Mearns Leader Article Archive

Stonehaven Horizon has a monthly column in the local Stonehaven newspaper The Mearns Leader and is available here on line the following week.

Latest Article : 02/12/2010

We're now into the run up to Christmas and the winter hasn't disappointed with good falls of snow already and more to come if the BBC weather site is to be believed.

Stonehaven Horizon has been preparing for the arrival of Santa at the Harbour this weekend, the 4th December at 1pm. As we all know, Santa comes into Stonehaven by boat and arrives at the Inner Harbour.

Then he makes his way, complete with balloons and his very full sack and surrounded by crowds of eager children, to the waiting huskies to be transported to his grotto at Michies the Chemist where he will be very busy for the days until Christmas Eve. That's when he has to get the sledge out, call Rudolf and harness up all the other reindeer for his busy night flying round the world dropping off presents with children everywhere.

Stonehaven Horizon has been providing Mulled Wine and Mince Pies in the Granary Garage, courtesy of John and Pat Fothergill, for a few years now and its one event where we have an oversupply of volunteers as everyone loves being part of the fun. We also have tea and coffee for the Mums, Dads and grandparents as well as warm juice and biscuits for the children. So, we hope you'll come along and join us in the fun there.

This year our charity collection is for the Cyrenians, an Aberdeen based charity who provide shelter, food, clothing and training for the homeless. They have lost much of their funding in the last few years due to Aberdeen Council cutbacks and now have to depend on local donations.

When I visited their headquarters yesterday I was very impressed at the warmth of the greetings I received and the welcoming atmosphere in the building. Something that would mean so much if you had to live out on the streets of Aberdeen in this weather. Christmas is not wonderful for everyone but by giving a few pence you can help to make it better for those less fortunate. So, we hope you will give generously.

On a more cheery note we have been busy planning our entry to Beautiful Scotland for 2011 and although it's a bit too soon to enter we have got plans in place for our route and projects to display the best of the town. Watch this space for more information in the early part of the year.

You may have noticed in the local press that the railway station is soon to be enhanced by some striking posters advertising many aspects of Stonehaven and the aim being to encourage people to get off the train and explore what the town has to offer. I have had a preview of these pictures and I can assure you they are impressive.

They have all been taken by three local photographers, Rob Powell, Any Hall and Martin Sim who have kindly given us permission to use their work. We are indebted to them and are sure that they will get a great deal of positive feedback after they go up on the station platforms, next week. Allan Cairnduff our past Convenor has co-ordinated this project and it is going to be another winner I'm sure.

The early arrival of the white stuff probably puts paid to our hopes of landscaping the area at Cowie Mill that we had hoped to do this autumn but as soon as we get a few clear days we will get onto it. The contractor, who is helping us, has been delayed by the endless rain and I don't suppose the snow will help matters there either. Patience being the name of the game here but I'm sure the end result will justify the wait. Meanwhile, I continue with the finer points of the plans and planting for the area so progress is being made, you just don't see it!

Our only outing in December is for our Christmas Meal on the 9th when we all enjoy a chance to socialise for more than the few minutes it takes to fill or empty a planter, which is all we usually have. It is always a fun evening and allows everyone to get to know each other little better.

We adjourn then until after the Festive Period which gives us all time to enjoy our families and probably eat too much. We do work it off in the months thereafter and 2011 will be especially busy so we'll all expect to shed those extra pounds while making the town look wonderful for Beautiful Scotland in August - So everybody benefits in a roundabout way!

Finally, I would like to thank all the businesses and residents locally who have helped us to do our work over the past year. Without your help, whether practical or financial, none of the work we undertake would be possible and we thank you most sincerely.

Stonehaven Horizon would also like to wish everyone in this special town a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

Blue Jacket