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Issue 114

Feb-Mar ’17 Hazlehead | Queens Cross | Mannofield

Introducing local people to local businesses since 2005!

Disclaimer : Whilst we’d be flattered if you would like to borrow something from the gazette be polite and ask first! Thank you. We try our hardest to ensure accuracy of editorial content but no responsibility can be taken for any errors and/or omissions.

The views expressed within the gazette are not necessarily those of the publisher or advertisers. When replying to offers, competitions and other correspondence, we would strongly recommend that you check published information with each organisation beforehand. All artwork is accepted on strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. We thank you for taking the time to read the small print.

A little bit of Italy...

Hazlehead Queens Cross Mannofield

February already!

This issue is a bit of an Italian indulgence along with some Mother’s Day suggestions! Why not book yourself a lovely meal out at Poldiinos or take up the offer at Ciao Napoli and mull over going to Italy to live and learn the language!

Sunday, March 26 is Mothering Sunday. As I’m sure I’ve said in the past I’m not that into the commercialism of it all but for those that are you’ll find a few suggestions dotted around the magazine to help you pick the perfect gift. My preference is always a homemade card and breakfast in bed!

There is some important reading regarding the recycling process which you all need to read. They are doing away with the paper bins and bottles and cans and making it one big recycle bin. There is little diagrams to help you put the right rubbish in the correct bin.

Enjoy your mid-term break and catch you all in a couple of months!

Go grab that cuppa and enjoy the rest of the magazine.

Until the next time, Sue x

...in Little Belmont Street

27 February| West End 1 (Mar-Apr- May) 27 March | Freshly baked home mode home made pizzas with lashings of toppings.

Tender pasta dishes full of tasty ingredients and luscious cream sauces. Seafood, prime steaks, chicken dishes, all withEnd that extra2 touch genius which is true Italian cooking!

West +of Kingswells (Apr-May) 7 Little Belmont Street | Aberdeen | AB10 1JG 20 May | West End 1 www.poldinos.co.uk West End 2 + Kingswells (June-July edition) 20 July | West End 1, West End 2 + Kingswells (Aug-Sept edition) We have been serving fine italian cuisine since 1977.

Extensive à la carte menu for lunch and dinner.

5 minutes walk from His Majesty’s Theatre and Music Hall – special lunch and pre-theatre menus.

Open Monday to Saturday: 12 noon to 2.30pm & 5.30pm to 10.15pm

of Italy...

A little bi A little Abitlittle of bit Italy... ...

in Little Belmont Street

...in Little Belmon

We have been serving fine Italian cuisine since 1977.

...in Little Belmont Street

Extensive à la carte menu for lunch and dinner.

5 minutes walk from His Majesty’s Theatre and Music Hall been serving fine italian cu We have

- special lunch and1977. pre-theatre menus.

Extensive à la carte menu for lunch a We have been serving fine italian cuisine since baked home-made pizzas with lashings of toppings.

Extensive à la carte menu forFreshly lunch and dinner.

5 minutes walk from His Majesty’s Th

Tender pasta dishes full of tasty ingredients and luscious cream independent publisher : – special lunch and pre-theatre menu sauces.

Seafood, 5 minutes walk from His Majesty’s Theatre andprime Musicsteaks, Hall chicken dishes, all with that extra touch of genius which is true Italian cooking!

Sue Simpson – special lunch and pre-theatre menus.

Freshly baked home mode home ma Open Monday to Saturday 12 noon to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 10.15pm Tender pasta dishes full of tasty ingre All enquiries : mobile : steaks, chicken dishes, all with that ex Freshly made pizzas with lashings of toppings.

07813 964 875baked home mode home 01224 647777 Tender pasta dishes full of tasty ingredients and luscious cream sauces. Seafood, prime

Gift to Saturday: 12 no email : mail@ 7 Little Belmont Street | Aberdeen | AB10 1JG Open Monday steaks, chicken dishes, all with that extra touch of genius which is true Italian cooking!

Vouchers gazettemagazines.com Available 7 Little Belmont Street | Ab www.gazettemagazines.com Open Monday to Saturday: 12 noon to 2.30pm & 5.30pm to 10.15pm

www.poldinos.co.uk

2

www.poldinos

t : 07813 964 875 : mail@gazettemagazines.com 7 www.gazettemagazines.com Little Belmont Street | Aberdeen | AB10 e1JG

LIVE AND LEARN ITALIAN Summer courses for Beginners or Improvers are available in Vasto, a historic town in Abruzzo, off the beaten track in the very heart of Italy.

You will learn Italian in small classes, discover the secrets of the town through a range of activities like regional cooking, wine tasting and visit sites of cultural and natural beauty. A real and authentic way to immerse yourself in the language while exploring and engaging in local life and activities.

Everything will be organised for you, including accommodation in familyrun B&Bs and transport between Rome airport and Vasto.

Calendar Summer Sessions 2017 June 18th - 25th Improvers Fully booked June 25th - July 2nd Beginners 3 Places available September 3rd-10th Improvers Fully booked September 10th - 17th Improvers 3 Places available Maximum of 7 students for group.

Contact : Enrica email: encoit@talktalk.net telephone: +44 7786 827714

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Vasto

www.italianlanguageaberdeen.co.uk

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3

Introducing Changes to Your Waste and Recycling Services Beginning in March, Aberdeen City Council will introduce changes to household waste and recycling services. From 6th March, collection routes for general waste, recycling and brown bins will change.

Residents will also start using a wheeled bin for their recycling, replacing the kerbside black box and white bag. All recyclable materials will be collected from a single wheelie bin so there will be no need to separate them, making the service even easier to use. You’ll also be able to recycle a wider range of materials including plastic pots, tubs and trays, as well as food and drink cartons (e.g. Tetrapaks).

By introducing a convenient recycling service across Aberdeen, we hope that more people will be encouraged to recycle.

The Council’s Waste and Recycling team will deliver new, slightly smaller general waste bins to households. Existing waste bins will receive a sticker and will then be used as mixed recycling bins.

Once collected, your mixed recycling will be

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sorted at Aberdeen City’s new state-of-theart Materials Recovery Facility in East Tullos which is due to begin operating in Spring.

Once the materials are sorted, they are baled and sent on to reprocessing plants where they are recycled into valuable resources such as new bottles, cans and newspapers.

Brown bin collections for recycling food and garden waste will continue unchanged.

As well as your garden waste, your brown bin can also take all cooked and uncooked food waste. These materials are sent to a reprocessing plant in Aberdeenshire where they are turned into compost, a valuable resource for local farmers.

The simple act of recycling has enormous benefits for the environment and for Aberdeen: It reduces waste which can damage our environment; It means that the council spends less on waste disposal and treatment; and It allows the materials to be turned into new resources.

You can find out more about the changes at www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/mixedrecycling.

Contact the Waste and Recycling Team for more information or advice: E: wasteandrecycling@aberdeencity.gov.uk T: 03000 200 292F: www.facebook.com/recycleforaberdeen T: www.twitter.com/AberdeenCC

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SPOT the difference There are ten differences between the two pictures can you find them all?

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Final salary pension schemes There are two main types of private pensions; a defined contribution (DC) pension, which is based on how much is paid in, and a defined benefit (DB) pension, which is based on your salary and how long you’ve worked for your employer.

DC pensions involve you, or your employer, paying money into a pension pot that is then put into investments by the pension provider.

Often referred to as final salary pension schemes, DB pensions are always workplace pensions that are arranged by your employer. Many DB schemes also

have rules that entitle workers to take a lower level of income from their pension entitlement in exchange for a cash lump sum.

According to insurance company Royal London, six million people with DB pensions have seen their transfer values increase dramatically in the past year, due to continuing low interest rates.

There are a number of benefits to transferring a DB pension, such as the possibility of extra tax-free cash, a more flexible retirement income and a potentially easier inheritance, as funds can be passed on to heirs.

Whilst this option may work for some, it is important to note that keeping a DB scheme may be a more sensible option, as they can offer extremely valuable inflation protection, the certainty of an income for life, and a

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risk-free income, which does not depend on the ups and downs of the stock market.

Current rules state that those who transfer their DB pensions have to sell the whole thing, increasing the element of risk, as this means that you could be left with a much smaller pension pot.

If you’re eligible to transfer your DB pension, I highly recommend speaking with your financial advisor before making the decision to sell. They will be able to talk you through the best options suited to your financial situation.

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A treat or two for mum... or for you?

Got a birthday coming up and not sure quite what to get for your friend who already has everything?

Or starting to think about a pretty present for the leading lady in your life, to celebrate Mother’s Day? Then pop along to Aberdeen’s newest luxury gifts, furniture and interiors boutique, which opened its doors at the end of November and has already become a big hit with local shoppers looking for a treat or two.

The stock is carefully handpicked by Sonya, using her expert eye and extensive contact base developed over the years. The boutique’s wares come from all parts of the world, with local stockists including Marigold & Mo and Marshmology. Meanwhile, there are beautiful, high quality interiors from the other side of the world; sourced from Angads, one of Sonya’s trusted Australian contacts.

Sonya also offers gifts and practical products

Sonya Angus, a former fashion buyer at highend Edinburgh department store Jenners, offers unusual and beautiful, yet affordable, pieces unlikely to be found elsewhere locally, in her cosy, stylish shop at The Courtyard Cults. Named after its charismatic and charming owner, it’s open Monday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm.

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for the home, kitchen and garden from popular homeware designer Sophie Allport, perfect presents for newborns from Cheeky Chompers (of Dragon’s Den fame!) and ideal wedding or engagement gifts from the likes of Two’s Company and Culinary Concepts.

The exciting new space will also act as a base for Prêt A Porter, Sonya’s discreet, personal and fun fashion advisory brand. The totally tailored service for ‘remerchandising’ your wardrobe has gained a considerable following in Aberdeen and Edinburgh over the last few years.

It will also promote Sonya’s bespoke home styling offering, which has recently taken Cults by storm; from updating a room to preparing a house for sale.

Going back in time, Sonya started her retail career in Edinburgh, aged 15, selling jewellery and Christian Dior tights in an exclusive boutique; learning her craft from the best without realising.

Following her dreams, at 19 she pipped keen

23-year-old graduates to the post to secure a traineeship in Jenners and by 21 was their youngest assistant buyer. She was there until her early thirties, working across linen, menswear, ladieswear and childrenswear, managing million pound budgets, travelling the world and rubbing shoulders with brands like Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, DKNY, Moschino and Diesel.

A move to Australia beckoned and, here, she discovered her ‘golden touch’ for styling homes, as well as people, working as linen and homeware buyer for a 40-store brand. On her return to Edinburgh, she was part of the launch team for Molton Brown’s flagship Edinburgh store and, after hosting a ‘Gok Wan’-style evening for an audience of 500, developed Prêt A Porter.

She brought the growing brand with her to Aberdeen, developed the home styling arm and has now started fulfilling her dream of owning her very own shop, hoping to fill a gap in the local market and time her offering perfectly for the influx of new housing developments in the area.

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Valid from 16.02.2017 until 28.03.2017. Not Valid on Mother’s Day. Terms & conditions apply.)

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Mother’s Little Helpers Time, space and sanity savers to see you through spring Kate Duggan: www.kateduggan.co.uk If it’s been ‘one of those’ mornings, and you just haven’t had a minute to wash your hair, a dry shampoo can come in very handy. Philip Kingsley’s One More Day Dry Shampoo is a light spray that keeps excess oil at bay. Unlike some dry shampoos, this one doesn’t feel sticky or leave a powdery residue.

It also helps to keep your scalp happy, so minimises flaking and irritation.

And, as an added bonus, it gives your hair some extra oomph and helps it to hold a style better. Priced at £14.50, the dry shampoo is available from www. philipkingsley.co.uk.

I do love a good multi-tasker, especially one that smells as good as Darphin’s Revitalising Oil. I keep a bottle by my desk for a quick daily mini-facial. I also use it as a body oil, straight after a bath. It feels lovely and leaves skin much smoother. Finally, I work a few drops of the oil through my hair when it’s damp, to add a bit of extra shine. A little goes a long way, so the Revitalising Oil is actually not bad value for money at £25. Available from Space NK, House of Fraser, John Lewis and www.darphin.co.uk.

Bee Good’s NectaPerfecta Beautifying Mask is another multi-tasker, and top of my wish list at the moment. It’s packed with 15 natural ingredients, including beeswax, honey, bilberry fruit extract, jojoba and wheatgerm oil, and can be used from head to toe. Use it as a face mask, weekly scalp treatment, or as an intensive treatment for dry patches on elbows, heels and hands. It can help to lock in moisture, improve elasticity, minimise fine lines and stimulate cell renewal. £39.95 from Waitrose or www.beegood.co.uk.

Love trying new products? You might want to think about signing up for a mystery beauty box. Priced from around £9 per box, they’re filled with a selection of luxury beauty goodies, from makeup to moisturiser, and usually worth at least twice what you’ve paid. Normally, you won’t find out what you’re getting until the box arrives, but contents can often be personalised to suit your skin’s needs and your personal tastes. Beauty boxes are delivered to your house monthly, and you can choose whether to sign up for one, three, six or 12 months. Try www.glossybox.co.uk, www.lovelula.com, www. birchbox.co.uk, www.lookfantastic.com and www.notanotherbill.com.

If you don’t have time for body lotion, the new Dr Do Good In-Shower Moisturiser could be for you. Just spray it on in the shower and rinse. Simple.

There’s no need to massage it in, and you don’t need to wait for it to soak in before you get dressed. It leaves skin feeling soft and hydrated, and is ideal for popping in your gym bag. Ingredients include extracts of five superfoods, including Vitamin A-rich carrot. £15, www.drdogood.co.uk.

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9/11/2014 2:49:27 PM

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Gifts for Mum Looking for the perfect present for Mother’s Day? Maybe we can help…

Paris for One and Other Stories – Jojo Moyes These 11 short stories are filled with romance, humour and charm. As we’ve come to expect from Moyes, great plots and believable characters make this a really enjoyable read. The title story follows Nell as she finds herself alone in Paris and has to break out of her comfort zone. Perfect for mums who sometimes only have 10 minutes to relax with a book and a cuppa.

Planet Earth II – Stephen Moss Millions tuned in to watch David Attenborough reveal some of the most spectacular natural wonders the Earth has to offer. If your mum was one of them, she’ll love this book. With 250 stunning photographs and commentary on the habitats and animals featured in the TV series, Planet Earth II may well find a prized position on the bookcase for years to come.

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Hide and Seek – M. J. Arlidge If Mum’s into crime fiction, Hide and Seek could be a good choice. DI Helen Grace is serving time in Holloway for a series of murders she didn’t commit.

When one of her cell mates is brutally murdered, suspicion turns to Helen.

Can she find the real killer before she gets the blame, and before she becomes the next victim? Gripping.

From the Heart – Susan Hill A poignant coming of age novel, From the Heart is set at a time when many of the freedoms we now take for granted could cost you dearly. Olive wants to be free to follow her heart. But an unplanned pregnancy gives her an almost impossible choice – marry a man she doesn’t love, or give up her baby. Beautifully written, and painfully emotive, this is a book to devour in one evening.

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Gino’s Hidden Italy: How to cook like a true Italian – Gino D’Acampo If a new cookbook is on her wishlist, this TV programme tie-in should prove a winner.

80 authentic Italian recipes are included, many of which are local specialities or traditional dishes with a Gino twist. Recipes are straightforward to follow, with dishes such as Baked Salmon with a Pistachio, Honey and Herb Crust, and Stuffed Lake Como Pie. Elizabeth: The Forgotten Years – John Guy John Guy is one of the most respected Tudor historians of our times. Here he reveals aspects of Elizabeth I’s later life previously lost in time. Painstakingly researched, the biography includes extracts from numerous letters from Elizabeth herself and details of both her private and public life. A must for fans of historical biographies.

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Hidato Starting at 1 and finishing at 49, track your way from one square to another, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally, placing consecutive numbers into the empty squares as you go. Some numbers are already given.

31 36

27

24

11 13

12

19

15 40 41

Hidato.indd 1

6 45

43

46

47

4

49

1

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©puzzlepress.co.uk

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How To Hedge There is nothing better than a living boundary around or within your garden, and it is difficult to beat a hedge.

Hedges can be smart or informal, neat and compact or thicker and sturdier, evergreen or deciduous and can even have pretty flowers - and now is an ideal time to plant a new hedge.

First, prepare the area by forking the soil over thoroughly and remove large stones, debris and pernicious weeds. This also helps to break up any compaction and to aerate the soil, making it a better place for plant roots.

You should fork in well-rotted

garden compost, manure or proprietary compost if the soil is either very sandy and light or very heavy with clay, and at the same time incorporate a complete fertilizer. Don’t plant right up against an existing fence, as the plants won’t grow well.

At this time of year you can create a hedge very effectively using ‘bare-root’ plants, but if you want to plant a hedge at any other time you will need container-grown plants. If using pot-grown plants, water them thoroughly and then carefully remove each plant from its pot. If the roots are tightly packed, tease them out firmly before planting. If you’re using bare-root plants, plant

them immediately.

It is essential to plant and space the plants correctly, to both achieve the desired effect and ensure the plants establish well. Once out of the pot, position the plant in the prepared soil at the same depth as it was in the pot; for bare-root plants only the roots should be beneath the soil.

Firm the soil around each so that it is in good contact with the roots.

Hedging plants should generally be spaced about 30-45cm apart. For a thicker or denser hedge, plant two parallel rows, each with a 45cm spacing between the plants, but positioned so that the planting is staggered

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like bricks in a wall. Once the whole hedge is planted, water the soil thoroughly to help settle the soil around the roots and so allow the plants to establish. On windy sites or with larger plants use small, temporary stakes such as bamboo canes to stabilise the plants. Keep the hedge well watered, especially during dry or windy weather. The first 18 months is the most vital period.

Some great hedging plants: Yew - a formal, evergreen hedge.

Thuja - a stunning conifer hedge for year round colour.

Beech - a deciduous plant that gives a good effect for much of the year. Both purple and green-leafed forms.

Hornbeam - great as a neatly clipped hedge, but more prone to mildew than beech.

Cypress – excellent if kept well clipped and cut back regularly.

Pyracantha - spiny evergreen with pretty creamy-white flowers and red-orange or yellow berries.

Privet - the classic town hedge.

Euonymus - evergreen, some variegated green and cream, others green and yellow.

Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com to buy gorgeous UK grown vegetable plants accompanied by weekly advice emails from Pippa, or to peruse the really useful selection of Pippa’s favourite gardening items including pop-up crop covers, SpeedHoes, SpeedWeeders, raised bed kits, Nemaslug, pull-out EasyTunnels, signed books and lots more besides.

Hawthorn deciduous and potentially thorny, good for wildlife.

Blackthorn deciduous and very thorny, with pretty white flowers followed by sloes – but can easily get too vigorous!

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SIXTH PAGE

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Thanking all our customers for the last 25 Years relaxed atmosphere with personal attention specialising in wedding hair for the whole bridal party.

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First Ride: Honda VFR1200F GT DCT

Take a quick glance at the handlebars of this Honda VFR1200F and you can tell something is missing – but it often takes a while to work

out exactly what. Even hard-nosed biker friends will struggle to spot that what this sports tourer is lacking is a clutch lever.

You see, this is Honda’s DCT automatic model, a sort of giant, grown-up twist and go scooter that’s not nearly as horrifying to ride as it might sound. Most bikers will find the idea of losing control of the gears and letting a computer do the shifting for them a cardinal sin – and I’ll happily admit I was one of them – but then I learned to live with the Honda, and you know what: I think most riders will find it hard to go back to a ‘normal’ bike again.

Hop on board the Honda and you’ll find the semi-automatic transmission doesn’t feel as far removed from a standard gearbox after all.

The rider selects drive at the push of a button on the handlebars and that familiar ‘clonk’ of a bike’s gear being engaged is still apparent.

However, pulling away requires no slipping of the clutch or fumbling with your feet – you simply let the bike take care of swapping cogs and concentrate on riding. If you’re feeling lively, you can do it yourself by prodding up and down buttons on the handlebars – but chances are you probably won’t.

That paragraph won’t convince many bikers to change to a DCT any time soon, but I can assure you as a devout gear shifter I’ve quickly learned to love it like I never expected I would. It’s really that good.

In fact, the VFR1200F has won me over in more ways than one. It helps that it’s got a glorious engine. The liquid cooled V4 lump produces 173bhp and is good for 165mph.

It sounds wonderful and as the revs increase your helmet is filled with an intoxicating warble. You’ll find it quite addictive.

On the road it feels stable and solid to ride.

The confidence it inspires in the corners right from the off makes it an easy bike to get on with, and one you’ll want to use whatever the weather. Rarely do you ride a bike that feels as stable in the wet as it does in the dry, but this Honda certainly does.

The VFR is practical too. Our test model features luggage that comes as standard on the GT model, which consists of a top box and panniers (£725 optional extra on other models). These are easy to operate with the ignition key and fit everything you’ll need for a weekend away, or will cope admirably with an ad-hoc trip to the supermarket. The heated grips (costing £250 usually but standard on this GT) are a welcome addition too. They warm up quickly and lightly toast your fingers on colder morning rides.

The usual excellent Honda build quality is very much apparent. The fit and finish of the

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17

shaft drive is an added bonus – it’s refined and convenient, reducing on cleaning rituals (especially with those classy white wheels) and cuts down on the need for maintenance.

There’s a lot to love about the VFR1200F. Once you get over the initial shock of not having to grab a clutch – and believe me you’ll go for it more than once before you remember it’s not there – then the VFR really is easy to fall for.

Practical, comfortable, incredibly swift and great fun – it’s very close to being the perfect all-rounder you’ve always promised yourself.

switchgear is beautiful and certainly feels like it justifies the £14,599 price tag. The

Honda VFR1200F GT DCT Price: £14,599 Engine: 1,237cc, V4 Power: 173bhp, 128Nm Top speed: 165mph MPG: 42mpg

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Angkor Wat, Cambodia From the 9th to the 15th century, the Khmer dynasty ruled one of the largest kingdoms in south-east Asia. Today Angkor, their ‘capital city’, is a unique history book highlighting the different styles and cultures which evolved over the 300 years it took to complete. It’s a World Heritage site, a ‘lost city’ claiming hundreds of temples and ruins scattered in a vast archaeological park. Most iconic is Angkor Wat, the best preserved temple and the largest religious structure in the world. It was built in the 12th century to honour the Hindu god Vishnu, was later used for Buddhist worship, and is featured on the national flag.

Rising like a dream above the plain, it’s the finest example of Khmer classical architecture, stylish and harmonious with towers and colonnades reflected in a lotus pond. It’s a breathtaking sight, especially in the soft light of dawn tinged in silver and gold. The sandstone glows, almost surreal, birds stir in the trees and monks in saffron robes meditate at the water’s edge. The causeway leading to the entrance is still deserted and for the early pilgrims, this is a sublime vision of heaven as lotus-shaped

towers mirror the five peaks of Mount Meru, the home of the gods.

The first westerner to set eyes on Angkor Wat was a Portuguese monk in the 16th century, who spoke of ‘a building like no other in the world…with all the refinements the human genius could conceive.’ But the gods must have played a part for whatever the time of day, the temple is pure magic, shimmering in the cool of the morning, burning in the midday heat, silhouetted against the darkening sky in the last rays of the setting sun.

So from morning to dusk, the visitors pour in, spellbound as they shuffle around the lower gallery, marvelling at the bas-reliefs stretching for 800 metres around the central temple and regarded as the greatest artistic legacy in Angkor. There are epic legends and battle scenes but most highly praised is ‘The Churning of the Ocean Milk’, where devils and gods fight for immortality, the latter led to victory by some of the 3,000 heavenly nymphs, or apsara, found in Angkor Wat. They also line the walls on the second level, encouraging meditation before the near vertical climb to the top, an act which requires unflinching concentration and a very slow descent. Visitors clamber down backwards and one can’t help wondering how the high priest ever managed to preserve his dignity.

But when you’re up there, the world is at your feet, the courtyards, the galleries, the

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entrance gates at each cardinal point, two of them large enough to accommodate elephants. The oversized moats glisten like oceans, the outer walls mark the edge of the world and the forest spreads as far as you can see, hiding more vestiges from a glorious past. It’s a sacred replica of the universe, they say, and you can feel the vibes in the air.

Back on the ground where city and palace once stood, cicadas whir in the trees and lizards bask in the hot sun. ‘Close your eyes’, whisper the guides, ‘and feel the past clinging to the stones.’ Then for a moment or two, you step back in time, sitting in the Royal Court, bewitched by the wonderful apsara and dreaming of the legendary seven-headed snake who built a rainbow bridge to link heaven and earth by the lofty towers of Angkor Wat. Solange Hando

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Y EXP EARS ERIE NC

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Gadgets for grooming, cutting, styling or removing, whatever your gender

£29 on a hairdryer. If that’s the case, keep an eye out for Tourmaline dryers from the usual suspects: it’s a kind of ceramic that enables hair dryers to deliver powerful airflow without leaving your hair looking like it’s been through the tumble dryer.

When it comes to looking after your hair or getting rid of unwanted hair, there’s no shortage of options - and no wonder, because the beauty market is worth huge sums of money. So it’s hardly surprising to see the likes of Dyson joining the party, albeit with a hairdryer that costs £299. The reviews are excellent, but if you’re anything like us you’re probably hoping to spend something more like

Another great idea comes from late-night TV advertiser JML. Its £39.99 Simply Straight brush is a heated ceramic brush that promises to combine two essential items: your brush and straighteners. According to the Mirror it works really well - it’s not quite as effective as separate brushes and straighteners, but it comes awfully close and is very, very quick.

Mad March Hair

One of the current trends in hair styling is steam. Stylers such as the Remington CB4N Flexibrush can be used without it, or you can pop some water in, wait 60 seconds and get fabulous, not frizzy, results. The Flexibrush was a cult classic in the 1990s, and Remington says it brought it back because it was getting 50 calls a week from people wanting to buy one.

There are lots of gadgets for hair removal too, from the usual epilators and shavers to more high-tech options such as IPL hair removal. IPL uses pulses of light to get rid of unwanted hair, and while it works brilliantly we’ve got bad news for anyone with ginger or light blonde hair, or very dark skin: IPL only

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works on darker hair colours on lighter skin tones. Prices aren’t as frightening as they used to be - for example, the £350 Philips Lumea SC2004/11 is currently on sale for a more reasonable £219 - and you can use them anywhere. Some models are even okay to use on your face.

The downside is that they can take some time, so for example you should allow half an hour to do your legs.

IPL is available for men too, although they aren’t recommended for use on your face or on anything more sensitive than the bikini line.

Devices for men or sold as unisex devices tend to be more

expensive - for example, the Remington i-Light Pro is £299 and the Philips Lumea for Men is £350 - but they do work, provided you don’t have ginger or light blond hair. A big advantage for men is that unlike other hair removal methods, IPL doesn’t have stubbly regrowth, irritate your skin or lead to ingrowing hairs.

There are plenty of grooming gadgets for men too. Facebook is full of ads for innovative razors and gadgets such as the £19 RazorPit Blade Sharpener.

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For hair removal elsewhere there’s no shortage of electric groomers, shavers and combined head and body trimmers, but shop around: recommended retail prices can be hilariously high, but retailers often sell the kits at huge discounts.

That applies to women too: beauty gadgets vary wildly in price between retailers. It’s worth picking a favourite and using a comparison site such as pricespy.co.uk to make sure that looking good won’t be bad for your bank balance.

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23

THAI GREEN CURRY This classic curry is great for a mid-week family supper – it’s quick to make and tastes delicious!

Serves 4 Ready in 35 minutes 200g Thai jasmine rice 1 tbsp sunflower oil 1 onion, peeled and thinly sliced 2 tbsp Thai green curry paste 1 large red pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced 1 large courgette, sliced 450g chicken breast fillets, cut into chunks 400ml can coconut milk 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp fish sauce Squeeze of lime juice 2 tsp nigella seeds 1 Cook the rice in a large pan of boiling, lightly salted water for about 15 minutes until tender, or follow the packet instructions.

2 Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onion for 5 minutes. Stir in the curry paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Stir in the pepper and courgette and fry for a further minute.

3 Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes until no longer pink, stirring all the time. Pour in the coconut milk and simmer gently for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked. Stir in the soy and fish sauces and lime juice.

4 Drain the rice and use a small heatproof cup or bowl to make four mounds of rice on warmed serving plates. Sprinkle the nigella seeds on top and spoon the curry on the side.

TIP : Add a handful of freshly chopped coriander leaves to the curry at the end of cooking time, if liked. Or for a spicier flavour, garnish with shredded red chilli pepper.

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News from Prime Mover Pathway Prime Mover Pathway have delivered expertise in specialist fitness for 20 years, in Aberdeen. During 2016 Lydia joined me and is bringing her own branch of fitness to the newly established team. It’s lovely to see Lydia bringing a youthful, fresh way of thinking to the business. With Lydia on board, Prime Mover Pathway can now cater for a wider audience with Pre & Post Natal clients, as well as children.

All this is a fantastic cause for celebration. But it doesn’t stop there.

To accommodate our fitness expansion we now require more space. As of February 2017, we will have additional room, particularly in the evening because we have a fantastic opportunity to be at an amazing new venue.

Our new venue will mean we have a great new studio to work from. This will enable us to expand our 1-2-1 service to include members of all ages and provide new classes that are in demand. We can host classes catering for pre and post natal clients, Pilates based on posture, 1-2-1 biomechanics, as well as children and babies.

Lydia and I are delighted to be working with The Breadmaker, breaking new ground by working together to achieve the same goals.

We would both like to say thank you to The Breadmaker for inviting us to be part of this new venture, Space 2 B. We are also excited to be expanding our community offering. Please watch our website for class start dates and class times: www.PrimeMoverPathway.co.uk Our new venue will be: Prime Mover Pathway at Space to B Bon Accord House, Riverside Drive, Aberdeen, AB11 7SL. M: 07773021851 & 07857273238 E: PrimeMoverPathway@outlook.com We hope to see you all at brand new premises for a healthier 2017.

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25

CLUBS & CLASSES

Friskis&Svettis Jympa (exercise to music). Fun and effective exercise with great music. Low impact, suitable for all ages & abilities.

Wednesdays from 7-8pm Airyhall Community Centre Contact Jackie Tel 01224 713705 Friskis & Svettis Jympa Tuesday from 7.30pm - 8.30pm Airyhall Community Centre Call Katie on 01224981474/07889011337 or email info@fsaberdeen.co.uk Rubislaw Baby Group Tuesdays, 9.30am – 11.00am Rubislaw Church Centre, Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen £2.50 per session Suitable for: Birth to walking 07747 830386 email: rubislawplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk Rubislaw Toddler Group Wednesdays, 9.30am – 11.00am Rubislaw Church Centre, Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen £3.00 per session (includes snack) Suitable for: Walking to 21/2 years 07747 830386 email: rubislawplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk Rubislaw Playgroup Monday to Friday, 9.10am – 12.20pm Rubislaw Church Centre, Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen £16.00 per session (choose days to suit, funded places available) Suitable for: 21/2 years to school age 07747 830386 email: rubislawplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk Zumba with Sharon Wednesday 7.30 - 8.30 At Broomhill Activity Centre No experience needed.197 Broomhill Road AB10 7LN Contact - 07578299963 Shaggy225@hotmail.co.uk Italian Classes in Cults (Aberdeen) from Beginners to Advanced level Summer Sessions in Italy Enrica Conti Tel. 07786827714 encoit@talktalk.net www.italianlanguageaberdeen.co.uk Kaimhill Strollers is an over 50s walking group which meets every Thursday at 9.15 in the Community Wing of Kaimhill School. Walks average 6 miles and the cost of £4 includes use of our minibus. For further information contact Dick on 01224 782109 or Doris on 01224 316775.

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Mannofield Yoga Thursdays 7.15-8.15pm Mannofield Church All welcome including beginners Contact information: Please contact Jenny at jennyflowerw@yahoo.co.uk CTC Grampian We are the local group of the Cycling Touring Club which is a national organisation. We provide cycle rides for all abilities to local destinations and further afield. The group is aimed at cyclists of all abilities and ages. John B, Chairman, Tel: 01224 571984. www.ctcgrampian.org.uk Barre Fitness classes Monday at 10-11am at Granville Lane Scout Hut, Tuesday at Mile End Primary from 6-7pm and Friday 5pm and 5.30pm at Fitness and Wellbeing Development on Riverside Drive. c.chernouski@yahoo.co.uk or www.facebook.com/BarreFitnessAberdeen.

Silver CITY Singers AGS Former Pupils Club 86 Queen’s Road AB15 4YQ Mondays 7.20 - 9.30pm www.silvercitysingers.com We run a FREE harmony Singing Course If you can hold a note - we’ll do the rest!

The Mixing Bowl Aberdeen A food interest group for the community. Meets monthly in term time at St Devenick’s church hall, Baillieswells Rd, Bieldside Further details: www.mixingbowl.btck.co.uk Yoga with Deborah Thompson Cults Kirk Church Hall on Quarry Road in Cults, every Wednesday 7-8pm. Tel: 07821704826, deborahthompsonyoga@gmail.com Scottish Country Dancing Beginners’ classes Beginner’s Scottish Country Dancing classes - Mondays 7:30pm Garthdee and Thursdays 1:30pm Holburn West. and also Ceilidh classes every 1st and 3rd Tuesday in the month 7:30 - 9:00pm at South St Nicholas Church Kincorth. Everyone welcome for a fun evening! More info from: 01224 636128 or aberdeenrscds@hotmail.co.uk.

Dru Yoga Dru is a gentle, flowing style of yoga suitable for all. Tues 7 - 8 pm Jubilee Hall, South Holburn Church. Thurs 10 - 12 noon Girlguiding, 45 Victoria Street, Aberdeen.

Registered Dru Yoga teacher. Tel: Pauline 01224 643447.

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CLUBS & CLASSES

Hatha Yoga 9:30-10:30 am every Thursday - Ashley Road £7.00 per session A multilevel class of traditional yoga suitable for adults of all ages and yoga experience. Info & bookings : Adriana 07799845716 - limited spaces Fitness with Laura Monday - 6-7pm Inchgarth Community Centre Wednesday - 6.15-7.15pm Tullos Primary School Friday - 10-11am Inchgarth Community Centre Follow on Facebook: fitnesswithlaura or 07739181345.

Airyhall Ramblers Group Every second Wednesday @ Countesswells Road 9.15am Join us on our guided walks around the beautiful NE Scotland. Open to over 50’s A friendly, sociable group.Long & short walks available. Contact membership secretary on 07472686889

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27

CLUBS & CLASSES Tai Chi (Taijiquan) & Health Qigong (Chi Kung) Mondays 7-8pm and 8-9pm Aberdeen Unitarian Church contact Matthew Knight Email: ruyischool.mk@gmail.com Childrens Highland Dancing Lessons Day: Various - After School / Saturdays Craigiebuckler, Holborn West, City Centre and Cults sinclairhighlanddancing@gmail.com or 07972104774

Rhythm Time Multisensory Music Sessions Ruthrieston West Church Tuesdays: 9.45am, 14mnths - 3yrs 10.25am 0 -12mnths 11.05am 0 - 12 mnths Friday: 9.30am 14mnths - 3yrs 10.10am 14mnths 3yrs 10.50am 0 - 12mnths Scottish Country Dancing classes Various Days start 26 Sept from Beginners to Advanced for Adults - Beginners on a Thursday afternoon or Monday evening. Please contact aberdeenrscds@ hotmail.co.uk or 01224 636128 for more information.

Mannofield Gospel Choir Mondays, 19th September onwards 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mannofield Church Alistair Stark, 01224 318536, mail@agstark.co.uk No auditions, no experience needed, no end of fun.

Ceilidh classes every other Tuesday from 4th October.

South St Nicholas Church Kincorth, 7:30 - 9:00pm everyone welcome for a fun evening! Please contact aberdeenrscds@hotmail.co.uk or 01224 636128 for more information.

Gordonians Hockey Club - Youth Coaching Tuesdays fm 23rd Aug until end of May 5.45pm - 7.00pm Astroturf Playing Fields, Countesswells Road AB15 8AR Ages P4 - S6 any school Contact John Mowat tel: 07525 811039

Scottish Country Dancing classes for Children after school at St Joseph’s, Kingsford, Braehead, Craigiebuckler Church Hall or at City Moves on a Saturday morning .

Please contact aberdeenrscds@hotmail.co.uk or 01224 636128 for more information.

Aberdeen Choral Society Mondays fm 5th September at 7.30pm Queens Cross Church Hall.. Please come and join us we’d love to have you. All details on our website.

Aberdeen Orpheus Choir Wednesday evenings at 7.15 p.m. in the Hall of Crown Terrace Baptist Church, Windmill Lane, Aberdeen. Some vacancies exist in the Choir and if you can read music and are interested in choral music, further information may be obtained by contacting our Conductor, Jane Murray on 07967926758.

Woodburn Walkers Every seond Tuesday @ Hazlehead Park - Contact 01224 323925 and 01224 318075. A walking group open to all over 50’s . We enjoy walks in the north east from bout seven miles, (a shorter option is usually available).

Mannofield Parent & Toddler Group Monday, & Fridays 1000 - 1130 @ Mannofield Church Facebook Group - Mannofield Parent & Toddlers Aberdeen Strathspey and Reel Society Monday evenings, Jnr Orchestra - 6.30 to 7.30pm, Snr 7.30 to 9.00pm @ Airyhall School, Countesswells Road Tel: 01224 676482, e-mail infoaberdeenstrathspey.org.uk www.aberdeenstrathspey.org.uk We’re always on the lookout for players of all ages - interested?

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Aberdeen Italian Circle Thursdays (every 2/3 weeks) Time: 7.15 pm Rubislaw Church Centre, Beaconsfield Place Contact: abital@btinternet.com 01224 635792 The Granite City Guerrillas Dodgeball Team Open to everyone over 16 years of age. Beginners always welcome. First week is free.

Every Monday 8pm – 10pm at The Jesmond Sports Centre, Bridge of Don (Mixed session) Every Wednesday 8.30pm – 10pm at The Danestone Community Centre, Bridge of Don (Ladies only) Contact: www.facebook.com/thegranitecityguerrillas

LIST YOUR CLASS - FREE I need to know ... Name of Class: Day: Time: Where: Contact: mail@gazettemagazines.com

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29

What’s On at Aberdeen Performing Arts...

Sunday, February 26: As part of Granite Noir, Aberdeen’s Crime Writing Festival, two masters of the form reveal their top tips for writing historical fiction. Taking Inspiration From the Past with Elly Griffiths and S G MacLean includes how and where to do your research, when to stop swotting and start writing, how to keep facts from derailing your plot, the art of listening to your characters, and how to know when to deviate from the facts to keep the story moving, in Aberdeen Central Library at 12.30pm to 1.30pm.

Tickets £7.50, Sunday, February 26: Once you’ve mastered the rules, all the fun is in breaking them! Meet two accomplished authors unafraid to tweak conventional formats to their own nefarious ends. Challenging Conventions with Antti Tuomainen and Russel D McLean, which is part of Granite Noir, Aberdeen’s crime writing festival, takes place in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Tickets £7.50, Sunday, February 26: As part of Granite Noir, Aberdeen’s festival of crime writing, Who Killed David Dun? is an event with a twist.

Burgess, shipmaster and all-round rogue, David Dun had plenty of enemies in Medieval Aberdeen and appeared in court on a monthly basis. When he is found murdered you, as the town clerk with access to the town’s legal records, must attempt to work out which of Dun’s many enemies was behind the killing. Using real extracts from historic Aberdeen burgh records, this live narrative game will allow the audience to vote on decisions and try to solve the crime! Join your host William Hepburn for this event in Aberdeen Town House at 2pm to 3pm. Tickets £7.50, Sunday, February 26: Drawing Baddies with Shoo Raynor is

a Granite Noir event for ‘Little Criminals’ aged 8 and above.

Sharpen your pencils for a fun session with bestselling author and YouTube sensation Shoo Raynor, who will demonstrate how to master basic drawing shapes so you can create creepy criminals, nefarious nasties, seuper sleuths and naughty no-good-nicks. Places are limited to 30, so book early to avoid disappointment. This workshop takes place in Aberdeen Central Library at 2pm to 3pm. Tickets are free but should be booked from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com or tel 01224 641122.

Sunday, February 26: What could be more inviting on a chilly Sunday afternoon than afternoon tea? But beware! Dr Kathryn Harkup, author of A is for Arsenic, is here to remind us that in the hands of literary Grande Dame Agatha Christie, everything on the menu could — and did — become a lethal weapon.

While you dine, Dr Harkup will talk about some of Christie’s favourite poisons, describing how the Queen of Crime deployed them, and where she found her inspiration. It all adds up to one unforgettable Poisoned High Tea as part of Granite Noir, Aberdeen’s crime writing festival.

This event takes place in 1906 Restaurant at His Majesty’s Theatre at 3pm to 5pm. Tickets are £18 including afternoon tea, or £25 with Prosecco, Sunday, February 26: Sharp social criticism and dark home truths are a hallmark of modern crime fiction, and these talented authors are so adept at weaving controversial social issues through their thrilling mysteries that you never spot the join. Authors Kati Hiekkapelto and Eva Dolan lead Crime with a Social Conscience as part of Aberdeen’s crime festival Granite Noir. This event is in The Lemon Tree Studio, West North Street, Aberdeen, at 3.30pm to 4.30pm. Tickets £7.50,

discounts available when booking for multiple events, weekend passes available, from www. aberdeenperformingarts.com or tel 01224 641122.

Sunday, February 26: One of the fathers of Nordic Noir, Gunnar Staalesen comes to Granite Noir for a special and rare UK screening of Cold Hearts, with an audience Q&A and discussion with Staalesen after the screening. This event takes place in Belmont Filmhouse at 6pm to 8.30pm. Tickets £10 Sunday, February 26: The closing event of Aberdeen’s crime writing festival, Granite Noir, is Noir at the Bar. Host Russel D McLean (founder of Glasgow’s Noir at the Bar) hosts this informal gathering of festival and local talent for a night of readings and hijinks in the bar of the Belmont Filmhouse, and we’ll be kicking things off with an appearance by Gunnar Staalesen, in the Belmont Filmhouse at 9pm. This event is free but tickets should be booked from www. aberdeenperformingarts.com or tel 01224 641122. Discounts available when booking for multiple events, weekend passes available.

Tuesday, February 28 – Saturday, March 4: Georges and the dazzling drag artiste Albin, star of la Cage aux Folles, live an idyllic existence in the heart of St Tropez. But behind the curtains of this sparkling extravaganza, all may be about to change… This is a lavishly funny tale of unconditional love and family values, with West End star John Partridge and Broadway leading man Adrian Zmed, in His Majesty’s Theatre at 7.30pm with 2pm Wednesday and Thursday matinees and 2.30pm Saturday matinee.

Tickets £39 – £20 | Premium tickets £47 - £42 from www. aberdeenperformingarts.com or tel 01224 641122

Discounts available when booking for multiple events, from www.aberdeenperformingarts.com or tel 01224 641122.

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Open Tuesday -Saturday 20% discount for new clients 30 years experience Present this advert to receive discount.

George Cormack Painter & Decorator T: 01224 827081 M: 07840 650 853

Piano Teacher M: 078901 48059 E: fionapianotutor@live.co.uk

40yrs experience, free estimates, no job to small and no vat.

e:

Call Neil 07539-462-064 Laptop & PC upgrades/ repairs/internet Collect & return service New computers available Laptop and PC training available £20 per hour

gcormack10@hotmail.co.uk

Fully Qualified and Experienced : • Grade 8 Distinction • DIP.MUS.ED. R.S.A.M.D.

• Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama

Beginners : all ages and stages welcome.

Why not refresh your bygone skills.

• Exams optional : Associated Board, Piano and Theory Grades 1-8

Reasonable rates Aberdeen City

CUMMING FIRE & SECURITY Ltd

07817-749943

Tel: Email cfs.ltd@dial.pipex.com FREE ADVICE & QUOTATIONS EVENING SURVEYS AVAILABLE Intruder Alarm Systems, Wired or Wireless Fire Alarm Systems, Wired or Wireless Fire Extinguishers & Blankets Electrical Work - All Types Smoke & Heat Alarms Portable Appliance Testing CCTV & Door Entry Systems Window & Door Lock Replacement.

Safes and Cabinets Safety Signs & Equipment

For Peace of Mind At Work or Home - Call Us Now

Orlando Villa Haven T: 01224 747855 Luxury 4 bedroom villa with pool and spa 15 mins from Disney World Take a virtual tour at: orlandovillahaven.com

Interesting Music Promotions are

holding an event on the evening of Wed 8th March 2017 celebrating International Womens' Day via Music & Spoken Word at Tunnels from 7pm till late.

The line-up is going to be

Kathryn Joseph (first female winner of the Scottish Album of the Year in 2015) regular on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC 6Music whether playing live or on record.

Katie Ailes (Loud Poet Political/Eco) Sacred Paws* (Fusing African Highlife with Riot Grrllll riffs and the most amazing two piece live in Scotland NOW. Bdy_PRTS stars of the recent Kate Bush Night at HM Theatre and regulars on BBC Radio Scotland.

The Lovely Eggs* amazing live two piece fusing punk/postpunk and Krautrock. Favoured by BBC 6Music various dj's and played live SIX times on 6Music Mark Riley programme. *first visits to Aberdeen but we have seen these two wonderful artists live www.wegottickets.com/ event/380453

Look Ahead Book your 2017 marketing through a local medium Advertising rates to suit every budget fm ÂŁ24 up to ÂŁ228 per issue per magazine!

Book today. T: 07813 964 875 E: mail@gazettemagazines.com W: www.gazettemagazines.com