Council cash supports youth football, Lego and a Mesolithic dig
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Four Marr groups are to receive a share of cash from Aberdeenshire Council after getting support from local councillors.
Applications were made to the Marr area committee budget small grants scheme.
Huntly Football Club will get up to £2000 to put towards its youth development squad.
The project allows young people to develop their sporting talents in a safe environment.
The money will go towards funding training, play equipment, football kits, facility hire, referee costs and first aid equipment.
Banchory and District Initiative will receive up to £1000 to print new maps and information leafets.
As part of its ongoing project, the group intends to create updated walking and cycling maps for Banchory Paths, and leafets highlighting the work of Deeside Climate Action Network and the local Heritage Society.
It is anticipated that 5000 leaflets will be published for each group.
Tarland Development Group requested £1383 on behalf of Tarland Lego Club.
The club has been running since December 2022 and is free for all to attend.
It was first thought that just 20 people would turn up to the club, but it has proved to be a huge success and once had 66 Lego fans attend.
The club is now hoping to buy more challenging sets to ensure the club remains engaging to older children and adults who head along.
Meanwhile, cash will also be used to help buy storage facilities and an iPad for Lego apps, along with hall hire costs and refreshments.
Finally, Mesolithic Deeside will get £1575 to help fund a dig at Milton of Crathes.
During a previous dig at the site back in 2021, volunteers found a hazelnut shell which was dated to 5717-5624 BC along with some flint tools.
Now, volunteers want to head back and open up a small number of larger trenches in the hope they can find more historic items.
They are looking to get local schools involved, while members of the public will be able to tour the sites and take part in hands-on archaeology.
The four appeals for funding went before the Marr area committee this week.
Committee chairman Robbie Withey backed all of the applications and urged members to approve them all.
He added: “The Tarland Development Group Lego Club was interesting.
“It’s been years since I’ve played with Lego but it’s the sort of thing that is a really good community group and if they need a bit of money to help buy more equipment, fantastic.”
The four applications were then unanimously approved.
