I POST E EVANfOX AA^*"t^I^1 ry Produced & Published by Issue Number r April zorS .Online

We hope evetyone enjoys this first Evonton Newsletter ond thot with Some Events from 2Ot7 your help it moy grow bigger ond betler with eoch issue. "Spooktacular" - the event put on by the Primary in October was Foreword by well attended although the weather The Kiltearn Corununity Council After an absence of over two years, Kiltearn once again has its own News- letter in the form of TTw Euanton Post. Members of the community have on several occasions raised the idea of resuscitating a newsletter at KCC meetings but in the absence of any volunteers, the KCC sa$r no way of do- ing so. Step forward Gary Pa5rne, who has very generously offered to not only gather in news items, but also to edit and publish them in a new on line newsletter The Euanton Post. Gary needs ell our support if his initiative is to bear fruit and The Euanton was cold. The stalls had to be put in the Post go from strength to strength, keeping the eommunity informed and Sports hall and the Hotdog stand out- adding enjoyment and fulfrlment to experience side did a roaring trade, the day raising the of living in Kiltearn. welcome 611ding for the school KCC firlly endorse Gary's efforts and would ask you all to help circulate The Euanton Post to those who are not internet sawi by printing off a copy and making sure that all members of the community benefrt by dropping it The Bonfire and Fireworks Night into any neighbour who you know is not on the internet. returned fot 2OL7 in November and although said to be hard work for the Just as importantly Gary needs your assistance in regularly feeding him volunteers was well attended and with news (text and pictures), stories, articles, adverts etc., relevant to agreed by all to be an excellent show. Kiltearn. The more we can do this the more frequent The Euantoz Posf East Ross Pipe Band and tortblight will parade from the hall got the event offto appear, keeping us all fully informed of what is going on in our great little a terrific start. community. It is now up to us. Hector Munro (Chairman KCC) A Fantastic turn out for first 'Dirt Crit' race at Evanton. In partner- ship with Clcle Club, Evan- Foulis Castle The Annual Daffodil Tea ton Wood played host to the final event The Daffodil Tea at Foulis Castle was started after World War ll by Mrs Gascoigne, n6e Munro as a way of raising funds for charities on a yearly basis. She opened the Castle and Gardens to the public allowing them to pick freely of the many thousands of d"affodils in the garden as well as providing teas in the historic dining room and lower kitchen. This was continued from 1978 by her daughter-in- law Mrs E.M. Munro of Foulis MBE to the present day. It is a hugely successful Spring in the Scottish Dirt Crit series. Turn event raising many funds for much needed local causes and relying on the work of out was fantastic with over 80 riders volunteers and well wishers. This year on the 21st, April the Daffodil Tea is in aid of taking part and over 220 folk in totd. F6is Rois famous for their provision of Traditional music and culture all over Thanks to some lovely cakes from local Scotland and increasingly with disadvantaged community groups. Traditional music of bake off champions, a total of f,L22 of quality will be provided by young musicians and their Tutors and there will be a variety funding was raised for the sale of these of stalls and Teas as usual. Time: 1.30pm - 4.30pm cakes alongwith teas andcofrees. lssue Number I Aprll 2018 Poge 2 toarotoa Soddl,& treroto Enoa* In December the "Light up the Highlands" for the Highland f,ft' Hospice appeal raised t900 from donations throughout Evan- ton and the surrounding area. The Church Choir and . t a Lone Piper had taken part with Mrs Bews and her family .,.4[. switching on the Remembrance Ttee Lights and the Rev. Nick Archel laking the service. Around 70 senior citizens enjoyed their Annual Dinner at the Store House at Foulis in January. Spa Motors supplied the return bus trans- w port and the kHx ll-.-&{ T Simpson family Last minute check before -:q.a e. i provided enter- I doo.. open ot'spooktakulor' tainment during the evening. The We are still trying to trace evening was en- the Ladies "Rose BowI' do- joyed by everyone nated by Foulis Estate. If with a big thank- I anyone has any knowledge you given to the of where it may be please staff and the contact the 'Novar Arms' on Simpson family. 830012 or ESEG at830L22 . Evarrton Co Wood There is plenty happening in the com- tions are well in hand. The secret the pond - we look forward to further visits. munity wood with groups on 4 to 5 days trail has recently been extended so A 'Get Outdoors' project for people living a week and lots for people to enjoy un- there are plenty of opportunities to with dementia started in October and has der their own steam. A new feature, a get a bit lost! been well received, especially the making of net', has been added to the very snowmen, candle holders and bird boxes, so 'cargo and Tain academies bring popular play area. A recent safety in- too cooked food and overall people groups each week for practical work, the - spection by ROSPA was very favourable have appreciated get Ardross primary visits with the the chance to out of the inspector was most impressed the house and socialise. The wood has suc- - - ranger, Kiltearn primary pupils have and the few suggested minor modifica- cessfully attracted additional funding from been occasionally, including a visit to Life Changes Trust and Tesco Bags for Life ( - \./ thanks for your blue token votes!) so the ! t. programme is secure for a further 2 years at least. There are places available for both people with dementia and their carers just , t.': - t'i{ t phone Simon on 079477 72066 or Adrian on "{q 830s17. ' Events lined up include a horse logging demonstration - to coincide with the con- struction of the proposed log shelter at Mag's Wood. There will be several nature explorer events in the summer and a busy programme with Highlife Highland as usual. Keep an eye out on the village and post of- II fice noticeboards, also on the website www.evantonwood.com and the Evanton Wood Facebook page. Meanwhile anyone is welcome to join in on practical work volun- teer sessions every Friday morning (meet at the cabin at 10am). And please do just call by the cabin for a chat! lssue Number I April 2018

ing community assets. Membership of the Trust is free to anyone living in Kiltearn parish and you can apply via our website www.ect.scot. It has been a busy period over the last twelve months or so with many projects moving forward and if you would like to help please get in touch via email to [email protected] The Village Green was the Trusts first project when it was set up back in 2005. Since then it has been &ee to use but we do ask people to frII in a short booking form on our website. Some maintenance of the green is car- ried out by a contractor paid for by the Trus! the rest is carried out by volunteers who will this year be creating a wildflower area toward the back of the green to help wildlife. New funding to purchase safety barriers which can be put in place during events and the replacing of the information boards that were subject to vandalism in Autumn 20L7. Other improvements may include a new power sup- ply so people do not have to rely on generators. If you would like to use the Green for an event or there are any improvements you would like to see, please get in touch. The Old Kiltearn Kirk down at the shore is sl important and integral part of the history and identity of Evan- ton. Together with a team of volunteers, Evanton Community Tlust helped to research the fascinating history and people of the parish in conjunction with ARCH (Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands). The pro- ject recorded over 400 gravestones and lair markers, including a number of 17tn and 18th century gravestones with engraved symbols of mortality. It also involved a building survey which revealed evidence of a much older, medieval structure on the site, pre-dating the current building constructed Ln 1792. An exhibition is cur- rently on display in the Cornerstone Caf6 and a website is to be launched where people can look at all the re- sults of the project, and may help to research into family histories. We will also be installing an information panel, mounted on a naturaL stone plinth, just outside the Kirk yard. A project was began to improve the footpaths from Lower Balconie between the old Bothy on the foreshore and the Old Kiltearn Kirk that were in a state of disrepair. Where heavy rainfall had washed a\May a section of the path and riverbank between Lower Balconie and the footbridge over the River, we have undertaken a series of works including creation of wide and level footpaths, improvements to drainage and riverbank and shoreline reinforcement. More reeently we have also installed interpretation panels showing the footpath network and Srving information about the area and soon we hope to be installing seating and picnic benches along with rou- tine maintenance. Most of our funding comes from grant applications based on the projects we undertake and we are extremely lg:rateful to all those who have supported the Trust over the course of the last year especially the Kiltearn Com- lmunif Council, Evanton Wood, SSE and a host of Evanton volunteers.

€,uantnn qnqfing ehfi help towards this goal. The Club is also hop- ing to increase membership and is now ac- The 2018 Salmon season on the river tively encouraging new applications with special incen- Sgitheach and the Allt Graad opened tives for under 18s. on of April. Trout fishing the 2d on the We are in discussion on further Salmon fishing on the -lochs will open on 1s May. the Allt Graad. lt is hoped that this fishing will come on line The salmon fishing on both rivers will during this season and members will be informed when be operated as category three (3) for it becomes available. There is also the possibility of fur- the 2018 season. This is mandatory ther fishing through Novar Fishing Partnership and again \ 'catch and return' for all Atlantic members will be updated on developments. salmon. Membership application forms and firther details are available from : Jim Thorburn To help meet the rising costs of the 01349 83083d DaveSmith 01349 831019 & Cornerstone on 01349830558 fishing and to improve the categorisa- The Club currently has fishing on the Allt Graad (River Glass), , tion of the rivers we need to improve Loch Bad a' Bhathaich , and Loch Muigh Bhlaraidh (The White Horse Loch) . our catch returns and we are appealing Local Membership (1V15 postcode) - €50:00, Visiting Membership (outside lv16 post- all former and current members to to code) - €60:fi), Junior Membership {under 18 at start of season) - f 10:fi) The Diamond Jutrilee HalI The parishioners of Evanton had commissioned the building of the Diamond Jubilee Hall around 1898 becoming owners through a board of trustees. In the late 1920s it was decided that the trusteeship be passed to the local District Council. This was done in 1931 and thereafter passed on to the Highland Council. They in turn, transferred this responsibility of Trust to Kiltearn Community Council whose members themselves became the Trustees. It is still maintained by many that the Kiltearn parishioners remain the benefi.cial owners.

It was, and still is, the village meeting and social gathering point and has seen much renovation and renewal work including the early addition of toilets at the main entrance seen today. Recently the hardwood floor in the main hall has been resurfaced. and insulation added within the ceiling. A large and complete kitchen can cater for the most busy of weddings and birthday parties and Hall bookings have topped 760 since ?OLI-.

The raised stage has seen numerous Ceilidh and heard the noisy welcome of many a New Year. It is now the venue for regular use by the 3 year old Nursery class and by the Brownies, Guides and. . -4. Rainbows. There are two dance sessions K- and various community group meetings as;j lr' I' well as severa-l exhibitions and 'Open re House' demonstration and social events. It now boasts a high speed internet wifi. connection and easily contacted for hiring. A warm welcome is always there for any enquiries from near or far on 01349 830122. EVantgn.Online was created to do what- Events in the Pipeline ever it could to encourage the community spirit in and around Evanton. An impar- . April2lst Foulis Castle. tial internet anchor seemed to be the up to date way to do Daffodil Tea 1.30pm to 4.30. this and bring the new and modern and the well estab- . May 19th Black Rock Field. Iished together. It is hoped it may continue to show value Fyrish Hill Fun Run and Gala to the benefit of all for some time to come, and please al- day remember - ways it belongs to Evanton. . May 26th Novar Estate. A huge thank you to all who have subscribed to this news- Highland Hospice Walk letter and we really look forward to seeing you again in Around. given the next. Indeed, a warm welcome will be to anyone . May 26th Diamond Jubilee wishing to include something in the July issue. Hall. Open Day for New ./ In particular we would like to thank Housing Scheme and D. J. ,\ Hall Future. \'. .t ) the Kiltearn Community Council for their support and encouragement to , . May 27th Novar Estate. make it all happen in the first place. Garden Opening \ www.evanton.online 2.30pm to 5.00pm