Garden appeal

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. 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”.

PUPIL’S PLAN NEW OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT

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, Saff ron 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 Batt lefi eld 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 – MARY 1936 – 2022 (Lochyside) 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

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