Looking back in detail over the past 12 months, Mr Fowlie said that the use of the Hall had been steady. The Games Club, Bridge Club, Arts and Crafts group and Community Council remained the main regular users of the premises and, while that quartet had not been joined by any newcomers, the committee was grateful to the many other users whose bookings had helped maintain the Hall's income. Moving on to the finances, Mr Fowlie said that the main source of income remained the Lucky Haul lottery while the stall at the Christmas Fayre and the teas provided at the Fish Festival had performed exceptionally well and he thanked Moira Fowlie, Sheila Simpson and Cathy Williamson for their fund-raising efforts on those occasions. Mr Fowlie also had words of praise for Karelia Wright for bringing live theatre productions to the stage adding that not only did they provide first class entertainment but they introduced new people to the village.
Turning his attention to the raft of improvements which had been carried out during the summer and autumn, Mr Fowlie reported that, despite one or two hiccups, those had progressed satisfactorily although new floor covering in the corridor between the two halls still had to be laid and the committee was close to its spending limits. However, as the work neared completion it became clear that considerable redecoration would be necessary and it is hoped to have this carried out fairly soon. External repainting will be held over until next spring. In summing up his comments on the upgrading of the premises Mr Fowlie said that the committee had been thankful for the grants of £4,250 from each of the Area Committee's Top-Up budget and Aberdeenshire Council's Education and Recreation sub-committee and from the Community Council and he was confident that users of the Hall would now find it much warmer and safer.
In conclusion, Mr Fowlie thanked all who had worked hard to ensure that the Hall continued to meet the needs of the community and emphasised that the committee's immediate objective was to secure the renewal of the Hall's Public Entertainment License.
Before the business of the meeting proceeded Mr Simpson expressed the appreciation of the committee for the work done by Mr Fowlie in co-ordinating the contractors at a time when the Hall was still in use.
The Statement of Accounts, presented by the Treasurer, Mrs Sheila Simpson, showed that income generated from all sources amounted to £17,050 of which hall rents accounted for £1,968, fund-raising, including the Lotto £6,713, drama £2,102 and grant awards £6,016. Expenditure totalled £16,153 of which £3,714 was paid out in Lotto prizes and the committee finished the year with a credit balance of £23,505.
Aberdeenshire Councillor George Carr, one of the Hall's trustees, then took the chair for the election of office-bearers and committee as follows: Chair, Stewart Fowlie. Secretary, Cathy Williamson. Treasurer, Sheila Simpson. Committee: Rebecca Chambers, Jean Cook, Moira Fowlie, Clark Simpson and Karelia Wright..
After returning to the Chair Mr Fowlie said that it was essential for the future of the Hall that new members be recruited to the committee who would now be moving on to consider what improvements might be made to the kitchen.

Bowling Club

In his welcome to the large company who attended the Bowling Club's annual presentation of trophies and social evening in the Community Clubroom at Wairds Park on Saturday night, President, Alan Robbie, said how nice it was to see all their new members joining with the loyal old stalwarts.
Having thanked Jennifer Girdwood and her staff from Hillside for the 5-star catering, Mr Robbie went on to say that the Club had experienced something of an "an up and down" season finishing second bottom of the Kincardineshire League which was not surprising considering that they had lost most of the home rink which had been the strongest part of the team for many seasons. Nevertheless, some very good results had been achieved, especially those which had involved defeats of different League leaders and winning back the TSB Trophy had been another highlight. As always the Club competitions had been very competitive. This year, though, there were a number of hold ups, the men's and ladies' finals having been played just two weeks ago, fortunately on a warm sunny day. A Junior competition had once again been organised which Mr Robbie said can only be good for the future of the Club and he complimented the new members both on the quality of their bowling and their dedication.
The President then invited Mrs Sheila Simpson to hand over the trophies and also thanked her for putting her baking skills to good use on behalf of the Club on so many occasions. Treasurer Bill Inglis presented Mrs Simpson with a bouquet of flowers in appreciation.

Trophy winners:

MEN: Charles J. Reid Trophy (Green Championship) – Donald Dundas; RU – Alan Black. Handicap Singles – Donald Dundas. RU – Bill Inglis. Scapagrene Trophy (Nominated Pairs) – Alan Black, Bryan Duff; RsU – Sam McDonald, Ian Waddell. Scottish Brewers (Drawn Pairs) – Donald Dundas, Ian Waddell; RsU – Jim Brebner, Alan Robbie.
LADIES: Wairds Park Trophy (Ladies Singles) – Fiona Dundas; RU – Bett Beedie. Pairs – Fiona Dundas, Meggie Hann; RsU – Ann Aitken, Mary Lindsay. Graham Trophy (2 Bowl Pairs) – Bett Beedie, Mary Lindsay; RsU – Isabell Inglis, Edith Waddell.
MIXED: David Cook Trophies (Pairs) – Meggie Hann, Bryan Duff; RsU – Edith Waddell, Alan Robbie. Triples – Alan Black, Fiona Dundas, Bill Inglis; RsU – Bett Beedie, Meggie Hann, Alan Robbie. Anderson Trophy (Rinks) – Bryan Duff, Roy Mowatt, Edith Waddell, Ian Waddell. RsU – Eck O'Brien, Donald Dundas, Fiona Dundas, Sam McDonald. McFarlane Trophy (Over 60s) – Bill Inglis; RU Isabell Inglis. Colin Remington Memorial Trophy (2 Bowl Singles) – Donald Dundas; RU – Bryan Duff. Edna Anderson Memorial Trophy (2 Bowl Pairs) – Fiona Dundas, Donald Dundas. Holleyhead Trophy ( 7 Ends) – Roy Mowatt; RU – Jim Brebner. Points Trophy – Mary Brebner. RU – Jim Brebner. Junior Singles – David Beedie; RU - Liam Beedie.
The trophy presentation concluded, Mr Robbie presented Eck O'Brien with a small gift in appreciation of his donations of landscaping materials to the primary school and to the Club of the flag pole and flag. "A lovely flag well worth waiting 25 years for!"
It was then on to the dancing, the music provided in their usual inimitable style by Stan and Eddie, described by Mr Robbie as the North-east's answer to Foster and Allen. A really first class evening ended with the traditional singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and an expression of appreciation to the President.
The next time Club members meet will be on Friday, January 1 when they get together for their New Year's Day end or two of bowls beginning at 12 noon.

Mearns Coastal Parish

On Sunday morning, Interim Moderator, the Rev Catherine Hepburn, officiated at the Celebration of Holy Communion in St Cyrus Church. The organist was Robin Beattie.
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. The following Sunday, November 8 a Remembrance Day service will be held in Johnshaven Church at 10 a.m. and will be followed by a short wreath-laying service at the War Memorial. Similar services will be held in St Cyrus Church at 11.30 a.m.

Beach-Clean-Up

On a surprisingly bright Sunday 20 volunteers, including teachers, parents and pupils from Lathallan School took part in a clean-up of the beach from the Hardgate to the Lathallan Burn. Seventeen bags of rubbish were filled with 1,338 individual pieces, of which 914 (70%) were plastic and 120 (9%) metal. After the hard work was all over hot soup was provided in the Lifeboat House by Jim Murray and Don and Joyce Marr.
Beach clean-ups are promoted by SHARK (Safe Habitat Alliance for Rural Kincardineshire) in association with Adopt a Beach and the Marine Conservation Society and supported by the Crown Estates and DEFRA and local organiser, Rebecca Chambers, wishes to thank all who contributed to Sunday's effort.
The next beach clean-up is likely to take place in February.

Guild

At Monday's meeting of the Guild in the Church Hall, the Rev Roslyn Duncan from Stonehaven gave an interesting talk on how she came to enter the ministry. She was thanked by Wilma Armatage and the Bible Reading was given by Sylvia Laidlaw.
The next meeting of the Guild will be the leisure hour in the Church Hall on Monday, November 9 when the speaker will be Mr J. McPherson from Montrose.

Chrysanthemum Tea

Don't forget the Guild's Chrysanthemum tea/coffee morning in the Church Hall tomorrow (Saturday) between 10 and 11.30 a.m. Admission free, refreshments £1.50. Sales table. Treasure or trash tombola stall in aid of Cancer Research. All welcome.

Answers to Sports Quiz

Archie Macpherson is the well-known football commentator who has just published his autobiography entitled "A Game of Two Halves."
It was Newport Gwent Dragons who defeated Glasgow Warriors 22-14 in the crucial Heineken Cup tie.
Chris Hegarty scored Montrose F.C.'s stunning equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Forfar.
Lee McAllister was the boxer who retained his Commonwealth light weight boxing title in his native Aberdeen.
The manager of the Angus Second Division football team who resigned after four years with the club was John McGlashan of Arbroath.
Golfer Lee Westwood won the Portugal Masters tournament.
After Jenson Button's fifth place in the Brazilian Grand Prix 10 British drivers have now won motor sport's greatest prize.
Beth Tweddle was on a high at the gymnastics world championships because she won the gold medal in the floor exercise.
Nicolay Davydenko was the Russian tennis player who defeated Rafael Nadal in the final of the Shanghai Masters.
Gordon Brand, Jnr came close to winning the Benahavis Senior Masters golf title by being beaten at the second play-off hole by Carl Mason.