LOCAL NEWS DEDICATED TO YOUR COMMUNITY
Summer Edition 2010
Featured inside... Riverbank Parent Forum School News Church Update Myke Black M26 Group
Summer Edition 2010
Contents 2
News From Riverbank
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Parent Forum Riverbank & Tillydrone Community Centre
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An Update From St. Machar Academy
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Youth Achievement Awards
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Family Learning
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Church News
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A Thank You From Bezallel
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After School Club
Editorial
10 Portal News & Tillydrone Community Flat 11 Tilly Youth Project 12 Who Is Paras Skye? 13 Wishes and Legends Unveiled & St. Machar Credit Union 14 Cappuccino Club & Cash In Your Pocket 15 Woodlands Community Rangers 16 The M26 Group & Persistent Offender's Initiative 17 Feeling Great & Grampian Police Changes 18 Make It A Clean Aberdeen & SCARF 19 Goodbye And Good Luck 20 Myke Black 21 Councillor's Comments & Poetry Corner 22 shmu news
the new To view in colour le Tilly Tatt se visit Plea .org.uk mu www.sh
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Back left to right: Anton, Yvette, Sofia, Elise, Alina, Denise, Helen Front: Karen, Erica, Christine
Welcome to your Summer edition of Tilly Tattle. The editorial team have been working flat out to bring you this latest edition and we are delighted to welcome Aline, who is the latest member to join our team. We are always keen to welcome new people to the team or receive articles or ideas from anyone living in Tillydrone. Perhaps you have ideas for your magazine, but aren’t too sure how to get them onto paper – staff at shmu are able to support anyone interested to develop their skills and ideas whether it is design based or content based, so don’t be shy in asking for support. Remember, this is your magazine written, edited and designed by and for the good folk of Tillydrone! If you have any articles or ideas for the Autumn/Winter Edition please get in touch with either the Community Flat 01224 486641 or Station House Media Unit (shmu) 01224 515013. Enjoy the rest of your new improved magazine. Supported by
New member Aline
SCHOOL NEWS – RIVERBANK PRIMARY
News from
Riverbank So we have started another busy term at Riverbank. Our outdoor classroom is fully established and children throughout the school have been making use of this space, designing how it should look and learning how to grow and care for plants. We are keeping our green fingers crossed for a sunny summer and are hoping that the vandals who destroyed our daffodil bed won’t be back.
Every Wednesday the children will be taking part in Literacy Morning and participating in various reading, writing and talking activities. This gives classes the opportunity to work together and try different ways of learning. Classes will be visiting the library and all children are being encouraged to get their own card so that they can make use of this excellent local resource. Our link with Bezellel School in Uganda continues to strengthen. Not only has Riverbank helped in fundraising for a new tractor, we will
also be sending them as many books as we can in a container leaving later this month. There have already been lots of class visits this term, covering everything from sculpture workshops to ice skating. The pupils gain a lot from these trips. They have the opportunity to try new things and develop new skills and demonstrate what responsible citizens they are. We will be visiting Aden Park as a whole school at the end of June. Everyone is hoping for a sunny day – here’s to a great summer term! 2
SCHOOL NEWS – RIVERBANK PRIMARY
Tillydrone Community Centre WHATS ON Tillydrone Community Centre Over 50’s Group meet on a Tuesday from 1.30-3pm. Every Tuesday bingo and alternative Tuesday entertainment. Cost 30p at the door to get in. New members always welcome.
Parent Forum
Riverbank Riverbank Parent Forum held their fun day on Saturday 29th May from 10am-4pm. We had a fantastic turnout from the community and luckily the sun shone throughout the day! There was many fun activities such as a Balloon Race, Beat the Goalie, Bottle Stalls, Bingo, Hip Hop Dance session, Tombola and also a Barbeque. We had a fire engine on site, information stalls from various community groups as well as a Bring and Buy sale. There was also a professional photographer taking family portraits. The primary 7’s held some activities to help fundraise towards their End of Term Primary 7 Prom. They fundraised by having a carwash outside the school and a guess the Teddy’s Name and guess the Bunny’s Birthday. Teacher Miss Gardiner and Pupil Support Assistant Gail also
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raised funds for their class school trip to Blair Drummond Safari Park. The Parent Forum raise funds to pay towards school trips which tie in with educational class topics as well as paying towards coaches for the end of term school trip. We raised £908.00 from our fun day. We would like to say Thank You to all who came along and also all those who supported us and helped out on the day! A special thank you goes out to Anna Kidd and Dorothy Irvine who donated all their takings from their bottle stall towards the Parent Forum funds! Overall we had a great day and look forward to doing it all again soon!
Monday and Thursday evenings from 6.30-9pm there are bingo social nights for over 18 year olds. Members pay 50p at the door and non members pays £1. Pop in any evening. Friday night is Indoor Bowling Night so come along and learn, it’s a good exercise! Bowls are supplied and the cost is 50p which is paid at the door. Session is from 6.30-9pm. For more information contact Anna or Bill any Tuesday on 01224 493388.
Just a wee Reminder... All the new articles for the autumn/winter edition of the Tilly Tattle can be sent in after September. Thank you...
SCHOOL NEWS – ST. MACHAR ACADEMY
An Update from
St. Machar Academy Junior Social Area Our Junior Social Area was looking a bit tired and run down so we decided it was time to give the space a bit of a revamp and a boost. A group of our Leadership Academy graduates and various members of staff came together for some painting and decorating over the second half of last term and the Junior Social Area now looks fresh, cheerful and ready to welcome our new First year pupils in June when they arrive for their two day visit. This has been a very satisfying project where the ‘can do’ attitude of staff and pupils has made a positive difference to our environment in the school. The Leadership Academy graduates will take responsibility for running a Healthy Eating Tuck Shop at interval time for the new First Year pupils and they will also be given the opportunity to run lunchtime events for the younger pupils and help them to feel that the Social Area is their space within the school. Baldy Bane Theatre Company In March, S1/2 pupils attended a drama performance by the Baldy Bane Theatre Company. This was a very chilling play which highlighted the dangers of internet chat rooms and giving out personal information without knowing who the person really is. After the hard-hitting performance one of the actors engaged pupils in a question and answer session. The back of our bulletin gives advice for you as parents to help keep your son/daughter safe. It is often hard, as parents, to keep up with the technologies which are now second nature to our young people.
Visit by South African Colleagues
During the week of March 15 we welcomed Mr Johan Els and Mr Schoolboy Nkosi from Cultura High School in South Africa. St. Machar is part of an International Inspirations programme which is being run by the British Council to provide a lasting legacy for the 2012 Olympics in London. Mr Jamieson, PT PE and Mr Hendry, Depute Head Teacher, visited Cultura in October. The plan is to work with our South African colleagues on improving the amount and quality of PE lessons in the South African Schools. Lesson plans will be shared and a group of St. Machar pupils and staff will visit South Africa to take part in this development. Our staff enjoyed sharing the way our South African colleagues approach various aspects of their teaching and learning.
looking wonderful. The evening was another huge success and the hotel commented on how well our pupils represented the school. The event was organised by our Senior Prom Committee made up of S6 pupils, Mrs Clegg of the Maths Department and Mr Hendry, Depute Head Teacher. Congratulations must go to the committee for their organisation and also to all who helped raise money for charity. Giant Heptathlon Success S1 and S2 pupils took part in the Giant heptathlon organised by Active Schools in December which was held at the Aberdeen Sports’ Village. The event involved seven activities and pupils competed against a number of local schools. Both St. Machar teams did very well and the boys finished first for the second year running. As a result of their success the boys will travel to Grangemouth to represent Aberdeen City at the National Finals in May. We wish them every success at this event.
We held an assembly for S1/2 on Wednesday where Mr Els and Mr Nkosi addressed our pupils and gifts were exchanged by Mr Els and Ms McIntyre for our respective schools. The Senior Prom 2010 This year’s Prom was held at the Hilton Treetops Hotel and was once again well attended by senior pupils, staff and guests. It was a pleasure to see all the pupils in their formal dresses, kilts or suits
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YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – ST. MACHAR ACADEMY
Young people are recognised for their achievement by Lord Provost Peter Stephen and Cllr. Collie.
Youth Achievement Awards The S4 Citizenship Group at St. Machar Academy in partnership with Community Learning & Development has been engaged in the Youth Achievement Awards for the last two years. The young people signed up to a course that they knew very little about in June 2008, and staff - Karen Brown, Senior Community Learning Worker from Aberdeen City Council, Community Learning & Development and Jill Bennett, Geography Teacher from St.Machar Academy supported the delivery of an innovative peerled, peer assessed programme of activities that were identified, planned and organised by the young people. The Youth Achievement Awards supports young people to plan-doreview group challenges of their choice with a focus on Core Skills and Interpersonal Skills. The ethos of the programme is ‘have fun learning while learning having fun’. The aim of the group was to complete a Bronze level of the awards which is the equivalent of an Intermediate one, General Standard Grade pass. Both Karen and Jill never expected the group to progress so quickly through 5 3
the awards and achieve so much. The work that the young people have undertaken during the last two years have earned them a Bronze level, a Silver Level and they have now progressed on to a Gold Level of the Youth Achievement Awards which is the equivalent of a Higher on the SQA board.
gifts for the event and then helped host the event
The pupils have been involved in several projects both within school and the wider community. They have decided who to help and what they have wanted to do with their time. As well as making their own decisions, young people have done most, if not all of the planning and organising of these events.
• Presented their work to 50 teachers in St.Machar Academy School, Aberdeen City Council Community Learning & Development team, Intergenerational Workshops, Aberdeen City Council Wider Achievement Seminar. HMIe Assessor recognised their work as excellent practice
Events have included: • MacMillian Coffee morning – young people raised £181.00 in 15 minutes • Senior Citizens Christmas Party – young people made 120 cards, envelopes, wrapping paper and
• Organised several outings, including an overnight stay trip to Edinburgh
• Working with Riverbank Primary School to create an outside classroom
The success of the group has been down to the young people having control of their own learning, hard work while ensuring that they ‘have fun learning while learning having fun’ as individuals.
FAMILY LEARNING
Family Learning news update Fa’s in their eyes? The event on the 17th April was a huge success, thanks to all who came along and supported the night. We raised nearly £1,300 and it is very much appreciated. Several people who live and work in your area have indicated they will be taking part in Fa’s in their eyes II next year. So watch this space. Challenge Mum and Dad Look out Mum’s and Dad’s exciting challenges ahead! If you are free on a Saturday and fancy trying something new then you need to contact Greig on 01224 487822. Future Challenge Mum events include: Jewellery Making, Digital Photography, Residential weekend, cooking.
Future Challenge Dad events include: Trampolining, Raft Building, Residential weekend. Come on you lot, take up the challenge! PEER Project Volunteer opportunities will continue at Family Learning thanks to funding from the Fairer Scotland Fund. If you fancy volunteering and/or would like additional information in regard to further education/ employment information and advice, then get in touch with Louise on 01224 487822. We have close links with a variety of agencies and can provide training and learning opportunities for you to build your confidence.
I’m a parent… get me out of here! Parenting is one of the hardest jobs in the world which doesn’t come with a manual. We have a positive parenting programme that will enhance your parenting skills and give you a chance to speak to other parents and have a moan about the little cherubs. The course should be starting in your local area in August 2010, so why not get booked on. 70% Parents who have attended in the past have said they see an improvement in their kids and their own behaviour. For more details phone Shona or Greig on 01224 487822. In fact if you have any queries about what Family Learning can do for you then contact the office on the number above. 6
CHURCH NEWS – ST GEORGE’S CHURCH
Church News
Hanging on the wall of Church Vestry is a large picture of me with a group of the Orphans at Bezallel School in Uganda. My wife tells everyone, “See that Big Bairn third from the left, That’s Jim!” You better believe it, 18 and holding. Whenever I speak of the Schools whether it be Riverbank School here in Tillydrone, or Bezallel in Uganda, all of the children are ‘my kids’. It’s that great Scot’s saying, ‘we are a Jock Tamson’s bairns’. Jock Tamson was in fact Rev John Thompson, the minister of Duddingston Kirk, Edinburgh, from 1805 to 1840. It was said when he spoke of his Church and Parish he referred to everyone ‘ma bairns’. Today ‘We’re a’ Jock Tamson’s Bairns’ is used wherever the English language is spoken as a euphemism 7
for ‘We are all alike’. We are alike, each and everyone of us made in the image of God, and we all have the same needs, the same hopes, the same dreams and none more so than when it comes to our children. Earlier this year I led a group from Tillydrone and Grampian Fire and Rescue Service on a two week visit to meet the kids, (my kids) at Bezallel School. Part of the planning for that visit had was that we would take the money that Tillydrone raised for Uganda and
use it to help the school buy a tractor so they could grow some of the food they need to feed the kids. When we saw the Tractors being offered within our price range we said NO! We decided to bring the money home with us and try to get something here. Grampian Fire and Rescue Heritage Society have become involved and they have helped us find a Tractor and are raising funds to pay the shipping costs from Aberdeen to Kamuli and Uganda. So by the time you read this a rebuilt Tractor will be on its way to Uganda.
CHURCH NEWS – ST GEORGES CHURCH
We took it down to Riverbank School to show the kids. I listened to some of the children speaking on the radio and telling listeners where it was going and how it would help to grow food for the boys and girls in their Partner School in Uganda. They were fantastic. We have also had it on display throughout Tillydrone to let people see what we have done with the money raised. I know I keep saying this, but you folks have been fantastic in helping Tillydrone Vision in the work we are committed to in
Uganda. Please don’t ever doubt that what you are doing is making the difference. It really is a difference between life and death for some of these kids in Uganda. For me as your Minister, it is such a privilege to be able to follow in the footsteps of giants such as Rev. John Thompson and to show the world that here in Tillydrone Church and Parish, we know the true meaning of what it means to be Jock Tamson’s
A thank
Hi Dea
Bairns, not just saying it. But we are showing it! My kids at Riverbank School and my kids at Bezallel School are all part of this great big family that is reaching out a hand from Tillydrone half way around the world. As the Minister I am every bit as proud of you as Jock Tamson was of his bairns, and I am so proud of my kids at Riverbank and Bezallel, I am so proud of them all.
you from Bezallel
r Friend s I’m hum bled an d challe nged b On beh y your alf of th love tow e Beza the Tilly ards us llel com drone c . m u n o it m y , m i u w nity for: 1. The ant to e xtend o contain ur since er proje 2. The re appre ct Spons ciation orship to 3. The of child Tracto r e n r proje 4. The ct Wall C o nstruc 5. The tion pr air tick oject t o be em ets for wh myself barked ile ther a e last y nd Fre on afte d and ear 6. The r the Tr the go actor. text bo o d oks, st h visit o s p itality r ationer to Kam endere y and g uli in F d to us ifts you 7. The ebruar offered twining y this y to the ear of the s B c hool w ezallel We do hile on to Rive like yo your rbank u, hono a nd any ur you Stephe and ab other s n and A ove all chool in idah love yo Aberde u. en
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ABERDEEN LADS CLUB
After School Club The After School Club from Aberdeen Lads Club has 45 children on the register from Primary 1-7. We have 6 members of staff who have established very good relationship with the children and families we work with.
Having fun with friends
Arts and craft fun
Our After School Club Team
Lad’s Club
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Our day runs from 3:15 pm – 5:15 pm Monday – Friday, with a weekly charge of only £10.00, this includes a healthy snack to tide the children over until tea time. The cost is not a reflection on the service we provide. We are very proud of the high standard of care we provide at the Lads Club and this was upheld by the Care Commission who graded our After School Club at Grade 5 (Very Good) at our last inspection. The After School Club is used by the families of Tillydrone for a variety of reasons to meet their very different needs. It is used by parents who need to complete their working day or even to further their education, at adult learning classes or college/university. The parents who use our service know their children are in a safe, caring and fun environment. Some parents use our service to give their children time to play with their friends out with the school environment. Our activities, snacks and trips are planned through “wish lists” where the children write up their ideas on Ideas sheets. We base our activities around the request made by the children. At the moment our theme/ project was decided by the children, we are having fun finding out about the ‘The North Sea’.
Children have a wide variety of activities that they can participate in daily: • Bouncy Castle • Traditional Games • House/Role Play • Bingo • Local Trips • Arts and Crafts • Cooking The list goes on... At the moment we have a full register at our After School Club, but with children moving on to Academy or with some families moving out of the area some places will become available very soon. We do operate a waiting list on a first come basis. If you would like to place your childs name on the waiting list please get in touch as soon as you think you may need/like a space for your child as our waiting list can grow very quickly.
To register your child, simply contact the Aberdeen Lads Club on 492672 or pop in and see us, you will be asked for your child’s details which will be placed on our waiting list and as soon as a place becomes available, we will contact you and your child to offer them a place.
PORTAL NEWS
Tillydrone Community Flat HAVE A NICE SUMMER HOLIDAY FROM THE TILLYDRONE COMMUNITY FLAT!
Portal News Well I hope you all had an eggtastic Easter. By the time you read this, we will be well on our way to summer, with the prospect of warmer weather. I am here to let you all know about the exciting adult learning classes available starting in August 2010 in the Tillydrone area. Funding has been secured from the Equal Opportunity Fund to provide women in the area of Tillydrone, Fersands and Printfield the chance to join an exercise class for a pound a week! The project will run for 20 weeks and will be held at Portal Community Centre. It is hoped that the interested women will decide amongst themselves what type of exercise to engage in, and on what day and time it will take place. This is a great opportunity for all women aged 16 years and over to create an exciting, empowering and secure exercise class for themselves. If you would like to join please contact Rebecca or Sarah at the number below. In partnership with Aberdeen Whitespace we will be running an Arts Class in metal work. This will be held at Tillydrone Community Flat. It will provide all participants hands on experience with working, manipulating and creating your own pieces of artwork using metal and other materials. Participants may even want to progress on to other mediums when the class is finished. Or simply make
wonderful individual pieces for friends and family in time for Christmas! In addition, we will be holding all our usual favourites which include PEEP; for children aged between 3 months and 3 years old and their parent and carers. Learn to encourage your child through play, support, guidance, singing, rhyming and book share. Computing (mixed level); come along and improve your IT skills, wide range of topics covered. Small friendly class enables you to build your confidence. Healthy Cooking and Family Centred Classes. ESOL and Adult Literacy classes; improve your English while brush up on your spelling, grammar, editing and punctuation. If you would like more information about any of the courses above or would like to join please contact me, Rebecca Baird at: Portal Community Centre Coningham Road, Tillydrone Tel 01224 492528 Email rbaird@aberdeencity.gov.uk Or feel free to pop in and have an informal chat.
Early Morning Club We run every week morning from 7.45am, we give the children breakfast and we do activities like art, craft, dancing etc when the leaders walk the children to Riverbank School. The cost is £1.50 for working parents and £1.00 for parents who are in benefits. Crèches We have Sure Start crèche running for over 2’s Monday and Tuesday 9.30-11.30 Under 2’s sure start crèche Tuesday and Thursday 9.30-11.30 It is a free crèche and we provide a safe stimulating and fun crèche and a healthy snack is provided. Please contact the flat on 01224 486641 for more information.
Peep Why not come along to a PEEP group where we will provide a warm welcome, support and guidance, singing, story time, time to chat as well as books and play packs to borrow. Monday 1pm-2pm for 2-3 yrs Wednesday 1pm- 2pm for 1-2 yrs Friday 1pm- 2pm for Babies For more information call the flat on 01224 486641.
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TILLY YOUTH PROJECT NEWS
Tilly Youth Project
During the Easter holidays we took part in a project with Whitespace down at Transition Extreme – you may have seen us on GMTV! We had the chance to learn how to create a stylish street mural. As well as enjoying this cool activity, the group benefited from being able to experience a different approach to art and writing too. What’s new? We have been working successfully with young people who are between school and employment with the help of Shmutrain and Pathways. We now have our new web site at www.tillyyouthproject.com You have to be a TYP member to look any further into the site though. Members also have access to our new computer suite which is a new quiet area to work in. Our recording space is now in use. A local young musician called Myke Black has made a CD at TYP and is now in the national finals of Live and Unsigned and is due to play the O2
arena in July. Good luck Myke from all at TYP!! Girl’s Group Things are quiet on Tuesday nights with this group. We offer all sorts of things to do and are always up for new ideas. Come along and get involved!
of these will affect TYP too. We are on a site which is earmarked for development so we will probably have to move somewhere else temporarily. We are determined to keep everything going in the meantime though and will keep you posted about how plans develop.
Some of the girls went to Cromdale for an adventure weekend at Easter and had a great time – even though it was cold! Boy’s Group Due to the wide age range of boys, we have separated the boys into an older and younger split. Both groups can organise their own trip every four weeks. This is going really well with the younger ones but the older boys are struggling to agree with themselves what to do. Shame! Hopefully they will learn from the younger ones and the girls and get something happening soon.
Girl’s Group
Future plans Community Work is going through changes at the moment and some Girl’s Group
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TILLY TATTLE EDITORIAL INTERVIEW
Who is
Paras Skye? The Tilly Tattle Editorial Team were delighted to have the opportunity to interview Paras Skye. You have seen him in the streets. You have heard the kids calling him ‘Highlander’ and ‘William Wallace’ or ‘Braveheart’. we have been, where we are and where we want to be.
Paras, a local passionate Ancient Scottish Historian writer and poet gave the Editorial Team a taste of his knowledge of all things Scottish.
and famous, Paras is a character full of mystery and passion. Asking a plain question to him never got us a plain answer. Do you like football?, we asked. Well, we don’t know. What we found out though is the ancient origins of football: apparently, when two gladiators would slaughter a slave in a sold out arena, they would end up playing with the slave’s head and kick it like a football. Bet your history teacher never told you that! During the few mornings we spent with Paras, we could not help thinking: where were you when I was at school struggling to write my history essay? Paris makes history easy, with all kinds of fascinating details that stick in your mind and is able to demonstrate how modern times have twisted real events.
Having spent years travelling across the globe and witnessing how other people live has affected the way Paras is, lives and thinks. Sometimes poor, sometimes meeting the rich
Self educated, Paras wants to share his passion for Scottish history with the next generation. Knowing where you come from undoubtedly helps understanding and gives a different viewpoint on where
To read more about Paras and his journey around the world click on to: http://pigeonproject. com/2009/08/13/parasuramuranianskye-biography/
You have been wondering if maybe he was too hot wearing his layers of leather and fur during the summer time. You have asked yourself whether he has a job, a partner or a pet. Well, dear Tilly Tattle readers, the Editorial Team had a tricky time interviewing our man! You see, Paras is not your average person but Tillydrone’s answer to Sir William Wallace. Wallace (12721305) was a Scottish knight and landowner who is known for leading our resistance during the wars of Scottish Independance and is today remembered in Scotland as a patriot and national hero.
Not only is he a historian, he is also an astrologer which is very closely linked to history. Astrology means looking at the planets in order to interpret the past, the present and the future. Paras makes his living drawing birth charts, writing detailed horoscopes and chronologies and offering people a chance to reflect on their lives. We are unsure if we have achieved what we wanted by interviewing Paras. What we do know however, is that Paras is much more than the ‘man with the strange clothes’ and we really hope that one way or another, he shares his knowledge to all of us in the community.
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READING BUS NEWS
Wishes and Legends unveiled A new book written by children was launched at the Word Festival on Tuesday 11th May. Wishes and Legends is the latest publication by The Reading Bus which has been written and illustrated by eight different schools in the St. Machar Community. Over 200 pupils worked with authors, storytellers and artists to create their own original stories all based on wish makers and wish granters. The initiative was generously sponsored by TAQA Bratani, an Aberdeen based oil and gas
exploration and production company. Pupils from Riverbank School were at the ceremony and proudly showed their chapter to all the guests. Primary 6/7 at Riverbank worked with their teacher Felicity Martin and Storyteller Sheena Blackhall to write a story poem called ‘The Donside Kelpie’. They produced stunning illustrations of water horses with artist Kirsty Aitken that also feature on the front cover.
The day also celebrated the completion of ‘A Journey through Old Aberdeen’ that was funded by Heritage Lottery. Pupils from Riverbank created their own animated film as part of this project called ‘A Bird’s Eye View of Tillydrone’. The pupils are now at St. Machar Academy and came along to showcase their fantastic film. The film was created in partnership with Station House Media Unit with funding from First Light.
St. Machar CREDIT UNION
St. Machar Credit Union The people who make decisions about the credit union are people like you. Easy way to save for you and your family Adult and Junior accounts (aged under 16). Local collection points in your area Pay in cash at your local collection point or by standing order through your bank. Annual dividends Every year since 2002 we have paid 1% dividend on all adult and junior accounts. Low cost loans Borrow between £50 to £5,000 – after your have built up a savings record – see loan guideline for more information. 13
Loan interest cost is never more than 1% on the reducing balance per month (12.68% APR) e.g. Borrow £100 over a year and costs you £6.08 in interest. Volunteering opportunities At present 25 volunteers run the whole credit union – if you want to help out for an hour a week give us a phone, we can provide you with support and training. St. Machar Credit Union is Open to anyone who lives in or anyone who works within a specific area of Aberdeen City (Woodside, Tillydrone, Seaton, Hilton, Froghall, Powis, Sunnybank, Middlefield, Fersands, Linksfield, Printfield and Old Aberdeen).
For more information contact Molly or Jackie or Michelle on (01224) 524935 Tuesday mornings or Thursday nights. St. Machar Credit Union Ltd, Woodside & Fountain Community Centre, Marquis Road, Woodside, Aberdeen AB24 2QY. Telephone (01224) 524935 Email f-credit@fersands.org www.stmacharcreditunion.co.uk
THE BETHANY CHRISTIAN TRUST
The Bethany Christian Trust
‘Cappuccino Club’ Come along to the Cappuccino Club relax with a fresh cup of coffee. Meet new people. Have some chill out time. There are creche facilities available at The Family Centre, Community Flat and the Portal Community Centre all in Tillydrone. Drop the children off. Come and experience some taster sessions e.g. manicure, arts and crafts. The Cappuccino Club is open every Tuesday morning from 9.30-11.15am. All mums welcome!
First Port of Call is a thrift shop which is located in the Tillydrone shopping centre, providing cloths and brick a brac to the Tillydrone community. Opening hours Monday: 11.00am -2.30pm Tuesday: 10.00am-12.00pm Wednesday: 11.00am-2.20pm Friday: 10.00am-2.00pm For more information please contact David Pratt on 07885 567329 or email davidpratt@bethanychristiantrust.com or call Helen Polson 486641 at the Community Flat.
CASH IN YOUR POCKET
Date for your Diary!!
Previous event at Torry
Cash In Your Pocket Partnership are holding a community information fun day on Tuesday 21st September from 11.30am at the Lads Club in Tillydrone. The fun day is open to everyone and includes free bingo, iPod raffle, refreshments and lots of other freebies. If you need advice on benefits, debt, low cost loans, repairs and improvements in your home, training and education then why not come along and see what’s on offer. The Cash In Your Pocket Partnership fun day offers a friendly and comfortable environment to get the help and support you need to help improve your finances.
There will be something for everyone so drop in past. 14
WOODLANDS COMMUNITY RANGERS
Woodlands Community Rangers Hey there, how you doing? It’s your friendly Woodlands Community Ranger here hoping you are having a bonny summer and out there enjoying it while it lasts. For those that haven’t heard about what I do, let me quickly recap. My work is client driven in order to deliver the services you provide to your clients and to those in your community. My services range from curriculum based straightforward educational sessions to working with the client to develop wild life gardens to delivering sessions in line with whatever topic is covered at that time by community projects. I am qualified to deliver Forest School and the John Muir Award as a single Project or deliver outdoor learning sessions on our woodland sites, which can incorporate both. I have extensive experience working with clients who have mental/physical health issues and also with those passing through the Criminal Justice System (minor offences to custodial sentence to release and re-integration). I also run health walks, in partnership with NHS Grampian, which weave in and out of your wooded/green sites and cater for all capabilities. So, what have I been up to in your community? I am currently working with M26 Group based at the Tillydrone Community Flat, helping them drive forward the garden project at the area of grass which has been dug over for community involvement at the back of the flats. I have really enjoyed working with the group as they have organised themselves and prioritised jobs that need to be done. From litter picking (I was busy that 15
day, sorry boys!!!) to measuring the area to marking out where the raised beds are going to be, I have been very impressed with the focus and determination to develop the area for the good of the whole community. Many thanks to Linda from Riverbank Primary School (they have the other half of the plot) for donating surplus potatoes to the group for planting. Summer work is planned with the PEEP Group (your flowers grew!!! Knew they would!!) and I hope to continue working with Riverbank as well. Rose from Aberdeen Greenspace has been working with The Lads Club so I thought it better if she had an opportunity to chat about it. Over to you Rose “As Volunteer Co-ordinator for Aberdeen Greenspace, I get the opportunity to work on a diverse range of environmental projects throughout the local community. One of my favourite projects over the last few months has been the garden at Tillydrone Aberdeen Lads Club. Greenspace’s volunteer group previously installed some seats for the children to enjoy the developing garden, and I recently had the pleasure of going along to help the children of the After School Club decorate the seats. We had a lovely sun-filled afternoon painting and using stencils to create pictures of some of the wildlife that we might expect to see in the garden as it grows. I was delighted by the
knowledge of the children of local plants and insects, and we were very fortunate that some small tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies came by to give us the seal of approval as we worked. The garden is an excellent resource to help children learn about nature and biodiversity and I am very much looking forward to my next visit to plant some sunflowers in the garden with the After School Club.” Here are a few pics of what we do. I especially like this one of Rose with more paint on herself than the benches and planters. Right, better go before I get myself into more trouble!!! Please feel free to contact me on 01224 897400 to discuss any activities you are thinking of organising.
M26 GROUP
The M26 Group The Road Recovery on Tour Members from Tillydrone’s M26 Group visited the Serenity Café in Edinburgh on Friday 28th May 2010 with the support from the groups Co-ordinator Aileen Davidson and Karen Brown, Senior Community Learning Worker for Tillydrone. The aim of the trip was to allow the group to explore how the café has developed a service that meets the needs of local people recovering from any kind of substance use. The success of the Serenity Café is that the service is planned and delivered from a group of local people who have experienced the journey from dependant substance living to
living independently substance free. Members of the M26 Group arrived with a list of questions to allow them to explore questions that they have come across when trying to plan and deliver a Male Group within their community. All members found the visit to be very worth while, giving them the answers, solutions and links to allow them to further explore their own community based support service for local people by local people.
For more information about the trip and also of Tillydrone M26 Group please call Tel: 01224 486641.
SACRO
Persistent Offender’s Initiative Sacro’s Persistent Offenders Initiative is currently active in Tillydrone. The Service is funded by the Fairer Scotland Fund and works in partnership with Grampian Police and other community partners. The purpose of the Service is to support young people who have been involved in persistent offending in the local community, to explore alternatives to offending. Young people are supported to engage with a range of local services that can meet their needs by providing specialist advice and guidance. For example, the Service has supported young people to engage with Aberdeen City Council’s homeless department where housing is an issue, as well as developing links with positive parenting, counselling, health, financial and employment services. Where local young people have been remanded in custody, the Service has engaged with them in HMP Aberdeen, to support them to plan for positive changes upon their return to the local community.
Many of the young people who engage with the Service are living in a culture that supports an offending lifestyle. Often, they find themselves in a vicious cycle that they find difficult to break. The Service has adopted a whole family approach to support young people. This has been important where the dynamics of the family directly affect the offending behaviour of the young person, or where the behaviour of the young person has an impact on the lives of family members. The Service is available out with normal office hours in order to meet service users’ needs.
approach to address persistent offending and anti-social behaviour in Tillydrone and meet the needs of individual community members. If you would like to hear more about the service or are interested in being involved, please contact Graeme Pyper on 01224 560550, or email info@aberdeen.sacro.org.uk
It is hoped that the Service can start to develop a whole community 16
ALINA'S REPORTS ON HER FANTASTIC DAY AT THE 'FEELING GREAT' INITATIVE
Feeling Great I was in a hurry. I had only ten minutes to leave and so many things to do. I needed to pack my bag, dress my daughter and do her hair. Doing her plaits reminded me of the time when I was looking exactly like her, with two plaits on my head. That was in April. One day my sister told me about ‘Feeling Great Day’, an event with many attractions including arts and craft sessions, funky radio and photography activities and hair, nails and makeup pamper sessions. They invited all young women to Woodside Community Centre. It was not far away from the place where we lived and it sounded like a good idea, so we decided to go. It started in the morning where we were greeted very nicely and got information about the programme. We came inside and looked around. Firstly, we met Denise from SHMU, who showed us a video from the previous 'Feeling Great' event. Then we took part in the beauty
session, went across displays by the community organisations and groups. Finally we got to the arts and crafts activity with Whitespace, where we had the opportunity to design different T-shirts. We were so busy doing our T-shirts that we missed other interesting sessions like the Spray Tan. But I need to ensure that it was time well spent! The event was organised by the Feeling Great Organising Group, so I would like to say thanks to all of you who helped make it a great day! For more information about future Feeling Great events contact Angie on angie@aberdeenladsclub.org.uk or phone 01224 492672.
POLICE NEWS
Grampian Police Changes In April 2010 Grampian Police underwent a major restructure to their approach to local Policing. The aim was to put local policing at the forefront and to give you a Police team who are known to you and who have real ownership of local issues. Tillydrone has many particular issues and the Local Police Team are addressing these in consultation with the local community group’s and other partners. The Police have placed a strong emphasis on putting communities at the heart of their service and ‘Community Focus’ is one of their highest priorities. 17
What does this mean for you? Well, it means that you now have a Local Policing Team (LPT) consisting of a local Inspector, a number of Sergeants and a team of Constables, whose aim is to deal efficiently and effectively with all aspects of Policing in the community. They are located at the Police Office in Coningham Terrace, Tillydrone and are happy to hear from you on any subject.
Inspector Ed Fitzgibbon has overall
The LPT Officers want to work with you to make a real difference in Tillydrone.
and those committing anti social
responsibility for Tillydrone. He said: ‘Tillydrone is a good community with decent folk in it. It doesn’t deserve its reputation, which has been built on a small minority. It is a nice place to live and work, and we will continue to police it to the best of our ability. We welcome any information from the public so that we can target the criminals behaviour, in the most effective way.’
MAKE IT A CLEAN ABERDEEN
Make it a Clean Aberdeen Now that you’ve finished the spring clean of your home, how about a clean up of your environment? Aberdeen City Council is asking you to get involved and help make Aberdeen a Clean Aberdeen. The Council’s Environment Services co-ordinates Clean Aberdeen to encourage participation in local clean up activities. Everyone can take part in a clean up, from individuals to schools, community groups, sports clubs and businesses. Clean-ups are a great way of bringing people together. Young and old alike can roll up their sleeves together to show that they care about their
neighbourhood and want to keep it looking beautiful. The seventeen clean ups this year have tackled streets, woods, the Old Deeside Railway, sports pitches, popular walking areas and, with the help of Transition Extreme, the crags at Pot Heugh.
Environmental Services can lend you
With summer coming we hope you too will take the opportunity get out and about and clean up.
organising an event call
clean up equipment and will arrange for the collected rubbish to be taken away. All you need to do is pick and bag the litter.
For more details or to get help 08456 080919, or email cleanaberdeen@aberdeencity.gov.uk
SCARF
Save Cash & Reduce Fuel > Impartial Advice and Information > Advice on Fuel Switching and Billing Issues > Home Energy Check and Heating Demonstrations > Loft and Cavity Wall Insulation Grants and Offers > Scottish Government Energy Assistance Package > Presentations and Community Advice Sessions > Energy Performance Certificate Surveys > Energy Awareness Training For further information contact Scarf Energy Advice Centre on 01224 213005
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GOODBYE KAREN
Goodbye & Good Luck I am disappointed to be saying goodbye to my fellow worker Karen Brown who is taking up a new position in Peterhead. I am sure I speak on behalf of everyone she has worked with in Tillydrone to say that we wish her good luck and happiness in her new job and I would also like to say a big thank you for all the work she has done for the area. It has been a great delight to work with you and thanks for all your support. Thanks Karen – you will be missed!
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MYKE BLACK
Local Artist Releasing Single Myke began playing the guitar at the age of 10 and since then never looked back! He got in touch with shmu last December looking to see if we’d be interested in playing his music on the station. Being a local boy, we took it as the perfect opportunity to get him into the recording studio we have at Tillydrone Youth Project, get him recorded, then feature him as our ‘Local Artist of the Week’ on shmuFM. Myke’s music went down extremely well with both our listeners and presenters, many commenting on their love for his voice, lyrics and music, and how it was not something they expected to come from Aberdeen. Since his appearance as Local Artist of the Week on shmu, Myke has played regular gigs locally and has supported artists such as Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac, Hip Parade, The Boy Who Trapped the Sun, Eioghan Colgan and Miles Hunt. He has also been on other shows such as the Saturday Youth Radio Project, where his cover of David Guetta ft. Akon’s song ‘Sexy Chick’, went
down a storm and then again on The Packed Lunch show with Paul to promote his participation in the ‘Live and Unsigned’ Competition. After getting through two preliminary rounds of auditions in Glasgow, Myke and a bus load of fans drove down to Newcastle (where the audio material of choice was the previous day’s Packed Lunch Show!) to participate in the Scotland and North East area finals. Four acts would then progress to the National finals at the O2 Arena in London on Saturday July 10th. Myke was one of those four! He will now compete against a number of other musicians to try and win the title of the UK’s best Live and Unsigned act of 2010! The winner receives a contract with Future music management and a £30,000 investment towards releasing a single! So, shmuFM and Aberdeen would
like to wish Myke the best of luck in the finals, but we know he can do it. We will keep you updated at shmuFM on how Myke does and also provide information on the forthcoming release of his debut album. For more info on Myke Black then visit his facebook profile ‘Myke Black Music’ or his myspace http://www. myspace.com/mykejayblack you may also see him busking on the streets of Aberdeen, so stop and say hi! For information on how to become the Local Artist of the Week on shmuFM, please get in touch with Naomi Ballantyne on 01224 515013 or email music@shmu.org.uk For more information on Tilly Youth Project and the recording facilities please contact Gary Dawson on 01224 495588 or email gdawson@aberdeencity.gov.uk 20
COUNCILLOR’S COMMENTS
Cllr. No
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Underp ass – H ayton R I am st oad/We ill work stern R ing har for the oad d underp t o p r ogress t ass in w underp h e h improve ass open ich the ments kink w ed am cha earmar ill be re sing up up, making ked moved it much the lega given a a n d the s l team a nd once afer to us s the lega will beg l aspect planning perm e. At present I in. is adva nced an ission has been Aberdon d final House ised, wo I am pl rk eased to let you votes to kno 6 Aberdon the Housing M w that the Cou ncil ref ultiple House i u O n challen ged at a to a homeless ccupation Lic sed by 9 ence to ness un later da into the turn it. A te, po commu ssibility of u I am hopeful t lthough this sing th may be h nity us is site a at the Counci e. l will lo s a base ok for a m Cllr. No uch wid rman C e r ollie
POETRY CORNER
Destitute in an Oil Capital (Trapped in ones Shell)
Homeless, destitute, begging on the street Winter snow now lying and nowhere to sleep Sleeping-bag, cardboard, to keep out the wind Unwashed clothes, Heroin addict, my mind in a spin Have now begged enough to buy the next hit Memories come rushing back, oh what a twit I lost the house, job, wife and the kids Recreational Heroin spiral, now on the skids Surviving a whole winter, there must be an art Got to sort out this situation, but just where to start Self-abusing again, putting a needle into a vein A matter of seconds and its vanished pain Loosing those things that were precious once to me Are becoming distant now, as I enter year three Friends and family in the street, just walk on by A skeleton of what I once was, doesn’t now make me cry Shuffling across the street, getting hit by a motor Which I later learned was driven by my oldest daughter Wakening up after 11 weeks in a coma I’ll never get better Things I’ll never be the same For taking drugs at a party one night And I’ve only my self to blame Sonny Ogg
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Lauren Oh! Little one so small, so sweet My own one Your tiny hand in mine And such tiny, tiny feet Why I ask? Why oh why my constant cry This painful feeling of despair Of such longing to give you tender love and care My granddaughter you will never be forgotten Our precious little one named Lauren Still born 28th December 1995 Elsie Rennie
Station House Media Unit (shmu) is situated just off Great Northern Road in the old Station House Community Centre, Woodside. We offer free access to, and training in video and radio production, and magazine and online publications to residents of all ages living in Seaton, Woodside, Middlefield, Tillydrone, Torry, Northfield and Cummings Park. t 01224 515013
e info@shmu.org.uk
www.shmu.org.uk
Tilly Talks seeks presenter! BREAKING NEWS: Yvette Zarzoso, the bubbly Tilly Talks host is moving on after two and half years presenting Tillydrone's very own community radio show....so now we need someone to fill her shoes and take over the 10-11am slot every Thursday. Read Yvette's reflection on her experience as Tilly Talks presenter below. Then get in touch. “Just over a year ago I was on work placement at Station House as part of my HNC Working with Communities course with Aberdeen College. Whilst here I was asked by the presenter of Tilly Talks, Tracy Robertson, to be a guest on the show. Before we went on air I was really nervous and worried that I would say something silly but Tracy reassured me that everything would be fine and not to worry. As soon as the show started, I couldn’t shut up! The conversation just flowed and that was it, I caught the radio bug! I received radio training from Adele who was extremely
patient with me and over the next few months I became one of the co-presenters on the show. I would never have thought that a year ago that I would have been able to do this. Tilly Talks needs YOU!” Call your local Community Show in the studio on 01224 483413, or email tillytalks@shmu.org.uk shmuFM is offering 6-week training opportunities in radio production and presenting. You’ll also meet new people, build your confidence and self-esteem.
Beginners (6 weeks) Mondays 7pm – 9pm 2nd August – 6th September 20th September – 25th October Fridays 1pm – 3pm 6th August – 10th September 24th September – 29th October
If this sounds like something you fancy getting involved with please phone 01224 515013, or email training@shmu.org.uk Be quick though – space is limited!
shmuTV focus on Tilly Garden Project "It was very strange the day shmu visited with all its video cameras – because we didn't have a smoke break for at least an hour – that's how interested the group was!" This is what Drugs Action worker Graeme Benson remembers most about the day shmu's video production team visited the M26 Group - a club for men over the age of 26, who come from Tillydrone and who may have had problems through unemployment, mental health, alcohol or drugs.
Group member Matthew Boyle, 36, is looking forward to appearing in front of the camera when the group begins production on a video about its gardening project. "That'll be no problem. I'll be right in there when they switch the camera on!" He's got the gift of the gab, but he says there's a serious point to the video. "Most people think we're worthless. We are a bunch of ex-drug addicts, or we've had problems with alcohol and stuff, but we're trying to live normal lives and everything. I think
people who see the video we make about the garden will realise we're not lazy, but we're all trying to change." Drugs worker Graeme Benson said "The group will learn about healthy lifestyles, they'll be active in the garden, growing food and being active." Shmu will train Matthew and his fellow group members in the techniques of video production, then help them develop a way to tell the story about the garden project and the M26 Group itself. 22
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS Alcohol Alcoholics Anonymous Drinkline
0845 769 7555 0800 917 8282
Alkohol Anonimowi Alkoholicy Problemy z alkoholem
0845 769 7555 0800 917 8282
Benefits Benefits Agency Advice Line
0800 587 9135
Zapomoga Agencja doradztwa w zapomogach
0800 587 9135
Crime Crimestoppers 0800 555 111
Przestępstwa Przeciwdziałanie przestępstwom
0800 555 111
Drugs FRANK – National Helpline 0800 776 600
Narkotyki FRANK – narodowa linia pomocy
0800 776 600
Dentist Emergency - G-Dens
01224 558 140
Dentysta Nagłe wypadki
01224 558 140
Doctors NHS 24 Emergency 08454 242 424
Lekarze Nagłe wypadki
08454 242 424
Electricity If you have a Power-Cut
Elekryczność W wypadku odcięcia energii elektryczne
0800 300 999
0800 300 999
Planowanie rodziny Square 13 wsparcie i doradztwo
01224 642 711
Gas Gas Emergency 0800 111 999 Gas Emergency with a Meter 0845 606 6766
Gaz Nagłe wypadki Nagłe wypadki w związku z licznikiem
0800 111 999 0845 606 6766
Housing Emergency Repairs Call Centre Emergency
Pomoc mieszkaniowa Nagłe naprawy Centrum pomocy
01224 480 281 0845 608 0929
Policja Zgłaszanie przypadków nie wymagających nagłej interwencji
0845 600 5700 01224 574 488
Family Planning Square 13, Support & Advice
01224 642 711
01224 480 281 0845 608 0929
Police Non-Emergency 0845 600 5700 Samaritans Need to talk
01224 574 488
Social Work Social Work Duty Team Emergency Out-Of-Hours
Samarytanie Telefon dla potrzebujących rozmowy
01224 765 220 01224 693 936
Young Carers Support & Information Service
01224 625 009
Praca społeczna Dyżur pracowników społecznych Nagłe wypadki poza godzinami pracy biura
Water Scottish Water Emergency
0845 600 8855
Council Contacts Tillydrone is identified as Neighbourhood Services (Central) when contacting council services. Air Pollution
01224 523737
Dog Control
Environmental Services Food Safety
Faults & Repairs
01224 523737 0845 608 0901
01224 523737 0845 608 0919
or 01224 693350
Graffiti Removal
0845 608 0919
Housing Repairs
0845 608 0929 or 01224 480281
01224 765 220 01224 639 936
Pomoc w karierze Wsparcie i informacje Woda Nagłe wypadki
01224 625 009 0845 600 8855
Numery servisowe Urzędu Miasta Podczas kontaktowania się z numerami serwisowymi należy podać Tillydrone jako ‘Neighbourhood Services’- Central Zanieczyszczenie powietrza Usługi środowiskowe
01224 523737
Kontrola psów
01224 523737
0845 608 0901
01224 523737
Bezpieczeństwo żywności Usterki & Naprawy
0845 608 0919
or 01224 693350
Usuwanie graffiti
0845 608 0919
Naprawy mieszkań
0845 608 0929
or 01224 480281
Housing Repairs Out Of Hours
0845 608 0919
Litter/ Street Cleanliness
0845 608 0919
Naprawy mieszkań po godzinach pracy
0845 608 0919
01224 523737
Nieczystości/ Czystość ulic
0845 608 0919
01224 523737
Skargi na hałas
01224 523737
Zwalczanie szkodników
01224 276975
Kwestie związane ze zdrowiem publicznym
Noise Complaints
Pest Control Public Health Nuisance Tillydrone Library
Biblioteka dzielnicy Tillydrone
01224 523737
01224 523737 01224 523737
01224 276975