Mid Deeside Community Council has submitted formal objections to proposals by NHS Grampian to close the birth unit at Aboyne Hospital as part of a review of Maternity Services across the region.

At their regular monthly meeting members agreed unanimously to back a submission raising local concerns at the loss of the unit, which was reprieved five years ago following a local campaign.

NHS Grampian is consulting on its proposals for Maternity Services, which would see the creation of Community Maternity Units at Aberdeen, Inverurie and Peterhead, each designed for about 250 births a year.

MDCC says it is concerned that these proposals will reduce the choice available to women on Deeside, particularly as travelling to Inverurie is “almost impossible by public transport and is not easy by private car”.

There are also concerns about parking at Foresterhill for those who would be obliged to travel into Aberdeen.

Members agreed that what is seen as a ‘one size fits all’ approach does not take into account the needs of women and families in a rural area with a low population such as Deeside.

Vice Chairman of the community council, Mick Mallett said: “We were all in total agreement on this issue and feel it is important that we represent the concerns of people in the area over the loss of this highly valued unit.

“There is some good in what the NHS is proposing but we cannot accept that the Aboyne unit needs to be sacrificed to fit the service model that the NHS is promoting.

“The Aboyne unit should be maintained within the overall service, to meet the needs of women and families in the west of Aberdeenshire who are likely to be marginalised by the centralisation of services on Inverurie and Aberdeen.”

In their submission the Community Council adds: “ We do not believe, for women and their families in our area, that the proposed changes will achieve the outcomes sought. Whilst the professionalism of your staff will ensure women will receive the same quality of care and treatment, it will not be closer to home.

All of the issues we have highlighted can be addressed by the simple expedient of maintaining a birth unit at Aboyne and recognising that one size does not fit all. We urge the NHS Grampian Board to listen and respond to the very real concerns of residents within our area, to think again about the proposed changes and recognise the needs of a rural area.”

The consultation will run until March 22 and the community council is urging all local residents to respond and put forward their views.

For copies of the consultation paper and questionnaire go to www.nhsgrampian.org/maternityreview or phone 01224 550950.

Monymusk’s run of eight straight wins in Division 3 came to an end in disappointing fashion at Turriff last weekend as they were hit for six in a game played in blizzard conditions at times.

Musk’s last defeat in the league before this game was away back in August when they suffered a 5-2 loss away to Auchnagatt Barons in a bizarre game which coincidently was refereed by Mr J. McGettrick, who was the man in the middle for the Turriff match.

Musk suffered an early setback when experienced central defender Phil Stewart had to limp off with an injury after only 10 minutes.

The visitors had a great chance to take the lead three minutes later when the referee gave them a free kick six yards out for what he deemed a passback by a Turriff player to his keeper who picked the ball up.

With all 11 Turriff players on the goalline Andrew Moss stepped up but blasted the ball off the post.

A minute later Turriff were in the lead when Musk keeper Mikey Fyffe was unable to deal with a cross from the right which fell to a Turriff player who made no mistake.

This stirred Musk into action and Andy Cruden had an effort blocked by the keeper in 19 minutes before Moss was again denied by a another good save five minutes later.

Turriff were still looking threatening and eventually increased their lead in 37 minutes when a Turriff player broke down the left wing and made no mistake with an angled drive for 2-0.

A Jamie Mackie free kick saw Liam Barron go close for Musk with a header but with just two minutes remaining of the first half the home side gave the visitors a mountain to climb with a third goal, a volley, after a cross from the left left the defence stranded.

Monymusk lost their other central defender, Callum Nicolson, to an injury and he was replaced at half-time by Liam Beaton.

Cruden again went close in 49 minutes with a header from a corner but there the threat ended from Monymusk with Turriff taking control as the snow fell, driven by a biting wind.

The home side made it 4-0 midway through the second half and as the game progressed only some great goalkeeping from Fyffe kept Turriff at bay.

With six minutes remaining Turriff added a fifth, and then completed Monymusk’s misery with a sixth right at the end of the game.

Monymusk: Fyffe, Mackie, Lyon, Nicolson (Beaton), P. Stewart (Smart), Forshaw, Moss, Barron,Cruden, Sangster and Eddie (J. Stewart).

Unused substitutes: Doverty and Duthie.

Monymusk will be looking to bounce back from this defeat on Saturday (February 25) when they play host to league leaders Ferryhill at Deer Park with a 2pm kick-off.

Torphins skier Alex Tilley has been selected to represent Great Britain at the FIS World Junior Ski Championships.

The 18-year-old will race against skiers representing more than 60 countries. Many of these athletes will go onto compete at World Cup level which is ultimately Alex’s goal.

Alex’s selection follows some strong performances around the world this season that have seen her move into second place in the overall GB rankings behind the long standing GB number one Chemmy Alcott, who is currently performing on ITV show ‘Dancing on Ice’ as part of her recuperation programme from a horrific leg break.

The 2012 World Junior Ski Championship will be held in Roccaraso, Italy 29th February to 9th March and will be covered by Eurosport.

Alex will be joined by GB junior team mates Charlie Guest from Scotland and Ashley Hill, Jack Gower from England.

This is the second time that Alex has been selected to represent GB at these championships where she expects to compete in all 4 alpine disciplines: Slalom (SL), Giant Slalom (GS), Super Giant Slalom (SG) and Downhill (DH).

Alex’s main goal will be to make the top 30 cut in the technical disciplines and to improve on her SG penalty FIS Points.

Alex is currently based in Schuttdorf, Austria where she trains with the GB junior team and races throughout Europe.

She competed last week in the 2012 English Alpine Championship in Bormio, Italy in the SG/GS and Slalom.

Refusing to hold anything back and continually challenging her own limits Alex paid the price in the SG where she experienced the biggest crash in her career to date. She was fortunate to emerge unhurt.

There was further disappointment in the GS, her strongest discipline this year, where she failed to complete the first run, however, Alex made amends the following day by coming back from 0.4 secs down after the first run of the Slalom to win by 0.2 secs.

Alex was the only GB athlete to stand on top of the international podium at this championship.

Following the 2012 World Junior Alpine Championship Alex will continue to train and race in Europe before travelling to Meribel, France at the end of March to compete in the 2012 British Alpine Championships.

Alex says that her goal at these championships will be to lift the title of overall GB ladies champion.

Alex is a member of the local alpine ski race club The Gordon Skiers, who have helped to nurture several members of the GB Alpine Teams and one Olympian to date. The Gordon skiers train locally at the Alford Ski Centre and at the Lecht.

Alex would like to thank Deeside Mineral Water, The Rotary Club of Banchory St Ternan and the Ladies Ski Club for their support during the season.

Alex would also like to thank ski equipment manufacturer Atomic whose skis have been instrumental to her development and success over several years now.

Alex is currently interested to hear from anyone who may be interested in supporting her on her journey towards the 2014 Winter Olympics and beyond, email: skitilley@aol.com for more information.

The parents of a woman who died from bone cancer aged just 22, held a charity ceilidh in memory of their daughter last weekend.

Sam Johnstone died in April 2009 after a long battle with Ewings Sarcoma a primary bone cancer. The ceilidh was held at Tullynessle Hall, near Alford, on Saturday.

The event was very well attended despite the snow and managed to raise around £6700 for the chosen charities - Bone Cancer Research Trust and Maggie’s Aberdeen Appeal.

Sam’s mum Jackie said that everyone had a great night.

“The music from the Jennifer Forrest Ceilidh Bank was superb and we would like to extend our grateful thanks to them,” she said.

“Of course raising money for good causes matters enormously but we wanted to make sure that everyone enjoyed themselves in the process.

“Sam always enjoyed nights out and she would have been so proud and delighted that everyone came along to ‘Sam’s Ceilidh’ and made it the success it was.”

Jackie added: “We would like to thank everyone who helped us make this possible. We are very lucky to have such a supportive network around us.

“We miss Sam terribly and we feel that we want continue the work that she would have done if she were still here and that is to raise awareness of primary bone cancer and to raise money for causes that were close to her heart and also any that we now choose on her behalf.”

Around seventy members of the local community heard that despite previous denials by the Church of Scotland (COS) that there was ever any plans to sell Stothert Memorial Church and / or the manse in Lumphanan, both were now officially for sale.

Dr Alison Carroll addressed the meeting in the village hall on behalf of Lumphanan Heritage Society which was a joint meeting of the Heritage Society and Lumphanan Community Council

She said there had been a lack of response and “uncooperative behaviour” from the church, and also Mid Deeside Presbytery, who have since sent a legal letter saying they will not answer any correspondence from the Heritage Society and in future all correspondence should be sent direct to COS Edinburgh.

Dr Carroll said the point of meeting was to see if the local community still supported efforts to secure the church and to see if there was support to change Heritage Society to a “Community Interest Body” in order to pursue purchase of church.

There was unanimous support on both matters and all members of Heritage Society are to receive letters outlining the changes.

Dr Carroll said the sole interest was in the church building, which is available separately and was of less value than the manse.

The meeting heard that funding sources for the purchase were being investigated and that the community would be looking for donations by way of trades’ skills such as from joiners or plumbers who could volunteer their labour.

It was agreed that a register should be set up where community members can sign up to donate their skills and that the community group would be interested in hearing of any further fundraising ideas.

Dr Carroll said it was heartening to see so many people turn out for the meeting and also to know that the efforts of the Heritage Society and the Community Council had the continued backing of the community.

Culter leapfrogged opponents Ellon United into sixth place in the league table with a comprehensive win at The Meadows.

With a bitter cold wind blowing across the park the first chance fell to the away team in the the third minute.

Robertson’s long pass found McAllister, who homed in on goal only to see his shot saved by the outstretched leg of the home keeper.

Ellon’s Simpson then cut his way into the Culter box and laid the ball off to Walker but the striker skied his shot high and wide.

Culter went ahead in the 31st minute. McBain went on a mazy run into the box and but was fouled by McKinnon and Lewis McKIMMIE stepped up to send a low shot into the net from the penalty spot.

Shand sent a great pass to McBain who headed the ball past Johnston and his effort beat the keeper but just cleared the post.

On 42 minutes Culter doubled their lead. McBain sent in a great free kick into the box which found McAllister, who laid the ball into the path of Robbie BROWN who drove the ball home from close range for his first Culter goal. Culter got off to the worst possible start in the second half as the snow started.

With the Culter defence claiming for offside Bailey crossed for SIMPSON to knock the ball into the net from 8 yards.

McAllister was fouled 28 yards out on 68 minutes which allowed Hugh ROBERTSON to step up and fire a terrific low shot past Buchanan.

Three minutes later Shand’s cross was flicked into the net by the head of Lewis McKIMMIE for 4-1.

McKinnon should have done better when he was left with a free header but he sent it wide of the Culter goal.

Culter were on easy street on 81 minutes, Youngson sent an inch perfect pass into the path of George McBAIN who drove the ball into the net from a tight angle to give the away side a 5-1 win.

This Scottish Cup quarter-final match took place at Milton Park on Saturday at the second time of asking with kick off conditions near perfect for this time of year.

A good crowd had turned up to support the Deeside team and they were not disappointed, with the Banchory boys progressing into the semi-final for the very first time.

The game started with Leith Athletic first to show with a shot going well wide of the target.

The early exchanges saw neither team dominate play as both teams tried to put their mark on the game.

Banchory then created their first real chance when a through ball by Davies was just headed over by Henderson.

Leith then had a succession of corners where a great tip away by Leslie saw off the danger.

As the first half neared to a close Banchory took the lead.

A pass from defence found Tubby who threaded the ball through to HENDERSON where he fired to ball low and hard under the advancing keeper.

The second half saw the home team defend into a stiff breeze but like Banchory in the first half Leith were tending to over hit their passes and Leslie picked up the pieces.

Banchory were not playing the fluent football they normally do and passes were going astray putting the home defence under pressure.

A good move down the right saw the Leith winger fire a shot in but it went just past the post.

A free kick was then awarded for a challenge ten yards outside the box where Leith’s Mein rattled the bar.

Midway through the half Leith drew level. A corner was swung in from the left where Banchory managed to clear two efforts off the line but the ball was eventually bundled over for 1-1.

This gave Banchory the wake up call they required and Christie and Nicoll in midfield started to get the ball wide to Iason and Smith where it looked like a goal could be created.

Henderson saw his effort from a Smith cross just graze the post and a long range effort by Rowett was smothered by the keeper.

With extra time looming Banchory nearly scored. Pressure was building on the away defence and a driven cross by Iason saw McPherson toe the ball goal wards only for this to be half cleared to Smith , who slid in but a defender on the line managed to clear it away.

Just on full time Banchory thought they had a penalty when Henderson ran clear of the defence and appeared to be fouled inside the box, by the referee waved away the appeals.

Extra time was required, and as snow started to fall, Banchory stepped up to the plate and went at Leith with fast slick football.

They were rewarded after seven minutes of play when a move down the right involving several players saw SAM SMITH jink past three defenders and coolly slip the ball past the keeper from five yards which sent the home crowd wild.

The second period started with Banchory attacking and a good move saw McPherson just miss the target.

Minutes later an off the ball incident was picked up by the assistant referee, and Agathe was sent off for Leith.

Three minutes later Banchory took advantage and increased their lead.

A lung bursting run by Reid released McPHERSON and he lobbed the ball over the keeper and into the net.

However, Leith’s misery was not completed until the final minute when a two footed lunge by Allison on Buchan saw the visiting side reduced to nine men. Thankfully the Banchory player was able to divert away from the challenge where it could have been very serious.

The final whistle went and Banchory celebrated a historic win to proceed into the semi-final for the very first time to face Glasgow side Harmony Row.

Banchory: Leslie, Davies, Rennie, Reid, Rowett, Christie, Smith, Nicoll, Buchan, Henderson, Tubby, McRae, McPherson, Sadler, Iason, Adams.

Banchory returned to league action after a three week lay-off due to the recent cold weather and faced the league leaders in what turned out to be an entertaining game.

On a cold, windy afternoon Banchory started the game playing into the strong wind and they struggled to get the ball out of their own half.

After 15 minutes, however, Banchory counter attacked and some neat play between Gilbert and Rooney saw the latter send a great pass which Tully ran onto to slot calmly past the onrushing keeper to give Banchory the lead.

Within a minute of the restart Portlethen came close to equalising but the final effort went wide.

Portlethen continued to dominate the ball and Banchory found it hard to keep possession but they were unlucky not to extend their lead through Gilbert.

After 40 minutes Portlethen levelled the score and was probably deserved based on their possession. The left winger beat Lloyd and Chalmers to send in a cross for the number 9 to head past Davidson.

Banchory started the second half with the wind behind them and with the instruction to press the opposition in their own half they managed to keep Portlethen on the back foot for the first 10 minutes. The away side, however, continued to look threatening on the counter attack with the pace of the forwards causing Banchory all sorts of problems in defence.

In the 60th minute Portlethen took the lead when a claim for offside was waved away. The striker had his initial shot superbly saved by Davidson but the rebound fell kindly to him and he slotted the ball into the net.

This gave Banchory a jolt and they got themselves back level within 10 minutes when some good pressing resulted in a corner, which Rooney floated over for MacGregor to send his header into the back of the net and give Banchory an equaliser.

Portlethen continued to dominate possession and Davidson was called on to make a couple of good saves.

With 15 minutes to go Banchory won a free kick on the right some 30 yards out. Lloyd stepped up to take it and his free kick sailed over the keeper and into the top corner of the net.

Banchory were on their last legs for the last 10 minutes and this told as they struggled to press the opposition and gave up more and more of the ball but Portlethen failed to capitalise until Banchory protested an opposition throw in and Portlethen broke up field to equalise which thenresulted in two Banchory players being booked for their protests.

The result was fair based on the possession the league leaders had against bottom of the table Banchory, however the home team felt like they had done enough hard work to sneak a win, and if they can continue this fighting spirit for the last 10 games you never know survival may not be out of their reach.

Banchory: Davidson, Lloyd, Juan, Brand, John Smith, MacGregor, Rooney, Gilbert, Meldrum, Tully and Chalmers.

Subs: Norton, Dewar and Lawrence.

Despite a home draw Echt could not have got it tougher in this North of Scotland fourth round tie as trophy holders and reigning Premier Division champions Kincorth were the visitors.

Echt, wind assisted, kicked downslope first half and early on both sides had efforts on goal. Alan Douglas fired over the Kincorth crossbar from the edge of the box and as play swept to the other end Echt keeper Paul Bennett did well to instinctively block a Kincorth netbound effort.

Echt debut boy Matthew McDonald set up by Paul Presslie on the right edge of the Kincorth box and he fired in a fine effort that Kincoth keeper M Buchan did well to touch onto the top of his crossbar and over.

Kincorth were now enjoying the bulk of possession and carrying the greater threat and deservedly went ahead in 31 minutes, Durrant netting from close range with the Echt rearguard in disarray.

Darren McLeod then raced clear left side onto a Presslie flick and fired goalwards, only for M Buchan to thwart his netbound effort with an outstretched foot.

Kincorth broke at pace down their right and when the ball was played into the Echt box Bowman should have done better than shoot tamely into Bennett’s arms.

P Bennett then raced outwith his penalty box to just beat a Kincorth forward on a dangerous through ball and sustained an injury for his efforts but was able to carry on after a spell of treatment.

A Presslie header on a MacLeod left bye-line cross was safely handled by M Buchan at the second attempt and the visiting custodian also smothered a low 20 yard Andy Davidson drive as Echt sought an elusive equaliser.

Echt totally dominated the opening 10 minutes of the second half, but for all their probing had only a Davidson 20 yard effort, that M Buchan dealt competently with, to show for their efforts.

Kincorth pushed forward with intent and they won a central free kick some 30 yards out which Livingstone flighted the ball over the Echt wall and into the net via the helpless Bennett’s right hand post for 0-2, a great strike.

A McDonald drive brought out a good stop from M Buchan in 66 minutes.

A let off for Echt in 70 minutes when Stewart shot across the face of goal and just wide of the far post and two minutes later a J Buchan chip shot was just tipped over by the back pedalling P Bennett.

Echt conceded a third in 74 minutes, a Livingstone corner was headed into the Echt six yard box by the unmarked Harris and Bowman, close in, swept home with ease.

Echt looked dead and buried but were handed a 76th minute lifeline when Davidson fired goalwards from a Graham corner and the ball ricochetted off a defender into the net.

Buoyed by this goal Echt now threw everything at the visitors and the deficit was cut to one goal in 85 minutes. Presslie laid off to Leith inside the box and he smashed a fierce shot home.

Kincorth however hung on to their slender advantage to move into the quarter final.   

Echt; P Bennett, G Milne, Cooper, Leith, Aberdein, Douglas, MacLeod, A Davidson, Presslie, McDonald, Lawrence.

Subs: Graham, Daun, L Milne, E Robertson, S Bennett

Despite snowy weather on Deeside and road closures across the hills, Maroc members turned out in force to represent the club in the Scottish round of the orienteering inter-club Compass Sport Cup competition at Faskally by Pitlochry.

As one of only three “large” clubs in Scotland, Maroc were up against Edinburgh Southern and neighbouring Grampian orienteering clubs.

Members scored points for the club according to their finish position in classes of different lengths and technical difficulty according to their age classes, with the top 25 scorers for each club counting towards the overall total.

Although covering only a small area, the forest at Faskally provided good technical and physical challenges for all runners through some tough rocky and hilly terrain.

Three Maroc members scored maximum points for the club: Rosie Getliff on the junior girls’ course, Ewan McMillan on the junior boy’s course and Andy Tivendale on the super veteran men’s course.

Overall the club scored well, but were just pipped into second place by Edinburgh Southern, who managed to turn out more runners in the super veteran classes.

This week the final round of the Deeside Night Cup competition will be held at Crathes.

With 8 from 12 races scoring towards overall league positions, top placings in the competition are already fairly clear.

Visitor and elite competitor Chris Smithard, who has been training in Deeside over the winter, already has maximum points on the Night Cup Long course, having won 9 out of the 11 races so far. Veteran Jon Musgrave (Maroc) appears to have just held off Ali Robertson (Gramp) to take 2nd and 3rd places respectively. On the shorter Mini Night Cup course, 14-year old Sasha Chepelin (Gramp) will be a clear winner. 2nd place looks to go to David Kirk (Gramp) with Ross McMurtrie (Maroc) likely to take 3rd.

A Banchory mother is set to run two marathons in the space of a month to raise money for a dyslexia charity.

Jayne Eccles, 34, will compete in the London Marathon in April before running the 26.2 mile race in Edinburgh the following month.

The support worker, who works at Linn Moor School in Culter, is hoping to raise £1,000 for The British Dyslexia Association (BDA).

Jayne’s son Marcus was diagnosed with dyslexia as he was leaving primary school and she feels that many people are unaware of the complex nature of the condition.

Jayne said: “It was a late diagnosis and meant a very difficult transition into secondary education. Dyslexia can effect not only reading and writing, but has a profound impact on social skills, self esteem, mental health and emotions.

“With information that I gathered from charities like BDA and local support groups I was able to ensure he was given all of the aids he needed to get the best out of his education.

“We are blessed to have a child who can see ‘outside the box’ and he is a confident and creative young man now. I’m running these marathons for him because I’m a very proud mum!”

Jayne, who lives in Banchory with her partner Kyle and two children Marcus and Holly, ran over 100 miles last month and has already raised over a third of the £1,000 she hopes to generate for The British Dyslexia Association.

The charity supports people with dyslexia and their families through a UK-wide network of local dyslexia associations and a national helpline. The BDA also campaigns to raise awareness of the condition.

Jayne said: “Charities like BDA do such good work but do go unnoticed until dyslexia affects you personally. Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me so far.”

You can visit Jayne’s fundraising page: http://www.justgiving.com/jayne-eccles1