UTGPete Thomson investigates

Forestof DoomYouth Flat

WinterTaskforceUpdate

Winter Edition 2010

woodside

Contents

Editorial 3 Union Terrace Gardens

4 Forest of Doom

6 Woodland Ranger

7 Printfield Senior Youthclub

8 Printfield Charity Shop

9 Local News

10 Letter

& School News

11 Family Learning

12 Woodside Winter Taskforce

13 SHMU News

14 Instant Neigbour & Church Update

15 Pete the Punk

Brrr... cold weatherr but we’d like to offer a very warm welcome to the Woodside Free Press (formerly the Fersands and Fountain Free Press), not only to our established readers but all our new ones. For the first time, our little magazine is being distributed throughout Woodside!

The Free Press is put together by Woodsiders for Woodsiders. It’s for us, about us, tells us what’s going on in Woodside and examines the issues affecting us both locally and citywide.

We’re always looking for contributors and that means each and every one of you is very welcome to share your news and views about anything that makes you happy, mad, sad or glad!

Contact Denise on 01224 515013, or email denise@shmu.org.uk

Our cover pic shows the new University library fast springing up at the Old Aberdeen campus and due to open in summer 2011. Ten storeys high when it’s finished – see how it’s come on from just a few months ago (pictured below) – the library will be open to the public and have a variety of public spaces that will be used for exhibitions, readings, art and musical events.

WinterEdition 10

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To view the new

Free Press in colour

visit www.shmu.org.uk

and click on print

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How did you become interested in the UTG issue?When the council decided to move forward with Sir Iain Wood’s City Square scheme in May. Like many Aberdonians I didn’t think this would be allowed to happen and was shocked at the council vote. This also meant Peacock Visual Arts could no longer build their new arts centre in UTG despite having secured most of the funding and planning permission. But it’s more than that. I’ve watched our once proud Union Street being allowed to deteriorate until now it has many dirty, unoccupied buildings. Our wonderful granite architecture gives Aberdeen a unique beauty that’s the envy of the world but we’ve destroyed much of this. What remains must be protected and improved, not abandoned or filled in with concrete.

Is this why you got involved with the Friends Of Union Terrace Gardens group?Yes. We believe UTG is a precious garden belonging not just to Aberdonians but to anyone visiting the city. It’s calm and quiet with much precious wildlife and trees and has been in its present form for 150 years. It’s true it’s been neglected and needs some TLC - the toilets need reopening, better disabled access etc. but it’s unthinkable that it may be replaced with a car park.

What are the aims of FoUTG?We are trying to inspire pride in the soul of our city. Our mission is preserving Union Terrace Gardens by fighting to stop destructive development, and growing people’s passion for our Gardens. We aim to campaign for the conservation and improvement of UTG, to campaign for improved facilities and to work with any other body in order to further the above aim.

So what has FoUTG been up to?We’ve been incredibly busy the last few months with major events in the gardens including a mass picnic (over 1,000 attended), the Big Free Lunch, a special 10/10/10 carbon reduction event, candlelight and acoustics night - all met with huge enthusiam by the people of Aberdeen. Most recently around 30 volunteers gave up a whole weekend to get the arches area of UTG repainted. It looks absolutely fantastic.We are currently looking at getting all the electrics in UTG fixed and the lights back on. We are also planning a large car boot / jumble sale in UTG where we will be asking everyone to come and sell their junk and donate the proceeds to the FoUTG. It’s all happening!

Is the future of UTG relevant to the people of Woodside?UTG incorporates many issues important to people all over the city. It has certainly proved to the people of Aberdeen that the council is more than happy to

ignore the wishes of its citizens to do as it pleases and accept large donations from local businessmen. One very worrying development is that to develop our Gardens, the council hopes to transfer ownership of UTG to a city development company as early as April next year. If this company (called OneAberdeen) is formed as intended, many other city assets could be passed to it for development. One site the council earmarked last year was Westburn Park and house. This new company will have a majority of private businessmen on its committee and perhaps only two councillors. A lot of our time is spent researching the legalities of the issue and this cannot be allowed to happen. We fully intend to stop it. The issue is not just about UTG any more but also the underhanded way we are treated by the council. They speak about closing our parks and libraries while borrowing £200m to build a city square that people do not want or need! This won’t save Aberdeen for future generations, it will bankrupt it and people throughout the city will suffer.

What’s next on the agenda?We are having a big UTG fundraising gig at the Tunnels on 29 Dec. There will be lots of music from some VERY special guests, brilliant comedy with the legendary Sid Ozalid and all sorts of fun. Make it your BIG festive date! Tickets are available from 1-Up Records, Belmont Street.

Friends of Union Terrace Gardens visit our website: www.friendsofutg.org

email: saveutg@gmail.comor call Robin: 01356 648791 (daytime)

Rider’s on the storm... Woodside community activist makes the case for UTGThe Free Press speaks to Vicky Rider on the future of Union Terrace Gardens [UTG]

Friends of UTG volunteers give the arches a much-needed lick of paint...

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We’re an easily confused lot at the best of times us grown ups. It probably explains a lot about why we are the way we are. We like everything to have a nice practical name, a nice logical explanation as to what it is, a nice understandable guide showing us how it works, and a nice sensible place to put it when we’re not using it. If any kids are reading this article – the secret’s out. We don’t act like this (and expect you to as well) because we know more than you. It’s really because we don’t want to look silly.

Luckily for us fogies, The Fersands and Fountain Community Project (FFCP) are sympathetic to our plight and also in on our secret. So when they came up with their Tattie Holiday Activities for the 12 to 16 year olds in the area, they succeeded in taking care of everybody. Not only did they provide secondary school children in the area with an impressive and fun array of activities to do during the holidays. They also did it in such a way that if any of us lot a bit closer to our Buspass wanted to know what was going on, we could actually get our heads round it.

The first positive step was that programme of activities was printed on bright orange paper so we could see it and find it easily. And on closer inspection the programme was found to be peppered with nice and easily understood words like Swimming, Arts and Crafts, Ice Skating, Make Your Own Lunch. Hey, the more hip among us even knew what a DVD or what Snowboarding was.

Another, perhaps more subtle,

masterstroke in keeping everything ‘seemples’ and understandable was to keep everything that wasn’t a ‘road trip’ in one place. Obviously, for example, Swimming required a trip to the pool and Skating a jaunt to the rink. But all activities not requiring a specific facility were run in the Youth Flat at 22A Sandilands Drive. Not for the first time the already much used and very popular venue demonstrated it’s remarkable and virtually inexhaustible versatility.

However…. one item on the list of activities was still causing much bafflement. This Haunted Walk malarkey, what was that all about then? Forest of Doom? Multo head scratchage and blank expressions all round. Not that the kids themselves needed anything explained to them. They knew exactly what it was all about. This same event was a massive success last year and was back on the activities list “…at very high popular request…” among the younger population according to FFCP’s Claire Bradshaw.

But obviously some explanation is required. So for the benefit of those of us old enough to remember Mr Jackson’s Thriller when it actually came out – wipe the puzzled expression and read on. This is what the Haunted Walk is and how it all went down.

The eerie setting for the evening of terror was the previously mentioned Forest of Doom. Situated two miles southwest of Woodside it is little known and seldom travelled at night. Even among the wisest and most knowledgeable of local people……. or perhaps more pointedly……. the bravest of local people……. it is a matter most unlikely to be discussed.

Unless of course it’s broad daylight and the curse of darkness is lifted. At which point you see folks wandering about here, there and everywhere and the Forest of Doom becomes known by it’s more familiar name of Hazlehead Golf Course. And it was during the safety of daylight hours on Friday 15 October that FFCP staff planted over 90 little luminous skeletons in a semi-circular route around the 18 holes. Allegations of having to do this during the day due to being ‘feart’ to do it at night were laughed off, though rather nervously.

However there was not even a hint of such nerves that evening in Woodside, as 23 intrepid and hardened young explorers were divided into two teams. Each team then bravely and fearlessly boarded a bus and headed off to face, not only the darkness of the Forest of Doom, but the other team in stiff but friendly competition. The first team, looking terror squarely in the eye and accompanied by FFCP’s Mark Lovie and Stewart Rennie, was comprised mainly of wise heads from S3, S4 and S5. Facing up to them were the up and coming generation in S1 and S2 – determined to show the guys doing their Standard Grades and Highers who the clever ones really are. These young pretenders were helped in their quest by Claire Bradshaw and Dave McKendrick.

There were several other members of FFCP staff also present in an ‘unofficial’ capacity but more about them later!

Now you might be thinking that an evening stroll on a Golf Course isn’t very scary, but let me set the scene here. It wasn’t just dark, it

Forest of doom!THE FERSANDS AND FOUNTAIN COMMUNITY PROJECT

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was DARK. And I’m not talking about a lightbulb going off in your living room but you can still make out shapes and stuff. No! What I’m talking about here is not being able to see your own hand in front of your face and only knowing your friend is right next to you because they spoke. I am talking about every sound and movement making you want to jump, scream or both. I am talking about darkness so black that not even Darth Vader would think of stepping into it on without at least two lightsabers AND a change of underwear. I’m talking (deeeeep voice) DAAARRRK.

This was made all the more terrifying by rationing the torches to only two for each entire team. Scared yet? Hey, I am just writing this!

So the idea was that the teams would each start at an end of the semicircular trail. Both teams would go down one side of the trail and then return to where they came by following the other side of the trail in the opposite direction. You’re confused?!! Remember they are trying to do this and it’s darker than a coal mine during a solar

eclipse when someone’s forgotten to pay the leccy bill. But at least the objective was simple. To the team that collected the most little skeletons planted there earlier that day, would go the spoils of battle!

Not so fast though my fearless young friends! For as if the cold, the confusion, the lack of torches, and the dark (did I mention the dark?) wasn’t enough. It was here that four other members of FFCP staff chose to present their eerie and terrifying credentials. I suggested earlier that these guys might have been ‘feart’ by the prospect of the Forest of Doom at night? Certainly not William Ogg, Yvonne Armstrong, George Murdoch and Daniel Gossa. These people are harder than a coffin nail and twice as difficult to scare. And dressed up to the nines in their most ghoulish clobber, they hid at various points on the route and jumped out on our young Bounty Hunters at every opportunity.It is rumoured that the screams were heard back in Woodside.

A brilliant night was had by all concerned. The spoils of battle, in the best Halloween tradition, were

a large sack load of sweets and went to the young victors of the S1 and S2 team. However, there were no losers here and both teams were treated to a chip supper on the way home.

More of the same next year? Well I’m not scared to say that it’s pretty much a certainty. Do us senior ghouls and goblins understand it now? Well I don’t know about the rest of you, but I don’t think I would have the bottle to do it anyway! Anyone needs me, I’ll be hiding under the bedsheets.

Mark Mitchell

For more information regarding any events organised for young people by The Fersands & Fountain Community Project please contact:

Claire Bradshaw, Woodside Fountain Centre OR

Youth Flat, Marquis Road 22A Sandilands Drive, Aberdeen AB24 2QA

01224 524 928 (Direct)

claire@fersands.org

Forest of doom!

Woodlands Community Ranger

Jiggery Pokery in the Woodside and Printfield Area

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Hello there!

As always, you can catch my “Around With A Ranger” programme on SHMUfm, broadcast live on a Wednesday between 11 am and midday and repeated on Mondays between 1-2 pm. It’s also available on the internet at shmu.org.uk. The show highlights the work I have been doing with those working in your community and the service I can provide. Lately I’ve been dandering along the Don with various health walks along the Woodside Riverside path and taking groups down there for minibeast hunts and adventure!! Plans are afoot to work with Woodside Parish Church, so I look forward to that.

Printfield Community Project (great birthday party!!!) asked me to develop the front garden area so I have been working with volunteers to put down slabs, edge the grass, dig out flower beds (thanks for the plants, David) and arranged for Aberdeen Greenspace to put in benches for free. This has happened over the space of a few months, so well done to everyone! In addition, the Arts and Development Team has finished a project involving children in the area where they created designs and then made them out of wood. These can now be seen mounted on the wall. This area is for use by the community and, more importantly, development. If anyone is interested in gardening they should contact Jim at the Project and I am sure he will roll his sleeves up and help as well!

If you are interested in volunteering or wonder if I can help you, your group or a group in your area,

please feel free to contact me on 01224 897400. Speak to you soon.

Stephen BlyWoodland Community Ranger

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Printfield Senior Youth ClubPrintfield Senior Youth Club members have been working on carving end-pieces for the benches for about 5-6 weeks now. It will take another 4 weeks to complete the work.

This is really cool! We would like to help with the garden too. My Grandad grows tatties and I help him. We could do weeding and digging and plant more flowers to make it look nice. I hope people don’t wreck it. Andrew (12)

This is really hard work – harder than school. The wood is really hard and we’ve used big thick bits so there’s lots of work to do. Danielle (13)

It’s good to do this because I haven’t done it before. I like the opportunity to do different carvings. I’ve learned how to handle the tools and use them properly. I enjoy being hands-on. You have to be careful and I’ve learned about precision. Fraser (11)

This is relief carving – the design is raised. We need to finish the design, round off the sides and stain them. They’ll be drilled and then bolted on. This is the first community work I’ve done. I’m usually self conscious about my work but I’m happy with this because we all worked together. I chose the bird design and Chris from Whitespace helped with the detail and then everyone helped with the carving. It is hard work but you’re proud of what you’ve done. Conner (13)

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Wilma and Kathy run the shop. Read on to find out more.

Who came up with the idea of opening a charity shop?

Wilma: A neighbour mentioned that Tillydrone had one and I thought it could work here too. I went to Kit, the project manager, about it and then the management committee and I roped in Kathy to help.

Kathy: Aye. “Roped in” is right!

Have you done anything like this before?

Wilma: No, I was sitting at home all the time! This has really helped my confidence. I’ve put a lot of time into this and I feel I can speak up for myself and the community now. I’m more outgoing and I want to get involved with the project, go to management meetings and things like that. My kids got a lot out of the project and now I want to help others.

Kathy: I’ve been in the area too long to remember and I’ve been involved with the Tenants’ Forum (1987) and Project Management Committee from the start (1989). I like being involved in anything in the community, things that get me out

of the house! My kids all grew up with the project. They went on trips and holidays. Now my grown-up daughter helps in the crèche.

How long have you been open?

Kathy: We started out in the wee room in June. Instant Neighbours gave us a couple of clothes rails and some coat hangers to get us going.

Wilma: But we soon needed somewhere bigger. We moved into this room in September. Locals helped to do it up – putting up curtain rails and papering and painting. We needed to buy some more clothes rails – we have that much stuff. We are running low on coat hangers so if anyone has some to spare...

Where do you get your donations and what sort of things do you sell?

Wilma: We get donations from all over. We get some really good quality clothes like Next and Monsoon. We get in clothes that still have the tags on. We’re hoping to get donations from some of the big stores – end of season things. Rose in the office has made some phone calls but nothing has happened yet.

We sell a lot of children’s clothes – kids grow out of clothes so fast and we have a lot of single mums in the area.

Kathy: We sell ladies’ and men’s clothes, baby equipment, jewellery, bedding, curtains, shoes, toys and books. Sometimes we get offered big items like a tumbledryer or a fireplace and we put up a sign to see if anyone is interested.

How do you decide on prices?

Kathy: The shop is here to help people in the community as well as to raise money so we keep our prices low. (for example: A man’s jacket costs £2.50, kids’ tops 4 for £1, double duvet cover £2.)

Who can come to the shop?

Wilma: Everyone is welcome. They don’t need to live in Printfield. The more we sell, the more money we raise.

What happens to the money you raise?

Wilma: It goes into the project funds so it’s used for the local community.

Printfield Project Charity Shop11b Printfield Walk Mon/Wed/Fri 11am – 2pm

THE FERSANDS AND FOUNTAIN COMMUNITY PROJECT

Woodside Weather

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Concerned residents from all over the regeneration areas turned up to demonstrate against proposed cuts to the Fairer Scotland Fund.

The crowd appeared outside a council meeting on the 1st of December to let the Councillors know what they thought of the cuts which will affect the poorest communities in Aberdeen.

Demonstrators were happy as they felt that they received a great deal of support from the public and passing motorists.

The demonstration caught the attention of local radio stations, local newspapers and television.

At the end of the meeting the council decided to reduce the proposed cut to the Fund to £750,000, as opposed to the possible cut of over £2 million.

Although this was seen as a success, the campaigners will be meeting again soon to discuss how they want to respond to this development.

Watch this space!

A Woodside Gala Day was held on the 20th of November at the Woodside Fountain Centre. Despite dismal wet weather a hardy bunch of residents turned up to enjoy the attractions on offer. The Fersands and Fountain Community Project organisers only started meeting a few weeks ago so it was unbelievable what they achieved in a matter of days. From Bouncy Castles to Magic Show, Soup Kitchen, Bake Stall, Raffles, Face Paints, a Winter Barbecue, Head Massage and of course an Outdoor Climbing Wall. The event was an effort to get Woodside people together, get them into the Fountain Centre and try and raise a few bob at same time, Many thanks to the volunteers who came and helped out on the day, showing a great community spirit. Many thanks also to all the people who came along and supported the day.Thanks also to Doddy (see image).

Woodside Gala

LOCAL NEWS

Doddy the chef shows he can flip a burger in any weather.

Fairer Scotland

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I received a letter recently from Grampian Police which informed me that my son had been guilty of anti-social behaviour. It was essentially a warning letter due to the fact he had been ‘’part of a group causing annoyance’’.

‘Hear hear’, you may say, or ‘about time something was done.’ I’m sure the presence of many teenagers on their own streets annoys many of you. However, before you all get too excited thinking the teenage scourge will be washed from our streets, I’ll tell you what his ‘offence’ was: He was smoking a cigarette with ONE friend.

Now, I may be wrong, but since when do two people smoking outside a building constitute a

disturbance or annoyance? I’m more disturbed that the police think this is an effective use of valuable resources that we pay for. I’m also rather surprised that the thousands of people smoking outside buildings up and down Union St. every day haven’t been issued with the same warning. Can you imagine the outcry if this letter had been sent to an adult?

Maybe it was a quiet day for the police; maybe there were no assaults, muggings, robberies or drug deals going on that day. Maybe the police are too scared to tackle the ‘problem’ of a dozen teenagers hanging around their own street, and instead choose to tackle ‘the problem’ when they are in ‘groups’ of two.

I wonder where these kids are supposed to go when the cost of going to the cinema, for example, is £15-£20 taking into account bus fares and snacks. I wonder why the council shut down the ice rink every summer holiday?

I’m aware that some blocks round this area are ‘plagued’ with teenagers. In my own block, I have, on occasion, heard a few kids in the stairwell. But when I stick my head out the door and tell them to get lost, guess what? They get lost. Quite simple, really, and it doesn’t involve criminalising children for, as my 60-year-old work colleague said: ‘’doing what teenagers have always done – they hang around together’’.

Donna G, Fersands

New FREE breakfast initiative

Started Monday 1st November and a small number - 10 but growing - are enjoying a free, healthy breakfast delivered by our school cook Christine. Once word gets out numbers will increase - another positive initiative for parents, pupils and staff of Kittybrewster!

Busy KIDZO discos

Our Christmas diary is rapidly filling up with requests to do school Christmas parties/discos. What is really nice is that all the schools we did discos in last December have asked us back again this year. We must have done something right! Already this

session we have done three discos and the P6/7 class have got a healthy amount of money in the bank. They are still undecided how to spend this money. A nice problem to have!

Masterclass

P4-7 pupils are currently undertaking a new project at school on a Friday morning - Masterclass. There are altogether eight options including Fashion and Design, Masterchef, Irish studies, Health and Beauty and Football. All pupils will eventually get to choose three Masterclasses this session and will receive a certificate at the end of each. After week two, feedback from the pupils (and staff) has been very encouraging. Watch this space...

Bobbies off the beat

Kittybrewster School

RESIDENT’S LETTER

SCHOOL UPDATE

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Ever fancied taking to the stage to sing as your favourite star? Then we need YOU! We are looking for local talent to perform as their favourite singing star for the second Fa’s in their Eyes fundraising event, which will take place at The Forum Friday 22 April 2011.

If you sign up, we can provide voice coaching sessions and support with costume design if needed. We are also keen for

local bands, comedians, magicians etc that might be interested in supporting this fundraising event, free of charge.

For more information or to sign up for the event please contact Louise at Family Learning on 487822 or email: enquiries@familylearning.org.uk

Maths & Language 4 ParentsDo you want to know more about the maths and language being taught to your children at school? Look out mums and dads for our Maths and Language Course that will be running next term. This course is suitable for children in Primary 1 to 3 and teachers will be on hand to answer any questions that you may have! If you would like to sign up the course nearest to you or find out more, call the Family Learning team on 487822.

Celebration For Families Learning!

Although they say it’s unlucky for some, thirteen Families attended a day to celebrate learning on Saturday 23 October at the Station Hotel in Aberdeen. The celebration was organised by the Family Learning team to congratulate all the parents that have attended courses over the last year at various community venues in the city.

The day was great fun, starting with a workout for the body and

mind with some maths aerobics. The parents then got time to relax and discuss their experiences of learning while the children were entertained by local magician Garry Seagreaves - by the sound of gasps and giggles, it was a magical hit!

Next came the family fun quiz, which brought out the competitive side of more than a few parents and lunch to follow, which went down a treat. After lunch the parents were presented with certificates to celebrate their learning, with a photo to record the event. All the staff at Family Learning would like to thank the families who attended and the partners and associates that helped make it a great day - roll on next year!

IT COULD BE YOU!

FAMILY LEARNING

Fly TippingFly-tipping is really annoying and unnecessary. It’s ugly; it drags down the neighbourhood and it can be downright dangerous.Aberdeen City website says that leaving items in the street for collection without arranging for them to be uplifted is fly-tipping, a crime with a fixed penalty charge of £50, or if the case goes to court, a fine of up to £40,000, six months in prison, or both!

There is a special waste collection service for council tenants, who are entitled to have up to four bulky items (inc furniture) collected free of charge per year.

Only the tenant named on the lease can arrange the uplift. To arrange an uplift call 08456 080919. Use this number also if you find items dumped in your lobby or in your street; they will be taken away for nothing. There is a freephone service at Fersands and Fountain Centre which takes you through to Environmental Services or Repairs. Just ask at the desk.

Your entitlement to have special waste removed can be split over four collections per year. Home owners can use this service too. You can have up to 4 bulky items collected for a charge of £20.

I’ve used the service and it worked well for me! Be aware, though, that a settee and two chairs will count as three items! Let’s stop this fly-tipping menace and help to make the area look better!

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The popular image of a committee member is a grumpy, elderly man hiding his bald head under a flat cap. He will sit for hours in a smoky room, adjusting his club tie and wipe ash from his blazer. He will talk to similar people wearing tweed jackets about rules and regulations, membership registrations - and other less urgent matters which everyone else is too busy to worry about.

But that is not what it’s like at the community project. What we are looking for residents aged 16-70 to get involved in all kinds of stuff. We want our committee members to help us out, have fun and learn some skills along the way. You can help the project in so many ways. We’ve crafted a little poem which outlines just a few;

You can help us make decisions about youth club and child care. Provide good services that are equal and fair .

Can you do first aid? Will you go through a course for us? Can you drive? Take the kids out in the mini bus?

We need a web page. Can you help us design it? We need more money, can you help us find it?

Deliver our leaflets, it will be so good for you! If we need more staff, we’ll teach you how to interview!

We can wrap up parcels for the xmas “do”! Get out your tools and put up a shelf or two.

Sell raffle tickets and hand out information. Ask your neighbours what they think - it’s consultation!

Will you give a little time and be a volunteer with us? We’ll give you skills, pride and confidence!

Give you a reference, new friends and experience! Join the team, help each other and help the community!

For more information contact Mark Lovie, Fersands & Fountain Community Project Coordinator on 524926

CoMMittee MeMbers

SNOWBUSTERS Woodside

Winter Taskforce

Volunteers are being sought to make up a Winter Task Force to help clear paths around Woodside. Last year some elderly and infirm were stranded in their houses for days because icy conditions made it unsafe for them to venture out. Life was difficult for mums with toddlers and buggies, too. Many complained about the state of the main paths, but no one person could do enough to make a great impact.

This year though community activists believe they can get a team of volunteers together that will improve things in Woodside. A large team of volunteers will be needed as they have a large area to cover. They will be shovelling snow and scattering sand over places reported to them by residents. Kit Trail (one of the organisers) said: “We are looking for volunteers from all over Woodside to come together and show some community spirit. We are holding meetings to work out how volunteers could be best used. We need to recruit and organise volunteers, figure out what kind of equipment will be needed and who can supply it. “Aberdeen City Council are responsible for gritting the roads and pavements but we think Woodside residents will want to help out when they can”. If you are fit and able to throw some snow around and would like to find out more contact Kit on 01224 276788 or Mark on 524926. “Who ya gonna call – SNOWBUSTERS!”

FERSANDS & FOUNTAIN COMMUNITY PROJECT

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t 01224 515013 e info@shmu.org.uk www.shmu.org.uk

Free radio training

Station House Media Unit (shmu) is situated just off Great Nothern 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.

Welcome Kelly!Hi my name is Kelly and I am the new Employability Support Worker with SHMU. I have spent the last 6 years in recruitment, specialising in helping people to move back into employment, training or education throughout Scotland.

I am now delighted to confirm that alongside my colleagues at SHMU we are now looking to offer the shmuWORKS programme which is designed for people between the ages of 18-25 living in the regeneration areas of the city who are not currently in employment.

We will be holding separate, 2-hour information sessions throughout the year to explain in more detail what we do here at shmu and what training and support we can provide through this new project. From this information session we are looking to select 8 people who are interested to attend a 3-week programme which will run for 15 hours each week.

Some of the things we will cover during these weeks are:Interview Skills • Confidence & CommunicationCV’s & Cover Letters • Presenting & Broadcasting skills • Team Work

For those people not offered a place on the 3-week course, additional employability support will be offered through our shmuWORKS Support Group on Wednesday afternoons.

For further information please contact Kelly on 01224 515013, email kelly@shmu.org.uk, or text training followed by your name to 60300.

shmuFM is offering Radio training opportunities for beginners to anyone who lives or works within Woodside. The training will run in blocks of 6 weeks. As well as learning new exciting skills in radio production, presenting and broadcasting you will meet new people, build your confidence and self-esteem.

If this sounds like something you fancy getting involved with please phone 01224 515013 and ask for Hayleigh, or email training@shmu.org.uk. You can also text us on 60300 - start your message with training, leave a space and then leave your name. Whatever way you get in touch, someone will be in contact with you ASAP to book you on our next course.

Beginners Training (6 weeks)Mondays 7pm – 9pm

10th January – 28th March

Fridays 2pm –4pm

14th January – 1st April

Dougie - host of the Woodside on Wednesday show

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A city-wide charity that helps the most disadvantaged is set to move from its Woodside headquarters. Instant Neighbours is one of the first Woodside casualties of council cutbacks. The large St Machar Drive property (formerly Lofthus Signs) is on the market for sale or lease after being occupied by the charity for the last two years. Over that time it has provided a range of services and opportunities to the public. As well as being a store for emergency food packs and clothes, Instant Neighbours provided quality furniture and bedding for those most in need. The building also housed a recycled carpet service where families could purchase affordable reconditioned flooring. The site was also home to a recycled bicycle initiative. Over £100,000 of council support has been cut and the enterprise

will move to alternative premises near the Haudigain. Unfortunately, this may be the first of many Woodside services to be hit by the cut backs. The Fairer Scotland Fund (FSF), which finances many valuable and important public services in the area, is set to go. Printfield Community Project could be badly hit, Fersands Community Project, Station House and Pathways will also be affected. Not only services but many part time jobs could disappear.

A community activist commented, “Local politicians really need to think about this, the FSF was set up to help the poorest and most vulnerable in the city. If they can cut this then there is absolutely nothing safe and life on Aberdeen’s poorest streets is going to get worse”

Cuts hit Instant Neighbour

Woodside Parish Church Christmas Communion ServiceWoodside Parish Church Christmas Communion ServiceThe service takes place on Sunday, December 12th at 11:00am, followed by refreshments in the social area!! Woodside Parish Church Christmas Play Family ServiceThe service takes place on Sunday, December 19th at 11:00am, followed by refreshments!! Woodside Parish Church Christmas Eve Watchnight ServiceThe service takes place in the church on Christmas Eve, December 24th, and starts at 10:30pm with having first refreshments, mulled wine, and with singing Christmas Carols. Everybody most welcome!! Woodside Parish Church Christmas Day Service with our friends from St. George’s Parish Church in TillydroneThe service will take place on Christmas Day morning, December 25th, at 11:00am, followed by refreshments in our social area. Everybody most welcome!!

LOCAL NEWS

CHURCH UPDATE

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Pete the Motorhead at

the AECCMotörhead. I only know three of their songs but I do have a big soft spot for Lemmy. He’s as big a nutter as I am. When he was kicked out of Hawkwind in 1975 for ‘doing the wrong drugs,’ he formed Motörhead and never looked back. It’s more than 20 years since they were in Aberdeen and when I hear they’re due to play the relatively cosy Music Hall, I just have to get tickets. Due to “unprecedented demand,” the gig is moved to the infamous AECC. The prospect of an evening in that miserable, miles-from-nowhere hellhole holds considerably less allure but neither Lemmy nor I are in the first flush of youth and I might never get another chance to see him. Not in this world, anyway.Ms. Ashby and I battle through gale-force winds on the night, stumbling into the AECC minutes before the band comes on. As we enter the arena, a few faces from the golden age of Radars drift by. For a moment the years seem to melt away; but there’s no Rosie behind the bar and beneath the varying degrees of intoxication obvious in my erstwhile drinking buddies there’s a discomforting but undeniable air of decrepitude. None of us is getting any younger.Motörhead shortly hit the boards to deafening acclaim and launch into being, well, Motörhead. With Lemmy growling famously away beneath his customised cowboy hat, Phil Campbell throws a few guitar heroics. High over the stage, Mikkey Dee thrashes madly at his kit for all the world like Animal from The Muppets. Nothing new there, then: cacophonous, no-frills rock and roll. Down the moshpit they’re doing their somewhat less than solemn duty and going decidedly loopy. But let’s face it, your average Motörhead fan is happier than a pig amongst the proverbial as long as they hear Ace Of Spades at some point and everything else at 150 decibels. Fair play to that.But I’m not your average fan. Apart from the light show being downright ordinary, the sound is terrible and it’s dawning on me pretty damn quick why I stopped listening to this kind of stuff 30-odd years ago. Yes, I can see why their music has been called “a beacon of defiant celebration,” and

I do love the punk ethic that underpins everything Motörhead stands for; it’s just that after three numbers, they haven’t got an awful lot left to offer.Ms. Ashby observes that maybe Motörhead is ‘a male thing’. Here against her better judgement, she’s unusually pale beneath the sonic onslaught but correct. Between the hordes of headbangers having a ball and the hundreds of vaguely disappointed punters shuffling around uneasily at the back, there are very few women. Seven songs in, it’s time to go. We leave them to it.It’s all been a bit of a let down but that’s the trouble with legends; at least those with whom we’re largely unacquainted. Go see any revered artist without the emotional resonance that comes from hearing them at our most pivotal moments and we’re reduced to little more than interested spectators. Sometimes that works but it can be a recipe for disaster. I remember how not even the warm intimacy of the Music Hall could save country giant Willie Nelson from being well past his sell-by date. Without that cushion of sentimentality, I saw not the wonderful show I’d hoped for but a tired old man going through the motions. The old trouper’s voice was shot, the show cloyingly contrived. But the majority of the crowd couldn’t have cared less. They loved him. Like Lemmy, he soldiers on regardless. Somehow, that’s exactly how it should be. Who wants to live forever, anyway?

“That’s the way I like it, baby, I don’t want to live forever...”

Dod Morrison Photography

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AN END TO THE FAIRER SCOTLAND FUND?What would the cuts mean to Woodside?

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For many years Woodside has had a share of Fairer Scotland funding.

The money has been used to support many local groups and projects, including those which help some of the most vulnerable groups in our community. Local community representatives have had a say in just how the Fairer Scotland funds are to be distributed.

Priorities for investment include: Employment and Training; Income and Financial Inclusion; Health; Learning; Community Safety; and neighbourhood work with such groups as Youth, Special Needs and Senior Citizens.

A proposal has been tabled to cut the Fairer Scotland Fund completely as part of the Council’s

PriorityBased Budgeting process. This would mean that £2,375,000 of funding to organisations working with the city’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable people would be cut.

If this happens, many of our local services in Woodside will be hit hard – and many of them will stop completely. Some of services that could be affected include the Twos Group, Youth Work Support, Family Support, ShmuFM Works Programme, St. Machar Credit Union, Adult Literacy, Outreach Drugs Work, and support for this magazine which would no longer be printed and distributed.

If you wish to keep these services in Woodside we need to pull together and demand that our councillors vote against these cuts. We cannot function effectively as a caring community

if we do not have funding to support this work.

The meeting to discuss the proposed cuts is on Thursday 2nd December, with the final decision lying with our councillors – so make your views known now.

Write to your local councillor. These are:

Cllr George AdamCllr Neil FletcherCllr Kirsty West

Address your letter to:Aberdeen City Council,Broad Street,Aberdeen.AB10 1AR