Web kcn issue 24 feb mar 2017

Kings wells Community News a gazette magazine

Issue 23 Feb-Mar 2017 Free bi-monthly magazine gazette magazines has been introducing local people to local businesses since 2005!

mobile : 07813 964 875 email : kingswells@gazettemagazines.com web : www.gazettemagazines.com

independent publisher All enquiries : Sue Simpson Disclaimer : Whilst we’d be flattered if you would like to borrow something from the gazette be polite and ask first! Thank you.

We try our hardest to ensure accuracy of editorial content but no responsibility can be taken for any errors and/or omissions. The views expressed within the gazette are not necessarily those of the publisher or advertisers. When replying to offers, competitions and other correspondence, we would strongly recommend that you check published information with each organisation beforehand. All artwork is accepted on strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. We thank you for taking the time to read the small print.

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February already ...

It does actually feel like quite a long time since I last spoke to you but here we are in month 2 of 2017. Apart from not managing to shake off this hacking cough I’ve been pretty healthy! Enjoyed the milder weather and already the nights are getting longer - hallelujah!

So what a lot we have in this jam packed issue. There is a lovely suggestion to help the non-drivers of the community get into town!

Not sure about the return part of the journey but please give it some consideration.

Attention all users of the park/playing field beside the shops. It has been noted that there are a few irresponsible people refusing to take home their rubbish with them or at the bear minimum putting it into a nearby bin. It only takes a moment, so just do it - let’s help keep the local community look neat and tidy.

Speaking of sporting facilities what are your thoughts on the AFC new venue? Please take a read of the community council news where you will find some important information.

On a brighter note - it will be Mother’s Day in March and of course the wonderful clocks will take a step forward an hour and make the evenings feel a bit further away from the day!

Go grab that cuppa and flick through this issue of KCN! Next few deadlines listed below if you have anything you wish to share.

Until the next time,

Sue x

KCN - A5 bi-monthly magazine Issue

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lison McLeod's Afterschool Football is where trained coaches lead fun-packed sessions and teach essential football skills, and children get to enjoy their play time.

We have a range of carefully selected funbased drills and games which develop coordination and confidence while improving physical fitness.

We aim to make this pastime as enjoyable as possible and using specialised exercises the risk of injury is reduced while playing football.

A variety of action-packed sports activities are taught where each child will be able to develop their skills at their own pace.

The group environment encourages positive team spirit at all times.

Boys and girls of all abilities, are welcome to attend our weekly Afterschool Football Clubs, which are held during term-time at these venues.

Class spaces now available!

ALSO ... Alison's Football Camps at Kingswells Community Centre: Friday 7th April 1.30 - 3.30pm Tuesday 11th April 1.30 - 3.30pm Contact Alison McLeod: Phone 07824 631221 Email info@aberdeenfootballfun.co.uk

Alison McLeod

Afterschool Football

Kingswells Community Centre Monday 2.00-2.30 3.30-4.15 4.15-5.00

Pre School

Tuesday 3.30-4.15

P1/2

P1/2 P1/2

Airyhall Community Centre Monday 9.30-10.00

Pre School

Wednesday 9.30-10.00 Pre School 1.30-2.15 Pre School Plus 3.30-4.15 P1/2 4.15-5.00 P1/2

Friday 9.30-10.00 10.00-10.30 2.00-2.45

We provide an experienced wealth management service and offer specialist advice in a wide range of areas including: Pre School

Tiny tots Pre School Plus

Thursday 9.30-10.00 Tiny Tots 1.45-2.15 Pre School 3.30-4.15 P1/2 4.15-5.00 P1/2

Westdyke Leisure Centre

Friday

1.00-1.30pm Pre School

availability - book now! for august 2017 session

For more info contact Alison McLeod on 07824 631 221

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to-follow Zumba® choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion and coordination. Come ready to dance like no-one’s watching to inspiring music, and leave feeling strong and buzzing.

How would I Benefit?

FEELING THE ZUMBA GOLD® RUSH Have you discovered the Zumba Gold® dance fitness class yet? Let me tell you more about this amazing exercise in disguise designed for older active adults…

What is Zumba Gold®?

It’s a dance fitness class which is part of the worldwide Latin-dance inspired Zumba® phenomenon but is perfect for active older adults looking for a modified Zumba® class recreating the original moves you love at a lower intensity. This makes it accessible for seniors, beginners or others needing modifications in their exercise routine and even has chair-based options so it really is accessible to all. The class combines a dance workout with a party-like atmosphere so it’s incredibly good fun too.

The class focuses on all elements of fitness: cardiovascular, muscular conditioning, flexibility and balance. The moves increase blood flow to the brain too so it’s a great memory booster. Make new friends or bring your own – it’s a very sociable class. And it’s just such a joy!

There’s a new class at Kingswells Community Centre in the village centre Wednesdays at 3.15pm. Just £3.50 per class (blocks of 6) so call or text Gillian Low on 07808 160728 for further details.

Gillian Low is a local Zumba instructor, Reiki practitioner and holistic health enthusiast

How does it Work?

The design of the class introduces easy-

Zumba

Dance fitness for all Only £5 a class Kingswells Public Hall

11 am Sat : Kerry Davidson 07960 454889 7.50pm Wed : Gillian Low 07808 160728 Drop us a text and come join the fun!

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Are you looking for childcare during the school holidays?

Does your child enjoy something other than sport or drama?

Kidsize Holiday Club is an activity based club where every day is a different theme with a range of fun and exciting activities to suit all interests. Sessions are planned with a FULL day of activities: 8.30am-4.30pm @ Community Centre in Kingswells ÂŁ28 per day During the Easter holidays, we will be running 4 sessions as TASTER SESSIONS for our Summer Holiday Camps: Musical Theatre Day | Fashion Day Sports Day | Explorers Day. For more information and to book please find us on Facebook or contact Corinne Millar on 07462695505 or email us at kidsize@hotmail.com

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Kingswells Primary News Lights, Camera, Action!

Kingswells Primary School have started sharing their learning with parents through short films. Every Friday our special ‘Spotlight on Learning’ films are uploaded to our website so that parents can see a flavour of what their children have been learning in school. Our nursery has their own ‘Film Friday’ section for parents to view their weekly activities. This has been well received by our pupils and parents alike. You can check out our films at www.kingwellsprimary.co.uk

Budding Artists in our Community Kingsmead Nursing Home asked if any of our pupils could help to brighten up one of the plain walls in their nursing home.

Some of our P6 pupils volunteered to help out by painting a mural. The residents said that colour and nature helped cheer them up so the pupils chose to paint a variety of flowers and insects. The project took several weeks and was a great link for the pupils and residents. The pupils loved their weekly visit and the residents looked forward to it too. We often had a small group of spectators! The results were fantastic and certainly helped brighten up the wall.

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BucksburnAcademy news Sporting Round Up

Archery

Swimming – Well done to James Coull, Thomas Christie, Bradley Meldrum, Ethan Lindsay, Mairi MacDonald and Grace Johnston at the recent Aberdeen Scottish school trials. Both Ethan Lindsay and Mairi Macdonald comfortably won their races. We are now waiting to hear who has qualified for the Scottish school competition.

Congratulations to Robyn Geddes who came 2nd in the British under 18 Archery championship. She also came 17th in the British Open championship.

Netball

Football teams Both S1 and S2 teams have won enough games to be placed in the first division following the split which is a brilliant achievement. Third years have continued to play well within their league and S4 are second in their league. The senior team were also in action in a semi final.

Skiing Congratulations to Kirsty Muir in S1 who won her own U-16 category at the Scottish dry slope championships in Glasgow as well as the overall female competition as well.

Senior Netball girls are second in their league, with only 1 defeat Basketball Our S3/4 team are currently sitting top of the league.

National Junior Championships for Swimmers with Learning Disabilities Eleven swimmers from the Wing travelled down to Tollcross in Glasgow to take part in this competition which is organised by Scottish Disability Sport. We had a very successful trip winning two silver medals and two bronze medals. Against some strong opposition most of pupils qualified for their final from the heats. Well done to all of the swimmers and in particular to our medal winners Jake Milne (bronze), Sean McGhee(bronze) and Danielle Raitt ( 2 silvers)

A

wee reminder from Adventure Aberdeen about its Community meeting room. This is within the main body of the building and is hireable by community groups at a very competitive rate.

The room is the old gym hall of the school and can accommodate up to 25 people comfortably.

The room has a mixture of formal and informal seating, a large screen and digital projector, public wifi, a kitchenette with urn, microwave, dish washer, crockery, there are two toilets, one with disability and baby changing facilities. The room has disability access. It can be booked at any time but is ...in Little Belmont Street generally more available in We have been serving fine italian cuisine since 1977.

Extensive à la cartethe menu for lunch and dinner. evenings.

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A little bit of Italy...

5 minutes walk from His Majesty’s Theatre and Music Hall – special lunch and pre-theatre menus.

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Tender pasta dishes full of tasty ingredients and luscious cream sauces. Seafood, prime steaks, chicken dishes, all with that extra touch of genius which is true Italian cooking!

Open Monday to Saturday: 12 noon to 2.30pm & 5.30pm to 10.15pm

of Italy...

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...

in Little Belmont Street

...in Little Belmon

We have been serving fine Italian cuisine since 1977.

...in Little Belmont Street

Extensive à la carte menu for lunch and dinner.

5 minutes walk from His Majesty’s Theatre and Music Hall been serving fine italian cu We have

- special lunch and1977. pre-theatre menus.

Extensive à la carte menu for lunch We have been serving fine italian cuisine since baked home-made pizzas with lashings of toppings.

Extensive à la carte menu forFreshly lunch and dinner.

5 minutes walk from His Majesty’s T Tender pasta dishes full of tasty ingredients and luscious cream – special lunch and pre-theatre men

sauces.

Seafood, 5 minutes walk from His Majesty’s Theatre andprime Musicsteaks, Hall chicken dishes, all with that extra touch of genius which is true Italian cooking!

– special lunch and pre-theatre menus.

Freshly baked home mode home m

Open Monday to Saturday 12 noon to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 10.15pm Tender pasta dishes full of tasty ingr

steaks, chicken dishes, all with that e Freshly baked home mode home made pizzas with lashings of toppings.

01224 647777 Tender pasta dishes full of tasty ingredients and luscious cream sauces. Seafood, primeGift 7 Little Belmont Street | Aberdeen | AB10 1JG Open Monday to Saturday: 12 n steaks, chicken dishes, all with that extra touch of genius which is true Italian cooking!

Vouchers

Available www.poldinos.co.uk 7 Little Belmont Street

Open Monday to Saturday: 12 noon to 2.30pm & 5.30pm to 10.15pm

7 Little Belmont Street | Aberdeen | AB10 1JG

| A

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Garden View Spring has sprung

The other day someone said to me, ‘You are so lucky…you have a beautiful garden.’

I thanked her of course, but I really wanted to say, ‘Luck has very little to do with it. A beautiful garden does not happen by pure chance. It takes a bit of work and planning.’

As the spring equinox looms, the trees blossom and daffodils bloom. The garden is waking up from its winter sleep and is

flying start.

full of promise. I am excited to be outside in it but I’m aware for nongardeners it can seem daunting when everything (including the weeds) starts growing at once!

So where to begin? There are three fairly simple tasks which will get you off to a

Pruning is the first task. It’s time to hard prune late-flowering shrubs like Buddleia, Leycesteria and Lavateria, but only if the risk of hard frost is past.

Spring flowering plants such as Forsythia and Winter Honeysuckle should be pruned immediately the flowers fade. If you haven’t already pruned your bush roses, now is the time. Leave about an inch of last year’s growth to encourage bushiness and lots of flowers. Shrub roses don’t need such radical treatment but would benefit from losing a third of their old, thick, woody stems.

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Please do mention Kingswells Community News when responding to advertisers - thank you

Then a bit of lifting is required. Lift congested clumps of snowdrops while they still have leaves showing.

best because lilies are tall and terracotta provides enough weight to prevent them tipping over.

Finally, stay on top of the weeds from the outset. If you leave them, weeding quickly becomes an insurmountable chore.

Lilies need a well-drained open planting mixture so I use a mixture of potting compost plus a soil-less multi-purpose compost. The bulb tips should be a couple of inches below the compost.

Keep in a sheltered spot and water when the surface of the compost looks dry.

Once the buds have formed, feed weekly with dilute tomato food until late summer.

When the blooms fade, cut the stems down and place in a sheltered spot. Each spring, scrape away a couple of inches of compost and add fresh mixture, then repeat the instructions above. Treated like this your lilies will reward you for three or four years before they need repotting.

But of course gardening is about planting things and one of the best things to plant now is lilies.

If you have a bit of a slug problem like I do grow them in pots. Pots also have the advantage of protecting the bulbs. I hate slicing through them accidentally when hoeing. And pots mean you can grow them even if you only have a balcony.

There are loads of varieties to choose from. Three bulbs fit nicely into an 8inch / 20cm pot and five fit into a ten inch / 25cm pot. I’ve found terracotta pots

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A little bit of Italy... ...in Little Belmont Street

A

wee reminder from Adventure Aberdeen 5 minutes walk from His Majesty’s Theatre and Music Hall – special lunch and about pre-theatre menus. its Community Freshly baked home mode home made pizzas with lashings of toppings. room.

This is Seafood, prime Tender pasta dishesmeeting full of tasty ingredients and luscious cream sauces. steaks, chicken dishes, all with that extra touch of genius which is true Italian cooking! within the main body of the building and is hireable 7 Little Belmont Street | Aberdeen | AB10 1JG by community groups at www.poldinos.co.uk a very competitive rate.

The room is the old gym ... in Little Belmont Street hall of the school and We have been serving fine Italian cuisine since 1977. can accommodate up to Extensive à la carte menu for lunch and dinner.

25 people comfortably.

5 minutes walk from His Majesty’s Theatre and Music Hall been serving fine italian cu We have The room has a mixture - special lunch and1977. pre-theatre menus.

Extensive à la carte menu for lunch been serving fine italian cuisine since of formalWe andhave informal baked home-made pizzas with lashings of toppings.

Extensive à la carte menu forFreshly lunch and dinner. seating, a large screen and 5 minutes walk from His Majesty’s T Tender pasta dishes full of tasty ingredients and luscious cream – special lunch and pre-theatre men digital projector, sauces.

Seafood, 5 minutespublic walk from His Majesty’s Theatre andprime Musicsteaks, Hall chicken dishes, all with that extra wifi, a kitchenette with urn, touch of genius which is true Italian cooking!

– special lunch and pre-theatre menus.

Freshly baked home mode home m microwave, dish washer, Open Monday to Saturday 12 noon to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 10.15pm Tender pasta dishes full of tasty ingr steaks, chicken dishes, all with that e baked crockery,Freshly there are twohome mode home made pizzas with lashings of toppings.

01224 647777 Tender dishes full of tasty ingredients and luscious cream sauces. Seafood, primeGift toilets, one withpasta disability 7 Little Belmont Street | Aberdeen | AB10 1JG Open Monday to Saturday: 12 n steaks, chicken dishes, all with that extra touch of genius which is true Italian cooking!

Vouchers and baby changing Available facilities. The room has 7 Little Belmont Street | A Open Monday to Saturday: 12 noon to 2.30pm & 5.30pm to 10.15pm disability access. It can be booked at any time but is Littleavailable Belmont generally7more in Street | Aberdeen | AB10 1JG the evenings.

We have been serving fine italian cuisine since 1977.

Extensive à la carte menu for lunch and dinner.

Open Monday to Saturday: 12 noon to 2.30pm & 5.30pm to 10.15pm

of Italy...

A little bi A little Abitlittle of bit Italy...

...in Little Belmon

...in Little Belmont Street

www.poldinos.co.uk

www.poldinos

www.poldinos.co.uk CUMMING FIRE & SECURITY Ltd

Please call Adventure Aberdeen if you wish to have a look at the room and establish exact costs 01224 270990

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Tel: Email cfs.ltd@dial.pipex.com FREE ADVICE & QUOTATIONS EVENING SURVEYS AVAILABLE Intruder Alarm Systems, Wired or Wireless Fire Alarm Systems, Wired or Wireless Fire Extinguishers & Blankets Electrical Work - All Types Smoke & Heat Alarms Portable Appliance Testing CCTV & Door Entry Systems Window & Door Lock Replacement.

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Please do mention Kingswells Community News when responding to advertisers - thank you

Latest News

Readers are reminded that a full account of Community Council business and other local and Aberdeen news is available on our website at http://www.kwells.org

Football Stadium Aberdeen Football Club (AFC) submitted its formal planning application for the stadium and associated facilities on 11 January. Following a request from KCC, Aberdeen City Council has extended the deadline for submitting comments to Monday, 27 February.

You can find basic information about the plans on AFC’s website at http://www.afc.co.uk/ stadium , and also on KCC’s website at http://www.kwells.org If you want to comment to the plans, you can email Aberdeen City Council’s planning department at pi@aberdeencity.gov.uk . Alternatively, you can write to Head of Planning, Planning & Sustainable Development, Aberdeen City Council, Marischal College, Broad Street, Aberdeen AB10 1AB. You may have received an information leaflet and instructions on how to object from the pressure group No Kingsford Stadium. It includes helpful advice about which aspects of a planning application you can and cannot object to. If you agree with the points that No Kingsford Stadium is making, you can use the form and postage-free envelope included in their pack.

Kingswells Community Council, as a statutory consultee, has received a large amount of additional documentation from AFC in support of its plans. At the time of writing, we are still working through the detail of this. We are also having further meetings with Westhill & Elrick Community Council before coming to a final decision about whether or not to object to the application.

HOW COULD KINGSWELLS BE AFFECTED ?

The stadium would be over a mile from Kingswells. It would have a greater impact on Westhill than on Kingswells. *Visibility - The stadium would not be seen from Kingswells itself, but would be visible from higher ground nearby including Brimmond Hill and Kingshill Wood. The red-clad stadium building, 20 metres high, would be very much “in your face” at the Westhill end of the A944. The landscaping plans look good but the trees to be planted will take 15 years or more to provide partial screening of the development. www.gazettemagazines.com t : 07813 964 875

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*Community sports and other facilities – These would be open to local people, presumably on a first come, first served basis. Given the larger population of Westhill and its closeness to the facilities, opportunities for Kingswells residents might be more limited.

Sports facilities are likely to be football-orientated. Youngsters in Kingswells who want to develop their football skills could be at an advantage over others who have to travel longer distances for coaching. *Increased traffic on the A944 – Traffic congestion will peak for about 1 hour before kickoff and after a match finishes. These figures are based on information from AFC. DAY

Number of times a year (expected)

Saturday

11

2pm to 3pm

4.45pm to 5.45 pm

Sunday

4

11am to 12pm

1.45pm to 2.45pm

Mid-week

9

6.45pm to 7.45pm

9.30pm to 10.30pm

Greatest increase in traffic (in/out)

Mid-week matches will probably cause the greatest amount of inconvenience to normal users of the A944. *Crowding and potential for disruption at Kingswells park-and-ride and Westhill shops before and after matches – If Prime Four creates a new retail park on the A944, these shops could also be affected. Most fans are likely to be well behaved, but there could be a minority with the potential cause trouble at some games. We do not know how well Police Scotland will cover our area on match days. *The possibility of some uncontrolled parking in residential parts of Kingswells Given that the stadium is a mile away, this will probably be less of a problem than in Westhill. It is not clear at this stage how any unofficial parking will be controlled. *Road safety – It would by highly dangerous if large numbers of fans use the walkway/ cycleway beside the A944 to access the stadium from the Kingswells park-and-ride. *Noise – There will probably be some noise carried by the prevailing wind towards Kingswells. This will come from the additional traffic, the stadium and the practice pitches.

However, it is likely to be less of an issue than in Westhill. There is already considerable background noise in parts of Kingswells from the A944 and the perimeter road. *Light pollution – During evening matches, Kingswells could see a dull glow in the sky from the stadium, and properties along the A944 will be adversely affected by their proximity to floodlit pitches. Compared with parts of Westhill, however, most of Kingswells should not be too affected by light. Some of the buildings in Prime Four already throw out an excessive amount of light.

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CHOICE OF SITE AFC chose Kingsford over other options because it is beside a main junction of the AWPR and brings a stadium and training facilities together on one site. (It should be said that there are many other prominent football clubs that do not have everything on the same site). The AWPR would be helpful for bringing in fans from the north and south.

It is worth noting that Bellfield Farm in Kingswells was one of the other site options considered by AFC. This was the location for a previous stadium bid in 2002.

The Kingsford site was previously used for landfill which was later grassed over to provide farmland. The Local Plan shows the Kingsford site as Green Belt. One of the reasons for this designation is to keep Westhill and Kingswells as separate communities with their own individual identities. If the plans are approved, it could lead to other areas of Green Belt between communities being filled in with development. AFC says that the playing pitches are an appropriate use of Green Belt. This is arguable given that 2 of them are artificial and 3 would be floodlit.

Kingswells Bus Service The Community Council is dismayed that First Group has finally decided to withdraw the X40 and 11 services from Kingswells after 1 April. This decision flies in the face of all the effort put in by local people and our two councillors to prevent this from happening.

Members of KCC have met with a key member of Aberdeen City Council (ACC) to discuss the situation. Councillor Steve Delaney has met with Stagecoach to see if they might be interested in providing a new service in Kingswells. Negotiations are at an early stage.

ACC is planning to hold a public meeting in Kingswells this month (details are not known at this time).

Clearly, insufficient people have been using the bus service, often because of the time it takes the buses to get into town. This is a key issue that needs to be addressed.

Hopefully, a solution can be found that will meet the needs of folk in Kingswells who utterly depend on the bus service. Failing that, other ways may need to be explored for transporting people to the park-and-ride where they can still catch a bus.

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News from Councillor Cameron...

We are entering the period of time in our term as Councillors when the term you elected us for is drawing to a close and you have the opportunity, as the electorate to judge us on our performance over the last 5 years and decide if we are worthy of being elected once more to represent your interests on the City Council for the next 5 years.

As I indicated in the last edition of the Kingswells Gazette, some battles are won, some are lost and sometimes there are battles which cannot be won in the current climate and a pragmatic approach is necessary. One such case is the decision taken by the Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee at the end of January to extend the speed restriction of 40 mph on the A944, B9119 and other surrounding roads to cover each of these routes, travelling west, from the end of the 30 mph restriction all the way to the boundary with Aberdeenshire. As you are all probably aware I have fought this creeping un-policeable restriction on speed limits, including on the C89 and the C128C, since I was elected in 2012. Police Scotland advised against this on each occasion a decision was taken to reduce the maximum allowable speed on stretches of the roads referred to but were ignored. As residents of Kingswells you are well aware the result has been the experience of driving on the A944 towards Westhill being tailgated and overtaken by speeding motorists.

Why did I not continue challenging these changes on this final occasion? I have always argued that to restrict the speed limit on rural dual carriageway and single carriageway roads within Aberdeen City below the National Limit leads to confusion, especially when the road “morphs” into

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Aberdeenshire where there is no similar restriction. I still believe that to be the case.

However, the only argument against the Officers’ recommendations in January 2017 would be to scrap all the speed restrictions imposed since 2012 on all these rural roads and commence again. In the intervening period there have been developments which might justify some of these restrictions – the building of houses at Maidencraig on both sides of the A944 which would have resulted in agreeing partially with the Officers’ recommendations; the Prime4 road entrance and egress structures on the C89 and the A944 where speed restrictions are sensible; the proposals for the Green Hedges roundabout to accommodate the entrance and egress to and from the Countesswells Development which subsequently will need speed restrictions. These are but three examples where a complete re-think would be necessary and therefore opposition to the specific recommendations before the Committee in January would have been futile and, in my opinion, ill advised.

By the time you read this article the FirstBus abandonment of Kingswells will be almost upon us. As I indicated previously, at the time of their initial announcement of their intentions to consider withdrawing these services rather than jump on the bandwagon of other politicians and criticise FirstBus, I approached Stagecoach. Criticising FirstBus was not going to get Kingswells a sustainable and consistent bus service, they were making a commercial decision and only the provision of subsidies to the level that the commercial operator deemed enough would save the service. The decision was made in January with the withdrawal date being 1st April 2017. When that decision was announced it was possible for Stagecoach

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developments I will continue to collate these and consider them all when I am in the situation of having to make decisions on such matters. I have operated in this manner for the last 5 years and will continue in a similar vein should you re-elect me as one of your Councillors on Aberdeen City Council.

to look at what plans they could implement to provide the residents of Kingswells with a sustainable bus service. I have fought, and will continue to fight, for a consistent, sustainable bus service for Kingswells. What FirstBus previously offered, with a frequency at some points in the day of 12 minutes, was not sustainable and invariably not delivered.

Moving forward we need to ensure any service offered is fair, sustainable and delivered consistently for the foreseeable future. I do not want to see the people of Kingswells go through this uncertainty once more in a few years time due to overpromising to placate the few who expect a bus service similar to a densely populated area of a city whilst still wanting to retain the tranquillity of the environment they live in on the outskirts of Aberdeen.

In the next few years there will be major changes which will inevitably affect Kingswells. The opening of the AWPR, the potential for an out of town shopping precinct at Prime West and the potential of the Kingsford West Football Stadium. As the latter two are planning matters I will not comment on these but, rest assured, if the people of Kingswells express their views to me on these or any other planning

Hello, have I got your attention?

There have inevitably been ups and downs of my term as one of your representatives on the Aberdeen City Council but on balance the effort involved has been worth it to ensure your interests are voiced and to protect the community and individuals where necessary by intervention on behalf of constituents as appropriate. You have a community of which you can be rightly proud, I have attempted to retain that situation and hopefully will continue to do so after 4th May 2017 for another 5 years.

David J Cameron Councillor for Kingswells, Sheddocksley and Summerhill Ward Aberdeen City Council Telephone Office: 01224 346612 Mobile: 07876760760

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News from Councillor Delaney...

Just a few weeks into 2017 and we’re looking at the same issues we faced five years ago in respect of poor public transport links in Kingswells. As I write this column we’re days away from knowing what the future of bus services in Kingswells will look like after 1st April. For me the most important issues are to ensure that the village retains a bus service and for buses to turn up on time. Regardless of what type of service is put in place, these priorities will remain at the top of my agenda.

By the time you read this, we will know the outcome and it’s likely to be a mixed blessing. It’s possible you may still have more questions than answers, so I would encourage you to come along to the public meeting (assuming it hasn’t already happened). This is where you will hear first hand about how the new service will operate and there will of course be an opportunity to ask some questions.

Also on transport, the Council is to reduce the speed limit to 40mph on the B1119 from Hazlehead to the Switchback roundabout, Lang Stracht (from Skye Road) to the Switchback roundabout and from the Switchback roundabout to the Kingswells roundabout. I have requested

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that the change be well advertised and variable message signage be put in place prior to implementation to ensure everyone is made aware, unlike what happened last time!

Part of the rationale relates to the changes this area is undergoing with the new housing developments at Maidencraig and Countesswells starting to be built. In addition, the this will ensure consistency along the fuller stretch of road and avoid driver confusion. Following a number of serious accidents and tragic fatalities, the change is will hopefully improve public safety. This was evidenced on the A944 between Kingswells and Westhill where the average speed is now 43mph and there have been no further accidents following that speed reduction. I am pleased to say this proposal received all party backing.

I’m now going to move on to a completely different subject. In politics you win some and you lose some, then you put things behind you and you move on. However, there’s been one ghastly decision which continues to get under my skin and it relates to a once in a lifetime opportunity that I believe the council got so terribly wrong. I am of course talking about Marischal Square.

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As you approach Broad Street from Schoolhill, Union Street or Gallowgate you can’t fail to be underwhelmed by the glaring monstrosity that meets your eye. T wo of Aberdeen’s best loved historic buildings are being dwarfed by a sea of glass. And as it nears completion, any faint hope that it might not be as bad I had thought it would be, is sadly overshadowed as is the case with Marischal College. To say “it’s nae bonny” pretty much sums it up.

During a previous council term I was involved in a workshop to look at various concepts for the site. At that time the preferred option was low rise buildings which complemented both Marischal College and Provost Skene’s House.

There was so much positivity about the opportunities this presented and it was a view which was shared right across the council at that time.

carbuncle which I certainly won’t see the back of during my lifetime, either that or I might be too old and confused to notice!

As you all know, the council has approved a City Centre Masterplan to transform the wider city centre over the next twenty years or so. It’s ambitious, it’s exciting and the “concept” has all party backing. However, the devil’s in the detail and each project needs to be scrutinised on its own merits and cannot merely happen because it’s in the Masterplan. Looking towards the future there is an imperative on all councillors to ensure they get the design, the detail and the finance right as Aberdeen just simply can’t afford another Marischal Square.

As always, please get in touch to raise any concerns you may have.

Regards Steve Delaney

So how could this all have gone so terribly wrong, I hear you say? Well, I’m still trying to make sense of that! This was such a wonderful opportunity to enhance the historic heart of our city and leave a lasting legacy to future generations and in the end we were saddled with an uninspiring

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The Importance of Having a Will… and the Pitfalls of Not! Considering what will happen to your family and estate when you are no longer around can be a daunting prospect. For this reason, many people put off having a Will prepared – the latest figures from Will Aid found that less than half of those surveyed (47%) had a Will in place. However, dying without a Will, known as intestate, can cause delay, expense and distress to your family.

Executors One of the first things we do when creating a Will is to appoint Executors. Executors are responsible for ensuring the administration of your estate is carried out correctly. You should choose people you trust and who would be capable of this role. Without a Will, you have no say in who will be your Executors. Instead, someone will need to apply to the court to have themselves appointed. This can cause not only stress and delay to proceedings, but also added expense.

More importantly, anyone with a right to inherit from your estate can seek to be appointed - which can include people you barely know. The court has no discretion to refuse an application, which means that in the worst case someone entirely unsuitable and untrustworthy could be appointed. If the court receives more than one petition, they will simply appoint those competing parties as joint executors. If these people do not get along and refuse to agree on anything, this can be a disaster!

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Bonds of Caution Without a Will in place, in most circumstances, Executors will require to obtain what is known as a “Bond of Caution”. This is provided by an insurance company and guarantees that the estate will be dealt with correctly for all beneficiaries and creditors. The insurance company will seek to recover, from your Executors, any expenses incurred and a one-off premium which is directly related to the value of your assets. The premium can range from a few hundred pounds, up to tens of thousands: money that would otherwise have gone to your family.

Beneficiaries Without a Will, you have no control over who inherits from your estate. This is instead governed by law.

There is a common misconception that if someone is married and has not made a Will, the spouse will inherit the entire estate. Although a spouse or civil partner has certain entitlements, it is only up to specific values. With an estate valued higher than these entitlements, any children can then be entitled to inherit the remainder. If there are no children, the remainder of the estate will pass to other family members, including parents, siblings, or more distant relatives such as cousins or their children.

Also, if you live with your partner, but are unmarried, he/she is not automatically entitled to inherit from your estate. Instead they will need to raise a claim in court, within a strict time limit and it is entirely at the discretion of the court what (if anything) will be awarded. In addition to this, (unless the beneficiaries determined by law all agree) funds cannot pass to charities, or close friends who you may have wanted to benefit.

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In a Will, you should also specify fall back beneficiaries who will inherit should the first named person fail to survive you. Otherwise, part of your estate may not be covered by your Will and those beneficiaries specified by law will instead be entitled to it.

Other matters covered in a Will If you have young children, you can state who you would wish to be appointed as their guardian in the event of your death.

Whilst not legally binding, this is given weight by the court when making any decisions. Without a Will, there may be no written record of your feelings on this matter.

You can also specify how funds being inherited by young beneficiaries are to be dealt with – for example by saying they should be held in trust until a certain age or paid over to their guardian.

Your Will can also set out your wishes in relation to funeral instructions, giving guidance to your family. A Will can also be beneficial in terms of Inheritance Tax planning, ensuring that you can make the most of the allowances and exemptions which exist.

It is never too early to have your Will put in place, and doing so can give you peace of mind that your affairs are in order. Having a Will can simplify the administration of your estate and avoid additional costs being incurred. More importantly, it can ensure your wishes are carried out and save unnecessary distress being put on your family at what is already a difficult time for them.

Ruth Lussier, Solicitor, Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace

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Here’s to a SensationALL 2017!

2017 has already been a busy year for SensationALL SC043156 with some small scale adaptations already being made to make the Old School House (OSH) more accessable, but it’s just the begining!

By improving the building we will make it more pleasant and useable for the groups who already use OSH and it will encourage new community groups to make use of the improved facilities for a wide range of activities or ages.

SensationALL Fundraising Campaign to make the OSH a centre of excellence for ALL to enjoy!!

YOU can help us make a difference - so please take a moment to consider making a donation to our refurbishment of OSH, either by texting SALL17 £5 to 70070 OR online at www.justgiving.com and search for SensationALL. Fancy FUNdraising For SensationALL? Come and join our FUNdraising Committee!

If you have a few hours to spare, some unique fundraising ideas and would like to meet new people while raising funds for a worthwhile local cause, then you are just the person we need on our fundraising committee. The date and time of our meetings is the first Tuesday of every Month, 5pm at Old School House, Westhill

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Save the Date:

Family Bingo Night Saturday 25th March, 7-12pm @ Westhill Golf Club Contact info@sensationall.org.uk for tickets or details Volunteering Opportunities Do you have an hour or more to spare and would like to make a difference in a fun and friendly environment? Then we would love to hear from you! Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, gain or share new skills and get satisfaction from helping others. Contact our Volunteer Cordinator Sarah Knowles: sarah@sensationall.org.uk SensationALL Membership Another opportunity to get involved in SensationALL is by becoming a member.

Members of SensationALL can be individuals, organisations or businesses and are entitled to vote on what happens in the charity as well as plans for the future use of the OSH. If you are interested in becoming a member then please get in touch with us to find out more.

Please contact us by email info@sensationall.org.uk or by phone (01224) 746699

Westhill Bowling Cub 2016 was a very successful session for Westhill Bowling Club, both at a local and national level.

Locally, our ladies won the Grampian Ladies Knockout Triples and Fours competitions, as well as representing our club at a number of local semi-finals.

Once again, our men topped the Bon Accord Friday night league, won the Bon Accord Knockout Pairs and represented the club in the later stages of a number of local tournaments.

Nationally, two of our juniors, Andrew Reilly and Andrew Thomson, received Scotland call ups to the Under 25 National Team, both in playing in matches against England, Ireland and Wales.

In addition, our Men’s Fours reached the semifinals of the Scottish National Fours event – not a bad set of results for a small club!

We look forward to another successful season in 2017.

The club is open from April to September, and offers both fun and competitive bowling, along with social events for all ages and abilities. We are always looking for new members, with coaching and equipment available for anyone new to the game.

Our club Open Day is being held this year on Sunday 14th May 2017, 2-4pm at the Westhill Bowling Club, Denman Park Pavilion. This relaxed day will allow any member of the community to come and try the sport for free, in a friendly atmosphere.

For more information, please contact club secretary, Lisa Thomson, on 01224 749919.

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Art In Kingswells Come along to a new ART GROUP And enjoy the pleasure of creating art in a media of your choice.

The ART GROUP is self funding and for all, whatever their ability, from the experienced to complete beginners.

Together we can share our experience in art and enjoy exchanging ideas. All you need to bring along are the materials you wish to work with, or just come along if you are a beginner and we will get you started.

We meet on Friday mornings from 10 am in the upper room of the Kingswells Community Centre.

For more information email Valerie at hudvalj@btinternet.com

Bus Stop Suggestion ...

Hello,

I wondered if it might be possible to roll out the idea of members of our community, picking up passengers from our soon to be redundant bus stops, and transporting them down to operating bus routes. This wouldn't mean anyone driving out of there way, but would help the nondriver's who rely on public transport.

The only way this might work, would be if everyone knows that A, if you wait at a bus stop, a fellow villager will take you to the bus route, and B, if your driving to town, and you see someone at a bus stop, you could help out.

It's taking village life back an age, but It could help.

Regards P. Allan - Kingswells Resident

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Final salary pension schemes There are two main types of private pensions; a defined contribution (DC) pension, which is based on how much is paid in, and a defined benefit (DB) pension, which is based on your salary and how long you’ve worked for your employer.

DC pensions involve you, or your employer, paying money into a pension pot that is then put into investments by the pension provider.

Often referred to as final salary pension schemes, DB pensions are always workplace pensions that are arranged by your employer. Many DB schemes also

have rules that entitle workers to take a lower level of income from their pension entitlement in exchange for a cash lump sum.

According to insurance company Royal London, six million people with DB pensions have seen their transfer values increase dramatically in the past year, due to continuing low interest rates.

There are a number of benefits to transferring a DB pension, such as the possibility of extra tax-free cash, a more flexible retirement income and a potentially easier inheritance, as funds can be passed on to heirs.

Whilst this option may work for some, it is important to note that keeping a DB scheme may be a more sensible option, as they can offer extremely valuable inflation protection, the certainty of an income for life, and a

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risk-free income, which does not depend on the ups and downs of the stock market.

Current rules state that those who transfer their DB pensions have to sell the whole thing, increasing the element of risk, as this means that you could be left with a much smaller pension pot.

If you’re eligible to transfer your DB pension, I highly recommend speaking with your financial advisor before making the decision to sell. They will be able to talk you through the best options suited to your financial situation.

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Kingswells SWI December - Members enjoyed the Christmas party.

January - Vice President Margaret Farquhar welcomed Brian Pirie who gave a very informative talk on local bird life and his work ringing and recording the movement of the birds.

Margaret also welcomed two new members.

Competition winners Lentil Soup Bird Feeder 1st M Farquhar 1st M Bruce 2nd P Stuart 2nd P Stuart 3rd N Campbell 3rd N Campbell Meetings are held in Kingswells Church Hall on the second Tuesday of the month.

New members are very welcome.

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Do you enjoy using the park and playing field beside the shops?

Are you aware that there is a lot of rubbish left lying about? Are you maybe using the facilities and forgetting to take your rubbish home with you or popping it into the bins?

Unfortunately the few that do not take home their rubbish or find an appropriate bin to put it in makes the pleasure of using the park and facilities a little less attractive.

Don’t be lazy.

Find a bin and use it!

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Indoor Carpet Bowling Come along and give carpet bowls a try... indoor carpet bowling held at the Community Centre.

The group is needing to swell it’s numbers so they can have a decent game every week. No experience required just come and give it a go.

They do have spare bowls and nothing in the way of special clothing or equipment is required.

In the first instance to gain more info and words of encouragement contact :

Ian Sim Tel: 01224 741178 Mob: 07535221718

Whist at Kingswells

Do you enjoy a game of cards? Then come along to the Kingswells Community Centre on Thursday afternoons from 2 to 4 pm for a friendly game of Whist. Any queries to Helen: 01224 744429

Aberdeen City Libraries @ Kingswells Community Centre Aberdeen City Libraries deliver a fortnightly service to the Kingswells community on Fridays from 2.50 pm to 3.50 pm in the hall at Kingswells Community Centre on Kingswells Avenue.

A selection of books and DVDs, suitable for all ages, are available for loan and library staff are on hand to answer enquiries and assist with reading choices.

Reservations may be placed for stock that is not on display. Theme events will take place at libraries throughout the holidays; further details are available at www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/ Library For further info : Home Service Library tel. 01224 498930 www.gazettemagazines.com t : 07813 964 875

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TOWN & COUNTRY VETERINARY GROUP 30TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR 1987 – 2017

TOWN & COUNTRY VETERINARY GROUP 1987 – 2017 Town & Country Veterinary Group is delighted to announce that it will celebrate its 30th anniversary of trading in 2017.

A BRIEF HISTORY The business was started at our Rubislaw practice in June 1987 by Chris Wiper MRCVS and Liz Geraerts MRCVS. Three years later in 1990, the practices at Westhill and Banchory were acquired from retiring partners, and Bieldside came up for sale 6 weeks later!

Chris ran the Banchory practice, undertaking farm, equine and small animal work (the “Country” part of our practice!) and Liz worked at the other three with the help of a part time vet.

We opened our Kingswells branch in 1997 in order to be able to undertake a larger number of surgical operations, and finally in 2001 we acquired our Millburn practice from a retiring vet and rebuilt it in 2005.

The practice no longer undertakes farm and equine work, and concentrates solely on small animal practice; in fact we are the second largest small animal-only practice in Scotland!

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The business now employs almost 50 staff, full and part time, across the 6 practices, and provides veterinary support for the SSPCA and CPL amongst others. We regularly receive nominations for staff members in the prestigious Petplan Veterinary Awards which we feel reflects their dedication to the care of the animals we see in our surgeries. Chris and Liz have largely stepped back from active practice, but still oversee the general business aspects of the practice, with Liz managing the administrative side of the company, assisted by the HR Manager and Office Administrator and Chris carrying out inspections to riding establishments in the area.

There will be a number of events planned across all six branches throughout the year to mark this milestone in the practice’s history, and we do hope that you and your pets will be able to come along and help us to celebrate in style!

Please look out for posters in your local branch, announcements on Facebook and in the local press.

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Why do we change the clocks?

It’s time to turn the clocks forward an hour at 1 am on 26th March. This time when sunrise and sunset are one hour later on the clock is known as British Summer Time, or Daylight Saving Time.

It is believed that the concept was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784 in an essay entitled; ‘An Economical Project for Diminishing the Cost of Light.’

Ancient civilisations had already been adopting similar concepts however by adjusting their routines in accordance with the sun’s schedules.

The first official modern use of Daylight Saving Time was in Ontario in 1908, and several other Canadian cities followed. At around the same time MP Robert Pearce proposed a bill in the House of Commons based on work done by British Builder William Willett around moving the clocks eight times a year to achieve similar results.

This was rejected.

Germany became the first European country to introduce Daylight Saving Time in April 1916. Its rationale was that the use of artificial light would be reduced and thus there would be more fuel for the war effort.

Britain followed shortly after in May 1916.

Daylight Saving Time is now utilised in over 70 countries world wide although dates of implementation and clock adjustments vary.

The main benefits of Daylight Saving Time are said to be: - The opportunity to make better use of natural daylight

- A decrease in road accidents because roads are naturally lit during the time when most vehicles are using them Some studies such as one carried out by the Belfast Telegraph also claim that the extra hour of daylight means that tourists stay out longer and spend more money - an extra £6.34 million in Northern Ireland alone.

Some are not in favour though. For example, traditional dairy farmers claim Daylight Saving Time disrupts milking routines.

This mainly affects developing countries as elsewhere milking is automated. Some research has also shown that there is a greater risk of people having accidents or being the victims of crime because they leave their houses in the morning when it’s still dark. Some studies have suggested that in the first few days after the clocks go forward there are more heart attacks too.

Finally for those of us who struggle to remember when we turn the clocks forward and when they go back, this little phrase may help: ‘Spring Forward, Fall Back,’ as the time when clocks go back always happens in the Autumn. This year in the UK, the date when Greenwich Mean Time will begin again is 29th October.

- The ability to conserve energy that would otherwise be By Susan Brookes-Morris used on artificial light

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Rotary International

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Would you like to be part of an organisation which supports the needs of communities locally, nationally and internationally?

If so, becoming a member of Westhill & District Rotary Club could be the thing for you.

We are involved with organising Young Musician and Young Speaker competitions, Youth Leadership camps, Senior Citizens Christmas dinner as well as other activities.

We are also involved in various local galas and assist at some Highland Games. Wherever there is a disaster (eg earthquakes overseas, flooding at home) the Rotary family supplies aid.

Membership of our Club is open to any person regardless of age, sex or creed. The only requirement is a desire to be of service in the community. Whilst most of our members come from Westhill a number come from the wider District. Look at our Website and Facebook pages to find out more.

If what we do is of interest then get in touch, you would be made most welcome. Service, Fellowship and Fun are the bywords.

We meet every week, 6.15pm on a Thursday, at the Broadstraik Inn in Westhill.

Contact person is Colin Currie – currie811@ btinternet.com, 01224 741546, 07712 531649

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Mondays at Kingswells Church Hall, 19:30-21:00 Suitable for all abilities. Please contact Britta for further information, see contact details above.

Woodburn Walkers

Enjoy the countryside, meet new friends, keep fit - join the Woodburn Walkers.

Age 50+ Transport - Hire Bus, Fortnightly - Tuesday’s Starting point Hazlehead Park Time 9am for 9.15 Average Distance 7 miles contact numbers are 01224 323925 and 01224 318075.

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