WELL, the "old" may well have gone but the "new" is taking just a little longer than usual to get going.
Uncertainty about the weather, combined with potentially hazardous conditions around the harbour, persuaded the organisers to postpone Sunday's Fireworks Spectacular which has been rescheduled for Sunday, January 31. With a number of their members co
ming from outwith the village the Bridge Club took an early decision to delay dealing their first hand of the New Year until this coming Monday and, similarly, the carpet bowlers decided to put their Christmas Pairs competition off until a later date, although they left it open for members to turn out on Tuesday for a bounce game.
However, Sunday morning's service took place on time in Johnshaven Church where there was a good attendance to hear locum minister, Gordon Anderson, use the boyhood of Jesus, as described in Luke's gospel, to explain that, just as the boy became a man, so individuals need to grow in faith through the power of Christ's teaching. The organist was Robin Beattie.
The Guild, too, was able to make a start to 2010 in the Church Hall on Monday afternoon when President, Mrs Jean Cook, welcomed Captain Robbie Middleton from Newtonhill who gave a fascinating slide presentation on a visit to Peru when he travelled over the Andes from Lima to Machu Pichu, the "lost city of the Incas." He was thanked by Mrs Isabel Blease and the Bible reading was given by Mrs Maisie Murray.
The Guild will continue their session on Monday, January 25 with a Scottish afternoon in the Church Hall at 2.30 p.m.
Unwelcome as this lengthy spell of snow, frost and icy and dangerous streets has been to most people there were, of course, beneficiaries. Sledging conditions at the Wairds were excellent for most of the Christmas holidays and few youngsters, if any, were heard to complain when the Primary School stayed closed for an extra two days.
As nasty as the last three weeks have been, though, they cannot match the winter of 1947 when snow fell somewhere in the UK from the middle of January until the middle of March and the Bervie Express got stuck in a snow drift on the incline from the North Water Bridge to St Cyrus. Those conditions were considered exceptional and only older residents will remember them. Many more will be able to recall the extremely cold winter of 1962/63 which, like 47, was national in scope. However, just in case anyone has forgotten, it is only four years ago that, in the first week in March 2006, the Mearns coastal villages were hit with more than their fair share of the white stuff. For two days the A92 was blocked both north and south of Johnshaven, commuters finding it impossible to get to work. Virtually all village organisations cancelled their meetings and the Primary School stayed shut for six days.
So, be warned. Although things have improved, don't even consider abandoning your welly boots, switching off the electric blanket or packing away the hot water bottle just yet. Many a slippery slope and freezing cold night could well lie in wait for a long time yet!
Answers to Quiz
The company which got the New Year off to a bang at the Fireworks Spectacular was Fireworks Scotland.
When he retired in February the Rev George Hastie had spent 11 years as minister of Mearns Coastal Parish Church.
Richard Toley became Headmaster of Lathallan Independent School.
The music at February's ceilidh was provided by 17 members of the Scottish Accordion Club.
It was the contracting firm of Robert Keith, Lauriston who carried out the waste water project at Wairds Park.
Jean Cook was the Johnshaven woman who was presented with a silver badge in honour of her 40 years' service to the Benholm and Johnshaven Lifeboat Guild.
When the bowling green opened in April it was Sheila Simpson who threw the first jack.
The name of the parent and toddler group which opened at Wairds Park in April is the "Little Nippers."
The "Residents" was the local musical group which performed at this year's Yellow's on the Broom Festival.
Ian MacKenzie was appointed the new manager of Johnshaven Athletic in June.
Johnshaven Bowling Club finished the season in eleventh place (or second bottom) in the Kincardineshire League.
The Bowling Club's new flag was unfurled in July by Holly Chandler.
Wilma Scott was the winner of the Flower Cup at the Horticultural Society's 50th Flower Show in August.
"Shared Inspiration" was the name of the art and crafts exhibition held in Benholm Kirk in September.
Max McBay was the winner at the putters' end-of-season presentation in October of the Sandy Pittendreigh Trophy for Endeavour.
Donald and Fiona Dundas had double cause for celebration at the Bowling Club's presentation of trophies in October as they were the winners of the Green and Ladies championships respectively.
It was Chet Baker's life which was portrayed in the cabaret presentation of "A Funny Valentine."
Kevin Dunbar was elected the new President of the Horticultural Society in November.
The children of Kinneff Primary School provided the choir at the Mill of Benholm's Christmas Fayre.
The Rev Catherine Hepburn has been the Interim Moderator during the vacancy for Mearns Coastal Parish Church.
So, how well did you remember 2009? 16/20, you are clearly in touch with life in the community. 11/15, your touch is tenuous. Fewer than ten correct, you have obviously lost your touch completely.
Memories
Twenty five years ago preparatory work began on the local authority housing scheme on the former railway ground at Station Road. This was the first such development in the village for a long time and although it was built to relocate existing tenants, it was hoped that the removal of the deteriorating but still much loved prefabs would create a land bank for further development. There was some controversy over the naming of the cul-de-sac, one suggestion being Finella Place, before the much more appropriate Station Place was agreed on.
Twenty years ago there was elation among members of the Community Council at their monthly meeting in the Village Hall when they were informed that two directional signs had now been positioned on the right-of-way from Dock Street to West Street. The Community Council had been trying to persuade the District Council to take effective action to resolve this particular issue for over ten years so it was not surprising that they were delighted.
Present members of the Community Council should take heart: it's only about five years since they have been striving to have a fingerpost sign erected at the harbour!
