 Hello again! A
very warm welcome to all Members of the Heritage Trust. It has been nigh
on 9 months since we produced our last Newsletter. During this year we
have made great progress at the Centre and the Hall. Especially the
hall; we have a complete set of new tables; a new kitchen has been
fitted; and new toilets! In total, around £25000 has been used to
complete the revamp. A great deal of thanks is due to Wayne Bilsborrow,
who was very much involved in the installation and planning which went
in to the project. Well done and grateful thanks, Wayne!
Our AGM was held in September. Regrettably we lost the services of our
Secretary, Mrs Susan Chalmers, who is one of the Founder Members of the
Trust . Susan has moved on to be more fully involved in the Toddlers
Group, as their Treasurer. We give all our best wishes in her new role.
Sadly, we have to say, we have felt a great loss in the passing of John
Mearns. John did so much in improving the centre and the hall. Ever so
willing, never ending enthusiasm- a man of principle and dedication.
This was the second year of our Weekend Teas being served in the
Heritage Hall. So much praise is due to the ladies who have made it such
a success. They are all volunteer staff and have achieved so much. They
all work very much as a well-oiled team. Many thanks.
 The centre is still
receiving photographs, and other items, connected with the local area.
Many others have appeared in the local press. Evening Express “Memories”
recently had a photo of the Guide group taken in 1938. Hopefully, I
shall eventually get the names of all 45 faces! We also gratefully thank
Culter School for a display of school photographs. We hope that the
older children at school will take part in a Family Tree project for us.
We will provide some suitable prizes for the best research. I am sure
you will enjoy a visit . The centre is open on Wednesday, Saturday and
Sunday from 2-4pm. Remember, at the weekend, Coffee and teas are always
available.
The Centre and Hall are very much there to be used by the local
community. The Hall is used by a Music Group and they will be leading us
in Carol-singing on Sunday 19th December. On that day, as well as the
teas and coffees, you will be treated to a Christmas Pie! Our thanks to
the Music Group for arranging this – please come along.
Violet Smith, our vice-chair, has produced a selection of Christmas
Cards and Calendars which are for sale. We will also have for sale a
beautiful Calendar on behalf of Culter School. Other groups using the
Hall are- a Dog Obedience Class, Yoga, the Brownies and a Dancing Group
will start up in December.
We are very sorry to be losing another member of the Management
Committee. Wayne Bilsborrow has bought a farm. Regrettably, Wayne feels
he will soon have his work cut out ! We all wish him every success in
his new venture.
www.culter.net No doubt, all you internet and computer
enthusiasts will be well versed on news appertaining to the area. All
the latest Culter FC bulletins, Community Council News, Gala News and,
of course, the Heritage Centre is there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at
www.culter.net . You can join in by leaving your views on the “Forum”-
bird-scarers have been quite a hot issue in the past year! You can also
(for free) advertise your goods and services in the online “classified
Ads”. All of this can be accessed by your family and friends around the
world. This is undertaken by our Publicity Officer and Treasurer, Callum
Stuart.
The site was commended in the “Scottish Community of the Year Awards
2002” in the “Community Enhancement through the Internet” section.
It is great to have the commitment of these people in our Heritage
team. Perhaps you, too, have a skill you could offer, and bring, to the
development of the Heritage Trust and Centre?
John Troup has, up to now, looked after the Hall Lets. He will now add
to that by taking on the role of Secretary, vacated by Susan Chalmers.
 Our Membership Secretary,
Dr Sheila Grant, continues to carry on the huge undertaking of keeping
the members in order and sending out your reminders. Sheila
congratulates you all on your very prompt responses.
We have introduced a new post of Social Convenor, which will be filled
by Mrs Helen Ramseyer. Helen will undertake to keep us in line, and
organise us, for the increasing number of entertainments and concerts we
hold throughout the year. We are also delighted to welcome a new member
to the Management Committee in Mrs Heather Goodwill. Heather, the
daughter of the late John and Mary Mearns, is a solicitor by profession.
 Mother, Mary, donates and
arranges the fresh flowers which makes such a colourful welcome to the
centre. Also very active on the Committee, and still to get a mention,
are Tim Ramseyer, John Kelman, Doug Stewart- and our ladies Susan
Simpson and Hetty van der Sijp. Susan and her musical friends will be
entertaining us during the teas on the afternoon of Sunday 13th February
2005. Hetty has undertaken to research documents appertaining to civil
engineering in Peterculter. These were given by the local council and
are being catalogued by her. Lorrie Bilsborrow, Mary Mearns and Violet
Smith are very much involved in the catering of events and the many
volunteers, already mentioned, who man the urns throughout the year. We
appreciate your efforts no end.
The evening we held to mark five years of the Heritage Trust, in May,
was a night to remember. These ladies of the Management Committee
provided a truly stunning meal for members who came along. In October,
we held an Auction Sale in Heritage Hall which raised over £800. Kenny
Leslie, who ran many such “roups” in the Village Hall, was our
auctioneer. Many thanks to those involved and to Kenny for offering his
professional services for the evening.
A dance has been organised by Mr and Mrs Bill Findlay, at the Mill Club
on 3rd December, for the benefit of the Heritage. I think tickets are
still available. You can contact Mr & Mrs Findlay on 743485. Another
date for your diary. Douglas Stewart has arranged a talk on “Industrial
Success in the North-East” by Dr. John Reid. This will be held in
Heritage Hall on Friday 25th February.
Two stalwarts I have yet to mention are Bill Simpson and Arthur
McFarlane. Bill and Arthur, who are both Founder Members of the Trust,
are both slightly below par at present. We wish a speedy recovery to
both and they are very keen to keep in touch with developments at the
Centre.
I must take this opportunity to express our best wishes to all our
members for their dedication, support and encouragement to St Peter’s
Heritage Trust. May Christmas and the Year to come share joy and peace
with you. All best wishes from myself.
You know, for me, throughout life and looking back, the Good Lord has
entered my life on several occasions. One such time was soon after we
completed the purchase of the Heritage Centre. Out on the golf course ,
I was searching for a ball I had driven into the rough (quite normal for
me, really!). I never did find my own shot - but a ball stamped St.
Peter’s. Coincidence , or what?
Allan Pennie ,Chairman
For further details :
PHOTOS:
- Allan tries out his rocking chair- bought at the Heritage “Roup”.
- Helen and Lorrie - service you with a smile!
- Sheila converts another member. Hallelujah!
- Mary, at work in the new kitchen.
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