Food Archives - Page 6 of 10

Sea Shepherd Seal Defence Campaign 2015

Apr 102015

Sea Shepherd announces the second year of its Seal Defence Campaign around the coastline and islands of Scotland. By Robert Read – Sea Shepherd UK

Sea Shepherd UK (SSUK) have deployed a seal defence crew to Gamrie Bay, Banffshire in the first phase of our 2015 campaign to prevent Scotland’s iconic seals from being killed illegally by coastal netting fishing operations, fish farms or indeed anyone else in Scotland.

This year’s deployment of a seal defence crew and a fast RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) to Gardenstown harbour coincides with the start of the wild salmon netting season as employees of USAN Salmon Fisheries ltd (AKA: Scottish Wild Salmon Company) who operate fixed engine nets either side of Gamrie Bay.

USAN Salmon Fisheries Ltd claimed to have shot a seal before we arrived in 2014 and prevented any further seals being killed at this location for the rest of the 2014.

Sea Shepherd UK’s deployment of a land and boat crew to Gamrie Bay marks only the start of a much larger and wider ranging campaign for 2015 following our success in during 2014.

In 2014 at Gardenstown we were joined early in the campaign by members of the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) who had a small team initially in the area on surveillance/intelligence gathering and who then sent a much larger team to provide support following increasing intimidation received from netsmen and their ‘allies’.

Wherever Sea Shepherd operates we always try to recruit local volunteers and find supporters and with the recruiting of local volunteers from Aberdeenshire we were able to expand our 2014 Seal Defence Campaign to Montrose/Lunan Bay then to the Dunnet Bay area in the far north near Thurso where we were able to focus our resources on coastal land and boat patrols for the duration of the 2014 wild salmon netting season.

SSUK’s deployment to the north coast and Orkney Islands was possible in part by the Hunt Saboteurs Association deploying teams in their own successful campaign to protect seals with intensive land based monitoring of the activities of salmon netsmen along the Montrose coastline.

Our patrols by land and sea in 2014 prevented any illegal shooting of seals and indeed any killing of seals where our teams and cameras were watching.

there are effective and proven methods of keeping seals away from netted fish

Sea Shepherd UK’s Seal Defence Campaign 2015 around Scotland will (as in 2014) provide monitoring of the activities of both fish farms and wild salmon/mixed fisheries netting companies which hold licenses from Marine Scotland to shoot seals to protect their catch/profits.

The licenses issued by Marine Scotland which specify numbers of seals, locations and conditions under which seals can be shot (the shooting of seals is always supposed to be a last resort option where all deterrent methods have failed) remains open to abuse by some fishing/fish farm companies with a complete absence of any government monitoring.

Years of successful scientific development and trials of acoustic devices (often called pingers) which keep seals away from coastal and river nets together with the effective use of secondary EcoNets around fish farm pens mean that there are effective and proven methods of keeping seals away from netted fish therefore making the shooting of seals unnecessary under the terms of the Marine Scotland seal shooting permits.

However some companies continue to invest fully in deterrent/ prevention equipment preferring the cheap option of buying bullets instead.

Typically every year over 300 seals are declared as having been shot – but this ‘official’ declared number of seals shot come solely from the companies and individuals who pull the triggers of the guns and Sea Shepherd UK is convinced the real number of seals shot greatly exceeds this official number and some conservation groups have previously claimed up to 2000 grey and common seals are shot around Scotland’s coast.

Sea Shepherd UK calls on Marine Scotland to re-assess their current policies regarding seals due to the proven seal deterrent methods now available and request the cancellation of all licenses.

Due to the continued absence of any proactive government or contracted independent teams tasked with monitoring the activities of these fishing companies – Sea Shepherd UK’s campaign crews will continue to fulfill this role and provide much needed patrols providing information to Police Scotland and water/river bailiffs to enable prosecutions for poaching and any other illegal activities.

our crews will be operating from a number of mainland coastal locations

Our campaign crew will intervene if necessary to prevent the illegal killing or deliberate harassment of iconic Scottish seals which are all protected species under UK and EU legislation.

Sea Shepherd’s 2015 Seal Defence Campaign in Scotland will be significantly larger than our campaign crew of last year already numbering over 60 volunteers joining us at their own expense from around Scotland as well as travelling from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, USA and Chile to help defend Scotland’s seals.

For the next five months our crews will be operating from a number of mainland coastal locations and islands covering areas where seals are currently being shot illegally or allegedly legally under permit from Marine Scotland. Our international crew will be patrolling along the coastline by land and will use Sea Shepherd UK’s fast RIBs as well as being supported by two privately owned/operated vessels.

Sea Shepherd UK is offering a £5000 reward for information, photographic or video evidence which directly leads to the successful prosecution of any individuals or any companies (including their employees, representatives, contractors or agents) for deliberately and illegally killing any marine mammal (including seals) or endangered marine creature around the coastline of the United Kingdom or in UK territorial waters.

To submit information securely and confidentially please e-mail Sea Shepherd UK on: report@seashepherduk.org with as much information as possible including the location, date, time of the offence with clear photographs and/or HQ video when possible.

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[Aberdeen Voice accepts and welcomes contributions from all sides/angles pertaining to any issue. Views and opinions expressed in any article are entirely those of the writer/contributor, and inclusion in our publication does not constitute support or endorsement of these by Aberdeen Voice as an organisation or any of its team members.]

NE Foodie Businesses Encouraged To Join FoodFest15

Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Information No Responses »

Apr 032015

Peter Medley of VisitAberdeen which is leading the FoodFest15 campaign on behalf of a partnership

With thanks to Stevie Brown, Tricker PR.

FoodFest15, a new food and drink initiative, designed to capitalise on Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink and attract more visitors to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, has been launched.

To ensure that FoodFest15 is a success, organisers are appealing to more local food producers, restaurants, hoteliers and retailers to join the project.

FoodFest15 is a partnership between Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce. Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership, Visit Royal Deeside and VisitAberdeen.

Marketing Director of VisitAberdeen Peter Medley (pictured), who is leading the project on behalf of the partnership says:

“Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to spotlight, promote and celebrate the quality and quantity of our natural larder and enhance our reputation as a foodie destination of first choice.

“Food is a vital element in any break – whether for leisure or business – and FoodFest15 will help visitors find even more places to eat and buy quality food, as well as seeing the manufacture process in breweries and distilleries. As a proportion of the national average ‘foodies’ – those who show an interest in cuisine and dining-out – make up 28% of the population.

“This group is twice as likely to eat out on average as other groups. Two thirds of Scotland’s visitors think that quality food is an important factor when deciding where to go on holiday and UK tourists to Scotland spend £610million on food and drink, representing 20% of all their visit expenditure.

“We’re calling for everyone in the food and drink trade in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to be a part of FoodFest15, and use our great local produce to attract even more visitors to the north east.

“We are encouraging as many businesses as possible to join us in celebrating our seasonal produce in line with the Year of Food and Drink’s themed months throughout the year, such as Whisky Month in May and soft fruits and berries in July. We will also be highlighting the story behind our food and the people who produce it, as consumers prefer to buy food with an explicit local provenance.

“We have an exceptionally strong food product from farm to fork and we have the personalities behind the food we create.

“We hope more businesses will join the FoodFest15 project to place the northeast on the gastro tourism map. We’re particularly targeting visitors from Germany, Norway, Orkney, Shetland, those within a two hour driving distance from the area and key English cities with direct flight routes such as Bristol and Southampton.”

A new website has been created for the project – www.foodfest15.com – which pulls together all food and drink events taking place in 2015 including Taste of Grampian in June, World Whisky Day in May, the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival in July and Deeside Food and Fiddle Fortnight in October.

It also features places to eat where the menus are guaranteed to have at least 40% of the menu ingredients sourced locally.

The promotional campaign for FoodFest15 includes online advertising, traditional advertising, direct mail, social media, press trips and brochures. Businesses involved in all aspects of the food and drink industry can find out more about the project and become a part of FoodFest15 by completing the ‘contact us’ page on www.foodfest15.com

For more information, visit www.visitscotland.com/foodanddrink

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The French Connection – Serving Up A Taste Of Speyside

Aberdeenshire, Featured 1 Response »

Mar 272015

Martine Nouet is leading three malt whisky themed cookery demonstrations at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

With thanks to Esther Green, Tricker PR.

From cheese to champagne, France is famous the world over for its food and drink – but now a French food writer is ensuring Scotland’s finest food and drink receives the recognition it deserves during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.

French-born journalist Martine Nouet has been writing about food and drink for more than 25 years.

And while the nation of her birth is famed for its fine wine and champagne, Martine has developed a passion for whisky, so much so that she has become known as the Queen of the Still.

On her first visit to Scotland two decades ago, she visited Tamdhu Distillery on Speyside and became so fascinated by the distillation process, the aromas and the culture and heritage behind making malt that she fell in love with the ‘water of life’.

She now lives in Scotland, on the island of Islay, and her love of drams and her talent for cookery has seen her become widely regarded as a specialist in matching food and whisky.

Martine has an international reputation in the world of food and drink and is looking forward to sharing her skills with audiences during the upcoming Festival.

She is leading three demonstrations showing just how well whisky can be used as both an accompaniment and an ingredient to both sweet and savoury recipes.

Her from glass to plate Cooking with Malt Whisky Demonstrations take place at the Oakwood Cookery School, Elgin, on Friday, May 1. Each lasts for an hour and a half, starting at 10am, 1pm and 3pm. Each session costs £20 and tickets are available now on the Festival website.

Martine believes that whisky goes so well with food because of its very special flavours and characteristics.

She says:

“Whisky has such a wide and complex array of aromas and tastes, as much, if not more, than wine and when paired with food, the two bring out new flavours.

“I’m giving three cooking demonstrations as I’d like to show people easy to reproduce recipes and show that whisky at the table is a great sensory experience. The people attending will of course taste the dishes: a seafood starter, mushroom risotto for the main and a quince jelly, pear and ricotta dessert.

“The festival helps visitors learn or develop an interest in whisky and the aim of my cookery sessions will be to harmoniously mix entertainment with education.”

Martine is also hosting a vintage dinner on Saturday, May 2 with Ronnie Cox from Glenrothes in Rothes House, as well as being part of the Victorian Picnic in the gardens of Glen Grant distillery on Sunday, May 3.

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival runs from Thursday, April 30-Monday, May 4 2015. Check out www.spiritofspeyside.com for up-to-date news and follow the Festival at www.facebook.com/WhiskyFestival or www.twitter.com/spirit_speyside

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BrewDog’s Beatnik Brew-In: Shareholder Saturday, Ellon

Featured, Information, Opinion No Responses »

Feb 172015

Last week BrewDog invited its shareholders – over 14,000 of us – for a day at the Ellon Brewery, DogTap & bottleshop. The hundred or so who attended enjoyed a great day out. Shareholder Suzanne Kelly reports.

Beer Chandelier

BrewDog opened up the newly-expanded Ellon brewery to shareholders on 7 February; it was to tour the brewery, see the new DogTap & bottleshop, taste beers and have fun.

The day’s main event was to help create a new beer – Bounty Hunter. This will be a chocolaty, coconutty stout (lactose, coconut chip and chocolate). We were invited to take part in the ‘mashing in’ (mixing the grains into the heated water, the early stage of the brewing process) and to help design the stout’s label.

You can’t say that shareholders aren’t appreciated by the company. A full programme of events saw us meet at BrewDog Aberdeen for coffee before taking a coach to the Ellon brewery (we all chipped in £5 each for the round trip).

On the way I sat with Chris who tells me he’s been with the company for 6 months. In the course of talking we discussed how the spent grains are sent to local farmers for their animals; he seemed very up on the company’s sustainability credentials (something I care about as well).

On arrival we were welcomed by Becky. We waited in the bar for a second busload of attendees. The inimitable artwork associated with BrewDog adorns the walls; the chandelier is made of BrewDog bottles. The artwork you’ll see at the brewery and many of the bars is mainly down to Fisher, a BrewDog employee who was general manager at the Aberdeen bar, worked at the Edinburgh bar & Leeds bar, and led beer tasting sessions as well as creating this art. More on the art later.

A blackboard explains the basics of brewing. Nearby is a poster advertising a chocolate and beer evening on Friday 13 February. If you don’t think chocolate and beer belong together, you might want to think again.

We were shown through to the newly-extended brewery where we talked and enjoyed a few beers. I spoke with friends Andrew and Michael (his brother-in-law had got him interested in the company) and Simon from Southampton, himself a brewer (his outfit is Rusty Prop ). Then we got down to the brewing.

Master brewers James and Bowman got the cacao nibs, grains and coconut chips together, and pretty soon the scents of malt, roasted grain, chocolate and coconut seemed everywhere. (The beer will be called ‘Bounty Hunter’ – no doubt the chocolate bar’s taste will be evoked by the finished stout in due time).

Art & Craft Beer

I went to the main bar to seek vegetarian fare. I ran into Fisher, and we got talking about art. He’s more than happy to talk about the opportunities BrewDog has created for him. Over the entrance is a painted mural of two dogs facing each other; I note their gums seem to be in fluorescent paint. Across from them is neon lettering proclaiming ‘without us, we are nothing’. When the rest of the bar is dark, the neon shows up the florescent paint in the murals.

We discuss all things paint and design. He shows me a remarkably striking Welsh red dragon he’s done for the Cardiff bar which opened late 2014; I adore it, and will be making my way to the new Welsh location when next I can. The pie is taking a long time to come – I’m expecting someone will just be reheating some pre-made pie.

Fisher had recommended the flavour; sweet potato and feta.

BrewDog’s pies come fresh from Pieminister.

The pie eventually comes: it’s well worth the wait, and must have been freshly made; I feel guilty for trying to hurry it along and for my assumption it was just going to be a case of reheating something in a microwave.

Apologies. It’s also in biodegradable packaging with biodegradable cutlery.

The reason for my haste was that I didn’t want to miss a thing going on in the brewery. I arrive back at my table just in time for the business end of today’s events: Martin and James are about to give an overview of their company’s – our company’s – performance.

Share And Share I Like

“The truth is that unless you drink in their pubs or buy a lot from their website then it it [sic] probably wouldn’t count as a good ‘investment’.”

“Their success is entirely due to hipster popularity. Once all the “cool dudes” stop being interested in beer, BrewDog will slip back into obscurity.” – forum comments from http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4665869

“If BrewDog continue to brew excellent beer whilst growing as they have done, then you should make your money back and more, but that is missing the point. If you believe in what BrewDog are doing, and believe that they are genuinely in it for the love of beer and not simply financial gain then you should invest. If you think the numbers don’t add up and it’s not a ‘good investment’ then you shouldn’t.

“The decision is up to you, and BrewDog have been extremely open and honest about what they are offering, and what they’re not.” – http://www.eatingisntcheating.co.uk/2011/07/is-brewdogs-share-offer-taking-us-for.html

From market stall to first small share offering to the present, there has been absolutely no slip in BrewDog’s passion or in their attention to detail.

In 2011 the company raised £2 million with a second release of shares, Equity for Punks II; they also raised £4.25m in Equity for Punks III in 2013. They then spent £6.5 million on the Ellon brewery. Their profit margins continue to escalate to dizzying levels – yet compared to the big boys like Diageo (who you may remember tried to cheat the BrewDog team out of an award), they are still comparably small.

We wondered what James Watt and Martin Dickie would tell us today. We are getting very used to hearing good news from them, and today we got more. The good news includes:

• BrewDog is a Living Wage Employer (more info here http://www.livingwage.org.uk/employers )
• BrewDog is now in 52 countries, with a Barcelona bar opening next week opens Tuesday 10th for Equity Punk launch, open to general public Wednesday 11th
• BrewDog Brighton will open in June of this year all being well, and Southampton soon.
• Idlewild will play the AGM again this year on 6 June (Martin and James promise that there will not be the long lines of people queuing for beer they had last time – over 4,000 people attended, and getting a beer was a long process it must be admitted)
• There will be a shareholder beer club featuring limited edition craft beer
• More canned beers will be produced (including personal favourite Jackhammer) – enabling export without losing quality

What do they want? To keep making great craft beer and to ‘be the best employer ever’. The shareholders are with them on both points, and any staff member I’ve ever spoken with seems to think BrewDog already is top dog in terms of employment.

Martin’s mentioned that American giant Coors cut production by 600,000 barrels in 2013/14 – this is about the amount the entire craft brewing sector gained.

The brewery here in Ellon has greatly grown, it aims to produce some 172,000 HL of beer this coming year – still making it a small player compared to the likes of the American brewers.

What makes a company too big?

There’s big and there’s too Big

Some of BrewDog’s detractors claim the company is now ‘too big’. Should the company start acting like a monopoly seeking to control production, distribution – and making political donations – I’ll consider it too big. But that seems to be how at least one multinational drinks company is carrying on. News broke this week of the behaviour of brewing multinationals in Canadian politics, and if I were a shareholder, I’d be selling up. As the Globe & Mail put it:

“The Beer Store’s corporate owners have funnelled more than $1.1-million to Ontario politicians in the past decade, as they successfully held on to their lucrative private monopoly.

“The company – owned by foreign brewing giants Anheuser-Busch InBev SA, Molson Coors Brewing Co. and Sapporo Breweries Ltd. – enjoys a government-protected stranglehold on beer retail, codified in a secret deal with the province.” – http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/beer-stores

I wonder whether BrewDog detractors will put as much energy into complaining about brewery giants and their retail arms donating hundreds and thousands of Canadian dollars to politicians. No doubt those who think the Watt Dickie company is ‘too big’ will be quick to jump on this important story.

In the early share offering days, some internet investment gurus warned that this was nothing more than ‘a beer club’ – some had less kind things to say. Other pundits were all in favour of their style and their business model. I ask one of the staff about the share value. She advises that when people were first allowed to trade/sell shares in October 2014, the price wound up being £125.

It also seems that many people were willing to part with one or two shares, but few if any people completely divested. Everyone here today seems to have a shared vision based on a passion for beer.

A Matter of Taste

It’s time to taste some beer. We start with India Pale Weizen , made in collaboration with one of the world’s oldest breweries, Weihenstephan. It’s a delicious wheat concoction with the bitter elements of Jackhammer. The hops are Simcoe and Centennial. My table is happy. We’ve also been joined by two more craft beer lovers, and we are all literally comparing notes.

Next we get to taste how the beer we’ve come together to brew is progressing: we drink the wort (the wort is what you get from mashing in- so just the dark sugary liquid you get from the malts- this is before adding hops/other ingredients). It’s delicious – my table asks for more.

This wort is hinting at a very great beer to come in a few weeks’ time.

The third tasting comes a bit late for my table; we’d already enjoyed a pint (or so) of Bourbon Baby, a dark, oaty chocolaty strong drink aged in bourbon casks. It’s another success.

Finally we taste a new version of BrewDog’s Paradox Paradox Compass Box – the staff member talking us through this whimsically suggests it should be drunk by a fire place while sitting in a wing chair, with a fluffy cat nearby. I wonder whether she’s been looking through my flat’s window of a winter night?

Too soon it’s time to go back; the traffic is awful. The heartier shareholders head to the BrewDog bar.

I am heading home for that comfy chair by the fire, my cats, and a final small drink of the night; a ‘Dog B’. I think to myself, ‘the boys have done it again’ – then I realise, having seen their wives and beautiful babies at the today, maybe they’re not ‘boys’ any more. I think instead – well done to James, Martin, their growing families and to all of us who’re on this successful, wild, delicious ride. Same again please.

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MSP Welcomes Boost For Local Dairy Farmers

Aberdeenshire, News No Responses »

Feb 052015

Christian (L) with Roy Mitchell (R) at Drimmies Farm

North East MSP Christian Allard with Roy Mitchell at Drimmies Farm in Inverurie

With thanks to Ann-Marie Parry.

North East MSP Christian Allard has welcomed the news that a Scottish dairy brand will be launched this year – to promote Scottish produce at home and abroad and to provide additional support to our hard-working dairy farmers.
Last month, Mr Allard urged processors and supermarkets to support local dairy producers in the Year of Food and Drink 2015 and now Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead has announced that a detailed dairy action plan will be published.

Mr Allard recently visited Drimmies Farm in Inverurie to meet owner Roy Mitchell.

The farm has 400 dairy cows and for four generations Mitchells have been farming in the heart of rural Aberdeenshire providing the very best locally produced milk.

Christian Allard MSP said:

“This is a very welcome announcement by the Scottish Government – and will provide real support for local dairy farmers in the north-east of Scotland. This will further boost the Scottish economy, making it easier for consumers to choose Scottish products first.

“Scottish food and drink has an exceptional reputation across the world – and this new dairy brand will help further showcase Scotland’s produce and allow our farmers to further capitalise on this proud reputation and access more export opportunities.

“Dairy farmers play an important role in both the local and national economy – and I know that this increased Scottish Government support will be welcomed by farmers who can now face the future with an increased sense of confidence in the face of the changing price of milk.”

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JCI Aberdeen Support Inspire – Partnership Through Life

Aberdeen City, Articles No Responses »

Jan 162015

With thanks to Rebecca Borresen.

Craig Wilson – Kilted Chef and proprietor of Eat on the Green

Due to the overwhelming success of last year’s ‘An Evening with Jane Lovett’, and previously with Lady Claire MacDonald, JCI Aberdeen are delighted to announce they will be hosting another cookery demonstration in February 2015. The Great Granite Cook-Off will be held at The Norwood Hall Hotel to raise money for Inspire – Partnership through Life.

On 12th February talents Jamie Hutcheon, award winning chocolatier and founder of Cocoa Ooze, and Craig Wilson, the highly praised Kilted Chef and proprietor of Eat on the Green will be taking to the stage.

The two chefs will be showcasing their talents and tantalising the taste buds of cookery fans across the North East. JCI Aberdeen President Kimberley John spoke of the success of last year’s event:

“JCI Aberdeen was overwhelmed by the charitable support for our cookery fundraiser with Jane Lovettt raising money for Friends of ANCHOR.

“We look forward to another special evening in February when we will welcome Craig Wilson and Jamie Hutcheon on stage for an event which promises to entertain budding chefs, whilst raising funds for Inspire.”

Tickets for the event, priced at £25 to include a drinks reception and raffle, can be purchased by contacting the project team at events@jciaberdeen.org.uk or project lead Rebecca Borresen on 07821 055694; tables of 10 and gift vouchers are available.

More Info: JCI Aberdeen is part of the JCI international federation of young entrepreneurs and leaders, for people aged 18 – 40. A range of personal development opportunities are offered to members, including business, social, community and international events and projects.

Bistro’s Home-cooked Menu To Whet Appetite Of Judges

Aberdeenshire, Information No Responses »

Jan 162015

With thanks to Eoin Smith, Tricker PR.

The word homemade can often be overused in the restaurant world.
But there is one place in the heart of Royal Deeside that takes home cooking to a whole new level. Buchanan’s Bistro in Banchory makes everything – including its curry powder – from scratch and even brews its own beer.

It’s the attention to detail that has led to Buchanan’s being short-listed for the best informal eating experience in the Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, which will be announced later this month.

Owners Calum and Val Buchanan were determined to put an emphasis on fresh, local produce when they took the helm of the bistro in 2010. For them, homemade food is not just something to entice diners – it’s a means to help customers take a healthier approach to eating out.

Val explains:

“Using local suppliers allows us to change the menu daily and lets us channel our creativity to produce delicious and healthy dishes. We have a flexible menu that includes small plates, sharing boards and hot platefuls.

“Our fresh bread made on the premises every day is particularly popular with our customers.

“Calum makes the organic sourdough bread using long and traditional fermentations which is very important for the digestive system, leaving customers to indulge without feeling guilty.

“Last year we introduced something totally new for us – our very own Bistro beers. Brewed in the kitchen, the beer comes in five varieties – Original, IPA, Dark Stout, BoHo Lager and Wild Wheat.

“As it’s only sold within the bistro, we’ve found that it’s become a major reason for some customers to visit.”

Buchanan’s Bistro is located within Woodend Barn, an art centre that was established in 1994 which hosts an exciting and creative programme of music, theatre, dance, comedy, film, children’s events, art exhibitions and workshops.

The diverse offering has allowed Buchanan’s to work with Woodend Barn, providing seasonal suppers for resident theatre groups to popular weekly music slots for performers.

In addition to looking after the wellbeing of customers, Buchanan’s Bistro also looks out for the planet with a raft of policies to ensure that all practices are environmentally friendly.

A huge emphasis has been put on staff training, with all in the team offered in-house training opportunities as well as recognised SVQs.

Val adds:

“Although it may sound cliché, we really are like one big family. The staff play a fundamental role in creating a hub where people feel relaxed and leave feeling restored. We offer something a little out of the ordinary, while offering wholesome and healthy food.”

Buchanan’s will face stiff competition in the best informal eating experience award category from The Mariner Hotel in Aberdeen and The Bay Fish and Chips in Stonehaven.

Final judging takes place before the end of the year and winners will be announced at a ceremony at Ardoe House Hotel and Spa in Aberdeen on January 30, 2015. Host for the evening will be broadcaster Tam Cowan. Further information about the awards is available at www.acsta.co.uk

Petition Launched To Protect Wild Salmon

Environment, Featured, News 3 Responses »

Dec 192014

Salmon killed in coastal nets

With thanks to Suzanne Kelly.

The Salmon and Trout Association (Scotland) (S&TA(S)), in conjunction with leading angling guide and consultant Ian Gordon, has today launched an online petition aimed at preventing any killing of wild salmon in Scotland before 1st July for the next five years. This follows two years of poor salmon runs and reflects an increasing appreciation that decisive action is required to help arrest the decline.

In 2013 6,563 salmon were killed before 1st July – of which over two thirds were taken by nets.

The public petition, which is hosted on the Scottish Parliament’s website, also calls for an end to all coastal salmon netting, given that it is totally indiscriminate and incapable of distinguishing between river stocks which are healthy and those that are severely depleted. The cessation of coastal netting would enable the Scottish Government to honour its international conservation obligations, particularly under the NASCO treaty.

Hughie Campbell Adamson, Chairman of S&TA(S), commented:

“It is evident that the Scottish rod catch of salmon in 2014 was the lowest in over 60 years and just 50% of the ten year average. Decisive action is now needed to reduce significantly the number killed, particularly the most vulnerable stocks – those that arrive back on our coasts between January and June. Our proposals are for a five year period from 2016 in order to give any recovery in salmon numbers the best possible chance of success”.

Mr Campbell Adamson added:

“Whilst we welcome Scottish Government’s recent announcement that it will consult imminently on the introduction from 2016 of a ban on the killing of wild salmon except under licence in order to ensure that ‘any killing of salmon is sustainable’, we are adamant that this should be underwritten by a firm presumption that no licences whatsoever should be issued for any exploitation before July”.

Ian Gordon, an authority on salmon fishing in Scotland, commented:

“A year ago I promoted my own online petition, calling for Scottish Ministers to stop the resumption of net fishing in the early spring after a 14 year voluntary cessation. This attracted over 20,000 signatures and I am pleased to note that Scottish Government has now introduced a conservation measure from the 2015 season banning any killing of salmon before 1st April.

“We now need to go much further and I hope that our new petition can build on this momentum so that the Scottish Parliament gives due priority to greater protection to our wild salmon, until such time as stocks of one of Scotland’s most iconic species show a marked recovery”.

The petition can be accessed through –http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01547

The full text of the petition reads:

“Ian Gordon and the Salmon and Trout Association (Scotland) call upon the Scottish Parliament:

(i) in the interests of salmon conservation, and on a precautionary basis, to request Scottish Ministers to use their powers immediately under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 2003 Act to ensure that no Atlantic salmon are killed in Scotland for a period of five years from 2016 – by either nets or rods – before 1st July; and

(ii) in the case of fishing for salmon by coastal netting, to take such steps as are necessary to bring to an end the exploitation of wild salmon by Mixed Stock Fisheries at any time of year, in line with Scotland’s international commitments and obligations.”

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Duthie Park Carol Concert Supports Foodbanks

Aberdeen City, Charity No Responses »

Dec 112014

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

Friends Of Duthie Park will be putting on a Christmas Carol Concert at 11 am and 2 pm on Saturday 20th December 2014 at David Welch Winter Gardens, Duthie Park.
The event will also include a raffle on behalf of Food Banks across the city.

To enter the raffle, and have the opportunity to win a Christmas Fruit Hamper donated by CFine, please bring along any tinned goods, packaged and jars of food, toiletries and staple items such as tea, coffee, sugar etc.

CFine will then distribute all items to those who need that extra bit of help at Christmas.

Anyone wishing to make a donation before the Christmas Carol Concert, should contact Arthur Gill, or drop their donation off at the Winter Gardens.

Local MSP Backs Neighbourhood Food Collection

Aberdeenshire, Information 1 Response »

Nov 282014

With thanks to Gavin Mowat, Constituency Assistant to Christian Allard MSP

Emergency food for local people in crisis Tesco Ellon Aberdeenshire

Christian Allard MSP (right) with volunteers at Ellon Tesco food collection in July

SNP MSP Christian Allard is backing the fifth Neighbourhood Food Collection organised by Tesco in stores across the North East.
From Monday 24th November to Saturday 29th November, Tesco stores will invite shoppers to donate an item or two from their weekly groceries to help those in their communities who are struggling to afford to eat.

The collection is being run in partnership with foodbank charity The Trussell Trust and food redistribution charity FareShare. As well as hosting the collection, Tesco will also “top-up” all food donations by 30%.

Since November 2012, Tesco food collections have helped provide 15.3 million meals across the UK.

North East MSP Christian Allard will be volunteering at the Turriff store on Friday 28 November from 10am.

Commenting, Mr Allard said:

“Volunteers at The Trussell Trust make a vital contribution to lives of families struggling to feed themselves in the North East and beyond. I am always happy to lend a hand whenever I can.

“The rise of foodbanks is unacceptable in a country as prosperous as Scotland, but the work of local volunteers is inspiring.

“While their efforts should not be necessary I know that they are greatly appreciated by those in need, particularly in the run up to Christmas.

“I look forward to joining local volunteers in Turriff on Friday and helping out with this important task. I will be encouraging people to be as generous as they can with their donations.”

Christian will attend the Turriff Tesco Neighbourhood Food Collection from 10 am on Friday 28 November.

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