SpotLight on Strathspey & District November 2013 by david nelmes

NOVEMBER 2013

A friendly approach to dental care

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

Quality Dental Care for the Whole Family

www.aviemoredentist.co.uk Email: enquiries@aviemoredentalpractice.com

NHS, Private and Dental Plan Registration Now Available with No Waiting Lists No Increase in Highland Dental Plan Rates for 2014 Craig-na-Gower Avenue, Aviemore, PH22 1RW Tel: 01479 810301

Inspire Dental offers Saturday and late evening surgeries until 8pm re All gi n st ew er ed an pa d p tie re nt vio s w us el ly co m e

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See what everyone is talking about and visit Inspire Dental today. Inspire Dental (formerly Kingussie Dental Practice) is under new management with a new team, complete redecoration and rebranding to create that contemporary, fresh and friendly approach to your dental care. We've extended our opening hours to offer you more convenient appointment times on evenings and Saturdays. For full details of the Private, HDP and NHS services currently available call 01540 661280. (NHS services available to children and exempt adults)

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

Property Maintenance and Handyman Services

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General Handyman & Repair Services Interior & Exterior Painting Moving Services

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CLUBS & SOCIETIES 423 (SPEYSIDE) DETACHED FLIGHT AIR TRAINING CORPS Meet every Monday & Thursday, 18:30 - 21:00 in the Grant Hall, Rothes. Age group - 13 - 18 Enquiries can be made to oc.423df@aircadets.org 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. ABERLOUR TENNIS CLUB New members welcome. Two excellent clay courts. Available for visitors, 7 days a week. For information contact Graham Pook on 01340 871835. AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS Free, confidential help & support to the relatives & friends of problem drinkers. Local weekly groups in Highland area. Call 020 7403 0888 for a local contact number for your area or visit www.al-anonuk.org.uk

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page 4 - November 2013

ASHTANGA YOGA AVIEMORE Geranium Cottage, Inverdruie, Aviemore. Yoga centre offering yoga classes. Contact 01479 812511 for times. AVIEMORE BOWLING CLUB Outdoor lawn season. Monday & Wednesday - Club night 6:45pm. Members £2.Visitors £3. We are also holding free trial sessions for anyone wishing to try the sport. Call Norrie 07974 033036 / norriemacleodabc@gmail.com to arrange a session and for further information. 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. 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. GRANTOWN ON SPEY LAWN TENNIS CLUB Junior & adult coaching all year. The club also participates in the Highland District Leagues. Call 01479 873120 GRANTOWN PARENT, BABY AND TODDLER GROUP Twice weekly at Inverallan church hall for fun & play for children & parents/carers alike. All welcome to pop in for a chat and a coffee. Call Emmeline on 01479 873166 for information. GRANTOWN YOUTH GROUP Tues - Girls Night 6pm-10pm. Fri - Youth Drop-in 7pm-11pm. Sat - Youth Drop-in 6pm-10pm. Sun 2pm-6pm. Grantown YMCA / Community Centre, 80 High Street. Call Jennifer Tiller on 01479 872262 AVIEMORE & DISTRICT YOUNG CURLERS Call Mr I. Hay on 01479 870431

HARMONY MUSIC THERAPY SCOTLAND Individual and Group Music Therapy sessions to encourage, enable and empower all ages and abilities through interactive music experiences. Will travel to private homes, facilities and schools. Call Kristen Macleod on 07770427396. HEAVENLY PIECES Wednesdays 2pm - 4pm, June to September at Knockando Church. Afternoon teas, home bakes and Traidcraft stall. All welcome. www.moraykirk.co.uk HIGHLAND SPIRITUAL CINEMA Meets last Wednesday each month at Highland Rail House, Inverness. Film group screening uplifting & inspiring films. Members can also use our postal service to borrow films for home viewing. For details call 01463 237452 or visit www.highlandspiritualcinema.net KINGUSSIE BOWLING CLUB Open daily, May - Sept. Spey Street, Kingussie. Bowls and footwear available. Club nights Mon & Thurs 6:45pm for 7pm. New members & visitors welcome. Call Campbell on 01540 662476 for info or email kingussiebowlingclub@ hotmail.co.uk KINGUSSIE PARENT, BABY & TODDLER GROUP Thursdays 9.15am - 11.30am, Badenoch Centre, Spey Centre, Kingussie. Call 01540 662485 for more information. KNOCKANDO CRAFT GROUP General interest group. Tuesdays 6:30pm-8:30pm. £2 per session. Meets at Margach Hall, Knockando. Contact Lucy: 01340 810229. LADIES KICKBOXING & JUNIOR SELF DEFENCE AVIEMORE Fridays at Aviemore Village Hall, Grampian Road, Aviemore. Juniors 6:15pm - 7:15pm - £3.50 Ladies 7:30pm - 8:30pm - £4.40 Call Kevin Grigsby on 07757 327351or email kevinmgrigsby@ gmail.com

tel: 01309 690063

MORAY & NAIRN FLORAL ART CLUB Wednesdays, 7.30pm, Ramnee Hotel, Forres. Friendship through flowers. Demonstration exhibits raffled. New members welcome. Further details contact Chrissie on 01309 673431 or Jean on 01309 673552 MORTLACH ART GROUP Every Thursday, 1pm - 4:30pm in the Mortlach Memorial Hall, Dufftown. All welcome, 16 up. PILATES Thursdays 10:30am - 11:30am, Boat of Garten Community Hall. Call 01479 831213 for details. 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 STRATHSPEY ANGLING IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Membership open to residents of the Grantown-on-Spey, Duthil, Cromdale, Carrbridge, Dulnain Bridge and Nethybridge areas. Season Visitor Permits are available. Call us at Mortimer's shop in Grantown on Spey, from where this Association is administered. 01479 872684. 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.

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

The Editor

The 2014 Commonwealth Games baton left Buckingham Palace a few weeks ago and has now started a worldwide trek around many of the Commonwealth nations ending up in Glasgow next June. I was surprised recently to learn that there are currently 53 independent sovereign states that are members of the Commonwealth with a further 7 waiting for acceptance. Quite a structure!

PUBLISHER ..............David Nelmes SALES ..........................Peter Evans ACCOUNTS ...................Wendy Day DESIGN .................Alistair Davidson LAYOUT .................Tamsyn Dickson

December Issue Deadlines Editorial - Friday 01/11/13 Advertising - Wednesday 06/11/13

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REAP – Help to Get Ready for the colder Weather… Are you worried about how to pay your heating bills as the weather gets colder? REAP, the Keith-based charity, are running a project funded by Comic Relief throughout Moray, helping people, especially older people, tackle their energy bills. REAP offers confidential and impartial advice on insulation, grants, the Green Deal and benefits, plus help setting up fuel clubs to bulk-buy domestic heating oil. “We are happy to give advice over the phone or face-to-face”, said Barrie Wink, REAP Project Worker. “We can also help people access other help, for example from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau or their landlord. If you or someone you know are struggling with fuel bills do get in touch”, he said. Call REAP on 01542 880200 or e-mail info@reapscotland.org.uk

PASTORAL LETTER & CHURCH MEETINGS Am I the only one who already is feeling somewhat punch drunk with the articles, commentaries, tv programmes etc on the Independence debate? I have a slight fear that by the time D-day arrives at least some of us will be suffering from mental fatigue! Before I go any further, rest assured I am not intending to offer any preference on what the outcome might or ought to be!. My particular interest/concern is about the manner in which the debate is conducted and the effect that that may have on the aftermath, whatever decision is made. The tragedy is that the human animal at times of contention seems to be drawn more readily into ‘rubbishing’ the other person’s point of view rather than the promoting their case. It seems it’s a lot easier to paint a dire picture of consequences of this decision or that rather than to demonstrate why this way or that might be the better way for our society... This challenge of promoting what we believe in a positive way is not unique to political institutions. Christians need constantly to be alert to that the fact HOW they proclaim their faith will have an effect upon how it is received. At one point I used to argue that if you want to

find the most intolerant ‘letters to the editor column’ go no further than the church press!! In some of the lively debates in the church, I, for one, have been aware that some of those of very rigid opinions have little awareness that how they commend their case will have a significant effect upon the hearing it receives. We can also forget, there will be many who embrace neither pole and are trying to find a way ahead while the fusillades of shells from the combatants pass over their heads!. For me one of the most thrilling elements in my faith is the wonderful creative power of God. He has made each of us a unique individual. It’s not just our DNA, fingerprints or appearances that are different. We all are special because we’ve received God’s creative touch. My talents, abilities, life-experiences are special to me. God has giv en them to us,.not so that we can bask in them but so that they can be used. We are all needed to be part of God’s great jigsaw that makes up our world. As He has not given me the monopoly of all wisdom.. it’s imperative I listen and open myself up to the possibility of being enriched through the wisdom of

Abernethy Parish Church Nethy Bridge. Sundays 9.30am: family morning service. Followed by refreshments. Traditional service at 12 noon. Tel: 01479 821280. 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 661 918 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 morning service 10am. Evening worship at Kincardine Church, 6pm the second Sunday of most months: please check the weekly press. Contact: 01479 831252. Craigellachie Church Victoria Street, Craigellachie. Sundays 9.45am. page 6 - November 2013

others.That surely means listening and being open to those whose views may be different from my own. Christians can be notoriously bad in only listening to those who fit their own theological package. The problem is that God speaks in unusual ways through unusual people. I believe it is an openness to others which is something that our faith can offer at this time of national debate. Some may be tempted only to listen to opinions that stack up with theirs. A listening society will I believe make for a better society in post D-day times. And yes.. my Bible Quote. Matthew Ch7v3. ‘Why then do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye?’

The Ven. Richard Gillings St Columba’s Church, Grantown-on-Spey

Cromdale and Advie Church, Church of Scotland Services 9:15am. Contact Diane Brazier: 01479 872547. Dulnain Bridge, Church of Scotland Sunday services 12noon. All welcome. Contact Rev. Morris Smith on 01479 872084 Duthil Parish Church Carrbridge. Sunday morning service at 11.30am. Tel: 01479 831252. 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. Contact Rev. Morris Smith: 01479 872084. www.inverallanparishchurch.org.uk Inveravon Church of Scotland Sunday morning service 9.30am. All welcome. Listed alphabetically from A - I and regularly rotated. For new listings or 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 Halloween Guy Fawkes Day St Andrew’s Day Christmas Day Boxing Day New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day Scottish Bank Holiday Chinese New Year

Thurs 31st Oct 2013 Tues 5th Nov 2013 Sat 30th Nov 2014 Wed 25th Dec 2013 Thurs 26th Dec 2013 Tues 31st Dec 2013 Wed 1st Jan 2014 Thurs 2nd Jan 2014 Fri 31st Jan 2014

Valentine’s Day Mother’s Day Good Friday Easter Sunday Early May Bank Holiday Spring Bank Holiday Summer Bank Holiday Halloween Guy Fawkes Day

Fri 14th Feb 2014 Sun 30th Mar 2014 Fri 18th Apr 2014 Sun 20th Apr 2014 Mon 5th May 2014 Mon 26th May 2014 Mon 4th Aug 2014 Fri 31st Oct 2014 Wed 5th Nov 2014

School Term Dates MORAY COUNCIL SCHOOLS

HIGHLAND COUNCIL SCHOOLS

for 2013/2014 (all dates inclusive) Winter Term Starts Mon 28th Oct 2013 In-Service Day Mon 18th Nov 2013 In-Service Day Tues 19th Nov 2013 Winter Term Ends Fri 20th Dec 2013 Christmas Holiday Starts Mon 23rd Dec 2013 Christmas Holiday Ends Fri 3rd Jan 2014 Spring Term Starts Mon 6th Jan 2014 Mid-Term Holiday Fri 14th Feb 2014 Mid-Term Holiday Mon 17th Feb 2014 Spring Term Ends Fri 28th Mar 2014 Spring Holiday Starts Mon 31st Mar 2014 Spring Holiday Ends Fri 11th Apr 2014

for 2013/2014 (all dates inclusive) Winter Term Ends Fri 20th Dec 2013 Spring Term Starts Mon 6th Jan 2014 Holiday Closure Mon 17th Feb 2014 Holiday Closure Tues 18th Feb 2014 Regional Closure Wed 19th Feb 2014 Regional Closure Thurs 20th Feb 2014 Regional Closure Fri 21st Feb 2014 Spring Term Ends Fri 4th Apr 2014 Good Friday Holiday Fri 18th Apr 2014 Easter Monday Holiday Mon 21st Apr 2014 Summer Term Starts Tues 22nd Apr 2014 May Day Holiday Mon 5th May 2014

Useful Contacts Aberlour Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871693 Aberlour Post Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .01340 871201 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 810363 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 Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 DOCTORS Aberlour Heath Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01340 871210 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 page 8 - November 2013

Glenlivet Medical Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01807 590273 Grantown-on-Spey Medical Practice . . . . . 01479 872484 Kingussie Medical Practice. . . . . . . . . . . . . 01540 661233 Out-of-hours emergency NHS 24 . . . . . . . 08454 242424 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 Other useful numbers are rotated on a regular basis. If you would like to add a contact or if there are any amendments to be made to existing details, email tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

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PARLIAMENT BLOG Recently, I was privileged to visit British Armed Forces personnel deployed in Afghanistan. I was impressed by the hugely professional British troops who are helping Afghan forces operate by themselves and take on the security challenges facing the Afghan government. There is no doubt, we are right to be proud of our country’s service men and women. While I was there, I also had the opportunity to meet secondary school girls, who talked about the challenges of increasing the number of girls in secondary education, and I took part in a roundtable discussion with Afghan women. We discussed the vital role women, young people and civil society will play in the country’s upcoming elections and the significant challenges faced by women seeking an active role in politics. Despite recent progress in women’s rights in Afghanistan, women still face very significant challenges, from physical violence to psychological abuse. It is absolutely critical that Afghanistan takes the necessary steps to ensure women are able to play their full role in society and live lives free of violence. Education is a key part of improving the lives of Afghan women and girls. It is critical to upholding women’s rights and improving their job opportunities. I am proud that the UK is taking the lead in enabling women and girls play to active part in Afghan society - by providing much needed investment in education, democracy and human rights.

Schools out! Our wee one, Natasha, (5), recently spent her first week at primary school. On day four of her education ( thursday) she told me : "Daddy, I think I have done enough school now!" I had to persuade her to persevere a little longer. This week in Holyrood I attended an Edinburgh primary school to promote the Year of Natural Scotland, to a class of ten year olds - and I am pleased to say that they were very well informed about the animals and birds that Scotland is famous for. Perseverance rewarded! They wanted to see more of Scotland for themselves. Arguably, the most important thing Government is in charge of is education - and therefore teachers are the most important people in society. To equip young people not only with facts but understanding and a grounding in skills in language, figures and finances is vital for much of adult life. I was delighted that Sir Ian Wood is heading up a Scottish Government commission looking at how we as a society prepare young people for the big bad world - and his report will look at things like better vocational training - and more links between businesses and schools. This is all to the good. Most important, we need to inspire children and fill them with confidence and hope. As the Poet William Butler Yeats once said: Education is not about filling a bucket. It is about lighting a fire.

Danny Alexander MP

Fergus Ewing MSP

Friday

Tuesday

5-7pm Drive Time

7-8pm Shirley’s Choice

107.1fm Monday

7-9pm Pete’s Beat 9-10pm John’s World

www.speysound.com to listen live

7-9pm Alison’s Allsorts

Wednesday

Saturday

8-9pm Folk ’n’ That

8-10am Malky in the Morning

Thursday

8-10pm Home Grown Sessions

5-7pm Ceilidh in the Park

Sunday

7-9pm Classics For Pleasure

8-10am Grant Sunday Breakfast

9-10pm Speysound Scottish

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Inverness Maths and English Study Centre

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page 10 - November 2013

tel: 01309 690063

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admin@spotlighton.co.uk

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£109

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55 44 33 or book online at www.easy-breaks.com Open 7 days 9am to 9pm Terms and conditions: All rates are per person, per break based on two guests sharing a double or twin room and include dinner, bed and breakfast unless otherwise stated, please check for family and single room rates and availability. All reservations must be pre-paid at time of booking by credit or debit card and an administration charge applies to each reservation. All rates are subject to availability which may be limited - when they’re gone, they’re gone, and excludes the festive period, so book quickly to avoid disappointment. *If you find the same deal cheaper on any other third party booking site within 48 hours of booking, we will match that rate. Full terms and conditions apply, please see website.

Please send Us details Of YOUr events Deadline for the December Issue: Friday, 1st November Website: www.spotlighton.co.uk Email: tamsyn@spotlighton.co.uk Telephone: 01309 690063 Inclusion of events into the What’s On is free. We do not accept submissions for classes, courses or workshops. Please note: contact venues and organisers first as there may be changes to events.

9 saturday roddy hart & the lonesome fire @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com more sky than we need 8pm, universal hall, forres. the hugely popular plan b are back with a beautiful and serene meditation on the vast clouds above us and the immense space within us. for details please visit www.universalhall.co.uk or call 01309 690110

12 tuesday

OCTOBER 28 monday bastille @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

30 wednesday lisbee stainton 7:30pm, ogstoun theatre, gordonstoun school, nr elgin. £10/£5. for more information visit www.thegcs.org.uk tickets from www.hubtickets.co.uk

tea & competition fundraising for the greyfriars club doors open at 6:30pm at the elgin town hall.

13 wednesday nadfas fine art lecture on the genius of antonio stradivari delivered by tony faber 11am, sherwood suite, eight acres hotel, elgin. visitors welcome.

NOVEMBER 1 friday sharon shannon music @ the loft doors 8pm. tickets £15 from the loft 01343850111, sound & vision, elgin or www.wegottickets.com

2 saturday forres fireworks display 6:30pm, grant park, forres. collections made on the night pay for the fireworks for the following year – so the more money donated the grander the fireworks next year!

4 monday illustrated talk: “back country adventures in western canada: climbing, canoeing and ski-touring exploits in the rocky mountains” by ewan paterson 7.30pm, boat of garten community hall. £5 admission.

5 tuesday civic bonfire & fireworks display 7:30pm, bught park, inverness. featuring one of the biggest bonfires around and a stunning 20 minute fireworks display.

6 wednesday inverallan guild meeting 2:15pm in the inverallan church hall with rev. morris smith.

7 thursday aberchirder nursery christmas fayre 6pm - 8pm. local producers & exhibitors' tables, nursery & school crafts for sale, raffle, lucky dip, teas, coffees & mince pies all funds raised in support of nursery. page 12 - Novemver July 2013 2013

tel: 01309 690063

admin@spotlighton.co.uk

highlands & islands growers annual horticultural day 9:30am - 5pm, nairn community centre. open to all with a horticultural interest. 5 speakers on a wide range of topics. entry £25. visit www.logie.co.uk

15 friday - 24 sunday nomads tent exhibition 10:30am - 5pm. westfield house, near elgin, iv30 8xl. a selling exhibition of tribal rugs, crafts, jewellery and artefacts. refreshments available all day. soup and rolls for lunch all proceeds from refreshments in aid of children 1st.

16 saturday the western front association: members’ forum and book auction 2:30pm. the gallery, elgin library. 01343 870562. chairman.wfasnb@virgin.net craig campbell @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

17 sunday christmas lights switch on & ding dong merrily old high 5:30pm - 7:30pm, city centre. on the steps of inverness town house welcome the provost & santa as they turn on the lights with a singalong at the old high church in church street. britten @ 100 3pm, boat of garten community hall. concert of vocal chamber music to celebrate the centenary of british composer benjamin britten tickets £12/£10/£5. info@calderas-nigh-music.com

18 monday travis @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com illustrated talk: “the capture of german u-boat 570 off iceland in 1941: cowardice or incompetence?” the story of a little-known world war 2 naval drama, by tim honnor 7:30pm, boat of garten community hall. £5 admission.

21 thursday the darkness @ ironworks 7pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

22 friday classic clapton - tribute to eric clapton @ ironworks 7:30pm. 0871 7894173 or www.ironworksvenue.com

23 saturday ceilidh dance with archie mcphee 8pm - midnight at daviot village hall. interval refreshments & raffle. all welcome. contact patsy thompson 01540 651377 the south @ the spectrum centre 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com winter festival @ brodie castle 12pm - 3pm (last entry 2.30pm) join earthtime for a celebration of all things wintry and frosty in the castle grounds. for further information please call earthtime on 01343 541335 or visit www.nts.org.uk/events. 50’s rock n’ roll party 8pm at the carr-bridge hotel. with the creoles and special guest star kevin mccarthy. supper, wine, raffle and auction. £20 per person. for tickets call 07974 077892 admin@spotlighton.co.uk

elgin christmas light switch on from 11:30am - 6pm in elgin city centre. entertainment on the plainstones all day, market stalls, reindeer parade with santa at 2pm, lights switch on at 5pm. creative moray firth craft fair 10am - 5pm, nairn community & arts centre. local contemporary crafters with a wide range of unique gifts for all ages. more information at www.facebook.com/creativemorayfirth.

24 sunday moray cats protection fayre 12pm - 4pm, elgin town hall. free entry. contact jane lax on 07837 342646

26 tuesday sportmoray recognition awards elgin town hall. recognising sporting individuals and teams from moray. for further details, contact 01343 563657.

28 thursday moray society lecture 2pm, elgin museum hall. a talk by margaret woodward. entry is £3, £2 for society members, £1.50 for students. for more information call elgin museum on 01343 543675 or email curator@elginmuseum.org.uk

29 friday wine and pottery night @ the loft 7:30pm. call 01343 850111 to book a place. the lafontaines @ ironworks 7:30pm. call 0871 7894173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com

30 saturday christmas lights switch-on 5pm, tolbooth, forres. with culbin singers and elgin city band. james ross concert @ brodie castle within the main drawing room. for further details and to book call 0844 493 2156 or go onto www.nts.org.uk/events ceilidh in aid of macmillan cancer support (lhanbryde & urquhart committee) 7:30pm, lhanbryde community centre. entertainment by sandy ross and friends. £6. for details call eleanor cantlay 01343 842338 or betty forsyth 01343 842435

THE MORAY PIANO COMPETITION 2013 ELGIN TOWN HALL Saturday 16th November - Qualifying Rounds Age 16 years and under 9.30am Age 20 years and under afternoon session 1.30pm Age 20 years and under evening session 6.30pm PUBLIC ADMISSION FREE Programme £3

Sunday 17th November - 2.30pm - Finals Age 12 years and under (Qualifying Round) 9.45am

Tickets at the door Adults: £8 (no concession) Children under 18 free Adjudicators: Martin Roscoe and Gordon Fergus-Thompson Outstanding young pianists from home and abroad compete for a share of prize money totalling £4000 www.moray-piano-competition.co.uk The Moray Piano Festival Trust is a registered Scottish Charity No. SC032432

tel: 01309 690063

November 2013 - page 13

your first choice for bathrooms sensational offers available in-store bathroom suites • showers & enclosures tiles & accessories • wet rooms fitted furniture • experienced staff

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The AUTUMN

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CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHT

Friday 13th December, 7pm till Midnight at Nairn Community & Arts Centre

Professional L.A.W.N C.A.R.E SERVICES

WINTER

Now is the time to have your lawns expertly prepared for Winter and the new growing season. Hollow Tine Aeration and Scarifying are best done at this time of year - From Autumn onwards. Hollow Tine Aeration Removes cores to de-compact the soil (after possibly heavy traffic through Summer!!) Tining allows water, nutrients and oxygen to reach the root zone of the grass plant more easily. Deep Scarifying Will thin out and remove much of the thatch and moss which has built up over the season giving room for new shoots to grow and spread in the Spring. We clean up and remove all the waste after scarifying or hollow tining your lawn Autumn Treatment Programme Our renowned Autumn/Winter treatment formula slowly releases nutrients through the winter, feeding and strengthening roots, maintaining the lawn's deep green presentation with our moss controller, if required. For your no-obligation survey, analysis & quotation, please contact the experts on: DISCOUNTS APPLY ON ALL THE ABOVE SERVICES

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ENERGY SOLUTIONS WHICH CAN IN TURN SAVE MONEY Retain more free electrical energy for your evening use or in case of a power Creating a more energy environment has become a viable cost systems cutting method for businesses cut efficient by installing the latest in battery storage that store electricityand homeowners looking to cut back and make changes to their properties in a bid to cut costs.

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W ER AT NE MB RE ! NU E G ICE M RV SA SE

Gordon Gordon Christie

21 West Road, Greshop Industrial Estate, Forres IV36 2GW (Behind Lidl) Easy Parking & Disabled Toilet Facilities

original affordable exciting

recipe

Chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Confidential King Scallops, Pork Belly, Cabbage, Buerre Blanc INGREDIENTS

1/2 Bottle white wine

6 King scallops

150g Butter

1/ 2 kg Pork belly

1/2 Lime

1 White cabbage

2 Carrots

1 Savoy cabbage

1 Onion

1 Cauliflower

30g Rosemary

1 Curly kale

Peppercorns

2 Radish

1 ltr Water

METHOD Pork belly Fry the pork belly for 2 minutes with oil. Add water, rosemary, carrot, onion, and peppercorns. Bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer gently for 4 hours. Then leave to cool. Remove from stock and slice into strips.

Scallops In a large very, hot frying pan add a touch of oil. Add seasoned scallops and pork belly slices. Cook until golden. Then turn over. Turn off the heat. Add a knob of butter and squeeze of lime.

Garnish Thinly slice the white cabbage and cauliflower. Cut the savoy into small, round pieces. Portion the kale. Blanch in boiling salted water. Refresh with cold water.

Plating Blanch the cabbage, cauliflower and kale with seasoned boiling water and drain. Place the vegetables around the plate, then the pork belly and scallops. Add a few thin slices of radish. Finally dress with the buerre blanc.

Buerre Blanc Dice cold butter into small cubes. Reduce the wine by 2/3. Whisk in the butter a few pieces at a time until creamy. Lightly season and keep warm.

Kindly supplied by Head Chef, Martin W Ewart

The Newton Hotel, Nairn, IV12 4RX. Tel: 01667 459001

The Newton HotelN airn ONLY

6 WEEKS until the festivities commence

FRIDAY 6TH DECEMBER A night with Michael Bublé ‘Tribute Act’ Complimentary Stovies served with oatcakes for all party goers .50 at the interval £

SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER Join a Party Night with Resident DJ.

Includes Three Course Meal

25.00

FRIDAY 13TH DECEMBER Nightmare before Christmas Theme with Resident DJ. Includes Two Course Buffet Meal £

15.00

SATURDAY 14TH DECEMBER Live Band ‘Vinyl Countdown’, Resident DJ & Five Course Gala Dinner

FRIDAY 20TH DECEMBER Join a Party Night with Resident DJ. Includes Three Course Meal £

34.50

25.00

We are also taking bookings for Festive Sunday Lunches, Christmas Day Lunch & Hogmanay. For further information contact us on 01667 453144 Email: reservations.newton@bespokehotels.com

All prices are per person.

TTHEY EY SAY AY ITS B BEEN EEN THE BEST ST S ME SUMME ER R FOR SEVEN EN YEARS RS!! ...B B WHA BUT WH HAT ABO OUTT THI THIS WINTTER? s you

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Winter Servicing

Motoring

headlights. If visibility is seriously reduced, use rear fog lights, but remember to turn them off when visibility improves so as to not dazzle other road users.

WINTER CHECK LIST Correct Tyres for conditions Despite our best efforts, winter weather can still make

Anti Freeze

roads treacherous and there is no guarantee that roads will always be completely free of ice and snow. The key

Battery is charging properly

to safer driving this winter is to make sure you and your vehicle are fully prepared and that you always

Lights are clean and working

drive with due care for the weather and condition of the roads.

Screen Wash & Wipers

There are many local garages that offer a superior winter service to ensure your car is mechanically and

Breaks arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worn

electrically fully prepared. You, however, are responsible for driving safely and caring for your health. To aid these endeavours here

Drive in the highest gear possible in icy conditions to

are a few simple pointersâ&#x20AC;Ś

avoid wheel spin. Do not drive in flooded areas or

Keep a safe stopping distance at all times. It can take

places where ice could be covering water. Watch out

ten times longer to stop in ice and snow. Avoid harsh braking and sudden acceleration; this could lead to skidding.

for motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders - they can be difficult to see in bad conditions. Try your brakes after driving through deep water, braking lightly will help to dry them out.

If visibility is poor during the day due to heavy rain, snow, fog or mist, use dipped

Always give our gritters and snow ploughs plenty of room, be patient and don't follow too closely behind.