Secretary's Report

DURING the past twelve months, there have been quite a few changes which have affected Culter and most of which involved CCC members.

• In conversation with our local MP, Anne Begg, it was agreed that the 24 bus service was a very poor one indeed and equally annoying to the people of Garthdee (the other `terminus'). It did not fulfil the requirements of the residents of our village.

• Kelly of Cults moved to other premises on North Deeside Road, combining their established bakery shop with a cafe. This has proved very popular. The Clydesdale Bank building became a pub and this, too, is well patronised.

• There was some anxiety when there was a proposal to shut the Area Office but, thankfully, this has not happened.

• Doug Stewart, Vice Chair of CCC, was in contact again with the Roads Dept. of ACC about the bends near Ord Dam. There had been seven accidents within two weeks.

• Ron Clark (City Councillor for Dyce) and Ian McKenzie (Aberdeen City

Council) came to a meeting in February to give tips/ideas about `Culter in Bloom'. Peter Sanderson (Community Education Officer for our area) also attended to tell us more about the proposed Youth Shelter and hard surface playing areas on the School Pitch.

• More details of the proposed Western Peripheral Road were disclosed and two routes were shown which cut through the Golf Course and extremely close to Linn Moor and Easter Anguston. Two members of Peterculter Golf Club (Bill Anderson and David Cowie) addressed CCC on the problems.

• The dentist's services were withdrawn from Peterculter Health Centre.

• There was a change of personnel on CCC. Two people came forward: David Plant and Jim Farquhar. However it was a sad time as Sam Weller, a former Chair of CCC, had retired because of ill health and died soon after.

• Community Councils receive a grant from Aberdeen City Council. This is to help with expenses - hire of meeting place, postage, telephone calls etc. - and is usually paid out April/May. This year we did not receive ours until September because they thought we had too much money! (The money in the bank has been allocated for spending during the year and is not `profit'.)

• On a happier note, `we' had another baby. Our Treasurer, Nicola Hector, gave birth to a baby boy and Charlie is doing very well. Detective Superintendent Brian Yule received his 22 years' medal. Brian served on CCC for many years and was Vice-Chair at one time. Culter Courier celebrated its 100th edition and was written up in The Deeside Piper and The Leopard magazine. (Many thanks to our faithful correspondent Kathleen Robertson.) The Hogmanay Party was a great success with approx. 200 attending and hopefully will be repeated this year. (A suggestion is that the children use the Supper Room.)

I am sure I have missed out a number of happenings but this is a short reminder of what has been going on in Culter since October 2004. In closing, I thank my fellow members of CCC for their support and forebearance.

Marjory J Skinner