By Jo-Anna Bean
Wednesday, 12 November 2014
Video: Inverbervie Fireworks Display
Bervie Gala Committee hosted their annual Bonfire Night display last weekend (09/11/14). The event proved to be a roaring success.
By Jo-Anna Bean
By Jo-Anna Bean
Monday, 10 November 2014
Video: Inverbervie Shoebox Appeal
The Inverbervie Christmas Shoebox appeal has begun.
I decided to find out more about what it means for the community.
By Jo-Anna Bean
Thursday, 6 November 2014
Local pensioner dies in fatal road collision
By Jo-Anna Bean
An 82-year-old man from Inverbervie who was hit by a car yesterday (5/11/14), has died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
James Lyall was taken to the hospital under police escort but he couldn't be saved.
He was knocked down on Inverbervie's King Street, near Kirkburn, at around 3:15pm. The 36-year-old driver of the black Audi was uninjured in the crash. Onlookers said he hit Mr Lyall after being dazzled by the low winter sun.
The road was closed for several hours while police pieced together the circumstances of the tragic accident.
There has since been a call for increased road safety on Inverbervie's main thoroughfare.
The What's on Inverbervie Facebook page said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
An 82-year-old man from Inverbervie who was hit by a car yesterday (5/11/14), has died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
James Lyall was taken to the hospital under police escort but he couldn't be saved.
He was knocked down on Inverbervie's King Street, near Kirkburn, at around 3:15pm. The 36-year-old driver of the black Audi was uninjured in the crash. Onlookers said he hit Mr Lyall after being dazzled by the low winter sun.
The road was closed for several hours while police pieced together the circumstances of the tragic accident.
There has since been a call for increased road safety on Inverbervie's main thoroughfare.
The What's on Inverbervie Facebook page said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
Saturday, 1 November 2014
Hallowe'en Haunted House proves a hit with locals
By Jo-Anna Bean
Last night's (31/10/14) Hallowe'en Haunted House at the Burgh Hall drew in many locals who enjoyed the spooky family activities.
Guests could throw the sponge at the witch, dooking for apples and facepainting, among others.
The fundraising event was hosted by Bervie Play Parks, who recently enjoyed the opening of their first renovated park in Inverbervie, the Cutty Park.
Dawn Sinclair, a member of Bervie Play Parks, said: "It's just a great, fun, family event. There's all sorts of disgusting things I have to cook up, cold spaghetti, peeled grapes and things for people to put their hands in. It's just great to have a family event for Hallowe'en."
This was the event's third year, and the first since the new park was opened.
The What's On Inverbervie facebook page said: "Another packed out family event. Great fun."
Last night's (31/10/14) Hallowe'en Haunted House at the Burgh Hall drew in many locals who enjoyed the spooky family activities.
Guests could throw the sponge at the witch, dooking for apples and facepainting, among others.
The fundraising event was hosted by Bervie Play Parks, who recently enjoyed the opening of their first renovated park in Inverbervie, the Cutty Park.
Dawn Sinclair, a member of Bervie Play Parks, said: "It's just a great, fun, family event. There's all sorts of disgusting things I have to cook up, cold spaghetti, peeled grapes and things for people to put their hands in. It's just great to have a family event for Hallowe'en."
This was the event's third year, and the first since the new park was opened.
The What's On Inverbervie facebook page said: "Another packed out family event. Great fun."
Sunday, 26 October 2014
Inverbervie's new Cutty Park is now open
By Jo-Anna Bean
A new playpark has been opened on Laurel Crescent in Inverbervie.
Christened "The Cutty Park" in honour of Inverbervie's connection to the famous ship and the references to Robbie Burns' poem Tam O'Shanter, the new park opened officially on Saturday (25/10/14).
It sports a massive wooden ship climbing frame, and many other brand new slides, swings, climbing ropes, roundabouts and seesaws which the local children have scarcely left alone since the opening.
The park has been a long time coming and would not be here at all if it wasn't for the Bervie Play Parks committee, who got together and decided to reinvigorate the village's rather out-dated playparks.
It started when Carol Evans phoned Aberdeenshire Council and queried whether they were going to do something about the parks in Inverbervie. They said they didn't have anything planned, but if the people got a committee together, the council would work with them.
The Committee had to raise all the funds to go towards the new park, and the council would help with general maintenance.
Dawn Sinclair, a member of the committee, said: "So, it was basically just a group of friends who got together and said, 'right, well let's just do it then', and so we did."
"It'll be three years in November since we started, and now it's open it's a great feeling."
The massive fundraising project they have undertaken over the past three years has included an annual Halloween Party, abseiling, a Diamond Jubilee Party in the Square, and an annual Hogmanay party in the Burgh Hall.
In addition to this, they received Lottery Funding and a grant from the People's Millions.
All in all, the cost came to just under £100,000.
A highlight for them was hosting the Diamond Jubilee Party in the Square. Dawn said: "The whole community came together really well, The Queens [Arms Pub] provided us with their toilet facilities, the newspaper shop stocked up on juices and things like that, the Church got involved, the Cubs and Scouts paraded in with their flags, it was a fair day!"
"Still not as good as Saturday when the fence was finally removed from around the park though!"
Donna McNally, also a member of Bervie Play Parks, said: "Yeah it was tiring, but really rewarding."
When choosing the design for the park, they had three options from different companies. Donna said of the choice: "Well, because we'd all worked so hard for three years we wanted something big and 'wow', and the one with the big boat made a statement as well as having a connection to the Cutty Sark.
"The other sketches were really good too, they all had their advantages, but this one just stood out more."
The design was implemented by Wicksteed Playgrounds.
The new park would have been open in July, but construction was hampered when they discovered the area had an underground hole - which used to house a water tank - which then had to be surveyed and then filled.
This is not the end for Bervie Play Parks, who have now set their sights on the area around Bervie Sports Centre.
This project is more ambitious than the one they have just completed, it will involve making a park twice as big, but also moving the car park for the area and expanding it.
Dawn said: "This one will take twice the money and twice the work, so we will be continuing with the community fundraising as much as we can."
Their annual Halloween Haunted House, which has a number of spooky activities for the kids including throwing a wet sponge at the witch, facepainting and cakes, will be taking place on Friday 31st of October in the Burgh Hall.
Neil Paterson, member of the committee, estimated that the cost for this project will be around half a million.
Despite the Cutty Park only being open for less than a week, they are already filling out their application forms for the next project.
A new playpark has been opened on Laurel Crescent in Inverbervie.
Christened "The Cutty Park" in honour of Inverbervie's connection to the famous ship and the references to Robbie Burns' poem Tam O'Shanter, the new park opened officially on Saturday (25/10/14).
It sports a massive wooden ship climbing frame, and many other brand new slides, swings, climbing ropes, roundabouts and seesaws which the local children have scarcely left alone since the opening.
 |
| The Cutty Park's first visitors - Photo copyright to Bervie Play Parks |
The park has been a long time coming and would not be here at all if it wasn't for the Bervie Play Parks committee, who got together and decided to reinvigorate the village's rather out-dated playparks.
It started when Carol Evans phoned Aberdeenshire Council and queried whether they were going to do something about the parks in Inverbervie. They said they didn't have anything planned, but if the people got a committee together, the council would work with them.
The Committee had to raise all the funds to go towards the new park, and the council would help with general maintenance.
 |
| The new swings - Photo copyright to Bervie Play Parks |
Dawn Sinclair, a member of the committee, said: "So, it was basically just a group of friends who got together and said, 'right, well let's just do it then', and so we did."
"It'll be three years in November since we started, and now it's open it's a great feeling."
The massive fundraising project they have undertaken over the past three years has included an annual Halloween Party, abseiling, a Diamond Jubilee Party in the Square, and an annual Hogmanay party in the Burgh Hall.
In addition to this, they received Lottery Funding and a grant from the People's Millions.
 |
| Under construction - Photo copyright to Bervie Play Parks |
All in all, the cost came to just under £100,000.
A highlight for them was hosting the Diamond Jubilee Party in the Square. Dawn said: "The whole community came together really well, The Queens [Arms Pub] provided us with their toilet facilities, the newspaper shop stocked up on juices and things like that, the Church got involved, the Cubs and Scouts paraded in with their flags, it was a fair day!"
"Still not as good as Saturday when the fence was finally removed from around the park though!"
Donna McNally, also a member of Bervie Play Parks, said: "Yeah it was tiring, but really rewarding."
When choosing the design for the park, they had three options from different companies. Donna said of the choice: "Well, because we'd all worked so hard for three years we wanted something big and 'wow', and the one with the big boat made a statement as well as having a connection to the Cutty Sark.
"The other sketches were really good too, they all had their advantages, but this one just stood out more."
The design was implemented by Wicksteed Playgrounds.
The new park would have been open in July, but construction was hampered when they discovered the area had an underground hole - which used to house a water tank - which then had to be surveyed and then filled.
This is not the end for Bervie Play Parks, who have now set their sights on the area around Bervie Sports Centre.
This project is more ambitious than the one they have just completed, it will involve making a park twice as big, but also moving the car park for the area and expanding it.
Dawn said: "This one will take twice the money and twice the work, so we will be continuing with the community fundraising as much as we can."
Their annual Halloween Haunted House, which has a number of spooky activities for the kids including throwing a wet sponge at the witch, facepainting and cakes, will be taking place on Friday 31st of October in the Burgh Hall.
Neil Paterson, member of the committee, estimated that the cost for this project will be around half a million.
Despite the Cutty Park only being open for less than a week, they are already filling out their application forms for the next project.
Tuesday, 14 October 2014
Bervie pub raises £900 for MacMillan Cancer Support in memory of local lady
By Jo-Anna Bean
On Saturday (11/10/14), The Queens Arms in Inverbervie held a sponsored walk in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support.
The Queen's have been avid fundraisers over the past few years, always connecting their events to local people.
This year, owners Catriona Bennett and daughter Amanda Macpherson decided to hold a sponsored walk from Inverbervie to Johnshaven, a distance of just over 8 miles.
There were twelve participants - or thirteen if you count the four-legged walkers - and they raised just under £900. Altogether, they have around £1300 to donate to MacMillan Cancer Support.
This years' event was in memory of Mrs Lorna Beattie who sadly passed away from bowel cancer last year.
Catriona Bennett, owner of The Queens Arms, said: "Her husband and two sons are very much part of the pub and are all members of our darts team. In the past we've raised money for Grampian Society for the Blind, Asthma Research Aberdeen, SANDS (stillbirth and neonatal death) among others.
This is the first sponsored walk they have held, having held a sponsored cycle before, as well as football matches and ordinary games.
"I think all in all we have raised around £17,000 for various charities and all the money is given for causes in our area."
On Saturday (11/10/14), The Queens Arms in Inverbervie held a sponsored walk in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support.
The Queen's have been avid fundraisers over the past few years, always connecting their events to local people.
This year, owners Catriona Bennett and daughter Amanda Macpherson decided to hold a sponsored walk from Inverbervie to Johnshaven, a distance of just over 8 miles.
There were twelve participants - or thirteen if you count the four-legged walkers - and they raised just under £900. Altogether, they have around £1300 to donate to MacMillan Cancer Support.
 |
| The walkers - Photo courtesy of Queens Arms Public House |
This years' event was in memory of Mrs Lorna Beattie who sadly passed away from bowel cancer last year.
Catriona Bennett, owner of The Queens Arms, said: "Her husband and two sons are very much part of the pub and are all members of our darts team. In the past we've raised money for Grampian Society for the Blind, Asthma Research Aberdeen, SANDS (stillbirth and neonatal death) among others.
This is the first sponsored walk they have held, having held a sponsored cycle before, as well as football matches and ordinary games.
"I think all in all we have raised around £17,000 for various charities and all the money is given for causes in our area."
Saturday, 4 October 2014
Local residents are struggling to find local free-range chicken
By Jo-Anna Bean
An advocate of locally produced and locally sourced produce has condemned the lack of organic, free-range chicken in the area.
Alex Grahame - owner of the award-winning Hornblowers Seafood Restaurant and Fish and Chip shop in Gourdon - said he had been searching for a quality local source of poultry for two years.
 |
| The Hornblowers' Restaurant in Gourdon |
He told the Press and Journal the problem was very frustrating as his restaurant is committed to serving 100% Scottish sourcing for all of its fish and meat.
Mr Grahame told the paper: "We are proud advocates of the fantastic bounty of fresh produce available in the north-east and are more than delighted to tell customers where we source our ingredients.
"Our fresh fish and shellfish comes from the fishermen at Gourdon or Peterhead so it is literally catch of the day; our potatoes are sourced from a potato merchant in Aberdeen and even the salt you put on your chips is from the Hebridean Sea Salt company."
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| Gourdon Harbour - Hornblowers source all their fish locally |
"Every time we hear of another farmer who might possibly be a supplier, we inevitably end up disappointed as they have an exclusive deal with one of the supermarket chains."
As a result of this, the price of local free-range organic chickens have skyrocketed. One disheartened citizen, who didn't wish to be named, told me at the local market in Stonehaven that the price of one free-range organic chicken was £15.
"It's just not feasible. Then you end up having to go to the big supermarkets and buying chickens from further away, because the local ones are just not affordable."
Even the local Co-operative in Inverbervie has trouble. They have long been advocates of local Scottish produce, but the chicken on their shelves is not local or free range.
One shopper, Karen Bean, said of the chicken: "It's just not good. It's not local, free range, or nice. If I want proper chicken, the closest is the butchers in Stonehaven, which only has it sometimes. Failing that, I have to go to the supermarket, which is a shame when we live in such a rich farming area."
Phillip Hopley, chairman of the Scottish Chicken Growers Association, told the Press and Journal: "There is little government support that I'm aware of for farmers who want to change to produce [free-range, organic] birds - any costs have to be borne by the farmer."
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