April 2006: Public Meeting

The public meeting saw a good attendance, with Keith Gregory introducing the event, and speaking on the history of the Harbour, Graham Todd with a presentation on the progress made by the Trust since 2000, Billy McDonnell, speaking about the Harbour as an asset, and Isobel Gregory covering fundraising and the future of the Meal Mill.

With over £80,000 raised since it’s establishment, the Trust has proved to be a success, with the new boat ramp and pontoons as indication of its practical value. It’s all the more remarkable when you think that everyone involved in the restoration is a volunteer and we have no paid staff!

April 2006: Scots & Country Nicht

As a prelude to the new season at Sandhaven Harbour the Scots & Country Nicht was a great success.

The evening began with an introduction from Tom Harper, a skirl of the pipes from Sheena Cuthill and an excellent traditional supper of mince, haggis and neeps prepared and served by the staff of the Tiger Hill Cafe, Fraserburgh.  Then the entertainment program began with humourous verse in Doric from “oor ain” Janie Harper. The evening progressed and proved to be an outstanding example of local talent. Billy Wishart on keyboard was joined by Sheena on the fiddle and Malcolm Cuthill on the drums and they accompanied the melodious voice of Elaine Wishart. Together they entertained the gathering with a range of Scots and Country favourites.

Outstanding performance of the night must go to Nigel Frostwick who played a great selection of music on the electric guitar and whose performance covered everything from the Shadows to Andrew Lloyd Webber. By the end of his turn everyone was in the mood to dance and the dance floor filled up for the rest of the evening.

The Trust would like to thank everyone who attended especially the performers and their helpers, the caterers, the Pittendrum, and all those who donated the raffles.

Comments after the event indicated the widespread view that this was the best Scots Nicht that the Trust has hosted and we look forward to other musical events later this year.

May 2006: Restoration work at Harbour

Several features of the Harbour have been upgraded recently, and the barge in the East harbour has been decommissioned. The wall in the East harbour, damaged in the winter storms ,has been repaired. Big changes to the foreshore in the West harbour has resulted in a much more attractive and welcoming look and easier access. Removal of both old slipways has helped to prevent the accumulation of litter and provided better use of harbour space. We now also have our own notice board.

May 2006: New Season starts

The Trust is pleased to welcome several new boats to the Harbour this year, as demand for berthing increases. We hope to fully use the pontoon system this year and it will be deployed as soon as the correct brackets have been constructed and fitted.

June 2006: Car Boot Sale at Sandhaven

The day dawned bright over Sandhaven Public Hall and from 8am “booters” arrived to set up their stalls. With a huge variety of items from home-made greetings cards to designer furniture there was a bargain for everyone. Several charities attended and over £300 was raised for the Trust.

We would like to thank everyone for their support especially the volunteers who ran the Teas, raffle, bottle stall, and Harbour Table. 

Sept 2006: Ark Inn Funday

The Trust was pleased to supply the venue, on land adjacent to the harbour, for an event organised by the Ark Inn in Sandhaven in aid of the breast unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Saturday 2nd September.

Local people turned out to support the stalls selling everything from greetings cards to jewellery, even scented soft toys! The barbecue and bouncy castle proved to be an attraction to the hungry and the restless, and the sound of the pipes could be heard far and wide.

Highlights of the event included “The Dancing Diggers” (pictured left) and a rather unusual three legged race.

The Funday was the climax to a number of other fundraising events inspired by darts player Jeannette Rattray who has been successfully treated for breast cancer in the past.

The Trust would like to congratulate the Ark Inn team on their efforts and the £1400 raised on the Funday.  

Sept 2006: Beach Clean

With around twenty volunteers and a day of bright sunshine the Beach clean organised by the Trust proved to be a resounding success. With a large quantity of litter, scrap metal, plastic and other items picked up during the afternoon the Harbour area looked considerably tidier after the event.

The Trust would like to thank all the volunteers for their help and especially Mr Andrew McLemman who kindly disposed of the collected rubbish at the local skip.

Sept 2006: Pontoons in Service

Along with other work at the Harbour the Trust is pleased to announce that the pontoons are now in place for use by the boat owners at Sandhaven Harbour.

Repair work in the West Harbour is also taking place before Winter to improve the strength of the Middle Jetty and to add a rebound wall as a safety feature at the top of the boat ramp to help dissipate any large waves.

Dec 2006: Harbour Party Night

The Pittendrum played host to the music event of the year as three of Sandhaven & Pitullie’s top acts, The KRL’s, The Eclectics and Ritchie Lloyd joined up to rock the night.

Local talent in the shape of young singers Amie Owensen, and Holly Bruce were walmly applauded for their efforts, Mitch and Karen entertained South American style, and Sheena on the fiddle brought us back to Scottish roots.The evening raised £610 for Trust funds, and the Trust would like to thank everyone involved.

April 2006: Scots & Country Nicht

As a prelude to the new season at Sandhaven Harbour the Scots & Country Nicht was a great success.

The evening began with an introduction from Tom Harper, a skirl of the pipes from Sheena Cuthill and an excellent traditional supper of mince, haggis and neeps prepared and served by the staff of the Tiger Hill Cafe, Fraserburgh.  Then the entertainment program began with humourous verse in Doric from “oor ain” Janie Harper. The evening progressed and proved to be an outstanding example of local talent. Billy Wishart on keyboard was joined by Sheena on the fiddle and Malcolm Cuthill on the drums and they accompanied the melodious voice of Elaine Wishart. Together they entertained the gathering with a range of Scots and Country favourites.

Outstanding performance of the night must go to Ritchie Lloyd who played a great selection of music on the electric guitar and whose performance covered everything from the Shadows to Andrew Lloyd Webber. By the end of his turn everyone was in the mood to dance and the dance floor filled up for the rest of the evening.

The Trust would like to thank everyone who attended especially the performers and their helpers, the caterers, the Pittendrum, and all those who donated the raffles.

Comments after the event indicated the widespread view that this was the best Scots Nicht that the Trust has hosted and we look forward to other musical events later this year.

Oct 2006: Leading Lights

Thanks to a grant of £1000 paid under the Moray Firth Partnership Community Grants Scheme 2006, the Trust has recently taken delivery of solar powered leading lights and buoys as part of its plan for Restoration of Safety (Aids to Navigation).

The new equipment will be installed in the new year when the weather improves and in time for the new season.