2011 - Stonehaven Guide Blog

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Wednesday 10 August 2011

Ambitious plans for Ury Estate in Stonehavenare back on track

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Proposals for a championship golf course designed by Jack Nicholas, to become the centrepiece of a £40 million luxury housing and leisure development in Aberdeenshire were abandoned two years ago when Edinburgh-based FM Developments put ten of its subsidiaries into administration - including the division responsible for the Ury project.
The company had announced that the Ury Estate at Stonehaven was to become home to only the second signature golf course in Scotland designed by Nicklaus, who in all won a record 18 golf majors.
It was  announced that the mothballed project is back on course following the sale of the estate to a new company, FM Ury, established by a former director of FM Developments.
Nicklaus Design, includingJack Nicklaus, have welcomed the opportunity to resume their association with the Ury Estate project in Scotland.
Mr Nicklaus has visited the site several times, and believes that this special piece of property can be developed into an extraordinary golf course, and one which the people of Aberdeenshire will be proud of."
Richard Milne, a director of FM Ury, said: "We have got the estate back and we have got the designer Jack Nicklaus back. We will be fulfilling all our promises."
The original £40m development at the Ury estate was approved by Aberdeenshire Council's main planning authority, the infrastructure services committee, in June 2008.

Public meetings will be held later in August to discuss proposals.
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Friday 24 June 2011

Drumtochty Highland Games

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Another even taking place, near Stonehaven is the Drumtochty Highland Games on Sat 25th June

This is the 35th year of this event held in the grounds of Drumtochty Castle.

Large crowds attend every year. See video

I love the innovative way they promote the Games with painted bales of straw, specially painted as you can see in the photo.

These giant figures can be found on the A90 at Fordoun and Stracathro on the few days prior to the Games starting.
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Last Weekend in June

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Lots happening in Stonehaven this last weekend in June 2011.
The Open Air Pool opens to-day after 4 weeks of delays.
The weather is looking promising.
Other outdoor attractions in Stonehaven this weekend include the Continental Market
in the Market Square on Sat & Sun 25th & 26th June and the Car Boot Sale in Margaret Street on Sunday 26th. See Video
Other events include the Stoney Jazz Cafe in the Town Hall 2 - 5pm
Jazz Session on a Sunday afternoon come chill out to Cindy Douglas and her band.  Speak to them for a chance to play in future events.  Jazz sessions will be held on the last Sunday of every month.  Bring the family everyone welcome.
Price: £5 concession £3
Contact : Ma Simpson's tel 01569 766264
Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club in Town Hall - Sun 26th June
Time: Doors open 7.30 Bar Provided
Details:Professional comedians
Steven Hall 
Sal Stevens
Junior Simpson
Vince Atta
Price:Tickets £8 in advance £10 on the Door
Contact : Ma Simpson's tel 01569 766264
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Tuesday 14 June 2011

Help Stonehaven Town Hall Get Much Needed Funding

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Stonehaven Town Hall is in urgent need of funding and you could help the Town Hall Trust secure thousands of pounds from the Big Lottery Peoples Millions.
Stonehaven Town Hall Trust is in the running along with five other community projects and you can help Stonehaven by tuning into STV programme Giving Your Community A Voice at 6pm on Monday 27th
June
The telephone number will be on http://www.stonehaventownhall.org/ at 9am on the June 27 and the lines will be open from 9am until midnight. Please help by voting.
If the funding is secured the building’s trustees will use the money to install a new sound system in the lower hall.
Stonehaven Town Hall trust member Chris Stirk said: “We need a sound system for the town hall. It needs a sound system so we can put more events on, raise more money and do better things in the hall – it’s as simple as that.
“It saves us hiring it in every time we want to do something and saves us hiring the hall for 12 hours when you only want it for a five hour gig.
“Particularly the elderly and the ones in the care homes want a matinee and at the moment we just can’t physically get the stuff in and set up in time. If the gear is there we can do a matinee for the older generation.
“It will also benefit things like the Folk Festival – they will no longer have to hire in the gear. It would save them £4,000 a year.
“We’re hoping to get the schools involved too because apart from Mackie Academy none of them have a big stage.
Note your diaries now to tune into STV on Mon 27th June at 6pm and do use your vote.
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Friday 27 May 2011

Baker Shop Changes Hands

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The Harbour Bakery which had a shop in the High Street and one in Evan Street closed on Mon 23rd May.
However shop premise in Stonehaven don't seem to lie empty for too long.

It has been announced to-day that Goodfellow and Steven who own several shops in the North East of Scotland are taking over the shop in Evan Street.
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Search Marketing & Social Media Workshop

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Stonehaven Business Association held a very successful workshop with Joseph Bushnell at Kirktown Garden Centre on Thurs 26th May 2011. Joseph was very passionate about his subject and imparted a lot of knowledge and tips on Google, Facebook, Twitter and You Tube. All businesses attending felt they benefited and received great value for money. More information on Joseph Bushnell can be found at http://www.josephbushnell.com/
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Tuesday 12 April 2011

Business Changes in Stonehaven

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There has been some concern re the amount of businesses in Stonehaven that have closed recently but there has been strong demand to replace them. Several business owners are retiring this year but they didn't have to wait long for another business to take over. Stonehaven is still a very popular place and shops are not empty for long. Here are some of the changes.

Here and Now next to Bus Station is now Stellas and have built up steady trade within a few weeks. Openn till 10pm so this should be good for tourists in the summer.

Dorothy Jacks has closed but he premises will be opening soon as a Kitchen Studio

Elizabeth Havens, Laurencekirk is taking over the premises of Footprint and opening a Ladies Fashion Shop.

Niall Menzies of Footprint is taking over an existing Shoe Repair and Keycutting shop in Ann Stree at the end of this month.

The owner of Euronics is retiring in 2 weeks but negotiations are almost completed for a new business to take over the premises.

I have received several emails recently on http://www.stonehavenguide.net/ praising Stonehaven so many people love the town.
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Thursday 17 February 2011

Stonehaven Events

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Events in Stonehaven

Wednesday 12 January 2011

Google Doodle creator Michael Lopez reveals bean bag inspiration

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Recently came across this interesting article.

The man behind Google's "doodles" has spoken out about his inspiration - scribbling on bean bags.
Michael Lopez leads the creative team that has given the search engine its colourful look.
His illustrations, which use the Google logo, have been themed on events as varied as Valentine's Day, Halloween, the Beijing Olympics and Wallace and Gromit's 20th birthday.More at http://goo.gl/fYM20
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Friday 7 January 2011

Hogmanay in Stonehaven

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My wife and I and relatives from Boness attended Open Air in the Square and the Fireballs Festival and had a great time along with around 8,000 others. The High Street was looking good with the new Christmas Lights organised by the local Business Association. I had great fun talking to people who had travelled fom Aberdeen, Banchory and Torphins just to see the ceremony. After a few swigs of malt whisky from a flask, while watching the Fireball swingers, Big Phil and I enjoyed a wonderful plate of Stovies on the way home, from a Stall at the Market Square. You can see photos and read an interesting report from a visitor at http://goo.gl/kjBhM
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