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
11
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.
ROY MITCHELL JOINER TELEPHONE:
07792 117963