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NEWSLETTER FOR THE COMMUNITY OF KINGSWELLS ISSUE 17 APRIL 2006

‘Supported by SHELL and the ABERDEEN CITY ALLIANCE’

KINGSWELLS NEWS

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PP66:: FFrroomm TThhee MMaannssee

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PhotographicCompetitionClick, click! You have already hadthe camera’s out taking picture ofthe snow. Our local photographiccompetition is running until theend of June 2006. Keep clickingthose cameras, particular of pic-tures that capture the local land-scape around the village. We hope to source a prize tomake it worth your while. So getclicking, and send your results tous by email to:[email protected] markedKingswells Photo Comp or bypost.A picture gallery has been createdon the website and the winningphotograph will be published inthe newsletter later this year. (Click on the drop down menuunder HOME)

FirstActionPlanThe first Kingswells neighbour-hood community action plan willbe published in early April. Youcan read copies of the full planin the mobile library, or atBucksburn library. Copies of thesummary plan will be availablefree of charge. And it will bepublished on the internet atwww.communityplanningab-erdeen.org.uk

Local people haveplayed a majorpart in decidingwhat should be inthe plan.Hundreds ofissues wereraised at a bigconsultationevent atKingswells com-munity centre in May 2005.Pupils from Kingswells primaryschool were enthusiasticallyinvolved in this ‘Planning forReal’ event by building a modelof parts of the village, and put-ting forward ideas about howKingswells could be made better.

After all the information wasgathered together, members ofthe community council, thecommunity centre management

committee, the youth group andother community organisationsmet to decide on the priorityissues which needed to be dealtwith. Councillor Peter Stephenalso played a key role in thewhole process.

The plan puts forward proposalsfor additional youth work in theneighbourhood, and how we cansecure some community use ofthe old primary school in FairleyRoad (good progress is alreadybeing made with these issues);it highlights the need for betterpublic transport links betweenKingswells and the Bucksburnarea (now achieved through theefforts of Councillor Stephenand the Public Transport Unit);and it highlights the need for a

forum whichbrings together allthe communitygroups in theneighbourhood.Other matterssuch as trafficsafety, masterplanning andenvironmentalmatters are alsobeing tackled.

The plan is, however, a workingdocument which will bereviewed on a regular basis bylocal people in discussion withstaff from the City Council andits partners (for example,Grampian Police, Grampian Fireand Rescue Service, NHSGrampian).Fraser ClyneNeighbourhood Community Planning Officer

“You can readcopies of the full

plan in the mobilelibrary, or atBucksburn

library.”

It’s the Website’s 5th Birthday.

We challenge you to the 1000 Guest Book Sign-in.April marks the 5th birthday of www.kingswells.com. To celebrate we are asking you to drop into thewebsite and sign the guest book. We’re trying for a thousand Guest-Book Sign-ins in a month.It maybe an ambitious challenge, but with over 2000 homes in Kingswells, we hope you can help usreach that target. PS: You don’t have to leave your email address, so please sign in.

:

Keep in the know with www.kingswells.com and Kingswells News Email: [email protected]

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KINGSWELLS NEWSYour bi-monthly communitynewsletter is made possible

by the contributions of a net-work of local volunteers.

It is also now ‘Supported bySHELL and the ABERDEENCITY ALLIANCE’ who are

providing training for some ofour volunteers and some

funding for the newsletter.To become involved with theKingswells News, or to con-

tribute an advert, a donation,a letter to the editor, a newsarticle or just help us deliverthem please get in contactwith us - we’re a friendlybunch and we don’t bite.

Contact details:Claire Burt (Chairwoman)KINGSWELLS COMMUNITY NEWS,21 Wellside Avenue, Kingswells,AB15 8EFEmail: [email protected] Tel: 01224 746859

Bert Noble (Treasurer)Tel: 01224 744888

Jenny Milne (Secretary)Tel: 01224 744669

Website:www.kingswells.com

Future Editions:JUNE 2006AUGUST 2006OCTOBER 2006DECEMBER 2006

COPY DEADLINES:Last Thursday of the precedingmonth.

Advertising Rates:6cm by 1 column (6cm) £359cm by 1 column (6cm) £556cm by 3 column (18cm) £100More information can beobtained by visiting the web-site www.kingswells.com andclicking on the drop downmenu under HOME forNewsletters on the leftt-handside of the webpage.

Dear Reader,Spring PhotosHas it sprung yet? As I write this, I heard more talk of possi-ble snow. Kingswells looked magical in the snow, as can beseen by the photographs entered into our photographic com-petiton. Please keep sending in your pictures over the nexttwo months, as there is a small prize for the winning photo.

Duke of Edinburgh AwardsWe now have two young people working with us on theNewsletter, as part of their Silver, Duke of Edinburgh Award.Jessica Henderson who has contibuted her second article andMax Burt, who is helping with distribution and deliveries.

Houses on the WebsiteIs any one out there experienced in the running of propertypages on a website? Would you be willing to help us add thisto the website and show us how to manage it?Again if youwish to contribute, please get in contact.Kind regards Claire Burt Chair of Kingswells Community News

BAINS COACHES - SERVICE 777OLDMELDRUM / WESTHILL / KINGSWELLS PARK & RIDE -

ABERDEEN AIRPORT / KIRKHILL INDUSTRIAL ESTATETIMETABLE

Monday to Friday

OLDMELDRUM (Square) -------- 06.45 -------- -------

INVERURIE (Town Hall) -------- 06.55 -------- -------

KEMNAY (High Street) -------- 07.13 -------- -------

KINTORE (Square) -------- 07.13 -------- -------

BLACKBURN (Leys Hotel) -------- 07.21 -------- -------

WESTHILL (Shopping Centre) -------- 07.35 -------- 16.43

KINGSWELLS (Park & Ride) 07.15 07.45 08.25 16.53

KEPPLEHILLS (Sclattie Park) 07.22 07.56 08.36 17.02

ABERDEEN AIRPORT (Terminal) 07.29 08.09 08.49

KIRKHILL IND EST. (Dyce Drive) 07.36 08.22 09.01 17.10

KIRKHILL IND EST. (Dyce Drive) 16.10 16.40 17.10

ABERDEEN AIRPORT (Terminal) 16.17 16.52 17.22

BANKHEAD (Bankhead Avenue) -------- 17.05 17.37

KEPPLEHILLS (Sclattie Park) 16.25 17.08 17.40

KINGSWELLS (Kingswood Drive) -------- 17.17 17.49

KINGSWELLS (Park & Ride) 16.32 17.18 17.50

WESTHILL (Sopping Centre) 16.42 17.28 18.00

BLACKBURN (Leys Hotel) -------- 17.38 18.10

KINTORE (Square) -------- 17.45 18.17

KEMNEY (High Street) -------- 17.53 18.25

INVERURIE (Town Hall) -------- 18.04 18.36

OLDMELDRUM (Square) -------- 18.15 18.47

Update from Cllr. Peter Stephen Liberal Democrat (Kingswells & Newhills)

11 Coldstone Avenue, KingswellsTel/Fax 01224 744607

Hello there,I have just returned from theKingswells Co-op with my Sundaypapers, having spent time with amost irate lady drawing my atten-tion again, to the difficulty dis-abled drivers sometimes have inparking there. The fact, as every-one knows, is that at certaintimes, there is an obvious lack ofavailable places; today however,there were spaces available, yetan able bodied "someone" stillmanaged to use a disabled space.Could I ask that we all try a littleharder to assist disabledmotorists?

Annual Community SpringCleanMany will have seen notices in thepress recently regarding thisevent, which starts on 1st April,and continues until the end ofMany. More than 30 different com-munity groups across the Cityhave taken part in previousefforts. All the accoutrement's,i.e. litter picking tools, hi-visvests, black bags etc are availablefrom Sinclair Laing, Ecocity ProjectOfficer Tel 01224 522767.Residents Associations and others,with a sense of civic pride may

wish to organise something underthe Banner - KEEP SCOTLANDBEAUTIFUL.

New Bus ServiceA new Monday to Friday service inconjunction with Bains Coaches,commences on 24th April, takingadults and young people on ajourney from Oldmeldrum /Westhill / Kingswells Park & Rideto the Airport via Blackburn. Thisprovides an alternative for pupilsat Bankhead Academy, particularlyin the late afternoon period. (Bustimetable is also shown in thisnewsletter).

Local PlanFormal evidence commenced on14 March in this first stage, deal-ing with strategic issues, and isanticipated to run until early May.The second stage should begin inlate May, and will examine thepolicies in the plan. The third andfinal stage, addressing land alloca-tions and developer bids, isexpected to run from August toOctober. Aberdeen City andAberdeenshire would both wish tobe in a position to begin a newstructure plan, once the PublicLocal Inquiry into the AberdeenCity Plan is completed.

3R's Bankhead New SchoolThe process continues to moveforward in respect of the WholeCity programme. Bids from threedevelopers are due in on 11thApril. Assessment of these bids,and the choice of the successfulcandidate, should be complete bylate June. The programme is stillon course relative to completiondates.

Local FootballersDo not despair! Agreement hasbeen reached, in principle, toreplace the shed you lost lastsummer. I am told that theCouncil are currently dealing withthe drainage problem at WebsterPark and the pitch should beplayable early April. The Schoolpitches are due to be examined bylandscape architects now to check

the remedial work an will hopeful-ly be playable in mid April.

Dog BinsComplaints of isolated fouling con-tinue to come to me, but pleaseremember anyone can report thisif you know who the culprit is.The Dog Warden will then dealwith it. Incidentally, the dog binfor Derbeth Place / Park areas willbe sited at the bottom of the lane,close to the bollards on KingswellsCrescent.

Country Area News - (A944,Clinterty and beyond)Sorry, there seems to be no newsof note, for your area at present,but I always enjoy delivering yourcopy, and the interesting conver-sions one can have along the way.

Best RegardsPeter Stephen. Liberal Democrat CouncillorKingswells & Newhills.

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Useful ContactNumbers Kingswells Medical Practice 745800 Kingswells Pharmacy 749495 Community Centre 741806 Kingwells Primary School 740262 Kingswells ChildmindingServices 741770 Little Steps 749987 Aberdeen City Councill 649172 Police 0845 600 5 700 NHS 24 08454 24 24 24Kingswells Church Hall 742827Kingswells Community Centre741806Local Councillor744607

Wind Power

Kingswells is the site of one of thefirst trials of the latest micro windturbine technology which was infact mentioned in the Octoberissue of the Kingswells News. Theturbine is one of only 5 currentlybeing tested in Europe, 2 in Spain,1 in Italy, and 1 in Shetland.

Local company siGEN are respon-sible for the Shetland installationas well as the wind turbine on theOld Lang Stracht.

Each wind turbine system is bris-tling with data acquisition sys-tems, anemometers and webcams, which you can view fromyour own. siGEN are amassingmasses of data on the turbinesreliability and performance of theunits. What was most striking isthe turbine design, it is reallyattractive and very unobtrusivewith neutral pale green blades andwhite nacelle.

The styling is striking and attrac-tive. Although there is somenoise at high wind speeds butunobtrusive. Dave McGrath, MD of siGENexplained, "They used aircraft pro-peller design techniques. However

new blades will be arriving shortlycalled "silent Disrupter" bladeswhich make them even quieter".

To reduce the noise the designengineers drew on technology bor-rowed from owl wings. The windturbine has a power output ofnominally 1kW rising to 3kW atHigh speeds. The tail is a patent-ed fish tail which enables the tur-bine to turn into the wind faster.It also has a start assist unique inthe turbines that enables it tostart at lower wind speeds.

siGEN will be evaluating the trialsof the wind turbines to be sure thesystem matches the claims, but sofar it is looking exceptional. Buildquality is superb, efficiency is thehighest they have seen and stylingis the best.

siGEN hope to be fieldingenquiries in April. The initial costsappear to be around £2,250-2750for installation, which will be paid-back in 6-8 years saving on aver-age something £2000-£3000 ontotal energy costs over 10 yearsand the value of green energycould bring in an additional £1,000to £1250 income for green energycertificates. The trials are trying tovalidate these claims.

Congratulations to KingswellsPrimary school who won theSchools Hydrogen and Fuel cellchallenge in February. They swept the board and evenwon the AERG overall winnersaward.More information is available fromDave McGrath, Managing DirectorsiGEN LtdFuel Cell Power Solutions

www.sigen.co.uk [email protected]


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NeighbourhoodWatch AssociationVandalism is a crime which iswidespread in our communityand one which is high on thepriorities of Grampian Police.As with all crimes, the policecannot deal effectively withthis crime without the help ofthe public.

Unfortunately, the high num-bers of instances of this crimepreclude us including them inthis bulletin as this wouldmake it a cumbersome docu-ment. Notwithstanding weseek you assistance in reduc-ing the numbers of thesecrimes and ask that you callus with any information.

The new GrampianNeighbourhood WatchAssociation (GNWA) wasrecently launched and bringstogether Neighbourhood WatchCoordinators from acrossAberdeen, Aberdeenshire andMoray. They want allCoordinators to join theGNWA. Please HELP IT TOHELP YOU. For more informa-tion please visit their web sitewww.grampiannwa.co.uk, orcontact them on [email protected] ortelephone 07971 309830.

If you have informationregarding any of the crimes,contact Grampian Police on0845 600 5 700 orCrimestoppers on 0800 555111. To report a crime/suspi-cious incident call the Policeon 0845 600 5 700

TheShiningPathBy Jessica Henderson. As residents of Kingswells we arelucky to have plenty of local foot-paths which are easily accessible.However sometimes a pleasantwalk can be interrupted by tread-ing in something not so pleasant!Of course, not all dog ownersrefuse to poop n’ scoop – far fromit - but for the unlucky hiker, onceis more than enough!

This is a problem shared by many.It is estimated there are 5.5 mil-lion dog owners in Britain, whoenjoy the comfort, security andhappinness that dogs can provide.All these dogs need to be exer-cised regularly, but problems canarise when dog owners don’t clearup after their dog. There is rough-ly 900 tonnes of dog faeces pro-duced every day, but Departmentof Environment research showshalf of all dog owners (especiallymen) don’t clean this up.

But did you know that dog foulingis not only smelly and unpleasant,it is also dangerous? Illnesses itmay cause include food poisoningby germs such as Campylobacterand Salmonella.

Another fortunately rare illnesstransmitted through dog faeces isToxocariasis Canis, which some-times occurs if the faeces containsroundworm eggs, and these eggssomehow get swallowed. The eggscan then hatch into larvae insidethe large intestine and migrateinto the body, creating damage bymoving through tissue and caus-ing inflammation. Symptomsdepend where the larvae end up.

They can include dizziniss,headaches and bronchitis, and inmore serious cases epilepsy andsight problems.

Public Health laboratry figures for1994 showed 50 cases of eyeproblems due to Toxocariasis,ranging from sight impairment tocomplete blindness. Toxocariasisoccurs most often in young chil-dren, because they play on theground and put fingers and toysinto their mouths.

Dogs are not the sole perpetratorsof Toxocariasis as the disease canalso be transmitted through catfaeces. To help prevent toxocaria-sis it is therefor advisable to regu-larly worm both cats and dogs.Still, the best way to prevent thisdisease is to remember to ‘poopn’scoop’!

By failing to clear up after yourdog to foul you are also punish-able by law, under the 2003Scotland Dog Fouling Act. Itmeans it is an offence to fail toremove dog excrement, from allpublic places. Only one witnessneeds to be present, so you onlyneed to be seen by one policemen

or dog warden to be charged. Afixed penalty notice may be issuedto anyone suspected of commit-ting an offence and there is aperiod of 28 days in which youmay appeal against this. Failureto pay the fixed penalty notice orto request an appeal hearing with-in the 28 period will result in thefixed penalty being increased by50% and being enforceable as if itwere a court decree.

There are some execptions to thelaw: these are when the personhave a reasonable excuse for fail-ing to pick up the faeces (such asthe dog has diarrhoea and theowner is left with too much to pickup) or the owner(s) of the landhas given their permission for dogexcrement not to be cleared up.The law also doesn’t apply to blindpeople with guide dogs, peoplewith working dogs, or people withtoo severe a disability.

Although most of the dog ownersin Kingswells are very responsibleand always clear up after theirdogs, the problem of dog foulingis still a major issue in certainareas of Britain. Some councilsfight ongoing battles to combatthe problem, and to do so haveproduced some amusing posters. Ihave included some of these.

However I think we must remem-ber this issue is not one to belaughed at – health issues such astoxocariasis mean that dog foulingis a problem that all dog ownersshould be aware of.


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From theManse

The mail has just dropped throughthe letter box and needless to saythere is only one real letter therest is the everyday selection ofjunk mail and advertisements.Usually they are consigned to thedustbin however one of themcaught my eye this morning. Thisenvelope was addressed to thedrivers of the house. Nowthere’s a question who are thedrivers in your house?

Our personalities are all different.Some of us are always in the driv-ing seat whether at home or atwork, others need someone todrive them on if they are to makeany progress in life and of coursesome of us like to drive when itcomes to holding the remote con-trol in our hands but are lessinclined to do so when the dogneeds walked through the snow.

Of course the drivers of the housecan change rapidly, which those ofyou sitting at home with a newbaby having recently discoveredthe unceasing driving force of anew pair of lungs demanding foodwill know only too well.

Whether it’s meeting the needs ofour families, getting out onto thegolf course, catching deadlines asI am doing right now in order toget this article written or volun-teering our time for a variety ofactivities which enhances the livesof others, we all have drivingforces which motivate us intoaction.

In a few days we will celebrateEaster. As you fluff your chickensand munch your chocolate eggs,

why not take a moment toremember the driving force whichfirst brought Easter to us. It’s aforce which is as powerful todayas it was two thousand years ago,a force which we cannot explainyet we all experience for thatdriving force is Love.

Love drove Jesus to the cross andit continues to drive his followersall over the world as they try tolive their lives as he did. For Godso loved the world that he gavehis only son that whoever believesin him shall not die but have eter-nal life. John 3:16

If you want to come for a drivewith us this Easter, we have sev-eral services

Thursday 13th April 7p.m. – Sharing the last supper.Friday 14th April 7p.m. – Good Friday vigil Sunday 16th April 9.30a.m. – Early morning communion Sunday 16th April 11a.m. – Surprise, Surprise – all agecelebration.

There’s plenty of room on theworship bus.There’s a great driver and if itgets too full then we’ll increase the service andmake another run.

Have a great EasterDolly Purnell Minister Kingswells Parish Church.


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Aurora Vet ClinicPet owners in Kingswells arebeing invited to see around anew surgery in the OldStonywood Church onBankhead Road. For moredetails call 716848 and ask forAndrew, Emma, Janney orMarcia who will be happy toshow you around.

Kingswells

Youth GroupWe are delighted to announce thatprogress has been made! Thanksto Cllr. Stephen and ACC officials,we have secured space in thenewly vacated Fairley Road build-ing to start up a Youth Group. Two youth workers have been sec-onded from The Beacon Centre tostart this initiative and they will besupported by a rota of volunteersfrom Kingswells community. Atthe time of writing this article, weare aiming to open everyWednesday night 7.00pm until9.30 p.m. from April 26th.Although we only have space untilsummer - this will allow us time togauge interest and success of theventure, and hopefully, negotiatefor a more permanent space.All Kingswells youths of secondaryage are invited to join. If you area teen - why not get involved rightfrom the start and be in with allthe decision making? Meet with uson the 19th April at 7.30 p.m. atthe Old School, Fariley Road. Thisis a brand new, exciting venture -it's your chance to make it whatyou want!We still need a young person tolook after the Youth Group webpage - if interested please contactClaire on [email protected] butin the mean time look out for up-to-date information on the villagenotice board.There are still opportunities to vol-unteer to work with youths fromour community in this exciting newproject. Can you spare a couple ofhours per month? Interested inmaking a difference? Then pleasecontact Barrie Buchan on 741329or Linda Press on 743775 for moreinformation.

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NEWSLETTER FOR THE COMMUNITY OF KINGSWELLS ISSUE


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AFTER SCHOOL FOOTBALLSESSION 2005-2006

Places are still available for thefollowing classes starting inAugust.

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Dog WalkerAvailable NowIf your dog needs walking call Esther on Tel:749154

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off Queens Road, Aberdeen.In partnership with the Local Authority.For Futher Information Please Contact

Lesley Daniel or Alison LauderTel: 324500

Gate House, Lodge West, Woodend,Aberdeen AB15 6YX

[email protected]

KCC may seem quiet at themoment, but in fact we arevery busy preparing theKingswells case for the forthcoming Local Plan. We willupdate you all on progress inthe near future.

Gillahill PlanningApplicationStewart Milne Group has withdrawn the appeal for the plan-ning application to build 170houses at Gillahill. This doesnot mean that the planningapplication has'disappeared' -it just meansthere will be noPublic Inquirypurely dedicat-ed on Gillahill.The StewartMilne Group hascited the over-lap in timingwith the LocalPlan Inquiry asthe reason theyhave withdrawn their appeal.(They previously withdrawnfrom similar hearings forGillahill on at least four occa-sions.) So now, as this plan-ning application is included inStage 2 of the Local Plan, itwill be decided at the LocalPlan Inquiry process. We arepreparing our case and remainvery optimistic!

Improving KingswellsKCC, in conjunction with thelocal Co-op, will attempt to

raise funds for LocalCommunity Initiatives. Thesefunds would help develop asense of community and iden-tity. A spokes person for KCCsaid, "obviously it woulddepend on how much fundswere raised over the next fewmonths, but an example of thesort of thing we have in mindwould be the erection of a fullylit Christmas tree over the fes-tive period. What we can, orcan't do, will be down to thegenerosity of the residentsover the next few months. Wewould ask everyone to look outfor the 'Special Initiative'collection bucket when next inthe village Co-op and make asmall donation to this worth-while cause."We will report the amount ofcash raised in the Kingswells

News and willwelcome anysuggestion onwhat you feelwould beworthwhile wayto spend thismoney. Youcan use thepost box nextto the noticeboard, or [email protected]

LitterKingswells has a particularproblem with litter in andaround the shopping centre.This is an ongoing problemespecially in the summermonths and is a blight on ourotherwise "well kept' village.KCC is in communication withthe Kingswells retail units totry and get a permanent solu-tion to the problem by hiring aself-employed warden whosetask it would be to keep thecentre, and indeed an area of

approximately 100 metres cir-cumference, free of litter.Certainly a trail of, say 6-months, along these lineswould be worthwhile. We willkeep you posted on how hisprogresses.


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Kingswells diver KimYoung has been tipped forthe top.Kim, 11, won a gold, silver andtwo bronzes in the ScottishMonthly League last year.The springboard and platformdiver also managed a bronzeaward in the Scottish NationalThistle Trophy.Jennie McColl, head coachAberdeen Diving Club, believesthe youngster has a bright futurein the sport."Kim has progressed extremelywell this year," she said. "I amamazed at her continued effortsin learning new dives and skills.Her determination took her intothe medals at the ScottishNational Thistle trophy."

Send your letters to:

KINGSWELLS NEWSc/o 21 Wellside Ave, Kingswells. Alternatively, visit the forum on

the Kingswells web site www.kingswells.com

or email us at:

[email protected]

Proposed Warden would keep this area free of litter.

BankheadAcademy's

website goes live...Bankhead Academy switchedon their new website inMarch. The site’s address iswww.bankhead.aberdeen.sch.uk. It can also be reached viathe Kingswells website underFriends of Bankhead.

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Police UpdateThe first quarter of 2006 haselapsed already and you willbe wondering how the commu-nity stands regarding the latestcrime figures.

Fortunately, Kingswells contin-ues to receive little Prioritycrime, which includes incidentsof Assaults, Serious Assaults,Housebreaking/Vandalism andMalicious Mischief.

The incidents over the lastthree months which do fall intothis bracket include the theft ofa musical instrument from thelocal primary school, the theftof a mini moto from a lockedcontainer, a phone box windowbeing smashed, a window atthe primary school beingsmashed and a car owner hav-ing three tyres punctured.

The comments I would like tomake are that two reportedthefts have been detected as adirect result of effective CCTVequipment and informationreceived from local residents.I can't emphasise enough,should you have the smallestpiece of information regardinga crime, the importance of aquick telephone call to theService Centre at BucksburnPolice Office, with informationmarked for my attention, or

anonymously to Crimestopper.Little things such as partialdescriptions, accents, directionof travel, number plates etc allassist me greatly when makinginquiries into an incident, sothank you for your efforts sofar and please continue to helpme to make your communityas crime free as possible.

The majority of calls that I doreceive relate to the "Qualityof Life" incidents surroundingevery day life.

Over the past three monthsthe main content of the callshave been youths throwingsnowballs at passing cars andwindows, the use of a minimoto in the street, noise dur-ing the early hours of themorning and local neighbourdisputes.

Most of these incidents havebeen dealt with during thecourse of my duties. Localkids have been spoken toabout the dangers of throwingobjects at moving vehicles andparents have been supportivethroughout.

General CommentsA road traffic operation wascarried out during February,which resulted in over 50 vehi-cles being stop checked.Various offences were detectedand a similar operation will beperformed in the near future.Please remember to alwayswear your seat belt, refrainfrom using a hand held mobilephone whilst driving and tocarry extra bulbs for head-lamps and stop lights.

New legislation has also beenintroduced where if the rider ofa motor cycle (including a mini

moto) drives/rides off road orcarelessly on a road, accompa-nied with causing or likely tocause an annoyance, they willreceive a warning underSection 126 of the Anti SocialBehaviour (Scotland) Act 2004.This warning stays in place fortwelve months.

The warning relates to therider and the bike and shouldeither be found in a similar sit-uation then the Police willrecover the bike concernedand store it for collection bythe owner.

The cost of recovery is£105.00 plus VAT for the 24hours and £12.00 per day plusVAT for the next 6 days. If thevehicle is not paid for in sevendays then it can be destroyed.

Crime PreventionAdviceIf you have a garage or shed,fit a good quality hasp andpadlock to the door. The haspshould be held in place withdome headed bolts to preventtampering. Fit window grillesinternally or use heavy wiremesh. Reinforced glass is agood alternative. If the win-dow opens, a window lockshould be used. Considerusing curtains or blinds to stopthe thief seeing what is inside.Don't help the thief by leavinggarden tools around which hecould use to assist his entry.

Thanks once again for yourassistance and to all those whohave passed information to meinvolving incidents, which haveoccurred in your area.

PC Richard KinghamBucksburn Police Office 0845 600 5 700


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Happy 5th BirthdayKingswells.comOn the 1st April it’s was the5th birthday of kingswells.comand the 1st birthday since theintroduction of the new lookkingswells.com, which is builtaround a content managementsystem.

It’s been a remarkable year forthe community website, whichhas gained in popularity andmanaged an impressive 1.3million hits throughout theyear. As the web team reflecton the first year of operations,our thoughts turn to what wecan do to make kingswells.commuch better. This is whereyou can help. Next time you visitkingswells.com ask yourselfthe following questions:1. Does kingswells.comprovide all the information youneed about Kingswells?2. Does kingswells.comcater for all groups within thecommunity and appeal to allages?3. Is it easy to navigatethe site quickly and find theinformation you need?4. Do you like the site? Isit visually attractive i.e. colourscheme, layout?

If you answer ‘no’ to any ofthese questions then we wouldlike to hear from you. Pleasesend your ideas for improve-ment to [email protected] you have never visitedkingswells.com then pleasemake the time to visit us nexttime you are on line - and signour guest book. We would liketo hear your first impressionson using the site.

Graeme Coutts

Pineapple Island.The teaching staffs atKingswells School are keen toforge good links with the localbusinesses and communitygroups to help their pupils gainthe right education for the21st Century. So on Wednesday 29th Marchthey invited members of thecommunity to hear a presenta-tion, given by eight P6 pupilsabout 'Pineapple Island' thepupils' view of an imaginarycommunity. The pupils explained how theycreated characters to populatethe island, how they voted fora local councillor, how theyintroduced rules for their soci-ety and set budgetary controls.After the pupils' presentationDeputy Head Teacher, MrsMcLennan expanded on theschools desire to develop busi-ness and community links. As part of this exercise thepupils and teachers have pre-pared a questionnaire, whichthey would like you to com-plete and return to the schooloffice by April 21st 2006.Next the teachers and pupilsshowed the visitors around thenew school building.

Look around theNew SchoolBethany and Christy from P6were my guides around thenew school. And they arerightly very proud of thetremendous facilities in theschool.

I have to say I did loose mybearing as I was shownaround, and I heard the schoolbeing described as a tardis,which is a good analogy. Theinside seems so much largerthan the outside.

There are workbase rooms forteaching staff. Large airy class-rooms, two with a separatorwall, which is removable tocreate a very large open areaand doubles up as teh afterschool club.The rest of the classrooms areopen plan with purpose builtareas for wet play. Down stairs is a gym that con-verts into a super dining area.Hidden from site is a smalloutdoor court yard, soon to befilled with flowers and plantsfor spring and summer. Pupils have also been busymaking bird and bat boxes andwooden planters.An ITC cuite is full of comput-ers and a large teachingscreen.The nursery is now housed inthe older part of the school,where the children have theirown cloakrooms, snack roomand toilet facilities.

Kingswells PrimarySchool.

Our Vision “To support pupils

in being confident, success-

ful learners and responsible

citizens of tomorrow”.

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Kingswells Business and CommunityLinksWe would be grateful if you could complete this questionnaire. It will provide us with

valuable information on how to improve our business and community links.

1.) How did you become connected with Kingswells School?

_______________________________________________________________

2.) How can we help you? (Please tick)

· Organise a visit to you to share what we are doing ¨

· Help with fundraising efforts ¨

· Share our knowledge at a presentation at your organisation ¨

· Join in a community event/organise on together ¨

· Send some of our work to you for display ¨

· Share information at assemblies / in newsletters ¨

· Put your logo in our first Enterprise newsletter ¨

· Other (please specify) ¨

3). What is the best way for you to help us?

· Come to classes or assemblies to talk about your business ¨

· Share your knowledge or expertise by talking to some pupils ¨

· Allow us to visit your workplace ¨

· Help us in school with something you are experts in ¨

· Add to our fund raising efforts ¨

· Sponsor specific activities in school which relate to your business ¨

· Donate and item of equipment to school ¨

· Provide opportunities for our teachers to have a day's work experience

at your organisation ¨

· Other (please specify) ¨

4). Please complete your contact details for our future reference.

Name:…...………………………………………………………………………………

Address:…………………………………..……………………………………………..

Telephone:………………………………………………………………………………

Email:…………………………………………………………………………………...

We are hoping to organise a business breakfast during June to discuss the results of this

questionnaire and investigate ways to develop our links into the future.

Please complete this form and return it to Kingswells School Office by April 21 2006.

I am able/unable to attend a Business Breakfast at Kingswells School on Tuesday 20th June at

8.00am.

Pictures of the new school


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kingswells newsletter june'04originalcms.kingswells.com/.../kingswellsnewsletter_apr06.pdf11...

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