Community Council newsletter Issue 01: Dec 2025 Welcome to our new newsletter Produced by the Mastrick, Sheddocksley and Summerhill Community Council, this newsletter is created especially for the residents of our area. Inside, you’ll find updates on local projects, upcoming events, and important community news — all focused on making our neighbourhoods stronger, safer, Issue 01: Winter 2025 and more connected. You’ll also discover opportunities to get involved, whether through volunteering, joining local groups, or simply enjoying the spaces and events that bring us together. Our goal is simple: to keep you informed, celebrate our achievements, and encourage everyone to play a part in shaping the future of Mastrick, Sheddocksley, and Summerhill. As we continue to grow, we’ll be expanding our content to feature articles from across Mastrick, Sheddocksley, and Summerhill. If you would like to promote a service, advertise an event, or share something of interest, please email it to secretary@msscouncil.co.uk. MSS Community Impact Fund The MSS Community Impact Fund is a grant opportunity provided by the Mastrick, Sheddocksley, and Summerhill Community Council to support initiatives that benefit our local community. This fund is designed to empower individuals, groups, and organizations to bring their ideas to life, fostering positive change and enhancing the well-being of our neighbourhoods. Whether it’s a project to improve local spaces, host community events, or provide valuable services, the MSS Community Impact Fund is here to make a difference by supporting efforts that strengthen and uplift our vibrant community. MSS Community Impact Fund Mastrick, Sheddocksley and Summerhill Community Council www.MSSCouncil.co.uk | CouncilMSS@gmail.com | secretary@msscouncil.co.uk A blue square with a white letter f AI-generated content may be incorrect.
Decoration Competition 2025 Residents of Mastrick, Sheddocksley and Summerhill are invited to decorate the outside of their homes and take part in our Christmas Trail & Decoration Competition. Families will be able to walk the trail throughout December, and local children will vote for their favourite festive house. It’s a fun, community-spirited event designed to spread joy, creativity, and togetherness across our neighbourhoods. How to Enter Taking part is easy — and free! Submit your address using the QR code below (submissions close 5th December). 1. Decorate the outside of your home in your best Christmas style. 2. Your home will be added to the official Christmas Trail Map. 3. Local children will vote during December for their favourite displays. Winners announced on 19th December 2025. All types of displays are welcome — from cosy and subtle to bright and spectacular! The Christmas Trail The Christmas Trail Map will be published on our website and social media. Families can use the map to visit all participating homes at their own pace throughout December. Kids can then vote for the house that brought them the most festive joy. Prizes: We’re excited to offer prizes for the top three displays: 1st Place - Personalised Christmas bauble + £100 Amazon Voucher 2nd Place - Personalised Christmas bauble + £50 Amazon Voucher 3rd Place - Personalised Christmas bauble + £25 Amazon Voucher Important Dates • Sign-ups open: Now (Submissions Close 10th December 2025) • Trail Map published: 12th December • Voting opens: When the trail launches • Voting closes: 18th December • Winners announced: 19th December 2025 Christmas Competition Mastrick, Sheddocksley and Summerhill Community Council www.MSSCouncil.co.uk | CouncilMSS@gmail.com | secretary@msscouncil.co.uk A blue square with a white letter f AI-generated content may be incorrect.
For Centre timetable visit - Sheddocksley Community Centre | Facebook Open for Birthday Parties Saturdays & Sunday’s: 3hr hire (2hr for party and half hour before and after for set up and clean up). £100 includes hire of Bouncy Castle & Toys, full use of Large Hall, Small Room & Kitchen. For any other enquiries please call the Centre on 01224 684200 Get active @ Sheddocksley Get Active @ Sheddocksley has a fully equipped gym, including lifting platforms, functional training space, a large sports hall, studio, outdoor grass pitches and a range of fitness classes! Timetables: Get active @ Sheddocksley - Sports Venues - Sport Aberdeen Email: GetactiveatSheddocksley@sportaberdeen.co.uk Tel: 01224 507750 Springhill Community Garden Springhill Community Garden provides raised and communal beds for the local community to grow their own food, maintains wilderness areas to attract pollinators and support wildlife, and welcomes groups from several schools to learn, gain work experience, and have fun in the garden. Their volunteer base continues to grow, bringing new skills and opportunities to the garden. New volunteers welcome, preferably from people who live locally in Mastrick, Sheddocksley, Northfield and surrounding areas. Springhill Community Garden is located behind Sheddocksley Sports Centre on Springhill Road. The garden is a former bowling green accessed by a paved path. For more information please email: springhillcommunity@gardener.com or make contact through the Facebook page. Springhill Community Garden | Facebook Mastrick, Sheddocksley and Summerhill Community Council www.MSSCouncil.co.uk | CouncilMSS@gmail.com | secretary@msscouncil.co.uk A blue square with a white letter f AI-generated content may be incorrect.
After months of discussions with the city council, long-awaited upgrades to the Greenfern Road Park have been carried out. The project aimed to make the park more inclusive and accessible for all members of the community. The first stage of the upgrade is now complete, with paths and ramps installed to provide better wheelchair access. Additionally, the park now features a new inclusive swing designed to ensure children of all abilities can enjoy the space together. Sean Gordon, chairperson of the MSS Council, said: “This is a huge win for our community. It’s a project that holds personal significance for many of us, and we’re thrilled to see it finally moving forward. These upgrades will make a real difference, and we’re excited about what’s to come.” Local residents have welcomed the work, saying the improvements will make the park a more welcoming and family-friendly destination. We will continue to work with the city council to ensure further upgrades are installed in the coming months. Defibrillator Installations We are delighted to confirm that the defibrillator has now been installed at Mastrick Community Centre. This is a significant step forward in ensuring the health and safety of everyone who uses the Centre and is a valuable asset for our wider community. This is following the successful application and approval for a defibrillator to be installed at Sheddocksley Community Centre. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing community safety and ensuring vital medical equipment is readily available to save lives in emergencies. Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support as we continue to work for the well-being and safety of all the residents of Mastrick, Sheddocksley, and Summerhill! Mastrick, Sheddocksley and Summerhill Community Council www.MSSCouncil.co.uk | CouncilMSS@gmail.com | secretary@msscouncil.co.uk A blue square with a white letter f AI-generated content may be incorrect.
officially launched Kingsford Primary School Kingsford Primary School is now one of the options for Tesco’s Stronger Starts blue token scheme! This collaborative event is being supported by the MSS Council, North Parish Church, Mastrick Community Centre, Aberdeen Health & Social Care Partnership, and the Scottish Men’s Shed Association. The immediate priority is to secure a suitable building to establish a permanent base for operations. Members are invited to put forward any suggestions for available premises so this project can progress without delay. A Men’s Shed offers a welcoming, communitybased space where men can work “shoulder to shoulder” on practical projects, fostering social interaction and reducing isolation. Men’s sheds improve mental health by providing a sense of purpose, confidence, and belonging, while also encouraging physical activity and skill-sharing. Members benefit from informal peer support, which helps combat loneliness, depression, and anxiety, and the sheds often contribute to local communities through volunteer projects. Overall, they create a safe, inclusive environment that promotes wellbeing, friendship, and active citizenship Mastrick Mens Shed Facebook May be an image of text that says "M SCOTTISH MEN'S SHEDS ASSOCIATION YOUR LOCAL MEN'S SHED NEEDS yo NEAREST RECRUITING STATION-WW.COTISHNSA.ORG.UKIFIND" When you shop at Tesco, simply pop your blue token into our school’s slot to help us win a grant that will go towards improving our school library. Your support could make a huge difference in helping us create a more inspiring and engaging reading space for all our pupils. Let’s help us spread the word, tell your family and friends, and help us bring this opportunity home for Kingsford Primary! It’s not only our local Woodend Tesco, but also in all participating Aberdeen Tesco stores!!! ABZWorks Training Fund Now Open! ABZWorks has launched the Green Skills Training and Support Fund, giving Aberdeen residents the chance to train for jobs in the fast-growing green sector. From energy and hydrogen technologies to heat pump installation and welding, this is your opportunity to gain practical qualifications that employers need. What’s on offer? • Over 70 training places with local providers like NESCol, NESFIT, and Tullos Training. • Courses funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – optional contributions only. • Support for both unemployed residents and those looking to upskill. Interested? Call 01224 070200, Email abzworks@aberdeencity.gov.uk or visit ABZ WORKS Don’t miss your chance to be part of Aberdeen’s green revolution! Mastrick, Sheddocksley and Summerhill Community Council www.MSSCouncil.co.uk | CouncilMSS@gmail.com | secretary@msscouncil.co.uk A blue square with a white letter f AI-generated content may be incorrect.
Community Centre Boards & Beans is a welcoming space where everyone can gather, socialise, and enjoy a selection of hot drinks at very low prices, along with delicious cakes and tasty treats. Whether you're looking for a cozy corner to unwind, a friendly place to meet new people, a fun-filled spot to play a variety of board games, or a quiet space to meet with others, we’ve got something for you! Boards & Beans Expansion We are currently in the planning stages of an exciting expansion to the Boards & Beans initiative, which will soon begin serving meals. Plans are progressing well and are expected to be finalised within the next two weeks. This development aims to further support community engagement and address food access. This café is all about bringing the community together in an affordable and inclusive way. So, whether you're a coffee lover, a cake enthusiast, or a board game champion in the making. Boards & Beans Community Cafe Mastrick, Sheddocksley and Summerhill Community Council www.MSSCouncil.co.uk | CouncilMSS@gmail.com | secretary@msscouncil.co.uk A blue square with a white letter f AI-generated content may be incorrect.
www.MSSCouncil.co.uk | CouncilMSS@gmail.com | secretary@msscouncil.co.uk A blue square with a white letter f AI-generated content may be incorrect.
has a BRAND NEW WEBSITE! This isn’t just an update — it’s a complete upgrade designed to make our community centre more accessible, more modern, and more connected than ever before. What’s new? • Online Room Bookings — Planning a private party, meeting, or event? You can now book our spaces online with ease! • Bookings now open for January 2026 onwards! Our Full Activities Programme: • Explore everything happening in the centre in one simple, easy-to-use place. Exciting New Projects: We’re growing, improving, and building for the future! • Our Gym – Mastrick’s best-kept secret… until today! • Our brand-new Virtual Office Space, Mastrick Works – Designed especially for local business gurus, freelancers, and start-ups who want a professional base right here in the community. This website is a big step forward for us — and for Mastrick — and we can’t wait for you to check it out. Your feedback, ideas, and support mean the world to us. Visit the new website now and be part of the next chapter for Mastrick Community Centre www.mastrickcc.co.uk Mastrick Fitness Mastrick Community Centre isn’t just a hub for classes and events — it’s also home to a fully equipped gym! Whether you’re looking to kick-start your fitness journey, stay active close to home, or find a welcoming space to work out, Mastrick Fitness has everything you need right here in the community. Want to know more or get started? Email us at mastrick.fitness@gmail.com and we’ll be happy to help! Let’s stay fit, stay healthy, and stay local Mastrick, Sheddocksley and Summerhill Community Council www.MSSCouncil.co.uk | CouncilMSS@gmail.com | secretary@msscouncil.co.uk A blue square with a white letter f AI-generated content may be incorrect.
Centres Aberdeen City Council is currently consulting on its 2026/27 budget, and the decisions made will have a direct impact on the services we all rely on. Rising costs and a £34 million funding gap mean the council is considering some tough options—many of which could affect community centres and sports facilities across the city. What’s at Stake? Community Centres: These hubs for learning, youth work, family support, and mental health initiatives may face changes such as: • Reduced opening hours or fewer programs. • New charges for services. • In some cases, complete closure of certain activities. Sports Facilities: • Increased membership and activity fees. • Shorter operating hours. • Cuts to free or subsidised programs for children, including swimming lessons for nursery-aged kids and those with disabilities. Why It Matters Community and sports centres are more than buildings—they’re lifelines for social connection, health, and wellbeing. Any reduction in services will be felt by families, young people, and older residents alike. Aberdeen City Health and Social Care Partnership, are also consulting on budget options they deliver, which support some of our most vulnerable citizens. Please see more information on their budget options on their website. How You Can Help The council wants to hear from you. The Budget Consultation runs until 14 December 2025, and your feedback will shape the decisions made early next year. You can: Complete the online survey TAKE PART IN THE BUDGET CONSULTATION TODAY Your voice matters—let’s make sure our community spaces remain vibrant and accessible for everyone. Mastrick, Sheddocksley and Summerhill Community Council www.MSSCouncil.co.uk | CouncilMSS@gmail.com | secretary@msscouncil.co.uk A blue square with a white letter f AI-generated content may be incorrect.
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