Spotlight Strathspey Dec 18

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DECEMBER 2018

SpotLIGHT STRATHSPEY & DISTRICT

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06/09/2018

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What’s on, Clubs, Eating out, Trades Listings and much more...

Clubs and Societies ABERLOUR BRIDGE CLUB Wed (Sept - Apr), 6.30pm for 6.45pm start, The Aberlour Hotel. Call Audrey Gammack (Sec) on 07855 087984 or to book your seat call Jenny on 01340 871647 ABERLOUR HAE A NEWS!: FOR ANYONE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA 2nd Tues of month, 10am 11.30am, Conval Court Sheltered Housing, Conval Drive, Aberlour. Have a cuppa & a news. Quizzes, dominoes, bingo, crafts, gentle exercises, etc. Call Sharon FInlay (Community Activities Organiser) on 07584 408209 or email at sfinlay@alzscot.org ART IN STRATHDEARN Thurs (term time only), 2pm 4pm, Tomatin Village Hall. Do come along to enjoy the company of like minded people being creative in a friendly environment! We have tutors throughout the year & an annual exhibition. Call Pam Hardwick on 01808 511766

Sample one-off advertising rates (colour advert)

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Discounts available for series bookings and for black and white

Publisher:

Winterburn Media Ltd Unit 14, Horizon Scotland, Enterprise Park, Forres, Moray, IV36 2AB (01309) 690063

All material within the SpotLight magazines is subject to formal copyright restrictions and therefore the reproduction of any listings, editorial, advertiser artwork or any other content, without the publisherʼs prior consent, will be considered a breach of copyright.

page 4 - December 2018

AVIEMORE HEALTH WALK GROUP Thurs, 1.30pm, the Myrtlefield Car Park near Mike’s Bikes (by the stairway entrance. Call Mary on 01479 810519 BEADING & JEWELLERY MAKING WORKSHOPS The Imagination Workshop, Inverdruie, Aviemore. Learn how to use beads & wire to make your own amazing jewellery. Call Gayle Penney on 01479 812111 BIRD-WATCHING & WILDLIFE CLUB For anyone interested in wildlife – from the expert to the amatuer.

All special events, suggested itineraries & programmes are subject to availability & liable to change without notice. BWWC Ltd, 25 The Square, Grantownon-Spey. Call 0800 043 8585 or email at booking@bwwc.co.uk CAIRNGORM ORCHESTRA Mon, 7.30pm - 9.30pm, (Autumn Term, Sept - 3rd Dec 2018), Dulnain Village Hall, Dulnain Bridge. We are a community orchestra playing a variety of styles of music New string, woodwind & brass players will be warmly welcomed. Call 01479 821308 or email at cairngormsorchestra@gmail.com CARRBRIDGE HEALTH WALK GROUP Thurs, 11am, by the Old Bridge, Carrbridge. Call Margaret on 01479 841749 COMMUNITY LUNCH Tues, 12.30pm, The Boat Hall for some soup, sandwiches & a cuppa - all for £4. Open to all, the Community Lunch is a great place to meet up with folk . Lifts can be arranged for those who don't have transport! Email at info@boathal.org.uk DISABILITY SNOW SPORTS UK Glenmore Lodge Grounds, Queens Houses, Glenmore.

Call 0845 521 9338. www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk

GRANTOWN JUNIOR YOUTH CLUB Thurs (term time only,) 6.45pm 8.45pm for P6 & P7 pupils, Grantown YMCA Community Cenre. £1 per session. Come along & join in the fun! Call Heather Fraser (Centre Coordinator) on 01479 872262 or email at grantowncommunity centre@gmail.com

ROTHIEMURCHUS & AVIEMORE TENNIS CLUB 10am - 5pm. Situated at Inverdruie, on the outskirts of Aviemore. Call 01479 812345

GRANTOWN ON SPEY BRIDGE CLUB Mon (Oct - Apr), 7pm, Grantown’s Episcopal Church Hall Visitors & new members are always welcome. Call 01479 872672 GRANTOWN'S THURSDAY CLUB FOR THE OVER 50'S Fortnightly, 1.30pm - 3.30pm, Grantown YMCA Community Centre . Varied programme of events. £2 (incl refreshments).

All welcome. Call Heather Fraser (Centre Co-ordinator) on 01479 872262 or email at grantowncommunitycentre@ gmail.com

SPEYSIDE VOLLEYBALL Mon, 7pm - 10pm, The Games Hall, Speyside Community Centre, Aberlour. Men, women, youths, juniors, seniors, all welcome. Call Stewart on 01340 871730 STRATHSPEY RAILWAY ASSOCIATION Members/Volunteers help run the Strathspey Railway at Aviemore. More needed to be train drivers, guards, station staff, signalmen & coach restorers. Training given. Join and help the Railway extend to Grantown. Call Gill Kelly on 01479 810725 or email at gill.kelly@strathspeyrailway.co.uk

KINGUSSIE TENNIS CLUB Coaching available for members & non-members. New members welcome. Call Moira Webster on 01540 661484.

NETHY BRIDGE HEALTH WALK GROUP Tues, 1.30pm, the Community Centre. Call Jane on 07519 569005 NEWTONMORE & DISTRICT FLORAL ART CLUB 3rd Wed of month (Mar - Nov), 7.30pm, Lesser Village Hall. Call Mandy Mullender on 01540 673211 RIVER LIVET FISHING (SEASON FEB - 30 SEPT) Salmon, sea trout & brown trout fishing for the whole family on the River Livet. Permits can be obtained from Ballindalloch Post Office, Tomnavoulin Post Office, Crown Estate Office, Tomintoul & the Glen Livet Distillery. www.facebook.com/ riverlivetfishing

tel: 01309 690063

SPEYSIDE SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE Mon (term time only), 7.30pm 8.30pm, the Auditorium, Speyside Sports & Community Centre, Aberlour. For P5 & over, young people & adult beginners.

Primary children should be accompanied by an adult.

Please wear soft shoes. All welcome. Call Bill & Rosemary Legge on 01340 810304 or email speysidecd@gmail.com.

Facebook - Speyside SCD

THE OSPREY MUSIC SOCIETY (TOMS) A member group of Boat of Garten Community Company, a charity which acts as an umbrella organisation to support village activity groups, run events & manage village projects. TOMS hosts classical music performances in the Community Hall. Call Ann Napier on 01479 831213 or email at ann.nap@btinternet.com PLEASE NOTE Details of Clubs & Societies are published on a rotational basis. If you would like your details to be included in this section please email linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

STUARTS CYCLES

As I write this we haven’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.

I wonder if they look forward to Christmas as much as we humans do?

All I know is our family will be getting into the spirit of things over the next few weeks and something we always look forward to is carol concerts. Check out our website www.spotlighton.co.uk to find local carol concerts in your area and exercise those vocal chords. The benefit with lots of people singing together is that the worst voices all seem to sound better!

Enjoy the festive season!!

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Pastoral Le er & Church Meetings The warmth of friendship in a cold world “Loneliness feels like a deep, deep ache. It's strange when you find the house empty - you really don't know what to do. We took delight in the simple things in life, like walks. We used to go time after time to watch the cloud shadows on the sea at Seven Sisters. And that's what I miss - that type of companionship that is so close and so intense.” 1 The words of Jack King, a ninety-six year old widower, who lives in the south of England and one of the 55,000 people who completed an on-line survey for the BBC’s Loneliness Experiment on Valentine’s Day 2018.

The Advent and Christmas seasons are times when loneliness can bite hardest.

The bright lights and decorations present a defiant face to the opposing darkness and cold but for many who feel very alone, even in company, it can all be too much. I read recently about the committed ritual of Christmas card preparation and writing that the poet Seamus Heaney set himself every December.

It’s a ritual many of us are familiar with and yet we may not have found

the same focus and intensity that Heaney did in our fulfilment of the duty. He would begin by bringing out the list of names and add to it the names of people he had been introduced to in the year that had passed. He would then buy the stamps and address the envelopes by hand. His desk would become an assembly line with the kitchen table acting as overflow. Ever since the early 1970s he had planned the design on his cards and wrote a new poem each year that was inscribed within them. As the years passed and his life became so busy, his family tried to encourage him to scale back in the enterprise, but he refused. He would take great care with each card and would fret that he had missed someone out. And through the whole process he found an enjoyment in maintaining the special gift of friendship that meant so much to him in life.

The cultivation of friendship can ease our loneliness but it’s not guaranteed to do so. We need something more and in the seasons of Advent, as we wait, and of Christmas, as we gratefully receive, we are encouraged to turn towards God and his gift of

Kingussie Parish Church Sundays 11am. All welcome. www.kingussieparishchurch.org.uk Knockando, Elchies & Archiestown Parish Church of Scotland Sundays 10am. Contact Rev Robert M Anderson 01340 831381.

Mortlach & Cabrach Church Dufftown. Sundays at 10.30am Tea & Coffee after. 01340 820049 (session clerk). All welcome.

Rothes Parish Church Sundays 11.30am. Contact Rev Robert M Anderson 01340 831381.

Rothiemurchus & Aviemore Church of Scotland St Andrews Church, Grampian Road, Aviemore. Sundays 11.15am. Website: www.standrews-aviemore.org.uk Sacred Heart RC Church Chapel Terrace, Aberlour, AB38 9LL Vigil Mass alternate Saturdays at 5pm. Tel 01340 810442 St Brides Church of Scotland Newtonmore. Sundays 11.15am. Rev Catherine Buchan. Tel: 01540 673236.

St Columba Episcopal Church High Street, Grantown.

Sundays 10.30am: Holy Communion. Ven. Richard Gillings: page 6 - December 2018

Immanuel - God with us - Jesus, his Son (Matthew 1:23). The author of John’s Gospel described the Word, Jesus Christ, as drawing especially near: “The Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.

And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” (John 1:14 New Living Translation).

It’s one thing for Jesus to appear on earth but quite a different thing for him to find himself ‘at home’ with us.

But it’s that level of intimacy that brings us comfort and reinforces the sense of friendship and togetherness that we may find in one another.

As you set about, and continue, the task of writing cards and renewing contact with friends old and new may you know the special closeness of God in Jesus his Son. May God bless you all this festive season, Rev Geoff McKee St. Gerardine’s High linked with St. James’ Church of Scotland, Lossiemouth

richard.gillings698@btinternet.com or phone 01479 831365.

St John Episcopal Church Sunday 10.30am: Eucharist.

Followed by refreshments in the church hall. Email: blessings@stjohns-rothiemurchus.co.uk St Mary’s RC Church Fife Street, Dufftown, AB55 4AP Vigil Mass alternate Saturdays at 5pm. Tel 01340 810442 St Michael Episcopal Church St Michael's Episcopal Church, Conval Street, Dufftown. Family Eucharist every Sunday at 11 am. All welcome. Tel: 01466 793841.

St Margaret of Scotland, Episcopal Church High Street, Aberlour, AB38 9QD. Sundays 10am: Eucharist. Website: www.stmargaretsaberlour.co.uk Tomintoul Church of Scotland Sunday morning service 11.15am All welcome.

Listed from K - T & regularly rotated. If you are a member of a church not listed here or if there are any amendments to existing details, please email linda@winterburn.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

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Parliament Blog The festive season is creeping up on us and the excitement has begun to build as the main event gets closer. Hopefully, the tills are ringing in Moray as local businesses profit from the boost in extra trade. If you can shop locally then it makes a big difference to our High Streets. But with Christmas comes some online shopping and one of the issues that has been keeping my postbag bulging this year has been the imposition of unfair delivery charges. Hopefully, the amount of work that politicians and campaigners have done this year will reduce the instances of rip-off charges, as retailers and couriers finally get the message that Moray is part of mainland UK! And as we celebrate Christmas with friends and family it’s also worth remembering that there are those for whom it is not a joyous time of year. They may be alone, homeless, needy or ill. You may be able to make things a little better. If you have the opportunity to help someone or support a local toy or food appeal, then it is certainly something I would recommend. Spare a thought as well for our medical staff, the emergency services, farmers, council workers, care teams and military personnel – to name just a few - who will be working throughout the holidays. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

Can I also take this opportunity to wish you all a happy Christmas and best wishes for 2019.

Douglas Ross MP

highland remedial Dec 18.pdf

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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 nonconstituents 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.

08/11/2018

Helping to maintain and improve your physical wellbeing Hig h St r e e t , G rant o w n

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page 8 -Decvember 2018

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.

John Finnie MSP 11:04

Drew Hendry MP 1 31/10/2018

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Christian, set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God. We are not to be the same as those who know not the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour - we are to be different. We are ambassadors for Him and we are to walk worthy of Him. Holiness is not an option for us but a commandment and an absolute necessity in life. We are to glorify God in our bodies and in our spirits, always looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

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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

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

New Year’s Day Tues 1st Jan 2019 New Year’s Day (substitute) Wed 2nd Jan 2019 Epiphany Sun 6th Jan 2019 Burns Night Fri 25th Jan 2019 § includes Aberlour, Craigellachie, Knockando, Tomintoul, Dufftown & Rothes * excludes Dufftown; ± Dufftown (H - Hindu; J - Jewish; M - Muslim; S - Sikh)

School Term Dates MORAY COUNCIL SCHOOLS

HIGHLAND COUNCIL SCHOOLS

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 Fri 8th Feb 2019 Mid Term Holiday Mon 11th Feb 2019 Spring Term Ends Fri 29th Mar 2019 Spring Holiday Starts Mon 1st Apr 2019 Spring Holiday Ends Fri 12th Apr 2019

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 Mon 8th Apr 2019

Useful Contacts

Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Aberlour Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871693 Aberlour Sub Post Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871201 Archiestown Sub Post Office . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 810339 Aviemore Citizens Advice Bureau. . . . . . . . 01479 810919 Aviemore Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 813141 Aviemore Post Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 811056 Aviemore Registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 812807 Aviemore Social Work Services . . . . . . . . . 01479 812618 Aviemore Tourist Information . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 810930 Badenoch Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01540 661596 Badenoch Learning & Resource Centre . . . 01540 662420 Craigellachie Post Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871115 Dufftown Post Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 820244 Dufftown Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .01340 820272 Grantown Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 873175 Moray Families Information Service .................................. www.facebook.com/ MorayFamiliesInformationService National Rail Enquires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08457 484950 Moray Cats Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07837 342646 Railway Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 078419 85768 Rothes Post Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 831245 DOCTORS NHS 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Aberlour Heath Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871210 page 10 - December 2018

Aviemore Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 810258 Blair Atholl Doctor's Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . 01796 472558 Dufftown Heath Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 820888 Fleming Hospital – Aberlour . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871464 Gergask Surgery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01528 544225 Glenlivet Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01807 590273 Grantown-on-Spey Medical Practice . . . . . 01479 872484 Kingussie Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . 01540 661233 Raigmore Hospital Inverness . . . . . . . . . . . 01463 704000 St. Vincent’s Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01540 661219 Stephen Cottage Hospital – Dufftown . . . . 01340 820215 Strathdon Medical Centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01975 651209 The Surgery (Crathie) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .01339 741202 Tomintoul Medical Centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 820888

PHARMACIES Aberlour Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871279 Aviemore Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 810259 Clark Munro Ltd (Grantown) . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 873711 Davidsons Chemists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01339 755409 Lloyds Pharmacy (Grantown). . . . . . . . . . . 01479 872006 Rothes Pharmacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 831233 Rotated on a regular basis. To add a contact or to amend existing details, email linda@winterburnmedia.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

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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.

concert . includes festive light classical music, carols & mince pies. email cairngormsorchestra@gmail.com

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!!

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 November 2018 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 the 'elf on the shelf' hunt 11am - 5pm, the victorian market, inverness. free. all welcome knockando primary school christmas craft fair,light switch on & pub night fair: 2.30pm - 4.30pm; lights on 4.30pm, archiestown village hall. donation at door. local artists selling great gifts, fun kids activities & raffle. the village council then take over & invite you to our light switch on with mulled wine & mince pies. stay on for the friendly pie & pint pub night. email eilidh oloughlin at knockandopc15@hotmail.com abbamania@the ironworks, inverness, 7.30pm www.ironworksvenue.com the mahler players play mozart, tchaikovsky & dvorak 8pm, st giles, elgin. tickets online www.mahlerplayers.co.uk 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 cairngorms orchestra christmas concert 7pm, inverallan church, grantown on spey. £5 , children free. strathspey’s community orchestra inaugural admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

elgin city band annual christmas carol concert with special guests - bishopmill primary school choir doors open 6.30pm for 7pm prompt, st giles church, elgin. adults £5. refreshments available. big fish little fish: intergalactic planetary theme party @the ironworks, inverness, 2pm. rescheduled from 9th sept. www.ironworksvenue.com badenoch & strathspey orienteering club championship tbc, newtonmore village hall. see www.basoc.org.uk christmas festival 12pm, kingussie high street roast chestnuts, mulled wine, pony & trap rides & kingussie's christmas lights switch on highland hospitals' carol concert in aid of clic sargent scotland 3pm, drumrossie hotel, inverness £14 from the music shop, 49 church street, Furniture April 18.pdf 1 01/03/2018 inverness.Kes all welcome shooglenifty 9pm, the old bridge inn, aviemore

Furniture Restorers Mobile: 07503 211349 Workshop: 01340 810388 Woodend House, Carron, Aberlour. Moray. AB38 7QP

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3 monday cycling the world - whatever the outcome; speaker jenny graham 7.30pm, boat of garten community hall

4 tuesday highland astronomical society: annual quiz & q&a

tel: 01309 690063

December 2018 - page 15

1

SpotLIGHT Garden

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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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session 7.20pm - 10pm, smithton culloden free church. all welcome. www.spacegazer.com scottish ornithologists' club highland: is the 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

6 thursday 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 wonderland speaker - prof erika andersson, heriot watt university 7pm - 8pm, the atrium, inverness royal academy. free entry. for p7 to s6 & adults

7 friday the aberlour & speyside rotary club's christmas market 4pm - 8pm, aberlour. stalls in church & square, hot food, drinks, entertainment & dozens of stalls full of locally made items. santa's grotto. for booking info check facebook page sigma: christmas quiz; members & families doors open 7pm for 7.30pm start, birnie village hall, nr elgin. a night of fun, questions & mince pies to end the year. xmas raffle & update on planned future events. www.sigma-astro.co.uk skerryvore@ the ironworks, inverness, 7.30pm,all welcome. www.ironworksvenue.com

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 w3l wrestling showdown 2.30pm, bishopmill hall, elgin. featuring top wrestling stars. page 18 - December 2018

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

9 sunday moray ramblers: rafford to burgie (christmas walk) 9am, forres. grade: easy/moderate; distance: 6 miles. call christine copsey on 07932 819557. www.morayramblers.org.uk the osprey musical society (toms): mr mcfall's chamber: piano, violin, viola, cello & double bass. featuring mozart, mendelssohn & astor piazzolla tbc, boat of garten community hal. £14; £16; call ann napier on 01479 831213 or email at ann.nap@btinternet.com 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

10 monday 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 the elgin flower club: three steps to christmas 7.30pm, elgin high church hall, guildry street, elgin elgin community council monthly meeting 7pm 9pm, council chamber, council hq, high street, elgin call patsy gowans on 07497 111510 or email at patsy.gowans1@btinternet.com highland quilters: christmas meeting 7.30pm, smithton church hall, murray road, inverness. £3 visitors. email highlandquilters@gmail.com

12 wednesday blood donors: kingussie 5.15pm - 7.15pm, the badenoch centre, spey street, kingussie. please book an appointment by either calling 0345 90 90 999 or emailing nss.snbtsenquiry@nhs.net clic sargent nhs grampian carol concert in aid of children’s cancer charity 7.30pm, elgin town hall £10, £8, £5. tickets from sound & vision, south st, elgin & choir members. elgin writers' group: christmas dinner/buffet info to

tel: 01309 690063

admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

follow - visit www.elginwriters.wordpress.com the badenoch gardening club: gardeners' fling check facebook for more info. call 01540 670181 or email at badenochgardeningclub@gmail.com badenoch & strathspey orienteering club: northern night cup 2; loch vaa north tbc, boat of garten local race. www.basoc.org.uk

13 thursday - 15 saturday

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

20 thursday clan coffee morning 10.30am - 12pm, the clan cancer support centre, 227 high street, elgin. open to anyone affected by cancer with information & support available. guest speakers. all welcome. call 01343 544132

cinderella: out the darkness theatre company doors open 6.30pm for 7pm prompt; matineeat 1pm on 15th , out the darkness theatre company, the wards, elgin. adults £10; child £6.50; students & conc £8.50. call 01343 544911 or email at social@odtheatre.org.uk

let it snow in aid of lucy's fight 7.30pm, st giles, elgin the old fountain jazz orchestra's fourth christmas concert. all welcome

14 friday

22 saturday - 24 monday

the dolly parton story@the ironworks, inverness, 7.30pm. www.ironworksvenue.com rumours: fleetwood mac playback@ the ironworks, inverness, 9pm. www.ironworksvenue.com liam as robbie williams@ elgin ex-services club, 8pm. all welcome skipinnish@elgin town hall, 8pm, all welcome family christmas ceilidh speyside scottish country dance 7pm - 8.45pm, the auditorium, speyside sports & community centre, aberlour. £2.50 adults, £1.50 children. easy fun dances. light refreshments. all welcome. please wear soft shoes. call bill & rosemary legge on 01340 810304 or email at speysidescd@gmail.com. www.rscdsbanffshire.co.uk

a disney christmas by lossie entertainment academy 22nd & 23rd - 2.30pm & 7.30pm; 24th - 2., elgin town hall. £10; conc £8 from www.tickettailor.com/e come & meet the disney characters. prizes for the best dressed disney children. call 01343 813111 www.lossieentertainmentacademy.co.uk

15 saturday disability snowsport (dsuk) aviemore santa run 2018 tbc, aviemore. it doesn’t matter if you run, jog, walk or are pushed, as long as you have fun! mark knight@the ironworks, inverness, 10.30pm. www.ironworksvenue.com 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 cantare ladies’ choir christmas concert with guest musicians in aid of raf benevolent fund 7pm, elgin town hall. £10, £5. tickets from cathedral windows, high street, elgin & choir members 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. admin@winterburnmedia.co.uk

21 friday - 22 saturday

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

24 monday santa & reindeer parade 8pm, meet outside glen hotel, newtonmore. all welcome

26 wednesday moray ramblers: winding walks (fochabers); boxing day walk 10am, fochabers public institute car park call dave & margaret spalding on 01309 671724 www.morayramblers.org.uk red hot chilli pipers@ the ironworks, inverness, 7.30pm. www.ironworksvenue.com

29 saturday moray ramblers: tyrebagger& elrick hill via brimmond 8am, keith. grade: moderate; distance: 8 miles. call diane simpson on 01542 832049 www.morayramblers.org.uk inverness ramblers: culloden moor & woods 10am, uhi car park, ness walk, inverness. grade: c; distance: 5.6 miles. www.ramblers.org.uk

31 monday hogmanay bash with rythmnreel@the ironworks, inverness, tbc. www.ironworksvenue.com

tel: 01309 690063

December 2018 - page 19

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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WML Survey Half Page.pdf

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09/08/2018

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READER SURVEY

Spotlight is conducting a survey into what you feel about your monthly magazine.

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t What you like t What you don’t like t What you would like to see included which isn’t already.

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Alternatively, if you prefer to just send us an email then please forward your comments to admin@winterburnmedia.com

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.

Keep Safe, Warm and Comfortable this Winter Fireside Chairs Riser Recliners

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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

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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.

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From Christmas cards to decorations, pottery to cushions and clothing to jewellery

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Wishing you a Merry Christmas

STRATHSPEY QP.qxp 12/12/2017 15:12 Page 1

Words by the Wayside “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

(Romans 3:18)

Reader, there is but a heartbeat between you and eternity. It is appointed unto men and women once to die, and after this the judgment. All have sinned and all have come short of God’s standard; there is none righteous, no not one. But, praise God, Christ died for the ungodly.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Reader, eternity where?

W W

www.wordsbythewayside.co.uk Registered Scottish charity SC041290

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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.

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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.

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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.

P u zz l e P a g e

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