Smithfield, Ythanbank, Nr Ellon, Aberdeenshire AB41 7TH
A true down-to-earth camping experience, with stunning nearby woodlands to keep you entertained.
Methlick Community Blog
For the Community of Methlick in AberdeenshireBusiness Support Grants
Businesses can now apply for help to the Scottish Government Coronavirus Business Support Fund. The fund is administered by local authorities. Depending on the type and size of your business premises, you can apply for either a £10,000 grant or £25,000 grant.
To apply please complete the business support application form at https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/…/coronavirus-fund_applica… and email it to business.grants@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.
Aberdeenshire Council have shared information on support for businesses during the current situation. The information is, for the most part, available on the website at https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/business/business-covid-19/. This is being updated as and when further information is released by the Governments or partner organisations.
Stay at home guidance – parks and open spaces
Currently, across our local communities, playground equipment is closed. This decision was taken to reduce the potential for transference of the virus from these multi touch surfaces. As the playgrounds are closed the equipment no longer subject to safety inspections.
If you live close to a play park, the open space is still open to you, but please do not allow young ones to play on the equipment. Please also observe social distancing as guided by government.
Sunday Service and Intimations
Sunday Service Video Reflection for Sunday 29 March 2020 is now posted on Methlick Parish Church Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/MethlickParishChurch/posts/?ref=page_internal
- Aberdeenshire North Foodbank Collection at Church (29 March 2020), 2pm-4pm
- National Day of Prayer continuation – 29 March 2020 – 6:45pm (ringing of bells), 7pm (prayer) – See below for more information.
Last Sunday, thousands of Christians across Scotland answered the call to pray at the same time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following positive feedback from last week’s prayer initiative, a further letter has been signed by 13 Christian organisations across the country, including the Church of Scotland.
The letter states: “We pray in solidarity with those across Britain and Ireland and in solidarity with those across the world who face the challenge that the Covid-19 pandemic brings.”
Job Retention and Self-Employment Income Support Schemes
Links to the latest UK Government information relating to the Job Retention and Self-employment Income Support schemes will be available on the webpages of Aberdeenshire Council – www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Introducing the Countryside Alliance COVID-19 Hub
The impact that COVID-19 is going to have on our lives is beginning to unfold and there are going to be some uncertain months ahead but that is where the strength of our rural communities must pull together and act as one. Here at the Countryside Alliance we are going to be on hand to support you, listen to your concerns and act where necessary to ensure our countryside and its communities remain strong, safe and resilient. With this in mind we have created a hub where we can support those within our rural communities by providing you with the information you need.
Community Support
Community support is key during times like these, and when it gets difficult, we need to remember to support those around us. Take a look at the ‘Community Support’ section of our hub, where you can find advice on how to support local businesses and those in isolation on their own.
Find out more
A little bit of good news goes a long way
We’d like to introduce you to our good news blog; a place where we celebrate all things positive in and around our beautiful countryside. With a mixture a positive stories, countryside heroes, and top tips to keep you busy during self-isolation, this is the perfect place to boost those positive vibes.
Visit Good News Blog
LNER Train Times
Further to our update last week, in response to Government advice against non-essential travel, lower customer demand and fewer colleagues available to work, we have temporarily reduced the train services we operate during the week and at weekends.
We have previously shared a special, temporary weekday timetable which has been in place this week. A revised weekend timetable will now be in place on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March 2020. From Monday 30th March 2020, LNER is making additional changes that will see the us running around 40 per cent of our usual weekday services. While information about services can be found on LNER.co.uk
These temporary timetables see LNER continue to run services throughout the day, serving our core routes and key interchange stations, enabling customers to connect between intercity and local services run by other operators.
Within these changes, we wanted to highlight that we are currently not operating any services north of Edinburgh. This is a result of the hotel accommodation that our colleagues usually rely upon in Aberdeen and Inverness not currently being available, owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
This is a fast-moving situation, and we are working to ensure there is room on all our services to enable our customers and colleagues to travel safely by practising social distancing. As a result, all LNER services are subject to change. Anyone undertaking essential journeys should check the LNER Journey Planner before travelling.
Updated Bus Timetable
Stagecoach Bluebird has provided an update on further changes being made to its timetables in response to government advice on avoiding non-essential travel.
Further revised timetables will be in place from Monday 30th March and are now available at stagecoachbus.com. These temporary timetables ensure that critical routes are maintained and will operate across the region until further notice.
