An interesting snapshot of Scotland’s population – key statistics from the National Records of Scotland:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-24565232

HIBERNATION HAPPINESS AT ARNHALL MOSS

(meet at Tennis Court Car Park)

Thursday 24th October 2013

10.30am – 12noon

Lets go and see how woodland creatures will hibernate and how we can help them be happy and   warm over the winter months when it’s cold, wet and snowy.

Please wear warm clothing Children must be accompanied by an adult

BOOKNG ESSENTIAL:- Contact Garioch Ranger on

07786 021 781 or Bennachie Centre on 01467 681470

Just a reminder that I will not be holding my usual monthly surgery in October and will be unavailable from Sunday 29th September until Monday 7th October inclusive. All urgent enquiries should be directed to Aberdeenshire Council on 0845 608 1205 and non-urgent issues will be dealt with on my return.

10-11am, Saturday 7th September,  2013 in Westhill Library. No appointment necessary.  Note: no surgery in October but appointments can be arranged outwith my surgeries – just get in touch.

Delighted to hear that Royal Mail have decided to keep their post boxes painted gold in honour of last year’s Olympic heroes! They have also added plaques with the names and achievements of the athletes for a lasting honour. Westhill was lucky enough to get two gold post boxes courtesy of Tim Baillie’s outstanding performance!

Please note that I will not be holding my usual surgery on Saturday 3rd August in Westhill Library. I will be in attendance at a joint surgery with Alison McInnes MSP, on Tuesday 30th July at Tesco Westhill from 11.30am-12.30pm. No appointment necessary. I can of course be contacted at any time on 07876 475272.

Westhill resident, Adam Craigmile, celebrated his 100th birthday on 11th July. A party at his sheltered housing home, Blackhills Court, helped him celebrate with residents, family and friends.

He was also visited at the event by Deputy Lord Lieutenant Andrew Salveson.

Adam has lived through things barely comprehensible to modern minds.

In 1918, he started at Westhill Primary School where many of the children went barefoot. Afterwards, he attended Skene Central School (which is now Skene Primary School).

Aged 14, he started at the Broadstraik Inn farm where most of the work was carried out using Clydesdale horses.

He used to drive his sheep and cattle by foot to Aberdeen Mart which took him a whole day there and back.

His father then sold the Broadstraik Inn in 1927 and they moved to Nethermains, Echt, and thereafter to the Colquhonnie Hotel and farm, Strathdon, where he met land girl, Zena.

Married life began with Zena in 1944 at Sinnahard croft where the general merchant shop sold everything from petrol to animal feed.

Son Adam arrived at Sinnahard on VE day 1945. The family then moved to a bakery/grocer shop in Aberdeen’s George Street where Barry was born on July 7, 1947.

Adam and Zena later moved back to Westhill where they settled.

During this time in Westhill they became grandparents to three children.

Zena died at the end of 1999 and Adam carried on living in the family home until 2008 when he moved to Blackhills Court.

He attributes his long life to 60 years of hard work, basic food like porridge and brose, always looking forward, a great many hobbies, keeping a sense of humour in the face of old age limitations and maintaining an interest in farming topics.

I was delighted and honoured to present Adam with a bottle of whisky and a card on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council. Adam’s life story is fascinating and he is a shining example to us all. It was lovely to see him surrounded by his family. I’m very tempted to camp up at Blackhills Court for a week to hear more of his great stories!

Adam’s pride and joy- he’s is a founder member of the Morris Minor Club!

A special ceremony, including a parade and flag-raising, was held at Aberdeenshire Council headquarters yesterday at Woodhill House in Aberdeen in honour of Britain’s Armed Forces.

Dozens of guests, including representatives from all the Armed Forces, attended the celebrations.

There were speeches from Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire, James Ingleby; Vice Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire, Dr Andrew Orr, and Commanding Officer of the Aberdeen Universities Officer Training Corps (AUOTC), Lieutenant Colonel Paul Binnie.

Cadet Sergeant Jordan Watters, nominated by Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Clare Russell for showing special leadership qualities, then raised the special Armed Forces Day flag. He was joined by Flight Sergeant Rebecca Roberts, of 1298 Huntly Squadron ATC and Leading Cadet Bethany Watt, of Peterhead Sea Cadets, both nominated by Mr Ingleby.

The AUOTC Drums and Pipes Band marched through the grounds of Woodhill House, playing a fanfare of regimental Highland music.

The Provost presented the band with a special Pipe Banner depicting the AUTOC emblem on one side and the council’s logo on the other. The banner is designed to demonstrate the link between the two organisations, which will run for the foreseeable future. The band then marched back through the grounds.

Guests included representatives of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Royal British Legion, the Reserve Forces and cadets association, as well as Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

I took the opportunity to chat with the guys and girls from the RBLS Riders (see picture). You can find out about the great work they do to support our veterans:

www.rblscotland.com

I was very pleased to accept an invitation to an Army Engagement Event at the Beach Ballroom. The event was attended by local politicians and stakeholders who have an interest and a role to play in transition back in to civilian life for our veterans. As well as hearing about the positive difference they have made in Afghan, we heard about the future of the British Army as they plan to take troops home from Germany, lose 20,000 regular personnel and recruit additional reserves.

It’s been a hectic week and I haven’t updated my blog from last Saturday which saw the sun shine for the annual Westhill Gala! As always, the day show-cased the hard work of many local groups. It was a great pleasure to meet with the 2013 Gala prince, Alex Rae, who himself is actively involved in the community.