SHARKS WANT YOUR HELP TO KEEP SCOTLAND TIDY
Matters of the Environment AS part of the Keep Scotland Beautiful campaign, SHARK (Safe Habitat Alliance for Rural Kincardineshire) is asking for volunteers to help in cleaning up a section of the old railway line from the path connecting Herd Crescent and Golden Acre to the bottom of the Baron's Pade this Sunday, April 11.
The slogan of the national environmental charity is "Keep Scotland Tidy" and last year 60,000 people throughout the country helped to do this by picking up litter during the month of April. Once again a national spring clean is taking place this month and Shark's contribution is to tidy up a particularly unsightly, but potentially pleasant, part of Johnshaven.
Registration is at the Community Garden at 2 p.m., a good turnout is hoped for and any other information may be obtained from Rebecca on 01561 362120.
In contrast to that part of the old railway line soon to be spruced up, the Community Garden is now resplendent but it was a hard slog to get it that way.
Completed as one of the Beechgrove Garden's community projects in May 2002, the landscaped section soon became a wilderness of weeds, almost to the point of no return.
However, over a period of about 18 months of often back-breaking labour laying membrane, covering it with bark, weeding and replanting by a small but enthusiastic band of Green Gym volunteers under their supervisor, Hazel Davidson, the garden was restored to its intended glory.
For their efforts at that time in 2005 the helpers were recommended for a sustainability award at a ceremony in Edinburgh. As it happened the group did not win an award but they did enjoy an excellent day out, capped by a free lunch at the Botanic Gardens!
Since then, although personnel has changed, volunteers still continue to maintain the Community Garden, but they are few in number. One stalwart who has been at the face of the brae from the very beginning and acts as unofficial co-ordinator is Mrs Maisie Murray who is about to get her trowel out for the eighth successive season on Friday, April 16.
"We are always keen to welcome new helpers", Maisie says. "We get together every second Friday at 2 p.m. for a couple of hours to coincide with the Saturday's green bag collection. The work is not hard, it's much more of a social occasion than a chore and there is always a break for a cup of tea and a biscuit.
"If you are going to be at the railway line this Sunday then why not continue the habit next Friday or come along and join us anyway. We look forward to seeing you then".
Wairds Park
Wairds Park officially opened for its 87th season last Thursday with Mrs Jenny Beedie once more at the helm as Warden assisted by Mrs Laura Taylor and assuming cleaning responsibilities again are Mrs Margaret Hann and Ms Lynne McBay.
A change has been made, though, in how the maintenance of the grounds is managed. Last year the committee carried out that work among themselves but this year they have appointed Mike Knowles as groundsman.
2009 was significant for the park committee as it saw the completion of the caravan site's long needed 36,000 fresh/waste water project which has bedded in well much to the satisfaction of the regular users.
This year, Easter coinciding as it did with the opening week-end, and despite the highly variable weather, the park got off to a very encouraging start with the caravan site very busy with touring vans while all the static positions have been taken up. It was hardly ideal for putting but the younger element made good use of the sports courts when conditions allowed.
The major problem currently facing the park committee has been the damage to the concrete base of the bowling carpet. However, and weather permitting, of course, it is hoped that a new carpet will be laid week beginning Monday, April 12.
Mearns Coastal Parish
Conducting the Easter Sunday service in Johnshaven Church, locum minister, Mr Gordon Anderson, in referring to some of his own experiences, said that, although it might seem strange to say so, change is one of the great constants in life.
Easter is a sudden leap in faith and, while Christians should be prepared to embrace all change, they should, he stressed, remember that God is the one true constant. The organist was Robin Beattie.
Mr Anderson, whose year-long stint as their locum minister has been greatly appreciated by the congregation of Mearns Coastal Parish Church completes his duties this Sunday when he conducts the service in Johnshaven Church at 11.30 a.m. There will be an opportunity for all to say "thank you" and "au revoir" to Gordon at a light lunch in the Church Hall immediately following the service which will be the only one in the parish that day.
Mearns Coastal's new minister, the Rev Colin Dempster, and his family are already well settled into the manse in St Cyrus which is in prime condition after undergoing considerable renovation and redecoration.
The Rev Dempster's induction will take place in Johnshaven Church on Thursday, April 15 at 7 p.m. The Moderator of the Presbytery of Kincardine and Deeside will preside with the Rev Kenneth McKenzie conducting the service and the sermon being preached by the Rev Fyfe Blair.
All in the parish are invited to attend the induction service and also to the social event which will follow in the Johnshaven Village Hall and join in extending a very warm welcome to the Rev Colin Dempster and his family.
The Rev Dempster will be "preached in" to Mearns Coastal Parish at a service in St Cyrus Church on Sunday, April 18 at 10 a.m. and the Kirk Session will meet for business in Johnshaven Church Hall on Thursday, April 27 at 7.30 p.m.
The Plough
Few buildings remain unchanged for long. They are altered from time to time either to fulfil a different function, achieve higher living standards or perhaps simply to meet the needs of a new owner.
One of Johnshaven's most easily recognized properties, situated as it is so near the harbour, is now undergoing a major transformation. Number one Fore Street, known by generations simply as The Plough, was, along with the New Ship Inn and the Anchor Tavern during the 19th century, a well-established inn whose landlady in 1869 provided a "sumptuous dinner" for the centenary celebrations of the local Masonic Lodge.
However, although continuing to retain the name and, therefore, the connotation of a hostelry it would appear to have ceased to fulfil that function by the end of the century.
For the first 30 years or more of the 20th century it was owned and occupied by bakers, latterly a Mr and Mrs Jolly, the rear extension being the bakehouse. It is not clear when commercial baking ended but certainly it had stopped by the start of World War II.
In certain light the very observant will notice that there were originally two doors in the front of the house but that modification is small in relation to the current renovation.
The plans, as approved by Aberdeenshire Council, show the house on three floors, an extension to the rear and with a sitting room, garage and workshop added on the east side. To make way for the last of those improvements in what had been an untidy area for a long time it has been necessary to remove the old tar barrel, historically a significant feature of fishing life.
But then little stays the same for ever.
Carpet Bowls
There was a truly astonishing outcome to the 11-end final of the carpet bowls Pairs event in the Village Hall last Tuesday night. It would be fair to say that all four competitors were keyed up for a close contest.
However, it did not turn out like that, Clark Simpson and Fiona Dundas amassing 25 shots without a reply from Jim Brebner and Bett Beedie.
Mearns Coastal Guild
Just a reminder of the soup and sweet lunches in the function room at Wairds Park tomorrow, Saturday, from noon until 2 p.m. In aid of the Guild Project the cost is 3.50. There will also be a raffle and all are welcome.
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Weather for Stonehaven
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: East
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