PLANT SALE and

COFFEE MORNING Saturday 17th May

 "

10.30 until noon Corbie Hall, Maryculter"

We are holding our annual sale of garden plants: herbaceous, rockery, herbs, salad vegetables, annuals, bushes etc. These are all grown by

local amateur gardeners, so should thrive well in our area.

Coffee, tea, juice and home bakes "Please get in touch if you have plants, baking or can help on the day. All contributions welcome. Bring your friends

and neighbours. "Contact Rob Winmill about plants Tel: 01569 730308

or Lynne Beard about catering Tel: 01569 739132

SouthDeeside the

View Local News and Views from North Kincardine

the SouthDeeside Local News and Views from North Kincardine View

SPRING 2014

VOLUNTEERS WANTED Spare time and enthusiasm?

Why not do something worthwhile? Local groups need you urgently

See pages 3 and 8 for more information

www.nkrcc.org.uk/sdv

A NOTE FROM THE EDITORS… "

Spring has arrived! Many thanks to the folk who

keep us up to date with such a wide range of activities

in our home area.  It is volunteer effort which keeps them all going. Recent research shows that willing volunteers are a happy bunch with strong feelings of community and robust mental health. Do consider taking part, particularly where vacancies are indicated - you can gain personally as much as the group you join. "We decided some time ago to restrict our advertising to local companies and are most grateful for their financial support, which funds half our printing costs. "All phone numbers are Aberdeen listed (01224) unless otherwise indicated. "We are an independent publication, but do liaise with the local Community Council (NKRCC), who kindly give a home to our newsletters on their u p d a te d w e b s i te . P l e a s e v i s i t www.nkrcc.org.uk/sdv where you can find our current and archived copies. "Hope to see you at the Plant Sale and Coffee Morning on 17th May! ""Lynne, Hazel and Emma

CONTENTS !3 North Kincardine Rural Community Council 6 Blairs Museum, Hall Bookings 7 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts 8 Babies & Toddlers, Brownies, Guides 9 South Deeside Under 5’s, Rainbows 10 Lairhillock School Banchory-Devenick School 11 Maryculter WRI, Friendship Club Deevale Football, Glendale Football 12 Friends of Cookney Hall, Maryculter Woodlands Trust, Halls 13 Leisure Activities 14 Police Scotland, Plant Appeal 15 Carriage Driving for the Disabled Home Deliveries 16 Church Notices 18 World War 1 Centenary 19 Maryculter Hall, Chapelton of Elsick 20 Aquhorthies & Bourtreebush Stone Circles 22 Nature Notes 24 MP, MSP, Councillors 25 Councillors 26 Lembas Organics 27 Advertisements 28 Useful Numbers, Events Calendar

Apache lands in Maryculter !Look what happened after the oil pressure warning light came on!  "An Army Apache Attack helicopter made a safe emergency landing in a Maryculter field at

lunchtime on April 7, challenging the NATO Joint Warrior Exercise to demonstrate its flexibility. !Later on, twenty or so heavily equipped soldiers  jumped out f r o m a m a s s i v e C h i n o o k helicopter, transferred fuel from the Apache and set up guard.  No need really since the natives were friendly and offered refreshments.  Our thanks to the pilots who managed to avoid landing on any homes or farm stock.

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Your Community Council is short of representatives. "Recent retirements, all for good reasons mean that the remaining (Magnificent Seven) volunteer community councillors have taken"

on extra responsibilities. That’s tough! Even for them. "!So what! We are already over-represented with Local Government, the Scottish Parliament and Westminster. I pay taxes so that they look after our interests. Why should I do this for free? Some other busybody can poke their nose in and do something, but frankly I’ve too much going on in my life to care! Somebody else will do it. Why does it matter anyway?"!Community Councils are a statutory, formal link with local government (Aberdeenshire Council) and are completely non-political. NKRCC has been a well established part of our community for many years. It covers the communities of Banchory-Devenick (3 Councillors), Maryculter (5) and Netherley (4). It provides the link between us (ordinary residents) and the Council so that they are fully aware of our needs and opinions. This is part of local democracy.!!Usually three of the four elected (paid) Councillors for our area attend NKRCC meetings. They contribute guidance and expertise, and their awareness of our recommendations, concerns and local knowledge adds to decision-making at Council level. All residents are welcome at our fairly informal meetings, and are strongly encouraged to take part in discussion. Invited speakers include heads of Council departments, housing developers and sources of grants. !!OK, so what does NKRCC actually do and how does it affect me? ! !

Planning applications: All are considered and comments provided to the Council if thought necessary. In case you think this could be a wasted effort, the good news is that NKRCC has made real differences to planning decisions on individual buildings and major developments in our area.!Education: Two community councillors have supportive liaison with our two primary schools and pre-school groups.!Representation on: Kincardine and Mearns Safety, Rural Partnership and other committees !! ! ! Chapelton of Elsick Liaison Committee!! ! ! Meikle Carewe Wind Farm Community Fund!!Fund raising: The 400 Club raises around £1,200 annually for local groups and clubs. Your children and family continue to benefit from hall improvements and club events.!The annual Plant Sale and Coffee Morning run with South Deeside View has raised more than £5,000 over the last ten years for community projects near you.!Grant sourcing: Come to NKRCC for advice on grants available and help with completing often complicated application forms.!Information: !Website: www.nkrcc.org.uk When did you last look at this great source of local information, including………………..!

Facebook: Secretary Bob has recently set this up (search for ‘NKRCC’ on Facebook)!NKRCC members deliver our community newsletter, South Deeside View twice a year to over !900 households. Perhaps you could assist with this – there’s no need to join the Community !Council.!

Come along to a meeting and decide – they are on the third Monday of each month in Corbie Hall at Maryculter next to the Old Mill Inn, to convince yourself that community councillors are just like you and want the best deals for our community. You have talent, passion or enthusiasm to contribute for the good of us all. !Come and join us – we need five more members to further develop and grow our community!!

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Here is our Planning guru’s update on recent activities:"!BLAIRS COLLEGE BUILDINGS !The 1999 / 2000 editions of SDV were the first to mention building 200-odd houses at Blairs and now, 13 years later, we have been able to see - and experience for ourselves – the first effects of that development…. and most unwelcome they have been. Those effects, as we all now know, came from closing the South Deeside Road for three consecutive weekends (and 3-day weekends

at that). The reason - trees needed to be felled during February so as not to disturb the birds when they nest. Which leads one to ask: have the birds changed their habits this year, or will they simply be doing what comes naturally at their normal time? If, as we suspect, it is the latter, then why the great haste, the very short notice at which the closure was introduced? Planning permission was granted three years ago. The whole things smacks of poor, or no forward planning as well as a PC culture of ‘Birds good - people bad’. !!!But insult is heaped upon inconvenience with the threat that we

must also expect traffic controls on the South Deeside Road FOR 6 MONTHS while the Muir Group gears itself up to do the preparatory work for their huge housing estate around Blairs College. Out of the blue one Sunday, without prior warning, let alone consultation with the wider community, a sign appeared by the roadside and we the residents, are just expected to wait and queue and wait and queue. While five men lay the services for the site, commercial traffic tries to find other routes and the locals use the ‘rat runs’. We are now hearing that the AWPR (Ring Road) will also start in Q4 of 2014. The community suffers without recourse. Who was it who said, ‘The man in Whitehall (or Woodhill) knows best ’? How does the chaos theory work?!!!So what do we currently think we know about Blairs: 281 houses, equestrian centre, hotel etc. has Permission in Principle (‘Outline’) ; Footbridge across the Dee (or ‘Sewer pipe over the Dee to avoid the expense of trenching under the

Dee’ as that appears to many to be the main reason for the bridge) has Full permission ; 44 houses mostly entering the South Deeside Road from the river side (to meet the cost of the sewer bridge) also has Full Permission. When building will actually start remains uncertain as Muir Homes have still to consult with the community about their actual intentions and planning. What about the Listed Buildings and especially the Menzies Building and their current condition? We don’t really know. Meanwhile we can all feel so much better about it all when we see that the developers are calling the 44

houses in the flood plain, ‘BLAIRS HAMLET’. Now doesn’t that give you a warm glow, with visions of thatched cottages....roses round the door....yokels in smocks.....blue skies - and great tits at the Blairs?!!!LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (LDP)"The consultation on the Main Issues Report (MIR) has now finished; the planners will take the public’s comments into account and present the resultant amended Draft LDP to elected members in the next few months. Thereafter a Final LDP (rarely amended these days) will be published in Autumn 2014 and submitted to a public inquiry, the Examination In Public (EIP), probably in Summer 2015. The intention is to publish the approved Plan, a great deal of which is very similar to the existing 2012 Plan, by 2016. !

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Where housing development is concerned, the planners’ stated intention in the Main Issues Report that the North Kincardine area should have no ‘Preferred’ housing bids (once Preferred and written into the Plan, a bid is certain to get approval). Any suggested bid from a developer, however, even if not written into the Plan, can still eventually be put forward as a normal planning application. This happened several times during the last LDP process; two were rejected, one was approved. NKRCC, in our submission to the consultation, endorsed the planners’ view that no major development should be written into the Plan for this area.!!Overall the emphasis in the Plan on housing policy is still that areas like ours near the city, should have severe restrictions on large numbers of houses, simply because such areas ARE near the city, are therefore desirable, but major development there would lead to urban sprawl and even more commuting. (The area around Aberdeen is titled the Aberdeen Housing Market Area, or AHMA.) That does not mean that there will be NO development here, merely that it should be small-scale. A good example is that of a Netherley farm, no longer operational, where a total of five houses have been approved on what is a brownfield (previously developed) site. Once again, NKRCC strongly agreed with the proposed policy of restricting housing in the AHMA to small-scale development only. NKRCC’s comments on that and other matters within the MIR can be seen in full on the website - nkrcc.org.uk.! !

NEW TOWN"It may appear ironic to many of you that the previous paragraph states that the Council’s avowed policy is to eschew ‘large numbers of houses’ near the city, while it is still promoting Chapelton of Elsick. Chapelton is, to be fair, a very different concept, but it is also the reason why NKRCC, in our comments on the MIR, so strongly endorsed the ‘AHMA = small scale only’ section of the policy. With 8,000 houses to spread westwards from Newtonhill right up to the proposed AWPR, that is surely

good enough reason to keep the rest of this area relatively rural. !!The first 800-house-district at Elsick has been given approval and house building

should start within months. We have all seen the first infrastructure work for the new town at Newtonhill junction and, if that is any indication of the quality of work that is to follow, then we would surely all applaud.! !! ! ! ! ——————————————-!

MEIKLE CAREWE COMMUNITY FUND"After a few hitches the initial £20,000 has now been distributed. This area did very well out of it, with five local organisations getting nearly £6,000 among them. It is fair to say that this total was probably greater than it might otherwise have been, as the two huge Portlethen claims submitted for consideration were thrown out as not

meeting the necessary criteria! Next year’s allocation will be open to applications at around the time of the next SDV in September, when we will provide details of how to apply.!!COOKNEY WAR MEMORIAL"At the suggestion of a member of the public, the Community Council took the lead in liaising with the local authority, cleaning the memorial and smartening up the surroundings. Invaluable help came from Willie Angus with tractor and trailer, Colin Pike with soap, water and machine and Geordie Murison, who generously donated two tons of fresh chippings. !!The initial work was in readiness for Remembrance Sunday, but more remains to be done as we approach the anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War. We now need to replace or renew the rather dilapidated bench and remove even more branches from the surrounding trees. The latter will not only make the memorial even more prominent, but expose it to the scouring, cleansing effects of wind, rain and snow. Whether we are able to repair the road and track surface in front of the memorial remains to be seen. Offers of help in any respect would be welcome. See page 18.

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North Kincardine Rural Community Council "website: www.nkrcc.org.uk!

! ! ! ! Secretary:! Bob McKinney, Lakhipara!! ! ! ! ! ! South Cookney AB39 3RX Tel: 01569 730706!Noticeboards by Banchory-Devenick School, East and West Maryculter, Cookney Hall and Maryculter Community Hall, where you will find agendas, minutes and how to contact your local community councillors.!Meetings on the 3rd Monday of each month (except July) at 7.30pm in Maryculter Community Hall.

PLANT SALE AND COFFEE MORNING!We are only a month away from our annual fund-raiser, though to many of you, of course, the chance to socialise is as important an aspect of the day as restocking the garden (and when we see that we attract City Councillors as well, dare we say that our fame has spread and we are well established in the local social calendar?). Split those plants, pot them up, bring - AND BUY ! - then relax with a cake and coffee and debate the referendum with.... (on second thoughts, no – just make it cake, coffee and gossip). SAT. MAY 17th - 10.30.! ! ! !

400 Club"Community councillors chapped on doors over the winter months and have sold 410 tickets – exactly the same as last year. This means we have raised £2,050, £835 of which will be returned as monthly cash prizes. The remaining £1,200 is available for the good of local groups and societies, so please let us know if you need additional funds, and be prepared to present your case at one of our meetings.!!Cash prize winners since September are:!I. Anderson, Maryculter; P. Barrack, Maryculter; V. Birt, Bridge of Don; I. Brown, Bridge of Muchalls; M. Christofferson, Netherley; R. Dickinson, Maryculter; A. Evison, Inverbervie; C. Fettig, Netherley; J. Grant, A. Gray, Cookney; Banchory-Devenick; N. McAllan, Banchory-Devenick; A. McAra, Maryculter; L. McKenzie, Maryculter; N. Mauthner, Maryculter; E. Michael, Banchory-Devenick; K. Miller, Bridge of Muchalls; C. Morrison, Maryculter; S. Munro, Maryculter; A. Reid, Maryculter; M. Robertson, Banchory-Devenick; E. Schriver, Netherley; B. Scott, Banchory-Devenick; G. Smith, Maryculter; A. Stewart, Maryculter; I. Sutherland, Maryculter and F. Williams, Maryculter.

Bookings of Halls and Grounds !Maryculter Community (Corbie) Hall & Field"

C.Masson, Tel 733583 carol.masson@btinternet.com!Mobile 07960 231855! "!

Maryculter Church Hall & Glebe Field"Anne Massie, Tel 732071!

! !

Cookney Hall"Willie Angus, Tel 01569 730123, Email:

wgangus@ukgateway.net! "

" " ! ! ! ! !Lairhillock School"

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

St Ternan’s Church Community Room"Sheila, Tel 01569 731608 !

or Audrey Tel 01569 730600

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

Opening  Times  (April  to  October) Saturdays,  Sundays  and  Local  Holiday  Mondays  2-­‐5  pm.  Visitors  are  very  welcome  outwith  these  times  and  throughout  the  year,  by  arrangement  at  a  time  to  suit  you.  Group  visits  can  include  a  guided  tour  and  refreshments.  

For  details  of  upcoming  events  please  visitwww.blairsmuseum.com Tel:  863767

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!1st Maryculter Scouts !

Commonwealth Themed

Family BBQ and

Fun day for the

whole community Sunday 1st June !

1.00 pm - 4.00 p.m.!Corbie Park and Hall!!

Contact for more info: Lorna Walker, 07743323818 !Email: loribee@hotmail.co.uk!

1st Maryculter Cubs !O n c e a g a i n t h e Cubs have been out and about for almost every pack m e e t i n g , m a k i n g wonderful use of the varied terrain in and around the Kirkton as well as venturing further afield.!!We kicked off the new school year with a hike to Scolty and a cycle ride through the Kingcausie estate. A two night trip to Muir Cottage near Braemar saw a small group of Cubs racing cork boats down the burn at Inverey, learning to draw a bow in the Braemar butts, and orienteering around Creag Choinnich. !!As the nights drew in, the Cubs enjoyed a stealth exercise in the woods, mapped the Kirkton and navigated their way from point to point at Templars’ Park in pursuit of their map-reading badge. They learned how to spot different points of interest on an Ordnance Survey map: needless to say, every Cub now knows what the letters ‘PC’ really mean. !!We’ve made guys for Bonfire Night, held our traditional Remembrance Eve sleepover in the Hut, and entertained each other with music, songs and jokes around a Christmas camp fire while supping mulled Ribena. The Cubs have recently enjoyed a visit to Stonehaven Police Station, where sixteen of them plus one Scout succeeded in squeezing into the back of the prison van.!!Looking forward, we will be running another camp in the Glebe field in May, followed by our summer camp at Templars’ in June. As the evenings lengthen we’ll be able to climb some hills, and hope to do some tracking and trail running in the woods around the village.!!Maryculter Cubs is a mixed pack, welcoming both boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 10½ from the Maryculter, Netherley and Banchory Devenick areas. We meet at the Maryculter Scout Hut on Mondays between 18:15h and 19:45h. !!We currently have a full pack, but a minimal waiting list, so if you have a son or daughter who likes the outdoors and would like to find out more, please get in touch with !Sarah Taylor (07917 658504)!Brett Lestrange (01224 730055)Tom McNamee (07801 612278) !Gaetan Cardinal (07876 513666)!

Maryculter Beavers !During the Autumn months, the Beavers worked for their Animal Friend badge. This involved br inging in their pet and

explaining how they cared for them. They also paid a visit to the animal rehoming centre at Drumoak.! !In December some Scouts put on a puppet show about a bad Scout who wanted to cut down a tree for his campfire despite it being a home for many animals… a very eco-friendly message for the Beavers.!! !This term they have been working on their Experiment badge - an excuse to make a proper mess in the Scout Hut with exploding volcanoes and gushing geysers!!Beavers meet every Tuesday from 5.30 to 7.00pm in the Scout Hut at Kirkton of Maryculter. !!Budding Beavers aged 6-8 years wishing to join should contact Beaver Leader Kathleen Paterson Tel:868676.

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Maryculter Babies and Toddlers !We meet in Maryculter Church Hall on Thursday mornings all year from 9.30-11.30am. Anyone looking after children between birth and 3 years is very welcome to join us for a cuppa and chat, whilst the tots play with our stock of toys and games. We’re always on the lookout for new members so please tell friends, neighbours and those new to the area.!

Marleen Grimmer, Tel: 07766 910473, !Email:  mbiesheuvel@yahoo.com !Dawn Jaffrey, Tel: 07846 863142,!

E-mail: dawnadams76@hotmail.com!!Maryculter Brownies !2014 is the 100th Birthday of the Brownies and for the girls of Maryculter it is going to be a busy one. We celebrate our 36th Birthday this year, having been formed in 1978, so after the Easter Break we are going to have a party. If you know anybody who was a Brownie or a leader at this time please tell them to get in touch as we would love to hear from them.!We will also be taking part in a Big Brownie Bakeoff to celebrate and also will be attending a fun day in Aboyne with other Brownies from all over the County. Instead of our Annual Sleepover we will be going to the PGL centre at Dalguise to have a Big Brownie Stayaway and you can imagine we are very excited by that.!At the moment our unit is full but if you are interested in adding you daughter to the waiting list if she is not already a member of Girlguiding please click on the Get Involved area of the Girlguiding website at www.girlguiding.org.uk!

Lynn Murphy – lynnmurphy100@hotmail.co.uk !or 01330 825936

Daffodil Tea Saturday 10th May 2014

10.30am-12.30pm Corbie Hall, Maryculter !

Tickets Adults £3.00 Children/Concessions £1.50

Stalls include:- Cake and Candy, Books and Toys,

Lucky Eggs, Chocolate/Bottle Tombola, Adopt a Teddy !

Tickets available at the door on the day

In Aid of Friends of Guiding in Maryculter

1st Maryculter Guides needs YOU !!

The volunteer guiders are keeping !the pack going on Tuesday evenings !

until June. !!We urgently need local volunteers to take over so if you are aged between 18 and

65 and would like to help out please get in touch. Experience is not necessary as

support will be given.!!They are a small but enthusiastic bunch of

girls and there are 5 waiting to move up from the Brownies so it would be a shame

to permanently close the unit.!!For more information please contact:-"Lynn Murphy – District Commissioner"

Lynnmurphy100@hotmail.co.uk "or 01330 825936"

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South Deeside Under 5’s

We are a community-led c h a r i t y p r o v i d i n g independent childcare for children from birth to five years, meeting at Maryculter Community

Hall (next to the Old Mill Inn). Our experienced playleaders prepare an exciting array of activities for youngsters, from crafts, construction games and imaginative play inside, to gardening, active games and country walks outside. Beyond the fun for children, the group aims to be a focus for local parents to meet and make new friends. We offer 3 groups:!

Baby & Toddler GroupMeets on Monday mornings - £3.75 per session. From birth to 4 year olds. Adults relax over a coffee whilst children make their first friends. An experienced playleader leads children through active play, songs and stories.!

Two’s GroupMeets on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings - £8 per session from 9.45 - 11.45am. For children aged 2 years until they go to nursery. Tots are left in the capable hands of experienced playleaders who support the children in learning through play in a mall, friendly group. Activities include crafts, bug hunting, bubbles in the garden and walks around the local countryside.!

Rising Fives GroupMeets on Tuesday, 11.45am to 1.45pm - £8 per session. For ante pre-school and pre-school children. A gentle introduction to spending more time away from their adults prior to school. Children are provided with a healthy lunch as part of our healthy living programme followed by fun activities including cooking, painting or sports.!

More information, call 07966 163953 Email: info@south-deeside-under-fives.co.ukScottish Charity No. SC071421 w w w . s o u t h - d e e s i d e - u n d e r -fives.co.uk The South Deeside Under Fives is a member of the Scottish Pre-school Play Association

Maryculter Rainbows !We meet in the Corbie Hall on T h u r s d a y

afternoons from 4.15 to 5.15pm. If your daughter is aged between 5 and 7 years and would like to join, please register on: www.girlguiding.org.uk and complete the ‘Get Involved’ section.!!We are also looking for another adult leader, s o p l e a s e c o n t a c t Ly n n , D i s t r i c t Commissioner (see Brownies on page 8) if you can help out.!

Email: vlawrie@yahoo.co.uk

!

!!MARYCULTER

HOUSE HOTEL !!!!!!!!The ideal venue for

Sunday Carvery, Murder Mystery Evenings, Bar Supper, Charity Events,

Graduation Lunches and Dinners, Conferences & Weddings !

Call now to make your reservations 01224 732124

or email conferences@maryculterhousehotel.com www.maryculterhousehotel.com

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Banchory- Devenick School !We have been to A&M Smith for an eco trip to discuss where our skips of waste are going and the

types of recycling accepted in our community. We also went to Paul Lawrie Golf Centre to see the progression from Club golf to becoming a professional golfer. The children were delighted to meet Paul who signed a cap for every child! What a hero. We also celebrated Robbie Burns day by dressing in a ‘touch of tartan’. World Book Day in March had us all dressing up as our favourite book characters and Zoolab came to visit us with all their creepy crawlies which was very interesting!! We have welcomed visits from PC Crawford and Bob McKinney from the local Community Council and are going to Luthermuir Sports Fields for a small schools community builder event with Marykirk Primary and Luthermuir Primary schools. The objective of this is to raise money for Sport Relief and have a fun community event for small schools at the same time.!! Please check out our website where you can find full copies of our newsletters. A date for your diary is our Spring Fair on 31st May, 2-4pm. We have many more activities planned for the summer term so please check our website where you can find all the details and dates, plus full copies of our latest newsletters.!

Headteacher - Michelle Watson, Email: banchorydev.sch@aberdeenshire.gov.ukwww.banchory-devenick.aberdeenshire.sch.uk

Lairhillock School The school runs a clothing recycling bank at the Lairhillock Inn car park. Money raised goes to the Parent Council, who generously support the school. Suitable items are all clothing, paired shoes, bags, belts, ties, linens and towels. We also collect old mobiles and printer cartridges as another fundraiser. You can leave them at the school office.!The classes used the £25 Christmas money to purchase Oxfam Unwrapped Gifts of mosquito nets, two goats plus money for 4 water well repairs. The nets ensure vulnerable people stay safe while

sleeping. The goats are locally sourced, vaccinated and produce milk to drink and sell, fertiliser for crops and kids to take to the market. The well repair pays for labour, tools and training for water points which brings clean, fresh water to the whole community.!!

In our Scottish poetry competitions, our judges, Miss Margaret Gibson and Mrs Margaret Macdonald, retired teachers, found it very difficult to choose the winners from such high standards but the overall winner was Abby Macdonald. World Book Day was a great success with most of the children dressing up as their favourite book character. However, there were concerns that the children were being taught by so many Wallies! Mrs Begg and the P5/6 class ran a well-attended Fairtrade community café and helped raise £128.00. Further cafés are planned, giving adults an opportunity to visit the school more often.!!

Eli Methven did a great job explaining the Bandanas for Brain Tumours event to the children and we raised £136.97 for the charity. Alex Dunlop, Struan Kirk, Callum McIntyre and Sophie Stewart represented the school at the Kincardineshire Primary Badminton Competition, having only had 4 training sessions, and came joint first with Johnshaven School in the Rural Schools group. This was a fantastic achievement and we are very proud of them.!

Acting Head Teacher - Christine Saward,Email : lairhillock.sch@aberdeenshire.gov.uk! !www.lairhillock.aberdeenshire.sch.uk

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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

Glendale Football Club !As I sit and write this article - mid March - we are well through our season with only 6 games left to play. What a change from last winter.!Unfortunately, all 6 games will be “cup finals” for us - as 2014 has not been kind to us to date - with results going against us on a large number of games despite Glendale commanding and being on top in many of these “big games”.!! However, onwards and hopefully upwards now, and towards the end of the season, with a chance that our AGM and annual golf outing will take place before the start of the World Cup.!! By the time this article goes to press we will have completed our indoor winter training, but we continue to play at Corbie Park on alternate Saturdays, with all interested spectators, visitors and locals welcome to come along and watch your local amateur football team.!

Jim Grant, Tel: 867512!!Deevale Ladies Football Club Dee Vale pre-season training over the winter culminated in two friendly matches: Forfar at Station Park followed by Raith Rovers at Corbie Park.

Both games resulted in comfortable victories for Dee Vale and allowed a number of the new signings to find a place in the first team.

Unfortunately, the first competitive game of the season resulted in a 3-0 defeat away to Kilmarnock in the League Cup. However the team have set their sights on league success and made a solid start to the 2014 season with an away 0-2 win against Turriff United. They have also secured sponsorship from Rotech Fabrication for their 2014 home kit and training tops. !Dee Vale play in the SWFL 2nd Division North, with league games on a Sunday afternoon. All home games kick off at 2pm at Corbie Park. !For full fixtures and results see www.scottishfa.co.uk/swf For information on training and on joining the team contact deevalelfc@yahoo.co.uk

Maryculter WRI !Meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm in Corbie Hall, Maryculter. Our season ends on May 14th with a business meeting and Bring & Buy sale.!

Secretary, Marlene Connon, Tel: 867580!!Friendship Club !Our group is really thriving with up to 40 retired folk getting together on the first Thursday afternoon of each month for talks, musical entertainment and good company. The indoor winter session ends with a Basket Whist Drive in Corbie Hall on Friday April 25, so let us know if you would like to come along.!!Our summer programme of bus excursions from May to September is all arranged and includes a trip to St. Andrews as well as a mystery tour.!

Contacts: Anne, Tel: 732071 and Peggy, Tel: 734888!!Cookney Bowling Club !The bowlers will be rolling out the carpets on Monday and Thursday evenings at Cookney Hall, ready for 7.30pm start. New members are always welcome to join the enthusiastic regulars. The season closes at the end of April and restarts in mid-September.!

Arthur Durward, Tel: 319701

�11

Maryculter Woodlands Trust !Making Progress…!The application to acquire the 67 hectare wood adjacent to the Kirkton of Maryculter has been approved by Forestry Commission Scotland. The asking price is £240,000. The

community group, the Maryculter Woodlands Trust, now has until 18th May 2015 to raise the funds required. We are therefore busy completing grant application forms!!!For more information please visit our website or get in touch.!!Ed Thorogood!Chairman, Maryculter Woodlands Trust !Scottish Charity No. SC044224!email: info@maryculterwoods.com, Tel: 734224!www.maryculterwoods.com

CULTER THEATRE CLUB!Great Comedy Night Out - 2 x 1 Act Plays! !

Last Tango in Little Grimley &

Last Panto in Little Grimley !Friday 13th & Saturday 14th June

Bring your own bottle and nibbles

For tickets and more information visit our website!www.cultertheatreclub.co.uk!

Culter Village Hall, 178 North Deeside Road, Tel 734371

MARYCULTER COMMUNITY HALL

AND CORBIE PLAYING FIELD by the Old Mill Inn

An ideal venue for children’s parties, meetings, ceilidhs, coffee

mornings, concerts, dance and exercise classes

Available afternoons, evenings and weekends Facilities include kitchen with cooker, microwave, kettle/urn, crockery and

cutlery Tables and chairs for 80 people, toilets

Disabled entrance to Hall

The changing rooms and showers are separate and can accommodate 2 teams of 15

For further information or to book an event, please contact

Booking Secretary Carol Masson Telephone 01224 733583

Friends of Cookney Hall !I’m pleased to day that the Hall has been well used over the winter period. On 26 October the Friends held a Tractor Race Night, 3 January 2014 we held the annual New Year Dance at the Hall and on 18 January 2014, it was the turn of the yearly Burns Supper celebration.!!It has to be said that there was a lot of work put in by those who got the Hall ready for each occasion (you know who you are!), all three events were very well attended and raised a considerable amount of funds for the Hall, all of which will be ploughed back into improvements in the Hall, such as better heating signage and interior décor.!!Looking a little into the future, plans are currently being finalised for a Spring Fling at the Hall on Saturday 26 April. Music will be provided by ‘Double Trouble’ and tickets are available from Joyce Murison, tel – 01569 731236, prices are £8 for adults and £5 for under 14’s. Get them while they’re available as tickets are expected to sell out fast.!!For other events coming up at the Hall, keep an eye on our Facebook page . Find us on Facebook by searching for ‘Friends of Cookney Hall’ and hit ‘Like’.!!!

As always, if you’d like further information about hiring the Hall for a function, please contact Willie

Angus on Tel: 01569 730123 or Email: wgangus@ukgateway.net!!!

And, if you would like to get involved with Friends of Cookney Hall, please contact me for further details about dates of meetings etc.!!Bob McKinney, Tel: 01569 730706!Email: bob8930@sky.com

Why not try an Alpha Course? ! !

The course starts on the 29th April 2014 in the Maryculter area!!

For more details contact: Susan on 07947 547955 !

or email: susanfyvie@gmail.com!!www.alpha.org

�12

Dog Training !Weekly classes on Wednesday evenings in Cookney Hall!

Yvonne Reid, Tel: 865249!!Scottish Accordion Music Group !Thirty and more accordionists meet in the Kirkton hall, Durris on the second Sunday of each month. Doors open at 6.30pm and performances are from 7.30-9.30pm led by Keith Duncan. Music is interspersed with songs and poems, which add to the entertainment, all for an entry fee of £2.!! These are very popular evenings and the 100 seats are soon filled, so do come in good time. The group takes bookings to provide performances elsewhere and can be contacted by phoning their Secretary Eileen Fraser, Tel 319484.!!Drum Castle !The castle, tearoom and shop are open from Thursday to Monday between 11am and 4pm until June 30, and from September 1 to 28. During July and August all will be open daily at the same times. The Garden of Historic Roses can be visited between 11am and 4.15pm daily until October 31.!!

Seasonal details at www.nts.org.uk!Email: drum@nts.org.uk, Tel: 0844 493 2161

North Mearns Reading Group !The Mearns Reading group is an informal group that meets every four to six weeks. We discuss a different book at each session . Our aim is to read widely, to explore, engage and enjoy all kinds of literature. Our books are chosen from a list provided by the Newtonhill library and we take turns to host each meeting. Our recently read book is “Hotel Juliet “ by Belinda Seaward.. If you love to read, then come along and join us. !To find out more please contact: Muriel Hargreaves 01569 730302 Mrs Sheila Usher 01569 731608 !!Aberdeen Aeromodellers Club !Have you ever wanted to learn to fly a Radio Controlled fixed wing aircraft or helicopter? You can at Aberdeen Aeromodellers Flying Club near Portlethen at Banchory Devenick airfield. !!There is no charge for tuition as our club members help new members each year to get their wings and take an aircraft to the sky. You learn by trying one of our training aircraft. The instructor has a buddy box so if you lose control he will flick a switch and fly the plane back to a safe height for you to try again. Most

people that go for a flight are hooked and buy t h e i r o w n training aircraft.!!Most members buy an Almost-R e a d y - t o - F l y

fixed wing or helicopter. Many helicopters are built and set up to fly from the box. Some planes come fully painted and covered, but others require a bit of bolting together and setting up. These are not toys. Some of our members are helicopters pilots and they will tell you that they are harder to fly than their bigger brothers! !!We fly all year long - as long as its not too windy or rainy - so if you are interested, just contact us at AAMFC, either on our web site www.aamfc.co.uk or at the airfield to see if you like the idea of having and flying your own Spitfire, Hurricane or scale helicopter.!!

Al Watt, Chairman, AAMFC!Email: information@aamfc.co.uk!

www.aamfc.co.uk

Circles @ Paul Lawrie GOLF CENTRE

COFFEE SHOP ! Coffees, Teas Cold Drinks

Soup & Sandwiches Home Bakes & Sweets Panini, Baked Potatoes Ice Cream, Take-Aways !

Fancy somethings a little special? Try our - Afternoon Tea for Two £12.90

served Daily from 2.00pm till 4.00 pm

Fresh & Home Baked ! OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FROM 9.00am !

Paul Lawrie Golf Centre South Deeside Road, Ardoe

AB12 5YN, Tel: 865750

�13

PLANT APPEAL Somerset residents affected by flooding

! Like most of you, I have watched the news reports about the extended period of flooding in Somerset and elsewhere. I have felt my heart go out to anyone now dealing with the aftermath -emotionally, physically, financially - of a flooded house and garden.!! Lately it has occurred to me that in my own garden there are many plants that have grown too big, or have self-seeded, all of which can easily be potted up and given away. My hope is to ask other local gardeners and people to also donate plants that can be sent to one of the flooded areas; a small gesture of help to some people who have to start all over again.!! I am aware of the potential problems in carrying out this idea, especially concerns of adaptability and of transmitting plant diseases. With regards to the latter I have asked and received advice from one of DEFRA's inspectors.!! If I can be sure of enough donated plants to warrant "begging" a haulage company for help in the transportation, I will do my best to find a charity organisation in Somerset willing to receive and distribute the plants at an appropriate time.!!If you feel you want to help please:!• Pot up and label a couple of healthy, robust, easy

going plants ( no rhododendrons, azaleas, kalmias , heathers please ) and look after them until needed. If for whatever reason I have to abandon this plan I will let you know a.s.a.p. so you can find another good use for your plants.!

• Let me know if you have any useful contacts in the affected areas or know of charitable courier services.!!

Ilse Elders, Email:plantingup@gmail.com, !Tel: 868301

Residents urged to 'lock it or lose it' !Police have urged residents in Aberdeenshire to be extra vigilant in locking their doors and securing their vehicles following a spate of sneak-in thefts in the area.!!Properties in Kintore, Laurencekirk, Stonehaven and Portlethen were recently targeted by opportunistic thieves and various items of value were stolen overnight at the beginning of February 2014.!!Superintendent Mark Cooper, of Aberdeenshire and Moray Division, has urged residents to continue to be wary of opportunistic thieves operating in their area and to not leave any valuables unattended.!!He added: "We've issued numerous security messages highlighting the issue of sneak-in thefts and have continued to urge resident to lock their doors, but I'd like to take this opportunity to remind people once again that they have to remain vigilant in securing their property as opportunistic thieves are still targeting numerous areas.!!"At this time of year, people will often like to warm up their car first thing in the morning before heading to work, but they have to remember that this is all it takes; leaving your vehicles unattended for a matter of minutes can have consequences. Likewise, leaving your property unsecured may also make it a target for thieves scouring a neighbourhood.!!"We are of course continuing in our efforts to crack down on reports of thefts throughout Aberdeenshire, but I cannot stress enough that we need the help of members of the public to do so and reiterate that by leaving their doors open and vehicles unlocked they are essentially making themselves vulnerable and open to crime.!!"Residents have to stay vigilant and lock their doors so that they do not become victims of opportunistic theft - the message is simple here: lock it or lose it."!!If anyone has information regarding recent thefts, or any other incident in their area they are asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, or if your information is not urgent and you prefer to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.! !Craig Kennedy!Sergeant, Portlethen Police Office!www.scotland.police.co.uk

!Come along for some

indoor fun in the playden plus outdoor activities in

the beautiful glen !!Open daily 10am - 5.30pm !!

Den Entrance Fees Glen Entrance Fees Under 1yr FREE Under 1yr FREE 1-3 yrs £3.95 1-3 yrs £3.95 4+ yrs £4.95 4-14 yrs £4.95 Adults FREE Adults/OAPs £2.95 !

ALSO Saturday 14th June A WOBBLY DAY OUT

featuring the cast of Emmerdale - call for more info

The Den and the Glen, Maryculter, off South Deeside Road,

Aberdeen AB12 5FT Tel 732941

www.storybookglenaberdeen.co.uk

�14

Carriage Driving for the Disabled in Maryculter

From April through to September, the Maryculter group meet every Wednesday afternoon at Maryculter Home Farm on South Deeside Road. Although this is a fun way to spend an afternoon, the aim is to give the disabled an opportunity to manage a horse and carriage, assisted by an Able Bodied Driver (AB Whip).!

We have 12 disabled drivers and approximately 30 volunteers who assist them to have an enjoyable drive through Templars’ Park, alongside the River Dee, or through the fields of Home Farm. We have two horses called Corbie and Casse who pull the carriages. Trained AB Whips sit

alongside the disabled driver and volunteers walk alongside. A cyclist travels in front and to the rear and other volunteers walk alongside. !

It is a fantastic opportunity to assist and inspire people with disabilities and is a very worthwhile way to while away a few hours in an afternoon. Our lovely tea ladies provide coffee, tea and cakes and there’s always time for a good natter!!

Throughout the season we have a day at Strathorn Farm, Inverurie where we meet up with our friends in the Garioch Group and have competitions and a fine lunch! At the end of the season we have an annual barbecue, usually with a theme - for example last year’s theme was ‘Cowboys and Indians’. Our finale in December is a Christmas party at Corbie Hall.!

If you have the time and feel you would like to join our happy group, in any capacity, please come along and join us. We are always pleased to meet new volunteers. We are currently looking for a Secretary to join the committee so if paperwork is more your thing we will be glad to welcome you!!

Please call or email:Irene Heale, irene.heale@ifb.co.uk, Tel: 73550, Kees Witte,monearn@btconnect.com, Tel: 732738, Carol Masson, carolmasson@btinternet.com, Tel: 733583

Home Deliveries !!Organic fresh fruit and vegetables from Lembas at Bridge of Muchalls. You can order from a variety of standard boxes starting from £5 or ask for a bespoke box by choosing produce from our pricelist. Tel: 01569 731746, Email: lembasorganics@gmail.com, www.lembasorganics.co.uk !Vegetables, free range eggs and hay/straw bales from Neil Gammie, Fernieflatt Farm, Kinneff 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 and establish approximate timing. Tel: 07974 311326 !Coal J.H. Roberts of Auchenblae delivers orders in our area on Monday mornings. Tel: 01561 320335

�15

BANCHORY-DEVENICK & MARYCULTER-COOKNEY PARISH CHURCH !Should you need the services of a minister during the vacancy please

contact:!Rev. Dennis Rose, Interim Moderator,

Tel: 01561.362560 dennis2327@aol.co.uk !!Other contacts are:!Mrs. Joyce Mackintosh, Session Clerk Tel: 733495 joycemackintosh@yahoo.ie !Mrs. Anne Massie, Church Treasurer and Caretaker Tel: 732071 !!Services during the vacancy are at 10.30am in Maryculter-Cookney Church and are led by Readers attached to Kincardine & Deeside Presbytery and two of our Elders, Mr. John McCafferty who is also a Reader, and Mrs. Joan Thorne. !!The Meeting Place is now held at 10.30am on the last Sunday of the month instead of 5pm, in Maryculter/Cookney Church Hall. Come and sing along with the praise band and enjoy worship and short talk in a very relaxed atmosphere, followed by tea and coffee. Next one is 27th April. 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. ! !A service of Holy Communion led by Rev. Dennis Rose, Interim Moderator, will be held on Sunday 18th May at 10.30am in Maryculter-Cookney Church. !!Other services at 10.30am to note are:!Good Friday 18th April Service at 7.30pm !Easter Sunday 20th April Service at 10.30am !!Vacancy The vacancy at Banchory Devenick and Maryculter-Cookney continues and as is the case in vacancies nothing can be said or disclosed as everything is confidential. This can look like nothing is being done but the work continues behind the scenes to find a new minister and an announcement will be made as soon as it is possible to do so.!!House Groups are taking a break for the foreseeable future. !!Bible Study is held on Wednesday evenings in M a r y c u l t e r - C o o k n e y c h u r c h h a l l f r o m 7.30pm-9.30pm. All welcome to come along.!!The Freedom in Christ Course which was held at the end of last year was well attended and enjoyed by all.

Community Coffee Mornings are held on 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesdays of the month in !Maryculter-Cookney Church Hall from 10.00am – 12 noon. Fresh coffee or tea and home bakes £2. 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 861048 or Dianne Brown on 734687.!!The Guild led by Mrs. Sheila Bisset is held on the first Monday of the month at 7.30- 9.30pm in Maryculter-Cookney Church Hall from September to November and February to April. New members always welcome to come and hear interesting talks, enjoy fellowship and a cup of tea. Further details from Sheila Tel. No. 01569 731708.!!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. !!Bethany Christian Trust During the winter months we again helped cater for the homeless people in Aberdeen by making soup once a month.!!Youth Café  Something to do on a Thursday night? Everyone who is in school between P7 and S6 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. We meet on Thursday evenings between 7pm and 9pm and follow the school term. Currently 55 members of Youth Café, who al l l ive local ly, come along regularly.   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.  Yearly visits to the Compass Christian Centre in Glenshee are always popular.      15 attended last year and enjoyed rope courses, raft building and many more activities as well as evening sessions of “Thought for Life”. We head back to the centre this year on the 28th August and still have places left.!Contact Dianne Brown on 734687 or 07801 542154 if you would like to join the Youth Café.!!

�16

St Ternan’s Episcopal Church, Muchalls !

St. Ternan’s is the nor thern-most Scottish E p i s c o p a l Church in the D i o c e s e o f Brechin. We are part of the world-

w i d e A n g l i c a n communion. The Church is located in the North Kincardine Community Council area, to the west of the A90 about a mile from Muchalls Village on the Causey Mounth where the road branches off to Cookney and Netherley.!! 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 notice boards and in the magazine.!! Our Community Meeting Room with kitchen and toilet facilities is available for use by anyone in the Community for classes, dance classes, children’s parties, craft groups, meetings etc. The meeting room can accommodate up to 30 people and is fitted with a loop system for the hard of hearing and the entrance is wheelchair friendly. To book the facility contact Sheila on 01569 731608 or Audrey on 01569 730600 – a donation of £4 per hour is suggested.!! Our annual Garden Fete will take place on 14th June in the Church grounds.!Please contact any of the Ministry Team for help or information on marriages, baptisms, funerals, pastoral visiting etc.!Rev Maggie Jackson Tel. 01569 764264, !Rev. Lizzie Campbell Tel. 01569 764264!Mr George Masson Tel. 01224 733583!!

The Banchory-Devenick church building has been sold as it was decided that it was not a “necessary building” for the Church in the future. It will become an art studio for a painting artist and may, in due course, also be an art gallery. The exterior of the building and most of the interior will remain unchanged. An important matter was the question of the war memorials which were located on the wall inside the church. It had already been agreed with Aberdeenshire Council that when they construct the new Banchory Devenick cemetery – hopefully in the next year or so – the war memorials will be placed on a Remembrance wall in the Remembrance garden to be part of the new cemetery and Remembrance services can be held again each November if people wish them to be held. The memorials have been carefully removed from the walls of the church and are being stored safely until they can be re-erected.!!The Ardoe Hall was also not a “necessary building” for the Church and it has been sold. It is intended that the Hall become a museum but as there is some work to be done before it opens it is not appropriate to say what kind of museum yet. It will be good to see the Hall come back into use after some years of closure and further announcements will be made in due course.!

St Mary’s Chapel, Blairs Every Sunday of the year there is Mass at 9.30am at St Mary's Blairs.!!On the second Sunday of each month there is Evening Prayer with Benediction at 3pm at St Mary's Blairs.!!Easter 2014!Palm Sunday - Mass at 9.30am (as usual)!!Thursday April 17th     !Holy Thursday - Mass of the Last Supper, 7pm!!Friday 18th April!Good Friday - The Passion of the Lord, 3pm!!Saturday 19th April!Holy Saturday -  Easter Vigil Mass 8pm

!

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THE

�17

World War 1 Centenary: Not Forgotten "As this year marks the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1, North Kincardine Rural Community Council thought it would be a good time to remember some of those from the area who went off to war and who sadly didn’t come home again. You will see many names on the three war memorials in our area - atop Cookney Hill, within Maryculter Churchyard and until recently on the interior wall of Banchory-Devenick church." "

One of the 32 names on Cookney Memorial is James Hutchinson Garlick. He was born in 1895 at Darasbury, Lancashire to William and Annie Garlick of Mains of Cookney Farm, (right next to the Memorial), eldest of three sons according to the 1911 census. His mother Annie Grieg was a local lass from Greenheads Farm, Muchalls.""James lived some of his life in Newport, Monmouthshire in Wales before enlisting as a Private in the 12th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in Aberdeen in 1916. He was posted to Salonika, Greece where he saw action, most likely around the Lake Doiran area of the former Macedonia. He sustained wounds from which he later died on 17 March 1917, aged only 22 years, with seven months of service. James is buried at Salonika at the Lembet Road Military Cemetery, plot number G 07, grave number 1006.""It has often been said that no parish in the UK was left untouched by the loss of its young men in WW1. Looking at the numbers on the three local war memorials and considering that North Kincardine would have been much more sparsely populated than it is today, it’s clear that this area paid heavily with the loss of young men like James.""

Bob McKinney!Bob and George Masson (Maryculter) continue to research the names on these War Memorials. Perhaps you are related to some of those listed. If so, do contact them so that their records can be more complete.

SOLSTICE NURSERIES OPEN DAY Saturday 24th of May"

 "

Plant Sale & Guild Coffee Morning 10.30am to 1pm

Come along and see our fantastic range of "home-grown hardy Scottish heathers""

Drumduan Walled Garden,!South Deeside Road, AB12 5YL!

Tel: 865907!www.solsticenurseries.co.uk

Sunnyside Home Farm

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�18

Chapelton Update "Those of you who have passed the site will have seen a great deal of mud being moved over the winter. Despite the deluges we have not fallen behind schedule on the infrastructure programme to put in the roads and utilities to the first part of Chapelton, Cairnhill. WM Donald continue to have to drill through tough rock to dig the water and cable channels, whilst holding back the floods in the newly created SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage System) ponds.""The drystone walls are in place, as is much of the landscaping, at the roundabout at the edge of Newtonhill. Now we are waiting for the electricity company to remove poles and overhead cables so work in that area can be completed. ""Our three housebuilders AJC Homes, John Stephen and Zero C Holdings are ahead of our planned schedule and are starting on site next month. The first weekend in June sees the opening of their sales cabins and our own Visitor Centre. Locals will be able to visit and see our model of Cairnhill and more importantly get a cup of tea and a cake from Anita Collin, who will be running the centre.""Negotiations have been underway with BT for some time and we are proud that we will be the first major settlement in Scotland to be installing superfast broadband into the homes. We will be investing in FTTP (Ultrafast fibre to the premises) which will allow homes and businesses at Chapelton to get maximum download speeds of 330Mbps – more than 20 times Ofcom’s current average of 14.7Mbps. This commitment involves ensuring that the local BT network is sufficiently powerful so there should be benefits to everyone in the area.""The first homes should be finished at the end of October and will be ready for occupation. We will also be constructing a nursery school in Hume Square, our first area of retail and terraced housing, to meet the need for pre-school places. It will be a busy few months ahead as we move towards our first inhabitant.""If you would like more information please go to our website www.chapeltonofelsick.com or our facebook page Chapelton.""Caroline Southesk, !Elsick Development Company,!Email: info@chapeltonofelsick.com!www.chapeltonofelsick.co.uk"

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email: deniseshirreffs@aol.com Visit Facebook for Orders & Info

Maryculter Community Hall & Field "At the AGM this year we were pleased to welcome some new members to the committee. Shona Fielding was appointed Secretary following Mary Love’s decision to take a break from the role which she held for many years - since the Hall first became operational. The committee and, I am sure all of the users of the hall, thank Mary for her dedication over all those years.""Our long-serving Booking Secretary, Carol Masson, also indicated she would like to hand over her duties, again, after a similarly long length of service. We have not found a replacement for Carol yet, but are actively seeking volunteers from community-minded people in the neighbourhood who could keep the bookings diary. Please contact Kees Witte, Chairman, on 01224 732738 if you would like to help out.""As for the Hall and field, they continue to be well used. The field has never been so green at this time of the year and I’m sure it will soon need its first mow. We will be having another DIY maintenance day soon - volunteers most welcome.""The changing room shade recently been re-painted, and the and the hall is to be painted during the summer break. A contribution towards this was gratefully received from the Meikle Carewe Wind Farm Community Fund …. As they say, “It's an Ill Wind That Blows Nobody Any Good”."Enquiries regarding hall and field bookings should for the time being continue to be made to Carol on 733584 or 07960 231855.

�19

The Aquhorthies and Bourtreebush Stone Circles "Recumbent stone circles in North East Scotland are characterised by their unique design, unknown elsewhere, dating back to between 2500 and 2000 BC. They are characterised by the presence of a huge recumbent stone enclosed by two tall stones known as flankers. The remaining circle stones or orthostats are then graded, shortening in height away from the flankers, and in many instances there are internal cairns, some kerbed with stones. Each has a central hollow of about 3m diameter which was used for cremations and in many some burnt matter has been found. ""The best local examples are on the Kingcausie estate within 300m of each other near Old Bourtreebush, a short distance from the A90. Both are uphill from roads and tracks so not easily seen, but an expedition to find them is certainly worthwhile. Don’t expect landscaped surroundings, access tracks and explanation boards. Both are within farmed fields and should not be approached when sheep or cattle are in residence. ""Aquhorthies North, also known as Hillhead of Aquhorthies (Grid Ref. NO 9018 9634)"

From the A90 take the minor road to the west signed Cairnhill which is immediately south of the Badentoy flyover. The only place to park is just after this junction. Walk 250m up the road away from the A90 then turn left at the first junction and continue along this track for about 300m to a gate into the second field on your right. Angle uphill to the right through this field and follow the dyke and through the gate at the top. The stone circle is on your left a little downhill."A shorter access is by taking the same minor road from the A 9 0 f o r j u s t o v e r o n e k i l ome t re , t hen tu rn ing downhill on the (unsigned)

f a r m t r a c k t o w a r d s Aquhorthies steading. You may be able to park at the right-angled bend in the road where tractor tracks join from uphill, but please keep access clear. Walk up this rough track towards the stone circle on your right. ""Aquhorthies North is described as one of the most impressive and complex recumbent stone circles, preserving a range of visible features rarely seen elsewhere. It has a ring cairn of about 15.4m diameter over an almost complete kerb. One flanker remains erect beside the 2.8 m recumbent stone. " "

There is an outer ring of 23m diameter with twelve stones still in position. Excavation of the i n t e r i o r i n 1 8 5 8 r e v e a l e d evidence of three or four bodies, laid out to as to form the perimeter of a circle, a cist or coffin around a metre long containing black mould and fragments of an urn harbouring pieces of burned bones.""It is possible to walk south from here to the other stone circle if you follow the dyke downhill and negotiate a tricky climb over dyke and fencing at the corner by the copse. The direct route is safeguarded by double stock-proof barbed wire fencing.

�20

Old Bourtreebush or Aquhorthies South (Grid Ref: 9036 9609)""Access is easiest from the Mill of Kingcausie to Lairhillock road. Park at the broad entrance to Old Bourtreebush, some 300m west from the A90 and recognisable by a tree among a swirl of road tarmac planings. Walk north along this part of the Causey Mounth road (the main road to Aberdeen until well into the nineteenth century) taking the short bypass to the left before reaching the converted steading. The stone circle can be seen from here with access uphill near the end of this bypass.""This circle was originally larger than the other with a diameter of around 26m, but neither of the two inner circles remains. In 1858 there were seven large erect stones but only four remain upright, the tallest around 3m. There are records of a workman cut who cut a millstone and 4m of paving from one of the fallen stones, which gives some idea of its size. Theories have abounded over the years about the origins and purposes of recumbent stone circles. Adam Welfare, an expert with the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) recently published ‘Great Crowns of Stone’ after over a decade of research. His theory is that the structures were erected to commemorate cremation sites, using a design borrowed from Stone Age builders 1,000 years earlier.""They formed a protective ring around the location of funeral pyres, preventing people from entering the hallowed ground. Their distinctive feature, the recumbent stone lying between two pillars, was angled to the winter solstice sun as a symbol of its fiery power and potential for rebirth.""(The Bourtreebush is now known as an Elder tree. The name Aquhorthies may derive from Gaelic meaning ‘field of prayer’. The late Henry Irvine-Fortescue of Kingcausie reckoned that it is from the Gaelic ‘achad’ meaning a field and ‘choirteach’, a circle, though ‘Place Names of Scotland’ translates this as a cauldron).""Our area has a number of other ancient monuments. The editors would be pleased to know of any resident with a particular knowledge or interest in these, who may be able to make them better known to our readers.

Need Travel Advice?We can help you by providing information and advice on transport options to healthcare appointments in the North East

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Tel$01224%867174% Repair'Specialist'Used'Car'Sales'

South!Deeside!Road,!Aberdeen,!AB12!5YQ!Email:$copland01@btconnect.com$www.coplandmotors.co.uk'

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NATURE NOTES"After a very miserable Winter I am looking forward to a Spring full of flowers. Here are some of my favourites – chosen for their colour, scent and taste.""Primroses are amongst the first plants to flower in Spring, giving

emerging insects a welcome fuel stop. The wild form has pale yellow flowers and grows in clumps in open grassland. It also covers the cliffs at Muchalls bringing a welcome colour at Easter. The taller, stalked, cowslip has more vivid yellow flowers and should be present all over this area (but isn’t). The best wild patch I know is at the T-junction at the very end of the South Deeside Road where it meets the Slug Road. Collect some seed this Autumn and do some guerrilla gardening! The field below Arnwell House in Banchory-Devenick was planted with a wildflower mix some ten years ago, and is a mass of cowslips around now until May. To appreciate them take the minor road uphill from the South

Deeside Road by the former Banchory Devenick Church, turn left at the T junction and look out for cowslips around 400 m on the right.""" Wild hyacinths or bluebells are a classic Spring plant and an indicator of ancient woodland. Whilst our woods are not carpeted with them there are some at Tollohill Woods and the lovely area behind the old Maryculter West school. Pollinated by insects (you can smell their subtle scent on warm days), they drop their seeds where they grow (not a great way to spread genetic material) and survive the drier summers by means of their underground bulbs.""" The wood anemone is another floral tribute to Spring that can carpet woodland floors with its glossy green leaves and star-like white flowers. Also known as “smell fox” due to its sweet musky smell, they grow as runners and suckers spreading at an incredible rate of 2m every 100 years. They open with the sun and track its course through the day, absorbing its warming rays. One of the nicest swathes in this area is along the South Deeside Road at Blairs. I will be interested to see how the construction work affects it.""

A much stronger smell of Spring for me is w i l d g a r l i c . T h e northerly valley of Dunnottar Woods is covered with it although there are smaller patches at Tollohill Woods and by the South Deeside Road near to Banchory-Devenick Church. Collecting a few leaves will not harm the populations at all as being an allium they grow as bulbs. Chiffonade the leaves and add to melted butter for an alternative garlic butter. Its white flowers can also be used in salads. "" "My favourite Spring smell is however gorse, the spiky

shrubs with golden flowers that line most of our roads. You can be forgiven for thinking you were in a tropical land as the scent of coconuts wafts through the air. A member of the pea family, the flowers can be eaten in salads and used to make tea and wine."" "

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Towards the end of Spring, plants with purple, pink or white spear-like flowers appear; the orchids. You will have to visit our nature reserve, Red Moss at Netherley, in June or find a field that has not been grazed or had fertiliser applied to see them but they are worth seeking out. Distantly related to the tropical ones we buy as indoor plants, the early purple orchid is the first to flower. It has up to 40 small, dark purple flowers on a 30cm tall spike and dark green leaves with dark spots that form a rosette on the ground. The commonest orchid as the name suggests is the common spotted orchid with pale pink flower spikes between June and August and leaves with purplish oval spots. The rarest orchid in this area however must be the lesser butterfly orchid. Recorded in only a few sites in Maryculter it has 20 creamy-white flowers on a 30cm high central stem. It flowers in June and July and has a sweet scent, but has suffered a large decline due to agriculture and verge mowing practices and is now on the Scottish biodiversity list of species of principal importance for biodiversity conservation.""

Possibly my most favourite flower comes out at the end of Spring and into Summer, the Elder. Really a small tree and not to be confused with Rowan, the clusters of cream flowers are delicious as a drink and sophisticated dessert. Collect 30 flower heads (only a few from each tree) and check for insects. Dissolve 1kg of sugar in 1.5 litres of water. Add the zest and slices of 4 lemons, 55g citric acid (from Scoops in Stonehaven) and the flower heads. Allow to infuse overnight, strain and bottle the next day. The flower heads also taste amazing as fritters. Dip in a light batter, fry until pale golden then sprinkle with caster sugar. ""Happy exploring! " Mandy Tulloch

The next issue of the South Deeside View"

will be out in September. "

We are always looking for new ideas for

articles. Please let us know if you have "

news or interesting items that might "

be included.

Your  Local  Farm  Shop  "

What  is  produced  at  the  shop?  "A  wide  range  of  award  winning  cheeses  including  

Badentoy  Blue,  Coos  R  Oot,  Fit-­‐like,  Smoked  Deesider,  Granite  City  and  more  

Broon  Coo  cheese  and  Blue  Cheese  oatcakes  Range  of  yogurts  and  cheesecakes  

Free  range  duck  and  hen  eggs  Home-­‐reared  welfare-­‐friendly  rose  veal  

Seasonal  fruits  and  vegetables  Come  and  try  a  sample!  "

Open  daily  except  Sunday  from  9am  to  6pm  "The  Devenick  Dairy  at  Bishopston  Farm  Banchory-­‐Devenick,  Aberdeen  AB12  4RS  Tel  782476  Email:  info@devenickdairy.co.uk

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Robert Smith MP "On 22nd May polling stations will open for important European Elections. It is our chance to decide who wi l l represent us in the European Parliament.  Given the impact many decisions made in Europe have on our lives here it is important to have our say."" " Then on 18th September we

will go to the polls again and will have a choice on Scotland’s future as we choose which way to vote in the referendum. """ To ensure you have a say in these important decisions you will need to be registered to vote. British, Commonwealth, Irish and European citizens aged 18 and over can all vote in the European Elections. To vote in the referendum you must be a British, Commonwealth, Irish or European citizens resident in Scotland aged 16 and over. 15 year olds can register as long as they will be 16 by 18th September.  """ If you think you will not be able to make it to the polling station it is still possible to vote by registering for a postal or proxy vote.  A postal vote will allow you to cast your vote before polling day and a proxy vote will mean that someone can go to a polling station and vote on your behalf. To register to vote, to apply for a postal or proxy vote, or to find further details please contact Grampian Electoral Registration or visit www.voteaberdeenshire.org"""Maureen Watt MSP "

On the 24th of February the d e b a t e o n S c o t t i s h Independence was brought to the heart of North Kincardine when the Scottish Government arrived at Portlethen Parish Church to take part in a public Question and Answer session.""" This event proved to be a

great success, with even those opposed to Independence rightly pleased to be afforded the opportunity to directly quiz their Government over its future plans. Indeed, the informal discussions with Ministers, which took place over a cup of tea and some shortbread following the main event, were a particular highlight!"" " Engaging with the public in an open format is fundamental to political debates, and this was a fantastic example of our democracy in action. ""

Many more events of this kind will be held across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire over the coming weeks and months and I would encourage everyone, irrespective of their views, to go along and ensure their voice is heard.""However, whilst the referendum will continue to dominate debates, my focus will remain firmly on Aberdeen South and North Kincardine.""Transport is always a key issue within the constituency, and whilst we are all well aware that the AWPR is now finally on its way, it is essential that in the intervening time our congested roads remain safe.""It is for this reason that following discussions with l o c a l r e s i d e n t s a n d c o m m u n i t y c o u n c i l representatives I held a face-to-face discussion with Transport Scotland to put forward a host of proposals relating to the A90 between Muchalls and Portlethen. In addit ion to this, I was del ighted when Aberdeenshire Council responded to my calls to implement further safety interventions on a notorious bend on the B979.""Road Safety is of paramount importance, particularly in rural areas, and if anyone has any concerns over a stretch which they use, I would urge them to contact me.""""Councillor Ian Mollison ""

Councillors have agreed how Aberdeenshire will spend its money. ""Day-to-day running costs (e.g. providing carers, emptying bins, paying staff, fixing roads) will cost £517m for 2014/15. However, we d o n ’ t k n o w w h a t S c o t t i s h Government grants we will get in the future. These become more important

the longer council tax is frozen (that was agreed too). Our financial team estimates a £49m hole in the budget by 2018/19. Serious challenges ahead. ""We also agreed the capital plan. This year we are spending £100m. Over the coming years the investment totals some £800m, unrivalled across Scotland, on academies, care homes, primaries including Hillside (£11m), children’s homes, a family centre and leisure facilities.""We will be paying £75m for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, to be financed through £30m of budgeted expenditure and borrowing of £45m.

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This is a huge drop. Is it any wonder that there are major traffic problems at the Bridge of Dee, the Haudagain roundabout, and elsewhere? ""How can this decline in passenger numbers be reversed? It has always been, and still is, the aim to get more people out of their cars and on to public transport. One positive statistic is that many more people are using the trains, which is to be welcomed. This will be under discussion at the Kincardine and Mearns Area Bus Forum on April 3."""Councillor Alison Evison "

L o c a l r e s i d e n t s a r e increasingly forced to face the challenge of the cost of living crisis. The Scottish House Conditions Survey 2010-12 stated that 42% of households across Aberdeenshire are in fuel poverty. Lots of these are privately owned.

"Around Christmas, in response to a recognised need, I helped establish a Food Bank Distribution point in Stonehaven to cover our area. "Cllr Raymond Christie and I have been also working to raise the Aberdeenshire profile of credit unions as a positive choice to support family budgeting. Both the Food Bank and the Credit Union need local volunteers, as does the Citizens’ Advice Bureau based in Stonehaven, and I would be happy to hear from anyone keen to get involved with any of these groups. "A crucial issue for families trying to maximise their income is also the accessibility of affordable and flexible child-care. “Every Step” is a campaign which I am working with to identify child-care needs, both pre-school and out-of-school. If this affects you, you can share your thoughts on these issues at www.everystepcampaign.org.uk "It is now nearly a year since the formation of Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. We saw the negative consequences of this with the planned closure of our Aberdeen Control Rooms, moves which I have been strongly opposing. Aberdeenshire Council does still have a role in monitoring the two services however, through the Policy and Resources Committee on which I sit. I would therefore be grateful to hear your views on local service delivery.

We are now about to enter a new programme for locally delivered European Funds. The aim of this is to deliver long-lasting benefits for local communities. It would be great if local groups could gain from this, so please get in touch for further information.

More than £1m may be invested in the fire service’s training centre north-west of Portlethen. The proposal includes new compartment fire behaviour training units, a covered all-weather training facility and IT upgrading. An incident command training suite is also being considered.""Work has started on the access road (Greenlaw Road) to Chapelton of Elsick, with the first site roads being completed in April. The sales office should open in June (see page 19). ""A liaison committee including developers, residents, councillors and the community council meets regularly. Here are some highlights:""• The streets will be designed to restrict speeds to

20mph – without speed bumps."• The provision of a medical centre is earmarked for

2028 (this depends on the rate of development, at 200 houses a year). Meanwhile at Portlethen, some £60,000 is being spent on scanning in paper records which will free up office space for an extra surgery room."

• Initially children will attend Newtonhill Primary. A report is due to go before councillors in September.""

Councillor Carl Nelson "One of the most important t a s k s A b e r d e e n s h i r e councillors undertake is to monitor the performance of t h e v a r i o u s c o u n c i l d e p a r t m e n t s , u s u a l l y q u a r t e r l y b u t s o m e annually. ""Recently the Head Teachers

of Mackie, Mearns and Portlethen Academies came before the councillors on the Area Committee to report on the success of the pupils in their exams. The results are compared with other Aberdeenshire Academies and the Scottish average. Parents should know that we look for high standards of achievement from all our academies.""On housing we want to meet the targets set for the building of affordable houses. When houses become vacant we want to see them re-let as soon as possible. There are two reasons. One is we do not want empty houses when there are thousands of people on the waiting list, and we do not want to lose the much needed rental income. ""Away from the Council, I was very surprised to learn that in the North East from 2008/09 to 2012/13 the number of annual bus passengers had decreased from 31,000,000 to 28,000,000. ""

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Lembas Organics ""Paul and Freya Van Midden have been running their independent business, growing high quality, affordable organic fruit and vegetables near Aberdeen since 1980. They supply local markets including the Camphill communities and operate an organic box scheme in the area. ""Moving from Maryculter in 1998 to the site at Bridge of Muchalls, they now have an award winning low impact house complemented by purpose built business premises, chicken houses and polytunnels.""Growing a variety of organic crops, the best of the bunch are lettuce and spinach, which occupy a third of the polytunnels plus short-topped radishes lovingly grown to prevent slug damage, splitting and hollow roots. The first spring lettuces are Red Salad Bowl variety,

sown in February, followed by Red Batavian and Little Gem grown all season in the tunnels. Some more sensitive varieties like Red/Green Butterhead have not fared so well outside due to some poor summer weather!"

Ducks have been part of the family for years at Lembas Organics. Two breeding pairs of White Indian Runner ducks breed their own ducklings and start sitting at the end of March/April. Good egg layers, these ducks are beautiful and great characters too. Ducklings are for sale from June

onwards along with hatching eggs by request. During summer the ducks enjoy life on the grass paddock where they perfect their slug eating duties!""Lembas Organics is continuing to explore new ways to expand and diversify while embracing the organic ethos. Biodiesel fuel trials were troublesome plus a lack of availability of local fruit pickers has been challenging. On the plus side, the new house is finished, Dylan the goose has arrived and there is plenty of happy optimism for the future.""Fruit and vegetable boxes, plus eggs are available for delivery on Thursdays and Fridays to shops, retailers and local households. For more information, price list and order forms, please visit their website.""Lembas Organics, Lorieneen, Bridge of Muchalls, AB39 3RU, Tel: 01569 731746!www.lembasorganics.co.uk

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Wednesday(to(Sunday(Lunch(12pm(4(2.30pm(close(

Dinner(5.30pm(4(8.45pm(last(orders((

Closed(Monday(&(Tuesday(!

Sample!menus!at!www.themuchallsbistro.co.uk!

!14!Dunnyfell!Road,!Muchalls,!!

Stonehaven,!AB39!3RP!Only!200m!off!the!A90!@!

follow!the!signs!to!Muchalls!

The Lairhillock Inn is open 7 days a week for tea/coffee, lunches and evening meals.

Look on our website for menus and opening times.

Netherley, Near Stonehaven, AB39 3QS

Tel: 01569 730001 Fax: 01569 731175

Email: info@lairhillock.co.uk

www.lairhillock.co.uk

Learn the art and tradition of carriage driving Arrive in a horse-drawn carriage for your wedding

Enjoy a farm tour and riverside drive Visit our unique carriage collection

Bring disabled friends for a drive Let us take you for a drive to mark a special occasion

We can do all this and much more with our experienced horses and ponies. We also have a self-contained 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

NORTH BURNSIDE

KENNELS AND CATTERY

“where part of your family becomes part of ours”

Tel 01224 733474

Netherley Road, Burnside,

Maryculter

Nature Classes Award-winning weekly nature classes for two to five

year olds to discover nature and play outdoors. Monday and Friday sessions

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

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REPRESENTATION"

MP Sir Robert Smith"Tel: 01330 826549"Email: robert.smith.mp@parliament.uk"

MSP Maureen Watt"Tel:01224 876743"Email: maureen.watt.msp@scottish.parliament.uk"

COUNCILLORS"

Alastair Bews" " Tel: 01224 784594"33 Bruntland Court, Portlethen AB12 4UQ"Email: cllr.a.bews@aberdeenshire.gov.uk""

Alison Evison" " Tel: 01561 362013"2 Newbigging Steading, Inverbervie DD10 0PQ"Email: cllr.a.evison@aberdeenshire.gov.uk"

Ian Mollison" " Tel: 01569 739087"11 Greystone Place, Newtonhill AB39 3UL"Email: cllr.i.mollison@aberdeenshire.gov.uk"

Carl Nelson" " Tel: 01569 730733"21 Dunnyfell Road, Muchalls AB39 3RP"Email: cllr.c.nelson@aberdeenshire.gov.uk"

ABERDEENSHIRE COUNCIL"Viewmount, Arduthie Road, Stonehaven, AB39 2DQ"www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk Tel: 08456 07 12 07"

POLICE"Emergencies" " Tel: 999 or 112"All non-emergencies " Tel: 101"Crimestoppers" " Tel: 0800 555 111"Drugs Information Line" Tel: 0800 371 553"

SERVICES"Bus Services"No. 103 Aberdeen to Laurencekirk via Banchory-Devenick and Netherley"" Nicoll Coaches"Tel:01561 377262"www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk"No.204 Aberdeen to Strachan via Maryculter and Blairs"" Stagecoach Bluebird Tel: 01224 212266"www. stagecoachbus.com"

DIAL A TRIP"Bus service with tail lift for concession and taxi card holders"" " Tel: 01569 765765"

LIBRARY"The mobile van visits fortnightly on Thursdays:"" Kirkton of Maryculter at 9am"" By former Maryculter East School at 9.20am"" Banchory-Devenick crossroads at 10.10am"Library Service" " Tel: 01651 872707

EVENTS CALENDAR 2014

April

21 Community Council

25 Friendship Club Basket Whist

25 Maryculter Woodland Trust Quiz Night

26 Spring Fling, Cookney Hall

May

10 Girl Guides Daffodil Tea, Corbie Hall, Maryculter

14 Maryculter WRI Meeting and Bring & Buy

17 South Deeside View Plant Sale & Coffee Morning, Corbie Hall, Maryculter

19 Community Council

24 Solstice Nurseries Open Day

31 Banchory-Devenick School Spring Fair

June

1 Scouts Family BBQ & Fun Day, Corbie Park, Maryculter

13 & 14 Culter Theatre Club - Two Comedy Act Plays

14 Den & The Glen Wobbly Fun Activity Day

14 St Ternan’s Church Fête

16 Community Council

July

4 School term ends

August

18 Community Council

19 School term starts

Sept

9 Maryculter WRI

15 Community Council

EDITORS " Lynne Beard, Netherley" " Tel: 01569 739132"" sdeesideview@yahoo.co.uk""" Hazel Witte, Maryculter" " Tel: 732738"" witte@btconnect.com""" Emma Lester-Smith, Cookney " Tel: 07805 626235"" southdeesideview@gmail.com""We try hard to ensure accuracy of content but responsibility cannot be taken for errors or omissions. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editors.

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