Web issue 99 WE1

West End 1 gazette magazines

Successfully introducing local people - local businesses

Free magazine Issue 99 Bieldside, Cults, Holburn Mid Nov ‘15 - Mid Jan ‘16

Introductory Offer for Landlords ‌

‌Management Fee! Why not try our Personal and Reliable Service!

01224 611606 info@parkhillproperties.co.uk Terms and Condition Apply

2

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

E

stablished in 2005, Parkhill Property Leasing has grown from a single property landlord to a highly successful property leasing & management company. Ten years on and celebrating a successful year in the new office, the Parkhill Team guarantee the personal and reliable service that their clients deserve!

As property owners themselves they became frustrated by the lack of personal service provided by some leasing agents. Parkhill Property Leasing decided that the key to success was to provide every landlord with a personal and professional service. Their company ethos is to treat every property as if it was their own. It is this ethos that the Parkhill Property Leasing success to date has been founded on and what will continue to drive their business forward.

As Landlords, the Parkhill Team know how important your property is, and they keep you updated every step of the way, by tailoring their services to meet each individual landlord’s needs. Whether you have 1 property or 50 properties you will receive the personal and reliable service you deserve…Guaranteed!

The Parkhill Property Leasing Manager, Chloe Baxter, oversees the team of leasing agents and ensures that each landlord has a direct contact within the Parkhill Team. This ensures the personal relationship between the landlord and Parkhill Property Leasing is maintained throughout the property leasing process.

‘2015 has been our best year yet! We have had an influx of new clients joining Parkhill Property Leasing on recommendations from existing clients. We are delighted that our 1st class service has resulted in the continued growth of our business. Both our existing, and new clients have given some great feedback helping us build a strong working relationship. The Parkhill Team are looking forward to a busy and exciting future.’ (Chloe Baxter)

81 Rosemount Place Aberdeen AB25 2YE 01224 611606 Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

3

landline: 01224 949085 mobile : 07813 964 875 email : mail@gazettemagazines.com web : www.gazettemagazines.com

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.

independent publisher All enquiries : Sue Simpson Disclaimer : Whilst we’d be flattered if you would like to borrow something from the gazette be polite and ask first! Thank you. We

4

H

ere we are at the end of the year and into my tenth year of publishing! Thank you to each and every one for taking the time to read through the magazines, to engage and use the advertisers, a win-win situation for all of us.

This issue is number 99 and with it brings a fab gift guide to showcase what some of our local independent shops have to offer you. There really is a lot of unique items on offer so don’t miss out when it’s gone it will be gone.

If you are looking for something different to do with the kids why not head to Ellon to visit the Ythanbank Reindeer – a wonderful experience.

Looking for some craft fairs then Broomhill Primary are hosting one, Airyhall Community Centre is the venue for the annual Christmas Craft Bazaar or for a wee jaunt why not head to Dalgetie Castle and enjoy what Joan has to offer over two weekends - everyone raves about the homemade cakes!

Our next deadline is early! 10 December so any items you wish published, events in the first few months of 2016 get them into me as soon as possible.

May I be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas and a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2016!

Refill your glass and read on...

Until next time,

Sue

Delivered bi-monthly to : 6000 letterboxes in Bieldside, Broomhill, Cults, Holburn, Ashley and Woodland at Pitfodels Ad-hoc contributions from : Helen Taylor; James Baggott; Pippa Greenwood; Jane Robinson Distribution - thanks to : Sue; James; Freya; Mary; Benjamin; Lois; Amy; Bruce; Jessica; Sam; Abbie, Alison Mitchell and Gayle

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

Deadlines: Print Mid Month 10 Dec - early Jan/Feb 2016 27 Feb - Mar/Apr 27 Apr - May/Jun 27 Jun - July/Aug 27 Aug - Sept/Oct 27 Oct - Nov/Dec

Bieldisde Cults Holburn e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

5

Aberdeen Wine and Food Society With the dark nights upon us, it is usually time to think about what you’d like to be doing with your time during the onset of winter?

Have you heard of Aberdeen Wine and Food Society? It was formed in 1973, from a motley crew of people from various backgrounds, but all with a common love of Borscht or Bouillabaisse, Bordeaux or Barolo.

The object of the Society is “To enable the members of the Society to meet together to promote a wider knowledge of the wines and foods of the world and a more discerning appreciation of their individual merits by means of periodic tastings, lectures, film shows, or by other such means, excluding trading, as from time to time the Society may decide”.

Our season usually runs from September to May, with monthly meetings, mostly on the last Tuesday of the month, at various venues in and around Aberdeen. The evenings are either geared towards a wine or food theme, unsurprisingly, and we have an average attendance of around 30 from our present membership of 43. The result is a very convivial evening with a lovely sociable feel, a chance to make new friends and swap a myriad of tales from people of varying backgrounds and national boundaries.

We have members from Scotland, England, Ireland, Holland and South Africa in our midst, each with their own favourite wine of choice, food and travel experiences to discuss around the table.

Our wine events include tastings of various wines in small measures, accompanied by descriptions, costs and locators, followed by a two course meal, with quaffing wine. Food themed evenings push the bar up on the style of food, but also with quaffing wine and

6

these are usually at one of the better quality restaurants in the area.

Over the last few years we have sampled wines from South Africa, Lebanon, France, Argentina, Spain and Germany, among others. We have enjoyed food presented in, to name a few, Eat on the Green, The Marcliffe at Pitfodels, Raemoir House, Fusion, Nargile and Silver Darling.

We have had very interesting talks, such as “Natural Wines”, presented by Art du Vin, Dunfermline, “The Effect of Music Type on One’s Palate”, presented by Edinburgh University, “Pinotage of South Africa” and “Wine with Food”, both of which were presented by one of our knowledgeable members. This season we will tackle the subjects of Medals and Indian Wines, to name but two.

Entry to the Society is by payment of an annual fee, which presently is £25 and each monthly event is charged by attendance, at an average cost of around £35-£45 per head, including all food and wine on offer. We occasionally arrange transport to out of town events, but otherwise it is up to individual attendees to make their own arrangements.

Why not come along as a guest to sample an event, at a small additional charge.

At present Events for our 2015 / 2016 season will be at :Tolbooth, Stonehaven / North of Scotland College / Courtyard / Café Boheme / Caledonian Hotel / Cinnamon / our AGM followed by our final Banquet at Banchory Lodge Hotel.

If this is a subject which interests you then please get in touch by contacting either The Society’s Secretary or President, whose details are below.

Secretary – Simon Robins – email – srobins@comraen.co.uk President – Bob Chisholm – email – robert.chisholm@btinternet.com

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

teachers of efl/esol

announcing two new courses in 2016

Alison McLeod

Afterschool Football

Kingswells Community

trinity college london diploma in tesol

• For experienced teachers of esol • Blended learning course with workshops • enhance your job prospects this year

Monday 3.30-4.15

P1/2

Airyhall Community Centre

sQa pda introdUction to tUtoring esol

• never taught before? interested in tutoring?

• level 6 20-week blended learning course website: www.tesoltrainingscotland.co.uk email: info@tesoltrainingscotland.co.uk tel: 01224 279883 mob: 07780 802740 tesol training scotland sc 343685

Monday 9.30-10.00 Pre School

Thursday 3.30-4.15 P1/2

For more info contact Alison McLeod on 07824 631 221

www.Aberdeenfootballfun.co.uk

aberdeen area roofing

pointing | roofing | slating domestic and commercial call George Williams for excellent service and rates :

m-07803 697 580/t-01224 312611 184 broomhill road, aberdeen (est 1988)

20% OFF YOUR 1ST

TREATMENT Quote GAZ20

!

01224 433111

“National Iyengar Yoga Day “ Saturday 16 January.

Free taster yoga classes will be held from 10-12 noon @ South Holburn Church Hall and from 2-4pm @ Peterculter Parish Church Hall .

For more information contact Fiona

on 01224 732119 or on fiona. bochel@ hotmail.co.uk

Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

7

Beauty

Beauty Gifts That Won’t Break The Bank

by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk

Beauty gifts need to be a little bit decadent.

The recipient should feel truly pampered, and will appreciate that you haven’t just picked up a run-of-the-mill gift set with your supermarket shopping. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to max the credit card out this Christmas.

So, here are our top picks for great value skin and body care gift sets, starting from under a fiver.

A gift for your mum Pai have released a limited edition version of their bestselling rosehip Bioregenerate oil, for £22. This oil is the darling of the beauty media and packs a pretty powerful antiaging punch. It’s the most concentrated rosehip oil on the market, and has been shown to offer visible skin healing benefits, including improving skin firmness, and minimising the appearance of scars, stretch marks, sun damage and fine lines.

It also feels lovely to apply. for your sister Neal’s yard uplifting Jasmine & ylang ylang organic Collection includes a shower gel and body cream, and is a real bargain at £15. As well as smelling absolutely divine, the products are very nourishing, so are ideal for the cold winter months. Packaged in a pretty gift box, this set is sure to go down a treat. stoCkiNg fillers If stockings are still the best part of your Christmas morning, you’ll love Narynda’s sample pots.

Choose between the Body Care Pack at £5, and the Face Care Pack at £7.50, then just wrap each item separately. They both offer great value for

8

money, and are ideal for a weekend away.

Narynda’s products are formulated from some of nature’s finest skin soothers, including oat oil, grapefruit oil and beeswax, so they’re a good choice for sensitive skin. seCret sANtA The prettily packaged soaps

by Akamuti are 100% natural and handmade. The rose Beauty soap Bar contains shea butter, olive oil and cocoa butter, along with luxurious rose oil.

A bar costs £4.75 and is a much more thoughtful choice for a co-worker than the usual box of chocolates or gift voucher. for A frieNd Who wouldn’t want to receive the gift of beautiful hair? kms California has released three gift sets this Christmas, each containing a shampoo, conditioner, two styling products and a hair accessory. Choose the desired results from Tame Frizz, Moist Repair and Add Volume. Each set retails at £29.95. for A pArty host If you fancy giving your host something a bit more imaginative than a bottle of wine or bunch of flowers, a gift set from B skincare is a great choice. The lavender scented B relaxed set is particularly relevant at this hectic time of year, and at £12.50 it won’t break the bank. Handmade in Cornwall by a small family business, B Skincare make seriously luxurious products, at pocket-friendly prices. oNe for the Boys Buying for a man who understands the importance of good skincare? The elemis perfect man giftset should go down a treat.

The set comprises Ice Cool Foaming Gel (for shaving), Pro-Collagen Marine Cream for Men, Aching Muscle Super Soak and two sachets of Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks. At £49 it isn’t cheap, but as it includes £77.50 worth of products, it is great value for money.

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

re you one of the 80% of women affected by unwanted facial and body hair?

Apilus Platinum Pure Electrolysis treatments can put YOU in the 20% The APILUS PLATINUM PURE - 100% PERMANENT RESULTS MORE RAPIDLY » State-of-the-art technology - 27Mhz radio frequency to permanently & rapidly eliminate ALL hair types of ANY colour » more effective - works twice as fast as any other epilator by optimising energy concentration in the hair follicle » more comfortable - the 27Mhz radio frequency so swift & concentrated that treatments are much more comfortable than conventional electrolysis » incomparable effectiveness & comfort

Jenny former nurse, an electrologist with 14 Jenny, aaformer nurse, is aniselectrologist specialistspecialist with 13yrs experience. years experience. £10 £10 off off first first treatment postcard treatmentwith this advert THE AGE OF ULTRA COMFORTABLE ELECTROLYSIS IS FINALLY HERE!!

Finally say goodbye to unwanted facial/body hair

m nu i t Pla een s u l pi berd A t A Firs re in Pu

tel : 594 777 mob: 07843 054 393

Indoor Poster Sample 3.indd 1

Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

4/23/2014 3:23:45 PM

9

Christmas

Craft Fair

Airyhall Community Centre Saturday, 21 November 2015 11am - 4pm Photography, cards, textiles, jewellery, glass and more

Buy directly from the crafter

Free Entry

Cafe serving drinks & snacks

e: aberdeencraftbazaar@outlook.com

UMAX Property maintenance & development 53 Angusfield Avenue Aberdeen AB15 6AR Joinery

Plasterwork

¥ Established local business. ¥ Fully insured. ¥ All trades available. ¥ Timed appointments.

Electrics

¥ Free estimates. ¥ Prompt emergency repairs.

Building

Gardening & landscaping

Plumbing

Painting & decorating

Roofing

Tel. 01224 315558 or 07789 555296 or email umax@live.co.uk 10

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

ana launches exciting new home care service

A

re you looking for care at home where you come first? Where your care is not rushed or time restricted? Then maybe ana’s new care @ home is the service you’ve been searching for all this time!

Founded in 1996, ana recruitment is now recognised as Aberdeen’s no.1 healthcare agency, receiving outstanding Care Inspectorate grades, over and above that of any other City based care agency.

After talking extensively to clients and carers, ana has listened carefully to all the feedback and have created a local Aberdeen service which ticks all your boxes.

No more 15 minute care visits, you’re wanting more than this, so ana will offer you a minimum of 4 hour care appointments.

All our carers are trained to a very high and competent level – it’s what you’ve asked for Our carers provide personal and domiciliary care ranging from regular social or medical appointments, respite care to 24/7 care packages All ana’s core management team are healthcare professionals, giving you exceptional peace of mind There are no marketing gimmicks to our service, we simply offer solid, professional and personal care packages -all in the comfort of your own home.

ana is committed to delivering professional, personalised care in the comfort of your own home. ana has been supplying highly trained healthcare staff for over 18 years. Our

Breathing new life into care at home Call 01224 648567

wealth of experience and excellent grades with the Care Inspectorate makes ana one of Aberdeen’s most respected care providers.

With 4 hour blocks of care offered as minimum, ana is dedicated to providing a personalised service to each and every client.

– to find out more about our services and bespoke care packages.

35 Albert Street, Aberdeen AB25 1XU Email: bookings@anarecruitment.co.uk

www.anarecruitment.co.uk

Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

11

5 Basic Principals Head and Body Placement Cervical spine, all 7 vertebrae at your neck, is the most mobile part of the spine. The curve in the neck should be the same size of curve as in the base of your spine.

For perfect placement the head is placed directly on top of the spine, with the ear and shoulder aligned. Because this is the most mobile part of the spine we tend to move the head too far forward of the spine, this causes the upper spine, thoracic, to be more rounded. This is as a direct result of bending over a work surface, a desk, or sitting in a seat.

The movements at the head and neck consist of: »» Turning head from side to side, or moving chin to shoulder; pivoting the head. »» We can bend form side to side, or ear to shoulder. »» We are also able to circle at the neck, taking the head: ear to shoulder, rolling forward chin to chest and then opposite ear to shoulder. »» It's also possible to extend through the neck, to look up, but I would not recommend this as an exercise.

Keeping the correct head placement can be difficult, but knowing we hold it incorrectly is not something we're aware of until someone tells us, someone like me in a Pilates class. During a Pilates class, that's exactly what happens, you're lying flat in the floor and the head is placed directly in line with the spine. This may not necessarily be a comfortable position. As an experienced instructor, it's simple to glance at the head placement of a client for me to assess if a block is needed under the head for more support and comfort which makes movement easier, and with less strain.

The cervical spine, as previously mentioned, is the most mobile part of the spine; the shoulders, as mentioned in blog 4, have no boney attachment. This makes the head, neck and shoulders the easiest place for incorrect positioning.

Some of the muscles tend to work both cervical spine and shoulder blades. This causes us to make a movement using all the movement at that muscle instead of

Pilates Classes

Squash club Monday 10am + 6PM Timetable & booking:

www.PrimeMoverPathway.co.uk M: 07773 021 851 12

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

part of the muscle and only the intend action. For example, if you turn your head, we tend to lift the shoulder at the same time. If we lift the arm, the shoulder tends to lift too.

It's my job, in my Pilates class on a Monday, to help you understand HOW you move. During the class I observe your movement and then guide you into using different muscles, to give you less strain. It is usual, when I do this, for the belly to need to be braced more, in order to get the intended working muscle to do its job properly. Head and neck movements can be made more efficient and effective by bracing the belly muscles, reducing the tension on the shoulder muscles and then making movement easier.

Coming to Pilates on a Monday morning at 10:00am or Monday evening at 6:00pm, at the squash club, will give you the right tools to get strength into the right muscles, reduce tension in other muscles and improve the way you look and feel.

Because the body is all linked it is hard to move just one part of the body and NOT affect another part. If you find it difficult to move one part of the body, you'll need to see me the squash club at 11:00am on a Monday to release the muscles before coming to Pilates. Once you alter the position of the pelvis it affects the position of the spine, and in turn the position of the head.

And all you NEed to do is come to a Pilates class!

C

ults magician Paul Rae, a member of the Aberdeen Magical society, won one of the three competitions that the Society holds each year. The competition was the Jocky Scott Trophy for entertainment. This was won after beating 4 other local magicians and the panel judging was made up of fellow members and members of the public.

Contact Paul on: 07879331130 or email on mrraemagic@aol.com

'Ultimate U' Christmas Gifts Ultimate U - £200 4 sessions 1-2-1 - Unlimited classes for 6 weeks - Free Ebook of your choice

Unlimited 6 week classes: £50

(Limited 4th Jan-12th Feb only.)

Xmas special Dec only: - DVD & Band: £15 - Ebooks: £20

Timetable & booking: www.PrimeMoverPathway.co.uk

M: 07773 021 851

Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

13

Great Christmas Gifts Buying a book for someone can be a bit of a minefield…

Will they enjoy it? Do they already have a copy? Will you be able to borrow it?

Hopefully our top picks of recent releases will help you to navigate that minefield and get you on Santa’s good side.

Faber Poetry Diary 2016 – Various This is one of those books that you get given one year, and then find yourself buying as a gift for years to come. A weekto-view diary that offers a poem or illustration for each week, the Faber Poetry Diary makes Monday mornings just that bit more enjoyable. The 2016 version includes a wide variety of poets, from Simon Armitage to Wendy Cope, via Dylan Thomas, Alice Oswald, Sylvia Plath and a whole lot more.

The Jacqueline Wilson Christmas Cracker – Jacqueline Wilson Packed with Christmas tales featuring some of Jacqueline Wilson’s best loved characters, this book is pretty much guaranteed to be a hit with girls aged 7-11. Tracy Beaker takes a starring role, and there are also appearances from identical twins Ruby and Garnet, along with Hetty Feather and other favourites. There are also festive puzzles, recipes, craft ideas, fun facts and more to keep her entertained long after the latest ‘must-have’ toy has been discarded. Ideally, give it as a gift early on in December, so that the recipient can make full use of the present-wrapping tips and Christmas craft ideas.

14

Everyday Super Food – Jamie Oliver No present list would be complete without at least one cookery book, and Jamie Oliver seems to be a favourite with everyone from wannabee Junior Masterchefs to seasoned bakers. With Everyday Super Food, Jamie is making it his mission to prove that lowcalorie, nutritious meals can still be pretty darn delicious.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are all covered and there’s something to tempt most taste buds, from spicy ‘Energy Balls’ to ‘Super Tasty Miso Broth’ and ‘Harissa Roasted Aubergine’.

The Lake House – Kate Morton It’s 1933 and a missing child throws the privileged Edevane family into a downward spiral.

Fast forward seventy years and the child’s older sister, Alice, finds herself re-opening old wounds when a police detective starts asking questions about the unsolved case. A real page-turner, this is the kind of book you want to curl up and disappear into on Boxing Day. (It’s also a great one to give as a gift in the understanding that you get to read it once the recipient has finished with it.)

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

The Three-Year Swim Club – Julie Checkoway Buying for a biography lover?

This inspiring book tells the story of a school teacher in 1930s Maui who wanted to give his under-privileged pupils a brighter future. Soichi Sakamoto set out to transform the children into Olympic swimmers, despite not having any training himself, and the fact that most of the children had never seen a swimming pool. A great read for lovers of tales of triumph over adversity.

The Magical Christmas – Lizzie Mary Cullen Who would have thought that colouring books for adults would have become such a phenomenon? If you know a fan, or are just buying a present for someone who could seriously do with a chance to unwind, The Magical Christmas is a good choice. From traditional gingerbread houses to alternative Christmas days (surfing in Sydney anyone?), each turn of the page reveals a new intricate scene just waiting for pen or pencil to bring it to life. The only difficult part of this gift is resisting the urge to start colouring it in yourself.

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

RONA

Mobile Hairdressing

Have your hair done in the comfort of your own home. Reasonable rates

01224-323774 07905 927 101 rona.everett@yahoo.com

Bra-vo Lingerie Mob: 07920474941 Home: 01224 868136 Estelle Robb is professionally trained by Intimate Apparel Consultancy London. A bra fitting service for ladies that have under gone all breast surgeries.

She has personally been affected by breast cancer and has experienced reconstruction surgeries.

interior / exterior /plastering/water damage fixed price quotations - no VAT 19 Craigiebuckler Place

tel : 01224 - 316898 mob : 07711 120 217

Looking for a

Relaxed Atmosphere Personal Attention Wedding Speciality

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Saturday 9am-1pm CLOSED THURSDAY

Tel : 322000 Devonair Hairstylists 2 Devonshire Road Aberdeen (off St Swithin St)

With Estelle’s training and personal experience she is qualified to provide a private bra fitting service in the comfort of your own home. ◊ Free initial consultation and bra fitting ◊ Supplier of quality affordable lingerie Anita, Nicola Jane and Royce Helping you gain confidence in the correct bra for you!

Pre-post surgery, post-surgery & all lingerie needs inc swimwear Appointments available Monday-Saturday

Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

15

Motoring Jaguar F-Pace By James Baggott

Jaguar has finally launched its long-awaited SUV contender, the F-Pace. By breaking a world record loopthe-loop the night before the Frankfurt Motor Show, the British manufacturer took the wraps off its most important car for decades in typical bigbudget JLR fashion.

The stunt, rumoured to have cost £1.5m, saw driver Terry Grant pull off the huge loop in front of hundreds of VIP guests. But while that may have grabbed the attention of the social media generation, and the headlines from the Germans in their own backyard, it was the car’s details that we were really interested in.

2015 has been a year of change for Jaguar. The AWD F-Type has arrived, alongside the BMW 3 Series challenging XE, a new XF

16

and now the firm’s first ever cross-over, the F-Pace.

Porsche beater? Jaguar referenced the Porsche Macan no fewer than 10 times in its press presentation, so it’s clear who the brand is targeting. The FPace will cost £34,170 when it arrives, which prices it ‘at the heart of the medium SV market and makes it better value than a Macan,’ says Jaguar.

Design decisions: Ian Callum said he ‘never dreamed we’d do a crossover SUV’ and that the only reason they did it was because customers wanted one. Callum said he was pleased with the short overhangs, the integration of the Jaguar grille and the bonnet bulge. ‘The F-Type has been the inspiration in so many ways,’ he added.

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

Interior advances: The inside of the F-Pace is a whole new world for Jaguar.

A 10-inch touchscreen with a new user interface looks and works brilliantly, while there’s a 100GB SSD hard drive for owners to store music and video, four USB ports and four 12V sockets.

Digital display: A 12.3-inch digital display sits where the clocks should be. They are represented digitally but all can be changed to display a full screen map for the sat nav. Twitter and Spotify are fully integrated while users can use apps to pre-heat and cool the car, locate it and even to link with an Apple Watch.

Material matters: There is more aluminium in the car than any other in its sector –some 80 per cent - while a third of that is from recycled

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

17

sources. 70 new robots have been installed at the Solihull plant to make the F-Pace, with £120m invested in the project.

All terrain: Borrowing tech from its Land Rover siblings, the F-Pace features a clever four-wheel drive system that switches between ice, snow/very wet or sand/deep snow, seamlessly. This may be a crossover, but it’ll still be capable off road.

Kitted out: Blind spot detection, closing vehicle alert, lane assist, traffic signal recognition are all standard as is a forward facing camera that can spot pedestrians in places drivers can’t.

Occupants can even connect up to eight devices to the car’s WiFi network on the go.

ry

Ab

e

nt

een Carpe rd

Watch this: Sporty types can use a wristwatch style, waterproof key for times they don’t want to take the original with them.

Drivers lock the car by tapping the ‘Activity Key’ against the ‘J’ on the boot. It uses RFID technology and is waterproof to 20 metres.

Pulling power: A supercharged 380bhp 3.0-litre V6 petrol will see the Jag hit 60mph in 5.3 seconds while the 300bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel has a whopping 700Nm.

WE WILL TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Starter’s orders: Customers desperate to be the first to own an F-Pace will be offered a special First Edition. Priced at a whopping £65,275 just 2,000 will be offered worldwide with only 200 coming to the UK. They can have it in any colour they like as long as that’s blue.

G-DEC - George Crichton

Professional Painter & Decorator Interior & Exterior Quality Products and Workmanship

and supply all the services to see the job through start to finish

Our promise:

gdecpainter@gmail.com Tel : 01224 360739 Mob : 07921 136 467

To provide our customers with the highest standards of quality, efficiency and professionalism

Wallpaper Hanging Lining/Emulsion Hand Taping 20 years Experience & NVQ Advanced Craft

*DOMESTIC*COMMERCIAL* • • • • • •

Full Joinery Services Doors - External & Internal Finishings, Skirtings & Facings Wood Flooring & Laminate Fitted Kitchens Decking

• Custom Made Summer Houses & Sheds • Property Maintenance • Office Refurbishments • Partitions & Suspended Ceilings Cei eilililing ngs ng

Aberdeen Carpentry WORKING TOGETHER

FOR A NO OBLIGATION QUOTE OR ENQUIRIES CONTACT: T: 01224 248247 Les: (M) 07961 557 430 Doug: (M) 07983 744 727 www.aberdeencarpentry.com

18

50

Y EXP EARS ERIE NC

E

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

Befriend a Child Charity Shop 27 Holburn Street, AB11 6DJ, Aberdeen

To donate goods or volunteer contact 01224 930173 or e-mail shop@befriendachild.org.uk

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

THE HOME OF FINE FOOD

Experience 5ÂŤ dining in the comfort of your own home

Order the JK luxury Christmas hamper now and get it delivered straight to your door.

Order before the 30th of November 2015 and receive a free bottle of Il Barroccio Rosso.

All orders placed will be delivered to our standard delivery schedule on our website. If you would like to arrange delivery for a later date, place your order online and advise on your preference in the delivery instruction field.

JKFINEFOODS.CO.UK Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

19

Christmas Shopping Locally...

Hand thrown stoneware tiny lustre glaze bowls. Price £12 each.

(Junction Arts)

Selection of crockery pop art cows fm £12-£37 (Shades of Blue & Grey)

The Free Range Feast - £95 An Ideal Christmas Dinner with the Family – feeds 8 people (The Store)

20

Equetech Punky Pony Waistcoat £26.50 Saddleup at Ladymire Equestrian

Transform your sofa and relax against these festive cushions. £14.99 from The Mains of Drum

The Forvie Hamper £290 A delightful feast for all the family is guaranteed with this lavish hamper of magnificent seasonal treats.

Pearl bobble studs – Freshwater pearl & silver bobble stud earrings

by Aubeebop jewellery, Price £60 (Junction Arts)

The Store’s Aberdeen Angus Aberdeen Angus Steaks The Store’s Aberdeen Angus Roasting Joint The Store’s Aberdeen Angus Quarter Pound Burgers The Store’s Aberdeen Angus Fillet Burgers Fresh Scottish Wild Venison Haunch John Ross’s Traditional Scottish Smoked Salmon Selection of Highland Fine Cheese: Starthdon Blue, Morangie Brie & Tain Tuckle Potts Hollandaise Potts Bearnaise Sauce The Store’s Fruity Christmas Chutney Locally Sourced Raspberry Jam Mackintosh of Glendaveny Infusion Range of Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil Italian Aroma Supremo Cafetiere Coffee ‘Lux’ Giclee print by Prism of Starlings, Cocoa Ooze Mulled Wine Truffles price unframed £20.00 (Junction Arts) Ooh Chocolata Star Chrystal’s Traditional Handmade Scottish Shortbread Cubes Give Santa a Local Ythan Bakery Rich Fruit Top Iced Christmas treat this year Cake and leave his C&B Blanc cookie in a C&B Rouge Meat Thermometer special jar that Edinburgh Gin 20cl. you can use Stag Stornoway Savoury Biscuit Cheeseboard year after year.

Selection £23.99 from Cartwright and Butler Yorkshire Oat Crumble (The Mains of Biscuits Drum) Ogilvys Vodka 70cl (The Store)

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

By Danish brand Pure Culture Stunning white and copper decorative bowl. 4 sizes, ø10cm30cm. £15-£48 (Eighty7 Design + Living)

Selection of luxury hair care products from Sebastian & System Professional.

Christmas sets from £14.99 (West with Style)

Ardgill Hamper - Inside this generous hamper is a feast of treats for all. £95 (The Store)

Equetech Faux Fur Headband £14.95 Saddleup at Ladymire Equestrian

Beautiful silver deer to add a sparkle to your home this Christmas. £29.99 from (The Mains of Drum)

Christmas Shopping Locally...

Selection of beautiful throws fm Bronte by A.Moon fm £75 (Shades of Blue & Grey) Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

Handmade memo boards in 3 sizes Prices fm £27-£55 (Shades of Blue & Grey)

A taste of The Store in a single hamper is a gift guaranteed to please. £195 (The Store)

100% lambswool mini hot water bottle covers (with hot water bottle) by Candy Coated, price £22 each (Junction Arts) Gift Vouchers Available at all the shops advertising here plus...

Fourmile House/Ferryhill Poldinos Temple Medical The Oven Valet Bea@Kumiko Laura Walker Ltd Kumiko Kippie Lodge & Scott Gilmour

21

‘Top of the Hill’ Acrylic and pencil on board by Morag Smith, price £280 (Junction Arts)

Cozy slippers from Totes to keep your feet warm this Winter. £18 from (The Mains of Drum)

Handmade memo boards in 3 sizes Prices fm £27-£55 (Shades of Blue & Grey)

Christmas Shopping Locally...

The Easy Turkey Roast - £60 Our Intimate Christmas Dinner – Feeds min 5 People (The Store)

Stylish and warm scarf by Joules £29.95 at The Mains of Drum

Tablet and laptop cases from Ted Baker make the ideal gift for the man in your life. From £30.99 at The Mains of Drum

22

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

Hand thrown stoneware bowls with lustre glaze and natural finish by Watergaw Ceramics. Prices from £18 - £65.. (Junction Arts)

Wooden duck with spotty wellies prices ranges from £17.95 to £26.95 Shades of Blue & Grey)

Christmas Shopping Locally...

Christmas stockings for everyone, including the dog or cat! £3.49 from (The Mains of Drum) e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

Mugs with various designs £8.00 each, Porcelain bottles various sizes £15 - £35 each by Sarah Coonan (Junction Arts)

These scented candles from Voluspa are presented in beautifully decorated tins and jars from £9.99 at (The Mains of Drum)

The Collieston Hamper £50 A versatile and storable hamper, ideal for showcasing seasonal favourites and impressing a Christmas host.

(The Store)

Whisky lovers will adore these individual, handblown glassware range from LSA. Each piece sits on a walnut coaster and start from £30.99 at (The Mains of Drum)

Christmas Shopping Locally...

Cheeky little 'nisser' / Santa's Helpers to help decorate your home for Christmas. £12 each (Eighty7 Design + Living)

Christmas Shopping Locally...

Healthy Energy Hamper £50 This hamper will deliciously bolster your health credentials. (The Store)

Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

Mixed media painting by Doreen Bothwell, titled ‘Orange Joog’, Price Framed £170.00 (Junction Arts)

Freshwater pearls & silver hoop pendant on sterling silver chain by Hazey Designs, Price £36 (Junction Arts)

The Bronze Banquet - £175 The Foodies perfect Christmas Dinner – feeds min 10 people with plenty leftovers! (The Store)

Just Togs Junior Imperial Helmet £52.95 Saddleup at Ladymire Equestrian

23

Have a Healthier, Happier Christmas

By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk Christmas is often laden with expectations, anxieties, overindulgence and family tensions. It’s no coincidence that divorce lawyers are busiest in January.

So how can you make Christmas happier and healthier?

Take The Pressure Off • Buy presents throughout the year, even on holiday; gift shops may stock something unique.

• Try to resolve family conflicts beforehand.

• You can’t please all of the people all of the time, so ask everyone involved (including yourself) what one or two things really makes their Christmas. Agree on a plan that includes these things, plus exercise and group activities. Allot tasks to ensure one person doesn’t do everything.

• Bake and freeze food in advance where possible. avOid fesTive fOOd POisOning Hygiene can slip with extra food, extra cooks and extra time pressure, so: • Store and prepare ALL raw food separately from ready-toeat foods.

• Rub fruit and vegetables clean – don’t just rinse them.

• Defrost foods thoroughly and then cook or refrigerate immediately. Large turkeys take time - always check inside for ice crystals.

• Ensure your fridge stays

24

below 5°C and there’s room for cold air circulation.

• Keep food in the fridge until the last possible moment.

• Make sure nobody skimps on washing (and drying) their hands. Germs love damp.

• Ensure that meat between the breast and thigh of your turkey isn’t pink, and that juices are clear.

• Adhere to ‘use by’ dates and check food carefully when beyond its ‘best before’ date.

• Don’t leave buffet food out for more than four hours.

• Chill leftovers rapidly and reheat them thoroughly (just once). healThier ChrisTmas eaTing Start with a healthy, filling breakfast to avoid snacking temptations. dinner: • Avoid fat-laden starters and the salt shaker.

• Keep portion size sensible and stop eating just as you start to feel full.

• Poultry fat is predominantly in the skin, so prick it then cook it on a rack, above the escaping fat.

• Use vegetarian sausage mix rather than sausage meat in stuffing.

• Forget goose fat roasties. Use a healthy oil spray or cook jacket potatoes.

• Microwave, steam or boil vegetables in minimal water until just soft. Add herbs or lemon juice rather than butter.

• Use low salt gravy mix and

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

remove fat from meat juices before adding them.

• Keep Christmas pudding portions small and add lowfat custard, crème fraîche or Greek yogurt rather than cream or brandy butter.

Christmas Party or Tea: • Swap traditional mince pies for filo or open-top versions.

• Swap breaded or battered snacks for savouries made with herbs, light dressings and marinades.

• Choose tomato-based dips or make creamy dips with yogurt or crème fraîche.

• Avoid crisps, salted nuts and chocolates; choose plain popcorn, rice cakes, pretzels, unsalted nuts and fruit dipped in chocolate (preferably dark).

Be drink Wise • Even small amounts of alcohol affect judgement and reactions. Absorption depends on many factors, so no set amount guarantees you’re under the legal driving limit and Scotland has a lower limit than the rest of the UK. • Don’t exceed NHS recommended weekly limits: 21 units for men and 14 units for women.

• Alcohol and salty snacks contribute to dehydration, making people irritable.

Provide jugs of chilled water jazzed up with winter berries or citrus peel.

Take time out to relax, and remember: a burnt turkey isn’t the end of the world.

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

Give!the!Gift of Beautiful!Hair Treat someone special to a West with Style Gift Voucher

Sebastian Gift Sets from £12.00 Wella System Professional Gift Sets from £29.95

west with style H A I R

&

B E A U T Y

L UNIT 6 ASHDALE DRIVE WESTHILL ABERDEENSHIRE AB32 6LP TEL 01224 741313/744927 www.westwithstyle.co.uk

Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

25

Studio Allure Japanese Embroidery Studio Allure is based in the vibrant city area of Aberdeen and run

by Bea Farkas a Master Educator qualified professional with over 20 years’ experience.

Today, with over two decades as a master nail technician, Bea specialises in Japanese Embroidery a semi-permanent make up technique also known as micro blading this technique is becoming an incredibly popular treatment as more people are discovering the outstanding results that it can offer.

This amazing Eyebrow treatment suits people who may have the wrong brow shape, hair loss or patchy areas due to over plucking, or medical reasons such as Alopecia or chemotherapy.

Japanese Embroidery or Micro blading gently enhances the clients’ natural features, giving them more confidence in their overall appearance, during the procedure the pigment is implanted in the basal membrane which divides the epidermis from the Dermis layer of the skin. This technique is therefore more superficial than tattooing and not permanent allowing the client to over time adjust the appearance and perfect their desired end result.

Most clients report that there is very little if any discomfort with the procedure, many liken the sensation to a “light scratch” if required a cream containing a local anaesthetic can be applied to eliminate any mild sensations.

This two stage treatment will provide exceptional results, eyebrows can look so natural and beautiful, our clients will after the first treatment return for a touch up treatment which is included in the cost of the package, approximately 4-6 weeks after the initial treatment. After the second session the full benefits of this outstanding technique are achieved. It is important to understand that this is a two part process and the second, touch up treatment 26

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

“

Coming from a artistic backgro semi-permanen industry that m to my clients an agree their nee able to advise o be the most su my aim is for m after treatment assured and be

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

will complete the procedure and, after healing, you will see the final result.

Studio Allure will provide advice and where required products to assist in the important time between the two sessions during which the healing progresses, the application of special oil over the brow area 3-4 times a day for the first few days greatly assists in achieving the desired end result.

About Bea Bea was trained by highly respected and leading educators within the industry and over time has developed her skills and individual style leading her to the position of Master Educator herself and a leading position in the nail technician sector, coupled with her strong passion for the newly introduced semi-permanent makeup business, ensures her clients get unparalleled support. Bea is a perfectionist and will only accept first class results, her clients become long term returning year after year based on the exceptional service, quality of work and friendly professional attitude.

To book a consultation Contact Bea at Studio Allure 85 Leadside Road, Aberdeen Tel /Text : 07412 547 529

skilled creative and ound, I concluded that nt makeup was an matched my skills. I listen nd understand and eds and goals, I am then on what I believe would uitable look for them, my clients to walk away t feeling self-confident, eautiful.

Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

27

Finding Gifts For The “Nothing I Need” Brigade

by Kate McLelland “There’s nothing I need.

Don’t buy me anything.”

It’s the festive season, and not buying anything just isn’t an option, unless you want to feel like a cross between the Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas morning. But what do you get for those friends or family members who genuinely seem to have everything?

I’m not talking a mansion, a yacht and a Ferrari: just all the things required for comfortable, everyday living.

There comes a time in everyone’s life when it’s likely that they will have collected all the knick-knacks, gadgets and gizmos they’ll ever need. So what are the options when it comes to buying an original gift for the man or woman who says “There’s nothing I need”?

Give a goat At Oxfam (www.oxfam.org. uk) it costs just £25 to buy a goat for a needy family trying to survive in areas affected by war or drought, who can use the gift to produce nutritious dairy products such as milk and cheese. Oxfam also supplies a brightly coloured gift card that explains your purchase.

An unforgettable experience If you’ve run out of gift

28

ideas for your nearest and dearest, why not give them an experience? It could be anything from afternoon tea for two at a choice of 70 hotels and restaurants nationwide (£36 from www.redletterdays. co.uk), to a hot air champagne balloon flight for one (from £109 at www.buyagift.co.uk). This isn’t the kind of gift you can keep in your bottom drawer, but the lucky recipient is unlikely to ever forget the sensation of drifting high over the British countryside with a glass of bubbly in their hand.

Adopt a rare animal The World Wildlife Fund (now called WWF) has another clever gift idea for people who like to feel they are helping a good cause. Go to www.wwf. org.uk and buy an “adopt a wild animal” pack as a gift.

This isn’t an actual adoption – your donation won’t be linked to a specific animal – but the adoption pack does include a cuddly toy version of the chosen species.

Go retro Treat them to a retro sweet hamper (£36) or a retro chocolate gift box (£12.95) full of Munchies, Curly Wurlies and other nostalgic goodies, both

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

from www.retrosweets.co.uk.

Vintage board games are also popular: you can buy old games in “as new” condition from online retailers such as eBay and Amazon.

Buy a gift voucher It used to be that gift vouchers could only be exchanged at one particular retailer, but those days are long gone.

The “Love2Shop” voucher can be spent in over 20,000 UK locations, including restaurants, hotels, spas and leisure resort (www.highstreetvouchers.com).

Can’t afford any of the above?

If your Christmas gift budget won’t stretch to the items mentioned here, consider giving the gift of your time. Buy a small gift box and enclose a note promising to do something for the recipient: a couple of hours of gardening; baking a cake every week for a month; decorating the spare room.

These gifts are a far cry from a boring box of toiletries or a shirt and tie set, and at least you’ll win Brownie points for original thinking. You’ll also avoid the dirty looks and long silences that come from having taken the “Nothing I need” brigade’s protestations a bit too literally!

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

2015

Nov 28th to Dec 24th 10.30 to 3.30 Daily Close 2pm Xmas Eve Beautiful clothes, designed and made in Scotland, using quality traditional textiles with a modern twist.to the Reindeer Park Entrance

Beautiful clothes, accessories & gifts Beautiful clothes, Designed & madedesigned in Scotland, and made in Scotland, using using quality traditional quality traditional textiles textiles with a twist. modern twist. with a modern

£3 per person, under 2 year olds FREE !

Meet & Feed Santa’s Real Reindeer Visit his Sleigh Barn & sit on his Sleigh

Visit Santa’s Grotto & watch a video message Post your letter in his Post Box Visit the Donkey Den To meet the miniature donkeys Jack & Frost!

Group Discount Available (for groups 10 +)

Ythanbank Reindeer Ythanbank, Ellon, AB41 7TE

Email: mail@ythanbank.co.uk

197 Rosemount Place

Facebook.com/Ythanbank Aberdeen

01224 622522 www.scottesque.co.uk

197 Rosemount Place Aberdeen 01224 622522 www.scottesque.co.uk

What makes you tick?

We’ll take the time to help you build a future without compromise.

Tel: 01224 264999 I www.russellgibson.co.uk

Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

29

Compu-Care

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

NINTH PAGE ADVERT Single Issue £24 Three Issue £68 Six Issues £115

Reflexology by Gordon T: 07769 519 761 W: www.reflexologybygordon.co.uk

North East Musical Instrument Repair Ian 07710751962 Scott 07792493158 northeastmir@gmail.com

Reflexology:

Lymph Drainage

Feet and Hand

Evening and Weekend Appointments in your own home Gift Vouchers Available

Woodwind and brass service and repair

the oven valet oven cleaners

• central heating installation • servicing • breakdown repairs • landlord safety checks • all domestic gas work & plumbing Ex Scottish Gas Engineers with over 20 years experience contact Paul & Kenny on

service with a sparkle*

01224 -949085 mail@

cityandshire@hotmail.com

01330 823079 07920 483 233

gazettemagazines.com

or 07494 177132

www.theovenvalet.com info@theovenvalet.com

aberdeen area tree services removed, cut, pruned

aberdeen area fencing supply, install, repair or replace

aberdeen area landscaping garden design + construction

pest control - wasps, rabbits, pigeons + roe deer | all services available for commercial + domestic call george williams for excellent service

m-07803 697 580 t-01224 312611 30

184 broomhill road, aberdeen (est 1988)

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

Nov 28th/29th and Dec 5th/6th 10am – 4pm Delgatie Castle’s Victorian Christmas weekends have become a legend in Aberdeenshire since they began 21 years ago. It is the original, biggest and best Victorian Event in the area.

We offer a filled visit that is very good value for money. Enjoy an authentic Victorian atmosphere in the decorated castle with staff dressed in Victorian clothing. You will find crafters in the rooms as you explore the castle and children can enjoy a visit to see Santa, who will have a present for every child.

After a walk round the castle come down to the award winning ‘Laird’s Kitchen’ to enjoy delicious food and the very best in home baking.

Admission: £5 per head per person Tel: 01888 563479 Email: joan@delgatiecastle.com www.delgatiecastle.com

You can find us off the A947 Aberdeen to Banff Road

31

A little bit of Italy... ...in Little Belmont Street

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.

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 with that extra touch of genius which is true Italian cooking!

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

7 Little Belmont Street | Aberdeen | AB10 1JG

of Italy...

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

www.poldinos.co.uk

...

in Little Belmont Street

...in Little Belmon

We have been serving fine italian cuisine since 1977.

Extensive à la carte menu for lunch and dinner.

...in Little Belmont Street

We Hall have been serving fine italian cu 5 minutes walk from His Majesty’s Theatre and Music Extensive à la carte menu for lunch

We have been serving fine italian cuisine since - special lunch and 1977. pre-theatre menus.

Extensive à la carte menu for lunch and dinner.

minutes walk from His Majesty’s T Freshly baked home-made pizzas with lashings of 5toppings.

– special lunch Tender pasta dishes full of tasty ingredients and luscious creamand pre-theatre men 5 minutes walk from His Majesty’s Theatre and Music Hall sauces. Seafood, prime steaks, chicken dishes, all with that extra – special lunch and pre-theatre menus.

Freshly baked home mode home m touch of genius which is true italian cooking!

Tender pasta dishes full of tasty ingr steaks, chicken dishes, all with that e Open made Monday to Saturday 12 noon 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 10.15pm Freshly baked home mode home pizzas with lashings of to toppings.

Tender pasta dishes full of tasty ingredients and luscious cream sauces. Seafood, primeGift Open Monday to Saturday: 12 n Littleextra Belmont Street | Aberdeen | AB10 1JGcooking! steaks, chicken dishes, all with7 that touch of genius which is true Italian Vouchers

www.poldinos.co.uk

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

7 Little Belmont Street | Aberdeen | AB10 1JG

www.poldinos.co.uk

32

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

Available 7 Little Belmont Street | A

www.poldinos

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

A Seven Year Itch For Seven years Junction arts has strived to provide Aberdeen with an exciting creative store.

With an emphasis on supporting local talent they have grown to support artists and makers from across the UK creating the opportunity for you to own some of the best original work this country has to offer.

Over the last seven years they have evolved from time to time to satisfy customer needs, most significantly introducing there bespoke picture framing service in 2011, more recently the store it’s self has just undergone a makeover.

It was out with the vintage styling and in with an industrial look. The whole store was transformed by owner Elaine, with the help of her husband, Dad and band of helpers all of whom stock work within the store and were more than happy to lend a hand.

With the space enhanced even more artwork, jewellery, ceramics and other home ware will be available, especially with an exciting run of events planned for the run up to Christmas. Please take a look at the website to keep up to date. www.junction-arts.co.uk.

Pop in anytime and Elaine and her wonderful team will be more than happy to help.

Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

33

Geocaching The new exciting “Explore Royal Deeside GeoTour” launched in the summer is proving to be a popular choice amongst experienced and novice geocachers.

But what’s all this Geocaching about you may well ask?

Well put simply it’s a modern day treasure hunt, using a GPS device or an app on your smart phone to find hidden containers. You can even download the general geocaching app for free!

So what else do you need to know?

The real value is in sense of pride you get from finding the cache, and the challenge of the adventure and exploration. Geocaching is suitable for all ages and makes a brilliant family activity that gets kids out and about. Getting out in the fresh air exploring your local area, finding places you did not know about, so what are you waiting for?

To find out more information about how Geocaching works and the “Explore Royal Deeside GeoTour” then please visit www.visitroyaldeeside.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Well the containers are known as caches and will vary in shape and size, but all should contain a log book for you to sign to confirm your visit/ find. Some will also contain a number of small items of low monetary value that you can trade, as long as you leave something of similar value in return. Often these are things like small toys, bits of stationary, key rings etc.

34

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

C All eye examinations covered by NHS Optical Coherence Tomography for early diagnosis of Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration and Retinal Conditions.

Digital Retinal Photography Visual Field Analysis Emergency Eye Appointments Large range of Designer frames and specialised spectacle lenses Accredited by RACH for Children’s Eye Examinations

Home Visits Free Car parking Open Late night Tuesday - 7pm & Saturday - 4pm Scott Gilmour BSc(HONS) MCOptom Dip Tp (IP)

5 The Courtyard, Cults, Aberdeen AB15 9SD info@sgoptom.co.uk www.scottgilmouroptometrists.co.uk

Telephone : 01224-863344

oncordia String Orchestra will perform in Ferryhill Parish Church at 7:30pm on Sunday 28th November. The programme will include Schubert’s Salve Regina, with the soprano solo sung by Alison Hawke, Handel’s Concerto Grosso Op6 No2 and a string serenade by Victor Herbert, an Irishman who became a renowned Broadway composer in the early 20th Century.

The orchestra is always interested in new recruits. If you would like to play with us, please contact Phil Rose (email: p.rose007@btinternet .com phone 01569 762206). We rehearse at 7:30pm in Ferryhill Parish Church on Tuesday nights. www.concordiastringorchestra.org.uk

A

berdeen Orpheus Choir under their Conductor Jane Murray with Erika Fairhead as Accompanist will hold their Carol Concert at Craigiebuckler Church on Friday, 11th December at 7.30 p.m. Guest Artists for our Christmas Concert are Rachel Groves (flute and clarsach) and Christopher Smith (oboe and cor anglais) A varied selection of Christmas Music will be performed with audience participation in the singing of some well known carols. Tickets priced £10:00 and £8:00 for concessions (over 60's and under 16's) to include refreshments will be available from Top Note Music Shop 123 Crown Street, Aberdeen, from Choir Members or at the door of the Church.

Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

35

The Tech Trends For 2016 What Will Everybody Be Talking About?

In many ways 2015 has been an in-between year, with many firms offering slightly updated versions of products they launched last year – so, for example, Apple replaced the iPhone 6 with the iPhone 6S, Samsung updated the Note 4 to the Note 5 and so on. Bigger things are coming in 2016 - so what will be hogging the hightech headlines? Let’s find out.

WEARABLE COMPUTERS We’ve seen these already, of course, but devices such as the Apple Watch and Android Wear watches were just the first steps. Wearables are getting smarter, their batteries better and their apps more useful, and increased competition means they should get a lot cheaper too. And wearables aren’t just for showing off or for going to the gym: they can help monitor chronic medical conditions too.

WIRELESS CHARGING Some smartphones already charge wirelessly, as do some smartwatches, but this year should see wireless charging become more mainstream: Intel’s new PC processors support it, and there’s a good chance Apple will throw its weight behind it too. The longpromised wire-free world might not be too far off.

STREAMING EVERYTHING If you’re still buying CDs or DVDs you’re in a shrinking minority: more and more TV,

36

music and movies are being streamed over the internet, usually as part of subscription services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime. That trend will continue in a big way this year, with streaming firms investing heavily in new programming - so for example Amazon is spending millions to bring the Top Gear trio back to TV on its service. You’ll also see some TV channels going streamingonly, and rival channels appearing on the BBC’s iPlayer.

SMARTER DIGITAL ASSISTANTS Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana and Google Now are already pretty clever, but they’ll get smarter still this year. Apple, Microsoft and Google are spending big money on hiring artificial intelligence experts, and the goal is to make Siri and Google Now so familiar with your routine that they’ll show you the information you need before you even need it. Their voice recognition will improve too: it’s already good, but if you’ve got a strong accent you’ll know that there’s still a lot of room for improvement.

SMARTER THINGS The Internet of Things has been massively hyped, but it should start to deliver on its promises in 2016. Smart plugs, smart lights, smart cameras, smart TVs, smart locks… if it’s possible to connect it to the

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

internet and control it from a phone, somebody will do it. The automated home might just be on its way, a mere 90 years after it was first predicted.

PRIVACY WORRIES The problem with letting your digital assistants organise everything is that your digital assistants end up knowing everything about you and possibly sharing that information with marketers or other third parties. The more we let our devices organise our lives and our homes, the more likely a really big privacy scandal is likely to strike.

AD BLOCKING Trouble’s brewing on the internet over advertising.

Invasive ads and privacyinvading advertising trackers are making some websites unusable, and more and more of us are blocking those ads - which means the websites aren’t making any money. This issue has been bubbling under for a few years but now that ad-blocking tools are available on mobile devices - something that wasn’t the case until the end of this year - it’s going to be a really big deal in 2016.

Images left to right: Netflix on a TV; Samsung Gear 2 smartwatches; Nest wireless camera; Cortana digital assistant on Windows Phone

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

Winter Wonderland

999 PARTY NIGHTS

£9.99 per person

Winter Wonderland

CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHTS

£41.00 per person

Winter Wonderland

CHILDRENS PARTYS WITH DISCO

£17.95 per person

Village Urban Resort Aberdeen • 0871 964 5000 Prime Four, Kingswells, Aberdeen, AB15 8PJ Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

37

tal Dates s o P s a m t s i r h C LAST RECOMMENDED SERVICE POSTING DATES ARD (formerly Airmail) INTERNATIONAL STAND Fri 4th Dec

Last Post

Mon 7th Dec Tue 8th Dec Thu 10th Dec Mon 14th Dec Tue 15 Dec Wed 16th Dec

Africa, Middle East t, Eastern Asia, Cyprus, Far Eas Republic, Europe (except Czech ) ia vak Slo & and Pol South Caribbean, Central & America w Zealand Australia, Greece, Ne ny, Italy, ma Ger ic, Czech Republ Poland eden, USA Canada, Finland, Sw , Austria, Iceland, Ireland Portugal, Spain

Thu 17th Dec Fri 18th Dec

WINDOW BLINDS

FREE Quotation and Fitting Conservatory Blinds

Wood Venetians .

.

Verticals

Romans

New Intu Blinds

.

.

. Velux

. Rollers Pleated

01224 745759 07941 704 506 Thistle Window & Blinds will guarantee to beat any like for like quote!

Contact: Nicol Meldrum 30 Coull Green, Kingswells, Aberdeen AB15 8TR nicol.meldrum@thistlewindowblinds.com www.thistlewindowblinds.com

38

UK Sat 19th Dec Mon 21st Dec

2nd Class & Royal Mail Signed For速 1st Class & Royal Mail Signed For速

Wed 23rd Dec

Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed速

France rk, Belgium, Denmathe rlands, Luxembourg, Ne Sw itzerland Norway, Slovakia,

THISTLE Specialists in

LAST VICE RECOMMENDED SER TES DA NG STI PO

www.gazettemagazines.com t : 01224 949085

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

e : mail@gazettemagazines.com

s g in

e v i st

h t ll

A

fe

restaurant

| bar | conferences

t: 01224 740318 www.fourmile.co.uk

ferryhill HOUSE HOTEL hotel

|

bar

|

restaurant

t: 01224 590867 39 www.ferryhillhousehotel.co.uk

Please do mention the gazette when responding to advertisers - thank you

Richard Lost 5st 10lbs (36.3kg) in 10 weeks Before Treatment

Weight Reduction, Skin Tightening & Contour Shaping WITHOUT SURGERY After Treatment

www.templemedical.co.uk

tel: 01224 869997

6 West Craibstone Street, Aberdeen AB11 6DL