Ballater & crathie eagle, issue 75, autumn 2014

150 years of Ballater’s Highland Games - photos & montage by Amy Muir

Ballater & crathie Community magazine

no. 75 Autumn 2014 ÂŁ1 Donation

Station Square, Ballater Open Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm Sundays ( in Summer ) 12noon - 4pm

H mestore for home essentials

Linens • Cookshop • Towels Le Creuset • Stellar • Judge Gadgets • Small electricals & much more

Ladies Fashion for great brands

Gerry Weber • Joules Barbour • Dash & many more

Menswear for confident style

Brook Taverner Barbour • Joules & many more

Inside Your Autumn Eagle:

Look back on a golden summer for the community and, as seasonal mists descend and woodsmoke scents the autumn air, anticipate an exciting programme of activities ahead.

Fancy joining a group or taking up a new hobby? You’ll find plenty to tempt you inside!

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Local Groups

Diary

4-5

Incredible Experience

19

Ballater & Crathie CC: 29

CNPA Flower Project

22

Ballater Business Association: 21

Balmoral Events

24

Ballater Community Enterprise: 21

Fearless Muay Thai

26

Ballater Halls Indoor Bowling Club: 10

Aberdeenshire Council 27/57

Ballater Films: 43

Anglers & Gurkhas

30

Ballater Masonic Lodge: 11

World War 1 Research The Good Samaritans

31 35

Ballater RHS: 9

Boules Decade

37

Pottering About

40

National Park Update

44

Highland Games 150 Years 52 Police Page

54

Glenmuick Church Organ

55

Anno Domini

58

Tullich

59

Ballater (RD) Ltd: 13 Bowling Club: 11 Floral Art Group: 8 Library News: 17 Old People’s & Over 50s: 14 Rotary Club: 12 Royal British Legion Scotland: 15 Upper Deeside Music: 11 V&A Halls Trust: 46 Victoria Week: 32

Handy to have Advertisers’ Index: 63

Advertising

Full page: £100; Half page: £50; Quarter page: £25; Eighth page: £12 Discounts on 4 issue series copy can be changed each issue contact Karen Garioch at karengarioch@btinternet.com or Tel 42344

Donations Donations are gratefully received, and acknowledged. You can also put money into our tins in the Library or Yules Newsagents.

The Eagle Diary

...so you know What’s Going On

September Wed 17

Thurs 18

Ballater SWRI – talk by Robbie Middleton - Sea Captain, Mike Sheridan Room, 7.30pm Scottish Referendum - voting in Victoria Hall from 7am - 10pm Ballater Floral Art Group, Mike Sheridan Room, 7.30pm – “Shades of Autumn”

by Rena Cross

Sat 20

Fascinating Fungi at Cambus O’ May Woods, 10am - 12 noon

Tues 23

Ballater Halls Indoor Bowling Club 2 – 4 pm and 7 –9pm

Wed 24

Ballater Halls Indoor Bowling Club 2 – 4 pm and 7 –9pm

Fri 26

Sat 27

Macmillan Big Coffee Morning hosted by Hilton Grand Vacations Club, Keillor Lounge, 10am - 12 noon Community Council Listening Post session at Hut on the Green 11 - 2pm

October Fri 3 – Sun 19 Food and Fiddle Fortnight Sun 5

Upper Deeside Music, Darroch Learg Hotel, 4.30pm followed by dinner

Wed 8

Balmoral Bridge closes until February

Fri 10

School closes for Half Term holiday

Mon 13

Last Crathie Kirk Coffee Morning of the summer 10am - 12.30pm

Wed 15

Ballater SWRI - talk by Alison & Mike Webber, Street Pastors, Mike Sheridan Room, 7.30pm

Thurs 16

Ballater Floral Art Group, Mike Sheridan Room, 7.30pm – “Flowers for Pleasure”

by Sonia Wolfe-Murray

Sat 25

Community Council Listening Post session at Hut on the Green 11 - 2pm

Ballater Films’ Family Film Quiz, Deeside Inn, 7pm

Sun 26

New Season Ballater Boules Challenge, Monaltrie Park 10.15 for 10.30 start

Mon 27

School re-opens after Half Term holiday

Are Your Dates Here?

For inclusion in this FREE section of the Eagle, please contact Faye Swan on 013397 55345 or info@swandesign.uk.com

November Sun 2 Mon 3

Upper Deeside Music, Crathie Church, 4.30pm BRHS AGM, Mike Sheridan Room, 7.30pm followed by presentation by Claire Trinder, an ecologist, on Red Poppies

Sun 9

Ballater Boules Challenge, Monaltrie Park, 10.15 for 10.30am start.

Thurs 13

Ballater Floral Art Group Christmas Charity Demonstration by Jillian Page,

from Blairgowrie, Victoria Hall, 7.30pm

Wed 19

Ballater SWRI - talk by Evelyn Tavendale, Tartan Crafts, Mike Sheridan

Room, 7.30pm

Sun 23

Ballater Boules Challenge, Monaltrie Park, 10.15 for 10.30am start

Sat 29

Community Council Listening Post session at Hut on the Green 11 - 2pm

December Sun 7

Ballater Boules Challenge, Monaltrie Park 10.15 for 10.30am start

Upper Deeside Music, Darroch Learg Hotel, 4.30pm

Mon 8

Crathie Kirk Christmas Charity Coffee Morning 10am - 12.30pm

Post Office Opening Hours

Mon, Tues, Wed: 9am - 5.30pm Thursday - 9am - 12.30pm Friday - 9am - 5.30pm Saturday - 9am - 12.30pm

Ballater Library Opening Hours Sun, Mon & Wed: Closed Tuesday: 10am-1pm, 6.30-8pm Thursday: 2-4pm, 6.30-8pm Friday: 2-5pm Saturday: 10am-12noon

Contact the Eagle

Hand in to the Library  Post to Ballater Eagle, c/o Ballater Library, Ballater, AB35 5QB

 email to: ballater.eagle@btopenworld.com

Contributions of any kind (ideally in Word format) always welcome.

Keep in Touch with an Eagle Subscription A subscription can be a very welcome gift to farflung friends and relatives. Simply provide the name and address to whom the issues should be sent, with a cheque or postal order for ‘Ballater Eagle’ for the relevant amount and drop off your request to Ballater Library. Betty, our Subscriptions secretary, will do the rest. Easy!

For the rates below, four issues will be posted.

UK: £12.00 EU: £16.00 Overseas: £20.00

Contact Your Representatives

Scottish Parliament

Dennis Robertson MSP email: dennis.robertson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk

 0791 955 7152 (mobile)

Westminster Sir Robert Smith MP  01330 820330, Fax: 01330 820338, email: robert.smith.mp@parliament.uk

Aberdeenshire Council Peter Argyle:  013398 82973 email: cllr.p.argyle@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Geva Blackett:  013397 41541 email: cllr.g.blackett@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Katrina Farquhar:  07876 475403 email: cllr.k.farquhar@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Cairngorms National Park Katrina Farquhar  07876 475403 email: katrina.farquhar@cnpaboard.co.uk Gordon Riddler  077116093513 email: gordon.riddler@cnpaboard.co.uk

Eagle Who’s Who & Where Editor: Ian Hay  55941 Treasurer: Dr. Sheila Sedgwick  55292 Subscriptions Secretary: Betty Wilson  55791 Advertising Manager: Karen Garioch 42344 Distribution: Andy and Julie Bloor Diary Secretary: Faye Swan  55345 Design: Ollie Ross, Stella Potter, Cat Houston, Karen Major email us at: ballater.eagle@btopenworld.com Eagle Online: http://www.ballatercommunity.com

If you would like a large print version of the Eagle, please contact Ballater Library on 55628.

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Well, we have certainly enjoyed a wonderful summer this year, with Glasgow showcasing the Commonwealth Games under some cloudless skies, which must have done wonders for future tourism in Scotland. The sense of coming together at the various venues was wonderful to see, with crowds cheering on not only Scottish competitors, but also those from far flung corners of the world, showing appreciation of the skills, effort and dedication of each participant in their particular discipline.

Ballater and Crathie had direct involvement with the journey of the Commonwealth Baton when Eilidh Gow had the honour of carrying it in Inverurie. Then Rachel Masson from Balmoral was a member of the Scottish Ladies Swimming Relay Team which gave very creditable performances in competition with record breaking teams from Australia and South Africa. The involvement of these local youngsters in such an international event makes me at any rate, intensely proud!

On the subject of effort and dedication, I think that Ballater is extremely fortunate to have such a hard working group of people who give so much time to organising our long running Victoria Week. Ade and Cat, who are the main engine behind the BVW Team, belie the concept that younger folks are “just not interested” in the community.

They deserve a Gold Medal for their efforts. I hope that their example might persuade others to give a little of their time to improving facilities and creating activities within Ballater, rather than just complaining that “there’s nothing going on in Ballater”. If that is how they feel, it is up to them to ensure that something is going on. Over to you folks!

Just after the Eagle “hits the streets”, we will be involved in a decision of vital importance to the future of Scotland. I hope that everyone who possibly can do so, will exercise their right to vote in the Referendum. The eventual decision of voters is something which will affect our own future, that of our children and of generations as yet unborn, so do make an effort to get to that Polling Station on Thursday 18th September.

Ian Hay

Portrait: Eilidh Gow

Letter from the Editor

Local Group News

8

A round-up of news from our local groups Got something to say about your group – get in touch ballater.eagle@btopenworld.com

Floral Art Group

by Jenny Houston

We started off this year in April with a marvellous demonstration of flower arranging by the very talented and entertaining Gill Garrow, from Elgin, who kept the audience enthralled with her skill and professionalism.

We followed this in May with a most interesting talk by Ann Allan from Aberdeen who was part of the Scottish Team at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. Ann described, in some detail to a capacity audience, all of the trials, tribulations and endless planning that went into the success of achieving the coveted Gold Medal.

Our June meeting was an experimental workshop entitled “Leaf Manipulation” which I planned, designed and ran myself with a little help and encouragement to start me off from

Edna Matthews of Alford.

There was an excellent turn-out and all the ladies present entered into the spirit of the evening with much concentration, good humour and laughter to spice up a very successful event.

The McEwan Gallery George Melvin Rennie (1874-1953) – Fraser’s Brig 40th Annual Summer Exhibition continues until end of October also RED SQUIRREL BOUTIQUE adjacent to gallery Ballater, Royal Deeside, AB35 5UB 013397 55429

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I am pleased to announce that we have introduced a new trophy called the “Floral Art Quaich”.

This elegant award is designed to encourage participants in the Intermediate Section to create and enter the competition which is held each year as part of the Ballater Royal Horticultural Show in August.

The Floral Art Group can only exist through the voluntary efforts and dedication of the Committee and the enthusiasm and support from the members and guests.

Our next meeting is on 18 September at 7.30pm in the Mike Sheridan Room. Full details of this and subsequent meetings are contained within the Eagle Diary.

Ballater Royal Horticultural Society

by Elizabeth Wilson

Our annual Plant Sale took place on June 7 and amazingly surpassed last year’s amount taking in just over £1350.

The weather was kind and a large crowd of customers had gathered well before the sale started. This income plays a large part in financing the Annual Exhibition and Flower Show.

Aberdeenshire Council again generously provided a varied selection of colourful annuals for us to plant in the tubs throughout the village and the entrance to the Caravan Site. Caitlin Lanigan’s winning design was also planted up in the flower bed outside Emslie’s shop. Thanks must go to Jim Clark, John Burrows, Liz Nicholass-McKee and Colin Wilson for their first class effort.

Our joint annual outing with the Floral Art Group took place on a sunny 30 July. Daluaine Gardens at Rhynie is a stunningly beautiful garden, which although started some thirty five years ago, continues to evolve, comprising a formal, half-acre walled garden, a terrace surrounded by a lawn backed with herbaceous plants and shrubs and a five-acre arboretum that runs along a stretch of the River Bogie along with a recently planted three-acre arboretum. All agreed this very unique garden and its idyllic views are breathtaking. After a pleasant lunch at the Kildrummy Inn we went on to an old favourite, Tillypronie.

The newly planted roses in the rose garden and the herbaceous border at its peak added to its year

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round charm. Again the views from Tillypronie are ones one would never tire of. Tea and scones revived us after a wonderful day out before we headed home, inspired by all we saw.

Raffle ticket sales at the Plant Sale and on the Green prior to the Show generated lots of interest. Nikki Grant of Rowan Antiques kindly sold tickets on our behalf and displayed the main prize, a Highgrove Summer Flowers Tea Set, gifted by HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay. Local businesses and Garden Centres were most generous in their donations to the

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Raffle and Show; these were also much appreciated.

The 138th Annual Exhibition and Flower Show took place on August 16 & 17.

This traditional event attracts both local residents and visitors to the village. Due to Victoria Week coinciding with our Show the scarecrows were unable to be moved for display at the Show.

Details of the prize-winners will be announced in the Winter edition of the Eagle.

The programme for the upcoming session has just been finalised. We have a range of speakers covering various subjects such as Meconopsis, Growing Vegetables, Primulas and Irises and Bonsai along with the December Quiz Night.

Remember information about forthcoming meetings is to be found in the Eagle “Diary� and on posters displayed throughout the village prior to each meeting.

Our AGM takes place on Monday 3 November at 7.30 pm in the Mike Sheridan Room in the Halls and will be followed by an illustrated presentation by Claire Trinder, an Ecologist on Red Poppies; Opportunist Lifestyles of Plants and the WWI Battlefields.

All are welcome and refreshments will be available afterwards.

Ballater Halls Indoor Bowling Club

by Sheila Rumbles

Our indoor bowling sessions commence on 23 September 2014, Tuesday & Wednesday 2-4pm and 7-9pm.

We welcome new members, so if you feel you would like to try this sport please do come along and give it a go. I look forward as always to seeing our faithful fellow bowlers at the start of the new season.

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Upper Deeside Music

by Maura Erskine

After the long, hot summer we are looking forward to the autumn and our new season of music recitals on Sunday afternoons. The return of our piano in splendid order means that we can welcome one of our regular performers, Valentin Schiedermair, to the Darroch Learg Hotel on 5 October at 4.30pm. Valentin is based in London but he enjoys his regular trips to Ballater and usually manages a run up Lochnagar while he is here.

He always talks eloquently about the music and will be playing Erik Satie’s Gymnopedies once again as well as other favourite pieces. We hope you’ll come and maybe stay for dinner afterwards with the committee. Look out for the posters.

Ballater Bowling club

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by Mike Franklin

At this time of year the outdoor bowling season gives way to the indoor season. The outdoor season has proved difficult, with several players unavailable for league matches. Nevertheless Ballater finished mid-table in the Men’s league.

A major compensation was the green being in superb condition due to a new mower and regular mowing by President Trevor Armstrong.

Ballater Masonic Lodge

by John Dean-Perrin To kick off our Bicentenary year, Ballater’s Masonic Lodge is holding a Burns’ Supper.

Burns himself was of course an active and enthusiastic Freemason.

This event is at the Deeside Inn on January 24– ALL are welcome, not just masons, so please come along to have a great night and support Ballater’s Lodge. The previous Burns’s nights have been very popular so book early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are only £20, available at the Deeside Inn or DP Opticians.

There are more events planned for the yearmany open to all, not just masons, with a Ceilidh on May 9, at the Victoria Hall, to celebrate our founding in May 1815.

The Lodge has been an important and integral part of the village for 200 years being founded not many years after the village itself. We again appeal for any photographs, masonic items and stories involving the Lodge and Freemasonry in the village. Contact with the Lodge can be made in the first instance by emailing- secretary@ stnathalan.org.

Davina Russell, Pat Downie, Ed Bloor and Ian Mitchell

The season ended on a high-note. Ballater teams won both sections of the Deeside-Donside Pairs competition. The Ladies’ Pair (Davina Russell and skip Pat Downie) surprised some people by winning but the Men’s Pair (Ian Mitchell and skip Ed Bloor) surprised nearly everyone, including themselves. In the final Davina and Pat beat Drumoak,while Ian and Ed beat the strong Aboyne pair. Outdoor bowling restarts in April.

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Rotary Update

by Mike Powell

We hope you have had a great summer.

By the time you read this, Aboyne and Upper Deeside Rotary Club will have attended eight highland games and shows over the course of the summer, including the Ballater Games, where it is always a pleasure to meet residents and visitors to the area. These events are our major source of fund raising each year and your generosity enables us

to support worthy causes locally and internationally, including support for the development of young people.

This year our Club President is Ballater resident Andrew Brown, pictured with two new members John Burrows and Ann Maggs – both from Ballater. The Club has 36 members currently.

As many of you will know the Club meets twice a month at the Glen Lui Hotel; and twice a month at the Boat Inn in Aboyne. New members are always welcome, so if you would like to know more about what we do, and how to join, or if you would just like to come along to one of our meetings as a guest, please contact Mike Powell on 013398 86369, mike.powell21@tiscali.co.uk

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Ballater (Royal Deeside)

by Jack Coull

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Photo by Ian Cameron

As mentioned previously, progress with com- with The Forestry Commission munity projects has been held up until the new should be complete within the next funding system is in place and operational. few weeks having been repeatedly delayed by Meanwhile, however, we have been complex legal matters. Then the ground will be successful in siting a granite WELCOME transferred on lease to the Ballater Historic ForTO BALLATER stone at the west end of the estry Project Group who will be reconstructing village on the A93 just after the branch to the two of the log cabins both as a memorial to the Pass. This matches the stone at the Aberdeen Canadian lumberjacks who toiled there during approach, placed there last year and which has the War, and as a visitor attraction. earned appreciative comment. The old Burgh sign is still west of the junction, rather rusty and decrepit and, although welcoming travellers to Ballater, many take the Pass road and never see the village.

BRD would wish to thank the funders of this project and also Gregor Robertson of the Tarland Granite Works for the engraving and preparation, and Ian Cameron of Castle Plant for the transportation and siting of the 4 ton stone.

A tentative planning application for the Heritage Centre has been submitted to Aberdeenshire Council but as the Old Station Building and the platform are listed, the process may be complicated. However, such a facility Malcolm Cameron, James Cameron, Dr Jack Coull within which to place on permanent and Ian Cameron Jnr display the memorabilia and photographs of the history of our village would create a significant attraction for tourists.

BRD continues to work with Ballater and Crathie Community Council and The Ballater Business Association in joint ventures such as the provision of an electrical supply for the Green and additional parking possibilities. BRD also supports the intended purchase of the Caravan Tel: 013397 55997 Park Lease and is a member of the Board seeking Mobile: 07821 746756 to acquire for community benefit the Old School email: weejim03@live.co.uk and identify its future use. web: www.weejim.webs.com The historic Dalmochie lumberjack site deal

Firewood

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Ballater Old People’s & Over50s Association by Ruth Burrows

The Association’s AGM was held at The Hut on the Green on March 28, during which destinations for outings were decided upon. On the May 8 members old and new visited Inverness, calling en route at the Old Fire Station, Tomintoul for coffee and cake.

As ever the refreshments and hospitality were excellent. On the return journey, High Tea was taken at the Aberlour Hotel.

September will see us visiting the Gordon Highlanders’ Museum, something we are looking forward to. The exhibition “Shattered Hopes: The Gordon Highlanders in 1914” should prove fascinating as we commemorate the Centenary of WW1.

Sadly in February, a window was broken at the Hut, but those responsible were not identified.

However, as a result of an article published in the P & J, donations were gratefully received towards

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the cost of the repairs. It is heartening to know that the Hut is valued by the community.

It is good to see some of our members using the Hut again as a meeting place. They have been banned from gambling and drinking so I think they content themselves with putting the world to rights and exchanging village gossip. Long may it continue.

The Community Council has been holding monthly “Listening Posts” at the Hut and in August the local Youth Group will be meeting there on Monday evenings for a month or two. It’s pleasing to see the Hut being used by members of the community.

New members are always welcome at any time during the year. The next AGM will be held in March, 2015 so look out for the date in the Press and locations (including the Hut) around the village. Come and join us!

Deeside Books

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Royal British Legion Scotland 15

by Bill Houston

The Royal British Legion Scotland has undergone some major organisational and policy changes over recent months and is now presenting its new face as “Legion Scotland”. The changes have been designed to get across the benefits of Legion membership in a more effective manner and communicate with a wider and younger audience who do not necessarily require past military service to become associate members.

So what has the Ballater Branch of Legion Scotland been up to this year so far?

The Deeside Inn very kindly offered to organise a Quiz Night for the Legion in February and this was a very enjoyable evening with tasty snacks provided by the hotel, and it was good to see many local folk joining in the fun. The proceeds were donated to a military charity for disabled servicemen.

Legion Scotland launched a National War Memorial Competition and invited Primary School students from across Scotland to prepare a presentation about the War Memorial in their community. Thanks to some encouragement from the headmistress and hard work from teacher Jacqueline Beaton, Ballater Primary produced a video showing the history of the monument and some interesting stories from the descendants of those whose names appear on the memorial itself. Out of 74 school entrants across Scotland,

“To do each day two things one dislikes is a precept I have followed scrupulously: every day I have got up and I have gone to bed.”

W. Somerset Maugham

Ballater finished in the top four – a remarkable achievement!

During the latter part of last year and most of this year, the Ballater War Memorial and garden has won several accolades in the Legion’s own National Memorial Competition. This has been

due entirely to the voluntary care by Legion Members and, of course, the professional maintenance skills provided by Ken and the boys from Aberdeenshire Council.

In June a number of ex-Service members

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travelled to Aberdeen for the annual Armed Forces Day parade which is jointly organised by Aberdeen City Council and the Royal British Legion Scotland. Apart from the solemnity of the occasion, it provided an excellent opportunity for comradeship and a modest degree of socialising after the formal proceedings.

The Legion’s Annual Conference took place in Perth in May and Branch Secretary and Army Reserve Major David Allardice R.E., received two trophies awarded to Legion Scotland’s Ballater & District Branch. This was a unique occasion as it was the first time Ballater has won the awards! “The Riddell Webster Trophy” is awarded annually to the Branch of Legion Scotland which during the year has shown the best record for increased membership and “The Kirkennan Cup” for the Branch with under 100 members which has been judged to have been the most efficient and progressive in all aspects

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of Legion activities.

During Victoria Week the Branch and its volunteers erected a small gazebo on the village green displaying the various services and benefits available to members and we are pleased to say this attracted some very favourable comments from passers-by.

As autumn and winter draw near, the Branch will be organising some informal social events, plus of course, the Remembrance Day Parade and, in co-operation with Glenmuick Church, the Ecumenical Church Service on Sunday 10 November.

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Library News

by Sabine Muir

17

We’ve recently had a book exchange, so many new titles have been placed on the shelves. If you can’t find the book you’d like to borrow, please ask and we will do our best to get the items in for you. You can also do this from home by accessing our website. Please ask for your PIN to visit our online catalogue.

Junior Craft Club

The children have been busy making felt crafts, learning to knit and crochet. They also spent a few sessions making mini scare crows, which were displayed in the library window for Victoria Week, then entered individually into the Ballater RHS Flower show. (see photo of Toshia Brozek and her scarecrow) Local children were also invited to attend a model making event called Building Ballater, as part of the Aboyne & Deeside Festival. Our new moveable shelving units came in very handy,

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as we were able to create a large working space.

The results were displayed in the library during Victoria Week. Again, see a photo of their work over the page. We will resume our club on Thursday, September 11. There is a waiting list for children to join.

Family History Research The library service has a free library version of Ancestry.com and a library version with access to Scotland’s People, so if you’d like to do your family tree, we can help with initial searches. We also have our microfiche reader if you’d like to research our Scotland files.

Bookbug Rhymetimes

We have well-attended Rhymetime sessions every Tuesday at 11am, for babies and the under threes. Please come along and join in the fun.

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Help with ICT

Knit and Natter Group

If you’d like a hand getting to grips with using computers, please ask at the desk to make an appointment to learn some basic skills.

Please join us on Tuesday nights from 7-9pm.

Bring your knitting, crochet or needlework. Please ask at the desk for further details.

Young model makers display their creativity in front of the Library

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An Incredible Experience

by Rachel Masson

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My experience at my first Commonwealth atmosphere doesn’t hit you straight Games was certainly an incredible one. It wasn’t away. It’s not until you go through until I set foot in the village that it really hit home many corridors and onto poolside that you are where I was and what I had achieved. I had hit with the home crowd vibe. I made sure I only arrived in a place that would house athletes from exposed myself to it for a few minutes, enough 70 countries across 17 sports for 2 weeks. to get a good feeling but not too much to get Not long after arriving at the village and engulfed by it. dropping my many Team Scotland bags in my I then went on to execute my usual competition room, I headed plan as this was to the pool for a just another training session competition, to get rid of my no matter what travel fatigue. size and calibre.

Stretch, warmDespite up, dr y off, competing change into i n To l l c r o s s racing suit and International keep warm then Swimming I was ready to go.

Centre many times previously, Once through this was not both call rooms the pool I was (marshalling), I familiar with as and the rest of the Team Scotland members (left to right) it was dressed relay team were h e a d t o t o e i n Lucy Hope, Rachael O’Donnell and Rachel Masson ready to walk out Commonwealth décor with bright lights which from under the arch and to the blocks. made the pool look like glass and many tracks The reception we got was incredible and as I above and below the water which the cameras was the lead off for the relay team, this was all I would run along. Not to mention the 5,000 needed. We then went on to qualify for the finals, capacity spectator space which in a few days’ so I got to experience it all over again. time would be home to thousands of screaming The finals session of the first night was Scottish fans. an incredible opener to the competition as Despite all these new things, I had to not get it saw Hannah Miley, Michael Jamieson distracted as that could change performance. As and Ross Murdoch all take home medals my coach likes to say “It’s a circus out there, don’t for Team Scotland. get distracted.”

After the first day’s performance, I was asked Fast-forward to competition day and I was to do another two relay events which was a bonus ready because I knew that I’d done what I needed considering I had only really qualified to do the to do and looked after my body in preparation one. This meant that I would be competing until for this event. When arriving at the pool, the the very last day of the swimming competition

20

instead of finishing after just the first day. Each relay team I was in consisted of swimmers who had different experiences.

Some who had done many Games, Olympic and Commonwealth, and some who were in the same position as me with it being their first Games.

Glasgow 2014 will leave me with many memories which some people may never experience and are unique to me. I’m so privileged to say I weeks it represented my country in front felt like I was in the happiest l of a home crowd.

Rache bubble on earth. Cheesy words aside, I would The electric atmosphere from the like to say thank you to the many people who home crowd lifted all the athletes and for two have supported me and congratulated me on my achievement. Finally, Scotland. You were

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Food & Fiddle Fortnight

This festival, running from 3 - 19 October, is a celebration of the wealth of natural talent and fantastic local produce right here on our doorstep, on Royal Deeside. We have gathered together a kaleidoscope of music and food events we hope will indulge your senses and expand your horizons. There’s a bagpipe at breakfast, a fiddle tune at lunchtime and a diva for supper. Events are hosted in halls, cafes, hotels and on a farm, and you can pick up a bargain, learn about gin or how to carve a pumpkin – it’s all here! For the most upto-date event information, please check www. visitroyaldeeside.com and our Facebook page.

Ballater Community Enterprise 21

by Paddy Wright

So far, it has been a very busy season with bookings well up on last year. This may be partly due to the fine weather, but certainly to the efforts and friendliness of the staff, all of whom are very popular with both tourers and static caravanners.

The new reception area and offices have proved to be very popular and attractive.

Just before the opening at the beginning of April, there was a minor crisis when we were advised that the previous wardens would not be returning. However, we were lucky to enlist the help of Dave & Rachel Monks from New Zealand who cope very well and in a friendly way with the many problems which arise. The other members of the team are Gillian Sinclair, Jim Woods, and Connie Esson.

An official opening ceremony was held on 4 June when Grant Moir, CEO of the CNPA, kindly unveiled a commemorating plaque. It

BBA

by Faye Swan

The BBA has had a number of changes this year with both Bryn Wayte and Sheila Sedgwick stepping down. Our sincere and grateful thanks to both Bryn and Sheila for their many years of dedicated service! Richard Watts is Chairman for the rest of 2014/2015 and Val Norton and Faye Swan have taken on additional duties to assist. The BBA raised £300 to go towards the Reindeer visit at Christmas and Val has been fundraising for the Winter Festival all year.

Hopefully the Murder Mystery that was to be during Victoria Week at the Ballater Golf Club will now be held to raise funds for the Winter Festival - date and time to be advised. The Visit Ballater website is doing very well with our new calendar system and our Facebook likes for Visit Ballater are now past the 1000 mark! As this Eagle goes to print, we’d also like to welcome Fraser & Mulligan and Riverside Cottage, our newest members, to the BBA!

is hoped to install another two plaques – once Royal approval has been obtained - to mark the earlier visit of HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, and the tree which he planted.

WIFI has now been installed for the convenience of the caravanners, and plans are well under way to refurbish the toilet block and playpark plus many other smaller items during the closed season.

The business continues to generate a substantial income thanks to the efforts of all staff and the Board of voluntary directors.

S STOP PRES Y PARK HIT B CARAVAN TORMS SUMMER S

- see page 35

H M Sheridan Ltd Butcher, Ballater Tel: 013397 55218 email: info@hmsheridan.co.uk By royal appointment to H.R.H. The Queen and H.R.H. The Prince of Wales

Come and visit us at 11 Bridge Street or Shop Online: www.hmsheridan.co.uk Delivery is free on Deeside and Donside

22

Flower Project Blossoms

by Grant Moir, CNPA Chief Executive

The Cairngorms National Park is arguably the premier area for nature conservation in Scotland and the UK. All of us who live and work in the Park have a responsibility to look after this amazing place and as the Park Authority, we work together with many other organisations, landowners and individuals to do just that.

The Park Authority gets involved in big scale debates about development, climate change, land use, rewilding and renewables but also in smaller individual projects

that can make a real difference on the ground.

The twinflower project is a great example of how groups and individuals can come together to make a positive difference.

The twinflower (see photograph) is one of Scotland’s most iconic wildflowers, an emblem of Scotland’s ancient Caledonian forests.

However, it is a plant under serious threat of extinction in our country because its natural habitat, native pine woods, is

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23 being lost and becoming fragmented.

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ture of Scotland Awards 2014 for Innovation and the RSPB Species Champion Award. It would be fantastic to follow up the Cairngorms Wildcat Project win of last year and do the double.

Yo u c a n f o l l o w Cairngorms Nature o n Fa c e b o o k a t : w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / cairngormsnature and on twitter @CNPnature,

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sur vive, they need to cross-pollinate between different patches of flowers. Yet the few remaining patches of twinflower are often isolated, too far apart for pollinating insects to travel between them. As a result they have not been able to set seed.

However the Cairngorms Rare Plants Project, part of Cairngorms Nature, has developed an innovative new translocation method which is set to help pollination.

The project takes selected plants and moves them closer to other patches of the twinflower, facilitating cross-pollination and seed production between the plants and ensuring the long-term recovery of the flower.

It is a pioneering project that has involved land managers and ten key conservation partners as well as rangers and local volunteers.

This project, alongside objectives to expand the area of native pinewoods in the National Park, should help ensure twinflower populations will be safeguarded long into the future The project has been entered into the Na-

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24 Balmoral Events by Glynn Jones

Please note that Booking is essential for all the following events.

Phone 013397 55059

Sunday 14 September The Townships of Upper Glen Muick Come and explore the abandoned townships of Upper Glen Muick. Visit abandoned houses, corn kilns and still houses and learn how people survived in this harsh environment over two hundred years ago. A rough mountain walk, off path, with several steep and boggy sections. A good level of fitness is required. Event organised as part of Scottish Archaeology Month.

conservation action in spectacular mountain scenery. All tools and training provided.

Sunday 5 October Mending Our Ways Come and join the rangers as they repair the damage caused by hundreds of thousands of trampling feet on some of Scotland’s most popular paths. Take part in a day of practical Photo by Gillian Cassie

BARCLAY-WIRE

FOOTCARE Podiatrist/Chiropodist

Sunday 2 November Caledonian Pine Forest Walk A guided walk through pristine native pinewoods in the company of a Ranger. Experience the splendour of one of the UK’s finest habitats. Learn how these ancient woods are being managed for wildlife.

Details for all Events

Rebecca Barclay-Wire BSc Podiatry MInstChP HCPC Registered

Home visits by appointment

07572 801016

Meeting point: Spittal of Glen Muick Visitor Centre.

Time: 10 am-3pm.

Cost: Free.

“Diplomacy: the art of letting somebody else have your way.”

David Frost

Crathie Opportunity Holidays 25

by Allan Harrison

Crathie Opportunity Holidays will be hosting joining the team who host our cofa fundraising Sunday Lunch at Balmoral on 30 fee mornings for guests, or just a bit November 2014. A similar event, held in 2012, of gardening. These are not onerous tasks and proved to be a great success.

Friends come along when they can.

The after lunch speaker this year will be the If you would like to join us, please phone local broadcaster/singer Frieda Morrison. Full Maggie MacAlpine on 013397 42100. details will be advertised nearer the time so put Sales of our book, “Essays on Life”, have a note in your diary now as this is expected to be been going very well. When Christmas shopping another very popular event. comes around copies will still be available from If you are interested and would like details COH, Ballater bookshops and online. As always, to be sent directly to you, please email Maggie thank you to all our local friends and supporters.

MacAlpine at info@crathieholidays.org.uk.

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Crathie Coffee The ladies of Braemar and Crathie Parish are grateful for the support their coffee mornings have received during the summer, and hope to see everyone again in 2015.

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26

Fearless Muay Thai

Since January 2014, Fearless Muay Thai has expanded to Youths and Ladies. Every Thursday we run two classes in the Victoria Hall, Ballater with Youths aged 4-15yrs from 5-6pm and Ladies Only from 6-7pm. In these classes we teach fitness, fun and Muay Thai.

Muay Thai is a controlled, disciplined and respectful form of Martial Arts which we encourage our students to learn and to progress with so that they can all have a sense of achievement, self-esteem, confidence and selfdefence. Coach Leona Taylor is a fully qualified coach through the Scottish Muay Thai Federation.

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by Leona Taylor

She is Insured and a Licensed Fighter, with a full up-to-date First Aid qualification, overseen by Head Coach Gavin Hedges. Leona is ranked 7th in the UK Super Featherweight division for her Professional Fighting abilities.

She has trained and fought since February 2011, having been in the Ring over 60 times for Interclub Bouts. Following in her footsteps, her daughter has also entered the Thai ring and helps her to coach classes. We are happy to progress all students through the Muay Thai grading process. We will also progress students in the art of Thai Fighting if this is the wish of the student. No one will ever be pushed in a direction that makes them unhappy.

Our aim is to have fun, gain fitness, learn selfdefence and to be confident within ourselves. The Ladies Only Fitness & Fun Class allows Ladies to have the chance to get fit and learn a taster of Muay Thai in a female only environment. All Classes are within budget prices and no equipment is required as the Club provides everything.

New Students are always welcome. For more information, contact Gavin Hedges via facebook Fearless Muay Thai or on 07506 699071.

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Aberdeenshire Council by Geva Blackett

Recent media reports indicate our economy is recovering after the appalling recession. Many people I speak to outside the area, think that we - like Aberdeen - have not really been hit hard at all. After all, we are ‘blessed’ with oil money (and let us not forget, our GDP is based on Aberdeen’s but bears scant resemblance in reality), unemployment is virtually zero and we are Royal Deeside, therefore we must be well off.

Those of us who actually live here know a different story, the real story. House prices are too high for our young people to afford, social rented accommodation is hard to come by, incomes are often very low, and fuel costs are high. In addition, we live in a cold part of the country and need more heating than many, the cost of food in our shops is high because it costs more to get it here - the list is endless.

Campaigning for the local elections two years ago, my eyes were opened to the hidden poverty in every corner of this Ward - now, half way through my term as your councillor, I am seriously concerned and it is not just my observations that prompt me to write such a depressing column but a recent meeting with the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).

We have yet to feel the real bite of changes to the benefits system imposed by Westminster and it will get worse. Sanctions are being applied to some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Often through no fault of your own, being sanctioned means your Jobseekers Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance benefit money is stopped, from a minimum of a week to as long as three years. That is the money that you live on. The money that you use to heat your home, feed and clothe yourself and your family, pay your bills, pay for travel, to get to the JobCentre and to look for work. Can you imagine what it must be like to have that money taken away? To

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do without an income? Take it one step further and think about what it would mean to have your income stopped and not know why, for how long, or what you can do about it.

Some would argue that these sanctions are a good thing. “We need to get people off benefits and into work”, “we need to stop the scroungers and make people stand on their own two feet”, have both been said to me recently. I agree we need to stop people who don’t have genuine need or those deliberately defrauding the system. We need to help people into work and give them back their independence but in this area most people ARE in work and if they are not, it is usually for good reason. Many people here need money to top up low wages. However, the benefits system is massively complicated, people are sanctioned without knowing why and often without having a letter informing them they are going to have their funding cut. This means the most vulnerable are going without heat and/or going without food (thus the huge number of food parcels needed in Deeside).

An East of Scotland CAB reports of a client who was sanctioned at the beginning of April for missing an appointment with her Work Programme provider. However the client did not receive the letter about the appointment until 7th March and the appointment was for 6th March.

She has attended two further Work Programme appointments since then, and she also sent a letter explaining this, but a sanction has still been applied.

If you are interested to know more and have internet access, a recent CAB report can be downloaded at http://www.cas. org.uk/system/files/publications/ Sanctioned%20What%20benefit.pdf - but it makes uncomfortable reading about a system that does not have people and their

problems at the heart of it.

Personally I am very uncomfortable with this punitive and totally uncaring approach and am very glad that the CAB has put regular outreach surgeries into Ballater, Strathdon, Braemar and Tarland. Their advice is free and confidential, they don’t judge and try to help everyone who contacts them. Most importantly they give advice and information to help people to start solving their problems.

By the time you read this, Ballater will have had three surgeries (Beaton Craigie Room 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month, by appointment - 01224 747714). You may be interested to know that well before the first surgery took place, the three available appointments had been booked and room for a fourth had to be made.

Shocking. Sad. True.

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Changes at the Eagle

The Community Council information has moved to www.ballatercommunity.com.

Agendas and minutes for the Community Council Meetings will be shown there along with all the other information that was listed on our website before.

If you have any questions, contact your local community councillors or come to The Listening Posts which are back at the Hut on the Green on September 27, October 25, and November 29 or come to the Community Council meetings on the second Monday of the month.

Most meetings are held in the Mike Sheridan Room but check the website or the Notice Board.

Last but not least, the Ballater & Crathie Community Council is now on Facebook as well!

Some changes will be taking place to Eagle personnel over the next few months. Karen Major has been one of our designers for a number of years, but is shortly moving from the village.

We are very grateful to Karen for her efforts on our behalf and wish her well in her new post in Aberdeen.

Faye Swan is passing the baton of advertising manager to Karen Garioch, whom we heartily welcome to the Team. Karen will take over her new post with effect from the winter issue, having been under tuition with Faye over the past few weeks. Meanwhile, Faye will not be completely giving up her involvement with the Eagle, as she will taking on the responsibility of Diary Secretary. Once again, I would express my gratitude for the effort put in by all of the Team in producing such a fine publication, and particularly the support given by them all to me.

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30

Anglers & Gurkhas

In July 1992 Ballater Angling Association received permission to repair and renovate the Old Boathouse at Loch Muick, This was going to be a difficult and time consuming operation and we were advised that we might need help with this project. So we applied to the REME regiments of the British Army to see if any of their number would like to get involved and could give us a hand. We received a reply from the The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers, 36 Engineer Regiment, volunteering the 69, Gurkha Field Squadron. This became a solid offer and over the next few weeks arrangements were made and we settled down to provide materials so they could do the work, Mr John McLeman was involved throughout and designed the Boathouse. All details are recorded in Alex Clark’s book, ‘The Happy Fishers’ and a very interesting read this book is. The Boathouse was completed and opened by HRH Prince Philip,

Wee Jim Landscapes

by Martin Holroyd

The Duke of Edinburgh, on September 6, 1992. We became a great friend of the Gurkha regiment and particularly the members of 69 Field Squadron G Troop, and so were horrified when we heard that two of their soldiers had been killed in an incident in Negrovce Kosovo on June 21, 1999.

Our members wanted to do something in memory of these soldiers, Lieutenant Gareth Evans and Sergeant Balaram Rai. We raised some monies and got in touch with the Gurkha Engineer Regiment. We received a letter from Captain J.R. Kerr thanking us for our contribution, half of which went to Sergeant Rai’s wife, daughter and son, and half towards the financing of building Gilung Village High School in Nepal.

We would never like to forget these soldiers and all soldiers of the British Army who fight and are prepared to put themselves in the way of harm for us all. We can only say thank you to them all.

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31

Ballater History Group - World War I Research by John Burrows Those of you who read the Summer Issue will recall that we have taken the names of our fallen shown on the village memorial, with a view to giving them more than a name on a cenotaph.

We are trying to establish their story 100 years after their death. My previous article closed by saying that some names were proving very hard to build on, namely Ross and a Lt. James Harvey.

Well, we have had some developments. Firstly Stuart Farrell gave us most of the following story, with Elizabeth Wilson filling in the family stories.

2nd Lt. James Harvey died on February 26, 1917 and is laid to rest at Amara War Cemetery, Shaikh Sa’ad, Old Cemetery Memorial, Iraq, then known as Mesopotamia. He reportedly died of his wounds at what we believe was the 2nd Battle of Kut, possibly during the action that started on February 17 when Sir Frederick Maude crossed the Shumran to the right of the Turkish forces

and overwhelmed Karabekir Bey, who authorised a skilfully-managed retreat on the February 24 from Kut. This action led a month later to Maude capturing Baghdad. James was 35 when he died and had been the son of Mrs Jessie F. Harvey who ran the Post Office, Bridge of Gairn. James was a professional soldier having served in the Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany’s) for 15 years at the outbreak of war in 1914. At that time he was a Sergeant 8448 1st Seaforths, was twice mentioned in despatches and promoted December 17, 1915 to Second Lieutenant.

In the April 1891 Census as an 8 year old, he is living at Bridgend Cottage, Glenmuick, with his father William, identified as a Merchant Tailor, an elder brother, Alfred 17, also a tailor and younger sister Jessie. The birthplace of James is Turriff, so we assume that William’s trade resulted

Continued Page 34

SHORT, BARK & SIDES dog grooming

Rusty was a popular entrant at the Pet Show

Bishop Bob blesses the Duck Race on the Green

Some fabulous new recruits made the Ghost Tours really special this year

Scrappy the Scarecrow took a well-deserved first in the Business Category

Shona and Aimee Stanton of Carnoustie took first prize in the Vehicle Parade’s Vancy Dress

Rosettes were up for grabs, and well-coveted, at the Family Disco

Nothing could dampen the spirits of BVW 2014 as the rain held off long enough to allow most outdoor events to continue.

Our new events went down a storm and the support from businesses, locals and visitors for this annual event, now in its 27th year, was immense. Almost £5,000 was raised by this year’s festival of fun, a third up on 2013, plus at least another £3,500 raised by and for other charities and groups during the week.

The cancellation of the Murder Mystery Evening (weather) and Victoria’s Got Talent (lack of entries, oh come on, Deeside!) was a disappointment but they will be back next year ‑ with bells on...

A massive thank you to everyone involved.

Be Amused. Photos by Cat Houston

Tree Bogarts were made in the forest

The Fire Station’s winning Minions were auctioned for charity after the event

BVW 2014

by Cat Houston

Good weather for the ducks?!

The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service’s Ballater Crew showed them who was boss

The Royal Guard threw themselves into the inaugural Pantomime Horse Trials with gusto

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Continued from Page 31

in an itinerant lifestyle as James’s siblings have birthplaces ranging from Cullen to Meldrum.

Lance Cpl Robert Ross, S/13201 Gordon Highlanders, enlisted October 26, 1915 and was discharged December 4, 1917 - “awarded SWB 287147, served abroad and discharged under A.C.II o 1917 par (b)(1)”, which I am reliably told means he was discharged due to ill health. On checking with the Gordon Highlanders, they do confirm that many who died from wounds up to as late as 1922, were remembered on cenotaphs as it was the local communities that identified those they wished to remember. This and all the other Ross names are still being investigated.

Stuart Farrell was again the person who kindly advised this story.

I would like to express my appreciation to all those who have already contacted me with stories, so please continue and I eagerly await the arrival of Sheena Oliver, nee Coutts, in Ballater in November when she will impart the story of Sgt. Maj. Donald Coutts. His story sounds very interesting as she tells the tale of her Grandfather, who, when he came home on leave, would get off the train before Ballater because he did not want to upset people if they had lost someone. This resulted in Granny having to take a taxi to collect him! Are these wonderful, considerate people still out there? I believe they are but being as they are, they stay quiet and get on with things!

Anyone with more information about names on the War Memorial, please contact me, John Burrows on 013397 53244 or by email at johnburrows1@btinternet.com

“It has been said that Democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”

Winston Churchill

Ballater’s Good Samaritans

by Ian Hay

Overnight 10/11 August those holiday-makers occupying caravans and tents in Ballater’s Caravan Park became aware that the torrential rain was having an effect on the level of the River Dee. By early morning it was obvious that evacuation of the site would be necessary as the water crept ever closer, with some tents already under water.

Arrangements were quickly made to move these evacuees to the warmth of the Albert Hall, where Bell Macaulay, warned of the emergency at short notice, had set up tables and chairs, purchased biscuits etc. and made hot

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people there, many of whom had not slept overnight.

The Caravan Site Wardens Dave and Rachel Monk worked extremely hard in very difficult conditions. Rachel guided people to the Albert Hall and attempted to organise alternative accommodation for the evacuees, while also endeavouring to keep people informed of the latest position at the site and looking after her two young children.

At the same time, her husband was trying to organise things on the site, but with ever rising water levels and electricity and sewage out of commission, it was obvious that the site would be closed for

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some time. Both of these young New Zealanders have worked extremely hard in very difficult conditions, yet they want to come back again next year!

With Victoria Week in full swing, the available accommodation was extremely limited. However, several private individuals were prepared to offer some of the evacuees a bed for the night. Alan Henderson and Alison Gillibrand from the local branch of the Co-operative came up trumps, providing bread, drinks, biscuits, and, very importantly, toilet rolls.

Alison even made room in her home for a couple of people. Joan Anderson, Ballater’s Story-teller Extraordinaire, spent many hours in the Hall, telling stories to the youngsters, encouraging them to make items from twigs, braid etc. based on her tales. The young children were enthralled!

Aberdeenshire Council, in the form of Janelle Clark and Doug Milne from Marr Area Communities office at Alford, despite many calls on their services from all over the county, arranged for the provision of bedding and blankets from an emergency store in Aboyne for those who wished to sleep overnight in the Albert Hall.

Indeed, most people had bonded with their fellow campers and caravanners, and wished to stay together rather than be separated. Ballater Library provided board games for the youngsters, and evening entertainment was provided in the Victoria Hall by the young dancers from Fiona Brandie’s School of Dancing.

Ballater came together and coped with this sudden emergency, and our grateful thanks must go to these Samaritans, particularly the ever resourceful and willing Bell Macaulay (where would Ballater be without her!), the ladies of St. Kentigern’s Church, Joan Anderson and all those who helped in whatever way to make the trauma of evacuation more bearable. Particular thanks must go to Dave and Rachel Monk. You all did a wonderful job!

St Kentigerns’ Ladies get down to sandwich-making for the evacuees

Boules - A

Decade of the Unexpected

37

by John Holley

“Pétanque is a form of boules where the goal is to throw metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called a cochonnet (literally ‘piglet’) or jack, while standing inside a starting circle with both feet on the ground.

The game is normally played on hard dirt or gravel, but can also be played on grass, sand or other surfaces. The current form of the game originated in 1907 in Provence, France. The French name pétanque (comes from ‘petanca’ in the Provencal dialect of the Occitan language, meaning ‘feet together’ or more exactly ‘feet anchored’. The casual form of the game of pétanque/boules is played by about 17 million people in France, mostly during their summer holidays. It is also widely played in neighbouring Spain, with some 3,000 participants in the UK.”

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38

Petanque or ‘Boules’ as you can see from the official description is as far removed from Ballater, and Royal Deeside during the winter months as can be imagined. ell, surprise, surprise, the Ballater Boules Challenge was introduced to Ballater and Royal Deeside on Sunday, October 30, 2005 as a proposed answer to the diminishing availability of local curling activities due to climate change and as an entertainment outlet for residents and visitors for those long winter months experienced in these parts of Scotland.

The October 26, 2014 will, amazingly, herald the start of the 10th season for the ‘Challenge’.

Success and interest has grown steadily over the last decade from very small beginnings in 2005

with an opening day attendance of around 20 and the final being played in what only can be described as ‘biblical’ rainfall. The finalists were ‘The Haymakers’ (Eagle Editor, Ian Hay and his wife, Margaret) and ‘Jones Laing’ (Martin Young and Alastair Whitson) - the eventual winners.

Each season, 13 meetings are enjoyed throughout the winter months. Over the 10 years, there have been only four or five meetings cancelled, all due to heavy snow fall.

Each year over the festive period two meetings are dedicated to a ‘local good cause’ where players donate money to participate in the usual format, plus closely linked ‘fun’ challenges. An estimation of donations made to many ‘local good causes’

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over the years is £5,000 to £6,000. On these occasions the policy has always been the ‘Good Cause’ MUST be strongly linked to Ballater.

Numbers of players over the past few years have risen to an average of 40 per meeting, all enjoying one or more of our offered ingredients of Fun, Friendship and Fresh Air, Guaranteed!

We are all now looking forward to the next ten years of Fun, Friendship & Fresh Air, Guaranteed! So, if you would like to be part of our future success and move things on, then do consider joining us, - you will not regret it! Players from around Deeside are very welcome as there is no requirement to be a Ballater resident.

If you need more information, have a chat with Alistair Cassie at his emporium in Bridge Street or visit www.ballaterboules.weebly.com or email: ballaterboules@gmail.com. The 2014/15 meeting dates will be displayed in Alistair’s shop, Yule’s Newsagents and the Phoenix Fish & Chip establishment from early October.

Eilidh carries it high!

39

Eilidh Gow carrying the Commonwealth Games Baton through Inverurie, during its journey through Aberdeenshire.

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Pottering About...

40

I took a couple of weeks of wellneeded holiday at the end of May. My usually good organisational skills were clearly not up to standard.

The first night I was staying with friends in Glasgow, prior to attending the fabulous Knockengorrach Festival. I was giving a lift to two other folk, plus festival gear too, so packing the car was disorganised and haphazard in just trying to fit it all in.

So once in Glasgow I couldn’t find my essential inside tent bag: glasses case, torch, book, knife (for any fire emergency), eye mask and hot water bottle. I just hoped I could replace them in the city the next morning, as the festival is high in the Borders hills miles away from any shops.

That evening I opened my washbag. Inside were 3 varieties of toothpaste, but no soap. My teeth were at least very clean...

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by Stella Potter

The next morning I repacked the car. Voila!

My bag of essentials was there. What a huge relief. A few hours later we had set up camp. I had set up my stove and filled the kettle to make a cuppa. Realisation dawned that I’d forgotten matches. Never mind, I thought, there’s a box in the glove compartment in the car. I sauntered along the growing festival site, delighting in the wonderful sunshine and vibrant colours folk were wearing. Met a friend on the path and had a wee catch-up. Eventually getting to the car I opened the glove compartment for the matches. They were there: yippee! Also, wholly unaccountably but joyously, there was a soap dish complete with soap that I hadn’t seen in months. The tone was set. I settled into the festival groove…

It was a great weekend. Good music, good friends, good beer and mostly sunshine. The following weekend I was doing a wedding on the Isle of Arran, and I planned to visit friends in Argyll and Ayrshire in the meantime. (Perhaps my next trip will take me to Barra, Bute and Banffshire?!)

At least my initial poor organisational skills had been good enough to pack and take the trusty wedding bag with script, vows, back-up handfasting scarf, signing pen with pretty pot and tissues, as well as my wedding dress, necklace, earrings and shoes. Despite torrential rain on the last festival day the car was packed and its contents steamed gently for the long journey to deepest Argyll.

It was wonderful to shower, wear clean clothes, eat at a table and catch up with my lovely friend Belinda. I almost didn’t make it to Arran as my car broke down, but thanks to her patience and kindness I arrived with well-travelled trusty wedding bag intact.

The Arran wedding I was doing was for John - who I know through his Dad Bill – and his lovely bride-to-be Kat. At the same festival last year they’d told me they were hoping to marry

41 this summer. Always being up for wedding chat I for the barbeque, more beer and asked them what they were planning. Something much more banter that lasted well home-made, probably including yurts and home- after I’d gone to my bunk. brew, and a non-religious ceremony. So I offered The next morning I washed dishes, someone to marry them as their wedding present. else cooked breakfast for us all, anIt took a while to find the right other was making bread - the olive venue and the and cheese rolls were to die for!

Isle of Arran A contingent went to erect was eventually a marquee for the ceremony as chosen, as other it was, inevitably after days of mutual friends glorious sunshine, pishing it run a bunkhouse down. (None of the yurts were near Corrie. big enough for the ceremony, They were happy and one of them contained to host friends and a huge bed and had been family as their wedbeautifully decorated as a ding present. This honeymoon space.) set the tone for the The bride and brideswedding weekend. maids went flower collectSome family and ing: both wild and with friends had been at permission from a gartter den, returning soaked but o the bunkhouse a few P n a

by Meg Photo days. When I arrived wreathed in smiles and flowers. the day before the wedding there Bouquets were made. I washed more dishes then were two large tables in the huge kitchen. One made myself ready for the ceremony. Checked was for crafts, the other for food. The groom was on the bridal party progress. Hair being done by baking the cake, the bride painting stones they’d the bridesmaids, eager laughter and unbridled collected on the beach with guests’ names, others excited anticipation filled the room. I made my were preparing food for a pre-wedding barbeque. way to the marquee.

All stopped for the inevitable heart-warming The rest of the 40 guests gathered, new arrivhuge hugs. I was handed a beer and the all- als somewhat bemused at the hives of activity. A important Marriage Schedule. The latter duly cable was run for the music, flowers were pinned safely stashed in aforementioned bag I rolled up anywhere they could be, and I handed out wellmy sleeves and got stuck in. wishings. Oh, those always anxious minutes for That afternoon quiches, lasagne and pastries the groom, standing with me and his best men for the wedding feast were prepared and chilled, - one of whom was the lovely Luke Strachan the cake iced fabulously, swathes of net festooned whose fabulous cartoons graced the Eagle pages into flowing bows were piled high, a myriad of for a while… handmade decorations were made. The banter Kat arrived looking just fabulous. We and occasional bursts into joyous song were as hugged. She locked eyes with John. I took a very fabulous as the communal effort. We all stopped deep breath, looking out at so many well-loved

faces who had never been to any of my ceremonies.

I thought it wouldn’t be easy as when personal and professional mix my emotions are more to the fore. But it went really well.

Bill read a Burns poem with beauty and strength that came right from his heart; Kat’s Mum read A. A. Milne with passion; Kat’s Dad did just fabulously with a poem rather out of his normal comfort zone; all laughed and cried in the right places; Kat and John signed in the right places and everyone spoke the well-wishing beautifully with love and strength. I added into the ceremony a warm acknowledgement of the creative communal effort that had gone into this

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Photo by Heather Boggia

42

wedding. Usually it’s the ceremony that sets the tone for the day. On this occasion it was the days beforehand.

To me, rather like the wedding I wrote about in the last issue, it also goes to show that with willing group effort a wonderful wedding can be done with far more mutual meaning and at far less cost than some I have done in more expensive impersonal venues.

Finally, I promise not to write about weddings next issue! In the meantime I invite you to join me in raising a glass of bubbly to all who have tied the knot this summer. Health and Happiness!

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43

Ballater Films

by Ade Scripps

Highlight of the summer has to be our special Victoria Week showing of Saving Mr Banks. Crathie Opportunity Holidays raised the terrific sum of £1,200 for its coffers via this sell-out event, bolstered as always by the tremendous efforts of the COH crew and their baking skills!

Coming up this autumn we hope to build on our mission of bringing movies to Ballater by presenting a varied programme of animations and more grown-up films to suit all tastes.

In October we hope to bring you How To Train Your Dragon 2 (PG), an exciting sequel in which Hiccup and Toothless find themselves at the centre of a battle to protect the peace.

Later in the year we’ll be showing The Grand Budapest Hotel (15), a comic adventure starring Ralph Fiennes, in another fabulous fundraiser for the Victoria & Albert Halls. Don’t miss it!

Tickets will be available from Yules soon or on the door of most events. Look out for posters.

If you’d like to make use of Ballater Films to raise money for your group or charity, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Go to our website www.ballaterfilms.co.uk, find us on Facebook or call 013397 55243.

n2

rago

To How

D Your Train

www.ballaterfilms.co.uk Film Quiz!

Ballater Films will be hosting a Family Film Quiz to help raise funds and have some fun at The Deeside Inn on Saturday October 25.

There will be fun rounds, popcorn and a raffle for teams of up to six people. Price £3 for adults and £1 for under-16s.

The fun starts at 7pm.

Come early to get a table. This event aims to be fun for all, you don’t need small people to join in (but they might help!).

The

Gran

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find us on Facebook

44

Cairngorms National Park Authority by Katrina Farquhar

As I write this, we are celebrating National Parks Week and I hope some of you managed to attend some of the events organised in the Cairngorms. The weather has been fantastic this summer and I have managed to get out in the fresh air and visit lots of different places in the Park. You certainly are never too old to learn something new! Four of us went to Tomintoul for a twilight mountain bike ride for the Rocky Road mountain bike weekend. We went off road for about twenty miles and arrived back in Tomintoul just before dark! The staff at the Glen Avon Hotel there were very hospitable - a great event well worth the hard work. We have now entered Petal Power Ride Like a Girl at Glenmore Lodge in September so will update you in the next Eagle as to how we get on.

Last week the CNPA board went on visits to Nethy Bridge Community Centre and woodland walk, Boat of Garten Station, the latest completed

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part of the Speyside Way and The Highland Folk Museum, all of these having benefited from Scottish Government shovel ready funding. (Shovel ready funding is when a project is ready to go.

It just requires funding, and money becomes available at relatively short notice, normally from Scottish Government. It is designed to have an immediate impact on employment and the economy.) Previous to this, the CNPA Board visited Deeside before attending the board meeting in Braemar, which unfortunately I missed out on due to illness.

My walk for this issue is relatively short although it has a steep part, but it is worth it for the view. The hill is called Craig a’ Chlamhain.

You can park your car at Crathie Car Park or at the end of the Crathie to Gairnshiel road in a small lay by.

If you walk up the Crathie to Gairnshiel road you come to a passing place on the left and a road entrance to the Ardoch on the right. If you walk up the Ardoch road and just keep on it up the brae, you will pass an entrance to a field and some old caravans before arriving at the Ardoch Farmhouse which many of you will know was where the legendary Rob Bain stayed. I remember the first time I walked up this road, I was about ten and came up from Crathie School to deliver a box of food from the harvest thanksgiving to Mrs Bain, Rob’s mother.

It is still a surprise when you climb out of the trees - the view you get up Deeside and looking down onto Balmoral Castle is fabulous.

You pass behind the farmhouse keeping on the land rover track. It is worth mentioning the new owners at Ardoch have a fantastic studio and have incorporated a log store in the front - great architecture!

After a short distance you come to an old hamlet with lots of ruins. Let your imagination run wild thinking about who would have lived here in the past. The road now turns steeply up to your

right and you walk through another small wood with some fantastic old juniper bushes.

Once you emerge from this wood, the road splits. If you take the right hand one leading towards the mast, you get great views up and down Deeside.

Yo u c a n w a l k along the top of the hill and enjoy the view.

We tried to walk down towards Tomidhu but

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46

V&A Halls Development

The new Victoria & Albert Halls (Ballater) Trust held its inaugural meeting earlier in the year, and 8 trustees have come forward.

The original three, Dr Glass, Willie Meston and Bell Macaulay, are now joined by Ian Hay, Gordon Riddler, Allan Harrison, Faye Swan and Adrian Scripps.

There is now a hiatus until the assets of both the old Trust and the Association are transferred, and all the papers are signed off.

The next meeting will elect office-bearers who will have responsibility for ensuring that both the refurbishment and the ongoing running of the halls meet the expectations of the community.

Community Function Suite

We have completed this first stage of the Halls refurbishment, and the first reactions of

users and community have been very positive.

The combined use of the Albert Hall and Mike Sheridan Room for receptions and weddings is proving popular, with enquiries for such functions already on the up, and we will need to focus on increasing awareness of what we can offer over the coming months Our general bookings are up thanks to the hard work of Faye Swan who is doing a sterling job with these, and with the website - well worth a look, and you can also check your bookings there! http://www.victoriaandalberthalls.co.uk

The Refurbishment Group has turned its attention to the next stage of the refurbishment, and they will be researching all the most urgent elements of the programme which need to be tackled.

This is no mean feat, since refurbishment and ongoing maintenance sometimes go hand in hand, with inevitable funding consequences – how do we fund these very separate elements?

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Association

by Bell Macaulay

Defibrillator

Health and Safety is always high on our agenda, and now thanks to Jack Coull’s professional assistance we have a defibrillator installed in the Mike Sheridan Room alongside the Evac chair, as well as First Aid kits throughout the premises.

The defibrillator was purchased thanks to generous donations

by The Royal Lochnagar Distillery, the Ballater and District Ladies’, and Men’s Probus Clubs, the Glenmuick Church Guild and with support and advice of the Ballater Health Clinic and the Medical Amenities Fund.

Although primarily for use in emergencies for those attending meetings in the Hall complex, it will be also accessible to the public. Many halls users have been trained in First Aid and these will be given a course on the use of the equipment when clubs meet in the autumn.

The Halls Development Committee wish to express their gratitude to all the donors for providing this most valuable asset.

Halls Users

The limited storage space available has been allocated to those who require it, thanks to the excellent co-operation of all.

There has been a slight increase in fees, but these have been kept to a minimum to ensure that regular users are not discouraged.

We all want to ensure a sustainable future for this iconic building which gives the community so much, and the work goes on!

Halls History

Recently, the great, great niece of Alexander Gordon (see page 47 of Eagle 74) whose

47

generosity enabled the building of the Victoria and Albert Halls, contacted Duncan Macrae, and arranged for deliver y to the Halls of beautifully bound, hand written ledgers and cash books relating to the ver y early years of existence of the Albert Hall. These are a superb record of the social life of Ballater in the late 19th century, and it is hoped in the future to arrange a means of displaying these in the Halls for public viewing.

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49

Macmillan Coffee Morning

by Alea Masson

Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Craigendarroch is hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning & Raffle in the Keiller Lounge on Friday 26 September from 10 – 12noon!

We will be serving coffee and laying out in the lounge all manner of scrumptious cakes and home bakes, lovingly made by our pastry Chefs and enthusiastic team members. Join in our raffle for a chance to win great prizes, and boost our fundraising total. Tell your friends, tell your neighbours and your visitors to join us for a cup of coffee and a slice of cake and give what you can to this great cause.

The Macmillan Coffee Morning is Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event. They ask people across the UK to hold a coffee morning, where donations on the day are made to Macmillan Cancer Support. In 2013 154,000 people signed up, raising a record £20 million.

We would like to help Macmillan break that record in 2014, and that’s where you come in.

‘Coffee and cake makes us stronger. It’s how we get together for warmth and laughter, good advice and a hug when life’s tricky. And most importantly, every coffee drunk and every cake eaten at your coffee morning will help give someone who’s been hit by the news that they have cancer, the support they need to take back control of their lives.’ Macmillan For more information please visit www.macmillan.org.uk If you are a local resident, a local business or just passing through the area on 26 September and you have some impressive baking skills that

you would like to display (or just know where to pick up the best cheesecake that you would like us all to try), please contact Alea

on 013397 55858, alea.masson@hilton. com or at Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Craigendarroch, Braemar Road, Ballater, Royal Deeside, AB35 5XA.

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50

What is Shared Lives?

Shared Lives match adults (over 16 years of age) with support needs (mental health, disabilities, older people) with carers who work from their own homes.

What support would I provide as a Shared Lives Carer?

Our Shared Lives Carers provide day support, short breaks and long term placements throughout Aberdeenshire. This support takes place in the Shared Lives Carer’s own home as part of the family. Shared Lives provides joint flexibility to suit the needs of both family and Shared Lives Carers as well as the person they support.

What kind of people are Shared Lives Carers?

Shared Lives Carers can be married or single; have a large family or live alone; have experience in care or not. As long as you have the time, energy and commitment to provide a homely, safe, enjoyable and supportive place to stay or live you have the skills needed to be a Shared Lives Carer. Everyone has something different to offer.

What is the recruitment process like?

You will firstly meet with someone from our team who will explain more about Shared Lives.

If you decide to become a Shared Lives Carer you will be supported every step of the way by one of our team. You can then be approved to work with up to two individuals in your home.

Do Shared Lives Carers get paid?

Yes. The amount Shared Lives Carers receive varies according to the care and support needs of each individual.

How will I be matched with someone?

Shared Lives Carers and the adults they sup-

port are matched based on their mutual interests and hobbies. This helps to support a positive partnership from the very start.

What support will I be given?

You will be given training specific to the individuals you are matched with and Shared Lives Carers are supported by the Shared Lives Team throughout all placements.

What kind of things will I do to support the person I am matched with?

Shared Lives Carers support individuals to develop their independent living skills, become part of the local community, develop new interests and skills. This includes things like support with budgeting, shopping, cooking, using the bus, visiting the local library, walking the dog… The possibilities are endless and centred around what you can provide and what the individual needs.

What do Shared Lives Carers say about the scheme?

“It is so rewarding to see people enjoy being here, grow in confidence… and do things together.”

What do family carers say about Shared Lives? “(Shared Lives) allows parents to share the responsibility with others who provide family- type support” “We are now like one big family unit which has provided all round support” What do those who need support say about Shared Lives?

“Shared Lives helps you be independent and it’s a good way of meeting people”.

Find out more about Shared Lives, by contacting Sue Mahony suzanne.mahony@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk or 07824837791 or by visiting our website www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/ sharedlives.

Down Memory Lane

51

The following is an extract from an article in Aberdeen Bon-Accord and Northern Pictorial of December 9, 1954, entitled “Down Memory Lane – A holiday in Ballater 60 years ago”.

“I cannot forget my visit to the Victoria Barracks where I made the acquaintance of the caretaker, John Burnett, an old 93rd Highlander man – enlisted for 21 years – who fought at the Crimea under Sir Colin Campbell.

John was chosen by his comrades to call at the War Office to vent a grievance. A young clerk, in uniform, eyed him with contempt and said, “You Scotsmen are more trouble to us than the whole British Army” to which John replied, “Sir, that is what Napoleon said.”

The photograph, supplied by Betty Wilson, shows her great grandfather, John Burnett, with his second wife Jessie Leighton, daughters Mary Ann and Margaret, and his grand daughter Johan – Betty’s mother.

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52 1864-1914.

Ballater Highland Games Extracted from the Ballater Highland Games minute books

On 16 July 1864 a public meeting chaired

by Mr Peter Reid of Crofts unanimously agreed that annual athletic games (open only to the parish and farm servants resident since May 1864) be established. Lieutenant Colonel Farquharson of Invercauld was elected President and a committee was formed of gentlemen from the combined parishes of Glenmuick, Glengairn and Tullich. The first meeting would take place 11 days hence on 26 July on the Church Square and would have competitions for putting the stone, throwing the hammer, tossing the caber, dancing, running, vaulting, jumping, sack and barrow races (competitors to provide their own equipment for the last two). A ball with its own small management committee was to be held in the Masonic Hall on the same evening. The committees would meet on the morning of the games to finalise arrangements. Members and subscribers raised £18/9/6d and £17/7/6d was paid out leaving a profit of £1/2/-.

In 1865 subscriptions were collected in Ballater, Glenmuick, Glengairn, Tullich and Inchmarnoch, most subscribers paying 5/- or 2/6d.

In 1866 the games were held on the market stance and the bagpipe competitions were opened to all comers. In 1867 the games were called the Ballater Highland Games. By 1868 most competitions were open to all comers but professional pipers were barred. Donald Dinnie of Aboyne came first in the heavy stone, heavy hammer, hop, step and jump, running high leap, tossing the caber and hurdle races and won a total of £1/15/-. In 1869 abandonment of the games due to lack of interest was considered but Mr Cook of the Invercauld Arms came forward as chairman, formed a new committee and saved the games. This year, special railway excursion fares from Aberdeen were introduced.

In 1872 a race for the Volunteers was introduced, entrants to be in full uniform except for rifles. This race was discontinued 2 years later.

In 1876 Mr Garden, gunsmith of Aberdeen, donated a silver mounted pistol and a spirit flask to be awarded to the winners of the long and short races respectively. The following year the future of the games was again in doubt as “the gentlemen whose names appear on the committee, (with few exceptions), never attend any meetings or take part in the carrying out of arrangements” but new committee members were found and the games continued. This year Mr Garden donated a fishing rod, reel and line to be contested for by “Running after the Back”. Whatever this race was, the winner was Charles Coutts who received 1/6d but the special prize was awarded to William Deans of the Temperance Hotel.

In 1880 the Games Ball Committee gave a pair of curling stones to the Curling Club. If the Club were to discontinue, the stones were to be sold and the proceeds given to the Kirk Session for the poor of the parish. A box for the stones was to be provided by the Curling Club.

In 1882 Mr Garden gave a revolver which was to be awarded as 1st prize in the High Leap. In 1884 residents were asked to lend their garden seats for the games. In 1886 a tug of war between married and single men was introduced.

A Temperance Bar was provided at the Ball. In 1887 three yards of ribbon was purchased to make rosettes for the committee members. Mr Wallis was allowed to erect a photographic tent on the field. Borrowed garden seats were to be returned by committee members, not boys.

In 1888 the games were held on a field to the east of Ballater Bridge belonging to Mr MacKenzie of Glenmuick. Mr MacKenzie was lent hammers, stones, caber etc., for use in the Glenmuick Games the next year. At this time the Ballater Highland Games took place on the Monaltrie Cricket Club ground at a fee of £1. A

the first 100 years pony race was introduced at the request of Mr Heaven of Monaltrie who gave prizes of £2 and £1 for first and second places and also organised another pony race called Cut the Lemon or Behead the Turk. This year a gallon of whisky and three dozen biscuits were ordered for the committee. In 1895 shopkeepers were asked to close for the afternoon of the games.

In 1900 stalls and side shows were allowed on the field and a refreshment tent was provided for the committee’s use. An entrance charge for motor cars was introduced in 1903 of 7/6d excluding passengers. A fancy cycle parade was held with prizes for the best decorated cycle, best dressed entrant and most comically dressed entrant. In 1904 the use of Monaltrie Park was refused and the games were held on a field belonging to Mr Mitchell at Sluievannachie. “Owing to an unfortunate oversight” the committee omitted to send Mr Mitchell a patron’s ticket. The next year the Golf Club had taken possession of that field and agreed to it being used for the games so long as it was left in the condition in which it was found. It would appear the opposite field, belonging to Mr Mitchell was used and he was sent a ticket this year. His field was used again for 1906, and in 1907 the move was made back to Monaltrie Park, with the committee agreeing to mend the road leading to the field. Patrons’ contributions now ranged from £5 from Mr Keillor to 10/- from Mme Christen. It was agreed to publish patrons’ names but not their payments.

In 1913 the Stationmaster asked the committee for a donation towards the erection of a drinking fountain at the junction of the road leading into

by Janet Riddler

53

the goods station. The committee agreed to give £1 but this was not to be seen as a precedent. In 1914 three rows of trees were planted from the railway station to north of the cricket pavilion at a cost not exceeding £5. The games were cancelled this year due to the war and not held again until 1920.

On 14th August 2014, for the first time in 150 years, Ballater Highland Games had the honour to welcome members of the Royal Family.

150th Games Unique Souvenir Stop press: A wonderful Games Day to celebrate our 150th birthday, when we, and a huge crowd, welcomed not only Captain Alwyne Farquharson of Invercauld in his 66th year as our Chieftain, but a first ever Royal visit by the Duke & Duchess of Rothesay.

A unique souvenir of the special Games Day is our postal cover showing the Games Crest, and a cancellation stamp having the same design as that used in our centenary year.

Covers are still available at £2 each + any p & p, and can be ordered/collected by phoning 013397 56224 or by email: info@ballaterhighlandgames.com.

54 At time of writing we are well into the summer tourist season and are kept busy with our routine duties as well as Commonwealth Games duties.

The biggest repeat complaints local officers receive in the Ballater area are speeding and poor parking within the village area. Over the summer months officers will be deployed with speed guns in the local area so remember within Ballater itself it is a 30 mph zone (it is well signed!). Likewise, recently the yellow lines were repainted within the village so they are now well marked.

Unfortunately we continue to have a number of theft calls in the area and whilst going about our duties we see property left out and cars insecure. Please remember to secure property and vehicles and do not make things an easy target for criminals.

Police Scotland

by P.C Donald Macleod

Earlier in the summer we also received a number of calls in which legally set traps had been disturbed or damaged. If you are out and about and see a trap which you may not be happy with, inform us with its location (grid reference if possible) and we will have a look at it. There is legislation coming into force which makes it illegal to damage or tamper with a legally set trap.

As mentioned in previous editions, the Ballater Police Office is now manned by Karen Stewart, our Public Office Assistant, Monday to Friday between 9 – 5pm (lunch break 12.30 – 13.30).

If for any reason you find the office closed please press the buzzer on the left hand side of the door and your call will be answered.

Again, for all non-emergency calls to the Police the telephone number is now 101.

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Church’s Historic Pipe Organ 55

by Betty Simpson

The British Institute of Organ Studies has awarded the organ in Glenmuick Parish Church (Ballater) a certificate Grade II in recognition of it being the work of Forster & Andrews - 1889.

It is therefore listed in the Institute’s Register of Historic Pipe Organs as being an instrument of importance to the national heritage and one deserving careful preservation for the benefit of future generations.

The certificate can be seen in the church.

“The trouble with high-tech is that you always end up using scissors” David Hockney

Allan Milne Joiners

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All aspects of Joinery and Carpentry.

in the centre of Ballater Open daily from 10am Station Square Ballater AB35 5PB Telephone 013397 55050

New Builds, Extensions, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Windows, Doors.

Stairs manufactured and installed.

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All renovation works.

56 Braemar Creative Arts Festival

22 - 26 October 2014

Following on from winning last year’s Voluntary Arts Epic Award for Scotland, the team behind Braemar Creative Arts Festival is planning an even bigger event for 2014.

Twenty two tutors, all experts in their own field, will be offering more than 50 classes and workshops in music, art and literature from 22 to 26 October in various venues throughout Braemar. From learning the ukulele, to wildlife photography, from creative writing to ceramics, from step dancing to oil painting, there is something for everybody at the Festival. Plus an action packed drop-in fringe programme of bake-offs, knitted bird trail, Art Market, quiz night, dinner theatre, ceilidh, and

jam session. For full up to the minute details check out the website, www.braemarcreativearts.co.uk, or email braemarartsfestival@gmail.com

Classic Abode Garden and Landscaping

Member of The Gardeners Guild Bradstome Assured Contractor TradesAdvisor Awards Finalist Friendly and Professional Service Free Estimates For all your maintenance and garden projects Contact Moira on 013398 82496

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Aberdeenshire Council

by Katrina A Farquhar

I start with the exciting news! As part of the Aberdeenshire Council golf team in the Scottish Open Pro-am playing with Scot Marc Warren, we won the event with a score of fifteen under.

The whole event at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club was fantastic and it will be something I will remember for ever.

The second ‘Food and Fiddle Fortnight’ will be taking place from 3 – 19 October throughout Royal Deeside, Donside and the Eastern Cairngorms.

The idea behind this event is to showcase all things wonderful about this area through the medium of food, drink and music, and to extend the holiday spending season into October. Hopefully you will find something to enjoy during the fortnight.

Fascinating Fungi - Saturday 20 September 2014, 10-12noon, Cambus O May, Ballater, Forestry Commission, email aberdeenshire.fd@ forestry.gsi.gov.uk Join the ranger to discover the fascinating world of fungi. Explore the forest and find out mysterious myths, fascinating facts, and tales of folklore. For further information and booking (essential) call 01466 794161. Cost £2 per person.

Local drivers should be aware that the Balmoral Bridge, will close to traffic on October 8 and is scheduled to reopen at the start of February 2015.

The work is essential to the long term future of the bridge, and will be carried out no matter the weather, at a cost of around £450,000. The integrity of the bridge will be secured by replacing its deck, exchanging aged timber for reinforced concrete, but without altering the historic elements of the bridge.

The active and lost whisky distilleries dotted around Aberdeenshire have been brought together

57

for the first time. Aberdeenshire’s rich but under-recognised whisky heritage is being showcased with the council’s ‘Secret Malts of Aberdeenshire’ guide. Royal Lochnagar features as one of the eight working distilleries and copies of the guide will be widely available, free, at each of the distilleries and local visitor infor mation centres.

For Quality Ladies’ and Men’s Clothing, Accessories and Shoes Fine Gifts 13 Bridge Street, Ballater, AB35 5QP 013397 53810 www.AthollCountrywear.co.uk

58

Anno Domini

by Betty Wilson

Guess what I forgot!

Larks Gallery

ALEXANDRA HOTEL

Contemporary Scottish Art Glass Paintings Textiles Prints Photography Sculpture Jewellery Ceramics

• • • • • •

Lunch served 12-2pm Evening meals 5pm-9pm En-suite accommodation Children welcome Local real ales In the Good Beer Guide 2013 Bridge Square, Ballater 013397 55376

10 Braemar Road Ballater (013397) 55888 www.larksgallery.com

enquiries@ alexandrahotelballater.co.uk www.alexandrahotelballater.co.uk

by Sheila Sedgwick

As you pass through Tullich, do you ever think of its past? It is far older than Ballater and without it there would have been no modern Ballater, which only came into being at the end of the eighteenth century.

The area was inhabited from an early date, for the eird or earth house behind the church dates to 100 BC. By the end of the seventh century, Nathalan had set up a church in Tullich, hence Tulachnathalak. Later, Nathalan’s name was dropped, leaving Tullich the centre, religiously and politically, of a large area. The area was also known as Dalmuickeachie, the Field of Pigs. A ferry there ceased to ply about 1890.

The name Baladar, used in records from 1596 – 1721, referred to a group of houses at the east end of the Pass – eight tenants and one tradesman.

A little settlement appeared on Blaeu’s map that was published in Amsterdam in 1654. Tullich has one of the earliest “Income Tax” records. In 1275

59

Boimond de Vicci’s Taxt Roll of Ecclesiastical Buildings appeared.

The early overlords of the area were the Knights Hospitaller, then Knights Templar, and then the Earl of Mar. Passing through various hands, it eventually became Invercauld land.

Civil War came to Deeside in 1639, - Crown against Covenant. A deputation came to Deeside to put the case for Presbyterianism, but was ignored. Argyll led a small Covenanting force to Deeside to plunder the lands of royal supporters.

Tullich, a Roman Catholic area, and supporting the Gordons, was targeted. There were a number of minor engagements and Abergeldie Castle was beseiged in 1646. Following that, in September 1651, Cromwell’s Roundheads under General Monk, had paid a visit from their base in Aberdeen.

Charles II came to Deeside in July1650. It was almost 200 years before the visit of another The Dee Valley from Abergairn - Photo by Ian Cameron

Tullich

60

monarch. By September, Charles had been defeated by Cromwell and gone into exile. On 10 February 1654 Royalists appeared in Tullich under Lords Kenmuir and Glencairn. In reply, Colonel Morgan brought his Roundheads from Aberdeen – 8 companies of Foote, 9 of Horse, 3 troops of Dragoons and a large force of “Volunteers”.

The forces met on boggy ground just below Tullich Lodge. The Royalists held the Pass, so Morgan had to fight on unfavourable ground. In the snow, Royalist bowmen took a heavy toll of the Roundheads, but eventually Morgan’s men outflanked them on the slopes of Craigendarroch, claiming to have killed 120 Royalists and taken 27 prisoners. There seems to be no record of their casualties. The battle’s claim to fame is that it was the last time the long bow was used in battle in Scotland.

Tullich became important again when Elspet Michie discovered the restorative powers of the

wells at Pannanich. Francis Farquharson, returning from 20 years exile in England after Culloden, developed the wells and built a “Lodge” near where the bridge now stands. Visitors flocked in – to bathe and to drink. Tullich was a boom town.

The only access to Pannanich at that time was by boat. The ferry just could not cope with the influx of visitors, so a bridge and road were necessary. The first bridge, built owing to Farquharson’s efforts, was opposite the present Clan Shop.

The bridge we use now is number 4, due to spates wrecking the others. A new “Spa” was erected at Pannanich, and settlements could now be made on the “Moor”, developing into what we know today as Ballater, while Tullich declined.

Ballater owes its origin to Tullich. I wonder how many residents or visitors have any thought for a battle fought a few years ago at Tullich on 10 February 1654?

A well-established family-owned business, we work hard to ensure we offer our customers a warm welcome, competitive prices and great customer service. We look forward to meeting you.

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62

New Waste Arrangements

As many householders will have heard, Aberdeenshire Council is extending the new food waste and mixed recycling service to the Deeside area from November 2014.

In the new system, wheeled bins will replace the recycling boxes currently used in urban areas.

These bins can be used to recycle a wide range of materials including paper and cardboard, plastic tubs, pots and trays (such as margarine tubs, yoghurt pots and the trays which meat often comes in). Drink cartons and steel and aluminium food and drink cans will also be able to be recycled in these bins.

The blue lidded bins currently used for paper recycling in the rural areas will also be able to accept the full range of materials listed above.

These bins will be collected fortnightly, in both rural and urban areas. This gives everyone in Aberdeenshire the chance to recycle more materials at the kerbside, making recycling easier for residents.

A weekly food waste collection will also be offered to all households, both rural and urban.

Every household will be supplied with a lockable outdoor caddy, (to be put out for collection) a smaller kitchen caddy, and free compostable bags.

Simply line the kitchen caddy with the bag, scrape all food waste, cooked and uncooked, including meat, fish and bones into the bag and tie it when full. Put the bag into the green outdoor caddy and place that out for collection.

The new service will be simple to use. Your collection day for both general waste and recycling will be the same day of the week on alternate weeks. The blue-lidded recycling bin will be collected one week and your grey general waste bin the following week. Your food waste can be put out for collection every week with either bin.

Every householder will receive a booklet giving more details of the new service.

At the moment the Council collects glass separated by colour and sends it to be recycled

by Matt Davis

into glass bottles and jars. However, we will not be able to collect glass in the new recycling bins.

Mixing glass with other materials in the recycling bins means that it is difficult to sort back into different colours of glass. The Council is required by law to maintain a high quality of recycling.

By collecting glass separately through our 200 recycling centres and points in Aberdeenshire, the Council will continue high quality glass recycling.

Recycling Points are usually in convenient locations such as supermarket or public car parks

where many people go anyway, without having to make a special journey to recycle. The recycling boxes previously issued to households can be used to store the glass.

More information about glass recycling is available on our website together with more information on the new service. We are also able to offer convenient neighbourhood glass recycling points, either public, on-street facilities or off-street to share between local residents. If you think these could benefit your area, please call Wasteline on 0845 600 3 900 for more details.

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The Back Page

Putting Ballater firmly on the map See p13 Photo by Ian Cameron Dressed for success - but will I win? More from our unique Victoria Week in the centre pages Photo by Gillian Cassie

Loopy goings on at BVW 2014 Photo by Cat Houston

Ballater Highland Games Celebrates 150 years - discover the History of the Games on p52 Photo by Gillian Cassie The Ballater & Crathie Eagle is made possible by:

Advertising, Donations, Sponsorship, Fundraising, “Awards for All” Lottery funding, and Cairngorms Leader + European Funding.

Thank you to everyone who supports us.

We deliver FREE from Crathie to Cambus O’May. Thanks to Friends of the Eagle for delivering to some outlying areas.