The Market Bar’s annual Fun Day has once again delivered for the community and over the course of a year The Market Bar has raised a total of £11,264.35 to support a wide range of local and some regional organisations. The funds were distributed at a donation ceremony held at the bar on Saturday 15th November, with representatives from some of the groups attending to receive their awards.
The worthy recipients of The Market Funday Awards were Carronhill School, Dunnottar Pipes and Drums, Maxillofacial Unit ARI, Mill O’Forest School, Roxburgh House Aberdeen, St Johns Court (Christmas Dinner!), Stonehaven and District Lions Club, Stonehaven Defibrillators, Stonehaven Folk Festival, Stonehaven Gymnastics Club, Stonehaven Highland Games, Stonehaven Horizon Group, Stonehaven RNLI, Stonehaven Sea Cadets, The Friends of ANCHOR Unit Aberdeen, The Stoney Express, The Thomson Rally, and The Ury Players—and, most important of all, ice-cream from Bucket and Spade for the kids picking the Stoney Christmas Tree, donated as ever by the Baird family of Rickarton Estate.
Since the Fun Days began sixteen years ago, the Market Bar has raised and given away a staggering figure of £162,949.99. Year on year, The Market has just kept on giving.
Affectionately known to locals as simply “The Market,” the bar has become more than just another Stoney pub. Under Lorna’s stewardship, it’s a hub of community support—a place where everyone feels welcome, where causes are championed, and where help is quietly given when it’s needed most. She is the main sponsor of Dunnottar Pipes and Drums and The Stoney Express, and her support reaches far beyond, often unseen but deeply felt.
And of course, as we all know, it’s not just about the fundraising. On the odd occasion, mainly week days and weekends The Market is a place of complete bonkersness—packed to the rafters, full of music, laughter, and unforgettable nights. How many of us have spent an amazing evening in that wee space having a mega sesh, shoulder to shoulder with friends old and new? It’s part of what makes Stonehaven the place it is.
Lorna summed it up best during the presentations, thanking all the groups for what they do and give to the town, and thanking the customers for their continued support. “Even though it’s only a wee pub, we’re a family pub” she said, “it does extraordinary things”—and that makes her hugely proud.
And she’s absolutely right—Stoney is a fantastic place to stay, and that’s down to the community spirit and the people who are part of it. So, HUGE thanks you to Lorna, to all of the team at The Market and their customers, and to all the other businesses, groups, and volunteers who continue to contribute to the life of Stonehaven.
And Finally…
Don’t forget The Big Stoney Christmas Tree Switch-On—happening from 16:30 onwards on Saturday 29th November in The Square. Expect lights, laughter, and that unmistakable Stonehaven sparkle and The Stoney Express will be there as well as Sunty.
And make sure to catch The Ury Players’ Panto, Robinson Crusoe, running in the Town Hall from 3rd to 6th December (with two shows on the Saturday). Pay particular attention to The Dame On The Train pictured in the header above, be afraid….be very afraid—you’ve been warned! Oh no we haven’t… Oh yes you have 😂
