A JOYOUS CELEBRATION OF THE ADVENT AT BENHOLM
Advent Carol Concert DESPITE the miserable weather around 150 people found their way on Sunday afternoon to Benholm Kirk where they sang their hearts out at what has now become an annual and joyous celebration of Advent.
The proceedings were conducted by the Rev Elizabeth Campbell of the Episcopal Church in Stonehaven and with John Gove at the organ the emphasis was most definitely on carol singing with most of the well-known favourites included in the service. Pupils from Gourdon Primary School sang "Now Tell Us", "Gentle Mary", "Standing in the Rain" and "Come See This Little Stranger" delightfully while two young violinists from the school enchanted everyone when they played "Silent Night" and "Mary Had a Baby."
The Rev Campbell read a poem, "The True Meaning of Christmas" and the celebration ended with the Blessing and the singing of the last carol, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", "Co-ordinator", Geoff Lawrence, thanking all who had supported the event.
There was then an opportunity for all to enjoy some time together over tea, coffee and home baking provided by the Friends of Benholm Kirk before making their way homewards.
Two years after the Kirk was closed in 2004 as a formal place of worship it was bought by the Scottish Redundant Churches Trust (SRCT) and re-opened as a community facility to be used for a variety of social and cultural purposes and a support group, the Friends of Benholm Kirk, was formed soon afterwards. Sunday's service was a joint venture and the organisers wish to express their gratitude for the 212 which was contributed by way of the open plate to help with the running costs, maintenance and future renovation of the ancient and historic kirk.
As part of the ongoing upgrading of the kirk, extensive electrical works are being carried out. Consequently, it has become necessary for the building to be closed to the public with effect from Monday, November 30 until further notice. The SRCT apologies for any inconvenience this may cause but stresses that this work is essential.
Artists and Makers
In September, as a result of a hugely successful co-ordinated effort which drew hundreds to the village, 15 participants exhibited in 10 different venues within Benholm and Johnshaven as part of the annual North East Open Studios event. Now, operating under the banner of Johnshaven Artists and Makers, 12 of them will be holding an exhibition and sale of their works which will include ceramics, jewellery, photography, painting and textiles, in the Lifeboat House tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on both days.
Admission is free and, although no refreshments will be available, not so very far away is the Mill of Benholm tearoom which will be open as usual, on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1.30 p.m. for teas, coffees and snacks.
Shark – Compost and Campari
At the end of a very busy and rewarding season the members of SHARK (Safe Habitat Alliance for Rural Kincardineshire) held a community compost party in the Community Clubroom at Wairds Park on Saturday.
Constituted in June 2006, and now with a local membership of 120, SHARK has been involved in a number of environmental and conservation projects including a campaign for better waste water treatment, regular beach clean-ups and bracken bashing at St Cyrus Nature Reserve. However, up to now their main efforts have been directed towards community composting and, in partnership with Aberdeenshire Community Compost network, have built a compost site adjacent to Wairds Park and in 2009 their volunteers carried out fortnightly doorstep collections of garden waste from householders in Johnshaven.
However, the social gathering on Saturday evening also had a serious element to it because the group had to discuss the implications of their assuming full responsibility for the management and operation of the Johnshaven Community Compost Project from April 2010. Hitherto the project has been supported by Aberdeen Forward, but in a compliment to the success of SHARK, the environmental charity has, for the first time, been able to pull out and let a volunteer group "get on with it."
Tomorrow, Saturday, SHARK extends an open invitation to join them at 11 a.m. at the compost site at Wairds Park where they will be taking part in "THREE O'CLOCK", an attempt to enter the Guinness World Records by breaking the world record for the most trees planted in an hour in multiple locations. The planting lasts for one hour and it goes without saying that the more people there are the more trees will be planted.
Further information on SHARK is now available on their website, www.shark.btik.com
Forster Roofing
At the Angus Ambassador Awards held in Carnoustie last week Forster Roofing Services received the Business Ambassador Award for its "excellence in roofing and also for creating and providing a training scheme for local youngsters."
Forster Roofing began life around 19 years ago at Mains of Benholm farm before moving to larger premises in Brechin in 2003. At that time John Forster, the joint founder of the firm with his wife Judy, said that the new headquarters were ideally situated geographically both to meet their present needs and for future expansion.
Since then Forster Roofing has progressed to become one of the largest family owned roofing contractors in Scotland responsible for roofing one in five of all new homes built across the country every year.
Mearns Coastal Parish
Locum minister, Mr Gordon Anderson, lit the first Advent candle in Johnshaven Church on Sunday morning and, in his sermon, urged the congregation to get rid of any unwanted "baggage" and look forward in faith joyously to the coming of a new year.
The organist was Mrs Ann Stewart from Hillside.
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
The Bowling Club's rink of Ann Aitken, Alan Black, Alan Robbie and Bryan Duff recorded their second win of the season in the Kincardineshire Indoor League at Stonehaven last Tuesday night when they narrowly got the better of bottom of the table, Fettercairn B.C. by 13 shots to 11. Next week is the club's rest week so it will be Tuesday, December 22 before they are in action again – against Laurencekirk B.C.
It is beginning to look as though the club's eagerly awaited New Year's Day session will have to be transferred to the Village Hall. The outdoor carpet, irreparably damaged in the recent floods, has been lifted and removed revealing that the concrete base will require more remedial treatment than had earlier been anticipated. It had been hoped initially that a new carpet could be laid before the end of the year and, although the Wairds Park committee are in the process vigorously of assessing the situation, this prospect now seems very unlikely.
Mill of Benholm
A week on Saturday, December 12 a Christmas Fayre will be held at the Mill of Benholm from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. featuring a number of stalls, including bric-a-brac, books and confectionery. A model railway will be on display, Santa Claus promises to make a visit and carols will be sung from four until five o'clock .
This an excellent opportunity to go along to the Mill and see the many developments which have been taking place recently which include the opening of a new gift shop.
Admission is free, all are welcome and light refreshments will be available at the Mill tearoom.
Community Council
The next meeting of the Community Council will be held in the Village Hall (small) 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.
Memories
Ten years ago preparations were being completed for the refurbishment of the belfry of the former Chapel of Ease (the "Chaplie") at the harbour and the installation of a renewed bell. The bell had last been rung in 1947 when it was removed for health and safety reasons. It remained "lost" until rediscovered in Leith. The Heritage Society bought the bell with the intention of having it ready to ring in the Millenium which, once returned to its rightful place, it duly did.
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Weather for Stonehaven
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
