Oldmeldrum 2018 / 2019

Oldmeldrum

2018 / 2019

JULY 10

Meldrum Amenities Improvement Group

Oldmeldrum (commonly known as Meldrum) is a village and parish in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, not far from Inverurie in North East Scotland. With a population of around 2,187, Oldmeldrum is home to one of the oldest whisky distilleries in Scotland, Glen Garioch, which was built in 1797. Local industries are agriculture and engineering services connected to the oil industry in Aberdeen.

Meldrum Amenities Improvement group

Meldrum Amenities Improvement group (MAIG) is a friendly, voluntary group which aims to enhance the town of Oldmeldrum with floral displays, Christmas Illuminations, new amenities and community events.

Meldrum Amenities Improvement Group was constituted in September 2002 with a view to providing a few Christmas Illuminations for the town center. A race night was organized which raised sufficient funds to purchase 6 motifs from this small beginning over the next 17 years the Christmas light illuminations has expanded to 79illumination features decorating the town square and the main approach roads into the town. In 2004 MAIG committee took the decision to undertake improving the ambience of the town during the summer months. From these early days when the group started their floral project; has expanded from a few baskets to today’s expansive displays decorating the town. From the beginning, the Group have organized annual fund-raising events such as race nights, Murder Mystery, Doric Dinners etc. in addition to the Community Switch on event during the festive season. Both public and business organizations support the summer floral displays.

LEFT – MAIG volunteers tending and maintaining the baskets and Planters.

Group members were involved in installing flood lighting of the War Memorial located next to the church. Our most recent community development is the Meldrum Petanque & Croquet Club which is free to all members of the public. Also MAIG are assisting the heritage society in restoring the iconic Sailor statue and landscaping the surrounding area. Our current grant application if successful will replace our aged diesel tractor with a utility electric vehicle as our contribution in supporting Aberdeenshire Council’s Sustainability Charter Action Program which seeks to be a carbon neutral organization in the short to medium term i.e. 2020 and for the whole of Aberdeenshire to be carbon neutral in the medium to long term i.e. 2030. In keeping with our constitution, we strive to make continuing improvements within our community with our next project for consideration “Cycling Without Age” This project will finance an electric tricycle with pilots which will provide an opportunity for elderly residents and those with mobility restrictions to get out and about the town free of charge.

Spring tulips Two of our younger volunteers

The Poly-Tunnels

Sited on what was a piece of waste ground at the back of Oldmeldrum Golf Club’s car park. The Golf Club kindly allowed us to level the area and erect the poly tunnels. With this superb facility we are able to grow on enough plug plants to plant up more than 300 baskets and containers for our summer floral display. Of course - we always find time for a “fly cup and a fine piece!” During autumn and winter, we empty baskets and save begonia tubers, then compost everything else for riddling to reuse the following year. Also we repaint, repair and maintain half barrels and wheel barrows.

Litter Pick

Oldmeldrum residents rallied together to collect dozens of bags of litter from its streets. More than 40 people turned up on a wet and chilly Saturday morning in April. Volunteers from The Brownies, Scouts, Community Council, Rotary club, Meldrum Residents and members of Meldrum Amenities Improvement Group - who organized the clean up as part of Oldmeldrum's entry to Beautiful Scotland. On this occasion, different generations united in their efforts with the youngest volunteer aged just 7 years and the oldest aged 83. Our next litter pick is planned for late July/early August.

Heritage

Top left – the remains of an iron age fort at the top of Hill of Barra. Top right – a wall plaque recognizing famous sons of Meldrum and Bourtie Bottom 2 – The Battle of Barra and the legend of Robert the Bruce’s Seat.

Local attractions Whin Roadie

The “Whin Roadie” was formally opened in 2017 after extensive works by the Meldrum and Bourtie Heritage Society to open a section of the original Oldmeldrum to Banff road, and form a view point overlooking the Garioch and the iconic Bennachie.

Meldrum Ramblers and Meldrum Health walking up to the view point at Whin Roadie. Meldrum Ramblers do longer walks out with the village and Meldrum Health Walk does a walk every week within Meldrum.

Glen Garioch Whisky Distillery One of the oldest operating distilleries in Scotland, Glen Garioch in Oldmeldrum has been making its single malt since 1797, is a popular visitor attraction and regularly holds fund raiser events for other groups.

Meldrum Sports Always a big attraction, the Oldmeldrum Sports and Highland Games has been held since 1930. Pipe bands and competitors from all over Scotland come to compete and the high light of the day is the Massed pipe bands.

MAIG usually has a stand to raise funds and awareness for our group. This year we sold home bakes and plants all donated by volunteers.

Rainbow Fabrics Craft Group

Rainbow Needlecraft Centre in Oldmeldrum runs classes that are open to everyone and is a focus for all types of needlecraft in the area. They sponsor enthusiastic local people who use their skills to help others – quilts have been made for elderly and disabled people in the community, soldiers recovering from injury at Erskine and on-going work for Linus quilts donated to children in hospital in Aberdeen. The current projects are making quilts for people who have recently had limbs amputated in ARI and sewing special gowns for children under five in hospital in Aberdeen.

Meldrum Academy

Meldrum Academy have a brand-new community school garden! we have a big poly tunnel and a shed, we have tools, gloves and even picnic benches to sit outside on! This has all been made possible from the funding from the Scottish Government Food for Thought Initiative and fund raising. So far we have planted some strawberries, leeks, tomatoes, peas, Brussel sprouts and sweetcorn we also have different plants outside. Last week we filled our 1000L water tank by linking 5 hoses together – it took ages! We are looking forward to tasting our produce!

The Big Switch On

Meldrum Amenities Improvement Group hold a very popular switch on event each year - when we serve hot mince pies, mulled wine and juice for the children and there is always a visit from Santa. It is well supported by other local groups, which include Kintore Pipe Band, Meldrum Rotarians and Meldrum Academy singers.

Appendices

Finances From the beginning, the Group have organized annual fund-raising events such as race nights, Murder Mystery, Doric Dinners etc. in addition to the Community Switch on event during the festive season. Both public and business organizations support the summer floral displays with basket sponsorship and donations. Several of the local businesses have held fund raising events both in support of MAIG and other groups.

The group is now in its 6th year running the friends of MAIG support scheme, which has provided financial assistance to develop and expand our projects. Over the past 5 years the scheme has paid out on monthly prize monies of £18,000 whilst at the same time contributing £12,000 in supporting our various projects. Over the years there has been worthwhile grant funding from the Formartine Partnership Ltd., Making Meldrum Better, together with support from Aberdeenshire Council’s Capacity Grant & Gordon Leisure Trust.

Our current grant application if successful will replace our aged diesel tractor with a utility electric vehicle as our contribution in supporting Aberdeenshire Council’s Sustainability Charter Action Program which seeks to be a carbon neutral organization in the short to medium term i.e. 2020 and for the whole of Aberdeenshire to be carbon neutral in the medium to long term i.e. 2030.

The Eternal Present – public work of art The Meldrum Mousie By Janet McEwan 13

Appendices Constitution of MELDRUM AMENITIES IMPROVEMENT GROUP The Group shall be known as the Meldrum Amenities Improvement Group. 2. The purpose of the Group shall be to co-ordinate, facilitate, introduce and raise funds for additional amenities into the town of Meldrum with a view to enhancing and enriching the environment of the town and the life of the residents. 3. (a) The conduct, policy and management of the Group shall be carried on by a Committee of Management which shall comprise three office bearers, being a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, elected annually, and up to five other Committee Members, also elected annually at an Annual General Meeting. A person may hold no more than two Office-Bearer posts at the same time. The Committee of Management shall be entitled to co-opt any number of additional Committee Members who shall remain on the Committee up to the date of the next Annual General Meeting. (b) The Local Councilor for the area shall be an ex officio member of the Committee with the right to vote at Committee Meetings and Annual General Meetings. (c) Four Members of the Committee of Management shall form a quorum. (d) All Members (other than co-opted members) shall require to reside within the Oldmeldrum Electoral Roll area. (e) Committee Meetings shall be held no less than quarterly throughout the year. Voting will be by simple majority. The Chairman shall be entitled to a casting vote as well as a deliberative vote in the event of a tie. 4. A Bank Account shall be opened up and kept for the Group with such Bank as may be decided from time to time. Any cheques or other payments shall require the signing of any two office-bearers. 5. (a) An Annual General Meeting shall be held once yearly on a date to be determined by the Committee of Management to deal with the following:- (i) the appointment of office-bearers and Committee Members; (ii) the approval of Annual Accounts; (iii) the passing of any other relevant Resolutions; (iv) any other competent business. (b) Any changes in the Constitution will require the approval of no less than 50% of those attending and entitled to vote. The Chairman shall have a casting vote as well as a deliberative vote in the event of a tie. 6. The financial year end of the Group shall be such date as shall be determined from time to time by the Committee of Management to which date non-audited accounts shall be made up for the approval at the next available Annual General Meeting.

7. In the event of the Group disbanding, any surplus funds shall be made over to such other local organization or organizations as the Members of the Group may reasonably decide as a suitable benefactor or benefactors, which failing a suitable organization, to the Community Council for the area in which the town is located. Specifically, in such an event the Oldmeldrum Golf Club will become the benefactor of the Tractor/Implement shed. 14