SpotLight on Strathspey & District March 2015

MARCH 2015

S TR ATHS P E Y & D I S T RI C T THE NORTH’S FAVOURITE FREE WEE MAG

Anxious?

We care and take time to listen!

Gynack Street Kingussie PH21 1EL T: 01540 661280 inspire-dental.co.uk

Property Maintenance and Handyman Services Garden SHUYLFHV General Maintenance Small Repairs Moving & Clearing Services www.keltpropertymaintenance.co XN KHllo@keltpropertymaintenance.co.uk

Phone 01479 810733 Mobile: 07587 581592

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

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

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

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

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

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

02.15

Open 7 Days a week and 4 weekday evenings!

2014 Winners: WINNERS Awards 2014

Dentist of the Year Best New Practice Practice of the Year - North

Anxious?

We take the time to listen!

Concerned about your smile?

We offer life changing treatments including smile design, dental implants and braces.

INSPIRE DENTAL Gynack Street I Kingussie I PH21 1EL E: info@inspire-dental.co.uk I T: 01540 661280 www.inspire-dental.co.uk

CLUBS & SOCIETIES ABERLOUR BRIDGE CLUB Wednesday nights 6.30pm for a 6.45pm (Sept - April) start at The Fleming Hall, Queens Road, Aberlour, Speyside. Secretary Audrey Gammack Tel: 07855 087984. To book your seat phone Mike on 01343 543962 AVIEMORE ART ASSOCIATION Every Thursday 2pm - 4pm in St, Andrew's Church Hall, Grampian Road, Aviemore. Throughout the year (not during school holidays) BADENOCH GARDENING CLUB Meet on the 3rd or 4th Wed each month in Newtonmore Village Hall (Lesser Hall) starting at 7.30 pm. Annual membership £10.00. Meetings free for members. £2.50 for visitors, who are most welcome.

BADENOCH & STRATHSPEY RAMBLERS Alternate weekends, mostly Saturdays. Contact Ann Hadley 01479 873806 or email bands.ramblers@live.co.uk for more info. Visitors are welcome to join us for up to three walks before joining the Ramblers.

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page 4 - March 2015

BALL - OVER 60'S CLUB Wednesdays 10am - 12.15pm at Memorial Hall, Tomintoul.

BIRD WATCHING AND WILDLIFE CLUB All special events, suggested itineraries & programmes are subject to availability and liable to change without notice. BWWC Ltd, 25 The Square, Grantownon-Spey, PH26 3HF. Call 0800 043 8585 or email: booking@ bwwc.co.uk CAIRNGORM BRIDGE CLUB Meets most Tuesday evenings, arrive by 6:45pm for a prompt start, at St John's Church Hall, Rothiemurchus (opposite tennis courts, on the ski road). All welcome. It would be helpful if visitors could contact Ian on 01479 821075 to let us know.

CAIRNGORM RUNNERS Monday and Wednesday club nights we meet at, The Fun House rear car park (next to Hilton Coylumbridge Hotel on the Ski Road) Email enquiries@ cairngormrunners.org or visit www.cairngormrunners.org CAKE WALK & STORY GROUP Regular walks for all ages. For more details call Guy on 07724 992790 / www.guyandjocelyn.org CARRBRIDGE OUTDOOR CURLING CLUB Contact: Patrick Blease on 01479 841359 COIRE CHORISTERS Meets Thursdays, 7:15pm at St John's Church Hall, Rothiemurchus. All members of the community welcome. For more info call Carolyn Turner on 01540 662294.

GRANTOWN & DISTRICT DRAMA GROUP Thursdays, 7pm, YM/Community Centre. All new members and young people welcome. Call Jennifer Tiller on 01479 872262 GRANTOWN ON SPEY BRIDGE CLUB Mondays, 7pm in Grantown’s Episcopal Church Hall (Oct Apr) Visitors and new members are always welcome. Call 01479 872672

HELGIN ROLLER DERBY Sundays, 4pm - 6pm in Bishopmill Hall, Elgin. Learn to roller skate with the newly formed Elgin Roller Derby Team and find out about how you can get involved!

Beginners welcome. Open to males and females 18+ Find us on Facebook for more details.

KINGUSSIE CAMANACHD CLUB (SHINTY) Highland sports club. Games played March to September normally Saturdays. For more information call 01540 661 886 KINGUSSIE SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB Wednesdays, 7:30pm - 9:30pm in Tala na Ros, King Street, Kingussie from September to March. New members and visitors welcome. Contact 01540 662060 / 01540 661772.

MORAY COELIAC GROUP Meet 1st Saturday of the month (except Jan & Feb), 10:30am in the cafe at Baxters, Fochabers.

Get together for newly diagnosed and existing members to network, ask questions, share recipes and ideas / information. 'Coffee, Cake and Catch up' sessions. All welcome. For further info email Kirsteen.pyett@btinternet.co.uk MORAY FLYING CLUB 7 days a week. Also offering courses for people to become leisure pilots, all the way up to professional ratings. Kinloss barracks, IV36 3UH. For details please call 01309 617361 and visit www.morayflyingclub.com MORAY SANDS 3rd Wednesday every month, 7:30pm at The Ugie House Hotel. Self-help support group, run by bereaved parents for bereaved parents and their families. Informal and confidential.

No cost. For more details call or text Beck on 07549 684986 or Karen on 07971 834133 or email moraysands@hotmail.co.uk

ROTHES BABY & TODDLER GROUP Open year round on Tues & Fri, 9.15am - 11.15am term time & 10.00am - 12pm school holidays & in-service days. £2 entrance fee per family, includes snack & drinks for children & parents.

ROTHIEMURCHUS AND AVIEMORE TENNIS CLUB Situated at Inverdruie, on the outskirts of Aviemore. Court Hire: 10am to 5pm. Call 01479 812345 for info or to book a court.

SALTIRE SOCIETY HIGHLAND BRANCH Meets Saturday mornings in Inverness for talks on a wide range of Scottish topics. St Andrews Day celebrations, Burns lunch and summer outing.

Call Alan Niven on 01667 459449 or email: alan.niven@hotmail.com SPEYSIDE VOLLEYBALL Monday evenings 7pm - 10pm in The Games Hall, Speyside Community Centre, Aberlour.

Men, women, youths, juniors, seniors, all welcome. Contact Stewart on 01340 871730 STRATHSPEY RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB Poll Creagan, Newtonmore.

Contact the secretary Ian Chadburn on 01540 673686

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

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

MORTLACH ART GROUP Every Thursday, 1pm - 4:30pm in the Mortlach Memorial Hall, Dufftown. All welcome, 16 up.

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

The Editor

Daffodils shoot, bunnies leap and lambs spring.

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

PUBLISHER ..............David Nelmes SALES .............................Jill Connor SALES...........................Susan Innes ACCOUNTS ...................Wendy Day DESIGN .................Alistair Davidson LAYOUT .................Tamsyn Dickson

There’s so much happening at

The PlayBarn @Greenfields EARLY BIRD FRIDAYS OPENING FROM 9am AND OPEN UNTIL 6pm ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS

The PlayBarn has the North East of Scotland’s Largest Play Frame

WEDNESDAY CLUB

1/2 PRICE on entry until 1 pm

THURSDAY CLUB kids eat

for only £2.50 when purchased with any adults meal.

Under 12 months FREE Under 2 £3.00 Under 4 £4.50 Over 4 £5.50 THE PLAYBARN, 4 MILES EAST OF ELGIN ON THE A96

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

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Words by the Wayside “...and the cause which I knew not I searched out.”

(Job 29:16)

Christian, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures...” “Faith comes by hearing and hearing

by The Word of God. “You can only walk worthy of the Lord when you are filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. “Search the Scriptures” diligently read them, meditate upon them, pray without ceasing that you might know and follow your Lord. Being built up in Him, then you will love the things God loves and hate the things God hates.

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

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

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

Drumduan Upper School, Clovenside Road, Forres IV36 2RD

www.wordsbythewayside.co.uk

T: 01309 691214

Registered Scottish charity SC041290

E: reception@drumduan.org W: www.drumduan.org

PASTORAL LETTER & CHURCH MEETINGS The Beatitudes – the attitudes to be perhaps?

Jesus in his sermon on the mount sets out a series of rules for living. Each one taking a seemingly impossible or extremely difficult situation and telling us to blessed by it or even happy’ (as in the Good News Bible translation).

Happy are they who know they are spiritually poor - really?

Happy are those who mourn – really?

Happy are those who are humble – really?

Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires – well maybe…

Happy those who are pure in heart – aye well…

Happy are those who work for peace – a noble cause…so yeah…

Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires… erm not sure about this one… (Matthew 5:1-11) For anyone in any of these situations these are difficult words to hear from Jesus. The use of the word ‘happy’ in the Good News translation (the one that we use in Aberlour) seems harsh and wrong – many translations use instead ‘blessed’. Not quite so difficult to hear or

read. Because how can anyone in these situations Jesus sets out be happy? But to be blessed carries a sense that God is with that person.

Eugene Peterson, in his excellent paraphrasing of the Bible in The Message, helps greatly: “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

You’re blessed when you get your inside world-your mind and heart-put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The

Abernethy Parish Church Family worship service on Sunday at 9:30am, followed by refreshments. More traditional worship service at 11:45am. Contact: Rev. Donald Walker. Tel: 01479 831252.

Aberlour Parish Church The Square, Aberlour. Sunday 11.15am.

Alvie & Insh Church of Scotland Our services are at 9:30am each Sunday in Kincraig (Church beside Loch Insh). The first Sunday of the month is the All-Age interactive service, also 9:30am, held in Kincraig Church Hall beside the Cairngorms Christian Centre. Please ring 01540 661918 for details.

Badenoch Free Church Ruthven Road, Kingussie. Sundays 11am and evening service 6pm.

Boat of Garten Parish Church, St Columba's Boat of Garten.

Sunday service 10am. Evening worship at Kincardine Church, 6pm the 2nd Sunday of most months: check the weekly press.

Contact: Rev. Donald Walker Tel: 01479 831252.

Craigellachie Church Victoria Street. Sundays 9.45am.

Cromdale and Advie Church, Church of Scotland Services 9:15am. Contact Diane Brazier: 01479 872547. page 6 - March 2015

persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.”

Reading this version of the Beatitudes through and there is one word that could encapsulate them all – love. God’s love.

I love the first of the Beatitudes – especially as Eugene Peterson puts it You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. With less of you there is more of God. When we live as God’s people and show his love to those around us – neighbours near and far – the world in which we live and exist takes on a whole new meaning and shine – and indeed there is hope that we can all be truly ‘happy’.

God bless and I hope you don’t mind that there was more of the Bible and less of me this time – see what I did there?

Rev Shuna Dicks Aberlour Parish Church of Scotland

Dulnain Bridge, Church of Scotland Sunday services 12noon.

All welcome. Contact Rev. Gordon Strang 01479 872084.

Duthil Parish Church Carrbridge. Sunday morning service at 11.30am. Contact Rev. Donald Walker Tel: 01479 831252.

Free Church: Dufftown monthly service, second Sunday of each month (except September) 6.30pm at the Memorial Hall, Albert Place. Contact Colin Morison on 01343 542196 Grantown Baptist Church High Street, Grantown-on-Spey.

Sundays 11am and evening service at 6pm. All welcome.

Contact Rev. Rick Moeller: 01479 873125.

Inverallan Parish Church Church of Scotland. Grantown-onSpey. Sundays 10.30am with crèche. All welcome. Rev. Gordon Strang 01479 872084. www.inverallanparishchurch.org.uk Inveravon Church of Scotland Sunday morning service 9.30am. All welcome.

Listed from A - I & regularly rotated. If you are a member of a church not listed here or if there are any amendments to existing details, please email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

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

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

Early May Bank Holiday Mon 4th May 2015 Spring Bank Holiday Mon 25th May 2015 Local Holiday § Mon 1st Jun 2015 Father’s Day Sun 21st Jun 2015 Longest Day Sun 21st Jun 2015 Local Holiday * Mon 27th Jul 2015 § includes Aberlour, Craigellachie, Knockando, Tomintoul, Dufftown & Rothes * excludes Dufftown

School Term Dates MORAY COUNCIL SCHOOLS for 2014/2015 (all dates inclusive) Spring Term Ends Fri 27 Mar 2015 Spring Holiday Starts Mon 30 Mar 2015 Spring Holiday Ends Fri 10 Apr 2015 Summer Term Starts Mon 13 Apr 2015 May Day Holiday Mon 4 May 2015 In-Service Day Thurs 21 May 2015 In-Service Day Fri 22 May 2015 Occasional Day Speyside Mon 1st Jun 2015 Summer Term Ends Thurs 2 Jul 2015

HIGHLAND COUNCIL SCHOOLS for 2014/2015 (all dates inclusive) Spring Term Ends Thurs 2nd Apr 2015 Spring Holiday Starts Fr 3rd Apr 2015 Spring Holiday Ends Fri 17th Apr 2015 Summer Term Starts Mon 20th Apr 2015 May Day Holiday Mon 4th May 2015 In-Service Day Mon 1st Jun 2015 Summer Term Ends Thurs 2nd Jul 2015 for 2015/2016 (all dates inclusive) In-Service Day Mon 17th Aug 2015

Useful Contacts Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Aberlour Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871693 Aviemore Citizens Advice Bureau. . . . . . . . 01479 810919 Aviemore Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 813141 Aviemore Post Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 811056 Aviemore Registrar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 813146 Aviemore Social Work Services . . . . . . . . . 01479 810251 Aviemore Tourist Information . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 810930 Badenoch Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01540 661596 Badenoch Learning & Resource Centre . . . 01540 662420 Dufftown Post Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 820244 Dufftown Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .01340 820272 Grantown Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 873175 National Rail Enquires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08457 484950 Moray Cats Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07837 342646 Railway Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 078419 85768 SCHOOLS Aberlour Primary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871255 Abernethy Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 821274 Alvie Primary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01540 651238 Aviemore Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 810343 Carrbridge Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 841249 Craigellachie Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 881271 Dalwhinnie Primary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01528 522228 Deshar Primary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 831226 page 8 - March 2015

Gergask Primary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01528 544272 Glenlivet Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01807 590216 Grantown Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 872525 Grantown Grammar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 872649 Inveravon Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01807 500217 Kingussie Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01540 661354 Kingussie High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01540 661475 Knockando Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 810257 Mortlach Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 820268 Newtonmore Primary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01540 673252 Rothes Primary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 831269 Speyside High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871522 Tomintoul Primary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01807 580271 DENTISTS Aviemore & Kingussie Dental Practice. . . . 01479 810301 Kingussie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01540 661280 NHS Highland Dental Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . 01479 811019 Speyside Dental Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871738 Your Perfect Smile Dental Clinic . . . . . . . . 01479 812846 (Aviemore) Your Perfect Smile Dental Clinic . . . . . . . . 01479 872107 (Grantown) Rotated on a regular basis. To add a contact or to amend existing details, email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

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

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

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

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

FEBRUARY 2015 23 monday evening talk: " iolo williams, “my life with wildlife" 8.30pm, grant arms hotel, grantown on spey. a fascinating insight into the life of wildlife presenter. www.bwwc.co.uk

23 monday - 24 tuesday free 2 day wrap (wellness recovery action planning) workshop. improve your mental health, manage difficult feelings, get more out of life. to book a free place or find out more contact: info@wrapmoray.org www.wrapmoray.org

25 wednesday evening talk: " iolo williams, british birds of prey" 8.30pm, grant arms hotel, grantown on spey. this evening tv presenter gives us an illustrated talk and tour on some of the magnificent birds of prey that can be found in the uk and give us an insight into their habitat, lives and threats they face. www.bwwc.co.uk do you like jokes? comedy club 7:30pm, the drouthy cobbler. established comics and the next big thing! £10 from the bar or www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

26 thursday simon kempston 7:30pm, the drouthy cobbler. one of scotland’s best young songwriters and leading fingerstyle guitarists. tickets £12 from the bar or www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk admin@spotlighton.co.uk

27 friday community car scheme music event - ceilidh, cake and raffle 2pm - 4pm at grantown british legion. transport from £4 per person (must be booked in advance) £2 per person covers the cost of tea and cake. call 01479 810004 for more info. outfit moray adventure talk series: david ‘heavy’ whalley 7:30pm (doors 7pm) universal hall, findhorn. tickets £5.50 from www.seetickets.com. all proceeds benefit outfit moray’s work with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. scooty & the skyhooks @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

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

Launching on Monday 16th March at 10:30am St Giles Church Hall, Elgin Tel: 01542-850441

MARCH 2015 4 wednesday inverallan guild : agm. drama with guild members 2:15pm in the inverallan church hall. ‘bagpiping’ - a talk and demonstration by sandy macdonell 7:30pm in the church hall, kincraig some music, some history, and the opportunity to see bagpipes in a completely new light. admission is free. donations to kiwoko hospital, uganda.

5 thursday hunter and the bear 7:30pm at the drouthy cobbler. tickets £15 from the bar • www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

5 thursday - 7 saturday elgin musical theatre presents its 50th show - hello dolly at elgin town hall. thurs & fri 7.30pm, sat 2pm and 7.30pm. tickets £12 / u12 £10 available on-line at www.elginmusicaltheatre.com or from mathesons stores, batchen street, elgin, mon, tues, thurs - sat from 9.30 to 1pm

tel: 01309 690063

March 2015 - page 9

6 friday

14 saturday

playpieces 'the gamekeeper' 1pm at the drouthy cobbler. tickets incl a windswept beer and royans pie. £10 from www.playplaypieces.co.uk or the bar. space jockeys - moray science festival race night doors open 7pm, first race 7.30pm at moray bowling club, seafield street, elgin. strap up, tack up, and bring your winning bets - bet to infinity and beyond. save 'space' for cakes 11am - 2pm in the breakout room at moray college. applied science level 6 will be holding a bake sale to raise money for the moray science festival! includes favourites such as space rock cakes, meteor muffins and alien squares. lunar cycle 11am - 2pm in the breakout room at moray college. they will be cycling 238 miles, each earth mile = 1,000 space miles. to raise money for the moray science festival. watch or take part to help us reach our target. netsounds presents: unknown pleasures feat. hunter & the bear lionel @ ironworks 8pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

7 saturday halestorm+nothing more+wilson @ ironworks 7:30pm. 0871 7894173 • www.ironworksvenue.com

8 sunday the drouthy cobbler whisky society 7:30pm. evening of tutored whisky tasting with graham coull of glen moray. tickets £12 www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

9 monday evening talk: " iolo williams, “my life with wildlife" 8.30pm, grant arms hotel, grantown on spey. an insight into the life of wildlife presenter. for more info visit www.bwwc.co.uk

10 tuesday inverallan old tyme dancing 7:30pm - 10pm at inverallan church hall, grantown-on-spey. mixed old tyme and country dancing to live music. no partner required. £3 incl. tea and biscuits. call 01479 851353 or email: jane.mackintosh.01@btinternet.com

11 wednesday evening talk: " iolo williams, british birds of prey" 8.30pm, grant arms hotel, grantown on spey. an illustrated talk and tour on some of the magnificent birds of prey that can be found in the uk and give us an insight into their habitat, lives and threats they face. www.bwwc.co.uk

12 thursday ivan drever 7:30pm at the drouthy cobbler. tickets £12 from the bar or www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

13 friday film show: raptors 8.30pm, grant arms hotel, grantown on spey. Free and open to all. for info visit www.bwwc.co.uk or email info@bwwc.co.uk

page 10 - March 2015

the western front association: mad, bad, or extremely dangerous? shell-shocked soldiers in the asylum 1914 - 1920 - dr dee hoole, university of aberdeen 2:30pm, elgin library. for details call 01343 870562 or chairman.wfasnb@virgin.net moray science festival – “the final frontier” 10am 4pm (doors open 9.30) at moray college. fun hands on science experiments about space, rockets, stars and aliens. scottish folk promotions presents: the dangleberries @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

16 monday moray carer’s choir launching 10:30am at st giles church hall, elgin. for info call 01542-850441

16 monday - 21 saturday nethy bridge annual charity shop mon - fri 10am 4pm, mon 6pm - 8pm and sat 10am - 12noon at nethy bridge church hall, dell road. with tea, coffee, and baking.

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

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

19 thursday dementia cafe 1:30am - 3pm at fresh café, high street, aberlour. an opportunity for anyone with dementia, carers and family members to meet up for a cuppa in a relaxed and supportive environment, run by alzheimer scotland. 01343 552080 mediation for beginners 6pm - 7pm at elgin youth cafe annexe, the inkwell, elgin. £5 / £3. easy, short techniques to help you relax. call ann on 07824 659714 or meditationmoray@hotmail.com for details and to book.

19 thursday - 20 friday saint joseph altar 10:30am - 6pm, greyfriars convent, abbey street, elgin. sicilian tradition of beautiful food, flowers and charity to honour joseph, foster father of jesus. view altar, add a prayer petition, enter cake raffle, take home a favour. admission free but tinned food or monetary donation to charity encouraged.

21 saturday - 22 sunday moray geology: past, present, future 10am at uhi, moray campus. two day event exploring the history of elgin museum, its unique fossil collection and the geology of the moray area. £5 registration, plus £5 field trip. for more information email dr.sue beardmore at moraygeology2015@hotmail.com

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

the red blues 2pm - 5pm at the drouthy cobbler. relax with an afternoon of acoustic americana. join in or just sit back and enjoy! free and unticketed. visit www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

23 monday moray carer’s choir 11am - 1pm at st. giles church hall, elgin. £4 per session. call 01542 850441 or email moraycarerschoir@gmail.com for info.

25 wednesday do you like jokes? comedy club 7:30pm at the drouthy cobbler. tickets from the bar or online at www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk

27 friday

22 sunday wedding open day @ brodie castle looking for a dream wedding venue? come along and experience the beauty of brodie castle as it opens its doors to showcase its magic. call 01309 641371 for further details. moray burial ground research group agm 2pm at lhanbryde community hal. a talk by terry mcqueen from the highlanders museum, fort george, will follow at 3pm. terry's special interest is military medals. all welcome. haughs of cromdale 10k road race entry on the day from 12 mid-day at cromdale hall. race starts at 1:30pm. for more info call 01479 873488

community car scheme music event - ceilidh, cake and raffle 2pm - 4pm at aviemore british legion. transport from £4 per person (must be booked in advance) £2 per person covers the cost of tea and cake. call 01479 810004 for more info. james mckenzie and the aquascene 7:30pm at the drouthy cobbler. tickets £5 from the bar or online at www.thedrouthycobbler.co.uk rock n wrestling presents: live wrestling @ ironworks 7pm. 0871 7894173 or www.ironworksvenue.com

29 sunday df concerts presents: the view @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

easy to call • easy to click • easy to go

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Book a late deal with easy-breaks.com/latedeals • All breaks are £99 or under, per person • Choose your arrival date from our easy to use calendar • Popular locations in Scotland and England Call 08430 55 44 33 open 7 days 9am to 9pm or book online anytime

© Tim Dickson

PARLIAMENT BLOG

“

Parliament Blog

”

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

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

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

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

In the last few weeks, the world has been remembering the horrific events that happened only seventy years ago in Auschwitz - Birkenau. “Keep the memory alive” has been this year’s slogan for the anniversary of the Holocaust as we remember the 11 million people who were murdered in Nazi death camps. Having visited Auschwitz in 2007 with five Highland schools, it is all the more poignant for me. It is hard to forget walking through the gate marked “Arbeit macht frei” - work will set you free - and the gruesome eeriness of the camp. But that is the point - we shouldn’t forget. The devastation caused to families and communities in the largest mass murder in history is unimaginable. It must be remembered and I’m proud of British schools for educating our children about those horrendous events.

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

Danny Alexander MP

Fergus Ewing MSP

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Football Files

This Month...

A profile on

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

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

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

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

FOOTBALL CLUB Elgin City

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

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

21st March (A) Clyde

Inverness CT

14th March (H) Dundee United

21st March (A) Partick Thistle

Ross County

14th March (A) Hamilton Ac

21st March (H) KIlmarnock

Buckie Th

7th March (H) Berwick R

7th March Scottish Cup

Clachnacuddin

14th March (A) Inverurie Loco

14th March (A) Strathspey Thistle

Keith

14th March (H) Fraserburgh

Lossiemouth FC

14th March (A) Brora Rangers

Nairn County FC

14th March (H) Clachnacuddin

Strathspey Thistle

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

28th March (A) Albion Rovers

28th March League Cup

14th March (A) Nairn County

Forres Mechanics

Rothes FC

Charlie Rowley - Manager

21st March League Cup

The Croft Inn Serving Traditional Lunches and Evening Meals Telephone 01807 590361 www°Ì iVÀ vÌ °V °Õ ÊUÊ ÎÇÊ *Ê Ê > vÜ>ÞÊLiÌÜii Ê ÕvvÌ Ü Ê> `ÊTomintoul

Opening times in March - Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5pm Sunday from 12 noon

Mother’s Day Special

Sunday 15th March 2 Course £14.95 3 Course £19.95 served from 12 noon - 9pm Come and give mum a special treat at The Croft Inn in beautiful Glenlivet. Avoid last minute disappointment - Book Now!

ALSO IN MARCH Thursday’s Fish Supper - Fresh Buckie Haddock in beer batter or breadcrumbs, chunky chips, garden or mushy peas and tarter sauce.

Friday’s ‘Friday Freebie’ - FREE starter with every main course.

Saturday’s Steak Night - Sensation a choice of prime local beef steaks.

Sunday’s Traditional Sunday Roast and Kids EAT FREE (1 child per adult ordering main course meal. Offer excludes Mother’s Day)

MAIN MENU ALWAYS AVAILABLE, PLUS DAILY SPECIALS

Barn The

STEAKHOUSE & GRILL RESTAURANT

Restaurant Review

A tasty night out The Barn Steakhouse and Grill is very easy to find, just east of Lhanbryde on the A96 and has plenty of parking right outside the restaurant, so no long distance to walk if the weather is not great and being in Scotland, that is more than likely.

From the minute we entered the restaurant we were made to feel very welcome. The waitress greeted us with a big smile and took us to a ‘welcome’ table. Looking over the menu we were offered a glass of sparkling Perry and tasty canapés.

The modern look and ambiance was pleasing and the lighting made the restaurant a very relaxing place to be. The NEW menu was vast with lots of different choices that should suit everyone.

Once we had ordered our meal we were taken to our table and served our starters. I had the Pan Seared Scallops on a Pea & Mint Puree and it was just perfect - bursting with flavour My boyfriend had the Haggis Bites which he thoroughly enjoyed too.

We eat out a lot and both agreed that these were the best starters that we have had in a long time. I could have had the Scallops twice over.

There was a huge choice of main courses and I went with the Mediterranean Pan Seared Chicken filled with goats' cheese on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach which, again, was bursting with flavour and deliciously succulent. My boyfriend had Fillet Steak with all the trimmings and it was cooked to perfection, just the way he likes it.

After the main meal I was just too full to have dessert, my boyfriend, however, managed a cheese board which had many different cheeses to choose from and he really enjoyed the chilli chutney that accompanied it.

The Barn Steakhouse has an amazing New menu which covers all tastes (not just steaks!) and a large selection of wonderful whiskies, wines and cocktails... Where else would you go for a enjoyable evening out?

I would definitely recommend the Barn Steakhouse and Grill and I will certainly be going back. It was relaxing and friendly and the staff could not be more helpful and always around if you needed anything. p.s.

I would recommend you book though, to avoid disappointment!

Review, Saturday 31st January- Susie & Chris

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Barn The

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Buy 2 Fish Courses and only pay

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for your starter

Monday

STEAK SUPPER Nights

3VNQ 4UFBL P[ b PS b QFS DPVQMF 3VNQ 4UFBL P[ £14.95 or £27.95 QFS DPVQMF Sirloin 4UFBL P[ £12.50 or £22.95 QFS DPVQMF 4JSMPJO 4UFBL P[ b PS b QFS DPVQMF

EVERY DAY LUNCHTIME SPECIALS The Sandwich & Soup or Chips Fresh bread every day baked on premises

PLUS FULL LUNCHTIME MENU AND SCOTTISH TAPAS #PPL ZPVS UBCMF GPS .PUIFS T %BZ .BSDI UI The Old Mill Inn, winner of the ‘Country

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