Local News

This section will display archived news stories from the 'home' page.

Meet Your Local ’Bobby’ on Sunday 19 June

Meet your local ’Bobby’ at the following locations:

Balmedie, Leisure Centre Car Park  -  0930 to 1100
Potterton, Playing Field Car Park  -    1200 to 1300 hrs
Belhelvie, Grass Area at Public Notice Board -  1330 to 1400 hrs
Blackdog,  Waste Ground on Hareburn opposite Nursery – 1430 to 1500 hrs.

The mobile police unit will be parked at the above locations on Sunday, 19 June so why not come along and meet your local Police Officer and member(s) of your Community Council. Find out more about improved security for your home and property and let us know about any parking or traffic problems which you have. We will also be able to tell you about the various village initiatives which we will be launching to help improve the lifestyle of your village. This will be the first of a series of Neighbourhood Initiative visits which we will be making over the summer so why not come along and find out more.

Public Consultation - Revised Local Transport Strategy - Now Closed

Aberdeenshire Council is currently seeking views on a Revised Local Transport Strategy and is asking individuals or groups to complete an online survey. To encourage your participation, all those completing the survey will be entered into a Prize Draw for one of four £50 Shopping Vouchers. Consultation closes on 4 April. Your Community Council will discuss the Strategy at its meeting on 21 March but if you have a few minutes to spare please fill in the online form - and let us know if you win one of the vouchers.

Further details can be obtained on the Aberdeenshire Council website from the following link:

Public Consultation on Local Transport Strategy

Urgent - Bus Service Through Balmedie to be Greatly Reduced

Meeting on 31 March to Give Your Opinion

We have just found out about some major reductions to the number of buses going through Balmedie, after 25 April, 2011. Click on the timetable above for a larger version that gives more detail of the planned reductions. (Our apologies for the poor quaity but that's the best we have.)

Click here for a copy of the new timetable for the 260 Service.

Click here for a copy of the new timetable for the 262 Service.

Click here for a copy of the new timetable for the 267 Service.

Please note that a meeting is being held in Old Meldrum Academy from 7.30 pm on Thursday 31 March where the public will have an opportunity to express their opinions. Presumably other major service cuts are planned across Aberdeenshire. That's all we know for now but if we find out more we'll update this story.

Easter Hatton Landfill Extension - Approved on 1 March

The Formartine Area Committee, on 1 March, approved the extension of the Easter Hatton Landfill Site, despite a request from your Community Council that the extension should be denied. Of the 4 Aberdeenshire Councillors who attend Belhelvie Community Council meetings, 2 voted in favour of the extension and 2 voted against. Councillors Allan Hendry and Paul Johnston spoke well and voted against the proposal but Councillors Jim Gifford and John Loveday voted for the extension. One issue raised at the Committee was the lack of individual residents making an objection. Let us know if you do or don't agree with the approval.

Grampian Police - Gypsy/Traveller Unauthorised Encampments

Consultation Closes on Friday 11 March

We have now been informed that consultation on this document closes prior to the next Community Council meeting. If you wish to comment then there are 6 questions that Grampian Police would like you to specifically consider. Apparently there are aspects of the procedure that are enshrined in legislation and are therefore not open to comment.

Click here for a copy of the 'Draft' Grampian Police Policy on Gypsy/Traveller Unauthorised Encampments.

Click here for a copy of the new information about the consultation period, questions and the ways to respond.

Trump Golf Course Latest Pictures (28 Feruary 2011)

It was a beautiful day on 28 February so we took some spectacular new pictures of the Trump Golf Development. Despite being hampered by the poor weather in December, the improved conditions since then have allowed some major changes and the course is now really taking shape.

Click here to go directly to the trump feature.

Balmedie - Country Park Video

We've included a link to a short BBC Video about Balmedie Country Park in our Balmedie section.

Click here to go directly to the Balmedie feature.

Balmedie School 1952 (news update 18 February 2011)

We've received an e-mail from (probably) our first overseas visitor, Drew Grozier from Australia. Click here to see a copy of Drew's e-mail. Drew did not attend Balmedie School but as a 10 year old in 1952 was staying nearby and paid a visit to the school. Drew suggests that it was a one teacher school at that time but we're reasonably sure that is not correct....but can you help? Did you attend Balmedie School at that time? Do you remember the visit from the Australian boy? Do you know the Croft that Drew mentions?

If you have anything that you would like to share with us then we would very much appreciate it, as we intend to build up a history of the area.

Please send any information by e-mail to: bcceditors@btconnect.com

Energetica (news update 18 February 2011)

Energetica is the planned new energy community in Aberdeen City and Shire. If you would like to find out more then click here for a copy of the first dedicated newsletter/e-zine (online magazine).

Potterton Project - Latest Update as at 29 Jan.

Further meetings have been planned for the villagers from Belhelvie, Blackdog, Potterton and Whitecairns to form action plans for the improvement of your villages. Please come along to the appropriate meeting and help agree the priorities.

For full details of the work to date and the next meetings please click here.

Community News Website Launch on 1st January 2011

This new Community News website, sponsored by Belhelvie Community Council, officially launched on 1st January, 2011.

"We wanted to provide the communities of Balmedie, Belhelvie, Blackdog, Potterton and Whitecairns with a place where the best possible community information is available," said David Watson, Chairperson of Belhelvie Community Council. He continued, "I'm sure there is something of interest for everyone, both locals and for many people across the world. Please take time to browse the site. You may be inspired to participate in some community activity but what we really want is for you to enjoy the experience that a visit to the site brings. The site is in an early stage of evolution but with your help we would like to improve it through 2011."

If you represent a club, organisation, business or have any community news and would like your story published then please click here to contact us.

Balmedie Gala 2011 - Volunteers Wanted

Following a succesful 2010 Gala, the Gala Committee are already planning the 2011 event. Volunteers are needed to assist in the planning and running of the event. For more information click here.