JEAN'S LONG SERVICE RECOGNISED
Village Hall A very pleasant little ceremony took place in the Village Hall on Thursday night when Mrs Jean Cook's long service to the Village Hall committee was recognized.
Since first joining the hall committee in the 1960s Mrs Cook has seen two major transformations of the 132 year-old building and, in reminiscing over light refreshments, recalled the days when the kitchen facilities consisted of a Belfast sink and not much more and when both sexes had to make use of a single toilet.
Committee Chair, Mr Stewart Fowlie, then presented Mrs Cook with a flower arrangements, box of savouries and a celebratory bottle in appreciation of her 40 years' service. In thanking Mr Fowlie, Mrs Cook said she had enjoyed her time on the committee and was glad to have been able to make a contribution to the well-being of the hall.
The exterior of the hall has been completely repainted and now has a clean, fresh and bright appearance, a new floor and coverings have been laid between the main and small hall and it is hoped that a solution to the long-standing problem of water ingress at the west gable has at last been found.
Those and the many other improvements which have been made to the hall over the last year or so have been carried out by a small, but dedicated, band of enthusiasts and, now that Mrs Cook has retired, their number is down to seven, someway short even of the minimum 10 which the constitution allows for.
On Thursday night Mr Fowlie commented that it was clear the committee needs to be replenished and encouraged members of the public to come forward at the next Annual General Meeting to fill the vacant places. "I think everybody realises the importance of the Village Hall to the social life of the village but it does need more than seven people to manage it", adding that, "the building is in sound physical shape and the finances are in good order and we are now looking into how we can refurbish the kitchen and extend the use of the main hall. However, we do need help and there is no need to wait until the AGM. Anyone who thinks that they can make a contribution should feel free to contact me now."
Mearns Coastal Parish
Preaching in Johnshaven Church on Sunday morning, the minister, the Rev Colin Dempster, referring to the many issues, particularly the oil leak in the gulf of Mexico and the tragedy in Cumbria, which put people under pressure in the present day, said that a great help in times of stress are Jesus' words to his disciples, " Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest."
Earlier, the Rev Dempster had asked for anyone interested in helping with young people within the framework of the Church to get in touch with him on 01674 850880. At the moment Mearns Coastal has no Sunday School although not so long ago both Garvock/St Cyrus and Benholm and Johnshaven did, and thriving ones at that and the hope is that such an important element in the future of the Church can be revived.
The minister also reminded the congregation that the first Vestry Hour in Johnshaven Church will be held on Monday, June 14 between 6 and 7 p.m. and again emphaised that this an opportunity for anyone, Church member or not, to approach him in confidence on any matter which may be concerning them.
Remember, too, that the annual Gift Day is tomorrow (Saturday) when Johnshaven Church Hall and St Cyrus Public Hall will both be open, refreshments being served, between 10 and 11 a.m. to receive donations, and that the Prayer and Bible Study Group continues to meet at 38 Invergarry Park, St Cyrus on Monday nights at 7 p.m. to which all are welcome to attend. Sunday's organist was Robin Beattie.
This Sunday's services will be held at the usual times of 10 a.m. in St Cyrus Church and 11.30 a.m. in Johnshaven Church and will be conducted by the Rev Colin Dempster.
Bowling Club
The see-saw pattern to the Bowling Club's Kincardineshire League season continued on Thursday when the home rink came a cropper, but the travellers triumphed, against local rivals Bervie B.C.
Not much of a spin can be put on the performance of Fiona Dundas, Brian Weston, Bett Beedie and Bill Inglis against A. Milton, A. Ironside, D. Galloway and J. Eddie. Completely outplayed, they managed only six singles in a 21-6 trouncing.
The away rink, however, saved the Club's reputation. Roy Mowatt, Alan Black, Alan Robbie and Bryan Duff, as has often been the case, left the blocks at a gallop, only this time they succeeded in keeping up the pace against A. Welsh, S. Simpson, W. Abernethy and J.C. Simpson. Eight ahead without reply after seven ends, their race to the tape was reined back by two counts of three, but another solid run of 1,2,1,1, saw them again clearly in the lead (13-6) and, although Bervie made a late challenge with a two followed by a single, three shots for Johnshaven at the last took them across the line, with something to spare, 18-9.
Winners of Friday's hat night were Jim Brebner, Donald Dundas and Brian Weston by 20 shots. Their opponents did get on the scorecard, just, but, while some memories do happily linger on, others are just best forgotten.
Points nights and hat nights continue on Tuesday and Fridays respectively at 7 p.m. and all are welcome..
Putting
On a dour night there was an entry of 16 in the first putting competition of the "summer.". The winner of the event for the Barclay Harvey Shield was Findlay McCallum who defeated Alan Beedie in the final. The losing semi-finalists were Sandra Dunbar and Jean Stephen. The winner of the consolation competition was David Beedie
The winner of the Novices competition was Max McBay who defeated Shaun Anderson in the final and the consolation winner was Rhurie McCallum. Competitions continue on Monday nights at 7 p.m. and all are welcome.
Horticultural Society
At their recent meeting in the Village Hall the management committee of the Horticultural Society were pleased to announce that the final sum raised from the plant sale in May was 382 and wish to thank everyone who contributed to that excellent total.
The inaugural Spring Garden competition was also a great success and next on the Hortus's agenda is the annual and long-running gardens' competition which is usually judged towards the end of July, beginning of August. Some time away yet but an early warning rarely goes amiss.
Meanwhile arrangements are now virtually complete for the 51st Flower Show in the Village Hall on Saturday, August 28. All the judges are now in place, a new cup has been gifted for the photographic section and the trophies will be presented by Mrs Judy Arbuthnott at 3p.m.
Always looking to the future, the committee are currently investigating the possibility of reviving the summer bus outings to places of horticultural/historic interest which were very well supported in the 1980s, and are also considering new ideas in fund-raising. "Watch this space" as the saying goes.
Primary School
With the end of the school year now fast approaching, lots of extra-curricular activities are taking place at Johnshaven Primary. Among them is the Green Goblin event at Alford today, Friday. Last year the school's team won the award for the best designed car and will be hoping to do well again this time. Then on Monday, June 14 the whole school will be setting off on the summer outing to Dundee's Camperdown Park and Mega Bowl.
Next Friday, June 18 the Friends of Johnshaven Primary School will be putting on an imaginative "Then and Now" exhibition in the Village Hall which will also involve a Johnshaven Treasure Hunt. Full details next week.
The School Sports will be held at Wairds Park on Tuesday, June 22 at 1.30 p.m. and the end-of-term service takes place in Johnshaven Church at 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23.
Local Authority Activities
The harbour is soon to benefit from a share of over 90,000 to be spent by Aberdeenshire Council on upgrading their harbours in the Mearns.
A total of 13,000 is to be spent at Johnshaven including 4,500 on general maintenance, 2,000 on repairing mooring rings in the inner basin, 1,000 on a diving inspection, 1,500 on a new davit crane, 1,000 on a replacement handrail at the corner of the inner basin and 1,000 on safety equipment.
Meanwhile progress continues on the site of the two blocks of new houses at Golden Acre. In order to qualify for a Scottish Government grant work had to begin before the end of March and the felling of trees and the clearing away of small bushes saw a start being made. More recently a considerable excavation has taken place to level the site and, for the best part of a week, a fleet of lorries shuttled back and forward along the A92 to dispose of the tons of surplus soil. Now the area is being pegged off while a short diversion has been created into Golden Acre.
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Weather for Stonehaven
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
