Foggie Gossip February 2009 - News from in and around Aberchirder

Pictured are Aberchirder Primary School pupils who performed in 'The Christmas Factor' - a version of the Christmas story told in a unique and often humorous form. Exquisitely dressed pupils performed a selection of lively and witty dialogue.

Primary 7
P7 - Back Row L-R: Hayleigh Wennington, Kirsty Jones, Matthew Ogden, Jordan Scott, Ross Adam, Jay Inglis, Sean Chalmers, Iona Gregor, Kieran Brooks, Rebecca Cowie, Russell Scott. Middle Row L-R: Lydia Moir, Connor Duncan, Abbie Esslemont, Lisa MacDonald, Natasha Morrison and Caitlin Durno. Front Row L-R: Paul Kaniowski, Talitha Brown and Michaela Stewart.

Primary 6
P6 - Very Back: Scott Duguid and Georgina Lampon. Next Row L-R: Dean Nicol, Chloe Auchnie, Rory Ironside, Donna Paterson, Paul Van Sittert, Murray Inglis, Lynn Esslemont, Rebecca Paterson, Patrick Wislon. Second Front L-R: Eliza Kaniowska, Alexandra Williamson, Kerryn Stevenson.
Front Row L-R: Alexander Bowie, Aiden Stewart and Nathan Ross.

Primary 5
P5 - Back Row L-R: Lauren Nattress, Liam Morrison, Yasmine Birnie, Emma Murray, Andrew Williamson. Middle Row L-R: Ryan Ure, Bethany Coenen, Kirsty Ewen, Rebecca Seivwright, Katie Allan, Liam MacNamee, Shaun Morrison. Front Row L-R: Michael Brown, Kanisha Choudhury, Chantelle Scott.

Primary 4
P4 - Back L-R: Caitlin Horne, Robert Auchnie, Robert Fowlie, Euan Duncan, Stuart Killoh, Samantha Morrison.
Front Row L-R: Liam Mackintosh, Jamie Hale, Tanya Hale, Stacey MacLean and Stuart MacNamee.

P2/3 - Back Row L-R: Sophie Duguid, Bruce Wislon, Neisa-Lee Dreyer,
Kaiya Smith, Cheryl-Leigh Scott, Keifer Webster, Lucy Shand, Taylor
Chalmers, Eithan Morrison, Stephanie Acutt, Kirsten Nattress. Middle Row L-R: Ciaran Whitehouse, Francois Van Sittert, Roman Smith. Front Row L-R: Liam Macdonald, Angus Duncan, Lewis Ure, Daniel Kelman, Ryan Walker.

P1 - L-R Cameron Caulfield, Gregor Michie, Shaun Mackintosh,
Rebecca Adamson, Kane Macnamee, Kelsey Wislon, Kai Inglis, Murray
Killoh, Jessica Curtis, Caitlin Walker. In front is Lauren Donald.

RNID

The Co-operative Charity of the year 2009 is the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID).

The Co-op is supporting the RNID's 'Hearing Matters' campaign to test the hearing of a million people and to call on the NHS to provide free hearing tests for everyone over 55 years.

Staff in more than 160 Co-op stores will take part in raising awareness and funds towards this excellent charity. Money raised will go to those hard of hearing in the shop's region.

Aberchirder Co-op Staff Kick off the Charity Event in Their Nightwear to say:
'Wake Up! - Hearing Matters'

27th January 2009 saw day one of the year long campaign which coincides with the RNID's on-line hearing check service.

Wake Up! Hearing matters
Staff members from left: Jayme Tough, Liane Willox and Moira Willox

Look out for free and convenient hearing checks across Co-operative stores and branches in 2009 or call RNID's confidential hearing check on 0844 800 3838* or visit www.rnid.org.uk/hearingmatters where you can take an on-line hearing check.
* calls from a BT landline cost up to 5p per minute. Other providers' charges may vary.

In-Store Collection - Please give generously.

Celebrating 60 years of marriage on 29 January 2009 are Robert and Edith Durno of North Street, Aberchirder. Bob (92) and Edith (80) met at the Scott Hall, Forgue and were married there in 1949. After serving with the Chindits during World War II, Bob returned to the farming life, working on farms in the Forgue, Huntly, and Alvah areas. Since retiring to Foggie, Bob and Edith spent much of their time on their favourite sport, green bowling and Edith still takes part in many competitions.

Pictured above right are Bob and Edith receiving gifts and congratulations from Patricia Seligman, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and, from Jack Mair, one of the Councillors for Banff & District, on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council. The family organised a party at Hopeville Social Club in Inverurie on Saturday 7th February. Over 50 people attended to celebrate with the happy couple.
Above from left: Bob Durno Jnr, Edith, Mary Farquhar, Bob & son Bruce.	Young Bob takes mum Edith for a dance.

Andrea has a huge target to meet and every donation will help, even by way of advice, raffle prizes, venues to hold her fundraising events etc.. All offers will be most welcome.

Andrea can be contacted as follows:

8 Causewayend Place
Aberchirder
AB54 7TF

Tel: 01466 780481

Email: andrea.fowlie@yahoo.com

Cheque donations should be made payable to Project Trust and sent to Andrea.

One of Andrea's fund raising coffee mornings in Marnoch Church Hall.

The first week or so of February saw severe wintry conditions with heavy snow hitting the North-east of Scotland. For a time, Aberchirder was practically cut off and it was only by the generous help of local farmers and those with heavy machinery, that motorists were able to negotiate some of the roads. Many motorists had to be pulled by tractor up a section of the A97 at Cleanhill otherwise they would have been stranded. It is many years since such heavy falls of snow have occurred and in such a short time. Scenes from Causewayend Crescent.


The streets in the village were covered in deep snow (12" - 16" in places) and attempts to clear them, and pavements, with ploughs and diggers resulted in the snow simply being moved around. Many elderly and disabled people were terrified to venture out. The morning of 9th February saw the temperature drop to minus 13.9 degrees at 4.30am. A temperature reading of minus 18 degrees was reported at Bridge of Marnoch. That same day a concerted effort was made to clear rutted snow from streets and lanes throughout the village. Huge stockpiles of snow appeared in every useable space as the images below show. Freezing conditions continued for the next few days.
Street and pavement clearing unsuccessful.	Scene around Aberchirder Medical Centre after improved street clearing
Snow piled up on Wellfield Terrace at Corskie Drive.	Snow in The Square
Ladies discuss the freezing conditions. Beside the snow mountain in The Square are L-R: Christina Kean, Maureen Mayfield and Ruth Graham.
Of course for some, the sudden snow falls and the closure of schools mean something else ........

........ sledging in 'Hector's Park'.
Above: Yasmin Birnie, Katie Allan & Emma Murray.	Above: Connor Duncan takes to the air.

Catherine MacPhail

Well known Scottish author, Catherine MacPhail will be visiting Aberchirder Primary School on Wednesday 25th February. From 9.30 am she will spend over an hour talking and reading extracts from her books to Primary 4 & 5 pupils.

Unfortunately, Primary 7 pupils, whose reading group has been enjoying a number of Catherine's books, will be unable to attend her presentation as they will be away on a school trip.

Catherine, from Greenock, has written many novels including the series of crime thrillers 'Nemesis' and titles such as 'Dark Waters', 'Underworld' and her first novel which won the Kathleen Fidler Award, 'Run Zan Run'. She loves writing books for children and young adults.

You can find out more about the author on her website here and about some of her books here.

Books

Aberchirder couple Martin and Amanda Alan who coach Deveronvale Girls FC, will lead their girls' football teams into a new season next month. They recently took part in the North Regional Girls Football League indoor tournament which was played for over two weekends. All age groups were represented in the tournament with one team each in the Under 13's and Under 17's section and two teams entered in the Under 15's section. The venue for the Under 13's was the Beach Leisure Centre in Aberdeen with the Under 15's and Under 17's travelling across Aberdeen to Cults to an excellent facility at the International School.

The girls did extremely well, more than holding their own against very well established teams. The 'Blue Team' finished third in their section and the 'Red Team' second equal. They will have taken a lot from the experience, hopefully transferring some of their new found skills to the new season

Back Row L to R - Sarah Geddes (Aberchirder), Rosanne Borthwick, Sarah Allan (Aberchirder), April Smith, Rebecca Hendry, Suzanne Cooper, Leanne Findlay, Vicki Riddell.
Front Row L to R - Martin Allan (Coach), Chloe Low, Rebecca Reid, Sara Thomson, Chloe Slater, Nikki Buskie, Zodie Wood, Amanda Allan (Manager/Coach)

Other Foggie girls in squad but unable to attend, Jayde Henderson, Sarah Watt & Shannon Thom.

In the summer of 2008, the club was invited to compete in the Aberdeen International Football Festival. The girls had a great but very tiring week. The team finished third in the tournament coming home with the ‘Fair Play’ award. This is an award the coaches are very proud of as the girls earned it themselves with their sportsmanship and attitude on and off the pitch. The club now boasts of over 45 signed girls, competing as three teams.

Sponsors: Neil Murray House Builders, Seivwright Heating & Kitchens, William A. Legge Contractor, Richard Waters Future Travel, Brian Henderson Plumbing, Morrison Motors, T.P.S Fruit and Veg, Celebrations, Barclays Transport, Grampian Cars, Turriff Contractors.

The club is very grateful to their sponsors whose support has meant that it has developed a lot faster than was expected. The coaches are still hoping to attract more sponsorship for the girls to provide tracksuits and a new kit. Any company interested in helping out in any way should contact Amanda on 01466 780664. The club is also on the look out for girls who have the required commitment and attitude to join the club to help drive them forward, especially in our Under 17’s age group. Any girl interested in joining them should contact Amanda who will pass on the information to the coaches concerned. The new season starts on the 7^th of March with the Under 13’s playing their home games at Portsoy, the Under 15’s at the McRobert Park Aberchirder and the Under 17’s at Canal Park Banff.

The club is entering a team in the AIFF again this year but will be staying in Aberdeen for the week so that the girls can participate in all of the events without the gruelling travelling. Staying in Aberdeen for the week will be costly and a substantial amount of money has to be raised. Fund raising is going well but more is needed. Their next event is at the Fife Lodge Hotel Banff on March 28^th where they have secured top ABBA tribute act ABBA – CADABRA to perform. Tickets can be purchased from the Fife Lodge Hotel or from Amanda Allan on (01466) 780664 at a cost of £10.


*"Good with Food"* The following Special Offers are available at your local Aberchirder Co-op Store until Sunday 8th March 2009 (whilst stocks last) Too Good to Miss
6 x 330ml Coke / Diet Coke £2.89 - Buy one get one Free	McVities Digestives / Rich Tea / Hobnobs Big Value Pack 2x300g - Only £1.00
Co-op Beef frying Steak - 700g £4.00	Jacobs Club Orange 8pk £1.46 - Buy one get one Free
Fox's Rocky Choc Biscuits 6pk Only 50p	Cadburys Roses 1kg Tin Only £4.99
*All Fair-trade Products - Up to 50% Off*
~ ~ ~ Lots more bargains in-store ~ ~ ~

FORREST Baby Abbie Jane Forrest was born at Dr Gray's Hospital, Elgin on Sunday 4th January, 2009 at 5.25pm, weighing 7lb 9oz. A second daughter to delighted parents Fiona and Stephen and sister Lucy (3) of Glenview, Aberchirder.