OUTSTANDING SUCCESS OF 2009 NEOS EVENT
NEOS: "AN outstanding success and well worth all the effort" was the view of all who participated locally in the 2009 North East Open Studios event which concluded on Monday.
NEOS, a not-for-profit organisation, was established in 2003 with the dual purpose of providing a platform for practitioners in arts and crafts and an opportunity for them to interact face-to-face with the public and the growth of support for the initiative since then has shown an almost insatiable thirst for the arts in the North-East.
Surely nowhere was this more clearly demonstrated than in Johnshaven and Benholm during the 10-day run. Local artists have, needless to say, taken part before but this year was a bit different, special even, because, in a model of team work, they all came together to devise a strategy and, with fifteen participants displaying in ten different venues such co-operation could not have been easy. Meetings with the NEOS steering committee were followed by regular get-togethers and the effectiveness of the planning was clear as, daily, visitors were frequently to be seen following the NEOS trail, yellow maps in hand (along with bright banner a master stroke) as they sought out the next port of call. While not all who took part kept an accurate count of callers, there was general agreement that there was on average around 50 a day and with more than double this number at the week ends when the harbour area and adjoining streets were filled with cars the organisers estimate that over 900 stepped over their welcoming doorsteps. Local residents were, of course, amongst them but others came from much further afield while some, who live not so very far away, were visiting Johnshaven for the first time and the feed back from the artists, designers and crafts' people who took part was that, not only did the visitors appreciate the talent which was on display but they were very much taken by the strong sense of community which was so evident during their walk around the village. .
A late addition to the event was the idea of the Friends of Johnshaven Primary School to have Caf Days, serving soup, teas, coffees and cakes on the two Saturdays. This, too proved to be extremely successful with, once expenses have been paid, the Friends likely to benefit by around 500.
Locals and visitors alike welcomed the opportunity of enjoying a morning coffee, snack lunch or afternoon tea and, in expressing the appreciation of the Friends to all who gave their support, Karelia Wright had a special word of thanks to Macphie of Glenbervie for their generous donation of cakes.
As well as those most directly involved , communities such as Benholm and Johnshaven need the annual stimulus of events such as the North East Open Studios and the Fish Festival especially when the sun shines as it did for at least for nine of the ten days. By bringing in visitors everyone benefits be they business people or local organisations. Certainly there is a limit to what a small population can organise but last week was an excellent example of what can be achieved through good planning, presentation and publicity. What's next?
Bowling Club
There was an excellent entry of 40 on Sunday for the Bowling Club's open seven ends singles tournament and, although the sun did its best to shine for most of the afternoon, autumn was undoubtedly in the air.
A variable wind and fast carpet made playing conditions tricky but as always in such cases there are those who handle the situation much better than others and those who did so on Sunday were the semi-finalists, Fred Innes from Drumlithie, Fred Wyness from Aberdeen, Georgie Morrice from Cove and Bill Inglis from the host club. In the first of the semis Fred Innes made the better start against Fred Wyness and was three up after two but, having levelled at the third, Fred Wyness took control to win the remaining ends and reach the final by 8 shots to 3.
In the other semi Georgie Morrice, who reached the same stage last year and who had played steady bowls in the earlier rounds did not have the same control as earlier and was no match for Bill Inglis who raced to an 11-3 success after six ends.
So it was on to the final and what a cracker it turned out to be! Fred took a single at the first but then Bill pushed ahead to build up a four shot lead, 5-1, after four ends and was playing so confidently that victory seemed just a finger tip away. However, Fred's three followed by a single brought parity and a thrilling finish. Bill was lying shot after the opening bowls. Fred's second was a toucher and, staying with the jack, an outstanding bowl in the conditions. Bill's second just missed its target. Both were wide with their thirds. With his last Fred again played a fine bowl but this time was just a fraction heavy and, although now lying two shots, had exposed the jack and opened the door for Bill to pinch the match at the death. Pressure must have got to Bill, though, for he kept possibly his poorest bowl of the afternoon for his last and was both tight and short and so it was Fred Wyness who was the worthy winner of the 2009 open seven ends singles competition by 7 shots to 5.
Afterwards, President, Alan Robbie, in presenting the trophies, thanked all who had supported the event and the ladies, Bett Beedie and Elizabeth Adam, who had been responsible for the catering.
The final of the ladies two bowl Graham Pairs was played earlier in the week and was won by Mary Lindsay and Bett Beedie who had a comfortable victory by 19 shots to 7 over Edith Waddell and Isabell Inglis.
Twelve enthusiasts squeezed out eight ends in the last hat night of the season on Friday and the winners by a margin of 12 shots were Roy Mowatt and Alan Robbie.
The next major item in the Bowling Club's schedule is the annual presentation of trophies on Saturday, October, 24. However, with a number of the domestic finals still to be completed, there remains some bowling to be done before then. Also a Fun Day has been arranged for a week on Saturday, October 3 which will involve a round robin of bowls, putting, darts and dominoes. Should be interesting!
Mearns Coastal Parish
In an appropriate and uplifting service in Johnshaven Church on Sunday morning, enjoyed and appreciated by the large congregation, the Interim Moderator, the Rev Catherine Hepburn, officiated at the celebration of Holy Communion and the baptism of Mia Jean Mason.
The organist was Robin Beattie.
This Sunday, September 27 the Guild's Rededication Service will be held in Johnshaven Church at 10 a.m. The regular service in St Cyrus Church will take place at the usual time of 11.30 a.m.
Sponsored Cyclists
Euan MacKenzie and Charlie Wright returned home on Sunday at the end of a 220 mile cross-country sponsored cycle run which began on Friday at Kyleakin on the west coast. With overnight stops at Evanton and Tomintoul but, carrying all their gear in panniers, the battling bikers, fit as they are, found the going tougher than expected, the many steep climbs taking their toll. The only mishap, though, was Euan's puncture after only 40 yards and they got back tired and weary but with a sense of achievement having completed the journey on time, Charlie having raised 350 for the Primary School and Euan 350 for Sightsavers International, an organisation which tackles avoidable blindness in the developing world and they would like to take this opportunity of thanking all their sponsors for their support. .
Macmillan Cancer Support
Don't forget the coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support in the Community Clubroom at Wairds Park tomorrow, Saturday, between 10 and 11.30 a.m.. Admission 1.50. There will also be a raffle and all are welcome.
Putting
The presentation of trophies and the annual Seniors versus Juniors putting match will take place on Sunday, October 4 at 2 p.m.
Christmas Fayre
Letters from the Bowling Carpet Fund committee inviting organisations to take part in the annual Christmas Fayre on Saturday, November 21 have now been distributed. However, anyone who has not received one and would, nevertheless, like to book a table should contact the Secretary, Donald Dundas, 5 East Street, telephone 01561 361656.
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Weather for Stonehaven
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
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