Alford BULLetin 18 - Summer 2020

The

BULLETIN A Community Magazine for Alford

FREE! Issue 18 Summer 2020

Wee Dave raises a smile in testing times

Want in the BULLetin?

For adver�sing and editorial, please note the copy deadlines below and use the contacts listed at the bo�om of the page DEADLINES . FEB 1 . MAY 1 . AUG 1 . NOV 1 PUBLISHED MAR JUNE SEPT DEC

Contents Cover Story DCC Contacts/News Cllr Contacts No�ce Board News Sculpture Designs Making His Mark Live Life Aberdeenshire K&A Thanks You Adver�sers’ Index Ad Rates & Copy Dates

5 8 9 10 12 18 19 21 24 26 26

Welcome to Issue 18 of The BULLetin.

Life is a rollercoaster. After a welcome boost in the spring, all Myriad Pro summer editions are slimmed volumes, owing to a dearth of events to report on, thanks to our 2020 shadow, Covid-19.

As group activity is suspended, the Club Directory has been parked. Gone too are door-to-door deliveries for the moment.

Even if restrictions allowed such an activity, I figured in any event householders might not thank me for it, so distribution has been limited to shops that people are visiting anyway. Huge thanks to the Co-op in Mart Road and K&A Anderson.

In these testing times, thanks are due in spades to all the advertisers, established and new. They say in a crisis you should never stop advertising...! We need to continue to support local and each other as best we can. We will bounce back.

Remember that community information is FREE to include in these pages, so if you have any news for the autumn, tell me about it by August 1st if you can.

Best wishes to all affected by this virus, and kudos to everyone fighting it on the front lines. Hang in there, folks!

Cat Houston Design/Editor

get in touch via email to catrionahouston@yahoo.co.uk call Cat on 013397 55243 or 07805 731401 www.myriadpro.co.uk . find us on facebook

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Aberdeenshire Electrical Services Ltd T: 013398 85355 M: 07855 678677 E: aberdeenshireelectricalsrvs@btinternet.com F: AberdeenshireElectricalSrvs All aspect of electrical work undertaken: Domestic - Commercial - Industrial - Agricultural - Oil & Gas Inspection & Testing - PAT Testing Supplier/installer of electric vehicle charging points free estimates - all work guaranteed - no job too small - local run business

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Do you have something to share? An upcoming event or achievement? Group or individual, let The BULLetin know what you are up to, using the contacts on p3 and 26.

Cover Story: Wee Dave

Postal workers in Alford have been raising cheer on their rounds and on social media with a new co-worker – a knitted bear called Dave.

Carol Walker, Alford’s Royal Mail Delivery Operations Manager, told us his story: “When he first arrived at the office he had no name. Just a lovely crochet gift from a loving wife Dale to her postman husband Matt, who brought it in to show us.

“Wee Dave and his name, well that’s a different story that after all this is over we may share. However, what I can tell you, somehow from a gesture, a comment, a funny picture, Wee Dave was born.

“He is a little bit of each and everyone of us. Never did I imagine that as we shared Wee Dave with everyone in the community through Facebook, as our way to say thank you to the kids for their drawings, waving at windows and thumbs up, did I think how much he would be welcomed into the community and further afield.

“In the words of Wee Dave ‘I canna believe it, to think a wee laddie fae Alford made oot of a ball o wool and abodies watching it’.

“To my staff I cannot thank them enough for making him the lovable character he has become and for their time, embracing the chance to help spread a bit of cheer.

I must admit it doesn’t always turn out according to plan as the daily stories show.

“His Postie pals are Matt, Raymond, Keith, Neil, Brad, Keith, Angela, Lesley, Karen, Adrian, Chris, Tony, Dave (baldy), Dave (big) (or the Twa Daves).

“There’s a lot more to come, and he’s going to be around until he’s not needed any more.

“He’s santized after every cuddle and we do respect social distancing, and advise to wash hands etc and ensure parents’ permission.” Find Dave at www.facebook. com/weedavealfordaberdeenshire/

5 W & R MURRAY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES LARGE AND SMALL STOCKISTS OF: SIRDAR STYLECRAFT KING COLE J BRETT YARNS DMC THREADS Home to the Alford Post Office 019755 62896 27 Main Street . Alford . AB33 8PX call 019755 62366 for opening hours pattywilkie@gmail.com

New company has eye on the sky...

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Donside Community Council Your Elected Representatives:

Chair: Vice Chair Secretary/ Treasurer Alford

Nicola Sedgwick Bruce Sco� Margaret Henderson Steven Graham Dorothy Anderson Margaret Henderson Andy Travis Bruce Sco� Vacant Vacant Vacant Lumsden/Kildrummy Sue Cross Tanya Reynolds Glenkindie/Towie Anne Miller Vacant Tullynessle & Forbes/ Vacant Montgarrie Gloria Malcolm Keig Yvonne Buckingham Vacant Cushnie/Craigievar/ Fiona Bain Muir of Fowlis Tough Nicola Sedgwick Vacant Strathdon/Corgarff/ Paul Toohey Glenbuchat Vacant Vacant

When do we meet?

Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month (except July and Dec) What Time?

7.30pm – 9.30pm: tea/coffee from 7.15pm Where?

Alford Community Campus Once Government restrictions ease, anyone interested in what we do is warmly welcome to come along to any of our meetings

If you wish to contact one of the representatives please do so via the email addresses below and it will be forwarded: chair@ donsidecommunitycouncil. org.uk

Adhering to Government guidelines on lockdown during the Coronavirus crisis, Donside Community Council has not held a meeting since February. However, that does not mean that nothing is being done and we are still there for anyone who needs help or advice. Contact us by email (above) or through our Facebook page. We are in danger of reaching information overload, with what seems like 24-hour rolling news either on TV and radio or through social media. As we try to keep in touch with our loved ones, work and learn from home the message remains to stay at home, stay safe and keep those you love safe too. There will be time needed for healing our lives and our community when it is safe to do so. DCC will be working to help the Donside area through this.

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S������� P��������� Alexander Burne� MSP 0131 348 5642 Alexander.Burnett.msp @parliament.scot

W����������

Andrew Bowie MP 0207 219 2791 andrew.bowie.mp @parliament.uk

Councillors' Contacts

These are your Ward 14 councillors

Cllr Moira Ingleby

07770 410539 cllr.m.ingleby@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Cllr John Latham

07876 475038 cllr.j.latham@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk

NOTICE BOA RD

Cllr Gwyneth Petrie

07891 296064 cllr.g.petrie@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Cllr Robbie Withey

07388 956147 cllr.r.withey@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Alford Emergency Food Bank is a temporary food bank run as part of the Alford Coronavirus Volunteer Support Network’s community aid response to the coronavirus outbreak.

If you or someone you know could use assistance, organisers ask that you encourage them to reach out.

The strictly confidential service aims to provide dignity and privacy to families during these troubling times.

This service is also available to the areas immediately surrounding Alford and is not limited to individuals living within the village itself. You can get in touch by emailing: alfordcovidvolunteernetwork@ gmail.com or find them on Facebook.

A crowdfunding page has already raised over ÂŁ3,000 to help those in need locally. You can donate at: www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/alfordcovidvolunteersupportnetwork

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NOTICE BOA RD

GRAMPIAN

TREE SERVICES

All aspects of tree + hedge work undertaken Qualified & fully insured tree surgeons SIMON STEWART 07835 343983 (SAUCHEN) www.grampiantreeservices.co.uk grampiantrees@gmail.com GrampianTreeServices

Did you know that the Cromar Future Group youth club is still operating online? It runs Everything Electronic online from 6.30-8pm every Monday evening, and a session aimed at helping inexperienced coders “Let’s Get Coding” from 10-11.30am every Monday.

The group is also prepared to loan out its laptops during the pandemic, so if you have bored youngsters or the family are fighting over access to computers, contact them on info@futuregroup.org.uk Image drawn by virtual robot programmed by Vex Challenge winner EE Member, Ferghus

01975 571775 07792 830780

• • • •

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

www.�lameboilerservices.co.uk

About face for clothing co Hilltrek

years 30we’ve on...

moved!

Original outdoor clothing Made in Scotland.

Used worldwide.

Dess-based outdoor clothing company Hilltrek has begun producing face masks in response to the Covid-19 shortages.

The masks are made from a double layer of Ventile, a tightly woven waterresistant and highly breathable fabric which is used in their clothing ranges.

Adult size is priced at £10 and junior £7.50, with 10% of sales being donated to a local charity.

Hilltrek say they will continue to donate masks to carers and care organisations local to them.

They are not PPE and not for medical use. Available with elastic or cotton ties, they are machine washable.

Government guidance suggests masks offer little protection to the wearer but can protect others around them. In May Nicola Sturgeon said mask-wearing may be encouraged to assist in limiting the spread of Covid-19 once current restrictions have been lifted.

You can order the masks online at https://hilltrek.co.uk/clothing/gaitersmitts-and-masks/ Contact sales@hilltrek.co.uk for further information.

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At Hilltrek we’ve been hand cra ing performance outdoor clothing on Royal Deeside for 30 years. Our story now continues in larger premises at

Deeside Activity Park.

hillgear.s

cot

Hilltrek clothing • Páramo shop • Outdoor clothing repairs

www.hilltrek.co.uk

01339 886062

Alison Spice Massage Therapies

Are you suffering from lower back; neck, shoulder or knee problems; plantar fasciitis; repetitive strain Injuries or any other aches/pains/injuries?

Call Alison on 07760 883309 or Elegant Beauty in Main Street Alford 019755 63775

Qualified Massage Therapist in Remedial and Sports, Swedish, Indian Head, Workplace Seated Acupressure and People Living with Cancer.

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Due to Government Guidelines we are not trading at present, but we look forward to welcoming customers once all relevant restric�ons have been li�ed

Due to Government Guidelines we are not trading at present, but we look forward to welcoming customers once all relevant restric�ons have been li�ed

Epic offroad e-bike adventures in the heart of Royal Deeside & the Cairngorms…

Full day and half day guiding for up to 6 persons. e-bike hire available or bring your own.

Book your trip today!

Based in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire,gateway to the wilds of Scotland

T +44 (0) 7794 695 077 E info@eguidescotland.com

www.eguidescotland.com

SG

TREE SERVICES

Specialising in all aspects of Tree & Hedge Maintenance

~ Tree Reduction/Removal/Dismantle ~ ~ Dangerous Branch Removal ~ ~ Pruning and Shaping ~ ~ Hedge Maintenance ~ ~ Stump Grinding ~ ~ Scrub Clearance ~ ~ Storm Clean-up ~ Free Advice on TPOs/Licences Professionally Insured/Trained 019755 63869 / 07764 198725 sgtreeservice@yahoo.com www.sgtreeservices.co.uk

The Alford Bistro

Breakfast . Lunches . Coffee & Cakes . Bistro-style Evening Meals . Community Hub

Takeaway Service Available See our Facebook page for regular updates Family-run restaurant since 2003 Two-bedroom accommodation ~ upstairs from the Bistro ~ now available for B&B/short let 40 Main Street . Alford . AB33 8PX . . . 019755 63154 . . . Find us on Facebook

Jodie Bews of Everlongart Studio & Gi� Shop in the Main Street was asked to create a thank you poster for all of our amazing key workers, and here is the result. Jodie is keen that people should print the poster and put it up in their windows around Alford. If you would like a copy, see the shop’s Facebook page or email everlongart@live.co.uk

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Sculture Workshop Expansion Plans Unveiled Site to improve from the ground up, writes Jenny Salmean

Following the announcement of a major capital project at their spectacular 40th anniversary celebrations last November, Scottish Sculpture Workshop (SSW) in Lumsden have now submitted plans to Aberdeenshire Council detailing the proposed transformation of their workshops.

The first dedicated sculpture workshop in Scotland, SSW is internationally recognised as a site of collective learning and skills development for artists. Through an annual programme of artists’ residency and projects, open access to their workshops and courses, SSW has been welcoming artists to its site in Lumsden for decades, since the founding of the workshop by artist Fred Bushe in 1979.

Originally the village bakery, SSW’s site on Main Street in Lumsden currently hosts the only open access foundry in the UK, alongside workshops for working with wood, metal, ceramics and other forms of casting. The transformational plans, developed by Collective Architecture alongside consultation with SSW’s users and local community, will upgrade the facilities to create an improved and accessible learning environment for artists, local makers and the community, working in a range of materials and processes.

The plans also include a new community space, enabling the development of an innovative learning programme for a range of local users. The site redevelopment will also allow increased opportunities for skills development in partnership with schools, community groups and artists, ensuring that local communities in Lumsden and the surrounding area will benefit from SSW’s new buildings. Plans also show improvements for disability access and increased environmental sustainability.

From the outset, SSW has billed the redevelopment as ‘ground-up’. They say: “In line with SSW’s ethos and values, the development will see a ground-up approach at its heart, utilising local materials, skills and knowledges. It will foreground function and sustainability throughout the design and construction”.

The available plans show an extended, low-profile workshop area to the north of the SSW site, with the internal redevelopment of the street-front buildings. There is the addition of wheelchair accessible accommodation as part of an existing building, while the site as a whole retains its open and welcoming character.

The plans are available to view now on the Aberdeenshire Council Planning Portal at www. npa.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/online-applications.

The reference number is APP/2020/0771. If you are passing, you can also view the plans in the window of the SSW office at 1 Main Street, Lumsden.

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Making his mark on the cycling world Munara’s Munro finds his services in demand in lockdown Hello Readers! My name is Mark, I’m 34 and I have been a cycle mechanic for nearly 14 years. I’m the organ grinder at Munara Cycle Solutions, up on Gallowhill, Alford.

I’ve grown the business from scratch, and am now the official Campagnolo, Kinesis, KCNC, Lezyne, DMR, Prologo and Schwalbe dealer for your area. I’m still operating from my back garden but with the cycle trade as it is, the internet and costs, a bicycle service provider has to be more savvy and versatile than in the past.

I can also supply Hope, Tune and DT Swiss, mainly for building my unique and very custom, bespoke wheels. These wheels fill in the gaps which the factory-built, branded wheels leave.

I am still operating but now strictly running an appointment-only service. I can no longer do bike fits or any one-to-one consultations, but other than that Munara Cycle Solutions can repair your bike, often with face-to-face communication reduced to a minimum.

The Coronavirus and lockdown has seen a slump in sales of parts, but a sharp increase in services, repairs and everyday wear-andtear hardware items. I suppose everyone is at home and has plenty time to go out and ride their bikes, which is great to see!

Find Mr Munro at www.facebook.com/ munaracyclesolutions, or call 019755 62646, email nuvolari1953@hotmail.com to book your bike in for a service or repair and also for sales of parts and accessories.

Couriers and trade supply isn’t as fast as it usually is, for obvious reasons, but MCS will be as quick as it can to get you on the road.

Official stockists . Campagnolo . KCNC . DDK . Prologo Kinesis UK . Behind Bars . Sector . DMR . Lezyne . Vittoria Continental . Clarks . Michelin

services . checks . repairs . new parts punctures . wheel building/repair . tuning rider positioning . Buggy/pram tyre repair boxed bikes assembled + checked Munara . Gallowhill . Alford . AB33 8NE 019755 62646 . 07969 963209 nuvolari1953@hotmail.com facebook.com/munaracyclesolutions/

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ERIC PROCTOR GROUNDWORKS With over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry, we pride ourselves on the quality of workmanship that we can provide to our customers on a residential or commercial basis

. Agricultural Buildings + Repairs . . Bricklaying . Concrete Work . Drainage . . Foundation Reinforced + Bolt Sets . . Driveways . Patios .

Eric Proctor t/a E-S Proctor | Craigshannoch | Alford | AB33 8EE 07711 507717 | eric.proctor17@gmail.com

Aberdeenshire Council’s leisure arm, Live Life Aberdeenshire, has developed a new website detailing various activities you can do while in lockdown.

Life Live @ Home has been put together

by LLA’s teams across sports, physical activity and culture to showcase some of the services provided, even when people are unable to visit facilities.

Aimed at families and individuals, the range includes craft activities, exercise, Bookbug sessions, podcasts and interactive learning, as well as themed fun inspired by the National Awareness Days Calendar.

You can even visit the Aquarium!

New opportunities will be added

weekly at www.livelifeaberdeenshire.org. uk/live-life-at-home/ You can also stream music, read newspapers and magazines online and much more, all for free, using the council’s digital library service. eBooks, eMagazines and audiobooks can be borrowed, and music and a variety of publications accessed anywhere, any time.

If you are a resident of, or if you work or study in Aberdeenshire and you are aged 16 years or over, you can join online at: bit. ly/LibOLreg

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Buannaich

Monkey Business

Catherine Dow FIAB

• Children’s Clothing 0-6 • Wide range of children’s shoes, size 0 to 3/36 • Foot measuring service • Large selection of new baby gifts • Quality brands • Friendly service

Bookkeeping Services Bookkeeping Wages VAT Budgets

Computerised Accounts Accounts Preparation Cash Flows Personal Taxation

For all your little monkeys

Limited opening due to Govt Restrictions For more info, message our FB page or email monkeybusinessforkids@live.co.uk

Arcadia, Aberdeen Rd, Alford AB33 8ED 019755 63880 07760 413303 buannaich@btinternet.com

Station Square, Aboyne 013398 87140

STRACHAN’S Serving Royal Deeside for Four Generations

Newsagents

Ice Cream

Confectionery

Photocopying & Laminating

Wines & Spirits

Hardware

Haberdashery

Malt Whiskies

Lottery

Calor Gas

Balloons & Party Gifts

Pet Foods

Stationery

Toys and Puzzles

Paints

Grocery

Gardening

Delicatessen

Fishing Supplies

and lots more...!

WE WILL REOPEN OUR BALLATER BRANCH ONCE LOCKDOWN IS LIFTED

***** ABOYNE OPEN 7 DAYS 6am – 6pm SUNDAY CLOSING AT 5pm *****

By appointment to HM The Queen General Merchants

Main St Aboyne AB34 5HT 013398 86121

2 Golf Rd Ballater AB35 5RE 013397 755452

www.georgestrachanltd.com

By appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales General Merchants

The BULLetin LOVES Business!

The BULLetin relies on advertising to pay for design and printing. But our advertisers are not just a space on a page.

All advertisers also benefit from featuring in a Facebook album every quarter, and where advertisers’ own posts are seen, they are shared. Feel free to tag The BULLetin to make sure.

New businesses who advertise can also benefit from introductory features, and there are perks to being a long-term advertiser too, or featuring in our Aboyne and Banchory publications also.

The business landscape and publicity methods are changing all the time so if you have any ideas on how The BULLetin can further support you, do let us know.

No ma�er if you are on Main Street, out in the sticks, working from your spare room or just online, get in touch.

The very best of luck to all new businesses starting up. Have you started a new business in the Alford area? Want a mention?

Get in touch: catrionahouston@yahoo.co.uk

Keeping calm in a crisis is essential when you’ve no option but to carry on.

As an essential service, K&A Anderson’s Lonenwell Garage has continued to serve the community during the Covid-19 lockdown with cheer, but they insist it’s their customers that have kept them going.

The garage’s Stuart Anderson told The BULLetin: “As a local family business based in Alford, the current crisis has posed many problems and challenges.

“However what keeps our spirits up and gets us through each day is the wonderful community spirit and kindness the fantastic residents the Howe of Alford and surrounding area have displayed.

“We are indebted to their exemplary attitude to tackle this head on with the appropriate caution always at the forefront. We have continued to be as normal as we can to help each and every one of our customers. We’d like to take this chance to say thank you to them all for letting us help them and them helping us.”

K&A thank customers for support during C19 crisis

An early morning sunrise greets motorists and (inset) Anne greets customers.

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K&A ANDERSON LONENWELL GARAGE . ALFORD . 019755 62215

MANY MAKES SUPPLIED: HONDA . ALKO CASTEL GARDEN LAWN KING

We c an ke ep your ve roadw hicle orthy Servi cing ca out o n all rried & mo makes dels

STRIMMERS . CHAINSAWS . LOG SPLITTERS . ROTOVATORS . SCARIFIERS *** To celebrate 40 years at Lonenwell – lots of offers and deals to keep your eyes peeled for ***

All aspects of roofing – from a minor repair to a new roof

Flat roofs (single ply + felt) . Tiles . Slates PVC Fascias + Soffits Guttering . Maintenance . Inspections registered installers

07773 772829 or 07917 161296 enquiries@alfordroofingcompany.co.uk www.alfordroofingcompany.co.uk

Plan A Electrical All your current needs

All types of electrical installation work

CRAIGIEVAR GARDENERS Garden design Garden maintenance Landscaping

Inspection and Testing (including EICR & PAT) Fault-finding and problem rectification Signal cabling: TV – Satellite – Audio – Telecomms Networking – Alarms

No job too small

David 07759 977387 019755 81278 Wendy 07831 440848 019756 41778

07535-312759 contact@planaelectrical.com www.planaelectrical.com

wendysimpson@hotmail.co.uk

Index of Advertisers to help you find who AES Electrical 4 Alford Bistro 16 Alford Roofing 25 Alison Spice 13 Alpine Tree Care 11 Aperture Aerial Photos 7 Balhousie Care 6 Buannaich 21 Cairngorm Mntn Mhomes 14/15 Craigievar Gdnrs 25 Eric Proctor 20 Esp Bookkeeping 20 FHP Valeting 2 Flame Boiler Services 12 Foodbank 16 Gillian Frost 4 Grampian Tree Svcs 11 Hilltrek 13 John Watson Boilers 4 K&A Anderson 24 Kirkwood Homes 28 Monkey Business 21 Munara Cycle Sols 19 Myriad Pro 17 NFU Mutual 27 Plan A Electrical 25 Ronald Hay 11 SG Tree Services 16 Strachan’s 22 Tax Assist 23 W&R Murray 5

AD ES T A R

FULL PAGE 140 x 200mm £108

HALF PAGE 140 x 99mm £55 QUARTER PAGE 98 x 66mm £27

FULL BACK PAGE £135 Design adds £15 to any size advert Book four issues up front and save 10% Book four ads up front in two or more mags and save 20% ~ DEADLINES ~ FEB 1 . MAY 1 . AUG 1 . NOV 1 ~ PUBLISHED ~ MAR JUNE SEPT DEC

Y COP ES DAT

Advertising space is also available in our Aboyne publication, The Fountain, + The Fly, covering Banchory The Banchory Fly A Community Magazine for Banchory

FREE!

Issue 7 Summer 2020

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Get in touch via email to catrionahouston@yahoo.co.uk Call Cat on 013397 55243 or 07805 731401 www.myriadpro.co.uk . find us on Facebook

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