Aberdeenshire Council raises the ‘Red Ensign’ at Saltoun Square in Fraserburgh
Aberdeenshire Council raises the ‘Red Ensign’ at Saltoun Square in Fraserburgh
The brave men and women who kept our island nation afloat during both World Wars have been remembered with the raising of the Red Ensign in Fraserburgh.
Aberdeenshire Council was honoured to raise the Red Ensign – affectionately known as the ‘Red Duster’ – at Fraserburgh’s Saltoun Square on Tuesday, September 3.
Merchant Navy Day is celebrated in September and also provides an opportunity to celebrate our dependence on modern day merchant seafarers who are responsible for 95% of the UK’s imports, including half the food we eat, plenty of the fuel we burn and virtually all the products and goods we take for granted.
Attending the poignant event were Fraserburgh and District councillors together with representatives from Fraserburgh’s Lifeboat, Mission, Sea Cadets, Harbour Commissioners, fishing organisations and The Salvation Army.
Gabriel Watt of Fraserburgh RBL Pipe Band played ahead of the flag raising while Sarah-Jane Urmston of the Salvation Army performed the Last Post.
Chair of the Banff and Buchan Area Committee, Cllr Doreen Mair, addressed those present before Councillor James Adams raised the flag.
Cllr Mair said: “In Fraserburgh, the importance of the sea to our community and the safety of those who sail on it is very much to the forefront of our thoughts and deeply embedded in our day to day lives. Merchant Navy Day was established to remember those who kept our nation afloat during two world wars ensuring that we had the supplies we needed to keep going.
“This corner of the coast was known as hellfire corner during the war because of the danger posed to merchant shipping from the Luftwaffe so remembering those brave seaman in the Broch is even more poignant and important as many came from this area.
“Too often they are the forgotten or invisible service. By raising the Red Ensign today we will ensure that at least – on this and the following days – they are remembered and saluted. This simple act will mean so much to the families of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, to those who have retired after a lifetime of service and to those who still go to sea now and face all its many perils.”
Aberdeenshire Council raises the ‘Red Ensign’ at Saltoun Square in Fraserburgh
Aberdeenshire Council has made a pledge to boost the region’s economy by choosing to support local businesses whenever it possibly can.
Rallying cry for Aberdeenshire residents to get behind region’s businesses
Aberdeenshire Council has made a pledge to boost the region’s economy by choosing to support local businesses whenever it possibly can.
Council Leader Cllr Gillian Owen has signed the Scotland Loves Local Pledge on behalf of the authority, promising to prioritise spending with enterprises in the region.
It states: “We will choose local, prioritising the people and businesses around us at every opportunity.”
Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the organisation which spearheads Scotland Loves Local with support from the Scottish Government, believes millions of pounds more can be injected into regional economies if more residents think local first.
The statement of intent has been made ahead of next week’s Scotland Loves Local Week (Aug 26 – Sept 1) – seven days of national activity highlighting the work taking place to make communities fit for the future, underpinned by critical local support.
Local businesses, politicians and customers are being urged to shine a spotlight on the brilliant enterprises locally on social media using the hashtags #ScotlandLovesLocal and #ChooseLocal.
And it is hoped that the move will encourage other people and businesses to follow their lead, making a promise to target support and spending with those around them.
Businesses and councillors gathered in Ellon today (Friday, Aug 23) to call on everyone across Aberdeenshire to help build a better future by choosing local.
Cllr Gillian Owen said: “By choosing local, we can all play our part in keeping communities alive – protecting the jobs of our neighbours, friends and families. We are working incredibly hard to create better, more sustainable places to live, work and visit – with superb shops, amazing attractions and great greenspaces. But all of that is underpinned by having local businesses which not just survive, but thrive.
“By thinking local first for all of our needs, we can be there for businesses at a time of once unimaginable challenges of Covid and cost of living – while helping with our region’s response to the climate emergency by reducing travel and food miles.
“And by signing up to the Aberdeenshire Loves Local gift card initiative, the benefits you will get from keeping the spend local are clear for all to see – whether you operate a retail business, coffee shop, restaurant, salon or tourist destination. An ever-increasing number of businesses are appreciating that the gift card is a quick, efficient and cost-free way to encourage customer spending and that can only help drive sales within our retail and service sectors.”
Among the businesses supporting the choose local call in the region are Fraser’s of Ellon and Hybrid Gaming and Computing who joined Aberdeenshire Council in promoting the cause.
Flooring and furniture retail store Fraser’s of Ellon was established in 1930 and employs 24 staff in addition to sub-contracted floor layers.
Managing director Colin McKay said: “Every penny spent with businesses like ours is an investment in the future of our community. Our team has worked incredibly hard in recent years to be there for people when they’ve needed us most. We want to play our part in a better future for our area. But, to do that, we need people to be there for us and choose local. It’s something simple that we can all do.”
Hybrid Gaming and Computing was established in 2021 but opened in April of this year, with its team of five providing a range of IT services for both consumer and small businesses.
Owner Dave Goodwin explained: “Our strategy is to feel like a part of our local community and local support has always been a critical part of our mission. As part of that mission we also often partner with other local businesses to try and generate shared benefits. The Scotland Loves local initiative ties in perfectly with those goals as the cards can be used in a variety of shops and businesses instead of just a single outlet.”
Leigh Sparks, Chairman of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, said: “We are delighted to see Aberdeenshire Council sign the Scotland Loves Pledge and publicly demonstrate its commitment to supporting local businesses. The power of choosing local more often – whether that be residents doing so in their daily lives or businesses supporting other local businesses – is transformational.
“Greater support for local enterprises protects jobs and businesses. And that support underpins the tireless work taking place to help communities adapt to our ever-changing world, seizing opportunities to innovate, invest and make our communities better places to live, work and visit.”
Councillors and businesses join forces in Ellon to promote the Scotland Loves Local Pledge – signed by Aberdeenshire Council leader Cllr Gillian Owen on behalf of the local authority
Repair works Scotstown Beach Car Park, Access Road – 19th August 2024
Financial support from the Crown Estate’s Coastal Communities Fund is making it possible for Aberdeenshire Council to carry out repairs to the unadopted section of the access road to this important facility on Buchan’s spectacular east coast.
Scotstown Beach is a much-loved stretch of Aberdeenshire’s Coastal route and popular with local families, dog walkers and visitors from further afield.
These repair works are the next part of improving the overall visitor experience to Scotstown Beach following the upgrade works undertaken to this countryside car park earlier this year. This will significantly improve access to this coastal asset while still being in keeping with the site’s natural characteristics and topography.
This year, nominations to join an Aberdeenshire community council open on Monday, August 19, and will close on Sunday, September 8
Aberdeenshire’s network of around 70 community councils will be seeking interest from potential new members over the next few weeks as the area moves to a single election date for the first time.
Previously, community councils sought to fill vacancies on various dates throughout the year. From this year onwards, the nomination period will be the same for all groups in the area.
This year, nominations to join an Aberdeenshire community council open on Monday, August 19, and will close on Sunday, September 8.
Community councils are voluntary groups made up of people who care about their community and want to make them a better place to live.
Leader of Aberdeenshire Council Cllr Gillian Owen said: “Community councils provide an important voice for residents across Aberdeenshire and have been responsible for some fantastic activities and projects that have made a real difference locally.
“While in many cases previous members will want to continue representing their communities, it’s also important to attract new members to keep groups sustainable and bring new ideas to the table, and I would encourage anybody who would like to be involved to complete a nomination form.”
Deputy Leader Cllr Anne Stirling said: “Aberdeenshire Council benefits from a very close relationship with the community council network and together we can help achieve successes at a very local level.
“That’s why it’s important to ensure there are enough candidates to allow each community council to form, otherwise this could leave considerable gaps in the representation of local views and involvement in council activities. By offering just a few hours a month, a great deal can be achieved.”
Duties of community councils can include carrying out local projects, preparing community newsletters, responding to council consultations, campaigning on local issues, and organising community events.
Community councillors will be provided with training and ongoing support from Aberdeenshire Council.
Further information, including the Aberdeenshire community council nomination form and guidance, can be found at www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/nominate
Aberdeenshire community council nominations open 16.8.24
Aberdeenshire Council is embarking on a search for a new operator of the iconic Carnegie Building in the heart of Peterhead.
Forming the original home of the town’s Public Library and Arbuthnot Museum, the St Peter Street property will shortly undergo a major conservation restoration as part of the wider Cultural Quarter project being supported by the UK Government’s Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
As part of the development of the Cultural Quarter in Peterhead, the library and museum will be moving to a dynamic new home at a refurbished and extended Arbuthnot House on the town’s Broad Street in the heart of Peterhead.
The Carnegie Building will then become available as a new venue offering the opportunity to cultural entrepreneurs, creative third sector organisations or social enterprises to find an inspiring place to deliver their creative vision.
Built in the 1890s and associated with the legacy of Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Building offers around 800 square metres of space over four floors including the iconic clock tower.
It is to undergo a sensitive restoration, including essential upgrades which will enable it to function as a modern, accessible multi-use cultural venue with the potential of a performance space, music and dance rehearsal studios and a vibrant café/bar.
The council’s Buchan Area Manager, Amanda Roe, explains: “This is a very exciting opportunity for a new tenant to take on the management of this historic building and create a vibrant new asset not just for Peterhead but the wider region.
Built in the 1890s and associated with the legacy of Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Building offers around 800 square metres of space over four floors including the iconic clock tower | The iconic Carnegie Building in the heart of Peterhead
“It will be a tremendous venue for live music and other live performances and from an educational aspect it will also accommodate dance and music schools or visual arts and design. The new facility will also provide the perfect showcase for emerging talent and the contemporary arts, designed to meet the cultural needs of a younger generation and increase the appeal of retaining young people in the area.
“We are really keen to see any approaches which support local businesses and increases employment and which strengthen the night-time and town centre footfall with an enhanced cultural offer.”
The council will also consider interest from property agents, hospitality and other commercial organisations where a social and cultural focus is evident. The tenant could be a charity, a community interest company or a private organisation, or a consortium comprising cultural and hospitality partners.
Aberdeenshire Council is embarking on a search for a new operator of the iconic Carnegie Building in the heart of Peterhead | The iconic Carnegie Building in the heart of Peterhead
Remember to enjoy the benefits of the A2B dial-a-bus service across Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire Council is reminding residents of the benefits of the A2B dial-a-bus shopper services which operate across much of the region.
The A2B buses run on Mondays to Fridays between approximately 9.30am and 2.30pm.
A2B is a free council-run minibus service which can be used by anyone for travel if there is no other suitable bus service in the area.
If there is alternative public transport, A2B services are provided for older and disabled residents only using low-floor, wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
A2B dial-a-bus services are available for local travel from as far afield as the Mearns, Alford, Banchory and Peterhead and serve many towns villages and communities in between – in most cases offering a door-to-door service.
Where A2B operates in towns it may be able to provide transport to health appointments, depending on times.
Marion Mackay from Aberdeenshire Council’s Passenger Transport Unit, explains: “Our flexible town services endeavour to pick you up at the time you requested, but as all bookings are taken on a first come, first-served basis, you may be offered a trip at a slightly different time to fit in with other passenger bookings. Rural shopper service tend to operate to a timetable, albeit timings may vary depending on the number and location of bookings.
“We are very fortunate to have such wonderful dial-a-bus services operating in many parts of Aberdeenshire which helps tremendously whether that be a trip to the shops or the Post Office, or simply a catch-up with friends and family. It’s easy to book and our drivers make every effort to make the passenger experience enjoyable.”
So how do you book? Simply call the A2B dial-a-bus service hotline on 01467 535333, open on Mondays to Fridays between 9.30am and 3.30pm, no later than the day before travel. Alternatively you can email a2bdialabus@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
