The Press and Journal (North-East) BY TAMSIN ROSS.
A collection of north-east gardeners, farmers and the owners of a local shop have been raising funds to purchase new lifesaving equipment for their area.
The Aden Country Park Allotment group has been raising money at its monthly teas at the park cabin and, coupled with farmer donations and support from Mintlaw Coop, the members are hoping to purchase defibrillators.
Each device costs around £1,000 with the casing unit also racking up several hundreds of pounds.
Chairwoman of the allotments group, Paula Cordiner, revealed they came up with the idea after realising that three men with allotments suffer from heart conditions.
She said: “We’re out in the sticks and the nearest defibrillator is the police station.
“My granny had an attack about a month ago and by the time I got to her in Maud, I was asked to get the defibrillator from Maud Mart as they weren’t sure an ambulance would make it in time.
“Thankfully it did but they’re a great back-up to have and should be in a lot of places.
“I wrote letters to 54 farmers in our area and many have stepped forward and helped.
“As well as our Tea in the Cabin events, we’re doing lots of different things and watching the money mount up.
“We really want the equipment for Aden Park, because the centre is really busy and another beside the railway line, because that’s where people like to walk.”
As well as the equipment, the group has secured workshops for locals on how to use the machines in an emergency.
Mrs Cordiner added: “We’ve got a member from the ambulance service who has said he will train us in groups of 12 as many times as we need so that everyone knows how to use them.
“One of the types of defibrillator and secure box costs £1,600 although there are a range of prices - we would like to purchase at least two.”
Leona Findlay, development officer for the Buchan Development Partnership, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Aden Allotments in their ventures.”
The next Aden Allotment tea fundraising will be held on September 29.
As of 3rd August 2018 Applicants for a plot must live within 8 miles of the allotment site.
Please note that existing plotholders and those already on the waiting list are unaffected by this change.
Press Release
Gardeners encouraged to save for Seedy Sunday
Gardeners from across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are being encouraged to collect and save seeds ahead of the forthcoming “Seedy Sunday – Seed, Food & Drink Festival” due to take place on Sunday 19th March 2017 in Aden Country Park in Mintlaw.
A key ambition of the Seedy Sunday event is to provide an opportunity for likeminded people to come together to swap their surplus plants and seeds ahead of the 2017 growing season.
To help encourage seed collecting thousands of seed packets are now available, free of charge, to any green fingered folk who want to either start collecting plant seeds, or have already collected surplus seeds that they are willing to swap at the event.
Free seed packets are available to individuals or groups and can be picked up from the Aden Craft & Gift Shop, Buchan Tools, Buchan Development Partnership, Aden Allotment Association or they can be posted out directly by contacting Buchan Development Partnership.
Taking inspiration from existing seed swapping events, the Seedy Sunday – Seed, Food & Drink Festival event is the first of its type for the North East of Scotland. The event will take a “seed to plate” theme which will provide an opportunity for visitors, families, gardeners, food lovers, allotment groups, and people with a keen interest in food and horticulture, to come together to celebrate locally produced food, drink, seeds and plants.
The event will not only offer a range of high end local food, drink, and gardening stalls; it will also offer children’s activities; music and performance; opportunities to exchange seeds, plants, knowledge and recipes; along with providing insightful horticulture; talks; and workshops for all ages.
The innovative event is being led by a partnership of organisations including Buchan Development Partnership, the Friends of Aden Country Park, Aden Community Allotments Association (ACAA), Aberdeenshire Council and The Foyer,
Aden Development Worker, Neil Shirran said:
“We’re building on the success of last years event which attracted an audience from across Aberdenshire. It should prove to be a really informative, fun, and feel good event. With the onsite plant nursery playing host to the event, Aden Country Park is the perfect venue for the Seed, Food and Drink festival. It’s the first of its kind in Aberdeenshire and will not only celebrate and promote food and drink from the local area, but will also provide a hub for gardeners enthusiasts to come together to exchange knowledge, seeds, plants and recipes”.
If you are a keen gardener, are a local food or drink business, part of an allotment group, or simply someone who wants to attend or be involved with the event please visit the Aden Country Park website further information, including seed collecting advice and tips, or contact the Buchan Development Partnership info@bdp.scot
www.buchandevelopmentpartnership.org.uk
.