Summer Edition 2013

woodside

Surfing the Don - Photography ProjectWoodside Medical Centre UpdateBedroom Tax - A Personal View

Featured in this issue

Contents

FUNDED BY

Summer Edition 2013

Editorial

woodside

6

11

8&9

10

Hello and welcome to the Summer 2013 edition of the Woodside Free Press.

This is YOUR magazine.

We are here to help you find out what’s going on in Woodside and connect with your community.

In our pages you will find news, views, reviews and features plus lots of opportunities to take part in training and leisure activities for everyone in the community, young and old.

If you have something you would like to say, some local issue you think deserves wider coverage, or if you would like to get involved by joining the happy band of volunteers that puts this magazine together, please contact Mark Lovie at the Woodside Fountain Centre on 01224 524926 or Denise at Station House Media Unit on 01224 515013 - or email denise@shmu.org.uk

And if you would like to boost your confidence with some training, Shmu is currently running free journalism courses for the residents of Woodside. This course will take you through all the essential basics of journalism such as interview techniques and how to find a great story. If you are interested please contact Shmu on the above number.

3 SurfingtheDon

4 Interview:LiamNeish

5 NeighbourhoodWatch

6 SurgeryUpdate

7 CommunityNews

8&9 Fersands Mini Gala

10 SportsNews

11 What’sinaName

12&13 Bedroom Tax

14 TheTivoli

15 CommunityNews

16 WoodsideLibrary

5

Cover Image - Darren Wright

ImovedtoWoodsidefromTorryfiveyearsagoanddiscoveredtheRiverDon.IalwaysknewitwastherebutapartfromtheoccasionalvisittoSeatonPark, Inevertookthetimetoexploreit.WhenIventuredalongitsbanksIwasamazedtofinditwasn’tadirtyriver,buthometoadiverseamountofwildlifeandinplaces ahavenofpeacedespitebeing 5minutesfromroadsand housingestates.

IcameacrossaFacebook groupcalled,“RiverDon, SURFAberdeenProject”byaccidentandfoundlotsofpeoplewithaninterestintheriver-manyofthem,likeme,enjoyedphotography.WepostedpicturesoftheriverandthesurroundingareaandtookpartinsomegreateventsarrangedbytheSURFAberdeenProjectandtheRangerService.InashortspaceoftimeagroupofushadformedafriendshipandstartedmeetingtophotographtheDon.

IwasexcitedwhenIheardabout

theSurfingtheDonPhotographyProject,andwaskeentogetinvolved.IsawitasagreatopportunitytobringthebeautyoftheDontotheattentionofthepeopleofAberdeen.Ifeltthiswasespeciallyimportantasthecouncilhadjustgivenpermissionforthe3rdDonCrossing,whichwouldaffecttheenvironmentandwildlifeforyearstocome.

Workingontheprojecthasattimesbeenchallenging,aswithanygroupofpeoplewehavehaddifferencesofopinionandwaysofworking.Ithasalsobeenfunspendingtimewithfriendsdoingsomethingweareallpassionateabout.IthasgivenmethechancetoshowmyworkinsomeofthebestvenuesinAberdeenandhavemypicturesprintedby oneofthebestprintingfacilities inScotland.

WehavebeenincrediblyluckytohaveAliciaBruceleadingtheproject.Sheisabrilliantphotographerandhasloadsofpositiveenergy.Ithasbeen

clearfromthestartthatthisisacommunityprojectandshehasleftustomakeallthedecisions,aswellassupportingusinarrangingvenuesandadvisingusonhowbesttodisplayourimagesandincludeasmanycontributorsaspossible.

IhavelearnedavastamountworkingontheSurfingtheDonproject,andworkedwithsomegreatpeople.TheprojecthasmademethinkofwhereIwouldliketoletmyphotographytakemeinthefuture,andshownmethatithasthepotentialtotake meanywhere.

Surfing the Don - Vicky Mitchell

Woodside Freepress

3

What inspired you to join the army?

Liam: I always wanted to join the army since I was a kid. My uncle - who served in the army for 25 years - was my inspiration. The army was my first choice and it will always be.

How did you apply to join the army and what are the steps that you took to make reach your dream job?

The first step I took was that I visited the career office on Belmont Street where the Navy, RAF and the Army are based. I filled the application for the army and was invited to a number of interviews and tests which are basically Maths and English and a physical test where you should be able to run a mile and a half under 10.5 minutes.

How did you prepare for the physical test?

I went to the gym four days a week while working at a supermarket before I joined the army to prepare for this test and make sure that I passed.

What was it like to leave home and did you manage to look after yourself?

It was quite hard first then you sort of get used to it because you start

making friends and the other guys helped me through the training.

From your experience, do you enjoy being at the army?

If you are a physical person and don’t like sitting in an office all day, the army is a great job to take up.

Can you take us through one of your days?

I get up at 6 am, shower, change and shave. This would usually be followed by a locker inspection, which is why we have to iron all our clothes. If they are not in a good state, your stuff gets chucked everywhere. At about 7:30am, we join different classes such as equality and diversity which deals with bullying to tell you how to work your way around it. We have PT (physical training), then we have drill which is marching.

We later go to the ranges and shoot targets. We usually finish the day at about 10:30pm.

What are your dreams for the future?

I want to do more than 20 years in the army. I am only 19 and I still got the whole world in front of me. I want to carry on with the life I have right now.

How do you feel when you hear

about operations and combat in countries like Afghanistan?

First you do get worried when you hear about it and also when see pictures. But what you got to think about is that you are protecting your own country and you’ve got to risk your own life to protect everybody back here.

How often can you have a holiday?

You get 38 days off throughout the year any time you want but it is up to the army, so they could say no but you get to work it out. This time I am here for 10 days.

What is the highlight of your army experience so far?

The passing out parade in front of your family after the first 14 weeks is the highlight. You get a good feeling inside when you see your family proud of you.

ThankyouverymuchLiamforgivingustheopportunitytotalktoyouaboutachievingyourdreams.Iamsureyouwillinspiremanyothersinourareawhenthey readthisinterview.Itisnothard toreachyourdreamswhatevertheyareifyoukeepfocused andmotivated.Wewishyouallthebestfortherestofyour armycareer.

Liam is a Printfield resident who we interviewed during his holiday following the first 14-week training in the army. I was eager to know the story behind his choice of career and if it lived up to his expectations.

Interview with Liam Richard NeishBy Abeer

Woodside Freepress

4

Woodside Freepress

5

Absafe Neighbourhood Watch:Safety through community

Meeting UpdateElaineJohnson,networkmember,contactedRossMersonfromABSAFEtostartanewNeighbourhoodWatchgroupatFountainGrange.

Wehavebeenmeetingeverycoupleofweekstogetitstarted,exchangingviews,whatactionsandtoolswereavailabletous.Thisincludedwhetherwewantedsignstobeputup,accesstoPermanentUVmarkerpensandpersonalalarms.

Onoursecondmeetingweachievedeightmembers-andthecitywardens,ledbyGaleJohnsonattendedwithRossfromABSAFE,andaKittybrewsterpoliceofficer.Elainealsomadebananabreadwhichwasdelicious.

Allattendeeswereencouragedtocall101toreportanybreachesofthepeaceintheareaandtakenoteofwhowasinvolvedandwhereandwhentheseincidentsoccurred.

Weagreedwewouldlikesignstobeputuptonotifypeople thiswasaNeighbourhoodWatcharea.

Tel: 01224 646353 Email: watch@absafe.org.uk Website: www.absafe.org.uk

AbsafeNeighbourhoodWatchhasgrown,bringingexcitingnewtoolsandapproachestothetable.Weempowerresidentstotakeresponsibilityfortheircommunity.Wehelpyoutosay“ThisiswhatIwantmycommunitytobelike”,sothattogetherwemakeithappen.Akeypartofthisprocessistakingneighbourhoodwatchtonewplacestoengageandsupportcommunitieswhoperhapshaven’thadanywatchesinthepast,butcouldstillbenefit.

Atthebeginningofthisyear,Woodsidehadonlyasinglewatchsupportingthecommunity-aratherdormantschemeoutofTanfield.However,2013hasalreadyseenanothervery activewatchspringupoutofFountainGrangeandthe Tanfieldwatchbecome re-energisedandrejuvenated.Bothhavealreadyexperiencedconsiderablesuccess,growingtheirnumbersandprovidingbettersupport.Tanfieldisfocusingonimprovingthestateofrepairsfortheareawhiletacklingdogfouling,whileatFountainGrange,theresidentshavemadeahugeefforttoimprovereportingofserious

crime,aswellascampaigningforenhancedsecurityoftheblocks,improvementstotheembankmentoutofthefrontofthebuildingsandthey’vebeenbuildingonthealreadywelcomingandsocialatmosphereinthecommunity.ButAbsafeNeighbourhoodWatchwon’tberestingonitslaurelsthere–theyarealreadypartneringwiththePrintfieldForumtoenhancerepresentationintheareawhilethey’realsointheearlystagesofsettingupschemesintheFersandsarea.AbsafeNeighbourhoodWatchisalsoproudtobesupportingtheWoodsideNetwork,lookingtohelpgrowthealreadywiderangeofprojectsandservices.

It’ssuchanexcitingtimetobeinvolvedwithneighbourhoodwatchinWoodsiderightnow;there’ssomuchgoingonwithloadsofopportunitiestohavefun,makenewfriendsandmakearealcontributiontoyourcommunity.Sowhat’sstoppingyou?Ifyou’dliketogetinvolved,giveRossatAbsafeacallon01224646353ordrophimandemailonRoss@absafe.org.uk.WithAbsafeNeighbourhoodWatch,thesky’sthelimit.

Woodside Freepress

Turf-cutting ceremony for new health centre in WoodsideAceremonytocelebratethatstartofworkonthenewhealthcentreforWoodsidetookplaceonWednesdaythe29thofMay.

ThenewbuildingwillreplaceWoodsideMedicalGroup’scurrentpremisesonWesternRoad,andincludesanewNHS-onlydentalpractice.MillerConstructionwilldeliverthisproject,whichisduetobeopenforsummer2014.

Thepurpose-builtcentrewillhousetheGPpracticewith12consultingrooms,aminorproceduresroom,treatmentroomsandamulti-purposeroom.AnNHSdentalpractice,withthreeconsultingrooms,andtheHealthandSocialCareIntegratedTeam,whichincludesthecommunitynursingteamandcaremanagementteam,willalsobehousedinthe newdevelopment.

Woodside Medical’s Group’s longest serving GP, Dr Julia Wallace, and longest serving Administrator, Freda Daly – both 25 years’ service - with Diane Collie, Childsmile Nurse, Aberdeen City CHP, preformed the turf cutting ceremony at the construction site on Great Northern Road.

WorkonWoodside’snew,long-awaitedmedicalcentreisatlastunderway.Followingseveralyearsofplanning,thegroundwasfinallybrokenattheMarquisRoadsiteon29April,2013.ConstructionwilllastapproximatelyoneyearandthenewfacilityisexpectedtoopeninMay2014.

Thepurpose-built,state-of-the-artbuildingwillhousethemedicalpracticecurrentlysituatedonWesternRoad, whichwillinclude12GPconsultingrooms,aminorproceduresroom,treatmentroomsandamulti-purposeroom.

ThedevelopmentwillalsobehometotheCommunityNursingTeamandanNHSdentalpractice.AfullrangeofNHSdentalservices(includingoralhygiene)willbedeliveredfromthenewpremisesandmembersofthelocalcommunitywillbeencouragedtoregisterwiththenewpractice,especiallyfamilies.PatientsandstaffoftheWesternRoadpracticewereconsultedthroughouttheplanning

processandtheirfeedbackwasincorporatedinthedesign andnamingofthenewfacility.ThebuildingitselfwillbecalledtheWoodsideFountainMedicalCentre,whiletheGPpracticewillretainitscurrentidentityas theWoodsideMedicalGroup.ThenewdentististobeknownastheWoodsideFountain DentalPractice.

OneparticularlyhappydevelopmentisthatoftenfrustratingparkingissuesattheWesternRoadpremiseswillbeathingofthepast,with26parkingspacesplusfivededicatedhandicappedspacesavailableatthenewsite.ThereisalsoapubliccarparkjustafewyardsalongMarquisRoad.

TheWoodsideMedicalGroupwouldliketoreassureitspatientsthatnoactionontheirpartisrequiredatthisstage-thepracticewillkeepusinformedwithregularupdatesastheprojectprogresses.Anyonewithfurtherquestions,pleasecontactpracticemanagerShonaghSwanon01224492828.

New Surgery Update

Woodside Freepress

6

Pen Recycling

MynameisCharlotte andIworkforthe Fersands and Fountain CommunityProject.

Mynewprojectistocollectpensthatwillthenberecycledintodurableconsumergoodsandrawmaterials.Wewillreceive2penceforeachpenwecollect.ThemoneyweraisewillhelpfundinganecologicalprojectforthechildrenintheWoodsidearea.

Would you like to be part of our project?Ifyoudo,wewillbringyouabox,decoratedbythechildren,foryoutoputyourusedpensin.Wewillthencometocollectyourpensregularly,usuallytwiceamonth.

Shouldyouhaveanyquestionspleasedonothesitatetocontact:(Charlotte)on07572858688oremail:charlotte.tachelet@student.kdg.beorMagdalena@fersands.orgRecyclingly yours,Charlotte Tachelet

Items that we can collect: ball point pens, felt tips, mechanical pencils, markers, highlighters, corrections fluid containers etcItems we cannot take: pencils and crayons.

Firstofall,whenyougetthelettertellingyouwhentheappointmentis,Ilikeeveryoneelse,wasn’ttooconcernedaboutit,becauseit wasabout12-14weeksaway. Butasthetimegrewcloseritstartedtoprayonmymindaslet’sfaceit-anythingthatcanendupwithyourbenefitseitherbeingreducedorstoppedisboundtoaffecteveryoneinoneway oranother.

OnthedayoftheappointmentIwokeupat5amafteraterriblenightwithoutsleepandspentthenextthreehoursclockwatchingtill Ileftformyappointment.

Theworstthingaboutthatmorningwasfindingtheactualoffice,whichissituatedat484UnionStreet. Asyoucanimagineitisnotverywellsignposted(asallthereisashopfrontfacia)andyouhavetospeakintoasecurityintercomtogetintothebuilding.

Andoncein,afteryouhavegivenreceptionyourdetails,youhave

tositandwaitinareawhich clearlyremindsmeofadentist’swaitingroom,evendownto themagazines.

Howeveronceyouarecalledthenthefunbegins.ThenursethatIgotclearlyknewwhatshewasdoingwhenshespokeaboutmymedicationandhistory.ShewasabletocalmmedownsomewhatbeforeshetookmybloodpressurethenIhadanECGwhichalltookabout15minutes.

TheoutcomeofallofthiswashertellingmethatmybenefitswillbeunchangedandthatImayhavetogothroughallofthisagainafterthenext12-18months.

WhileIamgladthatit’soverforthisyearitdoesslightlyconcernmethatitwillstartagainwiththenextroundofexaminations.

P.S.RemembertotakeIDwith youandyouneedtobe10 minutesearly.

MillerConstruction,whoarebuildingtheWoodsideMedicalCentre,aremakingconnectionsinthecommunity.Theyhaveofferedtoshowournurserykidsaroundthesiteandspeaktothemaboutthemachinesandmaterialstheyuse.Thekidswhogoouttoplayatnurseryeverydayarefascinatedwiththenewbuildingnextdoorandcan’twaittogoalong.

Thebuildersarealsogoingtovisitthejuniorclubstogetthejuniors

todesignsomeartworkfortheboardssurroundingthesiteandwillspeaktothekidsaboutthedangersonbuildingsites.Notonlythat,buttheJobClubthatmeetseveryThursdayonSandilandsDrivewillalsogetavisit.HeatherSharkeyfromMillerConstructionwillexplainaboutthedifferentcareersinconstructionandhowtogetinvolvedintheindustry.

My Appointment with A.T.O.S

Building community spirit?

7

Not so Mini Gala Day

8

FersandsMiniGalaDayprovedtobeagreathitforallofthecommunity.FamiliesfromalloverWoodsideandbeyondpoppedintoseethemanyattractions.

Therewastheusualbusybarbecuewithburgersandburntsausages,thenowregularretailclothessalebringingbargainsgalore,abouncycastlewithanendlessqueueandacrazy,colourfulfacepaintingstall. Whatwasmorenovelthoughwasthespectacularclimbingwalltotesttheteenagers’skill,strengthandnerve.Therewasalsoaphotostudioforthefunkyfamilies-aprofessional

photographerwasonhandtotakeportraitphotographsforabsolutelyfree.

Inthehallwehadmanystallsincludingahennatattooartistandintheendroomwasastagewherelocalmusiciansrockedtheaudience.Themusicactswerebothveryexperiencedmaturemembersofthecommunity andalsosometeenagersperformingforthefirsttime. Theaudiencegavethemallawarmenthusiasticreception.

Thegaladayendedupbeingnotsominiafterallandpartlyduetothebeautifulweatherpeople

flockedtothecentreandhadagreattime.ManythankstoalltheFersandsProjectstaffwhogaveuptheirtimeandabigthankyoutoallthelocalvolunteerswhohelpedsetupalltheclothes,superviseatthechaoticcastle,sweatforhoursatthebarbecuestall,bakedcakesand muchmore.

Theamazingthingwasthatallofthiswasorganisedinonlythreeweeks!LookoutforpostersinearlyJulyastheremaybesomethingorganisedtostartofftheschoolsummerholidays instyle.

Woodside Freepress

9

LocalWoodsideteam,GlentanarBoysfootballClub,metCulterBoysatPittodrieinthefinaloftheUnder16sADJCAPresidentsCuponthe9thofApril.Inahardfoughtmatch,CultereventuallyovercameGlentanartowin3-1.

Bothsideshadscoringchancesinthefirsthalf,withanearlyshotfromGlentanar’sElliotMcDonaldgoingwide.Minuteslater,CulterhadtheirownchancetoscoreafterwhenDeclanMilnebeatthedefenceandhadonlygoalkeeper,CalumRitchietobeat.However,PaulOrrracedtothegoallinetopulloffagreatclearance.Soonafter,RitchiewasatfullstretchtosaveashotfromDeclanMilne.

Culterwentahead18minutesintothematchafterbeingawardedacorner.ItwastakenbyDeclanMilneandheadedintothenetbyStuartCharleton.

Glentanarequalised,justbeforehalftime,whenagreatpassfromElliotMcDonaldwasmetbyLewisStephenwhobeattheCulterKeeperwithawelltakenshot.

ThesecondhalfsawCulter oncemoretakingthelead. 8minutesin,AidenCombescoredfromapassbyCallumBuchan.ThepartnershipofCombeandBuchanstruckagain10minuteslater,makingit3-1to(for?)Culter.TheremainderofthegamewasdominatedbyCulter,whileGlentanardidwelltoholdontothescoreline.GoalkeeperCalumRitchiehadanexcellentgame,makingmanygreatsaves.

Despitethedisappointingscoreline,Glentanarputonagreatdisplayandfoughtonuntilthefinalwhistle.Itwasafantasticeffortandcongratulationsmustgototheboysformakingitallthewaytothefinal.

ThenewsportsareainFerrierCrescentwasfinishedinearlyJuneand,despitebeingonlyhalfthesizeoftheMarquisRoadpitchitreplaced,alreadyitisearningravereviewsfromlocalresidents.

Onabeautiful,sunnyday,localmumIwoma(33)toldtheFreePress:“It’slovely.Wecanletthekidsoutwithoutworryingwheretheyare”.

AgamewasinprogresswhenIarrivedand,askedwhyheliked

thenewpitch,Joy(11)said:“It’sgreattohavepropergoals–anditisrightnexttotheplaypark”.

Logan(10)toldus:Thefencesarenothighenough–theballgoesoverthemallthetime.Butitisgoodtohavebasketballnetsaswell–thisismuchbetterthantheoldplace”.

It’searlydaysyet,butwhoknows–somefuturefootballstarmightyetkickhisfirstballatthisgreatnewfacility!

Glentanar BC U16 Cup Final Clash at Pittodrie

Honey, They’ve Shrunk The Pitch!

Woodside Freepress

10

What’s in a name?Stewart ParkwasofficiallyopenedonSaturdayJune9th1894bytheLordProvostofAberdeen.Theopeningceremonycomprisedaformalprocession,officialspeechesandafinelunch(wiselyheldinamarqueeincaseofrain).

TheseedforsuchaparkhadbeenplantedsomeyearsearlierbyaMrsTaylordonatingahugesumofmoneyforthesolepurposeofcreatingarecreationgroundforlocalchildren.Almosthalfamillionpoundsinmodernmoney,solargewasthisgiftthattheeventualpieceofland

wouldbeknownastheTaylorPlayground.Hopingthatasuitablespotwouldsoonbefound,themoneywasshrewdlysavedbytheWoodsideCommissioners.

In1891,whentheboundariesofAberdeenstretchedoutwardly,akeynegotiatingtermfortheproposedamalgamationwasthatthepeopleofWoodsidewouldreceivetheirveryownpark.Followingincorporation,doggedpersistencefromtheCommissionersensuredtheobligationwasn’ttobeforgotten.Asuitableplotoflandwasfound,thecosthavingnowrisenso

muchthatsignificantextra fundswererequestedfromthenewadministration.

Andsoitwas,inJune1894attheopeningofthenewlylaid-outanddecoratedpark,thattributeswerepaidtotheoriginalgenerosityofMrsTaylorandotherlocalbenefactorsinaspeechmade byLordProvostStewart,afterwhomtheparkwouldcometo beknown…

Formorehistoricimages,visitTheSilverCityVault–www.silvercityvault.org.uk

11

Fiveweeksaftertheintroductionofthenewgovernmentpolicydubbed‘thebedroomtax’,53-year-oldgrandmotherStephanieBottrillsteppedinfrontofatruckontheM6andendedherlife.Herharrowingsuicidenoteblamedthegovernmentforintroducingalawwhichsaid thehouseshehadlivedinforyearswassuddenlytoobigfor herneeds.

Shewouldhavetofindanextra£20aweekormovetoasmallerhouse,farfromherfriendsandfamily.Forawomanalreadystrugglingtogetbyonbasicbenefits,itwasalltoomuch. Shekilledherself.

Tragic,tosaytheleast,butinaculturewherebankerscontinue toreceivehugebonuses despitenearlybankruptingthe country,thiswasanentirelypreventabledeath.

Howdoesbedroomtaxwork?First,thegovernmentlaiddowntoughcriteriatodecidewhetheratenantis“under-occupying”theirhomeandthusliabletothenewtax,whichonlyaffectspeopleonhousingbenefit.Anyonedeemedtohaveoneextrabedroomloses14%oftheirhousingbenefit.

Tenantswithtwoormoresurplusroomswilllose25%.Thismightnotmeanmuchtothemillionairesmakingtherulesbuttothemanythousandsalreadylivingonor

beneaththepovertyline,itcanbethedifferencebetweenhavingaroofovertheirheads,oreven,incaseslikeStephanieBottrill’s,amatteroflifeordeath.With660,000familiesaffected,noonecanpredictwhatwillhappenwhenevictionsbegin.

InaHouseofCommonswheremorethan70%ofMPsaremillionaires,thegovernmentcouldraisehugesumstowardstacklingthedeficitbyalternativessuchasraisingtaxlevelsforhigherearners.Instead,theyrearrangedtaxallowancesinsuchawaytheyactuallyawardedthemselvesa£50kayeartaxcut.Niceworkifyoucangetit.Intherealworld,thousandshavetheirbenefitscut.

Onecriticismofthepolicyisthatitlacksflexibilityforindividualcircumstances.Whiletherearesomeexemptions,thoseaffectedincludefamilieswithsickordisabledchildrenwhoneedtheirownroombecauseoftheirconditionortohousespecialisedmedicalequipment;separatedordivorcedparentswhorequirearoomforwhentheirchildrenvisithavealsobeenhit.

One Fersands tenant said: “WhenIappliedforhousingtherewerescoresofemptyhouseshere.Thecouncilwasdelighted

togivemea3-bedroomflat.Itneededalotofworkbutoverthelast10yearsI’vespentalotofmoneymakingitahome,including£4konanewbathroomacoupleofyearsago.

“I’veneverbeeninrentarrearsand,thoughIlostmyjobafewmonthsago,Iwascoveredbyhousingbenefit.Now,Ineedtofindanextra£17aweekfrom£70benefitorIcouldlosemyhome.Atatimewhenbasiclivingcostslikefoodandenergyarespiralling,it’simpossible.

“IwasadvisedtoapplyforHousingDiscretionaryPayment,”hecontinued,“Butthisisalimitedpotforthosemostinneed,likethedisabledorfostercarers,soI’mnotholdingmybreath.I’veofferedtomovetoasmallerproperty.Noneareavailable.IfeelI’mbeingpenalisedthroughnofaultofmyown”.

Whileitistruecouncilshave hadbedroomtaxforceduponthem,housingprovidersaretakingavarietyofapproaches.Themoreenlightened,likeLiverpool’sKnowsleyHousingTrustandLeedsCityCouncil, arereclassifyingthousandsofhomestominimisethepolicy’seffectontenants–bedroomsreclassifiedasdiningrooms, forexample–andinScotlandthemajorityofSNPcouncilshavestatedtheywillnotevictanyonetakingallreasonablestepsto

Bedroom TaxPersonal view:

By Pete Thomson

“Anyone deemed to have one extra bedroom loses 14% of their housing benefit. ”

12

Woodside Freepress

addresshousingdebtcaused bybedroomtax.

AberdeenCityCouncilHeadofHousingDonaldUrquharttoldtheFreePress:“Theeffectoftheunder-occupationissueandrentmanagementwillbekeptunderreview.Anytenantwhowishes topreservetheirtenancywill berequiredtomeetallconditionsoftheirtenancyincluding rentpayment”.

Onevictions,MrUrquhartsaid:“Thecouncilhasnotadoptedapolicyofevictionetc.Thisdoesnotmeanthattheyhaveeitherconsideredandformallyrejectedsuchapolicynorthattheywon’t inthefuture”.

Thisdoesn’tactuallytellusverymuch,butwhiletherehasbeenasyetnoclarificationonthedecision-makingprocess,cityhousingworkershavebeeninstructedtodealwithbedroomtaxarrearsasnormalhousingdebt,whichsuggestsACCwillfollowstandardprocedures onceatenant’sarrearsreachcriticallevels.

So, what are the options?

Tenantsnotwishingtomove,orwhowanttocoverrentshortfallswhilewaitingforasmallerproperty,canconsidertakinginalodger.Itshouldbenotedthatapartfromthefirst£20,whichwillnotaffectbenefit,lodgerincomewillbedeductedpoundforpoundfrombenefit.

Sometenantsmaybetemptedtoborrowfrompaydaylendersandcouldfallintoaspiralofdebt.StuartCuthbertsonofStMacharCreditUnionsaid:“Paydaylendersareaveryexpensiveoption.Weareheretoofferalow-costalternative.BasedatWoodsideFountainCentre-pleasedropinorcall01224524935–theCreditUnionoffers

savingsfacilitiesandverylow-costloans.WearealsogearingupfortheintroductionofUniversalCredit,whenhousingbenefit willbepaiddirecttotenants. AnumberoftenantshavealreadyaskedfortheirbedroomtaxtobepaiddirectlythroughtheirCreditUniontothecouncil.”

What options are there for those wishing to switch to a smaller property?

Downsizing:atenantmovingtoasmallerpropertythroughthedownsizingschemecanreceive a£1,000paymentfromthecouncil,whichcanbeusedtoclearcurrentarrears.

Applyforasmallerproperty:ACCtenantscanapplyusingastandardhousingapplication.Thisallowsthetenanttostatetheirpreferredareas.

Registerforamutualexchange:anoptionfortenantswishingtoexchangeproperties.Thecouncilkeepsaregisterofinterestedtenantswhothencontactpotentialexchangesontheirownbehalf.

Withanationalshortageofsmallercouncilproperties,mostpeopledon’thavetheoptiontomovetoasmallerproperty,whichispartoftheproblemwiththepolicy.Anotheroption,however,istorentprivately.Withprivaterentsnormallymuchhigherthanthoseofcouncilsandhousingassociations,thiscouldleadtosituationswhereasocialhousingtenantmovesfroma3-bedroompropertycosting£300amonthtoa1-bedprivaterentalat£600.Asthetenantwouldnolongerbeunder-occupying,housingbenefitwouldpickuptheentirerent,

costingthegovernmentanextra£300amonth.Thisdoesn’t makesense.

Landlordshavenotbeenslowtopickuponthisandwithprivaterentsspiralling,councilarrearseverywherearegoingthroughtheroof.ACC’srentaccounthastakenasignificantdentsincethenewtaxwasintroduced.

WelfareRightsandCitizensAdviceofficesareundersiege,reportingasmuchasa900%increaseinreferrals.Foodbanksarestrugglingtocopewiththeupsurgeindemand–halfamillionpeopleintheUKarenowsaidtoberelyingonfoodbanks.Manytenantsfacestarkoptions:paytherent,feedthekidsorheatthehouse.Nobodyshouldbeforcedtomakesuchchoices.

Therearenoeasyanswers. Theimportantthingisthatpeopletakethefirststeptogettinghelp.TheCashInYourPocketPartnership(CIYPP)isoneofthebest-placedtoofferassistancethroughitsnetworkofmorethan60organisations.Referralformstothepartnershiparewidelyavailablefromcommunitycentres,libraries,housingofficesandvolunteerorganisationsorbyemailingronnie.wood@ciypp.co.uk.ThemostefficientmeansofcontactingCIYPPisbyfillinginaverysimpleself-referralformontheirwebsite:http://www.ciyp.co.uk

Inconclusion,itseemsbedroomtaxiswithusatleastfortheimmediatefuture.Thoseaffectedwillhavetodealwithitasbesttheycan,butifpeoplearetakingallreasonablestepstoaddresstheproblem,itwillbeahard-heartedcouncilindeedthat evictsthem.

“Some tenants may be tempted to borrow from payday lenders and fall into a spiral of debt.”

13

Woodside Freepress

The TivoliICONICAberdeentheatreTheTivoliinGuildStreethaslain likeasleepinggiantsinceit finallycloseditsdoorsin1997.Manyrescueattemptstorevive itsfortunesfailedincludingits finalincarnationasabingohall in1966.

NowallthatisabouttochangesinceAberdeenbusinessmanBrianHendryhastakenonthechallengetorestorethebuildingandauditoriumtoitsformergloryandispreparingtohostshowsfromSeptember.

Thetheatrewasfamedforitstwice-nightlyvarietyshowsandpackedaudiences.Whiletherestorationhasbeenon-going,membersofthepublichavehadfullaccessandlocalartistsincludingEricAuldandHowardButterworthhavefeatured inexhibitions.

HeldingreataffectionintheheartsofAberdoniansforgenerations,TheTivolihasseensuchlegendsasWCFields,RobertWilson,GeorgeFormby,TonyHancock,FrankieVaughan,JackMilroy,AndyStewart,LexMcLean,JimmyShand,CalumKennedy,TheAlexanderBrothersandAberdeen’sownRobbieShepherdalltaketothestage.

PresenterofRadioScotland’sTaketheFloor,Dunecht-bornRobbielooksbackfondlyonhis

timeattheTivoli.HisearliestmemorywasappearingwithCalumKennedyinthesummerof1961havingpassedanauditionwiththeGarlogieFour–twomouthorgans,fiddle,pianoandvocalsandatthetimewithhiswifetobe,Esma,onpiano.RobbiesangleadvocalsonBothyBalladsandScottishMusic Hallsongs.

Robbiesaid,“IwillneverforgethowCalumspenttimewithmelearninghowtoprojectonstageandgettheendingrightformaximumapplause.”

WhenaskedaboutthegreatactsofthetimeRobbieremembers,“Calumofcourse,RobertWilson,WillStarr,AngusFitchett,SwanandMageeandRolandSmith.WhenCalumwasstrugglingtokeepitgoinglateron,IwasintheaudiencetoseetheguestshebroughtinlikeDennyWillisandDickieHenderson.”

HislastingmemorywaswhenhewastohavehisownSummerSeasonin1964competingwithAndyStewartatHisMajesty’sTheatre.Robbierecalls,“Aberdonianswillrememberthetimewell–alongcamethetyphoidepidemic.Andystillprospered,butIwasadvisedtocancelandpre-advertisingalonecostme£500,whichwasalotofmoneyinthosedays.”

“It’ssuchalovelytheatre.BrianhasshownmeroundandIwishtheventureallsuccess,” Robbieadded.

Companies,groupsandresidentshaveallbeenofferedthechancetosponsortheirveryownseatsjustlikebackinthehalcyondayswhenregularsusedtoreserve thesameseatseveryweek andqueuesusedtoformin GuildStreet.

Therestorationofthe450-seaterauditoriumisgoingwellandfutureprogrammeplansincludepantos,bandsandcomedyaswellasprovisionforrehearsalandmeetingrooms.

BrianHendrytoldus,“Thegrandre-openingofTheTivoliwill takeplaceatthebeginning ofNovember.”

AspartofThe50+Festival,threeconcertswillbestagedinSeptemberpriortothegrand re-opening:avarietyshowwiththeTillerGirlsonSeptember8,FionaKennedy’sScottishshow,TheKistwillbeperformedonSeptember12andinternationalfiddleandcelloduoAlasdairFraserandNatalieHasswillappearonSeptember15.

Pauline Alexander

Woodside Freepress

14

Woodside Network the voice of your community

Attheendofthecookingclasslastweekwedivideduptheoddsandendsthatcouldn’tbestoredforanothertime.Idon’tlikebroccoli(oranyvegetablesreally)buttherewasasmallbitinwiththehalfleekandotherbitsandbobsthatItookhome.Ienjoyedthesoupwe’dmadeinclasssoIdecidedtoexperiment.Imadevegetablesoupandthrewinthebroccoli.ThenIliquidisedthelot.Absolutelydelicious!InfactIwassopleasedIgavesometooneofmyneighbourswhoappreciatesabitof home-cooking.

Ireallyenjoytheclass.IwasabitworriedatfirstasIamtheoldestonetherebutweallgetongreatandIenjoythebanteraswecook.I’msogladIjoinedup.Iwouldn’tmissitfortheworld.Onthebushomeyesterdaywewerediscussinghowwecouldcarryonmeetingandcookingoncetheclassstopsandmaybedosomethingforthecommunity,sowatch thisspace!

Here’sasampleofrecipesthatwe’vecookedandenjoyed.

SoupsCarrot and CorianderLentil CurriedParsnip

Main CoursesCoronationChickenBeefStroganoffFishPieQuickPizzaOnionQuiche

SweetsBlueberryMuffinsBananaCoconutPuddingRicePudding

Francis

This course is suitable for anyone over 18 who would like to find out about cooking easy, healthy and tasty meals on a budget. The classes, ingredients and transport to Sunnybank Community Kitchen are free (Small exclusive groups of up to six for the 6-8 week course).Contact Louisa - 01224 489832louisa.brown@talktalk.net

Confidence to Cook Course

....Woodside Freepress

Tesco set to open new store

Woodside shoppers will soon have a bigger choice of facilities when a new store opens. Tesco - one of the country’s leading supermarkets - has taken over the retail space previously leased to Au Naturale in Great Northern Road. The premises will be completely refurbished prior to the store’s grand opening in early August.

The new shop - which will operate under the Tesco Express banner, selling mainly groceries and toiletries - is expected to create 20+ new jobs. The new posts will be a mix of full and part-time. Tesco spokesperson James Moggam told the Free Press the company was really looking forward to opening in Woodside and serving the local community.

15

An update on Woodside Library

ThereisanupdatereportaboutlibrariesthatwenttotheEducation,CultureandSportCommitteeattheendofMay.Theconsultationisstillongoingandanalysisofresponsesunderway.Wehad1050responsestotheonlinesurvey,28peopleattendedanopensessionintheTownHouseinMarch.UptotheendofMarch,11emailsandfourwrittenresponseshadbeen receivedfromindividualandstakeholdergroups.

Theanalysisoftheconsultationwillconsiderwhethercurrentcommunitylearningandlibraryservicesareadequateandmeetingthecurrentandfutureneedsofthecommunity.

IcansaythattherearenocurrentplanstocloseWoodsideLibrary.Asforthehomeservice,ithasbeenredevelopedsince2008andhasincreaseditscapacityandiscurrentlyworkingatconsiderablylessthan itspotential.

Weareabouttolaunchourvolunteerprogrammelaterthisyearwherewewillberecruitingvolunteerstoworkwithusonseveralprojectstoenhanceandenrichourservices.

WebelievethatvolunteerscanworkalongsidelibrarystaffinanumberofareassuchaslocalhistoryandICTclassesandsupport;however,theyshouldnotbeseenasreplacementsforlibrarystaff.

Thethemeforthisyear’sSummerReadingChallengeis‘CreepyHouse’.Readersaredaredtoexplorethecreepyhouseanddiscoveritssecrets(andsomehair-raisingresidents!)alongwithsix youngadventurersandtheirintrepiddog.

Aschildrentakingpartinthechallengereadtheirbooks,theywillreceiveshuddersomestickersthatwillrevealtheresidents!Thisyear,theoutrageouslypopularsmellystickersareback,butbewarned-thestenchisjustasnastyasyou’dexpecttofindintheCreepyHouse!

PleasephoneWoodsidelibraryon01224484534tobookinadvanceforthesummerBookbugStoryandRhymeSessionsonThursday1stAugustat10:30am,29thAugust201310:30-11:00and26thSeptember2013 10:30-11:00.