Cruden Bay Community Association

Welcome to the Cruden Bay Community Association

Nestled along the rugged coastline of Aberdeenshire, Cruden Bay is more than just a village with dramatic seascapes, golden sands, and rich coastal history—it is a close-knit, thriving community. At the heart of village life stands the Cruden Bay Community Association (CBCA), a dedicated local organisation working continuously to make our corner of Scotland an exceptional place to live, work, and grow.

Whether you are a lifelong resident, a newcomer making Cruden Bay your home, or a visitor exploring our coastal paths, the CBCA is here to connect people, support local initiatives, and protect the unique charm of our village.

Who We Are

Established in 1984, the Cruden Bay Community Association is a registered Scottish charity (Charity No. SC015768) run entirely by volunteers from across the community. For over four decades, our committee members, volunteers, and local champions have worked together to represent the collective interests of Cruden Bay and Port Erroll.

Our primary mission is to promote the well-being of all residents by fostering strong community spirit and enhancing local quality of life. We believe that vibrant rural communities thrive when neighbours support neighbours, facilities are maintained with care, and public spaces reflect local pride.

The Community Association meets at the Community Hub (unless otherwise advised in advance) on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 19:00. Confirmed nearer the time on social media channels and on this webpage.

Contact: Peter Abenheimer

Telephone: 07711 300912

Email: p.abenheimer@btinternet.com

Find us on Facebook: Cruden Bay Community Association

Be In The Know – Click Here To Join Our Mailing List

Up And Coming Events

Our Core Pillars

The Association focuses its efforts across these four main areas of community life:

Health and Well-Being: Supporting initiatives that encourage active lifestyles, mental wellness, and access to essential local services. We are currently actively driving the establishment of the Cruden Bay Men’s Shed, which is well underway. This valuable resource will be situated directly behind the old Congregational Church, which has now been repurposed as our community hub.
Education and Heritage: Celebrating Cruden Bay’s distinct cultural, historical, and maritime identity while facilitating informative workshops and resources for all ages. As part of this commitment, the Old Mission Hall is currently undergoing a major refit ahead of being reopened as a dedicated local heritage centre.
Recreation and Public Amenities: Maintaining and improving our shared village spaces, parks, pathways, and sports facilities.
Social Development and Inclusion: Bringing generations together through seasonal events, community forums, and cooperative projects that ensure no resident feels isolated.

The Association manages 4 village assets on behalf of the community, which are;

What We Do in the Village

The CBCA acts as an active catalyst for grassroots village improvement. Through direct fundraising, grant management, and community-led labour, the association helps deliver tangible benefits across Cruden Bay.

Village Enhancement & Environment

From arranging a peak season village orderly to coastal tidy-up campaigns, the Association coordinates hands-on work that keeps our streets, greenspaces, and seafront clean and welcoming. We advocate for sustainable village management and the conservation of our natural environment.

Community Gatherings & Events

Social connection is central to our work. The CBCA hosts and supports a variety of village events throughout the year, including:

Summer galas, village fairs, and family fun days.
Seasonal celebrations, holiday light switch-ons, and winter gatherings.
Charity fundraisers, craft fairs, and local showcases in partnership with village clubs.

Local Representation & Action Planning

We serve as an approachable forum where residents can voice concerns, propose new projects, and share ideas for the area. Working alongside the Cruden Community Council and Aberdeenshire Council, the CBCA helps turn community feedback into actionable village development plans.

Cruden Bay Community Resilience Strategy

The Cruden Bay Community Resilience Strategy ensures that during severe weather, power cuts, or major emergency disruptions, no resident is left isolated. At the heart of this strategy is the Port Erroll Public Hall, which serves as our central emergency hub. Equipped with a backup generator, the hall will open during power outages lasting over four hours, severe weather warnings, or total communication blackouts. When active, it provides a warm, safe sanctuary offering charging stations for essential medical devices, hot refreshments, baby food preparation, and basic first aid.

To ensure communication reaches everyone even when internet and mobile services fail, the strategy outlines robust off-grid protocols. These include deploying the Cruden Bay Coast Guard, volunteer drivers with megaphones, and localized Street Champions to perform door-to-door resident welfare checks. The community is also arranging a dedicated emergency satellite phone to be stationed at the hall to keep residents connected.

Additionally, the page features household emergency kit checklists, key helpline contacts (including SSEN and Aberdeenshire Council), and guidance on how to volunteer for local resilience roles like hall support or driving. A community resilience map is also under development to highlight our local safety assets.

For a complete guide to our emergency procedures, household checklists, or to sign up as a volunteer, please visit the full Cruden Bay Community Resilience Strategy page.

Working in Partnership

No single organisation builds a community alone. The CBCA operates on a collaborative model, working hand-in-hand with regional bodies, local voluntary groups, and businesses to achieve our shared goals.

Partner Group	Nature of Collaboration
Aberdeenshire Council	Securing development funding, local infrastructure maintenance, and planning input.
Local Voluntary Groups & Clubs	Coordinating village hall use, youth clubs, sports leagues, and senior activities.
Cruden Bay Businesses	Sponsoring local initiatives, village guides, tourism support, and festival activities.
Residents & Volunteers	Direct participation on project sub-committees, working bees, and event staffing.
Cruden Bay Life	Digital Partner and web services.

Something exciting is taking shape locally, and we want you to be part of building it from the ground up.

Around the country, the Men’s Shed movement has transformed local communities by establishing welcoming, hands-on workshop environments. They exist as informal hubs where neighbours can gather to tinker, exchange practical know-how, socialise, and lend an ear over a warm brew.

Right now, the foundation for our very own branch in Cruden Bay is underway, and everyone in the community—men and women alike—is warmly invited to get involved. You don’t need to be a seasoned tradesperson; whether you have a passion for fixing things, want to develop new hobbies, or just fancy a regular place to connect with good folk, your voice will directly influence how our space evolves.

Head over to our dedicated Cruden Bay Men’s Shed page to register your interest, learn more about upcoming gatherings, or join our community WhatsApp network. We'd love to have you on board!

Our email address is: crudenmensshed@yahoo.com

Shaping the Future: Community Action Plan 2024

Cruden Bay is dynamic, balancing its quiet coastal heritage with the evolving needs of families, retirees, and modern working life. Through structured community consultations and active community planning, the Association ensures our village has a strategic, sustainable roadmap for the years ahead.

Key future priorities include:

Upgrading recreational assets: Investing in play parks, accessible footpaths, and sports facilities.
Improving digital connectivity and information sharing: Ensuring all residents and community groups have an easily accessible central hub for news, public notices, and event calendars.
Protecting public access to our coastline and nature trails: Preserving paths linking the village to Port Erroll harbour and coastal walking routes.

How You Can Get Involved

The strength of the Cruden Bay Community Association lies entirely in the hands of the people who call this village home. Whether you have hours to offer every month or just an afternoon once a year, your contribution makes a noticeable difference.

Become a Volunteer: Lend a hand at our next beach clean, assist with event stewarding, or help maintain village green spaces.
Join the Committee: Bring your professional skills—whether in accounting, social media, carpentry, or event planning—to help steer future community projects.
Attend Our Meetings: Learn about upcoming developments, share your views, and vote on community priorities.
Support Our Fundraisers: Attend village fairs, purchase raffle tickets, or donate directly to active village enhancement funds.

Cruden Bay Men’s Shed

Supported by the Cruden Bay Community Association, the Cruden Bay Men’s Shed is officially underway. While the group is still in its early stages, a dedicated team of new members is already hard at work renovating the cabin behind the Community Hub, which will soon serve as our permanent home.

Whether you want to share skills, learn something new, or just enjoy a cup of tea and a chat, we would love to have you. Click the link below to find out how you can get involved.

Cruden Bay Men's Shed

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest news, project milestones, and upcoming gatherings in Cruden Bay:

Meeting Location: Cruden Bay Community Hub / Port Erroll Public Hall
Charity Status: Registered Scottish Charity SC015768
Get in Touch: Reach out via our online contact form below, attend an open committee session, or say hello at our next community event!
Join Our Mailing List: click here to join →

Together, we keep Cruden Bay thriving, welcoming, and vibrant for generations to come.

Cruden Bay Community Association Minutes 2024 – 2026

To promote complete transparency and keep all residents fully informed, the association maintains accessible records of its monthly discussions, financial accounts, and project decisions. This online repository provides open public access to all recorded minutes from 2024 through to the present day.

For simple and efficient navigation, the archive is organised into three dedicated yearly text modules:

2024 Minutes: Highlights foundational milestones, including the creation of the Community Action Plan, public hall maintenance, international twinning initiatives, and property handovers.
2025 Minutes: Tracks progress across village amenities, community fundraising drives, the launch of the Men’s Shed, and diverse village events.
2026 Minutes: Details recent governance updates, including green energy installations, park lighting upgrades, and ongoing local consultations.