Monthly Archives: August 2017

Meet the Resident: Rebecca Struthers, ZeroC Property Owner

Photo-25-08-2016-14-19-45-1-e1503571980588-103x150 Meet the Resident: Rebecca Struthers, ZeroC Property Owner

Rebecca moved to Chapelton in 2015 along with her husband Alastair. The couple now lives in a four bedroom ZeroC property with their young son.

Tell us why you decided to move to Chapelton

We were really keen to enjoy both a city and country lifestyle and being set in Howe of Mearns yet within close distance to the centre of Aberdeen Chapelton seemed the perfect place.

What is your favourite thing about your new home?

That’s a difficult one but it may just have to be the garden. It’s the perfect size for us and we love spending time looking after it. We’ve even managed to grow vegetables and love having friends and family over to enjoy BBQs.

And do you have a favourite thing about Chapelton?

We really like the traditional theme that flows throughout Chapelton, it’s so different to other places that I’ve visited. From our wood burning stove to the community events that take place and community Facebook page which acts almost like a local newsletter, it does have a slightly old yet new feel to it.

Do you have any hobbies?

What was once a hobby has now turned into a business – my art company, Bee Struthers Fine Art. I create a series of paintings, textiles, accessories and homeware items which have recently been showcased in Union Square and in popular shop Curated Stories.

How do you like to spend your time in Chapelton?

We spend a lot of time with our friends and family but also with the other people that live in Chapelton. The community element of the town was a huge selling point to us and we love that we know our neighbours. Everyone is extremely friendly and welcoming and that’s incredibly important to use as a family.

Recipe: Teacake’s Mint Chocolate Cake

Chapelton’s popular Teacake is the perfect place to relax, catch up with friends and enjoy a sweet treat or two.

Offering a selection of hot and cold drinks, fresh soup and sandwiches and of course plenty of cake, the tea room is known for its home baking carefully created by owner Anita Collin and her hard-working team.

Here, Anita reveals one of her most popular cakes and shares its secret recipe.

Try out this recipe for Teacake’s mint chocolate cake yourself and make sure to share your pictures on both the Chapelton and Teacake Facebook pages.

Bike-Ride_04-300x200 Recipe: Teacake's Mint Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

  • 130ml olive oil, plus a little extra for greasing
  • 200g dark soft brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 30g cocoa powder
  • 100g mint dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces
  • 140ml boiling water
  • 10 fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • 125g ground almonds
  • 25g plain flour
  • ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 100g white chocolate to decorate

Method

Preheat the oven to 160°C fan. Lightly grease a 25cm springform cake tin and line with greaseproof paper.

Put the oil, sugar and eggs in the bowl of a free-standing electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat on a medium speed for about three minutes until pale and fluffy.

Combine the cocoa powder, mint chocolate and boiling water in a bowl or jug and stir until the chocolate melts. Mix in the mint.

Whisking the eggs and sugar mix on a low speed, slowly pour in the chocolate mixture in a steady stream. Keep whisking until combined. Add the ground almonds, flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt and mix in with a spatula. The mix will be very runny.

Pour the mixture into the tin. Bake for 25 – 30 minutes until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out with just a few sticky crumbs adhering. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin.

Melt the white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Drizzle the chocolate over the cake to decorate.

Teacake in Chapelton is open Wednesday to Sunday. To find out more visit www.facebook.com/teacake.chapelton

The Chapelton Bike Ride is Back for its Second Year

Set to take place on Sunday 3rd September in the heart of the town, we’ll be welcoming people of all ages to enjoy this fun-filled day and raise much-needed funds for local charity, North East Sensory Services.

Here are some helpful tips to bring you up-to-speed on everything there is to know about the event. We can’t wait to see you all there.

Bike-Ride_32-300x200 The Chapelton Bike Ride is Back for its Second Year

The Routes

  • The Bike Ride will begin at 10:30am with the 42 mile route taking in Chapelton, Durris Forest and the village of Stonehaven
  • A shorter 12 mile route will start at 12pm with participants cycling in and around Chapelton’s roads and pathways
  • A 5km Chapelton Trail walk will begin shortly after 12pm offering those keen to take part in a less strenuous challenge stretch their legs and also provide younger children with an activity through the grounds of nearby Elsick House

Bike-Ride_07-300x211 The Chapelton Bike Ride is Back for its Second Year

Food, Drink and Entertainment

  • The cycling and walking activities will be followed by live music, a selection of stalls selling local produce and entertainment from Northsound’s Michael Macdermid
  • Stall holders include: The Bay Fish and Chips, jewellery company Stella & Dot, artist Bee Struthers and The Aurora Juice Company

Bike-Ride_04-300x200 The Chapelton Bike Ride is Back for its Second Year

Entry Fees

  • Individual registration costs £15 for the 42 mile route per person or £5 per person for the 12 mile route
  • Team entry for four people is available at a reduced rate of £50 for the longer route and £15 for the 12 mile route
  • All pre-registered riders will receive a free T-shirt and goodie bag
  • An additional fee of £5 will be applied to those registering on the day. Registration closes on Thursday 31st August
  • The Chapelton Trail walk is free for all participants

For more information or to register for the Chapelton Bike Ride, visit www.chapeltonbikeride.co.uk