February 2009.Vol.9 Issue 1 Newsletter

Strathdearn

VILLAGE HALL The Hall Committee is aware that the future of the Hall will impact on everyone in this area, and has decided that before any decisions are made, everyone in the community should be able to give their opinion on the future of the hall. In this edition of the Newsletter, you’ll find a questionnaire for each member of the household eligible to vote, and a stamped addressed envelope. Ignore the number written on the bottom of the page, you can use any of the forms delivered to your house. Please take time to complete and return this questionnaire to me, as the decisions made will affect everyone to some degree, and if we don’t show any interest now, we may not have a hall in years to come. Your opinion is important – please respond to the questionnaire.

Duncan Hendry, 53 Sunnyside, Culloden Moor, Inverness IV2 5ES 01463 790483 07881 832004

Two very special occasions celebrated in 2008 by two very special “Strathdearners”

On 19th March 2008, Pearl and Charlie Cameron celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They were joined at home by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, plus other family and friends who all helped to make it a very special day. Guests were coming and going from morning ‘till night and it proved to be a very happy day for us all!

Charlie was born and brought up in Tomatin, where as a boy he attended Primary School at Raigbeg. Pearl came to Moy with her parents when she was just a year old, and as girl attended Moy Primary School. Charlie and Pearl met at a local dance but by her own admission Pearl had had her eye on him for some time before, and just bided her time!! They were married at Moy village hall and apart from their first year of marriage have lived happily in Moy ever since. …wishing you both lots more happy times.

On 23rd October 2008 Charlie celebrated his 90th birthday, which again proved to be a very busy day for him and Pearl, with lots of family and friends calling to wish him a very happy birthday. There was a lot of laughter and quite a few boyhood stories from Charlie which we all loved hearing. By all accounts, boys then got up to quite a bit of mischief too! We always said he should have written a book! …..wishing you lots more happy times.

(sent in by Marnie)

This Newsletter is published by Strathdearn Community Council with the help of our sponsors, and seeks to keep local folk informed about what’s going on in the Community Council and in the wider community. We also welcome feedback – if you want to comment on anything relating to the Community Council in this newsletter, please send your comments to Mrs Elspeth MacQueen, Secretary, Creag Liath, Daviot IV2 5XL e-mail: [email protected] - or if your comments are about articles etc in general – why not pen a letter to the Editor? Educational Overseas Gap Year with Project Trust

For the past 6 years, Millburn Academy and Blythswood Care have worked together and selected a team of seven 5th year pupils to spend two weeks working with underprivileged children in Romania. In June 2008 the selected team, of which I was part of, went to help out at the annual summer camp (Talita Kum Centre). I had the time of my life and on returning home I immediately started researching similar projects. I had heard about Project Trust, an educational charity, sending school leavers in their gap year to work voluntarily in 24 different countries. Their aim is to provide the volunteer with an educational experience through living and working with people in communities very different from their own. I decided to apply. In December I was invited to a selection week on the Island of Coll. There was a group of approximately 25 of us all hoping to be successful. During this week we were assessed on various essential qualities such as team work, physical attributes and teaching abilities. The week ended with a ceilidh which was great fun as we had all become friends. I returned home and waited anxiously to hear the outcome. A week before Christmas a letter arrived telling me I had been accepted. I was delighted. I will spend twelve months in Namibia teaching English in a rural primary school. I return to Coll in July for a week of training and it is then I am introduced to my partner for the year. In the meantime I have to raise £4,400 which seems scary at the moment but with ideas at the planning stage and help from teachers and friends at school, I hope to make it. Look out for a coffee morning planned for February/March!

Fraser Manson

The Handy Person Service Tomatin and District Gardening Club If you need things done around the home or garden or know of someone who does, we may be able to help. The Handy th Person Service provides free assistance by volunteers to February 16 :Speaker - David Jardine, Forest- elderly, disabled and vulnerable members of the community ry Commission who have no-one to help them, are unable to do the work th themselves and do not have the financial resources to em- March 16 : Question Night; Panel includes ploy someone. If you are not sure whether we can help, Neil Drummond, Show judge. please contact us for advice on 01463 711393 and ask to Come and get an answer to all speak to the Handy Person’s Co-ordinator for more information your gardening problems! April 20th: John Mackay & friend, from Gol- Become a Volunteer spie (expert gardener and Do you have some spare time, like working as part of a team, enjoy gardening or decorating? Why not become a volunteer Judge) with The Handy Person’s Service and contribute towards helping vulnerable members of our community Meet in Strathdearn Hall, Tomatin at 7.30pm. All welcome. Contact The Handy Person’s Co-ordinator at: THE HANDY PERSON SERVICE VOLUNTEERING HIGHLAND Organ 1a MILBURN ROAD INVERNESS In the Hall there is have an electric organ that IV2 3PX is never use, we would like it to go to a good Tel: 01463 711393 home. It works but may need some adjust- Email: [email protected] Web: www.volunteeringhighland.org ments. Anyone who is interested may have it Funded by: The Highland Council, Lloyds TSB Founda- for a small donation to Hall Funds. tion, The Robertson Trust For viewing please phone Chris West - 01808 Supported by: The Highland Cross, ROK, HBOS 511412

BEAT THE CREDIT CRUNCH LO- CALLY YOGA COME DOWN TO THE Strathdearn Village Hall, TOMATIN TABLE TOP SALE Wednesdays, 5.30pm – 7pm AT THE 18th February – 18th March (5 weeks) STRATHDEARN HALL (Tomatin Village) 15th April – 13th May (5 weeks) SAT 28TH FEBRUARY 10am – 3pm Tables available Contact Anne Hart 01808 511724 2 TOMATIN COUNTRY INN TOMATIN COUNTRY INN Main Street, Tomatin, IV13 7YP CHEFS RECIPE IDEA FOR TWO Special Menu Events BRAISED LAMB SHANK Saturday 14th February 2009 2 x Lamb Shanks about 1.1kg (2.5 lbs) VALENTINE’S NIGHT 1 x Sprig Rosemary 1 x Clove Garlic Friday 27th February 2009 1 x Large onion chopped STEAK AND PASTA NIGHT 2 x Large Carrots chopped 2 x Tablespoons redcurrant jelly Friday 27th March 2009 1 x Glass Red Wine CURRY NIGHT 500ml Lamb stock Salt & Pepper Sunday 22nd March 2009 Oil for cooking Leek Mash and Broccoli MOTHERING SUNDAY Preheat oven 150c/300f/gas 2 For menu details Please telephone 01808 511291 Remove most of fat from each shank and make 2 deep incisions in each joint and insert a sprig of rosemary and a sliver of garlic into the incision.

Season the meat with salt and pepper. Heat the oil until hot in a heavy casserole tray THE ROYAL BRITISH POPPY DAY COLLECTIONS Add the Lamb and Brown well over on all sides The four collecting tins collected £203.18. Thank you Add the carrots, onions & rest of garlic all at the Strathdearn Primary School, Tomatin Inn and Cook over a high heat until well browned the Tomatin Inn Shop and the Tomatin Distillery for Add the wine and redcurrant jelly being so helpful and also to the Strathdearn Communi- Bring to the boil and add Lamb Stock to just cover the ty Charitable Trust for paying for the wreath which Ma- Lamb. jor Edward Usborne laid on Sunday 9th November at Cover and cook for 2½ hours until tender. the War Memorial where there was a Service which was well attended. The collection was £77, bringing Once cooked make a gravy from the juices with a little the complete total to £280.18 plus £21 for the wreath. flour. Thank you all for supporting this very important Remembrance Day which we have every year to re- Serve with leek mash and some broccoli and spoon member all our brave men and women who gave their over the gravy lives so that we can live peacefully in our country. Susan Mackintosh-Grant JOB DONE—ENJOY!!!

STRATHDEARN BOOK CLUB

By the time you read this we will have just finished John le Carré’s novel “Absolute Friends”. This old spymaster has lost none of his touch, with twists and turns that grip till the end. His detail is astonishing, interspersed with clever, funny and even beautiful descriptions – despite the subject matter at times. Not a book to race through, it’s far too enjoyable in the detail. Our next meetings are as follows: Friday 27th February 2pm at Allt Dubh – “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen” Friday 24th April 2pm at Sheneval – Little Dorrit” by Charles Dickens (we’re spreading it over two months because it’s soooo long!)

3 STRATHDEARN COMMUNITY CHARITABLE TRUST

Financial statement for the period 1 October to 31 December 2008

Income

Windfarm company - third annual payment, including indexation 50,719 Bank interest and dividends 3,335 Total income 54,054

Expenditure

Grants: Repair of mobility scooter 205 Christmas lunch for senior citizens 600 Laptop for Community Council 450 Remembrance Day wreath 21 Traditional Music classes 200 Community Contribution to Tomatin Country Store 260 1,736 Community development worker (September to November 2008) 2,507 Independent Examiner's fee for year to 31 March 2008 705 Tilney investment management fees 450 Decrease in value of investments 19,537 Total outgoings 24,935

Excess of income over expenditure for the period 29,119

Funds at 30 September 2008 434,150

Funds at 31 December 2008 463,269

Consisting of: Deposit and current accounts with Royal Bank of Scotland 253,220 Investments managed by Tilney Private Wealth Management 209,158 Income due at 31 December 2008 1,342 463,720 Less: Payments due at 31 December 2008 -451

Funds at 31 December 2008 463,269

Investments managed by Tilney are at 30 September 2008 as valuation at 31 December 2008 is not available yet

Natural History Club.

Since the last news letter we have had a most enjoyable evening with Mark Courtney, viewing some of his excellent wildlife photographs, many of which had amusing anecdotes to accompany them.

A trip to the Black Isle was marred by a timing change which left some stranded at the Hall. Many apologies from the Secre- tary – I’ll try to avoid this in future. As it happened the red kite did not appear at the roost, but the afternoon was saved by a great sunset against snow capped western hills and a magnificent near-full moon rise.

In February (Thursday 19th, 7:30) Ern Emmett will talk on Understanding Fungi; March meeting still to be arranged.

On April 14th (Tuesday) afternoon we will repeat our “Spring Watch” tour of the strath from Ruthven to Coignafearn. Meet at the Hall at 2pm. Note the change back to Tuesday to avoid clashing with Art Club.

The Treasurer reminds me that annual subs (£5) are now due for 2009. The trip to see and hear about beavers at AIGAS in May at a special price of £10 (plus contribution to petrol/diesel) will only be available to paid up members.

Otherwise all of our meetings and events are open to all. Please join us – as I said last newsletter we have great wildlife here not just on the telly. . David Bonniface (secretary) 511740. 4 TOMATIN DISTILLERY VISITOR CENTRE & GIFT SHOP “Have a dram with the Locals”

Visitors are welcome to view the Distillery by way of a Tour, or find the mysteries of whisky making by watching our DVD. Either way you will enjoy the friendly welcome you will receive at the Visitor Centre and Gift shop.

Open all year round Monday to Friday 9.00 – 5.00 Saturday open from Easter to October 9.00 – 5.00 Sunday open from Easter to October 12.00 – 4.00

Public Tour : £2.00 per person with tasting of 12 y.o. Tomatin single malt Private Tour and Tasting: £30 per person – Manager’s tour, with nosing and tasting of 5 of our aged brands in our Private Stillhouse Suite.

Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust - Vacan- cies STEP-IT-UP-HIGHLAND After a gap for Christmas and New Year celebrations " Nominations are required to fill two vacancies in the our walking group has got back in its stride again. We SCCT as Trustees. Any person living within the Strath- have had some marvellous days of low temperatures, dearn Community Council post code area is entitled to but with lovely sunshine and brilliant blue skies, which put forward their own names or names of others direct makes for enjoyable walking provided everybody to the Trust Administrator. The closing date for nomi- wraps up warmly. nations is 1200 hrs on Friday 20th February after The main problem, however, is in choosing routes which time no further nominations will be considered." which do not suffer too much from frozen paths, as rather than crispy, clean snow we have had a greater Sheila Macleod share of icy conditions. Our first January walk, SCCT Trust Administrator planned for Inverbrough, had to be changed to a walk 30 Stratherrick Park on the road at Balvraid. This is so beautiful in its own Inverness right that it was still enjoyed by all. IV2 4JS We also try to add new walking routes. We recently walked a track from Ruthven which passed a frozen lochan – the water ripples still preserved in the ice. We always look out for wildlife, a number of us carrying binoculars. On that occasion the wildlife obviously decided it was far too cold and had retreated to shelter. MERCY! Do come and join us on Wednesday afternoons at 2:00 PM. We usually meet at Strathdearn Hall, sometimes We may suffer depression walking from the Hall, sometimes a short drive away. caused by the recession, However we occasionally change that location if the cruel weather and bad influenza. walk is in a different part of the area. This is usually But our leaders contrive to help us survive discussed at the Wednesday coffee morning. If in unlike the 400 kiddies of Gaza. doubt check with Kathy or David on 511740, or Carol on 531220. There is no problem with transport if the Donald MacAskill walk is not from the Hall as there is usually plenty of car space available. Also please do remember that we want to lead shorter/slower walks for those who might feel unable to manage our current outings. Transport to the Hall or starting point could also be organised. Just ask! 5 From the Community Council:

COMMUNITY BENEFIT Edward Usborne and Alasdair Wallace (the Community Council’s Community Benefit Negotiating Team, along with Angus MacKenzie) met with Eurus Energy Ltd, the windfarm operators for the proposed Glenkirk Windfarm, in December to talk about possible community benefit. Among the options discussed were the possibilities of the community obtaining part of a turbine giving cheaper electricity to the community; or of receiving funding towards the new Village Hall. Discussions will continue but obviously all options will be fully reported at Community Council meetings and no final decisions taken without full consultation. If a decision is taken to deviate from the position the CC adopted with the Farr Windfarm of the community benefit funds being paid into a charitable trust set up for the purpose, with the spending of these funds strongly influenced by the Strathdearn Community Plan - drawn up with the help of the Partnership for Rural Inver- ness and Nairn following a Community Participatory Appraisal funded by the then Scottish Executive - the Chair will propose that another Community Ballot be held to let the whole community (not just those who are able to at- tend CC meetings) decide between a new Village Hall, part of a turbine or other community energy proposal – or indeed any other option. At the December meeting of the CC there was quite a debate about whether the negotiating team should have been meeting with the windfarm operator. Arguments were put forward that because the community had voted against the windfarm, the CC should take no part in community benefit negotiations. It is perfectly in order for a sub-committee of the CC to be involved in the negotiation of community benefit provided these community councillors take no part in the planning process. Community benefit is paid as compen- sation for the inconvenience of having a windfarm in the area. To take no part in the community benefit negotiations could put the CC in a difficult position. We may have objected (and the CC has no plans to move from this position, based on a decisive ballot result) – but there can be no guarantee that our objection will prevent the windfarm being approved. Lochluichart has recently been approved in the face of strong local opposition with Jim Mather extolling the virtue of renewable energy. Furthermore, if we choose to stand back and not take part, and other communities get a bigger share of the community benefit than they might otherwise have done - and Strathdearn gets less - the CC will then have to justify to the rest of the community our decision to withdraw from the negotiations and the consequent negative effect of this on the money coming to the community. To put this in perspective, whilst 58.5% of those who voted in the ballot (127 out of 217) voted to object to the Glenkirk Windfarm, 49% of the electorate (209 out of the 426 eligible to vote) chose not to vote at all, taking the percentage of the community eligible to vote who actually voted to object down to 29.8% (ie 127 voted to object from the 426 ballot papers sent out) – so potentially we could have 70.2% of the community upset with us for not negotiating a decent community benefit! (The ballot was, nevertheless, still a decisive one. Only 74, or 17.3%, of the electorate voted in favour of the Glenkirk Windfarm.) William Gilfillan, Corporate Manager for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey has checked the above sum- mary out with colleagues in Highland Council (following a request from the Chair) and agrees that it is entirely accurate.

HARDSHIP FUND Are you, or is someone known to you, suffering genuine hardship? A sub-group made up of the Chairperson, Vice-Chair- person and Treasurer of the Community Council exists to take applications forward to the Chairman and Administrator of the Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust without involving the other members of the CC or the Trust. Obviously these are confidential and sensitive issues and it would be inappropriate to have these discussed at an open meeting of the CC in the usual way, or indeed by the Trust as a whole. A separate application form has been created for this purpose, and if you would like one, please contact the Chairperson on 511355 or [email protected]

STRATHDEARN ECO-SCHOOL COMMITTEE COMMUNITY LITTER PICK-UP MONADHLIATH ON SATURDAY 21 MARCH How many words of three or more letters can ADULTS AND CHILDREN WILL BE COLLECT- you make out of ‘Monadhliath’? I found 37 in ING LITTER. EVERYONE WELCOME AT THE ten minutes (no names or foreign words), but SCHOOL @ 12NOON FOR REFRESHMENTS AND I’m sure there are more! LITTER WEIGH-IN. 6 Strathdearn Flower Show Tomatin & District Gardening Club - Strathdearn Flower Show Saturday 5th September 2009 At our show there is a class for everyone, no matter what your interest, and we look forward to your entry. Please support The Strathdearn Flower Show - it is a restricted show to take account of our difficult growing conditions. So let's have a bit of local competition and support the Gardening Club's effort to make it even better than before. The 2009 Flower Show Schedule:

Baking & Produce Section 1) 1 Carrot Cake (2lb loaf tin) 2) 3 Empire biscuits 3) 3 Pancakes 4) 3 Wholemeal scones 5) 3 Oatcakes 6) 3 Fruit slices 7) 4 Chocolate truffles 8) 1 Decorated Golden Wedding cake 9) 1 Jar Raspberry Jam 10) 1 Jar Strawberry Jam 11) 1 Jar Blackcurrant Jam 12) 1 Jar Marmalade 13) 1 Jar Jelly (any variety) 14) 1 Jar Lem- on Curd 15) 1 Jar Chutney - Any Variety 16) 1 Soda bread (8” round approx) Art Section (any medium) 1) Storm 2) Sunrise 3) Transport 4) Still Life of vegetable(s) 5) Portrait of a person Children's Sections (8 Yrs & under, 9 -12 Yrs) 1) Animal made from fruit and/or vegetables 2) Egg Cup Flower Display 3) Garden in a Tray no bigger than 15" x 10" 4) Grown from seed, bulb or tuber by Me 5) Painting or drawing of wildlife - A4 size or less 6) Photography - Your Choice- (Mounted see notes) 7) Challenge 7” pot of calendula (marigolds). Seeds will be provided by the Gardening Club. Entrants to sow seed in own pot and compost. Handicrafts 1) Exhibit of Patchwork and/or Quilting 2) Exhibit of Knitting 3) Exhibit of Embroidery, Cross Stitch, or Tapestry 4) Exhibit of Crochet 5) Any craft (other than above) Photography (mounted - see Notes on Exhibits) 1) A Strathdearn bridge 2) Wildlife in the garden 3) Reflections in water 4) Lichen 5) A Highland Orchid 6) 2 contrasting seasons in the garden on an A4 sheet Floral Art (to be viewed all round) 1) Single Colour Arrangement 2) Foliage arrangement (max width 18”) 3) Miniature Arrangement (max width 6” 4) Arrangement incorporating heather Flower Section 1) 5 Sweet Peas – Mixed 2) 5 Sweet Peas - same colour 3) 3 Antirrhinums 4) 3 Carnations/Pinks 5) 3 Ca- lendula (Marigold) Stems 6) 3 French Marigold Heads 7) 3 Pansy Heads - Same Colour 8) 3 Pansy Heads - Different colours 9) 1 Rose Stem - Single Bloom 10) 3 Rose Stems – Floribunda 11) 1 Rose Bloom - for scent 12) 3 Fuchsia Heads - same colour 13) 3 Fuchsia Heads - different colours 14) 1 standard Fuchsia 15) Fuchsia – up to 7” pot 16) Fuchsia - over 7” pot 17) 3 Begonia Heads 18) 3 Dahlia Stems 19) 1 Vase - 4 Herbaceous Perennial Stems same species and variety 20) 1 Vase - 4 Herbaceous Perennial Stems mixed species 21) 1 Vase - 4 Annual Stems same species and variety 22) 1 Vase - 4 Annual Stems mixed species 23) 1 Vase - 4 stems of flowering shrubs 24) 1 Pot Plant - Flower 25) 1 Pot Plant – Foliage 26) Planted Container. Vegetable Section 1) 1 Cabbage 2) 1 Cauliflower 3) 3 Carrots 4) 3 Onions 5) 2 Leeks 6) 3 Potatoes - White 7) 3 Potatoes - Coloured 8) 3 Beetroot 9) 2 Turnips 10) 1 Lettuce 11) 3 Tomatoes 12) 2 Courgettes 13) 1 Pepper - any colour 14) Basket of 5 kinds of Vegetable not decorated. 15) Any other Vegetable 16) Display of 5 different cut Culinary Herbs 17) Parsley grown in pot 18) 3 beans – any variety

Rules 1) The entry Fee in all sections is 20p up to a maximum of £5.00. Thereafter free. Entries for the children's section are 10p 2) Children's entries. Must state age on all labels 3) Exhibitors are limited to one entry per class. 4) Each entry must have a label attached- available on the morning of the show or from Club Members. 5) 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes will be awarded in all classes at the judges’ discretion. Prizes may be withheld or modified if the exhibits are considered to be below standard. 6) All entries must conform to display requirements 7) No produce to be removed until after 3.30pm.

7 The Judges decision is final in all matters.

Display Requirements Flower Section: Flower head to be displayed on a blank card. You can utilise an egg box or tinfoil tray with a piece of cardboard glued on top so your flower head can be in water. . Roses: single Bloom means large flowered HT type rose, may have bud on stem. Floribunda means cluster flowered rose. Vegetable Section: Carrots to be trimmed back to at least 1" of foliage. Tomatoes must be displayed with Calyces. Onion tops to be tied or whipped using string. Lettuce - roots may be wrapped in plastic. leave some outer leaves on Cabbages. All entries in vegetable section to be displayed on paper plate as provided. Photography Section: Photographs to be mounted on a card or board not exceeding 9" x 7" and exhibitors name & address on reverse of card. Exhibits may be pinned or bluetacked. Baking & Produce Section: Jams- all jars must be full, Bread should be baked the day before the show.

Prizes may be withheld or modified if exhibits are considered unworthy of the prize offered.

Calendula Challenge

The Challenge is to grow a pot of flowers for exhibition at the Strathdearn Flower Show. Seeds will be supplied to Primary School Pupils with pointers regarding sowing, growing and watering. Entrants use own 7” pot and compost. We are looking forward to a large entry in this section which will have special awards and prizes. As this is a special section, points will not be awarded towards the Jubilee Cup.

Trophies The Strathdearn Trophy to the exhibitor with the most overall points. The Commemorative Shield to the exhibitor with the most points in the Flower Section. The J M Gleeson Quaich to the exhibitor with the most points in the Vegetable Section. The National Wind Power Rose Bowl to the exhibitor with the most points in the Floral Art Section. The Carillion Trophy to the exhibitor with the most points in the Baking & Produce Section. The United Utilities Trophy to the exhibitor with the most points in the Painting Section. The Silver Salver to the exhibitor with the most points in the Handicraft Section. The Neil Thomson Shield for Photography The Jubilee Cup to the exhibitor with the most points in the Children's Section. The Millennium Trophy (Donated by Strathdearn Community Council) will be awarded to a different Section each year as follows: 2009- Handicrafts, 2010- Painting, 2011- Vegetable, 2012- Photography and 2013- Chil- dren's. The Rose Cup to the winner of flower Class 11, The Rose Bloom for Scent.

Love is...

A post-Christmas thought from Celia, aged 7, the step great grand-daughter of Mrs Boles: “Love is what is in the room with you at Christmas, if you stop opening presents and listen.”

8 THE LATE JOHN MACDONALD OBE It was with sadness that the Strathdearn community learned of the passing of John MacDonald recently. He was a vibrant personality with many outstanding achievements, as the award of the Order of the British Empire acknowl- edged. Locally he would be best remembered as Managing Director of Tomatin Distillery, and successfully helping to steer it through a difficult time to its present world-ranking position in the whisky industry, with Far Eastern con- nections in Japan. This could not have come about without John's hard-working and good relationship with his co- directors and management, as well as loyal and dedicated employees in all aspects of the industry. I cannot comment on his sporting prowess with true knowledge, as universal acclaim has been rightly written else- where. I do, however, want to pay heartfelt tribute to John's unfailing generosity to Tomatin enterprises. We owe him an enormous debt which may not be realised. Apart from the various organisations that benefited, he was a Trustee of the Village Hall and without his interest and support, through Distillery input, we could never have achieved our new Millennium building within the given timescale. The old hall also received generous help when it was built in the early 1960s. For every £1 raised by the community the Distillery added another £1. The old hall may be in de- cline now, but it served us well to the standards expected over 40 years ago, and will be replaced. The Community Council also appreciate the donations from the Distillery towards funding the Newsletter, and what raffle has not given pride of place to bottles of Tomatin in aid of many a worthy cause! Youth organisations have been sponsored too. Thank you John “Jock” MacDonald, a true benefactor and good friend to your Strathdearn community. You will be greatly missed. Ann Glynne-Percy January 2009

Art in Strathdearn The Christmas lunch was a very happy occasion, especial- ly as it coincided We look back on 2008 as an exciting and challenging year with Alasdair's 80th birthday. He was presented with the for the Art Club. In biggest box of March we had tuition in landscapes from Esther Arm- Thornton's chocs we could find and Norah received flow- strong, whose lovely ers for the pastel paintings always inspire us. In May, on a beautiful unfailing quiet way she supplies us with tea, coffee and sunny day, we had biscuits during the a trip to the Inkhorn community, where we visited the stu- art sessions. Thanks to everyone for their support and well dio of Jonathan done, everybody! Wheeler, whose watercolours sparkle with light and colour. Betty Watson (President) Jonathan later did two tutorials with us. He has a unique style of drop- ping colours on to Special events paper which mingle and blend in a fascinating way to give Thursday 5th February a wonderful effect Aberdeen University lecture of light and shade. CANCELLED Later on we ventured into the realm of ceramics, thanks to the generosity of Saturday 28th February John and Sandra Day, both experienced potters, who Indoor Table top Sale taught us the intricacies Strathdearn Old Hall of Raku. We all had a great time rolling out the clay, shap- 10am – 3pm ing it into pots Bookings: Anne Hart 511724 and ornaments, glazing and firing it and gazing with won- der on our Saturday 28th February achievements! Thank you, John and Sandra. It was great Energy Savings Trust fun! Free advice Our annual art exhibition was a great success and the new Strathdearn Hall screens made it so 10.30am – 2.30pm much easier to display the paintings. Beautifully mounted exhibits of the th children's art - as always fascinating - added to the interest Saturday 5 September as did the Flower Show lovely display of quilting and other crafts. Strathdearn Old Hall Information: Alex Don 9 COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES Wednesdays during term-time (see notice) First Monday of the Month 5.30 - 7pm Findhorn Room, September to May (ex.January) Strathdearn Hall 7.30pm, Findhorn Room, YOGA Strathdearn Hall Contact: Mrs Pam Hardwick 511766 WRI Contact: Mrs Carol James 531220 Every Thursday 11am – 12noon Tomatin Inn 2nd & 4th Mondays of Month Coffee Morning 7.30pm, Findhorn Room, Strathdearn Hall Every Thursday Needlecraft 11.30am – 1.30pm Tomatin Inn Contact: Mrs Chris West 511412 POST OFFICE

rd Every Thursday 3 Monday of Month 1.30pm Findhorn Room, 7.30pm, Findhorn Room Strathdearn Hall, Strathdearn Hall, Art Class Gardening Club Contact: Mrs Betty Watson 511271 Contact: Mr Alex Don 511729 Last Friday of Month (venue varies) (During Term-Time Strathdearn Book Club Fridays 9.45 - 11.45 am See Notices for details. Strathdearn Hall Croileagan Tom Aitinn Monthly, various dates (Tomatin Gaelic Playgroup) Natural History Club Contact: Mrs Rosemary Dempster 531215 Some indoor, some outdoor, events. Days vary, so look out for posters. Every Wednesday Contact: Mr David Bonniface 511740 10.30 am Findhorn Room, or Mrs Carol James 531220 Strathdearn Hall, Community Coffee Morning 1st Strathdearn Rainbow All Welcome and Brownie Unit for girls aged 5 - 10. Every Wednesday Contact Alison (511369) 2pm Strathdearn Hall or Trish (511486) Walking Group Contact: Mrs Kathy Bonniface 511740

COMMUNITY CAR SCHEME

As you may know, residents of Strathdearn are entitled to apply to the Badenoch and Strathspey Community Car Scheme, to arrange trips to Aviemore for shopping, doctors visits etc.

A Community Car Scheme is a local pool of drivers available to take people on pre-arranged journeys. The drivers use their own cars to make these journeys and their expenses are reimbursed, normally on a mileage basis.

The Community Council has been examining the setting up of a similar scheme in Strathdearn, where residents could arrange trips to the Inverness area. What is not known is the number of people who may be interested in using a service such as this, if it was available.

If you think you could make use of this service, or you know someone who could benefit from the service, please let either one of the Community Councillors or Duncan Hendry know, and when we have an idea of the numbers involved, a decision will be made on the viability of the scheme.

Duncan Hendry Community Development Worker 01463 790483 [email protected] 10 More about Community Benefit In 2005 the CC set up a charitable trust to receive community benefit payments from the Farr Windfarm on the basis that the money would be used for charitable purposes, namely: a) Prevention and relief of poverty. b) Advancement of education, religion, health, civic responsibility or community development, arts, heritage, culture, sci- ence and amateur sports. c) Human rights. d) Environmental protection. e) The provision of accommodation for those in need of it by reason of age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage. f) The provision of care to the aged, people with disability, young people or children. g) Advancement of animal welfare. h) Any other charitable purpose recognised as charitable under existing charity law. with the Trustees being responsible for: ° Ingathering funds ° Making investments ° Dealing with financial accounts ° Tax matters, etc ° And transferring funds as required to the CC to be expended in accordance with the purposes of the Charitable Trust. Mr Angus MacKenzie, OBE, CA became the Chairman of the Trust and Miss Sheila Macleod CA, formerly of MacKenzie Kerr, was appointed as the Trust Administrator. At our January CC meeting, the view was expressed that a company limited by guarantee would be more democratic and accountable than the charitable trust, since its directors would be elected annually, and it was also suggested that a company limited by guarantee could have a greater development role in the community. While it is true that the Trust is not democratic in the sense that Trustees are not elected, and that new Trustees are appointed by the existing trustees as vacancies occur, the Trustees are responsible to the Scottish Charities Regulator and come under Financial Services Regulations for dealing with the Trust funds in accordance with the Law, for the benefit of, and in the interests of, the Strathdearn community, any one of whom may ask questions at any time. Thus, in that sense, the Trus- tees are answerable. In law, Trustees can be personally liable if they deal with Trust funds recklessly or in a way that a prudent person would not deal with his or her own property. The Trustees will always take professional advice before investing funds, etc and are protected from personal liability for any losses from transactions made in good faith under Clause 6 of the Trust Deed. (The Trust Deed may be accessed on the CC website at www.tomatin.org.uk) All applications to the Trust first come to the CC where they are openly debated, and the views of the members of the public present are sought and taken into consideration before the CC make recommendations to the Trust. The recommendations and amounts of money sought are all recorded in the CC Minutes. The CC’s recommendations are then passed, with the application forms, to the Trust Administrator. The Trustees make sure the funding requests fall within the terms of charitable purposes as detailed above, and the money is paid out. If the Trustees have any doubts, they can obtain an official ruling from the Scottish Charities Regulator (as they have already done so once, in relation to affordable housing). Regular financial updates are also issued to the community quarterly, sometimes via this Newsletter. The thinking of the CC in setting up this model was that it makes for a simple trust and a simple strategy with minimal administration – allowing the maximum amount of community benefit money to be spent on projects or other schemes bene- fiting the local community. Further strengthening its commitment to local democracy, the CC, ever keen to stress the importance of involving the local community, commissioned a Community Participatory Appraisal from the Partnership for Rural Inverness & Nairn, funded by a £3,000 grant from the then Scottish Executive, the findings of which made up the Strathdearn Community Plan. Following on from this, the CC agreed to tie the strategy for spending community benefit funds to the Strathdearn Com- munity Plan which outlined priorities for spending democratically agreed by the people of Strathdearn. A Sub-Group made up of members of the CC and the Trust got together to decide how best to go forward with the Community Plan and they decided that the Trust should employ a Community Development Worker to help the CC implement the Plan. Duncan Hendry has been working with the CC (employed by the Trust on a self-employed basis) since 2007 and makes a good contribution to CC meetings as well as regular monthly reports on his work. In October 2006 Mr David Easson, a Partner in the firm of Munro & Noble, Solicitors, said that in his professional opinion a charitable trust and a company limited by guarantee were equally viable. Both had funds. Both were the same in what they could and could not do. There were issues of transparency and accountability (as above, Trustees appoint Trustees, whilst directors of companies limited by guarantee are elected annually) but both were, in Mr Easson’s opinion, equally viable. After the January meeting the Chair contacted Mr William Gilfillan, Corporate Manager – Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey, again for advice. Mr Gilfillan advises that the Strathdearn Community Charitable Trust appears to have been set up by Strathdearn Community Council entirely correctly with adequate and appropriate financial advice. So long as Strath- dearn Community Council considers the Trust to be serving the purpose for which it was intended, he believes there is no need to change it. 11 To change the Trust would require an application to be made to the Sheriff to dissolve the Trust. Thereafter a company limited by guarantee would have to be set up, and directors and office bearers elected. Inland Revenue recognition and charitable status would also have to obtained for the new body. This took some weeks to secure in the case of the Trust we have at present, so it’s possible there could be a period of limbo during which, presumably, all monies and grants to local individuals and bodies might have to be put on hold. This could have negative implications for projects such as the long-awaited Sports Facility. The time to make changes should surely be if, and when, the present system is found not to be working, but the present system is working. Applications to the Trust are being made and processed and money is being paid out without any com- plaints being made to the CC. Vivian Roden Chair Strathdearn Community Council

Alt-Dhubhag Tomatin IV13 7YP Letters to the Editor The Inverness Courier

Sir, However sad the demise of the Woolworth Empire might be, I must confess that I usually smile when the name is mentioned. This is entirely due to a random meeting, many years ago, of the informal Tomatin Parlia- ment on the pavement outside the old Village Shop. The agenda included a reference to a local youth who had gone off to join the Inverness Burgh Police. This news caused some alarm to a notable Strathdearn worthy who showed little faith in the new recruit when he loud- ly proclaimed with exaggerated incredulity, “What? Him in the bobbies? That loon’s no’ fit to be a bobby. Can you imagine what would happen if they ever put him on point duty in the High Street? He would likely end up directing all the cars coming down Castle Street through Woolies!”

Yours etc

Donald MacAskill

WELFARE FOOTBALL

Jimmy Irvine On the 25th January a small presentation party assembled at the Tomatin Inn to recognise the contribution made to Welfare Football in this area by Jimmy Irvine. Jack Bryson, secretary of the Scottish Welfare Football Association, presented Jimmy with a certificate awarding him Life Membership of the Association for services rendered to Scottish Welfare Football, together with other me- mentoes of the occasion, including an Association tie and pennant. Others present included representatives of Inver- ness Welfare Football and members of Tomatin Football Club.

Tomatin Football Club This winter’s weather has played havoc with the Inverness League programme due to end in February. As at the date of writing, Tomatin have played just 8 of their 16 scheduled league games and currently lie in second position in the league. However, in view of the varying numbers of games played by different teams, a true position is difficult to establish at present. Hopefully the weather will improve and allow more matches to take place.

Bruce Harman

12 SCHOOL NEWS Art Club Some of the pupils in the school have been going to the upper and lower after school art club, run by Mr Beaumont. At the moment we are working on two very big projects. The lower school are working on a Papier Mache fish and the upper school are working on a big tile mosaic of the school logo. We still need some tiles. The colours we need are blue, gold/yellow, green, grey, black and brown so if you have any tiles lying around please bring them in. You can hand them over to Mrs Manson at the main office. Thank you Reported by Hilary Steer and Louise Beaumont

Football training/ Tournaments First of all we would like to thank Craig Fyffe for his support of Tomatin Football Team. He came every single Friday and Saturday to train us. We wish him the best of luck in the future. Thankfully we’ve got new coaches; Steven Raine, Lewis MacLeod and Kevin Cameron. There is football training every single Friday from 3:30 to 5:30. At football training p1 upwards are allowed to go. Our sponsor is Strathdearn Builders. There are also tournaments every three weeks at the Dalfaber facility in Aviemore. When the weather improves the football team will be playing outdoors in places like Grantown, Aviemore, Carrbridge, Nethy, Newtonmore and Tomatin.

By Callum Fraser and James Duncan P7. Euro quiz On Thursday 12th March P6 and P7 will be going to Millburn Academy to take part in a quiz about Europe. The quiz is for four P6s. We have picked the team and the team is: Hilary Steer, Rebekah Macleod, Lewis Mackay and Grant Ross. There will be eleven teams from all over the Highlands. The P7’s and the rest of the P6’s will be there for support. Parents are welcome to come for some extra support.

Reported by Grant Ross P6 and Sebastian Beaumo Eco-schools This year the eco-school committee are working towards the green flag. To do this we are installing play-ground equipment and also creating a community garden. On Saturday the 21st of February we are holding a community litter pick. Everyone is welcome to join us but remember to bring warm clothing because it will be freezing! We will also have refreshments at the end when we meet up in the school at 12 o’clock. There will be individual groups that will be going round the village, up the glen and Moy. One of the members of the eco-school committee wrote a letter to Mr Cameron-Macintosh and the ward manager about installing a flashing 30mph speed indicator device. The Highland Council are going to install the device shortly. Could we please remind you that the speed limit is 20mph around the school and that from 9.00am to 4.00pm there will young pedestri- ans. We would like to say a big thank you to the Coignafearn crew for their hard work with the community garden. Also another thank you to Mrs Bishop for teaching the committee about composting. She and Mr Cameron the janitor are taking cardboard boxes, paper and cardboard drink cartons to the Aviemore and Tomatin recycling depots. She has been a big influence to people recycling in the school. Thank you to Mr Kippen for maintaining the squirrel rope and bird feeders.

Reported by Gavin Kippen P7 and Rebekah MacLeod P6

The New Playground In Strathdearn Primary School there is going to be a new playground and we’ll maybe get it in the Easter holiday. The playground is going to be built by Sandy Dey, Andrew Dempster, Lewis Rose and Jimmy Gibb. It was designed by Kim and Ni- gel. In the playground there will be monkey bars, slides, climbing wall and some other things. All the children are very excited about it. By Rani Crofts P4 and Alex Thetford P4 Valentines Disco On Friday 6th of February there will be a Valentines Disco at Strathdearn Primary School. Anyone who goes to Strathdearn Primary School is invited but adults are not. We did a Beetle Drive before Christmas and with the money raised from that we are planning the Disco. At the Disco there will be music, food, juice and dancing. We are all excited about it.

By Katie, Jade and Allister P4

13 On the sixth of February the school will be holding a Valentines Disco. All pupils from Strathdearn are welcome. We have a DJ called Sean Smith who will be in control of the music. There will be drinks and snacks available. All pupils will be allowed to wear what they want to wear. There will be plenty of dancing. We hope all pupils enjoy their Valentine Disco. Reported by Tiffani, P6 and Ethan,

The Christmas Concert On Thursday 18th December, the school put on a concert; it was the pantomime of Cinderella ‘Cinders’. It was a great success and many people turned up. It was the original story of Cinderella with a twist: the Prince was not at all charming, the fairy god- mother was far from glamorous and Cinders was very moody. The only people that were the same were the ugly sisters! We were also selling tea towels and calendars to raise money for four charities: Clic Sargent, Diabetes UK, Great Ormond Street hospital and Diamond Blackfan Anaemia Foundation. We gave £25.00 to each of these charities. We would like to thank everybody who came, we wouldn’t have been able to raise the money without you. Reported by Danni and Olivia P7 Art Club On Tuesdays and Thursdays at Strathdearn Primary School there is an art club. There is a P1-4 club and a P5-7 club. It is run by Mr Beaumont but we call him Mr B for short. The P1-4 club is working on a paper machie fish and the P5-7 are making the Strathdearn badge . Ewen Ross P5 and Andrew Steer P4 THE CRICKET FESTIVAL On Thursday the 27th of November 2008 primary 6 & 7 went to a cricket festival. The festival took place at the Inverness Lei- sure Centre. The team was: James Duncan, Callum Fraser (vc), Olivia Raine, Danni Cameron, Louise Beaumount, Lewis Mackay, Charlie Fuller (c), Ethan Crofts, Hilary Steer and Rebekah Macleod. The rest of primary 6 & 7 class spectated and cheered along. We came in 1st place and won a bronze batsman trophy which we proudly have displayed in our trophy cabinet. The team played Grantown twice and Merkinch twice. We would all like to thank Alan Hardwick for his training and support and Mrs MacRae for taking us. Well done to the team who took part in the festival! Reported by Lewis Mackay P6 & Charlie Fuller P6.

FRUITY FRIDAY Strathdearn Primary School has decided to do fruity Friday. Fruity Friday is when every Friday the children have to bring at least one piece of fruit to school. We have done this because Strathdearn is a health-promoting school which means we try to keep everyone healthy. We get healthy dinners every day and have water or milk to drink.

By Alexander Dey P4 and Kyle MacLeod P5

GYMNASTICS COMPETITION On the 25th of January 2009 there was a gymnastics competition. The P4-7 children took part in the competition at the Inver- ness Sports Centre. The school bought the children blue, shiny leotards and matching bobbles. It was a success and lots of fun. There were 25 different schools and 317 people there. We thought our leotards were the nicest of all because all the rest were boring colours! Everyone got certificates for taking part and some people got medals. Millburn Academy won the shiny trophy. there were two groups, level 1 and level 2 in our school but some schools had more than two groups. We are looking forward to going next year, it was loads of fun. By Keely Cameron P5 and Georgia Ross P5. We have decided to write about the gymnastics competition that took place on the 25 January in the Aquadome. There were boys and girls from P4-7 taking part. There were over 25 schools and 317 people at the competition. Everyone had half and hour to practice their routines. Children in level 2 had to do 8 moves but if you were in Level 1 you had to do 6 moves. The school bought us very fancy leotards with blue splices on them and blue lines all around it as well. Unfortunately our Head Teacher wasn’t able to come.

By Lauren Kippen P4 and Lucy Taylor P5

News from the Infant Class P1-4 are learning all about dinosaurs this term. It is hard to say some of their names! We have been looking at some fossils and finding out how paleantologists can tell what dinosaurs looked like. We are going to the Loch Ness Monster Exhibition in Drumnadrochit and hope we will see Nessie while we are there! NURSERY IGLOO The school nursery has decided to build an igloo from six pint plastic milk cartons. As soon as they have collected enough cartons they will begin. If you have any empty cartons could you please bring them into school.

14 PAYING TOO MUCH TO HEAT YOUR HOUSE ?

The Energy Savings Trust will be at the Hall in Tomatin on Saturday 28th February, from 10.30am to 2.30pm, and will advise residents in our area on energy purchase and consumption. The Energy Savings Trust is a source of free advice and information for people across the UK looking to save energy, conserve water and reduce waste. They are impartial, and not tied to any particular commercial organisations or driven by political or corporate motivations. They direct people to the right grants to make change happen, from cavity walls, to loft insulation and installing more renewable energy sources. They are funded by the UK government, devolved governments and the private sector. Their purpose is to help people to use energy more efficiently, conserve water, reduce waste and make renewable energy sources more ac- cessible. They also help people choose greener ways to travel at home and at work. They have a range of advice services - delivered at a local level - which provide practical solutions to environmental issues with enthusiasm and passion. They will have copies of their Home Energy Checks – if you fill these out you will be mailed a home energy report for advice on savings in the home and how to access any available grants. Also, they’ll have information on renewable technologies and transport advice and the information on fuel billing and signposting to other organisations that can help. There will also be advice on:- Changing your fuel supplier. You can choose the fuel supplier that provides your electricity. Switching supplier or tariff may be a good idea. It could make your bills cheaper – people can save 20% on their energy bills by changing supplier or tariff. You may want to buy green electricity. Problems paying for Fuel. If you think your bills are high, there are checks you can make to ensure you are being charged correctly. There are lots of ways that people get into debt with their fuel supplier. Find out what you are able to do to Different ways to pay for fuel There are 5 ways to pay for electricity. Get advice on the method that is best for you. Come along and see if you can reduce the cost of heating and lighting your house – the information is free, unbiased, and it’s your decision whether or not you take the advice being given.

GRIP GRIP is a free, confidential service designed to help vulnerable elderly people and at-risk patients with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma; heart disease or epilepsy living in isolated or rural areas. It has been set up by the charity ASIRUS (Asthma Support in Rural Scotland). GRIP stands for Grid Reference Identification Project and it works through the databases of the Scottish Ambu- lance Service and the Highland and Islands Fire Service. Modern technology allows the Ambulance or Fire Service controller to identify where a call for help is coming from, even if the caller cannot speak (as is sometimes the case in a severe asthma attack). People who wish to be involved can be referred by their GP or Community Nurse, by a relative or friend, or they can self-refer. The process is simple and can be life-saving in cases where time is of the essence. Contact details are given at the end of this article. Once the person’s name and address has been given to the GRIP organiser they receive a short letter which ex- plains how the service works. If they wish to join they simply return the enclosed mandate with their contact details and an appointment is then made for someone from GRIP to visit. (There is no need for this person to come into the house if this is preferred.) A ten-figure grid reference is taken of the house location and access is assessed and any potential difficulties noted. This information can be vital for the Emergency Services and saves valuable time. A few brief details of the patient’s medical condition are also taken. The information is passed in an encrypted form to the Scottish Ambulance Service and the Fire and Rescue Service and the patient is issued with a laminated card to keep near the telephone. The card is printed with a 3-digit GRIP number. When the patient makes a 999 call they only need to give their GRIP number for all their necessary details to come up on the screen at Ambulance or Fire Control and help can be on the way immediately. If the patient dials 999 but is unable to speak, providing the emergency call is made from their land-line number it will trigger display of the necessary information to enable help to be sent. It is hoped to extend this to include mobile phones in the future. Contact details for both ASIRUS and GRIP are: Mrs. Murray tel. 01464 87 1222 (Huntly) or if you would like further information or help please contact Pat Wells tel. 01808 511351 15 RICHARD HARTLAND, HIGHLAND COUNCIL’S HEAD OF PLANNING AND BUILD- congratulations ING CONTROL came to the January meeting of the Community Council to talk about changes in the plan- BIRTHS ning legislation. The Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 Harry John Cameron-Mackintosh was born to Archie and was not yet concluded. Implications from the credit Bonnie just before Christmas. crunch had contributed to an expected shortfall in his th department’s budget of £1 million due to an under-ac- Cameron Barrie Brown was born on 9 January to Andy cumulation of income. Vacancies had been frozen. and Gail. And Harry Chima was born to Jafs and Sarah, also in Janu- The new legislation will affect Community ary. Councils’ involvement in the planning process and lead Our best wishes go to all these young families. to greater community engagement. Development plan- Birthdays: ning puts together the Structure Plan and the Local Birthday greetings to Gavin Edward, who was 40; and to Plan. There will be no Structure Plan in Highland in Alan Watson and Angie Noble, both 50… all in November. future, but there will be an overarching Local Plan. Engagements: The Main Issues Report is due to be published in Doune MacKenzie, Glenkyllachy has got engaged and we March, and the Draft Local Plan in September. In the wish her and her fiancée every happiness. past Highland Council had 28 Local Plans. In future Our congratulations and best wishes too to Ali Cameron- there will be 3 Area Plans and these will be renewed Mackintosh and Karen MacRae who got engaged at Christ- every 5 years. Difficulty had been experienced in the mas. past in getting local people involved in consultations in Finished Their Training: Local Plans. The Planning Department would seek to Sarah Usborne has finished her training and got her Certifi- reach out to all parts of the community to get the an- cate as a Norland Children’s Nurse. Allan Bartlett has completed his apprenticeship and is now a swers to questions such as “how do local people feel fully qualified Cooper at Tomatin Distillery. He was also their community should grow?” using Exhibitions and named Apprentice of the Year. postcards etc to help this process. Well done to both Sarah and Allan and we wish them both well in their future careers. General: From Angie Noble Fraser Manson has been made Deputy Head Boy at Mill- burn Academy, and his cousin Hannah Bell has been chosen Thank you to my wonderful family and friends as an Attendant to the Marymas Queen. Well done to them who made the occasion of my 50th birthday so memora- both. ble. Please pass on to us the details of any happy events known For the lovely presents, flowers, cards and Chef’s glu- to you. We hate to leave people out! ten free cake. Thank you all Angie

JOHN S. McDONALD O.B.E. AVONDALE TOMATIN DISTILLERY Sadly, Mr. John S. McDonald O.B.E. passed away on 17th December 2008, in Highview Nursing Home, Inver- ness, aged 78 years. He worked for Tomatin Distillery for over 50 years as Brewer, Manager, and later as Manag- ing Director. The family came to Tomatin when Mr. John McDonald Snr. came to work for Tomatin Distillery from Speyside. He is survived by his son, John, his wife, grandson and grand-daughter, who live in Inverness. John McDonald was very well known throughout the country, through his work within the Whisky industry. He was also well known in Scottish Football circles, as he was an S.F.A. Councilor and former Chairman of Inver- ness Thistle F.C. Latterly he was Honorary President of Inverness Caley Thistle F.C.

16 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 511237. The Guild: Meets on the second Wednesday each month between September and April, usually at 7.30 pm in Tomatin Church. New Members welcome. 11th February: Rev Reg Campbell “Indescribable” DVD. 11th March : Rev Dr Willis Jones Tomatin Church 8th April: AGM Tomatin Church All welcome. Further information from Sheila 01808 511729. Breakfast Club: Join us for freshly brewed coffee, bacon rolls and croissants, (as well as healthy options) followed by discussion of a Bible passage from John’s Gospel, and a time of singing and prayer. Come to the Strathdearn Hall for all, or some of the morning (9.30am for Breakfast/10.30am for the Bible passage/11.30am for singing and prayer) On Mondays 16th and 23rd February – and thereafter on the last two Mondays of each month up until and including June. Further information from Vivian 01808 511355. “If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat” A 6 Session Journey on Learning to Trust God being held in different homes on the 9th and 23rd February; 9th and 23rd March and 20th April. Further information from the Minister on 01463 772242. Services (all at 10.30 am unless stated otherwise): February: 8th: Strathdearn Hall Family Service with Tea afterwards.. 15th: Moy Church 22nd : Tomatin Church March: 1st: Dalarossie Church 8th: Strathdearn Hall Family Service with Tea afterwards. 15th: Moy Church 22nd: Tomatin Church 29th: Moy Church April: 5th: Dalarossie Church Thursday 9th: Maundy Thursday Communion Service in the Strathdearn Hall at 7 pm. Friday 10th: Good Friday Service at 7pm Venue to be confirmed. 12th: EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE 10.30 am 19th: Dalarossie Church 10.30 am 26th: Moy Church 10.30 am May: 3rd: Dalarossie Church 10th Strathdearn Hall Family Service with Tea afterwards. All are most welcome to join in any or all of our Services or Activities

17 From Dulnain Bridge to Nakom Nyah Extracts from an unpublished book written by the late Murdo MacAskill, Alt-Dhubhag, recording his wartime ex- periences. About this time those of our M Section who were still at Changi were moved into a pre-war married quarter house beside the main road. Our Colonel then had our old billet the rifle range made into a concert hall with a cur- tained stage at the west end, with forms occupying the rest of the floor. The Colonel was pleased with Vic’s drum, and readily gave permission for Vic’s next ploy, the making of a guitar assisted by myself. In the married quarter billet we commandeered the open upstairs balcony, and it became our sleeping and working quarters for our remaining months at Changi. Vic made a hammock which he suspended from the balcony balustrade to the back wall. I had a bed similarly aligned close to an end wall. The entrance door from the landing was between us. The loose boards which supported my sleeping arrangement were put standing in the corner during the day. Here we made our first acquaintance with tropical bugs. When I dunted my bed boards each morning on the concrete floor, up to half a dozen of these horrible insects would land on that floor, to be tramped upon savagely and unmercifully. The adults were chocolate brown and the small ones transparent, or when gorged with my blood, bright red. As far as it is possible for any kind of prisoners to be content, Vic and I were content at that time. Very rarely were we called on to make up a work party for Singapore. Usually we spent the time between meals quietly working to suit ourselves with occasional excursions out about, scrounging for materials. During long, dark eve- nings, with the ever bright tropical stars blinking at us over the balustrade, we talked of home: he about his life as a postman in the Yorkshire countryside round Scarborough, and I about my life as an insurance agent in Strathspey. I spoke of our little white walled house on the brae face at Broomhill with the iron roof that had replaced its 19th century thatched one, of its Strathspey pine panelled wall opposite the fireplace, which Barby kept polished so that it reflected the dancing light from blazing dry fir won from the Curr Wood on the hill above, and of Barby teasing our young dog, holding him at bay with a chair and manoeuvring so as to cause him to attempt an about turn while moving at such speed that he would slide for a yard on the polished linoleum before regaining his feet. Would we ever again experience such happiness? Vic spoke of his son and daughter and of the energetic housekeeping of Mary, his bustling wife. After spending two hours fixing up a heavy curtain pole over their front window he sat down with the paper for a smoke. Behind him Mary entered the room. He turned his head as she began to shake out the heavy curtains to get them exactly the way she wanted them. With a final tug she pulled the whole assembly down on the floor. Vic swore, quite without thought. Then both of them, thankful that the children were out, began to laugh.

TOMATIN & MOY SWRI

….are celebrating their 60th anniversary on Monday 2nd March. All ex-members are invited to join us for a blether and refreshments in the Hall at 7.30pm. We will be sending individual invitations to al those we know about but if you were a member and haven’t received an invitation, please let us know. If you have any memora- bilia of the SWRI please bring it along so we can all enjoy looking at it. Our 6th April speaker is Sarah Smythe from Scottish Natural Heritage. She will be talking about SNH with particular reference to the local area. Anyone is welcome to join us at this meeting. We are also planning a theatre trip soon, so if you fancy a night out in good company why not join the WRI? Contacts: President: Kathy Bonniface 511740 Secretary: Carol James 531220 Calendar: March 2nd 60th Anniversary celebrations April 6th Sarah Smythe, Scottish Natural Heritage May 11th A.G.M. & Taste and Try

18 Care and Repair Service

Cairn Housing Association’s Care and Repair Service was launched in April 2005 to replace a former service run by Age Concern Scotland ( BaSIN Care and Repair.)

The service is confidential and provides free assistance and advice to homeowners and private tenants requiring improvements, repairs or adaptations to their homes. Those who are elderly or have a disability or have a family member who has a disability may be eligible for assistance through the scheme. Care and Repair acts at all times in the capacity of agent.

Following an initial enquiry from the client, the Care and Repair Officer will visit clients in their own homes to assess their needs and the works to be carried out. The Care & Repair Officer is technically qualified to survey clients’ homes, prepare specifications and drawings and procure building services. The client makes the choice of technical consultants and building contractors, usually with the assistance of the Care & Repair officer. The officer may refer the client to another agency or proceed as a Care and Repair case if the work is grant eligible.

The service operates under the auspices of an Agency Agreement between Highland Council and Cairn Housing Association. It covers the Highland Council areas of Inverness Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey,

The Council’s Local Housing Strategy identifies that there is a relatively high proportion of elderly people living in the Highlands and that this will continue to present particular challenges in relation to the provision of suitable accommodation for people with housing support needs. In 2001 the population of the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey area was 89,250 (Highland Council data 2002) with 38,408 households, 67% of which were owner-occupiers. The number of retired people in the Highland is expected to form a much greater proportion of the population over the next 10 years and Inverness is one of the fastest growing areas in Scotland

The Highland Council’s Fuel Poverty Strategy 2005-2008 indicates that 21% of households in the Highlands are suffering fuel poverty compared to a Scottish average of 13%. The Strategy identifies older people, disabled people and those with a long-term illness as being particularly vulnerable to fuel poverty

The vision is that the Care and Repair project will be able to provide a fully integrated technical repair and care support service to its clients and to strengthen its working relationships with its various partner agencies.

Care and Repair services make a positive and practical contribution to caring for the elderly and vulnerable in our community, by giving sensitive advice and help with matters relating to the repair, adaptation and improvement of their property. Care & Repair officers assist clients to access funding – mainly Local Authority repair and improvement grants – to finance the cost of building work. The balance of the costs after grant is met by client’s own resources or by loans.

The Highland Council has also asked Cairn Housing Association to look into the feasibility of developing a Handyperson scheme covering Badenoch and Strathspey, Inverness and Nairn.

The proposed Handyperson scheme is a free and confidential service, designed to provide practical help with basic mainte- nance and repair jobs around the house.

Invariably the elderly and disabled have difficulty in completing what, to an active person, would seem a simple yet necessary task. A bad fall for an older person can be a life changing event. It can cause severe pain and discomfort through bruising and broken bones, loss of confidence and the ability to lead a full and independent life. Better prevention of falls will also help ease some of the pressures on Scotland’s hospitals, which are now receiving more than 5,000 orthopaedic emergency admissions a year, many of whom are older people who have a broken hip or limb. These older people also often require considerable support both before and after discharge from hospital to regain their mobility and address the fear of further falls. All this would be unnecessary if help can be provided to prevent these falls happening in the first place.

Life expectancy is increasing because people are living longer. Handyperson schemes help sustain independent living amongst disabled and older people.

Clive Williams, Care & Repair Manager Cairn Housing Association Care & Repair, Cairn House, 30 Waterloo Place, Inverness, IV1 1NB Phone: 01463 229 150 Fax: 01463 229 470 Mobile: 0792 140 9050 email: [email protected] 19 STRATHDEARN FLOWER SHOW 2008 PRIZE WINNERS

FLOWER SECTION – 1st Madge Fraser (24pts); 2nd Billy Hendry (22pts); 3rd Sandra Flett (19pts). VEGETABLE SECTION – 1st Billy Hendry (34pts); 2nd Alec Don (24pts); 3rd Sophie Dey (9pts). BAKING AND PRODUCE – 1st Madge Fraser (30pts); 2nd Sheila Don (17pts); 3rd Sandra Flett (10pts). ART SECTION - 1st Denise Barley (8pts); 2nd = Michelle Bertie & Jean Macrae (7pts). HANDICRAFTS - 1st = Sheila Don & Janet Crummy (5pts); 2nd = Denise Barley, Diane Ross & Diana Usborne (3pts). FLORAL ART - 1st Kathy Bonniface (7pts); 2nd Carol James (6pts); 3rd Sheila Don (5pts). PHOTOGRAPHY – 1st David Bonniface (11pts); 2nd May Buckle (9pts); 3rd Carol James (6pts). BEST SCENTED ROSE - 1st Madge Fraser; 2nd Catherine Cameron-Mackintosh; 3rd Billy Hendry. MILLENNIUM CUP 2008 (Baking and Produce winner) – Madge Fraser STRATHDEARN TROPHY (most points overall) – 1st Madge Fraser (65pts); 2nd Billy Hendry (56pts); 3rd Alec Don (37pts).

CHILDREN’S SECTION Sweet Pepper Challenge: Under 8 years: 1st Katey Dey; 2nd Alexander Dey; 3rd Lauren Kippen. 9 to 12 years: 1st Ewan Ross; 2nd Grant Ross; 3rd Gavin Kippen. Overall classes: Under 8 years: 1st Lauren Kippen (9pts); 2nd= Edward Raine & Sophie Ross (3pts). 9 to 12 years: 1st Gavin Kippen (8pts); 2nd= Becky Carson & Grant Ross (5pts). JUBILEE CUP (most points, all ages) – 1st Lauren Kippen; 2nd Gavin Kippen; 3rd= Becky Carson & Grant Ross.

Strathdearn Community Council www.tomatin.org.uk

publishes the "Strathdearn Newsletter" quarterly, delivering it free to every home in Strathdearn. The Newsletter is sponsored by Tomatin Distillery and Mr & Mrs George McLeod. This is a community newsletter, and the views and opinions expressed in contributions submitted by members of the community are not necessarily those of Strathdearn Community Council, nor of the Editor.

Editor: Mrs Denise Barley, Lauriston, Tomatin, IV13 7YN. Tel. 01808 511733 e-mail [email protected] Page Layout: Mr Ian Mearns. Distribution: Mrs Susan Mackintosh-Grant.

20 MEMORIES OF A HOLIDAY AT DRUMBAIN

(Miss Marjory MacQueen of Dulnain Bridge wrote this story about a holiday at Drumbain, the home of her Grandfather. Her mother came from Tombeg.)

My sister and I went to Drumbain for a few weeks holiday with Aunt Maggie, our Grandfather and Uncle Alick. We looked forward to our holiday, but Aunt Maggie was not long before she laid down the law and put us in our places! However, we soon fell in with her plans. Our first week we were off to a Ploughing Match at Corrybrough – there were several pairs of horses, some with beautifully decorated harnesses. On our way we set off from Drumbain, crossed the road and took the track up to the cattle creep on the road to Tombeg. At the junction under the railway we headed for the lovely soft Green Road and passed along behind the Manse where the cow was grazing quite contentedly and a red Rhode Island cockerel scratched away at the roadside with his companions. The next stop was a shout from Mrs MacKenzie “Soilsean” – then on to Dalnahoin and met the Kennedys and “Grannie Donald” out on her walking stick. Of course we had to shout at each other under the viaduct to hear the echo. On our return journey we headed across the bridge and up to Junner’s Shop and visited Annie Fraser “Ard” where we had our tea. On the way home we called at “Beal Bread’s” Shop at the corner of the Findhorn Bridge to collect the groceries, heading back to Drumbain by the Smiddy. Our promised next visit was to see Maimie Sinclair at Balnagordnach. To be continued

LOVE IS …

A post-Christmas thought from Celia, aged 7, the step great grand-daughter of Mrs Boles: “Love is what is in the room with you at Christmas, if you stop opening presents and listen.”