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Royal Deeside Tunes Up For Food And Fiddle Fortnight

Oct 012015

With thanks to Ian McLaren, PR account manager, Innes Associates

Perfect accompaniment: Royal Deeside serving up third Food and Fiddle Fortnight next month

Royal Deeside will again provide the scenic backdrop as the area serves up another helping of its annual Food and Fiddle Fortnight, which begins this Friday.

Taking place in venues throughout the Aberdeenshire valley, the initiative brings together local food producers, businesses and musicians to showcase the area’s culinary and musical talents.

The celebration of food and music has been organised by Visit Royal Deeside and runs from Friday, 02 until Sunday, 18 October.

Now in its third year, the two-week festival is expected to draw visitors from across Scotland keen to experience the area at the start of one of its most spectacular seasons. A programme of around 60 events has been put together to cater for all musical and gastronomic tastes. Additional events are still being added to the festival’s programme.

The cultural and culinary celebration includes food demonstrations, farmers markets, live music sessions, special afternoon teas, exhibitions and concerts. Many of the area’s cafes, restaurants and inns are also creating special menus for the festival to showcase the breadth and depth of produce available locally.

As Royal Deeside begins to display its autumnal colours, visitors can explore its farmland, forestry and moorland aboard a Land Rover Safari organised by Glen Tanar Estate on Sunday, 04 October, which includes a venison barbecue lunch.

Those wishing to discover the area on foot can join local historian Ian Murray on a guided walk on Saturday, 17 October. Acclaimed local fiddler Paul Anderson will provide live fiddle music along the route, before participants enjoy more music and a two-course dinner at Ballater’s Riverside Cottage Cafe. The venue will also host an opera dinner on Saturday, 10 October.

For foodies, Glendavan House at Dinnet is serving up a Highland hamper and bagpipe breakfast on Saturday, 03 October, while on the Tuesdays and Wednesdays of the festival Cambus O’ May Cheese will open its factory doors and allow visitors to see its award-winning artisan cheeses being made.

Wark Farm at Cushnie, an organic farm butchery and meat retailer, will be holding food and farm experience days on Sunday, 04 and Monday, 05 October. The sessions will include a farm walk followed by an informal lunch of meat reared on the farm and vegetables grown in its kitchen garden. Visitors will also get the chance to learn some butchery skills during an afternoon demonstration.

Art and food will combine throughout the festival. On the opening night, Friday, 02 October, the renowned Butterworth Gallery will host an artistic taste evening. The event will feature local produce including local cheeses from Cambus O’ May Cheese and beers from Deeside Brewery. Meanwhile, on Thursday, 08 October, the 230 ceramic fish exhibits from the much-admired River of Fish installation, created by the Heckleburn Quines, will be auctioned off at Banchory’s Woodend Barn.

Festival highlights include two concerts featuring some of Scotland’s leading traditional musicians.

Celebrating the Hairst takes place on Thursday, October 08, in Tarland’s MacRobert Hall, with renowned local musicians, fiddler Paul Anderson and singer Shona Donaldson, performing a lively programme of traditional tunes and bothy ballads to mark harvest time.

The fortnight-long celebration will draw to a close with a concert performed by the Rua Macmillan Duo at the Woodend Barn, Banchory, on Sunday, 18 October. Award winning Scottish fiddler Rua Macmillan will be joined by pianist Suzanne Houston, with the duo performing a range of music from across Scotland and further afield.

Moira Gash, Visit Royal Deeside project co-ordinator, said:

“Royal Deeside is an area steeped in a rich musical and culinary heritage and the next two weeks will showcase the best of this. The 2015 festival programme features a diverse range of events, with things to appeal to people of all ages, interests and musical tastes. Local businesses have fully supported the Food and Fiddle Fortnight once again and have created some fantastic events.

“As Royal Deeside becomes carpeted in its autumnal shades of gold, russet and ochre, the area really is a stunning place to visit. A great way for all the family to discover more about it is to use the Explore Royal Deeside GeoTour to complement any of the Food and Fiddle Fortnight events. The GeoTour is Scotland’s only official geocaching tour and is a fantastic way to get active and hunt out some of Deeside’s attractions.”

To inspire visitors to explore the local area even further during the Food and Fiddle Fortnight, Visit Royal Deeside has put together an A to Z of things to do and places to visit. The list highlights some of the more unusual activities on offer, including lessons in tractor driving, gliding and driving a train on part of the old Deeside line.

Moira added:

“Royal Deeside has a huge amount to offer visitors. Our A to Z aims to highlight some of the more unusual and quirky activities and places to visit, while also reminding visitors about some of the iconic sites and attractions that the area has to offer. We hope it will give some inspiration to those visiting Royal Deeside in the months ahead.”

The Food and Fiddle Fortnight takes place in venues across Royal Deeside between Friday, 02 and Sunday, 18 October. A full programme is available at www.visitroyaldeeside.com or by searching for Food and Fiddle Fortnight on Facebook.

Visit Royal Deeside is the destination management organisation established in 2005 to promote Royal Deeside, Donside and the eastern Cairngorms. The organisation works with over 100 locals businesses to enhance the quality and variety of visitor products and services, providing effective training and support where necessary.

It aims to grow tourism in the area for the benefit of locals and ensure visitors have the best possible experience to encourage return visits and recommendations to family and friends. More information is available at www.visitroyaldeeside.com.

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Hotel Reception Manager Secures Prestigious Scholarship

Aberdeen City, Articles, Featured No Responses »

Sep 102015

With thanks to Eoin Smith, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR.

Aberdeen, Tuesday 10th March 2015 Thistle Altens Hotel Aberdeen (Picture by Michal Wachucik/Newsline Media Ltd)

Gabor Petia (33), reception manager at The Aberdeen Skyways Hotel.

A reception manager at one of Aberdeen’s top hotels has recently returned from a prestigious scholarship in Switzerland.

Gabor Petia (33), reception manager at The Aberdeen Skyways Hotel, attended a week-long course on leadership in the workplace as part of the Hospitality Industry Training (HIT) Scotland Scholarship at the École Hotelière Lausanne in Switzerland.

Originally from Hungary, Gabor was one of just 14 scholars selected for the week long programme that focused on leadership and management in the hospitality sector.

Gabor explains,

“The whole HIT Scotland experience was incredible and I was honoured to be a part of it.

“I met a number of inspiring individuals and there was a great sense of camaraderie throughout the week. In the evenings we were able to relax and enjoy each other’s company, like a sort of working holiday.”

Throughout the scholarship, Gabor learned a number of skills that will help him become a more effective manager in his post at The Aberdeen Skyways Hotel, including how to motivate his team to perform to the best of their abilities.

He says,

“The most important thing I learned on the scholarship was that being a manager and being a leader are two very different things. A manager is focusing on tasks and schedules, but a leader’s main focus is people.

“I often meet with individuals in the industry who work in hospitality just to pay the bills and have absolutely no passion. I believe that the hospitality industry has no place for this attitude as it has an immediate impact on the level of service.

“The experience reaffirmed my belief that it’s not a mistake to aim for perfection. Striving towards a 100% success rate can bring out the best in a team and encourage teamwork.

“Luckily, our reception team already performs very well, but there’s always room for improvement. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences so that we continue to focus on the guests, their individual needs, and ways in which to give them a unique experience.”

Gabor also realised that sometimes the biggest hindrance in any professional’s work is their own outlook, and that it can be important to step back and re-evaluate one’s priorities in the workplace.

He says,

“The daily pressure at work can mean we sometimes forget the bigger picture. We can focus so much on resolving the issues directly in front of us that it can hold us back from delivering the level of service we are capable of.

“Getting away from daily routines and receiving professional tutoring in how to excel in hospitality is a fantastic experience, and a real motivator to perform well. It reminded me why I entered into the hospitality industry in the first place.”

Gabor, who has worked at The Aberdeen Skyways Hotel since 2011, has long been a valued member of the team. General manager, Alison Christie says,

“Since Gabor returned from his HIT Scotland Scholarship he has been re-energised and really focused on improving the customer experience, putting into place his learnings as soon as he stepped back through the door.

“Being awarded a scholarship is a really fantastic achievement, and we were thrilled that Gabor was selected earlier this year. He is a credit to the hotel, and we look forward to working with him for many more years to come.”

The Aberdeen Skyway Hotel is part of The Hotel Collection, which has two other venues in the city – The Aberdeen Altens Hotel and The Caledonian Hotel. There are 446 bedrooms across the three venues, and each has conferencing and banqueting facilities. The Aberdeen Altens Hotel also has a health and leisure club. Further information is available at www.thehotelcollection.co.uk/region/hotels-in-scotland/

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Motorcycle Convention Returns To Transport Museum

Aberdeenshire, Featured, Information No Responses »

Sep 042015

With thanks to Martyn Smith.

The 33rd Grampian Motorcycle Convention takes place at the Grampian Transport Museum showground this Sunday 6th September.
Having grown from its vintage and classic roots into the museum’s biggest event of the year, the Convention is justifiably recognised as one of the very best motorcycle shows in Britain.

Performing throughout the day will be the On the Edge stunt team – providing a unique mix of precision riding, the skills of a trials rider mixed with those of a freestyle motocross rider.

Using their truck as part of their act, On the Edge are guaranteed to impress with a mix of wheelies on both the front and back wheels, drop offs and vertical 15ft jumps. Their show has to be seen to be believed!

The convention famously introduced Moped Mayhem to Scotland back in 1984 and this year will be no different, with the moped riders ensuring a laugh a minute – all at a top speed of 30mph!

This year the Convention is delighted to welcome 4 times World Superbike champion and current ‘King of the Jungle’ Carl Fogarty as special guest.
Run by the Bon Accord Motorcycle Club the Convention line up is complete with Supermoto Racing on the oval track, demonstrating speedway style riding skills, along with Pursuit Racing demonstrating road bikes racing at high speed. There are also Classic Bike demonstrations including legendary names of the past such as Triumph and Norton.

The latest two-wheeled machines and accessories will be on display at a great trade show and visitors with a current bike license will also be able to get ‘hands on’ with the action, with a free 15 minute lesson on the Try Trials.

With free parking and a FREE Park & Ride service, great food and expert commentary make the Convention a truly special day out and one which enthusiasts regularly travel hundreds of miles to attend.

Gates open at 10am and the arena activities get underway at 11am. Family tickets are available, priced at just £25, admission for adults is £10, children £5 and concessions £7.

Spam Fritter Anyone? Unusual Addition To Hotel Menu

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Aug 212015

With thanks to Jennifer Kelly, Tricker PR.

Andrew’s Spitfire Burger

When Andrew Brown, a Merchant Navy engineer from Peterhead, visited the Taste of Grampian Festival at Thainstone centre in June, the last thing he thought he would be crowned was The Aberdeen Skyway Hotel’s very own burger king…and it was all down to a spam fritter.
The Aberdeen hotel was a prominent feature at the local foodie festival, offering samples from its latest aviation themed burger menu.

But what The Aberdeen Skyway Hotel was really looking for was a new invention for the menu, created by imaginative festival goers.

From chocolate to yoghurt, fruit to pigs cheeks; some of the entries could be considered unpalatable. For Andrew (28), his Spitfire creation consisted of an Aberdeen Angus burger, topped with a spam fritter, habenero salsa, Swiss cheese, rocket, chard salad and a hefty spread of chilli mayonnaise. The chefs carefully selected Andrew’s creation because of its creativity and well balanced flavours.

Andrew explains:

“I couldn’t believe it when the hotel called me to say my recipe had won – it was actually my friend who persuaded me to enter, knowing my love of a good burger. I’d never made the recipe but I knew the ingredients would marry up well.

“I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon with one of the chefs creating my burger and when I finally got to try it, it was every bit as amazing as I’d imagined. The key is in the name though with a definite kick coming from the chilli.

“It’s definitely the most unusual competition I’ve entered and to have my dish on the menu is quite an accolade, even if I do have to put up with my friends calling me the burger king from now on!”

And it would appear that Andrew is not alone in his tastes as the burger has become a huge success since it has been on the menu.

Alison Christie, general manager at The Aberdeen Skyway Hotel, says:

“Guest feedback and input is hugely valuable to us. We strive to ensure that every visitor experience is a positive one; an ongoing achievement reflected in our recent Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence award.

“We know that the Taste of Grampian Festival attracts keen foodies from the area and decided what better way to develop a new, creative menu item? Thirty people entered the competition and although there were some unusual ingredients, the majority were superb.

“We added Andrew’s Spitfire to the menu at the start of July, giving summer visitors an option to try something unique during their visit. The competition has been such a success that we may look to do it again in the future.”

The Spitfire burger will remain on the menu until the end of August and is priced at £14.

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AllFord at Alford: Popular Event Returns This Sunday

Aberdeenshire, History No Responses »

Aug 132015

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

This Sunday (Aug 16) more than 200 Fords will head for Alford for the second AllFord event, taking place at the Grampian Transport Museum.

Launched in 2014, AllFord at Alford is a showcase of everything ‘Fordie’ from 1908 to the present day and celebrates motoring for the masses.

A number of special entries have been received, including a rare Aberdeen bodied Model T van, owned by Les Coull of Keith.

Built in 1924 by Georgeson & Co of Aberdeen it is believed that the van spent its working life at a bakers in Bucksburn before entering into preservation.

Also making an appearance at this year’s AllFord will be the only Model T to have made it to the top of Ben Nevis. Having been taken to the foot of the hill by a group of enthusiasts to celebrate the models centenary it was taken apart in the car park before being lifted, piece by piece, to the top and then reassembled to celebrate the event. Descent from the summit was carried out in a similar manner, with the car being taken apart and then reassembled at the start!

Taking on a gruelling 850 mile round trip for this years show is Adrian Evans of Great Barr, Birmingham. Adrian will be travelling north in his 1969 MK2 Ford Cortina which won the 2014 Meguiars Club Showcase at the NEC, Birmingham.

The event will be supported by Ford UK who will be attending the event with a dedicated Ford Marquee, complete with Playstation driving simulator and brand ambassadors on hand to offer help and advice to enthusiasts. Arnold Clark, as part of the Ford stand, will showcase some of the latest models direct from the showroom.

The popular ‘Choice of the people’ award will once again allow visitors to vote for their favourite car of the show. Craft traders, specialist suppliers and accessories retailers will add to the show atmosphere of this unique event.

Vehicle entries are now closed for this year’s event. Public admission to AllFord is £5 for adults, with children under 16 admitted free.

Hornblower’s Becomes 100% Scottish Sourced

Aberdeen City, Featured, News No Responses »

Aug 132015

With thanks to Phil Moar, Account Manager, Citrus Mix.

Hornblower’s was opened in 2010 by Alex and Ruth Grahame, and specialises in locally-sourced seasonal food with an emphasis on seafood, .

An award-winning Aberdeenshire fish restaurant and takeaway has become 100% Scottish sourced for all its produce after a new deal was struck that guarantees the serving of Scottish poultry in the north-east.

For over two years, Alex Grahame, who owns Hornblower’s in Gourdon with his wife Ruth, has been campaigning to find a reliable and certified Scottish supplier for poultry.

The restaurant is committed to 100% Scottish sourcing, receiving daily deliveries of fish from either Gourdon or Peterhead harbour, fresh meat from The Store and even salt for its chips from the Hebridean Sea Salt company.

Despite this, affordable high welfare Scottish chicken was always missing from the Gourdon menu as a result of the country’s leading suppliers being tied in with exclusive supermarket deals. This shortage of chicken available for independent restaurants has meant that Hornblower’s has had to source its poultry from further afield.

But now, thanks to help from supplier Braehead Foods and Richard Lochhead MSP, Scottish cabinet secretary for rural affairs, food and environment, an understanding has been formed that will see a proportion of red tractor assured poultry from Blairgowrie made available by 2 Sisters Food Group in Glasgow. This will allow restaurants like Hornblower’s to dish up the nation’s chicken to its customers.

Alex Grahame said:

“This announcement is fantastic news for us and really signals an end to over two years of frustration in terms of countless attempts at trying to source affordable, Scottish, high-welfare chickens.

“The power of the supermarkets is really there for all to see and I’d like to thank Braehead Foods and Richard Lochhead for their role in lobbying this campaign. To have a guarantee of Scottish poultry for inclusion in our dishes is really a victory for every independent restaurant in the country and highlights that change can happen for the greater good.

“We’re delighted to now be in a position to add Scottish poultry to our menu and I’m sure our customers will be delighted to hear that the final piece in our sourcing puzzle has been placed. As a restaurant that is committed to 100% Scottish sourcing, from our local fish to our Scottish drinks and even our ice-cream, to finally get over the line with our promise is a great feeling and one that we’ll look to continue to enhance with the addition of new produce in the near future.”

Richard Lochhead MSP, Scottish cabinet secretary for rural affairs, food and environment, said:

“Hornblower’s in Gourdon is a great example of serving up Scotland’s fantastic larder on menus. We land the best seafood and shellfish in the world in Scotland, especially in the north-east, and Hornblower’s offers this alongside great Scottish beef and now top quality Scottish chicken too.

“It’s great to see Hornblower’s get behind Scottish producers: people want to know the story behind the food they eat especially in this important showcase year of food and drink.

“As Scotland takes its steps towards becoming a Good Food Nation, I would encourage as many retailers and hotels and restaurants to follow the lead of places, like Hornblower’s, that are helping Scotland’s growing reputation as the ‘Land of Food and Drink’.

“We have, with VisitScotland, created the ‘Taste our Best’ accreditation scheme which is going from strength to strength. ‘Taste our Best’ is a great way of helping customers find restaurants offering authentic Scottish provenance. I would be delighted if all hotels and restaurants across Scotland followed suit.”

Craig Stevenson, managing director of Braehead Foods, said:

“We are delighted to be able to offer our customers a fantastic range of Scottish produce, our aim first and foremost is always to source Scottish produce where possible. Braehead Foods work with a vast range of Scottish producers and are proud to promote Scottish produce, not only across the UK and Europe, but across the world.”

Hornblower’s in Gourdon, which specialises in locally-sourced seasonal food with an emphasis on seafood, was opened in 2010 by Alex and Ruth Grahame.

Renowned for its fresh produce, the restaurant and takeaway has built up a reputation for showcasing the best that Scotland has to offer from both sea and field. Committed to 100% Scottish sourcing for all of its fish and meat, the restaurant receives daily fresh deliveries of fish from either Gourdon or Peterhead harbour.

It has also received critical acclaim, most recently scooping the 2015 Best Chippy Chips in Scotland award from the National Potato Council. It was also awarded with a VisitScotland Thistle Award for best informal dining experience in the north-east and Tayside in 2014.

The restaurant has also announced plans to take over the lease for the site of the former Jimmy Chungs and TC Fish restaurant at Aberdeen Beach.

The proposal, which has been submitted for planning permission includes a two-storey 16,000 sq ft restaurant facing the sea front with terraces on the first floor and a heated outdoor sitting area on the ground floor. A 650 sq ft takeaway, a 2,500 sq ft ice cream parlour along with two other restaurants, including The Pier Bistro is also part of the plans.

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Heather Day At Duthie Park – A Century On

Aberdeen City, Events, Featured No Responses »

Aug 102015

With thanks to Dave Macdermid.

This month’s 5th Friends of Duthie Park Open Day is just six days short of being on the 100th anniversary of one of the largest events ever held in the park.

On the 22nd August 1915, during World War One, no fewer than 26,000 people, a significant proportion of the city’s population at the time, crammed into the park at sixpence a head for ‘Gala and Heather Day’, an event held to raise money for Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Included in the attractions were a musical drill by a team of ladies, displays of physical drill by a squad from the Gordon Highlanders, exhibition dances and a motor cycle gymkhana.

Fast forward one hundred years and, as Friends Chairman Alan Amoore explains, there are similarities between the event then and the forthcoming Open Day on Sunday 16th August, which is being held in association with Aberdeen Sports Council.

“While I’m not sure we’ll manage to get 26,000 through the gates, our nominated charity for this year is the Archie Foundation, which is of course is based at ARI. In addition, we’ll have dancing demonstrations, fitness drills, vintage vehicles and lots more including wrestling, horse and cart rides, Aberdeen FC Community Trust, The Paul Lawrie Foundation, the Bon Accord Silver Band and much more. And while it cost 6d to gain entry a century ago, our event is completely free, so not everything has gone up in price.”

The full running order for the event, which takes place between noon and 4 pm on Sunday 16th August, is as follows:

Bandstand – Noon – 2 pm; Bon Accord Silver Band

Stage – Noon – Bokwa with Jodie; 1 pm – Zumba & Powerhoops with Elma; 2 pm – Sharon Gill School of Dancing; 2.30 pm – Airyhall Dancers; 3.15 pm – Granite Beat.

Park Area – It’s A Knockout; Horse & Cart Rides; Bouncy Castles; British Military Fitness Obstacle Course; Wrestlezone Scotland; Aberdeen FC Community Trust ‘Speed Cage’; Paul Lawrie Golf Foundation; Paddle Boats, Vintage vehicles; Face Painters; Stalls; Spree Media; Refreshments.

Winter Gardens – Spike the Talking Cactus; McPuddick.

Beach Restaurant Development Gets Green Light

Aberdeen City, News No Responses »

Jul 242015

Hornblower's Pic from fb page httpswww.facebook.comhornblowerstimeline (1)

Pic courtesy of Hornblower’s on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/hornblowers/timeline

With thanks to Phil Moar, Citrus Mix.

Plans for a new Aberdeen Beach restaurant development have been given the green light.
The blueprint for the esplanade site of the former Jimmy Chungs and TC Fish restaurant was submitted late last year by award-winning restaurant and takeaway Hornblower’s, in partnership with site owner Rossnow Leisure and TCD Architects.

The site has lain disused since the start of 2014 but has now been granted the required planning permission to be transformed into a bistro-style restaurant and takeaway along with a 1950s-style ice cream parlour.

The 250 seater, 16,000 sq ft restaurant will occupy two floors and will also include various terracing and heated outdoor seating areas, providing unrivalled sea views. It will be accompanied by a neighbouring 650 sq ft takeaway and 2,500 sq ft ice cream parlour.

The restaurant, takeaway and ice cream parlour will be operated by Hornblower’s, with two other restaurants, including The Pier Bistro, also forming part of the complex.

The planning approval follows the recent decision made by Hornblower’s owners Ruth and Alex Grahame to make their current Gourdon premises available for lease. Hornblower’s has operated from the coastal village since 2011, with its locally sourced dishes and its stunning, picturesque setting proving popular with locals and visitors from throughout the world.

Owner Ruth Grahame is delighted that plans for the Aberdeen Beach development have been given the go-ahead.

She said:

“Today’s announcement is the result of months and months of hard work so we’re thrilled that our plans for Aberdeen Beach have been given the green light.

“When the site came on the market, it immediately grasped our imagination. In terms of location, size and the stunning view out across the sea, it really did tick so many boxes for us and we’re delighted to now be in the position to forge ahead with transforming our dream into a reality.

“Many of the things we’re known for through our time in Gourdon will be replicated in our new home in Aberdeen. We’ll continue to use the best produce from sea and field and we’re committed to 100% Scottish sourcing; an important part of our business that we will never lose sight of.

“The addition of the ice cream parlour adds another dimension to Hornblower’s and I’m sure will be just as popular as our signature dishes. We think a combination of the beach, fish and chips and ice cream sounds great and we can’t wait to let customers, both old and new, experience what we have to offer.”

Construction work on the site is set to begin later this year.

More info:

Hornblower’s in Gourdon, which specialises in locally-sourced seasonal food with an emphasis on seafood, was opened in 2011 by Alex and Ruth Grahame.

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New Appointment At Aberdeen Greenspace

Aberdeen City, Environment, Featured No Responses »

Jul 102015

Michelle Herd, chief executive, Aberdeen Greenspace 1

Aberdeen Greenspace chief executive Michelle Herd at the multi-use games facility at Eric Hendrie Park

With thanks to Ian McLaren, Innes Associates.

A north-east third sector organisation committed to regenerating and developing city centre green spaces for community use has made a senior appointment as it looks to increase funding streams following changes to government legislation.
Aberdeen Greenspace has appointed Michelle Herd to the role of chief executive, she was previously the organisation’s development manager.

Michelle joined the charity last summer and has worked in third sector organisations in the city for the past decade.

Her appointment coincides with changes to how the charity is funded. Until recently it received funding through the Landfill Communities Fund, a tax credit scheme that distributed money raised by the UK government’s landfill tax.

As of 31 March 2015, this taxation has been devolved to the Scottish Government, with monies raised being paid into the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund, administered by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency. Changes to the funding criteria mean that Aberdeen Greenspace is no longer able to obtain funding through the scheme.

The charity has been operating in Aberdeen for 18 years and provides grants to develop and improve urban greenspaces, enabling those living and working in the city to have easy access to such spaces.

Michelle said:

“Green spaces are an important part of the fabric of the city and vital recreational facilities for all its residents and visitors. We need to ensure that these spaces are suitably maintained and developed to allow as many people to access them as possible. To date, the Landfill Communities Fund has provided significant funds that has enabled Aberdeen Greenspace to do this, but support from local businesses is always welcome.

“I’ve taken the helm at an interesting crossroads in Aberdeen Greenspace’s development. The changes brought about by the devolution of the landfill tax have caused some uncertainty, and as a result we have had to adapt the way we operate.

“We are looking into various alternative funding streams, one of which includes developing team building days for local companies. This would form part of a cohesive corporate social responsibility package for them and one that would benefit Aberdeen’s greenspaces and the city residents and visitors.”

Aberdeen Greenspace has helped to deliver a number of projects across the city. This has included substantial improvements at Eric Hendrie Park in Mastrick, installing a new woodland path in Hazlehead Gardens, creating a new community garden in Tillydrone, restoring the East Tullos Burn in St Fitticks Park, Torry, and upgrading the community greenspace at Powis.

Supported by energy firm Nexen UK, the charity transformed Eric Hendrie Park with new landscaping and the addition of a new multi-use games area for locals to play football, basketball and hockey.

The charity is also a major contributor to the redevelopment of the upper deck at the St Nicholas Centre, providing a quarter of the £200,000 funding required for the project. It is also committed to assisting with the transformation of the Skene Street play park.

Aberdeen Greenspace was established in 1997 as a joint venture between Aberdeen City Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Forestry Commission. It works with local communities to improve the greenspace amenities in their area, including community gardens, outdoors sports facilities, children’s play areas, paths and parks.

The organisation provides funding to develop green spaces in and around Aberdeen with an aim to develop accessibility, increase biodiversity, improve the landscape and provide information and interpretation. Aberdeen Greenspace distributes funding on a quarterly basis and can provide up to 75% of a project’s cost. For more information, visit www.aberdeengreenspace.org.uk or telephone 01224 711129.

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Helping Hand For Rosie’s Café After Break-In

Aberdeen City, Community No Responses »

Jun 192015

With thanks to Paul Smith, Citrus Mix.

Two businesses have lent a helping hand to a popular Aberdeen social enterprise café after hundreds of pounds were stolen following a recent break-in.

Rosie’s Café on the city’s Rosemount Place was targeted last month (May), with money set aside for a staff day out removed from the premises.

The café, which is part of Rosie’s Social Enterprises and Turning Point Scotland and provides valuable vocational training, support and work experience for people recovering from mental health issues.

Since the incident has occurred, it has been inundated with donations of support. As part of this, hub North Scotland and construction firm Robertson have come together to donate a range of materials alongside six days labour to help secure the premises after the break-in.

Jill Adie, business development manager at hub North Scotland, was delighted the organisation could help the café in its time of need.

She said:

“When we read about what had happened to Rosie’s Café, we were so disappointed and we immediately thought about what we could do to help them. We work quite closely with the team at Robertson through various other construction projects so we spoke to them and arranged for the material and labour to be provided, free of charge, to secure the café after the break-in.

“It really was the least we could do for a charity that provides so much help and support to people in Aberdeen. It’s great to see it up and running again and knowing we’ve helped give them peace of mind is fantastic.”

Patsy Telford, service manager at Rosie’s Social Enterprises, said:

“We’d just like to say a massive thank you to both hub North Scotland and Robertson for donating the materials and labour to secure the café after the break-in.

“We’ve been inundated with donations, both big and small, and every single one has meant the world to everyone associated with the charity. The response has been so heart-warming and we’re delighted that people have taken the time to help us when we needed it the most.”

Hub North Scotland is the delivery partner for various community-based projects across the north of Scotland including the new Alford Community Campus, Wick Community Campus, Brimmond School and Inverness Royal Academy.

Further information can be found at www.hubnorthscotland.co.uk

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