BEM for former janitor’s work in community

A man who has “dedicated his nights and days” to serving the community of Aboyne and Deeside for more than 50 years will receive a British Empire Medal.

Brian William Paterson has held the beautiful area of Deeside dear to his heart ever since he moved to Aboyne in 1956 at the age of nine.

Now 73 years old, the former Aboyne Academy janitor looks back to his life in the village with nothing but “endearment, love and joy” for the years he has spent serving his community.

Mr Paterson has been an integral part of the local community having run the local primary football team for 17 years, as well as an under-17s football team for the boys of all the surrounding villages.

His numerous achievements over the years include his participation in the restoration of the Victory Hall in 1999 as a trustee and his 25 years of service to the Aboyne Highland Games as a “trophy man” – a job he says may be little, but vital.

One of the highlights of his life – after his marriage to Aileen Paterson in 1969 and the birth of his two children and grandchildren – has been shaking the hand of Prince Charles.

He said: “He was interesting and the nicest man you can ever meet and we just spoke casually like two normal people – that was a good enough honour for me to shake the hand of a royal.

“It’s absolutely fabulous to receive such recognition – I never thought I’d get anything like this.

“But still, one of the proudest things that I’ve done is playing Santa for the kids of Aboyne for 40 years.

“And I never charged anything – my prize was seeing the kids’ faces and maybe getting a box of chocolates every now and again.

“I’ve done so many things, but I’m shocked that somebody actually knows about them.

“The most important thing for me and my favourite thing is that I have helped the community.

“Since I retired 10 years ago, every morning in winter I wake up and clear the paths and sand them for everybody in our area.

“I thought they were winding me up when they first told me.

“I’m just a normal guy nothing more than probably the next lad down the road.”