In fact, lest anybody should be under any misapprehension, Banchory as such is not actually 'run' by anyone. OK, so we have three dedicated councillors, but they are three fish in a pond of 68, with responsibility for an administration that has the whole of Aberdeenshire to think about.

Many things happen in Banchory because of a small band of hard-working volunteers, chasing particular causes or raising funds to re-invest in the community, and we should thank them wholeheartedly for what they do.

But who drives what Banchory needs as a whole and makes things like St Ternan's Fair and the continental market happen, and who looks at the town's strategic needs to help bring forward projects like the youth facility and the town hall enhancement?

There is a void here, which a combination of the community council and Banchory & District Initiative endeavour to help fill, but it is an uphill struggle for essentially the same overstretched volunteers.

It is extraordinary how, in the name of community involvement, the authorities ride on the back of so much free labour, and one does wonder if it is right that community groups should be expected to do so much, from initiating ideas to conducting major project feasibility studies, to raising money and trying to work out where on earth any real capital funding might come from to make them happen.

But the people of Banchory and its surrounding users need to appreciate that in the absence of bringing back the town council, the best way to continue to get Banchory-focused improvements is to support these organisations and become involved in them.

Our voluntary sector is very under-resourced and this is a real threat to achieving even the most strongly-held aspirations of the community.

There is a lot coming up to get involved in, including participating in the forthcoming Making it Real events, the town forum, and becoming an active member of BDI.

Please find more information on www.banchory.org and come forward to lend your support by e-mailing: info@banchory.org
Yours etc.,
Henry Allen.
(address supplied)