ardgay & district community Council newsletter
£1.00 [suggested donation] Issue No. 34 = winter 2016-2017 =
Gateway to Sutherland Kyle of Sutherland Hub Falls of Shin Visitor Centre
These three key developments are under way Works seem advanced at the new Kyle of Sutherland Hub, which is expected to open in May/June 2017. Falls of Shin Visitor Centre is taking shape, and the site is now cleared at Ardgay centre. It looks like very soon we will have the Kyle of Suth- centre will return for locals and tourists (Page 10). A erland Hub up and running, with soft play zone, cafe business centre, an art shed, and a square will bring and fitness suite. (Page 5) The Falls of Shin visitor new life to Ardgay village centre. (Page 4)
Invercharron Highland Games has new committee There were some fears this year that the Games was in danger of closure, however, new commit- tee members and office bearers have been recruited and the Invercharron Games will now proceed in 2017. Page15
A bench to remember Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Philip Entwhistle Gledfield pupils sang their hearts out at the Ardgay Christmas Fair to wel- at Ledmore and come Santa and all the Christmas shoppers. Pages 11 & 19 Migdale wood Page 16
Creich and Kincardine Scottish a Royal British Legion wintering Extra pages, Letters to Scotland Remembrance wild geese the Editor, Opening times, Telephone guide, Sunday celebrations Bus & Train timetable, Page 9 Page 22 Crosswords, Sudoku...
ardgay & district community Council newsletter WINTER 2016-2017 = Page 3
Contents
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ARDGAY News =Ardgay Christmas Fair �������������������� 11 what’s on in the area ��������������� 21 =Progress of Gateway to Sutherland =Kincardine Cemetery Environmental and proposed name for the new Enhancement Association. ��������������� 12 children & young people square at Ardgay centre �������������������������4 =Winter Resilience Program ���������� 13 =Spooky lanterns ���������������������������������22 =Kyle of Sutherland Hub expected =Cosy Homes East Sutherland wins =Wildlife: wild geese ��������������������������22 opening in Spring 2017 ���������������������������5 Rural Innovators Award �������������������� 14 =Gledfield Primary School ��������������23 =How to contact your CC, Highland =Ledmore & Migdale news ������������� 16 =Hamish, the Tartan Dragon ����������23 Councillors, MSPs and MP ������������������6 =Lairg Learning Centre courses in letters to the editor ����������������17 from the manse ������������������������������24 Ardgay and Bonar Bridge ����������������������7 =Royal British Legion Scotland new windfarm funds ������������������������������18 local services a-z Branch Standard ������������������������������������������� 8 =Opening times & timetables ���������25 =Kyle of Sutherland Heritage gearrchoillE Wood ������������������� 19 =Telephone guide ��������������������������������26 Society joins forces with Bonar Bridge Local History Society ����������10 adult clubs & societies ���������� 20 puzzles ��������������������������������������������������� 27
Ardgay & District photographs editor’s letter Exciting 2017 hank you for all the contri- Tbutions to this issue: your overwhelming response made us print extra pages! After two and a half years as Editor, it is very rewarding to see this newsletter become a reference for local news and community groups. 2017 will bring a brand new Family Hub to South Bonar, and the KoSDT projets Falls of Shin and Gateway to Sutherland are also coming to fruition. We would like to hear your views on the proposed developments, the name of the new square, and the Highland Council priorities for the area, etc. as the CC exists to represent the wider community. Morning frost by Louise Worthy Merry Christmas! < Looking towards Ben Klibreck from Culrain on a frosty morning. Silvia Muras Editor Page 4 =WINTER 2016-2017 ardgay & district community Council newsletter
Ardgay & District News the project includes a new village square, business centre and art shed Progress of the Gateway to Sutherland project at the heart of Ardgay Village The demolition of the derelict pub has enabled us to better appreciate the barn, part of the original Balnagown hotel, which will be transformed into a Business Centre.
Demolition of the derelict Kyle of Sutherland De- Lady Ross building is fin- velopment (KoSDT) is ished and it is anticipated working in conjunction that work on the new fa- with Highland Council cility will start early next who own the land and year to create a new village who will transfer owner- square, Business Centre ship to KoSDT early next and Art Shed where local year, with an anticipated artists will have the oppor- finish later in 2017. tunity to show their work. The masterplan also The new Business Cen- includes 4 terraced hous- tre will provide a total of es that will be developed 200 square meters of of- by Albyn Housing Society fice space which includes and two self-build plots Scale model of the square, Business centre and Art Shed. 7 newly furnished offices for sale through The High- with a fully equipped kitchen and meeting room. The lands Small Communities Housing Trust. building is just across the road from the train sta- To register your interest in the office space contact tion, local bus service and has access to free dedicated Sasha Hudekova using the contact details below.< parking. The Business Centre will contain spaces for Sasha Hudekova Project Officer (Construction) KoSDT the Trust as well as for local businesses such as Busi- ) 01863 766 554 ness Gateway. * [email protected] the kyle of sutherland development trust has put forward the name “drovers square” Proposed name for the new square at Ardgay Centre Ardgay & District Community Council is seeking your views and suggestions regarding the future name of the square that will be created at the Lady Ross site.
The Trust has submitted an appli- Wood and to the Clach Eiteag stone by the landed gentry unlike the drov- cation to the Highland Council CAG which was moved from parish to par- ers who were of the people. Today team to request that the village square ish to mark the site of the drovers’ cat- communities are being encouraged in Ardgay be called Drovers Square. tle fair. By the middle of 18th century, to take more control of their land and In due course Highland Council will the three day annual cattle and farm thus their destiny, having the square consult with the community rep- produce fair, the Feill Eiteachan, was named after a person of title, contin- resentatives, Ardgay Community held in the parish of Kincardine for ues to endorse those old structures. Council on the proposed name. three days every November. Thus a It was the intention of the Trust to The name suggested seeks to re- triangle of historical connections will have an interpretation panel in the flect the fact that drovers played an be attained by the new square being square which tells of the Drovers, important role in the history of the called Drovers Square. The use of the Gearrchoille Wood and the Clach village and links well to the drovers the name Lady Ross speaks of a time Eiteag stone. < Helen Houston path in the Gearrchoille Community when land and people were controlled Development Manager KoSDT ardgay & district community Council newsletter WINTER 2016-2017 = Page 5
Ardgay & District News
dren this colourful space will also be available for children’s parties. The café creperie designed by our young people is going to ca- ter for 24 covers with additional seating available in the multi-use room during busy periods. The design is very cool creating a dif- ferent eating experience for all users. The café has a viewing win- dow to the soft play. The multi-use room will ca- ter for exercise classes, addition- al café seating and for children’s clubs aged 0-18. The second hand sale point is located outside the multi-use The new building is taking shape. room. Residents can pick up a bargain with all funds raised from New space for children, young people & families this going into the children & young people’s services. Kyle of Sutherland Hub The youth rooms will ena- ble the group to run after school clubs, youth clubs and eventually is expected to open holiday play schemes. in May / June 2017 fitness in the kyle The fitness suite has the most Construction of the new Youth The soft play centre will create spectacular views of the Kyle to and Family Hub is well underway. a space where children aged 0-11 Carbisdale. The space will be able This exciting development will can participate in active play in all to cater for 12-15 users at a time provide year round access to fa- weathers. Chosen by the children and there will be targeted sessions cilities for residents, visitors and the play frame will includes slides, for under 16’s, over 60’s, women tourists and a huge support to our tunnels, a toddler area and climbing only and rehabilitation. children and young people. decks. Catering for up to 42 chil- The community use room is a space to rent for remedial thera- pists and practitioners, and fami- KOSH opening hours ly support agencies. An outdoor play area will sup- Centre open gym port open access drop in for chil- Mon-Fri 9 am 8:30 pm Mon-Fri 9:15 am 8:15 pm dren & young people. To follow Sat 9 am 5 pm Sat 9:15 am 4:30 pm progress please visit our web site Sun 10 am 4 pm Sun 10:15 am 3:30 pm or our Facebook page (see de- tails below).< Hayley Bangs soft play times café Mon-Fri 9:15 am 7 pm Mon-Fri 10 am 4:30 pm Hayley Bangs, Sat 9:15 am 4:30 pm Sat 10 am 4:30 pm Chair Sun 10 am 3:30 pm Youth café 6:30 pm 8:30 pm ) 01863 766 310 Sun 10 am 3:00 pm www.kyleofsutherland.com Planned opening times are as shown, however this may change. Kyle of Sutherland Hub Page 6 =WINTER 2016-2017 ardgay & district community Council newsletter
Ardgay & District News Job opportunity: These are the priorities for Ardgay & District that Ardgay toilets caretaking your CC has submitted to the Highland Council A job opportunity has 1. Communications: Superfast 3. Transport: Suppport and improve arisen locally, as Jeannie broadband to every premises in Ar- the actual train service in Ardgay & and Gordon Sparling are dgay & District. Support the deliv- Culrain. Retain the existing bus ser- retiring as caretakers of ery of improved mobile phone cov- vice, preventing further service cuts. Ardgay toilets. The toi- erage. Make it possible for people in A&D lets are open from East- 2. Services: Retain all current High- CC area to access trunk road trans- er until after Armistice land Council Services in Ardgay & port links. More infrastructure to Sunday. The work is to District, including Gledfield Primary support cycling as A&D CC has Na- daily clean & restock and School, Toilets, Playpark area, Road tional Cycle Route 1 open and close each day. maintenance, Verge cutting and Win- 4. Business & Social enterprises: Should you be interested ter Salt treatment. Retain services Support businesses in the area. Sup- in applying for the job, located in Bonar Bridge but directly port the Kyle of Sutherland Develop- please contact the Com- affecting Ardgay & District, such as ment Trust. Support measures which munity Council using the Recycling centre, Library and Service enhance our area for tourism. Sup- details below. < Point. port the Village Hall.< ardgay & district community council: Betty Wright, Chairperson, silvia muras, Vice Chair, Marion turner, Treasurer, sheila lall, rob pope, andy wright, leslie pope, Secretary (Associated member), mary goulder, Minute Secretary, george farlow, Councillor (Member ex officio) how to contact councillors north, west & central sutherland ardgay & district community council George Farlow 7, Seaforth Road, Ullapool IV26 2UY Tel 01854 612 780 [email protected] By phone By post Hugh Morrison Orcadia, Lerin, Durness IV27 4QB 01549 421 244 (Leslie Pope, Secretary) Tel 07557 566 543 [email protected] Linda Munro 8, Munro Place, Bettyhill KW14 1TD By mail Tel 01641521779 [email protected] Leslie Pope, Secretary A&DCC The Cottage, Culrain, Ardgay IV24 3DW msps Caithness, Sutherland & Ross Gail Ross M5.13 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP Email Tel 0131 348 5927 [email protected] @ [email protected] Donald Cameron M2.18 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP Tel 0131 348 6989 [email protected] Website John Finnie MG.16 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP www.ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil.org.uk Tel 0131 348 6898 [email protected] Rhoda Grant MG.06 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP Facebook Tel 0131 348 5766 [email protected] Ardgay & District Community Council Edward Mountain M3.18 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP Tel 0131 348 6143 [email protected] Drop-in Sessions Douglas Ross M2.08 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP We will be holding clinics from 1 to 4 pm at the Tel 0131 348 6140 [email protected] Ardgay Stores on the following dates: MG.05 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP 14 JANUARY & 11 FEBRUARY David Stewart Tel 0131 348 5766 [email protected] Please stop by for a cup of tea/coffee and chat. Maree Todd M4.05 The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP In person Tel 0131 348 5784 [email protected] Just contact any member you know or come along to our meetings at Ardgay Public Hall, mp Caithness, Sutherland & easter Ross at 7 pm. Next meetings: Paul Monaghan House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA 13 FEBRUARY & 13 MARCH Tel 0207 219 8485 [email protected] ardgay & district community Council newsletter WINTER 2016-2017 = Page 7
Ardgay & District News ardgay & district cc submitted local priorities to councillors Sutherland County Committee’s Priorities report for our area
A report presented at the 30th couraging outward migration. Ex- November meeting of Sutherland pand employment opportunities. Removal of BT payphone County Committee, and authored l Infrastructure and Con- at Culrain by Ward Manager Garry Cameron, nectivity. Ensure the rollout of aims to provide members with the broadband to all properties. Ur- Public opinion has been sought local strategic priorities for Suth- gent improvement to the mobile on BT’s proposal to remove 178 erland. The title of the report is “A phone network. public payphones from across voice for Sutherland and its People”. l Education and Skills Develop- Highland, one of them at Culrain. Some of its key points are: ment. Retaining our young people Initially, Ardgay & District CC l Community Empowerment. in well paid and respected careers. did not support the removal of
Ensure communities are consult- l Care and Well-being any payphones in the area when ed on proposals to change Council l Land use. Take advantage of we have such poor mobile cover- services. powers under land reform leg- age. However, Culrain’s payphone l Economic Development. islation with a view especially to has not been used in the last 12 Encourage population growth Community Asset Transfers and months, a fact that made A&D through inward migration and dis- creation of new crofts. < CC agree with the removal.<
Learning Centre’s Facebook page. A taster of some offerings in- cludes a six-week Nutrition and Weightloss class in Ardgay Hall, which will be run by a life coach to teach people how to modify their eating habits. Computing classes will run in Ardgay and a Computer club will run in Bo- nar Bridge. Language classes will Christmas cards made by students. Ipad and tablet class. also run in Bonar and include Gael- ic for Beginners and Italian for Be- Lairg Learning Centre courses ginners, as well as workshops, such as massage and aromatherapy. In Lairg, Advanced Family History, in Ardgay and Bonar Bridge Upholstery and a Creative Writing Lairg & District Learning Centre erational learners, whereas comput- course are offered, with more Gar- has been busy running classes all ing classes and clubs were designed dening classes being held in Rog- over the area again this term and more for adults. art. If you would like more infor- some local ones have included Ipad The classes were subsidised mation, please contact the admin and tablet classes/clubs in Bonar by Achany Windfarm, with team.< Bridge and Ardgay, Art workshops workshops costing only £5, and in Ardgay, and Christmas Cakes for the computing clubs were free. Paula White adults, and another for kids, in Ard- 2017 will be busy too, with the Administrator gay hall. The training is designed for next prospectus due out mid De- ) 01549 402 050 all age groups, and arts and crafts, cember, which will be available * [email protected] such as the Christmas card making in local shops, the website (www. www.lairglearnincentre.org.uk in Bonar Bridge, attracted intergen- lairglearningcentre.org.uk) or the Lairg Learning Centre Page 8 =WINTER 2016-2017 ardgay & district community Council newsletter
Ardgay & District News
Tain Pipe Band (left). Lord Lieutenant takes salute, flanked by Linda Munro and Gus Mackay (right). A service to dedicate the new Branch Standard Bonar Bridge enjoyed the spectacle of massed Standards on Sunday 25 September.
The local Creich and Kincardine dedication service for the Standard. Legion Scotland Area and Branch Royal British Legion Branch had The grant also covered the comple- officials and members. Last was organised a service to dedicate their tion of the renovation of the Bonar the furled new Creich and Kincar- new Branch Standard and invited Bridge War Memorial. dine Branch Standard, carried by other Legion Scotland Branches The day began with a parade led Branch Secretary Fiona Porter. and other organisations to attend by Tain Pipe Band. The massed During the church service, con- with their Standards. There were 11 Standards were led by the nation- ducted by Rev Anthony Jones, the Standards in all, brought from as far al and Highlands and Islands Le- old Standard was formally laid up afield as Thurso and Forres. gion Scotland Standards, with the and the new Standard dedicated. Standards are looked on as the old Creich and Kincardine the last, The old Standard and old Queen’s rallying point for a Branch and are borne by Eric Porter the Branch Colour are now displayed in the a constant symbolic reminder to Standard Bearer. Then followed church permanently for safe keep- members of the Legion Scotland ing. After the service, the parade motto “Service Not Self”. In the top reformed with the new Standard corner is the Union Flag which sym- at its head. The march was from bolises unity, chivalry and loyalty to the Church past the War Memori- the Queen, community and nation. al where the Lord Lieutenant, Dr The remainder of the flag is blue, Monica Main took the salute. denoting loyalty and fidelity, and There followed a soup and sand- gold signifying service “as tried by wich lunch in the Bonar Bridge fire” and reminds us of all of those Hall, attended by many locals who Dedication of new standard. who gave their lives for their coun- had gathered to watch the parade. try. Standards must be dedicated Eric Munro, the Legion Scotland before use and after service are laid Highlands and Islands Best Kept up in sacred or public buildings, in War Memorial Convenor, presented line with the veneration with which Fiona Porter with two certificates; as they are regarded. the winner of the H&I Small Com- The old Branch standard was 63 munities with Garden Section and years old and showing its age. So for 3rd place in the national finals, the Branch obtained nearly £8,000 a Very Highly Commended. £242 from the Big Lottery Fund to buy were raised towards the cost of the a new Branch Standard and a new Fiona Porter receives certificate from Christmas parcels the Branch will be Queen’s Colour and to hold the Eric Munro. giving to pensioner members.< ardgay & district community Council newsletter WINTER 2016-2017 = Page 9
Ardgay & District News The Branch Committee, keen to recruit new members
While the dedication of the new tary Fiona Porter. The local Branch the Branch Standard and Queen’s Branch Standard and Remem- AGM was held on Monday 5th Dec. Colour will be present and as part brance Sunday went well, they high- Everyone in the Community was of a short service, a cross planted. lighted the reducing numbers of Le- warmly invited to attend. All members of the community gionnaires who parade and attend The whist night at Bonar Bridge are invited to attend but especially these events and who are available Hall at 7.30pm on 21st December George’s relatives. We would really to help organise them. The Branch will be in aid of Branch funds and like to find out more about George Committee are therefore keen to will be used to fund the Christmas before the service so would be grate- recruit new members and new Food Parcels we will deliver to our ful if any one with information could committee members. Although our pensioner members and widows. contact the Branch Secretary.< purpose is to support forces veterans Weather permitting, there will and organise remembrance events, be a graveside remembrance ser- members do not need to be veter- vice at Tutim cemetery, Rosehall on ans. They just need to be driven to 29th December, the 100th anniver- help the ex-forces community and to sary of the death of Private George Fiona Porter Secretary remember the fallen. Anyone inter- MacDonald in WW1. As for previ- * [email protected] ested should contact Branch Secre- ous services of those buried locally, ) 01863 766349
Creich and Ardgay commemorated the day with the Royal British Legion Scotland Remembrance Sunday 2016
Local children took a Somme the following day; the Queen’s Colour and blessed the new Union leading role at the Re- Pte Alexander Gordon, Branch Standard were flag. Both were purchased membrance Sunday ser- Pte John MacLennan and dipped in respect. This following a successful bid vices at Bonar Bridge, Pte Thomas Ross. was the first time both to the Big Lottery Fund. organised by the Royal While Leanne and Car- had been used since the The renovation of the War British Legion Scotland. ron Munro (from Culrain new Branch Standard was Memorial was also com- A large crowd watched and members of Tain Pipe dedicated at a service in pleted shortly before the around 15 children plant- Band) played Highland September. This time the service, with the impres- ing crosses at the War Cathedral as the lament, Minister, Anthony Jones, sive bronze statue having a Memorial. Then at Creich clean and wax to help pro- church 4 children from tect it against the weather. Bonar Bridge and Gled- Wreaths were laid at field Primary Schools Bonar Bridge by Legion read out the names of the Scotland, the Fire Ser- local men killed in WW1 vice, Creich Community between November 1915 Council and Kay Smart. and November 1916. Spe- At a short service at Ar- cial mention was made of dgay War Memorial Pte Lachlan MacKintosh wreaths were laid by Le- who died a year ago to the gion Scotland and Ard- day on the Western Front. gay & District Communi- Also for three killed at the Colours dipped for the lament. /FP ty Council. < Page 10 =WINTER 2016-2017 ardgay & district community Council newsletter
Ardgay & District News Heart of Sutherland Tourism (HOST) is hoping to encourage visitors to divert off the NC500
We are a group which has been founded to try and encourage visitors to come to Sutherland and to divert off the NC500. Our aim is to increase business for its members by establishing Architectural rendering of the new attraction. /CH architecture the area’s regional identity. Any business in the Progress of the works at the new centre of Suth- erland is wel- Falls of Shin visitor centre come to join our formally On the Facebook page ‘Falls of Shin Community Project’ constituted you can find weekly videos of the work site progress. group, with membership be- As you may be aware William Gray mons head. In other words the café ing free at this stage. Anyone Construction Ltd (WGC) started walls, roof and windows are all in who wishes to join should con- onsite at the start of September and place and first fix is underway. tact Sarah Orrell at secretary@ work is progressing well. The past We are posting weekly progress heartofsutherland.co.uk in the two months have seen WGC set up video on our Facebook page. Do be first instance. Currently we onsite with the first task being to re- sure to find us ‘Falls of Shin Com- have approximately 30 mem- move the slab, which was the base munity Project’. < Valerie Houston, bers and this is growing dai- of the former Falls of Shin Visitor Implementation Manager Falls of ly.”< Sarah Orrell, Secretary Centre. As we approach the end of Shin Community Project * [email protected] November you can now see the sal- * [email protected]
Kyle of Sutherland Heritage Society joins forces with Bonar Bridge Local History Society
At the recent AGM of the Society which is based in the posters. The annual Art Show will take place as the Heritage Centre at Kincardine Old Church (beside usual over Easter beginning with the Preview Evening the Cemetery) it was good to welcome members of the on Wednesday 12th April and ending on Thursday Bonar Bridge Local History Society on to the commit- 20th – spread the word to your artist friends. tee. It’s an exciting time with the two groups deciding We warmly welcome new members and have va- to work together as one to continue to provide events cancies on the committee for anyone interested in and encourage a wide interest in local history. During helping take this new phase in the life of our groups the winter months while the Centre is closed as access forward. We would be happy to hear of any ideas or through the graveyard is difficult, the plan is to arrange topics that would be of interest to include in our pro- events in a suitable venue in Bonar Bridge. The first of gramme. < Mary Stobo these will be on Thursday, 23rd February at 7.00 when Mary Stobo will tell of her recent Safari to Tanzania. Rev Mary J Stobo (Chair KOSHS) The venue will be confirmed later – contact Valerie Druim an Sgairnich, Ardgay IV24 3BG MacKenzie-Harris for more details and watch out for ) 01863 766868 ardgay & district community Council newsletter WINTER 2016-2017 = Page 11
Ardgay & District News
A view of the main hall at our Christmas Fair, on Saturday 26th November. A very well attended Christmas Fair at Ardgay Hall The event cleared a profit of £714, for hall funds, which is indeed a fair result.
Good News! - Ardgay Hall now ol Shaw; her “Fair Organisational retary and treasurer, Jockie Hewitt has a Wi-Fi service throughout Skills” will remain a legend with and Sinead Macfarlane. the building and, with the support the committee for years to come! It was noted with disappointment of A&DCC, a new projector screen And Yet More News - Ard- that there were no new names put in the committee room; ideal for gay Public Hall is now a Scottish forward and, even though the new meetings, training sessions, lec- Charitable Incorporated Organi- constitution expressly provides for tures, etc. sation (SCIO) and that therefore it, no hall user group had nominated made this year’s AGM a bit more any of their members to represent More Good News! - Also thanks significant. them on the committee either. to the support of A&DCC the hall It was with genuine regret that The date of the next manage- has secured a grant from the Ar- this meeting - on the 20th of Oc- ment meeting will, as usual, be dgay-Beinn Tharsuinn Fund to tober - had to accept the resigna- displayed on the notice boards, insulate the exterior walls of the tions of both Carol Shaw, who has and whether you currently use committee room. This work will carried the office of chairperson the hall or not, if you live in the start as soon as practicable. with such effective dedication for area and are interested in the fu- so long, and that of Teresa Lang- ture of the hall the committee Yet More Good News! – This ley, whose commitment to the hall hope you will come along to a year’s Christmas Fair cleared a has also been much appreciated. meeting soon. In the meantime, a profit of £714 , for hall funds. The The 2016 -17 management com- Merry Christmas & a very Happy committee want to thank everyone mittee members were then duly New Year is wished to each and who came and supported the event elected. These are: David Han- every one of you from everyone and to say to everyone who helped nah, who also accepted nomina- on the committee. < Rhonwen in whatever way to make this vital tion as chairman. Fiona Venters, Copley, Secretary fund-raising event such a success; who agreed to continue as booking LIke us 0n facebook! your efforts are fully appreciated. secretary, Rhonwen Copley, who Ardgay Public Hall But special thanks must go to Car- agreed to continue as general sec- Page 12 =WINTER 2016-2017 ardgay & district community Council newsletter
Ardgay & District News
Kincardine Cemetery Environmental Enhancement Association (KCEEA) Find out who takes care of the lovely trees and shrubs at Kincardine Cemetery
If you think that cemeteries are gloomy places, think again! Of course, the old part of Kincardine Cemetery is of considerable his- toric interest, but the extension part is not bad either. A small band of friends help to look after it, and we think that it’s a lovely place, see for yourself. Well over ten years ago, trees and briar roses were planted round the perimeter fence of the extension, and they’ve grown into beautiful mature trees and shrubs. Let’s face KCEEA members met at memorial bench in October. / brigitte geddes it – unless you’ve made other ar- rangements (such as living forever) birds, if not with visitors. Our group lot of snowdrops along the fence on - almost all of us are likely to find a met up there in October and we the side where the sycamore stands, wee niche there sooner or later. And went walkabout to discuss any work but unfortunately, not many of them I’m sure it will help our loved ones that has to be done before we’re back survived. So we would be grateful to in their sadness to be comforted by in the growing season. receive any snowdrop plants you can the pleasant environment that has When we were given permission spare (best to dig them up just after been created there. A big thank-you for planting trees and roses, we had they finish flowering) or any spare goes to Frank van Duivenbode, in to commit ourselves to certain rules, crocuses. Just drop Brigitte a line to particular, who looks after the trees. so please don’t just go and plant arrange collection. No larger spring Recently, he also had his work cut any tree you would like to see there. bulbs such as daffodils or narcissus, out refurbishing the bench he de- However, if you have any sugges- please; they get in the way of ground signed and made in the early 2000s. tions or would like to make a dona- maintenance. < Brigitte Geddes, As you may know, it’s under the syc- tion to our funds, please contact us KCEEA Chair and Treasurer amore tree, and very popular with using the details below. We planted a * [email protected] brigitte geddes ardgay & district community Council newsletter WINTER 2016-2017 = Page 13
Ardgay & District News Winter Resilience Programme: Aid to Communities The Highland Council is looking for volunteers who would be willing to take part in this programme. If you are interested, or if you would like more details, please contact your CC.
The Highland Council is again munity Council Secretary, Leslie offering assistance to communi- Pope (details below). All volun- ties who wish to help clear snow teers must be listed on the appli- and ice from footpaths in their cation form as insurance cover own areas. This assistance will will not extend to individuals take the form of the provision of who are not named. Additional salt, snow clearing equipment, volunteers can be added later by PPE, Health & Safety advice and submitting an additional form insurance cover for pre-regis- but this must be done prior to tered volunteers. Full details of The Highland Council those individuals undertaking what is provided by the Council, is ready for winter any snow clearance activities un- and what resources will need to 60,000 tonnes of salt in stock der this scheme. < be supplied by the community, 105 gritters Leslie Pope, Secretary A&DCC as well as the application form 45 footpath tractors * secretary@ardgayanddistrict are available on demand. Please 1 snow cutter communitycouncil.org.uk contact Ardgay & District Com- ) 01549 421 244 christmas party on 21st december Festive events at the Bradbury Centre
The clients had a lovely day out in October for af- ternoon tea in the Victoria Restaurant Dingwall. This was funded by Beinn nan Oighrean Wind- farm (Ardgay), and Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Limited (Creich). We now have on loan an interactive screen donat- ed by Dementia Friendly. The clients are enjoying using the screen with the staff. Also at the Centre we have reflexology weekly, as well as two weekly visits for music and movement. We also do flower arrang- ing and Ipad tuition. The centre is delighted to be Pete Andrews part of a 2 year pilot scheme Fare Share, that is run- ning with Tesco. We receive donations twice a week. Driving School The Christmas Party is coming up on the 21st of December, and the carol service on the 23rd De- Patient Areas Covered: cember. A Christmas Raffle will be drawn at the party (raffle tickets are still for sale). The ipad Friendly Tuition Ardgay, Bonar Bridge square, £10 per square will be drawn on the 10th of Refresher Courses Lairg, Golspie, Tain December. Dornoch Service runs for all of the com- Pass Plus Dornoch & Alness munity from the Centre on Tuesday. For the 902 service (Tuesdays & Wednesdays) Tel. 01863 766 884 please see the updated bus timetable on page 26. < Barbara Hartshorn Mob. 07763 133 922 [email protected] Page 14 =WINTER 2016-2017 ardgay & district community Council newsletter
Ardgay & District News chess, from the kyle of sutherland development trust, won the climate change category Cosy Homes East Sutherland Scheme wins a Rural Innovators Award at the Scottish Rural Parliament The KoSDT project received a prize for improving lives in the rural community.
The 2016 Scottish Rural Parlia- ment was held in Brechin Com- munity Campus, Angus; between 6th-8th October. The biennial event brought together people from across rural Scotland to dis- cuss issues of most importance to their communities. Cosy Homes East Sutherland Scheme (CHESS) received a place as they had been nominated for, and had won, the Climate Change category of the Rural Innovators Award. This award is for a project, person or organisation which im- proves lives in the rural community All rural innovators winners 2016. where it is based. Cat Wright, CHESS Project Keynote address from the Cabinet more energy efficient. These im- Assistant, travelled to Brechin to Secretary for the Rural Economy & provements are to help reduce Fuel represent the team and collect the Connectivity, Fergus Ewing MSP. Poverty within the East Suther- award. During the morning of the Throughout the afternoon there land area and will also see Carbon award ceremony, delegates were were several workshops running; Emissions from these houses being invited to visit local projects within each one focusing on a topic that is reduced, therefore helping tackle the Angus area. Cat was part of the important to those living in a rural Climate Change. group who went to see the Carmyl- community. The evening wrapped Over its lifetime CHESS has had lie Heritage Society, Denfind Stone up with presentations from the almost 300 enquiries, installed Quarry and the Dragon Matrix; a winning innovators and collection 45 homes with energy efficiency project venture between ANGU- of their awards. measures and have made over 100 Salive and Vision Mechanics. CHESS has improved lives with- referrals to partnership organi- The site visits were followed by in the East Sutherland area by sations. < Cat Wright, Project As- a lunch of locally-sourced produce awarding grants to householders sistant Cosy Homes East Sutherland and the opening ceremony, with a to make their homes warmer and Scheme (CHESS)
Craic ‘n’ Gigs: New what’s on for East Sutherland and nearby
Are you interested in attending mu- ed in attending events, then please sic, theatre, dance or arts events, bookmark the web site and join the workshops and sessions? Do you mailing list. If you know of anyone keep missing them? Do you want an easier way to running relevant events, then please let us know so see what’s on where? Well, there’s a new web site & that we can include them. Thanks & hope to see you mailing list in town - www.CraicNGigs.co.uk. at an event soon. < Anna Patfield If you organize events, then please get in touch to www.CraicNGigs.co.uk add your events to the calendar. If you’re interest- * [email protected] ardgay & district community Council newsletter WINTER 2016-2017 = Page 15
Ardgay & District News
Some of the Invercharron committee. Our Chieftain this year was Val McDermid. New Invercharron Highland Games committee We look forward to seeing you on Saturday 16 September 2017 at Balblair Farm.
This year, thanks to Pete Camp- to create a new league for the are now required because of in- bell allowing use of his field Heavy sports with Invercharron creasing numbers of visitors year again, the Invercharron Highland hosting the finals. This was huge- on year. Games was one of the best ever ly successful and attracted a field There were some fears this and achieved a record gate. The of 11 Heavy athletes. Inverchar- year that the Games was in dan- Games were supported by large ron also hosed the finals of the ger of closure, however, and numbers of local people, folk from National Tug O War competition very fortunately new committee across Scotland and visitors from which was a great crowd pleaser members and office bearers have over 24 countries worldwide. It with fierce competition. A num- been recruited and the Inver- truly was an international event. ber of ground records were also charron Games will now proceed Our Chieftain this year was Val broken. in 2017. New committee mem- McDermid, International best- bers are still welcome and we are selling author whose novels have local support also urgently recruiting people to been translated into more than The Games are supported an- help us in the few days before the thirty languages, and have sold nually by a number of financial games to help set up the field; the over eleven million copies. Val sponsors from both local busi- day of the games to help and the thoroughly enjoyed her day and nesses and individuals and some day after the games to take down was a great Chieftain, spending grant making trusts and for this the tents. Anyone who would time chatting to visitors and com- support we are eternally grateful. like additional information or petitors, presenting medals and This year, an additional and much would like to volunteer their ser- trophies and giving an excellent appreciated funding award was vices please contact us using the speech after the Chieftain’s pro- received from the Beinn Tharsu- details below.< cession following the Tain Pipe inn Windfarm Community Lim- Band. ited (Ardgay and Creich). This Sally Mackintosh This year’s Games were a first in enabled the Games to update cru- Secretary terms of sporting events. Twelve cial equipment and also to pay for Highland region games combined additional toilet facilities which *[email protected] Page 16 =WINTER 2016-2017 ardgay & district community Council newsletter
Ardgay & District News New site manager at Ledmore & Migdale wood ‘The Woodland Trust’s Ledmore and Migdale wood between Spinningdale and Bonar Bridge is the charity’s most northerly property, and one of the most spectacular.
From fantastic oakwoods along Regular users of the A949 may walking, cycling and horse riding the A949 to pinewoods, cliffs and have noticed a deer fence being through the woods. Over the next amazing views over Loch Migdale, built near the Spinningdale end year, additional work will be under- it is a brilliant spot to take a wander of the Ledmore Wood, which will taken to further improve the tracks at any time of year. Thanks to Ard- be an exclosure fence around a network for all users. A full tree gay’s Bill Ross, there is now a work clearfell nearby. The shape of the safety survey has been undertaken of art you can take a seat upon and fence is hoped to encourage deer along the charity’s part of the A949, soak in the view. This incredible to follow the fence up the hill and and will result in a number of trees bench (photo) has been built from away from the road. If users of the being felled to reduce the likelihood a single windblown oak tree from road see changes in the deer use of tree related accidents. Ledmore wood and has been cre- of this piece of ground, and see The site has a new Manager, who ated and placed at the viewpoint more deer near the road, please has been busily getting to know the to Loch Migdale in dedication to contact the Site Manager on the place and the people who surround Philip Entwhistle, a professional details below. it. He has been in post for around 3 entomologist who spent hundreds months now. Ross Watson manag- of hours volunteering on the site improving the tracks es seven sites across the north and studying many weird and wonder- There has been some work done to is based in Strathspey.’ < ful creatures. Bill has been craft- the tracks network through Octo- ing this bench for the last couple of ber, which will help access for local Ross Watson years, with many fantastic details contractors working on the site, Site manager about Philip’s life and adventures and help to reduce the volume of * [email protected] carved into parts of the bench. water on the tracks for the public ) 03437 705 483
The bench, with Ross Watson sitting on it to give a sense of scale. ardgay & district community Council newsletter LAMIGO BAY JOINERY · HOUSE EXTENSIONS 07921 293 334 Letters to the editor Andrew Mackenzie Do you have a strong feeling about something you Contact us read? Do you want to share your opinion? Send your letters to [email protected]. for a quote
Working as a l Dornoch Firth Group volunteer for l East & Central Suth- Please send us your comments, my community erland Citizens Advice letters, suggestions or contributions. Visit Bureau www.ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil.org.uk I think it is important l Sutherland Commu- that people in our com- nity Care Forum Do you need an extra copy? There are spare munity know that they l UNISON Retired newsletters available at ardgay stores. are being represented Members in the following groups, l Scottish Esperanto ADVERTISING TARIFF and have direct access Association FULL PAGE: £40 (A4) Next to them through me l Ardgay Public Hall HALF PAGE: £20 (A5 landscape) edition: 15th as an active member, l Gearrchoille Commu- 1/3 page £15 (A5 portrait) office-bearer, Board nity Wood Ardgay March 1/4 PAGE £10 (A6 portrait) Member or Trustee for l Friends of the John any queries or informa- o’Groats Trail SMALL SIZE (module) £5 Design available / adVERTISING REPORTS tion: l Sutherland Walkers (Contact us to get a quote) l Highland Senior Citi- Group zens Network l Ardgay Scottish Great discounts if you l Highland Third Sec- Country Dance Club book for the whole year! tor Interface I’d also like to know if l Voluntary Groups anyone else in the com- Booking & enquiries: East & Central Suther- munity represents other [email protected] land groups working for our 01863 766 690 l Highland Small Com- benefit in the area.< munities Housing Trust David Hannah, Ardgay
Ardgay Stores & at ardgay stores & bonar bridge post office Highland Café Ardgay & District CC newsletter copies for sale Do you live outside of the Ardgay & District CC area and you would like to buy a hard copy of the newslet- ter? There are spare copies at Ardgay Stores & Highland OPENING TIMES: Thursday 7am-9pm Café and at the Post Office in Bonar Bridge, at £1. We Monday 7am-8pm Friday 7am-4pm Tuesday 7am-8pm Saturday 8am-8pm are also studying the possibility of sending the newslet- Wednesday 7am-8pm Sunday 8:30-7pm ter to suscriptors by mail, but only if we find that there is enough interest to increase the production. Please Your advert could be HERE You can now make contact us using the details below if donations for the news- letter using Paypal. you would like to become a suscriptor. Do you receive the newsletter and you have thought of making a donation but you don’t 400 360 500+ know how? We have recently set up a “donate” but- paper copies digital copies times each ton at our website.< distributed for free distributed edition is to all households by email downloaded www.ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil.org.uk in the Ardgay (and from our * [email protected] & District area growing) website Contact us at [email protected] Page 18 =WINTER 2016-2017 ardgay & district community Council newsletter
Windfarm Community Funds How to apply for Community Awards
Small projects projects under under £250 £2,000 The Beinn nan Oighrean Windfarm Awards The Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm l Go to Ardgay & District CC website: Community Benefit Fund www.ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil.org. l Go to http://ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil. uk/funding where you can find full details and org.uk/funding/windfarmcommunitybenefit/ to download the application form. download the guidelines and application form. l Send your completed application form to l Send your completed application form to secretary@ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil. secretary@ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil. org.uk org.uk or to [email protected]
between £2,000 between £2,000 and £10,000+ and £25,000+
SSE Achany Community Fund E.ON Rosehall Community Fund
l Visit the fund’s page sse.com/beingresponsible/ l Foundation Scotland administers E.ON Rosehall responsiblecommunitymember/localcommunity- Community Fund. Visit www.foundationscotland. funds/achany for more info and to download the org.uk/programmes/eon-rosehall.aspx for details. application form. Please note that there are two You can apply online or download the application different forms: £2,000-£10,000 and £10,000+. forms (£2,000-£25,000 and £25,000+). l Complete and return to fiona.morrison@sse. l Alternatively, you can contact Carol Elliot by email com or by Royal Mail to: Fiona Morrison, Corporate [email protected] or call 07500 779 Affairs, SSE, 10 Henderson Road, Inverness, IV1 1SN 227 if you require any further information or advice. l Next deadline: 30 April 2017 l Next deadline: 30 April 2017
Latest Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Benefit Fund Awards (Ardgay)
Since our last newsletter, the follow- ing awards have been made: Gearrchoille Community Wood Fabric sides on the shelter to provide protection from the weather. Low water level encourages the growth of vegetation. Andy making planks from one of the wind blown trees. the community wood’s volunteers have been busy digging the pond Autumn improvements at the Gearrchoille The lovely autumn weather - dry quired; there was a bumper crop and fairly sunny - meant that the of acorns, some of which were water level in the old curling pond collected for us and have been stayed very low and that seemed to sown off-site to provide saplings encourage the growth of vegetation. should we do any planting next So for a while there was a lot of mud year. Andy brought his chainsaw and greenery but not so much water. mill into the wood and made This allowed us to get on our wad- some planks from one of the ers and dig out some of the silt that wind blown trees. When this has has accumulated over the last 5 or 6 dried a bit, it can be finished and years. (There is more to do, so if you used to provide seating in the think playing with that much mud shelter. looks like your kind of thing, come We are in the process of moving along to one of our first-Thurs-of- our website to a new platform so it the-month afternoons). The water can be updated easily. Please have is once again flowing over the top a look and leave any feedback (see of the sluice and the pond looks below). < Betty Wright more attractive – although chang- Collecting and sowing acorns. ing water levels and the appearance gearrchoillecommunitywoodardgay.org.uk of some mud and vegetation form Other activities have contin- *[email protected] part of the normal cycle of pondlife ued –the shelter now has fabric )01863755316 and we try to manage this, not stop sides to provide extra protec- Gearrchoille Community Wood it happening. tion from the weather when re- Page 20 =WINTER 2016-2017 ardgay & district community Council newsletter Adult Clubs & Societies Tai Chi Kyle of Sutherland Ardgay Public Hall Cinema Club Monday 2:30 pm £2 Film nights on the 2nd and 4th Contact: Angela Friday of each month. Bonar ) 01549 421 336 Bridge Hall at 7:30 pm. Free Sutherland Entry. Contact: Silvia Muras ) Ardgay Badminton Edderton & District Walkers Club 01863 766 690 Club Gardening Club We meet the 4th Sunday of Pilates Thursday evenings at Ardgay January: after Christmas the month, all year round. Public Hall. members shake off the Jan- SUNDAY 22 JANUARY Bonar Bridge Hall, Mondays Contact Gregor Laing uary blues with a lunch at Dunrobin Circular. Leader: Jon 10-11 am. Contact: Moira ) 01863 766 223 Luigi’s in Dornoch. Jenkins. Tel: 01862 810382. Chisholm Alternative sessions organ- February: on Monday 6th Meet for car share at Bonar ) 01862 810 786 ised by KAT, Wednesdays February we will be back at Bridge Post Office, 9 am. Alternative Pilates group 10 am - 12 pm. Edderton Community Centre SUNDAY 26 FEBRUARY (KAT) 1.30pm-2.30pm, ) 01863 766 702 at 7:30 pm, for a talk and Ben Horn. Leader: Cliff Beck. Ardgay Public Hall. advice about seed sowing. Tel: 01862 810 033 . Meet for Beginners welcome. March: our annual car share at Bonar Bridge ) Scottish Women’s 01863 766 702 light-hearted gardening quiz. Post Office, 9:15 am. Rural Institute Monday 6th March, at 7:30 WEDNESDAY 1 MARCH Kyle of Sutherland All ages welcome. Ardgay pm, in Edderton Community AGM. Golspie Community Whist Club Public Hall 7:30 pm. 3rd Centre. New members are Centre. 7:30 pm Tuesday each month always welcome. A small SUNDAY 26 MARCH 11 january Whist Club Contact: Mrs. Jean Jack raffle is held at each meet- Dunbeath to Lybster, following in aid of Hall Funds ) 01863 766 646 ing to raise money, with any the John O’Groats Trail. 18 january Kyle of Suth- Culrain & Invershin SWI. 4th surplus being donated to Leader: Jon Jenkins. erland Joggers Thursday of the month. gardening related charities. Tel: 01862 810382. Meet for 25 january Ardgay Contact: Liz Cormack During the growing season car share at Bonar Bridge Scottish Country Dancers ) 01863 766 841 there is a plant swap of sur- Post Office, 9 am. 1 february Malawi Trip plus plants. Contact: We are pleased to welcome Fundraiser. Ardgay Scottish Patricia ) 01863 766 061 occasional walkers or new Admission £2 including tea. Country Dancing [email protected] members, but please contact Contact: Rosemary Logan Esther) 01862 811 381 us in advance. ) 01549 421 282 Club esther@bumblebeecottage. Contact: David Hannah Alternative whist club organ- Every Tuesday evening from me.uk ) 01863 766 061 ised by KAT: Fridays, 2:30 to 7:30 pm in Ardgay Public 4:30 pm, Bonar Bridge Hall. Hall until 25th April. Experi- Sutherland Radio Beginners welcome. Free. enced, rusty and new danc- ) Control Club 01863 766 646 ers always welcome. Contact: David Hannah By Ardgay Garage. Kyle of Sutherland ) Facebook: Sutherland Radio 01863 766 061 Joggers Control Club ) 07703 196 005 Joggers meet Mondays and Kyle of Sutherland Creich & Kincardine Heritage Society Wednesdays at 7 pm. Check Art Group Bonar Bridge Facebook page for meeting Kincardine Old Church, Meets in Bonar Bridge Hall Ardgay Golf Club point: Kyle of Sutherland Ardgay. Organising events tearoom on Wednesdays Joggers Contact: and history walks. from 10 am to 3 pm. All wel- Market Stance, Migdale Elissa ) 07743 228 661 Contact: Mary Stobo come. Contact: Joan Mulligan Road, Bonar Bridge. Naomi ) 07818 482 341 ) 01863 766868 ) 01549 421 321 ) 01863 766 199 Catriona ) 07929 886 105 ardgay & district community Council newsletter WINTER 2016-2017 = Page 21 What’s on in the area ardross village hall 2 Scottish Opera Highlights march This year’s programme includes favourites from Mo- zart’s Don Giovanni, Rossini’s The Barber of Seville and Verdi’s La Traviata. The piano-accompanied tour features the vocal talents of soprano Filipa van Eck, mezzo soprano Samantha Price, tenor An- thony Flaum and baritone Johnny Herford. Tickets £12 and £5 under 26. Booking and more info: www.ardrosscommunityhall.ticketsource.co.uk from Inverness Museum and Art Gallery Chris White: Discovering 17 Red, Green and Blue jan. Named after the popular ski location and 6th highest Scottish peak Cairn Gorm, which is translated as either Blue Hill or Green Hill and long before known the ironworks, inverness as Am Monadh Ruadh or The Red Hills, the Cairngorms 27 attract many winter sports enthusiasts throughout the Red Hot Chilli Pipers winter. During 2015 photographer Chris White took dec. Red Hot Chilli Pipers, the most famous bag- regular trips to this highland wilderness, recording the pipe band on the planet in concert on Tues- changing seasons and the unique views that only the day 27 Dec 2016, 19:30 at The Ironworks, Please Note: highlands can offer. Opening times: Tuesday – Thursday Under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult 12pm-4pm and Friday – Saturday 11am-4pm. over 18. Tickets at www.ticketmaster.co.uk dornoch bonar bridge community hall 31 Hogmanay 28 dec. jan. Burns night 10:30 pm Dancing in the Street! With Monach Share songs and haggis with Isle Ceilidh Band. friends at Bonar Bridge Dornoch Square. Lone Community Hall. Contact: Yvonne Piper at midnight, Lowe. Tel. 07909 897 347 followed by Firework Display - Bucket Collection - Donations bonar bridge community hall please! 25 Whist drive jan. In aid of Ardgay Scottish Country Dancing com Club. Admission £2 including tea. © visitdornoch . Page 22 =WINTER 2016-2017 ardgay & district community Council newsletter Children & Young people lanterns, storytelling, hot chocolate, and treats! Spooky lanterns at Ledmore & Migdale woods If you come down to the woods to- which the children took to light The story ended at the top of the day, you’re in for a big surprise! their way up into the woods. trail where the children learnt that That was certainly the case when The children then gathered not all fairy folk are pleasant, as in 70 people came to our Spooky Lan- outside the croft with the story- the tale of the wicked green Whup- tern event at Ledmore & Migdale teller ‘The Green Guga’. Tales pity Stoorie! Knowing the names woods, Spinningdale on Saturday were told of helpful tree sprites, of the things in your wood may 29th of October. We had two ses- like the rare Ghillie Dhu, who come in very useful one day… We sions, one at 5 pm for the younger have been known to help lost had some welcome hot chocolate children and the second at 7 pm children find their way. Some and treats to end each event. We for those who like to be thorough- children looked carefully to see if are planning to run this again next ly scared in the dark! We made we were followed by any of these year, hope you can come! < Juliet some fabulous lanterns in the bothy birch loving fairies. Robinson (Woodland Trust) GREYLAG Barnacle GOOSE Wildlife geese WILD GEESE n Greylag geese are the n barnacle in Spitsbergen, Iceland and ancestor of most domestic geese are very Greenland. n pink footed geese. n It is the largest and sociable. n They fly geese eat grain, winter cereals, bulkiest of the wild geese in packs and long lines, potatoes and grass. BARNACLE native to Europe. n They used with a noisy chorus of Visit www.rspb.org.uk and GOOSE to breed in Iceland, but now- barking or yapping sounds. www.snh.gov.uk to learn more adays many of the GREYLAG n barnacle geese come about Scotland’s win- geese we see in autumn from Greenland, and tering wild geese. have bred locally in the they can be seen in northern Highlands and Scotland from October Islands until March. n pink PINK FOOTED footed geese come in GOOSE large numbers to spend the winter here, arriving from their breeding grounds Greylag Pink footed goose goose ardgay & district community Council newsletter WINTER 2016-2017 = Page 23 Children & Young people Gledfield Primary School scottish book week As part of Scottish Book Week we were joined by author and illustrator Meg McLaren. Meg shared her new book ‘Life Is Magic’ with us. All our pupils joined in with many fun activities inspired by her book. nursery walk Gledfield nursery made the most of the mild weather and walked the triangle on Tuesday 15th November, we were looking for things to do with their current topic The Farm. Our benchball team took part in the annual interschool competition K-nex in Golspie games hall. Each pupil played at All our pupils least one game and from Nursery to all played to a very P7 took part in high standard and just K-Nex Science narrowly missed out on and technology the top spot! We are workshops at very proud of them all. benchball the school. Our pupils designed their own < Kirsten Macneil Cluster Headteacher remote control robots and had a fantastic time. Rosehall & Gledfield Primary Schools by Andymack & Sil MEET HAMISH THE TARTAN DRAGON A shy veggie dragon who lives on Carn Bren Winter has arrived and the days are shorter. Tom Nae Hurry “The holly and the ivy / When they are full grown / Of all the and Hamish have made a little fire to keep them warm on a trees that are in the wood / The holly bears the crown / The snowy evening. Morag has to sing a Christmas Carol at her rising of the sun / And the running of the deer / The playing school show, and she is practising by singing for them: of the merry organ / Sweet singing in the choir.” Page 24 =WINTER 2016-2017 ardgay & district community Council newsletter From the Manse... Christmas time is here again! ear Friends, yes, we are nearly there again. Christ- Dmas is one of the two key festivals of the Church calendar (the other being Easter). I can remem- ber even as a boy being taken by my parents to Church for the ‘midnight service’ on Christmas Eve. In those days, I sang in the church choir and was the lead chorister. It was al- ways an exciting time with all the build up to the Big day itself. Part of the attraction of going to Church on Christmas Eve was to be able to ‘welcome’ Christmas Day itself and to be the first to wish each other a ‘Happy Christmas’. Boyhood mem- The Royal British Legion Scotland laying up their Old Standard. ories of all the great carols we sang, the symbols of Christmas - the the new year, Jesus Christ offers us christmas services beauty of the Christmas tree, and all a new beginning, and ‘hope’ for the crib itself with all the characters Guide to local services Village Halls & venues Bonar Bridge Recycling Centre Train times ARDGAY & DISTRICT Opening Hours From 11/12/2016 to 20/05/2017 Ardgay Public Hall Fiona Venters / 01863 766 602 Monday: 1 pm - 4:30 pm materials accepted inverness è ardgay [email protected] tuesday: 1 pm - 4:30 pm Batteries, car batteries, cardboard, Monday to Saturday: fluorescent light tubes, standard wednesday: Closed 07:02 (08:33) Catering serv. available Ardgay Church Hall and energy efficient light bulbs, thursday: 8 am - 12 pm Rev. Anthony Jones fridges and freezers, garden waste, 10:38 (12:05) Catering serv. available friday: 8 am - 12 pm 01863 766 285 gas cylinders, plastic bottles, tyres, 14:00 (15:29) Catering serv. available saturday: 9 am - 1 pm waste electrical and electronic 17:12 (18:39) Culrain Village Hall sunday: Closed equipment. [email protected] 18:28 (20:01) Catering serv. available Croick Church Sunday: [email protected] 17:54 (19:23) Catering serv. available Kincardine Heritage Centre Mobile Library Post Office Ardgay ardgay è inverness Mrs. Mary Stobo / 01863 766 868 Ardgay Ardgay Public Hall Monday to Saturday: Opening times 06:16 (07:44) KYLE OF SUTHERLAND Every 3rd wednesday monday: 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm friday: 10 am - 1 pm 06:45 (08:13) Bonar Bridge Community Hall 4 January 2017 25 January 2017 09:07 (10:34) Catering serv. available Sally Thompson / 01863 766 883 Post Office 15 February 2017 ¨ 10:54 (12:25) Catering serv. available Bradbury Centre 8 March 2017 Bonar Bridge 15:30 (17:01) Catering serv. available Lorraine Askew / 01863 766 772 Lairg Road, Bonar Bridge Oakwood Place, Ardgay 18:52 (20:10) Catering serv. available Invershin Hall Arrive 13:45 Depart 14:00 Opening times 19:28 (20:57) Elissa Steven / 01549 421 369 monday TO FRIDAY: The Lady Ross, Ardgay 9 am - 5:30 pm Sunday: Rosehall Hall Arrive 14:00 Depart 15:15 9 am - 1 pm SATURDAY: 14:49 (16:16) Catering serv. available Beverly Morrison / 01549 441371 Page 26 =WINTER 2016-2017 ardgay & district community Council newsletter Guide to local services A-Z BRADBURY CENTRE HIGHLAND COUNCIL LIBRARIES PHARMACY Bradbury Centre Bonar Drummuie Golspie Bonar Bridge Libray Mitchells Chemist Bonar Bridge 01408 635 370 01863 760 083 01863 760 011 01863 766 772 Service Point Bonar Bridge Mobile Libraries 01863 766 083 0773 330 0761 POLICE BUSES Service Point Dornoch Local Police (Inverness) MacLeod’s Coaches 01862 810 594 NHS 0845 600 5703 01408 641 354 Tain Registration Office Migdale Hospital Non Emergency: 101 Bradbury Centre Bus 01349 886 644 01863 766 211 Emergency: 999 01863 766 772 Doctors Creich Surgery high SCHOOLS 01863 766 379 POST OFFICE CAB Tain Royal Academy Nurses Creich Surgery Bonar Bridge Citizens Advice Bureau 01862 892 121 01863 766 237 01863 766 219 Golspie Dornoch Academy 01408 633 000 01862 810 246 Bradbury Centre Bus PRIMARY SCHOOLS 920 - tuesday Gledfield CHILDREN & FAMILY KOSDT Bonar Bridge to Dornoch 01863 766 580 via Spinningdale Kyle of Sutherland Hub KoS Development Trust Bonar Bridge Bonar Bridge Bonar Bridge 01863 766 310 01863 766 190 Cherry Grove Cherry Grove 01863 766 221 09:40 10:20 Keep Active Together 13:30 14:20 Rosehall CHURCH OF SCOTLAND 01863 766 554 Spinningdale Spinningdale 01549 441 348 Layby at Post Box Layby at Post Box Kincardine Parish Church 09:48 è 10:12 Rev. Anthony M. Jones 13:38 14:11 RECYCLING CENTRE Andrew’s Buses Clashmore Clashmore 01863 766 285 Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall Bonar Bridge Ardgay èTain è 09:54 10:06 01349 868 439 Monday to Saturday 13:44 14:05 DVLA Dornoch Sq Dornoch Sq DVLA Inverness Ardgay Ardgay 10:00 10:05 scottish water 09:08 10:35 13:50 14:00 0300 790 6801 24Hr Emergency 11:26 13:35 920 - wednesday 14:23 16:35 0845 600 8855 è Bonar Bridge circular to Dornoch ELECTRICITY 17:20 19:09 via Spinningdale, Tain & Edderton Customer Help è 24Hr Emergency Bonar Bridge Bonar Bridge 0845 601 8855 Edderton Edderton Cherry Grove Cherry Grove 0800 300 999 09:20 10:20 09:30 14:40 Customer Help 11:38 13:20 Spinningdale Spinningdale TAXIS 14:35 è 16:20 Layby at Post Box Layby at Post Box 0800 300 111 17:35 18:54 09:38 14:31 Ronnie’s Taxis Ardgay Clashmore è Clashmore 01863 766 422 è Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall FIRE BRIGADE Tain Lamington St Tain Lamington St 09:54 14:19 A&B Taxis Ardgay-Bonar Fire Station Dornoch 09:30 * 10:11 Tain Tain è 07549 999 760 è Bus stop at Co-Op Bus stop at Co-Op 01862 810 297 11:48 * 13:11 * 14:45 * 16:11 10:02 14:08 17:45 18:45 * Tain Tain TRAINS Lamington Street Lamington Street FORESTRY COMMISSION è 10:04 14:06 National Rail Enquiries Tain ASDA Tain ASDA Forestry Commission Edderton Edderton 0845 748 4950 09:33 10:03 10:17 13:53 Scotland 11:53 13:03 Ardgay Ardgay 01309 674 004 14:48 16:03 10:39 13:33 VETS 17:48 18:37 Bonar Bridge Bonar Bridge Rogart Vets * Connects with Stagecoach bus Cherry Grove Cherry Grove GOLF CLUB to / from Inverness 10:42 13:30 01408 641 352 Bonar Bridge-Ardgay GC Operates every Tuesday and Easter Ross Vets Tain 01863 766 199 Wednesday apart from Christmas 01862 893 142 Royal Bank of Scotland and New Year weeks. Johnston & Farrell Tain Mobile Timetable Tuesday The minibus has a wheelchair lift FISHERIES which will be available as part of 01862 894 223 Bonar Bridge War Memorial the service. KoS Fisheries Trust Kessock Equine Vets Arrive 11:50 Depart 12:05 Bookings: 01863 766 772 01863 766 702 01463 731 107 ardgay & district community Council newsletter WINTER 2016-2017 = Page 27 Puzzles Sudoku Easy Medium Hard A number may not appear twice in the same row or in the same column or in any of the nine 3x3 subregions. Crosswords Across 2. Exhausted of moisture; parched with heat; dry; barren. 6. Annual cattle and farm produce fair in the parish of Kincardine held during three days in November. 9. A hanging, tapering piece formed by the freezing of dripping water. 11. (Nautical) A call used to greet some- one or draw attention to something from a distance. com Down 1. A young child who is just beginning to walk. 3. A river of Hades whose waters when drunk caused forgetfulness of the past. 4. The cry of the wild goose; a honk. 5. To fall gradually . / eclipse crosswords A&DCCN from power, prosperity, or influence. 7. A porch or veranda. 8. Of, relating to, or resembling a fox. 10. A woody evergreen Eurasian climbing plant, typically having shiny, dark green five-pointed leaves. Solutions can be found at: www.ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil.org.uk Kyle of Sutherland Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust Development Trust AGM Monday 9 January 7.00pm AGM Monday 9 January The ChristmasArdgay Village Hall Big Sing by candlelight 7.00pm atAll Ardgay Welcome Village Hall ArDGAy VillAGe HAll on Friday 16th december at 7pm Tea & Coffee will be served after the AGM come along and join in a singalong of All Welcome popular christmas songs both old and new including your favourite carols Company Limited by Guarantee registered in Scotland: SC401019. Registered Scottish Charity: SC043587. Registered office: The Trust Offices, Dornoch Road, Festive refreshments Bonar Bridge Sutherland, IV24 3EB ardgay & district community Council newsletter Editor: Silvia Muras Sanmartin ardgay & district community council: Betty Wright (Chairperson), Silvia Muras (Vice Chair), Design & Layout: Silvia Muras Sanmartin Marion Turner (Treasurer), Leslie Pope (Secretary), [email protected] Andy Wright, Sheila Lall, Rob Pope. Contributors to this issue: Andymack, Hayley Bangs, councillors: Rhonwen Copley, Brigitte Geddes, David Hannah, George Farlow, Hugh Morrison, Linda Munro Patricia Hannah, Barbara Hartshorn, Helen Houston, (More details in page 6) Valerie Houston, Sasha Hudekova, Anthony Jones, Rosemary Logan, Sally Mackintosh, Kirsten Macneil, Sarah Orrell, Anna Patfield, Fiona Porter, Juliet Robinson, Online version AVAILABLE FROM: Mary Stobo, Marion Turner, Ross Watson, Anne Wemys, www.ardgayanddistrictcommunitycouncil.org.uk Paula White, Louise Worthy, Betty Wright, Cat Wright. Advertising, letters & contributions: Distribution: Rhonwen Copley, Brigitte Geddes, 01863 766 690 David Hannah, David Knight, Teresa Langley, Alan Lawrence, Silvia Muras, Davy Ross, Bob Sendall, [email protected] Jeannie Sparling, Anna Sutherland, Marion Turner, Facebook: Ardgay & District Community Council Vicky Whittock, Iain Worthy, Betty Wright. Published with support from the E.ON Rosehall Community Fund and The Beinn Tharsuinn Windfarm Community Limited.