SpotLight on Inverness & District March 2015

MARCH 2015

I NV E R NE S S & D I S T RI C T THE NORTH’S FAVOURITE FREE WEE MAG

110 Church Street, Inverness. Find us on Facebook

A take away baguette bar, offering a wide range of fresh quality products and secret family recipes

Nursing Careers in the Highlands and Islands Starting out in Nursing?

Apply to study nursing locally at one of our campuses in Stirling, Inverness and Stornoway Developing your Health Career?

Multidisciplinary CPD, Masters and Doctorate courses for healthcare professionals Interested in Research?

Our health research is rated as world-class with expertise in areas including public health, cancer care and rural health Want to Make a Difference?

Opportunities for patient and carer involvement Call us: Highlands: 01463 255648 Western Isles: 01851 708243 Stirling: 01786 467046

To find out more visit http://www.stir.ac.uk/health-sciences/healthcareers/ The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159

02.15

MOBILITY DEALS BROUGHT TO YOU INVERNESS & SURROUNDING AREAS

WHEELCHAIRS WALKING FRAMES & TROLLIES MOBILITY SCOOTERS and many outdoor accessories FREE AT HOME DEMONSTRATIONS FREE DELIVERIES SERVICE & MAINTENANCE OPTIONS

HOURS OF BUSINESS Mon. - Frid.9am - 5pm Easy parking & disabled toilet facilities *Exclusions apply, please ask for details.

3 Critical Features to demand from Your New Vet...

Moving to a new area is a challenging process for your family, your pet will be stressed by the process as well. At Moray Coast Vet Group we want you to know that we are here to help you and your pets settle into the area.

Why would you use us? Well it’s simple really, we have been vets in this area for a very long time and can offer your pet the following 3 critical benefits: to a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Accredited Practice, Access meaning your pet will be treated to the highest standards. convenient surgery locations making it easy to get to us Four day and night. and well equipped surgeries meaning we can treat all routine Modern conditions without the need to refer your pet.

So all you need to do now, for peace of mind for you and your pet, is call us to say ‘hello’ and we will do all that is necessary to register your pet with our practice. Oh, and we will call your old vet to request your pet’s existing notes, so we can be familiar with everything we need to know.

Now that is peace of mind for your pet.

Call us now on: CARING FOR YOUR COMPANIONS

Forres Surgery (main branch) 01309 672243 Nairn Surgery 01667 453161 Lossiemouth Surgery 01343 815335 Balloch Surgery 01463 794224 24 HOUR EMERGENCY NUMBER 01309 672243 www.moraycoastvetgroup.co.uk

CLUBS & SOCIETIES AUTISM RIGHTS GROUP HIGHLAND (ARGH) Run by and for autistic adults to make the adult autistic voice heard. We uphold ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ principle.

Contact kb@arghighland.co.uk www.arghighland.co.uk BALLOCH BOWLING CLUB Tuesdays & Fridays at 7.30pm from September - December in Balloch Village Hall. For details call 01463 790274 BEAULY ANGLING CLUB Established around 1960, the club provides sea trout and salmon fishing to residents of Beauly as well as to visitors. Visit www.beauly-angling-club.co.uk CAKE WALK & STORY GROUP Regular walks for all ages. For more details call Guy on 07724 992790 / www.guyandjocelyn.org

CHILDREN’S HIGHLAND DANCE Thursdays, Merkinch Community Centre. Beginners 4pm - 5pm.

Fridays, Kirkhill Community Centre. Beginners 3:30pm 4:30pm. Call Elizabeth Fraser on 01463 729477

INVERNESS & DISTRICT FUCHSIA SOCIETY 2nd Wednesday at 7.30pm in Trinity Church Hall (Not Dec or Jan). All welcome. Contact Dan Matheson on 07857 962431 or dan.matheson@btinternet.com

CLACHNACUDDIN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FC Tel: 791458. drew@tesco.net or visit www.clach-youth.info

INVERNESS & DISTRICT MODEL RAILWAY CLUB Tuesday evenings. To promote model railways. New members welcome. Contact Gerry Parks for details on 07801 593637.

FORUM FOR MEN Wednesdays, 8pm at Macnabs Bar, Columba Hotel. For gay and bi men. Look for the small red post box on our table. Text 07941 553620, www.gay-ness.org.uk or e-mail jampa40@yahoo.co.uk HIGHLAND BONSAI SOCIETY 3rd Wednesday every month, 7.30pm in Balloch Village Hall Contact Chris on 01349 865485

INVERNESS ADVANCED MOTORISTS 7:30pm, Holiday Inn Express, Inverness. For details email info@inverness-iam.org INVERNESS CHORAL SOCIETY Mondays, 7:30pm - 9:30pm in Smithton–Culloden Free Church Largest choir in the Highlands of Scotland with concerts held in April and November in Eden Court Theatre. For info email info@invernesschoral.org.uk www.invenesschoral.org.uk INVERNESS FLORAL ART CLUB Meet 2nd Tuesday at Cauldeen Primary School. Friendship and flowers. New members very welcome - first visit will be free.

Call Mary for more information on 01463 224828

emergent Meeting the future

Drumduan Upper School leads the way in a new approach to secondary school level education with a sustainable, holistic and practical curriculum for adolescents, inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner and designed for the 21st Century.

INVERNESS TENNIS & SQUASH CLUB Call 230751 or email: info@ invernesstennisandsquash.org alternately you can visit us at www.invernesstennisandsquash.org INVERNESS TOUCH RUGBY Wednesdays 6pm-8pm, Bught Pitches (by Ice Rink). Fast & fun for men and women, all abilities & fitness levels welcome. Email info@invernesstouch.co.uk or "Inverness Touch" on Facebook

Lessons covering the sciences and humanities are taught by Steiner Waldorf-trained, specialist teachers.

Academic study is enhanced and balanced with movement, music and artistic work, with crafts and outdoor activities part of the daily rhythm.

Drumduan Upper School, Clovenside Road, Forres IV36 2RD

T: 01309 691214 E: reception@drumduan.org W: www.drumduan.org

page 4 - March 2015

KILTARLITY CAMERA CLUB Meets on two Tuesdays of the month at Brockies Lodge, Kiltarlity at 7:30pm. Contact the secretary: 714330. Welcomes all ages and abilities.

NAIRN & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB Meets 1st Thursday of the month, 7.30pm at Nairn Community & Arts Centre (Mar - Dec). Talks, visits and day outings with an Annual Show in August. New members welcome. Visit www.spanglefish.com/nairnand districtgardeningclub or email nairndgc@yahoo.co.uk SAYLIG INVERNESS We look at all aspects of life for people with learning disability and/or autism, SHIRLIE Project, Inverness, tel: 716179 or email rona.mem@hotmail.co.uk SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING IN INVERNESS Beginners: Crown Church Hall on Wednesdays 7.30pm 9.30pm. General class: St Mary's Hall, Huntley Street on Thursdays 8.15pm-10.15pm. All welcome. Tel: 01463 235384.

SCOTTISH ORNITHOLGISTS’ CLUB - HIGHLAND BRANCH Call 01463 221661 or 01808 511740.

WATERLOO BOWLING CLUB Season starts 18th April til last Sat in Sept. Open all week.

Riverside Street, Inverness. New members and visitors welcome.

Membership enquiries to Angus Shearer on 01463 710375

PLEASE NOTE: Details of Clubs & Societies are published on a rotational basis.

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

MERKINCH MOUNTAIN BIKE CLUB Regular monthly trips, ages 12 to adult. Call 07879 443979 or email: ewanharper@yahoo.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

The Editor

Daffodils shoot, bunnies leap and lambs spring.

The world seems that little bit more acceptable when Winter comes to a close and the worst of the weather fades away. We are indeed fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of Scotland with so many outdoor activities available to us. Check out our What’s On and Clubs and Societies listings to see if something might be suitable for you.

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April Issue Deadlines Editorial - Friday 27/02/15 Advertising - Wednesday 04/03/15

Words by the Wayside “Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is...”

(John 9:30)

Reader, Jesus Christ is God. Your life does not consist in the things that you possess but rather in the knowledge and forgiveness of your sin found in God’s Son Jesus Christ; He alone is faithful and just and able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. “Why seek ye the living among the dead?”. The Lord Jesus Christ is not a dead moral teacher from two thousand years ago, but a real living-today Saviour. In Him is Life eternal, Do you know Him as your Saviour? He is before you today. www.wordsbythewayside.co.uk Registered Scottish charity SC041290

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See website for details of all special offers www.brockieslodgehotel.co.uk

Brockie’s Lodge Hotel . Kiltarlity . By Beauly . IV4 7HW . Tel: 01463 741257 . Email: info@brockieslodgehotel.

PASTORAL LETTER & CHURCH MEETINGS Hope

First of all let me express my apologies to you for starting this letter in rather a gloomy way but I do promise that it will end far better. You see, as I listen to the news, there does not seem to be any hope. Internationally things seem rather difficult with hostages being taken and huge ransom demands being made. The brutal scenes that we have witnessed in France, Belgium, Australia and no doubt other places between the time of writing this letter and it being printed are horrendous and I could go on but that’s enough to make the point. At home we are told that the health service is collapsing and what may happen at the next general election is better not talked about.

Then I take the dog for a walk or to be more accurate, a dawdle, she’s thirteen now and some of the zeal of her younger years has disappeared, we take a walk around a local garden and although it’s still only the end of January I notice some snowdrops pushing their way through the earth and flowering nicely and I think to

myself that whatever may be happening as far as humanity is concerned, with God it’s business as usual, hope begins to rise that soon daffodils, tulips, crocuses and host of other flowers will be bursting in to life and the smell of spring will fill the air. It was David the psalmist who wrote ‘ Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God’ (Psalm 42:5) It would appear that King David had international and national problems three thousand years ago (so perhaps nothing changed) but he also had the answer, he would put his hope in God and as a result he became one of the great kings of Israel, and there’s more, a thousand years later one of King David’s descendants would be Jesus Christ who God the Father destined to bring hope to the world internationally, nationally and hope for every individual. This hope that Jesus brings is not just for time and life here on planet earth but it is also for eternity.

Let’s cast our minds forward just a few

Inshes, Church of Scotland Insches Retail Park, Inverness. Rev. David Scott. Tel: 01463 226727. Website: www.insheschurch.org Inverness Baptist Church 69 Castle Street. Rev. Tom Urquhart. Tel: 01463 223506. Email: tajurquhart@btinernet.com Inverness Bible Fellowship Wyvis Place, Inverness, IV3 8DR. Sundays @ 11:15am, Wednesdays @ 7:30pm, drug and alcohol dependency & addiction support Tuesdays @ 12noon includes lunch, monthly drop-in cafe with value £1 menu every first Saturday of each month. Tel 01463 226776, email leojrose@me.com Inverness Christian Fellowship at Merkinch Community Centre.

Sundays 10.30am. Website: www.icfchurch.co.uk Inverness Church of God Friars Lane. Sunday 10.30am and 6.30pm.

Tel: 01463 241318.

Inverness Crown Church, Church of Scotland 3 Midmills Road. Tel: 01463 230537.

Inverness East Church, Church of Scotland Academy Street.

Contact Rev. Professor ATB McGowan: 01463 236695.

Website: www.invernesseast.com Inverness Greyfriars Stratherrick Free Church Greyfriars at Balloan Road, Inverness, and Stratherrick at Errogie, Stratherrick. Tel: 01463 714085. Website: www.greyfriarschurch.org Inverness Methodist Church Huntly Street, Inverness. Tel: 01463 239784. Website: www.churchesinverness.com Kiltarlity Church of Scotland Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire. Sundays: 11:15am. Website: www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk

page 6 - March 2015

weeks and we will be celebrating Easter, the fact that on Good Friday Jesus was crucified but on Easter Sunday morning He rose from the grave, the purpose of this great event— to bring hope to every human being.

You see our biggest problem is not a terrorist fighting force or the possible collapse of the health service, serious as these matters are, our great problem is that of sin, disobedience to God with it’s resulting penalty, death itself. When Jesus died He dealt with sin and the penalty of it for us, in His resurrection He proved that new life was available to each one who believes in Him. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) Back to the snowdrops proving that after the death of winter resurrection life is a fact. Are you downcast or disturbed then be like King David and put your hope in God, He will not disappoint you.

David Williams Inverness Christian Fellowship

Kiltarlity Free Church of Scotland Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire. Tel: 01463 741729. Email: jfraser@gmail.com Kings Fellowship Meets at Smithton Industrial Estate, Culloden. Tel: 01463 792700. Email: info@thekingsfactory.com Kingsview Christian Centre Balnafettack Road, Inverness, IV3 8TF. Sundays 11.30am and 6pm. Wednesdays 7.30pm. Tel: 01463 716843.

Kinmylies Church of Scotland Kinmylies Way, Inverness. Sundays 10.30am. Tel: 01463 714035. Website: www.kinmylies.co.uk Kirkhill (Wardlaw) Church of Scotland Sundays 10am.

Website: www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk Knockbain Free Church Ferry Brae, North Kessock. Tel: 01463 731368. Email: nwmacleod@talktalk.net Maryburgh & Killearnan Free Church Seaforth Place, Maryburgh tel: 01349 863367. Killearnan Manse, Bogroy, Tore - tel: 731369 email: cswan@ctlconnect.co.uk Ness Bank Church of Scotland Inverness. Sundays 11am. Tel: 01463 243165. Website: www.nessbank.net New Hope Inverness Church James Cameron Community Centre, 14 Limetree Ave, Dalneigh. Sundays 11am. Call 07547 955567 or vist www.newhopeinv.org.uk.

North Kessock, Church of Scotland Main Street, North Kessock. Tel: 01463 731712. Website: www.churchofscotland.org.uk Listed I to N and regularly rotated. If you are a member of a church not listed here and would like to be considered for inclusion or for any amendments to existing details, email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

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USEFUL INFORMATION Local & Bank Holidays and Special Days Mothering Sunday British Summertime Starts Palm Sunday April Fool’s Day Maundy Thursday Good Friday Easter Sunday Easter Monday

Sun 15th Mar 2015 Sun 29th Mar 2015 Sun 29th Mar 2015 Wed 1st Apr 2015 Thurs 2nd Apr 2015 Fri 3rd Apr 2015 Sun 5th Apr 2015 Mon 6th Apr 2015

Early May Bank Holiday Spring Bank Holiday Father’s Day Longest Day Summer Bank Holiday British Summertime Ends Halloween Bonfire Night

Mon 4th May 2015 Mon 25th May 2015 Sun 21st Jun 2015 Sun 21st Jun 2015 Mon 3rd Aug 2015 Sun 25th Oct 2015 Sat 31st Oct 2015 Thurs 5th Nov 2015

School Term Dates for 2014/2015 (all dates inclusive) Spring Term Ends Thurs 2nd Apr 2015 Spring Holiday Starts Fr 3rd Apr 2015 Spring Holiday Ends Fri 17th Apr 2015 Summer Term Starts Mon 20th Apr 2015 May Day Holiday Mon 4th May 2015 In-Service Day Mon 1st Jun 2015 Summer Term Ends Thurs 2nd Jul 2015 Summer Holiday Starts Fri 3rd Jul 2015

for 2015/2016 (all dates inclusive) Summer Holiday Ends Fri 14th Aug 2015 In-Service Day Mon 17th Aug 2015 Autumn Term Starts Tues 18th Aug 2015 In-Service Day Thurs 24th Sep 2015 In-Service Day Fri 25th Sep 2015 Autumn Term Ends Fri 9th Oct 2015 Autumn Holiday Starts Mon 12th Oct 2015 Autumn Holiday Ends Fri 23rd Oct 2015

Useful Contacts Ardersier Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 462658 Beauly Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782930 Black Isle Leisure Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 621252 Bus Station, Inverness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239292 Citizens Advice Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08444 994111 Cromarty Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 600318 Culloden Academy Community Complex . . . . . 01463 792794 Culloden Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 792531 Dalcross Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 464000 Fortrose Community Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 622235 Highland Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01349 886606 Inshes Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 725928 Inverness Leisure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 667500 Inverness Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236463 National Rail Enquires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08457 484950 Police Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 NHS 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 DOCTORS Beauly Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782794 Burnfield Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 220077 Cairn Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712233 Cromarty Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01381 600224 Culloden Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .01463 793400 Crown Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0844 576 9977 Drumnadrochit, Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 450577 Dunedin Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712157 Fairfield Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 713939 Fortrose Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08444 772497 Foyers Medical Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 486224 Kingsmills Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 235245 New Craigs Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 704000

page 8 - March 2015

Riverside Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 715999 Raigmore Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 704000 RNI Community Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 706966 Strathlene Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 870843 The Aird Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782214 The Surgery, Munlochy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 811200 Southside Road Surgery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 710222 DENTISTS 21 Kingsmills Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 233416 Abban Street Dental Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 718140 Academy Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 232423 Burnfield Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 241515 Black Isle Dental Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01349 877082 Castle House Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 234598 Dalneigh Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 243767 Dental Clinic, New Craigs Hospital . . . . . . . . . . 01463 704000 Fraser Street Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 242344 High School Dental Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 235468 Inshes Dental Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 794949 Inverness Dental Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 255866 Ness Bank Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236295 Riverside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 226358 Southside Surgical Dentistry Centre . . . . . . . . . 01463 710760 Southside Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 710760 Torwood Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 712772 Dental Helpline .........................0845 6442271 Rotated on a regular basis. To add a contact or amend existing details, email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

Let Us Know ‘What’s On’ In Your Area *Deadline for the April Issue: Friday, 27th February* Email: tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk Telephone: 01309 690063 Inclusion of events in What’s On is free.

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

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

Rolling Event until 4 march inverness music festival a competitive music festival open to all ages and abilities. come along and enjoy watching and listening to the performers. for tickets and info visit www.invernessmusicfestival.org

until 18 april the "mixed spring exhibition - spring exhibition 2015 at inchmore gallery come and peruse the wide range of artwork on offer and feel inspired. visit www.inchmoregallery.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2015 26 thursday rspb talk - 40 yrs of bird ringing in the highlands what have we learned? 7.30pm at fraser park bowling club, inverness.

27 friday a handful of john macleods - lecture by rev dr roderick macleod @ 7.30pm in inverness gaelic school. all welcome. cinema nairn : 'night of the hunter' (12) 7.30pm at nairn community and arts centre. tickets at door for further info: cinemanairn.blogspot.co.uk the boy and the bunnet - cromarty arts trust events 7.30pm in the stables. fun for all the family! Tickets £7, £5 conc and £20 family. for more info visit www.cromartyartstrust.org.uk an audience with ian rankin 7:30pm at kingsmills hotel. music from 'all cat, no hat'. tickets £15 incl refreshments. available from merkinch community centre, tsb bank or www.purecharity.org/enf. all proceeds to 'the haven centre'. enquiries or to reserve a table of 10 contact 07734958800 admin@spotlighton.co.uk

scooty & the skyhooks @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

28 saturday inverness ramblers creag beag/ loch gynach. 7 miles. meet 9am highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for more information. cake walk and story - meall fuar-mhonaidh, drumnadrochit - 5 miles. meet 10am at highland council, glenurquhart rd, inverness. call guy on 07724 992790 or visit www.guyandjocelyn.org rspb outing- loch flemington to nairn 9.30am at highland council car park, inverness. 01463 237836 scooty & the skyhooks @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

MARCH 2015 1 sunday great glen walking club loch morlich, sugarbowl bridge & rothimurchus circular. 9 miles. depart 9am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for information.

3 tuesday scottish ornithologists' club: "breeding waders of the uist machair. land use and predators, past,present and future" by john calladine” 7.30 pm, culloden library. call 01463 221661 or 01808 511740. £3 members; £4 non members

6 friday netsounds presents: unknown pleasures feat. hunter & the bear lionel @ ironworks 8pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

7 saturday great glen walking club agm walk - details to be confirmed closer to date. contact 01463 236204 for information. inverness choral society musical coffee morning from 10am in inverness town house. sheila bruce will play her selection of music on the grand piano while you enjoy coffee and home baking. halestorm+nothing more+wilson @ ironworks 7:30pm. 0871 7894173 • www.ironworksvenue.com

8 sunday inverness ramblers mystery walk. information will be given nearer the date. meet 9am highland council car park. call 01463 236204.

tel: 01309 690063

March 2015 - page 9

Don’t be scared With a hint of spring in the air..... (ish) and the days slowly getting longer.....(ish) you may be now thinking about dusting off the bike and getting some miles done.

For the battle hardened cyclist this probably isn't the case as the bike never sits still long enough to gather dust! I went out for the first time since new year just last week, work and family commitments have seen me busy for most of January, with no time for biking :( and was struck by the difference in conditions from only a month previous. The trails are, dare I say, almost dry, and the temperature meant just a base layer and light windproof jacket were needed! Amazing, it was like spring! Dont count your chickens too soon I hear you say.....

‘winter may still have a fair sting in its tale yet!’ and you’re probably right.

When spring arrives I will be ready, I don’t want to miss a moment, I’ve got my bike sorted out and tuned to the max with fresh disc pads and serviced suspension, I’ve got my kit all ready too. A new pair of shorts to go with my super grippy 5.10 shoes.

Maybe I'll treat myself to a new camelback too.

With a good local bike shop you can get all the right advice from people who are just as enthusiastic as you are, who, when the first day with a temperature above freezing arrives, are convinced it’s springtime!

Somewhere like monsterbike on Canal Road Inverness ( by the Muirtown lock gates ) where you can get everything you need.

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14 saturday

NAIRN Nairn Community & Arts Centre Your local venue for films, shows, concerts, and parties. Wide range of activities for all ages.

MARCH EVENTS Sun 1st - .................................................................... Nairn 10k Run Fri 6th - ..........................................................Music Nairn Presents Chloe Hanslip & Danny Driver (Violin & Piano) Fri 13th & Sat 14th - .......................................“Spring in to Dance” Susan Airey Dance School Mon 16th - .... Cinema Nairn Matinee - “Gregory’s Girl” 1981 (12) Fri 20th - ........................ Cinema Nairn - “Untouchable” 2011 (15) Sat 21st - ............................. Rosebank PS Fundraising Film Night “Walking on Sunshine” Sat 28th - .................................................................Variety Concert An evening of Song, Music and Dance For further details, telephone 01667 453476, e-mail info@nairncc.co.uk or check out our website at www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk

jazz nairn presents joe temperly accompanied by brian kellock 8pm at nairn dunbar golf club, lochloy rd. ticktes £15 / students £3 at the door or from nairn community centre box office 01667 453476.

9 monday royal scottish geographical society lecture: tracy edwards: highs and lows of life on the ocean wave 7.30pm, highland council chamber, glenurquhart road, inverness. tracy edwards won international fame as a skipper in the first all-female crew to sail around the world. £8 adults; free for students, u18 & rsgs members.

inverness ramblers beinn a’ bha’ach ard. 9 miles. meet 8:30am highland council car park. for info call 01463 236204. scottish folk promotions presents: the dangleberries @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

15 sunday great glen walking club dornoch ramble. 9 miles. depart 9am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for information.

17 tuesday highland literary salon 7.30 pm at glen mhor hotel inverness. guest speaker: eric macleod. see website for more info: www.highlandlitsalon.com

18 wednesday lcc live events presents: midge ure @ ironworks 7pm call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

20 friday inverness friends of children 1st sparkling showstoppers supper 7pm for 7.30pm, drumossie hotel fizz, food and musical entertainment arranged by pam mcculloch and alyn ross. tickets £25. contact val cantlay on 01463 231298 or email val.cantlay@btinternet.com

21 saturday great glen walking club ruthven barracks circular. 8 miles. depart 9am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for information. al-anon public meeting 10:30am - 12 noon at thistle hotel, millburn road, inverness. if you are concerned about someone else’s drinking come along, maybe we can help. confidential helpline - 020 7403 0888

22 sunday inverness ramblers dunlichity-loch bunachton three lochs walks. 7 miles. meet 10am highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for further information.

12 thursday blackthorn allotments association meeting 7pm at drakies school hall, drumossie avenue, inverness. new site at slackbuie needs help getting started. for anyone interested in growing your own food and helping a new project. for details email janet at smartcarracer@gmail.com

13 friday gaelic society of inverness presents - ‘the ceilidh house’ feat. performances from kirsteen macdonald, james graham, iain mackay, linda macleod and the marloch band 8pm at eden court. tickets: 01463 234234 or www.edencourt.co.uk

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tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

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26 thursday rspb north scotland office update 7:30pm at fraser park bowling club, inverness. call 01997 433283

27 friday ceòlas, exploring the connections within gaelic, music, and dance in south uist by mary macinnes 7.30pm, inverness gaelic school, all welcome. rock n wrestling presents: live wrestling @ ironworks 7pm. 0871 7894173 or www.ironworksvenue.com

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Westwood, Littlemill, Nairn Tel. 01667 454536 or

gillian@westwoodcattery.co.uk

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wedding open day @ brodie castle looking for a dream wedding venue? come along and experience the beauty of brodie castle as it opens its doors to showcase its magic. call 01309 641371 for details. haughs of cromdale 10k road race entry on the day from 12 mid-day at cromdale hall. race starts at 1:30pm. for more info call 01479 873488

inverness ramblers walk 1 - sgurr na feartaig. 13 miles. meet 9am. walk 2 - meet 10am and route will be decided on the day. highland council car park. call 01463 236204 for more information. rspb outing - in search of divers again meet 9:30am at highland council car park, inverness. for details call 01997 421193 or 01997 433283

www.westwoodcattery.co.uk

Feline Advisory Bureau Registered, Listed in Good Cattery Guide

29 sunday ‘tree of life; the music of john tavener’ 4pm at inverness cathedral. tickets £8 at the door or foor reservations email sya@troilusensemble.com great glen walking club ulladale circular. 7 miles. depart 9am highland council car park. contact 01463 236204 for information. df concerts presents: the view @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

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PARLIAMENT BLOG & TIDE TIMES

“

Parliament Blog

”

In the last few weeks, the world has been remembering the horrific events that happened only seventy years ago in Auschwitz - Birkenau. “Keep the memory alive” has been this year’s slogan for the anniversary of the Holocaust as we remember the 11 million people who were murdered in Nazi death camps. Having visited Auschwitz in 2007 with five Highland schools, it is all the more poignant for me. It is hard to forget walking through the gate marked “Arbeit macht frei” work will set you free - and the gruesome eeriness of the camp.

But that is the point - we shouldn’t forget. The devastation caused to families and communities in the largest mass murder in history is unimaginable. It must be remembered and I’m proud of British schools for educating our children about those horrendous events.

I urge everyone to spare a thought for those who died and challenge hatred and persecution in the UK today.

Older Spotlight readers may remember the Ad: "Any time, any place , anywhere - its Martini!" That's the approach of the UK Government to mining of unconventional gas and oil - or fracking as it is better known. Last July the Tory Lib Dem coalition decreed that people's right to object to fracking beneath their homes was to be confiscated - without any consultation with Scotland.

After pressure from the Scottish Government , the whole issue is to be transferred to the Scottish Parliament by 2016.

Meantime as Energy Minister I have announced a moratorium on onshore activity, as well as detailed studies into impacts on environment, public health and traffic.’

There will now be a full consultation in Scotland and decisions will then be made here, not in London by a regime gung-ho on fracking.

Danny Alexander MP

Fergus Ewing MSP

LOW TIDE TIMES FOR INVERNESS IN MARCH Walking on the beach should be possible 2 hours either side of these times 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

SU M TU W TH F SA

AM 03:49 04:41 05:20 05:43 05:46 06:15 06:52

PM 16:15 17:03 17:42 18:09 18:31 18:57 19:28

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

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

AM 07:26 07:55 07:40 07:51 08:23 09:07 10:10 01:05 02:24 03:26 04:26 05:19

PM 20:01 20:30 20:41 20:14 20:47 21:39 13:48 15:04 16:09 17:05 17:52

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

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

AM 06:04 06:47 07:28 08:08 08:49 09:30 10:14 11:20 03:22 04:23 05:14

PM 18:37 19:18 19:58 20:39 21:18 21:53 22:22 23:20 13:37 15:49 16:46 17:36

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Manual Handling and Abrasive Wheels (courses can be held ʻon siteʼ if required)

For further details and 2015 course dates contact us at: 32 Harbour Road, Inverness Tel: 01463 230036 Fax: 01463 712829 email; moray.firth.trg@cali.co.uk - www.mftg.co.uk

page 14 - March 2015

tel: 01309 690063

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Football Files

This Month...

A profile on

Forres Mechanics Forres Mechanics are the oldest team in the Highland League, founded in 1884. The name "Mechanics" arose from the occupations of the founder members "people who are employed in manual occupations and in handicrafts".

The "Mechanics" have enjoyed success over the years, having won the League title twice and, at one time or another, all of the Highland League knockout competitions.

Their current home "Mosset Park" is sited on Forres Common Good Ground, granted by Royal Charter to the people of Forres by James 1st and used as rough grazing ground. Forres Town Council, in 1884, allowed the football club access to create a pitch and charged a "peppercorn rent" which remained unaltered until the very recent past. At the time of Local Government reorganization in the 1970's, custodianship of the Common Good area was transferred to Moray Council and this arrangement persists today.

Currently, the biggest challenge is how to deal with the proposed Redco Milne development at Bogton Rd. which would necessitate moving from the Mosset Park, which is arguably the best Ground in the Highland League.

FOOTBALL CLUB Elgin City

Is the proposal a threat or an opportunity for the town and the football club? As custodians of the area in question, Moray Council are obliged to consult the people again. The power of the football club as mere leaseholders rather than owners, to influence the outcome is limited but the consequences of the decision are big. Uncertain times indeed for a Club with a long, proud history!

FIXTURES MARCH 2015 14th March (H) Queen’s Park

21st March (A) Clyde

Inverness CT

14th March (H) Dundee United

21st March (A) Partick Thistle

Ross County

14th March (A) Hamilton Ac

21st March (H) KIlmarnock

Buckie Th

7th March (H) Berwick R

7th March Scottish Cup

Clachnacuddin

14th March (A) Inverurie Loco

14th March (A) Strathspey Thistle

Keith

14th March (H) Fraserburgh

Lossiemouth FC

14th March (A) Brora Rangers

Nairn County FC

14th March (H) Clachnacuddin

Strathspey Thistle

7th March (A) Turriff United 14th March (H) Forres Mechanics

28th March (A) Albion Rovers

28th March League Cup

14th March (A) Nairn County

Forres Mechanics

Rothes FC

Charlie Rowley - Manager

21st March League Cup

18

The projects which the shops have supported are very diverse and very worthwhile. From sending a group of mum’s and children from Ross-shires Woman’s Aid in Dingwall; to the pantomime at Eden Court Theatre, for the past two years; supporting a group from Invergordon with Mental Health problems to stage a play in Inverness; Disabled ramblers with the cost of transport to their venues over the summer; Providing I-Pads for projects for the elderly; Visually impaired group to visit the Scottish Parliament, or grass cutting equipment for the local Handy man project. Last year we were the first funders and main supporters of the Inverness Men’s Shed paying their first years rent, enabling them to get the “Shed” up and running.

This project has been so successful that it now has 77 members and is open 5 days a week. This week we donated £ 1500 to the newly formed committee for the Beauly Men’s Shed to enable it too to get started. The team at Caring & Sharing realised from the beginning that Men’s Sheds would play a very important part in our local community. A survey carried out when we opened in 2010 suggested that the most socially isolated people in our community were men over 55 and one of the ways to address this could be with a Shed as they had been so successful in other parts of the world. When Alan Michael finally found a suitable property it seemed natural for us to support it . There are now Men’s sheds popping up all over the Highlands which will benefit their communities greatly.

For more information on donating goods to sell in our shops or about our free collection service in Inverness, volunteering, or how to go about getting a grant form, please telephone Izzie MacDonald on 01463 226404 or call into the shop for a chat.

caring sharing and

The Caring & Sharing Charity Shop opened at 68 Church Street , Inverness in April 2010 and has successfully traded there for almost 5 years supporting local charity groups in Inverness, Ross- shire and Nairn enabling them to do things with their groups that they might otherwise have thought impossible due to lack of funding. The shop was set up by Izzie MacDonald who has many years experience of setting up and running charity shops for several charities throughout the UK. The volunteer team take great pleasure in being able to support their local community, something that Izzie ultimately always planned to do . Twenty four local charities have benefited from grants between £500 and £1000 in Highland Region, which the team are delighted to support as long as their request meets their criteria.

On the 29th of January 2015 the shop at 68 Church Street closed and moved across the street to 87 Church Street as the lease on the shop had expired. The Caring & Sharing shop is known locally as the “posh” charity shop and is renowned for the quality, range and presentation of it’s stock.

The second Caring & Sharing Charity shop opened in Invergordon in January 2012 and has proved very popular with the community in that area.

D&G Jeans

Charity starts at home

connectingourcommunities

and

caring sharing

Cleaning out your cupboards?

connectingourcommunities

PLEASE DON’T BIN IT

BEFORE

AFTER

DONATE IT

t Bric-a-Brac t Books t Clothes t Accessories t Furniture and much more MOST DONATIONS ACCEPTED

,

SUPPORTING THE MEN’S SHED LOCAL PICK-UP SERVICE AVAILABLE

BOOK 2 CARPETS ‘3 FOR 2’ AILABLE

We have moved across the road!!

87 Church Street, Inverness IV1 1EN 01463 226404

AND BOOK AN OVEN, DOUBLEOVEN OR RANGE, GET HOB OR EXTRACTOR FREE* 10% OAP DISCOUNT ON OVENS & CARPET CLEANING For bookings or further information

07779 080830 *T&C's, prices may be subject to a travel fee and are not in conjuction with any other discounts on our page.