PLANS to site a sculpture at Macduff to honour writer and artist Peter Anson were stopped in their tracks yesterday when councillors blocked the proposal.

Members of the Banff and Buchan area committee went against the recommendations of planning chiefs to refuse the Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association’s planning application.

The group hoped to place a contemporary sculpture depicting a boat and net in a maritime themed garden at Macduff, where Mr Anson spent periods of his life from the 30s to the 50s.

Last night, chairman Stan Bruce said he was “disappointed” with the decision but vowed to press ahead with the project.

“We’ll take it to an appeal and if the appeal doesn’t go through we’ll ship it up to Buckie,” he said.

Planners had said that on balance, the proposal to site the sculpture in the Crook O’Ness Street garden was acceptable.

A spokesman said: “The key issue is whether it will affect the character and setting of this recently-created garden.

“While there will be additional pieces of street furniture in the garden if approved, it is considered on balance that this is acceptable.”

At yesterday’s meeting, committee chairman councillor Sydney Mair tabled a motion calling for the application’s refusal. It had been suggested that the proposed location was unsuitable.

Mr Mair’s motion was backed unanimously.

Mr Bruce had previously threatened to uproot the project from Macduff and offer it to the Buckie and District Fishing Heritage Centre.

He said that was becoming the “preferred option.”

“We’ve done our best to try to erect this at Macduff but the councilLors seem to stand in our way at every turn,” he added.

20th May 2010 - Press and Journal - Sculpture’s Macduff site wins backing of planning officers

Councilors to consider next week garden location for tribute to maritime artist Peter Anson

By John Thomson

Planning officers at Aberdeenshire Council have come out in favour of proposals to site a new sculpture at a north-east maritime-themed garden.

The Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association wants to place the contemporary structure, in memory of the late writer and artist Peter Anson, at Macduff. Mr Anson devoted his life to his interest in the sea, fishing and the Church. A recommendation that the scheme should get planning consent will be considered by Banff and Buchan councillors next week.

Earlier this month it emerged the council’s public arts officer felt the chosen site at Crook O’Ness Street was not appropriate and would add nothing to the design or layout of the garden.

Banff and Macduff Community Council also came out against the garden as a site and claimed the sculpture would impair the appearance of the area.

Planning officers have said that, on balance, the proposal to site the sculpture at the garden is acceptable. A spokesman said: “The key issue is whether it will affect the character and setting of this recently-created garden. While there will be additional pieces of street furniture in the garden, if approved, it is considered, on balance, that this is acceptable.”

The association chose the site when it emerged as favourite in a public consultation exercise last year.

The group said, if planning approval could not be obtained, it might offer the sculpture to Buckie and District Heritage Centre.

Association chairman Stan Bruce said he was “encouraged” that planners had recommended approval of the scheme. “We followed procedures about consultation to the letter,” he said. The 8ft steel sculpture depicts a boat and net and is in tribute to Mr Anson who lived at Macduff for periods in the 1930s and the 1950s.

Banff and Buchan councilors will consider the sculpture planning application on Tuesday at a meeting at Fraserburgh.

Malcolm Smith has loaded up a slideshow of the sculptures fabrication which can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9Is4HGQVAo

11th May - Banffshire Journal - Move to save port's history.

For more on Banff Harbour see http://www.webhistorian.co.uk/pages/index.php?id=126

: Photos as seen in the Banffie (By S. Bruce).

8th May 2010 - Press and Journal - Harbour in bid to protect its past.

5th May - Press and Journal - Buckie may be given sculpture at centre of planning row.

Marine-themed work was created in memory of writer and artist with Moray connection.

By John Thomson

A sculpture at the centre of a planning wrangle in Aberdeenshire could end up in Moray.

The contemporary steel sculpture was created by the Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association in memory of Peter Anson, the late writer and artist.

The group hopes to place it in a maritime-themed garden at Macduff, where Mr Anson spent periods of his life from the 1930s to the 1950s.

Aberdeenshire’s planners have told the association that they will not support the installation however.

They claim it would be against council policy on the layout, siting and design of new developments to put the piece at the Crook O’Ness Street garden.

Association chairman Stan Bruce said he would let the planning application be decided by Banff and Buchan councillors. In the event of rejection, he said he had offered the sculpture to the Buckie and District Fishing Heritage Centre.

Mr Anson had an association with Buckie, where he also lived for spells, and the town’s library formerly housed a collection of his paintings.

Buckie group board member and former treasurer Frank Macleod said: “If we got the sculpture, we would hope to site it on the grass verge outside our premises at Cluny Place. If we hear from the maritime group, we will make due application to Moray Council. We do not think permission would be withheld because of Peter Anson’s connection with Buckie.”

The sculpture, which depicts a fishing boat and net, was made at the Ace Winches premises, near Banff.

The maritime group organised a public consultation exercise to choose the best site for it and the maritime garden at Macduff emerged top of the list.

Portsmouth-born Mr Anson, who was well known for his writing and painting, died in 1975. The association decided a sculpture would be a suitable permanent memorial to him.

1st May 2010 - Press and Journal - Partmership poised to boost Banff Museum.

COUNCIL AND HERITAGE GROUPS PLAN BETTER PUBLIC ACCESS

By John Thomson

Proposals for a new partnership to run a north-east museum and increase use by the public have been officially revealed.

Aberdeenshire’s museum service is suggesting collaboration with two heritage groups to operate Banff Museum over this year’s visitor season.

The service claims the move would provide potential for better public access to a major collection and support regeneration of Banff town centre.

The groups involved are Banff Preservation and Heritage Society and the Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association.

They have been lobbying for a museum role over the winter amid fears that the facility in High Street could be moved.

The groups are concerned the museum collection could be split up if Banff Library moves to a proposed new Better Life centre in the town.

Aberdeenshire Council is already exploring the possibility of museum pieces going on display at the Duff House art gallery.

The two preservation groups have created a new support group of museum “friends” as part of the effort to raise the facility’s profile. The proposed partnership would open the museum from June until the end of September this year.

A museum service spokesman said: “We will employ a seasonal curatorial assistant to open the museum between 10am and 12.30pm.

“The two groups will explore the possibility of opening it in the afternoons, dependent on sufficient volunteers to staff it.

“The arrangements will be monitored throughout the season and evaluated on the impact on visitor numbers.”

One advantage will be a 10am opening to cater for tourists and schools.

If the Banff arrangement goes ahead, it will be the third partnership in Aberdeenshire involving the museums service.

Community groups at Maud and Stonehaven already work with the service to operate facilities.

Members of Aberdeenshire’s Banff and Buchan area committee will consider the scheme at a meeting on Tuesday.

23rd April 2010 - Press and Journal - Sculpture plans run into opposition

: Peter Anson Memorial Sculpture.

Planning officials say Macduff tribute to Peter Anson is against council policy

By John Thomson

Plans to site a new sculpture in honour of an artist and writer at a north-east maritime-themed garden have run into opposition from Aberdeenshire Council.

The Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association has applied for planning consent to place the sculpture at Macduff in memory of the late Peter Anson.

Local authority planning officials have said they will advise councillors that the scheme is against council policy and should be turned down, however.

Association chairman Stan Bruce said the application would remain with the council and his group would “persevere” with it.

He said: “We are not giving up on this and we will let it go before the Banff and Buchan area committee for consideration.

“The council’s roads and landscape people are happy with it and the site was chosen after public consultation so we can’t change it.

“We have followed all the council’s guidelines about siting public art.”

Council planners said the scheme was against council policy on the layout, siting and design of new developments.

The view was taken after consultation with the authority’s public art officer.

In correspondence with Mr Bruce, they said the site already contained a number of items of “street furniture” and the sculpture would not add to the present design or layout.

The association wants to position the contemporary steel sculpture, which depicts a fishing boat and net, at the Crook O’Ness Street garden near Macduff harbour.

The site was chosen ahead of other suggested areas after public consultation last summer.

Portsmouth-born Mr Anson lived at Macduff for periods from the 30s to the 50s and became known for his writing and artwork.

He died in 1975 and the association believe his links with the area should be recognised.

The pyramid-shaped sculpture is currently on view beside the Ace Winches premises, where it was made, on the A947 Banff-Turriff road.

10th April2010 - Press and Journal - Group focuses on Fishing heritage.

Banff and Broch-Registered boats star in postcards.

: Press and Journal 10 April 2010.

16th March 2010 - Banffshire Journal - Ladies hear the story of the Herring Lassies.

: 16th March 2010 - Banffshire Journal - Ladies hear the story of the Herring Lassies.

16th March 2010 - Banffshire Journal - Museum Friends seek support from public.

: 16th March 2010 - Banffshire Journal - Museum Friends seek support from public.

9th March 2010 - Press and Journal - Banff Museum friends formed to fight for town base

Recruits sought as part of campaign strategy to remain in High Street amid reorganisation

By John Thomson

MOVES are under way to generate public support for a north-east museum at the centre of a debate about where it should be located.

Two preservation groups have joined forces to establish a friends group for the museum at Banff.

The local authority museum shares the same High Street building as Banff library, and Aberdeenshire Council has proposed that the library could move to a planned Better Life Centre at Banff.

Preservation groups fear the museum could also vacate the building, with the collection spilt up.

Banff Preservation and Heritage Society and Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association have been in discussions with the council about future intentions.

Proposals have emerged to try and boost visitor numbers at the museum this year and stay open longer with help from preservation group members. The aim is to increase the 1,000 people who visit the museum annually to about 4,000.

The new friends group hopes to recruit supporters as part of the strategy to ensure the museum remains in High Street.

Preservation and heritage society member Julian Watson said: “The idea of a support group is to try and maintain the momentum of the campaign to keep the museum in the town centre. It also means we can move the campaign away from just the preservation groups to the wider public.”

Mr. Watson said people interested in joining the support group would not be expected to become actively involved. He added: “All they have to do is give their names so we can build up a body of support.”

Banff Museum is one of the oldest in Scotland and was originally established in 1828. It occupied different locations until it settled in High Street in 1902 in a building largely funded by Scottish-born industrialist Andrew Carnegie.

Anyone interested in joining the friends group can register at friendsofbanffmuseum@yahoo.co.uk.

2nd February - Banffshire Journal - Front Page - Museum Bid Makes A Breakthrough

: 2nd February - Banffshire Journal - Front Page - Museum Bid Makes A Breakthrough

2nd February 2010 - Banffshire Journal - Editors Column.

2nd February - Banffshire Journal - Pupils stand out in their safety vests.

: Nick Dolphin (BM&HA Committee member) in his community safety role with pupils and teachers of Crudie Primary School.

26th January 2010 - Press and Journal - Community Plan for Banff Museum.

: Banff Museum, High Street, Banff (S. Bruce).

Preservation groups could help keep building open for longer to boost visitor numbers

By John Thomson

A local authority museum in the north-east could become the first in Aberdeenshire to operate with direct community involvement.

Banff Museum is at the centre of a debate about whether or not it should be relocated from the current High Street premises.

Local preservation groups are keen to see the museum remain in the town centre and have made a case to Aberdeenshire Council in support of that view. Proposals have now emerged to promote the museum this year in an effort to increase visitor numbers.

As part of the strategy, the museum could be open for longer during the summer with help from the preservation groups.

The ideas arose at discussions involving Banff Preservation and Heritage Society, Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association and the local authority.

Preservation society spokesman Julian Watson said: “One of the suggestions is to open the museum at the start of May this year instead of the beginning of June, to give an extra month. Members of the groups would staff it and there could be a review of the opening hours.

“At the moment, the museum visitor numbers are about 1,000 people a year and the aim is to build up over time to about 4,000 a year.”

The heritage groups fear that if Banff Library moves from the same building, as suggested, to a proposed Better Life Centre at Banff, the museum collections might also move. Group members would prefer the museum to remain at High Street and occupy the whole building if the library moves.

Mr Watson said in addition to the proposed longer opening hours, the museum would also house permanent displays by the heritage groups.

Maritime heritage group chairman Stan Bruce said the discussions were “more promising” about the future of the museum. “I am going to put together a questionnaire to see what the public feel about the museum,” he said.

“The council agreed the museum is now effectively a community museum and this is promising from our point of view.”

6th January 2010 - Press and Journal - Heritage Groups Outline Museum Plans.

5th January 2010 - Banffshire Journal - Major Banff Museum Facelift Proposed.

22nd December 2009 - Banffshire Journal - Sculpture pays tribute to local artist and his work.

: Front page Banffshire Journal 22nd December 2009.

4th December 2009 - Press and Journal - Consent sought for honour to fisher artist.

: Fisher Folk-Lore by Peter Anson.

: Scots Fisher Folk by Peter Anson.

Maritime-themed garden at Macduff favoured by public for sculpture site

By John Thomson

A PLANNING application has been tabled with Aberdeenshire Council to site a sculpture in honour of a writer and artist who spent part of his life in the north-east.

The Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association wants consent to place the sculpture at Macduff in memory of the late Peter Anson.

A public consultation exercise favoured a maritime-themed garden at Crook O’Ness Street as the best location for the steel piece.

Association chairman Stan Bruce said: “We’ve lodged the application and the planners have come back to us looking for further information.

“They want to know about the scale of the piece and the size of an information panel to go alongside it.

“They also want to know the size of an old anchor we want to position beside the sculpture.

“I am answering the questions and I’m hopeful we can get planning approval.”

The pyramid-shaped sculpture, which depicts a fishing boat, a net and fish, was made earlier this year.

During the summer the association asked the public to choose a location and a majority felt it should be at the maritime-themed garden.

The community council for Banff and Macduff suggested it should be positioned near Macduff Parish Church, which overlooks the town’s harbour.

A number of other locations were canvassed, including near Macduff harbour where Mr Anson lived for a time.

Mr Bruce said: “We have decided to stick to the majority view about where it should go.”

Mr Anson, who was born at Portsmouth, worked on fishing boats in the Moray Firth and became known for his maritime paintings and books.

He lived at Macduff for periods between the 1930s and the 1950s and was also associated with Buckie.

He died in 1975, but is still remembered for his distinctive artwork centred on fishing boats and for his writing.

As part of the project to commemorate Mr Anson, the association produced a book this summer about his life in the north-east.

Back To The Sea details Mr Anson’s life and activities at Macduff and at Ferryden, near Montrose, where he also lived for a time.

1st December 2009 - Banffshire Journal - Whitehills History in Print.

28th November 2009 - Press and Journal - Windfarm Helps Fund New Book.

16th November 2009 - Press and Journal - Heritage Group adopt smart new look.

T-Shirts will enable members to stand out from the crowd

By John Thomson (Published: 16/11/2009).

MEMBERS of a north-east heritage group are getting the chance to adopt a smart new dress code.

The T-shirts have been designed for the committee and members of the Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association. They will help the wearers stand out in a crowd at community events and promote the group.

Association chairman Stan Bruce said: “Wearing the T-shirts will help us be identified and make the group more professional.”

The dark blue garments carry a symbol of a fishing drifter and the initials of the association.

The drifter replicates a boat which forms part of a metal sculpture produced by the association to honour the late Peter Anson, a maritime writer and artist who lived for part of his life at Macduff.

The association hopes to position the sculpture at a maritime-themed garden area at Crook o’ Ness Street in Macduff, if planning consent is given.

Ten T-shirts have been produced for the association committee but more can be made available for ordinary group members if there is enough demand.

Mr Bruce said: “They will give us a corporate image, if you like, and we have been able to afford them thanks to the success of our various books published in recent years.

: Chairman Stanley Bruce with the new T-shirts.

21st July 2009 - Banffshire Journal - Maritime Garden favoured for Anson Sculpture.

13th July 2009 - Press and Journal - Maritime Garden chosen for sculpture.

3rd July 2009 - Turriff Advertiser - Front Page.

: 3rd July 2009 Turriff Advertiser - Chloe Cowie under 18's winning poet.

30th June 2009 - Banffshire Journal - Competition Winners Pay Tribute to Burns.

29th June 2009 - Press and Journal - Search on for site to place Peter Anson memorial

Public asked to suggest suitable location in Macduff for distinctive sculpture

By John Thomson

Published: 29/06/2009

MOVES are under way to identify a suitable site for a new sculpture in honour of a writer and artist who spent part of his life in the north-east.

A distinctive metal sculpture of a drifter and net filled with fish, to commemorate the late Peter Anson, was completed earlier this year.

The Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association chairman, Stanley Bruce, was the driving force behind the piece of art. He and a group of colleagues are now asking the public where the sculpture could be sited at Macduff, where Mr Anson lived for spells from the 1930s to the 1950s.

At the weekend, visitors to an association exhibition at Macduff Town Hall were invited to fill in a questionnaire. It suggests possible sites, including the harbour area where Mr Anson lived, and others in the town centre and outskirts.

Mr Bruce said: “We want to find the best place and prioritise the others and then we will approach the council for planning permission.

“We hope to get a site identified soon. In fact the sooner the better.”

To coincide with the site search, the association has produced a new book on Mr Anson’s life in the north-east.

Called Back To The Sea, it details his life and activity at Macduff and at Ferryden, near Montrose, where he also lived.

The book, priced £6, is now available and sale proceeds will go to the association.

: MARITIME LORE: Stanley Bruce with his Association's book beside the new sculpture.

27th June 2009 - Press and Journal - Groups Hope To Save Banff Museum.

27th June - Press and Journal - Talent Shines at Macduff.

: Press and Journal 27th June 2009 - Banffshire Group Rewards Artists and Poets.

16th June 2009 - Banffshire Journal - Rosemary Counts On Some New Museum Artefacts

9th June 2009 - Tenby Observer - In memory of former Caldey monk.

5th May 2009 - Where will sculpture be sited? - YOU decide

: S.Bruce and the Peter Anson Sculpture Banffshire Journal 5th May 2009. (Photo by Andrew Bruce).

27th April 2009 - Banffshire Journal - Pupils find it's cool to be in the pool.

BMHA committee member Nick Dolphin in his role as the Community Safety Group Chairman is seen here at Banff Swimming Pool with a group of children learning to swim, quite appropiate for a Dolphin. However there was no sign of Nick Dolphin in his duckers, and we all thought he was going to do a Rolf Harris.

25th April 2009 - Press and Journal - Sculpture pays tribute to artist.

Drifter with herring net honours later Peter Anson.

Also on the same page Groups to oversee museum's future - Banff organisations to join forces.

21st April 2009 - Banffshire Journal - Do 'Knot' fear - a new board is here.

: Committee member Liam Sparke with the Banff Boy Scouts, and his nautical knot board, Banffshire Journal 21st April 2009. Liam has also volunteered to give the Boy Scouts lessons in tieing knots, and will be doing so for the coming weeks, knot bad!

21st April 2009 - Banffshire Journal front page - Banff Museum Reprieve

21st April 2009 - Banffshire Journal - Editorial.

10th March 2009 - Banffshire Journal - Group has 'Vest-ed' interest in schools.

BM&HA committee member Nick Dolphin pictured far right, is also the Chairman of Banff Community Safety Group, and is seen in the Banffshire Journal handing out luminous vests to a group of children in Macduff Primary School.

Press and Journal 21st February 2009 - Hunt now on to find surname of herring lass.

: Press and Journal 21 February 2009.

: Stephen's Newsagent's window, High Street, Fraserburgh.

: We now have the names of every person in this photograph.

: The missing lassie 'Dolly' was later found to be 'Johninna Watt' from Crovie.

Press and Journal 7th Feb 2009 - Memorial to artist and writer - Public to get say on statue location.

Press and Journal 7th Feb 2009 - Talks on measures to safeguard Banff Museum.

Press and Journal 7th Feb 2009 - Community celebrates success of book sales.

: The Book of Banff published by the Banff Preservation and Heritage Association sells its first 1,000 copies. Pages 74 to 77 - Herring Fishing From Banff was written by Stanley Bruce Chairman BM&HA.

30th December 2008 - Banffshire Journal (Front page) - Jingle Tills Ring Out.

: Its great to read that our publications are not only providing revenue for the Association, but also helping our local bookshop get through the recession.

27th January 2009 - Bard's Contest Launch.

16th December 2008 - Buchan Observer - Just What Is The World Coming To?

16th December Banffshire Journal - Heritage Plan for Museum.

: Banff Museum, High Street, Banff.

9th December, 2008 - Banffshire Journal - Banners' cash blow benefits trusts By Euan Shepherd

: Proposed BMHA premises - 7 Union Road, Macduff.

TWO local trusts have benefited from the demise of a project to install promotional banners in Banff. Princess Royal Sports and Community Trust and Banff Castle shared a pot of around £22,000, which became available from the Banff and Macduff Strategy Steering Group, after the Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership withdrew its already-approved application for funding for 10 banner poles. Princess Royal was the big winner at the final meeting of the strategy group, which is set to fold at the end of the year. The trust was awarded the full £10,400 it applied for to implement a pilot scheme to improve fitness in the workplace. Councillor Sydney Mair backed the application, saying that more money had to be put into proactive rather than reactive solutions to the country's health problems. Banff Castle was granted the remainder of the money, around £11,500. The castle had applied for £22,000 for lime-washing the walls of the castle building and the pavilion. Architect Michael Ritchie explained that the lime harl allowed the building to 'breathe', thus protecting the stonework below in the long-term. He said: "It is a requirement of the maintenance and upkeep of the building to do it about every five years." Councillor Mair questioned whether the steering group should be paying for the expensive lime harl, which has to be renewed more often than a typical cement harl. He said: "The castle lasted for 50 years without lime wash being done. Flying the flag no more – Recent winds stripped four of the six banners at Macduff harbour. Plans for more promotional banners on the bypass at Banff Bridge have also been blown away. "If Historic Scotland are demanding lime harling, they should be paying for it." It was finally agreed to give the castle the remainder of the funds, which had to be allocated before the strategy group is wound up at the end of the month. They can now try to secure matched funding from other sources.

An application from the Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association to purchase permanent premises was rejected. Although there was in-principle support for finding premises for the heritage group, safety concerns were raised about the proposed location on a busy street at 7 Union Road, Macduff. Councillor Mair called it "an accident waiting to happen", and argued that parking would also be an issue. Councillor John Cox noted that Aberdeenshire Council was struggling to find uses for existing buildings in its ownership, including the Trinity and Alvah Church in Banff, and would probably not welcome an application to purchase more property.

REGARDING THIS ARTICLE - We expected Councillor Cox to come with a list of available buildings since he states the council is struggling to find uses for them, but to date (2 April 2009) we have heard nothing. Councillor Mair stated "An accident waiting to happen" when referring to the location, and we to date have seen nothing about any improved safety for this stretch of road. This application was the 4th application in a row that the BMHA had submitted to the ATP and the 4th to be rejected, now what do you think that tells us? And should community money be used for a fitness in the workplace scheme when most companies are willing to pay for it? (SAB 2 April 2009).

3 December 2008 - Press and Journal - Group sets sights on former workshop at Macduff

Banffshire Association hopes to raise money to secure new base for exhibition - By John Thomson

A FIVE-YEAR search by a north-east heritage group for exhibition premises could soon be at an end. The Banffshire Maritime and Heritage Association has identified a building at Macduff which may be suitable as a base. The group hopes to be able to raise enough money to bid for a former workshop at the town’s Union Road. If the premises can be bought, group members hope it could be ready for use as an exhibition venue next summer. In 2006 and 2007 the group rented a former shop at Duff Street, Macduff, but this year no exhibition venue was found. Memorabilia and artefacts the group has collected over the past few years are in storage. Group committee chairman Stan Bruce said: “We have identified this building as a possibility and if we can get money, we are likely to put in a bid for it. “It would seem to be about the right size for us because it’s not too big and is on the main road through Macduff.” One criticism of the previous premises at Duff Street was that it was situated off the main road and not readily seen by visitors. The group has lodged an application for cash help to buy the premises from the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership. It needs £20,000 and the application will be considered by the Banff and Macduff Strategy Group, which administers partnership grants. Additional money for repairs and other work to the building will be sought from the lottery and other potential fund providers. Mr Bruce said if the building could be bought, work to make it suitable for an exhibition would take until June and the premises could be open in July. The group believes that a display would promote the heritage of the Banffshire area and boost tourism. It would also foster community spirit and help create and maintain links with similar heritage groups in the north-east.

28th October 2008 - Banffshire Journal - Landmarks all set to see the light.

It's great to see that the bridge and the Macduff war memorial are to be floodlit, however these projects do take time and it's been nearly five years since Stanley Bruce put the pin in the model during the 'Planning for Real' exercise held in the grounds of Duff House Banff.

A verse from the Bard of Banff book by Stanley Bruce published in 2004, ISBN 0-9547960-0-4:

I imagine the seven arches of this bridge,

fitted with a couple of flood lights,

what an entrance to the town that would be,

to see it so beautiful every night!

28th October 2008 - Banffshire Journal - Sandi comes home for a special show. (Photo by Andrew Bruce).

: Sandi Thom (Photo by Andrew Bruce).

24th October 2008 press and Journal - A potted history of Macduff is published

: Macduff Through the Years.

Book charts developments of town and its people since days of Doune By John Thomson

A NEW book on the history of a north-east fishing community will raise funds for a community maritime group.

Macduff Through The Years is the latest publication by the Banffshire Maritime Heritage Association.

It details significant events and people associated with the burgh over the centuries, and is illustrated with dozens of photographs.

The book is launched today. Association chairman Stanley Bruce said: “The idea is that people can pick it up and get 90% of the history of the town. It is 26 years since the last book written about the town, which was Macduff and its harbour.”

The book begins with a look at the ancient history of the Macduff area and charts the growth of the town from an original village called Doune.

Noteworthy events are recorded year by year, with important developments associated with the harbour, church and other institutions.

Personalities featured include Victorian showman Walford Bodie, writer Peter Anson and performer Sandi Thom.

Mr Bruce said: “Three hundred copies have been printed and all the profits will go to the association.”

The group has been involved in other publications over the years and there are plans for similar books on the heritage of Banff and Fraserburgh.

Macduff Through The Years, published by Bard Books, costs £6 and is available at outlets in Banff and Macduff.

22nd July 2008 - Banffshire Journal - Residents air views on Tarlair options.

: Nick Dolphin at the Tarlair consultation 22 July 2008.

Banff resident Nick Dolphin (right) discusses the way forward for the Tarlair swimming pool with Claire McNeil and Jamie Davidson of Jura Consultants. The consultancy firm is carrying out a feasibility study into the future of the 1930s art-deco pool for Aberdeenshire Council and Scottish Enterprise Grampian. For the full story see http://www.banffshire-journal.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/2976/Residents_air_views_on_Tarlair_options.html

10th June 2008 - Banffshire Journal - Letter to the Editor - Putting our heritage at risk.

Sir, – I read with interest the comments of our elected councillors concerning the possible fate of our local library and museum premises.

As so many of their brethren have bemoaned the fact that a number of Banff's fine historic buildings are empty and rapidly deteriorating, with large pockets of the town boarded up and deserted, I am somewhat surprised that the idea of abandoning not one, but two, beautiful buildings of such prominence on the main throughfare could be considered.

Does anyone understand that these unique buildings, well maintained and put to any number of uses would be a great draw for tourists and locals alike; besides which, this is the heritage of Banff locals at risk here, and the future heritage of its children.

Regarding future premises of the library, the church would be an excellent choice for the future of both.

I have witnessed a large historical building converted for library use and it was a resounding success.

Modern and well equipped on the inside, with lifts and loos, conference rooms, art gallery, multiple computer access, and of course an extensive range of books and multi-media.

Externally the building looked exactly the same. What was it originally? – A Victorian police station!

Although it cost a lot to convert it so beautifully, it was substantially less than the cost of a new build.

So, not only was a beautiful building brought back from the brink of destruction (that was considered), but the area surrounding it, which was also in a state of decline, was revitalised, generating income for the council via council taxes, and creating local jobs.

Investing in a conversion of the church building would provide bigger premises, which could earn income, from function rooms, exhibitions, etc.

The church also has easy access to car parking and bus services. The building has a beautiful frontage, and it could so easily become an iconic one.

Please consider, is it better to preserve something meaningful and lasting, handing it on in good order to the future generations, and thus keeping the town centre's architecture intact, or is this building going to be ignored until the degree of decay sentences it to demolition some time during the future, with a possible replacement of unknown provenance, location and quality?

Perhaps it's time for councillors to remember that they hold their position as representatives for the population who live here, use libraries and indirectly, will pay for their decision. – Yours etc,

ROSEMARY SANDERSON.

13th May 2008 - Banffshire Journal - Unknown Warrior.

: Macduff Roll of Honour 1914 to 1919.

By George Boardman

A MYSTERY about a lost Macduff soldier from World War I is holding up the publication of a book.

The Banffshire Maritime Heritage Association are in the throes of re-publishing a book from 1919, which listed in brief detail the wartime careers of all the men from Macduff who fought for their country, whether they survived the war or not.

But there is one problem: one man – Private William Lohr (Löhr), High Street, is listed in the booklet, 'Roll of Honour for the men of Macduff 1914-1918 War', as dying on active service – but is not named on the Macduff war memorial, built slightly later.

Now the whole publishing project has had to be put on ice, as the chairman of the Heritage Association, Stanley Bruce, is determined to crack the mystery of the missing soldier.

He hopes that someone can come forward to resolve the contradiction.

He explains: "During the retyping, reformatting and cross-checking of this book, I found that the author, George Dickson, had 141 names in his original book – but there are 150 names on the Macduff war memorial.

"On cross-checking, I found that ten names on the war memorial weren't in his book, and one name in his book wasn't on the memorial.

"This left me with a mystery and a dilemma; do we re-publish the book exactly as George had it, or do we endeavour to correct the omissions?

"It was decided to correct the omissions as far as possible, and the ten names on the war memorial missing from the book will be added, with their Macduff addresses where available. It is possible that these men could have died of their wounds after George's book was published."

But the mystery of a drowned soldier is proving harder to crack, admits Mr Bruce: "George had listed in his book a Private William Lohr (Löhr), of High Street, Macduff, who enlisted in the Indian Army, and has recorded that Lohr drowned in service on September 26, 1918.

"Lohr is not on the war memorial, and a search of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (www.cwgc.org) database didn't find any record of him either.

"So the mystery remains: who was Lohr?

"Did he survive? Was Lohr's name omitted from the war memorial in an administrative error?

"George recorded that he drowned – perhaps he was lost at sea. Perhaps there was no body to bury, or it was buried and unrecorded.

"It is known that many members of the 6th Poona Division of the Indian Army were buried in Basra in Iraq in unmarked graves with their names and numbers not recorded, so could Lohr be one of these?"

Bert Innes, a research volunteer at the Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen, offered another possibility: "In relation to WWI, many men enlisted under entirely fictitious names and/or backgrounds, and their true identity was never discovered."

Boys who were not old enough to sign up sometimes gave false names in an effort to beat the age limit.

But there are other intriguing possibilities, says Mr Bruce: "Was Lohr one of the unfortunate souls who suffered shell-shock and was unjustly treated as a coward? Many of these men's names were not added to war memorials.

"Perhaps he didn't die and, between the date of George's book being published (April 15, 1920) and the completion of the war memorial (October, 1922), he may have reappeared.

"Any help would be greatly appreciated – hopefully someone in the community can shed some light on this mystery."

January 2008 - Press and Journal - Poetry inspired by Banffshire goes on sale.

19th December 2007 - Banffshire Journal - chapter and verse on coastal competition.

24th October 2007 - Banffshire Journal – Bard of Banff Calendar is full of dates to remember

: Stanley Bruce with the calendar at Banff Castle.

By George Boardman

A BRAND new full colour illustrated calendar of the Banffshire Coast is hot from the printers.

The 2008 Bard of Banff Calendar is the latest production by prolific local photographer and poet, Stanley Bruce.

All proceeds from sales are going to the Banffshire Maritime Heritage Association.

Their seasonal exhibition of maritime memorabilia in Duff Street, Macduff is coming to the end of its season, and closes at the end of the month.

The calendar includes 46 colour pictures, and there is a verse by Mr Bruce on each of its 12 pages.

Forty five of the images are photos showing off the beautiful scenery, wildlife, handsome buildings and harbours from Portknockie to Pennan.

The final illustration is of an old Banff steam drifter, by the talented local marine artist, Robert Andrew.

This is the fifth calendar published by Mr Bruce, but the first one to go on sale in the area.

Three of his earlier ones were for Fraserburgh.

Mr Bruce explains: "Many of the Fraserburgh ones were sent abroad to people who had moved away, and I've had many complimentary e-mails about the photos and the poems.

"People are getting quite a lot with this calendar, with the extra photographs. It is promoting the local area too."

Meanwhile, a local firm have come to the rescue of the Banffshire Maritime Heritage Association after reading of their plight in last week's Banffshire Journal.

Macduff Shipyards have contacted association chairman Stanley Bruce to offer to store their large container.

Mr Bruce said: "It's fantastic news and we are very grateful. It saves us a lot of hassle."

The 20 foot by 8 foot metal container is needed to store the artefacts from the exhibition over the winter months.

Macduff Shipyards have offered their crane to lift it, and transport it up to their site in the Macduff industrial estate.

The Banffshire Journal reported last week that the Banff harbourmaster had already moved the container from the boat storage yard onto the quayside, and was insisting that it had to be taken away altogether from the harbour.

The container had been stored in the marina yard rent-free for the past five years, but harbour master Ian Koller said he needed the space for boat storage in winter.

The association have also decided to give up their shop home in Duff Street after being faced with a £660 bill from Scottish Water for the shop's hardly-used toilet.

Mr Bruce admitted: "We could not afford to keep the Macduff premises. It costs too much."

The exhibition has been based there for the past two years.

Next year, Mr Bruce hopes to put on the popular exhibition in a hall, either in Banff or Macduff, and he has already sounded out options.

The exhibition was first set up in Robertson's old granary building in Banff, and has also occupied the fish factory in Union Road, Macduff.

The show will revert to its previous timescale of 4-6 weeks in high summer, he said.

Mr Bruce has arranged a time for those who lent items to the exhibition and would like to claim them back when the exhibition closes for the year.

They will be available for uplift on Sunday, November 4 at 6-8 Duff Street, from 2-4pm; or contact Mr Bruce on his mobile phone.

5th September 2007 Banffshire Journal - Vandalism Threat to Anson Sculpture Bid.

1st August 2007 - Banffshire Journal - The Great Banff Blow-up.

By Kevin Duguid

BOMB disposal experts blew up two suspect explosive devices found on the shores of Macduff and Banff last Monday evening as hundreds of members of the public looked on.

At one stage, it was feared that one of the items, a canister found on the shore near the Palmer Cove car park in Macduff could have been an old depth-charge, (an anti-submarine bomb), or a torpedo, and may have been a danger to the public.

But there was no explosives in the canister and it could just as easily have been an old gas boiler, said the chief diver of the Royal Navy's northern diving group, the bomb disposal team who attended both scenes.

The other item, found about a mile away at the Banff Links, near the caravan park, turned out to be a military smoke flare.

Both were blown up as a precaution and the four pounds of explosives packed round the devices sent geyser-like spouts of water shooting about a hundred feet in the air.

But the explosion at the Palmer Cove could have been a lot worse if the canister did contain explosives, warned Navy Chief Diver Donohue, who had Banff Bridge closed, and onlookers moved hundreds of yards back from the cove.

Around a hundred people watched events unfold throughout the evening as police officers kept members of the public well clear of the surrounding areas.

Both items were reported to police in the late morning within almost an hour of each other.

Crowds gathered waiting for the bomb disposal team from the Royal Navy base at Faslane on the Firth of Clyde to arrive at Palmer Cove just after 6pm.

When they reached Macduff, the canister was covered by the tide and a diver went under water to inspect the object, which measured 2.5 feet by 1.5 feet.

It had earlier been marked by an orange buoy to ensure that it could be easily located. The flare at Banff Links was also marked by a buoy.

After the inspection, it was announced by police at around 7pm that the bomb disposal crew were going to use explosives to blow up the object. It was surrounded by sandbags and police began moving members of the public back to as far away as Quayside in Banff.

As detonation got close, police closed off Banff Bridge and the Macduff to Banff Road to traffic at around 7.30pm.

Around 100 people watched the controlled explosion just five minutes later from behind the sea-wall at Quayside. Other spectators watched the scenes from the top of the Hill o' Doune near the Temple of Venus.

Some of those who had been watching then hot-footed it to the Banff Links caravan park, the site of the second object. The 14lb flare, was described as being made of fibre glass, about 18 inches long and three inches in diameter, with a nose cone at one end.

The bomb disposal crew were also quickly on the scene, arriving there about half an hour after the first explosion.

Spectators, some of them staying in the caravan park, were ushered back by police about 200 metres from where the object lay.

At around 8.15pm a diver from the crew waded into the water and dragged the object out. When on shore it was stuffed into a sand bag and then placed back into the water.

At around 8.30pm, just under an hour after the first explosion, the second item was blown up.

Chief Diver of the northern diving group, Stephen Donohue said that having seen pictures of the canister he originally believed that it may have been a depth-charge.

Water and sand explode into the air at Palmer Cove, seen from Hill o' Doune. The trace on the left is made by the wire connecting the detonation charge to the shore.

He said: "But because it had rivets around it led me away from thinking it was a depth-charge.

"Once we saw it, there was no fill-hole, so we knew it was not a depth charge.

"We could not dig around it enough to ascertain 100% what it was. The best guess is that it was a gas boiler. The reason we didn't move it is because it was fully intact.

"It had nothing in it at all, but we have to work on the worse case scenario. If that had been 50kg of bang it would be extremely different."

Chief Donohue added that the canister had been in the water for a good 30-40 years, judging by the corrosion.

Speaking of the flare, he said that it was military and made of fibre glass. The flare had been fired, but the team could not tell if any explosive was left in it, and blew it up to be on the safe side.

The canister at the Palmer Cove was reported by chairman of the Banffshire Maritime Heritage Association Stanley Bruce.

He had spotted it two weeks earlier, but didn't alert the police straight away.

The Banffshire maritime heritage exhibition in Macduff contains an aerial photo of the Deveron Bridge, taken by the Germans during the war, which shows the bridge was a target for Nazi bombers. This photo made him think the canister could be a bomb and he informed the police of the object at around 11pm on Monday morning.

Only an hour later, another beachcomber found the second device, a mile away.

Paul Levitt from Banff found the device at the Banff Links, and worried that children playing nearby might disturb it, moved it along the beach and also called the police.

Chief Donohue added that it was a rarity to find two such objects within a mile of each other in the one area on the same day.

For one of the residents staying at the caravan park at the Links, Alex Peden from West Lothian, it was not his first bomb scare.

He works as a baggage handler at Edinburgh Airport and was on shift when a bomb disposal crew was called to the airport recently on what turned out to be a false alarm.

Mr Peden regularly comes to Banff, and told the Journal that it was an exciting day and the experience had added to his holiday.

18th July 2007 - Banffshire Journal - Museum to turn focus on memories.

This article refers to an oral history project which had been discussed since the inception of the Association in 2003. An application for funding was submitted to the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership (ATP) but was rejected. Reason given for the project being thrown out by the ATP chairman, and not even being discussed by the others in the committee at the ATP meeting was that the Association didn't have a business plan. This was considered unfair by the Association since many other associations had been awarded funds without a business plan.

6th June 2007 - Banffshire Journal - Dalek leaves Doctor behind for Macduff mission.

2nd June 2007 - The Press and Journal - Macduff shows off its heritage.

21 March 2007 - The Banffshire Journal - Otter Story.

By Kevin Duguid

A SICK otter was found at the edge of Macduff harbour last week. The animal was captured with the help of a rolling pin by local man Liam Sparke, and was taken to the nearby Red Cross shop to summon help.

An inspector from the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) removed the animal and after it was examined by a vet, it was released in the Macduff area.

Charles Slater from Whitehills told the Journal he had seen a large otter run across Union Road the previous day, near the harbour.

The story started on Monday afternoon, when a mum and her child spotted the otter on the concrete steps in the west harbour, below Shore Street.

Also passing by was Mr Sparke from Banff. He takes up the story: "It was trying to crawl up the steps, but it was falling over on its back, and making weird noises.

"I couldn't just leave it; it was heading for the road, and in that condition it would just have been run over. It was a beautiful thing."

He had a rolling pin in his bag, and while the otter was biting on that, Mr Sparke bundled it into his rucksack, and took it to the Red Cross shop to phone for help.

Mr Sparke is a committee member of the Macduff maritime heritage group, and took the animal along to their premises in nearby Duff Street, where it was quieter.

But the otter started to cause a commotion as it tried to get out of the rucksack. Mr Sparke managed to bundle it into a cupboard.

Eventually, Inspector Scott Elphinstone from the SSPCA arrived, and took the otter to a vet in New Deer.

It was given clean bill of health by the vet, before being returned to the wild the same day only a few miles from where it was found.

Inspector Elphinstone said: "It may have had a knock on the head, and been concussed. But it was certainly full of energy and raring to go when I released it."

15th November 2006 - The Banffshire Journal - Volunteer rewarded.

More more info on this see http://www.banffshire-journal.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/646/Exhibition_volunteer_rewarded.html

8th November 2006 - Banffshire Journal - Draw is dram good.

15 August 2006 - The Banffshire Journal - Well laid on, Macduff! By Alex Salmond MP.

: Andrew Bruce, Michelle Bruce and Alex Salmond MP (15 Aug 2006).

: Alex Salmond MP and Chairman Stanley Bruce (15 Aug 2006).

MACDUFF was very much the centre of attention a week past Sunday, when I was delighted to open both the Scottish Federation of Model Boat Clubs’ regatta at Tarlair swimming pool, and the Banffshire Maritime Exhibition at 6-8 Duff Street, on the same day.

As I arrived at Banffshire Maritime Heritage Exhibition to be greeted by chairman, Stanley Bruce, I was immediately struck by the professional appearance and excellent location at the foot of Duff Street – just a stone’s throw from Macduff Harbour.

Although lodged in smaller premises than the last venue, this exhibition has the benefit of having secured the premises and funding for the next two years.

After an introduction in rhyme by Stanley, who is a published poet, I performed the official opening, and enjoyed a guided tour. There is an excellent range of maritime displays and models, from a giant £50,000 scale model of the Sovereign Explorer oil rig – to a model of a self-righting lifeboat first exhibited in the Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace in 1851, and there are plans for a small audio-visual display room at the rear of the building.

The exhibition will be open daily from 1pm – 5pm, except Tuesdays, and on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm, adults £2.50, concessions £1, and I thoroughly recommend a visit.