Volunteers recognised for hard work
A NUMBER of Deeside and Donside volunteers have been honoured for their work in the community.
The compassionate individuals were acknowledged at an Aberdeenshire Council ceremony last week.
Each of the nine Deeside and five Donside volunteers had been nominated by local councillors who felt they deserved recognition for their time spent helping others.
Volunteers honoured included Banchory's Margaret Paterson, Bill FIndlay, Jane Winton, Paul Morris, Steve Hillier and Neil Findlay, as well as Finzean's Wendy Hector and Ballater's Ian Hay and Ruth Sim.
Edith McIntosh from Insch, Alan Sibbald of Monymusk, Gordon Ross from Cluny, Iris Walker of Westhill and Kenneth Freeman from Kirkton of Skene were also recognised.
Margaret Paterson is a founding member of a swimming group, Bonnie Banchory and a school music club, as well as being involved with WRVS and Home-Start Deeside. An active church member, Margaret has been volunteering in the community for over 15 years, also lending her time to a charity shop in Aboyne and Riding for the Disabled.
Bill Findlay started the Banchory Boys Club and is treasurer of Banchory Amateurs. He not only keeps the pitches and changing rooms in order but takes on the role of linesman. He is part of a group that purchased and maintains the artificial turf facility and he annually dresses as Santa for many of the local playgroups.
Banchory Boys' Club manager Neil Findlay coaches the team as well as four seven-a-side teams from Banchory Primary School, nurturing them from the under-eight stage, to under-16 level. He has organised for teams to play in Holland this year and coaches the Keith FC under-15 youth development team.
Paul Morris and Steve Hillier both coach Deeside Rugby Club's under-15 team, which got to the final of the Caledonian Cup this season. Steve maintains the club's website and referees senior rugby, while Paul has been coaching the under sevens since 2002, and has followed the team to under-16 level.
Jane Winton volunteers across Deeside, giving up her time for the Finzean community's 'Portrait of our Time' project and to be Banchory Show secretary, which demands a huge amount of administrative and secretarial work.
Finzean's Wendy Hector has been described as pivotal to the community, and has much involvement in school, church and community associations doing the book keeping.
Ballater's Ian Hay is editor of the popular Ballater Eagle magazine and is involved in various community functions. Ruth Sim from the town was also honoured on the day for playing a pivotal part in ensuring the needs for disabled members of the community are fully met.
Insch's Edith McIntosh has volunteered for the 17 years she has lived in the village, having taken up posts in the Senior Citizens' Club varying from tea person to treasurer. Her time has also been spent helping Insch Luncheon Club, Insch Caring Club and she has worked in the Insch Community Enterprise charity shop.
Alan Sibbald has been a member of the Garioch and North Marr Community Safety Group for 10 years, and people can see his work online as he edits the Aberdeenshire Community Safety web page. Volunteering in Monymusk, he is the Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator, chair of Monymusk Hall committee and Senior Citiizens' committee.
A founder member of the Inverurie Branch of the Royal Air Force Association, Gordon Ross has served on the Cluny and Midmar Community Council for 10 years, and acted as treasurer for the last nine. He also divides his time to volunteer as treasurer of Cluny Church.
Westhill's Iris Walker is an active member of the community as director of Westhill and District Advice Centre, press and communications officer for Westhill and District Community Council and a board member of Grampian Housing Association.
Down the road in Kirkton of Skene, Kenneth Freeman is a community councillor, and has been a member of the village hall committee for 10 years, and of the community planting scheme for five. A member of the Mountain Bothies committee, he even takes the time to make up the carties for Skene Gala race.
Aberdeenshire Provost Bill Howatson said: "The job of the Council is to maintain and improve the quality of life for everyone in Aberdeenshire; and the voluntary sector plays a very big part in helping us to achieve this.
"Volunteering takes many forms, helping people of all ages and in a variety of circumstances. In order to achieve our goals, it is important that the council and the voluntary sector continue to work together as a partnership, sharing best practice to work towards a common aim."
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Weather for Banchory
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South west
