Spearheaded by a committee formed from the Community Council and Community Association, the group led the community to realise their wish, reported in a 2004 consultation, to create their own graveyard.
Inside the local church, alongside Aberde
enshire council's Landscape Services officers and area manager, I watched a presentation on how the graveyard started and came to fruition. We then walked to the site and heard Rev. Jack Holt bless the community effort and Angus Farquharson Lord Lieutenant unveil the commemorative plaque. Cllr. Peter Argylle (Chairman Infrastructure Services) thanked the volunteers for their superb effort.
Then an opportunity to walk through a serene area in which people have already secured lairs and back to the church hall for refreshments. A beautiful cake donated by Nexen Peroleum UK, provided the "fine piece".
There are too many people to mention in person, but if I may, I would wish to highlight the work of Mr. Robert Thow who created the cairn and drystane dyke. This example of local craft is much in evidence is rural Aberdeenshire and Finzean is no exception.
The village is within the multi-member Ward 16 (Banchory and Mid Deeside) and is a shining light in what can be done when the will is there. Once again community volunteering wins through. The good citizenship displayed throughout from all ages reminds us of our potential as volunteers.
For myself, it was a privilege to applaud this wonderful effort.
To quote someone on the day "It's not often, we get to be happy to attend a graveside."
Well done to all.
Yours etc
Cllr. Linda Clark
Banchory
