Norman Smith receives Pride of Buchan award for dedicated service to his community

A former Buchan councillor has been recognised for the years of dedicated service he has given to his local community.

Norman Smith received a Pride of Buchan award from Aberdeenshire Council’s Buchan Area Committee which he chaired for many years.

The area committee received the nomination from Longside Community Council and was delighted to unanimously agree that Norman be presented with a Pride of Buchan Award. 

He was presented with his award in recognition of his years of service to Longside and the surrounding area, having worked tirelessly for local causes within the community.

The Community Council thanked Norman for the “guidance, knowledge and support that he has so willingly given”.

Norman has been a long-standing resident and businessman in Longside and served on the Community Council for a number of years.

Until very recently, he had continued to help organise the annual Longside Gala, Guy Fawkes firework display and Christmas street lights.

Since he retired from his business, he has worked tirelessly to support local causes and has been a director of the Mintlaw and Central Buchan Initiative (MACBI) since 2005 and was a driving force behind the creation of the community facility. He recently had the impressive new extension to the centre named in his honour along with fellow Longside man and MACBI stalwart John Pascoe.

In its nomination, the Community Council said: “Norman has been an Aberdeenshire councillor for many years and during this time has provided much support to the Longside & District Community Council as well as the wider community.

“He thought nothing of his doorbell ringing at all times of the day or evening to find someone who needed guidance or help on his doorstep.”

Norman was presented with his Pride of Buchan award by current Buchan Area Committee chair Cllr Dianne Beagrie watched by local councillors and members of Longside Community Council.

Cllr Beagrie said: “It was an absolute honour to present Norman with his Pride of Buchan award and I am sure I speak for many people when I say there is no-one worthier of this accolade.

“He has served both the Central Buchan area and wider region with dignity and dedication over many years and I personally felt privileged and learned so much from him when I served as vice-chair of the Buchan Area Committee up until May of this year.”