the linguini with seafood, tossed with garlic, chilli and white wine. Although I’m very partial to banana fritters, I thought that if the chef could make something simple taste special, every other dish would be a winner. So it was. The pasta was cooked to al dente perfection. As squid is not my kind of thing, I asked for it to be replaced by one of the other ingredients (prawns, clams, salmon and scallops). Nothing was

too much trouble. Honestly, there was so much pasta, so much seafood, I had trouble finishing it.

We had a look around to check if all portions were as large as ours and they were. The guy next to us had a panini so generously filled it looked like a brick.

Husband had the cod and chorizo fish cake, daughter the Gentleman Jack burger and wee son the children’s sausage and chips (not the food adventurous type).

All of which looked great, large and were delicious. Even the chips were lovely. I like my food with salad, so I’m a bit of a salad expert. All dishes came with the most amazing and interesting salad with beans, celery and lots of other tastes that made it filling but light. The dressing had just the right balance between acidity and sweetness.

As we couldn’t resist, three desserts were ordered and shared amongst us four.

From the children’s menu we had an ice lolly, mini donuts with chocolate sauce and the sticky toffee pudding with ice cream from the main menu.

There’s even a corner with toys which kept wee one entertained and allowed us to eat in peace. A bonus when you have them! The staff was friendly, attentive and all smiles. All and all a great Sunday lunch and we’ll be sure to go back.

Compliments to the chef!

The Food Gurus is a new feature reviewing various food offerings across Deeside. Would you like the gurus to visit your establishment? Get in touch.

The Aboyne Bonfire and Fireworks annual family event will take place this year on Saturday 12th November on the Aboyne Green.

Tom Faichnie, Chairman of the Aboyne Bonfire Co-operative, said that the community had once again come together to plan an event that would be both safe and great fun for families.

“With the cooperation of groups from our community, we have planned an event that will be great fun. I want to thank everyone for continuing to support this event, which we hope will be bigger and better than ever.”

The bonfire will be lit at 6pm and the fireworks will start at around 7pm – with the extensive display anticipated to be more spectacular than last year’s impressive spectacle.

Food will be available at a stand run by the Rotary Club, the Aboyne Games

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Youth Forum will sell glow sticks, and MidDeeside Limited will run the stall selling hot drinks. Stalls will open at 5:30pm.

Keeping with tradition, the Guys for the top of bonfire will be made by the boys and girls of the local Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Guides groups.

“To help us to build an impressive bonfire, we’re calling on anyone with spare timber or firewood to drop it off to Aboyne Green between 10.00am and 4.00pm on the day,” said Mr Faichnie. “We are also looking for additional volunteers to marshal on the night and help with setup of the event.”

Event organisers have worked closely with the local fire service to make sure that the event is run safely.

Remember, Remember the 12th of November!

Mr Faichnie added: “I want to remind families, to help make this event safe and fun for everyone, please do not bring any personal fireworks to the event.�

This annual fun evening only takes

place with the continued generosity of donations from the public – volunteers will be raising money to cover the costs of the community-run event.

To volunteer to marshal, please email Steve Green at steve.green99@outlook. com.

Keep up to date with the latest news on the event at www.facebook.com/ Aboynefireworks/

Anyone for Tennis?

Club on target to fund court resurfacing work, writes Julia Mitchell-Mehta

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After just under a year of serious fundraising, Aboyne Tennis Club has raised £10,000 of its £25,000 target.

The club is working hard to raise money for the resurfacing of all four courts, which are now becoming very worn, and four sets of floodlights to extend the playing season beyond the summer months.

The committee is seeking grant funding for the majority of the project but still has to raise a significant amount through the club’s own fundraising efforts.

Highlights so far have been a quiz night, Easter egg hunt, duck race, golf day, jumble sale, race night, and a very impressive round-the-UK sponsored cycle.

The club is well supported, with a growing membership of adults and juniors. It has a very busy coaching programme with junior coaching taking place on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, as well as regular adult coaching sessions. The LTA-qualified club coach, Graham Kay, also runs development squads in Aboyne for promising Deeside juniors and is currently the NESLTA District mini-tennis professional.

There is an active competitive tennis scene with men’s and women’s teams competing in local leagues and intra-club competitions running in spring, summer and autumn.

In addition there are regular opportunities to play social tennis.

New members are always welcome and more information about the club can be found at www.aboynetennis.net and Aboyne Tennis on Facebook.

Advanced Craft Carpentry & Joinery All aspects of joinery from timber frames to high-class finishings flooring extentions kitchens

windows doors stairs

free estimates: 07851 948335 www.macvicarjoineryltd.com

WEE JIM

Landscapes

All aspects of landscaping Mini digger & small tipper hire

Firewood also available James Anderson Bridgefoot, Glenmuick, Ballater 013397 55997 / 07821 746756 weejim03@live.co.uk www.weejim.com

Walk the Walk...

A new board detailing The Aboyne Heritage Walk was unveiled at a special ceremony in September hosted by the Deeside Heritage Society.

The board, together with the Heritage Walk booklet, celebrates the many wonderful contributions to the Aboyne community made by the late ex-President Ailsa Baird, who sadly passed away last year. This photograph shows the team which delivered the project.

...Talk the Talk

The Deeside Heritage Society has a monthly series of speakers through to March, starting at 7.30pm in the Aboyne Bowling Club. Non-members are welcome, £3 at the door. Tea and coffee served afterwards. The next three talks are: October 19th Gordon Casley Heraldry – Cheerfully Illustrated

Beautifully designed by Birse-based Wag Design, the board and booklet outline numerous points of historical and contemporary interest in a 4km walk, alongside numerous old photographs.

The Aboyne Heritage Walk booklet is available from the library, Hilltrek and other local outlets for just £2.

November 16th Mike Cooper The Deeside Line – Now and Then December 14th The Very Rev’d Dr AE Nimmo The Episcopal Church in 18th Century Aberdeen

New Sensory Park for Aboyne Primary

HATE IRONING? Is it too tiring, too boring or simply just too much?

by Isla Harker & Cayden Brown, P7

Fiddly shirts or never-ending duvets?

Whether you have just got back from holiday with a mountain to get through, or you just feel that life is too short to spend it ironing!

Aboyne primary school recently received funding from the National Lottery, Big Lottery Fund to build a beautiful sensory park. Even though its a work in progress with the building work for a new nursery!

The sensory park includes; a fabulous tipi, climbing frame, balance beam and instruments! At the opening ceremony in June a councillor called Katrina Farquhar had the honour of cu�ng the ribbon to open the sensory park.

Call Jackie on 013398 81589 or 07947 650597 and let me do it for you!!

Reasonable rates, references available Collection and delivery negotiable

Pittendreigh Property Maintenance

Interior/Exterior Painting . Guttering Pointing . Slating . Etc . Free quotes

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013398 82906 / 07584 137123 derekpittendreigh@btinternet.com

an invitation from...

the

boulers o’ birse

by Ruth Emslie Are you free on Saturday mornings? Would you enjoy an outdoor game which improves hand/eye co-ordination, has simple rules, and is a good social event for all ages and abilities? If tuition and spare equipment was available for you to give it a try, would you get yourself to Finzean for 10am or so, and discover if boules, also known as petanque, is something you would like to participate in?

An enthusiastic group of players, with varying abilities, has been playing during the summer, and is now keen for others to join in the fun this activity offers. Currently, we are meeting at 10am-noon every Saturday in the car park at Birse & Feughside Church at Finzean, to play this popular French game, which has clubs around Scotland. In the spring, when the evening light is longer, we will play on Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm.

The aim of the game is to throw or roll the small steel ball towards the target, known as the ‘cochonnet’ – that’s ‘piglet’ to you and me. As each player takes their shot from a stationary position, all compete to be closest boule to the cochonnet and win points.

Different techniques are employed to eliminate the competition, none difficult, and I should mention, the surface can add its own curve ball. The game is not played on a smooth lawn such as that of bowls; gravel or hard dirt is required. If you have the clothing, it can be played effectively in the rain! Play lasts an hour or two; if you have interested youngsters they are also very welcome. Afterwards, a sociable hot or cold drink together at a local hostelry is a friendly finish.

All the Boulers o’Birse are looking forward to meeting and playing boules with you each Saturday, so do come along and meet the group and give it a go, or renew your acquaintance with the sport.

You are welcome to contact boulersobirse@gmail.com for further information.

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winter programme

Established 1998

well

speed

19 October How can we make energy from waste?

Dr Davide Dionisi explains what anaerobic digestion is and its potential to generate renewable energy from organic waste; he will also cover biological wastewater treatment, why it is necessary for the public health, and how it is linked with anaerobic digestion.

16 November The Evils of Evolution What lurks within your DNA? Dr Alasdair MacKenzie explains how it points to our evolutionary past and how techniques such as gene editing are revolutionising our understanding of the genetic and external factors that switch genes on and off, and how these contribute to conditions such as obesity, chronic pain and depression.

14 December The Things Are Coming The “Internet of Things” promises to transform every aspect of our lives by connecting our cars, homes and even our bodies to the Internet. But what does this mean for our privacy, and how will we manage these devices and the data they produce? Professor Pete Edwards leads the Trusted Things & Communities project investigating how to provide novel solutions to increase trust in the Internet of Things.

All talks start at 7.30pm at the MacRobert Hall, Tarland. Price £4 adults, under-18s and students in full time education, free. More info from: www.futuregroup.org.uk

FRAMING

Friendly, Reliable Service Wide Range of Quality Materials in Stock

Paintings, Photographs & Mirrors Needlework, Sports Shirts & Objects Framing Canvas Stretching and More...

t: 013398 80448 m: 07766 176 186 e: jay@speedwellframing.co.uk Inchmarnoch Dinnet Aboyne AB34 5NX

Looking Ahead to Autumn...

by Classic Abode’s Moira Gash

28 Garden and Landscaping

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As the days grow shorter, our gardens show the tell-tale signs that autumn is here. Many will think gardening tasks are now over for another year. However, there are still important jobs to be done.

• Tidy borders by digging up annuals.

Consider replanting with winter bedding such as pansies and wallflowers for a colourful display next spring.

• Time to move poorly placed plants and to divide overcrowded perennials while the soil is still warm.

• Lawn looking slightly worse for wear?

Then it’s time to revitalise it. Rake out thatch and moss. Improve aeration by making holes with a garden fork. Brush in a sandy top dressing followed by an application of autumn lawn feed.

• Build a compost bin if you don’t already have one, ready to collect all the waste from the autumn clear up.

• Make sure you lift tender species such as begonias and dahlias before the first frosts threaten.

• Before you store your lawn mower, make sure to clean and oil or send it for a service. Don’t forget to clean and sharpen tools too.

Happy Gardening.

Classic Abode Garden & Landscaping www.classicabode.co.uk

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Carnival of the Animals: Inset days’ creativity...

Church to host puppet workshops

St Thomas’s Church is holding a two-day puppet making workshop coming up on the school inset days in November, the 14th and 15th, from 10.30-3, led by local artist Stephanie Vandem.

The workshops are aimed at children between the ages of 5-12. In addition to the puppet-making, there will be storytelling from our Rector, Vittoria. The theme for the workshops is ‘Carnival of the Animals’, and they will be making animals of different shapes and sizes.

The puppets will be on display at our Sunday service on the 20th November, which will have an animal theme. There will be a nominal charge of £1 a head, and places can be booked by contacting the Rector, Vittoria on 013397 55919. More on the church’s activities on p35.

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Councillors'

Contacts

Cllr Peter Argyle

01339 882973 07801 900843 cllr.p.argyle@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk

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These are your Ward 15 councillors

Cllr Katrina Farquhar

01339 880836 07876 475403 cllr.k.farquhar@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Cllr Geva Blackett

01339 741541 07876 475269 cllr.g.blackett@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk

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Aboyne-Dinnet Church It’s all happening...

by Christa Markham

Aboyne-Dinnet Church has resumed the programme of our mid-week activities.

Some are regular events and others oneoff social gatherings. Whether spiritual or purely entertainment, everyone is always made very welcome at our Church.

Sunday worship takes place at 11.30am and afterwards we invite the Congregation to join us in fellowship over a cup of tea or coffee. On the third Sunday of every month a soup and bread lunch is served in the Church Hall after the service. There is no charge for the lunch but donations are welcome. Children coming to Church take part in our worship at the beginning of the service before leaving for their special time in the Church Hall. Please look at our programme to see what might be of interest to you.

A new singing group meets in the Church Hall on Wednesdays at 2pm. This group wants to sing for joy and you do not need to have a trained singing voice!

Men’s Discussion Group starts again on October 6th at 7pm. Meetings are in the MacKenzie Room of the hall and will be weekly or fortnightly.

The Community Life Group of AboyneDinnet Church has arranged an exciting Murder Mystery Night on Saturday October 29th. On that night the hall will be turned into a Wild West Saloon where the 1st Annual Deadwood Poker Tournament Party will be celebrated. All guests will have the chance to enjoy a simple Wild West Style Menu and to learn more about the sometimes shady characters that have come to the Deadwood Saloon. Look out for the posters in the village to learn more about this event. Tickets at £12 or £10 concession need to be booked

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before October 15th.

The Ladies Breakfast & Talk sessions will become a re-occurring feature in our calendar and will probably happen four to five times a year. The next breakfast is scheduled for November 5th and the speaker is the Rev Dr Andrew Wilson who will tell the ladies about Christmas Customs and Symbolism of Advent and Christmas decorations. The breakfast starts at 10am.

For planning purposes, tickets need to be bought in advance at £5 per ticket.

11th October 2pm Reflections & Prayer meeting in the MacKenzie Room of the hall 12th October 7pm The Guild, Church Hall, Huntly Road.

‘Joy’: speaker Rev Frank Ribbons 13th October Messy Church takes place in the Church Hall from 3.30pm 29th October 7pm Murder Mystery Night in the Church Hall Murder at the Deadwood Saloon: a night of mystery and mayhem in the Wild West 2nd November 2pm Friendship Hour in the Residents’ Lounge at Bonty Court. Hearing Dogs for the Deaf – Innes Simpson will give a talk about this excellent charity 5th November 10am Community Life Group Event Ladies Breakfast and Talk 8th November 2pm Reflections & Prayer meeting in the MacKenzie Room of the hall 9th November 7pm The Guild, Church Hall, Huntly Road ‘Caring for Mother Earth in Bolivia’, speaker Ian Waldram 10th November Messy Church takes place in the Church Hall straight after school

Counting Blessings Churches’ Letter

Dear Friends, As this edition of the Fountain comes out, we are looking towards autumn and winter. The trees are already turning copper and gold in the cooler air, and time is marching on. Here in Upper Deeside, we get to celebrate the seasons at their best and worst. We live in a landscape that has been formed by weather, and humankind for centuries. There is a sense here of being grounded in the past. For countless generations, there has been love and laughter, joy, sorrow. Good times and bad times. Periods when life has been calm; and periods when there has been unrest and violence. Yet still life continues. What will happen next? Do we really want to listen to the news? How do we respond to everything? It can be difficult to focus or feel positively when everything seems topsy-turvy. It’s good to remind ourselves of the longevity of human history; that they have been there before us.

It is up to us how we respond to the events of this world. Whether we choose to react in fear and prejudice, or whether we accept those with different views. Whether we use events to condemn or judge, or use them to reach out to others. The churches in this area hold in common a portion of our religious heritage – a book that has, in part, been around as long as the human settlement in this area, if not longer.

No matter what you think of that book, the Bible, there are things in it that are important in living together as a community.

The commandment for Christians that is above all others, the rule we are called to live our lives by is this ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul, and love your neighbour as yourself’.

Whether you believe in God or not, loving one another is fundamental to

living alongside people in this community.

Loving one another demands tolerance and acceptance. We do not necessarily have to agree – but we must respect the rights of others to disagree with us. We are called to look at how we can help those around us, to examine what is most constructive to help this community. To give and take, to listen and to laugh, to speak and to rejoice.

This is what is required of us. Nothing less.

We stand at a moment of time. As we look into the future, let us not forget the lessons of the past. As we deal with uncertainty in our lives, let us not forget the calling to love each other. Seeking to model it in all we do and say and think.

With every blessing, Rev’d Vittoria Hancock, St Thomas’ Episcopal Church; Father Chris Brannan, St Margaret’s Roman Catholic Church; Rev Frank Ribbons, Church of Scotland News from St Thomas’ St Thomas’ celebrated our harvest on the 18th September with our usual service followed by the bring and share lunch. We are looking forward now to our autumn and winter events.

We have a two-day puppet making workshop coming up on the school inset days in November, the 14th and 15th, from 10.30-3, led by Stephanie Vandem, a local artist. Details are on page 31.

Advent Sunday this year is on the 27th November, when we have our usual service followed by mulled wine and mince pies, and our Christingle service takes place on the 4th December at 11.15. The service of nine lessons and carols will take place on the 11th December this year, then our Crib Service on the 24th December at 4pm.

All are welcome to any of our services or events.

Club Directory

This directory is compiled using Aberdeenshire Council’s website information. Thank you!

If you know or discover any of the details to be incorrect, or if you wish to add your club’s details to it, please get in touch.

ABOYNE

1st Aboyne Brownies Anne Silcock, 013398 86332 annefiona@aol.com1s 1st Aboyne Cubs Bernie Cassie, 013398 85390 bmkh67@yahoo.co.uk 1staboynescoutgroup.org.uk/ Badminton Club Richard Seeber, 013398 89307 rseeber861@gmail.com www.aboynebadminton.org.uk Canoe Club Chris Redmond, 013398 86241 aboynecanoeclub@gmail.com aboynecanoeclub.co.uk/ Garden Club Jim Campbell, 013398 85511 campbej9@yahoo.co.uk Golf Club Allan Taylor , 013398 86328 aboynegolfclub@btconnect.com www.aboynegolfclub.co.uk Judo Club James McBeath, 013398 86049 mjmcbeath@btinternet.com Library Book Group Fiona Robertson, 013398 86004 aboyne.library@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Mother & Toddler Group Friday, 10am-11.30am Deeside Community Centre aboynetoddlers@hotmail.co.uk

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Ladies Probus Club Barbara Thompson, 013398 83303 bathompson@btinternet.com Probus Club Eddy Horton aboyne_probus_sec@btinternet.com Rotary Club of Aboyne & U-Deeside Dr Douglas Riach, 013398 85488 douglas.riach@btinternet.com Sco�sh Country Dancing Ruth Housden, 013398 81613 thousden@gotadsl.co.uk Sub Aqua Club Gary Shire, 07443439453 gary_shire@yahoo.co.uk Sooyang Do Martial Art Colleen McIver, 07889850229 colleen_mciver@msn.com Also in Torphins Tennis Club aboynetennis@gmail.com Twinning Association Maureen Forsyth, 013398 86704 moforsyth@gmail.com Deeside Camera Club David Packer, 01330822666 davidpacker00@gmail.com www.deesidecameraclub.org/ Deeside Gliding Club Glen Douglas, 013398 85339 office@deesideglidingclub.co.uk www.deesideglidingclub.co.uk

OUTWITH

Cromar & District Horticultural Society Mrs Jess Gibb, 013398 81277 Cromar Future Group Lesley Ellis, 01339 880062 info@futuregroup.org.uk futuregroup.org.uk/ Cromar History Group Lesley Ellis, 01339 880062 info@cromarhistorygroup.org.uk www.cromarhistorygroup.org.uk Finzean SWRI Louise Counsell, 01330 850323 louisecounsell@ymail.com

Lumphanan Golf Club Joyce Wilson, 013398 83480 secretary@lumphanangolfclub.co.uk www.lumphanangolfclub.co.uk Lumphanan Whist Club Irene Thomson, 013398 83365 Tarland Curling Club Lesley Farquharson, 013398 81534 Tarland Golf Club Carole Foreman, 013398 81000 secretary@tarlandgolfclub.co.uk www.tarlandgolfclub.co.uk Tarland Playgroup 013398 81193 tarland.playgroup@gmail.com Tuesday Stravaigers (Walks) Anne Heath, 013398 81558 abheath@hotmail.com Upper Deeside Art Society Rona Mitchell udasmemsec@btinternet.com www.udas.org.uk/

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