WELCOME to the Rural Aberdeenshire LEADER Website

 

Boost for Rural Communities as Aberdeenshire LEADER Re-opens

Aberdeenshire LEADER is pleased to announce that funds are now available for new project applications coming forward during 2012.  This is as result of an additional allowance made available by Scottish Government.

Aberdeenshire LEADER LAG chairperson, Belinda Miller, said: “I am delighted to announce that from today (04 April 2012) Aberdeenshire LEADER will be accepting new applications.

“We expect there will be three assessment rounds in 2012, which will be a welcome boost for local groups developing projects. 

“Conditions that apply to the available budget for Aberdeenshire LEADER are that the funds should be fully committed to projects by 31 December 2012 and that projects should be able to complete and claim grant by 31 March 2014.”

LEADER Co-ordinator, Vicky Thomson, said: “We expect strong interest from community groups and other eligible bodies over the coming months.  The closing date for Round 14 applications is 30 April 2012. 

“Priority will be given to robust applications for projects which demonstrate a strong match funding profile and can complete within a defined timescale.”

 

 

For the full Press Release click here.

To access the timetable for submission of applications and LAG meetings click here.

 

Newsflash (1 of 6)

May 2012:  Community Engagement Events for LEADER and AEFF

Free evening seminars are to be held in three Aberdeenshire communities this month to explore the potential for European funding for the area’s rural and fisheries communities. 

Aberdeenshire Council is the lead partner for two European Funding programmes – LEADER and the Aberdeen European Fisheries Fund (AEFF) – and these will be discussed in detail during the sessions at Inverbervie, Cruden Bay and Banff.

The Rural Aberdeenshire LEADER Programme is a funding programme for rural communities and groups in Aberdeenshire, while the AEFF Programme is an innovative area based programme to support sustainable development in Aberdeenshire’s Fisheries Areas. 

Funds are managed by action groups which compromise community, public and private sector bodies.

The LEADER programme is delivered by the rural Aberdeenshire Local Action Group (LAG), while AEFF funds are managed and delivered by the Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG).  

Funding is available to rural and fisheries communities, groups and organisations. Applicants are required to focus on the overarching themes of both programmes and satisfy match-funding requirements.

Attendees to the seminars will have the opportunity to hear presentations from LEADER Project Officer Jamie Wilkinson and AEFF Co-ordinator Ann Marie Macaskill.

They will outline the programmes’ objectives, types of suitable projects, and how to ensure funding success for communities. One-to-one sessions with both officers will also be available at the seminars.

The seminars are to run from 6-8pm on the following dates:

 

• Inverbervie Burgh Hall:                          Thurs, May 24
• Port Erroll Hall, Cruden Bay:                    Wed, May 30
• Banff Castle:                                         Thu, May 31

 

Anybody interested in the sessions should register as soon as possible by calling (01467) 628299 or emailing anne.maclennan@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

 

Newsflash (2 of 6)

February 2012: Monymusk Celebrate Hall Redevelopment

Monymusk celebrated the commencement of the development phase of their project to refurbish the village hall on Friday 24 February with a visit from Allan Rae of Kirkwood Homes. 

Albert Brydon and Alan Sibbald (Monymusk Hall) with Allan Rae (Kirkwood Homes)

Kirkwood Homes have donated £31,000 to the committee in order to complete the fundraising for the project.  Rural Aberdeenshire LEADER had made an award of £97,511 towards the £220,000 project in December 2010.  Work will begin shortly and will involve enhancement of facilities, access improvements and increased storage.  The works are expected to be complete by the autumn. 

 

Newsflash (3 of 6)

November 2011: Insch Institute Sports Hall Officially Opened

Saturday 12th November saw Insch Instiute Bowling Club celebrate the official opening of its new community sports hall and clubhouse.  In 2009 the project was awarded LEADER funding of £67,200 towards a total cost of £181,570.  It involved the construction of an indoor sports hall connected to the Insch Institute building and overlooking the bowling green.

Sandy Hardie welcomes visitors to Insch Institute Sports Hall

The hall was officially opened by Dennis Robertson, Aberdeenshire West MSP, who unveiled a plaque celebrating the occasion. 

For more information and photographs of this event please click here.

 

Newsflash (4 of 6)

October 2011: Scottish LEADER Guide Launched

The Scottish LEADER Programme 2007-2013 promotional brochure has recently been launched.   The publication, supported by Scottish Government, is the result of a collaborative initiative between the 20 Local Action Groups (LAGs) in Scotland.  It aims to celebrate and promote LEADER and features case studies from accross Scotland.

To access the guide online, please visit the document library or click here.

 

Newsflash (5 of 6)

October 2011: 'Enchanted Castle' set to brighten up winter evenings

A LEADER-funded event at the end of November will allow visitors to witness Crathes Castle as it has never been seen before.  The 'Enchanted Castle' will be held at the Royal Deeside castle between Wednesday 23rd and Sunday 27th November.  The event had been planned for December 2010 but extreme winter weather forced its cancellation. 

 

Visitors will make their way through Crathes's woodland policies which will be dramatically lit by brightly coloured lighting and transformed into a beautiful 'winter wonderland'.  It will feature cutting edge light and sound technology and stunning choreographed effects, moods and backdrops that will be a ‘must’ for family members of all ages. 

In addition to the evening walk, which will take place in a truly magical ambience, a host of complementary, themed attractions including storytelling sessions by the award winning author Deborah Leslie, fire breathers and jugglers, magicians, and children’s enchanted craft activities, will all add much to the magical experience.  There will also be a unique opportunity to partake in a 'ghost tour' of the castle itself.

A special menu featuring local produce will be served in the National Trust for Scotland's Courtyard Restaurant. 

More details can be found on the Enchanted Castle website- http://www.theenchantedcastle.info/

Tickets can be purchased through Aberdeen Box Office.

Newsflash (6 of 6)

September 2011: Millbank Hall re-opened by Cabinet Secretary after major refurbishment

Millbank Hall Community Association celebrated the re-opening of Millbank Hall, Sauchen on September 17th with the help of Richard Lochhead MSP and other dignitaries.  The hall had been closed since April as part of a revitalisation programme which has included the upgrading of toilet areas, a new kitchen facility, insulation improvements and complete redecoration.  

                                   Refrubished Millbank Hall                                    

Over a hundred members of the local community attended the event and enjoyed an afternoon tea along with special guests Richard Lochhead (Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs), Sir Robert Smith MP, Councillor Gurudeo Saluja and Douglas Milne (Garioch Area Manager, Aberdeenshire Council).  The event was hosted by the parish minister Rev Euan Glen and was also addressed by Sylvia Henry, secretary of the association.

The project was awarded £35,000 from Aberdeenshire LEADER in December 2010.

Millbank Hall currently has afternoon and evening slots available for new user groups.  Please contact Sylvia Henry on 01330 833216 for further details.