Another fantastic summer programme from Aberdeenshire Council Rangers Service. There’s events for everyone!
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Ranger events and activities for October
Saturday 8th October 2.00 – 3.30pm
NUTS ABOUT SQUIRRELS!
Join us on a walk through Wrack Woods as we search for evidence of red squirrels. Go nuts as we discover more about these charming creatures and other animals of the woodland. All welcome, children must be accompanied. Booking essential.
MEET: at the car park, Duff House, Banff AB45 3SX
CONTACT: the Banff and Buchan Ranger on 01261 813299,
banffandbuchan.ranger@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Sunday 9th October
SUNDAY PLAYTIME
Let your kids go wild with an old-fashioned morning of fun, creative play at Haddo.
We’ll provide a whole selection of play items – logs, sticks, ropes, blankets, balls, water trays, craft items, nature kits or a dressing up box. You just need to bring along some imagination! Booking not required.
MEET: at Haddo Country Park, Ellon AB41 7EQ
CONTACT: the Haddo Visitor Services Officer on 01651-851041, vsohaddo@gmail.com
Sunday 9th October 11.00am – 2.00pm
STONE AGE SECRETS AT HADDO
Explore the secrets of the Stone Age at Haddo. Find out about Neolithic and Bronze Age life via reproduction artefacts and materials from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages including axe heads, arrowheads and a bow drill, as well as examples of materials such as flint, stone, copper, tin, antlers and beeswax. Free drop in event at The Pheasantry, booking not required.
MEET: at the Pheasantry, Haddo Country Park. Ellon AB41 7EQ
CONTACT: the Formartine Ranger on 01358 726417/ 07786 021780, formartine.ranger@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Thursday 13th October 10.30am – 12noon
CREATURE COMFORTS at Arnhall Moss, Westhill
As autumn and winter approaches it is important to think about the birds and animals and how they will survive now that it is getting cold and dark. We’ll talk about hibernation and how we can help the animals in the woodland by giving them somewhere dry and cosy for the winter. We’ll also make bird cake for you to either take home to your own garden or leave in the woodland. Please wear warm clothing. All welcome, children must be accompanied. Booking essential.
MEET: at the tennis court car park, Arnhall Moss, Westhill AB32 6TX
CONTACT: the Garioch Ranger on 01467 681470, garioch.ranger@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Friday 14th October 10.30am – 12noon
CREATURE COMFORTS at Gauchhill As autumn and winter approaches it is important to think about the birds and animals and how they will survive now that it is getting cold and dark. We’ll talk about hibernation and how we can help the animals in the woodland by giving them somewhere dry and cosy for the winter. We’ll also make bird cake for you to either take home to your own garden or leave in the woodland. Please wear warm clothing. All welcome, children must be accompanied. Booking essential.
Meet and park on Birch Wood Road, Kintore AB51 0QN
CONTACT: the Garioch Ranger on 01467 681470, garioch.ranger@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Friday 14th October 5.00 – 7.00pm
ROAR OF THE REDS
Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the red deer rut, when stags challenge each other for the hinds amidst stunning scenery. Includes walk of up to 3km / 2 miles on track with gentle inclines. Under 16’s must be accompanied. Bring warm and waterproof clothing, stout footwear, torch and (if available) binoculars. Sorry, no dogs. Booking essential. Event organised in partnership with Invercauld Estate.
MEET: Auchallater car park, A93 2 miles south of Braemar AB35 5SX
CONTACT: the Marr Ranger on 07787 583976, marr.ranger@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Thursday 20th October 10.30am – 12noon
CREATURE COMFORTS at Bennachie
As autumn and winter approaches it is important to think about the birds and animals and how they will survive now that it is getting cold and dark. We’ll talk about hibernation and how we can help the animals in the woodland by giving them somewhere dry and cosy for the winter. We’ll also make bird cake for you to either take home to your own garden or leave in the woodland. Please wear warm clothing. All welcome, children must be accompanied. Booking essential.
MEET: at the Bennachie Visitor Centre, Chapel of Garioch AB51 5HX
CONTACT: the Garioch Ranger on 01467 681470, garioch.ranger@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Saturday 22nd October 10.00am – 4.00pm
BEGINNERS AUTUMN PHOTOGRAPHY
The Donside Camera Club joins the Garioch Ranger to guide you through your camera functions and how to use your camera for macro, wildlife and landscape photography. Bring your camera, a packed lunch and suitable clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Cost: £15. Booking essential. This is a partnership event between Aberdeenshire Council Ranger Service, Donside Camera Club and the Bennachie Centre Trust.
MEET: at the Bennachie Visitor Centre, Chapel of Garioch AB51 5HX
CONTACT: the Garioch Ranger on 01467 681470, garioch.ranger@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Tuesday 25th October 10.00am – 12noon
‘BUSHCRAFT’ FOR GROWN-UPS
Want to be more confident camping? Impress the kids with your outdoor skills? Just learn something new? Join us for some grown-up, outdoor skills where you can learn to set up camp, make rope, try simple knife skills, do some knot tying and treat yourself with some campfire cooking. Ideal if you or your family want to explore the great outdoors. Activities will be flexible and weather dependent, if there are any particular skills you’d like to learn or practise then let us know and we’ll see what we can do! Campfire food and hot drinks included – bring a mug! Cost: £5 per person, over 16’s only. Booking essential.
MEET: Haddo Country Park, Ellon AB41 7EQ
CONTACT: the Haddo Visitor Services Officer on 01651-851041, vsohaddo@gmail.com
Monday 31st October 7.00 – 8.30pm
HALLOWEEN STORYTELLING EVENING
Following on from May Eve’s Celtic Stories’ success we now offer an evening stroll, serenaded by Tawny owls on this other most magical night of the year that welcomes the winter, to then settle down around a campfire (or indoors if necessary) and listen to some truly grim and ghastly stories both local and from further afield. Suitable for non-nervous adults and older children (8 yrs. +). Refreshments provided. Booking essential.
Cost: £5 per person including refreshments. Call 01651 851041 or e-mail haddo@visithaddo.com to book.
MEET: at the main car park, Haddo Country Park, Ellon AB41 7EQ
CONTACT for information: the Formartine Ranger on 01358 726417/ 07786 021780
Good At The End (GATE)
The GATE project is about getting people talking, thinking – and making informed decisions for the end of their lives. It is about not waiting till someone is approaching the end; but about thinking ahead, planning both practically and emotionally, and taking action now when things are good.
Vanessa Smith, Project Leader of GATE will give a talk and answer questions at Westhill and District Men’s Shed on Wednesday 6th May, 7-8.30pm
ALL WELCOME
Westhill Men’s Shed is located in the old library behind Westhill Academy. It is a community-run charity dedicated to promoting health and wellbeing among local men through their involvement together in their own projects or hobbies or in working with other men on community projects.
Nature watch!
One of the most enjoyable parts of being a councillor is being faced with a whole variety of issues from day to day. It’s not just pot holes and planning applications (although they feature high!)
I was fascinated when a Midmar resident raised the issue of badgers tidying up their setts resulting in earth and rubble being left on the highway causing a hazard.
I’ve never seen a badger in real life! About the only thing I know about badgers is they have black and white stripey faces and they get blamed for spreading TB in cattle.
I now know that they are very tidy and at this time of year they usually change their soft furnishings i.e. stock up their sett with dry grass!
Badgers are protected and as such, it is an offence to damage or obstruct a sett.
The council are in the process of inspecting the area to see how best to manage the situation and to reduce the risk to road-users without interfering with the natural habitat of the badgers.
Maybe I’ll come across a real-life badger soon on my travels. I’ll keep you posted as I find out more!