Cookney Public Hall In the Green

An Aberdeenshire hall has been given £40,000 of extra funding.

Cookney Public Hall, Aberdeenshire, is now ready to renovate after receiving the grant from Biffaward.

The multi-million pound fund helps to build communities through awarding grants to community and environmental projects across the UK.

The hall has undergone significant renovation works since 2007, including upgrades to the toilet and kitchen facilities, and the Biffaward grant will enable a third phase of work to restore the building’s roof.

The grant will be used to install a modern roof, to make the hall more eco-friendly and more comfortable for users.

Stephen Davies, Friends of Cookney Hall Member, said: “The grant from Biffaward means that we can complete the final phase of the plan and insulate the hall by removing the external wall and roof cladding and replacing it with modern composite panels.

“This will make the hall more comfortable for all users, reduce the heating costs and make it more sustainable for the future.”

By Adrian Lewis

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Self-Harm Critical Issue For Young People

A growing number of young people in the North-East have admitted to self-harming, new research has found.

Research by the charities ChildLine, selfharm.co.uk, Youthnet and YoungMinds found that among 1,398 people surveyed, more than half hurt themselves on a daily basis.

Councillors at the ChildLine base in Aberdeen received 402 contacts from children about self harm last year – a 65% increase from the previous year. When children contacted Childline the main concerns they mentioned were about self harm were depression, family relationships, mental health issues and suicide.

Speaking on behalf of the four charities, Sue Mintocorr from ChildLine said: “We’ve seen from rising hospital admissions and requests for all services that self-harm is a critical issue for young people.

“Nationally ChildLine alone has seen a 59 per cent increase in the number of self-harm related counselling interactions in 2010/2011.

“Our charities are coming together to raise awareness of the support available for children, teenagers, parents and those working with young people.

By Danielle O'Donnell

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North-East Coining It In

The North-East is one of Europe's wealthiest regions, according to new figures.

A report by the European Union's statistical office shows Aberdeen and it's surrounding economy has the 14th highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in Europe.

North East Scotland’s GDP per head in 2009 was 158% of the EU average.

The UK was the tenth wealthiest member state with a GDP of 110.7%.Inner London was the wealthiest region in Europe with a GDP of 332%.

The report estimates Scotland would be the 12th wealthiest region in the EU if it was currently counted among the current 27 member states with an overall GDP of 107.9%.

However the report is not clear on how the UK would be affected if Scotland was removed under independence.

Much of the UK’s oil reserves are found in the North East of Scotland, making it one of the most economically rich areas in Europe.However the Highlands and Islands was found to be the tenth poorest region in the UK, with an under average GDP of 84.4%.

The report breaks down the 27 states into 271 regions, and only 10 of the UK’s 37 regions had a GDP above the EU average, with West Wales and the Valleys being the poorest region at 68.4%.

By Rachel Coorey

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Turriff Schoolboy's Design Breath of Fresh Air

A schoolboy has opened a garden he designed for an entrance to the North-east’s biggest hospital.

Matthew Rennie, from Turriff, came up with the design for the ‘Fresh Air Zone’ space at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

The Markethill Primary School pupil won a competition for Primary six school children in Grampian to create a new garden where patients, visitors and staff could relax and enjoy fresh air away from cigarette smoke.

The garden covers an area the size of a netball court beside the revolving door entrance, known as the rotunda entrance.

Matthew’s winning design features roses, benches, and a raised bed in the shape of a wishing well.

It was created by Aberdeen-based social firm Green Tracks.

Matthew, 12, said: “I enjoyed designing the garden. It is a good idea and I hope lots of people make use of it.”

The aim of the competition was to create an outdoor area free of tobacco smoke. It attracted more than 500 entries and Matthew’s prize was a ‘Cookit’ kit for his school, a set of high quality cooking equipment for developing cooking and baking skills.

Vincent Shields, general manager of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, was delighted with the new green space. He said: “We are grateful to Matthew for his attractive design and for officially opening our new Fresh Air Zone.“

We also thank Green Tracks for their excellent work.”

The project was organised by Hazel Dempsey, Health Improvement Officer for acute services in NHS Grampian who said “It has been a great achievement to create the garden and we are grateful to staff who have helped it become a reality.”

By Adrian Lewis

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Granite City Challenge To Cross Finish Line

Teams representing Robert Gordon's University and Aberdeen University are to compete in the annual Granite City Challenge event later today.

The event will see 700 students from the competing universities' sport teams from Robert Gordon’s University and Aberdeen University competing on the field, track, court and pool.

The varsity competition started 15 years ago and consists of 34 events which will take place throughout the day in different venues across the city including RGU: SPORT, Curl Aberdeen, King’s College Playing Fields, Pitfichie Forest and Aberdeen Sports Village.

Students will take part in downhill mountain biking, gaelic football, cricket, rifle shooting, trampolining, waterpolo, rowing and climbing, as well as the usual football, rugby and badminton.

After a close fight Aberdeen University won last years Challenge by 15 events to Robert Gordon’s 14.

As things stand RGU have claimed victories in the boat race and in women's shinty while the men's football was edged on penalties.

More to follow.

By Saskia Leighton

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