However, in November severe flooding caused serious damage to the park, the bowling carpet being completely ruined. Although re-instatement had been hampered by the continuing bad weather, it was hoped that the new surface would be ready for the start of the 2010 season. However, as Mr Blease ruefully noted, that very day flood waters had again inundated the now exposed concrete slab.

Moving on to the management of the Park, Mr Blease said that Mrs Jenny Beedie continued in the post of Warden, once again proving to be a big asset. Her assistant was Mrs Laura Taylor and the cleaners Mrs Margaret Hann and Ms Lyn McBay. The office-bearers met regularly with the secretary keeping committee members informed by email.

Turning his attention to the many improvements carried out in the course of the year, Mr Blease reported that the fresh/waste water project had been up and running for the start of the season with minimum disruption to site tenants after turf reinstatement was completed. Other improvements included the widening of the north end entrance and repair of potholes, repair of window frames in, and complete repainting of, the exterior of the utility block, the replacement of the tunnel door, restaining of the Community Clubroom woodwork and the installation of a new industrial washing machine and tumble drier in the laundry and new hot water tank and immersion heaters in the utility block. Significantly, also, Aberdeenshire Council had organised new outfalls for both the drains which run through the Park at the north end which, hopefully alleviate drainage problems there.

Referring then to the use of the Park's indoor facilities , Mr Blease said that the Community Clubroom had been hired by the Coastal Colourists, the Little Nippers toddler group, several private bookings and the Bowling Club who held an enjoyable presentation night there as had the community compostors. The changing rooms and showers were used by Stonehaven Athletic F.C.

Outdoors, the recreational facilities had been well patronised, weather permitting, all year round by several clubs. The bowlers had enjoyed a busy season with hat nights well attended and membership up to 25. Donald Dundas was the men's champion, Fiona Dundas the ladies' and David Beedie the juniors'. The putting green was again popular with young and old and the competition nights, organised as usual by Donald Dundas, were well supported. The Primary School and Johnshaven Athletic F.C. were the users of the football pitch.

The Chairman had particularly good news regarding the caravan site which had all static stances fully booked and with a waiting list: it had retained its four star rating from the Scottish Tourist Board holiday park scheme and continued to receive good feed back from Park users.

Looking to the future, Mr Blease said that, while the committee were considering upgrading some of the play area equipment, the priority at the moment was the bowling green. However, they had to keep on top of the general maintenance of Wairds Park while, as always, promoting its sporting and recreational facilities and managing the finances.
Mr Blease concluded his report by thanking the office-bearers, committee members ,wardens and cleaners for all their hard work and support throughout the year with an extra word of appreciation to Alan Bruce for his grass cutting, Kevin Dunbar for being available at short notice, Eck O'Brien for laying the path to the gasworks free of charge and he had a special word of thanks to all their better halves for putting up with the time spent at the Park.

In presenting the Treasurer's report, Mrs Fiona Bruce said that the Park had enjoyed another successful year and, although there was a net loss of £9,711, considering the value of projects and developments carried out, this result was far better then expected.
The income and expenditure account showed income for the year of £64,820, the caravan site contributing £58,822 of the total and, although this was down on 2008, Mrs Bruce said that the figure still showed substantial growth on previous years. The main item of expenditure was £39, 698 on repairs and renewals while wages and national insurance amounted £12,851, rates £4,895, electricity £5,442 and insurance £3,226. After taking into consideration assets and liabilities the balance sheet revealed a capital account of £22,232.
The following office-bearers and committee were elected for 2010:
Chairman, Don Blease. Vice-Chairman, Ewan McCallum. Secretary, Allen Smith. Treasurer, Fiona Bruce. Committee: Kevin Dunbar, Donald Dundas, Fiona Dundas, James Stewart.

Several members of the existing committee still had to indicate their intentions while Geoff Lawrence retired.
The AGM concluded with Clark Simpson thanking the committee on behalf of the community for all the deliberation and energy which they put into managing Wairds Park on behalf of the residents of Benholm and Johnshaven.

Primary School

It was another great occasion for the Primary School badminton team on Saturday when they repeated their success of last year by again winning the Rural Schools' trophy at the annual tournament at Mackie Academy.
The Johnshaven team comprised Lisa Porter, Katy Townsend, Murray Dunbar and Hamish Wright. Lisa reached the semi-final of the girls' singles where she was eliminated by Catriona Holley from Dunnottar Primary School and Lisa and Murray were knocked out in the semi-final of the doubles by Rory Adamson and Kristopher McCullagh from Arduthie Primary School.

Altogether five large schools and four rural schools took part in the tournament.

The coffee morning held as part of Purple Pinkie Day, an international appeal to "end polio now" throughout the world, raised £300 and the school wishes to thank all who contributed to this worthy cause. However, after consultation with staff and pupils it has been decided to send £100 of the proceeds to the Haitian disaster fund. Global citizenship is now part of the school curriculum and, by sharing the money, the pupils are learning about and helping two overseas charities.

At the school's recent in-service days the theme for staff was health and wellbeing. Ten members attended and audited how the school is currently managing and teaching health and wellbeing within the curriculum. Plans are now being drawn up to ensure appropriate development of this area within the new Curriculum for Excellence Framework.

This month the pupils will be continuing with extra-curricular lessons in Tae Kwan-Do and have a visit to Satrosphere in Aberdeen to look forward to. The Easter Service will take place on Thursday, March 25.
After Easter, Primary 5, 6 and 7 pupils will be taking part in safe cycling instruction and looking further ahead towards the end of term the same classes will be attending an adventure week at Dunolly, Aberfeldy.

Although it is difficult to believe, spring is now officially here and the school would be grateful to anyone who would like to donate excess bedding plants for the children's garden.

Bowling Club

Members are reminded that the AGM of the Bowling Club will be held in the Community Clubroom this Sunday, March 7 at 2 p.m.

Mearns Coastal Guild

The next meeting of the Guild will be held in the Church Hall on Monday, March 8 at 2.30 p.m. when there will be a presentation on behalf of the Grampian Society for the Blind.

The Past is Ever Present

As reported above, the Primary School retained the Rural Shield at the annual Kincardineshire badminton tournament at Mackie Academy on Saturday. For the first three years of the event, 1983 to 1985, Johnshaven had lifted the trophy, with Angela Stephen winning the girls' singles in 1984. The school then had to give best to near neighbours and always close rivals, Gourdon, who enjoyed a successful run of victories in 1987/88/89. Twenty years ago, though, Stuart Taylor, Andrew Wallace, Mathew Whinnett and Mathew Leavey did their school proud by once again getting it back on the winning trail