Filming for the BBC s ONE Show. 1

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1 Newsletter of the Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association Issue 4. October Registered Charity No. SCO View from the Chair Hello, and welcome to our 4 th annual newsletter. We have had our busiest and most productive year so far, with our usual fundraising and other more permanent projects planned besides. Despite our number being constantly reduced due to personal commitments and unforeseen events, we still managed to pull together and achieved our goals. Not to mention enjoying a few laughs on the way! Our next event is the best of all, as we have a day out ending with a slap up meal somewhere. Undecided as yet where we will go, but it is good to spend time together just enjoying ourselves! So considering all our achievements in 2011,"Didn't we do well!" Rosemary Sanderson, Chair. Filming for the BBC s ONE Show. 1

2 We sincerely hope you find our newsletter interesting, and if you want to be part of it, come along to the Buchan Street Club the first Tuesday of the month 7pm to 8pm and join us. We look forward to any new volunteers, especially ones with new ideas and the enthusiasm to bring them to life. Funding During the last year August 2010 to August 2011 we received a donation of 200 from DNV to pay for the Banff Barometer signs other than that we received no external financial funding. Web Historian We have spent a considerable amount of time developing our section on this website, and it has grown enormously since we first started it in December When you enter the site click on Sites at the top, then Regional on the lefthand side, then click on Scotland, you will then see the Banffshire Maritime & Heritage Association. When you open this you will see on the left-hand side a large column 2 with an ever-growing list of page titles of local interest. BM&HA Website Our official website has been developing since the beginning of 2009, and currently has information regarding: Banffshire Harbours. Boat Builders. Net Making. Fishing Boats. The Herring Lassies. Famous Folks. Fishers at War. Peter Anson. Membership. Projects and Events. News / Newsletters. Shop. Treasurer s View This has been a better financial year for the BM&HA in that we have turned a loss for 2009 / 2010 into a small profit for 2010 / This is despite the fact that we are generally self-funded; receiving no grants from any other source other than the 200 DNV donated for the Banff barometer signs. Jean Langham BSc. B.B.S. Treasurer.

3 30 th June Filming for the BBC One Show. Rosemary Sanderson, Stan Bruce, and Andrew Bruce made their way to Fraserburgh to meet the team from Real Life Media who were making a short film for the BBC's One Show (Currently has about 5 million viewers daily). The film is about the herring lassies (Gutting Quines), and talks about how hard their work was and the songs that they sung. Rosemary author of the 'Herring Lassies - Following the Herring' ISBN , was interviewed in a rigging loft belonging to William Whyte. In The Broch we met up with Evelyn (Bunty) Davidson (Stan's aunt) who Stan had persuaded to give a demonstration on how to gut herring, even though she hadn't gutted one professionally for about 60 years, and the presenter Carrie Grant Carrie Grant from London - A glamorous gutting quine. (Fame Academy) donned a gutting apron, and became the most glamorous herring lassie in history, and stuck-in and had a go herself. Herring lassie songs were later in the afternoon sung in Maggie's Hoosie in Inverallochy. Stan Bruce, Rosemary Sanderson, Carrie Grant, and Andrew Bruce. 3

4 Evelyn (Bunty) Davidson (Stan Bruce s aunt) has a chuckle to herself while showing the BBC One Show s presenter Carrie Grant how to gut a herring. 4

5 Peter Anson Sculpture Official Unveiling 28 th May After a bit of a battle with local councillors, Banff and Macduff Community Council, and latterly Aberdeenshire Council s solicitor, we finally beat them all and got planning permission for the erection of our sculpture. We designed and built it ourselves and received support from several local businesses (see below). Although parts were donated it still cost the Association 900 of our own money to cover the planning application fee and advertising, concrete foundations, information panel, and opening ceremony costs. Thanks to: Alfred Cheyne Engineering, Banff use of workshop and galvanising. A&B Welding Services, Aberdeen fabrication of info panel stand. DJR Engineering, Oldmeldrum cutting the boat and letttering. Kelman Engineering Turriff, cutting the herrings. RDM, Turriff supplying the steel bars. Peter Anson sculpture unveiling. Left to right Anne Robertson (Leader of Aberdeenshire Council), Stewart Stevenson MSP, 2 monks from Pluscarden Abbey (Aelred and Brother Meinrad Gibson), Stan Bruce (Secretary), Liam Sparke (Vice-chair), Bill Howatson Provost of Aberdeenshire, Malcolm Smith (Committee), Deacon Brian Kilkerr, Tina Harris. (Photo by Andrew Taylor). 5

6 Old Bodie Photographs taken c1950. In this section, we have a sample of photographs printed from old negatives by local photographer Bodie c1950, we received these from Chris Earl before he left Macduff. Recognise anyone? Some of the negatives had names on them as indicated. More of these can be seen on (See page 21 for more information). Madge Barron and baby. Barron. Bruce Major Bodie.

7 Herring Fishing Banff and Macduff. We are extremely proud to have published our 13 th book this year. It was launched 28 th May 2011 to coincide with our Peter Anson sculpture unveiling ceremony. The book was inspired by The Book of Banff, Stan a life member of the Banff Preservation and Heritage Society wrote 9 pages for their publication in 2008, but they only used 3 pages. Stan then asked Malcolm for assistance, and after a great deal of research by both of them, and some luck with the donation of some photographs taken in Banff and Macduff in 1928 by John McAree of Stirling, the book took shape, and we are extremely pleased with it, it is a worthy addition to our library and hopefully to many others. Photo by John D. McAree of Stirling. Authors Stan Bruce and Malcolm Smith with our latest publication Herring Fishing Banff and Macduff. 7

8 James Macpherson s Sword James Macpherson the freebooter aged 25 was hanged in Banff in Legend tells us that a reprieve was on its way, but Lord Braco put the clock in Banff forward to ensure he was hanged. Macpherson is said to have written a tune titled Macpherson s Rant (Lament or Farewell) while in the Tolbooth, this he played on his fiddle as his last request. After finishing his tune, he asked the crowd if anyone wanted his fiddle, but the crowd were all too scared of Lord Braco and no one asked for it. With no taker s Macpherson broke it over his knee. He was then hanged. His sword is said to have been kept by Lord Braco, and it was later said to have been kept in the armoury at Duff House, however today its whereabouts is unknown. We decided to make a replica, which we did. It is not exactly the same as the original, however it is good enough to get some publicity, but we have not yet found the original. Stan Smart (Blacksmith) with the replica of James Macpherson s Sword. James Macpherson, the highland freebooter, by J. Gordon Phillips, published by Gardener in We are looking for a copy of the above book, if you have a copy please get in touch. We would be happy to have a copy donated or on loan, but will also consider buying a copy if the price is reasonable. 8

9 Banff Harbour Heritage Project In May 2010 we made public six proposals for Banff Harbour, these were as follows: 1 Re-erect the Beacon. 2 McDonald s Jetty Stone. 3 Banff Harbour Barometer Box. 4 Coiler Features. 5 Information Panel. 6 Lighthouse Quay Lamps. The Banff Preservation & Heritage Society pledged their support, however the Banff Harbour Users Group are only in favour of proposal numbers 2 and 5. We have not heard from any other group. We do not want to progress without the full support of the groups so proposal numbers 1, 4, and 6 will not be taken forward. Proposal number 3 the Banff Harbour Barometer Box and notice board were partly refurbished before we heard from the Banff Harbour Users Group so we completed this work as proposed. Angus McAllister of Banff also proposed the following: 1 - The former well (or what is left of it) is preserved. 2 The Cartwright s stone formerly used for making cartwheels has some notice aside it. 3) Porter s Brae has a sign fitted. 4) The WW2 pillbox (Category B listed) is opened up and refurbished. 9 McDonald s Jetty stone. Part of former Capstan? WW2 Pillbox. Beacon recess.

10 Banff Harbour Barometer Box. Banff Harbour Barometer Box & notice board before rework. Neil Fraser of DNV hands over the dummy barometer and information panel to Stan Bruce. Refurbished Banff Barometer box and notice board, Battery Green, Banff. Left to right - Stan Bruce (Secretary), Andrew Bruce (Committee), and Liam Sparke (Vice-Chair). (Photo - Alistair Mason). 10

11 Publications Our books, as follows, are available locally at Chapter and Verse, 41 Low Street, Banff, AB45 1AU, telephone , and at several other selected outlets in the northeast, or by contacting us at or Stanley Bruce on Books in order as follows newest first: Herring Fishing Banff and Macduff. ISBN , A5 with 76 pages, published This book contains photos never seen before and information extracted from the local fisheries officer s late 19 th century book. Along the Coast Burghead to Portknockie. ISBN , A5 with 60 colour pages, published This is our 3 rd volume of this popular series. We hope to publish a 4 th volume taking us from St. Fergus south to Aberdeen sometime in the future Herring Fishing Banff and Macduff. Along the Coast Burghead to Portknockie. Along The Coast Cullen to Pennan (2 nd Edition). ISBN , A5 with 60 colour pages, published 2010, and first published 2007, price A reader stated that This is the finest book ever written about the Banffshire coastline. The first edition is now sold out. 11

12 Hall Russell Remembered Shipbuilding in Aberdeen 1864 to (2 nd Edition). ISBN , A5 with 56 pages, price Along The Coast Cullen to Pennan. Whitehills Through the Years. ISBN , A5 with 88 pages, published July This book is the 3 rd volume in this series, following the success of the Macduff and Fraserburgh books. For such a small village, Whitehills sure has a rich history. Price Hall Russell Remembered. Coming Hame. ISBN A5 with 52 pages. This is our 2 nd poetry anthology, but this one has a difference it includes our 2009 poetry competition poems complimented with the best of our 2009 painting competition entries, with the winning painting on the cover. Price Whitehills Through the Years. 12

13 Coming Hame. Back to the Sea An introduction to Peter Frederick Anson and his life in the east coast of Scotland. ISBN , A5 with 60 pages, fully illustrated with some colour, published June 2009, price This book gives you an insight into the life of marine artist and writer Peter Anson (1889 to 1975). Peter spent a large part of his life on the Scottish east coast, including twenty years in Banffshire. Many of the older locals remember him, but he is relatively unknown to the younger generations, this book serves to correct this and make Peter known to a much wider audience. Back to the Sea. Along the Coast Pennan to St. Fergus. ISBN , A5 with 48 pages, fully illustrated in colour, published May 2009, price This is the second book in our Along the Coast series and guides you along this wonderful stretch of coast, giving you historical information along the way. You will find out about our local heritage things you would probably miss without the book. Now SOLD OUT. We hope to reprint this book for

14 Macduff Through The Years. Along the Coast Pennan to St. Fergus. Macduff Through The Years. ISBN , A5 with 76 pages, fully illustrated published October 2008, price This wonderful book tells the history of Macduff on a timeline. Described as a Potted History by the Press and Journal, and that is exactly what it is a straight to the point historical view of the town, a must for every visitor or local. Now SOLD OUT. We hope to reprint this book for Macduff Roll of Honour. ISBN , A5 with 84 pages, published June 2008, as an improved 2 nd edition, price Now SOLD OUT. 14 Macduff Roll of Honour

15 The Herring Lassies. ISBN , A5 with 56 pages, fully illustrated, published 2008, price This book is to date our most popular publication, and was reprinted in 2010 and Copies have travelled like the lassies all along the coast to bookshops as far south as Eastbourne. people have bought the book simply for the beautiful painting of the puffin on the front cover painted by Hazel Gerrard- MacAngus from Keith, Banffshire. Coasting Poetry Anthology. The Herring Lassies Following the Herring. Macduff Parish Church Bicentenary 1805 to No ISBN, A4 with 28 colour pages, price All printed copies are sold out. Coasting. ISBN , A5 with 36 pages, published 2007, price This book contains work of local poets, and others from England, and as far away as Australia. The publication of this book was supported by the Banff and Buchan Arts Forum. Many 15 All of our books are considered rare by collectors due to the relatively small prints compared to the large publishers, and many of them sell second-hand for around 20 each. So, when you buy one of our books you not only learn about our local heritage, it s also an investment!

16 Future Publications In our first newsletter back in 2008, we listed some possible future publications, many of which have since been published. Here in this issue we list the publications which we have commenced to write, and show where possible our proposed titles and covers (Which may change). 2) A Woman s Place A Quiet Revolution. Rosemary Sanderson has written the manuscript for another book about women at home and at work between 1850 and We look forward to seeing this large book in print. It will be a big A4 book with over 100 pages and cost approximately 10 to 12. 1) Archbishop James Sharp - Banff to St. Andrew s. Archbishop James Sharp was born in Banff Castle in 1618, and in this book we intend to show his family links with Banff and St. Andrew s where he was ordained as an archbishop, and then brutally murdered in This book will cost approximately Archbishop James Sharp Banff to St. Andrew s. 16 Proposed cover for A Woman s Place. 3) Portsoy Through the Years. We hope to publish another volume in this series following the success of Macduff, Fraserburgh, and Whitehills. This book will be of a similar size to the Macduff book and will cost 6.00.

17 Portsoy Through the Years. 4) Banff Through the Years. Writing of this book commenced early in 2008, with a lot of research done in 2007, but due to the launch of the Book of Banff by Banff Preservation and Heritage Society it was put on hold, and we worked on and completed Macduff Through the Years launching it the week before the Book of Banff in We felt that two new books about Banff being released at the same time would be too much. We now intend to complete this book and publish it. It will be a big A4 book with around 150 pages and cost approximately 12. Banff Through the Years. Since our last AGM we have only managed to publish one new title, however behind the scenes we have been very busy, and there are plenty more nearing completion. All the proceeds from the sale of these books go to the BM&HA. Banff Roll of Honour To stand alongside our Macduff Roll of Honour we have commenced putting together a WW1 and WW2 Roll of Honour for Banff, so if you have any old photographs or information relating to Banff during the wars please get in touch. Any information or photographs will be copied and the originals returned. Contact details are at the rear. 17

18 Banff Museum By Rosemary Sanderson, BM&HA Chair & Museum Curator. Banff Museum, High Street. Times are changing for Banff Museum. Last year saw the launch of a very special partnership between the Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association, and the Banff Preservation & Heritage Society to work with Aberdeenshire Council's museums department to improve the museums profile and preserve it from permanent closure. They permitted the museum to open every Saturday throughout the winter months (for the first time), which brought in many local visitors for their first visit! It was good to see the museum building in use on those dark cold Saturdays, as the two groups alternately worked, each as volunteers. It was also advantageous for the building and contents to be regularly monitored throughout one of the worst winters experienced. Some display areas are now controlled by the two groups and are frequently changed. Even the window illustrations facing the High Street are refreshed periodically, brightening up the frontage and providing interest for the casual passerby. As the building is open part-time, maintaining an interesting window display can be just as important as the displays within. So far the window displays have been themed as the "Christmas Carol" story in pictures and captions from November to January. "The Ration Years" from January to June (also in pictures and captions). The current displays have a window dedicated to the child evacuee's, whilst in the other there is a kaleidoscope of images connected with Banff's past events and characters, including Walter Biggar and James Macpherson. Many locals have kindly loaned their family heirlooms which have created interesting and unusual displays, from a beautiful sawdust filled teddy, to1940's ration cards. The hope is that the museums future rests with the development as a "Community Museum", and a great start has been made. In The News On we have established our own news page, which covers local heritage and maritime news. We also have a separate page titled BMHA in the News, this is newspaper clippings in chronological order concerning the BM&HA or our members, mainly from the Press & Journal and the Banffshire Journal. See also for news. 18

19 Longmanhill War Memorial Since our last newsletter (September 2011) we are very happy to announce that the Longmanhill War Memorial has been re-erected. As we suggested a simple stone cairn similar to the one at nearby Crudie has been erected at the roadside. (3) To provide information, training or education relating to the maritime environment and heritage of the area. (4) To perpetuate the skills and craftsmanship of traditional boat building in theory and practical demonstration and education. (5) To preserve the practical skills of rope and net repair through demonstrations and education. Longmanhill War Memorial. Aims of the Association as per our Constitution To advance and preserve the maritime & local heritage of the Banffshire Coast area. In furtherance thereof but not exclusively: (1) To preserve, display and collect artefacts and items of interest relating to the maritime heritage in the Banffshire Coastal area. (2) To promote, advance, preserve, and raise awareness of the importance of our maritime heritage of the Banffshire Coast area through exhibitions, events, lectures, demonstrations, and other relevant avenues. 19 Portgordon Harbour Gala 17 th July 2011 we set up our stall at the Portgordon Harbour Gala. This was the third year in a row that we have been at the gala, after deciding to go there firstly in 2009 instead of Portsoy. This year we had our sales table with books and a bottle stall which was cleaned out in about 1 hour, well done Roger and Jean! Once again, we all had a most enjoyable day out. The Port Scrubbers compete in the Portgordon Gala Yacht Race Committee Members Rosemary Sanderson Liam Sparke Stanley Bruce Jean Langham Nick Dolphin Chair Vice-Chair Secretary Treasurer Committee

20 Roger Lewendon Malcolm Smith Andrew Bruce Committee Committee Committee Our constitution allows for a maximum of 15 members on the committee, so we have room for some more, so if you are interested in joining us please get in touch. Involvement with other Community Groups Our committee members are also volunteers in many other local community groups and organisations as follows: Banff and Macduff Trust - Nick Dolphin. Banff Museum Rosemary Sanderson. Banff Preservation & Heritage Society Stanley Bruce & Nick Dolphin. Cats Protection Jean Langham. Community Safety Group Nick Dolphin. Credit Union Jean Langham. Enable Nick Dolphin. Friends of Banff Museum All of our committee. Friends of Pitsligo Castle Stanley Bruce. Methodist Church Liam Sparke & Nick Dolphin. Red Cross Roger Lewendon & Jean Langham. Tenants and Residents Association Jean Langham. Banffshire Partnership Ltd BM&HA information provided by Chairman Stanley Bruce to the Banffshire Partnership was included 20 in a full page in their 2010 Newsletter issue 12. The cover photograph and many others inside are by Stanley Bruce. Community Presentations Since 2006 we have given 18 talks / presentations to local northeast groups from Portgordon to Peterhead. Talk No th February Banff Ladies Club, - ''Some castles and big country houses of the northeast' to the Banff Ladies Club', Fife Lodge Hotel, Banff. (Stanley Bruce). If you would like us to give you a talk using our laptop and projector, please get in touch. Contact details are at the rear. Talk number 19 is already booked by the Alvah WRI for Feb / March A full list of all talks given can be seen on our section of Committee Meetings Committee meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at The Buchan Street Club, Macduff 7-8pm. (January is usually the 2 nd Tuesday). If you are interested please feel free to come along and join us Event Our 2011 event was the official unveiling of our Peter Anson Sculpture; this was a long-awaited and very special day for the Association. We rented the Buchan

21 Street Hall for the weekend, and inside we set up several displays, including information on Peter Anson and the building of the sculpture complimented with a film on the projector made by Malcolm Smith. This film can be seen on Also on display was a large collection of late 19 th century farm machinery drawings. Andrew Bruce managed to digitally convert a selection of old negatives, which were taken by Bodie c1950, these were laid out in the hope locals would recognise some of the folk. If you didn t make it along many of these can now be seen on (Some samples can be seen on page 6). owned by the Association. This plan was submitted to OSCR with the charity registration forms. Constitution Our current constitution is dated 1 st May 2009 and is Revision 4, as submitted to the office of the Scottish Charity Register (OSCR). Charitable Status 18 th May 2009 we officially became a registered charity with registration number SCO OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Register). Membership Membership of the Association runs from April to April and is only For that, you get a membership certificate, a 9 x 6 copy of our annually chosen heritage photograph, and a copy of our annual newsletter; a membership form can be found at the back of this newsletter, or can be downloaded from our website. The 2011 / 2012 photo is of the Seafield fishing boat leaving Macduff Harbour. Andrew Bruce and a selection of Bodie photographs taken c1950. Business Plan The association s business plan shows the way forward for a sustainable Association, in premises, which are 21 Seafield leaving Macduff Harbour. Our 2011 / 2012 membership photograph.

22 Aberchirder 4 th January 2011 The Banffshire Journal reported Sadness at theft of church bell. Immediately upon reading the above report Stan Bruce looked in his photograph archive and sent copies of his photographs of the bell to the Press, in the hope that someone would recognise the bell and we would see it returned. We are very pleased to announce that the bell was found and returned to Foggie at the end of February massive profit, however we do hope that outlets can be found overseas sometime in the future. We did have ideas for other sculptures, however, after the hassle we have had with our Peter Anson Memorial we may not be taking these forward. We sincerely hope the future of Banff Museum is secure, and look forward to working with Aberdeenshire Council for many years to come. We could still do with more members on our committee & our general membership still needs to grow. Portsoy Salmon Bothy At the time of writing this newsletter we were invited to attend an open day at the bothy. Our books will be on sale and the Bodie photos of c1950 will be on display. Marnoch Church Bell Aberchirder photographed in The Future Our library of books continues to grow, however this takes a lot of hard work, and continual funding to publish new titles. Four of our members have now become published authors. Our books are currently only printed locally in relatively small quantities so there is so far not a BM&HA Annual Outing The 2011 annual outing was held at Fraserburgh on Sunday 25 th September. This was organised at very short notice. We opted to go to Fraserburgh to show our support in these difficult times for the Fraserburgh Heritage Centre, who sell some of our publications. We also had a nice cup of tea and a fancy piece in the Lighthouse Museum Café. 22

23 The day ended with a most enjoyable high tea at Fraserburgh Leisure Centre restaurant. Thanks On behalf of the BM&HA, I d like to thank the following people / companies for their help over the last year: DNV Energy, Aberdeen. Alfred Cheyne Engineering. A&B Welding Services, Aberdeen. John Thomson, The Press and Journal. Drew Davidson in Dumbarton. Gordon Stephen at DJR Engineering, Oldmeldrum. James Gatt, Macduff. Chapter and Verse, Bookshop, Low St, Banff. J.J. Porterfield, Macduff. The Banffshire Journal. Angus McAllister, Banff. Wilma Woodwin, Bookends, Portsoy. Whitehills Post Office. been working on several books, and managed to publish one. Rosemary has been filmed for the BBC s ONE Show, which has around 5 million viewers. Now isn t that all just amazing! It s such a privilege to be a member of this association, which is going from strength to strength; and there s no stopping us now! A the best, Stanley Bruce, BSc; I. Eng, MIMarEST. Secretary. Contact Stan Bruce Jean Langham banffshiremaritime@yahoo.co.uk To Close So that s our fourth issue of our annual Nautical News, and once again I must say it s amazing what can happen in a year. Our sculpture after a fight, has been erected in Macduff. We have refurbished the Banff Harbour Barometer box and notice board on the Battery Green. We have 23 Copyright Banffshire Maritime & Heritage Association Published in 2011 by the Banffshire Maritime & Heritage Association. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Publisher. Photos by Stanley Bruce unless otherwise stated.

24 BANFFSHIRE MARITIME & HERITAGE ASSOCIATION. Registered Charity No PRINTED FREE OF CHARGE BY DNV ENERGY, ABERDEEN. 24