VOLUNTEERS are gearing up for a week of projects aimed at making Stonehaven look its best for the start of summer – as this town’s contrbution to a nationwide event celebrating community – the Big Help Out.
Orchestrated by the Horizon Project, groups will be tackling many general items including, weeding, sweeping, litter picking, planter washing and tidy, street furniture refurbishment and land train track inspection. There is lots going on.
The national event takes place in June 5 to 8 – but Stonehaven’s Big Help Out will run over three days from May 21 to 23 so individuals can join in and support were they can. The aim is to have Stonehaven looking its best for the first event in the summer calendar, the Feein’ Market.
Some of the work has started already, with the Men’s Shed tackling the wooden furniture and planters at the town’s Market Square Community Garden.
The local authority is supporting the efforts. Aberdeesnhire Council’s landscape services have already been out weed spraying, and waste services street sweeper and resources of their respective service crews will be supporting the volunteers when they can.
Keep your eyes peeled for volunteers at work. The plan so far is:
May 18 – 22 (early starters) – Men’s Shed; refurb Community Garden street furniture and planters
May 21- 23 – Horizon street hanging basket routes; David St, Alardice St, and Barclay St clean (weed, sweep, litter pick) four sessions .
Thursday
May 21, 6pm, – Stonehaven Fireballs Auld Toon tidy; High St to harbour, meet at Old Pier
May 21, 6.30 pm – Stonehaven Lions Market Square; wash down and tidy street furniture and planters
May 21, 7pm – Dunottar Woods; litter pick – meet at old quarry car park
Saturday
May 23, 9.30 am – STP Stonehaven Express VIP (Fat Controller) track inspection; Beach Rd to harbour
May 23, 9.30am – Stonehaven Sea and Royal Marine Cadets; harbour litter pick (TBC)
May 23, 9.30am – Stonehaven Angling Association; River Cowie eco survey
May 23,10am – Plastic Free Stonehaven; Mineral Well Park litter pick
May 23 11am to 12:30pm – Sea Cadet TS Carron open doors for a community cuppa
As a big thank you for the Big Help Out, all volunteers are invited to join our Lord Lieutenant of Kincardinshire Alastair Macphie with the Stonehaven Sea Cadets and Royal Marine Cadets from 11am onwards on Saturday May 23 for some cake and a cuppa to celebrate a job well done.
Feature image: Men’s Shed volunteers who are sanding down and treating all the woodwork, from left, Raymond Douglas, Jim Gallon, Bill Allan and Paul Tosh