Congratulations to Peter Flockhart on becoming the new chair of Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council.

Peter was chosen last night to succeed long-serving chair Michael Morgan who has stepped down after 14 years on the community council. Rob Peaker has also retired after valiant service.

Disappointing though that there were no fresh faces coming forward to join the community council. There are still vacancies if anyone would like to be co-opted and help. It is only a couple of hours each month. Please?

There are always lots of interesting issues being discussed, from policing, to school buses, local projects and road repairs.

Usual mail today … credit card bill, bank statement, and, hello what’s this? A plain 1st class envelope with no markings. Something official.

I’ve won £900,000 in the International FIFA World Cup Online Lottery!

The drinks are on me!!! Or are they …

Firstly, I have not bought such a lottery ticket. Secondly, a quick Google search shows it is a scam. Pity, for just a moment I thought I was in the money.

The letter from vice-president Rose Murray, based in Zurich, says that I have won £900,000 by playing the International FIFA World Cup Online Lottery Program.

It claims the lottery was set up to change ‘lives of the millions of people’. Aye, the folk who are behind the scam designed to steal victims’ cash.

Here is a statement from Derbyshire Police from a couple of years back: https://www.derbyshire.police.uk/news/derbyshire/news/news/south/2019/april/fake-lottery-letters-sent-to-derbyshire-residents/

Normally today I would have been at the first meeting of the new Aberdeenshire Council infrastructure services committee today. But I’m not a councillor any more! I’m trying to wean myself off council stuff but I think it will take time.

I noticed one issue in the reports that I had been chasing for many months, at Hillside School, about the electric charging points. They have been there for a long time but are not live.Here is what officers wrote:

“Hillside School, Portlethen, is awaiting SSEN works, a date has yet to be agreed between the contractor and SSEN. SSEN timescales are 4-6 weeks for completing civils work.”Ellon Library units have been installed but SSEN works need to be rescheduled due to a delay by SSEN and the Council still awaits a confirmed date for this work.

“The bay markings at Hillside School, Portlethen, Hanover Street, Fraserburgh, and Peterhead are to be repainted with the correct black and white markings. Contractors visited the sites in May 2022 but it was discovered that additional design work is required to re-align spaces. We are currently awaiting further details of requirements from contractor.”

Dear me.

This morning I met some lovely people from Ukraine, newly arrived in Newtonhill. From Mariupal. Yes, the place that has been blasted to bits.

They have had a dreadful time, and are now looking forward to a peaceful life here.

Sometimes we don’t realise how lucky we are, even with inflation, partygate, Brexit and all the other problems. But nobody is bombing our homes.

I dropped in on the Bettridge Centre AGM last night. What a lot of great work is being carried on there. There are currently 38 groups running 83 sessions.

The Library Service is also operating twice a week from the centre, as the “temporary” Portakabin building is no longer fit for purpose. Please use it folks!

The centre is building back after the pandemic, and maintaining a sound financial basis. However soaring energy costs are a worry.

Plans are also being dusted down again about how to make best use of the garage area.

If you would like to get involved with the committee then please get in touch. I should also mention the sterling service from Malcolm Macarthur who has stepped down after an amazing 30 years on the committee.

I was so sorry to hear that Portlethen resident Mike Lloyd-Wiggins passed away earlier this week, at home, from cancer.

Mike was a stalwart of the community council, and had a sense of humour that I much appreciated. He was also a founding member of the Portlethen Town Association. No doubt much more too that I don’t know about.

I always enjoyed his company and I – like many others – will miss him. Portlethen is the poorer for his passing, but the richer for him having been among us.

I watched the first meeting of the new full council live on line. Strange not being there for the first time in 15 years. Once again it is an administration formed by Conservative, Liberal Democrat and independent councillors, with SNP and other independent councillors in opposition.

Sixty-six of the 70 councillors were present, either in the chamber at Woodhill House (a first in two years) or remotely using Teams.

There is more here on the Aberdeenshire Council website: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=311024477869684&set=a.242546104717522

Last night I toddled along to the monthly meeting of Newtonhill, Muchalls and Cammachmore Community Council not because I had to but because I wanted to! I wanted to know what’s happening.

Three of the new Aberdeenshire councillors were present, so that’s a good start. The fourth one had a prior commitment and sent apologies.

What struck me was the need for more people to join the community council. The annual general meeting will be next month, and nominations are needed now in all three communities.

A couple of long-standing members are proposing to step down – Rob Peaker and Michael Morgan. Both have been great servants to the community.

It is time for some young folk to step up, and share the task of representing us. It is one evening a month for 10 months of the year. If you are nosey and care passionately about the three villages, then come along.

Just in case someone asks me, well why don’t you join Ian … I have done my time. Before being an Aberdeenshire councillor for 15 years in this ward, I was a member, then secretary and finally chairman of the community council.

So, could you do It? Please? Forms must be submitted by 25 May. More here: https://www.nmccc.org.uk/?fbclid=IwAR1mB1eDgN5daMfM5IjXxIwAJ9uqWRKcLIKHcAN4DxjvUzh6MziNvUGUliA

New Liberal Democrat councillor Mel Sullivan has provided a summary of the key issues discussed at Wednesday’s meetings. More here: https://melsullivan.mycouncillor.org.uk/2022/05/20/newtonhill-muchalls-and-cammachmore-community-council-nmccc/

A great round-up from new Liberal Democrat councillor Mel Sullivan from last night’s meeting of the North Kincardine Rural Community Council: https://melsullivan.mycouncillor.org.uk/2022/05/16/north-kincardine-rural-community-council-nkrcc/?fbclid=IwAR1ezjnvUncoWW41RlWiXsYn_Zg7cx-p3p_oUfmoJzjZDYnq_JiNHtZdfVc

Clearing out more old papers and reports. Came across a Mearns Leader from 10 years ago. What a contrast to today’s newspaper. Forty pages full of local articles and adverts, all for 70p. The main story was a campaign to save Stonehaven Sheriff Court.

I’ve also found an edition from August 2007 in which former councillor Paul Melling (looking youthful) is pictured in the lead story calling for the re-establishment of Portlethen Community Council.

Inside, the paper reports that Brian and Fiona Arris had opened Newtonhill’s first pharmacy. There is also a photograph from the Muchalls Gala, and two of Newtonhill Bowling Club president Alfie Hendry presenting bowling trophies.

Sadly there is no longer that depth of local news in the Leader. I’m surprised the paper is still being published nowadays.