Councillor's letter

From http://deesidesquashracquetballclub.blogspot.com/

This week's Piper contains a letter from local Councillor, Jill Webster, in defence of her decision to support the application to approve the development at Inchmarlo. It's worth reading - and she obviously believes that all the peripheral ventures - including squash courts - will go ahead as planned.

Time will tell, of course, but if it does happen, here's hoping it won't take anywhere near as long as the planned multi-sports complex at Hill of Banchory, which, after 15 years or so of waiting, still shows no signs of coming to fruition. The older members of the squash club (i.e. all of us!) will recall that it was Jamie Burnett's approach to our then captain, Ian Dring, in the mid-1990's about the possibility of us moving to H.o.B., and the lack of action that then followed, that led to RS-M eventually resorting to litigation to get us out so that she could get the plans to build flats on our courts moving.

Behind the scenes there have been a few developments recently. Richard Simcox has been in regular contact with Colin Wilson concerning the squash courts at Inchmarlo and they seem keen to go ahead now that planning permission has been granted. In parallel, there has been a little movement in the KGV project - Ken Black attended a recent update meeting and they are now apparently making progress - although it has to be remembered that the original title of this project was KGV 2000! Our strategy is to try to encourage both of them and hope that, sooner or later, we will get courts to play on in Banchory again.

Here's Jill Webster's letter to the Piper:

(Click on to enlarge)

Inchmarlo decision

From http://deesidesquashracquetballclub.blogspot.com/

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2531716

Outline permission given for the development.

Inchmarlo again

From http://deesidesquashracquetballclub.blogspot.com/

From yesterday's P & J:

From http://deesidesquashracquetballclub.blogspot.com/

From yesterday's P & J - might be worth watching at ASRC on 23-25 September?

Peter Nicol 38?!!!!!

Inchmarlo again

From http://deesidesquashracquetballclub.blogspot.com/

From yesterday's P & J:

(Click on image to enlarge).

Inchmarlo - the next attempt

From http://deesidesquashracquetballclub.blogspot.com/

From yesterday's P & J:

(Click on image to enlarge)

Full details of their application can be viewed at http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/planning/apps/detail.asp?ref_no=APP/2011/2402. The expiry date for public comment is 18th August.

The application does refer to the inclusion of "Squash/Tennis courts" in the "New Improved Community Leisure Facilities".

Findrack electricity

From http://deesidesquashracquetballclub.blogspot.com/

Just received the latest electricity bill for the last quarter:

I'll pay this and that will leave £439 in the kitty, which should just about cover the electricity through to next March - always assuming no other unexpected costs arise.

Alan Fish

From http://deesidesquashracquetballclub.blogspot.com/

Another former BSRC member was the front page feature (and inside pages) in yesterday's Home supplement with the P & J:

Good luck, Alan! Long time no see!

Robert Strang-Steel

From http://deesidesquashracquetballclub.blogspot.com/

It is with great sadness that I have to report the passing of Robert Strang-Steel:

http://familyannouncements.ajl.co.uk/home/view/309028/strang

Robert had been in poor health and wheelchair-bound for some time after suffering a severe stroke a few years ago. He was a stalwart of both Banchory Squash Club and ASRC and was the main driver to popularise doubles at BSRC, donating the fine trophy which bears his name, and which has prolonged the squash playing life of many of us who can no longer manage to play singles. He will be sadly missed.

The funeral is next Wednesday (27th) and is a private affair, but there follows a service of thanksgiving at Sluie at 3:30 pm and Rob Sutherland has spoken to Caroline who mentioned to him that it would be nice if some of his old squash buddies could be present. Rob will be there, but, unfortunately, it doesn't look I will be able to make it due to prior commitments, so Rob would appreciate some company if any others were available?

Findrack

From http://deesidesquashracquetballclub.blogspot.com/

Here's a copy of the latest electricity bill for Findrack for the last quarter:

It amounts to £109 (including VAT) and is fractionally less than the same time last year. After paying this bill there will be £541 left in the club kitty.

The severe winters we’ve had over the last couple of years have led to DSRC’s Grampian League matches having to be moved to alternative locations, and I understand that a few of the team members have now joined Kippie. This initially put a doubt in my mind as to the future viability of Findrack, were a few of the existing members to choose not to play there any more.

The new method of leaving the water heater switch on all the time seems to have worked OK, and the costs of electricity are less than £400 p.a. – albeit there hasn’t been much usage of the court heaters this winter. Fifteen members paid their £50 subs this year, which, it now transpires, almost covers 2 years’ electricity costs, so with the funds remaining, and, as long as we don’t have any other bills to pay, this means there is no pressing need to call for additional funds just now.

Nonetheless, it would be useful to hear the views of those that haven’t used the facility recently as to whether they are likely to play there next season or not? I appreciate that all those who have paid their £50 are entitled to use the court, at least until we run out of funds, but it would be good to plan ahead for a time when it’s only the doubles players that are using the court.

In any event, there is probably a large enough core of doubles players (about 9 or 10) to be able to keep paying the bills for at least another season. Depending on how the costs go next year, there may be a need to ask for, say, £25 per head later on, but I would hope we could stagger through until this time next year. You never know, we might even get some new members!

Inchmarlo

From http://deesidesquashracquetballclub.blogspot.com/

The full council rejected the application to develop Inchmarlo and build a new hotel and leisure facilities:

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2174036

Squash courts were to be included in this development - see end of article.

Inchmarlo vote

From http://deesidesquashracquetballclub.blogspot.com/

Well, the planning officers were over-ruled again - the Marr area committee voted in favour of the proposals at Inchmarlo and it'll now go to the full council for ratification. Two of our three local Banchory councillors voted against the proposals - Karen Clark (Lib Dem) and Linda Clark (SNP) - sitting side by side in the photo below - but Jill Webster (Con) voted to approve the project.

Inchmarlo

From http://deesidesquashracquetballclub.blogspot.com/

Today's an important day for Deeside tourism - and potentially for squash too. The local Marr area committee are meeting to decide on whether to recommend approval to the main council next month of the plans that have been lodged in respect of Inchmarlo Golf Club for a hotel, houses and leisure project.

The council officers have recommended refusal - but then again, their recommendation for acceptance of the development plans at the Tor-na-Coille was thankfully overturned by the councillors. It'll be interesting to see how this one gets along - there are issues with transport infrastructure etc.

The development represents what is probably the last, lingering hope of new squash courts in Banchory in our lifetimes. Whilst the current plans do not contain specific proposals for squash courts, the nature of the leisure development will facilitate their provision. Richard Simcox has had discussions with Colin Wilson on this matter and Richard feels confident that courts will be included should the proposed development get approved.

For those that missed the front and inside pages of yesterday's P & J, here's the articles (click on to enlarge):