CCC Secretary's Report
ALTHOUGH our Chair, Mrs Lavina Massie, has been kept very busy with many, many meetings, I have been taking a back seat more and more often. I am very conscious of the various people who help me to do the tasks I must do for Culter Community Council, but especially those involved with the Culter Courier.
Quite often I am asked if it is a monthly newsletter. Heaven forbid! It takes me all my time to cope with a three-monthly publication as it is extremely time-consuming. As well as organising groups to send me their news, I deal with the advertisers, too, and although new technology is very helpful, it can prove a headache for the likes of me who still uses a computer like a glorified/ sophisticated typewriter. However, I did not intend to write about me.
On 13 December, CCC held its monthly meeting in the Supper Room at the Village Hall for a goodly number of people was expected to attend. Members of CCC wanted to show appreciation to the loyal band of people who distribute the Couriers all round Culter and neighbouring areas. We are indebted to them. They often have to go trudging out in inclement weather while we are sitting snugly inside - but sometimes the sun does shine for them, the sunscreen comes out, and I'm sure it makes the task seem lighter. Thank you for your commitment to the distribution.
However, there is quite an amount of 'donkey work' behind the scenes and only those who have witnessed this can appreciate it. Ann Wakefield is in charge of distribution and has now got it down to a fine art. Her kitchen is covered with Couriers (2,800 of them!) But there is method there for, as I picked one up to have my first look at the finished article, I was told to put it back - they were all counted and in bundles. I had to wait while Ann found me one that had not been counted. (I learn from my mistakes, so now I wait to be given one - and we are still friends!) Thank you, Ann.
The Culter Courier is published and there are several heavy costs (printing, layout etc.) It would be impossible to produce our newsletter without the advertisers. There are many who have supported us since the first edition and every year there are new people wishing to advertise with us. (Gone are the days when Bill Booth had to go round Culter hoping to drum up new business.)
So, to all our advertisers, many thanks for supporting this community effort; the Courier serves as a link with the residents both old and new, and keeps us in touch with what the groups are doing and future events in the village.
Marjory J Skinner