Lochaber Life #352 February 2023

LOVE AND CARING

February, the month when lovers and perhaps admirers from afar send Valentine’s greetings to each other – so don’t forget your important other half. In this issue the caring message continues by highlighting various activities which can help people make the most of their lives. Youngsters in particular can bene t from the experience of others, which comes with age and particular skills learned over the years that can be passed on to their bene t. Success can also be helped along by natural talent and dedication, as demonstrated by local musician Steve Brown who took number one spot in the Country charts and 10-year-old Harry Stewart who is taking the gol ng world by storm. Have a happy time. Biodh deagh àm agad. Iain

FRONT PAGE PHOTOGRAPH:

West Highland Museum Education O cer Flora Swietlicki with the exhibition of children’s art on the subject of “My Fort William”. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos

Beatha Lochabair

LHS Creative Writing Club

Emilie Stewart

A new club is running in Lochaber High School dedicated to creative writing for junior students.

The club offers a quiet, friendly and inviting space to share ideas, provide feedback and hone writing skills. Each session typically consists of reading new material and excerpts of writing followed by interactive writing exercises.

In recent collaborative sessions, writers have begun with short sentence prompts and taken turns at each writing their own paragraph to take the story in whichever direction and genre they’d like. Members are encouraged to

take part in writing competitions and opportunities, as well as take part in discussions about topics such as world building in long-form projects, choice of narrative and creating convincing characters through dialogue.

The creative writing club runs every Monday lunchtime at 1.30pm in Lochaber High and is open to all S1-3s.

The club began on Hallowe’en, with the first session based around spooky storytelling and poetry. Since then there have been sessions exploring the possibilities of collaborative writing, colour and the winter season.

Moving through the high school I saw few opportunities

for students with a genuine interest in creative writing to express it other than in compulsory folio pieces or at home.

I wanted to create a club for younger students to give them a place to explore the possibilities of writing, different genres, styles and share their ideas and opinions with others.

Club member Sine Grant said:  “It is a good place to express yourself and gives you the opportunity to write what you want with fewer limitations.”

Each session is documented in its own short blog post on the club website, which features all of the writing produced during exercises in written and typed form.

MEDIA CAREER TALK

Iain Ferguson

Towards the end of last year I was invited to speak to pupils at Kilchuimen Academy in Fort Augustus about careers in journalism and photography. Having enjoyed a long and, these days, quite unusual career working in just about every aspect of the media, I am always happy to share my experiences and encourage people, especially young people, to think about the industry as an interesting and worthwhile long-term job.

Using Lochaber Life and the Lochaber Times as examples of print journalism for sixth year English students, they had questions of how things were

put together and the different deadlines each worked to. Lochaber Times being weekly, needs content quickly, whereas Lochaber Life is generally planned a couple of months ahead of the publication date.

In the art class we spoke about different styles of photography to best illustrate the subject of the story. Thank you for the opportunity – I really enjoyed the visit and hopefully it was helpful.

Michael MacGuire captured this stunning shot from opposite the three sisters, near top of Aonach Eagach.

Volunteering in a Citizens Advice Bureau

Becoming a volunteer in a Citizens Advice Bureau offers an interesting and varied experience and an opportunity to make real difference in your community. Volunteers can be advisers or administrators, or get involved in social policy, fundraising, IT, communications and social media, and more.

Nearly 2000 volunteers work in Citizens Advice Bureaux all over Scotland, helping in lots of different ways. The average time given to volunteering each week is around six hours. If we paid all those volunteers the average wage for those six hours, the additional wage bill to CAB across Scotland every year would be just shy of £10 million. This fantastic contribution is the lifeblood of our work.

Why volunteer in a Citizens Advice Bureau?

There are lots of reasons why you might want to volunteer in your local bureau:

It’s a really stimulating place to volunteer, with lots of different things to do.

You can help in a way that suits the time you can spare and the skills you can offer.

You can learn new skills and improve your confidence.

Our comprehensive bureau training and supervision programmes mean you’ll get lots of support along the way.

Lots of people who’ve been Citizens Advice Bureau volunteers move on to

paid work or further education.

You’ll get a buzz from helping yourself and those around you.

You’ll meet new and interesting people.

If you’re looking for a job, working in a bureau won’t affect your benefits and can really enhance your CV. Find out more and apply online

Read more about the different volunteer roles you can get involved with below, or contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau to find out about volunteer vacancies they are looking to fill.

www.cas.org.uk/about-us/ volunteer-citizens-advice-bureau www.lochabercab.org.uk/volunteer

DURING OPENING HOURS 10am-3pm, TELEPHONE 01397 705311 Message can be left EMAIL – Advice@lochabercab.org.uk

LOVING LEMON VALENTINES

INGREDIENTS

• The rind of 3 lemons

• Tin condensed milk

• 200g digestive biscuits

• 200g desiccated coconut

• 250g salted butter

• Icing sugar - quite a lot!

• Lemon juice from 2 lemons

• METHOD •

Whizz up or finely crush digestives – I put them in a bag then roll with rolling pin to crush them.

Put in a large bowl with condensed milk and desiccated coconut, mix together then add melted butter. Mix well then grease a rectangular baking tin, put in mixture spread smooth to a level.

Chill in fridge for an hour till firm to touch. In a separate bowl grate 3 lemon rinds and add juice of 1 lemon to start with and about 5 heaped tbl spoons icing sugar. Keep adding icing sugar and little bits of lemon juice till a firm but spreadable mixture of lemon icing

Spread icing over the chilled base and leave in fridge overnight.

FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL

The organisers of the Fort William Mountain Festival are thrilled to announce the line-up for 2023.

Between the 16th-19th February 2023 you are invited to join us in Fort William, the Outdoor Capital of the UK, for a jam-packed programme of guided outdoor activities, inspirational speakers, thought-provoking films and an interactive, adventure-themed exhibition. It’s a privilege for us to organise such a diverse programme, bringing together everyday adventurers, elite athletes, mountain professionals and local residents on the same stage.

Visitors will be able to choose from inspiring speakers and internationally renowned films at one of three Festival venues across Fort William. On the Climbing Night, Patagonia will feature the world-class athlete Robbie Phillips. Scottish Mountaineering Press will be hosting a Winter Climbing Forum alongside speakers from biking, snow-sports and paddle-sports, as well as the Banff Centre Mountain Festival World Tour.

Sunday afternoon will be a very special Family Film event featuring local families which will be free to attend thanks to sponsorship from Stramash Outdoor Nursery

During the day visitors will be able to participate in a varied programme of Fringe Events, under the guidance of local experts.

Especially for 2023 we have a new short film competition; The Golden Axe Award. This has been established in memory of Rob Brown a truly valued member of the festival committee and avid film maker. In 2022 we sadly lost him to the mountains and his great character will be very much missed.

The Fort William Mountain Festival is made possible thanks to the support of our sponsors: Outdoor Capital of the UK, Ellis Brigham, Fatmap, Patagonia, Nevis Landscape Partnership,  Jahama Highland Estates, John Muir Trust, UHI West Highland College,  SunGod, Gin Bothy, GeoRope, Stramash and many more friends and supporters.

FORT WILLIAM MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL ‘23 16 -

DETAILS ON OUR WEBSITE www.mountainfestival.co.uk

19 FEB

19 years of celebrating inspirational and diverse world-wide adventures brought to you from the Outdoor Capital of the UK (OCUK).

Tips for taking to the hills with your best friend

“Wee Man” and his “Little Lady” had a pup join the family in November. “Rascal” is her pseudonym. They have been trying to teach her how to be a good dog. The period up to 16 weeks old is a very important socialisation time. This includes meeting new people, interacting with other dogs, staying home alone, going in the car, hearing loud noises etc. Rascal hopes to go on adventures like her buddies so has been learning these skills too. Firstly we spent time on basic training, especially around inducing calmness. We made sure we built new experiences gradually. One of the key things is that puppies shouldn’t exercise too hard. A handy rule is to give five minutes of exercise per month of life and at their own pace. It depends on the breed as to when they will become skeletally mature, at which point exercise can significantly increase. Here is how we gradually got Rascal ready for her first wild camping trip: Rascal learned early how to be carried in a specially designed doggy rucksack meaning she could safely be carried places that would otherwise be too far. The rucksack was nothing to be scared of and there was kibble as a reward for getting inside! Then she started riding in the rucksack on the back of a bicycle to much excitement! She learned that the wheels were nothing to be scared of or something to attack. Before Christmas we packed the bike, and with Rascal in the rucksack, headed to a bothy to practise an overnight stay. Last week she practised a short train ride. Both experiences had gone well, so yesterday we were ready for a camping adventure. We took the train to Corrour to camp by Loch Ossian. Rascal slept the whole way on the train. She played in the snow and tired herself out before sleeping in the tent. She didn’t chew up any camping equipment and was warm snuggled up next to Little Lady with their own sleeping bag! The next day she rode on my back through Strath Ossian. She had times in the bag and times out for short jogs so that she didn’t get uncomfortable.

The Wee Man and Little Lady think that Rascal is coming on nicely in her adventure training. Don’t worry if your pup isn’t ready for wild camping yet. Let them go at their own pace, making sure they are relaxed and happy. They’ll be able to use all the other socialisation skills they are learning now when they are ready to start something more ambitious later!

Iain Ferguson

Pupils and staff of Glencoe House at Lochaber High School are appealing for help with ambitious plans to expand their garden and outdoor activities area.

As an Enhanced Provision Unit, they already have access to an outdoor space with some raised garden beds and small grassy patch, but taking into account the Lochaber weather its use is often limited. With this in mind staff and students have undertaken a project to come up with suggestions on what they would like to have, generating a lot of interest and number of ideas which were both exciting and in the main quite achievable.

In addition to revamping the existing garden boxes, which have given the youngsters great pleasure in the past by growing flowers and vegetables, tending them and following their progress, an outdoor classroom also came very high up the list. This would provide shelter and enable lessons to be taught in the open surroundings which many of the students would find helpful in their learning process.

Plans also include opening up a large grassy area which is currently enclosed by a large fence and inaccessible. It is hoped that this could be fitted out with various activity items such as swings and (as some students requested) a basketball hoop.

PUPIL’S PLAN NEW OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT

While these may seem relatively minor things, their use will greatly enhance the experience of many students who will find the movement of the swings calming, while throwing ‘hoops’ will also greatly improve coordination and concentration.

Other ideas were a tree house, park, bird feeding station and area for giant bouncing ball, all of which would also benefit users in many different ways. It is also hoped to organise a ‘Create a Garden in a Day’ event starting with the existing boxes.

A fundraising campaign is about to start with a Prize Bingo in Caol Community Centre on March 31. While donations of prizes and coming along to support it will be welcome, there is also and appeal to local businesses to donate their skills in building and assembling the equipment and preparing the grounds.

Principal teacher, Glencoe House, Elaine Campbell said: “We are raising money and looking for support to further develop our outdoor learning environment.

“We have involved the pupils in getting their ideas of what they would like to see. Some of them were a bit ambitious, but the bulk fo them are achievable. If anyone would like to help please get in touch with me by contacting Lochaber High School”.

MOAN – DAN

1958 -2022 (Caol)

Peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday 6th December 2022, Dan Moan, known to all as Danny, aged 64 years, Blar Mhor Road, Caol, Fort William, Handyman in the Belford Hospital, Fort William, formerly worked for Bear Scotland (formerly Transerv) in the roads department for over 20 years, and will be well remembered in his Ice Cream Van (Danny’s Ices). A loving husband to Kerry, a treasured dad to Jenna, Catherine, Jamie and Daniel, and father-in-law to Pamela, Lauren and Khalid a wonderful grandad to Damien, Ellie, Layla, Lucie, Livy, Maliha, Ameera and Elsie, a much loved son to Elizabeth Ann Clark and the late Michael (Micky) Moan and a caring brother of Catherine, Micky, Billy, Jane and Jimmy, a dearly loved relative, neighbour, colleague and a friend to many. Rest In Peace.

MACNICOL – EUPHEMIA

1936 – 2022 (Fort William)

Suddenly but peacefully, in the care of the Belford Hospital, Fort William, on Saturday 10th December 2022, Euphemia MacNicol (Phem), aged 86 years, Cameron Road, Fort William. A loving sister to Isobel, Anne, Margaret, Kenny and the late Mary and Alasdair, a much loved auntie, relative, neighbour and friend. Sadly missed.

HAGGERTY – PAT

1934 – 2022 (Inverlochy)

Sadly, but peacefully, surrounded by his loving family in the care of the Belford Hospital, Fort William, on Tuesday 27th December 2022, Patrick Gerard Haggerty, known to all as Pat, aged 88 years, Locheil Road, Inverlochy, Fort William, former long serving employee with British Alcan (Lochaber Smelter). Beloved husband to Helen, a loving dad to John, Stephen, Paul, Michael and Patricia, a much loved granda to Ryan, Mark, Gavin, Natalie, Connor, Chloe, Ross, Liam, Lauren, Patrick and Kathleen and a proud GG to 12 great grandchildren, a caring relative, neighbour and a good friend to many. RIP.

MORAN – JOHN

1952 – 2022

(Ballachulish)

Peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on Monday 19th December 2022, John Moran, aged 70 years, MacColl Terrace, Ballachulish, long-serving Chef at Glensanda Quarry and formerly the Ballachulish Hotel. A loving husband to Frances, a much loved dad to Barry, John, Paul and Julie-Anne and father-in-law to Jane, Helen, Fiona and Innes, a wonderful granda to Lewis, Harris, Archie, Ruaraidh, Annabel, Lily and Amber, a brother to Anne, Margaret and the late Denise and Michael, a caring uncle, relative, neighbour, friend and master to his beloved dog Brahm. RIP

MACKAY – MAIRI

1961 – 2022 (Caol)

Tragically, on Sunday 18th December 2022, Mairi Doris MacKay, aged 61 years, MacMillan Place, Caol, Fort William, laundry assistant at Moss Park Care Home for over 20 years. A loving wife to the late Sandy, a treasured mum to David and Helen, a wonderful granny to Zara, Angelina, Lana, Emilia, Dain, Finlay, Faolan, a much loved sister, auntie, neighbour and a very kind friend to many. Forever in the hearts of those who loved her most.

CAMPBELL – LORNE

1958 – 2022 (Fort William)

Suddenly, at the Belford Hospital, Fort William, on Saturday 3rd December 2022, Lorne MacIntyre Campbell, aged 64 years, Belhaven Drive, Fort William. A loving son of the late Neil and Bessie Campbell, a much-loved dad to Lorna, Rory, Sandy and Nikki, a wonderful papa to Jordan, Madison, Hayley, Stuart, Roman, Kacy, Jason, Kieran and Tyler-Jayne, brother to Heather, Fiona, Duncan and the late Diarmid, a caring relative, neighbour and friend to many. Greatly missed.

ROBERTSON – YVONNE

1939 – 2022

(Kinlochleven)

Sadly, but peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family, following a long battle with Parkinson’s, on Tuesday 20th December 2022, Yvonne Caroline Robertson, aged 82 years, Wades Road, Kinlochleven. Beloved wife to the late Bertie, a much loved partner to Sandy, a loving mum to Caroline and Graham, a wonderful grandmother and great grandmother to all her grandchildren, a much loved sister to Skipper, Johnny and Wendy and the late David and Fiona, a caring auntie, neighbour and friend. So greatly missed and loved.

INNES – BOBBY 1957 – 2022 (Caol)

Peacefully, in the great care of Invernevis House, Fort William, on Friday 16th December 2022, Robert Alexander Innes (Bobby), aged 65 years, Olwyn Courtyard, Caol, Fort William. Beloved husband of the late Jean, a loving son to the late Frankie and Margaret, a treasured dad to Karen, George and the late Tracey, a wonderful grampa to Caitlin, Dean, Owen, Saffron and Isabelle, a much loved brother to Neil, Donald, Margaret, Charlie and the late John and Frankie, a caring relative, neighbour and a great friend to many. Sadly missed.

BAYLIFF – JEAN

1926 – 2022

(Caol)

Sadly, but peacefully, in the loving care of the Belford Hospital, Fort William, on Friday 16th December 2022, Jean Bayliff, aged 96 years, Glenpane Street, Caol. Beloved wife of the late Jackie Bayliff, a treasured mum to Rodger, a loving sister to Annie, a much loved auntie, relative, neighbour and a good friend of many. Greatly missed.

ROBERTSON – CHRISSIE

1930 – 2022

(Corpach)

Peacefully at home, with her loving family by her side, on Tuesday 20th December 2022, Chrissie Ann Robertson, aged 92 years, Drumfada Terrace, Corpach, Fort William. Beloved wife of the late George, a treasured mum to June, Marie, David, Joe, Catherine and the late Malcolm, a wonderful nana, great nana and greatgreat nana to all her grandchildren, a much loved auntie, relative and friend. Forever loved and missed.

MANSON & MACBEATH FUNERAL DIRECTORS

10 Battlefield Crescent, Inverlochy, Fort William PH33 6NB

Tel (24 Hour): 01397 701110 www.mansonandmacbeath.co.uk

NESS – JAMES 1929 – 2022 (Fort William)

We are sorry to announce that our father James Ness (known to all as Jimmy) died peacefully on 22nd December 2022 at Moss Park Care home. He was 93 years old.

Jimmy was born in Fort William in 1929 and was a keen mountaineer from an early age. He is credited with several first ascents in Glen Nevis though he was always modest about his achievements. He was involved in mountain rescue for over 70 years and was associated with the Lochaber Team from the outset. Jimmy was chairman of the LMRT until relatively recently.

Jimmy pursued a career as a banker and financier which led him to emigrate to South Africa in the early 1950s where his three children were born. Following political unrest in South Africa he returned to Scotland with his family and ran his wife Kathleen’s family hotel in Aberdeen before returning home to Fort William in 1972. In 1977 he and Kathleen established The Granite House in the High Street which his family still run.

Jimmy was a keen Egyptologist and painter. He spent many years holidaying in Egypt with Kathleen and made many friends there in the archaeological community. He painted several portraits for his Egyptian friends.

Jimmy led a very long and full life and he will be sadly missed by three generations of the Ness family as well as his friends in the mountaineering community.

MACKAY – FLORA

1936 – 2022 (Corpach/Caol)

Suddenly, but peacefully, at home in her sleep, on Monday 12th December 2022, Flora MacKay, aged 86 years, Walter Cameron Way, Corpach, formerly of Camesky Road, Caol. A treasured mum to Alexander, Christine, Florence and the late Maryann, a wonderful granny to Leanne, Bryan, Lindsay, Gary, Caitlin, Ami, and a proud GG to Emily, Maci, Laiya and Ruben, a loving sister to Chrissie MacKinnon, a much loved mother-in-law, relative, neighbour and friend. Forever loved and missed.

MACGILLIVRAY

1936 – 2022 (Lochyside)

– MARY

Peacefully, in the exceptional loving care of The Mackintosh Centre, Mallaig, on Wednesday 14th December 2022, Mary MacGillivray, aged 86 years, formerly of Riverside Park, Lochyside, Fort William. A loving mum to Theresa and Tricia, a wonderful Granny Mary to Ali, Sarah, and Molly and a proud GG to Kye, Hana and Zak, a much loved sister, relative, neighbour and good friend to many. Sadly missed.

MANSON & MACBEATH FUNERAL DIRECTORS

10 Battlefield Crescent, Inverlochy, Fort William PH33 6NB

Tel (24 Hour): 01397 701110 www.mansonandmacbeath.co.uk

Iain Ferguson

Towards the end of last year Jan and John launched a campaign to collect clothes, food and life saving equipment for the people of Ukraine, which they went on to personally deliver directly to where it was needed. The generosity of Lochaber provided £12,500 worth of aid which made the 2,500 mile journey to the war-torn region.

Former policeman John also happens to be a member of the International Police Association and this link enabled him to cut through a lot of red tape in gaining access to Ukrainian authorities who authorised himself and Jan to access sites inside the country.

Even before this they faced major problems in getting a suitable vehicle to carry the load and required tremendous tenacity to weld and repair their old MOT failure of a van to breathe new life into it for the trip.

On reaching Ukraine they were given a uniformed soldier each day guiding them as they distributed lifesaving food and aid to the children and families most desperately in need.

John said: “Driving in the worst winter conditions when the cold grips your inner core, the air raids sirens scream across town. The lights go out, all lights, plunging the city deep into darkness, then the sound of a drone and an explosion in the distance.’

“Despite this we carried on meeting women

LOCHAILORT TO UKRAINE –AND BACK!

Lochailort couple Jan and John Bryden, founders of the much loved ‘Kirsty’s Kids’ Charity which offers free respite care to families badly affected by illness, have further extended their assistance to those caught up in the war against Ukraine.

with children who had walked for hours to meet with us for a plastic bag of simple food and warm baby clothing. Tears of gratitude often followed. It’s hard to comprehend the hardship as we felt cold in a heated van. They had nothing as the temperature dropped below minus eight degrees. No child should suffer in this way”.

On returning home their first thought was the need to get back with more aid by appealing once again to the people of Lochaber who helped so much in making the visit possible.

“Instead of resting, the guys on the front line rotated to help provide aid,” said Jan: “They were so incredibly grateful to Scotland for helping. We need to get back as the desperation just gets worse as winter sets in.

“However, amidst all this, it made me smile when a siren bellowed out and an old lady looked up, flapped her arm in the direction of the drone and shouted ‘Just go away’.”

If you can help in any way please go to: www.Kirstyskids.org to find out more.

SHARE AN HOUR, CHANGE A LIFE

Iain Ferguson

“Motivation, Commitment and Resilience the three qualities to cultivate in our young people,” said Dr Iain MacRitchie, founder of a charity set up to do just that.

Working in schools across the country, employees and volunteers of MCR Pathways now live up to these ideals by interacting with young people within the school environment whose circumstances can impact these life skills.

Pupils at Lochaber High have started focusing on mental health  and wellbeing, resilience, teamwork, building relationships, and useful life-skills under the guidance of Holli Salmond, the recently appointed pathways coordinator.

Working with first and second year students, Holli leads group work to build their confidence and self belief.

However in delivering these opportunities to students

from S3 onwards she is helped by volunteers from the local community who share a hour a week in meeting up with a student within the school to talk, listen and encourage them to be all they can be.

She said: “MCR mentors help young people to develop their study skills, increase their confidence, manage their stress and develop goals and aspirations. In other words, to be mentored through MCR is a life-changing experience on a number of levels.

“We need people who can help these young people find, grow, and use their talent.

The word ‘mentor’ may seem daunting, but if you care, you’re qualified.”

However mentors will be given training by Pathways before being accepted in the role, ensuring they are fully aware of what is expected and can be carefully matched with a pupil. Pathways also supply games and other ‘icebreakers’

to help with meetings. Several mentors are already working with young people at Lochaber High School, all of whom enjoy the experience and building a relationship with the youngster.

One said: “I really look froward to my meeting each week and in a short time have built up a good relationship, really just by talking in general about a whole range of things, having a laugh and joke, enjoying each others company.

“The young person drives the conversation, but that doesn’t mean you are not helping. Being a mentor needn’t be about having ‘deep’ discussions with an individual, but about listening and helping through being genuinely interested in what is being said.”

More mentors are needed and enquiries can be made through the MCR Pathways website, which also gives a great insight into just what is expected of a mentor. It can really make a difference to the life of a young person.

www.mcrpathways.org

Realistic Conversations About Support and Care.

Jo Cowan

Having conversations about how older adults are going to be supported and cared for in our communities now and in future has been a main focus of my working life for more than quarter of a century. Those conversations have never been more important than right now.

Caring services, staff and facilities have been facing enormous challenges, and that, in turn, has had a knock-on effect in the demands placed on families and on communities. It’s tempting for us, as citizens, to imagine that statutory agencies just need more money, more staff, or better ways of working to address the current, and growing, deficit in care and support. It’s equally tempting for statutory services to see families and communities “taking on more” as a major part of the solution. Tempting and simplistic viewpoints on a complex,

changing and challenging scenario.

We need to continue having realistic and honest conversations somewhere in the middle-ground of those two viewpoints. We need to find a way forward.

In Lochaber, we have fabulous community initiatives supporting older people in their communities. We also have skilled, dedicated health and social care workers making a real difference to people’s lives. We need to be talking together about what matters to us, as individuals and communities: what we can do ourselves, the kind of support and care

we need services to provide, and what we may be able to do together.

Throughout 2023, Highland Senior Citizens Network will continue working with communities and our NHS colleagues to facilitate conversations about support and care. If you, as an individual, or as a community group, would be interested in taking part in or holding an event where we have conversations about support and care for older people, please do get in touch!

Jo Cowan, Co-ordinator, Highland Senior Citizens Network

Mobile: 07933 653585

Email: jo-hscn@outlook. com

ELECTRICAL RETAIL AND ELECTRICAL RECYCLING SERVICES.

SUPPORTING VULNERABLE PEOPLE TO BE AT HOME

ILM Highland specialises in electrical retail and electrical recycling services. Based in Alness, ILM has been delivering valuable services across the Highlands for almost 30 years. Our Electrical Retail shop is available online and instore and sells a wide range of new and refurbished appliances at incredibly competitive and affordable prices. These include washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, and refrigeration. All new appliances come with a guarantee for one year, and all refurbished stock has a warranty for six months. We can deliver to your door across Lochaber and, indeed, the whole of the Highland. We also offer a free take

back of your old appliance. All of our stock online can be viewed at www.ilmhighland.co.uk/shop/ We also sell preloved Chromebooks which have been expertly refurbished to a very high standard. All appliances for sale are in stock and available to take away on the same day from our shop in Alness. Home delivery is available within five working days.

ILM Highland has also provided reliable and cost-effective electrical waste solutions to businesses across the north of Scotland for almost 20 years. If your business is looking to dispose of any electrical waste or is implementing new electrical technology, you are legally required to ensure it is disposed of safely and responsibly. ILM are experts in compliance, ensuring that all electrical waste is treated and disposed of in line with all current legislation. Data wiping assurances and certificates of destruction are provided to meet necessary GDPR legislation and waste audit trails.

As a social enterprise, ILM Highland reinvests every penny of profit back into the local community to help to deliver our charitable services which support vulnerable people to live at home independently for longer. By using ILM you are in turn helping local vulnerable people whilst supporting local jobs as well as helping our environment.

For more information please visit our website at https://www.ilmhighland.co.uk/ or call our friendly team on 01349 884774 or drop us an email at ilm@ ilmhighland.co.uk . We are more than happy to help.

ILM (Highland) is a social enterprise company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland No. SC150500 & is also a charity registered in Scotland No. SC022504. ILM (Trading) Limited is registered in Scotland No. SC559148.

Will “February bring the snow

That makes our face and fingers glow”?

When I was young enough to enjoy snow I remember one December the worried face of a veteran Lochaber school teacher. “This is far too early for snow,’’ she said. “February is our snow month”

Last year on evening news in December, we watched a snowy city scene as cars skidded into each other –and lampposts. Do drivers in England have no idea how to

negotiate snow? Do their councils not grit in such weather?

Next day we drove to a town car park disabled space, on clear roads gritted after our first winter snowfall. After checking paths had also been gritted I got out my husband’s rollator (supplied by physio from local health centre) so that he could toddle to the easily accessed local library and collect his study material, (ordered from Inverness Library,) continuing a habit of many years.

With such facilities we are very glad to live in Lochaber and are grateful to Highland Highlife, Highland Council and local NHS employees for helping us through the winter.

If we have had a ‘winter

of discontent’ others have had a harder time. Remember on 24th February 2022 a major escalation of the Russo-Ukraine war, begun in 2014. Please continue to pray for these devastated people. In the Old Testament we read of the rise and fall of past empires and leaders, and the warning that there is a God who will hold all who have any kind of authority to account.

“The king who rules with justice, who rules in obedience to God, is like the sun shining on a cloudless dawn.” (2 Samuel 22.5) The dawns come earlier in February. May we all, leader, king or commoner, continue to “walk in the light of the Lord”.

A penny farthing race along Fort William High Street certainly drew attention to the start of the 2008 Mountain Festival. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, The Write Image

Lin Ramsay

ROTARY CLUB HEARS OF HIGHLAND HOSPICE PLANS

Ken Johnston

A new Palliative Care Helpline for Lochaber, launched in January was revealed in advance to members of Lochaber Rotary Club. Guest speakers Maggie Wilson and Janet Sidgwick from Highland Hospice spoke of the new project and how well the charity shop in Fort William High Street was doing.

For six years, until 2020, Janet was a trustee on the overall board of management of Highland Hospice and is now a volunteer in the Fort William shop, with Maggie as manager. Together they delivered an absorbing and interesting talk – covering the 35-year history of the Highland Hospice, stressing the importance of end-of-life support, and outlining the spin off services and projects including Project Echo (Extension of Community Health Outcomes), which was established in Highland in 2016 and works with community based healthcare professionals around Highland – GPs, Macmillan nurses, pharmacists, care workers in the community and care homes to provide web-based seminars and mentoring.

Janet explained that the hospice is also hoping to expand its new service, End of Life Together, explaining: “This is a partnership of Highland organisations whose aim is to improve palliative and end-

of-life care for people where it matters most. This will include a 24/7 help line – a Palliative Care Helpline – which was launching in January and is there for the public as well as professionals. This means the patient, family and carers will be able to access professional advice day and night. This was trialled during lockdown and was much appreciated.”

The hospice’s palliative care consultant visits Lochaber on a regular basis and Janet is keen that the new Belford Hospital project team should have input from the hospice into the design and the services to be included in the new hospital.

With her art and window dressing background, Maggie has created a vibrant retail charity shop located in the heart of town, which took more than £233,000 in 2022.

Feedback from the public is positive and enthusiastic, and profitability has improved

year on year. Currently, Maggie is exploring other potential directions for the shop and is in discussion with other local voluntary organisations to assist in her vision of using the basement area for restoring and recycling furniture.

For further information please contact the shop.

HIT COUNTRY COUNTRY SONG FOR STEVE BROWN

American artist in the virtual group and sent a draft to a studio in Nashville who rated it five stars.

She said: “I was feeling enthusiastic about songwriting as I went for a walk that morning and had been thinking I would like to have a hit song just once. My mind started humming a tune and into my head came the line, ‘One hit song before I die’. I was picturing a bunch of old guys who had played in bands meeting up for a drink and one of them saying this was the one thing in life he hadn’t done.”

A few weeks later Barbara and Steve met up again when she joined Steve on his music producer’s song-writing group. When Steve heard the song he instantly loved it and offered to add some finishing touches – tweak the lyrics, add a guitar solo, mandolin and lead vocals plus backing vocals by a few other international song-writing peers, and some seasonal sleigh bells!

Arisaig musician Steve Brown must have entertained tens of thousands of people in his 30-year career. As part of Wonderland, he has played at countless special occasions across the country and across the world on a number of instruments and musical styles.

Now he can add an additional accolade to his list – top of the Country Music Charts with a track entitled One Hit Song – and as with many popular country songs this one has an unusual back story of how it came to exist.

This dates back to the Covid lockdown with a chance link up on a virtual song-writing ‘boot camp’, where Glasgow songwriter Barbara Cooper was online. She and Steve hit it off immediately and he did think at the time that maybe they would work together some day.

Fortunately that day was not far off as Barbara had largely put the song together with an

A new song was born as Steve Brown’s debut country single – ONE HIT SONG. After just a single announcement online, Steve was contacted by the Grand Ole Opry in Glasgow with an offer for him to play it live at the iconic venue – and debuted in front of a packed house.

Steve said: “I had one free Saturday night and it just happened to be when they asked me down. It was a tremendous experience and it was a great success.

“It is an amazing song which proved itself in the chart rating and a great success for everyone involved. What a story of it production, too, with such a series of chance meetings online.

“You could say the stars aligned on this. Thanks to everyone who bought it and it is still available to stream and download.”

STREAM & DOWNLOAD ‘ONE HIT SONG’ by Steve Brown MP3 & WAV https://s.disco.ac/nhbaaogsoozd Download Steve Brown EPKhttps://s.disco.ac/hypkbobmxjaz

Iain Ferguson

Iain Ferguson

Just over a year ago Lochaber Life highlighted the achievements of young golfer Harry Stewart, who was going on to compete not only on the national but international stage. His results show just how his talent has developed in the game.

2022 Junior Golf Scotland Events (Flag):Winner Order of Merit 2022 Winner Tour Season Final at Boat of Garten Golf Club Winner Ryder Cup at Gleneagles Wee Course Winner National Flag at Playsport, East Kilbride Winner Quaich at Kilmacolm Golf Club Winner Par 3 Championship at Troon Craigend Golf Club Winner Rosebowl at Cathcart Castle Golf Club Winner Invitational at Scotscraig Golf Club Winner Players Champion at Cardrona Golf Club Runner-up Masters at Spey Valley Golf Club Runner-up Better Ball at Paisley Golf Club Third Place Salver at Tulliallan Golf Club Third Place Open at Fereneze Golf Club

He managed eight individual and one team event wins which have ensured he’s again qualified for the 2023 Champion of Champions Junior World Championship from 25th to 27th July. This tournament has 250 youngsters from 42 countries hosted by the five-star Lough Erne Resort near Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, and Harry is competing in the10-12 age category over three days of 18 holes.

Last year he also collected his first senior tournament win at just 10 years old, in the Fort William Golf Club summer league, playing against more than 100 adults throughout the summer.

YOUNG GOLFER HARRY’S SCORECARD OF SUCCESS

He had 10 best Stableford points from April to September, with a total for 10 x nine holes of 196 points (averaging 19.6 points per nine holes).

With Junior Golf Scotland Harry will now move from Tour Flag events up to nine-hole Stableford competitions with full length holes.

In November he started a 20-week winter golf programme after being selected by Scottish Golf North for Professional Coaching by David Torrance at Forres Golf Club which continues to April 2023.

Next season is going to be a massive test, competing in full length hole competitions with his coach targeting an adult 18-20 handicap by the end of next season. He travels to Forres Golf Club every Saturday morning at 6.30am, but absolutely loves it,

Father, John Stewart said: “For next season with Junior Golf Scotland Harry will move from the flag events up to nine-hole stableford competitions and full length holes. He is also super excited to test himself on the international stage.

“A really big thanks to Harry’s sponsors for their donations in 2022 to assist with costs to enter these events, equipment, travel etc. It’s very much appreciated.

Should anyone be interested in sponsoring Harry for the 2023 season please contact j_stewart11@hotmail.com

M O G HEARASDAN –

West Highland Museum Centenary School Art Wall Project

The West Highland Museum, in collaboration with BunSgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar, have mounted a special exhibition to mark the end of their centenary year.

The museum was founded in

1922 by Victor Hodgson and a group of Lochaber enthusiasts who wanted to create a museum especially for the West Highlands. Starting out with no building or collections, the museum is now the home to a rich variety of exhibits ranging from early man to the Jacobites; Highland life, the Victorians, and the Commandos of the Second World War, among many others.

Following the successful ‘Return of the Stuarts’ exhibition of autumn 2022, featuring historic portraits of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his family, museum staff felt that the best possible way to mark the end of this important centenary year was to showcase new art, created by local schoolchildren and reflecting their community.

The children of p.4, 5, 6 and

7 at Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar have created beautiful paintings and drawings on the theme of My Fort William, taking inspiration from their lives in and around the town and what they see around them, from landmarks and scenery to wildlife, sports and music, they have produced a beautiful, colourful and diverse range of artworks.

Education officer Flora Swietlicki said: “The sheer talent, originality and creativity of the children is an absolute credit to their school. Every child has produced something completely different, which makes the exhibit so vibrant to look at. My thanks are due to Mrs Karen Melville, the p4/5 teacher, for organising this project and for ensuring that the brief ‘Mo Ghearasdan – My

Flora Swietlicki, Gaelic translation by Laura Robertson.

My F ORT W ILLIAM

Fort William’ was expressed in such a multitude of ways.”

Pròiseact Balla Ealain Sgoil Ceud Bliadhna Taigh-tasgaidh na Gàidhealtachd an Iar - Flòraidh Swietlicki Tha Taigh-tasgaidh Taobh Siar na Gàidhealtachd, ann an co-obrachadh le Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar, dìreach air chuir iad air dòigh taisbeanadh sònraichte gus deireadh na ceud bliadhna aca a chomharrachadh.

Chaidh an Taigh-tasgaidh a stèidheachadh ann an 1922 le Victor Hodgson agus buidheann de luchd-dealasach à Loch Abar a bha airson taigh-tasgaidh a chruthachadh gu sònraichte airson taobh an iar na Gàidhealtachd. A’ tòiseachadh gun togalach no cruinneachaidhean, tha an taigh-tasgaidh a-nis na dhachaigh do mheasgachadh

beairteach de thaisbeanaidhean bho thràth duine do na Seumasaich ; beatha Ghàidhealach, na Bhictòrianaich, agus Comandos an Dàrna Cogaidh, am measg mòran eile.

Às deidh taisbeanadh soirbheachail ‘Tilleadh nan Stiùbhartach’ as t-fhoghar 2022, le eachdraidh dealbhan den Phrionnsa Teàrlach agus a theaghlach, bha luchd-obrach an taigh-tasgaidh a’ faireachdainn gur e sin an rud a b’ fheàrr b’ e an dòigh air deireadh na bliadhna cudthromach ceud bliadhna seo a chomharrachadh ealain ùr, air a chruthachadh le clann-sgoile ionadail agus a’ nochdadh na coimhearsnachd aca.

Tha clann td.4, 5, 6 agus 7 aig Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar air dealbhan agus dealbhan air a’ chuspair Mo Ghearasdan, a’ gabhail brosnachadh bho am beatha

sa bhaile agus timcheall air agus na chì iad timcheall orra, bho comharran-tìre agus seallaidhean fiadh-bheatha, spòrs agus ceòl, tha iad air sealladh àlainn a chruthachadh. dathach agus eadar-mheasgte de obraichean ealain.

Thuirt an t-Oifigear Foghlaim, Flòraidh Swietlicki: “Tha fìor thàlant, tùsachd agus cruthachalachd aig tha a’ chlann na creideas iomlan don sgoil aca. Tha a h-uile leanabh air rudeigin a dhèanamh gu tur eadar-dhealaichte, a tha a’ fàgail an taisbeanaidh cho beòthail ri fhaicinn. Tha mo taing a’ dol gu Karen Melville, an tidsear td 4/5, airson a’ phròiseact seo a chur air dòigh agus airson dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil an chaidh ‘Mo Ghearasdan – Mo Ghearasdan’ a chur an cèill ann an iomadach dòigh”.