The South Deeside View Spring 2016

Spring 2016

The

South Deeside View South Deeside View & North Kincardine Rural Community Council

PLANT SALE & COFFEE MORNING

Great Selection of bushes, seedlings, herbaceous plants, herbs, vegetables and anything else green and growing!

SATURDAY 14th MAY 10.30am - noon CORBIE HALL, MARYCULTER

Adults ÂŁ2.50 Children 50p incl. tea/coffee/juice & homebakes

Profits going to Maryculter Scouts who are kindly assisting on the day

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

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Contents Aberdeen Aeromodellers Cookney Bowling Club Culter Girls FC Dee Vale Ladies FC Friendship Club Glendale Football Club Maryculter Senior Citizens Association Maryculter Driving for the Disabled North Mearns Reading Group Portlethen Panthers Maryculter Woods Maryculter Scottish Women’s Institute Scottish Accordion Music Group Church Notices Schools & Pre-School Guiding Scouting Community Halls Banchory-Devenick Church Bell Nature Notes Police Campaign North Kincardine Rural

Community Council The Muckle Spate Solstice Nurseries Aberdeen Hypnobirthing Kincardine & Deeside

Befriending Chapelton Beannachar Camphill

Community MP, MSP and Councillors A Wee Dram?

Meikle Carewe Wind Farm Useful Information What’s On

any thanks to all who have contributed

to make this issue of the SDV come together and grateful thanks go to all our volunteer delivery people who do a fantastic job distributing the printed copies around the area. You are very much appreciated.

We are lucky to have a few new contributors to this issue. One of them is Beannachar Camphill Community in Banchory-Devenick where they provide training and development opportunities for young adults with special needs. We look forward to hearing more about their work in the future.

There is also a comprehensive article from the man with lots of local knowledge, Callum Stuart of Maryculter. He tells us all about the ‘Muckle Spates’ flooding in our area, past and present - a must read!

ANNUAL PLANT SALE 14th May

Our annual Plant Sale is on Saturday 14th May at the Corbie Hall, which will be back in full service by then.

Profits from the sale this time around will be going to the Maryculter Scouts. They will be helping on the day to fundraise for their trip to Belgium in the summer. Doors open 10.30am until 12 noon.

We are very thankful for our green-fingered supporters who willingly contribute so much to this event.

Make sure you come along for some fabulous locally grown plants as well as the usual delicious home bakes, teas and coffees.

Hope to see you there.

Lynne & Emma

SDV strives hard to ensure accuracy of content but cannot be held responsible for omissions or errors. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editors.

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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.

There are a variety of aircraft that fly at our airfield from small, medium, large, scale and turbine helis and fixed wing aircraft. Training is also available on request. We also have several multi rotor pilots at the field and there is an increased presence of the new in ‘thing’; FPV Quad Racing. Basically if it flies then come along and fly it.

Facilities at the club include a large well maintained grass surface for flying off, ample car parking, 10x aircraft starting tables and 6x heli starting tables. We also have a club house which provides tea & coffee, charging facilities, toilets, an outdoor seating area and BBQ availability.

Two events coming up are the Scottish Heli Nats & our Longest Day Fly-in. The Heli Nats is a national event and pilots travel from all over the UK and beyond. The Heli Nats will take place on the 4th & 5th of June. Feel free to come along to spectate or even enter the competition if you feel you’re up to it.

The Longest Day Fly-in will take place on the 26th June, technically not the longest day but it should attract more people due to being on a weekend. Flying will take place all day until too dark to fly, BBQ facilities available so bring your own food along to cook and come and join us.

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 will resume 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.

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

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

Dee Vale Ladies Football Club

Dee Vale LFC find a new challenge in SWFL Division 1 North. Dee Vale LFC are a women’s football team currently playing in Division 1 North of the Scottish Women’s Football League (SWFL). Dee Vale LFC won division 2 north in 2015 and in March have started a new challenge of playing at a higher level in division 1.

The team consists of a variety of ages from 19-40 years, all from the local area or within the city, and come with a variety of playing experience. Dee Vale LFC play their home games at Corbie Park, Maryculter on a Sunday afternoon (2pm kick off) and always welcome support. Dee Vale LFC have secured a new sponsor for the 2016, Plant Integrity Management, and thank them for their support and purchase of a new home kit.

If you are interested in joining or know someone who used to play and would like to get back into it please contact: Shona: 07734 915850 deevalelfc@yahoo.co.uk twitter: @DeeValeLFC

Friendship Club

The Friendship Club has enjoyed a Winter programme of varied musical afternoons. Our Winter session ended with a “Soup & Sweet” in April.

The Committee will be meeting soon to arrange our Summer outings and a full programme of planned events will be available on request.

New members are always very welcome so please contact us if you are interested in joining.

Peggy Paterson Anne Massie 3

01224 734888 01224 732071

Community & Leisure Glendale Football Club

Maryculter Driving for the Disabled

Well, here we are in springtime, and winter is almost a “distant memory” but for the unfortunate flooding of Corbie Park, our hall and our changing rooms, however I will let others talk about that in their articles….

New volunteers are most welcome and always needed, whether you’d like to offer your baking talents as a tea lady, maintain the bikes, carriages and trailers, support our disabled members, or help exercise, transport or drive the horses. It’s a great After a very shaky May 2015, whereby we survived and excuse to get together for a retained our Division 1 status “by the skin of our teeth”, a blether with a nice bunch of long summer break allowed our players to indulge in a lot of people! golf and socialising before the commencement of preseason training at the start of July.

We are happy that our two horses, Corbie and Cassie, have With the capture of a couple of new faces, pre-season found a home at Redwing Livery training and friendlies went well, and so it was onto the start Yard, Maryculter, in return for of the League on the 3rd of August. A solid start ensued and doing some work in the riding by the end of August, with evening and weekend games school. They are happy to be back played, we had amassed and passed the amount of league together and having some variety in their day. points we had at Christmas 2014.

Sarah Holtom (Secretary) 01330 811094 Then onto the numerous Cup Competitions that the Kate Brockman (Group Organiser) 01330 811615 Amateur League throws up, and again we have excelled in Kees Witte (Treasurer) 01224 732738 these, and as I write this article we are currently in the 4th Registered Charity No. SCIO28630 rounds of the Association Cup and North of Scotland Cup. We have also reached the last stages of the Stephen Shield, with a cup final date to look forward to – sometime in April or May.

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 As Corbie Park, hall and changing rooms are currently out of provided by the library service of Aberdeenshire use we have been playing a number of games at Inverdee. council. The group has grown such that unfortunately we It is only when you are once more relegated to municipal are not able to take on new members at present. Please pitches that you begin to appreciate the home comforts and get in touch if you would like to be considered when facilities previously enjoyed. places become available.

Roll on the renovation works, better weather; and a return to a lush green pitch!

Muriel Hargreaves: 01569 730302

Jim Grant

Portlethen Panthers women’s team practice Tuesday and

01224 867512

Thursday nights in Stonehaven. Games are at various locations on differing nights between Oct and Feb. All are welcome!

Maryculter Senior Citizens Association

We are a long established charity which provides a Christmas party for folk living within the parish of Maryculter. This event is for single or widowed ladies aged 60 or over, and married couples where the man is at least 65.

We are seeking new players, all ages from 16-60! A reasonable level of fitness is needed and basic ball skills a must. Previous experience of playing netball or basketball as a youngster would be useful, but is not essential. Full attendance at every session isn't required, just a keen interest and a willingness to play when you do attend! It's great exercise and a sociable group so come along and give it a try. Interested?

If you, or someone you know, who would like to join our highly enjoyable annual event then please contact us.

Thank you to all who support our fundraising 100+ Club.

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

Portlethen Panthers Women's Basketball

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Contact Anna 01224 878939 www.portlethenpanthers.com

Community & Leisure Maryculter Woods

Maryculter SWI

We held our official Opening Ceremony for the Woods on Saturday 26th March. The weather was not particularly kind on the day but there was a great turnout accompanied by lots of brollies!Tree planting was done despite the rain and many cakes consumed. Fundraising efforts will continue as we try to transform and improve the neglected parcel of commercial forestry plantation into an exciting community asset that will benefit everyone in the area in perpetuity.

The Maryculter WI meet from September until May. Meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday of each month and are currently being held in Maryculter Trinity Church Hall. Start time is 7.30pm unless otherwise stated.

A new committee is elected each May and then there is a break in meetings until September. The new committee will determine the schedule of events for Sept onwards and full details of the new schedule will be published in the Autumn edition of the South Deeside View. Until a new secretary is elected please contact the current secretary for any further details.

If you see any red or grey squirrels when you visit the woods, please report the sightings to scottishsquirrels.org.uk. We suspect that some recently discovered chewed cones are from some squirrels displaced by recent AWPR work who have moved over from the eastern side of the Crynoch Burn to set up new homes.

There is an end of session outing planned for June 2016, details of which are yet to be finalised.

Please contact us if you are interested and would like to know more.

Members Annual Fee £22 / Visitors £5 per meeting.

For more information, please contact Secretary Sheila Bissett Tel 01224 861593

Scottish Accordion Music Group 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.

We also held a Quiz Night recently which was great fun.

Supporter Alice McAra, who has run for us Tree planting in the rain before, has decided to enter the Edinburgh Marathon this time. Please support her Just Giving Page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alice-mcara2.

The group takes bookings for additional performances. Please call to make arrangements.

Secretary Eileen Fraser Tel 319484

Advertise in the South Deeside View from £25 for one issue. (Introductory offers available for first time advertisers). Get in touch for more details and rates. Ad fees cover our printing costs only.

SDV is grateful for the continued support of local business in the production of this newsletter.

Email: sdeesideview@yahoo.co.uk

Remember to look out for details of upcoming fundraisers and events at the woods on our Facebook and website pages.

Ed Thorogood (Chairman) info@maryculterwoods.com www.maryculterwoods.com Facebook: Maryculter Woods A Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation SCO44224

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Church Notices Maryculter Trinity Church of Scotland

You can now keep up to date with church events on our new website at www.marycultertrinitychurch.org.uk.

Sunday Services are held at 10.30am in Maryculter Trinity Church The Meeting Place is held at 10.30am on the last Sunday of the month in Maryculter Trinity Church Hall. Come and sing along with the praise band and enjoy worship in a very relaxed atmosphere, followed by tea and coffee. Please note that dates of these services can change from time to time so please check before attending.

Children are always welcome at all our services and there is a wealth of material for them to enjoy in the hall. An activity table is available at The Meeting Place with children staying in the hall for the whole service.

Communion Services: 15th May at 10.30am followed by Buffet or BBQ lunch 21st August Retiring collection for church funds Songs of Praise Service: 27th April at 7.30pm Church Fayre to be held sometime later this year. Look out for our posters of the event; information will be also be posted on our website.

Harvest Thanksgiving: 2nd October at 10.30am followed by soup and sweet lunch.

Community Coffee Mornings are held on 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesdays of the month in Maryculter Trinity Church Hall 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.

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.

Fairtrade: We are a Fairtrade church which means we use, sell and promote Traidcraft products, and these are available at the sales table in the church hall every Sunday after the morning service Christian Aid: We run events throughout the year for this organisation and have helped many worthwhile projects including Water Aid and HIV/Aids.

Blythswood Christmas Shoebox Appeal: We sent away 44 Shoe boxes in November 2015 for distribution to people in poorer countries including Romania, Kosovo and Ukraine.

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 Baptist Church.

Youth Café - Something to do on a Thursday night?

Everyone who is in school between P7 and S3 is welcome and if you are a little older than that but still want to be involved why not come and help out?! This rewarding experience allows you to get to know the wonderful young people in our community.

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Church Notices We meet on Thursday evenings in Maryculter Trinity Church Hall between 7pm and 9pm and follow the school term.

Currently 55 members of Youth Café, who all live locally, 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 chatting to 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@btinternet.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

Masses and Services

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

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.

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 Parish of St. Mary, South Deeside Road, Blairs Aberdeen AB12 5YQ

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.

Rev. Deacon John J. Wire Tel: 07711 847582 jj.wire@btinternet.com www.stmarysblairs.org

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.

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

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 7

Schools Banchory-Devenick Primary School Banchory-Devenick school has had a successful session since the last issue of the SDV. The pupils have gained national recognition for their work for the environment, put on and performed a truly excellent Christmas Play, and have continued to make good use of the wooded areas near the school as part of their outdoor learning.

We were awarded our first Green Flag last October because the school established an Eco-Committee and completed an environmental review covering the nine Eco-Schools topics. A detailed action plan and green procurement policy were created and sustainability was covered in at least three curriculum areas. We also developed our own eco-code with the motto “Good to be Green” and involved the whole school and wider community in our Eco-Schools activities.

The school nativity play was held on December 21st with large numbers attending. All agreed that the school’s performance of “The Very Hopeless Camel” was really good, especially as it was complemented by the older pupils’ Christmas Concert where performances were to a very high standard.

Coming up we have our Summer Fair which is to be held on Saturday, 28th May 2016. Our thanks go to the Banchory-Devenick School Parent Council who have organised this event and also to Solstice Nurseries who will be supporting the event. Solstice Nurseries are a local nursery who specialise in heathers, shrubs, perennials and alpine plants.

Head Teacher Paul Gill Email: banchorydev.sch@aberdeenshire.gov.uk wwww.banchory-devenick.aberdeenshire.sch.uk

e SS anc LL E U PR ar P pe E B O p ST st A TH e S Gu G U

Gaëtan Cardinal t: 01224 86 52 72

design construc-on maintenance

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Wedderhill Farm| Blairs | AB12 5YX

Land Cra(s

Banchory-Devenick Primary School

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Landscaper & Maintenance

Saturday 28th May 2016 2-4pm

Entry: £2.50 Adult / £1.00 Children/ £6.00 Family (including tea/coffee/juice and a home bake)

Got an article you would like considered for inclusion in the next issue?

Please get in touch! sdeesideview@yahoo.co.uk 8

Schools Lairhillock Primary School Since the last edition of The South Deeside View we have been very busy at Lairhillock School and Nursery. The numbers of children attending the nursery have grown so rapidly that we are now running both a morning and afternoon session! It is great to see the nursery so busy.

Due to the recent flooding at Corbie Hall we have further opened our doors to local community groups and are seeing the school being put to good use. We now have the Maryculter Girlguiding groups using our facilities alongside our various sports clubs and the privately run craft and art clubs.

Our Health class, Primary1/2, organised a very successful Suitcase Sale, which raised £303.07 for the flood relief fund.

The children arrived laden with toys, books, money etc. and left laden and happy but without money! All in a worthy cause.

As is tradition, January was the annual Scottish Poetry Competition in honour of Robert Burns. The children always put in a lot of effort, and are great performers, so the judging is very difficult. This year Mrs Engel, who only retired from teaching at Lairhillock in August, came back as our judge and after a great deal of deliberation she chose the winners. She is pictured here with the winners and runners-up from each year group.

Parents, Mandy Tulloch and Shona Grimmer, applied for the Meikle Carewe Wind Farm fund and secured £3075 for the purchase of new playground furniture - The new game tables have arrived and are now already in use! With these added to the fabulous new outdoor classroom, the football goals installed last session and the adventure play, our playground is a great place to be!

Isobel and Seumas Morrison attended a presentation with their mum and are pictured here with Paul Melling and Carl Nelson from the Kindcardineshire Development Partnership (KDP), receiving the cheque from the Meikle Carewe Wind Farm fund.

There have been ongoing concerns about the speed of traffic passing the school gates. Aberdeenshire Council have now installed new speed restriction signs and the next step will be a speed survey. Hopefully this survey will result in additional traffic calming measures.

So what next?

The Primary 7 children will soon start the countdown to their residential trip to Dalguise with some of the P6 and P7 children from Banchory-Devenick. While they are away Miss Murray, Pupil Support Assistant, and parent volunteers will be running the Primary 6 Bikeability training.

This year’s Health Week will start on Monday 20 June. Kippie Lodge have indicated their interest in supporting a number of events over the week and so we look forward to our association with them. During the week the whole school from Nursery to Primary 7 will complete the sponsored walk and take part in sports day. We will keep our fingers crossed for fine weather so that we can make the most of the week.

The annual Crynoch Cup football tournament and family barbecue will be held in June. Look out for further information about this great day out. Those of you with children at the local schools should hear about it through your school.

We would love to welcome more members of the community into the school for our coffee afternoons. Again, please look out for information on these events or, if you, or anyone you know, would like to be invited to any future events, please contact the school and we will add you to our guest list.

Head Teacher Christine Saward Email: lairhillock.sch@aberdeenshire.gov.uk www.lairhillock.aberdeenshire.sch.uk 9

Schools & Playgroups Aberdeen Green School

Maryculter Babies and Toddlers

The Aberdeen Green School will be starting a full time Film and Drama program in September 2016 for 14-19 year olds. This program will provide all areas of study around film, drama, art, creative writing and technical skills.

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.

We have recently incorporated Role-Play-Learning into the curriculum, and have just finished a role play centred around the Highland Clearances, entitled "The Evictor's Trial”.

The group (aged 14-17) are currently establishing a youth theatre company and the Evictor's Trial is the group's first completed piece of work. It is a self-devised play, based on the historical trial of Patrick Seller. Working from the Aberdeen Green School, the group have used their engagement with role play to research and develop the story and the characters.

Cost is £2 per family per session.

Annick Shaw annickshaw@yahoo.com

The play explores themes such as social class, justice and humanity, whilst being both funny and moving. The aim is to engage audiences by making them a vital part of the outcome of the play. The audience will act as jury members and enter a verdict which will determine the ending of the play. The Evictor's Trial asks vital questions about society, truth and the way we re-tell history.

Nature Classes Discover nature - play and explore outdoors.

Weekly classes for 0 to 2 years and 2 to 5 year olds.

We hope to be showcasing the play at the Aberdeen Youth Festival being held in Aberdeen this summer - July 29th to August 6th. TAGS can be accessed on a part-time basis for Homeschoolers or for school leavers who are deciding their next move.

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

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

For more information, please contact: Diane Elliott 07507 682372 diane_elliott@theaberdeengreenschool.org www.theaberdeengreenschool.org/ The Aberdeen Green School, Maryculter, Aberdeenshire, AB12 5FT

Redwing Riding School Lessons and Forest Rides For all ages and stages

The Redwing Show Saturday 4th July 2016 Tel: 01224 732952 email:mpetrie@blaikiewell.org.uk www.blaikiewell.com/redwing

EastlandLodge, Maryculter, AB12 5FS 10

Youth Groups Girlguiding Maryculter

Open to girls predominantly living in the Maryculter, Netherley and Banchory-Devenick areas.

Maryculter Rainbows

The Maryculter Rainbows had a slow start to this term - the flooding of Corbie Hall saw us with nowhere to meet and half our belonging washed away! We now meet at Lairhillock School and the girls are loving their temporary home.

We are pleased to welcome two new helpers this term, Rachel Camms and Raewyn Dows. We are going to be working towards our Messy badge and the girls are looking forward to making lots of mess!

The group is currently full and it will be summer before we have any spaces.

Please register on the Girlguiding website if you would like to be placed on a waiting list.

If you would like to get involved please get in touch. 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 Guides

1st Maryculter Guides are currently without a leader.

Unfortunately since the flood as a result of Storm Frank they have been unable to meet.

The Guides are an enthusiastic group of 16 girls who are looking for some volunteers to come forward and help them continue to meet.

If you think you can help please get in touch with me or register your interest online with Girlguiding at www.girlguiding.org.uk

Maryculter Brownies

It has been a busy term for the Brownies who have been completing a Swiss Themed Challenge badge as one of our Leaders Joanne is away to Our Chalet the World Guiding Centre to work for 3 months.

The Brownies are looking forward to hearing about her adventures when she returns.

We have been chocolate tasting, have carved soap, and we are going tubing soon at the dry ski slope, the closest we can get to a snow sport this year.

Want to see what’s happening with the weather locally?

Also, we celebrated World Thinking Day when we attended the Annual Service at Maryculter Trinity Church. We have been designing birthday cards to send to our Patron the Queen to celebrate her 90th Birthday too. We hope she likes them when they arrive.

We want to take this opportunity to thank everybody in the community who have supported us since the floods at Corbie Hall and most especially Mrs Seward at the school for helping us find our temporary accommodation.

At this time we have a waiting list of girls looking to join Brownies.

To register an interest please log on to https://enquiryym.girlguiding.org.uk/Guides Leader: Lynne Murphy lynnmurphy100@hotmail.co.uk

Check out Beannachar’s webcam based in Banchory- Devenick.

It’s updated every 2 minutes!

www.beannacharweather.co.uk 11

Youth Groups Scouting Maryculter Open to boys & girls predominantly living in the Maryculter, Netherley and Banchory-Devenick areas

Maryculter Beavers We meet every Tuesday at 1730 hrs to 1900 hrs at the Scout Hut, Maryculter. New members aged 6 and 7 years old always welcome.

Last term the Beavers tackled their Community Impact badge.

This involved getting to know about the Maryculter Friendship Club and meeting some of the members and hearing about their activities. The Beavers undertook a sponsored walk to raise some funds for the Friendship Club and an impressive sum of £280 was raised. Some Friendship Club members were invited to a Beaver meeting where the Beavers were on their best behaviour and served tea and cakes, iced by the Beavers.

Beavers meeting members of the Maryculter Friendship Club

Lately the Beavers have been bringing their pets along to the meetings and explaining how they look after, feed and exercise them. No spiders, rats or snakes this year, thankfully!

Help with additional Leaders is again required. Anyone over 18 willing to give regular help please contact myself for details.

Beaver Leader: Kathleen Paterson 01224 868676

Cubs

Throughout this Autumn/Winter period the cold but reasonable weather has allowed, for most nights, continued use of our local Maryculter woods for activities; such as wood and camp craft, setting of a wildlife photo trap and some exciting stealth games in the dark. This year has also seen us trying to give something back to the Maryculter Woodland Trust with the planting of trees, installation of benches made by the cub section and a mornings hard gorse brashing to help clear some of the scrub ground for further tree planting.

In September before it got too chilly we managed a very enjoyable weekend camp on the banks of the Dee near Templars which included nature walks, games and general relaxation at the camp fire with obligatory marshmallows and hot chocolate.

For the Cubs Centenary year we are developing an exciting program of activities including our annual weekend camp to Muir Cottage near Braemar, cycle trails in Durris forest and much more.

Day: Mon, weekly (school term), Time: 18:15 - 19:45, Place: The Scout Hut, Maryculter Maryculter Cubs welcomes boys & girls between the ages of 8 and 10½. We currently have spaces so if you have a child of this age who likes the outdoors, and would like to find out more, please get in touch.

Iain Morrison (07738 455524) or Gaetan Cardinal (07876 513666).

Stonehaven Land Train The land train will be running on weekends until the summer

holidays when a new timetable will be in place.

Leaves Market Square at 11.00am, 12.00 noon, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

When the farmers market is first Saturday of the month, it starts at 1.30pm.

Fares are: Adults £5, Children 2 - 12 years £3, Family 2 + 2 £14 For up to date information check Facebook: Stonehaven Land Train 12

Youth Groups Scouts The Troop currently has 20 Scouts including 10 new investitures this term (which might be a record for the unit), 3 Young Leaders and 6 Adult Leaders. While these are very healthy numbers, we aren’t full yet and are always on the lookout for any boys and girls, ages from 10½ to 14, that want to give Scouting a try.

The autumn and winter terms have seen the Scouts working on their Teamwork and Skills challenge badges, covering a variety of team building games, fitness training, sewing, ironing and bicycle repair. We also focused on knots and lashings for the Pioneering Activity badge in preparation for the lighter evenings when we can get outside and construct rope bridges, watch towers and catapults – all from 8’ pine poles.

Our main focus during the spring and summer terms is to prepare for Summer Camp. This year we are venturing abroad to the De Kluis Scout Centre in Belgium. The programme has yet to be finalised but is likely to include a WWI battlefield tour on the 100th anniversary of the Somme, a visit to a chocolate factory and the obligatory hikes and getting muddy.

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)

Culter Theatre Club presents

Blithe Spirit

Cardio dance workout for all ages and abilities (No dance experience necessary)

a Noel Coward farce

Come and exercise your brain along with your body!

Free taster session (usual price £6.00)

Tuesdays 11.15am - 12.15pm at Peterculter Sports Centre

9th, 10th &11th June 7.30pm at Culter Village Hall Tickets £10 available from the hall tel 01224 734371 Seating is cafe style BYO drinks and snacks

Contact Louise on 01224 596162 or Louisescotland@hotmail.com nianow.com / niascotland.com

Hunt for bugs, cook on the campfire & get marvellously muddy!

URY PLAYERS present

Chase Me Up Farndale Avenue s'il vous plait!

Nature Kindergarten on Thursday mornings at Maryculter Woods for children aged 3-5 yrs

A comedy tres saucy by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jnr

Thursday 16th & Friday 17th June 2016

Stonehaven Town Hall

Curtain up: 19:30 Tickets £10 available from The Rose Bowl, Barclay Street, Stonehaven from May.

Outdoor Nursery Opening Soon!

For details on how to book a taster session or find out about our new nursery visit www.muckyboots.org.uk or contact Dawn on 07939 547016

The hall will be set out cabaret style, so please feel free to bring your own refreshments 13

Community Halls Maryculter Corbie Hall & Field

The Committee appreciates that user groups have been severely inconvenienced by the unavailability of the hall. Let’s hope it is refurbished successfully and can operate for many more years before the next once-in-a-life-time storm strikes!

The report from the Corbie Park this time has to be dominated by the flooding that hit us at the end of 2015.

Like many other properties along the banks of the Dee, the field and the hall were submerged in floodwater on the 30th December by storm Frank. The field floods a few times every year, but on this occasion the combination of melting snow and heavy rain further up Deeside resulted in a wave of floodwater sweeping all before it along the Dee valley – including our Corbie Park.

For hall bookings call 07960 231855 or email maryculterhall@yahoo.co.uk Facebook: Corbie Hall & Field Maryculter

Cookney Community Hall

The hall has never been flooded before but Storm Frank left its tide-mark on the hall wall at 1.11 metres. Everything inside was saturated and soiled. A devastating and depressing sight.

Facebook played a valuable role as did the SDV page in communicating our plight around the community. So many people wanted to help clear up and a team of volunteers and hall users combined to empty the hall of trashed goods, carpeting and electrical equipment. However the weather had not settled yet, and a few days later the hall was once more submerged to the depth of about 30cm.

The hall was insured for flood damage, and after a wait for an available loss adjuster to decide what would be feasible, a building contractor has been appointed to reinstate the building to its former condition. This will involve a complete strip-out of all walls, flooring, kitchen units, doors and electrics.

As I write this article, Cookney Hall has hosted two successful events this year already, the New Year’s Dance and Burn’s Night, both of which had big turn-outs and went down well.

We already have a number of the regular events in the planning stage for later in the year, including a Halloween Dance on 29 October.

As at writing, the stripping-out is about complete, but the structural timbers need to dry out further before fresh panelling can be installed. We have the May election to host so that has to be our latest target date to re-open.

Although the Hall has regularly used by a dog obedience class and carpet bowlers, we’re also looking for other opportunities to bring something different to the community. As you read this you may already be aware of regular coffee mornings and hatha yoga classes which have recently started, details of which can be found on our Facebook page (see below). More and different events are being considered, but we’d like to keep you in suspenders for just a little longer with those.

The changing rooms were also under water, but, as the walls are of brick, the damage has been less- although there may be long-term deterioration yet to emerge. Tiling may yet start peeling off walls.

Unfortunately we were not insured for items kept out of doors. That included fencing, the car-park surface, benches, the defibrillator, the mower and the goalposts. We have already received some grants and donations towards the replacement of those items, which is greatly appreciated.

The Committee are still looking at what other facilities can improve the Hall and are considering an upgrade to the sound system and the installation of a hearing loop.

For the latest news on what’s happening at the Hall, please see our Facebook page at Facebook: Friends of Cookney Hall

The field will recover, although there seems to be more undulations than before. Again a team of volunteers, mainly from the Football Clubs, helped clear debris from the riverbanks with the help of the local farmer and his loader.

There has been considerable erosion by the Corbie along its bank and also by the Dee at the Milltimber Bridge corner.

Where there once was a barrier of scrub and trees there is now a clear view of the Dee. I can imagine a few footballs are going to be lost down the river.

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 Tel 01569 730706 bob8930@sky.com

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Banchory-Devenick Free Church Bell Banchory-Devenick Free Church Bell During the summer of 2015 it was decided by a group of Banchory-Devenick locals to find a permanent home for the Banchory-Devenick Free Church’s bell, which had experienced “a bit of a nomadic existence” nigh on the last 50 years.

The history of the bell, as we are led to believe, emanates along the following lines:- 1861 – The bell is commissioned, cast and bequeathed to the Banchory-Devenick Free Church by the Brothers, Sisters, Nephews and Nieces of Mr & Mrs Thompson of Banchory. The minister of the Church at this time was Craigie Hood (whose wife we believe was related to the Stewarts of Banchory-Devenick).

1968 - During 1968 a decision was taken to close the Free Church, with the vast majority of the Congregation joining the “new church at the bottom of the hill” ie, the Banchory-Devenick Church of Scotland.

A works party, consisting of Messrs David Cruickshank; Louis Donald; Bob Mann and Bill Snowie, was tasked to remove the bell from the Free Church bell tower and “keep it safe”, as the Church Building was going to be sold for housing. The bell ended up in Jockston`s “ferm close”, where it remained until 1981.

1981 - The bell was removed from Jockston and placed in the basement of Ardoe Hall for better safe keeping. The bell remained there till the hall closed in 2013.

2013 - The bell was again on the move and this time it ended up in a members garage at Lynhurst, Cammachmore.

2015 - At a session meeting in late 2014, the future resting place of the bell was again raised. Messrs Grant and Simpson stepped forward and offered to find a suitable setting and resting place for the bell, within the Churchyard back at St. Devenicks on the Hill. However before this could be done, a drawing had to be prepared showing the location, siting and support for the bell, and submitted to Aberdeenshire Council Landscape Services for their formal approval.

During the above period, several “design meetings” with the blacksmith took place back at The Crossroads, in the garage at Whinhill to come up with the design and fabrication of the support frame for the bell.

Late Autumn 2015, saw the completed bell stand come back from the galvaniser`s and, with the help of a neighbour, concrete bases were dug and cast and the frame and bell were finally erected.

Special thanks for help and assistance have to go to Blacksmith Ian Bowie for the manufacture of the frame, and my neighbour Ian Harrison for his labouring efforts at the Churchyard.

Jim Grant

ROOM FOR HIRE

The new soft play centre, Scallywags, is now open in Stonehaven, conveniently placed on the waterfront promenade. The premises also have a room available for hire for parties, meetings, groups etc. Contact Scallywags directly to discuss your individual requirements!

Tel 01569 766600 www.scallywagssoftplay.co.uk 15

Nature Notes Hogmanay 2015 will possibly be remembered most for its Muckle Spate when water levels on the River Dee rose to new records. Jane and Ewan MacInnes of Home Farm Maryculter unfortunately had several of their riverbank fields inundated with floodwater.

As the waters receded they noticed a series of molehills quickly appeared along a fence line in the middle of the floodplain, an area of around 70 acres. Where had the moles been during the seven days when the fields had been submerged? Had they moved far enough south, away from the river, to find dry land or had they somehow managed to stay underground for what seems like a considerable amount of time?

For such small animals, they could fit on your hand, moles can dig tunnels for an impressive 200m a day, moving around 5kg of soil. That is 500 times their bodyweight. They work on four hour cycles, being active for four, then sleeping for a similar time, all day every day. It is therefore possible Jane and Ewan’s moles travelled inland to higher ground.

Another option is that they moved deeper underground. Moles dig two types of tunnels – those lower down are permanent passageways and nesting areas, whilst the upper runs are used for foraging. It is thought that moles are also adapted to re-breathe their air, being able to tolerate higher levels of carbon dioxide. Regardless of their depth they eat worms, grubs and larvae not roots and bulbs and it is estimated they need to consume half their bodyweight each day - about 20 worms. It could be that the riverbank animals therefore moved deeper down into their lower runs.

Moles are also good swimmers. I am not suggesting they became aquatic for a week but they could have swum to dryer areas as river levels rose. There is a great video clip of a mole swimming in a tunnel at www.arkive.org/mole/talpa-europaea/video-06.html!

As the level of the Dee subsided it softened the soil making it easier for the animals to dig. This along with them looking for new food sources encouraged them to excavate new runs and hence to throw up new molehills at the end of their feeding tunnels along the fence line.

Mole saliva contains toxins that paralyse their prey to keep them alive for later consumption. Their fur is short enough to move backwards and forwards allowing them to tunnel in both directions without getting matted with soil. Adults are usually solitary but breed between March and May. The gestation period is 30 days and one or two litters are born a year.

Each litter has three to six young that are suckled for four to five weeks at which point they live their nursery den, travelling above-ground. This is a vulnerable time for young moles, many of whom fall prey to owls, buzzards, stoats, dogs and cats.

In gardens moles can pretty much ruin your lawn, making the ground sunken, uneven and unsightly. Solutions include trampling the soil down to flatten the tunnels or using a hose with a trickle of water to wash the soil back into the holes. Many gardeners regard molehills as a superior topsoil though. The moles have aerated it and it is likely to be pest-free thanks to birds who will have removed most of the bugs. You need to add compost but it is a great medium for growing seeds and wonderful in container gardening.

Children also love investigating molehills. Carefully remove all of the soil from a fresh hill with a sweep of your arm and using a stick carefully prod the ground until it gives way. This is the entrance to the tunnel and is about the size of a toilet roll tube. Dare your children to put their fingers in and see if anything bites!

Mandy Tulloch 16

Police Scotland

From bogus callers to rogue traders, doorstep criminals are cunning, creative, and very skilled at deception. They will use a number of ways to try and gain entry to your home to steal and trick you out of money.

Anyone can be fooled as these people are professional con artists. However, the over 60s are often specifically targeted.

What is Doorstep Crime?

Bogus callers try to get into your home or obtain personal details by pretending to be someone they’re not. They may claim to be: • Council staff • Meter readers • Charity collectors • Police officers In reality, they are criminals trying to steal cash and valuables. Rogue traders usually cold-call, claiming to be workers offering to make repairs or carry out work on your house, garden or driveway. In reality they charge inflated prices for shoddy or unnecessary work.

We DO NOT recommend dealing with cold-callers for property maintenance and repairs to your home.

What can I do?

Stop!

There are a number of things you can do to help yourself from being caught out: • Be on guard if someone turns up unexpectedly.

• Use a door chain or bar.

• Always put the chain on before opening the door.

• Keep it on while talking to callers.

• Don’t feel embarrassed - genuine callers expect you to be careful.

• If you don’t have a door chain, check from the nearest window. Remember, door chains can be easily fitted.

• If you’re not sure, don’t answer the door.

Who should I call? …if I feel threatened, unsafe or suspicious of a caller?

• Contact the police immediately on 999. …if I see something suspicious in my area, or want more advice about doorstep crime?

• Contact the police on 101.

• Try and take a note of vehicle details or registration numbers and descriptions of anyone suspicious. …if I want to contact the police anonymously?

• Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You can also visit its website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. …to find out more about home safety services?

• Contact your local police station on 101 to arrange a free security survey.

• Contact your local Trading Standards: Some operate No Cold Calling Zones or have lists of approved traders.

Nominated Neighbour Scheme The Nominated Neighbour Scheme has been created to help deter doorstep criminals and protect older and vulnerable members of our communities.

So, how does it work?

As a Nominated Neighbour you agree to help verify the identity of any person calling at your elderly/vulnerable neighbour's door.

The caller will be sent to your door, you check their identity and if you're happy that the caller is genuine, you return with them to your neighbour's house. You stay with them until the caller leaves.

To find out more about the scheme, contact local police on 101.

17

North Kincardine Rural Community Council

As we start to emerge from what has been an especially tough winter, the workload for NKRCC remains high because of the huge level of construction activity in our area.

As the AWPR works escalate, the issues surrounding the project remain high on our agenda. There is barely a day goes by when NKRCC isn’t in some kind of dialogue with the local authorities or the contractors, in relation to the issues being raised in our community. Whether it is damage to the existing roads and verges, abnormal loads causing hold ups, poor standards of driving, extended hours of working etc NKRCC are ‘on the case’ almost constantly.

Members of the community council have even driven our local MSP around the area, so he could see first-hand some of the challenges that the construction phase is causing for our community. In fairness to the project team they, along with representatives of the local councils, have attended and given presentations at two of our recent meetings. Further public meetings and presentations by the contractors are being scheduled – so please look out for further updates and feel free to come along and put your points across first hand.

Obviously a big issue to hit our area was the severe flooding caused by Storm Frank over the New Year period. Waters have not been that high on the Dee in living memory. Fortunately, although both Milltimber and Park bridges were subject to temporary closures, neither seem to have suffered long term or irreparable damage. However we have to think about all of those whose homes and businesses were impacted, especially those who are still affected.

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 the Council. You will find copies of all of these submissions on the NKRCC website.

400 Club Since September NKRCC has given £200 to Maryculter Senior Citizens towards their Christmas party.

Maryculter Woodlands Trust received £300, half of their estimated requirement to improve access gates and security to the recently purchased wood.

Thanks to all who have purchased tickets for 2016 – and to the community councillors who braved winter to invite you to take part.

Local not for profit groups are invited to apply for funds by sending send a request to the NKRCC Secretary at least two weeks before our monthly meetings in February, April, June, August, October and December.

The request should include: • A full description of why you require funding • The overall cost of the item/activity, as well as the amount of funding being requested • Evidence of other fundraising efforts • Nomination of someone to speak to the request at the next NKRCC meeting These guidelines are there to help avoid situations when we do not have enough information to come to a decision. 400 Club funds are limited and are all raised and used locally for the good of our community.

18

North Kincardine Rural Community Council 400 Club Prizes Cash prize winners in the last six months included: R. Baxter, Banchory-Devenick I. Morrison, Netherley M. Beard, Netherley T. Penney, Netherley

S. Black, Maryculter , A.Rappach, Netherley N. Cowan, Blairs

B. Scott, Maryculter D. Cowie, Maryculter C. Spark, Netherley

C. Hand, Maryculter M. Tulloch, Netherley T. Hastings, Maryculter O. Werngren, Maryculter D. Law, Netherley K. Willox, Netherley

V. Law, Netherley T. Winmill, Netherley C. MacTaggart, Maryculter Woodland Trust, Maryculter G. Masson, Netherley

Congratulations to all of those who have won and best wishes to the rest of our 400 Club members for future draws!

Roads Whilst there is no doubt that the volume and intensity of traffic is way in excess of what was anticipated when our local roads were built, the biggest single issue we actually face is still the generally poor standard of driving.

The speeds seen on our roads network and the general lack of care, attention and anticipation remain huge concerns.

As mentioned in previous editions, NKRCC has a place for reporting incidents and accidents on our website: www.nkrcc.org.uk. The intention of this facility is to help us build a history and body of evidence that we can use to take to the roads authorities and the Police to demand attention and action.

Future Meetings Due to the flooding mentioned earlier, Community Council meetings are being held in Lairhillock School for the next few months. The meetings are on the third Monday of each month at 7.30pm (except July and December). We look forward to welcoming you along to hear what is going on and join in the discussions. Check our website for agenda details and confirmation of the meeting location.

Drew Russell - Chair

North Kincardine Rural Community Council Contacts Visit our website and facebook page to get the latest information Website: www.nkrcc.org.uk Facebook: North Kincardine Rural Community Council - NKRCC

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

Sharon Park (Secretary) Email: secretary@nkrcc.org.uk Tel 01224 734415 Meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of every month except July and December.

Venue is the Corbie Hall, Maryculter. All welcome.

We also have information posted on the noticeboards at Banchory-Devenick School, East and West Maryculter, Cookney Hall and Corbie Hall.

19

Adam Hunter Lounge

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

Children’s Birthday Parties

with golf instruction also available on request

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

The Muckle Spates by Callum Stuart

The Muckle Spates In years to come, will we look back at the events of the last few months as being a natural disaster to surpass those of the past? Perhaps it is partly due to social media that we are instantly close to “the action” and are much more aware of the impact on communities and lives as we watch events unfold almost by the minute. So how did the “Muckle Spate” of 30th December 2015 shape up?

High water on the Dee is not that unusual to us – we are all aware of the rising level at Corbie Park as the football pitch turns itself into a water polo park.

However, on that particular day the water rose- and rose with incredible speed. At lunchtime, the water was at burn level but there was little to indicate it was going to rise so dramatically over the next few hours. By 4pm, water a foot deep was at the door of the Mill Inn. By evening the water was over the top of the reception desk. The power and volume of water surging down the Dee Valley gouged out a new deep trench at Maryculter Home Farm, destroying hundreds of metres of deer fencing and washing away 400 bales of silage. Mobile homes and caravans at Deeside Holiday Park were left bobbing like corks as the Helicopter Coastguard and Fire Services helped to evacuate residents safely. At the Community Hall, the flood-mark could be seen on the noticeboard five feet off the floor.

The tidal wave had swept away the hut, equipment and toys used by the Brownies, Guides and Under-5s. Many of the bridges down the length of the Dee, including the Maryculter bridge, took a battering and have had to undergo structural surveys. Mother Nature still had a sting in her tail as, no sooner had the clean-up operations begun but the waters rose once more in the first week of the New Year, this time causing additional problems along the watercourses of the Gormack and Culter Burns and the Millside area of Peterculter.

The measure by which all floods are judged is the Great- or Flooding December 2015 at the Old Mill Inn and Corbie Hall, Maryculter “Muckle” Spate of 1829. There are many markers along the length of the Dee indicating the height to which the river reached that year. This was reported in the Aberdeen Journal, the following day on Wednesday 5th August 1829 under the headline “AWFUL AND DESTRUCTIVE FLOOD”.

Since the great storms in 1799 and 1812, no similar visitation has happened in this quarter, that could at all be compared to the deluge of Monday last. The consequence has been the flooding of the rivers, streams, and burns of the district, to a degree that is but too fatally evinced by the scenes of devastation and mischief that mark their course; and the lamentable destruction of the hopes of the husbandman, in having his corns, his sheep and cattle, and his provender, swept off their banks; while even in fields more favourably situated, the damage occasioned by the lodging of the grain, we are grieved to say, is to an amount almost incalculable.

20

The Muckle Spates continued In the river Dee the rising of the water was first perceptible on Monday afternoon, about four o’clock, from which hour it continued to increase until late on Tuesday morning, when it had attained an elevation of about 8 feet above its ordinary level, and in some confined places not less than 12 feet; and the quantity of water discharged by it may be estimated from the fact, that at the time of dead low water, the whole expanse of our harbour was filled to the height of an ordinary spring tide.

The water of Feugh rose so as to cover the bridge, but with the exception of carrying away a part of the parapet, it did no other damage. The aspect of this mountain stream, when at its height, was singularly awful and grand. “ A later report confirmed that the difference in water level on the day of the flood compared to a week later at the Bridge of Banchory was 24 feet. At the Bridge of Feugh, where part of the parapet had been swept away, it was reckoned to have been 27 feet 4 inches above normal levels!

Although there will have been many incidents in between, the headline in the Aberdeen Journal on The OldMill Inn and flooded pitches at Corbie Hall, Maryculter, Dec 2015 Wednesday 27th January 1937 reads: “TREMENDOUS SPATE ON RIVER DEE- GREATEST FLOODING RECORDED FOR 108 YEARS”.

“Monday’s rise of the river Dee was the greatest since the “Muckle Spate” of 1829. The height of the river at the Bridge of Dee, Aberdeen, was only eighteen inches below the flood-mark reached then.

At Cairnton the river rose fourteen feet above normal, while in 1920, the last time there was serious flooding, it rose twelve feet. – The river fell sharply yesterday, and the Dee valley seems safe from further damage at present.

The “Muckle Spate of ‘29” has become renowned in song and story of the North-east, and is commemorated in the flood-mark on the Bridge of Dee at Aberdeen. The 1829 mark still remains the highest, but it has been strongly challenged by Monday’s level. The latest is six inches higher than the level reached in 1920. Already officials of Aberdeen and Kincardine County Councils have been making inspections to ascertain the extent of the damage. Roads seem to have escaped lightly but several bridges have been badly damaged.

Of the bridges, the heaviest cost that will fall on the county councils seems to be the bridges at Maryculter and Crathes. Both will probably have to be closed for some time. A casual survey of the “Shakkin’ Briggie,” at Cults, reveals damage so extensive as to indicate the impracticability of repairing the present structure.

People residing along the valley of the Dee went in large numbers- and for miles in many cases- to visit the flood.

There was general agreement that never in living memory, had “sic a sicht” been witnessed.

21

The Muckle Spates continued Farmers sustained considerable loss. Not only were stacks of hay, turnips and outhouses washed away from inundated holdings, but sheep and poultry were drowned. During the height of the flooding, Mr Stewart, farmer at Inchferry, and his family had a trying ordeal.

The steading was surrounded by water, and the byres and stables were flooded. Horses were for a time almost up to their necks in water. One stirk was drowned and much damage was also done in the stackyard.”

The Stewart Family at Inchferry were also at the centre of the flood in November 1951.

Evening Express, Wednesday 7th November 1951: “DEESIDE FARM DEVASTATION” “It was cleaning up day to-day in the North-East. As the waters of Dee, Don and other rivers receded, housewives, farmers, industrialists and public officials surveyed damage running into thousands of pounds.

Mr Oliver Stewart, whose farm at Inchferry, Maryculter, was the scene of some of yesterday’s rescues, is probably the man hardest hit by the floods. An “Evening Express” reporter found him surveying a scene of devastation in and around the farm steading.

The twenty-one pigs which were swept away by the racing waters of the Dee were valued at about £4000.

He has also lost Tibby, his racing pony, which was well-known at shows in the North-East. All except a few of the poultry perished. Two cows which stood throughout the flood in a partly submerged court, are among the survivors. Damage to crop and property on the farm was equally heavy. The grain stacks are sodden. The approach road to the farm, on the improvement of which Mr Stewart spent £51 only last year, is in worse condition than ever. Fences in this devastated part of Deeside are festooned with straw and turnips – and in one case a dead hare caught on a wire. “ The previous night, the area had been the scene of an evacuation as 31 people had to be rescued from the flooding at the Inch of Culter, the Caravan Park and the Mill Inn. They were rescued by boatmen using a salmon coble from Aberdeen harbour – but not without a little drama.

“With the caravans cleared, the boatmen brought “ashore” on their seventh and last trip Mr J. Mathieson and Mrs O. Stewart, wife of the farmer of Inchferry, half a mile upstream, whose two daughters had been rescued earlier. But the aged couple, Mr and Mrs A. Stewart, parents of the farmer, steadfastly refused to leave their home. Mr Stewart, who is blind, is eighty, and his wife seventy-three. The old couple refused to move until one of the lifeboatmen noticed a photograph of a deep-sea fisherman on a grand piano in the room. The photograph showed a first mate who was in the same shipping company as the lifeboatman and prompted the remark: “Look here, ma’am, that photograph there shows a chap like myself who has not only been a deep-sea fisherman for several years but worked in the same company as I did”. The photograph was that of a son of Mrs Stewart. Mr Ritchie carried Mr Stewart to safety and sturdy Bill Lyon carried Mrs Stewart. Mr O. Stewart, the farmer, remained at the farm, along with a Polish farm hand, in order to care for the farm stock. He promised to leave if the flood water should threaten to rise.”

But all of this will seem strangely familiar to those who were affected by the floods in December and January–I am sure there will be many stories told to future generations of the “Muckle Spate of 2015”!

Callum Stuart 22

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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.

Jane and Ewen MacInnes, Home Farm, Maryculter Tel: 01224 732310 and 07889 340362 Email: homefarmmcdc@lineone.net www.marycultercarriages.co.uk 23

Solstice Nurseries Solstice Nurseries Solstice Nurseries is a social firm (that is a not for profit organisation) which works with people who are recovering from mental health issues.

We are having two Open Day events this year. These Open Days are a fantastic opportunity to sell our plants (herbaceous, grasses, heathers, alpines, climbers and shrubs) to the general public.

Growing People and Plants

The first Open Day is on Saturday the 28th May, 10.30am to 3pm, which is the end of Chelsea Flower Show when we are all thinking about our gardens.

The second Open Day is on Saturday the 9th of July between 10.30am and 2pm which is at the end of Hampden Court Flower Show, when we will have a variety of different plants in bloom for you to see and buy.

The local Guild has kindly agreed to come and share these events with us serving coffee /tea and home bakes.

Admission is by donation for Solstice funds, and we will be selling bric-a-brac (donations of bric-a-brac welcome) as well as having some new stalls and other activities - watch our website and facebook page for further details.

We look forward to seeing everyone who has continued to support us and some new faces too.

We are also at the Banchory-Devenick School Fair on 28th May, Westhill Wellbeing Event on Sunday 22nd May and Aberdeen Rock Garden Event at Duthie Park on 14th May Location/main entrance by South Deeside Road Drumduan Walled Garden, South Deeside Road, Banchory-Devenick, Aberdeenshire, AB12 5YL Tel 01224 865907 www.facebook.com/solsticenurseries www.solsticenurseries.co.uk

Sunnyside Home Farm

SOLSTICE NURSERIES

OPEN DAYS

The home of free range food

Sat 28th May 10.30am - 3.00pm

Free Range Eggs Hen, Duck & Goose

Sat 9th July 10.30am - 2.00 pm

Free Range Pork, Sausages & Bacon Saddleback & woolly Mangalitza

Admission by donation

Plants, trees, climbers and ferns for sale, homebakes, teas, coffees and lots more

Order online at http://www.SunnysideHomeFarm.com farm@SunnysideHomeFarm.com

Stalls including Papillon Landscapes, Beannachar Crafts, Sadie’s Pet Portraiture, Forever Living, Sunnyside Farm, Yatai

Sunnyside House Maryculter Aberdeen AB12 5GT

Drumduan Walled Garden, South Deeside Rd, Banchory-Devenick, AB12 5YL Tel 01224 865907

On B979 Netherley Road 24

tel: mob:

GMO Feed

01224 734415 07971 406021

SunnysideHomeFarm @SunHomeFarm

Preparing for birth is often compared to preparing for a marathon; a long lead up to the race, preparing both mind and body – and you wouldn’t approach a marathon, or for some of us, even a 5km race, without training.

Hypnobirthing is the perfect way to prepare for birth; it is a complete childbirth education program.

Couples who prepare using hypnobirthing look forward to their birth experience with joy and excitement, knowing that they are both prepared and ready to play an important part in their baby’s birth.

Fear is the enemy of birthing. When we feel fear our body prepares for danger. It diverts blood to our arms and legs ready to run and fight, taking blood and oxygen away from the muscles that we need to birth babies calmly and comfortably. Hypnobirthing uses self-hypnosis to create deep relaxation, allowing the muscles in the body to birth easily. It teaches breathing techniques which will create a feeling of calmness and control. It teaches mums-to-be about their own bodies and how they were designed to birth; it teaches how to prepare mentally and emotionally for birth. Fears relating to birth or pregnancy can easily be released, allowing women to approach birthing with joy and positive anticipation.

We’ve all seen the role of new fathers in birth through films or TV programs – whether fainting in the corner, refusing to enter the birthing room or being clawed to bits by his partner! The generally perceived role in our society involves the dad looking awkward and feeling helpless.

It doesn’t have to be this way at all. Hypnobirthing is a wonderful way for fathers to prepare for birth; it provides education about the biology of birthing so everyone understands how birthing works. They can play an integral role in ensuring a calm, comfortable birth for their partner and be the advocate for the safe birthing of their wee one; and can make a huge difference in how positive the experience is for all involved.

The couple learn about self-hypnosis together so the dad learns how to help the mum deeply relax, so that her muscles can work well and in comfort. Light touch massage is taught, which boosts the production of endorphins which block pain signals. Both parents will have time to work through any fears or anxieties they may have about labour and birth.

Most importantly it puts mum and dad back in control of the birth and lets them approach it with positive excitement.

If you would like more information about Hypnobirthing contact Jade Gordon at Aberdeen Hypnobirthing on 01569 549 530 or 07930 599 432 www.aberdeenhypnobirthing.co.uk

25

Kincardine & Deeside Befriending

Kincardine & Deeside Befriending

VACANCY - Honorary Treasurer An Honorary Treasurer is required for Kincardine & Deeside Befriending to support a successful local charity in its quest to reduce loneliness in older people Kincardine & Deeside Befriending is looking for a Committee Member with financial experience to oversee the organisation’s financial affairs.

This is an opportunity to become involved with a local charity that is operating a much-needed befriending scheme for older people with three members of staff and 100 volunteers. It was established in 1996, and has recently been nominated for the Queen’s Award (this is like an MBE for volunteer groups and recognises the outstanding work volunteers in the field and on management committees have done in their own communities).

The Treasurer will be working in co-operation with the Administrator in the Stonehaven office, and will guide and advise the Management Committee on all matters relating to the financial administration and charity accounting of Kincardine & Deeside Befriending. The Treasurer will be a member of the Management Committee, and will need to attend its meetings (2 hours every 6-8 weeks).

The Charity is able to reimburse reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

Anyone interested should call the office on 01569 765714 or email info@kdbefriending.org.uk You can find out more about our work on our website at www.kdbefriending.org.uk.

Come along and enjoy our 7000ft Indoor Play Den

Blairs Museum offers a unique insight into Scotland's Catholic history and heritage with spectacular collections spanning more than 500 years.

Amazing Racing Slide & 4 Lane Astro Slide, Climbing Wall Tower, Giant Ball Canyon Awesome Sports Arena, 140 seater restaurant Birthday Parties from £10.99 All weather attraction at Storybook Glen with 20 acres of active outdoor learning Free Parking

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.

Open daily 10am - 5.30pm Den Entrance Fees Under 1yr FREE 1-3 yrs £3.95 4+ yrs £4.95 Adults/OAPs FREE

Glen Entrance Fees Under 1yr FREE 1-3 yrs £3.95 4-14 yrs £4.95 Adults/OAPs £2.95 During busy periods, admission is limited to 90 mins

The Den and the Glen, Maryculter, off South Deeside Road, Aberdeen AB12 5FT, Tel 01224 732941

For details of upcoming events please visit www.blairsmuseum.com manager@blairsmuseum.com Tel: 01224 863767

www.storybookglenaberdeen.co.uk

26

Chapelton Since the last issue of the Review the number of Chapelton residents has more than doubled. There are 75 homes occupied and nearly all the apartments in Hume Square are now lit up, transforming the area into a real community.

Teacake has also moved into their new larger premises there and still queues are forming outside to taste their popular cake selection and lunchtime soups and sandwiches.

At the end of October Provost Vernal opened Hume Square witnessed by residents, the building teams and local councillors. Shortly afterwards Linda Pirie opened the doors at Croft Nurseries and now has nearly 50 young children in its care.

With the square complete, work at Chapelton has been focused on three key aspects through the winter. Firstly, there has been a number of events organised to welcome and introduce the new house owners. The second task has been to attract publicity for what has already been achieved on site and to encourage more visitors from further afield to come and see the building quality in the town. Lastly a good deal of attention has been paid to looking forward and adapting the plans to meet the requirements of the area and local needs.

Residents have got together for an advent Christmas Lights party in Teacake and gathered at St Ternan’s for their first family Christmas carol service. A neighbourhood watch talk has been organised and an Easter Egg hunt set up at Elsick House for all ages. Looking forward there are more community woodland plantings with barbecues and we are hoping to do a big charity bike ride and walk starting and finishing at Chapelton in early September.

During the autumn the BBC came to film the emerging community and we are looking forward to seeing the results shortly. ‘How Scotland Works’ was a popular documentary programme and Chapelton will be featured on the first episode of the next series. A radio advertising campaign using residents’ comments appeared on Original 106 and NorthSound for a month and this has been followed up with a printed publicity campaign this spring.

The winter months have given the team a chance to plan and design the next stages of Cairnhill. Having listened to comments from locals and analysed the need in the area we are holding an Open Day to showcase the ideas and designs that have come forward. Single storey cottages (or bungalows) feature and so do several new house types alongside a pub with apartments above and a retirement ‘village’.

www.chapeltonofelsick.com info@chapeltonofelsick.com Facebook: Chapelton

27

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: Les Paterson 01224 868676

Your Local Farm Shop

Good food and drink, using the best of local produce and suppliers

Open 11am to late Wednesday to Sunday

What is produced at the shop?

Serving Coffee, Lunches and Dinners

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!

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

Open daily except Sunday from 9am to 6pm

Having a special event that needs catered or want us to take our restaurant to you?

Let our sister company take care of it.

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

www.smart-cuisine.co.uk

28

Beannachar Camphill Community

Having worked here at Beannachar for around 12 years as

a driver and I recently got the opportunity to live on site and have taken over the role of Maintenance Coordinator.

Now having lived here for over a year now I decided it would be an idea to set up a weather station. There is a huge range of equipment available on the market. However, most is aimed at the basic home user, and tends to be unreliable and inaccurate. I decided to invest in a semi-professional system which consists of an automated rain gauge, anemometer and outdoor temperature sensor, and provides quite accurate measurements. The data is then uploaded automatically to various online weather logging sites. I also wanted to set up a dedicated website of my own to display the data.

This proved to be the most time consuming part to get all the data pulled together and displayed correctly. I have also tried to include additional data from third parties which may be of local interest.

I recently made the addition of a webcam to display the current local conditions. Currently this uploads a still image every two minutes. The website is still work in progress, and I hope to make further additions where possible. Hopefully, I will be able to make it a bit more interactive, allowing local people to contribute weather related news and pictures.

Each April we organise our own litter clear up of Tollohill Woods, which borders on to our estate. Aberdeenshire Council provides us with litter pickers and and arranges uplift of the rubbish. Each year we clear an unbelievable amount of litter from the woods. It's quite shocking really. The woods are owned by Banchory Leggart Estates who decided to open them up for public access about 13 years ago. Generally the public are quite considerate and respectful on how they use this area, but litter tends to be a big problem. It's quite surprising how some dog walkers will clear up their dog waste, then throw there bag into the bushes, or tie it to a tree ! The estate doesn't provide litter bins, and users are expected to take their waste away with them.

There have also been some problems around the Tollohill area with some dog walkers cutting through ďŹ elds and private property, and even cutting large holes in fences to let their dogs through.

This has caused some frustration for farmers and local residents. We are fortunate in Scotland to have a right to roam, but regretfully, this can often be abused by some.

At Beannachar we now have two new craft workshops which have relocated over from Camphill's Murtle Estate at Milltimber. A sculpture workshop, and a Tools For Self Reliance workshop which works with http://www.tfsr.org/ and receives donated hand tools and refurbishes them to provide tool kits for third world countries. These workshops are a new addition to our existing ones which provide a variety of skills and training for our students at Beannachar.

Andy Slapp 


www.beannachar.co.uk 29

01224 861200

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

30

MP, MSP and Councillors Stuart Donaldson MP

Maureen Watt MSP

It is a great pleasure to be able to contribute to the South Deeside view. Since entering Parliament I have been championing causes that are important to people living in West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine.

This has included access to broadband and problems with internet providers particularly BT. Access to decent internet is so important to many aspects of our lives. I was delighted that the Scottish Government has put an extra £10 million towards broadband infrastructure in Aberdeen city and shire. However, despite improvements in infrastructure there are many who will still experience difficulty in accessing internet speeds fit for 21st century lifestyles. If you are experiencing problems with accessing the internet or in dealings with your internet providers, I would encourage you to get in contact with me and I will endeavour to help.

The recent drop in oil prices has had an effect on jobs across the North East including in West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine. That is why I have been pursuing the Government to reduce the tax burden on the oil and gas industry. This will hopefully restore confidence and ensures the oil and gas industry survives and thrives, whilst continuing to encourage the innovation skills and experience that the industry is already world class in.

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 828171 or by email Stuart.Donaldson.MP@parliament.uk.

Since the last issue, flooding has badly affected much of Deeside.

People have rallied together and worked with charities and government to assist those most affected, demonstrating the best of Deeside community spirit. I was pleased to support the Scottish Government in providing £16m of funding to assist affected homes and businesses. I have also worked with colleagues in calling for Aberdeen City and Shire Councils to ensure the money was made available as quickly as possible to those who needed it.

My colleagues Stuart Donaldson MP and Callum Mccaig MP have pushed for the UK Government to apply for EU Solidarity Fund money to further assist, which eventually happened. I am pleased that an application has finally been made, and I hope additional support will be available. I hope people who were affected are now managing to get things back to normal.

By the time you read this, campaigning for the Scottish Parliament election will be well underway.

It’s good to spend time talking to people across every corner of the constituency with an enthusiastic team, even though the weather has been unusually poor this spring. Whatever your politics, it’s worth considering the options and making sure you manage to cast both your votes.

I hope everyone here in South Deeside has a good summer. I’ve been supporting VisitScotland’s #scotspirit campaign, where we can all highlight the best of our local area. This summer might be a good time to remember what a beautiful, welcoming part of the world we live in, and take a wee break in our own part of the world. We know how much Deeside has to offer, so let’s make sure others do too!

Would you like to reach all the households in the rural North Kincardine area?

This publication is hand-delivered to over 1000 premises Two issues per year in Spring and Autumn Why not consider placing an ad in the South Deeside View?

Contact Lynne on 01569 739132 31

Email:sdeesideview@yahoo.co.uk

MP, MSP and Councillors Cllr Ian Mollison

Three issues have been dominating the headlines locally over the last few weeks – the Chapelton development, the state of local roads, and building of the Aberdeen by-pass.

The last two are of course connected. The community council has been very active in keeping the impact on the locality at the top of the agenda.

Their public meetings are well attended with bypass contractors and council officers being held to account. No doubt these issues are well documented elsewhere in the South Deeside View.

As well as the state of local roads caused by heavy traffic for the by-pass there was also great debate about extending the hours construction work could be carried out. I was pleased when council officers ruled out Sunday working locally. The officers who decided on the application were I am sure influenced by the strong case put forward by residents.

One anomaly which surfaced (if you pardon the play on words) was the different way repairs to damage caused by contractors’ vehicles was carried out. Only in our part of the bypass was the work carried out by council employees and the contractors billed. North of the Dee that work is carried out by the contractors directly. Thankfully that is being resolved as the amount of work was draining council resources away from road maintenance elsewhere.

Turning to Chapelton, the developers are planning to build bungalows and a boutique hotel in the next stage. I am aware that there has been a great deal of interest in the bungalows, especially as few developers are providing any.

Meanwhile the Duke of Fife has won a court battle over whether some £8 million should be paid to the North East's strategic transport fund. The Court of Session has ruled in favour of the Chapelton developer, and they need only pay £287,000. They funding was due to be used on major projects such as a new bridge across the Dee. The decision could have implications for councils across Scotland.

Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Authority is considering appealing to the Supreme Court.

32

Finally I should add my congratulations to the trustees of the Corbie Hall for all the work they – and many others - have done in bringing it back into use after the major flooding earlier this year.

Remarkable.

Cllr Carl Nelson

In late December 2015 into early January 2016, Storm Frank (and two subsequent periods of persistent rainfall) resulted in unprecedented rainfall across Aberdeenshire causing widespread and large scale flooding for multiple areas.

A major incident was declared on two occasions requiring large scale multi-agency response and recovery efforts. Significant damage was caused creating long term and high cost infrastructure and community impacts.

Police Scotland chaired the multi-agency response phase of Storm Frank, with the initial event focussing on Deeside. At the meeting of the Local Resilience Partnership (LRP) on 31 December 2015, responsibility for the recovery phase was passed to Aberdeenshire Council.

Following the initial response phase which lasted several weeks, all the emergency services and various Aberdeenshire departments, and many volunteers, worked to help those who had lost their homes and businesses. Of course there was also serious damage to bridges, caravan sites, and roads.

A Strategic Recovery Group (SRG) chaired by Stephen Archer, Director of Infrastructure Services was set up with representatives from every council department serving on it, including Area Managers. The SRG will report to the Strategic Leadership Team and Council Committees as appropriate.

The SRG’s aim is: “Working with local communities to restore Aberdeenshire to normality” Strategic objectives are: Working across the Council and the community to ensure: Local communities are engaged, consulted, informed and supported at all stages of the recovery process.

MP, MSP and Councillors The safety and welfare of all engaged in the delivery of the recovery plan.

All Council’s infrastructure, assets and roads are repaired.

The health, wellbeing and housing needs of communities are met.

Appropriate governance and resources are in place to deliver the recovery plan.

Donations to the fund can be made at https:// www.foundationscotland.org.uk/flood-recoveryappeal/donate-aberdeenshire/ Those wishing to apply for funds can do so at: https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/floodrecovery-appeal/apply-for-funding/ It was moving to attend the meeting of the South Deeside Under Fives at which the difficult but necessary decision was taken to suspend the group temporarily. The Committee had given every effort to finding an alternative outcome, and their commitment was greatly appreciated.

Aberdeenshire Council officers are aware of the importance of this type of early years’ provision in the area.

These are only a few of the many strategic objectives. Work is ongoing to establish the full extent and costs of the damage caused and remedial action required to restore normality. The scale of the Council infrastructure damage alone will result in recovery costs potentially running into millions of pounds and may require a request for financial support from Scottish Government.

The work on the AWPR continues to create challenges for residents and the Community Detailed survey work is being undertaken across all Council has been very helpful in setting up affected areas with a number of options being meetings with the team. Any issues relating to the developed to return affected areas back to normal. construction project can be referred to John Once detailed cost estimates are known, they will Wilson by email to JohnW@aberdeencity.gov.uk be collated, prioritised, reported and monitored as or can be raised by popping into the AWPR Visitor part of the recovery programme governance.

Centre at the foot of the Netherley Road. Road defects can be reported to the Council through I hope you can see from this report that the Aberdeenshire website.

Aberdeenshire Council has a long, hard task ahead of it. We wish them well.

In February the Budget agreed by Aberdeenshire Council included a substantial increase to the Area Top-Up Fund. Any groups wishing to apply to this Cllr Alison Evison fund should contact Karen McWilliam at Viewmount in Stonehaven.

The floods which hit Aberdeenshire caused huge suffering to individuals, devastated businesses and attacked the heart of the community. The response by residents however was fantastic, and the teams of volunteers which came together to help in the recovery showed the real spirit of this area. I recently attended a meeting of Culter Community Council, and was impressed to hear positive discussion about helping our area south of the river after the floods.

The work of the North Kincardine Public Art Group, with which I have been involved, is progressing rapidly and a treasure map of local walks should soon be available. This will be accompanied by a web-site with details of places of interest. Hopefully this will inspire many exciting explorations in North Kincardine.

Congratulations to Portlethen Academy for the excellent progress being made in both achievement and attainment. It is great to see Portlethen appearing in many positive media reports, whether for international work in the curriculum, education-business partnerships with local companies, or for music and sport.

Finally, congratulations also to all those involved in the successful community buy-out of the Kirkton of Maryculter Wood. This is a real asset which will no doubt be well-used.

Aberdeenshire Council is supporting a Flood Recovery Appeal set up by Foundation Scotland, which will distribute funds to support individuals and community organisations recovering from the effects of the flooding. Grants are available to individuals as well as to voluntary and community groups. It is expected that the fund will provide a legacy of support for future need.

Surgeries are held in Portlethen Academy on the 2nd Monday of every month 7pm -8pm (excluding July and August). Visit my website at www.alisonevisonscottishlabour.com.

33

Stonehaven Heated Open Air Pool is a unique attraction offering healthy fun every day in summer; and it’s on the doorstep for anyone in South Deeside!

Open every day, the season is from late May to early September.

The first impression of the pool is that it’s huge – built to the Olympic-size of the 1930s, it’s just over 50m long and about 18m wide. It is surrounded by an attractive, art-deco building which shelters the pool and sunbathing terraces. When diving into the water, or walking down the steps, your first thoughts are of how warm the water is! The buoyant, salty seawater is filtered, disinfected and heated to a fairly constant 29°C; usually warmer than much of the Mediterranean.

The pool is staffed and operated to a high standard by Aberdeenshire Council while the charity “The Friends of Stonehaven Open Air Swimming Pool” fundraise and volunteer their time to maintain, promote and enhance the Pool. These efforts result in fun for kids with sessions on the inflatable swoopee, float toys and a paddling pool for the smallest ‘swimmers’. Also popular with kids, but enjoyed by all ages, is the long (and fast!) chute. The Splash café serves hot and cold drinks and tasty snacks daily, while outside there is lots of free parking.

There are quiet swims with no music and no unaccompanied children, times with lanes available for serious swimming, as well as the Fun Session times. In high season – the local school holidays – opening hours are longer and there are weekly midnight swims with disco music.

Tickets are valid all day, and there are multi-day and season tickets available to buy which offer good value to locals. Full details of opening dates, times and prices are on the website www.stonehavenopenairpool.co.uk and Facebook: Stonehaven Heated Open Air Pool Tel 01569 762134 Email: friends@stonehavenopenairpool.co.uk

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

Independent, local wine merchant, personally sourcing wines from around the world.

From everyday easy drinking wines, to fine wines and champagnes. Most of our wines are not available anywhere else in the area.

Mixed cases available, delivery included.

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

Sinead Graham Sunnyside Farmhouse Maryculter AB12 5GT Email: sinead@schlossrothenburg.com Web: www.schlossrothenburg.co.uk Tel: 01224 733110 34

A Wee Dram?

A Wee Dram?

Until it closed in 1986, a Mass was offered every Wednesday in the Blairs College chapel for the college’s benefactors. Sadly the many who contributed to the college over its 157 year history are infrequently remembered now. Thanks to a recent enquiry I had a chance to do a little research of my own into one of those benefactors. The chapel opened in 1901 and above the altar is a four part stained glass window by the firm, Mayer of Munich. The left section depicts the Annunciation with the inscription: ‘Please pray for the benefactor John Gordon Smith Esq. Minmore.’

John Gordon Smith was born in Glenlivet in 1822 and was sent to Blairs College as a lay student for further education at a time when most would have left school by the age of 10. His father, George, was a whisky distiller who, in 1824, had made himself unpopular with some by obtaining a licence to distil so that it was all legal and above board when most were not. After leaving Blairs John worked in a bank in Elgin and then in a lawyers’ office in Edinburgh. He was considered by his father to be the more able of his two sons to learn about commerce and the law while his older brother, William, provided the practical help to his father in running the family business which included farming as well as distilleries. Tragically William succumbed to consumption (tuberculosis) in 1846 aged 28 so John moved back to Elgin to finish his legal training and spend more time helping his father – the distilleries could not meet the demand. Indeed the brand was so successful that others were using the name ‘Glenlivet’ in order to enhance their sales. In 1870 John and his father registered the name as their trademark, a year before his father’s death. But it was not until 1884 and after a fortune had been spent in legal fees that the matter was eventually settled with John solely able to use the name ‘The Glenlivet.’ demonstrated even in music by James Scott Skinner’s popular Strathspey entitled ‘The Glenlivet’ and dedicated to Major Smith, Minmore.

John was a great innovator embracing the latest technology to further improve the business - he installed a telephone at the distillery in 1895; in the following year electric light, using the distillery’s steam engine and in 1897 a steam motor cart made its appearance. John did not marry but by the end of his life in 1901, had made ‘The Glenlivet’ the world famous brand it remains to this day with every bottle bearing his name after his father’s: ‘George and JG Smith.’ Both are buried in the graveyard at Tombae, Glenlivet.

A detail from the portrait by Horsburgh presented to John Gordon Smith by the 6th Volunteer Battalion, Gordon Highlanders.

Courtesy of Chivas Brothers’ Archive.

During his life John was active in the community – joining the 6th Volunteer Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders at its inception in 1867 and becoming its honorary colonel after his retirement in 1891; breeding polled (hornless) and shorthorn cattle (prize winners at the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland) and Clydesdale horses; sitting on several local committees particularly overseeing roads in Upper Banffshire and also on the board of the Great North of Scotland Railway; serving as a deputy lieutenant as well as an honorary sheriff-substitute of Banffshire and sponsoring many community and charity events in the Glen. And he did not forget Blairs College.

John is described as a ‘liberal benefactor to the College and contributed to the new chapel at his Alma Mater, Blairs College, which was officially opened on the 23rd October 1901 with the Bishop of Aberdeen and former rector, Aeneas Chisholm, preaching. Bishop Chisholm was grateful to the benefactors: “I wish to ask you one and all to join in the great act of worship – the first Mass which is being said in this church to-day – first in thanksgiving to Almighty God who has raised up those benefactors, and secondly in a fervent act of impetration that He would shower down upon them all manner of graces and benedictions, whether they be living or dead : if living, an ever increase of grace and happiness; if dead, that He would grant them peace and life everlasting with Himself.”

Unfortunately John had died a few weeks earlier on the 13th September and because of failing health, it seems unlikely that he ever saw his window in its place above the Blairs College chapel altar. May he and all the benefactors of Blairs College be rewarded as Bishop Chisholm wished. And perhaps we can also remember John Gordon Smith, Blairentian, with a wee dram!

Ian Forbes, student and teacher at Blairs College and manager of Blairs Museum.

Blairs Museum, South Deeside Road, Blairs, Aberdeen AB12 5YQ tel 01224 863767 Email manager@blairsmuseum.com www.blairsmuseum.com 35

Meikle Carewe Wind Farm South Deeside View & North Kincardine Rural Community Council

Meikle Carewe Wind Farm

PLANT SALE & COFFEE MORNING

The Meikle Carewe Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund supported several groups and projects in the area during 2015.

Local groups who benefitted were Maryculter Driving For The Disabled £1200, Maryculter Friendship Club £1000, Maryculter Woodlands Trust £1260 and Lairhillock School Parent Council £3075.

Great Selection of bushes, seedlings, herbaceous plants, herbs, vegetables & anything else green and growing!

The fund is administered by Kincardineshire Development Partnership (KDP) and managed by a Decision Making Panel made up of members of the local community councils.

The fund is open for applications from 1 July to 30 September. A panel made up of representatives from the community council areas along with a representative from Kincardineshire Development Partnership (KDP) will then meet in November to consider applications. www.kincardineshiredp.org/wind-farmfunding.html

SATURDAY 14th MAY 10.30am - noon CORBIE HALL, MARYCULTER

Adults £2.50 Children 50p includes tea/coffee/juice & homebakes

Profits going to Maryculter Scouts who are kindly assisting on the day

Aberdeenshire Hypnotherapy

You can find out more about the Wind Farm itself at www.meikle-carewe.co.uk

Are you having problems with Stress and Anxiety, Lack of Confidence, Phobias and Fears, Weight Issues Smoking, Sleeping?

Are these holding you back?

Aberdeenshire Hypnotherapy can help Now offering a half price taster/relaxation session to see if it feels right for you!

Friday 10th June

Emma Armes Dip. Hyp (HSOH) GQHP GHR Reg. CNHC Reg.

Find us on Facebook: Aberdeenshire Hypnotherapy

Phone: 07415-535445 Email: aberdeenshirehypnotherapy@gmail.com based in Cammachmore, opposite Newtonhill

36

Are you due a £122 rebate on your electricity bill from the Wind Farm? £8,300 unclaimed!

Meikle Carewe Wind Farm Community Fund Applications open 1st July 2016

Did you know that there is £8,396 unclaimed from residents in the Meikle Carewe Wind Farm area who are eligible for a discount on their electricity bills?

That’s over 60 homes. LEDS (Local Electricity Discount Scheme), appliable to Meikle Carewe Wind Farm, is offering people living and working within 3.5 kilometres of the 12-turbine wind farm an a n n u a l d i s c o u n t o f £ 12 2 o f f t h e i r electricity bill. The first LEDS payments at Meikle Carewe Wind Farm were made in May 2014. Make sure you get yours!

Check if this applies to you by visiting

Applications for funds can be from groups and projects which benefit the communities living in our area.

Over £20,000 available. Guidance and applications forms can be found on the Kincardishire Development Plan website at

www.kincardineshiredp.org/ wind-farm-funding

www.res-leds.com

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Useful Numbers and Information 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

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

Councillor Alastair Bews 01224 784594 cllr.a.bews@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Councillor Alison Evison 07855 682845 cllr.a.evison@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Twitter @Alison2812 Facebook: Alison Evison Scottish Labour for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine

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

Castles

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

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

Crathes Castle, Garden and Estate

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.

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

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Useful Numbers and Information 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

Lairhillock School Christine Saward Tel 01569 732520, Email : lairhillock.sch@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Cookney Community Hall Willie Angus Tel 01569 730123 Email: wgangus@btinternet.com

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

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

Maryculter Church Hall & Glebe Field Anne Massie Tel 01224 732071

Mobile Library

Aberdeenshire Council

Fortnightly on Thursdays www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk

General Enquiries 03456 081208 www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk

26 May, 9, 23 June, 7, 21 July. Call for future dates.

Police

Kirkton of Maryculter

Fernieslack Cottage, Blairs Dolleuchars Croft

Banchory-Devenick Crossroads

Emergencies

Non-emergencies Crimestoppers

Drugs Information Line

9.00-9.10am 9.20-9.30am 9.30-9.40am 10.05-10.25am

Get AWPR updates ONLINE

MEETINGS

999 or 112 101 0800 555 111 0800 371 553

Transport Scotland www.transport.gov.scot North Kincardine Rural Community Council (NKRCC) website www.nkrcc.org.uk NKRCC meetings are held on the 3rd Monday each month (excluding July and December) Come along and ask questions of the people involved and see their presentations.

Please check NKRCC website for information about individual meeting attendees and topics.

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What’s On May 14

Plant Sale - NKRCC SDV

14

Solstice Nurseries at Duthie Park

16

NKRCC Meeting

22

Solstice Nurseries at Westhill Wellbeing

28

Solstice Nurseries Open Day

28

Banchory-Devenick School Fair

In-TREE-ging!

Will this tenacious trunk go down in history?

Rooted defiantly in front of Kingcausie House, Maryculter, it’s making a last stand against the AWPR slicing and blasting all around it.

What is its survival secret?

Do you know?

June 4

Aberdeen Aeromodellers Heli Nats

5

Aberdeen Aeromodellers Heli Nats

9/10/11 10 16/17

Culter Theatre Club Production - Blithe Spirit Cookney Hall Coffee Morning Ury Players Production - Chase Me Up Farndale Ave

20

NKRCC AGM

26

Aberdeen Aeromodellers Longest Day Fly-in

July 1

Meikle Carewe Community Fund opens for applications

4

Redwing Riding School Open Day

9

Solstice Nurseries Open Day

Aug 15

NKRCC Meeting

Sep 19

NKRCC Meeting

30

Meikle Carewe Community Fund applications last day

South Deeside View Published in spring and autumn Lynne 01569 739132 sdeesideview@yahoo.co.uk

Oct 17

NKRCC Meeting

29

Halloween Dance at Cookney Hall

Emma 01569 731052 southdeesideview@gmail.com 40