DECEMBER 2016
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Words by the Wayside "...turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart." (1 Samuel 12:20)
Christian, it's the easiest thing in the world to turn aside from The Lord and set our affections on vain things, which neither profit us nor bring glory to our God. To be spiritually minded is life and peace for the Christian. "He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose." Go advance your Saviour's Glory.
Merry Christmas to all from the team at green moray renewables
Electrics Plumbing Solar PV & Thermal Biomass & Air Source Heat Pumps 01309 675595
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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 Free, confidential help & support to the relatives & friends of problem drinkers. Local weekly groups in Highland area. Call 020 7403 0888 for a local contact number for your area or visit www.al-anonuk.org.uk BOYS BRIGADE Contact 452950 BLAZIN NEEDLES Tuesdays from 1:30pm - 3:30pm at The Bike Shed, Grant Street, Inverness. A friendly drop-in group for anyone interested in working with wool or textiles. A beginner looking for a hand or an experienced knitter looking for company this is the group for you. Donations for room hire and teas and coffees. CAKE WALK & STORY GROUP Regular walks for all ages. For more details call Guy on 07724 992790/www.guyandjocelyn.org COMMUNITY KRAFT CLUB Meets alternate Thursdays from 2pm - 4pm in 'The Tearoom' beside the CAB Office. Contact number 01667 453289
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CULBIN SINGERS Regular Thursday evening practice sessions take place in St Leonard's Church Hall in Forres. New members welcome. For info email alasdair @manachie.eclipse.co.uk DALLACHY AERO MODELLERS Model aircrafts & helicopter flying at old Dallachy World War 2 airfield. Mainly at weekends. Offers training on dual control. www.dallachyaeromodellers. org.uk 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.gayness.org.uk or e-mail jampa40@yahoo.co.uk GEDDES W.R.I. Call Mrs Evelyn Cumming 404237. HARMONY MUSIC THERAPY SCOTLAND Individual and Group Music Therapy sessions to encourage, enable and empower all ages and abilities through interactive music experiences. Will travel to private homes, facilities and schools. Call Kristen Macleod on 07770427396. NAIRN DISABLED SPORTS CLUB We cater for bowlers and athletes who have a disability. Contact 07766 952477 NAIRN DOMINO LEAGUE Contact 452496
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page 4 - December 2016
NAIRN EQUESTRIAN FUN CLUB Contact 01309 641474 NAIRN HIGHLAND GAMES COMMITTEE Contact 452422 or email info@nairnhighlandgames.co.uk www.nairnhighlandgames.co.uk NAIRN LACE GROUP Self-help lace group meets Thursdays from 7pm - 9.30 pm in Nairn Community Centre,
Contact number 01667 453521 NAIRN PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY AND CAMERA CLUB Tuesdays at 7:30pm in Nairn Community Centre. Sept - April. For info contact Dave Freeman (President) on 360026 or email dave@nairncameraclub.co.uk NAIRN LADIES CURLING CLUB Friendly club offering good fun social curling. New members welcome. Contact 404256 NAIRN ROAD RUNNERS Thursdays, 7.30pm club night at the Maggot. Small, friendly club catering for all running abilities. Call Louise Scott on 451835 info@nairnroadrunners.co.uk NAIRN SAILING CLUB (NSC) Friendly club offering dinghy & cruiser sailing for all levels and ages. Beginners welcome. Regular social events at our clubhouse at Nairn Harbour. www.nairnsailingclub.co.uk nairnsailingclub@yahoo.co.uk NAIRN SCHOOL OF DANCING Wednesdays 3.30pm at the British Legion Hall. Contact Mrs Fraser 01463 729477 NAIRN SMASHERS BADMINTON CLUB Mondays & Wednesdays 9am 10.30am, Fridays 9am - 10am in the Games Hall, Nairn Sports Club. A sociable group and new members are always welcome, irrespective of ability. Call Mrs Jan Stuart on 07742 019286 NAIRN SPORTS CLUB Something for everyone - Fitness classes, Gym, Tennis, Squash & Badminton Courts, Sauna, Nonmembers welcome. Contact 454523 or email info@nairnsportsclub.co.uk SEAFORTH CLUB Private members club, welcoming guests & visitors to a warm, comfortable and friendly environment. Weekend entertainment, incl. bingo & dancing to live music. Contact 452509 SJÖGREN'S SYNDROME AND
tel: 01309 690063
LUPUS SUPPORT GROUP Meetings arranged on an adhoc basis. For more information call Sheena on 01343 820635 or Susan on 01343 842656 THE ACCIDENTALS Nairn’s Community Choir practices Wednesdays, 7:30pm 9:30pm at St Columba’s Church Hall, Queen Street. Sing a cappella in four-part harmony. New members welcome. Call Christine Oliver on 01667 453793 or just come along. TREES FOR LIFE CONSERVATION DAYS … Spend a day out in the Highlands working to restore the fabulous Caledonian forest. Transport, tools and training provided. Pick up from Forres for volunteers over 18. Usually every second Wednesday. Booking is essential. Call the office on 01309 691292 or volunteer@treesforlife.org.uk to join the email list. WESTERN FRONT ASSOCIATION We hold 9 meetings per year on Saturday afternoons in Elgin Library. Open to anyone with an interest in WW1. Contact Derek Bird on 01343 870562 or email chairman.wfasnb@virgin.net www.wfascotlandnorth.org.uk
PLEASE NOTE: Details of Clubs & Societies are published on a rotational basis.
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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... PASTORAL LETTER & CHURCH MEETINGS
The Moral Compass
As time draws near, and we are coming to the end of the year, and with many new things in sight, including a new President of the United States of America, it never dawns upon us that we need to have some kind of moral guidance in our lives to draw upon. We live in a complex, confusing and often frightening world, which is changing so rapidly that even a map can become so quickly out of date. But the funny thing is that the direction in which the needle of a magnetic compass points always remains the same, one pointing north and one pointing south. Constantly providing direction to anyone who wishes to navigate through this big bad world. And the Bible is also something similar and uniquely the same and is widely accepted as a source of moral guidance. For
example all the four most prosperous countries in the world apply its moral science, and use it as a compass to navigate through life’s minefield of immoral justice. Where, If its teachings are followed, the Bible does point us in the right direction, through a rather thin and long path that otherwise would lead to destruction through life’s immoral mine fields. This may not seem much of an analogy, but in the physical sense of the word - interpreted correctly it does make sense of life, as history points. The Ten Commandments, for example, are astute and incredible, and appertain to almost every legal, sublime and rational moral principle in our lives, and with clarity gives us a golden rule to follow. We all know it is wrong to kill or steal, to cheat , to lie or misbehave, and we are all aware of the effects immorality can have on a people. Who in
Ardersier with Petty Parish Church, Church of Scotland Sundays 10.15am. Petty Sundays 12 noon.Tel: 01667 462224. Auldearn and Dalmore Parish Church Sundays 12noon. Contact Revd. Thomas M Bryson on 01667 451675. Cawdor Parish Church Sunday 10.15am. Contact Rev David M. Anderson, Locum Minister on 07802 452 293 Nairn Baptist Church Nairn Community Centre. Sundays 11am. Contact Rev. Dr. Philip Egglestone on 01667 452764 or Secretary on 01667 452428. www.nairnbaptistchurch.org.uk Nairn Christian Fellowship Sundays 10.30am. Wednesday 7.30pm: praise and Bible study. Call Sandy Shaw on 01667 456492. Nairn Free Church Sundays 11am with Sunday school and crèche, 6pm at Gordon St, Nairn. Wednesdays: Cafe at 10am, Junior Club at 6pm, for P4-P7 and Youth Club at 7pm for S1S6. Thursdays: Tiddlywinks: Parent and Toddler group at 10am and Bible Study Prayer Meeting at 7pm. Contact the Minister, Murdo MacLeod, on 01667 459131. Nairn Old Parish Church 10.30am: Sunday School and crèche. Contact Rev. Alison Mehigan on 01667 453777
page 6 - December 2016
their right mind would not be appalled at the many things we see on tv, and read in our news papers. The Bible may not be for everyone, nor its interpretation given properly, the infestation of religion and religious immorality can be see every where. But what is wrong with loving your neighbour as yourself? What is wrong in being a law abiding citizen? There is nothing wrong in this which is all our hopes and dreams, to live in a peaceful world, where we can look forward to Christmas, and look forward and look forward to a new, new year. There is nothing wrong in following our dreams, and the stars, but during daylight, we still need a compass. Rev. Tommy Bryson, Nairn St Ninian’s.
St. Ninian’s Church Sunday services and Sunday school: 10.15am. Contact Revd. Thomas M Bryson on 01667 451675. St Columba’s Scottish Episcopal Family Eucharist on Sundays at 10.30am. Holy Communion on Wednesdays at 10.30am. Contact Rev. Dean Alison J Simpson 01667 452458 St Mary’s Catholic Church IV12 4RJ. Saturday Vigil 6pm. Sunday Mass 10am. Tel: 01667 453323. United Reformed Church Sunday services and Sunday School with crèche 11am. Contact John C Brown (Secretary) 01667 453373. The Pentecostal Church of God Nairn Sundays 10.30am. Contact Minister JD Grant on 01667 456088 or visit www.churchofgodnairn.com Nairn Joint Service at Nairn St Ninian's Church of Scotland. First Sunday each month at 6:30pm. If you are a member of a church not listed here and would like to be considered for inclusion or if there are any amendments to existing details, email linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk
tel: 01309 690063
admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk
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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... USEFUL INFORMATION
Local & Bank Holidays and Special Days St Andrew’s Day Shortest Day Christmas Day Boxing Day Boxing Day (substitute day) New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day New Year’s Day (substitute) Burns Night
Wed 30th Nov 2016 Wed 21st Dec 2016 Sun 25th Dec 2016 Mon 26th Dec 2016 Tues 27th Dec 2016 Sat 31st Dec 2016 Sun 1st Jan 2017 Mon 2nd Jan 2017 Wed 25th Jan 2017
Shrove Tuesday Tues 28th Feb 2017 Ash Wednesday Wed 29th Feb 2017 Valentine’s Day Tues 14th Feb 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
School Term Dates for 2016/2017 (all dates inclusive) Winter Term Starts Mon 24th Oct 2016 Winter Term Ends Fri 23rd Dec 2016 Christmas Holiday Starts Mon 26th Dec 2016 Christmas Holiday Ends Fri 6th Jan 2017 Spring Term Starts Mon 9th Jan 2017 Mid Term Holiday Mon 20th Feb 2017 Mid Term Holiday Tues 21st Feb 2017 Spring Term Ends Wed 5th Apr 2017 Spring Holiday Starts Thurs 6th Apr 2017 Spring Holiday Ends Fri 21st Apr 2017
Summer Term Starts Mon 24th Apr 2017 May Day Holiday Mon 2nd May 2017 Summer Term Ends Fri 30th Jun 2017 for 2017/2018 (all dates inclusive) 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 21st Oct 2017 Winter Term Starts Mon 23rd Oct 2017 Winter Term Ends Fri 22nd Dec 2017 Christmas Holiday Starts Mon 25th Dec 201
Useful Contacts Nairn Community Centre ..............................01667 453476 Police Station ..................................................................101 Stagecoach Inverness ...................................01463 239292 Citizens Advice Bureau .................................01667 456677 Nairn Museum................................................01667 456791 Dalcross Airport ...............................01667 464000/462280 Inverness Job Centre........................01463 888100/888200 Highland Council ..........................................01667 458500 Victim Support................................................01463 710806 Samaritans ....................................................01463 713456 Gas - Emergency ............................................0800 111999 Water - Emergency ........................................03456 008855 British Red Cross Inverness ..........................01463 231620 Crossroads ....................................................01667 455369 National Rail Enquiries ..................................03457 484950 Railway Mission..............................................078419 85768 DOCTORS NHS 24 ...........................................................................111 Nairn Hospital A&E .......................................01667 452101 Nairn Healthcare Group ................................01667 452096 Nairn Sports Medicine Clinic ........................01667 454523 PHARMACIES Lloyds Pharmacy ..........................................01667 453100 Boots The Chemist ........................................01667 453169 page 8 - December 2016
VETS Moray Coast ..................................................01667 453161 Inshes Veterinary Clinic Inverness ................01463 711777 SCHOOLS Auldearn Primary School ..............................01667 452118 Cawdor Primary School ................................01667 402460 Millbank Primary School ................................01667 452240 Rosebank Primary School ............................01667 454090 Nairn Academy ..............................................01667 453700 Moray College Nairn Learning ......................01667 456759 DENTISTS Jones Jones & Behrendt ..............................01667 453189 RM Donald & Associates ..............................01667 454603 Dental Unit at Nairn Hospital ........................01667 422722
If you would like to add a contact or if there are any amendments to existing details, email linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk
tel: 01309 690063
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For when you really need legal help based on 770 reviews
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Early Years Childcare Due to an increase in demand, Drumduan School’s Kindergarten is expanding and additional places are now available. We offer children aged 3-6 years a play-focused curriculum in a ‘home from home’ environment. At the end of Kindergarten, children have the option to continue their education at Drumduan by progressing to our Lower School.
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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!! *January Issue Deadline: Friday 2nd December* 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.
Rolling Events 28 november - 10 December a little bit of everything - exhibition by laura anne middlemiss & heather afrin tbc, greig street studio & gallery, inverness pencil, watercolour, oil, pastel seascapes, townscapes, etc
30 november - 10 December babes in the wood & robin hood 7.30pm & 3pm (sunday only), the little theatre, nairn. nairn drama club panto. visit www.nairndrama.org.uk.
NOVEMBER 2016 30 wednesday nairn u3a: highland archives: preserving the past for the future 1.45pm, nairn community & arts centre. all welcome. contact: pauline. www.nairnu3a.org.uk. social diners - why eat alone? 12.30pm, for dining venue info & to book call gill on 01349 877061. soup & coffee morning jointly run by dyke & district village hall & dyke church 11am - 1pm, dyke & district village hall. all welcome.
DECEMBER 2016 1 thursday bullet for my valentine@ironworks, inverness. tbc, www.ironworksvenue.com. nairn & district gardening club - agm 7.30pm - 9.30pm, nairn community & arts centre. gardening quiz, buffet & raffle. visit www.spanglefish.com/nairnanddistrictgardeningclub for further info.
1 thursday - 3 saturday the breathing space - s.a.d. light exhibition by claire crowie tbc, the victorian market, inverness. based on bringing the outdoors indoors, using shop space to create a place to breathe & relax.
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December 2016 - page 13
garden
GreenThumb
UK FRANCHISE OF THE YEAR RUNNER UP
2013
Lichen – fungus on the lawn explained ! I’ve mentioned this before. One of the joys of our wonderful environment up here is the clean air, and one of the organisms which thrives locally (but rarely in Glasgow) is dog lichen. There are hundreds of species here, growing on trees, rocks and on the grass ! It is particularly at home on ground which has become compacted and is low on nutrients. It is one of the most common questions we get from baffled homeowners, and many have found that the garden centre people aren’t sure how to deal with it. We shift it by aerating the ground with a big hollow-core tining machine which removes thousands of cores from
grass. As with all things in nature, it’s about competition. There are no chemical products which remove lichen. Golf courses do this all the time, and so do we. Aerating the ground over winter should be part of routine lawncare in any case. The freeze/thaw, freeze/thaw weather we get compacts most ground round here which prevents tender new plant roots spreading, even if the grass has had a spring feed. The ground is too solid.
For more information about our annual lawncare plans from just £11.25 per mth, plus useful downloads and photos, go to www.greenthumb.co.uk. Although GreenThumb is a multi-award winning national franchise, and is the runaway leader in the sector with half a million customers, we are the family-run local franchise covering the wider Moray Firth area. Contact Alastair or Fiona for a FREE LAWN ANALYSIS on 01667 460012, or email us at: the ground allowing air to circulate. A regular feeding programme for the lawn strengthens the grass and this tips the balance of conditions back in favour of the
inverness@greenthumb.co.uk
Alastair Watt
Prices from just
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with tea & bakes. visit www.cinema-nairn.co.uk.
daniel hart: at one with music performance 1pm, spectrum centre, margaret street, inverness. mix of classical & latin piano music. cinderella: presented by logie primary school & the highland youth theatre doors open 6.30pm for 7pm, forres town hall. adults £4, children £2 (incl mulled wine & mince pies). contact: logie primary school on 01309 611258. festive quiz 7.00pm, dyke & district hall. adults £5, kids £2.50. give your brain a workout at our festive quiz. max teams of 5. suitable for p4 age & up. byob & nibbles. contact: claire doughty on 0784 6145050 or email claire@chitchat.scot.
6 tuesday
2 friday - 10 saturday jack & the beanstalk 7.30pm & also 2.30pm (saturdays only. no, florian theatre, bught park, inverness.
3 saturday
grandmaster flash@ironworks, inverness 7.30pm. visit www.ironworksvenue.com st michael's christmas fayre 10.30am - 12.30pm, trinity church hall, huntly street, inverness. £2 (incl. teas/coffees & mince pies). usual stalls. all welcome. coffee morning in aid of logie primary school 10am 12pm, forres town hall. raffle, stalls & homebakes. st andrew's ceilidh with the dunphail dance band, 8pm, rafford village hall. adults £8, u16s £4. refreshments. contact: anne/gordon smith on 01309 672930/01309 675949 or email raffordvillagehall@yahoo.com.
3 saturday - 4 sunday brodie castle christmas craft & food fair 10am - 4pm, brodie castle. £4. exclusively highlands return to brodie castle with over 40 stalls of wonderful wares and fabulous foods. contact: rebecca harrison on 01309 641371 or email raharrison@nts.org.uk. visit www.nts.org.uk. elf on the shelf festive hunt 11am - 4pm (sunday), inverness victorian market. free family fun event. candy treat for every entry. prize draw to win a christmas hamper if you name all the elves.
4 sunday great glen walking club: kinlochewe mountain trail 9am, highland council car park, glenurquhart road, inverness. grade - b. distance: 5 miles.
5 monday rsgs illustrated lecture: doug allan: oceans at the crossroads. world renowned wildlife cameraman discusses climate change & its effects on our oceans. 7.30 p.m., highland council chamber, glenurquhart road, inverness. adults £10; tiso oe card holders £8. contact: robert preece at rpreece@onetel.com. visit www.rsgs.org. cinema nairn: the lavender hill mob 2pm, nairn community & arts centre. tickets at door. matinee page 16 - December 2016
scottish ornithologists' club highland: stinky priest swallows woosh: a ringer‘s year - a talk by hugh insley & jon clarke 7.30pm, culloden library, keppoch road, culloden, inverness. contact: kathy bonniface on 01463 221661/01808 511740.
8 thursday highland decorative & fine arts society: " brilliant british humour in the forgotten art of the picture postcard 1909-1939 " by mr james taylor. 2.15pm, free church hall, smithton, inverness. non-members £8. new members welcome. contact: david martin on 07595 219308 or email davidmartin30@hotmail.com. visit www.hdfas.org.uk
9 friday 2manydjs@ironworks, inverness. tbc. visit www.ironworksvenue.com. martha reeves & the vandellas@ironworks, inverness. 7pm. visit www.ironworksvenue.com. musicinverness: scozzesi - quartet of professional, classically trained male singers. 7.30pm, smithton culloden free church nairn literary institure : set adrift on the world - the sutherland clearances talk by jim hunter 7.30pm, nairn free church. non-members £3. visit www.nairnliterary.org.uk.
10 saturday great glen walking club: loch affric circular 8.30am, highland council car park, glenurquhart road, inverness. grade - c+. distance - 10 miles. we were giants@mad hatters, inverness. tbc, free let's go back to the 80's@ironworks, inverness. tbc, visit www.ironworksvenue.com. winterslam@ironworks, inverness. 7pm, ironworks, inverness.visit www.ironworksvenue.com. inchberry hall folk music christmas concert (idca): emily smith, multi award winning scottish folk singer - folk music band doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm 10pm, inchberry hall. tickets - see website. www.wherecanwego.com. ascent: concerts by candleight 7.30pm, inverness cathedral. scottish ensemble playing seasonal classics. christmas fayre 11am-2pm, dyke & district hall adults £2, kids £1. stalls, refreshments, festive music & raffle. contact: claire doughty on 07846145050 or claire@chitchat.scot. visit www.dykevillagehall.co.uk
10 saturday - 11 sunday christmas market at logie steading 10am - 3.30pm, logie steading, south of forres off the a940. free, free parking. two day market: over 30 stalls including jewellery, christmas trees, wreaths, gifts, festive produce. bbq. hot drinks. for info contact: panny@logie.co.uk. visit www.logie.co.uk.
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11 sunday
15 thursday
christmas at the castle: the marvel of peru - a festive ensemble of baroque music and your favourite carols to join in with by the marvel of peru. 3pm & 5pm, brodie castle. £15. booking advised. contact: rebecca harrison on 01309 641371 or raharrison@nts.org.uk. www.nts.org.uk/events. christmas celebration in aid of marie curie: 10th anniversary concert 3pm, ness bank church, inverness. adults £8, u18s. free. tea & coffee after concert. contact: vonnie carson on 01463 238328/ 07515 190240 or email vonnie.carson@mariecurie.org.uk.
rspb: "the 2015 national golden eagle survey" 7.30pm, greyfriars free church, balloan road, inverness. members £3, visitors £4. all welcome.
12 monday light & life 7pm - 9pm, costa coffee, high street. elgin free. spiritual readings & art, personality styles, dream interpretation, massage, healing for body, soul & mind. contact: alyson sim on 07733 127539.
13 tuesday the tto christmas charity concert 7.30pm, drumrossie hotel. tickets available from tto members. an evening of christmas sparkle & festive fun in aid of l'arche who care for disabled adults. for info email contact@thetrulyterribleorchestra.org. inverness botany group: "mountain flowers" - a talk by michael scott 7.30pm, smithton culloden free church. visit www.invernessbotanygroup.com.
14 wednesday frightened rabbit@ironworks, inverness 7pm. visit www.ironworksvenue.com. highland rock garden club: "an erratic journey through the world of plants" - talk by stan da prato. 7.30pm, nairn community & arts centre. £4 (incl refreshments). all welcome. contact: john owen on 01320 366246. inverness field club: back to the future - a talk by jim hunter 7.30pm, millburn academy hall, inverness. personal reflections on why history & heritage are keys to highland betterment. nairn u3a: pre-christmas social event 1.45pm, nairn community & arts centre. all welcome. contact: pauline on 01667 453537. visit www.nairnu3a.org.uk
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16 friday mad ferret band@hootananny, inverness 9.30pm, root system/fighting caravanshootananny, inverness 9.30pm, all welcome. gary beck@ ironworks, inverness 10pm. visit www.ironworksvenue.com. winter wonderland fri: 6pm, sat & sun: 4pm, whin park, inverness. santa, his reindeer & his mascot friends return to the beautifully illuminated park
17 saturday inverness choral society annual carolthon 10.30am 3.30pm, eastgate shopping centre, inverness. nonstop carol singing in aid of charities. caman@hootananny, inverness 9.30pm.
17 saturday - 18 sunday meet cinderella 10am -4pm (hourly slots), brodie castle. £6. come along & meet one of your favourite princesses & take away a magical gift. booking advised to ensure your place. contact: rebecca harrison 01309 641371 or email raharrison@nts.org.uk. visit www.nts.org.uk/events.
18 sunday andrew mill & four fingered fre@hootananny, inverness. 9.30pm great glen walking club: achindrean circular 9am, highland council car park, glenurquhart road, inverness. grade - c. distance - 6 miles..
26 monday
nairnroadrunners: turkey trot tbc, nairn. burn off those extra christmas calories. visit www.nairnroadrunners.co.uk. great glen walking club: fortrose - kincurdie rosemarkie circular 10am, highland council car park, glenurquhart road, inverness. grade - c. distance - 6 miles. boxing day walk.
27 tuesday red hot chilli pipers@ironworks, inverness 7.30pm. visit www.ironworksvenue.com ragin ceilidh band@hootananny, inverness 9.30pm.
29 thursday manran 7pm, strathpeffer pavillion. all welcome
31 saturday the red hot highland fling 8pm, northern meeting park, inverness. free. legendary family friendly (no tickets required) hogmanay concert. hogmanay dance 9pm - 1am at rothes fc social club. £10. visit rothesfcsocialclub.co.uk.
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December 2016 - page 17
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Brodie, Forres, Moray, IV36 2TD www.oldmillinnbrodie.com Finalist in ‘Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards 2015’ for ‘The Friendliest Pub’
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, Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On Diary, Restaurants, Reviews and articles, Schools, Holidays Tides, Useful Numbers and more... PARLIAMENT BLOG & TIDE TIMES This month most farmers have received four fifths of their CAP basic payment. This is in part to make amends for some late payment last year.
With the colder winter nights now upon us itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time keep an eye out for our elderly and more vulnerable neighbours. With over 13000 households in Moray living in fuel poverty it is important that home owners explore all avenues to upgrade their home heating or insulation, with free advice being available from the Energy Saving Trust (www.energysavingtrust. org.uk/scotland or by calling 0808 808 2282, calls are free and they are available Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, and on Saturday from 9am to 5pm. The festive time is one best shared with family, friends and loved ones so let us take a moment to remember those who are away from home at this time, perhaps working offshore or protecting us serving in the armed forces or indeed those who are in hospital, along with the doctors and nurses caring for them. Our health and wellbeing is something often taken for granted but if we take the time to look out for others we can all make the coming new year a happy and prosperous one. May I extend my warmest greetings for a Merry Christmas and wish everyone a very Happy New Year when it comes.
Many farmers make their financial investment decisions about this time of year, so having some money in the bank may help stimulate the rural economy - a good thing! Last month I held summit meetings on salmon farming, forestry shellfish and hope to see all of these and many other parts of the rural economy grow - despite the uncertainties about what the future may hold. A merry Christmas and happy new year to all from Fergus, Norman, Rosie and Danielle!
Douglas Ross MSP LOW TIDE TIMES FOR NAIRN IN DECEMBER Walking on the beach should be possible 2 hours either side of these times AM PM 06.22 18.51 1 TH 06.56 19.23 2 F 07.20 19.40 3 SA 07.20 19.43 4 SU 07.44 20.28 5 M 08.31 22.28 6 TU 10.36 23.45 7 W page 20 - December 2016
Recently, in parliament, I reminded the UK Government, that it has the opportunity to put rural areas at the front of the queue for rolling out new technology, by adding a condition into 5G licences that prioritises rural areas. This "outside in" policy works well in Scandinavia and Germany and it is about time it happened here. Until then though, we had better keep a few of those familiar red boxes and I'm pleased that BT have agreed to retain our red box at the base of the Cairngorms ski slope - the highest phone box in the UK. With over 450 miles of road in the Highlands without -any- mobile phone signal we still have a long way to go before we can safely move on from the reliance on landlines for rural areas. That said, the announcement by the Scottish Government that the A9 dualling will enable 4G connectivity along the length of that road, is very good news indeed.
Fergus Ewing MSP
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AM 12.00 01.03 02.12 03.12 04.09 05.01 05.49 06.33 07.16 08.00 08.40 09.07
Drew Hendry MP
PM 13.29 14.49 15.46 16.39 17.27 18.14 19.01 19.48 20.39 21.32 22.27
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AM 09.18 10.09 00.42 01.55 02.48 03.27 03.42 03.58 04.40 05.23 06.05 06.43
PM 23.24 11.18 14.31 15.22 16.03 16.34 16.59 17.30 18.06 18.43 19.21
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Words by the Wayside "and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea...there remained not so much as one of them." (Exodus 14:27,28)
Reader, Christ has opened up a way for us through the waters of judgement, there is safety alone in Him. By Christ's death the believer in Him is cleared from all judgement and penalty of sin, for they are in Christ, and in Him there is no sin. Peace with God is the happy and eternal portion of the believer in The Lord Jesus Christ, outside of Him there is no hope but only judgment to come. 1 Bridge Street, Forres IV36 1DU (01309) 673258 tdlogie@btconnect.com www.tdlogieforres.co.uk
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recipe
Chef’s Confidential
Savoury Feta Cheese Muffin Muffins tick all the boxes—they’re loved by kids and adults alike, they can be sweet or savoury but always provide a satisfying snack, they come in handy individual portions, and they provide a truly endless variety of recipe possibilities. They’re simple to make, and a great way to experiment with new flavour combinations. This month’s recipe is supplied by The Peppermill Restaurant in Forres. Ingredients: (makes 12) 4 cups plain flour 1 cup wholemeal flour 4tsp baking powder 1tsp bicarb. soda 350ml oil 350ml yoghurt 5 eggs splash of milk 200g feta cheese 1 bag of spinach, cooked Method line a 12 hole muffin tray with muffin cases, or grease well. preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Sieve the flours, baking powder and bicarb. together in a mixing bowl, and add the spinach and feta and coat in the flour mixture. Mix the oil, eggs, yoghurt and milk together and add 3/4 to the flour mixture, adding more if needed. specks of flour should remain in the mixture and it should not be overmixed. divide the muffin mixture into the prepared muffin tray (fill the cases to the top) and bake until well risen and firm to touch.
118 High Street, FORRES IV36 1NP ¬
Alvin Kramer
Westwood, Littlemill, Nairn
GUITAR & BASS TUITION
Tel: 01667 454 536
Creative Lessons for All Ages, with Musicians Institute (USA) Graduate
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FIXTURES DECMBER 2016 3rd Dec (H) Montrose
10th Dec (H) Berwick Rangers
17th Dec (A) Arbroath
24th Dec (A) TBC
Inverness CT
3rd Dec (A) St Johnstone
10th Dec (H) Hamilton Accies
17th Dec (A) Kilmarnock
24th Dec (A) Rangers
Ross County
3rd Dec (H) Hearts
Elgin City
Buckie Thistle
3rd Dec (A) Fort William
28th Dec (H) Motherwell
17th Dec (H) Aberdeen
24th Dec (H) Partick Thistle
28th Dec (A) Celtic
17th Dec (A) Forres Mechanics
24th Dec (H) Cove Rangers
31st Dec (H) Rothes
10th Dec (A) 17th Dec (A) Wick Academy Strathspey Thistle
24th Dec (H) Fort William
10th Dec (A) Dundee 10th Dec (H) Nairn County
Clachnacuddin
3rd Dec (H) Formartine Utd
Forres Mechanics
3rd Dec (A) Deveronvale
10th Dec (A) Fraserburgh
17th Dec (H) Buckie Thistle
24th Dec (A) Keith
31st Dec (H) Formartine Utd
3rd Dec (A) Strathspey Thistle
10th Dec (H) Fort William
17th Dec (A) Nairn County
24th Dec (H) Forres Mechanics
31st Dec (A) Cove Rangers
Lossiemouth
3rd Dec (H) Wick Academy
10th Dec (H) Huntly
17th Dec (A) Inverurie Locos
24th Dec (H) Brora Rangers
31st Dec (A) Deveronvale
Nairn County
3rd Dec (H) Fraserburgh
10th Dec (A) Buckie Thistle
17th Dec (H) Keith
24th Dec (A) Formartine Utd
31st Dec (A) Clachnacuddin
3rd Dec (A) Inverurie Locos
10th Dec (H) Brora Rangers
17th Dec (A) Deveronvale
24th Dec (H) Fraserburgh
31st Dec (A) Buckie Thistle
3rd Dec (H) Keith
10th Dec (A) Formartine Utd
17th Dec (H) Clachnacuddin
24th Nov (A) Wick Academy
31st Dec (A) Fort William
Keith
Rothes Strathspey Thistle
techno
New website a boost to the community!
The new Spotlight website is now up and running and it is aleady proving a great source of information and fellowship for the Moray and Highland community. Our aim is to bring the great knowledge and support we gather from the public for our magazines to a web-based forum that can be accessed any time and from anywhere. Most of the website is free to use and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to register. If you do want to register, it is free and will provide you with a localised search function, as well as the ability to post your own information! Clubs and Societies have their own page and people can register and claim their own listing or post a new one for free. Then it will go into our next magazine issue automatically. We have this same resource for Trades, Places to Eat and people wanting to post Events and Articles. Check today to see if your listing is already online. There are many types of Articles which we encourage the public to submit for publication to the website. Subjects range from Weddings to Gardening to Parliament Blogs. We have tonnes of local information such as Restaurant Reviews, Useful Contacts and Dates and an aspect we are particularly proud of - our Diary of Events which is updated daily. In addition we have a new Jobs page specially dedicated to the Moray and Highland area which can be used by recruiters and jobseekers alike. Recruiters
can have single or recurring job space or even banners to grab extra attention. Jobseekers are welcome to search the job list or even upload their CV free of charge. We offer limited advertising space on the website to stay true to our goals but if you do want to advertise we would love for you to contact us to see what is available. The website has already had thousands of visitors and is growing on a daily basis so go to www.spotlighton.co.uk today and see what is happening in your community!
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environment
Is The Electric Ca Coming to the N I’ve been watching the development of electric cars for quite a few years now, always wanting to be able join this silent revolution, but not wanting to buy into something that was not yet cost effective and practical to do. At last, that time has come and we are now the proud owners of a Nissan Leaf car. It was less than 2 years old and only had 14,500 miles on the clock, so was still looking and feeling pretty new to me, but cost less than £9,000, whereas new ones are about £18,000. Since the launch of the 3rd generation Leaf, the second hand market for the older ones has really taken off, which I assume is down to Leaf owners upgrading to the latest model with extended range! It was a joy to drive for the first time, effortlessly gliding around the country roads at the touch of a single pedal, barely needing the brake due to the generative braking technology as the foot comes of the accelerator. Even when the brake is needed, it does more regeneration before applying the actual wheel brakes. Soon we were testing its range, finding out the most economical way of driving it and finding out how to recharge the batteries away from home. Although Nissan claim that it will do up to 124 mile on a single charge, we’ve found that 85 miles is a more realistic range, especially if you want to go at a decent speed. Often, it’s only by trying things out that you learn the best way to do things, so we set off on a 330 mile round trip to Edinburgh. It was a long 6 hour journey down there, but we reduced this to 5 hours coming back by improving our rechargeing
Alastair Watt
r Revolution orth Of Scotland? regime. Most people are not aware that the EV rapid chargers get the batteries up to 80% within about 20 minutes before going into trickle mode for the last 20%. This means that it can take over an hour to fully charge the batteries, which is not ideal, so we ended up only recharging to 90% on our way back to Forres, which dramatically reduce our trip time. We’ve now had it for 6 months and have clocked up over 9000 miles, mainly on short commutes to work and ferrying the kids around. In fuel terms this would have cost us over £900 in our 65mpg Skoda, but has instead it has cost us about £350 in electricity, a saving of over 60%! We are also expecting to make big savings in maintenance because EVs have about 18 moving parts, whereas a typical diesel or petrol car has over 2000. In terms of savings, we think it will pay for itself within 8 years. The economics of owning an EV really starting to add up, and I hope that continuing improvements will help to make this a “No brainer” for most of us. Interestingly, it is predicted that most new vehicles will be electric within the next 10 years and other countries such as Japan and Norway are already well ahead of the UK in this respect. So come on Forres, lets not get left behind, start embracing the electric revolution and save yourself a fortune, as well as the planet! There is a great deal of information on the web, but I would definitely recommend the ‘Fully Charged’ YouTube channel is one of the best places to catch up on all the latest electric car technology. Peter Mitchell, EV owner Dallas, Forres
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