Ballater and Crathie Eagle, Summer 2019, Issue 94

THE

eagle

Ballater & Crathie Community Magazine . no 94 . Summer 2019 . ÂŁ1 where sold

Dog Days... and Going Green... Welcome to Summer . Eagle Cub Reporter Winners inside! .

2019 DEADLINES . FEB 1 . MAY 1 . AUG 1 . NOV 1

E AGLE BAL L AT ER@ G M A I L. C O M Inside Your Summer Eagle:

Summer days are here again and with them a plethora of things to do and see around the area. But take some time to read your Eagle and find out the latest on local housing and how your village can improve its climate change credentials. There’s no better time to be going green...

Diary

4-5

A Walk in The Park

38

Editorial

7

Geva’s Musings

40

Family Appeals

9

Councillor Matters

42

Housing Special

10

End Of An Era

44

Flood Protection

47

Local Group News

13>

CNPA

27

Rodolphe Christen

50

News In Brief

30

Shared Stories

53

Eagle Cub Reporters

32

Royal Celebrations

59

Crathie School Report

36

Pottering About

60

Local Groups

. Ballater Films: 28 . Ballater Highland Games: 14 . Ballater (Royal Deeside): 22 . Ballater Royal Horticultural Society: 16 . BCE: 22 . Buttony Bear: 25 . Charitable Chiels: 59 . Climate Change Group: 24 . Library News: 18 . Rotary: 20 . SWI: 34 . V&A Halls Trust: 45 . Victoria Week: 19 . . Advertisers’ Index: 62 .

Advertising

SWI Fashion Show: p34

Full page: £100; Half page: £50; Quarter page: £25; Eighth page: £12 Discounts on 4 issue series – copy can be changed each issue email the team at:

eagleballater@gmail.com

Cover Photo: Amy Muir

PUBLISHED . MARCH . JUNE . SEPTEMBER . DECEMBER

The Eagle Diary June Wed 5 Mon 10 Wed 12 Fri 14 Sun 16 Wed 19 Thu 20

Sat 22

Sun 23

Wed 26

Open Creative Writing Workshops, V&A Halls, 7-9pm. See p53 B&C Community Council Meeting, Mike Sheridan Room, 7-9pm Open Creative Writing Workshops, V&A Halls, 7-9pm Charity Texas Scramble – Details at www.ballatergolfclub.co.uk FOCUS Craft Fair, Victoria Hall, 10am-4pm Open Creative Writing Workshops, V&A Halls, 7-9pm Ballater Floral Art Group, Mike Sheridan Room, 7.30pm ‘Tour of Balmoral Gardens with Head Gardener, Alan Beadie’ Ballater Farmers’ Market, East Green, 10am-2pm Muckle Fest, Church Green, 2-8pm Aboyne Rotary Mystery Tour, 9.30am-6.30pm, Victory Hall / Aboyne Community Centre Open Creative Writing Workshops, V&A Halls, 7-9pm

July Fri 5 Sat 6/Sun7 Mon 8 Wed 17 Sat 27

End of School term FOCUS Craft Fair, Victoria Hall, 10am-4pm Ballater Clinic closed BRHS outing to walled garden at Edzell Castle Ballater Farmers’ Market, Church Green, 10am-2pm

August Sat 3-Sun 11 Ballater Victoria Week, see highlights opposite page Thu 8 Ballater Highland Games, Monaltrie Park Sat 17/Sun 18 BRHS Annual Exhibition & Flower Show, V&A Halls Tue 20 Back to School Sat 24 Ballater Farmers’ Market, Church Green, 10am-2pm

Eagle Deadlines (copy and advertising)

4

Spring: Feb 1 – publish early March Summer: May 1 – publish early June Autumn: Aug 1 – publish mid-Sept Winter: Nov 1 – publish early Dec

What’s On? 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

Victoria Week Highlights August 3-11 Sat 3 Sun 4 Mon 5 Tue 6 Wed 7 Thur 8 Fri 9 Sat 10 Sun 11

Potted Sports, Film: Stan And Ollie Vehicle Parade, Sunday Fayre, Carties, Chiels Charity Race Messy Play, Small Pet Show, Dog Show, Pantomime Horses Lego, Tartan Picnic, Bonnie Baby, TV Quiz Show Quiz Storytelling, Sports, Samba Workshops, Board Games Highland Games, evening Ceilidh It’s a Knockout, CLAN Afternoon Tea Car Boot Sale, Family Disco QV’s Flotilla on the Dee and Duck Race on the Green

See www.ballatervictoriaweek.co.uk or Facebook for more details Printed programme out early July

September Thu 19

Sat 28

Ballater Floral Art Group, Mike Sheridan Room, 7.30pm Demonstration by Anne Rendae Ballater Farmers’ Market, Church Green, 10am-2pm

October Sat 12 Thu17

Sat 26

FOCUS Craft Fair, Victoria Hall, 10am – 4pm Ballater Floral Art Group, Mike Sheridan Room, 7.30pm Demonstration by Sakura Florist Lorna Ballater Farmers’ Market, Church Green, 10am-2pm

November Thu 14

Sat 23

Ballater Floral Art Group Charity Night, Victoria Hall, 7.30pm Katrina Murray; ‘A Wintry Theme’ Last Ballater Farmers’ Market of 2019, Church Green, 10am-2pm

Ballater Library Staffed Hours Monday 10-12 . Tuesday 10-12 + 4-7 Wednesday 10-12 . Thursday 10-5 Friday 10-5 . Saturday 10-12

5

Contact the Eagle

Contact Your Representatives

 Post to

Scottish Parliament

Ballater Eagle, c/o V&A Halls, Station Square, Ballater, AB35 5QB

 email to:

eagleballater@gmail.com Contributions of any kind (ideally in Word format) always welcome.

Alexander Burnett MSP  0131 348 5642 Alexander.Burnett.msp@parliament.scot

Westminster Andrew Bowie MP  0207 219 2791 andrew.bowie.mp@parliament.uk Aberdeenshire Council

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 issues should be sent, with a cheque or postal order for ‘Ballater Eagle’ for the relevant amount and post to Ballater Eagle, Albert Hall, Station Square, Ballater. Avril, 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

Peter Argyle:  013398 82973 cllr.p.argyle@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Geva Blackett:  07876 475269 cllr.g.blackett@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Paul Gibb:  07388 956148 cllr.p.gibb@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Cairngorms National Park Geva Blackett  07876 475269 email: geva.blackett@btinternet.com

If you would like a large print version of the Eagle, please contact Ballater Library on 01339 267700.

Eagle Who’s Who & Where Editorial Team: eagleballater@gmail.com Treasurer: Elaine Adams  56149 Subscriptions Secretary: Avril Fyfe  56162 Advertising Manager: Karen Garioch  013398 80986 Distribution: Bill Braid  07775 614359 Diary Secretary: Faye Swan  55345 Design: Cat Houston, Ollie Francis email us at: eagleballater@gmail.com Eagle Online: www.ballatercommunity.com

...editorial...

Summer again! As always, there’s loads of summer activities lined up for residents and visitors alike. From writing workshops to Victoria Week and the Games, Duck Festival, Horticultural show, Farmers Markets, Muckle Fest... There’s also your Eagle to read: to see what’s going on, read about important local issues, what our many local groups are up to and various perspectives of village life. Let’s hope for at least half as good summer weather as we had last year, although of course as good as last year would be magnificent!

The small team who produce the Eagle are working hard behind the scenes to bring each edition to your letterbox. As we said last issue, without a dedicated Editor we are on a steep learning curve to ensure all aspects of production are handled smoothly. Bill, our Distribution Manager, is aware that there were some distribution issues from previous editions, which he’s attending to. If you experience any problems receiving your Eagle, please contact him direct on 07775 614359.

Poor Ian Hay, who had been our editor for many years, is still getting emails to our old email address. We thank him for his continued patience in forwarding them to us. We hope we haven’t missed anyone’s copy in the complexities of email, but clearly need to re-iterate that our email address is: eagleballater@gmail.com We also thank you for your support and forbearance whilst we get procedures into place that work. We’re a small voluntary team doing our best.

Here’s to a wonderful summer!

The Eagle Team

7

Calendar thank you!

Were you one of the lovely folk who sponsored or bought the 2019 Eagle Calendar? Well a big thank you to you if you are – and give yourselves a pat on the back. We promised that the money we raised after our print costs would go right back into our community to support a range of creative projects, and now that all the cash has been counted and the bills paid that’s exactly what we’re doing.

Our first cheques have been handed over to Ballater and Crathie Schools, and the big smiles pictured here demonstrate just how pleased they are with their present.

Crathie School is using its £200 cheque to fund transportation for a partnership with another school that it regularly collaborates with.

On behalf of the school Eric Clark emailed the Eagle: “Thank you so much for this kind donation.

We are thrilled. The children really enjoy writing their articles for the Eagle and we hope we can continue to do so for years to come!”

A cheque was also presented to Ballater School. Lexi and Charlie from P6 gratefully accepted it from Elaine. The school Green Team are going to use it for plants to further enhance the outside areas and a Memorial Garden. Photo by Emma Stewart

Fuel bills keep rising….

Time to take control of your fuel bills.

££

...

The HOME ENERGY ADVICE TEAM (HEAT) is a service delivered by Scarf and funded by Aberdeenshire Council, to offer FREE & IMPARTIAL ADVICE available to all households to lower your fuel bills and make your property more energy efficient.

PLEASE CALL THE HEAT TEAM on Freephone

0808 129 0888 or email duty@scarf.org.uk IT’S FREE & YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR GRANTS & OTHER SUPPORT...CALL US TO ARRANGE A FREE HOME VISIT

Ballater Connections – Genealogical Appeals Can you help these folk find their ancestors?

9

My sister and I are currently researching our family connections to Ballater and the surrounding area and we would value any help your readers could offer.

The connections are through our maternal grandmother (Jessie Wilson Noble b. 27.6.1887) who was raised in the Pithie family, owners of the Cambus O’ May bobbin mill. Our interest would be to hear more about the Pithie family and the development and life of the mill. Our mother inherited the Pithie family home, Turnerhall, and any insight into the history of the properties there would also be welcomed by us.

In addition, our grandmother and some of her close family members were in service at Balmoral.

We believe our grandmother was a laundry maid as a young woman and her cousin, Jessie Robertson (b. 1893 d. 1974), was in service there and later went on to be head of household at Sandringham.

Any information or guidance on how we can find out more about their Balmoral connections and Jessie’s family would help us fill the gaps in our current knowledge.

Thank you in anticipation of your help.

Fiona Stewart (I can be contacted through the ‘This is Ballater and Crathie Community Group’ on Facebook).

My name is Aaron Kennedy. One of my ancestors John Kennedy was born in Ballater in 1791. My great-grandfather Andrew Kennedy emigrated from Aberdeen to New Zealand in the 1800s. I am looking for Kennedys who might be related to my family. My parents will be visiting Scotland next year and I would love to surprise my father with a list of relatives in Ballater. Kind regards, Aaron Kennedy

10

Local Housing Special

Old School Abergeldie Road Development

Update & application process from Fiona Presslie

You may have noticed that site clearing works have started at the Old School in preparation for refurbishment and redevelopment of the properties to provide rented homes.

Revised plans were approved by the CNPA on the 26th April, with construction expected to commence in June 2019.

The development proposal to be considered at the CNPA planning committee will consist of two 3-bedroom homes, twelve 2-bedroom homes & ten 1-bedroom homes.

These properties are owned and let out by Grampian Housing, rental rates are expected to range from £285 to £445 per month.

Ballater & Crathie Community Council is working with Grampian Housing to seek approval of the development to be classified as a Local Letting Scheme. Should Aberdeenshire Council approve this, it will increase the likelihood of the properties being let to those already living in the community.

Please keep a look out and complete the Housing Survey form. This will provide more detail to the many comments shared in the 2017 Action Plan survey and reaffirm the need for a Local Letting Scheme in our community.

Application for the units will be made via a Choice Based lettings system called Homehunt (see website www.homehunt.info.) Information Leaflets are available in the library.

It is important that, if you are interested in applying for one of these homes next year, you are registered on the Homehunt website as soon as possible.

Please note that if you have previously applied on the ‘apply4homes’ register with Aberdeenshire Council, you will not be registered automatically.

You will need to create an account on Homehunt as well.

We have also clarified that if you are in an existing local authority property and would like something smaller or larger, it is possible to do a transfer from your current local authority accommodation to one of these new units.

If you need assistance with registration BCCC can arrange to help; please contact fionapresslie@ aol.com.

The homes will be available and advertised in Summer 2020 and once available, registered users of Homehunt will need to submit a bid for a particular home via the Homehunt website.

BCCC will work with Grampian Housing to communicate when the units are expected to be ready for application. Communication with Homehunt and Grampian Housing will be via email, if you do not have regular access to email and require assistance, please let us know.

Please do not forget to register and if you need help, please ask.

Affordable Housing in Ballater, by Bill Braid

Progressing our Ballater & Crathie Community Action Plan (2018), the recently established Ballater Community Housing Group have commissioned Rural Housing Scotland to carry out a Housing Needs Survey to review and update the existing housing needs assessment for Ballater and Crathie. It is an undeniable fact that more affordable housing is needed, but to get it right it is essential that we gain additional

"Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to."

John Ed Pierce

information on what type of housing, to rent or to buy and who needs it most; is it the young, the elderly, is it one bed, two bed or family homes, etc?

Prior to this issue of this Eagle magazine, the Housing Needs Survey was kicked off with a drop in session within the V&A Halls on 15 May. This was followed up by a pop up stall at the Farmers’ Market on 25 May, further pop up sessions will be held at the Duck Festival on the 2 June and the Farmers Market on the 22 June.

Additional information regarding the Housing Needs Survey will appear in the press over the next few weeks, on posters & flyers around the village, along with the Community Council and Community Action Plan, Facebook pages & websites.

Clicking on the QR Code will take you straight to the Surveymonkey link. The survey should only take a few minutes to complete and help will be available at the pop-up events.

Grampian Housing Association are working closely with the Ballater & Crathie Community Council to develop a local lettings initiative for the allocation at the Old School site. The Housing Needs Survey will contribute in helping us develop a local letting scheme for the community.

This is your opportunity to share your opinions, tell us your priorities and let us know about any issues or concerns you have.

You can participate in the housing need survey by scanning the QR Code or linking to the survey questionnaire at https://www.surveymonkey. com/r/QW7JC3Q

“I am so pleased that Grampian Housing listened to the concerns about access, density and parking on the Old School site and, having worked closely with the community council, brought forward a planning application that will now deliver much needed low cost housing in Ballater - I look forward to watching the site progress.”

Cllr Geva Blackett “GHA is to be commended for their approach and for responding to the Ballater community so positively. The leadership shown by the community council was also exemplary. Working together has achieved a development that will benefit Ballater, bring this important building back into use and provide affordable homes for people who need them.”

Cllr Peter Argyle

Local Group News

A round-up of news from our local groups

13

Queen’s Gift is of a Russian Flavour Her Majesty the Queen has very kindly donated a boxed set of two cups and saucers in the Imperial Russian china design to be raffled in aid of St Kentigern’s Church, Ballater.

Tickets are £1 each. Tickets are available from the Brakeley Gift Room and Yule's the Newsagents or at the event. The draw will take place at the Summer Fair.

St Kentigern’s Scottish Episcopal Church Ballater is holding a Summer Fair at the Victoria Hall in Ballater on Saturday 13th July from 1.30pm- 3.30pm.

There will be home-baking, plants, books, bric a brac, toys and teddies, bottle and gift stalls, raffle, The Queen’s Gift Raffle and refreshments. All proceeds go towards church funds.

Anyone for Hockey?

Aboyne and Deeside Community Campus are looking for any adults who have played hockey in the past (no matter how many years ago!) and who would be interested in either walking hockey or want return to hockey. They are hoping to hold two sessions late June and early September to gauge interest. They are also interested in anyone who could assist in a voluntary capacity in sessions perhaps a retired PE teacher or hockey player who has coached before. If you are interested in playing please email mark.pain@scottish-hockey. org.uk. If you can volunteer to help please email Aileen.longino@avashire.org.uk

Upper Deeside Music Dr Margaret Glennie, Chair Upper Deeside Music (UDM), presented a cheque for £1,500 for the Pipe Band, to Pipe Major James Cooper at the Ballater Pipe Band Hut on March 26th: this being the sum remaining when UDM was dissolved earlier in the year.

Upper Deeside Music, founded by the late James Dunster, has promoted classical music concerts in the village for over 25 years. Many of these were held at the Darroch Learg Hotel, where James Dunster’s piano remains, in memory of him.

Big ‘thank you’? Important date? Special event? If you’ve got something to say about your group, get it into the Eagle – eagleballater@gmail.com

14

Highland Games by Ron Drever

Preparation for the 2019 Ballater Highland Games is ongoing and is now picking up speed after a successful and very enjoyable Annual Dinner.

At the time of writing, our Games Chieftain, Captain Alwyne Farquharson of Invercauld, has just celebrated his 100th birthday, and, without doubt, he will also be looking forward to attending his 71st successive Ballater Games, surely a testament to an enjoyable event! We are also looking forward to celebrating with him at the Games.

Our Chieftain is an Honorary Vice Patron of the Lonach Gathering, and to help in the celebrations we’re delighted to announce we’ll be joined on Games Day by the Lonach Pipe Band leading the march of the internationally renowned Lonach Highlanders.

Many other pipe bands will be appearing including, of course, our own Ballater Pipe Band as well as the Band of the Queen’s Royal Guard, and all our traditional competitions, e.g. highland dancing, piping, athletics, hill race, light and heavy field events, and tug o’ war, will take us through the day.

At the time of writing, our Ballater sponsors this year are: George Strachan Ltd, Wilkies,

Brakeley Gift Room, Hilton Grand Vacations, Ian Rodger Architects, Laurie & Company Solicitors, Braemar Mountain Sports, Roaring Stag Coffee Roasters, Inchgeal Lodge B & B, H.M.Sheridan Butchers, Shorty’s Ice Cream Parlour, and Ballater Community Enterprise Ltd. Our other sponsors are: Deeside Water Company, Glenmuick Estate, Invercauld Estate, Axis Well Technology, McCue & Porter Quantity Surveyors, and Neil Catto Plumbing.

Our thanks to them all. Anyone else interested in sponsorship is invited to contact the Games Secretary at: info@ballaterhighlandgames.com or on 01339756224.

We invite you all to enjoy the celebrations with us on Thursday 8th August. Our gates open at 10am, competitions start at 11am, and the formal opening is at noon.

For further information, including prepurchasing of admission tickets, visit www. ballaterhighlandgames.com. Fingers crossed for another sunny day!

Muckle Fest Returns...

Ballater’s finest music festival returns on Saturday June 22nd, on the Church Green from 2-8pm.

Expect music from The Vintage Girls, Totico, Eclipse and The Mad Ferrets alongside bouncy castles, food stalls, funfair rides and fun stuff for the kids.

Bring your picnic blanket and own refreshments for this free event, organised by local volunteers and financed by fundraising.

The Farmers Market will take place on the East Green (hut side) on this Saturday.

LAURIE & COMPANY SOLICITORS NOTARIES ESTATE AGENTS

•

•

We are hosting our annual Client Hospitality Tent at Ballater Games Thursday 8th August 2019

Please pop in from 12 noon for a chat - and a glass of Pimms with delicious strawberries and cream!

Open Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm 4 Bridge Street, Ballater Tel: 01339 755535 ballater@laurieandco.co.uk

01975 571775 07792 830780

• • • •

www.laurieandco.co.uk

Local family business Oil and biomass boiler servicing and repairs New boilers sold and installed with 5 and 10-year warranties Aga Servicing

�lameboilerservices@gmail.com

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16 It has been a very mixed Spring weather wise.

Despite some lovely sunny days, the cold winds have set things back a bit in the garden.

Our Mini Bulb Show was held on 1 April.

Regrettably, bulbs were either way past their best or not yet in full flower. However, all was not lost, and the display was much admired by those who attended the meeting. Thanks to Margaret Glennie and Jim Clark for judging, everyone who helped, entered, and of course, the prize winners.

Photos can be viewed on our website. http:// ballaterroyalhorticulturalsociety.weebly.com/ This was followed by an inspiring talk by Hosta devotee, Richard Firman. Airdlin Croft near Ellon, is open through Scotland’s Gardens Scheme and is well worth a visit. https:// scotlandsgardens.org/airdlin-croft/ The Scottish Rock Garden Club kindly sponsored Julia Corden from the Explorers’ Garden in Pitlochry for our last talk of the season.

It too merits a visit: www.explorersgarden.com/ Now it’s time to source speakers for our 2019 -20 season!

BRHS

by Elizabeth Wilson By the time this goes to print, we will have held our Annual Plant Sale on 1st June. We hope to have had a varied selection of plants, home produce and other gardening sundries for everyone to purchase.

The coach trip to St Andrews Botanic Garden last year was a resounding success, so much so, that we have decided to hire a coach again for our outing on Wednesday 17 July, to Edzell Castle Gardens, followed by lunch at the Panmure Hotel, Edzell, then on to the House of Pitmuies, near Forfar. Anyone who is not a member is welcome to fill any vacant spaces.

Please contact the Secretary for details.

Aberdeenshire Council donates a selection of annuals, which the Society is responsible for planting in the various containers throughout the village. We really could do with some help planting up, watering and pulling out occasional weeds in the many containers in order to keep them in good condition. Jim and Colin can’t do it alone! Anyone wishing to help should contact Elizabeth Wilson, the Secretary, on 013397 55900 or eml_wilson@hotmail.com. In the meantime, pansies and some gold lace primulas were planted to give the tubs a bit of colour.

Our 143nd Annual Exhibition and Flower Show takes place in the Victoria Hall on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August. Schedules are available from the Secretary or from Yule’s Newsagent. All ages are eligible to enter the classes specified, though we have retained the section specifically for children up to 16. We desperately need young blood in the Society and hopefully, this will attract some.

Jim Clark, along with Elizabeth and Colin Wilson visited Crathie School to discuss participating and encouraging the pupils in the school garden. Hopefully this will sow the seeds of an interest in gardening.

Here’s to warm and happy summer days in the garden.

Domestic & Commercial Crown Thinning & Reduction Dismantling & Felling Hedge Pruning & Maintenance Dangerous Tree Control Stump Grinding & Removal

Professional Tree Surgeon N.P.T.C. Qualified

Fully Insured Free Estimates call: 013398 80823 e: deesidetreecare@gmx.co.uk

Firewood for sale

m: 07786 756078 w: www.deesidetreecare.co.uk

18

Library News by Sabine Muir

Library telephone: 01339 267700

Young members of our Craft Club met historian and author Lucy Worsley while she was filming on the platform and inside the Royal Carriage.

Digital Drop-In Do you want to find out how to read newspapers online, check your e-mails on your phone, or watch TV on an iPad? Come along to the library where library staff will be on hand to offer friendly, informal help. We can also show you the range of digital services you can access with your library membership. Feel free to bring your own device or use a library computer. Starting on Thursday June 6th from 3 till 4pm. Free to all.

Postage stamps We are still collecting postage stamps for the RNIB. Please cut around the edges, leaving 1cm around the stamp, or the charity won’t accept them. Thank you for the ongoing donations.

Teddies Our Knit and Natter team have knitted several teddies for our massive ‘Bear Hunt’ to commemorate Michael Rosen’s book ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,’ which is 30 years old this year. Thank you to all the ladies who knitted the bears. The ladies were a bit shy to be photographed, the bears weren’t. Since this photo was taken three more bears have joined the team. Once the Bear Hunt is over the teddies will be donated to the Police and Fire Services, to give to children in distress.

National Entitlement Cards We’re pleased to say the self-issue desk is now enabled to operate National Entitlement Cards. If you want your library membership to be connected to the NE card, please ask at the desk.

Ballater Victoria Week 2019

by Cat Scripps

Plenty of reasons to party at this year’s BVW – Queen Victoria’s 200th birthday (and Albert’s) are celebrated this year. Our new Duck Tsar is making arrangements for various local groups to benefit from the race on the green on Sunday August 11, while we hope to mark QV’s bicentenary year with a flotilla on the Dee of a BVW kind...

The parade looks set to be its usual fabulous spectacle and we hope to see more cartie entries race down Bridge Street this year. Don’t forget to make a Scarecrow!

New events include Tartan on the Green – hosted by Clan Hay and supported by Clans MacRae and Farquarson – where you can learn about piping, kilt making, Gaelic and whisky, take a look at Scottish rare breeds and meet some friendly sheep or try your hand at hurling a haggis... It will take place on the same day as Buttony’s Picnic (Tuesday August 6), which will also feature BVW Bonnie Baby, this year with a tartan theme...! BVW’s own tartan will also get an outing with various local crafters taking a metre to create something with to display during the week. It would be nice to complement the picnic with a big birthday cake – are there any local businesses or individuals willing to give it a try? Costs could be covered by BVW funds if necessary.

Many of your BVW favourites such as the Pet Shows, Ceilidh and Car Boot Sale are all taking place. A list of highlights can be seen on the diary page on p5, with the full printed programme arriving early July. You can get updates in the meantime by visiting our Facebook page or website. More help is always needed, just get in touch via 013397 55243, info@ballatervictoriaweek.co.uk or drop into our meetings in the Hut on the Green, on July 4 or 25, at 7.30pm. All welcome. Be Amused.

Brian Smith Funeral Services Ltd The only family run and owned funeral director in Aboyne, Banchory and Peterculter

Pre-Paid Funeral Plans Available 317 North Deeside Road, Peterculter Tel: 01224 732530 Huntly Road, Aboyne Tel: 013398 86625 85A High Street, Banchory Tel: 01330 825400

Contact Brian or Angela Smith (24hrs)

20 Aboyne and Upper Deeside Rotary

...Finding new ways to raise funds

Raising funds is a constant task for us throughout the year and our Club is well supported in all our endeavours by our communities. Bag packing at the Co-Ops; car parking at the Aboyne Games; running the Whisky Games Stall; the annual Charity Golf Day and the Aboyne Fireworks BBQ are fixtures on our calendar of events, along with our Youth Competitions at the Academy.

This year, we are also trying something new; a one-day “Aboyne Rotary Mystery Tour” and the “Rotary Royal Deeside Autumn Challenge” which takes in the whole of Upper Deeside and can take as long as six weeks!

The one-day Mystery Tour event is a quiz involving an easy walk around Aboyne and will be held on Sunday June 23, 9.30am to 6.30pm. Starting at The Victory Hall or The Aboyne Community Centre, for £3 you will be given a quiz sheet and a Heritage booklet containing a map which is to be followed to help you answer the various questions. A great day out for the whole family who can share one quiz sheet if desired or compete against each other by each buying their own. It goes without saying that there are prizes to be won!

The “Royal Deeside Autumn Challenge” covers the whole of Upper Deeside from Kincardine O’Neil and Tarland to Ballater and Braemar, so you can take your time with this one. Designed to be completed gradually, the start date is 1 August with all entries to be in by 30 September. Some lovely days out can be planned discovering the secrets of Royal Deeside. The quiz sheets and instructions will be available at various outlets in the area, including George Strachan’s in Aboyne and The Old Royal Station in Ballater. The cost is £5 for a chance of winning £100. The full list of outlets will be posted on our Facebook page “Rotary Club of Aboyne and Upper Deeside” and website www. rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=7 Meanwhile, why don’t you consider joining us? Being a Rotarian is rewarding, sociable and good fun. If you cannot commit to being a full member, you can assist us by being a “Friend of Rotary”.

This will not cost you anything, just a few hours of your time now and again to suit yourself. We would love some younger people to become involved! If you are interested, please contact Mike Powell.

Email; mikepowell.obe@gmail.com or telephone 013398 86369. You can be sure of a warm welcome to our meetings so you can find out for yourself all the things we are involved in.

ÂŁ10 per dog per hour - 2nd dog half price dogs walked in small friendly group/pack - or solo flexible, reliable, experienced & fully insured 0n or off-leash exercise dependent on dog experienced with leash aggressive & reactive dogs early am and late pm walks available we walk in all weathers!!!!! puppy play-breaks or feeding & medication available going on holiday, a weekend away, out for the day? need to get your dog to the vet or groomers? call me! i am a registered guide dog puppy boarder i have first aid training excellent references if required ballater barkers is on facebook - have a look! tomnagaidgh, birkhall

The Auld Kirk B&B andCoffee Lounge Open from 10.30am ‘till 5pm Tuesday to Saturday.

Homemade soups and stews freshly-made daily, with sandwiches and fresh-baked cakes.

B&B open all year round.

Please contact Helen & Kevin Telephone: 01339 755762

22

BCE: Ballater B(RD) by John Burrows Caravan Park The planning and work for the summer is well

Work on the fourth and final phase of refurbishment was completed in time for the opening of the 2019 season. This will bring the total number of pitches on the site to 94; 50 touring (8 fully serviced) and 44 seasonal (18 fully serviced). Five further pitches have been laid out but these will be left unoccupied in the meantime due to restrictions on the capacity of the existing toilet block.

An additional toilet block was planned but this will be held in abeyance at present until the route of the proposed flood defence barrier is clarified.

Other improvements completed recently include improving the shower pressure in the toilet block, installation of exercise equipment and provision of a boules pitch; the latter through the generosity of the Ballater Boules Group.

Karen and Stan Crate have taken on the role of the peak season assistant wardens and we welcome them to Ballater. Karen and Stan are no strangers to Upper Deeside have previously been wardens at Braemar Caravan Park.

Finally, the BCE Board would like to record a huge debt of gratitude to Gordon Bruce who has overseen all phase of refurbishment in such a willing and efficient manner. Many thanks Gordon.

advanced for BRD, with our colleagues at the Caravan Park, showing off their amazing work undertaken over the winter months. The Walking Festival will be starting on the 18th May when we welcome old friends and some new ones to enjoy the hills around us and hopefully spend time talking and buying from our fantastic eateries and retailers. June sees the next Duck Festival to hit our greens, so beautifully enhanced by the volunteers from the Enhancement Group, with music and stalls along with the arrival of even more ENORMOUS ducks from China.

Everything is looking spring like and positive, so why do we have to have graffiti on the bridge, food smeared on the Old Mannies’ Hut and litter strewn about! I appreciate it is the actions of only a few people, but sadly that few damage our image to the people that matter – our visitors.

These people from all over these islands and much further put valuable income into our village; this income creates the wealth to pay the wages to offer work and a brighter future. So, if you are one of those with a spray can or feeling like throwing food on the floor or at the Hut on the Green, recall the words of Hercule Poirot and USE THE LITTLE GREY CELLS FOR ONCE. You know you might surprise yourself and actually feel a bit better.

So having cleared that off my chest, let’s start to think about that future, we all know from the farce created by ALL the politicians that things will be difficult, however we have a great area and Aberdeen is enhancing its harbour to bring in more visitors and some of these will want to see upper Deeside. We all need to start to think how we can make that experience better so that they enjoy the brief visit and want to come back to spend a little longer and use our Caravan Park, B&B, Hotels and Lodges – we all have that gift within us to give to these people, not simply the “HAVE A NICE DAY” throw away so often parodied in New York but that Scottish warm welcome that is honest and meant, coupled with a smile. Smiling is actually said to be good for us and could save a visit to see Ewan, as I am sure he will tell you the same, possibly with the addition “Do as I say…..”

So let us all enjoy the summer about to break on this corner of paradise and prepare our stomachs for the copious quantities of the best ice creams in upper Deeside.

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Time for Ballater to join push for Change says Thelma Van Tienen

Climate change awareness is growing by the day. Banchory has started an action group and is talking abut becoming a ‘Transition Town’, Aboyne has started their own Farmers’ Market and Tarland have an Extinction Rebellion Group.

Lots of good things are already happening in Ballater – Invercauld Estate repaired their peat bogs, we have had a Farmers’ Market for some time and allotments are high on the agenda.

Together we can have more ideas to build on these and we can achieve more to turn the tide of climate change and loss of biodiversity.

Our climate change information programme will start with a showing of ‘Demain’ (Tomorrow) on Friday June 28 with Ballater Films. This documentary film focuses on people across the world already using positive solutions.

Anyone who is interested in joining the Ballater Action Group can add their name to the Action List at the information table at the

All aspects of landscaping Mini digger and small tipper hire Firewood also available James Anderson Bridgefoot, Glenmuick, Ballater 013397 55997 / 07821 746756 weejim03@live.co.uk www.weejim.com

Ballater Farmers’ Market on the last Saturday of the month until November. See you there!

Please bring information about all good things that are already happening in Ballater. We want to make a Notice Board for all to see.

Deeside Climate Action Network, or Deeside CAN, hosts its first public meeting on Thursday, June 20th at 7.30pm, at the Barn in Banchory.

Doors and bar will open at 7pm.

Buttony Bear Bonus

A wee update from Buttony the Ballater Bear. Buttony is a bear who has been adapted to have his own stoma and is donated to children throughout the UK who have a stoma themselves.

We have just celebrated the fourth anniversary of the start of the project and in that time we have donated just over 2300 bears. We go into our fifth year with as much enthusiasm as we did our first indeed possibly more as we now know what a difference this little bear can really make .

We want to say thanks to everyone who has supported us, we are so privileged to live in this great community where people have taken up cause to heart.

In January Rev David Barr shaved his head for Buttony raising enough to sponsor 76 bears.

He personally delivered 53 of his bears to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow with the rest to be delivered to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness later this month.

The Ballater & District Pipe Band and the

Ballater Games Stewards recently delivered 23 bears to the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital. They raised the money for these at last year’s Beat Retreat on the evening of the Games. Aberdeen had requested our new velour bears which are suitable for under threes and we have since received feedback from them to say how delighted they are with them.

Thanks to you all for keeping the project going. If you’d like more information on Buttony please do call me or email me at buttony@breakawayfoundation.org. uk or 07813 720963

25

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CNPA News

27

with Grant Moir

Tourism is vital for the economy of the Cairngorms National Park and many people who live in the Park are employed in tourism businesses. The Park receives around 1.85 million visitors each year, up from 1.3 million when the Park was designated 15 years ago.

Every five years, the CNPA undertakes a National Park Visitor Survey and the latest survey started in May. Over a 12 month period, 2,500 people across the Park will be interviewed to find out what attracted them to come, what they like and what they feel could be improved. The full results will be available in summer 2020 and the feedback gathered shapes the work we do to continually improve the visitor experience. Our visitor survey results in 2015 were very positive with 96% saying they love the Park and 98% saying they would recommend it to others and we hope to maintain these very high standards into the future.

Delivering the best possible visitor experience is very important, so a new partnership agreement with local communities and businesses aims to help visitors find out more about how to make the most of their visit. The CNPA is supporting a network of 11 Local Information Centres across the National Park by providing training, along with information and leaflets about the Park, and is promoting these centres on all CNPA maps of the Park by using a little white i in a blue circle.

Tourism also has its challenges mainly around the maintenance of infrastructure and it was great news that two CNPA led projects in the Park received funding from the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund. One project in Glenmore and one project at the Muir of Dinnet car park where the toilets and car park are being upgraded and waste disposal facilities are being provided.

This is on top of the ongoing access infrastructure upgrading of the lowland and mountain paths, snowroads, scenic route investment and private sector investment in tourism facilities.

At the same time we are all aware of the

ongoing need to maintain the fantastic path network in the Park which is used by visitors and locals alike. This past month has seen the launch of a voluntary donations scheme for the National Park by the Cairngorms Trust. This was done at the successful Cairngorms Nature Big Weekend and I hope that many residents, visitors and users of the Park will help contribute to its ongoing upkeep through this mechanism.

I hope you all have a great summer and I look forward to sharing the results of the visitor survey next year.

Badger . .

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Lego Movie 2 was a little 28quietMay’s but King of Thieves in aid of

Crathie Opportunity Holidays more than made up for it with a good crowd in the Victoria Hall and around £1,000 raised for the cause.

We’ve had a request to show a film on the theme of climate change – “Demain” (Tomorrow) – and we aim to squeeze that in on Friday June 28th (working with volunteers from Ballater Farmers’ Market, who have been championing the cause). Look out for posters/publicity.

We’ll then be back in August with some entertainment offerings for Victoria Week. Stan and Ollie will grace the Victoria Hall on Saturday August 4, along with perhaps one other film during the week (if we can only decide what).

By the time October comes around there will be a fair few films on the board that we won’t have had the opportunity to show, so we will probably look to host another Film Festival around then.

Keep up with us at www.ballaterfilms.co.uk or on Facebook.

Ballater Films

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30 News In Brief Ballater Songsters

We have had a busy time over the last few months fulfilling five engagements a week over the Christmas period and continuing into the New Year with a very successful concert celebrating Robert Burns Poetry and Songs held in the Albert Hall. The concert was arranged by Bell MacAuley and was much enjoyed by everyone who attended. Fortunately the Songsters have managed to fit in a couple of weeks holiday before it all starts again with several engagements to be fulfilled over the Summer months and into Autumn.

Enhancement Group

by Anne Reid

As most of you will have noticed, the main church green was dug up on two separate weekends for cables to be laid for lighting up the trees at Christmas time. The council gave us their blessing to do so. By the time you read this, we hope the green will also have been spiked and grass seed sown, to improve the look of the green.

The Enhancement Group have donated £1,000 to this worthy cause and The Rotary Club of Aboyne and Upper Deeside also very kindly donated £600. We will be the most beautiful village on Deeside again with our Christmas lights. A huge thanks has to go to some of the Charitable Chiels and also Jack Lanigan who gave their time and labour to help us; Jack lent us his ‘toys’ to carry out the job and I even got a shot on the digger!

I have even managed to persuade some of them to come on to the Enhancement Group.

Anyone wishing to donate money to this worthy cause can do so. Perhaps you would like to sponsor a tree? See either Pat Downie or me.

Clinic Closure

Ballater Clinic will be closed on the following public holiday: Monday 8 July 2019.

If you require urgent medical attention during this public holiday please call NHS 24 on 111.

Please ensure you reorder any of your usual repeat medication in plenty of time prior to this date.

Lego Club Returns Lego Club is to be run from the Victoria and Albert Halls on a monthly trial basis, first Tuesday of the month, starting in June.

Taking place after school until 5pm, there will be a charge of £4 per child, including snack, per session, paid in advance or at the start of the session.

Master builders age P3 and up are welcome and the sessions will also be open to pupils who do not attend Ballater School.

Younger children will also be welcome to attend, accompanied by a parent/carer, for £2.

All the usual club resources will be available, with extra themes and challenges to make each session different and fun. We are grateful to our ninja supervisors for their support of this venture, and any further assistance from volunteers would be appreciated too. If you would like more information or for your child to join in the fun, please email Cat at catrionahouston@yahoo. co.uk for a form.

Sessions: June 4, July 2 and August 6 (BVW)

Indoor Bowls The Bowling Club AGM will be held in the Craigie/Beaton Room on Wednesday 14th August 2019 @ 7-30 pm.

The Bowling Club reopens on Tuesday 24 September 2019 in the Victoria Hall - 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm.

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Eagle Cub Reporters

We were delighted with the calibre of writing sent by our cub reporters for this issue, on the subject “Scotland In Summer...”. These three below win £25 cash for their authors

Sunny fields are all around and birds are making a tweeting sound.

Warm air is everywhere now that summer is around.

Joyful Bambi skipping through and bird spotters have them found.

A murmur of starlings fly above shaping to look like a dove.

Pheasants trotting on the ground making a quiet clicking sound.

Colourful flowers are now sprouting and lots of little children shouting.

Pink sunsets are above and the summer filled with love.

Muddy mountains are turning green somewhere near Aberdeen.

A little bit of rain £2 Won’t produce pain. win 5 ner Sleepy children awaking s! with their brains aching knowing they can go and play in the sun again today.

Lakes as still as a mirror little lambs growing bigger.

And far away some people read of nac mac feegles.

Some other people are enjoying the Eagle.

by Tavia

Every moon light doesn’t come out till late at night. Animals are born when people are growing crops and corn. Sun comes out, seedlings sprout. Kids play. Birds lay their eggs. People play in the pool like there is no rule. Foxes and deer creep into gardens. Blankets covered in tartan being set out. Children climbing trees. Tweeting birds and buzzing bees.

Licking ice cream, putting on sun cream.

By Kara

Looks like the sun sitting in the sky Feels like someone breathing hot air on me Sounds like the sun is cracking on the earth Smells like salty sea water tastes as good as macaroni cheese

By Urijah

Issue 93’s Cub Reporter winners Isla and Max with their winnings

We also received a selection of writing frames on the same theme from Crathie School pupils.

They were all good but these two were considered Highly Commended.

What shall I do this active summer holiday?

I will sail the mighty ocean, I will roam frantically through the magical forest, I will carefully plant some big, beautiful flowers, In the summer, In the summer.

What shall I do this lazy summer holiday?

I will munch lazily a colossal roast chicken, I will snooze carelessly in my comfy cosy bed, I will watch the television sloppily until the sun sets, In the summer, In the summer.

What shall I do this achieving summer holiday?

I will climb rapidly up the Luxurious Lochnagar I will hike through the dramatic Cairngorm mountain range, I will dive to the scariest depths of the Loch Muick, In the summer, In the summer.

By Zara Jones, P6, Crathie School.

What shall I do this colossal summer holiday?

I will go to a mammoth Newbattle Golf Club so I can play 18 holes with my friend.

I will go and play with my favourite friend who stays near our house to play military.

I will go to the huge beach in Aberdeen and dive to the bottom of the ocean.

In the summer, In the summer.

What shall I do this infinite summer holiday?

I will go to the deep, dark ocean, to the bottom of it.

I will go to the immense swimming at the pool all day.

I will eat tasty and delicious Oreo ice cream, In the summer, In the summer.

What shall I do this mammoth summer holiday?

I will walk into the steep and rocky mountains, I will wear shorts and t-shirt, so we don’t get warm and you need to put on your sun cream.

I will go to see The Open, In the summer, In the summer.

By William Stewart, P5, Crathie School

34 Ballater SWI

President Lesley Peake welcomed members and visitors to our Open Night and CLAN Fashion Show on 20 March. Christine Roper, Local Service Area Coordinator, and Helen Hasnip, Area Coordinator for CLAN, provided the fashion commentary for the evening along with a stall of items for sale.

Christine did a brilliant job of describing the outfits each of the models were wearing as they strutted their stuff down the tartan carpeted walkway. The models for the evening were: Alex Esson, Aileen Barbour, Claire Fraser, Ellie Kinghorn, Frances McCarthy, Thelma Cooper, Amanda Croll, Gillian Sinclair, Jan Williams and Sheena Fraser. It was a great evening showcasing a range of beautiful clothing available at the CLAN shop in Ballater.

Margaret Finnie gave a vote of thanks to the outgoing committee along with Claire Fraser, giving a special thanks to Aileen Barbour for all her help throughout the year, and the new

with Ellie Kinghorn

committee was announced. It has been a great year with plenty of interesting talks, demonstrations and laughs shared at Ballater SWI – we look forward to continuing with the same enthusiasm and spirit next year – see you all in September!

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School Report: Crathie Last term we learned about the water cycle – precipitation, condensation, evaporation – and about weather using new doric words, ‘sna’, ‘shooer’, ‘hailsteens’, ‘peesooper’ and ‘thunner and lichtnin’.

We then made a Doric news and weather show where we presented funny news and a made up weather forecast for the north east.

In April, we went to Lumsden Primary School for the Knex Construction and Engineering Challenge. Children from Strathdon and Towie joined us for the day. James was in the winning team with 2 pupils from Towie. They made a tower that was 151cm high. We also participated in marbling, weaving and book binding with the other three schools and made lots of friends!

We have formed a running club at school and entered the Run Balmoral race. We have been learning about the different effort zones in running and how to set a pace when running over a long distance. We have been using the local riverside path for our training. We hope to enter more races around Aberdeenshire.

36

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A Walk in the Park

by Katrina A Farquhar

Hopefully some Eagle readers will be pleased I have returned! I have missed a few deadlines so decided not to miss this one. I have been managing to complete the walks, it is just the sitting down and actually putting pen to paper or finger to keyboard may be the more modern expression!

As we are now into longer daylight, I thought I would write about a longer walk which is not too strenuous, but it does really require a day as there is lots to see on the way.

The best place to start is at the Keiloch car park at Invercauld. It is £3 for the day and this goes to continuing repair and maintenance of our paths in the area. Walk back down the single track road and cross the A93, follow a small path down to the banks of the Dee, you then walk towards the old bridge. The Old Bridge of Dee dates back to 1753 and was built by Major Caulfield as part of the military road from Perthshire through the mountains to Speyside. However, after just over a century it was superseded. The main reason behind this is supposed to be Queen Victoria, as in 1852 she and her husband Albert, had bought Balmoral. The old main road through Deeside ran along the south side of the river between Ballater and Braemar, with the Old Bridge of Dee connecting to the military road which crossed from the north bank. However, the old South Deeside Road ran very close to the Queen’s new castle, and concerned about her privacy she, or perhaps more precisely, her government approved the new Turnpike act in 1855, which saw a new road built along the north bank of the river, and the present Invercauld Bridge constructed to connect it to the old road into Braemar.

Once you cross the bridge you are on Balmoral Estate, turn left and go through the deer gate, ensuing that you read any notices left by the ranger and if you have a dog with you keep it on a lead, especially during bird nesting season. We decided to make the walk a circular one and headed down the land rover track towards Connachat Cottage which is about two and a half miles. You can see unusual views of the A93, Meall Alvie behind Clagganghoul and interesting old fields which had traditional dykes around them. On the day we went past there were a few deer there as well. When you get to Connachat you will see a memorial stone on the right hand side; this was erected by Queen Victoria in

memory of her son in law Liko, Prince Henry of Battenburg. In December 1895, new trouble had arisen for the British in the Ashanti tribal country.

King Prempeh of Kumasi was raiding the Gold Coast for slaves, a human dilemma still ongoing in the twenty-first century. The Ashanti wars of the 1870s had largely pacified the foreshore, where the British had been trading for two centuries, but the Imperial sway did not extend very far inland from Accra. A new military expedition was organized, and the Queen’s son-in-law Liko – Prince Henry of Battenberg, Princess Beatrice’s husband – wanted to go. Bored with his life as an elevated gentleman-in-waiting, he appealed to the Queen, who told him “it would never do.” Still, he went personally to the War Office, and received a staff assignment. Victoria warned him of the unhealthy climate of equatorial western Africa, but he left anyway, joining the main column of the British force on 27 December 1895. The heat was intense. Three weeks later, Liko was dead of fever, and on 3 February 1896 his body, preserved in rum in a makeshift tank of biscuit tins, arrived back in England for burial.

The price of Africa was high!

Leaving Connachat we carried on over a bridge still following the Land Rover track with the Dee at our left hand side after a short distance you will see another track going up to the right, follow this, you will walk through woodland recently thinned then come into a clearing with some beautiful old scots pines with their knarly limbs. Follow this path with Connachat burn to your right and Ripe Hill on your left after about an hour you will come to a stalkers’ pony shelter.

Just to your right you will see a small footpath

39

taking you away from the Land Rover track. Follow this path and you start going round the Cnap a Choire Bhuirde with the Feith an Laoigh burn to your left. The path carries on and you will come to a ford, at this point you can either keep on the path heading back into the Ballochbuie forest or you can take a detour up to The Prince’s Stone, which nestles between Stob Liath and Sleac Gorm. It is a steep climb, but worth the history in my opinion! The path is not the greatest but you can make it out up to the stone and you will see the inscription on it, you can clearly make out the H.R.H. It is reputed that this was Prince Albert’s favourite place to stalk on Balmoral Estate. As you stand and look at the vista you can see why it was so special to him. You go back the same way until you meet the path at the ford again. Turn left and head to Ballochbuie. There are various routes you can take to go back to the Invercauld car park, so it is advisable to take a map. We opted to turn right at the first path we met and were rewarded with a lovely track and some more amazing tree shapes and forms. There is, however, still some evidence of the impact the floods of December 2015 had in the area with large stones having been washed out of the Garbh Allt and Ballochbuie burns and now laying in strange places! You walk alongside a deer fence and this leads back on to the Land Rover track we started on, turn left and follow the track back to the Old Brig of Dee. We took about five hours to do the walk and you can make a day of it as there are some wonderful sights to be seen and lovely spots to sit and enjoy the scenery along the way.

40

Geva’s Musings with Cllr Blackett

Thank you so much for re-electing me to the CNPA Board. As always the count was nerve wracking and for most of the time I didn’t think I was going to win, but as the bundles of 50 votes came together, life became a bit more comfortable and of course I now continue as Deputy Convener to the Board. Xander McDade (the Convener) and I have some ideas to make people feel more involved and one of my first tasks will be to set up business forums around the Park so we can listen to what is being said and incorporate as much as possible into policy.

I am so pleased that Grampian Housing listened to the concerns about access, density and parking on the Old School site and, having worked closely with the community council, brought forward a planning application that will now deliver much needed low cost housing in Ballater - I look forward to watching the site progress.

On the council side, I am delighted to have been moved from the Business Services Committee (far too dry for me!) and onto Communities Committee where I will be scrutinising adult social work services (except those delegated to the Integration Joint Board), community planning, housing, leisure and sport, matters relating to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Police Authority, and monitoring the Integration Joint Board for Health and Social Care – all much more up my street!

A lot of hard work went into convincing the Council to grant a reprieve on the Sunday bus service between Ballater and Braemar – we now have the 901 running as a regular shuttle, but only until September when the usage will be reviewed.

Parking in Braemar is not always easy so please can you spread the word to use the shuttle and pass the word on to visitors/friends/family as it really is a case of Use it or Lose it!

Our Fire & Rescue team in Ballater were integral in putting out the recent wildfire in Moray – a fire that caused widespread devastation in the region, spreading across an estimated 27 square miles of land between Knockando, Dallas and

Dunphail. As we head into summer real caution needs to be taken to ensure we don’t see such a horrendous situation here on Deeside (although at least we have some firebreaks) – BBQs/campfires in the countryside may be a great way to spend a weekend but can so easily re-ignite even if you think they are out! If the weather has been dry, or if there’s a bit of wind – please don’t light a fire.

And finally… how great is it to have the Farmers Market back! Amy Muir’s leadership has now inspired Aboyne to hold one too so we can all shop more locally and support our local businesses! Supermarkets are handy but there’s nothing like a local sausage or really fresh fish or a Shona croissant (and while I am on the subject of Shona – and Andy of course – I wish them both the very best of luck with their Crathie café/shop) I hope everyone has a great Summer – and if you need my help, please don’t hesitate to contact me and I will do my best!

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42 Councillor Matters: Peter Argyle Anniversaries – whether good or bad – carry their own significance; those milestones along the road of our lives. Birthdays are a case in point; my son’s enthusiasm over his 7th birthday in February was unbounded while my enthusiasm was, shall we say, more muted in April but both days in their way were significant and important.

I have attended a number of 100th birthday celebrations within the ward across the years; in one case of a resident of Bonty Court who appeared younger than any of the other residents, while another memorable event was a 104th birthday in Allachburn, for someone born in the nineteenth century.

These thoughts are triggered by another of those milestones on life’s road; 6 May 1999 was the date of the second Aberdeenshire Council elections and the day that saw me returned as the councillor for the then Aboyne and Glentanar ward. Quite where the intervening 20 years have gone, I am not entirely sure. There was a big intake of new councillors that year (the size of the council was increased from 56 to 68) and since the induction process was nothing like it is these days, we were pretty well chucked in at the deep-end on a sink-or-swim basis. Of that intake there are just three of us still in office.

Over that period, I have lost count – indeed I have never counted! – of the number of planning applications that have come my way for decision.

A few of them were easy but most have some complexity or difficulty – and all of them have had a material effect on people, either on applicants or on those who did not want to see the development take place.

It is a process in which there are, in nine cases out of ten, both winners and losers; sometimes objectivity is a real challenge, the rule of the head over the heart without losing the heart.

These issues are very much in my mind today as I reflect on the recent application for the Ballater Old School which came to us at the CNPA Planning Committee. In all my experience I have never seen a case where an applicant, having gained consent on appeal, responded to

the very real concerns raised by the community by submitting a further application to address those concerns.

I had a particular issue over the original proposal to take all access via School Lane and voted against it on that basis in particular. I was frankly astonished when the Reporter rejected that argument when upholding the appeal.

GHA is to be commended for their approach and for responding to the Ballater community so positively. The leadership shown by the community council was also exemplary. Working together has achieved a development that will benefit Ballater, bring this important building back into use and provide affordable homes for people who need them.

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When Mum (Ruth Salthouse) sat down to read the paper in her lunchbreak back in 1989, little did we know it would be the start of their new life in Ballater.

Mum saw an advert for a development of Scandia Hus properties to be built in the Scottish Highlands. She and Dad (Ken) had always liked these houses after seeing them at an Ideal Home Exhibition, but they rarely came up as developments.

Mum and Dad were looking to move away from SE England to retire and Mum suggested to Dad that, as a Bank Holiday weekend was coming up, they should go and have a look.

Although they had honeymooned in Edinburgh and St Fillans, and we had had a family holiday at Loch Morlich, they didn’t know Aberdeenshire at all, and had no connection to the area.

When they drove over Glenshee they did wonder where they were heading but loved the drop down to Braemar and the drive along what Mum would always call ‘her lovely valley’. They liked the look of the houses on Craigendarroch Walk and thought the village would suit them with lots of good shops, an Episcopal church and plenty of clubs and activities. They drove up the Gairn towards the Lecht and pulled into a layby; the stunning scenery helped them make the decision to go ahead with the purchase.

End of an Era

by Catherine Salthouse They left Hertfordshire on April 4th 1990 to start their new life as ‘incomers’. They quickly settled into the village; Dad was soon on the Halls committee and they joined various local groups such as Probus, SWRI, Art Society, craft group, St Kentigern’s and many more! Over the years we children, and later the grandchildren, have loved our Scottish second home. Horse riding, skiing, walking, cycling and wild swimming have made the most of the gorgeous surroundings, and joining in activities during Victoria Week were always fun.

Sadly Dad died in 2015, but Mum had no hesitation in staying in Ballater. The wonderful support of friends, local businesses, and the medical and care services have helped her through the last few years of illness. I have been with her for much of the last 18 months and have been welcomed as a temporary member of the community and have appreciated the support and friendliness of so many people. Mum died peacefully at home on April 4th, exactly 29 years after they moved north. We will all really miss our regular visits to Ballater but will definitely be back as visitors. Thank you Ballater for many happy memories.

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Paintings, Photographs & Mirrors Where does the time go? Here we are in May already and back to winter! We are looking forward to Summer nevertheless and to see the hard work of the Trustees, especially Jimmy Armstrong and Gordon Riddler, coming to fruition. They have filled in countless applications for grant funding to many organisations, to reach our target for the refurbishment of the old Library and we are slowly getting there. We have so far raised over £70,000, but we are still a little short of our target and most of the residents in Ballater will have had a leaflet delivered through your doors asking everyone to help reduce this shortfall, by “Tossing us a Tenner” and I thank you all, in anticipation of your continued support for your Victoria and Albert Halls for the benefit of all.

That said we will be able to start work on the creation of the new toilets by the beginning of June. We have already made and paid for an application for a Building Warrant to Aberdeenshire Council and expect to receive a reply by the end of this Month.

Co-operative Staff and Sue Cunningham Sue Cunningham, a Trustee, has liaised with the Co-operative management in Ballater, to organise collection buckets at the tills and accompanied some of the Staff on a sponsored walk round Loch Muick, raising £1,004 in the process. I would like to thank all those taking part and for the Manager Kevyn Robertson for allowing this to happen.

New Hall Heating The heating, recently replaced in both the Victoria and Albert Halls is taking groups a little time getting used to, partly because there

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are no obvious source of heat and some people find it a little on the cool side.

However, Stan the Hall Keeper, is adjusting the temperature settings and as with any new equipment, it is taking a little time to get the settings right and gain experience with the heaters. I ask for your patience in the mean time as we get there!

Existing Heating The manual control system for the heating in the Mike Sheridan/Beaton Craigie rooms has been modified to enable remote control by Stan Tongue (Caretaker), the same system that is now operational within the Victoria and Albert Halls.

Outside Door Keypads Some of our Hall users may have noticed the new keypads on the outside doors, replacing the previous key boxes and keys. This was done in response to frequent times when keys went “missing” and, although more often magically reappearing later, it was still an inconvenience.

We hope these new keypads fitted directly on to the Yale locks will cure this problem. The access code remains the same for the moment, but can be changed easily in future.

Halls Improvement Group I would like to thank David Cobban for the time and effort which he has devoted to assisting us in negotiations with Aberdeenshire Council and in drawing up tender documents in relation to the proposed toilets and Community Heritage Hub. I would also like to say a big thank you to Sarah Russell at Ian Rodger, Architects, for her invaluable assistance with this application. We would hope to be able to start work on the creation of the new toilets by the end of June. We all have our fingers crossed on this improvement being completed before the autumn.

Replacement of the Halls Lighting Our maintenance team, Dr. Doug Glass, Wallis Riddell and I are actively working with local electricians to replace all the light fittings in the Victoria, Mike Sheridan and Albert Halls with LED lights, that will not only provide improved lighting and last longer but will save money over time.

The lift is now back in operation, but we need

to look at replacing it soon as it is over 40 years old and spare parts are hard to get. Wallis Riddell has completed his work on the new Health and Safety Policy for the Halls and there is now a copy in each Hall for the benefit of all Hall Users. Please take time to familiar yourselves with the content, it is important that you do this. Thank you, Wallis, for an excellent job well done.

Judith and John Edrich Judith and John Edrich have donated four bench seats that are now in place in the Quadrangle at the front of the Halls. Please take time, when the better days come, to enjoy a relaxing seat and take in the views of the Old Station Building and the spectacular Craigendarroch Hill behind. On behalf of the Trustees, I thank Judith and John for their generosity.

Looking for a place to celebrate?

I make no apology for repeating this again, but the Victoria and Albert Halls are your Community Halls and offer a wonderful venue for all kinds of celebrations at very reasonable rates, whether it be for Wedding Receptions, Conferences, Group activities or any other party or celebration, we will do everything in our power to make sure you have an enjoyable time.

Membership We are always looking for people to become members of the Halls and it costs nothing to join, all you need to do is fill in a Membership Registration Form, that will only take a minute of your time. Doing so helps greatly our efforts to obtain funding from other organisations and the more members of our community the better placed we are! Don’t delay, join today!

For further infor mation or to obtain Membership-Registration Forms call/leave a message for Janet Riddler on 55308 or email: membership@victoriaandalbertHalls.co.uk Please continue to support your Halls in any way you can, but above all continue to enjoy this wonderful facility you have in our Village. s Ed Bushnell – 013397 53882 Dr Douglas Glass – 0778 466817 Gordon Riddler – 013397 55308 Stan Tongue – 013397 53263

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Ballater Flood Protection Update Two views presented on proposed plans...

Aberdeenshire Council has published its proposed plan to protect Ballater from a repeat of the extensive flooding experienced by the village in 2015. However, members of what was the Ballater Flood Group (local people with technical expertise who collectively reviewed the circumstances leading to the flooding) are calling for a rethink of the proposal and urging the community to support their stance.

In the pieces below, Lee Watson, Principal Flood Risk & Coast Protection Engineer with Aberdeenshire Council, explains the national context of the proposal, and where you can go to find more detailed information, and Tony Cox sets out the position and reasoning of the Flood Group.

Ballater Flood Protection Study, by Lee Watson Principal Engineer, Flood Risk & Coast Protection, Aberdeenshire Council The inception of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 changed the way in which flood risk is managed. The Act aims to prioritise national spending on flood mitigation using technical analysis to assess flood risk across Scotland. This approach has led to the development of the Flood Risk Management Strategies by SEPA and the Local Flood Risk Management Plans by Aberdeenshire Council.

In 2015, SEPA’s Flood Risk Management Strategy and the local authority’s Local Flood Risk Management Plan identified a number of ‘Potentially Vulnerable Areas’ across Aberdeenshire. Within these areas a number of recommendations were made to undertake site-specific detailed flood protection studies to determine the current flood risk to communities and to investigate options for mitigation.

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the future management of flood risk. Formal deliver y of these schemes and studies is detailed in the North East Local Flood Risk Management Plan, available at the website: www.aberdeenshire. gov.uk/environment/ flooding/flood-riskmanagement-scotlandact-2009/ Based on this Strategy and Plan – and following the major flooding experienced in December 2015 – Ballater was selected for further assessment. Aberdeenshire Council has been working collaboratively with RPS Consulting Services to assess and to develop options to manage flood risk. A public consultation on the Flood Protection proposals resulting from this study will be held in Ballater, in summer 2019 (provisionally to be held in August).

For information on the ongoing Study (including Supplementary Reports) please visit: http://ballater-fps.com/supplementary-reports/ Ballater Flood Group Stance

by Tony Cox Our recently-published Community Action Plan makes important references to Ballater’s ‘natural beauty’ and ‘sense of place’ and asks that any flood defences are sympathetic and harmonised with our surroundings.

However, we believe the proposal now under consideration will inflict an ugly scar and seriously impact the social and economic well-being of our community, and we urge everyone to make themselves aware of and alert to the implications of the flood protection measures now being considered.

The Summary Report containing the flood protection proposals is lengthy and complex, but concludes that the cost-effective solution referred to as ‘Option 3a’

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should be adopted as the way forward. In simplistic terms, the leading feature of this proposal is a three metre wall crossing the Golf Course from approximately the 14th tee to the Royal Bridge. The total cost is stated to be £31 million.

Public consultation has been minimal at best, but the former Ballater Flood Group has reviewed the Report and believes it fails to describe accurately the sequence of events as they occurred on the day of the flood. Based on the evidence we have, we take issue with the interpretation of why and how the flood happened. We have subsequently objected to the proposal for Flood Defences and the following sets out our justification.

Based upon timelines and evidence, the Flood Group has described the flood as being a dynamic event: initially, although water flow and levels were very high, the main body of water was contained within the existing ‘channel’ albeit with some overtopping.

At 09:50 on 30 December 2015, Pannanich Road had running water to a depth of approx 3cm. Within ten minutes, the depth had increased to greater than 1 metre. This correlates with the pulse of water which struck ‘Cornellan’ and, importantly, with the photographic timeline of events on the golf course (subsequently confirmed

as the primary channel rupture point).

The very rapid increase in water flow and consequent flooding was matched by the rate that the flow reduced. Examining ‘before and after’ photographic evidence, it was quickly established that a major earth slip had occurred at the ‘Red Braes’ directly opposite the rupture point in the Golf Club bund wall. (The collapse itself was not witnessed, but one of the first to view the aftermath - a council employee - noted that large trees from the top of the Braes had crossed the channel with such force that they had impaled the bund wall.)

Sedimentary analysis has established that Red Braes deposits spread extensively downstream.

Note: as early as the mid 1990s, during construction of the Golf Club bund wall, problems relating to the instability of the Red Braes were documented, and it was arranged for flow modelling works to be carried out with a view to identifying how the lateral forces at the Braes banks might be reduced. Later, proposals to attempt to stabilise the Braes banks were identified, but no works were undertaken and the Braes’ instability has continued and progressed.

During the December ‘15 flood the lateral force of the water undercut the face of the Braes, creating a ‘cornice’. A large section of this fractured, falling into and obstructing the main water channel. (The ‘Red Braes’ continue to demonstrate instability and ongoing collapse, and this has been reported to the Council.)

From the evidence available it is most likely that the collapse of the ‘Red Braes’ resulted in a temporary water flow restriction, permitting a back up of water and a diversion of flow directly towards the breach point, which ruptured with explosive force. The rupture point created a large crater, measuring 2 metres deep x 4 metres wide. From here, the subsequent flow pattern was demonstrated by the distribution of the boulder field deposited by the water as it attempted to rejoin the main channel at a lower level. It is important to note that property damage and the structural failure of walls demonstrate that the Golf Club flood waters were flowing towards rejoining the main river channel and NOT escaping from it.

A second breach point occur red at Sluievannachie car park, resulting in a large hole on the left-hand bank at a point aligned with the historic river channel centre line. The water flowed directly down the channel depression towards the area known as Brockies Pond, next to the green keepers’ shed on the golf course, from where the flow forked towards the RC Chapel on one side, and the golf course ditch, onwards via the caravan park and the main Dee channel on the other.

Debris at the breach point here indicates that the water level had risen to approx 60cm above bank level. However, the flow rate was evidently much lower than the Golf Club breach as the bushes were intact and undamaged and, significantly, there was no boulder field distribution.

The Flood Group is convinced of the importance of understanding the reasons why the flood event was so dynamic and explosive, and of such rapid onset and equally rapid decline. It maintains the view that the characteristics of the flood must be fully understood and ideally should be computer modelled to replicate the effect of the ‘Red Braes’ collapse as a mechanism of flow diversion - and also modelled to show the effect had the Red Braes not collapsed.

Aberdeenshire Council insists that this modelling has been carried out and described - but despite exhaustive re-examination by the Ballater Flood Group this has not been found.

Our concern is that the proposed flood defences must reflect the nature of the flood event, and it is essential that any differences or contradictions are aired and discussed until agreement is reached which must be evidence based. As things stand, the proposals offered are potentially economically devastating for Ballater: it is vital that we are assured that the correct solution has been identified.

We urge everybody to support the Flood Group’s call for a rigorous review of the works so far offered, to ensure that the evidence upon which they are based is accurate and valid.

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School prize woven into history

by Joan Anderson

A great big thank you to all the people who have sent in information about the Rodolphe Christen Award which, as we now know, is a story of two halves.

Rodolphe Christen was a Swiss-born artist who built a home in Glen Gairn (now the McEwan Gallery) and lived there with his wife, Irish artist and geologist Sydney Mary Thompson, until his death in 1906.

That year, Madame Christen gave a cash prize in Rodolphe’s honour to Ballater School, where it was awarded every year at least as far as the 1960s, but for some reason was phased out, forgotten, and later replaced in the 1980s by a cup in Rodolphe’s name, given by then-newsagents, Mr and Mrs Stephens.

Rodolphe himself, and his chalet-style home, have been written about in past issues by Sheila Sedgwick and others, but during last summer’s two o’clock walks I discovered that Mme Christen had made an internationally-significant geological find in the west of Ireland and is celebrated in her field, but very quietly compared to male geologists of her age who made similar contributions to science and history.

It is still my intention to ensure that Mme Christen is remembered locally, but I am starting with the award in her husband’s name... the second of her two loving memorials, alongside the book she wrote about him.

First, the original RC prize itself. We now know around half of the names of the winners (most years there was a girl’s prize and a boy’s prize) between 1906 and the 1960s, but most of the names are very early and this delightful voluntary research is going to prove long term. I’d welcome any offer of occasional help, particularly someone who is happy to store temporary back-up copies for me.

The finished list will be gifted to the school as part of recorded heritage going back 113 years.

Many people have been in touch about the older prize and I am extremely grateful to those still beavering away, checking with friends and family. There’s a lot more to come. And for the shy people who don’t want publicity, I understand but it would be lovely if we could just have your name and year for the record.

The story so far. The earliest evidence of the RC prize amount is 92-year-old retired Lt Col Hugh Inkster’s 10/- (50p now but worth about £24 back then) from 1946. The prize value steadily decreased until the late 1950s when it was tripled to £1 10/-(£1.50) for each winner.

The Christens were wealthy and we don’t know what the original prize amount was, but it is unlikely to have been 10/- because the wage for an adult farmworker in 1906 was only 17/6d (87½p) and a few years later the “old age pension” was about 5/- (25p).

Some people got the prize in P7; others when they were aged 14. Some years there was only one prize and in later years one head teacher is thought to have opted to pick the winners, rather than have them voted for by classmates ... sad because that is one of the things which made the Rodolphe Christen Award so special to the recipients last century.

An encouraging point there is that Mrs Duckworth, current head teacher at Ballater School, has a system of fully involving pupils in decisions about end-of-year prizes, so the new RC prize cup has come full circle ...even though the old one has only come back into the light recently.

Mrs Duckworth has made an ongoing point of trying to find out about the origins of some of the older prizes and any extra information will be passed to her as it comes in. There’s a really exciting update on Rodolphe’s prize, but it is someone else’s story to tell, possibly in the next Eagle.

What fascinates me is how people spent their prizes and how many still have that book/object and the beautiful little certificate that went with it.

Hugh Inkster offered his 10/- to his father, but was told he had earned it and should use it

Veronica Houston and Lizzie Scripps with the Rodolphe Christen Cup in 2016 for something special. Hugh bought a fine leather wallet from the Ballater jeweller (then Knowles) and joked: “So then I had a lovely wallet, but nothing to put in it!”

Rosie Copland (then Robbie) was 14 and in bed with glandular fever when she was awarded the prize in 1951, so her very shy Grannie Elizabeth Robbie accepted it at the school on her behalf and bought a Bible, which Rosie still has, with the certificate pasted in front.

Veronica Houston (then McPherson) got the RC prize in 1956 when she was in S3 and about to go to Banchory for her senior years. She bought a Scottish brooch in the form of a wishbone with a Cairngorm stone in it, and still has it in the original jeweller’s box.

Exactly 60 years later – in 2016 – Veronica was delighted that one of her granddaughters, Lizzie Scripps, was awarded the later-version Rodolphe Christen prize – a cup – at Ballater School.

“I didn’t know she was getting the cup until she went up for it on prize-giving day and I was so pleased to see that it had been donated by friends of ours, Alex and Dickie Stephens, who used to

run the paper shop in Ballater”, said Veronica.

And finally, for now, I am grateful to John Pringle for the picture of his RC certificate, which is pasted into the Nelson’s Encyclopaedia he bought in 1958 with the prize money he received in Primary 7.

Although books were a common choice for others, John remembered that one Christen prize-winner had bought himself a fishing rod “which caused great amusement at the prize giving!”

Please keep all these stories coming to me so that we can capture, share and celebrate the joy of this wee bit of village history. Call 55393 or email talestimeforgot@gmail.com.

Shared Stories: Year in the Cairngorms

by Merryn Glover. Writer in Residence, CNP

A creative writing workshop series is coming to Ballater in June. It’s all part of a unique project called Shared Stories: A Year in the Cairngorms, organised by the Park Authority and jointly funded by them, the Woodland Trust and Creative Scotland. Running right across 2019, the project aims to strengthen our relationship with the natural world by responding to it in writing, and I am lucky enough to be the facilitator and the Park’s first ever Writer in Residence. This sees me pootling up bens and down glens right across the Park (and beyond!) holding workshops for just about anyone who will join in, and it’s been sheer joy. I’m getting to meet wonderful people of all ages and walks of life and to have a ‘commute’ that takes me across some of Scotland’s most spectacular landscapes.

So who’s Merryn and why am I doing this?

I’m Australian by passport, born and brought up in South Asia, have called Scotland home for 25 years and have been living in Kincraig, Speyside, for 13 years. My writing includes numerous short stories, novels and plays – and some poetry and journalism. I’m writing a blog about the Shared Stories project, called Writing the Way, which you’ll find on my website, and I do hope you’ll follow the journey!

And what are the workshops and how do you get involved? There are several strands: some are targeted for specific groups, such as schools or land-based workers, and others are open to all.

The easiest way to take part is to come along to the four evening workshops in the V&A Halls in Ballater every Wednesday night in June from 7-9pm. Open to everyone 16 and over, they are a relaxed, informal introduction to a range of creative writing activities that respond to the natural world – in the widest possible ways. We will write about special places and creatures in the Park, but also the special people who have helped us appreciate the environment. We will explore different kinds of writing including memoir, stories and poetry and will definitely have a go at the fun, new poetic form that we’ve

53

invented for this project: The Cairngorms Lyric.

Absolutely no experience or ‘talent’ required – just a willingness to try things and encourage one another. The workshops are a progressive series, so it’s best to attend all four, if possible, but not essential – just come to the ones you can! They are totally FREE but must be booked by emailing sharedstoriescairngorms@gmail.com.

An important part of the project is – as it says on the tin – sharing the stories. So many different kinds of people live, work and holiday in the Park, all with different experiences and perspectives on the environment, and we want to hear from a wide range of voices. The workshops are one opportunity to share your writing, but there are others. Through the year, we will be publishing people’s work in several places: on the CNPA website, on banners in Visitor Centres, and in an end-of-year anthology. You don’t need to attend a workshop to contribute, in fact, we hope LOTS of people will send us their writing – and as soon as possible! For full information on how to do that, please see the full Submission Guidelines on the CNPA site.

Workshops in Ballater Area – all FREE Book through sharedstoriescairngorms@ gmail.com Open Creative Writing Workshops – Wednesdays 5, 12, 19, 26 June, V&A Halls, 7-9pm, 16+ (or a younger teen with an adult) OWLS North East Group, CPD - Glen Tanar Visitor Centre, Sat 29 June, 11-1, Free workshop, donations to Glen Tanar Charitable Trust, book through Jill Birch (birch.jilly@ gmail.com)

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Annual Tea Party Raises A Smile + £1K

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Lizzie’s Tea Party For Diabetes 2019 raised over £1,000 to help children in India with Type 1 diabetes, thanks to the generosity of almost 300 party-goers who enjoyed tea and cake in the marquee and a range of bouncy castles and fun.

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Eco Ethos For New Crathie Cafe

by Ollie Francis

Ballater Farmers’ Market devotees (and those frequenting the ‘Honesty Box’ by Crathie School) know just how special the breads and bakery goodies produced by The Highlanders Bakehouse are. But now you can indulge your passion for butteries and croissants – and a whole lot more - every day with the opening of their brand new Bakery, Café and Eco Shop in Crathie.

Owned and run by Andy and Shona (with Fred on morning deliveries and in-house catering,) the child-friendly café features inside and open-air seating (dogs welcome on the decked area) with beautiful views, and serves an all-day menu, changing daily, offering local produce where possible.

Baker Shona trained at Le Cordon Blue Cookery School, London. On her return to Scotland, and frustrated at the lack of artisan breads available, she determined to change things.

Together with Andy, she bought their first house and built a professional kitchen in the garden, setting up the ‘Honesty Box’ and selling at farmers’ markets across the county. Now the couple’s ‘Highlanders Bakehouse’ provides bakery goods to restaurants and shops from Braemar to Banchory.

But in addition to fabulous bread, and against a quirky backdrop of herb tables and ‘pickup-and play’ musical instruments, the shop sells fruit, vegetables, preserves, dairy produce and has 30 containers dispensing dry and store cupboard goods – even refillable soap and shampoo! ‘“Eco”’ is at the forefront of our business ethos,’ Andy explains. ‘We want to be encouraging people to bring their own boxes and containers. We’ll be sourcing as much of our stock as we can from within a 30 mile radius.’

‘Our next step is to assess appetite for a locally-produced milk dispenser.’

The Highlanders Bakehouse Café is open Tuesday-Sunday from 8am-6pm www.thehighlandersbakehouse.co.uk.

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Royal Celebrations

by Sheila Sedgwick

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132 years ago, on June 21, Ballater was the scene of great celebrations. Queen Victoria’s Jubilee arrangements were in the hands of the Burgh Council, all expenses being met by Col Farquharson. The day began at 10am with a banquet of cake and wine in the Invercauld Arms (now Monaltrie) for tenants and friends. Provost Rose (remembered because of his fountain) presided. Notables like Dr Ogilvie, Mr Arthur Stewart of Ballaterich and Dr Haldane, the Rev James R Middleton and Mr William Ewan, farmer at Tullich sat at a horse-shoe shaped table.

There were over a hundred guests.

After a prayer the Queen and members of the Royal Family were toasted by the Minister and Col Farquharson, who was in London, was toasted by the oldest tenant, Mr William Ewan.

The Chairman was toasted by Mr James Davidson, Torgalter and after his reply the company sang “Rule Britannia” and “Auld Lang Syne”.

At 3pm schoolchildren, parents and teachers - about three hundred in all, had a picnic. They met in Church Square and then marched, headed by two pipers and a drummer, to Monaltrie Park. After tea and fruit, games were played. Telegrams were read from Col Farquharson and replied to. Provost Rose provided for all those in receipt of parish relief – and the number was surprisingly large – meat from the butcher for a jubilee dinner. At 11pm Dr Haldane supervised the letting off of fireworks, supplied by Col Farquharson, on the village Green.

The day was a great success. This is a partial repeat of an article from Eagle 48.

Charitable Chiels Challenge 2019

Neil Henderson tells all...

This year’s Charitable Chiels event in Ballater Victoria Week will be a Fancy Dress Wheelbarrow Race around the village.

It will commence at 2.30pm on Sunday 4th August, after the Vehicle Parade and Cartie race on Bridge Street. The race will consist of teams of two in fancy dress racing a singlewheeled barrow around the village stopping off at various establishments for a “refreshment”.

Runners and riders will swap places after each stop and the winning team will be the first over the finishing line. There will be prizes for the first team over the line and best fancy dress.

Entry forms are available from Sheridans Butchers and The Glenaden Hotel, along with a copy of the race day guidelines. An entry fee will be collected and this will also be donated to local charities.

You are welcome to have a flutter at the

tote, to try and predict the winner, as well as an opportunity to win a prize at the Chiels’ Wheel of Fortune which will be ongoing throughout the Sunday Fayre.

60 Pottering About Having had the third lambing snow of the spring whilst preparing this issue, summer seems, as yet, a long way away. At least the lighter evenings warm my spirit even if the lazy winds chill my body. The joy of the occasional still day and sunshine that is actually warm on my body gives me hope for long, light, warm summer days.

Bring it on!

With greater awareness from the likes of David Attenborough and the inspirational Greta Thunberg, I have been musing how times have changed from the days when anything folk didn’t want was put in the dustbin – out of sight, out of mind and with no thought to any consequences of vast areas of landfill. Thankfully we’re more informed and aware now. At last it’s becoming the norm to ask ourselves if we could re-use the unwanted item ourselves or through second hand shops or the myriad of online markets and, also at last, recycle as many of the elements of the object as possible.

When I moved from a city to Ballater 26 years ago I received many odd looks when I asked where the local recycling facilities were. Eventually I learnt there was a paper and a can bank at the Old School. (Sadly, my ageing memory doesn’t serve me well enough to be sure whether there was glass recycling there too.) So there were regular walks with my daughters carrying bags of paper, clean cans and possibly glass! Yet at the same time the proliferation of plastic was burgeoning.

I remember the first plastic bag I ever saw.

Until then, bags were paper, fabric or willow. On an errand for my Mum to get cheese it was put in this strange textured bag that felt and rustled unlike any other bag. I was intrigued. I washed that plastic bag and re-used it many times, for various purposes, until it tore irrevocably despite multiple applications of sellotape, and it went in the bin. I never gave a second’s thought to where it would end up. The bin was the magic dumping ground for stuff to be taken away to never bother my conscience. Yet that wee plastic bag of my childhood will still be in some Yorkshire landfill for hundreds more years.

with Stella Potter

Since then, before some plastic recycling was possible, like most of us I must have consigned an enormous amount of plastic to landfill. It’s pretty much impossible to shop plastic-free when so much food and other items come with swathes of the stuff. Neither is it simple to know what plastics can be recycled. For instance most plastic trays can be recycled but not plastic film. Without a dishwasher (I am the dishwasher!) it’s a guddle to ensure the blue bin only holds clean recyclables.

Thankfully now far more material can be recycled: all sorts of paper unless contaminated, laminated or with glitter; cans; aluminium; more plastics; batteries; aerosols; cardboard; telephone directories (does anyone actually use them anymore?) and glass (in the glass bins at the car park). There is a really useful a-z of all materials and how to dispose of them on the council website: www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/waste/householdrubbish/a-z-list-of-materials/ Before that list was available, for the times I wasn’t sure, I contacted the council to ask. For instance I wasn’t sure about aluminium foil, which I already re-use until it can’t be any more. Is it worth washing it thoroughly again to go in the blue bin? Yes, it is! Recently I asked about aluminium tea light holders as I use many of them in the dark

winter days. Once any remaining wax has been removed, which is easy to do when it has set, they can be recycled. Wax can be used in small quantities for fire lighting. It works well mixed with sawdust and set in egg boxes. However, the chap I spoke to pointed out that small items can’t be easily separated, so now I fill a wee pot until I have enough aluminium to wrap in foil to make a large enough parcel for it to be separated.

Also I do the same with small pieces of paper, saving them in a used envelope before they go in the blue bin.

The planet doesn’t need saving – our species does. If we don’t make a greater effort to reduce human impact the earth will not sustain us; humanity will be extinct like the dinosaurs yet the planet will continue to revolve around the sun for millennia without us. To my mind, it is imperative we make the effort to tread as lightly on the planet as possible so our children, and indeed all future generations, have a future that is not a horror from the dystopian fiction I devoured as a teenager. Yes, this means reducing, re-using and recycling as much as possible: having your own re-useable coffee cup and water bottle; walking and cycling; using public transport and electric vehicles if you can afford them; turning down thermostats; hanging laundry outside; investing in cloth carrier bags; reducing meat intake; batch cooking from scratch so you have your own ready meals; using cloth nappies and the myriad of sustainable sanitary products; eschewing fast fashion and learning to mend and sew; using cloth serviettes and handkerchiefs; not using glitter or beauty products with “microbeads” (oatmeal has the same exfoliating effect and is naturally moisturising too) - indeed, there are so many little things we can all incorporate into our lifestyles with a bit of effort that will help sustain our wonderful planet for future generations. An African proverb puts it well: “If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito.”

Ah! That’s reminded me we’re coming to midgie season. May your summer be long, warm, full of fun and with the minimum of nibbles from the pesky blighters.

By appointment to HM The Queen Chemists

By appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales Chemists

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62

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~ Read about Ballater’s new climate action group on p24 ~