Feb 12

Please support Carer’s Week

Jeremy Wright MP has applauded the launch of a new campaign ‘Carers want health checks!’ which has been unveiled as part of this year’s Carers Week (12-18 June).

Almost one in eight people in Rugby and Kenilworth provide unpaid help and support to a relative or friend who is either frail, sick or disabled. Many took part in a major national survey of over 5,600 carers, which reveals that more than three quarters (79%) of carers say that their health has been affected by caring, with stress and depression being amongst the most common complaints. Almost as many (73%) say that health problems affect their ability to care. Only one in four carers (27%) has been offered a health check by their GP, but the survey revealed that nine out of 10 believe that all carers should be offered a health check.

Acting on the results of this study – the largest ever in the UK – the eight national charities* that make up the Carers Week partnership are calling on the NHS to introduce regular health checks within 12 months of someone becoming a carer, and regularly thereafter.

Together with over 220 other MPs, Jeremy Wright has signed a parliamentary Early Day Motion, supporting carers and Carers Week (EDM 2043).

Jeremy comments: ”I am pleased to have this opportunity to show my support for carers and Carers Week. There are many people in our local community that give their time selflessly to care for others, and it is important that we recognise their health needs. Offering regular health checks is one way we can do this.

“It is shocking that so many carers say their health has been affected by caring. I urge carers not to neglect themselves, but instead ensure they use the services available to them and look after their own health, as well as the person they care for”.

Nov 12

New Ellon promo leaflet launched!!

Ellon Tourism Group have launched a new leaflet designed to promote the town. Delegates from Greece, Poland and Sweden – members of the SusSET project – attended the launch party on Monday along with Council officials and members of the towns various organisations.

Speaking at the launch, Christopher Parkes of Ellon Community Council and Ellon Tourism Group said, “I’m delighted that we are, at last, launching the new leaflet to promote our town and its website. Both projects have been driven forward by local people for the benefit of the town we love and I am proud to have been a part of these projects.”

Mr Parkes went on to say, “Promoting Ellon is an important task – I feel that there is much that Ellon has to offer visitors to the North East – and the Tourism Group, with these two new and very different media have succeeded in reaching as wide an audience as possible.”

The Ellon Tourism Group are calling on businesses, groups, organisations and members of the public to get involved with the group to share ideas and suggestions on promoting Ellon in the future. Further information on becoming part of the Ellon Tourism Group can be obtained by contacting Mr Parkes on 01358 724557 or by e-mail at info@visitellon.co.uk.

Sep 11

Come and see our new Gift Emporium

Louis Thomson of Ellon Community Council handed over a Community Council 2008 Calendar as a small token of appreciation upon receipt of the Minutes & Accounts Book once belonging to Ellon’s private Tennis Club from Davie Thomson (no relation!), owner of Daviot Emporium, Main Street, Daviot – a real aladdin’s-cave of antiques and collectables. (www.daviotemporium.co.uk)

Following the Community Council’s appeal for information on the Gordon Park Tennis Club earlier this summer, Davie got in touch to say he had in his stock this wee gem of a book, which he, having lived in Ellon in his younger days, wished to donate back to the town.

This being Gordon Park’s centenery year (gifted to the folk of Ellon in 1907 by Arthur J L Gordon, CMG, of Ellon Castle to mark the 21st Birthday of his son, and only child, Cosmo Alexander Gordon) it is quite fitting for the town to receive a book that was being used at the time of Mr Gordon’s generous gift – though the private tennis club was not sited in Gordon Park itself, but within the grounds of ‘The Willows’ on Ythan Terrace.

The book is an important piece of Ellon’s history as not only does it give an insight into who mixed with who and some of what they got up to in their social lives – bringing the names laid down in Ellon’s history books a little more to life – it also gives us an idea of the companies that were in existance and the services/goods they supplied along with the prices of the era. The book contains the constitution and bye-laws of the club (which was established in 1896 and ran until 1927) and lists all members, including the families of local dignitaries such as Dr Andrew Fowler, Provost John Rae and the Reid family (Sir James Reid 1st Bart, GCVO, KCG, LLd was Physician-in-Ordinary to Queen Victoria, Edward VII and George V), as well as noting that in 1922 while members paid £-1-1s-0d annual subscription and raised £17-10s-0d at a Cake and Candy Sale and £1-15s-0d from the sale of cut down trees, expenditure incurred by the club included £13-17s-6d to Cruden Bay Brick Company for brick dust for the court, £10-0s-0d to Great North of Scotland Railway for ashes and a total of 7s-6d for Borough and Parish Rates.

While Ellon does not presently have a heritage centre to display the wealth of history on our town, it is hoped that the book may at some point be put on display at the Library so that everyone can view it.

The present-day tennis club holds regular meetings at the tennis courts and pavillion in Gordon Park.

Jul 3

Scotland In Bloom for Ellon?

Building on their success in the Formartine in Bloom competition, Ellon is now seeking national acclaim, by entering “Beautiful Scotland” (formerly called Beautiful Scotland in Bloom).

This is a major competition and will reflect on the whole town, with categories including ornamental planting, sustainable development and biodiversity, and street cleanliness. The judges will also be interested in the involvement of businesses and schools.

The competition is designed to encourage and reward communities for the continuous improvement of their general environment, and Ellon already has a head start in this area, with the ongoing work that is done by Ellon Civic Pride, EBAG, the Friends of McDonald Park, Ellon Community Council and Aberdeenshire Council.

A meeting to form a steering group to develop Ellons entry into the competition will be held in the Station Hotel on Thursday 8th March at 7.00pm. Refreshments will be available and all are welcome to attend.

For further information please contact Graham Waters on 01358 726414.

Council DO recycle brown cardboard – added 24/02/07
Following conflicting and confusing stories in the press recently, Aberdeenshire Council have issued a statement clarifying their position on the recycling of brown cardboard.

The Council states that householders should not put brown cardboard out with their paper recycling for the kerbside collection but should take it to any of the local recycling stations around the area.