Culter Courier No. 110 by Culter Courier

PUBLISHED BY THE CONIMUNITY COUNCIL

CCC NEWS CHAIRMAN'S REPORT A Y I start by wishing the

residents of Peterculter a very happy and successful New Year. First of all, for those who do not k n o w me I have been o n Culter Community Council for nearly four years with the last two years being in the Minute Secretary's role. 1 know that I will have a difficult task in following Lavina Massie's leadership that has maintained a strong relationship with both Aberdeen City Council and the local community. I can but try to continue in the same direction with the same targets, and thank Lavina for staying in the position of Vice Chairman. CCC cannot survive without the help of the community itself, so I would ask for the support from the residents of Peterculter. Communication is always the answer so please talk to us and, if you can find the time, come along to one of our meetings. On that note we do not have a full complement of members on the Community Council, therefore if you would like to take part in the future of your community, please contact us The festive period has meant that January has been a very busy month with several important issues being discussed. Neighbourhood Operational Networks

CCC was pleased to hear that Ruth Morris will be taking over the position o f Neighbourhood Community Planning Officer for Peterculter after nine months with no-one in place. Ruth attended one of CCC's monthly meetings and advised that Aberdeen City Council is proposing t o develop a means of services and agencies working together at neighbourhood level t o tackle local priorities and agree actions in South Aberdeen. They are proposing the development of nine high level neighbourhood operational networks across South Aberdeen to enable this

FER 2008

ISSUE No. l l 0

process and to assist in the develop~~lent and delivery of actions contained within the Neighbourhood Community Action Plans. We look forward to working closely with Ruth during this exercise. Your Culter

CCC, The Village Hall Management Committee and our Neighbourhood Community Planning Officer, Ruth Morris, once again will be organising a "Your Culter" day. The previous "Your Culter" day allowed residents to see what priorities were detailed in the Neighbourhood Community Action Plan. Key issues within Culter then were: * Create a Neighbourhood Directory * Lack of NHS dentist and access to speech therapist * Create sheltered housing in Culter * Create affordable family housing * Tackle issue of heavy volume of traffic on Malcolm Road being dangerous to pedestrians. * Monitor speeding traffic throughout Culter Many of the above issues have progressed and we need to identify the next set of key issues. You will have seen a leaflet from the Neighbourhood Community Planning Officer asking residents what they see as key issues in the last Culter Courier. Many slips have been conlpleted and returned and "Your Culter" day will be a chance to see if these have been included in the Action Plan. This is also an opportunity for local people to see what's on offer in and around the village by the way of clubs, activities etc. Previously, some 30 organisationslgroupsiclubs set up their stalls to let residents know what was available for all the ages and interests fiom toddlers to pensioners. CCC will also have a stand so we would welcome residents to pop along and they will be able to talk to the CCC members on Roads, Paths, Environment, and

Planning. We are hoping to set a date for the event duringApri1 so keep a look out for the posters which will be put up throughout the village Local Transport Strategy

CCC reviewed the Final Draft Local Transport Strategy 2008-20 12 which has been extended to tie in with completion of the AWPR. The response to the success of the strategy included points addressed for "Access to the City" and "Transport within the City". Soine of the points addressed are: * Development of Cross Rail project and included frequency of trains * Removing choke points at bridges over Dee and Don * Improvements at the Haudagain Roundabout * Completion of AWPR (although CCC overwhelming agree that for maximising benefit to the city, this is the wrong choice of route) * Airport runway is extended * Park and Ride at key locations will benefit car reduction * Need for a bus link (e.g. Anderson

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Drive) connecting all bus routes going in and out of Aberdeen city centre, and increased safety on public transport. Key elements which should have been detailed within the document in order to see successful delivery had been omitted. CCC identified these as: * A timetable should be have been set for all objectives. Dates needed to be set so that measures can be completed within the 2008-2012 time period. * Resources and financing should be indicated * Lines of responsibility should be specified. * Prioritisation of different measures should be defined. We will have to see when the final plan is issued if all points have been taken on board.

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AWPR CCC has major concerns on the side road design of the AWPRlA93 Milltimber Junction, the reasons being: * the volume ofcars being drawn through Culter from the west because there is no opportunity to join the AWPR from the South Deeside Road * the volume of cars being drawn through Culter from the west along the North Deeside Road and not willing to wait at the A93lB979 Milltimber Brae junction. This will lead to "rat-running" along Malcolm Road and Culter House Road to access the AWPR. * The model used to predict traffic flows at the proposed Milltimber Junction and the associated traffic lights on the A931 B979 Milltimber Brae junction was less than convincing. * The design of the Junction with respect to facilitating safe access for pedestrians, cyclists and horses. * The selection ofthe proposedA93lB979 Milltimber Brae junction in comparison to a grade-separated roundabout. Throughout discussions, CCC has been frustrated by the lack of real community engagement and real consultation. However we will continue to make our voice heard during the forthcoming months. Core Paths Plan Aberdeen City Council is working towards making access to the outdoors more than just a "walk in the park". In addition to the right of responsible access

and the local path networks that already exist, A C C is developing a basic framework of "core paths". This Core Paths system must cater for all abilities and types of users (e.g. walkers, cyclists, horse-riders, canoeists) but not every core path has to be useable by all. Core paths can be anything from a tarmac path to a worn away grassy track The CCC Roads and Paths sub-group discussed both relevant city and local core paths and Doug Stewart will be replying on behalf of CCC.

Police CCC welcomes the new Police emphasis of increased police presence in Peterculter over the last few months. We have seen more speed checks for motorists on Malcolm Road and North Deeside Road as well as more regular foot patrols. The Neighbourhood Police Officers have also been undertaking surgeries in Peterculter for anyone who has questions requiring to be answered. It is reassuring to find out that the success rate for identifying the perpetrators of offences has also been good. James Farquhar Clzaiv Culter Community Council

PLANNING Weekly Lists

SINCE writing for the previous (November) Courier, the members of Culter Community Council considered the following planning applications were of interest to the wider community and objected or expressed concerns about them to the planners: a) Dwelling house in grounds of Highgrove House, Culter House Road: CCC objected to this application because i t would contravene Aberdeen City Council's policy of presumption of feusplitting. More often than not, feusplitting is detrimental to the ambience and setting of the original house and also to the new one, which somehow manages to look 'squeezed in'. b)Erection of two new dwelling houses in the grounds of 46 and 48 Culter House Road: Again, objections were made because of feu-splitting in an area where there are large houses, each within a

pleasant ambience setting of attractive wooded gardens adding to the 'green wedge' effect between Peterculter and Milltimber. This allows them, as described in the Local Plan, to maintain their individual identities. c ) 1421144 North Deeside Road, Peterculter - change of use for Retail Units to become Restaurant Premises: The members of CCC were pleased to see that the former premises of the oil service company would remain in business use. But did express concern on the limited amount of parking in the area. d) Creation of Driveway at 1 Towerview Way: T h e members of C C C were concerned that, if this is granted, it should only be on condition a low wall was built so that people using the public path, by the side of the house, were protected and had a clear view of any vehicle. It was important that the driver could also see pedestrians. With reference to the applications described in the last Courier: 1) I97 North Deeside Road, Peterculter: Planning permission has been granted for this house to be demolished and rebuilt along with a studio/house in the garden with access from Station Road West. Conditions, however, have been applied that * the materials used in the external finish have been seen and approved by the planning authority; * the studio/house is used only as ancillary to the dwelling house and neither building can be disposed of independently without written consent of the planning authority. In other words, the feu cannot be split at some future date without planning permission being given. 2) Boarding Kennels at the Baads Farm: As this application was a departure from the Local Plan (i.e. it is not the type of business usually granted approval in the countrysidelGreen Belt) it has been recommended that this is deferred until a detailed evaluation has been made.

Business Park nor will we have houses built in the Green Belt to the north. east or west of Culter.

Lavina C Massie Planning Liaison

PATHS IN PERIL THE Community Council has had the opportunity to comment o n the City Council's proposals for core paths. These are an initiative by the government to provide a framework of key paths throughout Scotland. In our area they comprise The Deeside Way Culter House RoadIBucklerburn RoadIThe Shoddy Guttrie Hill to Contlaw Road Dee path, St Peter's to Aberdeen

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Our main suggestion is that the Dee path should be extended west to the city boundary at Dalmaik, particularly in view ofthe recent loss of the track past Oldtown (see below). AIthough the Core Path Plan is still under consultation, hopefully it will generate the political will and finding for implementation.

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What is less encouraging is the ease with which paths can be closed. . Below, we sho\v examples of three types of closure in our area - ditch, \\all and gate.

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DITCH The beautiful walk down the north bank of the Dee from Culter to Cults was expected to be confirmed as a right of way several years ago, after a public inquiry. Unfortunately it remains impassible, mainly because the culvert that carried the path over a burn at Murtle was removed to block access. The ditch (Photo 1) can be crossed only when the river is low. Although the culvert would be easy and cheap to reinstate with just a few hours work, the city council prefer to pursue the alternative o f an expensive bridge. This has been interminably delayed.

Local Plan

WALL The old track running north frorn Linn Moor School was recently blocked by a stone dyke (Photo 2) near North Linn. Several protests about this blockage of a right of way have been made to the city council. We await developments.

In the last Courier, I said that following the Public Inquiry, the Reporters had come back with their recommendations. The planners and Aberdeen City Council have decided now to accept virtually all these (available in the Library to study in more detail) so w e will not have a

GATE The track running west from Oldtown, near the golf club, has connected the village to the riverside path to Dalmaik for over 100 years. and is the only link since construction ofthe golf course removed part of that path. A high. locked gate (Photo 3) erected this winter now greets walkers. The alternative route along the golf course is

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unsatisfactory both for walkers and for golfers. Again, we await action frorn the city council. What can you do about our paths crisis? We suggest two types of response. The first is the familiar "use it or lose it", which is one airn of our "Culter Explorer" paths leaflet. Free copies are available at Culter Library. The second is to notify problem5 to the community council. \vho will progress them with the city council. Our paths are a valuable asset, uhich must be protected and improved.

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--7

Craigton Lodge Nursery School

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Cllr Marie Boulton THE following have kept me busy Significant problerns with street lighting in Johnston Gardens East and North due to darnagedldeterioration of underground cables and faulty parts in the new lights the matter has now been resolved. Some thinning out of Pities and Evergreens are due to take place in Towerview. This IS being done due to 011going complaints from rcsidents re loss of light and pine needles coming in their windows.

I have informed Rachel Sharpe at Aberdeen City Council over a building of a wall at North Linn which has stopped people from using an "established" right of way - t h ~ sis being investigated by the legal department. I have also forwarded concerns over the disabled access t o St Peter Cemetery caused by the use o f small gravel recently put down by Aberdeen City Council.

1 am continuing to fight for a lightsactivated crossing on the North Deeside Road beside the BP Petrol Station. Upgrades to the bus infrastructure has begun on the NDRIMalcolm Road and Johnston Gardens.

I am investigating complaints re speeding on Station Road East - I have asked for a survey to establish if there is a real problem and, if there is, what can be put in place to curb the racers.

Marie Boulton n~arieboulton@btconnect.com Tel: 7337 12

Cllr Aileen Malone FIRST ofall, I would like to wish you all the best for 2008. 8zr.sStop Improvement IVorks

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I am pleased that upgrading at various bus stops in the Culter area has been agreed. The planned schedule for the improvement works starts on 7th January for a period of eight weeks. The work is to install raised kerbs and bus stop markings at bus stops in Sohnston Gardens, Malcolm Road, North Deeside Road. A number of bus shelters will be replaced with new bus shelters. North Dreside Rotrd, C n r r i n g e ~ t a y Condition Funding has been secured to resurface the North Deeside Road from the junction on Malcolm Road,'North Deeside Road to Brighton Place. This work will take place mid to late February. Along with these works, funding has also been made available to refurbish the pedestrian crossing.

DRU YOGA Join us every Thursday 7.30 to 9pm St. Peter's Heritage Hall

FIRST LESSON FREE There will inevitably be disruption during the reconstruction but 1 do hope that it is kept to a very minor inconvenience. The carriageway has to be repaired and I believe this should cause minimum disturbance to every day life.

Recycling F a c i l i ~St~Pctevs Terrace In September 1 asked the Council's recycling team to investigate repositioning the recycling units at St Peters Terrace. This was to free up very urgently required car parking spaces in the centre of the village. At the moment, we are looking into the v~abilityof moving the units to the Sports Centre Car Park. This would free up a least 6 extra car park spaces. I would be interested to here your views.

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than others, but 1 strive to find solutions to the majority. Please remember if you approach all local councillors about a problem, we are bound by the Data Protection Act and, without your permission, cannot discuss your case with each other. This leads to duplication (or triplication!) of work.

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CULTER GALA 2008 SATURDAY 3 1ST MAY

Parking is a major concern in various parts of the village. If you need to get in touch with me regarding any issues, please contact me at ...

We have ' Lift off!

DEESIDE PIPER C HERALD T h e ' P ~ p e r I' S part of t h e Angus Press g r o u p of weekly n e w s p a p e r s 0 1 1t h e rlews-stands every Thursday from B r ~ go D e e t o Braemar Your Culter-Cults c o r r e s p o n d e n t I S

Kathleen Robertson (01224) 735501 e n i a ~ ls u n h o n e y c o t t a g e ( ( (t ~ s c a cl ~o uk

THE appeal for help, which went into all 2,300 Culter homes in N o v e m b e r , resulted in 3 offers tojoin the Committee and 2 to help on Gala Day. This brings back committee numbers to the necessary minimum but still means w e a r e undermanned.

Councillor Aileen Malone Town House Broad Street Aberdeen AB 10 l FY Telephone home 862 189 Town House (direct line) 522356 Email: amalone Oaberdeencity,gov.uk

Contacts: Home 8678 16 Office (ACC): 523 148

Cllr Alan Milne

THE new Cults Academy building is still on schedule for occupation in October 2009. The concrete pad foundations are progressing well and the erection of precast concrete sections is about to start. These will arrive by road. The contractors will remove mud from Quarry Road as frequently as is required. A further portion of the old Deeside Line is to be resurfaced between Pitfodels Station and West Cults Road. This is part of the National Cycle Network and (if funds are available) hopefully will link to a new bridge over the road.

However we will go ahead with Gala Day, and as many of the usual events that can be managed by a small, new committee. It is hoped weare not too late to arrange a Race Night and most of the usual PreGala. The Car Treasure Hunt needs an organiser - so if there is anyone out there willing to take it up - please contact me. You may already have seen the Gala Poster around. This is confirming the Gala date. Please also read on ....we are still asking for more help. There was a meeting in the Pop-In at 7.30pm on Monday 11th February and there will be another on Tuesday l l th

March. We will be delighted to welcome any more willing helpers. If you feel you have anything to contribute, please contact me on 733273 A. Wakefield

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PETERCULTER MEDICAL PRACTICE DR J O A N N E O W E N is now on maternity leave. and we wish her and her family all the best for their new arrival. While she is away from the practice, we will have Dr Ian Tho~npsonworking as a locum assistant with us - Dr Thompson was our GP registrar (trainee) 3 years ago and knows the practice well. Dr Caroline Howarth returns from maternity leave in March. Access to primary care services is big in the government's agenda at the moment and getting a lot of media coverage. We are presently awaiting the Scottish Government's view on exactly how they wish this to be developed and there is likely to be some difficult debate with the medical profession over the next couple of months especially with regard to evening and Saturday morning opening. In the meantime we are continuing to work to improve things locally at the practice - appropriate use of telephone consulting seems to be helping. We are also looking to reduce if possible the number of appointments wasted due to non-attendance, a number which can be quite significant over the course of a month. We do appreciate that slip-ups can happen but would urge you to phone and cancel an appointment which you either do not need or cannot manage to attend for whatever reason - this is then available for use by someone else. Best ishe he.). Dr Douglas Harris

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PETERCULTER PARISH CHtTRCH THERE will be a series of Sunday evening discussion times over the next few weeks organised among ourselves. Cults Parish Church and St Devenick's, Bieldside. Each evening will begin with a pot luck supper at 6p.m., followed by a guest speaker and discussion time.

The programme is as follows: February 24th - Cults March 30th - St Devenick's April 27 - Peterculter Topics are still being finalised, but likely subjects are: Suffer the animals... ? -Animal Rights and Experimentation Ccrught in the Web - the moral dilemmas of the Internet Whv are we so rifiaid? - Human right.^, Big Brother State, Privacy

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We will also continue to run our own series of meetings for those interested in exploring Christianity. These are open to everyone in the community. not just church members, and start at 7.30 pm ending around 9.00 pm. The next course is as follows: THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA It is one of the most religious nations on earth. But what is the Christian Church really like in the United States today? April 16th - Origins of Christianity in America April 23rd - The Main Denominations April 30th - Church and State I also intend to hold a series of informal evenings tor anyone wishing to explore the basics of the Christian faith, with the option of becoming a church member at the end of the series. These will take place

The complete Legal, Property & Financial Services on yol.lr doorstep

working variable shifts. Please use this opportunity to report any incidents or concerns you have about critnes or offences taking place in the village. As the winter is now truly with us and the hill tops are covered by snow, Grampian Police and local mountain rescue teams have been in action over the last month being called out to deal with injured mountaineers and missing skiers.

I would ask that all hill goers, whether skiing, walking or mountaineering take care in their chosen activity by following the basics,

on Wednesdays: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th May and 4th June at 7.00p.m.

A series of tnonthly evening services has begun on the first Sunday of every month. These informal services are open to all and will include old and new songs, reflection and prayer. Carpet Bowls has started up again and takes place every Friday evening from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. All are welcome; the cost is just ÂŁ1. We continue to have monthly lunches on the first Wednesday of every month, open to EVERYONE in the village. A two course lunch is offered for f 3. At Easter, we will be holding a Family Service on Palm Sunday which this year will be on March 16th. We will be processing to the church behind a donkey. Joint Holy Week services with local churches take place from March 17th 21 st at 7.00p.m. in Peterculter Church. We will have a short outdoor service in the field beside the Heritage Centre on Easter morning, March 23rd at 9.15a.m. This will be followed by egg rolling for children and breakfast in the Heritage Hall. Our Easter Day service o f celebration takes place in the church at 10.30a.m.

Full details about all our activities are on our web site at www.culterkirk.co.uk John Ferguson

POLICE REPORT I HOPE you all enjoyed the festive period and are having a good start to 2008. Unfortunately at Culter Police Office, the new year is being met by the same complaints from local residents regardicg lllegal Parking and Speeding. Foot patrols are taking place as and when our duties allow and it is still apparent that some people are just parking wherever is convenient for them, with Little or no regard for the safety of other road users or pedestrians or indeed any parking restriction in place. As local police officers, we realise that parking provisions are not great in the village, however this is not an excuse and people failing to adhere to the restrictions posted, will continue to be educated or charged as and when it's appropriate. Speed checks are still being carried out on a regular basis in and around Culter by your local officers and the Roads Policing Department. It goes without saying that driving within the posted speed limits, keeps you and others safe, keeps points off of your driving licence and money in your pocket! Secondly. I hope you have noticed that the Police Office door is open on a Saturday morning in order to allow those who work Monday to Friday 9 to 5, a chance to meet or greet their local police officers who are out and about and

1. Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back. 2. Have the appropriate clothing and equipment and know how to use it. (Boots, waterproofs, warm layers and of course a map and compass!!) 3. Check the weather forecast and plan or ainend your plans to suit. (Met Office or Mountain Weather Information Service) 4. Have a change of warm clothingiextra layers if it gets cold. 5. Ensure you have adequate food and liquids. (hot sweet tea is always welcome on a cold day) 6. If your route or planned activity hits a glitch - Don't Panic, use your common sense and take the safe option/route off the hill. And remember to let your family or friends know that you will be late home. (Mobile phone coverage is very good in Deeside) Winter sports in the hills are great fun; just get out there and enjoy yourself. remembering to keep yourself safe as the last person you want to be rescuing you is your local bobby. You will never hear the end of it! ! Take care, Andy Jack

And just to remind you that you can contact Gramnpian Police on 0845 600 5 700 for non emergency calls and of cozrr.se 999,fbrt.mt.rgency calls o n l ~ : Grampian Police has alsojoined the 21st Centur?,c~ndvoucan reach u.s b,v Emoil servicecentre@grampian.pnn.police. zrk or for the deaf or hearing impaired, call

the SMS TEATPHONE on 07739 934444 or fin all^: you can provide anonvmotr.r information via Crime Stoppers on:

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CULTER COMMUNITY DIARY GROUPS leaders are reminded about the Diary which is available at the Community Hall. The intention was to avoid event clashes. So far there have been no contributions other than Hall activities and Community Council events.

the Forest of Birse, followed by a coastal walk from Gourdon to St Cyrus. Information about our group can be obtained from Kate Thomson (telephone: 01330 811275).

Ethel Taylor

CULTER 50+ WALKING GROUP OUR walks went as planned from late October with an interesting one from Persley in Aberdeen and a very windy walk at Fasque but then one of our favourite winter walks, which consists of two short walks at Monymuskand Castle Fraser, was reluctantly abandoned due to very high precipitation! The next time we met was over an e x c e l l e n t 4' Christmas lunch at The Mill Inn ,g g where enjoyed the added company of former walkers. With the bus booked for t h e 20th December there was a good turn out of walkers so we set off for Crathes and combined one of the walks in the Castle grounds with part ofthe old railway line. The new year started for the group with our planning meeting for the year's walks over an excellent cuppie and homebakes from group members. The next few walks planned mill see us on the Deeside railway line again, walking from Milton of Crathes. then a walk in

BOYS' BRIGADE CENTENARY THE 47th Aberdeen (Culterj Company BB was formed l00 years ago on 17th April, 1909. A committee has been formed to mark the occasion and would like as many ex-members as possible to make contact again. The intention of the committee is to have a week of activities which will be designcd to have friends from every comer of the country - and world - making contact and renewing their memories of past times. The most appropriate time for our celebrations will be the week l lth 17 May 2009 which includes the Parents Night Display at the end of the BB Session, and hopefully the Old Boys can be involved and show the youngsters how it used to be done. We also visualise a few nights under canvas at the Cornpany site at the Lebhall, Crathie, 6th - 9th July 2009 between Advancc and the Camp proper. The Culter Heritage Centre will rnaku space available for us to have a display

of photographs and memorabilia and the committee will be delighted to receive any items which u i l l be catalogued and returned to the owners. The 50th and 75th anniversaries wcrc celebrated in grand style and on both occasions it was the wish of the Old Boys to present the Church and the Company uith appropriate gifts to mark such auspicious occasions. It is our hope that we can be similarly generous on our 100th anniversary as thanks to the residents of Peterculter for their support over the years and donations can be made to the undernoted. Further details can be discussed with chairman of the committee ex-Captain George Cowie on larachuaite@tiscali.co.uk Tel: 01330 811781.

Captain Douglas Allan doug.allan 1iLl)btintemet.com Tel :01224 732566

Company Website 4 7th Culter BB - The Old Boxs

CULTER B O - P E E P S AND TODDLERS IT'S the New Year and we love to see more folk coming to join us every week. The numbers latcly have been rather low and this is a shame as the sessions are really very good. The groups have heard that the cost of the sessions could be putting some folk off. We have looked into this and for what the sessions provide and the expenses that need to be covered the price must stand. We are not a subsidised group and rent has to be paid.

The school has found the Danish Construction company to be excellent Mr Eric Pederson the Project Manager has come in to speak to staff, and representatives have met with Pupil Forums to explain the project. Regular contact is maintained and staff visits around the construction site are on-going. We are also busy planning final design features for our new building and a group of staff and pupils are meeting with Art & Design experts to develop broad themes into aesthetic features. Pupils have already visited some buildings in Aberdeen to see aspects of design in practice. 3 1 9 N o r t h Deeside Road PETERCULTER A B 1 4 OUL TEL: 01224 7 3 3 7 7 3

OPENING HOURS M o n d a y - Saturday: 4 . 0 0 p m - 1 0 . 3 0 p m Sunday: 4 . 0 0 p m - 9 . 0 0 p m

* BoPeep - £3.50 per session * Toddlers - £2.50 per session These sessions are both two hours long and we have a vast range of toys in a large space. Snack for both toddler & adult is provided. The Bo-Peep session also has craft time with playdough, paint, plus a planned craft activity each week. There will be a set time ( l 5 minutes) for action songs each week for both Bo-Peeps and Toddlers There are discounts available and your very first session is free so come along and see what it's like. We would also appreciate some feedback. (See udvertisement,for times.)

might well attract existing groups but this could be an opportunity to create new groups with the support of adult help. The Whitespace Arts Development Team is offering to work with a group of 4 - 6 young people in the same age range to produce a mural that will be displayed in the Transition Extreme centre. Funding for both projects is from mid February to the end of March so if there are any interested parties then please contact:Peter Sanderson Principal Community Learning Worker Comrnzmit?,Learning & Development Tel. 01224 868858 Fax 01224 869815 email - petersanderson@rmplc.co.uk

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN CULTER.

CULTS ACADEMY

SOME funding has become available through t h e Community Safety Partnership to provide free access to Transition Extreme down at Aberdeen beach for young people in the 13 - 18 age range. There are taster sessions on indoor rock climbing, skateboarding, BMX, basketball and pool. This opportunity

PROGRESS on the building of the new Cults Academy is continuing with most of the foundation work now completed. The next exciting stage will be the erection of the prefabricated panels, which will start around the 22 January. Thereafter the basic frame of the building should be in place quite rapidly.

New Building Work On Track

Overall, the impact of the building work on the daily running of the school has been much less than we expected with no real issues of noise pollution. Obviously our remaining pitches are showing signs of wear and tear but our PE department have been excellent in timetabling activities to minimise disruption to pupils' sporting acitivities.

CULTER SCHOOL NEWS DURING October a very successful "Think Pink Day" was organised by P6B and Mrs Black. T h e y raised the magnificent sum of £694.82 for the 'Breast Cancer Campaign'. (Pupils and staff looked "Pretty in Pink!") Other charity events have included the Nursery 'Toddle Waddle' for ' T h e Meningitis Trust' a n d t h e school Christmas show. The whole school enjoyed a Scottish Week on the run up to Rabbie Burns' birthday in January. Classes entertained each other by taking part in Ceilidh Sessions. Doric Poet Sheena Blackhall, Storyteller Sean Cordon and members of Culter Boys Brigade Pipe B a n d entertained the pupils with Scottish poetry, stories and music and all pupils learned a Scots poem, which culminated in a competition on the Friday. Pupils Kirsty Middleton P7H and Roslyn Fordyce P7C were picked to play badminton for a Select Aberdeen City Team in the Inter Area Triangular Tournament in February.

Carl Milton P6C earned a place in the \ I /, North East Chess Team, which will play against other schools in the Scottish Junior Chess Championship in June.

Kellfs Bakery Tea Room & Gallery

This year saw the departure from Culter School of teachers Mrs Kathleen Downie and Mrs Lynda Wyer after many long years of service. Pupils and colleagues wish them well in their retirement. We have been writing a blog (online diary) about events happening in school. To read further details about any of the above and also to watch small movie clips of our ceilidh etc log onto: littp://www.cuIterschoolaberdeen.sch.uk It is updated daily. (Mrs) Hazel Robinson Principal Teacher Culter School

CKTLTER SCHOOL PARENT COKTNCIL THE School Board and PTA for Culter School were disbanded in 2007 and the new Parent Council formed. Its aims are to * support the school in its work with pupils and parents, * represent the views of parents and promote communication between the school. parents and the community. * it also allows for the co-opting of members of the community who have no direct links with the school. Meetings are open for all parents to attend and parental involvement at any level is always welcome.

The ideal place to meet and greet fi-iends for Morning Coffee or Afternoon Tea. Now Exhibiting Local Artists

257 North Deeside Road, Peterculter Telephone: 733100 As well as the popular Bingo nights, our major fund-raiser is the Spring Fair and this year it will be held on 15th March 2008, lpm-3pm at the school. Events and activities will appeal to all ages and refreshments will be available. Raffle tickets will go on sale shortly. The Parent Council wishes Mrs Downie andMrs Wyer well in their retirement and thanks them for their support of the PTA over the years.

SCOTLAND

Culter School has opted to retain a fundraising element within its Parent Council and monies raised go dircctly back into the school, supplying craft materials for classes, Sports Day teas, Christmas gifts for Nursery, a donation towards Health Week and social events like the Pumpkin party for P1 -3 and Valentine's disco for P4-7. We also have assisted in the provision of portable basketball nets for a new school club, established this year, which will allow the participation in competitions.

CULTER YOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB CULTER Youth Football Club has been confirmed as the thirdNorth Region club/ school to be awarded the SFA Quality Mark. The club has attained the standard level of the award and was presented with its certificate ahead of the Aberdeen Football Club against Kilrnanlock SPL Game on Saturday 8th December.

To attain the award the club has demonstrated it has met the criteria set for the club's Management; Administration; Coach & Player Developnlent; Planning; and Welfare. Culter Youth Football Club was established in 1983 and currently has 16 teams competing in the Aberdeen and District Juvenile Football Association League from Under-9 team through to Under-19s team catering tor over 300 players as well as having more than 30 coaches and volunteers. The club is always on the look out for more coaches and volunteers. lf you are interested, please contact Phil Bellis on 077 14 1594 19 for more information. Culter Youth FC has huge plans ahead including rhe idea of new facilities which they are trying to process at the moment. 2008 is the 25th anniversary of Culter YFC and events are being planned for celebrations later in the year. To t h d out more about Culter Youth Football Club please access the following website www.culterboysclub.co.uk

REWTBR BEE CAPE Welcome to our Cafe servlng L~ghtLunches and a w~devarlety of teas, coffee,ju~cew~th home-made cakes and b~scults.

PTjBER3X G3FT Sn0P Come and d~scoverunusual and delightful g~ftsfor everyone, wh~chare a pleasure to glve and receive Handcafied wooden toys Pottery & Glass Soft toys & text~les Candles, Cards & Crystals Opening Times

Tuesday to Fr~day I0 OOam - 4.45pm Saturday 10.30am - 4 45pm For more informat~on, Tel: 868262

DEE-CIDERS WALKING GROUP IN the last quarter we hahe had rn~xed fortunes so far as weather IS concerned In mid-October the day of our walk at Sands of Forvie was absolutely perfect w e saw some children taking the opportunity of seaside fun - a change from what used to be 'tattie holidays'. The next walk was to GlenfenzieIMorhen Lodge a new one for some of the group - wlth some Interesting ruins and stories. A fortnight later we did the 'Seven Brigs' walk at Ballater, in reasonable weather though it did rain on our picnic. Then again rain forced us to change our route from the summit of Carnferg. Instead of doing a circuit over the top and round by the Fungle, we decided to take the shorter route back via the side of the hill.

We hope jlozt erqo~l~~ozcr vuit.

& Tawmy are now taklng appo~ntmentsat Stll ar Halr Salon (formerly A~nstacut) 172 North Deeside Rd., Peterculter To arrange an appointment please call: 01 224 7331 52

Culter Bo Peeps and Toddlers, Culter Wage Hall, 9.30am - 11.30am. (Term-T~me) Monday: Bo Peeps 1 - 3 yrs (toys, songs, crafts 8 snack) Tuesday 8 Friday: Toddlers 0-3 yrs (toys, songs 8 snack) First Session FREE Pop In for fun, coffee 8 chat

Our final walk of 2007 was at the Shooting Greens/Scolty/BIackhall - it was a tine morning but rained by the tiine we left Banchory (after a cup oftea and fine piece) However, our spirits weren't dampened as we looked forward to the following Tuesday and Christmas party at the Irvine Arms, Drumoak, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all; as usual good food and company and lots of laughs! We started the New Year with a leisurely w a n d e r through Kirkhill Forest 'to clear the system from over indulgence in recent past'. A fine, crisp day but, being careful of some icy patches on the way, it was just right for our first of the year - and we were home before the rain started!) Future programme includes walks to Hill of Fare, Easter Balmoral, Loch Kinnord and Burn o' Vat. etc. As always, we are indebted to our walk leader and minibus drivers. MOlRA CONNON DEE-CIDERS WALKING GROUP (for information telephone me at 731051).

CULTER FOOTBALL CLUB Dinner Delight. Our 2 n d Celebrity Dinner at the Menzies Dyce Aberdeen Airport Hotel on Friday 9 November 2007 was yet another excellent night. President Doug Jamieson made a first class introductory speech followed by Senior Member Gordon Morrison's special Grace. Guest Speaker Referee Kenny Clark, Raconteur John McRuvie and Compere Peter Mitchell gave us a very memorable evening. The event was attended by 2 14 gentlemen. Grill Gloom. After a fine 3 - 1 victory over last year's Grill League Cup winners Turriff United at Turriff in the Semi Final, Culter faced Sunnybank in the Final. I t was staged at Hillhead Centre, Aberdeen on a cold gloomy Sunday 18 November 2007 which ended in a gloomy result for Culter. Culter made a dream start when John Brown scored in the first minute and we were ahead 2 - 1 at the interval but Sunnybank equalised to take the match to penalties. Culter lost 5 4 in the dreaded penalty shoot out. -

Supporters S a d n e s s . O u r loyal supporter George AGammack, who rarely missed a game, was about to board our bus for the Grill Cup Final when he became ill and had to go home. The saddest of news followed when George died in Hospital on Thursday 22 November 2007. George enjoyed our Celebrity Dinner, another event he always attended. He was a great help to me as part of our Sunday Sweepstake team with my father, Edwin Davidson and my sons over many years. Our flag was flown at half mast before our historic Huntly game and his son Graham, also a regular supporter, was wearing his father's ring to have a wee bit of George present at the match. More sad news came when the wonderhl centenarian Moll Hunter passed away at Eastleigh Care Home, Culter on Saturday 12 January 2008. Her daughter, Norma Scott, said she was a life-long fan of Culter F.C. where her husband Jim was a star Culter player of his era in and around 1933 and later became Secretary.

Dream Dashed. We were favoured with a decent day with plenty of sunshine for our sell-out historic match against Huntly in the 3rd Round of The Scottish Cup. Once again there was a posse of Press Reporters plus Photographers plus television cameras. There was a great atmosphere at our new look Crombie Park. courtesy of Main Sponsor Doug Milne. There were many former Culter players present for the big occasion sharing happy reminiscences. Pre and post match messages again came from far and near, Shetland to New Zealand and from on board a ship at Newcastle. Requests for match programmes were also widespread from distant places like Hitchin, Hertfordshire and Gateshead . The Culter faithful in the sell-out crowd were in dreamland when Chris Mountford chipped us ahead in 17 minutes. Our dream was dashed when Bruce Cormie equalised then put Huntly ahead 3 - 1 at the interval. McWilliam put Huntly further in front in the 63rd minute. In the closing minutes Steve Rintoul hit a screamer which struck the inside of the post and somehow ricocheted to safety to deny us a grandstand finish. We were defeated but not disgraced. Birthday Boy. Congratulations went to our Honorary Vice President and lifetime supporter Jack Davidson who celebrated his 80th birthday on Tuesday 27 November 2007 in Singapore. He celebrated his special occasion with his wife Pat, son Stuart and family at the legendary Rafiles Hotel, Singapore.

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Bar & Pool Room Lounge & Dining Room For Table Reservation, Telephone 733365 the Scottish Football League Centenary International.

OAPS THE start of another year where did 2007 go? It seemed to flash by. -

Disappointing Defeat. Culter crashed out of their 3rd Cup Competition in successive weekends going down 2 0 to Bonnyrigg Rose in the Scottish Junior Cup 3rd Round on Saturday 1 December 2007. -

Committee Composition. We were delighted to welcome Larry Officer on to our Committee. Lany, a well known and highly respected referee. was already helping us out and we were pleased when his membership became otticial. Lany's refereeing days started 40 years ago in 1947 when he joined the SFARAberdeen & District and had 20 years on the Senior List. His most ~nemorableappointments were refereeing a Junior International, Linesman at two Scottish Qualifiing Cup Finals. a Rangers v Celtic game, and at

Playing Pool. We welcomed Mark Hamilton on a temporary transfer from Buckie Thistle and George McBain on transfer from Glentanar to our playing pool. Disappointing Dyce Draw. Culter were denied two valuable points thanks to a late, late equaliser after the Referee played five minutes injury time for Dyce to make it 2-2 on 15 December and break our 100% league record. Goals Galore. Culter enjoyed a goal feast in the opening two games of 2008, mauling Maud 7 1 on 5 January in the Superleague then hammering Hillhead by an unexpected 9 - 0 margin on 19 January in the Regional Cup. -

Albert J Moir

Our first meeting of 2008 was on 9th January which was our AGM. There were no changes of officials or committee so I am still President. Alison Skinner very kindly took the chair for us. Entertainment for this evening was 'Sounds Familiar' and they were very good as were 'Fittie Folk' on February 6.

Our programme for the next few months is: March 5 The 2 As April 2 Charlie Kidd " 5 Coffee Morning in Supper Room, Village Hall " 16 Old Hat May 7 Mhairi Shand

Christmas disco, quiz nights, whist nights and the ever popular 2nd January hangover golf fun day. For more information about the club, you can visit the website, www.petercultergolfclub.co.uk or go up to the club and see for yourself. For membership information contact Jennifer Watson, the club administrator on 01 224 735245 ext. 20 o r download an application form li-om the website.

its members with quality leisure and dining. Memberships are currentlyavailable. If you would like to view the facilities,please contact:: Nicky Caldwell on ( 0 1 2 2 4 ) 734747 or visit www.kippielodge.co.uk Kippie Lodge, North Deeside Road, Milltimber,

PETERCULTER GOLF CLtTB

g $p p 1 PILATES CLASSES SOLVEIG DAHLE SMITH Cert. Pilates Inst. APPI Experienced inusculoskeletal physiollierapisl Suils all ages and filness Icwls Small Classes PETERCULTER SPORTS CENTRE hlontlay K Tuesday afiernoons Wednesday K Thursday eyeninp

sol\eig~~pilaiesaherdeen.con~ Call 01224 861421 for details June v

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Grouse Inn for Lunch then to Spotty Bag at Banff and, to complete this busy day, High Tea at New Inn, Ellon.

Flo Will P v e ~icfetlt

THE 2008 golf season starts on Saturday 22nd March with the Captain versus Vice Captain competition and is followed on Sunday 23rd March by the s h o ~gun start, Mixed Opening Competition. Full catering will be available after both events and we look forward to seeing all our members back on the course and coming in with great scores!

Over the wlnter period the greens staff have been very 4 busy making improvements I I to the course. Our Head Green Keeper. Paul Sharp-and his team has started on the work to build a new gents' 15th tee box. Further safety teatures have been included such as hand rails leading from the l st green to the 2nd gents' tee and general winter maintenance On paths and ditches.

We do have a short waiting list for members but it is expected that these people will be offered membership in March. So ifyou are interested in joining the club and playing on one of the bestpresented and maintained courses in the North East ask for an application form and return it to the club as soon as possible. The club is extremely friendly and welcoming to all, including children, and benefits from a lovely club house which is set amongst beautiful scenery.

Susan Chappell-Smith

DEESIDE CHORISTERS ALTHOUGH it seems a long time ago, our Christmas services followed the usual pattern of St Mary's, Blairs, on the second Saturday of December and Central Buchan on the third Sunday. These were followed by January and February events. S~rndcry13th January : Compline (Tenor and Bass parts only) St John's Church, Aberdeen. Sur~tfuy10th Febvuarv: Evensong, St Margaret's Church, Gallowgate. All of these were very successful and enjoyed by everyone involved both choristers and audiences. -

Dates for your diary:

* SATURDAY

Several bunkers have been re-turfed around the edges using turf from the uplifted old 15th tee box. The weather has not been so kind to us this year as there has been torrential rain since November which has hampered the work programme.

8th Mavcl? - 7pm St John's Church, off Crown Street, Aberdeen Lenten Images (a set of' Seasonal Devotions set to music) All welcome. Refreshments served afterwards.

We held several successful social events during the winter months, including a

* SUNDAY 30th M~~vcl? - 6pm St Machar's Cathedral, Aberdeen

* SUNDAY 2 7th April - 4pm Diocesan Choral Festival, St Andrew's Cathedral, Aberdeen * SUNDAY 4th May

- 6.30pm Evensong for Dedication Festival, St John's Church. Aberdeen

MILTON

* THURSDAY 14 - SUNDA Y l 7th August Annual Training Camp in Carronvale House Conference, Training and Activity Centre, Larbert, Stirlingshire.

RESTAURANT b MARQUEE

CULTER VILLAGE HALL NEWS ON behalf of CDCA, I would like to thank committee members Pam McBain and Rachael Beedie for organising last year's Hogmanay party held at the village hall. It was a great success and raised a lot of money for hall funds. We hope to hold another one this year. Please look out in the November edition of the Courier for details. DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU OWN THE VILLAGE HALL? IT IS NOT A COUNCIL-RUN COMMUNITY CENTRE. The annual AGM of the village hall will be held on Monday 19th March at 8pm in the main hall. This meeting is open to all residents of Peterculter and we urge you to attend, especially if you are a representative of one of the groups which uses the hall. Each and every one of us Culter residents has a stake in what happens to this excellent facility. Please attend the meeting and have your say. Everyone is welcome.

The Mllton Restaurant & Conservatory offers exqulslte food and personal~sedservlce In a stunnlng settlng The Mllton Marquee 1s s~tuatedr ~ g hon t the banks of the R~verDee and can be transformed Into anythlng from a conference room t o fairytale weddlng

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RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 2007 GRAMPIAN CHEF OF T H E YEAR 2007 GRAMPIAN YOUNG CHEF OF THE YEAR 2007

C r a t h e s B a n c h o r y A b e r d e e n s h i r e A B 3 I SQH T: 0 1330 8 4 4 5 6 6 w w w . r h e m i l r o n . c o . u k

mainly be to cover weekend evening work but could include some week day cover as well. This post would suit a student as there is ample opportunity to study whilst being paid to keep watch over the hall. We have 2 wardens but there are times when they are unable to work and we have to turn down lets as we have no staff to cover the events. For further information please contact Alison Skinner at the hall. All hall activities are now back to normal after the Christmas break, but don't forget. if you want to book the hall for your function, please call Alison on 734371. We offer very competitive hourly rates for community based activities, as we only aim to cover our running costs. We have also had weddings, ceilidhs, birthday parties, sales of work, and many other functions. However we do not cater for teenage parties or 1 8thl 2 1st birthday parties.

We would like to thank Culter Theatre Club for the donation they recently made to the hall. I should also like to thank Culter Colnmun~tyCouncil who advised us w e were eligible for the Small Improvement Grant from Aberdeen City Council. This " Susan Chappell-Smith enabled us to buy 36 new ?) 4 ? Pre.~ident. chairs. And finally a b ~ thank g ?-&,l: you to everyone else who has helped raise funds for Culter ' "' / SCOUTS V ~ l l a g ehall. Without the donations and fund rais~ngactivities the I N 2007 Scouting celebrated its hall would struggle to survlve. Centenary year. Scoutlng has changed and modernized in many ways since the We are currently looking for a relief days of Baden-Powell, but its purpose has warden to work at the hall. This would remained the same. It is "To help young

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JAMES SKINNER HANDYMAN SERVICES FOR ALL YOUR JOBS ROUND THE HOME, GARDEN O R GARAGE

NO JOB TOO SMALL Te101224 733945 18 TOWERVIEW VVYND PETERCULTER Mobile 07821693303

people achieve their physical, intellectual. social and spiritual potential as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international c o ~ n m u n i t i e s . " The Peterculter Scout Group has been running for many years and it follows the usual Scout structure of Beavers (6-8 years old), Cubs (8-10% years old) and Scouts (10%-14 years old). We meet in Peterculter Church Hall each

week in the winter and in the summer the Cubs and Scouts meet outdoors at Templars Park in Maryculter. All the groups organize visits to various places as part of their programmes. This term the Beavers will have a pancake race on Shrove Tuesday, hold a paper plane competition, make hot air balloon and make Easter eggs. Activities this term for the Cubs include a visit by Mr Bug (with all his creepy crawlies!), a session for painting posters and a football night. This term the Scouts will visit the new indoor climbing centre at the beach, in addition to attending camps. The summer camp will include kayaking, climbing, archery, abseiling, rafting and mountain biking. We welcome all young people (including girls) and we expect all the parents to help out in some way, either as leaders, members of the Parents Committee or occasional helpers. It is a great way to meet people, both for the children and the parents. If you are interested in your child joining in, please contact:

Peter Brawley (735801).

HERITAGE CENTRE THE Heritage Centre re-opens for the season on Saturday l st March at 2p.m. There are a number of new dispIays showing aspects of Culter life and history

- do come down and see what happens in

our vibrant community. The Centre will be open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 2-4p.m. Heritage Teas re-commence on Saturday 5th April. As always, we would welcome more volunteers to help with Teas which also are appreciated by the many people who visit the Hall at weekends. The Trust always welcomes donations of any Culter memorabilia - it is vital that we can keep items of interest in our community. Also if there a r e organisations in the village who would like to pass on their documentation - e.g. minute books, records, we would be delighted to keep it within the Heritage Centre archives. It happens that when organisations disband, no one knows what to do with the records but we can take them for you! On the weekend of 214 May an event called Show Scotland is taking place in museums and heritage centres throughout Scotland. We are taking part and will be showing a number of special and personal collections, which should be interesting. More details will appear on posters nearer the time. The Heritage Hall is available for let on Monday evenings and also at various times during the day. The Hall is also used for private functions at weekends. If you are interested, contact: John Troup Tel732701 or by e-mail- johntroupl0@btintemet.com

CELEBRATIONS Needlework

OUR Chair~nanAllan Pennie celebrates his 80th birthday on Wednesday 9th April 2008 and the Trust Committee wish to offer Allan every good wish for this special event. Allan has a wide involvement in Culter through Peterculter Parish Church , the Gala and of course the inspiration to form a Heritage Trust in 1999 - a very special person in our community.

CULTER HILLWALKING CLUB

We have a varied prograinme of walks in 2008 both for Sundays and Mondays and leaflets detailing the walks are now available at the local libraries. Walks such as Cairn Toul and Connachraig, Lomond Hills of Fife, and Lossiemouth are just a small sample of the variety of walking our club has planned for 2008.

Gifts, cards, kits, books, magazines, beads and gadgets galore! A colourful riot of over 1,000 bolts of fabric. Amazing specialist materials for embroiderers, felt markers, patch workers and textile atists. Exciting range of knitting and crochet yarns. Fantastic range of threads for hand and machine embroidery. Open 7 days Monday t o Saturday 9.30a.m. t o 5.00p.m. Sunday ll.OOa.m. t o 5.00p.m. Our helpful and friendly staff will give you a w a r m welcome

MILTON STUDIO (oppos~teCrathes Castle A93) Banchory, Aberdeenshire AB31 5QH Tel. 01330 844000 www.miltonstudio.co.uk email: artists5050@aol.com

us or join us on the hills please contact Elsa Brown 735210 or info@culterhil1walking.0rg.uk. * Our next Sunday walk is 2nd March climbing Morven and * Monday 17th March walk is Mona Gowen.

Editor: I apologise to the members of Culter Hillwalking Club for tilissing o ~ i t their article in the No\~etnhet.issue. This was etztirely my juult ~ 7 . sthe report had come it7 on plene of time.

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We always welcome new people to our club - whether experienced or not. We hope our programme has something to suit most abilities. However walking is not our only activity; we enjoy many social events. Last autumn we held a slide show night where m e m b e r s from our club gave presentations of the treks they had undertaken in various parts of the globe. If you would like to find out more about

Craft Shop

A cornucopia of textile crafts on Royal Deeside

TWENTY years ago Culter Hillwalking Club was founded and it is our intention to celebrate this event in a couple of ways. We are holding a ceilidh on March 8th at the Heritage Hall and we intend to have a walking holiday in the Lake District in May. In addition t o these extra activities we have our usual weekend meets planned. One of these weekends will be professionally guided. possibly ridge walking once more in the west highlands. In August this year, our popular summer weekend will be in the Loch Lomond area.

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core strength. Come along and give it a try. It's open to anyone 16yrs or over although booking a place is advised.

Richmond Arms/Black's Bar 3 2 3 North Deeside Road, Peterculter Tel: 01224 733983 Regular Live Bands, Discos and Quiz Nights Sky Sports and Setanta

Our creche is available to book for all customers, so, whether you are working out in the fitness studio, aerobics class. or even playing badminton you will be able to put your child in the creche at no extra cost. /

Forthcoming Live Bands at the Richmond Arms: Mar. 1st Bash Street Kids Apr. 12th The Sopranos May 4th JB & The Classics

We offer excellent membership packages which starts at ÂŁ19.60 per month. This will entitle users to use all fitness studios, centre classes, swimming pools and health suites in Aberdeen City Council area as well as the climbing wall and skating rink at the Beach leisure Centre and Linx Ice Arena. If you don't want to commit to a membership then we have off peaklpeak prices as well as countdown cards that offer discounted rates. For information on our aerobics programme or fitness studio opening times please pop into the centre or email us at cultersports@aberdeencity.gov.uk. You can also see us at www.aberdeencity.gov1sports.

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Peterculter Sports Centre Coronation Road, Peterculter 01224732069

PETERCULTEH Sports Centre is here to help you feel and look better. It's a council facility which means you don't have to commit to any expensive joining fees or memberships to get the benefit of our facilities.

The centre has a well-equipped fitness studio, with new machines recently installed, aerobics studio, creche area and main hall. We have extensive opening times and our fitness studio is open from 7am MondayFriday. Why not pop in for a workout before work?

Our fitness studio has jogging machines, cross trainers, cycles and concept rowers as well as resistance weights machines and a selection of dumbbells. If you've never been to the gym or you've not been for a while it's not too late to start now. The fitness studio offers a relaxed and friendly environment to enjoy a workout and get you looking and feeling better. Our aerobics programme offers a wide and varied selection of classes suitable for any ability. There are step, spin, toning, boxercise and aerobics classes available. We also have a Fitness Yoga class, which runs from 8pm Monday and Wednesday, and will improve flexibility, posture and

CULTER THEATRE CLUB LAST year's pantomime (Cinderella) was another great success for Culter Theatre Club and thoroughly enjoyed by the audience and all the cast members. We saw new talent emerge and we hope they will join us in hture productions. Our thanks to all the back stage crew and helpers who contributed to this very enjoyable experience. Our thanks also go to the people of Culter who always support the club so well. Without an audience we are nothing!

The musical "Thoroughly Modem Millie" was a new venture for us in 2007, staged at the end of June, and I think it is fair to say that our first attempt at a full blown musical was great fun and well received. We hope to have another go at a musical in the future, but probably not this year.

We expect to have a full programme for 2008, including some short plays, a musical revue and of course the ever popular pantomime. No decision has been made yet as to which one we will tackle this year. If you are interested in joining the club, please contact Alison Skinner at Culter Village Hall (Tel: 734371 ) and she will give you further information. We are always on the look out for new enthusiastic members Susan Chappell-Smith

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION OR SUPPORT ON LIVING WITH A DISABILITY? ABERDEEN Action on Disability is a user-led, voluntary organisation. established in 1992, providing assistance to people with physical and sensory disabilities in Aberdeen.

WRI IN December, the WRI rounded off the first half of its year with a lovely Christmas meal at the Mill Inn.

RESTAURAUNT OPEN FOR LUNCHES

We provide help with everyday problems and information about what services are a v a i l a b l e . Enquiries are welcome by telephone or email, our fully accessible premises are open on weekdays between loam and 4pm. We have a range of specialised equipment and an extensive library of information on disability matters.

We started our 2008 programme in January with a very interesting talk and film on 'Fairtrade' and in February a demonstration of Deserts by Michelle Paterson. We continue with:

We also are looking for people with an interest in disability issues to be actively involved in the development and running of the organisation. With the Disability Equality Scheme now in operation, there are many opportunities in this field.

In June we arrange an outing which includes a meal. There are no meetings in July or August and we start again in September.

Our contact details are: Aberdeen Action on Disability Ltd. X4 Spring Garden Aberdeen AB25 1GN Telephone: (01224) 641355 (,4n.swerphonc outwith qffice houvs) Fex: (01224) 641377 Einail: office@aad.nildram.co.~~k

6th March 5th April 1st May

Our Group meets at 7.30pin in the Popin, North Deeside Road, on the first Thursday of the month. You are welcome to join us at any of our meelings. Wilma Angus

Charity No. SC 022271 Company No. SC 267622

Flower Arranging with Mrs R Cross Business Meeting Talk by Mr Bill Steven (either 'The Spital' or 'Den bum'.)

All Week 12.00 - 2.00pm OPEN FOR SUPPERS Tuesday - Sunday

5.30pm - I0.30pm 2 Course L 9.95 3 Course L1 1.95 available Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun all evening and Fri and Sat 5.30 till 7.00 pm. All-year-round Outdoor Dining Area w i t h Patio Heaters

337 North Deeside Road PETERCULTER Telephone: 0 1224 732902 For Reservations

LIFESTYLE CLASS Learn how to be active with a specially designed Exerclse Programme. Be supported through your changes in Healthy Eat~ng. Etioy the New You with more energy and vitality.

Kincorth Sports Centre Tuesday 7.00 - 8.30pm ÂŁ5 pplpw (No Membersh~por Fees for Mlssed Weeks)

Contact Laura: 0777 302 1851

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Telephone 0 1224 863344 CULTER CHRISTMAS LIGHTS T H E Culter Christmas Lights "Switch On" Event on Saturday 24th November 2007 seems like a distant memory with the cold weather now reminding us that winter is certainly here. It's surprising we have not had snow as yet. However, the Street Lighting Features located along North Deeside Road certainly brightened up Peterculter over the Festive Period with many people far and wide commenting on the display Generous donations were received from local residents, businesses, Councillors Boulton, Malone and Milne, and also grants from Culter Gala and Culter Community Council to enable the light features to be purchased. An official 'Switch On' ceremony was

held in the Village Hall on Saturday 24th November where residents enjoyed a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie (which went down very well) whilst listening to the Culter Primary School and the BB Centenary Band play Christmas carols. Santa also made an appearance for the children who certainly enjoyed the games that were provided. The compere for the event was Kenny Luke, Events Officer at Aberdeen City Council. who made sure the schedule ran like clockwork. We were also delighted that Chris Harvey. newsreader from North Tonight took time out from his busy schedule by coming along on the day to officially switch on the lights and meet the local residents. There was certainly a real "buzz" inside and outside the Hall as the Countdown to the lights "Switch On" began. Everyone

who attended thoroughly enjoyed the event and hopefully next year we will have a bigger and better display. We also had a visit from a judge from Communities in Bloom Winter Lights Celebrations a s Aberdeen City Council was entering this international competition for the first time. The Canadian judge spent two days with Aberdeen City Council and visited Peterculter and Dyce as well as having a tour o f the City Centre Christmas Lights display. She was very impressed with the community spirit in Peterculter. ~

This year we are starting our fundraising earlier so if you are interested in giving a donation or sponsoring a feature, 1 would be delighted to hear from you. Jarnes Farquhar

Cultrr- Christmas Lights

NEW YEAR'S SAFETY RESOLUTION FROM all at Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, we wish all the readers of the Culter Courier all the best for 2008 and may it be safe, fire & accident free. Spending a small amount of time thinking about safety in the home, like the other more popular resolutions, is a lifetime's investment. Each year several hundred people die and many more are injured in their homes. Be prepared for Fire

Decide in advance your emergency escape plan, which must include the young, old and any infirm, members of your household. Practise using the escape routes especially in the dark. Have an assembly point outside where everyone in the household knows to meet in the event of a fire.

* Fit domestic smoke alarms and test them weekly.

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Before going to bed,

close all doors.

* Make sure keys are readily available t o unlock external doors

* Make sure any alternative ways out, that you have identified, are also able to be opened in an emergency.

* Get Out, Stay Out. Get the Fire Service Out. "Prevention is better than cure". There is more than one way to fight a fire and your resolution can help us succeed. For further information and to book a free Home Fire Safety Visit contact: Grampian Fire and Rescue Service Tel: 01 224 696666 e-mail: info@grampianfrs.org.uk www.grampianfrs.org.uk

WASTE AWARE ABERDEEN ABERDEEN City Council now provides kerbside recycling collections to over 80,000 households. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the residents of Peterculter for doing their bit in contributing to recycling across the city. The Deeside corridor is one of the highest areas in the city for recycling participation - so thank you all. There are two new Community Waste Workers for Peterculter, Dawn Trundle and Emma Murphy, and their main responsibility is to be available to answer any queries you have about the recycling services we offer. You can always book the Waste Aware Team t o give a presentation to your organisation, club or school.

Brian Smith Funeral Services The only privately run family-owned Funeral Director in Peterculter, Banchory and Aboyne Pre-Paid Funeral Plans 3 17 North Deeside Road PETERCULTER Tel: 01224 732530 85a High Street BANCHORY Tel: 01330 825400 Aboyne Business Centre Huntl y Road. ABOYNE Tel: 013398 86625 Contuct Brian or Angela Smith (24 hours)

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car park. If you require any further information, advice or assistance or would like to book the Waste Aware Team to visit your community group or organisation contact us on 0845 608 09 19.

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How it works: We collect yourclothes between 7am and l o a m (from your work or home) and return them beautifully ironed and on hangers or folded, if appropriate, between 6pm and 9pm.

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WATCH Lower Deeside Association SEVERAL representatives of North Watch (NW) in the area attended the Grampian Workshop held on Monday 14th of January. A11 aspects of NW were critically examined - a real brainstorming session. From the discussions came wideranging proposals from funding to rebranding. NW is being so effective at showing householders how to prevent break-ins and other forms of theft that it may even become a recognised social service.

Westhill, Aberdeenshire

Call: 01224 743103 Mobile: 07900 890370 Web: vwwv.jgbironing.co.uk EmaiI: info@jgbirorling.co.uk

Now that Emma is off on maternity leave, watches should use her usual email address and phone number to contact her deputy.

Dave - 86 1 176

MCWILLIAM DOG WALKING A unique service run by experienced dog handlers with:

Private secure exercise area Woodland walks Fully in~uredand safe environment. Dog cbedience, flvball and ab~lityclasses also iivaiiablc.

Tel: Yvonne 0 1330 824863

This year saw the continuation of garden waste collections throughout the year. As ever we are always looking for ways to provide better and more varied recycling services to residents. We understand that there still may be some confusion over the items that can be collected for recycling. We accept in the White Bag: * Clean paper and cardboard. (Large cardboard can be torn or folded to fit into the white bag. In your kerbside Black Box we accept * Plastic bottles any and all shapes as long as it is a bottle -please remove the lids; * Glass bottles and jars; * food and drink cans. Any excess recyclate that does not fit into the Black box and White bag can be taken to the recycling point at Kennerty Road

CDCA HOGMANY PARTY 2007 THE CDCA would like to say a big 'Thank You' to all the local Pubs and Businesses; Hawhill Nursing Home Staff and Management and countless individuals who raised money for the event. Special thanks t o Ricky Will (our "Snowman" postman) and all who helped both organise and clean up after the event. Winner of the 'Guess the Snowman's Name' competition was W. Leiper and the snowman's name was ... FRANKIE! The evening was a great success and made over ÂŁ1600 for the Village Hall Fund. Thank You All.

My Little Night-Time Creatures My little night-time creatures, people call them little beasts, they sneak out when it's quiet, for a little midnight feast.

Aberdeen & Deeside Tuition Aberdeen B. Deeside Tuition offers friendly, quality tuition tailored to the needs o f each student.

My little night-time creatures, that scuttle here and there, collecting little bits and bobs, to put in there little lair.

Primary, Secondary and Adult Fducation

My little night-time creatures, that people try to catch, nibble food that they put out, and set off the latch.

. .

They trigger the death trap, the bar comes whizzing down. it frightens my poor little friends, as it makes the snapping sound.

1 l o 1 tuition and small groups lhroughout the year

In fludent's home or at study centres Intensive Eaner holiday revision -exem preparation

For further information please contact us o n Tel: 01224 330546

We are looking forward to meeting you!

Why do we have to kill them? they only want some food, 'But Dear, they're little vermin, the wires have been chewed.' My little night-time creatures, they all live under my house, they sleep safe by the air-vents my creature is a mouse.

Carey Smith ( 10)

(Granddaughter of Er-Culter Re.~idet~t Jinz Duncan - as pzrblished it1 a collection)

3. God made my Mum just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts. What ingredients are trzother.~mude vf:) 1. God makes inothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean. 2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think. 1T7713 tiru'Godgil~e!~ou~~otlv mother & not Aome othev Mum '

WHY GOD MADE MUMS BRILLIANT!

ANSWERS given by Primary 2 school children to the following questions!!

Wh13did God make rnothevs? 1. She's the only one who knows where the sticky tape is. 2. Mostly to clean the house. 3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God muke mothevs:' 1. He used dirt, just like for the rest ofus. 2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring

1. We're related 2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's inums like me.

What did murn need to krlow about uhd befive .she mavricd him? 1. His last name. 2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer'? 3. Does he make at least $800 a year'? Did he say 1\10to drugs and YES to chores?

BEGINNERS YOGA

Evening Class: Tuesdays 7.30 - 9.30pm St. Peter's Heritage Hall Morning Class: Thursdays 10.00 - 11.45am Peterculter Community Centre price: E30 per 6-week Block or E7 per Session for more details, contact: Keith or Beverley on: 01 224 732852

Whj. drd vour- Mum n7urr.r.youv dud? 1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the

world. And my Mum eats a lot. 2. She got too old to do anything else with him. 3. My grandma says that Mum didn't have her thinking cap on.

Dog Walking tt Pet Sitting Service If your Pet is a V.1.P to you They are a V.I.P. to me too! Tel. Loraine: 01224 734139 or 07875542284

Culter Community Council Members James Farquhar (Chairman) Nicola Hector (Treasurer) Catherine Lacy (Minutes) Lavina Massie (Vice-ChairIPlanning) Anne Russell Marjory Skinner (Secretary) Douglas Stewart (PathsIRoads) Ann Wakefield (Vice-Chair)

46 North Deeside Road AB 14 OQN 8 St. Ronan's Drive AB14 ORA 1 Brighton Place AB 14 OUN 18 Hillside Road AB 14 OTX 10 1 North Deeside Road AB 14 ORR 6 Johnston Gardens West AB 14 OLB Benview, Peterculter AB1 4 ONT 95 North Deeside Road AB14 OQL

Aberdeen City Councillors:

Cllr Marie Boulton Cllr Aileen Malone Cllr Alan Milne

Opinions expressed in the "Courier" are not necessarily shared h-y the Editor or the Commzrnil?,Council.

For all your Printing, Office & Computer Supplies, Furniture and Equipment. imprint

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EDITOR Mrs. M. J. Skinner, 6 Johnston Gardens West, PeterculterAB14 OLB Tel: 01224 732352 Email: marjory@UKF.net

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Mrs. A. Russell 101 North Deeside Road Peterculter AB14 ORR Tel. 01224 733384 Email: annerussel@aol.com

Peterculter Post Office 8 Shop NEW! Chilled convenience m e a l - @ Soups, Main Courses Et Desserts

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DRUMOAK KITCHENS We have long experience in the Fitted Kitchen Business and all work, from design to installation, is carried out by our own staff. Wide Choice of sinks and appliances

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