Anger as popular beach that never closes is shut down for Donald Trump visit
LOCAL FURY Anger as popular beach that never closes is shut down for Donald Trump visit
A COUNTRY park and beach that never closes is being forced to shut down for Donald Trump.
Cops have warned angry locals that the popular community facility in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, will be out of bounds from Sunday night.
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A popular community park is being shut down ahead of Donald Trump's visit to Scotland
Credit: Reuters
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Harry McGee is unhappy that he won't be able to visit Balmedie Country Park with his horses next week
Credit: Newsline Media
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Locals have been warned Balmedie Country Park will be out of bounds next week
Credit: Newsline Media
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Chinook helicopters arrive at Aberdeen Airport ahead of Donald Trump's Scots visit
Credit: Newsline
Volunteers have been forced to axe support sessions at a community cafe as well as wheelchair visits to the dunes.
While it's understood residents who live nearby have been warned they will have to produce ID to access their own homes when US president Trump jets in next week.
Harry McGee, 66, runs his horses along the sands three times a day, said: 'What total nonsense.
'He doesn't own the beach. What makes him so special that he can lock us out?
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'That man is going to cause complete chaos here. What makes him any different or better than me?'
Balmedie Country Park is home to miles of sandy beaches and dunes and is busy regardless of the weather.
Its website boasts that it's 'open from dawn to dusk all year round'.
But the only thing dividing it from Trump's newly built second golf course is a waist high fence that looks like it's falling down in spots.
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And his resort is accessible from the public beach by anyone who wants to walk along.
Community centre cafe The Sand Bothy runs craft and support sessions, as well as wheelchair visits to the beach.
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But the charity trust that operates it has been contacted by police officers and told they will be shut out after Sunday night.
The team will get to hold their annual fun day but after they clear up will not be allowed back in.
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It's understood a strict cordon will be in place after the final house on the road that leads to the country park.
In a social media post the trust which runs The Sand Bothy said: 'All group activities, classes and meetings scheduled during this period are cancelled. The Changing Places toilet will be unavailable
'We understand this may cause inconvenience for some, and we truly appreciate your patience and continued support.'
It's believed the group will be demanding compensation from the council or the Trump Organisation.
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David Wallace, the chairman of Belhelvie Community Council, told how he has no issues with the upheaval.
He said 'We don't have a problem with the closure.
'He is the President of America and we understand the need for increased security.
'Not everyone here is anti-Trump. He has spent millions on the golf course. We've always supported and appreciated what he's done here.'
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Rachel Teare, 43, visits the country park with kids Flynn, 3, Jasper, 9, and dog Maisie several times a week.
She said: 'We love it. We even come here in the snow. We can park for free and the kids can play. It's got everything we need.
'It's a real shame it's closing. I don't know what we're going to do next week.'
Trump is set to visit his Aberdeenshire golf course as part of his Scottish visit which kicks off this week.
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Security appeared to be ramping up yesterday as teams worked at the front gate. While 5 Chinook helicopters landed at nearby Aberdeen Airport.
Police Scotland refused to comment specifically on Bamedie Country Park being closed.
Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond said: 'A policing plan will be in place to maintain public safety, balance rights to peaceful protest and minimise disruption.
'The visit will require a significant police operation using local, national and specialist resources from across Police Scotland, supported by colleagues from other UK police forces as part of mutual aid arrangements.'
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