Spotlight Elgin Dec 18

THE NORTH’S FAVOURITE FREE WEE MAG

DECEMBER 2018

SpotLIGHT ELGIN, LOSSIE & DISTRICT

See what offers Carlton Bingo Elgin have on page 11

25/27 South St Elgin IV30 1JZ 01343 542559 ELS Stoves Banner Sept 18.pdf

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Design and installation of fireplaces, chimney systems and Multi-fuel stoves

Buckie Furniture Front

Tel: 01343 200 413 Mob: 07534 125 013 Horizontal nov 18.pdf 1 12/10/2018 www.elsstoves.co.uk

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New Members always welcome

OPEN: Sun - Thurs 4pm - 1am Fri & Sat 4pm - 2.30am

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Words by the Wayside “The Lord God of Israel was their inheritance�

Sticks n' Stoves Sept 18.pdf

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Christian, worship and sin are incompatible. If we are taken up with our Saviour and His things, we will not be taken up with self, sin or the things of the world. Our passion for the Saviour will determine our lifestyles. What sort of lives are we living? What sort of ambassadorship are we fulfilling?

Our Lord Jesus Christ must come first in our lives and ourselves second. God alone is our inheritance and the Lord’s portion is His people.

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SpotLIGHTon .co.uk

What’s on, Clubs, Eating out, Trades Listings and much more...

Clubs and Societies ALLSTARS & STRIPES CHEER & DANCE Mon (P1 - P4), 3.45pm - 4.30pm; (P5 - above) 4.30pm - 5.30pm.

Wed: Pre-competition class (P4 above), 4pm - 5.30pm, Eight Acres Hotel, Elgin. Teaches "All Star" cheerleading to increase confidence & build friendships.

Call 07455 212280. www.facebook.com/allstarsand stripes.cheer/info/ BUCCANEER THEATRE CLUB Mon (Club Night), 7pm, RAF Lossiemouth. New members interested in both on-stage & back-stage activities welcome.

Call Chris or Ally on 07789 552968 or 07887 513915 BUDDIES SCHEME "Hands up to Volunteering."

Supporting people in your local community. Moray Health & Social Care Partnership. Call the Volunteer Department, Health & Social Care Moray, Moray Council Annexe, High Street, Elgin on 01343 563515 or volunteering.cc@moray.gov.uk www.moray.gov.uk/volunteering

Sample one-off advertising rates (colour advert)

Box Big box ¼ page ½ page Full page

£51 £81 £133 £231 £441

Enhanced listings in What’s On pages starting from £30

Publisher:

Winterburn Media Ltd Unit 14, Horizon Scotland, Enterprise Park, Forres, Moray, IV36 2AB (01309) 690063

All material within the SpotLight magazines is subject to formal copyright restrictions and therefore the reproduction of any listings, editorial, advertiser artwork or any other content, without the publisherʼs prior consent, will be considered a breach of copyright.

page 4 - December 2018

BURGHEAD COASTAL ROWING CLUB Join us for fitness, fresh air & good companionship as part of a team rowing a 23 feet long skiff. Social & competition opportunities at regattas. See Facebook page for details. Call Norman Millar on 01343830928 or email dusty.bcrc@talktalk.net

MAV (MAKE AUTISM VISIBLE) LADIES GROUP 1st Thurs of month, Elgin. Ladies over 16 years old with Aspergers Syndrome. We meet to chat & offer support. Email Heidi Sands at heidi@milkmonitor.org.uk for more information. wwwmakeautismvisible. wordpress.com

ELGIN & DISTRICT BRANCH U3A Learning for the fun of it, see our Website www.u3a-Elgin.org.uk for further details. Membership is just is £15 & runs from 31/3 for 12 months. Try for free, meet new friends. Call the Membership Secretary on 07977 042258 or 01343 544858. Email at secretary@u3a-elgin.org.uk

MIND YOUR HEAD MORAY 1st & 3rd Thurs of month, 7pm, Lossie Youth Cafe. A peer support group in Moray meeting people with mental health issues. Sharing & support with mental health. www.mindyourheadmoray.co.uk

ELGIN AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY The Sheddie, Kingsmills, Elgin. A drama group for people aged 12 years & over who are interested in all areas of theatre. Email at elgindrama@live.co.uk www.elgindrama.co.uk ELGIN CYCLING CLUB Sun, 8.30am, Grant Lodge, Cooper Park, Elgin. Promoting cycling in the local area. Call Kevin Thomson on 01542 834972. www.elgincyclingclub.com ELGIN INDOOR BOWLING CLUB Mon, 6.30pm - 9.45pm & Wed, 7.15pm - 9.30pm. Call James Junor on 01343 546069 or email at jamesjunor@btinternet.com IMPACT YOUTH GROUP IMPACT is for all S1-S4 children.

LOSSIE FOLK CLUB Tues, 8.30pm, the Beach Bar, Lossiemouth. Email at balbenmartin@hotmail.com LOSSIEMOUTH GIRL GUIDING Rainbows for ages 5 - 7yrs; Brownies for ages 7 - 10yrs & Guides for age 10+yrs. An exciting programme with challenges & opportunities for personal development. www.girlguiding.org.uk

MORAY MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB Tues & Thurs evenings. Small, local group meeting to mountain bike the local area. Also day trips to both trail centres & natural trails. www.moraymountain bikeclub.co.uk MORAY PROVINCE CURLING DEVELOPMENT GROUP Last Tues of month (Sept - Mar), 5.15pm, Elgin Ice Rink, Moray Leisure Centre. Increasing the accessibility & popularity of curling in Moray area. There are try curling events, a 4 weeks beginner's course then an introduction to local clubs. Call Sandra MacIver on 07817 106662 or email at curlingmoray@gmail.com MORAY ROCK GARDEN GROUP Last Fri of month, 7.30pm, New Elgin Hall Annexe, Land Street, Elgin. New members welcome.

Call Alan Souter on 01340 871504 or email at alan.souter@talk21.com www.srgc.net MORAY RUGBY CLUB Tues & Thurs (Senior pre season training), 6.30pm - 8.30pm, Morriston Playing Fields. In addition to a senior squad, Moray RFC have a thriving youth section catering for age groups from P1 to U18. www.morayrfc.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

MORAY SPEYSIDE FILM CLUB Last Tues of month, 6.30pm 9.30pm, the Lecture Theatre, Moray College, UHI. Screening locally produced films & awardwinning documentaries. Tickets £3.50/£2.50. www.facebook.com/ MoraySpeysideFilmClub RAF LOSSIEMOUTH VOLUNTARY BAND A local Concert Band & is looking for new members to join its ranks. We offer weekly rehearsals, regular performance opportunities, RAF uniform is supplied & there are no subscriptions. Call James Gray on 01343 817508 or email at jim.gray450@mod.gov.uk THE MORAY MS COMMUNITY 2nd Fri of month, The Oaks, Morriston Road, Elgin.

Information & support for anyone affected by Multiple Sclerosis in Moray. Call Alan Beevers on 01309 671722 or email at alan.beevers23@btinternet.com. www.MSMoray.net THE MORAY STAMP CLUB 2nd Wed of month (Sept - Apr), 2pm - 4pm, the Activities Room, Elgin Library. Email Michael Ellison (Secretary) at michael56101@gmail.com www.moraystampclub. wordpress.com YOUNG AT HEART MOVEMENT & DANCE MORAY Tues, 6.30pm - 7.30pm & Wed, 9.30am - 10.30am, Elgin Football Club, Borough Briggs Road, Elgin. £6. Simple & fun dance routines for over 50s. No experience necessary! Call 07809 674070 or email at youngatheartdance@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE Details of Clubs & Societies are published on a rotational basis. If you would like your details to be included in this section please email linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

As I write this we haven’t yet had much snow and I know that the reindeers will be looking forward to colder weather and extra feed when they start deliveries with Santa.

I wonder if they look forward to Christmas as much as we humans do?

All I know is our family will be getting into the spirit of things over the next few weeks and something we always look forward to is carol concerts. Check out our website www.spotlighton.co.uk to find local carol concerts in your area and exercise those vocal chords. The benefit with lots of people singing together is that the worst voices all seem to sound better!

Enjoy the festive season!!

PUBLISHER ..............David Nelmes ADVERTISING ..............Susan Innes PRODUCTION .........Linda J Donald ART & DESIGN...............Flo Skinner ACCOUNTS ..................Alan Radley

January Issue Deadlines Editorial - Thursday 29/11/18 1 Advertising - Tuesday 04//12/18

Knockomie Hotel Dec 18.pdf

09/11/2018

12:38

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SpotLIGHTon .co.uk

Pastoral Le er & Church Meetings The warmth of friendship in a cold world “Loneliness feels like a deep, deep ache. It's strange when you find the house empty - you really don't know what to do. We took delight in the simple things in life, like walks. We used to go time after time to watch the cloud shadows on the sea at Seven Sisters. And that's what I miss - that type of companionship that is so close and so intense.” 1 The words of Jack King, a ninety-six year old widower, who lives in the south of England and one of the 55,000 people who completed an on-line survey for the BBC’s Loneliness Experiment on Valentine’s Day 2018.

The Advent and Christmas seasons are times when loneliness can bite hardest.

The bright lights and decorations present a defiant face to the opposing darkness and cold but for many who feel very alone, even in company, it can all be too much. I read recently about the committed ritual of Christmas card preparation and writing that the poet Seamus Heaney set himself every December.

It’s a ritual many of us are familiar with and yet we may not have found

the same focus and intensity that Heaney did in our fulfilment of the duty. He would begin by bringing out the list of names and add to it the names of people he had been introduced to in the year that had passed. He would then buy the stamps and address the envelopes by hand. His desk would become an assembly line with the kitchen table acting as overflow. Ever since the early 1970s he had planned the design on his cards and wrote a new poem each year that was inscribed within them. As the years passed and his life became so busy, his family tried to encourage him to scale back in the enterprise, but he refused. He would take great care with each card and would fret that he had missed someone out. And through the whole process he found an enjoyment in maintaining the special gift of friendship that meant so much to him in life.

The cultivation of friendship can ease our loneliness but it’s not guaranteed to do so. We need something more and in the seasons of Advent, as we wait, and of Christmas, as we gratefully receive, we are encouraged to turn towards God and his gift of

Living Waters Fellowship Wednesdays 7pm: Road to Recovery - for alcholics, addicts and the homeless. Sundays 12.30pm: preachin’, prayin’ and singin’ followed by lunch. Sundays 12.30pm and Wednesdays 7pm: Truck Stop Ministries - for truck drivers & bikers.

New Elgin & Ashgrove Hall, King Street, Elgin, IV30 6BN. Tel: 07730 256543. Website: www.livingwatersfellowship.co.uk Lossiemouth Baptist Church Sundays 9:15am, 11am (and junior church) and 6pm. Thursdays 6.15pm - 8pm: kids church (P4-P7).

Contact Rev. Rae Mackenzie: 01343 812062. www.lossiebaptist.org Lossiemouth Gospel Hall Sunday club12.30pm (Sept - May). Gospel meeting 6.30pm. Tel: 01343 812211. For details visit www.lossiemouthgospelhall.org.uk Lossiemouth United Free Church of Scotland Sundays 11am and 6pm including Sunday school. Website: www.lossieufchurch.org

page 6 - December 2018

What’s on, Clubs, Eating out, Trades Listings and much more...

tel: 01309 690063

Immanuel - God with us - Jesus, his Son (Matthew 1:23). The author of John’s Gospel described the Word, Jesus Christ, as drawing especially near: “The Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.

And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” (John 1:14 New Living Translation).

It’s one thing for Jesus to appear on earth but quite a different thing for him to find himself ‘at home’ with us.

But it’s that level of intimacy that brings us comfort and reinforces the sense of friendship and togetherness that we may find in one another.

As you set about, and continue, the task of writing cards and renewing contact with friends old and new may you know the special closeness of God in Jesus his Son. May God bless you all this festive season,

Rev Geoff McKee St. Gerardine’s High linked with St. James’ Church of Scotland, Lossiemouth

Moray Coast Baptist Church Fochabers Public Institute, 15 High Street, Fochabers, IV32 7EP. Sunday services at 5pm & 6pm..

Thursday night Bible study at 7pm. Crèche available for each service.

Pastor Donald Clough. Call 07862 898939 for more information, or visit www.moraycoastbc.com Moray Grace Fellowship The Warehouse Theatre, Lossie. Sundays 10.30am. Call Vic Cameron: 07738 260550. Email: vic.cameron2803@btinternet.com. www.moraygrace.wordpress.com Moray Presbytery www.moraypresbytery.org.uk

Listed from L - M and regularly rotated. If you are a member of a church not listed here and would like to be considered for inclusion or to amend any details please email linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

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Bishopmill Nov 18.pdf

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10/10/2018

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A K Cleaning Elgin ‘For all your cleaning requirements in Moray’

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PAUL WISHES ALL HIS CUSTOMERS A MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND A SOOT FREE, HAPPY NEW YEAR

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t: 01343 850179 Lessons from £12 by Abi Rooley-Towle DLP QP Teacher H July and 18.pdf 1 07/06/2018 (Accredited Music award winning songwriter) 09:35 e: rooleytowle@btinternet.com

macleman butchers Dec 18.pdf

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Christmas Pack £40 For 5-7 people which includes: 3rd Generation Butcher T: 01343 813034 W.P Macleman Butchers 57 Queen Street Lossiemouth IV31 6PY

2.5kg turkey crown 500g pork stuffing 600g oatmeal stuffing 500g chipolata sausages It is also possible to tailor any order to your own needs, as we have a full range of meats, poultry, charcuterie, etc available. (All fresh produce)

Wishing all our Customers a Merry Christmas

DAVID GUIDI BOILER CHANGES GAS & OIL SOLID FUEL CENTRAL HEATING BATHROOMS NEW BUILDS POWER FLUSHING GUTTERS & DRAINS ALL PLUMBING & HEATING WORK UNDERTAKEN H: 01343 810765 M: 07751 821559 E: davidguidi@hotmail.com

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PROFESSIONAL CLEANING FOR ALL YOUR COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC REQUIREMENTS

Helping Hands provides an extensive range of cleaning services for the commercial & domestic sector at very competitive rates. Whatever your cleaning requirements, we tailor a handmade package to suit you.

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Elgin Ghost Tours June 18.pdf

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Elgin Ghost Tours Walk the ancient city with your guide.

Haunted History, or simply History, the choice is yours.

All tours

ÂŁ3 per person Must be booked in advance

Tel: 07800 724359

11/05/2018

SpotLIGHTon .co.uk

What’s on, Clubs, Eating out, Trades Listings and much more...

Parliament Blog & Tide Times The festive season is creeping up on us and the excitement has begun to build as the main event gets closer. Hopefully, the tills are ringing in Moray as local businesses profit from the boost in extra trade. If you can shop locally then it makes a big difference to our High Streets. But with Christmas comes some online shopping and one of the issues that has been keeping my postbag bulging this year has been the imposition of unfair delivery charges. Hopefully, the amount of work that politicians and campaigners have done this year will reduce the instances of rip-off charges, as retailers and couriers finally get the message that Moray is part of mainland UK! And as we celebrate Christmas with friends and family it’s also worth remembering that there are those for whom it is not a joyous time of year. They may be alone, homeless, needy or ill. You may be able to make things a little better. If you have the opportunity to help someone or support a local toy or food appeal, then it is certainly something I would recommend. Spare a thought as well for our medical staff, the emergency services, farmers, council workers, care teams and military personnel – to name just a few - who will be working throughout the holidays. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

Can I also take this opportunity to wish you all a happy Christmas and best wishes for 2019.

Douglas Ross MP

Recent images of an American so called ‘huntress’ posing with the carcasses of feral goats and domestic sheep which have been ‘hunted’ on Islay have rightly caused outrage. I have been contacted by a large number of constituents and non-constituents alike appalled that such behaviour is legal in Scotland and calling for change.

I was therefore pleased to see Cabinet Secretary Mike Russell, who is the constituency MSP covering Islay, will engage with his Cabinet colleagues on this issue.

Culling of wild deer and goats can be a vital part of maintaining both the health of the environment and the populations of wild animals.

But it is something which must be done in a humane manner and not as an entertainment product for so called trophy hunters.

John Finnie MSP

LOW TIDE TIMES FOR LOSSIEMOUTH IN DECEMBER

Walking on the beach should be possible 2 hours either side of these times 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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As we approach Christmas many Moray residents will have felt the frustration of unfair and excessive delivery charges slapped onto their orders.

At the time of writing I’m pleased to confirm that the UK Government’s Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility, Kelly Tolhurst MP, has agreed to meet me to discuss my campaign to end rip-off parcel delivery surcharges.

The cases brought to me by constituents in Moray led to what has become a national campaign to tackle online retailers that apply ripoff surcharges costing rural communities across Scotland an extra £36 million a year, and Moray over £2m annually.

I’ve tried for the last year or two to secure this meeting given that regulation of both consumer protection and parcel deliveries lies with the UK Government. I hope that this will be the last Christmas where my constituents are fleeced by companies because of their postcodes.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of my constituents. I look forward to continuing my hard work for the people of Moray in 2019.

Richard Lochhead MSP

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admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

T: 01343 542218

Decora, Lossiebank Mills, Elgin, IV30 4DE

24th - 25th November Every weekend until Christmas.

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We are a brand new retail shop in the heart of Speyside, recently opened in October 2018. We stock over 40 different craft gins, tonic waters, merchandise and whisky. We specialise in highly collectable single malt bottlings with a range from a variety of distilleries.

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What’s on, Clubs, Eating out, Trades Listings and much more...

Useful Information

Local & Bank Holidays and Special Days 1st Sunday in Advent Hanukkah (J) 2nd Sunday in Advent 3rd Sunday in Advent Shortest Day Christmas Day Boxing Day Hogmanay New Year’s Day New Year’s Day (substitute)

Sun 2nd Dec 2018 Sun 2nd Dec 2018 Sun 9th Dec 2018 Sun 16th Dec 2018 Fri 21st Dec 2018 Tues 25th Dec 2018 Wed 26th Dec 2018 Mon 31st Dec 2018 Tues 1st Jan 2019 Wed 2nd Jan 2019

Epiphany Sun 6th Jan 2019 Maghi (S) Mon 14th Jan 2019 Burns Night Fri 25th Jan 2019 Valentine’s Day Thurs14th Feb 2019 St David’s Day Fri 1st Mar 2019 Shrove Tuesday Tues 5th Mar 2019 Ash Wednesday Wed 6th Mar 2019 § Elgin, Lhanbryde & Urquhart ‡ Hopeman, Burghead & Lossiemouth (H - Hindu; J - Jewish; M - Muslim; S - Sikh)

School Term Dates

for 2018/2019 (all dates inclusive) Occasional Day Milne’s, Mon 3rd Dec 2018 Fochabers Winter Term Ends Fri 21st Dec 2018 Christmas Holiday Starts Mon 24th Dec 2018 Christmas Holiday Ends Fri 4th Jan 2019 Spring Term Starts Mon 7th Jan 2019 Occasional Day Elgin Thurs 7th Feb 2019 Mid Term Holiday Fri 8th Feb 2019 Mid Term Holiday Mon 11th Feb 2019 Spring Term Ends Fri 29th Mar 2019

Spring Holiday Starts Spring Holiday Ends Summer Term Starts Good Friday Holiday May Day Holiday Occasional Day Lossie In-Service Day In-Service Day Summer Term Ends Summer Holiday Starts

Bus Station, Elgin ...............................................01343 544222 Citizens Advice Bureau.......................................01343 550088 Dallas Village Hall ...............................................01343 890243 Dial ‘M’ For Moray Buses ..................................03001 234565 Elgin Community Council ..................................01343 540615 Elgin Library ........................................................01343 562600 Elgin Town Hall ......................01343 547767/543736 -To Book Inverness Airport.................................................01667 464000 Lossie Library......................................................01343 813334 Lossie Swimming Pool ......................................01343 815299 Lossie Town Hall ....................................01343 813327/815309 Men in Recovery ............................info@meninrecovery.org Moray Cats Protection ........................................07837 342646 Moray Council.....................................................01343 543451 Moray Families Information Service.......................................... www.facebook.com/ MorayFamiliesInformationService Moray Leisure Centre .........................................01343 550033 National Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline ..........................................................................0800 027 1234 National Rail Enquiries........................................03457 484950 Pluscarden Village Hall ......................................01343 890412 Police Station ......................................................................101 Railway Mission ..................................................078419 85768

Greenwards Primary School ..............................01343 541661 Hopeman Primary School ..................................01343 830281 Lhanbryde Primary School..................................01343 842649 Linkwood Primary School ..................................01343 547782 Mosstowie Primary School..................................01343 547119 New Elgin Primary School ..................................01343 547587 Seafield Primary School ......................................01343 547792 St Gerardine Primary School ..............................01343 812251 St Sylvesters R.C. Primary School ......................01343 541453 West End Primary School ..................................01343 543161 Elgin Academy ....................................................01343 543485 Elgin High School................................................01343 545181 Lossiemouth High School ..................................01343 812047

Mon 1st Apr 2019 Fri 12th Apr 2019 Mon 15th Apr 2019 Fri 19th Apr 2019 Mon 7th May 2019 Mon 7th May 2019 Thurs 16th May 2019 Fri 17th May 2019 Fri 28th Jun 2019 Mon 1st Jul 2019

Useful Contacts

SCHOOLS Alves Primary School ..........................................01343 850247 Bishopmill Primary School ..................................01343 547841 Burghead Primary School ..................................01343 835529 East End Primary School ....................................01343 542381

page 16 - December 2018

tel: 01309 690063

DENTISTS Apex Dental Studio..............................................01343 556606 Glassgreen Dental Practice ................................01343 553131 Laich Dental Practice ..........................................01343 816316 Smiles Dental ......................................................01343 541164 South Street Dental Practice ..............................01343 542729 Trinity Dental Practice..........................................01343 542697 VETS Miller and Swann ................................................01343 542255 Moray Coast Vets, Lossie ..................................01343 815335 Wards Veterinary Centre ....................................01343 544811 If you would like to add a contact or if there are any amendments to be made to existing details, please email linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

Joseph Brown Vats

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Larger briquettes also available.

33 Balvenie Street Contact us on: Dufftown 01340 820265 Keith 07740 116922 1 08/08/2018 16:27 ScotEng Sept 18.pdf AB55 4AS jbvatdufftown2368@gmail.com

“And the angel said unto her, fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

Luke’s Gospel ch. 1 v30-33

Domestic, Commercial & Industrial Garage Doors Supplied & Installed

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It can be seen from these verses that Jesus will sit upon the throne of his father David in Jerusalem and not only reign over Israel but also the whole world forever.

To learn more visit: www.easybibletruth.org.au or KTelephone McGregor July17.pdf 1 30/05/2017 01343 842378

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Making Whole Family Recovery Possible Arrows is a holistic service for individuals both Adults experiencing drug and alcohol problems, and children and families The range of supports available in Arrows are both individual and group centred and can be used as part of a whole family approach to recovery or one to one support personally tailored and unique to each family’s circumstances.

program. Arrows work to improve coping strategies and parenting approaches through supporting activities, play and positive experiences.

Arrows can support parents to recognise the needs of their children throughout their recovery journey, how to support them through the changes involved and in hearing their views within the family’s support.

Worried about a loved one and their substance use?

Friends, family or others connected to an individual

nature of treatment and support with Arrows is upmost and we support individuals to understand the boundaries of sharing information, as well as making informed choices when involving loved ones within our whole family approach.

Worried about your substance use and its impact on your family and relationships?

Individuals experiencing drug and alcohol issues may feel isolated from loved ones, unable to seek support from those closest to them or pressurised into establishing positive changes which can lead to deterioration within relationships, and creating further challenges for recovery.

Arrows can support you to involve loved ones in your recovery at a pace and level that suits you. We can guide you to have conversations with loved ones inviting their involvement within your recovery plan. Many of our activities, groups and events are family inclusive; we provide focused support through couples and family counselling.

Arrows work with parents experiencing substance issues to support their role as a parent within their recovery treatment

a close relationship with someone struggling with an addiction can be frustrating, painful and sometimes a lonely journey.

We can work with you using a range of CBT based tools, helping you cope and support your loved one.

Many of these skills are valuable for the family even if your loved one does not enter treatment or has already begun the treatment process.

Arrows can support friends and family to understand and discuss problematic substance use with their loved one to help prevent situations escalating.

Linking with Carers Support Family members often don’t recognise themselves as unpaid carers even though they are entitled to the carer supports available. Arrows and Quarriers Carers Support Service (Moray) can work with you on a joint register to ensure access to the training, short breaks and group supports available through their Service.

Talk to us Arrows - A Quarriers Service, 23 High St, Elgin, IV301EE CBMM t Text 07812 228547 arrows@quarriers.org.uk

Opening hours Monday - Friday 9am-6pm, Thursday 9am-9pm Saturday 10am - 5pm SMART recovery Thursdays 6.30-7.30pm

Concerned about your own or someone else’s alcohol or drug use?

You’re not alone. Talk to us.

Call 01343 610500 Text 07812 228547 Email arrows@quarriers.org.uk 6XSSRUWLQJ )DPLOLHV WR

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M O N U M E N TA L E N G R AV E R Additional inscriptions, Regilding, Raised lead lettering, Cleaning of headstones also re-fixing done in any cemetery Phone:01309671982 ‡ Mobile:07740950580 Fraser Blades Sept 18.pdf 1 31/07/2018 42 Randolph Lane Forres

FRASER BLADES Precision Mobile Sharpening Service Bring it back to life and get it sharpened like new.

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Colin Buchan - Moray Locksmith May 18.pdf ali-paterson@hotmail.co.uk

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COMMERCIAL & DOMESTIC Colin Buchan MORAY LOCKSMITH Current Disclosure Scotland Certificate Held.

ID Produced on request

Wood and UPVC door/window locks & gearing repaired or replaced

01309 674328 Emergency service available 07879 265063 FAST, EFFICIENT and Friendly

Tel: 01309 691813 Mob: 07818043840 service covering Highlands, 13:45 Saltire Motorhomes Dec 18.pdf 1 09/11/2018 info@moraylocksmith.co.uk 13:15 shearpride dec 18.pdf 1 31/10/2018 www.moraylocksmith.co.uk www.fraserblades.co.uk Moray and Aberdeen facebook.com/moraylocksmith

Looking for a HOME away from HOME?

MOTORHOMES FOR HIRE Pet friendly motorhome coming to the fleet from March 2019 07825 172891 U info@saltiremotorhomes.co.uk Strathlene House, Elgin, Moray, IV30 8NB

www.saltiremotorhomes.co.uk

All you need for Christmas available here

Moray Artifical grass April 18.pdf

1

Services we Offer: U Key Cutting U Paint Mixing U Furniture Department

U Calor Gas U Delivery Service U Rear Car Parking

Opening Times:

107-111 High St,

Mon - Sat: 9am–5:30pm

Forres IV36 1AA

Sunday: 11am–4pm

(01309) 674 111

12/03/2018

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Shop online for free delivery to store at www.homehardwaredirect.co.uk

@wrightshhforres

As market leaders in luxury gardens, we know why people choose artificial grass. People want to have their lawns hassle-free!

We make our grass as it is meant to be. A pleasure to walk on, beautiful to look at and durable. The unique feature of Royal Grass is the special V-shape of our fibres with MiNT-Technology. Thanks to this shape the fibres stand up proudly and yet at the same time remain soft – a pleasure to touch.

Please call or email us for no obligation quotes for your own special space.

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Christmas 2018

Christmas Day Lunch £57.50 per person Tables between 12:30pm and 2:30pm 5 Course Meal Coffee & Mince Pies Children’s menu available

Festive Party Nights

With Parties of all sizes catered for, bring a party to our party at the Newton this year.

Arrive to a glass of bubbly before enjoying a three course meal and entertainment.

Disco Party Nights Thursday 20th December £29 per person Karaoke Room Friday 7th December £32 per person Karaoke Room and Photo Booth Saturday 15th December £34 per person Karaoke Room and Photo Booth

New Year Eve Gala Dinner and Dance

£75 per person

Pre Christmas Lunches & Dinners 3rd December - 22nd December With Family, Friends or Colleagues Enjoy a special pre-Christmas Lunch or Dinner Lunch - 2 courses £12.95 3 Courses £15.95 Dinner - 3 Courses £22.00

Inverness Road, Nairn IV12 4RX For bookings or further information please call 01667 453144 nwt.sales@muthuhotels.com

SpotLIGHTon FREE Listings, FREE to View, FREE to upload Promote your events in this section by going online at www.spotlighton.co.uk Register, key in details which will then automatically be printed in the magazine.

*January Issue Deadline: 29th November*.

Inclusion of events is free. We do not accept submissions for classes, courses or workshops.Contact venues & organisers first as there may be changes.

November 2018

& find out about our aims & ethos. all welcome, please join us. call helen douglas on 01309 611258 or email at admin.logiep@moray-edunet.gov.uk. www.logie.moray.sch.uk quiz night in aid of the lhanbryde community centre roof repairs 7.30pm, lhanbryde community centre £2 per person. teams of up to four. byob. raffle. call 01343 842269 or email enquiries@lhanbrydecc.org abbamania@the ironworks, inverness, 7.30pm www.ironworksvenue.com the mahler players play mozart, tchaikovsky & dvorak 8pm, st giles, elgin. tickets online www.mahlerplayers.co.uk glen moray christmas market 11am - 5pm, glen moray distillery, elgin. moray concert brass, christmas choir, mulled wine & mince pies, gifts & Sept .pdf 1 09/08/2018 09:38 festive funClan for all the18 family

until 31 monday the highlands supports refugees (formerly moray supports refugees) for collection points see facebook page, appeal for warm clothing, toiletries, camping equipment & toys. volunteers, transport & cash donations welcome. www.en-gb.facebook.com/moraycalaid

www.clanhouse.org #Livingwithcancer

1 saturday burghead arts group arts & crafts mini fayre 12pm 5pm, the old bakery, young street, burghead free. artworks, crafts & gifts by local artists for sale & to view. call keith on 07799 154441 the 'elf on the shelf' hunt 11am - 5pm, the victorian market, inverness. free. all welcome caring hands christmas fair - hosted by oasis church cotn in aid of the ladybird development group 10am - 12pm, oasis church hub, tyock industrial estate, elgin. entry - £3; u8s free. lossiemouth santa's grotto with a pressie only £3 per child knockando primary school christmas craft fair,light switch on & pub night fair: 2.30pm - 4.30pm; lights on 4.30pm, archiestown village hall. donation at door. local artists selling great gifts, fun kids activities & raffle. the village council then take over & invite you to our light switch on with mulled wine & mince pies. stay on for the friendly pie & pint pub night. email eilidh oloughlin at knockandopc15@hotmail.com logie primary school christmas crafts & open day 10am - 12pm, logie primary school, dunphail, forres. free. an opportunity to visit our school, meet the staff admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

CLAN in the community Providing emotional and practical support to people affected by cancer, their family, friends and carers.

Wellbeing and support services are freely available to all, from pre-diagnosis and diagnosis through treatment and beyond at support centres across Moray, located in Elgin, Buckie, Forres and Lossiemouth.

tel: 01309 690063

Telephone: 01343 544132 elgin@clanhouse.org

Cancer support for all December 2018 - page 23

Are you a People Person? Consider a Career at Kura

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Always on the lookout for new talent we are passionate about learning and development, and truly want our staff to go far. We are a Contact Centre with a difference and our portfolio is a fantastic one.

Enjoy fantastic employee benefits Minimum 28 Days Holiday Pension & Life Assurance Excellent Starting Salary

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Discounted Gym Membership Cycle to W Work ork Scheme Fantastic antastic Business Park Location

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Strathcona House, Forres Enterprise Park, Forres, Scotland, IV36 2QS

1 saturday - 8 saturday

the company & browse though the books

royal mail letter to santa last day to post a letter to santa is 8th dec: father christmas, santa's grotto, reindeerland, xm4 5hq. don't forget the stamp!!

3 monday woodland gardening: speaker- ken cox, 3rd generation nurseryman from glendoick, presents his new lecture on woodland gardens of the world 11.30am, logie steading, south of forres off the a940. £5 call panny laing on 01309 611378 or email at panny@logie.co.uk. www.logie.co.uk

1 saturday - 22 saturday forres crafters pop up shop mon, tues, thurs, fri, sat 9.30am - 4.30pm, old police office (down the tunnel next to the bookies) , the tolbooth, forres. free entry. a wide variety of locally handmade crafts. email at forrescrafters@gmail.com

5 wednesday findhorn bay local nature reserve: fblnr management committee meeting, includes public session 7.30pm, james milne institute, findhorn. www.fblnr.org

1 saturday - 4 january lego exhibition - brick history 1000-1515, by artist warren elsmore fort george, ardersier. included in normal admission price. call john gibbon on 01667 460233 or email john.gibbon@hes.scot

6 thursday work of the masters students at the innovation school: dr george jaramillo of the innovation school, glasgow school of art will talk about the work being done at altyre campus 7pm, falconer museum, forres. members £2; non-members £3. call kiisty conti on 01343 563406 or email at kirsty.conti@moray.gov.uk.

2 sunday

elgin city band annual christmas carol concert with special guests - bishopmill primary school choir doors open 6.30pm for 7pm prompt, st giles church, elgin. adults £5. refreshments available. big fish little fish: intergalactic planetary theme party @the ironworks, inverness, 2pm. rescheduled from friday 9th sept. www.ironworksvenue.com aberlour & speyside rotary club's christmas black Dec 18.pdf 1 06/11/2018 the08:42 soup & sweet & dog bookMoasics swap 12pm - 2pm, clochan market 4pm - 8pm, aberlour. stalls in church & community centre. adults £5 with tea/coffee; square, hot food, drinks, entertainment & dozens of children £3. choose from 3 soups & 3 sweets, enjoy

7

Mosaic and Stained Glass Workshops At Black Dog Mosaic Studio, Lhanbryde, Elgin Regular Courses Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening 7pm - 9pm Stained Glass

Courses run in rolling blocks of 6 £150 (£50 deposit) ALL materials and equipment included

*Places limited to 6 per class. Book early as places go fast. *Any missed sessions can be slotted in to another day/time throughout the course. *No drawing or artist skills required.

New Course Start Dates: Moasic Courses Moasic

Available Full

Tuesday

11th Dec

5th Feb

19th Mar

Wednesday

12th Dec

6th Feb

20th Mar

4th Feb

18th Mar

Stained Glass Courses Stained Glass

Monday

10th Dec

Jo 07787358092 U blackdogmosaics@yahoo.co.uk U Facebook Blackdogmosaics

page 26 - December 2018

tel: 01309 690063

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

CHRISTMAS @ BRODIE Dec 14 and 21

Dec 16

CHRISTMAS DINNER IN BRODIE CASTLE DRAWING ROOM

CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE - THE MARVEL OF PERU CONCERT

Experience a Christmas Dinner in Brodie Castle’s elegant Victorian Drawing Room this December.

The ever-popular Baroque ensemble returns to Brodie Castle Drawing Room with two very special Christmas concerts – at 15.00 and 17.00.

Booking essential. 2 courses - £37 3 courses - £45

Dec 15-16, Dec 22-23

VISIT SANTA IN HIS GROTTO AT BRODIE CASTLE Make this a magical Christmas and meet Santa in his Grotto in the Library at Brodie Castle.

Ticket price £10, gift included in price.

Booking essential.

Ticket price £15 to include refreshments.

Booking advisable.

Dec 15-16, Dec 22-23

FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA AT BRODIE CASTLE Come along to Brodie Castle and take a wonderful festive high tea in the Victorian Tearooms.

Booking advisable but not essential.

Dec 15-16, Dec 22-23

DATES THROUGHOUT DECEMBER

MAGICAL TOY PARADE THROUGHOUT THE CASTLE

TWILIGHT TOURS AT BRODIE CASTLE

Follow the Christmas Fairy or meet the Toy Soldier as they wonder through the castle searching for toys of Christmas Past.

Experience the magic of Brodie Castle at night.

Ticket price £11 to include Apple Cider (nonalcoholic) and a mince pie.

Normal castle admission fees apply.

Members go free.

Booking advisable but not essential.

Brodie Castle, Brodie, Forres, Morayshire, IV36 2TE

FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.NTS.ORG.UK/VISIT/PLACES/BRODIE-CASTLE/EVENTS

nts.org.uk The National Trust for Scotland is a Scottish charity, SC007410

stalls full of locally made items. santa's grotto. for call kirsteen mitcalfe on 01309 690775 or email at booking info check facebook page k.mitcalfe@btinternet.com sigma: christmas quiz; members & families doors saturday - sunday open 7pm for 7.30pm start, birnie village hall, nr logie steading christmas market 10am - 4pm, logie elgin. a night of fun, questions & mince pies to end steading. free entry & free parking. over 40 stalls, the year. xmas raffle & update on planned future hot food & a fantastic festive atmosphere, come events. www.sigma-astro.co.uk Petstay April 18.pdf 1 07/03/2018 08:57 down & browse, shop, eat & soak up some skerryvore@ the ironworks, inverness, 7.30pm,all christmas spirit. call jo laing on 01667 458900 or welcome. www.ironworksvenue.com email at christmas.market@logie.co.uk www.logie.co.uk/logie-steading-christmas-market Earn from £84 to £175p/w sunday ‘Im off to PetStay for my Holidays’ looking moray ramblers: rafford to burgie (christmas walk) after dogs 9am, forres. grade: easy/moderate; distance: 6 in your own miles. call christine copsey on 07932 819557. home www.morayramblers.org.uk

8

PetStay

t Meet your carer before you book t Experienced dog carers t All routines kept t Kinder and less stressful for your dogs

t Vets recommend PetStay t Very competitive rates t Insured and licensed t A real alternative to kennels

PetStay Highland & Moray www.petstay.net 01463 741267 catriona@petstay.net

7 friday - 9 sunday christmas tree festival in aid of alzheimer scotland: over 20 beautiful decorated trees and music friday 7th 11.am - 6pm saturday 8th 11am, south & west church buckie . admission £3. concession £2.50 children. refreshments included served in adjacent hall. call iris may smith on +447816512378 or email at imsmith44@talktalk.net eden 2: christmas arts, crafts & food fair in aid of the highland hospice tbc, eden court, inverness. free. over 70 exhibitors - alcoholic beverages, cakes & patisseries, crafted chocolates, unusual cheeses

8 saturday christmas bazaar & santa 1pm, santa arrives 2pm, findhorn village centre. stalls selling crafts, jewellery, pyrography etc. afternoon teas & cakes. please email if you want a table or santa. call mo hyde on 01309 692399 or email mohyde2003@yahoo.co.uk moravian orienteering: saturday & moray & nairn schools league tbc, cooper park, elgin www.moravianorienteering.org lewis capaldi@the ironworks, inverness tbc. www.ironworksvenue.com w3l wrestling showdown 2.30pm, bishopmill hall, elgin. featuring top wrestling stars christmas fair 10am - 4pm, st john's church, forres. free. christmas bazaar & tree festival, christmas fare, bottle stall, raffle, preserves. decorated trees in the church, handmade gifts, cards, decorations & crafts page 28 - December 2018

9

9

11 tuesday the elgin flower club: three steps to christmas 7.30pm, elgin high church hall, guildry street, elgin elgin community council monthly meeting 7pm 9pm, council chamber, council hq, high street, elgin call patsy gowans on 07497 111510 or email at seaforth club dec 18.pdf 1 31/10/2018 patsy.gowans1@btinternet.com coffee morning (last of season) 10am - 12pm,

THE SEAFORTH CLUB 2 Academy Street Elgin IV30 1LJ

t: 01343 549494 e: seaforthclubelgin@hotmail.co.uk

Sat 1st Dec Sat 8th Dec Sat 15th Dec Sat 22nd Dec Sat 29th Dec HOGMANAY

DOUGIE SIM SOMETHING DIFFERENT SOMETHING DIFFERENT BED HEAD BED HEAD JOANIE

LUNCH SERVED Friday and Saturday: 12pm – 2pm BINGO EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT FUNCTION HALL AVAILABLE FOR HIRE

NE W MEMBERS WELCOME

tel: 01309 690063

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

13:

clochan community centre. christmas hamper draw about 11am. coffee mornings will resume on 8th january.

12 wednesday clic sargent nhs grampian carol concert in aid of children’s cancer charity 7.30pm, elgin town hall £10, £8, £5. tickets from sound & vision, south st, elgin & choir members elgin writers' group: christmas dinner/buffet info to follow - visit www.elginwriters.wordpress.com

5pm, the drawing room, brodie castle. two christmas concerts, including baroque music for alto voice, instruments & a new selection of your favourite carols. call 01309 641371 hipsway@the ironworks, inverness. 7pm.

19 wednesday moravian orienteering: northern night cup1 round 3 Harbour Treasures Nov 18.pdf 06/11/2018 tbc, roseisle north. www.moravianorienteering.org

13 thursday - 15 saturday cinderella: out the darkness theatre company doors open 6.30pm for 7pm prompt; matineeat 1pm on 15th , out the darkness theatre company, the wards, elgin. adults £10; child £6.50; students & conc £8.50. call 01343 544911 or email at social@odtheatre.org.uk

14 friday the dolly parton story@the ironworks, inverness, 7.30pm. www.ironworksvenue.com rumours: fleetwood mac playback@ the ironworks, inverness, 9pm. www.ironworksvenue.com liam as robbie williams@ elgin ex-services club, 8pm. all welcome skipinnish@elgin town hall, 8pm, all welcome family christmas ceilidh speyside scottish country dance 7pm - 8.45pm, the auditorium, speyside sports & community centre, aberlour. £2.50 adults, £1.50 children. easy fun dances. light refreshments. all welcome. please wear soft shoes. call bill & rosemary legge on 01340 810304 or email at speysidescd@gmail.com. www.rscdsbanffshire.co.uk

Harbour

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Christmas Shopping Friday 30th November Shopping Weekend

23rd/24th/25th Wine & Nibbles November available 10am - 8pm

evening from 5.00pm ‘til 8.00pm 1 Pitgaveny Quay LOSSIEMOUTH Moray IV31 6TW

01343 815880

15 saturday messy church 2pm - 4pm, st. leonard's church hall, forres. free. local churches join together for the community. bible story, crafts, games, worship & fellowship for everyone. call cath perry on 07796 766983 or email at cathperry10@gmail.com mark knight@the ironworks, inverness, 10.30pm.

16 sunday lossiemouth 10 mile turkey trot - nd champs 9.30am - 12.30pm, lossiemouth sports & community centre. information on entry central. this race sold out last year, so get your entries in as limited entries on the day cantare ladies’ choir christmas concert with guest musicians in aid of raf benevolent fund 7pm, elgin town hall. £10, £5. tickets from cathedral windows, high street, elgin & choir members christmas at the castle: the marvel of peru 3pm & admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

OPEN SEVEN DAYS 10 AM - 5 PM

20 thursday clan coffee morning 10.30am - 12pm, the clan cancer support centre, 227 high street, elgin. open to anyone affected by cancer with information & support available. guest speakers. all welcome. call 01343 544132

21 friday - 22 saturday let it snow in aid of lucy's fight 7.30pm, st giles, elgin the old fountain jazz orchestra's fourth christmas concert. all welcome

22 saturday - 24 monday a disney christmas by lossie entertainment academy 22nd & 23rd - 2.30pm & 7.30pm; 24th - 2., elgin

tel: 01309 690063

December 2018 - page 29

town hall. ÂŁ10; conc ÂŁ8 from www.tickettailor.com. come & meet the disney characters. prizes for the best dressed. call 01343 813111 www.lossieentertainmentacademy.co.uk

26 wednesday moray ramblers: winding walks (fochabers); boxing day walk 10am, fochabers public institute car park call dave & margaret spalding on 01309 671724. www.morayramblers.org.uk

27 thursday red hot chilli pipers@ the ironworks, inverness, 7.30pm.

29 saturday

31 monday

hogmanay bash with rythmnreel@the ironworks, inverness, tbc. www.ironworksvenue.com

moray ramblers: tyrebagger& elrick hill via brimmond 8am, keith. grade: moderate; distance: 8 miles. call diane simpson on 01542 832049 dalnashaugh oct 18.pdf 1 06/09/2018 16:25 www.morayramblers.org.uk

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SpotLIGHT Garden

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What can we possibly be usefully doing in December?

With nothing much growing, and the ground sometimes pretty solid, often frosty. It’s when we take our heavy American golf course aerators out and about to aerate lawns. We do hollow-core tining, where the machine removes thousands of plugs from the ground. Golf courses are doing this too at this time not surprisingly. Aerating the ground is multi-beneficial as it allows air into the ground, helps with drainage, and thins-out the root zone which becomes compacted and choked over time.

This is mainly about moss control in this part of the world ! You can do this with a garden fork too, but not as effectively obviously as with a machine which actually removes a core of material. I’ve included a picture of our aerator, a formidable piece of kit, and not available in B&Q or at your local garden centre !

Just a reminder; the leaves are all off now, and if they are still in drifts on your grass, it’s a very good idea to lift them. Several weeks without light and air under a pile of leaves is likely to kill/seriously damage a patch of grass.

For more information about our annual lawncare plans from just £11.25 per month, plus useful downloads and photos, go to www.greenthumb.co.uk. Although GreenThumb is a multi-award winning national franchise, and is the runaway leader in the sector with one million lawns being treated, we are the family-run local franchise covering the wider Moray Firth area. Contact Alastair or Dave for a FREE LAWN ANALYSIS on 01463 229786 or email us at: inverness@greenthumb.co.uk

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SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY FROM OUR INVERNESS AND HUNTLY DEPOTS

Home Heating Oil Marine Gas Oil Tractor Diesel Commercial Fuels Oil Storage Tanks Call us for a free quote on 0800 224224 Lossie Tilers Mar 17.pdf 1 14/03/2017 12:30 www.highlandfuels.co.uk

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Words by the Wayside “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

(1st Corinthians 15:22)

Reader, are you “in Adam” or are you “in Christ”? You are for sure one or the other. The Lord Jesus says those that are not with Him are against Him. No man or woman living shall be justified before God. They need to die in the death of Christ and rise again with Him in newness of life. Have you repented of your sins and received Jesus Christ as your Saviour? Are you born again? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you “in Christ”?

W W

www.wordsbythewayside.co.uk Registered Scottish charity SC041290

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Adult Non Fiction

Blowing the Bloody Doors Off

By Michael Caine With over 100 movies to his credit over six decades, Hollywood legend and British national treasure Michael Caine shares the wisdom, stories, insight and skills that life has taught him in his remarkable career - and now his 85th year. A brilliant new insight into his life and work and with his wonderful gift for story, this is Caine at his wise and entertaining best.

Adult Fiction

Macbeth

By Jo Nesbo When a drug bust turns into a bloodbath it's up to Inspector Macbeth and his team to clean up the mess.

He's also an ex-drug addict with a troubled past. He's rewarded for his success. Power. Money. Respect.

Plagued by hallucinations and paranoia, Macbeth starts to unravel. He's convinced he won't get what is rightfully his. Unless he kills for it.

Adult Non Fiction Adult Fiction

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

By Heather Morris When Lale Sokolov arrived in Auschwitz-Birkenau he was given the job of tattooing the prisoners marked for survival - scratching numbers into his fellow victims' arms in indelible ink.

Waiting in line to be tattooed, terrified and shaking, was a young girl. For Lale - a dandy, a jack-the-lad, a bit of a chancer - it was love at first sight. And he was determined not only to survive himself, but to ensure this woman, Gita, did, too. So begins the love story of the tattooist of Auschwitz.

Junior Fiction

There’s a Yeti in the Playground!

By Pamela Butchart Izzy and friends are excited! The snow is falling fast and they're hoping they'll all be sent home early. But then they hear weird noises in the playground, and find a big footprint in the snow... And that's when they know!

There's a YETI in the playground and it's HUNGRY!

Have you Eaten Grandma?

By Gyles Brandreth A definitive (and hilarious) guide to punctuation, spelling, and good English for the twenty-first century. Without hesitation or repetition (and just a touch of deviation) Gyles skewers the linguistic horrors of our time, tells us where we've been going wrong (and why), and reveals his tips and tricks to ensure that, in future, we make fewer (rather than 'less') mistakes.

Junior Fiction

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

By JK Rowling A favourite bedtime read in wizarding households for generations. Full of magic and trickery, these classic tales both entertain and instruct, and remain as captivating to young wizards today as they were when Beedle first put quill to parchment in the fifteenth century. Translated by Hermione Granger the collection includes: 'The Tale of the Three Brothers' – which Harry Potter fans will know from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - 'The Fountain of Fair Fortune' and 'The Warlock's Hairy Heart' amongst others. Published in aid of the Lumos, a charity dedicated to ending the institutionalisation of children.

JAMES G. DICK (Fuels) ALVES Weekly deliveries of all House Coals and Smokeless Fuels throughout Moray, Nairn and Speyside Areas ALSO %HVW 4XDOLW\ &ROXPELDQ &RDO 5HGĂ DPH $QWKUDFLWH 3HDWV Logs and Kindlers DRY HARDWOOD AND SOFTWOOD LOGS DELIVERED BY THE LOAD

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The Garden TOM ANGEL IS A LANDSCAPE CONSULTANT AND GARDEN

AVIEMORE. HIS ANGEL HORTICULTURE

DESIGNER BASED IN BUSINESS

LTD OFFERS CONSULTANCY AND DESIGN SERVICES TO CLIENTS ALL

SCOTLAND. TOM ALSO ‘THE MOUNTAIN GARDENER’ WHICH YOU WILL FIND AT WWW.ANGELHORT.COM OVER

WRITES A BLOG AS

S

itting next to the fire as I write this, with a steaming cup of coffee on the table and the dog curled up next to me, I am reminded about why I ended up living in the highlands.

A day out enjoying the autumnal colours, followed by cosy evenings spent indoors make for a pretty unbeatable mix.

The beautiful autumn display this year was never going to last too long, the trees and plants have had a stressful summer with the lack of rain, so will have been keen to shrug off their leaves at the first sign of frost. The Birch trees that I can see beyond my garden fence are looking increasingly sparse, and are starting to take on that magical monochromatic sheen unique to Birch woodlands in the winter.

There are jobs to do in the garden, not only to put the garden to bed for the winter, but to keep it looking interesting from the warmth of the house. Once the remainder of the leaves are down, I will use my lawnmower to collect them from the lawn before putting them in bin bags to create a nice leaf mulch for next year. If you put too many leaves in your compost it will make it too carbon-heavy, but a good well-rotted leaf mulch creates a reliable soil conditioner for use next year.

44

In the flowerbeds I will be raking the leaves out, and paying special attention to clearing the leaves from the base of plants where they can cause fungal infections to build up.

There are plants to divide, plants to mulch, and some lawn repairs to do too. My shed’s green roof which has been looking very sorry this year will get some running repairs as well. Plants with spent seed-heads will be cut back if they are looking messy, and others I will leave to catch morning frosts and add some interest to the garden.

I have some great projects on the go at the moment too.

One that has recently come to completion was a tricky planting plan for a boggy bed that is both exposed and shaded – a perfect storm of difficulties! Careful selection of plants will reward us with a long-lasting and robust display next year and for years to come.

Autumn and winter are the best time of year for planning and undertaking garden projects, and the absolute best time for planting bare root hedges and trees. Keep thinking about your garden through the winter and you can reward yourself with some magical results come spring time!

To find out more about what I am up to you will find me as The Mountain Gardener™ on Instagram or on my blog which you will find at www.angelhort.com.

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1.

Put your Christmas tree in an old duvet cover when you’re transporting it home and keep it on when you carry it into your house no needles in your car or on the path from the front door. Do the same thing when you’re removing the tree after Christmas and you can get it out of the house with the minimum of mess.

2.

Make mulled wine or mulled cider in the slow cooker. That way, you are greeted by the most welcoming and festive aromas on walking through the door after work. An instant cure for any chilly or busy commute home and gets you straight back into the festive spirit.

3.

Do the 'squint test' on the lights on the Christmas tree. Once you have the lights on the tree, turn the rest of the lights in the room off, stand back and squint at the tree. You can then see any bare spaces so you can rearrange the lights for maximum coverage before you add the decorations.

4.

6.

8.

9.

Put the roll of wrapping paper on the top of a double radiator - it's the perfect dispenser.

To easily remove sticky price labels off gift bags without breaking your nails or destroying the gift, use a hairdryer to heat up the glue and peel the labels off easily.

Always win at Christmas crackers.

If you never get your hands on that covetable key ring bottle opener, here’s what to do. Hold your end of the cracker lower, so it tilts towards you, and go for a slow, controlled pull, with minimum twisting.

5.

7.

Homemade mincemeat is much tastier than shop-bought, but not everybody has time. Buy the best supermarket jar, then add extra brandy and a handful of luxurious fruits, such as dried cherries or figs.

Accept compliments graciously.

If your tree is looking thin, there is no need to splash out on a new one.

Simply buy some dark-green tinsel (as close to the colour of the needles as you can find) and twist it around the tree to give the impression of fuller branches. Or for the ultimate DIY decoration use a cream feather boa instead of tinsel - it looks like snow!

Many a parent has tried to “post” their child’s letter to Father Christmas up the chimney, only to find the missive refuses to budge – to the distress of the little ones. Crack open a door or window to create a draught and the missive should fly up with no trouble. And if you haven’t got a chimney? Post the letter to Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ by December 6, and the Royal Mail will send your child back a personalised reply, free of charge.

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