Winter Edition - December 2017

Editorial children with the planting of crosses at the foot of the memorial. Seasonal Greetings to all readers!

With 2018 soon to be with us, we should reflect on all that has been achieved during 2017. A better broadband service is being developed for the outlying areas of the village and free Wi-Fi is available in the Community Hall. Positive action is being taken to address the problem of speeding vehicles on the A836 and B9176. An After School

Club has opened and operates out of the Community Processing from Edderton’s Church to the War Memorial Hall. The War Memorial has been renovated and floodlighting installed. The Community Hall has seen improvements to its security and its fire precautions have been upgraded, whilst work to improve acoustics within the Community Hall is now underway. A horticultural project has been established at September Cottage by “Made in ” that assists young people facing employment difficulties into the job market. All in all, a very successful year for the community as a whole!

Gathered around the War Memorial News is always welcome! Please either send an e- mail to me at [email protected] or phone 01862 The Reverend Anthony Jones started the re- 821 750. My postal address is: Sloibcoyle Croft, dedication ceremony by reading a history of the war Edderton IV19 1LQ. memorial that had been given him by the late Reay Ted Venn Clarke of Edderton Farm. The war memorial was originally constructed in 1921 by Mr Mackay of Remembrance Sunday at Edderton Ardvannie, Edderton, and it displays the names of 34

men from the village; with 24 of those being men November 12th, 2017 who lost their lives during the First World War

(1914-18). With a total of 94 men from the parish This year’s ceremony to commemorate Edderton serving in the armed forces during that war, the loss villagers who gave their lives for their country also amounted to 25% of those who went away to fight. witnessed the re-dedication of the newly restored In 1948, a plinth was added recording the 9 names War Memorial in readiness next year of the of those who perished during the Second World War centenary of the ending of the First World War. (1939-45). In the 1950s a further plinth was added

Following a Remembrance Service in Church, piper with the name of the man who fell in the Korean War Sandy Gordon lead the congregation to the War (1950-53). Memorial for the re-dedication and remembrance The Reverend Jones thanked all who had helped ceremony that was led by the Reverend Anthony bring the war memorial to its present condition and Jones. Two wreaths were laid; one by Donnie those in the community who have been instrumental MacDonald on behalf of the Royal British Legion, and in recent years for its care and upkeep, including the other by Donald Clarke on behalf of Edderton’s Alastair Brooke and Charlie Brooke. During the Community Council. Alister Sutherland assisted the ceremony Charlie Brooke and Donald Clarke shared a few words about the establishment and work Edderton Community Council undertaken on the war memorial in the village. The next meeting of the Community Council will take place on Tuesday, December 5th in the Community Hall, starting at 7.30pm. This is an open meeting to which the public is cordially invited to attend.

At its meeting on November 7th the Community Council discussed road issues within the village boundary, a footpath proposal by Council, the repair of play park equipment, and the recent but temporary closure of the Mobile Post Office. Four planning applications were considered, including the replacement of the police radio mast on Struie Hill (17/05026).

A summary of all Community Council meetings can be found on the Community Website - www.edderton.com.

Community Broadband Project

Broadband Update

Highland Wireless & IT Solutions Ltd has been working very hard over the past few months to get the superfast broadband for the Edderton Coverage Area up and running and ready to accept orders. Unfortunately delays have been experienced, though these difficulties have now been overcome and the company is now in the final build stage. We hope to be ready to accept orders for the superfast broadband service within the next few weeks. Once we are in a position to accept orders, we will announce details on our website and in social media. In addition to this we will be delivering flyers to each property within the Edderton Coverage Area. The flyer will include all the necessary information, including pricing tariffs and how to order a service. Watch out for the flyer coming through your letterbox!

The order process will be simple and very quick – firstly you will complete an online or paper order form; once we receive the completed form we will carry out a desktop survey to see if your property can get a clear line of sight to the nearest transmission station. If the desktop survey is inconclusive we will arrange a site survey with you. Once the survey stage has been completed we will schedule at date that is suitable for the installation. On that day an engineer will arrive at your property and install a small antenna on the side of your property; once the installation is complete the engineer will test your superfast broadband service Acoustic tiles and a hearing loop are to be installed and you will be shown how to connect your devices; in the near future. The acoustic tiles will be placed your installation will then be complete and you will in the small hall, which, together with curtains have superfast broadband! replacing blinds, will allow better hearing in that room. The hearing loop is for the main hall and Properties that currently receive a poor broadband should aid audibility so that larger gatherings won’t service (2Mbps or below) or who have not benefited suffer from the current echo that distorts sound. from fibre rollout through Digital /Highland & Island Enterprise will be eligible for a Government Internal and external lighting is being updated, with grant to cover all but £40 of the installation fee. this work being completed by the end of the year. More information and the application form can be found at: https://goo.gl/m6T6ME. We encourage To book the Hall contact Donna Laing either by e- anyone who is looking to order our service to submit mailing [email protected] or phoning 01862 821 their application form for the grant as soon as 277 or 07921 020 966. possible, as it can take up to four weeks for the Ted Venn voucher code to be sent to you. Once you have received the voucher code we have 60 days to Church of Scotland validate the code and then a further 26 days to From The Manse deliver you a live service. By submitting your application form and receiving your voucher code, 'Ask not what you can get out of it but, what you put you will be ready to receive a superfast broadband into it' or 'You have to put out to get owt'. service from Highland Wireless & IT Solutions Ltd.

These are two expressions that have passed into our If you have any questions or would like help/guidance every day language and every day lives. These can with the Government Grant, please contact us by also be applied to going to church. Sometimes people calling 01862 808 077 or by sending an e-mail are heard saying, I don't get anything out of going to [email protected]. to church. It does not do anything for me, as if going Cameron Warren to church was a kind of quick fix. Too often we want Highland Wireless & IT Solutions Ltd easy answers, we want an instant reply from God. As

if He were a kind of medicine that has to lift us off Edderton Community Hall our feet and be a 'cure all' for every dilemma.

There is now free Wi-Fi in Edderton’s Community It is a well-known fact that our prayers are not Hall courtesy of Highland Wireless & IT Solutions always answered or at least not in the way we would Ltd. From now on visitors to Edderton Hall can like and expect. No, God is a God of surprises benefit from superfast Wi-Fi whilst they are in the indeed! He is constantly surprising us with all kinds Village Hall! Simply connect to Village_Hall_WiFi, of answers to our prayers and sometimes not in the then accept the terms and conditions and you are way we would like. Often he sends us pains and connected! There is just one restriction and that afflictions, illness even, but if we remain faithful relates to television programmes, which should not then he is a faithful God in the end. be viewed whilst in the Hall as the Community Hall does not have a TV license. Apparently Netflix is There is another saying, perhaps more apt for our not a problem, as a TV license is not required to view fast moving times, 'when the going gets tough, the these films. tough get going'. God is in there with us believe it or

not if we trust him. When we come to church CCTV cameras have recently been installed at the whether feeling strong or weak - God is with us and Hall for security. There are five cameras; four we each have something valuable to contribute. It is within the Hall and one external camera that is not who we are, what background we are from or focused on the fuel tank. There are two reasons even how we are feeling on any given day. It is what for the installation of these cameras. Firstly, the we bring to the fellowship of faith. God knows Hall contains some very expensive equipment, and nothing of a solitary religion. You cannot be a secondly the opening of the After School Club has Christian in isolation. We share our gifts and help raised concerns over child safety whilst on the each other. Church, of course, is much more than premises. the sharing of gifts and the encouragement of Croick, Edderton and Rosehall) to welcome the New friendships. Church is much more than the preacher Year. whoever they happen to be. I am fortunate to have Rev Anthony M. Jones others who can assist me with Sunday services, each Parish Minister: Church of Scotland with differing skills. If this were not the case, my The Manse, Ardgay ministry would be impossible. Our churches are all Tel: 01863 766 285 increasingly 'stretched', as locally and nationally the [email protected] Church has seen an enormous decline in the recruitment of full time ministers. Edderton Old Church Preservation Trust

Each Sunday is a window of opportunity to meet with Edderton hosted a visit from the friends of Groam God and when we come to church we seek him. House Museum, Rosemarkie, on the morning of There are no perfect ministers - thank goodness! Thursday, November 9th. It was led by Jill Harden, When we come to church, we come above everything archaeologist, and visited the Edderton Stone - else to worship God. To put Him above all others! Clach Biorach, the Pictish Cross Slab and Edderton’s Much as we might pray, the church is not a doctor’s Old Church. surgery where we are given instant cures. The problems of life will not all go away. When we come to church, we come to give back, to honour the legacy of faith we have earned and to Give God the glory that only is his due. With every blessing, Rev Anthony

CHRISTMAS CHURCH SERVICES

Sunday, December 17th: Ardgay Parish Church - 6.30pm - Children's Crib Service. Come along and sing the well loved carols and hear the well-known readings around the Christmas tree. Parents and children are invited to fill the crib with all the familiar nativity figures during the service as the Christmas story is read. Everyone is welcome. Visitors at the Clach Biorach Standing Stone

Wednesday, December 20th: Edderton Parish We don’t often have a party of 20+ visitors but here Church - 10.00am - Christmas School Service. in Edderton we are blessed with these important and Parents, friends and everyone in the community are significant sites. Graeme Muckart and Robert Wylie all welcome. assisted Jill. Please encourage others to visit us as

we can always host groups with the assistance of our Sunday, December 24th (Christmas Eve): Edderton excellent Community Hall. Parish Church - 11.00am - Family Service; and Robert Wylie 11.30pm - Watchnight Service. 01862 821 325

Monday, December 25th (Christmas Day): Ardgay Parish Church - 10.30am - a short Children's Toy Edderton Primary School

Service. Children are invited to bring a favourite We are now well into what is for us a very busy and present to this service. exciting term full of lots of fun activities. We look

forward to seeing you over the next few weeks. Sunday, December 31st (New Year's Eve): Ardgay

Parish Church at 11.00am - Family Service The school will be at the Balblair Distillery Winter

Festival on Friday 1st December with a Lucky Square Sunday, January 7th: Ardgay Parish Church - sheet. The winning prize will be a Christmas Hamper. 11.00am - Special Combined Service for the Kyle of Squares will be £2 each. Sutherland Churches (Ardgay/Kincardine, Creich,

We will be holding our Christmas Extravaganza at School breaks up for the Christmas holidays on Edderton Primary School on Tuesday 19th December Friday, December 22nd and resumes again on Monday, @ 1.30pm. There will be an opportunity for you to January 8th. purchase some Christmas crafts along with a cup of tea and cake. We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! J Our Christmas Church Service will be held at 10am at The Church of Scotland in Edderton on After School Club Wednesday, December 20th. Everyone is welcome. The Kids Club is well and truly up and running. On Friday, September 29th we held a ceilidh at the hall for MFR Cash for Kids. Gizzen Briggs played for We would like to express our thanks to Edderton free for us; we had a raffle and lots of dances! We Community Council for awarding the club £2500 raised £456.40, Allana from Cash for Kids came to from the wind farm. This money will be of great collect our cheque and she gave us all a certificate benefit to us, helping us to purchase much needed and some MFR freebies. It was great fun and next equipment, and pay for PVG's and a First Aid course time we have a ceilidh we will try to make it better for all our volunteers. but that’s probably impossible! Caitlin, P6, Chairperson of Pupil Council All our volunteers now hold a PVG and they have all Ayleen, P6, Secretary of Pupil Council completed a recognised and relevant First Aid course. Visit to Fort George We went to Fort George on Friday, November 3rd. The Children have been very busy over the last We went on a bus to get there and when we got couple of months, baking, doing lots of arts and there we went to the chapel. When we got in we crafts as well as lots of playing. looked for animals. Tyler and me found a dragon, a We have also been very lucky to have some of the snake, a phoenix, a bird, a cat, a horse, an elephant, a older children from the village come along and help lion and a unicorn. Then we went in the stable. with games, snacks, etc. These older children are all When we got in there was loads of bird poop so we volunteering as part of the Dynamic Scotland Award weren’t allowed in the horse bit. There was a sign in Scheme. We would like to express our thanks to all the stable. Then we went to the cannons. We had of them. fun with the cannons. Then we went to the museum.

We dressed up as soldiers. I had fun. The Club is well attended which proves that it was William P3 much needed in the village and if required we plan to

extend our club to include a Breakfast Club in Drama with Jon from Eden Court August 2019. P1-4 and P5-7 have started a block of drama classes with Jon from Eden Court. Each class has a 45- I would also personally like to thank all the minute session with him on a Wednesday morning. volunteers who give up their time for the club, as

well as for the support they have given to me in the The first week we played musical statues ‘extreme’, running of the club. which had different types of music, and Jon changed it a lot. He took masks that showed different Anyone requiring any information about the Club expressions, such as, sad, grumpy, happy, annoyed please Contact me at [email protected] and serious. We just looked at them this week and we’ll use them another day. Another activity was Donna Laing passing our favourite things to other people, not real things though, just say them to each other. Jon is Edderton Drama Club funny, funky hair and great fun! By Jamie, P5 & Jay, P5 We started this year’s Drama Club with auditions, and WOW what a bunch of talented kids we have! More about the School’s activities during the Now we are well under way with rehearsals. Autumn Term can be found on the Community Website - www.edderton.com. We have been extremely lucky to have Jonathan New members are always welcome, just come along Davies, a Youth Drama Worker from Eden Court to a meeting or phone 01863 766 061 for more Theatre come along for 3 weeks to do confidence information. building with the kids and help get them into their Patricia Hannah characters. Mobile Post Office Our Show this year is THE ROCKY MONSTER SHOW. Bizarre, anarchic and very funny, this Rock Jason Heaton, who manages the mobile post office 'n' Roll musical is a riotous mix of the Addams at Edderton, attended the Community Council rd Family, Young Frankenstein and Phantom of the meeting on October 3 to apologise for the Opera, with Rebecca and The Rocky Horror Show extended failure to open for business at the end of thrown in for good measure! Baron Frankenstein's September and during October. Faulty equipment descendant, and ex-pop star turned professor of and insufficient back up of equipment and staff by Genetics, creates DNA moulds of people in his the Post Office was the explanation given for this computer. How these moulds come to life as the temporary closure of this outreach service. The ultimate Rock Group, headed by a clone of Elvis matter has been taken up with the Area Manager of himself is the highlight of the hilarious plot. the company overseeing mobile post offices, David Duff, and he has been invited to attend December’s Our performances will be held in the Village Hall on Community Council Meeting to explain the failures nd rd Friday 2 and Saturday 3 of February 2018, and address concerns about the future of this very starting at 7pm. Adults £5, Children £3 useful village facility. Ted Venn Tea, coffee and cakes will be provided during an interval and we will also be having a raffle. Made In Tain’s Garden at September Cottage, Edderton Put these dates in your diary and we look forward to seeing you all on the night. The Made in Tain Story Donna Laing Made In Tain arose out of a need to provide local Gardening Club supported employment opportunities for school leavers who face barriers to the job market, in any Monthly meetings resumed in September with the form – physical, mental, social, emotional, learning AGM, followed by a social evening where members disability, etc. We are both a social enterprise and a shared their gardening successes, failures learning organisation, set up by and for local young and garden visits they had made during the people with support needs. Our aim is to enable them summer. In October Phil Gurr gave another of his to develop skills for work and life within our local entertaining and informative talks, making us look community. We offer both student placements to anew at the structure of plants. The November young people and volunteering opportunities to speaker was Cliff Beck, botanist, tree expert and others who value the opportunity to become involved. keen walker, speaking about the flora and fauna on We provide young people with a place to belong at our local hills. With the arrival of the Suttons Made in Tain; working with their friends and making catalogues (members receive 50% discount on seed new ones along the way, they have a chance to build orders) we have been able to start planning for next their confidence and their abilities. season. We are partly funded by the Highland Council and th On Monday, December 4 local daffodil breeder, The Robertson Trust; we raise money from sales at Dougald MacArthur, will be the speaker in Edderton our shop on Tain High Street and we work in Hall; everyone is welcome - starting at 7.30pm. In partnership with Tain Royal Academy, Dornoch January we will shake off the post-Christmas blues Academy, Golspie High and St Duthus Special with our annual members' lunch at Luigi's in Dornoch, School. Made in Tain is a Scottish Charitable but should be back in Edderton for our meetings Incorporated Organisation - SC043549 on the first Mondays of February and March.

The Made in Tain Shop - in Tain September Cottage can be found on School Brae and is the third house on the left going south from the We began as a school classroom project that was so crossroad junction on the A836. The polytunnel well supported by the local community that we were started trading in February this year, and is open on able to expand and become independent. We have Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.00am until 4.00pm. now had a shop in Tain for over four years (on the Jean Richardson, our very experienced horticultural High Street - near the Opticians), and we would love therapist, manages the garden. you to call in. We provide a wide range of products that are mostly made in our shop, including hand- We are very keen to make links with the local made scented candles, soaps, greetings cards, sewn community, and everyone is most welcome to pop in items and other lovely gifts, both ethical and local. and say hello. Jean has an extensive knowledge of horticulture and many years of gardening experience The Made in Tain Garden at September Cottage that she loves to share. Plants, cut flowers, in Edderton vegetables and fruit in season, and eggs are sold

from the garden or at the Made in Tain shop. We We have from the beginning been keen to offer have a strong ethos of recycling wherever possible outdoor work as well as the manufacturing and shop so any donations of plant pots, seed trays or other side. We are convinced of the health and wellbeing garden related items are most welcome, and these benefits of gardening, physical work and being can be left outside the gate to the garden. outdoors, as well as widening the opportunities for Davy and Jan Maclellan training placements and volunteering. [email protected]

[email protected] Shop - 01862 892 221

The Deer Management Group

The Garden at September Cottage

Over the last two years, our students have been clearing and developing an overgrown area at September Cottage in Edderton, and during this last year a polytunnel has been erected there.

The Stag season is now over and the Group has successfully completed the cull target set within our Deer Management Plan, agreed with Scottish Natural Heritage. All estates within the group are now embarking on the culling of a number of hinds, in order to maintain the balance of the deer stock and to ensure that various habitats are protected.

September Cottage’s Polytunnel The management of deer is a major financial commitment to most estates and this year Sporting Rates were imposed on all rural land, whether shooting takes place or not. Effectively this is a Land Tax by the Government, and differing rates will be charged for varying types of land ranging from lowland fields, forestry, upland grazing and moorland. This is a serious issue for a number of estate owners.

Inside September Cottage’s Polytunnel As a Group, we are committed to best practice, and 10% off on Balblair products on the night, there will the responsible management of a wild animal that be around 20 different stalls, each selling unique lives on our lands. We have an obligation to employ crafts and foodstuffs. They’ll be artists, jewellery staff, purchase equipment, carry out training and makers, a local farmer, candle makers, handbag handle venison to industry standards. The rates that designers, and many more. So come along and join us are now being imposed do not reflect the nature of from 5-9pm to enjoy a mince pie and a free dram, as the business being run. Whether an estate shoots well as to get gifts for someone special, and yummy 40,000 pheasants or one deer, the rates will be the treats for Christmas time. Balblair and the same. If an estate were to decide to stop shooting, stallholders will also be holding a raffle to support it would still be eligible for Sporting Rates. As it is The Highland Hospice, with all stallholders and clear that it will cost the Government more to Balblair providing prizes. collect these rates than the income they will collect, th it is fair to question why these changes have been Saturday, December 16 - Children's Christmas made. Politics moves in mysterious ways. Party

The Group remains positive and will continue to fulfil This will be held in the Community Hall from 2.00pm its commitments. We will share our work with you. to 5.00pm. All Children from the Village, aged from Our Group has welcomed a new member, with Forest birth to 18 years, are welcome. Can I please ask Enterprise joining our numbers. The Deer that you bring along a donation of party food. Management Plan will include this change, and the Looking forward to seeing everyone. amended document will shortly be available to view Donna Laing on our website - www.deer-management.co.uk. th Gordon Robertson Friday, January 19 - Senior Citizens Annual Dinner at the Carnegie Lodge, Tain - 6.00pm for Road Signs 6.30pm. More details and a response form are enclosed with this Newsletter. Please send the Road signs on the B9176 to warn northbound replies to Lorna at The Old Shop by January 10th at motorists of the U1878 junction to Edderton should the latest. be in place soon according to Graham Mackenzie of nd rd Highland Council. Friday, February 2 and Saturday, February 3 - The Rocky Monster Show presented by the Passing place signs along the U1878 that were Drama Group in the Community Hall at 7.00pm on damaged with verge cutting fifteen months ago are both nights. Tickets will cost £5.00 for adults and still to be replaced £3.00 for children.

Badminton For Sale

Unique handmade gifts including bags, candleholders Badminton takes place in Ardgay Hall on Thursday and whisky glass holders made from barrel staves, evenings from October until the end of March. wall clocks, broaches, stag canvasses, candles, coin Juniors (P4 and over) from 7.00pm to 8.00pm, cost purses, and glitter glasses - all at very reasonable £1. Adults from 8.00pm to 10.00pm, cost £2. prices! Everyone welcome.

Contact Donna Laing for more information - 07921 Forthcoming Events 020 966 and/or [email protected]

Or view Donna’s Facebook page Saturday, November 25th - Ardgay Hall Christmas Fair - starting at 2.00pm with carol singers from the school, there will be a range of Deadline for the Spring Edition craft stalls, Santa's grotto and refreshments. 15th February 2018 st Friday, December 1 at Balblair Distillery Please send all notices, reports, articles and Balblair’s first Winter Fair is a celebration of local pictures to me at [email protected]. products and crafts. As well as being able to get