What: A community group made of volunteers who want to make and keep Newtonhill beautiful and wildlife friendly.

Where: All around Newtonhill – from the coastal park to the planters to the flower beds planned to go with the entrance stone to the village.

When: Meetings every two weeks in the Newton Arms, plus event days.

Who: All welcome, whether you want to plan and organise, come to a planting or litter picking day or ‘adopt’ a planter to keep it watered in dry weather.

Last night I attended a meeting of NEAT in Skateraw Hall. What a friendly and enthusiastic group! Progress and plans were shared, ideas discussed and packets of wildflower seeds given out.

Pre-covid, the group was in communication with the council’s biodiversity officer. In early 2020, the council provided several species of trees, bushes and plants for the coastal park, which were planted just before lockdown. The following year let everything establish itself. The group also found that the grass not being cut really helped native plants come up – some which might have been lying dormant for years. Ideas of perhaps leaving more untouched areas, with paths mown through, were discussed. Encouraging locals to engage in the area through seasonal decorations or events was suggested – perhaps fairy doors or brass rubbings in a ‘trail’ through the area.

The wildlife area by the allotments was actually created in 1992. A new path has just been laid around the outskirts of it by Barratts. Although it looks quite sad and bare at the moment, there are plans to replant the area and the wee trees will start to wake with spring.

It was pointed out that there is a distinct lack of signs around the village. Locals might know where things are through long familiarity, but newcomers to the area need a wee bit of help! A walks map or booklet was also suggested. The Newtonhill And Beyond group may already be producing one.

The small area by Quoiters is very steep and not easy or safe to work on. It needs something low maintenance and weed-suppressing.

A community orchard was mooted. This would be a long-term project, with new people required to spearhead the effort. Newtonhill is rather windy, so a suitably sheltered site would be needed, even for the low-growing fruit varieties suggested!

NEAT has purchased 1kg of wildflower seeds to plant around the area. Ideas of wee patches that could do with some summer cheer are welcome. Plants from the council will arrive in due course to go out into the planters around the village. Can you ‘adopt’ a planter this year? ‘Your’ planter will need watering in dry weather, so if you live or work near to one and can wander out with a jug or watering can, the group would love to hear from you. The Out Of School Club kindly volunteered to take care of the planters by the Bettridge Centre.

Weeding and planting out season is nearly upon us. Events will be publicised on (1) NEAT -Newtonhill Environmental Action Team | Facebook for both planting and litter picking. Many hands make light work, so every person who can help, even for half an hour, on these days would be greatly appreciated.

I really enjoyed my hour and a half chatting with these ladies, and I shall be looking around my own patch of Portlethen for somewhere to plant my wildflower seeds. Thank you!