NOVEMBER 2012
INVERNESS AND DISTRICT THE
NORTH’S
FAV O U R I T E
FREE
WEE
MAG’!
# / - - 5 . ) 4 9 s 3 4 9 , % s % !4 ) . ' / 5 4 s &! 3 ( ) / . This Month Chef’s Confidential ............p16
Travel.................................p18
City of Elgin BID ...........p20-21 L
Learn with the OU ...............p9 Santaland at Castle Stuart..p10 Moray Piano Competition ..p13 Ghillies Lair Restaurant ......p19 Property Section.......p23-27 Clubs & Societies, Pastoral Letter, Church Details, Council News, Useful Numbers, Local Holidays, What’s On, Parliament Blog, Tide Times and much, much more!
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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.
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© Eileen Fitzp
CLUBS & SOCIETIES BALLOCH BOWLING CLUB Meets in Balloch Village Hall on Tuesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm.Anyone interested welcome to come and have a free game. For more details, call 01463790274. BEAULY BRIDGE CLUB Tuesdays 7.00 - 9.30pm, September to March in Phipps Hall, Beauly. Call Bill Forsyth on 783774. HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS AUTISM SOCIETY Support group. Last Wednesday of the month in MacKenzie Centre,Culduthel Road, Inverness 7.30pm. All welcome. Tel: 01463 235384. NASTY NESSIES ROLLER GIRLS Beginner training sessions on Wednesday evenings from 8pm10pm. Must be over 18 and female. Visit http://nastynessiesrollergirls.wor dpress.com SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING IN INVERNESS Beginners: Crown Church Hall
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page 4 - November 2012
atrick
on Mondays 7.30pm -9.30 pm. General class: St Mary's Hall, Huntley Street on Thursdays 8.15pm-10.15pm. All welcome.
drews Day celebrations, Burns lunch and summer outing. Call Alan Niven on 01667 459449 or email: alan.niven@hotmail.com
CLACHNACUDDIN CYCLING CLUB Call 791000 or email: strathlynn@btinternet.com
CHARLESTON YOUTH THEATRE For ages 12-18, Charleston Academy, Inverness
SQUASH CLUB Call 230751 or email : robin@rhamill.orangehome.co.uk www.itscnews.com
MINI-NESS DOLLS HOUSE CLUB 2nd Wednesday each month. Promotes the hobby of dolls houses and miniature making. tel: 223590 or visit the website www.magpieminiatures.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
AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS Self help group for families and friends of people with a drink problem, with meetings held locally throughout the Highland area. Call 020 7403 0888 for a local contact number in your area. Make that call. It could change YOUR life.
SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF INVERNESS AND NAIRN 2nd and 4th Monday evenings in Lochardil House Hotel. Call Mrs Janet Home (Secretary) on 01463 221185
BEFRIENDERS HIGHLAND Voluntary organisation, co-ordinating friendships between volunteers and people who have mental health problems & feel lonely or isolated. Email info@ befriendershighland.org.uk or call 01463 712791. Visit the website www.befriendershighland.org.uk
STRATH ART CLUB Relaxing setting for informal drop in sessions for budding artists. 7 - 9pm, £2 per session with the kitchen available for making of refreshments, Strathpeffer Community Centre. Call 01997 421989 or visit www.strathpeffer communitycentre.org.uk
INVERNESS 41 CLUB The Assoc. of Ex-Round Tablers Clubs meets as Inverness 41 Club on last Thursday of the month Sept - May then occasionally during summer. New exRound Table members most welcome. Tel 01463 223504. Email brielafraser@gmail.com for details.
ROYAL MARINES ASSOCIATION HIGHLAND BRANCH Meetings last Friday in month at Royal British Legion, Huntly Street, Inverness. Tel: 07702819751. Website: www.rma-highlands.org.uk Email: secretary@rma-highlands.org.uk
HIGHLAND QUILTERS 3rd Tuesday Sept- June (December meeting 2nd Tuesday). Meet in Smithton Free Church Hall at 7.30pm. New members and visitors welcolme. Contact Alice (234076) for more details.
ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION CITY OF INVERNESS BRANCH 2nd Wed each month, 7:30pm, RBLS Club, Huntly Street. Ex or serving member or connection or interest in the Royal Navy? Guest speakers, day trips & swinging the lantern along with a tot or two. Email: Gordon Ross (Secretary) at gwross@ btinternet.com or Evan Jessiman at evan.jessiman@ btinternet.com
TREES FOR LIFE GREEN DAYS OUT For people in Moray & Invernessshire. Spend a day carrying out conservation tasks. Transport, tools and training free of charge. Pick ups available. Volunteers over 18 with a reasonable level of fitness. Every Wed & last Sun of the month. Booking essential. Call Mick on 01309 691292 or email mick@treesforlife.org.uk
01309 690063
SALTIRE SOCIETY HIGHLAND BRANCH Meets Saturday mornings in Inverness for talks on a wide range of Scottish topics. St An-
WESTHILL INDOOR BOWLING CLUB Tues & Thurs 7.30 - 9.30pm Oct to Mar, Cradlehall Primary School. Call the Chairperson on 790524 or Gladys on 790834
MORNING CALL FREE daily telephone call to be made to any person who needs the reassurance of such a call. Made between 8.30am & 10am. Call Alan Michael on 790410 LOCH NESS TOASTMONSTERS A group who’ve joined together to face one of the most feared things in general life - speaking in public. If you are interested in taming your own beast get in touch or drop into one of our fortnightly meetings. www.toastmonsters.co.uk RESOLIS BABY & TODDLER GROUP Fridays 10am - 11.45am all year. Resolis Memorial Hall, Black Isle, IV7 8LP. All parents /grandparents/carers welcome with children 0 to 3 years old, local and outwith the area. Call Carsten on 07958 550333 or resolistoddlers@hotmail.co.uk
tel: 01309 690063
FOR CLUBS & SOCIETIES AMENDMENTS, PLEASE PHONE:
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.
SpotLight on Inverness and District
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PUBLISHER ...............David Nelmes SALES ......................Eilidh Conners SALES ...........................Peter Evans ACCOUNTS ...................Lynn Wood LAYOUT ........................Michelle Ho DESIGN .................Alistair Davidson ADMIN ....................Tamsyn Dickson
&ĂďƌŝĐƐ͕ tĂůů ŽǀĞƌŝŶŐƐ͕ >ŝŐŚƟŶŐ Θ >ĂŵƉƐ͕ ^ŽŌ &ƵƌŶŝƐŚŝŶŐƐ͕ hƉŚŽůƐƚĞƌĞĚ &ƵƌŶŝƚƵƌĞ ĂŶĚ ŵƵĐŚ͕ ŵƵĐŚ ŵŽƌĞ͘͘
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PASTORAL LETTER & CHURCH MEETINGS I am writing this letter at the end of September. The sky is blue, the sun is shining, the temperatures are still reasonable, the days, although getting shorter, are giving about fourteen hours of light each day. How different it will be when this letter is published at the beginning of November. Shorter days, less blue skies and I suspect a little colder with, possibly, the first winter snow on the ground. Activities will have changed and the last memories of summer holidays will be fading and being replaced by Halloween, bonfire night, and Remembrance Day. Halloween with its reminder of the darker side of life: ghosts, witches, and trick or treat. November the 5th, Guy Fawkes, and the intended blowing up of parliament, bonfires, and fireworks the order of the day. The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month will bring its necessary, but awful, reminders of war.
As that phase of activity passes, we will be casting our minds forward to the approach of Christmas and the light, love, life and liberty that Jesus came to give to each human being. Sadly, the darker side of life is always with us. We see the evidence of evil everywhere. The intent of men to blow each other up cannot be contained to 5th November but the pictures of devastation are on our television screens every day. Even war seems to be continual, with Afghanistan continuing to take its terrible toll. The good news is that the story of Jesus is not about a date on the calendar either, it’s about a message that is relevant for each day and every generation. Jesus came into the darkness of this world to bring light (John 1:5), light that guides, vision for those without purpose, He shines into the darkest of situations, His light can never be put out. Jesus came to spread the love of God (John 3:16), love that was so deep that ultimately He would give the
Inverness Church of God Sundays 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 231170. Website: www.churchesinverness.com Inverness Spiritualist Church Kiltarlity Church of Scotland Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire. Sundays: 12noon. Website: www.kiltarlityandkirkhill.org.uk 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.
page 6 - November 2012
© Karen Barc
lay
greatest sacrifice, the sacrifice of His own life in your place and mine so that the apostle Paul writes, “The Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20). Jesus gives the gift of life (John 10:10). Yes, we may talk of eternal life because of His triumph over death on the first Easter morning, but also real life right now, giving meaning, purpose and fulfilment in this present day. Jesus also brought liberty (John 8:32). Freedom from addictions, sin, etc and freedom to worship him and so fulfil the very reason for our existence. It is true that seasons, celebrations, holidays and events come and go but Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever and is available to all who will turn to him. My prayer is that you will know His grace and love in your present situation. David Williams Inverness Christian Fellowship
Kinmylies Church of Scotland Kinmylies Way, Inverness. Sundays 10.30am. Tel: 01463 714035. Website: www.kinmylies.co.uk Kirkhill (Wardlaw) Church of Scotland Sundays 10.30am. 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 North Kessock, Church of Scotland Main Street, North Kessock. Tel: 01463 731712. Website: www.churchofscotland.org.uk Old High St Stephen's, Church of Scotland 1) Old High Church, Church Street, Inverness. Sundays 11.15am. Tel: 01463 250802. 2) St Stephen’s Church, Southside Road at Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness. Sundays 10am. Tel: 01463 250802. Website: www.oldhighststephens.com This is listed alphabetically from I to O and will regularly be rotated. If you are a member of a church not listed here, please email us with details and we may print this in future issues.
tel: 01309 690063
SpotLight on Inverness and District
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USEFUL INFORMATION
Local Holidays
Inverness Holiday St Andrews Day Christmas Day Boxing Day New Year’s Day Scottish Bank Holiday Burns Night
Mon 5th Nov 2012 Fri 30th Nov 2012 Tues 25th Dec 2012 Wed 26th Dec 2012 Tues 1st Jan 2013 Wed 2nd Jan 2013 Fri 25th Jan 2013
Winter Term Ends Spring Term Starts Holiday Closure Holiday Closure Regional Closure Regional Closure
Thurs 20th Dec 2012 Mon 7th Jan 2013 Mon 11th Feb 2013 Tues 12th Feb 2013 Wed 13th Feb 2013 Thurs 14th Feb 2013
Shrove Tuesday Mother’s Day Good Friday British Summertime Begins Easter Monday Early May Bank Holiday Spring Bank Holiday
Tues 12th Feb 2013 Sun 10th Mar 2013 Fri 29th Mar 2013 Sun 31st Mar 2013 Mon 1st Apr 2013 Mon 6th May 2013 Mon 27th May 2013
Regional Closure Spring Term Ends Good Friday Holiday Easter Monday Holiday Summer Term Starts May Day Holiday
Fri 15th Feb 2013 Thurs 28th Mar 2013 Fri 29th Mar 2013 Mon 1st Apr 2013 Mon 15th Apr 2013 Mon 6th May 2013
School Term Dates
Useful Telephone Numbers
Police Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08456 005703 Bus Station, Inverness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239292 Citizens Advice Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08444 994111 Dalcross Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 464000 Highland Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01349 886606 National Rail Enquires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08457 484950
SCHOOLS Aldourie Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 751272 Ardersier Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 462344 Auldearn Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 452118 Balloch Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 790287 Balnain Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 476262 Beauly Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782576 Bishop Eden’s Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 237103 Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 725980 Cannich Bridge Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 415304 Cauldeen Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 235905 Cawdor Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 402460 Central Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 233906 Charleston Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 234324 Cradlehall Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 791195 Crown Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 233879 Croy Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 493356 Culloden Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 790851 Dalneigh Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 232636 Daviot Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 772226 Dochgarroch Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 861240 Drakies Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 236032 Drummond School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 701050 Duncan Forbes Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 791897 Farr Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01808 521246 page 8 - November 2012
atrick
Foyers Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 486612 Glen Urquhart High School . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 459134 Glenurquhart Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 450458 Hilton Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 230435 Holm Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 232697 Inshes Primary School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 725920 Inverness High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 233586 Inverness Royal Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 222884 Kinmylies Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239720 Kirkhill Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 831543 Lochardil Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 230250 Merkinch Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 232962 Millbank Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 452240 Millburn Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 729152 Muirtown Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 239537 Nairn Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 453700 Raigmore Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 234971 Rosebank Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01667 454090 Smithton Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 791606 St. Joseph’s R.C. Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 231837 Strathdearn Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 226197 Stratherrick Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01456 486630 Teanassie Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 782581 Tomnacross Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 741497
Other useful numbers including village halls, and community centres, vets, doctors, and dentists are rotated on a regular basis and will appear in subsequent issues. If you have any suggestions for additional numbers, please contact us and we may include them in the magazine.
tel: 01309 690063
SpotLight on Inverness and District
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PARLIAMENT BLOG & TIDE TIMES
Parliament Blog
lay
UHI is a real source of pride for all of us in the Highlands so, I was delighted to show off progress to my cabinet colleague, Vince Cable MP, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he visited Inverness this month. I was able to show him the progress at the UHI Inverness Campus site before visiting a career and training exhibition in Eastgate shopping centre organised by the Scottish Provincial Press . We also visited the Cathedral Old Boys School, where Dr Cable was guest of honour at a 'vintage tea party' and coffee morning. The event - which was open to the public - included a short Q and A - delving into the Secretary of State's experience in government and his views on the economy. Local Liberal Democrats had funded the event and many had given up their time to both arrange and take part in the event. I count myself very lucky that so many of the Highland Liberal Democrat supporters are willing to give up their time to take part in events like this across the north even in the worst 'Highland weather'. It was great to see so many people there, both to contribute and to take part and I'd like to thank all those who came along to help and those who just popped in for a coffee. I particularly enjoyed the home-baking, which was to die for!
I am not sure that it is in accordance with Scottish Government policy, but I did enjoy a dram at around 10:30am the other morning. It was, of course, in the line of duty! A visit to Glenkinchie Distillery, near Edinburgh, to highlight the fact that the number of people visiting the Diageo distilleries in Scotland had risen by 14% to around 271,000 in the year to this June. A young Danish teacher happened, at the same time as me, to be visiting the distillery with her student party. She was corralled into doing a couple of photos along with me, each of us sampling the amber nectar! As they say: it is a tough job, but someone has to do it! Later that morning, I opened the newly named Caledonian Waldorf Astoria Hotel at the West End of Princes Street, including unveiling of the Hamilton and Inshes Clock, which is set five minutes fast to help hotel guests avoid missing their train. The longest serving staff member, Billy Garioch, who has worked at the Caley Hotel for forty years, told us of the time that he nearly refused entry to Liz Taylor and Richard Burton, because they looked a wee bit scruffy. This was in 1967 when they were filming the Taming of the Shrew and to avoid being identified by the public, Liz Taylor wore a black veil upon entering the famous hotel. After these two events in the day, it was a bit of an anti-climax to listen to the debate in Holyrood later in the afternoon. Politicians are not accustomed to so much glamour. But it is great to see the investment in our hotels and distilleries throughout the land and the great hospitality food and service offered to visitors to Scotland from all over the world.
Danny Alexander MP
Fergus Ewing MSP
LOW TIDE TIMES FOR INVERNESS IN NOVEMBER Walking on the beach should be possible 2 hours either side of these times 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
TH F SA SU M TU W
AM 06:28 06:51 07:04 07:23 07:54 08:40 10:22
PM 18:58 19:28 19:40 20:03 21:02 22:45
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
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AM 00:36 01:38 02:28 03:18 04:08 04:57 05:44 06:28 07:13 07:59 08:47 09:38
PM 12:05 14:07 14:55 15:43 16:32 17:19 18:04 18:49 19:38 20:30 21:28 22:33
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AM 10:31 01:14 02:20 03:13 03:59 04:35 04:53 04:53 05:26 06:01
PM 23:51 12:11 13:43 14:43 15:33 16:16 16:49 17:14 17:39 18:11 18:46
Christmas List The entire Castle is exclusively yours for your Christmas Party
*Minimum 10 people per booking
able Avail ay from d every t 1st a S mber Deceto 2nd Sat 2mber Dece
Soup, Stovies, Scrumdidleeumptious Afternoon Teas Sticky Toffee Pudding Sip in Regal Splendour & Ice Cream Sandwiches, Scones, ÂŁ40 Dinner ÂŁ40.00* Soft Ice Cream per person Lashings of Tea & ÂŁ20.00* Lunch ÂŁ20 Cream Cakes per person ÂŁ10.00* per person
Hot Dogs, Hot Chocolate, Ice Cream & Cookies, Crafts with Mrs Claus, Wee Gift with Santa in the Drawing Room Child ÂŁ10.00* per person Adult ÂŁ10.00* per person Babies under 6 months FREE
BOOK
To Book your Date and Time Contact: Twinkletoes, Head Elf 4EL s EMAIL TWINKLETOES CASTLESTUART COM s WWW CASTLESTUART COM page 10 - November 2012
tel: 01309 690063
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SpotLight on Inverness and District
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Please send Us details Of YOUr events Website: www.spotlighton.co.uk email: michelle@spotlighton.co.uk telephone: 01309 690063
‘What’s On’ listings deadline for december issue is friday 2nd november. Please note: information supplied to spotlight is received in good faith, therefore, we may not be responsible for errors in the ‘What’s On’ section.
lau @ ironworks 7.30pm. tel: 0871 7894173. website: www.ironworksvenue.com • outstanding in his field: stewart francis (comedy) 7.30pm, empire theatre, eden court.
1 thursday - 4 sunday casablanca: the gin joint gun various times, onetouch theatre, eden court, . tel: 01463 234234.
1 thursday - 30 friday
OCTOBER 29 monday - 4 november
jeff van weereld (visual arts) stalls gallery, eden court, . t: 01463 234234 • mike webster (visual arts) blink gallery, eden court, free admission. t: 01463 234234.
lifeboat christmas stall 9.30am - 5pm daily. eastgate centre, inverness.
2 friday
29 monday - 24 november “rekindle kinloss� (exhibition) moray art centre, the park, findhorn. tel: 01309 692426.
30 tuesday nina nesbitt @ ironworks 7pm. 14+. tel: 0871 7894173. www.ironworksvenue.com • doug scott cbe: moments of being (talk) 7pm. eden court, . mountaineering legend. tel: 01463 234234 • jasmin vardimon (dance) 7.30pm. eden court, t: 01463 234234.www.jasminvardimon.com • “eternal sunshine of the spotless mindâ€? (film) 7.45pm. eden court cinema.
31 wednesday 2012 scottish mental health arts & film festival in highland: birchwood highland concert 7pm. hootananny, inverness. donation on the door • the shakespeare schools festival 7pm. eden court cinema, tel: 01463 234234 • prom praise (music) 7.30pm. empire theatre, eden court. t: 01463 234234. www.allsoulsorchestra.org • 3 magic words: 7.30pm. highland spiritual cinema, www.highlandspiritualcinema.net
NOVEMBER 1 thursday
3 saturday inverness farmers market 8.30am - 3pm. www.invernessbid.co.uk/events • great glen walking club: meet at 9am highland council car park. t 01463 236204 • lifeboat stall 9am. inverness farmers market. christmas cards & stocking fillers • the wolfe tones (music) 7.30pm. ironworks, inverness. 16+. tel: 0871 7894173 • highland showtime 7.30pm. eden court, inverness. music and dance. tel: 01463 234234 • hammers (music) doors open 8pm. flanagans bar, elgin. a night of punk, crust & sludge metal.
3 saturday
“my mind is with the drawing� 5.15pm. universal hall, findhorn. free admission. booking advised. contact 01463 279344. email: events@uhi.ac.uk SpotLight on Inverness and District
inverness abc boxing amateur tournament @ ironworks 7pm. north of scotland select vs north of wales & merseyside select. ÂŁ20. tel: 0871 7894173. “moray stone cutters for 50 yearsâ€? by drew baillie 7.30pm - 9.30pm. elgin museum hall. ÂŁ3 or ÂŁ2 . t: 01343 543675. email: curator@elginmuseum.org.uk bbc scottish symphony orchestra: schubert’s great c major 8pm. eden court, t: 01463 234234 • skerryvore 8pm. strathpeffer pavilion. www.skerryvore.com “you can’t eat moneyâ€? (music) 8pm. universal hall, findhorn. ÂŁ8/ÂŁ6 t marie jacques: 01309 672956. www.katesvoices.co.uk • nina nesbitt (music) 8pm. the loft, east grange farm, kinloss, iv36 2ud. t: 01343 850111. www.ninanesbittmusic.com
-
4 sunday
arts, crafts, and food fair 10am - 4pm. strathpeffer pavilion. free admission. t: 01463 250127 • elgin model fair 10am - 5pm, elgin town hall, elgin. £4.50,
tel: 01309 690063
November 2012 - page 11
£3.50, £3, family (2+2) £12. under 5s free. enquiries@elginmodelrailwayclub.co.uk
4 sunday inverness ramblers’ walk: loch romach near forres 9am. meet at highland council car park. call 01463 236204 • an evening with sir chris bonington 7.30pm, empire theatre, eden court, t: 01463 234234.
5 monday civic bonfire & fireworks display 7.30pm - 8.30pm. bught park, admission free. tel: 01463 724262.
6 tuesday scottish ornithologists’ club: rory crawford on “scotland’s seabirds” 7.30pm. culloden library. tel: 01463 221661 or 01808 511740 • inverness floral art club 7.30pm cauldeen school. new members & guests welcome •mercury” by pauline nacrae (highland astronomical society) 7.30pm - 10pm. smith-culloden free church, inverness. www.spacegazer.com • kungsbacka piano trio 8pm. town house inverness. 01463 234234.
7 wednesday “climate change” by dr john ramsay 12.30pm 1.30pm. perrins centre, alness. £1 min. all welcome. no need to pre-book. t: 01463 710577 • inverness college open evening 5.30pm - 7.30pm. longman campus. information on evening courses, january starts, and ucas application support for september 2013 • medieval landscapes and resource utilisation 7pm. highland campus centre for health science, behind raigmore hospital.
7 wednesday - 11 sunday inverness film festival 10th anniversary. www.2012.invernessfilmfestival.com
8 thursday scottish opera: the magic flute 7.15pm. empire theatre, eden court, . tel: 01463 234234 • music nairn presents “the schubert ensemble” (piano quintet) 7.30pm. nairn community and arts centre. playing brahms, jonathan dove and elgar. t: 01667 453476
9 friday tim kliphuis trio 1pm. town house, inverness. classics with a jazz touch • www.invernesschambermusic.com • calum stewart & heikki bourgault (music) 8pm. universal hall, findhorn. £10/£8 conc/£6 u16. tel: 01309 691170. www.universalhall.co.uk
10 saturday nairn allotment society “Talk & Gardeners Question Time” nairn community & arts. t: 01667 453476.inverness ramblers’ walk: inverfarigaig - foyers circular, 6.5 miles 10am. meet at highland council car park. t 01463 236204 • craft fair by creative moray firth 10am – 7pm. inverness thistle hotel, millburn page 12 - November 2012
NAIRN Nairn Community & Arts Centre Your Your local venue for films, shows, concerts, and parties. Wide range of activities for all ages. Wide
NOVEMBER EVENT EVENTS S Thursday 8th .................................................................. Music Nairn: The Schubert Ensemble - Piano Quintet Saturday 10th ............................................ Nairn Allotment Society: TTalk alk & Gardeners Question TTime ime Friday 23rd .................................................................. ..................................................................Cinema Cinema Nairn: (2011) “The Great White Silence” (201 1) Cert U Friday 30th.............................................. 30th.............................................. Rotary Club Fashion Show Dec ................. Craft Fair in aid of Alzheimer Scotland Saturday 1st Dec.................Craft For further details, telephone 01667 453476, e-mail info@nairncc.co.uk or check out our website www.nairncommunitycentre.co.uk at www .nairncommunitycentre.co.uk
road, t: 01381 61030, jenny.brogden@btinternet.com • tasty ness 2012 11am - 4pm. mercure hotel, 33 church street, sample dishes, watch cookery demos, get involved in our taste theatre • craft fair 11am - 4pm. resolis memorial hall, black isle. refreshments available • scottish opera: the magic flute 7.15pm, empire theatre, eden court, pre-show talk at 6pm (tickets are free but limited). tel: 01463 234234 • dingwall primary school night out fundraiser for the children’s xmas party with ezra 8pm. the legion, dingwall. £10 tickets from spar shop at the top of the high street, start 9pm.
10 saturday - 11 sunday commonwealth capers all around eden court, free admission. t: 01463 234234 • moray piano competition 2012 elgin town hall. www.moray-piano-competition.co.uk
11 sunday great glen walking club: cloddymoss – west findhorn bay - meet at 9am highland council car park. t 01463 236204 • craft fair by creative moray firth 10am – 5pm. inverness thistle hotel, millburn road, . t: 01381 610301. jenny.brogden@btinternet.com • inverness blitz awards 2012 5.30pm. ironworks, tel: 0871 7894173. www.ironworksvenue.com & www.invernessblitz.co.uk
tel: 01309 690063
SpotLight on Inverness and District
12 monday andy torbet: operation iceberg: arctic science, adventure and film-making 7.30pm - 9pm. highland council chamber, glenurquhart road, iv3 5nx. ÂŁ8 adults. free for students, u18s, and rsgs members. tickets available on the door.
Firthview Windows Clearly a different outlook
12 monday - 17 saturday the haunting by charles dickens (drama) eden court, various times and seat prices. t: 01463 234234.
13 tuesday inverness gardening club agm 7.30pm, mackenzie centre, inverness. new members welcome. t : 01463 224445 • “freedom of expressionâ€? (the pink castle philosophy club) 7.30pm. riverside lounge, glen mhor hotel, ness bank, www.pinkcastle.eu
14 wednesday “the usa and trilliums� (highland garden rock club) 7.30pm. nairn community centre. illustrated talk by robert unwin. t 01320 366246
15 thursday - 2 december craft fair eden court. free. t: 01463 234234.
16 friday arts, crafts, and food fair by exclusively highlands 1pm - 9pm. bishop’s palace, eden court, free. supporting ms centre. tel: 01463 250127 • stuart brown’s raymond scott project: jazz night doors open 7.30pm. carnegie hall, portmahomack. tel: 01862 871452. www.wegottickets.com/event/182386
17 saturday great glen walking club: creag beag/loch gynack, 7 miles meet at 9am highland council car park. t 01463 236204 • cake walk 10am. highland council, glenurquhart road, iv2 5nx. craig monie and divach falls. 6 miles. t 07724 992790 • learn about study with the open university (ou) 10am – 3pm. eastgate shopping centre, eastgate, iv2 3pp. www.open.ac.uk/events • “wee careâ€? soup, pudding & sale 11am - 2pm. the salvation army hall, tomnahurich street, inverness. various stalls, face paint-
MORAY AY THE MORAY PIANO O COMPETITION 2012 201 12 EL LGIN TOWN O ELGIN HALL Saturday 10th November - Qualifying Rounds Age 16 years and under 9.30am Age 12 years and under 12.20pm Age 20 years and under afternoon session 3.00pm Age 20 years and under evening session 6.45pm PUBLIC ADMISSION FREE Programme ÂŁ3
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off. t: 01463 225276 • explore the river beauly 11am - 3pm. walk of roughly 5km. bring lunch. booking essential. t: 01463 710786 • christmas lights switchon 5.30pm - 6.30pm. inverness town house. fun for all the family
17 saturday - 18 sunday arts, crafts, and food fair by exclusively highlands 10am - 5pm. bishop’s palace, eden court, free. supporting ms centre. t: 01463 250127.
18 sunday inverness ramblers’ walk: ascent of fionn bheinn, 7.5 miles 8.30am. meet at highland council car park. t: 01463 236204 • gilded balloon comedy circuit 8pm. onetouch theatre, eden court, t: 01463 234234. the proclaimers + blueflint (music) 8pm, eden court, £26.50 only 4 tickets per customer. t: 01463 234234.
Tickets at the door Adults: ÂŁ8 8 (no concession) concession) 8 free free Children under 18
Adjudicators: Paul Roberts and nd Charles Owen Owen Outstanding young pianists from home e and and abroad abroad compete compete for for a share of prize money totalling talling ÂŁ4000 www.moray-piano-competition.co.uk petition.co.uk The Moray Piano Festival Trust is a registered d Scottish Scottish Charity Charity No. SC032432 SC032432
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19 monday
Sunday 11th November - 2.30pm - Finals
SpotLight on Inverness and District
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20 tuesday tea & competition fundraiser for the greyfriars club open 6.30pm. eyes down at 7.30pm. the supper room, elgin town hall. t: 01343 544487 • highland literary salon 7.30pm. glenmhor hotel.
tel: 01309 690063
November 2012 - page 13
21 wednesday “seeking the norse” by david macdonald 12.30pm 1.30pm. dingwall community centre, tulloch steet, dingwall. £1 min. donation no need to pre-book.
22 thursday rspb highland local group 7.30pm fraser park bowling club, inverness. life at leighton moss. t: 01997 433283 or 01463 220013.
23 friday “chicago nights” (musical) 7pm. ironworks, in support of the archie foundation. t: 0871 7894173. cinema nairn presents “the great white silence” (u) 2011 7.30pm. nairn community and arts centre. stunning remastered version of 1939 film of scott's heroic journey to the south pole. tickets at door. tel: 01667 453476. cinemanairn.blogspot.co.uk • felicity ashton - alone in antartica 7.30pm. eden court. tel: 01463 234234.
24 saturday inverness ramblers’ walk: whitewell into the lairig ghru, 13 miles 8.30am. meet at highland council car park. t 01463 236204 • rspb highland local group 9am. highland council car park. outing to cromarty firth north. t: 01997 433283 or 01463 220013 • salsa night (charity event) 7.30pm. rec hall, raigmore. fundraiser for aileen trappitt climbing mount etna in may 2013 for cystic fibrosis. £10. contact: atrappitt09@btinternet.com • inverness choral society’s autumn concert 7.30pm. eden court, contact box office: 01463 234234 • daniel sloss: the show 8pm, onetouch theatre, eden court, £15.50 / £11. t: 01463 234234. • daimh (music) 8pm. universal hall, findhorn. £12/£10/£8 u16. tel: 01309 691170. website: www.universalhall.co.uk
25 sunday
great glen walking club: orrin wind farm circuit, 8.5 miles meet at 9am highland council car park. t: 01463 236204 • karine polwart 7.30pm. onetouch theatre, eden court, t: 01463 234234 • carol concert 3pm. empire theatre, eden court, £13 / £7. t: 01463 234234.
28 wednesday spiritual reality: the ultimate guide to meditation 7.30pm. highland spiritual cinema, inverness. highlands & islands autism society support group 7.30pm. mackenzie centre, culduthel road, inverness. all welcome. t: 01463 235384.
30 friday nairn rotary club “Fashion Show” nairn community & arts. t: 01667 453476. arts, crafts, and food fair by exclusively highlands 1pm - 8pm. bishop’s palace, eden court, free t: 01463 250127 • “representations of st andrew” by charles burnett, ross herald of arms extraordinary 7.30pm - 9.30pm. elgin museum hall. £3, or £2 t: 01343 543675.
This space could have been your advert. If you wish to advertise in SpotLight, contact us on (01309) 690063. We cover Buckie & District, Elgin & District, Forres & District, Inverness & District, Nairn & District, and Strathspey.
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Chef’s Confidential Curried butter butternut nut squash, sweet potato ato & coconut ssoup Ingredients Ingr edients One lar large ge sweet potato (appr (approx. ox. 500g) One medium butter butternut nut squash (appr (approx. ox. 800g) 1 medium onion 500ml of coconut milk 1½ good stock cubes (chicken or veg) 1 garlic clove A thumb sized piece of ginger 1 tbsp of chilli flakes or 1 hot chilli 2 tbsp madras powder (I used 1 tbsp mild madras) 2 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
Method Bring 1.3 litr es of water to the boil and cut the sweet potato litres and squash (no need to peel but wash thor oughly!) into thoroughly!) medium sized chunks, scraping out the seeds fr om the from squash. Add to the pan of water and simmer for 20 minutes or until cooked thr ough and the skin peels of through offf easily. Drain using a sieve over a lar ge bowl or other container large container,r,, then add the stock cubes and mix well. Peel the sweet potatoes and squash once cool enough to return to the pan. Roughly chop the onion, handle then return ginger and garlic before before frying in a separate pan with some oil on a medium heat. Once the onions ar e starting to tur n are turn golden, add the curry powder and chilli to for m a paste, form more oil if rrequired. equired. Add to the pan of squash and adding more potatoes, befor e pouring over all the coconut milk and before simmering for 10 minutes. Leave to cool for several minutes befor e pouring half the before stock and half the coconut and veg mixtur e into a blender mixture or food pr ocessorr, rrepeat epeat the process process with the rrest est of the processor, batch. Season if needed. Serve hot with some naans or warm br ead of your choice! warm bread
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Robbie Sheriffs Sheriffs Bog Roy Inn, Kirkhill, IV5 7PX Tel: Tel: 01463 831 296
All round satisfaction at... At the Bog Roy Inn we pride ourselves with Passion, Flair and Excitement. Our friendly, attentive staff and creative new Kitchen staff would love to make your time with us a memorable one. All day Sunday Carvery launching on 14th October 12.30 - 8.30- booking advisable 1 course - £8.25, 2 courses .............. £11.75 Over 60's Lunch every Wednesday 2 courses + Coffee/Tea ...................... £5.50 Venue for conferences/team meetings/ training sessions with full conference facilities
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travel
Dreaming of... ...South Island, New Zealand
Although it takes 24 hours to get there by plane, the South Island of New Zealand is a beautiful and rewarding place to visit and to do it any justice stays should not be shorter Cable Car Queenstown than about 2 weeks (and another 2 weeks for the North Island is required). We started by flying through Los Angeles and Auckland and we arrived into Christchurch for our first night. After the devastation of the earthquakes in February then June 2011, they are getting back on their feet and are eager for people to return to help with the economic plight of Christchurch. Although the devastation is still fully visible and the Central Business District (or CBD as it’s known locally) is out of bounds, there is still plenty to do here. You can take a punt on the River Avon which flows through Hagley Park and around their botanical gardens or visit the museum which has a large and varied display of local culture and a very emotional display of messages, all in the shape of hearts from around the World after the earthquake. We then drove from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo and were stunned by the beauty of the azure blue waters glinting in the sunshine. We stopped at the Church of the Good Shepherd which is a must for photo opportunities. Lake Tekapo has been given World Heritage Status for its night sky. Mt John Observatory provides night sky tours if you enjoy star watching! We then drove down to Dunedin and along the Otago Peninsula where you can look for the Yellow-Eyed Penguins, Fur Seals or the Albatross colony. Larnach Castle is also well worth a visit. From there we moved on to Te Anua and took a cruise along the Lake to see the Glowworm Caves. This is a fascinating underground adventure through a 15,000 year old cave system to the Glowworm Grotto to see hundreds of tiny Glowworms do a fantastic light show! Suitable for all ages. Next stop, Milford Sound where we took a cruise. The Milford Road is a stunning alpine drive. Visitors need to allow plenty of time to make the drive, if travelling independently, as this is a steep and windy highway. At 119km (approx 75 miles) from Te Anau to Milford Sound, the sealed road takes a minimum of 2 hours driving without allowing for stops. Visitors to Milford Sound will not be disappointed. Its truly spectacular scenery has remained unchanged throughout the ages. Water is what makes Fiordland such a lush place with countless lakes, rivers, streams and waterfalls. You should be prepared to enjoy some rainfall during your stay. Queenstown is the “adventure capital�. For serious adrenalin junkies you can bungy jump, canyon swing (recommended!), take a jetboat tour (exhilarating, fun and wet!) or mountain biking. For the not so adventurous, you can take the Skyline Gondola, have a meal in the restaurant with fantastic views over Queenstown, ride the Luge, which is great fun, or take a cruise aboard the iconic TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu to see a working farm at Walter Peak. Other activities available include walking on Glaciers, travelling in 2nd World War DUKWs (amphibious trucks with seats) and any number of death-defying trips in white water, in and out of boats. Queenstown has it all. With a fantastic choice of hotels, restaurants and activities – there is something here for everyone. A busy and tiring time but would do it all again in a flash!
18
Information kindly supplied by Lake Tekapo
2-6 South Street, Elgin 01343 548844 ‡ +LJK Street, FRUUHV
CHRISTMAS MARKETS Treat yourself to a trip to a Christmas market this year
Edinburgh to Budapest 22 Nov 3nts B/B From ................ £322.00
Edinburgh to Prague 10 Dec 3nts B/B From ................ £243.00
Edinburgh to Munich 03 Dec 2nts B/B From ................ £262.00
Inverness to Belfast 10 Dec 4nts B/B From ................£374.00
Glasgow to Berlin 03 Dec 2nts B/B From ................ £256.00
All Subject to availability. All prices are per person. Extra nights can be added on subject to availability and cost.
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events
Elgin BID- Christmas Light Switch On Celebration Saturday 24th November 2012 Elgin BID are delighted to host another fabulous, festive fun filled Christmas Light Switch On Celebration on Saturday 24th November 2012 in Elgin City Centre from 11am – 5.30pm. Why not come along and join in the magic of Christmas, with a day that offers something for everyone with a wide range of fun, music and entertainment that will suit everyone in the family. Join the Cairngorm Mountain Reindeer as they parade through the town centre from Johnston Carmichael and through the West End. The parade starts at 2.00pm and the Reindeer will spend the rest of the afternoon at the East End of the Plainstones outside Walkers shop till approx. 4.00pm. Meet these amazing animals and find out all about them – you can even sponsor a Reindeer.
Amy Royan from Music Mania. There is also an afternoon of entertainment in St Giles Centre (unit 7 old New Look) with Elgin an District Pipe Band, Nae Reel, Moray Dance, Blair Mcleod. with more to be confirmed. Don’t forget the local City Centre business and farmer’s market stalls, offering a unique range of high quality, locally produced food, drink, crafts and gifts, ideal for getting that special Christmas present. Street Entertainment will be provided by Bubbles the Clown and if you are feeling extremely extravagant why not visit the Arnold Clark Car Display and see if you source a bargain. For the chance to win cash prizes to be spent with a City Centre retailer enter the Christmas treasure hunt which takes you around the whole City Centre area and you may even find a clue or 2 in a car!!
To make the event particularly special, Elgin BID
At 5.00pm the giant Christmas Tree Lights will
has secured a wide range of local musicians
be switched on with a spectacular light show
who will be happy to entertain you throughout
and Lantern Parade which starts at 4.45pm.
the afternoon. With Elgin and District Pipe Band,
Then to finish off Fortunate Sun close the fun of
to Elgin City Band and Ceilidh to Rock, there is
the day. So why not come along and enter
something to suit everyone. We are particularly
into the Christmas Spirit, and have a wonder-
proud to welcome back Stewart McLeod and
ful day out.
ELGIN BID To keep up to date with Elgin BID events for the coming year follow us on our website or facebook: www.elginbid.cok.uk or www.facebook.com/elginbid here you will find details of all our events for 2013. You will also be able to find out what is happening with Elgin BID and about new businesses moving into Elgin City Centre and developments with our existing businesses.
20
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Elgin BID businesses and team.
Elgin BID – Christmas Light Switch On & Light Show Saturday 24 th November 2012 11.00am – 5 .3 0pm Elgin City Centre Come along and join the celebration with music, entertainment and fun for the whole family. Visit the Street Market, offering a wide range of high quality food, drink, crafts and gifts. See the Arnold Clark Car Display & much, much more. For full programme listings and more details visit our web site or follow us on facebook www.elginbid.co.uk or www.facebook.com/elginbid
Programme of Events 11.30am Elgin and City Pipe Band 12.15pm Nae Reel 12.45pm Moray Dance 1.15pm Amy Royan and Stewart Mcleod 1.30pm Blair McLeod 2.00pm Cairngorm Mountain Reindeer Parade 2.20pm Wot’s Next 3.00pm Fat King George 3.50pm Rock Academy 4.10pm Jack & Jill Nursery 4.30pm Elgin City Band 5.00pm Christmas Light Switch On 5.10pm Fortunate Sun *Listings are approximate timings and subject to change
21
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ASK ABOUT OU PATCHWORK & QUILRTI NG CLASSES Open from Monday to Friday from 9.30 to 5pm and Saturday 9.30pm to 4pm Late Night Wednesday till 8pm 167 High Street, Elgin IV30 1DW
01343 547559
email: veroquiltedpatch@yahoo.co.uk Web: veroquiltedpatch.co.uk
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Property section
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A new Inverness interior design business is offering expert advice to help individuals create a style which is unique to them and expresses how they want to live
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Curtains for Christmas? It’s not too late!! Property section
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Property section
23
PL r d O EA & PE SE 24 N CA th D LL N AY FO ov R e DE m TA be IL r S
Property section
A quality, affordable and spacious new development in Auldearn, why live anywhere else?
Completely re-built, and re-developed into 10 stunning, high quality, two bedroom flats, with private, own access. The Lion Apartments at Auldearn by Nairn are distinuished by the beautiful finishes and tasteful fixtures and fittings. With apartments starting from only £125,000, it’s the perfect time to buy your new home. And for a limited period only there are huge additional savings to be made. Please ask for details. For a brochure or for further details and viewing information, please call 0800 028 1294.
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