Sea cadets could benefit from Aberdeenshire Council grant

A group of north-east sea cadets is seeking thousands of pounds worth of funding from Aberdeenshire Council.

The Stonehaven Sea Cadets have applied for £3,632 from the Kincardine and Mearns area committee budget to go towards a new engine for one of their two rescue boats.

The group is aiming to raise £7,263 in total for the outboard engine of the vessel.

The sea cadets number 50 youngsters at present but membership has surged in recent years and there are another 30 children currently on the waiting list.

Chairman of the group, John Agnew, said: “It is a full time job to keep it afloat. The burden is heavy and we must maintain its prudent financial management.

“We have cadets from Montrose, Inverbervie, Stonehaven, Newtonhill, Portlethen and districts around Aberdeen.”

Councillors yesterday agreed to consider the funding, along with a £1,862 bid for equipment for the Howe O’ the Mearns Pipe Band.

They also agreed to consider giving £500 to Inverbervie Community Council to replace lost and damaged plaques across the town.

Each Aberdeenshire area committee received a budget of £52,500 for the 2015-16 financial year to distribute to local groups.