Spotlight on Elgin/Lossie March 2017 by david nelmes

MARCH 2017

E L G I N, L O S S I E & D I S T RI C T THE NORTHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FAVOURITE FREE WEE MAG

www.spotlighton.co.uk

The Free Community Information website - Free to view and Free to upload your listings. View our entire database of Clubs and Societies, Trades Listings, What’s On Diary, Restaurants, Reviews and articles, Schools, Holidays Tides, Useful Numbers and more...

CLUBS & SOCIETIES

AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS Offer support and understanding to families / friends of problem drinkers. Meetings are always confidential. For local meetings visit www.al-anonuk.org.uk or call 020 7403 0888 ALLSTARS & STRIPES CHEER AND DANCE Monday : P1 - P4 from 3:45-4:30 • P5 - above from 4:30-5:30. Wednesday : Pre-competition class • P4 - above 4-5:30 at Eight Acres, Elgin. Teaches "All Star" cheerleading to increase confidence & build friendships. BANFF, MORAY & NAIRN CANINE CLUB Classes in obedience and ringcraft on Monday evenings during school terms at 6:30pm in Spynie Hall, Elgin. Contact Margaret on 01343 542070 or Mary on 01542 850262. BUCCANEER THEATRE CLUB Club nights are Monday, 7pm at RAF Lossiemouth. New members interested in both onstage and back-stage activities welcome. For more info call Chris on 07789 552968 or Ally

*2 $" *2 7+ " 6+ " /-$) -- +,*!$' /'' + "

5 5 5 5 5 5

$). , /,) $ . *(, $ # ** -$ ,( $)'*-'' ( . ,$ ' 1$.#$) .# +*. $"#. ( " 4$) - $- -/ % . .* !*,( ' *+3,$"#. , -.,$ .$*)- ) .# , !*, .# , +,* / .$*) *! )3 '$-. $)"$.*,$ ' 0 ,.$- , ,.1*,& *, )3 *.# , *). ). 1$.#*/. .# +/ '$-# ,8- +,$*, *)- ). 1$'' *)-$ , , # *! *+3,$"#.

page 4 - March 2017

on 07887 513915. CAFE 55 1st or 2nd monday each month, 10am at Elgin Youth Cafe, Francis Place. A monthly coffee morning for over 55s. With special guests, hot topics and help with technology. Come along for refreshments & homebakes - FREE entry CHEST HEART & STROKE SCOTLAND Meets fortnightly on Fridays from 10am - 12 noon at the Moray Resource Centre, Elgin. A new community stroke group to provide the opportunity for those who have had a stroke and their carers to meet up for lively company and activities that aid recovery. To attend or to volunteer please contact Caroline Peter 07918 674481 COOPER PARK HEALTH WALK Wednesday lunchtime health walks in Cooper Park, Elgin. Short, social walks. Free. Led by a trained walk-leader. Anyone is welcome - even if you haven't been active for a while. For info contact Steve Coomber on 07813 342248. CRAIGELLACHIE REAL ALE CLUB First Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm in The Highlander Inn, Victoria Street, Craigellachie. For info call 01340 881446. DALLAS INDOOR BOWLING CLUB Wednesday & Sunday evenings, 7:15pm - 9:30pm in the Hall. New and old members most welcome. For more details call Whitey Fraser on 01343 890301 ELGIN HASH HOUSE HARRIERS Sunday 11am (Winter) Mondays 7:30pm (Summer) Sociable group with runners of all abilities visiting all corners of Moray and beyond. To find out more and where we'll be next week Google elginhashhouseharriers calendar. FOCHABERS 50+ WALKING GROUP

New members are always welcome - do come and join us! Meets on alternate Mondays and Sundays at The Institute, High Street, Fochabers. Mondays at 10am and Sundays at 1:30pm. Sundays at 2pm after British Summer Time. For more information, contact the secretary: 01343 843253.

MORAY FIGURE SKATING CLUB Fridays 5:15pm - 7:15pm, Sept June (during term-time) at Moray Leisure Centre. Free first session. Includes a 25 minute lesson with a qualified coach & free time on the ice to practice & socialize with other members. Call Mike on 07974 387326 or email morayfiguresk8@aol.com www.morayfigureskatingclub. co.uk

LADS LADS are a drama group based in Elgin. We’ve been established for over 40 years, and welcome new members with an interest in drama whether on stage or behind the scenes. Contact Estelle on 01343 544610 or visit www.ladselgin.co.uk LOSSIEMOUTH COASTAL ROWING CLUB We are a growing band of enthusiasts who have formed the LCRC in Lossiemouth with the aim of firstly building a skiff. We meet every Wednesday at 7.30 pm at the Lossiemouth Sailing Club. Contact James McPherson on 07837 810976 or email at Lossiecrc@gmail.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.

YOGA THERAPY 1st & 3rd Friday of each month at the Oaks, Morriston Road, Elgin. Free, but need to book. Yoga therapy with Connie McGrath BWY (Dip) is the application of specific yoga which can support & nurture people who are affected by cancer or progressive illness in their efforts to cope with the disease & their tratment. Can help those affected to acknowledge, accept & process the emotions that arise & offers a range of techniques to support them through the period of profound physical & emotional changes that occur.

MEDIATION FOR BEGINNERS Last Thursday every month from 6pm - 7pm at the Elgin Youth Cafe annexe, the Inkwell. £5 / £3 unemployeed. Easy, short techniques to help you relax. For details and to book a place call Ann on 07824 659714 or email meditationmoray@hotmail.com MORAY & NAIRN FLORAL ART CLUB 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm in The Tolbooth, Forres. Mar - Jun & Sept - Dec. Annual fee. New members welcome. For more information call Jean on 01309 672552

tel: 01309 690063

MORAY GIRLS FOOTBALL CLUB Meets at Elgin Academy Games Hall (Mon, Tues & Wed evenings). For timings & age groups please see Contact. Welcoming girls from throughout Moray & Speyside. If you are aged between 9-14yrs & have played football or are keen to play, why not come along to one of our sessions? We are especially keen to recruit goalkeepers for our under 13s teams, even if you've not tried it before! Sessions are weekly. Phone Shona on 07723769076 or send a message via our facebook page, Moray Girls Football Club.

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

I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about you but I am getting a bit tired of all the politics just now. It does just seem to go on and on sometimes and I wonder if we will ever get back to just complaining about road and rail like the good old days!

I am a sport fan myself and love to dwell on the success or otherwise of sporting endeavour. There is something pure and uncomplicated about winning or losing (or even just competing) in sport which seems to appeal to me. Maybe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because there is normally always a result and politics just seems often just to roll on and on - ah well - Hey Ho.

PUBLISHER .............. David Nelmes ADVERTISING.............. Susan Innes ACCOUNTS ...................Wendy Day DESIGN ................Rebekah Hughes PRODUCTION ......... Linda J Donald

April Issue Deadlines

Editorial - Friday 03/03/17 Advertising - Wednesday 08/03/17

www.spotlighton.co.uk

We live in a day of round the clock news where we can see, hear and read of all that is going on in our communities, nation and the wider world at any time day or night. There are TV stations dedicated to 24 hour news broadcasting, there is social media and, of course, some still prefer the newspaper. I can still recall when News at Ten on ITV would finish with a bit of good news - a story that was often light hearted and showed very often the good in humanity. As we look at the news today it seems to be nothing but trouble and strife, filled with events that threaten to deeper divide our country, our nation, indeed our world. Brexit and all that that will mean, further talk of yet another referendum, the ongoing problems in the Middle East, in Syria, the fears (or hopes) of what kind of president Donald Trump

will be. Who can we trust to report the facts? Indeed even this week there was a report that politicians are concerned about the growth of ‘fake news’ and the impact it can have on events. With all this going on it reminds me of the prime reason for Jesus Christ coming into the world; in the gospel of Mark we read that Jesus went into Galilee proclaiming the good news of God. The time has come He said, the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news (chapter 1:15). A little later on, after He had begun to do this and people were healed and many believed, He then told His followers; let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so that I can preach there also. That is why I have come. The good news that Jesus preached some 2000 years ago is every bit as good today as then; it is every bit

Moray Coast Baptist Church (Lossiemouth) Sunday services at 10:30am. Thursday night Bible study at 7pm. Crèche available for each service. Call 07862 898939 for more information, or visit www.moraycoastbc.com. Pastor Donald Clough Moray Grace Fellowship The Warehouse Theatre, Lossie. Sundays 10.30am. Call Vic Cameron: 07738 260550 Email: vic.cameron2803@btinternet.com • www.moraygrace.wordpress.com Parish of Duffus, Spynie and Hopeman First Sunday of the month, united service 10.30am. On other Sundays, services are 10am at Hopeman and 11.30am at Duffus or Spynie. Call Rev. Jenny Adams on 01343 830276. www.duffusparish.co.uk St Andrews-Lhanbryd and Urquhart Parish Church Sundays 11am including young church and crèche. Evening services 7pm on last Sunday of month at St Margaret's Hall, Urquhart. St Gerardine’s High Church Lossiemouth. Sunday family worship 11.30am. Contact Rev. G McKee 01343 208852 (manse). St Giles and St Columba’s South Elgin. All Sunday services start at 10.30am and will be held in St Giles, High Street, Elgin during July, September and November. Services will also be held in St Columba’s

page 10 - March 2017

as powerful today as then and it is a message that our hurting, broken, divided communities, nation, country and world needs to hear. For it is a message of forgiveness, of reconciliation, of peace and it is best summed up in what is perhaps the best known verse in all of the bible; in John 3:16 - 17 we read these words; for God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. That is good news that is great news and it is news that can be trusted; what will you do with it?

Graham Swanson Elgin Baptist Church

South Church, Duff Avenue, Elgin during August, October and December 2016. For further information please contact the Church Office on 01343 551501 or via e-mail at stgileselgin@gmail.com You can also visit our website at www.elginstgileschurch.co.uk St James Church of Scotland Lossiemouth. Sunday worship 10am including crèche and Sunday school. Contact Rev. Geoff McKee 01343 208852 St Margaret’s Church Lossiemouth. Sunday 9.30am: Family Eucharist . Thursdays 10am: Holy Communion. Thursdays 5pm: evening prayer. St Michael’s Parish Church of Scotland Dallas. Family service at 12 noon followed by tea & fellowship. Tel. 01309.672380 or 01343.890420. St Sylvester's Catholic Church Elgin. Vigil Mass Saturday 7pm. Sunday Mass 11.45am. Tel: 01343 542280. Listed from M to S 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

tel: 01309 690063

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

www.spotlighton.co.uk

USEFUL INFORMATION

Local & Bank Holidays and Special Days

Ash Wednesday Wed 1st March 2017 Mothering Sunday Sun 26th Mar 2017 British Summertime Starts Sun 26th Mar 2017 April Fool’s Day Sat 1st Apr 2017 Palm Sunday Sun 9th Apr 2017 Maundy Thursday Thurs 13th Apr 2017 Good Friday Fri 14th Apr 2017 Easter Sunday Sun 16th Apr 2017

Easter Monday Mon 17th Apr 2017 Early May Bank Holiday Mon 1st May 2017 Longest Day 21st Jun 2017 British Summertime Ends Sun 29th Oct 2017 Halloween Tues 31st Oct 2017 Bonfire Night Sun 5th Nov 2017 Remembrance Sunday Sun 12th Nov 2017 St Andrew’s Day Thurs 30th Nov 2017 Shortest Day Thurs 21st Dec 2017

School Term Dates for 2016/2017 (all dates inclusive) Spring Term Ends Fri 31st Mar 2017 Spring Holiday Starts Mon 3rd Apr 2017 Spring Holiday Ends Fri 14th Apr 2017 Summer Term Starts Mon 17th Apr 2017 May Day Holiday Mon 1st May 2017 In-Service Day Thurs 18th May 2017 In-Service Day Fri 19th May 2017 Summer Term Ends Fri 30th Jun 2017 Summer Holiday Starts Mon 3rd Jul 2017

for 2017/2018 (all dates inclusive) Summer Holiday Ends Fri 11th Aug 2017 In-Service Day Mon 14th Aug 2017 Autumn Term Starts Tues 15th Aug 2017 Autumn Term Ends Fri 6th Oct 2017 Autumn Holiday Starts Mon 9th Oct 2017 Autumn Holiday Ends Fri 20th Oct 2017 Winter Term Starts Mon 23rd Oct 2017 In-Service Day Mon 13th Nov 2017 In-Service Day Tues 14th Nov 2017

Useful Contacts Police Station................................................................ 101 Bus Station, Elgin.................................... ...01343 544222 Citizens Advice Bureau............................ ...01343 550088 Inverness Airport...................................... ...01667 464000 Dallas Village Hall.................. .....................01343 890243 Elgin Town Hall................ 01343 547767/562600-To Book Lossie Town Hall............................ 01343 813327/815309 Pluscarden Village Hall................................01343 890412 Moray Council............ .................................01343 543451 National Rail Enquiries................................ 03457 484950 Elgin Library................................................ 01343 562600 Lossie Library.............................................. 01343 813334 Elgin Community Council............................01343 540615 Moray Leisure Centre .................................01343 550033 Lossie Swimming Pool................................ 01343 815299 Moray Cats Protection................................ 07837 342646 Railway Mission.......................................... 078419 85768 Dial ‘M’ For Moray Buses............................ 03001 234565 SCHOOLS Alves Primary School.................................. 01343 850247 Bishopmill Primary School.......................... 01343 547841 Burghead Primary School............................01343 835529 East End Primary School............................ 01343 542381 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 page 14 - March 2017

Seafield Primary School.............................. 01343 547792 St Sylvesters R.C. Primary School.............. 01343 541453 West End Primary School............................ 01343 543161 Elgin Academy............................................ 01343 543485 Elgin High School........................................ 01343 545181 Hythehill Primary School..............................01343 812014 St Gerardine Primary School...................... 01343 812251 Lossiemouth High School............................01343 812047 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

tel: 01309 690063

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

www.spotlighton.co.uk

Almost a year has passed since I was returned to Parliament as a Green MSP. Since then I have been heavily involved in scrutinising the Scottish Government through my roles on the parliament’s Rural Economy and Justice Committees as well as the sub-Committee on Policing. I have also campaigned on a number of important issues affecting our local communities including concerns around the transportation of nuclear material from Dounreay, via Wick airport and against plans to scrap Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s board. For over a year now I have also supported the campaign against ship to ship oil transfers in the Cromarty Firth, proposals which have the potential to devastate dolphin and other wildlife populations, tourism, our most important industry, if they proceed.

John Finnie MSP

"Like many folk I have recently been enjoying some haggis, neeps and tatties at one of the many Burns Suppers that take place across Moray, Scotland and, indeed, the entire world, in January every year celebrating the life of our national bard. Every year I never cease to be impressed by the local talent here in Moray - whether it is from fabulous speakers reciting Burns work to musicians, particularly our young folk, whose skills are quite incredible. Moray has a fantastic depth of talent and many, many willing teachers looking to pass on their knowledge to the next generation. We should be very proud of this talent in our region and the much wider impact that it has! Finally - a quick mention of the Council Elections coming up in May. Whatever choice people make in the ballot box, it is important that we use our vote. Please check if you are registered to vote and, if not, there is still time to do so!" (Our apologies to Angus as we mislaid his Feb Blog)

Angus Robertson MP

LOW TIDE TIMES FOR LOSSIEMOUTH IN MARCH

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

W TH F SA SU M TU

AM 07:25 08:04 08:45 09:33 10:33 11:53 00:42

page 18 - March 2017

PM 19:51 20:31 21:15 22:07 23:14 13:26

Parliament was in recess for a week in February which was a good opportunity for me to catch up with casework and meet with people across the constituency. One of the highlights was hosting a visit from the Deputy First Minister, John Swinney. In his role as Education Secretary he met with teachers from across Moray to hear about their experiences and some of the challenges they face. Our teachers do a fantastic job and work incredibly hard and it was great to give them the chance to feedback to the Education Minister directly. Whilst he was here, we also visited the new Glasgow School of Art Campus at Altyre Estate near Forres. It was fantastic to show him the new campus and to discuss the opportunities the campus provides creative industries here in Moray. There’s absolutely no doubt the opening of the campus is one of the most exciting developments in Moray in recent years.

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

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

02:11 03:20 04:13 04:57 05:36 06:12 06:45 07:17 07:49 08:20 08:55 09:35

14:48 15:49 16:40 17:22 18:01 18:36 19:10 19:41 20:12 20:45 21:21 22:05

tel: 01309 690063

Richard Lochhead MSP

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

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

AM 10:27 11:44 00:37 02:07 03:07 03:52 05:31 06:10 06:48 07:26 08:05 08:46

PM 23:04 13:28 14:43 15:33 16:14 17:52 18:31 19:10 19:49 20:30 21:11

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

Promote your events in the SpotLight ‘What’s On’

You can now go online at www.spotlighton.co.uk

Register an account and put your event online and in the magazine - both for free Any events uploaded to the website by the closing date will be automatically printed in the magazine. Now there’s clever!!

*April Issue Deadline: Friday 3rd March* Alternatively, you can still Email: linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk or 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.

17 march - 28 april coastal photography group exhibition open all day , open night starts at 7-30pm, buckie library, free, display of local photographers work. open evening on march 29th . all welcome, contact: peter macdonald 01542 833867 or email macdonaldpeter962@gmail.com

FEBRUARY 2017 21 tuesday sophie ellis-bextor @ironworks, tbc, inverness www.ironworksvenue.com

22 wednesday the drouthy cobbler comedy club @the drouthy cobbler, 8pm. www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

Rolling Events

23 thursday

until 28 february still life studio winter exhibition@still life studio, aberlour10am - 5pm (mon - sat), free, all welcome

until 9 march ehs student photography exhibition the gallery, moray college, elgin. 9am till 5pm, free. photos will be on sale for the fri, diverse collection of photographs from students at elgin high school, will be on display at the gallery. contact: jess standfast jess.standfast2@moray-edunet.gov.uk

until 30 april moray supports refugees: appeal for warm clothing, tents & equipment for adults, children & babies living in refugee camps. collection points at the admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

sorting centre, chanonry estate, elgin (near blind spot) mon 10am - 12.30pm, thurs 2pm - 4.30pm & fridays 11.30pm - 2pm; babalou,high street,forres; reboot, greshop road, forres; drop off caravan, pineridge, findhorn foundation & 6 havers place, hopeman (if no-one in place in garden shed). helpers required to sort clothing or host a drop off point. contact christine preece at chrispreece1@hotmail.com.

brian keddie band moray jazz club, elgin city football ground social club, borough briggs road, elgin, 7.30pm - 10.30pm, £4 members, £6 non members contact: tom mcpherson, morayjazz@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/morayjazz charity tex mex evening oakwood cookery school, 6:30pm – 9:30pm, £25 per person (only 30 tickets available) with chef grantis gee at the oakwood cookery school. contact: gill 01343 552550 hello@moraysportscentre.co.uk meditation winchester house, king st. elgin nr cooper park, 6pm - 7pm, £5/ £3 low income using 34 different techniques. contact: ann davidson

24 friday where 2 today music afternoon tea dance/ceilidh grantown legion, 2-4pm, £2.50 for tea, afternoon

tel: 01309 690063

March 2017 - page 21

tea, music, dancing, singing & raffle. 2pm - 4pm all welcome contact: ros munro 01479 810004 ros@ct4u.co.uk www.ct4u.co.uk livewire ac/dc@ironworks, inverness 7.30pm. www.ironworksvenue.com hunter & the bear@the drouthy cobbler, elgin (sold out) 8pm. visit www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk moray rock garden club: up & down kajmaktcalan new elgin hall annex, land street, new elgin, 7.30pm, £10 annual subscription, speaker: davie sharp, contact: alan souter (convener) 01340 871504 grand concert of fiddle music st. giles church, elgin. 7.30 pm, £7 (concessions £6) from society members, elgin strathspey & reel society along with guest artists barbara anderson on fiddle & singer erin ralph

acoustic music sessions hosted by max mcpherson. book a slot or come along & listen. please book if dining. contact: lesley ann parker 07887 846495 lesley@leap-scotland.com. andrea turner quartet moray jazz club, elgin city, 7.30pm - 10.30pm, football ground social club, borough briggs road, elgin £4 members, £6 nonmembers contact: tom mcpherson at morayjazz@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/morayjazz mah jong: make a dragon snooze after some heavenly hopscotch the harvest centre, greyfriars street, elgin (next to yeadon's bookshop) 11am, beginners welcome. contact: hce.roombookings@gmail.com. www.spanglefish.com/harvestcentremahjongclub

24 friday - 25 saturday

3 friday

groove cairngorm, aviemore tbc, featuring basement jaxx, craig charles funk & soul club, bonde, etc. www.groovecairngorm.co.uk scottish opera highlights 7.30pm, nairn community & arts centre. music nairn performance. www.musicnairn.org.uk moray women's aid masquerade ball 6.30pm 12.30am at elgin town hall. £75 per person or table of 10 discount - raising funds for moray women's aid. ticket sales close at noon on 19th february 2017. contact: elle johnston 01343 548549 or email ellejo@mwaelgin.co.uk

american idiot the musical @ironworks, inverness, tbc. www.ironworksvenue.com sigma: how do they know that? speaker - bill leslie birnie village hall, 7.30pm, how can anyone know the size of a planet, its distance from the sun & its mass? www.sigma-astro.co.uk concert by gordonstoun music students at gordon chapel, fochabers 7.30pm, gordon chapel, fochabers, donations at the door, varied programme refreshments further details tel. 01542 833213 contact: fiona 01542 833213 fionahay32@gmail.com "bridget jones' baby" universal hall, findhorn, 7.30pm £5/£4 concs/£3 u16s pay on the door

28 tuesday

3 friday - 4 saturday

25 saturday

shrove tuesday pancake coffee morning 10am 12pm, elgin high church hall, north guildry street £2.50. various stalls. proceeds to christian aid.

north sea gas @hootannay, inverness 9.30pm

4 saturday vitalic @ironworks, inverness, tbc. visit www.ironworksvenue.com sing-along-a-swing @mad hatters, inverness, 7pm red hot chilli pipers @the loft, forres, 7.30pm coffee morning holy trinity church hall, elgin, 10am 12pm, adults £2.50, children 50p usual raffle & stalls. all most welcome. wild women day findhorn village centre, 10am 5pm, tickets from email address, spend the day in the forest, discovering some traditional living skills, woodland bushcraft & carving. contact: 01309 690450, enquiries@wild-things.org.uk

5 sunday

MARCH 2017 2 thursday thursday open mic night at copper dog pub, the craigellachie hotel, free entry, 7.30pm - 10.30pm, page 24 - March 2017

nairn 10k 2017 nairn community centre: 2pm, registration from 1.30pm, entry on the day only. fun run min. age 8. all entrants aged 8 & 9 must be accompanied by adult. www.nairnroadrunners.co.uk siobhan miller @the drouthy cobbler, elgin, 8pm 10pm, www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk st andrew's lhanbryde & urquhart connect breakfast (before church service), st andrew's lhanbryde & urquhart parish church hall, 9.30am - 10.30am,

tel: 01309 690063

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

enjoy free breakfast & an informal time of exploring a theme from the bible via film, discussion & creative activities www.salucofs.wordpress.com

7 tuesday black star riders + gun + the amorettes@ironworks, inverness, tbc, www.ironworksvenue.com coastal photography group monthly meeting portessie public hall, 7pm - 9pm, £2, local group of photographers, meeting on first tuesday of each month. looking & discussing photographs, contact: peter macdonald 01542 833867 macdonaldpeter962@gmail.com

8 wednesday moray, banff & badenoch decorative & fine arts society (mbbdfas): fizz & crackle the williamson hall, duff avenue, elgin, 11am, exploring the inventiveness & technical brilliance of john singer sargent's work. speaker: mary alexander contact: membership@nadfas-in-elgin.org.uk www.nadfas-inelgin.org.uk

9 thursday the sandy barclay band moray jazz club, elgin city football ground social club, borough briggs rd, elgin. 7.30pm - 10.30pm, £4 members, £6 nonmembers, contact: tom mcpherson at morayjazz@gmail.com

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

www.facebook.com/morayjazz march 2017 advanced driving course elgin library, 7.30pm - 9pm, covering the topic of "human factors & vehicle control" why not come along on the first day (free)

9 thursday - 11 saturday oliver! elgin town hall 7.30 nightly & 2pm saturday, £15 (£12 for under 12 & block bookings) well-live family musical by lionel bart contact: ken smith 01343 547237 knsmith59@aol.com www.elginmusicaltheatre.com

10 friday the real thing @ironworks, inverness, 7pm, www.ironworksvenue.com

11 saturday lee scratch perry @ironworks, inverness, 7.30pm, www.ironworksvenue.com

12 sunday the inverness ½ marathon & 5k fun run inverness, 12.30pm, open to all ages & abilities, 01463 667500 dougal's jumper @hootannay, inverness 9.30pm

13 monday light & life costa coffee, 66 high st. elgin, 7-9pm, free spiritual readings, dream interpretation, spiritual art,

tel: 01309 690063

March 2017 - page 25

personality styles, massage, healing, nail art, music. contact: alyson sim 07733127539 malalysim@lightlife.org.uk www.lightlife.org.uk elgin and district parkinson's support group st. sylvester's church hall, institution road, elgin 7.30pm - 9.30pm, all welcome. teas & coffees after the meeting, contact: gillian gibson (secretary) 01343 541056 elginanddistrictpsg@gmail.com

13 monday - 18 saturday nethy bridge annual charity shop mon 10am - 4pm & 6.30pm - 8pm; tues to friday 10am - 2pm & sat 10am - noon at church hall, dell road, nethybridge. selling clothes, books, furniture, bric-a-brac anything & everything. tea, coffee & home baking will be served throughout the week. Goods can be dropped off in the Church Hall the week before. No electricals, video cassettes or books please. A bag collection will be organised in due course so start clearing out all unwanted items now! Any furniture or large items please get in touch first.

14 tuesday moray field club: "south georgia" presentation by martin cook elgin town hall lounge, 7:30pm, £1 new members welcome. contact: lynda anderson 07990 600 499 jameslynda.anderson@tiscali.co.uk

16 thursday

page 26 - March 2017

the temperance movement@ironworks, inverness, tbc. www.ironworksvenue.com

17 friday lional supported by cold years @the drouthy cobbler 8pm - 11pm. www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk st patrick's day party @ironworks, inverness, tbc www.ironworksvenue.com "dr strange" universal hall, findhorn 7.30pm £5/£4 concs/£3 u16s pay on the door

18 saturday stiff little fingers @ironworks, inverness, 7pm www.ironworksvenue.com lost in the riots @mad hatters, inverness, 9.30pm moravian orienteering club mayne wood, elgin, 10.15am www.moravianorienteering.org schiehallio@hootananny, inverness, 9.30pm

18 saturday - 19 sunday newtonmore 10 mile road race newtonmore, tbc, the weekend also includes a 2 mile fun run, entertainment on the sat night & the "hangover mile" race on sunday. www.newtonmore.com

19 sunday haughs of cromdale 10k road race haughs of cromdale, 1.30pm (start) £7 enter on the day at cromdale hall. contact: john diffey 01479 873488.

tel: 01309 690063

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

butteries in hall & bbq from hut www.wherecanwego.com

28 tuesday moray interfaith group st sylvester's, institution road, elgin. 7pm, building bridges between peoples of all faiths & none

29 wednesday the drouthy cobbler comedy club @the drouthy cobbler, 8pm. www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

31 friday 23 thursday - 24 friday patrick monahan – that 80’s show @the drouthy cobbler 8pm - 9.30pm www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

24 friday dallas quiz night - to play for moray joinery trophy houldsworth institute, dallas, 7pm for 7.30pm start, £2 entry per person teams of 4 to answer general knowledge quiz. 2017 ssafa lossiemouth masquerade ball (black tie) the laichmoray hotel, elgin, 6.30pm - 12am, £40 dress to impress, enjoy a fabulous meal, dance to live music, have a great night & support a local charity. contact: anne marie, annemariessafa@hotmail.com

ralia supported by the roov @the drouthy cobbler, 9pm - 11pm www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk what is europe: the cultural landscape of its peoples by dr. lester borley, cbe, former sec. gen. of europa nostra. elgin museum hall. 7.30pm £3, £2 for society members, £1.50 for students, the moray society lecture series 2016/17, contact: mary shand 01343543675 curator@elginmuseum.org.uk www.elginmuseum.org.uk moray rock garden club: arunachal pradesh, land of the dawnlit mountains new elgin hall annex, land street, new elgin 7.30pm, £10 annual subscription, speaker: elspeth mackintosh contact: alan souter (convener) 01340 871504

25 saturday neville staple band + bombskare@ironworks, inverness, 7.30pm, visit www.ironworksvenue.com elgin strathspey & reel society annual festival of scots fiddle music the williamson hall, 27a duff avenue, elgin 8.45 am to about 1.00 pm and 1.30 pm, entry by donation, a series of competitions for different ages from primary up to championship class. all welcome to come and listen. contact: jim hogg 01807 590 276 jimlehogg1@btinternet.com music concert in support of refugees kinloss church hall 7.30pm, £6 local acappella singing groups & folk musicians, heartfelt songs. contact: kate o’connell www.katesvoices.co.uk

26 sunday

This space could have been promoting your business! SpotLight covers six areas along the Moray Firth Coastline from Buckie & Keith across to Inverness and then down to Aviemore - and all the places in between!

moray road runners 10km miltonduff, 12.15pm 5pm, part of the northern scot series. www.morayroadrunners.com/events/moray-roadrunners-10km inchberry & district community association car boot sale inchberry hall, orton, fochabers, 8.30am 12pm, free, no booking required, just turn up early in car with table before 8.30am. tea/coffee & admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

(01309) 690063

March 2017 - page 27