Mastrick Matters Autumn2011

mastrick matters

Autumn Edition 2011

Inside this issue:

SUMMERTIME Playscheme Pics

WISHAW GAMES 11 Medal Haul

FAMILY FUN Gala Day

BUS SERVICES Campaign

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mastrick matters Autumn Edition 2011

8&9

5

10

CONTENTS 2

Editorial

3

Operation Trinity

4

Wishaw Games

6&7

Boys Brigade 5

Summer Playschemes

6 & 7

Morrisons, Tesco, Traffic

8 & 9

Family Fun Day

10

Bus Services

11

CAP

12

Are You Special?

13

Smoke Free Homes & Cars

14

SHMU

15

Mastrick Community Centre Family Learning Updates

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Community Contacts

ew he n t w ie rs in To v k Matte sit vi tric Mas r please .uk g u colo shmu.or page . ’ www he ‘print nt & o

Editorial The content inside Mastrick Matters is a fine representation of the activities and events which happen on a daily or weekly basis in our community. We are a vibrant and creative community with a big heart.

Mastrick Matters is here to give a voice to the citizens of Mastrick. We all have something to say about our community, whether it’s about bin collections, seagulls, traffic or discussing the more positive aspects such as our artistic and musical talent. We now have an opportunity to ensure all of our community has an input.

If you have any articles for the Autumn edition then please get in touch with Mary Clare at Station House Media Unit (SHMU) 01224 515013 or email maryclare@shmu.org.uk Happy Reading!

Supported By

mastrick matters : Community News

Operation Trinity Launched in Aberdeen Grampian Police launched an intelligence-led operation on 12 June 2011, in response to the annual problem of motorcycle nuisance, which is often highlighted to the police by residents.

Operation Trinity consists of a dedicated team of officers, supported

by Roads Policing officers and City Wardens. The purpose of the operation is to target those causing a nuisance to communities by riding motorcycles in an illegal, and very often, highly dangerous way.

Inspector Stuart Ord, who is overseeing the operation told the Mirror “Our ‘Local Policing - Closer To You’ model ensures that communities are better served in relation to the concerns they have. The antisocial use of motorcycles is a recurring problem for many of Aberdeen’s residents and this operation focuses on those involved.”

“While there is a majority of lawabiding motorcyclists, there is also a minority who bring attention to their behaviour.”

“Riding motorcycles in a manner that includes speeding, riding over footpaths and across open land without the correct documentation, without wearing suitable protective equipment carries a huge risk to the public, as well as the riders themselves.”

“Operation Trinity Officers are using all means at their disposal, including the seizure of uninsured motorcycles, to combat these type of riders.”

Operation Trinity has three strands.

These are, Disruption, Detection and Diversion.

“We encourage the residents of the affected communities to work with us to disrupt those involved in this behaviour by telling us who they are, and where they are keeping their bikes.”

The RUTS programme in Aberdeen was run from Monday 8 to Friday 12 August 2011 at Northfield Academy and saw six young lads from across the city taking part.

“We will then be able to act on this information to provide greater patrols in the affected areas and effectively detect the offenders and bring them to justice.”

Iain Bell, RUTS Assistant Manager, said “We use motorcycles and motorcycle related skills and issues to act as a focus in providing support and direction to young people. We promote building pathways to social inclusion.”

“Finally, we will work towards diverting offenders away from this problem “When Grampian Police contacted behaviour by helping them to make us, we were very keen to come on alternative choices to offending.” board to work with the young people in Aberdeen. The youngsters involved During the first seven weeks of have been extremely positive, with Operation Trinity, 55 people were 100% attendance from the first day, reported to either the Procurator and from a RUTS perspective meetFiscal or the Children’s Reporter in ing the local youth and delivering the connection with a variety of Road programme in Aberdeen has been a Traffic Offences and the initiative has great experience.” also led to 20 motorbikes being seized by police.

The MotoLearn programme is predominantly delivered in a garage/ The diversion scheme piloted during workshop environment but elements Operation Trinity is the Rural Urban are also provided in an off road setting Training Scheme (RUTS), which aims which is being hosted by the Forestry to stimulate positive life choices and Commission at Fetteresso. reduce offending, antisocial activities and risk taking behaviour in young Inspector Ord concluded “Operation people.

Trinity demonstrates that we listen to what our communities tell us and Using motorcycles as a focus, RUTS respond to the issues raised.” provides alternative curriculum education and training to young people “We have seven dedicated Officers to through a practical programme of tackle the problem, but we still need activities. the help of the communities affected.

I urge people to call us on 0845 600 As part of RUTS’ MotoLearn project, 5 700, or Crimestoppers on 0800 14 to 19 year olds can get their hands 555111 and report incidents of this dirty covering such subjects as health type. With the flow of information and safety, motorcycle mechan- coming in we can actively target those ics, first aid, road safety, motorcycles engaged in this behaviour and see and society as well as issues such as that they face consequences for their employability and progression routes actions.” to further learning.

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mastrick matters : Community News

Wishaw Games Winners Our club DISSC goes to the Wishaw Games each August and this year we took out our biggest squad ever, with thirteen bowlers and two table-tennis players.

One of our bowlers, who featured in our last magazine, also takes part in the swimming competitions on the following day. Lisa Hendry, who recently joined our squad, came with us this year and won a gold medal at the first time of asking!

We are all proud of everyone in the squad who took part in the competition this year.

Our squad this year came home with a grand eleven medals, five of those were won by Ian Urquhart who some will remember was featured in the last issue of Mastrick Matters.

Here is a full list of our medal winners: Alex Rae

Gold Medal

Table Tennis

Kara Hendry

Gold Medal

Table Tennis

Lisa Hendry

Gold Medal

Carpet Bowls

Grace McKenzie Gold Medal

Carpet Bowls

Bryan McKenzie Silver Medal

Carpet Bowls

Angie Mitchell

Bronze Medal

Carpet Bowls

Ian Urquhart

3 Silver Medals Swimming 2 Bronze Medals Swimming

The Boys’ Brigade Organisation began in Glasgow on 4th. October 1883 and is now a multicultural worldwide organisation, still firmly grounded in its connection with the Church. It is the oldest of the uniformed youth organisations.

Our Company was enrolled by the Aberdeen and District Battalion on 6th. December 1955 and has been working with boys and young men in Mastrick and Sheddocksley ever since. We are part of the youth outreach of Mastrick Parish Church of Scotland.

The structure of the organisation caters for boys and young men from Primary one through to Secondary six.

Our Company is divided into three Sections, the Anchor Boys (Primary 1 to 3), Junior (Primary 4 to 6) and Company/ Senior (for Primary 7 to Secondary 6).

All normal Section meetings are held on a Monday evening in Mastrick Parish Church Hall, Greenfern Road, Mastrick, Aberdeen AB16 6TR. Session 2011-2012 began on Monday 29th. August 2011 with a ‘drop in’ enrolment evening and information session for parents in the Church Hall.

Normal Section Meetings resumed on Monday 5th.

September 2011, in the Church Hall at the following times: ANCHOR BOY SECTION – for boys in Primary 1 – 3, from 6:00 pm to 7:00pm.

JUNIOR SECTION – for boys in Primary 4-6, from 7:15pm to 8:45 pm.

COMPANY/SENIOR SECTION - For boys and young men in Primary 7 and of Secondary School age, from 7:15pm to 8:45pm.

Further details about the work of the Company can be obtained from: Malcolm MacLennan, Captain 103 Earn’s Heugh Circle, Cove Bay, Aberdeen AB12 3RW, Tel: 01224 871046 or 07919 106665, Email: 67aberdeenbb@gmail.com www.beehive.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/67AberdeenBB www.facebook.com/67Aberdeenbb

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mastrick matters : Community News

Summer Playschemes at Mastrick Community Centre Mastrick Summer Playschemes are organised by volunteers from Mastrick Community Centre and meet during the school Summer Holidays. The under 5’s had a total of six sessions each lasting for 1½ hours with various activities including, arts and crafts, cooking, music and movement to name a few. They also had two trips organised, the first was to Lochinch Farm for a mini beastie hunt and the second was to Montrose Beach Splash. Pictures are from the Under 12’s playscheme.

The following quotes were from parent/carers who attended the playscheme this year.

I really enjoyed both the sessions and the trips.

Very well organised

As our summer was not great, my children enjoyed all the activities and getting out to meet with the other children

My daughter especially enjoyed the music and movement session and she also enjoyed the trips.

We were looking fo rw to the mini beas ard t hunt, bu t be ca us e of wea th er we w th e en hoodles instead. t to I enjoyed the ou td activities more th oor an my son did, it was great!

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mastrick matters : Community News

Morrisons, Tesco and Traffic: Your Chance To Have Your Say! For years the west of Aberdeen (which includes our area) has been the only part of the city lacking a supermarket, resulting in the need for people to travel further afield to Asda, Tesco, Sainsburys and Morrisons elsewhere in the city, either that or accept limited choice and higher prices.

Lidl and Farmfoods are great and we’re really fortunate to have them, but we really need to compliment them with a supermarket on a par with Asda at Bridge of Dee, Tesco at Danestone, Sainsburys at Berryden or Morrisons at West North Street, which would give us excellent choice on our doorsteps.

A Tesco store was approved at Rousay Drive in November 2008 which was to open prior to Christmas 2009 but we’re still waiting for them to make a start. The latest proposal comes from Morrisons for a supermarket on the old Summerhill Academy site and the planning application was recently lodged with the Council.

We’ve been screaming out for a supermarket for so long that perhaps we should have been careful what we wished for, as we surely don’t want two so close together on such a busy road. The Community Council has no preference for Tesco or Morrisons but have serious concerns that the Langstracht will grind to a halt if they both go ahead. The situation with Tesco remains unclear as they have said they are going ahead but three years after gaining permission they have yet to start work on the site.. It is our belief that they will go ahead if the Morrisons application is turned down but may pull out if Morrisons get the go ahead.

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The Community Council supported the Tesco application on the basis that the Summerhill Academy site had been deemed unsuitable for retail use at that time. Since then the Council has changed its mind and has agreed to sell the site to Morrisons if they get Planning Permission. Tesco can build their store if they want to so we need to accept that we are where we are and try to minimise the traffic impact of a second supermarket.

We are supportive of a supermarket on the Summerhill Academy site if the roads issues can be dealt with, otherwise we feel it has to be turned down to avoid the Langstracht grinding to a halt, preventing residents getting to and from work in a reasonable amount of time at busy times of the day. We will be making our concerns known to the Council when the application is lodged. It’s no more than common sense to say that the whole Langstracht needs to be upgraded to improve the flow of traffic as minor junction improvements will do little to address the problem.

The intention is for a single road for entrance and exit for both customers and goods vehicles. This road would be a continuation of Fernhill Drive. As you enter the store it would have a petrol station on the right, though this may only be accessible to traffic exiting the store. A car park would accommodate 450-500 cars on one level.

The store would be on a single level (with office space on an upper level) and there would be a recycling centre on the site. The store would be slightly larger than their King

mastrick matters : Community News

Street store and would also feature a fresh food market.

It is expected the store will be open from 7am to 11pm.

It is intended that deliveries will take place 24 hours a day, so we’re going to ask for this to be limited to their opening hours. In addition we’re going to ask for the floodlighting to be switched off when the store is closed and for the recycling centre to be located away from housing. These requests are all designed to minimise disruption to people living next to the site and hopefully ensure they can continue to get a good night’s sleep. Other than that, we’ve no real concerns about the proposals on the site itself. Our main concerns relate to the impact of the development outwith the site.

We feel that a fund needs to be set up for contributions from Morrisons and other developers intending building large housing schemes at the far end of the Langstracht adjoining existing housing at Sheddocksley and Summerhill and other developments impacting on the Langstracht. This fund would then be used to fund an upgrade of the road along its entire length. We have already asked the Council to produce a Langstracht Planning Brief in order to deliver this necessary upgrade and are awaiting a reply.

We would expect people to be very much in favour of this application but would ask you to support our concerns about the need for the entire length of the Langstracht to be upgraded to accommodate the extra traffic. Support for a replacement community centre for Summerhill would also be appreciated. Mastrick Community Centre is bulging at the seams with groups from Summerhill having been decanted there and they really need their own space, which would free up capacity for new groups, or additional sessions of existing groups, at Mastrick. If we want to sort out the traffic situation and the community facilities it needs to be done as part of the Planning process. It doesn’t mean you’re against the supermarket, just that these issues need to be sorted out to make the new development work well and address any negative issues it may create.

Regardless of whether or not you share our views, please write to the Council and let them know what you think. You can write to Head of Planning and Sustainable Development, Aberdeen City Council, Business Hub 4, Marischal College, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1AB, email pi@aberdeencity.gov.uk or comment via the link supplied on the previous page. The closing date for comments is 21st October 2011. Together we can try to ensure get a supermarket but also badly needed road improvements Another thing we will be asking for is a replacement com- and Summerhill gets back its community centre. munity centre for Summerhill to replace the busy centre which used to operate from the site. Summerhill currently The plans can be viewed online at: has nothing by way of community facilities following the http://planning.aberdeencity.gov.uk/PlanningDetail. closure of the centre. asp?ref=111468 7

mastrick matters : Community News

Mastrick, Sheddocksley & Summerhill Family Fun Day This year Mastrick, Sheddocksley & Summerhill Community Council joined forces with Sheddocksley Baptist Church to host a truly spectacular day for all the family. The half day event was held on 20th August in the grounds of Sheddocksley Baptist Church and was attended by around 600 people from across the area. This is the third we’ve done in the last couple of years and the Baptist Church have a few under their belt too.

NE Scotland Credit Union, Victim Support and Parents as Early Education Partners (PEEP) amongst others. There was also a Police information centre and the Church’s Pastors’ Bus. Just for the kids there was a bouncy castle, bungee run (invaded by my four year old at one point), a climbing wall and the longest ever queues for face painting. Shelagh and Linda’s burgers were well worth the wait and the Church had lovely teas, coffees and cakes on offer too. Even the funeral director was welcome with his limo full of balloons and a very generous £40 Toys R Us voucher to the person who guessed the number of balloons. As he left I wished him well and hoped I wouldn’t be needing his assistance for a few more years!

These type of events are a great opportunity for a great day out for “kids” of all ages. They bring our community together in a relaxed setting and offer a great opportunity to meet new friends and catch up with old ones. The kids get the most out of them, and in order to make things affordable for families, many of our activities are free and the others are at minimal cost. Nobody leaves without a smile on their face!

So what are we planning for next year? Lets allow Shelagh and the team time to get over this one first! Rest assured Norman Macleod of STV kindly opened the event for us there will be more events in our area in the future and and the cafe was buzzing with a combination of SHMU’s you’ll be the first to know through Mastrick Matters. In Phluxxy and Phazee on the music decks, and live enter- the meantime we’d like to thank everyone at Sheddocksley tainment on the stage. It was a real carnival atmosphere Baptist Church for making this possible, and all our own enjoyed by everyone who came along. trusty volunteers for all their hard work.

There were a number of stalls including CFINE, who sold out all their strawberries, CLAN cancer support service, 8

Article by Steve Delaney

mastrick matters : Community News

ed the As part of the voluntary team that organis would I st, Augu family day on Saturday 20th their like to say a big thank you to all who gave day. time and effort in making it a memorable huge The weather was good to us, and a of thank you also goes out to all members out with t, even the the community who attended ess. whom it would not have been such a succ

Shelagh Thomson

ksley, Community Councillor: Mastrick, Sheddoc Summerhill Community Council

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mastrick matters : Community News

Bus Services In Our Area If you travel by bus you will be well aware of the deterioration in services across Aberdeen since 2008. Bus fares used to be the biggest gripe, but at least the buses used to be nice and regular and usually on time. All that fell apart when the changed the routes in 2008.

on time and the situation is much better than it had been, but certainly not perfect.

Earlier this year First introduced reduced frequencies on a number of routes, with the 25 now hourly and the 13 half hourly. Checking through the changes it became clear that In 2010 the Community Council decided enough was there’s now 8 bus routes across the city (including these enough, especially with regard to the 23 route which two) which operate on a 30 minute service (or worse) commonly saw 2-3 buses arriving together after 30-40 during daytime hours. We believe this is unacceptable. minutes, sometimes longer. Currently the biggest problem is the No 13route which was reduced from a 15 minute After contacting the Council in May this year and receiving frequency to half hourly. Bad as that is, what’s worse is that no response, Steve has once again written to the Traffic it still doesn’t run to time and this is totally unacceptable. Commissioner asking for action to be taken regarding the punctuality of the 13 route and he has discussed our Private bus companies operating local routes need an oper- concerns with First’s Managing Director. We would urge ator’s licence from the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland. you to help us by reporting buses running late by more They must register routes and timetables with the Traffic than 5 minutes (on any route) to First Aberdeen, either Commissioner and must adhere to these or they can be by telephone, letter or through their website. You should faced with fines, disqualification of directors or even risk also bring these matters to the attention of the Traffic losing their licence. However, the Traffic Commissioner Commissioner’s Office, based at The Stamp Office, 10 can only make them comply with registered routes and Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG. timetables, there is no power over their choice of routes or the frequency of their timetables.

The Community Council is committed to continue the campaign for better bus services in our area. The service In 2010 Steve Delaney, our Chairman, wrote to the Traffic we had come to enjoy is no longer meeting the reasonable Commissioner regarding the poor timekeeping on all expectations of the travelling public and this has to change, routes, but especially the 23 which was pretty much unus- otherwise our concern is that we’ll see 30 minute freable. A Public Inquiry was called and First were brought quencies on many more routes as First seek to minimise before the Traffic Commissioner and Steve gave evidence their costs and maximise their profits. Please look out for at the inquiry. The outcome was that First were given further announcements and remember nothing’s going to a warning about their performance and, in all fairness, change unless you get behind us and support what we’re changes to their timetables did get more buses running trying to achieve.

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mastrick matters : Community News

The Council Face in the Community Do you know about the Customer Access Points?

• Pay any Aberdeen City Council bill;

There are three Customer Access Points in Aberdeen • Paying any parking fines due; situated in Kincorth, Mastrick and Woodside. They are the accessible face of the council in our communities. At • Paying Rent and Council Tax ; the Customer Access Points we try to deal effectively with your enquiries and have a large range of services and infor- • Recycling and bin collection Calendars; mation on offer: • Reporting a housing repair; • Applying for Disabled Badges (Blue and green) • Reporting road/pavements defects, street light faults; • Applying for Access to leisure • Sale of Multi- journey tickets for the community bus • Applying for an Accord Card /National Entitlement Card; • Sale of school dinner tickets; • Bioliners for your food waste caddies;

• School clothing and footwear applications;

• Booking a bulky item uplift;

All payments can be made with cash, debit and credit cards (1.6% admin fee charged) and cheque

• Council housing and council tax forms • Dog waste bags for sale; • Education Maintenance Allowance; • Making a Goodapple Housing application; • Making garden maintenance payments;

Contact details: Mastrick Customer Access Point Spey Road Aberdeen AB16 6SH Phone: 01224 788503

• Parking/garage/allotment spaces.

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mastrick matters : Community News

Are you Special?

Grampian Police are looking to recruit more Special Constables to provide additional support to local policing teams and communities. Are you Special?

Special Constables are trained volunteers who support and assist regular police officers carry out their duties. They wear the same uniform as regular police officers and have the same powers and responsibilities and can be called upon to assist in all areas of police work including patrols, community engagement, specialist operations, attending incidents and royal visits.

They can report for duty at any mutually-convenient time on a regular or irregular basis, depending on their work or lifestyle commitments. Some of the Force's Special Constables work in the evenings or at weekends. Others prefer to be on duty during the day.

policing activities. Those who volunteer as a Special get a lot of satisfaction from helping make a difference to their community whilst improving their career prospects from the skills they develop working on the beat."

Many Special Constables choose to work in the area where they live so that they can become more involved in their community. Others choose to work away from the area they live in, in order to keep their private lives and their police duties separate.

Specials Constables are unpaid although a £1100 award is available if Specials join the recognition award scheme which requires a person to work a minimum of 45 four hour shifts over a 12 month period and attend some training nights.

Inspector Inspector Shona Stewart, Local Policing Inspector Anyone interested in becoming a Special Constable can for Mastrick said: "Special Constables are an extremely contact Sergeant Ian Chalmers on 0845 600 5700 or valuable resource who make a vital contribution to our visit www.grampian.police.uk

Supporting Women to Breast-feed Volunteering Opportunity for Women The health benefits of breast-feeding for Mothers and babies has been well researched; benefits include reduced risk of allergies for children, reduced risk of certain cancers for women who breast-feed and the promotion of positive attachment between mother and baby. Despite these facts, breast-feeding rates are still low across Scotland.

then be expected to make a commitment to offer breastfeeding support to Mums who are referred by health visitors and community midwives for the duration of the project (12 months).

If you think you can:

• Attend 20 hours of training over 8 weeks In an effort to offer women support should they choose to breast-feed, NHS Grampian are coordinating a 12 • Make a commitment for 12 months to offer support month pilot project focusing on one area in the City. We are looking to recruit women who are enthusiastic about • Work with health professionals breast-feeding and supporting other Mums, and who have breast-fed their own children for at least 6 weeks in the • Attend breast-feeding workshops, visit women in their past as volunteers to offer breast-feeding support to new homes or offer advice over the phone Mums.

Or, if you would just like some more information about this Volunteers would receive 20 hours of FREE training opportunity, please contact: from the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) and 6 follow up sessions which would lead to the volunteers gaining a Joanne Riach, NHS breast-feeding coordinator at joanne. recognised qualification as well as being reimbursed for riach@nhs.net or 01224 558 670. expenses incurred. Following training, volunteers would 12

mastrick matters : Community News

Smoke Free Homes and Cars Project About the Project

surface and everyone.

NHS Grampian in Partnership with Grampian Fire & Rescue Service and Aberdeen City Council has developed a pilot project to encourage parents to protect their families from second-hand smoke by making a commitment to one of the following promises:

Smoke from a cigarette contains over 4000 chemicals most of which are dangerous, some causing cancer. These chemicals don’t need to be inhaled directly from the cigarette to cause harm so not only cause problems to smokers but also to those around them.

Step One: Make your home and car completely smoke Why is it dangerous for my Children? free at all times, so that your children (and any adults) will be healthier.

Because children breathe faster, their lungs and immune systems are still developing, their little hands touch eveStep Two: If step one is too difficult, restrict smoking to rything they are much more vulnerable to the effects of one well ventilated room or area and never smoke in front second-hand smoke. of your children in the home. Although your family will still be affected by second-hand smoke, it will hopefully be What can I do? less harmful and discourage your children from becoming smokers when they are adults.

If you are a parent and interested in trying to create a healthier environment for your family, you could ring the What is second-hand smoke? following number to request a help pack: 01224 555 336 The smoke blown out when someone is smoking a ciga- Or, if you are a professional working with families and rette and the smoke from the end of a burning cigarette would like to know more about our training programme, is known as Second-hand Smoke. The fine particles from please call the same number and we will get back to you. smoke linger, spread to other rooms and stick to every 13

mastrick matters : Community News 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 | w www.shmu.org.uk

Celebrate Aberdeen On Saturday the 11th June, the SHMU volunteers marched down Union Street as part of the ‘Celebrate Aberdeen’ parade. The parade was organised by ACVO to recognise all the hard work being carried out by the voluntary sector in Aberdeen.

The SHMU contingent was made up of volunteers including Radio Presenters, Editorial Team Members, The Youth Radio Project (YRP), shmuTRAINees as well as shmu staff.

“It was a great turnout and good for the city, the best bit was seeing all the different charities involved and being part of the SHMU Team” Gary Cheyne - shmu Volunteer

shmuTRAIN shmuTRAIN offers unique employability and skills development courses which support people into work, education or training. Community and digital media, including radio and video, is used to help develop core skills such as communication, confidence and team work.

PositiveTransitions is a fantastic opportunity for 16-19 year olds who are not in education, employment or training to take part in a 12 week course. shmuWORKS is a fantastic opportunity for 18-25 year olds who are not in education, employment or training to take part in a 6 week training programme.

II ANSITIONS VI POSITIVE TR

shmuFM shmuFM offers training and support to volunteers so they can produce and present a variety of issue-based, music and community programming shows on 99.8fm.

The next series of beginner courses begin on the following dates: 25th October from 7pm to 9pm 27th October from 2pm to 4pm

TRAINING IN THE STUDIO

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If you are interested in learning more about any of our courses, please call shmu at (01224) 515013 or email us at training@shmu. org.uk or just text the word TRAINING and your name to 60300.

mastrick matters : Community News

An Interview with Pam Farmery Hi Pam! What do you do?

Hi, I’m the chairperson of the Mastrick Community Centre Management Committee.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I live in Heatheryfold, Aberdeen. I am thirty one years of age and have two children. One aged fourteen years and the other is five years old. I have attended groups at Mastrick Community Centre for the last fourteen years, ever since my first child was born.

Who can be on the Management Committee?

Anyone with an interest in making a difference within the community, who is committed and willing to give their time.

What does the committee do?

We make decisions on the centre programmes, activities, arrange fund raising and support the day to day running of the centre.

Why do community centres need a committee?

All community centres are transferring to leased centres, therefore the management committee will run the centres. We will still have minimal support from council staff, but in order to ensure the community centre survives a strong management committee is required.

What do you get from being a committee member?

Chance to develop skills, meet new people, be active within the community, make decisions and have a say in the community.

Family Learning Challenge Grandparent, a group supported by Family Learning, went climbing recently with 4 adults and 4 children attending.

The children were first to take to the side wall and grappled their way across with no problems.

Needless to say the adults were less keen…. moving across to the small climbing walls, everyone gave it their best with the children doing particularly well having none of the nerves of the adults!

Many thanks to the staff at Transition Extreme for showing us the ropes!

Confidence and Assertiveness Course You are never too old to improve your confidence and assertiveness. This 8 session course will offer you the opportunity to gain skills and tips to break old habits, say ‘no’ and mean it, take a more assertive role in your everyday life and possibly change you forever.

The course begins late October 2011. To find out more or book a place call Family Learning on tel: 260028.

How do you become involved with the committee?

You can enquire in the centre or come along to open meetings, check the notice board for meeting dates.

Maths and Language for Parents

What is the latest news on the community centre?

The lease agreement is still in the process with Aberdeen city council, groups ongoing just as before apart from no creches at the moment and only morning playgroups.

Do the words ‘can you help me with my homework’ fill you with dread? This 6 session course will show you how your child learns maths and language in school and how you are helping at home without even knowing it. So why not come along and join in because believe it or not maths and language can be fun!

Due to cuts in staff and hours the management committee are working with staff who are left at the centre to ensure the running of the centre.

Please contact the office if you have any queries on 788288

This course begins in late January 2012. To find our more or book a place call Family Learning on tel: 260028.

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mastrick matters Local Contacts

Local Ward Councillors Councillor Len Ironside (Kingswells/Sheddocksley Ward) Lord Provost, Councillor Peter Stephen (Kingswells/Sheddocksley Ward) Councillor Wendy Stuart (Kingswells/Sheddocksley Ward) Councillor Jackie Dunbar (Northfield Ward) Councillor Gordon Graham (Northfield Ward) Councillor Kevin Stewart (Northfield Ward)

01224 523059 01224 522637 01224 522204 01224 522522 01224 523594 01224 522540

Local Community Group Contacts Steve Delaney, Chair, Mastrick and Sheddocksley Community Council

01224 694469

Local Council Services/Community Centre Contacts Mastrick Young Peoples Project Mastrick Community Centre Sheddocksley Community Centre

01224 346356 01224 788288 01224 684200

Aberdeen City Council Main Switchboard 08456 080910 Minicom number for hearing impaired callers Anti-Social Behaviour Team (between 9 am and 4 am) Housing Repairs (during office hours) Housing Repairs (out with office hours) Environmental Services (roads, lighting, litter etc)

01224 522381 08456 066548 08456 080929 01224 480281 08456 080919

Partner Agencies Scottish Water (faults relating to sewerage or sewage) Grampian Police (non emergency call centre) Grampian NHS Bear Scotland (maintenance of trunk roads)

08456 018855 08456 005700 0845 456 6000 08005 871107

Useful Web Pages/Emails Community Planning in Aberdeen Aberdeen City Council Grampian Police NHS Grampian Grampian Fire & Rescue Service

www.communityplanningaberdeen.org.uk www.aberdeencity.gov.uk www.grampian.police.uk www.nhsgrampian.org www.grampianfrs.org.uk