Mitchell’s Diary

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Jings, crivvens, an old record tumbles

OK, TEAM GB have done a fantastic job at the Olympics in China and the BBC army of more than 400 have whipped viewers into a jingoistic frenzy.

However, closer to home, with no fanfare of publicity, a heavy athlete from the Mearns has broken a record that has stood at Ballater Games for nearly 40 years. In glorious sunshine, Auchenblae’s Bruce Aitken threw the heavy hammer 119ft 4in to beat the mark set in 1970 by 2in. Said commentator Robbie Shepherd: “This is nae the Beijing Games; it’s the By Jings Games.”

Looking on with pride was another record-breaker, Captain Alwyne Farquharson, who was celebrating 60 years as games chieftain. He turns 90 in May.

Brains trust for all gardeners

GARDENERS, take note, you can pick the brains of some of the finest in the realm at next weekend’s Aberdeen Blooms event in the city’s Hazlehead Park.

On both days of the show, which attracted 6,000 visitors last year, TV’s Chris Collins and Sandy Inkster, formerly of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, will be there to answer questions.

The Saturday session kicks off at 1pm and next day it is 2pm.

Joining the Saturday panel will be Richard Walker, head gardener at the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens.

On Sunday, it will be the turn of Alan Findlay, manager of the David Welch Winter Gardens at Duthie Park, to take part.

Auld Alliance in an old French mill

OLD habits die hard for an Aberdeenshire couple who embarked on a new life in France.

Three years ago, publicans Joyce and Don Andrew headed for the Charente-Maritime region of France.

However, the move was not part of a grand retirement plan.

On the contrary, the Andrews have converted an old mill into a home offering de luxe B&B.

“It’s going great guns,” said Don, a former host at the Globe Inn, Tarves, and Joyce, whose family had connections for many years with the Meldrum Arms, Oldmeldrum.

The couple have had a steady stream of visitors who enjoy the outdoor pool and surrounding countryside with its vineyards and sunflowers.

The Andrews also give guests a flavour of Scotland during their stay.

They have built a drinks bar out of old whisky barrels from Keith and have an old Strathisla Whisky mirror hanging on the wall. The Andrews are now proud owners of a pair of black swans who have settled on the burn that runs alongside their property. Their names again point to Scottish roots. Would you believe Doch and Doris?

You will find the Andrews at Le Grand Moulin, 16 Rue de 3 Ponts, Aujac.

A little irreverence from the reverend

CHURCHES everywhere are gearing up for their harvest thanksgiving services, but will the congregation get a chuckle as they did at a service last year?

It was going fine as parishioners brought forward their offerings of garden produce, cheeses and butter. However, the minister, quite unintentionally, no doubt, induced some hilarity when he announced: “Mrs Macdougall will now come forward and lay eggs on the Communion table.”

British Library has sting in tail

THE author of a book about Oldmeldrum, Peter Myers, was flattered when the British Library approached him for biographical details for a catalogue listing his book. However, the moment of glory was tarnished somewhat when Peter was asked: “Are you the author of a PhD thesis on corrosion fatigue and fracture mechanics of weldable high-strength jack-up steels?”

Not I, quoth he.