Mitchell’s Diary
Published:
Gerry’s knickershead for Africa
A FORMER fish merchant in Peterhead used all his powers of persuasion to part the good ladies of Stonehaven from their knickers.
But lest you think Rotarian Gerry Parker had ulterior motives, think again. He was doing it for a good cause.
Said Gerry: “Yes, Rotary in the UK supports a fistule clinic in a hospital in Sierra Leone and on leaving after treatment, each woman is give two pairs of knickers.
“However, they cost four times as much there as they do here.
“That’s why I got involved and managed to acquire 1,000 pairs.
“It was one of the most enjoyable tasks I have ever tackled.”
Good on you, Gerry.
Ann beats painbarrier on abseil
ABERDEEN woman Ann Graham showed the true grit of a William Wallace the other weekend.
Despite having her right foot in plaster after an operation and a pin in her big toe, she abseiled down the national Wallace monument just outside Stirling to raise money for the Anthony Nolan Trust.
Ann, who is a secretary with Deloitte in Aberdeen, said: “I signed on for the abseil at the beginning of the year and was determined to do it despite my condition and being the wrong side of 50.”
Ann has raised nearly £450 which her employers have doubled to £900.
The Anthony Nolan Trust provides lifesaving donors for patients in need of a bone marrow transplant.
Surprise guestat the Oval Ball
THE country came to the town at the weekend when Ellon Rugby Club celebrated their 30th anniversary with an Oval Ball at the Douglas Hotel in Aberdeen.
However, for more than 140 revellers in black ties and fancy frocks, the big surprise of the night was the appearance from his home in Galashiels of Scottish rugby legend Jim Telfer. The 68-year-old, who was accompanied by his wife, Frances, is a boyhood friend of Ellon’s honorary president Archie Park.
“We both hail from Newtown St Boswells,” said Archie. Jim, who played 317 games for Melrose, was first capped for Scotland in 1964 against France at Murrayfield. He went on to amass 25 caps as well as tour with the British and Irish Lions in 1966 to Australia and New Zealand and to South Africa in 1968. Jim also coached club, country and the Lions, culminating in the 2-1 Lions defeat of South Africa in 1997 when he was assistant to fellow-Scot Ian McGeechan. So what was Jim’s job at the Oval Ball? The big Borderer was asked to draw the raffle winners and guess who won the star prize of a TV? Yes, it was none other than his boyhood pal Archie Park. That’s friendship for you.
A piece of cakeat bowling club
MEMBERS of Cults Bowling Club have raised £480 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society – thanks to a cake day. Alan and Sylvia Kennedy were the main organisers of the event which also featured a raffle and bric-a-brac stall.
Air your thoughtson the Turra Coo
A FORMER pupil of Tarland primary and Aboyne Academy, James Black, is on the hunt for Turra Coo stories for a documentary to be broadcast on BBC Scotland. The 25-year-old said: “Coming from the north-east, I have a family interest in the story and would like to interview any of the key people involved.”
Phone James on 0141 429 6366.
Time to splash outagain at the pool
THE wonderful Stonehaven open-air and heated pool opens for the season tomorrow. “We are praying for sunshine this summer,” said Mary Gardner, who is secretary of the Friends of the pool. “Last summer was horrible.”
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