Firefighters tackle 11 hour blaze

Ellon fire fighters battled against huge flames on Sunday, after a fire broke out at a scrap yard near Whitecairns.

A call was received soon after midnight, and a squad of units were deployed to the area from the Ellon station.

Large piles of tires caught fire at the yard, and the flames were close to igniting several gas canisters that lay close by.

A spokesperson for Grampian Fire and Rescue Service said: “We received the call at 12.32am. Four appliances attended the scene including a height vehicle for use as a water tower.”

Grampian police say that the fire is being treated as suspicious, and is currently under investigation.

Fire fighter hangs up helmet after 29 years

A fire fighter, who has served the force in Ellon for almost three decades received thanks for his work this week.

Derek McAndie, 61,  joined the force in 1982, due to a shortage of firemen in the area. He was given a mounted golden axe, to commemorate his years spent in the service.

The Ellon Fire Brigade in action

“Joining the force seemed like a great idea”, he told the Observer. “It feels great to know that you’re helping people and saving lives. The job we do here is still important.”

The news came as a shock to his colleagues, who said that they thought he would be go on forever.

Derek’s station officer Ron Beedie, said that he would be greatly missed by all his colleagues, and that his work was always appreciated.

Derek would now like to spend more time with his family, and at the garage where he works as a mechanic.

Funeral for man found dead in river

The funeral of the Ellon man who died after becoming ill and falling in a river is to be held next week. Russell Clark’s body was found in the River Ythan early on Sunday morning and detectives believed Mr Clark may have suffered a medical emergency when walking home which caused him to fall in to the water.

The River Ythan, where the man's body was found

 

The 47 year old spent Saturday travelling to watch Ellon United play Whitletts Victoria, and a memorial service for his family will be held in the Ellon Parish Church on Wednesday at 11:30am.

The death was originally treated as ‘unexplained’, and the area cordoned off as a crime scene but appears to have since been resolved.

United trounced 4-0 at home

Ellon lost by four clear goals this weekend, in a humiliating semi-final cup defeat at The Meadows. The result will see their guests Culter advance to face Inverness City the finals of the Grill League Cup. Culter were the stronger side all over the pitch on the day, and Ellon looked a shadow of the team which had beaten Crombie Park in the previous round.

Ellon's pre-match warm up

 

The visitors looked the brighter from the start, and Ellon keeper Richard Bowman was rooted to the spot as a John Youngson header drifted just wide of the upright. Ellon then came close a few times through Chris Allsop, before Culter opened the scoring in the 17^th minute courtesy of a deflected Youngson shot from the edge of the box. Minutes later they doubled their lead as Taylor lost his man in the box and nodded in an easy free header.

Ellon went into half time with their heads down, and little seemed to have changed as they trooped back out for the second period. 5 minutes were all Culter needed to add a third goal, as McWilliam latched onto a cutting through ball.

A bad defensive slip from Willox presented an easy chance to substitute Murray to make it four, and he didn’t hesitate in converting. Despite Ellon’s early pressure, their visitors ran out comfortable winners at The Meadows.

Something must surely be done to pick the team up, as they return to league action next weekend.

Lineups

Ellon United: Bowman, Annand, Willox, Allsop, Irvine (Paterson), Forsyth, Chapman (Walker), Corser, A Reid, Gunn, Craib (Edmond). Subs: McKeitch, Chalmers, K Reid.

Culter: Farquhar, Kelly, Robertson, Donald, Seivwright, Wilson, McBain, Youngson, Taylor, McWilliam, Stott. Subs: Murray, Wyness, Craik, Sim, Gregory, Pyper, McIntosh.