Communities, families, groups and individuals are being asked for their views about the delivery and the future of important local services over the summer months.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Lifelong Learning and Leisure Service is currently undertaking one of its largest ever programmes of public engagement activity.
Staff are looking to speak to people face-to-face at events in the area throughout the summer, from July to September, and have already been out in communities.
Everyone of all ages is encouraged to tell them what they think about the future of learning and leisure in Aberdeenshire, with the branding: “Shout it out – we’re here to hear”.
Engagement activity will focus on a broad range of community services, including libraries, museums, sport and leisure, early years and community learning and development.
Chair of the council’s Education, Learning and Leisure Committee, councillor Isobel Davidson, said: “We want as many people as possible to make their views known, so that we can tailor the Service to meet the needs of local people now and into the future.
“People can make a real difference to how services are delivered and support the council’s vision to ensure communities are vibrant, equitable and economically sustainable.”
Vice chair, councillor Ron McKail, said: “This ambitious programme of engagement will help us have a clear and detailed understanding of what communities need and want from important community services over the coming years, so we hope people won’t be reluctant in coming forward.”
While visitors to local events in all six areas of Aberdeenshire are encouraged to speak to Aberdeenshire Council staff in person, the consultation is available online.
Staff will be in attendance at the following Aberdeenshire events (by area):
Banff and Buchan
July
Sat, July 28 and Sun, July 29
Banff Castle, Medieval festival
August
Thu 2 and 9
Under the Sea, Fraserburgh Lighthouse Museum am
Sat 11
The Marble Beach, Portsoy Harbour
Fri 17, Sat 18 and Sun 19
Fraserburgh Gala
Thu 23
Duff House, Outdoor Theatre
Buchan
July
Mon 23 – Sat 28
Peterhead Scottish week
Sat 28
Peterhead Farmers Market
Tue 31
Bushcraft, Aden Country Park 10.30am-3pm
August
Sat 4
Peterhead Farmers Market
Wed 8
Peterhead Rockpool rummage am
Sat 11
Peterhead Harbour Open Day
Sat 11 and Sun 12
Maud Railway Museum 12-4pm
Sun 19
Pipe Band/Highland Dancing Comp, Aden Country Park
Formartine
August
Wed 1
Woodland Wednesday, Haddo Country House 10.30am-4pm
Sat 4
Fyvie Live Music event
Sun 5 and Mon 6
Turriff Show
Wed 8
Ellon Flower Show
Woodland Wednesday, Haddo Country House 10.30am-4pm
Wed 15
Woodland Wednesday, Haddo Country House 10.30am-4pm
Garioch
July
Monday 30 July
Garioch Community Centre 10am to 3pm and 5pm to 7pm
Staff from Lifelong Learning and Leisure including arts, sports and community learning, will be on hand to speak to the public and assist them with the completion of the survey.
August
Sat 4
Four Crags Bennachie 9.30am
Wicker works, Bennachie 11-4pm
Wed 8
Fetternear Estate, Woodland Olympics am
Sat 11
FOCUS Inverurie
Drystone Dyking, Bennachie
Basketmaking, Bennachie 10am-4pm
Sun 12
Drystone Dyking, Bennachie
Tue 14
Millstone circular, Bennachie 6.30pm
Thu 16
Young Driver Roadshow Inverurie
Sat 18
Lourin Fair Old Rayne
Sat 25
Thainstone Show, Inverurie
Kincardine and Mearns
July
Sun 29
Stonehaven Car Boot Sales 8am-1pm
August
Wed 1
Mill of Benholm, Butterflies & Moths 10am-12
Sun 5
Stonehaven Car Boot Sales 8am-1pm
Thu 9
Get creative with Geology, Stonehaven 1-3pm
Sun 12, 19, 26
Stonehaven Car Boot Sales 8am-1pm
Marr
July
Sat 28
FOCUS Banchory
August
Sun 29
Jaguar Enthusiasts Car Club rally, Drum Castle
Thu 2
Walk in the Park Mar Lodge 7-8.30pm
Sat 4
Aboyne Games
Victoria Week, Ballater
FOCUS, Aboyne Green
Sun 5 – Sun 12
Victoria week Ballater
Thu 9
Ballater Highland Games
Walk in the Park Mar Lodge 7-8.30pm
Sat 11
Tarland Show
Sun 12
FOCUS, Victoria Hall Ballater
Mon 13
Summer Kart Racing League – Deeside Activity Park
Thu 16
Walk in the Park Mar Lodge 7-8.30pm
Sat 18
FOCUS Banchory Town Hall
Thu 23
Leith Hall, Huntly – Scotland’s Gardens Open Day
Walk in the Park Mar Lodge 7-8.30pm
Sat 25
Lonach Gathering
Night Flight Aberchirder 8.30pm
Thu 30
Walk in the Park Mar Lodge 7-8.30pm
Throughout summer
ALIS – Storytime, Rhymetime, Bookbug sessions
RANGER SERVICE – Activities at various sites and dates
MUSEUMS – various planned activities
ACTIVE SCHOOLS – Summer Programme
AFC Summer Holiday Programme
SWIM CENTRES – lessons, aquasplash, Rookie Lifeguarding
Macduff Aquarium