General
AGM: We are planning our AGM in November, we are looking for a speaker on the gardening theme and if you have any ideas, please contact me 07967439109. More information in the next month’s bulletin.
Greener Kemnay needs you: We are looking for help, throughout Greener Kemnay;
Greener Kemnay management group needs more members to make our meetings more representative of the village and it would be good to have your views on how we can achieve our aims of producing a growing space, increasing the path network and reducing the energy used in the village. Come along to our meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at 7pm at the Burnett Arms Hotel in the Lounge
Paths Group needs people to spur it back into life, if you are interested please contact me at lamplugh@btinternet.com.
Our small team of enthusiastic volunteers need help in the Community Garden to keep it in its great shape, you don’t need any prior experience and if you like to get involved please come along to our activity day (see below) or please contact me on 07967439109.
Community Garden
Boundary Fence: If you are on the Community Garden WhatsApp group, you might have seen the discussion on renewing the fence along the roadside as some of the boards are crumbling. The discussion went on to wonder whether we needed a fence as some still do think it is an exclusive rather than inclusive area open to all. It would be good to hear from you on what you think.
We are looking at getting quotes to replace the existing fence as funds would have to be raised (if you have anyone who is able to give us a quote, please let us know). Our licence to occupy says
Activity Day: This is on the 14th September from 10 to 2, we were talking about having it as a celebration of the garden but as a few people cannot make it so we will have it as a work party day. Few things we like to achieve are, finishing off replacing the bark around the raised beds and tidying up the paths.
Energy Group
Applying for funding: The group are looking for funds to be able to help a range of types of properties in Kemnay have a full retrofit survey. The application went in last month, we hope to hear if we are successful in October and this will be useful as this is the best time of the year to start to do the surveys.
Advice to help you save energy and money: The newsletter has a blether on insulation, and whether a dehumidifier would be a good idea now the daylight hours are shorter and every day has four seasons.
but in addition:-
In multi-person households – Have showers one after the other to save the water growing cold in the pipes – saves water, heat and time plus the last person opens the window to let out the steam.
Sue has a list of things to ponder over for planning house needs to fit in with reducing the amount of fuel and work towards only using renewable electricity to keep your home comfortable.
Paths/Steens Group
New Kemnay Steens information boards: Here is the press release that was written by Jenny Spratt put together.
The Kemnay Steens are nine carved stones, created by the artist James Winnett. Each ‘Steen’ tells a story about the history, culture or environment of Kemnay. They can be found in and around the village, for example, in the Pleasure Park, in Birley Bush, and the Fetternear Estate.
The Steens were commissioned by Greener Kemnay. People often tell us they would like more information about the carvings. So, we asked James Winnett to design an information board (funded by Aberdeenshire Council) to help people find the Steens and to understand their stories. One board is in the Fetternear carpark, and another is in the Pleasure Park. The boards include a QR code linked to an information booklet.”
The boards have been produced by Aberdeenshire Council, we are now waiting for a date for their erection and will let you know when this will happen.