Cumming North

Summer Edition 2010

Woodlan R a n ge r d pg 7

in d e r u t a e F ssue th i s i Young Skaters

Extreme sports programme for young people

Northfield Neep

Church News

Sports News

A pensioner and his garden

From Scott Guy

All the latest sport from Northfield

Summer Edition 10

CONTENTS

EDITORIAL

2

Police Update

3&4

Westpark Primary School

4

Lynsey Keeps it Going Aberdeen Solo Club

6

Northfield Neep Come & Play

7

Woodland Ranger

8

Northfield Community Centre Young Skaters

9

Young Mums United Grandparents as Parents

10

Cummings Park Community Flat

11

Brimmond Hill - A Brief History

Hello, and welcome to the Summer 2010 issue of Cumming North. We are striving to publish three editions a year now, so the past few weeks have been hectic as those of you involved with creating the magazine will be aware. Cumming North is a way for anyone from Northfield or Cummings Park to tell others about what’s going on, or as a way to make your own voice heard.

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Northfield Parish Church News Evelyn Hope

Thank you to those who have submitted pieces for print, worked on designing the magazine and chased up people for articles. Your hard work is very much appreciated!

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shmu News

14

Councillors News

15

Golf Update

Anyone who wishes to submit an article they think is newsworthy for the next issue is more than welcome to do so. If you are involved in anything that you think others in the area would be interested to hear about, please let us know.

If you live in either Cummings Park or Northfield and would like to submit an article for the Autumn-Winter issue of Cumming North, or would like to become involved in any aspect of the magazine, of which there are many, and training can be arranged, then please contact: Cumming North magazine Publications Department Station House Media Unit Email: cummingnorthmag@shmu.org.uk Tel: 01224 515013

F U N D E D a nd su p p o r t ed BY

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Police Update

Grampian Police Update of motorcycles, drug related issues and antisocial behaviour.

Although some measures have already been put in place to address these issues I appreciate that there is still a lot of work to be done in the long term. I wish to stress at this point that, we as police officers would not have the ability to do our jobs without the support and assistance of the community. I would urge you to make contact with us at an early stage should we be able to assist you with any policing matter or even just stop for a chat. You are our ‘eyes and ears’, and it’s your community.

Police Inspector Midge Mackay

As the Northfield Local Policing Inspector I have responsibility for the area which serves the residents of Northfield, Cummings Park, Heathryfold and Middlefield. I lead a team of 3 Sergeants, Tom Lessels, Dave Paterson and Colin Hood, and over 20 Police Constables.

On 1 April 2010, Grampian Police, Aberdeen Division restructured.

This meant that Aberdeen city moved from 6 areas policed by Response and Neighbourhood Officers, to 13 individual areas policed by officers from their own Local Policing Teams (LPT’s).

The decision to restructure followed consultation with the public where it was learnt that they felt police officers were remote, were unaware of community needs, had limited knowledge of local issues and were rarely visible in their communities. The police officers themselves wanted more ownership of local issues to build on their personal awareness, more empowerment to take effective action, while also seeking the capacity to remain in identified local areas to deal with local calls.

In real terms, when you phone asking for service from the police you should be seen by a local officer from the Northfield Policing Team, he or she will have knowledge of the area, the community within and the issues that require to be addressed. We are looking for long term solutions to problems and not quick temporary fixes.

I recently stated in a local newspaper that the three main issues I intended tackling in the area related to the irresponsible use

We work very closely with other agencies such as the City Wardens, Antisocial Behaviour Investigation Team, Housing Officers and Grampian Fire and Rescue, to name but a few. We are always looking for new ways to engage with the local community and we take part in local youth initiatives where possible. The most recent being our involvement with Grampian Fire and Rescue and the City Wardens every Thursday night at Northfield Community Centre in a football tournament.

At present I, along with my team, work from Mastrick Police Office, Greenfern Place, Aberdeen, where officers from other Local Policing Teams are also based. We work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be contacted via the details on the back page of this magazine. If you decide to call personally at the office, which I would encourage, you may not always get an answer, this is because the officers will be out working in community. It is sometimes beneficial to make an appointment prior to calling but this is not always necessary.

This is a very brief introduction to the new Northfield Local Policing Team, I hope it gives you an insight as to how the restructure will benefit the communities of Aberdeen as a whole. For those of you who haven’t met me already I look forward to meeting you.

Although the restructure took place only a short time ago I have been encouraged by the response and support from the Northfield community and I look forward to working alongside you in order to make the Northfield, Cummings Park, Heathryfold and Middlefield areas a safer place to live, work and socialise in.

You can read more about Local Policing Inspector Midge Mackay and the Northfield area on the Grampian Police website www.

Grampian.Police.uk, thereafter select ‘Your Area’, ‘Aberdeen Division’, ‘Northfield’.

Non emergency - 0845 600 5 700 Our text number is - 07739 93 4444 Anonymously the charity Crimestoppers - 0800 555 111 Email: mypolicingarea@grampian.pnn.police.uk - Mention Insp Mackay’s name or area in all communications.

Write: c/o Force HQ, Queen Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1ZA

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Westpark School

Westpark School This session, the Primary 7 pupils at Westpark have been extremely busy and have benefited greatly from all the exciting learning opportunities they have participated in.

They have shown great commitment and enthusiasm for learning and have approached tasks with dedication and a ‘can-do’ attitude.

As a result they have achieved a significant amount and have experienced real success. Above all they are friendly, mannerly boys and girls and it has been a pleasure and privilege to join them in their learning journey at Westpark school.

We wish them all the very best as they make the move to S1. They will be greatly missed by all staff and pupils and have set an excellent example for those who follow. This is what they said about their year…

P7s charging at Culloden

P7’s Best Memories

Trip to Culloden and Fort George We got this trip because we earned it by selling Fairtrade items at the coffee morning on the 18th of March and we raised £160.

It was a long journey and we had to be at school by 6:50 a.m. but it was worth it. When we arrived a kind Jacobite showed us around the field and the centre. He also showed us the weapons that they used at the battle; we were also shown a re-enactment

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of the Battle of Culloden. After Culloden we headed up to Fort George and were greeted by a Hanoverian soldier. He showed us around the fort and he told us that Edinburgh Castle could fit in the fort. He also told us about the history of the Hanoverians and what weapons they used. We arrived back at school at 5:00p.m.

Westpark School

Trip to Dalguise Our best trip was when 20 P7 pupils and 2 adults went to Dalguise, Perthshire.

We did many different types of activities such as abseiling, quad biking, archery, fencing, eco trail, zip wire and many, many more. We ate lots of delicious food such as bacon, sausages, egg, toast, soup, chicken, beef and the amazing salad bar. There was loads of staff to support us around and about.

Things we will miss about Westpark We will miss all the teachers and staff including our Headteacher, Mr Cowie and Deputy Headteacher Mrs Webster.

We will miss all the other classes including the nursery. We hope that we could come back and visit the new Primary 7s. We enjoyed the trips including Choices for Life. The bands were Girls Can’t Catch, Hip Parade, Bandito and Stevie Hoang.

But the person we will miss the most is Mrs Atkinson our Primary 7 teacher.

Skills we have learned at Westpark Co-operation skills Looking after our bodies Understanding other countries and continents How to vote in an election Physical exercise skills and different balances Reading different types of text, such as recipes, newspapers, novels, myths and poems How to look after babies Maths skills Listening and talking skills, including debating

We will all miss Westpark school!

Fairtrade Stall at our March Coffee Morning.

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Local News

Lynsey Keeps It Going April 2004 at the Northfield Rainbow, brownies and guides N.C.D (Northfield community disco) did their first ever disco!

Emma Thomson and Lynsey White were the two who presented the music and dance which was followed a few weeks later by another at the same venue. Some people were a bit sceptical about this saying nobody would trust kids coming and doing disco’s for them. The girls kept plodding along and by summer they were getting bookings from a number of schools and clubs then by Xmas they were out the door with bookings. Emma and Lynsey were joined by Krista Cairns, Natalie Urquhart, Kimberly Ingles, and Amy McCarthy who were there a number of times over the years.

Mastrick CC which they really enjoyed. They were going to schools, clubs all over Aberdeen from Northfield to Torry, Kingswells to Seaton, Culter to Bridge of Don. Where there was normally four girls at any one time this as the years went on became three until it was back to just Emma and Lynsey again. Emma then left because of work commitments but has on occasion helped out when possible. The past year or so Lynsey has been doing it on her own although due to work she has not always been available at the times required. Discos are not happening so much now and most schools seem to want a Thursday night which means that some cannot get a booking but all the girls agreed they had fun while they were doing it and thought it was well worthwhile. Lynsey is at the moment keeping it going but for how long who knows, how much longer the equipment will last is another issue as some is borrowed to get by. Having said that Northfield Community Disco has been and at the moment still is a great addition to the communities of Aberdeen so keep going lynsey as long as you can.

Lynsey now does a show on SHMU FM 99.8 Sundays from 6-7pm so tune in I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

The girls won a few awards during their peak period and were doing sometimes as much as 4-5 discos a week. A limit was imposed because it was affecting their schoolwork due to tiredness, not a popular decision but it had to be done. They have also had the privilege of working with northsound’s super DJ John McRuvie at

Aberdeen Solo Club 15 Bon-Accord Square (enter via the basement stairs)

Aberdeen Solo Club are looking for new members around the 60yr. age group, they meet every Monday evening at 15 bon-accord square 7pm. The evening starts with a little game of bingo followed by raffles and lucky numbers, then the bulk of the night is dancing, socialising and meeting new and old friends. Should you be on your own, single a widow or widower and want something to do on

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a Monday night then why don’t you come along and have a great night at the Aberdeen solo club.

For further details you can contact Molly Kelman on 01224 586439 You’ll have fun at the Aberdeen Solo Club please come along!

Local News

Northfield Neep A pensioner and his garden Ne’er cast a cloot nor plant a tender flower before May is oot, wise words sometimes but here I am on the 22nd May getting some of my tender fruits into the ground with fingers crossed that Jack Frost has gone on holiday away up north. There are not too many veggie plots to be seen nowadays but a fresh tattie or neep straight from the ground is still a treat. I have a small plot nowadays (old age creeping up on me) and I have been preparing the ground with fertilizer and weed clearing, my aim is to get the sprouts in, grow some tatties in bags and some carrots (hopefully will protect from the dreaded fly) row or two of neeps to sweeten the broth, I may even try a row of peas and try to resist eating them as I pick them.

However most of my efforts have been with flower seeds and shrubs, the shrubs have had their annual haircut and looking neat and shapely, the seeds for the borders or two are doing well in the greenhouse with a number of hanging baskets waiting to filled. This afternoon a lovely warm sun beckoned me out and I planted my geraniums in a border with a hope and a prayer, there are also a large amount of bedding plants available in superstores nowadays if you don’t want to start your own but it’s time to get cracking and get them in. Don’t forget to water in the greenhouse, cut the grass weekly and do plenty of work with the hoe to keep weeds at bay. Now is there anybody there who knows how to treat a pensioners creaky back.

Come & Play!

Aberdeen Play Forum’s role is to promote children’s rights to Play, and with funding from Inspiring Scotland have developed a new project to increase outdoor Free Play opportunities in Aberdeen. For example, by ensuring that planners really consider the need for safe, accessible and natural play spaces within every community.

Free Play is ‘old-school play’ - play without frills, gadgets or rules, full of imagination, movement and probably a bit of mud too!

Cherie and Soozy are two Play Development Workers, appointed to make this a reality. For Example, by running Free Play sessions for children and their parents/guardians/carers in two areas; through supporting communities to get involved in Play Day on 4th August; and potentially linking communities with organisations which could help improve natural play spaces in your neighbourhoods.

We hope you can get involved!

For more information, please contact Cherie or Soozy: cherie.morgan@aberlour.org.uk, 07854958104

Sunnybank Junior Football Club After winning the Grill League Cup, the Heathryfold Park side clinched the League Championship with two games to spare, they then capped this excellent achievement off with winning the Inter-Regional Cup against Broughty Athletic at Dundee’s North End Park .

A delighted Bank manager Tom McPherson said: “To win the Superleague, the League Cup and now the Inter-Regional Cup is a tremendous achievement and the fact we’ll have the vast majority of the same squad next season augurs well for the new campaign.”

After securing their first league title in more than a decade, SUNNYBANK have now targeted Super league domination for years to come.

Good Luck and well done to the Sunnybankers, hopefully someone can write new songs for them next season.

soozy.lai@aberlour.org.uk, 07772226617

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Woodland Ranger

Community

Woodland Ranger Some of you may know me and some of you may not so let me introduce myself...

My name is Stephen, I work as a

John Muir Award as a single Project or

bird feeders with the After School Club

Woodlands Community Ranger

deliver outdoor learning sessions on our

to summer time walks searching for

(countryside ranger in the city, basically!!)

woodland sites, which can incorporate

mini beasts at Manor Park Community

in Aberdeen’s target areas. I have been

both.

Gardens/Auchmill Community Gardens.

working (cadging cups of tea, using your loos, catching up on the gossip, etc)

I have extensive experience working with

in your communities for over 3 years

clients who have mental/physical health

(to some, it may seem longer!) and have

issues and also with those passing through

enjoyed every minute of it. I especially

the Criminal Justice System (minor offences

like the Byron Bakery (although there are

to custodial sentence to release and re

other fine bakeries in Aberdeen) and can

integration). I also run health walks, in

be found there many mornings purchasing

partnership with NHS Grampian, which

my lunch and not being able to refuse a

weave in and out of your wooded/green

bacon softie!

sites and cater for all capabilities.

My work is client driven in order to

So, what have I been up to in your

deliver the services you provide to your

community?

clients and to those in your community.

My services range from curriculum based

I have worked with community groups out

straightforward educational sessions to

of the Community Centre at Byron Square

working with the client to develop wild

and joined Jackie on Northfield Matters

life gardens to delivering sessions in

at SHMU. In addition to this I have

line with whatever topic is covered at

worked with Anne (I can’t believe you are

that time by community projects. I am

away!!!) at Cummings Park Community

qualified to deliver Forest School and the

Flat. This ranged from making pine cone

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More recently, I have worked on the “backie” at the Community Flat to start the ball rolling with the development of the garden area. With my Friday group of workers, we came in, skimmed a large area of turf and removed to Hazlehead to prepare the ground for the skilled workers to put the slabs down. We did this for no charge (allowing Anne to divert the savings to other services within the Community Flat) and offer this kind of service to all groups looking to develop their own worksite but need that “first step” Please feel free to contact me on 01224 897400 to discuss any activities you are thinking of organising.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Stephen

NCC News

Community Learning and Development @

Northfield Community Centre

NEW BOXING CLUB’S A BIG HIT Only a month after opening Byron Amateur Boxing Club has more than 60 attending their nightly sessions.

The club meets at Northfield Community Centre on Monday’s and Wednesday’s 6.30 – 7.30pm for youths and 7.15 to 8.30pm for adults and women’s boxercise.

Some nights more than 25 women and their daughters have been turning up for the exercise sessions.

Meantime, the number of young people attending has increased weekly to more than 20 regulars.

Young Skaters Community Learning and Development, in partnership with Transition Extreme, ran a very successful 6 week extreme sports programme for young people in the Northfield area.

The programme consisted of 6 young people attending 2 weekly sessions, one at Northfield Skate Park and one at Transition Extreme. They received some coaching sessions in the park and started to learn more about the wider culture of Extreme sports.

The initiative provided cleaning equipment for the Skate Park, brushes and bins to clear glass away before each session and the young people have been keen to look

after their community’s skate park.

Northfield Community Centre now also has 8 skateboards that the young people can access in order to try out the sport without having to buy equipment.

Along with learning new tricks, or in some cases how to skate or ride from scratch, the young people also had sessions on skateboard maintenance and actually put the skateboards that the programme has together from the scratch. The idea behind this is that the young people are now able to maintain the boards themselves and this will allow other young people in the area to get involved and use the equipment and maybe pick up some of the pointers that this group have now learned.

The group did get one big surprise during the programme when Aberdeen born pro

skater John Rattray turned up at Northfield skate park one Friday afternoon to show them some moves and just generally hang out and speak to them. If you are not into skateboarding think Willie Miller turning up at your five asides for a kick about.

Community Learning and Development and Transition Extreme intend to run more partnership programmes like this in the future with the young people from this group taking a big role in developing this and helping to encourage other young people who might not have thought about getting involved to come along and join in.

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NCC News

Young Mums United For the past six weeks, Northfield Community Centre has played host to a young parents group, run by parents for parents. “We saw a need and we acted upon it”, said Paula, one of the young parents who organises the group, “it’s a really good atmosphere and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved in such a short time”.

The group meets up every Friday, between 12.30 and 2.45, and provides a place for both children and parents to meet, socialise and interact. Although originally run as a pilot project by Aberdeen City Council’s Community Learning and Development, such has been its success that the group is set to continue for the foreseeable future.

Laura, another young mum, spoke on behalf the group when she told of her delight that the group is to continue, “I’m relieved to find we can carry on over the summer,

it’s great to be able to come in, meet up with friends and have a laugh, oh, and the bairns enjoy it too”.

Ian McVicar, the local Community Learning Worker, has been impressed with the commitment and enthusiasm shown by all those concerned, “they’re a great bunch of girls, who have responded to the needs of their community and acted”, “this really is community development is action”.

If you are interested in coming along, contact Northfield Community Centre on 01224 695416 or drop in on a Friday afternoon. Last word on the subject really should go to Bev, a mainstay of the group, “you’re all welcome to come along” she said, “But if you do, please remember to bring a box of aspirin, you might need it”.

GAP @ NORTHFIELD COMMUNITY CENTRE Are you a “second time parent” looking after familial offspring because of difficulties such as parental death, parental drug problems or abandonment?

Yes? Then Grandparents as Parents may be the support you’re looking for.

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The support group which meets every second Friday (10am – 12pm) at Northfield Community Centre offers a warm welcome, a cuppie, a chat and the sharing of information.

Grandparents as Parents is a self-help group run for Kinship Carers by Kinship Carers who understand what this full time, permanent commitment can mean.

Group members all agree “we have found the support of others to be invaluable, sharing worries and knowing you are not alone helps reduce anxiety and stress”.

GAP

(Grandparents As Parents)

CPCF News

COMMUNITY LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT @ Cummings Park The Cummings Park Community Flat at 122 Cummings Park Drive is increasingly busy as local residents find out about the opportunities available.

If you haven’t checked it out yet why not come to the Fun Day on Wednesday 21st July? The Flat will be open from 10am – 12pm, 2pm – 4pm and 6pm – 8pm.

Activities on offer include Barbeque, Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, Cooking, Food Co-op, Jobs and Career Information and much more. Community Learning and Development staff will provide information on Adult Learning and Youth Work opportunities available at the Flat and nearby Centres.

CUMMINGS PARK COMMUNITY FLAT Currently there is a youth group for P6 and P7’s on a Thursday evening, a teenagers group on Monday evenings and a young cooking group late Monday afternoon. Over the coming year new youth groups are planned for Tuesday and Wednesday evenings along with groups for young adults in the afternoon.

Community Learning and Development supports the local community to develop this valuable local resource and provide staffing (partly funded by Fairer Scotland) for much of the activities at the Flat.

Sadly, Anne Hadden who has worked at the Flat for a number of years retires at the end of June and there

have been rumours of the Flat’s closure.

Colin Wright, local Community Learning Manager, was keen to deny these rumours, “It’s not our intention to close the Flat or relocate services.

In fact the intention is to expand and develop services at the Flat in partnership with the local community”.

Adult learning opportunities currently include Arts and Crafts, Women’s Group, Driving Theory test practice, ESOL, Literacy and some Cooking and Computing classes. Again over the coming year it’s planned to at least double the number of activities for adults.

The Flat also provides easy access to the local Credit Union and cheap fruit and vegetables through the Food Co-op on Thursday mornings.

As a resource base for local groups to meet the Flat is home to Cummings Park Community Forum.

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Brimmond Hill

by Mike Middleton A BRIEF HISTORY

Towering over all she surveys, Brimmond hill stands at 870feet above sea level and can command views for over 50 miles. This landmark hill features in local charters since the late 1500s and has had a fascinating and colourful history down the centuries.

In 1627 a party of Burgesses set out to find a space on the hill for the establishment of a fire beacon.

This lead to a small croft being established at Watchman brae, with a house for the Watchman who would light a beacon to warn of danger whenever he spotted a foreign vessel approach Aberdeen.

There is a legend which says that in 1643 the tenants of Craibstone reported a vast army of horse and foot in the morning mist. The army appeared to lose its way and simply vanished.

Another mysterious army was reported in the same area in 1746.

Talking of mysteries, floating lights were often seen of a night in the wilds of Brimmond hovering over boggy ground and in those days people believed they were fairy lights of supernatural origin. We believe the lights were the famous will o’ the wisp which used to exist in ancient times.

The hill is home to a variety of wild life and still has a small group of red grouse that nest on the hill as well as curlew and lapwing, hares and roe deer are seen and if you are keen sighted you may spot an illusive fox. Today, you’ll see the hill clad in heather and gorse Brimmond.

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Look out for strange looking ridges on Brimmond Hill’s West side.

They look very much like over grown potato rows, but are in fact part of the old agricultural system known as rig and furrow in which oxen pulled a large wooden plough to create long furrows for sowing corn and barley.

The natural features seen on the hill today were moulded in bygone days by ice. There is still an area called the Glacier that has since been covered in gorse. This was a gouged out area of the East facing slope which appeared as if it had been cut or quarried.

There is still an area called the Glacier that has since been covered in gorse

On the top of the hill there is a long ridge that runs north and south reflecting the old name for Brimmond, which was Drummond – meaning hill of the ridge. Walk along this ridge to the top and you will find a marker indicating the far away hills. It was erected in the summer of 1917 and

was dedicated by the Stoneywood Literary Guild to the fallen of the Great War. Nestled in the shadow of Brimmond, on the west side, you will find the Douping Stein. This is one of many stones marking the freedom lands of Aberdeen which were granted by charter to the city by Robert the Bruce in 1319. The Douping Stein is a cup marked stone thought to be of significance in prehistoric times.

There are also a number of prehistoric cairns in the vicinity. The Long Cairn sits in a field on the farm of the same name and there are a number of Bronze Age sites used by the Beaker People at the foot of Brimmond, for example several stone cists containing skeletons and their famous clay cups, were unearthed at the farm of Borrowstone.

Brimmond has two car parks and a road for walkers right to the top so there is no excuse for not visiting.

So get oot and get up there, jist watch for Coo sharn on yer feet! Oh and dinna forget tae tack a drink cos you might jist need it.

Follow the road to Newhills out of Bucksburn and turn left after you drive past the old church

Church News

Northfield Parish

CHURCH NEWS Summer is usually a quieter and more relaxing time in the church. There are no meetings, the organisations are taking a well-deserved break and the schools are all on holiday.

It still remains, however, the favourite time for weddings!

Our two Youth for Christ volunteers, Tom & Laura, have now returned to their homes in London & Manchester, having been in Aberdeen since last September. During this time they have built up excellent relations with the young people in our communities. They have been involved in our Sunday Breakfast Club, in the primary schools at Westpark & Heathryburn and at Northfield Academy as well as youth groups in Middlefield & Mastrick and we will really miss them.

Although there will be no Sunday Breakfast Club during the school holidays, the children are encouraged to come to church with a parent and enjoy worshipping together.

Our Strawberry Fair will be held on Saturday 17 July from 2 - 4pm in the Church Hall and everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy all that is on offer.

I hope that each one of you, whether you are going away or staying at home, have a wonderful, sunny summer. As always we will be very pleased to see you at any of our church services on Sundays at 10.30 am.

Enjoy the summer, Scott C. Guy (Minister, Northfield Parish Church)

Evelyn Hope Northfields Own Sweet Adeline “You like to sing, don’t you?”

I was asked this question by a friend back in 1989 and that began my association with the Aberdeen Chorus of Sweet Adelines, a group of women who sing unaccompanied four part vocal harmany.

Sweet Adelines began in America and now has a chorus membership all over the world, from Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK. There are 28 choruses in the UK but only 4 in Scotland, Edinburgh, the Borders and two in Aberdeen. The Aberdeen Chorus was the original one in Scotland and during its 30 years in existence it has grown until now we have 94 members.

We are always looking for new talent so if you like to sing (and don’t say “I can’t sing”) and would like a challenge, why don’t you come along to our Monday night rehearsal in the Britannia Hotel, Bucksburn. For more information visit our website on www.aberdeenchorus.co.uk On August 21st we are having an afternoon show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and on September17th we are doing a show in the Music Hall in aid of Cornerstone Charity.

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Councillors Comments

Councillors Comments Fairer Scotland Fund.

As I stated previously I have been working with resident of Northfield & Cummings Park to distribute the Fairer Scotland Fund. Our task was made all the harder as Aberdeen City Council had reduced it this year by 5%. However we were able to make the following awards.

Cummings Park Community Media in Cummings Park £7,500; Cummings Park Community Flat £30,000; Our Story - Arts and Participation for Regeneration £7,500; Northfield Community Media in Northfield £5,500; Home-Start Northfield £8,149; All The World’s A Stage? £10,330; Northfield Community Boxing £4,110; Sense Art Project £6,050; Youth Festival Workshops £853 Potholes in Springhill Road.

I have received a number of complaints regarding the potholes in Sprinhill Road and although it has taken a couple of months I recently received the following response from a council officer.

“I have recently had approval for additional funding for resurfacing works. One of the schemes for which I have approval is the section of Springhill Road from Ythan Road to Greenfern Road. I will shortly be preparing the documents for this resurfacing scheme and should hopefully be able to carry out the resurfacing works before the end of June.”

Union Terrace Gardens.

Although not a local issue a lot of people have phoned or e-malied myself to explain how the votes were cast. I voted against the Sir Ian Woods proposals. However the final Vote was 20 for Sir Ian Wood proposals with the Council and the citizens of Aberdeen possibly having to pick up some of the tab, and 7 for “Sir Ian Woods proposals with a condition that Aberdeen City Council is not liable for any Capital expenditure in respect of the project, or for any consequential revenue spending in respect of payment of loan interest incurred by other public or private funders of the project. As I did not support Sir Ian woods proposals I did not vote for either.

In the previous round of votes, the position that I supported was that we did not support Sir Ian Woods proposals and supported Peacocks proposals tied 14 - 14 with the proposal “ Support Sir Ian Woods proposals with a condition that no money came from the public purse” The Lord Provost used his casting vote to support the latter.

I repeat this went against the proposal that won.

Councillor Gordon Graham

Earlier this year, I attended the official launch of Northfield Reads at the Library in Northfield Academy. I was really impressed with the amount of work that had gone in to this project from both Staff and Pupils and was delighted to hear that they had also received Lottery funding for the project. Northfield Reads not only serves the pupils of Northfield Academy, but also the feeder primary schools and the wider community, which is one of the reasons that both Cllr Kevin Stewart and I decided to donate the last of our ward budgets for 2009/10 to it.

Aberdeen City Council has just rolled out our new waste collection scheme where each of the three bins that households have will be collected fortnightly. This is part of our drive to increase recycling and reducing the amount of waste being sent to landfill. This will save the council in the region of £800,000 a year, money that would have otherwise been wasted on Landfill tax.If you are experiencing any difficulty, would like some advice or wish to have more recycling containers then please do not hesitate to contact the Waste Aware Team on 08456 08 09 19 or visit them online at www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/wasteaware for more information on reducing, reusing and recycling.

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Contact Details If you would like to contact me regarding an issue you may have, then you can do so by writing to Councillor Jackie Dunbar at 127 Manor Avenue, Middlefield, Aberdeen, AB16 7UT Or by calling either 01224 522522 Or by emailing me at jdunbar@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Many thanks Councillor Jackie Dunbar

Station House Media Unit (shmu) is situated just off Great Northern Road in the old Station House Community Centre, Woodside. We offer free access to, and training in video and radio production, and magazine and online publications to residents of all ages living in Seaton, Woodside, Middlefield, Tillydrone, Torry, Northfield and Cummings Park.

t 01224 515013

e info@shmu.org.uk

www.shmu.org.uk

shmuFM Your community radio update Becoming a radio presenter for her community has helped turn Jacqui Innes’ life around. “SHMU has been a salvation for me as due to a bad accident I was vegetating at home and getting depressed,” she said, adding that her depression has now lifted.

“

I’ve been in the show now for almost two years and I love it! It’s great when you get emails calls and texts from your regular and new listeners.”

She said she’s always looking for more people to phone in with their opinions, comments, ideas or requests.

The guests are great, always varied and differ from show to show - and I’m always learning. I’d like to give a big thank you to Barry the van man, Gary my taxi driver, the Byron 3 - Jim, Mike and Dod, and especially to David and Hazel, just a few of my local listeners. And the biggest thank you to my hubby, my greatest critic.

Jacqui Innes

”

Beginners Training (6 weeks) Mondays 7pm – 9pm 2nd August – 6th September 20th September – 25th October Fridays 1pm – 3pm 6th August – 10th September 24th September – 29th October

shmuFM is offering training opportunities to anyone who lives or works within Cummings Park or Northfield.

The training will run in blocks of 6 weeks. As well as learning new exciting skills in radio production, presenting and broadcasting you will meet new people, build your confidence and self-esteem.

If this sounds like something you fancy getting involved with please phone 01224 515013, or email training@shmu.org.uk. You can also text us on 60300 - start your message with training, leave a space and then leave your name. Whatever way you get in touch, someone will be in contact with you ASAP.

You need to be quick though as spaces are limited!

16-19? ucation, Not in ed nt employme ing? or train

Are you

ek? e W r e p 5 5 Fancy £

Then come along to shmuTRAIN taster sessions in September.

We are looking for 8 enthusiastic 16 -19 year olds who are not in education, employment or training to take part in a twelve week training programme that will fun from October to December 2010.

Please call Chrissie on 01224 515013 to find out more or email chrissie@ shmu.org.uk 22

GOLF AUCHMILL GOLF CLUB

This is a very special charity for Diane as her daughter Katie was born 7 weeks early. She was very poorly for her first 6 weeks in this world and without the help and support from the dedicated staff in the special nursery Katie may not have been here today.

JUNIOR SECTION On Thursday 15th July at the British Open at St Andrews Junior Convenor Mark Albiston and John Harwood will be coaching on the putting area of ClubGolf arena. Already this year they have coached at the European Golf Show at the AECC as well as conducting coaching of level 1 classes at Auchmill Golf Course.

LADIES SECTION Diane Lyon from Auchmill Ladies G.C. organised a fund raiser in aid of Aberdeen Maternity Hospitals “Special Nursery” at, on Friday 4 June 2010.

The event included a Mini Ryder Cup Challenge against Caledonian Ladies G.C. which will be held on a yearly basis.

Which Auchmill won 8 1/2 to 2 1/2 There was also Raffle which helped raise £887.00 in total for the special nursery..

The Lord Byron Lounge Golf Club It all began when Aberdeen City Council decided that the city should have another golf course. Brian Hugget, one of the two professionals involved with designing the coarse was overheard to remark that only Aberdeen Council could say,here’s a disused quarry. Make it a golf course!’’ the professionals set to the task and the Auchmill Golf Course opened, first as a nine hole course to be extended at a later date.

These trophies are proudly displayed in the Lounge. There are five outings a year which are subsidised by the club; Braemar, Ballater, Turriff, Inverurie and Insch. The club is always welcomed to these venues, both for its custom and good behaviour.

The management and the staff of the Lord Byron have always played a large part in the success of the club, by helping with fundraising and providing accommodation for meetings.

In the Lord Byron Lounge, a great deal of interest was shown by customers as many of them played golf although few for them were actually members of golf clubs because of working their shifts off shore.

Present Committee; Capt, Fred Milne, Tres, Chubby, Match Secretary Ali Fagan, Vice Captain Dick Reaper Comm. Trevor Slater.

Sandy Cruickshank the Manager of the Lord Byron and a few others felt that a club could be formed so a notice went up asking all who were interested to submit there names. Over thirty names appeared and a meeting was called where twenty- three attended.

A committee was formed which consisted of Norman Hope, Captain; George McGregor, Vice Captain; Sandy Cruickshank, Sec/Treasurer and two ordinary members, Robbie Reid and Dave Buchan. Thus the Lord Byron Golf Club was born.

A programme of Monthly Medals and a Captains Prize was initiated with dates and times organised to suit the members.

From these humble beginnings the club has blossomed. There are now thirty-two members competing for nineteen trophies during the season.

Membership forms available in Lord Byron Lounge.

Criteria; Play Golf and Drink in Byron.