Fountain The
FREE!
A Community Magazine for Aboyne
issue 25
summer 2021
STRACHAN’S Serving Royal Deeside for Four Generations
Newsagents
Ice Cream
Confectionery
Malt Whiskies
Photocopying & Laminating
Wines & Spirits
Hardware Games
By appointment to HM The Queen General Merchants
Stationery
Haberdashery
Lottery
Calor Gas
Balloons & Party Gifts
Paints
Pet Foods
Toys and Puzzles
Main St Aboyne AB34 5HT 013398 86121
Grocery
Gardening
Delicatessen Fishing Supplies
and lots more...! 2 Golf Rd Ballater AB35 5RE 013397 755452
www.georgestrachanltd.com
By appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales General Merchants
Want in The Fountain?
For adver�sing and editorial, please note the copy deadlines below and use the contacts listed at the bottom of the page DEADLINES . FEB 1 . MAY 1 . AUG 1 . NOV 1 PUBLISHED MAR JUNE SEPT DEC
“Waiting to Fly” at Deeside Gliding Club
Contents Pram Walks Your Co-op News Notice Board Water Safety Re-fill Yer Boots! Film Wins For EE In Lady V’s Shoes Live Life Set Up For Summer... Bike Park Lift Councillors’ Contacts Advertisers’ Index Ad Rates/Copy Dates Small Ads
7 8 11 15 17 19 20 27 32 34 38 42 43 42
Welcome to Issue 25 of The Fountain Can you believe we have now reached six years of Fountains? I am delighted at how the magazine has grown and developed over that time, and ever grateful to all the advertisers, contributers and supporters who have kept it going through thick and thin. This volume boasts 44 pages over the Spring’s 36; as restrictions have lifted, more activities have recommenced and more existing and new businesses have something to say, we have had to expand a little to accommodate them all! Further expansion in distribution is also possibly on the horizon, for which I will need your help – see p4 for details... In these pages you can read all about Victoria Kennedy’s family adventures at Knockiehill, a very local election, news from your Co-op, Grampian Transport Museum, water safety advice for the summer months (or any months) and a new band of Pram Walkers taking the village by storm (thanks to Jennie Duncan for our adorable front cover). Remember that community information is FREE to include in these pages, so if you have any news for the Autumn edition, tell me about it by August 1st if you can. Cat Houston – Design/Editor
get in touch via email to catrionahouston@yahoo.co.uk
or call Cat on 013397 55243/07805 731401 www.myriadpro.co.uk find us on facebook
3
Do you have something to share? Group or individual, let The Fountain know what you are up to, using the contacts on p3 and 42.
Help deliver The Fountain (and earn a few quid for your cause...)
This issue marks six years of The Aboyne Fountain Community Magazine. I love every aspect of producing all three of the Myriad Pro titles, including the on-foot deliveries, but lives and times change. I’d like to expand the distribution of all the magazines and I’m just about to lose my chief helper to her first job...! So, I’d like to invite individuals, groups and organisations from the Aboyne area (inc Tarland, Dess, Dinnet, Finzean and Kinker) to consider delivering a batch of magazines every quarter – in March, June, September and December – to just their street or area, in return for a small donation to any charity or cause of their choice, starting with the Autumn 21 issue. Rates will be 10p a copy. It soon adds up...! If you think this has your name on it, get in touch via The Fountain Facebook page, or email catrionahouston@yahoo. co.uk, with a rough estimate (or an exact number!) of the houses in your street/area you wish to cover. Hopefully between us we can arrange greater coverage of the magazine, and benefit a few folk and good causes while we are at it. It’s good exercise too! 18+ only. Thank you in advance. Cat :-)
4
Lucky 13?
Nominations are being sought to fill all 13 vacancies on Mid Deeside Community Council Nomination forms can be downloaded from the council’s website at www. aberdeenshire.gov.uk/communities-andevents/community-councils/cc-election/ or for assistance please contact the Marr Office at 01975 520400 or email marr@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk Forms must be returned by 4pm on Thursday 3 June 2021 to marr@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk and a ballot will take place on Thursday 10 June, 2021, (time and place to be confirmed), if the nominees outnumber the places available. The MDCC’s AGM will take place online on Thursday 24 June, 2021 at 7pm. For further information to join the AGM, please contact: middeesidecommunitycouncil@ gmail.com. More in the centre pages too.
Now Open
Milk Hoose The
At Cambus O’May
The Milkhoose Café offers a selection of cheese based treats, daily specials and light meals, homebakes, great coffee as well as hot and cold drinks. Open Daily 10am–5pm. Tables now booking at themilkhoose.com and 01339 753113
Cheese Shop
Sample the range of Cambus O’ May cheeses, crafted by hand from local milk on-site. We also have a select range of fine cheeses, condiments and jams from Scottish artisan makers.
Visitor Experience
There’s not much we don’t know about cheese! Visit us to find out more about this 4,000 year old food. See us in action, using traditional methods to make cheese using our treasured family recipes.
Cambus O’May Creamery, Café & Visitor Centre is located in Royal Deeside on the River Dee, 2 miles east of Ballater on the Deeside Way · AB35 5SD cambusomay.com | tel 01339 753113 | info@cambusomay.com
CambusCheese cambuscheese cambuscheese
5
Jack Nesbit – Blacksmith Aesthetic and practical compositions in metal
Bespoke items for the home interior and garden Repair and fabrication Sculpture Visit Jack Nesbit – Blacksmith on Facebook Email: j.nesbit.blacksmith@gmail.com Call: 07951253409
Drumgesk Farm, Dess, Aboyne, AB34 5BJ
These Prams Are Made for Walking... Locked down parents need to escape, writes Jennie Duncan
I made the decision to set up Aboyne Pram Walks to enable local mums to meet up in larger numbers during the Covid-19 restrictions. I was lucky to know many lovely mums and babies from my street but was conscious that others might not be so fortunate. I also wanted my 10-month-old baby girl, Amelie, to have the opportunity to see lots of different faces after spending the majority of her life in lockdown. Aboyne Pram Walks follows the Covid-19 guidance of the Scottish Buggy Group. Since January, buggy groups have been popping up all over Scotland enabling babies and parents to enjoy some socialising. All attendees must complete a track and trace form before attending and a rigorous risk assessment ensures everyone is kept safe. Our walks have been attended by over 25 different families. Toddlers recently enjoyed a forest toddle and play in the woods. New mums and smaller babies have enjoyed pram walks around Aboyne and the Bell Wood. Picnics on the green in Aboyne have been the biggest success with the little ones enjoying playing together whilst the mums exchange sleep strategies, birth stories and adult chat! Aboyne Pram Walks is taking part in the Barnardo’s big toddle on July 3rd. This is a national event that encourages the littlest of leggies to get out walking and raise some funds for this worthwhile charity. We have currently raised £800 and counting! A huge thank you to all of those that have donated so far. You can find our JustGiving page at: www.justgiving. com/fundraising/aboynebigtoddle2021. We still have spaces for other little friends to join us – the more the merrier! We have lots more fun events planned including a daddy take-over, forest activities, picnics and more pram walks. If you would like to get involved please find our Facebook page, Aboyne Pram Walks, or email us at aboynepramwalks@gmail.com A huge thank you to everyone in the community that has joined us on our walks come rain or shine and made each event so much fun. Amelie has enjoyed meeting lots of new friends and I have loved lots of chats and laughs!
7
News from your Co-op store What a year it’s been! writes Gemma Massie We have had our highs and lows at the Co-op, like everyone else! Last Spring was chaotic to say the least but we were very fortunate that our store remained open and our team remained healthy! We would like to thank all of you for your kind words, praise and laughs that have gotten us all through the Covid pandemic! SAMH: Mental Health Matters: We have had a tremendous year fundraising for SAMH and to date we have raised £3,300. We couldn’t have done that without your support, or our fantastic team who kick-started with a sponsored walk from Ballater Co-op to Aboyne Co-op! Long Service: We celebrated Arlene’s 30 years of service and Hazel’s 20 years.
8
Community Involvement: We worked in partnership with Cash for Kids – Mission Christmas and collected a fantastic amount of gifts. Recently we have been able to support our local primary school with donations for Fairtrade Fortnight and activity packs for Chinese New Year and Mother’s Day. We also donate to our local Foodbank every four weeks. Changes In Store: Sadly we said goodbye to our Team Manager Lesley and Store Manager Chaz. We wish them all the best in their new stores. Welcome back to Tony Butler, who has taken on the role of Store Manager. Your Store Your Say: Your feedback to us is very important and by completing our survey you can be in with the chance of winning £250 of Co-op vouchers! https://www.yourstoreyoursay.com You can enter the details from your receipt or our store number, which is 4555. Every survey is read by management and passed on to our team. Co-op Membership: We’ve doubled the amount we give back to our communities via the membership card. Download the app and you get weekly offers tailored to your shop! If you’ve not already registered, you can register here: https://www.coop.co.uk/membership
... MAN with a VAN ...
House Clearances Licensed Waste Removal Delivery Services Removal Services Friendly | Compassionate Professional | Local
Call Kev
07579 824061 corybegservices@gmail.com
Established 1998
speed
well
FRAMING
Friendly, Reliable Service
Plan A Electrical All your current needs
Wide Range of Quality Materials in Stock
Paintings, Photographs & Mirrors Needlework, Sports Shirts & Objects Framing Canvas Stretching and More...
t: 013398 80448 m: 07766 176 186
All types of electrical installation work Inspection and Testing (including EICR & PAT) Fault-finding and problem rectification Signal cabling: TV – Satellite – Audio – Telecomms Networking – Alarms
No job too small
e: jay.speedwell@intamail.com
07535-312759
Inchmarnoch Dinnet Aboyne AB34 5NX
contact@planaelectrical.com www.planaelectrical.com
It’s more than a year since the Mid Deeside Day Centre met at the Victory Hall Aboyne on their usual Wednesday day out. We missed our Silver Jubilee Celebrations last year during lockdown but have been keeping in touch by telephone and a doorstep visit to all the members with goody bags. We look forward to meeting again as soon as restrictions are lifted. For more information on joining or volunteering at the Day Centre please contact Aileen Paterson on 013398 86534 or email aileenpaterson50@gmail.com
10
01975 571775 07792 830780
• • • •
Local family business Oil and biomass boiler servicing and repairs New boilers sold and installed with 5 and 10-year warranties Aga Servicing
�lameboilerservices@gmail.com
www.�lameboilerservices.co.uk
NOTICE BOA RD Always something going on... Send your posters (in Word, jpeg or pdf format) to The Fountain via catrionahouston@ yahoo.co.uk or the Fountain Facebook page
Aboyne Playgroup is due to reopen in the middle of May. There is a limited amount of spaces left so if you would like to register your child (age 2-5 years), get in touch. The group would also love any donations of the following that you can spare them for their new venue at the Scout Hut. They can collect from Banchory to Ballater. • Rolls of turf • Kitchen utensils • Baking trays, pots and pans • Outdoor storage • Sleepers • Children’s Picnic bench • Tarpaulin
The team at Grampian Transport Museum in Alford were delighted to reopen their doors to the public at the end of April for the summer season. And this year Lego fans are in for a treat as well! GTM has been given some incredibly realistic Lego models by the Marshall family from Aberdeen for visitors to search and find throughout the museum! Their ever-popular ‘Climb Aboard’ exhibits will be returning so visitors large and small can let their imaginations run wild as they clear the Lecht in the Mac snowplough or conduct the passengers on the Cruden Bay Tram... The museum shop has been completely remodelled with more shop space and a wide selection of gifts, toys, sweets, books and more. Why not go and have a look around? Open 10-5pm Thursday to Monday. Bookings must be made online in advance from www.gtm.org.uk Also see www.gtm.org.uk/vistgtm/ to review the measures in place to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit.
12
www.bogenraithhouse.com
When it’s cold and grey outside, let us bring sunshine to your door! No more supermarket queues, just stay safe at home and enjoy effortless, delicious meals, delivered with a smile. FREE* no contact delivery at your doorstep. Easy to order by phone or online. Pay by card when ordering.
BRINGING SUNSHINE
Over 300 feel-good dishes including mini, hearty and options for special diets.
No contract. No commitment. Just good old-fashioned service with a smile!
My driver always stops for a chat, and even puts my meals in the freezer if I want him to!
Meals from only
£3.39
4.7 out of 5 based on 23,209 reviews (As of 03.08.2020) *Minimum orders required in some areas
NO CONTACT DELIVERY
For your FREE brochure call
01358 725 200
or visit www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com
Water Safety Advice Highlighted ACCP recommends users visit Fire Service website
Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership (Marr) would like to draw people’s attention to safety around water in the region. Scotland enjoys some the most beautiful rivers, lochs, canals and reservoirs that the UK has to offer – they attract thousands of visitors each year, and Deeside is no exception. With the continuation of the Year of Coasts and Waters into 2021, it’s important to remember though that if you’re visiting one of these spots, be that regularly or as a one-off, water can pose risks. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has put together some useful advice, aimed at runners, dog-walkers, fishers and drinkers, on their comprehensive website. There is also advice on what to do if you find yourself in the water. Go to www.firescotland.gov.uk/yoursafety/water-safety.aspx Parents, guardians and teachers can also use the information to talk to children about water safety.
15
Monkey Business For all your little monkeys
• Children’s Clothing 0-6 • Wide range of children’s shoes, size 0 to 3/36 • Foot measuring service • Large selection of new baby gifts • Quality brands • Friendly service For more information or to book a shoe fitting, call the shop on number below or email monkeybusinessforkids@live.co.uk
Station Square, Aboyne 013398 87140
Deeside Creations Local Artisans Gift Shop
Also Agents for Alford Dry Cleaners ~ Well worth a visit ~ e: Deesidecreations@outlook.com
years 30we’ve on...
moved!
Original outdoor clothing Made in Scotland. Used worldwide. At Hilltrek we’ve been hand cra ing performance outdoor clothing on Royal Deeside for 30 years. Our story now continues in larger premises at
Deeside Activity Park.
hillgear.s
cot
Hilltrek clothing • Páramo shop • Outdoor clothing repairs
www.hilltrek.co.uk
01339 886062
The now buoyant Station Square has another new tenant and Aboyne has a new place to buy “green”... Deeside Re-Fill is a zero-waste shop, aimed at encouraging shoppers to reduce and reuse their plastic bottles so they don’t end up in landfill. They stock eco-friendy household cleaning and personal products, including from FillRefill.co, Faith In Nature and Dew, and also hope to expand into stocking food by the summer. The shop is the creation of Gayl Truby, and was previously run from a log cabin from the Truby home in Torphins. Many of you will be familiar with her son Thomas, who has made his name in local litter picking as The Rubbish Club. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm, you can find out more about Deeside Re-Fill from their Facebook page, or by calling 07989 965551or emailing gaylmarielazenby@hotmail.com.
17
More accolades for Everything Electronic Kids scoop third of the prizes at Youth Climate Film Awards
Cromar Future Group’s talented youngsters from Everything Electronics Youth Club have been on winning form again, this time at the Youth Climate Film Awards. Run jointly by Keep Scotland Beautiful and Screen Scotland, six of the 21 films entered were awarded commendations and prizes and both of the two CFG entries were in the awards. “Time for Change” was commended for “outstanding animation and music”. It was a joint effort between Jacob Day from Alford (animation) and Thorfinn Sigurhansson from Torphins (both 14) for the sound track and music. “Save the Mussels” was a mixture of filming and puppetry made during lockdown by Harvey Pole (11) from Torphins with his little sister Millie (8). It was commended for “gentle humour and animated spirit”. And do you remember their lovely little Viking that we featured on the last magazine? That game is finished now and features fishing for fish, chopping wood, fighting off dragons and krackens to reach an island and defeat a Demon King in a five level maze game! To play it go to Scratch and search on EEcoders, Viking Quest. Everything Electronic Youth Club continues to operate online on Monday nights at 6.30pm. To join any of their activities, find their Facebook page or email info@futuregroup.org.uk
19
in
Lady V’s Shoes
A column on village life from Victoria Kennedy
I cannot believe that it is already coming up to summer. After the Groundhog Day experience that was 2020, this year seems to be flying by. I for one, cannot get over the fact that my children will soon be finishing school for the summer holidays. I feel like they have only just gone back! And, if my time in lockdown has taught me anything, it is (regrettably) not how to speak a new language or bake soda bread, but rather that my children are, in fact, feral. So, needless to say, I am going to have to come up with some exciting ways to keep them entertained over the summer months. Ways, that we have not already exhausted. Thankfully, things are finally starting to reopen, so this
20
should not be as hard to achieve as it was this time last year. Gone are the days when I was desperately trying to make learning how to use the dishwasher as fun an activity as possible. I have planned to ensure that my kids are outdoors as often as I can over the summer holidays. This is, after all, something that is proven to be good for the mind, body, and soul. After the year we have all had, this is something that I am very pro. As such, I will be signing them up to some of the summer holiday clubs at Knockiehill Woodland Centre. My children have previously gone to some of the other sessions there and had an absolute blast. Also, and perhaps just as importantly, I managed to get a much welcome break while they were having fun in the woods. Pip and Stu Wright who run KWC both have a clear view on the importance of outdoor activities for children’s wellbeing. They also happen to both be a lot more creative than I could even pretend to be. We now have two cracking bird houses in our garden thanks to KWC, as well as some festive Christmas reindeer. Neither of these crafts would have been even attempted with me on duty (and they very clearly weren’t). So “Hurrah” for the return of the warmer months, and “Hurrah” for the return of fun activities for all. While things may not be back to the normal of 2019, there is now certainly a lot more to feel hopeful about.
A
We are volunteers providing the views of the community to those making decisions about it.
What Do We Do? Some of the things we’ve recently supported or delivered Professional Future Viability Study
Planning applications
Planned new outdoor seating for Aboyne Review & comment Businesses & facilities map
Flood Risk Reduction
New Aboyne noticeboard New seating for Aboyne Green
Road
Landscaping & greenery
Safety
Improvements
How Do We Work? We have monthly virtual/public meetings, but much of our work is carried between meetings, working with groups of people with a common interest. How much and what you get involved in is very much your choice. Why Join MDCC? You can work on things which matter to you, enjoy a sense of purpose and camaraderie, whilst benefiting the wider Mid Deeside population. middeesidecommunitycouncil@gmail.com
Mid Deeside Community Council
Nominations now open! Nominations are being sought to fill 13 vacancies on Mid Deeside Community Council. Forms must be returned by 4pm on Thursday 3 June, 2021 to marr@aberdeenshire.gov.uk and a ballot will take place on Thursday 10 June, 2021, (time and place to be confirmed), if the nominees outnumber the places available. The community council’s AGM will take place online on Thursday 24 June, 2021 at 7pm. For further information to join the AGM, please contact: middeesidecommunitycouncil@gmail.com Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Council’s website at https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/communitiesand-events/community-councils/cc-election/ or for assistance please contact the Marr Office at 019755 20400 or email marr@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
When times are tough, don’t stop ADVERTISING!
The Fountain relies on advertising to pay for design and printing and it means a lot that so many regular customers have continued to advertise during the Covid calamity. Always delighted to welcome new advertisers, I have opened up opportunities with a new value ad size, see p34. At Myriad Pro Publishing, advertisers are not just a space on a page. All advertisers benefit from featuring in a Facebook album every quarter, and where advertisers’ own posts are seen on that social media platform, they will be shared. Feel free to tag The Fountain to make sure. New customers can also benefit from introductory features, and there are perks to being a long-term advertiser too, as well as discounts for featuring in the Alford and Banchory publications. The business landscape and publicity methods are changing all the time, and especially at the moment! So if you have any ideas on how The Fountain can further support you, do let me know. No matter if you are on the main street, out in the sticks, working from your spare room or just operating online, I can help. Have you started a new business in the Aboyne area? Want a mention? Get in touch.
The Fountain represents a unique opportunity for you to promote your business to a targetted area at reasonable cost. Ad rates start at just £27 for a quarter page. Around 1,500 copies are distributed through the doors of residences in the village, prominent spots in the local community and within businesses willing to stock it. Geographically it covers Aboyne and the surrounding areas and includes Tarland. All Myriad Pro Publications are also available to read online at issuu.com
FOUNDED IN 1842...
matured over the
• Residential Property Sale, Purchase & Leasing
years to create a
• Personal Law - Wills, Trusts & Executries
fine blend of expert legal services.
013398 87665 www.mackinnons.com
• Employment Law • Commercial Property and Business Law • Dispute Resolution • Marine, Offshore & Renewables
solicitors LLP
Includes One to One Support, Yummy
Food options and even a Low-Cost Maintenance Plan to ensure those pounds are gone for good!
Call Sharon for more info on 07858 581055.
Aboyne and Deeside Community Centre and Swimming Pool is fully open to the public in accordance with the current Covid-19 restrictions, offering Gym, Swim and Exercise Sessions. Outdoor Circuit Training sessions with Ruth (Mon, Wed, Thu) and Bryan (Fri) have already started and have proved popular. Primary swimming lessons have also started for a limited number of Level 1s and 2s and are progressing as best they can under the restrictions, while Aquafit and Parent and Child lessons should also have started by the time you read this. The centre is open Monday to Thursday 7am to 8.15pm, Fridays 2pm to 8.15pm and weekends 9am to 1pm. Bookings must be made online, visit https://livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk/ to view timetables and to book sessions.
27
Tree Surgery Qualified & Experienced Tree Surgeons covering all aspects of tree surgery, Including stump removal & 24 hour emergency call out
Garden Design & Construction Patios, Decking, Turf, Raised Beds, Walls, Water Features, Planting - Call us to find out what more we can do!
Garden Maintenance Grass Cutting, Lawn care, Hedge Cutting, Shrub Pruning, Weeding and more!
Fencing & Gates All types of bespoke fencing and gates
Narrow Access Cherry Picker
For precision tree pruning, wide hedges, paintwork & gutter cleaning
If you can’t get to it, our Cherry Picker can!
Logs, Wood Chips, Mulch, Site Clearance, Painting, Ground Works & Excavations
Tarland: 01339 881589 / 07932 075225 julian@julianbarclay.com • www.julianbarclay.com
Despite lockdown, Aboyne Paths and Tracks Group has been busy over the winter months, looking after our local path network. With financial support from Aberdeenshire council and two landowners, we have completed two fencing projects on Core Paths. Firstly fencing the path between the Men’s Shed and Castle Drive to remove two locked gates and make this route more accessible. Secondly fencing off a stretch of field on the riverside path west of the bridge to take the path away from crumbling riverbank (coincidentally completed two days before a river flood took away a further section of this bank!) As summer approaches we are recommencing our monthly volunteer work parties to help keep the paths maintained. These take place on first Saturday and third Wednesday of every month with Covid safety measures in place. Heavy or lighter work for all levels of ability so please join us! Email us on aboynepaths@ gmail.com or message the Aboyne Paths and Tracks Facebook page to receive joining instructions. You can also use these links to report issues with local paths. Our free leaflet with map and route descriptions is available in lots of local shops, and also online.
The Paper Girls OPEN: Monday to Saturday 0530-1630 | Sunday 0600-1200
A community-focused shop, selling and delivering a wide range of newspapers, magazines, confectionery, stationery and local produce Charleston Road | Aboyne | 01339 886847 email: thepapergirls607@gmail.com
See our Facebook page for updates and new developments
“Putting the community at the heart of everything we do”
29
Coming Soon – the AVA Volunteer Bulletin! We are keen to present up to date volunteer opportunities across Aberdeenshire in a bulletin which will link into relevant social media channels and websites, starting with a focus on Kincardine & Mearns. This bulletin is part of our aim to make our communities volunteering-rich areas; where volunteers and volunteer organisations are really valued and supported. To receive the new AVA Volunteer Bulletin, you can sign up on our website: https://www.avashire.org.uk/ volunteering.html To feature your volunteer roles, just email Volunteering@avashire.org.uk and one of our Development Officers will be in touch.
30
Still Thinking Of Selling Your Home In
?
Competitive Sales Fee
No Sale - No Fee
Maximised Marketing
Weekly Update
Viewers Review
Superior Service
COVID Safe Protocols
360° Tour Included
Accompanied Viewings
Global Network
NICOLA
01975 520 903 nanderson@remax-scotland.net
T‘s & C‘s Apply. Each Office Individually Owned And Operated
Setting up your garden for Summer Wendy Simpson of Craigievar Gardeners offers seasonal tips to help you get the best from your patch, large or small... Right now most of us are surveying the frost damage to our gardens with dismay. Even comparatively hardy and wellestablished shrubs have suffered gravely from a drawn-out winter. No matter how bad things look, be patient. Resist the urge to prune out damaged areas until all risk of further frost has passed because pruning will encourage new growth, which will make the plant doubly susceptible to cold damage. Wait as long as you can, and remember that even plants pruned close to the ground can recover because the base of the plant and its roots are the areas least susceptible to injury from freezing. Treat your lawn to a high-nitrogen feed using a combined weed- and moss-killing product and scarify if necessary. Reseed or turf any bare patches. May is a good month to plant up tubs, hanging baskets and window boxes for colour that will last all summer. Feed containers every couple of weeks with a liquid fertilizer. Prepare your borders for planting by weeding them thoroughly. Spread a thick layer of mulch over the soil to discourage regrowth and retain moisture. Give your hedges a light trim but check for nesting birds first. Prune early-flowering shrubs like ribes and forsythia after they have flowered. Wait until all risk of late frost has passed before you plant out dahlias and bedding plants. Harden off plants raised from seed in a cold frame for at least a week beforehand. Plant out early sowings of kale, spinach and salad leaves. Earth up potatoes to prevent light reaching the tubers as they grow. Start sowings of vegetables like beetroot, cucumbers and sprouting
32
broccoli in a greenhouse. Sow late flowerers such as cosmos, poppies, nicotiana, verbena bonariensis, cornflowers and zinnias in a greenhouse for later planting in gaps in borders. Deadhead daffodils and tulips as they die back, but leave the foliage to wither naturally. Insert supports for taller herbaceous plants, especially those with heavy blooms, such as peonies. Your supports will work better and will gradually disappear into the foliage if you get them in early. Dust off your garden furniture and put your feet up!
34
FOOT CARE IN YOUR HOME All relevant C-19 precautions taken
Aboyne Bike park held a maintenance day in May. A number of volunteers worked together to sort some the erosion to the jumps and trails. See the group’s Facebook page for details of how to enjoy this facility. Pics: Anna Blair
Dental practices in Aboyne and Banchory High quality private dental care in a comfortable environment Children welcome under the NHS Disabled access and easy parking Emergencies treated promptly Payment plans available Call us today for more information and to make an appointment
Aboyne Practice Old Ballater Road Aboyne AB34 5HN Tel: 013398 86177
Banchory Practice Fountain Lodge Station Road Banchory AB31 5YA Tel: 01330 822583
www.fountaindentalgroup.co.uk
WE’RE ON YOUR DOORSTEP Remember when service was truly personal and not just another one size fits all approach? We are backed by a team and organisation built on over 100 years of customer service and trust. Working from a local office in Inverurie we bring our knowledge and experience to you to help ensure you have the right cover in place to protect the things that matter. Whether it’s home, motor, equine or business we have the expertise to make sure your insurance needs are covered. For a real conversation about your insurance call us on 01467 698 045, or alternatively send an email to Inverurie_agency@nfumutual.co.uk.
T C Brodie & R C Silvers is an appointed representative of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No. 111982).
Huntly Arms Regeneration Project Needs You! Project will fail without community support, writes Claire Fraser
The Huntly Arms Regeneration Project (HARP) was initiated by the Mid Deeside Community Council (MDCC) and the Mid Deeside Community Trust (MDCT) in late 2019. The idea being to come up with a rescue plan for the hotel which at that time was facing closure following years of increasing dereliction. It was agreed the HARP would come under the umbrella of MDCT. The group succeeded in raising funds to complete a Viability Study to conduct an evaluation of options for reconfiguration of the hotel into a profitable hospitality-focused business. This was carried out by Community Enterprise, a team of expert consultants with experience in similar community projects across Scotland. The Public Consultation showed an overwhelming local community interest, demand for a hotel in the village and its value as an iconic centrally located facility. In the meantime, the hotel was sold on. We have since met and spoken with the new owner. Somewhat overwhelmed by the scale of the task he is keen for us to purchase the hotel for the community. This could be an exciting and extremely rewarding venture but will require a great deal of careful detailed assessment and will, no doubt, be a considerable challenge.
To keep this project moving forward we are going to need your help. Do you have useful skills? • Knowledge of fundraising, filling out grant forms and setting up crowdfunding schemes. • Are you a whizz at social media, Facebook pages, Twitter, Instagram and such? • Are you qualified to carry out valuations and building surveys? • Are you an accountant who could help with the financial machinations? • Do you have legal or marketing expertise? • Are you in the know regarding architectural and historic building construction issues? • Do you have experience in running a hotel and could advise on the practicalities? We are assessing local interest to see if there are any skilled professional volunteers out there who are keen to see the Huntly’s doors open again as a community-owned enterprise. Please be aware that we need a degree of commitment to put in a wee bit of time and effort. It is critical at this juncture to get a good working team together. If HARP cannot show the funding bodies and the local authority that we have a strong local interest to proceed then, sadly, taking this project any further will be difficult, if not impossible. Please contact Claire Fraser at coullclaire@gmail.com and tell me about yourself and how you could help out.
37
Councillors'
Contacts
Cllr Peter Argyle
01339 882973 07801 900843 cllr.p.argyle@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk
These are your Ward 15 councillors
Cllr Geva Blackett
01339 741541 07876 475269 cllr.g.blackett@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk
STOP PRESS! Nominations are being sought to fill all 13 vacancies on Mid Deeside Community Council See middle pages for details or the flyer delivered to your door
Cllr Paul Gibb 07388 956148 cllr.p.gibb@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk
This is your MP and MSP
W����������
Andrew Bowie MP 0207 219 2791 andrew.bowie.mp @parliament.uk
S������� P��������� Alexander Burnett MSP 0131 348 5642 Alexander.Burnett.msp @parliament.scot
38
ABERDEENSHIRE ELECTRICAL SERVICES LTD T: M: E: F:
013398 85355 07855 678677 / 07583 834174 aberdeenshireelectricalsrvs@btinternet.com AberdeenshireElectricalSrvs
All aspects of electrical work undertaken by professionally qualified tradesmen for residential, commercial & industrial customers e.g. : • • • • • • • • •
PAT, EICR, Electrical Safety Reports etc. Wiring of new builds and complete & partial rewires of existing buildings. Scottish Building Standards approved for single signature sign off of installations. Property Maintenance. Supplier/Installer of renewables e.g., electric vehicle charging points, solar panels etc. SMART home installation. TV wall mounting installations. Creating electrical plans. Out of hours emergency call-outs. free estimates – all work guaranteed – no job too small – local business
Tornaveen Plumbing
Time served plumber Can’t get anyone to do those small jobs? Tap washers, cleaning and repairing gutters, drains etc. Reasonable rates No VAT
Contact: John Whyte 013398 83698 07497 819551
Group undergoes relaunch and rebrand, says Bernie Cassie We would like to welcome everyone back, and look forward to welcoming new faces to Aboyne Scout Hut on Wednesday evenings. The Drop In Club is where young adults and teenagers with additional support needs can meet up, drop in or even Zoom. Come and enjoy crafts, games, social chit chat – we’ll even put the kettle on! Special activities and events take place throughout the year. We provide a safe, secure social environment where you can mix with friendly people and get involved as much or as little as you wish. The club has a fabulous friendly atmosphere and we also welcome younger members as long as they are accompanied by a parent or carer/helper. We are also needing helpers age 18 or over but welcome school leavers who would like to volunteer – no special skills required, just a little of your time and being ready for a whole lot of fun. Think this club is for you? Drop us a message on 07594 196006 or email chairperson Bernie Cassie: berniecassie8@gmail.com. Together we can grow.
40
ELLINGTON MENNIE
Kitchens & Cookware
Providing full furniture solutions to create the perfect space in your home
Kitchens
Our showroom may be temporarily closed until restrictions are eased but we continue to work with our clients remotely to develop their 2021 kitchen designs and are planning ahead for manufacturing and installing when it is safe to do so. To arrange an online design consultation, you can contact us on the details shown below.
Cookware
To complement your kitchen, our premium selection of cookware and kitchen tools from exclusive brands such as Emile Henry, Scanpan and Dreamfarm are available through a click and collect service. Contact us for more information.
Station Square, Aboyne, AB34 5HX
sales@ellingtonmennie.co.uk
Remote Consultation
07788 316144
ellingtonmennie
www.ellingtonmennie.co.uk
Index of Advertisers to help you find who...
1:1 Diet with Sharon AES Electrical Alpine Tree Care Banchory Podiatry Bogenraith House BW Bookkeeping Commercial Hotel Corybeg Services Craigievar Gardeners Deeside Creations Deeside Refill Douneside House EllingtonMennie Flame Boilers Fiona Bonner Reiki Foodbank Fountain Dental Group Gerry Robb GTM Hilltrek Jack Nesbit Blacksmith
26 39 30 26 14 39 44 9 32 16 17 18 41 10 30 14 35 40 13 16 6
small ads | big
business
your business
here?
Jilliby Joinery John Watson Boilers Julian Barclay K&A Anderson LH Chiropractor LilyK Yarn Shop Mackinnons Milk Hoose Monkey Business Myriad Pro NFU Mutual Paper Girls Plan A Electrical Remax Ronald Hay Speedwell Framing Strachan’s Tornaveen Plumbing Transform Foot Health Wiltshire Farm Foods World Horse Welfare
6 9 28 33 6 42 25 5 16 22 36 29 9 31 16 9 2 39 34 13 12
L���K Y��� Sh�� S�ot� S������ S�u���
of� Hi�� S���e� | B�n�h���
���� ��esd��-sa��rd�� 9.30-5�� ��� : 0�702 6032�9 w��.L���K.c�.�� | ���l�@����� .c�.��
new size!
just £15 including design see sample above single colour | max 7 lines
Myriad Pro Publishing Community Magazines . Design and Print Aboyne Banchory Alford The
FREE!
Fountain A Community Magazine for Aboyne
The
BULLETIN A Community Magazine for Alford
FREE! issue 21 spring 2021
The Banchory Fly A Community Magazine for Banchory
FREE!
Vikings cometh! Youth club has designs on gaming
issue 24
spring 2021
Issue 9 Winter 2020
A5: FULL PAGE £108 . HALF PAGE £55 . QUARTER PAGE £28 . SMALL ADS JUST £15 . 1,500-2,000 MAGAZINES DELIVERED IN EACH LOCATION . ALSO ONLINE . Design adds £20 to any size advert . Or you can provide your own print-ready pdf/jpeg file .
DEADLINES . FEB 1 . MAY 1 . AUG 1 . NOV 1 PUBLISHED MAR JUNE SEPT DEC DISCOUNTS . Book an ad in all three issues for one quarter and save 10% . Book an ad in four issues (one year) up front in a single magazine and save 10% . Book a year’s ads up front in two or more magazines and save 20% CONTACT : catrionahouston@yahoo.co.uk | 013397 55243 / 07805 731401 www.myriadpro.co.uk | Find me on Facebook @ /TheAboyneFountain /TheAlfordBulletin /TheBanchoryFly
Cat
All kinds of design and print projects undertaken – leaflets, booklets, menus, business cards etc – just ask
The Commercial THE SQUARE . TARLAND ....................................................
Delighted
to be Back!
Fully open from May 17th Open daily 9am-9pm Fully Covid Compliant Indoor & Outdoor Seating Beer Garden Outdoor Marquee Full Menu available Bar & Restaurant Menus Sunday Lunch 12.30 to 7.30 Weekend Afternoon Teas Takeaway Available Daily
Find details on Facebook or call us on 01339 881922
www.thecommercial-hotel.co.uk
