Aboyne Fountain Issue 8, Spring 2017

The

Issue 8, Spring 2017

FREE!

Fountain

A Community Magazine for Aboyne Inside your Spring issue:

... News ... Groups ... Features ... Seasonal Highlights

STRACHAN’S Serving Royal Deeside for Four Generations

Newsagents

Ice Cream

Confectionery

Photocopying & Laminating

Wines & Spirits

Hardware

By appointment to HM The Queen General Merchants

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Malt Whiskies

Lottery

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Balloons & Party Gifts

Pet Foods

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Stationery

Toys and Puzzles

Toys & Puzzles

Grocery

Gardening

Delicatessen

Fishing Supplies

and lots more...!

2 Golf Rd Ballater AB35 5RE 013397 755452

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By appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales General Merchants

SPRING! Welcome to Issue 8 of The Fountain Spring is often a time of year when we may decide to try something new, and there are lots of volunteering opportunities detailed in these pages for all interests and ages – from the Gliding Club to the Winter Festival to Tarland’s First Responders.

There are lots of exciting events coming to the area over the next few months, so get your diaries out and take note. The Deeside Heritage Society invites you to a giant show and tell exercise on p6 while Aboyne and Upper Deeside Rotary get in a flap on p10. Make sure you get along to Aboyne’s Comedy Night and Belwade’s Fairy Day, both happening in May. You can read all about Town Twinning on p23 and don’t believe the doom the gloom, the Aboyne area is thriving with lots of new businesses starting up – we feature two of them on p7 and 19.

We are back up to 40 pages after a flurry of new interest after the winter edition.

Welcome to all our new advertisers and thank you to anyone who contributed copy about their group, organisation or event. If you want some space, get in touch.

I hope you enjoy the Spring issue of The Fountain and that you get to enjoy all that the season has to offer.

Cat Houston – Design/Editor

Copy Dates 2017/18

Summer Autumn Winter Spring

Deadline

May 24 Sept 15 Nov 10 Feb 23

Publication

Jun Oct Dec Mar

15 6 1 18

Contents News 5 What’s Your Story?

6 New Kids on the Block 7 Events 8 Going Quackers 10 Magic And Mystery 15 Academy News 16 Just The Job 18 Gliding High 20 Twin Towns 23 Hit The Hills 24 Cllrs’ Contacts 29 Springtime Spruce 32 Church News 34 Club Directory 36 Advertisers’ Index 38 Copy Dates 38

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

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

First Domestics White Goods Repairs Engineer •

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Do you have something to share? An upcoming event or achievement? Group or individual, let The Fountain know what you are up to, using the contacts on p3 and 38.

Comedy Night!

Victory Hall sees great line-up as part of ambitious shire project

Bank Closure Villagers campaign to keep Clydesdale ATM

Aboyne will lose its Clydesdale Bank in May after the bank announced that it will be among 40 branches to close in Scotland.

The Ballater Road branch is due to close on May 17, leaving Banchory as the nearest for customers.

A campaign is presently under way to retain the cash machine and night safe in the village.

The bank will be giving help to customers on the use of digital banking (internet, mobile and apps) at the Aboyne branch on Thursday 20th April, from 4.45pm until 6.30pm.

There will be staff on site ready to give demonstrations and answer any questions and should customers wish to they can also register and set up these facilities.

Aberdeen’s Breakneck Comedy Club is coming to the village’s Victory Hall on Saturday May 6.

The event is part of a huge Aberdeenshire village tour, the brainchild of Breakneck’s Naz Hussain, which is taking in a bewildering 49 venues between now and December.

Aboyne will be treated to comedic turns by Mary Bourke, Andrew Sim, Stu Who and Gary Meikle.

There will also be a licensed bar.

Tickets are £15. For more info or to book tickets visit www.breakneckcomedy.co.uk/ tourdates/aboyne-comedy-night/ Come along for some laughter and support live comedy in your area.

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What’s YOUR Village Story?

Janet Brinsden on the Heritage Society’s plans to host giant “show and tell”

Last year Deeside Heritage Society launched a Heritage Walk for Aboyne. The research for it uncovered many more interesting stories than the walk’s accompanying booklet could possibly include. A whole bigger project to record Aboyne’s heritage was needed…

As a first step towards an online archive for the village, the Society is hosting a giant ‘show and tell’. “Your Village Story” will take place on Saturday 27th May, 10am-3.00pm, in the Victory Hall.

To get the conversation started, several village clubs and societies – including the Highland Games committee which is celebrating the Games’ 150th anniversary this year – will be there with displays of artefacts and photographs.

The primary school is getting involved with an artwork created especially for the event. Anyone bringing along their own items – and we hope you will – can have them recorded on the spot. People can also sign up to be interviewed in a planned “Listening Project”.

It’s not intended to be an exhibition – rather something more interactive – we want the community to be the ones ‘showing and telling’, not us!

Whether your family came to Aboyne two centuries ago or two weeks ago, whether you’re two or 102, you’re part of Aboyne’s continuing story. Come along to chat, share your experiences of living here and learn more about your village. Admission is free – as is the tea and cake…

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New Kids on the Block Warm welcome for hot tub suppliers The Fountain is delighted to welcome Highland Glen Spas to the area.

Partners, Justine and Archie Buchanan told us all about their new family-run venture on the South Deeside Road: “Our hot tubs are of exceptional quality, made in America, simple and very reliable with extensive warranties. There is an option of beautiful cedar wood cladding which is quite unique. It gives the beauty of a solid wood hot tub but with all the benefits and low running costs of a modern hot tub.

“We can offer a holiday home version for any of our tubs which offer tamperproof settings so as guests can only operate the jets and lights. This, along with the unique commercial warranty, make them a must for anyone with a holiday home

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

Want a mention? Get in touch.

looking to give the wow factor, increase their occupancy levels and rental income.

“We have display models in Deeside Log Cabins and a wet display will be available soon at our site near Dinnet for anyone interested who would like to come and try them out!”

Dinnet, Aberdeenshire

Hot Tubs for your home and business Our luxurious hot tubs are hand-crafted in the USA and are a perfect combination of quality and affordability. Do you have a holiday home? We have models designed specifically for the hospitality industry that come with a full commercial warranty.

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Phone. 013398 80540

Spring Events March...

Got something to plug? Get in touch

25th – Spring Fair, Kincardine O’Neil Primary School, 1-3pm 26th – Mothering Sunday 29th March – Rotary Club of Aboyne and Upper Deeside, Aboyne Academy Young Musician of the Year Competition, Deeside Community Theatre, 7pm

April...

6th – Future Group Workshops, Tarland MacRobert Hall, www.futuregroup.org.uk 9th – Dog Fun Day, Belwade Farm, Dess 11th – Do Try This At Home, Cromar Future Group Workshop, Aboyne Victory Hall 16th – Easter Sunday, see p35 for services 29th – Rebel Dubbit Dash, 5k obstacle mud run, Deeside Activity Park, reg from 11am

may...

1st – May Day Holiday 6th – Comedy Night, Victory Hall Aboyne 7th – Fairy Day, Belwade Farm, Dess 27th – What’s Your Story?, 10am-3pm, Victory Hall, Aboyne

June...

4th – Ballater Duck Festival, 11am-4pm, Church Green, Ballater

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Rotary and Canoes Club Together Again Groups to repeat assistance at Ballater event, writes John Burrows Deep in the forests of the Appalachian Mountains, the male American Great Ducks are exercising their wing muscles in preparation for the long flight across the Atlantic; their first journey taken in 2016 to the River Dee was so successful that they were determined to repeat the exercise. Possibly some of the tales over the cold winter might have been slightly exaggerated, but one fact without doubt was that no one took a shot at them and all returned intact!

They were a little concerned that post BREXIT their immigration permits may have been challenged in Scotland and Donald Trump’s statement that what is American stays in America could have meant that the visit was not possible, however we are pleased to advise that in Theresa May’s meeting with the Trump administration these issues were all ironed out. President Trump now sees their visit as a goodwill mission to the birth place of his mother and has even suggested the route to miss out on the numerous wind farms!

So the flock of ten have now completed their inoculations against bird flu, immigration approval, EEC transit licence if land fall made in the Republic of Ireland and re-entry visa for return to the USA.

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Time served plumber So on June 4th we have been advised

by Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon that Ballater can again welcome ten Appalachian Giant Ducks to their festival for the annual race down the Dee from Golf Course corner to the Royal Bridge.

It is hoped that the guard of honour will again be supplied by Aboyne Canoe Club, who did such a great job in 2016 at both the Duck Festival and the BVW duck race. The day will include many of those activities favoured in 2016, with bouncy castles, pony trekking, and numerous stalls.

Local charities and organisations will be welcomed to take up stalls to sell their raffle tickets, mini ducks or simply to advertise for membership. Finally, Aboyne and Upper Deeside Rotary will again be running their TOTE, ensuring that everyone can partake in the day and it won’t be just the ducks having a flutter!

Ballater’s Duck Festival takes place on Sunday June 4 from 11am to 3pm. More details on the Facebook page.

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Hot Stuff!

More scientific fun for youngsters

Enjoyed the Mad March Science Festival? Then come and enjoy some more free hands-on science fun for youngsters with Aberdeen Science Centre (ASC) and the Cromar Future Group.

On the 6th April in Tarland’s MacRobert Hall, the Cromar Future Group will be running two workshops. In “Hot Stuff”, you will heat a liquid to see how convection and conduction work. You will carry out an experiment in radiated energy and investigate the heat profile of the hall, all while learning what heat actually is.

In the afternoon, come and explore the tiny world of a living cell. How does it work? Where does it get its energy? How does it replicate itself? What controls the whole process? Isolate some DNA...

And on 11th April in Aboyne Victory Hall, ASC will be running their always popular Chemistry workshop “Do Try This At Home”. It’s full of squidginess and lots of hands-on fun, so come and try out some experiments – paint with milk, investigate if colouring pens are really what they seem and explore PH. Full details can be found on the website www.futuregroup.org.uk. Suitable for 7+.

Youngsters must be accompanied.

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News Round-up

The Tennis Club is celebrating after gaining planning permission from Aberdeenshire Council for new floodlighting, which will extend to all four courts of the club. The club says it’s a big step forward in its project to “renew our crumbling courts and obsolete, inadequate floodlighting”. The club is also proud to have selected innovative low-energy LED type lighting for the £25,000 project. So far the club has raised around £15,000 of its target through fundraising.

Fraser Taxi Stuart Fraser – Aboyne

07872 067693 6 & 8 passenger vehicles Wheelchair accessibility Trailer hire also available Most cards accepted Member of the Taxi Card Scheme

“Far ev’r yae wint tae ging” Aboyne Winter Festival is looking for someone to take the lead this year in running the event. Lynn Timmins and Kerry Anderson, who organised the event for the last two years, now have larger work and family commitments, and think maybe it’s time someone else took a turn!

Could you answer the challenge of leading the team and co-ordinating the running of the day which brings the reindeer to Aboyne Green? Also, any new members are always welcome. Contact Lynn or Kerry at aboynewinterfestival@hotmail.com

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13

World Horse Welfare Presents

The Belwade Experience At Belwade Farm, Aboyne Open Wednesday - Sunday, 11am to 4pm

The Belwade Experience is a brand new and exciting opportunity to enjoy a funpacked, insightful and interactive day at World Horse Welfare Belwade Farm. With a variety of mini workshops which you can take part in throughout the day– the Belwade Experience offers something for everyone and promises to be a day you will never forget!

The Belwade Experience will run Wednesday – Sunday 11am – 4pm subject to availability. Search ‘World Horse Welfare Belwade Farm’ on Facebook to keep up to date with all of our news, special offers and events.

Children: £4.00

Adults: £6.00

Family: £18.00 (2 Adults, 3 children)

Why not become a Friend of Belwade Farm- at no charge- and get a 25% discount.

Visiting the farm to enjoy the Bistro or enjoy walking around the fields and tracks is still free of charge.

www.worldhorsewelfare.org/farm/belwade-farm Tel: 013398 85398 Registered Charity No. 206658 and SC038384

Magic and Mystery for the Whole Family at the Belwade Fairy Day Tattoos, unicorns, and lots and lots of fabulous food...

Come and visit World Horse Welfare Belwade Farm on May 7 and take part in our Fairy Day which is set to be a truly magical event.

Explore our enchanted woodland and see the fairies’ homes amongst the trees, but keep your eyes open for any trolls who might be about! As well as meeting our Belwade unicorn, you can come face to face with lots of our horses and ponies, listen to transfixing tales from our story teller, meet the owls from Bob’s Buddies, take part in fun crafts and even ride a pony.

We will also have fairy face painters and glitter tattoo artists, plus Tinkerbell has promised to come along and do some dancing with all the fairies and their friends!

Plus, our award-winning visitor centre will be open throughout the day so you can learn more about World Horse Welfare’s work, meet our horses and ponies, see our team in action and browse our great selection of merchandise and gifts.

The Belwade Bistro will not be open during Fairy Day but instead we have some fantastic outside caterers attending including Sheridan’s Butchers, Deesidedly Tasty, Scozzese Wood Fired Pizzas and delicious fish and chips.

The Fairy Day is a ticketed event.

Prices are; £10 per family (max 2 adults, 3 concessions), £3 per adult, £2 per child/ concession. Under 1s are free of charge but must register attendance.

For further information on Fairy Day or any of our other Belwade Farm events please email lisagardiner@worldhorsewelfare.org or call 013398 85398.

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Academy News Teams of S2 pupils from Aboyne Academy are competing against one another to win £3,000 for a local charity of their choice through the active citizenship programme, Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).

YPI, which is principally funded and managed in Scotland by the Wood Foundation, will contribute £2500 towards the total grant and an application has been made to another organisation to help Aboyne Academy raise the remaining £500.

Through a unique programme of team work, research and competition, YPI Scotland is all about creativity, passion and supporting issues young people care most about. It is a curricular-based programme, delivered by the Business Education faculty, designed to develop the next generation of responsible citizens and effective contributors which will develop the skills and confidence of the young people of Aboyne Academy. This is done through a real life, hands on experience of philanthropy whilst raising awareness of social issues and the work of local charities.

Murronn Blackhall, one of the S2 Aboyne Academy pupils taking part in YPI this year said: “I think YPI is a really good idea because a lot of charities in my area are not that well known, so giving them a chance with the YPI project is very beneficial to the community.”

This enthusiasm is echoed by Byron Brandie, also an S2 pupil at Aboyne Academy, who lives in Ballater: “I am really looking forward to YPI this year because I watched the presentation last year as an S1 and it looks really fun!”

In recent years Aboyne Academy has taken part in YPI to raise £3000 for each of the following local charities: Forget Me Not, Tarland First Responders, Horseback UK, Crathie Opportunity Holidays and All Shapes & Sizes.

YPI is an international scheme and, in 2016/17, is being delivered in 210 secondary schools across Scotland. To date, YPI Scotland has engaged over 135,000 students, providing them with the essential skills and confidence to grant nearly £2million to thousands of local charities.

Last year’s winners, who presented £3,000 to the charity All Shapes and Sizes

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Youth Can Help Village Groups Volunteering brings its own rewards, says AVA’s Aileen Longino Are you aged 5 to 25 years?

Volunteering? What do you think of when you hear it. Volunteering is for all ages from as young as 5 years to 99 years!

You don’t have to be retired to volunteer.

Here at Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action (AVA) we support children and young adults from 5 to 25 years old who want to volunteer. Our Young Aberdeenshire Volunteer Awards aim to recognise and support volunteers aged 5 to 15 years. The national Saltire Awards that we manage and support for Aberdeenshire is for people aged 12-25 years.

Do you help at a group at the moment?

Are you putting together your personal statement for university or CV for a job? With competition for jobs, modern apprenticeships and university places so competitive employers are looking for additional skills and aptitudes that aren’t just academic.

Here in Aboyne you are lucky to have a wealth of groups and charities on your doorstep that are looking for volunteers.

Traditionally the majority of volunteering has been done by retired community spirited people. Skills acquired from volunteering stay with you forever. New blood is always very welcome for local groups and what you bring to the table when you volunteer is enthusiasm, an extra pair of hands – what you get in return is rewarding, fun, new skills and life enhancing. Who wouldn’t want some of that!

So if you can spare a few hours a week or more of your time and want to find out how you can benefit and help your community at the same time drop me an email Aileen.Longino@avashire.org.uk or call me 07824 096531 check us out on Facebook Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action

Beautiful Landscape Is Just The Job Tree surgeon’s first year on Deeside proves fruitful

Before...

...After “Fantastic scenery, and lovely people.” That’s what drew Suffolk Tree Surgeon and Garden Landscaper Julian Barclay to the area when he moved up with his family a year ago.

Originally working for a company in Ayrshire before moving to England, it has long been Julian’s goal to return to Scotland. And he hasn’t been disappointed! Julian says he doesn’t miss the hustle and bustle of their former life and the area brings a far better quality of life for him, wife Jackie (who also brought her ironing and childminding businesses with her) and children James, 11, and Josie, 10.

He added that they had visited the area many times previously whilst visiting family, before moving north and settling in Tarland, which he describes as a lovely community.

Julian is presently focusing the business on carrying out as much of its work in the near locality as possible. Tree surgery forms the bulk of the business’s working day, but they also specialise in garden landscaping, fencing and garden/property maintenance.

The company boasts an impressive fleet of equipment, specialising in narrow access machines, including a 12-metre high cherry picker and lawn mowers of every shape and size.

Asked what is the most important part of his business, Julian said: “It’s our quality of service, our customer service. It’s getting back to people when you say you will, getting the quotes to them as soon as possible, doing a great job, and always a tidy job, leaving the site impeccable.

“I tell my colleagues, a customer will always pay you for a good job, that’s the deal, but the way you conduct yourself, how you leave the site afterwards, that’s what gets you the recommendations to other customers.”

You can find out more about Julian Barclay’s complete landscaping and tree surgery business by going to www.julianbarclay.com or by checking out their Facebook page.

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Invitation to local seniors

Deeside Gliding Club has launched a Community Volunteer Scheme.

The scheme is aimed at the recently retired who would be interested in helping the club out, just a few days per month over the summer, and a free membership of the club to local senior people is offered in return.

The club would like assistance with flying log keeping, mowing the grass – tractor provided – minor DIY, helping to launch gliders, welcoming visitors and many other tasks.

David Innes, who deals with the club’s public relations, said: “We will invite people with any interest and talent, ability or interest in our activities to join us.

“It provides a good outlet for talents which otherwise might go wasted, gives people a chance to try a new sport at little cost, and allows people to develop a further circle of friends.”

In return the club offers free membership, (worth £220 pa), copious free tea and coffee, a warm friendly atmosphere, full use of clubhouse facilities, and training for all tasks.

And flying, accompanied by an instructor, at a world-renowned club, with scenery second to none (though it’s not compulsory!)

Participants can learn to fly, or just enjoy the local scenery from above, at normal club rates; a typical flight would be £25 to £30.

The club sees this as another way for it to give something back to the local community – it also gives some memberships as prizes to local charities.

More info at cvs@deesideglidingclub. co.uk or call Bob on 01339 320023.

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Twinned Towns Links with French town take many forms, writes Maureen Forsyth Entering the village on the A93, signs at the side of the road announce that Aboyne is twinned with Martignas-sur-Jalle, a town close to Bordeaux in the south-west of France. It is now seven years since the link was formalised and since then steady progress has been made in developing the friendship.

Groups from Martignas have visited Aboyne at the time of the Games and we have visited Martignas at the time of the wine festival in Bordeaux and from these visits informal visits have taken place. Orienteers led the way, taking part in meets both in Deeside and national events. Maroc, the Deeside orienteers, went to France and acquitted themselves with honour there. This July another group of roughly 15 orienteers from Martignas are being hosted by families in the Maroc club while they participate in the Scottish 6-Day orienteering event.

From 5-8th May this year a group of 19 children and seven adults will be hosted by the Upper Deeside U-14 rugby team and plans are already afoot for a reciprocal visit. The French boys are excited about experiencing the Scottish way of life – and playing rugby here too!

Please do come and support the two teams during their training and matches at the Upper Deeside rugby pitches at Woodend, Banchory.

Individual visits have also been arranged. Two years ago a French girl spent two months working in the Corner Shop and a girl from Aboyne has worked with youngsters in Martignas. In both the Primary school and the Academy a shield, presented by the ATA, is awarded to a pupil who has shown special aptitude in French.

Local Government reorganisation in France has strengthened links between Martignas and Bordeaux and as a result visitors to Bordeaux may find themselves riding on a tram named ‘Aboyne’ and carrying the Lion Rampant.

It is a great joy to have made friendships in this way and it offers an opportunity for all in the Aboyne area to get to know the people and the area of Martignas. If you plan a visit to the south-west of France, let us know and we will try to link you up with someone there. It is not essential to speak French either – conversations still happen!

If you would like further information about our twinning link, please contact Maureen Forsyth, 013398 86704 or email moforsyth@gmail.com.

23

As Winter Turns To Spring...

Go For Gold’s Simon Sawers knows when he’s beat Well, what an unusual winter we’re having! There is virtually no snow in the hills and the poor ski centres are really suffering this year. We’ve had quite a lot of sun and the spring bulbs are a little ahead of their usual timetable.

However, I recently attempted the Munros of Driesh and Mayar which are accessed from Glen Doll as these are good winter hills, but happened upon a day when there was a lot of snow underfoot.

So much so that I was floundering through knee deep white stuff for long periods and then as I ascended, the crust on top sometimes took my weight and sometimes didn’t, and then as I got higher still it turned into a hard slippery surface requiring ice axe and crampons.

All this hard work took me far longer than planned and by the time I had got to the top of the Kilbo Path I was in the clouds and couldn’t distinguish between snow and fresh air! So I turned around.

The moral of this little story is to know when to turn around. Accidents happen when a number of factors combine when each factor, if occurring on its own, would be fairly innocuous.

The factors in this case were; a late start and taking longer than planned due to the heavy conditions, being tired, again due to the heavy conditions, very poor visibility, walking on steep slippery hard snow, short winter days, and being on my own (although being tracked by a SPOT satellite device). Knowing when to turn around is critical – the aim of the day is to get back home safely. The summit is not the aim – in fact, reaching the summit is only half of your day!

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Enough of that! Spring is just around the corner and with the lack of winter snow, we will soon be able to easily get quite high and enjoy longer days in the hills. So this is the time to check your kit, get the maps out, perhaps refresh your hills skills – consider attending a course, get fitter, make arrangements with your friends and put dates into your diaries! We are about to change the clocks to summer time, or already have done so by the time you read this, so get energised and get out there!

As a postscript, you may have heard about the Tarland Trails proposal to create a large network of mountain bike trails on the southeast side of Pressendye with access from near Queen’s View. Tarland Trails has already established walking and mountain biking trails in the area and has a good track record of delivering community developments. This new scheme sounds quite good and they are currently going through a process of consulting all interested parties and so if you are a hillwalker, horse rider, mountain biker, runner, orienteer, hunter/shooter/ fisher, or other interested party then you may wish to get in touch with them.

Enjoy your Spring in the hills, and be safe!

This is the fifth in a series of articles about hillwalking. Simon Sawers is an avid hillwalker having completed all the Munros and is a qualified Mountain Leader. He runs Go for Gold! Expeditions providing Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and Golf DofE residentials for young people. www.goforgoldexpeditions.co.uk

Photo: Simon Sawers

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Carpets Karndean & Wooden Flooring Vinyl Blinds Quality Fabric Handmade to Measure Curtains Cushions by Voyage Beds & Bedding Log Baskets & Companion Sets Haberdashery Station Square, Ballater, AB35 5RB www.edwardjemsliecarpets.co.uk

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013397 55005 info@tedemslie.com

Ruth Emslie appeals for more volunteers to assist with a life-saving service Defibrillators – they have been growing in number in Deeside these past couple of years. These machines, and oxygen therapy too, are essential in providing early intervention in situations such as heart or asthma attack, before the professional ambulance crew arrives.

Tarland & Mid-Deeside Community First Responders are the volunteers who respond to medical emergencies in your area, while the ambulance is on its way. They are trained by the Scottish Ambulance Service, and are a small, dedicated volunteer group who would like to increase their volunteer pool with new members.

Currently, TMDCFR sign up to a monthly rota, and it is up to each individual to decide the dates and times. Usually working in pairs, some manage to be on duty several times a week, day and night, others might commit to one shift a week – the choice is up to each volunteer. Once fully trained,

TMDCFR and Heartstart Grampian are currently running free training sessions at Aboyne Community Centre where you will learn about: • dealing with an unconscious person • the signs and symptoms of a heart attack • recognising a cardiac arrest and performing CPR • dealing with choking • dealing with serious bleeding They will take place on the evenings of April 3 and May 8 from 7-9pm.

To book your place on this popular course, phone 013398 85222. there is further obligatory monthly training, and an annual assessment by Scottish Ambulance Service.

The aim is to provide 24-hour coverage every day of every week of every month of the year. To join your local Responders, you must be fit, aged 18 and over, preferably with a current valid driving licence, and available to take up duty each month. You are invited to get in touch and see if this is something you can get involved with.

Respond now! Go to the SAS website: www.scottishambulance.com or email: tmdcfr@gmail.com

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Councillors'

Contacts

Cllr Peter Argyle

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

These are your Ward 15 councillors

Cllr Geva Blackett

01339 741541 07876 475269 cllr.g.blackett@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Orienteering Time to get involved in the Scottish 6 Days, writes Patricia Graham

Preparations are now well under way for the Scottish Orienteering 6 Days Festival which is coming to Royal Deeside for 2017. The event has already received almost 2,000 entries from as far away as Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong as well as all over Europe and Scandinavia.

Mar Orienteering Club is very much looking forward to welcoming athletes and their families to Royal Deeside, showcasing the fantastic terrain and stunning scenery.

Each day sees orienteering action in locations stretching from Aboyne right up to Braemar.

Kicking off on 30 July with Day 1 being held in beautiful Glen Tanar. This area was

Local Government Elections will take place on Thursday, 4 May, to elect councillors to all 19 wards in the Aberdeenshire Council area. Voting will take place between 7am and 10pm for all registered voters over the age of 16. The deadline for applying to vote at these elections is 5pm on Monday, 17 April. You can register to vote online or get further information by visiting the Electoral Registration Officer’s website. Nominations for those who wish to stand in any Aberdeenshire Council ward must be received no later than 4pm on Wednesday, 29 March.

one of the first maps for Mar Orienteering Club, dating back to 1977. The area was previously used for the Scottish 6 Days in 1983 and 1993, more recently Glen Tanar was used to stage selection races for the World Orienteering Championships 2015.

Local areas at Forest of Birse and Birsemore Hill are being used on Days 2 and 3, then events move up the valley to Creag Choinnich in Braemar for Day 4 and impressive Glen Feardar, near Ballater, will host Days 5 and 6.

In the run-up to the event, Mar Orienteering Club coaches are carrying out after-school coaching sessions beginning in March. These will be held in Banchory, Aboyne and Ballater and further information is available on the club website www.marocscotland.org.uk.

Further information on the Scottish 6 Days Orienteering Festival is available at www.scottish6days.com/2017 or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

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From Batman and Robin... to Spamalot!

Upstage Productions needs you, says Steven Lindsay

Firstly, thanks to those readers who came to see Upstage Productions’ Batman and Robin the Panto last December, which was great fun and well received by audiences, cast and crew.

While planning this year’s panto, we have very exciting plans for the musical production we are putting on in early summer 2018 and need your help... We are looking for energetic and enthusiastic ladies and gents to join us on stage in our next show, the multiaward winning musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot.

Some of you may think “I couldn’t do that” or “I’ve not performed on stage”, but please be aware that three-quarters of our cast had no stage experience before joining in and getting involved.

So, we’re asking ladies and gents to join us on our quest to find the cast and chorus for King Arthur and his “Knights of the Round Table”.

For more information, please email upstageproductions2013@gmail.com or call us on 07743 857497. Please join us – no stage experience needed, just bring bags of enthusiasm!

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Pittendreigh Property Maintenance

HATE IRONING? Is it too tiring, too boring or simply just too much?

Fiddly shirts or never-ending duvets?

Interior/Exterior Painting . Guttering Pointing . Slating . Etc . Free quotes 013398 82906 / 07584 137123 derekpittendreigh@btinternet.com

Whether you have just got back from holiday with a mountain to get through, or you just feel that life is too short to spend it ironing!

Call Jackie on 013398 81589 or 07947 650597 and let me do it for you!!

Reasonable rates, references available Collection and delivery negotiable

Into Spring!

Classic Abode’s Moira Gash tells you how to bring instant kerb appeal to your winter-tired garden...

First impressions count, so make sure your garden is appealing and well kept. Trimming the hedge, tugging out weeds, sweeping the path and removing any rubbish that has blown in from the road will make a massive difference.

Flaky paint will make a garden seem shabby, so if necessary treat walls, fences or gates to a fresh coat. Finish by squirting a few drops of oil into the hinges of your gate to eliminate unwelcoming, piercing squeaks.

Although a lawn is considered the most desirable garden feature a patio or place to sit is not far behind, so make sure you keep this weed and clutter free.

Dull gardens can be given an instant pick-me-up by filling containers with seasonal bedding plants bought from the garden centre or nursery. Placed near the door, on windowsills or in a spot on the patio where they can be seen easily from the house, colourful containers will add a homely touch and a bit of cheer – If you do grow plants in containers, make sure they are healthy and replace any that are on their last legs.

You could also consider hanging baskets, which will help to break up the monotony of walls or draw attention away from ugly finishes. Follow these few simple tips to create garden kerb appeal. www.classicabode.co.uk

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For all your Garden & Landscaping Projects & Maintenance

www.classicabode.co.uk

. Members of The Gardeners Guild . Bradstone Assured Contractor . Trades Advisor Awards Winner . . Free Estimates . Friendly & Professional Service .

Moira: 013398 82496

Royal British Legion Ramsay Road Banchory

Tuesdays 5.30 & 7.30pm

Victory Hall Ballater Road Aboyne

Thursdays 5.30 & 7.30pm

Contact Nicola 013398 80486

K&A ANDERSON LONEWELL GARAGE • ALFORD

WE HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF MOWERS AND RIDE ON MOWERS IN STOCK ANY MAKE SUPPLIED * HONDA * ALKO * CASTEL GARDEN * HAYER * LAWN KING * LAWN FLITE * AT VERY COMPETITIVE PRICES WE ALSO STOCK A GOOD SELECTION OF * STRIMMERS * CHAINSAWS * LOG SPLITTERS * ROTOVATORS * SCARIFIERS

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SECO NDHA M N TAKE OWERS D N IN P EXCH ANGEART

Counting Blessings Churches’ Letter

Dear Friends, Spring is a season that seems full of promise. You can sense the warmth in the air, see the trees in bud, and hear the birds singing. The future seems full of possibilities.

In our church year we are about to enter the season of Lent – not something which is normally associated with positivity. If most people were asked about Lent, they would probably speak of ‘giving something up’ – wine or chocolate, or some other luxury item. It’s meant to be a symbol that this time is about concentrating not on our wants, but on the needs of others around us.

Lent isn’t really about giving something up, but about taking something up. This is a season to look at our lives, and where they are going. Whether you are a Christian or not, it does no harm to spend time focusing

Alpha Course Aboyne-Dinnet Church

Aboyne-Dinnet Church is going to run an Alpha Course starting 18 April 2017.

Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone is welcome. No two Alphas look the same, but generally they have three key things in common: food, a talk and good conversation.

The evenings will start with refreshments such as tea, coffee and home baking giving everyone the opportunity to have some very informal chat and to get to know each other. After approximately 20 minutes the group will watch a video. These videos deal with the big questions around faith and unpack the basics of Christianity, addressing

on such things. Looking at other people, and on how we can help the world around us and the community in which we live. The atmosphere in today’s world seems to be one which breeds hate and injustice. There is a focus on the things that divide us, not those things which unite us. What is your focus? Is it on self, or on others? What are the principles which guide your life? And do they work for the good of all, or not? Do you follow blindly where others lead, or do you stop and question, pause and reflect?

Justice and equality, hope, joy and love, start with our own lives and how we treat others.

Lent is also a time when, in our churches, we remember the story of Jesus, and what we believe about him. As Christians, we believe that Jesus was the Son of God. That he was sent to earth to help us, to teach us, to spend time with us. That he was accused of crimes he didn’t commit, and was put to death on a cross. But we also believe that he rose from the dead, and is with us topics from Who is Jesus? and How can we have faith? to Why and how do I pray? and How does God guide us?

The presenters are very relaxed and down to earth, with a good sense of humour. Most of the DVDs are 30 minutes long. Once the film has ended, we split into small groups to give everyone the chance to explore the topic further.

The first night on 18 April asks the question Is there more to life than this? You are most welcome to come along and join us, look and see what’s on offer and if it’s for you, then please sign up for the rest of the course. There is no charge.

The venue for our Alpha Course will be the church on Huntly Road, Aboyne, AB34 5HE. The course will run over 11 weeks, each Tuesday evening between 7.30-9.30pm.

We very much hope to meet you there, Aboyne-Dinnet Church Alpha Team

now. That’s what we celebrate at Easter, and that’s where those delicious Easter eggs come in. Eggs from the outside look cold and dead, but inside an egg holds the promise of life.

As you enjoy spring in this beautiful part of the country, as you look forward to Easter eggs on Easter morning, hold in your mind that promise of new life and new hope. Remember that there is always the possibility of joy and peace – and that it begins with us.

We wish you hope, peace and joy this Easter. Please do feel free to join us at any of our events over the coming time. It would be great to have you share with us.

With every blessing, Rev’d Vittoria Hancock, St Thomas’ Episcopal Church; Rev’d Frank Ribbons, Aboyne-Dinnet Church of Scotland; Father Chris Brannan, St Margaret’s RC Church

Dates for the Diary 9th April, 6pm, ‘The Saviour’ by William Lloyd Webber, sung by St Thomas’ Augmented Choir.

Maundy Thursday, 13th April, 7.30pm Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar, St Thomas’ Good Friday, 14th April, 2-3 Service of prayers and readings, St Thomas’ Good Saturday, 6.30pm Easter Vigil and Bonfire, Aboyne-Dinnet Church, followed by refreshments Easter Sunday, 11.15am, Easter Communion, St Thomas’, followed by Easter egg hunt

St Thomas’s News with Vittoria Hancock

Christmas at St Thomas’s started with our Christingle service at the start of December, when we were joined by the local Brownies and Scouts. The theme of the service was ‘Angels’ – our Rector, Vittoria turned up dressed in angel outfit, complete with flashing halo!

After Lent comes Easter, and we’re looking forward to our joint Easter bonfire, when we light the Easter candle and remember Jesus as light of the world. This year the Aboyne-Dinnet church will be hosting us. We will start in the grounds of the church by lighting the bonfire on Easter Saturday at 6.30pm, before going into the church for a short service. After that we head back outside for refreshments over the bonfire. All ages are welcome to join us.

On Easter Sunday we have our family communion service at 11.15am in St Thomas’, with activities for children of all ages, finishing with an Easter egg hunt in the grounds. Feel free to come and join us as we celebrate.

Time to Spend a Penny We are now entering Lent, and our Lent project at St Thomas’ is ‘Toilet Twinning’.

We are hoping to twin our eco-composting loo at the church with a block of toilets in a developing country.

Toilet twinning helps provide resources to build loos, produce a supply of fresh water, and teach about hygiene. A block of toilets in a school or resettlement camp costs £240... and helps the health and safety of those who use them.

When our loo is twinned, we will be sent a picture of it, with the GPS coordinates, so that we can look it up on the map!

If anyone is interested in joining us in this, or twinning their own loo at home, please contact the Rector, Vittoria Hancock, on 013397 55919.

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Club Directory

This directory is compiled using Aberdeenshire Council’s website information. Thank you!

If you know or discover any of the details to be incorrect, or if you wish to add your club’s details to it, please get in touch.

ABOYNE

1st Aboyne Brownies Anne Silcock, 013398 86332 annefiona@aol.com1s 1st Aboyne Cubs Bernie Cassie, 013398 85390 bmkh67@yahoo.co.uk 1staboynescoutgroup.org.uk/ Badminton Club Richard Seeber, 013398 89307 rseeber861@gmail.com www.aboynebadminton.org.uk Canoe Club Chris Redmond, 013398 86241 aboynecanoeclub@gmail.com aboynecanoeclub.co.uk/ Garden Club Jim Campbell, 013398 85511 campbej9@yahoo.co.uk Golf Club Allan Taylor , 013398 86328 aboynegolfclub@btconnect.com www.aboynegolfclub.co.uk Judo Club James McBeath, 013398 86049 mjmcbeath@btinternet.com Library Book Group Fiona Robertson, 013398 86004 aboyne.library@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Mother & Toddler Group Friday, 10am-11.30am Deeside Community Centre aboynetoddlers@hotmail.co.uk

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Ladies Probus Club Barbara Thompson, 013398 83303 bathompson@btinternet.com Probus Club Eddy Horton aboyne_probus_sec@btinternet.com Rotary Club of Aboyne & U-Deeside Dr Douglas Riach, 013398 85488 douglas.riach@btinternet.com Scottish Country Dancing Ruth Housden, 013398 81613 thousden@gotadsl.co.uk Sub Aqua Club Gary Shire, 07443439453 gary_shire@yahoo.co.uk Sooyang Do Martial Art Colleen McIver, 07889850229 colleen_mciver@msn.com Also in Torphins Tennis Club aboynetennis@gmail.com Twinning Association Maureen Forsyth, 013398 86704 moforsyth@gmail.com Deeside Camera Club David Packer, 01330822666 davidpacker00@gmail.com www.deesidecameraclub.org/ Deeside Gliding Club Glen Douglas, 013398 85339 office@deesideglidingclub.co.uk www.deesideglidingclub.co.uk Aboyne Highland Games Morag McBeath, 013398 86049 morag.mcbeath@btinternet.com

OUTWITH

Cromar & District Horticultural Society Mrs Jess Gibb, 013398 81277 Cromar Future Group Lesley Ellis, 01339 880062 info@futuregroup.org.uk futuregroup.org.uk/ Cromar History Group Lesley Ellis, 01339 880062 info@cromarhistorygroup.org.uk www.cromarhistorygroup.org.uk

Finzean SWRI Louise Counsell, 01330 850323 louisecounsell@ymail.com Lumphanan Golf Club Joyce Wilson, 013398 83480 secretary@lumphanangolfclub.co.uk www.lumphanangolfclub.co.uk Lumphanan Whist Club Irene Thomson, 013398 83365 Tarland Curling Club Lesley Farquharson, 013398 81534 Tarland Golf Club Carole Foreman, 013398 81000 secretary@tarlandgolfclub.co.uk www.tarlandgolfclub.co.uk Tarland Playgroup 013398 81193 tarland.playgroup@gmail.com Tuesday Stravaigers (Walks) Anne Heath, 013398 81558 abheath@hotmail.com Upper Deeside Art Society Rona Mitchell udasmemsec@btinternet.com www.udas.org.uk/ Boulers o’ Birse boulersobirse@gmail.com Winter: 10-12 Saturdays, Birse & Feughside Church, Finzean. Come the lighter nights we revert to Tuesday evenings.

Index

of

Advertisers

to help you find who Aaron Prop Services 28 Abs Electrical Servs 9 Brenda Twigger Yoga 22 Cairngorm Crafts 22 Classic Abode 32 Commercial Hotel 40 Concept Wetrooms 25 DWR Architecture 33 Edward J Emslie 26 Elma’s Aromatherapy 28 First Domestics 4 Flame Boilers 10 Fraser Taxi 13 Gerry Robb 8 Highland Glen Spas 7 Hilltrek 9 India On The Green 39

36 Jackie Davies 26/31 jenflo Hypnotherapy 28 John Troup 11 Julian Barclay 19 K&A Anderson 33 Peterculter Pharmacy 37 Pittendreigh Prop.

31 River Fellowship 31 Rory Finlayson 17 S Anderson Fabrication 12 Slimming World 33 Speedwell Framing 21 Strachan’s 2 Thistle Takeaway 4 Tornaveen Plumbing 11 Total Building Services 13 Twisted System 4 Wee Jim Firewood 21 World Horse Welfare 14

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The Fountain represents a unique opportunity for you to promote your business to a targetted area at reasonable cost. Ad rates start at £25 for a quarter page.

1,200 copies are distributed around many prominent spots in the local community and within businesses willing to stock it. A further 600 are put through doors in the village.

Geographically it covers Aboyne and the surrounding areas – from Dinnet to Kincardine O’Neil, from Dess to Finzean, inc Tarland & Lumphanan.

Additional exposure will be given to advertisers and supporters through a Facebook page and a related website. If you would like to advertise your business/venture in The Fountain, get in touch. Prices and copy dates are listed below; 10% discount on four issues.

Advertising space is also available in our Alford publication, The BULLetin, at the same rates

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Deadline Publication Summer May 24 Jun 15 Autumn Sept 15 Oct 6 Winter Nov 10 Dec 1 Spring Feb 23 Mar 16 Get ahead. Get in.

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The Commercial TARLAND

At The Commercial, ‘big chain’ mentality is definitely ‘off ’ the menu.

Instead, you will find an intriguing mix of Scottish regional cuisine and modern international classics, all prepared in-house using the best of available regional produce.

The full menu, along with snacks and light meals, is available all day, and a children’s menu is also available with under-2s eating free.

Warm, friendly service in the newly refurbished restaurant, cosy lounge bar or attractive beer garden ensures The Commercial is one not to be missed.

We are situated just a five-minute drive from the A93 at Aboyne or why not stroll the new ‘Tarland Way’ walk then relax and enjoy a meal or light refreshment?

Food Served Daily 12 til 9pm Sunday Roast £12.95 Group Bookings and Private Functions Welcome Book Now for Easter: April 14th-17th

013398 81922

www.thecommercial-hotel.co.uk