The Alford BULLetin 30 - Summer 2023

Alford’s First Summer Gala!

Raising funds for Alford Primary School and brought to you by the PTA Fundraising Team, Alford’s first Summer Gala on Saturday July 1st will bring you all the fun of the fair:

• Funfair Games

• Bouncy Castles

• Climbing Wall

• Candy Floss & Popcorn

• Magician

• Remote Control Cars Racetrack

• Miss Whippy Delight Ice Cream

• Live Music & Performances

• Scavenger Hunt

• Football Shoot-Out

• Craft & Local Stalls

• Hair Braiding & Face Painting

• Fish 1n1 Chips 2 Go

• Tinkerbelle the Pony

All welcome with FREE ENTRY, 10-3.

Alford Community Podcast is a new and fun way for people to keep up to date with everything that is going on in the area. The podcast aims to promote local business and let folk know what events are going on, whilst listening to some great music and just having fun.

Created by Lisa Wilkie, you can find Alford Community Podcast on Spotify and Apple or get more information from the podcast’s Facebook Group page.

Love you lots like TINY

Alford Tiny Tots have taken over the running of Tuesday Toddlers from 1011.45am at Alford Public Hall. The format of the session has remained the same (donations welcome) and the group is using toys donated by Alford Youth Cafe.

What is YOUR group up to?

Cos the BULLetin wants to know...

There are lots of activities and events across the Donside area, every week and every year. They all do wonderful things and many have struggled to keep going, or keep going in the same way, since Covid and the Cost of Living crisis.

What’s your passion? Does your group or event need new members/volunteers?

Get in touch. I’d love to feature you in the magazine. Send any words, pictures, posters and important dates to the contacts below.

Remember

1st of February, May, August and November, every year.

I live in Ballater (another fabulous place!) so I can’t always have my ear to the ground with what’s on but I do want to help the Alford and surrounding area tell folk about what is out there for them.

The rewards are huge for all. Be it tennis, hula hoops, reading, debating, blethering or rolling out Father Christmas every year, let me know, and I’ll do what I can with the space I’ve got. Cat x

myriadprocat@outlook.com

Facebook.com/TheAlfordBULLetin

To find out more and enquire, visit our website: kirkwoodhomes.co.uk/developments/castle-road

New luxury homes in Alford

CASTLE ROAD

Our Castle Road development is well underway - AND we’ve opened a stunning new showhome!

This popular development, Castle Road, boasts an ideal location within Alford, where a few minutes’ walk takes you to the various amenities in the town, while Inverurie and Westhill are just a short drive away.

Earlier this year, we launched the 4 bedroom detached ‘Tummel’ showhome at Castle Road, which boasts a spacious internal layout and an abundance of outstanding features. This showhome has been beautifully designed by Thomas Fischer Interiors, resulting in a stylish, modern family residence.

With a range of 55 luxury 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes available, each thoughtfully designed and built to a superior standard, could your new home be at Castle Road?

ELLINGTON MENNIE

We have recently moved to a new showroom on the north side of Aboyne’s Station Square and have created a relaxed and inspiring space for our customers’ to discuss and develop their kitchen ideas with our in-house design expert. Our personal and professional service manages the full life cycle of your project from initial concept to a beautifully crafted installation, including bathrooms, bedrooms and home office spaces.

Northside, Station Square, Aboyne, AB34 5HX

Kitchens & Cookware

£500 off all taps with kitchens purchased between June and August 2023. T&Cs apply. Ask for more details.

Original outdoor clothing

Made in Scotland. Used worldwide.

At Hilltrek we’ve been hand cra ing performance outdoor clothing on Royal Deeside for 30 years. Our story now continues in larger premises at Deeside Activity Park.

on... we’ve moved!

Opening times - Monday to Friday 9:30-17:00, Saturday by appointment

New Reading Group Launched

The new Alford Reading Group describes itself as a “social group for people to share their reading experiences with”. So far they have established a Facebook page, created a spreadsheet with a number of possible book choices, and held their first meeting to discuss Jeanine Cummins’ 2020 novel, American Dirt, which those present rated a respectable 7.6 out of 10.

Moving forward, the group aims to meet on the first Monday of the month at Chloe’s Kitchen Creations in Donside Road to discuss that month’s book choice.

The glass bottle recycling bins at Bridge of Alford are in need of a new home.

Up until recently, the bins have been located in the car park at the Forbes Arms, but due to increased parking spaces they have to be moved elsewhere.

If you have any suggestions, contact Cllr Robbie Withey, Independent for Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford, as he says Aberdeenshire Council are keen to retain the recycling service in Bridge of Alford if possible. 07388 956147 or cllr.r.withey@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Magpie’s eye for a bargain!

Magpie is a social enterprise based in Tillybrake Industrial Estate in Banchory, which seeks to create a sustainable future through diverting furniture and clothing from landfill and instead selling it on to be used again.

Thanks to its customers’ support, the organisation diverts around 22 tonnes of goods from landfill annually, which is invaluable in tackling climate change. The group has been serving Banchory and beyond since 1999, when you might remember them as “The Boxroom”.

Alongside selling furniture, clothes, and collectibles, they also work with partners South Aberdeenshire Foodbank and Aberdeenshire Council Social Work office to deliver food parcels and furniture to those facing hardship.

They always welcome new volunteers and rely on an incredible team to run the project. Volunteering can help you gain valuable new skills, experiences and boost your confidence and they have several opportunities to suit everyone.

Crucially, the funds raised in the shop means that Magpie can continue its valuable work in the community, so when you donate or purchase something from Magpie, remember that you are directly helping to tackle climate change, supporting the Aberdeenshire area and helping people most in need. Every penny raised goes straight back in.

Alford Car Transport Service (ACTS)

Change of contact number:

07544 864240

Please leave the following information:

Your name, address + Phone number and the date, time + place of your appointment

If possible, please give at least 48 hours’ notice

The aim of the ACTS charity is to enable people to attend health and similar related appointments, where public or family transport is unavailable or inappropriate

Team GTM are rightly proud of their talented Young Engineers, who participated at the Fife Goblins Greenpower event at East Fortune in May and took home second place.

The GTM Young Engineers Club is a group that allows individuals aged 11 to 16 to engage in solving engineering challenges and participate in Greenpower events. The Museum also hosts events in its arena.

The Club conducts their meetings on Saturday mornings during term time. Do you want to join or know a young person who might be interested?

Head to the GTM website for more information or email youngengineers@ gtm.org.uk

www.gtm.org.uk

The countdown is officially on!

While GTM is celebrating its 40th anniversary throughout the year, their biggest celebration will be on Sunday the 23rd of July...

The Grampian Transport Museum is a charitable trust and museum located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland that showcases the history of transportation in the northeast of Scotland through interactive displays, climb-aboard vehicle exhibits, and video presentations.

The museum was established in 1983 on its current site in Alford after a group of local transport enthusiasts and collectors sought to create a local transport museum in the early 1970s.

The museum features major exhibits such as the world’s oldest Sentinel Steam Waggon, a Mack Snowplow, and a working model of Robert Davidson’s motor for electric traction, as well as historic and classic automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, steam vehicles, an electric tram, toy model vehicles, and transport memorabilia.

The 40th anniversary celebrations will include special new exhibits, as well as the return of old favourites.

A year full of events, the highlight of the anniversary celebrations is expected to be the 40th Anniversary return of the Alford Cavalcade in July, which played a significant role in raising funds to build the museum in the 1970s and 1980s and will be the centre of the museum’s activities. For vehicle entries: www.gtm.org.uk/ events/40th-birthday-cavalcade/

Alford’s favourite green space is hosting the fourth Mini Bull Run this autumn.

Supported by the Alford Primary Parent Council, the popular fun runs will take place down at the flower meadow at Haughton Country Park on the morning of the 30th September.

Along with the toddlers’ run and other primary age events will be a new relay for parents and children. We hope to see you all there – bring the sun with you! Check us out on Facebook for the latest news of when you can sign up.

Alford Library

Public Opening + Click & Collect

Tuesday 1000-1600

Wednesday 1500-1700

Thursday 1300-1800

Saturday 1000-1200

A number of regular clubs and interest groups operate from the Library, including:

Bookbug | Home Educators | Lego | Films | Canasta | Coding Job Club | Craft | Wool Spinning + Alzheimers Scotland for more details, head into the Library at the Community Campus on Greystone Road email alford.library@ aberdeenshire.gov.uk call 01975 520380

www.livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk

Professional Tree Surgeons serving Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire

News from Secretary Edna Harris Annual General Meeting

This will be held in the Hall on Thursday June 15th at 6.30pm. Everyone welcome. We have vacancies for Board members. If you are interested in joining us please contact the Secretary for more information. The Board members are responsible for ensuring the Hall is a fit and proper facility for the Tullynessle and Forbes community and for promoting our quality of life by advancing social, cultural, recreational and educational activities. We also have Members who do not sit on the Board. They live in the AB33 area and wish to support the Hall and can call special Members’ meetings if they so wish. There is no membership fee. The secretary has Membership forms if you wish to support the Hall in this way.

Hiring the Hall

We have a beautiful Hall with a beautiful view. We hire it out for a variety of activities and classes. It is a perfect local venue for parties, ceilidhs, weddings, funeral teas, fundraising events etc. We have a smaller meeting room, a well equipped kitchen and lots of parking. Email bookings@tullynesslehall.org

Blended Meetings

A wee reminder that we have all the necessary IT equipment for local clubs/ organisations/groups to hold a blended meeting if some members cannot attend in person. Help and support is provided if needed.

50/50 Club

You’ll have no doubt seen our monthly posters on the notice board outside the Bistro, at the Hall and in the Co-op, announcing the three winners in that month’s draw. In the April draw the prizes were £111.25, £66.75 and £44.50. It’s 50/50 so the Hall gained too that month. (£222.50)

How does it work? It costs £5 per draw number per month and you pay by monthly standing order or a yearly cheque. Each month at our Board meeting your number(s) are put into the draw and we draw out three winning numbers. It’s as simple as that.

We are still welcoming new members so if you would like to be “in it to (hopefully) win it” contact the Secretary, Edna Harris, for an application form.

(secretary@tullynesshall.org or 019755 63548)

Horsing Around

Hello, my name is Katy and I am the new Visitor Officer at World Horse Welfare Belwade Farm. I am looking forward to welcoming everyone to the farm to meet the ponies under rehabilitation and to share more about the work of World Horse Welfare – do introduce yourselves when you arrive as we are proud to be part of a great community and I am really looking forward to meeting everyone soon. In addition to welcoming visitors I am also looking for members of the local community to join our friendly visitor centre volunteer team. There is always lots to do from meet and greet on reception to pointing out the best walks and even helping out in the Bistro – our volunteers are invaluable to help us provide the best experience to our visitors. If you have a few hours a week to spare or if you would prefer to help us on busy event days, please give me a call and pop in for a chat. We have around 50 ponies on the farm for you to meet and of course you can enjoy lovely walks, explore the Fairy Wood then treat yourself to lunch in the Bistro. We also have a private room available to hire if you are looking for a venue for conferences or meetings and even a Stone Circle if you are looking for a unique wedding venue –there is lots to enjoy at Belwade so if I can help you in any way, please get in touch. Email: bfevents@worldhorsewelfare.org or call us on 01339 885398.

Alford + District Men’s Shed

The Alford and District Men’s Shed is now home to a new defibrillator, thanks to the effort of one of its members.

Robbie Mortimer successfully raised over £1,700 to enable the group to purchase a defib and support package for use if ever required in the shed. Robbie presented the unit to Chairman Robert Burr at the shed. Robert expressed thanks to Robbie, from all his fellow shedders.

Scotland is introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) which is due to go live from August 16th 2023.

If you make, import, buy or sell drinks here, you may have legal responsibilities under The Deposit and Return Scheme for Scotland Regulations 2020. There have been some changes made to the scheme recently so to keep up to date and receive updates, it is recommended that you sign up to Circularity Scotland. Go to depositreturn.scot for more information.

Local Governance

Donside Community Council

All of our meetings are open to the public, whether you want to raise an issue or just come along and hear what we are talking about first hand.

The meetings are attended by our local

area Community Council representatives (who are all volunteers) and by Aberdeenshire Councillors for Wards 14 and 15.

We meet every second Tuesday of the month, except for July and December. Most of our meetings are held at Alford Community Campus but we hold at least two meetings in other parts of our area during the year.

Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date. If you have a question or want any information, contact us by email: chair@ donsidecommunitycouncil.org.uk

There are already lots of businesses, community groups and organisations listed on www.enjoyalfordanddonside. com. Check out the Explore page to see what’s there. You can list YOUR organisation on the site, which aims to promote all aspects of Alford and Donside to residents and visitors. All you need to do is complete a form online via the Facebook page /enjoyalfordanddonside or email info@ enjoyalfordanddonside.com

Who’s in charge here? If you have a problem or would like to see something change or happen in the area, there are a few places from which you can start...

Alford Valley Community Railway

The Railway’s progression had a welcome boost in mid-May, when 12 volunteers pitched in for the day. A number jobs were sorted and got under way as a result:

“Down in the shed James got a coolant change after the replaced radiator was tested. Horn blocks were oiled and maintained. Bra Lass got her filets looked at and the remaining air leak sorted. Our new weed killing train was set up and tested with water, to see how far we get in one tank. One tank does all the way to Haughton. Restoration work on the tram was carried out and assessment of roof carried out. Up at the station the blocked drain was cleared, retaining wall was sorted and the fence painting project was started once the sun came out.” The group extended their thanks to everyone who helped out, with over 70 hours of work done. Inside the station new flooring was installed, so it is hoped the majority of the building will be completed very soon. If you would like to get involved in this huge restoration project of a well-loved community asset, you can contact the group via email avcrinformation@gmail.com, through their website avcr.org.uk or see their Facebook page /AlfordValleyRailway

Remember to look up these guys too – Friends of Haughton Country Park + Haughton Holiday Park, both committed to working with you + your community

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"Workmanship of a very high quality - it really is a different class"

"Workmanship of a very high quality - it really is a different class""

"Workmanship of a very high quality - it really is a different class"

""Professional, friendly, """PProfeesssioonaal, fr f ieenndlyy, ""Professional, friendly, knowledgeable. Our house knowleedgeabble. O hoouse knowledgeable. Our house is now very cosy" is n now w very ccosy"" is now very cosy" *£

BRAND NEW SEWING AND ALTERATIONS SERVICE IN ALFORD

Garments, Curtains, Roman Blinds, Pelmets, Cushions and more

By appointment only

Amber Sutherland 1 Correen Way Alford AB33 8FA

T: 07957 403 029

E: wildgingersewing@outlook.com

Aromatherapy | Facials

Aqua Chi Detox | Reiki

Thai Hand/Foot Massage

Nutritional Therapy

Purpose-built tranquil and calming room just on the edge of Alford

Can help boost the immune system helpful with aches and pains, depression, anxiety and much more

01975 562646

elmamunro61@hotmail.co.uk

Find me on Facebook: /munaraholistictherapies

The Douneside Health Club, located in Tarland, near Aboyne offers a range of excellent facilities. These include a 12.5 metre swimming pool, sauna, spa pool, steam room, state-of-the-art gymnasium and all weather tennis court. In addition, there is an range of fitness classes, all run by our team of fully qualified instructors.

If you would like to find out more about our memberships and some of the benefits, from a complimentary lunch for two at Douneside House, orpersonal 1 to 1 inductions (including fitness plan), contact us now.

1/4 page - £30

1/2 page - £60

Full page - £120

Back page - £150

FOOT CARE IN YOUR HOME

All relevant C-19 precautions taken