Logie Coldstone Trust December 2013 NEWSLETTER LOGIE COLDSTONE VILLAGE HALL A NEW LEASE OF LIFE PROJECT The new heating system and greatly improved insulation ensures that even this large space can be maintained efficiently at a comfortable temperature. So... After many months of hard work both on the refurbishment itself and by members of the committee and community behind the scenes, we re almost there The main construction work is complete and only small snagging jobs remain. The total project costs have run to nearly 200,000, and we hope that the finished building will provide the village and local community with a multifunctional social centre for many years to come. There s a revamped kitchen, an open-plan entrance reception area, and refurbished toilet facilities - including a separate disabled toilet and a baby changing area. Voluntary work by members of the community over a number of weekends has meant that landscaping work around the hall is almost complete too. Many thanks to all those who have provided construction plant, given their time, their expertise and their free labour to help install soak-away drainage, lay railway sleepers to form banked verges, paint external timber-work, and to help spread chuckies to finish off the area. The main hall has been completely refurbished and the old fixed stage was removed to allow damp and rot to be dealt with and to provide extra room for sports and other activities. A replacement portable modular stage is proposed to provide a flexible system for future events. The former upstairs store room has been converted into a warm, bright and airy meeting room which will be available for hire and community use. Although the official opening of the hall will be on Saturday 7 December (see invitation at end of newsletter), the hall has been open for business since Tuesday 19 November 2013. 1
Bookings are being taken for the halls and meeting room now: Following Tarland s idea, we are planning to have a dedicated mobile phone and email account to make things simpler for all concerned. Look out for posters and emails on these. In the short term, bookings should be made through Jean Norman blelack@hotmail.com The cost of hiring the hall has been 5 per hour for community groups, 7 per hour for private use for many years now. We have been having a look at projected costs and income recently, and were relieved to find that if we carry on fundraising as we do, and bring our hall charges a little more into line with halls around us we could hopefully have enough money coming in to cover usual Trust running costs - whilst setting aside some money to keep on top of long term maintenance. The rates will remain as 5 and 7 until such time as discussions with hall users can be held in the New Year. Any revision will be communicated through the website and at point of booking. Extra income from hall bookings would mean fundraising income from organised events can be used to maintain and improve facilities. The hall accounts have been sorely stretched in order to match-fund the amazing financial support that has been provided by funders (LEADER, Climate Change Fund, Aberdeenshire Council and The Robertson Trust), and we are keen to raise income in the short term to refill the coffers to cover running costs and future maintenance for our hall. There will be extra costs too - bits and pieces to finish off the building such as items of furniture, furnishings and the like. Thanks to generous donations from Astor of Hever Trust, David and June Gordon Memorial Trust and the Marr Area Partnership Initiative Grant Scheme, as well as developer contributions from Aberdeenshire Council, we are well on the way to being able to raise enough money for match funding to apply to Rural Aberdeenshire LEADER for the remainder to buy a useful amount of portable staging which could cost in total about 9,000. However we will need to provide around 500 ourselves. We have also had generous donations from the Ballater Charitable Chiels and local businesses which will help pay for extras, but it would be nice to have enough eventually to buy things such as a larder fridge and freezer, dishwasher, cycle rack, electric hand driers and a boiling water appliance. Whilst many of you will have contributed by supporting the social events we ve been able to hold this last year (even without access the the Hall facilities), please remember that the hall is a community resource that we and our children rely on, and many friends and visitors enjoy. If you would like to donate a small (or larger) amount towards maintaining our new resource, please let us know. FUNDRAISING EVENTS SINCE SPRING 2013 DUCK RACES This year Logie Coldstone s annual Duck Races were held on a warm and sunny Sunday 5th May at the burnside, and were very well attended by children and older race-goers alike. Refreshments were available to keep energy levels up, and ducks sold like hot cakes The event was a great success and raised over 650. Thanks again to all those who helped set up and run the races, and to Sue Dewhurst who again volunteered as official photographer for the day. Our grateful thanks to those that bought ducks and supported on the day helping us to raise such a tremendous sum towards the refurbishment project. Our thanks too, as ever, to Gordon Drummond s continuing support for the event in allowing us to use the burn. 2
MORVEN SPONSORED WALK Nick Bailey almost all of the programmed events before the heavens finally opened, and those who remained took cover in the beer and tea tents The bar, tea tent and stalls ensured that a fantastic 600 was raised towards the hall refurbishment funds LCT MUSICAL FIREWORK EXTRAVAGANZA, BBQ & BONFIRE The annual Morven walk took place on Sunday 26th May 2013. A great turnout again this year for the event with some 40 folk completing the full 10 mile route. The weather was kind to us and remained warm and dry, despite a long winter s snow still laying on the ground at height. A relaxing picnic lunch was taken before the final push to the summit and the long descent into Logie Coldstone. Once back in the village, a barbecue and refreshments were provided at the Airedale Lounge. A total of almost 750 in sponsorship money was raised for the village hall by the hardy souls who completed the route. Well done all LOGIE COLDSTONE FUN GAMES This year s Fun Games were held on 22 June 2013 in John and Linda Diack s paddock behind the Airedale. This year s event was hosted once again by Nick and Lisa Bailey at Cairnmore on Friday 8 November. More than 120 people - including many new faces - made the most of a beautiful clear dry evening and followed the magical faerie avenue to the site to enjoy another wonderful evening of music, fireworks, barbecue fare and glow bangles. The bonfire - this year a roarer thanks to firewood cleared from the hall during the refurbishment - kept those who stayed for a drink and a blether later warm and toasty. Our thanks go out in particular to the LC Youth Club who made the Guy for the top of the fire, and to each of those who helped to make the event safe and enjoyable for all. The proceeds raised from contributions and purchases on the night covered the not insignificant costs of laying on the event, and left a total of 330 profit that will go towards the hall s refurbishment. LC TRUST CHRISTMAS FAIR LCT organised a festive Christmas Fair on Sunday 24 November in the newly opened village hall. Thanks to those that helped prepare the paddock, who set up and struck the tentage, and who manned stalls and organised the events during the day. The event attracted a good attendance and seemed busy all afternoon, with seasonal gifts and treats, mulled wine, teas and homebakes all selling well. The final total raised has yet to be confirmed. Despite the occasional heavy downpours, the Games were a great success We managed to complete 3
OTHER NEWS LOGIE COLDSTONE SCHOOL UPDATE Sandra Brown - Head Teacher LOGIE COLDSTONE SWRI Joyce Lovie / Rachel Mather Logie Coldstone Scottish Women s Rural Institute will meet back at the village hall from December, every second Wednesday of the month. Get in touch with Evelyn Smith if you re interested in coming along. So far we have had a talk on gardening, a demonstration on bread making, and are looking forward to a talk on bird ringing and Christmas flower decorations. We have enjoyed an evening in Aboyne WRI listening to Tarland First Responders, and got third place in the Finzean WRI quiz night FRIENDS OF LOGIE COLDSTONE PENSIONER FUND Friends Of Logie Coldstone Pensioner Fund will be holding their Christmas meal at the village hall in Logie Coldstone, on Thursday 12th December at 5pm. If anyone new to the village - or who is recently of pensionable age - would like to have an invitation extended to them, please phone Kathleen on 01339 881195. LOGIE COLDSTONE YOUTH CLUB Kathleen Farquhar Youth Club will continue in the new year in the village hall,a meeting will be held for a new committee in December. If you d like to see what s going on, then come along and join in or phone Kathleen on 81195. LOGIE COLDSTONE 2014 CALENDAR Rachel Mather was overwhelmed by the interest in the last year s 2013 calendars, and has organised another for 2014. If you are interested in purchasing a calendar please contact Rachel: pmather@dialstart.net The 25() pupils at Logie Coldstone have enjoyed a range of activities since August 2013. We welcomed Alice Murphy and Rohan Porter to Primary 1. Primary 6 and 7 have been to Abernethy Outdoor Centre where they participated in a range of outdoor activities, including kayaking on Loch Morlich. Primaries 1-7 enjoyed a music project linked to Woodend Barn called Framed Against the Sky. The Osiligi Warriors from Kenya visited the school to show everyone their traditional Masai culture, and visiting Strathdon, Crathie and Kincardine O Neil schools also enjoyed the music and dance. Primaries 1-7 visited the science festival Techfest at the Beach Leisure Centre, where they participated in a range of workshops. Stuart Reid, an award winning children s author, visited the school. He was very entertaining and inspired all to write. Aboyne Rotary has been supporting us with extra curricular activities., and Dr. Anne Riach is leading a knitting group. 4
We supported Logie Coldstone Trust with a table at their Xmas Fair on Sunday 24 th November. Logie Coldstone School will also have a showcase table at the formal opening of Logie Coldstone Hall on Saturday, 7 th December. The school s guitar group will provide entertainment in the afternoon. The Parent Council is also taking a table at the Horse Welfare, Belwade on Sunday 8 th December 11a.m. 2p.m. P1-7 will perform the pantomime Snow White on Wednesday, 18 th December at the Hall at 6.30pm Oh no they won t Oh yes these will PRO-FITNESS KETTLEBELLS CLASS A new fitness class has come to Logie Coldstone Hall Lisa Bailey s Pro-Fitness Kettlebells takes place at the hall on Tuesdays at 6.45pm, and the first class on 19 November was packed full of eager new participants. Everyone enjoyed the invigorating workout (and were feeling the after-effects over the following days as some long-forgotten muscles were re-awakened). The feedback so far has been extremely positive and those back for the second week seem to have enjoyed it even more than the first. The class is presently fully subscribed, but Lisa is keeping a waiting list for those keen to start. For more information please contact Lisa at: profitnesspersonaltraining121@gmail.com Saturday 7 December: Formal Opening of the refurbished Hall - 2.00pm - 4.00pm Saturday 7 December: Bothy Nicht in the Hall M, refreshments, music and entertainment celebrating the opening of our new community centre. 7.30pm onwards. Thursday 12 December: Friends of Logie Coldstone Pensioners Christmas Meal Logie Coldstone Hall, 5.00pm onwards Thursday 31 December: LCT Hogmanay Party - LC Village Hall. Please bring your own drinks. Adults 6, 12-18 years 3, under 12 years free - 9.00 pm start January 2014: Burns Night - LC Village Hall Date to be confirmed. Raffle prize donations would be very welcome - Please contact Anne Mathers / Cathy Todd for details February 2014: Race Night - details to be confirmed Look out in the website/ posters/noticeboard/press for news of more events Newsletters and other notices will also be DATES FOR THE DIARY... placed on the website: http://www.logiecoldstone.org/ If you would like to be sent an electronic copy of this or future newsletters, please drop an email to lctrust2012@gmail.com and we ll add you to the LCT emailing list - your address will be kept private. Check out our Facebook page: Logie Coldstone Trust - you don t need an account to access the page. Click Like to ensure you re notified of updates. 5
Logie Coldstone Trust Requests the pleasure of your company at the official opening of the newly refurbished Logie Coldstone Village Hall on Saturday 7 December 2013 2pm - 4pm Please come and take a tour of the building Tea, coffee and homebakes will be provided **************** The celebrations will continue in the evening with a Bothy Nicht with live music and entertainment from 7.30pm 6