From 1997 until 2006 the Johnshaven Fish Festival was organised by the Benholm and Johnshaven Heritage Society. However, after ten years Society members were finding that the scale of the hugely popular event was outstripping their resources and so were happy to hand over its management to a new body, the Johnshaven Fish Festival Management Group, whose aim is "to sustain the event and share the proceeds amongst local organisations and community projects." To do this the JFFMG have established a Local Community Good Fund and a spokesman said: "We are highly delighted to have received LEADER funding which will enable us to keep our running costs down and so have more profits to distribute among a variety of local community organisations and groups. It will also make it possible for us to run a free shuttle bus from the car park located at Lathallan School down to the harbour area, which can be quite a long walk, although there is on-street parking available within the village."
Commercial fishing still takes place from the harbour which is also a haven for pleasure craft and a popular destination for visitors in general and artists in particular and LEADER funding was achieved because the Festival provides an economic boost to the village in its celebration of the area's coastal and fishing heritage.
This year's Fish Festival takes place on Saturday, August 8 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and its many attractions will have among them exhibitions, a wide variety of stalls, many selling local products, and entertainment. Refreshments will also be available including afternoon teas in the Village Hall from noon until three o'clock. Live music will be provided by Timo Gross, Tangleha, the Residents, Hell's Blues, Standby and the Fisher Folk. Added interest will be created by the presence of the Montrose lifeboat and the thrills and spills of the always enthralling raft race.

Mill of Benholm

The Mill of Benholm, which is both a tourist attraction and a training facility for adult learners, held an open day on Saturday.
Visitors to the former meal mill, now a museum illustrating aspects of the working lives of yesterday's millers, which sits picturesquely by the burn of Benholm, were able to view the many recent improvements at the site which include the mill's gardens, the creation of a new shop and the provision of attractive notice boards. Those keen for a little more exercise were able to stretch their legs through the ancient wooded walk on the opposite side of the burn and, while children made their own mosaics, all could enjoy a light lunch or snack in the café.
However, the real object of Saturday's exercise was, by stimulating interest in the mill's activities, to "beef up" the Board of Directors, a misleading title in many ways, since the project team is really a management committee of volunteers, and in this respect particularly the venture was a success, three individuals expressing an interest in becoming involved.
The Mill of Benholm is currently open from Monday to Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and anyone who wishes to find out more about the mill, the important work it does in the community and the volunteering opportunities it offers should contact project manager, Mike Burleigh on 01561 362466 or by Email: mill-of-benholm@btconnect.com

Mearns Coastal Parish

Conducting the service in Johnshaven Church on Sunday morning, locum minister, Gordon Anderson preached on the reflective nature of prayer and, referring to the story of Jesus and the four fishermen, encouraged the congregation to think deeply about how they should respond positively to God's answers.
Earlier, in his intimations, Mr Anderson had made a request for volunteers to join a works' party to carry out some tidying up of the manse garden.
The organist was Mrs Helen Doig.
This Sunday's services will be held at the usual times of 10 a.m. in Johnshaven Church and 11.30 a.m. in St Cyrus Church.

Bowling Club

Having languished at the foot of the Kincardineshire League for virtually the whole of their 2009 campaign the Club avoided the wooden spoon as a result of the away rink's victory against Newtonhill in the last game of the season. Hardly a cause for joyous celebration but perhaps an inspiration for next year!
After a miserable afternoon, Friday evening turned out surprisingly dry and warm for the weekly hat night which was won by Clark Simpson and Alan Robbie by a margin of 15 shots. Hat nights continue on Fridays at 7 p.m. and all are welcome.
Holidays and an alternative event resulted in a smaller attendance than usual at Saturday's prize bingo night in the Community Clubroom which, nevertheless, raised a welcome £70 for the Bowling Club.
The next prize bingo session will be at the same venue on Saturday, August 22 at 7 p.m. and will be organised by the Bowling Carpet Fund committee.
Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, the second leg of the match against the Bervie Club for the TSB Trophy , which was due to be played on Sunday, August 16, has been postponed until Sunday, September 6.
Members are reminded that a committee meeting will be held in the clubroom on Tuesday, August 4 at 7 p.m.

Putting

Next Monday, August 3 the long-running Gala competition will be held and all intending to enter are asked to be at the green ready to start at 7 p.m. prompt. Although the event incorporates the weekly competition for the Barclay Harvey Shield it is essentially a fun occasion at which everyone has a chance of winning something even if its only a booby prize.
The winner of Monday night's competition for the Barclay Harvey Shield was Euan McCallum who defeated Michael Craig, Snr 3 and 2 in the final. In the semi-finals Euan eliminated Andy Vinten two up while Michael was a 3 and 2 winner against David Beedie.
The winner of the consolation competition was Keith Brown who defeated Fiona Anderson one up in the final. There was a titanic tussle in the final of the Novices competition before Max McBay eventually overcame Rhurie McCallum at the 21st extra hole. Hamish Wright was the winner of the consolation.

Answers to Sports Quiz

Amir Khan won his first world boxing title at light-welter weight.
Golfer Stewart Cink had not won any major championships before defeating Tom Watson in the play-off of this year's Open.
Tom Watson won the Open at Turnberry in 1977.
The leading Scottish golfer in this year's Open was Paul Lawrie who finished 10 shots off the lead.
Next year's Open will be played on the Old Course at St Andrews.
It was Paul Lawrie who had the rare distinction of recording an Albatross in the fourth round of the Open.
Including the Open, Tiger Woods has missed the cut in only two major championships.
Dens Park, ground of Dundee F.C., has become home for a family of foxes, forcing the club to fence off the goalmouths to protect them from the "cunning predators."
Michael Clarke was the Australian batsman who scored a century in his side's second innings in the second Ashes Test.
England's victory in the second Ashes Test was historic because it was the first time for 75 years that England had defeated Australia at Lord's.

Memories

Twenty five years ago several hundred people basked in brilliant sunshine as they enjoyed a day of "fun for all the family" at the annual fete organised by Benholm and Johnshaven Church in the Wairds Park Opened by Gill Poole of North Sound Radio, it featured a wide range of stalls varying from the usual cake and candy to the more unusual such as the "dressed crab" and the more mysterious sounding "Rainbow." There was a fortune teller with her crystal ball, target golf and bowls and entertainment by the Robina Freeman Dancers and the "Sound of Dun." Teas were served in the shelter of the rather inaptly , but still, named "Gasworks" and the event raised £1,120 towards church funds.
There will be many, perhaps even the organisers for whom the day could be a long one, still with fond memories of the church fetes, which were highlights of the summer for years. Sadly, like the Masonic fetes, they are a thing of the past, although the annual Fish Festival has gone a long way to filling the void.