Chatterbox 54

Harbour café

Another planning application has been submitted for the long-awaited harbourside café in Avoch.

see p6

Highland Gathering

Fortrose Academy welcomed the local community to its first ever Academy Highland Gathering on 17th June.

see page 22

Black Isle Words

Mairi Hedderwick is one of the contributors to the Black Isle Words Festival in Cromarty on the second weekend of September

see page 30

Chatterbox

Community Newspaper of the Year Highlands & Islands Media Awards 2008

North Rising supporters from

around Scotland gathered at

Avoch on Saturday May 15th

2010

Story on page 42

44 pages

£1.30

Black Isle Horticultural Show

New exhibitors and a rise in the number of entries helped make this year’s Black Isle Horticultural Society Summer Show a resounding success. see p27

www.chatterboxnews.co.uk

Autumn issue (No.54)September 2010Produced in Avoch for Rosemarkie, Fortrose, Avoch, Killen & Munlochy

Photo courtesy of Ian Rhind

Post, phone or e-mailSend your story, letter or advert to

The EditorAvoch & Killen News Group

Duthac, 7 High Street, Avoch IV9 8PTor telephone

01381 620777

or by Email, [email protected]@chatterboxnews.co.uk

or [email protected]

We acknowledge with thanks assistance received from the Highland Council through the Black Isle Ward Councillors’ Discretionary Budget, from the Sangster Memorial Trust and the National Lottery through Awards for All.

Fortrose Open GardensAngie White (left) delights in showing some of the plants in her garden to Lynne and Gordon Clark from Avoch who were touring the gardens of Fortrose and Rosemarkie as part of the Garden Ramble which was held in aid of the SSPCA. Photos courtesy of Ian Rhind

Next Issuein DecemberPlease submit all material as

soon as possible. The next issue will be published at the beginning of December

Press date will be 7th November

We will do our best, but we regret we cannot guarantee the

inclusion of any material received after the press date

Chatterbox 54 September 2010 Join us on line at www.chatterboxnews.co.uk [email protected] page No. 3

CONTENTS…

At last - an answer! This important question has been bugging me for over 60 years (most of my life!) and now, at last, I have a plausible explanation! As a child I even wrote and asked the BBC programme, ‘Children’s Hour’ -

Why does a chicken cackle after laying an egg?

In a wild situation, wouldn’t this be like a built-in dinner gong for weasels or any similar creatures in the area?

In the BBC (bless them, an answer at last!) Radio 4 programme, “Questions, Questions” this week it was suggested that, since the hen would not be in condition for fertilisation after laying, this was a way of signalling to the cockerels to conserve their precious semen and use it on the hens who could use it. The wonders of nature! Well, it’s the only plausible explanation I’ve ever heard. I had always assumed, because I didn’t received a reply, that ‘Children’s Hour’ didn’t know the answer - now, I wonder if, at that time, it was because they felt it was not suitable material!

Best wishes,Mike

Eggsplanation!Editorial Mike Noble

ChatterboxCommunity Newspaper of the Year

Highlands & Islands Media Awards 2008

Founded by Jack Malpas, September 1997

Copyright

Printed and published quarterly in Avoch by

Chatterbox Community NewsgroupSubscribe by writing to

Claire Divine, Hon. Secretary, 18 Mackenzie Place, Avoch IV9 8QP

or [email protected]

Chatterbox provides a vehicle for any member of the community to demonstrate his or her opinions or beliefs, so long as these are not defamatory or offensive. The publication of submitted articles should not be taken as any indication that such opinions or beliefs are supported or promoted by Chatterbox or any of its production team members.


18

see page 22

34

EditorialTel: 01381 [email protected]@chatterboxnews.co.uk

Editor: Mike Noble

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Autumn Chatterbox 2010 (No. 54)

19

29 Malawi link30 Black Isle Words Festival31 Shop closure, Young Enterprise32 Exchange, UHI appointment33 Fortrose mapping project34 Community work, Beach Party35 Rosemarkie photo36 Walks & events37 Macross Scotmid Prize Crossword38 Groam House39! Cave project40 School photos41 Billy Barclay, ARCH42 De Moray Society43 Stolen signs, Councillors’ Corner, Hedgehogs44 Chanonry open day, Housing Expo

4 Hedgehogs, Munlochy and Avoch traffic, business game success5 Sailing6-7 New Avoch café proposals8 Café, broadband9! Letters10! Avoch village cafe, prizewinners, broadband11 Charles Kennedy12 Nature Notes13 Fitness, children’s party14 Macular support, Secretary’s job, Community Council changes15 Film maker in Avoch 16 Bob Cook, Youth Cafe17 Sing for fun18 Jean Hay at 10019 Avoch Under 5s20 Weather, McEye, AAA and Sutor Creek21 Bowls Club22/23 Fortrose Academy Highland Gathering24 Boat owner’s cautionary tale 25 Homeworking26 Highland Food Challenge27 Horticultural Show28 Community Theatre, Greening Homes & Gardens

43

page No. 4 Join us on line at www.chatterboxnews.co.uk [email protected] Chatterbox 54 September 2010

In BriefWard ForumThe last Black Isle Ward Forum on Small Businesses was very well attended - a very healthy turn out. All but one of the Black Isle Community Councils attended. There were approx. 30 people in the Forum and another 50 members of the public present. There were plenty of questions and small businesses in the area were informed about what services were available to them, and where they could go for small grant funding.A new Forum is due to take place on 26 August and is about Services for Older Adults.

Kessock BridgeWork has been put back and no-one quite knows when to! There is a Ward Forum in Dingwall and Seaforth which will be discussing transport and the repairs to the bridge and its effect on traffic/people going in and out of Inverness. All Black Isle residents can attend, as it will affect them too. Local councillors had wanted a Park and Ride scheme at Tore, but there is no money to finance this idea. However, it is a viable solution and pressure needs to be kept up to have it fully explored.

Hedgehogs in danger

Avoch Out of School Club appears to be under threat of closure. Care and Learning Alliance (CALA) is planning to review all the clubs in the Black Isle and, due to financial constraints, they don't expect that the Highland Council's sustainability grant funding will be continued. At Avoch, CALA need 10 children to attend each day after school to make the service viable, and want parents and carers to let the community know as there may well be parents/carers who are planning to use the service in future. On a positive note, though, they have a new senior play worker, and are looking for another play worker.

Traffic calming in Munlochy

Knockbain Community Council, which serves North Kessock, Munlochy & surrounding areas, is holding a meeting on Tuesday 21st September at 7.30 pm in Munlochy Village Hall to discuss proposed traffic calming measures in Munlochy. A desire to ensure a safe & welcoming village atmosphere and the importance of passing traffic on local trade are matters on which concern has been expressed. Sam MacNaughton, head of Transportation and Infrastructure, Highland Council, will address the meeting and may advise on a strategy for any measures the community considers may be necessary in the light of an increase in through traffic due to significant development in Fortrose and Avoch. As a result of the proposed repairs to the Kessock Bridge in 2012, the possibility of diverting Inverness-bound traffic via Tore has been mooted, as well as the possibilty of restrictions at the A9 / B9161 junction, by Artafallie Toll. Please let the Community Council hear your views. Members of the public, business concerns and all others who might be affected by increased or restricted traffic through Munlochy or who are interested in any other Community Council matter are invited to attend the meeting.

Concerned about

traffic in Avoch?

Traffic issues in Avoch will be the main topic at the next meeting of the Avoch and Killen Community Council on Monday 6th September at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. Sam MacNaughton and Hugh Logan from the Highland Council’s TEC Services will be coming along. Sam will be looking for views on what measures could be put in place to reduce the impact of the increased traffic that will be coming through the village once the proposed new housing is built in Fortrose. This might include speed limits and traffic calming. Hugh is going to explain proposals for managing traffic in the Dock area. The Council has been looking into the feasibility of introducing a 20mph speed limit. Some funding is available for these proposals. lf you have views on these issues, or just want to hear more, then please come along. Everyone is welcome. The discussions will be followed by a regular meeting of the Community Council.

European Business

Game Success

J Ross

The winners of this year’s Highland

Final of the European Business

Game are TECHKNOW from

Fortrose Academy. In a closely

fought Highland final the Fortrose

girls edged out teams from

Ullapool and Inverness, with their

innovative “KnowITboard”, a

portable touch screen board with

downloadable educational

applications designed to benefit

early learning in children.

Congratulations to the five team

members, Roxanne Steyn, Anya

Drummond, Keri Jack, Joanna

Shepherd and Sally MacIver who

will now go on to represent the

Highlands at the international final

in Limoges, France, at the end of

June.

This year’s Greening Homes and Gardens Day is shaping up to be even better than last year’s huge success, so put the date, Saturday 11th September, from 10.00 to 16.00, in your diaries, and pass the word round to anyone you think might be interested. We’ve lined up around 16 homes featuring ways to reduce energy usage and emissions, which will be open to the public, and there will be an exhibition at Findon Hall in Culbokie, featuring a range of suppliers and advisors. Features will include solar panels, insulation, wind turbines, biomass heating, heat pumps, composting and vegetable growing.

Greening Homes and Gardens Day

There are more details on the TBI website, at http://www.transitionblackisle.org/greeninghomesandgardens.asp.

http://www.transitionblackisle.org/greeninghomesandgardens.asp



In BriefJade KonkelCongratulations to Jade, former pupil of Fortrose Academy, who was voted Student of the Year for 2010 by the pupils and staff on her Skills for Work course at Inverness College.

Morven MacDonaldMorven appeared on 27th June in the new series of ‘Time Team’ on Channel 4, as a result of a competition she won while at primary school

Siobhan MacKenzieMany congratulations to Siobhan for reaching the final stages of the recent Miss Scotland competition. As well as her good looks and winning personality she showed commendable initiative and enterprise!

GraduationsFormer Fortrose Academy pupils have graduated from Strathclyde University.

Hamish Davidson – BA with 1st class Honours in Finance and Accounting

Cairine MacLean – BA with 1st class Honours in Accounting.

Rosemarie HoggFortrose Academy’s Science Technician, Rosemarie Hogg ,has reached the finals of the Salters’ UK Awards for Science Technicians.

Blue Pig sinking, in Avoch Harbour. A sad picture taken by Paula Tanner

Blue Pig

Avoch Harbour Race Day

SailingHenrik NordbrandtTranslated from the Danish by the author and Alexander Taylor.

After having loved we lie close togetherand at the same time with distance between uslike two sailing ships that enjoy so intenselytheir own lines in the dark water they dividethat their hullsare almost splitting from sheer delightwhile racing, out in the blueunder sails which the night wind fillswith flower-scented air and moonlight- without one of them ever tryingto outsail the otherand without the distance between themlessening or growing at all.

But there are other nights, where we driftlike two brightly illuminated luxury linerslying side by sidewith the engines shut off, under a strange constellationand without a single passenger on board:On each deck a violin orchestra is playingin honor of the luminous waves.And the sea is full of old tired shipswhich we have sunk in our attempt to reach each other.


21 Bank Street, Cromarty 01381 600855

www.sutorcreek.co.uk

Sutor Creek Café is a licensed ‘Scotland the Best’ listed restaurant situated by the harbour in Cromarty.

We specialise in wood-fired pizzas, great local seafood and succulent slow-roasts along with a fine selection of organic wine and beers.We are open from 11am for coffees and cakes, lunches and dinner.

Another planning application has been submitted for the long-awaited harbourside café in Avoch.

The application, comments and consultations can all be found on the Highland Council’s website, and there has been, in general, support for the new proposals. The application includes information from the Architect explaining how the design was generated and why the materials were chosen to create a sympathetic building in a conservation area.

There are also several public comments from members of the

community, mostly in support of the application. The positive comments discuss the need to improve a derelict site, to enhance the facilities of the village for residents and visitors, and how it could be a positive contribution to the economic and social life of the village. However others have raised concerns over the design, and have given their preferred choice of materials, design and colours.

There have also been comments about parking and safety of pedestrians in relation to speeding cars through the village. The Area Roads Department has stipulated that a footpath must be built from

the existing footpath around the perimeter of the site and into Shore St, which would be a much welcomed addition and would increase public safety. The Roads department has no further requirements for the site or area.

There is some concern that there is a further application for a take-away and barber’s shop next to the harbourside cafe, and local residents have pointed out their concerns over traffic and parking for this application, too.

TEC Services Department has written a clear report about the requirements for ventilation, flues, health and safety, and

Planning Application for Caféat Filling Station Site

Claire Divine

drawings courtesy of the Project Architect, Duncan MacLeman, Ormonde.

Bird’s-eye view


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smells affecting neighbouring properties. They have also stipulated the noise level allowed. Forestry has also been consulted and has not raised any objections.

At present the Planning Department is waiting for a consultation document from the Conservation Officer, as the proposal is in a conservation area. As of today’s date (18/08/10) it is expected that the application will go to the Planning Committee on the 21st September. If that date is missed then it will have to wait until the 2nd of November.

If you would like to take a look at the application and its associated documents they can be accessed on the HC website. For those unfamiliar with the e-planning process follow these instructions!

Go to www.highland.gov.ukOn the home page, on the left hand side, is a title “Most Popular Pages”. Click on “eplanning”. On the next page click on “Highland eplanning Web Access”. In the Search area enter Avoch or 10.02567/FUL and click on Search. This will take you to a list of all the eplanning applications in Avoch. You can have a look at the Harbourside Café and other planning applications.

Note: where it says comments tab and the number of comments, this is a glitch in the system. This figure is the number of neighbour notifications that the council have made, not the number of comments that have been made. The documents list shows all the public comments.

View from the sea

Floor plan

http://www.highlandcouncil.gov.uk

http://www.highlandcouncil.gov.uk


MARTIN GILL"!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gill Garden Supplies & Quarry Products

Easter Templand Farm, FortroseTelephone 01381 620308 / 07768 564458

email [email protected]

We have a large selection of coloured decorative chips & slate, Walling, rockery & feature stones, topsoil, sand & concrete mix.

All delivered in any quantity.!Please give me a call for local friendly advice or viewing of above materials.

Community Council supports café application

Avoch and Killen Community Council has been consulted regarding the recent new application for a café on the Old Filling Station site at Avoch (see our article on the previous page) and has written to the Planning Department in support of the application. The Community Council made a number of comments but said that that they did not want these to be a barrier to approval after discussion and some adjustments, since the application is for a key site at the entrance to the village, currently derelict, which will be greatly enhanced by the proposal. It said that the Local Plan states the need for a harbour café, and that the proposal would fulfil this need.

The Council welcomed the overall feel of the design and its use of traditional materials, but had some concerns about the High Street elevation, which “needs to be adjusted so that it is more sympathetic with the character of the High Street. The current design for this elevation is neither modern nor traditional and as such is an unsatisfactory compromise which is not stimulating.” The Community Council asked to be consulted on any proposed adjustments. The Council’s letter also pointed out that the drawings give no indication of signage and asked that the location and appearance of this should be a condition of planning consent, and asked to be consulted on the details.

The Architect’s drawing of the view of the building from High Street

Rural communities will be able to bid for a share of a million-Euro fund to bring enhanced broadband to their areas. The new investment is being delivered by the LEADER scheme which supports small-scale, community-driven projects in rural areas and is aimed at improving coverage and bringing faster broadband to rural communities. Rural Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that as many people as possible have broadband access and has already carried out a significant amount of work in this area. “Fresh investment, through LEADER, will bring faster speeds, improved coverage or simply research to identify the digital needs of an area.” Presently !1 million equals just over £800,000. The !1 million amount is fixed, regardless of exchange rate. The deadline for bids to the Scottish Government is September 24, 2010. As a direct result of Scottish Government intervention, broadband availability in Scotland is over 99 per cent. Following broadband projects delivered by the former Scottish Executive and successful completion of SG’s Broadband Reach Project in March 2010, basic broadband coverage, defined as 512 kbps (kilobits per second), is now generally available throughout Scotland. The Broadband Reach Project, which was completed in March 2010, is now providing a basic, affordable, broadband service to over 2,400 households and businesses, many located in rural areas, previously unable to get broadband due to distance from the exchange.

In a separate project, BT is investing £3 million in a programme of upgrades to 81 rural and remote exchanges located throughout Scotland, by agreement with the SG. The exchanges are all experiencing capacity issues. The programme is now two thirds complete; the remainder will be complete by the end of November 2010. This latest announcement means that communities will have the opportunity to define their broadband needs and develop a project which meets these needs. It will then be for the LAGs to assess the merits of these applications and bid for funding to the Challenge Fund. LEADER aims to increase the capacity of local rural community and business networks to build knowledge and skills and encourage innovation and co-operation in order to tackle local development objectives. LEADER accounts for 5 per cent of the total SRDP allocation (around £38m). An additional £19.2m Convergence Funding has been awarded to seven Local Action Groups (LAGs) in the Highlands and Islands in recognition of its previous status as a disadvantaged and remote area. Funding is awarded by LAGs who take decisions on projects which are community-driven and have a wide community benefit. These LAGs are a partnership made up of representatives from:• The local council• Local Enterprise Company • Business people • Other public agencies • Voluntary action groups • Community groups

ContactKaren MacKinnon: 0131 244 2018

Funding boost for rural broadband€1 million challenge fund to improve countrywide coverage

mailto:[email protected]



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AvochIV9 8PT

or telephone01381 620777

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LettersSend to [email protected] or to The Editor, “Chatterbox”, 7 High St., Avoch IV9 8PT

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High Street! AvochCHINESE TAKEAWAY

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Your stuffChatterbox Is enormously grateful for many items from all sorts of people, but it’s very difficult to get everything back to its owner. If we still have your favourite photo, etc., please come and ask for it back!

Bloomin’ Great Tea Party

Catherine, Marion, Laura and Sarah want to thank everyone who contributed to their Marie Curie Cancer Care tea parties on the 6th July. The magnificent sum of £351.00 was raised.

ThanksI would like to thank Avoch Primary School staff, parents, pupils past and present and all my friends for the lovely gifts received on my retirement from the post of School Janitor.

George Swanson

Walk Ten; 4th Sept.Dear EditorAs a Local Marie Curie Nurse, I am inviting local walkers to make the most of the great British summer evenings by taking part in a fabulous evening of sunset strolling, picnicking and entertainment, taking place at Beaufort Castle on 4th September. ‘Walk Ten Inverness’ is one of a series of unique twilight 10k walks, taking place at stunning locations around the UK this summer. Beaufort Castle is not open to the public, so this is a unique opportunity to get up close to the beautiful and picturesque castle. ‘Walk Ten Inverness’ is supported by HomeServe and will help to fund more nursing care for terminally ill patients in the Highlands. There is no minimum sponsorship - we are asking participants to raise just as much as they can - and we aim to attract around 500 people to this magical evening, which will begin at 6pm with a 10k walk around the grounds of Beaufort Castle. As dusk settles we’ll be lighting up the night, ending in a summer night’s celebration with entertainment and live music while you enjoy a roast hog bap, home baking, hot tea or soup or perhaps a glass of something cool and refreshing! Bring your own picnic or enjoy what’s available. At ten o’clock we will gather together to mark the beginning of the next Marie Curie

Nursing shift as families across the UK will be opening their front doors to welcome nurses into their homes to help them care for their loved ones. For more information about your nearest Walk Ten go to www.mariecurie.org.uk/walkten or call 08700 340 040

Yours sincerelyPenny SutherlandMarie Curie Nurse

The Kathleen Sangster Memorial

FundDear ReadersSeveral people have spoken to me about the Sangster Fund recently, saying that they think that not enough is known about it in the community. If you want accurate information, you should contact the solicitors who administer the fund, but it may be useful for me to set down what I know about it, as follows: When Roderick R. Sangster, of Beechcroft, Bishops Road, Fortrose, died on 8th August 1995 he left a trust fund which he had set up in memory of his wife, Kathleen, embodying the terms of her earlier will. The Fund was also augmented by the will of their daughter. Kathleen had wanted to provide means for helping the needy amongst the old people of Fortrose and Avoch and so it was stated that the annual income from the Fund was to be applied by the Trustees "for benefit and welfare of the old people in need in the Fortrose and Avoch area." The Fund has assisted many individuals and groups and it still exists today, administered by Trustees, who are the Deacons of Avoch Congregational Church. Anyone with a relevant claim may make application for funding to the Trustees, who in terms of the deed of Trust have power "in their sole and absolute discretion to decide what person or persons should from time to time receive the benefit…and what form that benefit should take."

The Trustees normally meet twice a year, around the end of June and December, to consider all competent applications. Notices of their meetings are posted in Avoch and Fortrose Post Offices and may be placed in the local press. Depending on the circumstances, successful applicants may be required to produce receipts before payment is made by the Trustees. Anyone wishing to apply to the Trustees for funding should complete an application form (forms are available from Avoch and Fortrose Post Offices), which needs to be completed in full if delays in the consideration process are to be avoided, and submit it to Munro & Noble, Solicitors, 26 Church Street, Inverness IV1 1HX (Telephone 01463 221727). Any enquiries about the Fund should be made to Munro & Noble.

Mike Noble (no relation!!)Editor

P.L.A.Y.Progress is being held up by problems with negotiations on renewal of the lease of the land which is due in 2012. The project needs a firm commitment from the landowners (Rosehaugh Estates) that they will renew. LEADER or indeed the National Lottery cannot look at any funding applications until these negotiations are completed. The land is classified as amenity land, so hopefully this means this issue will be cleared up sooner rather than later so we can finally get some equipment in the park - it has certainly been missed! If you would like to offer some help or advice, or to find out more information on the project, you can contact Dawn Walker on 01381 620386 or [email protected] We received the fantastic sum of £525 from the Avoch Gentleman Golfers at the recent fun day. Many thanks to them for this, and to the people who also made some donations on the day.

Dawn Walker

http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/walkten

http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/walkten




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Successful summer caféCheery pair of ladies, Gillian and Jenny, opened the Congregational Church Hall as a café for three days a week this summer. They tell us that it has been extremely successful and well attended, and we hear that it was especially popular with tourists looking for a dry, warm place to enjoy the delicious cakes and sandwiches. The café opened on the 1st June, at first on Tuesdays Fridays and Saturdays and latterly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and stayed open right through to the end of August. It closed on 31st August - but don’t worry, they’ll be back again next summer and, for those who can’t wait until then, the Tuesday soup lunch will start up again on the 14th September, from 12 to 2pm. Gillian and Jenny say “Thank you” to everyone who supported them.

The speed you need

Download Speeds Needed For Online TasksSources:Ofcom (2009); UK Broadband Speeds 2009www.thinkbroadband.comwww.broadband.co.uk

Why Community Broadband?

Fast becoming the 'new utility', Broadband is as crucial to our economy, prosperity and life chances as steam was to the first Industrial Revolution. Despite this, many rural communities remain on the wrong side of the digital divide. If you live or work within one of these areas you will know only too well the frustrations this will cause. The Rural Broadband Partnership website at http://www.ruralbroadband.com/ aims to provide information on the alternative broadband delivery options available and to assist those determined, as they are, to get broadband into rural communities. You can find many examples of communities that now have high-quality, professional and reliable broadband services in areas beyond the reach of traditional ADSL.

Avoch prize-winners


Chatterbox photo

http://www.thinkbroadband.com

http://www.thinkbroadband.com

http://www.broadband.co.uk

http://www.broadband.co.uk


The much-maligned Parliamentary summer recess may be over by the time Chatterbox hits the shelves. This year’s break from the weekly commute to Westminster has been greatly abbreviated – and I am sure there will be few complaints about that.

Even so, I have been grateful for the chance to reflect on what have been remarkable changes at Westminster and to speak – both formally and informally – to people right across the Highlands & Islands about what it means for our future.

There is an understandable sense of trepidation about this Autumn’s Spending Review. I am afraid there was always likely to be after the collapse of the banks in 2008 – and the Government-funded bail-out which followed – made significant reductions in public spending unavoidable.

There will be much sound and fury from a Labour opposition which is trying to find its feet, but it will not do anyone a great deal of good if no credible alternatives are brought forward. This Spending Review was delayed so that difficult long term decisions would not have to be taken in advance of the election, but there were always going to be painful decisions to be taken by someone. That job falls to the Coalition Government – and it is an unenviable task.

One thing I am glad the Coalition will do is make the banks share some of the pain, through a levy on profits which are effectively being underwritten by the taxpayer. It will not recover the extraordinary quantity of public money which has been sunk into them – but the truth is that simply cannot now be done. Getting the money back will be a long

process and it is more important for the short term that the banks get back to lending on fair terms to small and medium-sized local businesses.

It is not the public sector’s fault that serious cuts have to be made, but it is still important for savings to be chosen with care – both for the economy and for the people who rely on public services. Many bureaucracies can be slimmed. Some pet projects may be lost altogether. I hope that – at every level of Government – innovative options will be pursued which keep job losses to a

minimum wherever that is possible.

That approach is an important start to the work of re-asserting fairness – a value which was all too often lacking from the years of relative economic plenty under Labour. It must not be the end of that process – but the scale of the immediate challenge is undeniable.

Can the ‘Big Society’ ride to the rescue, as David Cameron suggests? In the Highlands, I hope we are better placed than most to see that communities can still work together to help themselves – but that clearly cannot be a panacea for every problem.

It may be we do need to think differently about some of the problems we face – and try to take action where we can for ourselves and others.

Even so, the only long term answer is to get our economy growing more strongly at the same time as reducing the deficit. That action alone will present us with a better range of options in the future. To that end, the Autumn must see progress on a number of fronts at both Westminster and Holyrood. Both Governments have choices to make and serious resources at their disposal.

Infrastructure remains a key weakness of our economy – and targeted investment in broadband infrastructure, roads and railway connections is critically important right across the economy.

Alongside carefully prioritised and well managed public investment must come freedom for business to invest – both directly through the banks and through keeping interest rates low. We need to think about how key existing sectors – including food and tourism – can be helped to expand their markets abroad.

Finally getting the framework in place for manufacturing growth, especially in the renewable energy sector – and including sites like Nigg, Ardersier and Kishorn – has never been more immediately important.

There are, without doubt, some difficult months ahead and some difficult decisions for politicians to face up to. We should not lose sight of the positive economic outcome we need to achieve, what we can still do to make it happen - and the wider objectives which stronger growth can make possible in the future.

Eat Mair Fish

Ltd.Old Station Yard, Marine Place

Buckie AB56 1RQTel: 01542 832680

Van in Munlochy, Avoch & Fortrose on Thursdayin Fortrose & Cromarty on Tuesday

Charles Kennedy

It may be we do need to think differently about some of the problems we face – and try to take action where we can for ourselves and others.

A chance to take stock


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or email: [email protected]

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Gem Finance is a trading name of Mortgage Gem Ltd which is an appointed representative firm of Mint Financial Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority Limited (ref: 217742). Registered in Scotland No. 304037

Two Ospreys were seen at Munlochy Bay in mid April. This year, these birds appear to have avoided Avoch Bay for most of the time; I saw one on 7th May hovering, and then diving for fish, mobbed by a large flock of Herring Gulls.

A small flock of about 20 very noisy Canada Geese flew very low over Avoch heading West on the morning of 4th of June, on their way to the Beauly Firth where they moult over the summer. Terns were seen at their nesting platforms on 19th May. Thanks be for the road verges which give havens for wild flowers. This year they provided a display of exceptionally tall Fool's Parsley. The drystone wall on the Munlochy road gives a fine show of Poppies and Gowans every year. Now (at the end of July) the striking Willow Herb is in bloom.

When searching for a nest site, most birds seek out one which is well hidden from predators or humans. There is one bird however, which ignores us and concentrates on a site which fulfils its needs - a vertical wall with overhanging eaves. This bird is, of course, the House Martin; it has no fear of humans, and is a superb flier. A Martin's nest is built of beaks full of mud, stuck together with saliva. I have watched them collecting mud from the beach at low water. This material has a high proportion of sand which causes the collapse of many partly built nests. The Cave Swiftlet of SE Asia builds its nest just from saliva which hardens. The nests of these birds are gathered to provide the main ingredient of the Chinese delicacy, birds’ nest soup.

Some homeowners do not particularly like Martins, as they can make a bit of a mess. Several years ago one householder, thinking the birds had all left, got a long wooden pole and proceeded to demolish the nests on her wall. In the evening, when I had a look at the remains of the nests I noticed a young fledgling bird among the debris. I could not leave it to the mercies of the neighbourhood cats and so I made a nest for it from a shoe box lined with polystyrene foam. The next problem was how to feed it. Its food naturally would have been insects, but as these were not available I had to think of a suitable alternative, which turned out to be a tin of cat food. I mixed up a small amount of this with water to make a soupy mixture. To feed the bird I used a small plastic syringe. Next morning I feared the worst, but I found the fledgling quite perky, and it readily accepted the food several times a day. After about two weeks its eyes had opened and its feathers developed. When I lifted it out to sit on my hand, it showed no fear and twittered noisily. One morning when I lifted it out, it suddenly took to the air and joined other Martins which were flying around. I have often wondered how it fared.

The following summer when I was standing close to the point of its release, a Martin swooped very, very close to my head. Was this the survivor of the previous year, which lived to migrate and return with the local House Martin families?

Nature Notesby the Avoch Observer

House Martin ( Delichon urbica )Pictures from www.wildanimalsonline.com (below) and from the Irish National Biodiversity Data Centre (main)






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With the long dark nights drawing in and, dare I say it, the festive season fast approaching, now might be a good time to enrol in some of the excellent fitness programmes available at Black Isle Leisure Centre. As a regular participant at the Leisure Centre, I have always been impressed with the variety of fitness classes available and the high standard of instruction on offer. The instructors are committed, enthusiastic and professional. They put a lot of care and effort into their classes to ensure it is a positive experience for all. Charles Buchan is a very self-motivated Gym, Spinning and Concept 2 Instructor and his passion for his work is infectious and uplifting. Angela Tease, amongst her other fitness qualifications, offers a brilliant Body Balance Class, a fantastic yoga, t’ai chi and Pilates workout that leaves you feeling rejuvenated and calm. She is approachable and is always happy to discuss any of the exercises with you.

Laura McCallum has over 10 years experience in leisure, and her Spinning classes offer an excellent cardio-vascular workout. She is very encouraging and interested in getting the best out of you. Kimberley Spence has recently re-joined the team. Her fitness sessions, including the new Body Vive class, are fun, lively and a great way to make new friends.Sarah McFee’s high impact Body Attack sessions to music are a fantastic way of burning off the calories. She is very positive and will certainly put you through your paces! And Stephen Macnamara, one of the original Spinning Instructors still at the Leisure Centre, brings humour and enthusiasm to his class. So, why not bring your New Year resolutions forward to September 6th, when all the new sessions begin.

For further information on all the fitness programmes available please contact Black Isle Leisure Centre, Tel no: 01381 621252

Fight off the “Winter Blues” by

getting fitBy Rachel Hince

Leisure centre instructors Laura McCallum, Charles Buchan and Angela Tease, with Kimberley Spence in front.

Photo by courtesy of Ian Rhind

Children's party at the Black Isle Leisure Centre

Children’s party



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Help reduce muscular spasm Ease respiratory problems Stimulate circulation

Swedish Massage . Reiki . Indian Head Massage

TREATMENT IN YOUR OWN HOME OR IN THE THERAPY ROOM AT TIGH UR, FORTROSEFor appointments contact Ann McGhee, Therapist

Tigh Ur, Deans Road, Fortrose IV10 8TJTel: 07831 196164 Fax: 01381 621788 Email: [email protected]

Changes at Community

CouncilAt its last AGM in June, both Martin Gill and Norman MacIver resigned from the Avoch & Killen Community Council, followed not long after by Rory Mann and Michael Wilson. This was a sad loss to the Community Council, as Martin, Norman, Rory and Mike had all been involved for many years, putting in a great deal of time and effort and holding various offices. They have together undertaken many practical projects for the community, including preparation work for the redevelopment of Lazy Corner, leading work to improve the Christmas tree corner and organising the reseeding of the school field. They have also been involved in contributing to numerous discussions and debates, all having a particular interest in making sure that the views of the more outlying areas and the farming community got taken into account. A big thank you goes to them from the Community Council.

Good news is that Margaret Leggatt has agreed to continue as Treasurer (and member) and Caroline Eccles and David Skinner as members. Unfortunately there is currently no Chairperson. Shaun Bell-Higgs, Anna Bell-Higgs, Kate Lachie, Sandy Mitchell, Mike Armitage, Dawn Walker and Angus McWilliam have all expressed an interest in joining the Community Council, and under the constitution an election is now needed. This will take place on Thursday 4th November and nomination papers have to be in for 5pm Tuesday 5th October- please watch the village notice board for details. Anyone who is resident in the Community Council area is welcome to put themselves forward as a member. There are 10 places and if more than 10 people apply, then all residents will be given the opportunity to vote. If the number is 10 or less, then there will be no vote and all those who have applied will become members.

The Village Officer continues to be kept busy, working between 2 and 4 hours each week. If you see any litter that needs clearing or any small jobs such as weeding in public places, please contact David Skinner or any member of the Community Council and they will try and fit the work into the village officer’s hours.

The Secretary’s post is still vacant. This is a paid position. Please contact Caroline (phone 621894) for details of the job if you are interested in applying - and if you have any issues you would like the Community Council to consider, please get in touch with any member, ring Caroline on 621894 or come along to the next meeting - usually on the first Monday of the month at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. Minutes of previous meetings are on www.chatterboxnews.co.uk and on display in Fortrose Library.

New support groupThe Macular Disease Societyhas a new support group in InvernessThe Group meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month and its next meeting is on Thursday 16th September at the Old High Church Hall, School Lane, round the corner from Farm Foods, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, - there is a charge of £2.00 per meeting.The group’s purpose is to give support, to raise awareness of important issues and make you aware that you are not alone. The most common condition is Macular Degeneration in the elderly.Secretary: Jackie Patience 01381620761

Avoch & Killen Community Council is still looking for a new Secretary (this is a paid post). Claire Divine stood down from the post in March.

Claire describes what the Secretary does: The basics are that there is a CC meeting each month on the 1st Monday of the month, with a break at New Year and other odd times for holidays - it's not set in stone. The AGM in June is followed by an Ordinary meeting.Meeting agendas need to be arranged by e-mailing members for contributions and subsequently e-mailing/mailing out the agenda. You go early to the meeting and set things up, then take minutes and clear and lock up afterwards. Everyone helps who is there. Different people chair the meeting each time, as there is currently no fixed chairperson. The Secretary is the main point of contact for all the CC’s correspondence, so all sorts of stuff is sent to you. Urgent items which can’t be added to the next meeting agenda require email contact with all the members and co-ordination of a unified response. Planning applications - if the deadline for response allows,

these go on the agenda, but if not Planning has to be notified when it will be on the next agenda and that a CC response will come after that. Some members have a preference for dealing with Planning matters. Most other work derives from action points from the meetings. It's best to get the minutes out ASAP (mostly by e-mail) and chase people up or remind them if urgent action is needed. Correspondence from the Ward Manager also comes to the Secretary, and there are other affiliated groups such as P.L.A.Y who coordinate through the Secretary. Coordination of information to members is also needed, together with their agenda requirements. Other odd bits and pieces of stuff also come up from time to time and it can sometimes be very quiet for a week or two. Advertising the AGM in the Ross-shire Journal 3 weeks before the AGM is also needed, and posters have to be made up and put on the Avoch noticeboard, at the Fisherman's Co-op and in Fortrose Library for each meeting. If there is something the CC want the community to know about and there is time a piece can be written for Chatterbox.

Secretary urgently needed

http://www.chatterboxnews.co.uk

http://www.chatterboxnews.co.uk


In BriefGM cropsBlack Isle Councillors are understood to think there will not be any GM crops in the area, as Scotland as a country is against GM. We heard that the North of Scotland was being looked at again for more trials, so more research is needed.

Henrietta BridgeThis has been to committee and has been approved for repair. It is hoped that work will start this year.

The Black Isle Partnershiphas re-formed. It has been re-vamped and is alive again! There are new members and a Director. A meeting was due on the 19th August. No doubt there’ll be more to say for our winter issue.

P.L.A.Y.progress is being held up by problems with the lease. Otherwise the LEADER application could possibly have been finalised by now and we might even have seen some equipment on site.

Soccer SevensAvoch Primary School’s Soccer Sevens P6/7 team gained ‘School of the Month’ award from the Bank of Scotland. The school greatly appreciated the Bank of Scotland’s donation of new football tops for the team.

Zara Patience was chosen from over 300 pupils for a position in Scottish Ballet

Tree Felling & ToppingDamaged Trees Removed or Made Safe

Fruit Tree CareTree Management and Advice

Free QuotationsPublic Liability Insurance

[email protected]

GARDEN TREE SURGERYH & H Brown, Bunchrew

Phone Hugh 01463 71324507845 468540

Sales & Purchase LedgerCredit ControlBook-keepingAdministrationEnd of year accounts

C B Financial Services

Louise MacKay Tel : 07725 897 536

I met a far-travelled person called Ernst Sassie in Avoch this June. He had travelled a substantial distance - about fifteen hundred kilometres (around nine hundred and fifty miles) - by car from Arnsberg near Cologne in Germany. Ernst, who holds a doctorate in biology, is an independent documentary film producer. The purpose of his three month stay in the Highlands is to study and film as much of the wildlife as possible. When I spoke to him he had already visited such diverse places as Durness, the Isle of Skye, Harris and Mull. He had talked to fishermen and farmers to glean more local information on the natural habitat of animals and fish and had already filmed of a family of otters in Mull, deer, and a dolphin and calf at Chanonry Point.

Ernst’s next visit was to be at an osprey site in Strathspey in order to film their nesting behaviour. He had intended to film a black throated diver in the Highlands but the price of permission to do so was prohibitive, so he declined. Ernst was once a teacher and has been filming wildlife for twenty-two years. When his present filming is over he expects the resulting three-quarters of an hour documentary to be shown early next year throughout Germany. Before leaving Scotland he will be filming from a helicopter over the Moray Firth area which I understand is a very costly business. Ernst has visited about seventy countries and says that the Scottish people compare favourably with them all. In fact his words were "very friendly."

Film maker

in Avoch

Jim Thomson

Ernst at the Old Man of Storr pinnacle, Isle of Skye


Joking AsideMedical Problem?

An old woman

came into her

doctor's office

and confessed

to an

embarrassing

problem. "I do

that all the time,

Doctor Johnson,

but they're

soundless, and

they have no

odour. In fact,

since I've been

here, I did it no

less than twenty

times. What can I

do?"

"Here's a

prescription,

Mrs. Harris. Take

these pills three

times a day for

seven days and

come back and

see me - in a

week."

Next week an

upset Mrs. Harris

marched into

Dr. Johnson's

office. "Doctor, I

don't know

what was in

those pills, but

the problem is

worse! I'm doing

it just as much,

but now it

smells terrible!

What do you

have to say for

yourself?"

"Calm down,

Mrs. Harris," said

the doctor

soothingly.

"Now that we've

fixed your

sinuses, we'll

work on your

hearing!!!"

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JET CAR WASHBatteries, Tyres and all accessories

Happy 70th, Bob!

Busy season expected for Youth Café

The Fortrose, Avoch and Rosemarkie Youth Café will hopefully be reopening in October. It looks like being a busy season, so any offers of help will be greatly appreciated. Please contact Billy Barclay on 01381 621736

Bob Cook lured to surprise birthday

partyJim Thomson

To lure the unsuspecting Bob Cook, owner of Avoch Guest House, to Rosemarkie and Fortrose Golf Club to celebrate his seventieth birthday on Saturday 29th May was something of a problem. Bob’s wife, Maureen, achieved it, though, with a good amount of subterfuge. I was fortunate to attend and I can tell you that Bob’s face was a joy to behold as, after entering the premises, a curtain opened to reveal a group of about fifty people. He was astonished. This was his "surprise birthday group."

A wide range of ages was represented, at the "do", from babes in arms to octogenarians. Maureen’s entire family who, like herself, hail from the Stirling area, was present. Bob's oldest daughter Caroline and her partner Gordon, both serving police officers from the Midlands area in England, were there after a 10-hours car journey, and Bob's youngest daughter Jennifer, who used to have the Post Office at Rosemarkie, was there with her husband John and eleven-years-old daughter Naimh. There was also a good representation from Bob's bowling club at North Kessock.

Music was provided by Mike Keavey from Avoch, his tune selection catering for all age groups. And to top the evening all the guests, including the vegetarians, enjoyed the buffet spread provided by the Golf Club caterers.


A Home from Home: Abbeyfield Scotland Ltd provides care homesand very sheltered houses located through out Scotland.

Within the Highlands Abbeyfield has three very sheltered homes in Rosemarkie, Inverness and Nairn. Our very sheltered houses are small households with a family feel, catering for 6 -10 residents who come together regularly for social gatherings, meals and activities. Residents of Abbeyfield houses are independent, safe in the knowledge that they have security and companionship.

Abbeyfield Scotland Ltd is a Registered Social Landlord with the Scottish Housing Regulator (20) and a Registered Charity (SCO 12549)

For more information please contact our Administrators on 0131 225 7801 Or at Abbeyfield Scotland Ltd, 15 West Maitland Street, Edinburgh EH12 5EA

Want to keep your independence?

Worried about the cost of house maintenance?

Worried about those repair bills?

Cooking regular meals a problem?

Don’t like being on your own at night?

The services at Killen

Resource Centre include Abuse Recovery Services for children,

young people and their families affected by child abuse.

Volunteer Gardener Required

We need a volunteer to maintain our gardens and surrounds on a minimum of 2 hours per fortnight.A practical knowledge of gardening, awareness of health and safety of self and others and ability to work alone are essential. We are looking for someone who is friendly and accepting/non-judgemental of children and young people.

Jobs include:• Mowing grass, back and front• Cutting hedges• Pruning shrubs• Weed control

01381 620757

Killen Family Resource CentrePhone Les Hood01381 620757

Sing for funTowards the back end of last year a community choir got together in Rosemarkie in response to Maureen and Gib Weir’s invitation - to sing just for fun. Once a week they met through the winter months - and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Their regular sessions on Wednesday evenings were incredibly therapeutic and under the guidance of Caroline Hewatt helped enormously to lighten the dark days of winter. In early summer the group went into recess, but after this break the Black Isle community choir, now known as Village Voices, will be singing this year each Wednesday from 7 to 9pm in the Gordon Memorial Hall, Rosemarkie, starting again on 15th September. It’s informal (very!) and fun both for people who can sing and also for those who say they can’t! The cost is £3 per week, which pays the expenses of putting on the sessions. And now, in addition, something special is planned on Saturday 9th October - A day of singing with Bob Pegg. It runs from 10am until 5.30pm and will be free for members, but others will also be most welcome. You can get more information from Maureen Weir on 01381 620559. This is not a women’s group, but the men are, unfortunately, in very short supply, and any new singers whose voices come somewhere in the tenor and bass registers will be extra welcome!


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Jean Hay celebrates her

100th

By Rachel HinceA ride on the Strathspey Steam Railway at Boat of Garten was how Jean Hay marked her 100th birthday. Jean’s father, Frank used to work on the Fortrose Railway Line so this trip was extra special. Staff from Marine House Care Home, where Jean now resides, and other fellow residents accompanied Jean on her birthday treat.

“The staff at the Strathspey Railway were wonderful” said Irene MacKay (activities Co-ordinator of Marine House) “They made a big fuss of Jean and were delighted to welcome their oldest passenger on board”

Miss Jean Hay was born 10th July 1910, the oldest of seven children. She arrived in Fortrose in 1920, when her family moved from Inverness; from that time she was a pupil at Fortrose Academy. She recalls that at the end of her last year at Fortrose Academy, when the Prize-Giving Ceremony was taking place, she did not want to leave. The Academy was a great influence on her life and her school career was very successful. She was awarded the dux medal for the primary school and the dux medal in 1928 at the end of her secondary education.

She went on to study English and French at Aberdeen University. At the time of her graduation from Aberdeen University, in the early 1930s, it was extremely difficult to get jobs. A holiday in London, however was to lead to a long, interesting and enjoyable career as a teacher in the south. This was to fulfil her childhood dream of becoming a teacher. Apparently Jean was only seven when she told one of her primary school staff that’s what she was going to become!



New times for Playgroup

The Avoch Under 5s Playgroup is now open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:15am to 12:15pm. The group has recently built an outdoor play area at the playgroup for the children to have fun playing outdoors. The staff and children would like to develop the outdoor space with a fishing theme to link with the fishing village of Avoch and we would be very grateful if anyone could donate anything to do with fishing, such as old netting, rope, creels, buoys etc. We would love an old boat to read/tell our stories in. Any donations will be gratefully received.

She spent most of her teaching career in London and became headmistress of Charles Edward Brooke Grammar School for Girls in 1956. She worked tirelessly to secure the construction of new buildings for her pupils and staff. These new buildings were actually completed in 1968, the last grammar school to be built.

She returned to Fortrose when she retired in 1970 and had her own house built for her at Greengates Place. It was a difficult time and she longed to go back to London. However, her teaching career wasn’t over - in 1971 she was asked by Mr MacPhail, Rector of Fortrose Academy, if she would be willing to take charge of some English classes for some time. Jean agreed and became an active member of Fortrose Academy and from 1972 was a most efficient invigilator during the S.C.E examinations. She continued as an invigilator for a number of years until around 1981.

Jean has certainly led an interesting and fulfilled life. She has been an active member of her Church and president of the local WRI and in her own time liked to knit, sew and bake. She moved to Marine House Care Home, Rosemarkie in 2003 where she is well liked and regards everyone as “her girls”.

On 10th July 2010, family, friends, residents and staff gathered to celebrate Jean’s 100th birthday with a sing-song on Saturday afternoon. Songs from each decade were played. Jean received lots of birthday cards (many of them from former pupils) and of course that important message from the Queen.

When asked if there was anything more she would like to do in her life she said “Nothing really…. I’ve had a wonderful life”

Join the team at

ChatterboxWe urgently need more reporters and Production Team membersYou can be freelance or you can join our committee. Either way we’ll be

very pleased to have you.

Contact any committee member or email [email protected] just join Chatterbox Interactive on our website athttp://www.chatterboxnews.co.uk/evoke/page/354We need reporters in all areas, but particularly in Rosemarkie, Fortrose and Munlochy, and helpers for all aspects of the production process. Of course, we’re all amateurs; we just learnt as we went along. So don’t be afraid to get involved - you’ll soon pick up what knowledge and expertise you need. This is a great opportunity for youngsters to get a first taste of journalism and the print production process. And if you have any ideas for improving Chatterbox, please do join us or just let us know about them.

LOCAL WEBSITESPrefix all with “http://”

Health/Medical

Fortrose Medical Practicewww.fortrosesurgery.co.uk

News/events etc.

Chatterboxwww.chatterboxnews.co.uk

Sport

Avoch Amateur Football Clubavochies.intheteam.com/modules/page/page.aspx?pc=home

Fortrose Union Football Clubwww.spanglefish.com/FortroseUnion/

Heritage

The Avoch Archivewww.theavocharchive.org/

Avoch Heritage Associationwww.avoch.org/

Community

Avoch & Killen Community Councilwww.avoch-killen.org/

Avoch Amenities Associationwww.chatterboxnews.co.uk/amenities2.html

Others

Scottish Governmentwww.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/09/16095049

Information provided without guarantee of accuracy. Please let us know if you are aware of any changes - send to [email protected]

CARE AND LEARNING ALLIANCEwww.careandlearningalliance.co.uk

Scottish Charity Number: SCO009292

Avoch Community CentreOld Mill Road

AvochTel: 07840 371 351


Louise, Lorraine and Laura would like to say a hugeTHANK YOU to Karen for all her hard work over the last two years, and we would like to wish her all thebest for the future.

Avoch Under 5s

http://www.careandlearningalliance.co.uk/



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Full Bathroom Installations

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Avoch Weather Record

Andy Hickie at the Dock, Avoch, has a weather station in his garden there which uploads data to the internet in near real time. The data is hosted on the 'Weather Underground' web site, but the following link provides direct access:http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=IBLACKIS2

The following is Andy’s summary for the period1st May to 31st July 2010:

Temperature (°C):Mean (1 minute) 12.8°CMean (min+max) 13.2°CMean Minimum 8.9°CMean Maximum 17.5°CMinimum -1.2°C on 11th MayMaximum 24.2°C on 2nd JulyHighest Minimum 15.6°C on 30th JuneLowest Maximum 9.2°C on 10th MayAir frosts 1

Rainfall (mm):Total for period 132.7mmWettest day 18mm on 14th JulyRain days 45

Wind (mph):Highest Gust 39.0mph on 7th JulyAverage Speed 3.9mphWind Run 7149.0 milesGale days 0

Pressure (mb):Maximum 1031.80mb on 20th MayMinimum 990.28mb on 15th July

Days with snow falling: 0Days with snow lying at 0900: 0

Coming home - to

Sutor Creek‘Scotland the best’-listed restaurant Sutor Creek, having been bought by award-winning chef Graham Fox and his wife Phoebe, was re-opened on 26th July. Originally from Burton-on-Trent in the midlands, Chef Fox’s culinary journey started in France at the age of 16 before he joined TV Chef, Phil Vickery, at the award-winning Castle Hotel in Somerset. In 1999, Chef Fox won the Young chef of the Year Award from Avery’s Food & Wine and then travelled to the States where he ultimately became Executive Chef of North Carolina’s only 5-Star restaurant. Returning to the UK after 9 years in the States, he worked as Private Chef for Sir Anthony Bamford of JCB fame before making the move to Sutor Creek Café in his wife’s home-town of Cromarty. Phoebe’s career includes 9 years as Director of Marketing for North Carolina’s only 5-star hotel and restaurant, The Fearrington House, and marketing coordinator for the award-winning Daylesford Organic Farmshop and Cafe in Gloucestershire. Located by the harbour in Cromarty, Sutor Creek Café offers customers true Highland hospitality with a menu featuring innovative, local cuisine. “We are dedicated to producing creative dishes that highlight the abundance of quality ingredients available in the North of Scotland. To be located where langoustines and lobsters are landed at the harbour opposite the restaurant, local meat, wild game and mushrooms are readily available on our doorstep, and local farmers grow fresh fruit and vegetables specifically for our menu, is what every chef dreams of,” said Graham.

The world according to McEye

AAA AGMAvoch Amenities Association is holding its AGM on 29th September at 7.30 in the Community Centre.If you live in the Parish of Avoch and Killen you are entitled to be a member, but the Association’s new status requires you to join it if you wish to have a vote at its AGM.So please join and give support, moral or practical, by coming to the AGM.Application forms available in the Centre.





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‘Great Literary Titles’ by McEye

“One of the best pubs

I have ever been to”

Manchester Evening News

ANDERSONrestaurant • bar • accommodation

the

Self-catering Cottage for rentalsleeps 6 (3 bedrooms)

For details of prices & availability seewww.scotland-holiday-cottage.com/highlands/

black-isle.htm

27 High Street, Avoch overlooking the harbour

As mentioned in the last issue of Chatterbox the playing of the Avoch Triples was held back. The competition was played on 22nd May and attracted 28 entries from various clubs throughout the area. The Fortrose team of Dodo Chalmers, Billy Sutherland and George Chalmers were the winners and the Grantown-on-Spey team of Craig Feltham, Norrie Milne and Dougal Milne were runners-up. The Avoch team of William Skinner, John Morrison and Jimmy Skinner reached the semi-finals. There were 21 entries for the Margaret Jack Two Bowl Pairs competition, which is restricted to Ross-shire clubs and was played on 7th August. A pleasant day’s bowling was had - Donnie Sutherland and Martin Lumsden from Fortrose were the winners and the Muir of Ord husband and wife pair, Christine and Ian Hammond, were runners-up. In the charity Lifeboat Spoon match, which was played at Fortrose on 25th June, the players from the various clubs taking part are all mixed up into teams. From Avoch John Morrison was in the winning team and Margaret Williamson was with the runners-up. A successful soup and sweet lunch, organised by Margaret Williamson, was held on 26 June and raised £572.00 for club funds. Unfortunately as the season got under way we lost a few of the keen bowlers, mainly due to ill-health or old

age. The club had to pull out of the SBA and NCBA singles and did not progress very far in the NCBA pairs. Only two teams could be mustered, instead of three, in the Northern Bowling League, so we were losing two points out of a maximum of six in each league match. The league matches finished on 2nd August with the Avoch club gaining only

18 points. The current membership is 17, which really is not enough to keep the club going into the future. The age of a number of the members is such that they may not be able to play competitive bowls for very long, so new and younger members are urgently required. Also the

main committee cannot go on for ever, so again younger members are required to take the club into the future. Most of all a dedicated Greenkeeper is required as well as someone to fIll the posts of Treasurer and Secretary. Anyone interested and keen to know what bowling is all about can either call into the pavilion on a Tuesday night around 7pm before the end of September or contact Jimmy Skinner (Tel. 01381 620572) or George Brodie (Tel. 01381 621103).

The season is due to close on 18th September with the playing of the Bessie Brown Memorial Cup, after which the presentation of the club trophies will take place. However, before then there are still a few competitions to enter, including the Hugh Sutherland Memorial Cup.

Bowls Club urgently needing new members

George Brodie, Secretary, Avoch Outdoor Bowls Club

The winners of Avoch Bowling Triples Competition are (left to right)Dodo Chalmers, George Chalmers and Billy Sutherland of Fortrose and Rosemarkie Bowling Club, with the runners up Dougal Milne, Craig Feltham and Norrie Milne of Grantown on Spey Bowling Club.



First ever Fortrose Academy


Highland Gathering

All photos courtesy of Ian Rhind

Fortrose Academy welcomed the local community to its first ever Academy Highland Gathering on 17th June. Black Isle Primary Schools agreed to come along and man a stall and lots of local businesses and craftspeople came along to sell their wares. There were also plenty of side shows and games to keep the kids entertained. There was music, Highland dancing, a pipe band, the Fire Brigade, and a bungee run and waterslide for the more adventurous! As expected, lots of visitors came along but additional parking had been arranged and disabled parking was available at the school. The Gathering was officially opened by the Academy’s Chieftain, Councillor Billy Barclay, who was piped to the entrance at 6.30 pm. All events took place on the school field where 3 entry points had been arranged to give easy access for all. It was altogether fun-filled and exciting, with events spread throughout the evening. This community event replaced the school’s annual fete and it was the Academy’s major fundraising event for the year and in the run-up to it pupils were busy in school competing in sports heats in preparation for the finals on the night. The invitation had been sent out to have a night off from cooking and choose from the finest selection of BBQ food in the Black Isle from Comfort Foods, followed by freshly cooked pancakes and home baking in the tea tent! And there was a raffle, with prizes donated by Harry Gow, Ross County FC, Lifescan, Tesco, Loch Morlich Watersports, Land- mark, Highland Wildlife Park and many many more. Thanks to superb organisation by Jacquie Ross and her right hand man Steve Holmes, the Highland Gathering was a marvellous community event and a huge financial success, raising nearly £5000 for the school. In the middle of a very busy period for the school it was a great effort by staff and pupils. All money raised went towards the school fund which is used for activities and to purchase equipment for pupils at the school.


BUFFETS 4 UBUFFETS 4 UCatering for all occasionsChildren’s and adult birthday parties

Office lunches, buffets & private functionsGood home-cooked food using the best local produce

Tel: 01381 620108Mob: 07889 307982

22 Ormonde Terrace, Avoch

Email: [email protected]://www.buffets4u.co.uk/

ORMONDEARCHITECTURE ! DESIGN ! PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Planning Permission• Building Warrant• S.A.P. Ratings• Project Management

PROFESSIONAL & FRIENDLY SERVICE

(t:) 01381 621080 (m) 07717 572958(e) [email protected]

Here’s a story about a man who had a boat moored at a small local fishing port. Things went smoothly for a few months but he then suffered a sprained ankle, and because he was a week late with the dues the local Harbour-master came to his home demanding payment there and then. The Harbour-master also inferred that the boat was larger than had been stated and demanded an additional back-payment for the larger size. But the size the man had stated had been the boat builder’s L.O.A. measurement and because of the harbour fee structure he was already paying for a foot more than that. The man payed up and thought the matter was ended. But four days after the visit he received a letter from the Harbour Trust stating that he should pay the backdated amount for a larger boat or action would be taken. Now he had already paid three months in advance as per Harbour Rules, but, as he had told them previously, he would not pay for a larger boat as the size was without doubt that which he had stated, in accordance with the manufacturer’s fact sheet for the boat. Other letters arrived, adding more late payment penalties for not paying the first demand. Then, three months later when the next quarter was due, he received a letter from the Harbour Trust’s Solicitor, stating that they were going to take the matter to the High Court if he did not pay immediately. He considered that he owed them nothing on this day and was only liable to pay £78 for the net quarter. However, they were demanding £580, which was made up of £78 for the quarter plus back-payment for a larger boat and a year’s dues by way of a penalty for not paying the demand. He was also instructed to remove the boat from the harbour immediately. The Trust also stated that they had moved the boat to the east wall, which meant that at low tide it was

sitting on hard ground and probably receiving damage during rough weather. And herein lies the ‘Catch 22’ of the situation. He couldn’t remove the boat now because it was a statutory crime to do so without paying the demand, even though their claim was bogus. So our man was now waiting for the matter to go to court, as their Solicitor had stated. After four months with no court date forthcoming he phoned to ask where the boat was, but

the Harbour-master would not talk to him and told him to contact the Harbour Trust’s lawyer. He did this and was informed that the bill was now £830. The lawyers would not tell him where the boat was either, and because of their belligerent manner he walked out. It seems that the boat had been removed by the Trust Chairman three months previously. About a year later our man found out from a friend that it had been seen in someone's back garden about fifteen miles away. He reported the boat as stolen to the Police, but they said that it was a civil matter and would take no action. Nothing further happened until about just over two years after the start of it all. Bailiffs were sent with a court

summons relating to a claim of £2,200 and our man had to defend this writ within two weeks or lose the boat as well. So he had to concede, due to the possible massive court costs that would have to be paid up front; at least £5,000 is needed to defend a £2,200 writ. The claim made was under section 530 of the Merchant Shipping Act, which compelled our man to sell the boat in order to be able to settle the claim and court expenses. The boat would be surveyed for a sale price if he did not pay the £2,200 plus court expenses within three months. Two months later he received a copy of the Surveyor’s valuation, which stated that a Fly bridge reconditioned top deck and engine power boat that he bought for £13,000 three years previously, and was storing there, was worth between £3,250 and £3,750 and would be advertised at this price. At the next court appearance he stated that he did not agree to sell at this price, but the court said that this was not their problem and that he could sue the Surveyor if he was not happy. It was of no matter now because the boat was sold the previous week for £3,600 which was an amazing coincidence as this just happened to be their total bill - not one penny more or one penny less. He wasn’t surprised by this outcome as the Harbour-master got the Harbour Trust’s lawyer to say to him on the first court appearance that if he would just hand the boat over to them they would forget the matter. It is very interesting to note that everything at the end of the court case was done under section 530 of the 1996 Merchant Shipping Act, which refers to the disposal of wrecks that are a danger to shipping, although the boat in question was in good working order and was safely moored to the harbour wall, having been moved there by the Harbour-master. A possible post script to this story, that could help anyone in a similar predicament, is that since 2008 you can bring any disputed claim under £3,000 before the small claims court, with no expensive lawyer costs, and can get a summary judgement on the case before it becomes too expensive to defend.

A boat-owner’s cautionary taleby Leonard David Bremner


C S and Mrs E L Hiddleston

DAIMLER CHAUFFEUR HIRETRADITIONAL WEDDING CARS

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JACK & PATIENCEBUILDING CONTRACTORSNEW BUILDINGS & EXTENSIONS

Renovations and all typesof building work done

Estimates given8 Ormonde Terrace, Avoch

Tel: 01381 620752/621432/621038

“Work from home and earn £30k per year!” Adverts such as these promoting business or employment opportunities from your own home sound good, but may be too good to be true. Offers of employment or business opportunities all too often don’t tell the full story. Once you respond to such an advertisement you could find yourself being open to all sorts of other mail and telephone scams. In the current employment climate it may be tempting to respond to such advertisements but Highland Trading Standards would urge consumers to think carefully, before they respond. Adverts may appear on websites, spam emails, fly-posters on unoccupied shop windows or lampposts, on supermarket noticeboards and even in the local or national press. How to spot a home-working scam can be tricky, but here are some tips to look out for:

! Be suspicious if you have to pay a fee to receive more information. If you have to pay money over for an employment opportunity then it is more than likely a scam. ! Exaggerated earnings. Beware of advertisements that make unbelievable claims about job opportunities or potential earnings. Earnings can be vastly exaggerated or sometime totally unrealistic. ! Stuffing envelopes as offers – these are often a front to phoney get rich quick schemes or pyramid selling.

! Don’t be fooled by glossy newsletters or flyers. Some desktop publishing advertising can be easily put together in a quick and professional manner at very little cost. The offer might look good but is there any substance to what is being offered?! Craftwork or hobby offers. Some businesses ask you to buy materials to produce items, such as making Christmas

wreaths, covering lampshade frames, or making up leather purses or bags. You may not be told that you will also have to sell these items yourself and, after making them or assembling them, find that no body wants them. Other firms may offer to buy back some of the items you make as long as your workmanship is ‘acceptable’. This allows the promoter to reject some goods which are perfectly good and sell them on at a profit. ! Beware of PO Box number addresses. Scam businesses can hide behind PO Box number addresses and then disappear very quickly without trace. Money you send to PO Box number addresses could

be forwarded to any address in the UK or even internationally.! ‘No investment required’; ‘a large income’; ‘work from home to suit your own hours’, ‘no experience necessary’. These are all standard phrases which have been used in bogus home working schemes in the past. If you see these in an advertisement in a newspaper or other publication be on your guard.

! Beware online. You may receive ‘web pop-ups’ on your screen offering products and the chance to sell these products from home. They will ask for an up front fee. Don’t be fooled into responding to these adverts. You could not only loose any monies you send to them but also you could become a victim of identity fraud.

Remember, genuine employers will not ask for money in advance before providing you with work. There should be a clear written contract of what you are expected to do in return for an income. There are usually about

300 bogus home working schemes known to be in operation at any one time. Typically the initial outlay can be from £10 - £60.

More information about home-working schemes can be found at: www.consumerdirect.gov.uk or by telephone on 08454 04 05 06Alternatively consumers can visit or write to Highland Trading Standards, 38 Harbour Road, Inverness IV1 1UF for free and confidential advice.For further Highland Trading Standards news please go to: www.highland.gov.uk/tradingstandardsnews

Homeworking Schemes – Don’t be caught out by offers of bogus jobs!

NO INTERNET ADDRESS

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

http://www.highland.gov.uk/tradingstandardsnews.htm





AVOCH FISHERMEN’S CO-OPERATIVE35 High Street, Avoch

No change to products and services availablein the shop

HOUSEHOLD HARDWARE GARDENING CLOTHING

GIFTS & PET FOODItems can be ordered on request

“Not just for Fishermen”Phone 01381 620823, Fax 01381 621072

POST OFFICE Full range of services now provided inside! Post Office Card Account ! Postage and Post Office Savings Stamps ! Bill and Budget Payment Schemes ! Banking Services and Postal Orders ! Telephony services including Homephone ! Moneygram ! Post Office Ltd Financial Services Products ! Special Delivery ! Home Shopping Returns ! Inland letters/packets, recorded delivery service ! International letters/packets

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

8.30 - 1pm2 - 5pm

8.30 - 1pm2 - 5pm

8.30 - 1pm2 - 5pm

8.30 - 1pm 8.30 - 1pm2 - 5pm

8.30 - 1pm

PEOPLE in the Black Isle are being challenged by Transition Black Isle to join their Highland Food Challenge and sample the best of local eating. Transition Black Isle is appealing for volunteers willing to change their food habits by discovering the delicious array of seasonal produce available in the area. The challenge involves eating food sourced mainly from the Highlands and encourages participants to Eat Local, Eat Organic, Eat Seasonal and Eat Vegetable. It is a great all-season way of eating which will help you learn new recipes, keep healthy and keep the planet in good health as well.By encouraging participants to seek out local produce and find organic alternatives we aim to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions created by food production and distribution. Eating British food saves over 150kg a year from our carbon footprint, whilst not eating meat just one day per week cuts 180kg a year. By looking for what’s on our doorstep and eating with the seasons we can re-establish a relationship with our food that has been sidelined in an era of convenience and overconsumption. This challenge is educational and exciting as it is green and, as an added incentive, all participants have a chance of winning some stunning prizes from the Cromarty Pottery! To find out more about how to take part please phone

01463 731 303 or e-mail the group at [email protected]. You can get started as soon as you like, by downloading the Highland Food Challenge Pack from their website (www.transitionblackisle.org) and following the sign-up advice it contains. They would also love to hear from you if you have a local food business, as they have compiled a map of where to go for local food and will be updating this with any further relevant businesses submitted. Follow the 'Add your business' link on the side bar. The Highland Food Challenge has so far held two food events; The first, in May, was an Asian Cookery Demo with local ingredients. The second, in June, was providing local food for the Green Fair at Fortrose. The local food included pork from a part wild boar pig reared on Netherton Farm, where one of their community gardens is. It had not travelled more than 25 miles in its life. For the vegetarians and vegans they had eggs from Easter Balmungie farm and carrot and coriander paté. All were served in bread rolls made by Strathpeffer Artisan Bread and was washed down with local apple juice from Ryefields Farm at Tore. These were followed by strawberries (which had to come from Stonehaven as the local ones weren't quite ready) served on home made cream scones. The event proved that local food can be really delicious. (Could there be any doubt?)

Highland Food Challenge

The technological age has reached PE Department at Fortrose Academy. They have invested in a WEBSITE.Now, before you all rush off to your computers to check out this masterpiece, please be aware that it is very early days and that these things take time, and remember - they are PE teachers! It is the intention of the

PE Department to post sports news and other useful material so watch this space -www.fortrosepe.weebly.com.

The main school website was also developed to assist pupils and give information to parents - try: www.fortroseacademy.webeden.co.uk and have a look at the subject links.

Websites atFortrose Academy

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Highland%20Food%20Challenge

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Highland%20Food%20Challenge

http://www.transitionblackisle.org/userfiles/file/Highland-Food-Challenge/Highland%20Food%20Challenge%20Complete%20Pack.pdf





the courtyardcoffee shop & gift galleryOur gift gallery is fun, innovative and there is something for everyone!

We offer a warm welcome and invite you to relax in a

pleasant atmosphere and enjoy the following:

• Delicious homemade cakes and traybakes

• Specially blended coffee for Expresso, Cappuccino, Latte

• Homemade Soup

• Sandwiches, Toasties & Panini

• Baked Potatoes with various fillings

• Salads & Quiche

Opening Hours 10.00am – 4.30pmMonday to Saturday

Find Us At Harpers Court(Adjacent to Lidl’s Car Park)

The Courtyard Coffee Shop & Gift GalleryDINGWALL

Tel: 01349 866062

There were almost 350 entries of fruit, vegetables, flowers, pot plants, food, preserves, crafts and photographs at the show, held in the Gordon Memorial Hall in Rosemarkie on the 14th August. The number of entries was up in almost all sections, and competition was particularly fierce in the food and preserves, where Hugh Fearn of Rosemarkie had to relinquish the Forsyth Trophy he’s held for the last two years to Janice MacLeman from Avoch. Other local trophy winners included Susan Seright of Rosemarkie for pot plants and cut flowers, Hamish MacDonald from Avoch for sweet peas and Marlie Smith of Munlochy for the best children’s miniature garden. The number of exhibitors entering the show for the first time was very encouraging. Hopefully they’ve whetted their appetites, and will be back next year having picked up some tips! New exhibitors are always welcome in all the sections of the show, and if you would like to receive a copy of next year’s schedule, which lists all the classes that people can enter, or just want to find out more about the show, please contact Show Secretary Graham Sullivan at [email protected] or on 01349 861991. Once again thanks are due to the many local people who give their time and energy to make this event a success, to the judges and exhibitors, and to all the people who come along to visit the show.

New exhibitors and a rise in the number of entries helped make this year’s Black Isle Horticultural Society Summer Show a resounding success.

New blood at the Horticultural…

Text byGraham Sullivan,photos by Sheila Maher






Community Theatre events

Two events are coming up at the Fortrose Community Theatre, one on 17th September and one on the 5th October.

‘Through the Wood, Laddie’Feargus Hetherington–Sherlock ViolinWill Pickvance – PianoA journey from the Scottish folk themes to rhapsodic variations. Music including Mozart, McGibbon & Mackenzie. A dynamic duo well renowned for their music all over the country. Don’t miss a chance to hear how they bring the music to life. For more details visitwww.throughthewoodladdie.blogspot.comFriday 17th Sept7.30pmAdmission£10.00 Adult£6.00 Conc. ‘KATHAKALI’Return on Tuesday 5th Oct.7.00pm Dance7.30pm PerformanceAdults £8.00Over 60s £4.00U16 £4.00. Back by popular demand, and as part of their 23rd Anniversary National Tour, we are pleased to welcome back ‘KATHAKALI’ with the

Out of Darkness Theatre Group (ODTC). A chance to see this ancient art of story telling using a 4,000 year old sign language called Mudras. They will perform the Peacock Dance Ritual with the ODTC at 7.00pm followed by the main Kathakali performance at 7.30pm. For information:www.kathakali.net

FortroseCommunity

Theatre

Book your tickets NOW on

01381 621252or at Reception at Black Isle Leisure

Centre

Secretary neededAvoch and Killen Community Council

is seeking a Secretary

Annual fee paid: £500.

Contact Caroline on 621894 for details.

FROM the international spotlight brought by Scotland's Housing Expo to homespun innovation on the Black Isle, the Highlands are becoming renowned for inspiring green living. Transition Black Isle is putting the final touches to its showcase energy event, an inspiring chance for people to discover how to green their daily lives. Hundreds are expected to flock to houses and gardens throughout the Black Isle to learn at first hand how to save energy and cash, and cut their carbon footprints. Greening Homes and Gardens will be on Saturday 11th September from 10am to 4pm so get the date in your diaries now! From small scale wind turbines and solar panels to growing food and composting, visitors can see a range of green energy measures in action and quiz their hosts on the details. A fascinating array of local households will take part and a broad range of home energy specialists, installers and suppliers is lined up for the event 'hub' at Findon Hall in Culbokie. The Energy Savings Trust, Inverness College UHI and Ross-shire Waste Aware Network (RoWAN) will be among those sharing expert advice. Topics to be covered in a series of seminars throughout the day will be: funding available to help green your home, improving the energy performance of hard-to-treat homes and how to use your compost. Energy convener Martin Sherring said this year’s event was shaping up to be

a real highlight for anyone interested in innovative ways of trimming energy bills.“We couldn’t believe the response we had last year,” he added. “People loved being able to see for themselves what they could do in their homes. “From hi-tech equipment like heat pumps and home wind turbines, to natural waste recycling methods such as composting with worms, there’s something for everyone. “Among the interesting new exhibitors are Balcas, the Invergordon-based wood pellet manufacturer, and Carbon Lite Design & Build, who are based in Ardross and specialise in ultra-high efficiency buildings from straw bales.

“And as last year, weather permitting, there will be free rides on the Beauly Firth in a solar-powered boat!”Participants will be able to pick the brains of gardeners in Transition Black Isle's community garden at Netherton. Advice and innovative techniques for growing your own will be displayed by permaculture expert Iain Findlay, developer of the Whirligrow, an outdoor salad and herb planter modelled on the structure of the DNA double helix . Last year’s Greening Homes and Gardens was described by Energy Savings Trust

staff as “an extremely well co-ordinated event” and flagged up nationally as an example of good practice.

The free event is backed by sponsorship from Invisible Heating Systems and funding from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund.

FINAL TOUCHES ADDED TO GREENING HOMES AND GARDENS

22 August 2010

Whirligrow

http://www.throughthewoodladdie.blogspot.com/




http://www.kathakali.net/

http://www.kathakali.net/

http://www.scotlandshousingexpo.com/

http://www.scotlandshousingexpo.com/



http://www.brites.eu/

http://www.brites.eu/

http://www.transitionblackisle.org/netherton.asp

http://www.transitionblackisle.org/netherton.asp

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Scotland-Welcome-page/At-Home

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Scotland-Welcome-page/At-Home

http://www.invisibleheating.co.uk/

http://www.invisibleheating.co.uk/

http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ccf.asp





Phones01381 621 38201463 715 171mobiles:07803 045 97907967 800 770

Highland Joiners & Builders Ltd.

Registered through:FMB Masterbond

Designs and plans drawn for

EXTENSIONS, LOFT & GARAGE CONVERSIONS, FULLY WARRANTED HOUSE BUILDS

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Greg DickieHazeldeanRosehaugh East DriveAvoch IV9 8RE

G. Anderson65 Dell RoadInvernessIV2 4TY

What’s your favourite film?DVDs at home, on a big screen TV, or even projected onto the wall, are very enjoyable, but there’s nothing to compare with watching a good film on the big screen in the company of an appreciative audience.! And there’s little better than the superb cinemas at Eden Court Theatre, where Inverness Film Fans (IFF!) present films every other Tuesday evening.Everyone is welcome at the Eden Court screenings of IFF!, who try their best to screen members’ requests. At their AGM at Eden Court on 20th September it is expected that membership will become freely available to everyone with an interest in good cinema - so join up and request your choice of film to be seen on the big screen! In September IFF! will be showing a “Heavies” season, startingwith the showing of

Sexy Beastat 7.30pm on Tuesday 14th September

IFF!IFF!INVERNESSFILMFANS

www.invernessfilmfans.org

Academy’s Malawi link

Fortrose Academy’s fourth visit to its link school in

Mulanje in southern Malawi is planned for June/July

2012. The Academy has been recruiting boys and

girls to take part in the expedition and all the

preparation involved. The estimated cost is around

£2000 for travel, food, accommodation and a

contribution to the building project which they will be

undertaking with Engineers without Borders.

Members of the team have been asked to raise funds

of at least £1200 themselves, with the remaining

£800 being sourced in the usual way!

In the past, members of the team have sold

crafts, organized everything from soup and sandwich

lunches to pamper evenings, a Burns supper to

sponsored walks. This is hard work, but pupils gain

communication and organizational skills, learn to

work as a team and also gain in confidence!

On the expedition it is intended to do some

conservation work, work with Malawian partners in

the school and undertake HIV/AIDs peer education

work. There will also be an opportunity to relax with

a safari.


Get netted!Does your group need internet access? Chatterbox now has broadband internet access at Avoch Community Centre. Free wireless access is available to all groups using the centre. Contact Chatterbox for availability.

Access Chatterbox on line -Visit our website at chatterboxnews.co.ukwhere you can accessour “last issue” or the “previous issue” to read or download the copy you want

and why not explore

Chatterbox Interactive ?

Jo’s GardenEnterprise

Easter Balmungie Farm, Eathie Roadby Rosemarkie

Tel. 01381 621006Bedding Plants Perennials Herbs

Free Delivery on the Black Isle

The Black Isle Words Festival 2010 will take place on the second weekend of September (Friday 10th -Sunday 12th) at the usual venue in Cromarty, "The Old Brewery," - Cromarty Training Centre. This will be the 10th Festival on the Black Isle. It began as the Cromarty Book Festival in the autumn of 1999 and, with one gap of about 18 months, has happened every year since then. For 2010 the main theme will be "Where Wild Things Are," explored by a range of contributors, including authors Linda Cracknell (Saturday), Sir John Lister-Kaye (Sunday), poet Gerry Cambridge (Saturday), storyteller Margot Henderson (Friday evening) and publisher and novelist Sharon Blackie (Sunday). As an opening on the Friday evening local authors Jim Miller, Angus Dunn and Anne MacLeod, "on the couch", will discuss the sense of place in their writing with fellow author and Black Isle Words Chairman, Kenny Taylor. The festival will also celebrate the centenary of Black Isle author, Jane Duncan, on the Saturday afternoon. At Cromarty East Church Dr Fiona Thomson of Leeds Trinity University will give a talk about the importance of place in the novels of Jane Duncan. Mairi Hedderwick, illustrator of the Jane Duncan 'Janet Reachfar' children's

books, will also speak and the afternoon will finish with harp music from one of the musicians attending the Cromarty Arts Trust's 'Harp Village' weekend.Saturday night will see the return of the popular Black Isle Words Ceilidh, where Festival contributors and members of the public alike can get together to do their party piece and share stories, poems, music, etc. over a glass of

wine or two.

BLACK ISLE WORDS 2011A Rabelaisian weekend will be held to celebrate 400 years since the birth of Sir Thomas Urquhart (1611-1660), son of Cromarty, translator of Rabelais and inventor of a universal language. The organisers hope that you will join them at next year’s Black Isle Words Festival - the dates for your diary are September 9th - 11th, 2011(the second weekend in September). Watch the

website in 2011 for details of speakers and events - http://www.blackislewords.co.uk/If you have suggestions for speakers or contributors you would like to see taking part in next year’s Festival, the organizers would be pleased if you would let them know.

The project is financed by The Scottish Government and the European Community Highland LEADER 2007-2013 Programme, The Highland Council Black Isle Ward 10 Discretionary Fund and The Scottish Book Trust.

Tenth Year for Black Isle Words Festival

Sir John Lister-Kaye Dr Fiona Thompson

Mairi Hedderwick Jay Griffiths

Margot Henderson Linda Cracknell

Gerry Cambridge Sharon Blackie

For bookings and enquiries

telephone 01349 864312/864151 or

email [email protected]

http://www.blackislewords.co.uk/

‘WHERE WILD THINGS ARE’BLACK ISLE WORDS FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

SEPTEMBER 2010A sparkling array of talented contributors has been lined up for this year’s Black Isle Words Festival at Cromarty.

Mairi Gilmour did this winning poster design as a Second Year Art & Design project at Fortrose Academy.

http://www.cromartylive.co.uk/

http://www.cromartylive.co.uk/

http://www.cromarty-training.com/




http://www.black-isle.info/index.asp

http://www.black-isle.info/index.asp

http://lindacracknell.blogspot.com/




http://www.lister-kaye.co.uk/




http://www.gerrycambridge.com/




http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/contacts/margot-henderson




http://www.tworavenspress.com/TRP%20Sharon%20Blackie.html




http://www.birlinn.co.uk/author/details/James-Miller-505/

http://www.birlinn.co.uk/author/details/James-Miller-505/

http://www.angusdunn.co.uk/index.asp?pageid=212621




http://www.booksfromscotland.com/Authors/Anne-MacLeod

http://www.booksfromscotland.com/Authors/Anne-MacLeod

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/d/janeduncan.html

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/d/janeduncan.html

http://www.eastchurchcromarty.co.uk/




http://www.booksfromscotland.com/Authors/Mairi-Hedderwick




http://www.cromartyartstrust.org.uk/















Fortrose Academy would be very grateful if any plastic bags that you have lying around could be passed on to the school for use with litter pick up.

Eilean DubhThe new Black Isle Restaurant

Eilean DubhE DE D

We want our menus to reflect the best of what the Black Isle has to offer and will be using as much fresh local fish, meat and produce as we can get our hands on!

Anne and Graham Law

To book, please call us on 01381 620690

Phone Avoch (01381) 621000

LOCALFREE-RANGE

EGGSWe can lay them

on your doorstep!£1 for 6 eggs

Anne ChanceEaster Balmungie Farm

Telephone: 621006

J P CarsPrivate Car Hire

Long and Short Distance

Tel: 01381 6214570782 483 2343

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ChiropodistJohn L. Stott

D.S.Ch. F.A.Ch.Pod. M.Inst.ChPHome Visits by appointment throughout

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State Registered: HPC Registration Number CH25760

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Shock shop closure

Fortrose shoppers have lost another popular business. The shop which took over the sale of newspapers from the previously closed Newsagents has itself ceased to trade. On Saturday 10th July Black Isle Farm Shop closed down. Proprietor Gordon Stewart said he had made the very difficult decision to close following substantial delay in obtaining Planning Permission and Building Warrant for his planned expansion, which was made worse by two objections to the planning application. The shop’s stated aim was to promote locally sourced seasonal fruit & vegetables, meat, bakery and dairy produce. However, Gordon says that it had become unprofitable to sell fruit & vegetables during the summer because of unacceptable levels of wastage caused by the high temperatures in the shop. The application was to enable the installation of cooling equipment. The application was eventually approved, but one of the objectors stated an intention to take legal action against Mr. Stewart if he continued with his expansion/renovation works and the installation of air-conditioning.Gordon was not prepared to spend what he expected to be “vast sums” defending this action, when he would have already had to commit to the substantial investment required to carry out the alterations. He described the decisions which he had had to make as “incredibly difficult” and asked his customers for their understanding of his problems. It is understood that the shop premises have been leased to The Cromarty Bakery and that they plan to open in early September. Details of the planning application and objections to it can be viewed on the highland council website:http://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/caseFile.do?category=application&caseNo=10/01121/FUL

Young Enterprise

M Rhynas

Congratulations to this year’s Young Enterprise team Endeavour (Amy Rose, Alice Graham, Gemma Main, Nicola Stewart, Katy Blois, Rhona Berry, Roxanne Steyn and Zak Labanca) who won the 4TM Social Media Services Award for Best Financial Management at the Highland Finals held at the Newton Hotel, Nairn in April. Well done to Amy Rose, Roxanne Steyn and Robin Nelson who achieved the top 3 placings in Highland for the Strathclyde Business School Young Enterprise Exam. Extra special congratulations must go to Amy, who was not only the top student in Highland but in Scotland! That’s first place out of 1,250 students across Scotland! They have certainly ‘endeavoured’ to their best, well done to all of them. Fortrose Academy is without a Business Advisor for next year! The Advisor’s role is to guide the team and help them make decisions by attending their meetings on a weekly/fortnightly basis. Meetings usually take place one lunchtime per week and last approximately 40 minutes. Ideally a team needs 2 Advisors! If you are interested in helping next year’s team or know someone who would please get in touch with Mrs Rhynas at the school for more details.

http://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/caseFile.do?category=application&caseNo=10/01121/FUL









Enjoy Mountain Biking? Looking for new people to ride with?

The Black isle Mountain Bike club was formed to promote Mountain Biking to young riders and encourage the use of the many mountain bike resources in the surrounding areas.

for more information visit www.mtb-black-isle.org.uk

A young woman from the Black Isle has taken on one of the most important jobs at UHI, the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands, in a key role supporting more than 8,000 students. Melissa Schouten, 25, of Crawford Avenue, Rosemarkie, is the new student development officer in a role which involves strengthening the student community and enabling it to have a strong voice within the institution. She will work closely with students and support the work of the UHI Students’ Association (UHISA). UHI’s students are spread across the Highlands and Islands in partner colleges and learning centres, or working from home or their workplace. “I will be doing my best to ensure that everyone feels part of a student community, no matter how they have chosen to study. And it is important that our students know what is going on at UHI and can have their say. “I want to improve communications so the student voice can be heard, and I’ll be supporting and developing our

student representation on subject network, faculty and other academic committees.” Melissa brings first-hand experience to the job as a former UHI student herself, gaining a higher national certificate in social sciences through Inverness College UHI. “I’m delighted to be involved at the core of such an important institution for people in our region, especially the young. UHI gave me the opportunity to engage study at higher education level without having to leave home, and I’m a passionate believer that others should have the same chance,” she said. A former pupil of Fortrose Academy, Melissa joined UHI early last year as student support services assistant. She previously worked in office administration and sales for local companies, including LifeScan Scotland in Inverness. She and her husband, Maarten, a joiner currently working at Avoch Primary School as local janitor, live in Rosemarkie where Melissa is an active member of the local amenities association.

Melissa voices her support for UHI students

A group of eight pupils and two teachers who are on an exchange visit to Fortrose Academy from their home town of Gjoahaven in Nunavut, Canada, are pictured with their Black Isle hosts as they plant a commemorative tree in the school grounds.

ExchangeLooking to a bright future are these school pupils who met one another on an exchange between Fortrose Academy and the Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik school in Gjoahaven in Nunavut, Northern Canada. Rebecca Cooper (right), a sixteen-year-old pupil, was so impressed with the Inuit people that she returned to spend her entire summer holiday with her host partner, Jessica Hunter (17), and now the Inuit schoolgirl has returned the compliment by visiting Fortrose with seven others from the same school. The party will take part in a fun-packed week of events which includes Scottish dancing, a visit to the Scottish Parliament, the Highland Wildlife Park and a local ceilidh. Douglas Simpson, rector of Fortrose Academy said, "This is a very, very special exchange, with our guests coming from a small town which has only four miles of made-up road, no trees and school is only cancelled when the temperature falls below minus 60 degrees. (The latter may have been a bit of an exaggeration).




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Mapping ProjectTom Mabon

An image of the map which Highland Print Studio worked on with Tom Mabon’s pupils at Fortrose Academy.

During May, thirty five Fortrose Academy S1 pupils were involved in a project organised by Highland Print Studio to create a map of their local environment. Fortrose Cathedral was chosen as the site for investigation and groups from Art & Design, Biology, Geography and History each added their own area of research towards creating the final Map. Pupils listened to visiting specialists in Architecture and building conservation from Historic Scotland, stained glass artist

Erland Tait and local historian Elizabeth Sutherland. Representatives from each subject also made a trip to the Highland Archive Centre and saw part of the silkscreen printing process at Highland Print Studio.Artist Sue-Jane Taylor co-ordinated the project, and a suite of six maps has been screen-printed at the Print Studio, from the six invited schools. The finished prints can be seen at Eden Court Theatre between 1st and 29th October.


COMMUNITY MARKETSbringing high quality, local food and other products and services to you

FERINTOSH COMMUNITY COUNCIL(2009 Food and Drink Awards finalist)

THIRD SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTHNext Market: Sat 18th September

10am - 12 noon, Findon Hall, CulbokieCall Kirsty Shaw on 01349 863407 to book a stall or for information about the Community Market. E-mail her at [email protected], or visit morayfirth-partnership.org, click the ‘Community’ tab and then click ‘Ferintosh CC Index’.

NORTH KESSOCK COMMUNITY MARKETTransition Black Isle and Friends of the Earth Inverness & Ross

LAST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTHNext Market: Sat 25th September

10am - 12 noon, N. Kessock School HallLovely local fresh vegetables and other produce - local crafts - time for a cup of coffee and a blether - much better than supermarket [email protected] 01463 731 303Friends of the Earth, Inverness & Ross www.foe-invernessandross.org.uk/Transition Black Isle www.http://www.transitionblackisle.org

A day off for community workPhoto courtesy of Ian Rhind

Beach Party some members of P7 celebrate leaving Avoch Primary School, 2nd July 2010

Photo courtesy of Rachel Hince


Rosemarkie Beach

July 2010

Photo by Rachel Hince


LewisMacleman

Plumbing and HeatingGallowhill, Avoch

Telephone 01381 620587Mobile 07833 727434

The Avoch BakeryGeorge Street

Fresh morning goods dailyAvailable locally at

Scotmid, AvochBlack Isle Farm Shop, Fortrose

SPAR, RosemarkieOrd Filling Station, Muir of Ord

and other good local stores

COME AND JOIN US!Bridge Street, AvochTelephone 01381 620246

StationHotel

Hairdressing SalonHigh Street, Avoch IV9 8PT

01381 620503Sunbed hours -Tuesday 9am - 2pmWednesday 9am - 2pmThursday 9am - 2pmFriday 9am - 2.30pmSaturday 9am - 12 noon

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Hire Rates -UPPER HALL

! One Off Use: Flat Rate of £ 6.50 per hour. ! Regular/Long Term User: Flat Rate of £ 5.50/hour.

! Fundraising: Flat rate of £10.00 per session (hourly rate for less than 2 hours)

MAIN HALL! Flat Rate of £ 6.00 per hour.

Special rates and arrangements foradult & teenage parties

For bookings or more information please contactAAA Bookings Secretary

Jenye Monckton, telephone 01381 621430

Saturday 20th November""""""" 10am-1pm: R&C EastBeach Birds and other Creatures - Inver BayA coastal walk taking in the shorelife as well as those winter arrivals on the wing. Through the dunes and along beaches to the mouth of the bay and beyond. Leaves from Inver village Community Centre NH862 826 Saturday 27th November"" 10am-12noon: R&C EastSalmon Hatchery Open Day at Loch na Croic TarvieCome to the hatchery at Loch na Croic at Tarvie by Contin and learn about the conservation of wild salmon by the Cromarty Firth Fishery Board. Get involved with catching salmon and learn how eggs for the restocking programme are produced. Suitable for all the family. A Ross & Cromarty East Local Biodiversity Action Event. NH427 589

Walks and events in Easter Ross & the Black

Isle for 2010http://www.alaska-in-pictures.com/salmon-hatchery-1783-pictures.htm

Charging rates for Guided Walks and other planned events:Prices up to 3 hours/ Over 3 hours * Normal Guided Walk/Event (including Family Events and Themed Events (such as Halloween, Vikings etc)Adults £3/£5Children (4-17 years old) and Senior Citizens £2/£3Under 4s FreeFamily Ticket £8/£12 (2 adults and up to 3 children)£5/£9 (1 adult and up to 3 children)Unwaged (Proof needed) FreeSeason Ticket: Adults £25Children £15

Tel: 01349 [email protected] our events by following this link: http://www.highland.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/what-to-see/rangers/countrysiderangerevents.htm



http://www.highland.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/what-to-see/rangers/countrysiderangerevents.htm









Macross’s Scotmid puzzle

F R I E S U N B R I D L EO N N N O M AR H U B A R B R H U B A R BE N I E O R V WI N D O L E N T D O N A T EG A D G LN U T R I T I O N L E WI SF E N N O I A HO A S I S G A R R O T T E RO C W E AD I N E R S G A T H E R E RS I I T Y A G E

R H U B A R B R H U B A R BI E I A N T I

S L I D E O U T T WE E T

Answers to No.53…

Rosemarkie17 High Street, Rosemarkie

The Scotmid prizePost your solution to the Editor marked “CROSSWORD”. The first all-correct answer opened on 1st October will win £10 from Chatterbox and a mystery prize from Scotmid, Avoch.

And the winner of No.53 was…Mike Keavey, from Avoch,singer and guitarist.

Newspapers and Magazines. You can reserve a copy.

!Avoch and Cromarty Bakeries.

!Free range eggs, chicken and duck from Easter Balmungie Farm.

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Across

7 Back up in far off complainant (9)8 Work I hesitatingly offer - to the masses? (5)9 Did Tito train for such a war? (9)10 See 16 down12 Cheats one hundred men (6)13 Large return after crushed tin is incorporated (8)14, 17 4 19’s work - with Frankie Valli? (3, 4, 7)20 A pair of skis round alternative ex PM of Poland (8)22 Wooden valise broken (6)24 Prussian-German containment of feeling (5)25 Little time in taste for salt (9)26 Vaporise mates? (5)27 Border treatments where rides met irregularly? (4, 5)

Down

1 Twin terrapins shield one of the 14 17 (6)2 Ignite parks (5,3)3 America tastes bad? (6)4, 19 Avanti! Do violin arrangement for maker of 14 17 (7, 7)5 Disprin gives relief to one of the 14 17 (6)6 Noah on tuba - both remixed for continental motorway (8)11 Contain nasty eye complaint (4)15 Near this arrangement to protect coiffures (8)16, 10 Little bear runs amori ragged (4, 5)18 Singular confinement (8)19 See 421 Prose - a departure for librettists? (6)22 Dim sum merchants supply one of the 14 17 (6)23 Feign mutual backward apprehension of one of the 14 17 (6)

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1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8

9 10

11

12 13

14 15 16 17 18

19

20 21 22 23

24 25

26 27

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Led by its doughty curator, Susan Seright, Groam House Museum has been very active over recent months in trying to fight the funding cuts to independent museums proposed by The Highland Council to help meet its savings targets. Members and directors wrote letters of support to the Council and the Groam House petition gathered well over 900 signatures before the Council's consultation period ended on 30 June.Significant extra help came in the form of supporting letters from a number of leading national academics who stressed the important role that the museum has always played in explaining the place of the Picts in Scottish history to the public and in contributing to further research as well as making a major contribution to tourism. Urging the Council to reflect very seriously on their proposals Dr James Fraser, Senior Lecturer in Early

Visit our Community Exhibition

Dr William Maclean – a forgotten collectorCome and see this excellent display researched and presented by local people through Archaeology for Communities in the Highland s Display the Past programme. Includes the beautiful Rosemarkie Pin on loan with other objects from National Museums Scotland.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDGroam House Museum relies on a dedicated team of volunteers who work on a rota system that can be adapted to individual’s availability. If you are interested in the work of the museum, and would like to find out more about this pleasurable and fulfilling work, please contact: Su Wompra, Volunteer Co-ordinator, on 01349 877091, or email: [email protected]

MUSEUM OPENING HOURS FOR 2010 -ADMISSION FREE 6 - 28 March: Sat/Sun 2pm-4pm 2 - 11 April: Easter, Open Daily 2pm - 4.30pm17 - 25 April: Sat/Sun 2pm-4pm 1 May - 31 October: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 2pm-4pm

For news and full information on the work of the museum please visit: www.groamhouse.org.uk

Groam House Museum, High Street, RosemarkieRoss-shire, IV10 8UF.Museum Tel: 01381 620961; Office Tel: 01463 811883Email: [email protected]: groamhouse.org.uk

Scottish History and Culture at Edinburgh University, pointed out "What a terrible shame it would be, with momentum building worldwide in the interests of Pictish studies, to pull the plug now on our ability to bring the Picts to the people of the Highlands, after all of the effort that has been exerted at these museums – and all of the money that the Council has invested – to safeguard local access to a period of their history every bit as fundamental to Scotland’s story as the age of Wallace and Bruce or the age of the Jacobites." In her letter to the Council Annette Carruthers, Senior Lecturer at St. Andrews University, observed that “Scotland's museums are an essential element of its tourism industry, which will surely be mortally damaged if our wet-weather attractions are unable to function? The network of professionally

run, locally supported, individual and varied, sometimes idiosyncratic museums across the Highlands is the reason that many visitors come to Scotland and return, despite the rain and the midges!” while Professor Jane Geddes of Aberdeen University described Groam House as “a beacon of intellectual quality on the Highland tourist circuit, providing a welcoming and informative venue for all visitors”.

To read all these magnificent letters of support in their entirety please visit the Groam House web site – www.groamhouse.org.uk.

The museum also worked with the Highlands & Islands Museums Forum who commissioned an independent impact analysis, looking at the economic impact of the 19 independent museums in the region. This study, which was supplied to The Highland Council, concluded that the total economic impact of the independent museums was the provision of 53 full-time equivalent jobs and £1,006,000 of income. Their estimated tourism contribution to the Highland economy was 150 FTEs and £3,000,000 of income.

The results of the Council's decisions are awaited with anxiety but the latest indications are that some kind of charitable trust may be set up to manage the Council's leisure and cultural provision which could result in savings of up to £700,000. The impact on the museums is however still unclear. This matter was discussed at the last meeting of the Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee on the 5th August, where the members “agreed to the principle of setting up an arm’s length organisation to deliver the local authority’s community learning and leisure services. A project board will be established to monitor the progress of setting up an arm’s length organisation.” We will hope to have an update report for the next issue of Chatterbox.

Groam House fights its cornerAlastair Morton (words and photo)

http://www.groamhouse.org.uk







As well as NOSAS members, local students and several recent school leavers from Fortrose Academy took part as volunteer excavators. Several pupils from the Academy also took part for a day and many visitors from the local community and holidaymakers were given a guided tour of the site. Under the direction of professional archaeologist Hugo Lamdin-Whymark, the excavations quickly established that Cairds’ Cave was indeed the site of Dr MacLean’s excavations; original deposits still survived beneath a layer of broken rocks and earth that had spread over the floor of the cave after MacLean’s excavations. These deposits contained shells, charcoal and a bone awl. A section was cut into part of MacLean’s spoil heap revealing large numbers of limpet and winkle shells. Animal bone fragments, fish bones and charcoal were retrieved using wet and dry sieving. A bone pin was also retrieved. The cave deposits all seem to relate to one period of occupation, possibly suggesting a Pictish bone-processing workshop.

Post-excavation analysis is about to begin and it is hoped to obtain radiocarbon dates from bone fragments found both by Dr MacLean and in situ during the recent excavations. Dr MacLean’s original finds are currently on display at Groam House Museum in Rosemarkie, and Trevor Cowie of the National Museums of Scotland gave a talk on Dr MacLean and his collection at Fortrose Community Theatre on 19th August at 7.30 pm.

LUCAS & INGRID STORY AND SON

STORYBELGIAN MASTER CHOCOLATIERS

HOME AND HANDMADE CHOCOLATES TO OUR OWN RECIPES

65 High StreetFortrose

Tel: 01381 622302 Mob: 0776 606 0511

Shop in Victorian Market, Invernessand at 67 HIGH STREET, FORTROSE

One hundred years ago Ross-shire doctor, Dr William MacLean, excavated a “cave near Rosemarkie”. He found many pieces of worked bone, mainly fairly basic pins and awls. One pin was much better finished and originally held five inset pieces of amber. His widow later presented his finds to the National Museums of Scotland but no excavation notes appear to have been included. The Rosemarkie Caves Project was set up in 2008, with the support of the North of Scotland Archaeology Society (NOSAS), to research the archaeology of the many caves on the Black Isle’s east coast between Rosemarkie and the Cromarty Firth. Their first major field project was to excavate Cairds’ Cave, the cave nearest to Rosemarkie, and traditionally said to be the site of Dr MacLean’s excavations in 1907-12. The ‘dig’ was planned as an opportunity for a community archaeology event for two weeks in late June this year. Fundraising took many months, led by the project’s founder Simon Gunn. For a while it was touch and go as to whether all the cash needed would be secured but in the end a generous award from The Cromarty Trust allowed a carefully crafted funding package to fall into place. Other sponsors were Highland LEADER 2007-13, The Highland Council Black Isle Ward Discretionary Funds, Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council, The Cromarty Firth Port Authority, Groam House Museum, the Workers Educational Association, Neil MacKinnon and Donald Cameron.

Community digs in at RosemarkieAlastair Morton (words and photos)

Local volunteers excavating a structure outside the cave

Excavating inside the cave

Director Hugo Whymark gives visitors a guided tour


presentation to a panel of judges from the Bank of England and face a challenging 10 minutes of questions. The girls had previously won their area heat in Edinburgh to reach this stage and to come 3rd is an exceptional achievement as we have never entered the competition before.

After much deliberation the girls have spent their winnings on new conference furniture for the Enterprise base so that future generations of enterprising pupils can sit in comfort!

NESS HORTICULTURAL SERVICESHorticultural Consultants & Greenhouse Suppliers

8 Nessway, Fortrose, Ross-shire IV10 8SSProprietor: Ian Fraser Tel: 01381 620315

NESS HORTICULTURAL SERVICES

CONTACT NUMBERS

Childline0800 1111

Children First01381 620757

Citizen's Advice Bureau:Dingwall 01349 864850Inverness01463 235345

Community Advice Service 01479 810919

Domestic Abuse Helpline 0800 0271234

Family Mediation 01463 712100

Healthways, Dingwall01349 868689

Homestart Ross/Cromarty 01349 883484

Housing:Inverness01463 710454Ross/Cromarty01349 868471Out of Hours0845 7002005

Marriage Counselling 01463 712888

Men's Advice Line 0181 6449914

Police:Inverness (H.Q.)01463 715555Ross,Cromarty/Skye 01349 862444

Rape and Abuse Line 0808 8000123or 7pm-10pm01349 865316

Reach out Highland 01463 711585

Ross Council on Alcohol 01349 852438

SamaritansInverness01463 713456Linkline0345 909090

Shelterline0808 8004444

Social Work:Dingwall01349 865262Inverness01463 724040Out of Hours0345 697284

Victim Support:Highland01463 710806

Women's Aid:Dingwall01349 863568Inverness01463 220719

Information provided without guarantee of accuracy. Please let us know if you are aware of any changes - send to [email protected]

School photosOur native Avoch readers should have fun trying to put names to all these faces and a date and place to the photos. George Brodie found them when he was clearing out his attic. His best guess is late 1950s.What do you think? We think we’ve spotted David Skinner, Sandy Jack and Don Patience - and is that George himself, next to Don? It would be nice to be able to publish these photos again with a full list of names - we hope you agree!

It seems a long time ago, but congratulations must go to the girls in the Target 2.0 Bank of England Team from Fortrose Academy. Amy Rose, Jennifer Laidlaw, Rhona Berry and Katy Blois came third in their re- gional heat in Manchester at the end of February and won £350 for the school. The challenge was to place themselves in the shoes of the Bank of England Monetary Committee and decide what the interest rate should be for March and whether or not to add to Quantitative Easing! The girls had to research all aspects of the economy in order to give a 17 minute

Bank of England SuccessM Rhynas


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A frustrating summer

Highland Councillor Billy Barclay

Hi everyone .... this has been a very frustrating summer in more ways than one. I spent a lot of time with officials trying to progress the repair of the Henrietta Bridge and now, I think, at last we have a deal - and hopefully work will be started this year. Knowing how dangerous the Burnside junction is, there is a need to progress this as soon as possible, before a serious accident occurs. The other issue is that, unfortunately, due to circumstances outwith my control, I still do not know when the rented housing will be delivered in Avoch. This is something that has been going on for several years - the planners seem to come close to an agreement with the developer and then it falls apart. My main concern with regard to this development is that the funds from the Scottish Government which help finance rented housing will be diminishing in years to come. This will not help the many local families who are desperately in need of a house of their own. I have to say I am confident that the 16 houses at Feddon Hill in Fortrose will be available fairly soon and another 16 will be available next summer at The Ness Gap in Fortrose. Funding for this, from the Scottish Government, is in place and I am confident that we will be able to fund another 16 at the same site. Cllr McCallum and I are actively involved with senior Roads Department officials with a view to improving the traffic flow through Munlochy, Avoch and Fortrose. This is because of a planning condition which was put in place in connection with the Ness Gap site in Fortrose, where the developer’s contribution will be used to improve the traffic flow in the three villages. There will be a public meeting on 6th September in Avoch Community Centre at which senior officials will be in attendance.

Remembering your community

Avoch Laundry and Avoch Dairy cart, the latter taken outside the Toll Farm. Photos by C. Gillies

The Report of Findings from the Black Isle Heritage Memories: Remembering Your Community sessions that took place at the beginning of this year has now been published and copies have been sent to project participants. The report has been lodged with the Historic Environment Record (http://her.highland.gov.uk/) and it is now expected that the new information that the project has generated about sites, features and buildings throughout the western and mid-Black Isle, will be entered into the region’s database of archaeology over the next couple of months. Hard copies of the report are to be deposited with representatives of each of the communities of Avoch, Culbokie and Tore (the Community Councils for Tore and Culbokie and into the care of Catriona Gillies, who has agreed to work with Sandy Mitchell in Avoch to progress the project there) and also at Dingwall and Fortrose Community Libraries, Dingwall and Groam House

Museums and at Avoch, Culbokie and Tore Primary Schools. You will be able to view all the photographs associated with the report at the ARCH website www.archhighland.org.uk Cait McCullagh,BIHM Project Officer said thank you to everyone who contributed to this project. She said, “So many folk gave so generously of their time, knowledge and from their memories and passion for their local heritage. It was such a privilege to work together with you all.” Cait said that the report is a celebration of the project and all those who took part and provides advice from the group’s experience of running the project for all those who might want to do something similar in their own communities.

Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands (ARCH) is a registered Scottish Charity, No. SC040624 and a Company Limited by Guarantee, (Company No. 353054)

Cait McCullagh is no longer Project Officer with ARCH. She has been awarded funding to study full-time for a PhD with Professor Ian Ralston at the University of Edinburgh and will begin her research in September. Her subject – the late Iron Age in Northern Pictland – will keep her here in the heart of Ross. Having co-founded ARCH and lived

the adventure of designing and developing the projects, she said, “I am, of course, thrilled to be able to continue to be involved. “Cathy MacIver has been appointed to the position of Project Officer and she will be joining the team later this summer. I’m delighted that Cathy has chosen ARCH and wish her the very best as she joins us all.”

http://her.highland.gov.uk/




http://www.archhighland.org.uk/

http://www.archhighland.org.uk/


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North Rising supporters from around Scotland gathered at Avoch on Saturday May 15th 2010 and agreed that a statue of Andrew de Moray must be erected to honour the first hero of the Scottish War for Independence. Addressing a crowd of over fifty supporters from various parts of Scotland, Rob Gibson, MSP and Andrew de Moray project convener, reported that William Wallace has been remembered as a Scottish hero in statues erected around the world. He said, "It is long overdue for Andrew de Moray, Wallace's co-commander of the Army of Scotland who

won the stunning victory at Stirling Bridge in September 1297, to have a statue erected where the crucial North Rising began." "The drover and bull statue about to be completed for the Highland Livestock Heritage Society at Dingwall Mart has cost a five figure sum. It is our job to reach out over the internet and to local benefactors to create a fitting statue to the once forgotten hero of the wars to preserve Scotland's cherished independence 713 years ago." "The project will launch a fund for this purpose and hopes to continue to engage with Historic Scotland and

Scottish Natural Heritage to produce a fuller interpretation of the castle site and its surrounding cultural and natural landscape. It is a stunning site overlooking the Moray Firth. What a fitting project to base in Avoch, the community which cherishes the memory of Andrew de Moray and his heroic feats of so long ago." "Though numbers at Ormond Hill were affected by the mass exodus from Ross-shire to watch their team Hampden Park play for the Scottish Cup, the enduring memory of the North Rising is fresher today than even fifteen years ago."


Annual Avoch march and new Ormond Hill plans

http://www.cosmeticdentistinverness.co.uk

http://www.cosmeticdentistinverness.co.uk


David Alstondavid.alston.cllr@highland.

gov.uk

Billy [email protected]

ov.uk

Isobel McCallumIsobel.mccallum.cllr@highla

nd.gov.uk

Craig Fraser

Diane Agnew (Black Isle Ward Manager)

[email protected]

Tel. 01349 868477www.highland.gov.uk

CONTACTyour Highland Councillors

Councillors’ Corner

Craig Fraser, Highland Councillor

[email protected]

Power of the Community!!

In June I had to deal with a safety issue in Cromarty when a young toddler was hurt after he put his wee foot into a domestic water supply hole, sometimes called a “toby”, located in the pavement with its cover missing. Fortunately the toddler was only scratched, bruised and a bit shocked, with a very upset mother. This one is now fixed, but how many more of these covers are broken or missing? It could easily have happened to someone with a walking stick. They are just accidents waiting to happen, so why not take a look outside your homes or businesses and see if any of these covers are broken or missing. If so report them to Scottish Water, tel: 0845 601 8855. Scottish Water have said that if they are made aware of any missing or damaged covers they will repair or replace them (see Ross-shire Journal July 9th 2010). Failing that report it to Highland Council 01349 886 606, e-mail [email protected] or contact any of your local councillors for assistance. Cromarty Community Council came up with a good idea for passengers who use the local bus services as regards airing their potential suggestions on how to improve the service. In this month’s Chatterbox there is a “Bus service improvement sheet”. I think that Stagecoach managers are fully aware of shortcomings but I am sure that they would gratefully receive any constructive ideas which could be implemented to improve the service. If Stagecoach management, Highland Council officials, Councillors and passengers all work together we can improve this service. I was doing some gardening the other day and encountered a very stubborn tree root - it was me or the root. It took a week to shift, but I overcame the obstacle and this got me thinking that with all the proposed cuts to community services is it not time to start organising into groups to defend, for example, Groam House Museum or Cromarty Library? Communities should get in touch with their councillors and ask for their support; after all we are here to help you, the community. Unfortunately in this day and age he or she who shouts loudest normally gets first? I am sure that communities which stand and fight for the issues which are important to them will have more chance of success with this approach rather than as lone voices in the wilderness.

Sign of the times?Jamie Grant’s plough sign for Roskill, on the main road between Munlochy and Avoch, was a well-known local landmark. Amazingly, this sign of the plough has been stolen and we understand that a similar sign at Rhives has also disappeared. The chances can’t be very high, but we hope that Jamie, pictured above, will get them back before they’re sold off for scrap.


Quotations invited.Avoch Amenities Association

invites quotes for installing a toilet upstairs in the Community Centre.

Please contact Jenye Moncktonon 01381 621430 for details

Open Monday-Friday3:10pm-6pm(Term Time only)

Avoch Community CentreOld Mill RoadAvochTel: 07765 401 696

CARE AND LEARNING ALLIANCEwww.careandlearningalliance.co.uk

Scottish Charity Number: SCO009292

Avoch Hedgehogs Out of School

Club

















http://www.highland.gov.uk/

http://www.highland.gov.uk/









Taking part in the Chanonry Sailing Club's open day at Fortrose are instructors Kian Sterritt (left) and Neale Boag (right) with their charges (left to right) Eilidh McPhee, Kirsteen Slater, Ross Urquhart, Ann Marie Hogan, Katherine Johnston and Ross Slater.

Open Day at Chanonry

Scotland’s Housing Expo

Some of the houses on view during August at Milton of Leys, outside Inverness. The homes, on show at Scotland's Housing Expo, aimed to bring to life award-winning designs to promote eco-friendly living and are made using materials in exciting and inspiring ways. Each home is unique and together they make up a development which is the first of its kind in the UK and promotes 'green' living to help the planet! Some of the home interiors were furnished to give inspiration to those looking for ideas for their own homes. The wide variety of ingenious concepts on display was planned to show how much can be achieved in the drive towards a more eco-conscious society.


Chatterbox photo

Chatterbox 54

Documents

Transcript of Chatterbox 54