More than 50 people attended the Twelfth Annual Community Safety Seminar held by Aberdeenshire Community Safety Partnership at Kemnay Church Centre on Saturday,24 March, 2012.

William Munro, Kincardine and Mearns Area Manager with Aberdeenshire Council, welcomed delegates to the Seminar and chaired the event. Mr Munro is also Chair of the Aberdeenshire Community Safety Partnership.

The keynote address was delivered by Ritchie Johnson, Director of Housing and Social Work with Aberdeenshire who spoke of how working with the community was important to Community Planning partners as was working in partnership, sharing resources and making a difference in communities.. He also highlighted how important it was for Community Planning in Aberdeenshire to be strengthened and developed in light of the reform of the police and fire service.

One Second Prize of £100 and a certificate was awarded to the "Let's Make Music Project of Mintlaw" project. The project has been developed after an identified need for diversionary activities in the area and which uses the arts to address risk taking behaviour and offers education in relation to alcohol and drug misuse.

The Award was presented to Audrey Douglas, Senior Community Learning Worker, Sophie Will and Sonia Slessor by Willie Tocher from Road Safety Grampian.

Another Second Prize of £100 and a certificate was awarded to the "Huntly Development Portsoy Road Path" project. The project has seen delivery of a wish by the Huntly community to have a safe off road, all ability, footpath adjacent to the B9022 Portsoy Road. This path has recently been completed and work is now ongoing to provide additional ways of improving safety in relation to the link to the Bin Forest walks.

The award was presented to Donald Boyd, Huntly Development Trust by Willie Tocher from Road Safety Grampian.

A Commendation Certificate was awarded to Mrs. Sheila McKay for her tireless work with and for a variety of fora which support those who have been affected by addiction problems within their families. The award was accepted on her behalf by Naida Sneddon and presented by Denis Beedie of the Grampian Fire & Rescue Service.

Commendation Certificates were awarded to "The Waterproofing Project of Portlethen" which involved S1 pupils from Portlethen Academy producing resources which promotes water safety and awareness and to "The Coasting Project" which is another Portlethen project aimed at fourth year Portlethen Academy pupils initiated because of the number of incidents involving young people and their interaction with their local coastal environment. Participants acquired skills in emergency first and water-based lifesaving. Both certificates were accepted by Bert Swinburn, Head Teacher of Portlethen Academy. The certificates were presented by Denis Beedie of the Grampian Fire & Rescue Service.

A Commendation Certificate was awarded to the "Formartine Young Drivers' Information Leaflet" project. The leaflet was produced and distributed during Operation Majestic in the Turriff area to educate young drivers. The award was accepted on behalf of the project by PC Mike Taylor. The Certificate was presented by Denis Beedie of the Grampian Fire & Rescue Service.

A Commendation Certificate was awarded to the "Deveron Valley Amateur Boxing Club" for re-establishing a boxing club in Banff and attracting an increasing number of young people to help install discipline, promote healthy living and provide diversionary activities. The certificate was accepted on behalf of the club by Sandy Chalmers of Banff & District CSG. The certificate was presented by Denis Beedie of the Grampian Fire & Rescue Service.

Last year, the "First on Scene" project which was being delivered by Roddy Lees and the South Marr Community Safety Group won first prize in these awards. Although the project was again nominated, because it has now developed and has produced four DVDs and teaching packs which are about to become available globally with the formation of a website, the assessment panel did not feel it would be appropriate to give this project the winning award for a second year. However, without the energy, passion and hard work of Roddy Lees, this project would not be where it is now. To this end, the Partnership awarded Roddy the Volunteer of the Year Certificate.
The Certificate was presented by Willie Tocher from Road Safety Grampian

Safeguarding Communities Reducing Conflict

Presented by:

Irene Reid,
Service Team Leader,
Mediation Service, Sacro.

Sacro provide mediation services to the people of Aberdeenshire.

Encourage, Equip, Engage.

Presented by:

Gerry Bowyer,
Aberdeen Street Pastors.

The Aberdeen Street Pastors work on the streets of Aberdeen to help to keep revellers safe and free from harm.

International Association, Peterhead

Presented by:

Gunta Leilmane (Session Leader) and Sandra Ross (Aberdeenshire Council).

The Peterhead International Association is comprised of partners working with the migrant population of the area to help to integrate them into local communities and assist them to access services to which they are entitled.