CULTER COURIER

ISSUE No.83 MAY 2001

PUBLISHED BY THE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

CCC NEWS

In my last report to The Courier, I stressed that the role of the Community Council is to represent the Community and to act on behalf of the village. Our work can only be successful if there is input and support from ALL of the village. We do need new members to work with us. They can bring opinions to the Community Council, to create a really solid and representative body.

The C.C. struggles onwards and will welcome any offer of help. Ahead of us, we have to combat the Developers who would capitalise on small parts of our village to build on play areas and wild parts where natural habitats exist. We need to maintain Culter as a Village Community with a distinctive identity and NOT a part of a massive city. Our children will benefit from growing up in a healthy and historic community, even though the Paper Mill is no longer the focus. Our need for new members has been emphasised by having to bid farewell to Gordon Johnson last month. After initially attending our meetings as a member of the local press, he was persuaded to join the C.C. where his contributions were most welcome. His wife, Kay, had been an original serving member from 1973. We wish them both a good life in the North of Scotland.

The C.C. has been saddened by the early death of Dick Ewen, a former member, who will be remembered for his involvement with football, his work with the 'Pop-In' and his other contributions to the Community.

The village symbol of 'Rob Roy' was for many years maintained by George. He was also instrumental in replacing the old carving and its new floodlighting and had a hand in organising the memorable Village celebrations which accompanied that event.

George and his wife, Ruby, came to Culter in 1935 and immersed himself in all aspects of village life for sixty five years, though was never persuaded to join the Community Council. He lived for his Catholic faith, helping with Mass in the village before a new Chapel was built at Mannofield.

For many years a 'Pat Dog' visitor, with his faithful hound, George was also an active member of the group that fought for the retention of Tor- na-Dee Hospital. The British Legion, Burma Star Association, The Pensioners, 50+ Walking Group and Yoga for the Elderly were all part of his very busy schedule. Rest in Peace, George.

All volunteers for the Community Council will be welcomed. The only requirement is a belief that Culter is a Community... you don't have to be a Dick Ewen or a George Shaw.

PLANNING

The editor insists it is some time since I wrote for the Courier- seems like yesterday to me! But since there have been some disturbing applications recently, at least in the Community Council's opinion, I thought I had better bring you all up to speed. It also will give you the chance to come and tell us personally, or at a Community Council meeting at the Pop-in, or phone us with your comments - whether you agree or disagree with us! It is important that you do this so we know if we are gauging your opinions correctly;

R S McColl's empty shop: the application to turn this former newsagents into a fish and chip shop was turned but the applicant decided to go to appeal. ~ Reporter from the Inquiry Unit at the Scottish Executive in Edinburgh duly arrived on 13 February at 2.15pm to examine the site. Objectors were allowed to accompany him. From the CCC, Sam Weller, Jim Ritchie, Gordon Johnson and I attended. Pam MacDonald, our local City Councillor, was also present as were three other objectors and the solicitor representing the appellant/ applicant.

CCC had objected to this application primarily because a fish and chip shop's opening hours would coincide with the time when commuting was at its heaviest with cars, buses, heavy lorries and pedestrians all around and going in both directions. As it is, double parking often occurs and the premises are close to a blind and dangerous corner. We did suggest to the Reporter he really should have carried out his inspection between 5pm and 7pm. CCC also had expressed concern over smell, the likelihood of litter being spread widely and nuisance to neighbours.

The Reporter allowed the appeal and granted planning permission. He 'acknowledged the site was close to a junction and a bend in the A93 (North Deeside Road) but did not think its use as a chip shop would result in any significant road safety hazard'. He added some conditions to prevent –

• nuisance from cooking odours;
• provision for litter;
• storing refuse within the premises until uplifted;
• hot food must not be sold from the
• premises on Sundays or after 11pm on other weekdays.

Contlaw Road, Milltimber: CCC felt it had to object to this application because of the implications for Culter. This application is for 110 houses and the extra cars this would entail would make our roads even more congested. The potential number of school children would also overwhelm our local schools which, as mentioned above, are at, or close to, capacity. A Public Enquiry will be held in August 201.

Culter Car Centre: The members of CCC were horrified and dismayed when outline planning was sought to replace the Culter Car Centre with a residential development, 3 storeys high plus roof and another storey below street level. The site is in a high-profile position in the centre of local shops and businesses and Culter already has lost a number of businesses and commercial premises to housing -particularly flats. We felt that the loss of another commercial site, especially on the main street, would further reduce Culter's sustainability as a community and turn it into another dormitory suburb. We pointed out that:

• for a community to remain viable, it needs to on social, economic and
• environmental levels; .on the economic level, maintaining a central core of a mix of shops and
• businesses is vital in generating and retaining viability of all local shops and businesses. There must be enough of them to attract customers to the area as well as encouraging local people to shop and do business locally.
• Local businesses generate local jobs and income;
• There would be no added pressure on traffic or schools;
• a new type of business could replace the existing one.

(CCC's suggestion was a supermarket with on-site parking)

In spite of our arguments, outline planning permission was given. CCC gained no pleasure over this but some satisfaction over the conditions we had asked to be attached were accepted. These were:

• any development can only be one-and- a-half storeys above street level;
• the front of the building should be in line with those on either side;
• the frontage should be' granite' ;
• the other building materials used should also be grey.

Gordon Arms Hotel: CCC were once more horrified, concerned and dismayed when a planning application was made to demolish the Gordon Arms Hotel and replace it with a block of flats. Again we were concerned by a potential loss of another commercial site right in the middle of the main street, and the knock-on effect it could have for the community

On looking at the detailed plans, we were concerned to see that an elegant late Victorian granite building, and some of its surrounding trees, which are very much part of the character of Culter, would be replaced with, in our opinion, an unprepossessing block of twenty-eight 2-bedroomed/ 1 public room block of flats, four storeys high plus roof space, filling the site from boundary wall to boundary wall. Its frontage would only have a token amount of granite (recovered from the demolition) in it and, in our opinion, would not blend in with its surroundings.

In our objections, we made all these points to the Planning Department and presented all the same arguments we made about the Culter Car Centre (see above) and the need for a viable, sustainable community. We also asked that, if we had to lose our hotel, certain conditions should be applied: .the frontage of the building should be retained or, if replace, should be rebuilt in a very similar fashion and whol'y in granite;

• a rebuilt frontage should not extend beyond its present length;
• no trees should be removed. They are integral to the ambiance of the site;
• the height should be no greater than that of the present building;
• the roof should be slate;
• any harling should be dry-dashed with granite chips.

We also pointed out that we considered there was already an overprovision of flats in Culter and terraced housing would better suit this site and local needs. In fact, what we need most in Culter is sheltered housing.

As yet, we have heard nothing more from the Planning Department on this subject but Mr Jim Hunter, who owns the Gordon Arms Hotel, attended the last CCC meeting. (These meeting, of course, are open to any Cutter resident who wants to come along.) Mr Hunter was very angry at the objections we had made and considered that Culter Community Council was interfering with his business. We did explain that the letter to the Planning Department was not a personal attack on him but was typical of others sent concerning the loss of a commercial site and the effects it could have on our community.

Mr Hunter also said people had been telling him that turning the hotel into flats was a good idea. Community Council members, on the other hand, have had many people saying, 'We don't want to lose our hotel,' and 'We don't need more flats in Culter.'

SO! We need to know what YOU want! Shall we fight to remain a sustainable, viable and vibrant community or just allow Culter to become a sleepy suburban dormitory for the retail, business and industrial areas in and around the city?

Please let us know.

Lavina C Massie, Planning Liaison

Culter Community Council

PETERCULTER MEDICAL PRACTICE

THE main forthcoming event for the practice will be the official opening of the new premises, to take place on Friday June 22nd 2001. The opening itself will be conducted by Dr Mac Armstrong who is the Scottish Chief Medical Officer, and we feel very honoured to have his endorsement of what has been a very important development for us. We are extremely satisfied with the new building and the enhanced facilities which it offers, allowing us a great potential for developing services locally within the constraints of the current medico-political scenario. Hopefully the new electronic call system is not proving too tricky -it is taking all of us some time to get used to, and the children love to see their 'name in lights'!

In the treatment room Mrs Sylvia Pratt has left, having moved southwards with her family. Mrs Fiona Warren will be joining us as her replacement in May and we welcome her on board.

The occasional glimpse of sunlight as I write this article in late April reminds me of the possibility of summer just a month or two away, hard to believe I know! Can I therefore remind you (as I usually do at this time of year) that if you are planning an overseas holiday please book in to the Travel Clinic in good time to allow an appropriate assessment of your possible vaccination requirements.

'Coughs and sneezes spread diseases' as the old saying goes, but in Spring and Summer they can often indicate hay fever, along with itchy and watery eyes. This allergic condition, although not serious, can cause a fair element of nuisance to the sufferer, especially when we are trying to enjoy more outdoor activity at this time of year. Luckily in the last few years or so many hay fever treatments are now conveniently available over the counter at the local pharmacy, but if these do not work then you would need to see us to discuss further.

With best wishes,

OVER 5OS WALKING GROUP

The weather on the 8th February was not at all kind to us, forcing the cancellation of our normally enjoyable outing. We do not mind a bit of a struggle with a strong breeze and rough road but the snowfall won the day. However on the 22nd February we set out, after coffee in Ellon, to 'Walk the Line' between Ellon and Udny. It was a cold day but enjoyable despite the snowdrifts we had to negotiate. Winter has its grip on us. Our next obstacle was the Foot and Mouth restrictions forcing us to cancel our walks on the 8th and 22nd March. Most walks were 'out of bounds' as estate and former railway lines were closed to the public and with just cause. However, Thursday 5th April dawned bright and sunny and we set off up Deeside with our new driver, Aileen Craigmile at the wheel. We duly arrived at the parking place and on foot, crossed the Old Bridge of Dee at Invercauld and headed up through the Ballochbuie Forest (Invercauld Forest) to the waterfall and had lunch in glorious sunshine. Needless to say; by the time we walked back to the minibus, many of us had the feeling we were 'out of condition' and badly in need of exercise after the long wintry weather which does not normally keep us from walking.

Unfortunately, George Shaw has been unable to accompany us and we miss his stories and anecdotes of tales in the countryside, and what we call our 'Nature Study' that he provided about the wildlife we have the pleasure of seeing. We visited him on his 90th birthday when he was in splendid spirit. Colds and sniffles do not usually keep us at home but sometimes the 'spirit is willing though the flesh is weak', and therefore have to yield to these inconveniences. Summer is with us I believe, so let us look forward to our walks in the hills or by the sea.

Unfortunately, since this was written, George died in Roxburghe House. He will be greatly missed but we treasure the memories of him.

47TH CULTER BOYS' BRIGADE COMPANY

We are now moving closer to the end of the BB session, a session which has been 'jam-packed' with activities, events and visits. Over the past couple of months the boys have enjoyed specially arranged activities including a visit to Northsound Radio Towers, King's Gate, where they got a tour of the whole station including the Music Library, Commercial Advertising Department, News Room. They also had the chance to 'sit-in' with DJ Chris Thompson on a live show. After the tour they then had a meal at the Pizza Hut on Union Street, which the boys thoroughly enjoyed.

The Company Section had a visit from David Lilley and David Rowson of Aberdeen Football Club on the 23rd March. The evening began with a question-answer time, then some light exercises before a short photo shoot for the local press when the two Davids were presented with BB trophies as a mark of appreciation for them giving up their Friday evening. The evening was enjoyed by all, especially David Rowson as he is an ex-BB boy himself.

Our Closing Service for all three sections (Anchor Boys, Junior Section & Company Section) will be held at the Tennis Courts of the Mill Club on Saturday 19th May 2001, 2pm-6pm. Each section will have a short display for the audience of parents, families and friends before the annual awards and presentations are announced. There will also be a Bouncy Castle, BBQ, Games and Refreshments available all afternoon. This is a slightly changed format of our usual annual Closing Service and we welcome any 'Friends of the 47th' to come along and join us.

Summer Camp dates have now been announced, they are as follows:

Advance Weekend (Old Boys)- Friday 29th June -Sunday lst July

Seniors' Week: Monday 2nd July - Friday 6th July

Boys' Camp: Friday 6th July -Friday 13th July

This camp is looking to be the best attended camp for a while with activities including Canoeing, Gorge-Walking, Quad Biking, Snooker, Bouncy Castle, Trampoline and a Magician to list a few. Any' old-boys', past members or Friends of the 47th wishing to attend the Advance Weekend please contact Mike Findlay (743485) or visit us online www.47culterbb.com for more information. The usual visitors' day at the camp will be Sunday 8th July; where all parents, families and friends are invited to join in the fun and activities at our Ballater site.

We are now a couple of months into our recently launched newsletter 'Four Seven' which is appearing monthly and is being sent out to Boys, Parents, Officers and Friends of the 47th, if you are not receiving one already and would like to be added to our mailing database, please contact Mike Findlay or Ian McKenzie  or again, leave your details on our website.

The BB fund-raiser Wrestling Night, which had to be postponed due to injured Wrestlers, has been re- scheduled for Friday 8th June at the Music Hall. For more details please contact Bob Grant .

The Pipe Bands are soon to be beginning the usual busy summer season, with many of the competitions this year being held in Scotland, thus reducing travel costs for the band. Please check the 'local press' for the results as we attend the various contests.

We will be having a stand at the Culter Gala on the 9th June, where information will also be available for any new boys wishing to join our fun- packed BB company, or simply visit the Company online where the site is up-dated weekly of the past and future activities of the BB lads.

Best Regards

WWW.CULTER.NET

Follow the history, heritage and culture of Culter 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -anywhere in the world.

For almost 250 years, the Culter area depended on paper for its existence- now the 21st Century allows us instant access to news and information- anytime, anywhere. What would Bartholomew Smith have made of it?

Since the turn of the year, visitors to www.culter-online.co.uk have found themselves re-directed instantly to our new site on the web. The "old" address will still take you there but www.culter.net involves less typing and should be easier to remember.

What can Culter.net offer you? .Local and Scottish news .Heritage Trust .Culter Courier .The weather!

• Local clubs and services .
• Bulletin board .
• What's On
• Culter's Past .Family trees
• "Get in touch"
• Photo gallery and more...

Next time you write to exiled friends and relations, tell them where they can find Culter on the web. There are sure to be ex-Culterites in Winnipeg or Wellington desperate to know it is " dingin doon " in Oalmaik!

We hope you will respond by making your own contributions to this exciting community resource. Whether you have a story to tell about Culter's past, a picture to share, an event to publicise or a question to ask -contact "Culter.NET ". E-mail to heritage@culter.net., drop a note in to the Village Hall, or write to:

CULTER BOYS CLUB CELEBRATE 

LEAGUE TITLE WIN

We have had an exciting finish to the football season with the Club celebrating our first title win in the Aberdeen and District Juvenile Football League for four years. The under 14 team, coached by Mark Jordan and Ian McRae, has won their league by three points after beating St Machar 7-4 in the last game of the season. They finish with the outstanding record of 13 wins, two draws and only one defeat.

This raised the biggest cheer at the club's annual presentation night on 9th May at Blairs College when representatives from Aberdeen Football Club presented certificates and trophies.

Players of the year for this season are:

Under 16 -Andrew Groundwater

Under 14- Stephen Mathers

Under 13 -David Hitchon

Under 12 -Andrew Black

Under 11 -Scott Grant

Under 10 (Colts) -Daniel Park

Under 10 (Spurs) -Thomas Begg

Culter Boys Club is establishing informal links with Keith Football Club who run teams at Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 in the new Highland youth leagues. At the time of writing, a friendly game between the two clubs was planned for Saturday 12th May at Keith's ground before their final Highland league match of the season against Brora Rangers.

We are looking for boys in the under 8 age group who would like to join the club and get involved in youth football and also keen to hear from anyone who might be interested in coaching this age group.

Culter Boys Club is also looking for a new club treasurer for next season. The treasurer need not be the parent of a boy in Culter BC but anyone who has the time and willingness to help keep the books. This is not a time- consuming task and with a financial background would be ideally suited. The treasurer's duties are outside the footballing activities of the club and he/she does not need to attend football matches or even know anything about football.

CULTER FOOTBALL CLUB

Frantic Finish: After having eight games postponed in the space of ten weeks starting on Saturday 30 Dec 2000, Culter face a busy end to the season. Evening and Sunday games are being played to catch up with the backlog.

Culter Clinch Championship: in the latter part of the season, Culter went to the top of the table in Division 1. We clinched our first ever Junior League Championship by beating Dyce Juniors 4-1 at Crombie Park, Culter, on Tuesday 1 May 2001 for Champagne celebrations. Culter are still in three Cup Competitions at time of printing and any Cup success would be a bonus.

Camoustie Coup: Culler pulled off a cup coup in Carnoustie on Saturday 24 March 2001. In the Quarter Finals of the Concept Group Trophy, Culter beat Carnoustie Panmure on penalties after extra time. It was 1-1 in normal time with Culter's Goalkeeper, Tony Buckley, being the hero by saving a late penalty to force the tie into extra time. Carnoustie Panmure are OVD Scottish Cup Finalists and Culter were the first team to defeat them this season.

Season-end Social: We are returning to Club Honorary President Eric J Duncan's Lauries Hotel in Aberdeen for our annual function on Friday 22 June 2001. The Club's Annual Awards will be presented at this event.

Dundee Disappointment: Culter came so close to reaching the final of the Concept Group Trophy. Culter lost to Dundee North End in Dundee on penalties after extra time. It was 1-1 in normal time and Culter went ahead 2-1 in extra time, only to be denied by a late equaliser.

25 Years Ago: Culter's most successful spell in Amateur Football was in 1975/76, just missing the " grand slam ", winning six out of seven trophies contested. Culter's haul of trophies were the 1st Division Championship, the North of Scotland Cup, the Aberdeen FC Trophy, the Dickie Trophy, the Hans Fyfe Trophy and the Chattan Rovers Cup. They reached the Final of the Ewen Trophy and this, the very last game of their 1975/ 76 season, was lost 2 -1 to Kemnay with the match-winning goal coming from a penalty.

Team and Committee Group of 1975/76 featured in souvenir photograph are

Back Row: H Ewen, F Brown, J D Birse, L Barclay, A Brown, C Murison, E Morrison, A J Moir Snr, A J Moir Jnr Middle Row C Ross, A Sutherland, R Beattie, G Gauld, P George, A Irvine, H Steel, M Saddler, R Gibson, I MacDonald, A Stuart, G Morrison

Front Row: P Robertson, P Longmoor, R Smith, E J Duncan, D Jamieson, A Watt, G Galashan, G Spry. Unfortunately the only player missing from the photo was Team Captain Dave Strath

PETERCULTER PARISH CHURCH

Peterculter Parish Church has now been completely refurbished and services have begun in the new-look building. The church will be formally rededicated by the Moderator of the General Assembly, Rt Rev John Miller, on Sunday June 17th at11la.m.

If you, or your organisation, wish to use the church for meetings etc., please telephone 735845 any morning.

We are extending an open invitation to all couples to come along and renew their wedding vows at a special service on Sunday June 10th at 11a.m. Regardless of where or when you were married, you are invited to come to this special service which will celebrate marriage today.

From this autumn, we hope to add to our Saturday morning coffee time by introducing mid week coffees every Thursday from 10a.m.-12noon, from September - June. There also will be a short 10 minute act of worship in the Church at 12noon each Thursday. All of this will be open to the whole community. More details in the next issue of the Courier.

CULTER ‘POP-IN’ POSSE

Initially the aim of this project was identification of groups or young people aged between 14 and 25. It also entailed identifying the needs of young people living in the Cults, Milltimber, Bieldside and Peterculter areas.

The study encompassed looking at the activities young people participated in or what they would like to participate in, the facilities available and what their time outside school is spent doing. It became apparent that there was a lack of facilities and as a result, youths were congregating in large groups, which caused concerns for local residents. This had led to the young people being moved on by the local authorities. To counteract this situation a local drop in, or 'Pop-in as it is called, was set up and the aforementioned groups were encouraged to attend.

The 'Pop-in, situated on North Deeside Road in Culter, is the main meeting point for youngsters aged between 13 and 18. The group or people who gather there are young people who generally attend Cults Academy. This has provided a vulnerable section or the community with a focal point where they can meet their friends and receive advice, support and information from youth workers, who are employed Aberdeen City Council.

The young people have lots of plans for the Pop-in, and have been granted permission to redecorate which they are keen to do. They are in need of funds to do this, and we are planning a number of events to raise money. This will give us scope to do more things. They nave expressed an interest in outdoor pursuits, ice- skating, and educational events highlighting issues that affect their lives. In the near future we will be holding a Jumble Sale in order to raise funds and will advertise nearer the time. We would appreciate as much local support as possible, as this will benefit the young people of Culter.

CULTS CRICKET CLUB

By the time you read this article the 2001 cricket season will be well underway. The senior XI's are hoping for a successful season with the retention of the Grade 1 title for the 1st XI and promotion from Grade 4 for the 2nd XI both realistic targets. Cup competitions are always a welcome relief from league games and progress is expected in both local and national competitions.

Junior cricket has also started again at the Allan Park after far too long a gap. Practice nights are Tuesday and Thursday 6-8pm for secondary schools with 'real' equipment and Friday 6.30-8pm for primary schools, Kwik cricket. All children from primary 5 upwards are welcome.

Cults have not entered any leagues for this season, but if numbers are enough, friendlies will be arranged and leagues entered for season 2002.

The Allan Park itself has wintered remarkably well after all the rain and snow. It just needs to dry out a bit more. The square has had a lot of remedial work done by Aberdeen City Council and this should result in high scoring games being the order of the day.

Cults Cricket Club is always on the look out for more players. For further information please contact:

Ian Sutherland -President Cults Cricket Club 

or check out the web site on:

EASTLEIGH NURSING HOME

What are you doing on Saturday, 19 May, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.? Coming along to EASTLEIGH NURSING HOME FAYRE, I hope.

Once again this promises to be an afternoon to remember, so bring your friends with you.

There will be a variety of stalls, lots of fun for all ages and, of course, Afternoon Tea at a bargain price of £1 per adult and 50p per child. Posters advertising this event are on display throughout the village and printed Raffle Tickets are also on sale.

Donations for the stalls or raffle would be most acceptable. If you think you can help in any way, don't hesitate to contact me at the Nursing Home, 110 North Deeside Road, Peterculter.

CULTER VILLAGE HALL

The annual Cabaret night at Culter Village hall was held on March 10 and was a great success. The hall committee would like to thank Culter Theatre Club for providing the excellent entertainment, which was enjoyed by over one hundred people.

The Annual General Meeting of CDCA took place on Monday 19 March 2001 at 7.30pm. The meeting was fairly well attended, but we would still like to see more people taking an interest in the running of the hall. During the meeting Mr Nigel George, the Hall treasurer, paid tribute to Alison Skinner who has been administrator at the Hall for the past ten years. Details of the increase in hall rental charges were outlined, and accepted by the meeting.

After the meeting closed there was a surprise 'This is Your Life' presentation to Alison Skinner as she has been associated with the hall for 25 years. Family, friends and also some ex members of the Hall Committee attended this gathering. It was a great occasion. Alison was presented with flowers and a gift from the Hall Committee.

The Hall continues to be well used throughout the week but we would like to remind people that the Hall office is closed at the weekend. If you wish to make a booking, please contact Alison, Monday-Friday between 9am and 12.30pm, or Monday- Thursday between 2pm and 4pm. The Hall number is 734371. There is an answerphone if Alison is out of the office when you call.

ST PETER’S HERITAGE CENTRE

As always, our appreciative thanks for all your ongoing support for the centre. Exciting times are ahead as we look forward to our official opening on Saturday 2nd June 2001 at 2p.m. Mr James Milne OBE, of the Balmoral Group, has agreed to do the honours. Committee member Mr Peter Campbell will give an introduction and there will be a short prayer of dedication.

During the afternoon there will be the usual exhibits and displays, as well as examples of the kind of activities we hope to develop within the resource centre such as flower arranging, card making (embossing and stamping) and calligraphy etc. The 47th BB Pipe Band will provide the entertainment and refreshments will be served.

Starting at 7.30 p.m. we have planned a musical evening and light refreshments. We look forward to seeing you there.

As part of the Gala Week programme, the BB Pipe Band will be performing at the Church Glebe in the evening of Tuesday 5th June. Their trophies will be on display in the Heritage Centre and we intend highlighting the BB items presently in our possession. Before all this, we await the efforts of the boys and girls of Peterculter Primary School who are designing a poster for the opening.

So as I've said, the Centre has much to offer visitors, families and friends. At the moment, we are open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays 2- 4p.m. RAIN OR SHINE!

Annual membership rates are: Adults £10, Family £20, Seniors £5, Juniors £2, Life membership £100

CULTER HILLWALKING CLUB

CULTER FLOWER SHOW

SATURDAY 18 AUGUST 2001

Here  is the early warning for the Culter Flower Show -only 10 weeks to go! There's a wide variety of sections to enter. You don't have to be able to grow magnificent roses or huge vegetable marrows. You can enter flower arrangements, cakes, tapestry, photographs, hanging baskets, wine and many others. There are also special categories for children.

Call Catherine Lacy  or see Alison Skinner, Culter Village Hall, for more information. And even if the roses come down with black spot, come along on the day. There's always lots to admire -plus the opportunity to buy masses of fresh flowers very cheaply as well.

A reminder, too, that the Culter Garden Competition will be taking place this summer - judging is usually done in the first week of August.

There are trophies for best garden, best pensioner's garden, best all year round garden and special awards made to people with wonderful container displays. If you want to enter your garden or to nominate someone else's plot, please call Catherine Lacy.

CULTER THEATRE CLUB

Culter Theatre Club will be staging its annual summer show, entitled " A Night at the Musicals" in Culter Village hall from 14th-16th June 2001. Rehearsals for this production have been underway since March and are going very well. There is a large cast of junior and adult members performing songs from the musicals. It promises to be a great show with some new faces as well as lots of the well-known faces from previous shows. Tickets for this event will be on sale from Culter village hall, priced £5 and £3.50.

On Saturday 21 April, CTC hosted an Oscar Night for the stars of the club. This was a gala occasion and celebrated the ten years of great shows. Celebrity guests, including among others, Robbie Williams, Tina Turner and Madonna, presented the awards. This was an evening for members only and was enjoyed by everyone.

CTC provided the entertainment at the annual Cabaret Night, held at Culter Village hall on 10 March. This was another very successful evening and raised lots of money for the hall. We thank all those who performed on the evening, for a wonderful selection of songs and sketches.

PETERCULTER OAPS CLUB

We had a very successful Coffee Morning in April when we raised £431. Thank you to all who took part in this event.

The Programme for June is:

Concert by Sound of Dunn from Montrose (beginning of June)

19th -Day Drive for members will leave at 11am with lunch at the Grouse Inn. There will be shopping time in Elgin before a stop at the Spey Bay Hotel for High Tea.

As we have a break for July and August, I wish all our members an enjoyable summer break and I hope to see them all back in September. Our first meeting will have John Michael, from Stonehaven, and his concert party to entertain us.

POLICE

I would like to begin with some good news. On 1st April 2001, I was joined by a second Community Beat Officer, Constable Graeme Stewart, who will now be working along with me at the Culter Office, covering Culter, Cults, Milltimber and Bieldside. Constable Stewart and I will mainly be working back to back shifts, affording the areas where we work maximum cover. In the last Culter Courier I mentioned an under-age drinking scheme which had been set up in the area. This scheme involved all off-sales premises in the Culter, Cults, Milltimber and Bieldside areas, introducing a voluntary age limit of 21 years for the purchase of alcohol. The scheme was run for a trial period of three months, ending on 31 March 2001.

The scheme has proved to be a great success and there was a lot of positive feedback received from the Licensees. Due to the success of the scheme, it is to be extended to other areas of the city where under-age drinking is a problem.

On the Library notice board in Culter, I have started to display Crime Prevention advice for the Community. The notice board will be updated regularly and will, in the future, display crime trends and any useful crime prevention advice relevant to the area.

Now that the summer months are creeping in and the weather is improving, please insure you do not leave any garden furniture out overnight or during the day when you are at work.

Garden furniture can be used by criminals to climb up to windows and allow easy access to your property. Again, with the summer months he garden will need some work. If you are working in the back garden, make sure your front door is locked, preventing unwanted visitors entering your house without your knowledge.

Please feel free to contact Constable Stewart and me at the Culter Police Office for any advice or assistance you may require.

PETERCULTER PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP

The Chairman welcomed all at the meeting and stated that it had been a quiet year due to the building work going on in the Medical Practice when the committee decided it would not be appropriate to hold meetings while the work was going on. The main statement was a call for new younger patients to run the Group and replace the existing committee members who wish to stand down in the near future.

After the formalities of the AGM, our guest speaker, Dr.Arun Mukerjee, Consultant to the Grampian Board on Communicable Diseases, addressed the gathering and spoke on Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) as it affects children. He went on to discuss the background to the controversy surrounding the connection between the single live vaccine recommended for MMR and the rise in cases of autism that has provoked concern in some areas. He went on to suggest there is no positive proof which connects one with the other.

Dr. Mukerjee gave a very illuminating talk and answered questions from the audience. Dr. Mukerjee is a respected authority on this subject, and it was with the interests of the younger patients, especially parents, that we went to some lengths to secure his attendance at this meeting. It was therefore very disappointing that, apart from the medical staff from the practice, the committee members and their friends, only two or three patients from the practice attended the meeting.

I would appreciate hearing from some of the patients of the Peterculter Medical Practice who might be interested in running the Group in the future.

CULTER PRIMARY SCHOOL 

School Board/PTA AGM , 

Wednesday 30 May . Followed by Cheese & Wine

CULTER SCHOOL PTA

By the time this goes to press the end of the school year will be fast approaching.

This has been a successful year of fundraising by the PTA, the main earner being the Spring Fayre held at the end of March, which brought in just over £2000. Thanks to all contributors and supporters for making this a very worthwhile event.

Other activities undertaken through the year have been a bus trip to Glasgow, packing bags at ASDA, a table top sale, Hallowe'en disco, a beer and also a wine tasting. And we can't forget the bingo nights -so popular we have had three this year instead of two. The profits from these events are well (and quickly!) spent on a variety of projects e.g. books and games, Christmas craft materials and playground equipment. A large part of the expenditure went on two smart wooden benches for the playground which have been well received.

Thanks again to everyone in the community who helps to support our school.

Before I sign off, could I make a plea to all dog walkers not to let their dogs foul the pavements.

This seems to be a particular problem in School Road and there is nothing worse than trying to clean off the offending matter from deep ridged children's shoes armed with nothing more than a twig and half a tissue, especially at nine 0' clock when the bell has just rung!

THE DEESIDE CHORISTERS 

This has been a busy season so far. On May 10 (a Thursday) we sang a Festal Evensong at St John’s Church, Aberdeen to celebrate the 150th ~ anniversary of that church. Members of other Diocesan churches were invited and the Primus, the Most Reverend Bruce Cameron, was the preacher. This service took the place of our monthly Evensong at St John's.

The monthly Evensong on June 10, will feature music accompanied by instrumentalists who are members of the Choristers, with Fraser Kelman as guest oboe soloist. Our accompanist, Lynne Black, is adapting the music for the instruments at our disposal. On June 24, we sing a Choral Service at St Machar's Cathedral in their series called 'St Machar's at 6', after the tradition of St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.

Enthusiastic new singers continue to arrive. In the last couple of months, we have been happy to welcome one new boy and three new girls. The future is bright!

DATE/TIME/PLACE

EVENT

ORGANISER

CONTACT NUMBER

Monday 21 May

 Time to be confirmed

Culter Mill Club

Youth Pool

Paul Cowie

Thursday 24 May

7.30pm start at all pubs

Open Singles Pool

As above

Monday 28 May

7.30pm start at all pubs

Open Singles Pool continued

As above

Monday 28 May 7pm start

Culter Mill Club

Ladies Singles Pool

As above

Tuesday 29 May 7.30pm start at all pubs

Doubles Pool

Saturday 2 June

I pm Bumside, Station Rd South

Duck Race

Scouts

Sunday 3 June lpm-3pm The Glebe

Children's Pet Show

Culter School PTA

Sunday 3 June

4pm from School Car Park

Children's Treasure Hunt

Monday 4 June Culter Bowling Club

Bowling Hat Night

Monday 4 June Bpm start

Gordon Arms Hotel

Singles Pool Final

Paul Cowie

Tuesday 5 June

Car Treasure Hunt

John Robertson

Tuesday 5 June 8pm start

Culter Mill Club

Doubles Pool Final

Paul Cowie

Wednesday 6 June

Football

Boys' Club

Wednesday 6 June 7pm

The Glebe

BB Pipe Band Concert and

5t. Peter's Heritage Trust Exhibition

BB Pipe Band

St Peter's Hf

Thursday 7 June

Exact dates, venues and times are yet to be confirmed

Darts

Steve Davidson

Thursday 7 June

Football

Boys' Club

Friday 8June 8pm

Culter Mill Club

Quiz Night

Contact to be confirmed

Friday 8 June Culter School

Fancy Dress Day

Culter School

CULTER COURIER

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