SpotLight on Buckie, Keith & District - December 2015

DECEMBER 2015

B U C KI E , KE I TH & D I S T RI C T THE NORTH’S FAVOURITE FREE WEE MAG

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CLUBS & SOCIETIES AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS Offer support and understanding to families / friends of problem drinkers. Meetings are confidential. For local meetings visit www.al-anonuk.org.uk or call 020 7403 0888

CLOCHAN ART GROUP Mondays 2pm - 4pm at Clochan Hall . A small group enjoying painting and drawing, working in all mediums and happy to offer help and advice over a cup of coffee. All welcome!

BANFFSHIRE FIELD CLUB 2nd Saturday of the month at St Rufus Church Hall, Turner Street, Keith. Explore natural, cultural & social heritage of the historic county of Banffshire. Visit www.banffshirefieldclub.org.uk

DIABETES UK MORAY Support for people with diabetes and their carers. For details visit moray.diabetesukgroup.org or email moraydiabetesukgroup @yahoo.co.uk

BUCKIE ARTS & CRAFTS CLUB First and third Wednesdays of the month, 2pm - 5pm, Upper Hall, Buckie Town House. Drop in - learn a craft, share a skill.

Contact Fiona on 07875 624046.

BUCKIE CRICKET CLUB Meets at Linzee Gordon Park, Buckie. Junior coaching on Wednesday evenings. Contact William G Flett: 832082.

BUCKIE ROVERS JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB Training Monday & Wednesday, 7pm-9pm excl. June. Contact Mr D G Roberts: 840861.

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page 4 - December 2015

‘FIT FUN’ FOR TOTS Fridays, 10:15am-11:15am at Portessie Public Hall. Active games class for 2-3 year olds.

For details call Kerry Main on 01542 831165 or email kerrymain@hotmail.co.uk FRISKIS AND SVETTIS (BUCKIE) Meets at the Baptist Church Hall, Buckie on Monday 6pm-7pm.

Originating in Sweden, aiming to get people healthy. Exercise to music, open to all. Call Joan Thain: 01542 832749 or 07970 118647. www.fsaberdeen.co.uk FRISKIS AND SVETTIS (CULLEN) Tues 6:30pm - 7:30pm & Thurs 6:15pm - 7:15pm at Hall Church, York Place, Cullen. Fun and Effective exercise to music for men and women of all ages and abilities. For more info visit www.fsaberdeen.co.uk or Facebook Friskis&Svettis Aberdeen. Gail 01542 840438 ISLA VOLLEYBALL CLUB Meets at Keith Community Centre on Wednesdays, September to April. 7:30pm9pm: Intermediate & Seniors.

9pm-10pm: Seniors. Contact Mhorag Mitchell: 888310.

KEITH AND DISTRICT SILVER BAND Practice night, Sunday 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Longmore Hall, Keith.

Contact Wendy Jones 887529 or visit www.keithsilverband.org KEITH B.A.L.L. GROUP Meet on Wednesdays 10.30am 1pm in St Rufus Hall, Keith.

Contact Evalyne tel: 886913 or Maureen tel: 886020 for details

LIFE CHALLENGE OUTREACH IN BUCKIE A bus goes out every Friday in Newlands Lane, Buckie from 12pm - 3pm to offer help and support to anyone suffering from addictions or in need of any kind.

Call 01542 836439 or email lifechallenge@yahoo.com MACS MORAY AREA CANCER SUPPORT A support group which provides both practical and emotional support for anyone, of any age, affected by Cancer within Moray.

New members welcome. For more details call our Help Line on 07516 21915, e-mail us on : info@macsuk.org or visit us at www.macsuk.org or Facebook.

MORAY COELIAC GROUP Meet 1st Saturday of the month (except Jan & Feb), 10:30am in the cafe at Baxters, Fochabers.

Get together for newly diagnosed and existing members to network, ask questions, share recipes and ideas / information. 'Coffee, Cake and Catch up' sessions. All welcome. For further info email Kirsteen.pyett@btinternet.co.uk MORAY DISABILITY FORUM We welcome everyone interested, or working in the area of disability to become a member of the group. Call Irena Paterson (Chairperson) on 01343 545663 or 01343 546968 or email irenaandneil@btinternet.com MORAY SANDS 3rd Wednesday every month, 7:30pm at The Ugie House Hotel. Self-help support group, run by bereaved parents for bereaved parents and their families. Informal and confidential.

No cost. For more details call or text Beck on 07549 684986 or Karen on 07971 834133 or email moraysands@hotmail.co.uk MORAY THRESHOLD SINGERS Women's choir offers to sing to people who are seriously ill and those approaching the end of life, in their own home, care home or hospital to bring comfort and ease. To request this service or to join call Chloe Greenwood on 07769 796672 www.thresholdchoir.org/moray

tel: 01309 690063

PET FOSTERING SCOTLAND Supporting pet owners in an emergency situation. Volunteers care for your pet in their own homes for short periods. Reg. charity SCO15672. Volunteers needed. Tel: 0844 811 9909 www.pfss.org.uk REAP - FREE GARDENING WORKSHOPS AND ENERGY ADVICE FOR OLDER PEOPLE Local food project in the Keith area running regular free Back to Basics gardening workshops sow - plant - eat! Worried about rising fuel bills? Are you getting the benefits you are entitled to?

Call for help on 01542 888070.

ROTARY CLUB OF BUCKIE Mondays at 5.45pm for 6:15pm Mill House Hotel, Tynet, Buckie.

For more information visit www.rotaryclubofbuckie.org.uk ROYAL BURGH OF CULLEN PENSIONERS CLUB 1st Tuesday each month 7pm.

For the welfare of the elderly in Cullen. Call Bunty Gardiner on 840653.

U3A MUSIC APPRECIATION GROUP 2nd Wednesday each month in Portknockie, Sept - May. Play & discuss a wide range of musical genres. New members are always welcome. For more info call Madeline Green (group leader) on 01542 841481 or madeline@portknockie.plus.com PLEASE NOTE: Details of Clubs & Societies are published on a rotational basis.

If you would like details of your club or society included in this section, please let us know. All club listings are free. Not all clubs will be listed in every issue.

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

The Editor

Moray Tyre Services

Everyone at SpotLight would like to wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2016.

Whilst this is a time of the year when we think of family we should also perhaps spare a thought for our neigbours. If you have space at your table why not invite someone to eat with you this Christmas and make their day!

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PASTORAL LETTER & CHURCH MEETINGS "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." (St Luke 3:4 NRSV) The Church calls the four weeks prior to Christmas Advent. Many people think that Advent, this time of waiting, is simply a period building up to the joyful time of Christmas. The Christmas lights and decorations often precede Advent and some people are well into their Christmas shopping. For most children this is an exciting time of the year.

Christmas is almost here and counting down the days until it arrives is enhanced by Advent calendars and candles, rehearsing for nativity plays, making Christmas cards and decorations, shopping trips and dreaming of the presents to come.

But in Church as we read the Bible in Advent, suddenly a strange, hairy man, whom we know as John the Baptist comes onto the scene, striding out of the desert. Why is he shouting about repentance? He seems to have skipped everything about the angels and the shepherds - surely the real point of Christmas. Doesn’t he know that this is a time for the family? The trouble is that we think we know the end of the story.

No shocks for us; we know what to expect. When we’ve celebrated the birth of the baby, everything will get back to normal again until next year. John the Baptist, however, the immediate

forerunner of Jesus, foretold by the inspired prophets of old, knew well that preparing ourselves to make our Lord welcome is not simply a matter of getting the externals right.

As Isaiah said: "A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’" [Isaiah 40: 3-5 NRSV] All the Christmas presents, tinsel and plastic reindeer are just a wilderness without the life of God; hanging brightlycoloured decorations will not improve an untidy house, rolling out the red carpet for an honoured guest cannot totally disguise an unswept floor. What did John the Baptist require of those who flocked out to see and hear him?

Repentance:– a change of heart, a turning again to the will of God. Repentance will be revealed in the way we live our daily lives, in admitting that we are in the wrong and in not continuing to commit the same sins. For this reason we must grasp the opportunities for reflection - trips to a spiritual wilderness - which are part of the church's seasons.

All Saints Episcopal Church, Buckie Sundays 11.30am: Parish Eucharist.

Contact Canon Jeremy Paisey: 01542 832312.

Buckie Baptist Church Sundays 11am & 6pm. All welcome. Contact Rev. Gavin Hunter • Church - 836041• Manse - 833587 • jesuslives@hotmail.co.uk Buckie Church of Christ Sunday 9.30am: Bible Study. Morning worship 11am. Children welcome. Tel: 01542 834696.

Buckie North, Church of Scotland Cluny Square. Sundays 11am and 6pm. Contact Rev. Isabel Buchan on 01542 832118 Buckie South & West, Church of Scotland High Street. Sundays 11:30am including Sunday school. Call 01542 833775 or email buckiesouwester@btconnect.com Buckie Methodist Church Sundays 11am and 6pm. Sunday school, Bible studies, prayer meetings, study and house groups, Alpha and Women’s Guild. Tel: 01542 831176.

Cullen & Deskford Church of Scotland First Sunday of the month. Hall

page 6 - December 2015

Beyond the tinsel and turkey of Christmastide we cannot know exactly when and how we must welcome our Lord, so we must make sure that our lives are consistent with the basic principles of our faith. In Advent we are called to set aside worldly concerns and make ready to welcome Christ anew.

Preparing the way of the Lord is a responsibility for each one of us. So the Advent readings always contain the sombre note of warning.

As St Luke writes in the portion of the Gospel appointed for Advent Sunday this year: ‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.

People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’ [St Luke 21: 25-28 NRSV] Be grateful for Advent and use it, not just to prepare for the birth of the baby, but also to prepare for the coming of Christ in glory.

The Revd Canon Jeremy Paisey All Saints’ Episcopal Church Buckie

church at 11am. Followed by soup & sweet. Every other Sunday. Auld Kirk at 10.30am and the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Jubilee Hall, Deskford at 12pm.

Contact Sheila Sellar: 01542 840760. Email: sasellar@btinternet.com Cullen Methodist Church, Buckie Sundays 11am. Contact Ian Burnett (secretary to Church Council): 01542 840234.

Enzie Parish Church Portgordon, Buckie. Sunday worship and Sunday school 10am. Call 01542 833775 or Email: enziekirk@btconnect.com Findochty Church of Scotland Sundays 9.45am. All welcome. Contact David Pirie: 01542 834123.

Findochty Methodist Church Sunday fellowship 11am.

Findochty Salvation Army Sundays 10:30am Morning meeting, S.A.S Kids 12pm (Sunday School), 6pm evening meeting plus a weekly programme. Contact Envoy Gordon Lovie on 01542 839633 for details.

Listed A - F and regularly rotated. If you are a member of a church not listed or to amend existing details, email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

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USEFUL INFORMATION Local & Bank Holidays and Special Days St Andrew’s Day Mon 30th Nov 2015 Shortest Day Tues 22nd Dec 2015 Christmas Day Fri 25th Dec 2015 Boxing Day Sat 26th Dec 2015 Boxing Day (substitute day) Mon 28th Dec 2015 New Year’s Eve Thurs 31st Dec 2015 New Year’s Day Fri 1st Jan 2016 Scottish Bank Holiday Sat 2nd Jan 2016 2nd Jan (substitute day) Mon 4th Jan 2016

Burns Night Mon 25th Jan 2016 Shrove Tuesday Tues 9th Feb 2016 Ash Wednesday Wed 10th Feb 2016 Valentine’s Day Sun 14th Feb 2016 Mothering Sunday Sun 6th Mar 2016 Palm Sunday Sun 20th Mar 2016 Maundy Thursday Thurs 24th Mar 2016 Good Friday Fri 25th Mar 2016 British Summertime Starts Sun 27th Mar 2016

School Term Dates for 2015/2016 (all dates inclusive) Winter Term Ends Tues 22nd Dec 2015 Christmas Holiday Starts Wed 23rd Dec 2015 Christmas Holiday Ends Mon 4th Jan 2016 Spring Term Starts Tues 5th Jan 2016 Mid Term Holiday Fri 12th Feb 2016 Mid Term Holiday Mon 15th Feb 2016 Spring Term Ends Thurs 24th Mar 2016 Spring Holiday Starts Fri 25th Mar 2016

Spring Holiday Ends Summer Term Starts Occasional Day Milne’s May Day Holiday In-Service Day In-Service Day Occasional Day Keith Occasional Day Buckie Summer Term Ends

Fri 8th Apr 2016 Mon 11th Apr 2016 Fri 29th Apr 2016 Mon 2nd May 2016 Thurs 19th May 2016 Fri 20th May 2016 Mon 6th Jun 2016 Mon 13th Jun 2016 Thurs 30th Jun 2016

Useful Contacts Police Station ......................................................................101 Buckie Leisure Centre ........................................01542 832841 Keith Community Centre ....................................01542 882222 Keith Swimming Pool ........................................01542 882222 Keith Resource Centre ......................................01542 886174 Keith Library........................................................01542 882223 Keith Sports & Com. Ctr ....................................01542 882222 Moray Council Access Point, Keith ....................01542 885500 Registrar ............................................................01542 885525 Keith Tourist Info. Ctr ..........................................01542 888423 Keith Community Bus ........................................01542 886390 Babs Dial A Bus..................................................01542 835800 National Rail Enquiries ......................................03457 484950 Dial ‘M’ For Moray Buses ..................................03001 234565

SCHOOLS Botriphnie Primary School ..................................01542 810207 Cluny Primary School ........................................01542 831417 Crossroads Primary School................................01542 870221 Cullen Primary School ........................................01542 840279 Findochty Primary School ..................................01542 832287 Keith Primary School ..........................................01542 882802 Millbank Primary School ....................................01542 831113 Milne’s Primary School........................................01343 820977 Mosstodloch Primary School ..............................01343 820476 Newmill Primary School ......................................01542 882788 Portessie Primary School ....................................01542 832288 Portgordon Primary School ................................01542 831198 Portknockie Primary School................................01542 840244 Rothiemay Primary School ................................ 01466 711220

page 8 - December 2015

St Peters RC Primary School ..............................01542 831339 St Thomas RC Primary School ..........................01542 882256 Buckie High School ............................................01542 832605 Keith Grammar School ........................................01542 882461 Milne’s High School ............................................01343 820611

DOCTORS NHS 24 ................................................................................111 Ardach Health Centre..........................................01542 831555 Seafield Medical Centre ......................................01542 835577 Seafield & Cullen Medical Group ........................01542 835577 Keith Medical Centre ..........................................01542 882244 Dr Grays Hospital, Elgin ......................................0345 4566000

DENTISTS 8 to 8 Dental ......................................................01542 833087 Buckie Dental Practice ......................................01542 831163 The Keith Dental Practice ..................................01542 886251

PHARMACIES Bairds Pharmacy, Keith ......................................01542 882512 Clarks Pharmacy, Fife-Keith ..............................01542 882533 Cullen Pharmacy ................................................01542 840220 Listermac Pharmacy, Union St ..........................01542 840268 Listermac Pharmacy, W. Church St....................01542 833321 W.S. Taylor, Buckie ............................................01542 831116 Normac Pharmacy, Buckie ................................01542 831147 To add a contact or for amendments to existing details, please email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk or call 01309 690063

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

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Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Soup with Roasted Chestnuts - £4.50

A Selection of Home-Smoked Meats with Homemade Chutney & Oatcakes - £5.95 Twice baked soufflé glazed with Melted Brie and Basil Pesto - £5.95 Tian of Seafood and Prawns Bound in Lemon Mayonnaise and Layered with Locally Smoked Salmon - £6.95

MAIN COURSES Baked Escalope of Turkey with a Cranberry and Sausagemeat Stuffing, Wrapped in Filo Pastry served with Sage Mash and a Port and Red Wine Gravy - £15.95 Pan-Fried Chunk of Cod on Crushed, Buttered, New Potatoes with a Prawn and Preserved Lemon Sauce - £16.95 Woodland and Field Mushroom Risotto with Parmesan Shavings and Tomato and Red Pepper Pesto - £13.95 Baked Fillet of Pork Filled with Local Black Pudding on Sweet Potato Rosti with Coarse Grain Mustard and Whisky Sauce - £16.95

DESSERTS Crème brulee with a Spiced Apricot and Fig Compote - £5.95 Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream - £5.95 Home-Made Christmas Pudding with a Whisky Cream - £5.95 Ali’s Key Lime Pie served with Dark Chocolate Sauce - £5.95

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Let Us Know ‘What’s On’ In Your Area *January Issue Deadline: Friday, 4th December* Email: tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk Telephone: 01309 690063 Inclusion of events in What’s On is free.

We do not accept submissions for classes, courses or workshops.

Contact venues & organisers first as there may be changes to events.

28 saturday - 29 sunday

NOVEMBER 2015 25 wednesday christmas crafts session with buckie arts & crafts 6.30pm - 8pm, buckie library. all welcome to try a simple christmas project and to use the library’s resources to make a gift for someone special or for yourself! contact buckie library on 01542 832121 buckie.library@moray.gov.uk df concerts presents : idlewild @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

christmas craft & food fair presented by exclusively highlands @ brodie castle £4 adult entry includes a glass of non-alcoholic mulled punch and mince pie. tickets at www.nts.org.uk/events or on the day.

29 sunday arradoul swi christmas craft fayre 10am - 4pm in arradoul swi hall, near buckie. variety of crafts. free admission. teas available at £1.50 as well as a raffle.

DECEMBER 2015

27 friday moray swing band & friends concert for children in need 7:30pm, sherwood suite, eight acres hotel, elgin. tickets £5 at the door or from members. raffle & bar. all welcome! music night 7.30pm - 11pm at clochan community centre. open mic, raffle & refreshments at interval. £2.50. phone alan/gillian 01542 850493 for details proceeds to the community centre renovation work. waterstones present : an evening with paula hawkins @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com scottish rock garden club (moray group) - susan band - lilies (talk & practical 7:30pm, new elgin hall annex. call colinne souter (treasurer) on 01340 871504 or netta milne (secretary) on 01340 881558

1 tuesday world aids day 2015 community event from 1.30pm 6.30pm at eden court inverness. to raise awareness about hiv, challenge stigma, show support for those living with hiv and commemorate those who have died. information stalls, talks and an opportunity for reflection. for information call 01463 711585 or email highland@waverleycare.org. "robin" themed christmas crafts and storytime 3.30pm in tomintoul library. make your christmas presents, decorations & bird feeders using recycled materials. for children and adults. call 01807 580755 or email tomintoul.library@moray.gov.uk

3 thursday

28 saturday moray cats protection christmas craft fair 11am 4pm in elgin town hall. browse the stalls for a christmas bargain, take part in tombola and see more of what they do as a charity! refreshments available and appearance by hamish the cat. free entry. for info & table bookings please contact moraycp.fundraising@outlook.com.

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

scots night 8pm, spey bay community hall. live music from the ice house ceilidh band plus guests. byob. tickets £8 incl. plate of stovies. call heather on 01343 823995 or helen on 07793 112732 the elephant sessions @ the drouthy cobbler 8pm the blue room. visit www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk christmas craft fair and coffee morning 9:30am 12pm in portessie public hall. sales tables / raffle adults £2.50/children £1. all welcome. ironworks & let it bleed present jackmaster @ ironworks 10pm. visit www.ironworksvenue.com

dog training 6.30pm - 7.30pm & 7.30pm - 8.30pm at clochan community centre. general obedience. all ages. call joanne newsome 01343 870662 ntm promotions present : fat suit @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com beside the bothy fire @ the drouthy cobbler 7:30pm the blue room. visit www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

December 2015 - page 11

Don’t suffer this year...

FLU VACCINES ONLY

7 monday cafe 55 coffee morning 10am at elgin youth cafe, francis place. for anyone over 55 - come along for refreshments and home-bakes. free admission.

£20!

8 tuesday

Occupational Health Vaccines are FREE for:

t )PNF $BSFST t t 4PDJBM $BSF 4FSWJDFT t t /)4 &NQMPZFFT t

We offer private vaccinations administered in our private consultation room.

For an appointment contact.

CLARK’S PHARMACY

12 Regent St, Keith Tel: (01542) 882533 28-30 Seafield St, Cullen Tel: (01542) 840220 Balvenie St, Dufftown Tel: (01340) 820228

4 friday bishopmill primary school christmas fayre 6pm 8pm, morriston rd, elgin. £2 adult, £1 child. stalls, raffles, tombola and refreshments. santa will be arriving in the playground at 5.45pm and will then make his way into his grotto inside the school building. for further details call 01343 547841 sigma: moray’s astronomy club - ‘christmas quiz’ sigma members and families 7pm for 7:30pm at birnie village hall. xmas raffle and update on future planned events for 2016. www.sigma-astro.co.uk beside the bothy fire @ the drouthy cobbler an afternoon performance in the blue room. visit www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk for more info.

coffee morning & homebakes 10am - 12noon at clochan community centre. £2.50 entry. tea dance 1.30pm - 4pm at clochan community centre. old time & popular sequences. enquiries to paul on 01542 860399 fred morrison @ the drouthy cobbler 7:30pm the blue room. visit www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

9 wednesday all aboard for the dufftown to keith railway talk! 3pm at dufftown library. join ian mckenzie and alistair coull for an illustrated talk on the history of this great railway line and the story of the preservation of the railway. get your free ticket from dufftown library on 01340 820272 or dufftown.library@moray.gov.uk

10 thursday "robin" themed christmas crafts and stories for children and adults 4pm at milne's library fochabers. make christmas presents, decorations and bird feeders using recycled materials. bring along an empty, washed 2 litre (4 pint) milk carton and 2 kitchen rolls/toilet rolls. call 01343 821434 or email fochabers.library@moray.gov.uk wine tasting: sparkling wines @ the drouthy cobbler 7:30pm. visit www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

11 friday dance night 7.30pm - 11.30pm, clochan community centre. bring & share, tea, raffle. proceeds to clochan c.c. renovations. phone paul 01542 860399 rock n wrestle winter slam @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

12 saturday

4 friday - 5 saturday bandeoke christmas nights featuring midas touch @ ironworks 7pm. visit www.ironworksvenue.com

5 saturday quiz night 7:30pm, lhanbryde community centre. £2 per person, teams up to four. byob and nibbles. raffle. in aid of centre funds. ms society, moray branch christmas dinner 12.30pm at marine hotel, buckie. for people living with ms. to find out more visit facebook - mssocietymoray email moray@mssociety.org.uk or leave a message on 07340 550796 page 12 - December 2015

"robin" themed christmas crafts and storytime for children and parents 10.30am at cullen library. make christmas presents, decorations and bird feeders using recycled materials. bring along an empty, washed 2 litre (4 pint) milk carton and 2 kitchen rolls/toilet rolls. for info call 01542 841140 or email cullen.library@moray.gov.uk

banffshire field club - autumn talks: david pickford up the dee, down the don 2:15pm at banffshire field club, st rufus church hall, turner street, keith. nonmembers welcome, £3 (incl. tea and biscuits) soup & sweet from 12:30 pm - 3:30pm at portgordon village hall. stalls, luxury treats & raffle. all welcome. stars for thought christmas tree lights switch on from 4pm at keith north church, mid street, keith. carols, hot chocolate and star shortbread. sing along with the melody makers. in aid of keith sunshine developmental playgroup.

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

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do you like jokes? comedy club 7:30pm, the drouthy cobbler. monthly comedy club with 5 pro comics, jay lafferty as mc and vladimir mctavish as headliner. book in advance! www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

18 friday netsounds presents guilty pleasures with dr wook + the little mill of happiness + searching for donkeys @ ironworks 8pm. visit www.ironworksvenue.com

emergent Meeting the future

Drumduan Upper School leads the way in a new approach to secondary school level education with a sustainable, holistic and practical curriculum for adolescents.

Lessons covering the sciences and humanities are taught by specialist teachers. Academic study is enhanced and balanced by movement, music and artistic work, with crafts, environmental and outdoor activities part of the weekly timetable.

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Drumduan Upper School, Clovenside Road, Forres IV36 2RD

T: 01309 671973 E: reception@drumduan.org W: www.drumduan.org

19 saturday lantern of the north present : a very victorian christmas 11am - 4pm, st. giles church & elgin high street. singing, dancing, puppet shows & side shows plus an appearance by santa claus who will be on hand to receive your christmas letter. for more details on this free event email info@lotn.co.uk carolthon 11am - 4pm, eastgate shopping centre, inverness. inverness choral society's annual nonstop marathon of carol singing near the upstairs entrance of m&s. raising funds for the society and a chosen charity. see www.invernesschoral.org.uk and www.chas.org.uk

23 wednesday christmas music night 7pm at clochan community centre. bring & share. byob. tea & coffee provided. open mic. phone alan on 01542 850493

26 saturday dance night 5pm - 10pm at clochan community centre. for info phone paul on 01542 860399

"robin" themed christmas crafts and stories for children and adults 10:30am at dufftown library. make christmas presents, decorations and bird feeders using recycled materials. bring along an empty, washed 2 litre (4 pint) milk carton and 2 kitchen rolls/toilet rolls. call 01340 820272 or email dufftown.library@moray.gov.uk chimes international present abbamania – christmas special @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

13 sunday buckie choral union : christmas concert 7.30pm at highfield hall, buckie high school. all welcome. christmas at the castle with james ross and the marvel of peru @ brodie castle performances at 3pm and 5pm. performing a variety of christmas carols. £14 incl. non alcoholic mulled wine and mince pie served 30 mins before performance. www.nts.org.uk/events or call 01309 641371. lazy jazz @ the drouthy cobbler 1pm - 4pm. with brian keddie & band. www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

16 wednesday christmas tombola doors open 6.30pm eyes down at 7.30pm in portessie public hall. the star prize is £75 grocery vouchers. please bring a cup.

page 14 - December 2015

27 sunday back for good fundraiser @ ironworks 7:30pm. with jetstar • lymerick smith • the lush rollers • findo gask • the mystic shoes and netsounds djs. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com brass & beer @ the drouthy cobbler 7:30pm. visit www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

29 tuesday red hot chilli pipers @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com be like pablo @ the drouthy cobbler 7:30pm. catchy guitar-based powerpop music with bright girl/boy vocal harmonies. visit www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

31 thursday come to the party with ‘footerin’ aboot’ from 8:30pm - 2am at portgordon village hall. tombola, bar and party food. rhythmnreel hogmanay bash @ ironworks 9pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com hogmanay 2015 @ the drouthy cobbler 9pm 1:30am. a ticketed celebration of the coming of the new year with drams, stovies, fizz and music from dallahan. visit www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

KNOW WHO TO TURN TO WHEN YOU NEED HELP WITH YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

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As your MSP I’m fortunate to meet so many of the fantastic people in Moray who raise money for charity and who give up their own time to help others. I recently attended the Breast Cancer Now event in the Scottish Parliament and met the amazing Nancy Jamieson from Keith. Nancy is 87 and cycles 100 miles every year for charity and so far has raised over £6000 for Breast Cancer Charities - her effort is nothing short of inspirational! Nancy is just one of the many people I’ve met from Moray this year who go above and beyond to help others, and I know I’m not alone in feeling very humbled by people like her. At this time of year I’d like to take the opportunity to thank our volunteers and those who work hard to look after us. I hope they and you have a peaceful and happy Christmas.

Richard Lochhead MSP

It doesn’t seem like a year since I was last wishing people a very Merry Christmas. It’s fairly flown in! I’d also like to thank all the children in Moray who have entered our Parliamentary Office Christmas Card Competition this year. It is always great to see the range of designs submitted by some very talented young artists! One thing about Christmas that I particularly love is getting a little bit of time to get out and about walking, getting some fresh air and clearing the head ready for the New Year. I recently got up the Bin Hill behind Cullen, well worth the climb for a fantastic view across Moray and right up to the top of the Highlands. I highly recommend it! It’s even better coming down!

Angus Robertson MP LOW TIDE TIMES FOR BUCKIE IN DECEMBER Walking on the beach should be possible 2 hours either side of these times 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

TU W TH F SA SU M

AM 08:58 09:40 10:36 11:53 01:12 02:14 03:03

PM 21:54 22:49 23:59 13:20 14:28 15:18

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

TU W TH F SA SU M TU W TH F SA

AM 03:45 04:23 05:00 05:36 06:13 06:51 07:29 08:09 08:51 09:40 10:39 11:51

PM 16:00 16:39 17:18 17:57 18:36 19:16 19:57 20:41 21:29 22:24 23:32

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

SU M TU W TH F SA SU M TU W TH

AM 00:51 02:07 03:09 04:02 04:50 05:35 06:18 06:57 07:33 08:06 08:39 09:13

PM 13:15 14:31 15:33 16:27 17:18 18:06 18:52 19:35 20:15 20:51 21:27 22:07

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Words by the Wayside “Remember how short my time is.”

(Psalm 89:47)

Reader, “what man is he that liveth, and shall not see death?” Have you any certainty as to what this year may bring forth for you? No, you cannot count upon a day. “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” “Behold, now is the day of salvation”. God is mighty to save and The Lord Jesus Christ is the way; His Death for your sin and His Resurrection from the dead for your justification. Turn now from sin, self & fear - He is mighty to save. www.wordsbythewayside.co.uk Registered Scottish charity SC041290

By L. Macdonald

HIGHLAND

Wildlife Personally, I really enjoy going wildlife spotting. I love searching for swans, buzzards etc, but my favourites are dolphins, red deer, golden eagles, red squirrels and harbour seals. Below are some facts about these amazing creatures and where to spot them!

Moray Firth Dolphins The Moray Firth dolphins are very special as they are the most northerly resident bottlenose dolphins in the world. There have been sightings recorded of them since 1900. They eat about 8-15kgs (15-33lbs) Ƥ Ǥ every 2 years and in the wild they live from 20-50 years of age.

The best place to see these dolphins is Chanonry Point, but they are also regularly spotted at Kessock Bridge, Fort George, Burghead, Hopeman and Spey Bay. Red Deer Majestic and beautiful, the red deer is Britain's largest land mammal and native to Britain, but is also found in southern Scandinavia, Turkey, even as far as China and Mongolia. Red deer stags (males) live to about 10 years and hinds (females) about 12

years. They eat mainly grasses, heather, leaves and twigs.

The best places to look include Perthshire and the north west Highlands. Spending most of the summer months in Scotland’s hills and remote glens, red deer can be spotted on lower ground during winter, where food is more readily available.

Golden Eagles Golden eagles have a wingspan of 2 metres and are the second largest bird of prey in the UK. Males weigh about 3.5kg but females are heavier as they weigh about 5kg. There are estimated to be over 50,000 pairs worldwide.

The UK population is about 5% of the total European population.

Harris, Mull, Rum and Skye are very good for Golden Eagles. On the mainland quiet glens with dead end roads are good places to look.

They have even been spotted on the A9, at Drumochter Pass.

Red Squirrels The red squirrel is the UK’s only native species of squirrel and Scotland boasts over 80% of the UK’s population. Squirrels don’t hibernate, but bury supplies of seeds and nuts underground to eat in the winter, and can locate their buried food supplies in over 1 foot of snow! The body length of a fully

grown male is 20-22cm and its tail length is 17-18cm. The life span of a Red Squirrel is on average 3 years although in captivity they have been known to live for up to 10 years! Red squirrels are now a protected species.

The red squirrels are best spotted in the central Highlands in and around the Cairngorms. There Ƥ ǡ Red Squirrel Walk through Dalbeattie Forest in Dumfries & Galloway, and the Red Squirrel trail at Landmark.

Harbour Seals The harbour seal is also known as the common seal. They have large eyes to see in murky water and long necks which they can shoot out Ƥ Ǥ ǡ harbour seals breathe out before diving. They

while under water, and their heartbeat slows from about 100 beats per minute to 10. An adult harbour seal can reach a length of 1.85 meters (6.1 ft). Females live for about 30-35 years, whilst males only live for about 20-25.

They are found mostly near the Moray Firth, Scotland’s west coast and the outer Hebrides, as well as the waters around Orkney and Shetland. It is against the law to disturb harbour seals and other marine mammals!

I hope that this information was useful!

The Elephant Sessions Orcadian

THE

Traditional music fans are being well catered for at The Drouthy Cobbler this winter with a season of gigs from some of Scotland's top musicians.

The season began in mid-November with Orcadian duo Saltfishforty's first ever gig in Elgin. From their island home the powerhouse partnership of Douglas Montgomery and Brian Cromarty have won a devoted following throughout the UK and beyond and are linchpin figures in the flourishing revival of Orkney’s traditional music.

Renowned for their breathtaking live show, The Elephant Sessions return to The Drouthy Cobbler on the 28th of November. This “neo-trad” quintet, worthy winners of MG ALBA's up and coming act of the year 2014, draw their influences from many different genres and create a progressive blend of intricate tunes, engulfing guitars, monstrous bass and pounding drums.

One of Celtic music’s most profoundly skilled and audaciously inventive exponents, Scottish piper Fred Morrison plays on 8th December. Fred is famed for his passionately expressive style, rooted in the Gaelic traditions of his father’s native South Uist, and enriched by influences from far and wide, which has seen him dubbed “the Jimi Hendrix of the pipes”.

The Drouthy Cobbler Hogmanay Party (ticketed) will this year feature Edinburgh based Dallahan – a fusion of skilled musicians each showered with awards. They have performed their unique arrangements of original music and traditional Irish tunes and songs throughout the world at prestigious events including the Copenhagen Irish Festival, the Milwaukee Irish Festival and Celtic Connections.

February 28th brings two highly accomplished musicians together, Ian Carr and Simon Thoumire - old friends who have recently re-united after a break of 15 years. Concertina player Simon and guitarist Ian first met in 1988 in the inaugural BBC Radio 2 Young Tradition Award. Neither of them won it but Simon returned in 1989 to take the prize. From this meeting the pair went on to write and tour extensively together and individually.

“When they play it straight, as on Carr’s waltz set, they can charm; but when they go for it, they’re an unstoppable force of mad virtuosity.” Rob Adams, Sunday Herald Artists already booked in for later in the year include Finlay Napier, Pons Aelius, Mairearad Green and Anna Massie – keep an eye out in Spotlight for dates and details.

Tickets for all events are available at www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk and at the venue. Why not make an evening of it and eat before the performance?

Having opened their kitchen in July, the Drouthy Cobbler is a great addition to Elgin's eating scene and the new winter menu is proving a hit with every dish freshly prepared from local and seasonal ingredients.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;...Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?â&#x20AC;?

(Psalm 78:19)

Christian, you know the answer, is anything too hard for your Lord? Is anything impossible for Him? Your God shall supply your every need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you, be troubled about nothing, look for your Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ and the peace of God will keep your heart and mind through Him. www.wordsbythewayside.co.uk Registered Scottish charity SC041290

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