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Newmachar
Have Your Say: New Possibilities for Newmachar Library
Have Your Say: New Possibilities for Newmachar Library
Community Enterprise are supporting us in developing our application to take ownership of the Newmachar Library building, and this is your opportunity to let us know what you think about the future of the library and the building.
This is a last opportunity to help us plan in more detail what should be done with the Library Building. Your input will be used to guide our thinking and influence the development of the site to make sure it is of genuine community benefit. Please complete the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Newmachar-Library-Survey
Quiz Night - Sun 15th Feb - Beekies Neuk
Quiz Night - Sun 15th Feb - Beekies Neuk
Its Quiz Night again - bring your valentine, or bring your pals - it's your brains you'll be needing!
The roses are dead, violets in the bin,
Valentine quizzers all focused to win.
If your answers fall flat,
Just blame Cupid for that!
Then head to the bar for another gin!
Get your table booked for another fun evening of quizzing and laughs!
Lin Anderson Author Talk Event
Lin Anderson Author Talk Event
Our recent author event with the brilliant Lin Anderson was a tremendous success, drawing an impressive audience of around 50 attendees. For some, it was the first event of its kind they had ever attended — and the feedback was extremely positive.
Lin captivated the room, sharing the origins of her iconic forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod, and revealing the real‑life locations that inspired Rhona’s flat and other scenes. She spoke about the influence of her policeman father, and tales of growing up as one of three sisters in Greenock.
We were enthralled by Lin as she read passages from a couple of her novels, captivating the audience throughout. Afterwards, she generously signed books and chatted with readers, and one lucky attendee even won a signed copy in our raffle.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging night, made possible by the Scottish Book Fund's Live Literature campaign — and thanks to the fantastic turnout and support, the event raised over £500 for the Newmachar Community Library Fund.
Huge thanks to everyone who came along and helped make the evening so special.
Newmachar Culture and Learning Association - Author Talk - Friday 6th February, Axis Centre
Newmachar Culture and Learning Association - Author Talk - Friday 6th February, Axis Centre
We are so thrilled to have Lin Anderson coming to talk about her latest book: "The Dead and the Dying".
Supported by the Scottish Book Fund we have managed to arrange this event and the tickets are selling fast. Buy a ticket now form the Axis Centre, Kilts Wi Hae , or online via the QR code through Event Brite.
I promises to be a great night, of murder, intrigue and maybe some insight into Lin's process in writing the Rhona MacLeod novels.
We are also hoping to arrange book sales and signing for those interested.
Quiz Night - Sat 18th Jan - Beekies Neuk
Quiz Night - Sat 18th Jan - Beekies Neuk
The Quiz Nights continue after a challenging Christmas edition last month with the first event of 2026. Lindsay promises the questions will be easier than at Christmas!
Get your table booked for a fun evening of quizzing and laughs!
Scottish Land Fund Grant Awarded
Scottish Land Fund Grant Awarded
The NCLA are very pleased to announce that we have been successful in our application for a Stage 1 grant with the Scottish Land Fund. This will cover 90% of the costs to complete the survey, valuation and business plan drafting work. The remaining balance will be covered through the fundraising efforts from the Quiz Nights and other events.
We have appointed Community Enterprise to complete the Stage 1 work and they will be working with us alongside other contractors to prepare our Community Asset Transfer application which we hope we will be in a place to submit to the Council in April-May this year!
Newmachar Culture and Learning Association - Quiz Night - Sunday 14th Dec, Beekies Neuk
Newmachar Culture and Learning Association - Quiz Night - Sunday 14th Dec, Beekies Neuk
There will be cash prizes !! Max team size 5. Contact Lindsay Ritchie (Kilts Wi Hae) or Beekies to get your table booked. If you would like to take part but don't have a team, you are welcome to have a go on your own, or we can find a team for you!
The November Quiz Night was a roaring success!
The first quiz night run by the NCLA at Beekies Neuk raised £130 towards the upkeep and running of the village library. The evening was a lot of fun, with rounds for all ages and interests. So get revising on your general knowledge for the next event!
Newmachar Culture and Learning Association - Granted Charity Status
Newmachar Culture and Learning Association - Granted Charity Status
This is great news and a step on the way to completing the Community Asset Transfer of the Library Building to the Community!
OSCR have confirmed our charity status and registration number SCO54521
You may have noticed that the library service has not yet moved into the primary school building as intended.
With the support of the Axis Centre, NCLA are applying for a License to Occupy which will allow the service to continue form the existing building!
But we will need to cover the utility bills, rates broadband etc...
We are interested in hearing from any clubs or groups which would like to use the library space for regular meetings! (newmacharlibrary@gmail.com)
We will also be running fundraising events to support the Community Library - More info coming soon!
Newmachar Library - Community Engagement Meetings
Newmachar Library - Community Engagement Meetings
We would like to hear from you!
What would you like from a community run library?
What activities and services would you be interested in?
Would you be interested in volunteering at the library?
Would you support us by becoming a member of the charitable organisation that would run the Library?
Newmachar Library - 1st & 2nd Community Engagement Meetings
Newmachar Library - 1st & 2nd Community Engagement Meetings
It was great to see lots of the community coming past to offer thoughts and input on what they might want from a Community Library:
What the Community wants from the Library Building?
What the Community wants from the Library Building?
Attendees were asked to consider the services currently offered by the Library Service from the building (items in pink and green top of page), and those that have been proposed to be retained and provided from the Primary School and Axis Center (in pink).
The community offered lots of ideas for services and activities that could be offered from the Community owned Library Building:
Training Courses - Retirement planning - Financial literacy - Languages
STEM Club - Reminiscence Group - Book Club - Lego Club
Music Classes - Author Talks - Meeting Space - Warm Space
Seed library - Games/Warhammer club - Waste bags, consumables & sanitary products
Crafts group - Quiz night (fundraising) - Cards nights - Coffee machine
Small business hub - InPost lockers - Music recitals - After-school club
Solar panels -> Battery storage -> Car charge points & bike charge points
Newmachar Library - Community Asset Transfer
Newmachar Library - Community Asset Transfer
At the June 5th Communities Committee Aberdeenshire Library decided to close the Newmachar Library Building, and that it would become surplus to requirements, as part of their Operation Oyne initative to reduce the number of buildings owned and maintained by Aberdeenshire Council, and particularly those of single use:
"Newmachar Library: Services will be co-located within Newmachar Primary School, supporting book browsing and activities for pupils and library users. The neighbouring Axis Centre will provide opportunities for additional activities, such as Bookbug sessions. The existing library building will be declared surplus to requirements by the service."
https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/news/2025/jun/library-services-agreed
Progress to date
Progress to date
An Expression of Interest (EOI) has been submitted to Aberdeenshire Council and initial feedback received.
A community engagement sessions are taking place (see above).
Support has been sought and pledged by local residents and businesses
A Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) constitution has been drafted
And an application to Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) to form Newmachar Culture and Learning Association has been submitted.
We are also in discussions with the SLF for submitting a Stage 1 grant to support the costs of a feasibility and associated studies.
Next Steps
Community engagement meeting - we need to sign up at least 20 members to the Newmachar Culture and Learning Association who will have voting rights and agree what the Board of Trustees are to do in order to complete the CAT process for the Newmachar Library Building.
We also need as much community input as possible so that the Community Library provides what the community is looking for from such a service.
You can sign up as a NCLA member now: here
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