vision torry s Spring 2015 ' Winter 2011

Cover Image: Chaz Milne

Street Sport Torry Academy Community Woodland Ranger

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Torry'sVision_Winter_2001.indd 1 16/12/2011 15:30:45 5

Contents 7

10 66

This Spring..

3 Streetsport 68 4&5 Community News

6 Community Council 20

7 Torry Against the Stench Editorial

8&9 Big Noise Welcome to the spring edition of Torry’s Vision. In this issue we have an update on the Torry Against the Stench 10&11 Torry Academy campaign, as well as exclusive interviews regarding the closure of Torry Academy and news on the upcoming 12&13 Local Update Sistema Project.

14 shmu If you would like to get involved and join the editorial team or if you have ideas for the community publication, you can 15 Reader’s Letter easily get in touch with us. The staff at SHMU are able to support and train anyone living in the area who is interested 16 Community Ranger in developing their ideas and skills in either writing, photography or proof reading. So please don’t be shy, this is your magazine written, edited and designed by the good folk of Torry. If you live in the Torry area and would like to come along to the editorial meetings or submit an article then get in touch with Laura at SHMU on 515013 or you can email her on [email protected]. You can also view this magazine alongside previous editions on the SHMU website www.shmu.org.uk then click the ‘PRESS’ option.

Supported by v Torry’s Vision

StreetSport is a ‘diversionary The Torry session is situated tactics initiative’ based at RGU: at Torry Academy from 7.30- SPORT in that actively 9pm and attracts on average reduces instances of youth over 25 participants per crime and anti-social behaviour. session. Due to the demand Established in 2006, the project for StreetSport, in the near uses sports and other creative future two further deployment activities to provide alternatives for areas will be set up in the young people during the evenings Torry to accommodate for as by deploying mobile activity many young people between arenas into locations throughout the ages of 10-18 years old the city, taking activities directly in the area. These areas to young people within their own are yet to be confirmed, communities. The overall aim of however, discussions are the project is to ‘reduce instances taking place with schools of youth crime and anti-social and members of the local behaviour; promote health community to determine the or sport. In return, participants and wellbeing and encourage best sites for deployment. must complete a minimum of 50 inclusivity through sport, physical ‘Positive Pathways’ – Torry hours voluntary work in the first activity and creative endeavour’. year and a minimum of 60 hours In partnership with Aberdeen StreetSport currently has 5 active voluntary work in the second year Asset Management, the sessions per week in Aberdeen of the project. Streetsport Legacy City; RGU:Sport, Bedford, Torry, Trust (DLLT) has created an The pathway is aimed at Garthdee and Northfield. exciting opportunity for young individuals between 16-19 people (16+) from the Torry area years old and is situated in to upscale their qualifications the Torry area. Each person and CV in a specific profession must be either unemployed or or sport. The ‘Positive Pathway’ involved in learning, training or Project will run for a total of two work opportunities with future years for each participant and aspirations to develop their career. provide an extensive range of StreetSport plan to open an courses and qualifications. application window for interested Streetsport will fund participants applicants in August 2015, on selected courses and a course however, this date is still to based on their chosen profession be confirmed.

5 What goes on at Old Torry Community Centre? Don’t know? Read on to find out! Torry Heritage Book

From our Parent and Toddler Following the loss of most of Old Torry in the 1970s, Group on Mondays to our Fitness something needed to be done to record the history and Frolics Group on Wednesdays, heritage of Torry, its buildings, industries and people.The a chair based exercise group for Torry Heritage Group was set up to bring the idea to reality. older people (our youngest lady is 85), we have something Following the wealth of material places relating to Torry; school for everyone. and information the Heritage photographs, documents and Group received from people, any other items people may feel Fancy learning a new language? both local and further afield - we to be of interest. Our Spanish for adults group on even have an Italian connection If you have anything you feel a Wednesday or our Spanish for - it was suggested we could might be suitable contact kids group on a Friday could be possibly produce a pictorial book. Pat Robertson at Old Torry just for you. An editorial group was set Community Centre (01224 up and, with the promise of For the artistic, we have an art 894925), email contactus@ financial backing from the Torry group on Wednesday mornings oldtorry.org.uk or pop in to the Development Trust, we decided and in the evening we have our centre with it. Yak ‘n Mak group where you can to go ahead with the book. Anything handed in will be knit, crochet or sew while you chat We felt this was particularly copied and returned to the away amongst yourselves. important following the decision to demolish part of Torry’s granite owner. Not every item will be Looking for something more heritage, Victoria Road School used but will be recorded on the energetic? Try line dancing on a opened in 1878 and Craiginches Heritage Group Website and Thursday or Zumba Gold on Prison opened in 1891. may be used if we decide to a Friday. We are looking for original produce other books. We also have yoga on a Tuesday photographs of people and and Tai Chi on a Monday. The Torry Heritage Group meets every second Friday to share memories, stories and photographs of Torry, old and new, over a cuppa or you can join the Balnagask Community Centre Granite City Photography group Balnagask Community Centre evenings, between 6 and 7:15pm. which meets every has a new group starting which is If you are a carer and fancy second Thursday. aimed at vulnerable and isolated a wee break on a Monday For more information on any of the adults. This free group will run on morning, come along to groups and how to hire the centre Fridays and transport is available the centre between 9:30 for a party or other event contact for people who wish to attend. and 11:30am. us at: Our youth groups have been Our mother and toddler group running since last year and Old Torry Community Centre meets on a Thursday morning are terrific. We have 98 young 2 Abbey Place, Torry, Aberdeen between 9:30 and 11:30am. This people attending each week so AB11 9QH 01224 894925 costs £2 for one child and snacks www.oldtorry.org.uk/ come along and get involved are provided. [email protected] in our sessions. The groups On weekends, the centre is www.facebook.com/ meet on a Monday and Friday available for hire for children’s oldtorrycommunitycentre between 7:30 and 9pm and entry parties. For more information www.twitter.com/oldtorry costs 60p. about any of these classes or to The junior kids group runs every book the centre for an event give weekday, except for Wednesday Hazel a call on 01224 871206.

4 Torry’s Vision CFINE

Community Foods Initiative North of hours selling fresh fruit and East, or CFINE, is set to re-open vegetables and healthy snacks at their Community Food Outlet, affordable prices to parents and within the Deeside Family Centre, those using the Centre. in Girdleness Road. Why not pop in from 11.30am on The outlet will be open on a a Thursday to find out more? Torry Thursday morning for a couple Development Trust The newly-formed Torry Development Trust responded to a strong local view that Christmas lights would help brighten up Victoria Road and set about raising the funds to do this. With help from many folk in Torry including local shopkeepers, a donation from our bank, and a grant from the City Council, we were able to install nine lights this year. We plan to match this in 2015. Move More Aberdeen, a new There are health walks running physical activity programme in Torry. They leave from Torry Thanks to everyone, we now for people affected by cancer, Library on Victoria Road at 6pm own the lights and this is a took its first steps with walking every Monday. Other classes will base to make the lights an groups in the second week of be starting in the area soon! annual feature in Torry. You January 2015. In addition to those in attendance can help and support the at the walking groups, 5 other Torry Development Trust by Five walkers, plus one buggy, people have benefitted from the becoming a member, liking us were accompanied by the trained provision of the ‘Get Active Feel on Facebook and following volunteer walk leaders in three Good’ home exercise diary and us to Twitter. All details are venues across Aberdeen: The DVD and hope to join one of the on our new website (www. Aberdeen community libraries at Move More Aberdeen groups in torrydevelopmenttrust.org.uk). Torry, Northfield and Tillydrone the future. In the coming weeks gave us a warm welcome, and We plan to hold a Community and months the programme aims the weather was kind too! The Day at Old Torry Community to help more people affected sun shone and the ice stayed Centre on Saturday 25th April by cancer get active and feel away allowing all the groups to go from 11-2pm to help bring good. The range of activities on ahead as planned. together all the community offer will also expand into gentle organisations working in Torry, People from various walks of movement classes, circuits based so please come along. life, pardon the pun, enjoyed exercise classes and gardening. the activity, the chat and a cuppa. There were people with Thanks to local folk breast cancer, testicular cancer, and local businesses prostate cancer and lymphoma represented, some of whom who have contributed had completed treatment and some still undergoing treatment. to the funds All found the walks fun for our new and beneficial. Christmas lights!

5 Torry’s Vision Torry Community Council Reports Back - Feb 2015

Torry Community Council is a than concerned about a proposed heavy lorries on our residential statutory consultee on matters to Energy from Waste Plant (aka streets and bad parking outside do with planning and key issues an incinerator) being put in to schools. We are to meet Roads affecting Torry involving a wide East Tullos. We will report on any Officials soon to discuss practical range of organisations that have proposal at the next Community measures that can be put in place a remit or desire to work in Torry. Council meeting but also need to to make roads and pavements We talk to and work with all know your views on this. safer for everyone. organisations and groups that can Harbour Developments Former prison site at bring benefits for Torry and enjoy We are maintaining an open Craiginches good relationships with the local dialogue with representatives of We have raised a number of police and all the city councillors Aberdeen Harbour Board and concerns regarding development elected for Torry. held a special open meeting in options for this site and currently 2014 was a very busy year for the November to enable a wider await a statement from the Community Council and here is a audience to attend and raise Scottish Prison Service on their brief summary of issues we have concerns. We currently await plans and the likely timescale for been dealing with: a further meeting to discuss development. The Community proposals they develop, as this Council wants formal assurance Torry Academy will affect all the roads south of the on road safety and traffic We still await formal replies to Dee which are currently heavily management matters, use of a long list of questions put to congested. We are very aware materials, scale and the impact the Education Department by that the environmental and social of any development on our local ourselves and parent councils impact will be greatest on Torry schools. We have consistently on the decision taken last year and that there are many views on maintained that the granite and to close Torry Academy. Despite any proposals to develop the Bay architectural features should be being informed that closure of the of Nigg. We will scrutinise any saved for future re-use, and wait Academy was part of the plan to proposals very carefully, and we to hear of any proposals from a improve educational achievement will consult Torry residents before future developer. and required for securing funding making any final comments. from the Scottish Government for a new Academy for the South of Victoria Road School the city, there is still no planning Despite a strong campaign waged application or programme for this by the Torry Heritage Group to development which is now to be retain the fine granite buildings for open by August 2017. future use, which included a 2300 strong petition and delagations Overcrowding in our led by local folk, the City Council local schools finally decided to sell the two We await a reply from the sites to a major house-builder. Council regarding the chronic There was a 2300 strong petition Keeping in touch over-crowding in both primary and delegations led by local We have a new website (www. schools and have stated our folk. We now have to wait to be torrycommunitycouncil.org.uk) opposition to dual zoning as this consulted on any future planning and this is now linked to Facebook short-sighted policy does nothing applications - which almost and Twitter. Please sign on and to address the lack of investment certainly means that the all the keep in touch, and share updates in our children over many years. buildings will be swept away. etc. Want to know more? Then Sistema Project Supporting local groups come along to our meetings on Community Council members and We do have an annual grant the third Thursday of each month local parents are getting involved and will consider making a small (except July), all held at 7pm in in this project and will make up the funding donation once a written the Library of Torry Academy, or Project Board. We await further request with your proposal is contact the secretary, David Fryer developments of this new and received. We will always consider at secretarycommunitycouncil@ innovative music project, set to roll what help we can give to support gmail.com. out this year local groups. David Fryer – Secretary, Torry SITA Road safety and traffic Community Council – 4th We are closely following the management February 2015. proposal to put a waste recycling We are most concerned about building at Altens, but are more speeding cars through Torry,

6 Torry Against the STENCH Part II

In July last year, two Torry works, we lobbied Scottish Water plant, landfill sites, industrial residents started the Facebook to appoint the same independent processes and the sewerage campaign “Torry against the expert who had helped to solve network. Prior to his engagement Stench.” Through this group problems in Edinburgh and Fife. in Aberdeen, Professor Jackson has successfully helped in they wanted residents of the “In November, Scottish Water resolving similar cases in Leith, community to come together and confirmed that Professor Rob Edinburgh and in Leven and tackle the issue of smells coming Jackson was being appointed Methil in Fife. Since commencing from the waste water treatment to work for the solutions that will his investigations in mid-January plant in the area. help make Torry odour free. The he has already received support Community Council met Professor In the last edition of Torry’s Vision, for his wide ranging and holistic Jackson in January and are we received comments from approach from local councillors pleased that he has made good Scottish Water and Aberdeen and politicians and will be progress in getting all the relevant City Council on the issue. In the providing a written report on his statutory organisations to work months which followed, Torry findings and recommendations to together to problem solve the Community Council became all stakeholders. involved in the campaign and has odours issues that have blighted been working with the relevant Torry for too long. We need him A spokesperson from Scottish organisations to find a solution. to stay involved for at least two Water said: “We are working summers to prove that new closely with Professor Jackson to Secretary of Torry Community measures do work before we will assist him any way we can with Council, David Fryer said: “Since say ‘job done’.” his independent investigation. July, very serious odours have hit Torry, and were especially bad Professor Robert Jackson has “Scottish Water met with Professor when the fine weather arrived. recently been instructed by Jackson, Maureen Watt MSP and The Community Council has Scottish Water to undertake an David Fryer to introduce all parties supported folk badly affected by independent review of odour to each other earlier this month. complaints in the Torry community. Professor Jackson now has the odours and led calls for action by His approach is to carry out an findings from Maureen Watt’s the relevant authorities. impartial and forensic investigation survey which will be incorporated “Based on advice and experience in to all potential sources of in to his independent study. We of campaigners in Edinburgh odour regardless of type, nature will continue to work with all who also were hard hit by odours or location including the Nigg stakeholders to investigate odour from a local sewage treatment Bay waste water treatment issues in the Torry area.”

7 Torry’s Vision

A very special children’s orchestra obvious result will be musical, the found that as a result of Big Noise, called Big Noise is about to programme aims to equip children 100% thought their children were launch in Torry. It will be fun, free with confidence and resilience to more confident, 93% thought and for everyone regardless of succeed in all areas of their lives. their children were happier, 79% musical ability. thought they were more willing Education recently to concentrate, and 43% thought To begin, Big Noise will offer inspected the Big Noise orchestra they behaved better. violin, viola, double bass or already running in Stirling and cello lessons, to children who gave a glowing report, saying it What happens next? are currently in Primary Two at boosted the confidence, ambition From April, the Big Noise teachers Tullos Primary and Walker Road and life chances of the children. will be making themselves known Primary. Big Noise will continue The Scottish Government around the community. They will to work with these children commissioned an earlier report begin working in the schools with as they grow through primary which says: “there is evidence Primary One and Two children school and secondary school that Big Noise is having a positive after Easter. These children will too. Younger ones will join every impact on children’s personal and then perform in a launch concert year. Eventually brass, woodwind social development, including on Monday June 29th. and percussion instruments increased confidence, self will be added until there is a full In July, there will be a summer esteem, a sense of achievement symphony orchestra in the school at Torry Academy running and pride, improved social skills, Torry community. from Monday to Thursday for team working skills and expanded children who have just completed Torry is only the third place social networks. Primary Two. in Scotland to have a Big For those children with special Noise orchestra. When the new school year educational needs, behaviour starts we will launch our The first Big Noise was launched issues or unsettled home lives, After-School Club working with in Raploch, Stirling in 2008. particular benefits include a sense the children who by then will be in A second centre opened in of belonging, improved ability to Primary Three. Younger children Govanhill, Glasgow in 2013. concentrate and focus on a task, in nursery, Primary One and a sense of responsibility and Big Noise Torry is run by the Primary Two will receive Big Noise positive behaviour change.” charity Sistema Scotland in sessions during their school day. partnership with Aberdeen A survey of parents and carers City Council. While the most conducted as part of the research

8 9 Torry’s Vision Torry Academy

The merger of Torry and Kincorth Academies was confirmed in October 2013. The new £30 million school will be located on the Bobby Calder Park site. The new school is expected to open in the school year of 2016-17 and will accommodate up to 1450 pupils. Building the new school means that Torry and Kincorth Academies will both have to close. Abby, Fern and Yasmin from shmu’s Youth Media Team, who are also pupils at Torry Academy, held interviews with Torry Academy’s depute head, Jason Currie and Councillor for Torry and Ferryhill, Alan Donnelly to discuss the new school. Councillor Alan Donnelly

Abby: What are your thoughts We’re selling the site of Victoria after which will save money for on the new school? Road School and part of the deal front line education. is funds and money to provide Councillor Alan Donnelly: I’m Yasmin: What do you think the a free bus service in the initial very excited about it. It’s a £13 pupils of Torry and Kincorth couple of years for Torry pupils. million school in a brand new Academy will think about the We’re also putting in safe walking location. It’s a good school in new school? a good community but it’s only routes for pupils as well. Councillor Alan Donnelly: half full. Torry Academy can hold Yasmin: How will the new Well again, everything is mixed. 900 pupils and there are only school benefit people? People don’t like change. People 400 odd at the moment which It will are often sceptical of change makes it difficult to deliver the full Councillor Alan Donnelly: have more facilities, particularly because it can disrupt their curriculum. This means senior the swimming pool and there pattern of life but you always pupils are moved to Kincorth have to move on and move and Harlaw for some classes. will be full and comprehensive forward. It’s like everything else, However, the new school will curriculum so there’ll be no more there will be teething problems at have 1500 pupils in it and a full kids travelling to other schools the start but people will begin to deliverable curriculum, including to study particular subjects. We see the benefits once they settle the classes pupils are requesting want modern buildings and this in to it and realise change can be to move for. I do know there are will be a modern building with good and positive. challenges about transport but all the technical infrastructure I’m pleased the new school is inside which a lot of the Victorian I hope that people will realise going ahead. buildings don’t have. A lot of that with the new academy. people want to enhance in sports Also as a local authority, we get Fern: What do you think so there will be a lot more there tax payers money to build that about the location of the on that larger site. school. We’ve been offered £32 new school? Abby: What problems do you million from Scottish Government Councillor Alan Donnelly: It think there could be with a and a local authority can’t was difficult for us to find a site larger school? knock back £32 million to build and we had various sites on a brand new academy. People Councillor Alan Donnelly: the table through a consultation don’t like to see schools closed This school is going to have process. We needed a large site down but we had to close down a capacity of 1500 pupils. to accommodate a school this an academy so by phasing out As long as it delivers a full size. Bobby Calder Park is a Torry and Kincorth Academies curriculum and has enough large site which was previously and building a new school it classrooms to deliver then I identified for training and solved a lot of problems for the don’t see a problem. It’s been recreational facilities. We are council. Although we’ll pay for built to accommodate a larger trying to overcome the issues the running and the teachers but pupil roll and by merging two which surround the dangers of the construction costs are being academies and phasing out Torry children walking up from the met by central government. streets in and around Torry and and Kincroth that gives us one Kincorth to the new school. building to maintain and look

10 Torry’s Vision

Depute Head of Torry Academy: Jason Currie

Yasmin: What are your I know that some folk do have ideas you’ve got which will allow thoughts on the new certain reservations about, what people to feed off other positive super school? I would say, are more historical ideas that folk have of new ways Jason Currie: I think it is a concerns about how Torry and of teaching a subject. Learning fantastic opportunity for Torry Kincorth would interact. We will take place between teachers and Kincorth. I think the facilities have some senior Kincorth I think that’ll be a big advantage it will hopefully offer will be of pupils coming here and some of having the staff come together. of our pupils go to Kincorth so I great advantage to the pupils. Abby: What activities would think that really that’s helped to Having seen some of the you like to see happening in build bridges between the two initial design plans I am very the new school? encouraged by how it will appear. communities. That’s something Jason Currie: Well think about People are going to go there and that in the run up to the new the activities we’ve currently be really motivated to learn by school, we’ll have to work on and got and add on to that any their environment. I think you’re we’ll have different activities so others you would like to see. going to see a big transformation that you folk can get to work with What expertise do the Kincorth compared to what you’re used to your peers in Kincorth. staff have that they can offer here. Fern: How will the new school in extracurricular activities? Fern: What do you think benefit people? Because of the school’s location about the location of the Jason Currie: I think the I guess most pupils will have to new school? facilities that will be available stay on campus for lunch time Jason Currie: The location of will be high class in terms of so it would be nice to see lots of the new school is okay because the classrooms first of all but activities available. you’re also going to get high it isn’t in any of the areas that it Additional comments from quality equipment and labs for serves so it doesn’t favour one Jason Currie: A number of staff science. The sporting facilities community over another. I think have been down to look at two look excellent - you’re going that’s maybe a sensible way of schools which both have the to have playing fields on your trying to bring together the three same kind of overall structure doorstep and a swimming pool. communities. that your new school will have. You’re going to have facilities It’s a case of working out how Abby: Would you prefer to still for vocational subjects so there the actual classrooms will fit have Torry Academy open? will be a wealth of different within that structure but they Jason Currie: We are past the opportunities. follow a central plan where you stage of keeping Torry Academy have classrooms either side of open. The decision has been Yasmin: What problems do a central space, containing for made by the council to merge you think there will be with example canteen, assembly hall the two schools already. My hope having a bigger school? and library. We’ve seen a lot of would be to ensure that there is Jason Currie: I think the staff positives in those schools and an appropriate plan so the Torry will have to work hard to make I hope we get something that’s Academy site can be kept open sure that they know all the pupils. the match of those. I’m looking for community use. I think getting a group of staff of around 80-100 individual faces to forward to it but any concerns Yasmin: Are you looking work together as a group will be that you have you should feed forward to working with a challenge as well but it can them back directly to your the other pupils from be overcome. teachers or the pupil council. other schools? Jason Currie: Yes I am. I Fern: Are you excited to meet think it’s going to be quite an other staff and pupils from interesting challenge to have folk other schools? from the different communities Jason Currie: Of course, the all coming in to the same place. more staff you have the more

11 Torry’s Vision Councillors Comments Councillor Yvonne Allan To all the folks of Torry, I hope well received by all who attended be doing their best to spread 2015 is a good year for you. and everyone had a great time. the much needed new build Some good news - you may have The effort put in by the volunteers programme throughout the city. noticed that there is work going is very much appreciated by all, I believe there is a group of Torry on at the Tullos swimming pool. then and throughout the year for Academy Pupils planning a trip to Word has it that it should the work they do. the Atlas Mountains in Morocco re-open in time for the kids The programmes for 2015 are in the near future. They will be summer holidays, if not before. now in full swing and I hope working in classrooms and Thank you all for your continued people make good use of the an orphanage for under patience in what has been a long groups which will be running. privileged children. wait in getting the pool back to The council house modernisation The group have to fund this trip being fit for purpose. I hope you programme continues and themselves so any fundraising will all use and enjoy the pool we will see more Torry homes or sponsoring ideas would once it is back to full use again. benefiting from this programme. be welcome for this excellent Well done to all the community Housing remains a major issue project. So come on, get your centres that had wonderful festive for the council as it does for the thinking caps on and help programmes. They were very residents of Torry and they will support the kids.

Tea Break Reading 30 Second Tip Bits . . . . Written by Mandy “The Quine fae Torry”

A wee read whilst you have • For those that are DIY the top and bottom shelves and yur Tea Break: Enthusiasts on a budget – don’t not at eye level? throw away any of your old • Do you have a muffin tin that • Did you know? If you have your paint brushes. Why not soap is lying at the back of the refrigerator pushed back as then in white vinegar for 30 kitchen cupboard, unused far as possible, by pulling it minutes and then rinse under and unloved? Why not stick an forward by one inch can reduce warm water, they will be as ice cream cone on top of the energy usage of it by as good as new! cupcake batter and bake. much as 40%! The cake ends up rising into • If you’re a wee nail biter and • Make dinnertime for the the cone and you can put need way to stop biting those kiddiewinks a wee bit different ice cream or icing on top of nails, why not try chewing gum! by using a pizza cutter to cut the original birthday dessert. In addition, it’s been proven to up small slices of meats / Another use for the muffin tin improve a person’s mood, while vegetables / cheese for their would be to make jumbo, long decreasing anxiety and stress. omelettes. This is one way to lasting ice cubes for a long cool • Have you ever shrunk your make sure they have their drink, just pop them out by favourite item of clothing? five a day! running under hot water at the No need to worry, soak the base of the muffin container. • Trying to increase your daily shrunk clothes in hot water with water intake? Why not wear 8 • Need help studying? By hair conditioner for five minutes rubber bands (or however studying your notes within one and they’ll be good as new! many) around your wrist day of taking them, the re • Want to save money and cut each day and take one off tention rates are 60% higher! down on the drying time of your every time you drink a glass of Another tip would be if you clothes? Why not add a dry water? This will make sure you write something out, it is the towel to your wet laundry in are staying hydrated! However, memory equivalent of reading it the dryer, cutting the drying if you drink a caffeinated seven times! Also, when time by half! beverage, you will need to put writing long assignments, set a a rubber band back on be 30-minute timer, and race it. • Looking for a bargain whilst cause it dehydrates you! This will prevent you shopping? Are you aware that from procrastination. the cheapest items will be on

12 New in Torry - Torry’s Vision *Adult Learning*

Torry Learning Centre & Computing Suite We are pleased to announce the opening of the new Adult Learning Venue within the Torry Youth & Leisure Centre on Oscar Road. This past year has seen the closure of the Torry Learning House and the opening of the new facility. It has a meeting area and a new up to date computing suite with internet access. ’s Adult Proposed Altens Recycling Facility Learning now offers learning An update from SITA UK opportunities here and in different venues throughout the Torry community. Learners also have People were invited to find out be taken to the MRF, where the option to be supported to more about a proposal for a new it would be segregated into achieve a variety of qualifications. recycling and waste management constituent parts before being facility at Altens East Industrial transferred on for re-processing. Our current learning programmes Estate when exhibitions were The RDF facility would process and available resources include held earlier this year. residual, black bag waste that Beginners Computing, ESOL has not been recycled. It would (English for Speakers of Other Plans for the new facility are to be shredded and any metals Languages), Confidence to Cook be submitted to Aberdeen City removed for recycling. The classes, Literacy and Numeracy Council by SITA UK, the company remaining material would then be Support, Confidence and Skills seeking to build the new site, baled and securely wrapped prior development courses, guidance which aims to increase recycling, to onward transfer out of the area and signposting for further reduce waste sent to landfill and for use as a fuel to provide heat learning and future employment, save £5m in landfill tax. and power. an area for other local groups and The company held two lots organisations to let, and kitchen The development site would also of exhibitions in January and resources to support cooking and include a replacement depot for February, where members of healthy eating groups. the Council’s waste collection the public were invited to look at vehicles, which is currently Those interested in our Learning the plans and give feedback. located on Powis Terrace. Programme can either self-refer, The Council’s Planning If the proposal is approved it is be referred by another agency, Committee is expected to make expected to be operational by late contact us to find out more, a decision on the application 2016 or early 2017, creating about and/or register for our available during this summer. 40 new, permanent jobs. future courses. The plans include: SITA UK’s Operations Manager in For more information • a Materials Recycling Aberdeen, Colin Forshaw, said: please contact: Facility (MRF) “The proposed facility will enable Mandy Dambruoso - • a Refuse Derived the city to increase recycling Development Officer, Adult Fuel (RDF) facility and will process the remaining Learning, on 01224 878927 black bag waste so that it can • a replacement depot for be exported out of the area and Alison May - Adult Learning the Council’s waste put to good use as a fuel to help Co-ordinator on 01224 878927 collection vehicles produce power and heat for or 07900 134539 Both the MRF and RDF will be homes and businesses.” Email: Lifelonglearning@ housed in a modern enclosed Further information about the aberdeencity.gov.uk or visit us on building on the site. proposal is available online at facebook www.facebook.com/ Mixed recyclable material www.sita.co.uk/altenseast CommunitiesAberdeen collected from the kerbside would

13 SHMU pioneers groundbreaking prison project in HMP & YOI Grampian

Station House Media Unit (shmu) has secured a major funding boost of £896,326 from the Big Lottery Fund which will allow it to extend its work within the criminal justice sector with a 5-year media project based in HMP &YOI Grampian. The funding will enable shmu to work in partnership with the prison and a broad range of other relevant statutory and voluntary sector partners to develop the first cross-platform, peer-led, Creative Media Unit within a UK prison. The Unit will offer a range of innovative opportunities for beneficiaries to engage in a radio station; training in all aspects of filmmaking; a magazine production suite; and a music Torry TV coming to a production programme. BFI Working with all sections of the prison population Hello, my name is Katie and I recently joined the computer near you soon... – young offenders as well as adult male and shmu staff team as a sound trainee. I started female prisoners - the primary aim of the project volunteering in early 2014 doing a show on a is to reduce the re-offending rates of prisoners Tuesday until I started college. I was always released back into the community. It will also interested in sound engineering and SHMU helped include the provision of an intensive support me get some volunteering at their studio and at package in preparation for and during their the jazz festival last year. My job at SHMU, as a reintegration back into the community. The sound trainee, involves assisting the shmuSOUND ultimate aim is to support participants on to a projects such as the Hip Hop project and I will positive destination – a job, education, further also assist the sound engineer in the recording training or a volunteering opportunity. studio which has recently been moved over to The project has fully embraced the feedback Torry. We will be recording music from both the from serving prisoners who participated in taster Hip Hop Project and the Collective Composition sessions with comments including; “I would like Project along with holding our positive transition to show the younger ones that are easily led like and Youth media project sessions over there I was that they don’t need to act like that”; “I too. We are also hoping to take the Drugs Action enjoyed myself, I learned new skills”; “It’s really workshops over to Torry too. encouraging to see different people’s talents”; “Providing an incentive for change made me determined to put more effort into it”. The shmu grant was one of 11 projects sharing in £5,717,872 from the Fund’s Investing in Communities programme announced in January.

Station House Media Unit (shmu) is situated just off Great Northern Road in the old Station House Community Centre, Woodside. We offer free access to, and training in video and radio production, and magazine and online publications to residents of all ages living in Seaton, Woodside, Middlefield, Tillydrone, Torry, Northfield and Cummings Park.

14 t 01224 515013 e [email protected] www.shmu.org.uk Reader’s Letter Alan’s Torry folk must be wondering what they have done to deserve their Corner lot! They will soon be forced to consider the prospect of one of their few remaining areas of public amenity, Nigg Bay, being blasted, A Quiz of Days by Alan Reid filled with concrete and then surrounded by yet more high-security Questions fencing. The community is already almost completely surrounded by 1) What is the first day of a combination of security fencing (North and South), and Wellington the year? Road, one of the most polluted roads in Scotland, to the West. Should 2) What happens on the 25th the proposed relocation of some of the harbour’s existing activities of January? go ahead, the resulting further industrialisation of the area would 3) When do we roll eggs? likely add to the misery caused by the long-running pungent stench 4) What day is the 21st of June? generated by the Scottish Water’s Nigg Bay sewage treatment works 5) What do people mean when resulting from the continuing failure of either (or both!) the Aberdeen they say “going away?” City Council (ACC) and SEPA to use their powers and responsibilities 6) What does “wet and windy” under the Water Services Act 2006 (sewage nuisance) to prevent it. describe? 7) What is “everybody day?” In an apparent effort by outside interests to promote ‘normality’, 8) What day do people go trick the minutes of a recent local community council meeting suggest or treating? that Aberdeen City Council (ACC) are now advocating that children 9) What character is behind from the Torry area, and perhaps elsewhere in the city, are being Fireworks night? encouraged to go paddling in the newly ‘prettified’ East Tullos Burn. 10) What is celebrated on the The thinking behind this concept is not clear. However, it is surprising 25th of December? because the ‘burn’ and its newly constructed ‘wetland’ appears to constitute little more and open, unregulated industrial sewer that conveys a stinking cocktail of effluents away from the East Tullos New Year Poem Industrial Estate – plus drainage from the nearby landfill site. A new year is upon us, In a further unwelcome development, ACC have now resurrected the What secrets does it hold? idea of incinerating thousands of tonnes of the city’s non-recyclable The dreams, the wishes, waste, together with similar materials gathered across , We all yearn, within the city’s boundaries. Indeed, it was recently announced that That will unfold. the Council is considering constructing the incineration unit on a So here’s to you ‘contaminated’ site, currently owned by Scottish Gas, situated less And here’s to me. than 300m from Tullos Primary School! Bizarrely, even at this early I wish you all the best stage, ACC officials are going to great lengths not to use the word Whatever on the field ‘incinerator’. Indeed, this latest planning ‘pup’ is being promoted I wish you all the best solely in terms of reducing landfill and ‘sustainable energy’ production Alan Reid from the proposed plant. To add insult to injury, the community is also being advised to suspend their disbelief that the positioning of A Quote from the Bible the proposed huge, new recycling and waste management unit, to God made a quote. supply an incinerator, up on the green fields of Doonies farm will not “I will make man in my own constitute a powerful planning lever in support of a massive waste image.” incinerator nearby. Does that not show that we Arguably, Torry’s vision has long been overruled or simply ignored. are special in the world Indeed, the area bears testimony to a community that suffers from the and God is love?

cumulative impacts of a long series of damaging visions by powerful

Christmas Day Christmas interests based outside the area. Sadly, recent developments suggest 10)

Guy Fawkes Guy that this process appears to be continuing unabated and with the tacit 9)

Hallowe’en support of our non-resident, elected representatives. 8)

Your birthday Your 7)

A rain day rain A Torry resident 6)

A holiday A 5)

Midsummer Day Midsummer If you would like to submit a letter to the Torry’s Vision 4)

Easter Day Easter magazine then email [email protected] or call 3)

Robert Burn’s Day Burn’s Robert

Laura on 01224 515013 2)

New Year’s Day Year’s New 1) Answers Answers

15 { }

I have been out and about in extremely hard work. The shrubs Granite City Forest signs at Torry over the winter period with and plants which are intended to the various access points to the the Tullos Volunteer Ranger team increase biodiversity and colour hill….see how many you and other groups. to the area have now arrived can spot! and will have been planted by November saw employees from If you have a community focused the time this publication hits your Halliburton come in and refurbish project in mind or one in progress doorstep. A great project driven the entrance area of the Deeside where you would benefit from by the community and one which Family Centre. While one group the team’s efforts, please do we (like Deeside Family Centre) removed litter, cut back shrubs not hesitate to contact me on have been very happy to assist. and then barrowed in tonnes 01224 897 400 or lochinch@ of woodchip, another helped aberdeencity.gov.uk Ranger Simon to redefine and To keep up with what the Ranger refurbish the outdoor learning Service is up to, please visit our space for the young ones who Facebook Page at “Aberdeen visit the Centre. Well done City Council Countryside Ranger everyone!! Service” or listen to “Around With The Tullos Volunteer Ranger A Ranger” on SHMU 99.8FM or Team finished off that work in shmu.org.uk every Wednesday between preparing the planting at 11 am and repeated every bed at the Torry Outdoor Sports Ongoing litter picks and Monday at 2pm. Centre. This involved hacking out maintenance have also been the over planted beds so they carried out by the team on Tullos can breathe and drain and was Hill along with installing more