Aberchirder Square Enhancement 2010

June 2010 saw the culmination of several years of discussions, consultations and designs for improvements to Aberchirder Square. Plans for the finally agreed scheme were drawn up by Aberdeenshire Transport & Infrastructure based on ideas arising from public consultations organised by the local Community Association and Community Council in 2007. These involved creating a large paved area around the Jubilee Fountain, with a new bus shelter, lamp standards, benches and trees. In addition to the local community’s input, the project, costing nearly £90,000, has been supported by the Rural Aberdeenshire LEADER Programme, the Scottish Government, European Community and Aberdeenshire Council.
Aberchirder & District Community Association vice-chair Bob Peden presents Polish workers Sebastian, Tomasz and Lucasz from Highland Stoneways with commemorative thank you cards. The lads were about to lay the final Caithness Stone slabs - one engraved with the coat-of-arms and the other acknowledging the Association's funding partners in the Square enhancement works.
REMEMBER THE PLAN? ...... ...... WELL HERE IS THE COMPLETED PROJECT A panoramic view of the completed construction work. New seating and bins have yet to be installed.

A new pavement and surfaced area creating a safety zone for pedestrians, a modern bus shelter, new lighting and trees, all add to the enhancement of The Square.
The central Caithness Stone paved area will provide seating and with the fountain and repositioned flagpole, it creates a focal point.
Bringing trees back into The Square helps soften the appearance of the hard landscaping and buildings behind.

A DAY OF CELEBRATION

On Sunday 13 June 2010, several hundred local people braved the heavy rain in Aberchirder to enjoy an afternoon of music and entertainment to celebrate the completion of the environmental enhancement project in The Square. They were joined by guests who included MSP Stewart Stevenson and MP Eilidh Whiteford along with representatives of Aberdeenshire Council. Patricia Seligman, Deputy Lieutenant of Banffshire performed the official opening ceremony.

Huntly & District Pipe Band and Deveron River Brass Band provided music and the crowd also enjoyed a performance by Portsoy’s Skip 2 The Beat. Community groups manned stalls and the local Grampian Fire & Rescue tender was present. For those seeking shelter from the weather, Aberchirder Day Club provided teas in the Church Hall while the Quality Napkins shop provided coffee and snacks.

HUNTLY PIPE BAND

Huntly Pipe Band
Huntly & District Pipe Band started proceedings by playing some traditional Scottish tunes.

The band played on despite the dismal wet weather.

Umbrellas were a necessary accessory for spectators.

STALLS AND PEOPLE

Stalls gave some shelter for customers.

Residents and visitors socialise notwithstanding heavy showers.

More of the crowd who braved the elements.

Eilidh Whiteford MP (left) in conversation with
Sir William and Lady Margaret McKay

Stuart Stevenson MSP (left) enjoys a joke with
ex-Councillor Kenny Benzie

Some take advantage of the new bus shelter.

Helen Fowlie, Elaine Robertson & Sonia Stephen on Guides/Brownie's stall.

OFFICIAL OPENING

Patricia Seligman, Deputy Lieutenant of Banffshire, cuts the ribbon
marking the official opening of the refurbished Square.

Mrs Seligman is presented with a bouquet of flowers
by Community Association Chair Jayne Michie.

Officials and Invited Guests

Back L-R: Councillor Jack Mair; James Knowles, Head of Economic Development; Councillor Peter Argyle, Chair of Infrastructure Services Committee; Bob Peden, Vice-Chair of Aberchirder & District Community Association; Robert (Bingo) Bremner, last Provost of Aberchirder; Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP; Stewart Stevenson MSP.

Front L-R: Nancy McKidd; Edna Cowie; Jayne Michie, Chair of Aberchirder & District Community Association and Patricia Seligman, Deputy Lieutenant of Banffshire.

Pictured right is Edna Cowie who, on behalf of her family, accepted a brass plaque, presented by Nancy McKidd at The Square opening ceremony. Edna is a grandaughter of John A. Stewart who owned the bakery at 18-19 The Square in the 1930s.

The plaque was originally affixed to one of two metal seats which were sited in The Square for some 70 years. The plaque bears the following inscription:

THESE SEATS WERE PRESENTED TO
THE BURGH OF ABERCHIRDER
BY
BAILIE JOHN A. STEWART
1939

Edna Cowie

SKIP 2 THE BEAT

Portsoy’s Skip 2 The Beat entertained the crowd with some great routines
performed under difficult conditions due to the adverse weather.

Some of the girl's manoeuvres we so fast that it was
hard for the eye to follow the ropes.

DEVERON RIVER BRASS

Deveron River Brass
The Deveron River Brass band with Bandmaster Tam Horne played some well known and popular music to the delight of everyone.

Iona Gatenby, Aberchirder, who plays the Flugel Horn.

Alex Bowie, Aberchirder, on drums.

(front) Charlotte Runcie, Cornhill, on Solo Cornet.

(back) Rachael Hirsch, Culvie, playing EEb Bass

Jessica Brook, Knowes of Elrick who plays 3rd Cornet.

Trombone Section

GRAMPIAN FIRE & RESCUE

Aberchirder Fire Tender
Sub-Officer in charge, Peter Scott and his crew of fire-fighters from Grampian Fire & Rescue were on hand to give out advice
and information as well as goodies for the young children. Above, Aberchirder's latest fire tender which arrived last December after
being fitted out with all the latest equipment and technology.