However, from the moment that Mrs Elizabeth Adam, on behalf of the Wairds Park Bowling Carpet Fund committee formally opened Saturday's 23rd community Christmas Fayre, a steady stream of customers came through the doors of the Village Hall where ther
e were opportunities aplenty for them to empty their pockets.
Until very recently it was possible to have as many as 16 tables laid out in the hall but today health and safety regulations have cut that number back to 12. This reduction, though, has not adversely affected the quality or variety of what is regularly on display and on Saturday the stalls included home baking, Christmas cards, decorations and gifts, heritage items, toys and jewellery. There were also guessing games and bottle stalls, raffles and hampers to be won by those who are always keen for a gamble, while teas were served in the small hall throughout the afternoon by the Carpet Fund committee.
This year the participating organisations were the Bowling Club (£100), Brownies and Guides (£125), CHAS (£130), Coastal Colourists (£50), Games Club (£160), Heritage Society (£70), Jewellery stall (£150), Masonic Lodge (£130), Mearns Coastal Guild (£132), Mearns Coastal Parish Church (£107), "Tailends" (£500), Village Hall committee (£200) and the Wairds Park Bowling Carpet Fund committee (£200) who between them raised a total of approximately £2,060.
At the end of a very successful afternoon with the rain still falling as heavily as it was at the start, Mrs Adam expressed the appreciation of the Carpet Fund committee to all who in so many different ways had supported the fayre.
Community Council Leftovers
At their recent meeting Community Councillors were informed that the fingerpost sign for the harbour was definitely "in the system" and would be in place for the summer season. However, since it is now several years since details for the signpost were agreed between the Community Council and the local authority it was little surprise that scepticism rather than credence was the prevailing mood among councillors at the news. Still, you never know!
Among the items which came up under "good housekeeping" was the condition of surface water drains both in the village and at Benholm. There is a feeling within the community generally that drains and roadside gulleys are not cleaned out as regularly as was once the case and that this perceived lack of care may have been at least partially responsible for the recent flooding which affected Lathallan Grange and Wairds Park. Once again there were problems at the Benholm Bridge near the Kirkton to the extent that residents had to clear away debris themselves. Dead and decaying trees in Benholm Kirkyard also continue to cause concern while shrubs at the bottom of Station Brae are now threatening to envelop the public telephone box.
In connection with last week's item on the new local authority houses soon to be built at Golden Acre, Mrs Angela Keith, Aberdeenshire Council's Development Officer for Affordable Housing has indicated that it would have been more correct to report that "the new properties in Golden Acre would be given to applicants in priority need in accordance with our housing allocations' policy."
The next meeting of the Community Council will be held in the Village Hall on Wednesday, December 9 at 7 p.m. Items for the agenda should be in the hands of the Chair, Chris Greene, Ceol-na-Mara, Back Road by Monday, December 7.
Mearns Coastal Guild
Convener, Mrs Jean Cook, welcomed a good turnout of members to the fortnightly meeting of the Guild in the Church Hall on Monday afternoon and introduced the already well-known Rev Ronnie Gall from Laurencekirk who, with the help of a quiz and slides, gave a most informative talk on the background and economic realities of FAIRTRADE, and how he and his wife came to be involved in the social movement which helps producers in developing countries and promotes sustainability. Guild members also had the opportunity to help FAIRTRADE by supporting the stall.
The Bible reading was given by Mrs Christine Murray and the vote of thanks was proposed by Mrs Wilma Armatage.
The next time the Guild ladies meet will be when they get together for their Christmas lunch in the St Cyrus Hotel on Monday, December 14.
Mearns Coastal Parish
Preaching on Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent, locum minister, Mr Gordon Anderson, urged the congregation to reflect on the significance to them of their Christian faith at the end of another cycle in the Church year.
Earlier, Mr Anderson, in intimating that Mearns Coastal had raised £107 from their stall at Saturday's Christmas Fayre and the Guild £132, thanked all who had given their support to those fund-raising efforts.
The organist was Robin Beattie.
This Sunday services will be held at the usual times of 10 a.m. in Johnshaven Church and 11.30 a.m. in St Cyrus Church.
Advent Carols
Just a reminder of the Advent Carol Concert in Benholm Kirk this Sunday, November 29 at 3 p.m., proceedings conducted by the Rev Elizabeth Campbell of Stonehaven Episcopal Church, organist John Gove and musical items by pupils of Gourdon Primary School. Refreshments at conclusion of the concert. Admission is free but there will be an open plate to provide an opportunity to contribute towards the running costs, maintenance and future renovation of the Kirk. Parking is available either near the kirk or at the Mill car park.
Johnshaven Art Makers
Following their successful North East Open Studios event in September, which drew hundreds of people to the village, the Johnshaven Art Makers are holding an exhibition and sale of their works in the Lifeboat House on Saturday and Sunday 5 and 6 December from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on both days. Admission is free and all are welcome. For those unfamiliar with the venue it is close to the harbour where there is ample sparking space.
Memories
Twenty five years ago Benholm and Johnshaven parishioners were welcomed by their partners in the linked charge, St Cyrus Parish, to a St Andrew's night supper dance in the St Cyrus Village Hall. Music for dancing was provided by Phyllis and Sandy Blackhall from Fettercairn while individual musical items were contributed by accordionists Kenneth Nicoll, Barry Thomson, and Donna Beveridge along with soloist, Kathleen Masson. Running concurrently in the Church Hall for the younger generation was a David Legg disco.
