The Princess Royal visits MACBI at Mintlaw in its 11th year
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visits MACBI Community Hub at Mintlaw in its 11th year
MACBI Community Hub was delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to the Mintlaw leisure facility on Tuesday, 8th April.
During her visit to see a number of facilities in the north-east of Scotland, The Princess Royal was introduced to MACBI board members and staff, before meeting with a number of centre users and the organisations which proudly call the centre ‘home’.
The Princess Royal was greeted by the sounds of the bagpipes courtesy of pipers Lynne Freeman and Pamela Whyte and a demonstration of Highland dancing by Ella and Laura Gray.
Directors from the MACBI board offered a warm welcome to Her Royal Highness and provided a brief history of the development of the hub which this year celebrates its 11th year supporting the Central Buchan community.
In a particularly poignant moment, The Princess Royal was introduced to some of the family members of the late John Pascoe and Norman Smith who passed away in 2023. Since 2005, Norman – a tireless supporter of many local causes – had been a MACBI director and the real driving force behind the creation of the successful community facility. In late 2023, the centre’s impressive new extension was named in his honour along with fellow Longside man and MACBI stalwart John Pascoe.
During the visit to MACBI, The Princess Royal met with centre staff including those running the café and nursery and also visited the library operated by Live Life Aberdeenshire and met members of the local Friendship Group and those enjoying the Diamond Dancers and gentle exercise group activities.
Her Royal Highness met with representatives of the Buchan Development Partnership which has helped MACBI tremendously throughout its development, before meeting with two of the organisation which host regular support sessions in the facility – Grampian Cardiac Rehabilitation Association and Clan Cancer Support.
The Princess Royal was then introduced to MACBI’s nursery where around 30 youngsters recited a Scottish poem and thanked her for coming in Makaton. It was followed by a tour of the toddler group where they met Kirsty Howie who runs Musical Seedlings.
The Royal visit to MACBI concluded with the presentation of a picture book made up of drawings by children in the Mini Macs Nursery handed over by Ayleigh Cadger aged three and Erin Mason (4) followed by flowers given to The Princess Royal by Jenson Davidson (9) and Leah Buchan (3).
On behalf of MACBI, manager Connie Strachan said: “This was a very proud day for our staff, the board and, of course, all our users who enjoy a wealth of activities here in Mintlaw to support their health and wellbeing. To welcome Her Royal Highness to the community hub in our 11th year and official Community Room’s opening was particularly heart-warming and a memory that we will never forget.”
On behalf of MACBI Community Hub
