Archive of old news.

Article for Banffshire Herald June 2002

 DRUMMUIR 21 - A community at work.

 Update on Drummuir Website: www.drummuir.org.uk

 Since the launch of the website in February David McWilliam at Towiemore House has been continuing to develop and improve the site.  David, one of 11 children, was born and brought up in Drummuir so has a wealth of local knowledge and a fine collection of material himself.  However, more is needed.  So Dave came along to the Drummuir 21 meeting this week to request help.  And the help can be in the form of pictures, old documents, newspaper cuttings which he could ‘scan’ in to the computer and return to you, or in stories or memories that you might like to share with him.  He also wondered whether there might be volunteers to go and talk to people who lived in the Drummuir area for some years but who have now retired to Keith and Dufftown.  If you would like to be involved in this project in any way, please contact Dave on 01542 810344.

Update on the Bridge at Drummuir Station

Drummuir 21 has recently applied to The Moray Council for planning permission to reinstate the link between Drummuir Village and the Railway Station. This will also provide access for visitors to the Community Woodland that lies between the two.

Many residents of Drummuir will recall walking across the footbridge to catch the train to go to work, but with the closure of the station after the Beeching cuts in the 1960s’ the bridge fell into disrepair.  The remains are still in evidence.

Drummuir 21 is extremely fortunate in obtaining the services of the Cambridge University Officer Training Corps to rebuild the bridge, which will be a much sturdier one than before.  The bridge will be suitable for use by those in wheelchairs and push chairs and is to be rebuilt between 10^th and 17^th July.  Thanks to the Forestry Commission Community Woodland Grant and the fact that the OTC do not charge for their labour the cost to the community will be the cost of accommodation and fuel used by the Corps. As owner of the Woodland, Drummuir Estate negotiates with the Commission for grant aid which has boosted the funds of Drummuir Youth Club over the past 3 or 4 years.  Now the community of Drummuir is extremely grateful to the Army for taking on this project which would otherwise not be affordable but which will enhance the use of the Community Woodland where Drummuir Youth Club and Loch Park Rural Skills have worked hard to develop an amenity for residents and visitors alike.

Moray in Bloom - Scattered Community Section

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of a band of volunteers led by Davina Gray, Drummuir is once again entering this Moray Council sponsored event.  The judging will take place on August 5^th.  Already residents of the village are hard at work in their gardens whilst the Community effort in the Village, Church Car Park and along the new all abilities path will all contribute to the scattered area entered.

Drummuir 21 Meeting - Estate Office - Monday 18th March 2002

Present - Priscilla Gordon-Duff, John Lyne, Gordon Stuart, Ian Dempster, Alex Gordon-Duff, Richard Henderson, Iain Douglas, James Baird, , Neil Theodoreson, Cllr. Pearl Paul, Kevin McDermott

Apologies - Jane Cotton, Fiona Morrison, Davina Gray, Peter McWilliam

Introductions 

John Lyne who has recently moved into the area was welcomed to his first meeting.

It was noted that the path and community woodland were both well used on the previous Sunday, the first really good day of the year which was very encouraging.

The AGM was a great success. A bouquet of flowers was sent to the school to thank them for their help.

Johnston Carmichael have audited the accounts free of charge.

Election of new office bearers

The existing office bearers were re-elected.

Minute of last Meeting

Approved

Matters Arising.

Horsa Hut -A meeting was held in December with representatives from the School Board and Hall Committee and as a result a further meeting was held attended by the Chair of D21 , the Chair of the Hall Committee and Frances Powell of MVSO. It was agreed to organise a meeting between members of the Committees of the three Drummuir groups to develop an Action Plan for the future of community facilities in the area. It was agreed that this meeting be facilitated by Frances Powell of MVSO. Since then there have been changes in the Hall Committee which has meant this meeting has been postponed. 

PG-D has written to Moray Council requesting a further 12 months for the community to look at the possible development of the Horsa Hut. This request will be considered at The Moray Council Policy and Resources Committee in April.

Treasurers Report

The current balance is £1212.91. It is hoped that funds can be generated by claiming Gift Aid back from the government on individual donations. Action P G-D

Correspondence

Certificate from the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning for the MANI project which D21 is part of. The group acknowledged the support given to the Drummuir work through this initiative.

Moray Access Network Initiative

Access- Ian Douglas. The MANI project is now finished, and the new funding package is based around the European Objective 2 transitional area which does not include Drummuir. There was some discussion around the exclusion of Drummuir given that D21 have been involved from the beginning in MANI at the encouragement of the Council, and now appeared to be excluded. It was agreed to write to the council to register concern about this decision. Action P G-D

Interviews are being held soon for the new Access Officer post.

It was agreed to approach The Forestry Commission to explore funding options for the path . Action JS

Another option is to investigate the possibility of organising a training course in path-building for people from the eligible Objective 2 area, but hold the training in Drummuir. Action I Douglas

A funding bid is being submitted to Fresh Futures. Action P G-D

There is a new Quarry Tax which might be a future funding option. More information will be sought on this. Action P G-D

The bridge reinstatement plans will require to be passed by building control. Once plans are drawn up Ian will sort this out. Action I Douglas

Publicity Leaflet

Was agreed to distribute this as widely as possible and to investigate whether it is possible to insert the KDRA timetable within the leaflet or alternatively, to market both leaflets together. Action I Dempster

It was agreed to put a sticker in each leaflet to point out that the all ability route is only part completed. Ian Douglas will arrange for the labels to be printed. John Lyne volunteered to stick them in. Action ID & JL

Diary Dates

1. Officer Training Corps 10th - 17th July

2. Path launch Saturday 13th July - Anne Begg invited. Will also invite Grampian 50+ network walking groups. Ian Douglas would like to use this day for consultation on the Moray Access Development Plan. Action P G-D

3. Loch Park - planning an Open day - may tie in with launch on 13th July. A steering group will be set up to co-ordinate this day which will also include a reception for people who have been involved in D214. 

Celebration Day & Garden Open Day - Sunday 14th July Action JB, JL, RH and Jane Cotton

Website

David McWilliam is interested in gathering archive material for the website. There may be some funding opportunities around genealogy which would be worth investigating.

Dot Bremner could be approached about local history. Action K McD

Reports Back  Action P G-D

Access Sub - Moray Abounds have got funding which will be administered through Paths for All. D21 have been awarded £990 for path maintenance. This requires a D21 match of £110. A maintenance schedule has to be drawn up to draw down this funding which should be spent by end 2003. 

Community Woodland - The current contract with the Forestry Commission ends soon. Work on the bottom access road will be held off until the bridge is completed. Signs are being made for the 'toboggan' run and a new path created. There was a well attended volunteer working weekend prior to the meeting. The tree surgeon will be coming in before July. 

Loch Park - Care Solutions have been in for six months now and have passed three inspections from The Moray Council monitoring group. Demand to use the centre and bunkhouse has increased. Care Solutions may be able to put some funding into access as part of a wider capital improvement programme 

Loch Park Management Group - Cath Sneddon of Moray College has raised the possibility of getting students involved in the plan.

Meeting Dates

10th June @ 7.30pm
26th August @ 7.30pm
11th November @ 7.30pm 

Despite the snow, approximately 60 people attended. There were a number of displays by member organisations: Loch Park Rural Skills, KDRA, The Moray Council, REAP whilst excellent tea and homebakes were served by Botriphnie WRI. Drummuir 21 is very grateful for the hospitality of the Headmistress and for the help given by the pupils.

The All Abilities Path is complete as far as the Westerton Crossroads and is being used by residents. An application is in process to gain more funding to complete the route to Loch Park. 10^th -17^th July Cambridge Officer Training Corps rebuilding the bridge to link the Community Woodland with the Station.

Produced by Ian Dempster. To be distributed with KDRA timetables to encourage visitors to Drummuir by train rather than by car.

A ‘commendation’ in The Scottish Quality Award for Quality Planning was given to The Moray Council for the Moray Access Network Initiative of which Drummuir 21 was a part. ‘ Drummuir was unique in that the initiative here was led by the local landowner focussing on sustainable development and transport.’ (Judges Report)

Drummuir 21 has written to The Moray Council requesting more time for discussion. A planned Action Plan Workshop has been deferred pending developments by the Hall Committee.

Official Path Opening - Variety of events during the day and evening. For more information/to give ideas/offer help, please contact James Baird, Loch Park, tel 810334

2-5p.m. Entrance Fee £1.50 Teas by Botriphnie WRI in Drummuir Castle

www.drummuir.org.uk If you would like to contribute information (club details, meetings etc) or history/photos, please contact Dave McWilliam, Towiemore House, dave.mcwilliam@towienet.co.uk

10^th June, 26^th August, 11^th November at 7.30p.m. in the Committee Room