Month: November 2014
Better Late Than Never….
The Annals of Arbuthnott
Isabella Williamson is one of life’s ‘maker-happeners’. She’s had to be to keep the Grassic Gibbon Centre in Arbuthnott open and vibrant. The times have changed and people don’t use village halls in quite the same way as they used to. This was one of the reasons that she started supporting a group of older residents to document their memories of past times in Arbuthnott.
In this interview, Isabella tells us how the Arbuthnott Reminiscence Group got started and how it fell in alongside the development of the Grassic Gibbon Centre – both of which are quite outstanding efforts to make sure the local past is gone but not forgotten.
Memories from Local Councillors – Alison Evison
With our focus on reminiscing this month what better way to introduce you to some of the people work hard in our area than by asking them about their memories of childhood . In the second installment, we asked Councillor Alison Evison for some of her childhood memories.
Who taught you to cook? What are your memories of this?
My mother had a very large “Good Housekeeping” cookery book which she had received as a wedding present – that book was consulted regularly by all of us as a “fount of cookery knowledge.” Read the rest of this entry »
K&M Reminiscence Project – Old Traditions, New Technologies
We’re a savvy enough species to want to keep what’s worked for us. However, with the ever speedy development of technology, many tools and skills are disappearing and becoming obsolete.
A desire to preserve a knowledge of our past is another great motivation for reminiscing and K&M Reminiscence Project is using modern technologies to record past memories and traditions.
K&M Transport Futures Forum
Keeping in line with the K&M Communities blog topic for this month, which is ‘reminiscing’, does anyone remember the inaugural session of the Transport Futures Forum, held on 29th May 2014?
Whether it rings a bell or not, let us refresh your memory…
The K&M Transport 
Futures Forum is a new, high-reaching transport initiative rooted in the community. This exciting project is being supported by a range of partners to allow a collective, global approach to local transport solutions and is open to anyone with interests and ideas on transport in Kincardine and Mearns.
The Forum looks at local transport issues affecting our communities in K&M and explores ideas which could potentially address them. The aim is to give a greater voice to transport users from local communities and brings together a range of partners to work together to achieve results. Read the rest of this entry »
Memories from Local Councillors – Jean Dick
With our focus on reminiscing this month what better way to introduce you to some of the people work hard in our area than by asking them about their memories of childhood . We asked the Councillors elected for the area for their memories. Here we asked Councillor Jean Dick a few questions and were delighted by her response!
Memories of Another Befriender . . .
Like yesterday, today we have some reflections from one of Kincardine & Deeside Befriending’s befrienders. Read Marilyn’s thoughts about reminiscing and sharing memories as we get older . . .
Not Everyone’s Cup Of Tea…….
Trish Hughes, Volunteer Befriender with Kincardine & Deeside Befriender spends time with Margaret. Going for walks, shopping or visiting the garden centre. However, weather-permitting, one thing loved by both is visiting local cemeteries!
The Value of Reminiscence to Kincardine & Deeside Befriending
K & D Befriending exists to reduce the impact of social isolation and loneliness in older people by matching them on a one to one basis with a volunteer befriender. A regular visit from a befriender provides companionship, practical and emotional support, and generally improves physical and mental wellbeing. Reminiscing is recognised as an integral part of what happens. Read the rest of this entry »
Milk Bottles to Postcards: An Interview with Brian Watt
Brian Watt is the local historian and collector that has contributed the old postcards for this months competition. We interview him here to find out what he loves about old pictures, what happens at the Grampian Postcard Club and what his council job in Environment Planning involves.
A Day To Be Thankful…..
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
From Laurence Binyon’s poem For the Fallen, written in September 1914
Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday in November, is the day traditionally put aside to remember all those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today. On this day people across the nation pause to reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave Service men and women.
Remembrance means different things to different people. It can be individual or collective, public or private, part of a formal commemorative event or something much less formal. This includes injured Service men and women and their families, those with invisible injuries but whose lives, and those of their families, are still affected.
It also includes those who survived and returned from a tour of duty last week and those that left active service 70 years ago…and their families.
The real meaning of Remembrance is more than just pinning on a poppy. It strikes a greater chord, especially with those who’ve been touched by war and their families.
Join the Royal British Legion in Stonehaven on Sunday 9th November to remember those who sacrificed so much. A service of remembrance will be held in st.James Church at 10.45am.
November’s Old Postcard Competition Launch!
This month’s K&M Communities Competition will ask you to identify the locations pictured in 10 old Postcards from the Kincardine & Mearns area.
Here’s first postcard. Do you know where it is?
November Topic Launch – Reminiscing
Human beings have a unique ability to focus on things that aren’t happening right now. This allows them to reflect on the past and learn from it.
This month at K&M Communities we have asked you to help us explore some the reasons, benefits (or otherwise) of reminiscing and the ways you come together to do it locally.
K&M Communities 