Foggie Gossip October 2007 - News from in and around Aberchirder

Flower Tubs

Parts of the village have been truly enhanced this year by the provision of planted flower tubs, thanks to the work of Community Council members who carried out all the planting and maintenance work to keep them in pristine condition. Despite the poor mid-summer weather, the flower tubs added a brilliant mass of colour to the village and even in late October (above), they continue to bloom brightly.

Aberdeenshire Council provides up to 1500 plants of the village's choice and these were carefully planted and cared for by Sandra Spackman and her team of other Community Council members including John Fittall, Jonny Barton and Debbie Ray. Thanks go also to other volunteers who kept the tubs and the hanging baskets in The Square weeded and watered. The tubs will shortly be replanted with spring bulbs.

Inevitably there was slight childish vandalism to one or two planters and the public is asked to be vigilant and report any further misconduct.

Festive Lights

Following on from last month's article on Jim Wood's sponsored walk to raise funds for Christmas lights for the village, the total sum raised has reached the astounding sum of

£2,233.71

Thanks to the all contributions and the very generous donation of £1,000 from Neil Murray, House-builder, new lights have been purchased and paid for.

Pictured right is Neil Murray (centre) handing over his donation to Jim Wood with onlookers, Jim's wife Hilda (left), Julie Bell of the Commercial Hotel and Bob Peden who, as chairman of Aberchirder & District Community Association, accepted the money raised on their behalf.

Neil Murray presents cheque

New Health & Safety measures have meant that a review of suitable lamp standards has been undertaken by Aberdeenshire Council and some are now considered unsuitable or at risk with regard to any attachments. Talks are ongoing between Aberchirder & District Community Association and Aberdeenshire Council and it is hoped that some additional lights can be erected this season.

BEAUTY SALON OPENS

Beauty Haven opens at the Cutting Room

Beauty Haven Salon

The Cutting Room at 63 Main Street, Aberchirder now has another occupant. A new beauty salon is operating from the premises, to complement the existing hair salon and chiropody consulting room

Tracy Stuart has moved her 'Beauty Haven' salon from Turriff to Aberchirder, her home town.

Open Tuesday to Saturday.
Telephone 01466 781073 for a consultation or appointment.

Tracy qualified in beauty therapy in 1996 and has been self employed for over six years. In the salon she offers all aspects of beauty treatments and advice.

Treatments include: Anti-ageing, express and aromatherapy facials, eye treatments, waxing, electrolysis, hands and feet treatments, massage, stone therapies, bronzing and many more alternative remedies.

Make-up for weddings and other special occasions can include trials and travel to your home in many cases.

The salon also houses a 'Power Tower 8000 Stand 'n' Tan' booth and lotions are available to hydrate and nourish your skin as you tan.

Tracy Stuart in the Salon

The Turriff Hillwalking and Mountaineering Club was founded in the early 1980s and currently includes members from Turriff, Macduff, Banff, Foggie and other surrounding villages.

Throughout the year, club members participate in various hillwalking activities including day walks, weekend meets (which tend to be held further afield and involve overnight stays in hostels), indoor pub meets, etc.

Seven club members, two of whom are from Foggie [Iain Ross and Andy Lawson], have completed all 284 Munros (Scottish mountains over 3000 feet).

Morag & Iain Ross in Torridon
Foggie residents Morag and Iain Ross on the ridge of Beinn Dearg,
Torridon.
(Photo by Andy Lawson)

Foggie resident Andy Lawson rock climbing on the sea cliffs at Logiehead, Cullen
(Photo by Carole Stephen)

As well as climbing Munros, club members also tackle Corbetts (Hills between 2500 and 3000 feet), Grahams (Hills between 2000 and 2500 feet) and sometimes even lower hills such as Bennachie.

Annual membership is currently set at £12. Over £11 of this annual fee covers membership of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and third-party liability insurance. Membership is open to anyone over 18. The club includes members of varying levels of fitness and experience.

For further information visit the club website: www.turriffmc.org.uk

Three madmen (sorry) brave men, were persuaded get stripped to raise money to boost funds for young bowlers in Foggie. Each agreed, in moments of weakness it is said, to be waxed and stripped of some body hair to help raise money for events for the junior members of Aberchirder Bowling Club. The three members of the club, Paul Henderson, Tom Willox and Doug Shearer bravely submitted to the hands of beautician Tracy Stuart as she covered them with hot wax and ripped off their copious body hair.

First to take the treatment was Paul Henderson who agreed to have his chest waxed. Given a stick to bite on to give some tension resistance against the pain, Paul amazingly began to enjoy the experience and when it was all over, said he would happily have that done again.

Next to receive treatment was Tom Willox who agreed to have his legs waxed. As can be seen from the above images, Tom really enjoyed the experience and it was a case of having to laugh rather than cry. Tom too said he would go back and have it all done again in a couple of months but something in the way he said it made onlookers feel he was not being serious.

Last but not least was Doug Shearer who had his back waxed. He at least could lie face down to hide his grimaces from others if he had to. Doug described the waxing as " a bit hot and nippy".

After it was all over, the three could laugh about their experience. Looking on are Angela Morrison of the Cutting Room and Tracy Stuart of the Beauty Haven.


*"Good with Food"* The following Special Offers are available at your local Aberchirder Co-op Store until 11th November (whilst stocks last)
4 x 200ml Fruit Shoots Buy one Get one Free £1.65	Cadbury's Medium Selection Box 3 for £4.50
Walkers 26 Pack Crisps Save £1 - £2.39	Co-op Satsumas 750g Half Price - 99p
Co-op All Butter Shortbread Buy one Get one Free £1.99	Co-op Honey Roast Ham Buy one Get one Free £1.79
~ ~ ~ Lots more bargains in-store ~ ~ ~

CHRISTMAS TABLEWARE ON SHOW

Candle
Christmas Candle

Quality Napkins, Aberchirder

Quality Napkins, 53 Main Street, Aberchirder, invites you to the first showing of their range of Christmas Tableware
on
Thursday 8th November 2007
between 9am and 9pm

Champagne, mulled wine, homemade mincemeat pies, shortbread and sausage rolls
will be available from 12 noon onwards.

A 10% discount available on 8th November 2007 only

The shop will be closed on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th November in preparation for the above displays.

Promote Aberchirder & District and our Website

Now Available
Clear window clings with white lettering showing
www.foggieloan.co.uk

These clings, measuring 350mm x 50mm, are non-sticky and can be placed
inside car windows or any other glazing.

Please order them to promote our area.

Available from Linda Farquhar, Tel 01466 780512
or
contact us at info@foggieloan.co.uk

Donation of £1 each Welcomed

Foggie website promotion

Members and youngsters from Marnoch Church recently went on a fun day out and walked to the top of Knock Hill. The outing was such a success that minister Paul van Sittert (back right wearing hat) hopes to organise other similar excursions in the future.
The group setting out
On the way up	Brownies and Guides at the top
Nearer to God? Brian King and Meg Stewart on top of the world - well on top of Knock Hill anyway.