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Clubs and Societies 1ST NAIRN BOYS BRIGADE Fri, 6pm - 7pm (Anchor Section.

P2 & 3); 6.30pm - 7.45pm (Junior Section, P4.5. & 6); 7.15pm - 10pm (Company Section, P7 & upwards), Nairn Old Parish Church Hall. Call 01667 452950 CAWDOR BOWLING CLUB Fri (Club night), 7pm. Interested in taking up bowls, improving your skills or taking part in competitions? We would love to see you – new members always welcome. Check Facebook or just turn up. Call 01667 493960 or elsieandgreg@btinternet.com www.facebook/cawdorbowling

FAMILY FIRST (BADENOCH, STRATHSPEY & NAIRN) Support service via home based volunteer support & or group support for families with a child under 4. Call Lynne on 01667 452865 GEDDES W.R.I. For more information call Evelyn Cumming on 01667 404237 GIRLGUIDING NAIRN Call Jane Burns on 07962 190557 or email at nairnshiregirlguiding@gmail.com

CAWDOR CURLING CLUB For further information call 01667 493960 CHILDREN’S HIGHLAND DANCE Wed, (Preschool) 3.30pm 4.30pm & (Beginners) 4.30pm 5.30pm, Nairn British Legion Hall. Call Elizabeth Fraser on 01463 729477

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NAIRN & DISTRICT SENIOR CITIZENS LUNCH CLUB Mon & Thurs, 12.30pm, Nairn Community Centre. Two course lunch, tea, coffee & biscuits.

Bingo, raffles, trips out & entertainment. New members welcome. Call Marleen McInnes on 01667 452886 NAIRN ANGLING ASSOCIATION For further information call 01667 459250 or email at nairnangling@tiscali.co.uk NAIRN BRIDGE CLUB Tues (Sept- Mar), 6.45pm, Nairn Bowling Club, Albert Street, Nairn. Join us for a friendly game of Duplicate Bridge. Call David on 01667 451838 NAIRN COMMUNITY TRANSPORT Nairn Community mini bus hire for local groups & charities. Call 01667 459337 or email at nairncommunitytransport@ googlemail.com NAIRN FRIENDSHIP CLUB Tues, 2pm - 4pm, Nairn Community & Arts Centre. For over 16s, retired, disabled. Bring family & friends for an afternoon of entertainment. Tea, coffee & biscuits served. Entry £3. All welcome. Entertainers & volunteers needed. Call Moira

on 01667 455011 or 07716 183466

penguinstuxedo@outlook.co.uk PUPPETEERS Mon, 7pm, Nairn Old Parish Church. A group of enthusiastic puppeteers who use puppets to entertain & teach. Contact: Tom Boyle

NAIRN JOB HUB 2pm - 4.30pm (fortnightly), Nairn Library. Call Jenni on 01667 458556 or email at jenni.christie@highlife highland.com

ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION (RAFA) 2nd Tues of month, 8pm, Royal British Legion, Nairn. Offering friendship & welfare support to serving & ex-serving members of the RAF & their families.

NAIRN SOCCER SEVENS Mon (Easter to Oct), 6pm 7.15pm, Qualified SFA coaches provide coaching & games. For ages P2 - P7. Call 01667 452930 NAIRN SPORTS CLUB Something for everyone - Fitness classes, Gym, Tennis, Squash & Badminton Courts, Nonmembers welcome. Call 01667 454523 or email at nairnsportsclub@yahoo.co.uk NAIRN THUNDERBOLTS Sun, 10.30am - 12pm, Viewfield, behind Nairn Museum. Mini Rugby Club for P4 - P7.

Call 01667 454963. www.pitchero.com/clubs/ nairnminirugbyclub/ NAIRN U3A Learning & enjoyment for retired & semi-retired people in the Nairn area. Fortnightly talks & special interest groups cater for a wide variety of interests & tastes. Part of the National Third Age Trust. Call Pauline Ross (Sec) on 01667 453537 or email at Secretary@nairnu3a.org.uk www.u3asites.org.uk/nairn/home NAIRNSHIRE FARMING SOCIETY Please get in touch for further information, especially regarding the annual Nairn Farmers Show Call 01667 452760 or email at secretary@nairnshow.org.uk PENGUIN'S TUXEDO (THE) YOUTH STREET BAND Mon, 4pm – 6pm, The Seaforth Club, Nairn. Available to all young people aged 11-25yrs.

Youth led youth street band specialising in Brazilian percussion. Regular gigs & performances. Volunteer band leaders required, new members welcome. Call Jack or Liz on 07863 736075 or email at

tel: 01309 690063

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Entertainment & dancing every weekend. Highland Hall function suite available for weddings & parties of all sizes.

Call 01667 453201 SEWING GROUP NAIRN For more information call 01667 455012 SIGNPOST Guidance & support to voluntary groups & individuals in Nairn & Inverness-shire. Volunteering, funding, office services (typing, photocopying, book-keeping & more). Handypersons service Call 01667 455234 or email at nairn@signpost-inc.org T-EXCHANGE MAKERSPACE 3rd Fri of month, 7.30pm, Findhorn Village Centre. Make things, build things & exchange ideas.Call Bill on 07925 551191 THE ACCIDENTALS Wed, 7.30pm - 9.30pm, St Columba’s Church Hall, Queen Street. Nairn's Community Choir.

Sing a cappella in four-part harmony. New members welcome. Call Christine Oliver on 01667 453793

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

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As I write this we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t yet had much snow and I know that the reindeers will be looking forward to colder weather and extra feed when they start deliveries with Santa.

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Pastoral Le er & Church Meetings 16 The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you.

The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.

Have you ever noticed that before an airliner takes off the attendants tell you that if the plane gets into trouble you should secure your own oxygen mask first before attempting to help others?

At first it seems selfish, where I have

often thought ‘what if you have a child with you, shouldn’t their needs come first? It sounds selfish but it’s not – it’s smart - for unless you get enough oxygen yourself, how can you help others?

The problem is if we are not in a position to help ourselves we are not in a position to help others. It’s not about God helps those who help themselves but that there are certain risks to life, there are such a thing as burn out, over stretching ones self and that means establishing boundaries. Understanding that we cannot do everything, nor are we going to please everyone and that may also mean complaint!

In Exodus 16 the whole congregation complained against Moses and Aaron but both kept on leading anyway. They not only complained about the things they did not permit but also complained about the things they did permit. But here in Exodus God tells us that people who regularly violate boundaries need to be held accountable where the Bible

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 Rev. Thomas M Bryson on 01667 451675.

Cawdor L/W Croy and Dalcross Parish Church Sunday 10.15am. Contact Rev Robert E. Brookes on 01667 493717 or RBrookes@churchofscotland.org.uk 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. Call Sandy Shaw on 01667 456492.

Nairn Free Church Sundays 11am with Sunday school and crèche, 6pm at Gordon St, Nairn. Junior Club at 6pm, for P4P7 and Youth Club at 7pm for S1-S6. 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 2018

tells us that, “a short tempered man must bear his own penalty, and you cannot do much to help him”.

Proverbs 19. 9 and in 2 Thes 3.10 St Paul says, “he who does not work does not eat”.

The problem is we are always trying to rescue others from their problems, where pain is sometimes a better teacher than comfort where we do have to feel the heat before we see the light. David said, “before I was afflicted I went astray but now I obey Your word.” Psalm 119. 67. Just as the empty kettle will crack under intense heat so will you, if you allow your self, to run on empty? It’s not wrong to say no or take care of you first - it’s smart. Understand this; God doesn’t always give us what we want, sometime like in Exodus 16, he only gives us what we need and tests us to see whether we will really follow him.

Rev Tommy Bryson St Ninian’s Church, Nairn

St. Ninian’s Church Sunday services & Sunday school: 10.15am. Evening service at 6.30pm on the last Sunday of the month. Contact Rev. 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 Saturday Vigil 6pm. Sunday Mass 10.30am. Contact Fr Damian Martell on 01667 456024. www.nairn.dioceseofaberdeen.org 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 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

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

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

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

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

The BBC is preparing to scrap or restrict free TV licences for people aged above seventyfive years. This is a shocking proposal from an institution which has lost its way. For many people who reach this age, the TV is a source of entertainment and they may be living alone having lost their husband or wife. The BBC believe that many pensioners are now extremely wealthy.

I think they are confusing pensioners with BBC managers. The hounding of Cliff Richard by the BBC condemned by the Courts decision against them was proof that they had given priority to pursuit of a “scoop” over fair coverage. Now their decision to hound the most senior citizens seems to me to indicate that their top management all paid six figure salaries - have entirely lost their way.

I hope that the UK Government make it clear to the BBC that this proposal is wholly unacceptable.

Over the course of 2018 I have met with numerous organisations and charities working hard to help people in these difficult times.

As I meet these organisations I continue to be incredibly proud of the network of kindness in our communities.

I’d like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to all these organisations and their dedicated staff & volunteers who generously give their time to help others.

On this, my last column of this year, I’d like finish by wishing you and yours well for the festive season and the New Year. It is a time of year to hold your loved ones close, be thankful for what we have, and most importantly to stand with those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Fergus Ewing MSP

Drew Hendry MP

John Finnie MSP LOW TIDE TIMES FOR NAIRN IN DECEMBER

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

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Useful Information

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

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

Epiphany Burns Night Valentine’s Day St David’s Day Shrove Tuesday Ash Wednesday St Patrick’s Day

Sun 6th Jan 2019 Fri 25th Jan 2019 Thurs 14th Feb 2019 Fri 1st Mar 2019 Tues 5th Mar 2019 Wed 6th Mar 2019 Sun 17th Mar 2019

(H - Hindu; J - Jewish; M - Muslim; S - Sikh)

School Term Dates

for 2018/2019 (all dates inclusive) Winter Term Ends Fri 21st Dec 2018 Christmas Holiday Starts Mon 24th Dec 2018 Christmas Holiday Ends Fri 4th Jan 2019 Spring Term Starts Mon 7th Jan 2019 Mid Term Holiday Mon 18th Feb 2019 Mid Term Holiday Tues 19th Feb 2019 In-Service Day Wed 20th Feb 2019 Spring Term Ends Fri 5th Apr 2019

Spring Holiday Starts Spring Holiday Ends Easter Monday Summer Term Starts May Day Holiday In-Service Day Summer Term Ends Summer Holiday Starts

Addictions Counselling ..................................01463 220995 Alcoholics Anonymous ................................0800 9177 650 British Red Cross Inverness ..........................01463 231620 Citizens Advice Bureau .................................01667 456677 Crossroads ....................................................01667 455369 Inverness Airport...............................01667 464000/462280 Gamblers Anonymous ..................................0370 050 8881 Gas - Emergency ............................................0800 111999 Highland Council ..........................................01667 458500

Nairn Hospital A&E .......................................01667 452101 Nairn Healthcare Group ................................01667 452096 Nairn Sports Medicine Clinic ........................01667 454523 PHARMACIES Boots The Chemist ........................................01667 453169 Lloyds Pharmacy ..........................................01667 453100

Know the Score (Drug Helpline) ....................0800 587 587

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

Mon 8th Apr 2019 Fri 19th Apr 2019 Mon 22nd Apr 2019 Tues 23rd Apr 2019 Mon 6th May 2019 Mon 3rd Jun 2019 Thurs 4th Jul 2019 Fri 5th Jul 2019

Useful Contacts

Highland Migrant & Refugee Advocacy . . . . . . 01463 729152 Men in Recovery ............................info@meninrecovery.org

Nairn Community Centre ..............................01667 453476 Nairn Museum................................................01667 456791 National Domestic Abuse & Forced Marriage Helpline ..........................................................................0800 027 1234

National Rail Enquiries ..................................08457 484950 Police Station ..................................................................101 Raigmore Hospital Switchboard....................01463 704000 Railway Mission ............................................078419 85768 Samaritans ....................................................01463 713456 Stagecoach Inverness ...................................01463 239292 Victim Support ..............................................01463 710806 Water - Emergency ........................................08456 008855 DOCTORS NHS 24 ...........................................................................111 page 10 - December 2018

VETS Moray Coast ..................................................01667 453161 Inshes Veterinary Clinic Inverness ................01463 711777

DENTISTS Jones, Jones & Behrendt ..............................01667 453189 WIndsor House Dental Surgery ....................01667 454603 Dental Unit at Nairn Hospital ........................01667 422722 If you would like to add a contact or if there are any amendments to be made to existing details, email linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk

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Christmas 2018

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

Festive Party Nights

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

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

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

New Year Eve Gala Dinner and Dance

£75 per person

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

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

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

*January Issue Deadline: 29th November*.

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

November 2018

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

1 saturday - 29 saturday in the footprints of dinosaurs museum opening hours, inverness museum & art gallery. features models, real footprints from skye, as well as a new highland animation

1 saturday - 24 monday

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

1 saturday he 'elf on the shelf' hunt 11am - 5pm, the victorian market, inverness. free. all welcome abbamania@the ironworks, inverness, 7.30pm www.ironworksvenue.com village cafe rafford 10am - 2pm, rafford village hall soup, bacon rolls, delicious cakes, good company & a warm welcome. the place to be! cairngorms orchestra inaugural concert 7pm, inverallan church, grantown on spey. £5. strathspey’s community orchestra with guest choir bella voce . includes festive & light classical music & mince pies. email cairngormsorchestra@gmail.com inverness ramblers: rothiemurchus - lairig ghru loch morlich 9am, uhi car park, ness walk, inverness grade: b;, distance: 9.9 miles. call di on 01463 221787 or 07895 083137. www.ramblers.org.uk

a festival of the handmade gallery opening times, castle gallery, inverness. paintings, original prints, contemporary crafts & jewellery made by artists & designer/makers in scotland. www.castlegallery.co.uk

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

2 sunday big fish little fish: intergalactic planetary theme party @the ironworks, inverness, 2pm. rescheduled from 9th sept. www.ironworksvenue.com highland hospitals' carol concert in aid of clic sargent scotland 3pm, drumrossie hotel, inverness £14 from the music shop, 49 church street, inverness. all welcome

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

4 tuesday

1 saturday - 8 saturday royal mail letter to santa last day to post a letter to santa is 8th dec: father christmas, santa's grotto, reindeerland, xm4 5hq. don't forget the stamp!! nairn drama club pantomime: cinderella 7.30pm admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

with a matinee on 2nd at 3pm, little theatre, nairn. call cath stevenson on 01667 258512 or email at cathstevenson442@yahoo.co.uk

highland astronomical society: annual quiz & q&a session 7.20pm - 10pm, smithton culloden free church. all welcome. www.spacegazer.com scottish ornithologists' club highland: is the

tel: 01309 690063

December 2018 - page 15

SpotLIGHT Garden

Brought to you by:

What can we possibly be usefully doing in December?

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

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

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

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

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cairngorms national park a “farce run for a tiny minority”?. speaker peter mayhew 7.30pm, culloden library, keppoch road, culloden, inverness. £3 members; £4 non members. call 01463 772539 or 01808 511740 befriending information/training day: the role of volunteer befriending 9.30pm, highland hospice call maria cuthbert on 01463 246470 or email at m.cuthbert@highlandhospice.org.uk

5 wednesday weihnachtsfeier (christmas celebration) 7.30pm, st. ninian's church hall, culduthel road, inverness. celebrate christmas in the german style, with traditional food & drink, plus carols & readings. call richard baxter on 01463 571372 or email at richbax52@yahoo.com

6 thursday work of the masters students at the innovation school: dr george jaramillo of the innovation school, glasgow school of art will talk about the work being done at altyre campus 7pm, falconer museum, forres. members £2; non-members £3. call kiisty conti on 01343 563406 or email at kirsty.conti@moray.gov.uk nairn & district gardening club: agm, gardening quiz & christmas table decoration competition 7.30pm, nairn community & arts centre. call 01667 462410. www.spanglefish.com/nairnanddistrictgardeningclub the arts society highland: a cornucopia of christmas customs; speaker - jane tapley on the origin of several christmas traditions 2.15pm , the free church hall, smithton, inverness. tea, coffee & biscuits served after the lecture. email at info@theartssocietyhighland.org.uk http://www.tasscotlandni.org.uk royal society of edinburgh@inverness: quantum wonerland speaker - prof erika andersson, heriot watt university 7pm - 8pm, the atrium, inverness royal academy. free entry. for p7 to s6 & adults

6 thursday - 20 thursday

welcome

7 friday - 9 sunday eden 2: christmas arts, crafts & food fair in aid of the highland hospice tbc, eden court, inverness. free. over 70 exhibitors - alcoholic beverages, cakes & patisseries, crafted chocolates, unusual cheeses

8 saturday moravian orienteering: saturday & moray & nairn schools league tbc, cooper park, elgin www.moravianorienteering.org lewis capaldi@the ironworks, inverness tbc. www.ironworksvenue.com christmas concert in aid of richmond fellowship nairn & cancer research uk 7.30pm, united reformed church, crescent road, nairn. £5 from dimensions hair salon, leopold street, nairn. raffle & refreshments. call cath stevenson on 01667 258512 or email at cathstevenson442@yahoo.co.uk christmas fair & cafe 10am - 2pm, rafford village hall local crafts, unusual gifts; food - cakes, drinks & a very warm welcome nairn literary institute: the work of scottish natural heritage in the highlands; speaker - george hogg 7.30pm, nairn free church, gordon street, nairn. email info@nairnliterary.org.uk. www.nairnliterary.org.uk

8 saturday - 9 sunday logie steading christmas market 10am - 4pm, logie steading. free entry & free parking. over 40 stalls, hot food & a fantastic festive atmosphere, come down & browse, shop, eat & soak up some christmas spirit. call jo laing on 01667 458900 or email at christmas.market@logie.co.uk www.logie.co.uk/logie-steading-christmas-market christmas art fair & open studios 8th: 10am - 4pm & 9th: 12pm - 4pm, wasps links studios, grant street, nairn. all welcome

9 sunday

spectrum support group room 133 (every thurs) 12pm - 1pm, the guidance team, inverness college, uhi. all welcome

inverness ramblers: circuit of clunas reservoir 9.30am, uhi car park, ness walk, inverness. grade: c; distance: 6.3 miles. call carol on 01463 239883. www.ramblers.org.uk

7 friday

10 monday

skerryvore@ the ironworks, inverness, 7.30pm,all welcome. www.ironworksvenue.com scottish ensemble: musica adventus - concerts by candlelight 7.30pm, inverness cathedral. £17; friends discount - £2 off single ticket. all welcome polar express pyjama party 6pm, nairn community centre. free. watch disney’s the polar express. enjoy hot chocolate, biscuits and prizes. children can wear pyjamas. call shaunda hamilton on 07511 622509 or email at shaundahamilton@att.net the inner wheel club of nairn: christmas party 7.15pm, the golf view hotel, nairn. members page 18 - December 2018

rsgs lecture: unclimbed summits in antarctica; speaker - stephen venables on climbing in tierra del fuego, the antarctic peninsula & south georgia 7.30pm – 9pm, highland council chamber, glenurquhart road, inverness. £10; students, u18s free; tiso card £8. email rpreece@onetel.com

11 tuesday highland quilters: christmas meeting 7.30pm, smithton church hall, murray road, inverness. £3 visitors. email highlandquilters@gmail.com

tel: 01309 690063

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

CHRISTMAS @ BRODIE Dec 14 and 21

Dec 16

CHRISTMAS DINNER IN BRODIE CASTLE DRAWING ROOM

CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE - THE MARVEL OF PERU CONCERT

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

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

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

Dec 15-16, Dec 22-23

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

Ticket price £10, gift included in price.

Booking essential.

Ticket price £15 to include refreshments.

Booking advisable.

Dec 15-16, Dec 22-23

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

Booking advisable but not essential.

Dec 15-16, Dec 22-23

DATES THROUGHOUT DECEMBER

MAGICAL TOY PARADE THROUGHOUT THE CASTLE

TWILIGHT TOURS AT BRODIE CASTLE

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

Experience the magic of Brodie Castle at night.

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

Normal castle admission fees apply.

Members go free.

Booking advisable but not essential.

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

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

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

12 wednesday

19 wednesday

the highland rock garden club: 35 years at cawdor castle & auchinoune gardens; speaker - derek hosie 7.30pm, nairn community & arts centre. £4 (incl refreshments). call john owen on 01320 366246 inverness field club: matthew forster heddle; mineralogist & mountaineer. speaker - hamish johnson, highland family history society & greatgreat grandson 7pm, uhi inverness campus

moravian orienteering: northern night cup round 3 tbc, roseisle north. www.moravianorienteering.org

14 friday the dolly parton story@the ironworks, inverness, 7.30pm. www.ironworksvenue.com rumours: fleetwood mac playback@ the ironworks, inverness, 9pm. www.ironworksvenue.com

14 friday - 16 sunday

23 sunday inverness ramblers: dochgarroch & the great glen way 10am, sports centre car park, inverness. grade: c+; distance: 8.7 miles. www.ramblers.org.uk

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

29 friday inverness ramblers: culloden moor & woods 10am, uhi car park, ness walk, inverness. grade: c; distance: 5.6 miles. www.ramblers.org.uk

winter wonderland tbc, whin park, bught road, Petstay April 18.pdf 1 07/03/2018 monday inverness. free. santa with his reindeer arrive to visit08:57 hogmanay bash with rythmnreel@the ironworks, the toddlers of inverness, illuminations inverness, tbc. www.ironworksvenue.com bogmanay@bogbain farm 7.30pm, ceilidh then Earn from blazin' fiddles £84 to red hot highland fling@northern meeting park, £175p/w inverness, 8pm, free. all welcome ‘Im off to PetStay for my Holidays’ looking after dogs in your own home

31

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

Words by the Wayside “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.”

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

15 saturday mark knight@the ironworks, inverness, 10.30pm. www.ironworksvenue.com culbin singers christmas concert 7pm, st laurence church, forres. £12 adult, £10 concession, £5 u18s. the choir's regular christmas concert featuring carols & other christmas music. call alasdair joyce on 01309 671288 or email at alasdair@manachie.eclipse.co.uk www.manachie.eclipse.co.uk/culbinsingers inverness ramblers: inverfarigaig & foyers 9am, uhi car park, ness walk, inverness. grade: c; distance: 6.2 miles. call john on 07980 836786. www.ramblers.org.uk

16 sunday christmas at the castle: the marvel of peru 3pm & 5pm, the drawing room, brodie castle. two christmas concerts, including baroque music for alto voice, instruments & a new selection of your favourite carols. call 01309 641371 hipsway@the ironworks, inverness. 7pm. page 20 - December 2018

(Ezekiel 33:11)

Reader, don’t walk away from the mercy of God demonstrated in Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross of Calvary for your sin. Christ died for the ungodly, it is only the ungodly Christ can save, for He came to save sinners and if you don’t acknowledge you are a sinner and have need of a Saviour, you can never be saved from the penalty of your sins.

Behold, Now is the accepted time for you. Behold Now is the day of salvation.

W W

tel: 01309 690063

www.wordsbythewayside.co.uk Registered Scottish charity SC041290

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

T: 01343 542218

Decora, Lossiebank Mills, Elgin, IV30 4DE

24th - 25th November Every weekend until Christmas.

Book early to avoid Disappointment Sat 9.30am - 5.00pm and Sun 10.00am - 4.00pm

Santa Arrives

E: www.diydecora.com

Mon - Fri 9.00am - 7.00pm Saturday 9.00am - 6.00pm Sunday 10.00am - 5.00pm

Opening times of Store:

Adult Non Fiction

Blowing the Bloody Doors Off

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

Adult Fiction

Macbeth

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

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

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

Adult Non Fiction Adult Fiction

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

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

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

Junior Fiction

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Yeti in the Playground!

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

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

Have you Eaten Grandma?

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

Junior Fiction

The Tales of Beedle the Bard

By JK Rowling A favourite bedtime read in wizarding households for generations. Full of magic and trickery, these classic tales both entertain and instruct, and remain as captivating to young wizards today as they were when Beedle first put quill to parchment in the fifteenth century. Translated by Hermione Granger the collection includes: 'The Tale of the Three Brothers' â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which Harry Potter fans will know from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - 'The Fountain of Fair Fortune' and 'The Warlock's Hairy Heart' amongst others. Published in aid of the Lumos, a charity dedicated to ending the institutionalisation of children.

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A History of

Festive Traditions Why Mince Pies?

Mince Pies, like Christmas Puddings, were originally filled with meat, such as lamb, rather than the dried fruits and spices mix as they are today. They were also first made in an oval shape to represent the manger that Jesus slept in as a baby, with the top representing his swaddling clothes. Sometimes they even had a 'pastry baby Jesus' on the top!

During the Stuart and Georgian times, in the UK, mince pies were a status symbol at Christmas.

Very rich people liked to show off at their Christmas parties by having pies made is different shapes (like stars, crescents, hearts, tears, & flowers); the fancy shaped pies could often fit together a bit like a jigsaw! They also looked like the 'knot gardens' that were popular during those periods. Having pies like this meant you were rich and could afford to employ the best and most expensive, pastry cooks.

Now they are normally made in a round shape and are eaten hot or cold.

Why Christmas Trees?

Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition (as we now recognise it) in the 16th Century, when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes.

When did it start in the UK? German-born Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, is usually credited with popularising the Christmas tree in Britain in the 1840s and 1850s. A drawing of the Royal Family celebrating around a decorated Christmas tree in Windsor was published in 1848 by the Illustrated London News and the custom was eventually taken up by the masses.

Why Christmas Crackers?

Christmas crackers are a traditional Christmas favourite in the UK. They were first made in about 1845-1850 by a London sweet maker called Tom Smith. He had seen the French 'bon bon' sweets (almonds wrapped in pretty paper). He came back to London and tried selling sweets like that in England and also included a small motto or riddle in with the sweet. But they didn't sell very well.

Legend says that, one night, while he was sitting in front of his log fire, he became very interested by the sparks and cracks coming from the fire. Suddenly, he thought what a fun idea it would be, if his sweets and toys could be opened with a crack when their fancy wrappers were pulled in half.

Crackers were originally called 'cosaques' and were thought to be named after the 'Cossack' soldiers who had a reputation for riding on their horses and firing guns into the air!

When Tom died, his expanding cracker business was taken over by his three sons, Tom, Walter and Henry. Walter introduced the hats into crackers and he also traveled around the world looking for new ideas for gifts to put in the crackers.

The company built up a big range of 'themed' crackers. There were ones for bachelors and spinsters (single men and women), where the gifts were things like false teeth and wedding rings! There were also crackers for Suffragettes (women who campaigned to get women the vote), war heroes and even Charlie Chaplain! Crackers were also made for special occasions like Coronations. The British Royal Family still has special crackers made for them today!

Very expensive crackers were made such as the 'Millionaire's Crackers' which contained a solid silver box with a piece of gold and silver jewerly inside it!

Cracker manufacturers also made large displays, such as horse drawn carriages and sleighs, for the big shops in London.

The world's longest Christmas cracker measured 63.1m (207ft) long and 4m (13ft) in diameter and was made by the parents of children at Ley Hill School and Pre-School, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, UK on 20 December 2001. Now that would be one big bang!

The biggest Christmas cracker pull was done by 1,478 people at an event organised by Honda Japan at Tochigi Proving Ground, Tochigi, Japan, on 18 October 2009. Now that would be a lot of bangs!

The Garden TOM ANGEL IS A LANDSCAPE CONSULTANT AND GARDEN

AVIEMORE. HIS ANGEL HORTICULTURE

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S

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

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

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

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

26

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

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

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

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

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

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

P u zz l e P a g e

Medium Easy

Answers will be printed in the next issue of Spotlight

118 High Street, FORRES IV36 1NP

Chocolate and Orange Christmas Pudding This recipe for Christmas pudding includes the popular flavour combination of chocolate orange.

A Sure-fire Festive Hit!

Ingredients: 100g raisins 100g sultanas 1 orange, zested 2 eggs 50g plain flour 100g frozen raspberries, defrosted 100g frozen cherries, defrosted and chopped roughly

1 pear 100ml brandy 100g dark chocolate 100g unsalted butter 100g dark soft brown sugar 1 tsp mixed spice 1 tbsp cocoa powder 50g fresh breadcrumbs

Method: 1. Peel and grate the pear and place in a microwave safe bowl with the raspberries, orange zest, cherries, sultanas, raisins and brandy. Heat for 2-3 minutes then leave to stand and allow the fruit to absorb the brandy.

2. Grate or chop the chocolate and stir into the warm fruit with the butter. The fruit should still be hot enough to melt the chocolate, if not, give it a further minute in the microwave making sure not to burn the chocolate.

3. Grease a 1 litre pudding bowl with a little butter.

4. Lay two sheets of tinfoil over each other and grease the top one. Hold them together, fold a pleat across the middle of the tinfoil and set aside, this will form the lid while the pudding is steaming.

5. Beat the eggs together. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, sugar and mixed spice onto the cooled fruit and chocolate mixture, then add the breadcrumbs and eggs and mix until well combined.

A sturdy spatula or wooden spoon does the job nicely.

6. Transfer the mixture into the greased pudding bowl and cover with the pre greased tinfoil lid (greased side down). Tie a length of string around the lip of the bowl to keep the tinfoil in place.

Tuck the tinfoil so as to keep the water from getting into the pudding whilst it cooks.

7. In a large pan, place a smaller heatproof bowl to sit the pudding on while it cooks, and pour enough boiling water so as to reach about half way up the pudding bowl and leave to simmer with a lid on the pan for about 2 hours. Use a skewer to test if the pudding is cooked straight through the foil. Allow an extra 15-20 minutes if the skewer comes out wet.

8. Once cooled the pudding can be kept for up to 2 months wrapped up in the foil.

Microwave for 5 minutes to reheat and serve with cream or ice cream.

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Put your Christmas tree in an old duvet cover when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re transporting it home and keep it on when you carry it into your house no needles in your car or on the path from the front door. Do the same thing when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re removing the tree after Christmas and you can get it out of the house with the minimum of mess.

2.

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

3.

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

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

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

Always win at Christmas crackers.

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

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

Accept compliments graciously.

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

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

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

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BY SIGNING UP WITH US BEFORE CHRISTMAS, READY TO MARKET YOUR PROPERTY IN JANUARY 2019!

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