Aboyne Fountain 26 - Autumn 2021

Fountain The

FREE!

A Community Magazine for Aboyne

issue 26

autumn 2021

STRACHAN’S Serving Royal Deeside for Four Generations

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

Welcome to Issue 26 of The Fountain

llyria’s production of HMS Pinafore at Kincardine Castle was a sell-out

Contents Highland Games Online Artist in Residence Men’s Shed St Thomas’s News Your Co-op Forget-Me-Not EE Live Again In Lady V’s Shoes Live Life Autumn Leaves Councillors’ Contacts Advertisers’ Index Ad Rates/Copy Dates

7 8 11 12 15 17 19 23 25 28 31 34 34

Are we out of the woods yet? Let’s hope so, or at least nearly. The signs of recovery in Aboyne are good, as new and established groups and activities get going.

The lovely folk at Aboyne Highland Games staged a very successful series of online events this year, as the Covid spectre continued to haunt large-scale plans. You can read the results on p7.

There’s a very exciting Artist in Residence Project for Deeside and Donside (see p8) starting very soon. A sample of Stephanie Vandem’s autumn inspiration can be seen gracing the front cover of this issue. The Community Shed, where the project will be based, continues to grow and attract local support as well as new groups (p11).

There’s news from your Co-op and St Thomas’s Church, Everything Electronic is delighted to be meeting “live” again and you can find out how to give your garden a seasonal spruce on p28.

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

Cat Houston – Design/Editor

get in touch via email to catrionahouston@yahoo.co.uk

or call Cat on 013397 55243/07805 731401 www.myriadpro.co.uk find us on facebook

3

Do you have something to share?

Group or individual, let The Fountain know what you are up to, using the contacts on p3 and 34.

Party on

(with a li�le help...)

Aboyne Village Christmas Party is in need of a brand new group of parents to take on the running of the party.

The party has been taking place for over 30 years and is always great fun for the children that live in Aboyne, Birse, Dess, Dinnet and Glen Tanar.

Like everything else, the village party has had a year off and in that time a lot of the little ones have grown up and are now too old to go to the party. This means their parents are also moving on and will no longer be involved in the running.

If you have little ones under 7 and would be interested in joining the group to help run the party, get in touch with the organisers via their Facebook page.

The party is laid on at The Victory Hall Aboyne and is free to attend as a result of local support and fundraising throughout the year. It always features a visit from Santa and a gift for every child.

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WIGGLES AND GIGGLES

A WELCOMING SUPPORTIVE GROUP FOR BUMPS, BABIES AND TODDLERS UP TO 5 YEARS OLD

FRIDAY 10AM-12PM MASONIC HALL, ABOYNE £3 PER SESSION 50p PER ADDITIONAL CHILD UNDER 6 MONTHS FREE

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES MESSY PLAY / CRAFT / ASSISTED BAKING / GAMES Encouraging group play, creativity and imagination for your little ones.

BABY TUMMY TIME Dedicated safe area for your babies to enjoy sensory play and tummy time.

Looked after by our lovely mummies, Jennie and Fiona!

For information, join our group on Facebook or email aboynewigglesandgiggles@gmail.com

(and a bit more news from)

The Victory Hall

We had intended to have a special event to celebrate our Centenary of the laying of the foundation stone, however, Covid put that on hold.

We will be able to hold our AGM on Friday September 17th in the Hall at 10.30am, to which everyone is invited, present and potential users, all ages, especially anyone interested in becoming a trustee.

Come along: it’s your hall. For more information about AGM or the hall, please contact Sheena Duffy on 013398 86215 or email secretary@victoryhallaboyne.com

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Aboyne Highland Games

Aboyne Highland Games Online competition results 2021

Aboyne Highland Games marked what would have been its games day with a virtual celebration of the traditional event. With the support of EventScotland, organisers broadcast a series of films on the event’s social media channels to maintain the spirit of the 154-year-old event. The Games were cancelled earlier this year due to uncertainties surrounding COVID-19. Alongside films showcasing traditional heavy events and Highland Dancing, the results of the online piping and fiddle competitions were announced. Both the piping and fiddle competitions received a large number of entries, with musicians from overseas competing.

Piping

Open Piobaireachd 1. Ian K. MacDonald; Ontario, Canada 2. Gordon McCready; Renfrew 3. Bruce Gandy; Halifax, Nova Scotia 4. Bobby Durning; USA 5. Brendon Eade; New Zealand Open March 1. Bruce Gandy; Halifax, Nova Scotia 2. Calum Brown, Aberdeen 3. Ashley McMichael, Ireland 4. John Dew, Crieff Open Strathspey and Reel 1. Ian K. Macdonald, Ontario, Canada 2. Gordon McCready; Renfrew 3. Jamie Forrester; Edinburgh 4. Bruce Gandy; Halifax, Nova Scotia Open Hornpipe and Jig 1. Ian K MacDonald; Ontario, Canada 2. Gordon McCready; Renfrew 3. David Wilton; Dundee 4. Brendon Eade; New Zealand

Aboyne Highland Games

Fiddle

Two Scottish tunes, 12 and under, Open 1. Emma Cameron; Kintore 2. Andrew Farquharson; Forfar 3. Amelie Wisely; Aboyne 4. Anna MacDonald; Portree Three Scottish tunes, 15 and under, Open 1. Amelia Parker; Nova Scotia, Canada 2. Ruaridh Drennan; Drumnadrochit 3. Kitty Sykes; Glass, Aberdeenshire 4. Rhona Fraser; Chapel of Garioch Slow Air, March, Strathspey & Reel, 16+, Open 1. Heather Anderson; Tarland 2. Piroska Charlotte Amara; Hamburg 3. Karen Steven; Aberdeen 3. Duncan Lean; Newtyle, Perthshire 4. Eilidh Anderson; Lumphanan Overall local fiddle player 1. Heather Anderson; Tarland

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NEW! Aboyne Artist in Residence Deeside and Donside Communities

A new art-based project to assist community wellbeing post-lockdown has been launched in Aboyne.

Based at the new Aboyne and Deeside Community Shed in Cemetery Road, Aboyne Artist in Residence Deeside and Donside Communities aims to provide a tranquil, welcoming, well resourced and free-to-use studio full of creative possibilities and classes for adults and children aged 8+.

Headed by Aboyne artist Stephanie Vandem, the project will start on Thursday September 9th and run for six months, free of charge, for two afternoons a week.

Steph said: “This is a very relaxed, welcoming and stress-free project.

Creativity flows better without the pressures of ‘achievement’. The process of learning, exploring (and making many ‘mistakes’) is everything. Patience and practice inevitably leads us to advancement of skills and completion of artworks. There is no need to worry. I hope many of you will make use of this free service. It has taken a lot of work and many unpaid hours by many people to get it this far.”

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Men’s Shed builds from the ground up!

The Men’s Shed Trustees are feeling very grateful, having got a few big jobs done recently, thanks to a number of local traders: Ian Paterson of K&I Paterson gave his time and machine to unload and position the Community Shed’s Blackhills granite stone, which was donated by Fyfe Glenrock, while Alan Bruce organised its delivery. Willie Kerr and the team at Deeside Road Construction resurfaced the track to the shed, and were thanked for their efforts in keeping the costs of the job down. The Trustees added: “It is never easy to find funds for jobs like this and your help is much appreciated. The track is now much safer, particularly for people who are maybe not so good on their feet. We have already had very positive remarks from regular walkers on the track!” The Community Shed already has some regular users, including yoga classes, a long-tem art project and the Forget-me-not Club.

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St Thomas’ News

You can help support our work by sponsoring our stable yard at Belwade Farm As a sponsor you will be helping so many horses in need as well as receiving exclusive access and information!

www.worldhorsewelfare.org/Sponsor

Since Easter we have been back in church yet again. We are back every week for services at 11.15am. Booking is not required – however, you will need to give your details for Track and Trace, and also to wear a mask. We will soon be heading into more normality as we begin our usual round of events. We are planning for our harvest service on the 10th October, which will hopefully be followed by the usual lunch.

During the last year we have taken the opportunity to establish a quiet area with a bench in a corner of the churchyard, and have started to plant a wild-flower section and herbs there. We are hoping to build on this start over the coming year. You will find the bench tucked away in the corner at the junction of Ballater Road and Bridgeview Road. This spot is protected from the noise and weather by the wall at that point. Please feel free to use this space for peace and quiet.

Work has also been done on one of the paths in the woodland, by MidDeeside Community Council, Aboyne Primary School Parent Council, and the Aboyne Paths and Tracks group. The path from the St Eunans’s & Old Tollhouse Road junction leading to the primary school exited the woodland into a potentially hazardous spot. This was immediately opposite the road entrance into the primary school with turning vehicles. The exit has been relocated to a safer location further away from the Ballater Road, with a safety fencing section in front of the exit gap to slow down users at this point. Please use the new path to the primary school, as the old one now comes to a wire fence. This is deliberately not easy to climb over, as now it’s repaired, we don’t want it damaged again. Thank you to all those involved in making this happen.

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News from your Co-op store It’s been a long summer, says Gemma Massie “It’s not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain”... Dancing through the rain is exactly what we’ve been doing! We have been facing some tough availability issues lately but we are slowly getting back to normal.

We thank you all for your continued support and patience during these times.

SAMH – mental health matters: We are continuing to raise funds for SAMH. We have a few fundraising weekends in the pipeline so watch this space. Our total is currently sitting just under £4,000.

Long service: Kyle and Gemma recently received their five-year service awards.

Community involvement: We love supporting our local community in any way we can. During the last few months we have continued to support Aboyne Fareshare with monthly donations. We donated water and snacks to Deeside Community Learning for their free family activities during the summer, provided two local girls with baking ingredients for their bake sale which raised £564 for Young Minds and more recently we presented a cheque for £200 to Aboyne Nursery towards new resources.

In-store cleaner required: We are currently looking for an in store cleaner. If this is something that interests you, please contact the Mitie manager, Lynn Macrae at lynn.mcrae@mitie.com Your Store Your Say: Your feedback to us is very important and by completing our survey you can be in with the chance of winning £250 of coop vouchers! https://www.yourstoreyoursay.com You can enter the details from your receipt or our store number which is 4555.

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passed on to our team.

Coop Membership: We’ve doubled the amount we give back to our communities via the membership card. Download the app and you get weekly offers tailored to your shop! If you’ve not already registered, you can register here: www.coop.co.uk/membership

15

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Forget-Me-Nots have branched out!

An essential support service for dementia patients and their families has branched out to Aboyne.

The Forget-Me-Not Club held its first session in the Community Shed in July and runs on Mondays, 10.30am to 13.30pm.

The Banchory-based charity offers trained support and makes no charge for its services, relying on donations, grants, fundraising and support from Aberdeenshire Council. The new group enjoys friendly chats, games to gently challenge the mind and body, and lunch.

There is currently space for another couple of members at these sessions. If you know someone who could benefit, contact Eunice Gardyne on 01330 822655/ 07767 713571 or email eunice.gardyne@ forgetmenotclub.co.uk

17

The National Care Service consultation is now live! A series of online engagement events are being held in August, September, and October to enable stakeholders, individuals, and communities to come together to share their views on the National Care Service. For more details, visit https://consult.gov.scot/health-andsocial-care/a-national-care-service-forscotland/

AVA and the Aberdeenshire Health & Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) launched a community mapping project.

By completing the survey, participants whose project, organisation, group or forum supports health, social care, and wellbeing in Aberdeenshire, helped AVA and the AHSCP improve their understanding of what is currently in place.

The survey results will also inform how these partnerships connect with groups in the future.

Everything Electronics, the popular youth club for digitally orientated youngsters, is moving to Tornaveen Hall near Torphins and is due to restart on September 6th.

Run by Cromar Future Group, the group is over the moon to be back in person with their innovative mix of coding, digital art, electronics, film-making, computer science, electronics and digital sound, and tutors and members are all excited to meet up again after so long online.

The club runs from 6.30-8pm on Mondays, with its cafe opening from 6pm.

Club leader Lesley Ellis said: “Tornaveen Hall is situated on the B9119, and between the A980 and B993, so we are accessible from west, east, north and south. Come and check us out – a multi-award winning youth club focused on digital skills. So come and “develop skills whilst having fun” (and there’s coffee and cakes as well!).”

Lesley added: “We’ve got a lot coming up including an art-focused night with the NEOS artists, family workshops with everyone’s favourite Aardman Studios and “Shaun the Sheep”, and so much more... (well cakes and coffee!).

“We’re happy to welcome those who want to design games, make award winning films, develop and experiment with electronics and robotics, adore the intricacy of excellent coding and love hanging out with like-minded souls. We’re the place for individuals – not followers!

“We believe every youngster will find a passion for something digital and do it really well. That’s our role, to help you find it. From age 8 you can bring them and drop in with them if they need your support.

We are a family club.

“Once they are up and running happily in the club, you can retire to the cafe or leave them and come back.

“They do need to respect other people’s need for concentration, so if you feel they can’t do that, then introduce them to the club when a little older.”

Further details can be found at www. futuregroup.org.uk or the Cromar Future Group’s Facebook page.

Above: the new logo designed by the club’s members Below: a still from an animation made

by Millie and her brother Harvey

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When times are tough, don’t stop ADVERTISING!

The Fountain relies on advertising to pay for design and printing and it means a lot that so many regular customers have continued to advertise during the Covid calamity.

Always delighted to welcome new advertisers, I have opened up opportunities with a new value ad size, see p34.

At Myriad Pro Publishing, advertisers are not just a space on a page. All advertisers benefit from featuring in a Facebook album every quarter, and where advertisers’ own posts are seen on that social media platform, they will be shared.

Feel free to tag The Fountain to make sure.

New customers can also benefit from introductory editorial features, and there are perks to being a long-term advertiser too, as well as discounts for featuring in the Alford and Banchory publications.

The business landscape and publicity methods are changing all the time, and especially at the moment! So if you have any ideas on how The Fountain can further support you, do let me know.

No matter if you are on the main street, out in the sticks, working from your spare room or just operating online, I can help.

Have you started a new business in the Aboyne area? Want a mention? Get in touch.

The Fountain represents a unique opportunity for you to promote your business to a targetted area at reasonable cost. Ad rates start at just £28 for a quarter page.

Around 1,500 copies are distributed through the doors of residences in the village, prominent spots in the local community and within businesses willing to stock it.

Geographically it covers Aboyne and the surrounding areas and includes Tarland.

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The Tarland Tapestry has languished behind brown paper in situ in the MacRobert Hall since its creators had to cancel their unveiling event due to Covid 19.

It will now be unveiled as part of the Tarland Food and Music Festival on Sunday September 26th.

Tickets are now on sale for the Friday and Saturday night concerts featuring Paul Anderson and Brian McAlpine, Karen Matheson Band, Ross Ainslie and Tim Edey and Talisk!

As well as welcoming folks back into The MacRobert Hall, TFMF will also be live streaming the Friday and Saturday nights, so you can watch from the comfort of your own home, anywhere in the world.

The event programme was being finalised as The Fountain went to print, so keep an eye on the website and Facebook page for updates and ticket links.

I feel that it is time for me to work some different muscles this autumn – my creative ones. I have told you all about how I am attempting to skateboard, and that I am ensuring that my kids are out and about as much as possible. However, I have told you nothing about my arty side.

Admittedly that is because, as much I will happily doodle, I do not really have an arty side. Sure, the things that I draw will resemble somewhat the shape or object that I am ultimately going for, but they are basic and simplistic at best. I often find that I will lose patience with anything that requires too much fine detail and attention. I would describe my artwork as clunky and slapdash. However, I do on occasion enjoy some clunky and slapdash escapism.

in

Lady V’s Shoes

A column on village life from Victoria Kennedy Last year local artist Stephanie Vandem initiated her small doors project in the village, and, despite my own personal reservations of my abilities, I purchased one. On my door I expressed my love of the outdoors, and its benefits, by drawing a mountain side camping scene with the motto “More Wild, Less Worry”.

I found creating my door a surprisingly tranquil escape. Working on the solid wood with my chunky paint pens was blissful, and I felt soothed by the process of creating it. This is something that I want to emulate again, especially as the nights have already started drawing in.

I know that Stephanie is starting her Artist in Residence project this autumn at the new Aboyne and Mid Deeside Community Shed, and it will certainly be something that I will be checking out. I am looking forward to having somewhere to go in the colder months now that we can go inside places with friends and family.

While I may not be the most naturally artistic (or patient) of people, hopefully I will find some inspiration there to create something new. After all, every time I see my door, I smile. It is truly special to me, and I hope that others who see it feel the same.

So, as Kurt Vonnegut once said: “To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.” And, this autumn, I am going to do just that.

23

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A place for young adults on the Autistic spectrum or with any kind of disability or none!

Aboyne’s Drop-in Games Club relaunched at the end of August. The new support group is for anyone/families with additional needs and aims to be fully inclusive, with all welcome.

The group currently meets on Wednesday evenings at 7pm at Aboyne Scout Hut. Everyone is welcome, but they ask that any young person under the age of 16 is accompanied by a responsible adult. New or earlier times may be considered if the group transpires to be popular.

You can go along for a cuppa and chat, the craft box is always full if you are feeling crafty, or if you just want to meet and make new friends in a warm, comfortable and safe environment, then Drop-in Club is the place for you.

Chairperson of the group, Bernie Cassie, said: “We are a group of parents, carers, and volunteers who run a drop-in club on a Wednesday evening at present for any young person, young adult with additional needs. This includes being a support network for families. We hope this group will benefit all families in the Aboyne and surrounding areas, so please spread the word.”

Get in touch if you would like to find out more via email to bmkh67@yahoo. co.uk or call 07594 196006.

227

The Paper Girls OPEN: Monday to Saturday 0530-1630 | Sunday 0600-1200

A community-focused shop, selling and delivering a wide range of newspapers, magazines, confectionery, stationery and local produce Charleston Road | Aboyne | 01339 886847 email: thepapergirls607@gmail.com

See our Facebook page for updates and new developments

“Putting the community at the heart of everything we do”

Winding Down for Autumn Wendy Simpson of Craigievar Gardeners offers seasonal tips to help you get the best from your patch, large or small...

The late summer vibrancy of crocosmia, rudbeckia and dahlia displays prompts us to think about the impending autumn and how we can prepare our gardens for shorter days and a falling thermometer.

It’s time to tidy herbaceous borders.

Cut down perennials as they die back to remove rotting foliage. You can leave attractive seedheads in place as bird food or you can collect your own seed by putting stems upside down into paper bags so that the seeds collect in the bag.

Similarly, clear your vegetable beds of all spent plants. Cut pea and bean plants off at ground level because their roots help to fix nitrogen in the soil, which will benefit next year’s crops.

Compost all debris unless it is diseased.

Clearing your beds and borders now gives you more space to apply a layer of mulch to replenish the nutrients in the soil and insulate roots.

In early autumn, apply an autumn fertiliser to support your lawn through the winter. Autumn fertilisers have low nitrogen and high potassium content and are intended to support the grass’s resistance to frost rather than to encourage growth. It’s important not to use a highnitrogen (summer) fertiliser because this will encourage too much growth.

Make sure you keep your lawn clear of fallen leaves because these will deprive it of light. Raise the height of your mower to allow the lawn to grow slightly longer because this enables the grass to make better use of decreasing hours of sunlight.

Think about your spring and summer bulb displays and order your bulbs now with a view to planting in October.

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Mid-Deeside Community Council

This is your MP and MSP

Our role is to improve the quality of life for all those living and working in our community. We are a team of local volunteers who together form MDCC, including the areas of Aboyne, Glen Tanar, Dinnet and Kincardine O’Neil.

We meet every month and members of the public are very welcome to join.

You can find details of our meetings, minutes and reports on our website or contact us via Facebook or via middeesidecommunitycouncil@gmail.com

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

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

Councillors'

Contacts

Cllr Peter Argyle

01339 882973 07801 900843 cllr.p.argyle@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk

We have moved to c/o Aboyne & Mid Deeside Community Shed, Cemetery Road, ABOYNE, AB34 5DZ. 013398 85222 admin@mid-deeside.org.uk

These are your Ward 15 councillors

Cllr Geva Blacke�

01339 741541 07876 475269 cllr.g.blacke�@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Cllr Paul Gibb 07388 956148 cllr.p.gibb@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk

31

Mid-Deeside Community Council Multi-agency approach ensures pedestrian safety

We’ve been improving the safety of a path through the woodland between Bridge View Road and Old Tollhouse Road in Aboyne, working closely with St Thomas’ Church, Aboyne Primary School Parent Council and Aboyne Paths & Tracks Group.

The path from the St Eunans’s and Old Tollhouse Road junction leading to the primary school exited the woodland into a potentially hazardous spot. This was immediately opposite the road entrance into the primary school with turning vehicles. The woodland fencing on this stretch was also badly damaged and there was nothing to stop bikes or running children exiting at high speed directly into Bridge View Road, a busy place during school drop-off and pick-up.

We are grateful to Aberdeenshire Council for funding the high-quality fence repairs carried out by local Winton Contractors. They included relocating the Bridge View Road woodland exit to a safer location further away from the Ballater Road, with a safety fencing section in front of the exit gap to slow down users at this point. To complete the work Aberdeenshire Council will install a ‘drop kerb’ on the pavement opposite the exit, to prevent cars parking and make easier access for wheeled users on to the pavement.

We’d kindly ask everyone to use the new path to the primary school, as the old one now comes to a wire fence. This is deliberately not easy to climb over, as now it’s repaired, we don’t want it damaged again. The other paths to the north in the woodland to the community centre, academy and church are unchanged. A big thanks to the very many different people involved in making this happen.

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