The South Deeside View Autumn 2016 by Lynne Beard

Autumn 2016

The

South Deeside View Broadband meeting and survey Page 2 and 24

New Year’s The idh il ch Ce Cryno nd Ba

Monday

2nd January 2017

COOKNEY HALL

Community Coffee Mornings Coffee, Cake and Chat All welcome 10am-12noon Fri 9th Dec Fri 10th Feb Sat 25th Mar Fri 5th May Fri 16th June Contact: Elaine 01569 730374 or Emma 01569 731052 Facebook:Friends of Cookney Hall

Facebook: The South Deeside View www.nkrcc.org.uk/sdv

Cookney Hall

8pm to midnight BYOB, Raffle Tickets: Adult £10, Child U16 £5 Ian 01569 739399 ianthomsonband@btinternet.com

IanLynne 01569 739399, Lynne 01569 739132 01569 739132 lynnebeard@btinternet.com Proceeds to Multiple Sclerosis Society

Autumn has arrived and here are the latest updates

CONTENTS 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 12 12 13 14 15 15 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 24 25 26 30 31 32 34 35 36

from the local community groups around our area. Grateful thanks go to our regular contributors. Planning ahead, a date for your diary is Saturday 20th May when the joint NKRCC & SDV Plant Sale will be held. See our Diary Dates on the back page for more events happening locally before then. Some new activities include the popular ‘Cookney Cuppies’ held at Cookney Hall, where you can enjoy some company, refreshments and lovely homebakes. There was also a successful family ceilidh including a live band, which is going to be repeated on Sunday 20th November, 2-4pm. Look out your dancing shoes!

Aberdeen Aeromodellers Cookney Bowling Club, Culter Girls FC Dee Vale Ladies FC, Friendship Club Glendale FC Maryculter Senior Citizens Assoc North Mearns Reading Group Maryculter Driving for the Disabled Maryculter Woods, SWI Church Notices Banchory-Devenick School Lairhillock School Aberdeen Green School South Deeside Under 5’s Babies & Toddlers Guiding Beavers, Cubs Scouts, Explorers Scottish Accordian Music Group Traditional Music Sessions Cookney Hall Corbie Hall & Field Huskyhaven Police Scotland Police Scotland, Abricabeats Papal Award Nature Notes Solstice Nurseries NKRCC Broadband Survey Dave Bracegirdle Guitar MSP, MP Councillors Chapelton Chapelton Trail Kincardine & Deeside Befriending Home Deliveries, Hall Bookings Useful Numbers and Info Diary Dates, War Memorial Books

Cover photo courtesy of Callum Stuart

Broadband Survey p.24 closes 20th Nov Another topic of great interest to many is broadband, or rather the lack of the speed of it, in the area. Please take the time to complete the survey as information from it may facilitate earlier upgrades in our area. You can complete it online too at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZRWFXK7 Broadband Public Meetings On 28th November 7pm at Corbie Hall, Maryculter, there is to be a public meeting with both Digital Superfast Scotland Broadband (DSSB) and Community Broadband Scotland so everyone can ﬁnd out more and have an opportunity to ask plenty questions. Look out for updates on Facebook : The South Deeside View. Keep a eye on the NKRCC Facebook and website too for the latest news - www.nkrcc.org.uk or Facebook: North Kincardine Rural Community Council - NKRCC.  Lynne & Helpers

GARDENERS! Have you (finally !) sorted out that long-planned ‘grand design’ for the shrubs and flowers outside? A different layout, new border, perhaps more lawn, or as the joints creak, decking or areas of gravel to give lower maintenance? Whichever it is, many of us will be soon be outside with trowel and spade, splitting polyanthus, reducing the size of hostas, daisies or w.h.y., digging out this or that plant. If so, please consider recycling rather than disposal. The Plant Sale in May is not that far away.

Dig it out or split it up, then pot it, water it and keep until the Spring. Someone, somewhere wants what you no longer need. We can turn your garden cast-oﬀs into money for local good causes. Rob (730308) might be able to help with pots. 2

Community & Leisure Aberdeen Aeromodellers  We are located at Banchory Devenick airﬁeld near Portlethen and ﬂy all year long.

Opening times are   Mon to Sat, 0900-1900hrs, Sun 1000-1900hrs   These hours are for nitro & petrol models, quiet electric models can be flown past these hours.

Adult Membership of the club is £115 which also covers SAA insurance. Family membership & junior membership are also available. Andy Pirie, Chairman AAMFC information@aamfc.co.uk www.aamfc.co.uk

Cookney Bowling Club

The Cookney Bowling Club resumed meetings in September. The meetings are usually on Thursdays from 7.30pm at Cookney Hall and the sessions last for about 2 hours. From the middle of October there is also a Competition Night on Mondays. Arthur Durward 01224 319701

Culter Girls FC

Culter Girls, part of Culter Youth FC, have recently set up new teams for U9 and U11s. We currently train Mondays 5-6pm at Peterculter Sports Centre but move outside after the Easter break. Fortnightly we play 4v4 festivals at Aberdeen Sports Village.

Dee Vale Ladies Football Club

A?er a very successful 2015 season which saw Dee Vale win the SWFL 2nd Division North the team have stepped up to the 1st Division North this season. So far the team have had a tough year and are currently siMng 9th in the league. With 5 games to go the team look poised to ﬁnish in the boQom 6 but outside of the relega2on zone. Dee Vale LFC have also recently announced that they will join with Westdyke Girls on a trial basis for the 2017 season. It is hoped that this partnership will provide a pathway to ladies football for the girls at Westdyke, as well as a much needed boost of fresh players to the senior squad. deevalelfc@yahoo.co.uk or ﬁnd us on Facebook: DeevaleLFC or Twi=er: @DeeValeLFC

Friendship Club

We have enjoyed a summer of monthly outings to places of interest, ending the season with lunch at Storybook Glen. Our winter programme began with basket whist on Friday October 21 at 7.30pm in Corbie Hall, Maryculter. Our winter sessions of musical entertainment are on the first Thursday of the month in Corbie Hall from 2-4pm. Please note the change of venue due to church renovations. New members are always welcome. Anne Massie Tel: 01224 732071 Peggy Paterson Tel: 01224 734888

Christmas Fair

We are open to all girls living in the area and currently have girls from Culter, Cults, Milltimber, and Bieldside.

Sunday 20th November Corbie Hall, Maryculter 2 - 4pm

If your daughter is interested in playing please contact: Shona 07734 915850,   cultergirls@yahoo.co.uk

Teas, Coﬀees and mince pies will be served Contact: Karen Manning dalma2onmad@yahoo.co.uk Proceeds to Friends of Guiding in Maryculter

Community & Leisure Glendale Football Club

Maryculter Senior Citizens Association

Starting with an update on how we ﬁnished the 2016/16 season, we were a credible 4th in the league - a much more respectable showing than the last 2-3 years. This was mainly due to a fantastic run of results between March and April.

Our meetings are on the ﬁrst Thursday of the month from 2-4pm and we have a number of interesting events lined up to keep us educated and entertained. Thank to you to all who support the fundraising 100+ Club. Winners of cash prizes from Apr-Aug 2016 were C Low, Mr Duguid, F Thomson, L Home, H Morrison, J Tuddenham, K Napier, A Wilson, C Pike, M McIntosh, D & G Murray, J Thomson, K Leven, F Smith & A Taylor.

Also as intimated in the last SDV, we ended the season with the Stephen Shield final - albeit the result going marginally against us - with the team winning 1-0 and the final minutes counting down, Bervie Caley were awarded a free kick some 30 yards from the goal. The resultant kick (AKA James Maddison versus Rangers Sept ’16) took the game to extra time, and with no additional goals, the dreaded penalty shoot out followed on, with Bervie edging us out 4-3. A very disconsolate dressing room ensued - not the best way to close off in hindsight what was overall a successful season!

Fiona Tel 01224 733324 Geordie Tel 01224 734469   Richard Tel 01224 867580 Caroline Tel 01224 734093 Debbie Tel 01224 730018

North Mearns Reading Group The North Mearns Reading group is an informal group that meets every four to six weeks and we take turns to host each meeting. We read books chosen from a list provided by the library service of Aberdeenshire council. The group has grown such that unfortunately we are not able to take on new members at present. Please get in touch if you would like to be considered when places become available.

During the summer at our AGM, the committee got a ‘freshen-up” with the “younger members” in our team stepping up to take on the more senior roles within the committee, something I have been banging on about for a number of years, as us “old guys won’t be around forever!”

Muriel Hargreaves: 01569 730302

This season has started brightly, with again the bulk of last season’s squad being retained, but with a couple of new additional fresh young faces from across the water (Milltimber/Culter). These new guys are very quickly adding a new dimension and hunger to the team.

With Corbie now fully recovered from the winter ﬂoods, it is great to be back (home) playing our home games again, and at the same time we have also gained a new groundsman, with one of our player’s dads throwing himself wholeheartedly into grass cutting duties on an almost weekly basis - a great help indeed. Jim Grant 01224 867512

Community & Leisure Maryculter Driving for the Disabled It is now 30 Years of Maryculter Driving for the Disabled Group!

The 2016 driving season has just come to an end, culminating in our colourful super-hero themed BBQ and cone driving competition along with our guests from the Garioch Driving for the Disabled Group. The weather held for our Bat-mobile and we had lots of fun and laughter! Hopefully Santa will be dropping in again when we next get together at Corbie Hall on 5th December for our Christmas Party. Our group was established 30 years ago in 1986. We have one member, John, who has been with us since the beginning, pictured driving with an ‘original’ instructor, Jane MacInnes. Sessions are mostly at Maryculter Home Farm, thanks to Jane and Ewan MacInnes, on Wednesday afternoons from 12.30 May to September. This year we have 16 disabled members beneﬁtting from our activities with our horses Corbie and Casse. We are always in need of new volunteers to keep the wheels turning, whether your forte is organising, baking, socialising, fundraising, towing, grooming. Please contact Kate: brockman.kate@btinternet.com or Carol (for the tea rota) carol.masson@btinternet.com if you would like more information. Kate Brockman (Group Organiser) 01330 811615 Registered Charity No. SCIO28630

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Cookney Hall Sunday 20th November 2-4pm  Entry fee £2 adult, £1 child Children to be accompanied by an adult

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based in Cammachmore, opposite Newtonhill

Community & Leisure Maryculter Woods If you have been in the Maryculter community woods recently, you will see that we have had a busy summer. We started with a rescue mission in a part of the wood where non-native sitka spruce was rapidly crowding-out and killing-off mature birch trees. Selective felling of the sitka spruce in this area has now released the existing birch and will allow us to manage the natural regeneration of native trees and forest floor plants. We have also thinned out some other areas of larch and sitka spruce as part of the long-term plan to slowly restore the wood to (mostly) native species and improve the habitat for wildlife. We are delighted with the results of the felling operations this summer and we hope that everyone understands why the changes were necessary. After the felling came the mulching to help us condition the forest floor and reopen the paths blocked Wood processor in front of the area cleared of sitka spruce. Note the large amount of with hag (branches & logs left over from birch which still remains thanks to the skills of the driver of the wood processor. felling). We have also mulched alongside the forest roads which creates space for heather, orchids and other flowering plants and will also help keep the roads in good condition. It will be interesting to see what pops up on the verges next spring! Thanks to a donation from the NKRCC, and the chain-saw skills of Nigel Astell, we have also installed two elm log benches in the wood near the top of Oldman Hill. It is worth hunting down the small path to the summit to take in the superb views. We will stay busy this autumn too as we have our regular maintenance tasks and we also plan to plant over 1000 native trees. Should you wish to join any of our regular working parties then we meet, weather permitting, by the main entrance to the wood on the first Sunday of every month, 2-4pm. Our AGM will be on Wednesday 23rd November, 7.30pm in the scout hut, Kirkton of Maryculter. Ed Thorogood (Chairman), info@maryculterwoods.com, www.maryculterwoods.com , Facebook: Maryculter Woods A Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation SCO44224

Maryculter SWI The ﬁrst meeting of Maryculter SWI was held on 14th September when members and friends had a great evening visit to JG Ross Bakery in Inverurie. Everyone enjoyed a delicious supper then got 'glammed up' in white coats, blue hairnets and blue shoe covers for a tour of the bakery. Meetings are usually held in Maryculter Community Hall on the second Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm, and in October we had a talk by Scottish Fire and Rescue. We are also having a Quiz Night. Other meetings on this year's syllabus are very varied with cookery and craft corners, working with willow, a talk on Drum Castle and a talk on antiques. We are a very friendly group and would welcome any new members and visitors. Secretary, Sylvia Pike Tel: 01224 733821

Visit to JG Ross bakery

Church Notices Maryculter Trinity Church of Scotland After a few blips you can now keep up to date with church events on our new website at www.marycultertrinitychurch.org.uk During the church renovations Sunday Services are being held at 10.30am in the Upper Room at Maryculter Trinity Church, unless otherwise intimated. There is a monitor and sound system etc. in the Happy Lounge for those who are unable to go upstairs. November Sunday 13th Remembrance Day Services: Please note the change of venues 10.30am in Cookney Hall followed by Soup, bread and cheese lunch in aid of Church Funds and Present Aid. Retiring collection for Earl Haig Fund. Maryculter Trinity Church Memorial at 3.00pm followed by cup of tea in the Happy Lounge at Maryculter Trinity Church. Guild Week 13th-20th Sunday 20th Communion and Guild Dedication Service. December Saturday 3rd Guild Christmas Coﬀee Morning and stalls from 10.00am-11.30am in Corbie Hall. Tickets costing £3.50 for Adults and £2 for school age children will be available from Guild members or at the door on the day. Sunday Bereavement Service in the Upper Room – Date to be arranged Saturday 24th Family Service 6.30pm Watchnight 11.30pm Venue to be announced. January 2017 Burns Supper Date and venue to be arranged

February Sunday 12th Communion followed by Soup lunch with proceeds going to “Souper Sunday HIV/Aids”. Venue to be announced. Sunday 19th Guides Thinking Day Fairtrade Fortnight 27th – 12th March Big Brew Wednesday 2nd March at Community Coﬀee morning. 10.00am-11.30am with Fairtrade goods on sale. Venue to be announced.

March Friday 3rd World Day of Prayer - Venue to be arranged A Bible Study Group meets every Tuesday evening in The Manse at 7.30pm. Please note that dates can change from time to time so please check before attending. This is ecumenical and open to all who are interested. A different bible passage is studied every week. Community Coffee Mornings are held on 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesdays of the month in Maryculter Trinity Church Happy Lounge from 10.00am – 12 noon. Fresh coffee or tea and home bakes £2.50. Come and enjoy chats with friends, and make new friends. We look forward to welcoming you. For further details or to arrange a lift, please phone either Alison Stewart 01224 861048 or Dianne Brown on 01224 734687. The Guild led by Mrs. Sheila Bisset is held on the first Monday of the month at 7.30- 9.30pm in Maryculter Trinity Church Hall from September to November and February to April. New members or visitors are always welcome to come and hear interesting talks, enjoy fellowship and a cup of tea. Further details from Sheila Tel. No. 01224 861593.

Fairtrade: We are a Fairtrade church which means we use, sell and promote Traidcra? products, and these are available at the sales table in the church hall every Sunday a?er the morning service. ChrisCan Aid: We run events throughout the year for this organisa2on and have helped many projects including Water Aid, Present Aid and HIV/Aids. Blythswood Shoe Box Appeal As usual we are taking part in this worthwhile cause and boxes are due to be collected on Friday 4th November. Last year we sent away 44 boxes and we hope to beat that target this year. 7

Church Notices Quay Project: During the year we joined a rota with other churches to help cater for homeless people in Aberdeen by making soup at Crown Terrace Bap2st Church. Youth Café Looking for something to do on a Thursday night? Everyone who is in school between P7 and S3 is welcome and if you are a liQle older than that but s2ll want to be involved why not come and help out?! This rewarding experience allows you to get to know the wonderful young people in our community. We meet on Thursday evenings at Maryculter Trinity Church Hall between 7pm and 9pm and follow the school term. We currently have 65 members of Youth Café, who all live locally and come along regularly. There is plenty to do from football, table tennis and pool to board games and of course the tuck shop! Or just relax and chill out chaMng with friends.

Contact Dianne Brown on 01224 734687 or 07801 542154 if you would like to join the Youth Café.

Minister: Rev. Dr. Melvyn Griﬃths Tel: 01224 730150 thehavyn@bQnternet.com   Session Clerk: Mrs. Joyce Mackintosh Tel: 01224 733495 joycemackintosh@yahoo.ie   Church Treasurer and Caretaker: Mrs. Anne Massie Tel: 01224 732071

St Mary’s Chapel, Blairs

St Ternan’s Church

St Ternan’s is the northernmost Scottish Episcopal Church in the diocese of Brechin.

We are part of the world-wide Anglican communion. The Church is located in the North Kincardine Rural Community Council area, to the west of the A90 about a mile from Muchalls Village on the Cause Mounth where the road branches off to Cookney and Netherely. 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 noticeboards and in the magazine. Our Community Meeting Room with kitchen and toilet facilities is available for use by anyone in the area for classes, dance classes, children’s parties, craft groups, meetings etc. It can accommodate up to 30 people, is fitted with a loop system for the hard of hearing and has a wheelchair friendly entrance. A donation of £4.00 per hour is suggested when booking the facility. Please take a look at our website where you can find full details of forthcoming events, our monthly newsletter and more. For bookings or more information contact Sheila 01569 731608, Audrey 01569 730600 www.stternans.co.uk

Masses and Services Sunday Mass: 09:30 Holy Days of Obligation: As announced in the weekly bulletin. Confessions: On request, usually before mass. Religious Education: After mass on Sundays Baptisms and Weddings: Contact Deacon John Wire. The Parish of St. Mary, South Deeside Road, Blairs Aberdeen AB12 5YQ Rev. Deacon John J. Wire Tel: 07711 847582 jj.wire@btinternet.com www.stmarysblairs.org

Teas & Coffees Cold Drinks Soups & Sandwiches Filled Rolls Traybakes Cakes Pastries Open from 10.00am daily @Claretsplgc Free WiFi

Adam Hunter Lounge available for entertainment or corporate hire seats up to 27 (16 boardroom style) catering if required

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Birthday Parties

with golf instruction also available on request

Tel 01224 865751 Paul Lawrie Golf Centre, South Deeside Road, Ardoe

Schools Banchory-Devenick Primary School We have had very busy time at BanchoryDevenick School since the last issue of the South Deeside View. One such activity was when Banchory-Devenick Parent Council organised a fantastic Summer Fair at the end of May, which was really well attended. There were loads of things for sale from craft sellers through to stalls selling pupil items. It was a beautiful day and the weather was really kind to us! Save the date for the last weekend in May in 2017! Our P7 leavers went on a day’s introduction to sailing, funded by their own efforts through running a Healthy Snack enterprise each Friday. They also had brilliant weather! In the last week of term before the summer holiday we held our own sports day, which was very well attended with the traditional picnic afterwards. We also had Bubble Football at the school which caused great hilarity!! Our most recent event has been the Macmillan Coffee Afternoon on September 30th, which raised just over £300 for the charity. This was really well supported by all including parents and grandparents. We intend to hold coffee morning sessions quite regularly from now on. You will be able to find the details via the school website: www.banchory-devenick.aberdeenshire.sch.uk/ and clicking through to the link for our NEW website: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/as/bdev/.

The new site is regularly updated and has loads of photographs and videos on it, showcasing the learning in our school. There have been too many activities to list here! Head Teacher Paul Gill Email: banchorydev.sch@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Culter Theatre Club presents

Wed 7th - 10th Dec 7.30pm performance Additional 2pm Sat matinee

Tickets available from Culter Village Hall

Solstice Nurseries

Christmas Fair

REPORT P THOLES

Sat 10th December 2016

10am to 2pm

Tel 08456 08 12 05 Text 07624 82 07 22 Online  www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/ roadfaults

Wreaths & Table Centres, Stalls, Cards, Refreshments, Christmas gifts and more Drumduan Walled Garden South Deeside Road Banchory Devenick AB12 5YL 01224 865907

Growing Plants and People

Schools Lairhillock Primary School We finally got the go ahead for the Invercyrnoch Football Tournament and Family Barbeque which had to be postponed due to poor weather last term. The stalls were heaving, the sun shone and the players were amazing. The Lairhillock A team won the cup, being unbeaten in every match and tournament they have played all year! Lumphanan were triumphant in the Shield competition for younger players. It was yet another successful event organised by the Parent Council and volunteers. Our first visitors this year were the Osiligi Maasai Warriors who entertained the whole school with a fabuous display of traditional singing, whistling and dancing. You can see video and photos of this on our Twitter account. We have been working very hard in our school garden preparing the ground and are extremely grateful for all the work school families have put into this. Primary Two did a Jeans for Genes event, raising £159 for this worthy cause and we have also had two Macmillan coffee events, both in the same day which amassed £489.24. These would not be possible without the support and talented bakers who make these events possible.

Osiligi Maasai Warriors

Joyce Muirison arranged a wonderful, fun family ceilidh at the end of September at Cookney Hall. The next one is on Sunday 20th November 2-4pm, £2 adult, £1 child (children must be accompanied by an adult). It’s a great way to learn all the traditional dances and have a great time. Tickets can be bought at the door.

Head Teacher: Christeen Saward Email: lairhillock.sch@aberdeenshire.gov.uk www.lairhillock.aberdeenshire.sch.uk

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Schools and Pre-School Aberdeen Green School

Maryculter Babies and Toddlers

We had a school evening out to the theatre to see The Cheviot, The Stag And The Black Black Oil . It gave us a really enjoyable take on the Highland Clearances, and told the story of the exploitation of the Scottish Highlands, then moving through time to show the great challenges of the oil extraction.

We are a friendly, informal group, who meet every Thursday morning (9.30-11.30am) in Maryculter church hall. Anyone looking after children from birth to preschool (and those with bumps!) are welcome to come along and join us for a cuppa and to chat, share tips and local information. Children are able to play in a safe and friendly environment, sharing a variety of toys. It is an excellent way for children to socialise with peers and those who will become their school friends. Snack is provided for the children on a rota basis.

Physics exploration led us to the connections between physics principles and how they are being applied in the real world. By studying waves we were able to extrapolate from the basic slinky model to applications in chemistry for identifying chemical signatures which are then used by astrophysicists to determine the composition of stars and the doppler motion of galaxies!

Cost is £2 per family per session. Please just come along and say hello.

South Deeside Under 5’s

We recently offered an opportunity to gain a Trinity College London Bronze Arts Award in Film Studies via a short course run in October. Students have been filming a trailer for their production “The Evictor’s Trial’ and will soon be doing a kickstarter campaign to fund the production of the accompanying film. Diane Elliott 07507 682372  diane_elliott@theaberdeengreenschool.org   www.theaberdeengreenschool.org

We love to see new faces

Baby & Toddler Group

The Aberdeen Green School , The Den & the Glen, Maryculter, Aberdeen, Scotland AB12 5FT

Meets on Monday mornings 9.30 to 11.30am £3.00 per family per session - first session is free Includes tea, coffee & biscuits for the parents and a healthy snack for the children.   For children from birth to five. Adults can have coffee and chat whilst children make their first friends. Children can take part in active play as well as games, songs and stories.   Maryculter Community Hall Next to the Old Mill Inn South Deeside Road, Maryculter, AB12 5FX

Nature Classes Discover nature - play and explore outdoors. Weekly classes for 2 to 5 year olds.

email: sduf5@outlook.com  Phone: 07860828430 Jennifer

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

Would you like to reach all the households in the rural North Kincardine area? This publication is hand-delivered to over 1000 premises in Spring and Autumn each year. Why not consider placing an advert here?  Tel 01569 739132   Email: sdeesideview@yahoo.co.uk

Contact Mandy Tulloch on 07929 465680 or visit www.mudpieadventures.co.uk for more information

Guiding Girlguiding Maryculter Rainbows If anyone would like to join the Rainbows please go to the Girl Guiding website www.girlguiding.org.uk and follow the links to register your interest. Leader: Irene Forbes Maryculter Brownies The Brownies were glad to be back home to Corbie Hall after the summer holidays so they now have lots of room to run about and somewhere to store things again. We were able to build a new shed thanks to our anonymous donor , to whom we will always be grateful. We have been working hard on our Essex Challenge Badge and had a visit from Anna, one of our Former Brownies, who was away to International Camp over the summer with Scouts and Guides from all over the world. We have also been doing our Keep Scotland Beautiful Challenge Badge and next term we look forward to a visit from PC Bob McKinney who is going to help us with our Crime Prevention Badge. We will also be having a visit from the Red Cross who are going to be teaching us CPR. At the start of October we attended a fun day arranged by our friends in the Portlethen Area at Templar's Park. We had a great day building shelters, taking part in the obstacle course and we even had a bouncy castle on which one of the leaders was caught having a shot. To end our day we had a sing-song at the campďŹ re and tucked into sausages and smores. For more information please contact us via https://enquiryym.girlguiding.org.uk/ Leader: Lynn Murphy, lynnmurphy100@hotmail.co.uk Maryculter Guides 1st Maryculter Guides are currently without a leader. The Guides are an enthusiastic group of girls who are looking for some volunteers to come forward and help them continue to meet. If you think you can help please register your interest online with Girlguiding at www.girlguiding.org.uk

Beavers and Cubs Maryculter Beavers Roasting marshmallows on an open fire is always popular with the Beavers and so it proved in Maryculter Woods at the fire circle recently. The woods have also been used for walks, tracking and den building, helping the Beavers gain their Outdoor Challenge badge. Further afield, the Beavers have been rock-pool dredging for crabs and and other assorted crustations at Stonehaven beach and have visited the Altens fire station for a talk on fire safety and to check out the engines. This term the Beavers said good-bye to leader Mandy and welcomed new leaders Kayleigh and Kelly and all are looking forward to a varied winter programme. New Beavers are always welcome. The Colony meets in Maryculter Scout Hut on Tuesdays between 5.30 and 7.00 p.m. Anyone between 6 and 8 wishing to join should call Kathleen Paterson on 01224 868676 or 0774 8774 535 for further details.

Cubs It has been a busy Cubs100 centenary year for the 1st Maryculter pack; they have climbed mountains, sailed single-handed in a blizzard, ﬁlmed badgers, featured on Radio Scotland, pushed themselves and their bikes to the limit and, of course, performed a few "good deeds" along the way. Irrespec2ve of the weather, our goal is always to be outdoors and, so far this year, only two of our sessions have been inside the Scout hut; once to build bird boxes and, on another occasion, to undertake some bike maintenance in advance of a marathon ride in Durris forest. Our spring highlight was a camp at the fantas2c Muir CoQage in Linn of Dee, which has become a regular trip for us. The Cubs sailed boats on the river and braved the 100m "zip-wire" through the woods. In September, Cub packs from Maryculter, Drumoak, Banchory, Torphins and Braemar came together for the Cubs100 camp and Highland Games at the Games Park in Braemar. They tossed cabers, threw the hammer, orienteered, sledged on the grass, slept in tents and ate about 1,000 sausages. The year's not over yet though - we had a night-2me mountain bike ride in October, a bonﬁre night in November and an end of year party to come in December. There are many new faces this year; we have waved goodbye to our fearless leader Tom McNamee, some long-serving Cubs, who are now Scouts, and welcomed a record number of Beavers and others who are new to Scou2ng. 2017 promises to be packed too and there are some limited spaces for new members. We look forward to welcoming new girls and boys aged between 8 and 10-1/2. Iain Morrison (07738 455524) or Gaetan Cardinal (07876 513666). Maryculter 1st Cub Leaders

Scouts and Explorers Music Groups 1st Maryculter Scouts A large number of Scouts moved on at the end of last term, and the Troop is at its lowest size in recent years. However, we are more than adequately supported by 3 Young Leaders and 7 Adult Leaders. As usual, we are always on the lookout for any boys and girls, ages from 10½ to 14, that want to give Scouting a try. The big event last term, was our Summer Camp to De Kluis in Belgium. 24 Scouts and Explorers were led by a team of 5 Leaders on a packed week of excursions. Everyone will have their own favourite memory; mine was three of our party taking part in the Last Post ceremony at the Menim Gate; the week after the 100th anniversary celebrations of the various battles of the Somme. The rest of that day was spent visiting various museums, cemeteries and battlefields. I’ve never seen the Scouts so quiet. Other highlights of the trip included the Chocolate and Beer museums in Bruges, a visit to the European parliament (yes, they let us in!) and the highlight for all the Scouts – a trip to a large theme park. The trip to Belgium wouldn’t have been possible without the fantastic fundraising efforts of the parent committee and the support from the local community who came out in force for our Afternoon Tea in April and BBQ in June. Thank you everyone. The programme this term will focus on the Global Challenge badge, with projects on local history, poverty, belief systems and international cuisine. We’ll also be looking at the digital world, but I’m fairly certain the tables will be turned and the Scouts will be teaching the Leaders a thing or two! Finally, I found a contact at Scout HQ in Dunfermline who has access to their archives. He was able to research some of our history and discovered the group was first registered on 9th October 1952. 64 years and still going strong! We’d love to hear from any Scouts from this era, especially if they’d be willing to talk to our current Scouts about what Scouting was like in their day. Maryculter Scouts meet on Friday evenings from 1915 to 2115 hours at the Scout Hut in Kirkton of Maryculter. Anyone interested in joining should contact Kevin Stewart 01224 861048

Auchlunies Explorers

Explorers aged 14-18 years meet at Maryculter Scout Hut fortnightly on Tuesday evenings at 7.15-9.15pm For further information contact Bob Michie, Tel: 01569 764536 (daytime),   01569 762082 (evenings)

Scottish Accordion Music Group

Traditional Music Sessions

This gathering of accordionists on the second Sunday of each month in the Kirkton Hall, Durris is one of the musical highlights in Deeside. Keith Duncan leads with a series of rehearsed tunes, interspersed with songs and poems and a social break for soft drinks and nibbles. It’s a bargain for only £2 entry but there are only 100 seats so come early for the start around 7pm.

The trad music session meets on the last Sunday of every month from 8pm - 11pm at the Corbie Hall, Maryculter. It's not a performance but rather an opportunity for musicians to get together to play traditional music in a relaxed and friendly environment. Typical instruments include ﬁddle, guitar, mandolin, whistle, bodhran, accordion, etc. It's open to all musicians and newcomers are always welcome. People can also come along just to listen. Our informal gathering of musicians play traditional music (Irish, Scottish, American, Canadian, etc.). Generally no music is used, nor is there a predetermined list of tunes, as people just play whatever tunes pop into their heads or strike their fancy. There is a large pool of 'common' tunes that most trad musicians will know, so while there may be the odd solo, most tunes are played by the whole group. £3 donation to hall hire, bring your own drinks/snacks.

The group takes bookings for additional performances.   Please call to make arrangements. Secretary Irene Fraser   Tel 01224 319484

For more information contact   Lee Ross, email leezross@gmail.com 15

Community Halls Cookney Hall Since the last article of The South Deeside View, works at the hall continue. We’ve just spread additional chippings in the car park and had the gutterings cleaned of leaves. Next step is cleaning the outside walls of the hall, followed by further improvements in the lighting and sound system All of this work has been part of an ongoing programme which has resulted in the Hall looking better than it has in years and an ever greater use of the Hhall by the community, which was the Friends’ original aim when we started. As a result there have been a number of children’s parties hosted over the summer and, just a few weeks’ ago, a ‘Meal an’ Ale’ concert and the ﬁrst of what we hope will be a regular occurrence, the Lairhillock Family Ceilidh, both of which were very well attended. Likewise, the Cookney Coﬀee Mornings, or the ‘Cookney Cuppies’, as they’re being called, are proving a hit! Looking to the future, we are holding another Family Ceilidh on the afternoon of Sunday 20th November. The Friends of Cookney Hall are also looking at the possibility of a New Year celebration on Saturday 31st December and the annual Burns Night on Saturday 21st January 2017. For the latest news on what’s happening at the Hall and how to obtain tickets, please see our Facebook page: Friends of Cookney Hall and then hit ‘Like’ to be kept up to date with posts. As always, if you’d like further information about hiring the Hall for a function or celebration, please contact Willie Angus on 01569 730123 or by e-mail at wgangus@btinternet.com. Bob McKinney, Friends of Cookney Hall Facebook: Friends of Cookney Hall

Corbie Hall & Field, Maryculter The last of the repairs are done or scheduled to be completed. Walls needed attention, from powerwashing to painting and there was some minor joinery work to be completed. Most of the debris in the hedge, left by the storm, has been removed and Mother Nature has been tasked to deal with the remainder. The hall toilets are being considered for improvements and we are pleased to see many groups able to make full use of the hall again, as before. So far, we have welcomed back the South Deeside Under 5’s, Rainbows and Brownies and the WRI recommenced at the hall in October. The Friendship Club is back on the ﬁrst Thursday afternoon of each month and it’s great to hear the sound of music from the Traditional Music Group, who meet on the last Sunday of the month. At the end of September, we had an amazing evening with lots of home baking and a turnout of 16 musicians – there were instruments including ﬁddles, bhodrans, pipes to name but a few, from the Traditional Music Group. It was a celebration for the re-opening of the hall and a thank you to all the hall user groups and helpers for their assistance in returning it to full use again. Once again we extend our thanks to the donors and helpers for their continued enthusiasm and aid without which the hall could not function. For Hall bookings contact 07960 231855 Email: maryculterhall@yahoo.co.uk Facebook: Corbie Hall & Field

Are you living or working within 3.5 km of the 12-turbine windfarm at Meikle Carewe?   If so, LEDS at Meikle Carewe are oﬀering an annual discount of £122 oﬀ your electricity bill. Find out more on 0800 011 3341   www.res-leds.com 16

Huskyhaven Huskyhaven, Netherley Road Huskyhaven is a small kennel of pure breed Siberian huskies run by Wattie The Kilted Musher who offers the ultimate ‘Husky Experience’, mushing round the trails with his dogs and sleds. Wattie is a very experienced musher having participated in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race, a long distance race which take place in Alaska each year. At Huskyhaven, you get to meet his dogs, get lots of photo opportunities and see the sled display, an audio/visual presentation plus museum tour. Snacks and refreshments are also included. Wattie is very passionate about his dogs and you can hear all about his Iditarod experiences in the wilds of Alaska over the years. The Iditarod is a hugely exciting, highly competitive event and can involve racing dogs and sleds in very challenging weather conditions including sub-zero temperatures and the best of blizzards that the wilderness can offer. Top mushers and their dogs are treated as celebrities and recreational mushing is very much gaining in popularity in recent times here in the UK too. All Wattie’s dogs have an extensive training regime to prepare them for working together in the harness before going out with the sleds and enjoying the trails. At Netherley, the guest mushers can get an opportunity to lead the dog team around the trails in the attractive rural setting. For those who would prefer to experience the thrill of the ride without leading the dogs themselves, there is always the option to participate as a passenger instead. Booking in advance is essential and spaces are usually limited. Warm / water proof clothing sturdy footwear and gloves are strongly recommended but not supplied. Winter tours will be available, weather permitting, and there is always something that can be tailored to suit everyone. Corporate, school and youth groups welcomed. It’s a great opportunity to drive your very own dog team on some of the best trails around. Gift vouchers available. Look out for the competition in November, to win first chance to mush with the newest sled, a 4 wheeled passenger rig - details on Huskyhaven Facebook page. Call 07752 309953 to make a booking or discuss individual requirements.   www.huskyhaven.co.uk Facebook: Huskyhaven Huskies: Krash, Koyuk, Kyza, Kasper, Kavik, Kooky

Wattie The Kilted Musher

Police Scotland Two Special Constables from the local community Policing team are currently running an initiative in relation to road safety, which involves carrying out speed checks and vehicle checks in the area. This provides an opportunity to engage with members of the local community and provide a response to any concerns or matters of interest. This interaction can be driven from concerns raised to Police when they attend local Community Council meetings or from members of the public and has resulted in a numbers of motorists being dealt with for road traffic offences. Police Scotland is currently recruiting for applications for regular Police Officers and Special Constables. Should you require any further information please visit www.scotland.police.uk/recruitment or email - policerecruitmentaberdeen@scotland.pnn.police.uk Police Scotland is currently investigating the theft of two defibrillators which were located within Newtonhill. One of the machines was removed from outside Tescos and the other being located on Old Mill Road. Anyone with information is requested to contact Police Scotland on 101. Due to darker nights looming, Police Scotland want to remind all members of the public to take extra care in ensuring their homes and vehicle are secured. Extra security lighting to the interior and exterior of your address can deter potential thefts. Sgt. C.Davies, Stonehaven Police Office

PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY Protect any gifts you’ve bought for your friends and family. Get them to register mobile phones, tablets, laptops and cameras at www.immobilise.com. Don’t give them a good quality bike without giving them a good quality lock, and register bikes at www.BikeRegister.com.

Think before you post photos of your Christmas night out online. What may seem funny in private could embarrass or humiliate someone in public. If in doubt, don’t click. Remember, what goes online stays online! When shopping online, make sure your web browser and internet security is up to date. Check the website payment page is secure and look for the padlock in the address line before you enter any card details. If you’re buying your child a mobile phone or tablet for Christmas, think about how you can keep them safe online. If you are away from home over the Festive Period or even just out and about, be careful about what you say on social networking sites – don’t let thieves know your house will be empty.

Police Scotland Abricabeats by Eve KEEP SAFE IN WINTER

Advice for Drivers Prepare for the winter by keeping your vehicle well maintained and stocked with essential supplies before you take to the road. Take special care that brakes, tyres, lights, batteries, windscreens and wiper blades are in good condition and well maintained. In addition, washer bottles need to contain an additive to stop the water from freezing. Tyres should also be checked weekly to ensure they are legal and at the correct pressure (consult your vehicle handbook). The minimum legal tread depth for cars is 1.6mm across the centre 3/4 of the breadth of the tread around the entire circumference. They should also be checked for bulges, cuts or tears which weaken the tyre. Failure to maintain your tryres could lead to a maximum of £2,500 fine and 3 penalty points per tyre. Make sure your windows are clean, properly demisted and clear of snow and ice before you drive. Also make sure that your roof is clear of snow as this affects drivers behind you and can also cause obstructions on your windscreen when braking. Be careful with low sun as it can make it difficult to see and a dirty, greasy or damaged windscreen can make this worse. All lights must be kept clean and clear and be in good working order, including registration plate lights. Use the help of someone to check that all of your lights are working. Consider keeping an emergency kit in your car for severe weather, this should at least include: • An ice scraper and de-icer • A shovel for snow • A torch and spare batteries • Warm clothes, boots and a blanket • Some food and a warm drink in a flask • A first aid kit • Battery jump leads • A map or device with offline maps for any unplanned diversions.

Abricabeats by Eve New Music Class Launched at The Den & The Glen Abricabeats by Eve is a baby to preschool music and movement programme held every Monday at The Den and The Glen at 10-10:45am. Classes are run in four week themed blocks and incorporate your child's natural love of music through singing, dancing, percussion instrument play, ﬁnger puppets, cheer leading pom poms, story telling, parachute play and much, much more! Classes are high energy, informal and fun-ﬁlled with your child's development at the heart of every activity! This is a family time class, which means that children of any age can join in as well as multiple children from the same family (at no extra cost!). To join in the fun, get in touch by either texting Eve on 07984 178764 or emailing abricabeatsbyeve@outlook.com. 19

Papal Award for Blairs Museum Manager

On Tuesday 24th May, Ian

Forbes, Blairs Museum manager, received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award, given by the Pope to those who have rendered distinguished service to the Church. Bishop Hugh Gilbert, on behalf of Pope Francis, presented the highest papal award a lay person can receive to an astonished Ian. Ian had no idea that he had been nominated and was completely taken aback when, at what he thought was a routine committee meeting, Bishop Hugh presented him with the award. As current custodian of Ian Forbes (R) being presented with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award by Bishop Hugh Gilbert. Photo Credit: Michal Wachucik Blairs Museum, Ian accepted the award from the Vatican in recognition of the work of all who have contributed to the Museum – staff and volunteers past and present, the Friends of Blairs, and all the Museum’s supporters. Prior to being the custodian, Ian was a student at Blairs College from 1968-1972, then attended Edinburgh University before qualifying as a teacher of Geography, Modern Studies and RC RE. In 1977 returned to teach Geography and Modern Studies at Blairs. After the College closed in 1986, Ian and his family remained in Aberdeen and he became part of the first group of Eucharistic Ministers for the parish of St Mary’s, Blairs, amassing 23 years in this role. In 2009 Ian had the opportunity to take on the role of manager of theMuseum which details Scotland’s Catholic heritage, and still does this to this day. The award has a strong connection with Blairs as the award founder, Pope Leo XIII, was a former pupil. Pope Leo XIII instituted the Cross of Honour Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice in 1888. In 1898, Pope Leo XIII appointed Canon Aeneas Chisholm, Rector of Blairs College, as a Domestic Prelate and wrote an Encyclical to the Archbishops and Bishops of Scotland in which he mentioned the quality of education at Blairs and Aeneas Chisholm’s efforts to have new college buildings.” Pope Leo who wrote: “..this institution should not be allowed to decline and disappear by neglect, but should be sustained by a similar charity, and completed as soon as possible.” Indeed. A job Ian still does so very well today.

Q. Like to learn a bit more about our area, find out what is going on and meet new people? A. If so, why not join the North Kincardine Rural Community Council? They meet once a month to discuss local issues, host occasional guest presenters and disseminate local information. Get in touch at secretary@nkrcc.org.uk for more information or visit their website at www.nkrcc.org.uk. 20

Nature Notes Sweet invaders! The effects of last Hogmanay’s Storm Frank can still been seen along the banks of the River Dee this Summer. An unprecedented area of land has been covered with swathes of Himalayan balsam, Impatiens glandulifera. Whilst their pink flowers look quite romantic from a distance and produce a sweet scent that floats around on warmer days, reality is rather more concerning. Introduced to Britain from Kashmir in 1839, Himalayan balsam was first grown at Kew Botanic Gardens as an ornamental plant. By 1855 it had naturalised in Hertfordshire and Middlesex and gradually spread over Photo Credit: Keith Jones Britain. It is now considered established throughout England and Wales and many parts of Scotland, including Aberdeenshire. Growing up to three metres tall it is an impressive looking plant that produces lots of nectars so bees love it but the problem is that it grows rapidly and spreads quickly, outcompeting local species. So much so that it is now officially considered as an invasive non-native species along with giant hogweed, japanese knotweed and skunk cabbage – all of which are in the South Deeside View area. Each balsam plant can produce up to 800 peppercorn-sized seeds that are housed within very ingenious seed pods. On being touched each of the five sections of the pod quickly uncurls catapulting its contents up to seven metres away. (This is actually great fun to do but technically against the law given the species’ categorisation – may be take some children along with you and blame them!) Balsam’s high nectar production also makes their flowers more attractive to bumblebees meaning native species are less likely to be pollinated and when it dies back in Winter riverbanks can become prone to soil erosion. Thankfully help is at hand! The River Dee Trust has established an initiative to eradicate these four species in order to protect the biodiversity and ecology of the river and its existing native species. Last year the Dee Invasive Plant Project (DIPP) dealt with the majority of giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed and skunk cabbage around the lower Dee catchment and its tributaries – from Park Bridge downstream to Duthie Park. This year it has focussed on balsam due to huge stretches of the river being inundated with seeds washed down in the flood waters. As it has very shallow roots balsam traditionally is pulled up by hand but this has not proved an efficient method this year as there has been just too much of it. The DIPP team have spent the summer trialling different control methods and discovered that flail mowers can cut up to one hectare a day. Volunteers then tackle margin areas. The experiments have been so successful that the team are confident that within two or three summers our area should be clear of Himalayan balsam, allowing native seed to be planted. The trick they have found is to cut the balsam below the first node of leaves, thereby preventing further growth. They prefer not to pull it up by the roots as this can lead to further soil erosion. Bashing the stems with a stick might not be quite as quick as a mower but it’s a fun way to involve children in the process. How often are they allowed to hit plants after all?! I dislike the plant so much that I cannot bring myself to try it but much of it is edible! Its flowers can be used to make a tea and a version of rose petal preserve, the latter that is meant to be vividly pink and very sweet. Its stem can be used as drinking straws and its seeds are edible when ripe and black. I have even found recipes for burgers and curry made using the seeds. I should probably be slightly less thrawn and try these as I am not going to find a more abundant crop to forage on anywhere and it would be helping the planet! The DIPP are organising a volunteer day next April to which we are all invited. The plan is to cut back the newly emerged shoots from the banks of the Dee from Maryculter House Hotel all the way down to Milltimber Bridge. Contact Calum Hislop, River Officer at the Dee Invasive Plant Project, on M: 07769 314130 or   E: calum@riverdee.org for more information. Happy bashing!! Mandy Tulloch

Solstice Nurseries Solstice Nurseries The Solstice Nurseries Christmas Fair will be held on the 10th of December 2016 from 10am to 2pm which we hope gives folk plenty of opportunity to come and choose their wreaths and table centres. Once again we will have a number of other local stallholders, and refreshments will be available. If you cannot manage this date, we will also be at the Maryculter Guild Christmas coffee morning on the 3rd of December. Many thanks to those of you who supported our Open days and Christmas Fair last year , and we are looking forward to seeing you again. We would also like to share our latest wee bit of excitement at Solstice. We are thrilled that the Beechgrove Garden (as seen on the BBC channel) chose to do some filming at Solstice Nurseries and duly came along for the day in early October. It was a fantastic day enjoyed by all at Solstice, and it was very interesting to see how these things are filmed. The participants were pleased to be able to talk to Jim McColl, a well known ‘T.V. personality’, and everyone enjoyed Jim McColl meeting participants during filming at Solstice Nurseries a lovely soup and sandwich lunch along with him and the rest of the crew. We were featured in an episode of the Beechgrove Garden shown on the 20th of October. Drumduan Walled Garden, South Deeside Road, Banchory-Devenick, Aberdeenshire, AB12 5YL Tel 01224 865907   www.facebook.com/solsticenurseries www.solsticenurseries.co.uk

Advertise in The South Deeside View and reach over 1000 homes & businesses in rural North Kincardine. For more details call 01569 739132 email: sdeesideview@yahoo.co.uk

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North Kincardine Rural Community Council - NKRCC

Aye – the nights are fair drawing in…….. but the workload for NKRCC remains significant. Our AGM in June saw the retirement of Hazel Witte after 15 years of service and the return of Bob McKinney as our new treasurer. We could still do with two or three more volunteers to join NKRCC – if you are interested in helping the community – please get in touch. As has become the norm over the last year or so, concerns surrounding the AWPR project remain probably the highest and most frequent item on our agendas. NKRCC is in constant dialogue with the local authorities, the contractors and the managing agent, in relation to the issues being raised in our community. Over the summer NKRCC have held a number of public and private meetings with the stakeholders and we will continue to do so, to ensure that the concerns of our community are articulated and hopefully addressed. Further public meetings and presentations by the contractors are currently being scheduled – so please look out for further updates and feel free to come along and put your points across first hand. Given what happened as a result of Storm Frank in January, a great deal of local concern has been voiced with regard to the potential impact on the embankments created to carry the AWPR, as it crosses the Dee towards Miltimber. We have been assured that all of the necessary modelling has been carried out and “found to be acceptable”. This though is of little comfort to those whose homes and businesses were impacted, given the obvious and significant change in the landscape – I guess only time will tell if the modelling is right. Planning All planning applications are reviewed at our monthly meetings. Most are fairly straightforward and do not generate any comment or concern. Occasionally an application does give rise to concerns. These are discussed and may result in a letter of concern, objection or indeed support being sent to Aberdeenshire Council. You will find copies of all of these submissions on the NKRCC website. Roads Out with the AWPR, the main areas of concern with roads remain the condition of the local road network and the standards of driving. In April this year we were assured by representatives of Aberdeenshire Council that contracts were “about to be let”, to enable temporary repairs to be put in place quickly and efficiently. These contracts are thankfully now in place and some work underway. Standards of driving, especially the adherence to speed limits and road signs are always a concern and the proliferation and mismanagement of temporary signage in our area does not help. NKRCC Meetings Community Council meetings are being held in Lairhillock School on the third Monday of each month at 7.30pm (no meeting in July, December meeting is on second Monday). We look forward to welcoming you along to hear what is going on and join in the discussions. Drew Russell - Chair North Kincardine Rural Community Council Contacts Visit website and facebook pages to get the latest information Website : www.nkrcc.org.uk   Facebook: North Kincardine Rural Community Council - NKRCC  Email: secretary@nkrcc.org.uk Meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of every month except July and December. Venue is Lairhillock School. All welcome. We also have our agendas and minutes posted on the noticeboards at Banchory-Devenick School, East and West Maryculter,   Cookney Hall and Corbie Hall. 23

Broadband survey Dave Bracegirdle Guitar How Broad is your Band? Back in 2011 we surveyed broadband speed in the NKRCC area, thanks to the 65 households and businesses who took part. The results were sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment on the 5th of October 2011 and respondents. Not much has changed since then and broadband speed remains minimal in most of Maryculter, Netherley, Banchory Devenick and Cookney. Open Reach technicians and their vans (most of these vans are emblazoned with ‘’SUPERFAST FIBRE IS HERE’’) are almost are daily in our area, these very frustrated technicians are constandly drying out connections and repairing ancient cabling. There have been many promises made by the Scottish government via MSPs, etc. The latest is that 100% of the Scottish population will be connected to fibre in 2021. This is very frustrating and totally unacceptable that we have to wait another five years. Fibre has been installed along the B9077 from the Milltimber bridge to the Blairs development, the B979 from the Milltimber bridge via the B9077 to Netherley and in the Kirkton of Maryculter, but BT/Open Reach has been ignoring our quest to improve our predicament. Recently I have been asked by Community Broadband Scotland to rerun this survey. There are three questions to get an idea how much need there is for a good broadband service in our area. 1- What average speed do you have (Mbps in and out) and to which exchange are you connected. (Peterculter, Stonehaven, Bieldside, Cults, Newtonhill or Portlethen) 2- Who is your present broadband provider. 3- What is your postcode. Please respond by email to monearn@btconnect.com by the 20th of November or call Kees Witte on 01224 732738. You can also complete this online, including links to how to find out your speeds and your provider, at   https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZRWFXK7 I will report back to you on the survey results. Meantime please keep the pressure on by contacting: Digital Scotland https://www.scotlandsuperfast.com, Community Broadband Scotland http:// www.hie.co.uk/community-support/community-broadband-scotland/projects.html, Open Reach https:// www.homeandwork.openreach.co.uk/when-can-i-get-fibre.aspx and your provider, as well as elected representatives whose email addresses are in this publication. Kees Witte 01224 732738

A lifelong love of music For as long as I can remember my course in life has been directed by my love of the music of the classical guitar. My aim is to share that music with others, whether by performing at a wide variety of venues throughout the North East or teaching folk along Deeside. I teach all ages from about 6 upwards and if people wish to take exams I guide them through the Trinity syllabus and I have considerable success in this case, most recently my pupils attaining 2 ordinary passes, 3 merits and 5 distinctions, one of the distinctions being at grade 7 level. Lessons are taught on the Kincausie Estate where I lived with my family for over 20 years. I also now teach from home near Potarch between Banchory and Aboyne and also in the church hall at St. Ternans in Banchory. The ultimate aim for lessons to be fun as well as instructive and for my pupils to associate music with pleasure! You may contact me on 01330 850397, Mobile 07719 433245, davebracegirdle@gmail.com   or visit Facebook: Dave Bracegirdle 24

David Bracegirdle

MSP & MP Maureen Watt MSP In May a historic third term win for the SNP in Holyrood saw me re-elected as your MSP. I thank the voters of Aberdeen South and North Kincardine and will continue to work assiduously for all. Barely two months on, we are confronted with “Brexit” and the possibility that Scotland may be dragged out of the European Union, despite a 62% vote to remain. This area has long been a welcoming, international community; from the 1970s many workers came from Europe with employers such as Total and Shell. Today, many EU nationals are working in our food and drink and fish processing industries, and providing care in our communities and the NHS. The floods last year, and the aftermath of them, still prey on the minds of many of my constituents on both sides of the Dee. We need to work with all authorities and communities to ensure long term solutions are found. I have been in close contact with Scottish Water, SEPA, Aberdeen City and Shire councils, and local community groups over the past year, and will strive to ensure we all continue to work together on flood prevention and mitigation. Deeside is a welcoming community with a caring spirit. Over the past year I have seen people rally together to get through incredible challenges brought on by major flooding and damage, and pull through difficult times. Having a fair and just society relies on us all coming together to recognise our collective strength and show consideration of those who need our help. We must use that same kindness to reassure our European and international friends and neighbours that they are welcome in Scotland, and their contribution to our communities is hugely valued.

Stuart Donaldson MP As the days shorten and the leaves begin to fall, it is satisfying to consider the beginning of a new parliamentary year from the perspective of the past year's positive experience. I have been delighted to serve your interests in Westminster. It is an honour to represent the people of West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine. May I take this moment to thank you all for your support and good wishes. I really appreciate it. However, the highlight of my year was not actually in Westminster, but was doing my summer constituency tour right here in our beautiful rural home. Traditionally MPs have held summer surgeries in empty village halls and sometimes don't get any constituents at all! Whilst I have done my fair share of this, I wanted to reach out to more people and do something a bit different. What a pleasure it was to meet people in many different settings, to meet groups and businesses, communities, charities and individuals. It was so rewarding to be proactive and even knock on a few doors, which certainly surprised folk! One of whom asked 'is there an election?’ If you would like me to visit you at home, place of work or leisure next summer, please let my office know. If you would like to watch a wee video of my travels, please do check out the video on my website www.stuartdonaldson.scot. I am also in my constituency every Friday and Saturdays meeting with individuals, groups and organisations. I continue to receive lots of correspondence and from the 5000 pieces broadband remains a dominate issue, I am continuing to press for greater connectivity across the Shire. Other issues have been wide ranging from Bees to Brexit, Oil & Gas downturn to Climate Change, right through to concerns about Grouse Shooting, and the future of Scotland. I have very much enjoyed my first year in this diverse and wide-ranging role, representing you in parliament. I and my office always stand ready to help constituents whatever the issue, so please do not hesitate to get in contact. You can contact my office by phone 01330 828 171 or by email Stuart.Donaldson.MP@Parliament.uk. 25

Councillors Cllr Ian Mollison After an extended summer, Christmas and New Year are now on the horizon. Which must spark concerns among some local people, and I don’t mean fretting about what presents to buy! Last December we were of course hit by Storm Frank which brought unprecedented – at least in living memory – misery for many as floods hit. Communities pulled together to repair the damage. However there is still work to do. As I write, more than 100 homes in Ballater are still being renovated. Although our area was not a badly hit, there is still damage to be repaired. Recently I have seen some of the areas where work is on-going – or indeed is yet to start. I was invited across the Dee to see where the river scoured the bank exposing a sewer at Peterculter, with work required to defend it from further incursions. A farmer on our side of the Dee showed me the damage they faced. I have seen how a local caravan site is protecting the business. All along the river there are plans to defend property and lives, which is right and proper. But what effect does that have downstream? Does it jeopardise other properties? More importantly was Storm Frank really a one in 500 years event? I hope so. Aberdeenshire Council’s flood bill following Storm Frank is now nearing £10 million. The local authority is in talks with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) to look at long-term options across the whole of Aberdeenshire. One significant event that should happen next year is the opening of the Aberdeen western peripheral route and the fastlink from Stonehaven. At least that will see an end to the Tonka trucks thundering across the area. But in the meantime the inconvenience and damage to local roads continues. Turning to something different, more than half the stuff in our rubbish bins could be recycled, according to a report to councillors. Some 500 households took part in the research in June. It found that food waste accounted for 22% of stuff in the landfill bin, including packaged food (past its eat-by date?). Paper and card totalled 9%, plus glass (3.9%) and green waste (16.7%) which could be taken to a household waste recycling centre. The council has 17 recycling centres, with Badentoy at Portlethen due to open in December. The centres handle 30% of the waste collected in Aberdeenshire, of which 60% is recycled. As well as being good for the planet, recycling also saves the council money (our money!) as landfill penalties are punishing. In 2015 only 44% of household waste in Aberdeenshire was recycled. This requires a collective effort. Please!

Cllr Carl Nelson At the Aberdeenshire Council September meeting councillors consider the Annual Performance Report for the previous year. It always makes interesting reading. In February 2016, we sought residents’ views on the performance of the council, the type of performance information we publish and how we could improve our public performance reporting. Surveyed through our Citizen’s Panel, 81% of respondents were positive or neutral about how the council keeps residents informed about performance. The service which respondents felt it was most important for the council to communicate performance information were local schools (76% of respondents placed this in their top ﬁve choices), satisfaction with local roads (72%), social care or social work services (72%), and leisure facilities (64%). What would your ﬁve be? Consultation and public engagement lies at the heart of Aberdeenshire Council’s approach to service improvement and development. You can learn more about performance on the council’s website – www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/performance. 26

Councillors New Acts of Parliament will bring a number of challenges and opportunities to Aberdeenshire Council. The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act empowers community bodies through the ownership of land and buildings, and by strengthening their voices in the decisions that matter to them. The Act requires local authorities to work more closely with communities to meet the needs of those who use services. This will require the council to consider existing policies, procedures and service delivery models. The Community Justice (Scotland) Bill was introduced in parliament in May 2015. The Bill will replace the eight regional Community Justice Authorities (CJAs), including the Northern CJA that Aberdeenshire Council is part of, with a new model for community justice services based around a new national body, Community Justice Scotland (CJS), and local Community Justice Partnerships. These partnerships include the council, NHS Grampian, Police Scotland, Scottish Prison Service and Skills Development Scotland amongst others. The focus for the partnership is around managing offenders, preventing and reducing reoffending and the harm that it causes, whilst promoting social inclusion and citizenship. The Housing (Scotland) Act is ending the right to buy in Scotland and will give social landlords more flexibility in the allocation and management of their housing stock and introduce a first tier tribunal to deal with disputes in the private rented sector. As I have said, a number of challenges and opportunities lie ahead for Aberdeenshire Council. There is much work to do.

Cllr Alison Evison It's good to see that, as a result of the efforts of volunteers, the Corbie Hall is back in action. There is now a Stay and Play Group meeting again on Mondays from 9.30 to 11.30, providing a valuable meeting place for young families. Thank you to the parents who have set this up. Education is a key issue locally and nationally. Portlethen Academy continues to make progress with its attainment results, with particularly good overall results in S5. Well done to all. Aberdeenshire Council is addressing the challenge of teacher recruitment by working with Aberdeen University to train more teachers locally, including supporting former oil and gas graduate employees to become teachers. If any graduate is interested in exploring the options to train as a teacher, please let me know. Some vacancies are proving difficult to fill, including temporary posts in primary schools, as Banchory-Devenick has unfortunately experienced. The Scottish Government has recently announced a Governance Review relating to the way schools are run. There are different views being expressed about how much responsibility should sit with schools and how much with local authorities. The Government is holding an engagement session about this in Aberdeen on 24 November, details of which can be found at gov.scot/educationgovernancereview. Young people with views on education, or indeed on any topic, have an opportunity to make a difference by standing in the Scottish Youth Parliament elections in March 2017. Details of how to become a candidate are available at www.syp.org.uk/stand4syp and support is given to all candidates by the council. A group of looked after young people in Aberdeenshire have already stepped forward to represent their peers through producing a DVD on what it is like to be a looked after child. This is a very hard-hitting film, which is going to be shown in schools. It should increase understanding of the issues which some of our young people face.

Councillors Very soon now there will be opportunities to make comments on next year's Aberdeenshire budget, and I urge people to do so. The financial settlement for local government is predicted to be even more challenging than that of last year and priorities will have to be identified and choices made. Clearly road maintenance is a key concern. Council officers have recently increased the pressure on the AWPR contractors to make good damage done to the local road network. Anyone with particular issues about the roads should report them through the Aberdeenshire website. The new Household Waste and Recycling Centre is due to open in Portlethen by 8 December 2016. Finally, I am currently working with local residents to explore dementia friendly initiatives that could be put in place to help people live as part of the local community for longer. Please let me know if you would like to get involved.

Daily gritter patrol info is to be available on the Traﬃc Scotland website from November when winter patrols start.

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It will let people see which roads have been treated this winter.The tracker monitors trunk road patrols and lets people know where and when gritters were active. Visit traﬃcscotland.org/wintertreatment

Andersons Roses, Maryculter

Your Local Farm Shop Elaine Thompson Yoga Hatha, Pregnancy, Post Natal

What is produced at the shop? A wide range of award winning cheeses including Badentoy Blue, Coos R Oot, Fit-like, Smoked Deesider, Granite City and more Broon Coo cheese and Blue Cheese oatcakes Range of yogurts and cheesecakes Free range duck and hen eggs Home-reared welfare-friendly rose veal Seasonal fruits and vegetables Come and try a sample!

Cookney Public Hall Tuesday 6.30 - 7.30pm Hatha class suitable for all ages Other classes and 1-1 sessions available For more information and to check availability contact: Elaine

Open daily except Sunday from 9am to 6pm

elainethompson@hotmail.co.uk 07739 745612

The Devenick Dairy at Bishopston Farm Banchory-Devenick, Aberdeen AB12 4RS Tel 782476 Email: info@devenickdairy.co.uk www.devenickdairy.co.uk

www.elainethompsonyoga.co.uk Facebook: Elaine Thompson Yoga

TENT FOR HIRE  The Maryculter Scouts Group has a large canvas Mess Tent which is available for local community members to borrow in return for a donation to the Scouts Group. The tent measures 24' by 14' by 7' high. It is a heavy duty canvas mess tent, and as such it comes with a steel pole frame and quite a weighty canvas. It requires a minimum of 3 people (preferably 5) to erect and dismantle it. To ensure this is done correctly the Group insists their own experienced tent pitcher helps with assembly. A donation of £50 minimum is suggested in light of the effort involved, especially if the tent has to be dried after the event. To check on the tent's availability and suitability for your event,   please contact: Kevin Stewart on 01224 861048

NORTH BURNSIDE KENNELS AND CATTERY

“where part of your family becomes part of ours”

Tel 01224 733474 Netherley Road, Burnside, Maryculter

! ! ! !

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Ground Source Heat Pumps Air Source Heat Pumps Under Floor Heating Specialists Mechanical Ventilation w/Heat Recovery Whole House Central Vacuum Systems

Tel!01224!735536!today!to!! discuss!your!particular!requirement!

The Lairhillock Inn is open 7 days a week for tea/coffee, lunches and evening meals. Look on our website for menus and opening times.

info@paragon-systems.co.uk www.paragon-systems.co.uk Paragon Systems (Scotland) Limited The Office, Corbie Cottage, Maryculter, AB12 5FT

Netherley, Near Stonehaven, AB39 3QS Tel: 01569 730001 Fax: 01569 731175 Email: info@lairhillock.co.uk

Accredited Heat Pump Installers

www.lairhillock.co.uk

! 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 selfcontained flat overlooking the River Dee – ideal for business visits or short breaks.

! !

Tel$01224%867174%

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

Repair'Specialist' Used'Car'Sales'

South!Deeside!Road,!Aberdeen,!AB12!5YQ! Email:$copland01@btconnect.com$

www.coplandmotors.co.uk' 29

Chapelton The lowering of the oil price and subsequent recent job losses in the oil Aberdeen area have, not surprisingly, had a knock on effect in the housing sector and although visitor numbers remain high at Chapelton the purchase rate has slowed down and there is less of an appetite for the larger family homes. This was anticipated by the design team and by the start of this year their new ideas and plans were shown at an Open Day in the Chapelton Cabin in April to encourage discussion and find relevance within the wider community. The ideas included a retirement village designed within a block and to blend with the architectural plan whilst also offering assisted living and centralised facilities. This is designed and going into planning this month. Since our inception we have been asked about bungalows and a scheme of 20 single storey cottages around green courtyards is nearly through planning. It has proved popular with 7 advance reservations and will add to the variety of homes in the community. Bunting Place is also well underway and these terraced and semi-detached homes face directly onto a green footpath which will lead ultimately to the neighbourhood centre. Anticipated layout of cottages around green courtyards

Throughout the spring and summer Chapelton has attracted interest from audiences further aﬁeld. The documentary, How Scotland Works, which aired in May was well received and it brought in many new visitors to the town from Aberdeen and beyond. We also hosted school trips and a contingent from Japan, all of who were experts in town building and architecture and received two prestigious Awards at ceremonies hosted by Homes for Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council. August saw the launch of the Chapelton Trail, a 2.4-mile circular walk through attractive tracks and is open to all locals.

Chapleton Bike Ride in aid of Ness

The start and finish is Hume Square and there are leaflets to describe the route with some history from Teacake. This was planned in advance of the Chapelton Bike Ride in aid of NESS and a beautiful day brought over 250 bicyclists taking the challenge of 42-mile and 12 mile routes and many more walking the trail as well. This will be an annual event so I hope that many of you will sign up next year – or at least come along for the after party. The Lounge @ Chapelton where Kelly Duan and her team will be offering beauty treatments in Hume Square is now open. I think that it will be of benefit to the whole neighbourhood that there is somewhere stylish to go locally for nails and hair. So many people are looking for a bar/bistro and we are working on that. We can offer a bespoke building at this stage right in the heart of the neighbourhood and opposite the next new green which is scheduled to come forward later next year. For more informa2on visit Facebook: Chapelton or www.chapeltonofelsick.com. 30

Chapelton Trail

teacake @ Chapelton â&#x20AC;¨ Tea Room & Coffee Shop Festive Menu, now open Saturday Nights now available (booking essential) Facebook: Teacake Email tea.cake@icloud.com

Good food and drink, using the best of local produce and suppliers â&#x20AC;¨

Open 11am to late Wednesday to Sunday Serving Coffee, Lunches and Dinners

NOW OPEN

Thursday Night Specials & Friday Nights Live Music with Guest Musicians For reservations and information on menus, forthcoming events, private hire and weddings visit

www.thestackrestaurant.com 14 Dunnyfell Road, Muchalls, Stonehaven, AB39 3RP Tel 01569 730393

Having a special event that needs catered or want us to take our restaurant to you? Let our sister company take care of it.

www.theloungeatchapelton.com hello@theloungeatchapelton.com Tel 01569 739319

www.smart-cuisine.co.uk 31

Kincardine & Deeside Befriending Kincardine & Deeside Befriending BEFRIENDERS SOUGHT TO SUPPORT OLDER PEOPLE Could you provide some companionship for an older person in your

community?Kincardine & Deeside Befriending are looking to recruit Volunteer Befrienders to support older people who are socially isolated. Volunteers are recruited, trained and matched on a one to one basis with an older person. They meet regularly to go out and about, to share hobbies and interests or just to enjoy each other’s company. For a person experiencing loneliness, the support of a Befriender can make a real diﬀerence. Anyone who is over 18, who enjoys talking and listening to older people and who has a couple of hours every week or fortnight to spare is welcome to apply. Volunteer Befrienders attend an informal interview and a short introductory course. They will also have to undertake an enhanced disclosure check. Having your own car would be of beneﬁt and travelling expenses are provided as well as ongoing support. Volunteers are currently sought to cover the Deeside and Mearns area. More information and an application pack is available from the Organisation’s website : www.kdbefriending.org.uk.   For further queries please contact the Deeside Co-ordinator on Tel 01330 823368. Kincardine & Deeside Befriending is a registered charity which was established in 1996.

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Blairs Museum offers a unique insight into Scotland's Catholic history and heritage with spectacular collections spanning more than 500 years. Opening Times (April to October)  Saturdays, Sundays and Local Holiday Mondays 2-5 pm. Visitors are very welcome outwith these times and throughout the year, by arrangement at a time to suit you. Group visits can include a guided tour and refreshments. For details of upcoming events please visit  www.blairsmuseum.com  manager@blairsmuseum.com  Tel: 01224 863767

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SCALLYWAGS IS A BRAND NEW INDOOR FAMILY RUN SOFT PLAY CENTRE IT GIVES KIDS A FUN & SAFE ENVIRONMENT TO BE THE TRUE SCALLYWAGS THEY ARE! 90 Minute Play Under 1’s FREE 1 - 3 Y/O £4.00 4+ £5.00 Scallywags, Beach Front Promenade, Stonehaven Tel 01569 766600

www.scallywagssoftplay.co.uk

www.facebook.com/scallywagssoftplay

Useful Numbers and Info Home Deliveries Neil Gammie, Fernieflatt Farm, Kinneff delivers free range eggs and hay/straw bales from on Tuesdays and Fridays. Orders, by phone, e-mail or online must be in by 5pm the day before delivery. Minimum order is £8 and payment on delivery by cash or cheque.   Tel: 01569 750374 /07790 558880, Email: fernieflattfarm@amserve.com, www.fernieflattfarm.co.uk Fish George Fairweather delivers west of the B979 road on Thursday afternoons and east of the road on Friday from 11am. Phone orders ahead to establish approximate timing.   Tel: 07974 311326 Coal J.H. Roberts of Auchenblae delivers orders in our area on Monday mornings. Stocks of a variety of smokeless fuels and domestic coal to suit most types of stoves and open fires. Also stock wood pellets for wood boilers, recycled wood briquettes, peat, soft wood logs, heavy duty plastic coal bunkers and kindling both for delivery and collection.   Tel 01561 320335

Bookings of Halls and Grounds

Library

Lairhillock School Cookney Community Hall Christine Saward, Tel 01569 732520,   Willie Angus Tel 01569 730123   Email : lairhillock.sch@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Email: wgangus@btinternet.com

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

St Ternan’s Church Community Room Sheila, Tel 01569 731608 or Audrey Tel 01569 730600 Maryculter Church Hall & Glebe Field Anne Massie, Tel 01224 732071

Maryculter Community Hall & Corbie Field Tel 07960 231855 Email: maryculterhall@yahoo.co.uk

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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.

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Useful Numbers and Info MPs, MSPs and Councillors

Bus Services Number 103 Nicoll Coaches 01561 37726 www.aberdeenshire.go.uk

Stuart Donaldson MP 020 7219 4618 stuart.donaldson.mp@parliament.uk Facebook: Stuart Donaldson MP

Mon to Fri Cookney Church 0735 Netherley Bus Shelter 0738 Banchory-Devenick Crossroads 0753 Aberdeen Leggart Terrace 0758 Aberdeen Bridge of Dee ASDA 0808

Maureen Watt MSP 01224 876743 maureen.watt.msp@scottish.parliament.uk  Facebook: Maureen Watt Councillor Alastair Bews 01224 784594 cllr.a.bews@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Aberdeen Bridge of Dee ASDA 1745 Aberdeen Leggart Terrace 1750 Banchory-Devenick Crossroads 1755 Netherley Bus Shelter 1812 Cookney Church 1815

Councillor Alison Evison Mobile: 07876 475386 TwiQer @alison2812 Facebook Councillor Alison Evison: ScoMsh Labour in North Kincardine   Email: cllr.a.evison@aberdeenshire.gov.uk  Surgery: 2nd Monday of the month, excluding July/August, 7pm - 8pm. Portlethen Academy

Number 204 Stagecoach Bluebird 01224 212266 www.stagecoachbus.com Strachan to Aberdeen via Banchory, Kirkland of Durris, Kirkton of Maryculter*, Woodlands of Durris, Old Mill Inn, Blairs Post oﬃce, Leggart Terrace, Holburn Junction

Councillor Ian Mollison 07747 638348 cllr.i.mollison@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Facebook: Councillor Ian Mollison

Mon to Fri Departs Strachan 0715 Arrives Union Square 0820

Councillor Carl Nelson 01569 730733 cllr.c.nelson@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Departs Union Square 1305 Terminates Banchory 1401 Tues and Fri Only* Departs Banchory 0945 Arrives Union Square 1038

Castles

Drum Castle, Garden and Estate

Departs Union Square 1720 Arrives Strachan 1827

Drumoak

Castle, Shop & Tearoom Open 11.00-16.00 Gardens 11.00-16.15 Grounds open all year round Tel 01330 700334 drum@nts.org.uk www.nts.org.uk

Number 22 & 23 Kincardine & Mearns A2B Dial-A-Bus 01224 665599 (9.30am to 3.30 pm Mon to Fri) www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk Aberdeenshire council's A2B dial-a-bus services provide wheelchair-accessible door-to-door transport for people who have mobility diﬃculties. The service is also open to people who live in areas with limited public transport. In order to travel you must register to become a member.

Crathes Castle, Garden and Estate By Banchory

Castle, Gift Shop, Cafe, Walled Garden Open 10.30 - 17.00 Estate open all year round Tel 01330 844525 crathes@nts.org.uk ww.nts.org.uk

No.22 Thursday weekly Stonehaven - Netherley - Cookney - Portlethen Downies - Findon - Portlethen

Dunnottar Castle  Stonehaven

No. 23 Tuesday weekly Kirkton of Durris - Kirkton of Maryculter - Blairs - BanchoryDevenick - Portlethen

Castle open 9.00 -18.00 Tel 01330 860223 Email dunnottarcastle@btconnect.com www.dunnottarcastle.co.uk 35

Diary Dates November 2016 20 Broadband Survey ends 20 Christmas Fair - Friends of Maryculter Guiding 20 Lairhillock Family Ceilidh, Cookney Hall 21 NKRCC meeting, Lairhillock School 23 Maryculter Woods AGM 26 Lairhillock School Christmas Fair 28 Broadband Public Meeting (DSSB &CBS), Corbie Hall December 1 Friendship Club 3&4 Hollyfest, Drum Castle 4 Maryculter Woods working party 9 Community Coﬀee Morning, Cookney Hall 10 Solstice Nurseries Christmas Fair 12 NKRCC meeting, Lairhillock School 13 SWI Craft & Cookery Demo January 2017 1 Maryculter Woods working party 2 New Year’s Ceilidh, Cookney Hall 4 Friendship Club 11 SWI Working with willow 16 NKRCC meeting, Lairhillock School 21 Burns Night, Cookney Hall

You may know someone who is interested in the story of the Maryculter and Peterculter soldiers who died in World War One. I donated some Maryculter War Memorial books to the Maryculter Woodland Trust, so you maybe want to see if they have any remaining ﬁrst, so they get the beneﬁt of your custom. Otherwise, inquire at the Red Post Box on Parkies Brae. I am happy to talk to any groups who might want a visit to tell you more about these brave local men. The three who died in 1916 were:   William James Weir of Stratharno, Cookney; William Silver of Backdams;   Charles Lovie of Eastland Lodge, Kincausie.   Callum Stuart

February 2 Friendship Club 5 Maryculter Woods working party 8 SWI National Trust of Scotland 10 Community Coﬀee Morning, Cookney Hall 20 NKRCC meeting, Lairhillock School March 3 Friendship Club 5 Maryculter Woods working party 20 NKRCC meeting, Lairhillock School 25 Community Coﬀee Morning, Cookney Hall April TBC 5 12 17

DIPP Himalayan Balsam bashing event Friendship Club SWI Talk on antiques NKRCC meeting, Lairhillock School

May 5 Community Coﬀee Morning, Cookney Hall 20 Plant Sale SDV/NKRCC, Corbie Hall

The South Deeside View Published spring and autumn Lynne 01569 739132 sdeesideview@yahoo.co.uk Accuracy of content cannot be guaranteed. SDV cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor(s).

June 16 Community Coﬀee Morning, Cookney Hall

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