STRATHDEARN NEWSLETTER
August 2010 Volume 10, No 3.
Strathdearn Hall News.
With so many changes taking place at the two Halls in Tomatin just now, it seems a good time to present an update.
The Hall has a new Manager – Steve Culeen, who lives at No. 2 Morilemore in Tomatin. Steve is the person to contact when making bookings – his phone number is 511321, and his email address [email protected] . Could all local groups who have had regular bookings at the Hall, please make sure to re-confirm those bookings with him to avoid confusion and make sure he has a contact name. Payments for the use of the Hall should be sent to the new treasurer, Denise Barley (511733) of Lauriston, Morilemore, Tomatin, who will now issue the quarterly invoices.
The Hall Committee would like to thank Chris West for her many years of hard work as both Hall Manager and Treasurer.
Hall charges have increased from 1st July:
Findhorn Room £8 per hour; Funtack Room £5 per hour; Clune Room £4 per hour;
Findhorn Room together with Funtack Room £12 per hour.
The Old Hall will remain the same at £5 per hour.
The Hall committee is deeply grateful to those local persons who donate money regularly towards the upkeep of the buildings, and would be glad to hear from anyone else who would like to join their number. The effects of the hard winter caused considerable extra expense on maintenance at both Hall buildings namely electricity bills, water rates and repairs to both roofs. The collapsed gutters were covered by insurance, and the leaking roof mostly funded by the Charitable Trust, but items like the de-humidifier and the leaking tap are entirely ours to pay for! At the time of writing, the jury’s out on how we’re going to cover the cost of the smashed windows…..
The roof of the Old Hall had been leaking for some time which made it unattractive (not to mention dangerous) for users and led to the Youth Group’s possessions going mouldy. A decision had to be made whether to demolish it now, or spend money on making it usable, if only temporarily. Since plans for the new Community Centre to replace it are still in the early stages and it could be some years before they come to fruition, it was decided to keep the building meantime, particularly for the benefit of the Youth Group.
Having written cheques for £866 on roof repair and £799 for a de-humidifier to dry the place out, it was then very disappointing that some of the Old Hall’s windows were smashed not once but twice and will cost the Hall nearly £1000 to repair in order for the Youth Group to get started in the autumn. Someone trying to break in also damaged the front door. These incidents have been reported to the police and hopefully will not be repeated
Meantime, work on the new covered outdoor Sports pitch is well underway, mostly paid for by various funding organisations tracked down for us by Duncan Hendry, our Community Development Worker. Thomas Munro & Co is overseeing the project. Given how keen the representatives of various sporting groups were to see this project realised, we look forward to getting bookings from them once the pitch is completed in the autumn!
On Thursday 24th June we were very pleased to welcome all Strathdearn Primary School children led by Mrs Robinson to the site of our new covered sports pitch and for the youngest child in Primary, Megan Sheldon from Moy, to share with Lt. Col. Donald Grant the digging of the first sod. Following this ceremony tea and coffee was enjoyed in the hall.
Hall Committee: Glenn Fraser (Chairman), Caroline Chainey (Secretary), Denise Barley (Treasurer), Alasdair Wallace. WANT TO HAVE A SAY IN WHAT’S GOING ON IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY?
WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE DEVELOPMENT TAKING PLACE?
OR DO YOU WANT TO SEE DEVELOPMENT TAKING PLACE?
SHOULD DEVELOPMENT IN STRATHDEARN BE LED BY LOCAL PEOPLE?
OR NOT INVOLVE LOCAL PEOPLE?
WHAT ABOUT LOCAL BUSINESSES?
OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING?
WHAT VITAL LOCAL SERVICES ARE LACKING IN STRATHDEARN?
DO YOU ENJOY THE QUIET AND PEACEFUL WAY OF LIFE?
OR THINK WE SHOULD BE LOOKING TO CHANGE STRATHDEARN SO THAT THERE IS LOTS GOING ON AND LOTS OF THINGS TO DO – ALL YEAR?
Strathdearn Community Council hopes that you will get involved with these, and other questions, by taking part in the Community Planning Study we have commissioned from the CADISPA Trust (Conservation and Development in Sparsely Populated Areas). The outcome of this study will form the basis for the next Strathdearn Community Plan, replacing our present, outdated plan from 2006. The Community Plan helps the Community Council, among other things, to make decisions about planning, and how the spending of windfarm community benefit should be prioritised in terms of projects carrying the most support from the local community – something which is going to be of particular significance given the present cutbacks in government and public sector funding. To make this exercise meaningful, there needs to be at least a 60% return rate for the Questionnaire from CADISPA that you have recently received, or will be about to receive, very soon.
I tried the draft Questionnaire out on my brother. His first reaction? “For goodness sake! It’s like a book!” I asked him to humour me, and sat him down with a cup of coffee while I typed his latest epistle to the ‘Press & Journal’. Then - Silence. Followed by, “this is really good!” He came up with all sorts of ideas! – which I told him to write down on his proper questionnaire when it came. The time before this when Donald dropped by for coffee, I had him tramping about in the rain at the end of the road looking for an alternative bus shelter (which will be needed if the plans for the new Shop and Pub and Houses go ahead). I haven’t seen him since. (Can’t think why!) So – when you get your Questionnaire, remember Donald and don’t be put off because it’s a few (well, quite a few) pages long. It really is worthwhile completing it and sending it back to CADISPA in the stamped, addressed envelope that will come with it. And you might even win a £50 voucher of your choice!
In addition to the Questionnaire, CADISPA will be running a series of focus groups with residents and business owners in the Strathdearn area to discuss, in greater detail, some of the points raised in this questionnaire. The Questionnaire gives you the chance to put your name down for one of these groups – and also asks if there is a particular focus group topic you would like to be involved with. Another incentive to fill it in!
And to make it even easier for you – CADISPA is also offering three “Drop-In” sessions over the weekend of Friday 13th/Saturday 14th August when anyone can come along to the Strathdearn Hall, and meet members of the CADISPA team for a general chat, to find out more about the study, or just simply to get some guidance on the filling in of the Questionnaire etc. (Some of us from the Community Council will also be around to make you a cup of coffee, or to provide greater detail about local projects planned for Strathdearn etc if the CADISPA team ask for this.)
We very much hope you will be able to take part in the way that best suits you – and encourage you to fill in and return your Questionnaire – and thank you in advance for this.
Vivian Roden THE CADISPA TRUST
COMMUNITY PLANNING STUDY
(Commissioned by Strathdearn Community Council)
“DROP IN” SESSIONS IN THE STRATHDEARN HALL
Friday 13th August: 7.30 - 9.30 pm
Saturday 14th August: 10am - 12.30 pm and
1.30pm – 3.30 pm
All warmly welcome to drop in for coffee
and a chat with the CADISPA team;
find out more about the Study,
or just to get some guidance on filling in the Questionnaire
www.CADISPA.org .
Knowing in detail about what a community needs to sustain itself is the only safe way to plan for its future. The CADISPA Trust (Conservation and Development in Sparsely Populated Areas) has been commissioned by the Strathdearn Community Council to help the community identify a pathway to the future. CADISPA has completed many studies like this and all have led to an increase in quality of life for local people, greater opportunity and local sustainability. The process of investigation will take six months and will include an individual survey of all residents, focus groups, and informal meetings with the young children, elderly people and teenagers. CADISPA will also talk with special interest groups. All of this information will then be drawn together in a report that will be presented to the community in December. The CADISPA Trust will then help the Community Council, should they wish, to identify and mandate a plan of local action and support over the next few years. We’ll keep you informed as the study moves forward. Geoff Fagan, CEO The CADISPA Trust. (Further details of CADISPA and contact details for Geoff Fagan and his team can be found at: www.CADISPA.org) COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
(Please remember that Hall prices have now gone up)
First Monday of the Month
September to May (ex.January)
7.30pm, Findhorn Room, Strathdearn Hall
WRI
Contact: Mrs Carol James 531220
Needlecraft - tba
Contact: Mrs Chris West 511412
3rd Monday of Month
7.30pm Findhorn Room Strathdearn Hall,
Gardening Club
Contact: Mr Alex Don 511729
Every Wednesday
10.30am Findhorn Room, Strathdearn Hall,
Community Coffee Morning
All Welcome
Every Wednesday
2pm Strathdearn Hall
Walking Group
Contact: Mrs Kathy Bonniface 511740
Every Thursday
11.30am – 1.30pm Tomatin Shop
POST OFFICE Every Thursday
1.30pm Findhorn Room, Strathdearn Hall,
Art Class
Contact: Mrs Betty Watson 511271
Every Friday
Exercise to Music group
Re-starting 10th September
Contact: Mrs Denise Barley 511733
(During Term-Time)
Fridays 12.15 – 2.15pm Strathdearn Hall
Croileagan Tom Aitinn
(Tomatin Gaelic Playgroup)
Contact: Mrs Rosemary Dempster 531215
Monthly, various dates
Natural History Club
Some indoor, some outdoor, events.
Days vary, so look out for posters.
Contact: Mr David Bonniface 511740
or Mrs Carol James 531220
1st Strathdearn Rainbow and Brownie Unit for girls aged 5 - 10.
Contact: Trish (511486)
Strathdearn Beaver Colony
For boys and girls aged 6-8 yrs.
Monday (term time) 5.45 – 6.45pm
Contact: Ruth Mantle 01808 511287
ART IN STRATHDEARN Invite you to the PREVIEW EVENING of their 2010 Art and Craft Exhibition on Thursday 19th August, at the Strathdearn Hall Tomatin from 7pm to 9pm.
We would be delighted if you could join us for the evening to view the work of the many talented artists from this area. Wine and soft drinks will be served, and many of the works will be for sale.
The Exhibition continues on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st August from 11am – 5.30pm.
Free admission
Refreshments served.
Free to good home: widescreen monitor and large keyboard for desktop computer. Too large for available space here. Five years old but hardly used, as new.
Telephone 511733
SPECIAL EVENTS
Fri/Sat 6th/7th August Fri/Sat 20th /21st August Sat 25th September, 10.30am – 2.30pm
Highland Game Fair Art Exhibition Table Top Sale
Moy Estate Strathdearn Hall Strathdearn Hall
Wed 11th August Saturday 4th September
DigitalUK switchover exhibition Flower Show
Strathdearn Hall car park Strathdearn Old Hall
Fri/Sat 13th/14th August Sat 18th September
CADISPA Vintage Rally and Display
Strathdearn Hall Daviot Estate TOMATIN & DISTRICT FLOWER SHOW
The 2010 Flower Show is on Saturday 4th September at the Strathdearn Hall in Tomatin. Entries will be taken from 10am to 12 noon and the Hall will close from 12 until 2.30pm for judging.
As always our event is more than just about flowers and vegetables. For grown ups there are also classes for art, photography, baking and produce, handicrafts and floral art. We expect the children’s sections to be as hotly contested as ever. How are those potatoes for the Challenge growing?
Schedules are available from the shop if you haven’t saved the May Newsletter, or from Sheila Don (511729)
The Halls will be open to the public at 2.30pm for viewing the entries, buying tickets for the fantastic raffle and enjoying some refreshments. Prize-giving is at 3.30pm.
The Flower Show always seems to be the one big event that brings all of Strathdearn, young and old, together. Let’s make it bigger and better still this year!
David Bonniface, Secretary
The Tomatin Distillery Visitor Centre
Open: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday – Friday
Tours: £3.00 per person throughout the day with Tasting
Saturday open: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Free entry -Film and Tasting – No Tours
Sunday open: 12.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Free entry – Film and Tasting – No Tours
(Open at Weekends from Easter to end of October.)
Also available on request, “Private Presentation & Tasting Brin Herb Nursery, Flichity, Farr
25th Anniversary!
Join our voucher scheme today – Bring this advertisement
Or quote SD02 for FREE VOUCHER
Herb & wild flower plants, seeds, pots
Local, Scottish & speciality food, including
Struan Honey, Geddes chicken & Connage cheeses
Books, cards, CDs, Ness Soaps
Freshly prepared light meals & snacks
Local information point –
Bring us your leaflets to display
Themed weekends £5.00 Monday lunches
Opening times:
Plant sales every day during daylight hours
Café & Fine Food Shop:
Every Weekend Thursdays-Mondays
until 27th September, 11am – 5.30 pm
Tel: 01808 521288 www.brinherbnursery.co.uk
Quality in the Scottish Highlands, naturally! James Duncan Joiner & Building Contractor Hazelbank, Tomatin, Inverness-shire IV13 7YN Tel 01808 511338 Mobile 07977 558865
Email [email protected] For all your joinery requirements No job too big or too small
Strathdearn Beavers Update
The 30th Inverness (Strathdearn) Beaver Scouts and leaders are enjoying a well-earned break after a busy but fun-filled programme of activities. The District Commissioner came along to the colony’s first investiture where both Beaver Scouts and leaders took their promise for the first time. The colony have also been busy working towards badges with all 14 Beaver Scouts achieving their Promise challenge badge which is one of 6 very special badges that make up the highest award available to Beaver Scouts, the “Chief Scout’s Bronze Award”. Most Beaver Scouts have also completed their safety activity badge and have had the option of working towards the animal care and hobby activity badges over the summer holidays. Our end of term trip was to the ‘Fairburn Activity Centre’ where Beaver Scouts enjoyed taking part in the ‘Junior Jigsaw Jungle’ and ‘Squirrel Search’ challenge.
Strathdearn Beavers is open to both girls and boys aged 6 (from 3 months before 6th birthday) to 8 years (up until 9th birthday) and will start again on Monday 30th August at 5.45pm at Strathdearn Primary school. We currently have places available for new Beaver Scouts and if you would like to find out more about joining the colony or volunteering (including Duke of Edinburgh award participants) then please contact Ruth Mantle on 01808 511287 or [email protected]
We look forward to welcoming you!
Strathdearn Beaver scouts will be holding a fundraising ‘table-top’ sale at the old hall on Saturday 25th September 10.30am- 2.30pm. As World Alzheimer’s Day is on the 21st September we will also donate some of the proceeds to the local branch of Alzheimer Scotland.
Table-top sale and raffle
on Saturday 25th September 10.30-2.30pm - Strathdearn (Old) Hall.
Fundraising in aid of Strathdearn Beaver Scouts and Alzheimer Scotland.
Tables available for £8, if you are interested in booking a table or you would like to donate a raffle prize or items for the Beaver Scout stall then please contact Ruth Mantle on 01808 511287 or [email protected]. ANNOUNCEMENTS MICHAEL HALE We are sorry to mark the passing of Michael Hale, who worked at the Tomatin Distillery before he became ill with heart trouble. Michael fought his illness bravely, but sadly lost the battle. He will be missed by his loved ones and friends, and our thoughts are with his partner, Liz, and his family.
WEDDING CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES.....
....to Joanne Noble and Kenny Hepburn who were married at the Maple Court Hotel in Inverness on 25th June on a lovely sunny summer’s day (weren’t they lucky!) The bride looked stunning – even on the bouncy castle!
They send their thanks to everyone who gave cards and gifts.
....and to Annabel Glynne-Percy and Logie Fitzwilliam, who were married at Inverness Cathedral on 3rd July before enjoying a reception with family and friends in a Marquee on the banks of the Findhorn.
We wish both couples a long and happy life together.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to Michelle Sturrock and Jason MacDonald, Tomatin Distillery, on the birth of their baby girl, Hannah Lily, on 14th July.
Colm Jamison’s love of doing stunts on his bike paid off when he came first in a competition at Muir of Ord in July. He won a set of handlebars and some grips, but Colm’s bike is well equipped so he sold the handlebars and got himself a new haircut instead. Well done Colm!
Well done to the Millburn Academy Prizewinners of 2010:
Jessica Fyffe S2 English, Science, History and Religious & Moral Education.
Fraser Sutherland S3 English and Religious & Moral Education.
Robbie Taylor-Dempster S4 Gaelic
Murray Manson S4 P.E.
THANKYOU
Ruth Noble would like to thank everyone who assisted by providing photos for her college project the finished subjects where displayed in the Inverness Library and will go on tour of the Libraries in the area
Tomatin & Moy SWRI
The new session of meetings will start on September 6th when we are planning an afternoon outing followed by tea at a cafe. There will be no competition. Details of this and subsequent meetings on October 4th and November 1st will be given to members and displayed on posters in the community. The committee look forward to welcoming members and visitors at our meetings. Carol James (Hon Secretary) 531220 Church of Scotland
Parish of Moy, Dalarossie and Tomatin
Minister: Rev R F Campbell, Daviot Manse, Daviot. Tel: 01463 772242
www.strathsnairnanddearn.co.uk
Sunday Club: welcomes primary-school aged children every Sunday morning during term-time in the Strathdearn Hall at 10.30 am (except for the second Sunday of the month when there is a Family Service). Further information from Sandra 01808 511246.
The Guild:
Meets in Tomatin Church at 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of each month between September and April inclusive to hear some interesting talks and enjoy a time of fellowship.
Our Autumn Speakers are:
8th September: Martin Rodgers MAF – Flying for Life.
13th October: Sister Brygida Jalowa Migrants – a chance and a problem
10th November Amelia Martin Starfish, Asia (School in Pakistan)
Further details from Sheila on 01808 511729.
Breakfast Club:
Join us for breakfast (healthy options available!) in the Strathdearn Hall on the last two Mondays of September, October and November, beginning at 9.30 am. Stay for a discussion of a Bible passage, and a time of praise and prayer. Further information from Vivian 01808 511355.
Services (all at 10.30 am unless stated otherwise).
August - October:
1st Sunday of the month:Dalarossie Church
2nd Sunday of the month: Family Service in the Strathdearn Hall with Tea
3rd Sunday of the month: Dalarossie Church.
4th Sunday of the month: Moy Church Note: Moy Communion 24th October
5th Sunday of the month
(when there is one): Tomatin Church
In November we return to our Winter Programme:
7th November: Dalarossie Church
14th November: Remembrance Sunday Family Service – Strathdearn Hall
14th November (at 3pm) Remembrance Sunday Service at the Strathdearn War Memorial
21st November: Moy Church
28th November: Tomatin Church
All are most welcome to join in any or all of our Services or Activities Natural History Club
In May we once again visited the Aigas centre near Beauly, and spent several hours in their hide at the badger and pine marten feeding stations. Our guide for the evening was entertaining and informative but it turned out to be one of those wild life nights when the animals did not co-operate – no badgers or pine marten gracing us with their presence at the hide. Some of us did however get an excellent pine marten sighting crossing the road on the way home – and sadly we saw a dead badger by the verge.
At the hide a roe deer spent a long time foraging allowing some good photo-opportunities.
I’m still trying to put together a programme for autumn 2010 and winter/spring 2011, but I’m confident that we’ll continue to get first rate speakers and see lots of interesting things. Come and join us! David Bonniface (Secretary)
Moy Wind Farm Community Benefits Sub Group
The Moy Wind Farm community benefits Sub Group is now up and running. There are fifteen members but only fourteen can vote because one lives outside of the Strathdearn and Strathnairn area. The remit of the Sub group is to find ways to deal with any of the benefits that will come our way in light of the Moy Wind Farm. The sub group would be interested to hear from anyone with ideas on this benefit or indeed come along to any of the meetings. There will soon be an online forum where we will be able to do this (details later).
Contact details: see the list of some Sub Group members below:
Richard Cooling, Keilingha, Moy, Tomatin, IV13 7YE 01808 511353 / 07711823132 [email protected] Ed Delves, Rivelin, Daviot, IV2 5XQ 01463 772950 / 07894 067705 [email protected] Pauline Dingwall, Fir Chlis, Craggie, Daviot, IV2 5XQ 01463 772171 / 07900 805701 [email protected] Jimmy Duncan, Tigh-An-Furain,Hazelbank,Tomatin IV13 7YN 01808 511338 / 07977 558865 [email protected] Brian MacGregor, Bogbain Farmhouse, Insches, Inverness 01463 772010 / 07740 082234 [email protected] Grant Mackay, Tigh Beag, Daviot, IV2 5XQ 01463 772592 / 07787 743888 [email protected] Karen Peters, Tigh Beag, Daviot, IV2 5XQ 01463 772592 / 07974 114837 [email protected] John Smart, Moy Halt Cottage, Moy, Tomatin IV13 7YF 01808 511386 / 07742 887767 [email protected] Anne Thomas [email protected] Nature Notes
The Strath has gone quiet. When I’m out in COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEWS the garden I no longer hear the persistent call of the Sandpipers from The Football Field was on the agenda at our May meeting. Since the riverbank, the the old Raigbeg School closed, the local football teams (of all ages!) plaintive call of a have continued to use the Football Field adjacent to the old school, Golden Plover flying courtesy of the Tinsley family. Highland Council are now keen to market over or the the old school and schoolhouse to realise some funds in the current onomatopoeic call of climate of cutbacks, and so the Sub-Group has had a busy Spring, the Peewit performing talking to all the various individuals and bodies involved to preserve the aerobatics over the interests of our footballers! fields. Rarely does the fluting whistle or The upshot of all our talks and meetings is that the Highland bubbling trill of the Council are now marketing the former school and schoolhouse and all its Curlew, or the piping grounds and will not be reserving any rights of access over these of parties of grounds to the Football Field beyond. The Council is, however, happy to Oystercatchers disturb permit the unofficial access across the site to the Football Field up until the peace. Most of the school and schoolhouse are sold. these, with their fledglings, have The Tinsley family are happy to continue the present gentleman’s returned to the coast. agreement allowing the community to use the Raigbeg Football Field on Numbers have been a year by year basis, and to allow pedestrian access from the Raigbeg down this year due to Green, and we have e-mailed George Tinsley taking up his family’s kind st the severe winter but offer of this for the first year up to 1 June 2011. there have been good Meanwhile, Tomatin Estate have plans for a housing development numbers of chicks. adjacent to the old A9 between the back Station Road and Sandside, Our resident birds and we are negotiating for a Sports Field in the field opposite between have also had a good Pinewood and Porter’s Lodge as ‘planning gain’, this being the preferred breeding year. option of both the Community Council and the Football Field Sub-Group. Numbers of Chaffinch and particularly of Greenfinch are up, and We have taken delivery of Jocky’s Bench (or at least Jimmy the Pheasants have Duncan kindly has on our behalf) and it is now in place in the memorial done particularly well – garden area of the Strathdearn Hall, looking over the Findhorn. We think we have had ten or it’s a fitting tribute to Jocky, and an asset to the hall grounds (and very eleven adults and now comfortable to sit on!) This hand carved, personalised bench depicting a up to twenty chicks of squirrel on one side and a beret and axe on the other, signifying Jocky’s varying ages with their love of nature and his working life in the wood, cost £300 (the exact sum parents visit the Jocky left to the Community Council) and we also have some money in garden. They stand hand for ongoing maintenance, thanks to a kind benefactor. hopefully under the bird feeders waiting for bits to drop, as one of the seven red squirrels stuff themselves with nuts. If the feeders are empty, either a pheasant or a squirrel will be on the window sill tapping on the glass asking for more.
Not only do we have the small birds and Plans for a new Pub and Shop and Nine Houses were unveiled at our May Meeting by George Macleod, who has since applied for planning permission for this development which will be discussed at our next meeting on 17th August. The feedback received by the Community Council so far has been, on the one hand, support for the larger shop and pub being planned, both of which are seen as necessary for the area, as well as support for the houses on the basis that there is a lack of lower cost housing in Tomatin. On the other hand, others have commented that they feel the development would be an over- provision of housing on a small site; and a pub on its own isn’t enough – a restaurant/function room is also required for birthday and anniversary parties, funeral teas, somewhere for local people to meet and socialise, or just to enjoy a nice meal. There is also concern that the bus stop is to be relocated – but the plans don’t say where. We should be in for a lively discussion on the 17th!
Duncan Hendry, our Community Development Worker, reported at the May meeting that Thomas Munro & Co are to be the architects for the potential new community centre planned as a replacement for the Old Hall, and funding was being sought for a development brief. In the meantime, the roof of the Old Hall has been repaired, and a dehumidifier bought with funds from the Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust to prevent further deterioration of the Youth Group equipment which has suffered from damp.
At the same meeting, the Community Council recommended approval to the Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust for £1,500 to fund a part-time Youth Worker for a six month trial period. The Community Council made a further recommendation to the Trust that they approve a payment of £25,000 to meet increased costs for the Sports Facility and isn’t it great to see that under construction now?
The final item on the agenda of our May meeting was a presentation by Dr Geoff Fagan of the CADISPA Trust (Conservation and Development in Sparsely Populated Areas) whom we asked, after the presentation and further discussion, to carry out a Community Planning Survey on our behalf at a cost of £9,000, funded by the Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust. (Please see separate article on CADISPA elsewhere in this Newsletter.)
Our June Meeting began with a discussion with John Taylor, Community Works Manager with Highland Council’s TEC Services Department, on Snow Clearing in the wake of last year’s awful winter which saw some people in Strathdearn snowed in for a week or more at a time! Following a wide- ranging discussion of the issues involved, a Snow Clearing Sub-Group comprising Pat Wells, Debbie McKay and Duncan Bryden was set up to look into this further.
Later in the meeting, David Wells was thanked by the Community Council for his willingness to arrange repairs to the hinges on the Tomatin Notice Board. Windfarms continue to occupy a slot on most of our monthly agendas. The Community Council was asked in May whether it would be possible to arrange a sort of ‘Question Time’ forum to which MSPs and an independent expert on Windfarm technology could be invited to discuss the issues surrounding windfarms, with a view to providing people in the community, as yet undecided about the pros and cons of windfarms, the opportunity of hearing unbiased opinion to help them make up their minds. We have asked Highland Council if they could facilitate this, as it would be a very big, and expensive, project for a sole Community Council to undertake and we are waiting to hear back from them on this. Keep an eye on Community Council Minutes, or check the Notice Boards for further information.
The Moy Windfarm’s Liaison Group continues to meet every two months, alternating their meetings between the planning of the Moy Windfarm and community benefit discussions. The windfarm operator, CarbonFree, held a series of exhibitions in June, and more are planned for October.
The Highland Council approved the planning application for the Dunmaglass Wind Farm in March.
And since our last meeting we have received a letter advising that RWE Npower Renewables Ltd has identified a site at Kyllachy, approximately 4 km south west of Tomatin, as potentially suitable for the development of a wind farm. At this stage, their outline development proposal involves the construction and operation of up to 20 wind turbines and associated infrastructure, with access likely to be from the A9 using the existing Farr Wind Farm access track. They are undertaking a scooping study, and as the development stage proceeds, they will also undertake a comprehensive public consultation programme.
The Paths Group Report will also be coming to our next meeting. We commissioned a study from Chris Cairns earlier in the year and we’re going to be seeing the results of all the work that’s gone into this. The Paths Sub-Group considered a Safe Paths Route from the A9 Bus Stop to Juniper Drive, as well as Recreational Paths in the Distillery Wood and Distillery area. The Sub-Group are recommending a phased approach, and the implementation of the Safe Paths Route as a first phase. (The Report is in the Shop for anyone to see.)
We were very sorry when, at our last meeting, Elspeth MacQueen, our capable and efficient Secretary, announced that she wished to step down. There is a chance she may come back in the New Year. We are very grateful to Elspeth for all the hard work and support she provided to the Community Council during her time as Secretary. This is only a snapshot of the issues dealt with by the Community Council – to get the full picture, read the Community Council Minutes on the Notice Boards – or better still, come along to our meetings. We took our usual summer break in July and our next meeting is on 17th August, and thereafter on the third Tuesday of each month at 7.30 pm in the Strathdearn Hall. We hope to see you there!
If you would like something put on the agenda, please get in touch with a community councillor. We are:- Vivian Roden (Chair) Tel 511355; Edward Usborne (Vice Chair) Tel: 511482; Margaret Saunders (Treasurer) Tel: 511755; Duncan Bryden (Planning Contact) Tel: 511411; John Cameron-Mackintosh Tel: 511239; Ann Glynne-Percy Tel: 511210; James Duncan Tel: 511338; Pat Wells Tel: 511351; Debbie McKay Tel: 511466; Gavin Edward Tel: 511427. TOMATIN & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB
Meetings usually on the 3rd Monday of the month, at 7.30pm, at the Strathdearn Hall. New members always welcome.
16th August Arrangements for Flower Show
4th September(all day) Flower Show
20th September Discussions re Flower Show
18th October Speaker: David Shaw on Rock Gardens
15th November Slide show by David Bonniface
20th December Quiz Night
On 21st March, Danni Cameron and Gavin combination of speed, strength and skill to win Kippen attended an International Tae Kwon Do points against our opponent. Again it is a competition in Bell sports centre, Perth. The knock out system and Danni and I won a silver competition was the biggest we have ever medal. In the final of my category I was been to with competitors from all over Britain, fighting against my team mate from Norway, Spain and France. Inverness, Paul, so it was a home tie, unfortunately he was better than me on the We headed off from Tomatin very early in the day. morning allowing us to get to Perth at 9am, with plenty of nerves and excitement. Later in the day Paul and I teamed up with another Inverness girl, Natasha, for the team There were lots of different categories for sparring. Each of us took it in turns to spar people with different coloured belts, ages, against our opponents, this time making it sizes, gender, weights etc. There were also through the rounds to a bronze medal. different competitions within the day: individual sparring, individual patterns, and It was a long, tiring but very enjoyable and team sparring. satisfying day. Our medals have pride of place in our houses and I think our parents are very We went to warm up but it wasn’t long before proud of us! we were called to the mat to compete and it was very exciting. Danni went first and did a Gavin Kippen really complicated pattern. The competitions are made up of knockout rounds so the excitement mounted as more and more of our opponents were knocked out. She did really well and just missed out on a medal. It was very exciting as we were sitting just behind the ring we were competing in so we got a lot of support from our home crowd. I think this must have helped me because I managed to get a bronze medal.
Next was the individual sparring. We wear head, body, hand and feet pads and use a BETTY’S RECIPES: all of the farming ways of yesteryear SALMON RECIPES SATURDAY . Including cutting the crop by - Nice for a Summer 18th scythe, binder, stooks, Lunch! cornstack, threshing and the Salmon and Sweetcorn like. Quiche . Various makes of vintage Line a quiche dish with tractors using vintage implements which can be seen 8oz pastry working throughout the day. Drain 8oz can of red . Heritage stands salmon and flake . Static Exhibitions. Blend one tub of cheese spread with Any business, interest group, home two eggs industry or charitable organisation Add salmon and based within Strathnairn and seasoning and 4 tbsp Strathdearn can obtain free entry sweetcorn and exhibit area to promote their Pour into case and wares. For further details contact bake 190C, 375F, for Sandy Webster at 35 mins or till set and [email protected] golden.
Smoked Salmon and Potato Salad 1lb new potatos,halved 4 tbsp mayonnaise 2 tsp fresh dill, chopped 2 tbsp capers, chopped. 7oz smoked salmon Cook potatoes till tender. Cool. Mix with other ingredients and season . Divide salmon between plates and serve with salad. SEPTEMBER 2010: VINTAGE RALLY AND DISPLAY
ONE DAY EVENT – DAVIOT ESTATE
This event promotes community involvement and awareness in the farming history and heritage of the Strathnairn and Strathdearn areas. Come along and enjoy:
. Working Exhibits and Demonstrations reminding us
“And put that dog outside!” A RECOLLECTION OF THE SOMEWHAT CHAOTIC SCENES AT ALT-DHUBHAG, AROUND THE With time and temper ever short MIDDLE OF THE LAST CENTURY, A fickle ray of hope, WHEN OUR DAD, RELUCTANTLY, He thought he’d found a pair of drawers, HAD TO PUT HIS BEST SUIT ON But they would not stay up!
“HAS ANYONE SEEN ………… !” No boots or brushes would appear
“Has anyone seen the soap!” Tho’ we searched the usual places. said Dad as he prepared for town. Success produced another shout,
“Have we suddenly run out!” he barked, “Has anyone seen my laces!”
“or is it down the drain!” At last when Dad was kitted out
He didn’t often go to town Despite the frantic scenes. when we were all quite young, What didn’t fasten, stretch or stitch but what a song and dance he made Was fixed by “safety peens”! when he couldn’t find a thing. As footsteps echoed in the hall
Our Dad preferred his working togs, We thought he’d gone from home.
“Glad Rags” were for the snob, But not before the usual shout –
He seldom wore his old grey suit “Has anyone seen a comb!”
He’d got on his demob. Then on he’d go to Inverness
When forced into the snobbish mode By local bus or train.
He was always crabbit, And so until the next time
“Where’s my shirt and where’s my tie There was peace on earth again!
Where’s my socks and semmit!” D.MacAskill
When Dad was on the rampage
We had no place to hide,
“Help me find some things,” he roared A Very Short Story
Yesterday I watched a man carving an angel. Through the dusty window I could see that he worked with fierce intensity, his head sunk into his shoulders as he raised his mallet again and again, his chisel taking exact pieces out of the wood that were to be the angel’s wings.
I passed the workshop the next day and saw that the angel was now complete and that it was polished and gilded. It was beautiful: the great sweep of wings, the hands folded in prayer, the little head tilted slightly had no expression, the eyes blank. The man rubbed his hands on his sacking apron and, opening the door, picked up the angel with infinite care and stepped out into the Square. The great marble Church of St. Michael and All Angels dominated the Square. The cafe/bar was full of patrons and the bread and the vegetable shops busy with customers. A party of Germans passed through taking photographs and a couple of tourists peered at the map as they drank glasses of beer.
No one seemed to notice the man and his angel on the shadowed side of the Square, outside the workshop. He held the angel above his head and all at once it lifted out of his hands and flew into the sunshine and into the clear blue sky. It dazzled my eyes but even so, I saw the angel was smiling and the man, his face wet with tears, was smiling too.
This of course could only happen in Venice.
Elizabeth Boles WINDFARM UPDATE – including another proposed development ABSOLUTELY Kyllachy/Farr extension: RWE npower renewables has requested a scoping opinion for a 20-turbine development on Kyllachy and Farr estates. The turbine Absolutely is a word layout is currently shown as 5 to the west of the existing Farr windfarm site and two that’s absolutely meant. lines of seven running south-east from the existing Farr windfarm boundary down It’s absolutely everywhere towards Corrievorrie and Achintoul. The fourteen south-eastern turbines will be much closer to the Strath and the village but absolutely spent! will be directly downwind of the turbines during prevailing south-westerly winds. D.MacAskill Proposed Glenkirk windfarm: Eurus Energy UK Ltd has been required to submit a peat slide risk assessment for a section of the proposed access road which had been omitted from the original Environmental Statement and the subsequent three addenda. The data submitted by the developer is published as a fourth addendum to the section 36 Environmental Statement and has been advertised in the stride out and the other to suit those local press. The final date for submissions is who require or enjoy a slower pace. If 18 August 2010. Submissions should be you feel that you cannot manage the sent to the Energy Consents Unit and longer walks, please do not be put off copied to Highland Council Planning Dept. from coming. The walk leaders are Eurus’s failure to provide a full peat slide more than happy to be with either risk assessment delayed the planning group. Both groups meet up at the end hearings for both Glenkirk and Tom nan for a good chat and tea, coffee and Clach scheduled for June. The re-scheduled biscuits. date is Monday 23 August 2010. The INBS Planning Committee will determine Do note that we are not a normal the planning application for Tom nan Clach rambling group, but are there to and also the planning application for the encourage people who may have proposed access road to Glenkirk via health problems and would benefit Invereen . The remainder of the proposed from the regular, gentle exercise that Glenkirk development is a section 36 walking provides, as well as those of application and will ultimately be you who are perfectly healthy, but see determined by Scottish Government exercise as a means of staying well. ministers. Highland Council is a statutory Remember: walking is free! consultee and can decide to raise objection or not or in certain circumstances, or defer If you are interested, please contact a decision. A site visit will take place in the Kathy or David Bonniface on 01808 morning, travelling from Inverness to 511740, or Carol James on 531220, or Lochindorb via the A9 and Tomatin and just turn up on the day. There will be returning to Inverness around lunchtime. posters advertising the start date in The hearing will take place in the Council September. Chamber at Glenurquhart Road. At the time of writing, exact times have not been finalised but anyone interested in attending is welcome to telephone me the week before (01808 511351).
Proposed Moy windfarm: The next meeting of the Liaison Group is scheduled for 7.00pm on 19 August 2010 at the Highland Hospice. The developer, Carbon Free has said that anyone interested is welcome to go along. Attendees are required to sign in at the start of the meeting.
Proposed Dunmaglass windfarm: Coignafearn Estate has raised a legal challenge to the contentious decision by Highland Council not to object to the proposed 33-turbine Dunmaglass windfarm.
Pat Wells [for Strathdearn Against Wind Farm Developments]
Step It Up Highland Throughout August, we shall be taking a break from our regular Wednesday afternoon walks, but they will resume again in September. As usual we shall meet at Strathdearn Hall at 2PM.
For most of the past year we have been able to manage two levels of walks – one for those who wish to DIGITAL SWITCHOVER – the advice from the Bus Service 300A Freeview website: It has been decided by Bob Edwards, Senior From: Transport Officer at Highland Council, to http://www.freeview.co.uk/availability/main/display/about/iv13+7 yn/NA/0 terminate bus contract 300A, which operates the late night journey to and from Tomatin, Unfortunately you can't receive the Freeview channels in your departing Inverness at 21.20 and returning from area now, but when your region switches to digital you should Tomatin at 22.25 on Saturday evenings. This be able to receive the most popular channels. took effect on 1st August. Digital switchover is happening in your region on 6 October 2010 and 20 October 2010. This means that you need to make He stated that “the service has been poorly used sure all your TVs are ready for digital. despite significant efforts by the operator to Freeview is the simplest way to get digital TV. It's a one-off make its existence widely known and to payment with no monthly subscription. encourage people to use it. It has only carried 7 passengers to date this year.” To get the best possible picture for all these great channels you might need to get your rooftop aerial checked.
See which channels are available from the list below:
BBC1, BBC2, BBC3, STV, Ch 4, Five, ITV2, 4+1, More4, ITV2+1, BBC4, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News, BBC Parliament, 13 radio channels.
Freeview HD available: 20 October 2010 Strathdearn Community Council If you upgrade to Freeview HD, these channels will become available: BBC HD, STV HD(available now), Ch4 HD. www.tomatin.org.uk
As digital switchover gets closer, we’ll be able to give you more accurate information to help guide you through any problems that you might experience. So it’s really worth you coming back to check for our latest advice. publishes the "Strathdearn Newsletter" quarterly,
You can find out more about the digital switchover at delivering it free to every home in Strathdearn. The digitaluk.co.uk. Newsletter is sponsored by Tomatin Distillery and Mr & Mrs George McLeod. This is a community Every TV in your home needs to be converted in order to receive Freeview. newsletter, and the views and opinions expressed in contributions submitted by members of the This simply means you make a one-off payment for each box, community are not necessarily those of Strathdearn because we don’t charge you a monthly subscription. Community Council, nor of the Editor. The UK is switching to digital region by region between 2008 and 2012.
It will be difficult to use your video recorder (VCR) after Editor: Mrs Denise Barley, Lauriston, Tomatin, IV13 switchover so the simplest thing to do is to get a Freeview+ digital TV recorder with a twin tuner. This lets you watch, 7YN. Tel. 01808 511733 e-mail record and pause digital TV. You can find out more information [email protected] in our digital TV recorders section. Printing: Mrs D.Barley & Mrs D.Usborne If you have any more questions it’s worth checking out our Distribution: Mrs S. Mackintosh-Grant Helping Hand section, where you’ll find answers to our frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Result sourced from This is a predictive coverage database. Coverage and channel availability are subject to Next deadline Thursday 28th October 2010 change.
NB Digital UK will be available for consultation at the Strathdearn Hall on 11th August.