numbers for your noticeboard pitmedden t h e p n e slet … · following patching/repairs in order...

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28 NUMBERS FOR YOUR NOTICEBOARD LOCAL SERVICES Local Councillor Paul Johnson 01651 851198 Udny & Pitmedden Church. Rev. Regine Cheyne 01651 842052 Pitmedden Primary School Christian Henderson 01651 842374 Udny Green Primary School Susan Hogg 01651 842376 Pitmedden Village Hall Kathleen Wilkie (Bookings only) 01651 842929 Dr Spence (Udny Green) Hall Bill Shewan 01651 842346 Haddo Medical Group 01651 843468 NHS 24 08454 242424 Castle Veterinary Centre 01358 720223 Dog Warden 01467 628195 LOCAL CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS Pitmedden Bowling Club 01651 842652 Pitmedden Playgroup Jillian & Pam 01651 843075 / 851376 Pitmedden 2s Group Jillian & Pam 01651 843075 / 851376 Pitmedden Mothers and Toddlers Andrew & Marion 01651 842284 / 843652 Udny Tennis Club Diana Benzie 07810 258149 Formartine Sports Development Colin Grant 01651 842997 Boy’s Brigade 1st Udny Andy Burslem 01651 842092 Rainbows 1st Udny Marion / Leslie 01651 843004 / 843175 Rainbows 1st Udny Station Susan / Jillian 01651 842594 / 843075 Brownies 1st Udny Susan / Jillian 01651 842594 / 843075 Brownies 1st Udny Station Gillian / Jillian 01358 711736 / 01651 843075 Guides Kate Tannock 01651 842320 First Responders Jim Young 01651 843021 LOCAL SHOPS and BUSINESSES Linsmohr Hotel Bill Berry 01651 842214 Mosshead General Store & P.O. George Stephen 01651 842253 Building Contractors Richard Eaton 07714 755323 / 01651 842168 Udny Building Services Derek Cowe 0771 0662559 / 01651 842006 Ian Fraser (Painter & Decorator) Ian Fraser 01651 842006 Aberdeenshire Larder 01358 727850 The Flower Shop 01358 720401 Chiropodist Douglas Leal 01358 742620 John’s Taxis 07880 600979 / 01651 842893 Electrical Contractor Peter Hardy 07909 517119 / 01358 721742 Electrical Contractor K.F. Watson 07713 979837 / 01358 789739 Fraser Memorials Moira 01651 842540 Satori Martial Arts David Mutch 01651 842931 Udny Station Hotel Gordon & Eileen Andrew 01651 842216 PITMEDDEN NEWS CONTACTS Editor - Alun Walker 01651 842078 E-mail [email protected] WEB SITE (temp) www.pitmedden.wordpress.com PITMEDDEN NEWS THE VOICE OF UDNY T h e N e s l e t t e r o f t h e w w w . p i t m e d d e n n e w s . c o m P a r i h o f U d n y O n l i n e E d i t i o n a t Issue #295 Summer 2010 As we went to press we learnt that the National Appeals Panel has ruled to allow Semple and Semple, a pharmacy company from Gourock, to open a premises in Tarves. The most significant result of this decision is that Haddo Med. and Udny Station patients will almost certainly no longer be able to pick up prescriptions at the practice following consultation, but will instead have to travel to Old Meldrum, Tarves or Ellon to receive their prescriptions. See James Semple’s press release on p2. This, apparently, is seen as an advance by Scotland’s Pharmacy industry, although the questionnaire commissioned by Udny, Tarves and Methlick Community Councils suggests that the local population sees it rather differently. About 96% of respondents stated that they preferred the practice to retain its right to dispense. The questionnaire results as submitted to the Pharmacy Practices committee (PPC) and then, with difficulty, to the National Appeal Panel (NAP) can be found on the PNews website (Our thanks to Brian McDougall for making it available). Fortunately, it doesn’t happen every time he goes for his double vision medicine... Medical Practices to lose dispensing rights? [continued on page 2]

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Page 1: NUMBERS FOR YOUR NOTICEBOARD PITMEDDEN T h e P N e slet … · following patching/repairs in order to make the surface last better and longer. Pitmedden School Repairs to a classroom

28

NUMBERS FOR YOUR NOTICEBOARD

LOCAL SERVICES

Local Councillor Paul Johnson 01651 851198Udny & Pitmedden Church. Rev. Regine Cheyne 01651 842052Pitmedden Primary School Christian Henderson 01651 842374Udny Green Primary School Susan Hogg 01651 842376Pitmedden Village Hall Kathleen Wilkie (Bookings only) 01651 842929Dr Spence (Udny Green) Hall Bill Shewan 01651 842346Haddo Medical Group 01651 843468NHS 24 08454 242424Castle Veterinary Centre 01358 720223Dog Warden 01467 628195

LOCAL CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS

Pitmedden Bowling Club 01651 842652 Pitmedden Playgroup Jillian & Pam 01651 843075 / 851376Pitmedden 2s Group Jillian & Pam 01651 843075 / 851376Pitmedden Mothers and Toddlers Andrew & Marion 01651 842284 / 843652Udny Tennis Club Diana Benzie 07810 258149Formartine Sports Development Colin Grant 01651 842997Boy’s Brigade 1st Udny Andy Burslem 01651 842092Rainbows 1st Udny Marion / Leslie 01651 843004 / 843175Rainbows 1st Udny Station Susan / Jillian 01651 842594 / 843075Brownies 1st Udny Susan / Jillian 01651 842594 / 843075Brownies 1st Udny Station Gillian / Jillian 01358 711736 / 01651 843075Guides Kate Tannock 01651 842320First Responders Jim Young 01651 843021

LOCAL SHOPS and BUSINESSES

Linsmohr Hotel Bill Berry 01651 842214Mosshead General Store & P.O. George Stephen 01651 842253Building Contractors Richard Eaton 07714 755323 / 01651 842168Udny Building Services Derek Cowe 0771 0662559 / 01651 842006Ian Fraser (Painter & Decorator) Ian Fraser 01651 842006Aberdeenshire Larder 01358 727850The Flower Shop 01358 720401Chiropodist Douglas Leal 01358 742620John’s Taxis 07880 600979 / 01651 842893Electrical Contractor Peter Hardy 07909 517119 / 01358 721742Electrical Contractor K.F. Watson 07713 979837 / 01358 789739Fraser Memorials Moira 01651 842540Satori Martial Arts David Mutch 01651 842931Udny Station Hotel Gordon & Eileen Andrew 01651 842216

PITMEDDEN NEWS CONTACTS

Editor - Alun Walker 01651 842078

E-mail [email protected]

WEB SITE (temp) www.pitmedden.wordpress.com

PITMEDDEN

NEWS THE VOICE

OF UDNY

The

Ne sletter of the

ww

w.pitmeddennews.

com

Pari h of Udny

Online Editio

n

at

Issue #295Summer2010

As we went to press we learnt that the National Appeals Panel has ruled to allow Semple and Semple, a pharmacy company from Gourock, to open a premises in Tarves.

The most significant result of this decision is that Haddo Med. and Udny Station patients will almost certainly no longer be able to pick up prescriptions at the practice following consultation, but will instead have to travel to Old Meldrum, Tarves or Ellon to receive their prescriptions. See James Semple’s press release on p2.

This, apparently, is seen as an advance by Scotland’s Pharmacy industry, although the questionnaire commissioned by Udny, Tarves and Methlick Community Councils suggests that the local population sees it rather differently. About 96% of respondents stated that they

preferred the practice to retain its right to dispense.

The questionnaire results as submitted to the Pharmacy Practices committee (PPC) and then, with difficulty, to the National Appeal Panel (NAP) can be found on the PNews website (Our thanks to Brian McDougall for making it available).

Fortunately, it doesn’t happen

every time he goes for his

double vision medicine...

Medical Practices to lose dispensing rights?

[continued on page 2]

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[Continues from front page] The three Community Councils have put an extraordinary amount of time and effort into representing the views of the people first to the PPC which rejected the application, and then to the NAP, which allowed it.

It has been a difficult road. We might have hoped for more out of our Executive-level politicians, from the First Minister down. Unfortunately that has amounted to little more than expressions of good wishes. That’s perhaps not surprising, as the move toward “Community Pharmacies” is said to originate from Holyrood.

The NAP does not consider the local people affected by its decision (or their representatives) to be statutory consultees, and so was not interested in the results of the questionnaire. The Chair of the Panel confirmed that, in terms of the Regulations, there is no onus on the Panel to have

regard to any responses received following consultation.In the end it had to be submitted through the Medical Practices representative. The Community

Councils had no right of attendance, and were not present at the appeal hearing in their own right.The hearing itself was conducted in secret. No observers were permitted, and therefore we at PNews cannot report the logical processes by which the NAP justified its demonstrable disregard of the population’s views.

To date, we have not heard whether the decision is reversible. Semple & Semple’s application had to be

approved on the basis of being “necessary and desirable”, although “to whom” is not specified. It is almost a forgone conclusion that the Tarves pharmacy will receive less use from patients than Haddo Med. has done for its dispensing service, and in time we are likely to be able to prove that.

Medical Practices to lose dispensing rights?

James Semple

2

The Community Council’s of Methlick, Tarves as well as Udny have taken a joint approach in representing residents views on the Pharmacy issue. Udny Community Council are continuing to assist in organising what can be done to help. Meetings are being sought with the Haddo Medical Practice and the 3 Community Councils will be letting NHS Grampian know they are opposed to withdrawing dispensing rights from Methlick and Pitmedden surgeries, now permission has been granted for the Pharmacy at Tarves.

27

Fairtrade Coffee morningSaturday 11th September

Hosted by Beth Bruce-Gardner

“Beth is well known for producing delicious foodand it will be a coffee morning to savour

while enjoying good company in a lovely setting.”

Friendly Food CompanyGreenspot

Greenspot is about 3 miles from

Oldmeldrum on the Banff road

More details on the web site nearer the eventhttp://laverock.net/fairtrade/index.htm

Orange mobile phonesTo all Orange mobile phone users - if you live within the village and have tried to use your mobile phone you will have discovered that there is no signal. For those of you who have not already done so the number to call is 150 to register your complaint (when, of course, you are outside the village and are getting a signal) If you wish to register a complaint using a landline it will be charged but the number you require is 07973 100 150. I must warn you now that this will take some time and patience as it took me 25 minutes in total to find a number for them, get through to the right person and then register my complaint. When you do get through the department you need is handset faults and the mast you wish to complain about is GRM 7028.

This has been down since at least the 2nd of June and you can, and should, be due a rebate on your bill so please ask for it - preferably using your mobile as it is a free service that way.

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26

Shire NewsRoad RepairsRoad repairs delaying people on the road to Tarves from Pitmedden are due to unexpected emergency drainage works on the verge. They have to be done when patching is also taking place.Surface ChipsLarge sections of the B999 are being done with surface chips following patching/repairs in order to make the surface last better and longer. Pitmedden SchoolRepairs to a classroom at Pitmedden Primary school have been cancelled for this summer due to new problems with the flat roof. Officials are now asking for new tenders for a larger roof project to make bigger repairs.Council SpendingWarnings About Council spending cuts have been made by all local Councillors. It s expected this will mean reductions of 10% plus each year for 3 years. Which services will be affected as not been decided yet. My priorities will be saving Social Care of the elderly and young.

Cllr Paul Johnston (851198)

3

National Appeal Panel (NAP) Decision: Tarves Pharmacy

Press release:Press release:Press release:Press release:The applicants are delighted that the NAP has upheld the appeal against the decision of the NHS Board to refuse our application to provide a *full *pharmaceutical service to the villages of Tarves, Pitmedden and Methlick. The controversy surrounding this application has been regrettable, but we would reiterate our position that there will be no negative effect on General Medical Services in the area. The loss of an inferior dispensing service will be more than compensated for by the gain of a full pharmaceutical service.

With regard to the villages of Methlick and Pitmedden, we would encourage the Grampian NHS Board to allow residents access to the full range of pharmaceutical services which will be provided a short distance away in Tarves, and we are happy to reassure residents of these villages that arrangements can be made to give ease of access to these services to residents without private transport, or who have difficulty using public transport.

We sincerely hope that with the matter now settled, we can build bridges with those who have opposed the opening of a pharmacy so that patients can enjoy the same primary care medical service, with the community pharmacist and GP complementing each other's unique skills, as is available to the vast majority of the Scotland's population. Ends.

Pharmacy Decision

Local Councillor Paul Johnston Writes:Semple and Semple have asked for the NHS Grampian to ‘allow’ residents to use them by removing dispensing facilities at all three surgeries including Pitmedden . Pitmedden residents may wish to make their views known to NHS Grampain. Please write to: NHS Pharmacy Committee /Primary Care Contracts Team Westholme ,Woodend Hospital Queens Road, Aberdeen, AB15 6LSPlease ask for the dispensing of medicines for Udny residents to continue at the Pitmedden surgery and not be withdrawn.

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Bird Report I should like to begin this month with a wee comment/observation about our esteemed Editor’s Editorial comments in the last Pitmedden News, No. 294, and in particular his very obvious ability? And prowess? At counting!According to Alun’s calculations I’m delighted to find that I am, apparently, only 44 years of age!? Now this does pose two questions, namely: 1. Where did the other 26 years disappear? And 2. Does our Editor require new spectacles!? But yes, I remember Pitmedden News No.1 very well and my first Bird Report for it was entitled ‘Summer Visitors’. Ay, the years pass by at an ever-increasing speed! The set-aside field here at Mossies which, over the past nine to ten years I have written so much about, sadly no longer exists, instead it is now growing a flourishing crop of oilseed rape. Now whilst the variety/range of birds which can now be seen in or over it has unquestionably reduced quite considerably there is still much to be seen as I have my daily morning constitutional around it margins! With the rape now in flower, as well as providing shelter for many of the indigenous resident creatures such as Pheasants and Roe deer, it also of course provides a food source for many insects and bees. This in turn becomes an equally handy food source for some of our birds, for example our recently returned Swallows and House Martins, they can regularly be seen skimming and hawking low over the yellow flower heads. I have also noticed that the oilseed plant is being used for an additional purpose by another two of our summer visitors that is as a song-perch, the Sedge Warbler and the Whitethroat making almost constant use of it for this reason. But the greatest surprise I had one morning as I was making my way along my well-worn path between

the field and the plantation happened on the 4th May – a black bird rose from out amongst the rape and flew into a nearby tree! Now at first I did just think that it was indeed a Blackbird, Turdus merula, but then as it turned to face me I was very pleasantly surprised and pleased to see that it

COPY DEADLINES

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Pitm edden news is

August, Novem ber,

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of each

m onth

Ellon: 01358 789739Abdn: 01224 566450

Email: [email protected]

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4 25

Bird Report I should like to begin this month with a wee comment/observation about our esteemed Editor’s Editorial comments in the last Pitmedden News, No. 294, and in particular his very obvious ability? And prowess? At counting!According to Alun’s calculations I’m delighted to find that I am, apparently, only 44 years of age!? Now this does pose two questions, namely: 1. Where did the other 26 years disappear? And 2. Does our Editor require new spectacles!? But yes, I remember Pitmedden News No.1 very well and my first Bird Report for it was entitled ‘Summer Visitors’. Ay, the years pass by at an ever-increasing speed! The set-aside field here at Mossies which, over the past nine to ten years I have written so much about, sadly no longer exists, instead it is now growing a flourishing crop of oilseed rape. Now whilst the variety/range of birds which can now be seen in or over it has unquestionably reduced quite considerably there is still much to be seen as I have my daily

morning constitutional around it margins! With the rape now in flower, as well as providing shelter for many of the indigenous resident creatures such as Pheasants

and Roe deer, it also of course provides a food source for many insects and bees. This in turn becomes an

equally handy food source for some of our birds, for example our recently returned

Swallows and House Martins, they can regularly be seen skimming and hawking low

over the yellow flower heads. I have also noticed that the oilseed plant is being used for an additional purpose by another two of our summer visitors that is as a song-perch, the Sedge Warbler and the Whitethroat making almost constant use of it for this reason. But the greatest surprise I had one morning as I was making my way along my well-worn path

between the field and the plantation happened on the 4th May – a black bird rose from out amongst the rape and flew into a nearby tree! Now at first I did just think that it was indeed a Blackbird, Turdus merula, but then as it turned to face me I was very pleasantly surprised and pleased to see that it was in fact a male Ring Ouzel, Turdus torquatus. It is

also very often referred to as the mountain Blackbird as it prefers to breed and nest in our mountainous areas. The Ring Ouzel is in fact another of our Summer visitors arriving here late March through to May after spending the

winter months in the Mediterranean area. Its main distinguishing feature is the white crescent shape on its breast,

this is much more prominent on the males, less so on the females. Whilst it is just about the same size as our garden

Blackbirds the male Ring Ouzel appears to be that little bit more sturdier.

Whilst I’ve often seen these birds on the coast during migration times and of course in their breeding habitats in the hills of Donside and Deeside, this is the first time I have recorded a sighting here in Udny. It just proves that an old birder of 44 going on 71, can still, occasionally, get a first!

Bill Johnston

Swallow Swift Housemartin

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24

Udny Community Trust

The Udny Community Trust is the group to oversee the outcomes of the proposed Community Wind Turbine. A Steering Group has been formed by the Community Council and project leaders. Grants from the EU and the Big Lottery have been secured and the project has also now secured bank loans. All planning consents are in place. However, there are still lots of hoops to jump through before construction work begins. The Steering Group is chaired by Prof Les Moffat who lives at Tillery. More info can be got by emailing: [email protected]

ALL RESIDENTS OF UDNY INVITED TO JOINThe Udny Community Trust is now inviting all the residents of Udny Parish and its villages of Pitmedden, Udny Green, Hattoncrook and Pettymuick to join Udny Community Trust as a member. Members of the Steering Group are recruiting members and we need one hundred to be formally under way by September.A large Community Council ‘Planning for Real’ event will take place for all residents of the Parish shortly where everyone will be asked to sign up. By joining, you will be able to decide the people who

will take the decisions on what the project will support in our community. Which projects do you want to happen and what are the Communities' priorities?Every person who joins has a say and every eligible Udny resident is entitled to join.Prof Les Moffat, who chairs the Steering Group, has asked it’s members to sign up people as well in the interim. Contact David Murray, Matt Kaye, Garth Entwistle, Brian Mcdougall of the Community Council for more in or email: [email protected]

Dear Sir.Dear Sir.Dear Sir.Dear Sir... Likes, swipes and gripes in our mailbag,

Dear Alun;

Just a quick note of thanks to all the people who made today a resounding success.  For the record we filled 31 bags, 9 of which were recyclable, 74 house bricks for which I’ve already found a buyer, 2 car wheels, a gas barbecue, a bicycle and an assortment of car parts.  Interesting to note that 2 of the bags of recyclables were almost entirely full of Blackthorn cider cans!

By the time that this edition of PNews is published all the tubs, boxes, beds and hanging baskets should be planted up and hopefully in full bloom. This year we have entered the settlements of Pitmedden and Udny Green as one community in the Scotland in Bloom competition and hope to improve on last years very creditable Silver Medal. This is a competition that takes in the whole of the community, judging is in early August and points are awarded not only for horticultural achievement but also for environmental responsibility and community participation.

Anyone willing to help with the ongoing maintenance and improvement or with ideas on how and what needs doing in the villages should contact me Bob Bamlett Tel.842591 Mob.07762250554.

Please remember that the Scotland in Bloom judging date will be 2nd

Dear Pitmedden News

I think that

congratulations should be

given to those who

volunteered to help clean and

tidy the village. However,

should this be necessary? We

pay community charge to

ensure that the village is kept

to a standard. Those who are

irresponsible should be held

to bear, the pavements are a

mess with broken bottles with

glass lying, possibly causing

injury to pets and to the

brothers and sisters of the

adults who smash them on the

pavements - of course they

are adults as it is illegal to

purchase alcohol under the

age of eighteen.

As to another matter

regarding pavements, most

houses in our area have

driveways and the roads are

reasonably wide so why

persist in parking with two

wheels on the pavement?

Pavements are for walking

on! If I scratch your car

whilst walking with a pram

then I am sorry but it will be

your no-claims bonus or your

wallet that will have to pay

for it, not me. Remember you

had to learn the Highway

Code to pass your test and

there is mention of this fact

there.

Name and address withheld.

5

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6

Hello again,

I am pleased to say that our numbers are steadily increasing and we are now running a senior patrol as there is no senior section in our area.

Well our centenary year continues and we are still very busy making the most of it. Or course the only problem with this packed and exciting programme is that everyone will expect this all the time, setting a high standard for ourselves in the future.

Well the biggest thing to happen for the guides is our Centenary camp and to all my guides I say “can I have a drum roll for the Cosmic Dome”. At the end of April we went to Haddo for the Gordon Centenary Camp. It was mainly dry but quite cold, we had frost on our tents one morning. There were 150 guides from all over Gordon and we stayed for 3 nights. We had 4 subcamps I was the subcamp leader for the DeLorian subcamp, which was so good we had guides asking to join us! On the Friday night we put up our tents and got to know each other.

The girls were really busy the whole weekend with a packed programme of activities including – Crate building, falconry, canoeing, gladiators, cosmic dome, photography, archery to name just a few of the 30 different activities that the girls could take part in. The guides could also earn special centenary badges for communication where they had to use “ham radio” to talk to someone, we had guides talking to scouts who were camping in London, to people from France, Germany and we got hung up from people in Austria who only wanted to talk to Austrians!!

In the evenings the fun did not stop we had a campfire – which I have to say was pitiful compared to our December campfire. On Sunday we had a disco and Karaoke at Haddo Hall. We finished the evening with 4 birthday cakes, one for each subcamp, there was so many candles we set off the fire alarms and had to make some phone calls to the fire brigade to cancel the fire engine, the lengths we go to ensure guiding is memorable for the girls. On the Monday we had a wide game covering 10 decades – who remembers the 70’s and space hoppers? Then all too soon it was time to go home.

What else have we been up to ........ well I went down to Holyrood Palace for a reception it was lovely to see inside the Palace but the food was tiny. I did follow the waitress for a while but I think she got scared.

I was speaking to a rainbow there and asked if she enjoyed Rainbows, of course she said yes and I said it was a good time for her to join as there was lots of exciting things for her to do because of the centenary “OH” she said “I am not really bothering with the

centenary, I am just going to wait for the next one”

We have been out and about this term we had a game where we were saved from volcanic ash

using our cunning in Pitmedden Woods. We went patrol cooking so we have to say thank you to the farmer who lets us use his land to practise or learn our fire lighting skills. We have also been out exploring the village.

One evening we had fun beading with Marie from “the craft hoose” we all made bag charms and I must say the guides like the bling, a lot of the charms were very elaborate.

We have still a lot to get through before our centenary draws to a close on the 20th of October 2010.

I am not really sure what brownies and rainbows have been up to but I know that there have been a variety of events organised for them to celebrate the centenary.

Sadly at the end of the year Kate Tannock the guider in charge will be leaving, she has been involved in guiding here and other areas for a long time, she will be missed. Kate has been very supportive to me and I wouldn’t have stayed in guiding for so long if it hadn’t been for her help, support, inspiration and endless good cheer. If it were not for Kate there would have not been any guides in Pitmedden.

So if anyone would like to help out with guides please give me a shout. You don’t need previous experience just be keen and willing.

Jillian Wood

Udny Station HotelTel 01651 842216

www.udnystationhotel.co.ukThe place to visit for quality home cooked food

Enjoy good freshly prepared meals devised by our chef Jane Andrew in ourrefurbished restaurant which oozes with a friendly welcoming ambiance.

At Udny Station we always go that little bit extrato ensure that your dining experience is specialEnjoy Lunches priced from £6.95 for 2 Courses

Evening Meals served from 5pmSunday Carvery 12.Noon – 4 pm

Hello again,

I’m pleased to say that the new style PNews was well received and we now have an official PNews website up and running www.pitmeddennews.com and I hope you noted that it’s a .com address so, as I said in my last editorial, tomorrow the world! If you do decide to use the site you will find all the contact addresses of our advertisers, a calendar of events that will be updated regularly as we get the information in and even bus timetables. If anyone can think of any other service they would like to see please drop us a line and we will add it. There must be lots of information people would wish to find on one handy local site.

The next thing I would like to mention (and you need to read the Bird Report first to understand this) is Bill Johnston - I worked out his age by looking at Sheila (his good lady wife) and guessed that he would probably be much the same age as her - can you imagine my shock and disbelief when I found that Sheila was so much younger than Bill?

Finally, it is with a heavy heart that I write this next part, since two dear friends of the Pitmedden News have passed away. Angus Begg who has helped on quite a few occasions by writing articles for us (you would have noticed that his were the ones that were professionally laid out and well written with no spelling mistakes). He was from a journalistic background so he had the edge on us.

The other is Morah Morgan, who often came down to help us put the paper together. This used to take us two evenings and on many occasions Morah was there for both. I can only think of one occasion where I asked for her help and she had to turn me down because she was going on holiday. She was never scared to laugh at herself if she did something silly and she was more than pleased to laugh at me when other members of the team picked on me (and you know who you are - Wood, Edwards, Marshall).

Angus and Morah – we will miss you.

Alun.

23

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22

Local campaigner

chosen to head

national OrganisationOne of the organisers of PUT Composters in Pitmedden and a local Aberdeenshire Councillor for Udny, Paul Johnston has been chosen as the new Chairman of CRNS a national Community Recycling Organisation which represents all the voluntary sector who help in waste and the environment. Paul was nominated as a Director of local group PUT by another local recycling group -Wood RecyclAbility . “Its a critical time for all groups trying to improve recycling and reduce waste, especially with government funding cutbacks. But groups like Wood RecyclAbility and PUT can both deliver recycling, make improvement to the environment AND be a useful social business for helping our communities - as we can prove here in Udny and Pitmedden” Paul told Pit News.

Hill of Fiddes group

formed to aid local

projectsA group of representatives of Udny Community Council and neighbouring Foveran Community Council has been formed to set the criteria and decide on funding local environmental and amenity projects. £11,000 per year is being paid by Hill of Fiddes Wind

Turbine operator, Broadview Energy, as part of their planning commitments. Projects that are of benefit to residents effected by the Turbine in both Parishes may include school improvements at Cultercullen but also may include a bid to create a new rural path linking Pitmedden with the old Formartine railway. This would link with longer safe walking and cycle routes. Those interested in helping with the Path should contact Matt Kaye on 842156

7

Oldmeldrum Road, Pitmedden, AB41 7NY

Tel. 01651 842214

Eat, drink and relax in the

Bronie BrasserieFinalists in the Taste of Scotland ~

Grampian Restaurant of the Year 2010Lunches & Evening Meals served daily.

Mon – Thu 12pm – 2pm & 5pm – 9pm

Fri – Sat 12pm – 2pm & 5pm – 9.30pm

Sunday 12pm – 8.30pm

SATORI MARTIAL ARTS GRAMPIAN

Tuesday NightsPitmedden Hall

Pee-Wee (Under 8’s) 6:30 - 7:15

Juniors (Under 16’s) 7:15 - 8:15

Adults 8:30 - 9:30

First lesson free - just bring this notice

Adults - Why not try the Basic Self Defence Course?Dates to be arranged if enough interest. Class would

be held 8:30 - 9:30 Tuesday Nights in Pitmedden Hall.

For more information or to register for the Self DefenceClasses - Call David Mutch on 01651 842931

Satori Martial Arts Grampian is a member of Satori Scotland.Registered with the Scottish Karate Board

Chief Instructor - Alistair McAlistairAll classes are supervised by a qualified instructor

REFLEXOLOGYReflexology can improve your health through

gentle pressure on your feet. Reflexology may

help & neck pain, headaches, painful

joints, hormonal imbalances, stress, digestive

disorders etc. And bring about relaxation

REIKIGreat For Stress Relief

Rosemary RichardsonG.S.S.R., M.S.I.R., M.A.R.,

2, Craigdam Cottages, Tarves

Tel. 01651 851612

Day and evening home visits available

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A North-East charity cycle ride has succeeded in raising over £1,000 to support local and international charities.

Despite some unpromising early weather, a healthy number of riders turned out to take part in this year’s Ythan Cycle Run (29th May), organised for the second successive year by the

Rotary Club of Oldmeldrum. Fortunately, the morning's early rain showers passed to give almost perfect cycling weather in time for the 1pm start at Methlick’s Beaton Hall.

Riders had the option of taking part in the Challenge route (26 miles), which passed by Haddo, Tarves, Udny Green and Esslemont, before returning along the Ythan to Methlick – a route which saw climbs totalling 1340 ft. For those looking for something a little less demanding,

there was also a more sedate 7.5 mile family route.

Cycle Run Organiser Norman Brammer said afterwards: “This has been another successful day. Despite the early weather, I’m pleased that things cleared up for us in good time for the ride off.

“I’d like to offer my thanks, firstly to all the cyclists who took part, and also to everyone else who contributed to the success of the day, from the marshals and officials to those who had the most important job of all – the refreshments team!

“Once again, cyclists have been able to help not just the chosen charity of the organisers - The Archie Foundation – but also to raise funds for their own favoured causes. I hope that those

who took part will come back again next year, and help to spread the word about this event.” By the way pictures of the cycle run are available for download from

www. YthanCycleRun.co.uk.

The Flower Shop,

Ythan Terrace, Ellon

Not sure what to send?

Why not advise us of your requirements and your

Interfora florist will create the perfect floral gift

according to your instructions.

Simply provide us with the Occasion,

Colour and Price and the florist will do the rest.

Order before 2 p.m. for

Same Day Delivery in the UK.

Major credit cards accepted

We can also include soft toys, glass vases, helium balloons,

chocolates and baskets of fruit.

Telephone 01358 720401

8

News From Oldmeldrum Rotary ClubNews From Oldmeldrum Rotary ClubNews From Oldmeldrum Rotary ClubNews From Oldmeldrum Rotary Club

21

Person who may have up to

one day per week to spare to

help with voluntary

organisation locally in

developing a lottery bid

The Pitmedden Park is owned by local people and not run by the Council. It gets no funding from Government and must raise funds through voluntary effort and fees.

Play ProjectThe Trustees and Committee

need a volunteer to help with

the bid to improve play

facilities on the park. A design

has been commissioned and

the big lottery has indicated

they would welcome an

application - but its a big job

for someone - and we need

help to pull it all together.

CAN YOU HELP?

If you are good at forms,

figures and are wanting to help

the place you live in - please

get in touch. Contact, Sheila

Jones on 842094.

It’s a Park for People

Planning Appeal

DismissedPlanning permission for 3 wind turbines at over 90 metres high by Arthur Simmers at Woodlands, Udny close to Udny Green and Udny Station was rejected after an appeal to the Scottish Government. The rejection does not effect the single smaller , 77m high Community Wind Turbine project which is nearby. The appeal to the Scottish Government follows the application being rejected by Aberdeenshire Council and leaves Mr Simmers with permission for one 77m high machine at Mains of Bogfechel Farm . Mr Simmers has another application for a single turbine closer to Udny Green at Hill of Fechel, which the Council has yet to determine.Four 97m high turbines at Cairnbrogie between Udny Green and Tarves, also applied for by Arthur Simmers, was rejected earlier this year - again on an appeal to the Scottish Government on the grounds that they were too close to homes.

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Ensure the Memory Lives Forever

Fraser Memorials Ltd

We are a small family business supplying

high quality granite memorials, vases and name plates.

We also carry out Additional Inscriptions

and Renovating Existing Stones on site

Contact us for a free quotation at:-

Graniteview, Millbank, Pitmedden Ellon, AB41 7NX

Tel: 01651 842540

Email – [email protected]

FRASER MEMORIALS LTDFraser Memorials Ltd have been based at Udny Station road end for 26 years. Some of you will have driven past the works every day and not even noticed us, unless you are stuck behind a vehicle turning up to Udny Station. Cars seem to pass our place quite quickly.

Most people however remember our fairy lights. They were put up so long ago even I can’t remember and they just seem to have stayed there. These lights have been mentioned by lots of people and even featured in local treasure hunts.

So whether you know us or know of us, we have been part of the community for a long time.

About 6 months ago our relocation sign went up. Yes, we are moving, but not far. We are moving into Pitmedden, so for me personally my normal 5-minute drive from Pitmedden to work will turn into a 5-minute walk.

Our new works is situated behind the tennis courts up past Bill Clark’s house; we are the new building on the old site that used to be owned by the Wilkies. As of April the business will be run from the bottom part of this property.

Nothing else will change, we are and always have been a family business and we are dedicated to providing a good service at a difficult time.

20

ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONICS

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

(40 years experience)

REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE, INSTALLATION

OF EQUIPMENT INCLUDING:-

DOMESTIC, INDUSTRIAL, SHIPPING,

EDUCATIONAL

PORTABLE APPLAINCE TESTING (cert) 14 YEARS

GARAGE, SHOWER, COOKERS WIRED

EXTRA MAINS / TELPHONE / TV / PC

SOCKETS

SECURITY LIGHTING / INTERCOMS &

CCTV

AUDIO / VIDEO / CD / DVD HEADS

CLEANED

RADAR / RADIO / PA SYSTEMS

KEYBOARDS / ORGANS / GUITARS / AMPS

MICS / LEADS

Peter HardyE-mail: [email protected]

TEL: 01358 721742

MOB: 0790 951 7119

ALLSOUNDSDISCO

QUALITY ENTERTAINMENT

AT QUALITY PRICES

WEDDINGSSILVER/GOLDEN/RUBY WEDDINGS

ENGAGEMENTSBIRTHDAY’S

KIDDIES DISCO’SKARAOKE

CORPORATE EVENTSEVERY OCCASION CATERED FOR

Phone: 01651 842879 Email: dj.dave@btinternet .com

Thanks, Udny and Pitmedden!Once again Pitmedden and Udny have proved themselves to be a generous, caring community. The door-to-door collection for Christian Aid raised £1726.00. Many thanks to all those who gave, and all those who collected.

Catriona McIntyre

9

Come and Come and Come and Come and

HelpHelpHelpHelpVolunteers Wanted to help recycle garden waste into compost and at the same time raise money for local community and environment projects.

Come and speak to us at

At the Quarry most Sunday Afternoons

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Riddlings from The Heap

In Other Words...

It’s always good to hear from the kids, but I have to say when they text me, I’m

often at a loss wn they wrt in txt. I can get in a rt st8, n fct.

I love the way we can misunderstand perfectly clear speech. Once, I remember,

getting totally confused by a friend talking about “a pig wire”. What sort of wire

that might be, I couldn't imagine, until I realised it was a device for weighing pigs.

Reflections on last issue’s puzzles. Hold the page up to the light and read from the other side

1) Andandandandand

2) Magnificent Seven

3) The Broken Board

Lastly, for those of a precious disposition who thought that last bit was a shade too rude, here’s a

rather elegant word search which contains 25 books of the Bible, by which means you may balm

your sullied mind.

This is a most remarkable puzzle. (It has started, by the way.) It was found by a gentleman in an

aeroplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours.

He enjoyed it so much that he passed it on to a friend. She judges the job of solving this problem

so involved that she brews a cup of tea to help her concentration. There will be some names that

are really easy to spot, That’s a fact. Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam,

especially since the books are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are

forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see them at the worst. Research has shown

that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this

paragraph.

During a recent fund raising event, which featured the puzzle, the “Adelphi” lemonade stall set a

new sales record. The local paper, The Chronicle, surveyed over two hundred readers who,

reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they have ever seen. As one puts it, “Books

are all here in plain view but hidden from sight, those able to find all of them will hear great

lamentations from those who have to be shown.” One revelation that might help is that books like

Timothy and Samuel occur without their numbers. Also, keep in mind that punctuation and spaces

in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who

claim to know the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mass exodus; there are 25 books of

the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph – waiting to be found.

And this isn’t really a puzzle if you’re under the age of

30. It’s a lovely piece of writing by Charlotte Fortune,

a poem written in txt;

Pls, stop sendg msgs2ths

no, I am not Linda,

I have not slept w/yr sis,

+ I wd nvr call any1’s ma a hag.

Gg luk w/viag..

Luv, yr wrong no. XXX

Here’s a puzzle older even than I am. My grandfather

taught it to my father and he taught me. (That’s what

passes for heirlooms with in our family.)

Snow Latin

Aesces bilÉ, ers agoForte busces inaroNosces davÉ thesbe trux Ars quot sinem?Pesan dux.

Try reading it out loud to someone.

10

funding, they’ve discovered the Council doesn’t want many small play areas, preferring

a single large one (particularly one they don’t need to fund). UCC disagrees. We feel

that little pockets here and there will allow younger and more vulnerable kids a chance

of peace from their older and more forthright siblings.

Hawthorns in Udny Green are looking to erect playground toys in an area of land

owned by the residents. Again, if against the odds the Council were persuaded to take responsibility for the site, it would reject and remove anything not to spec.

Udny Community Wind Turbine has been granted planning permission and is en route

for construction. Two banks have shown willingness to fund the project. The planned

loan is around £1,000,000, and once secure the order for the turbine can be placed. It is

hoped to use local contractors from within the Parish for as many jobs as possible. All

contractors will have to be accredited, however. Everything going to plan, the civil work

will commence in November, and by April/May 2011 the turbine will be operational. Maybe.

Pitmedden Village Hall is facing a critical financial crisis as a result of its electricity

meter having been unread for an extended period of time. This has given rise to a bill of

over £10,000 from Centrica (British Gas). It had not been made clear to the office

bearers that readings had invariably been estimates.

It was suggested that the problem may have been exacerbated by the habit of some

supply companies of surreptitiously inflating the price per unit to 300% or more of the

originally agreed tariff. The Hall had been paying £120 / month, however Centrica (British Gas) has now

demanded greater payments – beyond the Hall’s ability to pay, in fact - giving rise to the

possibility of the loss of this important facility.

Udny in Bloom. Most people have managed to

notice the proliferation of planters and flower

beds in the parish. The flowers are from

Aberdeenshire Council and also a kind donation

from the National Trust at Pitmedden Gardens. The work is done by a small, dedicated group of

selfless people. Bob Bamlett actually uses his

holiday time in order to cover the parish with

bedding plants and hanging baskets.

And yet, sadly, some of the displays have been

damaged, and some difficults to find plants have

been removed. We are particularly keen to locate a trio of peach coloured begonias...

When this happens they have no option but to sigh and repair the damage. It’s better to have the flowers and risk having to tidy up after a brain-dead slap head than not have

the benefit of the displays.

HOWEVER... Last year we managed a silver medal as well as a special

commendation in recognition of the extraordinary community activities such as the

Turbine Project and Wood ReCyclAbility.

Can we gently ask all the not-so-much “green” as “light” fingered gardeners, and the

wee daft kiddies that think it’s dead funny to destroy other people’s work to consider

having a little more respect the efforts of others?

19

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ChiropodistHome Visits

Douglas LealRegistered Chiropodist

Full Foot Treatment Available

in the Comfort of Your Own Home.

Evening and Weekend

Appointments Available

Tel.01358 742620

25, Denview Road,

PottertonSurgery now available on certain days at

10, Crimond Place, Aberdeen. 01224 639379

Udny Community Council (UCC) notes.

As you will have seen from the front cover, there’s a lot going on in the local scene at

present. It’s probably not worth going into the pharmacy hootenanny in any greater

depth here, but there are some issues in which you may want to interest yourself.

Parks and Play Equipment. The Council is leery of children’s play facilities. While

encouraging people to get out and take exercise it’s not happy when they actually do it.

This is especially the case on Council ground or play equipment, because it might be

liable if someone has an accident. Presently we’re having a real, protracted struggle with them regarding park space and recreation.

Pitmedden Park. The school needs the park land to meet minimum specs for play

area, and uses the Pleasure Park freely. It falls to the Park Committee and their friends

to maintain the Park free of charge. They have repeatedly tried to persuade the

Council to undertake some portion of the burden but, typically, the Council wants full

control of the Park in exchange. This can’t be given as the Pitmedden Pleasure Park is

held in trust.

As you may be aware, the Council removed the old recreational gear and has not

substituted it with anything. It considers that the Park Committee should buy replacements. Presently the Park isn’t much of an earner, however, and the

Committee has around £100 in hand. You may be surprised to learn that approved play

area toys are wildly expensive. £32,000 is about the minimum and it doesn’t buy much.

Seton Terrace residents are finding this out too, as they want toddlers play equipment

in the small area near the Terrace and Greenacres. Besides needing NASA type

1212

18

Scotland

For

ExtensionsSlatingRoughcasting

call Barry on:07917-412-424

With Youth Cometh Wisdom; Words of Love

On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date. (Mike, 10)

If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don't want to do it. It takes too long. (Leo, 7)

Never kiss in front of other people. It s a big embarrassing thing if anybody sees you. But if nobody sees you, I might be willing to try it with a handsome boy, but just for a few hours. (Kally, 9)

And Finally ; HOW TO MAKE LOVE ENDURE!

Don't forget your wife's name... That will mess up the love. (Roger, 8)

Be a good kisser. It might make your wife forget that you never take out the bins. (Randy, 8)

A young man hired by a supermarket

reported for his first day of work.

The manager greeted him with a warm

handshake and a smile, gave him a brush,

and said,” your first job will be to sweep

the shop."

"But I’m a college graduate," the young

man replied indignantly.

"Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t realise that,” said the

manager. "Here, give me the brush--I’ll

show you how."

A husband and wife were having a row, when he said,” you know what, I was a fool when I married you”, She replied, "I know but I was in love and I didn’t notice"

A primary school pupil told his teacher he'd found

a cat, but it was dead.

'How do you know that the cat was dead?' She

asked her pupil.

'Because I pssed in its ear and it didn't move,'

answered the child innocently.

You did WHAT? ! ?' The teacher exclaimed in surprise.

'You know,' explained the boy, 'I leaned over and went 'Pssst!' and it didn't move.'

(OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC)

Quality Meat at reasonable Prices.

For all your Butchery requirements at very competitive prices.

Tues -Fri 10:00 - 12:30 & 1.30 - 4:00Saturday 9:30 - 2:00.

(Between JRD and Ellon Business Centre)

Telephone 01358 727850“Where Customer Service & Quality Come First”

11

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Weel, weel an, n foo’s aa m freens e day?It’s richt fine tae meet in wi fouk fa his e

same interests n e same concerns as yersel – es wis fair brocht tae e fore ae evenin jist a fyow wiks syne.

Earlier es ‘eer I hid gin ane o mi Talks til e Methlick Heritage Society n somethin hid bin said aboot their Heritage Room aat they hiv upstairs in e Hall. I speired at them if it wid b possible for oor Udny Historical Group tae pey a veesit til es room some evenin? ‘Nae bather’ they said, n so aat’s far oor Historical Group wis ae evenin back in Mey, on election nicht tae be precise! Whit a gran nicht wi aa hid, maist o wir Group Members managed tae cam, n w waur maist warmly welcomed b the Heritage Chairman n his Committee. They hiv a maist extensive collection o richt interaistin ferlies n artifacts, a gweed fyow o them hid us scrattin wir heids as w debated fit it wis w waur lookin at. Claes n hats frae e past alang wi a selection o bairnies dalls covered ae table, jiners saas n widden planes n sic like waur aa on show. A tattie chapper caased a fair discussion as some o’s thocht it wis for squeezin honey oot o honey-combs!? In anither corner wis

folders ful o aul skweel photos, faces frae e past!

Then oor freens frae Methlick sat us aa doon til a gran cuppie o tae n hamebakes, verra , verra tasty n verra much appreciated. Noo, as w sat n enjoyed wir fly-cup n piece a lot mair chattin n newsin wis enjoyed asweel, ay, as A said afore, whit a gran, n enjoyable nicht w hid.

Noo if ony o mi Readers wid like tae mak a veesit til this Heritage Room, call in past e Costcutters Shoppie in Methlick n they will tell ye fa tae spik til.

A hid a verra similar experience e first Sunday here in June ower at e Vintage Car Rally at e Broch – efter enjoyin a gran denner at e St. Olaf Hotel in Cruden Bay Sheila n me toddled alang e coast road til Fraserburgh far w waur directed til a parkin space by the local Boy Scouts. Efter peyin wir entry fee aboot e first weel kent face w saa wis m aul pal Henry Pirie fa wis leukin efter things at e Ferguson Tractor Club tent, so efter a quick wirdie wi him w then set aff on a wee waak up n doon e raas o ingines, tractors, cars n sic like. Amon e Stationary ingines wis e familiar names like e Lister n e

KITCHENS . BATHROOMS . BOILER CHANGES

CENTRAL HEATING . FREE ESTIMATES

OIL BOILERS SERVICED AND COMMISSIONED

Tel01651 842332

Mobile07720444718

12

Countra ClatterUdny Green School NewsCraigower Trip8 pupils from the P4-7 class spent a week at Craigower Lodge in Newtonmore accompanied by Mrs Boswell and Mrs Lamond. They were joined by pupils and staff from Daviot School and everyone had a wonderful time. Activities included hill walking, abseiling, kayaking, canoeing and

river rafting. The pupils from both schools got on very well with each other and our children made friends with others who they will meet again when they move on to Meldrum Academy.Udny Green MosaicA mosaic made by last year’s P7 pupils is now displayed in the front hallway. This mosaic was designed and made as part of a transition project between the cluster primary schools and Meldrum Academy in the summer term of 2009. P7 pupils worked on their designs in class. One design was chosen and the P7 pupils then made a mosaic of their design at Meldrum Academy using coloured tiles. The mosaics were displayed at the Heritage Fair at Haddo House in November 2009.Clothes Recycling BinThere is a Clothes Recycling Bin located by the pond for all unwanted clothes, shoes, handbags, bedding and curtains. Thank you for all your donations.

Udny Green,

Ellon,

Aberdeenshire.

AB41 7RS

Phone: 01651 842337

Fax: 01651 843362

[email protected]

17

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News from PUT Community Co-operative.

We are now in the middle of our fourth composting season. We are very proud of the people from Udny, Pitmedden and even Tarves who bring us their garden waste. Most compost sites have trouble with general waste; plastics, paper, glass, soil finding their way into the garden waste bag, but the people who use our site take the time to sort their material. That saves us a world of time - thank you.

As a result we now have a large heap of good quality composted garden waste available. There is plenty waiting for you by the blue site office and we now have an honesty box.

None of the workers at PUT are paid, and in lieu of wages money is donated to the community councils of Udny and Tarves. So far we have been able to donate £16,000.

If you would like to come and join us we are looking for people with enthusiasm. This could be your chance to learn how to operate a telescopic loader. Liking for real ale desirable, but not essential.

Lastly, we’d like to record our thanks to Paul Monaghan for the kind loan of his mini-excavator, and to Paul Walsh for supplying us with our Honesty Box.

Catriona McIntyre

Rehearsals start for Tribute Concert to June Gordon.

Haddo House Choral & Operatic Society are starting rehearsals this week for their Tribute to June Gordon, their much loved founder who died last year, which is to be held on September 25th at

the Music Hall in Aberdeen.

The work to be performed is Bach's B Minor Mass, the work June conducted more than any other during her 60-year reign as Musical Director of the Society. The Society has been lucky enough to sign up conductor Ben Parry and a line up of distinguished soloists with a long history of perform-ances at Haddo House: Patricia McMahon, Kim-Marie Woodhouse, Iain Paton, and Stephen Rob-

erts. The orchestra will also be made up of professional players with an association with June Gordon and HHCOS.

Already 120 singers have signed up for the concert but more singers are welcome to join for this

very special event. Rehearsals are to be held in St Andrew's Cathedral on Wednesday nights from 7.30 - 9.00pm and at Haddo House Peat yards on Thursdays from 7.15 - 9.30pm for a small join-ing fee of £20. Singers are welcome to attend either or both of the rehearsals. Members unfamiliar with the work are advised to attend primarily on Thursdays as these rehearsals will be attended by

many B minor novices.

Musical Director of HHCOS Alice Dennis said 'this is our very personal thank you to June for start-ing up the Society that gives us all so much pleasure. We hope that the stage and audience will be bursting with people keen to show their appreciation. The concert is also a fundraiser to help keep

the Society going through these difficult times. Sponsorship is very hard to find nowadays and every year is a bigger struggle than the last. I feel a great personal responsibility to keep the Soci-

ety going as June wanted and I think this is a fantastic way to start.'

For more details please phone Louise McGregor on 01651 842116.

16

UBS

UDNY BUILDINGSERVICESALL BUILDING CONTRACTS UNDERTAKEN

NORTHWOOD STEADINGTARVES ROADPITMEDDENUDNYELLON, AB41 7PDTel No Office(01651) 842006

Mobile 07710662559

IAN FRASER DECOR Ltd.HOME DECOR SPECIALISTS Office

NORTHWOOD STEADING

TARVES ROAD

PITMEDDEN

UDNY

ELLON, AB41 7PD

Tel No 01651 842006

Fax No 01651 843151

Email [email protected]

Wolseley plus ane ar twa ither eens, a guid fyow o them wis putputtin awa as sweetly as onythin!

Of coorse there wis a variety o tractors on show, aul eens as weel as e mair modern eens, an aa wi equally weel kent names – John Deere, Fordson, Ferguson, of coorse, David Brown, Massey Harris plus lots mair.

Then e collection o motor cars wis jist gran tae see, Veteran, Vintage n Classic examples waur aa weel represented, for me e 1913 Model T Ford wis jist immaculate, congratulations tae Mr Coull o Newmill for presentin sic a braw example o this iconic vehicle.

Inside a couple o open-fronted wee tents wis a richt interaistin collection entitled “Washin Day” – the fowkies hid gaithered igither lots o artefacts n ferlies relatin til e washin o wir claes etc. in aalden days. There wis twa aal hand-caaed washin machines, michty they fair brocht back e memories tae m oot in e wash-hoose at e Post Office far A caaed e hanle o their marra mony a time helpin m Mither on washday.

Bit jist like wir veesit til Methlick, here at e Broch aabody wis richt freenly makin ye maist welcome n unswerin yer questions n sic like, ay, aa like-minded fouk igither.

W ended oor maist enjoyable wee veesit back at e Ferguson Tractor Club tent haein a newsie wi Henry n enjoyin a fine cuppie o tea n anafa fine bannock wi jam!

Bill Johnston

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JOHN’S TAXISA FAST FRIENDLY, LOCAL SERVICE IS

NOW OPERATING IN YOUR AREA

7 DAY – 24 HOUR SERVICE

LOCAL & LONG DISTANCE

CONTRACT HIRE

AIRPORT SERVICE – SCHOOL RUNS

DIFFICULT PICK UP?

WE WILL RING YOU WHEN WE ARRIVE

For Service and Reliability

Telephone:

01651 842893 or 07880 600979

14

The Good Companions ClubThe Good Companions ClubThe Good Companions ClubThe Good Companions Club

The Good Companions club is for the over 50’s in Udny parish and new members are always

welcome. Meetings are held in Pitmedden Public Hall at 2pm. Forthcoming meetings are:-

15th September – Charlie Burgess

20th October – Ray Morton

30th October – Coffee Morning

For further details please call Joey Sleigh on (01651) 851256

More than 50 people all over the age of 50 years young visited the open day at Buchan IT & E-Learning Service (Bites) in Maud, on Friday to participate in the national Silver Surfers day event run in conjunction with Digital unite.   The team at Bites encouraged members of the community, some who had never switched on a computer before to spend time in 40 minute sessions experiencing lessons in computer basics, internet, E-mail, and Skype.  Alongside the training sessions the visitors were able to have a try on a Wii machines as pupils from Mintlaw Academy challenged them to ten pin bowling, golf and baseball.   General Manager, Denise Belshaw tells us. “We were delighted with the turn out.  Many of our visitors were new to computing whilst others had some experience already, the atmosphere was lovely as people enthused, shared knowledge and experiences, asked questions and generally took part.  We ran the short sessions to encourage people in an atmosphere which was very relaxed and fun, where no-one felt unable to ask questions or to fear the unknown”

 Visitor Barry Howlett, Nethermuir, Maud told us he had thoroughly enjoyed his visit, saying that he realises he is missing out in a new world of opportunity through computing, and will take on what he recognises is a huge learning curve at his age, (which he didn’t reveal !) but that with a centre like Bites on his doorstep he looks forward to having a new world open up to him in the months to come.  Following on from the event the staff hope to see many of the visitors returning as learners and encouraged people to enrol in the opportunities available over the coming months, everyone left with leaflets and information on the courses and on the funding available through ILA.   If you are a silver surfer or would like to be, or are just a member of the community or business sector and would like to experience IT as a beginner or more experienced user and would like more information on the going’s on at Bites then call Denise on 01771 619181, e-mail [email protected] or visit the website www.bitesonline.org

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Silver Bites ! all good stuff.Silver Bites ! all good stuff.Silver Bites ! all good stuff.Silver Bites ! all good stuff.