Catterline on the web

ABERDEENSHIRE Council have defended themselves against claims that disabled facilities at Portlethen pool should be upgraded.

The final dates for Aberdeenshire Council’s school estate consultation are approaching.

In April 2012 household water charges will remain frozen and Scottish Water say this will ensure their customers continue to get value for money.

MEARNS Community Council have lodged an objection to an 81m wind turbine at Brigton, Laurencekirk, but with planning officials making a recommendation of approval they fear they are wasting their time.

IMPROVEMENT work has begun on a piece of land adjacent to Stonehaven Open Air Pool.

COUNCILLORS on the Kincardine and Mearns area committee will decide next week if the Heugh Hotel in Stonehaven can be turned into a house.

ABERDEENSHIRE Council have responded to calls from Portlethen residents for a follow-up meeting regarding schools provision in the area.

Sir Robert Smith, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, has called for more to be done to help those reliant on heating oil.

Fettercairn woman Vhari Campbell will head for Rwanda later this year to work with local orphans.

Labour Council candidate Alison Evison hosted a seminar in the Jubilee Hall, Portlethen at which the problem of rising fuel costs was discussed.

Council premises throughout Aberdeenshire will benefit from an innovative environmental project introducing on-site composting.

Aberdeenshire’s Children’s Panel is looking for volunteers who can help vulnerable children in the area achieve better outcomes in life.

Sir Robert Smith MP for West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine has welcomed a new ten-year deal announced by the Liberal Democrat Business Minister Ed Davey between the Post Office and Royal Mail.

Scotland’s young carer mascots Eryc and Trayc took a trip to the Scottish Parliament recently and met Angus North and Mearns MSP Nigel Don. The cartoon characters front up the Princess Royal Trust for Carers’ campaign to spread understanding of the vital role many children play in caring for their close relatives.

Aberdeenshire Council have supported a report on the future of waste management, following an in-depth investigation by the Scrutiny & Audit Committee.

Week 18 – 22 Jan 2012

“Wow it’s starting to look like a boat.”, Brendan Hall, Catterline boat builder

Six people were flat out on Sunday and were very productive.  Both planks #2 were bevelled and prepared for plank 3.  The component parts of plank 4 were scarphed.  The blades on the first two oars were worked on to start getting the blades into shape. Then there was a big epoxy session with two more oars glued up and two planks glued into position (plank #3).

This week coming we have a visit from the P6/P7 class of Catterline Primary School on Friday.  They  will be put to work as well as learning about the project.

Hopefully the planks 4 can be glued together, which will allow them to be attached next Sunday.

I forgot to report last week that we had our first lost time injury.  Whilst cleaning up excess glue, a finger managed to get in the way of a chisel.  A hospital visit was not required but a plaster was. 

This week, we somehow had glue in teenager hair.  The unfortunate was spotted trying to rinse his hair with water at the tap.  When challenged, he explained his predicament and then looked very concerned, when it was pointed out that we are using water insoluble glue for this boat. The question, “So what do I do?” followed.  The response ”cut it out” had his fellow teenager in stitches.

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A PUBLIC exhibition is to be held on January 26 from 10.30am-7pm to show members of the public a range of ideas for flood prevention in the town.

Week 16 – 8 Jan 2012

The battle to get plank 2 recommenced after the Christmas Break.  A slow afternoon to ensure that the planks fit perfectly, complicated by a slight error on plank 1, which means there is a slight bulge in the bow.  However this should be minimal.

Whilst the plankers were scratching their heads, the oars were started and the blades for the first two were glued to the shafts.  There will be plenty of planing to come.

Week 17 – 15 Jan 2012

The two plank # 2s (port and starboard) were glued in position on the Friday and Sunday sessions.  All the head scratching and tweaking seems to have paid off as the planks both sat easily and snugly with  the garboard (plank #1).  The process just has to be repeated for the next four planks. 

In preparation, the components of plank 3 were glued together, so plank 3 will be ready to be fitted this coming week.  Scarphing of the remaining planks will also be needed, so that we are not held up by the preparation of these planks.

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An important and positive new campaign to mobilise wide support for improved stroke prevention, treatment and care in Scotland has been launched by The Stroke Association in Scotland.

Aberdeenshire Council Chief Executive Colin Mackenzie has handed over a cheque to Friends of ANCHOR for £1,500 as part of the local authority’s annual charity donations.