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National news at kintore.org.uk

Christmas lights switch-on

The new Kintore Christmas lights were switched on at the weekend by Kintore Primary School seven-year-old Hannah Spark.

The new lights are the result of a successful £7,000 fund raising campaign which has resulted in 20 framed lights and 300-bulb illuminations for the Christmas Tree in front of the Town House.

There was a last-minute hitch as Santa was being driven to the ceremony by Grampian Fire and Rescue Authority. An emergency call had them bid Santa a swift farewell as they set off to do their duty!

Have you got photos of the switch-on? We'd love to put them on the website. E-mail your photos to webmaster@kintore.org.uk

Kintore gets broadband target

BT has set a trigger point for the number of registrations needed before work will begin on upgrading the Kintore exchange to provide broadband connections.

The trigger point will be when 350 people register their interest in broadband.

Knackery applies for extension

Dundas Brothers, who operate the rendering plant near Kintore, has applied to Aberdeenshire Council for a 130 sq m extension. The company says that the extension could help to control the smell that, in certain weathers and wind directions wafts over Kintore.

Kintore & District Community Council have said they want to get more details on the plan to see if it will help to enclose the offensive smells.

Community emergency response scheme to be set up

The Scottish Ambulance Service is looking for people in rural areas of Aberdeenshire to join its Volunteer Community First Responder scheme.

The purpose of the scheme is to provide local support where it is not always possible to get a paramedic team to an emergency within the critical eight-minute period.

A local Community First Responder may be able to reach a friend, neighbour or even a member of his or her own family within a few minutes of a call being received at the Ambulance Operations Centre. The centre simultaneously despatch the nearest ambulance and then contact the local Community First Responder.

He or she could be quickly on the scene, and provide life saving skills until the ambulance arrives, thereby providing a better chance of recovery for the patient. All volunteers will be trained to a high standard, which will include the use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).

Volunteers must meet the following criteria:

  • Be aged 18 - 65
  • Hold a clean driving licence
  • Have a First Aid or Heartstart certificate
  • Live within the nominated village/town and available over part or a full 24 - hour period at least one day a week on a rotational basis with other volunteers.

Outline planning submitted for new school

An application for outline planning permission for the new £5 million Kintore school and community facilities have been submitted to Aberdeenshire Council. The application is for the development of the new school on the existing site in School Road.

Nora Radcliffe holds Gordon seat

Nora Radcliffe held on to the Gordon seat for the Liberal Democrats at the Scottish Parliament elections on May 1. While the Lib Dem and SNP votes both dropped compared with 1999, Nanette Milne narrowly increased her vote to take the Conservatives into second place. She is elected to parliament under the North East Scotland list, based on the second vote (see list North East Scotland MSPs below).

CANDIDATE PARTY
VOTES
Nora Radcliffe Liberal Democrat
10,963
Nanette Milne Conservative
6,892
Dr Alasdair Allan SNP
6,501
Ellis Thorpe Labour
2,973
John Sangster Scottish Socialist Party
780
Stephen Mathers Independent
680

 

 

 

 

NORTH EAST SCOTLAND LIST MSPS PARTY
David Davidson Conservative
Alexander Johnstone Conservative
Nanette Milne Conservative
Marlyn Glen Labour
Richard Baker Labour
Shiona Baird Green
Richard Lochhead SNP

Time to make your mark!

The elections for the Scottish Parliament and Aberdeenshire Council take place on Thursday, May 1.

There are six candidates standing for the Gordon seat that Nora Radcliffe has represented in the first session of the re-convened Scottish Parliament. They are, in alphabetical order:

CANDIDATE PARTY
PARTY'S VOTE IN 1999
Alasdair Allan SNP
8,158
David Mathers Independent
2,559
Dr Nanette Milne Conservative
6,602
Nora Radcliffe Liberal Democrat
12,353
John Sangster Scottish Socialist Party
N/A
Ellis Thorpe Labour
3,950

 

 

 

 

There are four candidates in the Aberdeenshire Council election for the Kintore and Keithhall ward which Douglas Cameron has represented:

CANDIDATE PARTY
Douglas Cameron Conservative
Gina Ford Liberal Democrats
David Gorman SNP
Gillian Jones Labour

Inaugural Kintore Summer Festival

Planning has begun for the first-ever Kintore Summer Festival which aims to bring the crowds out in the centre of Kintore over the weekend of May 30 to June 1. More on the festival

SEEN ON SCREEN TODAY, SEEN ON YOU TOMORROW!

20 homes plan approved for The Square, Kintore

Plans for the construction of 20 houmes at the back of the Kintore Arms in The Square, Kintore, have been approved.

Pizza delivery started

Heavenly Pizzas new shop in the old bakery in The Square has now opened. The new business includes a delivery service covering an area stretching from Blackburn to Inverurie and Kemnay to Hatton of Fintray. Details on the Kintore Directory page.

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Aberdeenshire needs Broadband say MP and MSP

Our MP Malcolm Bruce and MSP Nora Radcliffe are hosting a meeting to discuss the need for broadband internet technology in our area of Aberdeenshire. The meeting is to take place in the Edwards function suite in Inverurie on Monday, February 17 at 11 am.

The Liberal Democrat MP and MSP believe that lack of high-speed, always-on internet connections is holding back businesses in this area.

Attending the meeting will be representatives from BT, Enterprise North East Trust and local businesses. Members of the public are invited to attend. WHAT IS BROADBAND?

Executive commits to road link

First Minister Jack McConnell has committed the Scottish Executive to the construction of a proper trunk road link between the A90 and the A96 to Kintore, Inverurie and points north.

Speaking at a business breakfast in Aberdeen on Monday, January 27, he announced that the plans for the new western peripheral route round Aberdeen finally have the support of the Scottish Executive. He also confirmed that the Goverment will fund what he called the "strategic element" of the project. The details of this and what element will have to be locally funded remain unclear.

The new road cannot come soon enough for communities like ours. Traffic heading south currently has to negotiate Aberdeen's congested streets, or take a slow B-road route across country by Skene, Peterculter and Netherley.

It is estimated that these transport restrictions are costing business millions of pounds a year, which will continue until the road is eventually opened. Estimates for construction period range from 12 years to six years. The First Minister has said he recognises the urgency.

There is, of course the added spur at the moment of impressing North-east voters prior to the Scottish Parliament elections in May. So, it is important to ensure that these fine words are translated into action when the election is over!

Communities invited to make representations

Following the announcement of the £24 million package to accelerate unmetered high-speed broadband internet technology in rural areas, NE MSP Alex Johnston has encouraged community councils to make representations to ensure their communities are not left out.

Local groups are being asked to contact the Scottish representative on the UK Broadband Task-force: heather.negus@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

20 homes for The Square, Kintore

A planning application has been submitted to Aberdeenshire Council for the construction of 20 houmes at the back of the Kintore Arms in The Square.

The application and accompanying plans may be viewed at the Planning and Building Control reception at Gordon House, Blackhall Road, Inverurie during normal office hours (8.45 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday) and also at the Public Library in Newmachar or Westhill.

Any representations should be made in writing to the Head of Planning and Building Control, Gordon House Blackhall Road, Inverurie AB51 3WA (Tel: 01467-620981 E-mail: GApplication@aberdeenshire.gov.uk).

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Accelerating broadband

Hopes that Kintore would not be forgotten in the broadband revolution have been raised by the Scottish Executive's announcement that it aims to have the new technology available to at least 70% of the population by the end of 2003.

The roll out of the fixed-price, high-speed system remains slow and BT still says it has "no plans" to provide the service in Kintore due to lack of interest. It has set trigger points for each community and, if it receives more than the required number (believed to be 200 firm enquiries) it may consider advancing plans.

"By the end of 2003, we aim to take Scotland from the current ADSL coverage figure of around 40% of the population, beyond the current UK figure of 66%, to a level in excess of 70%," the Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Life Long Learning, Iain Gray announced. "If we do not intervene, commercial projections indicate that we will not achieve 70% coverage until 2006, which is not acceptable"

A Scottish Broadband website has been launched at www.scottishbroadband.co.uk To register interest in broadband and take Kintore nearer the trigger point for its local implementation, register your interest at www.bt.com/broadband

Firemen's strike

The first firemen's strikes for 25 years started at 6pm on Wednesday, November 13. Unlike most of the retained units in Aberdeenshire, the Kintore station will be taking part in the various strike actions. Cover will be provided from nearby retained stations, or the so-called "Green Goddess" 50-year-old service fire engines.

Householders and businesses in Kintore should be extra vigilant to avoid all possible fire hazards and other rescue situations during the strikes.

DURING THE STRIKES THERE WILL BE NO RESPONSE TO AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARMS. In the event of a fire, or other emergency requiring fire crews, you must dial 999. Fire calls during the strike will be answered at a special incident room manned by Grampian Police.

Crime-free Kintore

Kintore has been declared a crime-free zone by Grampian Police. In the seven days to September 11 there were no incidents reported in Kintore or nearby Kemnay. On average the police would expect ten incidents across the two towns.

Pizza was staple fare in Kintore of AD84!

Recent archaeological excavations at the site of the Devonha Roman camp in Kintore have uncovered the surprising fact that pizza - far from being a modern invention - was a standard part of the soldiers diet in the first century AD!

Recent excavations uncovered 120 individual bread ovens - the largest number found on any Roman camp in Britain. The keyhole shaped ovens were lined with stone at one end. They would have been heated up, the ash raked out and pizza-style dough with vegetables would have been cooked in them.

Archaeologists have also discovered that the other staple seems to have been egg. No word, though, as to the rabbits that the Romans are accused of bringing into this country to provide food for their troops!

Search on for Scottish Community of the Year

Communities throughout Scotland have the chance to win £5,250 for local projects through the Calor Scottish Community of the Year Awards 2002. There are various categories in the awards scheme and the entry date for this year's competition has been extended to September 6, 2002. Details and entries at www.communityoftheyear.co.uk

Pizza take-away approved

Plans for a new pizza take-away have been approved by the Garioch area committee of Aberdeenshire Council.

As revealed here some weeks ago (see below) the new pizza operation will be run by Aberdeen's Heavenly Pizzas and will operate out of the old bakery shop in The Square. A petition signed by 84 people was submitted to the council, objecting to the opening of the pizza shop, which requested permission to open seven days a week from 11 am to 11 pm.

Adam Kirby's message from Botswana

Adam Kirby has begun his voluntary work in Botswana following the fundraising effort over the past few months in his home town of Kintore. He left Abrdeen on June 24 and is now working as part of a team of 30 Scottish students. Their first project was building a walking trail for a bushman tribe, near Shakawe.

In a message from Botswana, Adam says: "Today (Monday, July 1) we will be helping to build a class room for the Bana Ba Metsi School Project. This aims to bring quality education to a rural area. Our next projects are not well defined but will be in the Tsodilo Hills, at a Bushman village probably working with the National Museum of Botswana to map rock paintings.

"I would like to thank all the people, organisations and companies who > have helped me achieve my objective. Their support has been tremendous and I would really appreciate if you could mention at least some of them. Very best wishes and many thanks for the support of Kintore.org.uk."

New fast-food pizza take-away for Kintore?

A company called Heavenly Investments has applied for hot food take planning permission for the old bakery in The Square, Kintore. The name of the applicant gives rise to rumours that Heavenly Pizzas might be behind the proposed venture.

Kintore misses out on new internet technology

Kintore is to miss out on new internet access technology being promoted British Telecommunications. ADSL, BT proudly announces, is now available at just £27 per month. Err.... what they mean is it is... but not in Kintore!

Only when you eventually follow the links through the pages and type in the phone number do you find out that Kintore is not included. Worse, BT bluntly tell Kintore residents and businesses:

"We are sorry, but... BT has NO PLANS to provide Broadband ADSL... at this time, due to low levels of customer demand."

The technology in question is ADSL which, at a cost of around £27 per month, means your computers are permanently connected to the internet. This means:

  • There are no call charges.

  • There is no frustrating wait while your computer connects to your provider then starts to think about downloading the page you want. Your connection is always live and e-mail and web pages start to download INSTANTLY.

  • The connection is there immediately and your e-mail or web pages download, generally, TEN times faster than a 56k modem.

  • That means you ge the information you want in SECONDS, rather than spending MINUTES.

BT suggests that Kintore's omission is because there is a low level of demand for faster connections in our area. We have heard it said that - if just 250 people express interest they will consider ADSL introduction into Kintore.

So - if no call-charge, high-speed interenet access interests you please do two things.

1. Go to http://www.bt.com/broadband/ ,now, and register your interest.

2. Contact us at the Kintore website.

3. Have your say

If we get a good response let's see if we can get a Broadband for Kintore campaign going!

Kintore quiz night raises more than £200

Adam Kirby, who is going to Botswana this summer with the charity Fulcrum Challenge, held his quiz night in Kintore village hall on Friday, March 29.

There were eight teams, the contest was hard fought with the lead changing many time. The team "Not Only but Also" continued to vie for the lead with "Icky Things", but both were defeated in a storming last round by the team "D2 + 1C". The "Kintore Massive" came in an honourable last.

A number of local companies, including Torryburn, Thainstone House, Nicholann's and the Mace, generously provided prizes for the raffle.

In total, Adam was able to raise over £200 which puts him well on the way to achieving his target. He still has a few more activities planned and would welcome any further sponsorship. But in the meantime Adam would like to thank all those who attended and supported his efforts. If anybody wishes to sponsor Adam, he can be contacted on (01467) 632306.

Depute Transport Minister to address Thainstone meeting

Deputy Transport Minister Lewis Macdonald is the keynote speaker for a meeting at Thainstone Centre examining transport issues in North East Scotland.

Open to all who have an interest in transport matters, the meeting is on Thursday, April 4 at 7.30 pm. The other speakers include Dr David Gray, of The Robert Gordon University's Centre for Transport Policy and Ian Gabriel of Aberdeenshire Council.

After the speakers there will be open discussion. Organised by the Grampian branch of the Institute of Management, free places at the meeting should be reserved through Sue Baldry, of the Institute of Management, tel 01466-781067 or e-mail sue.baldry@yourcommunications.co.uk

  Motor man's helicopter company in Kintore

Former motor trader and rally champion, Brian Lyall is the man behind Kintore-based Select Helicopters which operates from beside the heliport at Kintore Business Park.

  Quiz night to help send Kintore student to Botswana

When Adam Kirby was selected by a charity called Fulcrum Challenge to take part in a trip to Botswana this summerto work with the National Museum there, he realised that one of the biggest challenges would be to raise part of the cost of the trip himself.

Rising to that challenge, Adam has set up a Quiz Night which will take place in the village hall on Friday, March 29 at 7.30 pm. The event is open to all and there is, of course, an admission fee which will help send Adam on his way.

During his time in Botswana he will be working particularly on archaeological projects for the museum.

  New 420-pupil primary school proposed for Kintore

At a public consultation meeting in Kintore, on March 4, plans were outlined for a new 420-pupil primary school in Kintore, to replace the existing primary school.

The new school, which could be completed by 2005, would incoporate community facilities, a floodlit all-weather sports facility.

  Community council urges residents to write to Aberdeenshire

Kintore Community Council has urged residents to write to Aberdeenshire Council about proposed sewer works for a new housing development.

Bett Homes Ltd are building several hundred houses between Castle Road and Forest Road. The developers have proposed a route to install the sewer which will, the community council believes, cause great disruption to the residents of Kintore .

They state this will also involve interruption to essential services like, gas, electricity, water and telephone services. An alternative route could be implemented, they believe.

They point out that a pump house, which is already connected to the main sewer is situated opposite the Torryburn Hotel. This existing system has the capacity to cope with the drainage from a further development. It is believed this route would be cheaper for the developer and would cause the least disruption to the village.

North of Scotland Water Authority(NOSWA), is in favour of this route, but has no power to enforce it. Residents of Kintore are urged to write to Aberdeenshire Council regarding this matter.

  Town house birch for chop?

The silver birch tree which dominates (some would say "obscures") the frontage of the old Town House is to get "the chop", according to the community council.

  Temporary traffic lights

Delays may occur at peak times as a result of temporary traffic lights between the Broomhill roundabout and Kintore, at the B944 junction to Kemnay. The lights will be in operation for about six weeks for the installation of a new roundabout.

  Plastic bottle recycling

Aberdeenshire Council has opened new recycling facilities for plastic bottles with the intention to reduce the number ending up in landfill sites. Bottles should be rinsed and the caps removed before placing in the recycling bin. The nearest to Kintore is at Souterford Road in Inverurie.

  Kintore newsletter issued

Kintore & District Community Council has launched its first newsletter with local news and information on local events.

It is available FREE from Kintore shops and the church.

  Kintore crime down

Grampian police have told Kintore & District Community Council that crime figures in Kintore are down, with large reductions in the number of house breakings and car vandalism. The police, however, say they are still concerned at the amount of vandalism, such as the damage done to Christmas lights early in the New Year.

  Kintore planning applications turned down

The Garioch Area Committee of Aberdeenshire council has refused planning applications for a house at Gauch Hill, Kintore and for a lorry park at Hill of Cottown, Kintore.

  40 mph speed limit imposed

A new 40mph speed limit has been imposed between the end of the existing 30 mph, on the south side of Kintore, and just beyond the Kemnay junction on the way to the Broomhill roundabout.

ARCHIVE NEWS FROM 2001



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