The South Deeside View Spring 2020

The

Spring 2020

South Deeside Contents

View

Broadband updates Plants for sale Dog Show Gardening projects Make an insect hotel and more‌

Contents

Editors’ Note Page 3

Forecourt Art Group

5

Language Travel Tours

6

Gardening for the Seasons

7

Make a Bug House

8

Blairs Museum

9

Scouts, Gravitate North East

10

Adventure Playground

11

Bubbles

13

Local Councillors

14

Fast Brown Rocks!

15

Community Council (NKRCC)

16

Church Notices

17

MP, Local Councillors

18

MSP,Local Councillors

19

Carriage Driving, Talking Therapy

21

Dog Show

22

Broadband Update

23

Chapelton

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Contacts

A very pared down version for this spring issue as many local community groups and events have been cancelled due to Covid19. Some are able to con/nue by adap/ng to going online, and changed to delivery services so please support them if you can!

Regardless of this, we have some interes/ng ar/cles from local contributors for you to read, a few updates and links to useful local informa/on.

The annual Plant Sale and Coffee Morning cannot go ahead but please note plants etc are s/ll available for purchase so they dont go to waste. More details below.

Our beau/ful cover pain/ng is by Paula Silvester, who is a member of the Forecourt Art Group who usually display their art and crea/ons as part of NEOS at Blairs and at other venues not too far away as well. You can read more about them in their ar/cle.

Find informa/on of community interest and how to contact local groups visit www.thesouthdeesideview.co.uk.

Wishing everyone good health!

Contact details For youth groups, churches, community services, recycling, local deliveries, schools, commuity halls, local elected representatives and more, please visit

www.thesouthdeesideview.co.uk

Forecourt Art Group The Forecourt Art Group was started 60 + years ago by a group of professional artists including Eric Auld/ Bill Baxter/Bill Ord and Donny Buyers. It was then joined by amateur artists whose President Alistair Davidson organised exhibitions during the summer in the forecourt of the Langstane Kirk on Union Street. It was there for many years until the Kirk was sold and the group had to find a new venue. It was then the two groups parted and the professionals went their separate way, leaving the amateurs to carry on.

Aberdeen City Council came to the rescue and offered the underpass at St Nicholas House next to Provost Skene House. After quite a few years at the NEOS at Blairs Museum underpass, (enduring this cold wind tunnel) the group decided it was time to move indoors and various venues followed including Robert Gordon’s next to the Art Gallery.

The group would normally exhibit at the lovely Heritage Tearooms in Peterculter from April through to October on Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm -4pm when they serve vintage teas and home bakes. However, as everywhere else, this is currently on hold. Once the tea rooms re-open then the art group will have their paintings on exhibition. Our artists come from all over Aberdeen and the Shire including several from the South Deeside area. If you eventually get a chance to visit later this year then please do; you might even go away with a lovely piece of original artwork from one of our very talented artists.

The Forecourt art group can also be found taking part in NEOS from September 12th – 20th at Blairs Chapel, South Deeside Road. Look out for more information about this on Facebook nearer the time. At the moment this event is still scheduled to go ahead, probably with ebooks rather than hard copies.

Further details visit our Facebook Page ‘Forecourt art group’

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Heritage Tea Rooms, Peterculter

Same day fitting

Best brands available

Book online and pay when fitted

NEED TYRES IN A HURRY?
 SAME DAY FITTING AVAILABLE South Deeside Road, Blairs, Aberdeen AB12 5YQ 01224 865567

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blairstyres.co.uk

HOST FAMILY OPPORTUNITIES - JOIN THE NETWORK FOR FUTURE VISITS Are you interested in other cultures? Enjoy the exchange of ideas and perspecSves?

Like sharing ScoUsh culture with young people?

There are many wonderful reasons to host our French and Spanish friends who would like to visit Stonehaven, Netherley, Cookney, Maryculter and surrounding towns and villages for short stays of 4 – 7 nights. The students (14-17yrs) are touring in the day but need the following: Drop off at 08h00 and pick up at 19h00 from Stonehaven Breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal Single or double bed (students can share a room) ALL FAMILIES MAKE A GOOD HOST FAMILY! Single parents, families with children, empty nesters, re/red couples or couples with no children. What's important is a warm, welcoming spirit.

This is what one our fantas/c families Michelle said about hos/ng...."Just dropped off the last of my French students for the season. They have all been a joy! I learned a lot from them and they had a great /me learning about the Sco]sh culture. It's an enriching experience, welcoming young students who you have never met into your home. Taking /me to talk and gaining knowledge is a 2-way street. I feel upli`ed and proud! And have brushed up on my French too".

Fun and rewarding, hosSng is a great way to supplement your income.

Join our growing network of caring host families by contac/ng me (Clare) if you have any ques/ons. Phone or text (01561 378218 or 07787 858368) or email (clare.plaister@wanadoo.fr).

Alterna/vely, visit the LTT Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/languagetraveltours where you can find posts from host families and students from recent visits.

Language Travel Tours, The Bank House, 24 High Street, Laurencekirk, AB30 1AB, Scotland.

T: +44 (0) 1561 378218 M: +44 (0) 7787 858368. Join us on Facebook: Language Travel Tours

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Gardening through the seasons with Andrea Sinclair Garden Design Spring and Summer Spring is the /me when days grow longer and warmer, so it is a busy month in the garden for both plants and gardeners alike.

We can get unpredictable weather – both good and bad, with bulbs pu]ng on their finest display and ornamental fruit trees covered in blossom. I planted up my tulip tubs in layers last November and am being rewarded with a good display.

Night temperatures can s/ll cause ground frost, so be careful not to plant out half-hardy bedding plants and vegetables too soon, and make sure you harden them off properly before plan/ng out.

If you have not already done so, mulch your borders. One of the most important elements of a successful garden is good soil.

Without it, plants just won't flourish; make a habit of adding organic mamer every season. If you don’t already have a compost heap think about crea/ng one, just layer it with green (grass clippings and veg waste from the kitchen) and brown (cardboard and finely chopped up prunings).

Looking forward to Summer, the warmer days are here and most of the jobs in the garden will be easier going and you will be reaping the rewards of all the earlier work. Keep /dying up the herbaceous borders and general watering. In the long light evenings it is a pleasure to be in the garden.

Propaga/on by cu]ngs and layering can be done from July onwards, whenever you have the spare /me. Also collec/ng and saving seeds, ready for sowing later can start this month. I love collec/ng seed and ge]ng ‘free plants’. If you are new to seed gathering – try any poppies in your garden, the seeds are easy to collect and almost guaranteed to give success.

Turn your pa/o area into a “plant buffet” Gather together an interes/ng combina/on of pots in different sizes and plant them with edible plants. Start with ready-pomed herbs such as basil, parsley and various mint, and “cut and come again” salad leaves and mini tomatoes (such as Red Bell). Try /ny alpine strawberries to garnish summer cocktails, and introduce edible flowers including colourful nastur/ums and premy-blue borage. Simply snip what you need directly from the pots next /me you have an outdoor meal.

Mainly, enjoy your garden; you know it’s good for you!

Scotland’s Garden Scheme Open Days At the moment (April 2020) all the SGS (Scotland Garden Scheme) gardens are not running their normal open days. Mine was meant to be in August but we are following government guidelines – if the situa/on improves please check the hmps://scotlandsgardens.org/clayfolds/ for updates.

Fun in the Garden It’s fun in the garden with the children, and some of the best /mes I have had have been with, ini/ally my own children, and now with my grandchildren.

Here are some of the things we have done: Decora7ng a plant pot. Clay pots are best for pain/ng and outdoors; or plas/c pots for indoor plants that they can decoupage. Other ideas include using mosaic /les or pebbles to cover the pot or winding garden twine or fabric around the pots. Plant up with fast growing annuals.

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Making a bug house / bee house It’s been a couple of years since our bug house was made; it now has lots of insects occupying it and ground nes/ng bees.

Choose a quiet corner of the garden place in sunlight or light shade and allow na/ve/wild plants to grow up around it. It does not need to be /dy! Use whatever is lying around; old plant stems, pine cones, bits of bark. Roof of /les will keep things dry. Frogs, ladybirds and other insects will love it.

Gather seeds and sow them (wild or cul/vated from the garden) One of my granddaughters gathered heaps of seeds into individual brown bags last summer and sowed them in September. The following April we now have trays of foxglove, poppy and red campions all ready to be planted out in the wild area.

Crea7ng plaster casts All you need is Plaster of Paris - this can be found at cra` stores or online, water, and plas/c cup or bowl for mixing the plaster and a spoon.

The best part is trying to find ‘wild’ footprints but if none to be found a welly print in so` ground will do fine. Carefully pour the plaster into the track to fill it up and have some extra on top. Let it sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour, li` out carefully and allow it to try fully overnight. It can then be painted. Have fun!

Andrea Sinclair

Activities for Families with Children under 5 Bumps & Babes

Mondays 9.30am - 11.30am informal drop in group For parents to be, parents, carers and Babies up to 1 year. Come along and socialise with other parents

Culter 2’s Group

Every Tues & Thurs during term-time, 9.15am-11.10am. Leave your wee one in the capable hands of two enthusiastic staff for fun, music and play in a safe, cosy environment. Snack to be provided. An opportunity for outdoor play is available.

Culter Kindergym

A structured and supervised class held every Wednesday during term-time, where children between 18mths and 5 years can learn to develop social & physical skills, focusing on their A- Agility, B-Balance and C-co-ordination.

Bopeep and Toddlers

Every Fri during term-time, 9.30-11.30am. We offer lots of play activites to help your little one grow and learn. There are paints, playdough & music time plus snack for the wee ones & refreshments for their grown-ups too.

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Blairs Museum Special ExhibiSon of Rare 19th Century Prints featuring the Papal Court on Display at Blairs Museum A rare collec/on of 19th century prints depic/ng the Papal court was planned to be displayed at Blairs Museum, Aberdeen, for the 2020 season.

The prints depict various religious characters in and around Rome during the early 1800s and are the work of the Italian painter and engraver Giuseppe Capparoni (1800-1879), who lived and worked in the city at this /me.

The illustra/ons were originally contained within three books published between 1826 and 1828. How the prints came to Scotland at Blairs Museum remains a mystery.

Exhibi/on researcher Árpád Kuffler explains, ‘Each book contained pictures made in various years, which means that the ar/st approached his models as the opportunity arose. Considering the many drawings of Popes, Cardinals and Bishops, this could have been done by appointment and the drawings are from life, and most likely, depict actual people.’

The crea/on of these remarkable illustra/ons was against the backdrop of the revival of the Papal States under Popes Leo XII (1823-1829) and Gregory XVI (1831-1846). Memories of the Napoleonic Wars were s/ll very recent throughout Europe, and the threat of new revolu/ons was constant. Both Popes sought a solu/on to these restless /mes in authoritarian governance, a return to ancient customs and a ‘government of priests´ with limle or no lay involvement in decision making.

Besides this, Leo XII also placed great emphasis on religious devo/on. Hoping to renew zeal for the Catholic faith, he proclaimed a Jubilee Year in Rome in 1825 which amracted over a million people. The Pope himself made seven pilgrimages to important churches in Rome. Gregory XVI was created Cardinal by Leo XII and con/nued his predecessor’s policies. As a patron of museums and history, he had a greater interest in arts and culture than in popular piety.

The early nineteenth-century papacy was characterised by the re-emergence of a papal monarchy with customs, fashions and ceremonies considered outdated in many European countries. Nevertheless, these were also spectacular, and visually represented the papal claim to ruling a large area of the Italian peninsula. These drawings depict the great variety of religious and civil offices which existed in Rome and in the papal court at the /me. Besides the liturgical, ceremonial, everyday and private garments worn by the pope and the cardinals, the diversi/es of the Eastern clergy present in Rome are also included. Árpád adds, ‘The characters featured in these prints are portrayed in ac/on: the Pope blesses a priest; a Cardinal assists another at Mass; a veiled, contempla/ve nun kneels before the Holy Eucharist. That the ar/st worked with real-life models and captured certain moments of their lives is revealed not only by the precise details, but especially the great variety of intriguing face expressions and characters, such as in the confused look on the face of the ministering Cardinal or the blushing shyness of a Carmelite nun. These fascina/ng minute details le` the ar/st with a las/ng impression, which he chose to eternalize.’

This display, which was to run from April to September 2020, is accompanied by an addi/onal contemporary exhibi/on Icons: the Beauty of the Sacred, featuring the work of Aberdeenshire-based ar/st Maria Manuela Guerriero. Maria has been crea/ng unique and beau/ful icons using tradi/onal methods for over a decade. Working from her studio in Portsoy, Maria uses wood panels, hand-made egg tempura paint, and gold leaf to write religious icons as well as create pain/ngs in the Renaissance style.

Born in Portugal, Maria trained at various loca/ons throughout Europe, including St. Mar/n’s School of Art in London. A selec/on of her wide-ranging work will be available to view with general admission to the Museum. You can see updates on opening /mes Facebook or the website.

Image 1 – Capuchin Franciscan Friar , Image 2 – Sediaro – the Chair Amendant Image 3 – Cardinal Priest dressed in vestments for a Pon/fical Mass, with his amendant, Image 4 – Sister of the Perpetual Adora/on of the Holy Sacrament

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1st Maryculter Scouts Scou/ng is all about taking on a challenge, and right now we find ourselves in the most challenging of circumstances. Before social distancing measures took effect, we were in the middle of comple/ng the Teamwork & Team Leader Challenge Awards, as well as the Global Challenge badge & Forester Badge.

We will con/nue with these as much as possible but with tradi/onal group ac/vi/es such as camping & hiking currently not possible, we have created an adapted programme which Scouts can take part in from home. With some crea/vity and a posi/ve mindset, we aim to make the most out of the current situa/on and, as always, to do our best.

On a na/onal level, Scouts have pulled together over 100 ac/vi/es which may help ease the strain on parents over the coming weeks and months. There are ac/vi/es for ages 6-18 and you do not have to be a Scout to take part. Check them out: scouts.org.uk/thegrea/ndoors We currently have space for more young people to join us, to learn some “Skills for Life”, develop self-confidence and, of course, have fun! Scou/ng is for boys and girls, aged 10-14 years old. Maryculter Scouts meet on Friday evenings from 1915 to 2115 hours at the Scout Hut in Kirkton of Maryculter, contact Graeme Paterson for more informa/on on 07817483118.

Auchlunies Explorers are not running at the moment but this is under discussion and review at present.

Please keep up to date with our ac/vi/es by following us on Facebook: 1st Maryculter Scouts.

Gravitate North East 2020 was to be a year to push fundraising to progress Gra/vate's exci/ng project to create a world class adventure sport and mountain bike des/na/on at Durris in Aberdeenshire.

For 2020 the goal is to raise £150K to progress the project through the planning phase. This will help to complete 6 planning studies (Drainage, Ecology, Forestry, Historic Environment, LIVA and Transport) hire a planning consultant, hire a project manager and pay for legal fees. Already started is the ecology study and hopefully a roads study very soon. They have also appointed a project manger and planning consultant. You can also donate with Virgin. Money Giving online.

Ul/mately, the site would be for zip lining, tree-top adventures, bouldering, alpine coaster, nature walks and adventure play - plus a cafeteria too!

The plan was for Gravitate to amend many events throughout the year and even organise some of their own. Events are a great way to engage with the public so that they can communicate their vision and encourage people to get behind the project.

At most events, there would be a pop up a gazebo and a couple of people on hand raising money and spreading the word.

A useful way that you could support Gravitate is by amending events and encouraging other to do so too.

They are always keen to have more people at events to help look a`er the Gravitate stand. If you can spare a half day during the summer to assist our events team, it would be massively appreciated.

Check out Facebook and the website for event dates. hmps://www.gravitatenortheast.com Martin Byers 9

Make your own adventure playground!

At the /me of wri/ng it looks like we might all be at home for several weeks to come. If that fills you and your children with dread then here are some simple ideas to add some adventure to your garden to help you get through it!

Get dizzy Spinning, swinging, being upside down and rolling around are really good for kids ? the stuff that as an adult now makes you feel dizzy and sick. It s/mulates their ves/bular and propriocep/ve systems and helps develop their balance, co-ordina/on and concentra/on. If you don’t have a swing already, make a simple rope version. I found a curtain pole recently that will make a good seat or failing that a sturdy s/ck or old tyre would work just as well. The adventure organisa/on Monday-Do have great /ps on how to make a swing at hmp://www.monkey-do.net/content/tree-swings. If you were thinking of buying something a trapeze swing doubles your money having both a swing and monkey bars to hang on. Remember - learning how to swing yourself on a swing is a life skill and is physics in ac/on so that’s the science lesson covered for the day too!

If you have a hammock now is the /me to get it dusted down and hung up. If you are up for even more adventure buy a slackline kit. They are made especially for balancing on but are essen/ally the same as trailer ratchet straps. Tension them between two trees like a /ghtrope (making sure you protect the bark of the tree) and dare your kids to balance, bounce or run along it!

Holes Set aside a patch in your garden for children to simply dig. It gets rid of energy and is fun. They might want to dig for treasure, find bugs or look for bones. Follow their lead. Some soil in a tyre or old sand pit is great too if you don’t have the space. If you find a worm, please tell them that the dark end is the head and that if they chop it in half they will get a dead worm, not two ? that’s an urban myth. If you have an older child who has read Louis Sacher’s Holes now is the /me to ‘build character’ by digging a hole exactly ‘five feet wide and five feet deep’!

Sand is also very engaging and has loads of possibili/es. Sand pits should be as big as you can make them, so that children can get into them if possible. A tarpaulin on the ground covered with sand makes a great temporary sand pit. You could bolster up the sides with some tyres or planks if you had them.

Build Making and building things outdoors is really interes/ng and uses up /me. Have a look at what you have lying around. Do you have any old wood, tyres or stuff in your garage? Things that can be used in different ways so that children can build and use their imagina/ons are what you are looking for. Inspiring Scotland have produced a wonderful Loose Parts Toolkit which will give you lots of ideas, hmps://www.inspiringscotland.org.uk/publica/on/loose-parts-play-toolkit-2019-edi/on/ or look up ?loose parts play? online. Can you make a fort, den or spaceship?

Grow This is the perfect /me of year to start growing flowers and vegetables.

Transform your garden into a veg plot or grow things on a windowsill, in pots or growbags, either way there’s loads of learning involved. Budget for how many packets of seeds you can afford to buy, es/mate how many potatoes you’ll need to plant to feed your family this summer, measure out rows for seeds and take care of living things. Basil, tomatoes, courgeme and cucumbers work well indoors whilst outside you should be able to get good crops of potatoes, peas, chard and chives. The hor/cultural industry is sadly in decline in the UK so we could use the next few months to inspire children to the wonders of becoming the producers of the future.

Shelter A sheltered area out of the wind and rain will keep your kids out for longer on those not so nice days. A cheap tarpaulin is a quick and easy way to do this, /ed over the two corner fences in your garden. I some/mes even /e tarps ver/cally to a fence to act as a wind break.

Digging up garlic

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Bubble making

Bubbles If you need cheered up make some bubbles! You can buy mixture at this /me of year in supermarkets or the next /me you are in a chemist get a bomle of glycerine. It makes the bubbles less likely to burst.

Bubble making!

Recipe 2 cups washing up liquid 1 tsp glycerine 1 cup water Mix together and have fun making big bubbles. You can make simple wands by wrapping wool around some wire, threading and tying some string through two drinking straws then pulling it /ght to make a frame or make 3D versions with pipe cleaners. Kitchen roll tubes and the plas/c rings drinks come in work well too!

So take the next few days to have a look at your garden and see what you would like to do. Ask your child for their opinion too - the more they are involved the more likely they are to use it. Do not buy lots of things either. If your house is anything like mine you will be surprised at what you ďŹ nd ? it is also more eco and saves you money. The key is to keep things simple.

Andrea Sinclair

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Online classes

ONLINE ZUMBA with Siobhan




line On ses s a l c

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Councillor Alison Evison Everyone has had huge challenges to face over the last few months, but what has been so no/ceable is how many people have shown such kindness as they have done all they can to support people in their local community.

We have seen so many people in the public, private and Third Sectors, working with huge commitment to deliver essen/al services to local residents, many of whom have had to stay in isola/on in their houses. My thanks echo those of others, given as we’ve clapped from the doorsteps and as we’ve shared words of gra/tude, wrimen and spoken.

The impact of this /me will be long felt, and support within each community will con/nue to be valued.

The help on which we have been relying for much of this year remains important: NHS Inform: www.nhsinform.scot 0800 22 44 88 Health Protec/on Scotland www.hps.scot.nhs.uk 0141 300 1100 Sco]sh Associa/on for Mental Health www.samh.org.uk 0141 530 1000 Young Scot www.young.scot 0808 801 0338 Grampian Assistance Hub www.GCAH.org.uk 0808 196 3384

There is also the useful App for council services which enables you to access all council informa/on easily. It can be downloaded from your app store on your phone or by visi/ng Aberdeenshire.gov.uk/my Unfortunately, amacks on women and girls o`en increase during /mes like those through which we have been living. Many women do not seek the help they need, as they think that their own situa/on is less important than the wider context.

This is of course not true – everyone mamers. Please don’t hesitate to contact Scotland’s Domes/c Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline on 0800 027 1234, or ask someone to contact it on your behalf, if you need the help that it can provide.

Take care, stay safe Alison Evison Cllr.a.evison@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Telephone 07855682845 Facebook: Councillor Alison Evison: Sco]sh Labour in North Kincardine Twi[er @AlisonEvison Surgeries – these are currently cancelled due to Covid-19. Please email or phone me instead

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Insta Laura.Loves.Yoga

Fast brown rocks!

Last week, whilst out for a cycle in Netherley, I did a double then triple take when what I thought was a big brown rock grew legs and ears and took off down the field. It was a brown hare!

With a Haremoss in both Banchory-Devenick and Netherley hares have obviously been part of our natural history for a long /me. Origins are not very clear but paleontological evidence suggests they were introduced to the UK around 2000 years ago from con/nental Europe or slightly later by the Romans. Hare hun/ng in Roman Gaul was apparently a popular sport. We already had a na/ve hare species by then though, the mountain hare. Now found above 300 metres it is smaller than the brown hare, has shorter ears, moults three /mes a year and has a bluish /nge to its summer coat.

Head up to the Lecht to possibly spot one.

Closer to home I have seen hares in Netherley and Durris.

They are larger than rabbits and have browner coats and longer legs. The most dis/nguishing features however are their ears and tail. Brown hare ears are longer and have black /ps and their tails are black above and white below. A rabbit’s ears have no black markings and their tails are all white. Hares are either solitary or found in small groups.

Brown hare

Living in open country, brown hares prefer a patchwork of agricultural fields to rough pasture.

They seem to like a quiet life and will move fields if livestock are put out to graze although anecdotally will tolerate camle over sheep. Being mainly nocturnal, they feed on young grasses, cereals and herbs, hiding in different spots during the day to digest the previous night’s forage.

Unlike rabbits they do not dig burrows. Instead they make a simple shallow depression in soil or grass called a form that they rest in. At this /me of year you are more likely to see them in a newly sown field though, just as the green haze of shoots starts appearing. Dawn or dusk are good /mes to look out for them too.

For a fairly uncommon animal they are prolific breeders. They do bemer in dry, warm springs Brown hare leverets with females being pregnant as early as February.

They can produce three or four limers of three or more leverets a year un/l September. The young are born fully furred with their eyes open with the female digging a form for them to remain in for a month. To avoid preda/on, mainly from foxes, she visits them just once a day at dusk to feed them for only a few minutes. I have spent hours trying to spot leverets hunkered down in their forms to no avail - their camouflage is just too good!

Brown hares live a precarious life. Their numbers have declined across the UK by 75% since WWII and they are classed as game animals as they eat crops and damage trees. In Scotland they can be controlled between October and January. They are also a priority species in conserva/on terms though due to their numbers decreasing to such an extent.

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Hares do not hibernate nor store much body fat so they need a constant source of food, year round. An intensifica/on in agriculture can mean that by summer oilseed rape and winter cereals are too mature to allow grazing and hares have to eat along field boundaries, tracks and roadsides. Their behaviour also does not help.

When threatened they will either take off at up to 45mph or freeze stock s/ll. The lamer can end up in them being caught in grass mowing machinery in silage fields. Farmers therefore cut the field from the centre outwards so that wildlife can escape to neighbouring fields.

There is something very endearing about brown hares! I think it is their ears and how expressive they appear to make them and I know that they are a real favourite with many people. A few families locally are even lucky enough to have brown hares come to their gardens. They do not seem fazed at all by the presence of people, albeit at a distance.

If you are not one of these lucky few then go for a walk, take binoculars and be prepared to sit and search for a while - un/l one of those rocks turns into something slightly more interes/ng. I would not be at all surprised if we had many more hares in this area than is currently thought! Mandy Tulloch

North Kincardine Rural Community Council - NKRCC For all the community updates, contact details and helpful links during Covid19, please visit our website nkrcc.org.uk and Facebook page: NKRCC. Dates of when mee/ngs will be resumed will be posted online once known.

Paddock gate, Netherley made by Charles Winchester, former groom/blacksmith at Netherley House

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St Ternan’s Church St. Ternans is closed un/l further no/ce in line with Government instruc/ons and all future events cancelled.

Portlethen ChrisSan Fellowship Contemporary Church for the South of the City In these unprecedented /mes of the Coronavirus pandemic, much fear and worry dominate our society for various reasons.

As Chris/ans, we look to God, in these days of turmoil, to lead us steadfastly through the storm and out the other side. God is good! He brings good things out of everything, even devasta/ng circumstances such as these we witness today.

We give thanks to our amazing NHS and all the key workers who are so appreciated for all their dedica/on and hard work at this crucial /me.

Our prayers are for you and your loved ones to keep safe. Also for those affected by ill-health for any reason, and those suffering other troubling circumstances causing distress. We pray also for our government leaders, for their good health and wise decision-making to enable our country to rise again, with strength, dignity and compassion.

As we progress through Lockdown, we warmly invite you to join us online for our Live Stream Sunday Service, which is hosted by Aberdeen Chris/an Fellowship, at 10.30am.

Please see our website, Portlethencf.com, for more informa/on about our church and for details of other events.

Alterna/vely, you can email info@portlethencf.com. Every Blessing.

Maryculter Trinity Church In this hour of crisis every business, outlet and home has had some or other lock down imposed upon it and the church is no excep/on. Indeed, it would be abandoning our civic duty to do otherwise.

Weekly, even daily services, have been suspended and it would appear that all worship ac/vity has ground to a halt, save that online.

Yet, it is worthwhile to remember that the church has never been a building, it has ever been the people of God. In the original ‘church’ had reference to the gathering of God’s people. As such, the church is not locked down, it is simply conduc/ng its business in another place. In fact the early church was found in the home. Prayers and praises ascend wherever God’s people are to be found. So, right now, the church is func/oning right well, thank you. Prayers and praises con/nue to be on the lips of the church as it bears the needs of all people before God. The church has been mandated to ‘Pray for everyone’ and it func/ons best, when freed from distrac/on, it li`s its voice on behalf of the sick, suffering and needy.

Paul writes: ‘I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. 1 Timothy 2:1 Be assured then that the church is not ‘locked out’ from praying for the needs of everyone, whatever their circumstances, and one day we will meet again in public to tes/fy to this truth. God bless you all in this trying /me.

Mel Griffiths For and on behalf of Maryculter Trinity Church St Marys, Blairs As a measure to combat the spread of the covid-19 corona virus, the Bishop's Conference of Scotland have suspended the celebra/on of all public liturgy un/l further no/ce. Please visit our website for more details on the arrangements that are in place and Diocesan news. There is a NEW Live streaming sec/on for links to parishes that broadcast Mass. www.stmarysblairs.org

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Andrew Bowie MP Across the globe, coronavirus has shaken our daily existence to the core. It has put obstacles in the way of almost every ac/vity, every part of normal life.

But the fight against the virus’ spread doesn’t mean the end for hugging a family member, of going to the pub for a pint, or ea/ng in a restaurant with friends. We have a very clear set of instruc/ons that will slow down the rate of transmission, focus medical amen/on on those who need it most, and allow both Scotland’s governments to devote resources where it counts. Staying at home, adhering to social distancing when we absolutely must go out, and washing our hands will protect the NHS. We are already adap/ng to this temporary change. Our use of technology has allowed us to keep in touch with our families, friends and workplaces.

Every poli/cian takes on cons/tuent casework and tried their hardest to get a good result. That hasn’t changed although most new contact is directly linked to financial support for different walks of life. Social distancing doesn’t mean the end of an MP’s job. Just like everyone else, the work won’t wait in the office for when life goes back to normal. I have been able to con/nue helping cons/tuents since returning home from Westminster, suppor/ng cons/tuents worried about their health, and giving local businesses the support and informa/on they need.

Although my scheduled contact days with cons/tuents have given way to virtual surgeries, the amount of casework to my office has only increased since the pandemic. And our jobs have become busier even without the day-to-day parliamentary business - hundreds of emails and phone calls per day. It is definitely business as unusual, but I suspect some prac/ces we adopt now will stay with us.

It’s not all bad news or worry, however. So much good is already being done in our communi/es, down to the street level. The likes of Aberdeen Cyrenians, CFINE, Social Bite and Aberdeen Foyer have secured home deliveries, food, toiletries, baby items and clothing to community members in need. In these uncertain /mes, I have every confidence in the virus response bringing out the best in all of us.

Councillor Ian Mollison As I write this, society is in turmoil and who knows when normality will return. Or even if “normality” will return.

For me and my fellow councillors we are working differently. Commimee mee/ngs con/nue, but remotely using Skype. The biggest mee/ng I have amended had nearly 70 folk taking part. We have even had a community council forum covering Kincardine and Mearns (North Kincardine Rural Community Council was there of course!).

The way we use technology has taken a great step forward. And that has meant me acquiring new skills, such as using two screens at once while taking part in an audio mee/ng. If you had told me that a couple of years ago I would have thought you were havering. I’m s/ll learning as we go.

Council officers are also working remotely, though obviously some services have come to a halt. No plants for communi/es, play parks not in use, libraries shut, schools closed (with the excep/on of those looking a`er key workers’ children), road repairs on hold, household recycling centres have shut their gates, and so on.

Staff have been flexible, switching to other roles to keep essen/al services going and support the more vulnerable in our communi/es.

Meanwhile community groups have sprung up to help look a`er those among use who have to keep safe or are just not that able to get out for vital supplies.

It has been really heart-warming how people have pulled together (while keeping in line with social distancing naturally!).

Un/l we meet again, take care and stay safe.

Cllr Ian Mollison Cllr.i.mollison@aberdeenshire.gov.uk hmps://www.facebook.com/ian.mollison.73 17

Cllr Colin Pike Everyone looks forward to good news and I am happy to report that the Kincardine & Mearns Area Commimee community budget of £80,000 is once again open for applica/ons. Any group or community organisa/on which is formally cons/tuted may apply for up to £8,000, of matched funding to use towards good causes. The applica/on process is very simple and our Commimee Officer, emma.storey@aberdeenshire.gov.uk will send you the form and any help you need to submit it.

The recent planning applica/on to change the route of Netherley Road at the entrance to Ury Estate and create a T junc/on along with par/al closure of the B979, prompted many concerned users of the road to contact me and I duly took into considera/on all the points they raised, when we discussed it at the planning commimee mee/ng. The dra` minute for this mee/ng has just been published and it states “Councillor Agnew seconded by Councillor Pike moved to refuse planning permission in that it is not in the general public interest in this case to depart from roads and junc/on design standards concerning, road safety, efficiency, capacity and flow of the road traffic network, accordingly planning permission as applied for should be refused and for the avoidance of doubt this includes proposals for stopping-up and or closure of the B979”.

Aberdeenshire Council have put a lot of effort into online services and at this difficult /me this has paid dividends as so much informa/on is now available through the Council website. One facility that many are using is the online digital library services, this is a superb resource and allows free access to daily newspapers, magazines, books and a host of interes/ng publica/ons and media content. Check it out here at hmps://livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk/libraries/ If I can assist on any Council mamers, I am contactable by phone, 0777 9095385 or email; cllr.c.pike@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Maureen Wa[ MSP

At the /me of wri/ng Scotland and the whole United Kingdom have been in lockdown for over a month as we make a collec/ve effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus, otherwise known as covid-19.

This pandemic has significantly changed the types of issues my office and I are helping people with. In the last month I have been inundated with queries over access to benefits, with many people having to apply for the first /me in their lives. I have also been contacted by local businesses seeking help in receiving business support grants from the Council.

One of the biggest issues to date has been the worrying impact the virus has had on jobs. As employment is reserved to Westminster, the UK Government introduced the Coronavirus Job Reten/on Scheme which ensures employees in par/cipa/ng businesses will con/nue to receive up to 80 percent of their salaries. Through addi/onal pressure, the scheme was expanded to cover self-employed people as well, and my SNP Westminster colleagues are also urging the introduc/on of a Universal Basic Income.

I have also par/cipated in two “virtual” Sco]sh Parliament members sessions which enables MSPs to con/nue asking ques/ons of the Sco]sh Government online. So far, I have been able to raise concerns rela/ng to the serious challenges facing the oil and gas sector, along with seeking assurances that more ac/on will be taken to discourage a minority of irresponsible people from flou/ng lockdown and driving large distances to the countryside.

Before finishing I wish to express my condolences to those who may have lost loved ones during this pandemic and thank our vital NHS, social care, emergency services and retail staff who are working so hard to save lives, keep us safe and keep us fed during these extremely challenging /mes.

If I can be of help with any issue you are experiencing then do not hesitate to call my office (working remotely) on 01224 876743 or by email: maureen.wam.msp@parliament.scot

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Maryculter Driving for the Disabled Registered charity SCIO 28630 Sadly, due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the current restric/ons / advice from the government, we have suspended our 2020 driving season and training days. We will contact members when we are able to start up again.

However we would s/ll love to hear from anybody who is keen to volunteer with us in the future, especially ‘tea ladies’. This par/cular role involves providing fine pieces and serving refreshments with another volunteer at one Wednesday a`ernoon session per season (contact details below).

Reflec/ng on last year’s ac/vity not only did we have a glorious excursion to Crathes castle, but also an ‘Outlander’ themed trip to the Garioch Group at Strathorn Farm where, clad in tartan, we tromed around the cones course and farmland tracks overlooked

by Bennachie. The finale was our ‘Tea party’ themed bbq/compe//on at Maryculter Home Farm. And of course we had our annual visit from Santa at our Christmas party in Corbie Hall.

Contacts: Secretary - Moira Strachan 07740882790 email moira.strachan@outlook.com or Group organiser/Coach -Kate Brockman 01330811615 brockman.kate@b7nternet.com

Crathes Castle fun

Grampian Talking Therapy Locally based Sarah is a mental health nurse and Cogni/ve Behavioural Therapist and has offered to share a free guide to coping with the uncertainty of life just now.

She would be happy to offer some free support to those in the local area, although there is currently limited availability due to ongoing work commitments, but every effort will be made to help folk where possible.

This link is to a super guide with great visuals and sugges/ons. www.psychologytools.com/ar/cles/free-guide-to-living-with-worry-and-anxietyamidst-global-uncertainty You can get in touch via a message on Facebook: Grampian Talking Therapy

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Schloss Rothenburg Wines Importer of fine wine. est 1978

Schloss Rothenburg is a local, small wine business who sources great wines from many countries.

Whether you favour classic French or New World wonders, there is a wine to suit every palate and pocket, delivered to your door. Mix your own case or feel free to ask for recommendations.

Given current restrictions, we do have less variety than usual but many great wines are still available. We provide a no-contact delivery, usually within a couple of days of ordering.

Get in touch Facebook : Schloss Rothenburg Wines Email : sinead@schlossrothenburg.com Phone : 07989 486928

website : nkrcc.org.uk and Facebook : North Kincardine Rural Community Council Advertise with us! We deliver to homes and NKRCC businesses within this area‌

Email : sdeesideview@yahoo.co.uk

Rural North Kincardine area

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Blaikiewell Animal Sanctuary Online Charity Dog Show Entries now open for the Online Dog Show. £2.50 per photo per class.

Rosemes 1st to 6th place and medals for 1st place winners. A roseme for every entrant.** Classes:- 1. Best Male 2. Best Female 3. Best Puppy (under 1 years of age) 4. Best Rescue 5. Best Crossbreed 6. Best Oldie (over 10 years of age) 7. Cutest Selfie 8. Best Ac/on Shot 9. The dog the judge would like to take home 10. Best Fancy Dress (dog/dog and human) 11. Best Scruffiest Dog 12. Best Friends (dog with their best friend - can be another pet, a human etc) 13. Best Doggie Hero (has your dog gone above and beyond during this excep/onal /me) 14. Gone by not forgomen (doggies that have passed over the rainbow bridge) 15. Best Pet (other than a dog)

Please send all entries to warren.ivers@virgin.net - please mark all photos with the classes you wish to enter, together with your name and your dog’s name.

Payment should be made to PayPal blaikiewelldogshow@gmail.com - friends and family only Closing date for entries is Friday 22nd May 2020 with the winners being announced on Sunday 24th May 2020.

Looking forward to seeing all your photos!

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Local Broadband Updates There was an Openreach/KN van spied in Netherley on the Old School Road recently along with a cherry picker. KN Group are the company that have installed much of Openreach’s fibre network in the Aberdeenshire area and are permimed to con/nue work on exis/ng projects & maintenance & repair works. About 1000m of fibre has been installed. It is thought that once the installa/on is completed connec/ons to premises will start very soon a`er!

If you are unable to get fibre broadband and you have good mobile coverage in your area you might want to consider using mobile broadband. Check out discussions about this on the Fibre for Netherley, Maryculter and Surrounding Areas group on Facebook. Many are ge]ng 40-70+ mbps with 4G in comparsion to BT at less than 2 in some areas. External aerials can also boost this if your house loca/on is in a suitable posi/on with a good line of sight.

There were some ques/ons from homeowners on the cusp of the exchanges of Peterculter (01224 phone numbers) and Newtonhill (01569). Even though fibre installa/ons may be tan/slisingly close, it is unlikely you would be transferred to a new exchange just to facilitate a fibre connec/on so it’s s/ll a wai/ng game!

Check your status here. hmps://www.openreach.com/fibre-broadband

The Openreach website shows a very helpful graphic that explains the type of fibre services that they provide. It explains the different connec/ons that are poten/ally possible for proper/es.

FTTC (Fibre To The Cabinet) is o`en labelled as "Superfast broadband" and can achieve speeds (download) between 24 - 80 MB/S. FTTC consists of part fibre/part copper phone lines. From the exchange to the green street cabinet the line is fibre. From the cabinet to the property the line is copper. The closer you live to the green street cabinet, the faster the speed you will receive.

FTTP - (Fibre To The Premises) is o`en labelled as "Ultrafast broadband" and can achieve speeds (download) between 24 - 1000 MB/s. Proper/es are connected directly to the exchange and the lines are 100% fibre. There is no loss of speed over distance with fibre.

Please note, most ISP's (Internet Service Providers) have removed FTTP packages from their websites at the moment. This is due to COVID-19. To upgrade to FTTP you need an Engineer to install equipment in your house. For this reason companies have decided to suspend this service as it puts their employees at risk. You should s/ll be able to upgrade to superfast speeds though as you can do this yourself without the need for an Engineer. Image courtesy of bt.com

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As we went into Lockdown last month new deals with housebuilders were concluded and we are just waiSng to get back on site to get started. There will be an even greater variety of houses with Snowdrop star/ng to create some spectacular homes on larger plots on the Proposed Snowdrop housing eastern edge and ZeroC beginning to prepare the ground for a triangular area of houses and apartments near the Cookney Road.

These are being offered as mid-market rent and shared equity proper/es. AJC Homes have plans for a wide variety of homes by Wolrige Park lodged with the planning department and they intend to complete the Pheppie park area at the south of Cairnhill once work resumes.

When the show homes start up again there will be the chance to view the new house types. The peace and calm has also provided us with the opportunity to start preparing the woodland and ground at the top of Cairnhill as a first stage in preparing for our permanent play area.

Burns night cocktails with Cocoa Ooze

The last three months of last year brought many visitors in to Chapelton despite a wet gloomy autumn and winter.

New events were added to the calendar including a Christmas market which proved extremely popular, a pumpkin carving workshop for youngsters and a few smaller cra` sessions ahead of Christmas in the Hut. Nearly all the events are open to anyone in the area and you can see and book them through the website www.chapeltonnewtown.co.uk and our Facebook page Chapelton. We also held a drinks’ tas/ng, a chocolate workshop and a clothes swap with Swish Swish Bish in the first two months of 2020. Sadly, all the subsequent events have been cancelled for the foreseeable future in line with government advice. Residents have taken the 10k run to a great place so it is disappointment, but it will be back in 2021 bigger and bemer.

During these uncertain Covid-clouded months we can say we have a shining light in Bob Miller at Teacake at the heart of the community. He has kept busy and if you want a treat delivered to your doorstep he is doing some wonderful pre-ordered dinners and cakes so make the most of it. I am sure that everyone will also welcome the reopening of the Lounge and Slate and Grain when it happens.

Landale Court, Brio Retirement Living 23

Blaikiewell Animal Sanctuary 24

Unwanted clothing, paired shoes, bags and belts along with bedsheets and covers (not actual duvets and pillows)